TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - Canada ranks sixth overall while the United States continues to decline -- this year dropping to 23rd -- in the Human Freedom Index, released today by the Fraser Institute and a network of international public policy think-tanks. The index -- which uses 79 indicators of personal, civil and economic freedoms to rank 159 countries and jurisdictions around the world -- includes rankings from 2008 to 2014, the most recent year of available data. Since 2014, the federal government, and provincial governments in Alberta and Ontario, have introduced legislation and regulations that encroach on economic freedom, which could affect Canada's human freedom ranking in the coming years. "Canadians are generally free to enjoy civil liberties such as freedom of speech and religion, and women's rights, but the more government hampers our ability to trade and conduct business openly, the less free we become," said Fred McMahon, Dr. Michael A. Walker Research Chair in Economic Freedom at the Fraser Institute and editor of the study. Hong Kong remains the freest jurisdiction in the world, followed by Switzerland, New Zealand, Ireland and Denmark. Canada is tied for sixth with Australia and the United Kingdom. Other notable countries include Germany (13), the U.S. (23), France (31), Japan (32), Russia (115) and China (141). Last year, the U.S. ranked 20th. And Hong Kong's top ranking may surprise many. "While the freedom index doesn't measure democracy, democracy remains the best safeguard of personal freedoms, so if China encroaches on its one-country, two-system relationship with Hong Kong, we can expect Hong Kong's ranking to drop," McMahon said. The complete index -- a joint project of the Fraser Institute, the Cato Institute in the U.S., and the Liberales Institut of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Germany -- is available as a free PDF download at www.fraserinstitute.org. McMahon is the project editor. Ian Vasquez of the Cato Institute, and Tanja Porcnik, of the Visio Institute in Slovenia are the co-authors. Story continues The 10 freest and least free countries in the index The10 freest jurisdictions (from top) The 10 least free countries 1. Hong Kong 150. Angola 2. Switzerland 151. Democratic Republic of Congo 3. New Zealand 152. Algeria 4. Ireland 153. Myanmar 5. Denmark 154. Venezuela 6. Canada 155. Central African Republic 6. Australia 156. Syria 6. United Kingdom 157. Iran 9. Finland 158. Yemen 10. Netherlands 159. Libya Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter / Like us on Facebook The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org. The District Court yesterday rejected a statement written by the suspended Director of the National Prosecution Office (N.P.O), Mauga Precious Chang, in relation to the traffic offences shes charged with. Mauga has pleaded not guilty to charges of negligent driving causing injury, dangerous driving and failing to stop to ascertain in relation to traffic incident she was involved in. She is represented by Queens Counsel Aaron Perkins and former Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai. New Zealand-based lawyer, Satiu Simativa Perese, is the Prosecutor. On the second day of the trial yesterday, District Court Judge, Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma, rejected an application from Maugas lawyer for a statement she made in relation to the incident to be admissible as part of the prosecutions evidence. In his brief decision, Fepuleai considered the application and ruled that the statement was inadmissible. The document was the center of a legal argument between the lawyers yesterday. Judge rejects statement Perkins argued that the document provided by Mauga should be admissible and be included in the Police evidence. He pointed out that it makes no difference whether its referred to it as a letter or a statement. While Perkins accepts that a self-serving statement cannot be tendered by the defendant with expectation that it would be part of trials evidence, he believes this should not always be the case. The essential point here is the timing of certain events, said Perkins. There is a difference - in my submission between tendering a statement before my client was arrested and charged and doing so after. Perkins made reference to the evidence of investigating officer Sergeant Magalo Pul. He saide that when he went to see Mauga it was to inform her of her rights which included her writing a statement if she wished to. He said before Sergeant could ask her if she wished to provide a statement, Mauga handed a letter to him. Its important to know that these events occurred before my client was arrested, argued Perkins. It wasnt a self-serving evidence provided by my client after she was arrested. It happened before the charges and the arrest. How on earth could that not be admissible? Perkins added the Police also did not inform his client they would not be producing the letter/statement as part of their evidence. If she had she might have the option of her saying that if you will not produce it then ill repeat it to you now, he said. But Satiu disagreed. He reminded that the defendant is the Director of the National Prosecution Office and she knew what the rules are. The police officer, its not for him to start advising of what hes about to do or what not to do, said Satiu. She knows. If she wanted to rely on the statement she shouldve said soa self-serving statement is not allowed to pass through evidence without any testing whatsoever. Satiu also referred to cases where a Judge ruled against self serving statements being inadmissible. (Its) equally clear that the defendant is not entitled to produce a carefully written statement to police with the view to then it make part of the prosecution case, he said. That is my concern in this letter. Prior to that, Dr. Agape Amituanai gave a medical report of Loretta Teuelis condition. Ms. Teueli was on the passengers side of the vehicle driven by Mauga when it was involved in the accident. Dr. Amituanai recalled when she examined Ms. Teueli she had pain on her left flank, chest and shoulder. There were no bruises or external injuries, she told the Court. The doctor said Ms. Teueli had soft tissue injury from the accident but no open wounds. During cross examination, Dr. Amituanai said the degree of pain indicates bruising is deeper than the skin. Another witness called on the stand was taxi driver Tafito Selesele. Mr. Selesele was driving from the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi building to the front gate. He remembered that he saw the Tucson driven by Mauga turning in without stopping and that is how it crashed with the bus coming from eastern side. Perkins then put it to Mr. Selesele that he did not know whether the indicator was on. In response, the taxi driver said that is correct. The witness was also asked if he could measure the distance of how far the Tucson was from the bus. Using inside the Court room, the taxi driver pointed to a distance from a speaker to the back wall of the Court room, estimated to be 12meters. About the bus, Mr. Selesele was asked if the bus was speeding. He replied he does not know. When Perkins told him about a statement he made where he mentioned that the bus was speeding, he said this was correct. After that the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Magalo Pule gave evidence. The sergeant recalled that he was instructed by the Police Commissioner on Tuesday, 16th August about Maugas arrest. He said he was accompanied by a female officer and Superintendent Sua Tiumalu to to the National Prosecution Office. Upon arrival, Mauga was not at the office. At 10 oclock that morning, she arrived and they proceeded to talk to her. Sua led the discussion. Sergeant Pule said on that day the arrest was effected. The caution statement was done in office but Sua had informed her why we were there, he explained. The officer said he was the one that gave the caution statement at the police office where Aumua was present. In cross examination, Perkins asked if the Sergeant had received a letter from the defendant in the form of a statement. He replied yes on a day before 16th August. At this point, Satui argued that the letter was inadmissible. The hearing continues today with the lawyers making their final submissions. Miss Anotonina Lilomaiva believes this is American Samoas time. The 19-year-old is representing the territory in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, with the finale on Friday at Tuanaimato. The last time American Samoa won the title was back in 2002, she said. So its about time to make history and take the crown back home with us. Ms. Lilomaiava says she is inspired by her family. My family was the main reason I decided to be part of the pageant. I was brought up in a family with strong cultural values." Ive always had a heart for giving back and when I first entered the Pageant, I thought it was a great way for me to give back to my family and community. But most importantly, it is all about representing and exposing what God has instilled in me." I also saw it as an opportunity for me to reach out to the young women of my community and also the pacific." You know we are different in our own ways. But God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us. And this is something that I want to encourage." If you believe that you can do something, stand up and do it. Its all about believing in yourself and trusting God. Moreover, she said that she is very looking forward to the pageant. I am excited about the Pageant; I love the experience I have so far and I am learning as much as I can from all the other contestants." Spending time with them and getting to know is one of the amazing things about this pageant. It is indeed an honour and privilege to be here with my other sisters from all around the Pacific. Nevertheless, Anotonina said she also sees this pageant as a learning platform for her. I want to enjoy my time as well learning from the other girls so that when I go back to American Samoa and I will use the experience and knowledge I gain from this pageant to carry out my role as Miss American Samoa and inspire other young girls as well. Its about making a difference and giving back something to our communities. That has been my focus and to me, if I could inspire one or two girls out there and encourage them to stand up for what they believe in then that would be enough for me. But the ultimate goal is winning the crown. We are all here to compete for the title. Why should we pick her as the next Miss Pacific Islands? It is indeed a beauty pageant, she said. But I guess whats more important is how you carry yourself. People look up to you, so to me, I think service is one important aspect of being a Miss Pacific Islands. And to me, that is something I am passionate about and if I were to win the title I will dedicate my time and energy with the help of God to help and serve our Pacific people to the best of my ability. I am very passionate about giving back to my people and about our culture. I am proud of who I will always be a proud islander. And if I win, like I said, I will use my talents and strength to give back to our people and also inspire other young girls out there to stand up and make a difference. Miss Anotonina Lilomaiava is your contestant number 7 and she has chosen the topic Education for her Pre-Pageant interview. Well, after failing to complete the server move after 36 hours, waved the white flag and said it was going to "regroup". And they have been trying to resto... 2 days ago Computer entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist Ted Waitt has been named chairman of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and he pledged to continue its role as a small but world-renowned center of biomedical research. Waitt takes over immediately from Irwin Jacobs, a co-founder of the technology giant Qualcomm who led the Salk board of directors since November 2006. Jacobs plans to remain on the board as chairman emeritus. Waitt was chosen as the new chairman during the boards Nov. 18 meeting, the Institute said in its Monday announcement. Advertisement Like Jacobs, Waitt came to the La Jolla-based institute as a wealthy high-tech executive who had become increasingly interested in life sciences and was captivated by the Salks mission. Ted Waitt, the computer entrepreneur-turned- philanthropist, describes his goals as the Salk Institutes new board chairman. Waitt, 53, made his fortune as co-founder of Gateway Inc., the direct-to-consumer computer company. He retired from Gateway in 2004 and joined the Salk board that year. He was worth about $1.3 billion last year, according to Forbes magazines rankings. The institute was founded in 1960 by Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine. Its small faculty of scientists, now numbering about 50, is noted for discoveries in areas such as cancer, gene therapy, neurobiology and plant biology. Waitt takes over the chairmanship when the institute is in perhaps the best financial shape of its existence. Former Salk president William Brody and Jacobs oversaw a multi-year capital campaign that brought in more than $330 million by 2015. In an interview Monday, Waitt said he intends to help Salks scientists continue to make pioneering contributions. Hes already demonstrated a willingness to open his wallet toward that cause. In 2008, the Waitt Foundation gave $20 million to fund the Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Center at Salk, giving researchers more advanced imaging and visualization technologies. Waitt said he first heard of the Salk Institute after retiring from Gateway, despite having lived in La Jolla. He was looking to get involved with nonprofits when a friend said he should consider getting involved there. I came and met the people, met the scientists and kind of fell in love with the place, Waitt said. Theres something magical about this place. That magic comes from a small group of scientists who are used to interdisciplinary cooperation, thriving without a big academic bureaucracy, Waitt said. Were small and great at what we do, Waitt said. I dont know if its the architecture, the location or the proclivity of people who come here, but when people get together, they do better work. It will be a big challenge to maintain that excellence as the institute hires new faculty to replace its retiring scientists, Waitt said. Waitt plans to spend most of his time focusing on the Salk Institute and related scientific matters. Hes conveniently located to do so, with a home within walking distance of the facility. Waitt and his wife, Michele, also have a house in Los Angeles and are building a new home in West Hollywood. Asked for any insight about how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump might deal with life-science funding, Waitt said much of this research, such as fighting cancer, tends to get bipartisan support. We want to be optimistic, but its going to be interesting to see what happens, Waitt said. Waitts appointment was praised by Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom, a statewide life-science trade group based in San Diego. Its exciting to see another great philanthropist and longtime Southern Californian take the reins from Irwin Jacobs at the Salk Institute, Panetta said. I know that his leadership and dedication to biomedical research will benefit both Salk and the entire world-renowned biomedical research community here. In a statement from the institute, Jacobs and Salk Institute president Elizabeth Blackburn also praised Waitts appointment. I am delighted the Trustees unanimously agreed that Ted is the right successor to lead the Board, Jacobs said. He is wholly enthusiastic and committed to Salks basic biological research and has the enterprising leadership and vision to expand the reach of the Institutes science even further. Blackburn said Waitts financial acumen and entrepreneurship, along with his extensive experience with Salk, will help the Institute achieve its goals of furthering biomedical research to benefit the world. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Waitt has received a number of honors, including Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Association and being rated as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Waitt has four grown children and resides in Southern California with his wife in their La Jolla and Los Angeles residences. bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 We can agree that a sidewalk in San Diego is no place to give birth. Yet amid the citys lost tribe of homeless people, a womans body had other plans. I hear a woman screaming in a tent, and it sounds like something awful, said Phillip Denton, who was working as a security guard for downtowns Clean and Safe, a quasi-government agency that scrubs pavement and patrols the neighborhood. Denton was making his usual rounds on the afternoon of Sept. 10, a Saturday, when a dispatcher directed him to check on the welfare of a homeless woman camped in the East Village, near the corner of 14th and G streets. Advertisement After establishing that she wasnt being murdered and noting her pregnancy, Denton asked her to report her pain level. It was 10 on a scale of 10. Still, the woman refused medical help. Absolutely no 911 call for her, please. Clean and Safe rules prohibit its ambassadors from delivering first aid or even touching the homeless. So Denton and his supervisor gently persuaded the soon-to-be mother to submit to a rudimentary exam, conducted by a homeless woman who lived nearby. The tent was dirty; blankets, roaches and probably mice, Denton said. The prognosis was obvious: Ready or not, a baby was coming soon. This reality changed the mind that mattered most. Within minutes, the woman consented to be scooped up by paramedics and transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital. Here the story trails off. Citing privacy regulations, no hospital, fire department or nonprofit official will disclose what happened next. On the bright side, county records show no deceased homeless infants that day. I picked up clues that a mother and newborn baby survived, and landed a day or two later in a shelter for homeless women and their children. Here again, strict privacy rules prevent me from confirmation. And Im not naming the shelter, which also hides victims from violent domestic abusers. But that was more than two months ago. At least once a week Ive walked a grid in the East Village area where the security guard may have saved a life, or two. Nobody claims to know the pregnant woman, street name Lady, who went into labor on the sidewalk. Are they OK or back on the street? Getting decent food and clothing? What about checkups for that baby? Forget about answers for a second. Even such questions can bring me to tears. >> List of homeless fatalities We can suppose that this mother was disabled by mental illness, at least temporarily. After all, experts estimate such illness afflicts 80 percent of the chronically homeless people living outdoors. Yet we dont need experts for this one. Rational people dont refuse medical attention while enduring the agony of childbirth inside a filthy tent. Perhaps her moment of clarity will persist. Studies suggest that about four-fifths of homeless people are unhoused only temporarily, and soon muster the resources to return to traditional society. About 10 percent skip off the bottom, while the remaining 10 percent never recover. Its those people, that chronic and hopeless tenth, whove been effectively abandoned by San Diegos political leaders to its sidewalks, parks and canyons. Over the decade from 2007 through January of this year, San Diego Countys population of unsheltered chronically homeless surged by a deplorable 54 percent, from 707 to 1,087 people. No, the magnets of great weather and lavish welfare dont explain such growth. Los Angeles County, with the same climate and larger subsidies, has cut its chronic population by 29 percent (to a still-catastrophic 12,354 people). Salt Lake City is down 98 percent, Houston is down 86 percent, and the U.S. overall is down 32 percent. In our burgeoning failure to house the most vulnerable, San Diego stands alone. We are a national disgrace. Local politicians, always quick to boast when programs are launched, tend toward excuses when confronted with such results. San Diego is different, were told, an exception. Its all very complicated. The reality is quite simple: Like most of California, San Diego has used zoning and fees to make it harder over time to build new houses and apartments, causing shortage and swiftly rising prices. This has produced what economists call a market failure when it comes to low-cost apartments, prompting local governments to subsidize their production in keeping with state and federal law. Except that San Diego has been exceptionally averse to building homes for the poor, and rather fond of destroying them. As uncovered this month by Union-Tribune Watchdog reporter James DeHaven, San Diego has removed about 10,000 affordable dwellings from its rolls over the last six years, neatly canceling out the entire total that the citys housing commission opened going all the way back to 1979. My analysis of commission data shows even worse trends at the lowest tier of the subsidy strata, with just 543 permanent units designated for the homeless over the last decade. When it comes to government handouts, the pathetic and deranged just cant compete with healthy low-income families. Such neglect imposes a tangible cost. If a sidewalk is no place for a baby, living outdoors is practically a fatal disease for adults. The average life expectancy for a chronically homeless person is variously estimated from 42 to 52, compared to 79 for the rest of us. They have all the diseases of the general population, plus Third World conditions ranging from scurvy to disorders of the skin and foot. Yet untreated mental illness, from major depression to schizophrenia to addiction, is by far the major threat. The number of people who died while homeless has doubled in San Diego County over just two years to 117 in the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, surging from 93 last year and 54 over the same period in 2014, according to data from the county medical examiner. Accidents claimed the most people, with 62 dying this year of causes ranging from falls to overdoses to being hit by cars or trains. Given the populations size, this ratio dwarfs the accidental death rate in the general population. Suicide killed 12 homeless people. Two men were found hanged in alleys. Even many of the natural causes bore the hallmarks of untreated mental illness, with complications of chronic alcoholism leading that list. Relatively few of the homeless are women, yet they may suffer more, along with their children. I discussed health recently with Lisa Marie Mitchell, a native San Diegan who at 50 has been living on the streets off and on since 18. I took the wrong path and starting using drugs, she said, her eyes glazed at 8:30 a.m. So I asked what drugs. Vodka, came her instant reply. Mitchell told me shed given birth to seven children over the years and given all up for adoption. I have no way of verifying her account, but she wasnt bragging. Then she caught me looking at her swollen belly. No, Mitchell wasnt pregnant again. Instead, the doctor said her abdomen was distended by cirrhosis of the liver, a diagnosis that includes pancreatitis and mental illness, promising her a slow, painful death. Are such people best left alone? Will enough suffering on the streets compel them to eventually pull themselves together? Such logic escapes me. Its hard to see how a population incapable of feeding itself or showering properly will suddenly find the means to hold jobs, pay for apartments, take psych meds on time. If we dont put them in housing and offer steady medical help, nobody will. Realizing the abstract nature of statistics, some homeless advocates have reached for better symbols. On the cloudy Sunday afternoon of Nov. 6, a saxophonist played Goin Up Yonder to a small group near the steps of the county administration building. We were waiting for the start of an annual vigil held by San Diego Rescue Mission for the homeless who died the year before. In due course Herb Johnson, the Rescues chief executive, turned the corner leading a column of volunteers who had walked through downtown carrying pairs of used shoes to represent each dead person. After comments from ministers, a rabbi, priest and Buddhist monk, volunteers read the names of the deceased. The interfaith speakers invoked the heartfelt truths youd expect: Homeless people are properly seen as our brothers and sisters, not as discards. Johnson, who runs a major shelter and rehabilitation center with no public funding, was just as passionate about the sudden increase in misery he has been seeing. Most of all, he wanted the public to comprehend the fatal nature of homelessness, even in sunny San Diego. It aint life on the Big Easy, he said. dan.mcswain@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1280 Twitter: @McSwainUT High-rises could be headed toward Hillcrest as a result of the new Uptown Community Plan adopted by the City Council last week. The update to the 1988 land-use plan for the 2,700-acre collection of communities south of Interstate 8 and between Old Town and North Park calls for maxing out at about 32,000 homes and 55,700 people, about the same as envisioned a generation ago. The current population stands at 38,900, living in 23,200 homes, according to San Diego Association of Government estimates. Councilman Todd Gloria, who represents the area and is moving to the state Assembly next month, said the plan will set the right course for the future of our city going forward. Advertisement But its the 11.6 acres in the heart of Hillcrest that stand to see the most change over the next decade. Called the Uptown Gateway District, the area is bounded by Washington Street and Pennsylvania, Fourth and Seventh avenues. Fifteen property owners convinced the city to authorize whats known as a specific plan. It could set the stage for a dramatic transformation of low-rise buildings, dating back a century, into a series of high-rises of 20 stories or more, surrounded by wide sidewalks, eclectic cafes and shops, urban plazas. The vision calls to mind the sort of vibrant, walkable streetscape in downtowns Little Italy, Portlands Pearl District and other have-to-see people-watching places across America. Key to the future, proponents say is to reduce dependence on cars and convince residents, shoppers and workers to get there by bus, trolley, driverless vehicles and ride-hailing services. It would be Hillcrests small contribution to combating global warming by reducing car emissions. Here we are in a city with absolutely the best weather of just about any city you can think of and everybody wants door-to-door service, said Marcela Escobar-Eck at the Atlantis Group, the projects master planning firm. If we cant get people to use alternative modes of transit we are doomed! The Uptown plan was in the works for eight years, kicked off by a fight over a high-rise proposal at Third and University avenues; that project was soon abandoned. Other elements of the new plan protect parts of Mission Hills and University Heights from densification and institute new design controls, create new historic districts and raise developer impact fees to pay for more parks and infrastructure. But Hillcrests zoning was not changed from the 1988 plan and the Uptown Gateway proposal appeared at the tail end of the replanning process. Nancy Moors, a publisher of the Hillquest Urban Guide, said many residents had devoted untold hours to fashioning a new plan, only to see many of their recommendations ignored. They wanted density moved to Park Boulevard, away from the congested center of the community. I think the developers will probably get what they want, she said of the Uptown Gateway proposal. Mat Wahlstrom, a member of Uptown Community Planners, said the fear is that Uptown Gateway will wipe out age-old storefronts, treasured by preservationists and the LGBT community. Were not here opposing density we understand it completely, Wahlstrom said he told the council at its Nov. 14 meeting. Our only questions before you, for our community plan and any community plan, are where does it go and who gets to decide where it goes? But advocates say their goal is not to build penthouses for millionaires but small, affordable rentals where residents can survive without a car. I think weve really seen a shift in the thinking from city staff and our council members in understanding this kind of no-growth culture weve had in San Diego for so long is just not sustainable, and we need to start making decisions for adding housing to San Diego and growth to happen, said Elizabeth Robinson, represent the Greenwald Companys holdings on Sixth Avenue. Uptown Gateway consultants say they hope to get the specific plan process rolling after the first of the year and council action by mid-2018. Then construction could begin by late-2019 with the first new developments opening by 2022. Its unclear if opposition will rise up once details unfold. An economic downturn and political changes in the wind could derail the district as well. But for now, eight years of planning battles are over. We just need to get away from the carcass, said Uptown Planners Chairman Leo Wilson. It left a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths. roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley San Diego County homeowners saw some of the biggest home value increases in Southern California in the last year, while landlords benefited from some of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the region, said a detailed industry report released Sunday. While high demand for housing propelled prices higher, industry leaders expect more construction of residential units in 2017 than this year, said the third quarter report from the nonprofit Real Estate Research Council of Southern California. Forecasts for Southern California predict an average 12.3 percent increase in residential permits next year across all seven counties. Advertisement As of the third quarter this year, San Diego Countys building pace at historic lows had contributed to a 3.2 percent apartment vacancy rate, the second lowest in Southern California, with an average monthly rent of $1,873. Rent increased 7 percent in the 12-month period. Santa Barbara County had the lowest rate, 2.7 percent, and Riverside County was the highest at 4.6 percent. The council report said the highest rent in Southern California was in Los Angeles County ($2,180), followed by Orange County ($1,965) and Ventura County ($1,890). A strong housing market across the entire region pushed all home prices up, the report said. San Diego County prices increased the second most year-over-year by 8 percent. Riverside County had the most at 8.4 percent and Ventura County the least at 6.2 percent. Two percent of San Diego County homes saw their annual home prices reduce in October 2016, mainly in beach areas. The market is more difficult if you are trying to buy a home. San Diego County had 17,306 residential permits approved in 2004 during the housing boom. So far in 2016, 7,412 permits have been granted. Local builders and governments are clearly favoring condominiums and apartments over traditional homes. Permits for single-family homes were down 26 percent from the third quarter this year compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, multifamily housing permits were up 49 percent. This summer, real estate consultants London Group Realty Partners warned that the county was building too much multifamily housing instead of single-family. It reasoned millennials would want to live in traditional homes with their families, like their parents, instead of apartments or condos. The contrast is illustrated with nearby Riverside County, where many San Diego County workers have turned for housing. So far in 2016, Riverside has approved 3,958 single-family homes compared to 1,848 in San Diego. Meanwhile, San Diego had 5,564 multi-family permits and 377 in Riverside. Another indication that homeowners had a good year was the sharp reduction in defaults. So far this year, 3,470 San Diegans have defaulted on home loans, putting it on track to come under the 5,142 from last year. In 2009, there were 38,308 home loan defaults. Lending for residential purchases was up across the board in Southern California in the third quarter this year, but San Diego County had the highest year-over-year increase. More than $6.5 million was approved, up 21 percent from the same time last year. In a curious piece of data from the report, it appears San Diego County residents might have a problem paying their plumber. As of September, 1,500 mechanic liens had been placed on San Diego homes in 2016 the second highest of any county and a 15 percent increase from the same time last year (liens were down in total for Southern California during the same time). Los Angeles County has had the most mechanic liens so far this year at 3,709. RELATED Infill in North Park phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar ALSO San Diego home price gains one of biggest in California Online grocery shopping is one of the smallest categories for food and beverage sales, but the industry experts at Packaged Facts predict that it will quadruple to nearly $100 billion by 2019. In fact, the Internet is the fastest-growing segment for grocery sales, the research firm said in a newly released report. Packaged Facts, a consumer research company based in Maryland, estimates that online spending on groceries will total about $23 billion this year, or about 3.4 percent of the projected $667.5 billion for all grocery spending in 2014. Thats nearly a 22 percent increase from the year before. Advertisement By 2019, the online category is expected to account for roughly 12 percent of all grocery spending, according to the study. Most of that growth will likely come from in-store pickup programs, said Tim Kenney, president of MyWebGrocer, a Vermont company that provides Web and digital marketing services for grocers. Consumers have been ready to buy their groceries online for years, he said. The only thing holding them back has been access. Only a handful of online grocery services have emerged with the potential to succeed nationally at transforming peoples grocery-shopping habits, which tend to emphasize a personal and sensory experience. Leading the pack are the same-day delivery services Peapod, AmazonFresh, Google Express and Instacart. Peapod, the longest-running of these operations, has been delivering groceries since 1989. The Illinois-based company handles more than 23 million online orders across 24 markets, it said. Its competitors arent widely available yet, but all are expanding fast. San Diego became the latest front in the battle for online grocery bucks in July, when AmazonFresh rolled into town. Instacart is rumored to be on its heels. Peapod and Google Express havent entered this region. Kenney said these burgeoning companies are spurring traditional grocers to adopt their own in-store-pickup and home-delivery services. Vons has been offering these services for four years. While Walmart has made in-store pickups available for most items since 2007, it only recently extended the option to groceries in select markets. Target said it plans to soon offer in-store pickups for online grocery orders. It was never a demand issue, but an issue of retailers wanting to embrace it, Kenney said. It changes the way you do business. Packaged Facts said Amazon and Walmart have an edge on their competitors because of their vast distribution networks across the country, along with robust logistics and delivery systems. But heres the good news for brick-and-mortar stores: Among MyWebGrocer clients that offer both in-store pickup and home delivery, in-store pickup is more popular by a margin of three-to-one. Far from becoming obsolete, the stores physical presence is becoming a linchpin of its online business model. A good store can move about 10 percent of its shoppers to online, so it becomes a big business, Kenney said. The fee for an in-store pickup, which ranges from $6 to $10, is often lower than for home delivery, he added. Vons charges $12.95 to deliver orders that are less than $150. In addition, the pickup option might be more appealing to people who cant be home to receive their groceries during business hours. Regardless of whether a store opts for in-store pickup, at-home delivery or both, having the entire store selection available is important to online shoppers, Kenney said. Earlier this month, a superior court judge allowed a lawsuit aimed at reversing a decision by the California Coastal Commission granting a permit to store spent nuclear waste at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to go forward. On Monday, the attorneys who brought the suit received an email from the state, demanding they pay $6,500 in fees now that the case is proceeding. Petitioners are responsible for the cost of the administrative record, deputy attorney general Hayley Peterson said in a two-page letter on behalf of the Coastal Commission. In addition, the fee has to be paid within seven days. Advertisement One of the attorneys for the group that brought the suit cried foul. We provided the record necessary, said Michael Aguirre, a San Diego attorney for Citizens Oversight, an advocacy group that has been a harsh critic of the Coastal Commission and Southern California Edison, the operators of the plant. To try to win by making us spend money we dont have, thats no way to win the case. Officials with the Coastal Commission said the bill is simply standard procedure. Anyone seeking to challenge a commission action is required to pay for preparing the administrative record, said Noaki Schwartz, commission public information officer. In the AGs letter, the Coastal Commission said it sent Aguirres law firm an estimate back in July, explaining the cases emails and correspondence had to be sorted chronologically and indexed individually in order to provide an adequate record. The lawsuit was filed in reaction to a vote by the Coastal Commission in October 2015, allowing Southern California Edison to proceed with plans to store some 3.6 million pounds of spent fuel in dry casks at the plants site hugging the Pacific Ocean. The commission and Edison wanted the case thrown out, saying Aguirre had missed a filing deadline but on Nov. 9, Superior Court Judge Judith Hayes allowed the lawsuit to move forward because the stakes for the environment are so high. The waste is located within 50 miles of 8.4 million residents. The case is scheduled to start March 30, with Hayes presiding. This story has been updated to include response from the California Coastal Commission. rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1251 Twitter: @robnikolewski A new company will take over repairs and eventual operations of the beleaguered Desert Line railroad, clearing the way for work to begin this summer and for trains to move goods made in Mexico into the United States in 2018. In a deal finalized Thursday, the Baja California Railroad will sublease the old and dilapidated line from the Pacific Imperial Railroad, a company that has has leased the tracks from its landlord, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit District, since 2012. The agreement cuts Pacific Imperial out of most Desert Line operations and repairs. The company has no experience running a railroad and has been the subject of a federal inquiry. Advertisement Officials said the sublease is a crucial step in getting the Desert Line running again so that products made in Mexicos maquiladoras can be efficiently shipped into the United States by rail rather than sitting for hours in trucks at the regions border crossings. Between $60 and $70 million in repairs on 70 miles of track, 57 bridges and 17 tunnels are needed before any freight is moved. The two rail companies will pay for the renovations. Our existing freight corridors are strained, and the bottlenecks at our commercial ports of entry cause unpredictable weight times for truckers, Jerry Sanders, the president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said at a news conference announcing the agreement. The rehabilitation of the cross-border railroad provides a much needed alternative for moving goods through one of the most vibrant centers of commerce in the world. As a term of the sublease, MTS will continue to receive $1 million in minimum annual rent, but will now only receive a 7 percent cut of gross revenue when freight starts moving on the line, down from 15 percent in the previous agreement with Pacific Imperial. County Supervisor Ron Roberts, the vice chairman of the MTS board, said this reduction was made after consulting with experts who advised that a 15 percent share was unusually high for the industry, not viable and would limit an operators ability to invest in the railway. Additionally, deadlines for repair and operational milestones that Pacific Imperial was supposed to meet have been pushed back a year, marking another in a series of delays that have hindered progress on the Desert Line. A 10-mile stretch from Coyote Wells to Plaster City in Imperial County is now supposed to be repaired by March 2017 and begin limited operations by the end of that year. The 60-mile span from Division near the border to Coyote Wells must now be repaired by April 15, 2018, begin limited operations by Aug. 15, 2018 and complete full-scale repairs by Dec. 21, 2018. Paul Jablonski, MTS CEO, wrote in a memo that the extension is reasonable but gave no explanation. MTS has hired Rail Pros, a railroad engineering and construction management firm, to inspect the repairs. Baja Rail has already repaired the Mexico Line, a 40-mile stretch of track that connects with U.S. trains in Tijuana and heads east to Tecate before crossing the border and connecting with Desert Line. The Mexico Line is ready to start moving goods from maquiladoras toward the U.S., but still lacks a station where freight can be loaded from trucks onto train cars, Baja Rail President Fernando Beltran said. San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez, who has criticized Pacific Imperial in the past, said Baja Rails work in Mexico makes him optimistic that the freight line will be repaired and running soon. I have personally seen the work performed by the new partner, Baja Rail, on the Mexican side and was reassured by them and MTS staff that the new milestones will be met and the line will be operating in the next two years, he said. Joe Kasper, chief of staff for Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, said the deal is just another delay in the Desert Line saga with no sign of work, and no real leadership. So here we are again. Another year, another deal, and MTS has nothing to show as evidence of progress. If anything, MTS is taking steps backwards without ever taking a step forward, Kasper said. Hunter is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. In October 2014 he asked the U.S. Attorney to investigate the Desert Line and the transit systems lease with Pacific Imperial. Hunter and former Pacific Imperial executives accused the rail company of falsifying and misrepresenting its assets in order to lure investors, and of mismanaging funds. MTS said it looked into Pacific Imperial but did not find fraud. The sublease divides responsibility of the Desert Line into two sections. The eastern portion runs approximately 60 miles from the border just east of Campo to Coyote Wells, which can handle trains of up to 30 cars, will be repaired and operated by Baja Rail. Construction on this span is expected to begin this summer. Near the eastern terminus, Pacific Imperial will build a facility to load truck freight onto rail, and assemble trains with as many as 100 cars. From this hub trains will run on a 10-mile stretch repaired and operated by Pacific Imperial with Baja Rails help and then connect to the Union Pacific Railroad in Plaster City, the end of the line. There are also plans for an international security checkpoint near the border but details have not been determined, Roberts said. Pacific Imperial signed a 99-year lease with MTS in 2012, and has been in discussions with Baja Rail since 2013. Since acquiring rights to the property, Pacific Imperial has done some tests and preliminary work but has not done any major construction or rehabilitation of the rail line. The Desert Line is a portion of the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railway built by sugar magnate John Spreckels under the San Diego & Arizona Railway Company. Spreckels broke ground in 1907, but construction was a challenge. Mexican revolutionaries interrupted work in 1911, and the U.S. government seized railroads in 1917 in support of the war effort. Construction was eventually finished in 1919. It has been nicknamed the impossible railroad. MTS purchased SD&AE Railways Company in 1979. Fires, floods and other disasters over the years have made the route, including the Desert Line, inoperable. Its been years in the making, but 2016 will go down as the year smartphones permanently altered the meaning of Cyber Monday. And Black Friday too, for that matter. In fact, this year, Black Friday nearly dethroned Cyber Monday as the nations biggest, annual online shopping day. Next year, Black Friday is a total shoo-in. Cyber Monday, as a single day to launch people into the online shopping season, thats over, said Yoram Wurmser, a retail analyst with analytics firm eMarketer. Advertisement As of 5 p.m., Cyber Monday online sales in the U.S. were on track to reach $3.39 billion, growing 10 percent over last year, according to Adobe. Black Friday, meanwhile, completely crushed initial expectations with the days e-commerce sales growing around 22 percent over last year to $3.34 billion. So, Cyber Monday won but not by much. And thats kind of a big deal. We predicted (Black Friday online sales) would grow by 11.3 percent, but the final growth rate came in at 21.6 percent, said Luiz Maykot, data science analyst for Adobe Digital Insights. The biggest (holiday e-commerce sales) growth rate we see this year could be from Black Friday. Why? You guessed it: Smartphones. Black Friday, according to Adobe, was the first day in retail history to drive over $1 billion ($1.2 billion total) in sales as a result of purchases made on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Online shoppers are still 2.5 times more likely to buy on a desktop computer, but mobile websites and apps have improved enough to offer a compelling alternative for many. Its the type of milestone moment in e-commerce that warrants attention, in part, because mobile devices have reshaped the holiday retail landscape for good. Previously, Black Friday and Cyber Monday served to bookend a four-day holiday shopping event, with the former once defined by offline-only doorbusters, and the latter recognized for its online-specific steals, which could be had when workers returned to their office desktop computers. Except, thanks to the mobile phone, most Americans no longer go holiday deal-hunting based around their work schedule. Instead, the discount days bleed together and extend well past Monday (and often start the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) for a week-long-and-then-some e-tail extravaganza. That means were in for a holiday shopping sea change of sorts, one with implications that might even trickle down to the names of the days themselves. People are going to stop talking about Cyber Monday as a day and talk about it as more of a cyber time frame, said Wurmser. Were heading toward a Cyber Week type of event. Indeed, consumers, this year, are already encountering the phrase Cyber Week or Turkey 5 as retailers, including Walmart and Lowes, search for a better way to describe their extended deal periods. Though theyve yet to align on the best new term, retailers do see eye-to-eye on one thing: Online deals are an absolute must for the holidays. Its basically the retailers battle against Amazon moving front and center to online, Wurmser said of the shifting holiday deal season. All retailers understand that their e-commerce platforms have to compete with Amazon, and that they cant live off brick-and-mortar alone. Amazon, for its part, said that it was on pace Monday to have its best Cyber Monday yet, with mobile app orders also projected to best last years. Of course, the e-commerce brand, which never releases specifics, said it also fared exceptionally well on Black Friday. In the U.S., Black Friday is becoming one of the busiest mobile shopping days on Amazon, the company said. So far, Amazons best-selling item on Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday has been its Echo Dot, the voice-powered, puck-sized personal assistant that connects to your speakers. As smartphone window shoppers morph into actual mobile buyers, the biggest holiday retail winners are thought to be big-brand names like Amazon and Walmart, which have the financial wherewithal to make the smartphone-buying experience semi-tolerable. But with online deals as good as offline ones during Cyber Week, consumers walk away the actual victors, particularly when it comes to scoring the best prices for toys and gadgets. Thus far, holiday shoppers are getting fantastic deals on tablets and toys, with items discounted an additional 7 percent and 4 percent, respectively, over last years prices, Adobes Maykot said. Even TVs and computers are a tad cheaper this season. So, while Cyber Monday may be losing its singularity, consumers are enjoying the plurality of the days famously low prices. RELATED Yelp reviews show San Diego is best in U.S. for shopping local jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin Authorities are still searching for two pit bulls that gravely mauled a horse in San Marcos on Saturday, but authorities believe they know who owns the dogs and said hes had problems before with a pit bull running loose. The attack happened in a well-populated area not far from Woodland Park. The horse was so badly injured, it had to be euthanized, officials said. The San Diego Humane Society has fielded calls from many residents concerned that two dogs aggressive enough to attack a horse are running free. Advertisement Finding the pit bulls is a priority for us, said Chief Steve MacKinnon of the Humane Societys law enforcement division, which is tasked with investigating the incident. (The dogs) did attack this horse in a corral, he said. They were bold enough to consider doing that. We want to find these dogs and get them into our control. We want to find these dogs and get them into our control. Chief Steve MacKinnon of the Humane Societys law enforcement division Once they are in custody, authorities will look the dogs over for evidence that could link them to the horse mauling. About 9 p.m. Saturday, San Marcos resident Bri Valdivia, 26, saw two dogs attacking her familys 15-year-old horse, Smokey, in their rain-soaked yard on Fulton Road, just east of Woodland Parkway. She and her grandfather intervened and the dogs ran off. A few hours later in the same part of town, a good Samaritan spotted and contained two loose dogs, one of which was injured. That person called the Humane Society, and animal control officers took the dogs both of which were micro-chipped and licensed to a veterinary hospital, which treated them and tracked down their owner, who lives about a mile southwest from where the horse was attacked. Its unclear why the dogs werent kept in custody, given their possible link to the earlier attack. MacKinnon said he is looking into it. When animal control officers later contacted the owner of the pit bulls, he told them the dogs had gotten loose again. Authorities are not releasing his name, because they have not confirmed that his dogs are behind the mauling. The owner has had previous problems with his dogs getting loose. In 2015, he relinquished a pit bull to the Humane Society after the dog had repeatedly gotten free escapes that had generated multiple complaints. The agency worked with the dog for several weeks, but could not quash the escape attempts. The animal was thus not a candidate for adoption, and was euthanized. It had no record of attacks. Some time after that, the dog owner who still had one pit bull, a male got another pit bull, a female. Those are the two dogs suspected of mauling the horse. Typically, when dogs are together, one of them takes the lead. The alpha dog in the horse mauling appears to be the male dog. Anyone who believes they have spotted the pair can call the Humane Society dispatch line from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (619) 243-3466. After hours, contact the sheriffs department. Breaking News teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT Horse put down after dog mauling in San Marcos The San Diego Museum of Art has acquired Saint James the Lesser, a 17th-century painting by Spanish Baroque master Jusepe de Ribera. The purchase of the 1632 painting for an undisclosed price means the Balboa Park museum now has works from each of the great Spanish Baroque artists on its facade, except for one. It has paintings by Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Francisco de Zurbaran, El Greco and now Ribera. The museum does not possess work by Diego Velazquez, the godfather of Spanish art. For the record: This article was corrected to reflect that the epistle of St. James is not in the Acts of the Apostles, the fifth book of the New Testament. The acquisition, which SDMA will announce today, expands the museums already renowned collection of works by Spanish masters. Riberas Saint James the Lesser is now on display in the museums European galleries along with masterpieces by Zurbaran, Murillo and El Greco. Advertisement Jusepe de Ribera was missing in our collection. Now that we have added one of his works, we will be able to tell in better ways and our visitors will certainly more fully enjoy the story of the Spanish Baroque era, said Roxana Velasquez, the museums executive director. Saint James the Lesser is a paragon of the elements that distinguish Riberas work. He combines his knowledge of Carracci and Caravaggio, the contrast of light and shadow with a Spanish realism and vigorous, scratchy brushwork that is extraordinary. Velasquez added: Since the inception of this institution, The San Diego Museum of Art has had a deep connection to Spanish art. The work is a significant addition to the museums collection and further contributes to the recognition of our collection of Spanish holdings as among the finest in the world. Ribera considered the first great Old Master of the Spanish Baroque is known for his detailed, unflinchingly hyper-realistic depictions of the human body, according to the museum. Michael Brown, SDMAs associate curator of European Art, said: Ribera was one of the most innovative artists of his day, a true pioneer of a new realistic approach to painting. His scenes connect so powerfully because he depicted a recognizable world his saints look as though theyve been plucked from the gritty streets of Naples. The life-sized painting had been in the private collection of a noble family in Naples for generations. In 2013, it was acquired by a gallery in London. SDMA purchased the painting from Rafael Valls Limited and Helena Mola with museum funds and gifts from board members. It was originally thought to have depicted St. James the Greater, the brother of John the Evangelist and son of Zebedee and Salome. But upon further investigation by the museum, it was determined to be St. James the Lesser. The saints proper right hand holds the section of the Apostles Creed authored by James the Lesser, while the proper left holds the staff used as a bludgeon during his martyrdom, Brown said of the apostle, who authored one of the epistles in the New Testament. The liturgy on the sheet in the saints right hand is from the Apostles Creed or Symbolum Apostolorum. Translated from Latin to English, it says: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. Confirmed by Craig Felton, professor of art at Smith College and a world-renowned Ribera expert, and others, theres no doubt this is the Apostle St. James the Lesser, Brown added. St. James the Lesser shown in the painting gazing upward was a favorite of Riberas who appears in other works by the Spanish artist. The modeling of the head and hand demonstrate the best quality of Riberas work, and there is a much greater three-dimensional volume to the dark cloak and the red sleeve than I had thought, Felton said. In spite of the fact that the subject is related to religious history, it can easily be contemplated under the lens of a portrait of a common man, Velasquez said. Ribera often used the common man as models for his work, making his paintings so approachable. The hyper-realism and the precision of his craftsmanship allow the viewer to see the wrinkles, the expression in the eyes and even the ability to count the eyelashes. ... It could be so real. ... It just needs the breadth of life. The museums most recent acquisitions were Joaquin Sorolla y Bastidas 1908 By the Seashore and Zurbarans 1655 St. Francis in Prayer in a Grotto, both purchased in 2015. Twitter: @outdoorlivingsd michael.rocha@sduniontribune.com President-elect Donald Trumps postelection victory party has veered into a dizzying paradox. Rather than celebrating, he is amplifying far-right conspiracies to undermine the credibility of an election he won. At the same time, he is finding some common cause in the quixotic effort by the fringe left to prevent him from reaching the White House. For the record: An earlier version of this story said that in Wisconsin, candidates must pay for any re-tallying of the votes. Although a filing fee is required in this presidential recount, one would not have been required had the margin been less than 0.25% of the vote. The chances of changing the election result with selective ballot recounts, as some on the left hope, or finding widespread voter fraud as alleged by Trump are next to nil. Yet a combination of self-interest and a desire for misdirection have propelled factions of both parties to debate the results of an election already decisively settled. Advertisement Trumps motives are often hard to pinpoint. But by pushing the myth that millions of ballots were cast illegally for his opponent, as he has done on Twitter in recent days, he may be building the case to claim a larger mandate for his victory despite the fact that Hillary Clinton is leading the popular vote by more than 2 million votes. The issue also distracts attention from mounting questions about the financial conflicts of interest he is likely to have in the White House, given that he plans to allow his children to run his international real estate and branding business while he serves as president. Finally, Trumps rhetoric may also sow the seeds of future efforts to propose more restrictive voting rules championed by some of his top advisors. At the other end of the ideological spectrum, failed Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein has been seeking voter recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, three states that Trump won and that together carry enough electoral votes to give the election to Clinton. Reversing the result in just one of the states, let alone all three, is all but impossible. Yet Steins gambit allows her to raise money and attract attention to a candidacy that failed to galvanize the vast majority of voters. Ive never seen this kind of attack on poll workers and how the system works, said Mark Thomsen, a Democratic appointee who is chairman of the Elections Commission in Wisconsin, the first state in which Stein sought a recount. Were going to play it out, and Im confident that the president-elect is going to win. Were doing everything we can so that its timely and that it doesnt impact the electoral college. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, tweeted that the expense $3.5 million in his state was hard to justify given that Trumps margin of victory was four times that of the closest presidential election in Wisconsin. It was also 17 times the largest revised margin resulting from any recount in the last 16 years. Wisconsin was set to begin recounting nearly 3 million ballots Thursday if Stein and another minor-party candidate who also petitioned for it came up with the money to pay for it by Tuesday afternoon. The expense is due in part to hiring thousands of temporary workers needed to meet a federal deadline of Dec. 13 to complete the tallies. Stein said she has raised $6.5 million. The two other states could follow, though Stein may lack the organization to finish the job. On Monday, she announced she had been successful in initiating recounts in only 100 of more than 9,000 Pennsylvania precincts. She needs voters from each precinct to contest results on her behalf. Trump leads by 22,177 votes in Wisconsin, according to the last county-by-county figures released by the state Elections Commission. The president-elect also leads by 68,030 votes in Pennsylvania and 10,704 in Michigan, which certified its results Monday. Statewide ballot recounts are rare, and examples of swinging the outcome of elections are even rarer. Just 27 statewide elections were subject to recounts from 2000 to 2015, according to an analysis from the nonprofit group FairVote, reported by FiveThirtyEight, with an average of 282 votes shifting as a result. Only three candidates won elections because of recounts, according to the analysis. Ive never seen a recount overturn margins as large as the ones were dealing with here, said David Wasserman, an elections analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report who is closely monitoring the state-by-state electoral tallies. Clintons campaign, even as it agrees with that assessment, has made the awkward decision to participate, albeit minimally, in the recount. Her campaign did its own due diligence in Wisconsin and other states and found no actionable evidence of vote manipulation that would merit challenging, and saw little chance that a recount would overturn the election result, according to campaign attorney Marc Elias. But in light of Steins efforts, the Clinton campaign said it was important, on principle, to ensure our campaign is legally represented in any recount proceedings. Trump, though he criticized Stein, echoed her distrust in the system, which he called rigged throughout the election. On Twitter, he made a baseless claim of serious voter fraud in three states he lost Virginia, New Hampshire and California and asserted without evidence that he would have won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. California, where Clinton is ahead by more than 3 million votes as ballots continue being counted, has safeguards built into its voting system, including automatic recounts in close races. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat, noted that Trumps claim of fraud in the state was unsubstantiated and called it absurd. His reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a president-elect, Padilla said in a statement. Trumps spokesman, Jason Miller, on Monday referred to Steins recount nonsense while talking up Trumps mandate to push forward on his agenda. He decried the media for chasing the shiny object of the Jill Stein recount effort. Yet he defended Trumps accusations of widespread voter fraud elsewhere, citing studies that point to clerical errors on the voter rolls but no evidence of fraud and to a discredited report suggesting noncitizens had voted in the 2008 election. The last time that Wisconsin, whose Elections Commission met Monday to review recount procedures, had a statewide recount was in a state Supreme Court race in 2011. In an election with just more than half as many ballots cast as in this months election, it cost $520,000, according to an Associated Press survey of county clerks. Wisconsin has no threshold for triggering an automatic recount, leaving it up to candidates to request, and pay for, any re-tallying of the votes. Candidates must also state a reason for seeking the recount evidence of fraud or irregularities, for instance. On Friday, just ahead of a deadline, Stein submitted her request to the Elections Commission, leveling accusations of foreign tampering. After a presidential election tarnished by the use of outdated and unreliable machines and accusations of irregularities and hacks, people of all political persuasions are asking if our election results are reliable, Stein said in a statement Monday. Wisconsin election officials on Monday repeatedly expressed doubt about whether a recount would reverse Trumps victory in the state, while challenging Steins claims of irregularities resulting from a potential hack. Though different counties use different voting machines, none are ever online. State law requires rigorous security measures for all machines, including testing 10 days before the election. Tampering with them would require unfettered physical access to voting equipment, said Michael Haas, the Elections Commission administrator. There are a number of reasons why we are skeptical of any claims that voting equipment is either not working correctly or being tampered within the state of Wisconsin, he said. The commission says its elections administration is the most decentralized in the country, primarily run at the county level with state supervision, another hurdle for anyone trying to perpetuate widespread voter fraud. Its most unfortunate that the president-elect is claiming that theres huge problems with our system and its feeding what Ill call the conspiracy theory, said Thomsen, the commission chairman. Id like him to come down out of his Trump Tower and spend time with the folks on the ground who are counting these votes. Times staff writer John Myers in Sacramento contributed to this report. Twitter: @noahbierman, @mikememoli What you need to know about Wisconsins recount, and why its unlikely to change a thing Trump seems ready to fight the world on climate change. But hes likely to meet resistance Trump the president-elect: So far, acting a lot like Trump the candidate UPDATES: 5:15 p.m: This story was updated with details on Californias vote. This story was originally published at 4:20 p.m. This is certainly not Bush v. Gore, a Wisconsin elections official said Monday. Well, what is it? The state is initiating the first significant candidate-driven recount in a presidential election since the 2000 ordeal in Florida between then-Vice President Al Gore and eventual President George W. Bush. This time, though, Donald Trump is certain to remain president-elect after Wisconsins nearly 3 million ballots are re-tabulated. But the fight here and potentially in other states has given third-party candidates new rationale for seeking public attention for their causes, and it has given Trump fresh ammunition to trash his opponents as well as, bafflingly, the political process in which he just secured the presidency. Advertisement Here is a look at the issues involved in the Badger State and elsewhere as the seemingly unending 2016 presidential election seeps into overtime. Why is Wisconsin heading toward a recount? In requesting a recount Friday, just ahead of a deadline to do so, Green Party candidate Jill Stein cited well-documented and conclusive evidence of foreign interference in the presidential race, as well as irregularities observed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin was one of Trumps narrowest wins, by about 22,000 votes. Why is Jill Stein the one seeking the recount? An excellent question. Wisconsin has no threshold for triggering an automatic recount, leaving it up to individual candidates to request, and pay for, any re-tallying of the votes. Stein received 31,006 votes in the state, about 1% of the total, giving her the standing to seek a recount even though shes unlikely to benefit from a potential change in result. Another candidate, Roque Rocky De La Fuente, applied for the recount ahead of Stein, part of what he called an effort to bring the weaknesses of our electoral system to the attention of every citizen. De La Fuente received just 1,514 votes in Wisconsin. This is as much about getting their names in the news as it is about election integrity. For Stein, the recount effort also helped raise funds which she sought in connection with the recount, but which her campaign would not guarantee would be spent exclusively on recount efforts. Steins petition was also prompted by a report on findings by J. Alex Halderman, a professor of computer science at the University of Michigan. He questioned whether Hillary Clintons poor performance in some counties were tied to the use of electronic voting machines that could have been tampered with. Stein included the post as exhibit one for her petition, even as Halderman clarified the interpretation of his analysis. But what some saw as potential anomalies are easily explained by demography, separate analyses have said: The counties that use paper ballots tended to be urban, more Democratic-leaning areas where Clinton performed best. Why does it cost so much? The federal deadline to complete the recount is Dec. 13, and county officials may need to work evenings and weekends to meet it, according to state elections overseers. Wisconsins last statewide recount, a 2011 state Supreme Court race, cost $520,000 to examine about half as many ballots, according to an Associated Press survey of county clerks. Candidates can challenge results of the recount in circuit court within five days of the recount being completed. Steins public campaign for recounts led her to raise $6.5 million through an initial fundraising drive, toward a goal of $7 million she said was needed to cover costs. After her call for a recount received an enthusiastic response, she repeatedly increased the amount of money she said she needed. Where does Hillary Clinton fit in to all this? Clintons team did its due diligence in Wisconsin and other states and found no actionable evidence of vote manipulation, and no state where a recount or challenge was merited, said Marc Elias, a lawyer for her campaign. But once Stein initiated the recount, the Clinton campaign wanted to ensure it was represented. That participation has been exaggerated and misconstrued by some to say Clinton is herself challenging the result. Wisconsin election officials said Monday that Clintons campaign would not bear any costs for the recount, but that it like Trumps campaign was eligible to observe the process. And yes, Clinton, her campaign, Democrats, even some Republicans and many independent and outside voices were critical of Trumps refusal during one of the televised debates to say he would honor the result of the election. He later clarified to say that he reserved the right to challenge any questionable result if he suspected potential fraud. Thats quite different, both in spirit and in literal terms, to this process. In fact it is Trump, not Stein nor Clinton, falsely alleging a widespread effort to manufacture illegal votes. Where else might we see recounts? Pennsylvania and Michigan are two other closely contested states where Stein is seeking recounts. They, along with Wisconsin, made up the Clinton firewall that Trump successfully breached to win. Its worth pointing out that elections in this country are not conducted by a single entity. All 50 states have their own processes for conducting elections for presidential electors, and their own rules for certifying, auditing and potentially recounting results. And some states allow counties and municipalities leeway to act independently of one another, on issues such as voting equipment, for instance. The Wisconsin Elections Commission calls its state the most decentralized in the nation, with primary authority for the recount at the county level with state oversight. This uneven process virtually guarantees it is impossible to conduct widespread fraud that would turn an election. Steins campaign said Monday that it was successful in initiating recount requests in 100 voting precincts in Pennsylvania, where Trump won by more than 68,000 votes. But there are more than 9,000 precincts statewide, so Stein is far short of what she needs to trigger a statewide recount. A recount in Pennsylvania is especially unlikely to yield a substantially different result, given that it is one of just a dozen states where there is no paper record to review. Elections officials in Michigan, where Trump won by more than 11,000 votes, certified results Monday, triggering a deadline for candidates to request a recount within 48 hours. Steins campaign said it will request a recount Wednesday thats done by hand. What are the chances this changes the election results? Slim to none, with none the leader in the clubhouse. Citing data compiled by nonprofit FairVote of the 27 statewide general election recounts in the last 16 years, FiveThirtyEight found that the average change in margin was just 282 votes. The biggest was in the highest-profile case: Floridas presidential vote in 2000, when Al Gore gained 1,247 votes to close to within 537 votes behind George W. Bush, out of more than 5.9 million cast. Still, he didnt win the state, or the election. Just three states New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Michigan had final margins of less than 1 percentage point in the 2016 election. In terms of raw votes, the closest outcome of the roughly dozen battleground states was New Hampshire, where Clinton won victory by just 2,736 votes. But the Nov. 14 deadline for any candidate to apply for a recount, as well as a Nov. 18 deadline for voters to petition the state for one, came and went. Ive never seen a recount overturn margins as large as the ones were dealing with here, said David Wasserman, an elections analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report who is closely monitoring the state-by-state electoral tallies. Youre kidding. Very little of this is funny. So why do we care? In part because were in the unique situation in which the president-elect, the winner of the election, is the one most publicly raising questions about the integrity of the outcome. Trump attacked Stein for initiating the recount, then went on to say he would have won in the national popular vote as well as the electoral college had millions of ineligible votes not been cast, a false claim for which his own campaign has offered no definitive evidence. The most likely source for Trump was hardly a credible one: a report without evidence cited by the fringe website InfoWars.com claiming to have verified that more than 3 million votes were cast by noncitizens. Virtually all of the votes cast by 3 million illegal immigrants are likely to have been for Hillary Clinton, meaning Trump might have won the popular vote when this number is taken into account, the site claimed. As the Los Angeles Times reported just before the election, voter fraud in which a person casts a ballot despite knowingly being ineligible to vote is extraordinarily rare, according to a report by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School. The 2007 study examined elections where wrongdoing was alleged and found the rate of substantiated instances of fraud ranged between 0.00004% and 0.0009%. Vote tallying is ongoing mostly in California and Clinton is likely to win the popular vote by about 2.5 million votes. Who is Trump talking about when he claims incorrectly that millions voted illegally? He didnt specify, but he may have been talking about people who vote even though they are not citizens, a warning he repeated during the campaign. They are letting people pour into the country so they can go ahead and vote, he said in October, again without evidence. By law, all voters in national elections are supposed to be U.S. citizens. Even legal immigrants may not vote until they become naturalized. Can noncitizens register to vote? Its possible, though not legal. When people register, they must check a box swearing that they are citizens. But in most places, the question is handled on the honor system. Election administrators usually verify identity, by checking drivers license or Social Security records. But under federal rules, they may not ask for proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or a passport. Do they actually vote? It has happened, though not in any meaningful fashion in terms of election results. A conservative legal foundation that has pushed for citizenship checks has obtained lists of people purged from the voting rolls for not being citizens. In Virginia, more than 1,000 people have been removed since 2011 in eight counties that provided records. In Philadelphia, election administrators purged 86 noncitizen voters over three years; 40 had voted at least once. Election supervisors say most of these cases were mistakes made by people who thought they could vote, not cases of intent to fraudulently vote. Whats the evidence that millions of people are voting illegally? There is none. Trump has mentioned a statistical analysis by three Virginia academics that estimated that more than 6% of noncitizens cast illegal votes in 2008. But that study was attacked by other experts, who said that the study made too much of a few people who said they were noncitizens and might have given incorrect answers to a survey. Times staff writer Joseph Tanfani contributed to this report. michael.memoli@latimes.com For more 2016 campaign coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter. ALSO: Trump the president-elect: So far, acting a lot like Trump the candidate Donald Trump alleges widespread voter fraud in California. Theres no evidence to back it up How Trump could use the presidency to help his own business interests Despite simmering tensions between Tehran and Washington, two American warships sped to save a crew of sick Iranian mariners adrift in the North Arabian Sea. According to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the guided-missile destroyer Hopper and the guided-missile cruiser Monterey answered a radio distress call from an Iranian fishing dhow on Tuesday. A rescue helicopter from the Monterey found the small boat. A boarding team from the Hopper found five ill sailors and gave them medicine, leaving after ensuring the crew was safe, according to the Central Command statement. Advertisement The rescue came in the wake of three decades of maritime incidents between the two nations. In mid-October, for example, Tehran-backed Houthi rebels attacked the guided-missile destroyers Nitze and Mason and the amphibious warship Ponce off the coast of Yemen. The American vessels were able to defeat the incoming rockets. In multiple incidents in late August and early September in the Persian Gulf or near the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Republican Guard attack craft pestered the Nitze, the guided-missile destroyer Stout and the American patrol boats Firebolt and Tempest. On Jan. 12, Islamic Republican Guard Corps Navy forces captured a pair of American riverine patrol boats that strayed into Iranian waters off the coast of Farsi Island in the middle of the Persian Gulf, then released them unharmed 15 hours later following intense diplomatic pressure. None of the 2016 events matched the intensity of the Tanker War between 1981 and 1988 that pitted Iran against Iraq but eventually drew in the United States to protect neutral merchant shipping in the Persian Gulf. The American frigate Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine in 1988, snapping its keel, but it was not the only victim of the crossfire. During the war, Iran and Iraq combined to attack 340 ships flagged to at least 37 different nations, according to the United Nations Security Council. In retaliation, between 1987 and 1988 American forces captured or destroyed several Iranian warships in the Gulf, pulverized four Iranian oil drilling platforms and in a tragic 1988 mishap shot down an Iranian civilian airliner bound for Dubai, killing all 290 passengers and crew members. Despite the showdowns at sea, American warships consistently answer distress signals from civilian Iranian vessels 13 rescues since 2012, according to Central Command. The Hopper is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer homeported at Hawaiis Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, while the Monterey is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser based in Norfolk, Virginia. They are assigned to Task Force 50, a multinational flotilla under the command of British Commodore Andrew Burns aboard the amphibious flagship HMS Ocean. Their theater of operations spans 2.5 million square miles in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. Military Videos On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal cprine@sduniontribune.com A Rancho Santa Fe attorney who at one point represented Florida mom Casey Anthony and was last year disbarred and imprisoned for a San Diego-based fraud scheme has been arrested in Haiti on suspicion of conspiring to smuggle up to 1,500 kilograms of cocaine in a plane. Todd Macaluso was arrested Nov. 14 in Haiti along with two other men, Carlos Almonte Vasquez and Humberto Osuna Contreras. The arrest comes while Macaluso is on supervised probation in his San Diego fraud case. An experienced pilot, he built his career on aviation-related cases and became known for his high-award verdicts. Advertisement According to the complaint filed in New York federal court, an unspecified drug trafficking organization in October began looking for a plane that would fly from Haiti to pick up cocaine in Ecuador and then fly the drugs to Honduras. It is a common technique used by traffickers, according a New York police officer and a member of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Task Force who wrote the affidavit attached to the criminal complaint. Smugglers often use aircraft registered in the U.S. because they think the planes attract less scrutiny. Planes often pick up drugs in the source country, or a country near the source, and then fly them to a trans-shipment point, often Central America, the affidavit states. From there, drugs can be smuggled to the U.S., usually through Mexico. On Oct. 25, in a conversation recorded by law enforcement, Almonte is heard saying his partner would be traveling to Haiti to inspect a plane for the trip, according to the complaint. In a conversation the next day, he is recorded saying during a meeting in Haitis capital, Port-au-Prince, that the load would be between 1,500 kilograms and 1,800 kilograms. A few days later, a plane that had been chosen, a Gulfstream II, was in Florida and ready for the flight to Haiti. Problem was, it could not leave the U.S., the complaint says. The search was on for another plane, and on Nov. 13, a co-conspirator announced he had found a Falcon 10 registered in the U.S. that would be piloted by Macaulso. He said a crew member known as Mateo later identified as Osuna would be on board to represent investors who were to buy a portion of the drug load. On Nov. 13, flight records and other tracking show Macaluso flew the Falcon from Orlando to Port-au-Prince, with Osuna on board, according to the complaint. In a recorded conversation the next day, Almonte confirmed the chauffer would be arriving and that the captain knew everything but the copilot did not, the complaint states. On Nov. 14, the three men and others allegedly met to discuss the plan. They agreed on their payment for transporting the drugs on the plane, including $35,000 in Haiti plus $150,000 at a later time, a portion of which Osuna agreed to be paid in New York, the records state. Macaluso was recorded instructing the others on the structure of the plane, an older-model business jet made by French manufacturer Dassault, and confirming that it could hold 1,500 kilograms of cocaine, the complaint says. Haiti law enforcement officers arrested the men after the meeting. They were expelled from Haiti and flown to New York for prosecution. They were arraigned in a New York courtroom on Nov. 19 on a charge of conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute on board a U.S.-registered plane. A judge ordered the three to be detained without bail. Federal Aviation Administration records show the plane is registered to the Maule Group LLC in Connecticut. The arrest adds to Macalusos colorful and troubled legal history. Macaluso gained some notoriety as part of the defense team that represented Casey Anthony, the young Florida mother who was acquitted of killing her 2-year-old daughter in 2011. After her release from jail, there was speculation that she was whisked away from Orlando aboard Macalusos private plane, which was based in Carlsbad. He also represented former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman in a battery case involving reality star Tila Tequila. Prosecutors declined to file charges in that case. Last November, Macaluso was sentenced to five months in federal custody and a $100,000 fine for orchestrating an investment scheme. The attorney sought investors to keep his downtown law practice afloat. In return, the investors would have claim over a portion of the winnings in his clients personal injury cases. Macaulso made the funding agreements without the knowledge of most of his clients and forged their signatures, according to the plea agreement. He admitted defrauding them out of more than $70,000. He began paying back investors when he found out about the federal investigation, prosecutors said. His lawyer in that case told the San Diego federal judge at sentencing that Macaluso had paid back about $1.3 million of the $1.5 million total he owed. At the sentencing, Macaluso said the venture was a huge error in judgment on my part and that it had an absolutely profound impact on his family. Macaluso has been investigated for other misconduct, including misappropriating funds he was supposed to keep in a trust account for clients, state bar records show. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis A partnership with San Diego State University could result in Lemon Grove being the first city in the nation to use a United Nations toolkit to address climate change. Earlier this year, SDSU began working with Lemon Grove as part of the Sage Project, a partnership between the school and municipalities that sees students tackling city projects that include transportation, the environment and commerce. Sage Project Director Jessica Barlow helped spread the word about the program internationally last July while attending the Resilient Cities conference in Bonn, Germany. While there, UN Habitat representatives asked her if SDSU would be interested in using a toolkit they had developed to help guide cities create climate action plans. Advertisement Last month while Barlow was attending the international Habitat III Conference in Ecuador, UN representatives Skyped with students in the Sage Project to discuss the proposal. As a result, Lemon Grove could use the UN toolkit while creating a new climate action plan in its general plan. With more cities worldwide working with universities following the Sage Project model, the UN toolkit also could expand much faster internationally, Barlow said. California cities are required by the state to set a goal of reducing greenhouse gases 15 percent by 2020. To help reach that goal, cities have been tasked to adopt climate action plans, and the state has created its own toolkit to follow. Through the Sage Project, even small cities like Lemon Grove could have the option to use an international toolkit that was developed after the UN Habitat program launched its Guiding Principles for City Climate Action Planning after its December 2015 summit. Lemon Grove City Manager Lydia Romero said it was serendipitous that the UN toolkit became available to the Sage Project at this time. Were in the midst of our general plan update, and we have to do a climate action plan as part of that update, she said. All the pieces are fitting together, and Sage is assisting us with that and giving us some basic building blocks, looking at how to incorporate those strategies as we move forward to really create the plan. Until now, only Vilankulo, Mozambique and Glasgow, Scotland had received the toolkit, which came directly from the UN. The collaboration with universities participating in their own Sage Projects will provide the UN with feedback on how the toolkit works when put in use, Barlow said. Helping small cities with limited resources is at the heart of the Sage Project, which is based on the Sustainable City Year Program created about eight years ago at the University of Oregon. Students in the SDSU project worked for two years on a variety of projects with National City. When those projects wrapped up in 2015, National City had the equivalent of 20,000 hours of work put in from 55 classes, 35 faculty members and 2,000 students from 23 disciplines. Students worked on bicycle routes, sustainable practices for local businesses and organizations, the redevelopment of the marina district, protocols for the public records act and studied the feasibility of opening a microbrewery in the city, among other projects. Sage Project students also have worked with San Diego on a project about homelessness, but Barlow said the city is not yet ready to release the report. It also worked with Santee over two semesters on projects that included taking inventory of city property and mapping out the citys stormwater connections. In Lemon Grove, Romero said students will be looking at creating better signage, investigating strategies to help the homeless and surveying residents about what they think of the city, among other projects she otherwise couldnt fund. Were exciting to be part of that project because theyre jump-starting a lot of programs that I dont have the resources to allocate to, she said. For me, working in a very small city, its a blessing, its a godsend, to have the energy and the enthusiasm of students to work on projects for Lemon Grove. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Have you ever heard of jackspotting? Its a term used to describe the act of forcing an ATM machine to spew cash. It sounds like a myth. But criminals jackspotted ATMs in Thailand and Taiwan earlier this year. More recently, hackers did the same thing to ATMs across Europe. And they did it remotely, with malicious software. Advertisement Is the U.S. next? Its a possibility. Stephen Cobb, a senior researcher at the San Diego office of security company ESET, notes that the renowned security expert Barnaby Jack demonstrated the technique at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas in 2010. Jack, who has since passed away, made ATM machines spit out simple paper instead of money. But the point was made. There are two threats here, Cobb said. One is that an ATM would be made to spit out the banks money. The other is that the ATM would spit out money from individual accounts. Wed be foolish to assume it couldnt happen here. gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com A San Diego attorney has been stripped of his law license after allegedly threatening another lawyer with a stun gun and pepper spray during a deposition, the State Bar of California reported in this months issue of the California Bar Journal. The attorney, Douglas James Crawford, 54, of San Diego had been brought before the State Bar Court last year on eight allegations of professional misconduct, and eventually found culpable for four of them, according to the journal article. The four charges included moral turpitude and violating a court order. Crawford was stripped of his law license Sept. 23, 2016, after he walked out of the courtroom during his disciplinary trial and did not return, the article said. Advertisement Crawford said last week that he walked out of the courtroom because the State Bars lawyers had misrepresented facts in the proceedings, and the because the court improperly kept him from presenting witnesses and evidence in his defense. Crawford said he planned to sue the State Bar and others involved in the proceedings for violating his civil rights. As far as the disbarment, I could care less, Crawford said. Its not really a group of people I want to associate myself with. The allegations of professional misconduct stemmed from litigation filed years ago in state court, where Crawford was representing himself and his mother in an action against JPMorgan Chase Bank, according to State Bar records. During a deposition, Crawford pointed a can of pepper spray at counsels face from a distance of approximately three feet, according to a state Court of Appeal, Second District opinion filed Dec. 9, 2015. Crawford said to the banks lawyer, if things get out of hand, I brought what is legally pepper spray, and I will pepper spray you if you get out of hand. Crawford then produced a stun gun, pointed it at (the other lawyers) head, and said If that doesnt quell you, this is a flashlight that turns into a stun gun, the opinion continued. Crawford discharged the stun gun close to (the other lawyers) face. The court of appeals upheld the lower courts decision to dismiss Crawfords case against the bank as a sanction for his behavior. The judge in the lower court had described Crawfords actions in the deposition as the most outrageous behavior that I have ever heard of in my life by an attorney. The State Bar Court found that Crawfords actions during the deposition constituted professional misconduct, specifically, moral turpitude. The State Bar court also found that Crawford committed other misconduct, including violating a court order by not paying $26,302 in sanctions and failing to report judicial sanctions to the State Bar. Crawford told The San Diego Union-Tribune that he never threatened anyone with a stun gun or pepper spray. He said someone had come to another deposition with a gun, and he felt unsafe, so he brought the weapons in case he had to defend himself or his brother, who was also at the deposition. Crawford said he only displayed the stun gun and pepper spray to fully disclose he was armed. Other controversial behavior landed Crawford in the news in 2014, while he was running for San Diego Superior Court judge. The controversy involved comments he made in 2011, when he filed a motion to get San Diego Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp removed from one of his cases. In the motion, Crawford argued that Trapp, a black woman and former leader of the local chapter of the NAACP, should be removed from his case because of what he described as her permanent disability as a Negro racist. He alleged bias based on her affiliation with the NAACP, which he termed a militant, black power organization that solely focuses on the advancement of colored people. The relationship meant she couldnt be fair, Crawford argued in the motion. Judge Trapps racist bias and prejudice in favor of negroes and against whites would not be a problem but for the fact that Plaintiffs attorney Douglas J. Crawford (Crawford) is lily white, he wrote. He said in 2014 that the filing was nothing personal and considered Trapp a good judge and he was not a racist. His legal career most likely behind him, Crawford said last week that he planned to pursue other interests, such as fixing cars. morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com The California Supreme Court has declined to take up a lawsuit seeking release of dozens of emails to and from the Governors Office regarding the San Onofre nuclear plant failure. In an electronic notice dated Nov. 22, the state high court said, Petition for review denied. The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco Superior Court against the California Public Utilities Commission, which for months declined to release its email exchanges with the office of Gov. Jerry Brown about San Onofre, which closed in 2012. Advertisement The CPUC long argued that the Superior Court had no jurisdiction over its decisions about whether to release records, and prevailed at the appeals court level. Commission officials did not immediately respond to questions about the Supreme Court action. San Diego consumer attorney Mike Aguirre sued the commission for the emails in 2015, seeking to learn what role the Governors Office may have had in a 2014 commission decision charging ratepayers more than $3.3 billion for the plant failure. The CPUC identified and withheld 65 relevant emails involving Browns office. The San Francisco Superior Court judge agreed to take the case, but the utilities commission sought and received intervention from the appeals court a decision the Supreme Court declined to review. They were able to cover up the email traffic with the Governors Office on San Onofre with the blessing of the Supreme Court, Aguirre said. The decades-old plant on the north San Diego County coast closed amid a radiation leak related to a replacement steam generator or RSG project. State agents conducted a criminal investigation, including seizing RSG notes from an undisclosed meeting in Warsaw between utilities commission officials and a Southern California Edison executive. No charges were forthcoming. Aguirre has a separate lawsuit against Gov. Jerry Brown pending that also seeks the release of San Onofre-related emails. RELATED The $15 billion Yucca Mountain project was designed to store nuclear waste from sites across the country but the Obama administration cut off funding in 2010. Now there is talk on Capitol Hill to bring the site back online. jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Mike Downing denounced the menacing rhetoric during a press conference and urged any recipients of the hate speech to report it. We are all Americans, Downing said. Whether youre Christian, Muslim or Jew, this is our home. Advertisement He said detectives are investigating and that authorities consider a hate crime as serious as a homicide. Downing was joined by representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Los Angeles school police and the FBI. We will run down every lead we can to get to the bottom of this, said FBI Special Agent Stephen Woolery. Woolery said all the letters were similar and appeared to be from the same person. They were signed by a group calling itself Americans for a better way. Salam Al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Affairs Council, accused the author of being a coward and described the vitriol as a bacteria infecting America. This problem of anti-Muslim sentiment is not a Muslim problem, he said. Its an American problem. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush blamed the rhetoric on the Trump campaign. He said it had fueled a level of vulgarity, vile hatred and anger among many self-proclaimed Trump supporters. He said that while the president-elect did not create racism, he normalized it. While he might say hes not responsible, and I respect that, I remind President-elect Trump that he has a responsibility to act as a president for all Americans, Ayloush said. Members of the Muslim community and representatives from law enforcement spoke out Monday after hate-filled and genocide-threatening letters were received at mosques in Southern California. The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the notes, which were addressed to the children of Satan, began to arrive last week at the houses of worship. Similar letters were also received in Northern California and in Georgia. The handwritten notes went on to mention Donald Trump calling him a new sheriff in town who was going to cleanse American and make it shine again, and do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews. The messages warned those of the faith to pack their bags and get out of Dodge, and concluded by saying: This is a great time for patriotic Americans. RELATED Leaders of San Diegos immigrant and Muslim communities and others targeted during President-elect Donald Trumps campaign. 619-293-1710 debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com twitter.com/Debbi_Baker Fidel Castro is one of the outsized figures of modern history. Even after his death, the charismatic Cuban dictator will endure as a global symbol of socialism and anti-Americanism and a hero to oppressed minorities around the world. There are many perspectives with which to view his life and legacy. Two seem most relevant. The first is the immense gap between the deep respect that Castro enjoyed from pockets of the left and the savagery with which he governed. The second is the potential for a post-Castro Cuban renaissance. Castro took power in a 1959 coup one animated by nationalism, not Marxism that ousted a dictatorial regime seen as a U.S. puppet. His government seized vast swaths of private property, including American oil refineries and hotels. After Cuba began providing free health care and public education, Castro was embraced by progressives the world round for offering a functioning alternative to capitalist nations they saw as dominated by avarice. And after the failed U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Castro was celebrated in the Third World for having dealt imperialism a rare defeat. Advertisement But back home, Castro quickly established that he was the oppressor, abandoning nationalism for a communism that revoked basic human rights. His dictatorship killed thousands of dissenters, imprisoned gay people and enemies of the state, and treated Cubans with HIV like pariahs. Castro created an impoverished nation that missed out on the late 20th-century growth that spawned large middle classes in many Latin American nations. And in a nation that is 62 percent black and mixed race, power was wielded almost entirely by Castro and other white Cubans of Spanish descent. No wonder hundreds of thousands of Cubans fled to Florida. Castros devotion to communism was subsidized by the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991 led the Cuban economy to contract by nearly 40 percent. This triggered unrest significant enough that Castro sought to spark the economy by promoting international tourism and semi-legalizing the U.S. dollar. After an ailing Castro turned control over to brother Raul in 2006, further limited moves opened up more of the economy. This process accelerated in 2015 when President Obama announced steps had been taken to normalize diplomatic relations, leading to his visit this March. Now Raul Castro should begin a more sweeping political and economic modernization we hope with the support of the United States. Instead of relying on such Caribbean basics as tourism, rum and sugar exports, Havana should think big. With its highly literate population and inexpensive labor and location just 90 miles from the U.S. mainland, Cuba could become a manufacturing hub. President-elect Donald Trump is cool to Obamas initiative and has indicated he may want a better deal from Havana. If he means a quicker acceptance of human rights by Cuban authorities, thats tough to criticize. But the United States should focus more on encouragement than bullying in the short term. Fidel Castros death presents a giant opportunity for 11 million Cubans to enjoy better, freer, richer lives. Going forward, that should be the central goal of U.S.-Cuba relations. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: UTOpinion The University of San Diego School of Law might soon count one of its alumni as a member of the Donald Trump administration. Frances Fran Townsend, a former George W. Bush homeland security adviser met with the president-elects transition team on Monday; The Washington Post cited anonymous sources to say she and Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, who retired this year as chief of U.S. Southern Command, were under consideration for the top homeland security position. Townsends substantial resume includes a stint in San Diego in the 1980s. Heres more about her interesting trajectory from the University of San Diego School of Law to the White House and perhaps back to the White House again. 1. Townsends time in San Diego Townsend graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984. The schools website lists her among distinguished speakers to speak at the school in recent years along with Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day OConnor and Antonin Scalia. Ive always taken particular pride that I attended a Catholic university, she told USD Magazine in 2006. Though her stay here was brief, if her Twitter page is any indication, she loves to return to visit. 2. The Bush administration She was appointed Homeland Security Adviser in 2004. She described her duties to USD Magazine in 2006 and how the attack on 9/11 affected them like so: I know very well that our enemies not only want to attack us, but plan to attack us, she said. I worry about that every day. I do think I see the world differently. Part of my job is to worry and ask, Are we doing everything we can so the American public can go about their day without it having to be a constant worry? She served other roles in the administration before becoming a top adviser, including chair of the Homeland Security Council and deputy assistant to the president for combating terrorism. Her resume also includes work for the Coast Guard as assistant commandant for intelligence. She worked with Bush until 2008. 3. The Clinton administration She also worked under former President Bill Clinton in the Justice Department working with Attorney General Janet Reno. She spent 13 years in the Justice Department in all (so she also worked for President George H. W. Bush), including her role as Counsel to the Attorney General for Intelligence Policy. 4. Past issues with Trump Townsend is one of those who has criticized Trump for his comments about banning Muslims from entering the United States. She says that approach could be dangerous. "Our greatest counter-terrorism allies are actually our Arab partners the Saudis, the Emirates who give us better on-the-ground intelligence about threats coming our way than any other service," she told CBS This Morning last December. "The other thing is our diplomats and military get put at risk because they represent the U.S. in these Arab countries." She suggested such action would discourage Muslims from providing useful information the U.S. intelligence efforts. "Here in this country, it is incredibly important that we not alienate our Muslim friends here in the United States and around the world," she said. 5. Whats she up to now? For the past year, Townsend has acted as a senior national security analyst for CBS News. She also serves as Executive Vice President at MacAndrews & Forbes, a diversified holding company. Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin Cindy Diane Spicuzza, 54, of Ramona died in a two-vehicle collision on state Route 67 near Cloudy Moon Drive on Nov. 21. Spicuzza was sitting in the right rear passenger seat of a 2016 Hyundai SUV that was northbound on the rain-slicked highway around 1:08 p.m. when an 18-year-old woman driving too fast for the wet conditions lost control of her southbound 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, said California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Kevin Pearlstein. The Chevy, traveling about 60 mph, slid sideways across the pavement and crossed directly into the path of the Hyundai, reported Pearlstein. As the Chevy headed into the northbound lanes, two vehicles swerved to avoid a collision, but the driver of the Hyundai, a 25-year-old woman, had no time to react, said officials. Responding paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Spicuzza, who was transported to Palomar Medical Center Trauma Department where CPR was continued but to no avail and she was pronounced dead, said the medical examiner. Also in the Hyundai was a 26-year-old female passenger in the right front seat. She, as well as the two drivers, all from Ramona, were also transported to Palomar Medical Center, reported Pearlstein. Alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash, he said. Offshore wind farms are finally coming to the United States but dont expect to see spinning blades off the shores of California any time soon. While the industry predicts a clean-energy bonanza from the West Coasts steady and powerful breezes that may go a long way to help the state meet its ambitious clean energy mandates, reaping the wind must first overcome a whirlwind of technological, economic and political challenges. So far, just one company, Trident Winds LLC, has applied for a lease to construct an offshore facility in California. Advertisement But the Seattle-based company has laid out plans for a wind farm that would dwarf offshore sites proposed along the East Coast or the Great Lakes. Oceans present the largest amount of renewable energy to the planet, said Alla Weinstein, founder of Trident Winds, which wants to place its wind farm off the coast of Morro Bay, along the Central Coast. The company is targeting 2025 as its startup date. Thats nine years beyond the expected debut this fall of the countrys first offshore wind project, the Block Island Wind Farm off the coast of Rhode Island. Other projects are expected to follow, in places such as Virginia, New Jersey and Cleveland yes, Cleveland. Why is the Golden State, a place so proud of its renewable energy record, lagging behind the rest of the country when it comes to offshore wind? Blame the Pacific Ocean and its underwater terrain. Unlike the Atlantic Ocean, where offshore wind farms can be bolted into the seabed in relatively shallow water, the West Coasts continental shelf plunges quickly and steeply. That leaves just one other option: floating wind farms. You have to talk about floating wind because the ocean floor is too deep to fix a turbine to it, said Nancy Sopko, manager for advocacy and federal legislative affairs at the American Wind Energy Association. Instead, floating wind projects are tethered, or moored, by cables to the ocean floor but dont penetrate the surface. While conventional offshore wind farms are common off the coast of European countries such as Denmark, Sopko said shes not aware of any commercial floating wind projects operating at utility scale. But Norwegian energy giant Statoil is about to start building a floating wind project in the North Sea, and the University of Maine has successfully tested a one-eighth scale prototype. Trident Winds plans to build a floating array of about 100 wind turbines, each with a hub height of 400 feet which works out to up to 600 feet in height when one of the turning blades is at the 12 oclock position some 33 nautical miles off Morro Bay. One transmission cable running along the seafloor would send electricity to the shore by connecting to the Morro Bay substation owned by Pacific Gas and Electric. Bringing power from a resource thats right off your coastline and can feed into the existing infrastructure onshore, that makes a lot of sense, Weinstein said in a telephone interview. Still in its early stages, the Trident project would have to go through an obstacle course of permitting, regulatory and environmental hearings on the federal, state, local and tribal levels before becoming a reality. But there are signs of movement. While offshore renewable energy resources have not yet played a significant role in Californias energy system, they present important potential future opportunities, Gov. Jerry Brown said in a recent letter to Sally Jewell, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. In response, a task force is being formed by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which is also checking to see if other companies are interested in competing with Trident Winds for a potential lease. The Brown and Obama administrations have each made reducing greenhouse gas emissions a major priority and an expanding offshore wind program is seen as a way to help meet those goals. Brown signed a law last October mandating state utilities generate 50 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. On the federal level, the U.S. Department of Energy has handed out $190 million for 73 offshore wind projects since 2006 through the agencys wind program. So far, offshore wind projects in the U.S. have concentrated on the East Coast, with some growing interest in the Great Lakes. Two weeks ago, the Department of Energy awarded $40 million to the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation to build a six-turbine pilot wind farm program off Clevelands lake shore by the end of 2018. In addition to the Block Island Wind Farm, projects in the Atlantic include wind farms off the coast of Virginia and New Jersey, despite delays. But the electricity generation from those projects is considered tiny compared to what is promised from the West Coast. Its estimated that nearly a terrawatt of electricity will be generated off the coast of California, 13 times more capacity than all the land-based wind farms across the country generate. Trident sees its flotilla of turbines eventually growing to a net capacity of 1,000 megawatts, using 6 to 8 megawatt turbines. The typical land-based wind turbine has a capacity of 2 to 3 megawatts. But the project has met with some local opposition. There are more environmentally friendly options, said Joey Racano, who has launched a Facebook page opposing the project. Racanos complaints include what effect the turbines vibrations may have on fish, whales and sharks, and he worries about seabirds that can be killed after hitting the turbines blades or have their migratory patterns disrupted. Tridents proposed lease area is 67,963 acres, which equals 106 square miles. Why not do more with solar? said Racano, who is also the director the Ocean Outfall Group, based in Morro Bay. We have all these empty rooftops of all those homes and businesses that dont have photovoltaic solar panels on them. Weinstein said offshore wind will provide a more consistent power source than solar. Its available 24 hours a day, not just six or seven hours, she said. Last December about 100 Morro Bay residents turned out for a public forum and grilled Trident Wind officials. Although the Trident Winds facility could have 20 times the number of turbines of the Block Island project, the company says it would have minimal environmental impacts. There is no such thing as no impacts, said Weinstein, who spent 20 years as an engineer at Honeywell. We as humans impact our environment, period. The question becomes whether the impacts can be mitigated and minimized. The $2.6 billion Cape Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts has been debated for more than a decade with loud opposition coming from some homeowners complaining about the wind farms ruining their views. Citing visibility charts from the Coast Guard, Trident says the Morro Bay project would be so far from the coast that the turbines would not be seen from the shoreline. It will not ruin anyones view, Weinstein said. Another challenge is the cost. One analyst from the Bloomberg New Energy Finance research group projected that floating wind projects by 2020 could cost more than twice per megawatt than conventional offshore wind, which itself has been estimated, on average, to cost about three times more per megawatt than many new natural gas and coal power stations. Wind energys boosters say the costs of land-based wind projects have come down over the last three decades In the past six years, costs have come down two-thirds, said Sopko and believe offshore wind will follow the same pattern. Free-market critics complain about the amount of federal tax credits the wind energy sector receives and question the wisdom of spending government money on developing offshore projects. California continues to pursue carbon reduction policies that are very costly and this looks like an example, said Julian Morris, vice president of research at the Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank. The $40 million the Department of Energy gave to the pilot program in Cleveland came in addition to more than $10 million of agency money awarded to the corporation building the offshore project. The combined $50 million from DOE accounts for 41.6 percent of the projects estimated price tag of $120 million. Weinstein said Trident is not counting on any government grants to help build the Morro Bay project. David Hochschild, commissioner at the California Energy Commission, said offshore wind is on track to generate 250 gigawatts of electricity by 2020 but stressed that floating wind projects in California are in the very, very early stages. At the end of the day, Hochschild said, floating offshore wind is going to have to compete against onshore wind, against solar and the other resources in the renewable energy family. This story has been updated to clarify the net capacity of the Trident Winds project in relation to the capacity for a typical land-based wind turbine. Update 12/8/16: Statoil, a Norwegian multinational energy company, has applied to compete with Trident Winds for the project off the coast of Morro Bay. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe With the death of Fidel Castro, the Cold War truly passes into history. Jeff Nilsson discusses the Posts evolving views on Castro, including his rise to power, the Bay of Pigs, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join With the death of Fidel Castro, the Cold War truly passes into history. All of the other protagonists in the mid-century conflict between communism and democracy are long gone Kennedy, Khrushchev, Johnson, Brezhnev, Nixon, Mao. Only Castro remained, holding onto life and, until 2006, power over Cuba. When Castro took control of the Cuban government in 1959, many in the U.S. hoped he would end the decades of corruption by his predecessors. That hope is reflected in Harold Martins 1959 article, Can Castro Save Cuba?, which was written at a time when Castro was still asserting he was not a communist. But by December of 59, the tide had shifted away from the sentiment that anyone who opposes a dictatorship must be our man. Castros animosity toward the U.S. and close ties to Communism rose to the fore, and a Post editorial declared Fidel Looks Less Like a Friend of the U.S.A. All the Time. By 1960, Castro had extended recognition to several Marxist-Leninist governments, entered into trade agreements with the Soviets, and nationalized Cubas oil refineries, which had been under U.S. control. In January, the U.S. cut its diplomatic ties to Cuba and began to fund anti-Castro groups. In 1961, it backed an invasion by Cuban exiles. The swift defeat of the U.S.-funded forces at The Bay of Pigs boosted Castros reputation in Central and South America, where he was seen as a champion of Latin American nations against the powerful U.S. In 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev obtained Castros permission to install Soviet-made missiles in Cuba. The move was intended to counterbalance the NATO forces pointed at the Soviet Union. The U.S. demanded the missiles be withdrawn and set up a blockade around the island. It was the closest that the U.S. and Russia came to going to war. Ultimately, the Russians negotiated a withdrawal with the Americans. Stewart Alsop and Charles Bartlett wrote a detailed account in their 1962 article, In Time of Crisis, which focuses on lesser-known but ultimately critical episodes. While there were many players, decisions ultimately fell to President Kennedy. The authors note the evident strain on the president: John F. Kennedy is not an outwardly emotional man, and in the bad days there were few signs that he was passing through the loneliest moments of his lonely job. Once he astonished his wife when he called her at midday and asked her to join him for a walk. Another time he insisted, uncharacteristically, that the children be brought back from Virginia to join him in the White House. But he never lost his sense of humor. On the Sunday of Khrushchevs big blink, he made a wry remark to his brother Bobby: Perhaps this is the night I should go to the theater. No doubt he had Fords Theater in mind. Castro was left out of the negotiations, but he was still regarded by many Americans as a significant threat to the U.S. His policies earned him enemies not only in America but also in Cuba itself. Edward Behrs article Chaos in Castros Cuba, presented the Marxist-Leninist government as failing to solve chronic problems of food and employment. Many expected Castros government would eventually collapse under the combined pressure of Americas embargo, the moribund economy, and the discontent of Cubans. Of all the surprises of the Cold War, none could match the unexpectedly long life of Castros regime, or of Castro himself. Featured image: Library of Congress Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/29/2016 -- For over four decades, WOW Excursions has been offering unforgettable romantic getaways and fun customized group activities such as sailing the beautiful waters of the Mexican Caribbean on a catamaran to private excursions to archaeological sites and everything in between. One of WOW Excursions' guests' favorites of the Riviera Maya excursions the Classic Chichen Itza Tour (with lunch) gives adventurers the amazing opportunity to visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and learn about the Mayan Ruins on this professionally-guided tour. Travelers enjoy a panoramic visit of a colonial city of Yucatan with a beautiful cathedral and take a fresh swim in a beautiful cenote and, of course, get delighted with a Mexican lunch buffet. A classic of the Mayan Excursions, Chichen Itza is a very important ceremonial center complete with a temple, observatory, sacred cenote and other areas that were built using mathematical calculations using the astronomical knowledge of the time that is still impressing worldwide visitors to this day. Experience man-made magnificence such as castles and other awe-inspiring architecture coupled with the unrivaled splendor of nature all in one truly amazing day. "Every single trip we offer is thoughtfully constructed so that our customers get the most packed and rich experience possible. Our extensive history with giving the tours allows us to ensure a truly exhilarating and enriching experience for each and every single individual who joins us on our adventures," shared WOW Excursions PR Manager Ramon Coronado. To learn more about the endless adventures offered by WOW Excursions, visit their website today. About WOW Excursions With more than four decades of experience in tourism and serving more than 250,000 vacationers a year, WOW Excursions is a professional team that works working with travelers, airlines, hotels and cruise lines in providing memorable experiences in Mexico. They themselves have done and tested every excursion found on their website (www.wowexcursions.com) in order that adventurers can choose your favorite tour from different kind of activities in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Yucatan with the guarantee that you receive a professional service, safe adventures and more fun with our operators. WOW is proud to offer incredible and affordable getaways coupled with customers knowing they'll be having the time of their life! www.wowexcursions.com Toll FREE USA & CAN: 855-306-3818 Toll FREE Mexico: 01-800 -841-9081 Treatment for hemophilia can now be administered via a biodegradable, pH-responsive hydrogel microcarrier system, a capsule, thanks to a breakthrough by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin. They describe their system in the Nov. 30, 2016 issue of the International Journal of Pharmaceutics. There are about 400,000 people worldwide living with either hemophilia A or hemophilia B, both caused by a missing protein in their blood. Hemophilia B is caused by a missing or defective factor IX, a clotting protein. The bleeding disorder affects people throughout the world, but global accessibility to therapy is limited by cost, the need for trained medical personnel and possible complications associated with needle-based drug administration. Thousands of people endure multiple injections weekly to keep symptoms, such as excessive bleeding and pain in the joints, at bay and prevent future joint disease. The team, headed by Dr. Lisa Brannon-Peppas, designed a capsule, which contains micro- and nanoparticles, to carry a protein therapy that treats hemophilia B. While an oral delivery platform will be beneficial to all hemophilia B patients, patients in developing countries will benefit the most, said studys first author Sarena Horava. In many developing countries, the median life expectancy for hemophilia patients is 11 years due to the lack of access to treatment, but our new oral delivery of factor IX can now overcome these issues and improve the worldwide use of this therapy. The teams work has been patented and builds upon their published and patented system for the oral delivery of human factor IX (hFIX), a prophylactic treatment for hemophilia B patients. That system was successful in transporting hFIX, and it was able to deliver adequate levels of the drug to the target site in the body. The biggest challenge in delivering hFIX is that it is extremely delicate and unstable in the bodys various pH environments. The teams improved system is designed to capitalize on the bodys pH and changes in enzymes inside the gastrointestinal tract for a smooth delivery. As it moves through the body, the particle-containing capsule resists the major gastric enzyme to remain intact while in the stomach, providing protection for the encapsulated drug. In the small intestine, the capsule begins to swell with the increase in pH and is then degraded by the major intestinal enzyme, slowly releasing the drug over time. Based on the current capabilities of this system, approximately two capsules would be equivalent to one injection, Horava said. However, we anticipate that we will make further improvements to the delivery capacity of the oral delivery system and therefore decrease the capsule amount. The scientists plan to further test their system before clinical trials. _____ Sarena D. Horava et al. 2016. Biodegradable hydrophilic carriers for the oral delivery of hematological factor IX for hemophilia B treatment. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 514 (1): 220-228; doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.05.056 This article is based on a press-release from the University of Texas at Austin. NASA has been pioneering a wide array of space-ready items for the benefit of their astronauts: from invisible braces to wireless tools, scratch-resistant lenses up to its most recent discovery -- food bars! The Space Reporter reported that the space agency finally figured out what to feed Orion astronauts for their deep space mission. Considering the team's long-duration stay, nutritional needs, weight limits and an extra treat of flavor variety, NASA is currently creating high-calorie food bars with the appropriate ingredients to meet their needs. According to the website, taking a sufficient amount of regular food to Orion would contribute to a certain amount of mass that would require extra fuel. Unlike on the International Space Station (ISS) -- where cargo ships would usually resupply food from Earth -- sending food to Orion would not be that easy, either. This means that the Orion food situation requires distinct preparation without sacrificing the astronauts' need of energy-boosting supply. Since there is nothing available in the market that could actually meet these needs, the Advanced Food Technology team at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, had to design a food bar that would contain the astronauts' required supplement in addition to a multi-year shelf-life enhancement. "On Orion, the goal is to have a number of food bars to select from in a variety of flavors like orange, cranberry, or barbecue nut for their first meal of the day, reducing the amount of space and storage the breakfast require," according to the NASA statement. "For lunch and dinner, Orion astronauts will be able to select from similar items space station crew members eat and have a food warmer to help them prepare their needs." While NASA waits for the success of its Advanced Plant Habitat on the International Space Station, Orion astronauts would just have to hold their space lettuce craving for some flavorful bar treats. In Panama City Beach, one man faces charges as he punches a hammerhead shark to death. Given that capturing or killing the hammerhead shark is prohibited, thus punching the shark to death is not a smart move. The officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or FWC responded to a call to report a man in October. The man was later identified as Granger Ray Wooten, 21, from Lafayette, Georgia. He was carrying ashore a large hammerhead shark near the pier in St. Andrews State Park. The officers reported that Wooten confessed that he punched the shark in its gills, but the punches were allegedly an attempt to revive the shark, according to IFL Science. The officers found the dead shark floating under a pier. Wooten was charged with landing a great hammerhead shark, a misdemeanor. According to Panama City News Herald, the FWC reported that the officers were patrolling in the St. Andrew State Park at around 9 p.m. on Oct. 24 when they received a call coming from a witness. The witness said that two men had landed an 8- or 9-foot hammerhead shark and carried it to the shore. The witness, Robert Petty, said in the sworn statement that, "The white male had his left arm around the shark's head and was punching it repeatedly in the stomach." Petty added that the men pulled the shark farther on shore before placing a small child on it for a photo opportunity. The shark was floating motionless under the pier when the officers arrived. Allegedly, Wooten went to the officers and "said something to the effect of, 'She's just lying in the current,' " officers quoted him as saying. However, Wooten appears to be catching the shark but denied anybody had punched it after his fishing license was checked by the officers. The officers wrote, "Mr. Wooten then changed his story and attempted to explain to me that he was punching the shark around the stomach area to get the air out of its lungs. "Then he said, 'It's kinda like doing CPR on a shark.' I explained to Mr. Wooten that if he wanted to revive the shark all he had to do was run water through the shark's gills." Yang Liwei, first Chinese astronaut, has heard a mysterious sound in space. This has caught the attention of the Netizens. China.org.cn reported that Yang described the disturbing sound like a wooden hammer hitting an iron bucket. When he recalled his experience in the outer space, Yang said, "A non-casual situation I have met in space is a knock that appeared from time to time." Yang elucidated that the sound suddenly came out without any reason. "It neither came from outside nor inside the spaceship, but sounded like someone is knocking the body of the spaceship just as knocking an iron bucket with a wooden hammer," Yang added. When Yang was in the outer space he was anxious and nervous when the sound appeared. However, he was brave to move close to the porthole to find out the cause. But nothing came out or appeared from both inside and outside. When he returned to Earth, he asked the technicians about the mysterious sound and he tried to mimic it with some kind of instrument to figure out the conundrum. But then, he had never heard the exact sound again as to what he heard from the outer space. It was not only him who heard the sound but it has also been heard by Shenzhou 6 and Shenzhou 7 astronauts. Finally, Yang advised the other astronauts that before entering the space, he told them that the sound is a normal phenomenon and there is no need to worry about it. Yang Liwei was born in the Northeastern Liaoning Province on June 21, 1965. Yang was considered by the Chinese government to be officially the first astronaut who flew into outer space and now became a major general. On Oct. 16, 2016, he moved out of his re-entry module after a 21-hour exploration in space, making him the 241st human to visit the outer space. NASA's Cassini spacecraft released an image of Saturn's icy moon known as "Mimas" dwarfed by enormous Saturn's rings. It was taken in red light with the Cassini wide-angle camera on July 21, 2016. Saturn's icy moon Mimas is dwarfed by the planet's enormous rings, but looks can be deceiving. Learn more: https://t.co/r8uhGrGgFC pic.twitter.com/dlPB8uJTVh NASA (@NASA) November 28, 2016 According to NASA, the scientists think that the rings are no more than a few times as massive as Mimas or probably just a fraction of Mimas' mass. Cassini spacecraft will yet identify the mass of Saturn's rings to within just a few hundredths of Mimas' mass when it will go closer to the rings. Saturn's Moon Mimas is famous for its giant impact crater (named Herschel) which resembles the Star Wars Death Star pic.twitter.com/uNrE4eM1j5 Learn to Skywatch (@Learntoskywatch) November 25, 2016 Mimas is also referred to as Saturn I and an icy moon of Saturn. It has a diameter of 396 kilometers (246 miles) and considered as the smallest astronomical body. This icy moon of Saturn was discovered by William Herschel in 1789. Its name "Mimas" is derived after one of the Giants in Greek Mythology. Meanwhile, the rings are made of small, icy particles that spread over a huge area. They are very thin, generally no thicker than the height of a house. On the other hand, besides their enormous proportions, they contain a small amount of material. The image is viewed toward the sunlit side of the rings from about 6 degrees above the ring plane. It was obtained at about 564,000 miles (907,000 kilometers) from Saturn and at a Sun-Saturn-spacecraft or phase, an angle of 31 degrees. The image scale is 34 miles or 54 kilometers per pixel. Scientists have confirmed that Australia's Great Barrier Reef suffered the largest coral bleaching and die-off ever recorded this year. Researchers in Australia, who have been tasked to survey the damage, said that the worst affected area, a 400-mile (700 kilometers) swath of reefs, has lost an average of 67 percent of its shallow-water corals over the past 8 to 9 months. "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef. This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected," Professor Terry Hughes, who led the assessment, said in a press release by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef. He added that the southern two thirds, however, were not greatly affected and only suffered minor damage. However, about 6 percent of the bleached corals died in the central region in 2016 and only 1 percent in the south. Warming Oceans Caused Coral Bleaching According to BBC, in the months of February, March and April, the sea surface temperatures across the Great Barrier Reef were the warmest on record, with at least 1 degree Celcius higher than the monthly average. In 2016, the mass bleaching seen was the worst-ever recorded, following two prior bleaching events in 1998 and 2002. One of the reasons these events happen is because of the increased water temperature caused by carbon emissions and global warming. Professor Hughes added that if climate change would not be curbed, it could bring annual bleaching within two decades. "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef," he said as reported by BBC. "This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected," he added. There is no telling where Donald Trump stands at an issue. Last week, the president-elects appeared to have accepted that there is "some connectivity" between human activity and climate change. But now, it seems that he is back to his original claim that it is an "expensive hoax" by the Chinese, adding that it is "a bunch of bunk." The Huffington Post reported that according to Trump's incoming Chief of Staff, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, Trump merely said he is going to have an open mind regarding climate change. However, he is still sticking with his default position that is most of it is "a bunch of bunk." However, the transcript of his remarks as noted by The New York Times revealed that Trump actually has little knowledge on the issue, yet he still expresses skepticism at the near-universal consensus saying that climate change is real. He shared, "it's a very complex subject. I'm not sure anybody is ever going to really know." Environmentalists have been warning that the Trump presidency could be disastrous for the world's effort to combat climate change, especially considering that he is going to undo President Barack Obama's policy achievements regarding the issue, such as mandating lower carbon emission from power plants and preserving more public land, even to the point of negotiating the landmark United Nations Paris Climate Change Agreement. Donald Trump noted that combating climate change could "cost our companies," essentially stating that the president-elect is putting business before environment. In fact, Donald Trump even went on to name climate change denier Myron Ebell as an overseer at the Environmental Protection Agency, and even thought of gutting the said agency altogether. Most of Trump's projects will go to NASA for its Space Science department. Dot Earth reported that Trump's advisors are pushing for a reboot of the Space Agency's missions, focusing not on Earth, but on deep space instead. In an unprecedented move among international treaties, the Paris Agreement was among the fastest that came into force. However, instead of a standard process, each country is left into its own accord in tackling the issue. With this, each country must adopt its own ways to lower the carbon footprint. The Guardian reported that Canada has recently taken important steps to reaching its goal. In September, the government announced that it is investing $120 billion in infrastructure that highlights support for those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This plan is an indication of the hope that Canada can transition to a low carbon development. However, the real impact still depends on how these infrastructure projects could contribute to low-carbon and infrastructure outcomes. By October, the government announced a Pan-Canadian pricing on carbon pollution that will take effect by 2018. The price on carbon pollution will start at a minimum of $10 per ton in 2018 and rise by $10 a year, eventually reaching $50 per ton by 2022. Still, despite the progress, the government's decision to approve the Pacific Northwest Liquefied Natural Gas project is somewhat backward, making scientists doubt whether or not the Federal Government is actually serious in addressing climate change with meaningful policies. Still, there is room for discussion. According to the Canadian Manufacturing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is going to have a sit down with the provincial and territorial premiers whose goals are to put Canada on a proper policy track toward its international 2030 emission reduction targets. Sustainable Canada Dialogues, a network of scholars across the country produced a progress report on the climate actions over the past year. But while they applaud the announcements, they are still pushing for Canada to adopt actions that could decrease greenhouse gas emissions and encourage companies to invest in low-carbon technologies. At this point, Canada still needs to cut over 200 million tons of GHGs annually to achieve its Paris Agreement promise. Time travel could be possible, a team of physicists have claimed, according to a report in the New York Post. The researchers have suggested that parallel universes exist and affect one another. Moreover, there are multiple timelines in the multiple universes; therefore, time travel is conceivable. Scientists from the Griffith University's Center for Quantum Dynamics and the University of California came up with the Many Interacting Worlds Theory that gives a whole new perspective on the ideas underlying quantum theory, the New York Post reported. According to physicist Howard Wiseman, the idea of parallel universes has existed in quantum mechanics since 1957 -- called the Many-Worlds Interpretation, which suggests that every time a quantum measurement is made, each universe bifurcates into a group of new universes. "All possibilities are realized therefore - in some universes the dinosaur-killing asteroid missed Earth. In others, Australia was colonized by the Portuguese," adds Wiseman, as reported by The Sun. So, how is the new Many Interacting Worlds Theory different from Many-Worlds Interpretation? The research team of physicists has suggested that according to the new theory, our universe is just one among various worlds, and some of them are identical to our reality while others are absolutely different. However, all the worlds are real and all in the same timeline. Furthermore, the worlds interact with each other when they bump together. Therefore, the parallel universes can affect each other. Consequently, if multiple and interacting universes actually exist, then it would be possible for time travelers to visit Earth, and every imaginable scenario would be played out in a parallel universe at some point. Dr. Michael Hall from the research team believes that the sensational theory is in tandem with current scientific understanding and adds a new perspective rather than suggesting something that does not fit with the current understanding of physics. "The beauty of our approach is that if there is just one world our theory reduces to Newtonian mechanics, while if there are a gigantic number of worlds it reproduces quantum mechanics," Dr. Hall further said. "In between it predicts something new that is neither quantum theory nor Newton's theory." A Finland-based startup, Eve Tech has successfully developed a 2 in 1 windows powered laptop.The Eve V went for sale at Indiegogo and was complexly sold out in less than 3 hours. The Tech startup had started a campaign on Indiegogo to raise $75,000 crowd funding, which it achieved within two days. The campaign has raised more than $860,000 via the same crowdfunding site. The company is backed by Microsoft, Intel, and even Finnish government,as reported by Travelers Today. Eve V is another example of manufacturers moving towards designing 2-in-1 laptops. The recent launch of Microsoft Surface Pro is a strong player in the domain and Eve V will be a tough competitor for the Surface Pro. Let us check some amazing Eve V features. Eve V Specs Eve V will be powered by an Intel 7th gen Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Lower end models with m3 and i5 processors are also available. Eve V will run either windows 10 or Pro and will be free of bloatware. As reported by Silicon Angle, the powerful machine will give up to 12 hours of battery life. Co-founder and chief executive Konstantinos Karatsevidis said, "Hopefully it's one of the best computers you've ever had, at a fraction of the cost." Eve V Design The latest Eve V will feature a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824, 12.3-inch LCD display with drop and scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. It will feature quad speakers against the dual speakers found in Transformer Pro 3 and Surface Pro. Eve V will include a USB port, USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 for high-speed transfer capabilities. Eve V Price Eve V price will vary depending on the specs offered. The top-end model will set you back by $1,399. The lower end models with i5 and m3 processors will start from as low as $699. The Eve V pen will be sold at $39. Even for the top most models, the buyer will pay far less when compared with Surface Pro 4. Will the Eve V turn out to be a Surface Pro Killer? Let us know your views in the comment section below. A fierce lioness was captured showing the king of the jungle not to mess with her and her cubs at all. Mirror UK reports that a lioness was able to rip a lion's fang almost off his mouth in an intense fight captured in South Africa's Kruger National Park. The maned creature was photographed in despair, with one of his sharp fangs hanging by a thread for trying to go near one of the lioness' cubs. According to farm manager Corlette Wessels, who witnessed the jawbreaking combat on her Johannesburg visit, two male lions were just marking their territories near a pride before a fight "came out of nowhere." One of them then approached a group, triggering an innocent cub to go see him. As the cub went near the dangerous intruder, the oldest female of the pride began to growl. "The male growled back, then she slapped him and the other females joined in," Wessels recalled. "I can't tell you the intensity of their voices and growls, and the pure force of their forelegs lashing out," she added. Guess any male lion, no matter how strong, could not defeat an established team of ferocious lionesses. Amazing moment lioness rips out lion's fang after he got too close to her cubshttps://t.co/cEVzRRmQB4 pic.twitter.com/SEdETvPFXS Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) November 25, 2016 That does not mean the queen of the jungle never loses, though. Just because other animals are running away from lions does not mean that the others cannot put up a great fight. CNET reported that in the most recent episode of BBC's wildlife documentary, "Planet Earth II," another lioness was caught losing her crown to a giraffe in short video. In the beginning of the clip, the predator was found taking a leap attempting to grab an approaching giraffe by her claws. Unfortunately, the carnivore failed her attempt as the long-necked creature continued its winning run. The video ended with a violent tap dance performed by the giraffe on top of the lioness' face before it was able to escape. Harry Reid Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid shrugged when asked on Tuesday if he supported the recount effort spearheaded by Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. "Sure, why not?" the Nevada Democrat told reporters at a press conference. Stein, along with another third-party candidate, last week petitioned for a recount in Wisconsin, one of the most closely contested states. Officials there began the recount process on Monday. Stein also filed for a recount in Pennsylvania, and has said she would file in Michigan as well. The recount process is viewed as unlikely to change the results in any of the three states. But the effort, in which Hillary Clinton's campaign has said it will participate, has angered President-elect Donald Trump. He slammed it as a "scam" on Saturday, and went on a tweetstorm saying he would've won the popular vote had there not been "millions" of people who "illegally" voted, a claim he did not back up with any evidence. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. NOW WATCH: 'That hypocrisy is also real' Jon Stewart takes liberals to task for calling all Trump supporters racist More From Business Insider VIENNA (Reuters) - Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan said he is not sure OPEC will clinch a deal to limit oil output when it meets on Wednesday in Vienna. "I don't know. Let's see. The feeling today is mixed," he told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the prospects of a deal. (Reporting by Alex Lawler; Editing by Dale Hudson) * Monte dei Paschi leads share bounce back, up 16 pct * ECB ready to buy more Italian bonds - sources * BlackRock says upping exposure to Europe's banks * Firm demand at auction shows investors hedging bets * Graphic on 'colossal' Italy shorts: http://reut.rs/2fLW0lO * Chance of Italy exiting euro zone rising -survey (Updates with ECB story, quote) By John Geddie and Dhara Ranasinghe LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Italy's borrowing costs were set for their biggest fall in two weeks on Tuesday as bank shares recovered from recent falls and sources told Reuters that the ECB is ready to buy more Italian bonds if a referendum this weekend roils markets. Italian government bond yields, indicating the cost at which investors will lend to Rome in the debt markets, have doubled over the past three months ahead of Sunday's referendum on constitutional change that could unseat its prime minister, Matteo Renzi, and deepen a nascent banking crisis. But shares in lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena, at the centre of Italian banking worries, soared as much as 18 percent on Tuesday, having ended Monday down over 13 percent. The country's benchmark banking index gained 3.8 percent. The rally in bond and stock markets gained momentum after central bank sources told Reuters the European Central Bank is ready to temporarily step up purchases of Italian government bonds if Sunday's referendum results sharply drive up borrowing costs for the euro zone's largest debtor. "There is a feeling that if there is volatility then something will be done to assist Italy," said Tomas Kinmonth, a fixed income strategist at ABN AMRO. Italian 10-year bond yields fell 10 basis points to a more than one-week low of 1.96 percent, down from a 14-month high of 2.16 percent hit earlier in November and on track for its biggest one-day fall in two weeks. That helped narrow the gap to German equivalents, up 4 bps at 0.23 percent after firm U.S. data, to 174 bps. It briefly touched 193 bps on Monday, its widest since February 2014. Story continues COLOSSAL SHORTS In another sign of a shift in sentiment towards Italy, a top bond investor for BlackRock Inc, the world's largest asset manager, said on Monday he was scaling up exposure to European banks and still held exposure to Italian government debt. Others, too, are staking contrarian bets on Italy, as many big international investors hold huge short positions on Italian assets. "Stocks and government bonds are heavily correlated in Italy. They are basically seen as expressions of the same risk," Intesa Sanpaolo strategist Sergio Capaldi said. "We are seeing a correction right now. It seems financial markets are getting more relaxed about the idea of a 'No' in the referendum." As this graphic shows, there is evidence that investors have taken 'short' positions in Italian debt - entering contracts to sell bonds at an agreed price in the future - on a scale not seen since the euro zone debt crisis. http://reut.rs/2fLW0lO Analysts say a fall in futures prices and a corresponding rise in open interest is tell-tale sign of this trend. In a note on Tuesday, Morgan Stanley's strategists said that trend-following funds known as CTAs, as well as fast and real money investors, had "sizeable" shorts. The CEO of the Italian exchange said on Tuesday that big international investors are holding "colossal" short positions on Italian assets. Italy's borrowing costs rose sharply at an auction on Tuesday, reflecting political worries, but firm demand suggested some investor were hedging their "short" positions by buying the underlying bonds. The country sold 6.2 billion euros of the debt on offer, which was at the top end of a planned range. Citi said in a note on Tuesday that markets had largely priced in a slim "No" in Sunday's constitutional referendum, seen as a proxy confidence vote on Renzi, but said it "wouldn't buy the dip and remained cautious". Renzi has promised to step down if he does not win the vote, opening the way for renewed political instability in the euro zone's third-largest economy and prompting fears of bank runs and credit rating downgrades. Italian newspapers on Tuesday speculated that Renzi may resign even if he wins the vote. This poses broader risks of a future government potentially taking Italy out of the euro, or taking policy moves that lead to markets forcing it towards a debt default. An investor survey showed the chance of Italy leaving the euro zone over the next 12 months at 19.3 percent on Tuesday, the highest reading since the poll started in June 2012. (Graphic by Vikram Subhedar; Editing by Tom Heneghan/Hugh Lawson) Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders don't agree on a lot of things, but keeping Carrier in the United States is one of them. Both the president-elect and the Vermont Senator are pressuring Carrier Corporation, the air conditioning and heating systems maker owned by United Technologies , to halt plans to move two of its plants to Mexico from Indiana. Sanders upped the ante over the weekend, calling for Trump to use United Technologies' defense contracts as leverage in negotiations. "I call on Mr. Trump to make it clear to the CEO of United Technologies that if his firm wants to receive another defense contract from the taxpayers of this country, it must not move these plants to Mexico," Sanders wrote in a statement on Saturday. He made a similar plea via Twitter: I call on Trump to make clear to United Technologies that if it wants to receive another defense contract it must not move plants to Mexico. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 27, 2016 The Hartford, Connecticut-based company saw $6.8 billion in U.S. federal government contract obligations in 2015, $6.7 billion of which came through the Department of Defense. Sanders quoted the amount in his statement, though he did not note that included in it is helicopter-maker Sikorsky, which United Technologies no longer owns. It sold the company to Lockheed Martin for $9 billion in late 2015, taking a chunk out of its government contract obligations. The Pentagon may not be eager to go along with Sanders' proposal to play hardball on defense contracting with companies whose products and services are unique and necessary to national defense. United Technologies owns Pratt & Whitney, which makes fighter jet engines, and has an aerospace systems unit that makes parts for commercial and military aircraft. Many of those are sole-sourced, and some are patent protected. In other words, finding another contractor to replicate what United Technologies is already providing could take years. Story continues Trump has not responded to Sanders' prodding on using defense contracts as leverage, and his camp did not return a request for comment on the matter. Despite his silence on the Vermont Senator's involvement, the Carrier issue is one he has paid attention to for some time. Carrier became a regular talking point for Trump on the campaign trail after a video posted on YouTube captured Indiana workers being delivered the news of the plant closures, and it has remained part of his agenda ever since. The president-elect tweeted about the issue on Thanksgiving Day, saying he was "making progress:" I am working hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier A.C. Company to stay in the U.S. (Indiana). MAKING PROGRESS - Will know soon! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2016 Carrier confirmed that it has had discussions with the incoming administration in a tweet. A spokesman for the company declined to comment further on the matter. Trump spokesman Jason Miller said on a press call on Tuesday that both Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence have been "very hands-on" with the issue but due to certain sensitivities will wait until the parties involved arrange to make announcement. "This is something both the president-elect and vice-president elect are very passionate about," he said. United Technologies announced a $1.5 billion restructuring plan, including cost reductions in high-cost locations, in December 2015. Carrier representatives have told Indiana state officials it expects to save about $65 million a year by moving production to Mexico. Ivan Feinseth, director of research at Tigress Financial Partners in New York, said Carrier may not be looking at the bigger picture in its estimate. Energy costs are higher in Mexico, as are shipping costs when it comes to moving bigger, more expensive items. There's also Trump's tough stance on trade to take into consideration. "The changes in NAFTA could totally negate any savings they may think they have [in moving to Mexico]," he said. Trump has said he will renegotiate or withdraw from the 1990s trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Sanders and Trump have similar ideas on trade and, at times, similar approaches. Sanders over the weekend announced plans to introduce the Outsourcing Prevention Act, legislation aimed at preventing companies from sending jobs abroad. It includes a 35% tax on profits or what it saves through outsourcing. Trump while campaigning often called on a 35% tax on imported goods from companies that send jobs abroad. To be sure, Sanders and Trump aren't the first to use such tactics. Representative Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut and other Congressional Democrats have pushed the No Federal Contracts for Corporate Deserters Act, which prohibits executive agencies from awarding government contracts to companies that take part in corporate inversions. In 2004, then-Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry branded CEOs who outsource "Benedict Arnold CEOs," referring to the American Revolutionary War general who defected to the British Army. There's no silver bullet for keeping companies from shipping jobs elsewhere, said Ron Hira, research associate at Washington, D.C.-based think tank the Economic Policy Institute and associate professor of public policy at Howard University. Government has to take a broader approach and adjust the economic and business incentives for outsourcing. "You have to do a lot of different things to tilt the playing field towards keeping work here in the U.S.," he said. "You have to use both carrots and sticks on the policy side to make it profitable." The company-by-company approach isn't the best one, especially once Trump's in the Oval Office. "The president doesn't have enough time to deal with each and every individual case," said Hira. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: See inside Jim Cramers multi-million dollar charitable trust portfolio to see the stocks he thinks could be potentially HUGE winners. Click here to see his holdings for FREE. We have more newsletters Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to FREE email alerts from scunthorpetelegraph - Daily Interception of a suspicious package at an airport led police to swoop on two addresses in Scunthorpe where up to 20,000 worth of drugs were found. Benjamin Conway was locked up at Grimsby Crown Court for three years and eight months after admitting nine offences of importation of drugs and possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of criminal property. He sold the drugs imported from Pakistan through a gym where he trained. Sentencing Conway, 30, of Mill Road, Scunthorpe Judge Paul Watson QC said: "It seems by chance in February that the police got on to you because a UK Border Force officer intercepted a packing containing one kilogramme of herbal cannabis worth 6,000." The judge said the sale of drugs funded Conway's gambling pursuits. After discovering the package at Birmingham International airport, police officers also found up to 11,000 cash stashed in a microwave during one of the raids. Prosecuting Miss Catherine Kioko-Gilligan told how the interception in February 2013 led to police raids at Mill Road and Boughton Avenue, Scunthorpe. The alert UK Border Force officer checked a parcel which contained a pedal bin. But inside was herbal cannabis with a street value of 5,700. At his home address in Mill Road police found 2,800 tablets and a further 3,000 tablets wrapped in a towel. A quantity of cocaine was also found with a street value of 5,440. It was 75 per cent purity cocaine and if adulterated with other ingredients would have a street value of 13,600 said the prosecutor. She said 11,000 cash was found in a microwave oven. Tablets and scales belonging to Conway were also discovered at another address in Boughton Avenue, she told. After his arrest at Mill Road, Conway initially made no comment in interview but later admitted he mixed up protein powder and sold steroids. The court heard he used his sister Amy's bank account without her knowledge to purchase ingredients and tablets for sale at his gym. The sale of the "steroid" tablets was to enable members of the gym to "bulk up" as he had done. The prosecutor said his neighbour Tina Tennant was asked if she would receive parcels from abroad on his behalf as he was often out when packages were delivered. Miss Kioko-Gilligan said Ms Tennant was angry when she was informed of the true contents of the packages as she had no knowledge of what they contained. For Conway, Rodney Ferm said his client was solely responsible for everything he did. He said the drugs were for body-building purposes. He said the tablets were used to counteract the effects of steroids and were a muscle relaxant. He said his client suffered from liver damage as a result and had "learned his lesson." He added that since the offences over three years ago he had rehabilitated himself and was drug free and had a working life. The defendant wept when Mr Ferm told of the condition of his severely disabled father. Mwani Qatar will take a controlling 51% stake and Milaha the remaining 49% in QTerminals to manage Hamad Port, a 28sq km greenfield project rapidly expanding south of the Qatari capital Doha. QTerminals will manage operations as an independent company with its own board of directors, executives and staff. Hamad Port, connected to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through a road and rail network, is set to transform Qatari shipping once it is complete in 2020. Already running at about one third capacity, it will eventually be home to three highly automated container terminals with a combined annual capacity of 7m teu and at least eight super post-panamax gantry cranes. The port, which is already handling livestock imports, will also have a multi-use ro-ro, general cargo and bulk terminals, an offshore supply base and Coast Guard and Qatari Emiri Naval Force bases. A customs inspection area for rapid cargo clearance, a uniquely designed110m tall port control tower, a ship inspection platform and multiple maritime facilities, in addition to other utilities such as storage units, mosques, rest areas, medical clinics and offices are also taking shape. The QTerminals deal was signed Tuesday by Mwani Qatar ceo, Capt. Abdulla Al Khanji and Milaha president and ceo Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai. Qatars Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, said the partnership would help drive Hamad Ports ambition to become a regional commercial hub as part of the kingdoms ambitious Qatar National Vision 2030. This strategic partnership reaps the benefits of several years of strong collaboration and ties between Mwani Qatar and Milaha, which have brought about this common plan for managing Hamad Port, one of the countrys vital megaprojects and which will serve as Qatars gateway to world trade, Al Sulaiti said. The Minister said the Mwani Qatar-Milaha partnership was a role model for the Qatari private sector to contribute to transportation projects, going beyond prevalent partnerships in building and construction. We are confident the new company, established collaboratively by two of Qatars leading corporations, will contribute to leveraging the countrys competitiveness among world economies, he added. Milaha chairman, Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Mohammad Al-Thani, said Hamad Port shaped as a key contributor in Qatars economic diversification program. Our partnership with Mwani Qatar is a continuation of our longstanding relationship, which will continue to work toward achieving Qatars vision of becoming a global trade and logistics hub. Hamad Port is one the worlds largest port development projects. It will herald a new era of uniqueness and pioneering in the area of commercial port development in Qatar and the wider region. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2016-249 The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that the Commission voted to renew the Equity Market Structure Advisory Committees charter until August 2017 with the current membership. The committees charter was originally scheduled to expire in February 2017. The committee provides a formal mechanism through which the Commission can receive advice and recommendations specifically related to equity market structure issues. The committee has met seven times since it was established in February 2015. The Equity Market Structure Advisory Committees renewal enables the next Chair and the next Commission to benefit seamlessly from this vital resource for our ongoing assessment of equity market structure issues and potential enhancements, said SEC Chair Mary Jo White. Since its inception, the committee has considered a range of issues, including Regulation NMS and a structure for an access fee pilot, the governance framework for national market system plans, transparency for investors of broker-dealer order handling practices, and market-wide volatility moderators. The Commission-approved committee members come from different sectors of the financial services industry, academia, and from public interest groups. Could honey bee brood (larvae and pupae) graduate from a niche delicacy to a more widely eaten food of the future? A new study by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, just published in the Journal of Apicultural Research, suggests that honey bee brood could indeed represent what they term a "realistic addition to a more sustainable food industry" in a world that, by 2050, could be home to more than 9 billion people. "The near omnipresence of honey bees around the world and [their] long-documented relationship with man could potentially accelerate the acceptance of insects as a foodstuff," the scientists write. They note that places as far-flung as Mexico, Thailand, Australia, and China already consume honey bee brood as a delicacy, the substance prized for its nutritional value they're rich in protein and sweet taste. RELATED: Some Honeybees Fan to Keep Hives Cool Honey bees, though, are key pollinators, vital to the global food supply. In recent times, they have come under pressure from conditions such as colony collapse disorder and other threats that include insecticides and the parasitic Varroa mite. Attacks by the latter can take out an entire hive if the infestation is large enough. Does it make sense to view such a key and troubled insect as a direct food supplier? The researchers say beekeepers today are already accustomed to removing drone brood from their hives, as a hedge against Varroa mite infestations. (The mites prefer honey bee drones to workers and reproduce more successfully with them.) "This practice makes honey bee drone brood a by-product, producing an abundant source of farmed insects with untapped potential," the scientists write. WATCH VIDEO: What Is The Future Of Food? Illegal poaching of endangered animals has been a large problem in Africa for many years. Three rhinos are poached every day in South Africa for their horns, and a quarter of a million elephants have been killed for their ivory in the past six years. Poachers also target antelopes and other endangered species such as wild dogs and cheetah for their meat and skin. In order to combat this problem, Transfrontier Africa founded the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve, one of Africa's largest game reserves. Read More: The Women Who Fight Rhino Poachers Without Weapons The Black Mambas is an unarmed and all-female group, trained to spot, track down and arrest poachers. They are all between 20 and 30 years old and come from local communities and villages surrounding the reserve. So far, The Black Mambas have taken down over 12 poachers' camps and 3 bush meat kitchens while also reducing snaring and poisoning by 76% in the area, proving more effective than drones or thermal optics. But The Black Mambas Program does more than just protect endangered wildlife. It also creates bonds within local communities and educates them about the animals and the importance of saving their natural heritage. The group's goal is to win the war on poaching not through violence, but through local communities working together. The solar system's innermost planet is far from being the barren husk of rock it's often portrayed as. Scientists recently discovered a "great valley" on the small planet that would make the Grand Canyon look tiny in comparison. It also has one of the biggest impact basins known in the solar system. Mercury also hosts water ice and has organic chemistry. It's also, weirdly, shrinking. NASA's MESSENGER - which stands for Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging - spent nearly a decade examining Mercury in both flybys and orbital observations, and discovered several strange features that challenged our assumptions about this planet. Here are a few of the most recent findings. 1) "Great Valley" Probing through MESSENGER data, scientists have found a "great valley" on Mercury that far exceeds the size of the Grand Canyon. It probably as formed when Mercury's solid lithosphere (crust) buckled three or four billion years ago as the planet shrank while cooling. At 250 miles wide and 600 miles long, it's about twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. If you were to place it on Earth, it would be the equivalent distance from Washington, D.C. to New York City to Detroit. RELATED: MESSENGER's Last Mercury Photo Before Crashing is Crazy Close-Up The challenge with this discovery is it sort of contradicts other findings that show Mercury has been active in later years since its formation. There are other spots on the planet that show evidence of volcanism, not to mention the fact that the planet has a magnetic field (which implies something inside must be generating it). "Everyone thought Mercury was a very cold planet - myself included. But it looks like Mercury might have heated significantly in recent planetary history," said co-author Laurent Montesi, an assistant geology professor at the University of Maryland, in a statement. (The research was led by the National Air and Space Museum's Thomas Watters.) 2) Volcanic Basin Caloris basin is one of the largest known impact sites in the solar system. It was actually spotted in 1974 when Mariner 10 flew past Mercury, but only half of the basin was lit at the time. When MESSENGER flew past Mercury for the first time, it was able to look at the full basin - and with further observations, we learned that it likely has a volcanic history. From looking closely at the region, scientists have seen evidence of past lava flows both from the impact (which carved a basin about 1500 kilometers or 932 miles wide) and also from volcanic vents that are believed to surround the perimeter. The covering lava is thought to be as much as 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) thick. 3) An Active Planet During the last year and a half of MESSENGER's mission, the spacecraft flew lower and was able to see the surface of Mercury in fine detail. One of the things it zeroed in on are small fault scarps that had to be young, because there were a lot of craters on them that hadn't been erased with time. It is believed these scraps are slowly being formed as the crust bends and uplifts. RELATED: Forever Farewell: NASA's Mercury Probe Is Now an Impact Crater "The young age of the small scarps means that Mercury joins Earth as a tectonically active planet, with new faults likely forming today as Mercury's interior continues to cool and the planet contracts," said lead author Tom Watters, from the National Air and Space Museum, in a statement. 4) Water Ice With a large assist from radar observations from Earth, MESSENGER confirmed there are likely polar water ice deposits on Mercury. There were actually three lines of evidence that confirmed the find, NASA said in 2012: excess hydrogen (a sign of water) measured by MESSENGER, reflectance of Mercury's polar deposits, and models of temperatures at the poles using MESSENGER data. "The neutron data indicate that Mercury's radar-bright polar deposits contain, on average, a hydrogen-rich layer more than tens of centimeters thick beneath a surficial layer 10 to 20 centimeters thick that is less rich in hydrogen," stated David Lawrence, a MESSENGER participating scientist at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and the lead author of one of the papers describing the find. "The buried layer has a hydrogen content consistent with nearly pure water ice." 5) Organic Compounds The scientists noticed something else while examining the ice. While they found bright deposits in cold areas, in slightly warmer zones they discovered darker material. Scientists believe this dark material is likely organics that were scattered on the planet after impacts by small bodies, such as as asteroids and comets - this is also likely how water arrived at Mercury. RELATED: MESSENGER: First Photos from Mercury Orbit: Slide Show Organic compounds are considered a building block of life, although they are not necessarily an indication of life itself. They have also been found on comets, Mars and Titan, a moon of Saturn with a liquid cycle and "pre-biotic chemistry," meaning chemistry that may be a precursor to the chemistry that generates and sustains life.) Image credits: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington/National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, Arecibo Observatory How does an Evangelical Lutheran woman in Minnesota experience God compared to a member of ISIS in Afghanistan? More than 5.8 billion people say that religion and spirituality have some influence on their lives. Yet scientists know very little about what happens in the brain when someone is having a religious experience. Why does one person feel peace, joy and positivity, while another feels motivated to carry out an act of violence? Are the same neural networks in the brain responsible for both? Or do they differ from one person to the next? These and many other questions are the focus of new research from neuroradiologist Jeff Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Today in the journal Social Neuroscience, they report on an imaging study that shows that having a religious or spiritual experience activates the brain's "reward circuits" in the same way that love, sex, gambling, drugs and music do. The findings, part of the university's Religious Brain Project, have the potential for identifying how people are different and how they are the same when it comes to religion and spirituality. "Even if the messages of our gods are different, the fact that we may feel those messages the same way in the brain is a way of fostering understanding," Anderson told Seeker. To conduct the study, Anderson and his colleagues invited 19 Mormons - seven females and 12 males - to participate in an hourlong functional MRI scan. During the scan, the scientists asked participants to do four different tasks: rest silently, watch a video, pray and read scriptures. The session was meant to simulate a worship service and evoke a charismatic religious experience that devout Mormons call "feeling the Spirit." In these moments, people of Mormon faith feel close to God, consider those feelings a form of communicating with the divine and rely on them to make important decisions. WATCH VIDEO: Can Science Be a Religion? The park saw a need for the Black Mambas after they lost 19 rhinos in just a few months. "The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit was first founded in 2013," Amy Clark, Director of Transfrontier Africa, told Seeker. "Snaring dropped 97 percent in the first year in this region. The first 13 months of operation we didn't lose a single rhino throughout the reserve; even till today, 2016, it's dropped by 56 percent." "They say it's hard for a woman to do that kind of job, that's a man's job," Leitah Mkhabela, one of the Black Mambas, told Seeker. "So I was happy about it, I proved them wrong." The goal of the Mambas is to make Kruger National Park one of the most uncomfortable places to poach rhinos. Once they detect poachers in the area, they swoop in and chase them off in what's called a "disrupt," preventing them from getting close to the rhino they're after. A group of women in South Africa are more effective at protecting wildlife in Kruger National Park than drones or thermal optics. They're known as the Black Mambas, and they fight off rhino poachers without any weapons at all. Considering the Black Mambas are working on a reserve with thousands of wild animals, the training they go through is pretty rigorous. During a four week training period, they have to learn arrest procedures, how to spot tracks and how to search vehicles. One of those weeks is devoted entirely to dealing with an elephant or lion encounter while on patrol. When the four weeks are up, the women must then complete a two week paramilitary course. For Mkhabela, the rigorous training is one of the reasons she joined the Mambas. The group's success has helped redefine gender roles in their community, where jobs for women are sometimes limited. "This job teaches me how to take care of money, it teaches me how to behave when a woman is working for herself," Mkhabela told Seeker. "It made me grow up. A lot of ways this job has changed me," she added. Self-confidence is perhaps the most valuable lessons the Mambas learn from the group. "All the Mambas are between the ages of 20 and 30 and then they're all from the local communities and villages surrounding Balule Nature Reserve," Clark told Seeker. "The majority of them, when they first arrived, were very shy and didn't really sort of speak out much. After the time that they've spent with us and doing the job, their confidence levels have absolutely skyrocketed," she said. RELATED: Using Dozens of Elephants to Save Rhinos The group even visits classrooms where they teach kids about what they do in the field. Lewyn Maefala is the Environmental Education Officer for the Black Mambas and told Seeker that because young kids are often afraid of animals, part of her curriculum focuses on how the animals need our help. In classrooms she often says, "They [the animals] have a very important job and we need you guys to help us to save them." Lewyn described one moment that was particularly rewarding for her as an educator with the Mambas, "There was one child, she was the one who said in front of everyone, 'When I grow up, I want to be like you because you teach us to look after our environment." Press Release November 28, 2016 Senate okays 2017 budget, 40% goes to social services In record time, the Senate today approved on third and final reading the P 3.35 trillion proposed national budget for 2017, with 20 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention. This was the earliest time the Senate had passed its version of the national budget in recent years. Senator Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the Senate version of the 2017 national budget aimed to deliver the changes Filipinos want, and "sets bold plans to meet not just today's needs, but one that looks beyond 2017, one that contributes to delivering long-term solutions to the country's long-term problems." Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said the budget the Senate passed was in keeping with the Senate majority's promise to reform the budget and declare a war on waste. Pimentel said, "I am proud to present to the Filipino people a Budget for Change that fully supports the aims of President Rodrigo Duterte and the well-being of every Filipino." DepED, DPWH get biggest funds Around P1.4 trillion or 40 percent of the entire 2017 budget was allocated for social services "to address the most basic needs of our people." The education sector once more took the largest slice of the pie with the Department of Education and attached agencies receiving P546.62 billion "to finance the construction of classrooms, hiring of teachers and procurement of instructional materials." The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received the second largest share with P443.76 billion, to spur infrastructure spending, "given its indispensable role in poverty reduction, raising productivity, and in spreading the benefits of economic growth." The third highest allocation went to the Department of Health (DOH) with P155.15 billion, following the Senate's addition of funds to various offices and programs under the department - capped off by a P3 billion increase in the Philhealth budget "to ensure that all Filipinos will be covered by the universal healthcare program." The Department of Interior and Local Government was allocated P147.58 billion, followed by the Department of National Defense with P135.04 billion and the Department of Social Welfare and Development at P128.31 billion. Better social services According to Legarda, the increases in budgetary allocations to agencies like the DEPED and DOH would ensure the delivery of basic services and benefits to all Filipinos. Under the 2017 budget, Legarda said, at least P155 billion went to improving health services, particularly through "the hiring of doctors, midwives and nurses to service the needs of our poorest communities in the country; building more hospitals; and procuring medicines." Legarda said President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs would also enjoy ample budgetary support, noting that "rehabilitation centers for drug dependents would be built, as part of government efforts to find a lasting solution to our war on drugs." She said that under the Senate version of the 2017 budget, all state universities and colleges (SUCs) would get an additional P50 million in their capital outlay, putting the total allocation for SUCs at P63.62 billion. Legarda said the allocation of P78.2 billion to the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program under the 2017 national budget should dispel fears on the cancellation of the program, as the program aimed to target 4.4 million eligible beneficiaries next year. The 2017 budget also provided for social pension to all indigent senior citizens ages 60 and above. Hike in AFP, PNP budgets Like the social services and infrastructure building, the country's defense and law enforcement sectors are also getting substantial increases in their budgetary allocations next year. The Philippine National Police received P111.26 billion budget next year, to allow the national police force to procure more personnel and badly-needed equipment such as firearms and equipment in the ongoing war on drugs and criminality. This was also the case for the AFP, which had been allocated P130.742 billion to complement the AFP Modernization Program, of P25 billion. In response to a growing number of prisoners throughout the country, the Senate also proposed P388 million for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for additional subsistence allowance for prisoners. Likewise, a P163 million budget was granted to the Bureau of Corrections to increase prisoners' daily subsistence allowance. Underspending discouraged To address frequent underspending among government agencies, the Senate's version of the 2017 budget had set a One-year Availability timeframe of Appropriations under the 2017 GAA. The move, Legarda said, was meant "to instill a sense of urgency among government agencies in utilizing their budget to the last peso." "Our budget is our investment for the future. It is supposed to construct new mass transport systems, new airports, road systems, and schools. They are supposed to fund services for the sick and poor; provide electricity to our people; and build irrigation for our farmers," Legarda said. "Underspending simply means missed opportunities. We wish to encourage that we all work together and provide the people what is due them," she added. After passing the budget on third reading, the Senate elected Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, Senate Majority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto and Senators Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, Maria Lourdes "Nancy" Binay, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar and Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri as members of the bicameral conference committee which will reconcile the disagreeing provision of the Senate and House versions of the national budget. Legarda is the head of the panel. Press Release November 29, 2016 Sponsorship Speech of Senator Loren Legarda Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 29 November 2016 | Senate Session Hall Mr. President, distinguished colleagues: I have the honor to seek approval of proposed Senate Resolution No. 241, titled "Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Articles of Agreement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank" prepared and submitted by the Committee on Foreign Relations on November 22, 2016 per its Committee Report No. 11. Asia's Massive Infrastructure Needs Asia faces a massive infrastructure deficit. The daily traffic crawl in Metro Manila and scenes of passengers walking along MRT tracks are reflective of the very tragic state of infrastructure development in our country. We are not alone. In Southeast Asia, more than a third of the population lives in substandard housing. In many countries of Asia, the biggest cost is their supply chain. The movement of goods inside many Asian countries is so unreliable that there is no way of saying when the supply will actually arrive. In times of disasters, the infrastructure challenges translate to losses in human lives. We are in this situation for a range of reasons - from bureaucratic inefficiencies, changing geographic distribution of people, weak regulatory environments, growth dynamics, just to name a few. Financing is another issue. Infrastructure programs compete for finite funds with other national priorities. The Asian Development Bank estimates that Asia will need at least US$8.29 trillion to finance infrastructure development between 2010 to 2020 in order to maintain current levels of economic growth. These estimates do not even include social infrastructure requirements and infrastructure spending for disaster reconstruction efforts, which has become an annual requirement for us. Infrastructure funding requirements of Asia are expected to grow by 7% to 8% every year, reaching $5.36 trillion annually by 2025 and representing nearly 60% of the world's total.[1] Globally, there is a gap of US$500 Billion annually between investment needs and available public funds.[2] Asia, where 1.75 billion people live in extreme poverty[3], requires substantial amount of funding for infrastructure development to make inclusive growth possible across economies. The Philippines ranked 95th out of 138 economies in the 2016-2017 World Economic Forum's global competitiveness index on infrastructure, highlighting how much we have lagged behind other economies. The absence of good infrastructure - from road networks, transportation systems, airports and seaports, electrification, water supply, to telecommunications - has had dire consequences on our nation's growth; above all, on our people's well-being. The World Bank estimates that a 10 percent increase in capital investment into infrastructure projects contributes to a 1 percent growth in GDP. Development of infrastructure is also crucial for enhancing our trade competitiveness. Resilient and adequate infrastructure will reduce the costs of trade and strengthen our competitiveness. These would impact on our future growth. The Benefits from AIIB The AIIB, like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, is a multilateral lending institution, owned by sovereign-member countries, which aims to promote economic development in Asia. It aims to foster economic development and promote regional cooperation. The Philippines is the 57th prospective founding member of the AIIB, the last to have signed on in December last year. Forty-eight have already attained full membership, including Australia, France, Germany, India, South Korea, and Russia. All ASEAN countries have signed on, with the Philippines and Malaysia as the only ASEAN countries that have yet to deposit its instruments of Ratification. We have only until December 31 of this year to make this submission and to pay our initial capital contribution. An AIIB membership brings in a host of benefits, including: Additional source of financing to implement better and resilient infrastructure, both by the Government and the private sector; Accelerate the Philippines' annual infrastructure spending to account for 5% of GDP, or even higher, and improving competitiveness through better infrastructure facilities that will attract investments into the country; Provide additional funding source to support rural and value chain development to increase agricultural and rural enterprise productivity and rural tourism of the country. AIIB offers concessional rates that are: comparable to the rates of World Bank and the ADB; better than many of the Philippines' bilateral partners' lending rate; and lower than the Philippines' commercial borrowing rates. The AIIB can provide an annual financing window to the Philippines of about US$200 million to US$500 million. In the end, we can see a 400% to 1,150% return on investment of our required paid-in capital of US$196 million in 5 years. Under AIIB's lending policy, the private sector can likewise avail of services or products from AIIB such as guarantees, private equity investments, and co-financing with private banks. AIIB aims to supplement and not crowd out private sector financing since it will focus on vital financing projects that are unable to avail of reasonable financing terms and conditions. The Philippines is expected to also realize other benefits from its membership in the AIIB, such as: Increased opportunities for Filipino contractors / professionals for infrastructure projects in the Philippines and abroad; More employment opportunities for Filipino workers due to heightened infrastructure spending; Reduced trade costs of about 15.6% of trade value and real income gain of about US$220 billion[4] Increased competitiveness and productivity, improved market connectivity and enhanced economic opportunities for both urban and rural areas of the country. All these, Mr. President will contribute to the achievement of President Duterte's 10 Point Socio-economic Development Agenda. Conclusion The AIIB adheres to sound banking principles in its operations, consistent with principles of transparency, openness, independence, and accountability. It is also guided by environmental and social sustainability safeguards similar to what the World Bank and the ADB have established. Mr. President, Colleagues, Infrastructure bottlenecks have stifled our growth potential for many years. More investment is required not only to build new projects but also to maintain existing infrastructure. The AIIB can broaden our infrastructure funding sources. Let me underscore, however, that financing alone will not solve all our problems. Still, the fundamental issues have to be set right. We need to simultaneously create an environment with a predictable legal and regulatory framework, buttressed by transparent governance and decision-making processes. Let us take, however, this crucial step to help address one of the most pressing issues facing our infrastructure sector. I therefore urge you to approve proposed Senate Resolution No. 241, titled "Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Articles of Agreement on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Thank you, Mr. President. ________________________________________ [1] PwC, 'Capital Project and Infrastructure Spending: Outlook to 2025', 2014. [2] B20. Infrastructure and Investment Task Force. December 2014. Based on estimates from McKinsey Global Institute. How to save $1 trillion a year. January 2013. [3] Asian Development Bank, Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific. 2014. Based on $1.51 per person per day. [4] Estimated accumulated gains of the Philippines from 2010-2020 based on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) study - Infrastructure for a Seamless Asia (2009) Press Release November 29, 2016 Senate, House Convene Bicam on 2017 Nat'l Budget The Senate and the House of Representatives convened today the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences in their respective versions of the proposed 2017 national budget worth P3.350 trillion. The bicam was convened after the Senate approved on Monday the proposed 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA). "I thank my fellow senators for their support and cooperation in the timely approval of the budget. This is the first budget of the new administration and we hope this will be spent judiciously to deliver long-term solutions to our country's long-term problems, to deliver the change that our people want and need," said Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Legarda said that the 2017 national budget was crafted in line with the 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. A leap in infrastructure spending is one of the priorities of the 2017 budget given its indispensable role in reducing poverty, raising productivity, and spreading the benefits of economic growth. Among the most important amendments introduced by the Senate are the P3 billion increase in the Philhealth budget so that all Filipinos will now be covered by the universal healthcare program; and the P2 billion Irrigation Fees Subsidy in the budget of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) so that irrigation service fees will no longer be collected from farmers' associations. Additional allocation was provided for state universities and colleges (SUCs) for scholarships for all indigenous peoples and indigent students, especially those under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and for across the board capital outlay increase for all SUCs. The Senate also provided funding for the one-time cash grant of centenarians in line with the Filipino Centenarians Act; increased allocation for prisoners' daily subsistence allowance; additional funds for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) supplemental feeding program; increased budget for the combat duty pay of soldiers; allocation for the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) MASA MASID or Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga; and support for the Judiciary. The Senate also proposed the following special and general provisions: The Department of Agriculture (DA) to undertake disaster-resilient agricultural infrastructure projects and practices, and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to promote the adoption of sustainable farming approaches. Integration of educational modules on indigenous knowledge, heritage, biodiversity, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and climate change in the K-12 curriculum as well as in the curriculum of SUCs. Special provision under DENR to identify critical watershed areas, other protected areas, and communities ravaged by extreme weather events as areas to be prioritized as planting sites under the National Greening Program. Special provision to ensure that evacuation centers and infrastructure projects conform to resilience standards to withstand natural hazards, and assigning priority to government structures located in areas highly vulnerable to seismic activity for repair and retrofitting efforts. Special provision under DILG to issue rice subsidies in the form of cash allowance, equivalent to 20 kilos of rice to be given to firefighters, jail guards, and police. Other personnel to be given rice subsidies are the military and uniformed personnel of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy. DSWD Special Provision on the 4Ps specifies that the beneficiaries shall be entitled to a rice allowance in the form of cash grants. Protecting built heritage, cultural properties, and cultural landscapes from alteration, renovation, or demolition by requiring prior approval by government cultural agencies. Requiring the inclusion of the "Protection of Biodiversity" in the development programs and projects of agencies, offices, and local government units. Setting a One-year Availability Timeframe of Appropriations under the 2017 GAA to instill a sense of urgency among government agencies in utilizing their budget to the last peso. Legarda also ensured continued support for heritage, arts and culture, as well as programs for disaster and climate resilience under the 2017 GAA. "This is a pro-people budget--one that will be felt by those at the grassroots as it prioritizes rural development, infrastructure and social services. We hope that these resources allocated to deliver programs are not only spent, but also spent well," Legarda concluded. Press Release November 29, 2016 Capacitate the Press, Expand Coverage of the Shield Law Sponsorship Speech of Senator Grace Poe on Further Amending Republic Act No. 53 29 November 2016, Senate Session Hall Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, and guests, magandang hapon po. I stand here today to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1255, otherwise known as "An Act Amending Republic Act No. 53" better known as the Sotto Law or Shield Law. The committee report is a consolidation of two bills, Senate Bill No. 6 and SBN 486, which were filed by Senators Sotto and Trillanes, respectively. During our committee hearing on the proposed measure, all stakeholders from the media, government, and civil society organizations have agreed on one thing: this 70-year old law is ripe for amending. RA 53 was first passed in 1946 upon the proposal of the late Senator Vicente Yap Sotto when the dissemination of news and investigative reports were almost solely through print media. It exempts the publisher, editor, columnist or duly accredited reporter of any newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation from divulging their sources unless it endangers the security of the State. It is in consonance with Section 4 of the Constitution that safeguards the freedom of speech and expression. It enables press freedom and guarantees the freedom of speech by ensuring that the press is allowed to report on matters involving public interest without fear of undue pressure from the government to reveal their sources. It guarantees the safety of news sources, who, if not for this law, would most likely cower at the thought of prosecution for revealing to the media what they know. Ten years later, RA 53 was amended to recognize the fact that press freedom is not absolute, and falsity can and should be punished under civil and criminal laws. Thus, the addition of the caveat in the law that the publisher, editor, columnist or duly accredited reporter of any print media may still be held liable under civil and criminal laws. The Shield Law has also been carried over or reiterated in RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Nonetheless, the language of the law is still confined to print media. Today, we want to expand the coverage of RA 53 to respond to growing technology. We now receive news not just through print media, but also through broadcast media, such as TV, radio, and the internet. Based on a 2012 survey conducted by TNS, 45 percent of 1,000 respondents from classes A,B,C,D, and E claimed that they connect to the internet, while 36 percent listen to the radio, 12 percent read newspapers, and 4 percent read magazines. Given these figures, it appears that the preferred mode of accessing information is no longer through print media, obviously. Thus, under our proposed measure, we shall expand the coverage of RA 53, as amended, to any publisher, owner, or duly recognized or accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opinion writer, editor, manager, producer, news director, web master, cartoonist or media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation, of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including but not limited to the internet, and cable TV and its variants. Perhaps, some of you are wondering, why include cartoonists or opinion writers or even web masters? This is because, if a person is involved in the creation, production, or dissemination of news reports, whether through words, actions, or pictures, then their sources should be afforded protection under the law. But what about libelous content? The Shield Law cannot be used to protect a person from libel. We have retained the first part of RA 53, as amended, which states, "Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal laws" The law therefore protects media practitioners from being compelled or forced to reveal their sources but not from spewing out malicious imputations under the guise of journalism. Are fake news sites covered by the Shield Law? No. To a degree, there will be some sort of accreditation, which shall be effected by the media outlets and practitioners themselves. Besides, fake news sites usually aggregate content from legitimate news sites and distort the content to propagate information that will either fit their political agenda or spread misinformation. Thus, they usually have no sources to protect. The value of RA 53 should not be undermined. In several instances, this law had protected journalists from the legislature that conducted inquiries in aid of legislation in order to coerce resource persons, particularly those from the media, to divulge their sources, even if the information had nothing to do with the security of the State. For example, RA 53 was invoked when in 2007, the Senate Ethics Committee tried to compel a journalist from the Philippine Daily Inquirer to reveal her sources who exposed details of a closed-door hearing. Similarly, in 2015, the Shield Law was again invoked when a reporter of The Standard alleged that based on her sources, the previous administration used money from a crime lord to guarantee the swift approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. As lawmakers, we should capacitate the Fourth Estate--the media--in ferreting out the truth. The media have a very dangerous job, and one way we can help them is to ensure the protection of their sources. The Shield Law actually acts as a second shield, with the first line of defense being the media practitioners themselves. Through this law, we want to embolden whistleblowers to speak out. If they cannot approach government institutions, then they should at least be able to approach the media. It is about time that we amend this law and extend protection to our truth-seekers and tellers in broadcast and online media. Maraming salamat po. Press Release November 29, 2016 POE: BILL PROTECTING MEDIA SOURCES UP FOR PLENARY OK An expanded law that exempts broadcast and online media from revealing their sources--currently being enjoyed by the print media--is closer to becoming a law after Sen. Grace Poe sponsored today a measure amending a 70-year-old law and safeguarding the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, of expression and of the press. Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, submitted Committee Report No.12 on Senate Bill No. 1255 seeking to expand the coverage of Republic Act No.53 better known as the Sotto Law as pushed by former journalist and the late Sen.Vicente Y. Sotto, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III's grandfather. Under the 1946 law, later on amended by RA 1477 in 1956, print media are not compelled to reveal their sources published in their news reports, except in cases involving national security, as determined by the courts or any committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives. "As lawmakers, we should capacitate the Fourth Estate--the media--in ferreting out the truth. The media have a very dangerous job, and one way we can help them is to ensure the protection of their sources. The Shield Law actually acts as a second shield,with the first line of defense being the media practitioners themselves," the senator stressed. "Through this law, we want to embolden whistleblowers to speak out. If they cannot approach government institutions, then they should at least be able to approach the media. It is high time that we amend the law and extend protection to our truth-seekers and tellers," Poe said in sponsoring the measure. Poe said she expects that the proposed legislation would hurdle Senate scrutiny before yearend. Apart from reporters, editors and publishers, the amendatory bill would also include web masters, cartoonists and other practitioners involved in the writing, editing, production and dissemination of news. During the public hearing, stakeholders from the media, government, and civil society organizations were unanimous in saying that the law is more than ripe for amendment to respond to advances in technology. Fake news sites, however, are not covered under the proposal, Poe said, as these sites usually just aggregate content from legitimate news sites and distort the content to propagate information that will either fit their political agenda or spread misinformation. Thus, they usually have no sources to protect, she added. Poe said it is important that legitimate media entities uphold the ethical values of journalism in telling the truth in the face of fake news and trolls. The committee report is a consolidation of two bills, Senate Bill No. 6 and SBN 486 filed separately by Senators Sotto and Antonio Trillanes IV. Three people have died and several others have been badly sickened from apparent food poisoning, and authorities were investigating Monday whether the outbreak was linked to a community Thanksgiving dinner in Antioch. Officials at Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch released a statement Monday saying the hospital received eight patients Friday and Saturday with probable food-borne symptoms. Three died and one remained hospitalized Monday, with the rest recovering enough to be released, the hospital said. Officials did not immediately identify the dead or say exactly when each of them had died, and they were investigating to find out if there were more victims. The eight who got sick all residents of the same living facility ate Thanksgiving dinner at an event hosted Thursday by a local church at the American Legion Hall on Sixth Street in Antioch, said Marilyn Underwood, environmental health director for Contra Costa Health Services. Google Street View By the next day, they were checking into the hospital with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. According to Sutter Delta officials, health department experts do not believe there is any risk to the general public. The Contra Costa County health department is investigating the illnesses, and whether there is a connection to the Thanksgiving dinner. However, the eight who got sick also came from the same living facility, said Dr. Louise McNitt, deputy health officer for Contra Costa County. A number of other residents and staff members who attended the dinner did not become ill, McNitt said. Officials declined to provide specifics about the living facility, or release the name. They also declined to provide any demographic information regarding the eight patients, and Contra Costa County coroners officials said they could not release the names of the deceased because their families had not been notified. But in the waiting room of Sutter Delta Medical Center on Monday night, Jim Carrillo, 69, said his 41-year-old son, Jim Carrillo Jr., became ill after attending the Thanksgiving dinner, but it is unclear if he is one of the original eight patients or if he is another attendee who fell ill. Carrillo said his son, who is nonverbal and very mentally handicapped, is a resident of Roses Garden in Antioch, a group care home for adults. The facilitys administrator did not return calls for comment, and a reporter was turned away from the facility. I saw him that evening, and he doesnt speak, but he signed that he was still hungry, so we stopped at Dennys, Carrillo said in the waiting room of Sutter Delta Medical Center. Everything seemed fine until the next morning. That was when his son became severely, violently sick, and severely dehydrated, Carrillo said. When they took him to the doctor that day, his blood pressure was very low, and the doctors couldnt get an IV in him. The doctors told Carrillo that what saved his son was his relative youth and his strength, but even still, Carrillo said his kidneys werent working. On Monday, he was stable and in the intensive care unit, but they cant remove him because they havent determined his virus yet, Carrillo said. Im terrified, he said. Jimmy is my life. Im all hes got. 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. At the event, which was open to the public, volunteers served 835 people a traditional Thanksgiving meal that was both donated and centrally prepared, Underwood said. She said volunteers prepared the mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffing on site, at a commercial-grade facility, and the food-safety techniques at the facility seemed up to standards. The rest of the meal, including the turkey, was donated by other food facilities, restaurants, retail markets and volunteers. The event had been sponsored for a number of years, Underwood said. Underwood said health officials have ruled out some bacteria, and they did not consider the sickness a food-borne disease outbreak yet. McNitt said officials were looking into whether anybody got sick but did not go to a doctor. She said she believes the investigation will take up to 10 days. While the incident was unusual, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 6 Americans or 48 million gets sick every year from food-borne illnesses, commonly referred to as food poisoning. Roughly 128,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 die annually, with norovirus and salmonella among the most common pathogens linked to illnesses. Sarah Ravani and Vivian Ho are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com, vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani @VivianHo Attorney General Kamala Harris will intervene in case against a California law requiring criminal defendants to post bail to be freed while awaiting trial, a system that is being challenged in a lawsuit as unfair to the poor. Harris office agreed to step in after San Franciscos city attorney and sheriff refused to defend the law, questioning its constitutionality and even-handedness. Kristin Ford, a spokeswoman for Harris, said Monday the attorney general would seek approval from a federal judge in Oakland to intervene in the San Francisco case. Harris proposed intervention had been announced earlier in the day in a court filing by City Attorney Dennis Herreras office. Bail bond companies also want to enter the case and defend the cash-bail system, a request opposed by the group that is challenging the law. The state law requires courts in each county to set bail in varying amounts depending on the seriousness of the crime. Those who post bail are set free while awaiting trial, but defendants who cant pay the prescribed amount, or the 10 percent fee charged by bond companies, remain in jail until they are formally charged and arraigned, usually 48 hours after arrest. At that point, a judge sets conditions for pretrial release, often including bail, based on their assessments of the risk to public safety and the chance that the defendant might flee. The nonprofit Equal Justice Under Law has challenged cash-bail systems in a number of states, including suits in San Francisco and Sacramento opposing the California law, and has won support from the Obama administration. The suits contend the law setting bail amounts for specific crimes discriminates against low-income defendants. Bail bond companies say the system promotes public safety by giving defendants an incentive to show up in court. Opponents of the system argue that judges can protect the public just as well by evaluating defendants individually and setting conditions for supervised pretrial release. San Francisco Sheriff Vicki Hennessy had been the sole defendant in the case. But on Nov. 1, Herrera, who had represented Hennessy, said he considered the bail law unconstitutional and would not defend it in court. Hennessy said the law was arbitrary and unfair but she would continue to enforce bail in the amounts set by San Francisco judges until courts said otherwise. 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. At the same time, Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, said he would introduce legislation to eliminate bail requirements that punish poor people simply for being poor. Harris office has defended the law in a separate suit in Sacramento, where a federal judge has rejected claims of discrimination. The attorney general was originally a defendant in the San Francisco case as well, but she was dismissed as a defendant in February when U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that the Constitution barred such a suit against the state. Harris has chosen to re-enter the case, however, since the citys opt-out left the law without a defender. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egedlko This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate I believe in you! As Sneakers, a fluffy brown and white corgi, trudged awkwardly up the Muni stairs, a stranger shouted unsolicited encouragement. Sneakers is used to turning heads. As she trotted down Market Street on a recent walk, passersby cooed, Oh my god, that dog is so cute! A man even tried to flirt with her, holding out his hand in hopes of a lick. Advertisers, it turns out, believe in Sneakers, too, and theyre holding out more than a hand to woo her. Thats because Sneakers is not just any cute San Francisco dog. Shes so popular that companies pay her to endorse their products. A sponsored post on Instagram to Sneakers nearly 100,000 followers could fetch up to $1,000. Corgis are so popular on the Internet, said Connie Wu, Sneakers owner. There are all these funny memes and videos. Somehow she just attracted an audience. In the era of social media, animals are sometimes more in demand than humans. Some pets with strong followings on sites like Instagram and Facebook are getting paid to pose with branded products like couches and high chairs, pulling in anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 per post, according to HelloSociety, a Santa Monica social media marketing firm that has a special division called Wag Society that links popular animals with sponsorship deals. Animals tend to get tremendously more engagement than their human counterparts, said Kyla Brennan, HelloSocietys CEO. When people see a photo of a cute animal, in other words, theyre more likely to comment or share it with friends. Pets also arent as scandal-prone as humans. In general, they are safer than spokespeople, said Ira Kalb, an assistant professor of clinical marketing at the University of Southern California. They dont take vacation. They dont get in trouble. They dont have sex with people that they are not supposed to. Sneakers, named after her white paws that look like shoes, didnt expect to be famous. Her parents (as Wu and her husband call themselves) just enjoyed taking photos of her and didnt want to inundate their friends with too many corgi shots. So they gave Sneakers her own Instagram account. Little did they know the depth of the demand for cute corgi photos at scenic locales and wearing funny costumes. Three months after the account opened, Sneakers landed her first partnership deal with BarkBox, a company that lets people pay for monthly packages containing dog treats and toys. Since then, her endorsements and partnerships have grown to two dozen brands, including watchmaker Daniel Wellington and pet food maker Purina. Sometimes sponsorships result in free product, or a fee that can range from $50 to $1,000, Wu said. Its not a formal discipline, taking pictures of your dog and putting them on social media, but kind of like other creative disciplines ... its hard to know how much to charge, said Wu, a content strategist who used Google to figure it out. Last month, Sneakers became a client of the Dog Agency, which represents animals in contract negotiations. Companies that have worked with animals with large followings say they have benefited from the animal partnerships. Virgin America signed Boo, a popular Bay Area Pomeranian, as an animal liaison for its brand to help educate fliers about its pet policy. A video featuring Boo is the third most watched video for the airline, with nearly 600,000 views on YouTube, said Abby Lunardini, Virgin Americas vice president of brand marketing and communications. Youve seen him, right? Pretty adorable, said Lunardini of Boo, who generates a collective Awww when people see him walking through airports. He is a fun reminder that travel can be a fun experience. Gabriella Angotti-Jones/The Chronicle When Boo posted on Facebook in 2013 about a Virgin America program that donates some of its revenue from fare sales to the City of San Francisco Animal Care and Control, it pushed an overwhelming amount of traffic to the companys Facebook page, she added. Boo and his owner did not return a request for comment. Clorox has also partnered with animal influencers on social media. The Oakland cleaning products company recruited a group of popular dogs on Instagram, including Harlow the Weimaraner, Blox the bulldog and Hambone the corgi, to pose in photos next to Clorox dust wipes and raise awareness for Adopt-A-Dog month in October. The result was nearly 3.5 million impressions, said Colleen Stauffer, a digital and social strategy group manager at Clorox. We think animals are a good hook to engage people, Stauffer said. Its hard to break through the clutter. Kalb of USC cautions that consumers may not always correlate cute pictures of popular animals with buying products. When a celebrity animal or human pitches numerous brands at once, often consumers will just remember the celebrity and not the particular brands, he said. Also problematic is if the celebrity tries to sell a product that falls outside his or her area of expertise, Kalb said. That doesnt bode well for dogs peddling furniture rather than dog food, for example. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Since the dog is not an expert user of the product, its not going to be effective, he said. Still, some marketing firms are eager to take on popular animals as clients and link them to companies looking for new ways to advertise their product. The firms generally take a cut of the deal. Loni Edwards started the Dog Agency, after friends started asking her for advice on how much they should negotiate in contracts for their popular pets. Edwards, a Harvard Law School graduate and owner of a French bulldog and Internet celebrity named Chloe, found her calling. She already has a list of clients including Sneakers and Dougie, an Albany shih tzu. It was perfect for what I love and what Im good at, Edwards said. The owners of popular animals online say they carefully choose which brands they want their creatures to represent. Wu said she turned down an opportunity for Sneakers to advertise T-shirts because she looked on the companys website and saw how some shirts were saucy and featured the B-word, whereas Sneakers is family friendly. Attorney Anita Rotenberg said she also limits the sponsorships for Dougie, who has 546,000 followers on Instagram. Dougie mostly endorses products tied to dogs. Unsurprisingly, despite their fame, the animals behave just like any other pet. The owners of both Sneakers and Dougie say the money isnt enough for them to quit their day jobs. But the extra cash does help with Sneakers vet bills and in Dougies case, a college fund for Rotenbergs kids. He stays humble, Rotenberg said of Dougie. He doesnt rub it in. Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee Alameda County Sheriffs Office / / Police were investigating a shooting Monday night about half a mile away from Castro Valley High School that left one person dead, officials said. The Alameda County Sheriffs Office reported the possible drive-by shooting at 6:08 p.m. on Wilson Avenue and Redwood Road. Three suspects are in custody following a triple shooting that left one dead Monday night outside a Union City restaurant, officials said. Gunfire erupted around 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in the Union Landing Shopping Center along Alvarado-Niles Road, police said. San Francisco, still stunned, grappled with the City Hall assassinations. The Chronicles front page from Nov. 29, 1978, covers the aftermath of the killings that left Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk dead in their offices at the hand of former Supervisor Dan White. An outdoor memorial service for (Moscone and Milk) will be held at noon today at the Polk Street side of City Hall, Mayor Dianne Feinstein announced yesterday, read the story. The bodies will then lie in state in closed caskets under the City Hall rotunda from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The city was in shock. Two of its leaders were dead. But a new leader stood strong. Feinstein promised yesterday that the city will remain on an even keel despite the assassinations of (Moscone and Milk), another story on the front page read. San Francisco is not going to be rudderless, she declared firmly at her first press conference in the mayors office. Government will continue, but this week should be a mourning time, a time of introspection and rededication. Police and reporters were piecing together The Trail of Dan White, as the headline across the top of the front page read. Moving with swift precision and the unwitting aid of several trusting city workers ... White slipped into and out of City Hall on Monday morning in a matter of minutes, read a tick-tock recount by The Chronicles Duffy Jennings. Telling a building engineer he had lost his keys, White climbed in through a basement window and, before anyone even knew two murders had been committed, he had borrowed an aides car for a hasty exit. It was during Whites brief and unscheduled appearance in the building that Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were fatally gunned down in their offices on opposite sides of City Halls second floor. A reconstruction of events made it apparent that in the scant minutes between the shocking assassinations of Moscone and Milk, the killer methodically reloaded his revolver. More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond. See more front pages: Go to SFChronicle.com/covers to search a database of hundreds of Chronicle Covers articles that showcase the newspapers history. Chronicle Covers highlights one classic Chronicle newspaper page from our archive every day for 366 days. Library director Bill Van Niekerken and producers Kimberly Chua, Michelle Devera and Jillian Sullivan contributed to the project. Tim ORourke is the executive producer and editor of SFChronicle.com. Email: torourke@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TimothyORourke (Click to enlarge) I cant walk in the Oakland mayors shoes. Bought at SoleSpace, the hip shoe retailer with stores on Telegraph and Grand avenues, Libby Schaafs pumps are rubber with a chunky heel. They match her black-and-white plaid suit made by Lesley Evers, the Oakland designer whose eponymous flagship store is on College Avenue in Rockridge. Schaafs black coat was purchased at Urban Stitch Boutique, a sun-splashed second-floor shop that overlooks Broadway. Its an impeccable ensemble for Plaid Friday, Oaklands adaptation of Black Friday, the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Schaaf does what she wants others to do: spend money at local small businesses. Her Visa card flashes as often as her smile as we walk through downtown. Isnt that Libby Schaaf? a man yells out of the window of a car. Libby Schaaf, we love you. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle Its been two years since Schaaf was elected, and she carries Oakland on her shoulders in the clothing and accessories she buys and wears. Im not the Grinch, but on one of the easiest days of her tenure, I want to talk about some of her hardest. Like the bizarre nine days in June when the Oakland Police Department went through three chiefs. That month Schaaf also had to reveal that the department, already ensnared in scandals involving officers and a sexually exploited teenager, was investigating racist text messages and emails shared among officers. The Police Department, which remains under federal oversight, is now under civilian control, reporting to City Manager Sabrina Landreth. While the Raiders, housing affordability, infrastructure improvements and homelessness are at the top of Schaafs list of mountains to climb, finding a police chief who can improve community race relations and stabilize a department that shows signs of racial disparities in law enforcement is arguably the most important. Oakland remains on schedule to announce a new police chief early next year. A total of 31 people applied, most of them from outside the Bay Area. Two community members, who have not been determined, will sit on the selection panel. I am really excited about the caliber of candidates that we have to choose from, Schaaf tells me at Farleys East, the Grand Avenue coffee shop. Outside, she scoops a coffee lid from the sidewalk and dunks it into a trash bin. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle Schaaf knows the success of the next police chief will go a long way toward persuading Oaklanders to continue investing in her administration and the city. My whole life, people have viewed this city as a place that is not safe, Schaaf says. And families have felt like this is a place where their children are not safe, and thats wrong. And that has always been one of my highest priorities when I came to this job to try and create a place where every family feels safe. And obviously police are not the only factor in creating safety, but theyre a very critical one. What happened over the summer was just a complete setback, a disruption to what had been some really good progress. She points to the stop data, which confirmed what many already knew: Oakland police stop blacks and other people of color more often than they do whites. Weve opened ourselves up to a lot of criticism, much of it warranted, Schaaf says. But its that honesty about what is going on that is the first step to changing it. And I felt like we were making tremendous progress, and (the turnover at the top) just derailed all that momentum. Schaafs shopping tour includes Oaklandish, the Hieroglyphics tent outside of Oaklandish and the concept shop Show & Tell. Her haul includes underwear for an office gag gift and soap. If youre going to buy something, its so much more enjoyable that youre not just buying a thing, but youre also buying a story, Schaaf says to me at Kosa Arts, a store and gallery on 19th Street. And you know the person who made it. Soon, were at Calavera, a restaurant that serves Mexico-inspired food, a business that had windows shattered earlier this month in post-election protests. Some small-business owners Ive spoken with are bracing for more after the president-elects inauguration. Schaafs administration has taken heat for cracking down on protests. She tried to ban marching at night without a permit, which, of course, sparked a night protest. And last week the National Lawyers Guild San Francisco Bay Area held a news conference at Oakland City Hall to complain about the police brutality during this months protests. Interviews with police-chief candidates are already being scheduled, Schaaf says. Drinks arrive at the table. Cheers for good luck. Otis R. Taylor Jr. is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist whose column appears Tuesday and Friday. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr Sarah Ravani/The Chronicle / / A young man who was gunned down last week during a fight in San Franciscos Western Addition was identified Monday as an 18-year-old city resident. Jenonee Gaines was among a group of men standing at Turk and Scott streets around 10:50 a.m. Friday when an altercation broke out and shots were fired, police said. (Reuters) - MTS Systems Corp, a maker of industrial sensors, said on Tuesday it was investigating apparent violations of its code of conduct involving some top executives in its China operations. "We recently discovered that certain individuals in our leadership in China appear to have violated MTS's code of conduct, including association with an independent business that may compete with MTS in certain markets," MTS said in statement. The company said the probe would delay the filing of its annual report and fourth-quarter financial results. Shares of Minnesota-based MTS Systems were down nearly 9 percent in morning trading. (Reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar) With his baseless claim of widespread voter fraud, President-elect Donald Trump is not only making a fool of himself. His reckless allegation, tweeted without an ounce of supporting evidence, is also undermining confidence in one of the pillars of American democracy. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, Trump wrote on Twitter. He later added that there was serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California. So why isnt the media reporting on this? he asked. Serious bias big problem. The reason the claim hasnt received any attention from any credible source is that no such evidence has arisen for journalists to pursue. Whether its driven by the crush to his ego or a strategic attempt to divert attention from questions about his business conflicts or the Wisconsin recount, the condemnation of the U.S. electoral process by a winning candidate is unprecedented and irresponsible. It plays to the cynicism and paranoia he fanned during his campaign, which preyed on alienation with the American establishment. It offers fodder and comfort to the nations that truly do have rigged elections and resent any attempts by genuine democracies to monitor and call out their irregularities. Perhaps most of it all, his wanton dissemination of a conspiracy theory only heightens concerns over whether he can make the transition from screamer on the stump to a global leader whose words can move economies, start or defuse conflicts, and help shape the tone of American life. This is the man who falsely claimed that President Obama was not born in the U.S., warned that the election would be rigged in favor of Hillary Clinton and retweeted a white supremacist chart that grossly misrepresented crime statistics involving African Americans. He also emphasized that the vote differential in each of the close states exceeds the largest margin ever overcome in a recount. Trump earlier last weekend blasted the Wisconsin recount initiated by Green Party candidate Jill Stein as a scam for fundraising. The Clinton campaign agreed to participate to assure a fair process, but its general counsel made clear that it has found no actionable evidence of hacking or other attempts to meddle with the count. Bottom line: The election is over. Trump won. Its past time for him to start acting with the dignity and credibility required of the office he is about to enter. In 40 percent of the U.S. presidential elections held in this century, the candidate getting the most votes has lost. In every case, that person was a Democrat. To people not from the United States, such an outcome is puzzling. We are justifiably proud of our democracy with its system where everyone, regardless of wealth, gender, race or religion, has exactly one vote. In elections for the House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, each of these votes counts equally. Indeed, House seats are reapportioned every 10 years to ensure that each seat has roughly the same number of constituents. But there is one exception to this rule giving each vote the same weight the presidential election. A vote from California has systematically less power than a vote from North Dakota, or indeed any other state. If we truly believe in one person, one vote, we should rethink how we choose our president. Heres how it works now: Individuals do not, in fact, vote for president. They vote for a slate of electors who subsequently cast votes to determine the president. The number of electors allocated to each state is equal to its number of congressional representatives plus the number of senators. (The exception is Washington, D.C., which is allocated three electors despite having neither representatives nor senators.) And herein lies the problem while the number of representatives is proportional to the population, the number of senators is not (each state has two). This has the effect of making a vote from a small state worth more than a vote from a large state. For example, there were about 571,000 eligible voters in North Dakota, which has three electoral votes. In terms of voting power, this amounts to 190,333 voters per electoral vote. By contrast, California has roughly 25 million eligible voters and 55 electoral votes, or about 454,000 voters per electoral vote. In voting power, this is like giving each citizen of North Dakota a bit more than two votes and citizens of California only one. Because California is the largest state, it has the least voting power. While this seems unfair, it does not automatically translate into an advantage for Republicans over Democrats. It turns out, however, that the smallest states are more likely to vote Republican than Democrat. There are eight states like North Dakota that have three electoral votes. In the 2016 election, five of these states went for Trump. A similar imbalance occurred in the 2000 race when Bush triumphed over Gore in the Electoral College but not in terms of the overall vote. So how should we get back to one person, one vote? One answer is simply to abolish the Electoral College and have the presidency determined by direct election. This would ensure that a vote in California carries exactly as much weight as a vote in North Dakota. It would also solve another problem: Because most states electoral votes are winner-take-all, those voters living in states predominated by the other party essentially have no impact on the election. This is a familiar problem for Republicans living in California. Direct election would mean that the vote of a California Republican meant just as much as that of a Florida Republican, and likewise for Democrats living in Texas. Direct presidential elections would require amending the Constitution, but there is historical precedent. In 1913, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution replaced the appointment of senators by state officials with direct elections. A more modest solution is simply to remove the senators from the Electoral College calculations. Either solution would be better than the present system where those who live in small states effectively have more votes than others. John Morgan is a professor of economic analysis and policy at UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business. San Francisco is 2,000 miles away from Ferguson, Mo., But in some ways, were not that far apart. We all remember when Michael Brown, an unarmed young black man, was tragically shot and killed by the Ferguson police in 2014. A Justice Department investigation revealed a pattern of ticketing people for minor offenses like having a busted taillight or high grass in their yard. If people couldnt pay the tickets, which averaged a few hundred dollars, then the fines grew. Many people lost their drivers licenses, their credit ratings plummeted, and they were sometimes jailed. These fines were Fergusons second-largest source of revenue in 2013. But this is not just a Ferguson problem. According to emerging research, San Francisco levies more fines per capita than most California counties. Also, we assess more fines per capita than Philadelphia, Louisville, Ky., or Nashville, which are comparable city/county localities. As treasurer, Ive made a priority of protecting San Franciscans from predatory lenders, working with the Board of Supervisors to ban new check-cashing and payday lending businesses. As a gay Latino elected official, I couldnt live with a financial system that preyed on people who look like me. But Im also the official debt collector for the city. Ive become increasingly uncomfortable when our local government levies fines on people who cannot afford to pay them. Basically, we are guilty of a form of predatory government. Since 2010, 48 states have increased criminal and civil court fees. Defendants are charged for a laundry list of government services that were once free. People on probation pay a monthly fee for their own supervision. People on home arrest must rent their ankle monitors. People can be charged for public defenders. And they can be jailed if they cannot pay their fines and fees. A recent report found that prison leaves former prisoners and their families saddled with more than $13,000 in public debt. In California, uncollected court-ordered debt for traffic and criminal offenses adds up to an estimated $10.2 billion, according to the Legislative Analysts Office. In San Francisco, homeless people are fined for sleeping on sidewalks. Although the city recently lowered towing fees, theyre still some of the highest in the nation: more than $400. If you have money, you can buy your way out of these problems. But if you dont, the costs can pile up and bury you. And most Americans dont. A recent survey found that 63 percent of us could not come up with $500 in an emergency. The insidious, unintended impact of these fines is to push people into poverty. Four million Californians 14 percent of adults have had their drivers licenses suspended for failing to pay fines or appear in court. Without one, its hard to get a job. One study found that having a drivers license was more important for finding steady work than a high school diploma. And while cities like Ferguson may profit from these fines, others dont. A research paper by the White House Council of Economic Advisors found that when we try to squeeze money from low-income people who cannot pay, government often spends more to collect the revenue than we actually bring in. It makes no sense. Thats why my office is launching the Financial Justice Project, to assess and reform how tickets, fines and fees impact struggling San Franciscans. We want to ask ourselves hard questions: What is the objective were trying to achieve with each fee and fine? Is there a more effective, non-monetary way to achieve that goal? Is the fine or fee in line with peoples ability to pay it? Or are they falling hardest on low-income people or people of color? My office is staffing a fines and fees task force that will recommend reforms to the mayor and the Board of Supervisors. I know San Francisco can do better. We need to hold people accountable, but do so in a way that is fair and just, and does no lasting harm. Theres already momentum to right-size fines and fees in San Francisco, to make sure the punishment fits the crime. The San Francisco Superior Court stopped issuing bench warrants for people who cannot afford to pay for citations for minor offenses, like jaywalking or sitting on the sidewalk. The courts message is clear: We dont think you should be jailed if you cannot afford to pay a ticket. And Dennis Herrera, the San Francisco city attorney, recently decided not to defend the city against a lawsuit that challenged incarcerating people who cannot afford bail. Two-thirds of Californians sitting in jails are there not because they have been found guilty of a crime. They are simply jailed until their trial because they cannot pay bail, which averages $50,000 in our state. After the election, it is now more important than ever that we advance solutions that reflect our values. Solutions will only come from us, and only if we put politics aside and come together. We need to balance inclusion with innovation, and compassion with common sense. We are both the city of St. Francis and the epicenter of the new economy. We need to embrace the best of both. Jose Cisneros is the treasurer of the city and county of San Francisco. Many savvy dance companies strive to produce a lasting holiday family classic. Such a rarity, aside from serving as a cash reindeer, can act as an introduction to concert dance for the very young, an investment few troupes can afford to pass up. Thirty years ago, KT Nelson, the co-artistic director of ODC/Dance, hit both of those jackpots with The Velveteen Rabbit, a charming movement interpretation of Margery Williams beloved story of the floppy plaything that refused to give up. The production returned for its annual run over the weekend at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, where, on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 27, all went very well. Tots sprouting Bugs Bunny ears sat entranced. Their elders found much to appreciate, too. The qualities that destine a dance production for classic status, in the end, depend on its humanity. The Velveteen Rabbit comes with a message, Being loved makes you real, and it buoys this 90-minute production about the little boy and his favorite toy. The project is also, as one might expect from ODC, imaginatively appointed and beautifully danced. In fact. Nelsons clever, fluid choreography abounds in telling touches. The dilapidated plush rabbit has no legs (until the finale), so creating steps for it could not have been easy. Yet Tegan Schwab in Sundays cast brought spirit and pathos to the assignment, fully worthy of the carrot bouquet she received at the end of the performance. Margo Moritz Daniel Santos frolicked and tumbled agreeably. Jeremy Smith, the ragged horse doll, proved a winner in a lovely duet with Schwab. Rachel Furst towered over the stage as Nana the governess (hint: Shes sitting on Ismael Acostas shoulders). But Nelsons major inspiration was the deployment of eight senior dancers of ODC, all moving together, in a variety of roles, from mature rabbits to hospital orderlies. They whisked us from scene to scene and always reflected the tonal vales of the moment, either rushing the boy to the hospital or bouncing like a gang of March hares. Ten children from the ODC School flitted like fireflies. Accompanying The Velveteen Rabbit is the exemplary and never intrusive narration by Geoff Hoyle. For music, Nelson chose excerpts from early music by Benjamin Britten, plus orchestral bits from his opera Peter Grimes. Aside from a few wrenching sonic cutoffs (like the Sunday morning Sea Interlude), Nelson chose exceptionally well; the ensemble to Playful Pizzicato would be a hit in any circumstances. And the toys in the Christmas tree scene smack of gentle parody. However, the interpolated songs, rendered on recording by Rinde Eckert, need a gentler interpreter. Brian Wildsmiths sets and costumes have survived three decades with grace. I am partial to the crocodile that wanders through the auditorium. I am told that Dave Robertsons projections have been refurbished in the past year. The images suggest a seasonal cycle in a variety of styles, from Grandma Moses to Monet. The old phonograph that opens the show suggests a trip down memory lane that children of all ages will find hard to resist. Allan Ulrich is The San Francisco Chronicles dance correspondent. ODC/Dance: KT Nelsons Velveteen Rabbit. Through Dec. 11. $15-$40. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard St., S.F. (415) 978-2787. www.ybca.org To see a preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8mVRg4UIlo Recounts in three battleground states are unlikely to change the outcome of the presidential race, but President-elect Donald Trumps response his continued allusions to a rigged voting system could lead Americans to re-examine the nations democracy. Trump could color Americans view of their electoral system by tweeting, as he did Sunday, that millions of people voted illegally despite a lack of evidence. I think what I can say as an objective fact is that there has been no evidence produced to substantiate a claim like that, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday. The recounts aimed for Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan are unlikely to do much more than raise the profile of Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein, who is leading the effort, and swell her partys mailing list with the names of donors angry about Trumps victory, analysts said. The concern, said civil rights attorney Kristen Clarke, is that when Trump tweets about rampant voter fraud, state and local lawmakers will respond to his tweet by crafting laws making it even tougher for all eligible voters to cast ballots. Its a call to arms for state lawmakers to raise efforts to make voting more difficult, said Clarke, president of the nonpartisan Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Those laws are more likely to affect African American and Latino voters, who bear a disproportionate burden of the effects of the restrictive voter laws that have cropped up in more than a dozen states since 2013, Clarke said. Trumps evidence-free assertions and Steins recount initiative are just another sign that three weeks after election day, there is no closure to the divisive and toxic presidential campaign. Trump and Stein, however, have different motivations for continuing to litigate its results. At their core level, Trumps accusations are consistent with his winning campaign, when he kept repeating that the system is rigged, including that part of the system that chooses the nations leader. He is speaking to the extreme part of his support group, the group that is antigovernment, that feels that government cant be trusted, said Sharyn OHalloran, professor of public affairs at Columbia University and author of The Future of the Voting Rights Act. He goes right to their worst fears. He motivates that core base that he tapped into that felt alienated by the traditional Democratic Party. Trumps offhand tweets were typical of the pointed, often-erroneous missives he fired off during his campaign. But the campaign is over, and analysts say its dangerous that he still hasnt learned that his words pithy online remarks included pack far more importance now that he is president-elect Trump, not candidate Trump. His contention that millions of Americans voted illegally is also a sign that Trump, who by his own admission hates to lose at anything, is looking to explain why he received 2 million fewer votes than Democrat Hillary Clinton. Its hard to contend that Trump just won a mandate, as House Speaker Paul Ryan did on election night, when he got a couple million fewer votes than his opponent. Blaming illegal votes even if theyre nonexistent takes the sting out of that loss. This is him being reactive and angry, said Eric Schickler, chairman of the political science department at UC Berkeley. That he hasnt learned a lesson (from his tweets) is because he hasnt paid a price for them yet. Given that he hasnt paid a price, why should he stop? Youd think hed stop once he became president. Trumps tweets are also a way to redirect the media and critics from focusing on stories like the New York Times expose Sunday on how he potentially faces serious conflicts of interests in 20 countries where he has business concerns. Those complications could create a running source of controversy for Mr. Trump, as well as tensions between his priorities as president and the needs and objectives of his companies, The Times wrote Sunday. For Stein, a recount wont bring victory she finished a distant fourth on election day and has said her interest in leading the recount effort is in preserving the integrity of the electoral system. And its very unlikely to change the winner from Trump to Clinton: There have been 27 recounts in the 4,687 statewide general elections from 2000 to 2015, according to Fair Vote. Only three of those recounts flipped the election result. Evan Vucci/Associated Press Nevertheless, Steins recount campaign has enabled her to do something she wasnt able to do during the campaign: raise money and get media attention for herself and her party. Donations have poured in, including many from Clinton supporters still stunned by Trumps victory. But questions have arisen about what Stein is doing with the money and attention she is raising. As of Monday, she had raised $6.2 million to finance the recounts. More than 140,000 contributors have donated an average of $45, according to Steins campaign website thats called party building. Raising her profile, raising money still makes her a political entity, said Michael Feldman, founder of the Washington, D.C., consulting firm the Glover Park Group and a former top adviser to Vice President Al Gore, himself no stranger to presidential recounts. To the question of what happens to any money left over from the fundraising, Steins website says any surplus will also go toward election integrity efforts and to promote voting system reform. Federal law prohibits Stein from keeping any money left over from the recount drive, but she can donate it to a political party like the Green Party. There is a potential upside for voters not named Trump, Stein or Clinton coming out of the recounts. The continuing spotlight on the nations voting systems may cause some states to upgrade their software or to adopt more stringent vote-checking systems, like those in place in California, where a small percentage of the votes are routinely hand-counted and there is a paper trail for all ballots. And if the recounts dont find irregularities, analysts say a clean bill of health could inspire more confidence in voting. Or it could point out holes in the system that could be fixed in time for the next election. Or it could point to evidence that foreign hackers did alter vote totals. People should be looking into this, Feldman said. This isnt going to be the last election in this country. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli Salt & Straw is coming to San Francisco. The Portland-based ice cream shop, known for its creative flavors like Cranberry Walnut Stuffing and Pear & Blue Cheese, will be taking over the 2,400-square-foot space at 2201 Fillmore St., the former site of the short-lived Starbucks subsidiary Evolution Fresh. Owners Kim and Tyler Malek said their location should be up and running by spring 2017. Plans are already in the works to open a second shop shortly thereafter in Hayes Valley in a building at the corner of Hayes and Laguna streets, they said. Kim Malek said the search for a location in the city only took a few months. When she eventually came across the Fillmore location, she said she instantly pictured how it could convey their community-centric Portland style. This building just felt like the epitome of that idea of a community gathering place. We knew it right when we saw it, she said. Both Portland and Los Angeles each have four Salt & Straw locations. Culinary similarities between Portland and the Bay Area specifically the push for locally sourced and seasonal offerings were big reasons for the move, Malek said. In fact, since moving to Southern California, she said one of the main questions she gets from friends and customers is why the duo didnt decide to test the San Francisco market sooner. For Tyler Malek, the timing makes sense and as the shops chef, he said its easy to pull inspiration from an area rich with culinary diversity. He said he wants to respect the food culture in the Bay Area while also highlighting it in the shops flavors. For me as a chef, San Francisco is one of the greatest food cities in the entire world, he said. The amount of inspiration there is almost overwhelming. The menu will also have some of the more recognizable Salt & Straw flavors including almond brittle, made from a Malek family recipe, and sea salt with caramel ribbons. To help facilitate the process of weaving the business into the fabric of San Francisco, the Maleks said they plan to work with local schools on initiatives that enrich surrounding communities. The process is similar to what theyve done in Portland and Los Angeles. To be truly knit into the community, we have to reflect back whats going in that neighborhood, Tyler said. Salt & Straw will host pop up events the week of December 5. Stay tuned for details. Justin Phillips is a Chronicle staff writer. Email jphillips@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @justmrphillips This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Muslim civil rights organization has asked the director of the FBI to launch a formal probe into a hate-filled and threatening letter sent to a number of mosques in California, including ones in San Jose and Fresno. The Council on American-Islamic Relations sent FBI Director James Comey a letter urging him to open an investigation on the handwritten message mailed to at least six mosques in California and one in Georgia. Because the person used the U.S. Postal Service and has targeted mosques across the state and the country, this merits extra scrutiny and federal resources, said Zahra Billoo, the executive director of the Bay Area office of CAIR. Prentice Danner, a spokesman for the FBI office in San Francisco, said its up to the U.S. Postal Service to investigate who is sending the letters before the FBI will consider opening an investigation. We are aware of the reports and are in contact with our local law enforcement counterparts and Muslim community leaders, Danner said. In order for us to act, we have to make sure its not free speech and that it is actually a threat. The U.S. Postal Service did not immediately respond to calls for comment. The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno received the letter Monday, which calls the recipients children of Satan and vile and filthy people. The letter also threatens that President-elect Donald Trump is going to cleanse America and make it shine again and will do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews. Reza Nekumanesh, the executive director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, said this wasnt the first time his mosque has received hateful letters or calls. If you look at the letter, its ridiculous, Nekumanesh said. Its very childish. The center in Fresno joins a number of mosques in Southern California, including the Islamic Center of Northridge and the Islamic Center of Long Beach, as targets of the hateful letter. Tarek Mohamed, the chairman of the Long Beach mosque, agreed that the situation required the involvement of the FBI since the letters are reaching mosques throughout the state. Last week, the Evergreen Islamic Center in San Jose received the same letter. Investigators in San Jose are treating it as a hate-motivated incident, said Sgt. Enrique Garcia, spokesman for the San Jose Police Department. Since receiving the letter, Faisal Yazadi, spokesman for the Evergreen Islamic Center, said support from different community members has been overwhelming. Weve received hundreds and hundreds of emails in support from people from all walks of life in response to this letter, Yazadi said. Emails (of support are) coming from as far away as Australia. In response, the center is holding a solidarity prayer hour at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11 thats open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. The FBI released its annual hate crime report nearly two weeks ago, finding that anti-Muslim hate crimes spiked to 257 incidents nationwide in 2015 compared with 154 in 2014, a 67 percent increase. Donald Trump didnt create hatred, Nekumanesh said. Hatred is something that is there, that people have felt. (Trump) just made it OK to do it loudly. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani Theranos was sued by an investor who claims founder Elizabeth Holmes lied about using a pinprick of blood to test for hundreds of diseases. The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, cites investigations by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, arguing that Holmes claims were overstated and the companys technology was flawed. The once-vaunted company is in disarray and the value of its securities are in a free-fall, according to the complaint. Lead plaintiff Robert Colman, the co-founder of the former Silicon Valley heavyweight Robertson Stephens investment firm, said he had been unaware of the material omissions that led to the decline. Besides multiple patient lawsuits, the Palo Alto startup has also been sued by Partner Fund Management, an investor, and ex-partner Walgreens. Theranos closed its labs after U.S. regulators found multiple failures to meet standards amid concerns about the accuracy of its testing that led to corrections of tens of thousands of patient results. The company has said it will focus on a new product. Insurance Zenefits settles with California Californias insurance regulator said Zenefits has agreed to pay as much as $7 million over licensing violations. The San Francisco human resources startup will pay $3.5 million up-front and will be on the hook for the rest if additional violations are found or if it fails a follow-up compliance test in 2018, the insurance department said. About one-quarter of the more than 8,000 insurance policies Zenefits sold to Californians from January 2014 to November 2015 were done without the proper licenses, and the fine is the largest single penalty assessed against Zenefits, the regulator said. Fines from other states this year totaled about $1 million, according to Zenefits, which said its resolved issues in 17 states. Zenefits has faced a spate of controversies in the last year after some employees used software to skirt training requirements and sold health insurance without the necessary licenses. The company has slashed its workforce and agreed to reduce its valuation to $2 billion in exchange for shareholders agreeing not to sue. Zenefits has raised more than $580 million from backers including Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity Investments and TPG Capital. Airplanes Boeing tax breaks alleged Boeing received illegal tax breaks from Washington state, the World Trade Organization ruled Monday. It urged the U.S. government to block that support within months. The Chicago company and the European Union, which backs Airbus, both called the ruling a victory in a battle for contracts. The WTO said the support Washington promised to give Boeing from 2024 to 2040 for manufacturing within the state amounted to prohibited subsidies. The EU said the WTO had ruled that $5.7 billion in subsidies were illegal, out of a total $8.7 billion that it reviewed. But Boeing called that excessive and said only future incentives of $50 million a year were found impermissible. Chronicle News Services BERLIN Yorai Feinberg was going about his daily routine this month when his social media feeds and cell phone began lighting up. It was the 78th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews, and the Berlin restaurant owned by Feinberg, a 35-year-old Israeli, had been included without his knowledge on a map of the city that a far-right group had published on Facebook. The social media post listed the names and addresses of local Jewish institutions and Israeli-owned businesses under the banner Jews Among Us, in bright yellow Gothic script. Feinberg soon received anonymous phone calls telling him, I hate Jews. A standoff quickly developed between Facebook and German authorities over what many Germans said was its inadequate response to the publication of the map. But Germanys rules on what may be said or published among the worlds toughest, with long prison terms for denying the Holocaust and inciting hatred against minorities ensured that the post was eventually deleted. The incident is one of several examples including threats of regulation and attempts to prosecute the Menlo Park companys CEO, Mark Zuckerberg of how Germany has become an important test case globally for how the social network polices what may be published online, and how it should respond to inappropriate and illegal content. Such steps in Germany are part of a growing push around the world to regulate what users are allowed to post online. Feinberg did not report the incident to Facebook, convinced after previous anti-Semitic attacks that the social network would not act, he said. I have reported things to Facebook at least 20 times, he explained over coffee at his restaurant in a residential neighborhood in western Berlin. And 100 percent of the time, they have refused to take it down. Facebook doesnt do anything. Others identified in the map did complain. At first, Facebook did not remove the map, saying it complied with the companys community standards, or guidelines for what it deems within the bounds of free speech. But within 48 hours, after an outcry on social media, in local newspapers and from German lawmakers, Facebook relented. It deleted the far-right groups entire page, including the post that had listed the Jewish institutions and businesses across Berlin. We recognize that this is a work in progress, Richard Allen, Facebooks director of policy in Europe, said in an interview. It was hate speech, and it should have been taken down. In Germany, more than almost anywhere else in the West, lawmakers, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, are demanding that Facebook go further to police what is said on the social network a platform that now has 1.8 billion users worldwide. The countrys lawmakers also want other U.S. tech giants to meet similar standards. The often-heated dispute has raised concerns over maintaining freedom of speech while protecting vulnerable minorities in a country where the legacy of World War II and decades of East German communism still resonate. It is occurring amid mounting criticism of Facebook in the United States after fake news reports were shared widely on the site before the presidential election. Facebook also has been accused of allowing similar false reports to spread during elections elsewhere. Zuckerberg has denied that such reports swayed American voters. But lawmakers in the United States, Germany and beyond are pressing Facebook to clamp down on hate speech, fake news and other misinformation shared online, or face new laws, fines or other legal actions. Facebook has a certain responsibility to uphold the laws, said Heiko Maas, the German justice minister. In October, Maas suggested the company could be held criminally liable for users illegal hate speech postings if it does not swiftly remove them. Facebook rejects claims that it has not responded to the rise in hate speech in Germany and elsewhere, saying it continually updates its community standards to weed out inappropriate posts and comments. It says such material represents a small fraction of the millions of posts daily, and argues there is a fine balance between protecting freedom of expression and stamping out Internet hate speech. Weve done more than any other service at trying to get on top of hate speech on our platform, Allen said. Facebooks problems with hate speech posts in Germany began in summer 2015 as more than 1 million refugees began to enter the country. Their arrival, according to company executives and lawmakers, incited an online backlash from Germans opposed to the swell of people from Syria, Afghanistan and other war-torn countries. The number of hateful posts on Facebook increased sharply. As such content spread quickly online, senior German politicians appealed directly to Facebook to comply with the countrys laws. Even Merkel confronted Zuckerberg in New York in September 2015 about the issue. In response, Facebook updated its global community standards, which also apply in the United States, to give greater protection to minority groups, primarily to calm German concerns. Facebook also agreed to work with the government, charities and other companies to fight online hate speech, and recently started a billboard and television campaign in Germany to answer local fears over how it deals with hate speech and privacy. Facebook hired a tech company based in Berlin to monitor and delete illegal content, including hate speech, from Germany and elsewhere, working with Facebooks monitoring staff in Dublin. They have gotten better and quicker at handling hate speech, said Martin Drechsler, managing director of FSM, a nonprofit group that has worked with Facebook on the issue. For Chan-Jo Jun, a lawyer in Wurzburg, an hours drive from Frankfurt, new laws governing Facebook cannot come soon enough. Jun recently filed a complaint with Munich authorities, seeking prosecution of Zuckerberg and other senior Facebook executives on charges they failed to sufficiently tackle the widespread wave of hate speech in Germany. The company denies the accusations. While his complaint may be dismissed, Jun says the roughly 450 hate speech cases he has collected, more than half of them aimed at refugees, show that Facebook is not complying with German law. Despite its global size, he insists, the company cannot skirt its local responsibilities. I know Facebook wants to be seen as a global giant, Jun said. But theres no way around it. They have to comply with German law. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Pacific Gas and Electric Co. plans to give the communities surrounding Californias last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, at least $85 million to cushion the economic blow of closing the facility. Thats far more than the $49.5 million the utility had initially proposed. PG&E and officials from San Luis Obispo County, as well as several cities near Diablo Canyon, announced the new spending agreement Monday. The extra money would help replace property tax revenue that will be lost if the plant closes in 2025 as PG&E plans. This groundbreaking agreement will soften the significant impact our community will feel once Diablo Canyon is no longer here, Adam Hill, vice chairman of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, said in a news release. There is still a difficult road ahead, but if we continue to work together, we will shape a prosperous future for our community. The money would come from PG&Es more than 5.4 million customers, but only if California regulators approve. The California Public Utilities Commission has not scheduled a vote on PG&Es proposal to shutter the plant, and nuclear power advocates are pushing hard to keep it open. PG&E stunned many Central Coast officials in June when the utility announced plans to close Diablo Canyon, located on a seaside bluff in San Luis Obispo County. With 1,500 employees, Diablo is a major source of jobs and tax revenue for the surrounding communities. Taxes from the plant account for about 10 percent of the $80 million annual budget for the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, for example. Mindful of the impact Diablos closure could have, PG&E in June proposed spending $49.5 million on neighboring communities as a way to ease them off of dependence on the plant. But the county and a coalition of its cities pressed PG&E for more. Under the agreement announced Monday, PG&E would spend $75 million to help fund essential services in nearby communities. The money would be paid in equal installments over nine years, with the biggest piece $36 million going to the San Luis Coastal Unified School District. Another $10 million would be placed in an economic development fund. Meanwhile, PG&E would continue to fund local emergency planning efforts until both of the plants two reactors have been decommissioned and all of their spent fuel has been transferred to dry-cask storage facilities on the site. PG&E currently spends about $2.5 million on emergency planning in the area each year. As a result, the county estimates that the entire proposed agreement with PG&E could cost $122.5 million to $147.5 million over 15 to 25 years, once emergency planning funds are included. Finally, PG&E has agreed not to sell or reuse the Diablo Canyon property, including nearby Wild Cherry Canyon, until completing a decommissioning plan with community input. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF Lucid Motors, a Menlo Park startup developing luxury electric cars to compete with Tesla, plans to build its $700 million factory in Arizona picking a site Tesla once considered. Gov. Doug Ducey and Lucid executives announced the move Tuesday at a ceremony in Phoenix, flanked by two of the companys prototype sedans. Lucid claims its car will boast 1,000 horsepower and a battery range of 400 miles. I cant wait to drive one, Ducey said. Construction on the factory is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2017, with the first cars rolling off the production line in late 2018. By 2022, the factory is projected to employ 2,000 people. As a wave of California startups tries to break into the auto market, states have waged a fierce competition to attract their factories. The city Lucid picked for its plant, Casa Grande, was one of several locations Tesla Motors scouted as a potential home for its battery-making Gigafactory. Tesla eventually chose a site near Reno instead. As this announcement shows, we can stand toe-to-toe in attracting the kind of good-paying manufacturing jobs that every state is hungering for, Ducey said. The Sacramento Bee reported in June that Lucid was considering sites in Sacramento and Tracy for its factory. A spokesman for the California Governors Office of Business and Economic Development, known as GO-Biz, said Tuesday the state would continue working with Lucid to increase its operations in California. California remains the epicenter of the automotive industry and the home of Lucid Motors U.S. headquarters, said spokesman Brook Taylor, in an email to the Chronicle. Like many other automotive companies, GO-Biz is working with Lucid to continue expanding their presence in California. Not all of the facilities planned by the current crop of auto startups may get built. Faraday Future, an electric car company based in Los Angeles and backed by one of Chinas wealthiest men, has reportedly halted work on its factory in North Las Vegas after running low on cash. Faraday also has been in negotiations with city officials in Vallejo to open a plant at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard. The citys economic development director could not be reached for an update on the project Tuesday. Lucid has not revealed how much money it has raised to date, but the website Crunchbase estimates the total at $131 million. The company started in 2007 under a different name and mission. Originally dubbed Atieva, it focused on developing batteries and other key components for electric vehicles rather than the vehicles themselves. The company eventually expanded its goals and hired as its chief technology officer Peter Rawlinson, the former chief engineer for Teslas popular Model S electric sedan. Joining Ducey and other Arizona officials Tuesday, Rawlinson said Lucid has been able to shrink many of an electric cars components including its electric motors to give drivers and passengers far more space. This car started with a vision, a vision of how a car could be reimagined, redesigned around cutting-edge technology, he said. This is going to be a fine driving machine. Lucid has also hired an auto-industry veteran, Brian Barron, to head its manufacturing program. Barron spent 18 years with BMW, both in Germany and South Carolina. Lucid considered 60 potential factory sites in 13 states, Barron said Tuesday. The company picked Casa Grande in part because of its access to rail lines and interstate freeways, its educated workforce and its short distance by plane from Lucids Silicon Valley headquarters. Readiness was a key focus during the site-selection process, and this site is truly ready to go, Barron told the dignitaries gathered in Phoenix. On behalf of the entire team of Lucid, I say, Thank you, and lets get it done. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com A man who was shot and wounded by a security guard outside a Concord movie theater Sunday night was arrested on suspicion of threatening to shoot the guard, authorities said Monday. Police received reports of the shooting about 6:50 p.m. Sunday at the Brenden Concord 14 Theatres at the corner of Galindo and Salvio streets. Upon arrival, police found the suspect on the ground outside the theater with gunshot wounds. The movie theater had been placed on a temporary lockdown. The incident unfolded when the intoxicated suspect entered the theater premises without a ticket and made his way to the lower level snack bar, police said. A security guard, whose name was not released, approached the man and asked to see his movie ticket. The man became extremely confrontational and told the security guard he had a gun and that he would shoot him, police said. In an attempt to arrest the man, the security guard ordered him to lay on the ground. Instead, the man ran out of the theater, police said. The security guard, contracted by Custom Protective Services, chased after the man and shot him when he saw the suspect reach into his waistband, police said. Police did not find a gun on the suspect. He was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive his injuries, police said. The suspect was later arrested on suspicion of making felony threats. The security guard was detained for questioning, but has since been released, police said. Since the shooting, the security guard requested a leave of absence from work, said Jason Thorsett, the director of operations at Custom Protective Services. Our primary concern is our employee, Thorsett said, adding that he has only communicated with the security guard through his lawyer. The investigation is ongoing and will be reviewed by the Contra Costa County district attorneys office. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani When a 49-year-old Santa Rosa woman learned her husband was about to be stripped of his membership in the notorious Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, police say she met with a member over the weekend to get answers. Instead of receiving an explanation, officials say she was sexually assaulted by the former president of the outlaw biker groups Sonoma County chapter and forced to comply for the sake of her husbands safety. Her attacker, 53-year-old Rohnert Park resident Raymond Michael Foakes, was arrested Monday night on suspicion of sexual assault, victim intimidation, stalking and gang participation. The meeting was set up Saturday night, when the victim received a phone call about 11 p.m. to meet Foakes at the Hells Angels Clubhouse off of Frazier Avenue in Santa Rosa, according to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office. She drove to the location, met Foakes, and he allegedly ordered her into the passenger seat while he drove them to a secluded area off of Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa, police said. He parked the car and sexually assaulted her, threatening to hurt her husband if she didnt submit, sheriffs officials said. He has a history of violent crimes and a long history of involvement in the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, said Sgt. Spencer Crum, a sheriffs office spokesman. Foakes drove back to the Hells Angels Clubhouse after the assault, left the car and the victim went home. She called the sheriffs office to report the encounter the next day, Crum said. Detectives with the domestic violence sexual assault unit obtained a search warrant from a Sonoma County judge as they investigated the incident. A sheriffs SWAT team was called in light of Foakes violent crime history to serve the warrant at his Rohnert Park home about 6:30 p.m. Monday in the 7500 block of Monet Place. Foakes wasnt home but was found and arrested by deputies at a meeting he was attending off Airway Drive in Santa Rosa. Detectives would not disclose what evidence they found at Foakes home or the nature of the meeting he was at when he was arrested. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail, where he was being held on $1 million bail. Foakes is a past president of the Sonoma County Hells Angels. He had formerly served prison sentences for a variety of offenses ranging from a 2002 brawl with a rival motorcycle gang at a casino in southern Nevada in which three people died, to fraud and money laundering. Federal agents had previously raided the Santa Rosa Hells Angels headquarters in 2006 to search for him during a Bay Area-wide FBI manhunt before he turned himself in to face methamphetamine possession and distribution charges. Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A South San Francisco police officer, who was critically injured after being smashed in the head with a skateboard on Thanksgiving, is beginning to show positive signs of recovery, officials said Monday. Officer Robby Chon remains in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital after Thursdays violent attack, in which he was struck in the head by a suspect he was chasing on foot. Despite his condition, Chon is showing signs of progress, police said. He is beginning to show positive signs of recovery and doctors are cautiously optimistic regarding his progress, South San Francisco police officials said in a statement Monday. Chon was injured while responding to a call around 2:20 p.m. Thursday about a man causing a disturbance at a business on the 300 block of Grand Avenue in South San Francisco. The officer, a 12-year veteran of the police force, confronted Luis Alberto Ramos-Coreas at the scene, but the 28-year-old suspect took off on a skateboard, police said. Chon called for backup as he chased Ramos-Coreas on foot, but police said the suspect stopped and struck the officer in the head with the skateboard. Officers arrived at the scene and caught Ramos-Coreas, while paramedics rushed Chon to San Francisco General Hospital where he underwent surgery. Ramos-Coreas made his first appearance in San Mateo County Superior Court on Monday afternoon, where he faced charges of attempted murder of a police officer. Judge Rachel Holt ordered him to be held on $2 million bail at the San Mateo County Jail. Ramos-Coreas, who stood in front of a dozen other in-custody defendants, spoke with the help of a Spanish interpreter. At 5-foot-7, the defendant with short dark hair stood confidently in his jail-issued orange clothes as he answered the judge when asked if he understood the charges against him. Ramos-Coreas is due back in the Redwood City courtroom on Wednesday for arraignment. South San Francisco Mayor Mark Addiego expressed outrage over the attack at a news conference last week. The city will not tolerate violence of any nature directed at its police force, he said. Ramos-Coreas has a lengthy criminal history that includes several violent incidents, South San Francisco Police Chief Jeff Azzopardi said. Ramos-Coreas was on probation for a felony charge in 2011, officials said. Chon is married and has two children. About 100 members of the community and police officers gathered at the South San Francisco police station Monday evening for a candlelight vigil to show support for Chon and his family. A GoFundMe page set up for Chon and his family has already surpassed its $100,000 goal. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky LOS ANGELES An oddly persistent vandal spent six hours smashing, scratching and jumping up and down on a single parked car in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day, as bystanders and surveillance cameras documented the holiday spectacle, according to authorities. Stacy Omelianoff had left her Buick Lucerne parked in front of a friends apartment in the Koreatown neighborhood on Thanksgiving, before heading off to a celebration in Chino (San Bernardino County), KCBS television reported. While she was away, the black sedan apparently caught the eye of a homeless woman walking through the area. A security camera on a nearby apartment building recorded the woman as she tore off one of the cars windshield wipers and used it to carve letters and scribbles into the paint. The woman then used a metal pipe and a piece of wood to scratch, smash and graffiti the doors, hood and roof of the car over a period of hours. Video showed the woman at times sitting on the hood and walking onto the roof and jumping up and down. Omelianoffs tires were flattened and the grill of the car yanked out, she told KCBS. People who saw the woman vandalizing the car did nothing to help, Omelianoff told KCBS. They would come by, stop, back up, take pictures, video, and just take off, she said. Omelianoff didnt discover the vandalism until the next day when she was notified by the Los Angeles Police Department, who had arrested the woman after a witness called police, KCBS reported. Im angry, Im hurt, frustrated, and at the same time I understand that she has a mental problem, Omelianoff said of the assailant. She said video showed the woman vandalizing the car in two different time periods over the holiday, for a total of six hours. The woman was arrested and taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation, news outlets reported. The 2017 list of the best private schools in the Bay Area looks a lot like the 2016 ranking. Niche, a content startup that rates high schools and colleges, again rated prestigious New England prep schools Phillips Academy (Andover) and Phillips Exeter Academy as the best of the best. Lawrenceville School, the New Jersey prep that Bay Area musician Huey Lewis graduated from, came in third. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLUMBUS, Ohio A Somali-born Ohio State University student plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus and then got out and stabbed people with a butcher knife Monday before he was fatally shot by an officer. Police said they are investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. Eleven people were hurt, one critically. The attacker was identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan. He was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent U.S. resident, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The FBI joined the investigation. The details emerged after a morning of confusion and conflicting reports, created in part by a series of tweets from the university warning that there was an active shooter on campus and that students should run, hide, fight. The warning was prompted by what turned out to be police gunfire. Numerous police vehicles and ambulances converged on the 60,000-student campus. Students barricaded themselves inside offices and classrooms, piling chairs and desks in front of doors, before getting the all-clear an hour and a half later. Ohio State Police Chief Craig Stone said the attacker deliberately drove his small gray Honda over a curb outside an engineering classroom building and then began knifing people. A campus officer Alan Horujko, 28 who happened to be nearby because of a gas leak arrived on the scene and shot the driver in less than a minute, Stone said. Angshuman Kapil, a graduate student, was outside Watts Hall when the car barreled onto the sidewalk. It just hit everybody who was in front, he said. After that everybody was shouting, Run! Run! Run! Student Martin Schneider said he heard the cars engine revving. I thought it was an accident initially until I saw the guy come out with a knife, Schneider said, adding that the man didnt say anything when he got out. Most of the injured were hurt by the car, and at least two were stabbed, officials said. One had a fractured skull. Asked at a news conference whether authorities were considering the possibility it was a terrorist act, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said: I think we have to consider that it is. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said that while the bloodshed is still under investigation, it bears all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized. In recent months, federal law enforcement officials have raised concerns about online extremist propaganda that encourages knife and car attacks, which are easier to pull off than bombings. The Islamic State group has urged sympathizers online to carry out lone wolf attacks. A Redding mom who went missing for three weeks after being kidnapped was branded, covered in bruises and scabs, and had her hair chopped off when she was found alive on Thanksgiving, her husband said Tuesday in a statement. Sherri Papinis husband, Keith, offered new details into the sensational and bizarre episode, which has inspired a wave of amateur cybersleuths, many of whom questioned the details of the case, following the 34-year-old womans safe return. Rumors, assumptions, lies and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting, Keith Papini wrote in the statement to ABCs Good Morning America. Those people should be ashamed of their malicious, subhuman behavior. We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs. Sherri Papini vanished on Nov. 2 while jogging in her neighborhood northeast of Redding, Shasta County sheriffs deputies said. Detectives found her cell phone and headphones after her husband reported her missing when she failed to pick up her two children from day care. The disappearance prompted a sweeping manhunt and made national headlines as volunteers repeatedly scoured the area where she vanished, while others initiated social media campaigns to find her. Then on Thanksgiving morning, Sherri Papini unexpectedly appeared on the side of Interstate 5 in Yolo County, where she flagged down a passing driver around 4:30 a.m. before being taken to a hospital. Sheriffs investigators said Papini described her abductors as two Latina women who bound her with restraints. She said they had a gun and were driving a dark-colored sport utility vehicle. Law enforcement officials, though, did not elaborate on the extent of Papinis injuries and had few details about the alleged abductors in the days after her return. Keith Papini described feelings of happiness mixed with horror as he reunited with his wife, who was severely beaten and left with a broken nose. Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multicolored bruises, severe burns, red rashes and chain markings, he wrote. Her signature long blond hair had been chopped off. She has been branded, and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers. He said his wife had been thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist that was attached to her wrists with a bag covering her head. She used that bag to flag down a passing motorist, Keith Papini said. Investigators have interviewed Sherri Papini several times following her release, and on Tuesday morning, Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko confirmed many of the details in the letter by her husband in an interview on Good Morning America. So far we are still investigating this as a kidnapping, abduction, Bosenko said. Everything she has provided us thus far has indicated that. Keith Papini, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the various law enforcement agencies and friends involved in the 22-day search while asking for privacy as their family heals. This will be a long road of healing for everyone Keith Papini said. Ultimately, it was Sherris will to survive that brought her home. It was a short week but the takeaway is that every one of the time windows and cycle points were violated. I havent seen a situation like that on the daily timeframe in a long time. Even in China, which had the most bearish possible setup of all, we had violation. The square root of the top of the SSE is 71.95. The actual top is 5178.10. When it comes to cycle work, some of these calculations are well hidden. Two weeks ago, on the 72nd week, it came close to being a perfect doji. Wait, 72 weeks off a top at 71.95 with a doji? There was a good chance there couldve been a reversal. But it wasnt as the week turned higher. You already know Ive categorized for you the different possibilities during the past two weeks elsewhere. While we are looking at China, lets take this one step further. Yeah, the market is strong enough to invalidate this sequence of timing relationships. But heres what bothers me about this chart. Look at the pitchfork channel. It is barely able to hold the lower bowl, so to speak. When it comes to Andrews, the best way to understand the channel lines is to think about The Weather Channel. Wherever you are reading this, you know there is a Jetstream over your continent. You see the different atmospheric conditions and meteorologists are able to come up with a forecast based on a variety of factors. That being said, in the longterm, the price action cant even carry itself in the channel, which is the mean. Go back to the early part of 2016 and the price action started lifting in the channel but has spent the rest of the year struggling to even hold the lower parallel line. Thats a concern in the bigger picture, just not today. As you know, the markets have been without the election black swan and have been on a rally ever since Nov. 9. Thats fine, but I also find it hard to believe they can sustain without a bump in the road from now to Christmas. We might not have had an election black swan but there will be a recount in 3 key battleground states. This is the kind of thing I thought would happen in the heat of the battle, not after the new president-elect was nearly one-third of the way into the transition period, its odd to say the least. This is a developing story and while most election experts believe the outcome wont change, this has been the most bizarre election season in the history of the republic. I refuse to rule anything out. I dont know what would interrupt this freight train of a market, but I do believe there should be an interruption. Story continues The big news of the week will be the OPEC meeting on Wednesday. They are either coming to a deal or they arent. Reuters reported on Friday that the Saudis will not attend a meeting of non-OPEC producers on Monday where production levels will be discussed. That caused a big drop on the oil chart. On Sunday night I saw a report on Twitter that a Saudi airstrike killed a dozen civilians in Yemens Hudaydah area. This is part of the fight against the Houthi rebels who are a proxy for the Iranians. Ever since Sept. 28, rumors have been floated about a potential OPEC deal to cut production. The OPEC ministers have taken a page out of the Fed playbook. The Fed doesnt have to raise rates to get a reaction out of the market, all they have to do is talk about it. OPEC has learned they could get prices to rise if they threaten the cut production. But if you look at the chart, youll see this has worked only half the time because prices are basically where they were on September 28. The low on that date was 45.27 and the low on Sunday night was 45.14. But we all know they peaked in the 52 handle on Oct. 19. Heres the problem Ive been having with this OPEC business since September. The Iranians and Saudis do not like each other. Their disdain for each other on political/religious issues outweighs the common good of doing business together. Its like the Godfather where every few years the crime families would throw good business sense to the wayside and clean out all the bad blood. I wouldve thought they couldve bought the rumor and sold the news on a deal but its not working out that way. Now it looks like they could sell the rumor and buy the news. Then again, they may not ever come to a deal and oil can keep declining which it likes to do this time of year anyway. But it bounced in the Sunday night action. Heres the chart since the election. Its only when we put multiple pitchforks can we see the Jetstream. The uptrend has been broken but right now they are holding onto what could develop into a sideways pattern. It should run into trouble by the time it gets to 48 and the low does not have a firm square out or any other calculation I really like. So, the risk ends up being to the downside. After you look at this chart, its no wonder I cant make up my mind as to whether you buy or sell the rumor or news right here. But clearly it is responding to that blue channel line which is now causing a lot of uncertainty. Going through the various sectors, the stock market looks good, even the oil sector didnt get hit too hard and biotech is holding its own. If there is really anything to complain about, it would be in Europe where the FTSE has been lagging lately. The FTSE did so well for so long its hard to fathom but then again, perhaps markets have finally figured out they need to be on the nationalist side of the fight against the globalists. The next big news event after OPEC comes next Sunday when the Italians go to the polls in a referendum which will eventually decide if Italy decides on having its own Trump candidate. It took Italian Prime Minister Renzi two years for constitutional reform to get thru their parliament and put to public vote when it failed to win a two-thirds majority in parliament. Trumps victory increases the likelihood the reform will be rejected by the voters. The politics of the situation is such that Renzi has staked his career on it passing. But if it fails, it opens the door for the anti-establishment Five Star Movement which seeks a no vote to remove Renzi from office. The Five Star Movement was founded by Beppe Grillo, a popular comedian and blogger in Italy. He is considered to be the Trump type outsider figure in Italy. So, that drama approaches exactly a week from now. I believe the constitutional reforms of Prime Minister Renzi has a very good chance of losing. While world markets look better than they have in a while, there are all kinds of potholes that need to be navigated before the Santa rally kicks in this year. MrTopStep Group https://mrtopstep.com Questions: info@mrtopstep.com Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter For More Intra-Day Market Updates! https://www.facebook.com/mrtopstep https://twitter.com/MrTopStep (@MrTopStep) Dont Forget To Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel! Sign Up Here: http://www.youtube.com/mrtopstepgroup brett wilson Video ad tech company TubeMogul had interest from eight potential acquirers before Adobe bought the company for $540 million earlier this month. AdExchanger first reported on a new TubeMogul's SEC filing that reveals a "social media company" and a "foreign telecom company" were among the companies that expressed interest in acquiring the firm. Neither company's name is disclosed in the filings, but AdExchanger punts that the telco could be Singtel, the Singapore-based company that has already spent big on ad tech acquisitions including Amobee, Adconion, and Kontera. Singtel, AdExchanger notes, already invested $10 million in TubeMogul back in 2013, through its venture arm. Business Insider also heard rumors from several ad tech executives back in September that Singtel was on the hunt for a demand-side platform a service TubeMogul offers although the deal never materialized. A Singtel spokesperson told Business Insider in September that: "Singtel's policy is not to comment on rumors and speculation." Was the social media company Facebook, Twitter, or Snapchat? As far as the "social media company" is concerned, the SEC filing states a representative of TubeMogul's bankers Morgan Stanley met with the social media company rep on September 23 to discuss a potential acquisition, thanks to a "strong strategic fit" between the two. Brett Wilson, TubeMogul CEO, spoke with the social media rep on September 26. However, the social media representative said "given a variety of priorities, [the social media company] might not be able to move quickly." But discussions seemed to be progressing and on October 10, representatives of the social media company said it would want to focus on "technology, product, and finance due diligence" in order to come to a firm decision. The social media company's "serious" interest continued into November 1, when its representatives had another call with TubeMogul. However, the deal stalled when the next day, the social media company told Morgan Stanley it wouldn't be able to make a decision within the requested timeline, "given other matters they were focused on." Story continues So who was the social media company who saw a good strategic fit, but was too busy to pursue the deal? AdExchanger believes it's "not far-fetched to assume that Facebook" could have been the mystery company. It already has a partnership with TubeMogul and has a clear strategy to grow its video business. But on the other hand, Facebook has recently been retrenching its ad tech efforts that concern the wider open web. It shut down its video ad exchange LiveRail in May, blaming ad fraud and viewability issues, and this month Facebook wound down its Atlas ad server. Could Twitter have been interested in acquiring TubeMogul? Twitter has certainly had a busy couple of months as it bids to turn around its business, having announced plans in October to lay off 8% of its staff. Twitter also lost its COO Adam Bain, who may well have been involved in acquisition talks, in November. Or perhaps it was Snapchat? Recode reported in January that Snapchat had been in early talks to potentially acquire ad tech companies including "bidder-as-a-service" startup Beeswax and programmatic analytics firm Metamarkets. In October, Snapchat opened up its ads API (application programming interface) to third-party ad tech firms its first step into programmatic ad buying. The SEC filing also reveals a "media company" and "a financial sponsor who owned a relative portfolio company" were also interested in buying TubeMogul. TubeMogul was not immediately available to comment. NOW WATCH: The 3 worst things you do when you wash your face according to a dermatologist More From Business Insider (Adds comment from Wells Fargo, Illinois official) By Ross Kerber Nov 29 (Reuters) - Investors, including the state treasurers of Connecticut and Illinois, called on Wells Fargo & Co to require an independent board chair, saying the bank needs stronger oversight in the wake of a scandal over fake customer accounts. Although Wells Fargo already has shuffled its leadership structure, Connecticut Treasurer Denise Nappier on Tuesday said the investor group has filed a shareholder resolution for the San Francisco bank's annual meeting next spring seeking a change in its bylaws. Improvements need to be formalized, she said, because a board whose chair is also chief executive - the dual role once held by John Stumpf at Wells Fargo - creates a potential conflict of interest. "At the end of the day, the company's shameful conduct was fueled by poor governance that fostered a culture of irresponsibility and deficiencies in risk management," Nappier said in a statement. Via email, Wells Fargo spokesman Ancel Martinez said, "We appreciate the feedback that we receive from our investors and we will review the proposal." Stumpf resigned on Oct. 12, bowing to pressure following a $190 million settlement the bank reached with regulators in September. Reviews found the bank's staff opened as many as 2 million accounts without customers' knowledge to meet internal sales targets. Stumpf was replaced as CEO by the bank's president, Tim Sloan. The role of board chair was given to Stephen Sanger, who had been Wells Fargo's lead director and was listed as independent in the bank's latest proxy filing. Nappier called the splitting of the roles "a welcome first step" but said Wells Fargo must still put a better leadership structure in place. Co-filers of the resolution included Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, shareholder adviser Hermes EOS and Needmor Fund, which had filed before Stumpf's departure. In a separate news release on Tuesday, Frerichs said the bank's "predatory and illegal banking practices have proved that the company needs a set of independent eyes to ensure stronger, unbiased oversight." Frerichs had earlier cut some state business with Wells Fargo, such as suspending its use as a broker dealer. (Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston; additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Dan Grebler and Jonathan Oatis) Russia and the Philippines have agreed to closer ties when it comes to defense, according to Russian news outlet RT. The Kremlin-funded T.V. network said a decree signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev now appears on a Russian government website, stating the following: "To accept the proposal of the Russian Ministry of Defense, together with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to negotiate an agreement between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Philippines on defense co-operation," reads the passage that was translated to English by RT on Friday. The report also said President Duterte will be sending foreign and defense secretaries to Russia prior to his official visit in December. And in a new RT interview published Monday, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, said while the Philippines was not ready for a military alliance with anyone, there was a desire on his part to work more closely with Moscow and Beijing. "I am ready to cooperate with my new friends China and Russia to make this world more peaceful," said Duterte. The Philippines president said a recent decision by the United States to stop an arms deal with the his country meant he would now turn to Russia. "[The] U.S. has decided to cancel the procurement of weapons. And I said, "I have a friend who has plenty." he told RT in an exclusive interview. Elizabeth Holmes Theranos and its CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, are being sued by investors who claim Holmes lied about the company's technology as the startup raised funds. The lawsuit, filed in California, names two shareholders who are seeking class-action status. They include Robert Colman, a co-founder of Robertson Stephens, the San Francisco investment bank. The lawsuit claims that Holmes knew the company's technology advertised as being able to use a finger prick's worth of blood to test for diseases didn't work when she pitched it. Theranos declined to comment on the suit. The company is also facing a lawsuit from one of its major investors, lawsuits filed by patients, and a breach-of-contract lawsuit by Walgreens. Walgreens is looking for $140 million in damages, claiming that Theranos misled it about how far along its blood-testing technology was when they struck a partnership. Walgreens, which had operated Theranos Wellness Centers where people could have their blood tested in some of its stores, terminated its relationship with the company in June. In the past year, the company has faced questions about the accuracy of its finger-prick blood tests, been told by a government agency that one of its labs posed "immediate jeopardy" to patients, had Holmes get barred from the lab-testing industry for two years, and seen partnerships like the one with Walgreens fall through. In October, Theranos shut down all of its lab operations, pivoting to focus solely on the company's miniLab technology. The pivot cut 340 positions and closed its Wellness Centers where blood tests were performed. "The once-vaunted company is in disarray and the value of its securities are in a freefall," the newest suit claims, though it doesn't provide a current valuation on the shares. Story continues The shareholders named in the lawsuit are Colman and Hilary Taubman-Dye. Colman bought his stake through an investment in a Lucas Venture Group fund, a venture-capital fund. Taubman-Dye acquired her shares for $19 apiece on SharesPost, a market for private-company shares. She tried to back out of the purchase after The Wall Street Journal first raised questions about the validity of the technology in October of 2015. The filing includes a table noting Theranos' share price through October 2015: Screen Shot 2016 11 28 at 5.42.31 PM NOW WATCH: The real estate tricks billionaires use to sell their penthouses faster and for more money More From Business Insider Democrats apparently wrapped up a two-thirds supermajority in both houses of the California Legislature on Monday, enough to pass tax increases or any other legislation on their own, with a victory in a state Senate district based in Orange County. Democrat Josh Newman of Fullerton (Orange County) edged out Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang of Diamond Bar (Los Angeles County) in final results for the 29th Senate District, the Associated Press reported. While most legislation in Sacramento needs only a majority vote, a two-thirds majority 27 seats in the state Senate and 54 in the Assembly is required for tax increases, measures taking effect immediately rather than the following year, and votes to override a governors veto. Democrats entered the Nov. 8 election with 26 state senators and 52 Assembly members, and had cleared the 54-seat Assembly hurdle in election results already announced. Their caucus does not always vote uniformly, however moderate, pro-business Democrats sometimes differ from more left-leaning members and Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed some bills carried by fellow party members. Newman has directed a nonprofit providing employment assistance to military veterans. He ran unsuccessfully for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors while living in the city in 1994 but has never held political office, and declared on his campaign Web page that he was not a party loyalist. Chang, who came to the United States from her native Taiwan at age 3, was elected to the Assembly in 2014. Her campaign platform included cutting taxes and business regulations and opposing reductions in criminal sentences. The results reflected demographic and ideological changes in an area that had long been one of the most conservative in California. Much of the 29th District is in Orange County, but it also includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Republicans held a one-percentage-point registration edge in the district, now represented by Republican Sen. Bob Huff, who is leaving office in January because of term limits. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate President-elect Donald Trumps threat to cut all federal funding to sanctuary cities could touch just about every facet of San Francisco government from the airport to the courts to the Public Health Department. The city receives about $1 billion annually from the federal government, according to Controller Ben Rosenfield, the citys chief fiscal officer. Of that money, $478 million comes directly from the federal government. The balance comes from the federal government via the state of California. Rosenfield recently compiled a list of which departments receive the bulk of the federal funding. The Human Services Agency receives around $260 million directly from the federal government, plus another $324 million from the state in administrative support. Trent Rhorer, the agencys director, said the money is used for everything from foster care payments, child care subsidies and adoption assistance. The Department of Public Health receives about $68 million directly from the federal government, and another $333 million from the state. Most of the money that comes directly from Washington goes toward HIV and AIDS services. It totals $33 million. Around half of the state-disbursed money goes to mental health services and San Francisco General Hospital. The Police Department receives around $52 million from the state, and another $2.8 million directly from the federal government. Virtually all of it goes toward operations and administration. The Sheriffs Department receives around $27.5 million from the state, but just $100,000 directly from the federal government. Most of the state money is for costs related to incarceration. The Public Works Department receives roughly $22 million directly from the federal government for capital projects, plus another $19 million from the state, most of it for street environmental services. San Francisco International Airport receives nearly $30 million directly from the federal government for capital projects and grants. The Fire Department receives $51 million from the state and another $1.9 million directly from the federal government. The federal government also gives $38.5 million to house and shelter homeless people. However, to what extent Trumps threat to cut all federal funding to sanctuary cities becomes reality remains a question. A 2015 resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives called for pulling funding from sanctuary cities. But the resolution affected just three criminal justice grant programs, and San Francisco only received $272,540 in the current fiscal year, according to the Budget and Legislative Analysts Office. Some departments dont get any money directly from the federal government, but a significant portion from the state. San Francisco trial courts, for example, receive $91 million from the state, according to the controller. The risk for the courts is that if Trump cuts federal funding to the state, that would likely lead to budget cuts all around, meaning less money for the judiciary. To the extent that any federal funds are withdrawn from the state and the state replaces any of those funds, it will put enormous pressure on our court system, said Martin Hoshino, administrative director of California courts. The court system takes up such a thin slice of the state budget that any cut to it has huge implications for those who rely on our courts to remedy problems. Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A voting security group, active in San Francisco for more than a decade, called Monday for a full recount, audit and investigation into the election results of four swing states that helped carry GOP businessman Donald Trump to victory in the Nov. 8 presidential election. An overwhelming majority of computer scientists have concluded the current voting systems are insecure, Brent Turner, a board member of the National Association of Voting Officials, told a small crowd in front of San Francisco City Hall. We believe there is enough evidence of manipulation to preclude certification of the election results until a thorough recount ... has occurred. In a letter last week, the group said that it found a large and unprecedented discrepancy between exit polls and final results in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Michigan and Pennsylvania. While Turner admitted there is no hard evidence of major voting fraud in those states or anywhere else in the country, he argued that reports of efforts by foreign countries, most notably Russia, to influence the results of the election, combined with what he said was the vulnerability of voting machines run with corporate proprietary software, are reason enough to delay certifying the election results until a recount, combined with a forensic audit of the results, can be completed. Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, already has paid for a recount in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and plans to file Wednesday in Michigan. Democrat Hillary Clintons campaign will cooperate with the recount effort, although campaign officials have said they have seen no evidence of fraud. Turners group, which is based in San Francisco, is using the uproar over Trumps surprise victory to push for its long-sought goal of replacing Californias voting machines, now purchased from private companies, with publicly owned open-source voting systems. Since private companies dont make their software available for public inspection, its impossible to know whether bugs or back doors have been inserted into the voting software, open-source advocates say. It would be different with a public open-source system, where the code would be available for public review. If you can see the bugs, you can fight the bugs, Turner said. You can use transparency as an asset. But its easier to talk about open-source software than it is to put it into use. In the entire United States, only Los Angeles and Travis County, Texas, have moved toward developing open-source systems for their elections, said John Arntz, San Franciscos elections director. The Travis County effort so far hasnt made it past the proposal stage, he said, and the Los Angeles effort, which began in 2009, isnt scheduled for use until 2020 at the earliest. While San Francisco has put aside money to begin planning for an open-source software system, it will be years before one could be up and running, Arntz said. In the meantime, Arntz is asking to extend the current agreement with Dominion Voting of Denver to provide the citys voting system for two more years. Dominion is the only company in the nation with a voting system that can handle San Franciscos ranked-choice voting, Arntz said. Any open-source system would have to be custom-built to deal with the citys needs. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com RAMALLAH, West Bank President Mahmoud Abbas long-dominant Fatah movement on Tuesday opened a conference that is expected to cement the rule of the 81-year-old Palestinian leader and lock out his chief rival from decision-making for at least the next five years. Some 1,400 members of Fatah gathered in Ramallah for the five-day conference, where delegates are to hold elections for the partys two main decision-making bodies. While the elections are expected to bring some new faces into the leadership structure, the conferences main purpose appears to be aimed at blocking the return of Abbas exiled rival, Mohammed Dahlan. There also are no plans to designate a successor to Abbas, despite his advanced age and a history of health issues. In a first step, the delegates unanimously re-elected Abbas as the party leader for a new five-year term. Party official Salim Zanoun asked the hall to vote for Abbas, and participants all stood up and warmly cheered. A smiling Abbas then hugged Zanoun. The Fatah conference is the conference of the independent Palestinian decision, the conference of building and liberation, and national unity, Abbas said. Late Tuesday, Abbas postponed a planned speech to the conference. Officials said he would instead address the gathering on Wednesday. Dahlan, who was forced to leave the West Bank six years ago after a falling-out with Abbas, now lives in the United Arab Emirates. He has forged close ties with the leaders of the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In recent months, these countries, known as the Arab Quartet, have pressured Abbas to allow Dahlan to return to a leadership position. Abbas, accusing his Arab allies of meddling in his affairs, instead decided to schedule the Fatah elections, while blocking Dahlan and his close allies from participating. Abbas supporters rejected criticism that he was focused on Dahlan. They say that the conference, two years behind schedule, had to be held to revive the movement. Fatah has dominated Palestinian politics since its founding five decades ago. But Abbas has seen his popularity plummet due to years of failed peace efforts with Israel, a stagnant West Bank economy and his inability to reconcile with the rival Hamas movement, which seized control of the Gaza Strip from his forces nearly a decade ago. Abbas now only governs autonomous areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In addition, the election of Donald Trump has given the Palestinians little room for optimism. Although the U.S. president-elect has not yet laid out a Mideast policy, many of his advisers are known for hard-line positions in favor of Israel and against the Palestinians. Dahlans supporters say they plan to hold an alternative convention with 2,000 members in Egypt in the near future to voice their criticism of Abbas and opposition to his policies. JOHANNESBURG Jacob Zuma has survived a bid to topple him as South African president, the governing African National Congress party announced Tuesday. ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the partys national executive committee held a no-holds-barred debate on calls for Zuma to stand down. But in a combative three-day meeting, the party leadership did not support the move. The no-confidence debate did not go to a vote, Mantashe said, with members of the committee instead relying on consensus and persuasion, eventually agreeing to work for the unity of the party. The meeting of the executive committee, which has the power to remove the president, has exposed deep divisions in the government over Zumas leadership, with senior ministers divided: Some called for Zumas departure while others supported him. It was Zumas most difficult leadership battle and his survival, despite strong opposition, testified to the political toughness of a man who once served as head of the ANCs underground military and intelligence wing during the apartheid era. Mantashe declared Tuesday the questions about Zumas leadership were now closed, an apparent warning to the presidents opponents to cease plotting against him. This issue was debated openly, robustly and was sometimes very difficult for the members themselves, Mantashe said at a news conference at ANC headquarters. It was discussed sufficiently, exhaustively. Its a closed matter now. He said the concerns raised during the debate would be dealt with, not swept under the carpet. But he added that the most serious threats against the ANC were not negative perceptions of Zuma, but sexism, racism, ethnic nationalism and monopoly capital. Shortly after the meeting ended, Zuma flew to Cuba in the early hours of Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cubas revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. Opposition to Zuma in the ANC is focused on concerns about a network of corruption and patronage under his leadership, notably claims that he allowed a powerful business family to influence Cabinet appointments and to benefit from government contracts. Pressure on Zuma has grown after the ANCs disastrous performance in municipal elections in August, which saw the party lose control of several key cities. GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images BEIRUT Renewed air strikes killed at least 20 civilians as they fled government advances in Syrias besieged eastern part of Aleppo on Tuesday, opposition groups reported as troops continued to target the enclave controlled by rebel groups. The United Nations said up to 16,000 people have already been displaced in recent days of fighting. A senior military official in Damascus put the number of people fleeing the opposition-controlled area Tuesday alone at around 20,000, saying his government has put security measures in place to vet those leaving to ensure no fighters are among them and no violence takes place. HAVANA After his band of bearded rebels won power in 1959, Fidel Castro embarked on a victory tour delivering speeches to cheering crowds stretching from the eastern Cuban city of Santiago to Havana. Starting Wednesday, his ashes will retrace that journey in a solemn procession to his final resting spot. The trip is fraught with symbolism as the island nation prepares to bury the only leader it has known in 57 years besides his younger brother, Raul Castro. The six-day Caravan of Freedom that Fidel Castro led in 1959 was among his most triumphant moments a journey of more than 500 miles along rutted country roads. As Castros remains are prepared for the return to Santiago, the state is rekindling images of a younger Castro whose legacy they vow to keep alive. More Snow Forecasted Look for more snow in Santa Fe today, but not much. Still, . Forecasters say the high will only be about 30 degrees. So far, there are in the Santa Fe area, but classes are delayed a couple of hours in Farmington and other northern locales. PNM Will Seek Second Rate Hike The Public Service Company of New Mexico plans to ask Public Regulation Commissioners to consider yet another rate hike. The investor-owned for improvements to the grid and for adding pollution controls at its San Juan Generating Station, and for more pollution equipment at the neighboring Four Corners Power Plant. Murder Charges Dropped Against Former Cop Special Prosecutor Randi McGinn against former Albuquerque police officer Dominique Perez, who was accused of fatally shooting homeless camper James Boyd in March 2014. Dennis Domrzalski reports, McGinn filed a one-page motion in state District Court in Albuquerque to dismiss the case 'without prejudice,' which means that incoming District Attorney Raul Torrez could refile the charge if he chooses to after he takes office on Jan. 1. Art College Sale on Hold Higher Learning Commission board members of the Santa Fe University of Art and Design to a Singapore-based company until it looks at how the sale would impact financial aid for students. Police Use Facebook to Promote Safety The Santa Fe Police Department is using Facebook social media postings during the holiday season. Charitable Giving Rankings Chris Ortiz at Albuquerque Business Weekly reports, When it comes to volunteering and charitable giving, among the states. Colorado Considers Using Pot Tax Revenues to Battle Homelessness Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper wants to aggressively battle homelessness, but that takes money. To fund his program, Hickenlooper is proposing state lawmakers in annual marijuana tax revenues to build new housing units for people who experience chronic and episodic homelessness. Taos Named Top Ski Town New Mexico skiers have known that Taos is a special place for decades, but now USA Today readers have in the country. In October, Taos also picked up honors for being from Architectural Digest. Santa Fe Reporter Tower said it will separate its liabilities and receivables from the Canterbury earthquakes into a separate 'bad bank' structure and "aggressively pursue" recoveries from the EQC and reinsurer Peak Re that amount to about $101 million. RunOff Co will own all of Tower's Canterbury-related liabilities and assets - 564 claims for which it has made a gross provision of $149 million (net of about $40 million) and two receivables - $43.7 million it says is owed by Peak Re and $57.6 million from the EQC. Chief executive Richard Harding said it was "entirely possible" the dispute over those recoveries could end up in the courts. "If that means litigation the board is very clear it's not going to resile from that," Harding told BusinessDesk. It was already in a form of arbitration with Peak Re. Tower struggled to quantify the Canterbury claims under the "open-ended" full replacement policies in effect at the time and the fact that the claims were "dribbled across to us" by EQC, he said. It has received about 300 new claims in the past year alone, worth $22 million. The switch to sum-insured policies "provides more clarity about maximum liability". Still, "EQC is broken overall and the EQC review has to be accelerated, he said. Another difference with the Kaikoura quake is that it didn't have the same liquefaction element as those in Christchurch, except for parts of the Wellington foreshore, while the general insurer's exposure to claims in Wellington wasn't huge, he said. Tower today posted a wider annual loss of $22.3 million that included a $14.1 million writedown of technology assets. The Auckland-based company also took $25.3 million for provisions due to the Canterbury earthquakes. Its underlying net profit fell to $20.1 million from $30.3 million a year earlier. Tower's shares fell 2.7 percent to 71.5 cents today and have slumped 62 percent this year, the worst performancer in the S&P/NZX 50 Index, in the face of ongoing quake provisioning and the dispute with the reinsurer. Harding said the split into RunOff and 'New Tower' was designed to allow the value of Tower's underlying business as a "high-performing general insurer" to be recognised in its share price by investors while RunOff manages the legacy liabilities related to Canterbury. "The whole point of the change is to enable New Tower to realise the huge potential in that business," he said. The company is looking at how best to raise new capital, both for RunOff and potentially New Tower, a process that requires it to consult with the Reserve Bank over the amounts of capital needed after the restructuring. Options including tapping the capital markets and bringing in a strategic partner. Hardin said today that Tower was in commercial discussions with potential partners although it was "very early days". Under its separation plan, the "new" Tower company would be listed on the NZX and include its current management and board structure, holding its underlying core business in New Zealand and the Pacific. The RunOff company would be a separate legal entity with its own board and management, holding all liabilities and receivables associated with Canterbury with the aim of managing those to maximise capital return to shareholders. The Reserve Bank has consented to the creation of two separate licensed entities in initial talks and the process is ongoing to receive formal approval, Tower said. It expects to put the proposal for separation to shareholders for approval at its annual meeting in March. Dividends are expected to resume after the separation is complete. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting South Island milk processor Synlait Milk has said it will spend a further $305 million on a capital expansion programme over the next three years including investing in a second site which should be identified by the end of the 2017 financial year. At the annual meeting in Christchurch today, chairman Graeme Milne said when the company listed on the NZX three years ago it started a $250 million capital expansion programme to support its value-add growth strategy. The record $34.4 million in profit in the 2016 financial year showed the full benefit of that approach and delivered our strongest performance to date, he said, with total shareholder returns of 55 percent since the IPO. The dairy processor has maintained its guidance given in September that it expects only modest earnings growth in the 2017 financial year over the previous year. It updated its forecast farmgate milk price for the 2017 season for its 200 Canterbury milk suppliers by $1 to $6 per kilogram of milk solids following the recent rise in global dairy prices. That puts it in line with Fonterras forecast updated earlier this month and above DairyNZs $5.05/kg MS break-even line. DairyNZ has said the break-even price is under review and is likely to be revised upwards to reflect additional farm working expenditure and tax payments. DairyNZ economist Matthew Newman said 2016/17 will be the first season the average farmer will be in surplus since 2013/14. We expect a small increase in farm working expenses over the next few months, as farmers spend on items they have been putting off and cope with a wet spring (especially in Waikato and Taranaki)," he said. Synlait raised $97.6 million in a pro-rata entitlement offer which closed last month to support the capital expenditure programme and repay debt, and that facilitated it listing on the ASX this week. Most of its corporate shareholders participated in the rights issue and its top four shareholders now account for around 60 percent of its shares: Bright Dairy has 39.1 percent, Mitsui & Co 8.4 percent, FrieslandCampina 8.2 percent, and Munchkin 3.9 percent. Institutional ownership also increased post the rights issue with 8.8 million shares bought by funds and investment houses, and Australians account for 72 percent of this category. Market capitalisation is now $600 million. Managing director and chief executive John Penno said this year's record profit followed an almost fourfold increase in canned infant formula from 4,300 metric tonnes (MT) to 16,000 MT. Proposed Chinese regulations for infant formula manufacturers are expected to moderate canned infant formula growth, impacting earnings. Penno said the regulatory changes were continuing to evolve as Chinese authorities released new information. From Jan. 1 next year manufacturers will have to apply to register up to three brands with nine recipes for an initial five-year period. Each recipe has to be made on registered premises with manufacturers able to register up to three brands per facility provided the differences can be scientifically proven. Synlait is working with its lead customers to submit the necessary applications to the Chinese authorities early next year. Penno said continued investment in customer and market development will support volume growth to reduce reliance on the China market. It's focusing on developing value added cream, adult nutrition opportunities, and making more from milk beyond infant formula. Investments totalling $174 million announced at the IPO ended up $47.1 million above budget but Penno said had the scope not been increased, key plant would already be hitting or exceeding capacity. All investments, apart from the lactoferrin recovery facility. were meeting or exceeding original expectations, he said. The new capital expenditure plan includes $34 million for a second wet mix kitchen next year to double infant formula capacity, $30 million in FY18 on manufacturing capability to support a new value add cream strategy, and $10 million on other differentiated milk stream processing. A further $44 million will be spent in FY18 and FY19 on consumer packaging facilities, including doubling the current canning capacity, $130 million on a fourth spray dryer in 2019, and a further $57 million on new infrastructure including a drystore and initial second site investment. Shareholders also approved an increase in director fees today with the fee for directors rising to $70,000 from $60,000, for each of the committee chairs to $82,000 from $66,000 and for the chairman to $130,000 from $108,000. The increases will apply from April 1 next year. Shares in Synlait fell 2.1 percent or 7 cents to $3.25. They've risen 8.4 percent since the start of the year. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting ERoad, the logistics and fleet management company, turned to a first-half loss even as revenue rose. While it expects strong growth in New Zealand, growth in the US will be modest, the Auckland-based company said. It posted a net loss of $408,452 in the six months ended Sept. 30, from a $611,000 profit a year earlier. Revenue rose 27 percent to $15.5 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew 72 percent to $4.7 million. Depreciation cost Eroad $3.6 million in the first half, double the same period in 2016, while the cost of amortisation was $1.4 million, from $789,149 a year earlier. "Growth in the New Zealand business is anticipated to remain strong while North American growth is likely to remain modest until market acceptance of ELD (electronic logging device) compliance," the company said. "This assumes no further regulatory challenge, ELDs become widely available and operators begin seeking a service provider in earnest." Chair Michael Bushby said the board was comfortable the company could fund its business in North America, having had external help with its US business strategy. Bushby said Eroad's opportunities in the US "as well as New Zealand remain considerable." Bushby "noted that Eroads New Zealand/Australia business generated sufficient cash flows from operations to fund all of Eroads US operating losses, all Eroads corporate costs and the majority of Eroads R&D, such that cash utilised in the six months to fund these activities totalled $0.25 million per month," he said. The company has resumed outsourcing finance for customers renting new hardware, instead of funding it from working capital. "Outsourcing of funding for customer finance is a cash management approach Eroad has previously employed successfully during the early stages of the development of the New Zealand business and was always envisaged as being the long-term solution to providing Eroad with customer finance options as the business grew," it said. The volume of distance recorder units contracted to ERoad customers in North America increased 68 percent to 5,301 in the six months to September, the company said, and rose 35 percent to 38,129 in Australia and New Zealand. In the first half of the previous year, the number of units contracted rose more than 300 percent in North America, and 47 percent in Australia and New Zealand. The New Zealand business had three record sales months in the first half. There has been market uncertainty in the US due to a legal challenge to laws requiring heavy vehicles to have an ELD, but this was thrown out at the end of October. The shares recently traded at $1.85, up 4.5 percent today, They first publicly traded at $3.32 in August 2014, after being sold to investors at $3 apiece, and have lost a fifth of their value this year. Last month Bushby said the board didn't think the share price, then at a record low of $1.45, reflected the underlying value of the business. No dividend was declared. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting Sealegs, the amphibious vehicle maker, says increased margins have helped counter soft sales in Australia and Europe. The Auckland-based company said it invoiced for 44 boats in the six months to the end of September, compared to 54 in the comparable period a year ago. This was due to consistent growth in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, although performance across the Tasman and in continental Europe was "softer than anticipated." Demand from Asia is described as strong, led by Malaysia and centred around first response and flood rescue craft. The fall in the number of boats produced is reflected in revenue, which fell to $8.36 million from $9.3 million in the previous year, a fall of 10.1 percent. Improvements in efficiency which saw all expenses squeezed lower than the previous year meant earnings before interest, taxation depreciation and amortisation rise 17 percent to $650,050 from $554,965. Net profit after tax rose slightly to $374,881 from $368,490, a rise of 1.7 percent. Management have told investors they view EBITDA as the primary performance metric of the business. Chief executive David McKee Wright said the result "continues a positive trend of improved profitability and cash flow. The OEM hull strategy, coupled with ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency, delivered an additional 3 percent gross margin." The company's newly adopted original equipment manufacturer (OEM) hull strategy, where Sealegs makes a hull fitted with its own technology which gets used by another company, enables it to use an existing manufacturers' scale to reduce fixed costs. No mention was made in the update to investors of its legal action launched in September against Orion Marine and Smuggler Marine whom it accused of infringing its intellectual property. Shares in Sealegs rose 5.2 percent or half a cent to 10 cents. They've fallen 13.6 percent so far this year. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting Senior Fonterra executive Nicola Willis has resigned her Auckland-based position to seek nomination for the National Party in the Labour-held seat of Wellington Central. Willis was a senior adviser to Prime Minister John Key from 2006 to 2011, a period spanning his time as Leader of the Opposition as well as in government, and is mounting a challenge against National's list MP who contested the electorate in 2014, former diplomat Paul Foster-Bell. The internal challenge is the second to emerge against a sitting National MP, with the Politik newsletter reporting this morning that Parliament's youngest MP, 26 year-old Todd Barclay, is facing a challenge in one of National's safest seats, Clutha-Southland, formerly held by Finance Minister Bill English. Investment banker Simon Flood, who returned to New Zealand last year after 25 years out of the country, will challenge for the nomination, Politik reported. Both Barclay and Foster-Bell have made little impact politically beyond attracting headlines for allegedly poor handling of staff, and high turnover in their offices. Willis is currently general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme and joined the cooperative in 2012 in a government relations role. If elected to Parliament, she would be the second Fonterra senior manager to join National's ranks, following Todd Muller, who won the Bay of Plenty seat for National at the 2014 election. Barclay and Muller ranked 54th and 59th respectively on the 2014 National Party list, most likely reflecting the expectation that they would win their seats, while Foster-Bell was ranked 46th and relied on a high enough party vote for National to enter Parliament, as Wellington Central remained with Labour's finance spokesman, Grant Robertson. Robertson and Green Party co-leader James Shaw will also be contesting the seat at the 2017 election. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting China Southern Airlines is to ramp up its flights between Guangzhou and Christchurch over the summer, with flights stepping up to five times per week, from three times, and then daily for just over a month between Jan 15 and Feb 17. The service will operate five times a week from December 12. The airline was the first Chinese airline to fly all year round to New Zealand, a service which began just under a year ago. Christchurch Airport's chief aeronautical and commercial officer Justin Watson said the increased flights would provide a huge boost for the local economy. "The extra flights represent an increase of more than 50 percent over the important summer season and have been announced a few days ahead of the first anniversary of the airline's direct service between mainland China and Christchurch," Watson said. Some 405,504 Chinese nationals visited New Zealand in the year to the end of September 2016, an increase of 23.7 percent. This is the most recent data available, after the Statistics New Zealand migration and visitor data for October 2016 was only published in an abbreviated form due to damage by the Kaikoura earthquake. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: November 3rd Morning Report Air New Zealand issues Performance Rights Heartland announces new Director of Heartland Bank GEN - Agreements in Principle to Issue New Shares Geraldine McBride steps down from Sky Board Sky ASM 2022 South Port NZ Ltd - Results of 2022 Annual Meeting November 2nd Morning Report AIA - Auckland Airport announces executive team change South Port NZ Ltd - 2022 Annual Meeting Please use another Browser It looks like you are using a browser that is not fully supported. Please note that there might be constraints on site display and usability. For the best experience we suggest that you download the newest version of a supported browser: Internet Explorer, Chrome Browser, Firefox Browser, Safari Browser Continue with the current browser BENGALURU: After receiving negative responses for its previously launched G5 smartphone, LG will now introduce its new flagship variantthe LG G6, in a bid to make an impact on the entire smartphone arena. Recent rumors suggest that the new variant is expected to roll out with new technologies such as mobile payment system and an iris scanner. Moreover, reports from the Korea Herald also indicate that the phone is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2017. LG revealed its all-in-one module at the Korean Electronics Show held in October. The new module is capable enough to serve as a highly functional camera, as well as iris scanner. Furthermore, the smartphone is rumored to be embedded with a mobile payment service known as LG Pay that operates on the Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology. In a hassle-free manner, the technology enables users to process online transactions by placing their devices on magnetic card readers. As an added advantage, majority of the currently available card readers are compatible with the MST technology. According to rumors, it is also likely that LG will introduce a removable battery option and modular accessories with its upcoming G6 smartphone; making it exceptional in every aspect. The companys new strategy aims to compensate for the massive $67 million loss incurred by the failure of its previous G5 variant. Read Also: LeEco Among Most Attractive Mobile Phone Brands In India Lenovo K6 Power Smartphone Coming On November 29 MUMBAI: Private sector lender ICICI Bank on Monday said it will transform 100 villages into digital villages in as many days to enable villagers go in cash less banking and payments transactions. These villages, which will be spread across the length and breadth of the country, will enable villagers to use digital channels for banking and payments transactions, said bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar. "The bank continues to be a catalyst to accelerate development in our country. We strongly feel that technology can play an important role in putting development on a fast lane. By leveraging technology, we converted Akodara in Gujarat from a village to India's first digital village last year. "Its success motivates us to scale up the initiative a big way - we will now convert 100 villages across the country into digital villages," she added. Transformed into 'ICICI Digital Villages', villagers will be able to open bank accounts using Aadhar-based e-KYC and make cashless payments to retail stores through a unique SMS/USSD-based mobile solution. "We will create a cashless ecosystem at these villages, provide vocational training to 10,000 villagers in first 100 days and offer them credit linkages so that the villagers can start their own business ventures," said Kochhar. The bank also said that it would also set up end-to-end merchant infrastructure that would enable the retailers at the village to accept mobile based payments. Read Also: Fearing Tighter U.S. Visa Regime, Indian IT Firms Rush To Hire, Acquire 'SBI's Digital Platforms Can Handle High Volume Transactions' NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. Read Also: Ola Teams Up With SBI, PNB For Setting Up Mobile ATMs Demonetisation: Soon, Pay Your Parking Fee At Airports Digitally Dear Mr President-elect: a message from across the Pond Posted on 29 November 2016 by John Mason, BaerbelW Dear Mr President-elect, On 6 Nov 2012, at 11:15 am, you tweeted: The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. We'd like to take you on a quick tour back through the ages, because the early understanding of Earth's climate - and the role that carbon has to play in it - came from the West, not the East. Let's run through it quickly. In 1800, British astronomer William Herschel first measured the heat that occurs in the warm now known as infra-red (IR) part of the spectrum. In 1824, French engineer Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier calculated that Earth should be colder than it is, at its orbital distance from the Sun. Today, it is common knowledge that outgoing IR radiation is emitted by the Earth's surface in response to heating by the Sun. But Fourier was the first to figure out that the IR was being slowed down during its journey back out to space. The air, he said, must act as a form of insulating blanket, keeping the planet warm. Smart guy. This was just two years before Samuel Morey patented the first internal combustion engine. In 1861, Anglo-Irish physicist John Tyndall observed that some atmospheric gases were transparent to IR radiation. But he found that others, like water vapor and carbon dioxide, were powerful IR absorbers. He was the first to propose that changes in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could influence the Earth's climate. In 1896, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius took it further. He made the first detailed calculations to see what a doubling of carbon dioxide levels might do to temperatures. His answer was a 5-6C increase in the average global temperature. His hot-house theory was set out for the first time in 1908 in his popular book Worlds in the Making. In 1909, American astronomer Andrew Douglass developed the techniques of studying tree-rings and was the first to find the connection between tree ring widths and climate. In 1931, American physicist E.O Hulburt ran calculations to determine the effect of doubling carbon dioxide with the added burden of water vapor. His figure? 4C of warming. In 1938, English engineer Guy Callendar discovered evidence of a warming temperature trend in the early twentieth century. He also found that CO 2 levels were increasing and he warned that over the coming centuries there could be a climate shift to a permanently warmer state. Mr President-elect, you were born in June 1946, in the early years of the Cold War. It was a time that saw a surge in atmospheric research. The properties and behaviour of IR radiation came under even more scrutiny in the quest to develop heat-seeking missiles. By the 1950s, the advantage of computer-power, something we take for granted today, made it possible to dissect the atmosphere in ever-greater detail. 1956 - when you were just ten years of age - saw the publication of the landmark paper, 'The Carbon Dioxide Theory of Climatic Change', by Canadian-American physicist Gilbert Plass. The paper confirmed that more carbon dioxide would have a warming effect and that doubling levels of that gas would result in a warming of 3-4C. The very title of the paper tells you that "climate change" is not a term made up in recent years for political reasons, as some try to claim. Mr President-elect, we've known about this stuff for decades. None of the above is "politicized science". Even the youngest milestones along the climate science timeline above are now more than half a century old. Most of them are older than you. They were all attained through the hard work and dedication of our best American and European scientists. These guys and others laid the solid and vital foundations for the modern understanding of how Earth's climate works. They got all the basics right: it is organisations like NASA that are still filling in the important details. The more we end up knowing about how this planet works the better, especially if the USA plans to continue its exploration missions to other planetary bodies. Atmospheric CO 2 levels have now gone past 400 parts per million. That's up 40% from the pre-industrial level of 280ppm - thanks in great part to the burning of the fossil fuels. Now, as a businessman, you can understand numbers. Some folk like to downplay the importance of gases occurring at, they say, small concentrations. But we think that if we knocked on your office door with details of a whole mountain containing an average of 400ppm gold, you'd sit down and listen. We cannot look anywhere within the geologically recent series of alternating ice-ages and interglacials to see an Earth with more than 400ppm carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. We have to go back a lot further. To see a 400ppm-plus planet, we need to time-travel to the mid-Pliocene, 3.5 million years ago. Back then, Arctic Siberia, today a barren tundra, was shrouded in boreal forest. That might sound OK, but such warmth has its price. Due to less ice at the poles, it was also a time when sea-levels were around twenty metres higher than those of today. That's not good if you have beach-front real estate. Such changes can take many years to bring about, but Earth's physical systems always move towards balance. Earth systems obey the laws of physics, not economics. They take no notice at all of electoral cycles or partisan politics. They don't care which guy you voted for. Mr President-elect, we have to work with the Earth, not against it. For a full account of the history of climate science, please follow the link below. The History of Climate Science By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. 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The acquisition follows the purchase of the Investa Office Management Platform by ICPF Holdings Pty Ltd, a company stapled to ICPF from MSREI in February this year. The Presbyterian Church Property Trust is believed to have paid more than $15 million for a beach front site, which includes heritage-listed Primrose House, at Dolls Point on Botany Bay. Investa said the decision to acquire the MSREI stake was taken to create greater alignment between Investa, as the manager of IOF and the IOF unit holders. Elsewhere, the Presbyterian Church Property Trust is believed to have paid more than $15 million for a 6000-square-metre beach front site, which includes heritage-listed Primrose House, at Dolls Point on Botany Bay, in a deal brokered by Savills Australia. With little fuss or fanfare, Australia's two major parties have this week agreed to fly under the radioactive radar and pass an innocuous enough sounding law with some very far reaching implications. The Indian Civil Nuclear Transfers Act exists to provide "certainty to Australian uranium producers" who want to sell the controversial product to India. A radiation-controlled area warning sign at the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory. In 2015 a detailed investigation by Parliament's treaties committee found there were serious and unresolved nuclear safety, security and governance issues with the proposed sales plan. It also found a high level of legal uncertainty. Expert witnesses including Australian National University Professor of International Law Don Rothwell and former senior DFAT officer John Carlson also highlighted that the plan was in conflict with both Australian domestic law and existing international treaty provisions, most notably the South Pacific Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty. After the tragic deaths of eight people related to the recent outbreak of thunderstorm asthma in Melbourne, we need to consider the "perfect storm" of climate change. These deaths were the tip of an iceberg of acute illness leading to a surge in ambulance calls and emergency presentations to hospital. It was reported that Ambulance Victoria experienced six times its normal workload on the night of the storm, 8500 people went to Victorian hospitals over that day and the next, stocks of asthma medications ran low and the health system was stretched to capacity. While not common, thunderstorm asthma has been described in late spring in multiple locations including Birmingham and London in Britain, Calgary in Canada, Naples in Italy, Wagga Wagga in NSW and also previously in Melbourne. While not all such events have necessarily been recorded, the medical literature has examples at least back to the 1980s. High concentrations of pollen from plants, such as rye grass, can be stirred up by thunderstorms, absorb moisture, swell and burst into smaller particles of fine starch granules containing allergens. While large grass pollen particles can be trapped in the upper airways, causing symptoms of hay fever, these smaller sub-particles can travel further into the airways and lungs, causing breathing problems even in people who have not been previously diagnosed with asthma. It is thought that pollens are caught in the updrafts into the high humidity at the cloud base where they rupture and cold downdrafts carry aerosols of many small respirable pollen fragments to ground level distributing them over a wide area. Education Minister Simon Birmingham says he is "embarrassed for Australia" that our maths and science results have fallen behind countries such as Kazakhstan and Slovenia in the latest international rankings. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, released on Tuesday, shows Australia dropping 10 spots in year 4 mathematics since 2011. Australia also fell five spots in year 8 maths and year 4 science. "I think they're appalling results," Senator Birmingham told ABC Radio on Wednesday. "I am embarrassed for Australia that we are not performing at the standard that we would expect our schools to perform." Lawyers for the Labor Party have accused the Coalition of "authoritarian behaviour" after the Turnbull government doubled down on its legal threats to a retiree and demanded the ALP also stop using the Medicare logo in its campaigning. In a letter sent to the Australian Government Solicitor on Tuesday, law firm Maurice Blackburn, representing the ALP, rejected government demands to amend the party's "save Medicare" website. Fairfax Media revealed last week that the government had threatened a Sydney grandfather, Mark Rogers, to close down his little-visited website that campaigns against cuts to Medicare, accusing him of unauthorised use of the healthcare system's green and yellow logo. Facing similar demands, the ALP has threatened to counter-sue and also raised question marks over why a newspaper was leaked a legal letter from the Solicitor before it had even been received by ALP general-secretary Noah Carroll. A stunning backdown by the Nick Xenophon Team senators over water policy has cleared the way for the Turnbull government to claim a year-ending Senate victory that would see the construction watchdog reinstated. On Friday, Senator Xenophon and his team warned they would not vote for any government legislation unless there were additional guarantees for 450 gigalitres in environmental water flows for the Murray River. Four days later, the trio backed down and struck a deal that provided no additional guarantees on the 450 gigalitres but claimed victory after negotiations with Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull and South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill. The deal effectively sidelines Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, which will delight South Australian Liberals who are furious with Mr Joyce's handling of the issue, and his apparent decision to side with the eastern states over the Murray. Two Australian Hornet fighter planes dropped bombs in the botched coalition air strike that accidentally killed pro-Syrian regime fighters instead of Islamic State terrorists in September, Defence has confirmed. No single person in the United States-led coalition will be sanctioned for the blunder, which a month-long investigation released on Wednesday morning has instead blamed on failures spread across the operation to ensure key decision-makers had all the information. Up to 83 irregular pro-Syrian regime forces, who the investigation concluded were not wearing uniforms and were equipped and behaving in a fashion similar to Islamic State fighters, were killed in the strike, in which aircraft from the US, Britain and Denmark also took part. The Australian Defence Force's Chief of Joint Operations, Vice-Admiral David Johnston, said the investigation had found decision-makers had not been made aware of some caveats in the intelligence-gathering and analysis when they concluded the fighters belonged the Islamic State and should be bombed. Australian students with many books in the home - used as a proxy for socio-economic status - achieved results 74 points higher than those who reported having a few books in the home. Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe said: "This is another demonstration of the need to target funding more directly to the schools which teach disadvantaged students, as Gonski funding is beginning to do." Follow Matthew Knott on Facebook If you've been keeping an eye on the stock market lately, you will have noticed something strange. Or, at least something than the punters and pundits didn't expect. Yes, I'm talking about Donald Trump. Not his election, though that was unexpected enough. I'm talking about the "Trump Effect" or the "Trump Pump" as my colleague Andrew Page has taken to calling it. President-elect Donald Trump has inspired a share market rally, but has it gone too far? Credit:AP Conventional wisdom before the election was that Trump would lose. And conventional wisdom also had it that should Trump somehow emerge victorious, markets would tank. After all, this was an incredibly unconventional candidate with very unusual (compared with the political establishment) policies and, frankly, some policies that hadn't been fully explained. And, as we know, the market hates uncertainty, right? A yawning growth gap has opened between city and country as Sydney's dynamic economic hubs streak ahead of the rest of the state. Economic growth in Sydney averaged 2.2 per cent between 2012 and 2015, while regional areas of NSW contracted by 0.3 per cent in that period, research by SGS Economics and Planning has revealed. Between 1.6 million and 2.7 million people in NSW experienced at least one year in recession between 2012 and 2015, the analysis shows. Meanwhile, parts of Sydney have boomed. The Ryde-Macquarie Park area, a hub for high-value, knowledge-based services, grew by a runaway 5.8 per cent in 2014-15. Labor's serious and organised crime laws have passed, just after 10pm on Tuesday. The LNP revealed it would not support the Serious and Organised Crime Legislation Amendment Bill, meaning it was up to the cross benchers to get the bill across the line. Debate continued on the government's serious and organised crime laws on Tuesday night. Katter's Australian Party MPs Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth voted with the government, while independent member for Cairns Rob Pyne abstained from the vote. Independent member for Cook Billy Gordon supported the government. A man is dead after a car and truck collided south of Ipswich, closing a south-east Queensland highway for hours. Police said the vehicles collided on the Cunningham Highway about 11.30pm on Tuesday, about three kilometres south of Warrill View. A truck and car collided on the Cunningham Highway near Warrill View. Credit:Nine News Brisbane/Twitter The sedan's male driver was found dead at the scene. The highway was closed in both directions and not expected to reopen until about 7am on Wednesday. Police are now treating the discovery of human remains at a property in Brisbane's north as suspicious. Police were called to Autism Queensland on North Road at Brighton after human remains, believed to be male, were found inside a water pit at the property about 11am. Police inspected the Autism Queensland property on November 29. Credit:7 News Brisbane/Twitter A crime scene has been established, and detectives from the Homicide Squad are assisting with the investigation. Acting Superintendent Mick O'Dowd said it was possible the remains, believed to be bones, were more than 10 years old. A missing New Zealand woman's parents have arrived in Brisbane as police ramp up their calls for public assistance to help find her. Mr Tocher, who flew to Brisbane with his wife Jennine on Tuesday morning, said their 31-year-old daughter flew to Brisbane from Dunedin on Friday. Missing New Zealand woman Alice Tocher. Her passport and handbag recovered near an art gallery in Brisbane on Monday afternoon. A receipt reveals she paid cash at a Brisbane supermarket for a bottle of water, bread rolls and a sim card, which was found inside her wallet. Alice Tocher was last seen at an inner city backpackers on Upper Roma Street on Saturday. Greens councillor Jonathan Sri says it is time Brisbane City Council meetings opened with a formal acknowledgment to the city's indigenous people. Cr Sri now suggests aboriginal people should be asked to contribute to a public acknowledgment to open each Brisbane City Council meeting. Brisbane Greens councillor Jonathan Sri says it is time for an indigenous acknowledgement to start Brisbane City Council meetings Credit:Tony Moore All Brisbane City Council meetings start now with the Lord's Prayer. "At the very least Brisbane City Council should acknowledge the rightful owners of this place before each city council meeting," Cr Sri said. Kate Carnell launched the first day of the small business banking inquiry by asking the ANZ why they cut off small business loans at the arbitrary figure of $1 million. "What made you the bank decide that $1 million was the right figure for small business? It's a pretty low figure now. I think in the EU and other places it's now acknowledged that that is too low," she asked of Graham Hodges, deputy chief executive. Mr Hodges and small business general manager Kate Gibson were the first in line at the small business inquiry into the four major banks, which was announced following pressure on the federal government to call for a royal commission. The question from Ms Carnell, a former business who was this year appointed as Australia's first small business and family enterprise ombudsman, also noted that a majority of bricks and mortar businesses, for example a pharmacy or a restaurant, could not be purchased for less than $1 million. A woman who died at music festival Earthcore is being remembered as a big-hearted soul, free spirit and loyal "old skooler" in the dance party scene. Robyn Deans, 43, from Bayswater, in Melbourne's east, was found dead at the festival in Pyalong on Saturday, police said. Revellers at an Earthcore festival. Credit:Earthcore/Instagram The cause of death is yet to be determined, but festival organisers say she may have had an existing medical condition. "RIP dear Robyn Deans. I'm shocked and sad beyond words," one friend wrote on Facebook. Corinna Horvath spent years feeling as if she was a victim. In 1996, the door of her house in Hastings was kicked in by eight police officers without a warrant, and one of them allegedly punched her in the face, shattering her nose. Long after the pain subsided, she couldn't get over it: the injustice of being a 21-year-old woman belted in her home. Corina Horvath in hospital in 1996. Credit:Nic Kocher Then she moved on: had a family, found a career she loved, forgot about the door and her nose crashing in. But she never lost hope that one day someone would be charged with her assault. We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. A man could spend more than four years in prison for a home invasion in which he forced love bites on a woman while she slept, something a judge has described as the "stuff of nightmares". Lang Kouth, 21, broke into a Cranbourne North house close to midnight on one night in July, intending to steal the keys to a car parked outside, the County Court heard on Tuesday. Judge Michael Tinney said that Kouth, who was drunk at the time, entered the master bedroom after he had found the keys, where the woman and her partner were sleeping. The woman's 17-month-old baby was sleeping on a mattress near the couple. Kouth took his shoes off and lay down beside the woman, and began kissing and biting her and rubbing her thigh sexually. The battle to extend Perth's retail trading hours looks set to become a state election issue as the property industry renews calls for trading to be deregulated to reflect Perth's "modern 24-hour economy." WA's trading hours are among the most regulated in the country despite unrestricted trading in place in Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. The WA property industry is calling for political parties to make retail trading hours reform a priority at the state election. Credit:Paul Jeffers The Liberal government tried unsuccessfully for more than a year to pass a bill through Parliament in 2016 that would have allowed retailers to trade from 7am Monday to Saturday and until 6pm Saturday. The Property Council of Australia on Tuesday implored political parties to make reforming WA's "outdated" trading hours a key election issue. WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan is against WA Labor's plan to allow officers to ram offenders off the road in chases, saying the technique could risk lives. Opposition leader Mark McGowan endorsed the WA Police Union demand on Monday, promising to legislate use of the precise immobilisation technique, which is used in the US but not in Australia, if Labor wins next year's state election. WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has warned against police ramming cars in a chase. Credit:Emma Young "We don't support it - we think it is a highly dangerous manoeuvre," Mr O'Callaghan told ABC Radio on Tuesday. "If you push a vehicle off the road at speed, somebody is going to get seriously injured or killed." Berlin: Germany's spy chief has warned that Russian hackers are pelting his country with disinformation that could undermine the democratic process, echoing concerns already voiced by his domestic intelligence counterpart. Bruno Kahl, the new head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence service, compared the campaign in an interview published on Tuesday to misleading reports on social media before Donald Trump's election as United States president. The interview appeared in Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung as German officials puzzled over the source of a major disruption on Monday of internet traffic on Deutsche Telekom, the country's largest telecoms operator. Asked about political disinformation appearing in the US and Europe, Kahl said he saw a Russian link in both cases. Seoul: South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday asked parliament to find a way for her to give up power and decide when she should step down amid an influence-peddling scandal, but the opposition said she was just trying to avoid impeachment. Park, 64, had apologised twice previously but until now resisted mounting public calls to quit, even as lawmakers readied to mount impeachment proceedings. Under pressure: Park Geun-hye has previously apologised for the scandal. Credit:Yonhap "I will leave to parliament everything about my future including shortening of my term," she said in a brief televised speech. "I will step down from my position according to the law once a way is formed to pass on the administration in a stable manner that will also minimise political unrest and vacuum after ruling and opposition parties' discussion." Bangkok: Thailand's Crown Prince is set to become king within days after the country's military-dominated parliament formally invited him accede to the throne on Tuesday. "I will invite Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to succeed to the throne and become king of the Thai people," Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of parliament, told lawmakers. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn's succession to the throne had been expected to be immediate. Credit:AP MPs then stood and replied: "Long live the king." According to royal procedure, the president of Parliament will ask the partly Australian-educated prince to become king when he returns to the country this week from Germany, where he has a lakeside villa. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: More than 150 homes and businesses lay in smoking ruins Tuesday after wildfires whipped by high-speed winds raged overnight through town and displaced more than 14,000 residents, officials estimated. "This is one for the history books," Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said at a morning news conference. "The likes of this has never been seen. But the worst is definitely over with." More than 200 firefighters from across the state remain on the way to help douse the wildfires, and the Tennessee National Guard plans to dump water onto the flames from a helicopter. Miller said about 14 buildings remain ablaze in the city, most of them smoldering shells in various stages of collapse. Firefighters headed from door to door to make sure no victims had been overlooked. Washington: What might have been an exercise in academic curiosity about the accuracy of the counting of presidential votes has become a political gutter fight, with absurd claims by Donald Trump that he'd have won the popular vote but for the casting of millions of fraudulent votes for Hillary Clinton. A quirk in a quaint US electoral process makes it possible for a presidential winner to be a loser. And Americans already are well acquainted with a dominant circuit in the Trump DNA that does not tolerate even a hint that Trump might be a loser notwithstanding that he's won the White House. Hence the crazy Sunday tweet by the president-elect claiming "millions of people" voting "illegally." And with that, Americans might well question an election outcome that generally, was being taken for granted. If the poll winner is claiming millions of fraudulent votes were cast in just Virginia, New Hampshire and California, three states he identified in his weekend Twitterstorm, then surely it's reasonable to wonder if tens of millions more were cast illegally in the rest of the country. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser PHILIPSBURG:--- By the end of November our Members of Parliament would have been on the job for one month and it is good took to take a look at how well they have represented us during their first month in office. In the first week, seven of our MPs took part in an orientation week. At the end of the orientation, all five, first-time MPs and two former MPs received a certificate of participation. Special congratulations to the five new MPs, for taking their position and their function seriously. We assume that during the first week, the eight former MPs hit the ground running on our behalf. But what did they do? We have no clue! As the fourteen thousand-plus voters cannot all be present in Parliament at the same time, we elected, on September 26th, fifteen persons to represent us. These persons, who now hold the title Honorable Members of Parliament, took the oath of office on October 31st and officially started to represent us in their first public meeting held on the same day, at which time they voted in a new Chairman and Vice Chairman. The dictionary defines a representative as a person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others. In this case our honorable MPs have been chosen to act or speak for the voters of Sint Maarten and consequently represent the entire population of Sint Maarten according to article 44 of our Constitution. On November 9th and 10th our MP Representatives held two public meetings to hear from Prime Minister William Marlin, who is currently also an MP, concerning the Oyster Pond border dispute. During these meetings, Prime Minister Marlin announced that the Council of Ministers had decided to boycott the official Sint Maarten Day activities; which this year was being organized by the French authorities. Not one of our MP Representatives questioned the Prime Minister or the Government concerning the announced boycott. Not a single MP expressed support for or rejection of the boycott. Not one MP, including the Chairman of Parliament, indicated, during that public meeting, that they would also be boycotting the official ceremonies. Hence, the people assumed that they would be represented at the official ceremonies on November 11th on the French side by their elected representatives. Surprisingly, only three parliamentarians, namely Sarah Wescott-Williams, Emile Lee and Chanel Brownbill attended the ceremonies. We believe that the absence of the other twelve MPs is a sign of disrespect towards the voters whom they are representing. The correct procedure should have been that during the public meeting, individual MPs, or Parliament as a whole, should have taken a stand as to whether they supported the governments decision or not to boycott the Sint Maarten Day official ceremonies. As elected representatives, our MPs owe it to the people to inform us as to their stand and decision on such issues. After all, it is your job, Honorable Members of Parliament, to give us proper representation and to inform us as to decisions you take that affect us. Anything less than that is disrespectful towards the people who voted you into Parliament. The next public meeting convened by Parliament was held on November 24th to vote in a new chairperson of parliament and a second vice chairperson. Here again we expected you, not only to vote but also to motivate your vote. With the exception of MP William Marlin, not one of our representatives had the courtesy or saw the need to inform us, the people, as to why they voted in favor or against the election of the Chair and Second Vice Chairman. Thus far, our new Parliament has held a total of four meetings which add up to approximately eight hours. Even though our MPs only spent eight hours representing us they will receive a whole months salary. I wonder which MP will refuse to accept his/her November salary or return a part of it to government with a notice that they do not deserve to be paid for the entire month of November! We expect that in the coming months our MPs will give us better representation, not only in time but also by speaking for us on the floor of parliament. Parliament does not have to wait until a new government is in place in order to be able to function. The job of Parliament is to supervise, control and hold government accountable for policies, decisions, actions and non-actions. We would like our honorable representatives in parliament to also be proactive and to call government out on issues such as human trafficking, prostitution, the landfill, GEBE and the bidding procedure related to the new hospital. Parliament should not wait for Government to initiate meetings but should be proactive and hold Government accountable. We hope that the first month in office is not indicative of the kind of representation we will be getting from this Parliament. Honorable Members of Parliament we request you to inform us, speak for us and give us due respect by explaining to us why you are taking certain decisions on our behalf. We, the people, need to know! Wycliffe Smith Leader of the Sint Maarten Christian Party POINTE BLANCHE:--- Port St. Maarten will be participating in the 47th edition of the Dutch Vakantie Beurs Utrecht (Tourism and Leisure Fair), considered the trade show for the travel industry. The Vakantie Beurs will be held from January 11-15, 2017 at the Convention Center in the Dutch city of Utrecht. Destination St. Maarten has been absent from the aforementioned trade show for several years resulting in a low brand awareness of the country in the Dutch market. Port St. Maarten is inviting travel agents/tour operators to be part of the ports Vakantie Beurs booth where they get the opportunity to promote the destination and also create awareness of cruise travel to the island. Interested travel professionals can email the port at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Travel agents/Tour operators are essential in creating travel experiences as they can engage with clients and help them plan that perfect stay-over or cruise. Vakantie Beurs Utrecht is the perfect opportunity to connect the thousands of travelers that visit the tourism and leisure fair every January with a vacation experience, and travel agents are the ambassadors. Vakantie Beurs Utrecht caters to business to business and business to consumers. More Dutch travelers are becoming aware of cruises, and the St. Maarten cruise brand is the largest and most developed cruise port in the Dutch Kingdom. In 2016, approximately 121,593 visited the Vakantie Beurs. Visitors were interested in receiving information about Europe (68 percent), the Netherlands (24), and destinations outside Europe (61). The top five destinations in Europe in 2016 were Spain (36 percent), Italy (35), France (30), Germany and Portugal (25), Austria and Switzerland (21). This expo fits into the ports destination strategy to infiltrate the European Union tourist market. Port St. Maarten is moving full speed ahead in establishing itself as a home port destination in the northeastern Caribbean catering to small and medium size vessels as well as the high-end market of the luxury cruise sector. The home porting business will translate into a significant positive impact on the countrys economy with spinoffs to the majority of sectors. The destination is a diversity of experiences for the traveler. In 2017 we want to make an impact just like we did in January 2016 when Port St. Maarten made its first debut at the tourism and leisure fair. In 2016 at the fair, a lot of patrons showed interests in the destination. We have to continue to create a demand for the destination by sharing information, and promoting what we have to offer in this part of the Kingdom when compared to continental Europe. It is essential for the country to have a presence at such events in order to keep the island profiled in the tourism and travel market where there are hundreds of competitors. Stayover tourism is the main component of the countrys tourism industry and is linked to Port St. Maarten. Without stayover visitors, things will be different. It is up to us to sustain this and continue to grow and therefore that is why as a port we are investing in our future by attending this expo and are inviting travel agents/tour operators to come onboard as we promote our destination experiences, Port St. Maarten Management pointed out. For information about Vakantie Beurs Utrecht, you can visit: http://www.vakantiebeurs.nl/nl-NL/Bezoeker.aspx GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), announces that there will be a road closure of Zagersgut road on 29 and 30 November from 8.00pm to 5am. This road closure is in connection with milling and patching works of existing potholes. The aforementioned works will take place if weather conditions permit. The section of the road that will be closed is from the Zagersgut road/Coralita road going toward Bush road. There will be a traffic detour. There will be no through traffic on this section of Zagersgut road. - Traffic coming from A.Th. Illidge road from Madame Estate and Philipsburg going St. Peters have to take Coralita road. - Traffic coming from AJC Brouwers road and or L.B. Scott road heading to Philipsburg or Madame Estate Dutch Quarter have to take L.B. Scott road- Gladiola road Coralita road and a left on Zagersgut road, or take Bush road- Prince Bernard Bridge Walter Nisbeth road. Road works will be carried out by Windward Roads. Motorists and pedestrians in the area should pay keen attention when commuting as heavy equipment will be in use. Pay attention to traffic diversion signs and workmen who will be present to help direct the flow of traffic. Ministry VROMI apologizes for any inconveniences this may cause. PHILIPSBURG:---The actions on St. Maarten that have been taking place since early Monday morning, November 28, 2016, in the investigation code-named Emerald will continue today November 29. The special anti-corruption task force TBO of the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team RST, together with the National Detectives Agency St. Maarten and under the supervision of an investigative judge are searching a number of new premises. In addition to the searches five cars have been confiscated and a number of bank accounts have been seized. In close cooperation with the authorities on the French side also a yacht has been seized. The suspect O.A. (35) from Sint Maarten was arrested on Monday and is currently suspected of tax fraud, forgery, money laundering and illegal firearm possession. The judge of instruction meanwhile has deemed his arrest and detention lawful. A final press release of the searches will be made available as soon as possible. The Emerald-investigation started in April 2016, following reports in the newspapers and questions asked in Parliament about the contract signed between the suspects security company the port authority of St. Maarten. During this investigation suspicions arose about tax fraud, forgery and money laundering The investigation is part of a joint intensified fight against international fraud and corruption. Corruption and money laundering threatens the security and economy of the countries in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The special anti-corruption taskforce, TBO of the RST, together with the National Detectives Agencies (Landsrecherches) of Curacao and Sint Maarten and the Prosecutors Office have joined forces to combat corruption. Orders to recover proceeds of crime fit in within the new policy of the Prosecutors Office. The Prosecutors Office will be submitting more of such claims. The prosecutors office through its spokesman Gino Bernadina confirmed to SMN News that a firearm was found during the searches yesterday (Monday) According to unconfirmed reports the firearm was found at one of Arrindells properties. It is not yet known if the firearm that was found was used in any crime committed on St. Maarten. Hengtong Deeply Impresses Congos Telecom Minister SUZHOU, CHINA (Marketwired) 11/29/16 Congos telecom minister Leon Juste Ibombo visited Hengtong and held a cordial talk with Qian Jianlin, Hengtongs CEO, on November 12. China is ready for new opportunities for China-Africa cooperation and happy to take part in the construction of Congos telecommunication, according to Qian Jianlin. Meanwhile, Ibombo said that Hengtong was welcome to the developments of Congos telecom industry. Ibombo was deeply impressed by Hengtongs equipment and technologies, and he said Hengtong was the most advanced optical communication enterprise that he had ever visited and he would introduce the giant as a strategic partner for the telecommunications projects to the government. The visit is undoubtedly a push for Hengtongs expansion in Congo and West Africa. About Hengtong Hengtong Optic-Electric Co., LTD.(SH. 600487) was founded in 1993 and has committed itself to providing integrated solutions of telecommunication and energy network, including optical communication, copper communication, power transmission, marine engineering and new materials. According to Global Optic & Cable Markets Investigation released by CRU, HENGTONG Optic-Electric ranked the second with a share of 8% of the global market. HENGTONG has founded nine industrial base stations in South America, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe and other regions, has established marketing and technology services branches in more than 30 areas, thus HENGTONG products has covered more than 100 countries and regions. Image Available: Hengtong Zhang Xian 2nd Watch Achieves AWS Service Delivery Partner Status for Four AWS Service Offerings Posted by Publisher Hardware SEATTLE, WA (Marketwired) 11/29/16 , a managed public cloud provider for enterprises, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Service Delivery Partner status for four AWS service offerings including Amazon Aurora, Amazon Redshift, AWS CloudFront and AWS Database Migration Service. 2nd Watch also holds AWS competencies for Migration, DevOps, Big Data, Life Sciences, and Marketing and Commerce, and is an audited, approved and accredited AWS Managed Service Partner. The AWS Service Delivery Program recently launched and is designed to highlight APNPartners who have a track record of delivering verified customer success for specific AWS products, so . customers can easily find qualified APN Partners that provide expertise in a specific service or skill area. To qualify, APN Partners must pass service-specific verification of customer references and a technical review, meaning customers can be confident they are working with partners that provide recent and relevant experience. Our customers in all industries are looking to transform their businesses through the power of data, which has traditionally been extremely difficult and costly to harness in real time, says Jeff Aden, executive VP of strategic business development and marketing, 2nd Watch. AWS services have evolved to help customers quickly deploy big data projects on a flexible, scalable and cost-effective infrastructure, opening up opportunities that were impossible to envision even a few years ago. Our business is growing rapidly in this area, as organizations look to our expertise across AWS. 2nd Watch customers include enterprise and consumer brands such as Lenovo, Yamaha, Coca-Cola and Crate & Barrel. These companies are adopting AWS offerings for more efficient data management, analytics and content delivery capabilities, including: to quickly, reliably, simply and cost-effectively set up, operate and scale its customers MySQL deployments. to improve performance of customer websites and accelerate content delivery to their end users simply, reliably and cost-effectively. , which powers 2nd Watchs data warehouse architecture, automating most of the common administrative tasks associated with provisioning, configuring, monitoring, backing up, and securing a data warehouse. Customers can provision more capacity and compute in a matter of minutes, optimizing the efficiencies of big data projects. to complete customer migrations from any database platform quickly and securely. By allowing the source database to remain fully operational during the migration, customers experience zero downtime. 2nd Watch is an AWS Premier Partner providing managed cloud to enterprises. The companys subject matter experts, software-enabled services and cutting-edge solutions provide companies with tested, proven, and trusted solutions, allowing them to fully leverage the power of the public cloud. 2nd Watch solutions are high performing, robust, increase operational excellence, decrease time to market, accelerate growth and lower risk. Its patent-pending, proprietary tools automate everyday workload management processes for big data analytics, digital marketing, line-of-business and cloud native workloads. 2nd Watch is a new breed of partner which helps enterprises design, deploy and manage cloud solutions and monitors business critical workloads 247. 2nd Watch has more than 400 enterprise workloads under its management and more than 100,000 instances in its managed public cloud. The venture-backed company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. To learn more about 2nd Watch, visit or call 888-317-7920. Kevin Wolf TGPR (650) 327-1641 Free family fun was on the agenda Tuesday night in Clinton Township, as the popular Sledding Hill was the place to be on a splendid fall evening. A guide to voter rights in Indiana. What you need to know before you cast a ballot Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable. Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager listens during his murder trial at the Charleston County court in Charleston, S.C., Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. A judge is considering whether jurors will visit the spot where a white former South Carolina police officer is accused of shooting and killing an unarmed black man in North Charleston. Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea Although planets surround stars in the galaxy, how they form remains a subject of debate. Despite the wealth of worlds in our own solar system, scientists still aren't certain how planets are built. Currently, two theories are duking it out for the role of champion. While the first, core accretion, works well with the formation of terrestrial planes, scientists have difficulty reconciling it with giant planets like Jupiter. A more recent model known as disk instability may help solve some of the problems that core accretion fails to address in scientists' views of how the solar system formed. Weighing in at 2.5 times the mass of the rest of the solar system planets, Jupiter played an important role in the formation and evolution of its siblings. New theories about the early solar system suggest that Jupiter may have moved around, stirring up material. The complex dance of the king of planets may have directly influenced the formation of Mars and played a role in the bombardment of the rocky planets. The core accretion model Artist's conception of our solar system's solar nebula, the cloud of gas and dust from which the planets formed. (Image credit: Painting copyright William K. Hartmann, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson) Approximately 4.6 billion years ago, the solar system was a cloud of dust and gas known as a solar nebula. Gravity collapsed the material in on itself as it began to spin, forming the sun in the center of the nebula. With the rise of the sun, the remaining material began to clump up. Small particles drew together, bound by the force of gravity, into larger particles. The solar wind swept away lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, from the closer regions, leaving only heavy, rocky materials to create smaller terrestrial worlds. But farther away, the solar winds had less impact on lighter elements, allowing them to coalesce into gas giants. In this way, asteroids, comets, planets, and moons were created. The core accretion model suggests that the rocky cores of planets formed first, then gathered lighter elements around it to form its crust and mantle. For rocky worlds, the lighter elements build up their atmosphere. Exoplanet observations seem to confirm core accretion as the dominant formation process. Stars with more "metals" a term astronomers use for elements other than hydrogen and helium in their cores have more giant planets than their metal-poor cousins. According to NASA, core accretion suggests that small, rocky worlds should be more common than the more massive gas giants. The 2005 discovery of a giant planet with a massive core orbiting the sun-like star HD 149026 is an example of an exoplanet that helped strengthen the case for core accretion. "This is a confirmation of the core accretion theory for planet formation and evidence that planets of this kind should exist in abundance," said Greg Henry in a press release. Henry, an astronomer at Tennessee State University, Nashville, detected the dimming of the star. In 2017, the European Space Agency plans to launch the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), which will study exoplanets ranging in sizes from super-Earths to Neptune. Studying these distant worlds may help determine how planets in the solar system formed. "In the core accretion scenario, the core of a planet must reach a critical mass before it is able to accrete gas in a runaway fashion," said the CHEOPS team. "This critical mass depends upon many physical variables, among the most important of which is the rate of planetesimals accretion." By studying how growing planets accrete material, CHEOPS will provide insight into how worlds grow. The disk instability model For massive gas giants like Jupiter, however, core accretion takes far too long. The cloud of material around the sun only lasts a short time it is either gathered up by planets or evaporates completely. "Giant planets form really fast, in a few million years," Kevin Walsh, a researcher at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, told Space.com. "That creates a time limit because the gas disk around the sun only lasts 4 to 5 million years." While rocky planets have plenty of time to build up their heavier atmospheres, or collect them from material crashing into the planet, the atmospheres of gas giants are too light and disappear too quickly. For instance, Jupiter is composed almost completely of hydrogen, with about 10 percent of its volume made up of helium. Small traces of other elements exist in Jupiter's atmosphere, as well, but most of its mass is held by these two basic elements. Scientists had to look for a new way to build the larger planets. According to a relatively new theory, disk instability, clumps of dust and gas are bound together early in the life of the solar system. Over time, these clumps slowly compact into a giant planet. These planets can form faster than their core accretion rivals, sometimes in as little as a thousand years, allowing them to trap the rapidly-vanishing lighter gases. They also quickly reach an orbit-stabilizing mass that keeps them from death-marching into the sun. Like all planets, the frequent collisions elevated temperatures on Jupiter. Dense materials sank to the center, forming the core. Some scientists theorize that the core today might be a hot molten ball of liquid, while other research indicates that it could be a solid rock 14 to 18 times the mass of the Earth. Pebble accretion The biggest challenge to core accretion is time building massive gas giants fast enough to grab the lighter components of their atmosphere. Recent research on how smaller, pebble-sized objects fused together to build giant planets up to 1000 times faster than earlier studies. "This is the first model that we know about that you start out with a pretty simple structure for the solar nebula from which planets form, and end up with the giant-planet system that we see," study lead author Harold Levison, an astronomer at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Colorado, told Space.com in 2015. In 2012, researchers Michiel Lambrechts and Anders Johansen from Lund University in Sweden proposed that tiny pebbles, once written off, held the key to rapidly building giant planets. "They showed that the leftover pebbles from this formation process, which previously were thought to be unimportant, could actually be a huge solution to the planet-forming problem," Levison said. Levison and his team built on that research to model more precisely how the tiny pebbles could form planets seen in the galaxy today. While previous simulations, both large and medium-sized objects consumed their pebble-sized cousins at a relatively constant rate, Levison's simulations suggest that the larger objects acted more like bullies, snatching away pebbles from the mid-sized masses to grow at a far faster rate. "The larger objects now tend to scatter the smaller ones more than the smaller ones scatter them back, so the smaller ones end up getting scattered out of the pebble disk," study co-author Katherine Kretke, also from SwRI, told Space.com. "The bigger guy basically bullies the smaller one so they can eat all the pebbles themselves, and they can continue to grow up to form the cores of the giant planets." Dancing planets Originally, scientists thought that planets formed around the same place they live today. The discovery of exoplanets revealed that, around other stars at least, some worlds moved from their natal neighborhood. The first exoplanets were hot Jupiters, massive gas giants larger than Jupiter that orbited their star in days or even hours. These worlds couldn't have formed in place, because temperatures were too high for them to collect hydrogen and helium. Scientists quickly concluded that at least some gas giants in the universe migrated in. At the same time, the solar system suffered from what many call 'the small Mars problem.' While simulations of planetary formation accounted for all the other worlds, in the right size and location, none could adequately reproduce the red planet. Instead, the created a much smaller world in the Martian orbit. In 2011, scientists unveiled the Grand Tack model. In the new model, Jupiter moves inward toward the sun, scattering material in front of it. Eventually, it travels in to where Mars travels today, a distance of about 1.5 times Earth's orbit. Left alone, Jupiter might have plowed through the inner solar system. "People were modeling how to keep Jupiter from migrating inward toward the sun," said Walsh, one of the scientists who proposed Grand Tack. Walsh and his colleagues found that including Saturn as a traveling buddy caused Jupiter to reverse in its tracks, like a sailboat tacking in the wind. Both planets eventually returned to the outer solar system and settled into their current orbit. A good neighbor Because the massive planet formed so early in the history of the solar system, it most likely impacted the creation and paths of other planets. The planet itself would have had sufficient mass to alter the path of other baby planets that traveled near it, sending them veering either into the outermost reaches of the solar system or toward a fiery death near the sun. Comets and asteroids could have been similarly cast out. Jupiter is often lauded as a shield for Earth, but that may not have always been the case. Recent studies suggest that gas giants speed up the timescale of impacts. Early in the life of the solar system, Jupiter tossed material helter-skelter, raining some of it on the terrestrial planets while hurling some of it completely out of the solar system. In systems without Jupiters, however, the impacts are weaker but continue through a planet's lifetime. That's because most of the rocks are stuck in orbit around the sun without a giant planet to boot it aside. "The terrestrial planets basically aren't giving them enough kick to leave the system," Elisa Quintana, a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, told Space.com. Quintana studied the role of Jupiter-sized planets and impacts on terrestrial worlds. "For our solar system, Jupiter had a great effect," she said. Researchers from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the University of Tokyo and Japan's AstroBiology Center used the Okayama 188-cm telescope in Japan to observe the planet K2-3d, located 150 light-years away, as it passed in front of its star. The measurement marks the first time the potentially habitable planet was measured from Earth. A potentially Earth-like planet circles a bright star 150 light-years away, casting a shadow tracked from space and now from Earth, too. The planet, called K2-3d, was originally seen crossing in front of its star by NASA's Kepler space telescope during that instrument's ongoing K2 mission. Researchers brought the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory's 188-centimeter (6 feet) telescope to bear on the speck to fine-tune their understanding of the exoplanet's orbit down to a precision of 18 seconds, according to new research. Using this first-ever Earth-based measurement of the planet, the researchers predicted when the planet will cross its star in 2018, when the newly complete James Webb Space Telescope should be able to watch carefully and analyze the planet's atmosphere for potential signs of life or habitability. [10 Exoplanets That Could Host Alien Life] K2-3d is about 1.5 times the size of Earth and orbits a star half the size of the sun every 45 days. The exoplanet circles closer to its star than Earth does around the sun one-fifth the Earth-sun distance but because this is a cooler star, the planet should rest at an Earth-like temperature that could host liquid water, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan researchers said in a statement. That space around a given star is known as the habitable zone because it has the potential to support life similar to that found on Earth. Kepler discovered the planet based on the star's slight dimming as the planet passed in front, from the telescope's perspective a process of discovery called the transit method. Because Kepler's K2 mission examines patches of the sky for only around 80 days each, researchers could observe K2-3d crossing the star just twice. But the planet is closer to Earth and has a brighter host star than most of the other potentially habitable planets discovered by Kepler, researchers said in the statement, so K2-3d was worth a second glance. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope observed two more transits, further increasing what researchers knew about the planet's orbit. K2-3d's star is much brighter than those of other transiting planets in the habitable zone spotted by Kepler, making this planet a good candidate for further examination. Along with Kepler planets and planet candidates, represented by the black and white circles, the chart shows two Earth-size planets located 40 light-years away and observed by a ground-based telescope. (Image credit: NAOJ) Despite its closeness to Earth, K2-3d is small enough that the dip in brightness of its star is still extremely faint, only a 0.07 percent change. That's near the limit of what ground-based telescopes can detect, the researchers said, but Okayama's MuSCAT instrument could collect light from three different wavelengths and so could detect that flicker, thus clarifying the orbit to within just 18 seconds. Each transit presents a chance to learn more about K2-3d, and this new work allows researchers to forecast when those transits will occur. Upcoming large-scale telescopes like the James Webb Telescope will be able to analyze the starlight shining through the planet's atmosphere during a transit. They will thus be able to detect molecules like oxygen that can indicate the potential existence of life. The new work was described Nov. 21 in The Astronomical Journal. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. It launched under a different name and was not officially disclosed until almost two decades later, but Russia's first Soyuz spacecraft lifted off into history 50 years ago Monday (Nov. 28). The Soyuz, which became the former Soviet Union's third class of crewed transport spacecraft and is still used today to take cosmonaut and astronaut crews to the International Space Station, first flew under the intentionally nondescript title "Kosmos 133" on Nov. 28, 1966. The less-than-successful, 34-orbit uncrewed maiden mission ended with the Soyuz's descent capsule self-destructing, instead of landing off-course in China. But that was only the last of its problems. [Russia's Manned Soyuz Space Capsule Explained (Infographic)] Originally slated to fly a fully automated rendezvous and docking with Russia's second Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, to be launched the following day, Kosmos 133 lifted off at 4 p.m. Moscow Time (6 a.m. EST; 1100 GMT) from Site 31 at Tyuratam, now known as the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan. The launch inserted the spacecraft into a 112 by 144 mile (180 by 232 kilometer) orbit, slightly lower than planned. "We've been waiting for this to happen," Nikolai Kamanin, then-head of the Soviet cosmonaut corps, wrote in a diary entry describing the first two Soyuz missions (as quoted by historian Asif Siddiqi in his 2000 book, "Challenge to Apollo"). "Today and tomorrow will see launches on which the immediate future of our space program will hinge." Almost immediately though, flight controllers knew that the missions would not go as planned. Upon separating from its booster, the Kosmos 133 spacecraft's main orientation engine system lost pressure in its fuel tanks. "Within less than 15 minutes, all or most of the propellant in the system had been used up, sending the spacecraft into a slow rotation of two revolutions per minute," Siddiqi wrote. "Given the engines were indispensable for attitude control during approach and docking, there was little hope of carrying out a docking with a second Soyuz." The second Soyuz launch was called off (it would later fail to reach space during a launch attempt on Dec. 14, 1966, which ended with its escape system pulling the uncrewed capsule to a safe landing away from the pad), and attention turned to bringing Kosmos 133 back to Earth. "The ballistic team quickly predicted that without additional maneuvers, the mission's orbit would decay [deorbit] after 39 orbits," wrote Anatoly Zak with RussianSpaceWeb.com. "It was now important to take the spacecraft under control as soon as possible." Devising alternate methods of control, the flight managers attempted to use the vehicle's smaller thrusters to stabilize the spacecraft as the main engine performed short burns, instead of executing a 100-second firing under the nominal plan. These brief burns also ran into issues, though, cutting off early and placing the vehicle into the wrong orientation. "The Soyuz apparently came close to deorbiting during the 33rd orbit on Nov. 30 ... but again, the engine burn was apparently cut short before completing the braking," wrote Zak. "Finally, the spacecraft plunged into the atmosphere during the 34th orbit of the mission." The spacecraft's propulsion and orbital modules separated from the descent capsule as was planned, but then flight controllers then lost track of the plunging vehicle. "Later, the State Commission ascertained that the descent trajectory had been too flat, and the capsule had begun to overshoot Soviet territory and head toward China," Siddiqi said. "The self-destruct system, consisting of 23 kilograms [50 pounds] of TNT, exploded automatically and destroyed the capsule." Soyuz MS-03 is seen docked to the International Space Station as it orbits over the Middle East at night on Nov. 27, 2016. (Image credit: ESA/Thomas Pesquet via Twitter) "Debris apparently rained down on the Pacific Ocean, east of the Mariana Islands," he wrote. The one day and 21 hour Kosmos 133 mission was not a complete failure, as the data collected during the flight led to improvements to the Soyuz spacecraft. [Space Travel: Danger at Every Phase (Infographic)] After the second flight's launch failure the following month, three more uncrewed missions of the new spacecraft were launched in 1967 under the Kosmos title (two successes and one failure), prior to Soyuz 1 lifting off with cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov on April 23, 1967. Tragically, the Soyuz 1 mission ended with the first in-flight fatality in spaceflight history, after a parachute failure led to the descent capsule slamming into the ground. The Soyuz returned to manned flight in October 1968, suffering only one more loss of crew on the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971 and an in-flight abort aboard Soyuz 18A (or Soyuz 18-1) in 1975. To date, half a century after its first flight, Soyuz spacecraft have flown with 130 crews, flying Russian cosmonauts to Earth orbit and on missions to the Salyut and Mir space stations. The spacecraft comprised one-half of the world's first international mission, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, in 1975, and since October 2000, has been ferrying crews to the International Space Station. Now its fourth generation, the Soyuz is slated to continue serving the Russian space program until the introduction of the Federatsiya ("Federation") crewed transport spacecraft targeted for 2023. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2016 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. For a generation, the Hubble Space Telescope has been exposing the universe's deepest, darkest secrets. From imaging the volcanoes of Jupiter's moon Io, to watching the dramatic breakup of comets, imaging baby galaxies, and helping to nail down the universe's age, its data has been instrumental in today's understanding of the cosmos near and far. But it's an old telescope, unmaintained since the last space shuttle mission visited in 2009. While the observatory is in excellent health today, it's expected to stop collecting data sometime in the 2020s. What will we lose when the telescope finally dies? NASA is quick to point out that the James Webb Space Telescope, expected to launch in 2018, will enhance Hubble's capabilities in many ways. But for the telescope's higher resolution and ability to peer back to the very early days of the universe, there is one key thing it doesn't have: ultraviolet capabilities. (It also will lack some of Hubble's fine spectral resolution, and ability to observe a special spectral line called H-alpha that is useful for nebulae and stars.) Astronomers are being urged to submit as many UV proposals to Hubble as possible because once it dies, there are no immediate plans to launch a successor. (Astronomers could then pull from the archive as needed in future decades.) Earth's atmosphere filters out UV, which is great for protecting life, but bad for UV astronomy, so it needs to be done from space. Astronomers say they don't think another UV telescope will fly until the 2030s, at the earliest. RELATED: Our Universe Has 10-20 Times More Galaxies Than Thought "For example, one of the big topics that we're going to look at in star and planet formation is the accretion of gas on to young, newly forming stars or planets," said Adam Kraus, an astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin. He explained that as gas falls on to budding stars and planets, they radiate most of their energy in the blue and ultraviolet wavelengths. Webb won't be able to see this as Hubble does, he told Seeker. The James Webb Space Telescope (pictured here during a mirror inspection) will enhance Hubble's observations in many areas, but it lacks in ultraviolet capabilities. (Image credit: NASA/MSFC/David Higginbotham) NASA's Jane Rigby, the deputy project scientist for Webb's operations, points out that the new telescope is designed to do science that Hubble can't. Webb has seven times more collecting area and also works at near absolute zero (the coldest temperature possible). Hubble works at room temperature, so it can't see as well in the infrared. Webb will see into dusty places where stars are forming, or galaxies that have been deeply "redshifted" (with spectral lines moving towards the red end of the spectrum) due to cosmic expansion. Luckily for astronomers, it's expected that Hubble's and Webb's time in space will overlap. Hubble has a rich archive of observations that Webb could spend time looking at, including the famous "deep fields" of young galaxies. This type of work will be Webb's "bread and butter", Rigby said. There's also the potential to make stereoscopic or "3D" images of several objects, since Hubble (in low Earth orbit) will be a million miles away from Webb, further out in space. At the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which manages Hubble observations, some astronomers suggest images could be taken of nearby objects. RELATED: Hubble at 25: Brief History of the Hubble Space Telescope "You could see Saturn's rings sticking out of the page, Mars looking like a globe, or Jupiter and its moons moving," Joel Green, a project scientist at STScI, told Seeker. "There's a few scientific reasons, too. You might want to look at how cloud structures change in 3D, or how an impact happens in 3D." Another possibility, he added, would be looking at a star explosion (or supernova) and from the distance between the telescopes, finding out where the explosion is coming from and examining certain features of the explosion. Hubble's ultraviolet capabilities are not replicated in any telescope now, or in the near future. Here, possible water plumes on Europa (disclosed earlier this year) are imaged using Hubble's ultraviolet filters. (Image credit: NASA/ESA/W. Sparks (STScI)/USGS Astrogeology Science Center) Other observatories are planned after Webb. One is the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), which would use Hubble-class hardware that has a wider field of view. Its specialty would be dark energy and exoplanets. Another is the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which would look at planets passing in front of the brightest stars in our sky. These likely would get going in the 2020s, if funding for the missions is fully approved. But the next generation is still being worked out. NASA draws heavily from the National Science Foundation's Decadal Survey when planning its missions. Right now, proposals are being formulated to present to members of the next decadal survey, which will be released in 2020. RELATED: For NASA's Hubble Successor, Failure Isn't an Option This will be the battleground for where UV astronomy is determined for the near future. NASA is planning to do up to four mission concept studies to present for the 2020 Decadal Survey, including a mission called the Large Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR). As the name implies, it's supposed to be capable of observing in several wavelengths. If it flies, it would examine protoplanetary disks, look for and image black holes, map the Milky Way and even look at nearby exoplanet atmospheres for signs of habitability. But it is competing against several other mission concepts, including one focused on infrared (Far-IR Surveyor), one for X-rays (X-ray surveyor) and a more modest UV and optical observer called HabEx. HabEx may use a special, separate shield to filter out a star's light for direct planet observations, which would be a first in astronomy. An artist's concept of the Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission, which is still on the drawing board and not approved for funding. This is a possible successor to some of Hubble's capabilities, on top of the current James Webb Space Telescope. (Image credit: JPL/NASA) "We're very hopeful that the national community in 2020 will fund one of these things and go forward," said Karl Stapelfeldt, the chief scientist of NASA's exoplanet science program. The aim is not only to be able to look at Earth-like planets around nearby stars, he said, but to study the rest of the universe as well. There are other UV telescopes being proposed, such as Advanced Technology Large Aperture Space Telescope or ATLAST (which was considered in the last decadal survey) and the High Definition Space Telescope (HDST). This makes for a dizzying array of options and ideas for anybody trying to think ahead for the next generation of space telescopes. While this is all being discussed, however, Webb is getting ready for launch. NASA's Rigby said she is greatly looking forward to the science that the telescope will provide. "When you look the way Webb is designed, it is building on the legacy of Hubble," she said. "It's very much being built to do the things Hubble can't, because the things Hubble can do it's done so exquisitely... it's optimized in a totally different direction from Hubble, because Hubble has given us a legacy over 25 years within the range of its capabilities." Originally published on Seeker. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service. To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Nov. 29 (CNA) Two women were injured Tuesday when an unidentified man attacked them with his fists at Jiantan Station in the Taipei MRT system, emergency workers said. The two women, one 18 and the other 50, were rushed to hospital with knee and facial injuries, respectively, Taipei firefighters said. Ten steps May can take to shape a better future Expand the Armed Forces Scrap HS2 Open new grammar schools Cut tax Build on brownfield sites Reduce the size of the state Keep removing the welfare safety net Get the police back to policing Get immigration numbers under control Face reality on the NHS 17 July 2016The TelegraphUnder David Cameron the Conservative Party treated its members like an occasionally tiresome domestic pet . Because of this, hundreds of thousands of them left. The 150,000 who stayed had looked forward to voting for a new leader, a treat denied them after Andrea Leadsoms evaporation last Monday I dont doubt that Tories will unite behind Mrs May and, with Labour heading for the hospice, she will lead them to victory in 2020. However, the degree of enthusiasm and success with which she does this depends on her ability to connect with her partys natural supporters. They have been marginalised and disregarded for too long: and Labours fate should serve as a warning to her about what can go wrong if such contempt continues.If she wants to secure her position, and transform Britain for the better in the process, it is not especially in the absence of an effective opposition too difficult to do. Brexit is the obvious priority, and David Davis is a good choice to mastermind that. But there are other policies she should pursue: and, being a helpful sort, I outline 10 of them here.Our security is fundamental to our nation and the preservation of our way of life. Our Armed Forces are brave, loyal, dedicated and dangerously underfunded. They are too small to protect us against potential enemies or to allow us to participate properly in Nato. We are intensely vulnerable, especially to the malevolent Vladimir Putin but also, as the Nice outrage has just shown, to Islamic extremism. Mrs May must order the expansion of all three services. If she must persist with the grandstanding and wasteful overseas aid budget (and she should not), a substantial proportion should be directed to extra troops to be deployed as peacekeepers in eastern Europe.The plan for a high-speed railway from London to Birmingham and further north , carving up numerous Tory constituencies, must be scrapped. Some of the billions earmarked for it should be used to improve existing railways, re-open closed ones and provide better infrastructure in economically depressed areas. The original idea, based on the entirely false premise that people dont work on trains, has been discredited: it makes no sense to carry on.The over-subscription of grammar schools makes a powerful case to open new ones. They improve social mobility and opportunity for the less advantaged, helping them to reach the best universities. The re-incorporation of higher education in the Department of Education is long overdue, and will facilitate this strategy. By opening such a school in every town, everywhere would be a catchment area. There should be the opportunity for bright pupils in non-selective schools to join at the ages of 14 and 16, and for non-selective schools to specialise in and improve technical and vocational teaching for the less academic.To encourage enterprise and reduce unemployment still further, corporation tax should fall, the top rate of tax should be cut to 40p and the thresholds at which both the basic and higher rates of income tax are paid should be raised. The new Chancellor should also find a new Governor for the Bank of England, as the present incumbent, in his determination to be proved right about the dangers of Brexit, keeps talking the country down. Lower rates of VAT and corporation tax should be introduced for businesses in depressed areas which should become enterprise zones to encourage start-ups. Such zones should also be targeted for new selective schools and better vocational and technical schools.The Government should tax undeveloped brownfield sites and other derelict land to encourage the building of much-needed new housing while protecting the green belt.Although many tax cuts would be self-funding through the stimulation of economic activity and growth, they should also be funded by further cuts to the size of the state. This should start with a rationalisation of central and local government and a cut in their payrolls. Sajid Javid, the new Communities Secretary, has the business experience to impose the disciplines of the private sector on the public, which is what is required, and a similar programme is needed in Whitehall.Welfare reform must continue, supplemented by the improved education provision and enterprise strategy to ensure more jobs are created to help people out of poverty. A workfare programme should be introduced to ensure that no one capable of work is idle, and does not draw the dole long-term. The idea of welfare as a safety net for those incapable of work or in serious need for reasons of health or age is the target the Government must pursue.Amber Rudd, the new Home Secretary, must improve waning confidence in the police. The election of police commissioners has done nothing to help this and they should be scrapped. Chief constables must be reminded that their first priority is to protect the public against serious crime and to catch the criminals who commit it, and not to engage in political stunts.Miss Rudd must control non-EU immigration, which alone exceeded the previous prime ministers overall target. This entails a proper border control force, especially along our coasts, and undertaking systematic deportations of those here illegally.The NHS remains in crisis and, because of the ageing population, will require increasing investment. We must train more doctors; we urgently need a strategic plan for care of the elderly; we must review what the NHS provides free at point of use, to eliminate many cosmetic and non-essential treatments; and in an increasingly affluent society, we must allow tax relief on private healthcare, to encourage people to stop using an NHS that has exhausted its capacity.Sentimentalists have said David Cameron ran a good government. He didnt. It was a clique of grandstanding nonentities who mostly relied on rhetoric rather than action and whose few achievements were largely accidental such as taking Britain out of the EU. Mrs May has made a determinedly fresh start with personalities. Now she must do the same with policies. Paris, November 29, 2016 (SPS) - France supports the search for a "just, lasting and mutually agreed" solution to Western Sahara conflict, reaffirmed on Tuesday the French foreign ministry spokesperson. "The position of France about this issue is known and constant. France supports the search for a just, lasting and mutually agreed solution, under the aegis of the United Nations and in compliance with the Security Council resolutions," spokesman Romain Nadal told an online news conference. To a question on the reception of a Sahrawi human rights defenders delegation at the French Foreign Ministry, as reported Monday by APS, the spokesman said that representatives of associations held discussion on Western Sahara at the Quai dOrsay. "At their request, representatives of associations held discussions on 23 November with the Foreign Ministrys competent services about the issue of Western Sahara," he said. Those discussions are "part of the regular dialogue conducted by the French diplomacy with the civil society in all its diversity." Monday, Sahrawi sources in Paris told APS that Sahrawi activists have been received by officials in charge of North Africa, Human Rights, Freedom of expression and of press, as well as the relations with UN. During the meetings at the Quai dOrsay, the Sahrawi activists broached the human rights situation in the territories occupied by Morocco.SPS 125/090/700 Thumbs up to Haydee de la Rivera celebrating the 50th anniversary of her Hope Street salon, Haydee Coiffures. Her salons survival is a reflection of her own resiliency, as she emigrated from Chile and arrived in Stamford without acquaintances or English-speaking skills. Nevertheless, she learned her trade at other shops before opening her own at 34. Today, she and her shop are a Springdale staple. Thumbs up to the turnout of companies expressing interest in managing Stamford school buildings. The pre-bidding tour drew 10 companies to compete with embattled AFB Construction, which has managed the buildings since 2000. We wish we had seen this many candidates for this years Board of Education election. Thumbs down to figures released this month showing that suicide is now the leading cause of death for children 10 to 14 years old, surpassing motor vehicle crashes for the first time. From 2007 to 2014, the rate of suicides in that age group has doubled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cyberbullying contributes to the problem and a shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists makes consistent mental health care a challenge. School-based programs, such as the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in School introduced in nine Stamford schools last year, can help students with coping strategies and provide support. Thumbs up to the latest federal report released this month which shows homelessness in Connecticut has decreased by 9.6 percent since 2010. The decline is no accident as efforts have been coordinated to first house veterans and then tackle the chronic homeless population. Even as the trend appears promising, officials are concerned that the new administration in Washington could reduce housing subsidies that are vital for reaching the goal to end chronic homelessness in this state. Thumbs up to the many organizations, businesses and individuals throughout the area who generously donated goods and volunteered their time to ensure a nourishing Thanksgiving for as many as possible. Ernie and Martha Dumas of Norwalk are an extraordinary example for 20 years they have hosted a community Thanksgiving dinner which has grown to serve about 300 diners at the South Norwalk Community Center. We are all blessed that the spirit of giving will continue in the holiday season with toy, clothing and food drives and other ways to help each other. Thumbs up to Jessica Brocksom, a fifth-grader from Milford, on her election as kid governor of Connecticut. About 4,400 fifth-graders from 45 cities and towns in the state voted in the program created last year by the Connecticut Public Affairs Network to encourage interest in civics and government, an area that certainly needs attention. After her inauguration in January, Jessica will pursue her platform to promote humane treatment of animals. STAMFORD Two juveniles accused of robbing and shooting a 16-year-old during an apparent drug deal on the citys East Side have been charged as adults, police said. The boys, both 16, were arraigned Tuesday in private with their parents and guardians in attendance. Judge Auden Grogins then moved their cases to the Part A docket, where the most serious offenses in the area are adjudicated. The boys, whose names are not being released because of their age, have each been charged with first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. One of the boys, represented by defense attorney Philip Russell, is also being charged with first-degree assault and possession of a pistol without a permit. Russells client, a Stamford resident, has been accused of shooting the 17-year-old New Britain boy in the chest during the incident on Sunday afternoon. He is being held in lieu of a $100,000 court appearance bond. The police reported on Monday the shooting victim was in stable condition. After the arraignments, Russell declined to comment on the case, saying it was too early in the process to discuss the charges. Police said three boys drove to Stamford from New Britain Sunday afternoon looking to either sell or buy marijuana. The trio met up with the two defendants about 3 p.m. Sunday on Seaton Road. However, something went wrong during the deal and police said the Stamford boy shot one of the three teens in the car. The three drove off and called police when they reached East Main Street. The boys initially told police they were in Stamford to sell some valuable sneakers, but investigators soon they realized it was a drug deal. jnickerson@scni.com; Beluga whale deaths in Vancouver prompt call to end captivity Aurora, a 29-year-old white beluga whale, died on Friday just nine days after her calf Quila died of a similar illness.A necropsy found the mother likely died of a virus or toxin, but the cause of death is unknown.The facility's CEO said it's possible they were deliberately poisoned."We're waiting for more test results in hopes they will provide an explanation," said Aquarium CEO John Nightingale during a press conference. "Absolutely nothing is off the table."Aurora's 21-year-old calf Quila was the first whale born in captivity in Canada. Aurora began exhibiting symptoms days after her calf died.The aquarium conducted a necropsy on Saturday to determine the cause of death. The examination revealed Aurora had severe liver damage, but that the cause of death was impossible to determine."We have to assume their deaths are related," Mr Nightingale said.Beluga whales can live up to 40 years in captivity, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.The deaths have fuelled calls by animal rights activists to make keeping marine animals in captivity illegal.The Vancouver Humane Society said the aquarium is on the ''wrong side of history'' by continuing to keep marine animals in captivity.''There's no way the aquarium can replicate their natural environment,'' humane society spokesperson Peter Fricker told the BBC.Public opinion regarding whale captivity has turned, Mr Fricker said, since the documentary Blackfish, which was highly critical of the sea park industry.''The tide has turned against them, they are going to be on the wrong side of history if they continue to do this,'' he said.Vancouver Park Board chair Sarah Kirby-Yung said there should be a city-wide referendum on the issue."I have a lot of heart for both sides of the issue," Ms Kirby-Yung told the CBC."I think as an institution, they do incredible work. I also have to listen to Vancouverites, that's what I was elected to do, and there's a growing discomfort that people have with having cetaceans there."The aquarium has five other beluga whales in captivity, but Mr Nightingale said they won't take in any more until they can figure out what killed Aurora and Quila. Air Asia China & Australia on Sale Air Asia is offering promotion for flights to China and Australia. Fly from Kuala Lumpur, to Perth, Sydney, Chongqing, Chengdu, Beijing, Xian and many more other destinations from only RM189. This promotion is available for booking from now until 4 December 2016. Travel from now until 18 June 2017. Terms and conditions apply. Limited promo seats available, while stock last. **Terms and conditions apply** ~Click here for AirAsiaGo Package booking and Flight checking~ ~Complete Online Survey and Get Paid in CASH~ Air Asia Asias leading airline was established with the dream of making flying possible for everyone. Since 2001, AirAsia has swiftly broken travel norms around the globe and has risen to become the worlds best. With a route network that spans through to over 20 countries, AirAsia continues to pave the way for low-cost aviation through our innovative solutions, efficient processes and a passionate approach to business. Together with Air Asia associate companies, AirAsia X, Thai AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia Inc and AirAsia Japan, AirAsia is set to take low-cost flying to an all new high with belief, Now Everyone Can Fly. Other Ongoing FREE Samples Giveaway M ercer is a pensions and employee benefits specialist that last year bought Kepler, an executive pay consultancy. Last week, it published its evidence to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee inquiry into corporate governance, in which it said executive pay had stabilised since the coalition governments Vince Cable insisted that shareholders should have a non-binding vote on pay packages. It also said that further regulation is not the solution to addressing remaining concerns over executive pay. Instead, it suggested, the focus should be on improving corporate culture, encouraging the promotion of internal candidates for the top jobs in companies and shining more light on shareholders voting behaviour. Simon Walker has just left the Institute of Directors, where he had been director general for the past five years. Before that, he ran the trade body for venture capital and private equity, and before that he worked in communications for British Airways, Reuters and the Royal Household. He also did a stint in Downing Street under John Major. He may not own a remuneration consultancy but he has been around the block and knows how companies work. Last night, Walker gave a speech at a memorial lecture organised by the High Pay Centre for Lord (Bob) Gavron, founder of printing company St Ives, in which he shone his torch on the executive pay landscape. Unlike Mercer, he was less convinced that everything was working well. Walker does not think Cables reforms have had much effect because companies are still not responding in the right spirit. He says that it is time shareholder votes were made binding, not advisory in other words, more legislation. He may be pushing on an open door because the Government also has an interest. Today should see the publication of the Green Paper on corporate governance that has resulted from the Prime Ministers clearly expressed concerns that the system is not working as it should. Pay and suggestions on how executive rewards might be better scrutinised and controlled were expected to figure prominently. The US journalist Upton Sinclair once said it was impossible to get a man to believe something when his livelihood depended on his believing the opposite. Thus we should not be surprised that remuneration consultants like Mercer think the pay system is working well. But it is stretching a point to say that pay has stabilised. Some measures give this answer but others do not. Walker casts light on this. In 2012, Lord Gavron gave a speech in the House of Lords in which he complained that executive pay was out of hand because the typical FTSE 100 boss earned 50 times what the average employee got. Things have moved on apace since then. The ratio of executive pay to average earnings in 2014 was 148 to one but in 2015, it was 147 to one which does denote some form of levelling-off for those who want to believe that. However, the average pay of a top executive went from 4.9 million to 5.5 million while the median went from 3.9 million to 4 million. This suggests most executives had modest gains if an additional 100,000 a year can be considered modest at a time when the rest of the country was getting next to nothing but for some at the top end, it was clearly Christmas every day. Walkers bigger point, though, is that there is no need to pay these people that much. He is all for largesse to be heaped on entrepreneurs who take risks to create and build businesses, but executives rarely fall into this camp. They are much more akin to civil servants with share options talented people who may be good administrators and managers but are not often selected for their risk-taking skills, and certainly do not put their personal wealth on the line. Walker also asks two telling questions. Are todays executives vastly more talented than those of 20 years ago, who were much more modestly rewarded? And would they do a significantly worse job if they were paid just half as much? Mercer sheds light on the second point when making the case that companies should be more willing to promote internal candidates than go shopping outside. Indeed, it says its own research shows internal appointments are not only on average 28% cheaper but also deliver better results. It adds that in FTSE 100 companies since 2006, internal appointees have delivered an average 10.8% a year median return while external ones have managed only 8.1%. The problem is that run-of-the-mill directors get besotted by superstars. First, says Walker, boards are suckers for easy answers and keep believing they will be able to find some miracle worker out there who can sprinkle fairy dust and transform even the most rundown business into a world-beater. Second, the other directors rather like the status of being the best payer around it makes them feel important too. Despite Mercers complacency, things cannot go on like this. It is significant in the discussions about leaving the European Union that the Government is not listening to what business wants even if business is still too lost in its own world to realise this. Part of the reason is that its pay policies have stripped it of credibility in the country and among politicians. Unless business understands this, and acts to show hugely more self-restraint, there is no prospect of improvement. Walker ends with a blunt warning: pay is likely to be the litmus test of relations with Government over what promise to be a bumpy few years. C ranswick is doubling the amount of pigs in blankets it is making this year to 40 million, the food producer said on Tuesday, ahead of a surge in Christmas orders from London customers. Chief executive Adam Couch told the Standard that the firm is growing market share as a supplier of festive products to the capital. We are providing turkey to Pret a Manger for its sandwiches, as well as seeing more work from chains such as Itsu and Wahaca as they grow. His comments came as the firm served up strong first-half figures, with sales up 15.9% to 580.8 million. Pre-tax profit rose to 40.4 million from 29.2 million. The company said that the price of buying pork has increased sharply during the period, but analysts said these price rises would probably be passed on. Cranswick has been on the acquisition trail. It bought Northern Irish pork processor Dunbia Ballymena this month while Crown Chicken, which was snapped up in April for 40 million, made a strong contribution to performance. Shares in the firm jumped 81.32p to 2366.32p. T he owner of cakes chain Patisserie Valerie is looking forward to a flood of US tourists coming to Britain next summer to capitalise on the pounds plunge, its chairman said today. Because of the weak pound, next summer will be terrific for inbound tourism from America, Patisserie Holdings Luke Johnson said. People plan holidays some way in advance so bookings for next summer are surely going to be good and we have a lot of sites in tourist destinations. However, he also flagged potential risks, including uncertain economic conditions created by Brexit. Ingredient prices have begun to increase because of sterlings fall, but Johnson said prices should remain competitive and margins stable thanks to contracts with suppliers to buy goods such as strawberries at an agreed price some of which exist until 2018. The company, which also includes the Philpotts and Baker & Spice brands, also said it had managed to mitigate the rise in the National Living Wage by rescheduling staff hours and reducing the number of part-time workers in favour of more full-time employees. It managed to mitigate almost all of the 500,000 rise in its wage bill in the year to September 30, it added. Revenue was up 13.3% in the period at 104.1 million, and pre-tax profits jumped 18% to 17.2 million. The dividend was up 20% at 2p. O il major Shell is mulling plans to sell its oilfield interests in Iraq as part of its slimdown plan. The Anglo-Dutch company, the worlds top supplier of liquefied natural gas after its BG takeover, wants to shed $30 billion of assets amid a slump in the oil price. Its minority stakes in two Iraqi oilfields are reportedly on the block but it plans to keep its gas interests in the country. Despite Iraq ramping up oil production to become the second-largest producing member in Opec behind Saudi Arabia, Shell has enjoyed limited exposure to the gulf states output. It owns a 45% stake in an oilfield in Basra with the Iraqi government and Malaysias Petronas owning the rest. It also owns a stake in the West Qurna 1 field. Shares in the FTSE 100 giant dropped by 1.36% today, 27p to 1962p. Shell, along with other big UK oil major BP, has suffered from the drastic drop in the oil price, which has led to spending cutbacks and moves away from oil. Opec, the group of oil-producing nations, is due to meet tomorrow to thrash out its contentious plan to cut production and reduce a glut of oil to help stimulate prices. Saudi Arabia and Iraq have agreed to cut production. However, the third big player, Iran, wants an exemption from the Opec plan. N ext Sunday Italians vote in a referendum which might appear to be on abstruse constitutional matter. But the consequences of a no vote against the proposals by Prime Minister Matteo Renzis government could be of such consequence that it could make Brexit look like a footnote. The referendum proposes to adjust the powers of the Senate, the upper house of the Italian parliament. It has just over half the seats of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, but roughly equal powers. That is the problem. It can introduce legislation and block laws coming up from the Chamber. Because the system of electing senators is slightly different, you can have the government with the majority in the lower house struggling to get a majority in the upper chamber. Renzi wants to reduce the powers of the Senate so that it becomes the revising chamber it was always meant to be. However, as with other referendums this year, the issue is wider and deeper than the question on the ballot paper. It has become a vote of confidence in the Renzi government altogether. Taking a leaf from the David Cameron book at the initiation of the Brexit campaign, Renzi said he would quit if his referendum proposals didnt get approved. He has slightly rowed back on this but the damage has been done. Many Italians are treating this as a beauty contest and want to vote down Renzi , in frustration at Italys woes. The background to their sense of rage is obvious. Italy has huge public debts and youth unemployment is about the highest in Europe, bar Greece. Since August a string of earthquakes has caused damage across the central spine of the Apennines while the bills are still coming in for previous earthquakes in Abruzzo, Assisi and Modena. The continuing flow of migrants from North Africa more than 150,000 this year again is another burden. Italy has asked the EU for special dispensation to borrow more to cope with these extraordinary difficulties. But Brussels hasnt been in listening mode. But the most gravest element of the crisis is the state of many Italian banks. This is the main source of anger for many voters. Too many have become zombie banks that neither borrow or lend as they would like to because of eurozone rules. Savings have been frozen or lost. This week the oldest merchant bank in Europe, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, sought a 5 billion recapitalisation, having written off just under 3 billion in bad investments. A no vote would shake confidence further but looking at the odd collection of political groups ganging up on Renzi, something worse could be in prospect. Most articulate is the anti-political 5-Star movement of satirist Beppe Grillo, which argues for Italy to quit the EU. It is now allied with the separatist Northern League and Silvio Berlusconis Liberty group, who just seem to want to go back to the bad old days. Renzi has achieved much, with foreign investment rising markedly over the past two years. Yet again, as in UK and the Netherlands, a referendum is being used as an alternative general election in which the opposition states what it doesnt like yet is sketchy about what it actually proposes. A no vote on Sunday threatens far more than Brexit. One of the founder members of the European Union leaving the EU would risk breaking the project itself in turn a piece of political seismology that would affect us all. T he Chancellors Autumn Statement was hardly a bonanza but it did include 3.15 billion of funding for 90,000 new affordable homes in London. The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, will outline how that will be spent today. Meanwhile, his housing team has issued planning guidance for future development and it has caused a rumpus in the London Assembly, since it appears that developers will be given favourable treatment if their schemes include only 35 per cent affordable housing rather than the half that the Mayor originally said he wanted. Tory housing spokesman Andrew Boff suggested that the Mayor is reneging on his commitment: This has become a long-term aspiration. Certainly, Mr Khan was at best overly optimistic during his mayoral campaign in committing to a 50 per cent target for the affordable element of new projects; he will have been aware that this would require the support and co-operation of property developers. For them, 50 per cent was too much. But Mr Khan is nothing if not pragmatic; he is going for the best deal in the circumstances and the Chancellors gift will help. He is right to do this. Voters will simply be warier of future mayoral pledges. But we shall have to see what happens in the building of more affordable and, importantly, social housing. It seems that of the Chancellors grant, around 60,000 homes will be a mix of London Living Rent schemes where rent is a third of the average local household income as well as shared ownership, and around 29,000 will be for councils affordable rent housing with a benchmark of 153 per week, excluding service charge, for a two-bed home. This mixed model is the right way to go for London. Too much fuss over cake The fuss about a memorandum on Brexit revealed in a carelessly displayed notebook by a Tory aide is not quite borne out by the content. It seems the model for the negotiations is as Boris Johnson observed as mayor: I am pro having cake and pro eating it. So, Britain wants as much as possible in the way of free trade in goods and services without conceding the free movement of people, the sticking point for the EU. As for the note that a deal for manufacturing is easier than for services, we knew that. Theres little appetite for a transitional arrangement. Of course the Governments position is still in the making. But there is nothing to stop it exploring the options with other EU members, as Theresa May did yesterday with the Polish Prime Minister, so long as these talks are not described as bilateral negotiations. The real test will come when British proposals are thrashed out with the official EU negotiating team. But it would be a mistake to think of the EU as a monolithic bloc. As the Polish meeting made clear, some EU members are well disposed towards Britain; there is clear Eurosceptic sentiment in core EU states, as the referendum in Italy and election campaigning in France and Austria show. A deal which is mutually beneficial rather than punitive is not yet off the cards. The power of youth Young people have a vital role to play in harnessing Londons progressive spirit: they are its future leaders, yet many feel their concerns are not given a sufficient hearing. That is why the Standard is bringing young Londoners together at an event in January at the Roundhouse, to give them an opportunity to debate the big issues, and come up with possible solutions. They will be joined by leading tech innovators, politicians, entrepreneurs and arts stars. Our Young Progress Makers day is to inform, inspire and entertain the brilliant young people who attend and we in turn will do justice to them. With one of the biggest fashion shows of the year set to take place in Paris this week, the Victoria's Secret models have landed and have already begun posing in front of the city's most iconic landmarks. Rising early this morning for a photocall, Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Alessandra Ambrosio and Elsa Hosk showed off their modelling credentials as they were photographed at sunrise in front of the Eiffel Tower. The early photoshoot follows on from another shoot late last night, which saw the full cast of 2016 Victoria's Secret fashion show models pose together in the brand uniform of black vests and bomber jackets emblazoned with the Victoria's Secret logo. One of the most highly sought-after fashion gigs of the year as a model, this year's cast includes previous VS walkers Devon Windsor, Sara Sampaio, Lily Donaldson, Joan Smalls, Taylor Hill, Stella Maxwell, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, who are joined by newcomers Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk and Camille Rowe. Joining the girls on the runway this year for the annual musical performances are Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd. Two Victoria's Secret models who will be notably missing from this year's show are Candice Swanepoel and Behati Prinsloo - who have both walked every show since 2007 - as both have recently become new mothers. Keep an eye on standard/fashion next week for more Victoria's Secret news and pictures straight from the runway Victoria's Secret fashion show: 2016 models 1 /70 Victoria's Secret fashion show: 2016 models Kendall Jenner Age: 20 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Adriana Lima Age: 35 First VS show walk: 1999 No. of VS shows walked: 14 Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Gigi Hadid Age: 21 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Brooke Perry Age: 24 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 instagram/brookeperry92 Lily Aldridge Age: 30 First VS show walk: 2009 No. of VS shows walked: 6 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Bella Hadid Age: 20 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Izabel Goulart Age: 32 First VS show walk: 2005 No. of VS shows walked: 11 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Camille Rowe Age: 26 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Ben Gabbe/Getty Images Devon Windsor Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Leomie Anderson Age: 23 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Ming Xi Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Sara Sampaio Age: 25 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Luma Grothe Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Stella Maxwell Age: 25 First VS show walk: 2014 No. of VS shows walked: 2 Getty Images Irina Shayk Age: 30 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Josephine Skriver Age: 23 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Elsa Hosk Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2011 No. of VS shows walked: 5 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Kate Grigorieva Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2014 No. of VS shows walked: 2 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Bridget Malcolm Age: 24 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Taylor Hill Age: 20 First VS show walk: 2014 No. of VS shows walked: 2 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Megan Williams Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images Rachel Hilbert Age: 21 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Vita Sidorkina Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Sui He Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2011 No. of VS shows walked: 5 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Herieth Paul Age: 20 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Liu Wen Age: 28 First VS show walk: 2009 No. of VS shows walked: 4 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Alanna Arrington Age: 17 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Maggie Laine Age: 19 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 instagram/maggievlaine Joan Smalls Age: 28 First VS show walk: 2011 No. of VS shows walked: 5 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Zuri Tibby Age: 21 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images Martha Hunt Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Dilone Age: 21 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images Constance Jablonski Age: 25 First VS show walk: 2010 No. of VS shows walked: 6 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Valery Kaufman Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Lameka Fox Age: 18 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Mireya Acierto/Getty Images Lily Donaldson Age: 29 First VS show walk: 2010 No. of VS shows walked: 6 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Barbara Fialho Age: 28 First VS show walk: 2012 No. of VS shows walked: 4 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Alessandra Ambrosio Age: 35 First VS show walk: 2000 No. of VS shows walked: 15 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Sanne Vloet Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Flavia Lucini Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2015 No. of VS shows walked: 1 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Keke Lindgard Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Xiao Wen Ju Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Maria Borges Age: 24 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Cindy Bruna Age: 22 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 3 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Georgia Fowler Age: 24 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Lais Ribeiro Age: 25 First VS show walk: 2010 No. of VS shows walked: 5 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Jourdana Elizabeth First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images Daniela Braga Age: 24 First VS show walk: 2014 No. of VS shows walked: 2 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Kelly Gale Age: 21 First VS show walk: 2013 No. of VS shows walked: 2 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Lais Oliveira Age: 27 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Mike Coppola/Getty Images Romee Strijd Age: 21 First VS show walk: 2014 No. of VS shows walked: 2 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Jasmine Tookes Age: 25 First VS show walk: 2012 No. of VS shows walked: 4 Tristan Fewings/Getty Images Grace Elizabeth Age: 19 First VS show walk: 2016 No. of VS shows walked: 0 Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Follow Lifestyle on Facebook and on Twitter @ESLifeandStyle Review at a glance I n the summer of 1951, at the age of 25, Robert Rauschenberg produced a lot of White Paintings. He used domestic rollers and industrial paint, so there was no surface inflection, and divided each work into separate but abutted canvases. One of the White Paintings is included in his dramatically uneven, but in part magnificent, retrospective at Tate Modern. It looks like how you would imagine, given the description. Like very little. Some of the White Paintings were used as props in a performance put on by Rauschenbergs fellow students at Black Mountain College, the composer John Cage and dancer Merce Cunningham. The event has been described as the first Happening. When Cage later composed a piece consisting only of silence he said it was Rauschenbergs White Paintings that had inspired him, and he referred to their pristine surfaces as airports for lights, shadows and particles. All sorts of things are faintly interesting in the voluminous accounts of Rauschenbergs life: his deeds and sayings, and all the collaborations he involved himself in with his interesting friends, a bunch of avant-gardists as amazed at their every whimsical passing thought as he seems to have been at his. He put earth in boxes and called it art. He tied a pebble to a piece of wood and that was art, too. He got John Cage to drive a truck with one of its wheels covered in paint over sheets of paper glued together by Rauschenberg, and thus was created the elegant work Automobile Tire Print (1953). And he asked the Abstract Expressionist painter Willem de Kooning (who had a studio next to Rauschenberg in New York) to give him a drawing for free, on the understanding that he was going to rub it out. De Kooning kindly did and Rauschenberg then spent weeks laboriously erasing it, using many different kinds of rubbers, and exhibited it to great acclaim under the title, Erased de Kooning Drawing. Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York Where did this mentality come from, part philosophical, part goofy, which produced some of the greatest art of the 20th century Rauschenbergs Combines (combinations of paintings and sculptures), created over an eight-year period, 1954-1962, when he was in his thirties? Josef Albers, the painter and colour theorist who emigrated from Germany to America in 1933 escaping the Nazis taught young Rauschenberg principles of design. Albers ran courses at Black Mountain College in North Carolina which were exercises in objective looking. Rauschenberg learned to think about controlled opposites, different kinds of contrast and tension, how to objectively balance visual events so there is an effective unity. He was encouraged to use ordinary materials (string, twine, printed paper) not special artists materials, so the experiment was about knowledge not self-expression. Perhaps Rauschenberg had a sense of occasion, where the other students may have lacked it. In any case he had a knack for isolating visual experiments so they seemed significant. He painted his White Paintings while still at the college as well as a series of Black Paintings and Red Paintings. The Blacks were mostly newspapers soaked in black paint. The Reds had much more variety of surfaces. It was from out of the Reds that Rauschenberg evolved his Combines. In Monogram (1955-59) a stuffed goat stands on an abstract painting. The painting is square. Its geometric form is opposed by another fundamental form, the circle, provided by a car tyre surrounding the goat. Albers of course could never have foreseen anything like this: the carefully washed hair of the dead animal, the squirts and smears of oil paint on its face and horns, the broad white stroke of house paint on the black tyre, or the lively buzzing assembly of squiggles, strokes, news photos, capital letters, metal hinges, smudges and blobs on the canvas. Albers taught objectivity and Rauschenberg added vitality. The irreverence is lovely. There are about a dozen Combines in the show, each as inventive as the others umbrellas, parachutes, ladders, old socks, swatches of paint, circles, symbols, letters from home, light bulbs going on and off: everything buzzes with a disarming unpredictability. One complaint about these Olympian heights: a wall label says that earlier modernists used discarded materials but always to represent something whereas Rauschenberg was happy for his objects just to be themselves. Its quite untrue that he was the first in that. The collage-objects of the German artist Kurt Schwitters, which go back to before Rauschenberg was born, have exactly the same attitude about random meaning. (One is on show in Tate Modern at the moment and the organisers of the Rauschenberg event could have taken a look, but perhaps the place is so big now they feared getting lost.) Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York The true differences are Rauschenbergs large scale and willingness to follow up a variety of pictorial logics. He is often compared to the Abstract Expressionists, his father figures. They were tragic and deep while Rauschenberg was happy to call a painting Yoicks. The moody Mark Rothko showed you quivering voids Yoicks (1954) shows you jumping green dots. In the early Sixties Rauschenberg turned to painting using silk-screened photo imagery mostly culled from news magazines. These are famous sights in the history of art but although theyre iconic they are much lighter and breezier than the Combines, and they initiated a fatal casualness in Rauschenbergs career. For the next 50 years it can be fairly said that nothing much happened. He continued collaborating with friends, campaigned for artists resale rights and kept up his creative daffiness he created an enormous sculpture of bubbling mud, for example, which the Tate has lovingly reassembled. There were experiments in making cardboard boxes into wall sculptures; sculptures of squashed metal and semi-paintings employing broad expanses of silk and other light fabrics. Then, in the 1990s and 2000s, there was a return to something like the look of the early silk screens, this time on an immense scale, with Rauschenberg himself taking all the photos: apparently holiday snaps of an endless global tourist trip, from China to roadside sights in Fire Island, Florida, where he lived for many years. He died in 2008, a genial drunken old zany of 82. Hed been experimenting since 1948. (The earliest work in the show is a bit of printed fabric from that year, his first term with Albers, when he was 23.) But most if it it turns out is somewhat forgettable. The spirit of experiment, necessary to anything worthwhile in art, had long lost the essential accompanying elements of toughness and surprise. Robert Rauschenberg is at Tate Modern, SE1 from Thursday until April 2; tate.org.uk Visit standard.co.uk/arts for the latest news and reviews from Londons arts scene Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESgoingout Review at a glance M any years distant from their heyday, Bostons Pixies are doing their best to remain a going concern against the odds. First there was the departure in 2013 of bassist and founder member Kim Deal, long the soft-voiced antagonist to Black Franciss centre-stage screamer, who had already left the band once to play with The Breeders 20 years earlier. More recently, the promotional plan for the bands new album, Head Carrier, was upended by guitarist Joey Santiagos month in rehab for drug and alcohol problems. Santiago was back on form here, head down and concentrating to one side of the stage on the squalling riffs that made his band figureheads for the alternative rock boom. After some indecision, Deal has now been permanently replaced by Paz Lenchantin, who was more than capable of the pretty backing vocals that temper Franciss gibbers and barks. Lenchantin also sang lead on All I Think About Now, a new song whose languorous guitar line echoed one of their biggest songs, Where Is My Mind? Its lyrics were addressed directly to the woman she replaced, written by Francis, taking a tone of regret for the past and thankfulness for the things they achieved. So happiness reigns, which means a welcoming space in which to resurrect the screaming surrealism of Debaser and the animalistic howling of Caribou. Drummer David Lovering had his moment in the spotlight during the crooned oddity La La Love You, and the whole room was drowned in thick smoke for a literal interpretation of the closing B-side, Into The White. New recordings such as Classic Masher and Tenement Song were solid, noisy rockers without quite the sense of danger of old. But like the oldies, they were all short. Less-loved songs were soon supplanted as the band barrelled onwards towards a bright future. Nov 29 and December 6, O2 Academy Brixton, SW9 (0844 477 2000, o2academybrixton.co.uk) Follow Going Out on Facebook and on Twitter @ESGoingOut Bryan is a firefighter in Plattsmouth and instead of keeping the gift card after buying lunch for his family, he bought lunch for several families after them in line and bought two catering trays for a Halloween party at the fire station. He then gave the card to the manager of the restaurant so people who came in that day could also get a free meal. W ith only weeks to go before Donald Trump moves his rococo furniture into the White House, and Nigel Farage jetting back and forth to buoy him up, the Right is in the ascendant. Next year will bring a new world order, and with it a barrage of new words to decode. Here is the lexicon of the new Right. Alt-Right Not to be confused with the Right, this broad alliance wants to reclaim conservativism from the mainstream. The movement is popular with young people mainly white men and fights its battles online. Members of the alt-Right oppose immigration, multiculturalism and political correctness, and back Trump even though he has distanced himself from them. One of the first to use the term was Richard Spencer, an American white nationalist who founded the website Alternative Right. Spencer mistrusts Jewish people and wants to see people of European descent protected from other races through state-sponsored segregation... Alt-Reich ...so its hardly a surprise, then, that some quipsters have given this collective of angry internet crusaders a rebrand. Neo-populism A populist doctrine holds that the world is divided into two antagonist groups a corrupt ruling elite and the people and that a new politics is needed. The people are pitted against the establishment, and there is much derision of experts. Sound familiar? Trumps victory is the latest in a global wave of populist uprisings that transcend the Left/Right divide, from the Brexit vote to Momentum. Producerist Populism entails pitting members of the electorate against each other and producerism is one way to do this. It stipulates that those engaged in the production of wealth are of greater benefit to society than liberals with inherited wealth. See Trumps rhetoric of defending the white working class in opposition to an alliance of the liberal elite and parasitic immigrants. Trumps wealth is different because it makes him immune to the demands of those with special interests and free to look out for ordinary Americans. Libtard A liberal retard. The alt-Right doesnt care if such terms are politically incorrect. In fact, political correctness is for libtards. Riots break out after Donald Trump US wins Presidential Election 1 /14 Riots break out after Donald Trump US wins Presidential Election Protesters march on their way to Waterfront Park in Portland Jim Ryan/The Oregonian via AP Protesters in Minneapolis after Donald Trump's win Adam Bettcher/Reuters Protesters cross the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland Jim Ryan/The Oregonian via AP Protest: Anti-Trump activists gather in Portland Mark Graves/The Oregonian/OregonLive.com via AP A police officer looks on at protesters Steve Dipaola/Reuters Arrest: Police detain a demonstrator during a protest in Portland Steve Dipaola/Reuters Anti-Trump protest: A man looks at broken glass after a riot swept through the area Steve Dipaola/Reuters A driver's windshield was damaged after she drove in the area with protesters demonstrating against Tuesday's U.S. presidential election results Jim Ryan/The Oregonian via AP Oakland police officers dawn gas masks as tensions raise as demonstrators block streets before marching in protest against President-elect Donald Trump Peter Da Silva/EPA A demonstrator pleads others to stand back from the police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California following the election Stephen Lam/Reuters A masked demonstrator scuffles with police officers during a demonstration following the election of Donald Trump as President-elect Stephen Lam/Reuters Globalist Even the most diametrically opposed ideologies can meet in the middle. The Left is anti-globalisation when it allows capitalism to dominate unchecked, while the far Right is anti-globalisation when it means letting foreign influences dilute the power of nationalism. Trump refers to Hillary Clintons corrupt globalism while his chief strategist Stephen Bannon is engaged in an attack on the globalist elites with a damaging belief in open borders and cheap labour. Incidentally, Bannon is known as honey badger because of his relentlessness. Economic nationalism Often confused with racism but really, definitely, not the same thing. Bannon says this is about Americans looking to not get f***ed over: The globalists gutted the American working class and created a middle class in Asia. His remedy is a dose of economic nationalism. Fiscal conservatism Trump promised to slash taxes while spending more on infrastructure and the military, which has worried Republican law-makers theyre not known for being flash with the cash. Droopy When Nicolas Sarkozy was President he called Francois Fillon a loser, and the name stuck. But Droopy is now the favourite to win the French presidential election in May next year. Fillon, 62, isnt as hardline as Marine Le Pen but he is a social conservative who wants to ban adoption for gay couples and slash public spending. He is a defender of Russia and has been described as Thatcher and Reagan wrapped into one. That Obama creature What former Ukip leader-turned Trump hype man Nigel Farage calls the departing President of the United States. Neoreactionaries Also known as the Dark Enlightenment, this group wants to return to feudalism. They eschew feelings in favour of supposedly rational thought, traditional gender roles and neofascism. Nationalism A celebration of European civilisation. The politically correct Left has made white people feel guilty about their privilege but nationalism is about encouraging them to embrace who they are. It exists in opposition to multiculturalism but again, it isnt racist. Cuck Short for cuckservative, a portmanteau of conservative and cuckold describing people who call themselves Right-wing but are deemed to be selling out by, say, helping their Polish builder with his social housing application. The opposite is uncucked. Glorious The ultimate compliment. Trump is referred to as Our Glorious Leader. The alt-Right has appropriated the word from the Third Reich, where fields of glory was used by Nazis to describe the mass murder of Jews in the Second World War. Trump is also known as God Emperor. Follow Susannah Butter on Twitter: @susannahbutter T he voice of young London will be heard loud and clear when the Evening Standard brings together the best and the brightest for the first ever Young Progress Makers day. Designers, entrepreneurs, tech innovators and politicians will rub shoulders and swap ideas at the event in an effort to seek solutions to the challenges facing 18- to 25-year-olds in the capital. Among those taking part at the event at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm in January are comedian and actor Humza Arshad, whose homemade YouTube videos have won him millions of fans, artificial intelligence researcher Demis Hassabis, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, who set up the Good Chance theatre in the Jungle refugee camp in Calais, jewellery consultant and founder of In Detail Beanie Major and Roundhouse poet Anita Barton-Williams. Evening Standard editor Sarah Sands said: The Young Progress Makers day is a chance for our youth to solve the challenges of this city they may well do a better job than the rest of us. We reckon we can identify a sensibility for the capital entrepreneurial, optimistic, creative, socially responsible. The YPM day should be inspiring, fun and I hope will produce brilliant ideas that could become realistic policies. We intend to create a network from which jobs and friendships should flow. Last time we held a much smaller-scale forum such as this, a speaker came up with the idea of a Night Tube, which was taken up by Transport for London. We can improve London, and the YPM are the people to do it. Lastminute.com founder Brent Hoberman will take part / Matt Writtle Discussions will centre on the themes of power, possibility and performance. Among those leading the conversation will be Mayor Sadiq Khan, ex-Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and Kate Unsworth, whose firm Vinaya combines high-fashion jewellery and hi-tech design. Roundhouse chief executive and artistic director Marcus Davey said: There are so many talented young people in London who simply need opportunities and guidance to fulfil their potential. Inspiring and empowering the next generation of young Londoners is what the Roundhouse is all about. Were thrilled to be partnering with the Evening Standard on this event and excited to see the progress it will bring for young people in our great city. Beanie Major, founder of InDetail.com / Harry Cresswell Other big names include ex-No 10 adviser Steve Hilton, Brent Hoberman, co-founder of lastminute.com, Joanna Shields, a former Facebook and Google executive who now serves as minister for internet safety and security, and Secret Cinema founder Fabien Riggall. Businessman and philanthropist Lloyd Dorfman, chairman of The Office Group, which is headline sponsor of the event, said he wanted to bring Londons leaders of tomorrow together for a day of interaction and inspiration. He added: Young people living and working in London are in the greatest city in the world. There are huge opportunities, but a number of challenges too. We hope the Young Progress Makers acts as a catalyst for positive change, which makes a lasting difference to the lives of young Londoners. The event will be promoted at universities and colleges across the capital. Businesses will also be asked to come on board and pledge support for young Londoners and a Young Progress Makers manifesto will be produced. #ESYPM Full details of the programme will be published in early January. Key elements of the event on January 25 will be streamed live on Facebook. To buy tickets for the event go to: roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/2017/young-progress-makers/ I f freezing temperatures and dark days in London are getting you down, it might be time to start thinking about getting some winter sun. While there is plenty to look forward to during the Christmas period - from festive parties to December 25 itself - January will be coming around quicker than you realise. And this means youll want to book a trip to somewhere wildly exotic to keep you feeling cheery during one of the bleakest months of the year. You could head to buzzy Sri Lanka, where a tropical climate is supplemented by golden beaches, tea plantations and insta-worthy national parks. Or how about loud and unashamedly glitzy Dubai? Here, you can rub tanned shoulders with the luxury-loving jet set in a very pleasant 31C heat. If youre looking for something a little closer to home, Malta and Morocco offer year-round sunny skies with flight times of under four hours from London, meaning you could easily take a long, last-minute weekend away. From East to West, these are the places where you can forget all about the drizzly capital - where daytime temperatures are well above 23C, and youll never need to carry a jacket around with you, let alone an umbrella. So if youre staring out of the window and dreaming of swaying palm trees and lapping waves, here are 20 brilliant destinations that can sate your need for somewhere warmer and brighter in the coming months. Click through our gallery above to discover our edit. Follow us on Twitter: @eslifeandstyle A mother-of-two paralysed from the waist down in a hit-and-run crash said today she was living in hell and begged for help catching the driver responsible. Single mother Chanelle Higgins, 30, was left with life-changing injuries after being mown down outside a nightclub in south London. She said: What kind of evil person could run someone over and leave them for dead? Ms Higgins had been on a night out with a friend when a dark grey BMW 3 series mounted the pavement and sped towards them. CCTV footage released today shows Ms Higgins being carried along on its bonnet before being thrown to the ground following the impact near Scandals Night Club in West Norwood. Chanelle Higgins was left with life changing injuries Fit and bubbly Ms Higgins spent five months in hospital following the collision on May 29 this year, and is now confined to a wheelchair with only limited use of her upper body. Her friend, 29, escaped with minor injuries. She cannot look after her children on her own anymore, and, speaking publicly for the first time about the attack, said it was hell. She told the Standard: I dont want to be like this. I want to be back to myself. I have a carer all the time. It is not normal. I used to do things for myself and now I feel I am going backwards like a baby: feeding, washing, everything. CCTV caught the moment a driver ploughed into Chantelle Higgins, 30 and her friend outside a nightclub / Metropolitan Police I just want to know why. Why did they not stop? I honestly thought I was going to die. Ms Higgins had just left the nightclub at around 4.40am when the incident happened. She said: We came out of the club and were walking along the pavement. I just remember shouting and then the car hit. I spend hours and hours thinking about who did this to me. What type of person could run someone over and leave them for dead? What kind of evil person could do that? I just cant believe that the person is just living their life while Im going through hell. Its just not right. Ms Higgins, a single mother from Wandsworth, missed her sons 13th birthday because of her injuries, and said not being able to support her family - including her five-year-old daughter - was the most difficult part. Ms Higgins' friend suffered minor injuries in the hit-and-run crash I cant move my legs and I only have limited usage of my hands. I have spent five whole months lying in a hospital bed, missing my children and wondering what type of future I will be able to have. I used to be active, fit and bubbly. And so independent, I didnt have to rely on anyone. Now I need care 24 hours a day and due to my disability, I cant look after my children by myself and they have to stay with my family. This is what hurts the most. It has been so painful being away from them yet they are the only thing that keeps me going now. The car did not stop and carried on driving along the pavement for some distance before rejoining the road. Officers believe the driver may have been attempting to flee the scene of an altercation further along Norwood High Street immediately before the collision. Police found the car dumped in a residential street two weeks later. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder the same day. He was released on bail to return on a date in December pending further enquiries. Police today issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward. Ms Higgins, who was released from hospital a month ago, said: Please come forward and give any information however small or big. Just dont be scared. A lot of people are scared thinking it will come back to them, but it will help me. Police Constable Laura Travers, who is leading the investigation for Lambeth CID, said they needed to establish what led to the crash. She said: It has been very difficult for Chanelle to come forward. We are trying to get more clarity on what took place. This was a shocking incident. These two women were simply on a night out to see friends and now their lives have changed completely. From looking at the CCTV footage, there are clearly many people in the street who would have witnessed this incident and could provide vital information about what happened. I would urge anyone who can assist to have the confidence to come forward and speak to police. Anyone with information is asked to call PC Travers on 020 8649 2135 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. A Muslim convert is accused of breaking an Asbo by touring London preaching Sharia Law to members of the public, a court heard. Ricardo McFarlane, 29, allegedly set up street stalls and handed out leaflets to passersby arguing the virtues of Islamic rule. It is claimed he was breaking an anti-social behaviour order banning him from promoting Sharia Law in public and making unsolicited approaches to members of the public on the subject. McFarlane appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday accused of four breaches of the Asbo and one charge of possession of fake Spanish ID document. Wearing a dark coloured traditional Islamic robe and a green and black head scarf, McFarlane pleaded not guilty to all charges and insisted on standing up throughout the hearing. It is said he first set up stall in Enfield Town on March 24 where he allegedly "distributed unsolicited material and made unsolicited approaches to members of the public in order to promote Sharia Law". McFarlane was allegedly outside TopShop in Oxford Street the following day with a similar stall, and is said to have gone to Tooting Broadway Station on April 4 and Kingsland Road in Dalston on April 16. He allegedly handed out leaflets promoting Sharia Law to the public during all the demonstrations, and is accused of "causing harassment alarm and distress". McFarlane, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody until a hearing at Southwark crown court on December 27. P olice are warning women to stay alert after a spate of street sex attacks in north London. The female victims claim they were grabbed and sexually assaulted by strangers as they walked alone in Barnet. Five terrifying sex assaults including three which happened in the space of just over a week have been reported to police in recent months. Detectives believe some of the attacks, which happened in areas Mill Hill and Edgware, could be linked. On Thursday at 11.30pm a 23-year-old woman was attacked on Dollis Road, Mill Hill, by a man who sexually assaulted her from behind. Just two days later, at around 9.30pm on Saturday, a 22-year-old woman was grabbed by a stranger who sexually assaulted her on Bittacy Hill after she got off a train. Police are investigating and believe some of the assaults are linked. / Scotland Yard A woman, 52, was grabbed in a sex attack on September 23 at around 11.30pm on Tayside, before being let go. On Friday, October 28, a 22-year-old woman was attacked at the junction of Broadfields Avenue and Harrowed Mead in Edgware but screamed and managed to push the man away. Another attack happened on Sunday, November 20 when a woman, 38, was followed along Springwood Crescent before being attacked by the unknown man. She managed to break free and ran off towards Bushfield Crescent. Detectives believe the three Edgware attacks are linked, as are the two Mill Hill assaults. Detective Constable Dan Levy, from Barnet CID, said: "We would encourage people to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times. When walking alone, keep to well lit and busy areas where possible. If you feel uneasy about an individual or situation, trust your instincts and leave the area and head towards a public place such as a shop. "We would urge any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, either to police or to Crimestoppers anonymously. We would also appeal to any other victims to come forward and speak to police." Anyone with information should call Barnet CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. T wo men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing outside a branch of Primark in Romford. Two men, aged 41 and 40, were detained this morning, police said. The victim, 33, is in hospital with serious injuries described as potentially life-changing by police. The pair were arrested at an address in Romford and taken into custody at an east London police station. Stabbing: Passersby stop at the scene on Exchange Road / George Mark/Time 107.5 FM The man was allegedly stabbed in the neck in broad daylight outside a Primark branch in Romford on Monday. Emergency services including police, ambulances and a London Air Ambulance raced to Exchange Road in Romford at around 2.15pm after reports of a violent fight between two men. Horrified Christmas shoppers told the Standard how one man was stabbed in the neck in front of them as officers taped off a section of the street outside Primark. Police in Havering are investigating and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information can call Havering CID via 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 A nti-terror police held a training exercise in a Canary Wharf shopping centre in preparation for any future attack last night. The six-hour exercise finished at 5am and forced one of the Underground entrances to close. Police briefed local businesses on what they are doing and shops were able to open as usual afterwards. Officers were also in the area reassuring the public who could hear firearms being used and police teams entering the area. Counter-terror: the exercise in Canary Wharf (NIGEL HOWARD) / NIGEL HOWARD The exercise came after Scotland Yard announced it is deploying anti-terror police spotters across the capital to foil planned attacks. As part of the operation, codenamed Project Servator, a mixture of plainclothes and high visibility specialist squads have been trained to spot suspicious behaviour. Teams will be sent to potential targets including mainline train, Tube and bus stations as well as shopping centres. A Met Police spokesman said: A training exercise to test the response of police and partners to a terrorist attack was held in Canary Wharf. This will be one of many exercises held regularly across the country and is not in response to any specific threat. A busy central London Tube station was evacuated after a fire alert. Alarms sounded at Holborn station shortly after 2.30pm on Tuesday and crowds of people were led outside. Tube services on the Central line were not stopping at the station while officials dealt with the incident. London Fire Brigade said one fire crew was sent to the station to investigate. A spokesman said firefighters were investigating why the alarm sounded and that there was no indication that there was a fire. On social media, witnesses described how passengers were rushed off the platforms and told to leave the station. George Maier tweeted a video with the caption: "Emergency evacuation at Holborn station." Roisin O'Shea tweeted: "Holborn station evacuated and firemen taking control of surrounding areas." Mohammed Seedat said: "Holborn underground station evacuated." The station reopened about half an hour later at 3pm. British Transport Police said: "Holborn station briefly closed whilst @LondonFire responded to a fire alert. "No fire and the station will reopen. Thanks for your patience." A thick tower of smoke could be seen billowing across east London this morning as firefighters tackled a blaze in Ilford town centre. A fire ripped through the offices of a legal firm on Adelaide Road and spread to a range of shops on Ley Street, just a few hundred metres away from the Exchange shopping centre. London Fire Brigade confirmed a crew was sent to the blaze at 7.39am and ten fire engines and 72 firefighters were still trying to extinguish the flames three hours later. A hazard zone was set up after potentially explosive gas cylinders were found at the back of one of the properties. A number of shop workers and 18 residents had to be evacuated although there are no reports of any injuries. The entire ground floor of the property was alight and four shops were believed to have been damaged in the fire, which was eventually brought under control at around 10.40am. One commuter posted on Twitter: Fire in Ilford... saw it on way into work. Black smoke filling the air. Won't be long till trains are stopped. Another, known as Ash, added that there was an awful fire in Ilford. Transport for London said bus routes 25, 123, 147, 167, 169, 179, 364, 462 and W19 were being diverted via Griggs Approach and Winston Way due to the fire. A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters and officers are attending a fire at a range of shops on Ley Street in Ilford. "The ground floor of two properties are alight. A number of gas cylinders have been found at the rear of one of the properties. As cylinders can explode when exposed to heat a hazard zone has been set up. "The Brigade was called at 0738. Fire crews from Ilford and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage." The fire is believed to have started at Highland Solicitors, a small firm that offers services in employment law, immigration law, EU law and family divorce. Holiday celebrants employ holiday lights in various ways. Certain individuals may be content to hang lights on their Christmas trees and call their decorating complete. Others may get their holiday jollies by making sure each square inch of their home is covered in twinkling lights. Still, other people prefer the more subdued effect of lights framing one picture window of the house. The tradition of Christmas lights stretches back to early modern Germany when people used candles to decorate Christmas trees in Christian homes. Those candles were harbingers of what would come when electric lights replaced gas and other open flame illuminating devices that were commonplace prior to the 20th century. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the first successful practical light bulb, also created the first strand of electric lights that would be used in holiday decorating. By 1880, Edison had standard incandescent light bulbs well sorted out and desired a way to better advertise his invention, so he decided to make the most of the holiday season and put his light bulbs on display. According to a 2003 article in American Heritage magazine titled The Wizard of Your Christmas Tree, Edison strung incandescent bulbs all around the compound of his Menlo Park, NJ, laboratory. Edison constructed an eight-mile underground wiring system in order to power this grand light display. Because the laboratory was situated along the railroad that passed between Manhattan and Philadelphia, thousands of people were able to see the display. The concept of electric holiday lights took a bit of time to catch on. Edisons friend and associate Edward Johnson was tasked with stringing together colored lights in 1882 and placing them on an evergreen tree. Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs. In 1895, President Grover Cleveland requested the White House family Christmas tree be illuminated by multi-colored electric light bulbs. In 1903, when General Electric began to offer pre-assembled kits of holiday lights, stringed lights were reserved for the wealthy and electrically savvy. For example, in 1903 a single string of electric lights cost $12, or around $300 today. It would take several more years before holiday lights became a national tradition. On Christmas Eve 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the countrys celebration of Christmas by lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse located south of the White House with 3,000 electric lights. Today, illuminated strands of lights have become a large part of holiday celebrations and have even been adopted for use during various year-round events. Such lights can be a beautiful and festive addition to many celebrations. S wiss Cottage Tube station was evacuated at the height of rush hour after a fire alert. Passengers were cleared from the platforms at the north London station shortly after 5pm after travellers reported a burning smell. The evacuation sparked severe delays on the Jubilee line as trains were halted between Waterloo and Finchley Road while an investigation was carried out. Transport for London said the station reopened just after 6pm. Frustrated passengers told on Twitter how their journeys had been affected by the disruption. Maria van der Plaat wrote: "Sitting for 40 mins on open doors train at the canning town, something happen at Swiss cottage, freezing here." One man posted: "Been on the jubilee line for over an hour now because of some fire investigation at Swiss Cottage. The drivers repeated the same story since." Charlie Jordan tweeted: "Great to see that a fire alert at Swiss Cottage = NO trains AT ALL on the #Jubilee line. Nothing like a bit of contingency planning." London Fire Brigade confirmed it sent crews to investigate a fire alert. Earlier on Tuesday, Holborn Tube station was evacuated at around 2.30pm because of a fire alert but the stationed reopened half an hour later. L ondon commuters faced rush hour chaos after a person was struck by a train at Hemel Hempstead station. Police were called to the Hertfordshire station just after 2.30pm on Tuesday after a person was hit by a freight train. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said the death is not being treated as suspicious. The fatality sparked major delays for passengers at Clapham Junction and London Euston with all lines blocked between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes. National Rail said the disruption would affect Virgin and London Midland services throughout Tuesday evening. All lines have now reopened. Going nowhere: Departure boards show no trains scheduled to leave Euston station / @HIGYMUK The group warned trains would be cancelled or delayed by up to two hours. Pictures taken by passengers at Euston showed hundreds of travellers crammed onto the concourse with no trains displayed on the departure boards. Some travellers caught up in the chaos told how they faced a mad dash to other stations to continue their journeys. Adam Austin tweeted: "Big delays at London Euston. Line fatality. Everything cancelled. Another man wrote: All trains out of Euston cancelled. Mad dash to Marylebone to get up to Brum. It's packed but makes you look on the bright side. A statement on the National Rail website states: All lines have been reopened following the emergency services dealing with an incident between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes Central. There is still major disruption to services between London Euston / Clapham Junction and Milton Keynes Central. Services may be amended, cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. We anticipate disruption will continue until the end of the day. London Overground services are not affected by the disruption, National Rail said. S ocial media websites and apps should block under-18s from sexting, the UKs health secretary has said. Jeremy Hunt said social media companies should stop minors from being able to send sexually explicit images as part of an online crackdown. He also called for more to be done to stop cyber bullying by using software that can detect when it is happening. The health secretary was giving evidence to the Commons Health Committee when he said social media companies should step up to the plate. "There is a lot of evidence that the technology industry, if they put their mind to it can do really smart things, he said. "For example, I just ask myself the simple question as to why it is that you can't prevent the texting of sexually explicit images by people under the age of 18, if that's a lock that parents choose to put on a mobile phone contract. "Because there is technology that can identify sexually explicit pictures and prevent it being transmitted. A tarantula was found hidden in a bunch of bananas at a north London hospital. Terrified catering staff at the Royal Free Hospital in Camden made the shocking discovery while unloading a delivery on Thursday. The stowaway spider which can have a massive legspan of up to 12cm - had travelled more than 5,400 miles from its home in Costa Rica to the busy London hospital. An RSPCA inspector was called to the hospital to collect the spider from the stunned hospital staff who had trapped it to stop it scuttling around the kitchens. Regional exotics officer, inspector Anthony Pulfer, said: I think they got a bit of a shock when they saw this big spider among the bananas. Terrifying: Staff trapped the tarantula while they waited for the RSPCA to arrive. / RSPCA Im sure staff at the hospital are used to seeing their fair share of drama but not usually of the eight-legged variety. The spider - believed to be a Costa Rican tiger rump tarantula - was taken to the RSPCAs Harmsworth Animal Hospital for a check-up before going to the charitys specialist exotics facility in Brighton. Exotic: The Costa Rican tiger rump tarantula can have a legspan of up to 12 centimetres. / RSPCA It looks as though this spider has travelled more than 5,400 miles from its home of Costa Rica to London in a box of bananas, Inspector Pulfer added. It appears to be in good health, despite a long journey but its also lucky not to have been accidentally chopped and cooked with the other fruit. The tarantula will remain in RSPCA care at the charitys specialist exotics unit at Sussex, Brighton and East Grinstead branch. If it is not claimed, then the charity will find the spider a home with someone who has knowledge of this species and can care for it properly. If you think you could give this spider the right home, please contact the reptile team at Brighton on 01273 554218. S adiq Khan today hit back at claims he has ratted on an election pledge to make 50 per cent of new homes in London genuinely affordable. The London Assemblys Tory housing spokesman Andrew Boff accused him of ratting on what he had said during the election after the Mayors housing deputy James Murray issued new planning guidance showing that developers will be given favourable treatment if their schemes include only 35 per cent affordable housing. Mr Boff said: There was a clear statement that 50 per cent was what he wanted. Now this has become a long-term aspiration. The Mayor has resiled on his planning target. But Mr Murray said there has already been a huge rise in the level of affordable housing in planning applications approved in the six months since Labours victory in May. He published figures suggesting 41.5 per cent of homes in the 10 major housing schemes Mr Khans administration has been fully involved with since the election have been designated affordable. This compares with an average of 13 per cent of all planning consents for housing across London in 2014/15, in Boris Johnsons second term at City Hall. The row came before todays publication of new planning guidance as well as details of how Mr Khan will spend the 3.15 billion funding for 90,000 new affordable homes announced in last weeks Autumn Statement. About 60,000 will be a mix of London Living Rent schemes with rent set at one-third of average local household income and shared ownership, and 29,000 will be for councils Affordable Rent housing with a benchmark of 153 per week for a two-bed home. B ritish businesses seeking to boost exports are being warned to be punctual with the Germans, not to use first names with the French, to discount their goods in India - and to avoid embarrassing the Chinese. The Department for International Trade has put out updated guides for doing business with countries including Germany, France, China, India and the US. British company executives are being advised that business people in Germany are diligent. They will be well prepared for any face-to-face meetings and will have thoroughly researched your companys products and services before any meeting. The guide on Germany adds: You should be punctual at meetings and be able to answer specific questions. Meetings tend to be formal in Germany unless in a one-to-one situation, it states. French businesses can be wary of buying outside France, warns Cabinet minister Liam Foxs department. When in business meetings, British executives should also avoid using first names, recognise and respect where there is a business hierarchy and always address people as Mr (Monsieur) or Ms (Madame). The guide was issued by Liam Fox's department / Getty Images When seeking to do deals in China, British company bosses should be careful with gestures as they can convey different meanings, and try to avoid embarrassing your hosts as the Chinese do not like to say no directly. They should also not be offended by personal questions relating to age, income or marital status and seek to build close personal relationships to develop business links. American bosses can be expected to be blunt with their lawyers raking over details of contracts, explains the Governments guide for the US. Business communications in the US tend to be very direct, it states. Getting straight to the point is appreciated and negotiations are likely to be very focused on closing a deal. The fine detail of the legal aspects of a contract or written agreement are likely to be heavily scrutinised. In India, UK company chiefs will be expected to negotiate on the price for your goods and to discount. They should also be aware of risk of delays due to administrative requirements, barriers to trade and investment in some sectors because of regulatory constraints and the risk of bribery and corruption. Important rules of behaviour include using your right hand in all situations and always having a business card to present. While there are many opportunities for companies looking to do business in Nigeria, there are some challenges to be aware of including high level of corruption and the government being bureaucratic in awarding and paying for contracts. A Department for International Trade spokesperson said: For businesses looking to expand into new markets, our country guides can provide invaluable insight into cultural differences and ways of doing business. Written by experts based overseas with in-depth knowledge of these countries, these guides help would-be exporters to research target markets as they take steps towards realising their exporting ambitions." A mber Rudd today declared that updated powers for spies and police to access peoples online data will help keep us safe in an uncertain world as controversial new surveillance legislation became law. The Home Secretary said it was crucial that GCHQ, MI5 and law enforcers had the ability to keep pace with the new opportunities the internet was giving terrorists to plot and carry out attacks. Her comments came as the Governments Investigatory Powers Bill dubbed a Snoopers Charter by critics gained Royal Assent to become law after a prolonged parliamentary battle. Opponents have claimed the legislation, letting law enforcers carry out computer hacking, collect huge bulk data sets and access peoples internet browsing records, goes too far and will undermine personal privacy. A petition calling for its instant repeal has already acquired more than 100,000 signatures, while US whistleblower Edward Snowden has claimed that the legislation will allow the most extreme surveillance in the history of Western democracy. Ms Rudd insisted today, however, that safeguards enacted as part of the new legislation would protect the public from unjustified intrusion at the same time as improving national security. The internet presents new opportunities for terrorists, she said. The Investigatory Powers Bill will ensure that our police, and security and intelligence agencies, have the powers they need to keep us safe in an uncertain world. The ability to collect data in bulk is crucial for MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to generate intelligence about threats that simply cannot be acquired by more targeted means. We cannot be in a situation where technology is used by terrorists and those who want to do us harm to escape justice. Ministers insist that safeguards, including a double-lock requirement for the most intrusive powers to require a warrant issued by a Secretary of State and the approval of a senior judge, will prevent any risk of the powers being abused. L ondon will not be allowed to remain the centre of EU financial trading if it goes its own way after Brexit, one of Europes most powerful figures declared today. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the head of the 19-member group of euro countries, said Brexit is going to be a tough ride for Britains economy and that London stood to lose out heavily. We cannot allow the financial service centre for Europe and the eurozone to be outside Europe and the eurozone and to go its own way in terms of rules and regulations, he told MEPs in Brussels. Mr Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister, said he did not expect Britain to accept being bound by EU rules after leaving the bloc. That meant the rest of the EU would have to take a firm stand against London keeping its status as the main financial centre for the continent. In another sign of irritation with the UK, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said Britain cannot have its cake and eat it. He ruled out any transitional Brexit deal to soften the impact if fraught negotiations are not completed in two years. They want to have their cake, eat it, and get a smile from the baker, but not the other things, Bettel said. There are European values which cannot be separated. No cherry-picking. His outburst was aimed at hints that Mrs May hopes to keep full access to the single market while limiting EU immigration. ** Comic Eddie Izzard spent 36,229 on campaigning to Remain in th EU, official records revealed today. The Suns publishers News Group Newspapers spent 96,898 and pub chain JD Wetherspoon blew 94,586, reported the Electoral Commission. T heresa May's secret Brexit plans are slipping out day by day, as a Polish minister today said that Britain might not leave the EU until 2020. The latest apparent disclosure came from Polands foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski after he took part in talks with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the Prime Minister yesterday. Brexit will not take place earlier than in two to three years. If it takes place at all, Mr Waszczykowski told Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita. In the next three years, there is no need to treat Britain as a child with special needs, which is stigmatised and marginalised. However, one Tory MP said furiously that there would be riots if Mrs May delayed Brexit beyond 2019. Can you imagine the reaction if we went into the 2020 general election still a member of the EU? he asked. There would be riots. Mr Waszczykowskis comments emerged a day after an aide to Tory vice-chairman Mark Field accidentally allowed her notes of a meeting in No 10 to be photographed. They revealed that ministers aimed to have cake and eat it during the exit talks. 'Let's get even': Nigel Farage says there will be riots if Brexit is blocked Keir Starmer, Labours Brexit spokesman, said: The Governments secret plan for Brexit is slipping out day by day. These disclosures are significant because they suggest that the Government is not even going to fight for the single market or customs union there are huge implications for the economy and jobs. The case for Government to come clean and publish a clear plan for Brexit is now overwhelming. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the Government doesnt have a plan or even a clue. There were reports from Berlin today that Mrs May had suffered a setback after Angela Merkel vetoed a plan to announce that 3.3 million EU citizens in the UK and 1.2 million British expats in the EU would have reciprocal rights to residency and healthcare. According to Politico, Chancellor Merkel refused to agree when Mrs May asked for a deal that could be announced before Christmas. Autumn Statement: Hammond on Brexit and Osborne in opening statement Mrs May has tried to keep a lid on her opening position for the negotiations, which cannot begin formally until March when the Government plans to move Article 50. Julia Dockerill, a Wapping Tory councillor, was photographed holding the notes, but Business Secretary Greg Clark said he did not recognise their contents. It doesnt reflect any of the conversations that Ive been part of in Downing Street, he told BBC radio. Asked if the Governments policy was to have its cake and eat it, he replied: It would be nice to have, but its not the policy. The photograph showed comments including, Whats the model? Have your cake and eat it, We think its unlikely well be offered Single Market. Another identified the French as being difficult and said there was reluctance to have a transition deal which is wanted by business. Nigel Farage: We were the inspiration behind Brexit and Trump The notes are believed by MPs to reflect the views of Brexiteer ministers. A source close to Brexit Secretary David Davis denied they were his views. Mr Field did not respond to calls. A Government spokesman said: We have been absolutely clear that we will trigger Article 50 before the end of March next year and we have no plans to extend the process for leaving. Britain voted to leave the European Union and this government will make a success of it. A French embassy spokeswoman rejected the allegation that France was being difficult. Frances position is constant and well known, she said. It does not differ from other EU partners: the single market can be accessed only if the UK respects the four freedoms, contributes to the budget and abides by European legislation. The UK cannot pick and choose when it comes to European policy, keeping only the ones it can profit from. C hoosing the ideal gift often feels like an impossible task even without the added stress of fighting through crowds. But eBay believes it has found the answer: a concept store featuring isolation tanks and powered by human emotion which it says will help shoppers make better decisions. Volunteers step inside a 'Biometric Booth', enter their email address on a tablet then put on noise-cancelling headphones as lights subtly change colour around them. They will be shown a selection of eBay gift ideas and their emotional response to each product will be measured. A report is then generated from the data, creating a personalised shopping list, and your reactions are projected in a giant, live animation. The eBay shop has been created based on biometric research, after its survey found Christmas shoppers tend to hit a wall of disenchantment after just 31 minutes of browsing. The future? Biometric Booths generate an animated graph of shoppers' reactions Founder of Lightwave, which has helped create the emotion booths, Rana June told the Standard: Facial recognition or what we call the realm of bio analytics is very powerful. Today we are making a lot of decisions based on what youre clicking on on a website or how long youre spending searching for something on your mobile, but soon technology could help to make that decision time shorter. Instead, you can detect how someone is feeling and then help them. An example is Netflix my Netflix queue is quite long and I always dont know what I want to watch because everything is genre-based. But if instead it could be you respond to these kinds of emotional archs, heres five films that exhibit this, you can really start to imagine what this technology could be used for. Rhian Bartlett of eBay said: The goal of the space is to remove the stress of the outside world by creating a tranquil shopping experience. Watch the video above to see the Biometic Booths being tested out. The store, at 93 Mortimer Street, is open today and tomorrow. NEBRASKA CITY Nebraska Extension will begin its ninth Farm Beginnings Program at the Kimmel Education and Research Center, 5985 G Road Nebraska City, Jan. 7. Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society are facilitating the program. The Farm Beginnings Program is an educational training and support program designed to help people who want to evaluate and plan their farm enterprise. Participants engage in a mentorship experience and network with a variety of successful, innovative farmers and attend practical, high quality seminars, field days and conferences. The program is unique in that several successful farmers participate in the program as presenters, explaining firsthand the nuts and bolts of their farming operation. While this isnt a program for someone wanting to get into conventional farming, it is a program that has attracted several people interested in farming on a smaller scale, some who have migrated out from urban to rural areas. One past participant in the class said, This program had a huge impact. I have improved my business plan, my overall efficiency and continue to try new ideas I thought to not be possible. Any beginning farmer would benefit from attending these training sessions. Most of the farmers that present come from small to medium sized farming operations that produce and market many different diversified and value-added products. Many of these farmers direct market their products. Participants of this course may be interested in becoming involved with growing alternative crops, producing fruits and vegetables for direct sale to consumers, grocery stores or restaurants. Others may be interested in growing livestock for direct marketing. This is an opportunity for people interested in learning about this type of farming from farmers that are doing it and making a living at it. The Farm Beginnings Program consists of a series of 11 sessions from January through April that cover a variety of topics including: building networks, goal setting, whole farm planning, building your business plan, marketing, business and farm management and financial management. While the class participants will learn firsthand from the farmers, they will also work on developing their own business plan as they progress through the course. As part of the class tuition, participants will also have the opportunity to attend the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Societys Healthy Farms Conference at Columbus Jan. 27-28. This is a conference held annually for a number of years and has sessions that focus on topics in sustainable agriculture, such as vegetable production, grass-fed beef, pasture poultry, meat and dairy goat production, composting, cover crops, organic farming, growing crops in high-tunnels, bee keeping, farm transitioning and agri-tourism. We also schedule a farm tour early in the course and tour several farms in the summer to see how the farmers are operating. If interested, participants also have the opportunity to have a farmer mentor. Cost of the total program is $500, but you may qualify for a partial scholarship. For a brochure and an application for the Farm Beginnings Program go to http://nemaha.unl.edu and scroll down to the Farm Beginnings article. For more information about the program contact Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator at glesoing2@unl.edu or at (402) 274-4755, Nebraska Extension in Nemaha County. A gene that makes people more prone to drink alcohol has been discovered by scientists. Experts at King's College London and Imperial College London have found variations of a brain gene that affects our desire for booze, with 60 per cent of Brits more likely to crave it. Meanwhile around 40 per cent of Brits have a version of the gene that reduces their desire to drink. The gene, which has been tested in mice, is believed to interact with a liver hormone produced when we drink. Up until recently few genes had been linked to alcohol abuse, although it can be inherited. It is hoped breakthrough can be used to help problem drinkers. Imperial's Professor Paul Elliott told The Sun: "The results point to a previously unrecognised genetic determinant of alcohol drinking among the general population." "Our findings may lead to new treatments for people whose health is being harmed by drinking." A spokesman for Alcohol Concern said: "I'm sure these researchers would be the first to say problem drinking is never just about genetics." A hospital charity for children today said it was overwhelmed by the generosity of Londoners who donated to an appeal after thieves stole 3,000 of presents meant for critically ill young patients. More than 23,000 was raised include a donation of 3,000 in less than 24 hours after the Evening Standard yesterday revealed the theft of gifts and decorations from St Marys Hospital in Paddington. Vicky Rees, spokeswoman for the Cosmic charity (Children of St Marys Intensive Care), said there had been an amazing response to its appeal. She added: Its been brilliant. We always expected there were some kind people out there but its been overwhelming. Weve had people calling in and the [hospital] staff have been rallying behind us. It means we can do even more at Christmas for the children. More than 150 boxed gifts meant for the paediatric intensive care unit were taken from an unused ward between October 3 and November 17. They were for a carol concert on Monday and a party on December 11. Paramedic Nigel Flanagan, from Catford, who is expecting his first child with his wife in May, will also deliver 100 presents to the unit to help replace those stolen. He organises an annual Christmas collection from London Ambulance Service colleagues and their families and friends, and said he felt so sad when he read about the theft. He said: I have not done that hospital before but it needs to be done It would be nice to make that wrong right and try to help them out, so children can open presents on that day. To donate visit this link V egans plan to boycott the new plastic 5 note after it was revealed it contains animal fat. The Bank of England confirmed on Monday that the note contains traces of tallow, a substance made from animal fat, prompting a social media backlash from British vegans and vegetarians. Within 18 hours over 6,800 people had signed a petition to get to the Bank of England to remove tallow from bank notes. Steffi Rox, 33, a vegan businesswoman, who tweeted at the Bank of England to find out it if the rumours were true, told The Standard: Its really disappointing. Its not a nice thought that there is an animal product in my pocket. It grosses me out. It seems that Vegans were just not considered which is pretty offensive considering its a huge growing community. Ms Rox said from now on she would boycott the five pound note saying she refuses to accept that having animal fat in money is okay. I run a business called Nice Mums and Im going to stop accepting five pound notes as payment and start refusing them as change. Public give their thoughts on the new 5 note But its going to be hard when they start introducing the new ten and twenty pound notes. Ms Rox encouraged other vegan businesspeople to follow suit: It would be amazing if every vegan business owner, or even those that care about animals, would stop using five pound notes. Maybe with a bit of people pressure we could get the Bank of England to stop putting tallow in the notes. Dan Hanks, a vegan freelance writer, said he was also considering boycotting the note for the same reason I dont wear leather it would make me uncomfortable using something that has (at least partly) come from animal suffering. Watch: New 5 note plays vinyl records He added: I've tried to stop contributing to animal suffering in all other areas of my life. Tanya Byk, a vegan social media manager, said she would also try and boycott the notes. She said: "I'm already trying to figure out how to avoid using them" Speaking of her shock when she found out the notes contained animal fats, Ms Byk said: "I'm horrified to have them sitting in my wallet! We need to be steering well away from producing anything with animal products, let alone the money we have no choice to use. "What were they thinking? Surely there are more ethical options than this?" A round 16,000 people have fled their homes after Syrian dictator Bashar Assads forces, backed by Russian air strikes, seized several districts of war-ravaged Aleppo, a UN humanitarian chief said today. Former Tory MP Stephen OBrien added that thousands more were likely to try to escape the heavy aerial bombardments and ground attacks. He said the situation in the divided Syrian city was deeply alarming and chilling with fleeing civilians heading into uncertain and precarious situations. His warning came as the Russian defence ministry said the Syrian army had made a breakthrough in Aleppo in the last 24 hours, according to the Interfax news agency. Many of the civilians fleeing besieged enclaves headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held districts. French foreign affairs minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called for an immediate UN Security Council meeting to discuss the crisis. More than ever before, we need to urgently put in place means to end the hostilities and to allow humanitarian aid to get through unhindered, he said. Loading.... EU foreign ministers were set to discuss Aleppo with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a meeting in Minsk today. F innish postmen are to offer friendship to elderly people in addition to their normal duties delivering letters, but the service wont come cheap. Elderly and lonely Finns will be able to hire a postman to take them for a stroll during the winter months to ensure they dont fall over on the often treacherous and icy Finnish roads. The service will cost them 15 (17.25 euros) for a 30 minute walk. The scheme is the latest initiative from the state-owned postal service, Posti, as it tries to diversify its business model to stay afloat in the age of email and instant messaging. The volume of mail sent in Finland declines by around 10 per cent a year, according to The Times. Posti has cut 1800 jobs in the past two years and has closed 80 per cent of its offices. It is currently trying to cut postal delivery services to three days a week. Past initiatives to revive the service include postmen mowing clients' lawns in the summer and raking in leaves in the autumn. Postmen also deliver meals and are being trained to help disabled and elderly clients with cooking and household chores. T he so-called Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a car-ramming and stabbing rampage at Ohio State University which left 11 people injured. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, crashed his car into a group of pedestrians then jumped out and slashed victims with a knife before he was shot dead by police on Monday. The teenager, who was a Somali immigrant studying at the university, was described as a soldier by the terror group on Tuesday. The Islamic State news agency AMAQ posted a photo of Artan wearing a blue shirt and sitting with greenery in the background. Devastated: Student Nicholas Flores reacts as police respond to an attack on campus. / AP The caption read: Brother Abdul Razak Ali Artan, God accept him, implementer of the Ohio attack, a student in his third year in university. The claim was not immediately verified. Emergency response: Police respond to an attack at the university. / AP Before the attack Artan posted a series of Facebook messages in which he said he had reached boiling point over the treatment of Muslims by the US. He referred to lone wolf attacks and cited Anwar al-Awlaki, the radical US-born cleric killed in a drone strike in 2011. One Facebook post read: America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah [community]. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that. Two hours earlier he sent a cryptic message that read: Forgive and forget. Love. A federal official, who declined to be named because of the investigation, said authorities believe Artan may have lived for as long as seven years in Pakistan after he reportedly fled Somalia. The official said Artan arrived in the US in 2014 and was a permanent resident in the country. He was not known to the FBI prior to the attack Members of Columbus' Somali community have denounced the attack. Loading.... Additional reporting by Reuters A Somali refugee who carried out a car-ramming and stabbing rampage at a US university told how he was sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers being killed and tortured just before he launched the attack. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, crashed his car into a group of pedestrians at Ohio State University then jumped out and began slashing victims with a butcher knife, according to police. He injured 11 people before he was shot dead by a policeman, who was praised today for his bravery. Officer Alan Horujko, 28, was investigating a possible gas leak when he saw the attacker and ordered him to drop the knife. He opened fire when the Artan refused to obey, said university president Michael Drake. Police warn students a gunman is on campus at Ohio State The officer encountered the individual by 9.53 the subject was neutralised by 9.53, Mr Drake said. Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther called Mr Horujko an outstanding young law enforcement officer. 'Outstanding': Officer Alan Horujko / Ohio State University Police via AP Before yesterday mornings attack Artan a logistics management student at the university posted a series of Facebook messages. He said he had reached boiling point, referred to lone wolf attacks and cited Anwar al-Awlaki, the radical US-born cleric killed in a drone strike in 2011. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah [community]. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that, the post said. Two hours earlier he sent a cryptic message that read: Forgive and forget. Love. The FBI has joined police as they investigate a terror connection. Police at the scene of the attack in Ohio / AP Artan reportedly fled Somalia in 2007, moving first to Pakistan with his family before going to America in 2014 and gaining permanent resident status. Somalia has become a haven for terror groups including Islamic State since civil war broke out in the Nineties. The university newspaper, The Lantern, ran an interview in August with Artan, who identified himself as a Muslim. He said he was looking for a place to pray openly and worried how he would be received. I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. Im a Muslim, its not what media portrays me to be, he told the newspaper. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. But I dont blame them. Its the media that put that picture in their heads. Student Nicholas Flores reacts as police respond to an attack on campus. / AP In recent months law enforcement chiefs have raised concerns about online extremist propaganda that encourages knife and car attacks, which are easier to pull off than bombings. IS has urged sympathisers online to carry out attacks in their home countries with whatever weapons are available to them. The incident happened just before 10am and investigators are convinced the consequences would have been far worse if it had not been for a police officer who was on the scene within a minute and shot Artan dead. Officer Alan Horujko, 28, was investigating a possible gas leak when he saw the attacker and ordered him to drop the knife and shot him when he refused to obey, said university president Michael Drake. The officer encountered the individual by 9.53 - the subject was neutralised by 9.53, Mr Drake said, underscoring how quickly events unfolded. Police at the scene in Ohio / AP Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther called Officer Horujko an outstanding young law enforcement officer. There has never been a more dangerous or complicated and challenging time to be a police officer, and we had a dynamic well-trained professional today save the lives of many of our residents and students, he added. Ohio governor John Kasich praised the speed with which Officer Horujko and other officers acted, describing their action as an unbelievable, amazing and outstanding and heroic performance on the part of our first responders. After the alarm was raised, police vehicles and ambulances converged on the 60,000-student campus and the roads were blocked off around the college. Students barricaded themselves inside offices and classrooms, piling chairs and desks in front of doors, before getting the all-clear an hour and a half later. It just hit everybody who was in front, said graduate student Angshuman Kapil. After that everybody was shouting, Run! Run! Run! Most of the injured were hurt by the car, and at least two were stabbed. One had a fractured skull. Artan was not known to the FBI prior to the attack. D runk drivers will be subjected to rockers Nickleback if they are caught over the limit this Christmas, a police force has warned. Kensington Police Service, the smallest force on Prince Edward Island in Canada, said any motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol will be forced to listen to a little Chad Kroeger and the boys as punishment. The tongue-in-cheek threat was posted on the forces Facebook page along with a picture of an unopened copy of the rock bands third album Silver Side Up. Police said officers will be on the lookout for drunk drivers over the Christmas period when more social events, staff parties and alcohol based libations are taking place. The post read: And 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. Now, now, no need to thank us, we figure if you are foolish enough to get behind the wheel after drinking then a little Chad Kroeger and the boys is the perfect gift for you. So please, lets not ruin a perfectly good unopened copy of Nickelback. You don't drink and drive and we won't make you listen to it. The force added the message was designed to prevent anything and everything you can do to eliminate the chances of drinking and driving. Nickleback formed in Alberta, Canada in 1995 and have released eight studio albums. Last month, the rockers finished a 29-date European tour and say a new album and North American tour will be announced soon. Fans who purchased tickets for a gig at the O2 arena were nervously waiting to see if the concert had been cancelled due to a security alert at North Greenwich station. The band have sold more than 50 million albums with 2001 hit How You Remind Me rated as the best-selling rock song of the decade by Billboard. K anye West has reportedly been told that he needs more time to recover in hospital, despite the fact that he was due to leave on Monday. The rapper, who was admitted to the UCLA Medical Centre with exhaustion and sleep deprivation last week, is receiving continued treatment. According to reports, Kim Kardashian has been told that her husband will need to stay at the facility although he had planned to head home at the beginning of the week. The doctors said hes in no shape to leave yet, a source told magazine US Weekly. Kanye West cuts concert short after rant on Beyonce and Jay Z The doctors just dont think he is ready. He still needs more time. The insider added that the UCLA medical team are taking it one day at a time with their treatment of the rapper. Kardashian has reportedly remained at Wests bedside all week, missing Thanksgiving with the rest of her family. Kim has been amazing. She knew he couldn't keep going the way he was, an insider told TMZ. She has been by his side through all of this, helping to feed him and laying by his side. The Kardashians on front row at Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 1 /18 The Kardashians on front row at Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Tyga, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Carine Roitfeld and Pharrell Williams attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Models on the catwalk at Yeezy: Season 4 show in New York Rex Tyga, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Carine Roitfeld and Pharrell Williams attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Models wear the Yeezy Season 4 collection by Kanye West during a fashion show at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York. The show, set to an eery soundtrack, helped kick off New York Fashion Week Leanne Italie/AP Anna Wintour attends the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Tyga, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Carine Roitfeld attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Tyga and Kylie Jenner attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Tyga, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Carine Roitfeld attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Tyga, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Carine Roitfeld and Pharrell Williams attend the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images The rapper sparked concerned when he dropped the mic and cut short his concert in Sacramento last Saturday, following a meandering political rant. After voicing his support for president-elect Donald Trump, West then lashed out at fellow musicians Jay Z and Beyonce. Just one day later he announced that he would be cancelling all remaining dates on his Saint Pablo tour. N icole Kidman led star names including Julianne Moore, Robin Wright and Uma Thurman in stripping down for a more realistic Pirelli calendar. The Moulin Rouge star said it was glorious to be asked to pose for photographer Peter Lindbergh for the 2017 edition as she prepares to celebrate turning 50. Kidman told the Standard: This is a fantastic time to be captured, at 49 years old. [Lindbergh] has captured that, what it is to be 49. "I just showed up and I had my hair in a bun which is how I always wear my hair as I have young children and I dont have time to do it. Pirelli Calendar 2017 1 /5 Pirelli Calendar 2017 Nicole Kidman Peter Lindbergh Uma Thurman Peter Lindbergh Julianne Moore Peter Lindbergh Robin Wright Peter Lindbergh "I love getting dressed up and doing the character but this was no. None of that, just you. I think the simplicity is very refreshing. Its honest. Its a very pure image. That is how I would describe it. The calendar was officially launched today in Paris with Kidman representing January. Among the other stars are Dame Helen Mirren, 71, who is the eldest subject, and fellow British actress Charlotte Rampling, 70. Kidman told how she believed ageism was no longer such an issue in the film industry and the calendar celebrated women of all ages. She said: I dont know if it is a rebellion. But it is glorious. It is something to be celebrated. I love that the calendar has all ages of women, I love that. Uma Thurman is one of the A-list stars photographed / Peter Lindbergh "As women we can blur the boundaries and lines. In the past year I have done four films [] where I have run the gamut of ages. "Thats why I say the lines are blurred. I dont think age is an issue for women. We are incredibly committed to change. Change is happening, but it takes time. I am not saying its completely done, but it is in process. The more we push, the more we band together, and then with people like Peter saying this is how we are doing it and Pirelli saying this is what we want [for a calendar]. Julianne Moore poses in the shoot / Peter Lindbergh "Thats change happening and that is fantastic. Kidman is one of 14 A-list actresses involved in Pirellis 44nd calendar. At 28, Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander is the youngest. Lindbergh said: In a time when women are represented in the media and everywhere else as ambassadors of perfection and youth, I thought it was important to remind everyone that there is a different beauty, which speak, more real and truthful and not manipulated by commercial or any other interests. Bond Actress Lea Seydoux, 31, 33-year-old Oscar-winner Lupita Nyongo, Kate Winslet, 41, and Rooney Mara, 31, also appear. Jessica Chastain, 39, Penelope Cruz, 42, Chinese star Xhang Ziyi, 37, and Anastacia Ignatova - a professor of political theory in Moscow and the only non-actress - complete the line-up. Last year, the calendar was shot by Annie Leibovitz and was hailed as a feminist work designed to challenge the perceptions of what a pin-up star was. Hay feeding time has started for cattle producers and feeding big round bales has made the job easier. Large bale feeding systems are designed to minimize labor but not waste. So how much of that hay are you throwing away? Depending on the feeding method, feeding losses can reach as high as 30-35 percent. You wouldnt dream of throwing away one third of the hay you are feeding to your cows. Large bales fed free-choice without a rack or feeder in muddy conditions can result in forage losses as high as 45%. But thats what happens when cattle are allowed unlimited access to hay. Livestock trample, over-consume, foul on, and use for bedding 25% to 45% of the hay when it is fed with no restrictions or is not processed. Hay loss and waste can be reduced by managing how often we feed and by the type of hay feeder we use. Daily feeding will force cattle to eat hay they might otherwise refuse, over-consume, trample and waste. Cattle waste less hay when the amount fed is limited to what is needed each day. One fourth more hay is needed when a four-day supply is fed with free access. If hay is fed free choice, cows will over consume. While we want to restrict the number of bales offered at one time, we should make sure that there is enough space for all animals to access the forage. Otherwise, the more aggressive cows will eat first and consume the more desirable hay, and animals that are more timid will be forced to eat the lower quality hay or go hungry. Feeding hay in a rack or a round bale feeder limits the opportunity animals have to trample or soil hay, and reduces waste substantially. Least feeding losses occur where hay is fed with a rack or bale feeder that forces the animal to turn its head when backing away from the feeder. When animals can back straight out of a feeder, they can pull out large chunks of hay that drop on the ground and are lost as feed. Research at the University of Nebraska and Michigan State University has shown feed waste of 3.3%, 5.9%, 9%, 11.1%, and 14.2% for cone, ring feeder with skirt, racks, trailer and cradle feeders. Long feeders are less effective than round or square feeders because boss animals will push others back by walking down the long feeder, interrupting their feeding and reducing their intake. Maybe this is the year to give your cows and you a Christmas present by getting a cone hay feeder. While some losses will always occur, keeping losses to a minimum can reduce feed costs, resulting in more efficient use of forages and increasing the profitability of the cow herd enterprise. The dancer is known as a member of Britains Got Talent group Diversity, and lasted 18 days in the camp. The whole experience has been so overwhelming, he told Ant and Dec. Its something I never thought Id have the chance to do. Looking at live footage of the remaining campers, he joked: Look how depressed they look without me! I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here 2016 1 /72 I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here 2016 Scarlett Moffatt in the Bishtucker trial 'Cavern of Claws' ITV/Rex Scarlett Moffatt is the 2016 winner of 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' with Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly ITV/Rex Joel Dommett, Scarlett Moffatt, Adam Thomas are the final three contestants in 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' ITV/Rex Martin Roberts holds a Lobster in his mouth for his Bushtucker Trial on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' ITV/Rex Lisa Snowden leaves the I'm A Celebrity 2016 camp ITV Larry Lamb and Martin Roberts have an intense discussion ITV/Rex Danny Baker is the first contestant voted off I'm A Celebrity camp ITV Sam Quek, Ola Jordan, Adam Thomas and Wayne Bridge take oart in The Dingo Dollar Challenge: Get The Measure of It ITV/Rex Martin Roberts and Ola Jordan compete in the Bushtucker Trial: Bush Brewery ITV/Rex Adam takes revenge on Martin for spilling water all over his bed ITV/Rex 'Claim of Thrones' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Adam Thomas, Martin Roberts, Sam Quek, Wayne Bridge in 'Claim of Thrones' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Martin Roberts hugging trees ITV/Rex Adam Thomas gets stuck into the 'Food Factory' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Lisa Snowdon in the shower ITV/Rex Wayne Bridge gets all emotional ITV/Rex Joel Dommett and Carol Vorderman get to grips with 'Simply the Nest' in the Dingo Dollar challenge ITV/Rex Martin Roberts during 'Hell Hollow' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Martin Roberts gets tearful in camp ITV/Rex Danny talks to the celebs about his cancer ITV/Rex The blue and yellow teams battle it out in Hungry Games Part 2 ITV/Rex Ola Jordan showers ITV/Rex Scarlett Moffatt ITV/Rex Sam Quek and Martin Roberts attack the Rank Tanks in The Hungry Games Part 1 ITV/Rex Sam Quek and Martin Roberts during the Rank Tanks in The Hungry Games Part 1 ITV/Rex Carol Vorderman has a massage in camp ITV/Rex Joel Dommett takes part in 'The Great Ascent' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Jordan Banjo, Ola Jordan and Kiosk Keith take part in 'Dingo Dollar Crazy Golf' ITV/Rex Joel Dommett, Scarlett Moffatt, Sam Quek and Carol Vorderman relax in camp ITV/Rex Wayne Bridge, Scarlett Moffatt and Joel Dommett in 'Dingo Dollar Crazy Golf' ITV/Rex Ant and Dec make a controversial joke on Stephen Hawking ITV Scarlett Moffatt pull a face during a moment in camp ITV/Rex Adam Thomas in 'Stranded' the overnight challenge ITV/Rex Jordan Banjo feels a bit homesick on 'I'm a Celebrity .. Get me out of here!' ITV Ola Jordan, Carol Vorderman, Sam Quek and Scarlett Moffatt strike a pose in the jungle ITV/Rex Jordan Banjo and Wayne Bridge in 'Stranded' the overnight challenge ITV/Rex Lisa Snowdon takes a refreshing dip ITV/Rex Scarlett Moffatt during her 'I'm a Celebrity Big Bush Bake Off' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Carol Vorderman during her 'I'm a Celebrity Big Bush Bake Off' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Scarlett Moffatt during her 'I'm a Celebrity Big Bush Bake Off' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Scarlett Moffatt and Carol Vordermanduring her 'I'm a Celebrity Big Bush Bake Off' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Sam Quek consoles Scarlett Moffatt after their 'Tomb of Torment' Bushtucker Trial ITV/Rex Ola Jordan in the shower ITV/Rex Sam Quek, Scarlett Moffatt and Ola Jordan in the shower ITV/Rex Sam Quek, Scarlett Moffatt, Jordan Banjoa, Lisa Snowdon, Wayne Bridge, Ola Jordan, Joel Dommett, Adam Thomas and Carol Vorderman enter camp for the first time ITV/Rex James Jordan wants a mud fight between Sam Quek and Ola Jordan ITV/Rex Scarlett Moffatt's canoe capsizes on I'm A Celebrity ITV Carol Voderman walks the plank ITV/Rex Larry Lamb and Scarlett Moffatt head for camp in the 'Cruel Canoe' Challenge ITV/Rex Carol Vorderman takes a break in camp ITV/Rex Ola Jordan gets used to her new surroundings ITV/Rex Sam Quek parachutes from the helicopter in the Sky Challenge ITV/Rex Wayne Bridge, Joel Dommett and Adam Thomas hit the Jungle shower ITV/Rex Lisa Snowdon looks a tad nervous before her 'Sky Challenge' into camp ITV/Rex However, seeing a tearful Larry Lamb, he said: Thats heartbreaking. Larrys been like a dad to me in there, hes the best guy. Banjo praised the atmosphere in camp, which has been largely positive throughout the series contrary to previous years of Im A Celebrity. Im so lucky that I live in such a bubble, he said. From the day I left school, every day has been Diversity, mum management, friends and family. It was my brother and dad who convinced me I could do [Im A Celeb]. To have the camp that we did was a blessing. The thing I was most worried about was the people, and that turned out to be the best part. Phillip Schofield backs Scarlett Moffatt to win I'm A Celebrity Having taken on several Bushtucker Trials through the series, Banjo revealed his fear of snakes has definitely not been cured after his time on the show. The worst [trial] by far was Fright at the Museum. I said I dont like snakes, I kept saying it. For me it just sort of reaffirmed how scared I actually am. Now Ive come face to face with them, I know I cant deal with it. The next celebrity will be leaving the show on Wednesday night. ITV, 9pm I f youre dreading the end of The Missing, the BBC has got another crime drama to keep you hooked. Rillington Place is no winter warmer, though its a dark and brooding chiller re-telling the numerous murders of serial killer John Christie. With impressive talent behind and in front of the camera, heres what you need to know. 1) Its a tragic serial killer story Rillington Place tells a true story and its definitely not a happy one. John Christie is one of the UKs most notorious serial killers, and murdered several women throughout his life. As well as killing spoiler alert his upstairs neighbour Beryl Evans, her baby daughter Geraldine, and his own wife Ethel, Christie framed Beryls husband Timothy, who was hung for the crimes. Timothy Evans death was a huge miscarriage of justice and one which was a factor in the abolition of capital punishment in the UK. Rillington Place- Trailer - BBC One 2) Its got a high-profile cast Taking on the role of Christie is Tim Roth, while Samantha Morton plays his estranged wife Ethel. The fact of not being able to get at the inner workings of [John Christie] actually says a lot about him, Roth explains. He developed a character, a performance, that was very warm and comforting to people around him, to his neighbours, his peers and people at work. Theres also a reunion for My Mad Fat Diary actors Nico Mirallegro and Jodie Comer, who play Tim and Beryl Evans. Jodie Comer as Beryl Evans / BBC/Des Willie 3) Each episode follows a different perspective This new take on the Rillington Place murders is being told in an innovative way with each of the three episodes coming from a different perspective. First up is Ethel, then Timothy, and finally John (who also goes by middle name Reg). We decided to tell the story as a triptych because we felt it was so dark and we didnt want to start with a murder, explains writer Tracey Malone. We wanted an opportunity to see Christie through other peoples eyes in a way in which we could understand why he wasnt openly being suspected of these crimes. Nico Mirallegro as Tim Evans / BBC 4) The recreated house was highly detailed As the name of the drama suggests, the setting of the house is hugely important to the show. Writer Ed Whitemore explained that getting the detail right on it was a necessary part of making the series. We were really attentive about being truthful to that house which was incredibly small, like a dolls house, he said. Everybody had to walk through the Christies flat to reach the back yard where the three floors shared one toilet. Privacy was incredibly diminished and the walls were paper thin so you could hear everything. It was well known that Christie liked to stand on a stool and look through a peephole above his front door so he could see who was coming and going. In a strange way, the man reflected the house and the house reflected the man and in the end, the house was the keeper of his secrets. Samantha Morton as Ethel Christie / Des Willie/BBC 5) Its from the director of And Then There Were None The series has been directed by Craig Viveiros whose most recent work was the BBCs brilliant and stylish Agatha Christie adaptation And Then There Were None. Viveiros says he was striving for realism when covering the Rillington story. The aim was to have quite a simple outlook and vision for Rillington Place. Its a true story. It deals with fact and I wanted the vision to lend itself to that, he explained. We looked at images from the case, documentation from newspapers of the time to more recent reports, investigations and other pieces that were put together for this notorious case. Best TV dramas 2016 1 /38 Best TV dramas 2016 The Missing The addictive and twisty second series of the BBC's crime anthology series BBC/New Pictures/Robert Viglasky Dark Angel Joanne Froggatt stared as Victorian mass murderer Mary Ann Cotton in this ITV drama ITV Close to the Enemy Stephen Poliakoff's post-war drama thriller BBC/Little Island Pictures Ordinary Lies The BBC anthology drama returns with more twisted tales BBC/Red Productions/Adrian Rogers The Night Of Riz Ahmed stars in HBO's critically acclaimed crime mini-series HBO Cold Feet The classic ITV comedy-drama returns - and it's just as good as it ever was ITV Victoria ITV have given Poldark some stiff competition with this period drama about a young Queen Victoria ITV Poldark The BBC's hit drama returns with more brooding, and less naked scything BBC/Robert Viglasky One of Us The BBC kept everyone guessing with this claustrophobic four-part whodunit Ripper Street The fan-favourite Victorian police drama returned for Series 4 BBC/Tiger Aspect 2016/Bernard Walsh The Secret Agent Toby Jones led the cast in the BBC's Joseph Conrad adaptation BBC/World Productions/Mark Mainz/Matt Burlem The Living and the Dead The BBC's gothic romance debuted in full on iPlayer BBC Preacher AMC's adaptation of Garth Ennis' cult comic book is available week-by-week on Amazon Prime Amazon / AMC Versailles A raunchy royal romp around the court of King Louis XIV, spicing up Wednesdays on BBC Two Canal +/ BBC Locked Up The Spanish prison drama came to the UK thanks to Channel 4's Walter Presents series Channel 4 / Global Series Peaky Blinders The Birmingham-set gangster thriller was more popular than ever in its third series BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd/Tiger Aspect/Robert Viglasky The A Word The BBC gave us a nuanced and emotional take on autism BBC/Fifty Fathoms Marcella Anna Friel stars in ITV's British take on the Scandi-noir thriller ITV Grantchester James Norton is back as the crime-solving vicar ITV / Lovely Day Stag The comedy-thriller from the team behind The Wrong Mans is both hilarious and chilling BBC/Des Willie/Hal Shinnie/Matt Burlem Vinyl Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger present a glossy drama about the Seventies music industry HBO American Crime Story: The People vs OJ Simpson Cuba Gooding Jr leads an all-star cast in a dramatic re-telling of the 'trial of century' BBC/Fox Happy Valley Sarah Lancashire returned as Sgt Catherine Cawood for a second series of the gritty crime thriller BBC/Red Productions/Ben Blackall The X Files Mulder and Scully return for a brand new set of mysteries War and Peace The BBC's epic adaptation of the Russian literary classic BBC/Mitch Jenkins Call the Midwife The BBC period drama moved into the Sixties for Series 5 BBC/Neal Street Productions/Sophie Mutevelian Dickensian Charles Dickens' most famous characters collide in this historical soap BBC Jericho ITV's British western set in the wilds of Yorkshire Silent Witness The hugely popular detective drama returns for a 19th series 6) Theres a previous film about John Christies murders While it was a huge story in the news when Evans was hung and the truth about Christie emerged, theres another reason the tale of Rillington Place is so well known. Christies murders have been adapted for the screen before by director Richard Fleischer in his 1971 film 10 Rillington Place, which starred Richard Attenborough as Christie, and John Hurt as Timothy Evans. BBC One, 9pm Every year, when the Thanksgiving table is cleared and the dishes are stacked, Americans head out shopping. Its a longstanding national tradition: we rise early on Black Friday and take to the mall, outlets, and local stores to hunt down holiday bargains. We write our lists, compare prices and make our purchases. Black Friday is always a busy day, but one group of Americans is busier than most the day after Thanksgiving: our small business community. They are the entrepreneurs and employees who run every kind of enterprise, from startups to mom-and-pop shops. They are seasoned professionals; they are also young people just starting out in their careers. They open up the store early every morning; they stay late adding receipts and paying bills. Through hard work, creativity, and long hours, small business owners and their employees make available vital goods and services for our families. They are a solid foundation of our economy. They help make our communities and our country great. Throughout history, small businesses have been key to a nations strength and security. In the early 1800s, the French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte was said to have once insulted his enemy, Great Britain, by calling the country a nation of shopkeepers. As his defeat on the battlefield would later show, Mr. Bonaparte failed to understand just how powerful shopkeepers can be. Americans do understand that strength, and they appreciate the men and women who provide it. According to the Senate Small Business Committee, of which I am a member, 87 percent of consumers believe the success of small businesses is critical to Americas overall economic health. This belief is well founded. For the last twenty years, small businesses have generated 63 percent of net new jobs in our country. Today, small businesses pay more than 42 percent of the total payroll of private sector employees in the United States. And, with more than 28 million small businesses operating in our country, we can say we truly are the land of opportunity. To recognize the efforts of small businesses, I helped introduce in the U.S. Senate a resolution designating Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, as Small Business Saturday. Through this resolution, which passed the Senate this fall, we enhanced awareness of this annual tradition. We also highlighted the value of locally owned businesses and encouraged Americans to shop local. Awareness is certainly important, but we can do more. With President-elect Trump and a Republican-led Congress, there is an opportunity to move forward with comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform. That may sound complicated, but the fundamental idea is straightforward: let hardworking Americans keep more of their take-home pay. There are more than a few ideas about how best to achieve this. I will evaluate each carefully and ensure we deliver the tax relief our friends, family and neighbors in the small business community need and deserve. Government needs to recognize the true value of small businesses. More than the services they provide or the tax revenue they generate, they are the realization of someones hopes and dreams. Behind each and every enterprise is the yearning for a better life and a brighter future. Theres no dollar sign on that. Thats what the dictator Napoleon didnt understand. Thats what the American people know by heart. Understanding small businesses in this way, we see how important it is that government take care to nurture them, not harm them. As your U.S. senator, I will continue to work hard to ensure we do just that in the new Congress and the more hopeful days to come. Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week. Forensic science major Breane Morris will graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in a couple weeks. But besides a degree, the Cedar Bluffs woman is taking something else into her future: an unforgettable experience that involved learning about mummification in Italy and mummy conservation. Included in that Sicily trek was a visit to the Capuchin Catacombs, which has perhaps 1,500 mummies dating from the late 1500s to 1920 and a trip to the coliseum in Rome, which altogether provided a lesson on how history and culture are combined with modern-day life. Long interested in science, Morris was intrigued by the crime scene investigator shows she watched on TV years ago. I used to watch a lot of CSI, she said. I found out some of the shows arent that accurate, but its still interesting nonetheless. Morris interest led to the study of forensics, which involves applying scientific methods to crime investigation. Shed like to do crime scene investigation and, if she had the opportunity, to go abroad for studies involving mummies. She had a unique opportunity during the summer. In July, Morris was among some 10 to 15 students, who learned about mummies in Italy. On the trip was Karl Reinhard, professor of forensic science and environmental archaeology at UNL, and Dario Piombino-Mascali, who has worked with mummy studies around the world and has been featured in National Geographic magazine. Italys climate is favorable for mummies and mummification was something done through churches many years ago. While it was something done among the more affluent population, it eventually became a service more affordable to the middle class, Morris said. The group went to a host village, Santa Lucia Delmela, in July. There, they stayed in an old convent, converted into a place that could hold larger groups of people. They saw the Blessed Antonio Franco, an Italian priest who lived in the late 1500s to early 1600s. His body was mummified and he is interred in the Basilica of Santa Lucia del Mela. Piombino-Mascali worked on the mummys restoration. We looked at the process of mummification, factors that can cause a mummy to decay and found out what environments they should be in to stay preserved well, Morris said. She learned much on the trip. It was really cool to see how we could relate what I learned in my classes about decomposition and relate it to mummies halfway across the world and see how that tied in with the culture as a whole, she said. She noted something else. Almost the entire village was interested in what we were doing and wanted us there to help them preserve these mummies, Morris said. Its part of their past and part of their history. Students also were able to attend an opera and enjoy Italian cuisine. Each day, students had lectures from faculty members relating to specific topics from insect activity to parasitology to facial reconstruction. The group also went to the city of Piraino, where they saw a church crypt with well-preserved mummies, and a beautiful beach where students got to swim. In August, they went to Palermo, the capital of the Italian island of Sicily, where they saw the Capuchin Catacombs. Here, mummies are divided into categories: men, women, priests and professions such as doctors. It could have some 1,500 mummies, but many more may be yet undiscovered. The place is a major tourist attraction. Its a shocking site to see, but it was interesting to look at how the process of mummification changed over time, she said. It got better. The oldest mummy dates back to about 1599 and the most recent is a 2-year-old girl, Rosalia Lombardo, who died of pneumonia in 1920. The child is one of the most well-preserved mummies in the world. Morris said the person who mummified the girl developed his own formula, which worked incredibly well. Her original coffin has since been placed in a glass enclosure with nitrogen gas to help prevent decay. The students returned to Santa Lucia Delmela for more lectures and community events. They were part of large festival in the town square. People created street art made of colored sand, wood chips and ground-up coffee beans. Students got to help make an intricate scene that included a picture of Mary and baby Jesus. Each town has a saint and the street was prepared for a procession. For the Feast of Our Lady of the Snow in Santa Lucia del Mela, townspeople would carry a large statue from a church down the cobblestone streets to the town square, where there was food and a celebration. They had the best fireworks Ive ever seen, Morris added. After the school trip, Morris explored Italy with a couple of friends. They went to Rome, where she saw the Colosseum and the Vatican. It was very educational and Im glad I paid to take tours that were guided, she said. It was really neat to see all of those landmarks you always that are in movies or on TV. She enjoyed Rome. Youd be walking around in this modern-day area and then there would be sections youd come across where they had dug archeologically about six to 10 feet into the soil and there were all these remnants of buildings that used to be there 2,000 years ago, she said. They have remnants of ancient Rome tied in with modern Rome. That was cool to see. One drawback on the study trip was that there was no air conditioning in the place of residence in 90-degree temperatures and about 60 percent humidity. Even so, Morris enjoyed the trip during which she gained an appreciation for how people from all parts of the world come together to research topics of interest to them. It was a great experience, Morris said. It wasnt just a class of me learning things. It was an experience of a lifetime that I wouldnt trade even if there was air conditioning. 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Officials from both organizations plan to deliver a formal presentation highlighting the final route alignment at the beginning of two meeting being held during the first weeks of December. One meeting is being held from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Arlingtons St. Pauls Church Fellowship Hall, 8951 County Road 9; and another meeting is being held from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Trinity Lutheran Elementary School, 1546 N. Luther Road. The ERVT Project will improve system reliability and offer capacity to meet the growing needs of both OPPD and Fremont customers, released information says. Fremont will also have more flexibility for planned outages and be able to diversify energy options with renewable sources such as wind and solar power. A new 161kV transmission line will connect two existing OPPD substations. Substation 1226 is in Washington County near Highway 91 and County Road 27 west of Blair and Substation 991 is in Dodge County on U Boulevard and S. County Road 26 east of Fremont. Also, a 69kV line will connect OPPDs Substation 991 with the Fremont Department of Utilities existing Substation B on North Luther Road and US Highway 30. For more information about the ERVT project, people are encouraged to visit www.ervtransmissionproject.com/about. This page may have been moved, deleted, or is otherwise unavailable. To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. With one hand holding a bottle of champagne and the other an oversized certificate declaring him the winner of $1 million from Publishers Clearing House, Bruce Saunders stood on the front porch of his western Davie County Monday and rattled off a list of things he plans spend his spend money on medical bills, fixing his lawnmower and helping family members. CROSSING THE DIVIDE, PART 3 Sitting on her Wilson Lee Boulevard porch, Lizzie Smyers shakes her head at the passing boom of a car stereo. They need to get rid of that, for sure, she says. The topic is crime and police presence in the community, and Smyers, whos lived in the area for more than 20 years, says things have gotten better. But residents still deal with crime regularly, and a lot goes unreported. The police have done a good job, but they cant do everything when we see something wrong, we have to tell it. We watch out for each other, the 64-year-old says of her neighbors, pointing to two nearby homes. I call it the triangle of protection. From a law enforcement perspective, the change in Southside in recent years has been dramatic, according to Statesville Police Department Officer Chan Austin. Austin has worked in Statesville for 18 years, and attributes the crime decline to a multi-year grant program called Weed & Seed that pumped federal money into the area for increased police efforts and social programs. The beginnings of that program can be traced back to a devastating 2003 crash. SEVEN LIVES LOST On Dec. 29, 2003, the community received a stunning blow. Shortly after midnight, seven teens ranging in age from 13 to 18, many from Southside, died at the bottom of a ravine off U.S. 21 near Cumberland Road. A 15-year-old was driving the 2001 Dodge Intrepid, which was reported stolen, in an attempt to elude a Troutman police officer when the car veered off 21 and overturned. The car was driven with a spare tire on the right rear wheel and was reported to be traveling between 80 and 100 mph when the crash occurred. Killed in the crash were 15-year-olds John Myers Jr., Erica D. Stevenson and Dominique Hurtt; 13-year-olds, Antionette Griffin (sister to Erica Stevenson) and Antonio Miller; 18-year-old Quentin Maurice Reed; and 14-year-old David Summers III. Their deaths forced introspection for the community. It made us look at the crime and work to reduce violence, Austin says. We started asking, What can we do as a community to give (area) kids a better life? WORKING FOR CHANGE In June 2005, Southside was one of 22 communities and the only in North Carolina announced as a recipient of the Weed and Seed grant program. The U.S. Department of Justice program emphasized four principals: aggressive law enforcement, community policing, crime prevention and neighborhood revitalization. The program lasted through 2011, but the initiative had lasting effects that were the high point of transforming South Statesville, Austin says. By the time the program ended, officials declared a 30 percent reduction in crime rate. Today, the crime rate is similar to the rest of the city, Austin says. Property crimes make up the bulk of the reports. Statesville Police Chief Joe Barone, who has worked for the department since 1990, says its a misconception that Southside requires more police resources than the rest of the city. The fact is, police resources are evenly dispersed throughout Statesville in the various communities, Barone says. At the beginning of 2016, the Record & Landmark began tracking police reports throughout the city and categorizing them by date, location and crime. In the area south of Garner Bagnal Boulevard, between Shelton Avenue and Buffalo Shoals Road, break-ins were the most commonly reported crimes. Other incidents included burglary, assault and robbery. Two shooting deaths occurred: On July 3, Anthony Eugene Harper was shot and killed at 1216 Wilson Lee Blvd., and Desmond ONeil Thompson was charged with murder. On Nov. 4, 18-year-old Lonndale Williams died from a gunshot wound he suffered at a home in the 1000 block of Wilson Lee Boulevard. Investigators have not released any further information on the case. The area also experienced other firearm crimes, including several reports of shooting into occupied dwellings. The shootings were ultimately attributed to gang activity, which remains an issue in Southside, Austin says. GANG FIGHT Retired Statesville Police Department Sergeant Mike Sharpe says he preached about the gang proliferation for years, but a lot of people said theyre just wanna-bes, he says. To me, a wanna-be is not much different than an is. Sharpe, who grew up in Southside and retired from the force in 2009, began working with SPD after a stint with the California State Police, he says. He recognized the gang activity when it began appearing in Statesville. Like so many other areas, the poverty of Southside attracted gangs, Sharpe says. Young people looking for a place to belong got swept up with groups that promised attention and status. And outsiders were drawn to the community, a complaint that continues today. There are some bad elements here, but mainly the people who commit the crimes are the people who dont live here, said Southside resident Tommy Swift. It gives the whole community a bad reputation. Sharpe knew the people in the area, and he could immediately tell if someone wasnt from there. It happened a lot, he says. Sharpe made arrests of people from all over the state who came to Southside to, as he puts it, sell their drugs or trade their guns or whatever it is they want to do without a lot of repercussions, which is very much incorrect. In 2007, Iredell County had the third highest violent crime rate in the 43 non-metropolitan N.C. counties and ranked 19th in the state in total violent crime, according to the NC Criminal Justice Center. The county as a whole had increases in violent crimes, armed robberies, burglaries and graffiti, all of which were attributed to gangs. In addition to Weed & Seed, the police department received a grant in 2009 to fund what became the Statesville-Iredell Gang Initiative. The program was a collaboration of 34 area organizations, including law enforcement, social services, community organizations and faith-based groups working to reduce gang violence. Violent offenders were targeted with a call-in in which they were warned about the consequences of their actions and given information about community resources. The initiative helped identify gang members and reduced violent crimes, officials said. The grant ended in 2012, but the experience continues to help investigators, said Pam Navey, SPD community resource coordinator. In late 2015, police charged eight teens with break-ins and robberies and identified them as being part of a gang called the Hot Boyz, a group also linked to a spree of break-ins in the Highland Acres neighborhood east of Shelton Avenue. Investigators said the group became increasingly bold in the crimes, moving from break-ins at unoccupied homes to armed robberies and other violent acts. Many of those charged had Southside home addresses. The identified leader of the group lived on Wilson Lee Boulevard. A COMMUNITY CONNECTION Community policing continues to be a push for Statesville police, Barone said. In 2014, the department moved its patrol operations to the Depot on Shelton just north of Garner Bagnal Boulevard, which put patrols much closer to Southside. The public safety building planned as part of the Shelton Avenue corridor project will be in the heart of the community. In January, the city received a three-year Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant for three officers to focus on the areas in and around the Statesville Housing Authority, which covers a large part of Southside, Navey says. Their main task: community engagement. Austin says there have been attempts at starting a community watch program in Southside, but it never happened due to lack of interest. Lizzie Smyers says shell continue keeping an eye out on behalf of her Wilson Lee Boulevard neighbors. She believes Southside residents can be just as effective as the police in helping to curb crime. We all just have to want to make a change for the better, she says. The Record & Landmark newsroom staff contributed to this story. By MARK EVANS STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD Scott Schmieder, county road and bridge foreman, reported to the county commission last Thursday that temperatures are getting too cold at night for much more asphalt work to be done. He said potholes had all been patched. His crews were working on Bodine Road and made call-ins to locate Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (134) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (347) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (440) Jan 2014 (544) Feb 2014 (475) Mar 2014 (525) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (470) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (441) Oct 2014 (471) Nov 2014 (496) Dec 2014 (535) Jan 2015 (535) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (579) Apr 2015 (657) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (921) Nov 2015 (801) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (864) May 2016 (946) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (966) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (934) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (848) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (787) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (811) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (701) Jul 2022 (704) Aug 2022 (702) Sep 2022 (699) Oct 2022 (737) Nov 2022 (47) Virginia (Greunke) Kingry, 84, of Fremont, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 24, 2016. Born Jan. 9, 1932, she attended Trinity parochial and Fremont Junior and Senior High schools. On Jan. 10, 1954, she married Harold Kingry, and together they made Fremont their lifelong home. She is survived by their three children: Debbie (Kingry) Churchill and husband Doug; Dan Kingry and wife LeeAnn; and David Kingry and wife Gina; along with five grandchildren, Jake, Katie, Cassie, Zach, and Julie; and four great-grandsons, Jonah, Samuel, Noah, and Gabe. Preceding her in death were her parents, Julius and Grace Greunke; brother, Charles Greunke, sister, Grace (Greunke) Clark, and beloved husband Harold. Though now in a better place, she will be sorely missed. This isnt goodbye, Momits till we meet again. No services will be held. National Defence Minister Mihnea Motoc met on Tuesday with Deputy Minister of Defense in Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Abdullah Al - Ayees, whom he discussed with about the possibilities of extending the bilateral collaboration in the defense area. "I have approached mainly the developments in the Middle East and the Gulf Area, the possibilities of extending the bilateral collaboration on the defense line respectively, including the information sphere for defense," Motoc wrote on Facebook. He mentioned that he had "consistent" discussions with the Saudi official, the meeting being a "warm" one. Agerpres Former manager of the Floreasca Hospital of Bucharest Radu Macovei is suspected of abuse of office in a court case regarding irregularities at the hospital's burn department, in which several of the hospital's healthcare staff was summoned to the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) on Tuesday. Lawyer Cristian Ene says the prosecutors informed Macovei that he was a suspect in a case of abuse of office. Medical staff of the Floreasca Hospital of Bucharest on Tuesday were summoned at the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) in a court case regarding irregularities at the hospital's burn department according to judiciary sources. The hospital's former manager Radu Macovei arrived at the DNA office, with the same sources saying that also showing up was doctor Ioan Lascar The sources added that the healthcare staff was to be indicted by the prosecutors. The Prosecution Service with the Bucharest District 1 Courthouse sent a case file to DNA this July comprising irregularities revealed by the control team of the health minister at the Floreasca burn department. Initially, the prosecutors ordered this May the commencement of a criminal investigation in rem for abuse of office, but they declined their competence to the DNA. The case was opened after the control team of the health minister, acting on a request from the Government, uncovered irregularities in the running of the serious burn ward at the Floreasca Emergency Hospital. The Government said that following contradictory information provided by the management of the Floreasca Emergency Hospital at the behest of the control team of the prime minister, the control team of the health minister conducted an inspection at the hospital, April 26-29. "The conclusions of the inspection show the ward for serious burn care at the (Floreasca) Emergency Clinical Hospital was not operational, despite previous statements by the hospital and official openings over the past months," the Government said back then. agerpres. The City of Fremonts Wastewater Treatment Plant recently received honors from the Nebraska Water Environment Association (NWEA). The facility has now earned NWEAs Scott Wilber Outstanding Facility Award for 12 years in a row. The award is named for former City of Omaha wastewater facility operator Scott Wilber, a hallmark of achievement in high operations and maintenance standards. NWEA President Todd Sukup congratulated Keith Kontor, Wastewater Treatment Plant superintendent, and his staff on their performance at the organizations fall Conference in Kearney on Nov. 2. The award signifies the knowledge and pride Kontor and his staff exhibit in the work that they perform on a day to day basis. I thank the staff and their dedication to high standards as they operate and maintain the plant safely and efficiently to serve the community, Kontor said. NWEA also presented Fremont with the Gold Safety Award acknowledging the facilitys commitment to accident prevention and safety. That is a really great accomplishment and says a lot about our employees, Kontor said during a Tuesday phone interview. It shows that they are safe and doing the right things with the projects they are working on. At the treatment plant, Kontor, five operators and one lab technician oversee the treatment of approximately 4.5 million gallons of water daily. None of the water treated is used by people on a daily basis after, he said, noting that all of the water is discharged into the Elkhorn River following treatment. The process for treating water is intricate, Kontor said, but he spent a few minutes breaking it down in as simple of terms as he could. Its all biologically done, he said. We use no chemicals to treat the water, we do everything by growing microorganisms to break down the waste. We create an atmosphere that is high in oxygen which allows the microorganisms to thrive and break down the waste. While currently all water does filter into the Elkhorn, Kontor hopes in the near future there will be better uses for recycled water. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) hasnt approved a method for public re-use, he said. We could use it for irrigation and sometimes we use it for washing down equipment, but right now there isnt a market for treated waste water. In the near future more research will be done so we can use it, because it really is a waste for it to not be re-used. Most CEO letters are greeted by employees with a yawn. But after IBM CEO Ginni Rometty wrote a public letter to president-elect Donald Trump, one of her employees decided to quit in response, publishing a letter of her own online to describe why she did it. Elizabeth Wood, until recently a senior content strategist at IBM, published an "open letter to my boss, IBM CEO Ms. Ginni Rometty" last week in which she said she resigned because she felt the Nov. 15 letter "offered the backing of IBM's global workforce in support of his agenda." Wood, 31, wrote that the tech giant's recruitment materials suggest "the future of the company hinges on realizing an inclusive and welcoming culture, though you do not communicate this vision" within the letter Rometty wrote to Trump. Wood wrote to Rometty that "the president-elect has demonstrated contempt for immigrants, veterans, people with disabilities, Black, Latinx, Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ communities. These groups comprise a growing portion of the company you lead." In Rometty's letter to Trump, she had offered ways for IBM to work with the new administration, saying "I know that you are committed to help America's economy grow in ways that are good for all its people." She spoke about scaling up vocational "new collar" IT jobs, working on infrastructure projects that incorporate technology and artificial intelligence, as well as healthcare, tax reform, and the use of IBM technology to improve care for veterans. "As you prepare to take office as our new president, I hope the ideas I have offered in this letter represent ways that we can work together to achieve prosperity that is broadly shared in our society," Rometty wrote. But she did not address the deeply divisive rhetoric from Trump's campaign or his supporters about issues such as undocumented immigration or a proposed ban on Muslim refugees though, when she shared that letter with employees, she said in the accompanying email that IBM supports tolerance and diversity. IBM spokesman Edward Barbini said "the great majority of feedback from IBM employees has been very positive" but noted that the company, as a policy, does not otherwise comment on personnel matters. In her letter to Trump, Rometty also wrote that "in the years ahead there will be issues on which we agree, and issues on which we do not." Few employees, of course, are likely to quit over a CEO's letter. Still, Wood's very public response is illustrative of the delicate and unusual situation many CEOs could find themselves in following this year's election outcome. In the aftermath of such a brutally divisive campaign, business leaders' public comments and traditional outreach to a new administration have come under greater scrutiny by their employees and customers. Remarks by PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi at a November conference sparked a boycott from some Trump supporters, while a comment by a New Balance executive prompted a backlash from the left. CEOs, of course, must advocate for their company's business interests and opportunities. Yet at the same time, especially as businesses have touted their commitment to issues like diversity and gay rights in increasingly public ways from political advocacy to sharing data about their own workforce more employees are going to expect their bosses to speak out forcefully on those issues, no matter the forum. IBM, for instance, was one of the corporate signers of a letter from the Human Rights Campaign opposing North Carolina's so-called "bathroom bill," which dictates which restroom transgender people should use in government buildings and public schools. Meanwhile, companies must also grapple with employees' ability to broadcast their dissatisfaction via online channels. Wood's letter was shared widely on social media, with some calling her decision "brave" or commending her "courage." Comments to her letter online were met with everything from praise to defense of Rometty's letter. In an interview, Wood, who had worked for IBM for two years and whose mother was born in Cuba, said she would have liked Rometty to send "a more inclusivity-minded statement" to President-elect Trump, and that a mention of diversity and tolerance in an internal email was not enough. "To not acknowledge that in your first correspondence with someone who's going to be in control when you have such a responsibility to your workforce to represent them," she said, was a "huge disservice." Wood acknowledged that she had experienced frustrations of working in a company as large as IBM but said she had not been planning to leave the tech giant before seeing Rometty's letter. A writer and "content strategist," Wood also said she was aware her move had the potential to raise her profile; she has pinned the letter she wrote to the top of her LinkedIn profile and her Twitter feed. Yet she also said she was aware of and had considered the risks her outspokenness could prompt when it comes to getting hired in the future. "I thought I would have a mark on my back," she said, making her "that mouthy strategist that speaks out." She said she intends to freelance and does not have another full-time job lined up. A range of CEOs have written letters to employees in the aftermath of the election. J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, for instance, wrote to his employees that "we have just been through one of the most contentious elections in memory, which can make it even harder to put our differences aside." Apple's Tim Cook quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reminded employees that "our company is open to all ... regardless of what they look like, where they come from, how they worship or who they love." Others have spoken directly in letters to the president-elect. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, for instance, had his own words of advice for Trump in a letter addressed to him. "While your Electoral College victory was solid, you should guard against the victor's curse: Don't convince yourself that your victory is a personal mandate that absolves you of the need to collaborate in governing. While millions voted for you because they agreed with your ideas, millions voted for you even though they agreed with only some of your ideas or because they didn't like the alternative. And, of course, many did not vote for you. Bring all those people along with you. Leadership is about listening and then convincing. It is not about mandating." Updated at 5:13 p.m. Investors, including the state treasurers of Connecticut and Illinois, called on Wells Fargo & Co. to require an independent board chair, saying the bank needs stronger oversight in the wake of a scandal over fake customer accounts. Although Wells Fargo already has shuffled its leadership structure, Connecticut Treasurer Denise Nappier on Tuesday said the investor group has filed a shareholder resolution for the San Francisco bank's annual meeting next spring seeking a change in its bylaws. Improvements need to formalized, she said, because a board whose chair is also chief executive the dual role once held by John Stumpf at Wells Fargo creates a potential conflict of interest. "At the end of the day, the company's shameful conduct was fueled by poor governance that fostered a culture of irresponsibility and deficiencies in risk management," Nappier said in a statement. Via email, Wells Fargo spokesman Ancel Martinez said, "We appreciate the feedback that we receive from our investors and we will review the proposal." Stumpf resigned on Oct. 12, bowing to pressure following a $190 million settlement the bank reached with regulators in September. Reviews found the bank's staff opened as many as 2 million accounts without customers' knowledge to meet internal sales targets. Stumpf was replaced as CEO by the bank's president, Tim Sloan. The role of board chair was given to Stephen Sanger, who had been Wells Fargo's lead director and was listed as independent in the bank's latest proxy filing. Nappier called the splitting of the roles "a welcome first step" but said Wells Fargo must still put a better leadership structure in place. Co-filers of the resolution included Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, shareholder adviser Hermes EOS and Needmor Fund, which had filed before Stumpf's departure. In a separate news release on Tuesday, Frerichs said the bank's "predatory and illegal banking practices have proved that the company needs a set of independent eyes to ensure stronger, unbiased oversight." Frerichs had earlier cut some state business with Wells Fargo, such as suspending its use as a broker dealer. Additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York. Updated at 3:19 p.m. BOSTON After nearing collapse under the Obama administration, the for-profit college industry is celebrating Donald Trump's election as a chance for a rebound. As stock prices for some of the nation's largest college chains have surged, industry lobbyists say they have received a warm welcome from Trump's transition team and already have launched a campaign to rebrand the embattled industry as a key to the new president's plan for economic growth. While Trump has yet to detail his education plan, some in the for-profit sector see the president-elect as an ally who has championed the private sector and promised to roll back many of President Barack Obama's regulations. Industry lobbyists hope those include federal "gainful employment" rules, which can cut funding to academic programs whose graduates struggle to pay off student debt, and new borrower defense rules that can force financially unstable schools to put up large sums of money to cover student loans if the school fails. "Unfortunately, the focus in the last eight years has been fighting for survival from an ideological administration that was opposed to our very existence, and hopefully that is a fight we will no longer have to wage," said Steve Gunderson, president of the industry lobbying group Career Education Colleges and Universities and a former Republican congressman. Gunderson said that early conversations with Trump's transition team showed promise for a smoother relationship with the White House. "They absolutely see a place for postsecondary career education which is not exclusively constructed around just four-year liberal-arts programs," Gunderson said. Trump's transition team did not respond to requests for comment. The for-profit college industry has suffered steep enrollment losses since 2010. Many schools blame Obama, whose administration has cracked down on schools accused of fraud and added new regulations that officials say were meant to protect students from abuse. In September, the ITT Technical Institute chain shut down after the federal government mostly barred it from enrolling new students as a sanction for academic troubles. A month later, the Apollo Education Group, owner of the University of Phoenix, told investors that it might not survive the policies of another Democratic president. Trump, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, spoke little about for-profit colleges during his campaign. His pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, is known for promoting charter schools and school vouchers but has less of a track record when it comes to higher education. DeVos did not respond to a request for comment. Still, critics expect that Trump will loosen the reins on for-profit colleges, and some see parallels between those schools and the Republican's now-defunct Trump University. This month, Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle three fraud lawsuits filed against his Trump University real-estate seminars, although he didn't admit fault. Ben Miller, senior director for postsecondary education at the liberal think tank Center for American Progress, said it's revealing that the industry is celebrating someone accused of misconduct "that resembles the worst practices of that industry." But Miller and other critics doubt the sector will see a major rebound because its image has already been tarnished. To repair its reputation, Gunderson's group is rebranding the industry as a key to Trump's plan for economic growth. This month, the schools Gunderson represents promised to train 5 million skilled workers over the next decade, echoing Trump's promise to create 25 million jobs in that span. "Our sector needs to reintroduce ourselves to the policymakers," Gunderson said. Four-year for-profit colleges enrolled an estimated 1.1 million undergraduates in spring 2016, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, a nonprofit research group. The DeVry Education Group said in a statement that it will work with the administration and "offer suggestions and reforms." Shares in the parent company of DeVry University jumped 30 percent in the weeks after Trump's election, to their highest value in more than a year. Other for-profit colleges declined to comment. Students who attend for-profit colleges are typically older and poorer than their peers at four-year universities, and more often they're minorities, according to federal data. Industry backers say that's because for-profit schools offer accelerated programs with flexible schedules for working adults. Opponents say it's because they lure low-income students with aggressive tactics. A study released by the Education Department this month found that graduates of public colleges earned an average of $9,000 a year more than their counterparts at for-profit colleges. Gunderson's group countered with another study projecting that the sector could produce 8.5 million professionals over the next decade. Those offering recent support to the industry include former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a close adviser to Trump who is making a case to be the president-elect's strategic planner. At a recent event in Dallas for Gunderson's group, Gingrich urged the next administration to embrace for-profit schools in its education plan. "They have an opportunity to try to create a movement, to create 8.5 million new jobs, which gets precisely at what Donald Trump has been campaigning on," Gingrich said in an interview. Gingrich, who is personal friends with Gunderson, added that he believes some of Obama's major regulations targeting the industry will be scaled back. "I expect them to be dramatically modified," Gingrich said. "They were impossible to administer and they simply set up rules designed to force schools into bankruptcy." FESTUS People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals announced Tuesday its intent to sue a Festus facility that houses chimpanzees and other primates over allegedly unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The animal rights group says it is giving the Missouri Primate Foundation 60 days notice of its lawsuit as required by the Endangered Species Act. PETA alleges the business at 12338 Highway CC is housing at least 16 chimpanzees in "filthy, virtually barren enclosures" without adequate space to climb and roam. The foundation's owner, Connie Braun Casey, could not be reached for comment. Years ago, Casey and her then-husband ran the foundation as well as Chimparty, a now closed business that provided chimpanzees for parties, television ads and movies. Casey also houses a baboon and about a dozen other species of monkeys. Brittany Peet, a lawyer for PETA, says the goal of the pending lawsuit is to persuade Casey to give up her animals, and at no cost to her, and have them transferred to an accredited chimpanzee sanctuary. Peet said a former Missouri Primate Foundation volunteer notified PETA about the Festus facility after visiting last month and recording video of conditions there. "These chimpanzees are suffering and we want to work with her to do the right thing," Peet said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10 inspections since January 2014 found more than a dozen violations regarding trash, cockroaches, scattered feces, animal hair-loss and poor ventilation. In 2001, a neighbor of the property fatally shot 28-year-old chimp named Suzy that had escaped from an unlocked cage. ST. LOUIS An Alton man police say is part of the Gangster Disciples gang was charged Monday with trying to run over a bicycle cop in downtown St. Louis. Nukill Taylor, 31, of the 600 block of Liberty Street, was charged with misdemeanor property damage and felony assault on a law enforcement officer. Taylor was not in custody Monday. Corut records say about 2 a.m. Saturday at Washington Avenue and Tucker Boulevard, two city officers spotted a vehicle head west on Washington that Florissant police had been looking for in connection with a burglary. When Officer Bridget Fournie waved for the vehicle to pull over, it drove toward her, forcing her to ditch the bike and dive away. Charges say Taylor, who was driving, struck the front wheel of Fournie's bicycle, damaging it. Fournie said in court documents that she got a clear view of Taylor and was able to identify him. Taylor has a criminal record in Illinois and is a member of the Gangster Disciples, charges say. A jail photo of Taylor was not immediately available Monday. UPDATED at 1:15 p.m. with details from Cahokia and Washington Park police. CAHOKIA An off-duty Washington Park police officer fatally shot a man known for eluding police on several occasions outside a Walmart store here Monday night after the man drove toward the officer, police said. The officer called police to report that he had seen a wanted person there, and two Cahokia officers tried to take the man into custody, but he fled after a struggle, officials said. Cahokia Police Chief Dave Landmann said the man drove toward the off-duty officer, but his officers did not fire. Two Cahokia officers also were injured during the confrontation, but a Cahokia press release did not elaborate on the nature of those injuries. Washington Park Police Chief Tony Tomlinson confirmed Tuesday that the officer who fired the fatal shots had been with his department for about two weeks and passed all of the necessary background checks. He declined further comment about the circumstances of the shooting until an outside investigation by the Illinois State Police is finished. Phone calls to the Illinois State Police have not yet been returned. "My initial information on the scene is that all the officers were following the letter of the law," Tomlinson said. "I would ask that everyone wait for the results of the investigation. "It's a tragedy all the way around. Yes he's a criminal. I want him to go to jail. I want him to face charges and not lose his life." The mother of the dead man identified him as Jason Stringer, 35, of East St. Louis. Rita Stringer, 56, of Belleville, said the St. Clair County coroner's office told her about her son's death. She complained that she had received no official information about what happened. "No officer has contacted me," she said. "The only thing I'm hearing is from social media." While driving erratically in the parking lot, Stringer struck a police vehicle and a brick pillar in front of Walmart, which caused "extensive damage to the building" and "nearly struck several pedestrians," according to a Cahokia police press release. The off-duty Washington Park officer fired "multiple shots at the suspect" and the man was shot at least once, according to the release. After being shot Monday, multiple police agencies pursued Stringer for about a mile eastbound on Camp Jackson Road as he struck other vehicles. Ultimately, he hit a median, which disabled his car. He was arrested and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police say. Tomlinson said he only went to the Walmart to see his officer and did not go to the crash site, so he could not comment on whether Stringer was armed. Tomlinson said Tuesday that Stringer had fled from police multiple times, and was wanted for firing shots on two occasions in October at his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend. On Wednesday, Tomlinson said the man put a gun to the new boyfriend's head at a gas station. Kashondra Murphy, 37, who described herself as Jason Stringer's former girlfriend and mother of their 12-year-old child, said he was fun and lovable, "but he had his faults. I think he got wrapped up in the streets." She cried while talking about how Stringer fired shots at her new boyfriend. Murphy, of Belleville, said they had been together for more than 10 years and apart for about six months. She believes he was wanted after leading Washington Park police on high-speed chases. "I just wish he went to jail instead of being dead," she said. Stringer also had warrants from East St. Louis police for being a convicted felon with a gun and four counts of fleeing and alluding. His bond for those charges was $112,000, Tomlinson said. Earlier Monday, he fled from an East St. Louis officer, but police did not pursue given rainy conditions, Tomlinson said. On Oct. 29, Stringer rammed an East St. Louis police captain's vehicle during a pursuit that led into Washington Park, Tomlinson said. Tomlinson said Stringer also was involved in a pursuit that ended in a crash earlier this year in downtown St. Louis, and he was taken to a hospital for his injuries, but escaped because police in Illinois thought St. Louis city police were watching him there but weren't, Tomlinson said. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday morning. State police asked anyone with information to call Detective Bryant Johnson at 618-571-4125. Kim Bell and Christine Byers of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. JEFFERSON CITY Richard B. Teitelman, Missouris first legally blind Supreme Court judge, has died. Judge Teitelman, known as Rick, began his service on the states high court in March 2002 and served as its chief justice from July 2011 through June 2013. He was 69. Details of his death were not immediately available, but his longtime colleague and friend, former Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff, said Teitelman had been ailing for several years. Hes had some serious health problems, said Wolff, who is dean of the St. Louis University Law School. In honor of Teitelman, the court canceled oral arguments scheduled for Tuesday, but will hear arguments as scheduled on Wednesday. It is with great sadness that the Supreme Court of Missouri acknowledges the passing of its beloved colleague, the court said in a statement issued Tuesday morning. Teitelman the first Jewish judge to serve on the states high court was born in Philadelphia. At a Missouri Bar Association event earlier this year, Teitelman said his mother had wanted him to become a doctor. At age 13, however, he was declared legally blind. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1969 with a degree in math and moved to Missouri where he attended law school at Washington University. He worked at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in St. Louis for nearly a quarter-century before being appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals in 1998. He was elevated to the state Supreme Court by former Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat, in 2002. On Tuesday, Dana Tippin Cutler, president of the Missouri Bar, offered condolences to Teitelmans family and friends. We join with the Court in recognizing his 18 years of service to the people of Missouri as an appellate judge and his career-long dedication to making sure all Missourians, regardless of their income, have equal access to justice in Missouri, Tippin Cutler noted in a statement. House Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty said the court benefited from Teitelmans dedication to equal justice for all. During his decades representing poor clients as a legal aid attorney and later as a jurist, Judge Richard Teitelmans commitment to protecting the less fortunate from injustice was unwavering, McCann Beatty said. Thomas G. Glick, president of the board of directors of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri offered praise for Teitelman. He gave voice to those without representation and was tireless in his work to protect the vulnerable, Glick said. Selection process Teitelmans death sets up a process that likely will give Gov.-elect Eric Greitens, a Republican, the opportunity to select a replacement for the seven-member high court. The selection of Supreme Court judges is governed by Missouris nonpartisan court plan. Under that process, a committee headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Breckenridge will set out a schedule for attorneys to apply for the position. That panel interviews the applicants and submits three names to the governor, who has 60 days to choose a finalist. Typically, however, the application, interview and selection process takes longer than the 41 days left in Democratic Gov. Jay Nixons term. The selection committee comprises the chief justice, three attorneys chosen by their fellow lawyers and three Missouri residents appointed by the governor. Of the citizen members, the term of Cheryl Darrough of Columbia ends Dec. 31, giving Nixon the ability to keep his fingerprints on the panel before he leaves on Jan. 9. In a statement, Nixon said, Judge Teitelman will be remembered not only for his breaking new ground as the first legally blind judge to sit on Missouris highest court, but also for his legal skills and his passion for justice. He truly listened to, and never forgot, those who needed justice the most. During the recent election, Greitens signaled that he wants to alter the states court plan, which is viewed as a national model for removing partisanship from the judiciary. Eric is opposed to our current system of judicial selection that gives trial lawyers too much control over the appointment of the very judges they argue their cases in front of, Greitens policy director Will Scharf said in October. Passionate public service In a statement issued Tuesday, Greitens said Teitelmans life serves as a reminder to every Missourian that nothing should stand in the way of passionate public service. Teitelman was known for his humor and kindness. After a speech to the Legislature in 2012, the Missouri Bar served members of the House and Senate a lunch featuring knishes a meat or potato-filled dumpling that is a staple of Jewish cooking. Teitelman said his vision problem stemmed from a congenital anomaly of the optic nerve. He could read large type, but he did not drive. He never described himself as handicapped or disabled. Rather, he said in 2007, Its a challenge. These challenges are things that are character building. He used a magnifying glass to read and relied on his law clerks for other reading duties. Longtime friend Stuart Berkowitz, former regional advisory board chairman for the Missouri-Southern Illinois office of the Anti-Defamation League, called Teitelman one-of-a-kind. His uniqueness as an individual, an attorney, an advocate and as a judge was unmatched, Berkowitz said. On days when the court was hearing arguments, Teitelman would often walk through the courtroom before proceedings began to shake hands and chat with people in the audience. It was just so disarming. In part, he really made human connections extraordinarily well, Wolff said. He was one of the most extraordinary people Ive ever known. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Graham Memorial Chapel on the campus of Washington University. Among the survivors is his brother, Gilbert E. Teitelman of Philadelphia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and May, and his brother Louis. Memorial contributions may be sent to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, 4232 Forest Park Avenue. OLIVETTE With the St. Louis region on pace to see a record number of opioid overdose deaths this year, various agencies came together Monday to train more first responders to use naloxone an antidote also known as Narcan that can reverse an overdose. On Monday, the Missouri Opioid-Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education or MO-HOPE Project, a partnership between the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Institute for Mental Health, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse launched an overdose education and naloxone training and distribution program for first responders. The Eureka Police Department, St. Charles City Police Department, Warrenton Fire Department, Wright City Fire Department, Marthasville Police Department and the Columbia Police Department participated, according to a press release. "The potency of heroin and the circulation of strong prescription painkillers have been increasing," wrote Rachel Winograd, MO-HOPE lead investigator at MIMH. Among other things, this grant will improve access to naloxone for emergency responders and community members to most effectively intervene when the worst happens. St. Charles County was the first police agency to start using the antidote in the area in November 2015. St. Louis County, Wentzville, Clayton and others have since followed suit. Weve already seen tremendous success with the naloxone program that the St. Louis County Police Department has implemented, saving dozens of lives in just a few months, said Brandon Costerison, MO-HOPE project manager with NCADA. In addition to saving lives, this project is also allowing us to teach officers how to assist survivors and help them find treatment resources. Not only will more people survive, but they will have a chance at recovery. BELLERIVE ACRES Kicking off an almost weeklong tour of all four University of Missouri System schools, incoming president Mun Choi visited the St. Louis campus for the first time Tuesday. Choi, currently the provost at the University of Connecticut, was officially named as the incoming university system president last month. He arrives at the system office in Columbia March 1. During his University of Missouri-St. Louis visit, Choi spoke briefly to a room of more than 100 faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. He shared a similar vision that he did when he was introduced at a press conference in Jefferson City, recommitting himself to wanting to listen to all of the stakeholders. A few dozen people lined up to glad-hand with the incoming president. Those who did said they were impressed. He seems plugged into something weve been looking at on this campus, which is how students can succeed when they get here, Betsy Sampson, a project coordinator with UMSLs Office of Academic Affairs, said. UMSLs push is part of a systemwide retention effort, she said, but its good to have someone at the helm who understands thats important. After the reception, Choi spent much of the day meeting with campus leaders. Monday night, he met with business leaders including Tom Minogue of Thompson Coburn LLP, and UMSL donors Terry and Stan Freeks, a spokesman said. Civic engagement was among the priorities Choi outlined during his remarks Tuesday. Specifically, he mentioned the work that students and faculty are doing around the campus in north St. Louis County, and similar opportunities that all of the campuses can leverage for federal grants. That impressed Patricia Zahn, UMSLs director of community outreach and engagement. She said that connecting with the community can often get overlooked at schools with large research missions, but UMSL was created to serve this community and he recognizes that. Planning ahead Choi said he expects to announce his plans on the search for a new chancellor at Mizzou. Hank Foley has served as the interim chancellor since R. Bowen Loftin stepped down during November 2015, the same day that system president Timothy M. Wolfe resigned. Right now Im in the process of meeting with the stakeholders both with the Mizzou campus and the Board of Curators, and I plan on making a decision soon, Choi told the Post-Dispatch. Choi also announced that he is meeting with governor-elect Eric Greitens on Dec. 11 to discuss their respective higher education priorities. Wednesday, Choi meets with officials at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He then travels to Mizzou on Thursday and finishes the week out Friday at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to show that a memo sent about authority to sign personnel documents such as time sheets came from the city's human resources department. A new chief took the helm of the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport police force Monday, the latest chapter in bureaucratic wrangling over merging the department with the St. Louis police. The move raises questions about control of security, traffic and criminal investigations at the airport, which is projected to see more than 13 million visitors this year. The airports police force long operated independently from the citys traditional police department. The merger was supposed to come as part of the return of local control to the St. Louis Police Department. Three city commanders a major, lieutenant and sergeant had been moved to the airport as part of the transition. That arrangement ended Monday, when Capt. Mark Hollenberg of the airports department became acting chief of its roughly 70 police officers. He was appointed by Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Lamberts director. The three city officers no longer will be assigned to the airport. No other police officers, either city or airport, had been transferred as part of the move toward a merger, which has been plagued with pitfalls including disputes over Social Security benefits, pensions and pay. In October, 50 airport police officers sued the city, the Civil Service Commission and its individual members seeking parity in pay and benefits with city officers. They also demanded back pay to 2013, when City Hall took control of the St. Louis Police Department. It had been governed since the mid-19th century by a state-appointed board. The city owns the airport. The suit noted that firefighters who work at the airport are city firefighters, and are paid the same as other city firefighters. The St. Louis Fire Department has two stations at the airport. And Social Security benefits have been a big stumbling block in merging the police departments. St. Louis police are part of the police retirement system and do not pay into Social Security. Airport employees do. But despite an agreement hashed out on those benefits at a September meeting in Washington, under which airport police officers would keep their Social Security benefits after being told they werent eligible, the matter continues to hinder efforts to bring Lambert officers under the umbrella of St. Louis police. Officials had said the agreement meant the merger could proceed a move that was announced in 2014 but that hasnt happened. A memo last month from Deborah Gibbs in the citys human resources office to Sharon Stone, the airports human resources manager, highlighted the lingering divide between the forces. Gibbs wrote that no one from police department had signature authority for personnel documents for airport employees, even on routine matters such as time sheets. Jeff Roorda, the St. Louis Police Officers Association business manager, said the stalemate is unfair to airport officers. The most significant way that these police officers are out there twisting in the wind is because they dont know what pension system they will end up in or if they will continue to receive Social Security benefits, he said. Roorda also noted that the citys charter requires that it have only one police department. St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson referred questions to the office of Mayor Francis Slay. Slays spokeswoman, Maggie Crane, said Social Security benefits remain the biggest hurdle, and that the memorandum of understanding for the merger dissolved Monday until such legal questions are answered. Hamm-Niebruegge said Monday that the airport police department is well-staffed and that a few new officers had been hired in recent weeks. When asked if she supported the merger of the departments, she said there are pros and cons. She did not elaborate, and said the issue of Social Security benefits should be resolved before a next step is taken. Nothing ever changed out here, she said of policing operations including rules and policies. ST. LOUIS For anyone teasing, hinting or pledging to enter the citys race for mayor, Monday was the first chance to make it official. The first day of filing came and went without any big surprises in spite of what politicos have predicted will be a wild and contentious fight to succeed Mayor Francis Slay. Seven Democratic candidates filed their paperwork to officially enter the race. All of them had previously announced their intentions to run. With 40 days until the filing period ends, its possible that several more candidates will enter a race considered wide open following Slays surprise April announcement that he wouldnt be seeking a fifth term. The only drama on Monday came as candidates entered a lottery that will determine in what order their names are listed on the March 7 primary ballot. Alderman Antonio French, who is giving up his 21st Ward seat to run for mayor, won the top spot on the ballot. Three of the better-known candidates were in line at the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners office when it opened Monday morning. We started this five months ago, but today is the start of the real campaign, 28th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson said. Im excited. Excited was one of the days buzzwords as Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed used it repeatedly in talking up his vision for a safer, more business-friendly city. City Treasurer Tishaura Jones said she was in a state of nervous excitement as she paid the $1,300 filing fee 1 percent of the mayors salary. The candidates: French, known nationally as an activist for his participation in the Ferguson protests and his commentary on Twitter, has been an alderman for nine years and has long been a vocal critic of Slay. French has said his campaign will center on neighborhood stability, increasing job opportunities and finding uses for abandoned buildings. Reed has been on the Board of Aldermen since 1999, and he has served as president since 2007. He lost his first bid for mayor in the 2013 Democratic primary, falling more than 4,000 votes short of Slay. On Monday, Reed said he will focus on crime. He called the citys crime rate the canary in the coal mine, a signal that St. Louis has major structural problems, particularly in providing increased economic opportunities. Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, 22nd Ward, has served on the board since 2003. Boyd has previously run unsuccessfully for city treasurer and license collector. Boyd has said the city is in need of a comprehensive development plan that would prioritize whats best for the city, rather than whats best for developers. He has also called for more innovative police strategies and said he will work to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the public. Jones, city treasurer since 2013, also is a former state representative. While campaigning, Jones has talked up her management of the treasurers office, citing the hundreds of employees she supervises and the multimillion-dollar budget she manages. Krewson, 28th Ward, has served on the board since 1997. On Monday she called improving public safety job one for the city, with economic development the next highest priority. Bill Haas, a member of the elected St. Louis School Board, has run for numerous offices going back several years, including a failed bid for Congress this fall. Improving third-grade reading scores and developing neighborhoods are two areas Haas has identified as critical to the city. Jimmie Matthews, a former alderman, has also run for numerous offices, most recently an unsuccessful bid for sheriff this year. Matthews on Monday said he will focus on providing a designated area for the citys homeless to live. He said that would be the best approach to provide services for them. With 99 days remaining until the March 7 primary, other candidates who want to run for mayor have until Jan. 6 to file. The general election will be held April 4, but the winner of the Democratic primary is expected to win in the heavily Democratic city. Food kiosks are coming to the North Hanley and Wellston MetroLink stations. The 18-month pilot program being undertaken by the Bi-State Development Research Institute, the nonprofit arm of Bi-State Development which oversees Metro Transit, is being funded by a $583,958 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, Metro said Tuesday. The goal is to bring healthier food options closer to Metro riders and residents who live near the stations by increasing the availability of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods to those without convenient access to grocery stores and farmers markets. Between 15 to 45 percent of households in north St. Louis County do not own a car, a number that jumps to between 45 and 70 percent for those living near the North Hanley Transit Center, Metro said. The University of Missouri Extension is set to host sessions to give nutrition advice to kiosk patrons and transit riders. The kiosks are scheduled to open sometime next year. Click here to read about suggestions gathered in a recent Citizens for Modern Transit study aimed to assess what people want to see done to turn MetroLink stations into places where people can go for more than just boarding and exiting transit. Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (B&W) (NYSE: BW) announced that its Denmark-based subsidiary, Babcock & Wilcox Vlund A/S (B&W Vlund), has been awarded a contract for nearly $40 million to design a waste-to-energy boiler for Shenzhen Energy Environmental Engineering Co. Ltd. in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. When complete, the plant will provide a long-term, proven waste management solution for the region while generating clean, renewable energy. Fueled by up to 5,600 tons of municipal waste a day, the plant will be the largest waste-to-energy facility in the world. B&W Vlund will supply equipment, including a DynaGrate combustion grate system, hydraulics, burners and other boiler components for the 168 megawatt plant. B&W Vlund will also provide construction advisors for the combined heat and power project. The demand for reliable and clean renewable energy is growing in China and throughout much of Asia, said Paul Scavuzzo, senior vice president, B&W Renewable. We thank Shenzhen Energy for choosing B&W Vlund to provide state-of-the art technology for this plant. The circular Shenzhen plant will be built with sustainability in mind and will incorporate rooftop solar panels, a visitor education center and an observation platform into its architectural design. It also represents the first time B&W Vlund has deployed its advanced DynaGrate technology in China. The plant is scheduled to begin commercial operation in mid-2019. Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE: CLW) announced the permanent closure of its Oklahoma City converting facility and permanent shutdown of two tissue machines at the companys Neenah, Wisconsin, tissue facility. "As an integral step in our overall strategy to optimize our operations through better asset utilization, we will be taking these difficult but necessary actions while delivering on our growth objectives, said Pat Burke, group president for Clearwater Paper. Clearwater Paper intends to run its Oklahoma City facility until its permanent closure on March 31, 2017. All of the facilitys 131 employees will be impacted. The facility converts large parent rolls of tissue into packaged products. Because of significant productivity gains from our cost and optimization programs across the company, we expect Oklahoma Citys production to be effectively absorbed and more efficiently supplied by other Clearwater Paper facilities, said Glenn Taylor, vice president of manufacturing for Clearwater Papers consumer products division. Also, as part of an overall facility optimization and restructuring plan, Clearwater Papers Neenah location will permanently shut down two of the companys highest-cost tissue machines, affecting approximately 85 of the facilitys approximate 400 employees and removing a total production capacity of 32,000 tons beginning December 31, 2016. Three remaining tissue machines will continue to manufacture an array of private label and away-from-home tissue products. Although a difficult decision when considering the impacted employees at Neenah, we expect the plants restructuring to lower our overall costs and significantly strengthen the facility, said Taylor. The company will work closely with state employment agencies to assist employees in receiving training, educational benefits and other benefits that enable them to find new employment as quickly as possible. The company will also provide private career assistance services to help employees through this difficult time. The company expects the total impact of non-recurring exit related costs to be approximately $13 to $16 million, $4 to $6 million of which is expected to be incurred this year with the remainder in 2017. The cost savings benefits resulting from the facility consolidation and optimization are expected to be $10 million on an annual basis, with $7 to $9 million in 2017, which will contribute to the company meeting its previously announced operational improvement target. "Clearwater Papers employees remain our primary consideration and we are working to do as much as we can for those affected by utilizing all resources to help them through this difficult time," said Pat Burke. "We are working with local and state agencies to supply multiple job options to the employees." Command Security Corporation (NYSE: MOC) announced that Aviation Safeguards, the Companys aviation services division has received the award of a three-year contract to continue services with a major domestic airline in the New York City metropolitan area. This award secures the continuation of current services by the Company to this customer through December 31, 2019, and is effective January 1, 2017. Total revenues associated with this award, including estimated indirectly associated revenues at this airport, are estimated at $17 million annually, or approximately $50 million over the three-year term. Under the contract, the Company will continue to provide security, baggage handling and wheelchair services for this major domestic airline. We are very excited about this win and the opportunity to continue to provide services to this highly valued key strategic airline partner and look forward to working with this customer in the development and enhancement of industry best practices and innovations, said Joseph Conlon Aviation Safeguards Division Vice President. Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ORN) a leading specialty construction company, today announced a contract award of approximately $80 million. The Companys Heavy Civil Marine Construction segment, Orion Marine Group, was recently awarded a contract for a project along the Gulf Coast of Texas for a private sector client in the downstream energy business. The project entails dock expansion and dredging services and will begin during the first quarter of 2017 with a duration of approximately 18 months. UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) will host its annual Investor Conference with analysts and institutional investors in New York City on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST. At the meeting, senior leaders will discuss the Companys performance and outlook, including reviewing business trends and initiatives related to its various business units. The Company will host a webcast of the presentation and management question and answer portions of this meeting and will make a digital package of conference materials available on its Investors page at www.unitedhealthgroup.com. A replay of the conference will be available on the Company web site through January 2, 2017. In conjunction with the meeting, the Company will discuss its financial outlook. Revenues for 2016 are expected to exceed $184 billion, with net earnings of approximately $7.45 per share and adjusted net earnings of approximately $8.00 per share, consistent with the Companys most recent projections. Adjusted net earnings exclude from net earnings only the noncash amortization expense pertaining to acquisition-related intangible assets. For 2017, UnitedHealth Group will introduce outlooks for revenues of $197 billion to $199 billion, net earnings of $8.75 to $9.05 per share, and adjusted net earnings of $9.30 to $9.60 per share. This compare to the current consensus of $196.9 billion and $9.15. Cash flows from operations are expected to range from $11.5 billion to $12 billion in 2017. SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- 2nd Watch, a managed public cloud provider for enterprises, has earned the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Financial Services Competency. The AWS Partner Network (APN) Competency program highlights companies that have demonstrated technical proficiency, leadership and proven customer success in specialized solution areas. 2nd Watch has previously earned AWS competencies in Migration, DevOps, Big Data, Marketing and Commerce, Life Sciences and SharePoint and is also recognized as an AWS Managed Service Partner. The AWS Financial Services Competency requires companies to demonstrate financial services industry expertise, readily implemented solutions that align with AWS architectural best practices, and have staff with AWS-certifications. 2nd Watch helps major global financial and banking institutions migrate to the cloud while meeting rigid compliance and security requirements. Its clients also reduce costs and can more rapidly respond to industry reporting requirements with 2nd Watch's solutions for batch computing, HPC and big data. The cloud services provider has experience developing solutions compliant with Sarbanes Oxley, PII and PCI, along with detailed security requirements such as SOC2, multi-factor authentication, virtual private cloud (VPC), intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning and log management. The 2nd Watch team helped life reinsurance provider, SCOR, migrate its underwriting system to the AWS Cloud, including handling design, test and ongoing management and support. SCOR determined that its need for attaining SOC2 compliance for the application would be cost prohibitive if handled internally. Therefore, SCOR chose AWS and 2nd Watch to meet those requirements. The project incorporated Amazon WorkSpaces, the AWS hosted desktop service that provides the application isolation required to meet SOC 2 compliance, as well as managed cloud security services from Alert Logic, a 2nd Watch partner. "Major financial institutions are using AWS to leverage elastic compute power without having to invest heavily in traditional hardware requiring a large CAPEX investment," says Jeff Aden, executive VP of strategic business development and marketing with 2nd Watch. "We are seeing customers in the financial vertical that are bringing forward new business initiatives which may have required substantial compute power and they now have the ability and access to additional resources. Typically, these are new workloads comprise risk modeling and financial analysis that deliver greater insights into portfolio performance. We're thrilled that AWS has recognized our competency to work with financial services institutions, who are some of their most demanding customers, with enormous requirements for scale, performance, data integrity and security." About 2nd Watch 2nd Watch is an AWS Premier Partner providing managed cloud to enterprises. The company's subject matter experts, software-enabled services and cutting-edge solutions provide companies with tested, proven, and trusted solutions, allowing them to fully leverage the power of the public cloud. 2nd Watch solutions are high performing, robust, increase operational excellence, decrease time to market, accelerate growth and lower risk. Its patent-pending, proprietary tools automate everyday workload management processes for big data analytics, digital marketing, line-of-business and cloud native workloads. 2nd Watch is a new breed of partner which helps enterprises design, deploy and manage cloud solutions and monitors business critical workloads 24x7. 2nd Watch has more than 400 enterprise workloads under its management and more than 100,000 instances in its managed public cloud. The venture-backed company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. To learn more about 2nd Watch, visit www.2ndwatch.com or call 888-317-7920. Media contact: Kevin Wolf TGPR (650) 327-1641 [email protected] Source: 2nd Watch Live broadcast on Nov. 29 to be followed by festivities at the hospital, including several young patients and community partners giving back LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Beloved Los Angeles radio host Ellen K is spending Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, sharing inspiring stories of patients, doctors, nurses and supporters of Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006162/en/ Drew Barrymore, Golden Globe winning actress, entrepreneur, mother and longtime hospital supporter, is leading the 2016 Live L.A. Give L.A. campaign, inspiring families to give to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. (Graphic: Business Wire) Ellen will broadcast her November 29th morning show from CHLA, encouraging listeners to Live L.A. Give L.A. the name of CHLA's holiday fundraising campaign that starts on Giving Tuesday. She's asking people to support CHLA's mission to build hope and healthier futures for the hundreds of thousands of kids who come through its doors every year including Ellens own son, who recently underwent orthopaedic surgery at the hospital. Along with patients and staff, a few celebrities also will be calling in to chat with Ellen on air. That includes actress Drew Barrymore, who is the celebrity face of the Live L.A. Give L.A. campaign. The mother of two has hosted several events for patients and their families at the hospital and recently received CHLA's Courage to Care award for her longtime commitment to children. After Ellen K's show, which runs from 5:00am-10:00am on KOST 103.5, several CHLA Junior Ambassadors and local community partners, such as Portos Bakery and Cafe will showcase their Giving Tuesday spirit with their own events at the hospital. These include: Jayhann, 13, a leukemia patient currently receiving monthly chemotherapy at CHLA . Hes made it his mission to help other kids like him and has already raised more than half his $10,000 goal through lemonade stands, bake sales and T-shirt sales. . Hes made it his mission to help other kids like him and has already raised more than half his $10,000 goal through lemonade stands, bake sales and T-shirt sales. Sasha, 8, who was born with cerebral palsy and recently had surgery to correct her walking gait . Using expressive art to support CHLA, she custom paints jeans and other denim clothing for donations and has raised more than $3,000. Actress Jessica Biel has been spotted wearing one of Sasha's creations. . Using expressive art to support CHLA, she custom paints jeans and other denim clothing for donations and has raised more than $3,000. Actress Jessica Biel has been spotted wearing one of Sasha's creations. Sandra, 12, a Junior Ambassador who has partnered with Big Sugar Bakeshop in Studio City the last two years to raise funds for CHLA by selling specially-designed cupcakes. the last two years to raise funds for CHLA by selling specially-designed cupcakes. Portos Bakery and Cafe , who is donating 20 percent of sales from all cheese rolls purchased on Giving Tuesday (at all three locations) to CHLA. "We have so much to be thankful for this holiday season, and Im inspired by patients like Jayhann, Sasha and Sandra. Despite facing their own adversity, they have gone above and beyond in selflessly dedicating themselves to improving the lives of others," says Children's Hospital Los Angeles President and CEO Paul S. Viviano. "They truly embody the heart of our Live L.A. Give L.A. message, and I am so grateful for their example." From 10:00am-11:15am, these patients and other Junior Ambassadors will be at CHLA handing out lemonade, CHLA-branded cupcakes from Big Sugar Bakeshop, and pastries from Portos to patients, their families and CHLA staff. The Junior Ambassador program comprises mostly middle- and high-school-aged volunteers who are patients, patient siblings and other youth interested in helping others. Many create their own events to raise funds and spread awareness for the 350 programs and services available at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. In recent years, Giving Tuesday has gained popularity as a philanthropy-driven contrast to Black Friday, and has become a global movement galvanizing people everywhere to support causes in which they believe. December also is a crucial time for Children's Hospital Los Angeles to raise funds CHLA is one of the nations leading pediatric clinical and research facilities today largely because of community support. Each and every gift to CHLA helps the hospital provide critical, lifesaving care to patients who come not just from Los Angeles, but from all 50 states and from more than 50 countries around the world. About Children's Hospital Los Angeles Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is a nonprofit pediatric health care organization dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures for children. Founded in 1901, CHLA is one of the nations leading childrens hospitals and is acknowledged worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. CHLA is one of only 11 childrens hospitals in the nationand the top-ranked pediatric facility in Californiato be named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll for 2016-17. For more information, visit CHLA.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, or visit our blog: CHLA.org/BLOG View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006162/en/ Children's Hospital Los Angeles Owen Lei, 323-361-8433 [email protected] Source: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles TORONTO, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/16 -- Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. ("GLH" or the "Company") (CSE: GLH) (OTCQB: GLDFF), a leading cannabis oil solutions company built around recognized brands, today announced its unaudited interim financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. Please click here to access the Company's quarterly filing on the SEDAR website. GLH will hold a shareholder update call on Tuesday, November 29th, at 4:30pm ET to discuss the quarterly results. The dial-in numbers for the Q3 2016 financial release and shareholder update are as follows: Program Title: Golden Leaf Holdings Earnings Call Canada & U.S.: (866) 952-1906 International: (785) 424-1825 Passcode: 15684 Overview of Third Quarter 2016 Results Revenues for the third quarter of 2016 were US$2.5 million, which declined by eleven percent (11%) on a year-over-year basis, but increased by seven percent (7%) for the nine-month period this year compared to 2015. By focusing on expense reduction and improving Company efficiency, operating expenses were reduced by forty-six percent (46%) year-over-year and by 10% versus Q2. As a result, the adjusted EBITDA1 for the quarter was a loss of US$1.4 million, versus a loss of US$1.8 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a loss of US$2.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. The company is reporting reduced losses on a lower sales base due to the reduction in operating expenses, which is a measure of increased efficiency. Don Robinson, Golden Leaf CEO, commented, "During the third quarter of this year, our revenues were impacted by cash constraints, which affected our ability to purchase raw materials and fully utilize our manufacturing capabilities which resulted in limited product supply. However, because we had previously implemented cost-cutting initiatives to reduce our operating expenses, the impact to our bottom line was reduced. With the recently announced CAD$12 million capital raise, we are well capitalized to move into a period of renewed growth which is anticipated in the new year." "We are also responding to on the ground changes in the Oregon marketplace as the legal cannabis market matures in the state, from the implementation of more stringent packaging and labeling requirements, to changes in state mandated lab testing. We view these changes in the Oregon marketplace as a natural course of the evolution of state cannabis legalization programs, as was seen in Colorado, Washington state, and even in the Canadian market. While the implementation of these new guidelines is causing some current challenges to product availability, we remain confident that growth in Oregon will resume early in the new year. Our confidence in the Oregon market is also based on the announced change in oversight of the recreational market to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), which has resulted in a decrease in the state sales tax from twenty-five (25%) to seventeen percent (17%) and an increase in customer purchase limits. We believe that these will be fundamental drivers of growth in demand and consumption." "With regards to Washington state, the royalty stream from our strategic partner, BMF is unaffected by these developments. Further, it has been confirmed that legislation to allow out of state ownership in Washington will be processed in the next legislative session starting in January 2017. If out of state ownership legislation passes, then GLH would acquire BMF and move towards a consolidated company." Factors Affecting Q4 Supply More Stringent Packaging and Labeling Requirements: On October 1, 2016, the State of Oregon implemented new, more stringent regulations regarding the packaging and labeling of raw cannabis and cannabis products. Following the implementation of these new regulations, many dispensaries and vendors were not ready to comply and had to discard packaging that did not meet the new requirements. As a result, dispensaries closely managed their inventories and purchased less product than normal in both late September and early October to mitigate potential losses from non-compliant packaging. Bottleneck in Oregon Cannabis Laboratory Testing: On October 1, 2016, the State of Oregon implemented more stringent requirements regarding the testing of raw cannabis and cannabis products to better ensure public health and safety. Many farms in Oregon have reported that their crops have failed to pass the new testing standards, leading their products to be quarantined by regulators, creating supply shortages in the marketplace. As such, GLH and other extractors and processors in Oregon are finding it more difficult to locate and purchase sufficient quantities of lab-tested compliant materials. To add to the testing dilemma, there currently exists only a small number of state-accredited cannabis testing labs in Oregon. Until more laboratories come online, operators in Oregon will continue to face lengthened turnaround times for testing cannabis products and subsequently a reduced supply of compliant products in the marketplace. Exceptionally Rare Storm Caused Widespread Crop Damage: On October 14 and 15, 2016, the remnants of Typhoon Songda, one of the largest storms to hit Oregon in the past 70 years, made landfall and caused widespread damage to outdoor-grown crops. GLH's primary contract grow was damaged by the storm. Many plants were blown down by heavy winds, and substantial precipitation caused additional damage and facilitated the proliferation of mold. Overall, approximately forty-percent (40%) of the crop was impacted by the storm, affecting both its quality and quantity. The cost of this crop failure will be contractually borne by our grower partners, not the Company. The impact of these supply factors on the industry are significant with cannabis dispensaries reporting fifty-percent (50%) reductions in sales versus previous levels. It is expected that GLH revenues will be impacted commensurately. This Q4 revenue reduction in Oregon has already been accounted for in the company's revenue, EBITDA and cash projections. These factors are expected to be short lived. The industry is expected to recover with GLH returning to growth in Q1 2017. Third Quarter 2016 Unaudited Interim Financial Results The financial information below has not yet been reviewed by GLH's auditors. Revenues: Third quarter revenues were US$2.5 million, representing a decrease of five percent (5%) versus the second quarter ending June 30, 2016, and a year-over-year decrease of eleven percent (11%) as compared to third quarter 2015 revenues. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were US$7.6 million, an increase of seven percent (7%) as compared to revenues for the nine-month period ended September 2015. Gross Margin: Gross margin for the third quarter of 2016 was twenty-three percent (23%) as compared to twenty-six percent (26%) for the same period in 2015 reflecting manufacturing underutilization due to cash constraints as previously mentioned. Gross margin during the nine months ending September 30, 2016 decreased to twenty-one percent (21%) from twenty-three percent (23%) for the comparable period in 2015. Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2016 were US$2.3 million, a decrease of forty-six percent (46%) as compared to the third quarter of 2015. Total operating expenses declined by ten percent (10%) in the third quarter 2016 compared to second quarter 2016 and by twenty-six percent (26%) versus the first quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA1 for the third quarter of 2016 was a loss of US$1.4 million as compared to a loss of US$1.8 million in the second quarter of 2016, an improvement of twenty-two percent (22%) due to continued operating cost savings. As compared to the third quarter of 2015, where adjusted EBITDA was a loss of US$2.2 million, the Company showed a thirty-six percent (36%) improvement year-over- year. Notes: 1 - Adjusted EBITDA is defined as traditional EBITDA reduced by all non-cash equity compensation expense Please refer to the Company's full financials for further details and information. About Golden Leaf Holdings: Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. is one of the largest cannabis oil and solution providers in North America. It's a leading cannabis products company in Oregon built around recognized brands. GLH leverages a strong management team with cannabis and food industry experience to complement its expertise in extracting, refining and selling cannabis oil. Disclaimer: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's future business operation, expectations of gross sales, the opinions or beliefs of management, and future business goals. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to general business, economic and competitive uncertainties, regulatory risks including risks related to the expected timing of the Company's participation in the Adult Use market, market risks, risks inherent in manufacturing operations and other risks of the cannabis industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information 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 information. Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purpose. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact:Investor Relations - U.S.A. Harrison Phillips Viridian Capital Advisors, LLC 212-485-0284 [email protected] Relations - Canada Paul Searle Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. 778-240-7724 [email protected] Source: Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. FirstBank Southwest, FHLB Dallas Award $7K for Renovations PAMPA, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Raul Rios had a unique problem when he purchased the building that would eventually become Rivers Laundromat. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006368/en/ Representatives from FirstBank Southwest and FHLB Dallas joined Rivers Laundromat owner Raul Rios at a check presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony today in Pampa, Texas. Rivers Laundromat received a $7,500 small business grant from the two banks. (Photo: Business Wire) Having previously owned and operated a laundromat, Mr. Rios had professional-grade washers and dryers, but nowhere to use them in his new building, which had previously operated as a gas station and car lot. A lack of funding, along with the premature birth of his son and the medical bills that ensued, meant Mr. Rios had to put his dream of opening Rivers Laundromat on hold until he and his wife Rita learned of a small business grant program that would help give him the boost he needed to get his business up and running. With the help of a loan from FirstBank Southwest, which was funded by an Economic Development Program (EDP) advance from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), Mr. Rios opened Rivers Laundromat in September 2016. He used the loan to install plumbing and electrical to accommodate the washers and dryers. An accompanying $7,500 Economic Development Program Plus (EDPPlus) grant was used to update interior lighting and signage. Representatives from FirstBank Southwest, FHLB Dallas, and the Pampa Economic Development Corporation joined Mr. and Mrs. Rios at a check presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony today at the laundromats location in southeast Pampa. Were so thankful for the loan and grant, said Mrs. Rios. Without any other viable source of funding, we might not have been able to open the laundromat. Noncompetitive EDPPlus grants are awarded in conjunction with EDP advances through FHLB Dallas members, like FirstBank Southwest. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis to promote and enhance small business development and job creation. As a result of the grant, Rivers Laundromat was able to hire a full-time employee. This was the first time Kim Hill, president of the Pampa market at FirstBank Southwest, had utilized the EDP advance and EDPPlus grant program. She learned of the program when long-time customers Mr. and Mrs. Rios approached her about it after they learned of the program through the Pampa Economic Development Corporation. We were just so excited to learn of the program, said Ms. Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Rios are not the only ones who can benefit from it. The EDP is another way for us to help our customers. Having a way to help a customer enhance a business where they might not have been able to do so otherwise is a great way to invest in the community. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded $1 million in EDPPlus grants in conjunction with EDP advances to 48 businesses in FHLB Dallas five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. Of this amount, nine grants were awarded in Texas for a total of $178,007. Not only is the EDP advance and grant program a great community investment tool, but also an excellent way for our members to add value to strengthen their relationships with their customers, said Gustavo Molina, FHLB Dallas SVP and chief banking operations officer. Mr. and Mrs. Rios consulted with David Dickerson, assistant director at West Texas A&M University Small Business Development Center, during the application process. He provided business consultation advice to the couple. Mr. and Mrs. Rios are business-savvy and know the needs of their market, said Mr. Dickerson. The laundromat will serve the community well and I am glad to have been able to help them obtain the funds they needed to get their business up and running. Ms. Hill said a little help can go a long way. $7,500 may not be a lot of money to some people, but it makes a world of difference for Mr. and Mrs. Rios, said Ms. Hill. Its a blessing to them to receive funds like this and we would definitely use the program again. About FirstBank Southwest It is the mission of FirstBank Southwest to be the preferred community bank in the greater Texas Panhandle by providing focused financial services for commercial customers and retail customers. FirstBank Southwest has nine banking center locations in Amarillo, Booker, Hereford, Pampa, and Perryton, Texas, offering services such as online banking, eStatements, 24/7 automated telephone banking, debit cards which serve as a check card and an ATM card, a mobile banking app, mobile bill pay, and mobile deposit. For more information, visit fbsw.com. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $58.4 billion as of September 30, 2016, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006368/en/ Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Corporate Communications, 214-441-8445 www.fhlb.com Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas DAVENPORT, Iowa, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE: LEE), a major provider of local news, information and advertising in 48 markets, has scheduled an audio webcast and conference call for Friday, December 9, 2016, at 9 a.m. Central Time. Lee plans to issue a news release before market open that day with preliminary results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended September 25, 2016. The live webcast will be accessible at lee.net and will be available for replay 24 hours later. Several analysts have been invited to ask questions on the call. Questions from other participants may be submitted by participating in the webcast. The call also may be monitored on a listen-only conference line by dialing (toll free) 888-601-3874 and entering a conference pass code of 548078 at least five minutes before the scheduled start. Participants on the listen-only line will not have the opportunity to ask questions. WEBCAST LINK: REGISTER HERE TO ACCESS AUDIO WEBCAST AND REPLAY ABOUT LEE Lee Enterprises is a premier provider of local news, information and advertising in its markets, with 44 daily newspapers and a joint interest in four others, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 300 specialty publications in 21 states. Lee markets include St. Louis, MO; Madison, WI; Billings, MT; Davenport, IA, and Tucson, AZ. Lee Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit lee.net. Charles Arms Director of Corporate Communications [email protected] (563) 383-2100 Source: Lee Enterprises Inc. TUNIS (Reuters) - Qatar will give $1.25 billion in aid to Tunisia to help the North African country's struggling economy, the Emir of Qatar told an investment conference in Tunis on Tuesday. Qatar and France are the main sponsors of the conference, where Tunisia is seeking to reverse a drop in foreign investment since its 2011 uprising. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Writing by Aidan Lewis) A Rio Tinto logo is displayed on the front of a wall panel during a news conference in Sydney November 29, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating a $3 billion impairment charge booked by miner Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) in 2013 on the value of a Mozambican coal asset, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The shock impairment, less than two years after Rio bought Mozambique-focused Riversdale Mining in 2011, helped trigger the departure of the group's then chief executive, Tom Albanese. The sources, who cannot be named as the matter is not public, said the ongoing discussions on Riversdale with U.S. regulators were around accounting practices and were not related to the group's headline-grabbing troubles around a payment to a high-level adviser in Guinea. Rio Tinto declined to comment. Earlier this month, Rio reported to U.S., UK and Australian authorities that it had uncovered 2011 emails detailing a payment to a French consultant who had assisted the group in Guinea. That year, Rio had successfully reclaimed the right to mine part of the giant Simandou iron ore project. It is not clear whether any of those regulators has yet begun a formal investigation, though Rio is carrying out an internal inquiry into the emails and the payment. (Reporting by Clara Ferreira Marques and Jamie Freed; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 21, 2016 PARK PLACE ENERGY INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 000-55539 47-4488552 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 2200 Ross Ave., Suite 4500E, Dallas, Texas 75201 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrants telephone number, including area code 214-220-4340 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 1.01 Entry into Material Definitive Agreement Park Place Energy Inc. (Park Place or the Company) has received the final regulatory approval to purchase three oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in Turkey from Tiway Oil B.V. (Tiway). With all required regulatory approvals now in hand, the Company and the seller are now working on the documentation to close the transaction. Closing is anticipated to occur later this year or in January 2017. As previously announced, in December 2015, Park Place entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Tiway to acquire the three subsidiaries of Tiway (the Tiway Companies). The Tiway Companies are oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in Turkey. They own interests in 3 producing oil and gas fields, one offshore and two onshore, as well as a number of exploration licenses and operate one of the onshore fields. The purchase price is $2.1 million USD. The effective date of the transaction is January 1, 2016. The transaction was subject to the satisfaction of several closing conditions, including the approval of Turkish gas marketing agency, the Energy Market Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Turkey, and the approval of the Turkish agency that regulates petroleum affairs, the General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, both of which have now been obtained. The Tiway Companies report that current production is about 300 BOE/D (year-to-date average 402 BOE/D) (barrels of oil equivalent per day). Approximately two-thirds of the production is gas (selling now at about $6.50 per mcf) and one-third of the production is oil (selling at a slight discount to Brent). The Company is planning operations to enhance production levels post-closing. The Company is continuing its efforts to raise capital for this transaction and for costs of operations on the properties in Turkey after closing. In Bulgaria, the Company is still awaiting clearance to commence its license activities. In April 2014, the Company entered into a license agreement covering a coal bed methane play in Northeast Bulgaria. Prior to commencing work on the license, the Company secured the approval from the Bulgarian environmental agency of its work plans. This decision was appealed to an administrative court. The most recent administrative court proceedings appear favorable and it is anticipated a decision will be forthcoming in early 2017. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits (d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are furnished in accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K: Exhibit Number Description 99.1* Park Place Press Release dated November 29, 2016 * Included herewith. 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. PARK PLACE ENERGY INC. /s/ Francis M. Munchinski Francis M. Munchinski Secretary and Treasurer Date: November 29, 2016 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Park Place Press Release dated November 29, 2016 Exhibit 99.1 PARK PLACE ENERGY INC. Final regulatory approval received in connection with acquisition of Turkish oil and gas production companies Dallas, Texas, November 29, 2016 Park Place Energy Inc. (OTCQB: PKPL) (Park Place or the Company) has received the final regulatory approval to purchase three oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in Turkey from Tiway Oil B.V. (Tiway). With all required regulatory approvals now in hand, the Company and the seller are now working on the documentation to close the transaction. Closing is anticipated to occur later this year or in January 2017. As previously announced, in December 2015, Park Place entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Tiway to acquire the three subsidiaries of Tiway (the Tiway Companies). The Tiway Companies are oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in Turkey. They own interests in 3 producing oil and gas fields, one offshore and two onshore, as well as a number of exploration licenses and operate one of the onshore fields. The purchase price is $2.1 million USD. The effective date of the transaction is January 1, 2016. The transaction was subject to the satisfaction of several closing conditions, including the approval of Turkish gas marketing agency, the Energy Market Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Turkey, and the approval of the Turkish agency that regulates petroleum affairs, the General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, both of which have now been obtained. The Tiway Companies report that current production is about 300 BOE/D (year-to-date average 402 BOE/D) (barrels of oil equivalent per day). Approximately two-thirds of the production is gas (selling now at about $6.50 per mcf) and one-third of the production is oil (selling at a slight discount to Brent). The Company is planning operations to enhance production levels post-closing. In Bulgaria, the Company is still awaiting clearance to commence its license activities. In April 2014, the Company entered into a license agreement covering a coal bed methane play in Northeast Bulgaria. Prior to commencing work on the license, the Company secured the approval from the Bulgarian environmental agency of its work plans. This decision was appealed to an administrative court. The most recent administrative court proceedings appear favorable and it is anticipated a decision will be forthcoming in early 2017. About Park Place Energy Inc. Park Place Energy Inc. is an energy company engaged in the exploration for oil and natural gas. For further information, please see our website: www.parkplaceenergy.com or email us: [email protected] . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Companys business and prospects, as well as managements beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management. Words such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, may, should, will and variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Companys expansion and business strategies and anticipated growth opportunities and the amount of fundraising necessary to achieve it. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include operational and geological risks, the ability of the Company to raise necessary funds for exploration; the fact that the Company does not operate all its properties; changes in law or governmental regulations, including tax and environmental requirements; the outcome of commercial negotiations; changes in technical or operating conditions; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Companys Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Company Contacts: Scott C. Larsen, President and CEO Francis M. Munchinski, Secretary and Treasurer Park Place Energy Inc. 214-220-4340 The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Pakistan on Tuesday barred its legal team from further representing partys founder Altaf Hussain in cases against him in London. The MQM Pakistan after detailed consultation decided to disassociate itself from cases against the MQM founder in London. Sources revealed that the MQM founder still faces several cases in London, including the murder of Dr. Imran Farooq who was killed in London in 2010. In this regard several lawyers pursuing the cases were in contact with the Dr. Farooq Sattar-led MQM in Karachi. However, MQM Pakistan has now contacted the lawyers firm in London and stopped it from pursuing the cases on their behalf stating that its has no connection with the London-based founder. The MQM has requested the lawyers firm to refund the fees amounting to several hundred thousands pounds, which had been submitted to fight the cases in British courts. The MQM Pakistan has already disassociated itself from the MQM founder after his controversial statements on August 22, and altered its constitution to scrap discretionary powers given to him. It has repeatedly denied that it is in any contact with him, and has claimed to the sole and legitimate party. Dr. Farooq Sattar was subsequently appointed the convener of the party. Another faction called the MQM London had emerged causing further splits in the party. Geekologie has shut down. Thank you to everybody. Now go be happy. Armed police are conducting an operation in Hartford Avenue Papamoa this morning. A caller to the 0800 SunLive news hotline says he saw police and armed offenders squad members and men standing handcuffed in the street. The former Hartford Ave resident says there has been suspicious late night activity near the reserve for the last 18 months. A police spokesperson confirmed to SunLive that a police operation is currently taking place at an address on Hartford Avenue. The incident is contained and it is not believed there is any risk to the wider public, says the spokesperson. As the operation is still ongoing, police cannot comment further. Police are appealing for information about a man who is accused of kidnapping and dishonestly taking a document. Sathid Duangprasert, who has contacts in Tauranga, is also wanted in relation to alleged serious family violence matters. Duangpraserts photo recently appeared on Police Ten 7 in the hopes of generating information about his whereabouts. Duangprasert, also known as Sam or Fook, is described as a Thai male, 33-year-old, about 184cm tall and of solid build. Police say he has a tattoo of face masks on his upper chest, and of flowers and flames on his right shoulder. He may be driving a blue van. Duangprasert has contacts in Auckland and Tauranga and police warn that he is not to be approached. People with information about his whereabouts are asked to contact their nearest police station. Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 0111 line. New Zealand Defence Force soldiers are helping mentor a new batch of about 330 Afghan officer cadets in key leadership and tactical warfighting skills. The officer cadets, about 30 of whom are women, recently started a 12-month training programme at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in Kabul. Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Major General Tim Gall says the training demonstrates New Zealands commitment to a stable future for Afghanistan. Since the ANAOA was founded four years ago, New Zealand has joined the United Kingdom and other defence partners in helping develop Afghanistans future military leaders. NZDF Senior National Officer in Afghanistan Lieutenant Colonel Julian Sewell says NZDF members have helped mentor about 2000 officer cadets, including 55 women, in the past three years. This includes the 342 officer cadets who completed the rigorous training programme in October. About 70 per cent of the latest ANAOA graduates will undergo infantry training before they deploy to frontline units. Since 2003, the NZDF has deployed a number of contingents to Afghanistan as part of the international communitys contribution to the countrys security and development. After New Zealands main security contribution to Afghanistan the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team ended in April 2013, the NZDF has continued to deploy five mentors to the ANAOA and three support personnel to the Qargha Force Protection Company. First Lieutenant Rasulzay Rahmuatullah, an instructor for 1 Kandaak (Battalion) at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in Kabul, was awarded the Sandhurst Medal for best instructor. Photo: Australian Defence Force. In June, the New Zealand Government approved the deployment of two additional mentors and extended the missions mandate to June 30, 2018. The ANAOA programme trains the cadets on counter-insurgency tactics, English language, war studies, signals, and leadership and communication skills. The ANAOA, which is situated at Qargha just outside Kabul, forms part of the NATOs Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces and institutions. DES MOINES A uniform data-gathering method, a collection of best practices for schools and a statewide education campaign could help Iowa schools address students who miss an inordinate amount of class time, a state panel is set to recommend. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstads chronic absenteeism advisory council met for its fourth and final time Monday in Des Moines and completed the four recommendations it will make to the governor. The council, comprised of 32 education, community and state government officials from across the state, plans to recommend that the state: Create a standard definition of chronic absenteeism and a uniform method for schools to track the data. The panel decided the definition should be missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused. Create a method for informing schools of best practices and resources for reducing student absences. Launch a statewide education campaign noting the benefits of school attendance and the negative effects of chronic absenteeism and how resolving the issue will require a partnership between schools and communities. Establish an advisory group to explore ways schools can work with various community organizations to improve school attendance. The council on Monday agreed to final tweaks of the recommendations, which it will deliver to the governor. Im excited about the recommendations. I think they chart a great path forward for Iowa to address a critically important issue, which is good attendance and combating chronic absenteeism, Iowa education department Director Ryan Wise said after Mondays meeting. I think it gives clear direction and provides us with the opportunity to work with multiple stakeholders across Iowa. One in 10 Iowa kindergarteners was chronically absent in the 2010-11 school year, according to an analysis of state education department data conducted by the Des Moines-based Child and Family Policy Center. Those students were 1 times less likely than their peers to be reading proficiently by third grade, a benchmark that educators have deemed critical for educational success. Students who cannot read sufficiently by third grade often struggle to keep pace with their peers, and according to a 2012 national study by the Maryland-based Annie E. Casey Foundation. They are four times more likely than proficient readers to drop out of high school. I hope the councils work will raise awareness about the importance of good attendance in school and better addressing the problems chronic absenteeism, said Linda Fandel, a special assistant for education in Branstads administration and the councils facilitator. This was really the first big conversation weve had at the state level about the negative impact of chronic absenteeism, so I think the recommendations will help schools and their communities move forward with families to address the problem. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority, or SF MTA, was hacked on Friday. You Hacked, All Data Encrypted, was the message reportedly displayed on computer screens at the authoritys stations throughout the city. Contact for Key (cryptom27@yandex.com)ID:681 , Enter. Fare payment machines at underground stations were out of order, resulting in free rides on the subway and light rail system known locally as SF Muni. Some SF MTA employees email systems did not work, The San Francisco Examiner reported. The MTA locked its subway fare gates in an open position to enable free riding, according to the paper. The agency was hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted some of its internal computer systems, including email, according to spokesperson Kristen Holland. The attack didnt affect transit service or buses, she noted. Neither customer privacy nor transaction information were compromised, and the situation was contained. All About the Dough A person at the email address provided by the hacker, who identified himself as Andy Saolis to the Examiner, demanded 100 bitcoins equal to about US$73,000 to release data captured from the MTA. The MTA payment system was inaccessible over the weekend, according to the Examiner, and employees were concerned that the personal data of the agencys nearly 6,000 employees was at risk. Saolis indicated the attack was for money, nothing else. Andy Saolis is the name used by the attacker who launched a full disk encryption ransomware package that Morphus Labs discovered earlier this year and dubbed Mamba. Open Muni The MTAs network was penetrated after an employee downloaded a torrented computer file that contained a software key code generator, Saolis reportedly said. That automatically launched an admin-level infection. The SFMTA network was very open, he maintained. Saolis threatened to close the email Monday if he hadnt heard from the MTA, which would lock the agencys infected computers out of its network permanently. It looks like the Muni scheduling and billing systems are running on the same machines as the employees email systems, said Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. This implies that the Muni operations are exposed to external attack, he told the E-Commerce Times. Muni should have critical operations and management systems running in a secured environment, ideally one not exposed to outside access, Jude suggested. The Very Real Public Threat Penetrations of this sort can easily escalate to life-threatening events, Jude warned. Simply messing with route scheduling could lead to confusion or, possibly, collisions. Mass transit and passenger rail systems, including buses, light rail and subways, are one of the seven key subsections in the United States Transportation Systems Sector. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the sector jointly with the U.S. Department of Transportation, has issued a cybersecurity framework implementation guidance and a companion workbook for owners and operators in the sector to help reduce cyber risks. Keeping Transit Systems Safe The threat environment warrants evaluating security controls for any organization that relies on computer systems for providing a service or running a business, said Tim Erlin, senior director of IT and security at Tripwire. Ensuring adequate network separation is a good first step, he told the E-Commerce Times. Other basic best practices include monitoring for and patching vulnerabilities, validating secure configurations are in place, and watching system logs for indications of malicious activity. AT&T provided new details regarding upcoming streaming television service DirecTV at a press event in New York City. Here's everything you need to know about DirecTV Now - and two other streaming products - ahead of the November 30 launch. DirecTV Now programming packages are as follows: Live a Little - $35 / month (60+ channels) Just Right - $50 / month (80+ channels) Go Big - $60 / month (100+ channels) Gotta Have it - $70 / month (120+ channels) AT&T notes that HBO and Cinemax can be added to any base programming package for an additional $5 per months. It's also worth mentioning that early adopters who sign up for the Go Big package can get it for $35 per month and retain the rate as long as they keep the plan (subject only to "reasonable" programming price increases, we're told). At launch, DirecTV Now will be supported on a number of devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Android mobile devices, iOS mobile devices and Apple TV, Chromecast, Google Cast-enabled LeEco TVs, Vizio SmartCast Displays and via Internet Explorer, Chrome and Safari web browsers on your computer. Support for other devices such as Roku streaming players, Roku TV models, Amazon Fire tablets and Samsung Smart TVs will come in 2017, we're told. Fullscreen, the social- and mobile-first streaming service with more than 1,500 hours of content that launched earlier this year, can now be enjoyed by select AT&T Mobility customers free of charge for a full year. Once the free year expires, Fullscreen will command a monthly rate of $5.99. More details on that service can be found on the Fullscreen website. FreeView, meanwhile, is a highly curated, ad-supported video service that lets anyone enjoy unique and exclusive content absolutely free. Users can access FreeView via the DirecTV Now app. Unfortunately, this is all that's known about FreeView as of writing. AT&T mobile customers will be able to stream video from all three services over the carrier's cellular network without it counting towards their monthly data caps. Each account will support up to two concurrent streams. In addition to a 7-day free trial, newcomers can opt to receive a free Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote for pre-paying for one month of DirecTV Now service or a free Apple TV with Siri Remote in exchange for a three-month commitment. The full channel lineup is expected to go live on Wednesday when DirecTV Now launches. No word yet on whether or not DirecTV Now will allow customers to purchase and view Pay-Per-View events. Lead image courtesy Richard Drew, Shutterstock The Trump Tower in New York, which currently serves as Donald Trump's residence in New York has just been renamed "Dump Tower" on Google Maps. The tech company has reportedly moved to fix the label immediately last Sunday, so it's now back to its old label. Dump Tower The renaming is said to have been perpetrated last Nov. 26 around the time someone or the same person translated the building's name to its Russian Cyrillic equivalent. This last is purportedly an allusion to the president elect's alleged ties to Vladimir Putin. In the same day, the Trump International Hotel & Tower located in Columbus Circle also got the Dump treatment. The Associated Press was able to secure a statement from a Google spokeswoman who said that the name has been reverted along with the claim that inaccuracies can happen. Editing Google Maps To provide some context, Google allows the general public to add entries or make changes to Maps such as the naming or renaming of roads and, as was the case with Trump Tower, buildings and establishments. This feature, however, has been eliminated recently when Google disabled Map Maker to avoid trolling or pranks. It seems that the enterprising prankster was able to find a workaround after his successful modification. Moderated Changes It is important to note, however, that when a Maps user makes an alteration, the change is still reviewed and approved by moderators. "Changes suggested on Google Map Maker need to be reviewed before they become part of the data on Google Maps," Google Maps FAQ section stated, addressing the query about spamming and abuse. Aside from the general public, Google seems to be employing a team of "trusted reviewers" to approve the changes. Other Google Maps Pranks To be fair, there must be a huge amount of changes happening, making it difficult for reviewers to spot all errors. There are several examples that can demonstrate this such as how the White House was renamed "Edward Snow Den." Another prankster also painted a new park into a figure similar to an Android urinating on the Apple logo. It is also important to remember that the entirety of the data in Google Maps comes from different sources, which include third-party providers, public sources and user contributions. Errors are, therefore, bound to happen and Google has been quick in fixing them so far especially when members of the general public have spotted a mistake. Trump's camp has not commented on the snafu so far. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google first unveiled on September that neural networks would start powering Google Translate. More than two weeks into November, Google finally pushed the technology out for a number of languages, improving translations for the better. Named Neural Machine Translation, the technology employs cutting-edge training techniques to deliver more accurate and context-appropriate translations instead of flimsy, awkward and oftentimes broken translations. Now, Google has a new trick under the Neural Machine Translation technology called "zero-shot" translations that can translate a pair of languages without prior learning. Zero-Shot Translation A post published on Google Research Blog explained how zero-shot translation works: "Our proposed architecture requires no change in the base [Google Neural Machine Translation] system, but instead uses an additional 'token' at the beginning of the input sentence to specify the required target language to translate to," wrote Mike Schuster, Nikhil Thorat from the Google Brain Team and Melvin Johnson from Google Translate. The Google Neural Machine Translation System extracts the parameters of a multilingual system to form translations between different language pairs. "This sharing enables the system to transfer the 'translation knowledge' from one language pair to the others," according to the post. To simplify things, imagine teaching a translation system to translate Korean to Japanese and vice versa. Now, imagine teaching it English to Korean and vice versa. The new technology allows the system to translate Japanese to English without resorting first to its the original translated pair. Therefore, the system translates languages easily even when these languages weren't originally paired together. Has Google Created Its Own Language? "All right, don't panic, but computers have created their own secret language and are probably talking about us right now," TechCrunch's Devin Coldewey wrote, and he's not wrong. At least not entirely. If the translation system has found a way to determine meaning from sentences and words that haven't been linked together, does this mean that the system has developed a shared meaning for the words, thereby suggesting that it has, more or less, achieved an understanding that surpasses the concept of simply matching a word to its equivalent word in another language? To put it in simpler terms, has Google Translate invented its own set of rules for how it translates one language to another? According to artificial intelligence researchers, all signs point to yes. A paper discussing multilanguage translations describes zero-shot translations as "[a] surprising benefit of modeling several language pairs in a single model ... " with the operative word in this case being "surprising benefit," as if zero-shot translations came as a natural corollary with the inroad of Neural Machine Translation. The question is, might this be an example of where AI is headed? An AI capable of generating its own set of concepts and applying it to translate input into different language pairs independently? It's too early to determine such a conclusion, but ultimately, Google's zero-shot translation system is a step forward in breaking down language barriers more efficiently. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. OSAGE Our goal here tonight is to get dollars to save our grocery store, said Jordan Oulman as he addressed a crowd of about 50 Riceville residents at a special town meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15, in Ricevilles City Hall. Oulman, who heads Ricevilles Area Development Corp. and is a city councilman, urged residents to invest in $1,000 shares so the only full-line grocery store, Riceville Market Place, in the town could be saved. After Dec. 1, the store will be called Riceville Community Market Place, being operated by the corporation with the same name. The current store owners announced they will close their grocery business on December 1, leaving the towns older residents with the dilemma of having to travel a distance to purchase necessities. The 2010 census of Riceville revealed that over 25 percent of our residents are 74 years or older, and the closest town with a grocery store is 22 miles away, said Oulman. Look at the hardship it will create with winter conditions, and older people needing rides. Oulman said often younger citizens who shop in other towns overlook the advantages of shopping local as well. There is wear and tear on a vehicle, and it takes time, he said. It also takes away tax revenue that would be returned to the community on non-grocery items. Oulman also spoke of long-term problems if the business closes. It could create a loss in residents, create difficulty in recruiting new businesses, reduce the number of homes which might be built in the community and Lake Hendricks activity might decrease with no grocery store for campers, said Oulman. Business breeds business and there are concerns by other local store owners. With the current business closing in less than two weeks, the newly-purposed corporation is scurrying to raise funds, so there will be no interruption of services to the community. To save the store and facilitate a smooth transition, the committee had to raise a total of $55,000 by Friday, Nov. 18, which means shareholders had to invest quickly. Of the $55,000 needed to sustain the business, $30,000 had already been obtained prior to the meeting, leaving an addition $25,000 dollars to be raised. The additional financing needed for the startup will come in the form of bank loans. According to Oulman, the remainder of the funds were raised by the Friday deadline. The cost of preserving the business is estimated at $110,000 dollars, $75,000 of which will be used to maintain inventory and $35,000 for overhead costs, which includes a labor force of one full-time store manager and two full-time employees. Part-time help will be used when needed to unload delivery trucks and stock shelves. The store building will continue to be rented from current building owners Curvin and Nancy Zimmerman. Chris Smith, an advisor to the committee, presented the financial dynamics of the current business. Smith stated the current owners are showing a profit and the stores major supplier says Ricevilles store ranks second of the 24 stores they supply in inventory turnover. He stated if the current business model continued, the store should continue to show a profit in the future. Speaking about the additional financing that would be needed to operate the store, Smith said bank loans will be paid back before shareholders will receive any dividends. We hope to pay off the borrowed money in five years, he said. This may not be a real good general investment for investors, but its an investment in our community. James Frantzen, operator of Riverside Feeds in Riceville, said his hometown of Alta Vista shared a similar dilemma several years ago, when the towns combined convenience store and gas station was slated to close. Several citizens in the small town bought shares and the business has continued to operate and serve the community. Had the station closed it would have deeply hurt the community, said Frantzen. After the community coalition purchased the business, some years it didnt make much money, other years patrons got dividends. Now, after seven years, its a success. Oulman outlined the terms for new shareholders. No matter how many shares are owned in a household, there is only one vote per household. Shares can be transferred to others and if the business should close or be sold, remaining revenues would be equally divided according to shares. Another benefit to keeping the store operational is the partnership which could be forged between Riceville Community Schools and the store. Cory Schumann, Riceville Schools K-12 principal, stated by next fall the school will be able to partner with the business and offer high school credits for students who take classes related to their training and work in the business. This will give kids a chance to see how a local business operates, said Schumann. It will also give kids an opportunity for community service hours. Currently Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar is working with the Riceville School District to allow the students work experiences to apply toward college credits. A practical way high school students may be implemented into the stores business plan is their involvement in department management practices, retail sales and building and machinery maintenance. Oulman said the current business owners from LeRoy, Minnesota, have agreed to provide some temporary staffing until the new corporations staff is hired and trained to allow for a smooth transition. This wont be an easy plan, said Oulman, but there will not be a letdown from what the current grocery store provides. A highly important glacier in Antarctica, the Pine Island Glacier, was found to be melting from inside out, which suggests that the ocean is weakening ice on the continental edges. The glacier is part of the ice shelf binding the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and is one of the most likely shelves to go through a massive retreat. The immediate consequence of its melting would be flooding the coastlines across the globe. The study of this phenomenon was published on Nov. 19 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters and brings evidence to the idea that a rift formed at the base of the ice shelf approximately 20 miles inland in 2013. The Antarctic Meltdown The rift set the iceberg adrift in July and August 2015 after a two-year upward propagation. According to Ian Howat, the lead author of the study, the melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is inevitable. "This kind of rifting behavior provides another mechanism for rapid retreat of these glaciers, adding to the probability that we may see significant collapse of West Antarctica in our lifetimes," noted Howat. As scientists from the the Ohio State University were testing a new imaging software, they observed a bizarre activity in the 225-square-mile iceberg. This was the very first time that scientists have observed a deep surface rift being created underneath the Antarctic ice. However, similar activity has been documented at the level of the Greenland Ice Sheet, where ice was being melted from underneath because of the ocean water having seeped inland. New Imaging Technique Confirms Antarctic Rifts According to Howat, this imaging technique represents the first concrete proof that the ice shelves of the Antarctic behave similarly to the ones in Greenland. Generally, the rifts are formed at the exterior of an ice shelf, where the ice layer is considerably thinner and therefore more susceptible to breakage. As this type of backward activity is quite unusual when it comes to ice sheets, Howat noted that a plausible explanation for this phenomenon would be a crevasse that melted out at the bedrock level. This study is highly relevant, as Antarctica is the geographical conglomerate gathering more than half of the world's frozen water. The importance of the two glaciers, Pine Island and Thwaites, lies in protecting the ice flow, which helps approximately 10 percent of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet from draining. However, this is not the first study to confirm the idea that the West Antarctic ice shelf is undergoing a precarious situation. Only in October two studies were conducted at NASA and the University of California, suggesting that the glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate because of the warm water beneath the ice shelf. But different researches seem to be showing different data. According to another new study, Antarctica's ice hasn't suffered any spectacular changes in the past century. Comparing Antarctic sea ice level data in the log books used during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration dating from 1897 to 1917 with contemporary data, researchers noted that the Antarctic ice levels undergo different periods characterized by different types of activity, but they are not to be correlated with global warming and climate change. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Astronauts who serve on lengthy missions in space could be affected by a visual health issue because of the volume changes in the clear fluid around the brain and the spinal cord. During the last decade, specialists at NASA started to observe a pattern in the visual impairment issues that astronomers have. The study, presented on Nov. 28 at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, suggests that space missions could have a negative impact on the eyesight of astronauts. Blurry vision is one of the most common symptoms that were described as part of this study. When a trend was observed in this direction, specialists started to test the astronauts who reported experiencing these symptoms. Vision Impairment Syndrome In Astronauts The syndrome is also known as visual impairment intracranial pressure, and it was observed in approximately two-thirds of the astronauts who took part in long-duration missions on the International Space Station. "People initially didn't know what to make of it, and by 2010 there was growing concern as it became apparent that some of the astronauts had severe structural changes that were not fully reversible upon return to Earth," noted Noam Alperim, lead author of the study. First Quantitative Evidence Prior to this research, scientists attributed this visual impairment syndrome to the shift of vascular fluid toward the upper body, which is a common occurrence for astronauts who spend their time in a microgravity environment. However, this study analyzed another hypothesis. The research is based on the idea that changes in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid or CSF, which is linked to nutrients circulating and removing waste materials in the spinal cord and the brain, could actually have an impact on astronauts. The CSF serves the purpose of dealing with changes in the hydrostatic pressures, but microgravity poses new problems to this functionality. Because of the lack of posture-related pressure changes, when in space the CSF cannot accomplish its functions, which leads to post-flight flattening to the eyeballs in the case of astronauts who have taken part in long missions. This study is the first to give quantitative evidence related to the role of CSF and the way a person's visual system structure changes when the body is exposed to a microgravity environment. Other health issues have been previously correlated to space travel. One of them is shrinking and weakening of the spinal muscles, which leads to backaches and injuries. "Paraspinal lean muscle mass, as indicated by the functional cross-sectional area, decreased from 86 percent of the total paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area down to 72 percent, immediately after the mission," the researchers noted in a study published in the journal Spine. Muscle soreness and joint pains were also documented in astronauts who have spent long periods of time on the ISS, along with skin issues consisting of a burning sensation whenever any physical activity was conducted, even walking. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The ransomware hackers that recently breached the San Francisco Municipal Railway public transportation system have demanded $73,000 ransom, threatening to release 30 GB of stolen data if they don't get the money. All SF Muni rides were free on Saturday after the San Francisco Municipal Transport Agency was hacked over the Thanksgiving weekend. To gain access, hackers infected a SFMTA computer with malicious software and locked the fare gates in an open position. SF Muni services operated without disruptions, but the systems could not charge riders for the fare. The hack affected SF Muni employee emails as well. $73,000 Ransom Or Else The SF Muni's kiosks went back online on Sunday after recovering from the ransomware attack, but the attackers are now threatening to expose 30 GB of stolen employee and customer data, Fortune reports. After exchanging a number of emails with the purported attackers, Fortune learned that the allegedly stolen data will become public if the SFMTA fails to strengthen its vulnerable systems and pay an undisclosed ransom by Friday. A separate report from the San Francisco Examiner, which first reported on the breach, notes that the ransom is 100 Bitcoin, meaning roughly $73,000. Fortune asked the hackers for proof that they really do have stolen data, but the attackers refused to provide a sample for verification. Nevertheless, they said they will show the data if the SFMTA doesn't contact them. The SFMTA, meanwhile, has yet to disclose whether it plans to pay the ransom or go for a different approach. SFMTA spokesman Paul Rose had already said that this is an ongoing investigation, and the agency can't disclose any additional information until the probe is completed. The Hackers Asking about the identity of the hacking group, Fortune obtained only one name: "Andy Saolis," a pseudonym that was previously tied to other ransomware attacks. Saolis further told Fortune that the SF Muni computer network ransomware attack was an automated breach, not a targeted one. The attack exploited old software the SFMTA uses, and it purportedly extended beyond station kiosks. "We Gain Access Completely Random and Our Virus Working Automatically!" said Saolis. "We Don't Have Targeted Attack to them! It's wonderful!" Saolis also told Forbes that the team behind the hack was not based in the United States, which might be one's first thought when reading the above statement. On the other hand, it takes more than broken English to corroborate the claim, so it remains unconfirmed for now whether the attackers were foreign or not. Compromised Data While Fortune did not manage to get a sample of the stolen data to verify its authenticity, Hoodline reports that it has seen evidence that the breach went beyond SF Muni ticket kiosks. The hack reportedly compromised a number of other areas including email servers, payroll, NextBus operations, Quickbooks, MySQL database servers, staff training and PCs for hundreds of SF Muni employees. Moreover, Hoodline also says the hackers have control over 2,112 computers, meaning roughly a quarter of the SFMTA's 8,656 computers. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Massive coral deaths in Australia's Great Barrier Reef followed by mass bleaching have been reported because of the excessive warming of surface waters in oceans. In fact, the year 2016 had the severest bleaching in recorded history of the 2,300-kilometer (1,400-mile) long reef, which is the world's precious heritage. According to the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, the most affected has been a 700-kilometer (400-mile) patch in the northern part of the Reef. "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most-pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef. This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected," said Professor Terry Hughes, Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. The James Cook University-based center undertook extensive surveys at the peak of the bleaching to assess the coral death impact. Expressing concern about the high coral death rates in the north, Hughes said the task of keeping the reef off the UN's "in danger" list will now be a hard job. The ARC dive surveys in October and November noted that the area to the north of Port Douglas had lost an average 67 percent of shallow-water corals since February. Researcher Andrew Baird also said the 2016 coral die-off was "substantially worse" than the coral deaths in 1998. The study said the rise in sea water temperatures across the Great Barrier Reef was the sharpest in February, March and April. Hughes noted that much of the initial mortality was due to heat stress that led to corals getting "cooked." How Coral Bleaching Occurs The coral starvation happens from the expulsion or loss of the colorful algae zooxanthella which converts sunlight into food for the corals. The whitening of the coral happens when it is deprived of the main source of energy. Australia's Minister for Environment Josh Frydenberg noted that the coral cover has been increasing at the rate of 19 percent before the "significant bleaching event" of 2016 triggered by the El Nino effect which reversed the gains. Now the governments of Australia and Queensland will brief UNESCO World Heritage Center on the progress made in improving the reef including measures on mitigating coral bleaching. Coal Mining Responsible Meanwhile, Graeme Kelleher, former chief of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, hit out at the political leadership and cautioned Australians against accepting the "political lie" that the reef will be maintained well while running coal mines side by side. Kelleher said 50 percent of the coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef has already been lost in the last 30 years because of the burning of fossil fuels. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google Removes More Than A Billion Pirate Search Results In A Year TorrentFreak has discovered that Google received more than one billion take-down requests from copyright holders for content infringement in the last twelve months, according to statistics reflecting in the Googles Transparency Report. This is a new record, which is in line with the increasing number of takedown requests Google has received, forcing the search giant to be more strict in its action against piracy. Copyright holders continue to flood Google with DMCA takedown requests, targeting pirate links in the companys search results. In July this year, copyright holders had asked Google to remove more than 500,000,000 allegedly infringing links from its search engine in 2016. This nearly equals the number of takedown requests it received for the whole of 2015. The recent years have seen an increase in the number of notices, which has one record after another. Over the past twelve months, Google has been asked to remove 1,007,741,143 links to allegedly infringing pages, according to the numbers in Googles Transparency Report this week says TorrentFreak. The requests were effective with 908,237,861 (more than 90%) of the links removed, with the rest rejected for being duplicate requests or links that didnt infringe copyright or invalid requests. Google has up till now totally processed just over two billion allegedly infringing URLs from 945,000 different domains. In comparison to several years for the first, the second billion took only a year, which shows how quickly the volume of takedown requests is increasing. Going by the current rate, another billion will be added by the end of next summer. Most requests, over 50 million, were sent in for the website 4shared.com. However, according to the sites operators, many of the reported URLs point to the same files, which in turn expanded the actual volume of infringing content. The political agenda also noted the rush in takedown notices. For instance, in the UK, proposed amendments to the UKs Digital Economy Bill recommend fines for search engines that fail to properly target piracy. At the same time, the U.S. Government is considering changing the current takedown requirements. In order to evaluate the influence and effectiveness of the current DMCA provisions, the Copyright Office has launched a public consultation. This review is still on-going and was extended earlier this month. Until now, the consultation has already caused heavy criticism of the DMCA process from numerous copyright groups. However, the current system is working just fine, says Google. Google has been vocal in suggesting the system is working to help stop the problem of online piracy. The notice-and-takedown process has been an effective and efficient way to address online infringement, the company informed the Copyright Office earlier this year. The increasing volume of URLs removed from Search each year demonstrates that rightsholders are finding the notice-and-takedown process worthwhile, efficient, and scalable to their needs. While Google believes that the millions of reported URLs per day are a sign that the DMCA takedown process is working correctly, many copyright holders and industry groups are aware that the process is nothing more than a complex game of whack-a-mole and have asked the Government for broad revisions. To ensure that infringing content doesnt reappear elsewhere once its removed, they want advanced technologies and processes among other things, a so-called notice and stay down approach. However, nothing has changed for now. As a result, there is a likelihood that the number of reported pirate links will continue to surge. Source: TorrentFreak Hacking Global Positioning System with GPS Spoofing Can Lead To Fatalities Imagine you are relying on Google Maps and suddenly it leads you to an unwanted/dangerous place. Up to now this would be considered a Google Maps glitch but hackers can actually hack your smartphone GPS and make it send you to a location of their choice. Welcome to the reality of GPS spoofing. With GPS becoming the mainstay for hundreds of Apps and a plethora of location-based services hitting the market, GPS hacking is a dangerous problem. Global Positioning System data can be hacked to used to create serious problems even life-threatening ones if control falls into the wrong hands. GPS Spoofing Meet Dinesh Manandhar, a project associate professor at the University of Tokyo, who is working on developing systems to prevent whats called GPS spoofing the falsification of location data. Dinesh says that GPS spoofing or making your smartphone believe false location coordinates is extremely easy. A hacker just needs to lay his hands on an instrument called a GPS simulator. Used by manufacturers to test the accuracy of their products, GPS simulators generate the same kind of signals as GPS satellites, and can thus alter the location information received by devices such as smartphones, car navigation systems, and others devices. GPS simulators are currently available for $8000 but grabbing a used one is relatively easy and cheap. You can falsify your smartphones information and make it look like you are going back and forth between Tokyo and Hawaii within just three minutes, says Dinesh. The latest gaming sensation, Pokemon Go saw a wide use of such GPS spoofers for gaming hacks. Some players were found to be tweaking the GPS information in their smartphones to let them catch rare characters in far-flung places without setting foot outside home. Some have even posted YouTube videos showing how to do it. Although the Pokemon Go hack hasnt yet led to a major incident, Dinesh said that GPS spoofing could be used to attack someone as companies continue to turn more of our machines and appliances into remotely controllable objects. For example, if autonomous cars become popular, a hacker could one day remotely force it to crash into a wall or another vehicle, causing a fatal accident, he said. Dinesh says that GPS spoofing can also be used to break a security technology called geofencing, which uses GPS data to create virtual boundaries that restrict access to classified information when outside certain locations. Lets say I were a top manager of a major bank. I could access all the information while sitting at my desk, but I wouldnt be able to access it from the room next to it, says Dinesh. But people could get access to such information if they disguised the location information received by computer. Although the dangers of GPS spoofing have been pointed out in academic circles since the early 2000s but governments and businesses have ignored them up until now. This was because there werent many devices or Apps making use of location-based technologies. However, with the GPS spoofing simulators getting cheaper and easily available, governments and companies would have to do something drastic to protect GPS apps and devices from getting hacked. DES MOINES Gov. Terry Branstad has named Mark Lowe as the interim director of Iowa Department of Transportation. Lowe, who has been director of the DOTs Motor Vehicle Division since 2009, will take the seat left vacant by former director Paul Trombino III. Lowe begins Tuesday as interim director, according to a Monday news release. Lowe, 50, was an associate and later shareholder with Hopkins and Huebner PC in Des Moines before entering state government. He has a great background and experience for the job and the governor thinks hell serve very well for the department in the interim, Ben Hammes, Gov. Terry Branstads spokesman, said Monday. Branstad eventually will appoint a permanent director but a timeline has not been set, Hammes added. The more important job we have in front of us is making sure we get the right person, he said. The position has been posted and Hammes said it could involve a nationwide search. Trombino, 50, announced his resignation earlier this month after spending about six years as the DOT director. He made about $147,000 annually. The department, which employs more than 2,600 people, is in the midst of growth in statewide freight traffic the number of large trucks on Iowas primary roads has grown by 123 percent over the past three decades and infrastructure updates, including the overhaul of the Interstate 80 and Interstate 380 interchange, among other major projects. Cuba will not give up its fight against the blockade because it is illegal, unjust, and inhumane," President Diaz-Canel stressed. | Read More A roundup of state government and Capitol news items of interest for Monday, Nov. 28, 2016: GOVERNOR OPEN TO PENSION CHANGES: Gov. Terry Branstad said he is willing to consider changes to the states public employee pension program, including changing to a 401k-style retirement program. Branstad said a change from a defined benefits system to a defined contribution system would make the states retirement program for public employees more sustainable. He said such a change would be significant and is unlikely to be addressed in the near future, but said he thinks the issue is worth studying. Im open to considering changes, but I want to ensure people were not eliminating anyones benefits, Branstad said. While other states have large unfunded liabilities in their public employees retirement programs, Iowa is well above the national average with an 81 percent funded ration, according to a 2015 study by Pew Charitable Trusts. OPEN TO VOTING CHANGES: Saying the state needs to protect the integrity of elections, Branstad said he is willing to look at changes to state voting laws that make sense for the future. Branstad was asked by reporters whether he believes Iowas voting laws need changes. In recent days, President-elect Donald Trump has alleged, without supporting evidence, that millions of illegal votes were cast in the Nov. 8 election that he won, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein has started the process of requesting recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Branstad said he does not believe Trump is exaggerating concerns about illegal voting and that election integrity is something the state must be vigilant about. Branstad said he would defer to county auditors and the Iowa secretary of states office on what changes need to be made to Iowas voting laws. IOWANS IN TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?: Branstad said he believes some Iowans could land jobs in Trumps administration. Many Iowa names have been floated as possible Trump hires, including Branstad himself and his son, who directed the Trump campaign in Iowa. Other possible Iowa hires include Tana Goertz, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, and Sam Clovis, who advised Trumps campaign in Iowa. I wouldnt be surprised if there would be Iowans chosen for key positions because Iowa played a very important role (in Trumps national victory), Branstad said. -- Des Moines Bureau staff Table of Contents Hide About the author Indonesia has announced its intention to propose a regional minimum wage for ASEAN during a recent World Economic Forum event held on the first and second of June in Kuala Lumpur. During the event, Indonesian officials cited wage disparities between low cost production hubs such as Vietnam and those economies with more expensive labor forces. They also expressed concerns that these differences could result in a race to the bottom and ultimately lead to the exploitation of workers. The specifics of Indonesias proposal are expected to be released at the upcoming ASEAN manpower ministers meeting. Indonesia Indonesia Promotes ASEAN Minimum Wage Vietnam An Introduction to Rules of Origin for Vietnamese Exports For businesses seeking to take advantage of tariff free exports and low labor costs, Vietnam is the place to go. In 2015, industry and construction made up a third of its national GDP and with the recent signing of several free trade agreements, including the European Union-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), this amount is expected to rise. As a compliment to pending agreements, Vietnam already benefits from operational FTAs with members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, and Russia. Although FTA agreements present a tempting way to lower export costs, the ability to tap into their benefits is largely contingent upon compliance with elaborate rules outlined within each agreement. At hundreds of pages in length, agreements set out specific tariff concessions and compliance requirements at a product specific level. In order to ascertain the manner in which goods will be treated, it is first necessary to identify the HS code that will be designated to the finished product. This is to determine the applicable tariff. Singapore Singapore Australia Announce Updates to Existing FTA The Singapore-Australia relationship was recently strengthened by the joint announcement of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on 6 May 2016. The partnership is based on the third review of the 2003 Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), aimed at addressing current business needs of the two economies and furthering integration. The third review will address education, science and innovation, labor mobility, and defense collaboration between the two countries. Importantly, the agreement will also cover the partnership between Singapore and Northern Australia on agribusiness and encourage Singaporean and Australian companies to work on securing reliable supply chains in the agribusiness sectors. The most significant upgrade of the agreement is the facilitation of government procurement contracts through the reduction of red tape. Local workspace community Retro Creative is sponsoring 20 start-ups to exhibit at next months HKTDC InnoDesignTech Expo, 1-3 December. It will also co-organise the global start-up competition Get in the Ring, which will see entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to judges and the public. The selected start-ups will also attend a four-day programme, which includes pitch training, and participating in one-on-one pre-matches, speed-dating sessions with other start-ups. Bonnie Yip, founder of Retro Creative, explains more about the programme. What is Get in the Ring all about? Its a global competition that aims to support start-ups worldwide in making connections with investors and business leaders. Get in the Ring Hong Kong is a regional selection event for the global start-up competition of the Get in the Ring Foundation, a yearly pitch competition, where start-ups compete for a place in the international final. The organisers approached me and asked if Id be interested to put on something of this scale, so I said yes! Why did you decide to bring it to Hong Kong? I have been in the position of a struggling entrepreneur as the founder of Retro Creative and Say Cheeez (the company manages a model and creative agency), so I understand how difficult it is when youre starting up. I would love to take the Hong Kong start-up system to the next level, and Ill be doing a series of events, so its more like a conference for start-ups and not just a competition. I want everyone to take something away from the event, and learn more [about the start-up process] from the seminars. The winner will go to the finals in Singapore next year to meet investors to fund their business. What types of businesses have applied to join the competition? Weve attracted a wide variety of start-ups from around the region, including Malaysia and Indonesia, in addition to Hong Kong. The only prerequisite is that the company has to be valued at less than HK$5 million, which means its at a pretty early stage. Were working with Pitch Perfect, which is bringing in their investors, and venture capitalists Prolific Ventures to connect them with a global network of investors from places including the United Kingdom, Dubai and Indonesia, as well as local backers. Where do you think are the promising areas for start-ups in Hong Kong? Hong Kong is a melting pot of cultures and ideas thats why there are many overseas students coming back to Hong Kong to set up companies. Other than Fintech, I think its definitely the shared economy; theres a lot more people looking for solutions in this area. It can be anything sharing your phone or car. Many consumer products and services can be shared. How is Retro Creative helping start-ups grow their business? We want to attract global investors, so were doing more outreach programmes where we can get corporates and companies overseas to build incubator programmes. There are more accelerators, but we want to introduce some others and increase the diversity. Hopefully we can have more of a bridge to the outside world. Get in the Ring is the first outreach and, if its successful, I want it to be an annual highlight. We already have corporates that are very excited to join next year that werent able to this time. We want to keep this momentum going, and make people see that other than run a competition, we can also run a programme. How has the start-up scene evolved since you set up Retro Creative in 2013? I think more people are willing to take risks. Ive seen a lot more people say, I want to give it a try. The evolution is definitely on the rise and the exponential growth is much more evident here than in other places. People are talking more about setting up in business now you can find workshops about how to find investors, for example. Information is more readily available and networks are growing. Theres a confidence that comes from seeing other people doing it. Why have co-working spaces taken off in Hong Kong? I think there is a need for these spaces. The cost of running a company is expensive, and usually the biggest overhead is rent, so you dont have to hire someone to work in the office and take care of your needs if you co-work. Plus start-ups especially want to meet other people and network. Id like to set up an initiative where co-working space owners can come together and talk about how we can build the eco-system, ensure we dont have duplicates of the same workshops and put on workshops that really identify what start-ups need, and how we can get peoples attention overseas. Co-working spaces offer more than just a desk its the ambience and mindset that makes them special. Related Links HKTDC InnoDesign Tech Expo Retro Creative Source link Credit Suisses Global Wealth Report 2016 identified Russia as the worlds most unequal country, with a staggering 74.5 per cent of the nations wealth controlled by the richest 1 per cent of people. In India and Thailand, the top 1 per cent own nearly 60 per cent of the wealth, while the figure was around 50 per cent for Indonesia and Brazil. Credit Suisse said the world had been growing more equal from the start of the century until 2008. The trend reversed after the financial crisis, its report notes however, and while the most recent data is only provisional it looks set to continue to get more unequal. Asia-Pacific Wealth Exceeds North Americas for First Time Private wealth in the Asia-Pacific region surpassed that of North America for the first time last year, fueled by stronger economies and real estate markets, according to a Cap Gemini SA report. Millionaires assets in Asia-Pacific countries surged almost 10 percent to $17.4 trillion, outstripping North Americas $16.6 trillion, Cap Gemini said on Thursday. European wealth rose 4.8 percent to $13.6 trillion, while Latin America and Africa declined, the Paris-based consulting firm said. Global wealth advanced 4 percent to $58.7 trillion. Interesting comparison data shows that the average wealth per adult in Thailand has grown from $3350 to $8391 between 2000 and 2016. Where do the bottom billion live? With both large populations and a high incidence of low wealth, Africa and India as expected account for a high proportion of the bottom tail. As Table 4.2 shows, 486 million members of the bottom quintile almost exactly half of the bottom billion live in Africa or India, and 1.1 billion adults there fall within the bottom half of the global wealth distribution. The other major concentration is in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the low-income countries of South Asia and South East Asia. Together, Africa, India, and Asia-Pacific account for 72% of the bottom billion by wealth, and 70% of the bottom half. The remaining 30% are mainly spread across China, Europe, and Latin America. The National Legislative Assembly with a total of 243 members attending convened in a special meeting today and acknowledged the accession to the throne by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as the 10th King of the Chakri Dynasty. It was officially notified of the earlier acknowledgement of the ascension to the throne this morning at a joint meeting of the Cabinet and the National Council for Peace and Order chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. NLA president Pornpet Wichitcholchai told the NLA members that the acknowledgment was in line with Section 23, which remains in effect, after the nullification of the 2007 Constitution and of Section 2 of the interim constitution. Under these sections, if the King has appointed His Heir to the Throne, the cabinet will notify the NLA president, who will seek an acknowledgment from the assembly. The NLA president will then invite the Heir to ascend the Throne. In recent years, as King Bhumibol Adulyadej has taken on fewer public engagements because of age and frail health, the Crown Prince has taken up more and more of these ceremonial duties. In his speech given on the birthday of King Bhumibol on Dec 5,2009, during a Grand Audience at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall, the Grand Palace, the Prince reiterated his allegiance to the King and the nation, proclaiming: On this most auspicious occasion, I would like to solemnly swear that I will carry out my responsibilities, both as a Thai and as a member of the House of Chakri, to the best of my knowledge and abilities, in the best of faith and loyalty to Your Majesty and the nation forever. As a king, His Majesty the King Vajiralongkorn will exercise his royal power as a constitutional monarch to sign legislation, hear oaths from newly appointed civil servants and represent Thailand as head of state. He will be the sovereign of Thailands government, justice system, bureaucracy and armed forces. BUFFALO CENTER Marlyn Hanson, of Buffalo Center, wasnt sure what he was in for when he joined the Army in 1952. It turns out he got to choose. I could either be on the guns or I could be a cook, said Hanson, 86. And, a guy told me, Dont even think about it. Be a cook. So there I was. I was a cook. The Rake High School graduate spent about a year in eastern Korea with the 196th Field Artillery Battalion in a valley dubbed the Punchbowl. He arrived in Korea by boat after training at Fort Crowder, Missouri; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. The rest of the journey was by land. We went by train as far as it would go and then we went by truck to the Punchbowl, so that was kind of scary because if we wouldve been cut off ... , Hanson said, trailing off. By the time Hanson got there in January 1953, the American and opposing forces were entrenched on the mountainous ridges. We were on the top on this side, and the enemy was on top on the other side, Hanson explained. It was 8-10 miles across, that bowl, and we were there the whole time, but we was below the ground. Soldiers slept below the ground in order to protect them from incoming rounds. The mess hall, where Hanson worked, was one of the only above-ground structures. Soldiers covered its tin roof with dirt and grass to camouflage it from attack. Even then, it wasnt safe. You wouldnt dare go walk up there behind the mess hall, Hanson said. Itd be all booby trapped. Heavy fighting had turned the Punchbowl into a desolate place. There had been so many rounds that there wasnt much, he said. The trees were just about non-existent. They were just little bushes. Cooks worked three days on, three days off. He wrote home nearly every day. Wed get up early, about 6 oclock. I think we had to begin to serve breakfast about 7 oclock, he said. Then, wed be done by 12 oclock, but by the time we had to clean up itd be 1 oclock. The soldiers liked some of the food. Some dishes werent big hits. They had chicken noodle soup, that was the best, Hanson said. And, they had green pea soup, which nobody liked. I wouldnt eat it now. Hanson was there less than a year. The fighting stopped Aug. 31. And, then we stayed in the same position until I went home the end of September, he said. So I was there just 11 months, 19 days and two hours. These days, Hanson doesnt think about Korea very much. As long as I didnt get hurt, and nobody right next to me got hurt or anything, why then I really dont think about it, he said. Now, itd be different I think if I wouldve been hurt or if my buddies, friends, got hurt, but it didnt happen. I was very lucky that way. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Foster Campbell said he and Republican President-elect Donald Trump agree on a lot of issues both are for term limits and against international trade agreements. But one thing Campbell said he would oppose if he wins the Dec. 10 runoff is approving former Gov. Bobby Jindal for an appointment in Trumps government. Im not going up to Washington just to vote down the line with the Democrats and Im not going up there to tip toe and vote right down the line with the Republicans, Campbell told the Press Club of Baton Rouge Monday afternoon. If he tries to appoint Bobby Jindal to a cabinet position, theres no way Foster Campbell could ever be for that Bobby Jindal bankrupted our state and John Kennedy signed the checks. For Kennedy's part, the Republican candidate to replace U.S. Sen. David Vitter said he hasn't thought about the future of the former governor who he frequently clashed with over the past four years. Im only thinking about my own campaign, Kennedy said. Kennedy called Campbell a liberal who supported Hillary Clinton while identifying himself as a conservative who supports Trump. Kennedy and Campbell arent going to debate or even appear together during the last 12 days of the year-long campaign. They both addressed separate audiences on Monday. Early voting enters its third day Tuesday and will continue until Saturday. Regardless of how Campbell feels about the president-elect, the Trump camp is backing Kennedy. Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be in Louisiana this weekend to campaign for Kennedy. Details were still being finalized Monday night, but a "get out the vote" rally is being planned at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport Saturday around noon. GOP statewide officials Gov. John Bel Edwards is the only Democrat elected statewide and he backs Campbell are expected to attend along with Republican congressman. A separate fundraiser is also being planned. Meanwhile, a political action committee backing Campbell will hold a fundraiser on Wednesday featuring Edwards, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond and former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu. Kennedy spoke to a group of 25 supporters at his campaign office in Metairie late Monday, urging them to not let up even though polls show him heavily favored to win the race. Forget about the polls, Kennedy said. Forget about the experts. We want everyone to understand there is a U.S. Senate election. Joining Kennedy was U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker from Mississippi, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which wants to make sure that Kennedy becomes the 52nd Republican senator. Wicker said that having Kennedy would add an extra cushion in case some Republican senators dont support the party leadership on controversial votes. Kennedy said voters face a simple choice. You either believe that America is better off than eight years ago or you dont, he said, adding that he doesnt. Kennedy was invited to address the Press Club Monday, but his campaign refused saying the candidate had scheduling conflict. Campbell said Kennedy was scared to meet him. Polls and experts say Kennedy is the odds on favorite to win the runoff and become Louisiana's junior senator in Washington. Both candidates have long records of public service. Kennedy, a lawyer by trade, has been state treasurer since 2000. Campbell, a farmer and insurance agent, was in the state Senate for 26 years and has been on Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, phone companies and trucking firms, since 2003. Campbell kept bringing up Kennedys liberal stances he supported Democrat John Kerry for president during the years before 2007 when the treasurer switched to the Republican Party. When people find out that John Kennedy flip flops, that hes been on every side, that he takes hundreds of thousands of dollars from Wall Street, theyll come to me, Campbell told an audience of about 40, mostly reporters, earlier in the day. Im a populist and proud of it Theres a difference between John Kennedy and I. I dont wear a thousand dollar suit to walk down a gravel road. He does. Campbell was referring to way Kennedy generally ends his campaign commercials. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Retired credit union employee Rose Ree Carey, making her second bid for the Metro Council District 12 seat, is in a tough some might say uphill battle against the well-known Barbara Freiberg, who has represented much of the same area for years on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. Freiberg, 68 and a Republican who spent a career as a teacher at Lee and University high schools before turning to politics, led the field of six on Nov. 8 to get into the Dec. 10 runoff against her closest challenger. The demographics of the district would suggest the runoff election is Freibergs to lose. Sixty-seven percent of the vote in the primary went to Republican candidates in that race. District 12 includes Southdowns, Kenilworth, Valley Park, Concord Estates and Mayfair, among other neighborhoods. It is one of six Metro Council races still up in the air. Early voting begins Saturday and continues through Dec. 3, excluding Sunday. Turnout in the primary in the south Baton Rouge district was 68 percent. Freiberg emerged with 36 percent of the vote. Carey, 65 and the lone Democrat in the field, trailed with 27 percent, solidly in second place. Six Metro Council races head to Dec. 10 runoff elections Newcomer Matt Watson beat a field of three Tuesday, and three incumbents Buddy Amoroso, Ch In 2012, Carey missed the runoff by just 206 votes to John Delgado, who went onto win that election. Delgado, a Republican, ran for mayor this year, coming in fourth in the primary. He has endorsed Freiberg in the District 12 runoff. Carey, retired from the not-for-profit Department of Corrections Credit Union, grew up in and still resides in the Valley Park community. She has 12 siblings and five children of her own. She is active in her church, Charity Christian Center Church, and describes a life busy with helping people. Carey is most animated when talking about crime, traffic and how the city-parish has dealt with the recent historic flooding. She said she is in favor of more community policing, but also is a supporter of Baton Rouge Police, including raising their pay. She said she has relatives who flooded in August and has not been been a fan of the shelter-at-home approach to rebuilding. She said she's in favor of the Green Light Plan Phase 2 tax thats also on the Dec. 10 ballot. Shed also like to work with the next mayor to build even more sidewalks. On other issues, such as economic development, Carey has less to say. We could use more jobs and more businesses, she said. Im willing to work with mayor and Metro Council to get things into the city. Careys campaign has focused on walking the neighborhoods along with family and friends. Before Nov. 8, she had raised just $1,000 compared to Freibergs $45,500 their next report is due Wednesday. Carey indicates she is receiving more money now that shes made the runoff as well as getting help from other local political leaders. She said she plans to put out more yard signs, and do robocalls, some radio, perhaps even a television advertisement, but she plans to keep it clean. I dont believe in getting into a race to put another person down, Carey said. Freiberg has received endorsements from groups ranging from the Forum for Equality to the Baton Rouge Area Chambers FuturePAC. And, she's been endorsed by the four District 12 primary candidates who failed to make the runoff. +6 Six candidates vie to fill District 12 Metro Council seat vacated by Delgado An eclectic field of six candidates is seeking to fill the Metro Council seat being vacated Freiberg spent 28 years as an English teacher before working 10 years as K-12 education administrator for the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. She is a lifelong resident of District 12 and was part of the class of '66 at Lee High School. As a School Board member, she has played an active role in guiding the often tumultuous rebuilding and rethinking of her alma mater, which reopened in a $54.6 million new campus in August. In June, several black community leaders sought to replace the schools official name, Robert E. Lee High, with a name with no connection to the Civil War general. Loath to drop the name entirely and sever the schools connection to her and other alumni, Freiberg supported a successful compromise to drop just the "Robert E." but keep the schools name as Lee High. Freiberg was named board president immediately after taking office in January 2011, spending two years in that position. She was named board president again earlier this year. During first term, she was part of a 6-5 majority backed by the local business community. In 2014, Freiberg signed onto a business-backed push to shrink the School Board from 11 to nine members; it also had the effect of forcing out longtime member and opponent Jerry Arbour. Freiberg was easily re-elected that fall to the newly drawn District 7 and joined a bigger 6-3 majority. +6 EBR School Board agrees to downsize to 9 members Shrugging off threats of litigation, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Thursday na Freiberg connects her interest in serving on the Metro Council to her unsuccessful efforts to persuade the council to place school representatives on more boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission. She said her education background will help her on the Metro Council with oversight of Head Start and the city-parishs efforts to improve early childhood education. Like Carey, Freiberg said she supports expansion of community policing. Freiberg also supports the four local tax propositions on the Dec. 10 ballot, including the Green Light 2 Plan. She supports the Capital Region Industry for Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, or CRISIS, an industry-led effort to find a solution to local traffic congestion and to the backlog of transportation maintenance in metro Baton Rouge. Freiberg also supports adding more bike paths and other ways to get people off the roads during rush hour. We need to look at more flexible work days so that people werent coming and going at the same time, she said. Since Nov. 8, Freiberg said, shes been schooling herself on the issues, meeting a range of people with knowledge of city-parish government. She said she also sat down with and solicited the ideas of her Metro Council opponents, with the exception of Carey. Carey and Freiberg say they have not endorsed either of the two candidates for mayor-president. Family members say occasional bouts of violence punctuated April Peck's relationship with Terrell Walker, the 48-year-old father of her two children authorities believe fatally shot her and tossed her from a car Sunday evening shortly after picking her up from work. A violent fit of jealous rage landed Walker in jail two weeks ago, accused in a police report of choking Peck and stepping on her face during an argument outside his mother's house. When a Baton Rouge district court judge let Walker free on bail three days later, the judge ordered him to stay away from Peck. Although her relatives say she threw him out of the house, Peck continued to occasionally see Walker with whom she had two young sons and let him use her car to commute to a job on the west side of the river. Early Sunday morning, Peck and her sister, Dannlleshia Peck, drove back from New Orleans. During that drive, Dannlleshia Peck said, her younger sister complained about Walker's jealousy and worried that he might kill her. Just a few hours later, some 30 minutes after Walker picked April Peck up from her 10 a.m.-to-5 p.m. shift at Roses discount store on Florida Boulevard, Walker shot her in her Chevy Malibu and pushed her out into the intersection at Essen Lane and United Plaza Boulevard. When motorists stopped to help the 30-year-old Peck including a physician, a 17-year-old Central High School student training to be an EMT and the crew of a passing ambulance Walker returned and attacked them, shooting the teenager and running over two of them, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. Daniel Wesley, the teenager shot by Walker, is scheduled to go into surgery Tuesday for a second time to treat two gunshot wounds, a broken arm and a broken leg, said his mother, Kathy Wesley. Kathy Welsey said her son was attempting to staunch the bleeding from Peck's wounds when Walker crashed into the collected bystanders, throwing Daniel Wesley into the nearby East Baton Rouge EMS ambulance. Walker stepped out of the car firing, striking Wesley once before chasing after others. Walker returned and shot Wesley a second time and ran him over as he tried to flee, the teen's mother said. "If you help her, I'm going to kill you," Kathy Wesley said Walker told her son and others who'd stopped to try to save the fatally injured woman. Walker escaped, but less than four hours later, he was dead, fatally wounded in a gunfight with sheriff's deputies 2 miles away at Interstate 10 and Bluebonnet. Maj. Bryan White, chief of detectives for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, said deputies quickly identified Walker as the suspected gunman through prior brushes with the law. Deputies killed Walker when he opened fire after being confronted just before 9 p.m., White said. Autopsies for both Peck and Walker are scheduled Tuesday, said Dr. William "Beau" Clark Jr., East Baton Rouge Parish coroner. The East Baton Rouge EMS ambulance crew had just left the nearby Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center when a driver on Essen Lane flagged them down and pointed them toward Peck, who lay wounded in the roadway. All three paramedics aboard the ambulance scrambled for cover when Walker showed up and opened fire, said Mike Chutz, an EMS spokesman. None of the EMS workers were struck or hurt during the attack. "This was the first time in the history of Baton Rouge EMS as far as I know of that we were directly fired upon like that," Chutz said. 'If you help her, I'm going to kill you': Teen shot, run over trying to save shooting victim A 17-year-old Central High senior is in the hospital with a list of painful injuries a pair of bullet wounds, a broken arm and a broken leg Dannlleshia Peck, 32, said April Peck was a doting mother to the couple's two boys, ages 4 and 7. While scrolling through old text messages with her younger sister Monday morning, Dannlleshia Peck paused to show flight reservations for a pair of trips the sisters had planned: this coming weekend together in Florida and New Year's Eve in Atlanta. Dannlleshia Peck said she last saw Walker on Thanksgiving night, which they spent at a club. At the end of the night, she said, Walker worried about his relationship with her sister and parted by saying it'd be the last time they'd see him. "I never thought it'd go that far," Peck said Monday at her apartment just doors from the place her sister once shared with her killer. "I'd just wish I'd taken time to talk to him more." Walker had a violent past well-documented in East Baton Rouge court records. He was arrested on a count of first-degree murder in the October 1991 slaying of 23-year-old Morris Hall who while dying identified Walker as his killer and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. A judge sentenced him in 1992 to 10 years in prison. Walker also pleaded guilty in 2006 to a reduced charge of attempted possession of a firearm by a felon and was sentenced to 2 years in prison. The original charge was stalking with a dangerous weapon. Those who knew April Peck described her boyfriend as possessive, insecure and jealous. Walker told sheriff's deputies after being arrested for domestic battery on Nov. 15 that their fight began "because she was cheating on him." Her sister said he frequently made that accusation even though, she said, it wasn't true. According to court records, Walker's estranged ex-wife, who divorced him in 2005, told police on multiple occasions that he physically abused her and threatened to kill her. Over several months, Walker allegedly broke into her home, implied over the phone he would kill her and, on one occasion, chased her down the street and dragged her into a car. Employees at Roses, the Florida Boulevard discounter where April Peck worked, said she appeared fine during her shift. But Jerretta Muse, a manager at the store, said Peck would occasionally confide about her troubled relationship with Walker. Near the end of her 2005 trade mission to Cuba, then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco received word that Cuban dictator Fidel Castro wanted to meet with her. "He talked practically nonstop the whole time," she said, recalling that meeting after hearing news of Castro's death this weekend. Louisiana has spent time on-and-off over the past decade working to build up trade relations with the communist country most recently with Gov. John Bel Edwards' trip to Havana with economic development leaders in October. It's unclear what the election of Donald Trump and the death of Castro, who handed power over to his brother, Raul, in 2008, might mean for the state's partnership push. Many Republican leaders in Congress have opposed calls for the end of the 55-year-old U.S. trade embargo of the island nation, even as Obama has loosed travel restrictions and made other efforts through executive order. Trump could repeal those executive orders, if he so chooses. Louisiana has led all states in exports to Cuba over the past decade, totaling more than $1.4 billion since 2006. Edwards, who did not meet with either of the Castros on his trade trip, said Monday that he still hopes to build on trade relationships that the state has established. Ive had the opportunity to visit Cuba and see what a beautiful country it is with citizens who have been oppressed for far too long," Edwards said of Castro's death. "Fidel Castros dictatorship sought to deny the Cuban people the freedoms that Americans cherish and value. No political figure has had a greater impact on the lives of the Cuban people in the last century than Castro. History will remember how Cubans have fought their way towards a brighter future, free from persecution and the shackles Castro imposed." Recalling her own meeting with Castro, Blanco noted that he had memorized countless facts about Louisiana and was proud to show off all that he had learned before meeting with her. "He had done a lot of homework," she said. New Orleans to Havana? Tourist cruise discussed in Edwards' Cuba trip HAVANA New Orleans could become a major departure point for tourists who want to travel to Later, Castro offered to send medical aid to states in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but the U.S. declined the offer. Blanco said she found it striking how much he appeared to micromanage the government and recalled that at one point he spoke of how many dozens of eggs Cuba would need to import for each person to have three eggs per week. "I think all of us on the trip had a natural nervousness," Blanco said. "You are meeting with a revolutionary leader who was brutal to his opposition." She said she didn't feel personally threatened. "He was a very interesting personality," she said. "I think his studiousness was a surprise." President Barack Obama in 2014 began efforts to normalize the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba after decades of restrictions on travel and trade. During his trip, Edwards signed several memorandums in support of increased trade from Louisiana to Cuba when embargoes are lifted. Blanco said she hopes that work continues to move toward normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba. "All of that kind of investment is critical to a nation's ability to function," she said. "It also means personal freedom for citizens when it's established." Trump had largely been mum about his position since he was elected on Nov. 8, and the Associated Press reported that Trump's aides said Monday that nothing has been decided. But Trump tweeted a message signaling that he will roll back some of what Obama has done or stop relations from further improving. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal." Several members of Louisiana's Congressional delegation have been key voices in the effort to loosen embargoes, with U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, serving as a point on agriculture opportunities that Louisiana could see from it. Abraham traveled to Cuba earlier this year. In an interview with The Advocate earlier this month, Abraham said he ultimately believes that Trump will be willing to move toward normalization because of his business acumen. Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be in Louisiana this weekend to campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Kennedy. Details are still being finalized but a "get out the vote" rally is being planned at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport Saturday around noon. A separate fundraiser is also being planned. The rally is being organized by the state Republican Party, which will also handle ticketing for the event. Pence, along with President-elect Donald Trump, was last in Louisiana shortly after catastrophic floods hit south Louisiana in August. Louisiana overwhelmingly voted in favor of Trump and Pence over Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine on Nov. 8. +2 Early Voting for Dec. 10 election begins Saturday Candidates and campaigns throughout the state including the top-of-the-ticket race for the Others expected to take part in the Republican rally include Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Attorney General Jeff Landry and Republican members of the state's Congressional delegation. Meanwhile, political action committee backing Democrat Foster Campbell in the Dec. 10 Senate runoff will hold a fundraiser on Wednesday featuring Gov. John Bel Edwards, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond and former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu. Early voting is currently underway and runs through Saturday. MASON CITY | A man police say broke into a Mason City home and punched two people was sentenced Monday to up to five years in prison. Brandon Charles Page, 43, Mason City, also was fined $750 for felony third-degree burglary. He originally was charged with first-degree burglary. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in October. Investigators say he forced his way into a residence in the 1100 block of North Ohio Avenue about 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 31 and punched two people in the face, according to court documents. Police say he entered the residence by kicking in a door separating the garage and interior of the home. -- Mary Pieper During the presidential primaries, Donald Trump summarily dispatched one of America's storied political dynasties when he bowled right over its onetime golden child, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Earlier his month, Trump's electoral college win over Hillary Clinton ended another legendary family's outsized role on the national scene. Indirectly and closer to home, Trump's looming presidency may well have a similar effect on another clan that has loomed large for decades. Dating all the way back to 1960, someone with the last name Landrieu has served in either the executive or legislative branch at one level or another. One still does, of course, and now that Clinton will not be whisking Mitch Landrieu off to Washington to help lead the country, the New Orleans mayor is likely to stick around until his second and final term ends in May 2018. But while the 56-year-old former legislator and lieutenant governor doesn't seem at all ready to leave the public stage, circumstances might conspire to force him into early retirement from politics alongside his dad Moon, the former New Orleans mayor and cabinet secretary, and older sister Mary, who lost her bid for a fourth U.S. Senate term in 2014 and is now a lobbyist. (One more of Moon and Verna's nine children, Madeleine, is a judge on the state appeals court in New Orleans) Mitch Landrieu's problem is that there just isn't an obvious place for him to go next. He served as lieutenant governor in an era when most statewide elected officials were still Democrats. Now, they're just about all Republicans, with the notable exception of the man who holds the one job Landrieu would be most likely to want, Gov. John Bel Edwards. Given the state's leanings, it's no sure bet that Edwards will get re-elected in 2019, but his plans to go for it will block any effort by Landrieu to run. Nor is Congress a good option. The one member representing a Democratic district in Louisiana, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, is settling in for the long haul. And the state's Senate elections in recent years, including the one that ended Mary Landrieu's tenure, have become stand-ins for national party preference. On top of those challenges, Landrieu's drive to remove Civil War-themed monuments from the majority black city's street's provoked a strong backlash elsewhere in Louisiana and would make any statewide campaign that much more daunting. None of this means Landrieu doesn't have options. His profile among those who study cities is high. He'll soon assume the presidency of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and he's a regular on the national speaking circuit. He's on the radar of national philanthropists such as Michael Bloomberg, who speaks of Landrieu with "awe and excitement," New Orleans native and Aspen Institute president Walter Isaacson recently told The Advocate's Tyler Bridges. The former New York City mayor is already promising to marshal municipal leaders as a counterforce to the conservative Trump White House, particularly on issues such as climate change. As mayor, Landrieu leveraged the city's post-Katrina experience to become a leading voice in the environmental resiliency movement. If Trump follows through on his hint that he'll appoint surgeon and former rival Ben Carson to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development or anyone with a similar outlook and/or lack of experience in the field it's safe to expect plenty of pushback from outside on other topics as well. In the meantime, Landrieu probably won't be able to resist playing a role in the campaign to succeed him, which should be kicking off any day now in anticipation of a fall 2017 election. Landrieu hasn't groomed a favored successor, but he's set up a political action committee to raise money and has spoken in the past of his frustration with the city's habit of choosing new mayors every eight years who vow to take the city in a dramatically new direction. Continuity, he's made clear, is very much on his mind. Landrieu may not have an official role to play in the Trump era, but he can certainly add his voice to the loyal opposition. And as anyone who's followed his career knows, he's not exactly the type to slink away quietly. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close This aerial photo made during a flight provided by the National Wildlife Federation and Southern Wings shows the Lake Borgne storm surge barrier in St. Bernard Parish, La., Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, which was built after Hurricane Katrina, with the skyline of New Orleans in the background. Scientists say Katrina was especially destructive because of the disappearance of buffer land between New Orleans and the Gulf. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The ACT has topped the nation in the latest international maths and science rankings, the only Australian jurisdiction to achieve a "high international benchmark" for science. The latest "Trends in International Mathematics and Science" study, released on Tuesday, showed the ACT outperformed the other states and territories in year 4 maths and science and year 8 science, equal first with Victoria in year 8 maths. It was also the jurisdiction with the highest percentage of students achieving the highest level in year 4 maths, year 4 science and year 8 science. While this may indicate the ACT is performing strongly, when data is compared across the 20 years of TIMSS testing, results in the ACT have stagnated. Federal Labor MP Gai Brodtmann has written to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to reverse a decision to move 175 public service jobs out of Canberra and into Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's electorate. Ms Brodtmann wrote to Mr Turnbull's office on Tuesday as a last resort, as the decision by Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, at Mr Joyce's urging, was not subject to approval by the parliament. Opposition Leader Alistair Coe. Credit:Rohan Thomson Her letter was sent on the same day as Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe broke ranks with his federal colleagues, criticising the basis for the decision as he had not yet seen a "good business case made" to move the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority from Canberra to Mr Joyce's northern NSW electorate. It was revealed last week the forced move would strip more than than $157 million a year and more than 350 direct and indirect jobs from the Canberra economy. Duffy had applied for and was granted funding from Legal Aid ACT a means- and merits-tested service that funds legal representation for people who can't afford to pay. Anne Duffy and the lawyer, Stephen Raymond Stubbs, met in November 2008, when Ms Duffy's son Alexander Duffy was arrested and charged with assault and an act endangering life. A Canberra woman says she had put "all my trust" in a lawyer who allegedly defrauded her of tens of thousands of dollars. His charges were later upgraded and replaced with conspiracy to commit murder. He was also later charged with further assaults while out on bail in February 2009. It's alleged by the Crown that Stubbs received about $4000 from Legal Aid for legal services in relation to Duffy, then 19, while also being paid more than $30,000 from Ms Duffy. Ms Duffy told the ACT Supreme Court at Stubbs' trial on Tuesday she was approached by the lawyer at court "early in the piece". She said Stubbs had explained to her there would be legal costs following her son's arrest and charges. "[He said] he was doing the best by me ... and he would do me a favour by only billing me what Legal Aid would've paid him." A push from several of the country's biggest banks to gain unprecedented access to the digital payment chip on Apple's iPhone has been dealt a major blow by the competition watchdog. As banks and technology giants jostle to dominate the market for digital wallets, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank had sought permission from regulators to team up in their negotiations over the digital payment service, Apple Pay. On Tuesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission knocked back the banks' request to launch a collective negotiation and a boycott of Apple Pay, in what it says is a "finely balanced" draft decision. It will make a final ruling in March. The rejection is a setback for the banks' world-first attempt to apply more negotiating pressure to Apple over its payment service, which is competing with banks for about $2 billion in Australian credit card fee revenue. With Malcolm Turnbull's political stock at an all-time low, CBD wonders if he will be tuning in to see Alexander Downer on the telly this Sunday as the guest of Nine's morning yawn, In Conversation with Alex Malley. Bean counting boss, Malley, will interview our man in the UK on his political career. But given the business flavour of the program, the pre-show publicity included some quotes from Downer regarding his views on what it takes to be an effective political leader. "You need experience in politics to be good at politics So just to take someone who is the CEO of a major company and think she might or he might make a great politician, don't be so sure, they might be absolutely hopeless at it, and this has happened through the years." The Hyatt Regency Sydney is the latest hotel to open its doors at a time when the sector is in the throes of a large development phase. This week the chain will take over the operation of the largest hotel in the country, by rooms, at Sussex Street, Darling Harbour, from the former operators, Starwood's Four Points by Sheraton. The newly branded Hyatt Regency Sydney hotel at Darling Harbour. It will be the third site for the chain, which is owned by Chicago's Pritzker family, with the next to open at Essendon in Melbourne. The chain had a hotel in Sydney's Kings Cross before the site was sold and is now the Millennial apartment tower. Malcolm Zancanaro, the general manager Hyatt Regency Sydney, said Australia was an important market for its guests, and had been a focus for the chain for a long time. GALT The mother of a child found alone and shoeless in the city of Galt has been arrested. Ysabel Ceplecha, 24, of Eagle Grove, was charged with felony neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. Wright County sheriff deputies say it was her daughter, 2, who was found alone Nov. 22 near the vacant post office in Galt, population 32. She was wearing pajamas and no coat or shoes. Girl found in Galt, sibling, in protective custody GALT The younger sibling of a 2-year-old girl found wandering shoeless near an abandoned p Ceplecha is accused in court documents of abandoning the girl in Galt when the weather was windy and raining with a temperature in the 30s. Residents brought the child out of the cold and called authorities. The girl was taken to a local hospital but did not speak to deputies. Officials received several tips about the girls identity, as well as her familys, after sending her photo and story to local media outlets, including the Globe Gazette. Police also told the public a blue Honda minivan had been seen leaving the scene before the girl was found. The girl was examined by doctors and then placed in protective foster care. Update: Unattended child found in Galt GALT | The Wright County Sheriffs Office identified the 2-year-old girl found in Galt Tuesday. After making contact with Caplecha last week, deputies removed another of her children, 1, from her home. The younger child also was placed in foster care. Ceplecha was jailed Tuesday on a $10,000 bond. Officials say the 2-year-olds father is out of the country. Melbourne's office market is forecast to grow at a faster rate than Sydney's over the next five years, bringing the two city's office sectors to a near-even size within four years. Research from office giant Dexus shows Sydney's office sector is expected to grow by 4.9 per cent over the next half decade while Melbourne's will surge ahead by 9.8 per cent. The faster pace of development in the southern capital will see the two rival cities come close to having CBD office markets of a similar size in 2020, before Sydney's capacity picks up again. Peter Studley, Dexus' head of research, said over the last 15 years Melbourne's office sector had grown faster than Sydney's driven by population growth and availability of land in the Docklands. You must have seen them at your local cafe young people armed with MacBook Airs, backpacks that look like they belong on an alpine trail, and the Wi-Fi password, freeloading on the internet and the table space for the price of a flat white. These intellectual pieceworkers answer to job titles you won't recognise in occupations that have only existed since the dawn of the 2010s content manager, brand strategist. Paid by the job, sometimes by the word (and sometimes not at all), they're the Uber drivers of intellectual labour, pieceworkers in the information economy. Cafes have emerged as new-age workplaces for young people armed with their laptops. Credit:Jacob Ammentorp Lund Their concentration increases the closer you get to Collingwood or Alexandria, where some cafes are like cubicle farms where almost everyone is tapping away at some project they need to finish, or having a meeting about the one they have to start. With real estate so pricey and intellectual piecework precarious and poorly paid, you can hardly blame entrepreneurial youngsters for wanting a cheap desk that isn't in a share house bedroom. She came into the law without any prior social or family connection something that, along with her gender, marked her as an outlier in the cosy upper echelons of the profession. That was Susan Kiefel's advice to a group of students, as cited by a legal colleague who welcomed the judge to the High Court bench in Sydney in 2007. "You can usually do whatever you determine to do. The constraints or limits placed upon a person's life and career usually come from themselves." Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stood with Attorney-General George Brandis as he made the High Court announcements. Credit:Andrew Meares Justice Kiefel's rise is a great example to every child, male and especially female. Barriers can indeed be overcome: from Cairns-born year 10 school leaver at age 15; to secretarial college graduate; to legal secretary and part-time law student; to barrister at age 21; to the youngest-ever Queen's Counsel in Queensland at 33; to Cambridge graduate at 40; to the High Court at 53; and now to replace retiring Chief Justice Robert French. She will be 63 at her swearing in ceremony in January. To fill the vacancy her promotion creates, former West Australian and Oxford legal academic cum Queensland-based Federal Court judge James Edelman will join the High Court. He too is an outlier; one of the finest legal minds of his generation, according to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. An Oxford professor before turning 35, Justice Edelman will join the High Court at age 43. The two appointments are good news legal stories in a minefield of bad ones for the Turnbull government. The Prime Minister stood alongside George Brandis on Tuesday to announce the moves, but the first question involved the Attorney-General's struggle to defend himself over alleged secret deals with the WA government over the settlement of the Bell Group case. Senator Brandis denies he was involved in a plan to stop former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson from running an argument in the High Court that might have cost WA money. That notwithstanding, Senator Brandis' history of blunders on hate speech and his dealings with Mr Gleeson make him vulnerable to demotion in any ministerial reshuffle. Some wags even suggest the Attorney-General could be tempted by a judicial role and there's one waiting in the Federal Court in Brisbane should he wish to risk the controversy. It has taken a little over a century, but for the first time a woman will preside as chief justice of Australias High Court. The announcement that Justice Susan Kiefel will replace Robert French on his retirement from the court marks an important milestone in Australias constitutional history. But what is the significance of a woman as chief justice? And what does this appointment mean for the politics of judicial diversity? Kiefels elevation to chief justice was not entirely unexpected. Speculation was rife that she would be appointed from within the court, which was perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that she was odds-on favourite. At last the idea of a woman sitting at the peak of Australias judiciary was no longer as inconceivable as it might have been in 1903, when the High Court was formally established. George Brandis and his predilection for power and disregard for law reminds me of another Queensland politician from many years ago who was well known for saying "Don't you worry about that!" Stephen Gulliford, Beechworth Alcohol ticks all boxes In relation to the push by the Greens to decriminalise cannabis, a spokesperson for the federal Health Minister stated: "The government will never legalise a drug that destroys brain function, mental wellbeing, general health, employment, relationships, lives and families" (The Age, 28/11). Alcohol does all these things in spades, as well as contributing to violence (both public and family) at great cost to government and society. Alcohol is the most prevalent drug of concern among those seeking treatment for substance dependence. Alcohol is widely available, prolifically advertised, appended to most celebratory occasions and deemed a cultural necessity. The government's commentary is emblematic of the ideological mores that guide drug policy. The bias is completely out of touch with the evidence. Sam Biondo, Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association 'Dobbing in' would suffice Given growing concern in the community about the use of violence, our politicians might consider employing a more appropriate metaphor than "throwing someone under a bus" to illustrate a point. Perhaps they could learn from our kids, who call it "dobbing in". Stephen McNamara, Newtown THE FORUM To where does it trickle? Should we be concerned whether the $200 billion liquefied natural gas industry is paying its fair share of tax ("Gas giants reap tax bonanza", 29/11)? Surely we should be satisfied with the financial benefits of the trickle-down effect. Following Liberal Party economic policy, the important things are: first, the business provides (limited) jobs. Second, the business encourages growth (of shareholders' income). That the shareholders might live and spend their money elsewhere and that senior staff and workers could be fly in-fly out, leaving the poorly paid jobs to locals, is immaterial. Glenda Jones, Carlton Out of our league Australia may rank as a First World country, but when it comes to a monetary return on natural resources, it is not even a Third World country. In developing countries at least multinationals pay tens of millions of dollars in bribes to get concessions (the price of doing business) to exploit natural resources. In Australia natural resources seem to be treated like feral nuisances with the multinationals doing us a service by removing the resources for a pittance. Harry Kowalski, Ivanhoe Move on the old guard It rankles that the old guard rejects the idea of a national plan to manage coal closure ("It's time to start planning for a world without coal", 29/11) while China takes up Australian concentrated solar thermal technology on a grand scale ("CSIRO taps into China's huge renewables market", 29/11). A technology which, by the way, tackles the hoary old chestnut of baseload power by including molten salt storage. We nickel and dime the renewables industry to our detriment and continue massive subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. And it looks like the gas boys have been making away like bandits. A paradigm shift is required but I don't think the Coalition is capable of making it. Is the government too close to those with a financial interest in fossil fuels or is it just plain pig ignorance? Either way, Australia loses. Lynn Frankes, Kew Ban river mining The excellent articles on saving the Great Barrier Reef overlooked the effects of alluvial mining on the declining water quality. While Queensland's Environment Department is subsidising some land owners to reduce sediment and nitrogen loads in rivers, its Department of Resources and Mines is issuing in-stream leases for gold and tin mining. Many countries have banned such Third World mining because of its impact on river health and ecosystems. It is time Australia also did. Bruce McGregor, Brunswick Locals have lot to give "Australians are fed up with being told to be tolerant of people with no intention of assimilating into the Australian way of life", says Pauline Hanson. If I, an educated Australian woman (of Irish ancestry) who only speaks English had to move Shanghai it would be akin to moving to Mars to live with Martians. It is impossible for me to contemplate the disorientation, sense of displacement and fear I would feel. Furthermore, it is impossible for me to "assimilate" if the local people do not "help me". I cannot "assimilate" if I cannot speak the language, do not know the customs, and cannot read any signs to go anywhere. It would be extremely confusing, disempowering and demeaning. Of course people want to assimilate because the alternative is horrendous. But no one can assimilate without a lot of help from people who care. Kim Atherfold, Coolum Beach, Queensland Share pie around I am a white man and, yes, I have been a tad angry at times, but not because I have a problem with equal rights for women or minority groups (Comment, 28/11). Let's face it; there are multitudinous reasons to get your gander up in the modern globalised world. Not least is the way the world is being carved up, in actuality and through such discourse, into camps of winners and losers. For said losers to be given the reductive and ignominious label of "angry white man" is neither helpful nor constructive. If people lose jobs, or are overlooked for jobs because of their age or lack of relevant skills and are not then helped in a meaningful way, they have a right to be angry at a system that shunts them on to a pile marked "loser". This lack of insight was on show throughout the US election and permeated the mainstream media. People did not vote for Trump because of an irrational need to lash out, but because he offered them something he may or may not be able to deliver: a slice of the pie. It is time to start talking about the larger issues that our globalised economies have thrown up. A good starting point is lack of equity in wealth distribution. It threatens social cohesion on both a national and international level. John Watson, Coburg Recognise privilege Hey, Peter Woos (Letters, 28/11), don't feel bad. But what you can do is recognise that in society, white heterosexual men do hold privilege, even if it feels thrust upon you. How good would it be to talk about this with your mates so there are more conversations about acknowledging privilege, and calling out those who do use it to hold on to power and position. Don't accept individual blame but accept responsibility to name it. Trish Thompson, Northcote Racial description Neil Prakash was described as "an Australian citizen of Cambodian and Fijian-Indian heritage" (The Age, 28/11). I wondered why this was mentioned I couldn't find any other alleged criminals who had their racial heritage mentioned. Was it because he was brown and so needed an explanation? Janine Truter, The Basin Trivialising black day The term Black Friday has crept into retail advertising. In America, Black Friday follows Thanksgiving day and is set aside for bargain shopping. It is not an Australian tradition. I have always connected Black Friday to the disastrous Australian bushfires of January 13, 1939, considered at the time among the worst natural bushfires in the world, with 71 people killed and more than 1000 houses destroyed. The commercial promotion of black Friday bargains in Australia is disrespectful and thoughtless. More recently, many remember the Black Saturday bushfires on February 7, 2009, when 173 people were killed, numerous people were injured and 2030 houses destroyed. In light of both tragedies, it seems insensitive to now connect Black Friday to commercialism and another country's culture. Black days have a sombre significance for Australians and are etched in people's memories. They should not be trivialised in this way. Cathie Hutchinson, Mulgrave Just say it We have become inured to myriad abbreviations and acronyms. Sometimes, however, they take longer to say than the words they represent. A case in point is the recent adoption of "T's and C's" in radio and television advertisements. Why not simply say "terms and conditions"? Elizabeth Douglas, Melbourne Spend year in class I read with interest the views of many who support raising the university entry score for teaching. As an assistant principal I support the view that we need more able people applying to be teachers. Whether a higher ATAR makes you a better candidate for teaching, however, may well be contested. When my father entered teaching in the 1930s, aspirant teachers did a year in the classroom with an experienced teacher before continuing with their studies. Would this not be a better way to work out whether a young person had what it takes to make a good fist of it in the classroom? Brendan Douglas, Alphington Swim with experts It would be more effective to target students before primary school to tackle the high incidence of early childhood drownings ("Mandatory swim lessons a concern for school heads", 29/11). Government-subsidised quality swim lessons (not all are equal) are vital. There also needs to be collaboration with swim industry experts to best design the program. This includes an emphasis on survival skills such as treading water; how to swim to the edge and climb out; how to call for help; how to help someone who is in trouble in the water; and how to float. Adding a pass or fail to primary school is punitive. It serves no purpose. Sherryn Jones-Vadala, AUSTSWIM Assessor, Airport West Code for culture If heritage is a code word for Nimbyism, is Nimbyism a code word for preserving a neighbourhood's cultural identity? The decades spent appeasing developers have not led to more affordable housing. Chris Goodman, Clifton Hill Beacon of brilliance Farewell John Michael Legge; humanity's self-made man. Ever so humble, ever so strong; A beacon of brilliance, in a morass of neoliberalism. A man of letters, essays and books; an intelligence that will survive; long after his mortal exodus (Tributes, 29/11). John Bentley, Tongala AND ANOTHER THING... Politics People who have never been racially abused are telling those who have what is racist and what is not. Henry Herzog, St Kilda East Before we get too excited about the Racial Discrimination Act, could the leaders of all parties please remind us which race they represent. Chris Wilson, Poowong Listen to the bleating. Peter Dutton makes a few statements of fact and the thought police go into overdrive. Barrie Dempster, Balwyn At least Abbott has the good manners to keep reminding Malcolm why he doesn't want Tony in his Cabinet. Paul Byrne, Balaclava Tony Abbott: minister for destabilisation. Wendy Knight, Little River If you believe the Ipsos poll (The Age, 28/11), the headline should have been: "Shorten as preferred PM drops to all-time low." Geoff Parkes, Warranwood Turnbull goes after backpackers instead of gas multinationals pathetic. Marcel Hoog Antink, Portland Fence off the grass at Parliament House? Just what we need. Further remove our politicians from the real world. Judy Kevill, Ringwood Ambassador Brandis, coming soon to a country nowhere near you. Steve Kenihan, Lyneham, ACT Furthermore I can see a cake stall to fund the swimming lessons. Carolyn Milner, Elwood Why are Grade 6 students only going to be made to swim 50metres? Surely the Premier knows it's the 1500-metre freestyle we really want to win. Nicholas Melaluka, Fairfield Has the ABC been taken over by HMV Her (Michelle Guthrie) Master's (LNP/IPA) Voice? So you kids want to change the world for the better? Good onya. The question is, how? Carpe diem: But school leavers who embark on an elitist course, either left- or right-wing, are ultimately opting for a conservative path. Credit:Tamara Voninski It's an issue confronting Canberra-based year 12 finisher Jasper Lindell, who wrote an insightful piece in the Herald on Tuesday about his optimism for the future. The headline was "Cynicism is useless". Tax avoidance by multinational oil and gas companies - and the rigour with which the federal government ensures they pay a fair share for the offshore riches they exploit - will be put under the spotlight of a Parliamentary inquiry. Twelve months after Fairfax Media first raised concerns about the public missing out on the wealth created by the gas boom, Labor and the Greens were separately moving on Tuesday to establish a formal investigation into rent taxes and royalties collected from the $200 billion-plus offshore gas sector. The ability of companies to reduce their liabilities through billions of dollars in deductions on operating and capital costs was laid bare by the federal Auditor-General in a damning report on Monday. On Tuesday, Labor ended months of internal deliberations to back an inquiry into the profits-based tax that applies to the bulk of offshore projects, the petroleum resource rent tax, and the royalty scheme that applies to the 25 year-old North West Shelf project, investigated by Auditor-General Grant Hehir. Choice has called for a boycott of free range egg brands that have high stocking densities. In the US, #grabyourwallet supporters are urging major businesses such as Nordstrom, Amazon and Zappos to dump Trump product. Coulter created a Google Doc list that is updated every day and includes numbers for PR departments. Shoes.com pulled Ivanka Trump's collection a few days after the election. Interiors brand Bellacor dropped all Trump House items last week. Brand boycotting has picked up in the recent decade, both in the US and Australia. Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Dr Daniel Diermeier, Provost to the University of Chicago and previously Dean of the Harris School of Public Policy, notes that most activists now focus on companies, instead of governments, as the main engine of social change. "As the public raises its expectations about appropriate corporate conduct more companies will find themselves in the cross-hairs more frequently," Diermeier says. The #grabyourawllet boycott has spread slowly to Australia where consumers can access many of these companies with online shopping and international delivery. But since most of the companies are American, the boycott isn't quite having the same punch. "To get a company's attention, a critical mass of individuals need to change their behaviour in concert," says Cooke. "To change a company's behaviour, the company needs to be aware that they're losing customers and what action they would need to take to correct the trend. When that happens, the impact can be profound." Australians have engaged in other consumer boycotts recently, protesting large companies underpaying dairy farmers and organic labelling on organic eggs. In March this year, Choice launched its boycott of 19 supermarket "free range" egg brands, seeking to protect consumers from the "free range egg rip off". "Choice initiated the boycott following the decision by Australia's consumer affairs ministers to sign off on a standard for free range that did not meet consumers expectations," says Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey. "Put simply, we couldn't see why consumers should be paying a significant price premium for eggs labelled as "free range" that come from hens that don't go outside and have stocking densities up to 10,000 hens per hectare." While chief executives at Amazon, Netflix, Starbucks, Grubhub and dozens of other major US brands have spoken out against Trump's policies and beliefs, few of them have committed to pulling tainted stock from their shelves. In fact, some caustic Trump supporters have in turn boycotted these companies, punishing them for speaking out against the President-elect. "The rise of social media has made it easier than ever before for individual consumers to initiate informal boycotts of products and services and gain traction. That said, it's important to look at the motivation and substance of a boycott before blindly signing on to an action," says Godfrey. The #grabyourwallet boycott has found focus in Ivanka Trump's line since she represents a certain type of affluent woman likely to be offended by her father's attitude to women with power to spend and influence social debate, and also digitally savvy. Fast Company reported consumer interest in Ivanka Trump's brand has dropped by more than half since October 2016. This, a few days after she sparked outrage by hawking a $10,000 bracelet that she wore on her father's 60 Minutes interview. Last week Ivanka Trump, responding to a storm of criticism, separated her business account from her personal account on Twitter. Has it been successful? In the age of tailored newsfeeds and edited Twitter lists and in the absence of hard sales figures how can we know if a boycott has really worked? According to Diermeier, for a boycott to be successful four factors must be considered: consumers must care passionately; the cost of participation must be low; issues must be easy to understand; and the mass media must be involved, separate to the interest generated on social media. According to these markers #grabyourwallet has gained traction but it does show signs of slowing. The recent slump in sales for Ivanka Trump's line, as reported by Shophopper, pointed toward a soft victory, but the movement hasn't had much media coverage the last few days and seems to be struggling. Loading The organic eggs boycott in Australia, however, answered to these four markers. Choice recently published figures showing organic egg sales had increased for independent producers. Choice claimed it as a win for those producers. What maths and science skills would you expect a 10-year-old to have? In Singapore, half of all grade 4 students have "advanced" maths skills. They can solve word problems with multiple steps, have a growing grasp of fractions and decimals and understand two- and three-dimensional shapes. (A circle is to a sphere what a square is to a cube.) But just 9 per cent of their Australian peers reach this benchmark, according to the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, which tested 630,000 students around the world. "Eight students in every Australian classroom have no idea what is going on in year 4 maths," the Australian Council of Educational Research's director of educational monitoring and research Dr Sue Thomson said. The average primary school class size is around 24 pupils, so this means one in every three children in that typical year 4 maths lesson is having serious trouble with the concepts. Members of Australia's close-knit ultra-Orthodox Jewish community were discouraged from reporting child sexual abuse because they feared being cast out, a royal commission has found. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse released its report into Yeshiva Bondi and Yeshivah Melbourne on Tuesday, following a public hearing last year. The Yeshiva Centre at Bondi. Credit:Ben Rushton According to the report, survivors of child sexual abuse were treated as "outcasts after it had become known that they had reported their experiences of child sexual abuse to secular authorities." "The royal commission found the evidence strongly suggested that ... some members of those communities were discouraged from reporting," the report stated. MASON CITY | A Nora Springs man whose vehicle was destroyed in a rollover on Avenue of the Saints last week has been released from the hospital. Shamarre Lee, 21, lost control on a patch of ice over the Winnebago River bridge in the highway's eastbound lanes just outside the Mason City limits around 8 a.m. Saturday, said Iowa State Trooper Keith Duenow. The bridge is about three-quarters of a mile east of the Thrush Exit. The Blazer rolled multiple times and broke apart. Lee, who was wearing a seat belt, was flown by helicopter to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. He has since been treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said. No citations were issued. -- Molly Montag It has been a less than jolly start to the festive season for alleged double murderer Mark Caleo. Accused of masterminding the killing of his wife and her brother, the Sydney businessman was set to go on a two week Pacific cruise with his family over the Christmas and the New Year period. Rita Caleo and her brother Dr Michael Chye. Credit:NSW Police Media The bail conditions that forbid him from travelling had been temporarily suspended, the trip planned, and the non-refundable tickets purchased. But in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, prosecutors successfully mounted a challenge to prevent Mr Caleo's passport being returned to him. NSW Police are conducting raids on a number of premises across Sydney following a string of gang-related shootings in recent months. It's believed police have made arrests in relation to the shooting of notorious crime figure Pasquale Barbaro, who was gunned down on an Earlwood street earlier this month. Witnesses say heavily-armed police stormed an area around the Ibis Hotel in Sydney Olympic Park at about midday on Tuesday and arrested two men. Footage from Channel Seven appears to show two men handcuffed against the wall and face down on the footpath with their pockets emptied and shoes removed. Six adults and a young child have been taken to hospital after a gas explosion in Sydney's Chinatown on Tuesday night. At least 200 people were in the five-storey building in Haymarket when the explosion occurred in the loading dock of the building's food court around 7.40pm on Tuesday. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the food court on the corner of Little Hay Street and Sussex Street at 7.40pm. The force of the blast was felt at the building's loading dock and required the building to be evacuated, Superintendent Paul Johnstone from Fire and Rescue NSW said. The Queensland government has outlined a path to expunging historical gay convictions, amid a new report into how the process will work. Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said consensual gay sex was decriminalised in 1991 in recognition that it was not a matter of concern for Queensland's justice system. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath speak at a press conference. The government will move to expunge historical gay convictions. Credit:Tertius Pickard "It was unquestioningly a significant reform," Ms D'Ath said. "There has since been a call in Queensland and elsewhere for complementary law reform to ensure members of our community are not burdened by the stigma caused by such criminal convictions and charges." More than 320 Queensland prisoners have been either released from jail too early or too late in the past 12 years. This includes one prisoner who was released 963 days too early, but returned 35 days later after police executed a warrant. More than 300 Queensland prisoners have been released from jail too early or too late. Credit:Andy Zakeli A report from the Queensland Audit Office has revealed 238 prisoners were unlawfully detained and 91 were discharged in error. When prisoners were kept in jail too long, the average number of days was 15, and it ranged from one day to 313 days. Political pressure, financial hindrances and approval delays have been attributed as obstacles a critically-ill Iranian asylum seeker faced before his death two years ago, an inquest has heard. Asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei was taken from Manus Island to Port Moresby despite an urgent request he be flown to Brisbane for life-saving treatment. Manus Island detainee Hamid Khazaei, who died in 2014. Mr Kehazaei, 24, was admitted to a medical clinic on Manus Island processing centre with severe sepsis from a cut on his leg on August 23, 2014, the Brisbane Coroners Court was told. He was not flown off the island until three days later, by which time he was delirious, thrashing around and had to be sedated, the inquest heard on Tuesday. EXCLUSIVE Melbourne's Catholic and Anglican archbishops have condemned the Andrews government's imprisonment of teenagers in "the harshest of adult prison settings", warning that teen offenders' welfare and chances of rehabilitation are at risk. Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, who is also chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Credit:Joe Armao Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart and his Anglican counterpart Philip Freier have taken the "unusual step" of writing a joint letter to Mr Andrews offering to boost chaplaincy and pastoral care services to "the most vulnerable and impressionable children" in the care of the state as the youth justice crisis deepens. Earlier this month rioting teen inmates damaged the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre at Parkville. In response, Premier Daniel Andrews' government moved some inmates to the maximum security Barwon Prison, making "no apology" for the plan. Leaders at Yeshivah Melbourne and Yeshiva Bondi have been accused of failing to report child abuse to police and allowing paedophiles unfettered access to children, in strongly-worded findings of the royal commission. Investigations into child sexual abuse at the religious Jewish institutions uncovered a "pattern" of inaction in responding to reports of abuse, according to findings released by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Tuesday. Yeshivah College in Melbourne. Credit:John Woudstra In the face of repeated reports of child abuse, leaders at the Orthodox centres - which operate as synagogues, schools and community hubs - assured victims they would act in defence of the victim, but no action was ultimately taken, the commission said. "We were told that the responses of leadership groups to the adverse experiences of survivors and their families ranged from inaction to enabling those adverse experiences. The responses were perhaps in part to protect the reputations of individuals or the institutions concerned." A man may have been trapped in a hay baler on a property near Geelong for up to three days before being found on Tuesday night. A delicate rescue operation was under way at the Mt Duneed property on Tuesday to free the man from the farm machinery. Rescuers work to free a man trapped in a hay baler at Mount Duneed, near Geelong. Credit:Courtesy of Nine News Emergency services found the man trapped by his legs after the alarm was raised about 6.45pm. The man, aged in his 60s, was in a stable condition, an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said. Jerry K. Frank ALGONA Jerry K. Frank, 75, of Algona, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at St. Cecelias Catholic Church, Algona, with the Rev. Edward Girres officiating. Burial will be in St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery in Wesley. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at St. Cecelias Catholic Church in Algona and continue one hour prior to the funeral Mass on Thursday. Ewing Funeral Chapel, Britt, is in charge of arrangements. It started almost half a century ago, most likely with a ball over the fence that was sliced in half and thrown back. Then came the rubbish - including chicken bones - and water, all chucked over the high wooden fence separating number 30 and 32 Joffre Street in Reservoir. The roses lining the front fence between them were poisoned, then came threats, abuse, spitting, and allegations of two assaults - one with a crowbar and the other a pole - on two different neighbours, with the most recent one occurring just two weeks ago. This was no ordinary beef between two grumpy old men - to 83-year-old Michael di Berardino, 91-year-old Eugenio Prenesti seemed like the neighbour from hell. A Perth drug dealer has been found guilty of murdering and dismembering his friend after luring him to another mate's house under the pretext of collecting a $27,000 debt. Gary David Jackson, 51, had been on trial in the West Australian Supreme Court accused of murdering 40-year-old Wade Cameron Dunn at the Alexander Heights home of Mark David Corbett in May 2015. Wade Cameron Dunn was killed in May 2015. Corbett had previously pleaded guilty over Mr Dunn's death and gave evidence during the trial. A jury convicted Jackson on Tuesday of murder and conspiring to pervert the course of justice because he had tried to stop Corbett testifying. The head of one of Australia's largest companies has urged the state government to do what it can to ensure Perth Airport gets direct flights from London. Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder is one of a group of business leaders to urge the government and airport to grab the "once in a liftetime" opportunity for Perth to get the flights and become a regional and business hub. Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder wants Perth-UK direct flights. Credit:Peter Braig Macquarie Group WA chairman Mark Barnaba, Hawaiian Property Group chief executive Russell Gibbs and former Cathay Pacific and British Airways chief executive Sir Rod Eddington also backed Mr Goyder's stance. Qantas wants to offer the non-stop service from April 2018 using new long-haul Boeing 787 planes. New York: A small group of hard-left activists burnt US flags outside the Trump International Hotel in New York on Tuesday, in an angry response to a tweet by President-elect Donald Trump that flag-burners should face jail or lose their citizenship. Social media was itself ablaze in response to Mr Trump's tweet which floated his intention to impose punishment on people who burn American flags. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Mr Trump said. The US Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag-burning was not a crime but rather a form of protest protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. The high court has also ruled more than once that citizenship cannot be revoked. Washington, DC: The attacker who drove into pedestrians at Ohio State University in the United States and stabbed others with a butcher knife "is a soldier" of Islamic State, the group says via its news agency, AMAQ. The attacker, a Somali immigrant student at Ohio State University, injured 11 people before he was shot dead by a police officer. The claim comes as US officials questioned whether Abdul Razak Ali Artan may have followed the same path to self-radicalisation as militants in a number of "lone wolf" attacks. Police have given no motive for the attack. Seoul, South Korea: President Park Geun-hye of South Korea said Tuesday that she was willing to resign before her term ends, in an effort to head off a pending impeachment vote over a devastating corruption scandal. "I am giving up everything now," she said in a dramatic, 5-minute televised address, offering her third public apology for the scandal that has paralysed her government for weeks. It was the first time South Koreans had heard from their cloistered leader since a previous televised public apology on November 4. But opposition lawmakers immediately rejected the offer, calling it a ploy meant to divide her political opponents and allow Park to survive in office, and they vowed to proceed with impeachment efforts. But their plan to call for an impeachment vote on Friday has been cast into doubt. Members of Park's party who had supported impeachment have now suggested that the vote be delayed until December 9, to give rival parties time to negotiate a date for Park's resignation instead. The opposition needs the support of those governing party lawmakers to pass an impeachment bill. Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history, celebrated its 12,000th performance at the Majestic Theatre on November 28. James Barbour currently stars in the title role, alongside Ali Ewoldt (Christine Daae) and Jordan Donica (Raoul). The cast also includes Laird Mackintosh (Monsieur Andre), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Michele McConnell (Carlotta), John Easterlin (Piangi), and Kara Klein (Meg Giry). Loading... In addition, Linda Balgord will return to the role of Madame Giry beginning December 12, with Rebecca Eichenberger playing her final performance in the role on December 10. Then, Kaley Ann Voorhees will return as the Christine Alternate for a limited engagement beginning the week of January 23, succeeding Rachel Eskenazi-Gold. Directed by Harold Prince, The Phantom of the Opera is based on the classic novel Le Fantome de L'Opera by Gaston Leroux and tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command. For tickets and more information, click here. Uber Drivers Join the Fight for $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage Workers in more than 340 cities will participate in union-backed protests today, calling for higher pay. NEW YORK November 29, 2016; The Service Employees International Union-backed Fight for $15 campaign is organizing protests across 340 cities today, a movement that began with just a few hundred fast-food workers in New York City. In four years, Fight for $15 has grown to an international movement in more than 300 cities on six continents of fast-food workers, airport workers, retail employees and underpaid workers everywhere. Adding to the list of the underpaid workers are Uber drivers, who planned to join todays protests and call for better pay and the right to join a union, reports Reuters. The news service writes that hundreds of Uber drivers in two dozen cities, including San Francisco, Miami and Boston, are supporting the union-backed Fight for $15 campaign, which calls for raising the U.S. minimum wage of $7.25 to $15 an hour. Justin Berisie, an Uber driver in Denver, told Reuters he was joining Tuesday's protests. "Someone who lives in America and goes to work every day, that person deserves a decent living," he said, telling Reuters that he has a 5-year-old daughter and earns $500 or less, before expenses such as gasoline, during an average week of working 50 to 60 hours. Earlier this month, The Hill wrote that Fight for $15 organizers were promising its largest, most disruptive protest ever on November 29 in response to Donald Trumps presidential election win. Just because the election went a certain way, doesnt mean were going away, Kendall Fells, organizing director of the Fight for $15, told the news source. Fell also said that raising the minimum wage is a winning issue, adding that there would be thousands of protesters at about 20 airports in major cities come November 29. English Latvian Riga, 2016-11-29 07:45 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 28 AS HansaMatrix organized its Investor Conference Online Webinar. During the webinar the Chairman of the Management Board of AS HansaMatrix Ilmars Osmanis analyzed the financial results of Q3 and 9 months 2016 and informed about other recent activities within the company. The recorded AS HansaMatrix webinar is available online: http://ej.uz/HMX_Q3_2016, and the presentation, demonstrated during the webinar, is available in the attachment. Investor and media contact: Zanda Lapane Assistant to the CEO Phone: (+371) 6780 0002 e-mail: invest@hansamatrix.com About AS HansaMatrix HansaMatrix is a fast-growing, high-technology company offering product design, industrialization and complete manufacturing services in data networking, Internet of Things, industrial segments and other services to high added value business segments. In addition to complete manufacturing services of OEM products, the company offers an ODM business model to both start-up and established companies that seek product development partnerships. 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... SEATTLE, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nohla Therapeutics Inc. (Nohla), a biotechnology company pioneering the field of universal donor cellular therapies for treating patients with life threatening hematological disorders and cancers, today announced the initial closing of a $43.5M Series A financing round. The transaction was led by new investor ARCH Venture Partners and included participation from 5AM Ventures and existing investor, the Jagen Group. The proceeds from the financing will support the Companys two lead programs (NLA-101 and NLA-102) generated by Nohlas novel technology platform, which was spun-out of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (The Hutch) in September 2015. The Series A round brings the total financing obtained since the Companys inception to $64.6M. As part of the transaction, Dr. Steven Gillis, a Managing Director at ARCH Venture Partners, and Dr. Brian Daniels, a Venture Partner at 5AM Ventures, will join the Nohla Board of Directors as Chairman and Director respectively. "The closing of this round is an important milestone for the Company as we transition to the next stage of growth. The funding provides sufficient capital to advance our two lead programs through randomized, controlled clinical trials, under the direction of Nohla founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Colleen Delaney. Furthermore, we are extremely pleased to welcome top-tier healthcare investors to the syndicate and are excited to have Drs. Gillis and Daniels join our Board as they bring exceptional industry and strategic guidance to the management team, commented Michael Sistenich, interim Chief Executive Officer of Nohla Therapeutics. Nohla is utilizing over twenty years of bench to bedside research conducted at The Hutch to develop a novel technology platform enabling the ex vivo expansion and directed differentiation of cord blood stem/progenitor cells resulting in off the shelf universal donor cellular therapies. To date, over 100 patients have been treated across multiple clinical studies using Nohlas one-of-a kind product(s) which can be used on demand, without the need for HLA matching, and which can promote hematopoietic and immune cell recovery in patients at risk for neutropenia and infection after intensive chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment for critical diseases. All other ex vivo expanded hematopoietic stem cell therapies are dependent on HLA-matching, and therefore require identification of a patient specific donor source of stem cells for expansion. In contrast, Nohlas expanded stem cell products can be manufactured and cryopreserved prior to clinical need, and are immediately available for patients. Nohla is currently evaluating these off the shelf cryopreserved expanded cell products in a multi-center, randomized open label Phase IIb study in the setting of myeloablative cord blood transplant. In addition, the Company plans to evaluate its product in a Phase II randomized study in the setting of high dose chemotherapy for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). The entire team at ARCH is excited to lead this round of investment in Nohla. We have been impressed with early clinical results from Dr. Delaneys pioneering research and believe that Nohla technology has the potential to help patients suffering from a variety of critical diseases. I look forward to working with the management team to facilitate progress across the clinical and corporate development fronts, commented Dr. Steven Gillis, Managing Director at ARCH Venture Partners. About Nohla Therapeutics Nohla Therapeutics Inc. (Nohla) is a clinical stage developer of universal donor cellular therapies for the treatment of patients with life threatening hematological disorders. The Company is leveraging a platform technology developed over the past two decades at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center which enables the ex vivo expansion and directed differentiation of cord blood stem/progenitor cells resulting in off the shelf universal donor cellular therapies. These products can be used on demand without the need for HLA matching and promote hematopoietic recovery in patients at risk for neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment for critical diseases. Currently, hematopoietic stem cell transplant remains the only proven cure for many hematologic malignancies. Nohla is evaluating these off the shelf cryopreserved, expanded cell products in several clinical settings including two lead programs: NLA-101, a multi-center, randomized open label Phase IIb study in the setting of myeloablative cord blood transplant and NLA-102, a multi-center, randomized global Phase II study in the setting of high dose chemotherapy for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). About ARCH Venture Partners ARCH Venture Partners, one of the largest early stage technology venture firms in the U.S., invests in seed and early stage advanced technology companies. ARCH enjoys special recognition as a leader in the commercialization of technologies developed at academic institutions, corporate research labs and national laboratories. ARCH has earned a reputation as one of the leading venture firms in early stage biotechnology, advanced materials, alternative energy, and specialty semiconductors, and is known for identifying and capitalizing early on fundamental trends in disruptive technology. Now in its 30th year, ARCH has over $2 billion in committed capital through nine venture funds, and has co-founded and provided initial investments for over 200 companies, including Illumina, Juno Therapeutics, Receptos, Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Ikaria and Agios Pharmaceuticals. About 5AM Ventures 5AM Ventures is a leading venture capital firm focused on building next-generation life science companies capable of delivering outstanding returns to our investors. We support companies solving important healthcare needs via cutting-edge breakthroughs in medicine and science. Our portfolio companies spearhead novel approaches to diagnose, prevent and treat a wide range of medical conditions. If youre like most Gilmore Girls fans, you loaded up on coffee and binged right through Netflixs six-hour revival Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life when it premiered over the holiday weekend. And, if youre like most Gilmore Girls fans, you watched under the weight of nine years of anticipation, desperate to find out what creator Amy Sherman-Palladinos long-promised Last Four Words were. Suffice it to say, those Last Four Words caused quite the stir. The perfect punctuation on the series, as Sherman-Palladino desired? A ridiculous whiplash twist? A gleefully provocative ellipsis? A poetic representation of these womens relationship and also the unexpected nature of life? Ormaybe just a little overhyped? Weve already gone deep on those final four words. In fact, the entire internet has gone deep on those final four words. But for all the talk of the last four words, weve been ignoring major, shocking, gasp-inducing plots and moments: Paris is a surrogacy maven! Rorys a really shitty journalist! Matt Czuchrys hot-ass bod! When critics were given the four episodes of A Year in the Life to review, we were basically forbidden to reveal any real plot information, let alone those last four words. That means that our review had far more to do with feelinghow satisfying it felt to be back in the alternately quirky and devastating world of Stars Hollow and the Gilmoresthan it did with the plausibility or success of any story development. Now that youve had four whole days to watch A Year in the Lifein the age of binging, that seems like an eternitywe thought its high time to vent about, praise, and otherwise review some of the revivals plot points, both major and minor. Oy with the buildup already. Here are some of our stray thoughts: - We have mixed feelings about Rorys boyfriend Paul (Jack Carpenter), the really nice guy that no one can remember exists. On the one hand, its a brilliant opening salvo to take the air out of the which former boyfriend will Rory end up with? debate by immediately introducing a new partner right off the bat. That no one can remember that he exists is fodder for the kind of daffy comedy that we love from Gilmore Girls, until it quickly wears out its welcome. It soon becomes yet another indictment of Rorys narcissism, lack of empathy, and incredibly off moral compassshe sleeps with two men and has an entire affair with Logan (Matt Czuchry) while theyre dating. Thats not a bad thing, per se. That a character is selfish doesnt make her less human or interesting on TV. But its certainly a choice. - Of all the Stars Hollow characters, the update on Kirks (Sean Gunn) life was the most fun. Of course he has a pet pig, and of course it was actually bought for him as a crowdfunded gift from the entire town in order to distract him from having an actual child. And the Ooober bit, down to people calling his mother who will call him to have him pick them up and then, naturally, Lorelai having to use the service after so much ridicule of it, was quintessential Kirkespecially when real Uber sends him a cease and desist. - Why is Emilys maid played by Rose Abdoo, the same actress who portrays Gypsy? Sure, Gilmore has had the same actor play multiple characters before (Alex Borstein, for example), but its incredibly distracting in the revival, which isnt watched with weeks between episodes but mere minutes. That said, we found Emilys nonchalant embrace of the maid and her entire extended family, after years of notorious hostility towards the help, to be a quiet, beautiful portrait of both her loneliness and her healing in the wake of Richards death. - We will not speak of that ghastly Life and Death Brigade musical montageyeeshnor will we pile on the critique of the Stars Hollow musical as twice as long as it should have been. - We may never understand or get the full story behind the very public she said/she said between Melissa McCarthy and Amy Sherman-Palladino that eventually resolved with McCarthy returning to the revival as Sookie for only one scene in the final installmentan upgrade from not at all, as we were originally led to believe. The script in the three episodes Sookie is sorely missing from nearly overcompensates to explain away her absence, with lengthy exchanges about Sookies six-month sabbatical to work with Dan Barber at Blue Hill Farms going on for longer than anyone expected. - It was a cute running gimmick that a rotating roster of celebrity chefs all try out to replace her at the Dragonfly Inn, but Lorelai keeps firing them for nonsense reasons. But the fact that McCarthy was missing from so much of the revival became acutely painful when she finally arrives in Fall, for the very reason that the all-too-brief scene is such a joy. The scene in which Sookie bakes nearly a dozen wedding cakes for Lorelai to choose from is so touching, and breezily warm and funny. As years pass, best friends can find themselves further apart without losing any of their intimacy when they finally do get back together, sure. But imagine how much richer the revival would have been if there was more of that friendship? - What is this? - Also this? - Michel (Yanic Truesdale) is gay! It is revealed in a very matter-of-fact manner early on in the revival, with Michel mentioning his husband in one of his lengthy rants. (The town also hints that Michael Winterss Taylor might be gay during the LGBT parade town meeting, but he doesnt come out.) Michel also gets one of the more believable arcs, with his desire to move on from the Dragonfly Inn bucking the TV tradition of keeping characters around just to keep them around and reflecting a character who actually has career ambitions. - Everything involving Paris was perfect, from her stature as the surrogacy specialist to the stars to her marriage and then divorce from Doyle (complete with a wink to Danny Strongs real-life ascension to one of Hollywoods most in-demand screenwriters) to the fact that her crippling teenage anxiety never left her, as proven by that bathroom meltdown. - If Rory talked about her meeting with Conde Nast one more time we were going to throw our laptop out the window and bill Netflix for the damages. Folks, thats not how freelance writing works. You dont have an ambiguous meeting with the entire publisher about writing a story for one of their magazines. Its the equivalent of getting on a phone and saying, Hello, Id like to speak to Africa. She ends up talking with some sort of Conde Nast employee about a story for GQ. Why not skip the wrath of all the journalists who will be watching and just have Rorys meeting be with GQ in the first place? - It appears, based on Rorys interviews with a gregarious British feminist and work on a story about people who wait in lines, that Rory is a features reporter. Why in gods name does she travel with burner phones? Its rightfully mocked, but still confusing in the first place. Unless she was in regular correspondence with members of ISIS, which I dont think she was for her story about the wait for Cronuts, she would not, as a features writer, have a burner phone. - The lucky outfit :/ - It was clever to have Rory show up for her meeting at what appears to be a Bustle-like website that was trying to recruit her and have her be embarrassingly ill-prepared for the meeting. Its the perfect example of how Rorys ego, talent, and desperation constantly battle each other to her net loss. Who shows up for a job interview exhibiting no discernible interest inor even respect forthe opportunity and then is shocked to be removed from contention? Rory does. - That said, what the hell was going on in that office? Sandee (Julia Goldani Telles), the editor, meanders past her employees somnambulantly circling things and pressing buttons on their computers. Its deranged behavior. - As much as we liked having Rory back in Stars Hollow, and as much as we appreciated that it served, ultimately, as the catalyst for her to begin work on her book, we thought Rory running the local Stars Hollow newspaper to be a bit of a stretch. (A stretch with payoffs: Every second of Jackie Hoffmans scene work was a riot.) - We said this in our initial review, but we found that the standout moments of the revival were the two big confrontations between the respective mother-daughter pairings. That the post-funeral blowout between Lorelai and Emily was wrenching goes without saying. But we found the argument after Lorelai tells Rory she doesnt want her to write a book about their lives to be just as affecting, particular as it calls for, nine years later, a state of the union on this relationship that so many real-life mothers and daughters have either idealized or been jealous of. - Much of Fall seemed like Amy Sherman-Palladinos redo and righting of the wrongs from the final seventh season that she had no participation in, and while she, to most judges, stuck the landing, there might be some slight wobbles. Lorelai and Rory, like the original last season, had to have a falling out that caused them to figure out their lives apart, and the fight over the book combined with both of their realizations that they arent professionally or personally satisfied was a good one. Deciding to go on a Wild-inspired hike to gain some clarity was exactly the kind of impulsive, part-healing, part-destructive thing Lorelai would do. - That said, the same critique of A Year in the Life, in general, applies to Lorelais Wild adventure: it went on for too long. A few less packing and unpacking and repacking and book vs. movie jokes wouldve gotten us to the emotional payoff faster. - Lorelais phone call to Emily with her real favorite memory of her father was maybe the most exquisitely delivered monologue on TV this fall. - Lorelais epiphany that she wants to marry Luke being triggered by coffee was a little on the nose. We wouldnt have it any other way. - There were enough lovely, fitting, genuinely moving moments to make us fall in love with this revival. Still, so many of those moments were muddied with peculiar, often nonsensical details. Emilys epic bullshit monologue at the DAR followed by her moving her life to Nantucket, for example, was a gorgeous depiction of her resilience, strength, and determination. But who was that guy, that old friend of hers and Richards, who was always around to the point that Lorelai suspected they were dating, only for Emily to wipe her hands of him when he had to return to his business? It was all very confusing. - Forget the last four words. The real gasp-inducing moment of the revivalin our opinionwas Matt Czuchrys shirtless scene. In fact, we appreciated the entire Logan Huntzberger storyline, even when the character was clothed. Its both expected and disappointing that Rory and Logan have a completely unhealthy affair going on given their unfinished business of of course they should have ended up together. And as good as he treats her and as clearly in love with him as she is, it would be the only true measure of her emotional maturity for her to, after over a decade now of destructive decisions involving him, to finally cast him off. How deviously perfect, then, of Sherman-Palladino to set an atom bomb to that progress by making Rory pregnant. - If the baby isnt Logansyour jokes about it being the Wookiees arent as funny as you thinkit would be a gross betrayal of the loyalty of Gilmore Girls fans. - Only a revival as successful and beloved as A Year in the Life would surface as much nitpicking from an adoring fan and critic. - Finally: could there possibly have been a good reason for the Carole King theme song not to play at the beginning of each new installment? It was sorely missed. An heir to the Fiat automobile fortune was arrested with a male escort in New York this past weekend for allegedly faking his own kidnapping, NYPD officials tell The Daily Beast. Lapo Elkann, 39, the youngest grandson of Fiats legendary chief Gianni Agnelli, was given a desk appearance ticket early Sunday morning for filing a false police report claiming he was the victim of unlawful imprisonment. Elkann was released from police custody but ordered by the ticket to appear before a criminal court for arraignment. The fashion maven who likes to flash his jetsetting lifestyle on his Instagram page flew into the city on Thursday and soon connected online with a 29-year-old male escort, according to a police source. The two soon holed themselves up inside a Manhattan public housing project, according to the source, where the two men allegedly started consuming alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. The source added that the pair partied for over two days before cash ran out. Thats when Elkann, allegedly on his own, concocted the kidnapping plot: he apparently warned his relatives that a woman was holding him against his will and that he would be hurt unless his family paid a $10,000 ransom, according to the source. Elkanns family informed the NYPD about the ransom, according to the source, and that is when investigators from the 13th Precinct helped lure both Elkann and his alleged male escort pal to a location to pick up the cash. Cops pounced once the two men arrived. Elkann was charged with filing a false police report, but was not taken into custody and instead given a desk appearance ticket, authorities said. In regards to his male companion, cops said that his arrest was voided and sealed. The latest alleged indiscretion in Manhattan wouldnt be the first time Elkann found himself doped up and in the company of a prostitute. In 2005 shortly after the passing of his legendary grandfather, Elkann came close to dying from a cocaine overdose in the red-light district of Turin, Italy. Ive been an idiot, he told Vanity Fair at the time. A decade later he told the magazines reporter I try to think about the constructive path. Kellyanne Conway would like to make a few things crystal clear and set the record straight: President-elect Donald Trumps former campaign manager isnt angry at him because he hasnt offered her a job in the White House; quite the contrary, she says, theyve discussed a number of senior positions. She doesnt hate Mitt Romney, even though she has spent the past four days, including during three Washington Sunday show appearances, passionately enumerating all the reasons why Trumps formerly harsh antagonistthe guy who conspicuously didnt vote for Trump and attacked him as a con man and a fakewould be an unsuitable choice for secretary of state. Anddespite the claims of MSNBCs Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on Mondays installment of Morning Joethe future president isnt furious at her for allegedly going rogue to box in her boss and prevent him from picking the former Massachusetts governor for his most important Cabinet post. Of course not, Conway told The Daily Beast Monday afternoon, capping endless hours of intrigue and speculation concerning her Twitter and television jihad against Romney after he met with Trump last week at the president-elects request, reportedly to discuss the possibility of joining the administration. (Indeed, Romney is reportedly getting a second meeting with Trump Tuesday to discuss running the State department.) He [Trump] was not furious, Conway insisted, adding that she spent time with the boss on Monday in Trump Tower and saying, not for the first time, that she would support whoever Trump finally picks. I was with himI spoke with him this morning and all through the weekend he talked to me. I love and respect him very much. I know hell be a great president. Conway chided Scarborough and Brzezinski in a text message while they were on the air, claiming they were being sexist for suggesting she was mad and emotional, and thus causing trouble for Trump, because she didnt receive a White House job offer. Untrue, in any case, Conway told The Daily Beast. A few hours earlier, Conway told The Daily Beast in a text message: I am busy with the boss. Who is not furious!He offered me a job on election night etc. I just dont play it upnever mind that she trumpeted such a job offer on Nov. 10, knocking down a report that she was reluctant to leave her lucrative polling business for a government salary: False. Could it be those sources want the WH job Ive been offered? Conways conduct has inspired shock and awe in official Washington and beyond. David Axelrod, a former top White House aide to President Obama, mused on Twitter: I have never, EVER, seen any aide to a POTUS or PEOTUS publicly try and box the boss in like this. Extraordinary. Axelrod, a CNN analyst and director of the University of Chicagos Institute of Politics, added: I wonder if @realDonaldTrump appreciates being manipulated in public like this? In a subsequent tweet, Axelrod echoed the speculation of knowledgeable journalists such as Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg and MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes: This is the alternative theory: @KellyannePolls was ASSIGNED the role of trashing @MittRomney. Otherwise, its an unbelievable breach. In a phone interview later on Monday, Conway claimed that all the inside-the Beltway theorizing about her actions and motives for rubbishing Romneyand whether she had Trumps authorization to do so, as a diabolical form of paybackmisses the mark. Youre reading too much into this, she said. First of all, I would never say anything publicly that I havent said to him [Trump] privately. If youre trying to make the point that oh, did I go rogue?, or did he put me up to it?, it seems to me that all the talk is missing a more obvious point: Lets just say I dont communicate with him through the television. I communicate with him directly, and Ive taken many arrows to try to act as a shield and as a sword, when appropriate, on his behalf. Sodid Trump put her up to it? Conway, who officially joined the Trump juggernaut as an advisor in July after initially supporting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (and taking a few potshots of her own at the eventual Republican nominee), declined to shed any light. Im just not commenting on that, said Conway, who in August became Trumps third campaign managerafter Paul Manafort and Corey Lewandowski were sent packingwhile former Breitbart News executive chairman Stephen K. Bannon was named CEO. Its not a mystery. I just dont divulge private conversations. I just dont. I know other people do to curry favor. Yet, concerning her opposition to Romney, Conway confided: Ive expressed privately how stunning and visceral the reaction has been against this particular possibility. She added: People have been portraying this as a Rudy vs. Romney cage matcha reference to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has been publicly campaigning for the state department job. Its not. Its not to me, anyway. He [Trump] met with General Petraeus today, and hes meeting with Senator Corker tomorrowmeaning Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. There are other choices. In a statement emailed to the New York Times Monday evening by spokeswoman Hope Hicks, Trump said: Kellyanne came to me and asked whether or not she could go public with her thoughts on the matter. I encouraged her to do so. Most importantly she fully acknowledged there is only one person that makes the decision. She has always been a tremendous asset and that will continue. Conway said the Romney flap started innocently enough, the day before Thanksgiving, when she tweeted a link to a Politico story in which two prominent Trump supporters, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, were critical of a possible Romney choice because of Romneys disloyaltycriticisms she agrees with. But Conway insists she doesnt despise the 2012 Republican standard-bearer, as claimed in a Washington Post story headlined Why Kellyanne Conway Hates Mitt Romney. I dont hate Mitt Romney, she said. Lets not flatter anybody here. I dont hate him. I just am wondering why he gets such a [negative] reaction from the grass roots and even the donor community, and why is there the absence of such a public groundswell for Mitt Romney to be secretary of state? Where is that? It doesnt exist. Conwaywho an informed source said was asked by Trump to serve as White House press secretary or communications director, possible roles she hasnt decided uponexpressed annoyance at the storys author, Post political savant Chris Cillizza, who wrote it without contacting her. If you were going to write an article saying that Kellyanne Conway hates somebody, wouldnt you call Kellyanne Conway? she demanded. Thats kinda weird. Has everyone lost my number? Cillizza responded in an email to The Daily Beast: I spoke to a number of people in both [the Conway and Romney] camps who described her views on very frosty terms. Thanks for reaching out. Conway, by the way, said she might not even join the White House staff, and instead could head up an outside political organization to back Trump administration initiatives with messaging and public supportmuch as former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe did in the early years of the first term. Meanwhile, Conwaythe wife of blue-chip Manhattan lawyer George Conway and the mother of four children living in the gilded suburbs of New Jerseyseems to be enjoying her newfound fame as the face of the Trump transition. The president-elect has reportedly told Conway that he loves to see her on TV and shes a near-constant presence on cable news, and has even become a lampoonable character on Saturday Night Liveplayed by erstwhile Hillary Clinton impersonator Kate McKinnon. I thought it was hysterical, she said about a short SNL film in October, titled A Day Off with Kellyanne Conway, in which the long-blonde-tressed McKinnon must keep interrupting various household and leisure activities to appear on CNN to defend Trumps latest outrageously offensive tweets. If youre going to be mocked, it might as well be affectionately mocked. It was very sweet. My cousin said someone must have followed you around for three days. Conway added: I wonder if Kate McKinnon thinks its more fun to play me or Hillary Clinton. Execs from Lowes Foods, Mizzen+Main, Sleep Number And Follett Corporation Join Retail Industry Colleagues In Advisory Role HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retail TouchPoints (RTP) has announced the addition of 4 new members to the Retail TouchPoints Advisory Board. The Board includes a select group of leading retail executives, invited to collaborate with each other and to provide advice on RTP editorial coverage. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7df9aa84-1b2f-47b4-9f71-fd7245f3b483 RTP Advisory Board members include a wide variety of retail companies, from large national Tier 1 brands to regional stores and e-Commerce specialty merchants. "The RTP Advisory Board was established in 2014 to add a unique perspective and industry expertise to our editorial coverage, said Debbie Hauss, Editor-in-Chief. Since the inception of the Board, our members have been invaluable to Retail TouchPoints and the entire industry, offering insights on trends, strategies and viewpoints that help us deliver the most relevant content that moves the industry forward. The 4 new members include: Jen Blackman Lavelle, Chief Marketing Officer, Mizzen+Main Angela Gearhart, Senior Director Retail Experience & Design, Sleep Number Prem Jagatheesan, Director IT, Store Systems, Follett Corporation Michael Moore, Chief Marketing Officer and SVP, Lowes Foods (former) New and current members will gather at Retail TouchPoints Retail Innovation Conference, May 9-10, 2017 in New York City; where the Retail Innovator Awards will be announced. Registration for the event and nominations for the awards are open now. Professionals interested in submitting an RIA nomination can visit the 2017 Retail Innovator Awards Nominations page to nominate themselves or a colleague. The RTP Advisory Board will meet periodically during the year to share success stories and challenges. To view a list of all current members, visit the Retail TouchPoints Advisory Board members list. About Retail TouchPoints Retail TouchPoints is an online publishing network for retail executives, with content focused on optimizing the customer experience across all channels. The Retail TouchPoints network is comprised of a weekly newsletter, category-specific blogs, special reports, web seminars, exclusive benchmark research, and a content-rich web site featuring daily news updates and multi-media interviews at www.retailtouchpoints.com. The Retail TouchPoints team also interacts with social media communities via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress. President-elect Donald Trump behaves as if he were a nightmarish caricature dreamed up by some bored ACLU staffers. On Tuesday morning, he went on yet another one of his tweetstorms to help prove that very point. Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flagif they do, there must be consequencesperhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! Trump posted early Tuesday. The Republican was likely reacting to the controversy at Hampshire College, a culture-war story that involved at least one student allegedly burning a flag in protest of Trumps election victory. (The story has been blasted on Fox News a lot lately.) To get the throat-clearing out of the way, it is true that Hillary Clinton, Trumps former presidential rival, once co-sponsored a bill to criminalize burning of the American flag. Also, Trump has a lot going on right now during the presidential transition, and it is fair to assume that at least some of his tweets will be sent out during this period with the intent of diverting attention from stories he wishes the press would cover less. However, Tuesdays call to imprison and possibly strip U.S. citizenship from American flag-burners (punishments that would be blatantly unconstitutional and completely ludicrous) is merely one more example of how the soon-to-be leader of the free world and commander of the worlds foremost national-security apparatus views the First Amendment and free expression. He views them with utter contempt. Trump declared during the campaign that he as president would expand libel laws to make it easier for him to sue outlets that give him coverage he finds unacceptable or too mean. One of the things Im going to do if I win Im going to open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money, Trump said at a rally in February. Were going to open up those libel laws. So when The New York Times writes a hit piece which is a total disgrace or when The Washington Post, which is there for other reasons, writes a hit piece, we can sue them and win money, instead of having no chance of winning because theyre totally protected. Were going to have people sue you like you've never got sued before, he continued. (Donald Trump, in his pre-politics days, had a habit of suing people, places, and things whenever he felt like it.) In late 2015, Trumps big plan to counter Islamist terror was to strongly consider shutting down mosques in the United States, the First Amendments protection of free exercise of religion be damned. I would hate to do it, but it would be something that youre going to have to strongly consider because some of the ideas, some of the hatredthe absolute hatredis coming from these areas, Trump said on MSNBC. He then tried to hedge this statement by saying that closing American mosques is something that many peoplenot mebut many people are considering and many people are going to do. This wasnt a one-off statement fantasizing about tearing apart constitutional rights. Earlier that year, Trump was asked on Fox Business about British Prime Minister David Camerons proposal to shutter mosques if a worshiper is found to be linked to ISIS. Would you do the same thing in America? the host asked him. I would do that, absolutely, I think its great, Trump replied. Furthermore, during the Republican primary, Trump also floated a proposal of closing that Internet up in an effort to combat jihadisma tactic favored by authoritarians and despots. Somebody will say, Oh, freedom of speech, freedom of speechthese are foolish people, Trump said during a speech last December. We have a lot of foolish people. We have a lot of foolish people. Much of the reaction to, and sharp criticism of, Trumps anti-flag-burning tweet on Tuesday isnt unfounded liberal hysterics, or overreaction to a bizarre but isolated incident. Trumps tweet is part of a clear pattern that the next president of the United States has exhibited towards the very idea of free expression and the most basic of American rights. President-elect Donald Trump and Jill Stein both think the election was rigged, but so far, only the Green Party candidate has called for a recount and is doing something to make it happen. While Trump launched a tweetstorm about accusations that he hadnt won fair and square (In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally), Stein raised $6.3 million over the weekend to fund possible recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, the three states where Trumps margin of victory over Hillary Clinton was the smallest. If the results in those states were overturned, their combined electoral votes would swing the election to Clinton. But in public statements and in interviews with The Daily Beast, no local officials or elections experts of either party could say theyve seen proof of anything that would put their states results in doubt. On Monday, Stein won her attempt to force a recount in Wisconsin, where Trump beat Clinton by 22,177 votes. The Wisconsin Elections Commission announced it would greenlight a statewide recount, as long as Stein pays for it, but refused to order the recount by hand, as Stein requested. At a press conference Monday, local officials said they had not had any reports of hacking or suspected fraud on Election Day. There are a number of reasons why were skeptical of any claims that voting equipment is either not working properly or being tampered with in the state of Wisconsin, said Michael Hass, the commission administrator. The commissions Democratic chairman, Mark Thomsen, accused Trump of feeding conspiracy theories with his tweets about millions of illegal votes being cast across the country. Personally, I would like him to come down out of his Trump Tower and spend the time with the folks on the ground who are counting these votes, Thomsen said. To say that its not being fair or that people are counting illegal votes, from my vantage point, is an insult to the people that run our elections. Despite his clear frustration with Trumps tweets, Thomsen said he fully expects Trump to remain the president-elect. I think ultimately at the end of the day the count is going to be the same. A progressive activist in Wisconsin who wanted to see Clinton elected as much as anyone said he also heard nothing about possible irregularities until Steins recount petition. I didnt hear anything specific on Election Day, he said. Theres always reports of stuff, but nothing hugely out of the ordinary this year. The Wisconsin recount will begin Thursday and is expected to be finished by Dec. 13, but its not clear that Stein will get a recount in Pennsylvania, where she filed a lawsuit Monday to force one after an attempt failed to mount voter-initiated recounts in more than a handful of the states 9,000-plus voting districts. State law now requires that Stein show a possibility of widespread voter fraud in the state in order to warrant a recount, since Trump won the state by about 1.2 percent, well over the 0.5 percent that would trigger an automatic recount. In her filing, Stein alleged that the Pennsylvania election results are illegal and said they should be thrown out. But a Democratic elections expert in Pennsylvania who asked to speak anonymously called Steins petition very bare bones and predicted it wouldnt go far since no reports of widespread voting problems have surfaced anywhere in the state since Election Day. Nothing happened on the election that that Im aware of. Stein may have better luck in Michigan, where state officials certified Trump as the official winner on Monday afternoon. Stein said that by Wednesday she will officially challenge the results in the state, where Trump won by 10,704 votes of 4.8 million cast. An official with the Michigan Bureau of Elections said a recount will likely start by the end of the week, with a goal of completing it by Dec. 13. Steins efforts are getting pushback from the Obama administration, which has insisted throughout the year that the elections would be safe and reliable, especially as Trump warned that rigged elections could cost him the White House. Late week, an administration official told Politico, The federal government did not observe any increased level of malicious cyberactivity aimed at disrupting our electoral process on Election Day. We believe our elections were free and fair from a cybersecurity perspective. In all three recount requests, Stein includes a report by J. Alex Halderman, a computer-science professor at the University of Michigan, to portray the countrys elections systems as vulnerable to hacking. But in a post on Medium, even Halderman seemed to throw cold water on the idea that the systems actually were hacked. Were this years deviations from pre-election polls the results of a cyberattack? he wrote. Probably not. As Inauguration Day approaches, many Muslims are feeling increasingly uneasy when thinking about what a Trump presidency could mean for them and their community. During Donald Trumps campaign, he made it clear he intends to enact discriminatory legislation that restricts Muslim travel and would even require Muslims to register with the government. As there is legal precedent for a Muslim registry under George W. Bushs National Security Entry-Exit Registration, as well as minority internment in the United States, The Daily Beast asked Dean Obeidallah to set the record straight on what a minority registry has meant in the past, what it could mean now, and how you could possibly be affected. On Tuesday night, King of Queens star Leah Remini will launch the latest volley in her crusade against the Church of Scientology, from which she publicly split in 2013 after spending 35 years as a devoted member. And this time, Scientologys most high-profile celebrity defector brought the battle to her home turftelevisionwith reinforcements. Joined onscreen by former Scientology exec Mike Rinder and more high-profile ex-Scientologists, the actress premieres the first of her eight-part A&E limited docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath amid attempts by lawyers for the church to discredit its allegations. Included in the hourlong program are snippets of letters from the church dated as recently as September and November featuring some variation of the same legalese denials: The church disputes many of the statements made by those appearing in this program. Reminis objective, she explains in the first episode, is to show the outside world all the damage that Scientology has wrought upon the lives of its members in order to stop the organization from abusing others. Somebody needs to do something about this cult, Remini declares. Once upon a time, Remini was one of Scientologys most loyal young Hollywood devotees. She recalls how she drank the Kool-Aid for nearly four decades, crediting Scientologys self-help programs for her career and blaming herself, as the church taught her to, for not being devoted enough when she failed. Flashing back to a red-carpet interview she gave long ago, we see a young Remini eagerly proselytizing to the masses: We are the most ethical group youre ever going to find. A year ago, the actress, host, author, and comedian told all in her bestselling memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, which detailed how being invited to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmess dream wedding in Italya Scientology productionwas the beginning of the end for Remini. She shared more shocking secrets from her time in the church, as well as the troubling events leading up to her defection, in a widely viewed 20/20 interview last October. But in Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, the outspoken Remini recounts her own past with the church while visiting with other ex-Scientologists to hear their heartbreaking stories of alleged physical and emotional abuse and exploitation at the hands of the very organization they dedicated their lives to. Theres Rinder, a Scientologist for 46 years who once served as the organizations international spokesperson-slash-fixer and explains that his job was to discredit anyone who dared to speak out against the church. Future episodes will feature familiar anti-Scientology figures previously seen in Alex Gibneys Going Clear or Louis Therouxs upcoming 2017 documentary My Scientology Movie, like Tom DeVocht and Marc Headley, whove both claimed that they were physically abused by Scientology head David Miscavige. Remini, whose mother also appears in the series, explains more about that Cruise-Holmes wedding day that landed her in hot water with the church. Her growing TV sitcom cachet earned her an invitation to the big day. But after bringing J. Lo to Italy at the churchs behest (I can only assume because they wanted to make Jennifer a Scientologist, Remini told People magazine), the trouble began when Remini couldnt find Shelly Miscavige, the wife of David Miscavige who hasnt been seen publicly since 2007, and started asking questions. Their reaction was, You really shouldnt be asking about that, says Remini, who, years later, would file a missing-persons report on Shelly Miscavige with the LAPD. After the Cruise wedding, Remini criticized Cruise and Miscavige in a knowledge report she has said sparked an internal investigation into her and her family. Her own personal war against Scientology led to Remini quitting the church in 2013. The majority of Reminis accusations are still jarring but nothing new. The stronger focus of the first episode is on the different kind of violence that Remini & Co. argue their church committed against its own: destroying families in order to protect Scientology. Amy Scobee, like Remini, was a teenage convert who joined the Church of Scientology in the 1970s when her mother brought her in. Like Remini, she quickly rose in the ranks. She trusted so much in the church and was so thoroughly conditioned to distrust the outside world that she says she stayed even after a 35-year-old fellow Scientologist raped her at 14. She claims the church kept it secret from the police and her parents because it would be bad PR for Scientology. Two years later, she became a member of the churchs elite Sea Org unit, signing a contract for one billion years. Like Rinder, Scobee was a high-ranking Scientologist who worked closely with Miscavige for years, and a well-known face in Scientology-watching circles. She ran the churchs valuable Celebrity Centre in Hollywood, tasked with recruiting famous and influential celebrities like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, who is seen in archival footage waxing ecstatic about the church at a 2003 Scientology gala. And she only left the church after being sent to the prison-like RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force), departing in 2005 with her husband. She recalls working under Shelly Miscavige with a cadre of Sea Org members to make sure every need of their star parishioner, Tom Cruise, was taken care ofoften, she claims, tantamount to slave labor. They wanted him to be in Scientology 100 percent, says Scobee. She describes witnessing David Miscavige, the churchs notoriously elusive and reportedly volatile leader, punching or choking other male subordinates on at least a dozen occasions. Hes a very angry man, says Scobee. I saw abuse and punchings and wrestling around and I would internalize it all. Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath is more like Scientology 101 for Beginners, here to explain terms like disconnecting, in which all ties to a former member deemed hostile to the church are forcibly severed, and suppressive person, the name Scientologists give to said enemies of the organization. But the story of how Scobee left the churchand lost her relationship with her mother, Bonny Elliott, who chose to remain with her husbandunderscores the emotional cost to anyone who dared to question, or leave, Scientology. Eventually Scobee reunited with her mother, who passed away after sitting for an interview with Remini. But almost every high-profile Scientology defector reports similar retributionthat their own families were used against them and in some cases like Reminis, she says, punished in order to punish them. Disconnection, Scobee remarks, is the churchs biggest weapon. Money and public exposure might be Reminis: In response to several letters issued from the Church of Scientology to A&E discrediting Remini, Rinder, and Scobee, and published online by journalist Tony Ortega, Reminis own attorney hit back demanding the Church pay her $500,000 for defaming her to the network as at least partial compensation for the past, present and ongoing reputational, emotional and economic injuries and damages she has suffered, and continues to suffer, as a result of this malicious conduct. When the Church responded by calling Remini a failed celebrity seeking to make a buck off of her former religion, she upped her demand to $1.5 million. Protests are about movements, not fashion per se. But lets be real: How you look can go a long way in making your case. Clothes do communicate. Business suits and sweatpants send very different messages to the public. Weve had lots of important protest movements in this country dating back to the Boston Tea Party. But while we have long been a nation of causes, times change and so do fashion, communications, and the messages that help promote a cause. Some causes have had more impact because of sustained leadership and advocacy, and those causes generally had a charismatic leader or symbol that helped define them (think of the late Fidel Castro, and while youre at it, think of his ultra-symbolic go-to outfit: military fatigues). Other movements have floundered because they lacked leadership. It is difficult to unite the public around an issue without a face, except in the abstract . Examining some notable movements and the fashion statements of their leaders may help explain some successes and setbacks. Suffrage This year, we came close to electing a woman as president. Before we could get to this point, however, women had to persevere for the right to vote. The very idea of women voting was viewed as unthinkable and a threat to the nuclear family . Women began advocating for suffrage as early as 1848, yet until 1920, they were denied that right. As their push for equality gained momentum or stalled, they adjusted tacticsand the way they dressedto reflect the movements evolution . Early suffrage fashion, embodied by Susan B. Anthony, reflected the austere Victorian-era tastes from which society women took their cues. After 1890, suffragettes modernized their fashion, shedding the Victorian restraints for the look of the new woman : This look was more urban, reflecting a movement away from an agrarian society to cities in search of opportunities. They dressed up more uniformly for parades and marches, wearing purple, white, and green. They also shed undergarment bondagecorsets and petticoatsin favor of looser-fitting skirts and dresses. (Four decades later, bra burning would contribute to the discard pile.) This freed them metaphorically and physically while emphasizing their femininity. Although they continued to encounter resistance, their movement was firmly enshrined in the imagination and politics of the early 20th century, resulting in universal suffrage in 1920. Civil Rights Rosa Parks is revered as the woman who launched the civil rights movement in 1955. Nine months prior, however, police arrested a teenager named Claudette Colvin for contesting the same Montgomery, Alabama, law. But Colvin was a poor, pregnant teenager, and the NAACP recognized it needed the perfect protester to justify its cause to the public. Parks, in contrast, was a middle-aged, married woman with a more sympathetic biography. We must not overlook the fact that she worked as a seamstress ( here is the dress she made at work the day she was arrested); thus, she was almost surely aware of how she presented herself to the world at such a critical moment. Deeply religious, Parks wore dignified, conservative clothes befitting a black woman of her standing, and she promoted her style as something other women could emulate to advance the civil rights cause. Likewise, Martin Luther King and his advisers paid careful attention to their style. Photos and film are powerful tools, and these men astutely recognized the power their likenesses, disseminated in numerous publications, would have as people around the country and the world debated the merits of Kings arguments. In a plea for respect, King, almost always in a nice suit and a fedora , projected a gentlemanly image. He understood that commanding authority was important while delivering a sermon or imploring a mayor or president to honor the ideals of our Constitution. Kings efforts paid off with substantive legal reforms in the 60s, including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act . In contrast, the Black Panthers approach was almost the polar opposite of Kings. Proudly Afrocentric, revolutionary, and unapologetic, the Panthers provocational berets, afros, leather jackets, fatigues, and guns did much to improve black self-awareness and pride, but the movements look and actions alienated many who might otherwise have sympathized with its message. Black Lives Matter and Occupy Wall Street Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Occupy Wall Street (Occupy) share similarities. Both are decentralized grassroots movements with no visible leader (ask someone you know to name a leader of these movements, and youre likely to draw a blank stare). Both reject status quo ideologies and movements (Occupy rejects globalization and free trade ; BLM repudiates traditional civil rights protest tactics), and both figured prominently in the public consciousness. Further, Occupy protesters evoke the counterculturalism of 60s anti-war protesters with a general disregard for appearance and unkemptness. Without an individual or group to unite a cause, however, a movement can languish. Occupy still exists. However, five years after it took root nationally and became a topic of the political conversation (indeed, it was a catalyst in Bernie Sanderss rise), Occupy seems rudderless. Similarly, BLM has visible moments, especially in the wake of the latest police shooting or when a Colin Kaepernick protests, but no leader has emerged to galvanize the public consistently. Today, a movement may begin or gain impetus online, but history indicates that movements only truly gain traction in the real, not the digital, worldin civic centers, churches, and classrooms where people assemble to debate ideas and strategies. Those strategies include how to present a movements leadership. Online petitions and large social media followings are often not enough to influence a desired outcome. For example, DeRay McKesson is one of the more visible BLM leaders and a prolific tweeter, with nearly 700,000 followers. But earlier this year, when McKesson ran for mayor of Baltimore, he won only 2.5 percent of the vote. Such considerations are important for nascent movements, given the pending administration change in Washington. Donald Trumps ascent to the presidency has stoked anger and promises to mobilize against his proposed policies. If true, new leaders will likely emerge. They would do well to study past movements to plan how to best present their causes and themselves to the public for success. BANGKOK Thailands national assembly has invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become king, succeeding his father who died last month. He is expected to accept, be proclaimed monarch this week, and be crowned a year hence, at the end of the mourning period for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The announcement cures one big Thai headacheconcern about whether the often-absent crown prince would ascend the throne at all. But it raises other questions: Who will be queen consort to the new kingthrice-divorced and, as far as anyone knows, single. Who is likely to be heir-designate, considering Vajiralongkorns only officially recognized son is 11 while his four other sons were stripped of their royal titles. And, where will the new monarch live, given that for years hes been based mostly in Germany. You cant very well be king of Thailand and live in Bavaria, says a former diplomat previously posted at a Western embassy in Bangkok. The long-serving crown princehe was granted that status in 1972acquires the grand title of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Badinthorn Theppayawarangkool, which in the language of Buddhism means, Vajiralongkorn Descended by Flesh and Blood of God Indra, Overlord of All Angels. Informally, he will be Rama X, denoting his position as the tenth king in the Chakri dynasty. He is said to be in Thailand now, and will meet with top officials, perhaps in a matter of hours. After this, we enter the parliamentary process, Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters. We expect an audience within the next one to two days with the new sovereign. Vajiralongkorn, 64, issued no statements and made no comment Tuesday, sticking to the silence he has maintained since King Bhumibol died at 88 on Oct. 13. Last month the prince requested that lawmakers take no immediate action on the succession, asking for more time to grieve for his father. Even that request was announced not by the crown prince, but by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the strongman who heads the military junta. Prem Tinsulanonda, the 96-year-old president of King Bhumibols privy council, has been serving as regent. In a speech in the National Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said, Upon this most auspicious occasion, I would like to ask all members to stand up and offer praise to the new king. In response, his colleagues rose and declared, Long live the king! The cheer probably reflected a certain relief that the succession is going smoothly. In recent years, as King Bhumibol battled numerous ailments amid national unrest that saw rival political factions take to the streets in sometimes lethal protests, many had feared the beloved monarchs death would trigger bloody confrontations. For years tensions have simmered between folks who advocate classic, one-man/one-vote democracy and the elites who champion Thai-style democracybasically an anti-democratic system that allows the military, big business, and the Bangkok ruling classes to retain power. The king is the keystone of the political architecture through which the elites have always run the country, says one Bangkok analyst who doesnt want to be quoted by name because of draconian laws punishing critics of the monarchy. For some, the crown prince was a question mark in that elitist algorithm. While King Bhumibol was venerated and personally loved, Vajiralongkorn has been seen as a distant, enigmatic figure; a much-married royal with a fondness for a hedonistic, peripatetic life spent on planes, in shopsand abroad. Vajiralongkorn inherits his fathers throne, but not his fathers stature and authority, says the Bangkok analyst. His father led a life of unimpeachable personal probity, which was the basis of his legitimacy and authority. By contrast, the sons personal life is in disarray. Thailands strict lese-majeste laws, which criminalize insulting the royal family, have kept the crown princes personal activities out of the local spotlight. But foreign media have not hesitated to report on his exploits, mostly to do with his marriages and children. His first wife was Princess Soamsawali Kitiyakara, with whom he had one daughter. His second wife was Mom Sujarinee Mahidol na Ayudhaya, whom he met when she was an aspiring actress known as Yuvadhida Polpraserth. They married in 1994, after she bore him his first son, Prince Juthavachara Mahidol, in 1979. The couple had three more sons and a daughter before they divorced in 1996. The crown prince brought the daughter to live with him and she was elevated to the rank of princess, but his former wife and their four sons were stripped of their titles and diplomatic passports. Sujarinee and the boys eventually moved to the United States. In 2001, Vajiralongkorn married another commoner, Srirasmi Suwadee, although the marriage was not disclosed to ordinary Thais until 2005. Also in 2005, Srirasmi bore the crown prince a son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, now 11. In 2014, the crown prince asked the government to strip Srirasmi of her royal name and titles after seven of her relatives were accused of corruptionusing their connection with the royal family for financial gain. The couple divorced a month later and she received a settlement of more than $5 million. Rumors recently circulated around Bangkok that the four sons from the new kings second marriage were allowed to return to Thailand when King Bhumibol died, but no one has confirmed any real rapprochement between the crown prince and his older children, and so young Prince Dipangkorn remains the heir apparent to the Chakri dynasty. The parents of his third wife are all now in prison and he is reportedly alienated from his four adult children, who have lived for many years in the United States, the former diplomat says. Another rumor posits that the new king has been dating a Thai air hostess and that he intends to marry her. Some even claim he has already married the young lady. But for now, Rama X possesses no queen, at least officially. Some say his sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorna highly popular royal whom supporters had suggested might succeed her fathercould fill in, for now. In the meantime, the new king must move quickly, analysts say, to establish himself and reunify the country, which remains under the heavy thumb of the military junta that deposed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra two years agoeight years after the army ousted her brother Thaksin Shinawatra as premier. The regime has ruled with an iron hand, using a referendum in August to ram through a new constitution that codifies military oversight of government for years to come. His immediate challenge is to establish his legitimacy by distancing himself from his playboy image and reuniting a royal family divided by mutual alienation and personal rivalry, says the Bangkok analyst. In a 1987 interview with the Thai magazine Dichan, Vajiralongkorn was asked about his reputation as a royal black sheep. Sometimes, being a black sheep has benefits, too, you know, the future king responded. I want to stress this point: Black sheep have benefits, too. Sometimes its like making merit for others. You see, being a black sheep to others, or being a black sheep that people made me to be, it helps other sheep that are not so white become whiter. The language is not quite as elegant as Shakespeares, but seems to suggest that Rama X, like Henry V, expects to surprise those who criticized his profligacy before taking the crown: Ill so offend, to make offense a skill, as Price Hal put it. Redeeming time when men think least I will. In any case, Thais will be hoping that King Vajiralongkorn makes merit for all his subjectsand for the troubled Land of Smiles. Newly appointed White House counsel Don McGahn will no doubt address Donald Trump as Mr. President. Compare that to how McGahns uncle would address Trump in the days in the 1960s and early 1990s, when he was The Donalds leading fixer in Atlantic City. You draft-dodging bastard. Paddy McGahn used this sobriquet almost exclusively to refer to the man whos now our president-elect, often accompanying it with a command. Listen, you draft-dodging bastard The label certainly fit, as Trump had suddenly developed bone spurs in the spring of 1968, when the fourth of his college deferments ended with his graduation and left him in danger of being drafted. Trump received a medical exemption as 300,000 other young Americans were inducted that year. And the elder McGahn was speaking as a Marine who had received the Navy Cross as well as three Purple Hearts in Korea. He had survived to become an attorney and powerbroker extraordinaire who was so vital to Trumps entry and expansion in the casino business that The Donald had to accept being called Draft-Dodging Bastard. With another of Dan McGahns uncles, Joseph Doc Joe McGahn, Paddy had dethroned the longtime boss of the Atlantic City political machine, Frank Hap (short for Happy) Farley. Doc Joean obstetrician who became a politician who not only kissed babies, but also delivered them by the thousandshad no sooner taken Farleys seat in the state senate in 1971 than he co-sponsored a bill to legalize gambling there. Paddy became adept at running things behind the scenes as casinos became a reality in Atlantic City. As reported in Wayne Barretts biography Trump, Paddy McGahn was described by one Atlantic City official as a lawyer whose connections go to heaven. McGahn also knew his way around the lower depths, as he demonstrated when Trump moved to acquire a land parcel that was essential to his plans. The parcel was owned by two young men who happened to be the scions of two slain Philadelphia mob bosses. One of the scions was reportedly the head of a busy hit squad known as the Young Executioners and the other was on his way to doing life for murder. New Jersey gaming control officials were not likely to look favorably upon such a connection, so McGahn arranged to transfer the property first to his secretary and then to Trump. McGahn was not shy about billing Trump and Trump actually paid him. What do you want me to do? He gets things done in this town, Trump was quoted saying of McGahn. Trump further expressed his gratitude by naming a bar in the Trump Taj Mahal casino Paddys Saloon. That was a double homage, as McGahns father, also Paddy McGahn, had run a saloon of the same name at the corner of Iowa and Atlantic Streets in Atlantic City. The honorary pallbearers at the fathers funeral in 1949 had included future dethronee Hap Farley and Enoch Nucky Johnson, future model for the central character in the HBO show Boardwalk Empire. No doubt Paddy McGahn the father would have smiled approvingly when Paddy McGahn the son decided to reward Atlantic City Mayor James Usry for being particularly obliging on a number of matters in 1990. Paddy McGahn the son hosted a birthday party aboard Trumps 284-foot yacht, the Trump Princess. Usry was soon after indicted on unrelated bribery and conspiracy charges. Paddy McGahn the son continued on and was inspired to put the Trump Princess to another, actually laudable use in 1992. McGahn had not been alone among Marines who imagined as the troopships carried them off to war in Korea that they would receive a heros welcome upon their return. He would have thought it only right for them to have sailed in under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to a homecoming celebration complete with bands and cheering throngs. But even if there had been such a welcomeand there most definitely had not been oneMcGahn and too many of his comrades came home not as a triumphant group, but as they were individually judged to have recovered sufficiently enough from their wounds to be transported stateside. The surviving Marines of McGahns unit did hold a regular reunion and as the 1992 gathering approached he saw a way to give them the welcome home they should have received four decades before. He began by addressing Donald Trump: Listen, you draft-dodging bastard McGahn then informed Trump that he would be making the Trump private plane, the Trump helicopter, the full amenities of a Trump casino, and most importantly the Trump yacht available for a three-day Marine Corps reunion. Trump complied, and Marines flew along with their wives into LaGuardia airport on the Trump plane and then down to Atlantic City on the Trump helicopter. The Marines and their wives then boarded the Trump Princess. McGahn informed Trump that he would not be allowed to join them. No draft-dodging bastards, McGahn said. Trump remained ashore, barred from boarding his own yacht, under orders to prepare a big welcome when it returned. You better have one hell of a greeting for us, McGahn was heard to tell him. The Trump Princess headed briefly out to sea. A ships officer provided a tour, explaining that the yacht had previously belonged to Adnan Khashoggi, the Saudi arms dealer who had been involved in the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages scandal. The officer pointed out walls that he said were covered with elephant skin as if this were something to boast about. The yacht then swung back to shore. Trump had indeed organized a welcome such as the Marines deserved, which is to say what McGahn told him to provide, complete with band. At one point. Trump posed for a photo with McGahn and four other Marines. McGahn stood smiling at the far left. Trump stood sheepishly in the middle, seeming to feel very much like what McGahn always called him. One of the Marines would later frame a copy along with a caption. ONE PRETTY DRAFT DODGER + FIVE OLD MARINES WITH NINE PURPLE HEARTS. Atlantic City 1992 The five Marines had indeed received nine purple hearts, along with four Navy Crosses and three Silver Stars. The Navy Cross is second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor. By then, Doc Joe McGahn had lost his state Senate seat and had gone on to work as an emergency room physician. Paddy McGahns influence waned to where Trump sued him for overbilling. Trumps 1995 suit noted that McGahns invoices included one for a 24.75-hour day. McGahn expressed surprise at the suit, saying he and his attorneys had just been in a lengthy wrangle over bills Trump had failed to pay on the way to multiple bankruptcies. Maybe Trump was looking for payback of another kind. McGahn died in 2000 at the age of 72, before he could see his nephew Danson of a third bother, of the same namego on to become not only a reasonably talented rock guitarist with Scotts New Band, but a commissioner and then chairman of the Federal Elections Commission and soon White House Counsel. The younger McGahns duties will include guiding the new president through questions of ethics, of which there are likely to be more than even Nucky John or Hap Farley could have ever cooked up. A previous president, Harry Truman, was commander-in-chief when Paddy McGahn and his fellow Marines displayed such courage in Korea. Dwight Eisenhower was in office when McGahns Navy Cross was actually bestowed. The citation reads: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant Patrick T. McGahn, Jr. (MCSN: 0-51014), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on the night of 22 - 23 April 1951. When the enemy launched a strong offensive and seized a key terrain feature which dominated the approaches to his company's position and provided the enemy with a direct observation of friendly units and routes, Second Lieutenant McGahn gallantly led his platoon through heavy enemy fire in a counterattack. Although seriously wounded, he spearheaded a daring bayonet charge up the rocky terrain and succeeded in capturing one strategic position, personally killing several of the enemy. Despite the intense pain of his wounds, he courageously assisted in leading a successful attack on a second objective and steadfastly refused medical aid or evacuation until assured that all other casualties had been given medical treatment. By his indomitable fighting spirit, exceptional fortitude and resolute determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Second Lieutenant McGahn served to inspire all who observed him and contributed in large measure to the successful accomplishment of the regiment's mission. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. The president who bestows such medals for valor in the immediate future will be none other than the man Paddy McGahn invariably addressed as draft-dodging bastard. Paddy McGahn left us with the memory of the one time the Trump Princess was put to laudable use. A participant in the reunion later summarized his feelings upon experiencing the ultra-luxe lifestyle of The Dodger, who has somehow gone on to get elected president as the champion of the regular working guy. Now you know why the guillotine was invented, one of the five old Marines said. MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden State Wealth Management is excited to welcome its newest Wealth Manager, Mario Vasquez of Mission Viejo, California. I am excited to welcome Mario to the Golden State Wealth Management team. Marios knowledge and experience are exceptional and his commitment to providing outstanding service to his clients is at the very core of Golden States mission, said Daniel Catone, president of Golden State Wealth Management. Mario joins the team with over 10 years of experience in financial services. After obtaining his Bachelor Degree with a Major in Finance from the University of Florida, Mario received the opportunity to move to New York City to work on Wall Street with Lehman Brothers. In 2008 Mario moved to London to rollout prime services capabilities to international hedge funds clients. After 3 months on assignment, during the financial crisis, Lehman Brothers New York was bought by Barclays Capital. Mario moved back to New York and joined Barclays Capital, working in the prime services group. Missing the strong support of his family, Mario decided to leave New York and seek employment in New Orleans. In 2009 Mario joined JPMorgan Private Bank as a Global Investment Specialist. There he helped high net worth clients to preserve and grow their wealth. Marios main objective is to provide ethical financial advice to help clients achieve their personal financial goals. He believes there is no greater success than helping clients have a secure financial future. Mario moved to California with his wife in 2012 and currently resides in Laguna Hills. They have three beautiful, rambunctious children and one Shih-Tzu named Oreo. Outside of business, Mario enjoys traveling inside and outside the US. He also enjoys hiking and taking his children to the beach. About Golden State Wealth Management Golden State Wealth Management is a Hybrid Registered Investment Advisor dedicated to financial professionals and their clients. We believe in providing an infrastructure and support network that allows our affiliated advisors to focus on their clients and professional development. The firm promotes practice ownership, succession planning, flexibility in investing decisions, compliance oversight, dedicated transition support, and a low-cost investment platform that benefits both advisors and investors. Our alignment with LPL Financial, the nations largest independent broker/dealer*, provides comprehensive tools and research necessary in todays complex markets. With a flagship office in South Coast Metro, California and expanding offices across the country, Golden State Wealth Management is committed to creating a comfortable and luxurious atmosphere while supporting its affiliated members. Golden State Wealth Management strives to elevate the businesses of successful financial professionals through supported independence and practice ownership. The firm does this in three distinct areas; successful transitions, ongoing professional assistance, and forward looking business planning. Golden State Wealth Management asks that our members be motivated, legal, ethical, and profitable. *As reported in Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2016, based on total revenue. Mario Vasquez is a Registered Representative with and securities are offered through, LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Golden State Wealth Management, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. Courtesy of Kevin Stankiewicz for The Lantern/Handout via REUTERS PARIS and NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services, announced today that its Financial Services Business Unit (FS SBU) has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Financial Services Competency status. This designation recognizes Capgemini for delivery of effective solutions delivered on the AWS Cloud such as Capgemini's Insurance Connect and Connected Banking, which are part of Cloud Choice, Capgemini's portfolio of services for delivering a cloud-first way of working for the enterprise. AWS Financial Services Competency distinguishes Capgeminis FS SBU as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member that has demonstrated relevant technical proficiency and proven customer success while seamlessly delivering solutions within the AWS Cloud environment. Capgeminis FS SBU earned competency status by demonstrating deep expertise in the AWS platform and undergoing an assessment of the security, performance, and reliability of its solutions. It is a special honor for Capgemini Financial Services Unit to be recognized as one of the first APN partners to achieve AWS Financial Services Competency status, said Thierry Delaporte, Head of Capgeminis Global Financial Services Business Unit and Member of the Group Executive Board. Achieving AWS competency status is especially meaningful for us as we see this as a validation of both the customer successes we have delivered in the AWS Cloud environment as well as our built-in-cloud solutions for banking and insurance clients. Capgemini Cloud Choice with Amazon Web Services delivers a cohesive, end-to-end set of offerings to identify and move applications from on-premises infrastructure to the AWS Cloud. The AWS Cloud enables Capgemini to provide superior customer experiences in Financial Services regardless of channel with its Connected Banking and Capgemini Insurance Connect solutions. Connected Banking provides a full technology stack for greenfield banks on the AWS Cloud, integrating the Temenos core banking system with a dozen partners. Capgeminis Insurance Connect is a subscription-based service hosted on the AWS Cloud for claims, policy, and billing that helps insurers leverage on-demand, pre-configured applications across the entire insurance lifecycle. This allows insurers to respond to new market opportunities, gain operational efficiencies, and focus on essential business activities, improving customer experience and brand differentiation. The AWS Cloud enables scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for banking and payments, capital markets, and insurance organizations of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the Financial Services Partner Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology APN Partners with deep industry experience and expertise. About Capgemini With more than 180,000 people in over 40 countries, Capgemini is a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services. The Group reported 2015 global revenues of EUR 11.9 billion. Together with its clients, Capgemini creates and delivers business, technology and digital solutions that fit their needs, enabling them to achieve innovation and competitiveness. A deeply multicultural organization, Capgemini has developed its own way of working, the Collaborative Business Experience, and draws on Rightshore, its worldwide delivery model. Learn more about us at www.capgemini.com. Rightshore is a trademark belonging to Capgemini Serving two thirds of the worlds largest financial services institutions, Capgeminis Financial Services Strategic Business Unit helps banks, capital markets firms, and insurers meet todays industry disruptions with innovative business and IT solutions which create tangible value. A team of 45,000 financial services professionals around the world collaborate across geographies, domains, and technologies to deliver the best tailored solutions to its clients. Capgemini Financial Services Unit brings award-winning industry expertise, leading market insights and over 25 years of global delivery excellence to client engagements. Learn more about us at www.capgemini.com/financialservices. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to wildfires that have burned homes and businesses and displaced thousands of residents in Gatlinburg and surrounding areas, the First Tennessee Foundation will match donations from the public to the East Tennessee Red Cross, up to a total of $50,000, made through any First Tennessee financial center across the state. First Tennessee is proud to be Tennessee's bank, and we support our fellow Tennesseans in times of crisis, said Pam Fansler, First Tennessee president in East Tennessee. Our thoughts and prayers are with our customers, friends and neighbors who have been affected by this tragedy. About the First Tennessee Foundation and First Tennessee Bank First Tennessee Bank was founded during the Civil War in 1864 and has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country. First Tennessee has one of the highest customer retention rates of any bank in the country and the number one deposit market share in Tennessee. The First Tennessee Foundation is a Tennessee nonprofit corporation established in 1993. Both First Tennessee Bank and the First Tennessee Foundation are part of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN). First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by American Banker and Working Mother. More information is available at www.FirstTennessee.com and www.FirstTennesseeFoundation.com. FHN-G A Texas Republican elector is resigning over the election of Donald Trump, saying he cannot in good conscience vote for the incoming president. The elector, Art Sisneros of Dayton, detailed his decision in a blog post Saturday that said he believed voting for Trump would bring dishonor to God. On Dec. 19, when the remaining 537 members of the Electoral College are scheduled to meet in state capitols across the country, the Texas delegation will choose Sisneros replacement in Austin. I do not see how Donald Trump is biblically qualified to serve in the office of the presidency, wrote Sisneros, who represents Texas 36th congressional district. Since I cant in good conscience vote for Donald Trump, and yet have sinfully made a pledge that I would, the best option I see at this time is to resign my position as an elector. Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler, in a statement, said the party respects Mr. Sisneros decision and appreciate[s] his willingness to step down from his position as a Presidential Elector in Texas. On Nov. 8, Trump beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 9 percentage points in solidly red Texas, capturing its 38 electoral votes. Sisneros has previously been critical of Trump, raising the prospect that he could turn into a faithless elector one who votes against the winner of the popular vote in his or her state. He ruled out that option in his blog post, writing that it would be difficult to justify how being faithless could be a righteous act. More attention than usual is being paid to the Electoral College following Trumps stunning upset over Clinton. Democrats across the country are pressing GOP electors to change their votes in a last-ditch effort to put Clinton in the White House. Sisneros decision, however, appears to be more driven by his religion than a desire to change the outcome. The reality is Trump will be our president, Sisneros said, no matter what my decision is. venky1979 wrote: if interested in i-banking IIMA preovides the same opportunities as ultra elites but at 1/20 th the price Most people out of IIMA start as analysts while people out of top us schools start as associates. Big difference ! Since the majority of students at IIMs have little or no prior work experience it is natural that they will start at entry level positions. Of course, there will always be a handful of people who have good prior work experience and will get top notch jobs. If you check the resume book of schools such as Wharton and even lower ranked schools such as Darden you will notice the number of IIM graduates who come to the US for a second "international" MBA.IIMs have a stellar reputation in India and will open a lot of doors. The ROI is great if you plan to work in India post-MBA. For most people, an MBA will be a final degree and thus the desire to end up at a top notch program. BTW, the IIMA campus is awesome and every single b-school campus dwarfs in comparison. The president-elect woke up Tuesday morning with a clear agenda before him. Poised to announce his pick of Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and with a day of meetings slated - including one with onetime foe Mitt Romney - Donald Trump hopped on Twitter to talk about where his attention was focused. Disparaging CNN and - more unexpectedly - reigniting the once-virulent debate over flag-burning. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" he tweeted. Where this came from is anybody's guess. There's an operating theory among some that Trump throws out tweets like this to distract attention from something else, as though 140-character messages demand our total (100 percent) brain capacity. On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," host Joe Scarborough speculated that maybe Trump was tossing a bit of red meat to the angry social media lions before announcing that he would pick Romney as secretary of state. The suggestions of this tweet and the context in which it was issued, though, make it far from just a simple distraction. Flag-burning is not an issue that has occupied a central position in the American political consciousness of late. It's absolutely the sort of fight that Trump would relish, mind you, pitting egghead supporters of "free speech" and "the First Amendment" against the patriotism of people who find flag-burning unacceptable. Some quick history is in order. Fights over how the flag is depicted have been fought at the Supreme Court for more than a century, including the 1989 decision Texas v. Johnson which established that burning the flag was a constitutionally protected act. One of the justices who supported that 5-4 decision was Antonin Scalia, the jurist whose death earlier this year created the vacancy that it seems Trump will get to fill - with someone, he has said, he hopes will be "in the mold" of Scalia. Scalia also voted to protect flag-burning when Congress passed a national law hoping to avoid the problems of Texas v. Johnson - even though he found the practice to be repugnant. "If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag," he said last year, adding an important disclaimer: "But I am not king." In an interview with CNN, he explained the distinction simply: Flag-burning is a form of expression, and therefore is protected by the First Amendment. Congress has tried to work around the decision. Shortly afterward, it passed a law banning flag-burning, which was again thrown out (with Scalia's agreement). A decade ago, the Senate narrowly failed to approve a constitutional amendment banning flag-burning, with now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voting in opposition. "If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment," Justice William Brennan wrote in response to the decision to strike down the 1989 federal law, "it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable." Trump doesn't seem to adhere to this idea. He has railed against the oppositional media repeatedly, suggesting at one point that he might "open up" libel laws to make it easier to sue the media. He disparaged protests earlier this month as being incited by the press and being illegitimate because the protesters were paid (a claim for which there's no evidence). When protesters in Chicago disrupted one of his rallies, he suggested that they should be thrown in jail. His proposals to address the threat of terrorism often seem to tiptoe beyond the free expression of religion boundaries established in the Bill of Rights. When Trump finds free expression offensive or disagreeable, he seeks to curtail it and, in some cases, impose harsh penalties. The suggestion that those who burn flags should lose their citizenship is remarkable in part because it's such a drastic response - one that would itself rescind any number of legal protections to which the culprit would otherwise be entitled. Incidentally, this suggested punishment is barred as a result of a 1958 decision from the Supreme Court, as Louis Nelson notes at Politico. We've often seen Trump dash off a Twitter opinion that goes no further. There's a fair argument to be made that, in the absence of any broader debate or proposed policy, this tweet about the flag should be treated as a curiosity. But it comes on the heels of Trump tweeting about how the results of the election should be questioned because of fraud (something that, again, lacks evidence). It's a pattern of pushing back against fundamental pillars of our democracy: elections, free speech, Supreme Court decisions. He has every right to do so, of course. If nothing else, that's important context. And it reinforces a desire to treat those who oppose him or his values harshly, even when he lacks the power to do so. Why now? Who knows. Given the attention he has paid of late to casting his opponents in a negative light (like those claims about "voter fraud" that were the subject of his tweets Monday), perhaps he wants to force them to defend an unpopular position. Perhaps he even hopes that protesters will appear outside Trump Tower and burn flags. That certainly wouldn't hurt his efforts to rally support from otherwise indifferent Americans. Anyway. Time for Trump to tick off the next items on his to-do list. Something about putting together a government? With the important stuff done, might as well move on to that. And how could the museum describe the decision to renew the deal as "straightforward" when it had become the biggest controversy facing the museum's new director? A call for ethical sponsorship In a recent speech, the Chair of the Arts Council, Sir Peter Bazalgette, emphasised that the boards of arts organisations need to make sure they are engaging in "ethical sponsorship" and demonstrate "clarity, consistency and transparency". When it comes to BP, the British Museum has been unclear, inconsistent and resisted transparency. The Chair of the Tate's trustees, John Browne, told the FT "how important" it is that the gallery has an ethics committee, an interesting claim given that he was BP's CEO from 1995 to 2007. He added, "We would never dream of letting our supporters direct our editorial ear." But with your ex-CEO as Chair, critical curators were unlikely to be a major problem for BP. A damning report by Art Not Oil published earlier this year painted a different picture. But if even Tate, under Browne's chairmanship, recognises the necessity of an ethics committee, why is the British Museum without one? If the British Museum had dug into the claims made against BP when its sponsorship was up for renewal, they would have unmasked a company with close ties to human rights violations, actively blocking crucial climate legislation and drilling for fossil fuels that we cannot afford to burn. Or, to put it another way, a company whose values do not align with those of a museum that supposedly holds a collection "for every citizen of the world". Undergoing a process of so-called 'due diligence' isn't just a good idea - it is specifically advised in the Museums Association's Code of Ethics, which the museum is obliged to follow. Philanthropy or cheap advertising? But Richard Lambert, like other spokespersons for the museum, has continued to dodge questions about BP's record, arguing that "We need to raise the money from somewhere." This excuse is wearing thin though. BP actually turned down a direct request made by Lambert to help fund the museum's new World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre, while just two of the Sainsbury Family Trusts collectively gave 25 million to the project and the Heritage Lottery Fund gave 10 million. It puts BP's 2 million-a-year sponsorship spend, divided between four cultural institutions, into perspective. And BP's new sponsorship deal has seen that spend cut by a quarter. Can the British Museum, the UK's most visited cultural institution, really not attract this small proportion of its income - less than 1% - from anywhere other than a major corporate criminal? In 2015, BP received around 254 million from the UK taxpayer in the form of government hand-outs. In reality, it is as if BP is giving less than 1% of that taxpayer cash back to a handful of iconic institutions where it can best burnish its brand. It's bizarre for BP to then claim it represents the best of corporate support for the arts when this is clearly not philanthropy. BP is not providing the vital funding that underpins long-term roles and research in the cultural sector nor helping to keep local museums open in a period of swingeing government cuts. Drawing a red line The shift away from fossil fuels is a reality that the British Museum and others need to get on board with. Just last week, the Evening Standard published a lead business story titled "They're going to tank: Eight good reasons to bale out of Big Oil". But the question for those cultural institutions taking fossil fuel money is fundamentally an ethical one. While there is a broader debate to be had about the role of corporate sponsorship of the arts, this is about drawing an ethical red line and marking out oil sponsorship as unacceptable. Giving legitimacy to the fossil fuel industry when the impacts of climate change are intensifying every day should now be viewed the same way as tobacco or arms sponsorship. The next President of the US denies that those impacts are driven by human activity. With bigger battles to fight to protect the planet, it's time that Big Art stopped backing Big Oil. Chris Garrard is a member of 'BP or not BP?' which is part of the Art Not Oil coalition of groups that campaigns against fossil fuel funding of arts and cultural institutions. He was the lead author of Art Not Oil's report, 'BP's Cultural Sponsorship: A Corrupting Influence'. Chris is also a composer and has written music about social justice and the environment. For more, visit www.artnotoil.org.uk and @ArtNotOil dlod0 wrote: From the Philippines. Planning to apply for Fall 2018. First, Hi @dlob0! I love that you are planning ahead! Background - Work Experience: 1 year PE, 3 years IBD M&A - Extra Curriculars: Invested/co-managed a small food stall. could be interesting in MBA applications to go into this in more detail- kind of like a business laboratory experience- focus on what you learned- how you were tested... - Undergrad: Mathematics in a Top 2 university in the Philippines, but not ranked highly internationally (around 400-500 range) - Other education: CFA Charterholder (took cause despite being for investment management, the CFA holds a lot of weight in the Philippines for virtually any finance job) Impressive! - Race/nationality: Born in the USA, but raised and lived my whole life in the Philippines. Filipino parents. - Sex: Male Stats - GMAT Score: haven't taken yet but I'm scoring 700-750 for practice tests If you score in this range it will really help you pop! - Undergrad GPA: 2.6 (I know, I know, this is what hurts me most. I wish I took a different major. Though I do feel like our grading schemes are different from Western schools. Only a very small portion of our population get GPAs of 3.6-4) A couple of good things here- first- if you GMAT is really high, schools will be more willing to forgive GPA- at least programs in 15-25 range will. MBA Info - Goal: Transition to IBD/PE/Corp.Dev in USA. With my background, I have virtually no chance of working in those fields in the US. An MBA would ideally give me a better chance of working in the States. Hoping to come back to the Philippines eventually when I have enough experience and prestige for me to start my own fund (there are only about 2-3 actual traditional PE funds in the country) - Target Schools: nothing specific, ideally Top 30 with a good Finance program With my background, which schools would you suggest I apply for? And is a scholarship out of the question? And within this- look at some programs like Stern, Cornell, Georgetown, Emory, Mendoza, Vanderbilt, McCombs and Kenan-Flagler. I like this article for giving you a good landscape of great MBA programs sending lots of people into finance. http://poetsandquants.com/2016/01/13/wh ... -talent/2/ And within this- look at some programs like Stern, Cornell, Georgetown, Emory, Mendoza, Vanderbilt, McCombs and Kenan-Flagler. _________________ 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 ... Podcast: Who comes out ahead in the Charlie Jones vs. Iowa football reunion? Thumbs up to the many organizations, businesses and individuals throughout the area who generously donated goods and volunteered their time to ensure a nourishing Thanksgiving for as many as possible. Ernie and Martha Dumas of Norwalk are an extraordinary example for 20 years they have hosted a community Thanksgiving dinner which has grown to serve about 300 diners at the South Norwalk Community Center. We are all blessed that the spirit of giving will continue in the holiday season with toy, clothing and food drives and other ways to help each other. Thumbs up to the latest federal report released this month which shows homelessness in Connecticut has decreased by 9.6 percent since 2010. The decline is no accident as efforts have been coordinated to first house veterans and then tackle the chronic homeless population. Even as the trend appears promising, officials are concerned that the new administration in Washington could reduce housing subsidies that are vital for reaching the goal to end chronic homelessness in this state. WILTON The Wilton Police Department is now offering a safe zone for e-commerce transactions in front of its headquarters at 240 Danbury Road, where people can meet to finalize deals conducted through online sites such as Craigslist and eBay. Some areas, specifically in front of the sign, will be under 24-hour video surveillance for added security. Police officers, however, will not be used to witness or be a part of any transactions, and any illegal transaction of dangerous, deadly weapons or materials are prohibited. Were providing a safe location to conduct online selling and buying rather than giving out a home address or meeting at a parking lot area that could create the potential of it being unsafe, Lt. Rob Cipolla said. Many other police departments have created designated safe zones, as reported crimes of robbery and violence involving e-commerce transactions have become more frequent across the nation. In March, Hartford police arrested a Suffield man who was accused of posting fake ads for puppies, kittens and concert tickets on Craigslist.com. Police said he would meet with customers, take their money and run off. While such crimes havent been committed in Wilton, Cipolla said the department wanted to take another step in keeping the community safe. We thought it was a worthwhile mission, he said. The Boca Raton Police Department in Florida was among the first in the country to launch a safe meeting place for e-commerce transactions, after four cases of attempted robberies happened during spring 2014, said Sandra Boonenberg, the departments public information officer. Every incident took place in a public place and three of the four criminals who all posed as a buyer succeeded in stealing the item from the seller, including one who snatched a laptop from a Craigslist seller at a Starbucks cafe in a Barnes & Noble bookstore. It was after that, that we realized people were following our instructions and it still wasnt working, Boonenberg said. Thats when we decided to come up with the idea of offering the lobby or front parking lot to make legal exchanges. Ultimately, offering a safe exchange zone in or near the police department discourages people from preying on prospective sellers and buyers, she added. If theyre going to victimize the person, the chances are they wont do it at the police department, she said. For more information about the e-commerce safe zone, call Wilton Police at 203-834-6260. SKim@hearstmediact.com; 203 354-1044; @stephaniehnkim On my desert island, I would need to give myself Prospero-like powers, so that the music could be played and sung as mystically as the music of the spheres by an ensemble and choir of invisible nymphs How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night Become the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica. Look how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold: Theres not the smallest orb which thou beholdst But in his motion like an angel sings, Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins; Such harmony is in immortal souls; But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn! With sweetest touches pierce your mistress ear, And draw her home with music Lorenzos lines from the final act of The Merchant of Venice are some of the finest in Shakespeares illustrious canon. They display the Bards understanding of the beauty of the cosmos, the music of the spheres that shines forth the harmony of Gods Creation and the splendor of the truth that sets it in motion. Mark the music, Lorenzo urges us at the end of his monologue, which prompts me to do just that. Several months ago, in an essay published in this journal, I imagined myself marooned on a desert island surrounded by my favourite books. Ever since then, I have contemplated a return to that same desert island, this time surrounding myself with my favourite music. In order to do so, I decided that I would need to give myself Prospero-like powers so that the music could be played and sung as mystically as the music of the spheres by an ensemble and choir of invisible nymphs, conducted perhaps by Ariel himself. This is necessary because I would not want electricity or other manifestations of modern magic on my fantastically idyllic island. Having concocted an imaginary library of books for my desert island, I would now conjure a list of sacred music, selecting ten religious pieces for my choir of sylphs to sing. Commencing with the selection, I would choose to be accompanied on my desert island by the music of fourteenth-century Spain, or Catalonia to be precise, choosing the merriment of the songs of praise in the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (Red Book of Montserrat). These songs burst forth with the sheer joy of the faith of the Middle Ages and were written so that pilgrims to the shrine at Montserrat could not only sing but dance. As the anonymous scribe who compiled the songs in the Red Book explained, the songs are meant to aid the pilgrim to lift his heart and his dancing limbs to God: Because the pilgrims wish to sing and dance while they keep their watch at night in the church of the Blessed Mary of Montserrat, and also in the light of day; and in the church no songs should be sung unless they are chaste and pious, for that reason these songs that appear here have been written. And these should be used modestly, and take care that no one who keeps watch in prayer and contemplation is disturbed. From the jollity and merriment of the mediaeval pilgrim, my next selections would reflect the beauty of the Faith, as practised in clandestine fashion in sixteenth century England. Thomas Talliss magnificent Spem in Alium soars in polyphonic splendor to heaven, praising God in words taken from the Book of Judith: I have never put my hope in any other but in You, O God of Israel, who can show both anger and graciousness, and who absolves all the sins of suffering man. Lord God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, be mindful of our lowliness. My other selection from sixteenth century England, William Byrds Mass for Three Voices, was published by the composer in 1593 or 1594, at a time when its performance was illegal due to Queen Elizabeths tyrannical war on religious freedom. Two other Masses would accompany me on my imaginary island. The first would be Bachs magisterial Mass in B Minor, the performance of which in Oxford shortly after World War One, inspired the poet Siegfried Sassoon to rapturous delight in his Sheldonian Soliloquy. The second would be Faures Requiem, the Pie Jesu from which has to be one of the most sublime pieces of religious music ever composed. Paralleling the selection of three Masses, I would also select three Ave Marias, two of which, those by Schubert and by Bach/Gounod, are obvious, whereas the third, the sensuous Ave from Verdis Otello, perhaps less so. My ninth selection would be somewhat edgier and certainly more modern. Richard Einhorns Voices of Light, composed as recently as 1994, was inspired by the classic silent movie, The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), for which it serves as a scintillatingly beautiful soundtrack. For my final selection, we go back to seventeenth century Italy and Gregorio Allegris Miserere mei, Deus (Have Mercy on me, O God), a setting of one of the Penitential Psalms, which shines forth not only the words of Gods mercy but the glory of His Creation in the heights to which the human voice like an angel sings, still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins. Listening to this, one can hardly avoid echoing the awe-inspired words of Lorenzo that such harmony is in immortal souls. With such music sounding celestial in ones ears one could almost believe oneself in Paradise itself! Books by Joseph Pearce may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore. WASHINGTON As Donald Trumps campaign promises have been dunked in realitys strong solvent, many have been transformed in one way or another modified, moderated, qualified, abandoned or pushed off into the distant future. Not a wall across the whole southern border. Not every part of Obamacare repealed. Not all illegal immigrants deported, at least in the foreseeable future. Not literally tearing up the Iran agreement. Not an actual prison cell for Hillary Clinton. All this has opened up Trump to the charge of being a hypocrite. For the nations sake, lets hope so. Hypocrisy has always been a complicated vice. It is the easiest, most common charge made in politics (My opponent claims to love apple pie but uses them regularly in unspeakable acts.) Most of us feel a visceral reaction when a crusading prosecutor makes use of prostitutes, or a law-and-order judge takes bribes, or a moralizing pastor tends to his or her flock a little too closely. But we should take care in defining hypocrisy. A hypocrite is a person who but who isnt? said Don Marquis. More helpfully, British political scientist David Runciman says that hypocrisy involves claims to a consistency that one cannot sustain, claims to a loyalty that one does not possess, claims to an identity that one does not hold. Hypocrisy comes in a long continuum of seriousness. You can wear a false face in displaying good manners toward someone you secretly despise. There is often hypocritical deception involved in political or diplomatic negotiations, which generally start with principled, nonnegotiable demands that are negotiated away in the process of finding a compromise. Hypocrisy can come in accommodating human realities that dont quite fit our ideals, as in the widespread use of artificial birth control by American Catholics. Or it may be that you have simply changed your mind in light of new circumstances as President George H.W. Bush did in violating the pledge: Read my lips; no new taxes. In one sense, hypocrisy is unavoidable and necessary. If people were required, at all times, to live up to ideals of honesty, loyalty and compassion in order for those ideals to exist, there would be no ideals. Being a moral person is a struggle in which everyone repeatedly fails, becoming a hypocrite at each of those moments. A just and peaceful society depends on hypocrites who ultimately refuse to abandon the ideals they betray. Before we become overly self-forgiving, it is worth recalling that the founder of Christianity took hypocrisy quite seriously: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Purity of heart and motivation, in the Christian tradition, does matter. But the hunt for hypocrisy should begin in the mirror. The issue at hand, however, is a certain kind of political hypocrisy the conscious use of a mask to fool the public and gain political benefit. Most would concede that this type of hypocrisy is generally harmful for a democracy, in which self-government requires informed choices. Trumps brand of personality-driven politics emphasizing the virtues of a single leader exaggerates the challenge. Trump arrives in Washington claiming to be the only honest man in a world of mendacity. It is a long way down from such a pedestal. Some of Trumps strongest supporters seem to assume his cynicism. The part about forcing Mexicans to pay for the wall, according to Newt Gingrich, was a great campaign device. Of the largest construction project since the Qin dynasty, Rush Limbaugh now says he never expected Trump to do it. In this case, perhaps surprisingly, I am all for the wisdom of Gingrich and Limbaugh. Trump presents a special case, in which the normal criticisms of political hypocrisy should be suspended. Every time the Trump agenda is reshaped or refined to better fit reality, even Trumps most dedicated critics have reason to applaud. This is a rare ethical circumstance in which realism and good sense take the form of hypocrisy. On a variety of issues, the sincerity of Trumps current intentions or the cynicism of his past intentions should not matter. If the candidate who gave a wink and nod toward white nationalism now repudiates the alt-right and promises to bring this country together, so much the better. If the candidate who promised a trade war with China reconsiders, it is all to the good. It is admittedly an odd thing to cheer for cynicism. But in this strange, new political era, hypocrisy is our best hope. Michael Gersons email address is michaelgerson@washpost.com. Warminster boy makes Phillies nation proud with viral video from Game 1 Carson Wallace, 5, of Warminster, starred as one of the Phillies most savage fans as his celebration and taunt of an Astros fan went viral. An interesting friendship formed between Edwardsville residents Zach Miller and Mike Zanger when the two met through their interest in acoustic music. Their friendship quickly evolved into opening a business together. The result is Taqueria Z, a new restaurant in Edwardsville that offers quick and simple Mexican street food. Zach explained that he first met Mike a few years ago when he attended acoustic concerts at Mike and Megan Zangers home. He does house concerts outside of town at his house. I went to those and we became friends, Zach recalled. We started cooking together and serving tacos at his house parties, and we decided to actually make a business out of it. Mikes always cooked, Zach added. He has the Mexican background. Hes lived in Mexico and Brazil. Mike pointed out that he had lived for about two years in central Mexico. I cooked Mexican food there and here. I have a lot of Mexican friends and family. A lot of them have moved here to the states. So I continue to collaborate with them on recipes, Mike noted. Mike elaborated about the timing of opening Taqueria Z, explaining that he survived a recent health scare which prompted him to finally take action on his dream of owning a taqueria. I had been talking about it for at least three years, but it was more of a pipe dream, he recalled. I went through a health scare with cancer. Had a liver transplant about five months ago. Kind of a rebirth. So it kind of triggered sort of a mid-life crisis I would say, Mike said with a chuckle. And this is it. I didnt buy a Corvette. Zach added that Mike was kind of the expert and that he was there to help. I have more of a business background so I thought together we could make it happen, Zach said. And with the help of Mikes wife, Megan, the trio opened Taqueria Z earlier this month. The menu includes starters of rice and beans, chorizo and cheese dip, which is spicy chorizo with melted chihuahua cheese, and chips and then Rooster Beak, a chunky guacamole that the menu notes is like nothing you have had before. Mike helped to explain the odd name of this starter by pointing out that Pico means rooster in Spanish. And Pico de gallo in Spanish is a mixture of tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro and we add avocado and lime juice and that becomes Rooster Beak, he said. Tacos, chacos and burritos round out the entrees. Chaco is a variation of a taco, Mike noted. Its a taco with crispy cheese grilled on it. We flip it over on the griddle and toast the cheese on the griddle. The three entrees come with meat choices of Al Pastor (marinated pork), Carne Asada (Marinated skirt steak), Chorizo or Pollo (chicken). Vegetarian options include mushrooms, nopalitos, and poblano y papas. And of course there is chips and homemade salsa. The salsa comes in three varieties - a green salsa, a milder version of the green salsa and then a spicy orange salsa. Taqueria Z has six taps for draft beers. We also have a collaboration beer with Recess Brewery. A Mexican brown ale, Zach pointed out. In addition, Taqueria Z offers a variety of tequilas. We have an original margarita thats nothing but tequila, cointreau and lime juice. Very simple but very good, Mike said. Theres no other alcohol available. No other alcohol here, Zach added. No rum, no gin, no vodka. They also offer non-alcoholic drinks of Mexican sodas, bottled sodas (both local and Mexican) and an assortment of teas, and they will be serving Goshen coffee. Zach also pointed out that everything that goes out of the restaurant will be compostable. Everything from our trash bags to utensils even the food itself will be composted, he stressed. Really the only thing that will be thrown away will be the packaging that stuff arrives in. Everything going out otherwise is biodegradable. And the to-go containers are biodegradable, Mike added. Megan is getting us certified as a green restaurant. Taqueria Z is located at 109 East Park St. which is one-half a block off of Main Street in downtown Edwardsville. Theres seating available inside the restaurant for about 25 people and another 20 seats are available on the patio. Initially Taqueria Z plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tuesday is No Taco Tuesday. Were closed on Tuesdays, Mike said. Taqueria Z is on Facebook or visit the restaurants website at www.taqueriaz.com. The phone number is 618-307-5018. At her sentencing hearing recently at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center, Ashly S. Bonner was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her participation in the murder of co-worker Roderick Taylor. Authorities believe that on Dec. 17, 2015, Bonner, with whom she had had a previous relationship, lured Taylor to her home in the 2600 block of Logan Street in Granite City. Her co-defendant, George T. Tillman, was waiting there with her with the intention of robbing him. But the robbery went awry and Taylor, who was 45, was shot and struck several times in the head with a frying pan and a VCR. While Taylor was still alive, he was placed in the trunk of a Cadillac and driven to Brooklyn. Tillman was at the wheel when Brooklyn police tried to pull him over. Tillman sped away and later crashed in East St. Louis, at a roundabout at St. Clair Avenue and Collinsville Road. Police discovered Taylors body in the trunk. Tillman has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Under the agreement, he faces a cap of 40 years. Bonner pleaded guilty on Wednesday. At the hearing, Roderick Taylors sister, Stephanie Taylor, had a chance to confront Bonner. You need to know what youve taken from this world, she told her. For Taylor, an older brother; for their mother, a son; for other relatives, a beloved friend. All over nothing, she said. You guys worked in the same place. He had nothing. He worked hard every day, just like you did. So its really hard for me to empathize with you. I want to. I was raised that way and I know Im supposed to forgive you, but Im not there yet. Because you are totally responsible because you got him there. Stephanie Taylor told Bonner that she empathized with her to the extent that Bonners incarceration means she wont be able to see her children for another 20 years. But Bonner caused pain and heartache for Roderick Taylors children as well. I really hope that you have thought about it, or you feel bad, or you hurt as much as we do, she continued. But I dont see that. I didnt see that in Mr. Tillman either. So that makes it even more difficult to empathize with you. Because, looking at you, I dont even think you realize what youve done and what youve lost. I hope I can find it in my heart to forgive you, and my family can forgive you. And I hope you realize what youve done and what youve lost. And I also hope that its not a horrible experience, because nobody deserves that. But I do hope that you understand what youve taken from your own children and what youve take from his children and his family. Bonner, who is 27 years old, was seated at the defense table, next to defense attorney Steve Griffin. Tognarelli allowed her to speak next. I know you probably dont want to listen to what I have to say, but I really am sorry, she said tearfully. I cant take back what I have done. But I have thought about this every day. I really am sorry. Tillmans sentencing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin George Barber (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The following two titles caught my eye during the past week: Quest for insurance scheme for RIs geothermal future by Pak Riki Ibrahim, president director of PT Geo Dipa Energi, and More policies needed to boost geothermal use by Fedina S. Sundaryani of The Jakarta Post. Pak Riki stated that Indonesia needs to come up with fiscal incentives and that well-drilling exploration and development represent the largest risk for geothermal development and no financial institutions in Indonesia offer funding for geothermal exploration, where the lack of accurate data on the geothermal potentials has discouraged banks from handing out loans to companies that have won the geothermal tenders in Indonesia. If exploration is not carried out there will be no accurate data and something has to give. Fedinas article stated that the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministrys geothermal energy director Pak Yunus Saefulhak said, that it was the government who ideally conducted the thorough exploration in the fields, before putting them up for tender, but due to a lack of funds, the government could only rely on geological, geophysical and geochemical tests to estimate the geothermal reserves. It was also stated that we all know that it costs around US$10 million for drilling one exploration well [and] the government just does not have enough funds to drill the 330 potential reserves,(which would require approximately $10 billion). Both articles are telling the same story, one that we have heard several times since two years ago when the government set an ambitious goal to increase the national geothermal capacity to 7,155 megawatts (MW) by 2025, which would make Indonesia the largest geothermal energy producer in the world. What we are now seeing is articles that are more or less saying why this target will not be met not directly, but indirectly. Both articles are clearly stating that exploration needs to be done in order to have reliable data to entice investors. We hear that the funds are not available for this. Of course they are not if three drill holes are allowed for each working area at a cost of $30 million, which by the way is extremely expensive compared to many parts of the world. Even if we take into account the location and terrain, there are cheaper reliable drilling methods and there are cheaper reliable methods for exploration. A well-positioned geologist made the following statement to me in the past few days: The energy policy in this country needs to be holistically managed, not partially as is the current practice. As an outsider looking in and an insider looking out, it is painful to see the huge potential that Indonesia has being wasted. Targets that are set are not being met for all of the reasons under the sun. Local banks and investors could easily invest in the geothermal development of their own country if the risk of exploration is decreased by using different technologies that would decrease the risk of drilling in the least prospective location and by using drilling methods that will confirm the full potential of the geothermal location and decrease the cost of drilling by approximately four times or even more. Exploring a surface manifestation only, or an area of 10 square kilometers, is uneconomical. Larger areas need to be explored, which may help to decide if the potential of the area has sufficient resources to make it economical for development. The following two quotes sum up what is not happening in Indonesia for geothermal development and indeed, its natural resources: With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we use it, wrote Stephen Hawking. One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea, wrote Walter Bagehot. Another quote (this time from the New Testament) sums up these two quotes: You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears and we would like to know what they mean. Pokemon GO receives a better reception than technology for exploration. It staggers belief that a geothermal working area will have three holes drilled based on basic exploration data. If nothing positive is found, the potential will be downgraded to being a non-potential, based on what? Three drill holes drilled at great expense in the least prospective fractured location? Fedinas article also stated that the National Energy Board (DEN) was working with the ministry to prepare a regulation on the assignment of preliminary surveys and exploration for the geothermal sector that will allow the government to hire geothermal consulting firms through a limited tendering to gather more accurate data on the fields. Is this the way to go? The old idiom of Pay peanuts, get monkeys is appropriate in a way, since the less you pay, the less reliable data you will collect. Who will get the blame when the drilling does not come up to expectations? Likewise, who wants to enter a tender for a so-called prospective location without reliable data? The answer should be no one. Therefore, the government has to finance the exploration of geothermal locations with the help of the existing Geothermal Fund Facility (GFF), which was established in 2011 by the Finance Ministry to help accelerate geothermal energy development. Five years on, it has not been utilized fully, if at all. Traditional methods of exploration have their role, but as stated the government does not have the funds. Therefore technology that does exist needs to be used, technology that allows the focus to be in high-potential areas that will avoid disruption and capital loss in lowpotential areas. Technology does reduce the risk for drilling, the cost and time of exploration. To put it very simply: With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. I.e., the whole of the ring of fire could be explored with the expected cost being far lower than the $31 million it currently costs to explore and drill in one geothermal working area. With more than 150 volcanoes, of which 127 are active, Indonesia has an abundance of geothermal reserves waiting to be tapped. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com. For more information click here. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dewi Tresya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Indonesia and proponents of sustainable forestry around the world are celebrating the first Indonesian shipments of timber under the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license on Nov. 15. This is a milestone in the global sustainable timber trade after several major timber product recipients, such as the United States, European Union member countries and Australia, prohibited imports of illegally sourced timber products. A FLEGT license guarantees that timber has been harvested, processed and exported in accordance with national laws. Indonesia is the first exporting country to mandate that its timber comply with certain legal requirements to be exported. The FLEGT license, thus, is a regulatory approach to suppress illegal logging. The idea of FLEGT was established in 2003 by the EU following the Ministerial Conference in Bali in 2001 regarding Forest Law Enforcement and Governance, where participant countries declared they would collaboratively address illegal logging and associated illegal trade and corruption as well as uphold the rule of law related to those issues. As for the implementation of FLEGT, the EU established an Action Plan to prevent illegally sourced timber from entering the EU and to promote initiatives and policies by partner countries, private companies and financial institutions to develop systems that only allow legally produced timber to enter the market. At the same time, following the Bali Ministerial Conference, Indonesia developed the Timber Legality Assurance System (SVLK), a market-based approach to ensure that all timber entering the market, both inside and outside Indonesia, complies with the law. That led to a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between Indonesia and the EU in 2013 to ensure that only legally produced timber is allowed to exit Indonesia and enter the EU. A series of actions were subsequently conducted by the Indonesian government, supported by the EU, to strengthen the SVLK by intensifying sustainable forest management as well as improving transparency and public participation within the system. On Nov. 15, the SVLK transformed into a FLEGT license, and all timber carrying the FLEGT license is hence recognized as legal timber by the EU replacing the due diligence formerly required by the EU Timber Regulation. (Read also: Indonesia now in forefront of legal timber governance) Although the first FLEGT-licensed timber shipping is worth celebrating, there is still a big question mark over the effectiveness of the FLEGT licensing system in combating illegal logging. Since the establishment of SVLK in 2009, data from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) show that the loss of timber from Indonesias natural forest declined between 2009 and 2011 (49-61 million m3 in 2009 to 28-39 million m3 in 2011). However, the loss jumped significantly to around 47-60 million m3 in 2012, and the figure kept rising in 2013 and 2014. These figures imply that the impact of the SVLK on combating illegal logging in Indonesia remains unclear. Indeed, the SVLK alone cannot be perceived as a sole solution to the timber loss. The KPK has identified several weaknesses of the timber administration system in Indonesia causing the high rate of timber loss, including a lack of planning and data, an unreliable monitoring system and poor law enforcement. Besides, the National REDD+ Strategy (2012) suggests that poor law enforcement, corruption and mismanagement of land tenure have been the drivers of deforestation, including deforestation driven by illegal activities. This shows that the SVLK should be integrated with other efforts to successfully combat illegal logging. And this is where the SVLK, which has now transformed into FLEGT, can play an integral part. A policy that incorporates SVLK licensing in an integrated strategy would further strengthen the impact of the license in fighting illegal logging. Unfortunately, the SVLK is rarely placed in such a strategy. In the 2015-2019 strategic plan of the Environment and Forestry Ministry, the SVLK is not included in the strategy to combat illegal logging, although it is included in the strategy to improve forestry investment and boost certified-timber exports. In the National REDD strategy, however, the SVLK is included as part of the efforts to combat illegal logging, although the extent to which the strategy is referred to by the ministry and relevant agencies remains hazy. This disintegration of the SVLK undermines the eradication of illegal logging in Indonesia. (Read also: Reforming Indonesia's climate readiness crucial before and after Marrakesh) Devising a national strategy against illegal logging that includes the FLEGT license is critical. The FLEGT license can provide data on certified timber by which monitoring and law enforcement agencies can easily trace timber to its logging source. The development of this traceability system requires support from various agencies, especially those who administer logging licenses and timber production. The law enforcement agencies could strengthen the FLEGT license by monitoring the license and following-up any irregularities suspected in the license, including those reported by independent monitoring. Such collaboration will strengthen the legality assurance of the FLEGT license, which is the key to its contribution to the eradication of illegal logging. Consequently, the FLEGT license system should have clear indicators to combat illegal logging and collaborate with other government agencies to fight crime. The FLEGT license policy should go beyond the issuance of licenses and certification of export products. Lets hope that several years after the first shipment of FLEGT-licensed timber, Indonesia will celebrate a significant reduction in illegal logging. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com. For more information click here. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kyunghoon Kim (The Jakarta Post) London Tue, November 29, 2016 In its first two years, the administration of Joko Jokowi Widodo pursued a state-centered development strategy and supported the expansion of state-owned enterprises (SOE) with capital injections. State capital injections into SOEs increased from Rp 3 trillion (US$222 million) in 2014 to Rp 64.5 trillion in 2015. The government is keeping its state-driven development plan, a decision taken only after the limited success of previous administrations in attracting private investment. Just recently, Jokowi ordered SOEs to triple their investment by 2018. However, the government plans to shift the focus to fiscal sustainability during the second half of the administration, and the capital injection into SOEs is expected to shrink from Rp 50.5 trillion in 2016 (revised budget) to Rp 4 trillion in 2017 (draft budget). That leaves the SOEs with only one option to fund their expansion: debt. The SOE segments share in Indonesias debt increased gradually in the first half of the 2010s. At the end of 2015, SOEs accounted for 6.1 percent of bank loans and 19.8 percent of external debt. The shares are expected to rise at an accelerated pace as SOEs major infrastructure and factory construction projects begin in the coming years. On top of injecting capital, the Jokowi government has taken steps to boost the borrowing capacity of SOEs. It is pursuing a plan to establish state-owned holding companies in various economic sectors. The holding companies are expected to have larger assets than the sum of individual SOEs. For example, when a holding company is established in the mining sector, the aggregate assets of mining SOEs are expected to expand from Rp 65.6 trillion to Rp 182.0 trillion. The government has also offered SOEs tax incentives to reevaluate their assets. The regulation brought down the tax rate on the increase in fixed assets resulting from the revaluation from the original 10 percent to 3 percent for applications filed before 2016. Forty-three SOEs participated in this program in 2015; cumulatively, they saw their assets increase from Rp 1,047 trillion to Rp 1,355 trillion. Improved domestic credit conditions thanks to aggressive lowering of the key interest rate in 2016 and repatriated funds through the tax amnesty are also a boon for SOEs looking to tap into the debt market. The government argues that these measures will limit the reliance of SOEs on the state budget in the future and that the governments direct exposure to SOEs will be limited to the guarantees it provides to certain projects. The government estimates that the guaranteed debt for SOE-led infrastructure projects will be around 0.8 percent of GDP on average between 2015 and 2019. But is the government really shielded from SOE expansion? There are factors that suggest otherwise. First, government-owned banks are major lenders in Indonesia. As of September, 46.3 percent of the nations total loans were from national and regional state-owned banks. State banks are leading financiers of infrastructure development and have provided large syndicated loans to SOEs involved in key projects, such as PLN and Angkasa Pura II. Moreover, they channel foreign loans to SOEs. As non-financial SOEs and state banks are intertwined, the deterioration of the formers financial health will affect the latter. Through this mechanism, the governments fiscal position would be affected if debt-funded projects go sour. Second, when SOEs face financial difficulties, governments often take responsibility by bailing them out or acting as a lender of last resort. In other words, there are soft budget constraints. The Indonesian government has reiterated that SOEs are responsible for their own business expansion and should not expect the government to step in when losses arise. For example, the administration has announced that it will not provide subsidies for the losses that Pertamina will face as a result of the governments one-fuel-price policy. The policy requires Pertamina to sell fuel at standard prices across the archipelago. Pertamina has estimated that the new policy necessitates additional annual expenditure of Rp 800 billion, most of which will be spent on transportation to remote areas. Another example is that of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project. The government awarded the project to a consortium of Chinese and Indonesian SOEs over Japanese firms in 2015. One of the major reasons was that China did not require funds from the Indonesian government. Most of the funding will come from the China Development Bank. However, it is difficult to imagine that the government will turn a blind eye if the SOEs carrying out social-oriented activities or the nations long-cherished infrastructure projects face financial troubles. One does not have to go far back in time to predict how the Indonesian government will react when SOEs face funding problems. When the government removed subsidies on Premium-branded gasoline but did not adjust the fuel price to reflect the rise in international oil prices in 2015, Pertamina faced Rp 15 trillion in losses from selling the product. As the skepticism toward the sustainability of this pricing practice intensified, the government caved in and promised to compensate the company for its losses. Even if the government denies reimbursement or financial support in such situations and SOEs are burdened with the losses, SOEs tax and dividend payout would be reduced, and this would ultimately affect the governments fiscal position. The Indonesian government direly needs to increase investment in productivity-enhancing projects and will inevitably incur debt in the process. Its achievement since the Asian financial crisis in stabilizing the fiscal situation has been remarkable. The governments debt-to-GDP ratio declined from 87.4 percent in 2000 to 27.3 percent in 2015. Hence, fears that the expansion of SOE debt will lead to fiscal instability may be groundless in the short term. However, when the party is over, it is the government that has to deal with the hangover, as the case of Chinas zombie SOEs shows. Therefore, the government needs to closely scrutinize SOEs debt management. Moreover, rather than trying to draw a line between the state and SOEs, the government should be straightforward about the rationale behind SOE activities that are aimed at achieving development objectives and the fiscal risks related to debt financing in SOE-led projects. *** Kyunghoon Kim is a PhD candidate at the Department of International Development, Kings College London, UK. He was previously a research fellow at the Samsung Economic Research Institute, Korea. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com. For more information click here. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The Government of Victoria, Australia, has announced on Monday that all children at the age of 12 under Victoria's school system are required to be able to swim, and such a skill will be taught as part of the mandatory curriculum across the states schools. This change in curriculum follows a study that found three out of five students in Victoria are unable to swim after finishing elementary school. All schools are thus required to develop their own programs to educate children on water safety, which will receive government funding for its execution. Victorias Education and Emergency Services Minister James Merlino underlined that the new curriculum will help save lives. According to the Victorian Drowning Report, 44 people have reportedly died in Victorian waters over the last 12 months, which is five more than the 10-year average. In addition to that, between 2015 and 2016, there were a total of 113 non-fatal and fatal drowning incidents. Also, six out of eight people lost their lives while boating without wearing life jackets. (Read also: Cool off at these swimming pools in Jakarta) "It shows we've got to do more so we've made the decision to make sure swimming as well as water safety swim survival skills are a compulsory part of the new Victorian curriculum," Merlino told the Herald Sun. It is compulsory for children to acquire the Victorian Water Safety Certificate by completing tests on the knowledge of water safety, life-saving skills and the ability to survive. Life Saving Victorias general manager of education Kate Simpson said now is the right time to deliver these life skills. She hopes the knowledge and skills obtained by the children will transfer into adulthood. (mra/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu, Central Sulawesi Tue, November 29, 2016 The Bank Indonesia (BI) representative office in Central Sulawesi province officially opened a public library on Tuesday. The office's director Miyono told The Jakarta Post that the library provided around 2,200 books and thousands of e-books, which include information and data on the economy, finance and banking. "Those who are looking for economy data can visit the library and our attendant will make the arrangements," said Miyono. The library especially targets students in addition to the general public. It also aims to grow the reading culture of Central Sulawesi residents. (Read also: Horse library wants to spread love of reading in remote village) The library especially targets students in addition to the general public.(JP/Ruslan Sangadji) Palu-based literacy activist Muhammad Isnaeni said the library needed to provide the same resources as the BI library in Surabaya, which actively conducts literary discussions. "[The BI Surabaya library] actively collaborates with literacy activists in Surabaya. Visitors not only come to read, but also participate in literary analysis and book exhibitions," he said. Libraries will continue to survive if they provide space for the public to carry out these activities, said Isnaeni, who is also the head of Central Sulawesi Community Reading Park Forum. Palu resident Azwar Putrasyah said the library could help the public in getting the literature they need, but he expects it to adopt modern features such as complimentary Wi-Fi and a cafe. "So that people will want to stay longer in the library," he said. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tarko Sudiarno and Stevie Emilia (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The faces on the busts of Queen Ken Dedes placed in several corners of RedBase Foundations exhibition hall in Bantul, Yogyakarta are far from depicting the renowned image of her perfect beauty they are splashed in pink, carved out, or painted over with a cross sign. The statues are among 34 works, including paintings and art installations, created by visual artist Ari Bayuaji following his artist-in-residency program at the foundation. In the exhibition, entitled cen.sor, he explores how womens images have been represented in Indonesia over the years while, at the same time, underlining how societys structural censorship has essentially diminished womens power. For his solo exhibition, which runs until Dec. 6, Ari, who resides in Montreal, Canada, dug deep into his Javanese roots, working with the memory of his mother in mind. His late mother worked hard all her life, something he indirectly connected to when he saw how women dominate economic sectors in Yogyakartas many corners, from rice fields, traditional markets to food stalls. Women are not just dealing with house chores, but also become the familys economic backbone. You only have to see these markets and rice fields to see how important women are, he said. Some of the works he created for the exhibition were inspired by what his mother did to the Balinese statues in her collection in the past. Two years ago, after her return from haj, Aris mother was advised by several family members to get rid of the statues most of them were of Balinese women who were naked above the waist as they considered them improper for her to have after her pilgrimage. His mother, he said, did not get rid of the statues she had collected for many years, but finally decided to compromise censoring parts of the statues that were considered improper with batik fabric. I think what my mother did was funny but smart at the same time. She tried to negotiate with social pressure that she could not fight against because of her religious belief, Ari said. After her return from haj, his mother also received much advice about wearing a headscarf and she complied, even when she was teaching aerobics. And then again, she compromised between her obligation to wear a headscarf and her work by designing her own clothing and headscarves so she could still be stylish. (Read also: Six Muslim fashion wear designers to adore) A video posted by Ari Bayuaji (@aribayuaji) on Nov 8, 2016 at 4:47am PST Before arriving in Yogyakarta for the artist-in-residency program, Ari equipped himself with his mothers handwritten notes on aerobics and pictures of her from different years. He later intermixed these files with abundant materials he found in Yogyakarta, where he also gathered up samples of Indonesian womens images from ads and photos from old magazines, old stamps and products used by women in the past. He later manipulated these images by covering or cutting them or adding other materials to them in a way to suggest censorship. His works showcase significant changes in Indonesian womens images, especially on Java, over the years. Decades ago, the image of women wearing kebaya, Indonesias signature fashion heritage, and sanggul (elegant chignon) was a symbol of great beauty. These days, the elegant style have been replaced with fashionable Muslim wear and hijab in various colors and styles. The artist also placed a collage comprising handwritten files and two pictures of his mother, Sutianingrah. One was of her wearing a gym outfit and the other one had her still in a gym outfit, but with a hijab. He considered the transformation as one example of Indonesian womens spiritual phase. Im not saying I agree or not with my mother wearing a headscarf, but this reflects a process that happens around us [], he said. The artist also created another collage comprising old ads of a shampoo product that in the past showed a woman in sanggul, while next to it, the products latest ads display women in headscarves. Ari said the collage was inspired by a Delete Sanggul campaign by several university students during a car free day event in Surakarta, Central Java, several years ago. This reality makes me sad. Its not that I disagree with those wearing headscarves but we, as Indonesians, have an identity with roots dated from hundreds of years old that needs to be preserved as well, he said. (Read also: Censorship humiliates women, says activist) A photo posted by Ari Bayuaji (@aribayuaji) on Nov 14, 2016 at 5:47am PST Ari saw a shift of values on beauty, morality and propriety within society that depend on social and political circumstances at specified times, restrictions that often become morality benchmarks set by certain customs or religions. I can directly see this in censorship conducted by several television stations in Indonesia. The censorship is imposed on womens clothing either on humans, female cartoon characters, or even female robots in kids films, he said. The reality made him wonder how, in a modern time like today, womens clothing is still a big issue and is being used as a reason to discriminate against them. Womens clothing, he said, becomes a moral propriety for women, like the move to censor kebaya by some of Indonesias television stations. Many did not realize these issues blur the real and much more important matters like the crucial roles of women in education and childrens health, as well as womens big role in our economy, Ari said. Discussion of the right clothing for women is a censorship of womens powerful roles that are much more important. Such thoughts, he said, influenced his creative process during the artistin-residency program. I intentionally create three dimensional objects that are a bit abstract to give space for people to think, question, or imagine the meaning of censorship in these works, he said. Art observer Farah Wardani said in the exhibitions introduction that Ari may have explored womens images but the artist was fully aware that the image of women within society has changed over time. The artist, she said, never felt the changes to be problematic, nor to be necessarily right or wrong choices. In his art, he just wants to show how the value attached to different images is subjective and, by playing around with them, to underline the paradoxes and ambiguities of these images, Farah said. It may also be that this project, like many of Aris works, is an attempt to promote freedom from censorship and its negative consequences, freedom of an individual to gain strength and to enjoy liberty, in harmony with the rest of society. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 In a cafe, Aabie Ryan was excited when talking about Ghost Detector, a parenting kit that she created with her 13-year-old son, Vito Alif, to help her 5-year-old daughter, Phaedra Kaesara, deal with her fear of ghosts. The detector is nothing like the weapon used by actress Melissa McCarthy when playing Abby Yates in the film Ghostbusters. The kit is a thermometer-like device with a small monitor on which word ghost will pop up if the room becomes cold. The word will disappear if the temperature is raised. Aabie was one of 14 participants of the first Digital Design Weekend held by British Council Indonesia on a recent weekend in Kota Tua in West Jakarta. She recalled that Phaedra often assumed that ghosts were around her every time she felt cold. Aabie then created the Ghost Detector and explained that if her daughter wanted to expel the ghosts, she just needed to raise the temperature of her room. By using this tool, children can solve their fears because what makes them afraid is something in their minds, she said of Ghost Detector, which won Best Design in the science fiction competition, Sci-Fi Hardware Hackathon 2016, in August in Jakarta. Inspired by an annual event of the same name held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Digital Design Weekend aimed to boost cultural relations between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. (Read also: Digital Design Weekend: when art meets technology, science) With five artists from the UK and nine from Indonesia participating, the Digital Design Weekend is part of UK/ID Festival 2016, a series of events and performances by the best young creative minds from the two countries. The festival, which runs until Dec. 10 across Indonesia, kicked off on Oct. 18 at the NuArt Gallery in Bandung, West Java, with a visually breathtaking show, XFRMR, performed by artist Robbie Thomson, who harnessed the sound capabilities of the Tesla coil to make music. In Jakartas downtown Kota Tua, the 14 participants presented their work in four spots, namely the Historia cafe, the Aroma Nusantara cafe, the Kedai Pos cafe and the Batavia Market. At the Historia cafe, for example, digital agency Think.Web presented a facedetecting camera app called Face Recognition. It stole the attention of many because it could detect information on the faces of visitors, ranging from gender and age to the level of their happiness. Aruna Laksana, the agencys project manager, said that before releasing it to the public the app, created in August, would be first tested at his office in January next year by using it to record employees attendance. He said he is confident that people will warmly welcome his app. This will also benefit blind people to help them learn information about their conversation partners. In the same building, visitors also learned the experience of being blind through a 15-minute immersive virtual reality project named Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness, created by directors James Spinney and Peter Middleton. By using a Samsung Gear VR headset, they entered the world of theologian John Hull, who spent 16 years chronicling his degenerative blindness in an audio journal before total darkness fell in 1983. The project combined binaural audio and real time 3D to give the sense of going blind alongside Hull. Meanwhile, at Kedai Pos, visitors entered the world of writer Jane Gauntlett, who suffered from a traumatic brain injury when she was violently mugged in 2007, through a virtual project called In My Shoes: Dancing with Myself. The project depicts the real story of Gauntlett when she suddenly experienced an epileptic seizure in a restaurant in London. On a round table covered with a white tablecloth, visitor Lisvi Fadlilah experienced the 13-minute, 360-degree film. When I used the VR headset, I became Gauntlett. I was [virtually] sitting in a restaurant, waiting for a man. When we were chatting, my eyes suddenly blurred and then I fainted, she said. Jon Cooper, an assistant of Gauntlett, said that in 2011 she created the work with an expectation that people would openly discuss and dialogue about epilepsy after experiencing it. In My Shoes: Dancing with Myself and Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness will be presented again from Dec. 1 to 4 at the Dutch cultural center, Erasmus Huis, in Jakarta and from Dec. 5 to 10 during the Documentary Film Festival in Yogyakarta. (Read also: Marveling at Magritte's 'Treacherous Images' in Paris exhibition) When asked for his reason to bring the award-winning projects to the country, British Council arts and creative industries director Adam Pushkin answered: This is about disability from the perspective of disabled people. They often dont get a chance to tell their stories and this is an opportunity for us to understand them. Pushkin said he was satisfied with the first Digital Design Weekend in Indonesia and he hoped that it would create an environment in which more artists from the two countries would have conversations about more collaborations in the future. However, he said he had yet to know whether it could be an annual event. This [Digital Design Weekend] is an experiment. I am very keen to continue to engage in the field of digital culture because a lot of people in Indonesia and in the UK are interested in it. We want to encourage them to work and play together, said Pushkin. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Associated Press) Burnsville, Minnesota, United States Tue, November 29, 2016 A Muslim woman has become the first to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant while fully clothed. Halima Aden made the semifinals of the competition over the weekend while wearing a hijab. She also wore a full-body outfit called a burkini during the swimsuit competition. (Read also: Playboy magazine features hijabi woman for first time) The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Aden's swim outfit stood in contrast to those of the other 44 contestants, most of whom wore bikinis. Before the competition, the 19-year-old Somali-American woman told Minnesota Public Radio News that the pageant was "a great platform to show the world who I am." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 A North Korean movie festival kicked off at the Ice Palace Concert Hall in Lotte Shopping Avenue, South Jakarta, on Monday. Organized by the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights (NKnet) and slated to run until Wednesday, the North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival (NHIFF) will feature several documentaries about the country. The program includes Russian production Under the Sun, which was screened on the opening day, and a Korea-France production titled Madam B that is scheduled for a Tuesday screening at the Library Hall of Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java. The event will close on Wednesday with screenings of The Regular Hire, I Love South Korea and Aria at the Jakarta Indonesia Korean School in East Jakarta. (Read also: ASEAN turns down North Korea's request for dialogue partnership: Diplomat Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) deputy director Wahyudi Djafar (left to right), South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Cho Tai-young and North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival (NHIFF) executive member Yoo Jae-kill pose together at the opening of the NHIFF at Lotte Shopping Avenue, South Jakarta, on Nov. 28.(JP/Masajeng Rahmiasri) I think using cinema as a means to raise awareness is a very effective way to raise understanding about the situation in North Korea, Marzuki Darusman, former UN special rapporteur on the situation in North Korea, said during the opening ceremony on Monday. Hopefully, after [watching] this movie, we will witness greater support for human rights protection in North Korea, said Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) deputy director Wahyudi Djafar, adding that such support was part of solidarity for Asian nations in strengthening human rights protection and fulfillment in the region. South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Cho Tai-young also addressed the matter, saying: For example, if you are detained, thrown into prison for reasons you cant understand, how can you live a happy life? But, unfortunately that is what's going on in North Korea." He was hopeful, though, that audience members would start to take action regarding the matter after becoming more informed via the screening. (Read also: UN Security Council set to approve new North Korea sanctions Since 2011, the festival has screened around 80 movies and produced 15 movies through contests. It aims to raise global audience members awareness on North Korean human rights in order to improve rights in the country. It is also eyeing the unification of South and North Korea. The NHIFF is being held in Indonesia by NKnet together with cohosts ELSAM and the Indonesian Advocacy Center for Law and Human Rights (Paham). In addition to Indonesia, the festival has been hosted in North America and Germany. The NHIFF is scheduled to commence in Australia on Dec. 4 to 10. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Users of Qlue, a smartphone app developed by the Jakarta administration to gather public complaints, have been complaining about the feedback from officials on the app. Sometimes they give half-hearted feedback. This is what Qlue users have been keeping their eyes on, Qlue marketing communication manager Elita Yunanda said on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com. Elita said users had complained mostly about their reports not being accommodated by the regional working units or agencies. For instance, an officer reportedly sent a photo to a user informing them that they had finished works when in reality they had not been completed. Another complaint pertained to illegal parking. (Read also: Monitoring app Qlue helps Jakarta improve services, efficiency) Elita said the decline in service was apparent after Basuki "Ahok" Tjahja Purnama became a non-active governor. She also explained that although disappointed, users would not be able to do much. They know that it is the governments job to do monitoring and not Qlues, because Qlue is only a tool to make reports, she said. Despite the decline in feedback quality, kompas.com reported that there were still many reports being submitted via the app. (mas/kes) (Read also: 5 reasons working remotely is more beneficial for startups) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Wahyoe Boediwardhana (The Jakarta Post) Pasuruan Tue, November 29, 2016 Dominated by young people, micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) businesspeople today tend to combine the pursuit of profits with social and environmental responsibilities. Khilda Baiti Rohmah, 28, the founder of Sampahkoe in Cimahi, West Java, for instance, decided to become engaged in processing waste into something of high economic value after seeing the economic hardship experienced by garbage collectors in her neighborhood. I was thinking about how to help increase their income and promote their welfare without making them leave their job, Khilda told The Jakarta Post at an exhibition on social and environmental innovation and entrepreneurship in Pasuruan regency, East Java, in October. Khildas perseverance was fruitful. Under her leadership, 50 family members of scavengers now produce at least 25 types of products from trash, such as toothpaste tubes, cement sacks and plastic cases for soap. At first, my turnover was only Rp150,000 [US$11], but now it has reached Rp 248 million annually. I have 12 regular employees and promote the skills of almost 5,000 women, said Khilda, who has expanded the sale of the products to Sweden, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, Brunei, Rwanda and China in cooperation with environmental NGOs. Her social business has increased local peoples income by Rp 350,000 per family, empowered at least 40 women per sub-district, upgraded sewing and crafting skills and opened new job opportunities for at least 100 people in each town in the regency. The technology graduate of Pasundan University, Bandung, currently works on processing paper waste into bioethanol and converting scrap polyvinyl chloride into merchandise of artistic value. Khildas targets for 2018 are to create 85 types of merchandise, set up galleries in five cities or regencies and five countries and rake in annual sales of Rp 400 million. (Read also: Diffable craft from Bantul) Adang Muhidin, another young entrepreneur, combines nature and music in his business venture. Together with some village youths, this native of Bandung, West Java, has developed a small business capitalizing on the regions bamboo potential. Adang has created 14 bamboo instruments and is now regarded the worlds first entrepreneur focusing on modern bamboo musical devices, which have been exported to 12 countries in Asia and Europe. Its been my dream to explore bamboo through the innovation of bamboo musical instruments for the awakening of the creative industry in Indonesia, said Adang, who is also the founder of the Indonesian Bamboo Community. Adang, who holds a degree from a university of applied sciences in Iserlohn, Germany, can turn bamboo into guitars, violins, contrabasses, clarinets, cellos, saxophones and drums. The bamboo instruments vary in prices, with violins, for instance, priced at Rp 400,000 to Rp 2.5 million. As Adangs products are rare and of high economic value, most buyers live in far away countries in Africa, Europe, the US or Japan. They become aware of Adangs creations through the internet. He sells two to three instruments a month and has had only two buyers from Indonesia. The biggest purchase came from France with an order of 700 saxophones. Now I wish to realize the creation of a bamboo piano, Adang said. Meanwhile, Fitrotin Nisak, a young woman from Sukorejo district, Pasuruan regency, has utilized and processed fabric remnants from a garment producer near his home into articles of economic value. Through her rags processing business, Nisak has gains increasing income and provides jobs for women of the neighborhood. The profit from selling bags, wallets and laptop cases totals Rp15 million monthly, she said. (Read also: South Tangerang teaches children how to treat waste) The trend of young people engaging in small but innovative social and environmental businesses is inseparable from tightening competition in Indonesias MSME segment, says Setyowati Rahayu, program manager at the Technology Innovation Foundation (Inotek). The young and idealist entrepreneurs are seeking ways of running businesses while fulfilling their social and environmental responsibility. Their number is still very small in Indonesia, but should increase, said Setyowati. Setyowati explained that small Indonesian businesses will face increasing challenges in the future. With the borderless ASEAN Economic Community effective as of early 2016, Indonesian small businesses must have competitive value, otherwise they will be lost in the aggressive market. She said today capital owners have a penchant to find business people who are capable of creating an impact in society. They no longer merely aim for profits but will also seek to see a direct impact on social and environmental conditions. This has been demonstrated by MSME entrepreneurs in India, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. To be frank, Indonesia is still lagging behind. However, Ive noticed some growth in this direction, Setyowati said. Finance Ministry data show that 99.9 percent of all business entities in Indonesia are MSMEs. The segment accounts for 97.2 percent of national employment and contributes 59.1 percent to the gross domestic product. Every year, Inotek in cooperation with PT HM Sampoerna, screens proposals from hundreds of innovative MSMEs all over Indonesia for further selection. The top ten will be receive aid for their further business development. Sampoerna president director Paul Janelle said the company under his management would continue to stimulate entrepreneurship in Indonesia. Thats in line with President Joko Jokowi Widodos Nine Points agenda, which includes national economic growth acceleration by boosting the competitiveness of MSMEs to contribute more to the Indonesian economy, he said. When Mela Siagian wears her batik on working days, she would probably be somewhat carelessly regarded as a state employee who is required to don the attire to abide by an office dresscode hence nothing special. The truth is, Mela is a freelancer. Im wearing batik because Im comfortable in it. Batik can be worn for casual or formal events, so Im wearing it because of that, she said. by: The Jakarta Post Life team Zaky, an employee for a tax-consultant office in Jakartas central business district, admits to wearing batik for its functionality, On Fridays, the office gives us an option to wear batik or a short-sleeved shirt, but I prefer batik because it reflects our culture more, he said. Locals are not the only ones proudly donning batik at work. Aston Goad, a foreign counsel for IAB&F, wears batik even though its not an office requirement. I like it: particularly colorful batik. I also think that Im working here and Im a guest in your country, so I think its only fair to comply with the locals and wear batik on Fridays like everyone else, he said. Goad is also willing to pay good money for high-quality batik. I would be willing to spend maybe Rp 3 million [US$224] to Rp 4 million for a nice batik." Gujarati traders who came to the island of Java in the 6th century would have been proud to see that the resist-dyeing technique on cloths they had brought helped shape one of Indonesias most beloved cultural icons: batik. In the span of four centuries since the beginning of canting (spouted bowl) and malam (hot liquid wax) usage, batik has grown far and wide from being clothing pieces once only donned by royals and blue-bloods in formal events to becoming semi-compulsory office attire for modern Indonesians. Batiks popularity soared in 2009 when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on Indonesians to wear batik following its inclusion by UNESCO in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. However, the visible love of batik represented by its daily wearers now poses a question: Is the greater public loving batik without sufficient knowledge? In other words: Is the love so great that batik is loved blindly? The nurturing custodians The Jakarta Post visited Iwan Tirtas boutique in South Jakarta, which is still in business even after the batik maestros passing in 2010. His atelier still holds 13,000 batik motifs, a grand collection that he obtained from multiple palaces in Central Java. Iwan Tirta was not only granted access to the palaces, he was also permitted to make duplicates of royal motifs. Designer Era Soekamto currently holds the torch for preserving and developing Iwan Tirtas masterpieces, as well as for following in his footsteps as the cultures custodian. Iwan Tirta once said that he wasnt the one who invented batik, but he always said, I nurture batik as any custodian would. So I'm following his lead, Era said. Coming from an aristocratic family, Era is no stranger to the Javanese culture that is very close to batik in everyday life, but this didnt make her immediately attach herself to batik. After learning how to draw patterns using the canting at the age of 18, she left batik to pursue other dreams. I was young. I wanted to be a fashion designer so I left the Javanese culture to become one. It was not until my parents passed away that I realized that batik is my true calling. According to Era, batik is a two-sided coin. First, it is a process of babat (story) and titik (dots). Its a magnificent process, from drawing using a canting and stamp and then theres the isen process, sogan process, coloring and many more steps to achieve a smooth and soft batik. A batik-making process should be accompanied by meditation as for the makers it is a meditation process, she said. The other half of the coin, Era said, portrays batik as conveying subliminal messages. The motifs in batik are not made just like that. They're made through a process of emptying the soul to receive inspiration, or as the Javanese say, kewahyon. This is a very sacred process because batik is a chronogram or visual communication that always speaks about Gods oneness or God within ourselves, she elaborated. Referring to the makrifat (highest knowledge) spiritualism, Era Soekamto is convinced that batik is a clothing piece that needs to be worn so there is an energy involvement between the chronogram motifs made of more than just canting and malam, but also intentions and prayers. (JP/I.G. Dharma J.S.) A passion for batik is also possessed by Atilah Soeryadjaya, a noblewoman from Surakarta's Mangkunegaran Palace. As a member of a royal family, Atilah is accustomed to using batik in royal ceremonial events. Having grown up within the palace walls, it was a compulsory thing for me to collect batik. My parents have arranged certain batiks to wear on certain occasions in certain ages. I always regard batik as an extraordinary art form. All the motifs have philosophical meanings and stories behind them and thats why I admire batik so much, Atilah told the Post. Today, Atilahs collection encompasses classic Javanese batik as well as those made outside Java. I collect batik from all over the archipelago: from Sabang to Merauke, Central, West and East Java, even those from eastern Indonesia, she said. Atilah shares her passion with her friends by encouraging them to study her collection. I educate my circle. My friends often come to see and learn about the motifs from my collection. Im also in a traditional dance troupe and I educate my fellow dancers that every motif has its own philosophy and history. Go Tik Swan (far right) introduced to President Soekarno by batik maestro, Ibu Sud. (Photo: Carmanita Private Collection) Meanwhile, about 500 kilometers from Jakarta in the city of Surakarta, Go Tik Swans batik, which are known as Batik Indonesia, are kept securely by his beneficiary, Siti Supiyah Anggriyani. Supiyah is currently managing the Batik Indonesia collection that dates back to the 1950s, encompassing 200 motifs created by Go Tik Swan, who was also known as Panembahan Hardjonagoro. Batik Indonesia was born from President Sukarnos request to Go Tik Swan to create Indonesian batik with motifs that are different from the ones often found in Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Pekalongan or any other areas, Supiyah explained. Go Tik Swans batiks are not just among the most coveted items for collectors, which includes national public figures, businesspeople and ambassadors among others, they are also shown in museums worldwide. Fashion designer Carmanita is somebody else who is synonymous with Indonesian batik. A direct descendant of the legendary batik maker, Saridjah Niung Bintang Soedibjo -- affectionately known by Indonesians as Ibu Sud -- Carmanita preserves her grandmothers batik as well as creating her own. Although coming from a classical batik background, Carmanita has her own definition of batik. You must understand that batik is the process of dying textiles or fabric. The process is always using wax, paraffin tools like canting or cap, stamping. Like my clothing is done from stamping. That is my definition of batik, she stated firmly. You dont consider the motif, you dont consider the color, as they have nothing to do with batik, as it is a process of textiles, she argued. Chitra Subijakto, a fashion designer who jumped on the batik bandwagon two years ago with her contemporary batik brand Sejauh Mata Memandang, agrees with Carmanitas views on batik. Batik is the making process. Any fabric that uses malam and gets their motifs drawn by stamp or canting is batik. Differences aside, while designers and high-end boutiques might have the luxury to keep making batik with the traditional methods, what about batik retailers? One of Indonesias most notable batik brands, Parang Kencana, operates a large retail operation with 11 independent stores across Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali, and counters in 12 department stores in the capital city. However, the brand preserves the traditions as owner and founder, Mariana Sutandi, stated: Up until now we still use malam for our stamp and hand-painted batiks. Its related to our vision and mission that aims to preserve batik. A similar process is used by Alleira Batik, a modern Indonesian batik brand that was established in 2005 to target the middle- and upper-income population. The brand claims to still use malam in its batik-making process. Alleira COO, Zakaria Hamzah said, Its a given fact that batik in Indonesia is about its manual or handmade process, as well as the traditional patterns that has been used for generations until today. The problematic batik While there are batik enthusiasts who share the same view that batik should be about the traditional process involving canting and malam, opposing views come from producers of printed or factory-made batiks. Lie Kok Tie, owner of Batik Indraloka, is the third generation to continue his grandfathers business that started in 1936 in the Karet area in South Jakarta. I dont really care about whether it uses malam or not, because the technology is developing. So I think what we call printing is its design, it's pattern and not its process. ~Lie Kok Tie, Owner of Batik Indraloka If its about the process, then everything is developing. From hand-painted, block-print to print and then maybe to digital print, the newest technology in the future. To me, what makes batik a batik is its pattern, he continued. Although selling his products to Singapore, Malaysia, Burma and Nepal was successful in the past, Kok Tie decided to stop exporting in 1996. We stopped exporting because they could create their own batik already. Malaysia said it can produce its own batik now, he said. While focusing on the domestic market may be a great idea for Lie Kok Ties business, this leads to fierce competition for local batik artisans. (JP/Bayu Widhiatmoko) Era Soekamto said diplomatically: Factory-made batiks are actually valid products, as long as theres a form of responsibility from the manufacturers to channel the subliminal messages. If there arent any messages and the process doesnt involve canting-drawing, wax processes and all that, then what is being preserved? Nothing preserved there, as batik becomes just a commodity, while at the beginning it really was not, but I understand how people want to leverage their access to batik, so many more can enjoy batik. The cheaper it gets, the more people can wear batik. I understand that point, but thats not how we preserve batik, she added. Carmanita expressed her firm opinion about factory-made batiks, People have the right to wear batik in their own ways, but if a factory creates batik with a printing method, they must not say its batik. They must refer to it as printed batik. They cannot say its batik, she said. Another concern revolving around batik is about imported batik. A surge of imported textiles with batik prints was reported in 2008. The Industry Ministry estimated that the products illegally imported, mostly from China, were estimated to be worth Rp 290 billion annually. According to a report by Antara news agency, the Trade Ministry recorded that the value of imported batik in 2013 was $80.8 billion and was $87.1 billion in 2014. It saw another 24.1 percent increase in 2015. During the same year, tempo.co noted that handcrafted batiks were sold for Rp 450,000 to Rp 2 million per 2.5 meters in Yogyakarta, while synthetic-colored hand-crafted batik was valued at Rp 350,000 to Rp 1 million. In a stark contrast, printed batik, which is how the Chinese batik is made, was sold for Rp 20,000 per meter. Although there were lesser amounts of imported batik being sold in Jakarta in 2016, concerns over it persist. The Trade Ministry established a regulation last year on textile imports and batik and batik motif textile products. The regulation doesnt fully disallow importing batik, but imposes stricter controls on the batik-importing process that cover types of textiles, permission to import, quantity and permitted ports for importing batik. Regarding concerns over imported batik, Era Soekamto suggests batik makers self-reflect. When there is demand, there should be supply. If we dont have enough supply, then there will be somebody taking advantage of it. So do we have to be angry when people have access to cheaper imports? We should use the opportunity to learn and find ways to produce batik more massively, she said adamantly. At the same time, Carmanita raised another alarming concern: What I'm afraid of is the regeneration of the batik makers. If 50 out of 100 batik artisans are offered a better job for a better salary, they will leave batik. Im afraid the makers will go away and to make a new generation who love to do batik is not easy. Although currently handling more than 600 artisans who produce 1,200 hand-crafted batiks per month, Era Soekamto shares the same concern as Carmanita: regeneration. In Pekalongan, if a young person cant do batik, he will feel a loss, so regeneration will always happen. The problem is the patience, which are not possessed by these young people, at least not the same level of patience when compared to the older ones. Nowadays there are distractions from gadgets and also other more appealing professions, she said. Supiyah of Go Tik Swan batiks laments about the lack of sustainability of youngsters interest. There are a lot of high school and college students who learn batik here, but its just for school purposes. After they graduate, they dont come back. She stressed that the hardship in regeneration is due to local economic development, Kids today prefer to be salespeople in malls and also factory workers. We find regeneration in batik a bit hard. The regeneration problems have a direct effect on production capacity. Despite of its exclusivity, Go Tik Swan is only able to produce 12 pieces of batiks per year, as each cloth takes four to five months to finish. Larger numbers of artisans may be the answer to the problem. For instance, Iwan Tirtas batik under Era Soekamtos direction currently employs 600 artisans who are able to produce up to 1,200 motifs per month, with six to eight months production time per cloth. However, printed batik is ahead production-wise, a case in point being Lie Kok Ties factory's ability to produce up to three or four patterns, 3,000 to 5,000 yards of batik fabric, about 1,200 pieces of clothing, on a daily basis, amounting to a total of 10 days to two weeks for production. Without the fierce competition of faster-produced factory-made batiks, frustrated batik makers often tell Carmanita that they cannot sell their batik although the prices are already at the lowest point. Their batiks are so cheap. Sometimes it makes me wonder how much their capital is, how much their profit is. Its so silly that they cannot sell, she said. Carmanita nurtures batik makers by mentoring them on making batik on larger cloth sizes, coloring, mixing combinations and other methods to finally sell at better prices. How much is better, though? Mass-produced printed batik, which ranges from Rp 50,000 to Rp 70,000 for a piece of batik fabric and Rp 250,000 to Rp 450,000 for batik clothing, is a far cry from handmade batik that usually comes in a price range of between Rp 500,000 and an extravagant price of Rp 100 million. The middle class wears the most batik. However, they dont have any brand, technique preference or the will to spend a huge amount of money when it comes to batik shopping. Alin Pangabean, a freelance worker, is willing to spend between Rp 200,000 and Rp 500,000 for formal batik wear, But beside that, I can pay less than Rp 200,000 for batik. Mela Siagian agrees: I dont have a specific budget for buying batik, but it can be from Rp 100,000 to Rp 300,000. Love and learn All differences aside, Indonesians are undoubtedly in love with batik and will continue to be. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Semarang, Central Java on Nov. 15 has proved the diplomatic power of batik to align two neighboring countries to form a fruitful relationship for the future. However powerful batik is, the dilemma between loving and appreciating batik as an art form is seriously regarded by Atilah Soeryadjaya. I am still optimistic that batik in Indonesia will continue to develop due to the existence of batik lovers. We cannot compete with machine- and factory-made batiks. The only way we can continue to preserve the culture is to educate the public on the difference between batik tulis, which bears a high culture and art form, and the factory-made ones, she said. Carmanita echoes Atilahs sentiments, calling for the governments deeper involvement in education about batik, Schools and educational institutions have to teach the public about batik. They have to, even in international schools. I think they must insert a 20 to 30 percent portion about this Indonesian culture into their programs. That has to come from the government. Amid the controversy surrounding factory-made batik, Batik Indraloka owner Lie Kok Tie said he has batik lovers best interests at heart. I think batik is being produced half-heartedly in the market without attention being paid to its quality and price. They dont look professionally made, he said. The wearer might be disappointed because the cloths colors are already washed away because it didnt meet the standards. This is what I am afraid of, that people wont be proud to wear batik, although the government has already encouraged them. In the end, batik will be forever preserved and appreciated as long as there are batik enthusiasts like Mela, who are proud to don one simply because she finds it comfortable. "If I go to Jogja, I also buy batik at Klewer Market, so I don't have any favorite brands. If I like the motifs, I'll choose it," she said. Or as Zaky puts it: "The most important thing is that it's a local product. By wearing local products, we also help batik craftspeople, such as in Pekalongan or Surakarta, and thus improve their economy." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is still examining the dossier of the case of alleged blasphemy against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and hopes to finish the examination process soon. Prosecutors are still examining the dossier now. We hope to finish the examination soon, Ali Mukartono, the leader of the prosecutor's team handling Ahok's case, said at the AGO headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday. However, Ali said the team, consisting of 13 prosecutors, had not set a deadline on when the process would finish as according to the law they are allowed to return the dossier within 14 days after the document's submission. (Read also: Police expect quick AGO approval of Ahok's dossier) On Monday, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian expressed his optimism that prosecutors would complete the examination of the dossier soon. "Insya Allah (God willing), today [Monday] or tomorrow, the AGO will declare the dossier P-21 [complete]. We hope that this week we can submit the supporting evidence and hand over the suspect to the AGO, Tito said. On Friday, the AGOs junior prosecutor for general crimes Noor Rahmad said he expected to complete the P-21 case dossier in less than the allotted 14 days. Police previously named Ahok a suspect in case of alleged blasphemy after his statement about a verse in the Quran at an event in Thousand Islands regency in September. Angered by the statement, hundreds of thousands of people, led by conservative Muslim groups, staged a rally in front of the Presidential Palace on Nov. 4, demanding that the government prosecute Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, for his remarks. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Leaders of two powerful business lobby groups, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), have called on would-be participants in a planned large-scale rally on Dec. 2 to maintain order and collectively prevent actions that might disrupt business activities in Greater Jakarta. We have learned some indications that sweeps will be conducted at a number of factories in some areas. We, as business players, do not want this to happen, Kadin chairman Rosan Roeslani said on Tuesday. (Read also: Police to reroute traffic during Dec. 2 rally) Apindo chairman Hariyadi B. Sukamdani said a dozen companies in Tangerang, for example, had to stop their production activities on Nov. 24 after a group of protesters carried out a sweep to encourage workers join their labor rally on that day. We want to emphasize that business players respect democracy, but we want them [protesters] to also respect our rights, he said. Previously, the leadership of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) announced that its members would join the Dec. 2 rally, initiated by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Council of Ulemas Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) to demand the arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy. (win/hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 Indonesia once rode the crest of a coal wave, which taught industry players a painful lesson, moving them to reduce dependency on China. People in Kalimantan can recall the coal mining euphoria of 2008 to 2012, when thousands of people traveled across the country with the aim of making it big in the coal business, particularly in East and South Kalimantan, amid soaring demand from China. Moreover, following the issuance of the 2009 Mining Law, which grants local administrations the authority to issue licenses, including to amateur mining companies, more than 10,000 coal mining permits had been issued as of last year, compared to the 900 permits issued from 1967 to 2009. The heyday of coal in Kalimantan was marked by the rapid growth of motorcycle sales. At least 2,000 new motorcycles were sold per month in the region during that period, said Kahar Albahri, NGO Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) East Kalimantan coordinator from 2006 to 2014. With high incomes, he continued, people who worked in coal mines could easily afford to buy motorcycles, while automotive financing firms were also calmly disbursing loans to them. The closure of 11,155 coal mines in China between 2005 and 2008 led to a plunge in domestic supplies and spiraling imports. As Southeast Asias largest coal exporter, Indonesia was profiting from this situation. Indonesia saw a 71.6 percent increase in thermal coal production to 412 million tons in 2012, from 240 million tons in 2008. During that period, the countrys coal exports to China jumped 420 percent to 81.6 million tons, from 15.6 million tons. At that time, everyone was very excited, including analysts, mass media and investors. They said China would keep growing and import more coal, from 70 million tons to 400 million tons within 10 years, said Dileep Srivastava, director and corporate secretary of Indonesias largest thermal coal miner, Bumi Resources. They were all bullish, he further said, while nobody was prepared for what was to come in the global economy. What happened next was a disaster for coal miners worldwide. Chinas economy grew only 7.8 percent in 2012, its slowest pace in 13 years, on the back of the global economic slowdown. Chinas coal imports have dropped since then, along with a plunge in global consumption. It saw 156 million tons of coal imports in 2015, from 266.7 million in 2013, while coal prices dropped to around US$58 per ton last year, far below the average of $125 per ton in 2008. Hence, Indonesia saw its coal exports to China slashed by 59 percent to 36.7 million tons in 2015, from 89.7 million tons in 2013. Coal production also fell to 392 million tons from 474 million tons. When the price plummeted, our coal industry was heavily affected because we exported most of our coal to China and India, said Sammy Hamzah, Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) energy and mineral resources division head. Bank Indonesia (BI) data shows the contribution of the mining sector to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) and total exports declined to 4.3 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively, in 2015, from 5.9 percent and 16.6 percent in 2012. Coal miners were in trouble. Publicly listed miner Berau Coal Energy, for instance, announced in December 2015 that it was in the process of buying back its notes as part of the companys debt-restructuring program, which involved its debt of $950 million. Meanwhile, the politically wired Bakrie familys Bumi sealed an agreement on Nov. 9 with its creditors and bondholders to undertake a debt-restructuring scheme following its inability to pay liabilities amounting to Rp 135.78 trillion ($10 billion). The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) said more than 100 small coal miners with less than 1 million tons in annual production stopped operations in 2015. More than 60,000 people were laid off from 2012 until 2015. At least 12,000 units of heavy equipment in Kalimantan were seized by financing firms in 2015. The same trend was seen in the motorcycle industry, Kahar said. Such an aftermath pushed coal players to be more careful and to not rely on China. Publicly listed Toba Bara Sejahtra has started diversifying its export destinations. Exports to China, which stood at 33 percent of the companys total export volume in 2014, were only equal to 5 percent within the first nine months of this year. Meanwhile, South Korea and India have been its biggest importers this year, with 25 percent and 21 percent in contributions, respectively. We really want to reduce our dependency on China, Toba Bara director Arthur Simatupang said. -------------------- to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The Surabaya Corruption Court in East Java kicked off on Tuesday the trial of former state-owned enterprises minister and media mogul Dahlan Iskan, who has been implicated in a graft case centering on the sale of a company owned by the East Java provincial administration. The court initially scheduled the Tuesday hearing as the reading of indictment against Dahlan but decided to postpone it as the defendant appeared alone before the judges without a legal defense team. The reading of the indictment has been postponed until next week, presiding judge Tahsin said as quoted by kompas.com. When asked by reporters, Dahlan refused to comment on the absence of his legal defense team. (Read also: Dahlan claims politics behind his arrest) The East Java Prosecutors Office charged Dahlan under articles 2 and 3 of the 2001 Corruption Law, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Dahlan, who was once a presidential hopeful at the Democratic Party presidential convention in 2013, was arrested late last month immediately after investigators declared him a suspect in the case. Dahlan was named a suspect in his capacity as former director of the province-owned company PT Panca Wira Usaha (PWU) that he led from 2000 to 2010. Investigators found irregularities in the sales of 33 assets belonging to PWU during his tenure as director. Dahlan has claimed his arrest was politically motivated, especially after president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonos regime ended in October 2014. Dahlan was a close aide to Yudhoyono, the chairman of the Democratic Party who had appointed Dahlan as the director general of state-owned electricity company PLN from 2009 to 2011. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 New reality: A visitor holds a device up to her eyes to enter a virtual reality experience called Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness. In a cafe, Aabie Ryan was excited when talking about Ghost Detector, a parenting kit that she created with her 13-year-old son, Vito Alif, to help her 5-year-old daughter, Phaedra Kaesara, deal with her fear of ghosts. The detector is nothing like the weapon used by actress Melissa McCarthy when playing Abby Yates in the film Ghostbusters. The kit is a thermometer-like device with a small monitor on which word ghost will pop up if the room becomes cold. The word will disappear if the temperature is raised. Aabie was one of 14 participants of the first Digital Design Weekend held by British Council Indonesia on a recent weekend in Kota Tua in West Jakarta. She recalled that Phaedra often assumed that ghosts were around her every time she felt cold. Aabie then created the Ghost Detector and explained that if her daughter wanted to expel the ghosts, she just needed to raise the temperature of her room. By using this tool, children can solve their fears because what makes them afraid is something in their minds, she said of Ghost Detector, which won Best Design in the science fiction competition, Sci-Fi Hardware Hackathon 2016, in August in Jakarta. Inspired by an annual event of the same name held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Digital Design Weekend aimed to boost cultural relations between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. With five artists from the UK and nine from Indonesia participating, the Digital Design Weekend is part of UK/ID Festival 2016, a series of events and performances by the best young creative minds from the two countries. The festival, which runs until Dec. 10 across Indonesia, kicked off on Oct. 18 at the NuArt Gallery in Bandung, West Java, with a visually breathtaking show, XFRMR, performed by artist Robbie Thomson, who harnessed the sound capabilities of the Tesla coil to make music. In Jakartas downtown Kota Tua, the 14 participants presented their work in four spots, namely the Historia cafe, the Aroma Nusantara cafe, the Kedai Pos cafe and the Batavia Market. At the Historia cafe, for example, digital agency Think.Web presented a face-detecting camera app called Face Recognition. It stole the attention of many because it could detect information on the faces of visitors, ranging from gender and age to the level of their happiness. Aruna Laksana, the agencys project manager, said that before releasing it to the public the app, created in August, would be first tested at his office in January next year by using it to record employees attendance. He said he is confident that people will warmly welcome his app. This will also benefit blind people to help them learn information about their conversation partners. in the same building, visitors also learned the experience of being blind through a 15-minute immersive virtual reality project named Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness, created by directors James Spinney and Peter Middleton. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 JAKARTA: Regional lender Bank Pembangunan Daerah Banten (Bank Banten) has laid off half of its workers so far this year to maintain profitability. Bank Banten announced in its financial report that from January to September this year, it laid off 1,565 employees. It now has 2,776 workers, from 4,341 previously. The lenders president director said one of its strategies to record profits was greater efficiency. We will focus on Banten province. Work units outside Banten will be evaluated, Heru told kontan.co.id on Saturday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 E-commerce platform Elevenia, which is jointly run by telecommunications operator PT XL Axiata and South Koreas SK Planet Ltd., plans to focus on selling global products and raising awareness of its current services to differentiate itself from competitors next year. Elevenia spokesman Rezki Yanuar said on Tuesday that customer demand for global products had surged each year, which prompted the firm to launch a service called Titip Beli dari Korea [Help Me Buy from Korea] recently. With this new feature, customers are able to get their desired products from Korea in less than a month. We are currently selling products from China. In the future, we are also planning to make US products easily available on our sites, he told The Jakarta Post. Other than that, Elevenia will focus on raising awareness of its service launched this year called Mokado, which offers digital coupons for restaurants, events and other leisure activities at discounted prices. Mokado still needs to be promoted more; this is one of our unique products that we want to support, he said. Elevenia claims to have more than 4 million members with 41,000 sellers on its site, selling more than 8 million products. (win/yan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon has said he will not join a rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama on Friday. I will visit Panama on Friday. If I was here, I would attend the rally, the Gerindra Party politician said on Monday, as reported by kompas.com. Fadli said he had been invited by the organizer, the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), to join the rally. The demonstration is set to call on police to detain Ahok over a blasphemy case in which Ahok has been named a suspect. The governor is currently on leave from his gubernatorial duties as he is campaigning for reelection. (Read also: Police give go-ahead for large-scale rally on Dec. 2) Fadli and another deputy House speaker, Fahri Hamzah from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), were among tens of thousands of people joining a rally on Nov. 4, which had also been led by the GNPF-MUI and ended in violence. President Joko Jokowi Widodo has accused political actors of being behind the rally. A few days after the rally, Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto met Jokowi at the Presidential Palace, expressing his support for the government. On Monday, police gave the GNPF-MUI permission to conduct the rally on Friday at the National Monument (Monas) park, rather than along Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman, as initially planned by the organizers. Up to 600,000 people are predicted to join the rally on Friday. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 There is a possibility that former terrorism convicts will join a large demonstration against non-acting Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, which is planned for Friday, an official has said. They are now in several spots. They are waiting for the right momentum, National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Comr. Gen Suhardi Alius said on Monday, as reported by tribunnews.com. Suhardi said some members of hard-line groups believed to join the demonstration were former terrorism convicts. (Read also: Nine arrested during Nov. 4 rally have links to IS: Police) Similarly, Yenny Wahid, the director of the Wahid Foundation, claimed to have received information that several former terrorism convicts would join the event, which is organized by a group calling itself the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI). Based on our reports, people who used to be members of Al-Qaeda and new members [affiliated with the] Islamic State group [will join on Friday]. So we have to be alert, said Yenny, the daughter of former president Abdurrahman Wahid. Earlier in the day, the GNPF-MUI leader Rizieq Shihab, who is also the leader of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), met National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and agreed that the rally would be conducted at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta. The group had earlier planned to conduct Friday prayers along Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman as part of the rally to demand that the police detain Ahok for alleged blasphemy. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Indra Budiari, Haeril Halim and Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Semarang Tue, November 29 2016 A combination of tough security and legal threats and negotiation by the police is believed to have been instrumental in persuading Muslim groups to drop their previous plan to hold mass Friday prayers at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Dec. 2. After a series of meetings with Rizieq Shihab, the firebrand leader of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesia Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) and Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Maruf Amin as well as intensive consultations with major Islamic organizations, the National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Monday that Fridays protest would be conducted within the confines of National Monument (Monas) Square. Eventually we agreed that the Dec. 2 action will be held at Monas from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Tito said after meeting with Maruf and Rizieq on Monday. The police chief explained there would be no rally on Friday and instead the mass activity would consist only of dzikir (mass chants in praise of God), sermons and Friday prayers. We hope the solemnity of the religious activity will not be disrupted or damaged by chants of protest, Tito said, adding that he would have a meeting with the Jakarta administration to discuss the technical details of Fridays protest Tito added that he had coordinated with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gatot Nurmantyo in ensuring the safety and security of the event. We will prepare the site, which can accomodate between 600,000 and 700,000 people. If that is still not enough space we can also prepare Jl. Merdeka Selatan, said Tito. President Joko Jokowi Widodo launched an intensive political tour, including meetings with prominent Muslim leaders and major political parites, to ease tensions ahead of the massive protest. The police also told labor union leaders to cancel their planned participation in the rally, saying the government had been very accomodating toward workers demands for higher wages. Earlier Rizieq, who is also leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), boasted that no one could stop him or the protesters from conducting their Friday prayers at the iconic Jakarta location despite police orders to drop the plan because it would disrupt traffic and public order. The stark differences between us [protesters and police] had become a national-, even international-, scale polemic. Now weve finally been able to listen to each others reasoning and arguments with clear minds, Rizieq said during Mondays press conference, which was also attended by Tito and Maruf. In exchange for the the compromise made by the protesters, the police and Rizieq agreed that regional police chiefs across the country would lift prohibitions on residents from their respective areas joining the rally in the capital as well as no longer ask transportation companies not to take the protesters to Jakarta. Initiated by the GNPF-MUI, Muslim groups staged a mass rally on Nov. 4, demanding the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, an event which many believe heavily influenced the polices decision to name the outspoken governor a blasphemy suspect. Terrorist groups are also suspected to have made an attempt to hijack the protest. Tito said police had arrested 12 alleged terrorists, some of whom were caught with explosive materials in their possession, and who had planned to join the Nov. 4 rally. There are a number of groups who tried to take advantage of this large-scale mass rally, we hope that Fridays rally will be safe, Tito said. A number of regional law enforcement officers have urged local residents not to go to Jakarta to take part in Fridays rally. Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said he and the Central Java Police chief were ready to listen to residents concerns about the issue. Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Monday that the government had no intention of prohibiting anyone from taking part in the rally. However, he called on the participants to refrain from disrupting the citys daily activities. Friday prayers should be held in a mosque or open field. So, given that there are many mosques in Jakarta, please dont disrupt traffic and economic activity in the city, the Vice President said. ________________________________ to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Indra Budiari, Haeril Halim and Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta/Semarang Tue, November 29, 2016 A combination of tough security and legal threats and negotiation by the police is believed to have been instrumental in persuading Muslim groups to drop their previous plan to hold mass Friday prayers at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Dec. 2. After a series of meetings with Rizieq Shihab, the firebrand leader of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesia Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) and Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Maruf Amin as well as intensive consultations with major Islamic organizations, the National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Monday that Fridays protest would be conducted within the confines of National Monument (Monas) Square. Eventually we agreed that the Dec. 2 action will be held at Monas from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Tito said after meeting with Maruf and Rizieq on Monday. The police chief explained there would be no rally on Friday and instead the mass activity would consist only of dzikir (mass chants in praise of God), sermons and Friday prayers. We hope the solemnity of the religious activity will not be disrupted or damaged by chants of protest, Tito said, adding that he would have a meeting with the Jakarta administration to discuss the technical details of Fridays protest Tito added that he had coordinated with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gatot Nurmantyo in ensuring the safety and security of the event. We will prepare the site, which can accomodate between 600,000 and 700,000 people. If that is still not enough space we can also prepare Jl. Merdeka Selatan, said Tito. President Joko Jokowi Widodo launched an intensive political tour, including meetings with prominent Muslim leaders and major political parites, to ease tensions ahead of the massive protest. The police also told labor union leaders to cancel their planned participation in the rally, saying the government had been very accomodating toward workers demands for higher wages. Earlier Rizieq, who is also leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), boasted that no one could stop him or the protesters from conducting their Friday prayers at the iconic Jakarta location despite police orders to drop the plan because it would disrupt traffic and public order. The stark differences between us [protesters and police] had become a national-, even international-, scale polemic. Now weve finally been able to listen to each others reasoning and arguments with clear minds, Rizieq said during Mondays press conference, which was also attended by Tito and Maruf. In exchange for the the compromise made by the protesters, the police and Rizieq agreed that regional police chiefs across the country would lift prohibitions on residents from their respective areas joining the rally in the capital as well as no longer ask transportation companies not to take the protesters to Jakarta. Initiated by the GNPF-MUI, Muslim groups staged a mass rally on Nov. 4, demanding the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, an event which many believe heavily influenced the polices decision to name the outspoken governor a blasphemy suspect. Terrorist groups are also suspected to have made an attempt to hijack the protest. Tito said police had arrested 12 alleged terrorists, some of whom were caught with explosive materials in their possession, and who had planned to join the Nov. 4 rally. There are a number of groups who tried to take advantage of this large-scale mass rally, we hope that Fridays rally will be safe, Tito said. A number of regional law enforcement officers have urged local residents not to go to Jakarta to take part in Fridays rally. Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said he and the Central Java Police chief were ready to listen to residents concerns about the issue. Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Monday that the government had no intention of prohibiting anyone from taking part in the rally. However, he called on the participants to refrain from disrupting the citys daily activities. Friday prayers should be held in a mosque or open field. So, given that there are many mosques in Jakarta, please dont disrupt traffic and economic activity in the city, the Vice President said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 The police released on Monday 13 men who had been arrested after allegedly holding a sex party at an apartment unit in South Jakarta on Saturday night. We sent them home because there was no criminal element found in the party, South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Iwan Setiawan said as quoted by tribunnews.com. A mob led by Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members invaded the apartment block on Saturday night to break up what they alleged was a gay sex party following a tip-off about the alleged event. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Medan Tue, November 29 2016 MEDAN: Following her achievement of winning the Miss Grand International 2016 title in late October, Ariska Putri Pertiwi returned to her hometown of Medan in North Sumatra for the first time on Saturday. Alongside her parents Sudi Warsito and Hariati and administration officials, Ariska was welcomed by dance and Gordang Sambilan traditional music performances from South Tapanuli. During her stay, she plans to visit an orphanage, the Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery and several beauty class events. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 Underneath the shade of trees that line the garbage-free riverbanks of Tongkol, Krapu and Lodan, it might seem like three kampungs (villages) foreign to clamorous Jakarta, where soothing winds and untarnished river water rarely can be experienced. The three modest neighborhoods, in fact, lie only 5.9 kilometers from downtown Jakarta, precisely between the Ciliwung River tributary and the Dutch colonial wall in Ancol, North Jakarta. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 In an effort to improve the vocational education system, the government has invited business players to contribute in an expanded role to shape the curriculum and set the skill standards relevant to the demands of the job market. Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by five ministries on Tuesday, the government will involve industry players to develop a curriculum and provide additional instructors for vocational schools. Business players are also expected to provide internship opportunities and on-site training programs for both students and teachers. Five ministers Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Research and Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir, Culture and Education Minister Muhadjir Effendy, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno and Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri signed the MoU on Tuesday, witnessed by Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution and Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani. "After the MoU, there will be a lot of things to do, such as setting up the system and providing infrastructure for the schools, Darmin said. As a pilot project under the MoU, three companies have been tasked to work with 20 vocational high schools (SMKs). Fertilizer maker Petrokimia Gresik will work together with seven SMKs in East Java, automotive giant Astra Honda Motor with nine SMKs in Banten and South Sulawesi and polypropylene producer Polytama Propindo with four SMKs in West Java. The MoU is also a follow up on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos recent call to make sure that vocational schools equip students with the practical skills needed to meet industry demands. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The government has invited 33 companies from Norway and Denmark to explore business opportunities in the countrys maritime sector, including in port management and security, to help meet its vision of becoming one of the worlds top maritime powers. To meet such an ambitious goal, the government has planned to enhance inter-island connectivity by building 24 seaports and deep sea ports as well as upgrading port infrastructures. Denmark and Norway, according to the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, are ideal partners as they both have maintained strong maritime traditions and histories, in terms of fisheries, shipping, offshore energy and maritime equipment and services. You are the Vikings. So, please show us the greatness of the Vikings. [Tell us how to build] an integrated port for cargo and fisheries and all integrated transportations, including ports and airports. Susi said in front of representatives of the 33 companies on Monday. She explained that different ministries in the country had built each of their own ports, including some under her ministry and others under the Transportation Ministry. As those ports were located separately, hundreds of kilometers apart, the government had suffered from high operational costs. Therefore, she continued, 33 companies from Denmark and Norway were invited to talk with the government and companies in Jakarta about possible investment opportunities, whether under business-to-business or business-to-government schemes. Among those companies were Danish energy firm Danfoss A/S, ship maker Odense Maritime Technology, Norwegian shipping company Wilh Wilhelmsen ASA and technology systems and solutions enterprise Kongsberg Digital. Denmark and Norway are currently among the top 10 global ship-owning nations and both countries are eager to invest in Indonesia and to transfer their expertise and knowledge. Denmark is a very small country, but in the maritime area, Denmark and Norway are global superpowers. Every 15 minutes, somewhere around the world, a Danish operated ship leaves a port, Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Casper Klynge said. Although Denmark only accounts for 0.1 percent of the global population, he explained, Danish people have managed to create a large number of ships that are currently transporting 10 percent of the worlds goods. Meanwhile, Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia Stig Traavik said that both of the Nordic countries could offer technological advice through their state of the art ships that employ more efficient uses of energy. We have produced ships, which run with natural gas instead of diesel. Basically, its like a mini power plant in the ship, and the computer system is running the engine. So, it can reduce the consumption of gas by 20 percent compared to modern ships that use diesel fuel, he said. On the other hand, Odense Maritime Technologys president director for Southeast Asia Erik Hansen said Indonesia was a promising country because of its rapidly growing market. The company which designs commercial ships for offshore industry, fishery inspection and patrol ships is confident that Indonesia can benefit from its technology. Odense Maritime Technology is committed to sharing knowledge with Indonesian ship operators, ship yards and ship design centers, he said. Previously, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno visited four Nordic countries, namely Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, in September, to approach them to form partnerships, particularly in energy and fishery sectors. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The government is planning to improve the current vocational education system with multiple skill certificates, in which vocational school (SMK) students can earn certificates after completing training courses in addition to their graduation diploma. Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said such a system could speed up the process in workforce procurement. Moreover, should a student drop out from school, they would already have some certificates that could be used to find a job. "Three years is too long for students to receive their graduation diplomas. Some who drop out would not be able to find a job," Darmin said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) among five ministries to improve vocational education. Data from the Education and Culture Ministry show that Indonesia currently has more than 13,000 vocational schools, each of which specialize in one of several fields, including tourism, business, maritime industries and machinery. Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri said SMK courses would be divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, with each level involving specific courses over the course of a year. "Students at a SMK specializing in construction, for example, must finish courses on making windows, doors or kitchen sets at the beginner level. Later at the intermediate level, they will learn about brick construction and cement plastering," he said, acknowledging that the government was still working to design the new system. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Medan Tue, November 29 2016 North Sumatra Police announced Monday that they had arrested seven police officers along with two women during a raid on an alleged drug party at a cafe on Jl. Listrik in Medan. The police officers belong to the mobile brigade unit and Binjai Police precinct. North Sumatra Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rina Sari Ginting said the officers were currently being questioned by the Police internal affairs division, while the two women were handed over to detectives for further questioning and possible rehabilitation. All the officers and the women had undergone drug tests, she said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta conveyed Italys interest in boosting economic ties and investing more in Indonesia in Jakarta on Monday. Despite this period of domestic political turbulence in Indonesia, Italy trusts Indonesia, said to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura, Papua Tue, November 29, 2016 Residents in the capital city of Papua have been struggling to cope with recurrent blackouts over the past month due to a persistent shortage in electricity supply. Since earlier this month, Jayapura, home to some 300,000 people, has suffered daily rotating blackouts of 4 to 6 hours due to a power supply gap of up to 15 megawatts per day. [Monday], my neighborhood saw three consecutive blackouts lasting for several hours, Margareta, who lives in the Kotaraja residential complex, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. State-owned electricity company PLN said the recurrent blackouts, which were triggered by technical problems, had affected 110,000 households in Jayapura. The turbine at the Orya Genyem hydro power plant is not in operation due to problems with a number of components. We are currently fixing the equipment, said Septian Pujiyanto, a spokesman for PLN in Papua and West Papua, referring to a power plant with an electricity capacity of 2 x 10 MW. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Djemi Amnifu (The Jakarta Post) Kupang Tue, November 29 2016 A female migrant worker from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has returned home with severe wounds that have rendered her disabled after eight months working as a housemaid in Malaysia. The worker, Meriance Kabu, was physically abused by her employer, causing her to lose four teeth. Her tongue is also severed and her ears have been ripped and now bleed at regular intervals. Her nose was often beaten until swollen and her head and lips were beaten, alongside other forms of abuse, said the Rev. Emmy Sahertian, the head of the Womens Network of East Indonesia (JPIT), an NGO concerned with migrant protection. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The National Police are calling on labor union leaders to postpone their planned rally on Dec. 2 in Jakarta to help maintain peace during a large-scale rally planned on the same day that will call for the arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama in a blasphemy case. "We don't prohibit the labor protest, but we suggest they reschedule it so that other people can pray solemnly [during their protest]," National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday. On Dec. 2, a large-scale rally initiated by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) will take place at National Monument Park in Central Jakarta, during which participants will gather to join in dzikir (chanting), tausiyah (preaching) and Friday prayers. The rally will be a follow up to the Nov. 4 rally, during which more than 100,000 people flocked downtown to demand the prosecution of Ahok on allegations of blasphemy. The rally started in a peaceful manner but ended in violence in the evening. (Read also: Dec. 2 rally no cause for concerns) Previously, the Confederation of Indonesian Workers Unions (KSPI) announced that its members would join the Dec. 2 rally to demand that the government scrap Government Regulation No. 78 of 2015 concerning wages and Ahoks arrest. KSPI chairman Said Iqbal argued that the Muslim groups and labor unions shared a common interest to promote the implementation of principles of justice and fairness, including in Ahoks case. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian visited the Jakarta Police headquarters on Monday evening to inspect levels of preparedness ahead of the mass rally involving conservative Muslim groups scheduled on Dec. 2. Several other police officials, including Criminal Investigation Department chief Comr. Gen. Ari Dono Sukmanto and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Teddy Lhaksamana, were also reportedly seen at the office. "We gather for a meeting to anticipate the mass prayer gathering on Dec. 2. Police will be working together with the TNI (Indonesian military) to safeguard the event," National Police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar was quoted as saying by Tempo.co. According to Boy, joint forces of around 22,000 will be deployed across the capital to safeguard the rally, redirect traffic and remain on stand by. Boy said more than 150,000 people are expected to join the rally after Friday's prayer, which will center around the National Monument (Monas) area in Central Jakarta. Earlier on Monday, the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) confirmed that they would stage the rally, but changed the venue from the area along Jakarta's Jl. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman thoroughfares to the Monas square. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29 2016 Golkar Party chairman Setya Novanto has cleared his way toward regaining his post as House of Representatives speaker after securing permission from the partys advisory board. The advisory board and the central executive board have agreed on the replacement of Ade [Komarudin] as House speaker by Setya, said advisory board chairman Aburizal Bakrie, who is also a former party chairman, on Monday, after a two-hour talk with Setya. Previously, Aburizal had signaled his objection to Setyas return to his old post, which the latter attained immediately after the 2014 election. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Fierce debate is arising on social media after the revised Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law took effect on Monday, a month after the House of Representatives passed amendments to the law, regarded by many as posing a threat to the countrys democracy and freedom of speech. The law was among Twitters top trending topics in the country as of Monday noon, with more than 17,000 tweets mentioning the issue, ranging from serious comment and criticism to jokes such as whether uploading culinary videos and mentioning ex-lovers would now be subject to prosecution under the law. Some netizens reminded fellow users not to spread hatred on online platforms. Dennis Adhiswara wrote on his account @OmDennis, which has more than 80,000 followers, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla, that if there are still netizens who do not understand self-censorship and common sense, the government will keep controlling you. In the past few weeks, ahead of the Jakarta gubernatorial election and a planned rally against incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama on Dec. 2, online platforms have turned into spaces where people exchange mockery, make provocative remarks and spread hatred in the country. President Joko Jokowi Widodo has intensified his call to make social networking and microblogging services peaceful platforms for debate that respect pluralism, reminding people that mockery was not in line with Indonesian values. The President, however, assured those concerned that freedom of speech would always be maintained. The Jokowi administration wants fair and democratic law enforcement. Therefore the ITE Law should be changed, said Henri Subiakto, who represented the government during the bills deliberation at the House. However, questions remain whether the amendments will be used as tools to criminalize people and hinder freedom of expression. Some of the new controversial provisions give the government the authority to block negative content or to order internet service providers to do so. Furthermore, the provisions allow for the right to be forgotten, which orders internet providers to remove online stories that complainants claim to be personally damaging to them, after receiving approval from a court. The revised law also keeps controversial provisions that permit prosecution for defamation. These provisions have seen citizens sent to prison for what they post on the internet, although the provisions reduce the maximum penalty from six to four years, or Rp 750 million in fines. In addition to maintaining provisions on hate speech, the law also introduces prosecution for cyberbullying, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Mixed responses to the law have been voiced by numerous rights groups such as the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM). ELSAM insists that the revised law will serve as a setback to democracy. Wahyudi Djafar, a member of ELSAM, questioned the capability of the National Police in handling hate speech and defamation in the past. He also criticized the Communications and Information Ministry for seemingly trying to spread chilling effects toward freedom of expression instead of raising awareness about peaceful freedom of speech. The National Police started on Monday its campaign to raise public awareness of the law by calling on people to first learn the source of information before reacting to such information. Dont write something that could put the nations stability at risk, including subjects related to race, religion and ethnicity, said Police spokesman Sr. Com. Martinus Sitompul. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 President Joko Jokowi Widodo has said he considers a planned rally at Jakartas National Monument (Monas) park on Friday to be a mass prayer rather than a demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. Who said its a demo? They will only be praying together before and after Friday prayer, Jokowi said at Monas, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, as reported by kompas.com. Referring to a meeting between National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and a representative of the group organizing the event, he said a mass prayer, not a demonstration, had been agreed on. The commitment [made at the meeting] was to hold a mass prayer, not a demonstration. On Monday, Tito met the leader of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), Rizieq Shihab, and they agreed to limit the event to Monas. Rizieq, who is also the leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), earlier insisted that the group would conduct a Friday prayer along Jl. MH. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman. (Read also:Police give go-ahead for large-scale rally on Dec. 2) The group has demanded police detain Ahok for what it claims were blasphemous statements the governor, a Christian of Chinese descent, made during a speech in September. Up to 600,000 people are predicted to join the mass prayer at Monas. On Nov. 4, tens of thousands of people staged a rally in front of the Presidential Palace, demanding police name Ahok a suspect of blasphemy. Soon after the rally, police named Ahok a suspect of blasphemy. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The police and the military are ready to deploy 22,000 joint forces to secure the planned Dec. 2 mass prayer at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, in what is part of a movement calling for the arrest of blasphemy suspect Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. National Police Spokesman Ir. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the personnel would be ready to deal with 150,000 to 200,000 demonstrators expected to join the prayer initiated by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI). "The officers will be centered at the Silang Monas [monument compound]. We will also deploy personnel within the second and third security rings," Boy said at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday. (Read also: Fadli Zon says cannot join anti-Ahok rally on Friday) He further said the second security ring will include areas where government offices are located, such as Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara, Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat. The third security ring will include other government offices and hotels, such as Jl. Veteran, Lapangan Banteng, Hotel Indonesia traffic circle (Bundaran HI), Tanah Abang, Jl. Abdul Muis and Jl. K.H Hasyim Ashari, he said. The police will also cooperate with young people from several Muslim organizations to monitor for any potential public disturbances during the prayers, Boy said. He added that the personnel would not bring arms during the prayer because they had promised to apply a persuasive approach to deal with the participants of the demonstration. (dan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Ahead of a large rally planned for Friday, police say they are vigilant about potential attempts by protesters to overthrow the government, even though the rally's organizers have promised a peaceful event. "We expect there won't be any attack against the government. However, we will keep watching mass activities and potential disruptions," National Police Spokesman Ir. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday. (Read also: Police, military to deploy 22,000 personnel at anti-Ahok rally) Last week, Tito Karnavian said the Dec. 2 protest over alleged blasphemy by Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama could kindle an attack on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos administration. On Monday, the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) promised to protest peacefully by carrying out Friday prayers at the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta, to urge the arrest of Ahok. Tito has granted a permit for such activity. "We hope that no noxious intentions will come up during the prayer, because it is a holy event," Boy said. (dan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The government says it will review recently proposed revisions to the Tax Law to assess the authority of the tax office. According to the revision, Indonesia is set to have a tax body that will be as powerful as the United States Internal Revenue Service in a bid to improve the countrys taxation landscape. A state revenue agency, which will take over the role of the Finance Ministrys Directorate General of Taxation, will be established in 2018. The issue came up after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) apprehended a tax official for allegedly accepting a bribe to help a company evade its tax. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani recently said the discussion of the revised law should try to detect weaknesses in the tax body to avert future misconduct. This move will be necessary as bribery can negatively affect public trust. I think we need to review it [the revision] again to study objectively the weaknesses and strengths of the tax authorities. We need to see whether [the problem] lies in salary and mentality, or structure and infrastructure, such as the database, said Sri, who is sceptical that adequate salaries could prevent misconduct or unethical acts. The KPK last week allegedly caught red-handed an echelon III tax official, identified as HS, accepting a bribe worth US$148,500 from Surabaya-based businessman Rajamohanan Nair. Rajamohanan allegedly offered HS the bribe to help him evade his companys tax arrears amounting to Rp 78 billion (US$5.77 million). Tax is the major source of state revenue and the government targets to collect Rp 1.49 quadrillion next year, up by 13 percent to 15 percent from the figure expected for this year. Sri, a former managing director of the World Bank, further said that the alleged bribery caused ambivalence in the public toward the governments efforts to boost its tax income, including through the ongoing tax amnesty, as they were required to be compliant taxpayers, while one of its tax officials had misused his authority. The President has committed to building a strong and clean tax institution. This is not about whether to have a tax body outside or inside the Finance Ministry, but more about what weve achieved and what we should strengthen, she said. In a meeting with the minister on Monday, House Commission XI legislators offered their support for the governments attempt to address structural issues at the tax office. Commission XI legislator Indah Kurnia said increasing the number of tax personnel might help solve one of tax offices structural flaws. At present, the tax body has weak internal surveillance due to an insufficient number of tax officials. With a total population of 250 million, Indonesia only has 35,000 tax officials and 5,000 tax auditors. The number is far lower compared to other Asian countries. Japan, for instance, employs 65,000 tax officials to cope with its population of 125 million people. Indah said the future tax super-body envisioned in the revised law would enable the authority to raise that number and enhance the capacity of its officials without the approval of the Finance Ministry. Fuad Rahmany [a former director general of taxation] has suggested to House Commission XI that a significant number of new tax officials be added. He said the number should reach 50,000 in five years, she said. The draft law, which will reform the countrys overall taxation system and revise the current General Taxation System, is one of Finance Ministrys priorities for deliberation and is expected to be completed. Meanwhile, the executive director of the Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA), Yustinus Prastowo, said the alleged bribery case had been a major blow for the governments efforts to reform taxation system. A full-fledge evaluation should be carried out toward tax authoritys internal surveillance, management and ethical capacity. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Brussels, Belgium Tue, November 29, 2016 Indonesia and the European Union (EU) launched Monday the first joint committee meeting under the Indonesia-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which first entered into force in 2014. Both parties expect to use the new consultation framework as a platform for various cooperation initiatives that might contribute to global peace and prosperity, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said. The world [is facing] so many challenges and uncertainties. [On account of] this challenging situation, we need friends, as many as possible, that can be our partners, she told a press conference at the European Action Service (EAS) building in Brussels, Belgium. The Monday forum, kicked off by Retno and her counterpart, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini, aims to reflect both economies' high commitment in strengthening bilateral ties, which have intensified in recent months. We see Indonesia as an essential partner, not only for bilateral issues but also for building a more cooperative global and regional order, Mogherini told the press conference. In April, Retno and Mogherini convened the first Indonesia-EU foreign ministers strategic dialogue in Jakarta, followed by an official visit by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to EU institutions in Brussels. Both partners also progressed in negotiations on the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the initial scoping paper ready and the first round of negotiations concluded in September. The second round will commence in January. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Tue, November 29 2016 The government has invited 33 companies from Norway and Denmark to explore business opportunities in the countrys maritime sector, including in port management and security, to help meet its vision of becoming one of the worlds top maritime powers. To meet such an ambitious goal, the government has planned to enhance inter-island connectivity by building 24 seaports and deep sea ports as well as upgrading port infrastructures. Denmark and Norway, according to the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, are ideal partners as they both have maintained strong maritime traditions and histories, in terms of fisheries, shipping, offshore energy and maritime equipment and services. You are the Vikings. So, please show us the greatness of the Vikings. [Tell us how to build] an integrated port for cargo and fisheries and all integrated transportations, including ports and airports. Susi said in front of representatives of the 33 companies on Monday. She explained that different ministries in the country had built each of their own ports, including some under her ministry and others under the Transportation Ministry. As those ports were located separately, hundreds of kilometers apart, the government had suffered from high operational costs. Therefore, she continued, 33 companies from Denmark and Norway were invited to talk with the government and companies in Jakarta about possible investment opportunities, whether under business-to-business or business-to-government schemes. Among those companies were Danish energy firm Danfoss A/S, ship maker Odense Maritime Technology, Norwegian shipping company Wilh Wilhelmsen ASA and technology systems and solutions enterprise Kongsberg Digital. Denmark and Norway are currently among the top 10 global ship-owning nations and both countries are eager to invest in Indonesia and to transfer their expertise and knowledge. Denmark is a very small country, but in the maritime area, Denmark and Norway are global superpowers. Every 15 minutes, somewhere around the world, a Danish operated ship leaves a port, Danish Ambassador to Indonesia Casper Klynge said. Although Denmark only accounts for 0.1 percent of the global population, he explained, Danish people have managed to create a large number of ships that are currently transporting 10 percent of the worlds goods. Meanwhile, Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia Stig Traavik said that both of the Nordic countries could offer technological advice through their state of the art ships that employ more efficient uses of energy. We have produced ships, which run with natural gas instead of diesel. Basically, its like a mini power plant in the ship, and the computer system is running the engine. So, it can reduce the consumption of gas by 20 percent compared to modern ships that use diesel fuel, he said. On the other hand, Odense Maritime Technologys president director for Southeast Asia Erik Hansen said Indonesia was a promising country because of its rapidly growing market. The company which designs commercial ships for offshore industry, fishery inspection and patrol ships is confident that Indonesia can benefit from its technology. Odense Maritime Technology is committed to sharing knowledge with Indonesian ship operators, ship yards and ship design centers, he said. Previously, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno visited four Nordic countries, namely Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, in September, to approach them to form partnerships, particularly in energy and fishery sectors. JP/ Viriya P. Singgih -------------------- To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has dispatched a team of investigators to neighboring Singapore to question a number of key witnesses in an investigation into the Rp 6 trillion (US$443 million) electronic ID (also known as e-ID or e-KTP) procurement megaproject. The team will question the officials from a consortium of companies that won the tender for the megaproject who fled to Singapore after the antigraft body opened the investigation in 2013. The antigraft body has contacted the Singaporean Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for assistance in carrying out the questioning, as the country does not have an extradition agreement with Indonesia. KPK deputy chairman La Ode Muhammad Syarief said the questioning of the company officials was crucial in the KPK investigation because testimonies collected from witnesses could help the antigraft body trace the fate of the Rp2 trillion in state money stolen from the project. Weve received meaningful leads that convinced us to hold the questioning in Singapore. [From preliminary information Ive received] there has been good progress [with regard to the questioning], Syarif said on Monday, adding that KPK leaders would convene the team members to discuss their findings after they returned to Indonesia. The KPK has so named two suspects in the case, namely former Home Ministry director general for population and civil registration Irman and former population administration information management director for the directorate general, Sugiharto. The antigraft body is also building a case to charge companies involved in the project, as evidence reportedly shows the tender winners might have misused Rp 1.2 trillion in project funds provided by the government. It was recently reported that a subcontracting company, PT Biomorf, owned by the United States, filed a complaint with the Home Ministry, which is in charge of the project, over the failure of a consortium company, PT Quadra Solution, to pay $90 million for subcontracting works on the e-ID project. KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo said the ministry had paid Quadra Solution $90 million for biometric information works and suspected that foul play might be behind the failure of Quadra Solution to deliver the money to Biomorf. We are trying to find out why the company failed to pay [Biomorf]. Is it possible the money had been embezzled? Well try to find out about it, Agus said recently in Jakarta. Earlier, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo reportedly confirmed that Biomorf had paid a visit to the ministry to demand the $90 million on account of Quadra Solutions failure to make the payment. Former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin previously said the project was marked up by 49 percent to Rp 2.5 trillion, Rp 1.77 trillion of which was distributed in kickbacks to the House of Representative, Home Ministry officials and the winners of the tender. He added that as much as Rp 250 billion, taken from five companies competing in the tender, was given to a number of lawmakers at the House to secure the projects approval. Nazaruddin claimed he had acted as the projects coordinator at the House. He also said the project had been marred with nepotism after it was revealed to the public that one of the tender-winning companies was owned by a close colleague of former home minister Gamawan. The companys owner, Paulus Tannos, is suspected of having close ties with Gamawan while the latter served as West Sumatra governor. Gamawan denied all accusations last year. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Michael Astor (Associated Press) United Nations Tue, November 29, 2016 After months of wrangling, the UN Security Council is prepared to impose new, tougher sanctions on North Korea over its fifth and largest nuclear test yet, diplomats said Monday. US officials who declined to be identified because the Security Council resolution has not yet been made public said that if the text is adopted and fully implemented it would mark "a significant step forward," in the sanctions regime against North Korea over its nuclear program. The US and other veto-wielding permanent council members Russia, China, Britain and France have been negotiating the new sanctions for months in response to North Korea's Sept. 9 nuclear test. Officials said they expect the council to vote on the resolution, which for the first time places a hard cap on North Korean coal exports, on Wednesday morning. The new sanctions target North Korea's hard currency revenues by placing a "hard, binding cap" on coal exports, cutting them by at least 62 percent, capping them at around US$400 million or 7.5 million tons, diplomats said. According to the Global Trade Atlas, China is on track to import nearly $1 billion worth of coal from North Korea in 2016 despite a previous sanctions regime. Diplomats said the new sanctions further clarify that the "livelihood" exemption, which allowed the Chinese imports, is meant only to protect the livelihoods of those currently living inside North Korea, not Chinese people or companies doing business with the country. The sanctions would also slap a ban on North Korea's exports of non-ferrous metals and sanction 11 government officials as well as 10 entities linked to the country's nuclear weapons program. North Korea conducted its fifth atomic test, boasting of a technologically game-changing nuclear technology, in defiance of both tough international sanctions and long-standing diplomatic pressure to curb its nuclear ambitions. North Korea's persistent pursuit of missiles and nuclear weapons has long been one of the most intractable foreign policy problems for US administrations. Diplomacy has so far failed. Six-nation negotiations on dismantling North Korea's nuclear program in exchange for aid were last held in late 2008 and fell apart in early 2009. The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war, as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Up to 600,000 people are predicted to join a rally organized by Islamic groups against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama at the National Monument (Monas) park on Friday. Between 500,000 and 600,000 people will perform Friday prayers at Monas, the parks management head, Sabdo Kristanto, said on Monday, as reported by tribunnews.com. The rally, which is organized by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), will start at 8 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. with a Friday sermon by MUI chairman Makruf Amin. (Read also: Police give go-ahead for large-scale rally on Dec. 2) On Monday morning, GNPF-MUI leader Rizieq Shihab, who is also the leader of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), met National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to discuss the planned rally. Police agreed to allow and guard the rally after the group agreed not to conduct Friday prayers along the thoroughfares of Jl. MH. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman. On Nov. 4, GNPF-MUI led a rally joined by tens of thousands of people, demanding Ahok be prosecuted over blasphemy. Police then named Ahok a suspect in a blasphemy case. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Shakhawat Liton (The Daily Star/ANN) Dhaka Tue, November 29, 2016 Championed as an icon for human rights, she languished in house arrest. World leaders and people all over called for her release while she stayed confined by the military junta for around 15 years in her own country. She is now free. And now, Aung San Suu Kyi chooses silence over a moral position while atrocities of the worst kind continue in her own country. She has become a glaring example of how a once human rights defender can become a reticent witness of human rights violation of one of the most persecuted people in the world. She is the unquestioned leader of the party that is running Myanmar since last year. Her long struggle for democracy and human rights was supposed to be her schooling on how to run her country. Yet the appalling truth is she has been accused by world human rights leaders of not protecting Rohingya Muslims in her country and of potentially legitimizing genocide according to a report of the Independent, a UK daily. Military operations in the Rakhine State have caused thousands of Rohingyas to flee across the border to Bangladesh. Soldiers have allegedly killed children, innocent people and raped women in their brutal crackdown on the Rohingyas. Aid workers and the media are prohibited to visit the affected areas, apparently to hide the brutality being carried out. UNICEF has warned that thousands of malnourished children are suffering from lack of medical care and in danger of starving. The horrific situation prompted John McKissick, head of the United Nations refugee agency in the Bangladeshi border town of Cox's Bazar to conclude that "Rohingya Muslims in Burma are being ethnically cleansed." All those heinous crimes are being committed by troops within a year of Suu Kyi leading her National League for Democracy (NLD) party to power by winning Myanmar's first openly contested election in 25 years in November 2015. Suu Kyi's unwillingness to do the right thing for the Rohingya is baffling to an international audience that persists in casting her as a human rights icon," said David Mathieson of Human Rights Watch. But only a few years ago, she was portrayed in a different way. She had a formidable reputation worldwide. For her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights, she was given the Nobel Peace Prize and a number of other prestigious awards. While awarding the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, the Norwegian Nobel Committee portrayed her as a model "for many people throughout the world who are striving to attain democracy, human rights and ethnic conciliation by peaceful means." The Nobel Committee chief called her "an outstanding example of the power of the powerless." When European Parliament gave Suu Kyi the Sakharov Prize in 2013, it called her a "great symbol of freedom and democracy." She was awarded the prize in 1990 when she was kept under house arrest by Myanmar military junta. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, commonly known as the Sakharov Prize, honors individuals and groups of people who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought. In 2000, Suu Kyi was also given in absentia the Presidential Medal of Freedom the highest civilian award of the United States for her contribution to world peace and culture. Most of her international honors were awarded during her confinement. She spent much of her time between 1989 and 2010 in some form of detention because of her efforts to bring democracy to military-ruled Myanmar a fact that made her an international symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression. She has spent 15 of the last 21 years under house arrest. She was finally released from house arrest in November 2010. After her release, she pledged to keep working towards restoring democracy and improving human rights in Myanmar. But the brutality by her government's army on hapless Rohingyas following the Oct. 9 militant attack on a security post has put to question Suu Kyi's commitments to democracy and human rights. Her non-action and reticence against atrocities have made it evident that she has forgotten her promise to democracy and human rights. Not only does she remain silent against the atrocities, she also defends her government's actions by referring to Rohingyas as "Bengalis" and arguing that her government's response to the Oct. 9 attack is based on the "rule of law." Her position is in line with the one of the Myanmar military junta who in the past brutally persecuted Rohingyas on many occasions during their rule of around 50 years. The junta denied Rohingyas citizenship. Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency by the junta-drafted constitution, but she is leading the country as state counsellor. For power, it seems, she refrains from confronting the military junta who still holds important portfolios like border security, home, and defence ministries. It is now difficult to find all those inspiring characteristics in her leadership. The Noble Peace Prize Committee and the European Parliament termed her "great symbol of freedom and democracy" and "an outstanding example of the power of the powerless." But that shine has apparently left her at this moment of crisis of the Rohingyas. This article appeared on The Daily Star newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Cagayan de Oro, Philippines Tue, November 29, 2016 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he will go ahead with a planned trip to a southern city against the advice of security officials after an advance team of presidential guards was wounded by a roadside bomb in the volatile region. Military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said seven presidential guards, including an officer, were injured by the bomb as they traveled in a military convoy to an army camp in Marawi city, in an attack by suspected Muslim militants. Two other soldiers based in the south were also wounded in the attack, police said, adding that some of the soldiers managed to return fire and wounded some of the militants. The injured members of the Presidential Security Group were airlifted to a hospital. Duterte said he wants to take the same route as the injured guards, adding in jest that the vice president could take his place if something happens to him. "The advice was to postpone. I said, 'no, I'll go there and if possible take the same route,'" Duterte, who is known for his brashness and foul language, said in a speech in northern Nueva Ecija province. "Maybe we can have a little gunfight here, gunfight there," he said. "If I can't make it ... that's why we have a vice president, Leni Robredo. We can have a gentle president in exchange for the discourteous mouth." Duterte plans to travel to Marawi to meet military officials overseeing an offensive against local Islamic State group sympathizers in Butig town. The military says about 40 militants have been killed and several soldiers have been injured in the offensive. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he suspects the militants attacked the convoy to divert the military's focus from the offensive, and they probably were not aware that the presidential guards were on board. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Kuala Lumpur Tue, November 29, 2016 The head of Malaysian electoral reform group Bersih, which led a mass anti-government rally this month, has been freed after being held for 10 days without trial under a security law meant for terrorists. Maria Chin was detained Nov. 18 for "activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy," just a day before thousands of protesters took to Kuala Lumpur's streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial scandal. Police said 15,500 people protested, but Bersih estimated the crowd at 120,000. Chin's release Monday came a day before a court hearing to challenge her detention under the Security Offences Act. Amnesty International said Tuesday that the government must stop using national security or other repressive laws against government critics. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Manila Tue, November 29, 2016 The Philippine government's top historian has resigned to protest the president's decision to allow the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in a heroes' cemetery, in a growing political storm over the entombment. Maria Serena Diokno said in her resignation letter Tuesday that she will join protests against the Nov. 18 burial, including one scheduled at a pre-democracy shrine on Wednesday. Diokno, who was chairwoman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, said Duterte could have blocked Marcos's burial in the cemetery despite a Supreme Court decision that dismissed petitions against the entombment. Diokno said the burial was wrong and "mocks the collective action we took to oust the dictator." Marcos was ousted in a 1986 "people power" revolt. His presidency was marked by largescale corruption and human rights violations. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rezaul Karim (The Daily Star/ANN) Dhaka Tue, November 29, 2016 As Rohingyas continue to pour into Bangladesh in the face of "ethnic cleansing" in Myanmar, diplomats and experts have suggested that Bangladesh should take a firm stance and make effective diplomatic moves to mobilize international support for resolving the crisis. Without any hesitation, Bangladesh should go for bilateral and multilateral moves to put pressure on Myanmar because the Southeast Asian country itself created the crisis and must resolve it also, they say. Through an effective diplomatic campaign, Dhaka should also make the international community understand that Bangladesh alone cannot deal with the issue and that the global community has a responsibility to resolve the humanitarian crisis. Talking to The Daily Star, several former and serving diplomats, and foreign affairs experts said Bangladesh government has long been trying to resolve the Rohingya crisis through persuasion and mutual understanding, which apparently encouraged Myanmar to create the crisis over and over again. But time has come for Dhaka to take a firm position and move forward to end this longstanding problem once and for all, they say. It is now time to make the Rohingya crisis an international issue, and seek support from all to resolve it permanently. Bangladesh is the worst sufferer of this Rohingya situation. The international community must come forward to shoulder the responsibility and ensure the rights of Rohingyas, said international affairs expert Maj Gen (Retd) Abdur Rashid. The former ambassador said the government appears hesitant to take a firm stance on the issue and convey the message that it would no longer tolerate such an uncalled-for situation created by Myanmar. We shouldn't think that Myanmar may be unhappy or BCIM [Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic forum] or BIMSTEC (the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) may be affected if we take a firm stance on the Rohingya crisis that is adversely affecting Bangladesh. We must uphold our national interest and security first, he said. He observed that Myanmar would continue to create such crisis, and one day, it would push all its Rohingya citizens into Bangladesh territory if Dhaka continues to maintain its soft stance. Of course, we should continue our efforts to solve the problem bilaterally. But we can definitely engage the international community and regional players so that Myanmar refrains from creating such humanitarian crisis that also has global implications, said the former diplomat, who served as ambassador to the USA and Australia. Last week, Dhaka decided to launch an all-out diplomatic effort to drum up global support and mount pressure on Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya crisis. Foreign ministry officials said the ministry has directed the Bangladeshi envoys in more than 60 countries and the UN bodies to brief the officials concerned in their countries of stay on the influx of Myanmar Rohingyas to Bangladesh in the face of persecution. At a diplomatic briefing on Thursday, foreign envoys in Dhaka expressed their strong support in resolving the longstanding crisis in a peaceful manner and through dialogue between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Seeking anonymity, a senior official at the foreign ministry told this correspondent that the government now strongly feels that mounting global pressure on Myanmar is essential as the country is not responsive to Dhaka's steps to establish and maintain friendly relations. Several officials of the ministry said Bangladeshi envoys abroad have been asked to brief the foreign policymakers and high-ups in the light of the Strategy Paper on Addressing the Issue of Myanmar Refugees and Undocumented Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh. The strategy paper clarifies the government's position on some vital issues regarding the Rohingyas. It unequivocally identifies them as Myanmar nationals. The Bangladeshi envoys are advised to highlight that the country has been hosting nearly half a million documented and undocumented Rohingyas since 1991 and has not deported any Rohingya refugee. The foreign ministry officials were critical of the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR. They alleged that the UNHCR always puts undue pressure on Dhaka, and in the name of safety and dignity of the refugees, it delayed repatriation of Rohingyas for decades, which apparently encouraged more Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh. A high official of the foreign ministry said, The UNHCR is requesting us to allow refugees to enter Bangladesh but it is not saying anything to Myanmar... Are we responsible for violence in Myanmar? Responding to a query on UNHCR's call for letting Rohingyas in, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told journalists on Thursday, It has become the only duty of the organization to ask Bangladesh to open its border whenever a crisis is created in Myanmar. Now, around 32,000 registered Rohingyas are living in two refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf. The government has introduced free education up to class VI, vocational skill training, computer training, and primary and secondary healthcare to prepare the Rohingyas for a better life when they voluntarily return to their homeland. Besides, three to five lakh undocumented Rohingyas are staying in different parts of Bangladesh. The officials said that since Bangladesh is already hosting a huge number of Rohingyas from Myanmar, it cannot take in any more refugees. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Seow Bei Yi (The Straits Times) Singapore Tue, November 29, 2016 A Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight was diverted to Dubai on Tuesday morning due to an engine issue. Flight SQ336, from Singapore to Paris, was diverted to Dubai "as a result of a technical issue with one of the aircraft's four engines", said an SIA spokesman. Originally scheduled to reach Paris at 7.10am (Paris time), it landed in Dubai at around 4.20am (Dubai time). "As the engineers on ground require time to address the technical issue, arrangements are being made for passengers to be re-booked on alternative flights into Paris," added SIA. This is the latest incident involving flights to or from Singapore. On Nov 26, Scoot flight Flight TZ001 from Sydney to Singapore was about 40 minutes from its destination when passengers heard a loud sound before seeing sparks fly from the engine on the plane's right wing. And on Nov 8, a Tigerair flight departing Macau for Singapore turned back due to an engine issue which affected cabin pressure. It had been the third incident in four days for Tigerair. On Nov 5, a "bird strike" caused a flight from Hong Kong to turn back, while on Nov 7, passengers were delayed for five hours at Changi Airport due to two switches in aircraft. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Royston Sim (The Straits Times/ANN) Singapore Tue, November 29, 2016 The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Government will start proceedings to recover the armored vehicles seized in Hong Kong once the reasons for their detention are made clear, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. Speaking to reporters at Choa Chu Kang camp where he was briefed on a new military blimp, Ng said officials from shipping firm APL will meet Hong Kong customs officials on Tuesday. The nine Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles and other equipment were en route on an APL vessel from Taiwan to Singapore after a military exercise when they were seized last Wednesday (Nov 23) in Hong Kong. (Read also: Singapore military vehicles seized in Hong Kong) Ng said officials will monitor the meeting closely, and hopes the reasons and legal basis for the detention will be made clear there. Officials will decide on the next steps based on its outcome, he added. He also urged people not to speculate on reasons for the seizure. "Until the facts are established, any speculation is premature, unwarranted and I think indeed unfair on the Hong Kong authorities or any other country. We should all wait for the facts," he said. (Read also: Singapore teams heads to Hong Kong to secure army carriers) Ng, who said the Terrex vehicles do not contain any controlled military items which require special permits, added that the Terrex has been transported by commercial carriers ever since it was introduced. He said that Singapore has not suffered any loss or detention of equipment prior to this incident. Using commercial carriers to transport military equipment is a norm for militaries of other countries, Ng said. This is the most cost effective way to transport equipment, as only commercial carriers with their vast networks have the capability, he added. On Monday, China has voiced unhappiness over the vehicle seizure incident and called on Singapore to adhere to the One China policy. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing that the Chinese government is opposed to countries with whom it has diplomatic ties to have any form of official exchanges with Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province. Ng said that "Singapore fully respects and supports the One China policy", and will continue to act in a manner consistent with this policy. He cited the positive role the Republic has played in improving cross-strait relations, citing two meetings between Taiwan and China that were hosted here - the 1993 meeting between China's envoy Wang Daohan and Taiwan's Koo Chen-fu, and the 2015 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou. Asked if this incident would affect Singapore's training arrangements overseas, Ng said: "Our training overseas has never been secret, people know where we train openly. We adhere to the One China policy. "Any training matters between us and other countries are bilateral," he added. "We should not unnecessarily, until the facts come out, muddle the picture and impute various motives. So let's wait till the facts." He added that the SAF will continue to train overseas based on existing agreements between countries. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Associated Press) Taiping Island Tue, November 29, 2016 Taiwan has held a search-and-rescue exercise in the South China Sea as part of efforts to cement its claim to a key island in the strategically vital waterbody. Eight vessels and three aircraft took part in Tuesday's drill, which simulated a fire aboard a cargo ship that forced crew members to seek safety on Taiping in the Spratly island group. The official Central News Agency said coast guard and navy ships participated in the exercise. Taiwan is one of six governments that claim territory in the South China Sea. Coast guard head Lee Chung-wei told journalists on Taiping that Taiwan's sovereignty over the island is "undeniable." In recent years, Taiwan's chief rival, China, has been aggressively pushing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 Tanjung Lesung's infrastructure development has become a priority following its designations as one of the 10 national tourism strategic locations (KSPN) by the Tourism Ministry and special economic zone (KEK) by the government. One of the destination's developers, Jababeka, via its subsidiary company PT Banten West Java, is set to build new facilities, which will include 10,000 new rooms for hotels, villas and cottages, within the next three years. Opportunities are open for all layers of society, as well as local and foreign investors, to join in, PT Banten West Java tourism development president director Poernomo Siswoprasetijo told kompas.com. The decision to add more rooms is based on the prospect of Tanjung Lesung, Banten, becoming the next hit tourist destination. We hope that travelers from Jakarta, West Java and surrounding areas can visit, said Poernomo, adding that the potential number of visitors could reach up to 35 million people. (Read also: New Indonesian garden created in Jordan) Located on the West Coast of Java, Tanjung Lesung, a three hour car ride from Jakarta, is known for its inviting beach, good waves, swimming spots and breathtaking reefs. Tanjung Lesung has recently been selected as a Mongolian Cultural Center as part of the 60th bilateral relations celebration between Mongolia and Indonesia. The cultural center is said to be built in a one-hectare area. Hopefully Tanjung Lesung will be the meeting point of several cultures, said Poernomo. Several ambassadors for Indonesia are also interested in developing their cultural centers here. (wir/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 29, 2016 The British School of Jakarta (BSJ) hosted a TEDxYouth talk for the very first time on Tuesday. Organized by the students, the conference took place at the school's theater in South Tangerang and was opened with a video of Bill Gates' Ebola presentation followed by speeches from BSJ's final year students. Themed "A World Unbound", each speaker had to come with a topic that touched on globalization. Among the final year students, Winston Budiman, Christopher Carr, Philippe Pangestu, Nathania Silalahi and Audrey Simandjaja came up on stage as the speakers. They shared their opinions and experiences on various topics, including startups, modern democracy and social projects, namely the Tiny School Movement and Cyber Shanty. (Read also: UGM law students beat Harvard in Argentina) The events executive head organizer Bryan Kumara told The Jakarta Post that it took nine months for the team to prepare for BSJ TEDxYouth. We applied for the license in January. In September, we began to organize the event, [thinking about] who would be the speakers and what equipment was needed," he said, adding that the school planned to hold the event annually. Meanwhile, stage manager Tara Laksmono said TEDxYouth was inspiring as it gave the year 12 students something to look forward to for their final year of high school. We can also see what our acquaintances have been up to, she said. (kes) The worldwide Serafina restaurant chain has come to the Lower East Side. An opening party was held last night at 98 Rivington St., the former home of Inoteca and Galli. The Neapolitan pizza/pasta spot opens to the public today. Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato opened the first Serafina on the Upper East Side more than 20 years ago. Since that time, 30 locations have popped in New York from Harlem to the Hamptons and in international locales such as Dubai, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. In their successful appeal to Community Board 3 for a liquor license earlier this year, the operators emphasized Serafinas status as a restaurant rather than another Hell Square bar. Other outposts have become celebrity hot spots. Melania Trump was spotted at Serafina in Midtown recently. At Serafina Ludlow, there are 60 seats on the main floor with a 12-seat wine room downstairs. In the spring, expect to see an outdoor cafe wrapping around the restaurant on Ludlow and Rivington streets. Its nearly Christmas, which means all kinds-of things: good food, cosy evenings and of course, at least a dozen new outfits for the upcoming festivities. Topshop never seems to disappoint when it comes to finding those perfect Christmas outfits, and this year is no different. Their Christmas Campaign, aptly named The Anti-Cliche Christmas, provides all kinds of outfit inspiration for every festive eventuality. From velvet dresses to tailored co-ords theres something for everyone, whatever your style. Topshop has put their looks under five collections, The London Girl (cool without trying), The Pretty Girl (romance and femininity), The Grunge Girl (casual ft. dressy), The Urban Girl (embodiment of casual-cool) and finally The Fashion Girl (masters of day-to-night dressing). Not only does this Christmas campaign showcase a whole variety of different looks it also introduces us to the next generation of it girls - watch out Alexa Chung! Some of the faces will look a little familiar - supermodel Kate Moss little sister Lottie Moss, for example - who stars in the campaign wearing a classic red dress. Shop the look Stella Maxwell, an Irish Victorias Secret model with over two million followers on Instagram, is also part of the campaign. Shop the look There are nine girls in total. As well as Lottie and Stella, there is also: Marjan Jonkman, a 21-year-old from a small Dutch town in the northern province of Freisland. With her short blonde hair and doll like features she puts an angelic spin on Christmas dressing. Someone to take inspiration from if you're a fan of the Victoriana trend. Shop the look Caitie Greene, whose Christmas traditions, according to an interview for the Topshop Blog are watching a Christmas Story, the classic American movie and getting lots of Chinese food. Jing Wen is the definition of up and coming, having this year walked shows in New York, London, Paris and Milan. Pictured in the campaign with a delicate blouse and bold dress combination, she is definitely someone to follow if you like to make your outfits edgy. Shop the look With her fiery red hair and striking features, is not a face you will be likely to overlook! Modelling for The Grunge Girl section of Topshops Campaign, Kiki makes it clear that you don't have to be pretty in lace and dainty dresses to be on trend this winter. Metallic is very in this season after all! Shop the look Holland born has already modelled for Topshop in their Adidas Originals shoot earlier this year. With her effortlessly short curly bob and a pout to die for she gives the campaign all kinds of cool. Her Christmas look shows its okay to still wear jeans to the party if you just add a sheer top. Shop the Look Cami Morrone is only 18 but is definitely in with the right crowd, boasting friends like Kylie Jenner. As the daughter of male supermodel Maximo Morrone and Argentinian actress Lucila Sola, it is no wonder Cami has pursued a career in modelling. Pictured in a diamante velvet jacket, shes the look to copy if you want to add that extra sparkle to the occasion. Shop the look Londone Myers has already fronted campaigns for Saint Laurent and Prada, so being a campaign girl for Topshop is no biggie to her. Her look for the campaign is the perfect mixing of dressy with laid back. If you didnt want a faux fur coat before this, I bet you do now! has already fronted campaigns for Saint Laurent and Prada, so being a campaign girl for Topshop is no biggie to her. Her look for the campaign is the perfect mixing of dressy with laid back. If you didnt want a faux fur coat before this, I bet you do now! Shop the look These are the gals who are most definitely our goals this winter season. Stave off the agonising wait for the possible future Oscar-winner with a look at all that makes Damien Chazelles La La Land sparkle, behind the scenes. Weve seen it and were calling it already - La La Land will be the best film you see next year hands down. Theres no question about it. The ultra-sparky musical romance that smooshes Hollywoods hottest on-screen pairing Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone back together finally takes its bow over here in the UK this January, after sweeping up dangerous amounts of Oscar buzz at every top film festival going. The old-school song-and-dance drama finds Goslings down-on-his-luck jazz pianist Sebastian very quickly falling for Stones fierce, but equally hapless actress Mia, as the two battle their inner-creative passions in the city of angels itself, Los Angeles. Theres a couple of other notable faces along for the ride too, all of which make themselves known in the attached behind-the-scenes featurette. Forewarning, one of them is J.K. Simmons, so if youre prone to Whiplash flashbacks (especially with its director Damien Chazelle cropping up here too), ready yourself for a shift in perspectives. We wont spoil any more for you but by all means give this little behind-the-scenes nod a look if youre even remotely interested in the film; if youre not fully sold just yet, its highly likely this one will inch you ever closer. La La Land is finally released over here in the UK on 13th January 2017. The road to fame for X Ambassadors (XA) has been a long and arduous one. But through sheer determination and an abundance of talent, theyre making it to the top of the charts, and will doubtlessly be a household name in no time at all. The rock band originated in Ithaca, New York, in 2009, starting its existence as the more simply titled Ambassadors, and is made up of brothers, Sam Harris (lead vocalist and saxophone player) and Casey Harris (keyboardist - who has been blind since birth), and also Noah Feldshuh (lead guitarist) and Adam Levin (drummer). Debuting in 2009 with their eponymous EP, Ambassadors released their song Tropisms and later released an LP titled Litost, which featured in the soundtrack of the Saoirse Ronan film, The Host. Continuing in this style of releasing EPs and LPs until 2012, X Ambassadors met considerable success but made their break with the song Unconsolable and its accompanying music video, which they funded through a Kickstarter campaign. As fate would have it, Dan Reynolds (lead vocalist of Imagine Dragons) was in hospital in Norfolk, Virginia when he heard the song and asked, record label, Interscope to sign the band immediately. After this X Ambassadors began touring with Imagine Dragons, releasing EPs such as Love Songs Drug Songs and The Reason, which featured their songs Unconsolable, Jungle, and Unsteady. The track Jungle was perhaps best known for its use in the popular TV series, Orange is the New Black, while Unsteady has recently been made into an orchestral remix for the Emilia Clark film, Me Before You. Since their big break with Imagine Dragons, X Ambassadors have also released their debut album VHS, an artistic overview on their development as a musical group and as people, with a collection of new and previously released songs interspersed with recordings from old VHS tapes which tell the story of their lives. Included in the line-up of 13 songs on the album are: Unsteady, Jungle, Low Life ft. Jamie N. Commons (which has featured in the latest season of Ray Donovan), and the Platinum Award winning single Renegades (which some of you might recall from the Jeep adverts two years ago). Although, its not just the more mainstream tracks that are worth listening to on this album, less well-known songs like Gorgeous, Hang On, Nervous, and Loveless likewise display the artistic, tell-it-like-it-is attitude of X Ambassadors that somewhat resembles the uniqueness of other rock bands like Bastille. X Ambassadors have toured with the likes of artists such as LIGHTS, Muse, Skylar Grey, Panic! at the Disco, Jimmy Eat World, and The Mowglis. They have also appeared in live performances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. So, to anyone whos searching for a new band to follow, or anyone who just wants to appreciate good music: Look out for XA. And look out for their next album, VHS 2.0, with some new and updated tracks from the original VHS. And you too will soon be living like you're renegades (P.S: If you listen to the song youll understand that last part.) The Wyandotte-Downriver branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) hosted Mary Barden, director of philanthropy for the College of Education at Wayne State University, during their latest meeting at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2441 Nichols Drive, in Trenton. Barden is an advocate for the Helping Individuals Go Higher (HIGH) program at Wayne State University. Though the assumption is that if you are homeless or poor then school isnt a concern, Wayne State students in this situation know that education is the answer. Regardless of the hardships some face, they are determined to graduate and contribute to the professional and social fabric of the tri-county area. HIGHs mission is to ensure that no student demonstrating promise abandons the dream of earning a degree at WSU solely because of housing or financial challenges. Sometimes a helping hand, a few dollars or consistent housing is the sole difference between a degree and dropping out. Beneficiaries of the program, which was initiated in 2013 by Jacqueline Wilson, wife of the WSU president, are thoroughly and confidentially vetted. So far, 100 percent of the beneficiaries of HIGH have attained a degree, and a remarkable 50 percent have continued on to grad school. Most of the beneficiaries of the awards are female African Americans in their senior year at WSU. AAUW has a long and distinguished history of advancing educational opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe, enabling a broad community of women to gain access to educational and economic opportunities so that all women have a fair chance. To learn more about the organization, call Madeleine Jones at 734-626-2136 or email mizmadlin@yahoo.com and visit www.downriver-mi.aauw.net. Europe Against the Ropes MADRID On November 8, as Donald Trump was sealing his shocking victory in the United States presidential election, a conference in Brussels commemorated the legacy of the late Vaclav Havel, the first post-communist president of Czechoslovakia (and later the Czech Republic). As the world enters the Trump era, that legacy could not be more important, especially for Europe. It is hard to imagine two figures more different than Havel and Trump. The former was an artist and intellectual who fought his entire life for truth, working tirelessly to bring out the best in people and societies. The latter is a self-obsessed huckster who rose to power by playing on peoples basest emotions. Havels values have much in common with those that drove, after World War II, the creation of the liberal world order, which has brought unprecedented peace and prosperity. Trumps election, however, suggests that the US may no longer uphold those values, much less continue to fulfill its post-WWII role in maintaining international order. The resulting strategic lacuna creates an opportunity indeed, a desperate need for some other global actor to take up the mantle of leadership. The European Union which, more than any other global actor, has internalized and operationalized the ideals and principles that undergird the liberal world order should be the one to do it. The problem is that, for now at least, the EU does not look like it can. The EU has made valuable contributions to the liberal world order, from setting an example on climate change to helping push forward a workable deal to contain Irans nuclear program. But, so far, it has not shown a capacity for real global leadership. Consider the disastrous 2009 Copenhagen climate-change conference, the bungled Libya intervention, or, most painful, its inadequate response to the ongoing migration crisis. In short, while Europe has been a solid team player, it has not been a very good team captain. This is not for lack of hoping. Establishing the EU as a pole of global power was the goal of the much-maligned 2003 EU security strategy, to cite one example. Following Trumps victory, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini declared that the EU is becoming an indispensable power. But, as so often happens in Europe, there is a huge gap between rhetoric and reality. The poorly attended emergency meeting of European foreign ministers following the US election is a stark reminder of just how far Europe has to go to fill the gaping hole that Trumps abdication of Americas global responsibilities would create. The truth is that the EU lacks both perspective and clout. To be a pole requires magnetism, produced by either hard or soft power. During the early 2000s, the heyday of EU enlargement, Europe had this pull. And it may have had this pull as recently as the 2013 Euromaidan protests, when young Ukrainians died in the name of their countrys potential links with the EU. Today, as the EU and its member states look inward, that attraction is gone. Now, as Brexit plays out and the transatlantic partnership becomes unmoored, the EU could well unravel. If not, the most likely alternative is that it becomes a platform on which its hegemon, Germany, can stand and lead. In some ways, the EU is already well down this road. It is a truism that nothing gets done in Brussels these days without the German governments acquiescence. Chancellor Angela Merkels unilateral pledge to welcome refugees and the German-led EU deal with Turkey to stem refugee flows underscore this reality. This outcome would be highly problematic even tragic. The EU was supposed to be a supranational endeavor, shaped by the spirit of collective action for the common good that Havel championed. Though Germany is surely a benign hegemon, mono-national domination of Europe controverts the very basis for the EUs creation. On a more practical level, Germany will not be a strong enough international champion for Europe. In our increasingly Hobbesian world, demonstrations of conventional strength are needed. Germanys traditional aversion to hard power will hamper its ability to project its influence and Europes globally. There are, to be sure, ways the rest of Europe can help. Most notable, the long-stalled effort to coordinate and streamline European defense could be reinvigorated. Fortunately, there have been signs of life on that front in recent weeks, with European foreign and defense ministers agreeing to move forward on cooperation. Placing those efforts under de facto German leadership is not optimal, but it may be the best possible outcome, given the circumstances. Ideal outcomes in Europe are not realistic. And, as Havel pointed out, clinging to optimism the belief that things will end well is pointless. Instead, we must find grounds for hope the belief that things will eventually make sense. The only way to do that is to be honest with ourselves and take a sober look at what we can and must do to ensure the most that can be achieved. Europe has the potential to play a leading role in the world, but lacks the self-confidence and dedication to make it happen. It is time to recognize that, and to acknowledge the real threat that the liberal world order faces. Only then can we figure out how, realistically, to safeguard our interests and ideals in a challenging world. This, I believe, would be Havels message today. Celebrities to be questioned on Chiang Mai pub attack CHIANG MAI: A pub brawl in Chiang Mai between the son of a general and TV celebrities looks set to be far from over after police said they would summon the boyfriend of a TV actress and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon ordered authorities to crack down on influential figures. policemilitaryviolenceculture By Bangkok Post Tuesday 29 November 2016, 08:50AM Pol Col Sarayuth Sanguanpokai, the acting chief of the Chiang Mai police force, comes out of a meeting on the brawl at the Marlin Sky pub at the Changpuak police station in Chiang Mai. Photo: Bangkok Post / Cheewin Sattha Col Sarayuth Sanguanpokai, the acting chief of the Chiang Mai Police, said after a meeting at the Changpuak police station on Monday (Nov 28) that police would issue a summon order for all witnesses to give statements. The person of interest is Krisna Ball Amitsoon, the boyfriend of actress Lakana Aum Wattanawongsiri. Police have interrogated 16 witnesses at the scene and are preparing to take legal action against the attackers. But Col Sarayuth said more would be questioned and police are taking the case without fears of influential figures. The assault took place at the time when the pub, located in front of Chiang Mai University, claimed its CCTV cameras had been out of order for months. The brawl began on Friday night when Issrajnuwat Wankwisan, 23, was beaten up by security guards at the pub after he tried to use the washroom. The son of Maj Gen Witthaya, who is the commander of the 38th Military Circle based in Nan, claimed one of the celebrities had ordered the guards to attack him after he protested the toilet blockade. Among the celebrities was Mr Krisna, a young businessman in Chiang Mai, who is believed to be indirectly involved in the assault. Nobody has been charged yet as Mr Issrajnuwat is being treated for the injuries at Lanna Hospital. But his father, Maj Gen Witthaya, has said that the case was not over until all attackers are arrested. As police are waiting for Mr Krisna to give his statements, the Core Hotel in Chiang Mai, of which he is a shareholder, was ordered closed because it did not have an operating licence. Malin Sky manager Tanin Lert-umrungkul told reporters on Sunday that he was the owner of the pub and denied having business relations with Mr Krisna. But a clip previously posted on YouTube clearly showed Mr Krisna saying otherwise. This is Malin Sky, he said with the actress by his side. Whats Malin Sky? the actress asked. Its my pub in Chiang Mai. Come visit us, he said. Police have ordered the closure of the pub and the Chiang Mai Complex, which operates the compound, has terminated the leasing contract with Malin Sky. Gen Prawit urged Chiang Mai police to find the attackers of the son of the 38th Military Circle without fears of influential persons. Influential figures cannot transfer police. Police have to carry out their duties stipulated by the laws, he added. Read original story here. Italian tourist injured in boat collision off Phuket released from hospital PHUKET: An inspector from Phi Phi Police has confirmed to The Phuket News today (Nov 29) that the Italian tourist who was injured when a speed boat collided with a longtail boat in Maya Bay last Friday (Nov 25) has since been released from hospital. accidentsmarinepolicetransport By Yutthawat Lekmak Tuesday 29 November 2016, 11:01AM The longtail boat sunk when it collided with a speed baot entering May bay at Phi Phi Island. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Capt Poramin Naiyakul also confirmed that no charges have yet to be filed regarding the incident and clarified some points which he said had been misreported by media. Many news outlets have reported on this story, but some of those reports are inaccurate, Capt Poramin told The Phuket News this morning. On the day this incident occurred there were two Italian tourists in the longtail boat along with the boat captain Vichan Samnuk. As the longtail boat was entering Maya Bay, a speedboat, which was travelling fast, tried to cut across in front of it. However, it crashed into the longtail boat causing it to sink. There was only one person injured in the incident, it was a female Italian tourist named Ms Lucia Quintela, 37, who had suffered scrapes to her body. She had been taken to Phi Phi Island Hospital by another speedboat by the time police arrived, he said. Ms Quintela has already been discharged from the hospital and is due to head back home with her boyfriend this weekend (Dec 3-4). I can confirm that no charges have yet to be filed against the boat operator as the incident is still under investigation, Capt Poramin added. Capt Poramin Naiyakul also confirmed that no charges have yet to be filed regarding the incident and clarified some points which he said had been misreported by media. Many news outlets have reported on this story, but some of those reports are inaccurate, Capt Poramin told The Phuket News this morning. On the day this incident occurred there were two Italian tourists in the longtail boat along with the boat captain Vichan Samnuk. As the longtail boat was entering Maya Bay, a speedboat, which was travelling fast, tried to cut across in front of it. However, it crashed into the longtail boat causing it to sink. There was only one person injured in the incident, it was a female Italian tourist named Ms Lucia Quintela, 37, who had suffered scrapes to her body. She had been taken to Phi Phi Island Hospital by another speedboat by the time police arrived, he said. Ms Quintela has already been discharged from the hospital and is due to head back home with her boyfriend this weekend (Dec 3-4). I can confirm that no charges have yet to be filed against the boat operator as the incident is still under investigation, Capt Poramin added. NLA acknowledges accession to throne of Crown Prince BANGKOK: The National Legislative Assembly met today (Nov 29) and acknowledged the accession to the throne by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as the 10th King of the Chakri Dynasty. deathculture By Bangkok Post Tuesday 29 November 2016, 02:02PM His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presides over the royal kathin ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam on Oct 26 2016. Photo: Patipat Janthong The acknowledgement was in line with Section 23 of the nullified 2007 charter, whose chapter about the monarch remains in effect. The section says if the King has appointed his Heir to the Throne, the cabinet will notify the NLA president, who will seek an acknowledgement from the assembly. The NLA president will then invite the Heir to ascend the Throne and proclaim him King. Born on July 28, 1952 at Ambara Villa, Dusit Palace, His Majesty the King received his early education at Chitralada School, followed by Millfield School in Somerset, Britain, and The Kings School in Sydney, Australia. His formal education was followed by military training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Canberra, Australia. The monarchs military background was enhanced with training programmes in special forces demolition, unconventional warfare tactics and advanced navigation training in the United States, Britain and Australia, and he is also a qualified military pilot and a helicopter pilot. On Dec 28, 1972, at the auspicious time of 12:23pm, he was proclaimed according to a centuries-old tradition in the stately Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall as the Crown Prince. Amid a gathering of members of the Royal family, senior government officials, assemblymen and diplomats, the Prince went through one of the rarest and most solemn royal ceremonies, only the third ever such event in Thai history. Since 1975, he has served as a career officer in the Royal Thai Army. He served as a staff officer in the Directorate of Army Intelligence, and in 1978 he became head of the Kings Own Bodyguard Battalion. In keeping with tradition, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn ordained as a monk for a season in 1978. Prior to his ascension to the throne, he held the ranks of general in the Royal Thai Army, admiral in the Royal Thai Navy and air chief marshal in the Royal Thai Air Force. In 2005, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn earned his wings as a pilot for the Boeing 737-400, and according to a Public Relations Department report, received a piloting certificate from the Department of Civil Aviation. The report reads: His Royal Highness is now a borrowed pilot from Thai Airways International, in accordance with the agreement between the Royal Thai Air Force and Thai Airways International on August 9, 2004. In May 2009, he celebrated 3,000 hours of commercial flight time on the Boeing 737-400. In recent years, as King Bhumibol Adulyadej has taken on fewer public engagements because of age and frail health, the Crown Prince has taken up more and more of these ceremonial duties. In his speech given on the birthday of King Bhumibol on Dec 5,2009, during a Grand Audience at Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall, the Grand Palace, the Prince reiterated his allegiance to the King and the nation, proclaiming: On this most auspicious occasion, I would like to solemnly swear that I will carry out my responsibilities, both as a Thai and as a member of the House of Chakri, to the best of my knowledge and abilities, in the best of faith and loyalty to Your Majesty and the nation forever. Read original story here. Phuket boss shot in head by employee, files complaint PHUKET: Police are searching for a man accused of shooting his employer in the head then running away after an altercation in Koh Kaew early yesterday morning (Nov 28). violencepolice By Yutthawat Lekmak Tuesday 29 November 2016, 02:07PM Mr Pisekhphong points to his street address for police at his home in Koh Kaew. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The incident happened behind the Isuzu showroom, said Lt Col Naruebadin Pangleesen of Phuket City Police. Phisekhpong Anwan, 38, from Lampang, was shot in the head during a fight with Chaiya Jongpakdee, 42, Col Naruebadin explained. Phisekhpong had a 22mm bullet lodged inside his head. He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he is now is consciousness and safe, Col Naruebadin said. During the fight, in which Mr Phisekhpong was attacked by Mr Chaiya wielding a hammer, Mr Phisekhpong grabbed Mr Chaiyas bag. Mr Phisekhpong said shot Mr Chiay shot him then ran away, Col Naruebadin explained. Inside the bag we found 16 22mm bullets, a bankbook for an account at Siam Commercial Bank, Mr Chaiyas identification card and a hammer, he added. Police are still searching for him Lt Col Naruebadin said. No explanation was given as to what started the fight, though Col Naruebadin said that Mr Phisekhpong did identify Mr Chaiya as the cousin of Mr Phisekhpongs girlfriend, Atitiya Phrummi, age 18. Phuket bus and guide associations again complain of lost jobs PHUKET: Members of the Andaman Tour Guide Association (ATGA) and Andaman Bus Travel Association (ABTA) submitted letters to the Phuket Governor yesterday (Nov 28) demanding action as they say they have lost their jobs to illegal tour guides and operations. transporttourism By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 29 November 2016, 12:33PM Members of the AGTA and ABTA gather at Provincial Hall yesterday (Nov 28). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub At 9:30am yesterday more than 50 members of the ATGA (Phuket-Phang Nga-Krabi) led by Mr Krit Thepbamrung gathered at Provincial Hall to submit their letters to Gov Chockchai Dejamornthan. Mr Thavornwat Buakaew, acting on behalf of the governor, received the letter and told the group that he will look into the issue. President of the AGTA, Mr Krit, explained, In the past our government had an urgent policy and set up a committee to get rid of illegal guides and tour operations. Former Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul was chief of the committee, but since his retirement the operation seem to have come to a stop. Today the number of illegal guides has increased and this has caused stress to those who work legally. These illegal guides have no knowledge of the area they take tourists to. Tourists often get wrong information about Phuket from these guides which damages the islands tourism, he said. The ATGA wants Gov Chochchai to resolve this issue fast and are demanding that officials set up a new committee immediately to rid the island of illegal guides. Many of us are in distress as officials incorrectly enforce the law, this must be rectified, Mr Krit added. Meanwhile, also at 9:30am yesterday, members of the ABTA led by Mr Chonawee Eaktiewsakul arrived at Provincial Hall also to hand a similar letter of complaint to Gov Chockchai and Commander of 41st Military Circle Maj Gen Akom Pongprom asking them to solve the problem of out-of-province buses stealing their jobs. Mr Chonawee said that since joining Asean, the number of tourists visiting Phuket has increased. This created an opportunity for agents and tour companies in Phuket to bring tour buses from other provinces to serve in Phuket. he said. Today, bus operators in Phuket have no jobs, cannot afford to care for our families and our debts are accumulating. We want officials to solve this issue fast starting by banning buses from other provinces coming to work in Phuket. There are about 1,000 members in the ABTA, but we dont have any income now because tour companies would rather hire buses from outside of Phuket for a cheaper rate. We cannot compete with their fares. We charge about B18,000 for six days, while those outside charge only B14,000. The government should help us settle this, Mr Chonawee concluded. Phuket search launched for missing Russian, last seen drunk at beach PHUKET: Rescue workers are searching for a Russian man who disappeared into the water at Kamala Beach last night (Nov 28). Russianmarineaccidentstourism By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 29 November 2016, 12:24PM Rescue workers searched Kamala Beach for missing 39-year-old Russian tourist Mikhail Korneev last night to no avail. The search continues today (Nov 29). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The man, named by police as 39-year-old Mikhail Korneev, was on the beach drinking with friends and last seen running into the water, reported Lt Col Somnuek Damkaew of the Kamala Police. Police were alerted to the situation at about midnight, he added. Earlier yesterday evening, Mr Korneev arrived in a taxi with friends at the hotel nearby where he checked out two days ago, Col Somnuek explained. His friends told us that Mr Korneev was drunk so they paid the taxi fare for him, he said. They said they were drinking some more at the beach, when Mr Korneev suddenly ran into the water and disappeared, he said. Police and rescue workers searched for him along the beach last night, but they did not find him, so today we are out looking for him again, Col Somneuk noted. So far there has been no sign of him, he said. Suu Kyi delays Indonesia trip amid Rohingya crisis MYANMAR: Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on yesterday (Nov 28) postponed a visit to Indonesia after protests there over her countrys bloody crackdown on Rohingya Muslims and a thwarted plot to attack its Jakarta embassy. deathimmigrationMyanmarreligionsexviolence By AFP Tuesday 29 November 2016, 09:47AM Indonesian Muslims hold a rally outside of the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta against the ongoing crackdown in Maungdaw. Photo: Bay Ismoyo/AFP Thousands of desperate Rohingya have flooded over the border from Myanmars Rakhine state into Bangladesh in the past week, making horrifying claims of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of security forces. The Nobel laureate has faced a growing international backlash for what a UN official has said amounts to a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Suu Kyis government has denied the allegations, saying the army is hunting terrorists behind deadly raids on police posts last month. Foreign journalists and independent investigators have been banned from verifying what is happening in the north of Rakhine state bordering Bangladesh. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets last week in Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, calling for the government to break off diplomatic ties with Myanmar. On Sunday (Nov 27) Indonesian police said they had arrested a third Islamic State-linked militant accused of plotting to bomb Myanmars embassy in Jakarta. Suu Kyi had been due to visit Indonesia after a trip to Singapore from Nov 30-Dec 2, but a senior Foreign Ministry official said the trip had been delayed. We postponed the Indonesia trip because of the problems in Rakhine and also northern Shan state where the army is fighting ethnic insurgents, said deputy director general Aye Aye Soe. It will be arranged in the near future, she said, denying that the delay was due to security concerns. Some 30,000 Rohingya have fled their homes in Myanmar, where even in normal times they are denied citizenship, healthcare and education and have their movements severely restricted. Dhaka says thousands more are massed on the border but it has refused urgent international appeals to let them in, instead calling on Myanmar to do more to stop people fleeing. Yesterday border guards pushed back eight more boatloads of Rohingya who were attempting to cross the Naf River to southern Bangladesh. Lapo Elkann, jetsetting playboy and grandson of former Fiat CEO Gianni Agnelli, was charged with faking his own kidnapping in an attempt to get $10,000 to pay for drugs he binged on during a "two-day bender with an escort in a Kips Bay housing project." The bizarre incident occurred over the Thanksgiving weekend. According to Page Six, Elkann, 39, "arrived in New York City by plane" on Thanksgiving "and immediately began contacting various online escort services, sources said. He met up with a female escort on West 49th Street and was then introduced by her to the transgender escort" who could apparently get drugs. Elkann reportedly joined the second escort the next day: The Daily News reports, "He visited her in an apartment in the Strauss Houses on E. 28th St., near First St., in Manhattan on Friday, and the pair did cocaine and pot for two days before running out of cash, sources said. The escort paid for more drugs, and Elkann agreed to pay her back, according to sources. They said he then came up with the plan to call his family with the bogus false imprisonment claim." Then, Elkann allegedly contacted his relatives to say he was being held against his will and would be injured unless $10,000 was paid to his kidnapper. His family then contacted the NYPD, who devised a sting and took Elkann and the escort into custody. The escort was initially arrested and charged with grand larceny by extortion, because, sources tell Page Six, "Elkann filed a police report late Saturday. A subsequent investigation revealed that Elkann had used his own cellphone to call for cash and that he could have left the apartment at any time." Elkann was issued a desk appearance ticket for filing a false police report. Eleven years ago, when he was the "public" face of Fiat, he nearly died from an overdose in a prostitute's apartment in Turin, Italy, which became a tabloid sensation. An Italian investigator told Vanity Fair, "Fiat Group calledthe most important big shot. They were expecting they could hide the real story. But if you want to keep a secret, you dont give it to a bitch who stays on the street and then arrive naked at the hospital." He left Fiat in 2007 and started a fashion brand, Italia Independent. In an Instagram post from last week, Elkann discussed going on a business trip for projects, "Ill be seeing many interesting characters in the creative field and in the entrepreneurial field in the next few days. For business and creative projects around the world in the next few days to come . @adidasoriginals @luca_rubinacci A video posted by Lapo Elkann Official (@lapoindependent) on Nov 23, 2016 at 5:02am PST Shares for Italia Independent have dropped today. Two sleazy Brooklyn landlords accused of turning their buildings into barely habitable hellholes will be spared jail time after pleading guilty to a scheme to drive out rent-stabilized tenants. According to a press release from Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, brothers Joel and Amrom Israel have copped to charges that they gutted buildings they own in north Brooklyn in an effort to make life unbearable for their tenants. While one might hope that destroying a building's boiler or smashing giant holes in tenants' apartments would merit at least some time in prison, the Israel brothers won't be doing any time behind bars. Under the terms of the plea deal, they were sentenced to five years of probation and 500 hours of community service. They were also ordered to pay $248,000 in restitution to eight tenants who were victimized in their scheme. The plea also resolves a parallel civil case brought by the Governor's Tenant Protection Unit, which the brothers agreed to settle. As part of the settlement agreement, they agreed to retain an independent monitorfor the next five yearsto make sure they aren't harassing their tenants, and to pay $100,000 into a compensation fund for tenants they scammed. Kevin Keating and John Carman, attorneys for the Israels, issued a statement saying their clients are moving forward after the plea. "The Israels have chosen to put this matter behind them and are cooperating fully to ensure that the rights of their tenants are protected," they said. Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hailed the deal as a victory for Brooklyn's tenants. "Landlords across Brooklyn should be put on notice by today's felony guilty pleas that illegal actions they may take to harass and intimidate tenants in rent regulated apartments will not go unpunished," he said in a statement. But Judith Goldiner, attorney-in-charge at the Law Reform Unit of The Legal Aid Society, which represented one of the Israels' tenants in a civil suit, said the brothers got off far too easy. "If anyone richly deserved to go to jail, it was the Israel brothers," she said. "Landlords will look at this as the cost of doing business." What to know about the Noem rallies in Sioux Falls Wednesday President-elect Donald Trump has announced his pick of Georgia Representative Tom Price for Health and Human Services Secretary. The announcement that Price would become the nation's next top health official came Tuesday morning, and in a statement Trump praised the orthopedic surgeon-turned-congressman as "exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American." Price has served six terms in congress, and had most recently chaired the House Budget Committee. From that post, he put forward a conservative replacement plan for Obamacare that hinged upon health savings accounts and tax credits for purchasing private coverage. Price's vision for healthcare in America includes giving fixed Medicare grants to states and ending the program's open entitlement system in favor of pre-set government contributions, Politico notes. Democrats have contended that such measures would lead to drastic cuts and decreased access for all but the richest of Americans. Currently, over 120 million people use either Medicare or Medicaid to help pay for care. "There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit," Price, 62, said in a statement after Trump's transition team made its announcement. Price endorsed Trump in May, near the end of the Republican presidential primary. Trump made repealing Obamacare a centerpiece of his campaign strategy, and in spite of some apparent waffling, has now sent a clear message that he intends to follow through with his promise. According to the Washington Post, Price has been at the forefront of 60 unsuccessful GOP-led House votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In a long-term study of health care costs, Health Affairs found Obamacare markedly slowed the rise of aggregate health care costs in America. Over 11 million Americans currently depend on Obamacare's open marketplace plans for insurance, and it's very likely that many of them voted for a candidate that will leave them without healthcare. "When I talk to people who work closely with Trump, what they tell me is that behind closed doors hes one of the best listeners theyve ever worked for or with in their life, Price told the New Yorker earlier this spring. Which is kind of counterintuitive, given what some of his public persona is. Price is a staunch opponent of women's reproductive rights, having voted repeatedly to prohibit federal funding for abortion. He has a legislative rating of 0 from Planned Parenthood. Price has repeatedly voted against funding stem-cell research, and in 2007 supported a bill that would have utilized the 14th Amendment to give pre-born fetuses equal protection under the law. "Congressman Price has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want when it comes to Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and Planned Parenthood," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement addressing the new appointment. "Thanks to those three programs, millions of American seniors, families, people with disabilities and women have access to quality, affordable health care." Mayor Bill de Blasio also tweeted his concern over Price's appointment, arguing that it lays bare Trump's plan to take away healthcare coverage from the poor and elderly. In 2011, Price was one of the founding members of the Republican Tea Party caucus. "This is the absolute perfect choice," Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said Tuesday. "Tom Price has made health care his life's work. As a doctor, he has practiced and taught medicine, and he knows exactly how Washington's decisions affect patients. As a legislator, he has played a leading role in developing conservative health care solutions that put patients first." Price's other conservative greatest hits include co-sponsoring a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and voting against a bill barring LGBTQ-based discrimination from the workplace. He's called the Obama administration's push for allowing transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identity "absurd." Price's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which has a Republican majority. Donald Trump, who the American public somehow recently elected to be president, owns stock in at least one of the companies behind the contested Dakota Access oil pipeline, a piece of infrastructure across stolen Native American land, completion of which the Obama administration has provisionally blocked. Financial disclosure forms filed by Trump in May show that he owned between $15,000 and $50,000 in stock in the Texas company Energy Transfer Partners, which is building the pipeline. The project has drawn protesters from more than 300 indigenous tribes from across the Americas, as well as non-native demonstrators such as the Bronx woman at risk of losing her arm from what activists have described as a police-thrown concussion grenade. A disclosure made a year earlier showed that Trump owned between $500,000 and $1 million in Energy Transfer Partners stock at that time. This year, Trump also listed $100,000 to $250,000 in stock in Phillips 66, which controls a quarter share of Dakota access. Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks claimed to the Washington Post last week that Trump sold his Energy Transfer Partners stock over the summer. The company declined to comment, citing a policy against discussing individual shareholders, and Hicks did not repeat her claim in a subsequent statement to the Associated Press on the subject. The Trump team did not respond to an email seeking comment. Responding to public pressure from the protest encampments led by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, the Obama administration held off on approving a segment of the planned pipe running under the Missouri River in southern North Dakota, within a mile of the Standing Rock reservation, and through land claimed by the Army Corps of Engineers, saying more study of environmental impacts is needed. Meanwhile, construction has continued on other segments of the 1,200-mile pipeline that could carry as many as 570,000 barrels of oil a day, and it is nearly 90 percent complete. Trump's pipeline stock is one of numerous conflicts of interest stemming from the Orange One's sprawling business holdings and his refusal to turn over their operation to anyone other than his children, who are also deeply involved in his transition maneuvering. Energy Transfer Partners CEO Kelcy Warren donated $3,000 to Trump's campaign, plus $100,000 to a Trump-supporting super PAC and another $66,800 to the Republican National Committee. Speaking to the AP, Warren said of Trump's presidency, "Do I think it's going to get easier? Of course." He added, "If you're in the infrastructure business, you need consistency. That's where this process has gotten off track." Trump has not taken a public position on the Dakota Access Pipeline, but said during the campaign that he would "absolutely" "100 percent" approve the Keystone XL pipeline, the tar sands-carrying project blocked by Obama after mass demonstrations. Trump could approve the Keystone construction upon taking officehe has said he wants to negotiate a deal where the U.S. gets a share of Keystone profits, a prospect experts say is unlikelyand could order the Army Corps to stop stalling the Dakota pipeline as well. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty) Trump is reportedly considering two men for energy secretary who could directly benefit from the Dakota pipeline: oil magnate Harold Hamm, who could ship his company Continental Resources' oil through the pipe, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry, who when he was running for president benefited from a super PAC that Warren gave $5 million to, and who now serves on the board of directors of Energy Transfer Partners. Also, Sunoco just announced a $20 billion merger with Energy Transfer Partners, which CNBC host Jim Cramer called the first of many "Trump deals" among energy companies. "Pipelines are going to be winners under Trump," Cramer said. Indeed, the North Dakota project is far from the only fossil-fuel-promoting item likely to be on Trump's agenda. The soon-to-be conspiracy-theorist-in-chief has called climate change a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, pledged to slash climate protection regulations, and has referred to fossil fuels as "a treasure trove of untapped energy." One of Trump's first transition decisions was to appoint prominent climate-science-denier Myron Ebell to oversee appointments to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Army Corps told the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe on Friday that demonstrators have until December 5th to vacate land claimed by the Corps by way of several broken treaties and the attendant genocide that made the United States what it is today. Meanwhile, the North Pole is currently 36 degrees warmer than average, and sea ice is at a record low for this time of year. And Donald Trump believes in eugenics, as does, allegedly, his chief advisor Steve Bannon. In a recent interview denying that Breitbart News is a white nationalist website, contrary to what much of its content might lead one to believe, Bannon said that with Trump he aims to "build an entirely new movement" in line with the "populism" of Andrew Jackson. A plantation owner, Jackson owned hundreds of slaves, and as president he enacted the Indian Removal Act, which laid the groundwork for the Trail of Tears. It's our annual Labour Weekend tradition ...The Sound 'Hall Of Fame' Countdown... Where we honor the greatest 500 songs of all time as voted by you. I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission. A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it. Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Womens Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Congress leader Anand Sharma on Monday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be held accountable and tried for "looting people's money". The Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha was reacting to the government's move to introduce a bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Income Tax rules and coming up with an income disclosure scheme called the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) 2016. "Let Lok Sabha consider the bill, then we'll take care whenever it comes to Rajya Sabha. They cannot enact it as a law before it is passed by Rajya Sabha," Sharma told IANS. "Modi is looting people's money, and now he is trying to be generous. First banks collapsed, then people's money was looted, and they were forced to put it in banks. Illegally people were denied access to their own hard-earned money. Now, he is trying show generosity by starting this Jan Kalyan Yojana," he added. "The prime minister must be held to account and tried for looting people's money." His Lok Sabha colleague Gaurav Gogoi said, "It is another scheme allowing those who have unaccounted money to be legalised. While the poor is suffering and is unable to withdraw their hard-earned money, those who have got black money are being allowed a way out." Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Income Tax rules, levying a tax of 60 per cent on undisclosed income or investment or cash credit deposited in the banks. The government has also come up with an income disclosure scheme called the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) 2016 which allows people to deposit money in their accounts till April 1, 2017, by paying 50 per cent of the total amount30 per cent as tax, 10 per cent as penalty and 33 per cent of the taxed amount, that is 10 per cent, as Garib Kalyan Cess. An Indian expatriate in Dubai walked a total of 1,000 km over a time of two years to attend court proceedings in a bid to return home, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. Jagannathan Selvaraj, 48, who hails from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, told the Khaleej Times that he braved traffic, heat, sandstorm and exhaustion to attend the labour court proceedings. Selvaraj began his court journeys after his mother died in Tamil Nadu and he was denied permission to go and attend her funeral. His case went on for almost two years. Selvaraj said he must have walked at least 20 times to Karama district in Dubai from Sonapur and back, every time covering a distance ofover 50 km in four hours. He said he could not afford a bus journey from his Sonapur accommodation on the outskirts of Dubai to the labour court. Selvaraj told the Khaleej Times that he had been living in a public park for several months and was desperate to return to India. As nearly 500,000 children are living under siege amid escalating violence across Syria, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for lifting sieges and allowing immediate humanitarian access. The number of children living under siege has doubled in less than one year, Xinhua news agency quoted UNICEF as saying in a press release. "Nearly 500,000 children now live in 16 besieged areas across the country, almost completely cut off from sustained humanitarian aid and basic services," it added. "For millions of human beings in Syria, life has become an endless nightmarein particular for the hundreds of thousands of children living under siege," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. He added that children are being killed and injured and are too afraid "to go to school or even play". They are "surviving with little food and hardly any medicine". In the absence of safe spaces, children are turning to basement playgrounds, schools and hospitals to continue playing, learning and seeking medical care when necessary. In one besieged area, a group of volunteers built a playground and a park by linking a series of basements. On average, around 200 children come to this playground every day. In another besieged area, an underground school provides 250 girls with the chance to keep learning. As the conflict nears six years, UNICEF renews its call on all parties to lift the sieges across Syria, and to allow and facilitate immediate and sustained humanitarian access to all areas across the war-torn country. A small Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard vessel pointed its weapon at a US military helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, two US defense officials told Reuters on Monday, an action they described as "unsafe and unprofessional." The incident is the latest in a series of similar actions by Iranian vessels this year, but the first reported since Republican Donald Trump won the US presidential election on November 8. During his campaign, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessel that harassed the US Navy in the Gulf would be "shot out of the water," if he was elected. Trump is due to take office on January 20. There was no immediate Iranian comment on the incident. Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident took place when a Navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters. One of the vessels pointed a weapon at the helicopter, the US officials said. "The behavior by our standards is provocative and could be seen as an escalation," the officials said. At no point did the crew of the helicopter feel threatened, they added. It was not immediately clear what type of weapon was pointed at the US aircraft. Years of mutual animosity eased when Washington lifted sanctions on Tehran in January after a deal to curb Irans nuclear ambitions. But serious differences still remain over Irans ballistic missile program, and over conflicts in Syria and Iraq. A number of similar incidents have taken place this year. In September, a US Navy coastal patrol ship changed course after an Iranian fast-attack craft came within 100 yards of it. "When they circle our beautiful destroyers with their little boats and they make gestures at our people that they shouldn't be allowed to make, they will be shot out of the water," Trump said at the time. South Korean President Park Geun-hye, troubled by a howl of allegations of corruption and her involvement in the "Korean Rasputin" scandal, on Tuesday, yielded to increasing demands for her resignation. Park offered her resignation to the National Assembly, where she was being threatened impeachment, Efe news reported. "I will leave to the National Assembly the possibility of shortening my term," said Park Geun-hye in her third public speech since the biggest political scandal in South Korea was uncovered more than a month ago. Park said she was also "committed to collaborate with the investigation and resign" if necessary. Rep. Ryan Zinkes team announced Monday that his wife, Lolita Zinke, will join President-elect Donald Trumps Veterans Administration landing team. Members of the landing team will evaluate the Veterans Administration and identify changes to be made in the first 100 days. "Nothing is more near to my heart than caring for our troops. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve in such a crucial part of this Administration," Lolita Zinke said in a press release. Congressman Zinke, R-Mont., served as a Navy SEAL for 23 years. Their daughter, Jennifer, is a former Navy diver, and their son-in-law is a Navy SEAL. Lolita Zinke said in the release that many changes need to be made to the Veterans Administration. "As a military wife and mom, I have personally seen the challenges that our veterans and our men and women in uniform face when dealing with the VA, she said in the release. I am excited to be part of such a pivotal moment for them." Congressman Zinke said in the release that he was confident his wife will make sure veterans remain a top priority in the Trump Administration. Lolita Zinke is a native of Santa Barbara, California, according to a biography on the Republican National Committee website gop.com. After she graduated from the California Western School of Law, she provided bilingual felony arraignment services for the San Diego Public Defenders Office. She is a self-employed estate property and asset manager. Rep. Zinke's Communications Director Heather Swift did not respond to questions about the appointment Monday, but said Lolita Zinke will be available to comment after she starts work on the landing team Tuesday. A survey was taken to determine which organizations Israelis like and those that are disliked. Not surprisingly, the IDF ranks high while Bituach Leumi, banks and political parties are not favored. The survey was taken ahead of the Sderot Conference on Society, which is being hosted in Sapir College. The poll was conducted by the Rotem Institute headed by Dr. Aryeh Rotem, questioning 502 Jewish respondents over the age of 18. Respondents were asked to rate the organizations and the officials representing them from one to five. The survey shows the most loved organizations are IDF, MDA and ZAKA. Among the most beloved personalities are doctors, military officers and teachers. Least popular are politicians and lawyers. Most popular segments of society are secular and immigrants and least popular is the Arab sector, leftists and foreign workers, with the chareidim ranking one above them. When segmenting the populations, it appears the chareidim and the religious find much sympathy for the political parties and politicians in addition to the rabbonim, talmidei yeshiva and young people serving in the IDF. Secularists are sympathetic to the State Comptroller, Supreme Court, the courts, the media, leftists and Arabs. The ranking of additional population groups those who dont serve in the IDF took past place. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Once again there was drama in Jerusalems Shaare Zedek Medical Center as an infant was missing for under a half hour. On Sunday afternoon, a baby born to a Jerusalem couple disappeared among many babies in the hospital. After less than a half hour, the child was found in the hands of a woman, who was surprised to realize she was caring for a baby that was not hers. Shaare Zedek officials report 20,000 babies are born in the hospital annually and security includes strict technological measures including computer monitoring and other signs used to prevent mixing up children. While the search was ongoing the head of the department and deputy director of the hospital were summoned to calm the parents who child went missing. Yediot Jerusalem reports it appears a check to determine whose child the lady was taking was not conducted properly and she took the incorrect baby from the nursery. Hospital officials report the incident occurred in one of the five maternity wards in which there was 28 babies at the time. The missing baby was found within 17 minutes and the matter is under investigation, promising the required lessons will be learned to prevent a reoccurrence in the future. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) The Knesset Committee for the Advancement of Women is meeting this week to discuss a case surrounding the planned meeting this week of the entire Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council. Rishon LTzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita summoned the meeting to discuss a case involving a get given in France, which he wishes to have the council overturn. The Knesset Committee is meeting in the hope of finding a way to interfere with this process and/or influence members of the Chief Rabbinate Council to see another position. In fact, the committee has summoned some of the members of the Chief Rabbinate Council to appear before it, hoping to influence their position. The committee has also summoned the woman involved to hear her story. Members of the legal community are angry, calling the Knesset committees actions unprecedented for the matter is a private one involving a couple and inviting attorneys involved in the case is not an acceptable practice. It is added the case is still being adjudicated and this makes the actions of the Knesset committee even more serious. There are calls to the Knesset legal counsel to at the very least cancel the planned appearance of the womans attorney before the committee. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A 60-year-old chareidi woman from Netivot was jailed for a year after her daughter accused her of hitting her. After holes were found in the states case and actions of police, she was released. She filed a NIS 2.5 lawsuit against the state. It has been learned the womans eldest daughter wounded herself and blamed those wounds on her mom. Only after the woman was in jail for a year did the state pass some of its evidence to the womans defense attorney, who found issues with the evidence and this led to the womans release. The woman was left alone as her family did not believe her, abandoning abandon her when she was sent to prison. She explains her lawsuit, citing When I was arrested and then sent to prison, I was married and had a wonderful daughter, intelligent, never getting less than a 95 in school. Now, she explains to Channel 2 News, While she had a mental issue, she functioned fine and could lead a full life. After I was arrested, with any reason jailed for an entire year, my husband gave me a get and my daughters condition deteriorated significantly and she was hospitalized a number of times. I do not work today. I am a psychologist but cannot find work because of my age. I have nothing to eat and simply leave on hand outs unfortunately. She adds This is what Hashem wanted and I accept it with love. The state however was negligent and it is my daughter who paid the highest price. I am totally cut off from her as per an order from the state. I lost my entire life. I dont even have electricity, not to mention money to pay for healthcare or any insurance. I simply do not receive medical care. The prosecutor now explains it did not object to handing over the medical records to the defense, explaining at the time they believed it was a social services case and turning over the files would have violated the daughters privacy and it was decided not to turn over the files unless ordered to do so by a court of law. Israel Police rejects any and all accusation of negligence, citing it was a very complex case which was escorted by the social services experts who were treating the girl at the time. After the material in the case was handed to the prosecution it was decided to move ahead with an indictment. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) France is labeling products produced in Yehuda, Shomron and the Golan Heights to permit consumers wishing to boycott goods from those areas to do so. That is why MK (Kulanu) Michael Oren is calling on Israelis to boycott French products. Oren, a former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, is well-aware of the eight of his statement. Using twitter, the former ambassador called on persons to think twice about buying French products. The French Government has recently called for labeling all good produced in the areas mentioned marked accordingly. The French Government announced it does not back a boycott against Israel, but is joining the European Union clarification policy of labeling goods made in occupied territories, which is how the international community views the areas mentioned earlier. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) WASHINGTON -- One of the more salutary outcomes of the recent election is that Democrats are finally beginning to question the wisdom of basing their fortunes on identity politics. Having counted on the allegiance of African-Americans, Hispanics, gays, unmarried women and the young -- and winning the popular vote all but once since 1992 -- they were seduced into believing that they could ride this "coalition of the ascendant" into permanent command of the presidency. They're reconsidering now not because identity politics balkanizes society, creates state-chosen favored groups and fosters communal strife. They're reconsidering because it's not working. Democrats read the 2008 and 2012 election results as a harbinger of the future. Then came 2016. They now realize that the huge turnout of their constituencies was attributable to Barack Obama, a uniquely gifted campaigner whose aura is not transferable. And why assume that identity politics creates permanent allegiances? Take the Hispanic vote. Both Mitt Romney and Donald Trump won less than 30 percent, but in 2004 George W. Bush won 44 percent. Why assume that the GOP cannot be competitive again? As these groups evolve socioeconomically, their political allegiances can easily change. This is particularly true for the phenomenally successful Asian-American community. There is no reason the more entrepreneurial party, the GOP, should continue to lose this vote by more than 2-to-1. Moreover, the legitimization of identity politics by the Democrats has finally come back to bite them. Trump managed to read, then mobilize, the white working class, and to endow it with political self-consciousness. What he voiced on their behalf was the unspoken complaint of decades: Why not us? All these other groups, up to and including the relatively tiny population of transgender people, receive benefits, special attention and cultural approbation, yet we are left out in the cold, neglected and condescended to as both our social status and economic conditions decline. For all the embrace of identity politics at home, abroad Obama has preached the opposite. Here is a man telling a black audience in September that he would "consider it a personal insult, an insult to my legacy" if they don't turn out for the Democratic candidate in November. Yet on his valedictory tour abroad just nine weeks later, he lectures anyone who will listen on the sins of parochialism. His urgent message for the nations of the world, including his own, is to eschew "tribalism" in the name of a common universalism. This doctrine of global consciousness found its photographic expression just two weeks ago. There was parka-bundled John Kerry on a visit to the Antarctic, to which he had dropped in to make a point about global warming. Three days later, Vladimir Putin, thinking tribally, renewed the savage bombing of Aleppo and then moved nuclear-capable missiles into Kaliningrad to remind Europeans of the perils of defying the regional strongman. Putin is quite prepared to leave the Antarctic ice sheets to Kerry while he sets his sights on Eastern Europe and the Levant. Our allies, meanwhile, remain amazed that Obama still believes the kinds of things he said in his maiden U.N. address about the obsolescence of power politics and national domination -- and acts accordingly as if his brave new world of shared universal values had already arrived. Seven months ago, Obama went to Britain to urge them -- with characteristic unsuccess -- to remain in Europe. Now he returns to Europe to urge everyone to resist the siren song of "a crude sort of nationalism, or ethnic identity, or tribalism." This is rather ironic, given that what was meant as a swipe at both European and Trumpian ethno-nationalism is a fairly good description of the Democratic Party's domestic strategy of identity politics. To be sure, ethnic appeal has been part of American politics forever. But the Hillary Clinton campaign was its reductio ad absurdum: all segmented group appeal, no message. Even Bernie Sanders is urging that "we go beyond identity politics" if Democrats are ever to appeal again to the working class. As for foreign policy, there has always been and always should be an element of transcendent mission to American actions. But its reductio ad absurdum was the Obama doctrine of self-sacrificial subordination of U.S. interests to universal values. That doctrine is finished. The results, from Ukraine to Aleppo to the South China Sea, are simply too stark. For the Democrats, the road back -- from tribalism at home and universalism abroad -- beckons. Charles Krauthammer is a columnist for the Washington Post. The terrorist who stabbed a chareidi man in Petach Tikvah a year ago was sentenced by a district court on Monday, 27 Cheshvan to 16.5 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay compensatory damaged in the amount of NIS 100,000. The attack occurred near the end of Tishrei 5776 when the attacker stabbed a 25-year-old chareidi man near Beilinson Hospital. The victim sustained moderate wounds. The terrorist, Tamar Vridat was walking around the sidewalk for a few minutes in wild ecstasy and continued looking for other victims to stab. At some point a number of drivers restrained him until police arrived. This past Tishrei, the victim, Avi Landau, returned to the spot of the attack together with family members and recited a bracha of thanks to HKBH for saving him. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) A man plowed his car into a group of pedestrians at Ohio State University and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot and killed by an officer Monday morning, campus police said. Nine people were hurt, one critically, and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said police were looking into whether it was a terrorist attack. The details emerged after a morning of confusion and conflicting reports that began with the university issuing a series of tweets warning students that there was an active shooter on campus near the engineering building and that they should run, hide, fight. Numerous police vehicles and ambulances converged on the 60,000-student campus, and authorities blocked off roads. Ohio State Police Chief Craig Stone said that the attacker drove over a curb outside a classroom building and that an officer who was nearby shot the driver. The threat ended when the officer shot the suspect, said Monica Moll, the schools public safety director. The shelter-in-place warning was lifted about an hour and half later and the campus was declared secure after police concluded there was no second attacker, as rumored. At least two people were being treated for stab wounds, four were injured by the car and two others were being treated for cuts, university officials said. Rachel LeMaster, who works in the engineering college, said a fire alarm sounded before the attack. There were several moments of chaos, she said. We barricaded ourselves like were supposed to since it was right outside our door and just hunkered down. LeMaster said she and others were eventually led outside the building and she saw a body on the ground. Cassidie Baker, an Ohio State senior, said she saw police or paramedics helping one person on the ground outside Watts Hall, a materials science and engineering building. No one really knows what is happening, other than theres an active shooter, she said. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day. The initial tweet from the universitys emergency management department went out around 10 a.m. and said: Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College. Run, hide, fight is standard protocol for active shooter situations. It means: Run, evacuate if possible; hide, get silently out of view; or fight, as a last resort, take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter if your life is in imminent danger. (AP) Vice President-elect Mike Pence is offering support to the families of a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University. Speaking to reporters at Trump Tower Monday night, Pence said, Our hearts go out to the families of those affected in Ohio a tragic attack. He added that our prayers are with them all. Eleven people were hurt in the attack Monday. A Somali-born university student plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot to death by an officer. Police said they are investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. (AP) Donald Trumps hunt for a secretary of state is veering into dramatic terrain, with the president-elect summoning Mitt Romney back for a second look as a top aide leads a public pressure campaign against the pick. Trump has a follow-up meeting Tuesday with the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, who has become a symbol of the internal divisions agitating the transition team. He also plans to sit with Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On Monday, Trump spent an hour with retired Gen. David Petraeus, a new contender. Aides were divided over Trumps choices, particularly the prospect that Trump could tap Romney for the top-tier diplomatic post. In an unusual public airing of internal machinations, Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway on Sunday warned that the president-elects supporters would feel betrayed if he tapped Romney as secretary of state. Exiting Trump Tower on Monday night, Vice President-elect Mike Pence simply teased a number of very important announcements tomorrow. On Tuesday morning, the Trump transition team announced the selection of Georgia Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. It also announced that Seema Verma has been chosen to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. While other staffing decisions were being made, the search for secretary of state was still underway. Petraeus said he spent about an hour with the president-elect and praised him for showing a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there. The former CIA chief pleaded guilty last year to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified information relating to documents he had provided to his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. Pence, who is heading the transition effort, is said to be among those backing Romney for secretary of state. Romney was fiercely critical of Trump throughout the campaign but is interested in the Cabinet position, and they discussed it during a lengthy meeting earlier this month. Other top Trump allies, notably Conway, have launched a highly unusual public campaign against a Romney nomination. Conways comments stirred speculation that she is seeking either to force Trumps hand or give him cover for ultimately passing over Romney. Three people close to the transition team said Trump had been aware that Conway planned to voice her opinion, both on Twitter and in television interviews. They disputed reports that Trump was furious at her and suggested his decision to consider additional candidates instead highlighted her influence. Trump is said to have offered Conway a choice of White House jobs either press secretary or communications director. But people with knowledge of Conways plans say she is more interested in serving as an outside political adviser, akin to the role President Barack Obamas campaign manager David Plouffe played following the 2008 election. Trump was considering former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to head the Homeland Security Department, according to those close to the transition process. Giuliani was initially the front-runner for secretary of state and is still in the mix. But questions about his overseas business dealings, as well as his public campaigning for the job, have given Trump pause. Those close to the transition insisted on anonymity in commenting because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the private process. In addition to the public staffing spat, the campaign was forced Monday to defend Trumps baseless assertions of illegal voting, made in angry response to a recount effort. That effort, led by Green Party candidate Jill Stein and joined by Hillary Clintons campaign, marched on in three states, based partly on the Stein campaigns unsubstantiated assertion that cyber-hacking could have interfered with electronic voting machines. Wisconsin officials approved plans to begin a recount as early as Thursday. Stein also asked for a recount in Pennsylvania and was expected to do the same in Michigan, where officials certified Trumps victory Monday. Trump has denounced the recounts and now claims without evidence that he, not Clinton, would have won the popular vote if it hadnt been for millions of people who voted illegally. On Twitter, he singled out Virginia, California and New Hampshire. There has been no indication of widespread election tampering or voter fraud in those states or any others. Trump aides struggled Monday to back up their boss claim. (AP) [PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] The past week has placed Israels Fire Service at the front lines, battling hundreds of fires around the country under harsh conditions and without a hiatus. While hundreds of homes were destroyed and many more damaged, there can be no doubt these heroes used all available resources and performed to the max towards savings lives and property. The Israel Fire Service has become the new hero and children and adults alike have been collecting sweets, foods, baking cakes and buying gifts to show a level of appreciation for the actions of Israels firefighters. In the photos we seen expressions of appreciation directed at fire service personnel in the Jerusalem district. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photos: Media Resource Group) The official news agency of the Islamic State labeled the Ohio State student who smashed his car into a crowd and then slashed at people with a butcher knife a soldier of the militant group, according to an organization that monitors extremists. This posting does not necessarily mean that Abdul Razak Ali Artan acted at the behest of the terror group, which often claims responsibility for attacks in which it had no actual involvement, said Rita Katz, executive director of the SITE Intelligence Group. Katz said that Amaqs claim suggested that Artan did not coordinate with the group, but that it had spent time looking at news reports to determine his motivation. The bloodshed in Columbus on Monday occurred after the Islamic State issued instructions this month about carrying out attacks using knives and vehicles, Katz said. And as long as these instructions are online, similar attacks are likely to continue, she said. On Tuesday, the Amaq News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic State, also said that the attack was carried out in response to the groups calls to target citizens, the same language used when the group claimed credit for the Minnesota mall stabbings in September. The Islamic State often claims attacks carried out by people who had no direct connection to the group, and their responses can vary depending on whether they were actually involved. After the deadly attacks in Paris last year, detailed news releases with video recordings and photos were quickly sent out. It took two days for Amaq to claim credit for the attack in San Bernardino, Calif., last year, saying that supporters of the Islamic State had carried out the mass killing. In September, it took a day for Amaq to claim that the attacker who stabbed 10 people in a Minnesota mall was a soldier of the group. Experts say that the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, can claim credit for attacks even when it has no involvement in an effort to latch onto the narrative. Social media groups in favor of the Islamic State had celebrated the attack on Monday after reports emerged about Artans possible Facebook post ranting about the treatment of Muslims, but that reaction had ebbed by a day after the violence, Katz said. According to CNN, the Facebook post apparently written shortly before the attack says that if Muhammad were alive today he would be labeled a terrorist by the western media and that seeing my fellow Muslims being tortured, raped and killed in Burma led to a boiling point. I cant take it anymore. SITE has also found that several far-right blogs and forums were reveling in the attack, with people posting racist comments as well as making remarks blaming President Obama and criticizing diversity, Katz said. In the aftermath of a the attack which authorities said appeared to have been planned classes resumed at Ohio State on Tuesday morning with sorrow, fear, numbness, and a call for unity. Artan, an Ohio State student whose neighbors in Columbus said was Somali, was shot to death by a university public safety officer within minutes of his outburst, which injured 11 people. Authorities said they did not yet know what motivated Artan to attack, but they said they cannot rule out the possibility of terrorism. The attack Monday morning, as classes were beginning after the Thanksgiving break, sent crowds of students sprinting to safety while terrified students and professors barricaded themselves in classrooms not knowing what was happening at the flagship state university. Because the method of the attack was one that the Islamic State had promoted recently, and because law enforcement officials said they were investigating the origins of a social-media post in which Artan appeared to rant about the treatment of Muslims, and because he said in the student newspaper the Lantern that he was scared to pray publicly at Ohio State, some presumed Artans motivation stemmed at least in part from his Muslim faith. The assault bears all the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (Calif.), ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said in a statement Monday. That sentiment, which emerged almost immediately after police publicly identified Artan, led to concern from some in the Columbus Somali and Muslim communities that people angered or frightened by the attack might target them for retribution. Some at Ohio State described students and faculty as bracing for the day Tuesday, facing the unknown. At a time when the country is already deeply divided over issues of immigration, with president-elect Donald Trump having vowed to prevent Muslim extremists from entering the country, the attack was particularly searing. The university had a message prominently on their home page Tuesday morning: Together we remain unified in the face of adversity. Today and always, were all Buckeyes. Community members planned to gather in the evening to promote unity and healing. While police say Artan was alone during the attack, authorities have not ruled out the possibility that he might have had some form of help, Columbus police chief Kim Jacobs said Tuesday. Everybody has a lot of people in their life, and we need to talk to people that knew him and find out what they knew about him, Jacobs told WOSU public radio. Were there any signs? Were there any people that he worked with, cooperated with, were perhaps influenced by? Investigators seeking a motive for the attack are going to sift through Artans online postings as well as what he has said to people who knew him, Jacobs said. She said authorities are looking at a Facebook posting believed to be from Artan to see if it provides insight into what may have prompted the attack. I believe that it discusses his feelings about the current status of his faith and some of his troubles, Jacobs said. Certainly, that will be looked at, kind of gone over, pored over, to determine whether or not there was a basis there for his actions. Columbus has the second-largest Somali community in the country, according to Abukar Arman, a local Somali community leader who also served as the United States special envoy to Somalia from 2000 to 2013. Somalis make up the largest immigrant group in the city. Most of the Somalis arrived in the late 1990s, after fleeing civil war and strife in their home country. Some had initially settled elsewhere in the U.S., but came to Columbus for work, he said. Horsed Noah, executive director of the Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center mosque in Columbus near Artans home, said that the violence stunned members of the Somali refugee community. In times like this you have to stand up and explain the true image of Islam, Noah said. We must fight against stereotypes. We all share this planet. Some student groups posted statements on social media. On Facebook, there was an outpouring of support for the Somali Students Association at Ohio State after the group posted a statement condemning Mondays violent attack and offering prayers for the victims. We know that some will connect this tragedy with the ethnicity or religion of the attacker, the group said. Neither our Somali heritage nor our faith condones the harming of innocent people. That prompted responses such as, You dont need to defend your humanity. You are welcome here. Blessings to you guys, another wrote. Columbus wouldnt be the Columbus I love without you and the richness you bring to it. Arman said the group, which has 500 to 600 members, also has been bombarded with hate mail in the past 24 hours. Here is where my fear is, he said. This will play into further stigmatizing of American Muslims, and those of Somali Muslims in particular because it plays right into the narrative of the president-elect. I write this to you from a place of deep sadness and utter shock after the tragic events that took place yesterday. The tragic incident that happened in OSU. . . . Our police departments will continue to be on alert at all Columbus State locations. The safety of students, faculty members, staff, and visitors is of the highest importance. Ohio State, like many across the country, has had tensions during a polarizing campaign and after the election. Fliers advising white women not to date black men, and other white-supremacist ideas, were posted on campus earlier this month, as they were at several other colleges. OSU student Tony Buss, director of the schools student government committee on division and inclusion, said hes heard that Muslims on campus have been verbally harassed. He said his Muslim friends have expressed concern about hate speech in the past year, including some incidents in the past month. The president of the student government association, and members of the Buckeyes for Trump student group did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Jani said that after the election, hundreds of students reached out to campus leaders with concerns about how they, as immigrants, or minorities, would be treated during a Trump administration. The attack yesterday intensifies all that emotion. The whole OSU community just coming to campus today is a bit nervous whatever their background, he said. This was terrorizing for everybody. (c) 2016, The Washington Post T. Rees Shapiro, Susan Svrluga, Abigail Hauslohner, Mark Berman, Matt Zapotosky Gov. Bullock is fond of talking about infrastructure. Its just that, talk. He vetoed the infrastructure bill in 2013, and he sabotaged the one in 2015. His recent budget proposal for the next two years includes new spending for infrastructure. Unfortunately, it looks a lot like his failed bill of 2015. The revenue projections are optimistic, and the spending priorities are questionable. As an MSU graduate, I am familiar with the needs at the Romney gym. I also support the Montana Historical Society and Museum in Helena. I am not familiar with the Veterans Home project in Butte. That said, I dont think those should be infrastructure priorities, especially in tight times. There are pressing needs for streets, highways, sewers and water lines. Some bonding probably makes sense since rates are low and Montana carries a high credit rating. Neither the governors office nor the legislative fiscal analysts have a very good handle on the next two years income. They have had many surprises in the past. By sending his proposed budget to the legislature, knowing full well it is dead on arrival, the governor reveals his arrogance. Perhaps it would be better to meet with the leadership of the House and Senate to discuss options and what might be doable. I dont wish to see more gridlock in Helena, and this is a huge step in the wrong direction. Stephen D. Simpson Billings The country is abuzz with demands that the U.S. abolish the Electoral College. Does anybody making these demands understand that the United States was purposely founded as a Republic and not as a Democracy? What is the difference between the two, and why? A Republic is a nation whose guiding principal is that the rule of law and a Constitution take precedence over majority rule. The power in a Republic is purposely disbursed between an executive branch, a legislative branch, and the judiciary bound by a Constitution whose laws are inviolable even by the majority. States were given separate, but equal, powers precisely to prevent federal abuse of power by a majority that might seek to limit the rights of the states and minorities. In a pure Democracy, only the majority decide laws, and minorities seeking freedom from majority abuse are helpless if the majority decides, for example, that free speech can be limited, and thereby the free marketplace of ideas can be suppressed to enforce the majoritys opinions. (Sound eerily like what is happening now on college campuses, whereby freedom of speech was denied to Condoleeza Rice, Lawrence Summers, or Ayaan Hirsi Ali? Or similarly, the threatened prosecution by New Yorks attorney general against anyone disagreeing that humans are the principal cause of global warming?) The backbone of states rights (and protector from majority abuse) was embedded in the Constitution via the creation of the Senate, whereby each state is entitled to two Senators, no matter their population. Thus Montana has the same voting power in the Senate that California has, no matter that Montanas population is less than 3 percent of California. Are Montanans demanding majority rule prepared to give up their two Senators because the state is not entitled to even one based upon majority rule? Similarly, the electoral college purposely assigned electors based upon the number of Senators and Congressmen in each state, thus Montana gets 3, while California gets 55, adjusted with each Census. Our Republic guarantees dispersal of power beyond the all powerful federal government to the individual states in order to prevent an abusive majority from forcing their will upon the individual states or minority parties with whom they might differ in opinion. In short, a Republic puts the rule of law and the Constitution above majority rule. Finally, though the ostensible presidential popular vote shows Mrs. Clinton leading Mr. Trump by more than 2 million votes nationwide, in California she leads by 3.9 million votes, yet anyone residing in California, undocumented or a citizen, is entitled to a drivers license, and the majority party's new law there requires automatic voter registration for all driver's licenses. Hispanics in California comprise 39 percent of the population, but we dont know how many are not U.S. citizens. In New York, Mrs. Clinton leads by 1.5 million votes, yet there is no Voter ID required at the polls, and a recent undercover investigation showed the longtime Democrat Commissioner of Elections, Alan Schulkin, admitting that there is rampant voter fraud in the city, bussing voters from poll to poll. See: http://projectveritas.com/video/hidden-camera-nyc-democratic-election-commissioner-i-think-there-is-a-lot-of-voter-fraud/. Until and unless we require citizenship and Voter ID, as all other major democracies in the World do, we will not know who won the legal popular vote. Nick Chickering, A.B., History Whitefish The American owner of Cadbury has been accused of backtracking on another promise after pulling out of ethical Fairtrade rules and replacing them with its own scheme. Mondelez claims its new 322million 'Cocoa Life' programme will secure the future of 200,000 farmers and will ensure all of its chocolate is sourced sustainably. But fellow chocolatiers fear replacing Fairtrade will encourage other global brands to follow suit and could undermine the future of the foundation, which has become a symbol for ethical sourcing and ensuring farmers get a good deal. Cadburty owner Mondelez claims its new 322million 'Cocoa Life' programme will secure the future of 200,000 farmers and will ensure all of its chocolate is sourced sustainably David Marshall, chief executive of the Fairtrade-certified Meaningful Chocolate Company, said: 'We are shocked by this move. 'The Fairtrade movement grew out of pressure by churches, church schools and other consumers, who wanted to see justice for growers and accountability for manufacturers. 'The big firms resisted this pressure for decades, but have gradually started to come over. This action will confuse the consumer and many now believe that this puts the Fairtrade scheme at risk.' Dairy Milk and other chocolate bars will soon carry Cadbury's own Cocoa Life logo, which will signify sustainable sourcing and a programme to help farmers. But alongside its own mark, it will continue to hold the Fairtrade name on the back of its packets even though the chocolate will not be. Fairtrade guarantees farmers earn at least 1,600 per ton for cocoa and ensures decent working conditions. The Cocoa Life programme has not set a minimum price, but Cadbury has offered assurances that farmers will be paid the same or more than they were before. Its commitment in 2009 to using Fairtrade chocolate in its flagship brand was seen as a nod to the ideals of Cadbury's Quaker roots. It prompted many of its rivals to follow suit and was hailed as the start of a movement towards more ethical sourcing. But whether the switch to Cocoa Life ensures a better future for farmers or not, the criticism weighed at Cadbury comes after a string of unpopular moves. The decision on Fairtrade is the latest backtrack from Cadbury since it was bought by US giant Kraft in 2010 for 11.5billion. The firm promised that Cadbury's factory near Bristol would stay open and jobs would be saved. Just days after completing the deal, new boss Irene Rosenfeld provoked fury by announcing production would move to Poland, with the loss of 400 jobs. Later, it put a stop to chocolate Christmas gifts for retired employees a tradition which also harked back to Quaker roots. It also infuriated British chocolate-lovers by shrinking some Cadbury products, including Dairy Milk bars and multi-packs of Curly Wurlys and Creme Eggs but not cutting prices. In a further insult, it was revealed Mondelez, which was spun off from Kraft in 2012, paid no UK corporation tax last year despite generating more than 1.7billion in sales. The sale of a major steel business has raised fresh fears about the pensions of workers at three UK plants. Tata Steel is in the closing stages of selling its speciality steelworks business to international industrials group Liberty House for 100million. The future of the business and its 1,700 workers has been in doubt since March when Tata Steel put up all its UK operations for review. But while unions welcomed the 'certainty' of the Liberty deal they warned workers could lose out on pension contributions. Pensions threat: Tata Steel is in the closing stages of selling its speciality steelworks business to international industrials group Liberty House for 100m It is feared workers could be moved out of the British Steel Pension Scheme and into a new one with lower payouts. Harish Patel, Unite national officer for metals, said: 'There could also be an impact because the scheme includes options for people affected by any job losses. 'We will be trying to see if there is a way it can be part of the sale process. As a matter of urgency, we must see security for the pension scheme to which men and women have dutifully contributed all their working lives.' Liberty, which also took over Tata steelworks in Scotland, said it was too soon to say what its plans were on pensions. However, they are not part of the employment conditions automatically carried over into the new deal. A spokesman added: 'Obviously there will be discussions and we hope for a positive outcome around that, but we cannot say more than that at the moment.' The British Steel scheme has a 700million black hole and has been at the heart of negotiations between Tata and the Government. The firm is keen to strike a deal to get the scheme off its hands, threatening future payouts for members. German steel group Thyssenkrupp is in talks with Tata to take on its UK business, but also wants it to fund a solution to the pension scheme black hole. Indian-owned Tata said it had signed a letter of intent with Liberty House Group to start exclusive negotiations for the sale of speciality steels, which makes steel for the car, oil and gas, and aerospace industries. The sale covers Rotherham electric arc steelworks, the steel purifying facility in Stocksbridge, a mill in Brinsworth and service centres in Bolton, Wednesbury and China. Bimlendra Jha, chief executive of Tata Steel UK, said it was trying to solve its problems, which included developing 'a more sustainable business in the UK as well as a self-sustaining future for the British Steel Pension Scheme'. Business as usual: The Brexit vote does not appear to have changed banks' hiring policies LEARNING CURVE Banks have continued hiring graduates at the same pace as last year, experts say despite the apocalyptic warnings before the Brexit vote. Deutsche Bank took on twice as many graduates for its technology team as last year, Citi has filled almost all of its 450 London vacancies and JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have recruited as normal. WEALTH SALE Barclays has sold its Singapore and Hong Kong wealth business to the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corp for 181million a third less than expected. It came as the bank unveiled an overhaul of its online investment platform and pledged to introduce fees with no hidden charges. ONLINE LENDING New bank Masthaven, the online-only lender, opened for business today. Masthaven offers savings rates of up to 2.01 per cent. It provides second mortgages and bridging and development loans. JOBS AXED Standard Chartered is axing 10 per cent of its investment banking staff in a drive to slash costs. The cuts are part of 15,000 announced last year by chief executive Bill Winters. Shares fell 0.7 per cent, or 4.5p to 630p. FRONTIER OPENING A Mongolian property developer is set to list on the London Stock Exchange. Asia Pacific Investment Partners will join the AIM junior market next month. Chief executive Lee Cashell said there were strong growth opportunities in the countrys economy. POSTAL STRIKE Hundreds of Post Office managers are to stage a strike in a dispute over pensions. Unite said the 24-hour walkout on December 3 will disrupt overseas Christmas mail and parcels. Around 720 managers will take action, the third 24-hour strike in a long-running pensions dispute. HOLIDAY CRASH Hundreds of holidaymakers could be left disappointed after long-haul holiday specialist Skies The Limit ceased trading. The Maidenhead-based group, better known as STL Holidays, is understood to have a number of customers already overseas. INVESTOR FEARS Worried investors pulled almost 1billion out of equity funds in October as uncertainty around the US election mounted. Figures from trade body The Investment Association revealed that nervous savers poured 480million into cash funds and 426million into Targeted Absolute Return funds, which aim to always deliver a positive return. ITALY WOE Eight Italian banks face collapse if the nations government loses a crunch referendum this weekend, analysts have warned. BT has been ordered by the UK's telecoms regulator to formally separate its Openreach broadband unit, amid concerns over competition issues. Ofcom said it plans to launch a formal notification to the European Commission over the proposals which will mean Openreach - which runs the country's broadband infrastructure - has to become a separate company within BT Group. However, the telecoms regulator said it is still open to BT proposing a better deal to eliminate the competition issues. Divorce: BT has been ordered by the UK's telecoms regulator to formally separate its Openreach broadband unit, amid concerns over competition issues While stopping short of forcing BT to sell the business, Ofcom said it will regularly monitor Openreach and could force a sell-off in future if it does not believe the firm is being run as a distinct company. BT has faced mounting calls for a full split of Openreach, with the division having been being criticised for poor customer service and a lack of investment. BT's rivals, including TalkTalk and Sky, have been lobbying Ofcom for BT to be forced to sell-off Openreach. The two firm's pay to use the Openreach network for their own broadband services and have previously complained about the firm's poor service and urged the group to replace its ageing network of copper wire. Ofcom said: 'We are disappointed that BT has not yet come forward with proposals that meet our competition concerns. 'Some progress has been made, but this has not been enough, and action is required now to deliver better outcomes for phone and broadband users.' Poor service: BT's rivals, including TalkTalk and Sky, have been lobbying Ofcom for BT to be forced to sell-off Openreach Speaking to This is Money, the regulator said: 'We want a more independent Openreach, investing in its network now to give people better broadband. 'So weve started the process of making Openreach independent, accountable and able to serve all its customers equally.' A BT spokesperson told This is Money: 'We put forward proposals in July that we believe are fair and sustainable, and that meet Ofcoms objectives without disproportionate costs. 'We are implementing these proposals, and have just appointed Mike McTighe to be the first chairman of Openreach. 'We are in discussions with Ofcom on two outstanding issues, the reporting line of the Openreach CEO and the form of legal incorporation. 'We will continue to work with Ofcom to reach a voluntary settlement that is good for customers, shareholders, employees, pensioners and investment in the UKs digital future.' Stopped short: Stopped short: BT's rivals, including TalkTalk and Sky, wanted BT to be forced to sell Openreach off A spokesperson for Sky said: 'Lets not forget why we are here BT Openreach has continued to fail consumers. 'This is why we have always said that we want a solution that is clear and executable and in the best interests of consumers and industry. We will now watch closely as to how Ofcom executes its proposals.' On Monday, BT appointed its first independent chairman for Openreach, Mike McTighe, who was himself on the board of Ofcom between 2007 and 2015. But, Ofcom has said it wants Openreach to have a board made up of a majority of directors who are independent of BT. Governance: The telecoms regulator is concerned that under BT's plans, the boss of Openreach will still report to its boss Gavin Patterson The regulator is concerned that under BT's plans, the boss of Openreach will still report to the telecom giant's boss Gavin Patterson. The regulator wants Openreach management instead to report to the chairman of its own board. It also wants Openreach to have greater consultation with customers on large-scale investments, its own staff working, ownership of assets that it already controls, its own strategy and control over budget allocation, as well as independent branding. Richard Neudegg, Head of Regulation at uSwitch.com, said: 'This is a last-minute warning shot to BT to improve its offer on how legal separation would work. 'It would appear Ofcom is still open to BT proposing a better voluntary deal. 'Ofcom isn't changing its position at all. The regulator is still gunning for legal separation rather than full structural separation and is using a potential notification to Brussels in an attempt to ensure it can get this over the line.' He added: 'Those calling for structural separation including Sky and TalkTalk will be disappointed this option still isn't being considered more closely. 'But this is one step closer towards finding a version of Openreach that maximises investment in new digital infrastructure while still allowing effective competition. Many agree that is what's needed, but disagree on how to do it. Ofcom is clearly seeking to strike a balance.' In reaction to the news, BT shares on the FTSE 100 index edged 0.3 per cent, or 0.95p higher to 351.25p this morning. The payments industry is set for the most radical wave of changes seen since the 1960s - partly in a bid to stop the tide of fraud facing current account customers. The Payments Strategy Forum, whose members include consumer groups, businesses, fintechs, UK banks and building societies, has compiled a list of recommendations to offer greater security for customers and businesses. The strategy proposes a key new safeguard called 'confirmation of payee' which it believes will help prevent financial fraud. Payment protection: Banks, building societies, businesses and consumer groups have come together to build a strategy It will allow people to avoid sending payments to the wrong account, either by accident, or being tricked into doing so, by ensuring a confirmation of the recipient is sent to the payer before any funds leave their account. There has been a stark rise in a scam in which fraudsters over the telephone trick people into believing they are speaking to their bank. They claim the victim has been the target of a fraud attempt and that their money needs to be transferred into a safe account. This turns out to be an account opened by a criminal, who will then quickly siphon the cash away. A confirmation of payee, in theory, would flag up that the account is in the name of a random person. Ruth Evans, chair of the Payments Strategy Forum said: 'Around 755million was stolen from UK bank accounts last year and the problem looks set to worsen as criminals become more technologically savvy. We need to address the issue head on. 'Payments are the lifeblood of the UK's economy. They underpin our daily lives, from the morning coffee we buy before work, receiving our salaries and pensions, sending cash-strapped kids loans for rent to avoid going into overdraft, to the purchase of our first home. 'It's important that we have the tools to protect ourselves and that we future proof our systems for generations to come.' Last year, UK payments systems processed around 700 transactions every second, totalling 75trillion. But, as banking in the UK evolves rapidly towards digital services, the existing systems present barriers for new providers and services which means customers can't benefit from new technologies, the Payments Strategy Forum argues. Another proposal is the introduction of 'request to pay'. This will allow customers to authorise a regular payment, such as a utility bill or gym membership, before the company withdraws the money from their account. This could be a huge boost to people on variable incomes who may struggle to settle their accounts at the same time each month. The strategy also recommends the consolidation of the governance of three payment system operators, Bacs, Cheque and Credit Clearing Company and the Faster Payments Service, into a single entity to begin the process of simplification. Hannah Maundrell, editor-in-chief of money.co.uk, said: 'These plans are the shot in the arm the banking industry needs to drag its tech up to a standard that can cope with the demands and threats its customers face. 'As soon as next year we should get extra information about where our online payments are going so it's less likely you'll send our cash to the wrong account or worse, into the hands of fraudsters.' 'This is just the start, the ambitious reforms should make it far less likely you'll be hit with hefty fees for missed payments, much easier for you to stay informed about where your cash is going, safer for you to bank online and simpler for you to change account. 'It's rare you read an official paper that seems to 'get' all of the issues and addresses them sensibly. Simply put, these plans are brilliant news for everyone with a bank account. 'It's not all roses, these reforms are really going to challenge data security within the banking industry. MISSOULA -- Mayor John Engen returned to work Monday, sending an open letter to Missoulians explaining he had checked into treatment for alcohol addiction. On the evening of October 24, I checked into a 28-day, inpatient treatment program for alcoholism, the letter begins. Im telling you this because you deserve to know that your mayor is an alcoholic in recovery. And Im telling you because my story might help someone else get her or his life back. He confirmed in Mondays letter he would be seeking re-election next year, saying only a serious, sober me can do that. And you deserve the serious, sober me youve elected in the past. Engen won re-election to his third term in 2013, winning more than 10,600 votes. The next candidate got just a little over 2,600 votes. The only other candidate who has filed to start fundraising for a potential run in 2017 is Ward 2 city council representative Harlan Wells, who submitted paperwork in March. The office of the Commissioner of Political Practices said Monday it didnt have more information on whether anyone else in Missoula has filed forms to fundraise for the election. Filing for an official run in the mayoral election opens April 20, 2017, according to Missoula County Elections Administrator Rebecca Connors. Jim Lopach, a retired political science professor from UM, said despite Engens health issues, which include bariatric surgery in October 2015, Missoula is in a good spot economically and the mayor remains a very popular figure. And with just one possible opponent so far, Lopach thought it would take a different angle to win against Engen, an ideological opponent rather than one who relied on calling out his medical issues. In and of itself, I dont think alcoholism would be a problem politically, he said. I think he would be hard to defeat even with the two health problems. Thats unless someone comes forward with proof that Engens addiction seriously affected his work at any point, Lopach said. But in general, he thought it was a good sign that Engen, with his surgery and treatment both, released statements himself to the public. Its important for him -- its important for his political future -- that he appears to have acted quickly and forthrightly, Lopach said. It wasn't until over a week after Engen left for treatment that his spokeswoman Ginny Merriam confirmed, in response to a reporter's question, that Engen was out of the office for "several weeks" for undisclosed medical reasons. She defended his right to privacy and said it didn't require any sort of public notice. Engen similarly took an at-first-unexplained leave of absence for the bariatric surgery, an operation he also detailed in an open letter that was released to the public the day after his surgery. In Monday's note, Engen thanked his friends for loving him enough to intervene in his addiction, giving him another chance at a good life. Merriam said Engen wont be giving interviews regarding his treatment, saying the letter can speak for itself. He has virtually no privacy left after sending out this letter, she said, confirming that Monday was his first day back at work. Engen took his seat at the weekly city council meeting Monday night after Ward 6 representative and city council chair Marilyn Marler filled in as acting mayor for a little over four weeks. At the meeting, Engen kept his comments brief regarding his absence, expressing gratitude to his friends and coworkers for their kindness. Thank you to folks around this table and around town who have been incredibly supportive and helpful, and I believe in some cases have saved my life, he said. In-patient medical treatment for chemical dependency and alcoholism is covered in the citys insurance policy, which is self-funded and administered through Allegiance Benefit Plan Management. City employees pay $22.40 a month for insurance premiums, according to the citys website. The city itself pays $790.01 a month. Engens letter continued, I left treatment a more compassionate man, an incredibly grateful man, a humble man. Ive learned that I cant drink safely. I dont expect everyone to forgive me or understand me in the wake of telling my story. But the story is mine, its true, and it wont change. First Princess Minenhle Sithole, Miss Cultural Heritage Sindiswa Dlamini and Second Princess Nontobeko Simelane. (Pics: Zethu Ndlovu) MBABANE Sindiswa Dlamini proved to be the beauty with elegance that the Miss Cultural Heritage pageant was searching for, as she took the crown home at the finale which was hosted on Sunday. The well organised event began at 5.35pm with the National Anthem being sung by The Youth Effect choir. After the respectable opening of the event, the Ngculwini Cultural group walked on stage in style as they brought the African feel with their performance which included ummiso, ingadla and poetry. The hosts for the evening included Siphesihle Nkwanyane and the two funny local comedians Ndosh and Smallz, who kept the audience entertained throughout the event with their hilarious jokes. Swazi TVs Siphesihle welcomed the guests who graced the event with their presence, and kept them informed of the programme diligently. Crowning She further apologised about the fact that the crowning was not aired live on Swazi TV as earlier advertised, due to other commitments that Swazi TV had. The beautiful and well-groomed top 11 was then introduced electronically, as they each introduced themselves and stated what they would do for the country if they won. After the finalists finished their introductions, Pageant SD director Catrien Potgieter congratulated the young ladies for having made it this far in the pageant. She further thanked all the sponsors for helping the committee with the event, ensuring that prizes were lucrative. In closing, she stated that even though they will not all take the crown home but they should know that they are all winners. MBABANE A jilted man of KaPhunga has approached the court to have his cattle returned by his runaway fiancee. This, after his live-in lover refused to marry him after he had paid lobola (bride price) to her family. His lover had allegedly agreed to marry him before he made the undertaking to pay lobola. Patrick Mamba paid a herd of nine cattle as lobola. He has taken his former live-in lover Thabisile Sukati and her father Alson Makhuphula of Bethany to court. Giving a brief background of the matter, Mamba informed the court that in or about the year 2013 they started living together with Thabisile. He alleged that in or about early 2014 with the intention to legitimise their relationship, they decided that they would legally get married. According to Mamba, they decided that before getting married he would pay lobola to Thabisiles family. He pointed out that in keeping with the dictates of Swazi Law and Custom, a meeting was held between the families at Makhuphulas homestead. He alleged that Makhuphula approved the payment of lobola. He informed the court that the nine cattle which he delivered to the Sukati family were valued at E39 000. The defendants are yet to file their responding papers in the matter. The first defendant (Thabisile), in breach of her promise refused to get married to the plaintiff (Mamba), reads part of the combined summons filed by Mambas lawyer, Leo Gama. He further mentioned that Thabisile resided with her father (Makhuphula) who was aware that she had no intention to get married to him. MBABANE The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) wants the minister of Public Service and Principal Secretary (PS) Evart Mdlopha to show cause why they should not be held for contempt of court for failing to comply with the collective agreement. The two are alleged to have unilaterally changed the pay grade of Heads of Department (HODs) in schools from E1 to D3. SNAT has filed an urgent application in the Industrial Court where it is, among other things, seeking an order that the two be directed to comply with an order interdicting them from continuing to act in breach of the court order (collective agreement). SNAT lawyer Lucky Howe yesterday contended that the HODs suffered prejudice on a daily basis as a deliberate result of the PS and the minister of not complying with the order. The minister and the PS are alleged to have caused to be issued Circular No.1 of 2016, which in the process changed the salary scale for the HODs and reduced it from the agreed scale made by the court to a lesser one. The HODs continue to suffer prejudice monthly as they do no get paid the intended increase which was made an order of the court, but they are given a reduced amount of money in contravention of the order, argued Howe. He alleged that the PS and the minister were in deliberate contempt of court. The Opel Astra which two suspected dagga thieves were travelling in when they were shot and stabbed by a mob of about 30 people near Luve. (Pics: Jabulisa Dlamini) LUVE Two men suspected to have been trying to steal dagga from a certain homestead were attacked, shot and stabbed with spears and knives by a mob. According to sources close to the matter, about 30 people were part of the group that attacked the duo. A family member found at the Vilakati homestead where the incident occurred said the two men arrived driving in an Opel Astra sedan. He said the vehicle was identical to another which had previously been driven by men who came to the homestead and stole their dagga. When we saw the vehicle, we did not waste time, we just wanted revenge as those who had been driving the car previously came to our home and stole our dagga, one of the family members who preferred anonymity said. The family member said their intention was not to kill the two men, but to seek revenge for their previous actions. This was after he was asked about the shooting and stabbings using dangerous weapons such as the spears and knives. It was gathered that when the two men arrived at the home situated in Luve near Florence, a man armed with a rifle emerged after he allegedly spotted the sedan driven by the two. He called other members of the family who all emerged armed to the teeth with various weapons and used vehicles and a tractor to block the Opel Astras way. Upon realising that they were being attacked, the two men allegedly alighted from the car and tried escaping, however, they were soon apprehended by the mob. One of the men was shot in the left leg and assaulted with the blade of a bush knife. The other man who was found hiding in a ditch near the incident scene, was stabbed with spears and knives all over his body. He is said to have sustained serious injuries underneath his armpit. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Gina Martinez Local union workers held a conference in Richmond Hill this weekend to discuss the struggles of working in the airport industry. TWU Local 100, a union that represents 15,000 union members in cafeterias, restaurants and airports, including Kennedy and LaGuardia, hosted the conference that focused on working conditions, worker safety and minimum wage. Also at the Saturday conference were state Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D- South Ozone Park), state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) and state Assemblyman Franscisco Moya (D- Jackson Heights) According to Local 100, New York airports are a vital part of revenue for the city, attracting big businesses, boosting tourism and driving trade. They said although JFK and LaGuardia airports are growing, thousands of the workers do not make a living wage, on average earning about $21,000 a year. In New York City that is below the poverty line and not nearly enough to even cover the average cost of rent. The union workers were poised and spoke about their individual experiences, explaining that they are an important segment of the New York economy and should be shown more respect. They were hopeful that by organizing in large numbers they could make their voices heard. This is a constant battle, said Maria Campso, a worker for OTG food services at LaGuardia. But with my co-workers by my side I know that we will not stop doing everything we can to make sure that New York City airports provide jobs that help build up our communities. Sanders stood with the workers and promised to continue being an ally for them in the future. I have long been a supporter of TWU Local 100 and its tireless efforts to ensure that transportation employees are paid fairly, work under safe conditions and are treated with dignity and respect. Sanders said. Our trains, buses and airports could not function without the great men and women of TWU Local 100. I am proud to be a part of their first Airport Food, Beverage, and Retail Service Workers Conference. I welcome them to the community and look forward to continuing to work with them to address issues like raising labor standards and improving worker protections. Jose Maldonado, the secretary treasurer of Unitehere Local 100, believes that the conference is just the beginning of a bigger movement. We want to ensure that the conversation will not stop here, Jose Maldonado said. We will be following up with workers and their elected officials. This is not a one-time event but rather a piece of a continuing conversation and movement. Ugandan prosecutors charged a tribal king with murder Tuesday, accusing him of backing a separatist militia in his kingdom where weekend fighting between his guards and security forces left at least 87 people dead. The Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere is accused of commanding a militia from his palace with the aim of creating an independent state straddling Uganda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. "Court sat this afternoon. He has been charged with murder," Uganda\s judiciary spokesman Solomon Muyita told AFP, without giving further details. Police and army officers stormed Mumbere\s palace in the western town of Kasese on Sunday in a hail of gunfire and explosions, dragging him out and placing him under arrest after he failed to accept an ultimatum to disband his royal guards, the authorities have said. According to police, fighting first broke out on Saturday when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards and quickly spread to surrounding towns. Kasese district police commander Sam Odong told AFP another 25 bodies had been found on Monday in towns outside Kasese, however it was not clear whether they were civilians or royal guards. Police had earlier reported that 16 police officers and 46 guards were killed in the weekend unrest, bringing the total death toll to 87. Another 139 guards have been arrested. Amnesty International on Monday expressed alarm at what "appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests". The Rwenzururu kingdom, of the Bakonzo tribe, is a modern one. It began as a separatist movement of the same name when the Bakonzo tired of being subjected to the rule of another tribe given preference under British rule declared its own kingdom in 1962. The move led to years of bloodshed until a settlement was reached in 1982 in which the movement laid down arms in return for a degree of local autonomy. President Yoweri Museveni officially recognised the kingdom in 2009. However, many in the region still feel marginalised by the government and want to create their own state known as the Yiira Republic, uniting the Bakonzo and its sister tribe, the Banande, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda\s Internal Affairs Minister General Jeje Odongo told a press conference that "claims and counter-claims over land rights between the Bakonzo and other communities is alleged to be one other cause of the conflict" in the region. He said a wave of attacks was carried out in 2014, leaving nearly 100 people dead mostly attackers from a group known as "Youth of the Kingdom". "In the recent wave of violence the attackers have graduated into a militia which is trained, uniformed, armed, camped, and under a command and control structure. This new structure is composed of "KilhumiraMutima" (the stronghearted and keepers of a secret)," he said. He said regional security authorities met on November 21 to decide to dismantle camps set up by the militia, spurring a surge of attacks on police stations and posts in the region by the fighters who retreated into the palace. Odongo said machine guns, pistols, machetes, spears and petrol bombs had been found in the palace. The kingdom has denied any links to the alleged militia. "At the moment the institution is not ready to give a statement," said palace spokesman Clarence Bwambale. "We can\t have the figures of our people killed because we have been denied access to the palace but definitely we lost many people." Kasese district commissioner James Mwesigye on Tuesday offered amnesty to members of the royal guards and alleged militia who turned themselves in, saying they would "be handled as children who went astray and have returned to the fold". "We don\t want to see more bloodshed," said Bwambale. "Come and hand yourselves in because we want to see you alive, the heroes are those who are alive." SOURCE: AFP Times' Game of the Week Preview: No. 7 Beaver Area vs. No. 10 Deer Lakes Beaver enters the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs riding high after closing the regular season strong. Up next: Deer Lakes for had coach Cort Rowse's Bobcats. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Three people are charged with spreading fake cheddar at Chuck E. Cheese. The New York City residents were arrested Monday after using a counterfeit $100 bill at the Latham Farms restaurant, police said. Colonie police were called at 4:10 p.m. by restaurant staff, who reported a woman had used the counterfeit bill. Confronted by the manager about the fake bill, she tried to leave in a gray 2007 Mercedes Benz C280. Officer Matthew Garrigan stopped the car as it was exiting the parking lot. While the officer was interviewing the cars three occupants, police said, the rear passenger fled on foot. Garrigan detained the driver and other passenger and then chased down and apprehend the passenger who fled. Three ripped up counterfeit $100 bills and a bag of marijuana were found in the parking lot of Home Depot where the passenger was caught, police said. Thirteen additional counterfeit $100 bills were found in the car after a search warrant was executed. The investigation revealed the suspects may have passed similar counterfeit bills elsewhere in the area, police said. The serial numbers on the recovered counterfeit bills are: LH67445440B, LF84330048J, JF51970215B and LE27052208D. Police said anyone that believes that they received counterfeit bills from these defendants should contact their local police department. The passenger who fled, Kenyanna S. Cummings, 19, was charged with four counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument and three counts of tampering with evidence, both felonies; one count of criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor, and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. The driver Felecia C. Barrett, 29, and front seat passenger Felicity Reid, 16, were both charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument. All three were sent to Albany County Jail. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY - The 38-year-old city man accused of carrying out the brutal beating death of a woman outside her South Mall Towers apartment building has been indicted by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree murder. Gerard Burks pleaded not guilty Monday in Albany County Court. Burks has been in custody since shortly after police said he beat Lori Milks, 63, outside the 101 S. Pearl St., building. Burks allegedly fractured Milks' skull and broke her spine and ribs during a furious, random attack that police said was recorded by a security camera. Milks died seven days after the attack. Burks was returned to the Albany County Jail after his arraignment. The brutality captured on video was shocking, Albany police Chief Brendan Cox said earlier this month. "It was completely random and it was the most vicious attack I've seen in my 23 years," Cox said. Police said they have no idea why Burks attacked Milks. Milks was a mother of two daughters and a Girl Scout leader who had a college degree, taught computer science and owned a home in Latham. But she spiraled into severe mental illness that left her hospitalized, homeless and at points estranged from her family. "It doesn't feel evil. It mostly feels sad," a daughter, Kirstin Milks, 36, told the Times Union on Nov. 16. Kirstin Milks, a high school science teacher in Bloomington, Ind., said she had not seen her mother in several years and had not introduced her two young children to their grandmother because she was not well enough. She considered her mother's killing a failure of the mental health system. "A little bit of treatment early on could have helped my mother down the road," she said. "Obviously, the man who killed her needed mental health services, too." "Things looked OK from the outside," she said, but her mother's mental health deteriorated sharply by the time she and her sister, Jai Milks, 32, an artist and musician in Oregon, attended Shaker High School. Colonie A crowd of about 25 people chanted inside a McDonald's on Central Avenue Tuesday morning, protesting the company's refusal to pay employees $15 an hour nationwide. "We want our dignity, our respect, better hours, everything we don't get on a regular basis as hardworking fast food members," Wendy's worker Elizabeth James said, glancing down at her 2-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter. "I just want to be able to take care of my kids." The McDonald's protest was the first of many stops Citizen Action planned for Tuesday to mark a nationwide Day of Action aimed at putting pressure on fast food companies to raise the hourly pay across the country. Working their way down Central Avenue via fast food restaurants and government buildings, the activists and workers called for a national $15 minimum wage and asked the state Legislature to speed up the timeline for an already approved wage hike. "Five years from now is not enough," James said. "We want it now." The protesters at the 1814 Central Ave. McDonald's restaurant dispersed after the manager called police about 7 a.m. Colonie officers told the group they could rally on the sidewalk but not on restaurant property. But since the group had already staged their planned 15-minute sit-in, they decided to move on, James said. "We got the workers' attention," she said. The group planned to deliver pledges to Albany City Hall, the state Capitol and legislative office building before another protest at the McDonald's restaurant in Albany. Protesters also planned to stage sit-ins at Dunkin' Donuts, Taco Bell and Burger King locations throughout the day. emasters@timesunion.com 518-454-5467 @emilysmasters This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The former Kenwood Academy, most recently the home to The Doane Stuart School, has found a new buyer a year after developer Sonny Bonacio scrapped plans for the property. Richard Ferro, a principal broker with Berkshire Hathaway Blake, confirmed Tuesday that the property is under contract with a buyer whose name is not being made public. "Unfortunately, no further information is authorized," Ferro told the Times Union. The property was most recently for sale for $2.9 million. It is owned by the Society of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic religious order for women started in the wake of the French Revolution that bought the property in 1855 and used it to build a convent and a school. The property was once the country estate of businessman Joel Rathbone, but the society tore down the home to make way for the convent and school. The Catholic school, which originally was started on North Pearl Street in Albany three years earlier, was known as Kenwood Academy before it merged with the Episcopal St. Agnes School in 1975, creating The Doane Stuart School. Doane Stuart moved to Rensselaer in 2009 after it could not reach terms to purchase the 73-acre property from the Society of the Sacred Heart, which no longer houses its members on the property. Before Bonacio had an idea to make Kenwood Academy into high-rent apartments, there was a plan by Health and Human Services to use the property for refuge children. SPRINGFIELD Members of an Illinois House committee on Monday spent a portion of their hearing on a proposed workers compensation overhaul debating whether the hearing should have been held at all. Following a meeting earlier this month among Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the four top leaders of the General Assembly, the House Labor and Commerce Committee scheduled a hearing on a long-dormant bill from House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs. With a stopgap spending plan thats funding most state operations set to expire after Dec. 31, Rauner has said he wants business-friendly changes to the states workers compensation laws to be part of a comprehensive compromise to end the ongoing budget stalemate. Durkins bill, which was introduced in July 2015 to reflect Rauners position at the time, would tighten the standards for what counts as an on-the-job injury and reduce the fees doctors and hospitals receive for treating injured workers, among other changes. But Republicans on the committee, including Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the bill doesnt reflect progress made last spring in negotiations among a bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers. I dont know what were going to accomplish today, Brady said, noting that Republicans did not ask for the hearing and that Durkin was in a meeting with Rauner and the other legislative leaders at the same time. In fact, Durkin sent a letter to House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, objecting to the hearing after it was scheduled more than a week ago. I believe it is premature to hold a hearing on the matter, Durkin wrote. Our goal should be to use the legislation as a starting point for discussion at our leaders meeting that day. Durkin said workers compensation was part of Mondays discussion among the leaders behind closed doors. As for the hearing on his bill that was taking place at the same time, Durkin described it as political theater. If were going to solve work comp, its not going to be done in that committee; its going to be done in that room over there, he said, pointing to the governors Capitol office, between the four leaders and the governor. Without going into much detail, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said following the meeting that Democrats would come back to a scheduled meeting today with counterproposals on workers compensation and pension reform. Madigan, however, made no such commitment in his comments to reporters, saying only, Thats fine, in response to Cullertons remarks. Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, chairman of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, said the hearing was necessary to establish where the discussions stand. Hoffman said a working group of lawmakers hasnt talked about the issue since June, something he blamed on the governor. The hearing showed that little has changed in the interim. Republicans and their allies in business want stricter requirements for workers to prove that injuries occurred on the job, among other changes they say will reduce costs for employers and make Illinois more competitive. Democrats, meanwhile, argue that a 2011 workers compensation overhaul has been effective at cutting costs, but they say insurance companies have held on to those savings rather than passing them along to customers in the form of lower premiums. The 2011 law also cut the payments doctors and hospitals receive for treating patients with workers compensation claims. Representatives for medical providers warned against further fee cuts such as those proposed in Durkins bill. Additional cuts could drive providers to stop accepting new workers compensation patients, they said. The bottom line here is that access to care for injured work would suffer, said Patrick Gallagher, a vice president with the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate THE ISSUE: Dozens of appointive posts in the governor's office are funded by other agencies. THE STAKES: How much are New Yorkers paying for political favors? More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office would prefer that the public pay attention to the more than 10,000 jobs he's cut since taking office, not the 80 or so he keeps around, with the help of some budgetary sleight-of-hand, for political appointments. What's a few million dollars, after all, in the scheme of a $156.5 billion budget? How about this number: 1,700. That's about how many average New Yorkers would have to work and pay income taxes to support those 80 jobs, some of which are no doubt handed out as political thank-yous, and rewarded with more pay than the average New Yorker makes. This isn't new, of course. It has long seemed that whenever a New York governor needs, or wants, to hire someone, there's money available. Someone like, say, Steven L. Aiello, son of Syracuse-area developer Steven F. Aiello. The younger Aiello wasn't long out of college when he landed a state job. Last year, according to emails in a corruption case brought by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara against several former members of the governor's inner circle and developers including the elder Mr. Aiello there was an effort to move the son from the state's affordable housing agency to the governor's office as a policy adviser. The new job was funded by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, which manages the state's military forces. This use of unused money just lying around a state agency isn't unusual, the Times Union's Chris Bragg found in a review of the governor's staff. Of 209 people whom the Executive Chamber says work directly for the governor, only 120 are actually paid through the office's account. Why? Maybe because it allows the governor to seem more frugal than he really is? Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. In fact, the governor can be quite generous. The 3.7 percent raise that came with the new job for the younger Mr. Aiello drew an irritated email from his dad to Todd Howe, a lobbyist and longtime friend of the governor's, reminding him of his loyalty. The elder Mr. Aiello, his family, his companies, and executives who work for him have ponied up some $250,000 in campaign gifts to the governor. Mr. Howe relayed the complaint to a top aide to the governor, Joseph Percoco, who in short order got the "blunder" fixed to a 15 percent raise. There's a loud echo here of former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos' machinations to get his son, Adam Skelos, lucrative work, corruption for which father and son were both convicted. If their appeals fail, they face five or more years in prison. That case, it's worth noting, involved using influence to secure a job in the private sector. The Aiello case involves using influence to get someone a job in the public sector the kind taxpayers pay for. No one begrudges governors having their own top management teams and trusted advisers. But obscuring where the money comes from looks shady at best. On closer inspection, it looks even worse. Especially to hard-working New Yorkers who have to pay for it. Those who frequent Diamond Street or Central Avenue may have noticed some new signage outside some of the local bars, and they arent alcohol November 29, 2016 Most companies today like to plan ahead and anticipate customer needs. At this time of year, for example, contact centers have likely taken on extra staff and are asking existing workers to pull a little overtime. Its the holiday season, and customer activity is naturally going to be escalated. Planning ahead for customer needs is something that needs to be done at other times of the year as well. It also helps for businesses to look ahead at other factors that might change customer needs, such as current events, weather and new trends. In a recent article for GoDaddys website, Laurel Delaney of GlobalTrade.com writes that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement to which 12 countries, including the United States, are signatories, could have a significant impact on customer support if and when its fully ratified. According to Delaney, the TPP will open up opportunities for American businesses, particularly small businesses, in markets in the 11 other signatory countries, which include Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam. While the TPP is politically controversial, it does have strong support among certain business interests in the United States. If and when its ratified, companies interested in pursuing opportunities should make sure their websites and customer support teams are ready for business with these nations. It starts with implementing six easy steps on your Web site to demonstrate you know how to communicate with people effectively regardless of geography, culture or language, and that you are open to doing business with a few of the countries in the Trans Pacific Partnership, wrote Delaney. Create a drop-down menu bar that lists each country Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam with a welcome page in the countrys native language. For example, for Chile, create a page in Spanish. How else will people reach out to you from Chile if it appears you dont care enough about them to communicate in their native language? Companies may want to consider translating their website into the languages of the participating countries, as well as changing their self-service channels to those languages. (Press one for Japanese.) It may also be a good idea for companies that are able to hire customer support reps even if theyre remote-working freelancers who are fluent in the languages of the TPP. For mobile customer support, which is increasingly important to companies of all sizes, companies should consider planning ahead to make their global gateway easy to find on mobile networks. Heres a simple litmus test: Get on your phone, see what your website looks like, and critique it from a users perspective, wrote Delaney. Can you buy your products hassle free? Is your messaging short, sweet and to the point? If you are sensitive and accommodating to how and when your customers use their mobile device to find, study and purchase your product, you will win customers the world over, not just in the TPP countries. Also be sure to alter your quality monitoring processes so they can handle these extra channels, extra languages and extra volume. Those organizations that are best prepared to handle new customers that come by the way of the TPP will be those that are most successful at reaping the benefits. Edited by Alicia Young [November 29, 2016] Australia's Big Mobile Selects Widespace Technology to Deliver Mobile Branding Campaigns Widespace, the Stockholm based technology company that creates tools to build brands in a mobile world, has announced a strategic partnership with Big Mobile, APAC's leading independent mobile engagement specialist. Through the agreement, Big Mobile will harness the technology of Widespace's programmatic platform, Summit, making it available to brands in Australia and New Zealand. Summit is a full-stack programmatic ad platform and automated guaranteed marketplace designed specifically to deliver branding campaigns on mobile. The technology offers rich-media ad formats delivered by an intelligent algorithm on premium publisher inventory. The addition of Summit will enhance Big Mobile's capabilities for branding campaigns on mobile, both direct and programmatically traded. Alongside this, Big Mobile inventory will be made available via Widespace, enhancing the latter's global reach by adding 100m unique monthly users on premium sites across APAC. Summit is ideal for trading desks and media buyers who value creativity, quality and band safety. Thanks to its intelligent algorithm and directly integrated publishers, the system can target users across the whole mobile ecosystem with smart brand interest profiling based on data and previous brand preferences. David Green CEO at Big Mobile commented, "The addition of Widespace technology to our offering will ensure our clients can drive towards brand objectives on mobile, but programmatically - which is how our clients are increasingly wanting to buy media. This is not just exciting for Big Mobile but for all major premium publishers and advertisers in Australia and the region. We're absolutely thrilled to be working alongside leaders in the mobile advertising industry." Patrik Fagerlund, Widespace CEO, continued, "Summit is designed to offer something new to the market - a programmatic solution that's native to mobile and makes mobile-specific, high quality, rich media, 100% viewable ad formats available. As the driving force behind mobile advertising in APAC we're delighted that Big Mobile has selected Summit and are convinced the platform will deliver real value to their clients." Summit is now available to all companies that are looking for new technology to boast their mobile offering. ENDS Widespace - Technology to build brands in a mobile world Widespace is a technology company creating tools to build brands in a mobile world. Using the power of data and insights, our unique technology drives interest and awareness for advertisers at scale, always in brand safe environments. Headquartered in Sweden, with eight offices throughout Europe, Widespace works with advertisers, publishers and technology companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006077/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] DHL Helps the Holidays Feel Like Home for U.S. Troops For U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain, it's beginning to look - and smell - a lot like Christmas and the holidays. Hundreds of fresh-cut Christmas trees, along with thousands of holiday letters, menorahs, decorations and gifts, will find their way to these service men and women courtesy of DHL Express. This marks the thirteenth year that DHL Express has teamed up with the New York community for DHL Operation Holiday Cheer, a program that helps make the holidays feel more like home for U.S. troops serving abroad. "Operation Holiday Cheer is a chance for DHL to show our gratitude to our troops in a big way during this country's most important holiday season," said Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S. "It is an important tradition for all of us in DHL - the chance to work with community partners and deploy our global shipping network - and one we look forward to every year. For me personally, it's one of the best presents I receive, because it's a chance to give the gift of thanks to our soldiers." Operation Holiday Cheer launches at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 5, when DHL Express ships out the trees, letters, menorahs, gifts and decorations the company has packed from Long Island-based Dees' Nursery. Local community and veterans groups, schools and Nassau County dignitaries will be on hand - although the most important personage will undoubtedly be Santa, who will come bearing gifts from DHL. Local schoolchildren and the Girl Scouts of Nassau County will read aloud letters they wrote to soldiers. The USO Show Troupe will also make an appearance, performing a variety of holiday and patriotic songs. From Dees', the trees and trimmings will proceed via offcial police motorcade to the DHL Gateway (News - Alert) facility at JFK International Airport, where they will fly to the DHL Americas Hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG). There they will be loaded onto a DHL 777 aircraft that travels nonstop to the Middle East. Local businesses and community organizations generously donated the holiday trees and gifts. Special Santa shout-outs go to Dees' Nursery; Adelis International Security; Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon; and Proctor-Hopson Post 1896 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), including VFW members and its Ladies Auxiliary from across New York State. DHL Operation Holiday Cheer began in 2004, when the mother of a soldier who was stationed in Iraq asked Dees' Nursery if she could buy a Christmas tree and send it to him. The nursery wanted to donate the tree but needed help shipping it overseas. Dees' owner, Tom Di Dominica Sr., mentioned his dilemma to local businessman Jim Adelis, whose son also was stationed in Iraq. Adelis then reached out to DHL Express and the community, and DHL Operation Holiday Cheer was born. In that first year, DHL sent 135 trees to our troops, along with lights, decorations, menorahs and holiday cards. From that single tree in 2004, DHL Operation Holiday Cheer has since shipped thousands of trees that Dees' Christmas tree farm in Maine has provided, along with thousands of ornaments, decorations, gifts and menorahs. Images from last years' DHL Operation Holiday Cheer event are available here for download: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2f5dqakbmybo2zd/AAArtzGbK97k-x8_Vrh-GW22a?dl=0 DHL - The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 340,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 59 billion euros in 2015. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005421/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] EMPLOYERS Expands Workers' Compensation Insurance Services into Four States EMPLOYERS (NYSE:EIG), America's small business insurance specialist, is now underwriting workers' compensation insurance policies in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nebraska and New York. With this strategic move, EMPLOYERS now provides workers' compensation insurance to small businesses in 36 states, as well as the District of Columbia. "We are excited to expand our footprint and provide even more small businesses with quality workers' compensation insurance products and services," said Douglas Dirks, chief executive officer, EMPLOYERS. "Today is a milestone and a significant step forward in our strategy to underwrite workers' compensation insurance in the majority of the continental United States." EMPLOYERS' workers' compensation insurance products and services are targeted toward small businesses, such as: Accountants and auditors Architects and engineers Attoreys Auto service centers Banks Beauty salons Clerical businesses Hotels Physicians Retail stores About Employers Holdings, Inc. Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EIG) is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers' compensation insurance and services focused on select small businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 36 states and the District of Columbia from nine office locations. Insurance is offered by Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best Company. Not all insurers do business in all jurisdictions. Additional information can be found at www.employers.com. EMPLOYERS and America's small business insurance specialist are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. A forward-looking statements disclaimer is an integral part of this website. Copyright 2016 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005049/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Governments of Canada and Quebec Support the Development of Cutting-Edge Wood Fibre Technology MASSON-ANGERS, QC, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's forest sector is an important economic driver and employer: more than 200,000 Canadians work in this sector, including 9,500 Indigenous people. Investments that support innovation will help make Canada's forest industries greener, more competitive and able to continue to provide good jobs for Canadians in communities across the country. The Governments of Canada and Quebec today announced that they will provide $12.5 million in funding to Papier Masson, in Masson-Angers (Gatineau), Quebec, to help the company introduce a new process the first of its kind in North America to produce wood fibre to be used in the production of wood-plastic composites. Stephane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities and MP for ArgenteuilLa Petite-Nation, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr, and Luc Blanchette, Quebec's Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, made the announcement today in Masson-Angers, a municipality within the City of Gatineau. As a result of this investment, the company's Gatineau mill will be able to produce 40 tonnes per day of densified wood fibre while reducing its energy consumption by 15 percent. This fibre will replace non-renewable polymers to make wood-plastic composites for diverse products such as interior car door panels. The Government of Canada is providing $10 million and the Government of Quebec is providing $2.5 million for this project, which will help secure more than 110 local jobs and lead to the creation of new positions for mill operations. Funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program and Quebec's Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. Quotes "The forest industry plays a central role in combatting climate change, driving innovation and creating economic opportunities for local and Indigenous communities. This project is an excellent example of innovation that will help address climate change while transforming and improving the competitiveness of our country's forest industry." Jim Carr Canada's Minister of Natural Resources "Our government is proud to support initiatives such as the one proposed by White Birch for its plant in Masson, a unique and innovative new technology that is a first in North America. The new fibre that can be extracted by this process will significantly enable the company to replace fibreglass and polymers in various applications. This project will have positive impacts on the regional forestry stream, through the greater use of wood chips, as well as on the fight against climate change by replacing fossil products with products made from renewable resources. This funding ties directly into the initiatives of the Forum Innovation Bois." Luc Blanchette Quebec Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks "This project is an important strategic investment that will help strengthen employment at Papier Masson, bringing positive benefits to the surrounding community". Stephane Deshaies General Manager, Papier Masson WB L.P. Associated Links IFIT Program http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/forests/federal-programs/13139 Government of Quebec http://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/english/department/index.jsp Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.news.gc.cahttp://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Great Basin Scientific Granted U.S. Patent for PCR Amplification Suppressor SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Basin Scientific, Inc. (OTCQB:GBSN), a molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued U.S. Patent 9,434,999 for the companys amplification suppressor. This technology blocks detection of contaminants present in the environment that may result in a false positive result and potential misdiagnosis of a patient. The high sensitivity of molecular diagnostic testing makes it vulnerable to the influence of common environmental contaminants such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, which is widely found on skin and public surfaces. To provide for higher test specificity, Great Basin has developed this amplification suppressor strategy that can eliminate detection of Staphylococcus species or any other bacteria environmental contaminant when testing clinical specimens such as blood specimens, nasal swabs, or bronchial lavages from suspected pneumonia. The amplification suppressor is used in the Companys Staph ID/R Blood Culture Panel and is being utilized in the SA Nasal Screen Test, slated for clinical trial in the first half of 2017, as well as future tests and panels. In the molecular diagnostics community, concern that a positive test result is actually indicating an environmental contaminantas opposed a life-threatening organismhas long been an industry concern, said Robert D. Jenison, chief technology officer of Great Basin Sientific. Great Basins amplification suppressor strategy assures clinicians receive accurate, actionable results that will define a clear treatment path for these ill patients, and supports the Companys commitment to deliver some of the industrys most accurate and fast molecular tests. Were pleased to receive this patent to further protect our assets and portfolio of unique technology. With this patent grant, Great Basin has seven U.S. patents issued and 12 patents pending. About Great Basin Scientific Great Basin Scientific is a molecular diagnostics company that commercializes breakthrough chip-based technologies. The Company is dedicated to the development of simple, yet powerful, sample-to-result technology and products that provide fast, multiple-pathogen diagnoses of infectious diseases. The Company's vision is to make molecular diagnostic testing so simple and cost-effective that every patient will be tested for every serious infection, reducing misdiagnoses and significantly limiting the spread of infectious disease. More information can be found on the Company's website at www.gbscience.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statement regarding events, trends and business prospects, which may affect our future operating results and financial position, including but not limited to statements regarding the commercial launch of the Companys Shiga Toxin Direct Test and Staph ID/R Panel and such commercial launches aiding in building the Companys total revenue base, increasing sales per customer figures and reducing seasonality in the Companys revenue stream. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. These risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) our limited operating history and history of losses; (ii) our ability to develop and commercialize new products and the timing of commercialization; (iii) our ability to obtain capital when needed; and (iv) other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 31, 2016. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Great Basin Scientific specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Media Contact: Nirav Suchak, ICR 646.277.1257 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Betsy Hartman, Great Basin Scientific 385.215.3372 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Hexadite Expands Board of Directors with Cylance CTO Glenn Chisholm Hexadite, provider of the first agentless intelligent security automation and orchestration platform, today announced that Glenn Chisholm, Chief Technology Officer at Cylance, is joining its Board of Directors. With decades of cybersecurity leadership positions, Chisholm will assist in further establishing Hexadite as a leading security solution for Global 2000 companies, and the only one that provides a fully-automated incident response solution. Hexadite Automated Incident Response Solution (AIRS) harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to dramatically reduce the time it takes enterprises to investigate and remediate cybersecurity alerts. It empowers security teams to examine every single alert issued by their existing security tools, regardless of an alert's priority score or the availability of human analyst to perform manual investigations. When Hexadite AIRS determines that an alert is indeed a threat, it can automatically and immediately perform targeted remediation actions. "What we're dealing with today is a cybersecurity cpacity problem. It's become very apparent that there's no way for security teams to manually investigate every security alert. When you look at how the volume of alerts continues to increase and the time it takes to manually investigate each one, it's simple math," said Eran Barak, CEO and co-founder of Hexadite. "Security Automation and Orchestration to automate incident response is the only way to solve this problem, and our solution has been proven at leading organizations around the world. With Glenn's guidance, we'll be able to fine-tune our offering even more, presenting the most compelling solution to both channel partners and end customers. His fingerprints are on some of the most significant security technologies and companies in the market today, and his insight will be invaluable to Hexadite's future growth and success." Glenn Chisholm brings decades of technical product management experience to Hexadite's Board of Directors. As Chief Technology Officer at Cylance, he directs the strategic product and mathematical direction of the company while leading its research and development teams, engaging with world-class customers to develop end-to-end solutions. Previously, Chisholm held security and engineering roles at Cisco and Telstra (News - Alert). Chisolm will provide strategic guidance for Hexadite's product teams as product demand continues to grow globally. "The traditional, manual approach to incident response is becoming obsolete. Organizations can no longer afford to simply hire more people to investigate and remediate cyber-attacks, and innovative companies like Hexadite are changing the way," said Chisholm. "By integrating with customers' existing security tools and applying artificial intelligence and automation, Hexadite's solution dramatically reduces the time to evaluate and remediate threats to let security staff focus on more strategic work." Hexadite was founded in 2014 by Eran Barak (chief executive officer), Barak Klinghofer (chief product officer) and Idan Levin (chief technology officer), all veterans of an elite intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The company operates out of its headquarters in Boston's Financial District and maintains a research and development center in Tel-Aviv, Israel. About Hexadite Hexadite AIRS is the first agentless intelligent security automation and orchestration platform for Global 2000 companies. By easily integrating with customers' existing security technologies and harnessing artificial intelligence that automatically investigates every cyber alert and drives remediation actions, Hexadite AIRS enables security teams to amplify their ability to mitigate cyber threats in real-time. For more information, follow @Hexadite on Twitter (News - Alert) or visit www.hexadite.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005829/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Newsbyte: SAP Climbs in 2016 Interbrand and Fit for Purpose Rankings WALLDORF, Germany, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP NEWSBYTE -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) has been recognized as one of the "Top Growing Brands" in the 2016 Interbrand Best Global Brand report. In just one year, SAP moved up in its ranking from #26 to #22, with an estimated brand value of US$21.3 billion. Now in its 17th year, the Interbrand report analyzes how brands help grow businesses from delivering on customer expectations to driving economic value. With a 13 percent increase in year-over-year brand value, the SAP brand grew more than major competitors like Oracle (-3 percent) and IBM (-19 percent) and other business-to-business technology leaders like GE (+2 percent), Intel (+4 percent) and Cisco (+4 percent). The average brand value growth among the Top 100 brands this year was 4.8 percent. SAP was also named as the highest-ranked technology company on the Radley Yeldar Fit for Purpose Index of the top 100 most purposeful brands in the world. SAP ranked #20 up from #22 in 2015 ahead of HP, Cisco, Google, IBM and Facebook. SAP's recent pledges to make a difference to people's health and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals contributed significantly to the company's rise in ranking. Now in its second year, the Fit for Purpose Index examines the 100 brands best-placed to put purpose into practice. According to consultancy Radley Yeldar (RY), brands with purpose "bring employees, customers and investors on board, turning ambition into action. Ultimately, they create business success and by fulfilling their purpose, they benefit individuals and society." Why Focus on Purpose? According to EY's strategy executive director and EY Beacon Institute global leader Valerie Keller, purpose can lead to better growth opportunities for companies large and small. As EY points out, "Purpose-led brands are more successful in acquiring and retaining cutomers." "We are thrilled to be recognized as a leader on both the Interbrand list and Radley Yeldar's Fit for Purpose Index," said Vivek Bapat, senior vice president, SAP Marketing Strategy and Thought Leadership. "These are both an incredible reflection of our overarching vision and the passion of our customers, employees and partners as ambassadors of our brand. From helping our customers Run Live in the digital economy to collectively making an impact on global causes that touch billions of people, we continue in our drive to help the world run better and improve people's lives. This is our enduring cause, our higher purpose." Interbrand 2016 Best Global Brands Report Interbrand's methodology was the first brand valuation method to become ISO-certified. The Best Global Brands ranking is based on the brand's cumulative value, which is measured across three components: The financial performance of the branded products and services The role the brand plays in influencing customer choice The strength the brand has to command a premium price or secure earnings for the company Radley Yeldar Fit for Purpose Index The RY Fit for Purpose index ranks the world's most purposeful brands on the strength of a brand's purpose and the extent to which it is embedded across the organization. RY assessed more than 180 brands from the FT500 and the Eurofirst 100 between May and June 2016. The consultancy analyzes publicly available information across 27 global criteria. The scores are calculated based on four core categories: Purpose and story : does the purpose clearly address a relevant individual, social or world need? : does the purpose clearly address a relevant individual, social or world need? Communication : to what extent is the purpose clearly communicated across all channels? : to what extent is the purpose clearly communicated across all channels? Performance: how deeply is purpose integrated into the business model and business strategy? how deeply is purpose integrated into the business model and business strategy? Behaviors: is the purpose clear in company behavior, including leadership support? To view the full rankings, please visit the 2016 Interbrand Best Global Brands Report and the RY Fit for Purpose Index. For more information, visit the SAP News Center and SAP's corporate purpose site. Download the book "How SAP's Vision Comes to Life": Mobile version (PDF, 4MB) | Print version (PDF, 40MB) For more information on SAP, visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews. Media Contacts: Andy Kendzie, +1 (202) 247-7064, [email protected], ET Amanda Murphy, +1 (212) 653-9832, [email protected], ET Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110126/AQ34470LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newsbyte-sap-climbs-in-2016-interbrand-and-fit-for-purpose-rankings-300369072.html SOURCE SAP SE [November 29, 2016] Tektronix Unveils Complete Solution for Volume, Surface Resistivity Measurements BEAVERTON, Ore., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of measurement solutions, today unveiled a complete solution for performing high resistivity measurements in compliance with accepted industry standards including ASTM D257 and IEC 60093. Designed for use with the Keithley Model 6517B Electrometer and Model 8009 Resistivity Chamber, the new Model KICKSTARTFL-HRMA application automates volume and surface resistivity measurements for more accurate and repeatable results without the need for custom programming. Material scientists and engineers use resistivity measurement to verify the electrical properties of insulating and other materials they are developing or evaluating. However, they tend to be materials experts rather than test equipment experts and need tools that allow them to characterize materials without having to learn how to program test instrumentation. The KICKSTARTFLHRMA application requires no programming and performs all required computations based on the geometry of the Keithley text fixture. "High resistivity measurements are critical to evaluating not just electrical insulating materials, but many other materials. For instance, the resistivity of materials used in the production of car tires is important in balancing electrostatic discharge safety with properties that affect rolling friction," said Mike Flaherty, general manager, Keithley product line at Tektronix. "With this solution we are making these measurements much easier than they have ever been in the past, allowing our customers to focus on what they do best developing new and improved materials for all types of applications." The KICKSTARTFL-HRMA application quickly and reliably allows users to determine resistivity of materials using setups and methods consistent with ASTM D257 and IEC60093 standards. Users can visualize the step response of the material and make a good decision on an appropriate test time to use for volume or surface resistivity testing. For improved accuracy, the software uses the Keithley alternating polarity measurement technique to eliminate inherent background currents. And, using optional probes, users can also observe how resistivity changes due to environment factors such as temperature or humidity. Resulting data is presented in both graphical and tabular formats. Pricing & Availability An option for Keithley KickStart Instrument Control Software, the Model KICKSTARTFL-HRMA is available now and priced at $499. The full high-resistivity measurement solution includes Kickstart software, a Model 6517B Electrometer, and Model 8009 Resistivity Chamber. For more information go to: http://www.tek.com/keithley-kickstart. Wondering what else Tektronix is up to? Check out the Tektronix Bandwidth Banter blog and stay up to date on the latest news from Tektronix on Twitter and Facebook. About Tektronix Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix delivers innovative, precise and easy-to-operate test, measurement and monitoring solutions that solve problems, unlock insights and drive discovery. Tektronix has been at the forefront of the digital age for over 70 years. Join us on the journey of innovation at TEK.COM. In 2010, Keithley Instruments joined Tektronix as part of its test and measurement portfolio. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160125/325847LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tektronix-unveils-complete-solution-for-volume-surface-resistivity-measurements-300369369.html SOURCE Tektronix, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Tradeshift Launches Joint Ventures in China to Meet Accelerating Demand for Supply Chain Digitalization Tradeshift, the leading business commerce platform, today announced two new joint ventures in China to connect millions of trading partners, digitalize the transactions between them, and offer accessible trade-based financial services to SMBs in the region. The joint ventures can help strengthen the competitiveness of Chinese SMEs across global supply chains and support the country's goal of raising cross-border trade to $2.5 trillion within a decade. Tradeshift and the joint ventures offer a framework for digital connectivity and collaboration between China-based enterprises and businesses worldwide to help the country achieve its technology modernization goals. XunLian Tradeshift Joint Venture Tradeshift entered a joint venture with Shenzhen XunLian Technology Development Co.,Ltd. located in Chongqing, one of China's four directly-controlled municipalities. It will primarily provide supply chain financing to millions of businesses and will process more than $30B of gross merchandise value (GMV (News - Alert)) worth of transactions per year for some of the largest state- and private-owned enterprises in China. The XunLian Tradeshift joint venture - Tradeshift Supply Chain Technology Ltd., - has developed several new customers, including Zongshen and Automobile Motorcycle Exchange, both headquartered in Chongqing. Chongqing is currently the main hub for the Chinese government's $140B "One Belt, One Road" initiative where Tradeshift will play a central role by providing suppliers with electronic infrastructure for trading and related financial services. "Tradeshift Supply Chain Technology Ltd. established in Chongqing City, China, is a shining example of the infrastructure projects that were continually investing in to provide strategic support for our municipality and overall country goals," said Zhang Rui, CEO of the new joint venture. "Through the help of modern tools necessary for supply chain management effectiveness, we aim to improve trade and relations with all our partners, especially those in Asia, Central Asia and European countries." Baiwang Tradeshift Joint Venture The success of the company's strategic partnership with Baiwang, a leading provider of tax-related services, has paved the way for a joint venture named Baiwang Tradeshift. This year, the Chinese government replaced provincial Business Taxes (BT (News - Alert)) with VAT for all service-based industries. This joint venture is with one of two companies in China that are authorized by the government to implement and market e-invoicing solutions for VAT compliance. The 85-person joint venture serves more than 100 customers, including some of the largest companies in the insurance, banking and hospitality industries. Baiwang Tradeshift has processed more than 20 million invoices over the last three months, and that rate is poised to accelerate. 2016 Momentum (News - Alert) in China Tradeshift is leader in addressing China's growing market and has continued to expand its presence following its initial entry in 2013. It is on track to process upwards of 100 million transactions per year in China through its independent operations and joint ventures across the supply chains of multinational enterprises, private Chinese companies, and state-owned companies. "We're delighted that our investment in China has gained significant traction in 2016 and that we've been able to create a second joint venture with one of the most innovative supply chain financing companies in China to offer digital reverse factoring or supply chain financing apps," said Mikkel Hippe Brun, Tradeshift SVP of Asia-Pacific and Co-founder. "Our platform vision puts both buyers and their suppliers at the center of our value proposition, which is proving to be a natural fit in China's trade ecosystem as it is everywhere else." In late October, Tradeshift announced that it expanded into Australia and New Zealand to further meet the global demand for its cloud software designed for business networks. About Tradeshift Tradeshift is a flexible business commerce platform where companies can buy, sell, and tailor B2B solutions to meet their needs. Tradeshift connects 800,000 companies across 190 countries and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, Copenhagen, London, Paris, Suzhou, Tokyo, Munich, and Sydney. Learn more at www.tradeshift.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006003/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] With Over RMB100 Billion in Total Assets, Ping An Leasing Ushers in China's Leasing Market Era 2.0 HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An International Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An Leasing" or "the Company"), a subsidiary of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or "the Group", HKEx: 2318; SSE: 601318) held a ceremony earlier in Shanghai to mark its exceeding RMB100 billion in total assets and ushering in China's Leasing Market Era 2.0. Ping An Leasing has grown rapidly since its establishment and become one of the top players in China's leasing market in just more than three years. Mr. Jason Yao, Executive Vice President of Ping An, Ms. Guo Zhiying, Deputy Director of the Pudong Financial Service Bureau at China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Mr. Sudhir P. Amembal, an American expert in the leasing industry, and Mr. Wu Xiaobo, a well-known economist, attended the ceremony. Commenting on the rapid growth of the Company, Fang Weihao, Chairman and CEO of Ping An Leasing, said that the sense of crisis and the curiosity inherited from the Group have been key factors driving the growth of Ping An Leasing. Since Ping An ushered in its era 3.0 of "integrated finance +" and "internet +", its leasing arm has been proactively pursuing breakthroughs and reforms. A new business model has been developed in order to achieve leapfrogging growth and lead the industry through changes in the Leasing Market Era 2.0. RMB100 Billion Sparks of Brilliance Industry Leaders All Rooting for Ping An Leasing Unlike traditional finance channels like banking, insurance and trust, Ping An Leasing has established and deepened its market presence through three years of rapid development, and accomplished the exploration of the leasing industry. Thanks to these efforts, the Company has achieved a vertical take-off in its business, expanding at a higher-than-average speed and building absolute advantages in several business areas. As at November 2016, the total assets of Ping An Leasing exceeded RMB100 billion, while there are only around 10 leasing companies with over RMB100 billion in total assets in the market. In all, Ping An Leasing has grown rapidly over the past three years to become a first-tier company in the leasing industry. According to Ping An's financial report for Q3 2016, despite the grim economic situation this year, its overall leasing business bucked the trend and continued to perform well, outpacing its peers in expansion and innovation breakthroughs, and putting itself at an absolutely advantageous position in a number of business areas. In the three years of rapid development from September 2013 to September 2016, Ping An Leasing's total assets reached RMB97.5 billion at a CAGR of 120%, its revenue grew to RMB4.3 billion at a CAGR of 137%, and its net profit expanded at a CAGR of 351%. Mr. Jason Yao, Executive Vice President of Ping An, stated in his speech that, "cross-boundary" and "integration" are the essence of the Group's integrated finance strategy. At the start of 2016, Ping An Leasing first floated the idea of "innovative leasing" within the industry, calling for actively exploring leasing business in areas of personal consumption, operating lease and industrial operation. Ms. Guo Zhiying, Deputy Director of the Pudong Financial Service Bureau at China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, stated that "the innovative growth model of Ping An Leasing has played a very positive role in tranforming and repositioning the traditional financial service segments in mainland China, and serves as a sample for standardizing the development of the Chinese financial leasing industry." Government leaders and industry experts from across the country and more than 500 partners from the capital side and the asset side witnessed this glorious moment for Ping An Leasing. As the representative of strategic partners of the capital side, Mr. Sha Ying, Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Shanghai Branch, said that "the total volume of financial leasing transactions in China is expected to exceed RMB3 trillion next year which is about to overtake the US. The market potential of the leasing industry in China is immense. After years of rapid development of the financial leasing industry, financial leasing companies will eventually achieve higher status and value reflecting the needs of the society by utilizing movable asset finance to increase the capital utilization rate of the industry and by driving the entity industry to further develop its intrinsic value." Mr. Shi Hong, Deputy General Manager of SAIC General Motors, spoke highly of the auto finance business of Ping An Leasing. "We found the market position of Ping An Leasing to be very clear, namely taking advantage of the mature experience of auto leasing overseas and the resources of Ping An Group's auto ecosystem to vigorously advance the development of the car rental business adapted to the Chinese market on Ping An's Auto Concierge platform," he said. Robust growth of 19 types of business in "Leasing Museum" Mr. Fang Weihao, Chairman and CEO of Ping An Leasing, presented an onsite TED talk. He described the rapid development of the Company as a "vertical takeoff", in which the total assets exceeded RMB100 billion and the total headcount exceeded 1,200 employees within about 3 years, a very rare case in the industry. Until now, based in Shanghai, Ping An Leasing has established strategic business presence across the country with 8 subsidiaries and 17 offices. At the same time, it has 19 vertical business lines penetrating different industries, and built competitive advantages in various segments. In four major business areas, i.e. health care, energy and metallurgy, construction, and education and culture, Ping An Leasing has achieved market leadership and become the industry benchmark. Ping An Leasing has built a "Leasing Museum" to vividly showcase operations of the financial leasing industry to guests and customers. The Company uses artistic reliefs to show different "physical assets" such as aircraft, autos, factory tools, school buildings and medical equipment in a lively way, to demonstrate the Company's directions in different industry lines and innovative businesses, and to present Ping An Leasing's development history and key milestones since its establishment. These objects signify Ping An Leasing's efforts behind its total assets of RMB100 billion in different professional areas and show Ping An Leasing's attempts in innovative fields. With the trust of its 39,000 customers, Ping An Leasing is blending itself into different industries across the country with ongoing operations, facilitating the progress of the industry and real economy. Four Major Innovations in Leasing Market Era 2.0 Showing China's Power With Ping An Leasing's total assets reaching RMB100 billion, a Leasing Market Era 2.0 in China has been ushered in. During the event, leasing experts, representatives of the real economy, and economists from China and America had productive and intense discussions and debates on future development of the leasing industry. Sudhir Amembal, a world-renowned leasing expert, praised the achievements of the financial leasing industry in China. According to him, the leasing industry in the U.S. has developed for more than 60 years and experienced two industry cycles, and is relatively mature with diversified leasing products and an overall penetration rate of approximately 22%. However, as the leasing industry in China was "restarted" only 10 years ago, its overall penetration rate is far lower than that in the U.S., meaning great room for development. Yang Gang, chairman of the Leasing Committee of China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment, believes that China's financial technology has become the industry leader across the world. China's financial leasing industry should build confidence in its own institutions and theories, and explore better development paths for itself. Well-known economist Wu Xiaobo has been concerned about the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in China. He mentioned at the event that SMEs have been in a weak condition in the financial market, and capital shortage is a major hurdle in their struggle for survival and development. With the development of financial leasing, this new financial service could become an important measure to help enterprises clear stumbling blocks and achieve success in a counter-cyclical economic environment. In fact, the financial leasing industry in China is highly competitive. The industry scale is expanding fast, but if compared with those of developed countries, the advantage of China's leasing industry is far from being played out. Against this background, Ping An Leasing pioneered the innovative concept of "Leasing Market Era 2.0". According to Fang Weihao, the Leasing Market Era 2.0 focuses on four major innovation directions: lease + the internet, lease for personal consumers, operating lease, and operational lease. He believes the Leasing Market Era 2.0 represents the future directions for China's financial leasing industry. With the industry's continuous innovation and improvement in the Leasing Market Era 2.0, China's financial leasing industry will show its power to the world. About Ping An Leasing Ping An International Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. was established in January 2013 with a registered capital of RMB9.3 billion. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ping An Group which specializes in financial leasing. The company is headquartered in the Lujiazui Financial Center in Pudong, Shanghai with business networks extended all over the country. The business has developed rapidly since it was established. As of November 2016, the assets of Ping An Leasing exceeded RMB100 billion. The business of Ping An leasing mainly involves industries such as health and hygiene, manufacturing and processing, construction, government financing, education and culture, corporate financing, aviation, etc. It will continue to explore new industry directions and business areas to continually create the diversified financial products to meet the needs of the customers. Its main business models include equipment lease, sale and lease back, sublease, leveraged lease, trust lease, project lease, operating least, etc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] NASA's ISS-RapidScat Earth Science Mission Ends WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's International Space Station Rapid Scatterometer (ISS-RapidScat) Earth science instrument has ended operations following a successful two-year mission aboard the space station. The mission launched Sept. 21, 2014, and had recently passed its original decommissioning date. ISS-ISS-RapidScat used the unique vantage point of the space station to provide near-real-time monitoring of ocean winds, which are critical in determining regional weather patterns. Its measurements of wind speed and direction over the ocean surface have been used by agencies worldwide for weather and marine forecasting and tropical cyclone monitoring. Its location on the space station made it the first space-borne scatterometer that could observe how winds evolve throughout the course of a day. "As a first-of-its-kind mission, ISS-RapidScat proved successful in providing researchers and forecasters with a low-cost eye on winds over remote areas of Earth's oceans," said Michael Freilich, director of NASA's Earth Science Division. "The data from ISS-RapidScat will help researchers contribute to an improved understanding of fundamental weather and climate processes, such as how tropical weather systems form and evolve." The agencies that routinely used ISS-RapidScat's data for forecasting and monitoring operations include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Navy, along with European and Indian weather agencies. It provided more complete coverage of wind patterns far out to sea that could build into dangerous storms. Even if these storms never reach land, they can bring devastating wave impacts to coastal areas far away. "The unique coverage of ISS-RapidScat allowed us to see the rate of change or evolution in key wind features along mid-latitude storm tracks, which happen to intersectmajor shipping routes," said Paul Chang, Ocean Surface Winds Science team lead at NOAA's Center for Satellite Applications and Research. "ISS-RapidScat observations improved situational awareness of marine weather conditions, which aid optimal ship routing and hazard avoidance, and marine forecasts and warnings." During its mission, ISS-RapidScat also provided new insights into research questions such as how changing winds over the Pacific drove changes in sea surface temperature during the 2015-2016 El Nino event. Due to its unique ability to sample winds at different times of day, its data will be useful to scientists for years to come. ISS-RapidScat was born out of ingenuity, expertise and a need for speed. It was constructed in less than two years to replace its widely valued predecessor, NASA's decade-old QuikScat scatterometer satellite, at a fraction of the cost of the original largely by adapting spare parts from QuikScat. On Aug. 19, a power distribution unit for the space station's Columbus module failed, resulting in a power loss to ISS-RapidScat. Later that day, as the mission operations team from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, attempted to reactivate the instrument, one of the outlets on the power distribution unit experienced an electrical overload. In the following weeks, multiple attempts to restore ISS-RapidScat to normal operations were not successful, including a final attempt on Oct. 17. NASA currently does not plan to launch another scatterometer mission. However, the loss of ISS-RapidScat data will be partially mitigated by the newly launched ScatSat ocean wind sensor, a mission of the Indian Space Research Organization. ISS-RapidScat was the first continuous Earth-observing instrument specifically designed and developed to operate on the International Space Station exterior, but it's no longer the only one. The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) joined the space station in January 2015 to provide cost-effective measurements of atmospheric aerosols and clouds in Earth's atmosphere. Two more instruments are scheduled to launch to the space station in 2017 one that will allow scientists to monitor the ozone layer's gradually improving health, and another to observe lightning over Earth's tropics and mid-latitudes. Following that, two additional Earth science instruments are scheduled for launch in 2018 and 2019. ISS-RapidScat was a partnership between JPL and the International Space Station Program Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, with support from the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Other mission partners include the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and its Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; the European Space Agency; and SpaceX. NASA collects data from space, air, land and sea to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. NASA develops new ways to observe and study Earth's interconnected natural systems with long-term data records. The agency freely shares this unique knowledge and works with institutions around the world to gain new insights into how our planet is changing. To access ISS-RapidScat data, or for more information, visit: http://winds.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/RapidScat Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasas-iss-rapidscat-earth-science-mission-ends-300369214.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] Ohio Virtual Academy Accepting Second Semester Enrollment for 2016-17 School Year Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), an accredited, full-time online public community school for students who reside anywhere in Ohio, welcomes students to enroll for the second semester of the 2016-17 school year. The deadline for high school students to enroll for second semester is Feb. 2, 2017, and the deadline for students in grades K-8 is Feb. 12, 2017. OHVA offers a rigorous and engaging curriculum that includes courses in language arts/English literature, math, science, history, world languages, art and music, as well as elective and Advanced Placement courses for high school students. State-certified teachers provide instruction, guidance and support, and regularly interact with students and parents via email, web-based classrooms, online discussions, phone and face-to-face meetings. As a public school option, there is no tuition. "At Ohio Virtual Academy, we educate the leaders of tomorrow to help them prepare for college and career success afer high school graduation," said Dr. Kristin Stewart, Senior Head of School of Ohio Virtual Academy. "Our curriculum and unique model of support are geared toward maximizing every student's potential, ensuring they receive the best method of education for their learning style." According to a spring 2016 survey conducted by Edge Research, 92% of the families with students enrolled in the school during the 2015-2016 school year felt that their child had benefitted academically from the curriculum. OHVA will host several upcoming online information sessions to help families learn more about the program. For more about the school and how to enroll, visit http://ohva.k12.com. About Ohio Virtual Academy Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) is an accredited, full-time online public charter school authorized by the Ohio Council of Community Schools (OCCS) that serves students in grades K through 12. As part of the Ohio public school system, OHVA is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the award-winning curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about OHVA, visit http://ohva.k12.com and follow on Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006109/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Lundin Law PC Announces an Investigation of comScore, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces that it is investigating claims against comScore (News - Alert), Inc. ("comScore" or the "Company") (NYSE: SCOR) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. To get more information about this investigation, please contact Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or via email at [email protected]. The investigation is centered on whether comScore and some of its officers and/or directors have violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On November 23, 2016, post-market, comScore publcized the resignations of the Chairman of the Company's Board and the Chair of the Board's Nominating and Governance Committee on November 17, 2016. comScore then disclosed the total of its internal investigation about "matters related to the Company's revenue recognition practices, disclosures, internal controls, corporate culture, and certain employment practices." Afterwards, comScore's Audit Committee, working with outside counsel and forensic accountants, determined that "the Company cannot support the prior accounting for the nonmonetary transactions recorded by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and accordingly, revenue and expenses related to all nonmonetary transactions during these periods is being reversed and accounted for at significant cost rather than at fair value." The Audit Committee furthermore disclosed concerns regarding its internal controls. comScore revealed to shareholders that "there may be additional accounting adjustments and such adjustments may be material." When this news was disclosed to the public, comScore stock dropped $1.55 per share, or 5.11%, to close at $28.94 on November 25, 2016, causing investors serious 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. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006138/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] Anixter International Inc. Names New Chief Accounting Officer Anixter (News - Alert) International Inc. (NYSE: AXE) today named Ilaria Mocciaro Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller - Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Mocciaro will have responsibility for global accounting and tax functions, internal controls, and SEC (News - Alert) reporting, and will report to Ted Dosch, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Ms. Mocciaro was Chief Accounting Officer, Agricultural Equipment and Construction Equipment segments, at CNH Industrial N.V. Ms. Mocciaro holds a degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to that, she had over 12 years of experience in roles of increasing responsibility with Ernst & Young LLP. "With Ms. Mocciaro's extensive experience working with global financial reporting, accounting and compliance standards, she brings further talent and value to our financial organization which supports our business in approximately 50 countries around the globe," commented Mr. Dosch. Ms. Mocciaro will replace Terry Faber who has announced his retirement in arly 2017 and will assume the position of SVP - International Finance until his retirement. In acknowledging Mr. Faber's significant contributions Ted Dosch commented, "We want to thank Terry for his leadership and substantial contributions during his 16-year tenure as corporate controller." About Anixter Anixter International is a leading global distributor of Network & Security Solutions, Electrical & Electronic Solutions and Utility Power Solutions. We help build, connect, protect, and power valuable assets and critical infrastructures. From enterprise networks to industrial MRO supply to video surveillance applications to electric power distribution, we offer full-line solutions, and intelligence, that create reliable, resilient systems that sustain businesses and communities. Through our unmatched global distribution network along with our supply chain and technical expertise, we help lower the cost, risk and complexity of our customers' supply chains. Anixter adds value to the distribution process by providing our customers access to 1) innovative supply chain solutions, 2) over 450,000 products and $1.2 billion in inventory, 3) approximately 320 warehouses/branch locations with approximately 9.0 million square feet of space and 4) locations in over 300 cities in more than 50 countries. Founded in 1957 and headquartered near Chicago, Anixter trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AXE. Additional information about Anixter is available at anixter.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006142/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] PathPartner Technology Announces Launch of Machine Vision Camera Module FREMONT, California and BANGALORE, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PathPartner's Machine Vision USB 3.0 Camera Modules (Color: PPMVR-AP-1 and Monochrome: PPMVM-AP-1) are based on AR0134 1/3-Inch 1.2Mp CMOS Digital Image Sensor with On Semi Global Shutter. The modules are designed for low light performance and feature a global shutter for accurate capture of moving scenes. This camera comes with 'PPMV Player', a UVC-compatible host application which works on Windows OS and works with any DirectShow application software. The camera module comes with a range of resolutions and frame rate support for various applications: VGA (640X480) - 30, 60 & 90fps 720p (1280X720) - 30 & 60 fps 1.2MP (1280X960) - 45 & 54 fps (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131202/657771 ) Ramkishor Korada, Co-founder and Global Head of Sales & Marketing at PathPartner says, "This latest camera module from PathPartner comes with manual exposure control, hardware trigger mode operation and captures still images and videos at maximum 1.2MP resolution at a frame rate of 54fps, making it an apt chice for any industry that employs automated process like scanning, identification and counting across Packaging, Medical, Semiconductor Manufacturing, to name a few." Being a leading embedded vision solutions provider, PathPartner offers a choice of camera modules suitable for various applications. In addition to the Machine Vision Camera Module, they offer an 8 MP HD USB 3.0 Camera Module based on OV8825 CMOS image sensor and a 5 MP HD USB 3.0 Camera Module based on OV5640 CMOS image sensor. Both being fully compliant with USB3 Vision, USB Video Class (UVC) and USB Audio Class (UAC) standards. PathPartner also customizes the modules as per the requirement. Customers can reach out to [email protected] for North America, [email protected] for Japan or [email protected] for all inquiries. The camera modules are also available on their website for purchase. For more information, visit their website. About PathPartner Technology Founded in 2006, PathPartner is headquartered at Bangalore with an offshore research facility based out of California, U.S.A. PathPartner offers design, development and integration services in advanced embedded technology to solve complex challenges for clients around the world. Licensable multimedia software products and proprietary IPs for vision and connectivity applications to run intelligent systems such as autonomous cars, action cameras, wearable devices, smartphones etc. are our forte. PathPartner is dedicated towards creating next generation multimedia experience through technology-driven execution and quality delivery for leading corporations across industries including automotive, semiconductor, broadcast, healthcare, cameras and surveillance. Contact: Usha V PathPartner Technology India: +91-80-6772-2000 USA: +1-408-242-7411 [email protected]m [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] Chengdu Consolidates Its Position as the Leading City in Western China CHENGDU, China, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 16th Western China International Fair (WCIF) was held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China from November 3-14. Chengdu, a fast growing metropolis in western China, is again drawing wide attention globally. The city will play a wider, deeper and more dynamic role on the world stage, as it continues its evolution in becoming one of China's leading cities. The event's tagline "Western China, Opportunities for the World" accurately reflects Chengdu's ascendance as a city of increasing importance, not only in China, but also globally. At present, Chengdu is home to 278 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, including 201 foreign businesses that have chosen Chengdu as a base for their Chinese operations. Chengdu is also the selected location within China for more than 6,650 foreign-invested companies. In 2015 alone, Chengdu benefited from US$10 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). In the first nine months of 2016, the city's government signed deals for 224 major projects (including existing projects that needed additional capital), representing a total investment valued at 242.9 billion yuan (approx. US$36.8 billion). The investment included 18 large-scale projects where the funding in each individually exceeded 3 billion yuan. With its unique set of characteristics, Chengdu has become a popular investment destination and an ideal business venue for investors worldwide. Chengdu played host to an increasing number of major events of global importance, including the WCIF, the 22nd World Route Development Forum, the third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, 2016 China (Chengdu) Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair, 2015 Airport Cities Asia Pacific Conference & Exhibition, the 12th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention and 2013 Fortune Global Forum. The long list of international events that chose Chengdu as the venue demonstrates the level to which the city has become an attractive location for an event or for the home of one's business in China. As of November 15, the city had hosted 505 large conferences and exhibitions so far for the year, including 122 international events, achieving 97.1 per cent of its annual target. The aggregate exhibition area reached 3.183 million square meters, up 10.7 per cent year on year and fulfilling 96.5 per cent of its annual target. Total revenue from the conference and exhibition industry stood at 71,210 million yuan, up 12.8 per cent year on year and achieving 91.4 per cent of its annual target. Direct revenue totaled 8,210 million yuan, up 12.7 per cent year on year and meeting 90.7 per cent of its annual target, while overall revenue reached 69,710 million yuan, up 12.8 per cent year on year and meeting 91.5 per cent of its annual target. The number of visitors tallied at 87.8 million, up 3 per cent year on year, while 4,430 temporary jobs were created, up 10.7 per cent year on year. Chengdu is evolving into one of China's leading cities, becoming not only a regional economic hub, but also a center for science and technology, cultural creativity, foreign contact and all modes of transportation in western China. Looking forward, the city expects to play an increasingly important role in global resource integration and competition as well as in global city rankings and as an industrial ecosystem. All signs point to Chengdu becoming one of the leading Chinese cities in terms of comprehensive strength and economic power. Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161124/0861612648 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] AdAsia Enters Greater China Market with Expansion into Taiwan SINGAPORE, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AdAsia Holdings, an advertising technology company and creator of the AdAsia Digital Platform, has announced today the launch of its office in Taipei, Taiwan. After successful entries into Southeast Asian markets, the Singapore-headquartered company now looks to expand into Greater China. "Taiwan will be our entry point into the Greater China market, providing us with an initial base to clients in the region," said Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder, AdAsia Holdings. Through the Taiwan office, clients in Greater China can now have access to the AdAsia Digital Platform, an easy-to-use integrated tool for display, mobile and video programmatic buying across multiple ad exchanges, the AdAsia Ad Network and AdAsia Video Network. In addition, the AdAsia Digital Platform also integrates CastingAsia, an influencer marketing platform, and AdAsia Video Production. This allows clients to manage, monitor and track multiple marketing efforts through a single platform. "We are taking a unique approach to the Greater China market, tailoring our solutions to marketers, advertisers, publishers and influencers according to their local needs. We're also looking to partner up with local players and Taiwan provides us with a perfect starting point," said Sogo. AdAsia has appointed Masahiro Goto as the Manager of Taiwan. Masahiro joins from financial technology company, Uzabase Asia Pacific. Prior to that, he was an M&A specialist in the technology, media and telecommunications sector. "There has been an increasing amount of interest in the Greater China region by existing and new clients, and we are building an experienced local team for our entry into this market," said Goto. "We are pleased to welcome Masahiro, who has shown an astute eye for business opportunities and a strong knowledge of advertising and marketing trends in Taiwan and the region. We're confident that Masahiro can lead our initial efforts into Greater China," said Kosuke Sogo. AdAsia's office in Taipei, Taiwan, is located at C1, 27 Floor, Taipei 101 Tower, No. 7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District. About AdAsia Holdings Pte. Ltd. AdAsia Holdings is one of the fastest growing advertising technology companies in Asia -- launched in April 2016 by Kosuke Sogo and Otohiko Kozutsumi. AdAsia Holdings looks to enhance marketers' prowess through a single platform. Headquartered in Singapore, AdAsia Holdings is a strong believer in localized support and has a strong Southeast Asian presence. The company plans to further expand into every market in Asia, localizing solutions to suit each market's needs. About AdAsia Digital Platform The AdAsia Digital Platform is an integrated advertising platform capable of managing functions of programmatic buying and reporting, influencer marketing and video production in a single platform. Advertising agencies, marketers and advertisers can serve their ads on multiple DSPs, advertising networks, AdAsia Video Network, and AdAsia Ad Network - an advertising network for Southeast Asia's various local premium media and publishers. All future innovations will be integrated with the AdAsia Digital Platform, serving marketers needs through a single tool. Media Contact: Chris Lu Communications Manager [email protected] +65 9221 0608 / +65 6809 2111 Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161128/8521607733 Logo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160506/8521602925logo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2016] SDCmaterials and Wuxi Weifu Lida Sign Agreement for Commercialization of Advanced Automotive Catalyst Technology TEMPE, Arizona, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SDCmaterials, Inc. (SDC) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with China's leading automotive catalyst supplier, Wuxi Weifu Lida, to commercialize products incorporating SDC's high performance active ingredients for automotive catalytic converters. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140922/147665 Under the agreement, SDCmaterials will work with Wuxi Weifu Lida to commercialize catalysts for automotive OEMs in China. These catalysts will incorporate SDCs Nano-on-Nano ingredient formulations which require as little as 40 percent of the platinum-group metals needed in traditional catalysts, essentially doubling the efficiency of the precious-metal composition. "The dual challenge of rapidly increasing domestic automobile demand and increasingly strict emissions regulations in China, and around the world, creates a major opportunity for Wuxi Weifu Lida to increase our leadership position in China and enter new markets," said Mr. Wang Jiaming, General Manager of Wuxi Weifu Lida. "Working together with SDCmaterials we will deliver the industry's most advanced catalyst solutions - solutions which will meet stringent emission levels at the lowest possible cost and without impacting vehicle performance." "China is an extremely important market for SDCmaterials and the automotive catalyst industry in general," said SDCmaterials' CO Maximilian Biberger. "Establishing a close working relationship with Wuxi Weifu Lida, the country's leading automotive catalyst supplier, will provide a tremendous boost to our commercialization activity in the country." Among the first OEMs that will be pursued under this agreement is SAIC General Motors Co., Ltd. (SGM), a joint venture between GM and SAIC. "As an investor in SDCmaterials, we believe that this agreement between SDC and Wuxi Weifu Lida sets up an excellent partnership that will deliver new, cost-effective solutions for automotive catalysts," said Jon Lauckner, General Motors chief technology officer and president of GM Ventures. SDC manufactures its Nano-on-NanoTM catalyst ingredients via their patented plasma-synthesis technology, which integrates nano-sized precious metal particles onto nano-oxide support particles. When incorporated into a catalytic converter, the ingredients inhibit catalyst-degrading precious-metal migration and agglomeration, creating more stable and predictable emissions control, and allowing the catalyst manufacturer to use substantially less precious metal. About Wuxi Weifu Lida Catalytic Co. Ltd Wuxi Weifu Lida Catalytic Converter Co., Ltd. is a state-owned enterprise held by Wuxi Weifu High-technology Co., Ltd., and is China's largest automotive catalyst provider. The company manufactures over 160 products within three ranges of catalyst, purifier and muffler, covering the fields of petrol vehicles, diesel vehicles, motorcycles, LPG (CNG), GE machinery and industrial catalyzing. For more information, visit: http://www.china-wfld.com/ About SDCmaterials SDCmaterials develops and commercializes advanced catalyst products based on a novel materials fabrication and integration platform. Founded in 2004, the company's headquarters and R&D center are in Tempe, AZ. It also owns and operates a production facility in Schwarzheide, Germany. Investors include the venture capital arms of General Motors, Volvo Group, and SAIC Motor Corp., China's largest automaker, as well as BASF Venture Capital; Emerald Technology Partners, a leader in clean-tech venture capital; and Invus Financial Advisors. For more information, visit http://www.sdcmaterials.com. SDCmaterials contact: [email protected] Wuxi Weifu Lida Catalytic Converter Co. Ltd. contact: Mr. Wang Jiaming, General Manager Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] AnyClip Recognized as Second Fastest Growing Company on Deloitte Israel Technology Fast 50 List TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AnyClip, the world's first personalized, content-driven video advertising platform, has been ranked second on the Deloitte Israel Technology Fast 50 list, a program recognizing and honoring the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Israel. The company secured second place based on its 5,141 percen revenue growth since 2012. During that time, AnyClip also grew its annual video ad impressions from millions to several billions and expanded its reach to include over 100 million unique monthly users worldwide. During 2016, AnyClip also opened offices in New York and London to support its global growth. "Being the second fastest growing technology company in Israel is an exceptional achievement. We applaud AnyClip for making the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 with an outstanding 5,141 percent growth rate over the last four years," said Shally Tshuva, partner in charge of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Program. "We are thrilled to be recognized as the second fastest growing technology company in Israel," said Gil Becker, AnyClip's President & CEO. "This award was made possible by the talented team that drives us every single day, our many trusted partners, and our committed investors. We see tremendous opportunity ahead as we build on our past success and prepare to introduce game-changing video ad personalization solutions for the world's top brands and leading ad agencies in 2017." "We're very excited about this significant achievement," added Gadi Tirosh, JVP Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of AnyClip. "Gil has built a strong team and together they have made 2016 a record year for the company. AnyClip is now poised to become the leader in digital video personalization." The Deloitte Israel annual Technology Fast 50 program recognizes and honors the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Israel (private and publicly-held). To qualify, companies must operate in any area of technology and own proprietary technology. The Fast 50 programs is a springboard towards Deloitte's regional and global programs. Winners of the Fast 50 are automatically eligible to participate in the regional Deloitte Technology Fast 500 program. About AnyClip AnyClip is the world's first personalized, content-driven video advertising. AnyClip identifies consumers and their preferences on the most relevant digital media and delivers them personalized, content-driven video ad experiences. This increased personalization creates deeper connections with audiences, increases ROI for brands and agencies, and opens new monetization opportunities for content owners and publishers. Founded in 2008, AnyClip is based in Tel Aviv with offices in New York and London, and is backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), Roman Abramovich, GTI Capital, and Limelight Networks. For more information, visit www.anyclip.com | @anyclip Contact: Ari Applbaum AnyClip [email protected] +1-347-809-3314 +972-54-444-8654 Sherry Smith Clarity PR [email protected] +917-545-6493 Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/443366-Fast-50-Anyclip.mp4 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160804/395634LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anyclip-recognized-as-second-fastest-growing-company-on-deloitte-israel-technology-fast-50-list-300369282.html SOURCE AnyClip [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Dear Dr. Roach: I have heard of almost every organ or part of the body being attacked by cancer, but I've never heard of cancer of the heart. Can that be the case? C.L. A: Tumors of the heart are extremely rare, seen in less than one person in a thousand, and an even smaller subset of those tumors are cancer. The most common tumor of the heart is called a myxoma, and these occur in the left or right atrium. They are common enough that I have seen a few in my career. They can grow to a large size, and they cause problems by interfering with blood flow, and by predisposing a person to embolization, when small bits of tumor or clot break off, they can go to the lung, or in the case of left-sided tumors (or a septal defect, "hole in the heart"), to the brain. About 15 percent of cardiac tumors are cancers. The most common is a sarcoma, a cancer of connective tissue, such as muscle or the lining of the blood vessels. I fortunately have never had a patient with one of these. Progesterone Dear Dr. Roach: My cancer doctor told me that progesterone should always be prescribed with estrogen. I was prescribed only progesterone by my family doctor. My doctor said this probably caused my uterine cancer. My symptom of bleeding led to the early detection of my uterine cancer. Luckily, a hysterectomy removed all of my cancer. L.H.K. A: Estrogen, taken without any kind of progesterone (we say "unopposed estrogen" for this situation) is a very strong risk factor for development of uterine cancer (it increases the risk more than sixfold), and almost never is done. However, progesterone-type compounds alone (without estrogen) are commonly used, both for birth control and other indications, and actually protect against the development of endometrial cancer (they have been shown to reduce the risk by 80 percent, but clearly not by 100 percent). It sounds like the message got confused. Cleansers Dear Dr. Roach: Four years ago, and again three years ago, I had colonoscopies, with Dulcolax tablets and Miralax powder drink as the prescribed cleansers. Since that time, my regular early-morning bowel movement has become much less predictable, once or twice a week requiring prune juice or occasionally a docusate capsule. Is it possible that the laxative cleansers changed something in my natural rhythms? If so, do you have any suggestions for alternatives? H.S. A: I see people with changes in their bowel habits after colonoscopy fairly routinely, and people are happy with the changes more often than they are unhappy. Usually the changes are short-lived, and although I don't have definitive proof of my guess, I do think that people with longer-lasting changes have undergone a change in their gut bacteria due to the colonoscopy preparation. Our gut bacteria are responsible for many effects in the body, and I wonder if you lost a healthy strain. I have recently written about probiotics, and I think it may be worthwhile for you to try a course of probiotics (there are many commercial products) to try to return to your natural rhythm. The booklet on constipation explains this common disorder and its treatments. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Roach, Book No. 504, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. [November 29, 2016] Ellen K to Host KOST 103.5 Morning Show at Children's Hospital Los Angeles on Giving Tuesday to Kick Off Hospital's Annual 'Live L.A. Give L.A.' Campaign Beloved Los Angeles radio host Ellen K is spending Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, sharing inspiring stories of patients, doctors, nurses and supporters of Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006162/en/ Drew Barrymore, Golden Globe winning actress, entrepreneur, mother and longtime hospital supporter, is leading the 2016 Live L.A. Give L.A. campaign, inspiring families to give to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. (Graphic: Business Wire) Ellen will broadcast her November 29th morning show from CHLA, encouraging listeners to "Live L.A. Give L.A." - the name of CHLA's holiday fundraising campaign that starts on Giving Tuesday. She's asking people to support CHLA's mission to build hope and healthier futures for the hundreds of thousands of kids who come through its doors every year - including Ellen's own son, who recently underwent orthopaedic surgery at the hospital. Along with patients and staff, a few celebrities also will be calling in to chat with Ellen on air. That includes actress Drew Barrymore, who is the celebrity face of the Live L.A. Give L.A. campaign. The mother of two has hosted several events for patients and their families at the hospital and recently received CHLA's Courage to Care award for her longtime commitment to children. After Ellen K's show, which runs from 5:00am-10:00am on KOST 103.5, several CHLA Junior Ambassadors and local community partners, such as Porto's Bakery and Cafe will showcase their Giving Tuesday spirit with their own events at the hospital. These include: Jayhann, 13, a leukemia patient currently receiving monthly chemotherapy at CHLA . He's made it his mission to help other kids like him and has already raised more than half his $10,000 goal through lemonade stands, bake sales and T-shirt sales. . He's made it his mission to help other kids like him and has already raised more than half his $10,000 goal through lemonade stands, bake sales and T-shirt sales. Sasha, 8, who was born with cerebral palsy and recently had surgery to correct her walking gait . Using expressive art to support CHLA, she custom paints jeans and other denim clothing for donations and has raised more than $3,000. Actress Jessica Biel has been spotted wearing one of Sasha's creations. . Using expressive art to support CHLA, she custom paints jeans and other denim clothing for donations and has raised more than $3,000. Actress Jessica Biel has been spotted wearing one of Sasha's creations. Sandra, 12, a Junior Ambassador who has partnered with Big Sugar Bakeshop in Studio City the last two years to raise funds for CHLA by selling specially-designed cupcakes. the last two years to raise funds for CHLA by selling specially-designed cupcakes. Porto's Bakery and Cafe , who is donating 20 percent of sales from all cheese rolls purchased on Giving Tuesday (at all three locations) to CHLA. "We have so much to be thankful for this holiday season, and I'm inspired by patients like Jayhann, Sasha and Sandra. Despite facing their own adversity, they have gone above and beyond in selflessly dedicating themselves to improving the lives of others," says Children's Hospital Los Angeles President and CEO Paul S. Viviano. "They truly embody the heart of our Live L.A. Give L.A. message, and I am so grateful for their example." From 10:00am-11:15am, these patients and other Junior Ambassadors will be at CHLA handing out lemonade, CHLA-branded cupcakes from Big Sugar Bakeshop, and pastries from Porto's to patients, their families and CHLA staff. The Junior Ambassador program comprises mostly middle- and high-school-aged volunteers who are patients, patient siblings and other youth interested in helping others. Many create their own events to raise funds and spread awareness for the 350 programs and services available at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. In recent years, Giving Tuesday has gained popularity as a philanthropy-driven contrast to Black Friday (News - Alert), and has become a global movement galvanizing people everywhere to support causes in which they believe. December also is a crucial time for Children's Hospital Los Angeles to raise funds - CHLA is one of the nation's leading pediatric clinical and research facilities today largely because of community support. Each and every gift to CHLA helps the hospital provide critical, lifesaving care to patients who come not just from Los Angeles, but from all 50 states and from more than 50 countries around the world. About Children's Hospital Los Angeles Children's Hospital Los Angeles is a nonprofit pediatric health care organization dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures for children. Founded in 1901, CHLA is one of the nation's leading children's hospitals and is acknowledged worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. CHLA is one of only 11 children's hospitals in the nation-and the top-ranked pediatric facility in California-to be named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll for 2016-17. For more information, visit CHLA.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, or visit our blog: CHLA.org/BLOG View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006162/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] MEDIA ALERT: Silvaco to Showcase TCAD Solutions at IEDM 2016 SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Join Silvaco at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in San Francisco, CA at the 62nd International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM 2016). When: Exhibits open December 5-7 Where: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, San Francisco, CA Silvacos booth: Booth # 6 Silvaco technology experts will be available to discuss and demo our TCAD-to-sign off solutions with emphasis on new products and capabilities serving Power, Display, Radiation and Advanced CMOS technologies. Learn about some recent use cases of our 3D TCAD products. We will be showcasing: 3D large structure simulation of power devices (multiple cells and edge termination) 3D topographical simulation for memory applications 3D NAND Flash, STT-MRAM SiC and GaN power device 3D simulation, including mixed-mode TCAD-SPICE simulation SEE, Total Dose simulation for radiation hardened applications TMM and FDTD simulation for displays 3D path-finding simulation for FinFETs 3D field solver based RC extraction for 10nm FinFT SRAM th from 5 - 6:30 pm! We will have a raffle drawing for an Amazon Echo Dot. About IEDM: IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) is the worlds preeminent forum for reporting technological breakthroughs in the areas of semiconductor and electronic device technology, design, manufacturing, physics, and modeling. IEDM is the flagship conference for nanometer-scale CMOS transistor technology, advanced memory, displays, sensors, MEMS devices, novel quantum and nano-scale devices and phenomenology, optoelectronics, devices for power and energy harvesting, high-speed devices, as well as process technology and device modeling and simulation. http://ieee-iedm.org/ About Silvaco, Inc.: Silvaco, Inc. is a leading EDA provider of software tools used for process and device development and for analog/mixed-signal, power IC and memory design. The portfolio also includes tools for power integrity sign off, reduction of extracted netlist, variation analysis and also production-proven intellectual property (IP) cores. Silvaco delivers a full TCAD-to-Signoff flow for vertical markets including: displays, power electronics, optical devices, radiation & soft error reliability, analog and HSIO design, library and memory design, advanced CMOS process and IP development. For over 30 years, Silvaco has enabled its customers to bring superior products to market at reduced cost and in the shortest time. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California and has a global presence with offices located in North America, Europe, Japan and Asia. www.silvaco.com Contact: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Aireon and FlightAware Announce New Partnership with SITAONAIR to Provide Space-Based ADS-B Flight Tracking to Airlines MCLEAN, Virginia, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon LLC, FlightAware and SITAONAIR today announced a new partnership to provide SITAONAIR's airline customers with Aireon's space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data. Starting in 2018, SITAONAIR airline customers with ADS-B Out equipped aircraft will have access to 100 percent global flight tracking data, in real time, through SITAONAIR's AIRCOM FlightTracker product. The partnership also means that airlines already using SITAONAIR's AIRCOM FlightTracker product will automatically begin seeing the new AireonSM data appear in their systems without the need for new avionics or for aircraft modifications. Additionally, prospective customers can be up and running to receive the new data in as short as one week. The Aireon data will be delivered to SITAONAIR via FlightAware, which provides a secure streaming data feed of flight positions and flight status data via a combination of worldwide air traffic control data, ground-based ADS-B, and aircraft datalink information. "At SITAONAIR, our focus is on products and solutions with specific value for the aviation community, particularly when it comes to aircraft tracking," says Paul Gibson, portfolio director, AIRCOM at SITAONAIR. "The addition of Aireon's space-based ADS-B data is a perfect evolution of this. It will allow us to help airlines achieve truly global flight tracking in a cost-effective way, by making use of the pre-existing ADS-B capability on aircraft of all shapes and sizes, without the need for additional avionics. Our partnership with Aireon and FlightAware helps further establish SITAONAIR's AIRCOM FlightTracker as an innovative, cutting-edge and value-add solution for airlines. It strengthens SITAONAIR's position as a leader in safety-related IT and communications products and services for the industry." Currently, AIRCOM FlightTracker is an ACARS and terrestrial surveillance-based system that provides regular flight position updates and requires no modification to aircraft. The solution works by gathering data from multiple global sources, complementing active Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) Future Air Navigation System activity with additional automatic dependent surveillance-contract connectivity. The addition of Areon's space-based ADS-B data will for the first time provide 100 percent global coverage in real time, thereby resolving all data feed coverage gaps that may remain. "This partnership brings together best-in-class companies to create a massive technological leap forward at the flick of a switch. The ability to provide 100 percent global flight tracking will address and solve a well established problem," said FlightAware Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Baker. "This holds particularly true for narrow-body aircraft that are not equipped with SATCOM datalink for oceanic tracks, nor capable of meeting even the most basic GADSS requirements. The ability to add Aireon's space-based ADS-B data to SITAONAIR's existing and proven tracking solution will allow aircraft operators to go from either no oceanic or remote position updates, or 15 minute updates, to minute-by-minute updates all with no additional avionics required." Aireon's space-based ADS-B system will offer a global solution that works for ADS-B Out equipped aircraft everywhere. Currently, operators engage in a costly, time consuming process of indexing all their aircraft, noting what types of equipment each had installed. With various ADS-B Out mandates passed by ANSPs and industry governing bodies around the world, operators will automatically know that their aircraft are properly equipped. "We're proud to work with both FlightAware, our existing partner, and SITAONAIR, our new partner, in delivering this cutting-edge capability. SITAONAIR and FlightAware are industry stalwarts, and this partnership shows how industry leaders can come together to create a more cost-effective, simple to implement and more efficient flight tracking capability than ever before," said Aireon Vice President of Aviation Services, Cyriel Kronenburg. "We are particularly excited to expand coverage to the oceans and especially polar airspace, which will have complete surveillance even before the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation is fully completed." About Aireon LLC Aireon is deploying a global, space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft over the entire globe. For the first time, Aireon will provide real-time ADS-B surveillance to oceanic, polar and remote regions, as well as augment existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. Aireon will harness next generation aviation surveillance technologies and extend them globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), ENAV and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon will have an operational, global, space-based air traffic surveillance system by 2018. For more information about Aireon, visit: aireon.com. About FlightAware FlightAware is the world's largest flight tracking data company and provides over 10,000 aircraft operators and service companies as well as over 12,000,000 passengers with global flight tracking solutions. FlightAware leverages data from air traffic control systems in over 55 countries, from FlightAware's network of over 8,000 ADS-B ground stations in over 140 countries, and using global datalink. For more information about FlightAware, visit: flightaware.com About SITAONAIR SITAONAIR is the SITA Group's nose-to-tail Connected Aircraft business, providing the complete range of products and services an airline needs to realize the full potential of the connected aircraft with products and services designed for Passengers, Cabin Crew, Cockpit Crew, Aircraft Data and Maintenance operations, Flight Operations and Air Traffic Control. It provides cockpit communications to over 400 airline customers and on over 14,000 aircraft worldwide, and has also more than 30 aircraft operator customers who enjoy the benefit of connectivity solutions in the cabin across a wide range of aircraft types. The SITA Group is airline-owned and airline focused. PRESS CONTACTS: Jessie Hillenbrand Aireon +1 (703) 287-7452 [email protected] Ashley Guinard FlightAware +1 713 456 3079 [email protected] Daisy Blacklock SITAONAIR +44 (0) 117 980 6388 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20161129/8521607756 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Epson Continues Partnership with CNBC's 'The Profit' to Bring Small Business Tips and Technology to Community LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson today announced that it has partnered for a second consecutive season with CNBC primetime show, 'The Profit,' airing Tuesdays at 10PM ET/PT. With the continuation of its partnership, Epson and 'The Profit' aim to help small businesses succeed, whether they are working in the office or at home. Throughout the new season, viewers receive unique small business and technology tips through custom vignettes that feature Epson EcoTank printers, revolutionary cartridge-free printing solutions with easy-to-fill supersized ink tanks and up to two years of ink in the box1. Models featured include the WorkForce ET-16500 wide-format, WorkForce ET-4550 and Expression ET-2550 all-in-one printers. In addition to the custom vignettes, the Nov. 29 episode features Marcus Lemonis' visit to women's contemporary clothing company Susana Monaco and integrates an Epson EcoTank printer into Susana's business workflow, providing speedy, colorful prints of concepts and designs without the worry of running out of ink for up to two years.1 "Business operations are unique but we understand the critical need to operate efficiently without sacrificing creativity. We are pleased to be partnering with CNBC and 'The Profit' for the second year in a row to continue bringing innovative technology to the business community," said Agustin Chacon, vice president, International Marketing, Epson. "By utilizing cartridge-free printers like the EcoTank series, businesses can focus on achieving long-term goals without worrying about back-end operations." The custom vignettes, created with CNBC Primetime, air during 'The Profit,' and follow a day in the life of Lisa Hladish, small business owner of Paper Daisies. From getting the kids to school with their homework in hand, to managing her day-to-day business to working from her home office, CNBC Primetime showcases how Epson's EcoTank rinter delivers a worry-free solution for all aspects of Lisa's busy entrepreneur life. All content was created in collaboration with Epson, Newcast/Zenith, and CNBC Primetime's Integrated Marketing team. "In our second year working together, we are very excited to showcase the Epson EcoTank printer within an episode of our fan-favorite 'The Profit' and super serve our small business audience even further with original digital content. This new product line from Epson is a perfect solution for all our busy, hardworking fans, and a natural fit for our CNBC Primetime programming," said Christina Glorioso, SVP, Integrated Marketing, NBCUniversal News Group. CNBC primetime is a distinct brand where business and entrepreneurism are the main focus. For more information on the Epson EcoTank printer portfolio, visit www.epson.com/ecotank. About Epson Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 73,000 employees in 91 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com . You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). About CNBC With CNBC in the U.S., CNBC in Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and CNBC World, CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business information to approximately 381 million homes worldwide, including more than 94 million households in the United States and Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million households across China. The network's 15 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new reality programming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries. CNBC also has a vast portfolio of digital products which deliver real-time financial market news and information across a variety of platforms including: CNBC.com; CNBC PRO, the premium, integrated desktop/mobile service that provides live access to CNBC programming, exclusive video content and global market data and analysis; a suite of CNBC mobile products including the CNBC Apps for iOS, Android and Windows devices; and additional products such as the CNBC App for the Apple Watch and Apple TV. Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversal Media Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com. Specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. EPSON, ECOTANK, Expression, and WorkForce are registered trademarks, and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2016 Epson America, Inc. CPD-52221 6/16 1 Based on average monthly print volumes of about 300 pages. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121130/LA21891LOGO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443466 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epson-continues-partnership-with-cnbcs-the-profit-to-bring-small-business-tips-and-technology-to-community-300369392.html SOURCE Epson America, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] NCKU C-Hub Demo Day Showcases Students' Creative Portfolio National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in southern part of Taiwan recently run a Demo Day to show students' originality and creative designs. Taiwan's leading paper manufacturer Yuen Foong Yu Group CEO Shou-Chuan Ho attended the opening ceremony on November 23 and said, "As NCKU alumnus, I am proud to see that students at C-Hub are doing something new and innovative." As the biggest supporter of C-Hub, Ho said, "C-Hub provides students the opportunities to combine practical methods with the strength of Taiwanese industry, enables them to create something that hadn't existed previously in our university, and encourages them to be rebellious against tradition." The university's architecture professor Kane Yanagawa, who is also one of the leading advisors of the C-Hub student teams, said, "For me, the most important part of the C-Hub is the students. Because if it wasn't the students here; if it wasn't fortheir excitement and interesting design, we wouldn't have anything to show you guys. It would be an empty space." The Demo Day comprised three exhibitions - the application of 3D printing technology, the combination of art crafts and technology, and the architectural application related to E-ink research project. The 3D printed lamps with different types and shapes displayed the students' creative designs. "We made these tools accessible to the students," said Yanagawa. He continued, "If we try to buy a 3D printer at the university, it'll probably cost 5 or 6 thousand US dollars. But if you have the knowledge and the skills, you can build your own tools." "This semester we have 15 groups of students that came together and built their own 3D printers. After building their tools, we challenged them to do something different, making a design, using their own tools which were built by themselves," he added. The combination of art craft and technology was demonstrated by a student team led by Prof. Yen Ting Cho whose work connected the human body movement with digital information using his own software named MovISee. Using MovISee, Cho designed a signature scarf for the university's 85th anniversary. The scarf design presents NCKU's main colors, mixing the banyan park green, bright blue sky and the university's royal poinciana red logo. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006192/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Wireless Smart Home Technology Leader Chooses Orange Business Services to Boost User Experience with Seamless IoT Connectivity Chinese smart home and security company Chuango Security Technology Corp. has signed a deal with Orange Business Services (News - Alert) to support its global business with SIM cards and mobile connectivity over the next three years. Chuango will use the Orange multi-roaming SIM cards in its internet of things (IoT)-enabled security devices in Europe, the US and Canada. The deal will significantly improve the user experience and security for Chuango customers. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005104/en/ The smanos X330 alarm system from Chuango incorporates an Orange SIM card that alerts the homeowner automatically if there is an intrusion. (Photo: Business Wire) Chuango's products are sold directly to the public and include connected cameras and alarm systems. The Orange SIM cards are installed in the device at the production stage and tested before shipping. Once purchased, the user simply activates the device on a web portal for quick and easy installation. The worldwide connectivity provided by Orange means that the security device works out-of-the-box every time. In addition, the Orange multi-roaming SIM means that it can roam onto different networks, further increasing resilience. Users pay a monthly subscription for the connectivity after an introductory period. Previously Chuango's customers were responsible for procuring their own SIM cards for the device after purchase, or use a Wi-Fi network to connect the device. With Orange, the user experience has become more seamless. Chuango manages the SIMs and connectivity using the Orange Datavenue management platform. The two companies are already working together on integrating audio transmission in the security device. For example, this would allow the user to send an SMS to the device to hear what is happening at their home. "We needed a partner who could provide worldwide connectivity for ur new range of connected security devices. We worked with Orange Business Services closely to develop our IoT concept and test it in multiple markets. The improved user experience provided by the integrated network will help us reach our ambitious growth targets worldwide," says Ken Li, Founder and CEO, Chuango. "Chuango's connected security devices are a key part of the smart home revolution. It is a rapidly growing market and the number of smart home devices is predicted to more than triple over the next two years to over 1 billion worldwide in 20181. We are pleased to be able to leverage our IoT expertise to support Chuango's growing global business," says Patrick Sim, senior vice president, Orange Business Services Asia-Pacific. The Orange Business Services IoT connectivity service is part of Datavenue, a modular IoT and Analytics solution. To enable advanced analysis and decision-making, the Datavenue solution encompasses the selection of relevant data and objects, their reliable and secure connection, and their management in the customer information system environment. A global team of more than 700 Orange data-scientists and engineers design and develop these innovative services. Orange already supports over 10 million active objects across a variety of sectors, including Smart Cities, Healthcare, Automotive and Industry. The launch of Datavenue reaffirms the Orange commitment to supporting businesses with their digital transformation. About Chuango Security Technology Corp. Established in 2001, Chuango specializes in wireless smart home technology, ranging from DIY security to wire-free home automation and remote management solutions. The company, along with its smart home technology brand smanos, is rapidly expanding its global footprint, partner network and solution portfolio, with products and systems researched in Fuzhou, Taipei, Dallas and Silicon Valley, designed in Shenzhen and Amsterdam, created and packaged in Dongguan, and brought to life worldwide. (Publicly traded on Beijing NEEQ, ticker 831464) About Orange Business Services Orange Business Services, the Orange branch dedicated to B2B services, is not only a telecom operator, but also an IT solutions integrator and applications developer in France and around the world. Its 20,000 employees support companies in all areas of their digital transformation: mobile and collaborative workspaces; IT/cloud infrastructure; fixed and mobile connectivity; private and hybrid networks; applications for Internet of Things, 360 customer experience and Big Data analytics; and cybersecurity thanks to dedicated experts and infrastructure to protect information systems. More than 3,000 multinational organizations and 2 million SOHOs, enterprises and local authorities in France rely on Orange Business Services as their trusted partner. Learn more at www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and our blogs. Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with annual sales of 40 billion euros in 2015 and has 154,000 employees worldwide at 30 September 2016. Orange is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. 1 Gartner (News - Alert) Says Smart Cities Will Use 1.6 Billion Connected Things in 2016 (http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3175418) View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005104/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Accenture Acquires Creative Agency Karmarama to Expand Its Brand Strategy, Mobile Experience Capabilities in the UK Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE:ACN) has acquired Karmarama, one of the UK's largest independent agencies renowned for blending creativity, digital and data to develop campaigns that help brands better engage with consumers. The acquisition strengthens the ability of Accenture Interactive, part of Accenture Digital, to create and deliver integrated customer experiences to brands in the UK and beyond. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005222/en/ "Good karma this way" - the entrance to Karmarama in London (Photo: Business Wire) Based in London, Karmarama develops advertising campaigns, data-driven content and mobile platforms to build immersive consumer experiences, ensuring that creativity is embedded across all aspects of a brand. Notable clients include the BBC, Confused.com, Honda (News - Alert), Just Eat and Unilever. Karmarama has a team of 250 employees spanning creatives, digital strategists and data practitioners. The acquisition bolsters the full suite of customer transformation services Accenture Interactive provides to brands, from customer insights to creative conception and omnichannel delivery of meaningful human experiences. It also contributes to the growth of Accenture Interactive's UK team of marketing professionals and creatives. Karmarama's Jon Wilkins (Executive Chairman), Ben Bilboul (Chief Executive Officer), Sid McGrath (Chief Strategy Officer) and Nik Studzinski (Chief Creative Officer) will continue in their current roles and take on additional Accenture Interactive leadership positions to drive brand strategy and creativity in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America (EALA). "Acquiring a creative agency in London, where some of the world's most iconic creative work is produced, will help us reshape how brands imagine, create, and deliver customer experiences," said Brian Whipple, head of Accenture Interactive. "Karmarama will become part of the world's largest digital agency, expanding our global capabilities across experience, marketing, content and commerce with excellence in creative and mobile. This will contribute to further differentiate Accenture Interactive as a new breed of agency - experience architects - which helps brands connect disconnected experiences and shares accountability with clients for their business outcomes." "Karmarama is a pioneer of modern creativity that CMOs want - a big ideas agency with a deep understanding of how to connect people with brands," said Anatoly Roytman, head of Accenture Interactive Europe, Africa, Middle East and Latin America (EALA). "Together, we have created a new industry powerhouse and one of the largest homes for digital creativity in the UK. This acquisition will help Accenture Interactive to meet growing client demand in the UK market and beyond, and will enable us more than ever to push the boundaries when it comes to creating remarkable brand experiences." "As part of Accenture Interactive, we will dramatically enhance our ability to offer best-in-class creativity and digital delivery," said Ben Bilboul, CEO at Karmarama. "We look forward to extending our creative ideas across the entire customer experience, offering clients consistent and connected creativity. We believe this is a genuinely game-changing moment for clients and for our team, who will now have even greater opportunity o work with leading global brands across international markets." Karmarama was founded in 2000 and received backing from Phoenix Equity Partners in 2011. Karmarama is the latest in a series of acquisitions Accenture has made to rapidly scale Accenture Interactive's end-to-end customer experience transformation solutions for brands globally. In April this year, Accenture acquired a majority stake in IMJ Corporation (IMJ), a full-service digital agency in Japan. Prior to that, Accenture acquired AD.Dialeto, an independent Brazilian digital agency; Pacific Link, a set of independent digital agencies serving Hong Kong and Greater China; Chaotic Moon, an Austin, Texas-based creative technology studio; and Brightstep, a Swedish provider of digital content and commerce solutions. About Accenture Accenture (NYSE:ACN) 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. Accenture Interactive, part of Accenture Digital, helps the world's leading brands drive superior marketing performance across the full multichannel customer experience. Accenture Interactive offers integrated, industrialized and industry-driven digital transformation and marketing solutions. It was recently named by Ad Age as the world's largest and fastest-growing digital agency. To learn more follow us @Accenture Social and visit www.accenture.com/interactive. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for the company; the company's results of operations could be adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; the company's business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company's services and solutions, including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the changing technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; if the company is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; the markets in which the company competes are highly competitive, and the company might not be able to compete effectively; the company could have liability or the company's reputation could be damaged if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security breaches or cyberattacks; the company's profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies; changes in the company's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; the company's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; the company's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; the company might not be successful at identifying, acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; the company's Global Delivery Network is increasingly concentrated in India and the Philippines, which may expose it to operational risks; as a result of the company's geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue geographic expansion, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; adverse changes to the company's relationships with key alliance partners or in the business of its key alliance partners could adversely affect the company's results of operations; the company's services or solutions could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company might lose its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others; if the company is unable to protect its intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties, its business could be adversely affected; the company's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if the company is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; any changes to the estimates and assumptions that the company makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; many of the company's contracts include payments that link some of its fees to the attainment of performance or business targets and/or require the company to meet specific service levels, which could increase the variability of the company's revenues and impact its margins; the company's results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; the company may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005222/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Genesys and Vodafone Germany Present Case Study on the Business Benefits of Adopting an Omnichannel Customer Engagement Strategy Register now for global webinars on December 7 and 8 to learn how leading telecommunications provider improved its Net Promoter Score FRIMLEY, England, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesys (www.genesys.com/uk), the market leader in omnichannel customer experience and contact centre solutions, is hosting live global webinars on the 7th and 8th of December to highlight a real-world case study on how a single platform can successfully support omnichannel customer engagement across all digital and voice channels including mobile, web, social, self-service and video. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160915/408485LOGO Presenting an insider view of his own company's experience in adopting a single customer experience (CX) platform is Jorg Knoop, Head of Contact Centre and Telesales Capabilities for Vodafone Germany. A recent winner of the Genesys 2016 Customer Innovation Awards, Vodafone was highlighted as "The CX Innovator" for having the "best omnichannel customer success story." What: Omnichannel Customer Engagement: From Vision to Results The Vodafone Success Story As one of Germany's largest telecommunications providers, Vodafone has more than 8,000 agents handling more than 18 million monthly interactions across multiple channels. They previously had multiple legacy systems for voice and siloed infrastructure for digital channels, leading to fragmented experiences for both agents and customers. Vodafone has implemented the Genesys Customer Experience Platform to support end-to-end personalised journey management and deliver a differentiated customer experience. When: Wednesday, December 7, and Thursday, December 8 Europe : Thursday, December 8 , 3 PM GMT / 4 PM CST / 5 PM SAST (7 AM Pacific) : Thursday, , 3 PM GMT / 4 PM CST / 5 PM SAST (7 AM Pacific) North America : Wednesday, December 7 , 11 AM Pacific / 2 PM Eastern : Wednesday, , 11 AM Pacific / 2 PM Eastern Latin America : Wednesday, December 7 , 1 PM CST / 5 PM BRST : Wednesday, , 1 PM CST / 5 PM BRST Asia Pacific : Thursday, December 8 , 1 PM AEDT / 10 AM SGT (6 PM Pacific) : Thursday, , 1 PM AEDT / 10 AM SGT (6 PM Pacific) India : Thursday, December 8, 10:30 AM IST (9 PM Pacific) Who: Jorg Knoop, Head of Contact Centre and Telesales Capabilities, Vodafone GmbH Lisa Abbott, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Genesys Why: Attend this webinar to: Learn about the strategy and steps Vodafone took to transform their people, processes and technology to deliver personalised customer experience. Understand how Vodafone uses omnichannel orchestration to steer customers to the right agent with the right skills to ensure a seamless, low-effort experience. Hear how Vodafone achieved a turnaround in its Net Promoter Score (NPS) for all digital channels and voice. How: Register now to attend this webinar in the time zone that best suits you. Genesys was recognised as a leader in two new reports, "The Forrester Wave: Contact Centre Interaction Management for Large Contact Centres, Q3 2016" and "The Forrester Wave: Contact Centre Interaction Management for Midsize Contact Centres, Q3 2016." In both reports, Genesys received the highest scores in the current offering category as well as in the omnichannel capabilities and reporting and analytics criteria, and the highest possible score in the CRM integration, user interface and third-party ecosystem criteria. The company also received the highest possible score in market presence for large contact centres. * Net Promoter, NPS, and Net Promoter Score are trademarks of Satmetrix Systems, Inc., Bain & Company, and Fred Reichheld. About Genesys Genesys, the world's #1 Customer Experience Platform, empowers companies to create effortless omnichannel customer experiences, journeys , and relationships. For more than 25 years, we have put the customer at the centre of all we do and passionately believe that great customer engagement drives great business outcomes. Genesys is trusted by over 4,700 customers in 120 countries to orchestrate over 25 billion contact centre interactions per year in the cloud and on-premises. For more information visit www.genesys.com/uk. Connect with Genesys via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and the Genesys blog. Media Contacts Lucille Needham [email protected] 0771 441 1342 Neil Thomas H+K Strategies for Genesys [email protected] 0207 413 3000 [November 29, 2016] Russia's Richest Woman Yelena Baturina Expands Investment into Renewable Energy LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inteco Beteiligungs GmbH, an Austrian company owned by Russian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist Yelena Baturina, continues the expansion of a project to generate, use and market renewable energy in Europe. In October, her structures completed the acquisition of a solar park near the city of Farsala in Greece. Experts state that energy produced by this relatively small solar park in Farsala may help avoid the emission of 800 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. According to the plans, the total investment into the project by Yelena Baturina's structures could reach 20 million in the coming year. Te representatives of the company evaluate the profitability of the acquired park at 500 thousand per year. The venture is responsible for the construction and commercial operation of solar parks in the south and south-east of Europe. Before the acquisition in Greece the company also purchased a solar park in Italy. Currently the company is considering a number of proposals to expand the capacities; the next acquisitions under consideration are in Greece and Cyprus. Earlier this year, in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Wirtschaftsblatt, Yelena Baturina said: "We see the future of the project not just in expanding the capacities or producing more energy. We are now developing a subproject that consists in applying the technology that allows saving the energy obtained from renewable sources, which constitutes a whole new system of wise energy consumption". Another trend within the energy project which is no less interesting is, "constructing and servicing individual solar parks located mostly on the roofs of enterprises - the consumers of energy". Ms Baturina indicated that a few such projects will be launched soon, "and considering all that, we are about to exceed the amount of investment we named before." [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Adaptive Biotechnologies and Collaborators to Present Eighteen Studies at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2016 Adaptive Biotechnologies, the leader in combining next-generation sequencing (NGS) and expert bioinformatics to profile T- and B-cell receptors of the adaptive immune system, and its collaborators from pharmaceutical companies and academic centers around the world, will share data further demonstrating the clinical validity and prognostic value of the clonoSEQ Assay for MRD assessment in lymphoid cancers. Data including MRD assessment and T-cell repertoire characterization will be presented in eight oral and ten poster presentations, including five different lymphoid cancer subtypes, at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, December 3-6, 2016 in San Diego, CA (News - Alert). "Providing a diagnostic assay that is ultra-sensitive and standardized to determine treatment response and predict outcomes in people with lymphoid cancers is a priority for Adaptive and furthers our mission to improve patient care," said Harlan Robins, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder, Adaptive Biotechnologies. "Data presented during ASH demonstrate the breadth of our technology's capability to predict which patients are at greatest risk of relapse and serve as a reliable surrogate endpoint in pivotal clinical trials." Representatives from Adaptive Biotechnologies will be exhibiting at ASH booth #2843 to answer questions about its immunosequencing technology including the clonoSEQ Assay and the immunoSEQ Assay for research use only. Oral Presentations: Abstract #56: CD19 CAR-T Cells Are Highly Effective in Ibrutinib-Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Presenter: Cameron Turtle Time and Location: Session: 642. Saturday, December 3, 2016: 7:30 AM-9:00 AM. Room 6AB (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #246: Evaluation of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM) Patients Treated with Daratumumab in Combination with Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone or Bortezomib Plus Dexamethasone Presenter: Herve Avet-Loiseau Time and Location: Session 653. Saturday, December 3, 2016: 4:00 PM-5:30 PM. Seaport Ballroom ABCD (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego) Abstract #238: A Novel Evolutionary Pattern Revealed Using Deep Sequencing of Immunoglobulin Loci at Diagnosis and over the Course of Treatment in Multiple Myeloma Patients Presenter: Nikhil Munshi Time and Location: Session 651. Saturday, December 3, 2016: 4:00 PM-5:30 PM. Grand Hall D (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego) Abstract #377: Comparison of MRD Detection By MFC, NGS and PET-CT in Patients at Different Treatment Stages for Multiple Myeloma Presenter: Sandra Susanibar Time and Location: Session: 651. Sunday, December 4, 2016: 12:00 PM-1:30 PM. Grand Hall D (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego) Abstract #675: Final Results of a Phase 2 Trial of Extended Treatment (tx) with Carfilzomib (CFZ), Lenalidomide (LEN), and Dexamethasone (KRd) Plus Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Presenter: Todd Zimmerman Time and Location: Session 731. Monday, December 5, 2016: 7:00 AM-8:30 AM. Seaport Ballroom DE (Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego) Abstract #915: Antigen Presentation Profiling Reveals T-Cell Recognition of Lymphoma Immunoglobulin Neoantigens Presenter: Michael Khodadoust Time and Location: Session 622. Monda, December 5, 2016: 2:45 PM-4:15 PM. Room 5AB (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #1086: Residual Disease Monitoring By High Throughput Sequencing Provides Risk Stratification in Childhood B-ALL and Identifies a Novel Subset of Patients Having Poor Outcome Presenter: Brent Wood Time and Location: Session: 618. Monday, December 5, 2016: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM. Marriott Grand 11-13 (Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina) Abstract #1150: Efficacy of Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in Relapsed or Refractory Myeloma Based on Prior Lines of Therapy: Updated Analysis of Castor Presenter: Maria-Victoria Mateos Time and Location: Session 653. Monday, December 5, 2016: 4:30 PM-6:00 PM. Hall AB (San Diego Convention Center) Poster Presentations: Abstract #2064: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Based Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Testing Is Highly Predictive of Overall and Progression Free Survival in the Total Therapy Trials and Shows Different Prognostic Implications in High Vs Standard Risk Multiple Myeloma Presenter: Carolina Schinke Time and Location: Session: 651. Saturday, December 3, 2016: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #1644: Increased Frequencies of PD-1+ CD8+ Marrow-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Associated with Highly Clonal T-Lymphocyte Expansions in Relapsed and Refractory AML Patients but Not Healthy Adults Presenter: Karolyn Oetjen Time and Location: Session 616. Saturday, December 3, 2016: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #3283: Prognostic Impact of Molecular Response Assessed By Next-Generation Sequencing in a Large Cohort of Multiple Myeloma Patients Presenter: Joaquin Martinez-Lopez Time and Location: Session 651. Sunday, December 4, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #3313: Daratumumab, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib and Dexamethasone Alone for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma Based on Prior Treatment Exposure: Updated Efficacy Analysis of Castor Presenter: Asher Chanan-Khan Time and Location: Session 653. Sunday, December 4, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #3286: Next-Generation Sequencing Based Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Peripheral Blood RNA from Multiple Myeloma Patients Presenter: Jeffrey Wolf Time and Location: Session 651. Sunday, December 4, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #2943: Quantitative Baseline Circulating Tumor DNA Levels Correlate with GM-CSF Response to Idiotype Vaccine in Untreated Mantle Cell Lymphoma Presenter: Mark Roschewski Time and Location: Session 622. Sunday, December 4, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #2673: Towards the Potential Use of In Vitro Expanded Regulatory T-Cells (Tregs) in Aplastic Anemia (AA): Opportunities for Therapy Presenter: Benedetta Costantini Time and Location: Session 508. Sunday, December 4, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #4531: Daratumumab in Combination with Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone Induces Clonality Increase and T-Cell Expansion: Results from a Phase 3 Randomized Study (POLLUX) Presenter: Christopher Chiu Time and Location: Session 653. Monday, December 5, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #3893: Molecular Characterization of Cytotoxic T Cell Repertoire in Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes Presenter: Sofie Lundgren Session: 508. Bone Marrow Failure: Poster III Time and Location: Session 508. Monday, December 5, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) Abstract #4584: Clonal Deletion Plays a Major Role to Achieve Immune Tolerance after Reduced Intensity Unrelated Donor Cord Blood Transplantation (UCBT) Presenter: Paul Szabolcs Time and Location: Session 722. Monday, December 5, 2016: 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Hall GH (San Diego Convention Center) About Minimal/Measurable Residual Disease Minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) refers to cancer cells that remain in the body of a person with lymphoid cancer after treatment. These cells can be present at levels undetectable by traditional morphologic, microscopic examination of blood, bone marrow or a lymph node biopsy. Sensitive molecular technologies, such as next-generation sequencing utilized by the Adaptive Biotechnologies clonoSEQ Assay, are needed for reliable detection of MRD at levels below the limits of traditional assessment. About the clonoSEQ Assay The Adaptive Biotechnologies clonoSEQ Assay enables physicians to utilize next-generation sequencing-based MRD detection to inform clinical decision making for patients with lymphoid malignancies. The clonoSEQ assay detects, and quantifies DNA sequences found in malignant cells, which can be tracked throughout treatment. This robust assay provides consistent, accurate measurement of disease burden which allows physicians to visualize response to treatment over time to optimize patient management. Adaptive will be seeking marketing authorization from FDA for the clonoSEQ Assay. About Adaptive Biotechnologies Adaptive Biotechnologies is the pioneer and leader in combining next-generation sequencing and expert bioinformatics to profile T-cell and B-cell receptors. Adaptive is bringing the accuracy and sensitivity of its immunosequencing platform into laboratories around the world to drive groundbreaking research in cancer and other immune-mediated diseases. Adaptive also translates immunosequencing discoveries into clinical diagnostics and therapeutic development to improve patient care. For more information, please visit adaptivebiotech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005568/en/ CHICAGO (AP) Dennis Hastert is serving a 15-month prison term in a hush-money case that stemmed from his sexual abuse of students when he taught at an Illinois public school over 35 years ago. The ex-U.S. House speaker is now pointing to a technicality to argue that a state body should restore his $17,000-a-year teacher's pension that it yanked after his April 27 sentencing. A recent letter from Hastert's lawyer to the agency overseeing the pensions notes his conviction was not for sexual abuse when he was at Yorkville High School from 1965 to 1981: It was for one count of violating banking law as Hastert withdrew cash from 2010 to 2014 as he sought to pay one victim $3.5 million to ensure his silence. On those grounds, the letter argues, his teacher's pension can't be revoked. A look at the 74-year-old Republican's bid to hold on to his pensions: Q: What pensions did Hastert receive prior to his conviction? A: Hastert received tax-covered pensions totaling about $120,000 a year. In addition to the teacher's pension, Hastert also received a $28,000 pension for his five years in the Illinois General Assembly starting in 1981 and a $73,000 pension for his 20-year stint in Congress. By law, those can only be revoked if a lawmaker's crimes were linked to their time as lawmakers, so neither seemed in jeopardy. But in October, the board of the General Assembly Retirement System voted to suspend Hastert's legislative pension. It said it'll watch what happens with Hastert's bid to restore his public schools pension before deciding whether to revoke the legislative pension for good. There's no sign his U.S. House pension is at risk. Q: What is Hastert's argument for restoring his teacher's pension? A: State law is clear that pensions can be revoked for serious crimes teachers committed as teachers. The revocation of Hastert's teacher's pension by the Teachers' Retirement System, or TRS, was "improper, invalid and unconstitutional" in part because he was charged with banking crimes that occurred over three decades after he was in teaching, Mark DeBofsky wrote in an August 29 letter released this month through an open-records request. It also challenges an order that Hastert pay back $222,000 he already withdrew in teacher's pension money. In the lead-up to sentencing, prosecutors disclosed in court filings that Hastert abused at least four teenage boys, including in a school locker room. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin dubbed Hastert "a serial child molester." Had Hastert been convicted of abusing those students, there would be no question that withdrawing his pension was legal. Prosecutors made clear that, if they could have charged Hastert with sexual abuse, they would have. But the statute of limitations expired decades ago, so the only option for offering those abused some semblance of justice, prosecutors said, was to charge him with comparatively mundane banking violations. Q: What are some of the other financial impacts of Hastert's criminal case? A: Durkin also imposed a $250,000 fine as part of Hastert's sentence. His legal bills aren't part of the public records, but his attorneys included high-powered Washington, D.C., defense lawyer Thomas Green. His legal bills could already run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hastert's ongoing legal expenses include a lawsuit by the one victim he agreed to pay $3.5 million. That victim, referred to only as "Individual A" in filings, is demanding the balance of the hush money Hastert never got around to paying about $1.5 million. That Hastert chose to fight for his relatively meagre pension may suggest financial difficulties. But Hastert was already considered wealthy around the time he left Congress, so he may be more than capable of absorbing the costs. Disclosure forms from 2006 show Hastert listed from $1.1 million to $5.3 million in bank and stock holdings, and an additional $3 million to $12 million in property. Q: What happens next? A: Hastert's attorneys will get a chance to present arguments and even call witnesses during an administrative review. If the TRS board refuses to restore Hastert's teacher's pension, he could take the matter to court. Dates for the administrative review process haven't been set, TRS spokesman David Urbanek said Monday. [November 29, 2016] Kyocera, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Tokyo Century and Yonden Engineering Complete 14.5MW Solar Power Plant An enterprise jointly established by Kyocera Corporation, Mitsubishi (News - Alert) Research Institute, Inc., Tokyo Century Corporation and Yonden Engineering Company, Incorporated today announced the completion of a 14.5-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The installation, which began operation on November 2, will generate an estimated 16,060 megawatt hours (MWh) per year - enough electricity to power approximately 4,930 typical households*. A ceremony was held November 29 to commemorate the plant's completion. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005594/en/ 14.5MW solar power plant in Taka Town, Hyogo Prefecture of Japan (Photo: Business Wire) Kyocera (News - Alert), Mitsubishi Research Institute, Tokyo Century and Yonden Engineering began project planning in May 2013 based on candidate sites disclosed by Hyogo Prefecture. The companies established Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden LLC in October 2014, and commenced construction after obtaining approval for land development in March 2015. The system began selling electricity on November 2 this year. Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden will be responsible for operating the site. Tokyo Century arranged financing, and design and construction was undertaken by Yonden Engineering. The Kyocera Group supplied solar modules as well as peripheral equipment for the installation, and will also carry out maintenance. Mitsubishi Research Institute, which headed the project and provided consultation, will also undertake administration (asset management) of Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden. Approximately 100 individuals affiliated with the project, including public officers of Taka Town and local residents, participated in the completion ceremony. Through this project, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Tokyo Century and Yonden Engineering aim to further promote the use of renewable energy and contribute to the community's revitalization. Project Overview Location Taka Town, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan Operator Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden LLC Output Approx. 14.5MW Solar modules 56,000 Kyocera modules Expected annual power generation Approx. 16,060MWh/year Electricity generated will be sold to the local utility (The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.) through Japan's feed-in-tariff system. Schedule Start of construction: April 2015 Start of operation: November 2016 * Based on an average annual use of 3,254.4kWh per household. Source (News - Alert): Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization (Graphical Flip-chart of Nuclear & Energy Related Topics 2016) About KYOCERA Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the company's net sales totaled 1.48 trillion yen (approx. USD13.1 billion). Kyocera appears on the Thomson (News - Alert) Reuters list of the "Top 100 Global Innovators" and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazine's 2016 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005594/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice Receives Strategic Investment from Blue Wolf Capital Partners Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice (Great Lakes Caring) announced today that Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC ("Blue Wolf") will be its new equity partner, replacing Wellspring Capital Management, LLC, its partner since 2014. Great Lakes Caring is one of the largest and highest quality providers of in-home post-acute services in the United States. William Deary, Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes Caring, and his management team will continue to lead Great Lakes Caring and have maintained a significant equity stake in the company. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Great Lakes Caring, based in Jackson, Michigan, offers a broad range of services within the continuum of in-home health care including home health, hospice, home-based primary care, palliative care and private duty services. The company was founded in 1994 by Cherilyn Deary, and has built its business on a patient-centric commitment to superior quality and innovation. Great Lakes Caring has become one of the highest rated home health and hospice companies in the country, developing and implementing its products and services throughout the Midwest. The company employs more than 2,600 health care professionals in 25 offices, providing superior quality home health care, hospice care, palliative care as well as home-based primary care and private duty services to more than 9,000 patients daily. In 2016, Fortune Magazine selected Great Lakes Caring as one of the 20 Best Workplaces in Health Care in the United States. Adam Blumenthal, Managing Partner of Blue Wolf, said, "Great Lakes Caring provides a unique opportunity to invest in a platform with documented, industry-leading quality scores as well as a strong and established brand. William Deary and Great Lakes Caring's world-class management team have a proven track record, and we are excited to collaborate with them to further enhance the value of the business." Mr. Deary said, "The Home Health and Hospice industry is poised for consolidation, and Great Lakes Caring will actively participate in this consolidation as we evaluate acquisition opportunities and execute on our internal initiatives. Blue Wolf believes we are an effective patform for both organic and acquisition growth, and has a long track record of supporting service-oriented companies by providing the strategic and financial resources they need to build their businesses. As we reach this next stage in the evolution of Great Lakes Caring, we are very fortunate to welcome new partners who appreciate our success, recognize our potential and are eager to help us reach our goals. The future is very bright for our company and we look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of health care for our patients and the communities we serve." Jeremy Kogler, a Principal at Blue Wolf, said, "Great Lakes Caring is well positioned in an attractive market where we expect demographic trends to result in continued growth. This growth will continue to be driven by the company's longstanding relationships with physicians, facilities and health systems, its quintessential commitment to superior quality and innovative programs, its scalable infrastructure enabled by next generation technology, and the team's considerable experience integrating businesses. We believe that these and other core strengths will serve Great Lakes Caring very well as we pursue a range of value-building initiatives, including strategic acquisitions." Adam Nielsen, President of Great Lakes Caring, said of the partnership: "We are excited to have selected a partner that recognizes the vision and responsibility we have to deliver a value-based a healthcare solution to those we serve. Each of our employees is focused on delivering value to those we come in contact with every day and we believe that the partnership with Blue Wolf will continue to enhance and build upon our vision." Greenberg, Traurig served as transaction and regulatory counsel to Blue Wolf. KPMG Transaction Advisory Group provided finance, accounting and tax advice. About Blue Wolf Capital Partners Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC is a private equity firm that specializes in control investments in middle market companies. Leading by experience, and with a commitment to excellence, Blue Wolf transforms companies strategically, operationally and collaboratively. Blue Wolf manages challenging situations and complex relationships between business, customers, employees, unions, and regulators to build value for stakeholders. For additional information, please visits www.bluewolfcapital.com. About Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice Great Lakes Caring Home Health and Hospice is one of the nation's leading providers of a coordinated continuum of health care, consisting of home health, hospice care, palliative, and home-based primary care. Their value-based health care services are delivered with an unparalleled level of quality by a dedicated team of health care professionals. Great Lakes Caring's primary focus is to provide superior quality health care to those they are honored to serve, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and innovative processes which drive extraordinary patient outcomes, lower un-necessary hospital re-admission rates resulting in higher patient satisfaction at lower cost. Their commitment to excellence is illustrated by investment in people, products and programs that facilitate industry leading clinical outcomes. Great Lakes Caring is resolute in their commitment to exceeding the expectations of the physicians, facilities and hospitals that entrust their patients to Great Lakes Caring and most importantly to exceeding the needs of the patients who are their quintessential priority. For more information, please visit http://www.greatlakescaring.com or contact William Deary, [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005722/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Hyphenate Announces $13.5 Million in Series C Funding SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyphenate Inc., provider of a proven cloud platform for embedded Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM), today announced a $13.5 million round of funding, led by Matrix Partners China. Previous funding rounds included Sequoia and SIG. Hyphenate will use the additional capital to expand its footprint in the global mobile app ecosystem, by enabling any app to integrate chat in a seamless and fully embedded experience that enhances user engagement and builds strong communities. Additionally, Hyphenate intends to grow marketing, sales and customer success teams to improve the mobile app developer experience and ease of deployment. We are very pleased to be working with our global investment leaders and look forward to leveraging their market expertise and guidance to help Hyphenate drive its next phase of growth, said Han Dong, vice president of marketing and general manager at Hyphenate. This is an exciting time at Hyphenate. Since our launch of the Hyphenate Mobile Instant Messaging platform earlier this year, were now in a strong position to deliver on several company goals that we set out to accomplish from new offerings to overall company staff growth. We look forward to what the New Year will bring. "Matrix Partners China continues to invest in leading edge platforms that deliver strong value to the mobile app ecosystem at scale," said Michael Zuo, partner at Matrix Partners China. "Hyphenate delivers a proven in app chat solution that allows any app publisher to accelerate community engagement. We're excited to invest in Hyphenate's continued growth and expansion." With over 4 million apps availabe on the Apple App Store and Google Play, the challenge facing todays developers is creating a sticky and compelling user experience. Research has shown that 1 in 4 people abandon a mobile app after only one use. Delivering built-in mobile instant messaging or an in app chat function is key to creating an experience that leads to more time spent in app, better user retention and increased ROI. Key Advantages of the Hyphenate MIM platform Our infrastructure delivers extremely high user concurrency (supporting millions of Daily Active Users), has broad scalability (delivering billions of messages per day), provides guaranteed message delivery, and is highly optimized for mobile platforms. Live chat, file, photo & location sharing capabilities are now critical for mobile users to interact and engage. Developing, scaling and supporting these capabilities, however, can be complex and expensive. Hyphenate seeks to address these requirements with a complete MIM solution that is robust, scalable and optimized for mobile devices. The Hyphenate MIM platform provides mobile app developers a scalable and cost-effective solution that delivers fully customizable embedded chat capabilities for any app. By integrating Hyphenates MIM platform, developers avoid the time, cost and complexity of building their own chat features and highly-available backend infrastructure from scratch. Connect with us: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/hyphenate-inc. Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hyphenateinc/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/hyphenate.inc/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/HyphenateInc/ About Hyphenate Hyphenate, based in San Francisco, CA, delivers a proven embedded Mobile Instant Messaging platform that helps mobile app developers grow and retain users by enabling them to connect and chat. The Hyphenate MIM platform provides an embedded, turnkey in app chat and file-sharing platform that builds connected user communities and is used by customers including musical.ly, LesPark, and Zapya. Hyphenate is the U.S. subsidiary of Easemob Technologies, Chinas largest provider of embedded mobile instant messaging solutions. The company investors include Matrix Partners China, Sequoia and SIG. Hyphenate is immediately available and free to try. Visit www.hyphenate.io for more information. Media Inquiries: Chris Halcon T: 415-699-0553 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Infoblox Offers a Compelling Threat Intelligence Alternative to Soltra Edge SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Infoblox Inc., the network control company that provides Actionable Network Intelligence, is offering an alternative for customers affected by the recent uncertainty associated with Soltra Edge. Infoblox Threat Intelligence Data Exchange (TIDE) enables the aggregation, curation and management of threat data from data sharing partners, internal sources and multiple vendors including Infoblox. Infoblox TIDE further allows for the selective distributin of threat data to your existing security infrastructure including Infoblox DNS Firewall, a SIEM, network access control solutions, next generation firewalls, vulnerability management systems and endpoint security systems to proactively remediate threats and prevent future attacks. The transition and uncertainty associated with Soltra highlights the risks of relying on a single data format and technology for integrating threat intelligence data. Infoblox is committed to delivering and supporting a sustainable threat intelligence solution that will evolve with the needs of its customers. Infoblox has a special and compelling offer for organizations affected by the recent acquisition of Soltra: Free Infoblox ActiveTrust Select account that includes TIDE Uninterrupted access to data shared by select Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) and government programs, available in STIX/ TAXII, JSON, CEF, CSV and RPZ formats Shared data, available in RPZ format, for easy integration into DNS servers Access to Infoblox Dossier, a comprehensive threat investigation tool for rapid threat context and prioritization (up to one thousand queries) Paid for option to access unique threat intelligence from third party vendors to enhance data from ISACs For more information on Infoblox ActiveTrust Select visit: https://go.infoblox.com/pe/activetrust-select/ About Infoblox Infoblox delivers Actionable Network Intelligence to enterprise, government, and service provider customers around the world. As the industry leader in DNS, DHCP, and IP address management, the category known as DDI, Infoblox (www.infoblox.com) provides control and security from the coreempowering thousands of organizations to increase efficiency and visibility, reduce risk, and improve customer experience. Media Contact: Jill Reed Highwire PR for Infoblox [email protected] (415) 963-4174, ext. 5 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Confirmit, Fine Research and Reckner Healthcare Partner to Assist Hurricane Matthew Victims NEW YORK and LONDON and OSLO, Norway, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fine Research, the Latin American fielding agency, in collaboration with Confirmit and Reckner Healthcare, launched an initiative to assist victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. 2,870 doctors in the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, were surveyed about the preparedness of these countries for a natural disaster. For every completed survey, the equivalent of a blanket and a drum of water was donated to the victims through Save the Children mission in Haiti. Confirmit, the leading global solutions provider for Customer Experience, Voice of the Employee and Market Research, donated its comprehensive end-to-end management platform, Confirmit Horizons, to fuel this program and boost the number of surveys that could be completed within the initial investment from Fine. "The Confirmit Horizons platform was easy for our team to use and the doctors taking the survey," said Diego Casaravilla, managing partner at Fine Research. "User friendliness was a key need when searcing for partners for this initiative. We wanted to make sure there were no technology issues that could hinder participants from completing the survey. We're extremely grateful for Confirmit's contribution." Key findings from the survey include: According to their fellow doctors, no country is well prepared to face a natural disaster. While Chileans, Americans and Canadians are slightly less negative about their own capabilities, Mexicans rate in the middle, and Brazilians and Argentinians are the most pessimistic. Consistent with this regional perception, a majority of physicians surveyed in each country have not received any specific training to cope with natural disaster events. Additionally, most hospital doctors stated no such training has been held at their workplace. "We are absolutely delighted to help Fine Research with its initiative with Save the Children," said Henning Hansen, Confirmit President and CEO. "While we typically are devoted to helping our clients' businesses succeed, this donation is focused on helping those in need. We are proud to support Fine Research in its Haiti relief efforts by providing critical resources that would otherwise not exist for these children." For free access to the full report you may write to Diego Casaravilla, [email protected] or review a summary of the report on Confirmit's blog. About Confirmit Confirmit is the world's leading SaaS vendor for multi-channel Voice of the Customer, Voice of the Employee, and Market Research solutions. The company has offices in Oslo (headquarters), Chengdu, Grimstad, London, Moscow, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Vancouver, and Yaroslavl. Confirmit's software is also distributed through partner resellers in Madrid, Milan, Salvador, and Tokyo. Confirmit powers Global 5000 companies and Market Research agencies worldwide with a wide range of software products for feedback / data collection, panel management, data processing, analysis, and reporting. Customers include Aurora, British Airways, British Standards Institution, Cross-Tab, Dow Chemical, GfK, GlaxoSmithKline, GMO Research, JTN Research, KeepFactor, Morehead Associates, Nielsen, Research Now, RS Components, Sony Mobile Communications and Swisscom. Media Contacts: Emma Walter Matter Communications [email protected] 978-518-4820 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160127/326621LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/confirmit-fine-research-and-reckner-healthcare-partner-to-assist-hurricane-matthew-victims-300369592.html SOURCE Confirmit [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] SecurityScorecard Names Jasson Casey Chief Technology Officer NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SecurityScorecard, the leader in security ratings, today announced the hiring of Jasson Casey as a Senior Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer. An 18-year veteran in the telecom, computer networking, and security industries, Casey most recently ran the engineering department for IronNet Cybersecurity. Casey is an industry-recognized expert in software-defined networking (SDN) and has helped define key technologies in carrier VoIP security and Wireless mobility. He is a member of the Software Leadership Council and Research Associate with the Open Networking Foundation. "The number of vendors we proactively monitor and the amount of data we collect has been growing exponentially," said Dr. Aleksandr Yampolskiy, CEO of SecurityScorecard. "The second Jasson sat down with us, we were immediately impressed by his unique perspective, extensive security knowledge, and background. We felt he could help us take our technology to the next level, and make SecurityScorecard even more valuable to our customers. We are extremely excited to have Jasson on board, as we have a lot in store for 2017." Casey has held executive leadership positions in engineering ad product management across technology startups and S&P 500 companies. His main responsibilities at SecurityScorecard include developing innovative and new technology, managing the day-to-day operations of the engineering team, recruiting, and executing strategy to deliver the latest product features. "I am honored to be named SecurityScorecard's CTO and be a part of a company that is growing rapidly and solving a major problem for customers. Dr. Yampolskiy and his team have a clear vision to be the rating platform used by every company in the world to continuously monitor vendor risk and I'm excited to have the opportunity to be a part of that," says Jasson. A 2001 graduate at the University of Texas at Austin, Casey earned his BSEE in computer engineering. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University. SecurityScorecard was founded in 2013 by two former Chief Information Security Officers, Dr. Aleksandr Yampolskiy and Sam Kassoumeh. The company is now comprised of more than 100 highly-skilled veteran security researchers, cryptographers, data scientists, and software engineers. With hundreds of customers, many from the Fortune 500, and a growth rate exceeding 430 percent year over year, SecurityScorecard is the leading standard in cybersecurity ratings. About SecurityScorecard SecurityScorecard provides the most accurate rating of security risk for any organization worldwide. The proprietary SaaS platform helps enterprises gain operational command of the security posture for themselves and across all of their partners, and vendors. It provides continuous, non-intrusive monitoring for any organization including third and fourth parties. The platform offers a breadth and depth of critical data points not available from any other service provider including a broad range of risk categories such as Application Security, Malware, Patching Cadence, Network Security, Hacker Chatter, Social Engineering and Passwords Exposed. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/securityscorecard-names-jasson-casey-chief-technology-officer-300367949.html SOURCE SecurityScorecard [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] G6 Hospitality Partners with Prolific Interactive to Launch New 'My 6' App with Discount Promotion DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- G6 Hospitality, known for its iconic economy lodging brands, Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the U.S. and Canada, and Hotel 6 and Estudio 6 in Latin America, today announced the launch of its new 'My 6' mobile application. Built with Prolific Interactive, a mobile-focused product agency in Brooklyn and San Francisco, the new app enhances the booking experience across all G6 Hospitality brands, and enables guests to reserve a room in just three simple taps. All travelers who download and make a reservation through 'My 6' will enjoy savings of 10 percent discount for any qualified stay through 2017. The 'My 6' app is available for both Android and iPhone users, and offers easy navigation, an ultra-fast, vibrant interface and convenient use of Apple Pay. Personalized user experience is enhanced with location-based services, as the GPS-enabled app provides real-time information and recommendations on nearby restaurants, events, attractions and exclusive offers. "We worked with Prolific to create a mobile app that would offer customers a smarter, more personalized and interactive experience. I believe that the new 'My 6' app captures all those qualities," said Lance Miceli, Chief Marketing Officer of G6 Hospitality. "With the complete overhaul of our digital ecosystem, including the launch of our new website this past year, we are thrilled to now offer an additional platform to enhance guest experience through the 'My 6' app's convenient booking process, which will also provide guests with location-based immersive experience recommendations." Booking a clean, comfortable room at any of the brand's more than 1,350 locations has never been easier and is now available at travelers' fingertips anywhere, anytime. "Through our partnership with G6 Hospitality, we were able to create a thoughtful, intuitive, mobile experience that allows users to book rooms quickly and continue on their journey," said Bobak Emamian, CEO of Prolific Interactive. "The 'My 6' app offers guests the ability to search by location, view pictures of the property, select a room type and even obtain travel directions. It also provides access to existing reservations and the ability to develop and modify a user profile." As part of the brand's effort to continue building guest loyalty and establishing consumer satisfaction, last February 2015, G6 Hospitality launched its new Motel6.com. Similar to the 'My 6' app, the site redesign offers easy adaptability, a more personalized user experience, and efficient booking process. Compared to this time last year, the economy lodging leader has seen an increase in conversion rates by 59 percent. About G6 Hospitality LLC G6 Hospitality LLC owns, operates and franchises more than 1,350 economy lodging locations under the iconic Motel 6 and the extended stay Studio 6 brands in the U.S and Canada, and Hotel 6 and Estudio 6 brands in Latin America. Headquartered in Dallas (Carrollton), Texas, G6 Hospitality was rated one of the top ten hospitality companies according to the Hotel Management 2015 Top Hotel Companies rankings list, which evaluated over 260 hotel companies. For more information please visit G6Hospitality LLC. About Prolific Interactive Prolific Interactive is a mobile-focused product agency based in Brooklyn and San Francisco. Through a strategy-driven, user-centric approach to creating products, Prolific delivers mobile experiences for leading brands including SoulCycle, American Express, Saks Fifth Avenue, Scott's Miracle Gro, David's Bridal, Alex and Ani, Lilly Pulitzer and Sephora. Founded in 2009, Prolific has been recognized as one of Inc. 500's Fastest Growing Private Companies of 2016, as well as one of the "50 Fastest Growing Companies" and "A Best Place to Work" by Crain's New York Business. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443385 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150831/262348LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/g6-hospitality-partners-with-prolific-interactive-to-launch-new-my-6-app-with-discount-promotion-300369625.html SOURCE G6 Hospitality [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Woolrich Inc. and Woolrich Europe Announce Merger Aimed to Accelerate the Brand's Global Growth WOOLRICH, Pa. and BOLOGNA, Italy, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Woolrich Inc., America's oldest outdoor clothing company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of outdoor lifestyle apparel, and Woolrich Europe, licensee of the trademark for Europe and Asia, owned by W.P. Lavori in Corso, jointly-announced today the completion of an agreement to merge into Woolrich International, a new holding company responsible for leading and accelerating the future growth and development of the Woolrich brand, both in the North American market and worldwide. The agreement includes all of the entity's industrial assets, the rights associated with the brand and the entire distribution network. Financial terms of the private transaction have not been disclosed. The newly-formed company, Woolrich International will be headquartered in London and will coordinate the operating offices in New York City, Woolrich Pennsylvania, and Bologna and Milan, Italy. The new entity will have a global workforce of 300 people, with a closing provision of an annual turnover of $190 million for 2016. This transaction allows the Woolrich brand to continue its path of development with prospects for an annual average growth of 12% from 2017 to 2020, expected to reach an annual turnover of $300 million by 2020, employing 500 people. This expansion is supported by a capital expenditure plan of about $50 million, aimed to reach over 60 points of sale. Woolrich International, at the end of the 4 years strategic plan, aims to be listed through an IPO in a prominent international stock market with the purpose to sustain the second growth phase on the emerging markets with superior potential. The execution of the IPO will be evaluated even considering possible strategic alliances which can accelerate the implementation of the 2017-2020 plan. Founded in 1830 by John Rich with the establishment of the original Woolrich Woolen Mill, still operative in Pennsylvania, Woolrich Inc. is the epitome of the history of the U.S. outdoor apparel industry. What started during the Civil War as a response to the need for appropriate clothing and blankets has evolved into an original American clothing company that weaves its tradition and craft into purpose-inspired, functional, protective and durable products. W.P. Lavori in Corso has been a partner of Woolrich since 1984, initially involved in its distribution, then, in 1998, evolving the collaboration into an official license to design, produce and distribute Woolrich products, starting in Italy, then expanding into Europe and Asia. Thanks to the launch of the Woolrich John Rich & Bros. collection and its original icon Arctic Parka, Woolrich has become a leading brand in the contemporary outerwear market, present today in 45 countries with a network of 25 stores. The industrial merger of Woolrich Inc. and Woolrich Europe establishes a new industry leader, leveraging Woolrich Inc.'s recognized leadership as a pioneer in textile manufacturing and outdoor specialist in the North American market, and Woolrich Europe's well-known premium branding, marketing, design, creativity an international distribution capabilities. Cristina Calori, Chairman and CEO of W.P. Lavori in Corso and Woolrich Europe, will lead the merged organization, assuming the role of Chairman of Woolrich International. Paolo Corinaldesi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Andrea Cane, Creative Director for Woolrich Europe, has been appointed Global Creative Director with complete creative responsibility for all Woolrich collections and brand image. Nicholas Brayton, 7th-generation descendent of founder John Rich, will continue his role of President of Woolrich Inc., leading the North American market. W.P. Lavori in Corso will control and consolidate the new entity, while the Rich family will continue to own a significant stake. The Woolrich strategic plan is based on the following pillars: Forward expansion and global development of the Woolrich John Rich & Bros. label as an outerwear leader, supported by strong marketing investments, development of the retail network (stores and shop in shop), acceleration of the e-commerce channel, and partnership with selected retailers supported by strong marketing investments, development of the retail network (stores and shop in shop), acceleration of the e-commerce channel, and partnership with selected retailers Re-launch of the Woolrich Outdoor clothing label with a new global development plan with a new global development plan Development plan for Greater China , with the establishment of a dedicated company , with the establishment of a dedicated company Reinforce and exploit the Woolen Mill ( Woolrich, PA ), one of the oldest and still operating woolen mills in America for the production of Made in USA textiles and blankets Cristina Calori, Chairman of Woolrich International commented: "We are extremely proud of this industrial deal, as with over 32 years of collaboration, we have built an excellent relationship between the Woolrich and W.P. families. We are determined to enhance our successful business model to foster development of the brand all over the world." "Woolrich is America's oldest outdoor clothing company; its history runs parallel to that of the United States," said Andrea Cane, Global Creative Director of Woolrich International. "This is what makes the brand unique. With Woolrich John Rich & Bros, we embraced the history and archives to embed protection, functionality and quality into a contemporary outerwear collection recognized by the iconic Arctic Parka. The opportunity with this merger is to create global brand recognition and success, adding to the contemporary line the launch of a new outdoor project." Nicholas Brayton, President of Woolrich Inc. stated: "The core values of our family and all Woolrich people are the same as those of our partner. This agreement is a milestone in the growth of an iconic American brand that has been on the market for almost two centuries. The new strategy will translate into further acceleration of our international growth and we could not be more excited about that this means for the future of Woolrich." The merger integration and development business plan is supported by a specifically structured financing facility supplied by a banks' pool composed of INTESA SANPAOLO GROUP, UNICREDIT AND BPER Banca. The financing includes also a tranche in favor of Woolrich Inc. to back up the business development in the USA, released through the New York's branches of INTESA SANPAOLO GROUP, UNICREDIT and the support of BPER Banca. Banca IMI and UNICREDIT have been Joint Mandated Lead Arrangers & Bookrunners and financial advisors in favor of W.P. Lavori in Corso. Deloitte Financial Advisory has acted as financial advisor for Woolrich Europe Spa. Banca IMI has been also agent of the financing arrangement. Financo, LLC. has acted as financial advisor for Woolrich Inc. About Woolrich Established in Woolrich (PA) in 1830, Woolrich is the oldest American outdoor clothing brand, with two labels: Woolrich Outdoor, distributed in North America, and Woolrich John Rich & Bros., the contemporary high-end outerwear line distributed worldwide. With 186 years of experience and rich American history and values for the outdoors, Woolrich products reflect the Woolrich heritage by combining the brand's historical identity with a contemporary interpretation. The Original Woolrich Arctic Parka, introduced in 1972 for the workers of the Alaskan pipeline, and now considered the quintessential down parka, is the worldwide-recognized brand icon and symbol. The Woolrich collections are distributed in 45 countries through a network of 25 stores worldwide. USA and Canada: www.woolrich.com; www.woolrich.eu; Europe and Asia: www.woolrich.eu About W.P. Lavori in Corso W.P. Lavori in Corso established in 1982 by Cristina Calori, is an international group of heritage brands, licensees and exclusive worldwide distributors for the Woolrich John Rich & Bros. brand, through Woolrich Europe. The mission of W.P. has always been to research, distribute and license the best original brands from all over the world, assuring the best positioning, through a dedicated wholesale and retail network. W.P. is worldwide distributor and licensee of the brands Baracuta, Spiewak and B.D. Baggies. W.P. is also distributor of the Barbour, Blundstone and Palladium. The retail network of W.P. Lavori in Corso includes 4 Barbour Stores, 2 Baracuta Stores, 10 WP Stores and 25 Woolrich Stores. Consolidated revenue for 2015 was 144 million. www.wplavori.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/woolrich-inc-and-woolrich-europe-announce-merger-aimed-to-accelerate-the-brands-global-growth-300369745.html SOURCE Woolrich International [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Manhattan Scientifics Announces Agreement to Spin-Off and IPO its Senior Scientific Unit Manhattan Scientifics (OTCQB:MHTX) announces that it is implementing a plan to have Senior Scientific, the company's cancer diagnostic unit, pursue an IPO and listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) (see description at end of release). Senior Scientific changed its name to Imagion Biosystems Inc. and will create a new board of industry professionals to be led by CEO Bob Proulx. The parent company, Manhattan Scientifics, owns 100% of Senior Scientific/Imagion Biosystems which owes its parent Manhattan Scientifics $6.9 million. Manny Tsoupanarias, Manhattan Scientifics CEO said, "As a result of this transaction, Manhattan Scientifics will receive shares of Imagion Biosystems, which in the future, it may elect to either hold, sell or distribute to shareholders." He continued, "Following the spin out, Manhattan Scientifics has sufficient working capital to run its operations going forward and plans to advance its nano-structuring metals technology unit, Metallicum, Inc. To date, Metallicum has generated $14 million in cash for MHTX. Presently, Metallicum has entered into agreements with a fortune 100 pharma company, with one of the world's largest dental implant manufactures and with General Cable Inc. (NYSE: BGC)." Marvin Maslow, Manhattan Scientific Chairman said, "pproximately $20 million has been invested in our Senior Scientific Early Cancer Detection Nanotechnology by our company and by the National Institute of Health (NIH). We have fulfilled our mission to acquire, fund and incubate this technology and we are completing our goal to mature Imagion Biosystems' mission through the planned listing on a major exchange. We believe this to be a winning strategy for our 6,000 shareholders. Imagion Biosystems has begun the process to raise capital for what we expect will be a successful IPO." Manhattan Scientifics plans to release additional details describing the transaction details in the near future. About Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. Manhattan Scientifics Inc. (www.mhtx.com) is located in New Mexico, New York and Montreal. It is focused on technology transfer and commercialization of transformative technologies in the nano medicine space. About The Australian Stock Exchange The ASX is a leading financial Stock Exchange, consistently ranking among the top five exchanges globally and a favorable exchange for a technology company such as Imagion. With a total market capitalization of around $1.5 trillion, ASX is home to some of the world's leading resource, finance and technology companies. Shares are easily tradeable in New York. Forward-looking statement This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Management at Manhattan Scientifics believes that purchase of its shares should be considered to be at the high end of the risk spectrum. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005846/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] FXMars FIX API Splitter for Forex Brokers OAKVILLE, Canada, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading through the FIX API protocol has become increasingly popular, and its use continues to grow. This is primarily because traders have been long dissatisfied with the trading terms of mainstream platforms. Nevertheless, the requirements to open a FIX API account are unacceptable for the vast majority of traders the minimum deposit that a trader needs to put up to open a FIX API account is often $10,000 and up. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443577 The reason for high minimum deposits is that FIX API accounts present additional problems for forex brokers. In order to open a FIX API account, the broker needs to set up a separate FIX API account (i.e., distinct from the clearing account) with the liquidity provider used, which limits the scope of the broker's possibilities. The liquidity provider, in turn, will agree to open that kind of account only if the trader generates relatively high trading volume, which typically involves at least $50,000 in trading capital in a given account. In other words, for most traders this is not a viable option. This now looks set to change. In November of 2016, the Canadian company FXMars Inc. introduced 4FXBrokers FIX API Splitter, a revolutionary product that enables traders to open FIX API accounts without having to deal with such onerous requirements as minimum deposits or commissions, ultimately levelling the playing field for the trading community. A brief description of the product is in orer. The broker opens an account with its liquidity provider, which can act as a master account, and connects the account to FIX API Splitter. FIX API Splitter is part of 4FXBrokers FIX API Bridge. Using the 4FXBrokers FIX API Bridge manager, the broker can create an unlimited number of FIX API accounts and assign them to clients. The 4FXBrokers FIX API protocol for client accounts allows the user to use market GTC (good-till-canceled) orders as well as limit FOK (fill or kill), IOC (immediate or cancel), and stop orders. The protocol is described scrupulously, and the trader has the ability to create one's own trading strategies (black boxes) and test them in the real market. Quotes from the master account are transmitted through the master FIX API protocol to 4FXBrokers FIX API Splitter and are then retransmitted through the 4FXBrokers FIX API protocol to numerous client accounts. Orders from client accounts are transmitted through 4FXBrokers FIX API to 4FXBrokers FIX API Splitter and then through master FIX API to the master account. Most important, at less than 5 milliseconds, the delays associated with 4FXBrokers FIX API Splitter with respect to the transmission of quotes and orders are so negligible that they won't affect even those traders who use high-frequency strategies. The ??4 terminal is the graphical user interface (GUI) used. The broker can enable or disable trading from the ??4 terminal as required. Every FIX account is linked to an ??4 account, where open orders and the order history are displayed for the trader in a user-friendly format. 4FXBrokers FIX API Splitter is a new, groundbreaking solution for market participants and is currently used by only a handful of brokers. Those brokers who are the first to offer traders fully functional FIX API accounts with deposits as low as $100 will find an extraordinary niche and thousands of new clients eagerly anticipating their needs to be met. Also worthy of note is FXMars's offer of a complimentary trading system FIX API Trader to those traders who are able to convince their brokers of the need to introduce 4FXBrokers FIX API Splitter. The system is especially suitable for high-frequency trading strategies. FXMars Inc. http://4fxbrokers.com e: [email protected], skype: bjfsupport Related Images image1.png image2.png 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/fxmars-fix-api-splitter-for-forex-brokers-300369722.html SOURCE FXMars Inc [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Thomas Guenther and Ronda Boyles of Texas Po Boys and Nichole Hutchison of Senior Path Specialists stand in the Comal County Senior Citizens Center parking lot on Nov. 28 and discuss the centers #GivingTuesday event. [November 29, 2016] Demonstrating Value in a Multichannel World: Success Factors for PR Agencies TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Today's PR agencies do far more for their clients than secure earned media. As businesses continue to embrace the PESO marketing model and its multichannel approach, agencies are rising to the challenge and adapting their offerings. The rising trends of native advertising and content marketing have played an important role in the evolution of PR. The demand for fresh content, in formats to cater for numerous distribution channels, has fallen to agencies to fulfill. While the PR industry no longer proves value in media hits and impressions or by measuring advertising equivalencies, demonstrating success is an evolving science. PR agencies need to re-think and re-frame their approach to data and analytics. In Today's Large Agencies: Demonstraing Value in a Multichannel Universe, CNW looks at ways PR agencies can maintain a vital role in their clients' success. This whitepaper examines the relevant metrics that agencies can start using today to measure their impact tomorrow Public relations professionals (agency-employed or in-house team members) are invited to download our whitepaper here. About CNW Group CNW Group Ltd. (a Cision company) gets people talking about our clients online and in the news. We deliver authenticated news releases and multimedia content in the right way and to the right places in order to fulfill disclosure requirements and maximize exposure, engagement and earned media opportunities. CNW also provides professional video, photography and webcast production, translation, regulatory filing and printing services as well as monitoring and measurement platforms. About Cision: Cision is a leading media communication technology and analytics company that enables marketers and communicators to effectively manage their earned media programs in coordination with paid and owned channels to drive business impact. As the creator of the Cision Communication Cloud, the first-of-its-kind earned media cloud-based platform, Cision has combined cutting-edge data, analytics, technology and services into a unified communication ecosystem that brands can use to build consistent, meaningful and enduring relationships with influencers and buyers in order to amplify their marketplace influence. Cision solutions also include market-leading media technologies such as PR Newswire, CNW, Gorkana, PRWeb, Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and iContact. Headquartered in Chicago, Cision serves over 100,000 customers in 170 countries and 40 languages worldwide, and maintains offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Australia. For more information, visit www.cision.com or follow @Cision on Twitter. SOURCE CNW Group Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Spirion Recognized as SC Media 2017 Excellence Award Finalist Spirion, the leading provider of sensitive data risk reduction solutions, today announced that the Spirion data platform has been recognized as an Excellence Award finalist in the Best Data Loss Prevention Solution category for the 2017 SC Awards. Finalists are recognized for outstanding leadership and providing superior security products to the cybersecurity industry. Winners will be announced at the SC Awards 2017 ceremony to be held Feb. 14, 2017, in San Francisco, Calif. "As the threat of cyberattacks rise, organizations need the power to locate, classify, monitor and remediate 100 percent of their sensitive data," said Dr. Jo Webber, CEO, Spirion. "Whether data is structured or unstructured, across networks or in cloud environments, having a centralized view of an organization's data sprawl is a critical first step for security teams looking to prevent or limit the impact of a data breach." The SC Awards program, now in its 20th year, is recognized throughout the industry as the gold standard of excellence in cybersecurity. Winners in the Excellence category are determined by an expert panel of judges, hand-picked by SC Media's editorial team for their breadth of knowledge and experience in the cybersecurity industry. The Excellence Award honors the professionals, products and services that have proven to be the best in the industry for protecting today's corporate world from an array of risks and threats. "Ransomware, nation-state cyber-attacks, IoT vulnerabilities, data privacy issues and more are dominating the headlines right now and it's critical that we amplify the importance of these problems and highlight the actions organizations can take to safeguard heir organizations," said Illena Armstrong, vice president, editorial, SC Media. "As bad actors are constantly changing strategy, so too are the men, women and companies endeavoring to stop them in their tracks. These finalists have shown that they are the best at what they do." The SC Awards gala honoring the winners and the best in the industry attracts top professionals in the cybersecurity community and provides an invaluable opportunity for networking. To register for the 2017 SC Awards Gala, visit http://www.scmagazine.com/awards/. "As a finalist, Spirion demonstrated unique innovation in its approach to protecting companies from the onslaught of malicious attacks and other threats," added Armstrong. "Spirion's solution represents some of the most effective security technologies on the market today." About SC Media SC Media is cybersecurity. We've lived it for more than 25 years, sharing industry expert guidance and insight, in-depth features and timely news, and independent product reviews in various content forms in partnership with and for top-level information security executives and their technical teams. SC Media arms information security professionals with the in-depth, unbiased business and technical information they need to tackle the countless security challenges they face and establish risk management and compliance postures that underpin overall business strategies. We deliver breaking news, comprehensive analysis, cutting-edge features, contributions from thought leaders, and the best, most extensive collection of product reviews in the business. Whether through our comprehensive website, magazine, in-depth eBooks, newsletters, or regularly scheduled digital and live events - such as our SC Awards program, SC Media Roundtables or SC Congress Toronto, New York, Boston, Chicago, and London - our readers gain all the relevant information they need to safeguard their organizations and, ultimately, contribute to their longevity and success. About Spirion Spirion, headquartered in New York City, is the leading provider of data risk reduction solutions to help businesses reduce their sensitive data footprint and proactively minimize the cost and reputational damage that results from cyberattacks. Spirion's data platform, the ninth-generation award-winning solution, helps organizations eliminate the risk of data breaches by discovering, classifying, monitoring and protecting personal information - including PCI (News - Alert), PHI, intellectual property or any data type unique to an organization - stored across the network and cloud. Spirion has thousands of customers, including leading firms in the financial services, insurance, life sciences, healthcare, energy, public sector, retail, transportation, education, manufacturing and media markets. For more information, visit the company at www.spirion.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006016/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Racepoint Global Awarded PRWeek's "Best Places to Work" Three Years in a Row Racepoint Global, an intelligence-driven marketing agency announced today that it has been named one of PRWeek's Best Places to Work in the "Midsize Agency" category, for the third year in a row. PRWeek's Best Places to Work is an award based on a survey of communications professionals ranging from entry level positions to top-level senior management. Individuals are asked questions about personal development opportunities, employee advancement, pay and benefits, work-life balance, internal communication and overall working environment. "As we continue to evolve as an agency, we have our employees' best interests in mind, because they're our most valuable asset," said Racepoint Global (News - Alert) President, Peter Prodromou. "Being named a PRWeek Best Places to Work three years in a row is such an honor, and it truly is a testament to what our agency is all about. There is a tremendous amount of respect betwen our employees, and as an integrated agency, we never stop learning from one another. We're continuously recognized for our outstanding and forward thinking client work and it all stems from our one-of-a-kind culture." According to PRWeek, "Judges were struck by how much Boston-based Racepoint Global encourages personal and professional development. Racepoint Global also promotes work-life balance through a $250 wellness and fitness stipend, telecommuting, and - after the first 90 days - flexible schedules." From the agency's global exchange program, to six-week sabbaticals, work/life balance flexibility, wellness programs and tuition reimbursements, Racepoint Global is dedicated to enabling a community that fosters individuality, collaboration, creativity, innovation, exploration and excellence for its team members and clients. The agency is committed to creating a great corporate culture with great perks for the incredible employees who inspire each other every day. "Creating a corporate culture that motivates and inspires our employees is immensely important to us," said Racepoint Global Chairman and CEO, Larry Weber. "Nothing makes us prouder than knowing we've been awarded for the outstanding work environment which we've worked so hard to create." About Racepoint Global Racepoint is defining what it means to be an intelligence-driven marketing agency. We deliver a new kind of accountability based on our ability to better understand your customers, their psychology and how they consume information. The key is our proprietary software, FieldFacts. It's the industry's best tool for identifying influencers and targeting them where they engage verbally, visually and emotionally. Armed with this intelligence, we give our clients PR, advertising and precision-marketing campaigns that speak to the right people at the right time. Then we dare to measure performance and report how many times high-level influencers have acted on your behalf. Clients in technology, healthcare, life sciences, consumer, public policy and public affairs depend on Racepoint Global's unique approach to impact key outcomes. Time again, our approach drives better results for our clients. For more information, visit www.racepointglobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006028/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] DMWay Selected as a 2016 Red Herring Top 100 Global MARINA DEL REY, California, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Herring announced its Top 100 Global in recognition of the leading private companies from North America, Europe, and Asia, celebrating these startups' innovations and technologies across their respective industries. Red Herring's Top 100 Global list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay would change the way we live and work. "Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat," said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. "After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across the globe to the Top 100 Winners." Mr. Vieux continues to say, "Here again, an Israeli-based start isrocking the universe of predictive analytics taking a slender, leaner approach applicable to every domain. The team has merged academics, technologists and veteran operators and has executed well and at a fast pace. Thus Red Herring selected DMWay as prominent Red Herring Global 100 for 2016." We believe DMWay embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. DMWay should be proud of its accomplishment." Red Herring's editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track records and standing of startups relative to their peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the "buzz" and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models from around the world. Gil Nizri, CEO of DMWay was quoted with his excitement and commitment to DMWay's customers and prospects "The DMWay team has been recognized by one of High Tech's premier organizations and a technology innovation and disrupter in the Predicative Analytics marketplace that will change how enterprises develop and deploy Predicative Analytics making it accessible for all. With DMWay's democratization of Predicative Analytics, with the fastest time to value, at the lowest cost, and greatest ROI, our customers are able to extract the most value from their data assets." DMWay Analytics is a leading innovator of autonomous predictive analytics solution. DMWay is changing the way businesses generate competitive advantage, by enabling business-users (None Scientists) to build and deploy accurate predictive models, in hours rather than months and making predictive analytics accessible, affordable and on-demand. For more information about DMWay Analytics visit www.dmway.com (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443724) Contacts: Gil Nizri,Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer E: [email protected] , M: +1 (917)284-9712 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dmway-selected-as-a-2016-red-herring-top-100-global-300369841.html SOURCE DMWay Analytics Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] PerfectlySoft Launches Perfect Assistant for Server-Side Swift Application Deployment PerfectlySoft Inc., the creator of Perfect, the world's first server-side Swift (News - Alert) development framework, announced today that it has released a beta version of the Perfect Assistant, the Perfect platform's new server-side Swift convenience toolset for quick and efficient application deployment. The Perfect Assistant leverages the Swift Package Manager to more efficiently manage project dependencies, empowering developers across the application development and deployment process. "The Perfect Assistant is the next big step in making server-side Swift a key application development platform for the enterprise," said Sean Stephens, CEO at PerfectlySoft. "Over the past year, our team has worked closely with the Swift community to address application development needs across the full stack. The Perfect Assistant is the manifestation of these conversations, and we look forward to gathering additional insights with our beta release." Built from the DNA of the Lasso language (once integral to Apple's (News - Alert) original server-side offerings), Perfect was released in November 2015 as an open source server-side platform for full-stack mobile development that removes frontend and backend iOS development silos by allowing coders to write entire applications in Swift. Easy-to-use and well documented, Perfect provides developers with a high-performance framework and stable tools for server-side Swift development in iOS, OS X and Linux environments. Less than a year after the launch of their flagship product, the company released the next iteration of the platform, Perfect 2.0, which supports additional datasources (Redis, FileMaker) and file formats (XML, Zip), and offers significant performance and scalability enhancements. In October 2016, PerfectlySoft commissioned independent research to determine how server-side Swift stacked up to Node.js running on Linux. The benchmark tests determined that not only did server-side Swift outperform Node.js on comparable workloads, but that the Perfect framework also beat out competing Swift development platforms in terms of performance.1 Like Perfect, the Perfect Assistant makes programming and deployin server-side Swift on Linux quicker and more convenient than ever before. "As Swift's momentum with developers accelerates across the industry, businesses are increasingly looking for help simplifying the generation, testing and deployment of Swift-based commercial applications," said Stephen O'Grady, Principal Analyst with RedMonk. "The Perfect Assistant was created to address exactly these challenges." Available today, the Perfect Assistant gives programmers the tools they need to create, test and deploy applications at scale, and works in conjunction with Docker to help developers build projects locally for Ubuntu (News - Alert) by providing feedback on Linux build problems. Key features of the Perfect Assistant include: Wizard-based project setup Dependency management Linux preflight testing Xcode integration Deployment functionality Get started with the Perfect Assistant, here. Additional Resources: Read more about the PerfectlySoft on the Perfect website Connect with PerfectlySoft on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook Read about server-wide Swift's superior performance and scalability with Perfect compared to Node.js on Medium About PerfectlySoft Inc. PerfectlySoft Inc. is a startup dedicated to providing full-stack mobile developers with high-performance, stable tools and support to complete their server-side Swift projects for the iOS, OS X, and Linux environments. Headquartered in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, PerfectlySoft was founded in 2015. 1 Third-party programmer Ryan Collins was commissioned to conduct this research in August 2016 by PerfectlySoft to promote the power of Swift. The company exerted zero influence over the results of these benchmark tests. All of the code used in the study is publically available, and the company encourages other developers to perform these tests on their own. Collins, R. (October 7, 2016) Linux (Ubuntu) Benchmarks for Server Side Swift vs Node.js [Medium blog post]. Retrieved November 21, 2016 from https://medium.com/@rymcol/linux-ubuntu-benchmarks-for-server-side-swift-vs-node-js-db52b9f8270b#.jnxklfor2 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006109/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Dynamic Communities Announces GPUG Amplify Event TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynamic Communities, the supporting organization behind the official user group for Microsoft Dynamics GP (GPUG) announces GPUG Amplify 2017 to be held March 20-22 at the Marriot in Anaheim, CA. GPUG Amplify is designed to improve attendee skills around reporting, leadership, and industry best practices. Attendees representing Dynamics end user organizations, partners, and ISVs benefit from access to Microsoft leaders, Microsoft MVPs, and other subject matter experts while exploring a wide range of solutions to optimize their Dynamics investment and experience a solid return on investment. Amplify was created for the thriving Microsoft Dynamics GP community and will include end-user educational training on the latest elease for GP customers. New in 2017 are dedicated sales and marketing educational sessions for Dynamics Partners offered on Monday, March 20. "GPUG Amplify is very informative and the educational offerings are really well thought out. I was surprised that I didn't only walk away with new information, I also took away with me an experience that motivates me to execute and implement what I learned when I return to the office," said 2016 Amplify attendee, Eileen Morales, Controller for the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. "I look forward to coming back in 2017." Attendees can save money by registering prior to the Early Bird registration deadline of January 25th. To register, visit: www.gpugamplify.com. Members of GPUG receive additional discounts on registration. Not a member? Join the thousands of fellow Dynamics users who participate in this rich online community for learning and networking: www.gpug.com/join. Dynamic Communities is the business management organization that supports technology-centric user groups, like GPUG, and associations providing necessary resources and business operations such as staff, systems and event production. Dynamic Communities is independent from Microsoft; however, the two organizations maintain an intentional close working relationship so that our members can provide a collective voice to Microsoft on user concerns, needs, and requests. Jenna Knoblauch Dynamic Communities [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443727LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dynamic-communities-announces-gpug-amplify-event-300369844.html SOURCE Dynamic Communities [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] 2017 International Relationship-Based Care Symposium Connects Professionals with Ideas to Transform Health Care To support health care professionals in achieving excellence for their patients and organizations, Creative Health Care Management (CHCM) hosts its 2017 International Relationship-Based Care Symposium. Through workshops and sessions, attendees will identify strategies to improve interprofessional collaboration, and learn practical tools and actions to achieve committed partnerships, cross-departmental teamwork and cultural transformation. The three-day event runs June 20-22, 2017, in Minneapolis, and brings together experts in compassionate care, leadership and organizational development. Attendees will network with an international community of health care leaders who are transforming the way health care is provided, and leave inspired to further their commitment to achieve excellence in health care. Keynote speakers include Hearts in Healthcare's Robin Youngson, and David Cooperrider, a pioneer of the Appreciative Inquiy methodology for organizational change. "This year's symposium focuses on From Silos to Synergy (News - Alert), to celebrate the power that interprofessional and cross-organizational collaboration can have on creating high-performing and successful health care cultures," said Mary Koloroutis, CEO of CHCM. "Caring for others on the health care team is one pillar of relationship-based care, and attendees will explore how they can change their organization's culture through this framework." Extend your learning with unique pre- and post-conference sessions, and continuing education credits are available. To honor achievements in the field, poster abstracts are being accepted through Dec. 31, 2016. Submissions should focus on projects related to interprofessional collaboration that strengthens and inspires high-quality care. CHCM has a proud history of transforming the cultures of health care organizations into environments where people are consistently treated with respect and their dignity is preserved. To help further achieve this goal, CHCM will release a new book, "Advancing Relationship-Based Cultures," in spring 2017. Learn more and register today at chcm.com/symposium. About Creative Health Care Management Creative Health Care Management delivers consultation services, innovative education programs and some of the most celebrated educational materials in the industry to engage leaders throughout health care, ultimately empowering those closest to the work to actualize their organization's mission, inspire human and compassionate care, and achieve results. Learn more at chcm.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006216/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Weidenhammer Acquires e-Commerce Firm READING, Pa., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weidenhammer, a provider of strategy, marketing, and technology solutions that focuses on transforming businesses, announced today that they reached an agreement to acquire Praxis Information Science, an influential and innovative e-commerce firm, based in Austin, Texas. This acquisition positions Weidenhammer as a major provider of e-commerce solutions and the provision of services around the Magento e-commerce platform. Our goal is to provide the most comprehensive e-commerce solutions to help clients transform their businesses and succeed in a global economy, states John P. Weidenhammer, President. We believe that substantial synergy is achieved by joining forces with Praxis, and will continue to provide unique e-commerce solutions for our customers, with a focus on digital transformation and business acceleration. Since 2007, Praxis Information Science has advocated for its clients by delivering innovative e-commerce solutions. By joining Weidenhammer, our customers will not only benefi from the enhanced e-commerce practice, but also the breadth of technology solutions offered through Weidenhammer, including consulting, software development, infrastructure solutions, and cloud computing services, states Jason Crickmer, CEO of Praxis. Contact Information For more information, please contact Weidenhammers James Bitler at 610-378-1149 or via e-mail at [email protected]. About Weidenhammer Weidenhammer, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Reading, PA, identifies and integrates new technologies that help companies run smarter and grow faster. Weidenhammer maintains 6 offices in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Colorado, and has 175 professionals on staff. The company has core competencies in consulting, software development, infrastructure solutions, cloud and managed services, digital/interactive design, as well as school district administrative solutions. Weidenhammer has strategic relationships with Cisco, Microsoft, HP, IBM, EMC, VMWare, and Softdocs. More information about the firm can be found at www.hammer.net. About Praxis Information Science Founded in 2007, Praxis has built a focused e-commerce consultancy with deep roots in the Magento ecosystem and a strong track record of innovating internally and on behalf of clients. We pair forward-thinking design with disruptive technologies to create experiences that transform customers into evangelists and businesses into icons. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Praxis has team members in California, New York, and Argentina. Contact: James Bitler 610-378-1149 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 29, 2016] Van Ness Feldman Elects One New Principal, Five New Partners Van Ness Feldman is pleased to announce that one new Principal and five new Partners have been elected to the membership of the firm, effective immediately. "We are proud of this newly promoted group of members," Richard Agnew, Chairman of Van Ness Feldman said. "Each one of them is talented, energetic, and represent what is best about our firm-a deep knowledge of subject matter and a commitment to serving clients and our community." The new principal and partners are based in both our Washington, DC and Seattle offices. Biographical information is below. Andrea Hudson Campbell advises automobile manufacturers, engine and equipment manufacturers, electric utilities, trade associations, and coalitions on a variety of environmental matters, particularly those under the Clean Air Act. She counsels clients on the development and implementation of regulations addressing vehicle emissions and on-board diagnostic standards, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and EPA vehicle GHG emission standards, and California zero-emission and advanced vehicle programs. Andrea also advises clients on federal environmental policy, legislative issues, and enforcement matters before federal courts, EPA, and the California Air Resources Board CARB). Her work covers National Ambient (News - Alert) Air Quality Standards, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs), and other federal air quality standards affecting stationary sources. She also advises clients on EPA regulation of fuels/fuel additives and on the phase-out of HFC/HCFCs under EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program. Ray Liaw provides strategic land use counsel and real property advice to both public and private-sector clients throughout the Pacific Northwest. She has experience working on a wide range of development proposals, asset management, and property disputes on behalf of developers, property owners, and local government agencies. She also provides vigorous representation in local legislative and adjudicative proceedings, state administrative tribunals, and court-woking with clients on compliance strategies under SEPA and NEPA, the Shoreline Management Act, the Growth Management Act, historic preservation laws, floodplain regulations, and a wide variety of local zoning codes and critical area regulations. Ray is a member of the firm's Seattle office. Emily Pitlick Mallen counsels clients in the natural gas, oil, and products pipeline industries in a variety of federal regulatory and transactional matters to understand and comply with their obligations under energy and environmental laws, particularly the Natural Gas Act (NGA), the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Emily's primary practice encompasses oil and natural gas pipeline rate, tariff, and certificate matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In this capacity, Emily has provided strategic advice to pipelines in over ten NGA Section 4 and 5 rate case proceedings, in addition to advising on day-to-day regulatory compliance matters. Emily's experience also includes proceedings before the Federal courts, supporting clients working on emerging issues in energy and natural resources law, and providing advice on regulatory matters to clients in the firm's Native Affairs practice area. Tracy Nagelbush advocates for clients throughout all levels of the Administration and Congress on matters relating to government relations, public policy, and financial incentives in the areas of alternative and renewable energy and clean technologies. Prior to joining the firm, Tracy spent eight years on Capitol Hill working for Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Jim Davis (D-FL). During her tenure on the Hill, Tracy was responsible for managing energy and environment issues on a number of committees, writing legislation, and strategizing on best practices for meeting policy goals. She was also involved in budget, energy, environment, judiciary, labor, tax, and transportation policies. Michael Pincus advises clients with matters relating to the regulation of natural gas and hydropower before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Both as an attorney at Van Ness Feldman and at FERC, Michael has experience on a wide range of issues under the Natural Gas Act, including pipeline certificates, storage facilities, abandonment proceedings, liquefied natural gas authorizations, presidential permits, limited jurisdiction certificates, and market-based rate determinations. Michael also has in-depth experience with Part I of the Federal Power Act, advising clients on a variety of hydroelectric licensing and compliance matters, including the license applications, transfers, amendments, surrenders, terminations, as well as preliminary permits. From 2007-2012, Michael worked as an attorney-advisor in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of the General Counsel, Energy Project Section. Andrew VanderJack focuses on public lands and natural resource law and policy. Andrew provides counsel to clients on legislative and administrative matters involving Congress, congressional committees, federal agencies, state and local and tribal governments, special interest groups, and private parties. Andrew counsels both privately-owned and public entities, including state and local governments, Alaska Native corporations, non-profit organizations, and timber and mining companies on a variety of public land, energy, and natural resources issues. Through this experience, he has developed a unique understanding of law and policy issues affecting public land use and land exchange proposals, natural resource development, efforts to secure federal funding opportunities, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and Alaska and the Arctic. With over 100 professionals in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, Van Ness Feldman focuses on law and policy relating to energy, the environment, health care, natural resources, native affairs, land use, real estate and litigation. Learn more at www.vnf.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006310/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Three seek NLCS Board District 1 seat in upcoming election Three candidates are seeking election to the district one seat on the NLCS board: Incumbent Kirsten Collier, Craig Godsey and Jason Johnson. When we asked our friend, a member of the Armenian community in the Czech Republic, if he knew a man called Shant Aleksanyan, he answered: Hes like a specter. This reply startled us. It turns out that many in the community have heard of Aleksanyan and know that he has many businesses in the country, including a casino in the town of Zelezna Ruda, a town in the Pilsen Region of the Czech Republic near the German border. But they have never seen Aleksanyan, nor can they point him out in a crowd. The Aleksanyan family has no links to the local Armenian community. Nevertheless, Shant Aleksanyan accompanied a delegation led by the then Czech Minister of Defense Martin Bartak that visited Armenia on March 26, 2010. The delegation met Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan and Shant Aleksanyan was introduced as a representative of the Czech Armenian community. This appellation angered the community. According to our sources, Armenian General Aleksan Aleksanyan periodically visits his brother Shant in the Czech Republic. The general was part of a delegation headed by Seyran Ohanyan that paid an official visit to the Czech Republic on October 13-14, 2015. (General Aleksanyan is seen in the below photos during the visit.) Many within Armenias Ministry of Defense are also well aware of Shant Aleksanyan. Hes not only General Aleksanyans younger brother, but also a confidante of former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. Hes also a former business partner of Ohanyans. Shant Aleksanyan has founded many companies in Armenia and the Czech Republic. He now owns real estate and other businesses in the Czech Republic. Shant Aleksanyans Businesses in Armenia Shant Aleksanyan (see photo), a citizen of Armenia born in 1972, now resides with his family in Prague. One of his businesses in Armenia, Shant LLC, was registered in 1994 and deals in retail food sales. The company name was changed to Shant and Brothers in 2000. Along with the name change, the address of the company was moved from the town of Armavir, where Shant is registered, to the village of Norapat. ARF member Gagik Gabrielyan, appointed the Deputy Governor of Armavir Province in March 2016, served as the director of the company from 2000 to 2002. As of 2014, the companys sole shareholder and director has been 20-year-old Anoush, Shant Aleksanyans eldest daughter. Charter capital is listed as 16.8 million AMD. The company has temporarily ceased operating. Shant Aleksanyan has four children Anoush, John, Karapet and Alexa. The latter two are minors. Anoush is registered as residing in a new building at 12 Charents Street in Yerevan, along with her mother Larisa Zakaryan. They are registered as living in different apartments. 19-year-old John is registered as living with his father in Armavir. Buildings (from right) at 10,12 and 14 Charents Street Another company, Norogshin 1 LLC, was registered in 1995 and later dissolved. In 2001, Shant Aleksanyan founded Pokrik John LLC, a company that constructs residential and non-residential buildings. Its also located in Norapat. Charter capital is 35.6 million AMD. Kamo Zakaryan, a son of Shants father-in-law, replaced him as sole shareholder and director. In 2014, Hamlet Hakobyan, also from Armavir, replaced Zakaryan. Days after Pokrik John LLC was founded, Shant Aleksanyan, the brothers Armen and Gagik Kalantaryan, and Rubik Yegoryan, founded Jefers Akumb LLC. The first three own 30% each. Yegoryan owns 10%. The company is registered in a house on Yerevans Azatamartikneri Street. The house also serves as the address of Armen Kalantaryan. Charter capital is 50,000 AMD. The company is engaged in a variety of pursuits casino, bath and sauna activities, trade in food and non-food items, auto repair, and gas stations. Shant Aleksanyan, along with friends, founded Mer Toun (Our House), an apartment construction consumers cooperative, in 2005. Shant served as its first director, followed by Kamo Zakaryan. At first, the cooperative had ten members, each with a 10% share. Members were Shant Aleksanyan and his wife Larisa Zakaryan; his brothers Aleksan and Arayik Aleksanyan along with their wives Armineh Aloyan and Anoush Papyan; Gagik Kalantaryan; and the Adimyans from Yerevan. Three others joined them in 2006 and the overall fund became 750 million AMD, of which 25% (187.5 million) belonged to Shant Aleksanyan. According to changes made in 2008, the members were Shant Aleksanyan (50% or 50 million), A. Papyan and A. Aloyan (25% each). The coops objective, according to the charter, was to build a multi residential building near 10 and 12 Charents Street. The building was never built and the coop dissolved in 2014. The most interesting of the companies owned by Shant Aleksanyan in Armenia is S.T.Sh. Piramida LLC. Three Friends Using the first letters of their names, Seyran Ohanyan, Tigran Movsisyan and Shant Aleksanyan founded S.T.Sh. Piramida in May 2002. Initially, the company was registered at the address of Aleksanyans Armavir house. In 2003, Ohanyan and Movsisyan left the company, only to return in 2004. Ohanyan served as the NKR Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2007, and as Armenias Minister of Defense from 2008 to 2016. In 2004, the company changed its address to 20/2 Sayat Nova Street in Yerevan, where it operated a night club thats now a cafe. Of the three friends, Seyran was a government official; Moscow resident Tigran, who later died, a financial wizard; and Shant, in the construction and other businesses. Tigran and Shant left the company in 2004, replaced by French-Armenian Christian Zadikian. Ohanyan, then an NKR official, following the example of friends, transferred his shares to his father Moushegh (seen in picture with his wife and grandchild) in 2005. Today, the company is 55% owned by Moushegh and Zadikian, 45%. 59-year-old Zadigian founded shoe and leather repair, wholesale sales of various items, and real estate leasing businesses in France. His son Christopher Zadig Zadikian own some businesses in Armenia and one of his parters is Gagik Kalantaryan. The charter capital of Piramida is 50,000 AMD, and the company has been involved in several court cases. Piramida: Dirty Stories In 2009, a former Ukrainian dancer at the Piramida night club sued company director Hrachya Sargsyan (director since 2006) for allegedly kicking her during an argument. The court, taking into account a general amnesty declared days before, dropped the case. In 2012, Hrachya Sargsyan was arrested at the Bagratashen border crossing while leaving Armenia. In April 2014, he was sentenced to six years in jail after being found guilty of attempted fraud and document counterfeiting. An appeals court sustained the sentence. Sargsyans complaint to the cassation court was rejected. In the courts decision, it was noted that S.T.Sh. Piramida had taken several loans from ArtsakhBank, using real estate at 20/2 Sayat Nova Street and 28 Metaghagortzneri Street as collateral. The loans were for the Ohanyans, who paid them. The only unpaid loan was for US$900,000. In 2011, Hrachya Sargsyan took out a new 15 million AMD loan from the same bank, using his apartment as collateral. However, he forged the signatures of M. Ohanyan and C. Zadikian (company shareholders) as guarantors. In 2012, Hrachya Sargsyan tried to take out a loan, over $1million, from VTB Bank, in the companys name. Sargsyan claimed that M. Ohanyan wanted the loan in order to buy the shares owned by Zadikian. The bank said that it would have to sign guarantor contracts with Moushegh and Seyran Ohanyan. Sargsyan had forged their signatures. By forging other documents, he told the State Cadastre and VTB Bank that the abovementioned properties had no liens against them and put them up as collateral for the loan. In reality, the property had already been put as collateral with ArtsakhBank for the $900,000 loan. VTB Bank then told Sargsyan that the $1.1 million loan amount would be transferred to an account opened for the company. But Sargsyan, the company director, couldnt get his hands on the money since it was to be transferred to Zadikians account. To overcome this challenge, Sargsyan told Zadikian, residing in France, that he would be taking out a loan to pay back, over time, the $80,000 shareholder debt he owed here that had accumulated in the company, for which he needed Zadikians letter of attorney, so that he could access the account and make transactions. He also lied to Zadikian, saying that he had placed his apartment as collateral. But, he had already done so to get the 15 million AMD loan. Zadikian believed Sargsyan, giving him power of attorney. VTB Bank transferred $1.1 million to Zadikians account. But, the next day, Zadikian got suspicious during a telephone call with Sargsyan and instructed the bank manager top stop all transactions until she came to Armenia. Soon afterwards, Sargsyan attempted to flee Armenia. He couldnt. Zadikian, who had arrived in Armenia, had already notified the police. After this revelation, at the end of 2012, Souren Hovhannisyan, a resident of Abovyan, replaced Sargsyan as S.T.Sh. Piramida director. In December 2013, the company leased its club to Arag Company LLC for 100,000 AMD per month. The activities of the club were effectively managed by the husband of the founder of the leasing company, Aram Karapetyan. The latter, along with two Iranian citizens, started operating the club in February 2014. According to the court decision, the managers of the night club decided to make it more attractive to Iranians interested in prostitutes. Armenian prostitutes did not have to pay a cover charge, and they got food and drink discounts. Iranian visitors, both men and women, were charged a 5,000 AMD cover. Armenian men werent allowed in the club. There were always 20-25 prostitutes in the club. Iranians would dance with them and eventually agree on a price for sex. Most of the clubs income was derived from the food and drink ordered by the Iranian patrons, along with their cover charge. In June 2015, Aram Karapetyan was found guilty of prostitution and sentenced to three years. The court then changed it to two years probation. The Iranians had fled and a search was ordered. General Aleksanyan What follows are some brief biographical notes of Major-General Aleksan Aleksanyan, Chief of the Moral and Welfare Department of the RA Armed Forces General Staff. Aleksan Aleksanyan was born on December 4, 1961 in the town of Armavir. He attended Yerevans Polytechnic Institute from 1980-1985. He participated in the defense of Armenias borders in 1992 as part of the volunteer units. He joined the RA Armed Forces in 1993 as the commander of an artillery unit and served in various capacities until 1999. In 1999, he was sent to the NKR and was appointed assistant to Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. In 2007, he was appointed a military unit deputy commander. He was appointed commander in 2009. He was promoted to rank of major-general in 2012. He is married with two children. Apparently, Aleksanyan never served as a conscripted soldier in the Soviet Army. His biography doesnt specify what volunteer units he fought in or the values he displayed to be promoted to the rank of major-general. Shant Aleksanyans Czech Possessions According to our information, Aleksanyan also has close ties to former minister Karen Jshmarityan and Frounzik Mouseghyan, a former minister of Armenias State Social Insurance Fund. Hes also connected to Mkhitar Sargsyan, who owns 50% of the Moush meat producing company. Joka SL This is the first company founded by Shant Aleksanyan in the Czech Republic. Founded in 2004, in Prague, the companys charter capital is 200,000 Czech Koruna (around 4 million AMD). Shant owned 60% of the company, his wife 30%, and Artak Grigoryan 10%. Later, Vahik Mnoyan, a resident of the Armavir community of Shenavan took over Grigoryans shares. In 2007, all the companys shares were transferred to Mkhitar Sargsyan, a Yerevan resident and a Moush stockholder. Vladimir Margaryan, also from Yerevan, joined him later. As of 2014, M. Sargsyan and L. Zakaryan owned 50% each in the company. Last year, Sargsyan gave his shares to Shant Aleksanyan, who transferred them to his son John (see photo; John is with his uncle Kamo Zakaryan) in January 2016. Currently, the company is equally owned by mother and son, who also serves as the directors of Joka SL. The company was in the wholesale trade from 2004-2008. Since 2008, the company has engaged in manufacturing, trade and other services. From 2004-2005, Joka SL was registered in the Krc neighborhood of Prague. In 2005 it moved to Volutova 2524/12, Stodulky, a working-class neighborhood where many from post-Soviet countries now reside. Volutova 2524/12 is one of the five recently built buildings seen in the above photo. According to a Hetq source, Shant and his wife, along with their children, live in this building in which he owns three apartments. Joka SL probably moved here after the property was obtained. The Czech Real Estate Cadastre shows that Shant Aleksanyan, Larisa Zakaryan and Joka SL are owners of the building, as well as Konstantin and Svetlana Sarkisovs. (Well talk about them later) We visited the address in September and photographed a list of residents. As shown below, in addition to the Aleksanyans and Sarkisovs, theres a Gevorgyan and a Sanvel (must be Samvel) Sargsyan, who are listed as living in the same apartment. One can assume that this is an apartment owned by Joka SL. ROKO 9 This company was founded on October 27, 2009 in Prague at Volutova 2524/12. Charter capital is 300,000 Czech Koruna. It engages in manufacturing, trade, various services and real estate leasing. Contrary to Joka SL, Shant Aleksanyan has never been involved in ROKO 9. It was founded by Russian citizen Konstantin Sarkisov (see photo). He owned 90% and Larisa Zakaryan owned 10%. Later, all the shares were transferred to Svetlana Sarkisova, Konstantins wife, who then transferred her shares to Yerevan resident Vladimir Margaryan, who owned 10% in Joka SL. Margaryan is registered in Yerevan. Director of the Trade and Credit Department of HSBC Bank Armenia Aram Pinajian is registered at the same address. So is Pinajians brother Tigran, who is involved in various construction companies. Ruzanna Sargsyan, Chair of Historical and Regional Geology at Yerevan State University, is also registered at the address. In May of this year, Vahram Vardanyan took over ROKO 9 from Vladimir Margaryan. Hetq wrote about Vardanyan elsewhere. Joka 90 This is one of Shant Aleksanyans pivotal companies. It was founded in 2007 and registered at Volutova 2524/12. With charter capital of 200,000 Czech Koruna, its involved in real estate leasing, along with manufacturing, trade and other services. At first, Shant Aleksanyan and Edgar Sargsyan owned 50% shares. Soon afterwards, E. Sargsyan transferred his shares to Larisa Zakaryan. The couple was soon joined by Stepan Akhoyan (see photo), the brother of Prosperous Armenia MP Aragats Akhoyan, and director of the SPITAK TNAK LLC construction company. From 2012-2015, shares in Joka 90 were equally split between Shant Aleksanyan and K. Sarkisov. APEX ENTERPRISE LLC, a company registered in Prague, became a third shareholder in May 2015. Today, APEX ENTERPRISE owns 50%, Shant Aleksanyan 40%, and K. Sarkisov 10%. In October 2012, Joka 90 changed its address to the Czech tourist town of Zelezna Ruda on the German border. The address is Alzbetin 50, Zelezna Ruda. The Czech property registry shows that Joka 90 owns large tracts of land here (below in blue). Stars casino is located at unit 127. Theres a restaurant and a huge parking at the casino. Opposite is a three-story hotel. The below photo, taken in 2013, shows the site before the casino complex was built. Stars casino and Joka Invest Stars casino Joint-stock Company was founded on September 17, 2014 and registered at the casinos address - Alzbetin 50, Zelezna Ruda. Completed on November 25, 2016, the one-story structure has a surface of 2,427 square meters. Click photo to see 3D image The companys sole shareholder was Shant Aleksanyan, who also served as chairman of the board. Joka Invest LLC was registered at the Stars casino address on April 30, 2015. While Joka Invest, according to registration documents, is involved in real estate leasing, it was apparently set-up to run the casino. In fact, Joka Invest became the sole shareholder of Stars casino in June 2015, replacing Shant Aleksanyan. Stars casinos charter capital also grew. The 20% share owned by Shant Aleksanyan (valued at 2 million Koruna) was consolidated into one share. 49 other shares with the same value were issued. In other words, the company now has 50 shares valued at 100 million Koruna (some 2 billion AMD). The privilege to buy the news shares was given to Joka Invest. Taking over as director at Stars casino from Shant Aleksanyan was local resident Marek Sekyra. Jaromir Stanek (photo) became chairman of the board. Shants son John is now the director of Stars Casino. Thats to say Shants representative in Stars casino and Joka Invest is his son John and Jaromir Stanek is APEX ENTERPRISEs rep. After the inclusion of APEX ENTERPRISE Stars casino also got involved in gambling business. Johannes Weiengruber (photo) serves as director of the Czech LLCs (s.r.o) and Austrian LLCs (GmbH) of APEX. Johannes Weissengruber is the founder and chairman of APEX Gaming Technology, a global gaming manufacturer and operator headquartered in Austria, in the town of Gutau. The manufacturing base is in Budweis in the Czech Republic. APEX has been running wholly-owned subsidiaries in Albania, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Macedonia, Slovakia and Serbia for many years. APEX manufactured games are used in Stars casino. The casinos website promotes its various games, restaurant offerings, hotel accommodations and events, including an Armenian barbecue party. General Aleksan Aleksanyan has two children, 28-year-old Ani and 25-year-old Areg. A family in-law, Hovhannes Mirakyan, founded a taxi service in Yerevan in February 2015. He named it Stars. Stars Taxi Service in Yerevan; 14 Charents Street Lets remind readers that Shant Aleksanyans wife Larisa and daughter Anoush are registered as residing at 12 Charents Street. Photos: Saro Baghdasaryan, Narek Aleksanyan, and Facebook A Prague-Yerevan Collaboration Representatives from Armenias Human Rights Defenders Office have visited the Pokr Mher military training academy in the Kotayk village of Kanakeravan to investigate charges that the principal has periodically threatened pupils and used inappropriate language when addressing them. Yesterday, Armenias Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan sent a delegation to the school to talk with pupils and investigate their complaints. Officials at Armenias Ministry of Economic Development and Investments (MEDI) today discussed the possibility of creating an investment fund with the United Arab Emirates. The discussion, headed by MEDI Minister Souren Karayan, also included organizational matters related to a March conference in Dubai devoted to the investment environment in Armenia. During a meeting today with Georgias Ambassador to Armenia Giorgy Saganelidze, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan underlined the need to raise the level of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and to fully tap into the potential that exists. Ambassador Saganelidze said that Georgia wants to develop beneficial cooperation with Armenia. Saganelidze was appointed ambassador to Armenia in August of this year. Photo (from left): Ambassador Saganelidze, Prime Minister Karapetyan Today's best MSI GTX 1080 Armor OC deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) No price information (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Core i7-7700K Preview The greatest gift a review editor can receive is unexpected hardware, especially when that hardware is an anticipated CPU. What would you do with an early sample of Intels next-gen Desktop CPU? You would CPU overclock, of course! So would I. [Editor's Note: Intel declined to comment on our general findings. Although the CPU we received is not marked as an engineering part, we cannot confirm with certainty that it is a retail sample.] I downloaded the latest Kaby Lake firmware for my most recently-tested Z170 motherboard sample and began running benchmarks. Thats right, I said Z170. It turns out that while the next generation of motherboard may provide minor feature enhancements compared to the current generation, theyre both compatible with the new CPUs. Thats certain to be a big relief to overclockers who recently burned their Skylake-based processors, and it makes sense because of Intels recently-adjusted Tick-Tock-Tock strategy of releasing a new die process (Broadwell), followed by a new architecture (Skylake), followed by a process refinement or optimization (rather than another new process). To the point: Kaby Lake is a revision of Skylake. Image 1 of 7 Intel says that taller transistor fins and wider gate pitch endow its 14nm+ process with an additional 300 to 400 MHz clock rate capability. Thats huge if it turns out to be true. As a motherboard reviewer, its also one of the first things I wanted to test! Kaby Lake Model Cores/Threads Cache Baseline Frequency Max Turbo Boost TDP IGP Core i7-7700K 4/8 8MB 4.20 GHz 4.50 GHz 95W 630 Core i5-7600K 4/4 6MB 3.80 GHz 4.00 GHz 95W 630 Core i7-7700 4/8 8MB 3.60 GHz 4.20 GHz* 65W 630* Core i5-7600 4/4 6MB 3.50 GHz 4.00 GHz* 65W 630* Core i5-7500 4/4 6MB 3.40 GHz 3.80 GHz* 65W 630* Skylake Core i7-6700K 4/8 8MB 4.00 GHz 4.20 GHz 91W 530 Core i5-6600K 4/4 6MB 3.50 GHz 3.90 GHz 91W 530 Core i7-6700 4/8 8MB 3.40 GHz 4.00 GHz 65W 530 Core i5-6600 4/4 6MB 3.30 GHz 3.90 GHz 65W 530 Core i5-6500 4/4 6MB 3.20 GHz 3.60 GHz 65W 530 Intel accidentally leaked a little information about its desktop Kaby Lake CPUs in a document concerning other variations of the processor. What the company didnt mention was the graphics version or Intel Turbo Boost frequencies. Its because weve seen the Core i7-7700K and Core i5-7600K in action that we can provide that data for those two processors, and the asterisks in the chart indicate guesses derived from Intels previous models. We cant say much about the revised Intel HD Graphics 630 without access to Intel documentation, which should be forthcoming when the company provides its usual information exchange closer to launch time; and none of our programs can pick out any pertinent information. Were also told that process improvements will enhance efficiency, but there is no free lunch. Intel didnt change the core micro architecture between Skylake and Kaby Lake, and our motherboard didnt even read a voltage reduction for the Core i7-7700K, compared to the Core i7-6700K. Our motherboard set the Core i7-7700K to 1.30V at its 4.50 GHz max turbo, whereupon it behaved exactly the way wed expect our Core i7-6700K to act when overclocked to 4.50 GHz at 1.30V. This particular motherboard dropped the full-load CPU voltage by around 20mV and the maximum full-load multiplier to 42x after I changed from firmware defaults to manual configuration and then back to automatic settings. It did this twice, both times after I initially used the CLR_CMOS jumper. Maximum power draw then dropped to 141W when turbo boost was disabled (bringing us down to the default 4.20 GHz; see chart below). Idle energy also dropped to 24W after several hours, but an idle period of that length exceeds normal test procedure. The no free lunch statement still applies since 141W is more than 133W, but the only way Ill reach an accurate conclusion about how much more power the higher 4.50 GHz frequency requires is to compare more boards. Update: Our first follow-up test has already confirmed a lower, 25W full-load power delta between the Core i7-7700K and Core i7-6700K when using a different motherboard. The new generation of motherboards that launch with this CPU will be the best boards to use for those tests, and well have a batch of them ready when the NDAs of those manufacturers expire. The power charts reveal my spoilers. This Core i7-7700K sample can be overclocked on this motherboard to 4.80 GHz at 1.30V, compared to the Core i7-6700Ks 4.60 GHz. I used Gigabytes GA-Z170X-Ultra for this test because it was my most recent review sample. The leftover chart tidbit that I set the memory to DDR4-2933 is due to this particular motherboards difficulty in achieving DDR4-3200 with four of my G.Skill DDR4-3600 modules installed. The actual core overclock results of 4.78 GHz and 4.59 GHz are caused by the Z170X-Ultras oddball 99.65 MHz BCLK; the DRAM overclocks are identical due to motherboard limits; and I eventually gave up in frustration when trying to adjust the CPU BCLK with the new CPU. Im sure a few of you Gigabyte fanatics have experienced the same BCLK stickiness. The limits of the test board should leave plenty of excitement for future reviews, where new boards and memory may reveal new DRAM and BCLK overclocking heights! For now, Im simply satisfied to find a solid core clock increase. MORE: Best CPUs MORE: All CPU Content MORE: Intel & AMD Processor Hierarchy Crowded House made their triumphant return to Sydneys Opera House forecourt over the weekend. Which proved to be something of a ratings powerhouse for the ABC. Who broadcast the last of four sold out shows for the group. While the size of the crowd was a far cry from the near 100,000 that crammed Sydneys harbour exactly 20 years ago. The show still drew in huge numbers on TV. As the Sydney Morning Herald reports, 643,000 viewers tuned in according to OzTams overnight ratings. The four-night stint was not without its share of controversy; the shows were dogged by complaints from residents of Circular Quays famous toaster building. Perhaps the most famous of which being 2GB host Alan Jones. With residents taking to twitter to complain night after night. Is it possible so many of us tuned in to see just what Neil Finn might say? Safe to say Mr. Finn did not disappoint; To all the nice people in the Toaster, when they bought their $7 million apartment they thought God theres going to be some nice music to listen to, lets hear it for them, proclaimed Finn, reports Music Feeds. Crowded Houses live show was most popular in Sydney, where it ranked 6th for the night. Perhaps most surprisingly however, is that the screening came in 12th in the bands home city of Melbourne but still had the second biggest numbers for the night. Brisbane had the next highest figures, followed by Perth and finally Adelaide. The concerts, which marked 20 years since the group performed their farewell shows also managed out rank the ARIAs which aired earlier in the week, despite Australias love for Farnsey making it one of the most watched ARIAs of recent years with 586,000 viewers, considerably more than the 461,000 who tuned in last year. "For the first time in its history, the Kansas City Zoo has welcomed 1 million visitors in a calendar year." Call it a triumph of captivity or proof the global warming is condemning all of the creatures of this planet to a prison of their own design . . .Here's another benchmark revealing that people don't understand the consequences of screwing with nature and imposing an endless series of taxes . . .From the official presser . . .Deets:Thank you Kansas City, Zoo Executive Director and CEO Randy Wisthoff said in a press release. Each and every one of you that visited the zoo this year helped us reach this goal. Having a million visitors enjoy the zoo is a tribute to all the support this city and surrounding areas have provided. Thank you residents of Jackson and Clay County for supporting the Zoological District. We hope every day at our zoo is a new adventure for you, your famiilies and friends.Clay and Jackson counties became founding members of the Zoological Tax District in 2011 when their respective voters approved a one-eighth-cent sales tax to benefit the zoo.###########You decide . .. Just a bit of good news for this evening from the KCPD top cop who offers his perspective and more deets on a treacherous Kansas City gun battle spanning several blocks over the weekend.These words are important this year given that police have faced not only increased cutbacks from City Hall but also scrutiny from community leaders of tactics amid deadly police shootings.Here's the Chief's statement and an open thread given that his postings are protected from open pubic response or comment.Checkit:An exceptionally large and violent shooting incident in the early morning hours Sunday tested the members of our department on all fronts, from courage to coordination. And I couldnt be more proud of how we responded.Heres what happened: At approximately 2:18 a.m. Nov. 27, officers were called to Gregory & Prospect on the sound of shots. Upon arrival, officers observed suspects actively shooting at each other. Fearing for their safety, one officer fired shots. Due to the gunfire, three vehicles were involved in an accident. While securing that scene, officers heard numerous shots fired in their immediate area, for several minutes. Officers saw vehicles near the initial scene involved in a rolling shoot-out. Due to continuous gunfire and an active scene, KCPD requested assistance from police around the metro area. Law enforcement from numerous surrounding agencies responded and assisted with the incident, which spanned from 70th to 72nd streets, Prospect to Brooklyn. Seven people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Six have now been treated and released. No officers were injured during the incident. At this time one suspect stated he was shot by police and was treated for minor injuries.This incident endangered the lives of hundreds of people. Much of the rolling gun battle took place on residential streets. It covered eight square blocks. Numerous houses were struck with bullets, and it is incredibly fortunate that no one inside them was hurt. Shots continued to be fired while police tried to aid those who were already shot. Those firing these shots had no regard for the life or safety of others. As I said in my previous post, this altercation didnt arise from nowhere. Someone knew a dispute was brewing, and they didnt tell us. Someone had to see at least one of these suspects angry and armed, and no one called until the bullets started flying. Police alone cannot stop this violence. We need your help to intervene.That said, the police response to this incredibly dangerous incident is one of which all Kansas City, Mo., and metro-area residents should be proud. Much of that started with excellent direction and coordination from dispatchers. The amount of information that was coming in and the efficiency with which they distributed it was remarkable. Even with eight assisting outside agencies, they worked quickly and professionally to get everyone what and where they needed and kept track of all responding personnel. They truly are a credit to emergency telecommunicators everywhere.On the ground, our officers rushed toward the danger. This was an incredibly volatile and dangerous situation with multiple active shooters, and the officers responded without hesitation. Where others would flee, they went right into the hail of gunfire. They risked their own lives and safety to protect the residents of our city, and their valor has not gone unnoticed. Everyone who responded to the Gregory and Prospect area that night showed up ready to work and with a positive attitude, even knowing the danger and the magnitude of the task ahead.We also enjoyed an exceptional response from the metro-wide assist-the-officer call issued. Officers from eight different agencies responded to assist with everything from holding the perimeter of the incident to protecting multiple crime scenes to going to different hospitals where suspects/victims were taken. These officers were eager and ready to help, and I want to make sure everyone in the metro area knows what an asset they were. They came from the following agencies:MissouriFerrelview PoliceIndependence PoliceJackson County Sheriffs OfficeMissouri State Highway PatrolNorth Kansas City PoliceRaytown PoliceKansasLeawood, Kan., PolicePrairie Village, Kan., PoliceI also want to thank all the responding Crime Scene technicians and detectives. The 8-square-block crime scene they had to process and canvass early Sunday morning was only the beginning of their duties. Their thorough and professional work will ensure that those involved in this violent criminal act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.While the act of violence early Sunday morning was awful, I could not have asked for a better or more professional team to handle it. I apologize if I left anyone out. The response was so seamless; it can be difficult to discern everyone who was involved. I just know I am very proud of everyone who responded, and the residents of Kansas City should be, as well.######### The Greek Meteorological Services (EMY) issued a new severe weather bulletin Monday warning of snow falls and low temperatures until Thursday. The report forecasts heavy rainfalls and storms for the Ionian region, Epirus, mainland Greece (including Attica), Euboea, the Peloponnese, the Sporades and Cyclades islands and the Dodecanese. Snow will start falling from Monday night in the mountainous areas and will spread across the western Macedonian region by Monday night. Tuesday will see snowfall in all high altitude areas, as well as regions below the 300m mark, while temperatures are expected to fall by 10 degrees Celsius and with strong winds picking up to 8-9 on the Beaufort scale. Areas below 200 metres altitude in Thrace, Macedonia, the islands in the north Aegean and Thessaly will experience snow on Wednesday, while the regions of the Ionian region, Epirus, mainland Greece, Euboea, the Peloponnese, Sporades and mountainous areas in Crete will also be affected by snowfall. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report I was waiting at the University stop to get the bus. Suddenly I heard screaming. Within seconds, everyone started running away. I asked Whats happening? and they said: RUN!' The 25 year-old Dimitris Siafarikas is a doctoral student at Ohio State University on scholarship and an eyewitness of an attack Monday morning local time, when a Somali national ploughed his car into a group of pedestrians before pulling out a butcher knife to stab people and managing to wound nine, one of whom is in critical condition. Siafarikass parents recognized him in the first pictures broadcast by international news agencies and posted on Proto Thema. Recounting the event from the calm and safety of his office, Mr. Siafarikas, described the nightmarish moments he experienced. He was one of the first to post a photograph on Twitter, alerting authorities of the armed assailant on campus. Within a very short time, they began sounding the universitys emergency alarms, and soon the place was filled with police cars and ambulances, he said. It was impressive how quickly security arrived. Theres a specific security protocol for dangerous situations, said Siafarikas. You see their instructions all over the campus. They followed procedures down to the very last detail and everyone cooperated. At the same time, the university police were sending us messages on our mobile phones to instruct us where we should and shouldnt go. The first thing Siafarikas did when he got to safety was to communicate with his family in Greece. I was sure they would be worried when they heard what happened so I called them immediately to let them know I was alright, he said. Dimitris Siafarikas has been studying in Ohio for the past two years and is already a representative of the generation of the crisis and the brain drain; he sees his life and future in the U.S. Most of my classmates have gone to European countries, but I came to America on a fellowship, he explained to Protothema.gr. According to , an officer reportedly shot the Somali assailant fatally, eliminating the risk to students. And now, while nine people are trying to recover from their wounds in the hospital, investigators are trying to determine a motive, as well as whether the attack was terror-related. Read more here. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Nheyob License: CC-BY-SA Lots of people turn their noses up at food past its prime, but in Copenhagen, supermarket Wefood has proved so successful in selling expired food that it is actually opening a second branch Lots of people turn their noses up at food past its prime, but in Copenhagen, supermarket Wefood has proved so successful in selling expired food that it is actually opening a second branch. Its awesome that instead of throwing things out they are choosing to sell it for money. You support a good cause, commented Signe Skovgaard Srensen, a student, after picking up a bottle of upscale olive oil for 20 kroner (2.28). Isnt it great? rejoined pensioner Olga Fruerlund, who held up a jar of sweets that she said she was going to give to her grandchildren for Christmas, pointing out that they can last for a hundred years because there is sugar in them. In Denmark, selling expired food is legal as long as it is clearly indicated on the container or package and providing there is no imminent danger to consuming it. We look, we smell, we feel the product and see if its still consumable, said project leader Bassel Hmeida. The food products are donated by producers, import and export companies and local supermarkets, and collected by Wefood staff, all of whom are volunteers. All the stores proceeds go to charity. Food waste has become a much-discussed topic in recent years, with initiatives such as a French ban on the destruction of unsold food, to a global network of cafes which serve dishes from overdue food destined for the garbage. With an ultimate emphasis on feeding the poor, British-based The Real Junk Food Project opened the countrys first food waste supermarket in a warehouse near Leeds in September, urging customers to pay what they feel, rather than specify an amount that customers had to shell out for over-the-hill food. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), almost 1.3bn tons of food are wasted every year, which is enough to sustain 1 billion people suffering from hunger globally. Food for thought. Source: The Guardian RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report A number of ISIS fighters were killed after exchanging fire in the first direct clashes between Israel and the Islamic State on Sunday in the southern Golan Heights A number of ISIS fighters were killed after exchanging fire in the first direct clashes between Israel and the Islamic State on Sunday in the southern Golan Heights. In the incident, the Shuhada al-Yarmouk organization, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS, exchanged fire with Israeli forces. No soldiers were wounded. Several mortar shells exploded following a brief exchange with the IDFs Golani Brigade before Israeli air forces spotted a car armed with a heavy machine gun. The aerial vehicle bombed the car and it appeared as if its four occupants were killed. A senior military officer said the car carrying the machine gun was several hundred meters from the border. A senior Syrian opposition source told Haaretz on Sunday that the incident in the Golan Heights has followed the achievement of an agreement recently between the factions operating on the Syrian Golan front and the Assad regime. The source said that via this operation the factions were seeking to express their dissatisfaction with the agreement under which they must leave the area and hand over their weapons to regime forces. Source: haaretz.com 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 I am a Canna What Flower Are You? table width="145">"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that." Bahrain Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development Society has signed a cooperation agreement with Russian Small and Medium Business (RSMB) Corporation, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. To read further, please visit GDNonline. The investment in buildings and infrastructure is playing a key role in supporting the UAEs economic diversification agenda, said a report by Arcadis, the leading global design and consultancy for natural and built assets. The UAE's built assets, including transport links, high quality residential and commercial property, and productive industrial centres, will contribute $351 billion to the country's economy, up 16 per cent over the last two years, stated Arcadis in its 2016 Global Built Asset Performance Index. The index, developed in conjunction with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), examines the revenue that is generated by buildings, infrastructure and other fixed assets (homes, schools, roads, airports, power plants, malls, railways and ports) in 36 countries around the world that collectively represent 78 per cent of global GDP (gross domestic product). According to experts, the total contribution from built assets account for 50 per cent of the UAEs total GDP in 2016. This growth in percentage is partly due to the impact of a lower oil price, which has seen the percentage of revenue that comes from exporting natural resources decrease, but also reflects the tremendous progress that the UAE has made in recent years in diversifying into new industry sectors, they stated. Derek Sprackett, the head of business advisory at Arcadis Middle East, pointed out that built assets make a significant contribution to a countrys economic performance. "In recent years, many countries across the Middle East have invested heavily and strategically in real estate and infrastructure, as part of their national visions and efforts to diversify their economies. Our research shows this strategy is already paying financial dividends, as well as creating cities and communities where people want to live, work and visit," he observed. According to Arcadis, the UAE and Qatar lead the world when it comes to securing a financial return from their built assets when this is assessed on a per-capita basis. In 2016, built assets will generate an average of $37,861 for every person that lives in the UAE. This figure is higher than any other country apart from Qatar, where the value is $66,316. This figure demonstrates that the UAE has not only invested in its built environment, but it is also securing an impressive return on this capital spend. The Arcadis research also examined how the economic return from built assets would evolve over the next decade. For the UAE, the study showed that the revenue contribution that comes from built assets would increase by 33 per cent in this period, reaching a total of $468 billion by 2026. "Vision 2021 provides a hugely impressive roadmap on how the UAE will develop in the future. Since its inception in 2010, a significant amount of progress has been made across the country however as we move closer to 2021, theres little room for delay," stated Sprackett. "To complete the volume of projects being planned, the mechanics that support the delivery process need to become more efficient. This includes the speed at which projects are procured, tenders assessed, and schemes ultimately started. This is particularly important for major programmes like Expo 2020, the expansion of Al Maktoum Airport and Khalifa Port, and the development of new city districts and industrial clusters," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Sarens Nass Middle East (SNME), a joint venture between Nass Group of Bahrain and Belgium-based Sarens NV, said it has executed a record-setting lift at the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) refinery, which is implementing a clean fuels project (CFP). The Bahrain-based company used its Sarens Climbing Towers (SCT) and strand jacks to lift the 1,500-tonne reactor onto its foundation. KNPC's clean fuels project involves the upgrade and integration of the Mina Abdulla and Mina Al Ahmadi refineries. The Mina Abdullah Refinery and Mina Al Ahmadi Refinery revamp plan was part of a strategy to upgrade the oil refining industry in Kuwait. A study commissioned by KNPC found that the country needed liquid fuel to feed its power-generation plants and other installations in order to fulfill the country's demand for petroleum products and create stable foreign markets for Kuwait exports of high-grade petroleum products. To provide such liquid fuel, Mina Al Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries needed to be expanded. On completion of the project, the combined capacity of the refineries will increase from the existing 736,000 barrels per day to 800,000 barrels per day, and will lower the sulphur content of petroleum products to five per cent. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2018. Sarens undertook the task of lifting the 1,500-tonne reactor for the KNPC-led CFP at the Mina Abdullah refinery. The extraordinary aspect of the job was the unique set-up in which the towers were installed, completely intertwined with the adjacent reactor's bolting pattern. This allowed for a shorter lifting beam, cancelling all needs for a guyed tower system, ultimately resulting in a faster and safer execution. Sarens deployed its Sarens Climbing Towers (70 m high), CC8800-1 (in SSL configuration), CC2800-1, and LR1250. The cranes took two weeks to be assembled and were then ready to execute the lift. "It was a first lift of its kind on a KNPC site having a record setting performance. Our 25 skilled operations staff executed the challenge with utmost precision leading to a satisfied client," said a company spokesman. The major challenge faced by the team was to intertwine the SCT system with the next neighbouring reactor's bolting pattern within a limited space. Moreover, the weather conditions were very challenging, but the team successfully performed the operations, he stated. This lift has formed a large part of Sarens' large ambitions in Kuwait, which is currently investing on cleaner fuels and one of the largest refineries in the world, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain-based Batelco, a leading digital services provider has signed a partnership agreement with Diyar Al Muharraq, one of the leading urban developments in the kingdom. The agreement was signed by Batelco Bahrain chief executive officer Muna Al Hashemi and Diyar Al Muharraq chief executive officer Dr Maher Al Shaer, at Batelcos headquarters in Hamala, Bahrain on 24 November in the presence of officials from both leading organisations. Under the agreement, Batelco will provide the mixed-use development with cutting-edge ICT solutions along with the necessary infrastructure to provide the most advanced fixed voice, broadband and mobile services. Fixed services shall be delivered to commercial and residential customers located at Diyar Al Muharraq through Batelcos state of the art fibre optic network& mobile networks that are based on the most advanced technologies, promising a quality-driven approach and optimal coverage for all mobile and fixed customers across the project. Al Hashemi said that the partnership is in line with our strategic mission to support the growth of various sectors in Bahrain by providing unmatched communications services. We have been investing continuously over recent years to expand our Fibre& mobile networks into new developments throughout the Kingdom. We are very pleased with the progress made so far. Bahrain boasts a robust economy and a booming real estate sector. We are looking forward to building on this new partnership which will witness the deployment of the most advanced network across Diyar Al Muharraq, added Al Hashemi. Dr Al Shaer said that the agreement supports Diyars continuous efforts to provide an unsurpassed infrastructure for the project which in return will elevate the offerings of Diyar Al Muharraq to its investors, tenants and residents. Providing the project with the most efficient and advanced services portrays our commitment to excellence. It is essential to equip our project with the latest ICT solutions, based on international standards, in order to further drive the growth of Diyar Al Muharraq, he added. Batelcos network will provide integrated ICT services allowing Diyar Al Muharraq to benefit from world-class services and facilitating all-in-one communications featuring unified communications and an unparalleled class connectivity. Diyar Al Muharraq is a unique master planned city for the people of Bahrain offering a range of housing options and quality lifestyle. The development offers a cohesive mix of residential and commercial properties with a strong line-up of projects aimed at creating a long term and sophisticated township. TradeArabia News Service Batelco Bahrain CEO Muna Al Hashemi has been named Businesswoman of the Year at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards event held at the Armani Hotel, Dubai, UAE on November 28. The Arabian Business Achievements Awards is considered among the most prestigious awards events in the region with a huge number of VIPs, Media and leading executives in attendance. Al Hashemi was selected in recognition of her exceptional efforts over the course of the past year. The Business Woman of the Year award champions trailblazing womens contribution to the organisations they represent and their vital role within the business community. I am honoured and proud to be selected for this great award, Al Hashemi said following the award ceremony. Achieving such an accolade would not have been possible without the excellent teams of Batelco employees who support me on a daily basis and work tirelessly to meet the Companys strategy. I extend appreciation to each and every Batelco team player; this award belong to them also, she said. TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia-based Almajdouie Logistics Company (MLC) recently planned, executed and managed the complex move of a retired MD90 aircraft from Jeddah International Airport to Riyadh. In collaboration with the Saudi Arabia Airlines, MLC technicians and engineers; specialising in the field of heavy transport, designed the transportation plan for its final destination at the Saudi Special Forces Training Centre, said a statement from the company. To prepare for the journey estimated to take eight to 10 days, MLC conducted a series of road tests before preselecting a route that would take the twin-engine, short- to medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airliner, along approximately 1200 km of roads over five days safely, it said. The challenging move had to overcome the height limitation of the aircraft when placed on the trailers (exceeding 5.5M). In addition, the cargo had other obstacles, such as the sphere shape and the location of the tyres, making it difficult to leash to the trailers. Mohamed Ashfaq, heavy lift manager in the Eastern Region, said: We had to redesign the trailer by removing the beams and fabricating a special saddle, to reduce the height of the cargo to less than 5.5 m to meet the bridge maximum clearance of 5.5 m. The successful move of the 43 m aircraft weighing 40 tonnes was another fine example of the ingenuity of our team and the collective contribution we avail to our clients, he added. TradeArabia News Service Etihad Airways participated in the UAE 45th National Day celebrations held on November 28 at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait. The special event was attended by the UAE Ambassador to Kuwait, Rahma Hussein Al Zaabi, along with diplomats, and the Etihad Airways commercial team led by Abbas Al Ali, Etihad Airways general manager in Kuwait. Etihad Airways had its own booth at the event, offering attendees the opportunity to find out more about the airlines reimagined cabins, destinations and Etihad Airways Premium stopover programme, which allow guests to enjoy up to two free nights at a range of five star hotels in Abu Dhabi. To mark this national occasion, Etihad Airways is offering special return fares to customers in Kuwait starting at KWD53 ($173.5) to Abu Dhabi. The fares will be available for purchase until November 30, 2016, and valid for travel until December 14, 2016. - TradeArabia News Service Qatar Airways has announced eight more destinations for 2017-18, in addition to seven previously announced new cities for a total of 15 new gateways. Joining the Qatar Airways route network, which spans more than 150 destinations on six continents around the world, are: Canberra, the airlines fifth destination in Australia; Dublin, Ireland; Las Vegas, the airlines 11th destination in the US; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Medan, Kualanamu International Airport, the airlines third destination in Indonesia; and Tabuk and Yanbu, the 9th and 10th destinations in Saudi Arabia. These newly-announced destinations join the already-announced list of new destinations to start in 2017: Auckland, New Zealand will start February 5, 2017, and will be the worlds longest commercial flight; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Skopje, Macedonia; Libreville, Gabon; Nice, France; Chiang Mai, the airlines fourth destination in Thailand; and Douala, Cameroon. Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: Qatar Airways offers the world the best network, the best on board experience and the best connecting experience at Hamad International Airport. We operate the worlds youngest fleet, averaging just five years old, and we fly the most technologically advanced aircraft that provide our passengers with an award-winning experience while also ensuring the most efficient and environmentally friendly operations. Our intention is to ensure our passengers can choose Qatar Airways for all of their travel needs whether they are flying on business, for pleasure, or a combination of both. With todays network announcement, we will be able to connect more people to more places than any other Gulf airline, and we will ensure our passengers will delight in the journey. At Qatar Airways, we are going places together with our passengers, and we look forward to welcoming these new destinations in 2017-18. Qatar Airways has opened 12 new destinations in 2016 year-to-date, with two more cities set to join the network in December. The Doha carrier will begin service to Krabi, its third destination in Thailand, on December 6 and service returns to the Seychelles on December 12. - TradeArabia News Service Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Lubeck, Germany, is like a painting. Its spires rise across the city; its colorful merchant houseswith their stepped and sloping topsdot the landscape; its medieval buildings may just stop you in your tracks. And all this beauty is complemented by divine food, great shopping, and a proud history still visible across the city today. With so much to offer, this northern German city is not to be missed. Here is what to do in Lubeck, even if youre short on time. What to do in Lubeck See the Lubeck architecture The Holsten gate now welcomes visitors to Lubeck The buildings in Lubeck are some of the most unique weve seen anywhere in the world. The buildings, in fact, are the reason that the whole Old Town of Lubeck was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1987. Theyre just spectacular. The centuries-old salt storehouses Although 20 percent of the city was destroyed during World War II, many of its historic buildings remained intact or were reconstructed. Three of our favorites were the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, the Holsten gate, and the salt storehouses. Lubecks Hospital of the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest hospitals in Europe The Hospital of the Holy Spirit with its five copper spires dates from the Middle Ages and is one of the oldest social institutions in Europe, caring for the sick and elderly from the time it was built through the 1960s. The Holsten gate is another amazing example of Lubecks Hanseatic architecture, dating from the 1470s. Its impossible to visit Lubeck without seeing the imposing structure. Hundreds of years ago, it both welcomed visitors and protected the city. Nearby are the red-brick salt storehouses constructed from the 1500s to the 1700s. They were important for storing salt, which was in high demand before refrigeration. Now, they are just really pretty to look at in their perch along the Trave river and remind us more of the stepped gabled roofs of Bruges or Amsterdam than architecture in other parts of Germany. Visit Marienkirche Two of St. Marys massive bells where they crashed down in 1942 The Gothic-style St. Marys Church (Marienkirche) took 100 years to build, beginning in 1250, and is the third largest church in Germany. Its interior is filled with ornate carvings and artworks and is home to the worlds largest organ. A 1942 air raid almost led to the end of St. Marys, destroying the massive roof and sending its famous bells crashing to the ground. Two of the bells have been left where they fell as a memorial to those who died in the war. The Devil, waiting patiently Outside St. Marys is an unlikely figure who surprised usthe Devil. According to legend, when the first stones of St. Marys were laid, the Devil questioned the builders and was told the building would be a tavern. He was excited that the sinful place might help him recruit a few more souls, so he eagerly helped with construction materials for the building. As the structure was completed, the Devil realized that the building was meant to be a church, so he tried to destroy it, dropping a boulder near the church. Today, he sits there waiting for people to emerge from the wine bar in the Town Hall a few yards away. But the jokes on himthe exit for the wine bar is on the opposite side of the building. Wander down Breitestrasse Breitestrasse, a main pedestrian shopping street in Lubeck, Germany The pedestrian street Breitestrasse is a great destination if youre looking for a momentary break from history. Its one of the main shopping streets in Lubeck. There are plenty of shops to pause in for bargain hunters and big spenders. Stop for a snack at Cafe Niederegger So many delicious choices at Cafe Niederegger From the moment we decided to visit northern Germany, we were excited for marzipan. For over 200 years, the Niederegger family has made their famous almond specialty confection in Lubeck. Marzipan is available all over town, but one of the best places to try it is Cafe Niederegger just across from the Town Hall in the heart of the city. We stopped by the cafe for marzipan, hot chocolate, and a couple of pieces of their fabulous cakes (we were partial to the apple cake and the Grand Marnier). Visitors can even see their marzipan museum complete with life-sized marzipan figures of everyone from Thomas Mann to Santa. Life-sized marzipan statues (Santa included) are on display in the marzipan museum Visit the Hanseatic League Museum At the Hanseatic League Museum, you can observe a League meeting CNN-style The interactive Hanseatic League Museum (Europaisches Hansemuseum) traces the roughly 400-year existence of the powerful trading group that influenced Germany and much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages from nearby Hamburg to Norway, Latvia, and beyond. Visitors to the museum can learn about piracy, wars, diplomatic negotiations, and everything in between from the exhibits and artifacts on display. Rare documents, paintings, coins, carvings, and other collectors items show how the Hanseatic merchants lived and worked and how Hanseatic cities like Lubeck grew. Interactive stations enable visitors to follow the development of a particular city or aspect of the League, such as economic relationships, laws, or social dynamics. Fair warning: the museum is very engaging, and its easy to spend more time here than you plan to. Eat at Schiffergesellschaft The Schiffergesellschaft restaurant decked out with seafaring decor If dining while surrounded by history is your thing (its ours), stop by Schiffergesellschaft, probably the most well-known restaurant in Lubeck. The space is filled with model ships, massive nautical paintings, and numerous other ocean-related decorations. Dating from 1535, the historic building where the restaurant is located was once the home of the Schiffergesellschaft, the Seafarers Guild, which explains both the decor and why it feels like another era inside. With its dark lighting and long wooden tables, its easy to imagine the meetings that used to take place here. The food is great (try the fish duet), and the Schiffergesellschaft serves the towns specialty wine, Lubecker Rotspon, which dates back to the 13th century. Then, Hanseatic League ships sailed to France where merchants bought Bordeaux wine. When they returned home to Germany, the Bordeaux aged in Lubecks wine cellars where the taste developed differently than in France. Its fabulous! Visit Buddenbrooks House Literary Museum A recreated room from the Mann house, the basis for the Buddenbrook home One of the places Lance was most excited to visit was the Buddenbrooks House Literary Museum. The house provides the setting to Nobel Laureate (and Lubeck native) Thomas Manns famous book about the Buddenbrooks family. In addition to bringing Buddenbrooks to life, exhibits at the museum tell the personal stories of Thomas, his brother Heinrich, and the rest of the Mann family, whose relationships were often turbulent. Letters, photos, and recordings leave no doubt about the family dynamics and their talent, and they follow the career of Thomas Mann from struggling author to Nobel Prize winner. The museum presents an interesting storywith Lubeck in the backgroundwhether or not youre a Mann fan. We visited Lubeck thanks to the German National Tourist Board. All opinions of brilliant architecture and fabulous food are our own. The rewards of long-haul travel can be wonderful. Sometimes, it turns out to be a hassle especially if one would have to undergo surprised processes before and after the flight. Here are some tips on how to make sure to make your flying experience will be comfortable, pleasant, healthier, happier and cost-effective. The first point to consider when booking a long flight is which airline you prefer to fly with, though you might be choosing for two different reasons - price and comfort. In terms of overall experience, the top three airlines for long-haul travel, according to Telegraph in their latest annual travel survey, were Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand. One should also know when to book their flights, airline seats generally become available 11 months in advance. There are usually several categories for economy class seats, from super saver to full economy. If you can plan your trip to include a stopover for a night or two, you might not only enhance your holiday experience but also make the journey much more bearable, and very possibly - because of IT fare rules (above) - cheaper too. Planning a stopover may also help you to avoid what I think is the real killer on a long-haul journey - the night flight. Not everyone agrees: some can sleep on a plane without a problem and see it as a time-saving advantage. Staying vigilant is also important during flights especially with their luggage. Traveller says that some airports are notorious for luggage pilferage and you will also likely suffer from the roaming hands in the baggage room. One way around this is a hinged aluminum case, which are almost impossible to open without a hydraulic jack. Simplest of all is to pack nothing that can't be easily replaced, in a scruffy suitcase. Regardless of a long-haul or short flight, every passenger should always keep such tips in mind when travelling to ensure a safe and hassle-free flight for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to enjoy the journey towards your travel destination to make one's vacation really worthwhile. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 The US State Department has warned citizens traveling to Europe to take caution because of the growing threat for terrorist attacks particularly during the holidays. Travelers should stay clear and be vigilant at large public crowds especially at famous tourist landmarks, events, and outdoor markets. "Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Da'esh), al-Qa'ida, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events," stated the State Department's website. Travelers are advised to be watchful of their surroundings as these "extremist sympathizers" might execute their attacks with no warning, using "conventional and non-conventional weapons." Terrorists could employ reckless and suicidal tactics similar to what happened in the Nice attack at France on July where more than 80 persons were killed. "If you are traveling between countries in Europe, please check the website of the U.S. Embassy or consulate in your destination city for any recent security messages," the State Department warned. According to Independent, the terrorist group's web magazine that promotes extremist terrorism acts, Rumiyah stated that the holidays are perfect to conduct terror acts. It provided the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade as an example stating that it would be an 'excellent target'. Travelers to Europe should be aware of local information sources and follow local authorities. European authorities are conducting strict security screenings which travelers should be prepared for. The State Department also advises US citizens to enroll in their Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP) where they can be informed for travel alerts and warnings. "European authorities continue to conduct raids and disrupt terror plots. We continue to work closely with our European allies on the threat from international terrorism," the stated affirmed. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Ryanair is a low-cost European airline passing through small airports. This year, the average airfare of Ryanair is $48 with a checked bag included. Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's CEO, gained attention from many people from his speech last November 22, 2016. O'Leary stated that Ryanair may offer free flights for passengers. According to reports from Travel and Leisure and Telegraph, O'Leary said " I have a vision that in the next five to 10 years that the airfares on Ryanair will be free, in which case the flights will be full, and we will be making our money out of sharing the airport revenues; of all the people who will be running through airports, and getting the share of the shopping and the retail revenues at airports." However, in order to achieve this vision, O'Leary expressed that the challenge is to bring airfares down. By bringing airfares down, he suggests of sharing a profit with the airport's gains on their facilities including shops and restaurants that airlines bring into the airport. Furthermore, the free flights will also be achieved through the abolishment of the extra charges called the Air Passenger Duty (APD) that accumulates up to 13 to 78 of an airplane tickets price. He said: "At many airports I'm paying more than 20 already with APD and fees" and added, "If I start getting them back, why not? I'm doing seat sales this week at 4 and I'm paying the 13 APD- I'm paying you to fly with me." With all these in mind, O'Leary thinks these will all be possible on airports longing for development and not on those big, popular airports. "But for most of the other airports who are looking for big traffic growth, that process is already starting to happen, lowering airport fees and some of the charges." The airline aims to increase their passengers to over 200 million by 2024. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 Another group of hourly workers has joined in what is being referred to as a nationwide day of protests. Workers at the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago have confirmed that they too will be accompanying the protests, set to involve at least 20, 000 low-wage employees, on November 29, 2016. The worker protest, known as the Fight for $15, is an organized protest that is set to include at least eighteen major US cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston and Seattle. This disruptive movement hopes to raise the hourly wage to $15, as well as improve union workers' rights. Around five hundred of the Chicago airport workers have expressed their intention to join in the walk off movement that is to begin on the evening of November 28. According to the Wall Street Journal, workers such as janitors, cabin cleaners, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers are among those that are set to take part in the protest. A majority of airport workers are not unionized, but are employed by private contractors. Due to the unfair labor practices, the "National Day of Disruption" was organized by the Service Employees' International Union Local 1 (SEIU Local 1) in an effort to bring just wages to its underpaid workers. Other than O'Hare, workers from at least twenty airports in the United States, including Los Angeles International and Newark-Liberty International, are meant to join in the Tuesday protests. However, various Department of Aviation representatives have stated that no service disruptions are to be expected during the course of the strike. Being the last day of the Thanksgiving holiday travel surge, more than three million passengers are expected to have flights throughout the country on the protest day. Despite reassuring statements from the Department of Aviation, passengers across the US are still expressing concerns regarding the potential implications the protests will have on their travel plans. Various other hourly wage workers will be joining the November 29 protest. McDonald's restaurant employees, other fast-food workers, graduate assistants, Uber drivers and various other low-wage workers will be joining the protest. As stated by The Chicago Tribune, organizers are expecting tens of thousands of employees to participate in the movement. The November 29 protest will mark the fourth anniversary since the first McDonald's workers' strike in New York. The struggle hopes to convey a message of resilience to the current administration, stating that protests will continue to exist until their goals are met. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 Alka Singh, wife of Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, today presided over the 38th Annual Convocation of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women in Chandigarh. On the occasion, she said women can be instrumental in making Chandigarh the first cashless city in India. In her convocation address, Singh spoke about a cashless economy. She said in order to make Chandigarh the first cashless city in India, e-transactions, plastic money, various mobile applications, e-wallets etc need to be encouraged. Young students, especially women, can be instrumental in bringing this change, she added. Singh also strongly advocated the need for focussed attention on quality education and high standard research to realize the goal of a civilised society. She called upon the young graduates to utilise their education in transforming the society towards betterment. Advising the young graduates, Singh said they should be proud of the skills instilled in them by the college to face challenges of the competitive world. She further asked them to be learners, students, innovators and researchers as they go forward in their profession. Touching two vital issues of immense importance, Singh urged the youth, especially women, to motivate people towards the humanitarian grounds of organ donation which was plagued by misconception and myths. We need to remove it in the larger public interest, she said. As many as 480 students were awarded degrees during the convocation. Dr Charanjeet Kaur Sohi, principal, presented the annual college report for the year 2015-16. Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included Gurdev Singh Brar, president, Sikh Educational Society, Kuldeep Singh, vice-president of Sikh Educational Society, Col JS Bala, secretary, Sikh Educational Society, besides faculty members, students and others. A two-day interactive Technology Business Incubator (TBI) workshop was inaugurated at the PEC University of Technology. It is being jointly organised by the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh, and PEC (under TEQIP) from November 28 for exchanging best practices between the UK and India. The aim of the workshop is to share the best practices from established TBI managers, projects, ecosystems and real-life approaches to challenges from the UK and Indian stakeholders. The workshop commenced with the inauguration ceremony and lighting of the lamp. David Lelliott OBE, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Prof Manoj K Arora, director, PEC University of Technology, welcomed the dignitaries along with the delegates from various institutes and industries in and around the city like IITs, INST, IISER, DRDO, SASE, CSIR, PGI, Chitkara. Universal Group of Institutions Law Day was celebrated to make students aware of their fundamental rights and duties. The function was presided over by Balbir Singh, District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh. He said Law Day was aimed at helping people and appreciating their liberties, especially with regard to equality and justice. It also aimed at cultivating respect for the law, which was vital to the democratic way of life. Indo Global Colleges A three-day workshop on Universal Human Values and Ethics was organised on the college premises in association with Punjab Techincal University (PTU). Nearly, 45 faculty members attended the workshop. Jitender Narula from the IRC-UHVE Department, PTU, elaborated the concept of valuable life with various practical examples. The session motivated prospective engineers to think innovatively for making their research meaningful. Managed by the Sikh Educational Society (SES), Sri Guru Gobind Singh Collegiates Public School, Sector 26, on Wednesday celebrated its silver jubilee with great enthusiasm and fervour. Hazuri raagis of Sri Harmander Sahib, Amritsar, Bhai Lakhwinder Singh and Bhai Ramanpreet Singh of Gurdwara Nadha Sahib performed kirtan after the bhog ceremony of akhand path. SES secretary Col JS Bala (retd) appealed the school staff to work with missionary zeal and utmost dedication as the Institution was named after the Tenth Guru. There should be a distinctive imprint on the psyche of students who pass out from this institution, he added. Apart from parents and alumni of the school, SGGS College Principal Dr Jyoti Lamba, GGS College for Women Principal Dr Charanjit Kaur Sohi and SGGS Pharmacy College Principal Jaswainder Kaur were also present. Student interaction at Panjab varsity President and CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), USA, Fred H Walti II interacted with faculty members, students and a scientist from the Chandigarh Region Innovation and Knowledge Cluster (CRIKC) at Panjab University here on Wednesday. As many as 150 students and faculty members from different CRICK institutions participated in the interaction. Fred H Walti II spoke on the university-based Incubators in supporting student startups for clean tech entrepreneurship. LACI is open to collaborate with the university-based incubator for mutual hosting of startups, he informed. PU Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover also interacted with students to bring their startup ideas to the forefront and discuss the challenges faced by them. He also mentioned that the first challenge for students was to convince parents about the startup rather than opting for campus placement. TNS Tribune News Service Panchkula, November 29 There seems to be no end in sight for residents woes as banks and ATMs continue to run dry. Banks say they are not receiving enough cash from the RBI and the flow of money is not smooth. While Rs 500 notes are yet to arrive in adequate numbers, Rs 2,000 notes are of little use as no one has enough change to return. With the revision of the withdrawal limit from today, queues were back outside banks, though these were relatively shorter than those seen in the first week after demonetisation. Subhash Papneja, a senior citizen who visited the State Bank of India in Sector 14, says, I spent two hours at the bank today for withdrawal, but the cash did not arrive. A bank manger says the RBI received huge supply today and hopefully it will start distribution tomorrow. The situation is likely to improve in the next couple of days. However, Varun, manager of ICICI Bank, Sector 11, says, We are not facing major problems, but yes there is a shortage of cash. The situation will normalise by next week. People should stop panicking and not stack money at home. Residents, who were in support of demonetisation, have now started questioning the preparedness of the government. Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh (retd) Nawaz Sharif has the dubious distinction of a fractious relationship with all five Chiefs of Army Staff he has worked with, including the three that he chose himself. It started with his first handpicked choice of General Waheed Kakar (superseding four senior officers) in 1993 subsequently reneging and pressurising Nawaz Sharif to tender his resignation as the Prime Minister. The next General that Nawaz Sharif had to deal with was General Jehangir Karamat (choice of the previous Benazir Bhutto government), and soon the irreconcilable disagreement between the two flared up, leading to the generals premature resignation. Having burnt his fingers, Nawaz wanted to play absolutely safe. He superseded a pliant Mohajir Gen Pervez Musharraf. He soon demonstrated his independent adventurism with Kargil and finally Nawaz Sharif was bumped off and exiled in a bloodless coup. In his third return to power in 2013, Nawaz had to manage a cold and unpredictable Gen Pervez Kayani (chosen by his bete noire, Gen Musharaf in 2007). After he hung his boots as promised (after an extension), Nawaz quickly pounced upon the opportunity to make his third personal choice in Gen Raheel Sharif. Bobby (Gen Sharifs pet name), like the new chief, was not the frontrunner and therefore seemed a safe choice who could oblige! Except, Bobby too, would prove otherwise. He had lived his fairly illustrious military life in the shadow of his brothers legacy, the late Major Rana Shabbir Sharif (recipient of Pakistans highest gallantry award, Nishan-e-Haider in 1971 war). Bobby was always struggling to live up to the proud legacy of his elder brother, who incidentally was the batch mate of Gen Pervez Musharraf. Belonging to the proud martial stock of the Janjua clan, Gen Raheel Sharif was the quintessential Pakistani general - barrel chested, plain speaking and perceptibly nationalistic. Soon, he would follow the independent streak that typifies the generals in the Army House in the manicured cantonment town of Rawalpindi, as opposed to the despised politicos in Islamabad. Expectedly, General Raheel Sharif came into his own and decided on the national narrative by taking on homegrown terror (after the Peshawar school massacre) and started defining the contours of foreign policy with dashes to Kabul, Riyadh, Washington, Beijing etc. on briefs that went beyond military matters. A hapless Nawaz Sharif was often left suffering the indignity of making political retractions (post Ufa summit), policy flip-flops (with India) and getting lectured on domestic corruption (after Panamagate) by his Chief of Army Staff. Today, with the ensuing selective war on terror, the Panamagate expose and the flaring volatility on the LOC, made the Pakistani armed forces and Gen Raheel Sharif in particular, the real McCoy in Pakistan. By keeping his word on retirement, Gen. Sharif has further strengthened his legacy, and importantly of the Pakistani armed forces. Bobby won all the battles against the politicos, and built-up the relevance and favourable perception of the parallel institution, the armed forces. Bobby ensured that he could indulge in leisurely game hunts, whilst, the institution retains the glint in its bayonets, without having to resort to unnecessary formality and complexities of a military coup detat. Gen Bajwa is the fourth time Nawaz Sharif has made a selection on his own. Unsurprisingly, his supposed apoliticalness and low profile ensured that he too, hopped over four generals. His credentials are eerily similar to those of Gen Raheel Sharif -- both were dark horses, both were IG (Training and Insp) before elevation, both are of Punjabi stock and supposedly, apolitical. However, a careful analysis of the Pakistani military history bears out the deep institutional truth, of a close-knit decision-making network that operates through a guarded and consultative grouping of corps commanders, which toes its own line. The military institution is larger than the individual, and the institution takes care of its own the brazen freedom afforded on Gen Musharraf is a testimony. Clearly, Gen Bajwa does not carry the operational scars of the Indo-Pak war (he joined the Baloch Regiment in 1980) or suffered a personal angularity like that of Gen Raheel Sharifs family in the `71 war. However, his familial credentials of military upbringing are impeccable, with both his father and father-in-law having served in the Pakistani Army. Gen Bajwa is the veritable inheritor of the well-oiled Pakistani military juggernaut, with carefully selected military men well ensconced in sensitive positions like the NSA (Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua) and the ISI chief (Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar) to oversee the seamless continuum of operations. The present arrangement of an ostensible civilian government, with the reigns firmly in the hands of the burly military men works perfectly fine for the institution of the Pakistani armed forces. No perceptible change of strategic track is envisaged by the strategists in New Delhi. Nawaz Sharif has personally punted thrice before and got it terribly wrong. Gen Bajwa is the fourth time Nawaz has thrown the dice in a perennial power struggle that he has always lost, so far. The writer is a former Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry Hasan Suroor THE term, new world order, has become a bit of a cliche. The slightest hint of a blip in American political or economic fortunes sets off speculation about a post-American alternative order, and as to who might lead it. Except that the status quo continues; not because America suddenly regains its perceived lost strength, but because those fancied to replace it dont turn out to be so fancy after all. Once upon a time, BRICS countries were touted as the future, predicted to dethrone America and other struggling Western economies. The 21st century was meant to belong to them. But, today, except China and India, where is the rest of BRICS? Donald Trumps election on the back of an isolationist agenda has again got political pundits excited. In European capitals, air is thick with chatter about the imminent birth of a new global order sans America, with Germany not China or Russia tipped to step into the vacuum. Barack Obamas choice of Berlin as the venue for his farewell meeting with European leaders and his gushing praise for Angela Merkel are viewed as a signal that he personally favours Germany as a worthy leader of a post-Obama liberal world. And Merkel as someone capable of challenging Trump. He described her as a model leader not only for Germany but for the wider world. The Guardian wrote that it felt like a symbolic passing of the baton (of liberalism) to Germany and Merkel. Her decision to contest a fourth term is believed to have been prompted by encouragement from Obama. On her part, the German Chancellor has spelt out her terms for engaging with Trump. It would be on the basis of democracy, freedom, respect for the right and dignity of every individual, irrespective of origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation or political attitude. She is widely seen as the strongest European leader the last bastion of liberal values to counter Trump. Despite criticism of her handling of the Eurozone and refugee crises, she is considered as the only unifying figure across Europe. According to The Times, the German political establishment is banking on her to be the Wests bulwark against popular anger after Brexit and Trumps victory. If she wins, and completes the full fourth term, she will be the longest-serving post-war German leader. For historical reasons, Germany is said to be reluctant to take on an overtly leadership role. It is conscious that German phobia still exists in Europe, and the idea of a strong Germany evokes unease. But, the pressure on Berlin to take the plunge is expected to intensify if European interests look threatened by Trumps foreign policy. Theres deep anxiety over his warning to scale down NATO security cover unless European countries agree to pick up the bill. There would be no free lunches anymore, he has said. This is seen as a direct threat to the most important trans-Atlantic security alliance the lynchpin of American-European strategic partnership prompting plans for an independent EU army. He is also vehemently opposed to the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); and after his decision to tear up the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), many believe that the TTIPs fate is as good as sealed. Indeed, the entire thrust of Trumps anti-free trade, anti-globalisation, leave America alone campaign rhetoric goes against the grain of some of EUs fundamental principles. To put it in perspective, even before Trumps arrival, Europe nursed global leadership ambitions, with the EU seeing itself as an alternative centre of world power. Which was one of the reasons that lay behind its unseemly hurry to expand into an unwieldy union, and its accent on centralisation to the point that many member states began to see it as a threat to their own national sovereignty causing widespread Euro-scepticism. There have been times such as during the eurozone crisis, and, more recently, Brexit, when the EU has seemed like falling apart. But the turn of events in America has given it a new sense of purpose; and it smells in it an opportunity to renew itself. Much will depend on the outcome of a series of crucial forthcoming elections across Europe, including in Germany, France and Italy. A clutch of potential Trump moments are looming with populist European versions of alt-right tendencies on the rise, their spirits boosted by the Trump victory. And judging from the outcome of the presidential primaries in France, the wind seems to be blowing in their favour. It is now confirmed that the liberal Left is all but eliminated from the French presidential contest next May. The fight would be between the right in the shape of Thatcherite Francois Fillon and the far right represented by Marine Le Pen of the racist National Front. Fillon, who was trailing behind Nicolas Sarkozy and Alan Juppe, came in virtually from the cold to steal the race. Observers say his anti-Islamist rhetoric struck a chord with voters. Even if, thanks to the quirks of the French electoral system, other parties were to come together to defeat Le Pen next year it will not change the stark fact that the French public opinion has swung decisively to the right barely four years after France elected a Socialist president. As Le Pen boasted: We fixed the term of the debate and they (other parties) have circled around us. In Germany, the Europhobic and anti-immigrant AfD (Alternative for Germany) is riding a wave of popularity, becoming the third largest party with 13 per cent support edging out the Greens. In Italy, two such groups Northern League and Five Star Movement are snapping at the heels of PM Matteo Renzi and his centrist Democratic Party; and Austria is set to elect its first far right president since World War II. There is hardly any European country which has escaped the contagion of rabid anti-establishment populism, and after the developments in America the penny has dropped that the threat is real. For all this, however, and notwithstanding its shameful colonial history, Europe remains liberal at heart; and European liberalism is rather different from American liberalism which is closer to European conservatism. Also, precisely because of its imperial past, Europe has a less insular worldview. And in Merkel it has a figure with great moral authority. But given its feeble economic and military state and its reliance on America can Europe seriously afford to challenge Washington? Importantly, however, Europe has woken up and is asking some hard questions. The writer is a London-based commentator Mukesh Tandon Tribune News Service Panipat, November 29 The recent fire at a spinning mill in which eight persons lost their lives has exposed the inhuman conditions of workers here. Lakhs of migrant workers engaged in textile, spinning and other industrial units continue to work in an unsafe and inhuman environment. A large number of units are not registered with the Labour Department under the Factories Act. The safety and health of workers takes a hit in these unregulated workstations. The fire has raised questions over the safety of workers. The units lack emergency exits, firefighting equipment, sanitation and ventilation. The most stunning fact is that the Labour Department does not have official record of these illegal factories in the district, said Sunil Dutt, member of the state committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). More than 2.5 lakh workers, both skilled and unskilled, worked in these units, of which only 36,500 were registered with the ESI and PF, he said. There were about 12,000 small, medium and micro industries in the city, of which only 2,000 were registered under the Factories Act, he added. A survey had been conducted by CITU to know the condition of workers. It revealed that about 20 workers lost their lives annually due to fire or accident in these units, he stated. About 90 per cent of the workers were from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he said. The incident was very unfortunate. Directions have been issued for conducting a special survey in the district. It will be conducted ward-wise in urban areas and village-wise in rural areas to know the number of industries in the district, said Chander Shekhar Khare, Deputy Commissioner. Legal Correspondent New Delhi, November 29 The Supreme Court has listed Haryanas plea for immediate construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal has been listed for hearing on Wednesday. Justices PC Ghose and Amitava Roy will take up the case at 3 pm. On November 21, Justice UU Lalit opted out of hearing the case without giving any reason. Haryanas application had been listed before a Bench comprising Justices Ghose and Lalit, but when the case was called out for hearing Justice Lalit said he was recusing from it. Haryana then took up the matter with the Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur for an early hearing. In its application, Haryana has sought continuance of the Union Home Secretary and Punjabs Chief Secretary and Director General of Police as the joint custodian of the land acquired for the construction of the SYL canal. The state also prayed for construction of the canal as directed by the apex court in the judgments of January 15, 2002, and June 4, 2004. Haryana has approached the Supreme Court for stalling Punjabs move to obstruct the construction of the canal meant for carrying the waters of Ravi and Beas rivers. On November 17, Haryana had sought an urgent hearing contending that the case had become an explosive issue in the wake of the steps being taken by Punjab in the past few days to frustrate Supreme Courts rulings. Upon this, the matter was listed for hearing on Tuesday. Giving its opinion on the 2004 Presidential reference, the Supreme Court had ruled on November 10 that Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004, was in violation of the Constitution, the Inter-State Water Disputes Act 1956 and the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, besides being against two of its judgments delivered on January 15, 2002 and June 4, 2004. Following the ruling, the Punjab Government de-notified about 5,000 acres of land acquired for the canal while the state assembly adopted a resolution on Monday for stalling canal work by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and for demanding charges for using river waters. Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service Shimla, November 29 After indiscriminately opening schools on the pretext of facilitating students in rural and remote areas for more than a decade, the state government has framed a policy to close down 99 primary schools with less than five students. The schools will be shut and the students will be shifted to nearby schools as having one or two students in a class makes no sense, said a senior official of the Education Department. The government has been talking about rationalisation of teachers to meet the shortage as 1,341 schools, including 943 primary and 172 middle, are being managed by one teacher while in some schools, the number of teachers exceeds the strength of students. The closure of schools with a negligible number of students has political implications, but finally the government has taken the decision. The number of students in government schools in the state is declining and on average, 2 per cent students leave government schools for private ones every year. With the opening of public schools in rural areas, government schools in villages are also facing the problem. As per U-DISE report for 2015-16, there are 10,710 government primary schools in the state with enrolment of 3,23,387 students and the teacher-pupil ratio is 12:95. Jammu, November 29 Two Army officers and five soldiers were killed when three heavily-armed militants attacked an artillery unit in the Nagrota area of Jammu, 3 km from 16 Corps headquarters, on Tuesday. Three militants were also killed. The attack started at 5.45 am when militants forced their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) In the initial counter-action, one officer and three soldiers were killed, a statement by Army said. The militants entered two buildings which were occupied by officers and families. All, including 12 soldiers, two women and two children, were rescued. However, one more officer and two jawans were killed during the rescue act. Read: Bravery of officers wives averts hostage crisis in Nagrota The bodies of three attackers have been recovered and operations were on to sanitise the area. "They (the attackers) were holed up in two different buildings. A hostage-like situation was averted and we successfully brought hostages out safely," Army spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta told reporters. He said the combing operation against the militants was halted after it became dark and would resume on Wednesday morning. "The area is under cordon. There were no civilian injury in the operation that lasted for hours. "In these operations, there is no time limit and these have to be done professionally," Lt Col Mehta said. Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered that all schools in Nagrota town would remain closed on Tuesday. TNS/Agencies Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Jammu, November 29 Terror returned to Jammu and Kashmir today when a group of heavily armed terrorists stormed into an Army unit at Nagrota and killed two Army officers and five soldiers. In another gunfight at the International Border (IB) in Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba, three infiltrators were killed and five BSF men, including a Deputy Inspector General, and a police Inspector were injured in a gunfight which lasted several hours. During the day-long gunfight at Nagrota, three terrorists were eliminated. Combing operations were suspended in the evening and will resume tomorrow. A defence spokesperson said these terrorists, disguised in police uniform, targeted the Army installation located at Kour Jagir near the Baloni nullah in Nagrota area of Jammu, 3 km from the 16 Corps headquarters. These terrorists forced their entry into the officers mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers were killed, the defence spokesperson said. The terrorists entered two buildings occupied by officers, families and men. This led to a hostage-like situation, which was quickly contained. In the entailing rescue efforts, one more officer and two soldiers lost their lives, he added. The bodies of three terrorists were recovered. The combing operations will resume tomorrow morning, and the area will be sanitised, the spokesperson added. Till afternoon, there was heavy exchange of fire between terrorists and the Army. Later, the intensity became low. However, intermittent firing continued till late evening. This is the first major terror strike after the September 18 Uri attack in which 20 soldiers were killed. The fidayeen attack has been carried out near 16 Corps (White Knight Corps) headquarters at a time when there has been change of guard in the Pakistan army. Reports of ceasefire violation were also received from Uri sector of north Kashmir. Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Nagrota, November 29 Jammu and Kashmir today woke up to another terror attack on an Army installation at Kour Jagir in the Nagrota area of Jammu district in which seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed. Three terrorists were eliminated in the attack. The attack has raised several questions which the Army and intelligence agencies will have to answer in the coming days. From where did the militants arrive and how were they able to storm into the Army camp are queries that need immediate attention. After the September 18 Uri attack, in which 20 soldiers were killed, the Defence Ministry had called for a security audit of all Army installations. Now, the loopholes which the militants exploited will have to be ascertained. Around 5:13 am, the three militants targeted an Army unit of 16 Corps on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway which passes through Nagrota town. They stormed inside after hurling grenades and killing the sentry on the gate. There was heavy exchange of fire in the morning. Towards the afternoon, its intensity had reduced but intermittent firing continued till the evening. In the initial assault, the militants possibly carried out the maximum damage. Soon after the attack, the whole area was cordoned off by the Army and the militants were confined to a particular area. Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel also reached the spot, providing security cover to the camp. Choppers, bullet-proof vehicles and Special Forces personnel were also pressed into service even as all traffic movement in the area was stopped. This area is well fortified with high walls and two layers of barbed-wire fence. For an ordinary person, it is next to impossible to enter the unit premises. This is for the first time that the 16 Corps (White Knight Corps) headquarters has come under fidayeen attack. The area is situated on northern side of the Tawi in dense forest. The unit that was targeted is on the rear end of the headquarters, which is spread over hundreds of kanals. While coming from the Srinagar side, the unit is at the entrance and houses several residential quarters. Terrorists were in police uniform The militants were in police uniform and took advantage of the darkness when they fired on a sentry, said an eyewitness at the encounter site. Another eyewitness, Kartar Singh (55), whose house is situated near the Army unit, said: When I heard gunshots, I thought it was a routine exercise as the firing range is near and we hear gunshots often. But when grenades were hurled by militants and the sound of alarm started coming from all sides, my family members and I huddled in one room. Udhampur, Katra on high alert Udhampur: Udhampur district and Katra-Vaishno Devi in Resai district have been put on high alert after three terrorists were killed during an encounter with security forces in the neighbouring Samba district along the International Border on Tuesday. Udhampur Senior Superintendent of Police Shailendra Mishra said, Udhampur is on high alert following the militant attack. The inputs came early and all our men and officers are on ground. We have been conducting regular checking of vehicles. All suspects are being questioned or being stopped and there are a few detentions as well. Talking about the security of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the SSP said, The highway is facing a perpetual threat. It had happened last year also when there had been multiple attacks on the highway, besides, there had been a couple of attacks in Udhampur. So, we can never be complacent about it. There is always going to be a possibility that militants might target this lifeline to the Valley. ANI Post-surgical strikes, spike in fidayeen attacks Srinagar: Even after India carried out surgical strikes after the Uri attack on September 18, Pakistan-backed militants have carried out four fidayeen (suicide) attacks in the past nearly two months. While security forces have successfully foiled three of them in Kashmir, however, the militants managed to sneak into the Army installation in Nagrota. The Uri attack that left 19 soldiers dead was followed by surgical strikes along the Line of Control (LoC) on militant-launching pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, these strikes, it seems, failed to have an impact on the ground situation in strife-torn J&K. Since surgical strikes, 18 Indian soldiers and Border Security Force (BSF) men have been killed in either Pakistani firing or militant attacks along the LoC. The first fidayeen attack after surgical strikes was foiled on October 2 in north Kashmirs Baramulla town. A BSF man was killed and another was injured when militants attempted to sneak into an Army battalion headquarters of a Rashtriya Rifles unit in Baramulla town. TNS Anger pours in Attack is on military installations The Nagrota terror strike wasnt targeted at civilians as the militants seek local support. Statistics have shown that the attack is on military installations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on it. Manohar Parrikar, Defence minister Resolve to fight terrorism strengthened Such dastardly acts wont lower our resolve to fight terrorism. I feel pained at the loss of Army men in the Nagrota attack. My heartfelt condolences to the families of these bravehearts. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief minister Its a message to India The terror attack at Nagrota is a message sent by Pakistans newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India. His policy will be same as followed by his predecessor... We (also) need to send across a message to him. India will hit back harder every time it is targeted. RK Singh, Former home secretary Another strike needed Ever since the Uri attack happened, Pakistan has turned the heat and unleashed a string of attacks on us while we are still beating the drum about the lone surgical strikes. Yes, we did carry out surgical strikes, but clearly that has not silenced Pakistan. PM Narendra Modi should order Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to launch an all-out attack against the hostile neighbour. Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader Major militant attacks in 2016 November 25: Two policemen killed and another critically wounded in a militant attack near the Kulgam bus stand in south Kashmir October 15: An SSB jawan killed and nine others wounded in a militant attack in Zakoora, near Srinagar October 10: Two fidayeen attacked the EDI building at Sempore. Both militants killed September 18: Militants storm an Army base in Uri killing 19 soldiers and wounding 23 others. Four fidayeen militants killed August 15: A CRPF Commandant and a policeman killed and nine security men wounded after militants targeted old Srinagar on Independence Day. Two militants neutralised June 25: Militants intercept a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway killing eight security men and injuring 22 others. Two militants killed June 3: Three BSF jawans killed and seven others injured after militants ambush a convoy at Bijbehara in south Kashmir May 23: Three policemen killed in two attacks in Srinagar February 20-22: Three elite para commandos, including two Captains, two CRPF men, three militants and a civilian killed in Sempore gunfight. Forces fatalities 76 Total ultras killed 125 (Compiled by Majid Jahangir) Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Samba, November 29 Three suspected militants were killed in a gun battle between them and the Border Security Force when they tried to cross the International Border into India in Sambas Ramgarh sector on Tuesday morning. The suspected militants were hiding in a hut in Ramgarhs Fatwal. "Terrorists started lobbying grenades on BSF troops in Samba (J&K). Unable to move further, they were holed up in nearby hut," BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar said in a press briefing. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) A border guard was injured in the gunfight and four others, among them a Deputy Inspector General, were injured when a grenade that the militants had carried exploded while they were pulling out the bodies. (With inputs from Agencies) Vikalp Jain One of the most sought-after positions in the IT security field is that of an ethical hacker. An ethical hacker is a networking professional who purposefully attempts to penetrate computer networks and security systems on behalf of its owners to locate and fix possible weaknesses in it. These experts are responsible for scrutinising internal servers and systems to determine any areas that can prove to be potentially vulnerable to external cyber assaults and malicious hackers who could exploit the system for wrong reasons. They use methods similar to those used by their vicious counterparts, however, not to misuse the system but to document the vulnerabilities found and provide action points to fix them in order to improve the overall security of the network. Who should become an ethical hacker? While it is a career choice that is perfectly suited to those interested in complex problem solving, it requires a high level of communication skills, immaculate judgment, and the ability to work with a cool head even under tremendous pressure. Even though there is no standard educational criteria required for becoming an ethical hacker, a bachelors or masters degree in information security technology, computer science or mathematical science is essential. Other certifications in the field of security management can prove beneficial. It is also a plus to have a strong foundation in Windows and Linux-based administration systems, TCP/IP and virtualisation protocols. Many black hat hackers who get caught, leave their criminal intentions behind and go on to become ethical hackers for various reasons and use their skills for positive benefits. A course in ethical hacking is best suited for: Security officers Auditors Security practitioners IT or Site administrators IT Security professionals IT infrastructure development professionals Intelligence agents with previous experience in the armed forces. A course in ethical hacking is not focused on a particular software product or a specific technology but provides a broad foundation of various fields in computer security. Students are taught to crack passwords, send encrypted or coded information through security systems (known as steganography) and create remote access Trojans to break through networks, etc. Job profile Ethical hackers are like cyber cops who prevent cyber crimes. A white hat hacker needs to think like a malicious hacker, and employ all of their devious skills to target perverse goals. Common job functions include: Conducting pentests or purposeful penetration testing to identify weak points in a security system by using software such as Metasploit and BackBox Linux. Documenting and providing recommendations on how to take action to strengthen the vulnerable areas. Working with developers to improve security needs. Developing and updating policies and procedures. Working on various internal security areas such as encryptions, security protocols and firewalls. Scope of ethical hacking in India Globally, many IT services and telecom-based firms have suffered huge data and monetory losses due to security breaches. With growing dependence on technology and digital systems, the magnitude and impact of cyber-attacks have also intensified, proving to be potential weapons of destruction for businesses. This has raised a huge demand for ethical hackers worldwide. In India, many IT companies like Infosys, IBM, and Wipro are in need of professional ethical hackers. While the scope of ethical hacking was limited to only the IT sector earlier, with expansion of e-commerce into various business sectors, ethical hackers are in demand in every industrial segment. Job prospects Protection of confidential data in both private firms and government agencies has become an imperative. Opportunities in the government sector include working for: Government agencies Military intelligence agencies Defence organisations Diplomatic communication systems Law enforcement agencies Central Bureau of Investigation or the CBI Forensic labs Private sector opportunities include: IT firms Finance-based firms Consulting companies Banks Airlines Hotels Retail networks E-commerce companies The writer is President and Co-Founder, Acadgild, a professional training online bootcamp Advantages The benefits of ethical hacking include: Opportunity to fight against cyber terrorism and national security threats Building a strong computer network that is safe from malicious attacks Safeguarding sensitive information and data from black hat hackers. The dark side Some of the possible drawbacks of ethical hacking are: A hacker may use the knowledge gained to fulfill his or her own vested interests. Allowing access to company's financial and other sensitive details could potentially lead to a security breach. Exposing your network or system to malicious codes, viruses, malware, etc. Remuneration A fresh certified ethical hacker could attract a salary anywhere between Rs 3.5 and Rs 4 lakh per year. Experienced professionals in this field such as security consultants, information security analysts, and ethical hacking experts can command salaries in the range of Rs 9 to Rs 20 lakh. Shahira Naim Tribune News Service Lucknow, November 29 Daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrest her and put her in jail, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee today said she would continue her war against demonetisation. While UP CM Akhilesh Yadav was not personally present, his message was read out at the Lucknow public meeting by his Cabinet Minister for Rural Development Arvind Singh Gope, who shared the dais with Mamata. Presence of Samajwadi Party ministers and even Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal Kironmoy Nanda at the protest meeting was indicative of SPs support to Mamata. Terming the demonetisation as a lack Emergency, Mamata resolved not to sit peacefully till it was withdrawn. Accusing Modi of infringing upon the constitutional rights of the people, she said, It is your money in your bank account, but you cannot use it. You have earned this money, paid tax on it, but you are being made to feel like a thief. It seems as if we all are thieves and the BJP leaders are the only honest persons. Referring to the PMs instructions to his party MPs and MLAs to disclose their bank statements to party chief Amit Shah, Mamata said the PM should first seek the statement of account from his party president who reportedly bought land in several states just before demonetisation. New Delhi, November 29 Banks are bracing up to face a huge rush in the coming days as people will queue up at branches across the country to withdraw salaries with a large number of ATMs remaining dry even 21 days after the demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes. People are likely to throng at bank branches on December 1 as Central and state governments credit salaries and pensions to millions of accounts. At the Central level alone, there are around 50 lakh employees and 58 lakh pensioners. Bankers said the government's move last week to provide Rs 10,000 in advance to non-gazetted staff may provide only a slight relief. Given cash shortages with banks, and ATMs running dry, bankers fear a surge in rush. Many banks have made 'SOS calls' to the Reserve Bank for additional cash for the first few days of December to meet the initial rush of people, already fatigued standing in unending queues to exchange/deposit old notes and make limited withdrawals over the past three weeks after the demonetisation was announced on November 8. Banks have to make additional arrangement, including security deployment, said a senior banker of Canara Bank. Many of them are contemplating to set up additional counters for withdrawal to meet the rush. Despite recalibration of nearly 70 per cent of ATMs do not have cash, while people are struggling with the problem of change as the operational ones dispense mostly high denomination Rs 2,000 notes. Nearly 21 days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced cancellation of legal tender of old Rs 500/1000 currency notes, small traders, truckers and construction workers are facing hardships in going about their business. Due to sowing of rabi crop, the focus of the government has now shifted to rural areas, which means urban centres are feeling the cash squeeze. Sources said funds are being made available in rural and semi-urban pockets so that farmers get adequate cash for sowing rabi crop. There are also reports that banks in major metros are getting less than their cash requirement leading to chaos at the branches. RBI Governor Urjit Patel had earlier said the central bank is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and taking all necessary actions to "ease the genuine pain of citizens" with a clear intent to normalise the things as early as possible. PTI Gov. Scott Walker has requested federal disaster relief for growers in 10 Wisconsin counties, following killer freezing temperatures that hit those counties in May. The request was made to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on behalf of agricultural producers in Chippewa, Columbia, Eau Claire, Jackson, Jefferson, Pierce, Polk, Sauk, St. Croix and Trempealeau counties. The request wasnt made until now because growers had to see how much their harvests were affected by the frost and freezing temperatures the nights of May 13-14. Walkers office said. Wisconsin producers are in need of assistance from USDA to help them deal with their losses, Walker said in a letter to Vilsack. I ask that you respond quickly with the designation so the affected producers may obtain relief. Growers suffered losses of 30 percent or more in a variety of crops, including apples, asparagus, blueberries, hops and strawberries, Walker said in the letter. Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked BJP parliamentarians and MLAs to submit details of their bank transactions between November 8 and December 31 to party president Amit Shah. The PMs latest move for in-house accountability and transparency comes amid the Oppositions allegations that BJP leaders were in the know of the demonetisation move and had mopped up their illegal cash accordingly. BJP leaders believe the PMs directive at the parliamentary party meeting and the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill will further reduce the Oppositions steam against demonetisation and send the right message among the masses. However, critics claim only a fool would have parked black money in his or her account after the November 8 directive of the PM and that illegal money would have been parked in land deals and elsewhere through other money laundering methods. BJP leaders, however, say the PM has sent a loud and clear message that anyone in the party can be questioned anytime on financial propriety. BJPs lawmakers normally file financial details with the Election Commission but this is the first time they have been asked to submit transaction details of personal accounts to the party president, they say. Even as the Opposition continued to demand an adjournment motion, a debate under a rule entailing voting and the PMs presence during the debate, government functionaries say the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill will get Parliament clearance soon. Manas Dasgupta Ahmedabad, November 29 In its first litmus test post-demonetisation, the BJP has won 109 of the 126 seats in three municipalities and several byelections in district and taluka panchayats and municipalities of Gujarat. Though the elections were too local to draw the attention of the top BJP brass, their outcome was eagerly awaited in view of the problems being faced by people after demonetisation. PM Narendra Modi and CM Vijay Rupani thanked the people of the state for the BJPs massive victory. Before the elections, the BJP had only 64 seats and the Congress 52 but the ruling party increased its tally to 109, reducing the Congress to mere 17. The polling for the municipalities of Vapi and Kanakpur-Kansad, both in Bulsar district in south Gujarat, and Gondal in Rajkot district and byelections for five district and nine taluka panchayat seats and 18 seats in various municipalities were held on Sunday and the results for which were announced today. The BJP won 41 seats in the 44-member Vapi municipality, leaving only three to Congress, 27 of the 28 seats in Kanakpur-Kansad with the lone seat going to the Congress and 18 of the 22 seats in Gondal with Congress winning only four. In the byelections, the BJP claimed three of the five seats in district panchayats, five of the nine seats in the taluka panchayats and 15 of the 18 seats in various municipalities leaving only three to the Congress. In fact in Gondal municipality, the Congress earlier held the majority with 12 seats but it failed to adopt its budget three times last year due to internal squabbles following which the municipality was dissolved and fresh elections held. The win not only saw the state party leadership and workers gathering at the state headquarter Sri Kamalam on Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar highway to celebrate, it also enthused Modi, who was constantly monitoring peoples reactions over demonetisation, to tweet: I salute people of Gujarat for continued trust in BJP. BJPs great win in local polls shows peoples strong faith in development politics. Washington, November 29 US President-elect Donald Trump has met a top Indian-American real estate executive amid reports of him joining the new administration. Sandeep Mathrani, 54, the Chief Executive Officer of General Growth Properties, met the President-elect at the Trump Towers in New York on Monday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The presidential transition team, except for announcing the scheduled meeting, did not issue a read-out of the meeting Trump had with Mathrani, real estate executive from Chicago, the hometown of outgoing President Barack Obama. Local media reports speculated that Mathrani could join the Trump administration. According to Chicago Business, Mathrani earned USD 39.2 million last year, more than any other CEO of a US real estate investment trust. Mathrani joined General Growth in 2011. With a market capitalisation of nearly USD 23 billion, General Growth is the second biggest mall owner in the country. PTI Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked all BJP MPs and MLAs to submit details of their bank account transactions between November 8 and December 31 to party president Amit Shah. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Normally, the lawmakers file the details to the election commission. This is perhaps the first time that the leaders have been asked to submit details to the party chief. With this, the Prime Minister has tried to counter his critics, and at the same time send the right message to masses. Speaking at the BJP Parliamentary Party meet, the PM said: IT Amendment Bill is not to turn black money into white, but to use money looted from poor for welfare. Party chief Amit Shah asked BJP MPs to motivate traders falling in their constituencies to move to cashless transactions. Why Amit Shah, questions Ashutosh Meanwhile, AAP leader Ashutosh lashed out at Modi's order to BJP MPs and MLAs to submit details of their bank transactions to Amit Shah. "It is one of the biggest farce one can ever imagine. If the BJP is serious, they should make their transaction details public and give it to the income tax department. What is the purpose of submitting them to Amit Shah?" Ashutosh also told the media that the BJP MPs and MLAs should also make public the bank transactions done before November 8 as "they were aware of the demonetisation move and had disposed off their black money". Rawalpindi, November 29 General Qamar Javed Bajwa, an expert in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir affairs, today took over as Pakistans new army chief succeeding Gen Raheel Sharif and promised to improve the tense situation at the Line of Control soon. Gen Sharif handed over the command of worlds sixth-largest army by troop numbers to Bajwa (57) at a ceremony in Rawalpindi. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday appointed Bajwa as chief of army staff (COAS) by elevating him to the rank of a four-star general. Raheel in January had declared that he would not seek extension. There was speculation that the PML-N government would give him extension at the eleventh hour citing reasons that he was needed by the country to lead the war on terror. The post of the army chief is the most powerful in Pakistan. The situation at the LoC will improve soon, Bajwa was quoted as saying by Geo News after taking charge as the COAS. Bajwa sought support from the media to play a role in the keeping the morale of troops high. He said he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Bajwas appointment coincides with the rising tensions and heavy exchange of fire at the LoC. Analysts believe Bajwas reference to the LoC situation could be a reconciliatory gesture towards India. However, Gen Raheel was not so conciliatory in his final speech as the army chief, as he cautioned India against adopting an aggressive stance in Kashmir. Raheel, 60, said in recent months Indias increasing terrorism and aggressive stance in Kashmir have endangered the region. India should know that mistaking our policy of patience for weakness would be dangerous, he said. This is a reality that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international communitys special attention is necessary, he said. He also stressed the need for institutions to work together for the nation's progress. It is important that all institutions work together against external threats and internal threats. For this, we will need to follow the National Action Plan in letter and spirit, Gen Raheel said. PTI Bq But, Raheel warns India Indias increasing terrorism and aggressive stance in Kashmir have endangered the region. India should know that mistaking our policy of patience for weakness would be dangerous Gen Raheel Sharif, outgoing pak army chief Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 29 A number of ATMs in the region went dry today. Many saw in it a move by the banks to prepare for tackling the anticipated pay day rush. Cash withdrawals more than double during the salary cycle (between the 30th of a month and seventh of the following month), sources say. Since savings account holders can withdraw money from the ATMs of their own banks as well as that of others, there are chances of cash scarcity at a bank that has been filling its ATM more frequently. Banks can afford to fill their ATMs less frequently citing one reason or another, but they cant refuse money to any customer approaching a cash counter on the pay day. So, many banks are not refilling ATMs frequently, sources said. Apart from government employees, workers and executives in the organised sector, pensioners, etc, will also approach bank branches for withdrawing more than Rs 2,500 in one go. There are around 15,000 bank branches in Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and almost an equal number of ATMs. Only around 60 per cent of these ATMs have been calibrated so far. Asked about ATMs going dry, RBIs Regional Director (Chandigarh) Nirmal Chand said, We have not received any feedback in this regard. Since you have brought this issue to our notice, we will look into the matter. On the current supply of currency, he said the RBI received a consignment of fresh currency today. We have requested our office to send more consignments. Most probably, we will be getting fresh currency tomorrow and again in the first week of December, most likely before Sunday, he said. Simran Sodhi Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 29 Pakistan is pushing hard for a resumption of dialogue with India on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference being held in Amritsar on Sunday. India has so far been noncommittal to the offer and reiterated its position that talks and terror cannot go together. Sartaj Aziz, Pakistans Foreign Affairs Adviser, will travel to the historic city on December 4 and as of now, his itinerary indicates he will return home the same day. Aziz has already indicated Pakistan is ready for talks in Amritsar and yesterday only, countrys High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said Islamabad was ready for unconditional talks with India. Sources in the government said it would be difficult for India to initiate a dialogue with Pakistan, especially in the wake of the recent Uri terror attack. Also, the worsening situation across the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border would not give India much confidence in resuming talks. To put pressure on India, Pakistan also delayed clearances to a special flight of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is representing India at Fidel Castros funeral in Cuba. Another factor is a change of guard in the Pakistan army Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa today took charge as the army chief from Gen Raheel Sharif. Bajwa is believed to be less of a hawk when it comes to India and also pro-democracy, factors that worked in his favour and led to his elevation. Sources in the government, however, maintain one has to wait and watch and see how the situation changes with Bajwa at the helm. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is currently unwell, will skip the conference, which will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in attendance. NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar are expected to accompany the PM to the conference on Sunday and Pakistan is hoping the presence of Indias top officials might squeeze in a bilateral to restart a dialogue. Vadodara: A 43-year-old NRI woman from Navsari district of Gujarat has successfully completed her solo car journey of 32,000 km from the United Kingdom to India. Bharulata Kamble traversed 32 countries in 57 days to spread the message of Save girls, educate girls. Kamble drove through nine mountain ranges, three major deserts and two continents. ANI Karan Singh re-nominated Auroville chairman New Delhi: Congress MP Karan Singh has been re-nominated by the HRD Ministry as the chairman of the Auroville Foundation for a four-year term. He would function as chairman of the Board in an honorary capacity. In 2012, he was nominated as chairman of the Auroville Foundation during the UPA regime. PTI Rachna Khaira Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 29 A bomb hoax at the Jalandhar Cantonment Railway Station sent police and the Indian Army on a wild goose chase on Tuesday. A train between Jammu and Bihar, the Archana Express, was evacuated after railway control room at Ferozepur received a phone call about an explosive in it. Massive search operations by Jalandhar and Punjab Armed police and later by the Army followed, but they were called off after they found nothing. The train was later moved to Hoshiarpur railway line to clear traffic on the Jammu-Delhi route. Passengers were accommodated in other trains.enior police and army officials arrived at the spot. Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 Punjab DGP Suresh Arora on Monday said Harminder Singh Mintoo was in touch with terrorist groups in Pakistan but the jailbreak conspiracy was hatched by the gangsters. Arora said the timely information provided by them on the description of cars and assailants led to their arrest in UP and Delhi. He said an excellent national coordination among security forces led to the swift arrests. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) On jailbreak, he said serious lapses took place, including the lack of retaliation by the jail guard holding the LMG. He said a complete review of the situation would be done and corrective measures taken. The DGP defended Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal saying there was a strong basis that Pakistans ISI was in touch with Mintoo in jail. He said the police were investigating as to who funded the gangsters for the escape. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. New Delhi, November 29 A joint team of Punjab and Delhi Police on Tuesday interrogated Khalistan Liberation Front chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who was arrested at Nizamuddin railway station here after escaping from Nabha Central jail. During the interrogation, Delhi Police's Special Cell sleuths and Punjab Police officer cross-verified the facts about the daring jailbreak case on November 27. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He had told us many things but maintained silence on many. Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case and how it was planned and we will also be questioning him about where the others could be hiding," said a senior police officer privy to the probe. The Punjab Police team arrived here this evening. It has emerged during the interrogation that Mintoo had access to mobile phone in the Nabha jail, sources said. "He is claiming it was a common cell phone used by other inmates also," the source said. Mintoo said he used the phone to "call only his family members" but sources said police will examine through the Call Detail Records if he was in contact with ISI. "Also we will be examining if he had access to social media and Skype as one of the escapees was a regular on Facebook from inside the jail," a source said. Mintoo's claim that he "tagged along" when others were escaping will also be verified, the source said. "He will also be questioned whether he was planning to revive the activities of his outfit. The police will also be questioning him whether Delhi was only a transit point or there were some other plans," the source said. Yesterday, police had said Mintoo was planning to move either to Malaysia or Germany and there are chances he was planning to shift his network to either of the two countries, sources said. Meanwhile, several teams of Delhi Police, including Special Cell and Crime Branch, are looking for leads that could throw any clue on Kashmir Singh, who had accompanied Mintoo to Delhi and separated from him at Kashmere Gate bus stop, said a senior police officer. Railway stations, bus stops, guesthouses and other possible hideouts are being scanned for Kashmir Singh, who like Mintoo, had trimmed his beard to conceal his identity, he said. The 48-year-old was nabbed from Nizamuddin railway station's parking area, marking the second arrest in the sensational jailbreak case of November 27 morning in which eight people had stormed the prison to free six inmates -- two militants and four dreaded criminals. Police probing Goa links of Mintoo PANAJI: Police have started looking into Sikh militant leader Harminder Singh Mintoo's possible connections in Goa following media reports that after his escape from a Punjab jail, he wanted to come to the coastal state. "We have not received any formal communication or information about Mintoo or his plans to come to Goa after his escape," Deputy Inspector General of Police Vimal Gupta told PTI today. "We are trying to find out whether he had any links or contacts in Goa," he said, adding the police have initiated an inquiry merely on the basis of reports published in the media after Mintoo's arrest. PTI Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who was arrested in Delhi, was in touch with terror groups in Pakistan but the jailbreak was planned by local gangsters, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora said here today. The police, he said, were trying to find out as to who had funded the operation. Calls from the jail suggested that some of the escapees had received money recently. On Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hinting at the possible role of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the DGP said there is a strong basis that Pakistans ISI was in touch with Mintoo. Arora said a post-mortem of the incident would be undertaken as clearly serious lapses have taken place. He said swift co-ordination between various state police had yielded results, leading to the arrest of the two key culprits. We have a sequence-by-sequence recording of events, showing lapses by jail security guards, which will be looked into. Some guards did make efforts to retaliate.Timely information provided by them on getaway vehicles and the attackers led to the arrests in UP and Delhi, the DGP added. GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 29 Former BJP leader Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu may have found the Congress as an ideal platform to contest her second Assembly election from Amritsar, her journey would certainly not be smooth given the strong resentment among her new colleagues. The ticket aspirants have already voiced their concern with PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh. The Central and West constituencies are already represented by Congress winning candidate and the South constituency has been announced in favour of former SAD MLA Inderbir Bolaria upon his joining the Congress. North is represented by BJPs strong candidate Anil Joshi who is Local Bodies Minister. Only the East constituency seems to be the best bet. Since Dr Sidhu is winning BJP MLA from this seat, she would prefer to fight from here. But local Congress workers believe that to avoid any controversy, the high command should observe partys 2013 national resolution which demands newcomers to cool off for three years before seeking ticket. Former Mayor and senior Congress leader Sunil Dutti, who remained at the third spot in the 2012 Assembly elections from Amritsar (East), has reiterated his claim for the ensuing 2017 Assembly elections. Dr Sidhu, as an MLA, seldom remained in touch with the people of her constituency. There is strong anti-incumbency factor against her, he claimed. PPCC secretary Dinesh Bassi is another strong claimant for Amritsar East ticket. I strongly insist that the party policy of three-year cooling-off period should be applied in her case, he said. Another claimant for the ticket is former MLA Jasbir Singh Dimpa. He has a piece of advice for Dr Sidhu. To avoid any scratchy situation, the best bet for Dr Sidhu is that she should concentrate on the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. She would have better opportunity to work for Amritsar and for Punjab, he said. Aman Sood Tribune News service Patiala, November 29 Security agencies are worried that gangsters in the state may have an easy access to weapons. They point to the recovery of weapons in recent high-profile crimes. Acquiring an illegal firearm seems a childs play. All one needs is money and the right connections. Callous officials make the task even easier. When 14 armed men attacked the Nabha Jail on Sunday, they fired 200 rounds in 20 minutes. The gangsters used walkie-talkie sets and sophisticated weapons. This is alarming, said a senior official. Information collected by The Tribune reveals that the Punjab Police recovered over 300 weapons this year alone, a majority of these were illegal. Two years back as many as 18 prohibited bore (PB) weapons including 18, 30-star pistols which cannot be legally imported were seized by the Rajpura police from an arms dealer. In the past one year, illegal weapons were used in the murder of Namdhari matriarch Chand Kaur, RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja and the attack on religious preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale. Former DGP SK Sharma, who has worked during terrorism days in Punjab, said: It is a well-established network. Illegal weapons come easily from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Many persons arrested recently with illegal arms are not Punjab residents, but have licences issued on the basis of fake addresses in the state, he said, adding that proclaimed offenders from these states work as labourers in Punjab make available these weapons for as less as Rs5,000. A senior IPS officer said it was indeed worrying that weapons were easily available. Punjab has over 3.5 lakh licensed weapons, but we are more worried about illegal weapons in the hands of youngsters, he said. Tribune News Service Patiala, November 29 Family of the girl who was killed in the police firing after the Nabha jailbreak has demanded compensation and job for one member claiming that she was their sole breadwinner. Neha Sharma was killed after Samana policemen opened fire at a car that jumped the barricade after the jailbreak. Even though she has two elder brothers and a younger brother, they are jobless and she had even taken a loan for constructing the house in which the entire family stays, they claimed. No one from the state government has approached the family yet, they claimed even as Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann paid a visit to the bereaved family. Mann was accompanied by three AAP candidates from Patiala district. He called up the Patiala SSP in front of the family and media and expressed discontent over registering case against unidentified persons. He urged the SSP to book all the policemen who were on duty on the naka where Neha was shot. Refusing to make any comment on a Parliamentary committees decision that has found him guilty, Mann said he had already rendered unconditional apology and presented his case strongly before the committee that his action was unintentional. Mann said he will speak on as to whether the decision is right or wrong only when the committee formally announces quantum of punishment. Prateek Chauhan Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 28 A Delhi Police team (special cell) arrested Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo from the Nizamuddin railway station while he was reportedly planning to flee to Goa early in the morning. A semi-automatic pistol and six live cartridges were recovered from him. Mintoo was among the six persons to have escaped from the Nabha jail on Sunday. The Punjab Government had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh to anybody providing clues on his whereabouts. The Delhi Police learnt that one of the jail attackers, Palwinder Singh Pinda arrested in Uttar Pradeshs Shamli district had confessed to having dropped Mintoo and another terrorist, Kashmir Singh, in Kaithal (Haryana), from where they were to proceed to Delhi. An alert was sounded and photographs of the escapees sent to various police stations. Security was deployed at probable hideouts, guest houses checked and bus terminals and railway stations searched. A Sikh wearing a patka, his beard trimmed, was spotted moving about with caution. His mannerism raised suspicion. He was nabbed as he walked away from a ticket counter at the Nizamuddin station. Sources said Mintoo and Kashmir, who escaped in a Toyota Fortuner driven by Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, were dropped on the outskirts of Kurukshetra. They were given Rs 19,000 by Sekhons brother Mani. Both escapees hid themselves in cane fields for some time. Kashmir went to a village and brought a scissor. Both escapees cut their hair and beard and boarded a jeep to reach Kurukshetra from where they took a bus to Panipat. They changed another bus to reach the ISBT, New Delhi. To avoid suspicion, they walked separately to the Nizamuddin station to board a train for Goa, said DCP PS Kushwaha. A Delhi court has sent Mintoo to police custody for a week. Seeking his remand, the police said they needed to question him on the possible role of insiders and outsiders in the Nabha jailbreak. Six men, five of them in police uniform, had made their way into the maximum-security Nabha jail on Sunday morning and freed two terrorists, including Mintoo, and four gangsters, firing over 50 rounds. New York, November 29 President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named a vociferous Obamacare critic and an Indiana policy consultant to help him overhaul the US healthcare system. Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, will be Trumps Health and Human Services Secretary, and consultant Seema Verma will lead the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a powerful agency that oversees government health programmes and insurance standards. Trump cast Price and Verma as a dream team to help him once he takes office on January 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare, President Barack Obamas signature health law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Of Price, Trump said in a statement: He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American. Price said there was much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit. The 2010 Obamacare law triggered a long and bitter political battle between the White House and congressional Republicans, who said it created unwarranted government intervention in personal healthcare and private industry. Trump has said he will replace Obamacare with a plan to give states more control over the Medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally. Both positions require Senate confirmation, and the Trump administration will need congressional approval to repeal and replace the health law. Price, an early Trump supporter from the US House of Representatives, is chairman of the budget committee. He has long championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts and lawsuit reforms to replace Obamacare. Verma worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Indiana Governor, on a compromise to expand Medicaid coverage for the state's poor with federal funding. The Indiana programme requires beneficiaries to make monthly contributions to health savings accounts. Trump said Verma had decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate complicated healthcare systems. "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," he said. Price and Verma are two of about 70 people with whom Trump has met as he looks to shape his White House and Cabinet team. Reuters Indian-American CEO may join Trump admn Donald Trump has met Sandeep Mathrani, a top Indian-American real estate industry veteran from Chicago, amid reports of him joining the new administration. Mathrani, 54, the Chief Executive Officer of General Growth Properties the second-largest mall portfolio owner in the US, met Trump in New York on Monday. Race for Secretary of State hots up Stepping up his search for the US Secretary of State, Trump has met highly decorated but scandal-scarred former CIA chief David Petraeus amid open infighting among Trumps advisers over who to pick for the coveted post. Trump tweeted about the meeting, saying he was very impressed" with the retired general. In his interaction with media, Petraeus said it was a very good conversation, and added that, We'll see where it goes from here. Seoul, November 29 South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday asked Parliament to decide how and when she can give up power over an influence-peddling scandal, taking the countrys political crisis deeper into uncharted terrain. The main opposition Democratic Party rejected Parks offer, calling it a ploy to escape being impeached, and said it would continue efforts to bring an impeachment motion in Parliament, which it has sought to do as soon as Friday. No South Korean President has failed to complete a single five-year term since the current democratic system was introduced in 1987. I will leave to Parliament everything about my future, including shortening of my term, Park said in a brief televised speech. Her dramatic manoeuvre puts the burden of resolving the crisis, involving a close friend accused of meddling in state affairs, on Parliament, which has been controlled by a coalition of opposition parties since Parks conservative Saenuri Party unexpectedly lost its majority in the April elections. The presidential office and Parks lawyer have denied the accusations against her. She has immunity from prosecution in the case as long as she remains in office. If Park resigns or an impeachment vote in Parliament is upheld by the Constitutional Court, an election must be held in 60 days to nominate a President to serve a five-year term, with the Prime Minister leading the country in the interim. That short time frame could leave the main political parties looking to buy time in order to coalesce behind presidential candidates, and political analysts said it may take months for parliament to agree on an exit plan for Park. I will step down from my position according to the law once a way is formed to pass on the administration in a stable manner that will also minimise political unrest and vacuum after ruling and opposition parties discussion, Park said, her voice firm. Park Kwang-on, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said it looked like she was trying to stall proceedings. Reuters New York, November 29 President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named a vociferous Obamacare critic and an Indiana policy consultant to help him overhaul the US healthcare system. Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, will be Trump's Health and Human Services secretary, and consultant Seema Verma will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a powerful agency that oversees government health programmes and insurance standards. Trump cast Price and Verma as a "dream team" to help him once he takes office on January 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare, President Barack Obama's signature health law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Of Price, Trump said in a statement: "He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American". Price said there was much work to be done "to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors" based on "sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit". The 2010 Obamacare law triggered a long and bitter political battle between the White House and congressional Republicans, who said it created unwarranted government intervention in personal healthcare and private industry. Trump has said he will replace Obamacare with a plan to give states more control over the Medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally. Both positions require Senate confirmation, and the Trump administration will need congressional approval to repeal and replace the health law. Price, an early Trump supporter from the US House of Representatives, is chairman of the budget committee. He has long championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts and lawsuit reforms to replace Obamacare. Verma worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, on a compromise to expand Medicaid coverage for the state's poor with federal funding. The Indiana programme requires beneficiaries to make monthly contributions to health savings accounts. Trump said Verma had decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate complicated healthcare systems. "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," he said. Price campaigned with Trump because he promised to overhaul Obamacare. However, Trump's position on the health insurance programme appeared to soften after he met Obama following the hard-fought November 8 election. Obama has acknowledged the law could use improvements but has credited Obamacare with cutting the number of uninsured Americans from 49 million in 2010 to 29 million in 2015. Much of that drop is due to the law's provision allowing states to expand Medicaid. Trump said he would consider keeping provisions in the law that let parents keep adult children up to age 26 on insurance policies and bar insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Price and Verma are two of about 70 people with whom Trump has met as he looks to shape his White House and Cabinet team. Trump is expected to reveal an additional Cabinet pick on Tuesday while continuing to consider his options for the three biggest positions secretaries of state, defense and Treasury. Trump saw retired General David Petraeus, a potential candidate for the State Department or the Pentagon, on Monday. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet with US Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and later have dinner with Mitt Romney. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, and Corker are in the running for secretary of state, along with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Reuters Kabul, November 29 The US military wants to replace Afghanistan's well-worn fleet of Russian helicopters with American-made aircraft, according to a new budget proposal, a decision aimed at reducing the Afghan air force's decades-long reliance on Russian equipment. The Afghan air force, trained and assisted by NATO advisers, has slowly gained strength, but remains too small to meet the needs of security forces struggling to combat a stubborn Taliban insurgency. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Now the US Defence Department is requesting funding to refurbish and update 53 older-model US military UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for the Afghans, enough to replace the current fleet of Russian-designed Mi-17 helicopters. Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, and the prospect of warmer US-Russian ties, could yet impact the proposed move, but were it to go through, it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and require retraining potentially hundreds of Afghan pilots to fly the new craft. Roughly 50 Mi-17 transport helicopters form the backbone of the air force, flying missions including troop and supply transport, medical evacuation and close air support. Heavy fighting, hard conditions and maintenance problems have taken their toll on the fleet, however, and the US military has faced legal barriers to providing new Mi-17s and parts amid deteriorating relations with Russia. "The Department of Defence has determined that procuring US-made helicopters is a more sustainable long-term solution to meet the requirements," spokesman Adam Stump said. Among the reasons were "legal restrictions on spending DoD funds to maintain or buy more Russian helicopters." New funding requested The $814 million request, made in a budget amendment submitted this month, would also provide money for other new attack aircraft for the Afghans. It would help push the total funding for Afghan security forces to $4.2 billion for 2017, surpassing the $1.2 billion requested for arming and supporting local forces in Iraq and Syria. Under the proposal, UH-60A helicopters earmarked for the Afghans would be taken from the U.S. Army's inventory and upgraded to a UH-60A+ variant, which Stump said was "suitable for the challenging Afghanistan environment." Military planners hope to begin fielding the Black Hawks in Afghanistan, already a common sight during America's 15-year war there, within two years of Congress approving funding, he added. The budget also requests funding for 30 additional armed MD-530 attack helicopters, six A-29 fixed wing close attack aircraft and five AC-208 aircraft for the Afghan air force. Altogether, the military may order as many as 159 Black Hawks for the Afghans, said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who represents Connecticut, home of the helicopter's manufacturer Sikorsky, and other lawmakers in a statement. Of roughly 3,000 Black Hawks in use in the world, the U.S. Army operates at least 2,300, according to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, which was acquired by military aviation giant Lockheed Martin last year. Afghan officials in Kabul said they had yet to be officially informed of any decision, but would welcome Black Hawks. "They have been tested in Afghanistan and can support our forces on the ground," said Mohammad Radmanish, a spokesman for the Afghan Defence Ministry. Russia's state-owned Rostec, parent company of the main Russian military helicopter manufacturer, and Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms export agency, declined to comment, as did the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, which is the state regulator for arms exports. Reuters 5 Tips to Help Drivers Transition to Electronic Logging With the publishing of the final rule in December 2015, drivers who record their Hours of Service (HOS) will need to find and implement an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) prior to the deadline in December of 2017. While the change has been welcomed by the ATA and lawmakers who feel that paper logs have been proven to be less accurate and easy to manipulate, some drivers are not so enthusiastic, fearing an invasion of privacy and big brother management. Check out this white paper now and learn 5 tips to help your drivers transition to electronic logging. By Telogis, A Verizon Company Image via Elainelchao.com. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 29 that he will nominate Elaine Chao to serve as Secretary of Transportation. No stranger to the Executive Branch, Chao served as secretary of labor throughout President George W. Bushs two terms and as deputy secretary of transportation under President George H.W. Bush. Born in Taiwan, Secretary Chao arrived in the U.S, with her family in 1961 at age 8. She was the first Asian American woman and the first Taiwanese American in history to be appointed to a Cabinet post. Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear was quick to praise Trumps selection to head the Department of Transportation. I had the privilege of serving with and working closely with Secretary Chao during my time at the Department of Labor, [where he served as assistant secretary of policy from 2001-2004] and I am extremely pleased that she will be taking on this new challenge, Spear said. President-elect Trump could not have picked a more qualified, experienced and dedicated individual to serve in this important role," he added. "Secretary Chao understands the issues we face as we try to keep Americas freight moving safely and efficiently." Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) also applauded the selection of Chao to head DOT. America faces a number of important challenges when it comes to our transportation networks that will require strong leadership from the executive branch, Shuster said. I am committed to working with Secretary Chao and President Trump to make responsible investments in our infrastructure, streamline transportation improvements, reduce regulatory burdens, encourage private-public partnerships, and encourage innovation to preserve and strengthen Americas economic competitiveness. Chaos prior government service also included stints as director of the Peace Corps, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, deputy maritime administrator, and White House Fellow. Prior to her government service, she was a vice president at BankAmerica Capital Markets Group and a banker with Citicorp. In addition, she has served as president and CEO of the United Way of America charity. Chao holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an economics degree from Mount Holyoke College. Originally posted on Automotive Fleet ATLANTIC SKIES: Stellar asterisms eye-catching pretenders to the constellation throne and just part of the bigger picture Most everyone, or at least most amateur astronomers, are familiar with the constellations in the night sky to some degree. Many, however, may not be familiar with the numerous asterisms in the night sky. What is the difference between a constellation ... Since my mother had passed away earlier this year, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche advised me to take my dad on a holiday. He suggested several countries like India, Nepal, Burma, Thailand and so forth. Rinpoche said that we should go to these places to make our holiday a meaningful one because these countries are full of spiritual power places. In other words, we can go to these places to make good prayers, aspirations and offerings that would plant powerful seeds for his future life, especially for someone like my dad who is older. I could not do this for my mom since she had passed away, but I can definitely do this for my dad especially now that he is free and he is still healthy enough to travel. After talking about it with my dad and my friend Paul, we decided that we should go to Nepal and we could bring Pauls mom along. In fact, it would be my dads and Pauls moms first time to Nepal and I can feel that it would be great. We felt that this was a good time to go and Rinpoche added that we should stop by a Tibetan monastery called Serpom in India to have our parents make offerings to the monks there. It would be great experience for them to collect merit. Therefore, the whole itinerary was revamped to include an extra destination and the visa application required to enter India. Pilgrimages are basically a spiritual journey to power places in order to connect with the aspirations and energies of that place. These places are charged with the energy of enlightened beings that meditated, resided, consecrated or performed enlightened deeds in that location. Hence, we go to these places to connect with these energies in order to plant powerful blessings into our mind stream. The main places we would be going to in Nepal were power places of the tantric deity Vajrayogini and these are great places to connect with. Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David Serpom Monastery Serpom Monastery was originally Pomra Khangtsen, a part of Sera Mey Monastery. Due to the Dorje Shugden issue, the monks of Pomra Khangtsen were unable to remain in the monastery. Therefore, the entire Pomra Khangtsen had to separate and establish Serpom Monastery in 2008. Some say that the very existence of Dorje Shugden monasteries like Serpom shows that Dorje Shugden practitioners have the freedom to practice and that the ban does not really exist. However, the reality of the situation is that the establishment of Serpom was forced upon the monks of this monastery, and that is why the very existence of Serpom Monastery is a living proof of the existence of the ban on Dorje Shugden. Rinpoche suggested that we visit this monastery so that our parents get to make offerings to the monks personally in order to collect merit. In this manner, we lend our support to these courageous monks for our lineage. Coincidentally, Pauls mother had set aside some money meant for a puja for her late husband, and my dad had also contributed an amount in dedication to my late mother. Therefore, a large Dorje Shugden puja was commissioned and the torma ritual cakes, tsok food offerings, breakfast of bread and tea for all the monks are sponsored. In sponsoring the puja, Pauls mother and my father also offered each monk Rs200 as a kuyong or monetary offering. The monastery has approximately 567 monks, and most of them attended the puja. We arrived in KempeGowda International Airport in Bangalore on the day before the puja. The monastery administrator had arranged for transport to the monastery so we can greet the monasterys officials before they put us up at a nearby hotel for the night. We came back to the monastery the next day to make the offerings. But before that, we were taken on a tour of the school and library. Upon our return to the main prayer hall, the monks were on a break, and so we were ushered upstairs to have some tea. Not long after, the temple gong resounded, calling the monks to return to the prayer hall for puja. While the monks were in puja, we were ushered downstairs to the prayer hall. We offered three prostrations to the sangha, and we were given khatas to be offered onto the lama thrones, to every large statue and also to the protectors in the protector chapel. Then, we were ushered back upstairs, and at the right moment, we were ushered back to the prayer hall to make the kuyong offerings to the monks. The monks respectfully received the offering with their hands respectfully covered with their zen, which is the loose shawl-like part of their maroon robes. After completing the offering, we were ushered upstairs for lunch. We returned to the protector chapel after the monks had vacated the temple for another break. We had requested to have the honour for our parents to offer pearl necklaces onto the statues of Dorje Shugden and his emanations at the protector chapel. This was Rinpoches idea and had pearl necklaces ready beforehand. So, I guided them with making the right motivation, which was to pray for their respective deceased spouse and family. For my father, I told him to pray to be free of obstacles to be able to do his Dharma work that had been assigned by Rinpoche so he can collect as much merits for his next life. We left the monastery not long after in order to head back to Bangalore to take the evening plane to Nepal. Seto Macchendranath We arrived in Nepal late in the evening, and we decided to have dinner at our hotel and planned our destination for the next few days. The next day, we decided that it would be good to visit all the nearby destinations, and the first on the list was the nearby Chenrezig and Tara temples. We took a taxi that brought us close to the temple, but the taxi driver was unsure of the temples location. We arrived at Assan Tole, it was an ancient narrow street bazaar, chock-full of Nepalese street vendors hawking flower garlands, vegetables, clay pots and so forth. The street was just crowded with shoppers and passerbys crisscrossing in all directions. We navigated through the crowd, asking for the temples direction. Fortunately, Jan Bahal, the home of the Chenrezig statue was easily found. The Nepalese call this deity; Seto or White Macchendranath and both Hindus and Buddhists worship this deity. To the Hindus, he is the avatar of Shiva that brings rain and bountiful harvest. For the Buddhists, he is Arya Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. The Tibetans calls this sacred image Jowo Dzamling Karmo, and he is one of the Four Exalted Brothers. According to legend, this image along with the other three arose from a single Sandalwood tree. One of the images is in Patan and whose face is painted red, and he is known today as Rato or Red Macchendranath. Another one by the name of Phagpa Wati of Kyirong is in the possession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the last one is known as Lhasa Lokeshvara that is part of the Potala collection. Hence, this Chenrezig statue is really old and the courtyard itself has several old Tara statues enthroned on pillars and the walls of entire temple is covered various forms of Chenrezig. There are even prayer wheels along the way around the temple allowing pilgrims to turn them as they make their devotional rounds. We offered butterlamps, prayers, mantras and even circumambulated Chenrezig by going around the temple. One of the female temple caretakers looked a little crazy, and I whispered to Paul that at holy places like these, Rinpoche said we should always make offerings to crazy-looking female beggars and not ignore or chase them away because they might be emanations of dakinis. Paul immediately took out a little bit of money and offered it to her. I did the same when I crossed her path later, and she smiled broadly back at me. Before we left the temple; we held hands, closed our eyes and dedicated. Itum Bahal Tara Our next destination was the Tara chapel of Itum Bahal. Itum Bahal is an ancient 14th century Buddhist monastery and it was not easy to find as we had to ask quite a number of people before arriving at the main temple courtyard. A nondescript chapel to a trinity of Tara statues sits in a smaller courtyard off from the main larger temple courtyard. The central statue is an old statue of White Tara that according to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is a Tara statue that flew miraculously from Tibet. It flew to Nepal to be of benefit to the beings here, and it is also a statue that spoke to great masters who paid homage to her. We offered butterlamps, flower garlands, Tara mantras and circumambulations. However, I advised our parents to pray for long healthy lives in order to engage in spiritual practises. The chapel was really small but popular as we can see that other Tibetan pilgrims are streaming into the courtyard. After dedicating, we left the temple grounds and got back to the main street in order to go back to the hotel for a break. Bidjeswori Vajrayogini Our next destination is the Bidjeswori Vajrayogini Temple, and it is also known by a few other names, Bijayaswar or Visyasvari Temple. This is an ancient Newar Buddhist temple dedicated to the Tantric Buddha Vajrayogini or Bajra Jogini in the Newar language. The Newar people are a mixture of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan-Burmese ethnicities and they form the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. They are the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation in Nepal. Before heading out to the temple, I went to buy some offerings for Vajrayogini so as to create a powerful connection with her. The temple stands on the west bank of the Bishnumati River not far from Thamel, and it is also believed to be next to the ancient charnel grounds of Ramadoli (Karnadip). The temple sits within a courtyard of stupas and the inner sanctum is a shrine to four sacred Vajrayogini statues. The central image is that of Akash Yogini or the sky-going Vajrayogini. To her left is Phamthing Vajrayogini with her left leg thrust skyward and her right is the celestial dancer Vajravarahi. Then there is a statue placed on the right wall is a statue of the haunting Naropas Dakini. I unpacked the food offerings onto little plates to be offered and the temple caretaker helped to place it near Vajrayogini as we did our prayers. We made butterlamp offerings and in this temple, I told our parents to pray to have the merits to be reborn under similar circumstances to be near a teacher of authentic lineage of Vajrayogini and to receive her practice again. As we were making these aspirations and offerings, the temple caretaker screamed at Paul for taking pictures so close to the shrine and would not allow him inside. Nepalese are highly sensitive about people taking pictures of their sacred shrines. Just before exiting the temple, I offered one of my late mothers jewelled earrings, and I asked the temple caretaker to help me place it on Vajrayogini herself in order to collect merit for her. I gestured for him to place the earring on Naropas Dakini. I prayed that she would be blessed to be connected to the Dharma in her next life and be connected to the Dharma and Vajrayogini. Sankhu Vajrayogini We hired an SUV to take us up into the hills and into Sankhu because that would be the farthest destination. It is only about 17 kilometres but because the recent earthquake had destroyed the road, the journey felt much longer than 17 kilometers. At Sankhu, we were headed towards Gum Bahal, which is an ancient monastery situated on top of a hill that is power place of Vajrayogini. On a previous trip with Rinpoche, we had arrived at the bottom of a stairs late in the evening, and we had to climb a flight of stairs in pitch-black darkness with torches in order to get to the monastery. This time around, the driver drove us right up the hill and the road ended right behind the monastery. The monastery itself is a custodian of a special 4-armed Vajrayogini bearing a sword, lotus, skullcup and ritual chopper. This form of Vajrayogini is known as the Khadga Yogini or the sword-bearing Vajrayogini. The statue in the monastery itself is a life-sized Khadga Yogini that is believed to contain the remains of a priestess of Sankhu that was a great practitioner of Vajrayogini. She was said to have become one with Vajrayogini, and she showed many signs of high attainments. Even at death, her remains bore remarkable signs and hence, they enshrined her within this statue. The local people bring this statue out yearly to parade her around town in a weeklong religious festival called the Vajrayogini Jatra. Due to the earthquake, the monastery was under repairs, and the statue was brought to a room facing the courtyard while the monastery was being restored. I unpacked offerings of food and apple juice. We offered butterlamps, prayers, mantras and especially an aspiration that I had guided them to make. I told them that in this second Vajrayogini temple, we should pray in future lives that we will always meet Vajrayogini and receive her practice from a teacher of authentic lineage. Then, we will gain great attainments through our Vajrayogini practice and enact the altruistic deeds of a Bodhisattva by benefitting many beings. We made a dedication and took a walk around the courtyard of the monastery and down a small flight of stone stairs towards a twin pagoda shrines. At the large of the two shrines, we discovered another very ancient statue of Khadga Yogini is enshrined within and a stupa is enshrined in the other smaller shrine. So, we paid homage to both shrines by offering butterlamps and reciting mantras at these two ancient shrines. I recall that there were some caves nearby that were used by Tilopa, Naropa and the Nepalese Pamthingpa brothers. Unfortunately, we couldnt visit these caves due to ongoing restoration works. Boudhanath Stupa After Sankhu, we drove back to Kathmandu and went on towards Boudhanath. The Boudhanath stupa is reputed to be the largest stupa in the world. Traditional sources say that the great Boudhanath Stupa was constructed in the 5th Century CE. The stupa is believed to enshrine the relics of the previous Buddha, Kashyapa Buddha. According to legend, a long time ago Jadzimo and her four sons built Boudhanath, which is known as Chorten Jarung Khashor with money that they saved from their wages. When the stupa was consecrated, it was believed that 100 million Buddhas dissolved into it, and it has the glory of being filled with sacred relics. It is believed that the stupa was built on top of the cremation ground called Spontaneously Amassed, which was one of the Eight Great Cremation Grounds. The name Jarung Khashor refers to another legend of its origin in which a courtesan who wounded the pride of the wealthy and powerful by managing to construct this stupa to the Buddha with the permission of the king. The jealous nobles requested the king to demolish the Stupa over petty reasons, but the king replied that Once authority to build has been given, it cannot be retracted, which is reflected in its name, Jarung Khashor. Guru Rinpoche while in Samye monastery told another tale of the Boudhanath Stupa. He explained that the aspirational prayers of the benefactor Jadzimas sons, created the cause for them to be reborn as the principle force behind the spread of the teachings in Tibet Guru Padmasambhava, the King Trisong Detsen, Santaraksita and Ba Salnang. When they met in Nepal and Tibet for the very first time, it felt like a reunion. Guru Padmasambhava foretold that the Stupa would fall into ruin and a certain tulku with a certain special characteristic would restore the stupa. It turns out that Sakya Zangpo discovered the ruined Stupa in the 16th century and undertook the task to restore it to its former glory. In 1505, he also contributed towards the restoration of Swayambhunath. Today, the Boudhanath Stupa is a World Heritage Site and Buddhists and tourists from around the world come to visit this ancient monument. Most people who come to visit, would be circumambulating the stupa, and some would be within the walled enclosure of the stupa and performing prostrations towards the stupa. The stupa itself is surrounded by shops filled with jewellery, statues, thangkas and not to mention the cafes, restaurants and monasteries and temples of various Tibetan Buddhist traditions. We came here to look for a place to eat before we did our devotional rounds around the stupa. After circumambulating with the growing crowd as more and more older Tibetan pilgrims came out to circumambulate the stupa in the evening. After our third round, we called it a day and returned back to our hotel. Pharping Vajrayogini Pharping is a good 19km south of Kathmandu city and is a major Buddhist site due to a number of sacred sites. There are three places that are in the vicinity of each other and the ancient Vajrayogini chapel is one of the main reasons we are headed to this place. On my previous trips, we stopped by the Self-arising Tara temple first and then we walk up the stairs to Asura caves and finally descending down another flight of stairs to the Vajrayogini temple. This time around, the car we rented brought us straight to the Vajrayogini temple. So we approach the temple and walked upstairs to the Vajrayogini shrine, and I could see that the caretaker really cleaned up the place. It was a lot cleaner than the last few times I came. The inner sanctum sits an ancient statue of Vajrayogini with her left foot thrust skywards. This form of Vajrayogini is known as Phamthing Vajrayogini, Uddhapada Yogini or Indra Yogini. Apparently, this form of Vajrayogini appeared to the master Phamthingpa in a vision, and although it is unclear if this statue belong to Phamthingpa or not but this statue is known to have miraculously spoken. The 11th century Nepalese master Phamthingpa was one of the greatest teachers of his day and was also known as the great scholar Vagishvarakirti. He studied under Naropa for nine years, receiving the transmission of the Cakrasamvara and Hevajra Tantras amongst others. Even his brother, Dukhorba studied under Naropa for five years and his youngest brother Thangchungpa was a practicing Tantrika as well. Naturally, we brought lots of offerings to be offered to Vajrayogini, which we offered via the caretaker along with mantras, prayers and aspiration. It is at this place that I guided our parents to make the aspiration that upon receiving Vajrayogini in our next life; we master it and become completely enlightened with Vajrayoginis meditations and practises. It is to master her meditations and practices and thereby proliferate it to others. After everything was done, I took out the other jewelled earring from my late mom and gave it to the caretaker to be placed onto the statue of Vajrayogini. I prayed that my mom would be blessed by Vajrayogini to have the merits to meet the Dharma again and specifically meet Vajrayogini in her next life. Asura Cave Our next destination was a Nyingma monastery built around a single cave called the Asura Cave. This monastery is approachable only on foot by climbing up the hill from the Vajrayogini temple. After a short flight of steep steps, we arrived at the back of the monastery. When we arrived, the nearby prayer halls were packed and it seemed that Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche was giving teachings. Nonetheless, we managed to enter the cave to offer our prayers, mantras and aspirations. There is a darkened image of Guru Rinpoche, Yangdak Heruka and Vajrakilaya on a shrine with the cave. There is a handprint of Guru Rinpoche by the side of the mouth of the cave, sealing his blessings there. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche achieved high realisations through his practice here and he was able to imprint his hand into solid rock. Self-arising Tara In order to get to the next destination, which is the Tara temple, we walked to the front of the monastery where there was another flight of steps downhill. Descending down the steps, we came across a Nyingma prayer hall to the left and a small little Tara chapel on the right and a chapel to the Tselha Namsum or the three buddhas that grand long life Amitayus, White Tara and Namgyalma. The Tara chapel is a shrine to a rock and from within the rock, a large image of Ganesh had arisen from the rock. Upon first sight, we couldnt see Tara but on closer inspection, we saw a small but distinct image of Tara rising from the side of Ganesh. These images were not carved but have arisen from within the rock itself. It is said that great meditators and holy beings blessed the place and hence, Tara had chosen to manifest here. There was a single monk there when we visited and he was doing his Tara recitations. Naturally, we made some offerings to him, offered butterlamps, Tara mantras and rubbed our malas on Taras feet, hopefully to glean some blessings into our malas. We didnt stay very long as a whole group of Tibetan pilgrims came shuffling in and crowding the place up. Patan Vajrayogini The next day, we took a ride to Patan which also known as Lalitpur, an ancient city known for its beauty. We were headed to the Mahabouddha, a scaled-down replica of the Mahabodhi stupa at Bodhgaya India. This is situated in the old part of town, not far from the Patan Durbar Square. The stupa is not visible from the road and you have to walk a narrow alleyway between shops till you arrive at a little entrance to the courtyard. The Mahaboudha stupa is built in the middle of a courtyard which enshrines a statue of the Buddha in it and apparently, the statue was brought back from Bodhgaya itself. The stupa was originally built in the 17th century by the artisans of the city for those who could not travel down to India for pilgrimage. This is a beautiful shrine to the Buddha but this is not exactly our main destination. We were here because there is a Vajrayogini chapel just opposite from the Mahaboudha stupa. The chapel is accessible through a flight of steps that overlooks the stupa. The main image of the shrine is the flying Vajrayogini statue. We did the same here in this chapel by offering food, butterlamps, mantras and aspiration. This was the last Vajrayogini temple on this pilgrimage and I told our parents to pray to be completely enlightened with Vajrayoginis practice and to ascend to Kechara Paradise while bringing many beings along. That should be our aspiration just in the same manner of how great mahasiddha who liberated many after they themselves gained great attainments. Swayambhunath Stupa This is known as the monkey temple due to sheer amount of monkeys living on the hill. This is the second largest stupa in Nepal and perhaps one of the most iconic because it is situated on top of a hill. Unfortunately, the earthquake devastated the temple and destroyed quite a number of its structures and temples surrounding the stupa. The stupa itself had survived the earthquake unscathed. There were three places we had to go and the first one is Manjushris site. This is on one side of the hill that is just a platform with prayer flags and some prayer wheels. This place is believed to be where Manjushri would appear to teach the local gods and celestial beings above the ground. We are unable to see this but those with psychic abilities or attained are able to perceive this. For the Nepalese, this is the site from which Manjushri stood and wielded his great flaming sword to carve out Kathmandu Valley in ancient times in order to drain a great lake. Needless to say, we offered several butterlamps and recited Manjushris praise and mantras in order to tap in his wisdom here. The next destination was the Swayambhunath stupa itself and we circumambulated the stupa 3 times, while rolling the prayer wheels, and peering into the niches that contained shrines to the Dhyani Buddhas and their consorts. After that, we walked past a group of smaller stupas and stroll down towards an old building. Unfortunately, the earthquake damaged the building so badly that scaffolding was erected to support the structure and prevent it from collapsing. This is the temple of the doors, which is believed to be the doors to the underground system of caverns the main doorway into the abode of the 16 Arhats known to bestow long life. Hence, we did some prayers and aspirations for long life, especially for our parents. After that, we left Swayambhunath hill. Naropas and Tilopas Caves On the last day, we paid a visit to Naropas and Tilopas cave near Pashupatinath temple complex. The temple complex is one of the largest Hindu temples in Nepal and one of the most important in the Hindu world. It was built along the Bagmati river and had ancient platform-ghats along the river where the deceased are cremated in plain sight of all who walk pass. We could see that a Hindu Brahmin priest was preparing an old lady for cremation. Just witnessing the cremation was a contemplation of death and impermanence. We walked across a bridge towards the temple and along the ghats towards the far end of the river where there were some dwellings and caves by the side of the river. Sadhus probably lived in these dwellings for centuries and two particular caves were traditionally attributed to the Buddhist yogins, Tilopa and Naropa. Their caves were cemented over and images of both masters were placed in them to commemorate the spot in which they had meditated. Naropa most likely meditated and received visions of Vajrayogini here in this very cave. This was also where he lived and served his guru by begging for alms and washing his clothes by the river below. A story of Naropas diligence and devotion to his teacher was appropriately told as it was the perfect story and example of devotion to a teacher. Hence, our aspirational prayer was to develop such devotion towards an authentic teacher so spiritual attainments could easily come. Conclusion The pilgrimage was one that connects the four main Vajrayogini temples along with other power places and the offerings and aspiration generated at these places are very powerful. Hence, at each temple the aspiration is a unique one and it is about praying to meet a guru with authentic lineage, receiving Vajrayoginis practice, becoming attained through her practice, benefitting many beings through her practice and finally ascending to Kechara Paradise and bringing many beings along to Kechara Paradise. It is hoped that these would plant powerful spiritual seeds for my father and for Pauls mother as well. Since, they are older and hence closer to death, this would be good preparation for the eventual step that all of us have to take. Free Download Nepali Dorje Shugden graphic novel This beautifully illustrated graphic novel in the Nepali language explains the fascinating story of how Bhagawan Dorje Shugden arose as the supreme World Peace Protector of our time. When you understand his story and origins, you will gain even more appreciation for this powerful divine being. Click on the link below to open the selected file in your browser (PDF format): Dorje Shugden Graphic Novel in Nepali () For more interesting information: Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 13 of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, allowance is made for fair dealing for purposes such as non-profit research, private study, criticism, review or the reporting of current events. The Operator and author(s) of TsemRinpoche.com, a not-for-profit blog, do not claim ownership on the intellectual property rights of the contents, images and/or videos reproduced in this article. Any subsisting intellectual property rights shall belong to the legal owner of the contents, images and/or videos. I have lived in Malaysia for over 20 years. During this time, I have developed a great appreciation for the cultures and customs that exist in Malaysia, which has inspired me to share more about the aspects of Malaysia that I like very much. One such example is the Dragon Boat Festival, which was originally from China, but has since been adopted into Malaysian culture. The adoption of this festival demonstrates the multi-ethnic nature of the Malaysian population. This ability to embrace various customs is the reason why Malaysia is so rich in its cultural identity. Therefore, I am pleased to present you with this article on the Dragon Boat Festival, its origins, how the custom was assimilated into Malaysian culture, and how people participate in the festival. The article also contains information about zongzi, glutinous rice balls, which are closely related to the Dragon Boat Festival. Tsem Rinpoche The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese: Longchuanjie) is also known as Tuen Ng, Duanwu Festival, or Zhongxiao Festival. The festival is said to celebrate loyalty to ones country and filial piety to ones parents. Traditionally, the festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. For that reason, the festival date varies from year to year when following the International (Gregorian) calendar. The Dragon Boat Festival is also known as the Fifth Month Festival or the Dumpling Festival among Chinese Malaysians, Singaporeans, and the Taiwanese. In the ethnic Chinese Hokkien communities, the festival is also known as Peh Cun. There are three known versions of the story that recount the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival. All three of these stories have tragic endings which are similar and moral lessons for us to contemplate. Version 1: The Legend of Qu Yuan (340 278 BCE) The Benevolent Nobleman The story of Qu Yuan is the most widely accepted origin story of the Dragon Boat Festival. Qu Yuan was a benevolent nobleman from the state of Chu in ancient China and according to Sima Qians Records of the Grand Historian, he was a member of the Chu royal family. Initially, he served as a minister during the time of King Huai of Chu, who ruled China between 328 299 BCE. Due to the influence of several corrupt ministers, King Huai exiled Qu Yuan to a region north of the Han River. He was eventually reinstated to his former position and assigned to establish a diplomatic relationship between the state of Chu and the state of Qi, a neighbouring kingdom. After King Huai passed away, his successor, King Qingxian, ascended the throne. Foreseeing that the state of Qin would attack the state Chu, Qu Yuan advised the king to join forces with the state of Qi in order to fight them. The Prime Minister at the time, Zilan, was unhappy about this proposal and sought to turn King Qingxian against Qu Yuan. The King listened to the Prime Minister and Qu Yuan was once again exiled, this time to a region south of the Yangtze River. During his time in exile, Qu Yuan spent most of his time gathering folk tales and legends, and writing poems about his love for his country. Today, some of his works are considered to be among the greatest poems in Chinese literature. The local villagers respected Qu Yuan because they viewed him as a wise and benevolent man. However, Qu Yuan remained worried that his prediction regarding the future attack on the state of Chu would eventually come true, and this anxiety affected his health. In 278 BCE, Qu Yuans worst fear came true. General Bai Qi from the state of Qin captured Ying, Chus capital. Upon hearing the news, Qu Yuan wrote a poem called Lament for Ying, and committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River, which is located in present-day Hunan Province of China. When they heard about Qu Yuans suicide, the local villagers rushed to the Miluo River to try to save him. They searched for him with their boats and beat their drums in a desperate attempt to save Qu Yuan. It was this hectic search for Qu Yuan that became the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. As they searched for Qu Yuans body, the villagers threw rice balls into the river to keep evil spirits and creatures in the river away from his body. Later on, Qu Yuan appeared to his friends in a dream to explain the circumstances surrounding his death and asked his friends to wrap the rice balls in three-cornered silk packages to pacify a dragon. Qu Yuans friends spread the news and began the tradition of making and offering the three-cornered rice packages to the dragon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Today, the three-cornered rice packages are wrapped in leaves and known as zongzi. Version 2: Wu Zixu (unknown 484 BCE) The Nobleman Who was Shunned by His Master In Sima Qians Records of the Grand Historian, Wu Zixu was also known as the Duke of Shen, or Shen Xu. As a trusted adviser to King Helu of Wu, he recommended the promotion of Bo Pi as a minister, despite warnings about his shady character. After King Helus passing, Wu Zixu was unable to build rapport with the new King Fuchai. Foreseeing that King Goujian of Yue, would one day attack the state of Wu, Wu Zixu advised King Fuchai to conquer the state of Yue before this could happen. But the king did not believed him. To make matters worse, King Fuchai chose to listen to Bo Pi, who advocated peace between the two kingdoms. Little did they know that Bo Pi had been bribed by King Goujian of Yue to manipulate the situation. Wu Zixu begged King Fuchai to follow his advice, but it only made him angry. The King gave Wu Zixu a sword and ordered him to commit suicide. Before he passed away, Wu Zixu requested that his eyes be removed after his death and placed at the citys entrance so he could see his prediction come true. Instead, King Fuchai ordered Wu Zixus body to be thrown into the river on the fifth day of the fifth month. Approximately ten years after Wu Zixus passing, his prediction came true. King Goujian of Yue attacked and conquered the state of Wu, while King Fuchai was engaged in a war with the state of Qi. In desperation, King Fuchian committed suicide with his eyes covered because he was ashamed of meeting Wu Zixu in the afterlife. Ironically, King Goujian convicted Bo Pi of treason against King Fuchai, and of taking bribes from foreign dignitaries. To this day, Wu Zixu is remembered during the Dragon Boat Festival, especially in the eastern-central coastal provinces of China. Version 3: Cao E (130143 CE) The Girl Who Lost Her Father Cao E was a daughter of a shaman named Cao Xu. One day, while he was conducting a ritual to commemorate the memory of Wu Zixu, Cao Xu fell into the Shun River. Devastated, Cao E spent days searching the river for her father. Five days after the incident, both Cao Es and Cao Xus lifeless bodies were found in the river. Eight years later, the locals built a temple in Shangyu to remember Cao Es act of filial piety, and the Shun River was renamed Cao E River in her memory. Cao Es sacrifice is remembered during the Dragon Boat Festival, especially in Northeastern Zhejiang, China. There are arguments that these legends were promoted by Confucian scholars during the Imperial China Period because they wanted to increase their influence. According to Professor Wen Yiduo, a 20th-century Chinese scholar, the Dragon Boat Festival actually originates from the tradition of dragon worship. The Dragon Boat Race symbolises the act of paying homage to the dragon, symbolic of active masculine energy in the world, while the zongzi was used as an offering of food to the Dragon King. Since the ancient Chinese were heavily dependent on agriculture for survival, weather played an important role. Dragons were said to have the ability to control the weather and therefore directly affected the state of agricultural productivity. Keeping the dragons happy ensured good weather, which in turn meant the survival of the local communities through good harvests. The dragon as a symbol was prevalent in both the states of Wu and Yue. According to Professor Wen Yiduo, the Dragon Boat Festival was most likely a custom unique to Wu and Yue, but gained popularity throughout the rest of China over the years. Regardless of how and why the legends were promoted, the Dragon Boat Festival continues to thrive to this very day. How the Festival was Adopted in Malaysia Wherever the Chinese travelled (whether for trade, economic or other other reasons), they brought their culture and traditions with them. According to Malaysias Department of Statistics, the Chinese population between 2014 and 2016 was estimated to have been 23.4%. That is almost a quarter of the entire Malaysian population. It is not surprising then, that the Dragon Boat Festival is widely observed throughout the various communities in Malaysia that include descendants of Chinese immigrants. The Malaysian government has embraced the Dragon Boat Festival as an important event that promotes racial harmony. The Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, a subsidiary of the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Culture, has included Dragon Boat Races in their Malaysia Events & Festivals publication. The Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board acknowledges the Dragon Boat Race as: a team-focused sport, which promotes discipline, harmony, physical fitness and mental toughness [and] an honoured sport that inculcates racial harmony. Activities Cooking and Eating Glutinous Rice Balls Traditional Chinese families gather together every year to make zongzi. In addition to holding, participating in, and watching Dragon Boat races, the Malaysian Chinese community celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival by making and eating zongzi. This tradition commemorates the time when villagers in ancient China threw rice balls into the river to pacify the dragon and river creatures in order to protect Minister Qu Yuans body. Due to its popularity, zongzi has evolved from a simple rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves to include assorted fillings. In the past, zongzi could only be found during the Dragon Boat Festival. Today, zongzi can be found all year round in places with a considerable Chinese population. The shape of the zongzi can vary from place to place, but it is commonly made in the three-cornered shape. In a typical traditional Chinese family, making zongzi is a family affair. Everyone participates in the process. Although bamboo leaves are the most commonly used wrap, other leaves, such as maize, banana, and pandan, can also be used to wrap the rice balls. Each leaf imparts a different flavour and aroma to the dish. Zongzi fillings may differ based on preference, but most of the time, glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice, is used. Wrapping the zongzi is an art in itself. Cooks are considered successful when the rice and contents stay intact while the zongzis are being boiled. Most of the time, the recipes and the skill of wrapping zongzi are passed down through the various generations in the family. On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, traditional Chinese families offer the zongzi to their ancestors and deities as a show of respect before eating the zongzi themselves. Zongzi is also popularly known as Chang in Malaysia. There are several types of Chang common in Malaysia: Bak Chang: Bak Chang usually contains pork meat with salted egg yolk, chestnut, dried shrimp, and mushroom, depending on preference. The rice is usually brown in colour. Bak Chang usually contains pork meat with salted egg yolk, chestnut, dried shrimp, and mushroom, depending on preference. The rice is usually brown in colour. Kiam Tee Chang (Nyonya glutinous rice dumplings): Kiam Tee Chang is considered a Malaysian Chinese speciality. It usually contains minced pork and winter melon with five spice and pepper. Kiam Tee Chang is considered a Malaysian Chinese speciality. It usually contains minced pork and winter melon with five spice and pepper. Kee Chang: plain glutinous rice with alkaline water. It is usually eaten with sugar or syrup and is considered a dessert. If you do not come from a family that gathers annually to make zongzi, you can still purchase this delicious delicacy. There are many places where you can buy them, however here is list of places known to be the best: Ho Yoke Kee This stall is located off Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur. The family who runs the stall has been in business since the 1960s. Address: No. 327 Jalan Hang Lekir 50000 Kuala Lumpur Business hours: 7:00 22:00 Yook Tho Yin This restaurant is located in Damansara Uptown, and they specialise in Cantonese cuisine. They sell small and large Cantonese-style dumplings. Their large dumplings weight almost a kilo each. Address: 13 Jalan SS 21/37 Damansara Utama Petaling Jaya 47400 Selangor Business hours: 10:30 15:00 & 18:00 23:00 Imbi Market Inside Imbi Market, there is a stall that has been run by three sisters for many years. They sell Cantonese Zong, plain Gan Shui Zong, and Nyonya dumplings. Address: 12, 6, Jalan Kampung Pudu 55100 Kuala Lumpur Business hours: 6:30 12:00 Noble Mansion Noble Mansion sells premium zongzi filled with ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms and lingzhi. Address: 1st Floor The Plaza at Jaya 33 1 Jalan Semangat, Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya 46100 Selangor Business hours: 11:00-15:00 & 18:00 23:00 Participating in the Dragon Boat Race According to Malaysia Events & Festivals 2016, Dragon Boat Races were held in the following places: Melaka as part of Melaka River International Festival (25 May 4 June 2016) and the Melaka International Dragon Boat Race (11 June 2016) as part of Melaka River International Festival (25 May 4 June 2016) and the Melaka International Dragon Boat Race (11 June 2016) Penang as part of the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (28-29 May 2016) as part of the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (28-29 May 2016) Sabah as part of the Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race (21-22 June 2016) as part of the Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race (21-22 June 2016) Putrajaya as part of the Malaysian International Dragon Boat Race (25-26 September 2016> as part of the Malaysian International Dragon Boat Race (25-26 September 2016> Sarawak as part of the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta (11-13 November 2016) Since its inception, the Dragon Boat Race has evolved into a professional sport. The event is no longer restricted to the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Some of the Malaysian coordinators of Dragon Boat races, such as the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2016, have explicitly declared that they abide by the rules and regulations of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and the Asian Dragon Boat Federation (ADBF), a subsidiary of the Olympic Council of Asia. According to the International Dragon Boat Federation, the Malaysia Dragon Boat Association has been registered as a basic member of this institution since 1991. Dragon Boat Race Putrajaya 300m 22 Crew Final 2016 Or view the video on the server at: https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/DragonBoatRace.mp4 Preparation for the Dragon Boat Race Individual Preparation You need muscle strength and strong lungs in order to take part in Dragon Boat races. Participants are advised to train for strength and endurance so that their bodies are conditioned for the race and protected from injury. Team Preparation Although each team can choose their own strategies in order to increase their chances of winning, the basic skills, such as teams synchrony and the way they row the oars, are prerequisites. It is highly advisable that team members train together prior to the race itself. According to the Worldwide Dragon Boat Calendar website, erious dragon boat racers train [all] year round, even in the coldest winter month. Fees, Registration, and Prizes Fees and registration are based on 2016 figures and may change from time to time. The race participation fee ranges from RM150-RM300 per person. Prizes can come in the form of trophies, medals, and/or monetary gifts. Accommodation for Participants The Dragon Boat race usually lasts between four to five days, which includes registration, team meetings, training, and usually a two-day racing event, as well as a day reserved for sightseeing in the local area. Most of the time, the event organisers also arrange accommodation for the participants. Clothing Requirements When practising for or participating in the Dragon Boat race, it is advisable to wear attire that does not absorb moisture, such as Dry Fit and Coolmax fabric. It is better to wear tight-fitting clothes as loose clothing can easily drag when wet. Visiting Malaysia Travel Document Requirements to Enter Malaysia Visitors who wish to visit Malaysia should ensure that their passports are valid for at least six months before entering Malaysia. Citizens of ASEAN countries (i.e. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) can stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days without a visa. Visitors from other nations can either apply for a visa in advance, pay RM330 for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or are granted up to 90-days visitor permits on arrival. Check with your nearest Malaysian Embassy or online for visa requirements before travelling. Citizens of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), India, Bangladesh, and Nepal are now eligible to apply for eVisa. What to Wear in Malaysia Malaysia is a tropical country, therefore most people wear clothing made from light and breathable fabrics. It is recommended to bring several lightweight tops, slacks, sunglasses, hat, sweaters, at least one scarf or shawl, as well as shorts, dresses, and skirts that come down to the knee. You can also consider bringing flats or comfortable shoes. How to Get Around when You are in Malaysia You can either charter a long-distance taxi that you can pay by the hour, or use the cheaper public transportation buses if you are in major cities. If you are in Kuala Lumpur, you can also use the Light Rail Transit (LRT) or the monorail system. Those visiting Melaka, or Georgetown in Penang, can experience a more traditional mode of transportation with the bicycle rickshaws. Where to Stay When You are in Malaysia Getting a place to stay in Malaysia is relatively easy. There are many hotels, hostels, and inns, up for consideration. Visitors can try to search online and look at other peoples reviews before making a booking. Several hotels in Penang to consider: Bayview Hotel Georgetown Address: Lebuh Farquhar George Town 10200 George Town Pulau Pinang Malaysia Phone: +60 4-263 3161 Eastern & Oriental Hotel Address: Lebuh Farquhar George Town 10200 George Town Pulau Pinang Malaysia Phone: +60 4-222 2000 G Hotel Penang Address: 168A, Persiaran Gurney Pulau Tikus 10250 George Town Pulau Pinang Malaysia Phone: +60 4-238 0000 Several hotels in Kuala Lumpur to consider: RHR Hotel Address: Kampus Putrajaya University Tenaga Nasional, KM7 Jalan Ikram-Uniten 43009 Kajang Selangor Malaysia Phone: +60 3-8922 2088 Hotel Bangi Putrajaya Address: Off, Persiaran Bandar 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi Selangor Malaysia Phone: +60 3-8210 2222 Empress Hotel Sepang Address: Jalan ST 1c/7 43900 Sepang Malaysia Phone: +60 3-8706 7777 Several hotels along the Melaka river to consider: Quayside Hotel Address: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir 75000 Melaka Malaysia Phone: +60 6-284 1001 The Shore @ Malacca River Address: Kampung Bunga Paya Pantai 75100 Malacca Malaysia Phone: +60 6-282 2666 906 Riverside Hotel Malacca Address: 52, Jalan Kampung Hulu 75200 Melaka Malaysia Phone: +60 6-282 8906 Sources of information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu_Yuan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sima_Qian https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Zixu http://malaysia.com/duanwu-festival-culture.html http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/07/26/chinese-population-continues-to-decline/ http://www.penangdragonboat.gov.my/portal/ Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia); Malaysia Events & Festivals 2016; December 2015 http://www.idbf.org/members https://sarawaktourism.com/event/sarawak-international-dragon-boat-regatta/ http://www.ocasia.org/Sports/SportsFed.aspx?PeMZ0l6yoEEW02q3HVv9iEEDm3tIwYs4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zongzi http://malaysia.com/blog/chinese-dumplings-chang/index.html http://www.mykeuken.com/2011/06/puah-kiam-ti-chang-nyonya-glutinous.html http://www.dragonboatcalendar.com/fitness_conditioning.htm http://www.dragonboatcalendar.com/training.htm http://www.kln.gov.my/web/are_dubai/other_information/-/asset_publisher/2TQe/content/visa-requirements-for-foreigners-application-requirements-forms https://www.windowmalaysia.my/evisa/evisa.jsp?lang=en http://www.lsa.umich.edu/chinanow/pdfs/FAQs.pdf http://travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-malaysia/ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/transport/getting-around/local-transport http://www.hungrygowhere.my/dining-guide/best-picks/5-best-places-to-get-dumplings-in-kl-*aid-70533101/ http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/magazine/jalan-imbi-market.htm http://www.hoteltravel.com/malaysia/penang/penang-hotels-and-the-dragon-boat-festival.htm For more interesting information: Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 13 of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, allowance is made for fair dealing for purposes such as non-profit research, private study, criticism, review or the reporting of current events. The Operator and author(s) of TsemRinpoche.com, a not-for-profit blog, do not claim ownership on the intellectual property rights of the contents, images and/or videos reproduced in this article. Any subsisting intellectual property rights shall belong to the legal owner of the contents, images and/or videos. Dear friends around the world, I have lived in Malaysia for over 20 years, and I have since developed a great appreciation for Malaysias various culture and customs. During this time, I have developed a great appreciation for the cultures and customs that exist in Malaysia, which has inspired me to share more about the aspects of Malaysia that enrich its culture. One such tradition is the Gawai Dayak, a harvest festival widely celebrated by the Dayak people in Sarawak and Kalimantan, respectively the Malaysian and Indonesian parts of the isle of Borneo. This article will focus on the Gawai Dayak celebration in Sarawak, and we will take you through its origins, the activities that take place during the festival, and how visitors can participate in this celebration. Tsem Rinpoche The Dayak People of Sarawak The Dayak community in Sarawak consists of two major ethnic groups, the Iban and the Bidayuh, as well as several smaller tribes such as the Murut, the Kelabit, the Kenyah, and the Kayan. Sarawak has the highest Iban population in Borneo, where about 745,400 people, or 28% of the state population (based on the 2016 survey) are Ibans. The Bidayuh ethnic group, sometimes called the Land Dayak because they traditionally live near limestone mountains, mainly live in the Southern Sarawak region. Although the Dayaks faith was originally mostly Paganism, the majority of Iban and Bidayuh people have since converted to Christianity. Traditionally, a Dayak family lives in a Rumah Panjang, or Longhouse, alongside several other families. Each longhouse has a Tuai Rumah, or a longhouse chief, a designated leader of the house. A relatively small longhouse has approximately 10 to 30 family rooms. A medium longhouse can house 31 to 50 family rooms, while a big longhouse can have up to 100 family rooms. The history of Gawai Dayak Gawai Dayak is a festival that marks the end of the rice-planting cycle, and is celebrated by the Dayak ethnic group to show gratitude for the bountiful harvest and pray for a better result in the coming year. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, the festival has become a symbol of unity, aspiration, and hope for the Dayak community. The adoption of Gawai Dayak into the Malaysian culture shows how the authority acknowledges the multi-ethnic nature of the Malaysian population, and embraces the various customs to enrich Malaysias culture and identity. Gawai is a term in the Iban language that means festival and Dayak is the name of a collective indigenous ethnic group in Sarawak. Gawai Dayak is formally celebrated on 31 May and 1 June of each year. However, the festival traditionally lasts until the end of June. The idea of celebrating Gawai Dayak was first proposed in 1957 by two local radio hosts, Tan Kingsley and Owen Liang, and their suggestion received a warm reception from the Dayak community. However, Sarawak was still occupied by Britain at the time, and the British Colonial Administration were concerned that if they allowed a festival specifically for the Dayak community, other ethnic groups would request the same recognition. Therefore, Gawai Dayak was initially known as Sarawak Day in order to include all ethnic groups in Sarawak. On 31 August 1957, Malaysia gained its independence from Britain, and in 1962, Gawai Dayak was recognised as a Dayak celebration. On 25 September 1964, upon the establishment of the Malaysian Federation, the 1st of June was recognised as the Gawai Dayak public holiday, and the first celebration of this holiday was in 1965. What happens during the Gawai Dayak celebration? Preparation: Food and drinks When a longhouse is to host the Gawai Dayak, its residents have to prepare the food and drinks beforehand. They ensure that an adequate amount of paddy is available to prepare tuak, the traditional Dayak liquor. Tuak is a type of rice wine, made by distilling glutinous rice and yeast one month ahead of the celebrations. The hosts must prepare traditional snacks and cakes such as Kuih Sepit (folded wafers), Sarang Semut (Ant Nest cake), Cuwan (molded cake) and Penganan Iri (a discus-shaped cake). Most of these snacks, except Penganan Iri, can be prepared several days in advance and kept inside sealed jars. Often times, the longhouse chief organises fishing and hunting trips to obtain meats to be preserved for the festival. Preparation: Longhouse decoration Prior to the Gawai Dayak celebration, the longhouse residents work together to clean, repaint and repair the house. The walls inside the longhouse are decorated with mural carvings, and traditional, hand-woven rattan mats are also laid out for guests to sit on. What happens on the eve of Gawai Dayak? The cooking continues On the eve of Gawai Dayak, those who are participating in the festival gather early in the morning to collect the necessary food and ingredients, such as palm oil, aping, sago, coconut palm shoots, bamboo shoots, tapioca leaves, brinjals, fiddle head ferns, and so on. These ingredients will be used to make soup and other dishes. The Dayak cook glutinous rice in bamboo logs that will result in a unique aroma. The rice can also be cooked using a gas stove or rice cooker. Upon gathering the necessary ingredients, the participants cook the preserved and fresh meat with various herbs such as lemon grass, ginger, bungkang leaves and salt. Tuak is often served with roasted animal meat. Getting Rid of Greed On 31st May, one day before Gawai Dayak, two men or two children will go around the longhouse with a basket each to gather unwanted items from the other families. These unwanted items are then thrown out the back end of the longhouse to get rid of the spirit of greed. Offerings to the deities When dusk comes, a ritual offering is performed in each family room, where ceramic plates, tabak (brass trophy), and split bamboo skin containers are offered to the deities. According to Sadin B. in his literary work, Raja Durong, the Dayak people believe in seven main deities: Sengalang Burong the god of war the god of war Biku Bunsu Petara the great priests second in command the great priests second in command Menjaya Manang the first shaman and god of medicine the first shaman and god of medicine Sempulang Gana with Semerugah the god of agriculture and land the god of agriculture and land Selampadai the god of creation and procreation the god of creation and procreation Ini Inee/Andan the god of justice the god of justice Anda Mara the god of wealth In addition to invoking the gods blessings, the Dayak people invoke spirits that have been helpful to them in the past. Offerings to the deities are put at the four corners of each family room, in the kitchen, inside the rice jar, in the gallery, the tanju (verandah wall), and in the farm. Other precious possession can also be offered to the deities and spirits. The seven traditional offerings are tobacco nipah leaves, betel nut, betel leaves, glutinous rice, rice cakes, sungki (glutinous rice cooked with buwan leaves), glutinous rice cooked in bamboo logs, Ant Nest cakes, moulded cakes and Penganan Iri (glutinous rice flour with nipah and sugar), pop rice (glutinous paddy grains heated in a wok or pot), hard boiled eggs, and rice wine in a small bamboo container. After the offerings have been laid out, the longhouse chief presides over the festival to show gratitude to the deities for the bountiful harvest, and requests the deities blessings, guidance and longevity. The chief then offers a dead rooster to the deities by including the roosters blood-soaked wing feathers in each offering set. After the offering ritual is completed, all the longhouse families gather and eat their dinner in the gallery. This activity is called makai rami or festival meal. Each family who lives in the longhouse has contributed to this festival meal. Before midnight, a procession to welcome the deities and spirits is performed in the gallery. Sometimes the longhouse residents also organise a pageant to choose the Gawais king and queen, also known as Keling and Kumang Gawai. The elders and the chief of the longhouse then give advice about the importance of peace, harmony and order. Fines are imposed to those who break the customary tradition and ground rules by fighting, quarrelling, behaving drunkenly or vandalism. For the Dayak community members that have converted to Christianity, instead of participating in the deity offering ritual, they go to the church to show their gratitude to God for the harvest before going back to the longhouses and participating in the dinner celebration. Dinner At midnight, a gong is rung to summon the guests and residents of the long-house. The chief then offers a toast of longevity (Ai Pengayu), recites a prayer of good wishes, and the attendees reply with the festival greetings, Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai, Senang Lantang Nguan Menua. If a poet is amongst the attendees, he can be asked to recite timang ai pengayu to bless the longevity water. All past conflicts and faults are forgiven during this time. After the dinner, there are less formal performances such as the traditional Ngajat (welcome) dance, the sword dance, and self-defence martial arts performances. For the Bidayuh Dayak, they may dance the Tolak Bala (Danger Repealing Dance), the Before Harvest Dance to request protection for the community, Totokng dance to invoke paddy soul and guests, and the Langi Julang Dance performed at the end of Harvest festival to show gratitude to the deities for the bountiful harvest and good health. After dinner, the guests are lined up based on their social rank. The women offer the men a bowl of tuak accompanied by a woman singing. This is followed by traditional poem recitations including pelandai, ramban, pantun, jawang, and sanggai. Gawai Dayak in Sarawak, Malaysia Or view the video on the server at: https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/GawaiDayak.mp4 Ngabang On 1 June, the longhouses are opened to ngabang (guests). Open house events can also be organised by the longhouse residents, non-governmental organisations, or Dayak community associations. Visitors and tourists are often invited to join Gawai Dayak on this day. When the guests arrive, the women of the house stand by to water the guests in the tradition of Nyibur Temuai where several rounds of tuak are served, such as the Nyambut Pengabang (welcoming drinks), Ai Aus (thirst quenching drinks), Ai Basu (washing drinks), Ai Untong (profit drinks), and the Ai Basa (respect drinks). During the open house, the chief or chosen elder makes a jaku ansah or sharpening speech to introduce the guest of honour. After the guest of honour arrives, he is expected to perform Muka Kuta (opening a fort) by slashing a bamboo fence with a sword and reciting a poem. Then, at the foot of a ladder, an animal is speared (mankan). During the event, the Ngajat dancers and the band lead the guests to their respective seats. After everyone is seated, either the chief or the poet recites prayers for the guests while swaying a chicken over their heads. Before the food is offered to the guests, a special speech called Muka Kujuk is delivered to open the traditionally woven cloth that covers the food. During the Bantil or persuaded drink activity, women give tuak drinks to men while singing traditional pantun (poem) to overcome the opposite sexs shyness. It is customary for the men to reject the first drink as a sign of respect for the host. Gawai Dayak also includes a fortune-telling element. In the activity called uti, a special guest is asked to open a coconut placed on a ceramic plate, using a blunt knife, and without holding the coconut or breaking the plate. If the coconut shows white flesh, it means good fortune, while black flesh spells bad fortune. Although Gawai Dayak is celebrated on the 1st of June, the festival can last for several days to a month. During that month, many Dayak weddings often take place. To mark the end of the celebrations, the tradition of Ngiling Bidai or rolling the hand-woven mats that are laid out at the beginning of Gawai Dayak is performed. Clothing requirements When attending the Gawai Dayak celebrations, visitors can either wear Dayak traditional attire, ngepan (a traditional costume), or ordinary modern clothing. Usually, the chief wears a traditional outfit made out of a loincloth, an animal skin coat, and peacock feathers on his head. Oftentimes, the men are decorated in traditional tattoos that signify their experience. For example, a frog design on the front neck, or a tegulun design on the back of the hands signifies that the person has killed another person in war. The tattoos can also be in the form of marine life designs that signify protection from water elements. Traditional Dayak clothing for women are kain betating, a sort of hand-woven cloth, worn on the waist, and a rattan corset on the upper part of the body. Women can also wear a selampai or scarf over the shoulders, or a woven bead chain over the neck. Their hair are typically tied up and secured with a high comb, and they also wear a lampit (silver belt), armlets, anklets, and a purse. If you wish to visit, remember that Malaysia is a tropical country, so most its people wear clothing made from light and breathable fabrics. It is recommended to bring several lightweight tops, shorts and skirts that are about knee-length, dresses, slacks, sunglasses, hat, sweaters and at least one scarf or shawl. You can also consider bringing flats or comfortable shoes. Visiting Malaysia and Sarawak Travel document requirements to enter Malaysia Visitors who wish to visit Malaysia should have passports with at least a six-month validity. Citizens of ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) can stay in Malaysia up to 30 days without a Malaysian visa. Visitors from other nations can either apply for the visa in advance or apply for Visa on Arrival (VOA) for RM 330 (USD75). Recently, citizens of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have been made eligible to apply for e-Visas. Where to stay If you wish stay with the Dayak throughout their celebrations and get a full cultural experience, there are several longhouses that provide homestay services for visitors such as: Anna Rais Bidayuh Longhouse According to their website, the Anna Rais Bidayuh Longhouse has 175 years of written history and over 500 years of unwritten history. One of the key attractions at the Anna Rais Bidayuh Longhouse a natural hot spring located nearby. Address: Kampung Annah Rais Padawan, 94700 Kuching Sarawak, Malaysia Phone: +65 9004 9762 How to get there: Anna Rais longhouse is located at the Padawan District, about 60 kilometres away from Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak. Since the Anna Rais Bidayuh Longhouse is located in a remote location, visitors will need to arrange for a taxi service, which can be done through the longhouse coordinator. Rumah Nyuka Longhouse The Rumah Nyuka Longhouse is the first longhouse in Sarikei Division that was approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourisms National Homestay Programme. This longhouse was built using Belian wood in 1955, and still stands strong today. Visitors can join the longhouse residents daily activities, such as tapping rubber or go Dabai collecting local olive fruits. Visitors can also go swimming in the nearby waterfalls. Address: C/O Rh. Nyuka Ak. Itam, Lubuk Lemba Ulu Sarikei 96100 Sarikei Sarawak Phone: +6019-4687518 How to get there: The Rumah Nyuka Longhouse is located approximately 17 kilometres from the Bayong Junction at the Sarikei highway. It can be reach by taxi, which you can arrange with the longhouse coordinator. Other Longhouses The Sarawak Tourism Board also recommends visitors to check out the Bawang Assan Iban Longhouses in Sibu, and various other longhouses in Kapit Town. Visitors can also find recommendations from local travel agents, or arrange for special tours to visit one of these longhouses. What to do when staying in longhouses Outdoor activities Visitors can enjoy various activities such as jungle trekking, hunting with blowguns, bamboo rafting, barbecuing by the riverside, harvesting rice between the months of February and April, rubber tapping, and Dabai during the fruit-bearing seasons from November to December. Indoor activities Visitors can learn how to cook traditional dishes such as bamboo rice, play traditional musical instruments, weave baskets from natural materials, or taste local foods and drinks such as Cempedak or tuak. Longhouses residents will also organise indoor sporting activities for visitors, such as blowgun competitions, or Dayak traditional dance lessons. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawai_Dayak http://publicholidays.com.my/hari-gawai/ http://goseasia.about.com/od/eventsfestiva2/a/gawai_dayak_festival_malaysia.htm http://blog.sarawakborneotour.com/P/105/What-Is-Gawai-Festival-All-ABout http://robinsonmike.blogspot.my/2013/08/hari-gawai-dayak.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarawak http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/05/11/many-events-lined-up-to-celebrate-harvest-festival/ http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/06/148983/sarawak-comes-alive-gawai https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longhouse http://www.malaysia.travel/en/sa/events/2015/6/gawai-dayak-festival https://sarawaktourism.com http://www.longhouseadventure.com/accommodation/ https://ibancustoms.wordpress.com/iban-literature/ For more interesting information: Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 13 of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, allowance is made for fair dealing for purposes such as non-profit research, private study, criticism, review or the reporting of current events. The Operator and author(s) of TsemRinpoche.com, a not-for-profit blog, do not claim ownership on the intellectual property rights of the contents, images and/or videos reproduced in this article. Any subsisting intellectual property rights shall belong to the legal owner of the contents, images and/or videos. ALBANY, N.Y. A corporate accountant in New York admitted Monday to stealing at least $3.1 million from agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. and causing $25 million in losses to the privately held companys grain shipping operations at the Port of Albany. Diane Backis of Athens, New York, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Albany to mail fraud and filing a false income tax return. U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian said Backis not only diverted customer payments to her own accounts over a 10-year period, but also caused at least $25 million in losses to the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company. Backis, 50, was an accounting department manager at Cargills Albany grain elevators at the port whose duties included creating customer contracts, generating invoices and processing payments. In court, Backis admitted she sent customers invoices for animal feed at prices far below what her employer had paid, causing the company millions in losses. She had the customers send payments to her, bypassing Cargills corporate controls. The tax fraud charge refers to Backis 2015 individual tax return, on which she declared $61,208 in income, omitting more than $450,000 she received that year by stealing Cargill customer payments, prosecutors said. As part of her guilty plea, she agreed to pay at least $3.5 million in restitution to Cargill and to forfeit her house, an investment brokerage account and her Cargill pension benefits. Before a judge ruled Tuesday that Police Officer Betty Shelby will stand trial for the shooting death of Terence Crutcher, her attorney accused the police chief and district attorney of working around the police homicide unit to charge Shelby before its investigation was complete. Shelby will appear before Tulsa County District Judge Doug Drummond on Dec. 15 for trial court arraignment on one count of first-degree manslaughter in the heat of passion, or in the alternative, while resisting Crutchers attempts to commit a crime. Special Judge Martha Rupp Carter on Tuesday overruled a defense request to call witnesses and said prosecutors had established probable cause against Shelby. Carter reviewed helicopter and dash camera footage, as well as the Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office report on how Crutcher died. Shelby, 42, shot Crutcher, 40, on the evening of Sept. 16 in the 2300 block of East 36th Street North after she ended up in an encounter with him while en route to an unrelated call. Tulsa Police Homicide Sgt. Dave Walker, who led the departments criminal investigation, was the states only witness. After Walkers testimony, defense attorney Shannon McMurray alleged Police Chief Chuck Jordan committed a series of pre-emptive strikes against Shelby. District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler and Jordan strongly disputed those assertions after the hearings conclusion. McMurray sought to have Jordan testify for the defense, alleging he and Kunzweiler met the morning of Sept. 22 to ensure Shelby was charged in Crutchers death. She noted that Jordan called a news conference Sept. 19 to release videos to the public and repeatedly told reporters justice would be achieved. She said Jordan would have testified that his handling of the situation was motivated by his belief that the shootings circumstances would lead to civil unrest. The defense also wanted Officer Tyler Turnbough, who was Shelbys backup when she encountered Crutcher, and Officer Michael Richert, the pilot flying a police helicopter over the scene, to testify. The District Attorneys Office had its own investigator, Doug Campbell, probe the shooting and used Campbells probable cause affidavit to charge Shelby. Walker finalized the polices own report afterward and submitted it to the state. In Walkers testimony, which lasted about 50 minutes, he recalled Shelbys demeanor as very emotional when she was interviewed three days after the shooting. He said it was typical to have officers involved in on-duty shootings have an attorney provided for them and give a statement two or three days after the incident. Officer Shelby was reliving that event three days later, he said of her statement. As I did the interview, she was in the moment. Walker testified that Turnbough deployed his Taser and Shelby fired her service weapon when they saw Crutcher reach his left hand into his SUV, which was parked with the engine running in the middle of 36th Street North. Walker stated that police didnt find a gun on Crutcher or the SUV. On cross-examination, McMurray noted that crime scene workers found a vial of PCP in the drivers-side door pocket. A report from the Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office indicated Crutcher had acute phencyclidine intoxication at the time he died, but it was not listed as being a contributing factor to his death. Walker said the vehicles drivers-side window, like the others, appeared to be about halfway down. The front windows werent tinted, he said. McMurray has argued the window was down, while attorneys for the Crutcher family produced enlarged photos of the vehicle that they argued were proof the window was up. McMurray emphasized the dangers presented to police when they encounter people who are under the influence of PCP. Shelby, McMurray said, was a drug-recognition expert, and she emphasized that Shelby believed Crutcher was intoxicated. Walker said Shelby was right to consider Crutcher and his conduct suspicious, and added that Shelby had seen him walking in the area and acting strangely shortly before encountering him. Walker told the court Crutcher did not physically attack or threaten Shelby, under questioning by Gray. Walker also responded that police arent trained to shoot first and ask questions later. Gray later said the case against Shelby is about whether or not her shooting him was an unnecessary response to his refusal to show his hands. McMurray, in response, said her client fired because Crutcher presented a threat when he reached in his vehicle, which was in a high-crime area where guns are regularly found in cars. She alleged Walker was going to recommend that the District Attorneys Office rule the shooting justified because Crutcher wasnt complying with her orders. Carter sustained an objection from the state that barred Walker from giving his personal opinion on whether the shooting was justified. In opposition to McMurrays request to call witnesses, Gray said a preliminary hearing isnt the place to attack the police chief and district attorney, and called the claims highly insulting. Im sorry Mr. Gray is offended, but I have a job to do, McMurray said. Jordan told the Tulsa World on Tuesday afternoon that he talked to Kunzweiler early Sept. 22 to let him know of his progress on the federal civil rights probe. He said McMurray was grandstanding when making her accusations and denied being in cahoots with prosecutors. My job is to make sure my department conducts an objective investigation, which I think they did, Jordan said. He added that his use of the word justice during his Sept. 19 news conference was a general term for when the legal process against Shelby was finished, not necessarily about the outcome of the case. Kunzweiler disputed McMurrays claims in remarks to reporters after the hearing, saying it was improper for her to suggest that he let political motivations affect his decision to prosecute Shelby. I had received much of what the public had seen. I received the videos from the officers units that had responded, Kunzweiler said. I had the helicopter view. I also had the interviews from the officers who were on scene, to include Officer Shelbys statement to law enforcement. In addition to that, I had spoke(n) with the medical examiners office regarding their observations. Even though (Tulsa Police) had not completed their report, I had more than enough information to move forward with my charging decision. McMurray did not comment after leaving the courtroom except to say Were not surprised about Carters decision to send Shelbys case to the trial court. A Sand Springs man and woman were charged Monday with child neglect on allegations that they exposed a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old to filthy living conditions and had a shotgun within their reach. Prosecutors allege that Vonda Elwell, 68, and John George Elwell II, 38, failed to provide safe and adequate care to the children on or around June 16, according to Tulsa County District Court documents. The two, whose relation was not specified in court documents, are accused of allowing the children to live in "deplorable" conditions with "mounds of trash and debris," court documents show. The children were also exposed to living conditions with a roach infestation, mice infestation and "a floor so filthy that officers stuck to it as they walked upon it," according to court documents. Prosecutors also allege that the two failed to secure a shotgun that was within reach of the children and failed to provide dental care to the 4-year-old. The two were each charged Monday with one count of child neglect, and warrants were issued for their arrests, according to court documents. Residents in Valsayn South are said to be marooned in their homes. Councillor for the area S On Monday ABC screens Who Flew First? a docu-drama that will challenge the notion that the Wright Brothers were the first to fly in December 1903. This is produced by Artemis International (Who Do You Think You Are?). Who Flew First is a docu-drama about the controversy over the worlds first motorized flight. Every school child is taught that the brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright flew first in December 1903. But the Australian aviation expert John Brown claims that the German born immigrant to the US, Gustave Whitehead, flew two years before the Wright Brothers, in August 1901 in Bridgeport Connecticut and he has evidence to back his case. Opposing Brown are historians supporting the official view that the Wright Brothers flew first. They claim that the 17 eye-witness accounts from the 1930s attesting to Whiteheads flights are unreliable. But a discovery is made that in return for the right to display the 1903 Flyer in their museum, the Smithsonian Institution agreed that it will never claim that anyone flew before the Wright bothers. History may not be as certain as we thought. 9.20pm Monday December 5th on ABC. Next year Seven will be featuring more New Zealand landscapes in its dramas, in 800 Words and Wanted but Seven CEO Tim Worner recently denied they were to help the network hit local quotas. We havent had to use New Zealand series that weve bought in to hit our quota. Weve never had to do that. Sevens always over-indexed on local quota, he recently told the Screen Forever conference. 800 Words is shot in New Zealand because its set there. It would be difficult to shoot it somewhere else! And its a great story, I love that story. In the case of Wanted Series 2 it is being made partly in New Zealand, but also partly in Thailand and partly in Australia. I wouldnt see that Series 3 of that show would necessarily be made there. Three years ago 51% of the first release Australian drama on the Nine Network was from New Zealand, played almost all of which screened on its multichannels. NZ drama qualifies as Australian under the Australia-NZ Economic Trade Agreement. Wanted is receiving NZ government funding, with Screen Australias preference to fund first seaons of new dramas. Tim Worner commented on the NZ system saying, We all have to ask ourselves how do we win smarter and I really think that the NZ industry has done an amazing job. They get a lot of assistance from their government, and all power to them. The government there has really fostered what I think is a brilliant industry. There are great creatives there, with a fantastic work ethic. It is, as it turns out, quite an economic place to actually make television. Currently filming in Queenstown ahead of its Thailand shoot, Wanted sees the return of Rebecca Gibney, Geraldine Hakewell, Stephen Peacocke and Nicholas Bell over 6 episodes. Producer Tony Ayres told TV Tonight, We have a small shoot in Australia, but predominantly in NZ and also in Thailand. But it sort of suits the nature of the show because its a road movie, and it feels like every incarnation of the show needs to find a new home. We feel like it could be better than Season One. Its got a really strong narrative drive. The stakes are higher and certainly the landscapes are wilder. For season 2 the hunted become the hunters. Theyre trying to find something that will help solve the problems that arose in season one. Photo: Rebecca Gibney Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). A total of 2,145 servicepersons of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been killed in fighting since the start of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in Donbas in 2014. This information has been provided by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Ukrayinska Pravda reports. According to the report, among those killed were 335 officers and 1,807 soldiers and sergeants. The number of wounded servicepersons is 7,091. In addition, 487 non-battle deaths have been recorded over the past two years, according to the Defense Ministry. iy No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but five were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine over the last day, Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk said. No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but five were wounded as a result of military operations in the ATO zone over the last day, Motuzianyk said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. iy The Russian Federation has deployed 55,000 servicemen near the border with Ukraine. Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Ihor Dolhov said this at Tiger Conference on Tuesday, LGA.net reports. "As of today, Russia deployed about 55,000 servicemen near the border with Ukraine. The number of the Russian regular army on the territory of Ukraine ranges from 5,000 to 7,500 people. In Crimea, this figure is about 23,000 troops, 9,000 of which stay on the administrative border," he said. Dolhov also informed that 1,000 Russian servicemen stay in Transnistria. ol Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Suma Chakrabarti have met in Kyiv and discussed further cooperation agenda. This is reported by the Government portal. "The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is our financial partner, extremely important investor for Ukraine. We deeply appreciate our joint work. The Government is set to deepen cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We have a number of joint programs. We think that today's meeting will be another impetus for deepening this cooperation," Groysman said. The EBRD President praised the Ukrainian Government's efforts in carrying out the important and significant reforms, in particular in the macroeconomic field and in the reform of the banking system, the introduction of the ProZorro electronic system of public procurement and e-declaration. "The progress is obvious. Ukraine is an important partner for the EBRD. We try to support the pace of reforms and investments in Ukraine," Chakrabarti said. He informed that the EBRD had invested EUR 400 million in Ukraine this year and this amount could be increased next year. ol Ukraines international reserves decreased to $15.2 billion as of the end of November, while a month ago they amounted to $15.5 billion, Interfax-Ukraine reports, citing a source in banking circles that quotes NBU Governor Valeria Gontareva. Gontareva voiced these figures during a regular meeting with representatives of the largest banks. According to the NBU governor, the current forecast for currency reserves projected at $17.5 billion by the end of the year will be reconsidered, because Ukraine will not receive the fourth tranche in the amount of $1.3 billion from International Monetary Fund until the end of the year, reads a report. We wont be able to reach the previously projected level, now the situation is not critical, but next year it could become a threat to financial stability, Gontareva stressed. The NBU governor also noted that Ukraine next year must to pay off over $1 billion to the IMF and $1.6 billion on external debts. iy The maintenance and operation of the New Safe Confinement installed over power unit 4 at Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant will cost Ukraine about $600 million per annum. Ukrainian Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Ostap Semerak has stated this at a press conference dedicated to the completion of the confinement sliding operations, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. As for financing of the New Safe Confinement operation, we have estimated it at about $600 million per annum. Ukraine will start to spend these funds as soon as the confinement is put into operation. Ukraine will stop paying contributions to international funds which were used to finance construction operations from that moment. These expenses are reasonable, and we have provided them in the budget for 2018, Semerak said. In addition, Semerak noted that Ukraine will rely upon international partners for their further support after the New Safe Confinement is put into operation. mk Lifting European Union sanctions on Russia will weaken efforts to resolve Ukraine's crisis and hand a victory to Moscow. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said this on Tuesday before talks between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany in Minsk on implementing a ceasefire accord in eastern Ukraine. "It would weaken the objective of resolving this conflict and would be a victory to those who endangered the security of a country," Ayrault said, Reuters reported. "Abandoning the Minsk accords would be a mistake for our strategic interests," Ayrault added. ish The strengthening of sanctions against Russia is a logical continuation of Canadas coherent policy on the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea. In an interview with Ukrinform, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, Andriy Shevchenko said: The tightening of sanctions is a logical continuation of Canada's policy regarding the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea and support for Ukraine. According to him, it is very important that Canada calls on other development countries to be solidary on this issue and together counteract Russias aggression. He stressed that "Canada's position on the unity among the countries of the free world to put pressure on Russia is just as important for us as today's decision [on extending the sanctions list]". The Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada also thanked Canada for its consistent support for Ukraine. On Monday, November 29, Canada imposed sanctions on 15 individuals, including six members of Russias Duma living in Crimea. iy Ex-President Viktor Yanukovych has been officially summoned to the Prosecutor Generals Office (PGO) of Ukraine for questioning as a suspect in the case of high treason. The questioning and other proceedings are to take place on December 5 and December 9 at 10 a.m. Yanukovych must appear in the investigative department of the PGOs Main Military Prosecutors Office. The writs of summons were posted on the PGOs website and sent to three known addresses of Yanukovych, namely in Kyiv, Novi Petrivtsi (Kyiv region) and Rostov-on-Don (Russia). iy The main solutions for enhancing support for Ukraine depend on the political leadership of three world capitals. This was stated by former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst at the international conference dedicated to the conflict in Donbas, held in the European Parliament on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "In my opinion, Ukraine needs specific decisions of the political leadership of three world capitals: Washington, Berlin, and Brussels [EU leaders]," the Ambassador said. The diplomat noted that preserving or strengthening sanctions against Russia, providing greater economic support, and increasing military aid are among specific forms of such support. ol Holly Doll, of Mandan, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, holds a protest sign outside the states capitol building, in Bismarck, N.D., in late October. Refugees staying at a former military barracks in Harmanli in Bulgaria. Near the Bulgarian border with Turkey, a former military barracks in Harmanli has been converted into a vast complex for housing refugees. UNHCR/Gordon Welters UNHCR is concerned that a protest at Bulgarias largest reception centre for asylum-seekers has prompted calls for asylum-seekers to be expelled on national security grounds. UNHCR urges the Bulgarian government to decongest the Harmanli reception centre, improve living conditions and strengthen management of the centre. Most of all, UNHCR urges the government to establish a constructive dialogue with asylum-seekers staying in the centre. UNHCR will continue to support the efforts of the authorities to improve conditions and to work with the refugees and local communities to diffuse any tensions. Tensions escalated last week at Harmanli, Bulgarias largest reception centre for asylum-seekers, some 250 kilometres south-east of the capital, Sofia, after the authorities introduced limited access in and out of the already overcrowded centre, citing health concerns. Asylum-seekers protested this decision and the poor conditions at the centre. This included several hundred residents throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. The police used rubber bullets and water cannon to contain the crowd. More than 300 asylum-seekers were arrested. Concerns over reception conditions and overcrowding have remained unaddressed, which fuels frustration and tensions among residents, and has led to acts of vandalism. Harmanli is seriously overcrowded, since it is hosting 3,100 asylum-seekers, of whom one third are children, when its official capacity is 2,710. In addition to being overcrowded, sanitary conditions at the centre are also concerning, with intermittent warm water supply. There are also serious challenges on provision of medical care, including lack of medicine. Moreover, there are no recreational facilities or activities for children or adults Reception conditions are also substandard at other reception centres and detention facilities in Bulgaria. The temporary detention facility of Elhovo, near the border with Turkey, is occupied at nearly 130 per cent of its capacity in deplorable conditions. While UNHCR does not in principle object to the return of people who have not been granted international protection, such returns should only take place if all procedural guarantees are fully respected, including access to a fair and efficient asylum procedure and to effective judicial review. For more information on this topic, please contact: A Dane County judge on Tuesday dismissed a billboard companys lawsuit against the Dane County Board, saying the company hadnt presented enough evidence to back up its allegations that board members had improperly decided the matter and lined up votes outside the public eye. In August, Adams Outdoor Advertising sued the Dane County Board over its 18-16 decision in April not to renew a lease of land along Aberg Avenue, on Dane County Regional Airport property, where three billboards have stood since 1966. Adams has owned them since 1987. Adams alleged that Sup. Paul Rusk, whose district includes the property, violated the state open meetings law and its prohibition on walking quorums by emailing colleagues and urging them not to approve the lease renewal. Adams was seeking a new vote on the lease by the County Board. Circuit Judge Frank Remington said that while its important to make sure that government business is conducted openly, he said Adams Outdoor hadnt given him enough evidence to allow the case to continue. Dane County filed motions to dismiss the case, and Remington granted them on Tuesday. At best, Remington said, Adams presented him with evidence that Rusk had contacted eight or nine other County Board supervisors about the billboards, well short of the number of votes that would have been needed to prevail on the day that the board voted down the lease renewal. Dane County Corporation Counsel Marcia MacKenzie contended that some of those emails were sent during earlier points in the discussion about the billboard lease, which also went through two board committees and the Airport Commission before reaching a final vote before the full board. Remington also said it wasnt clear how many even responded to Rusks emails, based on the information he had been provided by Adams. Open meeting guidelines issued by the state Attorney Generals Office, Remington said, state that merely being contacted by another member of a governmental body is not in itself a violation of the state open meetings law, when it cant be shown that any kind of agreement was reached outside a public meeting. Had Remington denied the motion, the case would have continued into a fact-finding phase before motions for judgment would be considered. Remington said he respected Adams right to have its day in court but added, I also dont want to engage in a fishing expedition based only on suspicion. The lease ends on Dec. 31. Brian Potts, lawyer for Adams, asked Remington to stay any action by the county to remove the billboards while Adams contemplates and perhaps launches an appeal. Remington set a schedule for an exchange of briefs on the topic and will decide the issue on Dec. 29. Rusk said Tuesday that he was delighted that the case was dismissed, saying the lawsuit contained baseless personal charges against him. A Madison man was charged Tuesday with homicide by drunken driving for a traffic crash last weekend that caused the death of another man, described in court as his best friend. William B. Payne Jr., 52, had a preliminary blood alcohol concentration of 0.22 percent after the crash early Saturday on Highway 69 in the town of Montrose, north of Belleville, Assistant District Attorney Curtis Hinca said. The legal limit for driving in Wisconsin is 0.08 percent. The crash killed William M. Sowaske, 50, who was generally known as W. Max Sowaske, of Madison. He died at the scene. Court Commissioner Jason Hanson, calling it a close decision, ordered Payne released on a signature bond after he appeared in Dane County Circuit Court, his head wrapped in a thick white bandage, with bruising visible beneath both eyes. Hinca had asked for $50,000 bail, but Paynes lawyer, Jonas Bednarek, said Payne would make his future court appearances without requiring cash bail. Bednarek said that Payne, who is the longtime kitchen manager at the Kollege Klub near the UW-Madison campus, has the support of Sowaskes family members, who were in court with Paynes family. Hanson ordered Payne to report to the Dane County Bail Monitoring Program, and ordered him not to drive or drink alcohol. Payne is also barred from places where alcohol is sold, with the exception of his workplace during work hours, Hanson said. Hanson also ordered a curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., with exceptions for work hours. A charge of homicide by drunken driving carries up to 25 years of combined prison and extended supervision, but this is Paynes first drunken driving offense, making it unlikely he would receive anything close to that if convicted. According to the complaint: A witness told a Dane County Sheriffs deputy that she was driving on Highway A, about 30 yards west of Highway 69, at about 1:45 a.m. when she saw a vehicle, described as a Toyota FJ Cruiser, rolling on its side. It nearly hit her car, the witness said, as it rolled across Highway A and into a ditch. A Belleville police officer who came to the scene spoke to Payne, who said there had been a deer, and that he and Sowaske were headed home to Madison from Monroe. A sheriffs deputy noticed a strong odor of alcohol from Payne, and a beer bottle was found on the ground behind the Toyota. Paynes speech was also slurred. If Donald Trump is not the next President of the United States of America, Ronald Paul's discovery wouldn't have been as interesting. The historian from the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate found a royal decree that banished Friedrich Trump, President-elect's grandfather, from the Kingdom of Bavaria. Ronald Paul revealed to a local tabloid that Friedrich Trump left for the USA and failed to inform the authorities and thus, wasn't able to carry out military service which is why he was punished. Friedrich Trump was born in Kallstadt in 1869, a small town in southwestern Germany. In 1885, attracted by the gold rush, he emigrated to the US where he turned his attention to catering to the needs of other gold hunters in Alaska. This is where Trump began to build his fortune. It was also reported that his sisters have already moved to New York and began trading in property. In 1901, Friedrich returned to Kallstadt for a visit where he met and fell in love with Elisabeth Christ. The two were married the following year and Elisabeth moved with her husband to the US. Later, she wanted to come back to Germany because of homesickness. It was during this time that Friedrich's efforts of repatriation met denial. On February 27, 1905, Friedrich Trump was ordered to, "leave the kingdom of Bavaria within eight weeks as punishment for having failed to do mandatory military service and failing to give authorities notice of his departure to the US when he first emigrated in 1885." He was told that refusing to leave will cause him to be deported. Friedrich even went to write an appeal to Prince Regent Luitpold but the prince did not heed his plea. So, on July 1, 1905, Friedrich his pregnant wife and daughter set sail for New York on board the steamship Pennsylvania. Elisabeth later on gave birth to a son, Fred, Donald Trump's father. Despite the President-elect's victory, the quiet little town of Kallstadt isn't excited about claiming the real estate mogul as one of their own. So, if you're still looking for someone to blame for this month's election results apart from your friends, enemies, fellow Americans and the system, you can count the Germans for asking Friedrich Trump to leave. Nokia, the iconic Finnish brand that has once ruled the global smartphone market, is set to make a big comeback in the global smartphone market with its flagship smartphone that runs on the latest Android operating system. The Nokia Android-powered smartphone, which rumored to be called as Nokia Pixel, will be launched at the upcoming 2017 MWC event. HMD Global, the sole global licensee for all Nokia-branded devices, has made the confirmation earlier. As reported earlier by the Chinese website Weibo, which provided the leaked news, the Nokia's expected smartphone will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset. However, the expected flagship phone has come under fire for having an outdated processor because rivals will be using the much faster Snapdragon 839 processors by next year. According to reports, Nokia's new entry-level smartphone, dubbed the Nokia Pixel, will reportedly run on the latest Android 7.0.1 Nougat operating system. The expected handset is said to feature a dual-core CPU variant with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor clocked at 1.19GHz. Additionally, the flagship smartphones will also be supporting the innovative Quick Charge 3.0 technology for charging the battery. Other features and important specs might include a 3GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM, a 1920 x 1080 pixel screen resolution, a 5.2-inch touch screen with a 2K display, and a 13-megapixel primary camera and 8-megapixel front shooter camera. The phone is expected to have a metal unibody design with some waterproof certification, as what Starlr Tech reported earlier. In addition, the expected handset will also feature with latest Carl Zeiss lens, just like what Nokia did to its Lumia smartphone that had once ruled the smartphone alley. Currently, the global smartphone market is being ruled by a plethora of Android-powered devices led by Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and Google Pixel. Reports said that the name Nokia Pixel is likely to change before it will be released commercially in the market. HMD Global, the firm behind Nokia strong comeback, has reportedly confirmed its presence at MWC 2017 tech event. Back in May, Nokia had announced that it signed a strategic licensing contract with HMD Global, granting the Finland-based company an exclusive global license to manufacture and sell Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets for the next 10 years. One of Chinas tech giants, Huawei Technologies, is planning to release its latest flagship Mate 9 smartphone first time in the United States in January 2017; however, maneuvering in the American smartphone industry could be a handful for the Chinese tech company due to some circumstances. Reports from Wall Street Journal stated that many U.S. carriers might be reluctant in working with Huawei, though the tech company has been ranked third for the largest smartphone maker in the world just behind Samsung Electronics Co. and Apple Inc. Huawei has been associated with a low brand recognition in the U.S., making Verizon Communications Inc. and Sprint Corp. step back from substantial coordination. Verizon and Sprint are also seeing Huawei devices in a little loop due to a congressional report in 2012, wherein U.S. carriers are recommended to avoid using Huawei gears and devices due to speculations of using them to scout on American communication security. However, Huawei has long denied the allegation and said that the tech company is an independent institution and not a government partner. This month, Huawei would release its Mate 9 smartphone in the U.S., which will be priced at $759, but would only be out through online retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. Huawei was founded by former Peoples Liberation Army engineer Ren Zhengfei 30 years ago, yet the company is still facing a great global expansion specifically in the U.S. Although this is the case, it has become a key tech developer in China and even in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. However, in a research from Canalys, the tech company has only expanded a little of just 0.4 percent in the third quarter of their market share in the U.S, leading the market is Apple Inc. with 39 percent followed by Samsung Communication Inc. with 23 percent. Huawei is still on a low-end market target, but at this point in time, the company has still yet a lot of battle to face before moving in the upscale competition with US' smartphone leading brands. The most talked about notebook of the Windows-maker company is rumored to hit the store shelves in 2017 and will be powered by Intel Kabylake chipset for better graphics and higher resolution. Read more details here! Microsoft Surface Book 2 Specs and Features The unveiling of Surface Book i7 back in October has made fans disappointed because they expected Microsoft to launch the Surface Book 2. According to The Bit Bag, though the device is well-equipped with notable features and specs, it didn't escape from the negative feedback of the netizens. For this reason, Surface Book i7 did not surpass the performance of the newly launched Apple MacBook Pro 2016, which is built with impeccable features and specs as well. However, Microsoft is rumored to be working on its Surface Book 2 to rival and eventually beat the performance of the Cupertino-based tech firm's portable machine. Surface Book 2 is expected to sport high-end specs and never-before-seen features. One of the rumored features includes support for magnetic Surface Pen, which has turned into a rechargeable one that comes with a small dock, Tech Radar reported. On the other hand, Surface Book 2 specs include Intel Kabylake chipsets for better graphics, higher resolution and faster performance. Intel Kabylake processors features 14nm chips that offer support for USB 3.1 Type-C, Thunderbolt 3 and higher resolution of 4K in a 13.5-inch screen size. Accordingly, the delayed release of the Surface Book 2 is due to the waiting time Microsoft gave for Intel to launch their latest chipset. Furthermore, Microsoft is also said to capitalize on Surface Book 2 in their earnest desire to beat and surpass the performance of Apple MacBook Pro 2016. Microsoft Surface Book 2 Release Date Microsoft is expected to launch the Surface Book 2 in fall of 2017. The upcoming 2017 flagship laptop is said to address the issues on Dynamic Fulcrum Hinge from its predecessor Surface Book. Oftentimes, to correct a behavior, the teacher would need to assign the student to detention. Detention has always been a part of school life. Detention, from primary to high school, is still a subject of debate when it comes to correcting behavior. But since kids are already back in school, is detention still effective? According to reports, detentions are hitting an end of term peak, cites BBC. Here are some stories of detention coming from both teachers and students. 1. A former student of a London comprehensive school said they used to make "snow" out of ripped up work. 2. Some students often use detention as a trophy achievement. 3. Students will not listen to their teachers and would keep on talking during detention. 4. Detentions can turn out to be a club of their own, says one former Hertfordshire student. 5. Students would often "forget" to turn up even though the offense took place on the same day. 6. One former London student says his parents thought he was always attending chess club. His late night arrivals at home were actually from his detention hours. Which meant his parents never knew he was always in trouble in school. This is because some schools do not inform the parents about their kids' offenses. 7. Sometimes detentions are not just about sitting quietly in class. Some schools make their students do chores. One of the chores include cleaning the board. Which meant that the students can have a little fun getting covered in chalk dust, says a former Cheshire student. 8. Like that "The Simpsons" introduction where Bart writes what he did wrong on the board. One teacher actually did not agree to this kind of method. The teacher explains that it should not be about forcing the kid to apologize. The teacher, now retired, would rather opt for a conflict resolution talk. Do you have a detention experience of your own? Tell us in the comments section! Apple's Asian market is reportedly increasing, thus, leads to the expansion of R&D Center of Cupertino-based tech firm to Asian countries such as Indonesia as confirmed by the Indonesia government. Is Apple pulling out from China and continues the expansion to other Asian countries like the Philippines? Read more details here! Apple R&D Center in Jakarta, Indonesia for 2017 The minister of Indonesian Communication and Information confirmed that the Cupertino-based tech giant Apple is expanding their R&D Center to Indonesia in 2017. According to MacRumors, the preparation of the project is now at the final stage of development and Apple is looking forward to complete the construction as well as the hiring at the end of 2017. In addition, the minister said that the identification of location will be done in December followed by the construction kick-off earlier in 2017. While it is known to everyone is that Apple's investment costs millions of dollars but Minister Rudiantara is tight-lipped and refuses to divulge any figure to media and other press. Apple's investment to Indonesia is perceived in two things: first, tapping into the countries local and cheap labor and second, a political will and strengthening of ties between Apple and other countries to increase revenue of their products, 9 to 5 Mac has learned. For this reason, netizens started to speculate that Apple might pullout the R&D Center in China because of political rift most especially with the newly elected president of the United States. Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country with an estimated population of about 260 million people, following India, China and USA. Apple R&D Center in the Philippines for 2018 Wild speculations of the netizens has also led to the recent rumors on the opening of Apple R&D Center in other Asian countries like the Philippines. However, this news remains unconfirmed; thus, readers must take the information cynically. Aside from China, Apple has also an existing R&D Center in other countries such as Japan, Israel and the United Kingdom. At the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, students are required to earn 30 hours of service-learning in order to receive a diploma. For this, students can teach and sing in a choir to earn hours - unless the teaching and choir singing is about faith. This is the reason why two students, accompanied by Alliance Defending Freedom, a non-profit legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith, has filed a lawsuit against the school. "No public university should ever use a community service program as a vehicle to advance and instill anti-religious bias," Travis Barham, legal counsel for ADF, wrote in the lawsuit according to a press release. "If the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wants to require its students to perform community service, it must treat all forms of community service as equally valuable." Barham argues that the school's rejection of the services rendered by two students, Alexandra Liebl and Madelyn Rysavy, is "discrimination against religion and unconstitutional." Liebl gave 30 hours teaching a second-grade religious education class at a local Roman Catholic church. Rysavy, on the other hand, gave 24 hours volunteering herself in the same church's Sunday School classes. Both students helped kids gain better reading skills, learn about Biblical history, and engaged with them regarding topics such as character building and forgiveness, reports The College Fix. However, despite the services rendered by the two students, they were denied credit for the time they spent "in promoting religious doctrine, proselytizing, or worship." This act "singles out" faith-based activity despite the school's Service-Learning policy that says "students' sincerely held beliefs, preferences, and values will be reasonably accommodated in accepting service-learning proposals," Barham notes. "This is raw favoritism of non-religious 'beliefs, preferences, and values' over religious ones, and that's not constitutional," Barham argued, explaining that this behavior does not go with the First Amendment which "prohibits government officials from preferring some viewpoints while exiling, denigrating, or targeting others." This is not the first time that lawsuits were filed against UW in regards to faith-based actions. According to WND, this is the seventh case the ADF filed against UW revolving around the same issues of denying free speech to students when it comes to matters of religion. TOWN OF CALEDONIA Robert Anthony Koy, a 41-year-old man from Winona, Minnesota was killed Sunday while trying to make a U-turn on Highway 33, just east of Interstate 90-94, authorities reported. Lt. Wayne Smith of the Columbia County Sheriffs Office said Koy is believed to have been under the influence of controlled substances at the time of the crash, and he called that use by Koy a "contributing factor" to it. The crash occurred at 2:46 p.m., and Highway 33 was closed due to the crash until 5:39 p.m., Smith said. A sheriff's office report said Koy was driving a 2003 Oldsmobile east on Highway 33 when he turned the car into traffic to travel west on Highway 33 and was struck by an eastbound 2007 Jeep. The speed limit in that portion of Highway 33 is 55 miles per hour, Smith said. Koy was taken by ambulance to Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, where he died, the sheriff's office said. The Jeep was driven by a 27-year-old man from Eagan, Minnesota. He and a female passenger from Eagan were also taken to the hospital, where they were treated for injuries not life-threatening, the sheriff's office said. Brain stroke has a new nemesis, a new anti-inflammatory drug discovered by researchers at the University of Manchester. The new drug reduces the brain cells damaged by stroke and it also helps repair the damage. The research team conducted a study involving rodents with stroke and found out that the new anti-inflammatory drug called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist or IL -1Ra in short, not only limits the death of existing cells damaged by stroke but it also promotes neurogenesis, the process where new neurons are born. This drug does not only work in rodents but in humans as well. The research, led by Professor Stuart Allen and was published in the Brain, Behavior, and Immunity journal, showed that rodents suffering from stroke showed not only a reduced brain damage early on in the stroke but new neurons have been found in their brains after being treated with IL-1Ra. The discovery of the IL-1Ra is a big breakthrough considering there has been no success in previous experiments and research in finding treatment for brain stroke. Moreover, it is much better than previous experiments as well because it does not only reduce brain damage but it generates new cells, which has more long-term effects. The scientists said that these new cells have restorative effects to areas in the brain that have been damaged by stroke. They have observed that those rodents that received treatment using IL-1Ra regained some of their motor skills that were lost because of stroke. The IL-1Ra is already approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. However, it is not yet approved for this purpose. The University of Manchester research team said that they are in the first stage of testing IL-1Ra in some stroke victims but they concede that further and larger trials are needed. A student from the Ohio State University plowed a car into campus hitting people and stabbing others with a butcher knife on Monday morning. The attack ended when the suspect was shot dead by a police officer. NBC News reported that the suspect has been identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, an 18-year-old student. It was added that Artan posted a rant on his Facebook page about reaching a "boiling point" and even made references about "lone wolf attacks" as well as radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. "America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah [community]," the post read. "We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that." The authorities have not been able to see a motive behind the attack, which injured 11 people. Investigators are reportedly trying to determine whether Artan was pushed by personal problems or something else. University officials noted that a police officer came to the scene within a minute and killed the attacker. "He engaged the suspect and eliminated the threat," OSU Police Chief Craig Stone said. According to USA Today College, Ohio State University students were urged by the school to "run, hide, fight" in a warning about the active shooter. Artan was revealed to be a Somali-born legal permanent resident in the United States. It was noted that Artan rammed his car into a group of pedestrians. He then jumped out of the car and started to stab people with a knife. One person was reportedly in critical condition. Business Insider added that The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the attack at Ohio State University on Monday. The group also asked the public to not rush into judging the assailant's motives. "Like all of our fellow Columbus citizens we are saddened and heartbroken by this senseless act of violence and we want to condemn in the strongest possible terms this and any other kind senseless violent act," Jennifer Nimer, Legal Director for the Ohio Chapter of CAIR, said. Muslim and Somali community members urged the public not to jump to conclusions about the attack. Investigators are still looking into the motivations of the suspect. Three children were injured Monday afternoon when the vehicle they were in didn't stop at a Monroe intersection and collided with a second, then third, vehicle. The crash happened at about 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of Second Street and Highway 69, Monroe police said. The investigation showed Carin Yokasta Mota, 30, of Monroe pulled out onto Highway 69 from Second Street and struck a vehicle driven by Kris Simplot, 33, of Beloit. Mota's vehicle then struck a vehicle driven by a 50-year-old Monroe man, police said. The three children in Mota's vehicle, ages 4, 7 and 16, all had non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Monroe Clinic Hospital. Mota was ticketed for failure to yield from a stop sign; Simplot was ticketed for operating after revocation. Published: November 29, 2016 UTs Rebecca White Joins Panel Discussion at Straz Center Following Premiere of Rwandan Documentary UT Professor Rebecca White, director of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, will join a panel discussion following the Tampa screening of the documentary Mama Rwanda at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The documentary will be shown in the Jaeb Theater on Tuesday, Nov. 29. A VIP reception will be held at 6 p.m., and the screening followed by the panel discussion begins at 7 p.m. Tampa joins New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., as the sites for the first showings of the documentary about the country of Rwandas path to reconciliation after decades of violence. The Akilah Institute for Women is hosting the event. Mama Rwanda follows two Rwandan women and highlights the roles of education and access to capital in empowering women to overcome poverty through entrepreneurship. "The film's message of the application of an entrepreneurial mindset to solve significant problems and improve the quality of life for a family, a community or even a nation is powerful," says White. "This impact is exactly why teaching and supporting young entrepreneurs is so important to our future." In addition to White, panelists include Laura Harris, ABC Action News anchor; Laura Waters Hinson, the films director; Maya Smallwood, principal of People Advisory Service, Ernest & Young; Elizabeth Dearborn Hughes, Akilah Institute CEO and co-founder; and Aline Kabanda, country director, Akilah Institute. "In 2009, the Tampa community rallied around an idea I had to build a school to empower and educate women and girls in Rwanda; to be a part of the country's rebirth and to provide students with the knowledge and skills to launch their careers and achieve leadership roles, says Hughes, a Tampa native turned CEO. Three-quarters of students at the Akilah Institutes Rwandan location are unemployed before enrolling. After graduating, they earn, on average, 12-times the national median income. Graduates then support family and community members, start businesses or invest in their own professional careers. Tickets for the premiere will be available at the door of the Straz Center for $20. To watch the trailer, go to www.akilahinstitute.org/mama-rwanda, or for more information contact merrin@akilahinstitute.org. The Madison School District continues to lose many more students than it gains under the states open enrollment program, though district officials pointed to hopeful signs in the latest figures, released Monday. The number of students who transferred out of the district dropped from 1,315 last year to 1,294 this year, a dip of 21 students. Meanwhile, the number of students choosing to come to Madison increased by 49 students, from 316 last year to 365 this year. The net loss of 929 students is down from 999 students the prior year. The numbers reflect all grades, from 4-year-old kindergarten through 12th. Were headed in a positive direction, said Andrew Statz, the districts executive director of accountability. Still, the picture is very murky. Two neighboring school districts that already open-enroll a lot of Madison students Verona and Monona Grove said they had applications from many more Madison families but had to deny them due to a lack of space. Verona said it denied 162 applications for this school year from Madison families, while Monona Grove said it denied about 75. Most of our buildings are at capacity or over capacity, said Jerrud Rossing, director of business services for the Monona Grove School District. The data do not capture where the denied students ended up. Parents can apply to up to three districts at the same time, so some of the students may have been accepted elsewhere, in which case Madisons numbers would reflect their departures. Application denied Jerry Fuerstenberg said hes one example of a parent who sought to leave the Madison School District but wasnt successful. He applied to transfer his adopted son to a Verona elementary school this year for third grade but was denied due to a lack of space, he said. Dean Gorrell, Verona superintendent, said in an interview Monday the district had only two third-grade spots available for open enrollment applicants. The spots were filled by a lottery. Fuerstenberg cited safety concerns as the primary reason for wanting to leave Madison and said his son, who is African-American, remains at Orchard Ridge Elementary School, which disappoints the family. I think the teachers mean well and are doing the best they can, but I think there are a lot of distractions in the classroom, he said. I dont think they have enough teachers to keep their eyes on all the kids. Becky Kundert, principal of Orchard Ridge, said the school is making strides on both classroom behavior and student achievement. Though its students score below state averages on state tests, the school received four out of five stars on its recent state report card, placing it in the exceeds expectations category. The schools high score was due partly to its students making progress at rates above state averages for schools with similar demographics. Statz said it certainly is the case that some students remain in Madison because theyve been denied elsewhere. However, he said he and other district officials think the positive trends in open enrollment reflect real progress in student achievement and in strategies that improve schools. Statistics related to open enrollment are cumulative, meaning that if, for example, a girl who resides in Madison transfers to another district in kindergarten, she remains on Madisons count of leavers every year for as long as she stays away, potentially until she graduates. For this reason, Statz said the district is particularly interested in first-time open enrollment students leavers who had never applied to leave the district in prior years. This number also is dropping, a good sign, he said. There were 373 new open enrollment leavers this year, down from 424 last year. Open enrollment leavers are disproportionately white relative to the overall district population, while those coming into the district are disproportionately non-white, according to the district. Parents surveyed About half of the parents who pulled their children out of the Madison School District in recent years did so because they sought a better academic environment or a better school climate, according to results of a new district survey, also released Monday. The district wanted to learn more about why students leave, so it emailed links to an electronic survey to 965 parents who open-enrolled their children out of the district between 2010 and 2015. A total of 320 parents responded. The most common reason cited for leaving was better academic environment (26 percent), followed by better culture or climate (23 percent), other (14 percent) and the school is closer to where we live (8 percent). The district also surveyed parents whose children entered the district through open enrollment. The most common reason, cited by 30 percent of parents, was that they had recently moved out of the district but wanted their child to continue attending the same school. The next most popular reasons were other (20 percent), it was my childs choice (10 percent) and the school is closer to my place of work (10 percent). This year, Leopold was the district elementary school with the most leavers, at 101. Statz said the schools proximity to the Oregon and Verona school districts is a major driver, as some families who live in the Madison School District may be closer to a school in one of those other districts. The same proximity issue is happening at Glendale Elementary School, he said, which is second-highest at 86 leavers. It lost most of its students to the McFarland and Monona Grove school districts. Emily Royalty, president of Leopolds parent-faculty organization, said her two sons are having very good experiences at the school. She said there is a lot of misinformation about the school out there, dating back to the years when the school was crowded. Its not overcrowded anymore, but I think some parents open enroll elsewhere without having visited the school or talked to the principal, she said. Sennett Middle School had the most leavers (63) at that level, while La Follette was the high school with the most transfers out (186). Also Monday, the district reported that its overall K-12 enrollment for this school year is 25,239, an increase of eight students from last year. Page Content By Stacia Kulakowski Readers are feeling conflicted after popular social media sites like Facebook have become a breeding ground for false news about both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point associate media studies professor, Steve Hill even said that with fake news in the mix, it's a time of worry and wonder. "Certainly because of the circumstances of this election, there's been a bit more discussion about fake news now and what it's impacts are," said Hill. A study from the Stanford History Education Group even gave way to a shocking statistic that about 82 percent of teens in an experimental setting cannot distinguish between a sponsored story or ad, or a true news story. MORE: STORY and VIDEO UW Campus Listening Sessions Continue; Staff Session Added Dialogue and listening sessions to help craft the University of Wyomings strategic plan continue in December. In addition to topical sessions for the entire UW community, a session just for UW staff members to address any issues has been scheduled Friday, Dec. 9, from noon-1 p.m. in Room 212 of the Aven Nelson Building. The topical sessions, each focused on a particular aspect of the university, are led by co-leaders selected by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kate Miller. Members of the UW community and the public are invited to express their hopes and dreams for the university in those specific areas. Here is the schedule for the December topical sessions. Times and locations, topics and discussion co-leaders are as follows: -- Thursday, Dec. 1, 10-11 a.m., Classroom Building, Room 105 -- university structures and organization; John Mittelstaedt (College of Business) and Jacquelyn Bridgeman (College of Law). -- Thursday, Dec. 1, 4-5 p.m., Classroom Building, Room 103 -- undergraduate recruitment and enrollment; Chip Kobulnicky (Department of Physics and Astronomy) and Mary Aguayo (Division of Student Affairs). -- Wednesday, Dec. 7, 9-10 a.m., Classroom Building, Room 118 -- research, scholarship and graduate education; Bryan Shader (Office of Research and Economic Development) and Suzie Young (College of Education). -- Wednesday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-noon, Health Sciences Building, Room 463 -- information technology; Jen Chavez (Information Technology) and Dimitri Mavriplis (Department of Mechanical Engineering). -- Wednesday, Dec. 14, 10-11 a.m., Classroom Building, Room 118 -- engagement and outreach, economic development and vibrant communities; Jeff Clune (Department of Computer Science) and Mark Northam (School of Energy Resources). -- Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1-2 p.m., Classroom Building, Room 103 -- design, master plan and campus aesthetics; Tony Denzer (Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering) and Larry Blake (Facilities Architecture). Separately, Miller and members of UWs Strategic Planning Leadership Council are meeting with individual departments and units (www.uwyo.edu/president/strategic-plans/dept-sessions.html) and colleges (www.uwyo.edu/president/strategic-plans/college-meetings.html) to discuss priorities and strategies that will help shape the future. President Laurie Nichols has approved release time for UW employees to attend the unit and college sessions, and any topical sessions of their choosing. The scheduling of release time should be a collaborative discussion between employee and supervisor to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the unit. The amount of release time should correspond to the length and number of sessions attended. Following the extensive series of campuswide and statewide discussions, the Strategic Planning Leadership Council is scheduled to begin drafting the strategic plan in January, with presentation of a draft to the campus community and stakeholders in March. The revised plan then will be presented at a town-hall meeting for consideration by the governing bodies of Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and the Associated Students of UW. Following approval by the Board of Trustees, the plan will be implemented at the start of the 2017-18 fiscal year, with college and unit plans finalized in fall 2017. A website, www.uwyo.edu/president/strategic-plans/, has been established to inform the campus community and the public throughout the strategic planning process. More details about meeting and session schedules, as well as contact information for the Strategic Planning Leadership Council members and co-leaders for the listening and dialogue sessions, may be found at that site. UW President to Hold Listening Session in Cheyenne Dec. 6 UW President Laurie Nichols University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols and other UW leaders will visit Cheyenne Tuesday, Dec. 6, to solicit input on a strategic plan to guide the university for the next five years. The listening session is scheduled from 4:15-5:45 p.m. in Room 113 of the Laramie County Community College Health Sciences Building, 1400 E. College Drive. It is one of 10 such meetings scheduled around the state through Dec. 8. These sessions are for us to hear from the people of Wyoming about their land-grant university, Nichols says. Creating a strong five-year plan is so important as it sets priorities and indicates areas of focus. I want to be there personally to listen to peoples hopes and dreams for Wyomings university, as well as the obstacles to achieving those dreams and ideas on how those challenges can be overcome. The statewide listening sessions are in addition to an extensive series of discussions on campus focused on developing a roadmap for UW for the next five years. With that input, UWs Strategic Planning Leadership Council is scheduled to begin drafting the strategic plan in January, with presentation of a draft to the campus community and stakeholders in March. The revised plan then will be presented at a town-hall meeting for consideration by the governing bodies of Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and the Associated Students of UW. Following approval by the Board of Trustees, the plan will be implemented at the start of the 2017-18 fiscal year, with college and unit plans finalized in fall 2017. A website, www.uwyo.edu/president/strategic-plans/, has been established to inform the public throughout the strategic planning process. Church News October 20, 2022 LIGHT OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH Needing Answers We want God to be like FedEx and deliver overnight. Things dont happen that way, but in... Church News October 13, 2022 LIGHT OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH Natures Therapy The pine tree with its solemn dignity lifts its branches to the sky as if to give... A Dane County judge on Tuesday denied a request by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton to require all votes in Wisconsins presidential election to be recounted by hand, as officials in each of the states 72 counties ready for the recount to begin Thursday. The recount became official Tuesday afternoon, when the state Elections Commission announced it received a $3.5 million payment for the recount from Steins campaign, which requested it. State law says candidates may request a recount of their election if they pay for it. Steins campaign has raised more than $6 million in recent days for recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania three states that tipped the Electoral College to Trump, and where polls did not predict a Trump victory. Yet even Steins allies expressed fresh doubts about the value of the recounts. Steins running mate, Ajamu Baraka, told CNN Tuesday: Im not in favor of the recount. Trump leads Clinton in Wisconsins official tally by more than 22,000 votes, or less than a percentage point. State Elections Commission chairman Mark Thomsen, a Democrat, said Monday he expects the recount will re-affirm Trump won. Clintons legal team largely stayed on the sidelines in the recount until Tuesday, when her campaign joined Steins court request for a hand recount. Clintons attorney, Josh Kaul, wrote in a memo to the court that a hand recount is preferable to a machine recount because human beings can assess voter intent in a way that machines cannot. Fifty-six counties have told the commission or the Wisconsin State Journal that they plan to do full or partial hand recounts. Other counties plan to use scanning machines to re-tabulate the votes. Recount could cost nearly $4M The amount quoted to the Stein campaign was about $400,000 cheaper than the actual statewide cost estimate of $3.9 million. A spokesman for the Elections Commission said the estimate was based on a tabulation error of the 72 county estimates. Spokesman Reid Magney said the Stein campaign would pay the actual cost of the recounts, even if it is higher or lower than the estimates. The recount is happening on an expedited timetable to comply with a federal law requiring all disputes relating to the presidential election results be resolved by Dec. 13. The deadline is slated in advance of the Electoral Colleges scheduled meeting on Dec. 19 to formally elect the next president. The recount is expected to take several days as clerks across the state bring together scores of employees some temporary to count ballots. The ballots will be counted by hand or fed through optical scanners, depending on what kind of voting equipment was used. If the candidates disagree with the results of the recount, the law gives them the right to appeal in circuit court within five business days after the recount is completed, the Elections Commission said. American Delta Party candidate Rocky Roque de la Fuente withdrew a Wisconsin recount petition Tuesday, saying the cost was too high. Steins campaign has argued that if voting machines were tampered with, using those same machines to re-tabulate the votes risks tainting the recount process. The 56 counties who have said they already plan to do full or partial hand recounts, account for about 60 percent of all votes. Another 13 counties, including Milwaukee, are only doing optical scan recounts, and the other three havent settled on a plan. Experts: Cyber-attack of vote machines possible State law sets a high bar for a judge to order a statewide hand recount. The law says the candidate seeking one must give clear and convincing evidence that using machines to conduct a recount will produce incorrect results and that theres a substantial probability that recounting the ballots by hand or another method will produce a more correct result and change the outcome of the election. Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ruled Tuesday that the Stein and Clinton campaigns failed to meet that standard. An attorney for Steins campaign, Debbie Greenberger, said the campaign has not decided whether to appeal Bailey-Rihns ruling. Academic experts in statistics and cyber-security testified Tuesday that voting machines are vulnerable to a potential cyber-attack and recounting the vote by hand is the best way to validate results. A hand recount is going to provide a more accurate result because it will not be affected by any kind of cyber-security attack that might be compromising the voting machines, testified J. Alex Halderman, a cyber-security expert and professor at the University of Michigan. Philip Stark, director of the Statistical Computing Facility at the University of California-Berkeley, testified that a statistical analysis of small voting wards in Wisconsin showed numerical anomalies that bear further scrutiny and could be a sign of malicious attempts to alter the vote totals. The testimony was based on an analysis by Walter Mebane, a statistical expert and University of Michigan professor. Elections Commission director Michael Haas has said he has received no indication of tampering with state election results. In testimony Tuesday, Haas emphasized that extensive measures are taken by local election officials to restrict unauthorized people from gaining physical access to the machines. State officials have said those machines are not connected to the Internet, meaning a potential cyber-attacker likely would need to access them in person. Haas testified that requiring all counties to conduct hand recounts could further burden counties scrambling to staff the recount. Many clerks have expressed to us already that theyre having trouble recruiting enough people, Haas said. Cost estimates differ widely Each county provided a cost estimate to the state, ranging from 19 cents per vote in La Crosse County, where a recount has already begun in a close state Senate race between Democrat Jennifer Shilling and Republican Dan Kapanke, to $6.65 per vote in Pierce County. The average was $1.31 per vote statewide. The average cost was $1.35 per vote in counties doing a hand count, $1.14 per vote in counties doing an optical scan, and $2.13 in counties doing a combination of both methods. Lincoln County Clerk Christopher Marlowe said his county is doing a hand count because its easier to do for a single race and just to prove our equipment is not rigged. At least one county said it overestimated the cost, which could skew the statewide averages. Oneida County told the state Elections Commission it would cost $178,000 to recount 21,033 ballots by both hand and optical scan, or $8.46 per vote, the highest in the state. But County Clerk Mary Bartelt said in an interview that the estimate would likely be less after it was discovered that the estimate was based on incorrect figures from the 2011 Supreme Court recount, in which about half as many people cast ballots as this years presidential election. Bartelt said the estimate doubled the total cost of elections in 2011, rather than the total cost of the recount itself. Marinette County plans to conduct a hand recount of the receipts generated by the touch-screen voting machines, County Clerk Kathy Brandt said. The receipts are in long paper tape rolls that will have to be cut and divided into piles for each candidate, then counted. The process was used in the 2011 Supreme Court recount and matched the initial results exactly. The estimated cost for the roughly 20,000 votes is about $21,500. I think we have a good system, Brandt said. I think were going to go pretty fast. Oil and gas in the United States are slowly stepping up investments in wells other industry building blocks for the first time in two years. The American energy companies slashed business spending after crude-oil prices plummeted in 2014. The severe cutbacks rippled through the economy, pushing down overall growth and denting the labor market. Now, with crude holding above rock-bottom prices and companies operating at lower costs, some firms are cautiously accelerating oil production. Business spending and the broader economy are hardly roaring back. But there are signs energy investment has at least reached an inflection point while other sectors appear unable to gain much traction, one factor that may help balance out otherwise patchy growth. Pioneer Natural Resources Co. earlier this year raised its 2016 capital budget to $2.1 billion from $2 billion to cover the cost of five new rigs. The Dallas-based company expects to spend $2.7 billion to $2.8 billion in 2017. Devon Energy Corp. gave its capital budget a small boost in mid-2016 to as much as $1.3 billion. The Oklahoma City-based company is still watching oil prices as it calculates spending plans for next year, but it projects about $2 billion if prices are around $55 a barrel. David Hager, Devon's president and CEO, told investors earlier this month that prices go even higher than that, they certainly can ramp-up activity even further. Rob Barcik, president of Oseco, said that the onshore oil business is definitely starting to slowly grow. Business investment in other sectors, meanwhile, has been tepid, leaving the broader economic outlook little improved. And the election of Donald Trump injects at least some short-term uncertainty into forecasts. Some economists now expect faster growth driven by corporate tax cuts and stronger business spending, while others believe the potential for a trade war is a real risk. The U.S government is happy about the improvement on oil and gas investments. Brown Lentil Soup with Broccoli, Turmeric, Fenugreek seeds and black pepper. Warming Winter Dal with veggies and fenugreek for healing and detox. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Recipe. Jump to Recipe If you havent noticed yet, we love Indian brown lentils over here. Dals can be made in several ways with the lentils and different spices, a combination of lentils, pulses, veggies and such. This soup came about from my Sri lankan Lentil Coconut curry. The fenugreek seeds add a complex flavor to the soup. Fenugreek seeds are also known to help digestion, slow down absorption of sugar, and reduce inflammation. The whole seeds and ground up with black pepper, turmeric, coriander and cinnamon and used to flavor the soup. Cook lentils of choice and add the spices and veggies and simmer. Warming, pleasing and so good. Make this Dal Soup and serve as is with crackers, flatbread, or over rice or other cooked grains. There are probably 200 recipes of some kind of Lentil soup or Dal on the blog. Pulses for the win! From the recent recipes, try the Chana Dal Veggie Soup, Lentil Chard Dal, arestaurant style Punjabi Dal Fry (video recipe). Moms Sabut Masoor or Brown Lentil Soup. Make the dal into a meal by cooking grains with it like this Brown Rice and Lentil soup, or Mung Bean Brown rice Kitchari. Often the different lentils and beans can be used interchangeably for variation (adjust water and cooking time depending on the lentil or bean). Brown or Green Lentils and whole green Mung beans can be used interchangeably without much change in cook time. Split peas, Chana Dal, Toor Dal substitute each other easily. Red lentils can be subbed with petite yellow lentils- Moong Dal(will take 5 -10 mins longer). If you make this soup or any other from the blog, do tag me on social media (Instagram) or comment below. I love to hear your experiences! Note: Fenugreek in large amounts (supplements, capsules) might have side effect of inducing labor in pregnant women. In food it is used in very low amounts for flavor. Please consult your doctor for safe amounts for you if you are pregnant. Video: Subscribe to my youtube channel. Print Recipe 5 from 12 votes Brown Lentil Soup with Broccoli, Fenugreek & Black Pepper Brown Lentil Soup with Broccoli, Turmeric, Fenugreek seeds and black pepper. Warming Winter Dal with veggies and fenugreek for healing and detox. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 40 mins Total Time 50 mins Servings: 2 Calories: 246 kcal Author: Vegan Richa Ingredients 1/2 cup ( 96 g ) lentils wash and soak for 10 mins 2 cups ( 473.18 ml ) water 1 tsp oil 1/2 tsp ( 0.5 tsp ) mustard seeds 1/2 ( 0.5 ) medium red onion chopped 3 cloves of garlic chopped 1 hot green chile like Serrano chopped 1/2 tsp ( 0.5 tsp ) coriander powder or seeds 1/2 tsp ( 0.5 tsp ) black peppercorns or use 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/3 tsp ( 0.33 tsp ) fenugreek seeds or powder 1/4 ( 0.25 ) or more tsp cayenne 1/4 tsp ( 0.25 tsp ) cinnamon 1/2 to 1 tsp turmeric 1/2 ( 0.5 ) green bell pepper chopped small 1 large tomato chopped 1/2 tsp ( 0.5 tsp ) or more salt 3/4 cup ( 177.44 g ) small florets of broccoli cilantro and lemon for garnish Instructions Cook the lentils: Drain the lentils that have been soaking, and add to a pressure cooker/Instant Pot or Saucepan with water. Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook for 11 to 12 minutes at high pressure setting. (Or 2 whistles over high heat, them simmer for 8 minutes over low heat). Let the pressure release naturally. Saucepan: Partially cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. When hot, add mustard seeds and wait for them to start sputtering. (A few seconds if the oil is hot enough). Add onion, garlic, chile and cook until translucent. About 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Meanwhile, grind all the spices together in a small blender, spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Add to the skillet. Mix and cook for a minute. Add tomatoes and bell pepper and a splash of water and cook until tomatoes are tender. 4 to 5 mins. Add this to the simmering lentils. Use a bit of water to swirl around on the skillet to pick up any leftover spices and add to the simmering lentils. (Alternatively, if you have cooked lentils, add the lentils to the skillet. Add water if needed to adjust consistency). Add salt and broccoli and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to cook for 2-3 mins. Taste and adjust salt and heat. Add more water if needed or simmer longer for desired consistency. Cover and let sit for another 2 mins before serving. Garnish with cilantro and lemon if needed. I also often use coconut shreds and cayenne/pepper flakes for garnish. Serve as soup or over rice/quinoa. Video Notes Nutrition is 1 of 2 generous serves Nutrition Nutrition Facts Brown Lentil Soup with Broccoli, Fenugreek & Black Pepper Amount Per Serving Calories 246 Calories from Fat 27 % Daily Value* Fat 3g 5% Saturated Fat 1g 6% Sodium 615mg 27% Potassium 822mg 23% Carbohydrates 40g 13% Fiber 17g 71% Sugar 5g 6% Protein 15g 30% Vitamin A 835IU 17% Vitamin C 69.2mg 84% Calcium 71mg 7% Iron 4.7mg 26% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Holiday Season and Giving Tuesday today. That means this month we will feature some of the awesome work done by Amazing People. Every year we support some fabulous organizations with the blog and book earnings. One of the organizations wer are starting to support this year through HAI is BAWS Nepal. They are a small organization working to help animals esp street dogs and cats and also educate people about living in harmony with them. Another organization we are supporting this year through HAI, is WRRC Bangalore. Working to make larger sanctuary areas and raising funds to rescue and rehab temple and circus elephants, who after decades(40 to 50 years) of living in tiny windowless enclosures, constant abuse, torture, and long working hours at temples and circuses, are finally seeing freedom. Its so amazing to see their eyes not filled with fear anymore. Locally, we support some animal rescues, dog rescues esp Old Dog Haven, who rescue and provide happy and restful refuge to senior pets. Also, local vegan business Seattle Cookie Counter is currently raising funds to keep their shop open. Vegan shops mean easier choices to be able to eat anything in that shop and support vegan people and a vegan company! Happy Holidays! Six weeks after the embattled Wisconsin veterans homes at King for the first time received the federal governments highest ratings, the assessment was downgraded because of poor care connected to a 94-year-old residents death. Nursing staff members had been with the man for 10 to 15 minutes before they realized he wasnt breathing and had no pulse, and then they didnt try to resuscitate him because he was cool to the touch and gray in color, federal inspectors wrote in their report. The four nursing homes operated by the state Department of Veterans Affairs are facing a state audit sparked by newspaper reports of serious shortcomings in care provided to more than 700 elderly veterans and family members who live there. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) gave its most severe citation to one of the four homes the 200-bed Olson facility after a March 9 inspection examined how the 94-year-old man died. But CMS didnt lower Olsons rating on its website until Monday. The rating change was delayed because the state was appealing the citation and because of an unspecified issue involving uploading the information to federal databases, CMS Chicago-based program representative Jan Suzuki said in emails to veterans advocates. Immediate jeopardy Rick deMoya, a former WDVA official and longtime critic of the agency, said he began questioning the federal agency after learning of the citation because he couldnt square such a serious deficiency with the five-star ratings the homes received in October. The citation for immediate jeopardy, given in connection with the nursing staffs failure to attempt to resuscitate the man, is the most severe violation inspectors can give. The inspection report said that 12 residents whose medical conditions meant they might need to be resuscitated were also under the care of the same nursing staff. DeMoya, who retired from his post as a WDVA division administrator in 2006 after a heart attack, said he obtained a copy of the inspection report through the open records law and sent copies to veterans groups, the Veterans Affairs board, state legislators and Gov. Scott Walkers office. Rich Hasse, a Columbia County veterans service officer, also sent emails to federal officials asking how the King homes had kept their high rating. Spokeswomen for the state Department of Health Services, which shares inspection responsibility for nursing homes, and CMS in Chicago said late Monday that they couldnt provide more details on what delayed the change in the ratings at the King homes or any information on fines that could accompany the citation. The King homes have been criticized for staffing shortages, inspection citations and transfers of nursing home revenue to other veterans programs have surfaced for years. In February 2013, a Wisconsin State Journal investigation in the wake of a residents death uncovered a trend of increasing citations, including two that posed immediate jeopardy. Some problems occurred when lawmakers boosted the number of residents in the homes to increase revenue before increasing staffing numbers. No attempt to hide Department of Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Carla Vigue said Monday that the department had no intention of keeping the citation a secret, and that it was a public record that anyone could have obtained if they had requested it. Vigue said the departments appeal of the citation was still pending, but emails from the CMS official indicated the appeal had failed. The decision to not perform CPR based on an on-the-spot assessment made by a registered nurse and corroborated by two physicians has been contradicted by a nursing assistant, Vigue said in an emailed statement. The registered nurse did demonstrate to the survey (inspection) team that he knew the criteria that must be met in order to not perform CPR. This is the basis for our appeal. WDVA Secretary John Scocos issued a press release in October announcing the five-star ratings at King for the first time had been achieved by all four homes at once. In the release, Scocos acknowledged that the homes had been cited in their latest inspections, but he didnt mention the severity of the immediate-jeopardy citation or the death of the resident. Our mission is to provide the safest and best quality care to our nations heroes, and the latest reports by CMS indicate that our efforts are paying off, Scocos said in the Oct. 17 release. While we did receive some citations during our latest inspection, we take those citations seriously and as always we are putting corrective action plans in place immediately so that we may make improvements. In September, Scocos told state lawmakers who ordered the audit that reports of substandard care were unsubstantiated. Walker this month announced Scocos would resign effective Jan. 7. Tra fish, weighing 750-950g, is priced at between VND21,000 (US$0.9) and VND23,000 per kg in the Vietnamese market. - Photo zing.vn Viet Nam earned US$235.5 million from exporting tra fish to China, including the Hong Kong market, in the first 10 months of this year, an increase of 76 per cent compared with last year. In the last two years, the value of traexports to China has continuously increased, VASEP said. In the first six months of this year, China ranked the third largest importer of Vietnamese trafish, occupying 14.8 per cent of the domestic market share, behind the United States and the European Union, with 23.7 per cent and 16.8 per cent, respectively. According to the Vietnam Trade Promotion Office in Chinas Chongqing City, Chinas demand for Vietnamese trafish has rapidly increased recently because of its reasonable prices. Chinese customers mainly imported the fish for processing fast food in restaurants, hotels, refectories and flights. The United States is currently the largest importer of Vietnamese tra fish and has been maintaining its strong growth since early this year. However, in the future, Viet Nam will certainly face difficulty in exporting trafish to the US market because of the US Department of Agricultures Final Rule, which came into effect in March this year to regulate locally raised and imported Siluriformes fish. Under the rule, an 18-month transitional implementation period is applicable to both domestic and international catfish producers. This may make China the largest importer of trafish from Viet Nam next year. VASEP said the tramarket in Cuu Long River Delta was heading to a standstill in both consumption and prices because local factories had slowed down purchase and production since had already bought a sufficient quantity of fish through orders, which would serve during the Christmas holiday and the solar new year in Europe, United States and China. Tra fish, weighing 750-950g, is priced at between VND21,000 (US$0.9) and VND23,000 per kg. Late Cuban leader Fidel Castro (middle), late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (in white) and Vietnamese reporters in Quang Tri in 1973 For decades, Fidel Castro had been a symbol of revolutionary heroism, spirit of undaunted struggle and desire for freedom and happiness. Under the leadership of Fidel, Cuba was the pioneer in the world movement of supporting Vietnams struggle for independence as well as national construction. Cuba was also the first country to recognise the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in December 1961, as well as the first and only to set up its embassy to the front in September 1963. During that period, Cuba also faced many difficulties. However, during a meeting in Havana with the participation of tens of thousands of people, Fidel Castro stated that unfortunately, we - Cuban people do not have enough milk and sugar to send to Vietnamese people. If we have, we will send not only milk and sugar but also our blood. The year 1976 was named Heroic Vietnam Year by Cuba as part of its support to Vietnam. In 1972 when the dyke system in the northern of Vietnam was destroyed by the US enemy, Cuba took August 28 as the Dyke Day and launched a campaign to denounce the crimes of the imperialism. The leader reaffirmed that our solidarity with, our trust in Vietnamese people and leaders is unconditional and absolute. In September 1973, Fidel Castro was the first and only foreign leader to visit the southern liberation area of Vietnam when the war was ongoing, bringing a great encouragement to Vietnamese soldiers and people and a promise to help realise President Ho Chi Minhs wish to build a more prosperous country. This showed the special sentiments of him and Cuban people towards Vietnam and its national liberation. The image of the Cuban commander-in-chief, in his olive uniform, standing in an enemys blockhouse raising the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, became an extremely impressive image and a source of encouragement to Vietnamese people then. During hardest period of the anti-US revolution, Fidels saying Cuba is willing to devote blood for Vietnam melt the hearts of Vietnamese and Cuban people as well as peace-lovers around the world. The Cuban leader and people considered Vietnams struggle as their own. Also in his first visit to Vietnam, Fidel Castro presented Vietnam with five important socio-economic works: Thang Loi Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam-Cuba Hospital in Quang Binh, Xuan Mai Road, Ba Vi cow breeding farm, and a Luong My chicken factory. He also gifted Vietnam cow and chicken breed, along with more than 6 million USD for buying modern production equipment. At the same time, Cuba also sent experts to Vietnam to join the construction of Ho Chi Minh Trail and train more than 1,000 Vietnamese university students and post-graduates. Cuba also supported Vietnam in joining the United Nations. Fidel Castros next visits to Vietnam were in December 1995 and February 2003, during which the friendship and cooperation between the two countries witnessed new development milestones. Through the visits, the Cuban leader always affirmed that Cuba sees Vietnam as its close brother and friend, and the solidarity, friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries will continue to thrive. Despite the long distance, the warm sentiments and faithful friendship that Fidel Castro given to Vietnam will stay forever in the hearts of generations of Vietnamese people. For them, Fidel Castro is always a great friend. illustration photo This information was published on the MoITs website. The adjustment is based on Vietnams plan on beer, wine, and beverage production to 2025 with a vision to 2035. According to the forecast in the plan, the volume of beer consumed in the country is expected to reach 4.1 billion litres per year by 2020. The figure may be 3.3 billion litres already in 2016. Thus, the adjustment seems suitable with the above plan. The Ba Ria-Vung Tau Industrial Zones Management Authority asked Heneiken Vietnam to carry out a survey on market demand as well as the necessary infrastructure. Besides, Heneiken Vietnam will have to determine the specific capacity for each phase of expansion. Earlier, in late August, Heneiken Vietnam completed the purchase of Carlsberg Breweries A/Ss entire holding, equalling 55 per cent, in Carlsberg Vietnam Breweries-Vung Tau JSC, a joint venture between Carlsberg and Hanoi Beer, Alcohol and Beverage JSC (Habeco). The stakes were transferred at a yet undisclosed value. After the sale, the company was renamed Heneiken Vietnam Brewery Vung Tau. Entering Vietnam in 2011, Heineken Vietnam operates under two names, the wholly-owned Asian Pacific Breweries (APB) in Hanoi and Vietnam Brewery Limited Company (VBL), in which it holds a 60 per cent stake. Along with the facility in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Heineken Vietnam has four other breweries in Vietnam, which locates in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Quang Nam, and Tien Giang provinces. The worlds third-largest brewer, Heineken announced that Vietnam is its second most profitable market after only Mexico. Heneiken is the second largest beer manufacturer in Vietnam, with a 2015 capacity of 729 million litres, following Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Joint Stock Corporation (Sabeco)s 1.38 billion litres. Malcolm Monteiro, CEO of DHL eCommerce Asia Pacific, told VIR that Vietnam is particularly important amongst the firms Southeast Asian markets due to the huge opportunities it offers. DHL eCommerce is studying the 90-million market and meeting with the most promising e-commerce companies in Vietnam. Our entire objective is to work closely with Vietnamese people by adapting global expertise to the local market. Thus, we are doing an extensive market study before launching our products in Vietnam, he noted. Meanwhile, InDo Trans Logistics Corporation (ITL Corp) has just officially announced joining the Vietnamese courier market under the brand SpeedLink, focusing on e-commerce logistics services, which is considered to hold more potential than general logistics services. Lazada, Southeast Asia's largest online shopping website, also has its own delivery company called LEX. Lazada Vietnams CEO Alexandre Dardy told VIR that the e-commerce concept was still unknown when Lazada launched in Vietnam five years ago. During this time, warehouse and delivery services were undeveloped to effectively serve e-commerce. However, e-commerce is now developing hand-in-hand with delivery services. Many delivery parties have entered the market and we now have much better choices. Vietnam Posts competency is its distribution network covering even the most remote areas. On the other hand, Giaohangnhanh and other young delivery parties have a deep understanding of e-commerce, higher-level technology application, are fast to adapt, and similar system development with new e-commerce sites. Meanwhile, Ninja Van has advantages when it comes to large-size orders that require customised trucks. Delivery services are forecast to develop even more with investments from current players to enhance their facilities, technique, and network, while new players, such as Grab and Uber will enter the market with their own competencies to penetrate e-commerce and DHL in the near future, focusing on the domestic market and approaching the current leaders in e-commerce, he noted. David and Goliath? Juergen Gerdes, CEO of Post eCommerce Parcel Division at Deutsche Post DHL Group, said that the e-commerce industry is extremely exciting and offers tremendous opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. The global B2C (cross-border) e-commerce market will multiply in size to $1 trillion in 2020. Thus, DHL eCommerce was launched in 2014 with the aim to capitalise on the growing opportunities in e-commerce logistics. Most recently, DHL eCommerce has invested EUR70 million ($74.3 million) to strengthen its operations to meet the fast-growing demand for quality e-commerce logistics services in India. This investment is part of the companys broader plan to aggressively expand across the Asia Pacific. In June 2016, DHL eCommerce announced increasing its overall presence in China by 50 per cent by expanding its distribution centres in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Earlier in January 2016, DHL eCommerce launched domestic delivery operations in Thailand and announced plans to double its fleet and number of depots by 2017. Charles Brewer, CEO of DHL eCommerce said that this years investments in India, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific showcases the corporations commitment to the e-commerce industry by delivering high quality and reliable logistics solutions to meet the rising demands of e-commerce consumers. The company has recently developed an eco-friendly street scooter and a driverless drone (parcelcopter) for last-mile delivery. As part of our expansion plans, DHL intends to bring these new vehicles to Asia in the coming years, he said. According to Le Duy Hiep, chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Association, the entrance of the foreign logistics giant will heat up competition in Vietnamese e-commerce logistics. The main reason is that Vietnamese logistics companies are generally of a smaller scale, like online booking and delivery services, and have no cross-border experience. Most of them also lack technology and capital to scale up its operations. The Vietnamese e-commerce market is lagging far beyond its neighbours, like China, where online sales account for $548 billion. To develop the e-commerce logistics sector, the government should introduce action plans, while local companies should join forces to invest in technology infrastructure to prepare for the future, he noted. On the same note, Dardy said that Vietnamese e-commerce is developing based on an ecosystem where delivery companies play an important role in supporting each other. This is a win-win relationship that also benefits the market and brings the fastest and most convenient services for customers. Therefore, new comers are encouraged to join and develop the market together. The Ministry of Industry and Trade in its report on developing industries in the last three months of the year outlined three possible solutions for the plant. First, the ministry proposed restructuring the plant, while leaving the question whether it would remain a subsidiary of PetroVietnam open The second solution is to put the company under the management of another. This transfer would be planned by PetroVietnam. The third is to let the company go bankrupt. The ministry added that it is going identify individuals and groups responsible for the shipbuilding companys failure. Dung Quat Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., established in 2006, was a member of Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC), formerly Vinashin. In 2010, the company was transferred under the management of PetroVietnam. The company has been incurred billions of dollars in cumulative losses . According to PetroVietnams financial statement, as of the end of 2015, PetroVietnam was holding 100 per cent of Dung Quat Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., equal to a capital of VND1.99 trillion ($90 million). PVN has made a 100 per cent provision for the risk of this investment. The report also mentioned other major projects invested by PetroVietnam, including Nghi Son Refinery, Dinh Vu Polyester Fibre and Yarn Plant, and a number of struggling biofuel plants. Specifically, the MoIT asked PetroVietnam to build a plan to consume the refinerys products. Earlier, PetroVietnam complained about the big loss this would cause, but the plea fell on deaf ears at the ministry. As for Dinh Vu Polyester Fibre and Yarn Plant, the MoIT asked PetroVietnam to negotiate with potential partners to be involved in the plants management. For the ethanol plants, the MoIT asked PetroVietnam or PVOil to sign cooperation contracts with localities and companies on distributing its E5 fuel product. PVOil should also look for another investor to buy its stake in PetroVietnam Bio-Fuels JSC (PVB). Foreigners travelling around the Hoan Kiem Lake by xich lo.-Photo media.hanoitv.vn The 11-month figure has already surpassed the entire years target of 8.5 million, the GSO said. In November alone, more than 926,000 foreigners arrived in Viet Nam, which is 14 per cent higher than last month and 25 per cent higher year-on-year. Foreign visitors who flew into the country have touched 7.53 million, up 32 per cent year-on-year. Visitors by sea dropped 11.4 per cent year-on-year to 139,000, while arrivals by road also saw a slight decline of 1.5 per cent, to 1.31 million. In the 11-month period, the highest number of visitors was from China, with nearly 2.5 million Chinese travelling to Viet Nam so far this year, a 54 per cent surge compared to the same period last year. South Korea came second with 1.4 million tourists, up 39.2 per cent, while Japan and the US ranked third and fourth, with 680,000, up 10.5 per cent, and 500,000, up 13.4 per cent, respectively. The number of tourists has increased from countries such as New Zealand (up 35 per cent), Russia (up 29 per cent), Thailand (up 29 per cent), Italy (up 27 per cent), the UK (up 20 per cent), Germany (up 18 per cent), Canada (up 16 per cent) and Taiwan (up 15 per cent). The tourism sector also served 57.7 million domestic travellers during this 11-month period, the GSO said. The total revenue for the period is estimated at VND368.6 trillion (US$16.4 billion), up 18.6 per cent year-on-year. With such positive figures, the GSO has forecast that the total number of foreign tourists would likely hit 9.7 million by year-end and tourism revenue would touch VND400 trillion ($17.8 billion). The state could save millions and exert more control over health benefits for state workers if it self-insured them, but administrative costs could increase and the risk for large medical claims could be substantial, a new state report says. Consultants have said self-insurance could save $42 million a year or cost $100 million more a year. The new report, by state officials, says the current health insurance program for state workers, which uses 17 HMOs, saves an average of more than $30 million a year through competitive bidding. The new report, by staff at the state Department of Employee Trust Funds, will be presented Wednesday to the Group Insurance Board, which oversees the $1.4 billion health benefits program for 250,000 state and local government workers and their family members. The board is expected to discuss bids from companies seeking to participate in a self-insurance program in closed session Wednesday and act on the matter publicly Dec. 13. A move to self-insurance would then go before the state Legislatures Joint Finance Committee. The move could take effect in 2018. The Wisconsin Association of Health Plans opposes the idea, and other groups including the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the Wisconsin Medical Society told Gov. Scott Walker this month to consider how the change could impact the states health care market and economy. Currently, nearly all state workers and dependents, almost 100,000 of whom are in Dane County, are covered by the 17 HMOs, which receive premiums and accept the risk for claims. Under self-insurance, the state would pay benefits directly and take on the risk. One or more companies might help administer the program. By switching to self-insurance, the state could avoid an Affordable Care Act fee and an insurance risk charge, which compensates insurers for taking on the risk of health benefit costs, according to the new report. The report acknowledges, however, that recent political events have called into question the future of the health law and its fees. The report doesnt quantify the potential savings from insurance fees, but a previous report by Segal Consulting said the state could avoid $18 million a year in Affordable Care Act fees by shifting to self-insurance. Self-insuring could also allow the state to save more money through wellness and disease management initiatives, the new state report said. Because (self-insuring) employers bear the financial risk of claims cost, they also receive all of the rewards when they are better able to manage their claims cost, the report said. Administrative costs by companies that run self-insurance programs generally are less than those charged by insurers, but the states own administrative costs could rise because more staff would be required, the report said. Other concerns about self-insurance include assuming the risk for state workers relatively high disease burden. About 64 percent of state workers have chronic medical conditions, compared to 50 percent of workers nationally. The full amount of this risk will be borne by the state under self-insurance, the report said. Legal liability also could increase, and insurance companies may not be able to pass on certain savings as much if theyre acting as administrators and not insurers. In the current system, HMOs submit bids each year. Those with the lowest bids and to some extent, those with the best quality scores are assigned the lowest premiums for employees. Health plans can lower their bids to move into the favored status. Over the past nine years, the state has saved $283 million through the bidding process. The current structure has served as a powerful negotiation tool, the report said. However, the current program is hard to administer because it involves so many insurers, and the state has little leverage to influence health plans for which state workers make up a small percentage of members, the report said. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shares the loss with Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz Fidel Castro, former First President of the Cuban Communist Partys Central Committee and President of the State Council and Council of Ministers, passed away on November 25 (Havana time) at the age of 90. Mourning the loss with Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong conveyed his boundless sorrow and deepest sympathy to the Party, State and people of Cuba and the leaders family. Writing in the funeral book, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong recalled the late leaders famous saying For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to donate blood, and affirmed the solidarity of Vietnam with Cuban people. Meanwhile, President Tran Dai Quang wrote on the funeral book that Fidel Castro is a great and close friend, a comrade and brother of Party, State leaders and people of Vietnam during the past 50 years. The burning passion and great courage of the revolutionary leader left a strong impression on those who had the honour to meet him, including me, he wrote. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a Government delegation, including Deputy PMs Vuong Dinh Hue and Trinh Dinh Dung, paid a floral tribute to the Cuban leader. The PM wrote: the life and revolutionary career of leader Fidel Castro is a great symbol of the spirit of resilient and brave struggle for national independence and freedom of Cuba as well as the liberation movement and struggle against imperialist and racial discrimination for peace and justice in the world. For Vietnamese people, Fidel Castro is a close and loyal friend who made great contributions to the foundation, enforcement and development of the fraternal ties, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between Vietnam and Cuba. He accompanied Vietnam during the hard years of the struggle for national independence and reunification as well as the national construction and development, wrote the PM. The same day, various delegations from ministries and sectors, representatives from embassies and international organisations and individuals who have studied and worked in Cuba, paid homage to the revolutionary leader at the Cuban Embassy. The Cuban Embassys funeral book commemorating Fidel Castro will remain open until December 4. The Court of Appeals has refused a request for a retrial in the case against four human rights workers and an election official who are being detained on corruption charges. The court also ordered that the defendants could remain in pre-trial detention for another six months to give the authorities time to conduct their inquiry. Normally, prisoners must be released after a maximum of six months if the courts have failed to gather enough evidence to take the case to trial. The five men are accused of bribing a woman so that she would not testify in a case against the deputy leader of Cambodias main opposition, Kem Sokha, who she was alleged to have had an affair with. Kea Sophal, defense lawyer, declined to comment on the details of the decision before having time to confer with colleagues. The verdict to detain the defendants from the presiding judge is still valid because it is a criminal case and the investigation is not fully complete, he said. The defendants could face up to ten years in prison if found guilty. The rights workers, from local NGO Adhoc, do not deny giving the woman, Khom Chandaraty, cash when they met her to discuss the case. But they claim that Chandaraty had asked for the money and that as she was a victim, the NGOs policy allowed for modest support payments. Am Sam Ath, senior monitoring manager of NGO Licadho, said if the court continued to hold the defendants it would be a serious human rights violation. As more refugees return to Somalia, authorities are concerned that lack of opportunity could make them vulnerable to recruitment by the militant group al-Shabab. To counter the threat, an international agency, the American Refugee Council, is offering training to young people rebuild their lives. Mohammed Yusuf reports from the port city of Kismayo. As the U.S. military continues to rely heavily on air power in its combat missions abroad, a shortage of maintainers needed to keep Air Force planes flying is preventing the force from completing its training mission. Were not able to produce the sorties at home for training for our pilots, Lt. General John Cooper said in an exclusive interview with VOA. Cooper, who is in charge of managing maintenance manpower, said the Air Force had been living on the edge with its maintainer numbers and hit a 3,800 maintainer shortage in 2015 due to a series of shrinking budgets from Congress. We were driven to the force structure that we were at last year and growing from sequestration. Theres no doubt about it. Thats in the history books, he said. A training increase was approved this year that added about 500 maintainers, but there's still a shortage of about 3,300. Cooper told VOA that even if the Air Force consistently maximizes the training pipeline, the force wont be out of the maintainer manpower hole until 2021. More with less Despite the lack of manpower, many maintainers at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia say they have kept a can-do attitude. We all understand that (having to do) more with less is happening, but I mean, regardless, jets have to fly, said a Senior Airman named Nick, who wished to be identified only by his first name because of his commanders concern of potential retaliation from terrorist enemies. Major General Scott Vander Hamm, whos in charge of fixing the fighter pilot shortage, admitted the Air Forces hardworking ethos has led to little relief, and it will soon have to start doing less with less if its unable to get out of the manning deficit. We owe them capacity, more people, and we owe that now, as soon as we can, Vander Hamm told VOA. The Air Force is paying out bonuses to its seasoned technicians to try to keep them in the force during a time where theyre expected to keep the ongoing missions running while training a massive influx of airmen. Creating another problem However, while new recruits are slowly pulling the force out of the manpower hole, Colonel Pete Fesler, the commander of the First Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, said they are compounding another maintenance issue. A bigger problem for me is not pure numbers, but the skill levels within the maintainers that I have, Fesler told VOA. Ive got a very high number of inexperienced maintainers and a relatively small number of experienced maintainers to help teach those guys. Many at the base say that not only is there a decreasing quantity of Air Force sorties, or flights, the decreasing quality of training is creating a less-prepared future force. With the mission, just how fast-paced it is, they dont get to properly train (and) show us step by step how to do things. A lot of times theyll take over and finish themselves just to keep within the time constraints, a young maintainer who asked to be identified only by his first name, Donovan, said. Older maintainers told VOA that they remembered feeling like they were carted around by the hand during training and admitted that they were taught more effectively than they are now able to teach the new maintainers. Lt. General Cooper said the Air Force is aware of this experience issue, which he said will likely take an additional five to seven years to fully correct. Hes hoping the retention rate for maintainers will continue to remain slightly higher than the rest of the force as it struggles through these tough years to come. Just everybody hang in there, he said. Its going to take a little time. Leftist opponents of Brazil's President Michel Temer sought on Monday to have him investigated and impeached for his alleged role in pressuring a former culture minister to approve a property development. While the impeachment bid is not expected to gain sufficient backing, Brazil's public prosecutor is already studying whether to investigate the charge by the former minister, Marcelo Calero, that Temer had sided with another Cabinet member who lobbied him to override historic preservation rules for a luxury apartment building in Salvador, Brazil's former colonial capital. The latest corruption scandal in Temer's government has added to political uncertainty delaying the recovery of Latin America's largest economy from its worst recession since the 1930s. A dozen senators from the Workers Party and its Communist ally filed a request with the public prosecutor's office to investigate Temer for allegedly pressing Calero in favor of the other minister, who has a stake in the planned building. Vieira Lima, who held the key post of minister in charge of relations with Congress, was forced to resign on Friday. He was the fourth Cabinet member Temer has lost due to corruption allegations since replacing impeached leftist Dilma Rousseff earlier this year and vowing to clean up government. Adding to the risks for Temer, the public prosecutor's office (PGR) on Monday requested recordings that Calero told local media he had made on his iPhone of a conversation with the president. "The PGR asked for the recordings because we need all the evidence available to decide whether an investigation is warranted," a spokeswoman for the prosecutor told Reuters. In Congress, the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) filed a request to open impeachment proceedings against Temer for committing an "administrative crime" by getting involved in a matter related to the private interests of Vieira Lima. "The president evidently sponsored a private interest from his public office," the PSOL document said. The new scandal is not expected to hinder passage of Temer's proposal for a 20-year ceiling on federal spending, the centerpiece of his plan to restore fiscal discipline and bring the budget deficit under control. The bill has passed the lower chamber and faces the first of two votes in the Senate on Tuesday. "The opposition does not have the force to obstruct this important vote," said Andre Cesar, partner at Hold Legislative Advisors, a Brasilia-based public policy consultancy. But he said the Workers Party, ousted from power in May, is taking advantage of the scandal to turn public opinion against Temer who faces a tough year in 2017. "With the recovery at a snail's pace, this can only fuel discontent," Cesar said. The British government denied Tuesday that its strategy for exiting the European Union had been leaked through a set of handwritten notes suggesting the U.K.'s aim is to "have cake and eat it." Despite its lofty ambition, the same document appears to concede that the government will have to quit the EU single market when it actually leaves the bloc. The sheet of paper was being carried by an aide to senior Conservative lawmaker Mark Field outside the Department for Exiting the EU in London. It was captured by a news photographer in Downing Street, home of the department's offices and the prime minister's residence. The paper says: "What's the model? Have cake and eat it." The densely written notes also list anticipated problems with the upcoming negotiating process with EU governments, noting "we think it's unlikely we'll be offered Single Market. Prime Minister Theresa May plans to start the formal divorce process by the end of March, triggering two years of discussions before Britain's EU exit. The government has consistently refused to disclose details of what kind of deal it will seek with the EU after Brexit, saying that would weaken the U.K.'s negotiating hand. EU leaders have filled the vacuum by heaping pressure on Britain, warning that the U.K. it will have to leave the tariff-free single market if it seeks to limit immigration from EU countries, since free movement is a fundamental principle of the bloc. On Tuesday, Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said Brexit is "going to be a tough ride" for Britain's economy, as investors rethink their investments amid the uncertainty. Dijsselbloem, who also heads the group of 19 countries who use the common euro currency, said London could not be allowed to remain the EU's financial capital after Britain leaves. "We cannot allow the financial service center for Europe and the eurozone to be outside Europe and the eurozone and to go its own way in terms of rules and regulations," he told European lawmakers in Brussels. The leaked British notes include the phrases "Canada-plus" likely a reference to a free-trade deal with the EU based on Canada's recently concluded arrangement and "French likely to be most difficult." Officials said the notes did not belong to a government official and do not reflect the government's position. "I was interested and amused to see it because it doesn't reflect any of the conversations that I've been part of in Downing Street," Business Secretary Greg Clark said. But opposition politicians said the snatched photo revealed the scale of the chaos in government ranks. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said it "shows the government doesn't have a plan or even a clue." A longtime former UW-Madison professor who went on to serve in the White House is returning to campus to run the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. Microbiologist Jo Handelsman, a professor at Yale and associate director for science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, has been named director of WID, the university announced on Tuesday. Handelsman earned her Ph.D. at UW-Madison in 1984 and started teaching in the Department of Plant Pathology in 1985 before becoming chair of the Bacteriology Department in 2007. She co-founded the Women in Science and Engineering Leadership Institute and founded the Wisconsin Program for Scientific Teaching. Im thrilled to welcome Dr. Handelsman back to Madison, said Marsha Mailick, vice-chancellor for research and graduate education. In addition to being a world-class researcher, she is nationally renowned for her impact as a teacher, role model, mentor and as an advocate for women and minorities in science careers, Mailick said. The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery is the public side of the public-private hybrid Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery research facility, which opened in 2010. The private side is called the Morgridge Institute for Research. Handelsman starts her new job Feb. 1. She will also be honored with a distinguished named chair, the university said. I believe WID represents an essential piece of Wisconsins future, Handelsman said. A showcase for the wonders of science and technology, an intersection for the public and the academic community, and a place for fusion of science and the arts, all of which can unite to fuel Wisconsins innovation economy. Handelsman will take over for Christopher Bradfield, interim director of WID since July 2015, when former WID director David Krakauer left to head the Santa Fe Institute. [Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect a correction. The original misstated the name of the Morgridge Institute for Research.] Singapore has found itself caught in Chinas crosshairs after its shipment of nine armored troop carriers was impounded last week in Hong Kong. The dispute has taken on a political tone with Chinese state media even suggesting the vehicles, which were used in a routine drill in Taiwan, should be melted down. Although nationalistic sentiments in China are growing, analysts expect the incident to have a limited impact regionally after officials of both sides have engaged in diplomatic negotiations. Singapore's minister of foreign affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, sought to play down the dispute on Tuesday. No overreacting "I wouldn't overreact to that... we expect commercial providers of services to strictly comply with the law. We expect the law to take its course," Balakrishnan was quoted by the Straits Times as responding to Chinas protest on Monday over the vehicles and Singapore's military ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province. Balakrishnan added Singapore wont allow any single issue to hijack its longstanding, wide-ranging relationship with China. The minister, however, didnt reveal why the contracted commercial shipping company carrying such sensitive controlled items had to make transits in two Chinese ports, including Xiamen and Hong Kong enroute to Singapore. Instead, he concluded this incident will serve as a footnote on how to do things strictly, carefully and by the law. It is not a strategic incident. In other words, Singapore wont allow the dispute to spin out of control, neither is it prepared to sacrifice its national interests, including its relations with China or its military exchanges with Taiwan routinely, analysts said. There may be some trade-off, but Singapore would want to maintain its dignity and not have to make invidious choices, said Alexander Neill, a Shangri-La Dialogue senior fellow for Asia Pacific security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, adding that Beijing may find it acceptable that Singapore made some kind of statement on Taiwan's status in a behind-the-door format. Boycott to Taiwan government Neill believed the main trigger of the incident is Chinas displeasure with Taiwans independence-leaning administration led by President Tsai Ing-wen, as China has long tolerated the city-states military exchanges with Taiwan since 1975. Notwithstanding its military arrangements with Taiwan, Singapore has long taken Chinas side to endorse the one-China principle, which acknowledges Taiwan as part of China. The dispute, in addition, has more to do with the city-states souring relationship with China since Singapore supported the international arbitration ruling against Chinas territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea, other analysts argued. One stone, two birds Its one stone killing two birds, which dealt both Singapore and Taiwan a blow, said Lin Yu-fang, a former KMT party legislator in Taiwan. Lin expects China to demand some kind of verbal concessions from Singapore in exchange for the retrieval of its armored vehicles. What it [China] wants is for Singapore to be less vocal in future with regard to the South China Sea dispute or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations affairs. It hopes that Singapore wont be so supportive of the United States, Lin said. There is also a legal price for Singapores shipping company to pay: a fine of nearly $65,000 or a two-year jail term in Hong Kong for the ship owner, the Taiwanese politician added. Analysts argued it's Chinas intention to make an issue out of the dispute, but theres little room for China to play it the hard way. Come between Singapore and Taiwan Its just one more way, I think, the Chinese see this as an opportunity to maybe drive away between the Singaporeans and the Taiwanese. And thats probably not going to happen, said Richard Bitzinger, a senior fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies under Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Bitzinger expects Singapore to stay quiet with its future military cooperation with Taiwan and learn its lessons in shipping future weaponry systems directly back to Singapore without making any stopover in future occasions. And the only gain for China, he added, is to play up this incident to a domestic audience, sending a patriotic message to its people that the government will stand firm on its nationalistic stance. A U.S. military general blamed human error for the deadly coalition airstrike in September that killed Syrian government-aligned forces near Deir Ezzor. Investigating officer Brigadier General Richard Coe said the coalition forces in the strike, which included the U.S., Britain, Australia and Denmark, thought they were striking Islamic State forces. "We made an unintentional, regrettable error primarily based on human factors," he said. Coe said the strike killed at least 15 people, but the investigation was unable to determine an exact number because they were unable to visit the bombing site. Russia claimed the strike killed 62 Syrian troops. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters Tuesday that the U.S.-led coalition had not met its high standards during this strike, but he stopped short of apologizing to the Syrian government. "The investigation determined that although the strikes likely hit forces aligned with the government of Syria, the strikes were conducted under a good-faith belief that the strikes were targeting ISIL in accordance with the law of armed conflict," Cook said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Reasons for error According to the U.S. investigation, several factors contributed to the misidentification and subsequent strike. The forces on the ground were not wearing uniforms, flags or insignias, and they acted like IS fighters, Coe said. The coalition had initially misidentified a vehicle as containing IS forces, and when that vehicle met up with the friendly camp of Syrian-aligned fighters, the entire group was misidentified. One intelligence analyst expressed doubt the forces on the ground were IS fighters when he saw a Syrian tank in the camp, Coe said, but that skepticism was ruled out because of the fact that IS had commandeered a Syrian military tank just days prior to the strike. Finally, the United States had used a safety hotline, which was set up to avoid midair collisions, to inform the Russians that the coalition would be striking near Deir Ezzor, but the informer had incorrectly given the Russians a strike location that was off by three kilometers. 27-minute gap Once the strike began, a critical communication failure caused more casualties. When the Russians called the United States back on the hotline to inform the coalition that it was striking Syrian-aligned forces, Coe said the usual point of contact was unavailable. He said the colonel who answered the phone asked whether the Russians would like to pass on the information, but the Russians declined and hung up. When the Russians called back, he said, they asked to hold until their point of contact was on the line. The United States then took 27 minutes to get the point of contact to the Russian hotline. Fifteen of the 22 strikes on Deir Ezzor camp happened during that time. Colonel John Thomas, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said the Russians have been asked to immediately convey lifesaving information on the hotline, regardless of who is on the line. The rainforest shook with the sound of exploding tires and groaning steel as flames tore through a truck carrying giant tree trunks illegally sawn from the Amazon. An agent of Brazil's environment police had, moments earlier, ordered the driver from his cab at gunpoint. In a scuffed blue cap and muddied jeans, the 25-year-old fought back tears as he learned his truck would be set alight right there. He walked away rather than watch it burn. When able to do their job, agents of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, or Ibama, are decisive, punishing illegal loggers on the spot. But this seizure was the only success in four days of operations this month near the town of Novo Progresso in Brazil's vast northern state of Para. Hampered by poor radios with a maximum range of just 2 kilometers (1.3 miles) and pickup trucks easily recognized by those who cut down the forest, the exhausted Ibama agents were too often chasing shadows. "The loggers are better equipped than we are," said Uiratan Barroso, Ibama's head of law enforcement in the state capital, Santarem. "Until we have the money to rent unmarked cars and buy proper radios, we won't be able to work." Role in climate change Nearly twice the size of India, the Amazon absorbs an estimated 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, making its preservation vital in the fight to halt global warming. Ibama, responsible for preserving Brazil's 65 percent share of the world's largest rainforest, is one of the most important groups in that fight. But after years of surprising success, the rate of deforestation is on the rise again. Over the past four years it has risen 35 percent, as Ibama suffered from a lack of funding amid Brazil's worst recession in decades. Last year, rainforest five times the size of Los Angeles was cut down. Leaders from nearly 200 different countries met in Morocco this month to move forward on commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions, amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might cut funding for the deal signed in Paris last year. Here, in the badlands of rural Para, the challenges to those commitments are all too clear. A 30 percent cut in Ibama's budget has meant fewer operations this year. Helicopters and jeeps have been idle because of a lack of fuel. "We haven't even had enough money to pay for aptitude tests to allow our agents to carry guns," said Barroso, adding the tests only cost 200 reais ($60). It is dangerous work. In June, a policeman was shot dead during an Ibama operation in Novo Progresso, a grid of dirt streets whose 25,000 inhabitants rely on illegal mining and logging for survival. Corruption is also a problem. Three Ibama officials in Santarem were charged last month with taking bribes from logging companies. "I only trust around half the people I work with," Barroso said. New strategy Brazil's environment ministry admits a lack of funds has reduced Ibama's ability to operate. The situation should be helped by 56 million reais secured from the Fundo Amazonia, a fund principally financed by Norway and Germany. But officials say a broader strategic change is also needed. "The effectiveness of our current measures and enforcement has reached its limit," said Everton Lucero, the government's undersecretary for climate change. Until four years ago, the approach proved highly effective. Ibama helped to reduce the rate of deforestation by over 80 percent between 2004 and 2012. A mix of satellite imagery and a tough on-the-ground presence made Ibama a highly effective force in the fight against global warming. Now, there is a sense that Brazil's target of zero deforestation by 2030 will not simply be achieved with more 4x4s and semiautomatic rifles. A carrot is needed alongside the stick, officials say. One option being discussed with other ministries, according to Lucero, is to create economic incentives for landowners and communities to preserve their forests. He said details on how this would work were still being finalized. Pioneers Persuading towns like Novo Progresso to preserve the rainforest means transforming their culture and economy. It lies on the BR-163 highway that runs north to south through the rainforest to join frontier farms with ports in the southeast. Environmental groups estimate 60 percent of Brazil's Amazonian deforestation happens along this stretch. Novo Progresso was one of many towns founded during Brazil's drive deep into the Amazon during the military dictatorship of the 1970s and 1980s. Then, cutting down the Amazon to construct roads and towns was patriotic, a means of securing Brazil's borders. Many also got rich in the process. Jose Carlos Rovaris, 62, bought his land near Novo Progresso in 1984, leaving his home in the southern state of Santa Catarina for a new life on the forest frontier. "This was all trees when I arrived," he said as he moved his arm across the land now planted with soy as far as the eye can see. "I cut it down bit by bit, every year a little more." The impact of those pioneers is staggering. In 1933, British explorer Peter Fleming described neighboring Mato Grosso state as "huge tracts of jungle which no white man has even attempted to enter." Now, it is Brazil's largest soy producer. Its transformation from jungle to agricultural heartland helped make Brazil the world's largest exporter of beef and soy. With that has come increased power in Congress, and environmentalists fear President Michel Temer's government will bow to pressure to ease environmental licensing laws as it aims to rekindle economic growth. The transition from forest to farmland is a devastating double blow for the environment. Trees absorbing CO2 are commonly replaced with methane-polluting cattle. No jobs Ibama operates on the limits of a law its agents regard as too soft. Burning trucks is the most effective deterrent in their arsenal. They do this if the vehicle is on protected land inhabited by indigenous groups or if the truck cannot be removed because the driver has fled or the vehicle is damaged. But those caught cutting down the rainforest never see the inside of a jail cell unless convicted of a more serious, related crime, such as money laundering or violence. Many in Novo Progresso see no other way to get by. "There is nothing else," said Elis Pereira, 25, at the Ibama office after his truck was burned. Sleep-deprived and famished after days in the forest waiting for the rain to pass, he said the fine and loss of his truck meant he would be "pushed into crime." With no new land legally available and farming so mechanized it requires little labor, Pereira is part of a generation growing up in towns like Novo Progresso with scant job prospects. Unless a sustainable source of employment can be created, deforestation is unlikely to stop. Pereira's future looks bleak. He bought the truck that is now charred steel for 60,000 reais just six weeks ago. That money was borrowed from the illegal loggers for whom he worked transporting timber. "I'll have to let them know," he said, eyes vacant with exhaustion and fear. "I hope they understand." Denmark's new coalition government on Monday picked an outspoken eurosceptic as its new foreign minister, marking a potential political shift in a country where opposition against the European Union is growing. Anders Samuelsen, 49, has maintained a skeptical attitude towards Denmark's participation in the European Union since his Liberal Alliance party was founded in 2007 and campaigned against further cooperation with the bloc. "I have not changed my attitude overnight towards the EU," Samuelsen told reporters on Monday after his party on Sunday became part of a new broader coalition deal. European Union addressed in vague terms Unlike previous liberal governments that have clearly stated they wanted to keep Denmark close to the core of the European Union, the new 86-page government platform presented on Sunday only describes policy towards EU in vague terms. The government's line is that we are at the core of the EU cooperation, but at the same time we have a critical attitude in the way the EU works. We want to reform the EU, United Nations and NATO from within, he said. We have a task of cleansing to do." "We may be inspired by what happens in the rest of the world," he said without elaborating and without specifically mentioning Britain's vote to exit the EU. Other parties are pro-EU Opposition against European cooperation is growing in Denmark, with anti-EU or eurosceptic parties getting more mandates in parliament, including the Danish People's Party, the Red-Green Alliance and the Liberal Alliance. Denmark currently holds opt-outs from EU policies on security, police and the euro. At the most recent EU referendum in December last year, Liberal Alliance campaigned against cooperation with cross-border police agency Europol, a deal that was eventually rejected by Danish voters. The two other government parties, the Liberals led by Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and the Conservative Party, are pro-EU and want to revoke exceptions the Nordic country currently holds on EU matters. Liberal Alliance holds 13 seats in the 179-member parliament. Officials in the northern state of Michigan have certified Republican Donald Trump as the winner of that state's presidential vote over Democrat Hillary Clinton by a slim 10,704 votes out of nearly 4 million ballots cast. The announcement Monday officially awards the president-elect Michigan's 16 electoral votes. But Michigan and two other states where the election was especially close Pennsylvania and Wisconsin face possible recounts. Green Party candidate Jill Stein has filed petitions in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and says she will do the same in Michigan. Stein says she is not trying to get the national results overturned, but wants to double check the integrity of the election in states where the results were tight. "After a presidential election tarnished by the use of outdated and unreliable machines and accusations of irregularities and hacks, people of all political persuasions are asking if our election results are reliable," she said. Stein has raised millions of dollars to help pay for the recounts. However, there has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud or that voting machines were hacked, despite allegations of Russian involvement in manipulating the outcome. If the results in all three states were to be overturned, the 46 electoral votes Trump would lose would be given to Clinton, and would make her president-elect. But the chances of that happening are very slim. Trump spokesman Jason Miller said Monday that a recount is a waste of time, calling it a fundraising "scam by Jill Stein in an election already conceded." While Clinton lost the Electoral College, she leads in the popular vote by more than 2.2 million. This does not set well with Trump, who clams "millions of people" voted illegally. "Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias big problem!" Trump said on Twitter. He has not offered any evidence of fraud, and major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, say Trump's claims are baseless. The Post's fact-checker says Trump's allegations appear to have been based on unsubstantiated reports by right-wing conspiracists claiming that 3 million undocumented immigrants cast ballots. Another fact-checker, Politifact, said that without documentation to support the claim, "We rate it false." Alex Padilla, a Democrat and California's top election official, said "His [Trump's] unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in California and elsewhere are absurd. His reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a president-elect." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Muslims to defend the Palestinian cause, striking a tough stance on Israel despite improved ties between the two nations. The president of majority Muslim Turkey said Tuesday that "it is the common duty of all Muslims to embrace the Palestinian cause and protect Jerusalem'' and that safeguarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be left to children armed with nothing but stones. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the hilltop compound is sacred to Muslims and Jews. Speaking at a parliamentary symposium on Jerusalem in Istanbul, the Turkish leader also criticized an Israeli proposal to make mosques reduce the volume of loudspeakers issuing the call to prayer. His comments come as Israel and Turkey prepare to exchange ambassadors as part of a reconciliation deal. Europe's space agency expects its member states to back major programs such as the International Space Station and the ExoMars mission to the Red Planet this week, even if it does not receive the full 11 billion euros ($11.6 billion) of funding it is requesting, its director general said. "If we get only 90 percent of the funding then this is not a catastrophe," Jan Woerner told Reuters in an interview ahead of a meeting in Lucerne on Thursday and Friday this week, at which ministers of the 22 member states of the European Space Agency (ESA) are to approve spending plans. ESA's investments over the coming years are to focus on a shift to what the agency calls "Space 4.0," in which big data becomes a key part of missions and privately owned space startups shake up the sector. A large portion of funding, at 1.6 billion euros, is to be earmarked for earth observation programs, while another 1.2 billion is to be for telecommunications projects. ESA is asking for 800 million euros for Europe's participation in the International Space Station (ISS) through 2021 and wants approval to extend Europe's commitment to the space station through 2024. "From the discussions I have had so far with the member states, there was no member state saying we will close the European activity on the ISS. It's more that they are asking for clear results coming out of the ISS," ESA's Woerner said. European astronaut Thomas Pesquet arrived at the ISS this month, around five months after the return of Britain's first official astronaut, Tim Peake. "The U.K. is asking for another flight of Tim Peake. This is the normal game," Woerner said. The space agency also needs its member states to approve another 400 million euros of funding for the ExoMars program, which is to send a rover to the Red Planet's surface in 2020. As part of ExoMars, Europe sent a gas-sniffing orbiter and a test lander to Mars this year, but the lander crashed due to a sensor failure last month. ($1 = 0.9453 euros) Nigel Farage is reveling in his successful campaign to take Britain out of the European Union, buddying up to Donald Trump and predicting the fire he helped kindle may soon spread to France and finally torch the European integration project. Heady stuff for a man who was defeated in his 2015 bid for a seat in the British Parliament and who is no longer at the helm of Britain's right-wing UK Independence Party. Farage is scorned by Britain's power elite but is hardly languishing in obscurity, thanks to his remarkable access to U.S. President-elect Trump. A photo of the two celebrating Trump's win has gone viral. A Farage interview Tuesday with The Associated Press in his London office began only after an aide took down a painting depicting the EU as a cadaver in a morgue. Farage said the anti-elite passions that fueled both Britain's Brexit referendum in June and Trump's victory in the United States are spreading to France and other countries and may soon splinter the 28-nation EU. He's looking to Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Front, as the next possible beneficiary as France holds a presidential election next spring. "If she did win, it would be the end of the European project,'' said Farage, who says that the polls now showing Le Pen unlikely to triumph may be just as flawed as the polls that indicated British voters would reject Brexit and those that said U.S. voters would not elect Trump. Farage, 52, has not decided whether to endorse Le Pen because of concerns about many of her party's past positions, which include anti-Semitic comments by her father, the party founder. But Farage sees the spreading anti-establishment fervor as a validation of his 25-year crusade to torpedo European integration. Farage, who launched his movement after a successful career as a metals trader, credits his passionate pursuit of Brexit with bringing him into close contact with Trump's inner circle, particularly senior advisers Stephen Bannon and Kellyanne Conway. "They saw Brexit as a source of potential inspiration to Trump's activists and Trump's potential voters,'' Farage said. "So the link was Brexit, about the little people beating the establishment. And the human link was people like Bannon. I've known them for years and they've been supporting my efforts for years.'' Farage's longstanding ties to what not so long ago was seen as a fringe group on the far-right of American politics paid major dividends after the U.S. election, when he became the first foreign politician to have a personal meeting with Trump at the president-elect's New York penthouse, no less. Farage claims the meeting was a happy accident. He said he traveled from Florida to New York to congratulate his friends on the Trump team to take them out for a drink and dinner _ and mentioned that he'd like to congratulate Trump in person. The next thing he knew, Farage says, he was taking a golden elevator to the Trump Tower penthouse for an extended meeting with the president-elect. "All the best things in life happen by coincidence, not by planning,'' he said. "It's like a good party, either it happens or it doesn't.'' The meeting, highlighted by a photograph of the two men with beaming smiles, was followed days later by Trump's unusual suggestion that Farage should be made Britain's ambassador to the United States. The breach in diplomatic protocol put British Prime Minister Theresa May in an awkward position she was only the 10th foreign leader that Trump contacted because it seemed that Farage, who had no official government role, not even a seat in Parliament, had undue influence over the incoming leader of Britain's most vital ally. "For some reason the president-elect seems to have confidence in me,'' Farage said. "I know quite a lot of the team around him. And then you have Downing Street, the politicians and apparatchiks who've been very rude about Trump throughout the campaign.'' He said May, the leader of Britain's ruling Conservative Party, turned down his offer to help build bridges to Trump, a move he called petty tribalism. His real problem with May is her government's slow pace of actually implementing Brexit a British exit from the EU. The prime minister has said she will start the formal exit procedure by the end of March. "She takes the premiership and says Brexit means Brexit and nearly five months have gone by and nothing has happened,'' Farage said. "There's no direction, no vision ... It may be the people have spoken but don't get quite what they've voted for.'' Farage is casting about for a new role. He stepped down as acting UKIP leader on Monday and says he is traveling to the United States shortly "as a tourist.'' Does that mean he's looking for a job in the Trump administration? "I don't think so,'' said Farage. "I'm a British passport holder, so I would consider that to be quite unlikely.'' Actress Jessica Alba is a supporter. So is the president and CEO of Mastercard. The co-founder of AOL and the CTO of Estee Lauder are also on board. What do they all have in common? They are among the 85 American business leaders and startup founders who have signed their names to an open letter addressed to the next U.S. president. The letter outlines policy recommendations designed to drive and foster female entrepreneurship in the U.S., including increasing access to capital, expanding entry into local and global markets, and streamlining government processes for entrepreneurs seeking to get their businesses up and running. According to the group of signees, there is a great deal of money potentially at stake $30 billion to be exact. The letter cites a McKinsey Global Institute study which found the United States' GDP could rise by that amount if women and men contributed equally to entrepreneurship efforts. But gender inequalities in society and the workplace have reduced women's clout and, as a result, their economic contributions. WATCH: A Push for Female Entrepreneurship in the U.S. "I always think about the venture funding gap, but there's really a gap in the whole cycle," said Elizabeth Gore, who spearheaded the letter and is an entrepreneur-in-residence at computer-maker Dell. "Women need bridge loans. They need payment cycles that are not 90 days. They need to be paid as sub-contractors within 30 days so this notion of access to capital is much bigger than I actually perceived." The letter was sent November first to both Hillary Clinton and President-elect Donald Trump, a week before participants knew who would become the next president. Of the 85 signees, 63 are female CEOs and startup founders, including Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter, Melanie Whelan of SoulCycle and Sarah Kauss of S'well Bottle. "We just had not seen a lot of talk about job creation, small business and entrepreneurship, and that's usually one of the biggest pillars of politicians, is who's going to create the most jobs, who's going to be best for business," Gore said. "We thought there was a real opportunity to say, Let's do something to really boost the vernacular again about entrepreneurship, really look at women's entrepreneurship as a huge opportunity.'" Women-owned businesses contribute "significantly" to the country's economy, according to a 2010 report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The report found that between 1997 and 2007, the number of companies owned by women grew twice as fast 44 percent as those owned by men. These businesses also added roughly 500,000 jobs. For Gore, the proof is in the pudding. "If [women] get access to capital, they outperform their male peers. That is a good business bet, not just a social bet," she said. To date, there has not been an official response to the letter from either political party, but Gore remains optimistic. "In February, we'll be heading to Washington, D.C., with some of the letter signatories to speak with policymakers on Capitol Hill and explain why it's critical for our country and the economy to be prioritizing the success of women entrepreneurs," she said. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans civilians and officials gathered Tuesday night in Havana's Revolution Square to honor their late leader, Fidel Castro. The crowd chanted "Long live the revolution!" and "Fidel! Fidel!" as leftist Latin American allies and other leaders from the region and Africa joined the commemoration. Castro died Friday night at age 90. A cause of death has not been announced. Beginning Wednesday, his ashes will be transported eastward across the country, in a three-day procession that follows in reverse the route taken by the young revolutionary and his rebel fighters as they advanced on Havana from the Sierra Maestra mountains before taking power in January 1959. "It's a kind of symbolic closure to his rule. The Castro era began with the triumph of the revolution and Fidel's march across the country. Now he's gone and they retrace that route, and the Cubans of this era have a chance to say goodbye," William LeoGrande, an American University professor of Latin American politics, told AP. Memorial services began Monday in the capital and in the eastern city of Santiago, where Castro started the Cuban revolution in 1953. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and South Africa's Jacob Zuma were at the rally Tuesday. But reports said few major world heads of state were traveling to the Caribbean island. Many countries were sending second-tier senior officials to pay homage. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called Castro a "true friend of Russia," said he needed to focus on preparing a major speech and was not traveling to the island. White House officials said President Barack Obama asked deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes and Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the president's nominee to be ambassador to Havana, to represent the United States at the late Cuban leader's funeral. Castro's body was cremated Saturday, and a nine-day period of mourning was declared. His ashes will be buried Sunday in Santiago de Cuba. Castro, raised near Santiago de Cuba, launched his revolt against the rule of Fulgencio Batista in 1953 from the southeastern city, finally toppling the U.S.-backed leader and seizing power in 1959. He set up a one-party socialist government, which constantly defied Washington and allied itself with the former Soviet Union. Castro handed power to his brother Raul in 2006, although he still exercised some power behind the scenes until recent years. The longtime left-leaning Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative will shutter its doors Wednesday after 27 years in Madison. Specializing in political and progressive literature, Rainbow, located close to the UW-Madison campus at 426 W. Gilman St., has been serving residents since July 1, 1989. But several factors, including competition with online book retailers, prompted the decision to close, said Debbie Rasmussen, a volunteer member. Rainbows been struggling for a number of years. I think weve had a couple different challenges that weve been trying to address simultaneously, Rasmussen said. Our main source of revenue, which was selling textbooks that supported the rest of the bookstore, is vanishing. A university policy preventing professors from placing exclusive textbook orders with a certain store, as well as the changing landscape of Downtown, also contributed to the closure, Rasmussen said. In the last days of operation, Rainbow will be selling its remaining merchandise at a 50 percent discount or more based on a sliding scale people can use to self-identify their financial situation, she said. The cooperative was founded by employees who left Peoples Bookstore, a now-closed, privately owned shop promoting feminist, anarchist and radical ideas, to start a store with a business model that was also in line with their views, said Ald. Marsha Rummel, one of the co-founders. We thought the ownership model should be a cooperative and not privately owned to reflect the change we would like to see in the world, said Rummel, who represents the Near East Sides 6th District. Although Rummel hasnt been involved with Rainbow for about three years, she said the establishment has played an important role in bringing artists, musicians and authors to Madison who otherwise might not have visited. She said the closure feels like a hole in our media and intellectual fabric, but said she is confident other bookstores can help make up for the loss. While the doors are closing, Rainbows impact will continue. Two projects sponsored by the cooperative, Wisconsin Books to Prisoners and LGBT Books to Prisoners, have moved into the Social Justice Center Inc. on Williamson Street. That is at least one thing that carries forward, Rummel said. I feel like a little bit of Rainbow is living on. The closure also means eviction for Rainbows resident cat, Harvey Goldberg, named after a UW-Madison history professor famous for his lectures. After five years of living in the store, one of the cooperatives members has agreed to take him in, Rasmussen said. As for remaining hours, the only guarantee is that a volunteer has committed time to staff the store from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Rasmussen said. Theres no other bookstore in town that sells what we sell. We have maintained our radical edge and kind of not compromised our political vision, Rasmussen said. Once we are gone, I dont know where people will get that on a local level. Buckingham Palace in London, the main residence of Queen Elizabeth, is in desperate need of renovation. The work will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and the government plans to use taxpayer money. That decision has triggered an angry response from critics, who say the monarchy should pay its own bills at a time of national austerity. The daily Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace draws thousands of tourists, who scramble and strain to get the best photograph of the iconic building and maybe even a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth herself. From the outside, the roughly 300-year-old palace looks fit for the worlds longest serving monarch. But behind the facade, palace officials say it is falling apart. The boilers are more than 30 years old, and the estimated 160 kilometers of electric cables were installed in the 1960s. The pipework is made of lead and cast iron. All of it needs replacing, at an estimated cost of around half a billion dollars. The British government has approved the use of public money. But many lawmakers, like the Scottish National Partys Paul Monaghan, question why the people should pay. Estimates suggest that the total net value of the monarchy is about 84 billion U.S. dollars," he said. "The personal wealth of the queen is about 650 million U.S. dollars. So I think that it should be the monarchy, not the people. The government argues the upkeep of Buckingham Palace is vital to Britain itself. Visiting heads of state are usually given a full ceremonial welcome here by the queen. Earlier this month, she hosted Colombias President Juan Manuel Santos. Buckingham Palace also draws hundreds of thousands of tourists. Many visitors told VOA they were surprised to hear of the problems at the palace. Given austerity measures going throughout the country, I would say that putting that on taxpayers and the people is tough, one man said. I feel like it should definitely come from both sides," said another tourist. "As far as the government paying it, I feel like in return it gets a lot. Tourists are going to come and it is something that tourists are always going to want to come and see. The work will be done in stages, so the Queen will not have to move out. And with 775 rooms, there should be somewhere for her to escape the construction noise. Officials say if the planned work goes ahead, the palace won't need another renovation until 2067. By that time Prince William, second in line to the throne, would be 85 years old. Strikes intended to increase the use of English in Cameroon have extended to schools and universities after lawyers and teachers in English-speaking regions refused to call off the protests. Talks about the official use of English have been held with Prime Minister Philemon Yang, other government officials and traditional rulers. Lawyers and teachers, supported by disgruntled youths, are engaged in running battles with the military for protesting what they call the overbearing influence of French in the country, which has English and French as its official languages. Nothing in recent years has generated as much debate and caused as much panic among government officials as has the strike, which devolved into rioting in Cameroon's English-speaking regions. Harmony Bogda, spokesperson for striking lawyers, says that after 72-hour-long discussions, attorneys left with an impression that the government does not want to listen. Consequently, Bogda says, the strike will continue. "We are not going to work, Bogda said. He [Yang] has opened up the channel for dialogue with the government in complement with what the parliamentarians need. He has even insisted that we should approach our minister of justice, but since the minister of justice is under him, we are hoping that he will be able to deconstruct the wall the minister has built so that we can have an across-the-board dialogue for the interest of this country." Violence: Two sides of story Lawyer Ben Muna of the Cameroon Bar Council Association says his colleagues are also angry because security forces harassed and beat them for demonstrating peacefully. "Any lawyer is free as a citizen to make a demand, even if it is political, Muna said. So that can be no excuse to ignore them. I say, it is not because they want secession that they should be vandalized and beaten. The way forward is that the minister of justice should go to Buea. Speak to them. A Cameroonian is a Cameroonian." Communication minister and government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma says some of the requests made cannot be granted. He blames the lawyers for orchestrating the recent wave of violence in English-speaking regions. "Those who are responsible for such abuses must know that nowhere in the world, disorder has ever led to anything constructive, Tchiroma said. We, therefore, call on all our compatriots to show proof of reserve, self-control, high sense of responsibility and citizenship in a spirit of dialogue." Since running battles started with the military last Monday, schools have remained closed. The media have been reporting that hundreds of people have been arrested and four people killed since the military used tear gas and live and rubber bullets to disperse crowds; but the governor of the northwest region of Cameroon, Adolphe Lele L'Afrique Deben Tchoffo, disputes that figure. "It is only one person who died, Deben Tchoffo said. Investigations are ongoing to establish the responsibilities. I am therefore appealing to everybody to resume their normal activities and calling on those who have called the strike, that the governor has stretched his hands to them to join government to find long-lasting solutions to the problems they have raised to government." Appeal to government John Fru Ndi, leader of the SDF, Cameroon's main opposition political party, is urging the government to solve the problems raised by the strikers or face more rioting. "...We can summon a big rally here in town, where we will talk to the people; but, this should be after solutions to the teething problems that the people are asking for have come in from Yaounde," he said. English-speaking Cameroonians constitute 20 percent of the population of 22 million people. The country's constitution states that the two official languages inherited from the English and French colonial period should be given the same consideration, but many official documents are only in French. Some ministers deliver speeches only in French, even in English-speaking regions. Nearly 60 years after independence, no English speaker in Cameroon has held any influential position such as minister of defense, finance or territorial administration. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple has ordered thousands of Native Americans and environmental activists to evacuate federal property near an oil pipeline project they are trying to stop, Citing hazards caused by a blizzard, Dalrymple order the mandatory "emergency evacuation." The order, issued Monday, comes after the federal government managers of the property, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, set a December 5 deadline for the activists to vacate the campsites they have been occupying for months. The impact of the governor's evacuation order is uncertain because the corps has said it has no plans to forcibly remove the demonstrators. The corps has instead called for a "peaceful and orderly transition to a safer location." Governor Dalrymple described the corp's response as "very puzzling." "When you put out a pronouncement that people must leave your land by a certain date, I think you take on a responsibility to somehow bring that about," Dalrymple said. "Clearly the responsibility of clearing that land now lies primarily with the corps." The governor later ordered the evacuation of the camp "to safeguard against harsh winter conditions." Meanwhile, a sheriff in North Dakota has dismissed the corp's December 5 deadline. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said the order is meaningless and designed only to reduce the federal government's legal reasonability for the demonstrators. Most of the protesters are members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The tribe's chairman, Dave Archambault, denounced the governor's order as a "menacing action meant to cause fear." Archambault also accused the Republican governor of trying to "usurp and circumvent federal authority." The governor's order came one week after police turned water hoses on protesters in sub-freezing temperatures. The demonstrators are trying to block the construction of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The protesters contend the pipeline would threaten water resources and nearby sacred Native American burial sites. The protesters, who call themselves "water protectors," are concerned about drinking water on the reservation and downstream on the Missouri River. They believe the land near the convergence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers is legally owned by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe under a nearly 150 year old treaty. Construction of the 1,172 mile pipeline is nearly complete except for a small section beneath a reservoir near the encampment. Islamic State has claimed that Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the man who police say carried out a car-and-knife attack Monday at Ohio State University, was a "soldier of the caliphate" who was responding to calls to "target citizens of international coalition countries." The statement was posted Tuesday on the militant group's Amaq news agency. IS has used similar, ambiguous wording after other attacks. U.S. authorities did not immediately comment on the claim. Artan published a post on Facebook minutes before the attack in which he blamed America for killing Muslims abroad and praised al-Qaida cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a hero, law enforcement officials told U.S. media outlets. Authorities were still investigating Artan's motive in the attack at the campus in Columbus, but in his post he said he was willing to kill "a billion infidels" to stop America from "interfering with other countries." "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace," the post read. "By Allah, we will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. You will not celebrate or enjoy any holiday." Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said terrorism was a possibility in the attack that saw Artan ram his car into a group of pedestrians and then get out and start stabbing people before being shot and killed by a police officer. Eleven people were injured during the attack, though no one was killed but Artan. "Obviously with the purposeful intent that was noticed driving on the sidewalk we're going to look at it from the potential that it was planned," she said. Artan, a Somali-born refugee, was living as a legal permanent resident in the U.S. and was a freshman business student at Ohio State. Leaders from within the Columbus-area Muslim and Somali communities denounced the attack and said they were "heartbroken" by it. Hassan Ali Omar, chairman of the Somali Community Association of Ohio, told VOA the Somalis he talked to were devastated to learn Artan was a Somali refugee. "Some women told me they felt sick, they were heartbroken, they were shocked because they feel they have had enough troubles already," he said. Omar was one of the community elders who last night visited the family of Artan. He said he met his mother and siblings and they told him they were feeling "at a loss and a lot of pain." "They said he was hardworking person who loved education. They said their son had good culture and that they were not expecting that he would do this kind of act," he said. There are nearly 60,000 students at Ohio State's main campus in Columbus. Those injured in the attack included both employees and students of the university. During Monday's news conference, Jacobs referenced a previous terrorism case tied to Columbus that of Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, who was arrested in 2015 after returning from Syria. Mohamud, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Somalia, was charged with providing material support to terrorists. In September, a Somali-American man stabbed 10 people at a mall in the northern state of Minnesota, before he was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer. Officials said the suspect asked some of his victims whether they were Muslim. In a ceremony full of pomp and show, with military drummers banging away in their multi-colored uniforms and heavily starched turbans, Pakistans army chief handed over the command of the worlds sixth largest army to his successor, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Passing the baton to a man he called a thorough professional and a strong decision maker, outgoing chief General Raheel Sharif acknowledged he was faced with a complicated security situation. Extremist violence a major problem Extremist violence in the country during the past decade has killed tens of thousands of Pakistanis. A military clearing operation launched in 2014 is credited with vastly improving the security situation, but attacks that continue are a stark reminder work remains. Bajwa is also taking over at a time when tensions with Pakistans arch-rival India have led to the two sides regularly trading fire across the Line of Control, the de-facto border in the disputed Kashmir region in the north of the country. Analysts say Bajwa has extensive experience of that region and its issues due to his time as commander of the armys largest 10th Corp, which is responsible for areas around the LOC. The other challenge he is bound to face is on the western border, with Pakistans other neighbor Afghanistan. Relations between the two countries have been on the decline since a temporary span of cordiality last year. Tension with Afghanistan Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wanted Pakistan to help mediate a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban waging an insurgency in his country. Pakistan said it tried, but could not force the Taliban against their will. We have played an honest role in trying to bring peace to Afghanistan, General Sharif said during his address in the hand over ceremony. Afghanistan claims Pakistan has continued its policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban and providing them sanctuaries to keep its influence in Afghanistan and to keep Indian influence out. Internal friction as well The most important challenge for the new military chief though, might be to ease the tension between Pakistans civilian and military leadership. While in public all sides claim the leadership is on the same page and the military leadership claims it believes in the constitution and harmony between institutions, rumors and fears of a military takeover have hung over Pakistans capital for months before the name of the new chief was announced. One of the reasons General Bajwa was selected, according to local media reports, was his non-attention seeking, apolitical personality. In selecting him, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has no relation to the outgoing chief Raheel Sharif, bypassed several senior generals. The practice is not uncommon in Pakistan's army and in the past has been used to appoint someone considered safe by various prime ministers, but that has not always worked in their favor. General Zia ul Haq, appointed against the seniority list by former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, led a coup against him and sent him to the gallows.More recently, General Pervez Musharraf, similarly appointed by Nawaz Sharif, ousted the prime minister in 1999 and sent him into exile. The new head of the army is replacing a chief who has achieved a cult like following in the country, with billboards requesting him to stay on and a social media campaign with #ThankyouRaheelSharif. Outgoing general had a following Much of this support is due to the militarys successes against militants and extremists under his command. Many in the country credit him with improved security and reduced violence. However, critics argue he has expanded the militarys role and interfered in civilian domains without directly snatching power. He has, at least once, publicly chided the civilian government for not playing its part in implementing the National Action Plan, Pakistans official response to terrorist violence. In his last public address as chief, General Sharif repeated that to deal with its internal weaknesses, including criminality and corruption, Pakistan had to implement the NAP in letter and spirit. Tensions between civilian and military leadership reached their peak in October when a story in Pakistans English daily The Dawn described a heated exchange between the two sides in a national security meeting. The controversial article, that Pakistani officials later described as fabricated, but the newspaper stood by, described the civilians as warning the military that if it did not stop supporting India-centric or Afghan-centric militant groups the country would face international isolation. The military leadership was reportedly furious about the story and believed someone from the civilian side leaked it to the newspaper. An investigation is ongoing.Whether General Bajwa follows it up with the same vigor as the last chief may be one sign of how he wants to move forward with the countrys civilian leadership. Four-way talks on ending a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine finished without a breakthrough Tuesday, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier declaring that "lip service" statements were not enough to achieve lasting peace. Amid low expectations, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia met in the Belarussian capital to discuss ways of implementing last year's Minsk cease-fire accord for Ukraine's Donbass region. Steinmeier said both Ukraine and Russia had hardened their positions and there was no political agreement in sight on holding local elections in Donbass, as demanded by Russia and the Kremlin-backed separatists. "It was very tedious again today," Steinmeier said. "Pure lip service will not be enough to solve this conflict." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, meanwhile, pushed back on a Ukrainian proposal to allow armed OSCE monitors in Donbass. "There weren't any breakthroughs today. The Minsk agreements are stalled we're not managing to agree on the sequence of steps," Lavrov told reporters. Highlighting some positives, Steinmeier did, however, say the International Red Cross could help facilitate a significant exchange of prisoners before the end of the year and was optimistic about more phased troop withdrawals taking place. Presents to Russia The four nations agreed in October to draw up a road map this month on how to implement a cease-fire agreement struck in Minsk last year to end fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Separatist violence there has killed nearly 10,000 people since it erupted in 2014. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking the separatist movement and aiding the rebels. Western nations have imposed economic sanctions on Moscow. The Kremlin denies these charges, however, and accuses Ukraine of perpetuating the violence and violating the Minsk deal. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said there was still a long way to go on implementing the Minsk process. Speaking to Reuters ahead of the talks, he also called for Europe to stand firm on sanctions against Russia. With one eye on the presidential election race back home, where front-runner Francois Fillon favors lifting the sanctions, Ayrault said Russia was playing a waiting game to allow Western divisions on the Ukraine crisis to widen. Lifting sanctions "would weaken the objective of resolving this conflict and would be a victory to those who endangered the security of a country," Ayrault said. The Russians "are waiting for divisions to increase in Ukraine, Europe and elsewhere. That's why we have to remain consistent. We're already seeing in the internal French political debate that some want to give Russia presents." Drug trafficking from Peruvian ports has risen in recent years as criminal networks groom dockworkers to smuggle packets of cocaine into shipping containers, the country's new anti-narcotics agency, Devida, said on Monday. Some 90 dockworkers in Peru have been killed in the past two years in crimes believed to have been linked to smuggling, said Devida's president, Carmen Masias. Traffickers lure dockworkers by getting them hooked on drugs or offering lavish pay to gain access to ships bound for ports around the world, where their counterparts pick up the cocaine in a sophisticated cross-border smuggling ring, Masias said. When they're no longer useful, they're killed, Masias said on the sidelines of a news conference. So this is also a big human rights issue. Drug mafias grow stronger Peru is virtually tied with Colombia as the world's biggest cocaine producer and is also a leading exporter of copper, gold, fishmeal and coffee. In recent years, cocaine has been seized from containers holding goods ranging from paprika to industrial ovens, according to local media reports. Masias credited the trend to expanding corruption as drug mafias grow more powerful. To tackle the problem, the official said, authorities should work with dockworkers' unions and must ensure containers are scanned by trustworthy people before shipment. Exporters can reduce risks by following protocol established by the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC), a U.S.-based non-profit, Masias added. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who took office in July, appointed Masias in September. Masias previously headed Devida for two years under former President Ollanta Humala, who replaced her in 2014 with a close ally. New drug strategy to be revealed The new government's five-year strategy for combating drugs, to be unveiled next month, will aim at strengthening development work so that farmers do not replant coca crops the main ingredient in cocaine following eradication, Masias said. Masias said about 90 percent of fields are now replanted with coca after the crops are uprooted by authorities, up from about 40 percent in 2014. Eradication goals must be coupled with development goals, Masias said. They call it the war on drugs, but it's not a war, it's a struggle. It's a process that takes years. Masias said the government would look closely at methods for calculating how much coca is grown and eradicated in Peru amid questions about the accuracy of government figures. A U.N. food agency said Tuesday it is putting off the start of work for the former first lady of Peru after the country's government asked for her appointment to be scrapped amid an investigation into whether she received illegal payments. The Food and Agricultural Organization said, however, that Nadine Heredia would remain a FAO employee while it "continues to monitor'' her situation. Heredia had been expected to take up a position this month as head of the FAO liaison office at the U.N. European headquarters in Geneva, a position that can confer immunity from prosecution under U.N. rules. In Peru, she is being probed for allegedly receiving illegal payments from Brazilian construction firms and from the Venezuelan government when her husband, Ollanta Humala, was running for president in 2006 and 2011. She is under a court order to appear every 30 days before judicial authorities in Peru. Peru's foreign minister has said her hiring constitutes interference in a judicial probe. FAO said in a statement made publicly that it had a day earlier informed the government in Lima of the decision to postpone her "assumption of functions... in view of current procedural developments in Peru.'' The Rome-based agency said it would continue to monitor the situation "with the aim of identifying appropriate measures to apply in the specific circumstance at hand."' It also defended Heredia's appointment, which followed a "transparent'' recruitment process that involved an independent evaluation of her management skills. "FAO considers that the basic principle that a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise must be maintained and followed," FAO said. "The organization is fully aware of its duty to cooperate at all times with the authorities of its member states to facilitate the administration of justice, as well as to avoid any abuse relating to prerogatives, immunities or any other benefits that may derive from the general conventions governing civil servants working for U.N. organizations." Pope Francis criticized world leaders Monday for dragging their feet in showing "concrete will" to enforce climate change agreements. Francis spoke at a Vatican conference of top scientists. The distraction or delay in implementing global agreements on the environment shows that politics has become submissive to a technology and economy which seeks profit above all else, he said. He said while there have been some praiseworthy exceptions to leaders failing to fight climate change, he verbally attacked those who keep denying that human activity is causing the planet to heat up. The ease with which well founded scientific opinion about the state of our planet is disregarded, Francis lamented. Although the pope did not mention any world leaders by name, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has called global warming a "Chinese-created hoax." Trump has threatened to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The U.N. refugee agency reports thousands of refugees from the Horn of Africa, desperate to escape difficult conditions at home, continue to make the perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden to war-torn Yemen, despite the risks. At least 79 people have been reported dead or missing at sea this year. The U.N. refugee agency reports nearly 106,000 people, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia, have risked their lives on the high seas to reach Yemen so far this year. This is 13,000 more than all of 2015. The UNHCR says many of them embark from coastal towns in Somalia and Djibouti and that they are ill-informed about the worsening conflict and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Yemen. The agency says it plans to launch a regional information campaign in December to try to prevent the refugees and migrants from attempting the treacherous crossing. UNHCR spokesman William Spindler told VOA such campaigns have limited success, but are useful in informing people about the dangers they can expect to encounter both at sea and after arriving in Yemen. "At the same time, they cannot be expected to simply discourage people who are fleeing very difficult conditions at home - whether it is war, persecution, famine, or whatever. So, these campaigns are useful and necessary; but, they have to go hand in hand with improving conditions in the countries of origin, otherwise they will fail," he said. Spindler said those who survive the risky journey face conflict, abuse and exploitation on arrival in Yemen. "UNHCR has received reports of physical and sexual abuse, deprivation of food and water, abduction, extortion, torture and forced labor by smugglers and criminal networks as well as arbitrary arrest, detention and deportation. Prolonged conflict and insecurity have also facilitated the proliferation of trafficking and extortion networks targeting new arrivals," he said. The UNHCR reports many of the migrants go to Yemen hoping to move on to Saudi Arabia in search of work. A few people, it says, reportedly have set their sights on reaching Europe, thereby compounding their risks. It says those people depart Yemen for Sudan and go by road to Libya or Egypt, where they make the dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossing to Europe. A record number of migrants have reached Italy by boat from North Africa in 2016, according to official data, as pressure on Italy's shelter and asylum systems grows. Italy has borne the brunt of new arrivals since the implementation in March of an agreement between the European Union and Turkey to curb the flow of migrants sailing for Greece. As of November 28, some 171,299 boat migrants had reached Italy's shores, the Interior Ministry said, compared to the previous record of 170,100 for all of 2014. There is no sign of a let-up in people crossing. Some 1,400 more migrants were rescued from rubber and wooden boats attempting to cross the central Mediterranean during Monday, Italy's coast guard said. In the past three years, Italy has recorded nearly half a million migrant arrivals. Many have fled war, poverty or political oppression. The influx has brought a record number of asylum requests this year in Italy where more than 176,000 asylum seekers now live in shelters. This is putting the country's asylum process and legal system under increasing pressure. While there had been hope that a government formed in Tripoli in March would help stop people smuggling, it has not. Libya remains fertile ground for traffickers as local militias and a rival government in Tobruk compete for power. Most of the migrants who have come to Italy this year are Africans of various nationalities. Some 36,000 Nigerians have made the trip, about 21 percent of the total, along with 20,000 Eritreans and more than 12,000 from Guinea. An estimated 4,663 migrants have died in the Mediterranean this year as a record number of unaccompanied minors have come to Italy. As of the end of October, almost 23,000 unaccompanied minors -- mostly teenage boys -- had arrived, compared with 13,000 during the whole of 2014. During the more stormy winter months, arrivals in the past have dropped, but rescuers are concerned this year that there will not be enough vessels to go to their aid. Water shortages caused by Bolivia's worst drought in 25 years have been exacerbated by booming population growth in cities, poor infrastructure and the impact of big agricultural plantations and mining projects, campaigners say. Bolivia declared a national state of emergency last week as a prolonged drought has decimated crop harvests and cattle, affecting more than 177,000 families across the country. Environmental and land rights campaigners say the drought has exposed the impact of mining projects, which they say divert water supplies and contaminate lakes and other water sources. "Underground mines that use a lot of water also have an impact on water supplies," said Oscar Bazoberry, the head of the Institute of Rural Development in South America. Bolivia's president Evo Morales has denied such accusations, including reports in the local media that one Chinese mining company is operating at the Illimani glacier near the capital La Paz, which provides drinking water to 2.8 million residents. "No Chinese company is working on Illimani and no mining cooperative is harming the flow of water to La Paz," Morales said in a statement on Nov. 21. Campaigners also say large-scale agriculture projects, like soya and sugar cane plantations, which started in the late 1990s, have cut down Bolivia's forests and guzzled water. "The big agricultural companies use water like its their own private resource," said Gonzalo Colque, head of Tierra Foundation, a Bolivian non-governmental environment group. Morales has said the current crisis is an opportunity to "plan large investments" to adapt to climate change. Government funds have been earmarked to drill 28 wells in the southern province of Santa Cruz, the country's bread basket and hardest hit area, and other affected areas of the country. Bolivia's armed forces are helping to transport water by truck to major cities where water has been rationed. So far the government has provided aid, including bottled water, to around 145,000 families affected by the drought. Despite such efforts, campaigners say the government lacks a long term approach to combat the impact of drought exacerbated by climate change, and more needs to be done to ensure public water companies better manage supplies. "What happens after all the wells are drilled? This is a short term measure," Bazoberry told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone interview. 'Dangerous Combination' Ballooning migration to Bolivia's capital and other cities has put pressure on resources and led to conflicts over water. The population of La Paz has more than doubled in the past decade, Colque said. "In recent years, there has been a big increase in conflicts over water in both rural and urban areas, which compete over water resources, and between indigenous groups in rural areas," he said. "It's a combination of water infrastructure that's obsolete, poor mismanagement of the public water companies and rapid population growth in urban areas. It's a dangerous combination." This month residents of El Alto, near La Paz, briefly held staff from a water distribution company hostage to demand the government explain its plans to tackle water shortages. Such conflicts, including disputes between miners and farmers over the use of aquifers, are likely to get worse. "What's happening as a result of the drought is that communities are becoming more aware about the value of water, which will intensify conflicts in the future," Bazoberry said. Water shortages in Bolivia's cities have also been affected by the shrinking of glaciers that surround cities and provide millions of people with drinking water. According to the Stockholm Environment Institute, two big glaciers in Bolivia shrunk by nearly 40 percent between 1983 and 2006, caused by rising temperatures linked to climate change. Thirty-eight year-old Haidar, who only wants to use his first name, began using heroin as a teenager. Injection drug use was part of a criminal lifestyle that put him in prison for 13 years and cost him his health. I learned about having HIV this year. I have TB-HIV. That is, I have both tuberculosis and HIV, says Haidar, as he sits on a bed in a small room he shares at a drug addicts rehabilitation center outside Moscow. Haidar found out he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, after arriving to get treatment for his addiction. While the rate of HIV infections in Europe is shrinking, the number of Russians infected with HIV is growing annually by 10 percent and in the past year, surpassed 1 million, according to groups tracking global infection rates. Most acquired the virus like Haidar by sharing infected needles or paraphernalia. Haidar says he thinks he became infected by sharing a spoon used to cook heroin. I always chose my companions to share it with carefully; although for the last year or two, I was rather careless, he says. Epidemic threat It is, unfortunately, an all too common attitude among heroin addicts. There are a few [people] who I know well, who are infected [with HIV], says Haidar. They still continue to use drugs no matter what. They take medications, but continue to use heroin. Haidar says he would have used a clean needle exchange program if it were available; but, Russia pulled support from such programs years ago and made opiate substitution therapy illegal, despite its record of reducing HIV transmission. Authorities argue the programs encourage drug addiction and prefer to push for abstinence. The efforts have so far failed to make a dent in what is fast becoming Russias HIV epidemic. Russian Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova this month said the spread of HIV has become critical in 10 Russian regions. Health care authorities in Russia's Yekaterinburg declared an HIV epidemic, saying 1.8 percent of the city's population are infected. Officials have since played down the comments. At a second annual HIV forum Monday in Moscow, Skvortsova said the ministry's main objective was to prevent the development of an epidemic as well as reduce deaths from AIDS. To prevent HIV from spreading among drug addicts, a complex rehabilitation and re-socialization program is being implemented based on a strategy of reducing demand or motivation, leading to a voluntary turning down of drugs by establishing a network of specialized rehabilitation centers with non-commercial groups and religious entities involved. Rehabilitation for injection drug addicts can work, at least for those who avoid HIV and get help before it is too late. Dmitry Baranov used to share needles with other heroin addicts before he kicked the habit and became a volunteer at the Vershina-Navigator Foundation helping other drug addicts. He was lucky. Out of the guys I used drugs with together, I can state that there were seven of us, and just two currently remain and they have HIV. All the rest died. Ineffective approach On the wall at the foundations rehabilitation center is a face mask of Russias communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin with the words, Im also addicted. Revolution is my narcotic! Critics say Russia is focused too much on moral arguments for abstinence instead of education and services. This is a weak, non-effective policy, says Alexander Savitsky, the chairman of Russias Union of People Living with HIV. One requires a direct service, a live contact with humans. One requires training, to bring in all that to school and to those layers of the population who are most at risk. Russian authorities are reluctant to address the HIV problem at the street level. In June, they added the only Moscow group handing out clean needles and advice to addicts on the street, the Andrei Rylkov Foundation, to its list of foreign agents. The label, which evokes Cold War-era connotations of spying, means the group received foreign funding and its activities were deemed political. Rights groups say the label discourages cooperation and has forced some groups to close their doors. Russias economic problems have also forced budget cuts in health care that may affect access to needed medicine used to treat HIV. Russias Health Ministry cut the budget for buying HIV medications in 2017 by 13.5 percent, reported the RBC news website, just as more spending is needed. Ricardo Marquina Montanana contributed to this report. The areas surrounding the Sahara desert which decades ago were covered with forests, crops and grasslands, can be restored a significant chunk of them by 2030 agriculture experts said after viewing the results of a detailed survey of the region. For the first time, the Sahel area straddling 27 countries has been mapped in painstaking detail showing where and how the work can be done and just how big the job is to create what is called Africa's Great Green Wall. Home to some 232 million people, it stretches coast to coast, from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east, and along Africa's northern shores. Some 166 million hectares of land have been identified for restoration in the survey nearly three times the size of Kenya or France. To halt and reverse the impact of decades of overgrazing and deforestation, around 10 million hectares will need to be restored each year, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which published the map. Battle against time "It's a battle against time, because dryland forests are disappearing and climate change is really happening and more droughts and floods will not make the work easy," said Nora Berrahmouni, forestry officer for drylands at FAO. "People need to work hard and quickly to make sure that land is restored and becomes more productive, and supports livelihoods," she told Reuters. Some 60 million Africans could be forced to leave their homes within five years as their land turns to desert, while two-thirds of the continent's arable land could be lost by 2025 due to growing desertification, according to the United Nations. The region's governments, researchers and NGOs are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work, but they need the finances and technical expertise, FAO said. Critics of the project, however, say it is a top-down approach to development, dependent on external funding and management. And communities in some areas are not yet on board. Greening the desert FAO is already working with local communities to try and reverse land degradation in Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Gambia, Ethiopia and Senegal. Villagers are trained in how to choose and collect seeds, sow them, and prepare the land. Trees and crops planted together helps the land regain its fertility, and makes it more resistant to drought. "We are combining traditional techniques to harvest water during the rainy season but we are also using tractors and mechanical ploughs so we can implement the work faster and cover bigger areas," Berrahmouni said. Restoration is also about improving community incomes from the land, she said. Growing a variety of plants helps communities withstand drought, by giving them a wide range of products and services to use themselves and to sell wood, fruits and other foods, medicinal plants, and fodder for livestock. In Senegal, communities are also encouraging back wildlife and setting up nature reserves to attract tourists, Berrahmouni said. The Great Green Wall project was launched by the African Union in 2007 to combat desertification. The initiative now plans to re-survey the region every two years to track progress. Seven Indian soldiers and three attackers were killed when armed militants stormed an army base in the northern Jammu and Kashmir state early Tuesday. The latest incident is likely to further heighten tensions between India and Pakistan, whose ties hit a low point following a September attack on an Indian army camp in the disputed Kashmir region. The soldiers and militants were killed in a gunbattle that raged for hours after the assailants lobbed grenades and opened fire while trying to enter the Nagrota base, a major army camp that is one of the four command centers in Kashmir. Nagrota lies about 20 kilometers from Jammu on the main highway that connects the city with Srinagar. Jammu and Srinagar are Kashmir's two main cities. Authorities said the militants took hostages, including two women and children, when they entered the building used by families of the army officers. They said three of the seven soldiers were killed in a rescue operation. Defense Ministry spokesman Manish Mehta said, Early morning the encounter took place. The situation is under control. The militants apparently managed to take positions inside the complex near an artillery unit. No group has claimed responsibility. A separate firefight also took place when Indian forces said they killed three militants trying to cross into India from Pakistan. There has been growing anger in India over terror attacks that have targeted installations of the armed forces in recent months. India accuses Pakistan of supporting and financing the terrorists who mount the assaults, a charge Islamabad has strongly denied. Nirmal Singh, the deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, called the latest attack a signal of Pakistans frustration. India is not a weak country. It will not be weakened and we will answer them in whatever language they understand, he said. The attack on the army camp comes after a five-day lull in intense cross-border firing along the Kashmir 'Line of Control' raised hopes that the two sides were trying to lower tensions. The Kashmir border has seen heavy artillery and mortar firing since the Indian army said it mounted surgical strikes in Pakistan to take out militant camps after an attack on an army base in Uri that killed 20 soldiers. Divided between the two countries, the Himalayan region of Kashmir is claimed in its entirety by both. Diplomatic relations have also turned frosty, with both countries mounting charges of spying on diplomats and expelling them. Sartaj Aziz, the foreign affairs adviser to Pakistan's prime minister, is due to visit India next week for an Asian regional conference, but political observers say there are no signals that the two sides will use the opportunity to start a dialogue to lower tensions. So far, no bilateral talks have been scheduled, according to Indian Foreign Ministry officials. Our position has been very, very clear. We are for a dialogue with Pakistan, but talks and terror cannot go together. It is incumbent upon Pakistan to create the necessary environment for a conducive bilateral dialogue to happen, the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Vikas Swarup, told reporters recently. Somalia's presidential elections, scheduled to begin this week, have been postponed for a third time, the electoral body said Monday. Omar Mohamed Abdulle, head of Somalia's electoral body, said elections slated for Wednesday will not happen as planned. Abdulle did not offer a new date, but said the next president will be elected before the end of this year. Somalia's parliament members will elect the new president. However, parliamentary elections to elect new lawmakers have not been completed in all regions of the country. The parliamentary voting was marred by irregularities and corruption, and Somalia's electoral body is investigating allegations of election malpractice. Somalia's auditor general, Nur Jimale Farah, told VOA's Somali service earlier this month that some of the parliamentary seats were bought by the highest bidder. "Some votes were bought with $5,000, some with $10,000, and some with $20,000 or $30,000. But not all seats are equal. Some are influential seats and have a lot of candidates competing for them," he said. Somalia is using a limited voting system in which about 14,000 delegates representing Somalia's clans are casting their votes for the 275-member Lower House, while regional parliaments are electing the 54-member Upper House. Somali officials had promised citizens a one-person, one-vote election; however, political infighting and insecurity in the country led them to drop the plan. Incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud is among dozens of candidates vying for the post of president, which will be determined by the new lawmakers. South Africa's embattled president has emerged intact from his latest challenge, this one from within his own party. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) held lengthy, closed-door meetings on party members calls for President Jacob Zuma to resign, but ultimately decided to let him stay. Zuma has been given his reprieve by top members of the ANC. Tuesdays announcement caps three days of intense discussions by the nations leading political actors as the presidents public esteem continues to drop amid growing accusations of corruption. ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the discussions among the six-member National Executive Committee, a group that includes Zuma, were robust, candid and... at times, difficult. The NEC did not support the call for the president to step down, he said. South Africa's anti-corruption czar recently released a 355-page report documenting the presidents links to a wealthy family whose members have allegedly steered Cabinet decisions and improperly influenced government contracts. The corruption allegations have prompted opposition calls for Zumas resignation. The mounting scandals also hurt the ANC in municipal polls earlier this year, leading them to lose control of several major cities. But the partys comfortable majority in parliament allowed Zuma to defeat a no-confidence vote earlier this month. Gaining momentum The most recent challenge to Zuma came as a surprise when three ANC stalwarts - the nations tourism minister, health minister, and public works minister - called for the president's resignation, prompting the discussions. The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) has the power to demand the presidents resignation. It has used it once before, in 2008 ousting President Thabo Mbeki to open the door for Zuma. Analyst Aubrey Matshiqi said he does not think the committees refusal to make Zuma step down means they have confidence in him. Last weekends meeting of the NEC, the national executive committee of the ANC, was a turning point because what it does signal is the possibility that the battle to get rid of Jacob Zuma as president of the party and/or the country is gaining momentum. The question is whether those who are opposed to Jacob Zuma will have enough support to dislodge him before the national conference of the ANC in December next year. Matshiqi said the next big battle will come then, when the party chooses a presidential candidate for the 2019 election, when Zumas second term ends. We are now on the cusp of what may be a divisive and bruising succession battle, Matshiqi said. After a wild year, observers say South African politics may get even wilder in 2017. Older babies in Brazil that were exposed to the Zika virus in the womb have been diagnosed with microcephaly, or an unusually small head and brain, even though the defect was not visible at birth. A study published in the U.S. journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report involved 13 babies in two Brazilian states born with small heads, but not small enough to be diagnosed with microcephaly. The babies tested positive for Zika. Imaging scans of the babies heads soon after birth showed brain abnormalities. Researchers then followed the infants. Around the time of their first birthday, 11 of the 13 babies were diagnosed with microcephaly. Their heads and brains had not developed in proportion to their growth and size. While pregnant, their mothers had been infected with Zika, a mosquito-borne illness that has swept across the Americas. Ernesto Marques, who was not involved in the study, is an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. For the last two years, Marques has studied microcephaly caused by Zika in newborns. "What [the study] means is that even babies that were born with brains or cranium with normal diameter, they still may have the congenital disease that's just not as visible," Marques said. Microcephaly causes severe neurological problems, including seizures, eye and hearing problems, and motor difficulties similar to cerebral palsy. There is no known treatment for Zika, or a way to prevent microcephaly in susceptible infants. Researchers do not know how the virus causes microcephaly, though some have speculated the brain damage is caused by an immune response to Zika. Marques says the infection may interfere with biological pathways and hormones that promote normal brain growth and development. In babies who are suspected of having the condition, Marques says it's important to identify those with vision and hearing problems as soon as possible. Noting that sight and sound stimulate brain development, Marques said, "The diagnosis of visual issues and hearing issues in those babies is very important to treat in order to minimize the damage or impact of the other neurological problems these babies have." There are eyeglasses and other devices to enhance sight and hearing in babies, potentially limiting the severity of microcephaly. Unlike babies who are born with microcephaly, researchers say older infants appear to have less severe brain damage. Researchers note the study was small, so it's impossible to say how often microcephaly might be diagnosed in older infants affected by Zika. The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting Wednesday on the recent increase in hostilities in Syria's northern city of Aleppo Britain and France called for the session, which Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin criticized as a "propaganda campaign." It follows a dire prediction Tuesday from U.N. envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura as fighting in Aleppo continued to intensify and more civilians tried to escape. "Clearly, I cannot deny: This is a military acceleration and I can't tell you how long eastern Aleppo will last," de Mistura said during remarks to the European Parliament. "There is a constant increase of movement on the military side." The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that more than 50,000 people fled eastern Aleppo in the past four days. The intensified fighting forced many civilians to flee their homes empty handed, a situation U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen OBrien called "alarming and chilling." Activists said a new round of shelling Wednesday in eastern Aleppo killed at least 21 in an area where people who had fled other parts of the city were seeking refuge. In the government-held part of the city, the state-run SANA news agency reported shelling killed eight people. The regime and their supporters have decided to accelerate their barbaric military strategy against their own population to retake eastern Aleppo, whatever the cost in terms of human lives," French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters. "In these tragic circumstances, France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian populations since WWII." British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said diplomatic solutions were needed to end the crisis in the Syrian city. "The only way Aleppo can be saved and the conflict in Syria can end is if the regime and backers by which I mean Russia and Iran, above all change their policy," he said. "The future of Aleppo is in the hands of the [Syrian] regime and Russia. We urge regime and Russia to stop the bombing, let aid through, call a cease-fire and eventually to get political talks back on track." While east Aleppo has been under government siege for more than four months, the army began heavily bombarding the city two weeks ago and on Monday night took control of a key district. "It's a fight to take the city back," Russia's Churkin told reporters. "It was an untenable situation which could not exist indefinitely," he said of shelling from eastern Aleppo into the city's western side. "It was impossible to maintain the situation indefinitely. Now, I suppose, it is leaning in the direction of the government taking back the control of the whole of the city." Tuesday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 10 civilians had been killed in an airstrike in Bab al-Nairab, one of the eastern districts still held by rebel forces. Activists and Syrian state media said Monday that government forces had scored a series of victories over opposition fighters in the eastern part of Aleppo, as part of an apparent strategy to split the rebel-held section of the city in two. Aleppo has been a major focus of Syrian military efforts with the backing of Russian airstrikes. The situation there has also raised international concerns, with an estimated 250,000 civilians trapped in a government siege and in need of food and medical aid. U.S. outrage In Washington, the State Department expressed its "deep outrage" at the latest bombing of Aleppo, holding Moscow responsible. What we've continued to assert is that Russia bears the ultimate responsibility here for what the Syria regime is doing and being permitted to do in terms of the devastating civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure to include hospitals in and around Aleppo, spokesman John Kirby said Monday. Kirby said a multilateral diplomatic effort was still going on in Geneva to discuss ways to get at a framework for a cessation of hostilities. SANA cited a military source saying the army had recaptured the al-Sakhour district and dismantled mines left there by "terrorists," a term the government uses to refer to anyone opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that the military was fully in control of al-Sakhour and several other districts. Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman called the defeat the worst for the rebels since they seized half of Aleppo in 2012, and said the opposition has now lost one-third of the territory it once held in the city. Aleppo is going to die Khaled Khatib, who works for the volunteer rescue group known as the White Helmets, described the situation in eastern Aleppo as "very, very bad." "Thousands of eastern residents are moving to the western side of the city," he wrote on Twitter. "Aleppo is going to die." U.N Ambassador Samantha Power of the United States held up the airstrikes as proof "that the [Syrian] regime and Russia are continuing their 'starve, get bombed or surrender' strategy in eastern Aleppo." Her comments to the General Assembly last week were part of a stinging critique of Russian and Syrian actions in eastern Aleppo, which intensified in September when Russian warplanes joined the bombing campaign. Moscow and Damascus have routinely described the fight against rebels in eastern Aleppo as a battle against terrorists, despite the sector's vast civilian population. Both governments have used the "terrorist" characterization to justify the deadly and apparently indiscriminate bombings in the sector. VOA's Lisa Schlein, Nike Ching and Chris Hannas contributed to this report. Tajikistan has revoked the accreditation of six radio journalists working for the U.S.-government-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The suspension came after RFE/RL refused to remove from its website a report on the appointment of the Tajik president's daughter to a senior Foreign Ministry position. RFE/RL's Tajik service, locally known as Radio Ozodi, had reported that President Emomali Rahmon's daughter, Rukhshona Rahmonova, had been appointed as a deputy head of a department of the Foreign Ministry, based on confirmation from a ministry official and the ministry's website. Similar reports appeared in local and regional media outlets. The ministry on Friday gave RFE/RL five minutes to remove the story, saying otherwise the Dushanbe-based correspondents would lose their accreditation. RFE/RL said none of the six journalists worked on the report that displeased the ministry. The ministry has provided no official explanation for its actions. The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday demanded the Tajik authorities reinstate the accreditations immediately. RFE/RL said on its website, "We are outraged by this action by the Tajik government, which is a blatant attack on our ability to do our jobs as journalists." The watchdog organization Freedom House has designated Tajikistan as "not free," with a score of 83 out of 100 in its 2016 Freedom of the Press index, and Reporters Without Borders ranks Tajikistan 150th out of 180 countries in its 2016 World Press Freedom Index. Tajikistan has blocked RFE/RL's website in the country since September of last year. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called Tuesday for stiff penalties for protesters who burn American flags, even though the country's Supreme Court has ruled that it is a protected form of free speech. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Trump said on his Twitter account. It was not immediately clear what prompted the president-elect's tweet. But it came days after a college in the northeastern state of Massachusetts decided to stop flying U.S. flags after students allegedly burned a flag in protest of the Republican Trump's stunning upset win in the presidential election three weeks ago over Democrat Hillary Clinton. On Sunday, veterans of the U.S. armed services and other demonstrators protested the no-flag decision by officials at Hampshire College. The school said it welcomes peaceful discussions about the flag, which is revered by millions of Americans. Reaction White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he, along with "the vast majority of Americans," find flag burning to be offensive. But Earnest added, "We have a responsibility as a country to carefully protect the rights that are enshrined in the Constitution." Kevin McCarthy, a Republican leader in the House of Representatives, said there are no plans to take legislative action against flag burning. In recent decades, U.S. lawmakers have attempted several times to prohibit the burning or desecration of the red, white and blue U.S. flag with its 50 white stars symbolizing the country's 50 states. But the Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that laws banning destruction of the flag as a form of protest were unconstitutional because they violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech. A 1958 decision banned stripping one of U.S. citizenship as a form of criminal punishment. Clinton, when she was a New York senator, joined efforts in 2005 to reinstitute a ban on flag burning, but the legislative attempt failed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump made his selections for two more Cabinet posts Tuesday, including an outspoken foe of Obamacare. Trump named Georgia Republican congressman Tom Price as his Secretary of Health and Human Services. Trump says Price will lead his administration's efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Health Care Act. "Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem-solver and the go-to-expert on health care policy, making him an ideal choice to serve in this capacity," Trump said. Price is chairman of the House Budget Committee and was an orthopedic surgeon before entering politics. He says he wants a health care system that works for patients, families and doctors and leads the world in curing and preventing sickness. Trump made getting rid of Obamacare one of his major campaign themes, constantly referring to one of the president's proudest achievements as an expensive "disaster." But neither Trump or other Republican critics have spelled out what they want to put in its place. Trump has said he wants to keep two of Obamacare's most popular provisions barring insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, and letting children stay on their parents' policies until they are 26 years old. Chao and transportation Also Tuesday, Trump named former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to head the Department of Transportation. "Secretary Chao's extensive record of strong leadership and her expertise are invaluable assets in our mission to rebuild our infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner," he said. Chao was born in Taiwan and was labor secretary under President George W. Bush. She was the first Asian-born woman ever to serve in a U.S. president's Cabinet. She says Trump has a "clear vision" on how to rebuild the nation's crumbling infrastructure, such as bridges and highways, and create good-paying jobs. But the president-elect also plans big tax cuts, and it is unclear how he would fund such massive rebuilding projects. Just like all Cabinet jobs, Price and Chao need U.S. Senate approval. Controversies But the incoming Senate Democratic leader, New York's Chuck Schumer, immediately signaled his opposition to Price, calling him "far out of the mainstream of what Americans want" for programs to help older people, women, families and those with disabilities. Meanwhile, Trump dined Tuesday night with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who he is reportedly considering to be his secretary of state. While the relatively moderate Romney may have an easier time getting Senate approval, he would be a controversial choice for many Trump supporters because of his refusal to publicly endorse Trump during the campaign. He had also called Trump a "fraud" and "con man." Other candidates for secretary of state are said to be Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who reportedly wants the job; and retired Army general David Petraeus, the former head of the Central Intelligence Agency. But Petraeus would likely face tough Senate questions about his integrity. He resigned from the CIA in 2012 after leaking classified information to his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. Petraeus was fined $100,000 and given two years' probation after pleading guilty to charges of mishandling classified information. President-elect Donald Trump met with another possible candidate for secretary of state Monday, and one who is likely to raise some tough questions from the U.S. Senate -- former CIA chief and retired general David Petraeus. Before leading the CIA, Petraeus was top U.S. commander in Iraq and led NATO forces in Afghanistan. But he was forced to resign from the CIA in disgrace in 2012 after leaking classified information to his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. Despite Petraeus' past, Trump tweeted that he was "very impressed" with the retired general. Republican officials say Trump has also decided on another cabinet appointment - the secretary of health and human services. His choice is said to be Georgia Representative Tom Price, who has been a leading critic of President Barack Obama's health care law, commonly known as Obamacare. Trump has pledged to repeal Obamacare, although he has indicated that there are certain parts of the program he believes should be retained. In addition to Petraeus, Trump is reported to be considering several other politicians and diplomats for the secretary of state post. They include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is said to be highly interested in the job, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, Republican Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. The possibility of Romney is causing some controversy in the Trump transition camp and among Trump supporters. The former governor and 2012 Republican nominee criticized Trump during the campaign as a "fraud" and "con man," and refused to publicly endorse him. Monday Petraeus told reporters he met with Trump in the president-elect's Manhattan office tower for about an hour. "He basically walked us around the world, showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well...we'll see where it goes from here." Despite his long experience as a top U.S. military commander and intelligence chief, Petraeus likely would face tough questions about his integrity from the Senate, which must approve a president's choice of secretary of state. Petraeus was fined $100,000 and given two years' probation after pleading guilty to charges of mishandling classified information. Trump had complained that while the FBI failed to prosecute Hillary Clinton for her mishandling of classified information, Petraeus was punished for a lot less. Turkey's ruling AK Party is finalizing plans to formally cement President Tayyip Erdogan's powers by creation of an executive presidency and will meet the nationalist opposition to iron out details, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday. Erdogan has long sought constitutional change to strengthen what had been in the past a largely ceremonial position. Unrivaled in popularity, he has turned the presidency into a powerful vehicle for his ambitions, bolstered since a failed July military coup by imposition of emergency rule. One more meeting needed To achieve the majority needed in parliament to trigger a referendum on the issue, the AKP needs the support of the nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). We will meet one more time with [MHP leader Devlet] Bahceli and give this [constitutional] change its final shape," Yildirim told a parliamentary meeting of his party. Earlier, Bahceli said "significant progress" had been made in their talks and he believed the bill could be sent to the constitutional commission once "one or two" issues are overcome. In charge until 2029? Officials who have seen a draft of the reform told Reuters earlier this month that Erdogan could govern Turkey until 2029 under the proposal. Erdogan's supporters argue Turkey needs a strong executive presidency, akin to the system in the United States or France, to avoid fragile coalition governments that hampered development in the past. The country also faces threats from war across the border in Syria and Iraq and turmoil following the coup bid. Opponents fear it will bring increasing authoritarianism to a country already under fire from Western allies over its deteriorating record on rights and freedoms. Vote could come in spring The head of parliament's constitutional commission, AKP's Mustafa Sentop, said his party would submit the constitutional reform draft to parliament within two weeks, Dogan news agency reported. "We will present a constitutional change for our people's approval in a referendum in the spring months," he told a university conference in northwest Turkey on Monday. At least 149 people have been arrested in a restive region of western Uganda where clashes with a tribal militia have killed at least 62 people, a government official said Tuesday as the security forces continued to search the mountainous the area for rebels. Most of those killed or in detention are guards who protected a traditional monarch accused of harboring the rebels in the western Kasese district, a stronghold of the political opposition and near the border with Congo. The king, Charles Wesley Mumbere of the Kingdom of Rwenzururu, is now in detention after his palace was assaulted by the military on Sunday. At least 46 supporters of the king and 16 police have died in the clashes, according to Ugandan police spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi. Interior Minister Jeje Odongo told reporters Tuesday that weapons, including automatic guns and a cache of crude weapons such as spears and machetes, had been seized following the assault on the palace. The killings underscore tensions between longtime President Yoweri Museveni and influential tribal rulers who are constitutionally recognized but have no real authority or armies of their own. Ahead of presidential polls in February, which were won by Museveni, Mumbere came out in support of the opposition, a move that appeared to violate the traditional leaders' code of conduct. Museveni lost the popular vote in Kasese, and a month later clashes erupted between the security forces and militiamen who were believed to be loyal to Mumbere. Among the king's supporters are separatists who hope to create a new republic called Yiira, which would include Mumbere's Bakonzo people and their relatives across the border in Congo. The separatists are accused of printing their own money and even collecting taxes in some parts of the area. In March, amid clashes between Mumbere's supporters and security officials, Museveni vowed to defeat the separatists, who complain of marginalization by the central government 340 kilometers (211 miles) away in the capital, Kampala. "There can never be a Yiira Republic,'' Museveni said at the time. Mumbere denies being the commander of the separatists. Rights groups are urging Ugandan security forces to show restraint. Amnesty International said there were shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests, and that many victims seem to have been summarily shot dead and their bodies dumped. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye described the killings as a ``massacre'' and posted a photo on Twitter purporting to show bodies of victims outside Mumbere's palace. The attack on the palace shocked many in this East African country that Museveni has ruled since 1986. Although tribal leaders only have ceremonial powers, are revered among their subjects and are influential in their regions. Television footage showed Mumbere being led to a police station as a soldier jerked him by the trousers following the deadly assault on the palace. Museveni, who took power by force three decades ago, has struggled to win over the support of the Bakonzo people in presidential elections. There are frequent land disputes in the area, with many accusing the government of sponsoring land grabs. A new plan to divide Kasese district into two parts has also been fiercely opposed. Uganda on Tuesday rejected charges by rights group Amnesty International that its security forces carried out extrajudicial killings during clashes with the royal guards of a tribal king over the weekend. Officials say at least 46 guards and 16 police died when the security forces stormed the palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, king of the Rwenzururu kingdom, near Uganda's border with Congo. Mumbere was detained and has now been charged with murder. "Security forces were being attacked. They had to defend themselves, they had to protect themselves," Jeje Odongo, Uganda's internal affairs minister, told a press conference in the capital, Kampala. "Security agencies ... do not have a shoot-to-kill policy. What happened is a situation of self-defense." Uganda has several tribal kings, who have a largely ceremonial role with some modest regional powers. The latest unrest started shortly after Uganda's disputed presidential elections in February. Voters in the area overwhelmingly favored Kizza Besigye, who ran against long-ruling President Yoweri Museveni. Museveni was declared the winner, but Besigye rejected the results and his supporters insist he won the overall poll. On Monday, Amnesty International accused security forces of using disproportionate force, saying "many people appear to have been summarily shot dead." The rights group said the government should ensure that "police and soldiers observe restraint and desist from extrajudicial executions." International rights watchdog Human Rights Watch also said Monday that the government needed to investigate the conduct of security forces during the clashes. Some opposition officials and critics have accused Museveni's government of provoking unrest in the region as punishment for its support for Besigye. Mumbere, who was detained by security Sunday after his palace was stormed, was charged with murder Tuesday and transferred to prison until Dec. 13, when he returns to court, according to Solomon Muyita, spokesman for Uganda's judiciary. Since his arrest he had been held at a prison in Jinja, a town in eastern Uganda. Odongo told the press conference that 149 of Mumbere's guards had also been arrested following the clashes. The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Wednesday on new and tighter sanctions to choke off funding to North Koreas illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United States and China have been negotiating the new measures since shortly after Pyongyangs September 9 nuclear test. All 15 council members are now considering the draft text. Most significantly, if adopted, the resolution will target North Koreas coal export industry, which according to global trade figures is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue this year -- much of it believed to be used to finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This resolution imposes a hard, binding cap that will cut DPRK coal exports, which are the DPRKs largest single source of external revenue, by more than 60 percent, said a U.S. official familiar with the text. That could add up to some $700 million per year, the official said. Tightening Loopholes Another proposed new measure would tighten the exemption in Resolution 2270, adopted unanimously in March, which banned the export of coal, iron and iron ore, unless such transactions were determined to be exclusively for livelihood purposes and unrelated to generating cash for Pyongyangs illicit programs. Some states had a vague and liberal interpretation of that clause, the U.S. official said, which allowed coal exports to remain at high levels. Under the new resolution, the livelihood definition would be narrowed to apply only to North Korean nationals. Much of this trade involves DPRK actors with links to the regime and its prohibited programs; so we are targeting a sector with a high proportion of bad actors, the official said. China is North Koreas primary importer of coal. The Global Trade Atlas projects Beijing will import more than 20 million metric tons of the fuel source this year up from just 3 million metric tons in 2009. The proposed new sanctions also would ban export of certain metals copper, nickel, silver and zinc which bring in more than $100 million a year for the regime. North Koreas lucrative giant bronze statue making business also could be affected. The draft resolution would ban Pyongyangs export of the figures, which are especially popular with African dictators, and generate tens of millions of dollars a year. The proposed resolution would designate for travel bans and asset freezes 11 more North Korean officials and 10 entities involved in the nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as the DPRK coal and conventional arms trade. Luxury goods, a favorite indulgence of North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, have been repeatedly targeted in previous U.N. resolutions. Under proposed new sanctions, carpets and tapestries worth more than $500 and fine china and porcelain tableware valued at more than $100 would be banned. The United States has shifted millions of dollars in funding for Philippines law enforcement away from police drug control programs, State Department officials said Monday, since the start of the country's bloody crackdown on drugs this summer. The Obama administration and human rights groups have criticized Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, and U.S. officials have said they are "deeply concerned" by reports of extrajudicial killings in the drug campaign. Duterte has, in turn, rebuked the United States and rejected the criticisms. Police figures show the campaign has killed more than 2,500 people since Duterte took office on June 30, about three-quarters in police counter-narcotics operations, and the rest believed to be the victims of vigilantes or drug lords eliminating rivals or silencing those who could implicate them. Since the start of the campaign, U.S. State Department assistance for Philippines law enforcement has been diverted from narcotics control to maritime security and human rights training for the national police, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a news briefing. "We decided the prudent thing to do was to refocus the way that assistance was being spent," Kirby said. Of $5 million that had been intended for Philippines law enforcement efforts, the State Department in early September shifted $4.5 million into maritime law enforcement, specifically to the Philippines Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries, a State Department spokeswoman said. Another half-million dollars is to go to human rights and internal reform efforts, she said. The State Department expects it will continue to focus its funding on maritime security, human rights, and rule of law programming, the spokeswoman said. The United States has sent the Philippines hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid and military and development assistance in recent years, making it the third-largest Asian recipient of U.S. military aid after Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Leahy Law, named for its sponsor, Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, bars the United States from providing training or equipment to foreign troops who commit human-rights violations. Earlier this month, Senate aides told Reuters the United States halted the planned sale of some 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippines' national police after Senator Ben Cardin said he would oppose it, over what aides said were concerns about human rights violations. Protests and celebrations rippled through Haiti on Tuesday, as losing candidates rejected preliminary results of an election that indicated banana exporter Jovenel Moise would be the next president. Moise, who ran for former President Michel Martelly's Bald Heads Party, won with 55.67 percent of votes cast in the November 20 election, the electoral council said Monday. The result made a second-round runoff next year unnecessary. Police used tear gas on protesters in the La Saline neighborhood, a stronghold of Fanmi Lavalas, the leftist party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. It called the results an "electoral coup." The U.S. Embassy issued reports of demonstrations, gunshots and burning tires in downtown Port-au-Prince and Malpasse, a town close to the border with the Dominican Republic. A spokesman for the Haitian national police said it was responding to protests in La Saline but could not confirm whether protests in Malpasse had taken place. Moise, the front-runner in a scrapped election last year, said, "We salute those who voted for me and those who did not vote for me. We are going to use the people, the sun, the land and water to develop the country." In the upscale Port-au-Prince suburb of Petionville, residents danced and cheered the result. Elsewhere in the city, in the neighborhood of Pacot, Moise's supporters took to the streets in a small parade, accompanied by celebratory gunshots. Jude Celestin, a mechanical engineer who had led a government construction firm, came in second. He received just under a fifth of the vote. Moise Jean-Charles, a leftist senator, netted 11 percent, while Maryse Narcisse, running for Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party, won around 9 percent, the preliminary results showed. The Organization of American States, which had been among the international observers of the election, said the results corresponded with its data. However, turnout was low and 10 percent of sheets tallying votes were thrown out because of irregularities. In a country of 10 million people, Jovenel Moise received just 600,000 votes. Three people on the nine-member electoral council did not sign the report declaring Moise the winner, although the council's president did not say who had abstained. Those elements fueled a universal condemnation of the results from the losing candidates, who have 72 hours to contest before the final results are released December 29. "We reject the results because they are invalid votes that have been counted," said Michel Andre, a lawyer for second-place finisher Celestin. "Jude Celestin will challenge the results." Moise Jean-Charles also Tuesday that he would fight the results. "The outcome of the election is the result of a conspiracy by the economic oligarchy and sectors of the international community," he said. The offensive to retake Raqqa was heralded as the final nail in Islamic States coffin. But a month after U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the pending operation, Washingtons ally on the ground, a Kurdish-dominated militia alliance, remains bogged down in the first phase, seeking only to isolate the Syrian de facto capital of the Islamic State (IS) group. U.S. airstrikes still appear focused on the surrounding province, hitting oil wellheads controlled by the militants, and tankers and other facilities used by the terror group to store and smuggle oil to Turkey. IS defense positions in Raqqas surrounding villages have remained largely undamaged by U.S. and Western warplanes. On Monday, the U.S.-led coalition mounted a dozen airstrikes in Syria. Only two were in Raqqa province and those sorties destroyed three oil wellheads, two oil pump jacks, two oil refinement equipment pieces, an oil tank, and construction equipment, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The previous day, there were also a dozen coalition airstrikes in Syria. Two of them were in Raqqa province, and the terror groups oil trade was the primary target. The slowness in taking on the IS militants in Raqqa is prompting some to question whether the assault on the city was ever as close at hand as Carter and Pentagon officials indicated last month. In an interview with NBC on October 28, the U.S. defense secretary said the assault on the militants "capital" would get underway soon. It starts in the next few weeks, he said adding that the plan was always to attack the Syrian city soon after the offensive on Mosul in neighboring Iraq unfolded. That has long been our plan, and we will be capable of resourcing both," Carter said. A ploy? Some analysts suspect that talking up an impending full-scale offensive on the city was as much designed to spook IS as anything else aimed at preventing the terror group from dispatching reinforcements to Mosul and bolstering defenses there in the face of the Iraqi assault. I was suspicious of the announcement from the start, to be honest, Charles Lister, an analyst at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank, told VOA in an email exchange. Everything Id been told by coalition members suggested we were in no position to initiate anything close to a full-scale assault on Raqqa. I think shaping operations in the surrounding countryside will prolong for some time, advised Lister, author of the book The Syrian Jihad. We shouldnt underestimate, though, the extent to which the White House is exerting pressure on the Pentagon folks to sustain momentum and accelerate the fight against ISIS," Lister said, using an acronym for the militant group. "That was behind the premature announcement, in my opinion. A Washington-based diplomat insisted most U.S. allies are in agreement that a move on Raqqa should come sooner rather than later in order to crush the self-declared caliphate and sever any lines of escape. We want to be able to avoid seeing the most dangerous of them [IS] fleeing the region, the official said. He suspects the coalitions plans to oust IS from Raqqa hit an unexpected stumbling block when Republican Donald Trump unexpectedly won the U.S. presidential election. The official's argument is that the Pentagon is waiting to see what the incoming president wants and with President Obama leaving, Theres no mandate for attacking now. No united force Some former military officials wonder whether some of the players on the ground are using the U.S. election as a smokescreen. There has to be political agreement before you can start the military operation, cautioned retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, who once led the Pentagon efforts against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq. I dont see a common interest or a common game plan, Barbero said, pointing to forces loyal to the Syrian regime as well as those under control of Russia, Iran, Turkey and the various Kurdish factions. I am surprised the Pentagon is talking it up so much." In addition, there are doubts coalition-backed forces, even if they had the political will, could realistically pull off simultaneous offensives to retake Raqqa and Mosul. Those resources focused on Mosul and that current fight are the same capabilities and the same resources that the U.S.-led coalition is going to need for the eventual assault on Raqqa, said retired Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek, the former chief of the Office of Security Cooperation for the U.S. Army in Baghdad. One has to happen before the other. A Turkey-based Western diplomat, who asked not to be named for this article, said part of the delay concerns what force is available to Washington to mount the assault. To have the Kurds be the main force is a recipe for disaster -- local Arabs are scared of the Kurds and fear what they will do once they enter the city. ISIS has been highly successful in fanning those fears," the diplomat said. Another Western diplomat noted that the Arab and Turkmen militias in the Kurd-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces are not up to the task alone of subduing IS in Raqqa. The only force capable are the Peoples Protection Units, the diplomat said, referring to the Kurdish militia known by its abbreviation, YPG. Lets be frank, at best the Arab and Turkmen militias are just self-protection forces for the defense of towns; at worst, some of the militias consist of thugs with criminal backgrounds or theyre rejects from Free Syrian Army, the diplomat said. Growing confusion The picture on the ground has become more confused since Carters October announcement. The YPG has become increasingly distracted with the drive by Turkish units and Ankara-backed Syrian rebels in northern Syria in operation Euphrates Shield, which is aimed at driving both IS militants and the Kurds back from Turkeys border. I doubt the YPG will prioritize the capture of Raqqa, when two far more important cities in northern Syria, namely al-Bab and Manbij, are threatened by Turkish-backed forces, said Michael Horowitz, with the Middle-East-based geopolitical consultancy Prime Source. Infuriated by Turkish airstrikes on them, YPG commanders last week issued an ultimatum to Washington -- either Turkeys bombing raids on them stop or they will play no further role in assisting to encircle Raqqa. The monster 450-page bill contains subsidies for a variety of groups, but at its core it is a bailout for nuclear power plants. Nuclear plants in Illinois are threatened by wind power plants that can offer electricity at cheaper prices. But the electricity from wind is only cheaper than nuclear because of the massive subsidies wind power plants receive from the federal governments production tax credit as well as a state mandate that utilities use electricity generated from wind. A controversial energy bailout, Senate Bill 2814, is set to be voted on this week. The legislation takes an already complex and distorted electricity market and makes it worse by adding another layer of subsidies. Instead of a bailout, Illinois lawmakers should create a true level playing field by ending all energy subsidies and mandates, rather than demanding more money from ratepayers. Seeing the subsides and mandates for wind, Exelon, which owns all the nuclear plants in Illinois, is demanding its plants get a piece of the subsidy pie. The Power Bureau, an energy consulting firm, estimates the cost of the nuclear bailout alone at $5.3 billion over the coming decades. Attorney General Lisa Madigan described the situation for Exelon as a bailout for an already profitable company. In order to get more political support, the bill also hands out subsidies demanded by environmental groups. These include a $1.9 billion expansion of Illinois renewable energy mandate and $7.6 billion for energy efficiency programs that will pad the pockets of ComEd, a subsidiary of Exelon. An expansion of the renewable energy mandate is the opposite of whats needed. Not only does the program pick favorites by mandating what type of power plants utilities build, it also increases costs. A study by the Beacon Hill Institute estimated that the mandate will increase electricity prices by 4.7 percent, costing ratepayers an extra $574 million and would reduce employment by 8,000 jobs. Instead of bailing nuclear plants, Illinois lawmakers should address the underlying problem of government favoritism for wind. Exelon wants subsidies for nuclear because of the preferential treatment given to wind. Giving Exelon subsidies for its nuclear plants only adds to the complex web of government subsidies and mandates. A better path forward would be to end all energy subsides and mandates, letting true competition take place. The Exelon bailout bill should be voted down instead of rammed through the legislature during Veto Session. David From is executive director of Illinois' chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP), which exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level. AFP has more than 2.8 million activists across the nation and a local infrastructure that includes 35 state chapters. For more information, visit www.AFPIllinois.org The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a $6.3 billion piece of legislation on Wednesday designed to spur medical innovation, speed access to new drugs, expand mental health treatment, and combat opioid abuse. The bill, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, provides $4.8 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over 10 years to support brain, cancer and precision medicine research. It also provides $500 million to the Food and Drug Administration to approve drugs and devices more quickly. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to cut "red tape" at the FDA. He has not commented specifically on 21st Century Cures. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week. It is expected to pass, though possibly not before some additional changes are made. It would then go to President Barack Obama for signature. The bill calls for $1 billion over two years to treat and prevent opioid abuse, including improving prescription drug monitoring programs, training for health care providers, and expanding access to opioid treatment programs. Critics of the bill, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a Democrat, said it contains too many give-aways to the pharmaceutical industry and will allow companies to push treatments with limited proof of efficacy. Speaking on the Senate floor on Monday, Warren said she could not vote for the bill despite its many positive elements and would not be a "lackey" for the drug industry. Warren, along with Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, also objects to a provision that would allow companies to hide payments to doctors under the auspices of continuing medical education. Grassley co-authored the Sunshine Act which led to the creation of a database listing drug and device company payments to doctors. "A lot of earlier payments to doctors were under the umbrella of Continuing Medical Education," Grassley said in a statement on Monday. "We shouldn't create a loophole that would let drug and medical device companies mask their payments to doctors under a payment category that's too broad and could gut the spirit and the letter of the Sunshine Act." The bill would add an additional reporting exemption for physicians who receive indirect payments for speaking fees. Patients groups hailed the bill, saying it would bring patient voices to the center of the drug approval process. "This is a patient-centered bill," said Ellen Sigal, chair and founder of Friends of Cancer Research, a patient advocacy organization. "It fosters innovation and doesn't lower safety standards." Texas health officials on Monday reported the state's first case of Zika likely spread by local mosquitoes, making Texas the second state within the continental United States to report local transmission of the virus that has been linked to birth defects. The case involved a woman living in Cameron County near the Mexico border who is not pregnant, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. Pregnancy is the biggest concern with Zika because the virus can cause severe, life-long birth defects, including microcephaly, in which a child is born with an abnormally small head, a sign its brain has stopped growing normally. Texas said it currently has no other suspected cases of local Zika transmission, but officials there plan to step up efforts to watch for the virus. 238 cases of Zika in Florida The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was coordinating with state and local officials to increase surveillance efforts and "vector control activities" such as spraying for adult mosquitoes and applying larvicide to kill emerging mosquitoes. Texas is one of several U.S. states where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry Zika, are present. Florida's Miami Dade County has been battling Zika within local mosquito populations since mid-summer. As of today, the state has had 238 cases of locally transmitted Zika. We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas, Dr. John Hellerstedt, Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner, said in a statement. We still don't believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in parts of the state that stay relatively warm in the fall and winter. Zika expected in Texas Dr Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said local transmission in Texas was totally expected. Both dengue and chikungunya, two closely related viruses, have already spread locally in Texas, and the state is a well-established home of Aedes mosquitoes. What this case underscores is the risk of local transmission in any area in which Aedes mosquitoes are present and the urgent need to continue aggressive vector control measures to minimize the impact of such local introductions, he said. Trapping, testing mosquitoes Officials in Cameron County and the City of Brownsville have assessed the woman's home and have begun trapping and testing mosquitoes to understand how widespread the virus is in local mosquito populations. The city recently sprayed for mosquitoes in the area, and will continue to take action to reduce the mosquito population, state and local officials said. Even though it is late in the mosquito season, mosquitoes can spread Zika in some areas of the country, CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a statement. Texas is doing the right thing by increasing local surveillance and trapping and testing mosquitoes in the Brownsville area. No vaccine or treatment There is no vaccine or treatment for Zika, which causes mild fever, rash and red eyes. An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms, making it difficult for individuals to know whether they have been infected. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last year in Brazil, which has since confirmed more than 2,000 cases of the birth defect. In adults, Zika infections have also been linked to a rare neurological syndrome known as Guillain-Barre, as well as other neurological disorders. CM Invited to Address British Irish Parliamentary Assembly Dinner The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo , and the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Joseph Garcia, are in Cardiff on an official visit at the invitation of the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones AM. The invitation arises from a meeting between Mr Picardo and Mr Jones during the Labour Party conference in September. There will be a formal meeting between the two delegations at the Welsh Government offices in Cathays Park during which a wide range of issues are expected to be raised with the objective of establishing closer links between Gibraltar and Wales. In addition to this, Mr Picardo and Dr Garcia will also attend a meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly which takes place in Cardiff at the same time. The Assembly includes parliamentarians from Westminster, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. This is the first time that Gibraltar will be present in this forum and it has come about at the suggestion of other participants including the Channel Islands and UK MPs. It is expected that much of the focus will be on the ongoing discussion for the potential exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, Brexit. The delegates will be addressed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brockenshire and the Minister of State at the UK Department for Exiting the EU Robin Walker. There will be an opportunity to exchange views with the two Ministers. Mr Walker is the main Ministerial contact for Gibraltar in relation to these discussions and Mr Brockenshire is already familiar with some Gibraltar issues during his time as a Minister of State at the Home Office. Mr Picardo and Dr Garcia will also attend a formal working dinner at Cardiff Castle which will include all the delegates as well as the First Minister of Wales, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and the British and Irish Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Assembly. Mr Picardo has been invited to deliver the after dinner address. The Chief Minister: I am delighted to be able to make my first official visit to Wales as Chief Minister and am particularly pleased that this has coincided with the British Irish meeting. This means that the Deputy Chief Minister and I will be able to exchange views with Government Ministers and Members of Parliament from across the spectrum, including those from the Devolved Administrations and the Crown Dependencies. Brexit is the topic of the moment and it is always very useful to compare notes with others who find themselves in the same situation in order to achieve a better understanding going forward. The Gibraltar delegation also includes the Attorney General Michael Llamas and UK Representative Dominique Searle. Gibraltar Road Shows in Morocco The Gibraltar Tourist Board and the Finance Centre Department will be holding a series of high profile events in Morocco between 27th November and 1st December. The activities will take the form of tourism roadshows, similar to those habitually organised by the GTB in the UK, and include breakfasts, business and finance presentations, B2B opportunities and presentations on the destination. Minister for Tourism, Gilbert Licudi and Minister for Commerce, Albert Isola , will be leading the local delegation. The event will include a series of presentations in Marrakesh, Casablanca and Tangier at which a cross-section of Moroccan tourism representatives, travel agents and members of the business community will be invited to attend. The Moroccan press will also be asked to cover the events. Mr Licudi said: This is a wonderful opportunity to promote Gibraltar and all it has to offer as a destination both for leisure and for business clients. It is important that we establish fluid commercial and business links with Morocco. We have substantial historical links with the North African country and also have direct air links with Tangier and Casablanca which can assist in developing further business ties. This will open up new markets for the benefit of both the tourist and finance industries on both sides of the Strait. Minister Isola added I am particularly keen on exploring avenues where Gibraltar and Moroccan financial services firms can work together in mutually beneficial areas of business. Ours is very much a step forward in beginning to highlight what Gibraltars financial services sector has to offer and I am delighted that we are also able to support the Gibraltar Tourist Board." Gibraltar and Wales Explore Common Challenges of Brexit The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia this afternoon presented the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones AM with a glass cut model of the Rock, during a working lunch between the Welsh Government and the visiting Gibraltar Government delegation in Cardiff. Due to an unexpected family medical emergency, the Chief Minister was unable to travel to Wales at the last minute and remains in Gibraltar. The First Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister held informative and friendly discussions on the potential impact of the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union on Wales and on Gibraltar. Possible areas for cooperation were also discussed between the two delegations at the Welsh Government offices in Cathays Park. The Gibraltar delegation included the Attorney General Michael Llamas, UK Representative Dominique Searle and PPS to the Chief Minister Peter Canessa. The Welsh Government delegation included the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, the Counsel General, the PPS to the First Minister and the Deputy Director General for Constitutional Affairs and Inter-Governmental Relations. Gibraltar Government delegation outside Welsh Government offices in Cardiff The question of borders, which had featured prominently in discussions of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) that morning, was one of the topics discussed. Indeed, in the opening address to the Assembly earlier that morning, the First Minister had explained the importance of travel between Wales and Ireland given the ferry links between the two countries. The impact on the Northern Ireland border was also raised extensively by Members of Parliament from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. In this context, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Harris of Richmond, raised during the plenary session the future impact on the land border between Gibraltar and Spain in questions to Robin Walker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Exiting the European Union. In response, Mr Walker spoke of the commitment to Gibraltar being as solid as the Rock. He recalled that the very first debate as a Minister that he had in the UK Parliament was about Gibraltar added that the UK Government absolutely stood by decision of the people of Gibraltar to be British and their choice to be part of a common market with the United Kingdom. Mr Walker added that the will of the people of Gibraltar in rejecting shared sovereignty had to be respected and they would not allow the Brexit process to be used to bring back such an approach which had already been rejected. He also commented on the close working relationship between the U.K. and Gibraltar Governments which has helped to achieve a better understanding of the challenges going forward. The discussions during the meeting with the Welsh Government, and indeed during the Parliamentary Assembly, centred on Brexit issues. The Gibraltar delegation will be attending a reception at the National Assembly of Wales and, in the absence of the Chief Minister, tonight the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia will deliver an address to delegates during an official dinner in Cardiff Castle. Takei. Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images For his latest bizarre un-presidential decree, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted early Tuesday morning that he would imprison or strip away the citizenship of anyone who burns the American flag in protest, an act of intimidation that anyone with reasonable knowledge of the laws of this land has already recognized as blatantly unconstitutional. While it may be easy to laugh off such a proposal for being just that, Trumps ideas about how hed treat political dissidents as president has unearthed painful memories for those whove seen such dangerous rhetoric put into practice before. In response to Trumps tweet, George Takei passionately defended freedom of speech, saying he pledged allegiance to the flag every morning inside an internment camp and, while he would never burn the flag now, hed rather die to protect the right to do so than see Trump take it away. I pledged allegiance to the flag every morning inside an internment camp. I would never burn one, but I'd die to protect the right to do so. https://t.co/O5ecSQkyC2 George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 29, 2016 Mr. Trump, one of your sacred duties as President will be to uphold the Constitution. That means honoring and protecting free speech. George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 29, 2016 In 1942, when Takei was 5 years old, he and his family were forced at gunpoint out of their Los Angeles home and into a tiny horse stable that had been converted into a Japanese-American internment camp. They were later transferred to a camp in Arkansas, where the Takei family lived throughout most of World War II until they were permitted back into Los Angeles. As I looked past the U.S. flag out the window, the barbed wire of the camp [was] just visible behind it, Takei once wrote of the cruel irony of pledging allegiance to a country that had imprisoned him. Takei, a longtime activist, has previously spoken out against Trumps plan to register Muslims and, specifically, a Trump surrogates frightful suggestion that Japanese internment camps were precedent for having such a registry. L-R: Lauren Graham and Kelly Bishop in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Photo: Neil Jacobs/Netflix Gilmore Girls was never an overtly political show. But during its original seven seasons, which aired primarily during the George W. Bush era, the divide between the wealthy, conservative Emily and Richard friend of Scooter Libby Gilmore, and the slightly less advantaged, liberal-leaning Lorelai and Rory Gilmore certainly echoed the political divide in America. But other divides specifically economic and racial ones werent always illustrated with quite as much pointed clarity. Money has always been central to what Gilmore Girls is about. Yet, while Lorelai and Rory always had less cash in their accounts than Lorelais parents, and while they struggled in their early years as single mom and daughter, it never felt like they were dealing with real hardship. For most people in Stars Hollow with the possible exception of Luke, and maybe Lane and her bandmates, who lived in a house that always looked grimy economic struggle was always more of a reality in theory than something that felt real. Thats also true when it comes to racial and ethnic diversity. Yes, some people of color were represented in the Gilmore universe: Lane, Mrs. Kim, Gypsy, Michel, the occasional nonwhite face at Yale. But generally speaking, Stars Hollow and the other places that Rory and Lorelai frequented were largely white. I mention all this not to chastise the original Gilmore Girls, which was hardly the only show in the 2000s that focused mostly on white people with seemingly bottomless wallets, but to provide some context for Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which, in keeping with what we expect from reboots, presents a Stars Hollow whose sensibility is largely unchanged. Though there are some cosmetic differences and a few more black and brown background actors in that familiar Connecticut town with the kick-ass gazebo, the 2016 version is still a mostly white place where even the idea of paying a parking meter represents too much progress for the populace to tolerate. One could rightly argue, as I basically just did, that Stars Hollow was always like this: provincial, privileged, resistant to change. But in the four new extended episodes of Gilmore Girls, all of this feels more problematic and, frankly, irritating than it did during the original series. Is it because weve all grown older, time has marched on, and we now expect more of Lorelai, Luke, and our other diner-frequenting friends? Or were we just oblivious to the shows flaws in the 00s, a time when coverage of television was not nearly as widespread and think-piece-y as it has become in the ensuing years? Or did the recent election results, which threw multiple logs on the preexisting white-intolerance fire in this country, make us less inclined to embrace the oblivious bubble that is Stars Hollow? (Donald Trump ruined Gilmore Girls, didnt he? Sure, yeah, lets go with that. Sookie probably would.) All of the above factors play a role in our responses to the new Gilmore Girls. But lets not underestimate the degree to which some of the comedic and narrative judgments in A Year in the Life feel off. One of the most jarring examples is a running joke about Emily Gilmores (Kelly Bishop) new maid. Emily always had maids waiting on her hand and foot and was famously rude and dismissive to every one of them. In A Year in the Life, she now has Berta (played by Rose Abdoo, who also plays Gypsy) working for her. Not only does she not fire Berta, for a change, she welcomes Bertas children into the house, even bringing all of them with her when she eventually moves to Nantucket. This is supposed to represent progress for Emily, whos now a widow and is perhaps more inclined to surround herself with people. Look how far shes come, the show suggests. Shes not only nice to the help, she even treats them like family. But theres something deeply condescending in all of this. For starters, Berta, who does little more than smile, nod, and talk about how wonderful Emily is while her children run amok, could only be more of a demeaning, Americanized stereotype if she wore a T-shirt with the Taco Bell Chihuahua on it. Whats worse is the fact that Emily constantly complains about the fact that she cant understand what Berta is saying because her language is unrecognizable. To emphasize just how foreign-sounding it is, Emily notes that she brought over an acquaintance who works for the U.N., and even she couldnt figure out what language Berta and her family were speaking. Its another moment that is supposed to be funny but again reminds you that Emily Gilmore is basically Lucille Bluth. The difference is that on Arrested Development, its very clear that Lucilles behavior is shameful and hilarious since its so obviously inappropriate. Because Emily is a more complicated character and one for whom we often feel sympathy, especially now that shes a widow, its harder to tell when the show wants us to laugh with her, laugh at her, or just go, Oh, honey: No. But perhaps whats hardest to take in A Year in the Life is the slight but irrefutable change in Rory and Lorelai. As I noted earlier, in the original series, Rory and Lorelai struggled with money, even though it often felt like they did not. They could only afford Chilton and Yale with help from Emily and Richard, and later, Christophers inheritance money. In Rorys early college days, Lorelai even had to ratchet back on the takeout in order to save money. Most of the time, though, they lived comfortably. But and this is important they lived comfortably in a way that suggested they had not forgotten what it felt like to have very little. We know that after Lorelai had Rory, they lived in what was basically a shed behind the aptly named Independence Inn, where, before being a manager, Lorelai did the kind of work that her mothers maids had always done. Lorelai felt strongly about handling things on her own, partly because she resented the way her parents treated her, but also because she didnt want to turn into them: snobbish, pampered, and walled-off from reality. Even though she and Rory ultimately do accept money from Emily and Richard, that impulse never leaves Lorelai, or, especially in the first three seasons, Rory, who doesnt fit in at Chilton right away because she doesnt she think she belongs among so many well-off kids. The fact that the two of them were portrayed as being grounded in this way made it easier to accept their self-centeredness or the fact that they lived in a house that seemed wildly beyond their means. In A Year in the Life, though, that groundedness seems to have disappeared altogether. Lorelai is operating the Dragonfly Inn very successfully, and can apparently afford to pay every celebrity chef in America to pop in to cook for her. Rory pops over to London whenever she pleases on a freelance journalists salary, and never seems even semi-concerned about how she can keep paying for those plane tickets. Again: This isnt new. Lorelai and Rory were constantly buying things mostly food that it seemed like they shouldnt be able to afford on a single income. But now, there is less effort expended on conveying their fierce work ethics. Granted, its challenging to convey that in four extended episodes versus 22 per season. But with Lorelai randomly cutting out on the inn to go on a Wild trip and, more egregiously, Rorys expecting a career as a respected journalist to be handed to her even when she falls asleep during interviews or sleeps with her wookiee sources, they both possess a heightened sense of entitlement that often overwhelms our ability to empathize with them. Close observers of the final moments of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life may have noticed an interesting detail about the wedding of Luke and Lorelai: a sign that established Luke and Lorelais wedding date as November 5, 2016, three days before Election Day. That makes me wonder how one-time Obama admirers Lorelai and Rory, as well as others in the sheltered if well-intentioned Stars Hollow, a town located in a blue state, responded to the news that Trump would be our president-elect. If theyre anything like other comfortable, progressive white Americans, they may have been shocked out of a sense of complacency. If thats true, then what we see in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is not merely a more pronounced, exasperating version of the privilege that the show often depicted in its glory days. Its also showing us the last, flickering moments when people like Rory and Lorelai could still wallow in that privilege. Photo: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images Three months after The Nightly Show was unceremoniously canceled by Comedy Central and, presumably, drinking his way through all three cases of wine Samantha Bee sent him Larry Wilmore has made his move to return to television. Earlier today, Wilmore announced that hes signed an overall deal with ABC, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Im excited beyond words to be back at ABC and look forward to this creative partnership, Wilmore said in a statement. Disney took a chance on me as a young writer years ago and so Im thrilled to return to the Mouse House. I hope my room still looks the same. Under the pact, Wilmore will develop material for his own projects as well as supervise others. Wilmore was originally meant to be the showrunner of the networks Black-ish, which he executive-produces, but he left that role to take over hosting duties of his late-night show. Photo: Scott Dudelson/WireImage Lil Wayne fans might be able to end their vigil for Tha Carter V Weezy says another project called Funeral is on the way. The rapper dropped by skateboarding podcast The Nine Club recently to discuss his rooftop skating park in Miami and to chat about his music. Near the end of the interview he said, Just make sure [the listeners] know that Funeral is coming soon. He then clarified that Funeral is my music. While Weezys feud with Cash Money and Birdman over his album Tha Carter V, which Wayne has said is being held captive by the record label since 2014, is still ongoing, that didnt stop Lil Tunechi from releasing his mixtape Sorry for the Wait II independently in 2015. Watch Waynes interview below. Rogue Only One. Lucasfilm has insisted that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a stand-alone chapter in the canon, and now we finally have confirmation. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told Empire magazine that there wont be a sequel to Rogue One, meaning it will truly stand all alone. Because, as Rogue One director Gareth Edwards further elaborates, if there was a sequel, itd have to be directed by George Lucas, because said sequel is technically A New Hope. There will, however, be a separate Han Solo stand-alone spinoff, plus the sequel to Force Awakens. Confused? Not as much as youd be if we had to start referring to another one of these as Rogue Two: A Stars Wars Something. L-R: Winona Ryder in Little Women; Alexis Bledel in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Photo: Columbia Pictures, Netflix Spoilers ahead for Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. The Gilmore Girls revival episodes open with a black screen and echoey, nostalgia-pinging audio clips from the original series, jumping between the shows many voices. Lorelai begs Luke for coffee, Rory announces shes been kissed, Emily scolds Lorelai, Sookie tells Norman Mailer shes pregnant. There are joke lines; there are serious ones. Its an explicit appeal to the fans who remember each of these moments. Its a shout-out to the people who will tear up when they hear Richard Gilmore explain the insurance business. Its an effort to bind these new episodes together with the legacy of the original series. If youre an avid consumer of media with female leads, that audio montage might also sound familiar to you. In its style and effect, the opening of the Gilmore Girls revival is remarkably reminiscent of a montage from the 1994 Winona Ryderled Little Women adaptation. In the movie, Professor Bhaer urges Jo March to write about her own life rather than derivative penny-dreadful stories about vampires and castles. She should write what she knows, he tells her. She should write from truth. Taking those words to heart, and spurred by the grief of her sisters death, Jo heads up to the garret (because if youre a writer in the 19th century, you always call your attic a garret) and gets to work. She opens trunks of artifacts from their childhood. She fingers ancient fabric. She reads the stories she and her sisters made up together. And then she starts scribbling frantically, accompanied by whispered, echoey audio snippets from memorable moments in her youth (that are also scenes from earlier in the film). If youve seen all four of the new Gilmore episodes, youll recognize why that parallel is particularly striking. Jo, accompanied by the audio montage of memories, writes the story of her family and calls it Little Women. Rory, whos spent the whole season struggling with her career as a writer, finally sits down to do the same thing, wandering through her grandmothers house in much the same reflective mood that Jo does. She looks into the dining room and remembers a scene from an old episode superimposed on the familiar setting. She hears audio of herself telling her grandparents how to reheat food in the kitchen. Like Jo March, Rorys partially responding to grief. She opens the doors to her grandfathers study and remembers him sitting there, working. And then, she sits down to write the story of her family, and calls it The Gilmore Girls. Having Rory write a memoir narrative functions as a convenient way for Gilmore to build nostalgia into its structure. And the parallel to Little Women is notable mostly because the style is so exactly the same. The whispered reminiscences from the past form a gauzy understanding of what a writer experiences when she sits down to work. They are meant to be windows into the protagonists memories, while also functioning like classier versions of a sitcom clip-show episode. Its the young woman who writes her own story, while the bigger narrative around her makes a gesture toward metafictional self-awareness. This is also one of the more aspirational endings that Gilmore Girls proposes for Rory, whos always loved feminism and literature. (For much of the revival in particular, I wish Rory were much more like Jo March, but its nice of the series to create that implication.) Of course, when you dig into that parallel a little further, it also gives Rory all of the underwhelming connotations that Jo March was hampered with in the 19th century. Both of them originally aim for different, less personal, more traditionally masculine types of writing. Jo wants to write about dastardly villains and Gothic plots; Rory seems to have no idea at all what she wants to be writing about, but she spends a lot of time flying to London and interviewing people who stand in lines. And in both cases, its a male character who suggests to them (more than a little patronizingly) that maybe they should avoid those other projects and just stick to personal writing. You should be writing from life, Professor Bhaer tells Jo, from the depths of your soul there is more to you than this. I know what you should write, Jess tells Rory. You should write about you and your mom and its something only you could write. In both cases, its unfortunately mansplain-y, which feels more excusable for 19th-century Jo than it does for 21st-century Rory. From a sunnier point of view, though, its a redeeming arc for both of them, and its nice to see both characters given ownership of their lives through the act of telling their own stories. Whatever else happens in the currently imaginary Gilmore future, Id like to hope Rory will be able to couple her inevitable romantic arc with the same career success that Winona Ryders Jo manages to find. This year's Black Friday protest demanded an elected board to control the police, rather then elected government officials to control the police. Much of the rage among the protesters is about police-involved shootings, yet little to no rage over other violence in the community. The main sponsor of this protest was CPAC - the Civilian Police Accountability Council. The group is not connected with the other more well-known CPAC - the Conservative Political Action Conference. It appears there are just not enough acronyms in the world as the two groups are almost complete opposites. For the second year in a row, a group of protesters tried to shut down stores on Michigan Avenue on the busiest shopping day of the year. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, which traditionally starts the Christmas shopping season. Last year the protest was much larger, with a focus on the Laquan McDonald shooting by a Chicago police officer captured on dash cam video. There are multiple shootings and murders of mostly young black men on a daily basis in Chicago with little to no news coverage - called "black on black" crime by many. There were a variety of other organized groups involved, including Black Lives Matter and Socialists of America. I even spotted several people from Planned Parenthood passing out literature. They tend to always be on Michigan Avenue, along with PETA, Greenpeace, and similar Leftist groups. This protest started around 10:00 A.M. with speeches at the historic Water Tower on Michigan Avenue. Initially I counted about 250 people, but as time went on the protesters dropped off. In addition were at least 250 Chicago police officers, many on bikes, and 250 media people, including at least three news helicopters. The group headed north on Michigan Avenue, stopping to block doors of stores, not as a simple boycott but more as attempting to block access to the stores by locking arms. However, police cleared paths for shoppers to enter and exit. I saw one arrest, with three others reported by various sources. In addition, the protesters had a team of lawyers watching every move the police made. The group chanted, "If we don't get it, shut it down." Again, this was related to a elected police board with nothing to do with Donald Trump. The main sign at the protest appeared to be professionally printed. It said, "CPAC NOW, STOP TRUMP, BOYCOTT BLACK FRIDAY." People were asking, "What's Trump got to do with it?" The irony is their argument appears with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who happens to be a Democrat. They may also may have issues with another Democrat, President Barack Obama. Some blame Obama for much of the discontent over police for his line several years ago in the Professor Gates incident, in which, they said, "the police acted stupidly." There continues to be growing support in the "Blue Lives Matter" movement as most prefer law and order, not anarchy. After about three hours the group went back to the Water Tower for final speeches. I interviewed a bunch of shoppers, almost all from suburbs or out of town. They seem undisturbed by the protest and many didn't even notice it, as there were thousands of people on Michigan Avenue. Shopping was down by many published reports which some blame to online internet sales with Cyber Monday coming up. Others feel the concept of Black Friday has run its course or even peaked as people find sales all year around. Most people agree that people are entitled to free speech and welcome a "peaceful" protest. Yet at issue is these protests are not peaceful as we saw back in March when the Trump rally was disrupted by what some are calling "paid" protesters. They were inciting violence. There are calls to investigate if the protesters are being paid. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and her husband have been allegedly connected with this as reported in Illinois Review. There are calls for a FBI investigation. Also at issue is if the protesters are violating other people's civil rights with threats of violence. The blocking of streets is surely a violation of multiple laws yet the police have been very patient in letting these protesters disrupt commerce and create massive traffic problems. Also at issue are the millions of dollars it costs in police protection for the city on these almost daily protests. The police resources are directed away from high crime area to monitor these protests. Stay tuned for the next protest as Chicago gets its fair share. Reminder: there are just 26 days Christmas and 51 days till President Donald Trump becomes president. Maybe everything will be fine then. Of course, I'm kidding! Mark Weyermuller is a small business person, real estate professional, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist and regular contributor to Illinois Review. Mark can be heard weekly on the radio in a "man on the street segment" at 10:31pm as a regular guest on the Stephanie Trussell Show heard Sunday nights 9pm-midnight on WLS 890-AM. You might have thought Josh Wards do-it-yourself obsession reached its apex two years ago when he rigged up a camera to a balloon and launched it into near space. Turns out, that was just the warm-up. On Saturday morning, the Waco technology enthusiast launched Starduster II, a refined version of the original experiment, this time collecting better data and photos with the help of a small army of shortwave radio operators. And Ward said he is already thinking about the next launch. Ward and his friends launched the balloon rig from Comanche, about 100 miles west of Waco. From there, it traveled 99,000 feet into the freezing stratosphere, where it burst as planned. The radio and camera apparatus parachuted down to a field near Kosse, where teams recovered the payload and hours of GoPro video. Compared to the shaky footage from the first Starduster project in November 2014, this video is sharp and steady, thanks to some tweaks to the design of the payload. Ward also collaborated with the Baylor Amateur Radio Club to monitor and record real-time data on altitude, position, speed temperature and air pressure. He plans to post photos and video this week at www.starduster.info. So why would a 37-year-old Baylor University tech staffer spend hours on DIY space exploration then do it again? To show it could be done, Ward said. With off-the-shelf parts we demonstrated a lot of science that we learned in middle school, Ward said. In fact, if I had done this in middle school, I would have actually paid attention. . . . For me, there was no part of this process I didnt enjoy. I just had to get up and do it. Ward is hoping to inspire young people and others to think of aerospace as something within their reach, even if they happen not to be Elon Musk. He funded the entire enterprise with less than $1,800, which he raised from 50 donors on Kickstarter. Ward spoke to school classes and civic clubs after the first launch and hopes to do more educational outreach. If 10 kids Google a word Ive said, or go to Wikipedia because of something Ive said, Ive done my job, he said. Ward and radio club leaders said they plan to share their data and plans with anyone who is interested. A newspaper story about Wards first launch caught the attention of the Baylor Amateur Radio Club. Club leaders were interested in partnering with him on an experiment using shortwave radio to track and collect data from objects in near space. Club members designed the instrument package using small parts they ordered online, and they used social media to recruit other shortwave enthusiasts to help track the launch. Licensed operators as far away as Dallas drove to Comanche and other points along the route, and they used shortwave to receive packages of data from the payload that they then posted on the internet. 85 degrees below The balloon encountered temperatures of 85 degrees below zero and winds up to 175 miles per hour as it ascended to the east. Volunteers used the radio data to find the payload. In all, about 60 people helped, many of whom Ward and the radio club had never met. I was blown away by how many people showed up, Ward said. Ward said he is hoping to do another launch in the spring, possibly using the help of Baylor engineering students, who have shown an interest in designing a lighter, more compact payload than Starduster II, which weighed about 6 pounds. Jacob Boline, the radio clubs president, said he would like to improve the tracking ability for the next launch and even add slow scan TV, which sends real-time video to ground users using encoded data. Boline, a senior electrical engineering major who is planning to work at L-3 Communications after graduation, said he hopes to use the hands-on knowledge he gained from his experiment in his future work. Boline said that even in an internet age, shortwave radio remains fun and useful. I think its cool that I can throw an antenna in my backyard and talk to someone from Belgium, he said. When you have things like this, it comes in really handy, because at 100,000 feet you cant get cellphone service. Ward said he is lucky to have a wife, Liz, who is not only tolerant but supportive of his many hobbies, which also include flying planes, baking, leatherwork and running. All my recovered payload is accumulating in my home office, much to my wifes chagrin, he said. But theyre kind of like a trophy. A former Jack Harwell Detention Center employee was arrested last week after he allegedly orchestrated a jailhouse fight between two inmates allegedly to keep one inmate from picking on him, an arrest affidavit states. Wesley James Gillispie, 18, was arrested Wednesday after he misused his authority as a Jack Harwell Detention Center employee on Nov. 5 when he felt an inmate was picking on him, the arrest affidavit states. Gillispie allegedly gave another inmate access to the housing area of the inmate that Gillispie was targeting for the sole purpose of having (the first inmate) assault the inmate that was allegedly picking on Gillispie. The Jack Harwell facility is a private jail that allows overflow inmates from the neighboring McLennan County Jail to be housed in a secure facility. Gillispie was arrested on a Class A misdemeanor charge of official oppression and was booked in to McLennan County Jail. He later posted bond and was released. It was not immediately clear if Gillispie resigned or was fired from his position, but authorities confirmed that Gillispie is no longer employed at the Harwell jail. A 63-year-old industrial worker suffered life-threatening injuries in an unusual accident at Forterra Pipe & Products in Lorena on Monday afternoon, Lorena Police Chief Tom Dickson said. At about 12:30 p.m., emergency responders were called to 11710 Chapel Road after the driver of a tractor-trailer, Ernest Clinton Smith, of Waco, became trapped in the vehicle while he was reportedly discarding sand from the vehicles trailer. Dickson said while the trailer was reportedly elevated from the base of the vehicle, the cab swung around near the side of the vehicle and the trailer overturned onto the cab, trapping Smith inside the cab. Right now, we dont know if he was loading up, hauling out or dropping off, but somehow the trailer hauling the sand tipped over, Dickson said. In the process, the cab swung around, the trailer fell and pinned the driver inside. Waco fire crews, police and medical personnel responded to Forterra Pipe & Products in an effort to rescue Smith. Dickson said the cab was mangled, and crews worked more than 30 minutes to extricate the driver. The driver had life-threatening injuries and it took quite a while to extricate the driver from the truck probably 45 minutes to an hour, Dickson said. Paramedics were able to start an IV while he was still in the cab to get fluids to him. His injuries were so that a tourniquet had to be placed on a limb because of severity. The damaged tractor-trailer was marked with a logo of Sunset Logistics Inc., a Fort Worth-based trucking company with a fleet in Waco. An air ambulance was called to the business before Smith was removed from the cab. He was taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple for treatment. He was alert when he was taken to Temple, Dickson said. This is kind of a freak accident. We will write up a report on it and I believe OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or some other agency may take a deeper look into this to see if there were any safety violations. Dickson said industrial accidents at Forterra Pipe & Products are uncommon. Dickson said Smith was still undergoing treatment at the hospital late Monday afternoon. The other day I experienced a flash of alarm. There was a claim from an Argentine journalist that when the president of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, phoned Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, the talk turned to permits for the building of a Trump skyscraper in Buenos Aires. Mr. Macris press officer quickly and sharply denied the report: They didnt talk about the tower at all. Its absolutely untrue. So did the Trump transition office. The journalist apparently offered no proof. The story more or less ended there. But what alarmed me was this question: Does Donald Trump know he cant ever have a conversation like this? Does he fully understand that a president can never use the office, its power and influence, for his own financial enrichment? That he cant, however offhandedly, both do business and be president? That future and credible reports that he had engaged in such a conflict of interest would doom his presidency? And that solving the question of his businesses and their relation to his presidency is urgent? Last week, in an interview with the New York Times, Mr. Trump was not reassuring. When pressed on how, exactly, he means to distance himself from his business interests, he couldnt stop himself from promoting a few of them: We just opened a beautiful hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, he said. The brand is certainly a hotter brand. In theory, I can be president of the United States and run my business 100 percent, he said, adding that he is phasing that out now. In theory I dont have to do anything. But I would like to do something. I would like to try and formalize something, because I dont care about my business. He said, Ive greatly reduced meetings with contractors, meetings with different people. Thank goodness for that. Hes the president-elect. He noted that presidents are exempt from conflict-of-interest laws, but I understand why the president cant have a conflict of interest now because everything a president does in some ways is like a conflict of interest, but I have Ive built a very great company and its a big company and its all over the world. People are starting to see, when they look at all these different jobs, like in India and other things, No. 1, a job like that builds great relationships with the people of India, so its all good. Business partners come in, they want a picture, I think its wonderful to take a picture. Might he sell his businesses? Thats a very hard thing to do, you know what, because I have real estate. Selling real estate isnt like selling a stock. I dont care about my company. I mean, if a partner comes in from India or if a partner comes in from Canada, where we did a beautiful big building that just opened, and they want to take a picture and come into my office, and my kids come in and I originally made the deal with these people, I mean what am I going to say? Im not going to talk to you, Im not going to take pictures ? Yes, thats exactly what you say! Im not going to pose with you because I will soon be president of the United States and the prestige of that office precludes taking the picture youll soon use in your brochure. In the interview Mr. Trump was not defensive he was garrulous, forthcoming as to his thought processes, and yet he seemed curiously unaware as to the urgency of the subject. For half a century Donald Trump has devoted all his professional energies to money, profit, the deal. That is how he thinks: Its his deepest neural pathway. Hes a free-market capitalist who started with a lot and turned it into more. He created jobs, employs many. Good! But thats his mind: money, profit, the deal. He has brought up his children to enter his business. Whatever else they do, they have surely absorbed the family ethos. And now, for the first time in his life, money, profit, the deal is not his job. He will be president of the United States. He cant help the family business as president. He cant help his children make a living as president. He has to be losing money as president and putting personal profit motives behind him. Which means putting the ways and habits of a lifetime behind him. Because hes entered something much bigger: the presidency. History. The welfare of the republic. Thats his job now, and it requires sacrifice. I dont know if theres anyone around him who can convince him that the attitude with which hes operated for 50 years must end, and something wholly new and different begin. But whoever does must be aware of this: The press, which wants to kill him, is going to zero in on his biggest weak spot: money, profit, the deal. Democrats too will watch like hawks. And this is understandable! Presidents shouldnt ever give the impression things arent on the up and up. And Mr. Trump campaigned saying hed dismantle the rigged system, drain the swamp, fight the racket. The press does not believe, not for a second, and Democrats do not believe, not for a second, that Mr. Trump will be able to change the habits of a lifetime. They are relying on it. Mr. Trump shocked them by winning. He should shock them now with rectitude. Financial sophisticates know and explain how complicated all this is. Mr. Trump cant establish a blind trust because blind trusts normally consist of stocks, bonds liquid assets. Mr. Trumps wealth is in famous entities, in his brand. He knows where his buildings are, his past and current deals are. He said when campaigning that if elected hed turn the business over to his children. But that would require never talking to them about matters touching on the central family ethos: money, profit, the deal. The editorial page of The Wall Street Journal offered a sound though difficult route: Mr. Trump should liquidate his stake in his company and put the proceeds in a true blind trust, in which the Trump children keep the assets in their name. He can transfer more to them as long as he pays a hefty gift tax. A fire sale on real estate would no doubt be seized upon by buyers like Donald Trump people looking for the greatest asset at the lowest price. But its hard to see how any other plan would help Mr. Trump avoid endless accusations that he is enriching himself as president, that he is, in fact, a dopey kleptocrat who cant help doing what he does. It would be a painful act, selling the business he loves and around which he has ordered his life. But there would be comfort in this: In doing the right thing, in denying his opponents a sword, in enhancing his stature and demonstrating that, yes, he will sacrifice for his country. Thats pretty great comfort. Youve made your money. Now go be a patriot. Both special assistant and speechwriter for President Reagan, Peggy Noonan is the author of eight books on American politics, history and culture, including the bestsellers What I Saw at the Revolution. This column first appeared in The Wall Street Journal and appears here by Ms. Noonans permission. It seems clear that in the coming years of Republican control many federal regulatory protections will be rolled back. No doubt some Americans voted for Donald Trump because of his broad, nonspecific campaign promises to relieve companies of the burden of complying with federal regulations. But his supporters may be in for a surprise. Take, for example, the April 17, 2013, fire at the West Fertilizer Companys fertilizer blending and distribution facility in West, Texas. The fire led to an enormous explosion that killed 15 people, hospitalized 260 others, destroyed the plant and destroyed or damaged 150 nearby buildings. The fuel for the blast was 40 to 60 tons of highly explosive fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate stored at the facility. The explosion had many causes, but one contributor was the governments failure to protect Texans from the huge bomb that was primed to explode in the middle of McLennan County. A comprehensive investigation of the explosion by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board concluded that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) efforts to oversee facilities that stored and handled ammonium nitrate prior to the explosion fell short. OSHA could have prevented the tragedy if its standards for explosives and blasting agents had been clearer and if it had not inadvertently omitted ammonium nitrate from the list of chemicals covered by its Process Safety Management standards. And it would have helped if agency inspectors had visited the facility more frequently than the one time that they inspected it nearly 30 years prior in 1985. President Barack Obama responded to the tragedy with an August 2013 executive order requiring OSHA, the Department of Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency to come up with a plan to improve safety and security regulations for facilities that manufacture, store and distribute explosive chemicals. OSHA then summarized its regulations on its blog and told its inspectors that fertilizer facilities storing ammonium nitrate were in fact covered by the regulation. It added that bins made of wood are acceptable so long as the wood is treated with an impermeable coating. Earlier this year, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board recommended that the agency go further to include ammonium nitrate in its stringent Process Safety Management regulations. Or that it amend its explosives and blasting standard to clarify that it applies to agricultural chemical facilities; require storage bins to be composed of noncombustible material; and require sprinkler systems in all such facilities. But here is where the rubber meets the road. The anti-regulation agenda that Trump and other Republicans promised, and that many McLennan County voters seem to favor, will probably block these kinds of safety rules needed to protect against future disasters. Any attempt to make the regulations more protective would also encounter a firestorm of opposition from the fertilizer industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which would argue that more protective regulations will put small companies out of business and destroy jobs. In the meantime, the president-elect has already promised to revoke President Obamas chemical safety executive order. And its highly unlikely that the new Congress will appropriate more funds for OSHA enforcement. OSHA is also reluctant to implement the recommendation because it would require a years-long rule-making process that has become so cumbersome and expensive that the agency avoids it whenever possible. It would have to prepare an extensive cost-benefit analysis that would have to be approved by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs before it could publish regulations for public comment. In truth, the proposed recommendations are quite modest as regulatory protections go, and compliance would not be especially burdensome for local fertilizer blending and distribution facilities like the one in West. An OSHA regulation implementing those recommendations would not be an example of regulatory overreach or a bureaucracy run amok. It would be a sensible response to a serious problem that has slipped through the cracks. Rural Americans need to tell the incoming administration that when they voted for change, they did not vote to roll back health, safety and environmental laws that protect them from explosions and other hazards that threaten their communities. Thomas O. McGarity is a professor in the School of Law at The University of Texas at Austin. He has written or co-written five influential books: The Preemption War: When Federal Bureaucracies Trump Local Juries, Bending Science: How Special Interests Corrupt Public Health Research, Workers at Risk, The Law of Environmental Protection and Reinventing Rationality: The Role of Regulatory Analysis in the Federal Bureaucracy. On Thanksgiving Eve, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took to Facebook to praise a judge who blocked a U.S. Department of Labor rule on overtime pay that made more than 4 million private-sector workers eligible for mandatory extra pay or time off. The rule was meant to correct a situation in which salaried employees paid more than $455 a week were deemed managers, even if they had few real supervisory duties. They thus had become ineligible to be paid at higher overtime rates if they worked more than 40 hours per week. The Labor Department regulation raised the salary threshold, prompting outcry from business organizations. Abbotts comment on the court ruling: Obama legacy ending as it began: Federal judge in Texas rules another Obama executive order is illegal. Reactions: Becca Sal: Yeah, lets boast about middle- and lower-class citizens not getting paid overtime wages when you yourself are wealthy. I used to have respect for you. Its great how you can sleep at night, Greg. Nancy James: Becca, the judge ruled against Obama because Obama acted outside the law. He did not have authority to do what he did. Thomas Mooso: Leave it to Republicans to take away what will help people of the working class, just so the wealthy dont have to pay people what theyre worth for the hours they work. A person should get paid for all hours worked over 40 hours. Debbie May Sitz: Obama didnt change the current law. He just raised the minimum from around $24K to around $47K. The law is there to protect workers from employers who designate a position as salaried, then work them excessively over 40 hours a week without compensation. The issue is Obama does not have the constitutional power to do this. In my opinion, the minimum may need to be raised, but I question the amount he chose. Noah Arthur: Its already started and Orange Hitler is not even in office. This would have helped a lot of people and stopped a lot of corporations who take advantage of salaried employees and make them work 70 or 80 hours a week. With hours like that, you are making less than minimum wage. This order would have made companies pay people for what they work. Some of you people kill me. Obama does something to help millions of people and put more money in the economy and you still say hes bad? Either your racist hate makes you blind or youre just a idiot. Zach Greenberger: Its sad when people defend those who are harming them. Whether or not Obama had the legal standing to issue the rule, at least he was trying to help American workers. It would be great if Congress was looking out for us, but clearly thats not happening. Todd Dold: Isnt it funny how you same people want the government to regulate who can marry who or what a woman can or cannot do with her body? But you dont want to see someone actually get paid fairly for the work they do. WAVERLY The Dare to Share Foundation will once again be lighting a community Christmas tree this year. The public is invited to attend the seventh annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Waverly Community Foundation Building, 11120 North 141st Street. The Dare to Share Foundation is sponsoring the free event. Hot dogs, cookies and other refreshments will be served, with a cost of $1.50, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The tree will be lit at 7:30 p.m. Santa will be present to visit with children and tables will be set up for children to do Christmas crafts, said Lisa French. She and her husband, Tom, head the foundation. Those attending are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item that will be donated to the Waverly Food Bank. Tom French said that the goal of addressing hunger is a common theme for the Dare to Share Foundation. The group also organizes a car show in the summer to benefit the District 145 Backpack Program, which provides food to children in need. Even though Waverly had a lighted Christmas tree in the 1950s and 1960s, a community tree had not been lit until French took it upon himself to bring the tradition back. French grew up seeing the lighting a Christmas tree while growing up in New York. The event is open to the public. San Juan, 29 nov (INS).- El gobernador Alejandro Garcia Padilla comunico al presidente de la Junta de Manejo y Supervision Fiscal, Jose Carion III, que el grupo que dirige debe abandonar la idea de formular un plan de austeridad para Puerto Rico. Garcia Padilla, cuyo plan fiscal fue rechazado por la Junta, reitero que en lo que queda de mandato colaborara con el organismo, mediante el ofrecimiento de informacion sobre los diversos escenarios que implican la reduccion de gastos en el gobierno. Tengo que reiterar que cualquier escenario que implique la reduccion del gasto publico resultar en un deterioro de nuestra economia y deteriorar el espiral de muerte, expreso Garcia Padilla en una misiva que envio a Carrion III. Agrego el mandatario que sabemos lo que conlleva la preparacion de un plan fiscal certificado es de alta importancia, pero debemos trabajar unidos para preparar las bases para una recuperacion. No podemos fallarle al pueblo de Puerto Rico. En su comunicacion, el gobernador recalco que sin accion del Congreso, relacionada con los fondos de Medicare y la Ley 154, Puerto Rico no tendra fondos suficientes para cumplir con el pago de la deuda. Garcia Padilla advirtio que si no se le provee un trato justo en Medicare a Puerto Rico y ayuda economica, se anticipa una emigracion masiva hacia Estados Unidos. ----------------- Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico Jose B. Carrion III Chair November 23, 2016 VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL Honorable Alejandro Garcia Padilla Governor of Puerto Rico Dear Governor Garcia Padilla: I am writing on behalf of the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (the Board) created under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) . The purpose of this letter is to (1) convey the Boards preliminary assessment of the Government of Puerto Ricos (GPR) fiscal plan; (2) provide a timeline for the Board to certify a fiscal plan for the GPR; and (3) share Board procedures for transactions involving covered entities. Assessment of Fiscal Plan Let me begin by thanking you and your team for working with the Board on behalf of a better future for the people of Puerto Rico. We understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We appreciate your submission of the Fiscal and Economic Growth Plan (FEGP) for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the considerable work required to develop that plan. We appreciate your presentation on October 14th, as well as subsequent discussions with your team and their consultants. Our work together has helped us better understand Puerto Ricos fiscal challenges, the current liquidity situation, and the difficult choices necessary to restore fiscal balance, economic growth, and opportunity for the people of Puerto Rico. After an extensive and careful review, a thorough consideration of comments on the plan submitted by more than 70 individuals and organizations, comments from the U.S. Treasury Department and the receipt of public testimony from by a wide range of stakeholders including economists, business leaders, students and representatives of community organizations, it has become clear to the Board that more policy adjustment, particularly with respect to structural reforms, is necessary for the Puerto Rican economy to return to sustainable growth. The fiscal plan must also include a 2 debt sustainability analysis. In this context, we respectfully request that your government prepare and submit a revised fiscal plan by December 15th, 2016. To assist in this effort, my colleagues and I believe it useful to share some principles that will guide the Boards deliberations over the coming weeks. As you know, the Board adopted at its last meeting of November 18, 2016, principles to evaluate the Government of Puerto Ricos proposed fiscal plan and assess the degree to which the plan meets the 14 criteria established by PROMESA (see attachment). These five principles are: Principle 1: The long-term fiscal plan must cover at least the next 10 fiscal years with meaningful progress in the next five and meet the standards set forth in the law (the 14 criteria). The fiscal plan should aim to meet the statutory criteria for the Board to be terminated within 10 years, which includes having adequate market access at reasonable rates and having at least four consecutive years of balanced budgets in accordance with modified accrual accounting standards. Principle 2: The fiscal plan must work to stabilize the current economic situation, increase the economys resilience, shore up public finances, support long-term, durable growth, meet basic needs of the citizenry, and restore opportunity for the people of Puerto Rico. Principle 3: To properly establish an accurate assessment of the fiscal outlook, the base-case scenario within the fiscal plan must assume no additional federal support beyond that which is already established by law (e.g., no Affordable Care Act support extension) and no reliance on unsustainable Act 154 revenues in light of the expiration of said act. Initiatives included in the fiscal plan must be based on applicable laws or specific bills that require enactment in order to reasonably achieve the projections of the fiscal plan. Principle 4: The plan must include an appropriate mix of structural reform, fiscal adjustment, and debt restructuring. It must be informed by the relevant analytical tools (e.g., a debt sustainability analysis and a detailed economic projection) that assure the Board that the GPR is pursuing a comprehensive approach to address acute economic, budgetary, and demographic challenges. Principle 5: The fiscal plan must be accompanied by relevant operational plans that show how the GPR will achieve the changes and reforms it proposes. Consistent with these principles, the Board requests that the plan be amended to reflect the principles stated above, as well as the following points: 1. Define and incorporate key aspirational goals, benchmarks and metrics for a ten year vision for Puerto Rico. This aspirational vision should drive Puerto 3 Rico to stabilize its current economic, social, demographic and financial situation, increase the economys resilience, shore up public finances, support long-term, durable growth, address basic needs and restore opportunity for the people of Puerto Rico; 2. Exclude any funding from an extension of Affordable Care Act as well as revenues from an extension of Act 154 revenues in light of their expiration (unless the assumption is accompanied by a specific bill). The Board supports efforts to extend Affordable Care Act funds and Medicaid parity for Puerto Rico, but consistent with the PROMESA Act the Board has to insure that the Fiscal Plan is based on existing law or a specific bill. 3. Incorporate a revised baseline forecast to reflect pay-go funding for pension benefits and segregation of current employee contributions beginning no later than 2018; and 4. Include a debt restructuring proposal and also a debt sustainability analysis. To better understand the implications of these revisions, as well as other potential policy adjustments, particularly with respect to structural reforms necessary for the Puerto Rican economy to return to sustainable growth, and to continue the ongoing, productive deliberations the Board has enjoyed with your government and its advisors, we would like to discuss the above stated principles as well as the economic and capital expenditures assumptions embedded in the fiscal plan with your team on November 29th. Such discussions may prompt the Board to request additional modifications in the fiscal plan. Timeline for Board Certification As discussed at the last Board meeting, our goal is for the Board to be in a position to certify a fiscal plan no later than January 31, 2017. Thus, below is the timeline we have set to achieve this ambitious, but necessary goal: November 23rd Last day to Receive Comments from Stakeholders on FEGP November 29th Working Session on FEGP December 9th Working Session on FEGP December 12th Publication of Baseline Projections for the FEGP and principles for achieving balance December 15th Revised version of FEGP to be submitted to the Board 4 Week of December 19th Distribution to the Public of Revised FEGP and Invitation to Open Good-Faith Negotiations with Creditors Week of January 16th Meeting to discuss the revised version of FEGP January 31st Final Target Date for Certification of FEGP My board colleagues and I stand ready to work with you and your team on a revised fiscal plan that we can certify by the target date of January 31st, 2017. Procedure on Transactions Involving Covered Entities While the focus of the Boards November 18th meeting was on the fiscal plan, we took another action that I wanted to bring to your attention. We adopted the following procedure to Approve Transactions of Covered Entities under PROMESA: Transactions of Covered Instrumentalities that are subject to Approval under the PROMESA Act must be submitted to the Board by the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico no less than 15 calendar days prior to its required approval. The clock for such 15 calendar days of review will start when the Board confirms that it has received all the information required for its review. The Board reserves the right to require additional time for its review in the case of complex transactions or in the case that the Board believes it requires additional information for its review of the transaction. The requested submission of approval must include, at a minimum, the following information: o A detailed memorandum signed by the Covered Instrumentalitys highest responsible executive in office explaining all the details of the transaction, including, but not limited to, purpose of the transaction, reasons why the transaction is in the best public interest, the financial resources required to carry such transaction, and a summary of all principal legal documents required to execute the transaction. o The memorandum should be accompanied by a letter or memorandum evidencing the approval by the Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority of Puerto Rico and its rationale for approval and, also, a letter from the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico endorsing the transaction and the rationale for such endorsement. 5 o A legal opinion that supports the reasons why the transaction is covered under PROMESA and under what legal basis the transaction can be approved by the Board. I hope the above clarifications are useful to your and the incoming administrations. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of these matters further. We thank you for your and your teams continued work with us for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico. Sincerely, Jose B. Carrion III Attachment PROMESA 14 Criteria cc: Hon. Ricardo Rossello, Governor-Elect 6 ATTACHMENT PROMESA 14 CRITERIA FOR FISCAL PLANS Section 201(b) of PROMESA identifies 14 specific components and objectives a fiscal plan should address. In particular, PROMESA stipulates that the fiscal plan must provide a method to achieve fiscal responsibility and access to the capital markets, in addition to the following: 1. Provide for estimates of revenues and expenditures in conformance with agreed accounting standards and be based on (i) applicable laws; or (ii) specific bills that require enactment in order to reasonably achieve the projections of the fiscal plan; 2. Ensure the funding of essential public services; 3. Provide adequate funding for public pension systems; 4. Provide for the elimination of structural deficits; 5. For fiscal years in which a stay is not effective, provide for a debt burden that is sustainable; 6. Improve fiscal governance, accountability, and internal controls; 7. Enable the achievement of fiscal targets; 8. Create independent forecasts of revenue for the period covered by the fiscal plan; 9. Include a debt sustainability analysis; 10. Provide for capital expenditures and investments necessary to promote economic growth; 11. Adopt appropriate recommendations submitted by the Oversight Board; 12. Include such additional information as the Oversight Board deems necessary; 13. Ensure that assets, funds, or resources of a territorial instrumentality are not loaned to, transferred to, or otherwise used for the benefit of a covered territory or another covered territorial instrumentality of a covered territory, unless permitted; and 14. Respect the relative lawful priorities or lawful liens in the constitution, other laws, or agreements of a covered territory or covered territorial instrumentality in effect prior to the enactment of PROMESA. Just over two weeks ago the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford received two new aircraft (click HERE). A Messerschmitt BF109G-2 and a de Havilland Tiger Moth II were the first of six new aircraft to arrive at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, having been transported by road from the museums sister site in London. Over the the Shropshire attraction has received a rather large delivery in the form of three Second World War aircraft. The Boulton Paul Defiant Mk 1, the Gloster Gladiator 1 and the Westland Lysander III have all been safely transported by road from the museums London site and are currently being prepared for display at Cosford. It is a homecoming for the Boulton Paul Defiant Mk 1, the last surviving example of its kind, built by Boulton Paul at its Pendeford, Wolverhampton factory in 1938. This two-seat turret fighter, operated with mixed fortunes during the Battle of Britain period but found its niche as a night fighter during 1940-42. They were used extensively later in the war for air-sea rescue and target tug roles in the UK and Middle and Far East.The museums example, serial number N1671 was operated by the newly formed No 307 (Polish) Squadron RAF, who became operational in December 1940. It was painted in its all black night fighter colour scheme the following January and carried out 15 patrols before moving to No 285 (Anti-aircraft Co-Operation) Squadron in June 1942, its last operational user. It was originally set aside for preservation in 1944 and spent several years moving between RAF bases for display. N1671 was eventually acquired by the RAF Museum in 1971 and after almost four decades on display at the museums London site, the aircraft was completely restored by Medway Aircraft Preservation Society at Rochester Airport in 2009, going back on display at the museum in 2012. Now the sole surviving intact example of its type has made the 130 mile journey from London to Cosford where it will go on public display early in the New Year. Another new aircraft to wing its way to Cosford is the Gloster Gladiator 1, the first enclosed cockpit and last biplane fighter introduced into RAF service. Although Gladiators saw operational service at home it was most successfully employed overseas particularly in the defence of Malta. At the outbreak of the Second World War, four home based RAF fighter squadrons equipped with Gladiators were sent to France and after just ten days of hard fighting, all the aircraft had been lost. In a desperate attempt to provide fighter cover for the little ships involved in the Dunkirk evacuation, a detachment of home based aircraft known as G Flight was formed at RAF Manston, Kent. They were quickly deployed to assist with the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers trapped on the beaches. During the early war years, Gladiators were used by the RAF in several other overseas operations including; Norway, Greece, North Africa and the Middle East.The museums example, serial number K8042 has been displayed at the RAF Museum London since opening in 1972 and this is the first time the aircraft will be displayed at the museums Cosford site. Its not however, the first time the aircraft has visited the Midlands, having been stationed with No 5 Squadron at RAF Ternhill and No 61 Squadron at RAF Rednal, Shropshire in the early 1940s. K8042 was also used for gun trials and experiments, whereby an additional pair was fitted under the top wing, giving a total of six guns instead of the usual four. Also joining the aircraft collection at the RAF Museum Cosford is the Westland Lysander III, the only surviving Special Duties variant of this aircraft. It was designed to operate closely with the Army and had a remarkable performance which enabled it to get into and out of extremely small fields. A radical change in Army co-operation tactics meant that its lasting fame is not in this role but as a Special Duties aircraft ferrying Allied agents in and out of enemy occupied Europe. Four Lysander squadrons went to France in 1939 and despite some notable successes the Army Co-operation units suffered extremely high casualties over 170 Lysanders were sent to France; only 50 came back. After their withdrawal from France, they patrolled the coastal areas of south and east England as an anti-invasion reconnaissance measure. Late in 1940 they began air-sea rescue duties in the Channel and North Sea not only could the Lysander spot airmen in the sea and bring surface vessels to them, it was able to drop a lifesaving dinghy and supplies. The museums example, serial number R9125 first became operational with No 225 Squadron in 1940 as a coastal patrol and photo reconnaissance aircraft, based along the south coast of England. It took on the Special Duties role with No 161 Squadron in 1944 and was operational for a further two years until they became obsolete from the RAF in 1946. For a brief period in 1961 the aircraft was placed into storage at RAF Cosford and ten years later it was acquired by the museum and placed on display at its London site, where it has remained until its recent move to Cosford.The Defiant and Gladiator will both go on public display in the museums War in the Air hangar in January 2017, whilst the Lysander will be heading to the museums Conservation Centre for an in depth inspection and condition assessment, before work is carried out over the next few years to replace its fragile linen outer skin. Head of Collections at the RAF Museum, Ian Thirsk said: Its been a busy month at Cosford with five new aircraft arrivals. We took delivery of the Bf109 and the Tiger Moth earlier this month and now we welcome the Defiant, Gladiator and Lysander to the collection at Cosford. The Junkers Ju 88R-1, a sub-type of the most versatile German combat aircraft of the Second World War will complete the new line-up and is due to arrive before the New Year. The museums centenary plans have provided an exciting opportunity to relocate significant aircraft in the collection closer to aviation fans in the Midlands. In total Cosford will have received six new aircraft in the final few months of this year. The new collection of aircraft will enable the RAFs story to be more comprehensively represented to museum audiences in Shropshire and is in preparation for the centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018. The centenary plans at Cosford will also include exploring the first 100 years of the RAF, the role it plays today and its future contributions by sharing this story online with a global audience. Aviation fans can keep up to date with the centenary aircraft moves and on-going developments by signing up to the museums free e-Newsletter http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/contact-us/newsletters.aspx Team Minot Airmen gathered to celebrate the 68th birthday anniversary of the 91st Missile Wing, Nov. 9, 2016. The 91st MW has had many different missions around the world and has through the United States. The Army Air Corps activated the 91st Bombardment Group in April 1942, said Justin Henderson, 91st Missile Wing Historian. The 91st BG began bombing missions against German submarine facilities with the famed Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Memphis Belle. The unit bombed railroads, aircraft factories, shipyards, communications and assisted allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge. As some people may know, the Memphis Belle was one of the first B-17s to complete 25 missions without losing a crew member, said Henderson. The 91st BG also assisted the Normandy invasion by bombing gun and troop emplacements near Omaha Beach. After various war efforts the 91st BG was inactivated Nov. 7, 1945, said Henderson. The Air Force activated the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey on Nov. 10, 1948. This unit consisted of various bomber and fighter aircraft, such as B-17s to Boeing B-29 Superfortresses.On Oct. 1, 1949, the wing relocated to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, where it flew reconnaissance missions with the same aircraft, and an addition of North American B-45 Tornados and Boeing B-50 Superfortresses. The 91st SRW and subordinate units flew reconnaissance missions in Korea and during the Cold War, said Henderson. The unit made history when a 91st Air Refueling Squadron Boeing KB-29P Superfortress made the first air-to-air refueling of a bomber-type aircraft under combat conditions on July 14, 1951. After eight years of service the 91st SRW was inactivated on Nov. 8, 1957. Five years later, the Air Force activated and re-designated the wing as the 91st Bombardment Wing at Glasgow AFB, Montana. The wing was first introduced to the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress at Glasgow, along with the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, said Henderson. The unit trained in strategic bombardment and aerial refueling as a nuclear deterrent force. The 91 BMW flew over 1,000 sorties against North Vietnam. After North Korea seized a U.S. Navy ship and its crew, the wing deployed to Okinawa in Feb. 1968 as a show of force, said Henderson. While deployed, the most notable mission included the 91st BMW dropping bombs on enemy troop positions near a besieged U.S. Marine Corps fire support base. Glasgow AFB faced closure in June 1968, so the wing was re-designated as the 91st Strategic Missile Wing here. The new mission was to maintain three squadrons of Minuteman I Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in a constant state of readiness, said Henderson. The wing acquired personnel, equipment and operational units from the 455th SMW that once resided here. In 1971, the 91st SMW became the first wing to convert to the Minuteman III ICBM and moved to the forefront of the Air Force Strategic Air Command missile force. During a SAC reconstruction the 91st SMW became the 91st MW, then the 91st Space Wing then the 91MW again, said Henderson. After several events, the Air Force Space Command decided to rename all ICBM wings to missile wings. The three ICBM wings realigned under the Air Force Global Strike Command on Dec. 1, 2009. With its history set in place and years of Airmen working under various missions, we celebrate the mission today. At the most recent birthday celebration, Maj. Gen. Anthony Cotton, 20th Air Force commander, spoke to Airmen commending them on their accomplishments. We represent the beginning and the future, said Cotton. We look back to the past for knowledge, wisdom and experience and lead forward on the path to the grand journey before us. PRESS RELEASE The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will again promote 12 Planes of Christmas, an online giving campaign. Located at www.SupportCAF.org, the campaigns provides an opportunity to aide in the restoration and maintenance of the aircraft as well as learn more about the CAFs fleet of 165 authentic military airplanes. All of the CAF aircraft are restored, maintained, flown and exhibited by a dedicated volunteer force, which operate out of 60 different CAF locations across the country. The organization depends on donations to keep em flying. In addition to donating to individual aircraft, donations can be directed to the Restoration Grant Fund. One of the most important programs at the CAF, the Restoration Grant Fund has helped more than twenty aircraft return to flight. This program is a matching-grant and ensures that money goes to support aircraft projects with the greatest need. Flying aircraft are essential to the mission of the CAF; the nearly 60-year-old organization strives to engage people in the history of these aircraft, and experience the sights, sounds and smells of these historic aircraft, which played a central role in Americas victory in World War II. This year, the CAF will feature 12 planes, each with different historical significance and in various stages of restoration; some needing support to become airworthy again. The aircraft featured this year are: P-47 Thunderbolt, AT-11 Kansan, PT-17 Stearman, Interstate Cadet, B-25 Mitchell (PBJ), PBY Catalina, L-3 Grasshopper, Twin Beech (SNB), B-17 Flying Fortress, J2K (UC-61), BT-13 Valiant, and the FG-1D Corsair. The campaign and website supportcaf.org launch on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, and will run throughout December 2016. About this years 12 Planes Plane 1: P-47 Thunderbolt Dallas, Texas. The CAFs P-47 has not flown in more than a decade and the effort to get it back in the air is beginning! Plane 2: AT-11 Kansan- Moriarty, New Mexico. This actual airplane served in the Albuquerque area during World War II, where it trained Bombardiers! Help this home town hero honor our veterans! Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 3: PT-17 Stearman Heber City, Utah. During World War II it was a trainer, and now it is a teacher! The aircraft serves as a focal point for the many school groups who visit the CAF Utah Wing to learn about WWII History. Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 4: Interstate Cadet Princeton, New Jersey. Help the CAF Delaware Valley Wing tell the story of Cornelia Fort, one of the first female pilots to fly US military airplanes. Fort witnessed the Pearl Harbor attack from a Cadet just like this one! Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 5: B-25 Mitchell (PBJ) Camarillo, California. This one-of-a-kind airplane is the last of the PBJs, the Marine Corps version of the ubiquitous B-25. This airplane recently returned to the air after a 23-year restoration help push it over the finish line. Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 6: PBY Catalina Duluth, Minnesota. PBY crews are among the US Militarys forgotten warriors. Hunting submarines, rescuing aircrews and sailors, supporting this restoration will ensure their stories are told! !Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 7: L-3 Grasshopper San Diego, California. Support the CAFs Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educational programs in California by providing them with a hands-on opportunity to see aviation technology in action! Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 8: Twin Beech (SNB) Indianapolis, Indiana. Provide young people an opportunity to see where their modern household technology originated in World War II by supporting the efforts of the CAFs Indiana Wing. Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 9: B-17 Flying Fortress Houston, Texas. The most enduring of all World War II symbols, this mighty B-17, needs support to continue its mission to honor, educate and inspire. The airplane is named Texas Raiders in honor of all Texas veterans but flies as a tribute to all of Americas WWII Bomber Crews. Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 10: J2K (UC-61) Franklin, Virginia. Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Coast Guard Aviation by supporting the restoration of the CAFs only Coast Guard marked aircraft! Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 11: BT-13 Valiant Houston, Texas. Join the Houston Wing of the CAF in their efforts to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots the trailblazing women pilots who flew US military airplanes in WWII. Click HERE to support this airplane. Plane 12: FG-1D Corsair Peachtree City, Georgia. Known as the Bent Wing-Bird or Whistling Death (to the Japanese), this iconic WWII fighter needs support to stay in fighting shape. Click HERE to support this airplane. Seksi sadece eglenmek icin yasayabilirim. Yalarm o an hem de deliler gibi. Denizli escort oldugu zaman prezervatif kullandrrms kadnlar, bana ne? Ben yarag prezervatif denen o poset varken yalayamam. O ...Devam icin tklaynz Qantas Airways has baled out of an ambitious deal with American Airlines that would have increased trans-Pacific traffic for both carriers, after a United States regulator blocked it on competition grounds. The US Department of Transport earlier this month tentatively knocked back an expansion of the airlines' alliance, announced in mid-2015, because it would have tied up about 60 per cent of traffic between Australia and the US, unfairly concentrating market power. The Flying Kangaroo and American initially said they would appeal the decision to block the proposed joint venture, under which the airlines would have split marketing expenses and shared the revenue on each others' flights between Australia and New Zealand and the US. But on Tuesday the airlines said they would withdraw their application for anti-trust immunity because they could not respond to the DoT's decision within the 14 days provided and were denied an extension. McKinnon A 1402sq m development site at 236 Jasper Road has sold for $4.2 million. Teska Carson's Matthew Feld and Tom Maule said the property sold with a planning permit for a quality, mixed-use, development including 39 apartments and six shops. Nunawading Another development site with a medium lease in place didn't deter buyers at 2-10 Lindsay Avenue. The property achieved a tight 2.75 per cent yield, Gorman Commercial's Stephen Gorman said. "This result confirms how strong a bull market we are in," he said. Blackburn In another deal, CVA's Stan Dawidowski and Jarrod Moran have sold a standalone building at 7 Redland Drive to a local investor for $2.3 million on a yield just under 6 per cent. Docklands Mint-o-Mustard restaurant had only just leased 42 New Quay Promenade when the property was sold for $2 million. MP Burke Commercial Real Estate's Pat Burke said Mint-o-Mustard had a 5+5 year lease on net rental fo $96,268, which gave the vendor a yield of 4.8 per cent. "Whilst some Docklands retail has experienced issues .. well located quality investments .. are still in demand with investors," he said. Beaumaris Meat was on a local investors' menu when they snapped up 332 Balcombe Road before auction for $960,000 on a sharp yield of 4.12 per cent. Nichols Crowder's James Glen said the property, on 222sq m of land, was leased to Seaview Quality Meats on a 3 x 3 x 3 year lease. Keysborough An owner-occupier in online business sales has paid about $1800 a sq m for an office/warehouse unit. The off-market/off-the-plan sale of 149 Indian Drive was the second in as many weeks in the popular Key Industrial Park, Savills Australia's Paul Jones said. The speculatively built facility has an 800sq m precast building with high clearance warehousing and a secure yard. Essendon Stata shops are proving popular with Shop 5 at 1142 Mt Alexander Road selling for $865,000 on a 6 per cent yield, Teska Carson's Anthony Choi and Fergus Evans said. "This was a property with a very secure lease located in a tightly held strip with a low vacancy rate in an area likely to see strong capital growth," Mr Choi said. Croydon Another strata shop at 85 Main Street had several bidders vying for it until it sold under the hammer for $1.02 million on a sharp yield of 4.4 per cent, Stephen Gorman and Alex Browne from Gorman Commercial said. Eastern suburbs retail strips were still in demand, Mr Gorman said. LEASES Truganina National transport and logistics provider Global Freight Pty Ltd has signed a six-year lease on a 12,000sq m facility at 34-36 Banfield Court adding to a rapidly expanding list of renowned operators in the area, Kmart, Woolworths, Target, Reject Shop, Rand and Spotlight. CBRE's Todd Grima negotiated the lease of the purpose-built facility on behalf of developer Pelligra Group for an annual net rental of $881,925. Mr Grima said the property's internal warehouse clearance and location underpinned the deal. Mount Waverley Forklift Entrepreneur Charlie Schwerkolt has leased a modern office warehouse at 3/21 Lionel Road for $100,000 per annum as he expands his V8 Supercars racing team and forklift businesses Waverley Forklifts. The deal was negotiated by Crabtrees Real Estate's director Gavin Dumas. MOVERS Advisory firm Charter Keck Cramer has made Glenn Dixon its director of civil engineering. Mr Dixon was previously a principal at engineering consultancy GHD. Cushman & Wakefield has strengthened its Australian operations, taking on the former head of Savills in Victoria, Dominic Long, as its managing director. Mr Long's move coincides with Cushman relocating to two floors on 385 Bourke Street. The firm also appointed Nick Bourke as head of sales and investments. Mr Bourke was previously head of real estate at Bilfinger. Cushman has appointed 100 new staff in the last 18 months. Savills Australia has strengthened its Victorian team appointing Joanna Apostolopoulos as senior property manager. Ms Apostolopoulos moved from Dixon Kestles. Susan Kiefel has been named Australia's first female High Court chief justice ending 113 years of men leading the nation's highest court. After months of speculation about who would replace retiring chief Robert French, the Turnbull government appointed serving High Court Justice Kiefel to the role on Tuesday. Brisbane-based Federal Court Justice James Edelman, who is just 42, will replace her as a puisne judge a judge other than the chief justice. Chief Justice French said in March he would stand down in January, ahead of his 70th birthday and in order to allow his successor to be in place for the start of the new year sittings on January 30. Mr di Berardino's body was found on the footpath. Credit:Twitter/@7NewsMelbourne "It has been ongoing for 46 years," he said. 'Decades-long dispute' Neighbours knew of the decades-long dispute, which one man said started before the two moved to Australia from Italy. Angelo di Berardino outside his parents home, with a photo of his late father. Credit:Neelima Choahan Some described the 90-year-old man as a pest, who stole women's underwear from their clothes lines, peered through their bathroom windows, poisoned their plants, and had several restraining orders taken out against him. Angelo said the dispute between his father and his neighbour had escalated previously. Police at the scene in the Reservoir. Credit:Courtesy of Seven News "There has been restraining orders ... been to the courts," he said. "I have even spoken to his daughter-in-law ... nothing happened. A black tarpaulin was put up around the scene on Monday. Credit:Pat Scala "The guy has been caught pinching underwear from neighbour's houses red-handed by their wives and it has just gone beyond." The 90-year-old man has lived alone since his wife died, and has two sons. Mr di Berardino's body was found about 1pm. Credit:Courtesy of Seven News On Monday afternoon, a black tarpaulin surrounded the area where Mr di Berardino's body lay on the footpath, as grieving neighbours and family gathered to mourn the loss of a true "gentleman". Mr di Berardini had four children and had recently welcomed the arrival of his 13th great-grandchild. Angelo said he had received a call from his children saying his father was not well. "My mum rang my kids, they rang me," Angelo said. But it was too late by the time he arrived at the home where his father and mother had lived for more than 40 years. 'Kindest man in the world' As evening came, family and friends gathered in the front yard of the di Berardino's low-set, brick veneer home. Angelo described his father as a loving head of the family, who had a great sense of humour. "He was a shit-stirrer, a big one," Angelo said. "He loved to drink, he loved to dance. "You could tell him anything." A good handyman, Mr di Berardino happily helped his neighbours. "The neighbours, if they had anything broken, he would repair it for nothing. He was the kindest man in the world," Angelo said. He said his father came to Australia at the age of 19 from Abruzzo in southern Italy. He said Mr di Berardino went back to Italy seven years ago and still had family back home. Son Paul said his father was a "strong man" who could be a "pain in the arse", but someone who helped his sons when needed. "He had a sarcastic sense of humour," Paul said. "He will be greatly missed." Family friend, Jenny Tully, said Mr di Berardino was very fit for his age and was in good health. "He was very strong," she said. "Here one day, gone the next." Aniello Papa has lived opposite the two men for more than four decades. He described Mr di Berardino as an "absolute gentleman" who helped everyone. "I knew him very, very well," Mr Papa said. "He attended my father's funeral." Frank Parisi whose mother-in-law lives on the same street and was at home when the fight happened said he got a call from his wife about 2.30pm. "'You better go and check my mum' [she said]. I said 'why?' She said, 'Mick is dead'." The Aboriginal elders that led the charge to have the Australia Day fireworks canned in Fremantle and celebrate the day two days later have finally had their say on the saga. Respected elder Robert Eggington said the group of elders were never silent; rather, nobody outside of the Fremantle council asked them for their opinion, he claims. Aboriginal and community leaders met to discuss the decision. Credit:Facebook/Robert Eggington In August, the city voted to scrap its popular Australia Day fireworks event from 2017 after deeming the celebration "culturally insensitive". The port town then caused a media storm last Friday by announcing it would hold a "culturally-inclusive alternative event" on January 28 to replace its traditional celebrations on Australia Day. Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020. Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work. Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri. From 13 to 24 November, WCO training experts and a specialist from Jordan Customs conducted the first Theoretical Training in the Sultanate of Oman, which recently joined the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP). Oman is the first country of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to implement this programme. This training marks the first stage of a 3-year cooperation between the Royal Oman Police / Directorate of Customs, the WCO and UNODC in establishing a dedicated Port Control Unit in the port of Sohar. This team will be in charge of risk profiling of high risk containerized traffic. Both the Oman participants and the training experts were satisfied with the outcomes of the training and motivated to continue with the staged training concept applied by the CCP. Currently, Port Control Units established in the framework of the CCP are operational in 34 countries; funding for additional 20 countries has been granted by the donors of this joint UNODC-WCO programme. The implementation of the Container Control Programme in Oman is funded by the US Department of State - Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS). Covers singular provisions allowing developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) to regulate when they will apply individual provisions of the Agreement and to categorize provisions that they will only be able to apply upon the receipt of technical assistance and support for capacity building. Both developing and least developed Members of the WTO may determine the category for each of the technical measures under the Agreement, as follows: Category A: provisions that the member will implement by the time the Agreement enters into force (or in the case of a least-developed country within one year after entry into force); Category B: provisions that the member will implement after a transitional period following the entry into force of the Agreement; and Category C: provisions that the member will implement on a date after a transitional period following the entry into force of the Agreement and requiring the acquisition of assistance and support for capacity building. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides energy and emissions control solutions to a range of industrial, electrical utility, municipal, and other customers worldwide. It operates through three segments: Babcock & Wilcox Renewable; Babcock & Wilcox Environmental; and Babcock & Wilcox Thermal. The Babcock & Wilcox Renewable segment offers technologies for waste-to-energy, solar construction and installation, and biomass energy systems, as well as black liquor systems for the pulp and paper industry. This segment provides technologies support solutions for diverting waste from landfills to use for power generation and replacing fossil fuels while recovering metals and reducing emissions. The Babcock & Wilcox Environmental segment offers a range of emissions control and environmental technology solutions for utility, waste to energy, biomass, carbon black, and industrial steam generation applications. This segment provides systems for cooling, ash handling, particulate control, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides removal, chemical looping for carbon control, and mercury control. The Babcock & Wilcox Thermal segment offers steam generation equipment; aftermarket parts; and construction, maintenance, and field services for plants in the power generation, oil and gas, and industrial sectors. This segment has an installed equipment for utilities and general industrial applications, including refining, petrochemical, food processing, metals, and others. The company was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Valener Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the natural gas business in Canada and the United States. Its Energy Distribution segment engages in the natural gas distribution activities in Quebec and Vermont, as well as electricity distribution activities in Vermont to 205,000 customers through a pipeline network of approximately 11,000 kilometers in Quebec, as well as 50,000 customers in residential, commercial, and industrial markets through a network of 1,500 kilometers. This segment is also involved in the distribution, transportation, production, purchase, and sale of electricity to 265,000 customers through 16,300 kilometers of overhead distribution lines; 2,000 kilometers of underground distribution lines; and 2,700 kilometers of overhead transmission lines. It operates 2 wind farms with an installed capacity of 69 megawatts, as well as 21 solar farms with an installed capacity of 25 megawatts in Vermont; and 44 hydroelectric generating stations in New England. The company's Natural Gas Transportation segment operates 2 pipelines totaling 98 kilometers in northwest Quebec; 575- kilometers pipeline in Quebec; and 489- kilometers pipeline from the Quebec border to the suburbs of Boston. Its Electricity Production segment develops and owns solar power generation projects in the United States; and 3 wind farms with a total installed capacity of 340 megawatts on the private lands of Seigneurie de Beaupre. The company's Energy Services, Storage and Other segment engages in the sale of liquefied natural gas as a fuel or energy product; electric power generation and transmission from a thermal power plant, as well as the sale, leasing, and maintenance of natural gas appliances; and underground natural gas storage activities in Quebec. Valener Inc. was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Montreal, Canada. by Rick Lowe CEO of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce is quoted in Mondays Tribune Business as saying his office needs a very close relationship with the Government and because they are not bashing them it does not mean they are not holding them accountable. Read more here Informing the membership what they are expressing concerns to the government about is not bashing them. In fact thats an obligation they take on by charging membership dues. They offer a service to the business community. It was suggested, The Chamber has a role to play, and they are doing that, and affecting changes in policy in the way they need to. In that case, would the Chamber provide a list of what they are presently negotiating with the Government on and what policies and regulations have been taken off the books as a result of their efforts? How about a description of what holding the Government to account actually means? The Chamber is not involved with national security matters and therefore should not be subject to non-disclosure agreements, so there is no reason to keep its membership in the dark. If the Chamber is silent about what it is negotiating on behalf of its members, it gives the perception of capitulating to the government, and begs the question: what are members paying dues for? Carlisle man charged with assaulting and stranding girlfriend on a sandbar in the Mississippi Advertisement By Adam Morton Nov. 28, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY By Adam Morton Nov. 28, 2016 | 07:48 PM | PADUCAH, KY At Monday's regular meeting the McCracken County Fiscal Court adopted a resolution to obtain a Community Development Block Grant for the Merryman House and their domestic violence program. The funds will be used to acquire the former McCracken County School Board property on Berger Road. McCracken County will receive the grant, and then will dispense it to the Merryman House. Brad Davis with the Purchase Area Development District said this is just the first step. "There's several items that need to be adopted by the county, and then there's an agreement with the Merryman House. There's some responsibilities that the county will pass on to them. Since the county has several other items to adopt, the disbursement of funds will take time." Davis said. When asked about the timeline, Davis said he would need to talk with the state to get an accurate answer. The Merryman House is the only certified domestic violence program in the Purchase Area. They serve eight western Kentucky counties with a 24-bed shelter and outreach offices. By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 29, 2016 | 04:03 AM | PADUCAH, KY The Paducah Symphony The Carson Center Lourdes Foundation #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support. Local participating organizations are listed online: https://www.givingtuesday.org/whats-happening-near-meWest Kentucky Community and Technical College has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.Each year, more than 1,000 students apply for scholarship funding at WKCTC, and the colleges #GivingTuesday initiative is in support of its scholarship program.WKCTC has an outstanding scholarship program that includes merit-based funding, says Becky Haus, manager of advancement. The colleges merit-based scholarships are funded through annual donations, the WKCTC Scholarship Auction and unrestricted scholarship endowments. Incoming high school graduates and currently enrolled WKCTC students are eligible for merit-based scholarships, said Haus.Our applicant pool is impressive 56 percent of our applicants earned a 3.00 GPA or higher. This school year, more than $300,000 will be paid to merit-based scholarship recipients. This type of funding would not be possible without the support of donors who value the impact scholarships have on our students.Individuals interested in participating in WKCTCs scholarship initiative, #GivingTuesdayWKCTC, can visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu/giving for additional information. Participants are encouraged to share by updating their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram statuses and using the hashtag #GivingTuesdayWKCTC.is also participating in #Giving Tuesday. Last year, more than 45,000 organizations in 71 countries came together to celebrate #Giving Tuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #Giving Tuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. To join the movement and help support your Paducah Symphony Orchestra, go to https://paducahsymphony.secure.force.com/donate/?dfId=a120B00000PUCNYQA5.celebrates $10 Tuesday. By taking part in #GIVINGTUESDAY, you can be a seed to the growth of future artists, donors, producers, directors and advocates for the creative community. Your $10 donation will provide ONE student in the Four Rivers region a ticket to one of our Class Acts Education Series Page-to-Stage productions, and his/her very own copy of the corresponding book. Donate here: https://thecarsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/GIVING%20TUESDAY%20NEW.pdfencourages you to find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Join their mission to help the poor and underserved be well. Give $50 Give $100 Give $250 Your gift makes lives better and communities stronger. To discuss your interests and learn more about giving options, call 270-444-2381. See more at: https://foundation.mercy.com/paducah/events/givingtuesday.aspx#sthash.wBUN9WbD.dpufOther organization in Paducah that have joined the movement are: St. Nicholas Family Clinic Foundation, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, The Hugs Project of Western Kentucky Inc., Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, Yeiser Art Center.If your organization would like to join the #Giving Tuesday movement for next year's event, see the link below. On the Net: By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 28, 2016 | 09:18 PM | MAYFIELD, KY A Paducah couple was arrested Saturday in Mayfield on multiple drug charges. According to Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon, deputies were called to the Minit Mart on Paris Road at around 1:30 am. Two people, 41-year-old William Falzone and 43-year-old Jamie Falzone, both of Paducah, reportedly told deputies there was a demon on top of their car. Deputies determined that Jamie Falzone was operating the vehicle while being impaired. A search of the vehicle revealed a small amount of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Jamie Falzone was charged with DUI, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. William Falzone was also placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were lodged in the Graves County Jail. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. By The Associated Press Nov. 28, 2016 | 07:58 PM | NASHVILLE, TN The attorney for the driver in a Chattanooga school bus crash that killed six children says her client will likely plead not guilty. Amanda Dunn says she anticipates 24-year-old Johnthony Walker will plead not guilty if a grand jury indicts him. He's charged with five counts of vehicular homicide. Police say another count will be added. Dunn says the accident has been devastating for Walker and his family. Dunn hoped for a quick investigation and respect for the privacy of Walker's family. Federal authorities say Walker left the designated bus route Nov. 21 when he wrecked on a curvy road while carrying 37 children. Authorities suspect Walker was speeding. The defense and prosecution said Walker will appear briefly in court Tuesday in Hamilton County to delay a preliminary hearing until Dec. 15. Postage costs are included in the purchase price VAT is not charged on UK publications. Orders to the EU are posted without tax paid: you are responsible for VAT and any other charges on delivery Pete Mellors takes a look at the hydrology of the Peak District in light of recent increased interest in the subject. Only three years previously six potholers were drowned in Mossdale Caverns might the site be reopened so soon? 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We apologise for the situation, but it is outside our control. We will maintain a link from the left-hand column on the home page with the latest updates. If you are an existing subscriber to Descent and have not replied yet to our enquiries concerning your deliveries, please make contact. NOTE: Subscribers in Norway or Switzerland (which are outside the EU) should place your order on the Subscription International page or contact us first. This shop uses cookies and other technologies to operate the shopping basket and improve the usability of the Wild Places Publishing website. Continued use of this site indicates your acceptance of our privacy and cookies policy, and our terms and conditions. We do not set advertising cookies. For more information about cookies see our FAQ. close Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Fiona Reid has one degree of separation from the woman she plays in Royal Manitoba Theatre Centres current production, The Audience: the British-born actors father, a Royal Army Medical Corps doctor, once had his own personal audience with Queen Elizabeth. Dad, my father, was decorated with the Order of the British Empire says Reid, 65, who plays the British monarch from 1953 through to 2015 in the Peter Morgan-penned play. So he met the Queen and he obviously thought the world of her. Reid herself has dual citizenship (But I am Canadian; Im more Canadian than I am British); however, the mainstay of the Stratford and Shaw theatre festivals didnt need to rely on her U.K. history to make a connection with the play, which revolves around the weekly meetings, called audiences, the Queen has with her prime ministers. The Canadian Press Reid says taking on the Queens unique accent is one of the roles major challenges. Im a bit of a political junkie, and in terms of my demographic, age-wise, I remember some of this quite well, being a child of the 50s. I always remember my dad talking about various (British) prime ministers and who he liked, she says. I always thought he was Labour because he really liked Harold Wilson, but then to my consternation, I should say he heaped praise on Margaret Thatcher, so that was a bit of a wake-up call for me as a teenager many debates in the household. Those kind of debates fuel much of The Audiences appeal. Though the weekly meetings are strictly confidential neither side ever speaks of what is discussed Morgan plays with rumours and long-held suspicions regarding the Queens feelings about her various PMs. As a blue-blooded aristocrat, one imagines her political leanings to be conservative, but she is subtly frosty with the Tory Thatcher who is chilly in equal measure and warmly engaging with Wilson, a working-class man of the people. But as the play points out, Her Majestys role is more sounding board than adviser. Her part in a parliamentary democracy doesnt allow her to show political proclivities of any stripe. As she says in the play, having to be invisible in the most visible job in the world, its been an enormous challenge, Reid says. As a child, I thought, She looks somewhat stone-faced, and then I thought, Well, maybe she has to practise that in order to not give anything away DYLAN HEWLETT PHOTO Fiona Reid as Queen Elizabeth in The Audience. What we see now of her, this more radiant elder woman, more easygoing in some ways than she was as a middle-aged woman, reflects really who she was as a child. Capturing those changes, while playing one of the most high-profile and often parodied women in the world is a unique challenge. Once you don the pearls and the handbags and adopt the cut-glass British accent, any portrayal risks sliding into parody. I cant tell you how hard it was, Reid says, laughing, of her approach, which never veers into caricature. To some extent, one uses a bit of mimicry, but I think, to a degree that I dont normally do when I work on characters who arent as iconic, I felt had to shut myself down. Im a very physical person as Im talking to you now, Im gesturing bodily, even alone in my kitchen and I move my head a lot, but there is a stillness to the Queen. Adding to the roles challenges is the fact the play moves back in forth in time, jumping from Winston Churchills postwar rule to John Majors time in the 1990s, and then back to the 1950s to pick up Anthony Eden and the Suez Crisis. Not only does Reid have to do multiple quick changes whipping off wigs and trading the young Elizabeths fitted dresses for the older versions more matronly garb but she has to alter her posture and speech for each era. Because of these lightning changes where one goes from being 48 to 83, I have to instantly transform my gait. Sometimes the costumes help, because there are certain things built into the costumes sometimes to help me a bit, but it has to happen automatically, on a dime. That took a long time, to get that fluidity, and how the voice changes. Though The Audience makes the point that half the British public no longer see the need for the Royal Family, theres no denying the enduring appetite for dramatizations of their story. (Indeed, Morgan who wrote the film The Queen, as well as current Netflix series The Crown has made a cottage industry of it.) DYLAN HEWLETT PHOTO Fiona Reid plays Queen Elizabeth II from 1953 to 2015 in The Audience at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Where Peter Morgan is so brilliant is that he presents the human dimension of the Queen, so that one can say, Gosh, imagining this happening to any person at age 11, to have this thrust upon them, Reid says. Shes been very successful, partly through being a genuinely dutiful and concerned and steadfast human being. jill.wilson@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @dedaumier If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2016 (2165 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Brandon family is recovering from a scary reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide over the weekend. Greg Crisanti and his wife, Carrie, spent Friday evening watching a movie at home after going out for dinner. They both had headaches, Crisanti said, adding they didnt think anything of it and decided to call it an early night. Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Greg Crisanti, with wife Carrie and son Jett, shows a new carbon monoxide detector he bought for their Brandon home after a near-poisoning last week. Thats when Jett, the couples seven-month-old son, started to fuss. He usually sleeps through the night, but on Friday night he was up about three or four times, Crisanti said. Being awake trying to settle the baby, both Crisanti and his wife started getting sicker and sicker. We have a carbon monoxide detector in our home and the alarm wasnt going off, so we werent concerned thats what it was, but in the back of our minds we knew something wasnt right, Crisanti said. Our little guy was uncomfortable, but we were really lucky he was waking us up through the night because if we stayed in the house, I dont think the outcome would have been the same. The family left the home around 6 a.m. and went to Crisantis mothers house to call the fire department, which went to the house shortly after, Crisanti said. As soon as they started doing the tests the alarm started going off, but we (already) had extremely high readings in our home, Crisanti said. (The readings were) 145 parts per million and dangerous levels are around 20 (parts per million) so it was really high. Crisanti said they were taken to the hospital where they were monitored and given oxygen, and were feeling better about three hours later. The leak was from a heater for their indoor pool, which is basically a furnace in their basement, Crisanti said. They have purchased new carbon monoxide detectors, and made sure the alarm settings are correct and that they know how to test them going forward. We feel very lucky and very blessed it was a very scary situation to be in. Everyone should have a carbon monoxide detector for their safety and make sure its working, Crisanti said. Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning greatly increases during the winter months, as most homes are heated by furnaces, wood stoves or other appliances that run on fuels, which can release the gas if they are not installed properly or malfunction, according to Health Canadas website. Because carbon monoxide has no smell, taste or colour, exposure to high levels for extended periods of time can be fatal. Health Canada recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector in the home, ideally outside of sleeping areas. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Welcome to the gerbil wheel of municipal government. At a Nov. 8 meeting of the city centre community committee, councillors considered a development application for a 12-unit, four-storey condominium project to be built at the corner of McMillan Avenue and Harrow Street. In this instance, however, the project was proposed in Crescentwood. Coun. John Orlikow, who lives near the proposed development, said it was too big for the area. The community committee rejected the project, despite developers having obtained approval in principle from the city planning department, which deemed the scope and design of the project to be consistent with Winnipegs broader development goals and policies. JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The site for the prospective Harrow Street and McMillan Avenue condo, which was rejected by City Centre Community Committee on Nov. 8. For those of you who follow land-use issues, this is a familiar narrative: city staff study development proposals and vet them according to existing policies; staff make a report to council recommending approval of the project; councillors at community committees reject that recommendation and the project based more on the emotional effect of the proposal and less on policy. This is the epitome of gerbil-wheel government: an endless cycle of planning, policy formation, deliberation and decision-making that leaves the jurisdiction in question exactly where it started, with nothing accomplished. It should be noted the committee is hardly the last stage of deliberation for this project. It must also go to the standing committee and then to council. There will be opportunities to revisit the Crescentwood proposal and make a decision that is in keeping with broader policy goals. The big question remaining is why do we have to go through the farce of watching politicians operate in direct conflict with city policy and get to trump the process? Coun. Janice Lukes, recently freed from her obligations as a member of the powerful executive policy committee, was quite outspoken about the decision to reject the Crescentwood condo project, arguing the city needs a comprehensive policy governing the parameters for multi-family infill housing development. Lukes said no such policy exists, and she will introduce a motion at the next council meeting to kick-start a process to forge one. The whole process is way too parochial right now, Lukes said. We need better guidelines approved by council so that we can make consistent decisions on multi-family infill developments. The inconsistency of the decision on the Crescentwood proposal is pretty obvious for anyone who lives near there or travels through the area. Modern multi-family condominiums have become quite fashionable in west Osborne Village and the pocket south of Wellington Crescent and north of Corydon Avenue. In its proposed location, the Crescentwood development would mark a change for the area. But it is not a change for the worse. The citys chief planner, Braden Smith, agrees with Lukes. The city does have many documents and policies governing development and land use, including Our Winnipeg and Complete Communities and some of the secondary plans that look at neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood development issues. These documents describe, among other things, the need to promote increased density in older residential neighbourhoods and add mixed-use development to make these neighbourhoods more self-sufficient. However, Smith agreed that Winnipeg does not have a comprehensive policy describing the specifics of what the planning department refers to as context sensitive infill development. We do not currently have a city-wide infill strategy that we can employ on a consistent basis, Smith said. Developing something like that would be a very good first step in solving some of these problems. In the absence of a city-wide strategy, the size and design of infill projects is still very much left up to the vagaries of the political decision-makers, many of whom are left to the mercy of aggrieved taxpayers who do not see the virtue of increased residential density or mixed-use development. Rather than using community committee as an opportunity to inform and perhaps even persuade some of the naysayers, it seems so often councillors use these forums to pander to squeaky wheel constituents. Although the rejection of one condo project may seem like a small event, it is really connected to much larger issues of governance and policy at city hall. Councillors operate at close quarters with their constituents, much closer than any politician at the federal or provincial level. As a result, councillors are often left exposed when a broader city policy runs directly into conflict with local sentiment. Not all councillors wilt under the pressure and scrutiny of a community committee. But enough do to justify a change in the way the city handles land-use conflicts. Leadership is certainly part of the equation. Members of the EPC and ironically, Orlikow is one of those powerful, inner-circle councillors must remain firm in assessing development applications against policy only. They must lead by example when confronted with opposition to projects that are very much consistent with those policies. And a policy revamp is also part of the equation. Lukes motion to create a city-wide infill policy is an excellent start and something that all of council should get behind. Ultimately, all councillors must realize one of the best defences in any skirmish is a clear and consistent policy. It provides comfort to elected officials, particularly those who may forget in the heat of the moment that they are not making decisions for the few but for the many. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The poppies were out again Friday night. Two weeks after Remembrance Day, they were pinned proudly over hearts at the St. Andrews Societys annual dinner because celebrated Canadian actor and playwright R. H. Thomson was there to talk about his personal project of remembrance and how Winnipeg can help him with it. Which is how, on Saturday afternoon, Thomson and I happened to pop up together in front of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Actor R. H. Thomson hopes to use the art gallerys huge outside wall to illuminate the names of soldiers who died in the First World War. Why there? Because Thomson would like to see the WAGs big outside wall transformed into a temporary movie screen of sorts, as a place to commemorate not just Canadas dead on the centenary of the First World War, but the worlds. His personal project, five years in the making and still not quite finished, is called The World Remembers: 1914-1918. Its meant to be a solemn salute, not just to the names of all of Canadas war dead from 100 years ago, but, as I said, to the dead from all sides. Which, as Thomson suggested without naming other names, is also a salute to our countrys much-valued pride of inclusiveness; especially to name a name against the backdrop of the dawning of the Trump era in America. The 69-year-old Thomson is not just the face of the project, but of course the face of various film, television and theatrical performances. It was during a theatrical run, in fact, that the idea of The World Remembers presented itself at his dressing room door, right here in Winnipeg. I did a play in Winnipeg at the Warehouse theatre called The Lost Boys, and I wrote that play about my five great uncles and 700 letters from them. Four of them didnt make it. What happened, he said, is at the conclusion of each of his one-man shows, audience members would wait to speak with him about the great uncles and grandfathers they never knew because they never came home from the war. And I sat there in that dressing room at the Warehouse, night after night, and the stories poured out of people. And they were all stronger stories than the one I told in the play. Thomson realized stories of war and death from 100 years ago remain alive in every family. So I thought, if youre going to do anything about (the First World War) on the centenary, you have to tap the stories of every Canadian family; the Chinese Canadian family, the Indo-Canadian family, the German family, the British family because were a country that respects everyone. So in 2011, Thomson began to research what would become The World Remembers. By 2014, he and his partner in the project had gathered enough names from enough countries and developed the appropriate software to begin displaying the names, sometimes with photographed faces to go with them at 15-minute intervals. The war dead of 1914 shown in 2014 were followed by the war dead of 1915 being listed in 2015. Then 2016. And now, theyre putting together the names for 2017 from 13 of the more than 40 countries that took part in the war to end all wars. Which brings us back to the WAG on Memorial Boulevard, of all the perfect places, and its great wall. The World Remembers can be shown on smaller scales in schools, and libraries but on the grander scale envisioned for outdoor public spaces, the names have already been displayed in Edmonton and Halifax, along with international locations such as Londons Trafalgar Square. The display we can give Winnipeg, Thomson said, that they can display on a large space so it has power and substance, is the 2017 names display of 700,000 names of those killed in 1917. The word give shouldnt be taken literally, though. While The World Remembers identifies itself on its website as a non-profit, the project has run up $800,000 in production expenses, which, of course, have to be paid. So how much would it cost to produce on a grand scale here? Thomson didnt answer that question, which might give 17 Wing commander Col. Andrew Cook pause, since he approached him enthusiastically about The World Remembers directly after Fridays dinner. As for that cost, consider how Thomson describes the intent, and the length of the largest, longest and most spectacular of various display options. Each of the names has to have enough time of sitting there and we know its more than 20 seconds for it to become a person. Were not interested in showing information. Were interested in asking people to think about the people. And so it takes more than 45 nights to do it. Starting at 8 p.m. each day and running until 7 am. So what we hope Winnipeg will do, Thomson said, maybe on the side of the WAG, is a display of each and every name of those killed at Vimy and each and every name of those killed at Passchendaele. But also the French names, Belgian names, British names, Turkish names, Italian names, Slovenian names, Czech names. Because thats who we are as Canadians, he said. Unfortunately, thats not how the rest of world sees the world. Which, in large part, is why wars and the list of names of those who die never end. gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Manitoba judge has been cleared of allegations of potential judicial bias for his role in approving search warrants linked to a major undercover drug prosecution. Lawyers representing several accused dealers were seeking to have the evidence against their clients tossed out of court, claiming their charter rights had been breached. The accused were arrested in 2014 as part of Project Sideshow, one of the largest organized crime investigations undertaken by Winnipeg police. The issue involved Justice Chris Mainella, who authorized six legal applications in Sideshow, which allowed police to monitor the targets activities through more than 300,000 intercepted communications that paved the way to breaking up alleged drug cells in Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia. Mainella began hearing the applications three months after he left the federal prosecution service and was appointed to the Court of Queens Bench. The applications were overseen by prosecutor Judy Kliewer, a former colleague of Mainellas who was the assigned Crown agent in Sideshow. And one of the main targets of Sideshow was a man Mainella and Kliewer had earlier prosecuted together in a similar drug-related case. There were no allegations of specific wrongdoing or impropriety from Mainella. But one of the cornerstone axioms of Canadas justice system is not only must justice be done; it must also be seen to be done, which lawyers claimed had been violated. However, Chief Justice Glenn Joyal dismissed their claims in a lengthy decision released this week. Although he suggested valid concerns had been raised, Joyal ultimately found they were without merit. Notwithstanding the validity of those questions and concerns, those questions and concerns cannot alone act to confirm the allegation of a reasonable apprehension of bias, Joyal wrote. Mere suspicion is not enough. A real likelihood or probability of an apprehended bias must be demonstrated. During the Sideshow case, police arrested 13 accused and say they documented 92 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $5 million, 3.5 kg of methamphetamine (street value $192,000), one kg of ecstasy (street value $20,000) and more than $4.3 million in cash believed to be from proceeds of drug sales. Joyal said it clearly would have been an easier and less complicated decision for Mainella to have had another judge oversee the warrant applications, given his history. But that doesnt mean he did anything improper. While not all, many judges might well have made that easier and more cautious choice, some more reflexively and mechanically than others. That observation, however, does not render incorrect or injudicious what must be presumed to be Justice Mainellas own conscientious decision to continue, Joyal wrote. To simply assume an unconscious influence, or for that matter to simply assume a perception that justice cannot be seen to be done, is to trivialize the judicial oath and ignore the presumption of impartiality. Joyal said judges have, as part of their professional responsibility, a duty to keep an open and impartial state of mind irrespective of what they may have already seen, heard or come to know. Its the very reason judges will often hear pre-trial motions about exclusion of evidence, then continue to preside over a case once a ruling has been made. The reasonable and informed person is assumed to know that. It is also assumed that the reasonable and informed person knows that the judicial task includes the responsibility of carrying out the judicial oath of office by applying the law only to those facts which arise from admissible evidence properly before the court, Joyal said. By virtue of the inquiry made of him by the motions co-ordinator, it is reasonable to conclude that Justice Mainella was alive to the matter now identified by the accused as the issue of reasonable apprehension of bias. Justice Mainellas specific and expressed response communicated to the motions co-ordinator suggests clearly that he, Justice Mainella, had no concerns. Joyal said the accused failed to meet the very high burden of proving judicial bias. In other words, they have not established with clear and cogent evidence, that the presumption of judicial integrity and impartiality can, in the circumstances of this case, be displaced, he said. As the Crown has conceded, yes, Justice Mainella had some previous connections to the office of the (prosecutions branch) and to some of the Project Sideshow targets. That connection reduces to a negotiated guilty plea for a single individual who ended up part of a larger investigation (Project Sideshow) about which Justice Mainella knew nothing. That said, nothing in those limited connections would give the reasonable person, fully informed of the facts and the judicial obligation to neutrality, sufficient reason to be concerned that Justice Mainella would be unable to judge the applications fairly. In a previous motion, the same accused had sought to have all Manitoba judges disqualified from hearing their case on similar grounds. Joyal rejected what he called a frivolous bid. Mainella has since been appointed to the Manitoba Court of Appeal. Several of the accused in the Sideshow case have previously pleaded guilty and been sentenced. mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. More than $15 million has been spent revamping the provinces archaic computerized student aid system and the reason the project remains unfinished is shrouded in mystery. It drew the ire of the Progressive Conservatives for years when they were in Opposition, demanding the NDP government explain how the money was spent, why it took years to complete and why the system has not improved. Now in the government, when asked about the project, a spokesman for Education Minister Ian Wishart said he was unable to comment further as a legal process is underway, offering no other details. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Michael Barkman, chairman of Canadian Federation of Students, Manitoba chapter. The government spent the past eight years attempting to update the system, which suffers from a long list of faults including a clumsy interface from the early 2000s that only allows full-time students to apply online, according to students interviewed by the Free Press. Many years ago, students were promised easier-to-use software for Manitoba Student Aid. For new students to post-secondary, or students from our more marginalized communities, ensuring straightforward online software is in place is essential, Canadian Federation of Students chairman Michael Barkman said. The then-NDP government first announced it was revamping the technical side of its student aid system in 2008. Phase 1 was completed on time and on budget for $350,000 in 2011. From 2011 to 2015, the former NDP government sunk a further $15 million into the project, with students seeing no changes to the interface or software program. Students can now access their student aid packages online, instead of receiving a 20-some page document in the mail, said Barkman, when asked what improvements he has seen in the past few years. There have been a number of other smaller updates, but students are still awaiting new software from the provincial government. Freedom of Information requests made by the PCs when they were in Opposition in 2014 showed Phase 2 experienced some challenges but did not give an estimate to the cost of Phase 2 or a timeline as to when it will be completed. In 2015, the NDP told the Free Press more than $15 million had been spent so far and they look forward to the development and implementation of Phase 2. IT programs are complicated. It has taken more time to get it up and running, then-education minister James Allum in 2014 said. kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Progressive Conservative government is intent on improving the efficiency of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, but the refinements are coming at a cost. Skilled workers who are invited to apply to the program will have to pay a $500 fee starting next year. Opposition MLAs are calling it a cash grab. Premier Brian Pallister says the program needs to be enhanced as 64 per cent of immigrants are arriving without a guaranteed job. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Premier Brian Pallister: 'What were trying to do is establish better pathways to success for people when they come in on the program so that theyre lined up with a job when they come' There is also a long backlog of applicants that the province wants to eliminate, he says. What were trying to do is establish better pathways to success for people when they come in on the program so that theyre lined up with a job when they come, Pallister says. We should be structuring our program to make sure that the people who are applying can land on their feet and find the work thats here in our province. The government says enhancements to the program will improve processing times and fast-track nominations to provide job-ready, skilled workers, including international students, with opportunities to build a prosperous future in Manitoba. The province says a new labour market strategy for immigration will focus on innovative partnerships with industry and post-secondary institutions to better prepare and match newcomers with in-demand jobs. The strategy will also focus on selecting workers with high potential for early and strong attachment to the labour market and who meet education, training and language requirements. It will also select entrepreneurs with a strong potential to establish high-investment, job creating businesses throughout the province. And it will seek to eliminate the current program backlog by April and ensure future applicants are processed in less than six months. The government said it would produce quarterly updates about provincial labour market priorities beginning in April. Interim NDP Leader Flor Marcelino said imposing a new fee on immigrants will serve as a disincentive to applicants and wont add a single newcomer to Manitoba. She asked the government to reconsider the decision. Burrows Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureux also questioned the decision to impose the fee. Why is the government taking advantage of new immigrants who may already have a significant debt by taking more money out of their pockets? she asked in the legislature. Ian Wishart, minister of education and training, replied that the government has been disappointed at the deterioration in the number of immigrants who arrive in Manitoba with a job lined up. He said the fee will only be charged when would-be immigrants have been accepted. The revenue, he said, will be reinvested in helping other immigrants and refugees here in Manitoba. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2016 (2165 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. You dont hear as much about gangs as you used to in Winnipeg and there are two reasons for that, police said Monday. First, the Winnipeg polices gang suppression program is paying dividends, said Insp. Max Waddell, head of the organized crime unit. Second, gangs have become more business-like and operate more quietly, he added. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Insp. Max Waddell, head of the organized crime unit, says the police's gang supression program is paying dividends. Today, its all about dealing drugs, about making a profit, said Waddell. In the past, they were more violent-related crimes. Indian Posse used to commit armed robberies, steal cigarettes, do beatings in the street. Waddell made his comments at the fourth and final police-sponsored community meeting on gang prevention. The public meeting was at the Lord Roberts Community Centre in South Osborne. Previous meetings were held downtown, the North End and east side. A lot of the police suppression work has been when a gang member is charged, police look into the dynamics of gang members family. We want to reach out to the younger siblings and show them alternatives to gangs, said Waddell. So often the gang member is an older brother whom his siblings look up to. They look up to a bigger brother and all he does is steal, Waddell said. If a parent or other family member is concerned gang activity is threatening to break up their family, there are many social agencies ready to help. The Manitoba Justice Department has a one-stop service found online called Project Gang Proof. It will put people in touch with the right social agency. As well, the United Way will soon be starting a 211 phone service, similar to the City of Winnipegs 311 service, to direct people to the right agency for them. Some of the various social agencies include Turnabout, Positive Alternatives for Youth (PAY), Macdonald Youth Services, Mama Bear Clan, and the Youth Crisis Stabilization System. As well, CrimeStoppers is offering double the reward for information on gang members involving firearms. Police also discussed the various signs a youth is being recruited by a gang. One sign can be the clothes they wear. Indian Posse members adore dressing in the colour red, from their head to their shoes, said Det. Dale Butland, with the police organized crime unit. Red until youre dead is their motto, Butland said. The Mad Cows like Chicago Bull clothing red and black. Gangs like to tag, or dirty buildings with graffiti. The Manitoba Warriors like tagging with numbers 13 and 23, because the 13th letter of the alphabet is M, and the 23rd is a W, the gang names initials. The City of Winnipeg has a graffiti control team that will clean up graffiti but you have to obtain a form as a liability issue for them to come onto your property. Were year round. We never stop, said Mike Tymchyshyn, control team foreman. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand is incensed that the Pallister government is eliminating funding for workers who help deliver health services to Metis communities. Chartrand stormed out of a meeting with Kelvin Goertzen at the Legislative Building on Tuesday after he said he was told by the health minister that $650,000 used by the federation to employ five health staffers would be cut. He called the provinces decision an insult, especially since the health of Metis people is among the worst in the province. MELISSA TAIT / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES President of the Manitoba Metis Federation David Chartrand is infuriated after learning the provincial government is cutting health services funding for Metis people. We have the highest chronic illnesses. We have the highest (number of) amputations. We have the earliest deaths, Chartrand said. The health workers, employed by the MMF, advised Manitoba Health and regional health authorities on how best to target services to Metis communities. Chartrand said one staffer was employed on an initiative to end homelessness in Brandon. Goertzen disputed the assertion that the Progressive Conservatives cut anything. He said the previous government funded a pilot project that was extended for a couple of years. It ended on March 31 and wasnt renewed by the NDP, he said. It was a pilot project that ended. We did not cut the funding. It ended before we came into government, Goertzen said. A government spokeswoman later said MMF-employed staffers were providing education on the unique needs of the Metis population not direct services to people. The last service purchase agreement between the federation and the province had an end date of March 31, 2016, she said. Chartrand said he felt blindsided by the decision not to renew the program. He said his organization is on the hook for six months worth of salaries as a result of the decision. He said his health staffers continued to meet monthly with senior provincial officials and regularly with regional health authorities after the new government was elected. At no time was there a hint that funding for the staffers would be discontinued, he added. After receiving the bad news, Chartrand said he cut the meeting short. I walked out I said, You are telling me and youre telling the Metis people in this province that we dont matter.' Plans by the MMF to train Metis health care aides to provide services in Metis communities are also now being scrapped, Chartrand said. He said his organization has already spent close to $500,000 on the project. It would lessen the load on hospitals, lessen the load on services, and save money and at the same time provide some good health care for our people, he said of the planned initiative. Chartrand said he will be writing to federal Health Minister Jane Philpott to insist that all federal health funding intended for Metis people in Manitoba be directed to the MMF in the future not the province. The Metis leader said he would also raise concerns about Metis health funding with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he meets with him late next week. Goertzen said the province is facing health funding pressures that are exacerbated by the fact that the federal Liberals plan to reduce increases to the provinces to three per cent annually from six per cent in the coming year. He said while the Progressive Conservatives have not reinstated funding for the MMF staff, it does not mean that they are not open to working with indigenous leaders in trying to improve health services. NDP health critic Matt Wiebe said whether the funding to the MMF was for a pilot project or not, it is still incumbent on the government to ensure it is meeting the health needs of Metis and other indigenous people. The health minister needs to understand that, he said. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Manitoba man who avoided prison time after he tied his common-law wife to their newborns crib and raped her was given an unfit sentence, the Court of Appeal has ruled. The man, who cant be identified under a publication ban designed to protect the victim, is headed to prison after the provinces highest court threw out his original punishment, saying the trial judge was misinformed about his history of domestic abuse, that she focused too much on his efforts to turn his life around and broke the law when she decided to suspend his prison sentence. The mans initial sentence delivered in October 2015 by Court of Queens Bench Justice Colleen Suche meant he would avoid prison as long as he followed the terms of his three-year supervised probation. Now, the Court of Appeal has imposed a four-year prison term, of which he has about three years left to serve. Nearly a decade ago, while his common-law wife recovered from giving birth and their newborn son slept in his crib, the man got angry that she wouldnt have sex with him and forced her, tying her ankles to their babys crib and burning her back with a lighter beforehand. The victim didnt come forward until years later and the case experienced delays getting to trial. The accused was eventually convicted of sexual assault, assault with a weapon and forcible confinement. He later said he didnt remember the attack but was sorry for the harm he caused. In 2015, Suche sentenced the man to a suspended sentence of two years imprisonment and three years probation far below the acceptable range for major sexual assaults, the Court of Appeal said in a written decision released this week. A suspended sentence means the accused can be brought back to court to face imprisonment if he doesnt follow his probation conditions. But the law doesnt allow for courts to set a specific length of prison time when they are imposing a suspended sentence meaning the initial sentence was inappropriate. On top of that, the sentence was also demonstrably unfit, the Court of Appeal decided, because Canadian legal precedents have set three years imprisonment as a starting-point penalty for these types of sexual assault cases. The Crown had asked for a six-year sentence, which the appeal court agreed would have been appropriate considering the accused had assaulted the victim before. The defence initially asked for a three-year less a day total sentence and then asked for a suspended sentence. The Crowns office later appealed the sentencing judges decision. The accused assaulted his common-law wife once before the sexual assault in question and once afterward, before he was sentenced. But the judge didnt know about his history of domestic abuse because the Crown attorney at the time mistakenly told her the mans past violence didnt involve the same victim. Instead, the trial judge placed a lot of weight on the mans rehabilitation prospects, noting he had quit drinking and became a productive member of the community since entering counselling and treatment for his alcoholism, which was tied to the physical, sexual and verbal abuse he suffered in residential school. The sentencing judge was misinformed of the accuseds prior domestic convictions involving the complainant. This significantly affected her approach to sentencing. The sentence imposed in this case was illegal and based on an error in principle, which resulted in it being demonstrably unfit, read the decision by Court of Appeal Justices Diana Cameron, Alan MacInnes and William Burnett. katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. It will take two years of planning before work can begin on re-opening the Portage and Main intersection to pedestrians, a senior city official said. Lester Deane, director of public works, told reporters Tuesday that a consulting firm hired to carry out a traffic analysis found no obstacles or concerns that would prevent foot traffic at the iconic intersection. But Deane said measures would have to be taken to ensure pedestrians are safe when crossing, and accessibility is achieved for everyone. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Portage and Main can be opened up to pedestrians...but it could take a long time. We believe we can open the intersections, its just a question of having a good plan going forward and working with the owners so theyre comfortable with the overall picture, Deane said. We know we can do it, its just a question of painting the big picture and getting costs associated with delivering that. Deane said the analysis found there would be delays to traffic flows through the intersection, for both private vehicles and transit buses, but he added that was expected. However, no funds have been set aside in the preliminary 2017 city budget for work that would lead to re-opening the corner. Mayor Brian Bowman said last week, when he tabled the budget, that funds werent included because the city is still talking to the property owners. Some of the issues that have been raised (by the property owners) is a desire for more investments for the city to do its part while the property owners have been investing millions of dollars in upgrades to their exterior and interior, Bowman said. The famous intersection was closed to pedestrians in 1979, in a deal between city hall and developers to facilitate the construction of the underground concourse and adjoining underground Winnpeg Square shopping mall. Deane said the most problematic area for pedestrians would be near the Bank of Montreal, at the intersections southeast corner, explaining there is little land available for the infrastructure needed to accommodate pedestrians. The boulevard in front of the bank building also poses accessibility issues, he said, as it is a two-metre drop to the street. Deane said the city would likely have to acquire some of the property from the bank before work could proceed. Its the most difficult corner to introduce pedestrian access, Deane said. To make things safe and to meet our accessibility requirements, there is a lot of additional work that would have to be done. Deane said the study, which has not been made public, contained early estimates for some of the work involved, but he added more analysis and designs would be required to determine an accurate cost. aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Nellie McClung isnt going to be on a Canadian banknote, but she was honoured in another way Tuesday at the Manitoba legislature. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of women receiving the right to vote in Manitoba, an official plaque in honour of the historical moment in 1916 was unveiled by Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon, along with members of the Nellie McClung Foundation and Speaker of the house, Myrna Driedger. Premier Brian Pallister spoke at the unveiling, lamenting McClung one of the chief suffragists behind Manitoba women being the first in Canada to receive the right to vote failed to make the shortlist to become the first Canadian woman on a banknote. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Nellie McClung Foundation board members show off the plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of most Manitoba women receiving the right to vote. From left: Bonnie Procyshyn, Speaker of the house Myrna Driedger, Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon, Doris Mae Oulton, Dana Oftedal, Lila Goodspeed, Shona Connelly and Betty Mueller. I think it is disappointing to all of us that her name was left off the final list for being on a banknote. I want all Canadians to know that we disagree with that decision, he said. But I also want them to know she is first and foremost honoured in our hearts and memories. She will be celebrated in the future as well because of the impact she had on our country. It was announced last week McClung was knocked out of running to be on the note, failing to make the shortlist of the top five picks after making it to the top 12. Interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino began her address by noting not all women in Manitoba earned the right to vote in 1916. Japanese Canadians were not allowed to vote until 1948, and First Nations women were unable to vote until 1960. These delays were inexcusablebut it often takes us some time to get to where we should have been all along, she said. I am deeply conscious of how important it is to recognize, celebrate and honour the women who have walked and blazed the trail before us. Interim Liberal Leader Judy Klassen was introduced as the first indigenous female leader in Manitoba, which drew a thunder of applause from the crowd. Klassen made sure the crowd didnt forget McClung campaigned for the Liberal party on this issue of womens right to vote in 1914 and 1915. We are the party of inclusion, said Klassen. Officials still need to decide where the plaque will be placed. kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. At least two of Winnipegs faith-based hospitals have recently stated they will not be providing doctor-assisted death to their patients and more are sure to follow. This is in spite of Bill C-14, Medical Assistance in Dying, which allows doctors to assist patients with grievous and irremediable illnesses to seek assistance from health professionals in ending their lives. This has been Canadian law since June 2016. As publicly funded institutions, the Concordia and St. Boniface hospitals are obligated by law to provide each and every method of treatment to all patients as outlined by the Canada Health Act. Individual doctors and health providers are allowed to refuse to participate in end-of-life services in accordance with their religious beliefs, but institutions are given no such status under the law. To announce they will not be providing these services is tantamount to flagrantly ignoring the law of the land. In the past week, provincial Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority have each gone on record and declared that the provincial government would be allowing religious-based hospitals to continue to opt out of assisting with requests for euthanasia. But suggesting as they do that not all hospitals offer the same procedures to all Manitobans is disingenuous, at best. Of course regional health authorities make decisions about the provision of health-care services that they believe to be efficient and economical. But to equate such decisions with an institution claiming a religious right to deny the provision of a service is insulting to the people of Manitoba. SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES After the Supreme Court struck down Criminal Code provisions forbidding doctor-assisted suicide, the federal government did not act quickly to craft new legislation to accommodate it. A representative of one of these institutions stated very recently and in this very newspaper that these health-care facilities ought to be able to deny medical treatment based on the moral and ethical views of their particular religion. That comment didnt draw much attention and certainly that is largely because we still live in a mostly Christian society. But what if the faith or moral position of one of these religions suggested that women receive lesser or different standards of treatment from men? Or if their religion didnt allow them to provide certain services to homosexuals or members of the LGBTTQ* community? What then? I suspect the governments reaction wouldnt be quite so accommodating. The compromise position that both governments and faith-based health-care institutions offer is that patients requesting end-of-life assistance will be accommodated by transferring them to institutions willing to perform the procedure. Seems like a good compromise, right? It wasnt so for Ian Shearer of Vancouver, who this past August was so racked with pain that he requested a doctor-assisted death. Rebuffed by the Catholic hospital he was in, he had to transfer to another one. The trip, combined with inadequate pain control, left Shearer in agony, crying out (and) screaming, according to his daughter. Thats what keeps me from sleeping at night I dont want any other person to go through what he did. But if allowed to transfer people in such dire circumstances, faith-based facilities will be ensuring that many others will have to suffer unnecessarily. Not only would St. Pauls Hospital refuse to provide the service to Shearer, but to make matters even more disconcerting, the hospital indicated it would also deny the medical assessment and signing of consent forms required by law for it to take place on their property. The idea of forcing patients in acute distress to move to another hospital if they want to even discuss euthanasia with a doctor is, frankly, cruel and inhumane. As Michael Coren has stated, one sees nothing Christian about moving these people, many of them not adherents to this particular faith, to a new, unfamiliar environment simply to satisfy the religion-formed consciences of a conservative minority. Ottawa bears a significant share of the blame for the predicament we find ourselves in today. After the Supreme Court struck down Criminal Code provisions forbidding doctor-assisted suicide and giving Parliament one year to rewrite the law, the Harper government did no such thing. After it was defeated, it was left to the incoming Liberal government to craft the legislation. The Trudeau government, by creating policy that allowed health professionals to beg off providing end-of-life services, also opened the door that faith-based institutions are now attempting to scurry through. The argument will likely soon be made by these groups that institutions are a logical and legal extension of the individual thereby suggesting that these rights must therefore be conferred upon institutions as well. This, of course, is nonsense. This line of argument has been attempted before and is based on case law regarding faith-based institutions that have been granted leeway by the courts to continue their religious instruction in private schools. But allowing Mormons to continue to preach Mormonism to Mormons, for example, is very much different than allowing faith-based institutions to deny the provision of services to the public itself. Make no mistake: this is not just a question of whether ones right to religious freedom trumps anothers right to health care. Its also about whether sickly, frail patients nearing the end of their lives are able to access a public service. In the words of University of Toronto bioethicist Kerry Bowman, Patients always come before institutional preferences or anything else I think that has to be our guiding light. And it does. But it appears weve lost our way, and its looking like inaction of governments is going to ensure that this situation continues to worsen. There is a moral choice to be made here, but its not the one made by administrators of these faith-based hospitals in denying doctor-assisted death, much as theyd have everyone believe. People looking into the face of death have the right, by law, to use a health professional to help end their lives. Surely the moral choice of preventing people in agony from further suffering vastly outweighs the so-called morality that is used to justify these reprehensible and illegal policies that deny patients their fundamental rights under Canadian law. Russ Tychonick is a digital-media specialist with a background in research and policy work. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In May this year, Bell Canada Enterprises announced its intention to buy MTS for $3.9 billion. MTS is Manitobas biggest communications company, but its dwarfed by Bell, which is Canadas largest, operating across the country in the wireless, Internet, cable, telephone and broadcasting content businesses. At the time, rumours swirled around Ottawa and the investment community that the deal would sail smoothly and swiftly to approval. After all, Bell had assured regulators it would take steps to preserve the competitive balance, and had promised the public it would invest in improving the quality and reach of Manitobas networks. MTS shareholders who mainly reside out of province were quick to signal their support for the deal in June, expecting windfall returns thanks to the hefty premium Bell was offering. Not everyone was so enthusiastic when the transaction was announced. Consumers, public interest groups and academics were quick to poke holes in Bells paper-thin claims about the benefits of the takeover. MTSs financial performance was not suffering as some claimed, but was on par with, or even better, than Bells (this continues to be true as of the companies third-quarter reports). Bells investment promises turned out to be only marginally larger than what MTS was already planning, and their promises to help rural Manitobans rang hollow in light of the scores of public complaints that Bell persistently ignores rural communities in its existing territory. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES If approved, Bell's purchase of MTS could mean higher rates for Manitobans. Perhaps the biggest sticking point with the deal is one promise on which Bell is sure to deliver: if approved, the prices Manitobans pay for wireless service and home Internet will go up way up. In provinces where there is no strong fourth provider challenging Bell, Rogers and Telus, prices for wireless service are 30 to 40 per cent higher than they are right now in Manitoba and unlimited home Internet comes with steep additional fees. For example, Bell charges from $15 to $30 for the privilege of unmetered access a standard feature on MTS plans. With MTS gone, there will be nothing standing in the way of significant increases to Manitobans monthly communications bills, plain and simple. These issues are just an inconvenience for Bell shareholders waiting to see a bump in their dividends. But they are serious concerns for Manitobans who depend on having access to affordable, high-quality communication services in their daily lives and to run their businesses. So here we are, seven months after it was announced and the deal has yet to receive the necessary regulatory approvals. Its biggest boosters are wondering: whats the holdup? Groups such as the Manitoba-based Public Interest Law Centre, the Consumers Association of Canada, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in Ottawa, the Canadian Media Concentration Research Project, opposition members of the Manitoba legislature and, most importantly, members of the public have raised their concerns to the regulators, who are now keenly aware the takeover spells bad news for the people of Manitoba. Given the governments longstanding policy of promoting telecommunications competition in the public interest, the regulators charged with reviewing the transaction the Competition Bureau and the federal Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development cannot in good conscience approve the deal in its current form in the face of such opposition. But while the rubber stamp may be gathering dust at the moment, Bell and MTSs lobbyists have not been out of action records show they have lobbied the federal government, including Manitoba MPs, federal cabinet ministers and the Prime Ministers Office, more than 40 times combined since the takeover was announced. Pressure is quietly mounting in the halls of power to find a way to pass the deal by hook or by crook. Although public-interest groups and consumers have stated their case, it becomes tougher for the regulators to stand up to the telcos sustained and determined efforts with each passing moment. Thats why its more important than ever that the voice of the public is heard before the takeover is approved on the basis of back room dealing. The Competition Bureau is still accepting comments from the public via its website, so members of the public who are worried about seeing steep increases in their monthly cellphone, television and Internet expenses as a result of the merger, should speak out before its too late. It isnt too late but it will be soon, and once MTS is gone, it will be gone forever. Benjamin Klass is presently pursuing a PhD at Carleton University. He will be speaking at the Millennium Library tonight. Winona Friday 9:35 p.m. Charges of domestic assault (causing fear, causing harm) were referred against a 15-year-old Winona girl following an incident at the Days Inn. 11:57 p.m. Benjamin James Slattery, 19, Trempealeau, Wis., was cited for underage drinking following a traffic stop near Lake and Dacota streets. Saturday 8:09 a.m. Two toolboxes, tools, prescription medications, and $13 in quarters were reported missing from a vehicle parked at a residence on the 500 block of Lincoln Street. 9:48 a.m A Peavey amplifier was reported missing from a vehicle parked at a residence on the 500 block of Kansas Street. 11:05 a.m. A tool box, tools, electric drill and bits were reported missing from a vehicle parked at a residence on the 700 block of West King Street. 8:16 p.m. Troy Harold Rossin, 20, Trempealeau, Wis., was cited for fourth-degree drunken driving following a traffic stop near West Howard and Grand streets. 10 p.m. A theft was reported at a location on the 350 block of Junction Street. Sunday 9:19 a.m. Two passenger-side windows were smashed, and four tires slashed on a vehicle parked on the 1750 block of West Wabasha Street. 1:55 p.m. Shawn Michael Fort, 25, St. Cloud, Minn., was cited for shoplifting at Target. 3:41 p.m. A BB hole was reported in a front door window at a residence on the 200 block of Olmstead Street. 5:50 p.m A window was smashed on a vehicle parked in the alley on the 100 block of Walnut Street. 9:00 p.m Charges of domestic assault (causing harm) were referred against a 16-year-old Winona girl following an incident at a residence on the 700 block of West King Street. Monday 12:01 a.m.6:30 a.m. Police issued 23 alternate-side parking tickets. 6:04 a.m Tools valued at $1,000 were reported missing from a pickup parked on the 1050 block of West Howard Street. 12:48 p.m. A 58-year-old Soldiers Grove, Wis., woman lost control of her car as a result of a medical incident, hit the Jaycee Pavilion in Lake Park, damaging the structure and several picnic tables before coming to a stop in an adjacent softball field. She was taken to Winona Health. Alcohol or drugs were not involved. She was not injured in the crash. 1:54 p.m. Victoria Lynn Dulas, 43, Winona, was cited for shoplifting at Menards. 10:15 p.m. Charges of gross misdemeanor stalking with intent to injure were referred against marcian Antonio Shines, 30, Winona, following an incident at a residence on the 1500 block of Homer Road. Tuesday 12:01 a.m.6:30 a.m. Police issued 74 alternate-side parking tickets. Winona County Thursday 1:47 a.m Charges of third-degree drunken driving, second-degree test refusal, fleeing an officer on foot, and no Minnesota drivers license were referred against Robert Green, 29, Winona, following a traffic stop near West Wabasha and Pelzer streets. Green was also held on an outstanding warrant from Cook County, Ill. 5:20 p.m. A 16-year-old Minnesota City boy was cited for disorderly conduct by deputies responding to a reported disturbance at a Minnesota City residence. 8:32 p.m. Charges of third degree drunken driving were referred against Charles Clemens Heins, 65, Fountain City, Wis., following a traffic stop near County Road 17 and Old Homer Road. His blood-alcohol level was .11. He has prior alcohol-related driving convictions. Saturday 11:45 a.m Charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm were referred against Boonchom Soon Duangvela, 35, Rochester, Minn., by deputies called to assist a Department of Natural Resources officer near County Road 31 and Whitewater Road. 2:56 p.m. A 67-year-old Lewiston man was injured when his ATV overturned on private property near County Road 109. 9:58 p.m. A 17-year-old Winona girl was cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana and running a stop sign at West Fifth Street and McConnon Drive. 10:54 p.m. Elijah Malik Norris-Holliday, 20, St. Paul, Minn, was cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving after suspension following a traffic stop near Honey Locust Lane and Hwy. 43. A passenger in the vehicle, Amanda Carol Brown, 21, Eagan, Minn., was cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Monday 3:40 a.m. Charges of fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance were referred against Katelyn Marie Wild, 27, Winona, by deputies responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle at the St. Charles A&W drive-in. The driver of the vehicle, Dennis Lee Sharpe, 24, Caledonia, Minn., was cited for driving after revocation. 9:52 p.m. Charges of felony domestic assault, fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, third degree test refusal, and driving after revocation were referred against Nicholas Scott Hodge, 37, Hammond, Minn., following an incident at a residence in Stockton. Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsh says he knows better, and he hopes to do better in the future. Bartsh was cited by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for failing to register a deer shot during the first week of thethe firearms deer opener. Bartsh said he was hunting with his family at his fathers property near the Whitewater area on Nov. 5. Bartsh was fined Nov. 12. Deer are required to be registered within 48 hours of being harvested, according to the DNR. It was warm, and I wanted to get it cut up, but theres no excuse for it, Bartsh said. Bartshs father was also cited by the DNR for tagging a deer with someone elses license. In this case, Bartsh said, it was the license of his sister-in-law. Both fines will be paid by mail as soon as they are received, Bartsh said. The ticket should be in the mail today. Both deer, a buck shot by Bartsh and a doe tagged improperly by his father, were confiscated by the DNR. I knew that I shouldnt have done that, and Ill regret that for a long, long time, Bartsh said. Especially embarrassing my family like that. A discrepancy in the results that Sauk County officials provided on election night has prompted a storm of online criticism. Election FRAUD! wrote an anonymous Twitter user identified only as DoctorTeePhd. Not an error FRAUD! The tweet included an image of a document that the Sauk County Clerks Office released on election night. Arrows added to the document pointed to numbers indicating were more votes were counted in the presidential race than there were ballots cast within the county. One line showed there were 31,838 ballots cast in Sauk County. But another portion of the document showed 34,577 votes cast in the presidential election. The anomaly even was mentioned in a Nov. 23 New York Times article about a social media campaign to push for a recount in several key swing states. But a county official says computer system complications not election fraud were to blame for the error, which later was identified and corrected in the canvassed election results. Official results were certified the week after the election. They show 31,318 presidential votes were cast in Sauk County. The final tally included 14,791 votes for Donald Trump and 14,692 for Hillary Clinton. Data set recorded twice Complications began on election night when the city of Baraboo had difficulty sending its results to the county clerks office by modem, Sauk County Clerk Becky Evert said. The city saved its results to two memory sticks. The first stick of data made it cleanly to the county and was automatically recorded in the tally. But the second stick did not come through. In order to resolve the matter, Evert said, a city poll worker provided the data from the second memory stick to a county employee over the phone. The county employee forgot to add the additional votes to the ballots cast line on the unofficial results released on election night. In addition to that error, the second set of data eventually came through and was automatically added to the countys total. This meant one of the citys data sets was recorded twice in the unofficial results. Canvass resolves error Evert said that error was discovered and corrected by the Sauk County Board of Canvassers the week after the election. During the county canvass, we realized that the second memory stick had been recorded twice, once manually and once via modem, Evert said, adding that the Wisconsin Elections Commission was informed of the problem. Therefore, we adjusted our reports and they now match the election night tapes as they should. Evert said her office asked the company that provides technical assistance with the countys election system to review the election night mishap, and that the company agreed with her offices account of what happened. Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesman Reid Magney confirmed Monday that the explanation Evert provided to the Baraboo News Republic was consistent with the one provided to state officials. Baraboo City Clerk-Finance Director Cheryl Giese also confirmed Everts account. The matter has led to criticism online. It doesnt garner public confidence to see errors like this in election results, (especially) in a close battleground state, tweeted Michael McDonald, an Associate Professor at the University of Florida who specializes in American elections. Turnout lower than reported The error does not affect the outcome of any county races. But it does impact the turnout figure that initially was reported by the Sauk County Clerks Office. The day after the election, Evert reported that the unofficial results suggested that 72 percent of eligible Sauk County voters cast ballots in the presidential election, the highest turnout on records that date back to 1978. However, that number was artificially inflated by the election night complications. The actual turnout was 66 percent, Evert said Monday. Previous Sauk County turnouts in presidential elections were as follows: 2004: 70 percent 2008: 66 percent 2012: 67 percent Recount to start soon In anticipation of a statewide recount requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Evert said her office is gearing up to go through Sauk County ballots again by hand. The Wisconsin Elections Commission is expected to give the recount order today, and Evert said the Sauk County recount may begin as soon as Thursday morning. She said it may take longer than 10 days, but does not have a more precise estimate. Honestly, I have no clue, Evert said, adding that she expects the work to continue through the weekends in order to meet the Dec. 13 deadline. Evert said she already has received commitments from those who will assist with the recount effort. This article was updated Nov. 29 to clarify that 31,318 was the number of presidential votes cast in Sauk County. A panel of judges stated the obvious last week in striking down Wisconsins voting district maps as unconstitutional. The rigged legislative maps, drawn by top Republican lawmakers and their high-priced attorneys in 2011, were a partisan gerrymander that favored the GOP in swing seats while packing Democratic voters into a minority of seats they were likely to win anyway. Its clear the drafters got what they intended to get, wrote Judge Kenneth Ripple, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals senior judge appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan. There is no question (the legislative maps were) designed to make it more difficult for Democrats, compared to Republicans, to translate their votes into seats. In 2012, the GOP got 48.6 percent of the statewide vote yet won 60 of 99 seats in the state Assembly. In 2014, the Republicans collected 52 percent of the vote and won 63 Assembly seats. Democrats received 51.4 percent of the vote in 2012 but only won 39 Assembly seats, and two years later the Democrats won just 36 seats despite receiving 48 percent of the vote. Some of the disparity for Democrats results from the high concentration of Democratic-leaning voters living in Madison and Milwaukee. But that doesnt explain the highly partisan and unconstitutional effect of Wisconsins Republican-drawn maps, Ripple wrote. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and other Republican leaders still feign innocence, as if they didnt skew key districts to their partys favor. Thats a joke. They specifically calculated how their candidates would do under various versions of the maps, picking the option that was best for their party. We wouldnt trust the Democrats to draw the lines fairly, either. Thats why a nonpartisan process is needed so neither party can thwart the will of voters. The judges did not say what should happen because of their ruling. Instead, the court ordered both sides in the legal case to suggest an appropriate remedy within 30 days. The obvious fix is for Wisconsin to adopt a fair process for redrawing voting districts similar to Iowas neutral system. Rather than letting the politicians scheme in secret with historical voting data and elaborate computer software to draw maps to their partisan advantage, Iowa assigns the once-every-decade task of redrawing lines based on population changes to a nonpartisan state agency. The agency is required to draw legislative districts as compact as possible, respecting communities of interest while ignoring the fate of politicians. Yet lawmakers still must vote to approve the maps, without making changes. Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Iowa both support this nonpartisan process. Iowa avoids spending millions in taxpayer dollars defending their maps in court money Fitzgerald and the GOP have been liberally spending in Wisconsin for years. Most important, Iowa voters enjoy much more competition for legislative seats. Voters get more choice on ballots, which lets them hold lawmakers more accountable for state decisions. The only people hurt by a nonpartisan process are the entrenched politicians of both political parties, most of whom now enjoy easy re-elections in Wisconsin. Top lawmakers should finally agree to a neutral process thats constitutional and treats all voters fairly. Eugene Becker Eugene Gene Becker, 84, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. He was a lifelong resident of Juneau, Wisconsin, until 2014 when he moved to Beaver Dam. Gene graduated from Juneau High School in 1950 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed as a corpsman in Charleston, South Carolina, during the Korean Conflict. In 1953 Gene married his high school sweetheart, Julienne (Jo) Collard, and in 1955 they moved back to Juneau where Junior, as he was known to family members and close friends, worked at his brother Johns Citgo service station. He supported his family strictly in commission sales for more than 40 years, as a salesperson with the American Baby Butler Company and then for Northland Beauty Supply in Green Bay and ended his career working for Reliable Beauty Supply. Gene was known for the twinkle in his eye, his humor, his kindness and generosity. Gene was a people person, always greeting strangers with a smile and a handshake. He would do anything for anyone, anytime and was the first to offer a helping hand. Gene loved to travel and every summer would load up the station wagon with his family (and often times with one of his nephews) so he could share his passion for travel and the opportunity to experience it firsthand. His love of cross country trips didnt stop when Gene became a grandfather as he and Jo continued to take trips with their grandchildren, often visiting the same places. Genes strong Catholic faith drew him to become involved in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Juneau, and most recently in St. John the Baptist Church in Clyman, where he served as an usher. One of the highlights of his travels was a trip to Rome and the Vatican that he and Jo took to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Gene was instrumental and worked tirelessly in getting the Dodgeland referendum passed and was never shy about sharing his opinions on how things should be. Gene served many years on the Dodgeland School Board and was committed to seeing the future growth of the district. Gene and Jo also hosted two AFS (foreign exchange) students, Yoshihisa (Yocchan) Tamura from Japan and Ynes Coiscou from the Dominican Republic and remained close to them. In Genes retirement years he participated in Badger Honor Flight and was recognized for his service to the country, spent the winter months in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and worked for both his youngest son Michael and his grandson Mark Murphy as a process server. As the patriarch of a large family, Gene enjoyed taking care of others and watching his grandchildren grow up. Gene touched many lives and will be remembered for his mischievous grin, the spring in his step and his devotion to his family. When you get there, well be waiting for you to, Call and let it ring once. Gene is survived by his loving children Brenda Murphy, Beaver Dam, Nancy (Karl) Stubenvoll, Fish Creek, Mary Jo (John) Vangrinsven, Appleton, Mark (Nancy) Becker, Appleton, Marcy Becker, Appleton, Michael (Laura) Becker, Hortonville; 10 precious grandchildren; his sisters, Bernadine Budde, Beaver Dam, and Kathryn Puls, Beaver Dam. Gene was preceded in death by his wife Julienne Becker; his sisters Margaret Ann Richards and Eugenia Utrie; and his brother John M. Becker. Visitation is Friday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home, 150 W. Oak Grove St., Juneau. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also be Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Clyman. A Mass of resurrection will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Juneau. Memorials may be directed to Dodgeland School District (the specific group is yet to be decided). Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home-Juneau is serving the family. Visit berndt-ledesma.com. For the first time in five years, clerks across Wisconsin will be busy with a recount following an election. Due to the presidential election recount issued by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, county clerks must begin recounting ballots on Thursday. Its the first recount in Wisconsin following an election since the 2011 supreme court race between David Prosser and JoAnne Kloppenburg. For the presidential recount, all county canvass boards must be completed by Monday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. On Dec. 13, the Wisconsin Elections Commission has a deadline of 3 p.m. to finish the official recount canvass certification. Since Stein pushed for a recount, both the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Independent candidate Roque Rocky De La Fuente have requested recounts. In a written statement, Stein said her goal for the recount is to build trust in the nations election system. She said votes need to be verified so that voters from all parties can be sure the system is fair, accurate and secure. In Juneau County, clerk Kathleen Kobylski is preparing a staff of seven to assist in the recount process. Kobylski thinks it will take at least a week to finish recounting votes. I got a hold of my head canvass worker and discussed the possibility of how we want to do it, depending on the final say from the Wisconsin Elections Commission because were not exactly sure how its going to be done is it going to be a hand count or are we going to take totals from a machine? Kobylski said. On Monday, the elections commission set a timetable for the process, but rejected Steins request for a hand recount. Stein said she would sue for the right to a hand recount. Stein also filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania for a recount and could request for the same process in Michigan. The Green Party candidate received about 31,000 votes (1 percent) of Wisconsins total. Stein plans to pay for the recount, which could cost more than $1 million. Kobylski believes it could cost Juneau County more than $6,000. I called in more canvassers than the last time we had a recount because I realized that we could have had more. Im more ready for that, Kobylski said. We have seven workers, along with me. I had to get the cost estimate in by noon (on Monday.) The county clerk said the cost covers wages, meals and various office needs. She said canvassers could work through the weekend to complete the recount. You have to get this done as soon as you can, Kobylski said. Im thinking it could take seven days, maybe only five days, but I dont know that until we get into it. In 2011, the supreme court recount took about a month to finish, statewide. Kobylski said it took county workers just over three days to complete. When asked if she would prefer a machine recount over doing it by hand, Kobylski said, We will do what they say we should do. I just have to look at it that way. Kobylski said its unlikely the recount will show a major change in election totals. If its called for, you do it, she said. There was quite a wide span between the two leading candidates (Donald Trump and Clinton) in Juneau County. It wasnt close. In the county, 11,760 people voted in this years presidential election. Trump received 61.12 percent of the countys vote to Clintons 34.86. Juneau County voters have a knack for picking the next president. In every election since 1964, the majority of county votes have gone to the eventual winner. The last time Juneau County didnt vote for the winning candidate was in 1960 when John Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon. So was there a surprise in this election? Not really, Kobylski said. They just always seem to pick the one who is going to win it. Truck crash closed Highway 73 TOWN OF CALAMUSHighway 73 was closed for nearly 3 1/2 hours Monday after a semi truck and trailer carrying appliances rolled onto its side. According to the Dodge County Sheriffs Department, William J. Mason, 59, Stevens Point, was driving a 2007 International semi south on Highway 73 near Highway FW at 1 p.m. As it approached a curve the truck drove onto the west gravel shoulder and then began sliding in a counter-clockwise direction as it came back onto the highway. The tractor/trailer rolled onto its passenger side and slid south on Highway 73. It came to rest entirely blocking both lanes. Mason sustained minor injuries in the crash and was transported to Beaver Dam Hospital by Randolph EMS. FOX LAKE Frozen story time set for Dec. 6 Fox Lake Public Library, 117 W. State St., hosts Ms. Sharon Dec. 6 at noon for a story time based on the movie Frozen. Participants will hear stories, shake up snow bottles, dance, color and create a star wand. All preschool through kindergarten children and their parents are welcome. Call the library at 928-3223 for more information. BEAVER DAM Nashville artist performs First Lutheran Church, 311 W. Mackie St., Beaver Dam, invites the community to attend a free Christmas concert by Nashville recording artist Mark Smeby at 7 p.m., Dec. 6. Smeby has been song writing and performing around the nation as a Christian artist. Enjoy music from his new album, Hope for the Holidays. After the concert he will sign CDs and host a meet and greet. All are welcome to stay for refreshments and fellowship. Information about the artist can be found at marksmeby.com. A free will offering will be accepted with proceeds benefiting the church history mural during the summer 2017 Walldogs Mural Festival. Contact First Lutheran Church at 885-4497 for more information. WAUPUN Waupun church hosts cookie walk Union-Congregational Church, 125 Beaver Dam St., Waupun, is hosting its 8th annual holiday cookie walk Dec. 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. Containers will be provided for shoppers to make a personal selection of homemade cookies and candies for their holiday entertaining. After shopping all are invited to relax and enjoy a free cup of coffee and a cookie in front of the fire at U-CCs Cookie Cafe. Proceeds will benefit the REACH Waupun project, Camp Hometown Heroes and local family emergency needs. BEAVER DAM Donate blood Beaver Dam Community Hospital, 707 S. University Ave., will be holding a blood drive for the Blood Center of Wisconsin on Dec. 2 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in BDCHs first-floor conference rooms. Everyone attempting to donate blood will be eligible to win a $250 gift card. Appointments can be made by visiting www.bcw.edu/bdch or by calling 920-887-5951. Walk-ins are welcome and a light lunch will be served. Kory Kozloski, executive director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, plans to leave his post in January, a party spokesman said Tuesday. Kozloski, who was hired about a year ago, told state party leaders in a memo that he and his wife plan to leave the state. Weathersby said in an email that Kozloski "made a deal with his wife long ago that if she would like to move from WI at any point he would support her and come along." "She decided to pull that trigger once she had real job leads elsewhere," said Weathersby. Up for the position is Jason Sidener, director of political action and member mobilization at AFSCME Council 32, Weathersby said. Weathersby said Martha Laning, chairwoman of the party, "has a good relationship with Sidener and is considering him for the position." Kozloski's departure comes after stunning losses for Democrats up and down the ballot during the Nov. 8 general election -- including the defeats of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, one incumbent each in the state Senate and Assembly and failed to pick up a couple seats they were expected to win in both houses. The Portage Fire Department returned Monday afternoon to a home on East Conant Street that had been evacuated as fire spread early Sunday morning. A passerby saw smoke pouring out of the roof of the four-unit converted apartment building just past midnight and called 911. Portage police officers arrived and, when there was no answer at the door, forced their way into the building to evacuate four residents from the three occupied units: one couple and two single male tenants. We were notified and then we sent one of our disaster action teams out to the home there in Portage, Red Cross spokesperson Barbara Behling said Monday afternoon. Some of them have a place to go sometimes its with friends or family but in this case they didnt so they were provided with financial assistance for a hotel and then additional funds for food and clothing. Our team always ensures that they have any medications, dentures or eyeglasses making sure that those daily necessities are being met. And of course a shoulder to lean on. The Portage Fire Department was quickly on the scene, only three blocks from the station, later joined by units assisting from Poynette and Pardeeville. The smoke self-ventilated through the roof according to Portage Fire Chief Clayton Simonson Jr., while firefighters took control of the fire, finishing work around 4:45 a.m. Although the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, Simonson said on Monday morning that one of the upstairs apartments was a total loss. The fire was contained to the second floor and attic, but smoke and water damage was throughout, according to Fire Inspector Craig Ratz. The source of the fire was determined to be an unoccupied apartment where a man had just moved in a first load of furniture the previous afternoon, but hadnt spent the night when the fire began. It was a significant fire and in concealed spaces, said Ratz, which is not user-friendly for us. The only reported health concern was one man with unrelated diabetic issues, who declined medical care before returning to his apartment for medical supplies. As of this morning they were starting to make contact with the families. Unfortunately, none of these folks had renters insurance, said Behling. In some cases, the displaced residents say, Thanks, but we got it, Behling explained, but for others, they are given assistance, such as a fire letter that explains their circumstance in an official, verifiable manner, that allows the recipient to be put at the top of the list for housing assistance services. Thats what will be going on today and tomorrow, and hopefully in a few days they will all have a safe place to live, said Behling. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the busiest season for the Red Cross action teams as kitchen fires are the most common causes of house fires, with busy kitchens continuing to be a hazard through the holidays, along with overloaded and haphazard electrical work. Behling was not able to say if the East Conant residents had smoke alarms, but she pointed out that having one increases a persons likelihood of surviving a fire by 50 percent. For those without an alarm, or in any doubt about emergency plans, Behling said that the Red Cross invites people to visit GetASmokeAlarm.org, where anyone can submit an online request for a free smoke alarm and help working out a fire escape plan. A Minnesota man was identified Monday as the fatal victim of a vehicle collision on Sunday afternoon, marking the 21st traffic fatality in Columbia County in 2016. Robert Anthony Koy, 41, of Winona, was killed following a crash on County Highway 33 east of Interstate 90/94. Koy was driving a 2003 Oldsmobile, performing a U-turn from eastbound to westbound Highway 33, according to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, when his vehicle was struck by an eastbound Jeep. The posted speed limit on that section of highway is 55 miles per hour. The Columbia County dispatch received a 911 call alerting them to the incident just before 3 p.m. Koy was taken to Divine Savior Healthcare in Portage where he was pronounced dead. The 27-year-old Eagan, Minnesota, man who had been driving the Jeep and his passenger, a woman, also from Eagan, were taken to Divine Savior and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Following the crash that section of Highway 33 was closed until 5:39 p.m. The incident is still under investigation by the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, though according to Sheriff Dennis Richards, controlled substance use is suspected as a contributing factor. This is to date the 21st traffic fatality of 2016 in Columbia County. Between 2011 and 2015 the county has averaged 10 traffic fatalities a year, with the next highest number of deaths in that span being 13 deaths in 2011, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Columbia County is one of five counties with 20 or more fatalities so far this year, joined by Dane with 38, Milwaukee with 70, Rock at 20 and Waukesha with 23. Comparing to regional neighbors, Marquette County only has recorded two traffic fatalities (half of their average) and Sauk County is one above its average with nine fatalities. Sauk Prairie School District Superintendent Cliff Thompson lauded a recent state report that found the district Exceeds Expectations during a school board meeting Nov. 28. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction scored districts and individual schools based on four priority areas: student achievement, student growth, closing gaps and and on-track and post-secondary readiness. Sauk Prairie overall earned a score of 74.7; the score is primarily based on the performance for the last school year, 2015-16. We are proud to serve nearly 2,800 students, their families and our community by providing educational opportunities that exceed state expectations, Thompson stated in a district memo. I commend the students, our faculty and staff and all who volunteer in our schools for helping us earn this rating. Schools and districts also are rated on the level of student engagement, such as test participation rates, chronic absenteeism rates and dropout rates. Our goal is to be a stronger school district every year, said assistant superintendent Jeff Wright. The community continues to support our students and teachers with diverse programs, essential assistance for students facing academic struggles and high-quality facilities and technological resources. We hope to earn even better results in the future. The state report card is one tool used to measure the districts success. Other sources such as parent surveys, college and career placement rates, participation in extra-curricular activities, student assessments by classroom teachers and other reports help inform the district about its health. School year format change High School Principal Chad Harnisch and teacher Shane Been discussed with the school board the high schools decision to move from a semester format to a trimester format, beginning with the 2017-18 school year. Since 1988 weve had the same schedule format, said Been. We took a long look at our current schedule and made the decision in the spring to go with trimesters. Harnisch said the district began investigating the high school schedules impact on student learning. After two years of study, the results were presented to faculty and 65 percent of the teachers voted to make the change. The biggest reason teachers voted in favor of changing the schedule was about finding time in the day to be more in-depth with instruction, Harnisch said. A 45-minute class doesnt allow for hands-on instruction. That was the primary reason. The students currently have seven 45-minute classes throughout the day. The change would mean a maximum of five classes each with 65-70 minutes of classroom time. Harnisch said fewer transitions and more time with the same teacher is more efficient for the school. Students also will have less homework, he said. I think I knew it would be difficult, but what is interesting is the amount of change it entails, Harnisch said. Its not necessarily more difficult, I just didnt realize all the changes would have to happen at same time. The policies changes are extensive, and things about curriculum, and the details and logistics of running a building, like where will lunch fit in, he said. Student input also was sought with the trimester schedule. We used their feedback to guide the selection of the trimester and what they said was theyd like a 60-minute class with 5-6 subjects a day, Harnisch said. Been said the staff is doing an excellent job preparing for the switch to trimesters and is examining courses offered and several new courses as well. The change would take effect next September. WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through two segments, Corrugated Packaging and Consumer Packaging. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. It also provides structural and graphic design, engineering services and custom, and proprietary and standard automated packaging machines, as well as turn-key installation, automation, line integration, and packaging solutions; distributes corrugated packaging materials and other specialty packaging products, including stretch films, void fills, carton sealing tapes, and other specialty tapes; operates recycling facilities that collect, sort, grade, and bale recovered paper; and provides lithographic laminated packaging products, as well as contract packing services. The Consumer Packaging segment manufactures and sells folding cartons that are used to package food, paper, beverages, dairy products, tobacco, confectionery, health and beauty, other household consumer, and commercial and industrial products; and express mail packages for the overnight courier industry. It also offers inserts and labels, as well as rigid packaging and other printed packaging products, such as transaction cards, brochures, product literature, marketing materials, and grower tags and plant stakes for the horticultural market; and secondary packages and paperboard packaging for over-the-counter and prescription drugs. In addition, this segment manufactures and sells solid fiber and corrugated partitions, and die-cut paperboard components principally to glass container manufacturers and the automotive industry, as well as producers of beer, food, wine, spirits, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. WestRock Company is based in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. National Bank Holdings Corporation operates as the bank holding company for NBH Bank that provides various banking products and financial services to commercial, business, and consumer clients in the United States. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts, including fixed-rate and fixed maturity time deposits. The company also provides commercial and industrial loans and leases, such as working capital loans, equipment loans, lender finance loans, food and agriculture loans, government and non-profit loans, owner occupied commercial real estate loans, and other commercial loans and leases; non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans consisting of loans on commercial properties, such as office buildings, warehouse/distribution buildings, multi-family, hospitality, and retail buildings; small business administration loans to support manufacturers, distributors, and service providers; term loans, line of credits, and real estate secured loans; residential real estate loans; and consumer loans. In addition, it offers treasury management solutions comprising online and mobile banking, commercial credit card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, electronic bill payment, lock box, remote deposit capture, merchant processing, cash vault, controlled disbursements, and fraud prevention services, as well as other auxiliary services, including account reconciliation, collections, repurchase accounts, zero balance accounts, and sweep accounts. As of January 20, 2022, the company operated through a network of 81 banking centers located in Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas. It also operates 121 ATMs. The company was formerly known as NBH Holdings Corp. and changed its name to National Bank Holdings Corporation in March 2012. National Bank Holdings Corporation was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The following companies are subsidiares of Vodafone Group Public: 360 Connect S.A., 3@ Telecom, A-ccelerator B.V., A-ccelerator Holding B.V, AAA (Euro) Limited, AAA (MCR) Limited, AAA (UK) Limited, Acorn Communications Limited, Africonnect (Zambia) Limited, Ag Mercantile Company Private Limited, Al-Amin Investments Limited, Amsterdamse Beheer- en Consultingmaatschappij B.V., Apollo Submarine Cable System Limited, Array Holdings Limited, Asian Telecommunication Investments (Mauritius) Limited, Aspective Limited, Astec Communications Limited, Autoconnex Limited, Aztec Limited, BelCompany BV, Bluefish Apac Communications Pte. Ltd, Bluefish Communications, Bluefish Communications Limited, Business Serve Limited, C&W Worldwide Nigeria Limited, C.S.P. 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Ltd (Beijing Branch), Cable & Wireless Europe Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless GN Limited, Cable & Wireless Global (India) Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Business Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Holding Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Telecommunication Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Holdco Limited, Cable & Wireless Networks India Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Trade Mark Management Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Waterside Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Pension Trustee Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Voice Messaging Limited, Cable & Wireless a-Services Inc, Cable & Wireless a-Services Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited Indian Branch Office, Cable and Wireless Nominee Limited, Cable and Wireless Worldwide South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cavalry Holdings Ltd, Celfocus Solucoes Informaticas Para Telecomunicacoes S.A, Cellops Limited, Cellular Operations Limited, Central Communications Group Limited, Central Telecom (Northern) Limited, Centurion GSM Limited, Chelys Limited, City Cable (Holdings) Limited, Cobra do Brasil Servicos de Telematica ltda., Commnet Cellular Inc., Complete Network Technology, Connect (India) Mobile Technologies Private Limited, Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, Dataroam Limited , Device Insight, Digital Island (UK) Ltd, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, East Africa Investment (Mauritius) Limited, Emtel Europe Limited, Energis (Ireland) Limited, Energis Communications Limited, Energis Holdings Limited, Energis Local Access Limited, Energis Management Limited, Energis Squared Limited, Erudite Systems Limited, Esprit Telecom B.V., Eudokia Limited, Euro Pacific Securities Ltd., Eurocall Holdings Limited, Europolitan Holdings AB (now Europolitan Vodafone AB), FB Holdings Limited, FM Associates (UK) Limited, FinCo Partner 1 B.V., FireFly Networks Limited, Flexphone Limited, GS Telecom (Pty) Limited, Gateway Communications Africa (UK) Limited, Gateway Communications Tanzania Limited, General Mobile Corporation, Generation Telecom Limited, Ghana Telecommunications, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, Global Cellular Rental Limited, Globe Limited, GrandCentrix GmbH, Grupo Corporativo ONO S.A.U., H3ga Properties (No 3) Pty Limited, HBO Nederland Cooperatief U.A., HBO Netherlands Channels sro, HBO Netherlands Distribution B.V., Hellas Online, How2 Telecom Limited, Hutchison Essar Ltd, Indus Towers Limited, Intercell Communications Limited, Internet Network Services Limited, Invitation Digital Limited, Ipergy Communications NV, Isis Telecommunications Management Limited, Jaguar Communications Limited, Jaykay Finholding (India) Private Limited, Jupicol (Proprietary) Limited, KABELCOM Braunschweig Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, KABELCOM Wolfsburg Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, Kabel Deutschland, Kabel Deutschland Holding, Kabel Deutschland Holding Erste Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Holding Zweite Beteilgungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Neunte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Siebte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabelfernsehen Munchen Servicenter GmbH & Co. KG, LG Financing Partnership, LGE HoldCo V B.V., LGE HoldCo VI B.V., LGE HoldCo VIII B.V., LGE Holdco VII B.V., LLC Vodafone Enterprise Ukraine, Le Bunt Holdings Limited, Legend Communications Limited, Liberty Global, Liberty Global Content Netherlands B.V., London Hydraulic Power Company, M-PESA Foundation, M-PESA Holding Co. Limited, ML Integration Group Limited, ML Integration Limited, ML Integration Services Limited, MV Healthcare Services Private Limited, Mannesmann AG, MetroHoldings Limited, Mezzanine Ware Proprietary Limited (RF), Mirambo Limited, Misrfone Trading Company LLC, MobiFon S.A., Mobile Commerce Solutions Limited, Mobile Phone Centre Limited, Mobile Wallet VM1, Mobile Wallet VM2, Mobile by Sainsburys Limited, Mobiles 4 Business.com Limited, Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited, Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd, Mobilvest, Motifpros 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Multi Risk Indemnity Company Limited, Multi Risk Limited, ND Callus Info Services Private Limited, Nadal Trading Company Private Limited, Nat Comm Air Limited, National Communications Backbone Company Limited, Navtrak Ltd, Netforce Group Limited, Netgrid Telecom SRL, Number Portability Company (Proprietary) Limited, ONO, Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited, Oni Way Infocomunicacoes S.A, Oskar Mobil S.R.O., Oxygen Solutions Limited, P.C.P. (North West) Limited, PPL Pty Limited, PT Network Services Limited, PTI Telecom Limited, Peoples Phone Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Group Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Limited, Plex Limited, Plustech Mercantile Company Private Limited, Prime Metals Ltd., Project Telecom Holdings Limited, Quickcomm Software Solutions, Radio Opt GmbH, Rian Mobile Limited, SBC SMART CITY 1517 B.V., SMMS Investments Pvt Limited, Safaricom Limited, Safenet N.P A., Sarmady Communications, Scarlet Ibis Investments 23 (Pty) Limited, Scorpios Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Silver Stream Investments Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Ltd., Singlepoint Payment Services Limited, Siro Limited, Spar Aerospace (Nigeria) Limited, Sport TV Portugal S.A, Starnet, Stentor Communications Limited, Stentor Limited, Storage Technology Services (Pty) Limited, T.W. Telecom Limited, T3 Telecommunications Limited, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern Beteiligungs GmbH, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG, TNAS Limited, TSM NZ Limited, Talkland Airtime Services Limited, Talkland Australia Pty Limited, Talkland Communications Limited, Talkland International Limited, Talkland Midlands Limited, Talkmobile Limited, Tele2 Italia SPA, Tele2 Spain, Telecom Investments India Private Limited, Telecommunications Europe Limited, Ternhill Communications Limited, The Cobra Group, The Eastern Leasing Company Limited, The Old Telecom Sales Co. Limited, Thus Group Holdings Limited, Thus Group Limited, Thus Limited, Thus Profit Sharing Trustees Limited, TnT Expense Management LLC, Tomorrow Street GP S.a r.l., Tomorrow Street SCA, Torenspits II B.V., Townley Communications Limited, Trans Crystal Ltd., UMT Investments Limited, UPC Nederland Holding I B.V., UPC Nederland Holding II B.V., UPC Nederland Holding III B.V., Unified Communications, Uniqueair Limited, Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH & Co.KG, Usha Martin Telematics Limited, VAPL No. 2 Pty Limited, VBA (Mauritius) Limited, VBA Holdings Limited, VBA International (SL) Limited, VBA International Limited, VEI S.r.l., VM SA, VND S.p.A, VSSB Vodafone Shared Services Budapest Private Limited Company, Verwaltung Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH, Victus Networks S.A., Vizzavi Finance Limited, Vizzavi Limited, Voda Limited, Vodacall Limited, Vodacash s.p.r.l., Vodacom (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business (Angola) Limitada, Vodacom Business (Ghana) Limited, Vodacom Business (Kenya) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group Services Limited, Vodacom Business Cameroon SA, Vodacom Business Cote Divoire S.A.R.L., Vodacom Congo (RDC) SA, Vodacom Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Group Limited, Vodacom Insurance Administration Company (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Insurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom International Holdings (Pty) Limited, Vodacom International Limited, Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Life Assurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom Payment Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No.2 (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Tanzania Limited Zanzibar, Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited Company, Vodacom UK Limited, Vodafone (NI) Limited, Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited, Vodafone (Scotland) Limited, Vodafone 2, Vodafone 4 UK, Vodafone 5 Limited, Vodafone 5 UK, Vodafone 6 UK, Vodafone Albania Sh.A, Vodafone Alternatif Telekom Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Americas 4, Vodafone Americas Virginia Inc., Vodafone And Qatar Foundation L.L.C, Vodafone Asset Management Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Automotive Electronic Systems S.r.L, Vodafone Automotive France S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Iberia S.L, Vodafone Automotive Italia S.p.A, Vodafone Automotive Japan K.K, Vodafone Automotive Korea Limited, Vodafone Automotive SpA, Vodafone Automotive Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, Vodafone Automotive Telematics Development S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Telematics S.A, Vodafone Automotive UK Limited, Vodafone Belgium SA/NV, Vodafone Benelux Limited, Vodafone Bilgi Ve Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Vodafone Business Services Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions Limited, Vodafone Canada Inc, Vodafone Cellular Limited, Vodafone Central Services Limited, Vodafone China Limited (China), Vodafone China Limited (Hong Kong), Vodafone Connect 2 Limited, Vodafone Connect Limited, Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited, Vodafone Corporate Limited, Vodafone Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Czech Republic A.S., Vodafone DC Pension Trustee Company Limited, Vodafone Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Data, Vodafone Distribution Holdings Limited, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E., Vodafone Elektronik Para Ve Odeme Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Empresa Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, Vodafone Empresa Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Vodafone Enabler Espana S.L., Vodafone Enterprise Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Austria GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Bahrain W.L.L., Vodafone Enterprise Bulgaria EOOD, Vodafone Enterprise Chile SA, Vodafone Enterprise Communications Technical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Denmark A/S, Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited Czech Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited DubaiI Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Finland OY, Vodafone Enterprise France SAS, Vodafone Enterprise Germany GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Global Businesses S.a r.l., Vodafone Enterprise Global Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network HK Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network Pte. Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Hong Kong Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Italy S.r.L, Vodafone Enterprise Korea Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Luxembourg S.A., Vodafone Enterprise Netherlands BV, Vodafone Enterprise Norway AS, Vodafone Enterprise Regional Business Singapore Pte.Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Singapore Pte.Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Spain S.L.U. Portugal Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Spain SLU, Vodafone Enterprise Sweden AB, Vodafone Enterprise Switzerland AG, Vodafone Erste Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Vodafone Espana S.A.U., Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited, Vodafone Euro Hedging Two, Vodafone Europe B.V., Vodafone Europe UK, Vodafone European Investments, Vodafone European Portal Limited, Vodafone Finance Limited, Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Finance Sweden, Vodafone Finance UK Limited, Vodafone Financial Operations, Vodafone Financial Services B.V., Vodafone Fixed Ltd, Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Foundation Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Gestioni S.p.A, Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited, Vodafone Global Content Services Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Italy) S.R.L., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Japan) K.K., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Vodafone Global Enterprise Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Russia LLC, Vodafone Global Enterprise Taiwan Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Telecommunications (Hellas) A.E., Vodafone Global Network Limited, Vodafone Global Network Limited Slovakia Branch, Vodafone Global Services Private Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Group (Directors) Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Pension Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Services GmbH, Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited, Vodafone Group Services Limited, Vodafone Group Services No.2 Limited, Vodafone Group Share Trustee Limited, Vodafone Hire Limited, Vodafone Holding A.S., Vodafone Holdings (Jersey) Limited, Vodafone Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Holdings Europe S.L.U., Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Receivables Pty Limited, Vodafone IP Licensing Limited, Vodafone India Digital Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone India Services Private Limited, Vodafone India Ventures Limited, Vodafone Institut fur Gesellschaft und Kommunikation GmbH, Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited, Vodafone International 1 S.a.r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone International 1 S.a r.l., Vodafone International 2 Limited, Vodafone International Holdings B.V., Vodafone International Holdings Limited, Vodafone International M S.a r.l., Vodafone International Operations Limited, Vodafone International Services LLC, Vodafone Investment UK, Vodafone Investments (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Investments Australia Limited, Vodafone Investments Limited, Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Ireland Distribution Limited, Vodafone Ireland Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Marketing Limited, Vodafone Ireland Property Holdings Limited, Vodafone Ireland Retail Limited, Vodafone Italia S.p.A., Vodafone Jersey Dollar Holdings Limited, Vodafone Jersey Finance, Vodafone Jersey Yen Holdings Unlimited, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Field Services GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Kundenbetreuung GmbH, Vodafone Kenya Limited, Vodafone Leasing Limited, Vodafone Libertel B.V., Vodafone Limited, Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone M-PESA SH.P.K., Vodafone M-Pesa S.A, Vodafone M.C. Mobile Services Limited , Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Vodafone Malta Limited, Vodafone Marketing UK , Vodafone Maroc SARL, Vodafone Mauritius Ltd., Vodafone Mobile Commerce Limited, Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited, Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited, Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited, Vodafone Mobile Network Limited, Vodafone Mobile Operations Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Multimedia Limited, Vodafone Nederland Holding I B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding II B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding III B.V., Vodafone Net Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Network Pty Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Limited, Vodafone Next Generation Services Limited, Vodafone Nominees Limited1, Vodafone ONO S.A.U., Vodafone Oceania Limited, Vodafone Old Show Ground Site Management Limited, Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited, Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited, Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V., Vodafone Panafon UK, Vodafone Partner Services Limited, Vodafone Payment Solutions S.a r.l., Vodafone Portugal Comunicacoes Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Procurement Company S.a r.l., Vodafone Property Investments Limited, Vodafone Pty Limited, Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., Vodafone Retail (Holdings) Limited , Vodafone Retail Limited, Vodafone Roaming Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Romania S.A, Vodafone Romania M - Payments SRL, Vodafone Romania Technologies SRL, Vodafone Sales & Services Limited, Vodafone Satellite Services Limited, Vodafone Servicios SL.U, Vodafone Servizi E Tecnologie S.R.L, Vodafone Servicos Empresariais Brasil Ltda., Vodafone Shared Services Romania SRL, Vodafone Specialist Communications Limited, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland Gemeinnutzige GmbH, Vodafone Technology Solutions Limited, Vodafone Teknoloji Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Tele-Services (India) Holdings Limited, Vodafone Telecel-Comunicates Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Telecommunications (India) Limited, Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S, Vodafone Towers Limited, Vodafone UK Content Services Limited, Vodafone UK Investments Limited , Vodafone UK Limited1 , Vodafone US Inc, Vodafone Ventures Limited1 , Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG, Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited, Vodafone Yen Finance Limited , Vodafone m-pesa Limited, Vodafone-Central Limited Vodaphone Limited, Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A., VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V, Vodata Limited , Vouchercloud SA (Pty) Ltd, Wataneya Telecommunications S.A.E, Waterberg Lodge (Proprietary) Limited, Wayfinder, Wheatfields Investments 276 (Proprietary) Limited, Wireless Interactions & NFC Accelerator 2013 B.V., Woodend Cellular Limited, Woodend Communications Limited, Woodend Group Limited, Woodend Holdings Limited, XB Facilities B.V, XLink Communications (Proprietary) Limited, Your Communications Group Limited, ZUM B.V., ZYB, Zelitron S.A., Zesko B.V., Ziggo B.V., Ziggo Bond Company B.V., Ziggo Deelnemingen B.V., Ziggo Finance 2 B.V., Ziggo Financing Partnership, Ziggo Holding B.V., Ziggo Netwerk B.V., Ziggo Netwerk II B.V., Ziggo Services B.V., Ziggo Services Employment B.V., Ziggo Services Netwerk 2 B.V., Ziggo Zakelijk Services B.V., and Zoranet Connectivity Services B.V.. Read More Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. The company provides Alimta for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma; Cyramza for metastatic gastric cancer, gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma, metastatic NSCLC, metastatic colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma; Erbitux for colorectal cancers, and various head and neck cancers; Retevmo for metastatic NSCLC, medullary thyroid cancer, and thyroid cancer; Tyvyt for relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin's lymph and non-squamous NSCLC; and Verzenio for HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer, node positive, and early breast cancer. It offers Olumiant for rheumatoid arthritis; and Taltz for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis. The company offers Cymbalta for depressive disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain; Emgality for migraine prevention and episodic cluster headache; and Zyprexa for schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and bipolar maintenance. Its Bamlanivimab and etesevimab, and Bebtelovimab for COVID-19; Cialis for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia; and Forteo for osteoporosis. The company has collaborations with Incyte Corporation; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; AbCellera Biologics Inc.; Junshi Biosciences; Regor Therapeutics Group; Lycia Therapeutics, Inc.; Kumquat Biosciences Inc.; Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,061 branches and 3,381 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Canada, and 1,148 stores and 2,701 ATMs in the United States, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company offers general purpose servers for multi-workload computing and workload-optimized servers; HPE ProLiant rack and tower servers; HPE BladeSystem and HPE Synergy; and solutions for secondary workloads and traditional tape, storage networking, and disk products, such as HPE Modular Storage Arrays and HPE XP. It also offers HPE Apollo and Cray products; and HPE Superdome Flex, HPE Nonstop, HPE Integrity, and HPE Edgeline products. In addition, the company provides HPE Aruba product portfolio that includes wired and wireless local area network hardware products, such as Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, and sensors; HPE Aruba software and services comprising cloud-based management, network management, network access control, analytics and assurance, and location; and professional and support services, as well as as-a-service and consumption models for the intelligent edge portfolio of products. Further, it offers various leasing, financing, IT consumption, and utility programs and asset management services for customers to facilitate technology deployment models and the acquisition of complete IT solutions, including hardware, software, and services from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others. Additionally, the company invests in communications and media solutions. It has a partnership with Striim, Inc. to offer high performance and mission-critical solutions with real-time analytics. It serves commercial and large enterprise groups, such as business and public sector enterprises; and through various partners comprising resellers, distribution partners, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, systems integrators, and advisory firms. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Grapevine, Texas. The company was originally known as GSC Holdings Corp. but later changed its name following its IPO. Originally a brand of then dominant Babbages, Gamestop altered the way video games were distributed and it is now the world's largest retailer of video games and video game accessories. The company went public in 2004 and operated 4,573 stores at the start of 2022. Brands under the company umbrella include Gamestop, EB Games, and Micromania as well as 50 pop-culture-themed Zing Pop locations. Gamestop Corp. provides video games and entertainment products through its global network of e-commerce properties and stores. The company sells new and pre-owned gaming platforms and accessories like controllers, headsets, memory cards, and gaming software as well as in-game products like digital currency, downloadable content, and games. The company also sells new and used memorabilia and collectibles. Genres include TV, movie, comic book, and game characters as well as many other items from pop culture. GameStop Corp. also operates Game Informer, a magazine and website dedicated to the gaming industry including reviews, updates, and new developments in technologies. Game enthusiasts enjoy two primary benefits of using Gamestop. The first is access to the full range of games and gaming accessories. The second is the ability to sell or trade their old equipment and games for fair prices. All old equipment is refurbished to a like-new state before resale. In 2021 Gamestop announced it was entering the world of cryptocurrency. The company revealed plans to build an NFT (non-fungible token) platform for listing, selling, and holding digital or digitized artwork and collectibles. The beta version launched in 2022 and has so far seen great success with an average daily volume exceeding $1 million. The NFT marketplace also featured Web3.0 games in which characters and in-game items are held forever on the blockchain. As of September 2022, the most successful retailer on the NFT marketplace was Gamestop Presents, a collaboration of cover art from Game Informer Magazine. Sales at the time were just under 168 ETH or about $221,500.00. GameStop began a slide in 2016 following a series of bad investments that included a foray into the world of mobile phones. The slide came to an end in late 2021 when shareholders using the Reddit thread Wallstreet Bets orchestrated a short-squeeze and brought on the age of meme stocks. The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. 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Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited. Read More 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. The following companies are subsidiares of Kroger: 84.51 HQ Building Company LLC, 84.51 LLC, Alpha Beta Company, Ansonborough Square Investors I LLC, Ansonborough Square Retail LLC, Ardrey Kell Investments LLC, Bay Area Warehouse Stores Inc., Beech Tree Holdings LLC, Bleecker Ventures LLC, Bluefield Beverage Company, Box Cutter Inc., CB&S Advertising Agency Inc., Cala Co., Cala Foods Inc., Cheeses of All Nations Inc., Country Oven Inc., Crawford Stores Inc., Creedmoor Retail LLC, Dillon Companies LLC, Dillon Real Estate Co. Inc., Dillons, Distribution Trucking Company, Dotto Inc., Edgewood Plaza Holdings LLC, Embassy International Inc., FM Inc., FMJ Inc., Farmacia Doral Inc., Food 4 Less GM Inc., Food 4 Less Holdings Inc., Food 4 Less Merchandising Inc., Food 4 Less of California Inc., Food 4 Less of Southern California Inc., Fred Meyer, Fred Meyer Inc., Fred Meyer Jewelers Inc., Fred Meyer Stores Inc., Glasswing Labs LLC, Glendale/Goodwin Realty I LLC, Grubstake Investments LLC, HT Fuel DE LLC, HT Fuel NC LLC, HT Fuel SC LLC, HT Fuel VA LLC, HTGBD LLC, HTP Bluffton LLC, HTP Plaza LLC, HTP Relo LLC, HTPS LLC, HTTAH LLC, Harris Teeter, Harris Teeter LLC, Harris Teeter Properties LLC, Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc., Harris-Teeter Services Inc., Healthy Options Inc., Henpil Inc., Home Chef, Hood-Clayton Logistics LLC, Hughes Markets Inc., Hughes Realty Inc., I.T.A. Inc., IRP LLC, ITAC 119 LLC, ITAC 265 LLC, Inter-American Foods Inc., Inter-American Products Inc., J.V. Distributing Inc., Jondex Corp., Jubilee Carolina LLC, KCDE 2013 LLC, KCDE-2 LLC, KCDE-3 LLC, KCDE-4 LLC, KCDE-5 LLC, KGO LLC, KPF LLC, KPS LLC, KRGP LLC, KRLP Inc., KV Anderson LLC, Kee Trans Inc., Kessel FP, Kiosk Medicine Kentucky LLC, Kirkpatrick West Retail LLC, Kroger Community Development Entity LLC, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co., Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC, Kroger G.O. LLC, Kroger HQ LLC, Kroger LM Real Estate Holdings LLC, Kroger Limited Partnership I, Kroger Limited Partnership II, Kroger MC Holdings LLC, Kroger MTL Management LLC, Kroger Management Co., Kroger Management Corryville LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Athens I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Champaign I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Champaign II LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Cincinnati I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Dallas I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Danville I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Logansport I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Missouri I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Oak Ridge I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Olney I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Omaha I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Portsmouth I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Starkville I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Topeka I LLC, Kroger NMTC Fremont I LLC, Kroger OZ1 Inc., Kroger OZ1 LLC, Kroger OZ2 Inc., Kroger OZ2 LLC, Kroger OZ3 Inc., Kroger OZ3 LLC, Kroger Opportunity Fund I Inc., Kroger Prescription Plans Inc., Kroger Specialty Infusion AL LLC, Kroger Specialty Infusion CA LLC, Kroger Specialty Infusion Holdings Inc., Kroger Specialty Infusion TX LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy FL 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 2 Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 3 Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings I Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy LA LLC, Kroger Texas L.P., LCGP3 Home Cooking Inc., Latta Village LLC, Local Mkt LLC, Main & Vine LLC, Matthews Property 1 LLC, Mega Marts LLC, Michigan Dairy L.L.C., ModernHealth LTC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays LIC LLC, Murrays Table LLC, Pace Dairy Foods Company, Paramount Logistics LLC, Pay Less Super Markets Inc., Peyton's-Southeastern Inc., Plum Labs LLC, Pontiac Foods Inc., Queen City Assurance Inc., RBF LLC, RGC Southeast Properties LLC, Ralphs Grocery Company, Relish Labs LLC, Rocket Newco Inc., Roundy's, Roundys Acquisition Corp., Roundys Illinois LLC, Roundys Inc., Roundys Supermarkets Inc., Second Story Inc., Shop-Rite LLC, Smiths Beverage of Wyoming Inc., Smiths Food & Drug Centers Inc., Southern Ice Cream Specialties Inc., Stallings Investors I LLC, Sunrise R&D Holdings LLC, Sunrise Technology LLC, TLC Corporate Services LLC, TLC Immunization Clinic LLC, TLC of Georgia LLC, The Kroger Co. of Michigan, The Little Clinic LLC, The Little Clinic Management Services LLC, The Little Clinic of Arizona LLC, The Little Clinic of Colorado LLC, The Little Clinic of IN LLC, The Little Clinic of Kansas LLC, The Little Clinic of Mississippi LLC, The Little Clinic of Ohio LLC, The Little Clinic of TX LLC, The Little Clinic of Tennessee LLC, The Little Clinic of VA LLC, Topvalco Inc., Ultimate Mart LLC, Ultra Mart Foods LLC, Vandervoort Dairy Foods Company, Vine Court Assurance Incorporated, Vitacost, Vitacost.com Inc., Woodmont Holdings LLC, and YOU Technology. Read More The black rail: A bird thats been flying under the radar since Audubons day A feathered mouse: The black rail does more scurrying than flying, one reason this secretive bird has remained such a mystery among birders and ornithologists alike. A new report by the Center for Conservation Biology may earn the bird threatened status in the eastern U.S. Photo by David Siebel Photo - of - Hide Caption The eastern black rail is small, secretive, mysterious and in trouble. Its a sparrow-sized marsh bird. It hardly ever flies, and gets around by creeping through dense wetland vegetation. The black rail is a blank spot on many a life list and even most of the sightings are really hearings, the birder identifying the species by its call which often comes from a dark swamp in the dead of night. Most people havent seen one. Most birders havent seen one, Bryan Watts said. Its one of those species that beats birders. Watts, the director of the Center for Conservation Biology, has assembled a report called Status and distribution of the eastern black rail along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America. The report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is part of a 15-year effort spearheaded by the CCB to get the black rail on the federal register of endangered and threatened species. Its the definitive document on the state of this endangered bird in the eastern U.S., but even this definitive document contains a large amount of uncertainty, largely because the black rail has been flying below the radar of professional ornithologists and birders alike since Audubons day. Estimated population varies widely The study area covers the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal states from Maine to Texas, plus Vermont, West Virginia and Tennessee. The report gives a wide range in estimated black rail population in the area 455 to 1,315 breeding pairs. Just three states, South Carolina, Florida and Texas, account for three quarters of the overall total. Watts said that Florida and Texas population estimates carry a high uncertainty rating, because of the large expanses of likely, but unsurveyed, black rail habitat in those two states. There has been all this mystery around black rails because birders just cant get onto them, Watts said. They occur in all these places that are away from where birders have access to. Black rails were discovered breeding in Philadelphia more than 150 years ago, but today there are huge blank spots in even the most basic knowledge about the birds. Watts says that all of the information on the population existed in bits and pieces scattered throughout more than 100 years of journals, museum specimens and unpublished observations. People ask, Whats in the literature? Well, whats in the literature is little, tiny bits and pieces, he said. The literature goes back to the beginning, which was 1836 in North America. Spoiler: We dont know much about this bird Watts began by compiling a bibliography of black rail observations, wading through more than 6,000 journal issues, checking out museum collections and downloading black rail records from e-bird, the online birding checklist run by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Watts summed up his findings of looking through decades of ornithological research: Naturalists have never had a good handle on the black rail. Theres never been a status assessment on the species, he said, because there isnt much survey data. You go back to the very beginning; they didnt know anything about this bird, he said. You come up to the present; we still dont know anything about this bird. Its because of how secretive it is. The birds spend their lives deep in tussocky marshes, making them an extremely challenging species to study. Very few black rails have been banded and their breeding habits are imperfectly understood. Black rails are not even particularly birdlike: Watts report contains a quote that describes them as a feathered mouse. And thats the way they behave, too, he said. They rarely take flight. They just scurry around. People get little, tiny glimpses of them scurrying between the vegetation. Rails are that way in general, but black rails are off the charts when it comes to how secretive they are. A perfect drought of information The black rail situation illustrates the degree to which the Center for Conservation Biology and other professional ornithologists rely on the reports of amateur birders. Their secretive habits, preference for out-of-the-way habitat and comparative rarity make the black rail a challenge for recreational birders. Very serious birders will go out of their way to list a black rail, but the black rail is not the least bit charismatic and not particularly attractive. So once a birder checks Laterallus jamaicensis off a life list, he or she is unlikely to go out of the way to look for more black rails. The habits of the birds, combined with the habits of birders, create a perfect drought of information. We know the distribution of a lot of bird species because birders are good at documenting their location, Watts explained. There are some exceptions to that, and the black rail is one, because they are so challenging and many birders arent up to that. Watts said the CCB began its campaign to bring the black rail out of ornithological obscurity about 15 years ago. We started the Eastern Working Group I think it was in 2009 meeting with biologists throughout the range, trying to get momentum going, he said. This particular effort was to compress 150 years of literature and bring us up to the present, so we can stop looking back and hopefully look forward. Despite the challenges posed by gathering patchy evidence on a secretive avian subject, Watts report arrives at some pretty solid conclusions. Most importantly, he says, the black rail is in trouble as a species. It looks like theyre falling off a cliff, he said, adding that northern populations have experienced a particular crash in numbers. Overall, Watts said, the outlook isnt good for black rails anywhere in their range: The last record of a black rail observation in Virginia dates to 2014. Getting flooded out by sea level rise Secondly, the report notes that much of the birds preferred habitat or whats left of it is doomed, mostly by sea-level rise. Watts said that black rails are known to use a variety of marshy areas, including inland wetlands, ponds, grassy fields and coastal prairies. But 60 percent of the documented sites in the study were classified as tidal salt marsh. To be precise, Watts said, black rails prefer high tidal marsh areas. They dont like standing water, Watts said. Now, a Virginia rail will build its nest right above standing water. Black rails wont do that. They want to have moist soil, but not be in the water. They occupy such a narrow hydrologic band of habitat. Watts said that rising sea levels will inundate the black rails narrow hydrologic band, the area thats normally dampened by only the highest lunar tides. As the narrow band narrows further, the birds are forced out. In fact, Watts notes that much of the black rails habitat has been long gone. Black rails were first discovered in 1836 by Thomas Rowan on a farm near Philadelphia. Rowan sent his specimens to one Titian Peale, who passed them along to John James Audubon himself. Those first-discovered birds were the basis of the black rail plate in Audubons Birds of America. That farm, where Rowan first discovered the species? Its now the Philadelphia airport, Watts said. Its just one example of the extensive loss of wetlands done in post-Civil War period in the name of reclamation, mostly for agricultural use. A crashing population and disappearing habitat make the black rails prospects rather dim, and Watts acknowledges that the ornithological community and regulators are late in getting the birds plight under serious consideration. Watts said that the CCBs report will give Fish & Wildlife the information they need to move forward with a designation as per the federal Endangered Species Act. He said he believes the black rail merits a threatened designation, denoting a species that is not at the brink of extinction, but is likely to be at the brink in the near future. After the black rail goes on the protected list, Watts said the next step would be to prepare a management plan to maintain the population. In the meantime, the black rails that remain in the east will have to rely on their old defense of extreme secrecy. The Center for Conservation Biology is a joint program of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Saudi Arabia and South Korea to cooperate in nuclear regulation 28 November 2016 Share A memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at promoting cooperation on nuclear safety regulation was recently signed between South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE). The signing of the MOU (Image: KA-CARE) The MOU was signed by NSSC chairman Kim Yong Hwan and KA-CARE vice president Waleed bin Husain Abulfaraj on 22 November at KA-CARE's headquarters in Riyadh. In a statement, KA-CARE said, "The MOU aims at exchanging experiences and practices in the areas of regulating nuclear safety, safeguards and physical protection, radiation protection and relevant research, as well as development in a manner to serve atomic energy programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." During the signing ceremony and at a bilateral meeting that followed, Kim and Abulfaraj shared information on nuclear safety policy and regulatory systems. They also discussed how future cooperation may be expanded, as well as technological collaboration, the training of human resources in the field of nuclear regulations and information sharing. The two countries will now establish a joint working group to implement the MOU. In a 25 November statement, NSSC said the MOU is "an invaluable achievement accomplished after five years of discussions through which the NSSC and KA-CARE had agreed on the importance of mutual cooperation and had in-depth talks". It added, "Building a platform of cooperation where we can share and discuss matters of common interest with the Middle East, this MOU holds great significance. It is also expected to play an imperative role in facilitating bilateral cooperations in the region." The MOU followed an inter-governmental agreement the two countries signed in November 2011 on cooperation in the development and implementation of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In March 2015, South Korea and Saudi Arabia signed an MOU to jointly promote the SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced Reactor) in the global market. In September 2015, contracts were signed between the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and KA-CARE to support their cooperation in developing the reactor. Saudi Arabia has also signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Argentina, China, Finland, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Russia. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Engineers enclose radioactive remains of Chernobyl 4 29 November 2016 Share The process of sliding the arched structure into place to shield the damaged unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been completed, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced. London-based EBRD said a ceremony in Chernobyl today marked the successful conclusion of the sliding operation, which it described as a key milestone before finalisation of the international program to transform Chernobyl into an environmentally safe and secure state by November 2017. The NSC is now in place over the damaged unit 4 at Chernobyl (Image: EBRD) The arch, called the New Safe Confinement (NSC), is the largest moveable land-based structure ever built, with a span of 257m, a length of 162m, a height of 108m and a total weight of 36,000 tonnes equipped. It will make the accident site safe and with a lifetime of 100 years will allow for the eventual dismantling of the ageing makeshift shelter from 1986 and the management of the radioactive waste. "Thirty years after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, the radioactive remains of the power plant's destroyed reactor 4 have been safely enclosed following one of the world's most ambitious engineering projects," EBRD said. The sliding operation was started on 14 November. The NSC was moved over a distance of 327m from its assembly point to its final resting place, completely enclosing a previous makeshift shelter that was hastily assembled immediately after the 1986 accident. The equipment in the NSC will now be connected to the new technological building which will serve as a control room for future operations inside the arch, the bank said. It will be sealed off from the environment hermetically. Finally, after intensive testing of all equipment and commissioning, handover of the NSC to State Specialised Enterprise ChNPP is expected one year from now. Suma Chakrabarti, EBRD president, said the engineering milestone was "a symbol of what we can achieve jointly with strong, determined and long-term commitment". Igor Gramotkin, director-general of State Specialised Enterprise ChNPP, which is responsible for managing the Chernobyl site, said: "We were not building this arch for ourselves. We were building it for our children, for our grandchildren and for our great-grandchildren. This is our contribution to the future, in line with our responsibility for those who will come after us." The NSC structure was built by Novarka, a consortium of the French construction firms VINCI Construction and Bouygues Construction. Because of its vast dimensions the structure had to be built in two halves which were lifted and successfully joined together in 2015. At a cost of 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion), the NSC is the main part of the Shelter Implementation Plan for Chernobyl, which involved more than 300 projects and activities. The 2.1 billion program is financed by the Chernobyl Shelter Fund. Established in 1997, the Fund has received more than 1.5 billion from 45 donors to date. The EBRD manages the Fund and is the largest contributor to the NSC project. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Iter decommissioning to be studied 29 November 2016 Share A consortium led by Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract to examine the future decommissioning of the Iter fusion reactor, currently under construction at Cadarache in the south of France. The Iter tokamak will contain an estimated one million parts (Image: Iter Organisation) Amec Foster Wheeler, with EAI Ingenierie and NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services, will carry out the 12-month study into the duration, sequencing and cost for dismantling the Iter machine, once it comes to the end of its projected operating period in 2042. The contract is one of several awarded to Amec Foster Wheeler related to the project. In June this year, the Momentum consortium - led by Amec Foster Wheeler - signed a 174 million ($184 million) contract to manage and coordinate the assembly and installation of more than one million components for the Iter reactor over the next ten years. And last year, it won a 70 million seven-year robotics contract to develop the remote handling system for Iter's neutral beam cell. In addition, alongside the contract for the Iter decommissioning study, Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded two further contracts: to prepare a design work plan and data for a decontamination program; and to carry out conceptual design and engineering for a remote waste cutting and packaging system. Additional contracts Also, under an existing framework contract, the Iter Organisation has appointed Amec Foster Wheeler to design a remotely operated rail and trolley system for maintenance and inspection of the cryostat, a part of the Iter machine that will contain key components including the vacuum vessel and tokamak. In addition to the above, Fusion For Energy, which manages Europe's contribution to Iter, has appointed Amec Foster Wheeler to a new single source multi-year framework contract to provide technical specifications, contract follow-up and acceptance work on nuclear safety electronic controls and instrumentation systems. Greg Willetts, consultancy vice president of Amec Foster Wheeler's Clean Energy business, said: "These contract wins underline our leading expertise in conceptual design, engineering, technical specifications, remote handling and planning for decommissioning." Iter project Iter (which stands for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is a major international project to build a 500MWt tokamak fusion device (requiring an input of 300MWe) designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy. The European Union is contributing almost half of the cost of its construction, while the other six members (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the USA) are contributing equally to the rest. Under a revised schedule established by the Iter organisation this year, first plasma is planned for 2025, with deuterium-tritium fusion experiments commencing in 2035. Construction costs are currently expected to come to around 20 billion, with components being contributed by the Iter members on an 'in-kind' basis. The Iter organization took responsibility and possession of the Iter site from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in July 2010. The site is due to be returned to the CEA at the end of the duration of the Iter agreement, in October 2042. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Burkina Faso is a country in the western part of Africa covering an area of 105,900 square kilometers with a general population of 17.3 million. Being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by six countries, Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. It was colonized by the French until 1960 when they gained independence thus is a francophone country as French is its official language. There are ten large cities, and more than fifty other towns in the country hence is an urbanized country though not fully. We are going to take a look at the various religious groups in the country. Religious Beliefs In Burkina Faso Islam In the 11th century, the Mossi kingdoms had occupied the Upper Volta (also Burkina Faso) protected their religious and traditional beliefs from external influences, especially from the northwestern Muslims. This practise changed in the 15th century when the Upper Volta region opened trading centers like Akan gold field which enabled the merchants to trade in gold, kola nuts, and salt. As a result of these changes and developments, it attracted the Muslim merchants who established their settlements there and intermarriages between them, and local women took place hence a transformation of the locals. The Muslims were considered part of the Mossi Kingdom, and Islam spread through the entire Upper Volta region, Ivory Coast, and Guinea and it was promoted through the construction of Mosques, Muslim festivals, and the media. The Muslims in the country constitute 61.1% of the entire population Roman Catholic Christianity Roman Catholicism developed in the Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) with the arrival of the French Colonialists in 1896. A missionary assisted in the establishment of Catholicism firmly in the country and between 1900 and 1901 catholic missions had already been established. Roman Catholic Church in the country is part of the worldwide Catholicism mainly based in Rome, and they constitute 19% of the entire countrys population. Traditional African Religions and Folk Beliefs The traditional African beliefs majorly are the various traditional religion and beliefs like the belief in spirits and a supreme creator, veneration of the dead, traditional medicine among others. With the arrival of the Muslims and the colonialists in the now Burkina Faso led to the amalgamation of either Christianity or Islam alongside these beliefs. Even though there has been an adherence and a general acceptance of the beliefs, the traditional African believers constitute 11.3% of the entire population. Protestant Christianity Protestant Christianity in Burkina Faso is the minority religion as it constitutes only 5.5% of the entire population. Protestants are generally against the teaching of the Roman Catholic teachings and majorly based in either Ouagadougou as well as Bobo-Dioulasso. Atheism or Agnosticism Atheism is general sense is the rejection of existing deities or religious beliefs, and often the criticism of religion. Atheists always argue from the Philosophical, Social, and Historical approaches of lack of substantial evidence to the existence of a god. They constitute 1% of the population and many times are considered non-existent. Traditional Religious Beliefs In Burkina Faso 2.1% of Burkina Fasos population have beliefs in other supreme beings of their own and acceptance of all these various religions have been widely seen. The countrys constitution promotes all forms of religion and respects each citizens form of worship as long as it does not interfere with others. Ghana is a country in West Africa lying between Togo and Ivory Coast. It also borders the country of Burkina Faso, and its total area covers 283,533 square kilometers. The country is slightly smaller than Oregon and the terrain in the country is primarily low plains with some dissected plateaus in south Central area. Ghana has a mean elevation of 623 feet (190 meters) and the lowest point is at the Atlantic Ocean measuring Zero meters above sea level, while the highest point is Mount Afadjato at 2,887 feet (885 meters). Afadja Mount Afadja has an elevation of 2,887 feet, making it the highest mountain in Ghana. It sits in the Agumatsa Range, a short distance from the villages of Liati and Gbledi in the Volta region. The mountain derives its name from the Ewe Word Avadzeto which means at war with the Bush. There is a plant species on the mountainsides that causes severe irritation. Shielded by the tropical forests of Ghana, the mountain provides a home to many species of flora and fauna. More than 33 species of mammals and about 300 butterfly species live in the ecological region. Also, regularly spotted in the mountains is the Mona and spotted monkeys. The lush green mountains of the ridge mark the countrys border with Togo. Gorges intersect the mountain, and the whole region is well conserved to protect the mountain's natural beauty and splendor from human interference. Rainforests surround the Tagbo Falls located in these mountains and the waterfalls in several stages with a sixty meters fall of the last stage. Edouka Standing at an elevation of 2,542 feet, Mount Edouka is the second highest mountain in Ghana. Its location extends into Badou in Togo. The tropical climate of the mountain region facilitates the growth and a development of a wide range of flora and fauna. Mount Edouka locality, in the jungles that separate Ghana and Togo makes it difficult to record its biodiversity. The wild animals are few in these tropical forests, but monkeys, lizards, snakes, birds, and insects are numerous. Atiwiredu Mount Atiwiredu is part of the Atewa Range and is found in the Akyem-Abuakwa region of southeastern Ghana. The mountain rises to 2,539 feet above sea level. The mountain range stretches north-south with steep-sided hills and fairly flat summits. The Atewa Range is the only remaining evidence of the Cenozoic Peneplain that covered southern Ghana. The mountain has bauxite-containing soils. The reserves are maintained by the Forestry Commission of Ghana and key stakeholders like the Okyeman Environmental Foundation. The management restricts any form of farming in the area and encourages eco-tourism. So far critical threats facing the mountain ranges are logging and over hunting for bush meat. The gold deposits and low-grade bauxite usually attract miners and may pose a threat in the nearby future. The range provides habitats for bird species like afep pigeon, least honeyguide, common bristlebill, blue-headed crested flycatcher, and the beautiful olive long-tailed-cuckoo. Two rare primate species, Colobus vellerosus (Geoffroys pied colobus), and Procolobus verus, (the olive colobus) also live here. Other species inhabiting these regions include 17 rare butterfly species like the Papilio antimachus (has the widest wingspan in the world), and the critically endangered Mylothris atewa. The rivers of Ayensu, Densu, and Birim source from these ranges and the later provides a diamond mining area. Kwamisa Kwamisa Mountain in Ghana peaks at an elevation of 2,479 feet. It lies near the Kwamisa Forest Reserve, with Subranum and Ahiruam lying around six and eight kilometers away, respectively. The Opro River Forests Reserve lies 11 kilometers northeast of Kwamisa, Asufu Shelterbelt Forest Reserve West is about 11 kilometers southeast, and Beremi and Domiabra are 11 kilometers southwest of the mountain. Around 21.2% of Ghana's area is forested. However, recurrent droughts brought about the harmattan winds that blow from January to March threaten these forests. Like other mountainous regions around the world human encroachment is the most significant environmental threat facing these ecosystems. Poaching and habitat destruction continue to threaten the wild animals. Characteristics of Ghanian Mountains Afadja and most of Ghana's other high peaks are to be found in the Volta Region near the border with Togo. This region provides Ghanas best sites with many natural parks and mountains. Mount Afadja which rises above 2,000 feet and it is the highest mountain in Ghana. Mount Atiwiredu has a diversified mountain ecosystem and also has gold mines that threaten the integrity of the region. The mountains in Ghana are engulfed by tropical rainforests thanks to the countrys location that lies within the tropics. The mountains provide hiking and mountain climbing areas for visitors and locals. They are also sources of many rivers in Ghana. Twyfelfonteins fascinating Late Stone Age petroglyphs depict native fauna and hunter-gatherer activities from the era. The region was listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2007, recognized for its extensive engravings which portray the way of life of hunter-gatherer communities. The rock site has been a national monument since 1952 and is home to numerous iconic engravings. 5. Description and History - The Twyfelfontein site houses the largest concentration of hunter-gatherer rock engravings in the whole of Africa. The region is situated in north-western Namibia, in an area known as Kunene. A series of over 2,500 engravings are carved on more than 200 sandstone blocks found in the area. The engravings date back 6,000 years ago when hunter-gatherer communities settled in the region. The Khoikhoi nomads were the second group to occupy the area, and the petroglyphs depict the animals they kept and hunted. Depictions of zebras, human beings, elephants, antelopes, ostrich, and giraffes are some of the standard symbols. The engravings played a significant role in the religious activities of the Bushmen as they served as records of ritual practices. The hunter-gatherers visibly believed in the spiritual qualities of some animals in relation to water availability. Animals such as springbok, wildebeest, and the elephant were respected for their ability to find and conserve water. 4. Research, Tourism, and Education - The rock site has been invaluable in gaining insight into the way of life of the hunter-gatherer communities. The engravings exhibit various elements of the religious and economic aspects of the Bushmen who inhabited southern Africa before the occupation of colonialists and Damara herders. Nearly 40,000 people visit the site annually as it has the most significant collection of rock engravings in the African continent. 3. Archaeological Uniqueness - The sandstone in the area has high iron content, which when oxidized results in a rigid red crust. The rock artists incised this upper layer with the aid of tools carved from harder rock and exposed the yellow underlying rock. The engravings were also oxidized over time and were thus protected from environmental elements. As a result, the artwork has survived over centuries. The engravings act as a kaleidoscope into the lives of the Bushmen. Archaeological remains excavated in the site include bones, stone tools, pottery, beads, and charcoal. 2. Natural Surroundings, Sights, and Sounds - The rock art site is situated in the Huab River Valley, which is flanked by sandstone cliffs. A spring named Twyfelfontein, fed by an underground aquifer, is the primary source of water in the valley. The site sits in a transitional zone between shrubland, desert and savanna habitats. The valley is home to populations of the highly adapted desert elephant, springbok, oryx, cheetah, and giraffe. 1. Threats and Conservation Efforts - Rock art is susceptible to environmental elements and tourism impacts, as proven in the Twyfelfontein rock art site. The area is legally protected in Namibia as a nature reserve. An additional buffer zone stretching 35.5 square miles protects against human encroachment and unauthorized tourism. Tourism in the region is closely monitored and managed. Visitor management has been further enhanced in the area, where officials accompany tourists as they experience the engravings to minimize the tourism impact. The integrity of the rock site remains intact and well preserved. Billy with the police officers By: Mahesh Sarin (Scroll down for video) Police in Florida, said that a young boy melted their hearts by inviting them over for Thanksgiving dinner. The Walton County Sheriffas Office (WCSO) said that Billy Nolin, called 911 on Thursday afternoon, to invite WCSO staff and deputies to come eat Thanksgiving dinner with him and his family. With all the bad calls we take on a daily basis, this one was a welcomed happy call that made all of us smile, said Lead Communications Officer Monica Webster. The boy was paid a special visit by Deputy Damon Byrd and Deputy Aaron Ethridge, who gave him a special Sheriffas Badge and even allowed him to sit in their patrol cars. aWhile we do not encourage this use of 911, we are so honored at the invitation. Thank you Billy for making all of our days here at WCSO,a the Walton County Sheriffas Office wrote on Facebook. Billyas mother Landi McCormick, said that the boy made the call while she was preparing Thanksgiving dinner. The boyas grandfather said that he saw the child talking with someone on an old cellphone before police arrived at the scene. McCormick confronted Billy, and he admitted calling 911. Billy began to cry when he saw the police officers outside his house. Police Confirm Missing 79-Year-Old Has Been Located This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 29th, 2016 UPDATE: North Wales Police say Selby Edwards has been located Selby Edwards has been located thanks you for your assistance North Wales Police (@NWPolice) November 29, 2016 ORIGINAL: An appeal for a missing 79-year-old woman from the Penycae area has been issued this morning. North Wales Police are appealing for help in tracing Selby Edwards, 79, from Penycae. Police have concerns for Selby who went missing at 05.30 this morning (Tuesday) Selby is 5ft 5in tall with straight grey hair. Police say they are unsure what she is wearing. A police helicopter joined the search for Selby at 7.30am, its been spotted doing circuits over the Penycae and Rhos area. A statement issued this morning says: Police are appealing for sightings of a 79 year old woman suffering from dementia from the Pen Y Cae area of Wrexham. The woman left her address at 5.24am this morning. She is 5ft 4 5ft 6, with straight grey hair. She often wears oversized shoes which are distinctive. Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting reference number U180054. Anyone who has seen Selby or has further information regarding Selbys whereabouts is asked contact North Wales Police on 101 and quote reference number U180054 *No picture has been issued at present. We will update if and when one becomes available Christmas Challenge to Help Fund Transformation of Wrexham Quarry Into Nature Reserve This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 29th, 2016 A Christmas Challenge to help kick-start the transformation of a disused Wrexham quarry into a spectacular nature reserve has begun. The challenge, which has been launched by the North Wales Wildlife Trust today, seeks help to fund the transformation of Minera Quarry into a spectacular nature reserve and community wildlife asset. Tarmac and North Wales Wildlife Trust are continuing the process of transferring Minera Quarry, near Wrexham, from private hands into a wildlife-rich public amenity. However, the Wildlife Trust are looking for support from the public in order to kick-start the transformation. The Wildlife Trust have registered a project to enhance Minera Quarry for people and wildlife with the Christmas Challenge: the UKs biggest online match funding campaign. In total the Trust is seeking 12,500 in public donations to be doubled by our generous match funders a total of 25,000 to change Minera Quarry for the better, for ever. Simon Mills, Trustee, North Wales Wildlife Trust, said: The Christmas Challenge will be fantastic for both North Wales Wildlife Trust and the North East Wales community. Minera Quarry is a unique site with many diverse habitats which needs to be acquired as an outstanding community and wildlife resource. We would be truly grateful for any donations. Graeme Cotterill, Fundraising Director, North Wales Wildlife Trust, added: This is a wonderful opportunity for the Wildlife Trust to partner with local communities and the wider public and create an amazing place home to peregrine falcon, raven, bats and countless orchids for everyone to enjoy. Please help us make a massive step forward for wildlife at Minera Quarry. Supporters of the project are urged to visit the North Wales Wildlife Trust website between Tuesday 29th November (#GivingTuesday) until midday on Friday 2nd December 2016. Donations will help prevent the sites special grassland flowers from being engulfed by thick scrub and lost for good. Extensive Modernisation Work to Transform Homes in Acton This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 29th, 2016 An extensive modernisation project is set to transform council tenants homes and help lower their energy costs. Over the next few months 92 steel framed cubbitt houses in Acton are due to have External Wall Insulation installed on their outside walls and elevations. The improvement work is part of Wrexham Councils project to ensure that all council owned homes in the County Borough achieve the Welsh Governments Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2020. Non-traditional, cubitt properties, such as those in Acton, are generally harder to heat than traditional brick cavity wall insulated homes. The improvement work will involve installing a 100mm layer of insulation to the outside of all elevations, making the homes more energy efficient and cheaper to heat. As well as helping the houses to hold in heat, installing External Wall Insulation will also help fill in cracks to reduce drafts and improve sound resistance, reduce co2 emissions, and increase the overall lifespan of the properties by protecting their structures. Installing insulation on the outside walls will also have the added benefit of improving the external appearance of properties. The properties are also set to be re-roofed if required. The work will be carried out by a Wrexham based contractor, RW Hough & Sons Ltd. Local Member for Acton, Cllr Geoff Lowe, said: This is very positive news for our tenants. The insulation will make a massive difference to this area and will help ensure that these homes are cheaper for tenants to heat and fit for the future. The open day event which was held recently for tenants to get information about the work was very well attended so its good to see that tenants are engaged with the project and I hope that they will all be able to benefit from these improvements as the work is completed over the next few months. Wrexham Council are investing a total of 52m on housing improvement work in 2015/16. This includes a 7.5m Major Repairs Allowance grant which the Welsh Government Awards to local authorities to support them achieving the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Wrexham Council owns around 11,300 properties in total, of which around 1,600 are non-traditional. This includes houses constructed from steel, concrete and other brick alternatives such as Swedish timber. Most of Wrexhams non-traditional properties were erected in the late 1940s and 1950s and through the 1960s to tackle the huge post-war demand for housing. Wrexham Council plans to install External Wall Insulation on all its non-traditional properties by 2020. Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Ian Roberts, added: We completed External Insulation work in a number of areas already, including Cefn, Johnstown and Llay and its had a very positive impact on those communities. The completed properties look brand new from the outside and tenants are telling us theyve already noticed a difference in their heating costs. We want all homes to be comfortable, affordable and desirable places for tenants to live which is why were making every effort to go the extra mile with the quality and design of all the internal and external work we are carrying out. As well as Acton, well also be installing External Wall Insulation in other areas over the next few months, including Acrefair, Coedpoeth, and Gresford. Along with External Insulation Work, Wrexham Councils improvements project will also include offering brand new kitchens and bathrooms to all properties, where required to meet the standard. Other improvements being carried out include electrical rewiring, new central heating systems and external work such as paths, fences and gates. More information on the work being carried out to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard can be found on Wrexham Councils website www.wrexham.gov.uk/whqs Guinea Pigs Rescued After Being Dumped in Wrexham Park This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 29th, 2016 An appeal for information has been launched after six guinea pigs were found abandoned in a childrens park in Wrexham. Six guinea pigs, including four babies, have been rescued by RSPCA Cymru after being found by a police community support officer in a park on Rhosddu Road on 18th November. The guinea pigs a male, female and four babies were then collected by the RSPCA from a local police station, and continue to be looked after in RSPCA care. A plastic bag was found near to the guinea pigs, which the RSPCA say shockingly it is thought was used to transport them, as it was full of fur and faeces. Following the rescue, RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information to decipher how the animals were dumped in the Wrexham park, with members of the public urged to come forward. Rachael Davies from the RSPCA, said: Its so shocking to think someone would dump these poor animals like rubbish. Thankfully, they were found by a PSCO, and rescued by RSPCA Cymru as they would not have survived for long. The guinea pigs are now doing well in RSPCA care, with the babies far too young to be considered for re-homing at this stage. With no CCTV in the area, were relying on the local community to come forward with any information which could support our enquiries. People can contact the RSPCA information line on 0300 123 8018, with all calls treated in confidence. Plans to Demolish Former Village Pub Will be Debated For Second Time This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 29th, 2016 A disused pub in a Wrexham village could soon be demolished to make way for housing. In a report due before Wrexham Councils Planning Committee next week it has been proposed that plans to demolish the former Royal Oak public house, Ponciau, are granted. If approved the site will be used to develop a pair of semi-detached houses. Communal car parking would also be provided to the north of the dwellings along with new vehicular access off Brynydd. This is the second the time the application has gone before the committee, having previously been considered and subsequently deferred in October 2016. Due to the loss of a public house the report notes that policy S9 is applicable which seeks to protect local facilities such as public houses and states that developments that entail their loss will only be permitted where: a) the use is no longer viable and all reasonable attempts to sell or let the business over a 12 month period have proved unsuccessful or; b) the building is in a derelict or unsightly condition and the proposal would bring about substantial environmental improvements; and c) the loss of the facility would not prove detrimental to the social and economic fabric of its locality Further information on the compliance with S9 was requested by councillors at Octobers meeting, with questions asked over how long the pub was marketed prior to the proposals being made to demolish. In the amended report, Head of Environment and Planning: Lawrence Isted notes that correspondence from previous owners of the site show that over the period August 2013 to November 2014 the volume of alcohol sales from the premises was very low and Admiral Taverns considered the volume of sales to be unsustainable and this is why the public house closed. It is also noted that the property had been marketed to let for 2 years prior to closure and had previously been placed on the market for sale in November 2013. Mr Isted continues onto say: The additional information provided by the applicants suggests that, in all likelihood, the public house was no longer viable at the time of closure. Furthermore appropriate efforts to both let and sell the business as a going concern have been made. I therefore remain of the opinion that the loss of the public house will not adversely impact upon the social and economic fabric of the locality and therefore the proposals do not conflict with policy S9. Concerns about the proposals had also been previously raised by the local Community Council, who said they objected to the plans because: They feel that one of the oldest and most iconic buildings in the area will be lost and that the area will lose character. It was also requested by the Community Council that should the application be granted that the plaque above the public house door, is somehow incorporated into the new building. However Mr Isted notes: The Community Councils objections appears to relate to the loss of the building rather the use of it as a public house. Furthermore no representations have been received from local residents regarding the loss of the public house either. Whilst noting the Community Councils comments, the building is not listed nor does it lie within a Conservation Area so is not afforded any specific protection by planning policy. The application will be discussed by Wrexham Councils Planning Committee on Monday 5 December. For those who cannot attend the meeting it will be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website from 4pm. Last Sunday, the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) (SEG) held a public meeting in Auckland, entitled The political causes and international implications of Trumps election: A Marxist assessment. It attracted a diverse audience of young workers and students, supporters of the SEG and readers of the World Socialist Web Site. In the lead up to the meeting, SEG campaign teams encountered widespread concern among New Zealand workers over the election victory of Donald Trump, a billionaire and semi-fascist demagogue, and the danger of war. Many were distrustful about the recent visit by a US navy ship, which served to underscore New Zealands close military alliance with the US. Trumps policies threaten to escalate the Obama administrations war drive against China. SEG member Tom Peters, who chaired the meeting, explained that it was part of the fight to build a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), the world Trotskyist movement, in New Zealand. He noted the recent founding of a new section of the ICFI in France and the growing radicalization of workers and youth throughout the world and their attraction to socialism. The central issue for the working class in every country, the speaker said, is the need for a clear political perspective and leadership. All the other parties that once claimed to represent workers are defenders of capitalism and the super-rich; they promote nationalism to divide workers from each other and are driving the entire world towards catastrophic war. The main presentation, on the recent US presidential election, was delivered by James Cogan, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia). Cogan had recently participated in the SEP (US) conference in Detroit, Socialism vs. Capitalism and War, which was held prior to the election in order to advance an independent socialist and internationalist political strategy for the working class, in opposition to both major US capitalist parties, the Republicans and Democrats. Cogan discussed in detail the social and political processes that led to Trumps victory. He outlined the vast growth in social inequality and poverty in the US, especially under the Obama administration. He spoke about the deep-seated hostility towards Obamas wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria and stressed that Clintons campaign had centred on warmongering threats against Russia and unfounded allegations that Trump was a Russian agent. The speaker debunked claims by the Democratic Party and its supporters in the media that Trump won because of widespread racism and sexism among white male workers. Such claims were, Cogan said, based on an entirely false and self-serving narrative of identity politics, which obscured the basic class divisions in society. Several states won by Trump had previously voted for Barack Obama, the first black president, who falsely portrayed himself as anti-war and the candidate of hope and change. Cogan stated: The greatest responsibility for Trumps victory lies with all those who insisted on supporting Clinton despite the utterly right-wing, anti-working class, militarist program she advocated. This included, first and foremost, Senator Bernie Sanders, who received support from millions of workers and youth for his opposition to Clinton during the Democratic primaries and his claim to be a democratic socialist. The warning made by the WSWS that Sanders socialism was a fraud, was confirmed when he told his supporters to vote for Clinton following his defeat in the primaries. Since the election, Sanders and other leading Democrats and trade union bureaucrats in the US have pledged to work with Trump as he implements his nationalist program, which includes trade war against China. Pointing to the parallels between America and New Zealand, including the promotion of nationalism and the collapse in support for the major parties, Cogan declared: No serious worker or young person in New Zealand would propose that a struggle for social equality and against war should be, or could be, based on any wing of the NZ Labour Party or the trade unions. Noting that next year was the centenary of the 1917 Russian Revolution, Cogan urged those in attendance to study the program and revolutionary record of the ICFI, which represents the historical continuity of Marxism, the struggle against the Stalinist betrayal of the Russian Revolution and the fight for world socialism. The report was followed by a number of questions. One audience member said Trumps economic policies sounded like utter nonsense and asked what was behind them. In his reply Cogan compared Trumps America first nationalism, including a proposed 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports, to the protectionist tariffs introduced in the 1930 Smoot Hawley Act, which precipitated trade war and the Great Depression that led to World War II. Now, in response to the breakdown of the global capitalist system that began in 2007-2008, sections of the US ruling class were again advocating drastic nationalist methods to shore up American capitalism at the expense of its rivals, heightening global economic turmoil and the danger of another world war. A member of the pseudo-left Communist Workers Group asked what was the ICFIs position on the Syrian revolution. Cogan stated that there was nothing progressive about the US-backed militias in the Free Syrian Army and Al Qaeda-linked groups that were fighting to overthrow the Assad regime. These were pro-capitalist Islamist groups, armed and funded by US imperialism and its allies, including Saudi Arabia. Cogan denounced the pseudo-left groups, including those in New Zealand, which support the US proxy war in Syria and seek to throw dust in peoples eyes by calling it a revolution. He noted that a number of groups recently protested outside the Russian embassy in Wellington, in support of US intervention to assist the so-called rebels against the Russian-backed Assad regime. Several people stayed behind to continue discussing the SEGs perspective. Isabella, a high school student, said I came to the meeting because I have recently developed an interest in socialism and its ideals, especially Marxism, because I see capitalism as failing for the majority of people. As a young person seeing the plight of students, graduating with mountains of debt, the situation of the working class is one where conditions havent improved at all. She mentioned growing child poverty and the housing affordability crisis in New Zealand. Isabella said the meeting had given her a much better idea of what socialism is about. I felt it was a very interesting account of how similar the two presidential candidates were. Rather than just saying it was a matter of racism in America, it was clearly a product of the entire government system and the Democratic Party not presenting any alternative that would actually change anything for the working class, she said. Those who voted for Trump did so because theyve been cheated. Hes not going to create jobs, hes not going to improve conditions for the working class. He will just isolate America from the global community, Isabella said. She said the growing interest in politics among young people was absolutely necessary and she was keen to have further discussion with the Socialist Equality Group. Diana and Mariano, who had moved to New Zealand from Argentina, travelled from South Auckland to attend the meeting. Diana said, The presentation was good. It was easy to agree with what was being presented about Trumps election. There is not a lot of good stuff to say about American imperialism, it is the leading imperialist country of the world. The rest of the countries were obliged to obey whatever the US actually wants. They described the widespread poverty in Argentina and throughout Latin America and the growth of protest and social unrest. Mariano commented that people sometimes see history as a distant thing from reality and agreed on the need for a political clarification of the historical struggles by the working class. The authors also recommend: Auckland youth and workers concerned over US election result, danger of war [24 November 2016] New Zealand: Week of Peace promotes the Greens and Labour [22 November 2016] Just days before the presidential election, the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPO) has paved the way for cooperation with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO). This significantly increases the risk that a far-right party candidate will become head of state in Vienna for the first time in post-war history after the vote on December 4. The runoff election is being contested by FPO candidate Norbert Hofer and the former Green Party chairman Alexander Van der Bellen. The latter had already won the runoff election in May by 50.3 to 47.7 percent, but Hofer successfully challenged the result because of breaches of the rules. A new date was then postponed, due to a problem with non-adhesive absentee ballot envelopes, meaning that the election has now dragged on for nine months. Most opinion polls put Hofer slightly in front. An electoral success for the FPO politician is widely seen as a prelude to fundamental changes in the balance of power in the Alpine republic but there are no reliable predictions concerning the outcome. In polls the FPO is running ahead of the SPO and the conservative Peoples Party (OVP), who currently govern the country in a grand coalition and whose presidential candidates were eliminated in the first round of voting. If parliamentary elections were also held on Sunday, the FPO would emerge as the strongest party with more than 30 percent of the vote. The SPO has responded by continuing to move to the right and seeking to collaborate with the FPO. The Chancellor and SPO leader Christian Kern has publicly declared that the SPO sees room for discussion with the party leadership of the FPO. Asked about possibly forming a government with the Freedom Party, Kern told broadcaster ORF, he respected FPO party leader Heinz-Christian Strache and acknowledged that he was seeking to promote Austria. Previously, the SPO had for decades ruled out forming a coalition with the FPO at federal level. Above all, the partys right-wing trade union wing has responded enthusiastically to the approaches being made to the FPO. The talks were a departure from the past policy of exclusion and were a signal to the SPO rank-and-file, chairman of the Building Trade Union Josef Muchitsch said. The SPO state leader in Tirol, Elisabeth Blanik, expressed her admiration for the new objectivity in dealing with the FPO and Strache. The notorious right-wing Burgenland SPO state premier Hans Niessl has called openly for forming a coalition government with the Freedom Party at the earliest opportunity at federal level. Such a possibility could now be re-evaluated, Niessl said, who already rules in Burgenland in alliance with the FPO, and pursues an extreme right-wing agenda. It is impossible to distinguish whether a proposal comes from the SPO or the FPO, commented Regina Petrik, chair of the Greens in the Burgenland state assembly. Other SPO politicians have made similar comments. The Carinthian SPO leader Peter Kaiser said on ORF radio, the new path signalled a culture of debate, which made listening and watching exciting and tolerable in a positive sense. Last week, Kern and Strache appeared together on the O1 broadcast Plain Text under the slogan Red-Bluea temptation? Political agreement between the two parties was so considerable that most media had to place the word duel in quotation marks. Strache said that in the six months in which Kern has been chancellor, he has spoken with him more often than with his predecessor Werner Faymann in seven and a half years. Observers evaluate the approach being made by the SPO to the FPO as benefiting the presidential candidate of the Freedom Party. Political consultant Thomas Hofer told ORF, this was now a problem for Alexander Van der Bellen. Last week, an SPO internal working group met for the first time. The group has been tasked with drawing up a list of criteria that the FPO must satisfy in the event of a coalition. Politically, hardly anything now separates both parties. Kern has largely adopted the views of the FPO concerning refugee policy. I am clearly in favour of limiting immigration, he remarked recently to the Kleine Zeitung. He has adopted the long-standing proposal of the FPO to make refugees undertake mandatory community service. Our model provides for this, Kern commented. At the same time, Kern advocates radical social attacks, shown by the current discussions about Minimum Support, i.e. the social assistance system. The federal government is forcing state legislatures to limit it to a maximum of 1,500 per person, where previously, they could make higher payments. Asylum seekers would only receive 520. In Lower Austria, where a coalition of the OVP and SPO rules, it was also decided that only those residing in Austria for more than five years could receive the Minimum Support. Moreover, in future, beneficiaries in this state must undertake community service. The federal government is currently working on a labour programme which could also have come from the FPO, including increased deportation detention for asylum seekers, the use of local militias and health care reform. The Green Van der Bellen has nothing to oppose these policies, and advocates much the same. He has commented sympathetically on the discussions between Kern and Strache. In recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear that with the exception of the attitude towards the European Union, there are hardly any differences between Hofer and Van der Bellen. In an interview with the Courier, Van der Bellen indirectly supported the demand of the SPO and FPO for a ceiling on the numbers of refugees. The upper limit has not yet been reached. What is fundamentally important is that we distinguish between asylum seekers and migrant workers. Because of record unemployment, people who come for economic reasons have no chance of being accepted, he said. He also advocates a stronger militarization of Europe. Strengthening the common foreign policy in Europe is now the watchword, he told the Courier. Since Van der Bellen entered the runoff election he has received support spanning from the right-wing of the OVP to various pseudo-left groups; now there is growing support for Hofer from other parties, just a few days before the crucial ballot. OVP parliamentary faction leader Reinhold Loptaka told the Kronen-Zeitung, for him, Hofer was clearly the better candidate. He had shown, as Third National Assembly President, that he is suitable for high office. The Styrian state premier Hermann Schutzenhofer (OVP) has also called for similar support from his party. He described the approach by the SPO to the FPO as a strategically good move by Christian Kern. The OVP must now watch out it was not relegated to the level of spectator. Businessman Norbert van Hande (OVP) has established the initiative Christians for Norbert Hofer. The following is an open letter to the Student Activities Board of New York University, which rejected the club application of the IYSSE during its twice-annual review of new organization applications. The decision by the Student Activities Board (SAB) to prevent the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) from establishing a club on campus is an attack on the democratic rights of students and the entire campus community of New York University. The various reasons you have given to justify your rejection of our application for new club status are illegitimate. First, after the initial application in October, you claimed the IYSSE was too similar to other groups, including the International Socialist Organization, which has a club on campus. In fact, the ISO and the Socialist Equality Party, the parent organization of the IYSSE, are completely different tendencies with different histories and opposed positions on fundamental political questions. One could say that the differences between the ISO and the IYSSE are more significant than those that separate the Democratic and Republican parties. In any case, it is not for the SAB to decide whether political organizations are similar to other organizations and therefore do not have the right to form independent groups on campus. Part of the political education of students is to learn to discriminate between different political tendencies and programs, and they have the right to hear a diversity of standpoints. When the IYSSE addressed these and other issues in appealing the initial denial of club status, the SAB added new and unrelated criticisms, such as the claim that the IYSSE would not last and that, because there is an IYSSE club at another university in New York, the club at NYU would be dominated by students outside the university. These claims are both false and irrelevant. The IYSSE has clubs at many campuses throughout the US and internationally, as do many other organizations. This does not alter the right of students at NYU to form a chapter of the IYSSE, any more than it would for the Democratic or Republican Party youth organizations. As for the claim that the IYSSE might not last, the large signature requirement (200) for forming a club, which the IYSSE easily exceeded, was set up precisely to show that there is significant support on campus for the formation of a club. One final argument used by the SAB to justify the decision is that most new club applications are rejected because of a supposed lack of funds. This is absurd. The university is awash in cash, which it uses to finance multi-billion-dollar real estate projects. The average student must pay more than $70,000 a year in tuition, room and board to attend NYU, and yet the university claims it does not have enough money to allow students to form clubs of their choice! These are not the real reasons for your decision to block the IYSSE from forming a club. This is a political decision aimed at preventing students at NYU from being exposed to a perspective hostile to establishment politics, and particularly to the Democratic Party. The SAB is not an impartial body, nor is the Student Senate of which it is a part. All those involved have their own political agendas, and many maintain close relations with the Democratic Party and the corporate and media establishment in New York City. Student Senate Chair Ryan Thomas, for example, campaigned for Hillary Clinton and served as an intern at both the White House Office of Communications and the Democratic Party-aligned Center for American Progress. The current chair of the SAB, Rose Liu, has campaigned for Democratic Party officials. The head of allocations, Andrea Ng, interned as an analyst at JPMorgan Chase, one of the banks responsible for the 2008 financial crisis. You rejected the IYSSEs application because you disagree with our politics. It is an act of political censorship. The decision to block the IYSSE was made in the run-up to Election Day, as millions of young people expressed opposition to a political system controlled by the Democrats and Republicans, who are jointly responsible for decades of war, growing inequality, overwhelming student loan debt and continued attacks on democratic rights. There is deep anger over the election of Trump and the extreme right-wing program of the incoming administration. The Democratic Party, including Clinton, President Obama and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, have responded to the election by pledging to work with Trump, while covering up the dangerous character of the incoming government. Particularly under these conditions, students have the right to hear the perspective of the IYSSE, which fights for the independent political mobilization of the working class in opposition to the entire political establishment and the capitalist system that both parties defend. The IYSSE will be applying again in the upcoming spring semester. We demand that we be given official club status without interference from the SAB. The results of the Social Justice Index 2016 were published by the Bertelsmann Foundation last week. The index is an annual study of social conditions in Europe that has been conducted for the past several years. The results provide a devastating indictment of the austerity policies imposed by the European Union (EU), led by Germany, in the face of widespread resistance since the global financial crisis of 2008. According to the study, one in four citizens is affected by poverty or social exclusion. This is a total of 118 million people. The percentage of people who are poor in spite of having a full-time job rose to 7.8 percent in 2015, an increase of 0.6 percent from 2013. This means that growing numbers of people are employed in the low-wage sector. This also applies to Germany, which came in seventh place in the Social Justice Index, even though it is the largest economic power. The percentage of those in Germany who live in poverty despite having a full-time job rose from 5.1 percent in 2009 to 7.1 percent in 2015, a consequence of the massive low wage sector, which emerged following the Agenda 2010 reforms and Hartz welfare changes under the SPD-Green government of Gerhard Schroder and Joschka Fischer. The rise of the so-called working poor, meaning those who are unable to live despite working, and the potential for a social uprising are concerns occupying the authors. As the chief executive of the Bertelsmann Foundation Art de Geus commented, A growing percentage of people who cannot live permanently from their work undermines the legitimacy of our economic and social order. Although the studys authors seek to identify a few minimal improvementssuch as the decline in the official unemployment rate in the EU from 10.4 percent in 2014 to 9.6 percent in the following year and the rise in the employment rate from 64.8 to 65.8 percentthe numbers showing increased unemployment and poverty point to another trend. In a brief summary of the results, the study therefore stated, Social justice in Europe in 2016: Improvements on shaky ground. The risk of poverty within the EU remains high. As in 2008, the figure in 2015 stood at 23.7 percent. Conditions for children and young people are especially critical, particularly in southern Europe. The study states, However, seven years after the outbreak of the world economic crisis, chances for participation for people in most European stateswith few exceptionshave substantially worsened compared to prior to the crisis. Among the 28 EU states, Greece remains at the bottom of the Social Justice Index. The gap between Romania (ranked 27) and Bulgaria (ranked 26) has in fact grown. But even conditions in the northern European countries of Sweden, Finland and Denmark, which captured first, second and third place respectively, have deteriorated. Compared against the conditions in 2007-08, these states have suffered setbacks on matters of social justice, the study states. The social gulf between northern and southern Europe continues to be immense. This is above all due to the horrifyingly high poverty figures in Greece and Spain. In Spain, the poverty rate is 28.6 percent and in Greece it is 35.7 percent. The percentage of children and young people affected by poverty in these countries is even higher. One particular focus of the study is the high rate of youth unemployment. 4.6 million young people in the EU are unemployed. In 2015, 20.4 percent of young people had no work, an increase of almost 5 percentage points since 2008. Children and young people are also affected most severely by poverty and social exclusion. This applies to 25 million children and young people under the age of 18. In the vast majority of EU states, chances for children and young people since 2007-08 havesometimes drasticallydeteriorated, the study stated. The situation in the crisis states of southern Europe, Italy, Greece and Spain, as well as in the southeast European countries Bulgaria and Romania continues to remain very critical, it added. Romania leads the way in the percentage of children under 18 living in poverty with 46.8 percent, followed by Bulgaria with 43.7, Greece (37.8 percent) and Hungary (36.1 percent). But also in Spain (34.4 percent), Italy (33.5 percent), Britain (30.3 percent) and Portugal (29.6 percent) the share is very high. In Greece, the number of children facing severe material deprivation has almost tripled since 2007. It has risen from 9.7 to 25.7 percent due to the austerity dictates of the troika, the European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The study explained, Material deprivation means that the people affected must deal with severe deprivation and can no longer financially afford basic necessities of daily life (i.e., an appropriately heated apartment or a telephone). It frequently also means that families can no longer provide adequate nourishment and medications. In the countries hit hardest by the euro crisis, Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal, the number of children in poverty or facing social exclusion has risen by 1.1 million since 2008. Another section of the study focused on so-called NEETs (not in education, employment or training). This includes young people between ages 20 and 24 not attending school, who have no work and are not in professional training. Within the EU, the average rate was 17.3 percent, compared to 15 percent in 2008. Italy (31.1 percent) and Spain (22.8 percent) were well above the EU average. The total number of unemployed young people in Spain and Greece amounted to almost 50 percent. In Italy, despite a modest decline, it was still 40.3 percent. The high numbers of unemployed and impoverished young people without any future prospects is a devastating indictment of the EUs austerity policies pursued for years. European governments, regardless of the parties involved, know no other policy than the offloading of the economic crisis onto the backs of the working class. They are recouping hundreds of billions of euros used to bail out the banks and corporations by destroying jobs, cutting wages and slashing social welfare. The pseudo-left Syriza government in Greece has been especially brutal in this. The Bertelsmann study commented on the levels of poverty within the EU, but says nothing about its origins and those who are politically responsible. Instead, it appeals to the EU Commission and governments of the EU states to ensure greater social justice. But nothing could be more delusional than expecting a more social policy from Europes capitalist governments. The main direction of their policies is the domestic and foreign build-up of the state apparatus and the preparation of new wars. This is how they respond to social tensions and the anger over social inequality. On Sunday, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) dropped 10 1-ton bombs on a compound belonging to a Syrian Islamist group, the Khalid ibn al-Walid Army, previously known as the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade. The bombing took place in Syrias Quneitra Governorate in the southwest of the country, adjacent to its border with Israel. The IDF said the group was linked to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and that the purpose of the airstrikes was to prevent the return of terrorists to a facility that constitutes a fundamental threat to the region. For more than three years, various local Islamist groups in ever shifting alliances have fought for control over the area. One of these is the Khalid ibn al-Walid Army/Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade, once affiliated to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which is supposedly the main target of Washingtons ongoing military intervention in Iraq and Syria. The Yarmouk Martyrs Brigades allies, Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) and the Islamic Muthanna Movement, with whom it has merged to form the Khalid ibn al-Walid Army, are bitter opponents of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly the Al Nusra Front, which is linked to Al Qaeda. Syrian regime forces control only three areas near the border: the city of Quneitra, almost totally destroyed in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, the Druze village of Khader, and the eastern slopes of Mount Hermon. According to a report earlier this year in Haaretz, the main concern from an Israeli perspective is the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade, which was responsible for seizing 21 Filipino soldiers serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force on the Syria/Israel border in 2013. In June, the US State Department designated the Brigade, which is composed of local clans in southern Syria with few outsiders or foreign fighters in its ranks, as a global terrorist entity. These warring Islamist groups have largely operated unhindered by Israel, and at least some of themsupposedly the more moderateare widely believed to operate under cover from the IDF, which has provided them with food, medical aid and other assistance. Syrian pro-regime media frequently speak of an alliance between Israel and the Al Nusra Front. Tel Aviv has vehemently denied this even though in July 2015, the then Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon admitted that Israel had been aiding Islamist groups, including Al Nusra. Israel for its part views the fighting between different Islamist groups and the breakup of Syria as preferable to control by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces and his allies, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah. According to the Israeli army, the militants were training at the site that served as the operational base for an attack earlier on Sunday by the Islamists on an IDF reconnaissance force operating along the Syrian border. The issue is whether the brigade spotted an opportunity, or deliberately planned the attack as a means of getting Israel directly involved in the war. Either way, it would serve to boost their credentials against their rivals to be seen as fighting the Palestinians hated occupier. Irrespective of the motivation, the incident led to an exchange of fire and an Israeli drone attack on the militants vehicle that is believed to have killed four people. The Israeli army has sought to present this as a response to an attack on its forces. However, its own words belie this and indicate that the IDF was preparing an operation on behalf of its rebelsAl Nusra/Al Qaeda forcesagainst the Brigade. Haaretz cited a senior officer as saying, The terrorists are from Shuhada [Martyrs] al-Yarmouk, with all the significance that organizations name carries. The Israeli forces didnt lie in ambush by chance. Nitzan Nuriel, former director of the counterterrorism bureau at the prime ministers office, rejected the notion that this was an ISIS-directed offensive against Israel. He believed it to be a local decision, adding that Israels response was appropriate and reinforced the message, Dont mess with us. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the IDF and promised that Israel wont allow Islamic State figures or other enemy actors, under the cover of the war in Syria, to set up next to our borders. All the regional powers have intervened in the more than five-year-long war in Syria overtly, or through proxies or covert action, in pursuit of their own often conflicting agendas. Israel has launched around 100 airstrikes against Syrian army artillery positions in response to largely errant shells or rockets launched by either Syrian regime forces or the insurgents that have fallen on its side of the Golan Heights. The Syrian regime has responded only twice, as far as is publicly known. Israel has also launched dozens of airstrikes against Syrian government positions and Hezbollah since 2013, supposedly targeting arms shipments to Hezbollah, as well as targeted assassinations of senior Hezbollah figures. Hezbollah has played a key role in fighting the ever-shifting alliance of Islamist groups that includes Islamic State, Al Nusra, Jeish al-Fatah and Ahrar al-Sham. At the same time, Israel has, according to a UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) report last year, been in regular contact with the Islamist proxy forces sponsored by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the CIA since May 2013. UNDOF itself has come under repeated and lethal attacks from Al Nusra and other groups. Last year, several Israeli officials acknowledged that Russia and Israel were coordinating their aircraft over Syria, an admission of what has long been suspected: that Israel has been intervening covertly in the Syrian conflict. A few months ago, Netanyahu acknowledged that Israels air force had operated undisturbed in Syrian air space in violation of Syrias sovereignty and its 1974 agreement with Syria following the October 1973 war. Foreign media have frequently reported that the IDF have used both fighter jets and drones for reconnaissance missions. The increasingly close relations between Israel and the Islamist forces coincided with the start of oil exploration by a US-Israeli corporation in Syrias Golan Heights, seized by Israel in the June 1967 war and later illegally annexed to Israel. In April this year, Israel held an unprecedented cabinet meeting in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu declared, The Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel forever, and Israel will never withdraw from the Golan Heights. He apparently planned the meeting to pre-empt any possibility of Israel returning the Golan as part of a future peace deal for Syria. Sundays airstrikes were the first time that Israel has intervened in an open clash with forces linked to ISIS. It highlights the increasing danger of the regional powers, including a nuclear-armed Israel, intervening directly in the war. It comes in the wake of two other developments. First, Israel is to take delivery next month of its first Lockheed Martin F-35s that can evade enemy radar while flying at supersonic speeds and can successfully target Iranian facilities. Second, a US-backed extremist militia, previously designated as a terrorist organisation, in southern Syria, in Quneitra province, is to be armed with portable surface-to-air missiles capable of shooting down Syrian aircraft as well as Russian warplanes that have played a key role in providing air cover for the Syrian army against the Al Qaeda-linked rebels. These developments are part of a broader push by the US and Israel to create facts on the ground, under conditions where the Assad regimewith Russia and Irans backinghas been gaining the upper hand, before Donald Trump, who has indicated that he would seek to improve ties with Russia and reduce US involvement in the Middle East, assumes power in January. In major actions reported only briefly by the establishment press, President Obama has given vast new scope to the Pentagons Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), authorizing it to carry out assassinations across the globe. The units of JSOC have long been employed by the chiefs of the six major regional military commands, such as Centcom, which covers the Middle East and Central Asia, to conduct counter-terrorism operations. One such unit, Seal Team Six, carried out the assassination of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May 2011. Obama has approved a proposal to give JSOC independent authority to operate outside the regional commands, essentially as a globalized assassination force. JSOC units will bypass the regional commanders and report directly to Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in the Pentagon. According to the Washington Post, The missions could occur well beyond the battlefields of places like Iraq, Syria and Libya, where Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) has carried out clandestine operations in the past. When finalized, it will elevate JSOC from being a highly-valued strike tool used by regional military commands to leading a new multi-agency intelligence and action force. The mandate of the new formation, to be called the Counter-External Operations Task Force, or Ex-Ops in Pentagon jargon, will embrace the entire planet. This means US military death squads could be sent to virtually any location, from European cities to South American jungles, including the United States itself. According to the Post, a reorganization making counter-terrorism an independent, global command has been discussed in the Pentagon for 15 years, since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but it was always rejected on the grounds that it would cause friction with the regional commanders and create duplication in command structures. The newspaper did not address the question of why now, a decade-and-a-half later, the Obama administration has decided to press forward with the new global counter-terrorism initiative. The decision is likely, at least in part, a response to the debacle of the US war on terror from the standpoint of the global aims of American imperialism. The US wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria and repeated drone strikes in other countries, including Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, have inflicted catastrophic levels of death and destruction, but they have not achieved the hoped-for hegemonic control of the region and its vast energy resources. Obamas decision represents a determination to escalate US military violence in Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. Another likely consideration is the possibility that the ongoing military offensives against Islamic State territories in Syria and Iraq, and particularly the siege of Mosul, could lead to thousands of ISIS militants turning to terrorist attacks outside the Middle East. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter traveled to Paris last month with SOCOM Commander Raymond Thomas for talks with security officials from several European countries. A major topic was the impact on Europe of a sudden weakening in the military position of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Carter told his European counterparts that JSOC has been put in the lead of countering ISIS external operations, the first mention of the impending Pentagon reorganization. The Post report sought to present the Obama-approved reorganization as an effort to set limits on the operations of special forces under the incoming Trump administration, including approval by several agencies before a drone strike and near certainty that no civilians will be killed guidelines. But these restrictions are for cosmetic purposes only and have not stopped the mass slaughter of civilians by drone missile warfare. Moreover, Trump is not bound in any way by executive orders issued by Obama. The fascistic president-elect has already made his intentions clear, as far as US Special Forces operations are concerned. He has vowed to order the killing of the wives and children of suspected ISIS fighters, a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. The latest White House orders serve to facilitate these homicidal intentions. Less than a month ago, Obama was campaigning against the election of Trump, denouncing him as unfit to be commander-in-chief and as a menace to the world. Now, as Foreign Policy magazine reported, Obama is handing the incoming Trump team tools to wage war that no president has held before. In one particular theater of US counter-terrorism operations, Somalia, Obama has taken additional action to escalate the carnage by declaring the Islamist group al-Shabab to be part of the armed conflict authorized by the US Congress in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks. The legal maneuver, reported Monday by the New York Times, demonstrates the infinitely expandable scope of the US-declared war on terror. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), passed by Congress on September 14, 2001, approved military action against Al Qaeda and associated forces, including the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The 2001 AUMF has been interpreted by the Bush and Obama administrations as a blanket authorization for military action wherever the president claims to find a connection to Al Qaeda, no matter how tenuous. Al-Shabab was not founded until 2007, six years after the 9/11 attacks, in response to the US-backed invasion of Somalia by Ethiopian troops. It has never conducted operations outside of East Africa. The Times noted that the Somalia decision was one of a series of Obama actions expanding the militarys authority, including broadening the scope of air strikes in Afghanistan and approving air strikes against Sirte, the Libyan city held by supporters of ISIS. More than 400 air strikes followed, pounding into rubble a city already devastated by five years of civil war following the 2011 US-NATO bombing campaign. The preparations to reinforce the pseudo-legal basis of the war in Somalia no doubt began well before the election, when Obama expected to hand off authority to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But it has continued uninterrupted after Trumps victory, and as the Times reported, it is a move that will strengthen President-elect Donald J. Trumps authority to combat thousands of Islamist fighters in the chaotic Horn of Africa nation. Earlier this month, the British-based Guardian reported that Barack Obama will not tighten the rules governing US drone strikes ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration. An Amnesty International USA official, Naureen Shah, told the newspaper, Obama has normalized the idea that presidents get to have secret large-scale killing programs at their disposal. These events shed a new and sinister light over the reports of frequent closed-door discussions between Obama and Trump during the three weeks since the November 8 election. Theyve been talking regularly on any number of issues, Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said on CNNs State of the Union program Sunday. Obama was at pains, in his first post-election statement, to dismiss the bitter vituperation of the election campaign, declaring that the electoral struggle between the Democrats and Republicans was merely an intramural scrimmage. This is profoundly true: both parties represent the same class, the American financial aristocracy, and its global interests, defended in the final analysis by death and destruction inflicted by the American military machine. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka are conducting an extensive campaign among workers and students for their public meeting in Colombo on November 30, entitled The International Implications of Trumps Election. The public meeting has been called to discuss the global impact and significance of Trumps electoral victory, following a well-attended public meeting in Colombo late last month addressed by the US SEP presidential candidate Jerry White via the Internet. The meeting will clarify the essential political factors that led to Donald Trumps election, in particular the pro-business character of Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton and the role played by various pseudo-left organisations. The speakers will detail the immense dangers confronting the working class internationally and outline the program of socialist internationalism that the working class needs to oppose the threat of imperialist war and escalating attacks on living conditions. Every section of the Sri Lankan ruling elite, including the government and the official opposition parties, is appealing for Trumps support. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have both voiced their readiness to closely collaborate with a Trump administration. Sinhala extremist groups have been energised by Trumps election and are trying to utilise his victory to whip up their Sinhala chauvinist agenda. In spite of the confusions generated by the political establishment and the media, workers and students were keen to discuss the issues with SEP and IYSSE campaigners. Many wanted to talk about the shift in world politics reflected in Trumps win and asked questions on various aspects of the US election result. SEP members campaigned in Obeysekarapura, a Colombo working class suburb. Ramya, a clerical worker, commented: Trump is a very corrupt businessman. That is enough to understand that inequality in America will become unbearable under his rule. That is the reality that all the workers around the world are facing today. She further explained that in Sri Lanka all what we heard about the American election were short segments in local news bulletins, nothing else. Intellectual discussions about important foreign affairs like this, which Ive heard and read as a youth, are not there anymore. Ramya also said that because of brutal workplace conditions and extended working hours most people cannot afford to any time for intellectual or aesthetic matters. Its a very serious situation, she said. People are being dragged into darkness and ignorance. D. P. Kumara, a government press worker, said: The media created a picture of Clintons inevitable victory. I was very surprised to hear that Trump had won. Anyway, Hillary or Trumpboth would be equally bad for the common man in America or anywhere else Its the same in Sri Lanka. What was the result of bringing in the new [Sirisena-Wickremesinghe] government? People are suffering in the same manner, or even more. Kumara was critical of all the big parties. When WSWS correspondents explained the threat of another world war, he commented: After talking with you, now I understand the real reason for it. There is a danger of another world war. I think that threat would be intensified under Trumps rule. Many questions arose during the campaign among students. Asha, who was among some international relations students at Colombo University, said: I fully agree that US imperialism caused the biggest miseries to people in many countries. Obama expanded them and Trump will intensify them. Iresha, another student in the group, intervened asking: Why cant we think of Trump being a man who seems to take strong unwavering decisions and might follow a strict policy to end worldwide terrorism? Campaigners pointed out that the most horrifying and ruthless terrorist attacks were actually committed by the US, which also utilised terrorist groups like ISIS for its geo-strategic interests. Iresha posed another question: But Trump has been elected through a democratic election, what can be done now? The campaigners explained that there was no capitalist alternative to Trump or the destruction that the Trump administration could bring upon the American people and the world. The only force that could defeat the danger of war and fascism worldwide was the international working class, armed with a socialist perspective. Chaturanga, a final year medical student, was concerned about the fascistic nature of Trumps program, especially his anti-immigrant policies. I think that immigrant people in America are going to be harassed under the new Trump administration if he implements what he vowed in his election campaign. Chaturanga told the campaigners he had read that ISIS was originally backed by Washington. Now its clear to me these kinds of strategies of US imperialism makes another world war possible and nothing is going to be changed under Trump, he said. But how can we stop a war waged by the world powers? A discussion ensued on the campaign of the International Committee of the Fourth International to build an international anti-war movement based on the working class. A female Muslim student commented: Up to now it was Americas actions against other countries that took the centre stage of world politics. But this election showed to the whole world the crisis in American society. I think the American people would want their president to solve their problems, not launch wars against other countries. Another student expressed her concerns about Trumps fascistic appeals and Islamophobia. She said: He will create problems all over the world. Im not saying that Trump would stop the wars in the Middle East. Most probably he would continue them more brutally. But what Im saying is he will be under pressure by his own people who are seeking solutions for their burning problems within the country. Pradeep, a management student, initially indicated support for the nationalist campaign that is exploiting Trumps victory. After some discussion, he said: Now Im very clear about your explanation that I had never figured out before. Class is the fundamental division of the society instead of race, religion, gender or any other category, and the policies of any political party are been based on the class that they serve. One graduate from the university who is a regular reader of the World Socialist Web Site expressed appreciation for the WSWSs analysis of the US presidential election. I read many articles on WSWS about the election, he said. I didnt find such a broad and scientific analysis of the presidential election anywhere, apart from the WSWS. Moslem mosques in California and Jewish neighborhoods in New York City were both targeted for hate crimes this week, by perpetrators taking the election of Donald Trump as license to threaten religious and racial minorities. The Council on Islamic-American Relations (CAIR) said that letters declaring that Trump will do to Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews were sent to Islamic centers in the northern California city of San Jose, as well as Long Beach and Pomona in southern California. The semi-literate, hand-written letters described Trump as the new sherriff [sic] in town who would cleanse America and make it shine again by eliminating Muslims from the population. The letters were signed Americans for a Better Way and ended with the salutation long live President Trump and God bless the USA. Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIRs Los Angeles office, said in a statement, The hate campaign targeting California houses of worship must be investigated as an act of religious intimidation, and our states leaders should speak out against the growing anti-Muslim bigotry that leads to such incidents. Last week, the FBI reported that hate crimes against American Muslims rose last year to the highest level since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon. There were 257 anti-Muslim incidents in 2015which saw the launching of Trumps presidential campaign in Junean increase of nearly 67 percent from 2014. While the figures for 2016 are incomplete, more than 100 anti-Muslim incidents have been recorded just in the 21 days since the election, according to CAIRs national office. The organization has placed the blame on Trump for his hateful campaign rhetoric, particularly his call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States as immigrants, refugees or even visitors. The group also noted that the FBI had conducted numerous interviews with Muslims in at least eight states on the pretext of collecting information about potential threats from al-Qaeda against the US elections. In New York City, there were reports of a surge of swastika vandalism since the November 8 election. At least 14 cases were reported, eight in the past weektriple the usual rateaccording to the New York Police Department. Of those, no arrests were made. Several of the swastikas included slogans like Go Trump, Trump 2016, or other pro-Trump graffiti, indicating the political sympathies of the anti-Semites responsible. One sign combined a swastika with Make America White Again. The same FBI report that showed the spike in anti-Muslim attacks reported a 9 percent rise in anti-Jewish attacks during 2015. By far the largest number of hate crimes were committed against African-Americans, with racism and ethnic bias believed to be involved in 59 percent of all attacks, compared to 20 percent attributed to religious prejudice and 18 percent to intolerance over sexual orientation. A separate tally by the Southern Poverty Law Center found 701 cases of racial harassment of all kinds since election day, including 60 acts of vandalism involving the swastika. Trump appointed as his top White House strategist a proven propagandist for racism, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim bigotry, Stephen K. Bannon, former CEO of Breitbart News. Bannon himself described Breitbart as the flagship of the alt-right, the cosmetic terminology for white supremacism. The shift to the right reflected in the rise of Francois Fillon as The Republicans (LR) presidential candidate emerges from disillusionment with the reactionary presidency of Francois Hollande, which was supported by the various political satellites of Hollandes Socialist Party (PS). Now, the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) is blaming Fillons emergence as a violently right-wing candidate calling for war and deep austerity, not on the record of the PS, but on the electorate. It writes, His electors saw in Fillon a coherent politician, who was the most able to put in place the ultra-free-market economic policy and very conservative lifestyle policy they wanted. Lutte Ouvriere (LO, Workers Struggle) also lamented that the right-wing electors who selected Fillon in the LR presidential primary chose the person with the most reactionary program, including well-meaning Catholicism on social issues. Such demoralized comments only serve to legitimate the reactionary proposals of Fillon, by falsely portraying them as reflecting a layer of public opinion. The millions of voters who chose Fillon in the LR primaries did not do so because they aspire to destroy Social Security and health care coverage, or want to see the consequences of a major escalation of war in the Middle East. In fact, Fillon carried the primary even though he is presenting a program without a shred of popular support or democratic legitimacy. Apparently, an important factor in the surprise victory of Fillon in the first round of the LR primaries was the attempt by voters to prevent Sarkozywho was discredited by his austerity measures and wars as president between 2007 and 2012from again taking office. About 40 percent of Fillon electors chose him to stop Sarkozy, as well as 70 percent of Juppe voters. Responsibility for the rise of Fillon and the far right lies above all with organizations like the NPA and LO, who blocked opposition to the PS from its left, in the working class. By unambiguously indicating their support for Hollande in 2012, and by working with the union bureaucracy to strangle deep working class anger with Hollandes policies in office, they enormously contributed to the rise of Fillon and the neo-fascist National Front. It is only the absence of an alternative on the left visible to masses of workersunder conditions where the discrediting of the PS also discredits the NPA and LOthat give Fillon and the FN the appearance of strength. It seems safe to predict that many voters who chose Hollande in 2012 will vote differently in 2017, for the right or the far right. The PS and its satellites, including the NPA and LO, also legitimized Fillon and the far right with their own right-wing policies. The PS imposed the state of emergency, tried to inscribe deprivation of nationality in the constitution, dismantled the Calais refugee camp and accepted local bans on burkinis. After the Paris attacks on November 13, 2015, Hollande invited Marine Le Pen to the Elysee palace, supposedly to build national unity. Jean-Luc Melenchonthe presidential candidate of the Left Front, all of whose deputies voted the state of emergency at the National Assembly in November 2015backs banning the burkini in the name of fighting for gender parity: All religions create problems at the level of male-female equality. In the case of Islam, it is perhaps the most visible. The NPA and LO also participated in such moves to normalize the FN, most obviously on lifestyle issues that are important to these organizations middle class constituencies. Threats to ban the burkini are the product of over a decade of attacks on Muslims democratic rights and religious freedom, starting with the banning of the veil in public schools under right-wing President Jacques Chirac in 2004. The NPA and especially LO backed the ban enthusiastically, claiming it would defend secularism and womens rights. The NPA also denounced any left-wing criticism of the imperialist wars launched by Washington and the European imperialist powers in Syria, provocatively dismissing such criticism as aid to the Islamic State (IS) militia. The NPA complained that left-wing organizations hostile to the Syria war have stressed the very real political and historical responsibility of imperialism so much that the denunciation of the Islamic State became inaudible. Thus, the NPA was demanding that anti-war sentiment be muzzled so that anti-IS propaganda, which was at the heart of the media campaign for the state of emergency in France and the war in Syria, be allowed to continue unimpeded. In the reactions of the NPA and LO to the LR primary and Fillons victory, what is most important is what is not said. They are silent on Fillons support for continued police-state measures and the intensification of the PS wars. On these vital issues, the pseudo-left is in full agreement with the traditional bourgeois parties of government. LO tries to posture as an alternative, however, writing: In the short term, faced with a wave of anti-worker statements and programs, [workers] must at least take the opportunity offered by the elections to make the voice of the working class camp heard. To the arrogance of bourgeois politicians, they can oppose their pride as workers, their demands and class consciousness. This is what the candidacy of Nathalie Arthaud, whom LO is running as a presidential candidate, means. In fact, LO is not trying to build an alternative for the workers by running a candidate in the presidential elections. This is what was plainly obvious in 2002, when the Revolutionary Communist League (the NPAs predecesor), the Workers Party and LO collectively received 3 million votes. They then called for a vote for Chirac, supposedly to prevent the election of FN candidate Jean-Marie Le Penrejecting the alternative presented by the ICFI of an active boycott by the working class to oppose Chiracs agenda of austerity and war. LO and its allies were incapable and unwilling to do anything with the millions of votes they had in 2002, as a mass anti-war movement was developing worldwide against the preparation of the illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003. Their evolution since then indicates that they offer no alternative to the ruling class drive towards war and far-right policies, and that workers can only oppose this very dangerous turn by opposing LO and the NPA themselves. At just before 10am Monday morning, 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan drove into a crowd of people on the Ohio State University campus, exited his car and stabbed multiple bystanders with a knife, according to officials investigating the attack. Less than a minute later, Artan was killed by a campus police officer. Eleven people were hurt in the attack, one critically. Most were injured by the car, while at least two were stabbed and one had a fractured skull. The campus remained on lockdown for 90 minutes after the university first reported an active shooter on campus. With little information available, the attack was almost immediately portrayed as terrorist-related by the media, local officials and at least one top level political official, US Congressman Adam Schiff (D-California). The FBI has been called in to join the investigation. Asked at a press conference whether the attack is being considered as a potentially terrorist act, Columbus police chief, Kim Jacobs, said: I think we have to consider that it is. Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released a statement claiming that the attack bears all the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized. Here in the United States, our most immediate threat still comes from lone attackers that are not only capable of unleashing great harm, but are also extremely difficult, and in some cases, virtually impossible to identify or interdict, Schiff said. Artan, a third-year transfer student at Ohio State, wrote a post on his Facebook page before carrying out the attack, according to NBC News. Expressing his anger with American foreign policy, Artan wrote, America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah (community). We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that. Artan attended Columbus State Community College for two years, graduating cum laude with an associates degree, then transferred to Ohio State to continue his studies. Last August, at the start of the fall semester, the campus newspaper the Lantern interviewed Artan as part of their Humans of Ohio State series. In the interview, Artan expressed concern about his ability to pray on campus, as well as apprehension toward praying in public, due to the negative image of Muslims presented by the media. Artan told the Lantern, I just transferred from Columbus State. We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day... I mean, Im new here. This is my first day. This place is huge, and I dont even know where to pray. I wanted to pray in the open, but I was scared with everything going on in the media. Im a Muslim, its not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. NBC News reported that law enforcement officials informed them that Artan was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident of the United States. One of Artans neighbors, Louann Carnahan, told the Washington Post, He was a nice guy, always speaking when spoken to. Jack Ouham, a small business owner near Artans home, told the Washington Post that Artan had lived with several family members in a three-bedroom apartment for the past year. He described Artan as a really nice guy, really quiet, very friendly. No craziness. A very normal, respectful guy. While the motives behind the attack are not yet clear, the political climate in the US undoubtedly had an unsettling impact upon Artan. The presidential campaign, which culminated in the election of the fascistic Donald Trump, stirred up anti-immigrant prejudice and encouraged extreme right-wing forces. While Trump issued xenophobic calls for the banning of Muslim immigrants and an expansion of military violence in the Middle East, Clinton called for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Syria and supported an escalation of US aggression in the Middle East. The attack at Ohio State follows a series of threatening letters sent to mosques in California attacking Muslims and warning of a cleansing of America under the Trump administration. The letters denounced Muslims as vile and filthy people and predicted that Trump is going to do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews. Three weeks after the US presidential election, the political crisis triggered by the initiative to recount the vote in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvaniathree states that helped ensure Trumps victory over Clintonis escalating. This initiative coincides with the continued growth of Hillary Clintons lead in the popular vote, which now stands at more than 2.2 million. This is, by far, a historically unprecedented margin for a candidate who did not also win in the Electoral College. Jill Stein, the presidential candidate of the Green Party, initiated the recount campaign last week following a media report featuring University of Michigan professor and cyber security expert J. Alex Halderman. In a thoroughly unprincipled use of right-wing arguments to legitimize the recount effort in the eyes of the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Partywhich did not intend to contest the election resultsHalderman claims that a team he leads found persuasive evidence that electronic voting machines in these three states may have been hacked by Russia, a statement that he repeated in an affidavit supporting Steins petition for a recount in Wisconsin. On Saturday, the Clinton campaign announced that it would participate in the process begun by Stein. Trump responded on Sunday by not only denouncing the recount but also charging, without any factual substantiation, that he also won the popular vote if the millions of illegal votes for Clinton were discounted. The demand for a recount is a legitimate political response to a situation in which the votes in the states in question were particularly close (a Trump margin of 22,000 in Wisconsin, 10,000 in Michigan and 68,000 in Pennsylvania). Much more is involved, however, than a technical procedure in these three states. The recount campaign has exposed political fissures within the ruling elite, complicated efforts to carry out a seamless transition to a Trump administration, and intensified the mood of popular discontent and crisis that has been building since Election Day. The response of the Obama administration to the recount says a great deal about its indifference toward basic democratic principles. In comments to the New York Times reported on Sunday, a senior White House official insisted on the overall integrity of the electoral infrastructure, which ensured results that accurately reflect the will of the American people. This is obviously untrue. The election of Trump does not represent the will of the people. He lost the popular vote by a substantial margin. Moreover, Trump campaigned on the basis of demagogic lies, portraying himself as a defender of the working class. The Democratic Party is far more worried about provoking opposition among workers and youth than it is about the tactical differences it has with the Republicans and Trump. On basic elements of class policy, the two parties are, as the CIA agent-in-chief Obama put it, on the same team. The Green Party, rather than denouncing the undemocratic character of the election process, is justifying its recount initiative with the claim that Russian hacking may have affected the outcome of the vote. Instead of seeking to raise the democratic consciousness of the voters, the Greensin a manner typical of capitalist political partiesemploy reactionary arguments that are pitched toward the interests of the ruling class. In effect, the Greens are arguing that they are seeking a recount not to prevent Trump from stealing the election, but rather to stop Putin from interfering in American politics. There is an unstated premise in the Green Party initiativeand Stein has said nothing to contradict thisthat the election of Clinton would have spared the United States all the unhappiness that will follow from Trumps victory. This is an exercise in political deception, which portrays Trump as some sort of dreadful and accidental departure from the familiar grooves of American democracy. It does not seem to occur to the Greens that the result of the 2016 election is, in objective terms, the expression and outcome of a profound crisis of American society. Even if Trump fell short of Clinton in the popular vote, the fact that he received 62 million votes is a devastating condemnation of everything that the Democratic Party and the Obama administration represent. What level of social distress and dysfunction could lead so many millions of people, including many workers, to give their vote to this reactionary charlatan? In what way would a Clinton presidency contribute to surmounting the economic, political and social crisis that provided the objective impulse for the rise of Trump? Trump's election is the product of twenty-five years of unending war and fifteen years of the war on terror, accompanied by historic levels of social inequality and the erosion of basic democratic rights. It is also a verdict on eight years of the Obama administration, whose policies Clinton pledged to continue. The Greens, far from advancing an alternative to the Democratic Party, are positioning themselves as its most consistent defenders. Backed by a host of organizations that operate around the Democratic Party and supported the Greens in the elections, Stein is seeking to elevate the role of the Green Party as a political instrument of the ruling class in containing and smothering social opposition. Under conditions of a historic crisis of capitalism, the working class must advance its own perspective and not allow itself to be corralled behind one or another faction of the ruling class and its political representatives. Whatever the outcome of the recount, the election of 2016 has inaugurated a new period of convulsive political upheavals within the United States and beyond its borders. Even in the very unlikely event that the votes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania are overturned, who can seriously believe that such an outcome would be accepted by Trump and his most ruthless backers? There is no easy way out of the crisis of American and world capitalism. The critical question for workers and young people is to break completely with the entire political apparatus of the ruling class and advance an independent response based on a socialist, internationalist and revolutionary program. We urge our readers and supporters to draw the necessary political conclusions from the election of 2016 and join the Socialist Equality Party. In what is being described as the worst defeat for US-backed forces since the outset of the war for regime-change in Syria nearly six years ago, government troops, backed by forces from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and Iraqi Shia militias, have retaken over 40 percent of eastern Aleppo, the last urban stronghold of the so-called rebels. According to a report from Iran, which, together with Russia, is a principal backer of the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian army units have conquered 20 square kilometers out of the total of 45 square kilometers making up eastern Aleppo. The government advance has been extremely rapid, suggesting a rout of the US-backed militias. The ground offensive follows two weeks of intense Syrian air strikes, launched after a month-long cessation of bombing by both Syrian and Russian warplanes. Syrian government media reported that the army had captured the Sakhour area and was clearing it of mines. Government control of this part of the city would effectively split the area held by the rebels in two. The government advance has led to tens of thousands of civilians fleeing the areas controlled by the Islamist militias for safety in both government-controlled western Aleppo and the Sheik Maqsoud district held by the Kurdish YPG militia. The YPG has joined in the offensive against eastern Aleppo, further complicating the US intervention in Syria. While Washington has backed the Islamist militias fighting the Assad government, it has also sought to use the Kurdish YPG as its principal proxy force in the US military campaign against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Syria. Turkey, Washingtons NATO ally in the region, has also sent troops into Syria, ostensibly to combat ISIS, but directed principally at preventing the Syrian Kurdish forces from consolidating control over territory near the Turkish border. As a result, on multiple fronts Washington is backing forces that are fighting against each other. The civilians fleeing eastern Aleppo told stories of the horrors of the Russian-Syrian government bombing campaign as well as the repression and terror carried out by the Islamists controlling the neighborhoods in the east. It has been widely reported that the US-backed militias previously shot civilians trying to leave. Before the war began in 2011, Aleppo was Syrias second-largest city as well as its commercial capital. Western Aleppo, where approximately 1.5 million people live--as opposed to less than 200,000 in the rebel-held eastern part of the city--is under the control of the Syrian government. It has come under indiscriminate mortar fire from the US-backed rebels aimed against the civilian population. Both the Russian media and the Washington Post reported Monday that US Secretary of State John Kerry has mounted a new campaign aimed at brokering a ceasefire in Aleppo. While couched in humanitarian rhetoric, the principal aim of these efforts is to prevent the complete collapse of the US-backed militias and the consolidation of the Assad governments control over all of Syrias major population centers. The media and Obama administration officials have violently denounced the Syrian government and its ally Russia for the siege of eastern Aleppo. The situation today, however, is the reverse of what prevailed a year ago when the so-called rebels were laying siege to western Aleppo, which faced an imminent humanitarian catastrophe. At that time, there were no humanitarian concerns expressed by Washington. US State Department spokesman John Kirby on Monday denied that Kerry was engaged in frantic or frenetic, last-ditch efforts to salvage the US-backed regime-change operation before the fall of Aleppo and the inauguration of Donald Trump, who has expressed disagreements with current US policy. Kirby acknowledged that the continuing sticking point in attempts to reach a new agreement with Moscow was Washingtons failure to keep its pledge to separate supposedly moderate rebels from the fighters of the al-Nusra Front, the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda. That is a difficult thing, said the State Department spokesman. Weve talked about that for many months, this marbleization, if you will, of--the marbling of opposition groups with al-Nusra. The difficulty is that the only significant armed opposition forces in the regime-change operation orchestrated by Washington and its allies consist of al-Nusra and ISIS, both offshoots of Al Qaeda, which for the decade-and-a-half of the war on terror has been portrayed as the foremost threat to the security of people of the US and the world. Virginias health commissioner declared last week that opioid addiction in the state is a public health emergency. She issued a standing order allowing any resident of the state to access naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. According to Virginia Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, three people die every day in the state from opioid overdoses, while 12 people are treated in the emergency room. The number of heroin overdoses in Virginia in the first 9 months of this year has increased 89 percent compared to the previous year. In 2014, for the first time more Virginians died from opioid overdoses (728) than from car accidents (700). According to the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, between 2007 and 2015 there were 4,036 deaths in the state related to prescription opioid overdoses. Between 2011 and 2014, more than 1,300 babies in Virginia were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome due to the mothers drug use. The declaration follows the release of a surgeon generals report that found one in seven Americans face substance addiction, but only 10 percent ever receive any assistance. According to the report, last year over 27 million people in the United States used illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 percent of the 47,055 drug overdoses in 2014 were due to opioid use. That translates to an average of 78 opioid overdose deaths in the United States every day. This number has nearly quadrupled since 1999. The number of overdoses and resulting deaths has worsened due to the use of stronger opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanil. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is estimated to be 50 to 100 times as potent as morphine, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The fast-acting nature of fentanyl increases the likelihood and lethality of overdoses compared to heroin or other prescription drugs. Carfentanil, an analog of fentanyl, is a tranquilizer used for elephants and other large animals. It is 10,000 times as potent as morphine. The drug has never been tested on humans in clinical trials, so there is little is known about the drug, including the lethal dose range. Drug users often mistake carfentanil for heroin or heroin mixed with fentanyl because of their similarity in appearance, heightening the danger of the drug. Carfentanil-related incidents have been concentrated in the states of Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia, but also further south in Georgia and Florida. Incidents have also emerged in Virginia, according to the states health commissioner. The potency of these stronger opioids means that overdose victims typically require multiple doses of naloxone to be revived. They have been at the root of the recent spate of overdoses in cities such as Huntington, West Virginia in August and Akron, Ohio in September. A driving factor in the rise in opioid addiction and deaths from overdoses in the past 15 years is the increase in the number of prescriptions for opioid painkillers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanylmarketed as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Subsys, etc. Aggressive marketing by drugmakers has magnified the opioid epidemic, while at the same time enriching pharmaceutical companies. Purdue Pharma, for example, encouraged doctors to prescribe OxyContin for all types of aches and pains, not just those associated with terminal illnesses. In order to distinguish the drug from cheaper, generic opioid painkillers, the company marketed the drug as providing 12-hour relief. When patients complained that the medication lost its effectiveness prematurely, Purdue encouraged doctors to prescribe higher doses for the same time intervalincreasing the risk of addiction and overdose. The drug became a blockbuster and placed the owners of Purdue, the Sackler family, onto Forbes list of the 20 wealthiest families with a personal wealth of $14 billion. The company, now based in Stamford, Connecticut, has opposed any attempts to place restrictions on prescribing OxyContin, while showering politicians with campaign cash. Insys Pharmaceuticals, based in Chandler, Arizona, is the manufacturer of a rapid-acting version of fentanyl marketed as Subsys. The company is currently under investigation in more than 15 regions by state attorneys general, federal prosecutors and regulators over its business practices and marketing of Subsys. In a 22-count criminal indictment filed in Mobile, Alabama against two doctors prescribing vast quantities of opioid painkillers, federal prosecutors allege that Insys effectively bribed doctors by rewarding them for writing large numbers of prescriptions for Subsys, prescribing a combined $4.9 million worth of the drug, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. An analysis of federal data by the Journal found that the top 20 prescribers of Subsys for Medicare patients in 2014 were also the largest recipients of consulting and other fees from Insys. Dr. Gavin Awerbuch, for example, a Michigan neurologist who recently pled guilty to prescribing Subsys for no legitimate medical purpose, wrote $10.1 million worth of Subsys prescriptions for Medicare patients between 2013 and 2014, and received $90,000 in fees from Insys from August 2013 through 2015. Insys is run by billionaire John N. Kapoor. Prior to co-founding Insys in 2002, Kapoor gained control of LyphoMedi in 1987 through a $50,000 investment. He quadrupled the price of the companys decades-old drug that was being used to treat AIDS, before selling the company in 1990, a sale that made him more than $100 million. Subsys, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012, was the companys first new product. The drug now captures half of the prescriptions for rapid-acting fentanyl. Since 2013, the companys revenue has tripled, while its profits grew by 45 percent to $58.5 million. The drugs success, notes the Journal, was underpinned by tactics that Dr. Kapoor used to great effect at his previous companies, charging high prices and employing a low-salaried, highly motivated sales force. Since the launch of Subsys four years ago, Insys has more than doubled the price of the drug. The companys 250 sales representatives focus on doctors who are the highest prescribers of fast-acting fentanyl. Sales reps are paid a low base salary, but have financial incentives to push doctors to prescribe the largest number of prescriptions, at the highest doses possible, through sales commissions. According to the Journal, staff from the companys reimbursement center would often call up and lie to pharmacy benefits managersfor example, pretending to be from the office of the doctor that wrote the prescription, or lying that the patient had cancerto ensure that Subsys would be covered by insurance, which generally limits coverage to cancer patients or requires patients to seek out a lower-cost alternative first. And while some drugmakers have profited handsomely while contributing to the opioid epidemic, others pharmaceutical companies are intent on profiting from the crisis by jacking up the price of the drug used to treat opioid overdoses, naloxone. Naloxone binds to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system, and is considered to be an antidote to opioid overdose. Discovered in the early 1960s and approved by the FDA in 1971, naloxone has few side effects and is included in most emergency responder kits. It is administered either through intravenous injection or a nasal spray. For people who regularly take opioids, including those who take the drugs as prescribed by the doctor for pain, having naloxone on hand can mean the difference between life and death, Phillip Coffin, M.D., the director of the Substance Use Research Unit at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, told Consumer Reports in September. This past May, Politico broke the story on the dramatic price hikes on naloxone formulations. Drugmakers are increasing the price of a drug that has long been available at a low price, similar to the widely publicized price hikes of EpiPen by Mylan and Daraprim by Turning Pharmaceuticals. There are currently five different formulations on the market. The most common formulation of nalaxone is made by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, which in October 2014 raised the list price of its 10 pre-filled, 2-milliliter syringes from $120 to $330. Likewise, Kaleo Pharma raised the list price for its two single-dose Evzio injectors from $575 two years ago to $3,750. Between 2005 and 2014, Hospira, now owned by Pfizer, jacked the price for two vials of its generic version from $1.84 to $31.66. Mylan released an additional generic version in 2014, while Adapt Pharmas Narcan nasal spray was approved in 2015. The competition between multiple formulations, however, has done nothing to bring down the price. Kaleo, for example, has used its price increases to help cover patient copays, which encourages patients to purchase more expensive branded drugs and ultimately drives up insurance rates. The only change made to the companys latest auto injector is the packaging, which now includes voice-activated instructions. The price hikes, moreover, have nothing to do with actual cost of manufacturing the drug. Were not talking about a limited commodity, Dan Bigg, the executive director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance, told Business Insider in August. Naloxone is a medicine that is almost as cheap as sterile sodium chloridesalt water. This is an older generic drug on the World Health Organizations list of essential medicines. It costs pennies in other countries, Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen, told Consumer Reports. Its completely inappropriate and, frankly, shameful that we are faced with these rising prices in the midst of an opioid epidemic. No one should be dying because we cant afford this drug. The price hikes are not conscionable, Wen told Politico. We have not been able to understand what is motivating them except for profit. One concern is that money for naloxone is coming out of the same pot as money for treatment and prevention, Alison Knopf, editor of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, told Stat News this past summer. The costlier it is, the less money for treatment and prevention. While price hikes for pharmaceuticals are often cushioned through insurance coverage, the story is different with naloxone. In the case of naloxone, Daniel Raymond, policy director of the Harm Reduction Coalition, told CNBC in September, when its purchased directly by health departments, or community organizations or police departments, theres no buffer, they pay the whole cost, so any increase in price erodes their purchasing power, and theyre either able to purchase fewer or theyre gonna need to find additional dollars to keep pace with the demand. The source of the drive by pharmaceutical companies to aggressively market prescription painkillers while at the same time hiking the price of the antidote to opioid overdoses, is the same one that lies at the root of the immense social crisis that is ultimately responsible for the epidemic of opioid addiction and overdoses, and the completely inadequate response to address these social problems: the profit system. The complex interaction between personal and social problems, between brain chemistry and social conditions, the sense of desperation and hopelessness, the lack of social support and connection, all of the factors that come together to produce substance abuse, addiction and drug overdoses, in the final analysis, have their basis within a social system in which every decision is based upon the profit needs of corporations and where the vast majority of the population faces stagnant or declining wages, crushing debt and unrelenting economic uncertainty and austerity. JAMES B COMEY pierinocretaro@alice.it > Date: 2016-10-31 16:19 GMT-04:00 Subject: This is the final warning you are going to receive from us, To: Attention: Beneficiary, This is the final warning you are going to receive from us, do you get me? I hope you understand how many times this message has been sent to you? change your email password because they hacked your password and if you change it do not send it to anyone another time, We would also send a letter to the company/agency that you are working for so that they could get you fired until we are through with our investigations because a suspect is not supposed to be working for the government or any private organization. Your ID which we have in our database have been sent to all the crimes agencies in America for them to inset you an their website as an internet fraudsters and to warn people from having any deals with you. This would have been solved all this while if you had gotten the CERTIFICATE ENDORSED AND STAMPED as you were instructed in the e-mail below. This is the federal bureau of investigation (FBI) am writing in response to the e-mail you sent to us and am using this medium to inform you that there is no more time left to waste because you have been given a mandate. As stated earlier to have the document endorsed, signed and stamped without failure and you must adhere to this directives to avoid you blaming yourself at last when we must have arrested and jailed you for life and all your properties will be seized and bank account will be confiscated too. You failed to comply with our directives/instruction and that was the reason why we didn' t hear from you, 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 48hours 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/identity and right now 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 help to 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 can help you get the process done and he stated that he will endorse and stamp the document at the sum of $68 usd only and i believe this process is cheaper for you. You need to do every possible thing 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 learnt that you were the person that forwarded your identity to one impostor/fraudsters in Nigeria 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 $10,500,000.00 only. I pleaded on your behalf so that this agency could give you till this week-end so that you could get this process done because i learnt that several e-mails has been sent to you without getting a response from you. 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 once it had befallen on you. You would make the payment through western union money transfer OR Money gram money transfer with the below details. RECEIVER ' S NAME:BOSCO ANA ADDRESS: Benin Republic, CITY. . . . COTONOU TEXT QUESTION: BETTER ANSWER: BEST AMOUNT: $68 Senders Full Name: Sender Full Address: Direct Phone Number: MTCN::::::::::::: Send the payment details to me as stated above and make sure that you didn' t hesitate making the payment down to the agency by today 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 $10.500,000.00 usd which was supposed to have been transferred to you all this while. Note: All the crimes agencies have been contacted on this regards and we shall trace and arrest you if you disregard this instructions. You are given a grace today to make the payment for the document after which your failure to do that will attract a maximum arrest and finally ygu will be appearing in court for act of terrorism, money laundering and drug trafficking charges, so be warned not to tryn anything funny because you are been watched. change your email password because they hacked your password and if you change it do not send it to anyone another time, Yours in service, James B Comey From:Date: 2016-10-31 16:19 GMT-04:00Subject: This is the final warning you are going to receive from us,To:Attention: Beneficiary,This is the final warning you are going to receive from us, do you get me? Ihope you understand how many times this message has been sent to you? changeyour email password because they hacked your password and if you change it donot send it to anyone another time,We would also send a letter to the company/agency that you are working for sothat they could get you fired until we are through with our investigationsbecause a suspect is not supposed to be working for the government or anyprivate organization.Your ID which we have in our database have been sent to all the crimesagencies in America for them to inset you an their website as an internetfraudstersand to warn people from having any deals with you. This would have been solvedallthis while if you had gotten the CERTIFICATE ENDORSED AND STAMPED as you wereinstructed in the e-mail below. This is the federal bureau of investigation(FBI) am writing in response to the e-mail you sent to us and am using thismedium to inform you that there is no more time left to waste because you havebeen given a mandate. As stated earlier to have the document endorsed, signedand stamped without failure and you must adhere to this directives to avoidyou blaming yourself at last when we must have arrested and jailed you forlifeandall your properties will be seized and bank account will be confiscated too.You failed to comply with our directives/instruction and that was the reasonwhy we didn' t hear from you, as our director has already been notified aboutyou get the process completed yesterday and right now the WARRANT OF ARREST hasbeen signed against you and it will be carried out in the next 48hours asstrictly signed by the FBI director. We have investigated and found out thatyou didn' t have any idea when the fraudulent deal was committed with yourinformation/identity and right now your ID is placed on our website as a wantedperson, I believe you know that it will be a shame to you and your entirefamily because after then it will be announce in all the local channels thatyou are wanted by the FBI.As a good Christian and a Honest man, I decided to see how i could be of helpto 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 can help you get the process done and he stated that he willendorse and stamp the document at the sum of $68 usd only and i believe thisprocess is cheaper for you.You need to do every possible thing today and tomorrow to get this process donebecause our director has called to inform me that the warrant of arrest hasbeen signed against you and once it has been approved, then the arrest will becarried out, and from our investigations we learnt that you were the personthat forwarded your identity to one impostor/fraudsters in Nigeria when he hada deal with you about the transfer of some illegal funds into your bank accountwhich is valued at the sum of $10,500,000.00 only.I pleaded on your behalf so that this agency could give you till this week-endso that you could get this process done because i learnt that several e-mailshas been sent to you without getting a response from you. Bear it in mind thatthis is the only way that i can be able to help you at this moment or you wouldhave to face the law and its consequences once it had befallen on you. Youwould make the payment through western union money transfer OR Money gram moneytransferwith the below details.RECEIVER ' S NAME:BOSCO ANAADDRESS: Benin Republic,CITY. . . . COTONOUTEXT QUESTION: BETTERANSWER: BESTAMOUNT: $68Senders Full Name:Sender Full Address:Direct Phone Number:MTCN:::::::::::::Send the payment details to me as stated above and make sure that you didn' thesitate making the payment down to the agency by today so that they could havethe certificate endorsed, signed and stamped immediately without any furtherdelay. After all this process has been carried out, then we would have toproceed to the bank for the transfer of your compensation funds which is valuedat the sum of $10.500,000.00 usd which was supposed to have been transferred toyou all this while.Note: All the crimes agencies have been contacted on this regards and we shalltrace and arrest you if you disregard this instructions. You are given a gracetoday to make the payment for the document after which your failure to do thatwill attract a maximum arrest and finally ygu will be appearing in court foract of terrorism, money laundering and drug trafficking charges, so be warnednot to tryn anything funny because you are been watched. change your emailpassword because they hacked your password and if you change it do not send itto anyone another time,Yours in service,James B Comey On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 9:23 am, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES < efccofficemail1900@gmail.com > wrote: Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department Of Justice Fbi New York 26 Federal Plaza 23rd Floor New. York 10278-0004 Official Letter From The FBI New York Good Morning, This is to notify to you that I resumed work to office 24hours back and i received update from United Nation Ambassador Mathew and he told me There will be an International Flight Today by 4pm and Mrs. Nadine Cotto will act as your diplomat and deliver the package to you which will take only 18 hours to get the package delivered.The actual fee was $300 but it was reduced to $100 this morning to ensure that you received your package Today. Note: The package you will receive contain a Visa Credit Card which contain $20 Million usd, Master Credit Card which contain $200,000 and a verified cashier check worth $3 Million usd with the required security document which was made in your name as the sole owner and it also include the security pin you will use to transact with both credit cards. The fund is from the UN compensation/bailout funds for citizens of UN member countries and citizens of commonwealth Nations for poverty alleviation during this economic crunch and recession. The sum of $7BN was shared amongst 215 companies and individuals. You were awarded the fund for investment to ease the economic crunch and to be profitable and help others in need as a measure to ease the present economic hardship. The sum of $100 is required to enable Mr. RALPHAEL NZE from the origin of your fund get a diplomatic package seal with tag or else the International Airport customs will not allow him to board the flight with the package and this diplomatic package seal with tag will be made in your name as the owner of the package. There is no much time left and the fee need to be paid today to enable him board tonight flight and it will take 18 hours to get the package delivered to you. Send the $100 charge fee and get your package delivered within 18 hours and this will be the only fee and last fee required from you toward this transaction. SO DIRECT THE $100 TO THE ORIGIN OF YOUR FUND AS LISTED BELOW VIA WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM. RECEIVE NAME. . . . . IKEM MIKE COUNTRY . . . . . . NIGERIA CITY . . . . . . . . LAGOS TEXT QUESTION:. . . . WHEN ANSWER:. . . . .TODAY AMOUNT:. . . $100.00 MTCN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SENDER NAME. . . . . . . . SENDER PHONE NO. . . . . . . . SENDER ADDRESS. . . . . . . . I am online waiting for your reply with the $100 payment so that you will get your fund successful by Today from the diplomat DAMION CHINEDU. MR.JAMES B.COMEY (DG) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535 On Sunday, November 6, 2016 12:48 AM, "JAMES B. COMEY, JR" < jamesb24@getbacktous.ga > wrote: 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: 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. JAMES B. COMEY, JREXECUTIVE 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 HicksOFFICE ADDRESS: Wood Forest National Bank OhioCentral Business District,Cadastral Zone,OHIOEmail: woodforesttimhicks@mail.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, JrFederal Bureau of InvestigationJ. Edgar Hoover Building.935 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW Washington, D.C. Sent: Wed, Nov 9, 2016 4:37 pm Subject: THIS IS THE FINAL WARNING!!! Anti-Terrorist and Monetary Crimes Division FBI Headquarters In Washington, D.C. Federal Bureau Of Investigation J. Edgar Hoover Building THIS IS THE FINAL WARNING!!! This is the final warning you are going to receive from me do you get me? I hope you understand how many times this message has been sent to you. We have warned you so many times and you have decided to ignore our e-mails or because you believe we have not been instructed to get you arrested and today if you fail to respond back to s with the payment details below,then we would first send a letter to the MAYOR of the city where you reside and direct them to close your bank account until you have been jailed and all your properties will be confiscated by the FBI,CIA and other enforcement agency. We would also send a letter to the company/agency that you are working for so that they could get you fired until we are through with our investigations because a suspect is not suppose to be working for the government or any private organization. Your ID which we have in our database have been sent to all the crimes agencies in America for them to inset you in their website as an internet fraudsters and to warn people from having any deals with you.This would have been solved all this while if you had gotten the CERTIFICATE ENDORSED AND STAMPED as you were instructed in the e-mail below. This is the federal bureau of investigation (FBI) am writing in response to the e-mail you sent to us and am using this medium to inform you that there is no more time left to waste because you have been given a mandate. As stated earlier to have the document endorsed, signed and stamped without failure and you must adhere to this directives to avoid you blaming yourself at last when we must have arrested and jailed you for life and all your properties will be seized and bank account will be confiscated too. You failed to comply with our directives/instruction and that was the reason why we didn't hear from you, 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 48hours 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 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 Federal bureau. I decided to see how i could be of help to you ecause 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 can help you get the process done and he ensured that he will endorse and stamp the document with the sum of $150 USD only and i believe this process is cheaper for you. You need to do every possible 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 identity to one impostor/fraudsters in Nigeria when he had a deal with you about the transfer of some illegal funds the sum of $10,500M,000.00 only. I pleaded on your behalf so that this agency could give you till 17/3/2016 so that you could get this process done because i learn that you were sent several e-mail without getting a response from you, Bear it in mind that this is the only way that i can be of able to help you at this moment or you would have to face the law and its consequences once it has befall on you. You would make the payment through money gram transfer with the below details. RECEIVER NAME:Paul Ike COUNTRY, BENIN REPUBLIC CITY, COTONOU TEXT QUESTION: Urgent ANSWER: Today AMOUNT: $150 USD Senders Full Name= = = Sender Full Address:= = Direct Phone Number:= = = = = MTCN:= = = = = Send the payment details to me as stated above and make sure that you didn't hesitate making the payment down to the agency by today 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 $10m.500,000.00 usd which was suppose to have been transferred to you all this while. Note: All the crimes agencies have been contacted on this regards and we shall trace and arrest you if you disregard this instructions. You are given a grace today to make the payment for the document after which your failure to do that will attract a maximum arrest and finally you will be appearing in court for act of terrorism,money laundering and drug trafficking charges, so be warned not to try any thing funny because you are been watched. EXPECTING YOUR KIND ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION. JAMES B. COMEY FBI DIRECTOR From: Fbi Department < fbidepartment4@outlook.com >Sent: Wed, Nov 9, 2016 4:37 pmSubject: THIS IS THE FINAL WARNING!!! Sent: Sat, Nov 19, 2016 1:11 pm Subject: ATTN: PAYMENT BENEFICIARY CODE(1806201) FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. J. Edgar Hoover Buildings 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001 ATTN: PAYMENT BENEFICIARY CODE(1806201) GOOD NEWS FOR YOU FROM THE FBI UNITED STATES. WE HAD A MEETING WITH INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA/ BENIN OVER YOUR LONG OVERDUE CONTRACT PAYMENT AND WE AGREED WITH THEM THAT YOUR FUND SHOULD NOT COST YOU ANYTHING BECAUSE IS YOUR MONEY, WHICH WE FINALLY REACHED AN AGREEMENT YESTERDAY THAT ALL THE PAYMENT WILL BE PAID VIA ATM SMART CARD WHICH IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO TRANSFER HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO AVOID COST OF TRANSFER AND OTHER STATUTORY DOCUMENTS, WHICH WE STRETCHED TO HAVE A STRONG AGREEMENT OVER THE PAYMENT THAT WILL COST YOU ONLY $95USD FOR DELIVERY OF YOUR ATM SMART CARD VIA UPS OR FED EX DELIVERY COMPANY DEPENDING ON YOUR CHOICE. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE ONLY TWO WORKING DAYS TO SEND THIS REQUIRED DELIVERY FEE OF $95USD TO FED EX OR UPS COURIER COMPANY FOR DELIVERING OF YOUR CARD BECAUSE YOUR CARD WILL BE DISPATCH TO THEM IMMEDIATELY. AND IF WE DON'T HEAR FROM YOU WITH THE PAYMENT INFORMATION; THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WILL NOT HESITATE BY GIVEN INSTRUCTION TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT TO CANCEL YOUR PAYMENT THAT HAS BEEN ALREADY APPROVED AND PROGRAMMED IN AN ATM SMART CARD. I WANT YOU TO READ BELOW CAREFULLY, THE NOTICE BELOW STAND AS CAUTION BEFORE IT IS LATE. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, YOU MUST BE CONSCIOUS OF THIS PROJECT, AS I WILL SOON CONCLUDE THIS TRANSACTION WITH YOU, LET THIS STAND AS A WARNING BEFORE YOU IN CASE YOU RECEIVED ANY E-MAILS OR CALLS REGARDING TO THIS FROM ANY INDIVIDUAL, OFFICE, ORGANIZATION AND BANKS CLAIMING TO BE ME. BE INFORMED THAT YOU MAY ALSO RECEIVE SEVERAL E-MAILS AND TELEPHONE CALLS FROM ANY ORGANIZATION, SUCH MUST BE FORWARDED TO US IMMEDIATELY FOR VERIFICATION.IT MIGHT COME TO YOU WITH DIFFERENT PROPOSALS WITH DIFFERENT NAMES INCLUDING MY NAME ASKING YOU TO COME AND PUT CLAIM ON YOUR ESTATE OR EVEN FUNDS BELONGING TO YOU OR TO SOMEBODY YOU DO NOT KNOW, I URGE YOU TO IGNORE SUCH E-MAILS OR CALLS, WHILE YOU FORWARD IT TO US. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION. WHILE RESPONDING TO THE ATM CARD PAYMENT OFFICER YOU MUST CONFIRM THIS CODE (18062010) FOR IDENTIFICATION. HOWEVER, BE INFORMED THAT THE PART PAYMENT, WHICH IS 3,000.000.00 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS HAS BEEN LOADED IN YOUR ATM SMART CARD AND YOUR FUND WHICH IS IN TUNE OF 10,500.000.00 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS WILL COME IN BATCHES OF 3,000.000.00 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST BATCH OF YOUR PART PAYMENT.YOUR PAYMENT WOULD BE SENT TO YOU VIA UPS OR FEDEX, BECAUSE WE HAVE SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THEM WHICH SHOULD EXPIRED BY DECEMBER 31 2016. BELOW ARE FEW LIST OF TRACKING NUMBERS YOU CAN TRACK FROM UPS WEBSITE(WWW.FEDEX.COM ) TO CONFIRM PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO HAVE RECEIVED THEIR PAYMENT SUCCESSFULLY. GARY WILLIAMS BRINK = = = = = = = 806017994265 AARON METIER = = = = = = = 871363130860 MARK STUBBY = = = = = = = 871363116168 MOREOVER, THIS IS ANOTHER PEOPLE THAT RECEIVED THEIR PAYMENT THROUGH UPS WEBSITE (WWW.UPS.COM ). JOHNNY ALMANAC = = = = = = = 1Z2X59394198080570 GARY METIER = = = = = = = 1Z2X59394195952759 GLEN PAPAYAS = = = = = = = 1Z2X59394198690947 HOWEVER,BE ADVISED BASED ON OUR RECOMMENDATION/INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOUR COMPLETE CONTRACT/INHERITANCE OVER-DUE FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY UPON YOUR CONTACT TO THE NEWLY APPOINTED PAYMENT OFFICER THAT WILL CARRY OUT THE DISPATCH OF YOUR ATM SMART CARD TO UPS COURIER COMPANY WITH THE PAYMENT FOR DELIVERY OF YOUR PACKAGED. YOU ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO CONTACT REV.JAMES LONG IMMEDIATELY AS STATED BELOW AS THE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF ATM SMART CARD/FOREIGN OPERATION DEPT. CONTACT PERSON: REV.JAMES LONG PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS:( unitedpostalservice110qq@yahoo.com PRIVATE DIRECT TELL +234-8101881179 YOU'RE ADVISED TO CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY SO AS TO ENABLE HIM FACILITATE A SPEEDY PROCESSING AND RELEASE OF YOUR DELIVERY SINCE IS THE ONLY $95.00 USD THAT IS KEEPING YOUR ATM SMART CARD. CONTACT HIM WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS BELOW: 1. YOUR FULL NAME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. CONTACT ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. YOUR AGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. OCCUPATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. PHONES AND FAX NUMBER. . . . . . . . . 6. COUNTRY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. YOUR ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOTE: YOU'RE ADVISED TO FURNISH YOUR INFORMATION TO INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REV JAMES LONG WITH YOUR CORRECT AND VALID DETAILS TO ENABLE HIM EXPEDITE SPEEDY ACTION ON THE PROCESSING OF YOUR PAYMENT. WE EXPECT YOUR SWIFT RESPONSE TO THIS EMAIL TO ENABLE US MONITOR THIS PAYMENT AND THE DELIVERY OF YOUR ATM SMART CARD EFFECTIVELY THERE BY MAKING CONTACT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT AS DIRECTED TO AVOID FURTHER DELAY. YOU'RE ALSO EXPECTED TO FOLLOW HIS ADVICE AND DIRECTIVES TO AVOID DELAY IN RELEASING YOUR PAYMENT BECAUSE YOUR PAYMENT FILE HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVED TO IMF OFFICE FOR PROCESSING AND VERIFICATION. CONGRATULATIONS. YOURS IN SERVICE, DIRECTOR JAMES B. COMEY, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535 From: JAMES B. COMEY < raquel@aurman.com >Sent: Sat, Nov 19, 2016 1:11 pmSubject: ATTN: PAYMENT BENEFICIARY CODE(1806201) From: wmd4060 < wmd4060@excite.co.jp > To: uap < uap@yahoo.com > Sent: Sun, Nov 20, 2016 7:38 am Subject: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department Of Justice Fbi New York 26 Federal Plaza 23rd Floor New. York 10278-0004 Official Letter From The FBI New York Call us or txst +1716-524-5341 Very Urgent This is to notify to you that I resumed work to office 24hours back and i received update from United Nation Ambassador Mathew and he told me There will be an International Flight tomorrow by 4pm and Mrs. Nadine Cotto will act as your diplomat and deliver the package to you which will take only 18 hours to get the package delivered. The actual fee was $300 but it was reduced to $75 this morning to ensure that you received your package tomorrow. Note: The package you will receive contain a Visa Credit Card which contain $20 Million usd, Master Credit Card which contain $200,000 and a verified cashier check worth $3 Million usd with the required security document which was made in your name as the sole owner and it also include the security pin you will use to transact with both credit cards. The fund is from the UN compensation/bailout funds for citizens of UN member countries and citizens of commonwealth Nations for poverty alleviation during this economic crunch and recession. The sum of $7BILLION was shared among 215 companies and individuals. You were awarded the fund for investment to ease the economic crunch and to be profitable and help others in need as a measure to ease the present economic hardship. The sum of $75 is required to enable JOB UMEH from the origin of your fund get a diplomatic package seal with tag or else the International Airport customs will not allow him to board the flight with the package and this diplomatic package seal with tag will be made in your name as the owner of the package. There is no much time left and the fee need to be paid today to enable him board tonight flight and it will take 18 hours to get the package delivered to you. Send the $75 charge fee and get your package delivered within 18 hours and this will be the only fee and last fee required from you toward this transaction. SO DIRECT THE $75 TO THE ORIGIN OF YOUR FUND AS LISTED BELOW VIA by MONEY GRAM. RECEIVE NAME. . NEAL MICK COUNTRY . . BENIN REPUBLIC CITY . . . . COTONOU TEXT QUESTION:. GOD WITH ANSWER:.US AMOUNT:.$75.00 MTCN . . . . SENDER NAME. . . SENDER PHONE NO. . SENDER ADDRESS. . . I am online waiting for your reply with the $75 payment so that you will get your fund successful by tomorrow from the diplomat Mrs. Nadine Cotto. MR.JAMES B. COMEY (DG) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535 From: MR.JAMES B. COMEY < j.comey@fbi.com > Sent: Mon, Nov 21, 2016 9:42 pm Subject: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department Of Justice Fbi New York 26 Federal Plaza 23rd Floor New. York 10278-0004 Official Letter From The FBI New York Call us or txst +1716-524-5341 Very Urgent This is to notify to you that I resumed work to office 24hours back and i received update from United Nation Ambassador Mathew and he told me There will be an International Flight tomorrow by 4pm and Mrs. Nadine Cotto will act as your diplomat and deliver the package to you which will take only 18 hours to get the package delivered. The actual fee was $300 but it was reduced to $75 this morning to ensure that you received your package tomorrow. Note: The package you will receive contain a Visa Credit Card which contain $20 Million usd, Master Credit Card which contain $200,000 and a verified cashier check worth $3 Million usd with the required security document which was made in your name as the sole owner and it also include the security pin you will use to transact with both credit cards. The fund is from the UN compensation/bailout funds for citizens of UN member countries and citizens of commonwealth Nations for poverty alleviation during this economic crunch and recession. The sum of $7BILLION was shared among 215 companies and individuals. You were awarded the fund for investment to ease the economic crunch and to be profitable and help others in need as a measure to ease the present economic hardship. The sum of $75 is required to enable JOB UMEH from the origin of your fund get a diplomatic package seal with tag or else the International Airport customs will not allow him to board the flight with the package and this diplomatic package seal with tag will be made in your name as the owner of the package. There is no much time left and the fee need to be paid today to enable him board tonight flight and it will take 18 hours to get the package delivered to you. Send the $75 charge fee and get your package delivered within 18 hours and this will be the only fee and last fee required from you toward this transaction. SO DIRECT THE $75 TO THE ORIGIN OF YOUR FUND AS LISTED BELOW VIA by MONEY GRAM. RECEIVE NAME. . NEAL MICK COUNTRY . . BENIN REPUBLIC CITY . . . . COTONOU TEXT QUESTION:. GOD WITH ANSWER:.US AMOUNT:.$75.00 MTCN . . . . SENDER NAME. . . SENDER PHONE NO. . SENDER ADDRESS. . . I am online waiting for your reply with the $75 payment so that you will get your fund successful by tomorrow from the diplomat Mrs. Nadine Cotto. MR.JAMES B. COMEY (DG) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535 From: Raymond Paul < " t-hiyoko. " @ muse.ocn.ne.jp > Date: Thu, Nov 24, 2016 at 4:47 PM Subject: Attention Beneficiary, To: Federal Bureau of Investigation Counter-terrorism Division and Cyber Crime Division J. Edgar. Hoover Building Washington DC JAMES B. COMEY. Attention Beneficiary, Records show that you are among one of the individuals and organizations who are yet to receive their overdue payment from overseas which includes those of Lottery/Gambling, Contract and Inheritance. Through our Fraud Monitory Unit we have noticed that you have been transacting with some impostors and fraudsters who have been impersonating the likes of Prof. Soludo/Mr.Lamido Sanusi of the Central Bank Of Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Aziza, Bode Williams, Frank, Anderson, none officials of Oceanic Bank, Zenith Banks, Kelvin Young of HSBC, Ben of FedEx, Ibrahim Sule, Dr. Usman Shamsuddeen and some impostors claiming to be The Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Cyber Crime Division of the FBI gathered information from the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) on how some people have lost outrageous sums of money to these Impostors. As a result of this, we hereby advise you to stop communication with any one not referred to you by us. We have negotiated with the Federal Ministry of Finance that your payment totaling $5,500,000.00(Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars). Will be released to you via a custom pin based ATM card with a maximum Withdrawal limit of $15,000 a day which is powered by Visa Card and can be used anywhere in the world where you see a Visa Card Logo on the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). We guarantee receipt of your payment. This is as a result of the mandate from US Government to make sure all debts owed to citizens of American and also Asia and Europe which includes Inheritance, Contract, Gambling/Lottery etc are been cleared. To redeem your funds, you are hereby advised to contact the ATM Card Center via email for their requirement to proceed and procure your Approval of Payment Warrant and Endorsement of your ATM Release Order on your behalf which will cost you $95 Usd only and nothing more as everything else has been taken care of by the Federal Government including taxes, custom paper and clearance duty so all you will ever need to pay is $95.00 only. Director Raymond Paul (ATM Card Center Director) Central Bank of Benin Republic Central Business District, Cad astral Zone, federal Capital Territory, Benin. ATM Card Center Director Raymond Paul Phone Number +229-9884-1152 Do contact Director Raymond Paul of the ATM Card Center via his contact details above and furnish him with your details as listed below: FULL NAMES: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DELIVERY ADDRESS FOR ATM CARD: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SEX: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DATE OF BIRTH: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OCCUPATION: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TELEPHONE NUMBER: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ EMAIL ADDRESS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ On contacting him with your details your file would be updated and below is the payment information in which you will use in making payment of $95.00 via Money Gram Or Western Union Money Transfer for the procurement of your Approval of Payment Warrant and Endorsement of your ATM Release Order, after which the delivery of your ATM Card will be affected to your designated home address without any further delay, No extra fee. Receiver's Name: James Aka Country: Benin Republic City: Cotonou Question: YES Answer: NO Amount: $95 USD Send to me the following info once you send the payment. Senders Name: Location: MTCN / Reference #: JAMES B. COMEY DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535. Note: Disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM card, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with Director Raymond Paul of the ATM card center who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your payment and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we Could act upon it immediately. Help stop cyber crime. On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 11:03 AM, Raymond Paul raymondpaul623@gmail.com > Attn: Without wasting much of your time, I am sure you know the fund was in an ATM CARD issued with your name as the sole beneficiary. On receipt of your delivery address, I went to bank for some clarification and confirmation about the ATM CARD and the bank has confirmed to me that the ATM CARD is valid and further stated that the money can only be paid to you as it' s specifically stated in the back up letter of payment that was issued with the ATM CARD. They advised that since it' s international bank that issued the ATM CARD, that I should send it to you through diplomatic speed post so that you receive and start making withdrawal by yourself in an ATM Machine around the globe. After this, I went to the Courier Express Company specialize in mailing ATM CARD and other valuable items, they told me that your address and telephone number is needed to ensure the smooth delivery of the parcel to you without any problem, the telephone number will help them to locate you easily once the shipment entered your country, already I have your delivery address and telephone number with me. Be informed that this is what i gathered from the Special Courier Service Company that will send the parcel to your Country. All my effort to speak with you on phone failed abortive, so try to call me with below number for oral discussion towards this matter. Kindly use this information to send the DHL delivery fee via Money Gram Office to enable the delivery processing today. Mailing fee:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 95 .00 Kindly send their mailing fee via Money Gram Office below name and address to enable me register the ATM Card for delivery. They assured me that the ATM Card will be delivered to your given address within 48Hrs (two days) Receiver Name: Ben Uzo City: Cotonou Country: Benin Text: what color Answer: white Amount: $95 Get back to us with the payment details such as, Mtcn #. . . . . . . . . . Sender Name . . . . . . Sender Country . . . . . . . Thanks, Director Rev. Raymond Paul . Raymond Paul raymondpaul623@gmail.com > Date: Sat, Nov 26, 2016 at 11:27 AM Subject: Re: Attention Beneficiary, Attention ! Open your attach email to confirm my ID. From:Date: Sat, Nov 26, 2016 at 11:27 AMSubject: Re: Attention Beneficiary, De: James B. Comey FBI DEPT [JamesBComeyFBIDEPT@hotmail.com] Enviado: sabado, 26 de noviembre de 2016 21:06 Para: James B. Comey FBI DEPT Asunto: Re: CODE...009.... John Koskinen (IRS Commissioner)..........Custom Clearance Certificate (CCC) MUST BE PAID BEFORE MR.TONY EZE DELIVER YOUR CONSIGNMENT [https://tips.fbi.gov/logo1.png] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION(FBI) WFO FBI FIELD OFFICE, 601 4th STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20535 Custom Clearance Certificate (CCC) Attention: ,Beneficiary I received an email from the IRS and you must take note that As a Federal Commission we are here to protect your interest and the interest of all the WORLD. You have been investigated as the beneficiary of the said TWO TRUCK BOXES that is why you are in touch with the FBI for a solid proof before the CONSIGNMENT will be CONSIGNMENT to you. You do not have the Custom Clearance Certificate (CCC)in your files, if you did the fund would not have been placed on hold. We did not believe this at first, but after our investigations, we saw that the DELIVERY was okay and we had no other option than to contact you to send us the Custom Clearance Certificate The said CONSIGNMENT is now in our custody in your name as the beneficiary, your dealings should be channel to this office in Washington DC alone, if we find out you are still communicating with Impostors you will be charge for advance fraud communication by the Federal Law. We have done our verification on your FBI Identification Record with our Social Security Number, the only document left is the required Custom Clearance Certificate (CCC)Which should be issue to you from the paying country of the said funds, you are to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be obtained , find below their contact information and they are the only people that have the power to issue you the document. As soon as you comply with the payment instruction from the CUSTOM OFFICERS AND TONY EZE with the fee of obtaining the document required, Tony Eze the diplomat must deliver to your doorstep as directed. Please call TONY EZE as soon as you send the fee So follow my direction now to send the FEE RECEIVER NAME:BILLIE UTTER RECEIVER ADDRESS:LIVERMORE,CO 80536,USA AMOUNT: CALL MR TONY EZE THE DIPLOMAT Contact Person's Name: John Koskinen (IRS Commissioner) Telephone:+12533363472 Office Address: Washington D.C, USA. Please contact TONY EZE the diplomat for your consignment of your two trunk boxes. Email: tonyeze2016@yandex.com Please Telephone:+19492814303 . at the Oakland international airport.USA Furthermore,Also Note that you are to take care of the CONSIGNMENT/CLEARANCE COST 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 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the sum of CLEARANCE COST only for the issuing of the document right away and your $11.3 million will be release to you That is the only way the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will issue you the CONSIGNMENT, You are here by advice to Contact them through the email address above to acquire from them on how you are going to send the fee to them. Note that you are to do this immediately. Your fund is now on our custody and will not be release to you unless the required document is confirmed, After that the TWO TRUCK BOXES 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. BEST REGARDS FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION(FBI) WFO Field Office, 601 4th Street NW Washington, DC 20535 FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE DIRECTOR JAMES B. COMEY [http://freevectorlogo.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/fbi-seal-logo-vector.png] From: jamesbcomeyfbi001@hickorytech.net Reply-to: jamesbcomeyfbi0021@usa.com To: jamesbcomeyfbi0021@usa.com Sent: 11/28/2016 11:55:15 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim Subj: Executive Director FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)Anti-Terrorist And Monitory Crime Division. Federal Bureau Of Investigation. J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc Customers Service Hours / Monday To Saturday Office Hours Monday To Saturday: Dear Beneficiary, We hope this notification arrives meeting your good health and mind.Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of 10.3M) million due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund.for more information do get back to us. The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the government of the states the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have receive their Contract Sum, Lottery/, Inheritance. we are happy to inform you that based on our recommendation your outstanding contract inheritance funds of over-due payment in tone of USD 10.3M) has been credited in your favor in SunTrust Bank. Having said all this, we will further advise that you go ahead in dealing with the SunTrust Bank, IL accordingly as we will be monitoring all their activities with you as well as your correspondence at all levels. NOTE: There are numerous scam emails on the internet, imposters impersonating names and images. We therefore warn our dear citizens to be very careful with any claim email you receive prior to these irregularities so that they do not fall victim to this ugly circumstance anymore. And should in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming that you have a payment with them, you are to STOP further contact with them immediately in your best interest and contact the real bank (SunTrust Bank ) only where your fund is laying, with the below information: Bank Name: SunTrust Bank Address: 1920 Thoreau Dr N Ste 180, Schaumburg, IL USA. Attn:Lambert Caan (Remittance Director) E-mail:lambertcaansuntrustbnk@gmail.com Department Code:63804 website:www.suntrust.com Contact the bank today and furnish them with this information below for processing of your payment/funds accordingly. FULL NAME: CURRENT ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP CODE: DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER: NOTE: In your best interest, any message that does not come from the above email address should be nullified and avoided immediately for security reasons. Meanwhile, we will advise that you contact the SunTrust Bankk office in Illinois immediately with the above email address and request that they attend to your payment file as directed so as to enable you receive your payment/fund accordingly. Ensure you follow all directives from SunTrust Bank as this will further help hasten up the whole payment process in regards to the transfer of your fund to you as designated. Also have in mind that the SunTrust Bank equally has their own protocol of operation as stipulated on their banking terms. All modalities has already been worked out before you were contacted and note that we will be monitoring all your dealings with them as you proceed so you don't have anything to worry about. All we require from you henceforth is an update so as to enable us be on track with you and the SunTrust Bank . Without wasting much time, we will want you to contact them immediately with the above email address and phone number so as to enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as time is already running out. Should in case you need any more information in regards to this notification, feel free to get back to us via email so that we can brief you more as we are here to guide you during and after this project has been completely perfected and you have received your payment/fund as stated. Thank you very much for your anticipated co-operation. BEST REGARDS, James B. Comey Federal Bureau of Investigation. J. Edgar Hoover Building 601,4th Street, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20535-0001, USA E-mail:jamesbcomeyfbi0021@usa.com 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.... Latin America Brazilian public workers repeat protest against proposed austerity bill As the legislature for the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro continued deliberating on a set of harsh austerity measures, over 1,000 public workers protested outside the building on November 22. In addition to denunciations of a raft of billsincluding higher taxes, cuts to public service personnel, pay, social programs and pensions, as well as postponement of raisesmany of the workers demanded wages that have been overdue for weeks. Last week, protesters marched to the Congress, and some clashed with contingents of federal and state police, who blocked the entrance to the legislature. A small number of right-wing anticorruption protesters gained entry and chanted demands for military rule. This time the protesters, who were peaceful, were again blocked by police, but no confrontations were reported. Chilean taxi drivers protest Uber and other app-based ride services A caravan of taxicabs entered central Santiago, Chile early the morning of November 25 in a protest against Uber, Cabify and other app-based transportation services. Cabs halted or delayed traffic as they wended their way toward the Plaza Italia. Taxi drivers slowly drove their vehicles down the capitals main streets and honked their horns. If a taxi drove by carrying a passenger, the driver was subject to catcalls and guttural noises, according to El Ciudadano. The protest action was convened by the National Taxi Confederation, which issued a petition calling for legislation to sanction or block businesses that do not comply with the law, and standardization of regulations for all passenger transport vehicles. It also demands that the ride services not be allowed to use taxi spaces to pick up passengers. The ride-share services are relatively unregulated, and cabbies earnings have been seriously undermined by their appearance. The number of Uber and other drivers is now around 33,000, more than the number of taxi drivers. An Uber law is currently being debated in the legislature. Strike by Chilean home supply store chain workers in third week Over 8,700 employees of the Chile-based Sodimac home improvement chain remain on strike over their wage demands. The workers walked off the job November 9 when Sodimac refused to budge from its offer of a 3.5 percent raise and 150,000 peso (US$220) bonus. The home center workers union is demanding 7 percent and 500,000 pesos (US$734). Workers also complain of around 2,500 firings recently, coupled with increased overtime, extra shifts and a series of irregularities that they now demand be put to an end, reported radio.chile.cl. The United States Judge issues restraining order to end cargo pilots strike A Cincinnati US District judge issued a temporary restraining order against 250 cargo pilots for ABX Air that haul orders for Amazon and DHL. Imagine Christmas without Amazon! declared Judge Timothy Black as he ignored working conditions and inferior wages by ABX pilots. This is the first holiday season for Amazon since jettisoning its contracts with the higher-paid air cargo pilots at UPS and FedEx and its turn to heavier reliance on ABX. In the first day of the strike, 26 flights were grounded leaving 1.25 million pounds of Amazon online orders undelivered. The Teamsters union, which represents ABX pilots, charges the company did not move quickly to expand its workforce given the contracts with Amazon and has been relying on what they call emergency hours to force pilots basically work overtime. The Teamsters claim this violates their contract by denying vacation time and compensatory time off for pilots with one pilot claiming, Its taking a tremendous toll on our families. ABX refuses to hire furloughed pilots laid off in 2009 when DHL ended domestic operations making the pilots redundant. Judge Black ordered the Teamsters to end their strike and would not rule on the issues, declaring they needed to be submitted to binding arbitration. Already ABX pilots have been enduring emergency hours for two years and the judges decision guarantees a continuation of the drawn out negotiations. Canada Nova Scotia teachers set to strike Some 9,000 public school teachers in Nova Scotia could begin job action by the beginning of next week after twice rejecting proposed contracts that were recommended by their union, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NTSU). NTSU leaders have announced that job action could begin as early as December 5 but that it may be limited to a work-to-rule campaign at the outset. Union negotiators say they received no reply to a proposal that the government has said is not sustainable, costing upwards of $500 million, more than four times the amount contained in their own proposal for a new three-year contract. Ballooning class sizes and working conditions are central issues in the dispute, which recently saw an unprecedented 61 percent of teachers reject the recommendations of their executive. The governing Liberal Party has already indicated that it may, with the support of the opposition Conservatives, legislate teachers back to work in the event of an all-out strike. Personal care workers to strike in Manitoba Personal Care Home (PCH) workers in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) in Nelson House, which is in central Manitoba, are set to go on strike this week after working without a contract since March of this year. Members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU), the 30 workers affected are fighting for wage parity with their counterparts across the province, who are paid 27 percent more. Workers delivered an overwhelming strike mandate to their union in October after fighting for over six years on this issue that have included unsuccessful appeals to both the federal and provincial governments for increased funding. Union negotiators say that a funding dispute between the Band and the federal government has left a shortfall of at least $200,000 which is the cost estimated to bring wages in line with the rest of the province. Border bridge workers strike Workers at the Blue Water Bridge at the border crossing between Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan went on strike last week against the Federal Bridge Corporation which operates the second busiest commercial border crossing in the country. The 47 workers are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) who are fighting against employer demands to cut benefits along with numerous other concessions that they say would set workers back years. The bridge will remain open during the strike with the use of management and scab labor, although delays have been reported and currency exchange offices are not operating. Negotiations have broken off and no new talks are currently scheduled. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida's overall crime rate is dropping, but reports of murders, rapes and car thefts increased during the first half of 2016. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Monday released statistics that showed that the overall crime rate decreased 3.4 percent over a six-month period this year. But there were 561 murders in the first half of the year, a jump of 15.2 percent. The total includes the 49 people who were shot and killed at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Last year, there were 487 murders between January and June 2015. There were 3,769 reported rapes in Florida, an increase of 1.9 percent over the first half of 2015. Still, Gov. Rick Scott heralded the overall lower crime rate. The crimes that went down last year include robberies, burglaries and aggravated assault. (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Mixed emotions continue around the world just three days after the announcement of the death of Cuban Leader Fidel Castro. Now, many are left wondering how this will affect relations between the United States and Cuba. Thousands of Cubans visited a memorial to the former leader in Havana's plaza of the revolution, citizens bidding farewell to the man who ruled the country for nearly a half a century. Castro died Friday night. It's unclear how U.S and Cuban relations will move forward following Castro's death. "By the Cubans, very very much immortalized in terms of a stong leader. From the Cuban-American side the complete opposite side of the spectrum. That side they don't see the reason they're here is because a harsh dictator sent him here into a very very cruel circumstances," said Dr. Richard Murgo, a political contributor for WTXL. President-Elect Donald Trump has threatened to undo President Barack Obama's recently renewed diplomatic ties to the country, while saying his administration will do all it can to ensure prosperity and liberty for the Cubans. GRADY COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) -A man dies in a Grady County crash. The Georgia State Patrol say the accident happened about a mile south of Collins Road around 9:30 a.m. Friday on State Road 179. Troopers say 41-year-old John Faircloth was driving south in a Dodge pick-up truck when he ran off the road, rolled, and was thrown from the vehicle. Troopers says he wasn't wearing a seat belt on at the time of the crash. They don't believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Leaders of mosques and Muslim organizations in Ohio say they're heartbroken and strongly condemn an attack at Ohio State University that has left 11 people injured. University officials and police say a man who drove a car into pedestrians and began stabbing people on campus Monday before being shot and killed by police was a student. The university's student newspaper ran an interview in August with a student with the same name identifying himself as a Muslim. A U.S. official who wasn't authorized to talk about the case has told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity the man was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent resident of the U.S. Law enforcement officials are investigating the attacker's motivations and background. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - November and December are the two biggest months of the year for charities to raise money, as people are often in a more giving mood around the holidays. Some Floridians also use the end of the year to donate for tax purposes. However, it can be tough to tell which organizations actually use the money for the services they advertise, versus those that mainly spend donations on salaries and overhead, and others still that are outright scams. With a few exceptions, most charities are required to register with the state. Adam Putnam, commissioner of agriculture and consumer services said, "It is real money, flowing from Floridian's pockets into these charities. So, it is important to remind people during this holiday season when much of that giving occurs, to be a smart giver." Putnam added that someone who wants to be generous at this time of year should always check out any charity they are donating to, before giving them cash. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encouraged Floridians to take the following simple steps when preparing to make a charitable contribution. First, check-a-charity out before donating. Use the department's check-a-charity tool to view a charity's financial information and current registration status. Second, watch out for scams. Scammers take advantage of people by pretending to be a real charity to commit fraud. Finally, keep good records. Always keep and save a printed copy of a donation or a receipt showing the amount of the contribution. NASHVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - A suspect in Nashville, Ga. has turned himself into law enforcement after firing a gun at a man during an argument at a car repair shop. Nashville police say 37-year-old Corey Davis was dropping his car off Sunday around 5 p.m. when he got in a fight with 39-year-old Duane Edwards. Eye witnesses said that Edwards took out a handgun and fired several shots at Davis, who suffered four gunshot wounds as a result. Edwards left the scene and later turned himself in to Nashville Police Department around 2:30 Monday afternoon and will be taken to the Berrien County Jail. He's being charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit murder among other charges. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) Tallahassee Community College is hosting a discussion series aimed on shining a light on tension between African-American communities and law enforcement. TCC announced that they will present a series of panel discussions aimed at promoting a campus culture of understanding, social and academic inclusion, and positive relationships that support student success. The series, titled Real Talk, will begin with a discussion called, Mercy Me: Civil Unrest That Divides the African-American Community and Law Enforcement on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in TCCs Turner Auditorium. Featured panelists include Reverend Dr. Julius Harrison McAllister Jr., Pastor Dean Inserra, Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, Wakulla County Sheriff Charlie Creel, Havana Police Chief Tracy Smith, Gadsden County Major Shawn Wood, Tallahassee Police Department Major Rod Young, Florida A & M University professor and filmmaker Kenneth Jones, and TCC professors Cicely Brantley and Andrea Oliver. State Representative-elect Ramon Alexander and FAMU professor Kenya Washington-Johnson will serve as moderators to the panel. The panelists will share their stories, thoughts, and potential solutions from their areas of expertise, then take questions from the audience. The discussions are open to the public. A second discussion, The Healing Process Can Begin, is slated for February 2017. For information, contact Marcus Nicolas at (850) 201-8045 or nicolasm@tcc.fl.edu. You are the owner of this article. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned cabinet ministers on Sunday night that passing a bill to retroactively legalize Jewish outposts built on privately-own Palestinian land could have serious ramifications, including Israeli officials being taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The prosecutor's office at the ICC has recently conducted a preliminary examination of the situation in the disputed territories in an effort to determine whether to launch a full-scale investigation against Israel for war crimes. "If this bill passes, we might be taken to The Hague," Netanyahu warned during a six-hour cabinet meeting on the impending evacuation of Amona , an illegal Jewish outpost set for evacuation and demolition on December 25 after the High Court of Justice determined it was built on privately-owned Palestinian land. Amona (Photo: AFP) The prime minister also said the legislation could prompt outgoing US President Barack Obama to act against Israel at the UN Security Council in the time he has left before he has to leave office in January. The Regulation Bill has already been approved at the Knesset in a preliminary reading. It is scheduled to go for its first reading on Wednesday, but the attorney general has warned that in its current form, the bill will be indefensible at the High Court of Justice. Despite this, the Bayit Yehudi party, and particularly leader Naftali Bennett, are not willing to back down on the legislation. "We won't let go of this bill until we can see solutions being implemented for Amona and the entire settlement enterprise," officials in the party said. Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Motti Kimchi) During the government meeting, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit presented a compromise that entails moving Amona for a period of eight months to three nearby plots of land that belong to absentee Palestinian land owners. During those eight months, planning and construction officials will work alongside legal experts to find nearby available land to permanently move the outpost to. At the same time, the attorney general will examine the possibility of introducing the "Cypriot Model," wherein a land dispute court will be established in the West Bank to deal with such issues and prevent similar crises in the future. While the offered solution is made up of different suggestions raised by political officials, Mandelblit stressed that it is only valid if the Regulation Bill does not pass. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Gil Yohanan) "If the Regulation Bill passes in the Knesset, then this rationale will no longer apply and the Defense Ministry will be required to immediately evacuate the plots," Mandelblit wrote in his legal opinion. The compromise proposal will have to receive the approval of the High Court of Justice, and Mandelblit will be required to defend it against any petitions. But while officials in Bayit Yehudi said the compromise offer was a step in the right direction, it still doesn't completely resolve the Amona issue. The party will therefore continue promoting the legislation, and only give it up when the first caravan is set up in the new location. MK Nissan Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi), who chairs the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, said the committee is not obligated to accept the attorney general's legal opinion. He insisted that the Knesset has the authority to decide on legislation and does not have to accept the legal advice offered by Mandelblit or the Knesset's legal advisors. Members of the opposition have asked Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein to postpone the Regulation Bill's first reading, stating in their request that a discussion has not yet been held regarding the security and diplomatic aspects of the bill. MK Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union) called on the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to act within the constraints of the law. "I asked to bring the legal advisors of the Foreign and Justice ministries in front of the committee so they can explain to its members the meaning of the decision vis-a-vis the International Criminal Court at The Hague," she said. Amona's residents rejected the compromise proposal, saying it "does not constitute a solution for the residents of Amona at all. This is a ridiculous and humiliating proposal, made by someone who does not consider the dozens of families and hundreds of children who have built a life here for 20 years. We are not objects that can be moved from one place to another every few months. We will not be uprooted from our homes, agreeing to go elsewhere, only to be kicked out of that place again to the unknown eight months later." "The public will not tolerate the destruction of Amona," the residents noted. "There are only two options left: Passing the Regulation Bill, which will prevent a great injustice that would be done to Israeli citizens who were sent to this place by Israel's governments, or a forced and painful evacuation of hundreds of Jews from their homesone in which the prime minister and his cabinet will have to bear the responsibility for its grave outcome. Amona will not fall again." The residents of Amona are preparing for the impending evacuation by building a campsite of temporary structures to house the hundreds of activists who are expected to join them in their protest. Dozens of volunteers have already arrived in Amona to help set up infrastructure for the campsite. Volunteers building temporary structures in Amona "The Amona evacuation will be a mega-event," Amona activists warned. "The restraint the public had shown during the evacuation of Gush Katif will all but disappear. We may not be violent peoplebut we'll protest using serious passive measures to make the erasure of a town a traumatic event in Israel's history." The legal NGO Yesh Din, which represents the Palestinian land owners, also criticized the compromise proposal, saying "Instead of putting an end to the continuous harm done to the Palestinian land owners and act as is expected of Israel's number one gatekeeper, the attorney general has succumbed to political pressures and has agreed to a 'solution' that violates the law and the property rights of the Palestinian population, and is in contradiction of international law and the Justice Ministry's policy over the last 30 years." Israel is once again bearing the harsh brunt of its hot climate as it faces a drought intensified by the easterly winds making this summer the longest in the countrys history. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Since last Aprilalmost eight monthsnot one drop of rain has fallen in northern Israel, an area crying out for water. Not only can the dry conditions be felt in all areas by the population, but they can also be seen as farmers witness the conspicuous absence of flowing streams and the low levels of water in the norths much depended-upon reservoirs. Drought in Israel (: , : ) X Indeed, so dire has situation become, farmers have been left no choice but to draw upon reserves by opening up the water sprinklers and irrigation lines during the winter season. Water reservoirs in the Golan Heights, which are relied upon to accumulate water throughout the winter for the protracted heat of the summer, remain empty. The situation is perhaps best exemplified by the shortage of water in the largest reservoir of all, Birket Israel. A dry southern Golan (Photo: Eli Segal) 'Rain, Rain come. The people of the Golan ask for rain' (Photo: Eli Segal) Situated between the towns of Haspin and Nov, Birket Israel currently contains a mere 300,000 cubic meters rather than the expected millions of cubic meters. Other streams and waterfalls remain completely water-deprived. Birket Israel reservoir dry (Photo: Eli Segal) Unfortunately we go by the strategy whereby every year is a drought year until proven otherwise, said Eitan Sadeh, the director of the Golan Association which is responsible for water supply to farmers in the Golan Heights. Waterfall in the Golan without water (Photo: Eli Segal) Every October and November perhaps half a millimeter of rain falls in the Golan. Usually, these are months during which we dont water the farms. But this time there was no choice because the (fruits and vegetables) need water now: olives, apples, and kiwis. The dream of a farmer, said Sadeh, is to have a excess surplus of water which they will not know what to do with. That is the hope. But in reality we are preparing for another year of drought, he gloomily stated. Some 1,400 members of Fatah were gathering in Ramallah for the five-day conference, where delegates are to hold elections for the party's two main decision-making bodies. In a first step, the delegates unanimously re-elected Abbas as the party leader for a new five-year term. Party official Salim Zanoun asked the hall to vote for Abbas, and participants all stood up and warmly cheered. A smiling Abbas then hugged Zanoun. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter While the elections are expected to bring some new faces into the leadership structure, the conference's main purpose appears to be aimed at blocking the return of Abbas' exiled rival, Mohammed Dahlan. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: AP) "The Fatah conference is the conference of the independent Palestinian decision, the conference of building and liberation, and national unity," Abbas said. Late Tuesday, Abbas postponed a planned speech to the conference. Officials said he would instead address the gathering on Wednesday. Dahlan, who was forced to leave the West Bank six years ago after accusing Abbas' sons of corruption, now lives in the United Arab Emirates. He has forged close ties with the leaders of the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In recent months, these countries, known as the Arab Quartet, have pressured Abbas to allow Dahlan to return to a leadership position. Abbas, accusing his Arab allies of meddling in his affairs, instead decided to schedule the Fatah elections, while blocking Dahlan and his close allies from participating. Abbas' supporters rejected criticism that he was focused on Dahlan. They say that the conference, two years behind schedule, had to be held to revive the movement. Fatah has dominated Palestinian politics since its founding five decades ago. But Abbas has seen his popularity plummet due to years of failed peace efforts with Israel, a stagnant West Bank economy and his inability to reconcile with the rival Hamas movement, which seized control of the Gaza Strip from his forces nearly a decade ago. Abbas now only governs autonomous areas of the West Bank. In addition, the election of Donald Trump has given the Palestinians little room for optimism. Although the US president-elect has not yet laid out a Mideast policy, many of his advisers are known for hard-line positions in favor of Israel. "This congress is taking place in a crucial moment in the history of the Palestinian people. We have to discuss our aspirations, our concerns, and challenges," said Jibril Rajoub, a senior Fatah leader and Abbas loyalist. "We have to build a strategy, consolidating the movement, and achieving national unity," he said, adding: "Dahlan is past. He has no place in the movement." Abbas was set to address the conference on Tuesday evening. Participants were coming from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, as well as diaspora communities scattered across the Arab world and in the West. The convention is to conclude with elections for 18 spots in the Central Committee, the top decision making body, and 80 members of the movement's parliament, the Revolutionary Council. Participants reported fierce lobbying in the fight for seats on the two prestigious bodies. The struggle will include attempts by some younger activists to land seats in what are often seen as stodgy bodies dominated by men in their 70s and 80s. Mohammed Dahlan (Photo: AP) Abbas himself is running unopposed as leader of the movement, and none of his key policies toward Israel are expected to change. Abbas, who succeeded the late Yasser Arafat in 2005, seeks the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalemterritories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War. Many members have accused Abbas of orchestrating the convention to consolidate his grip on the movement. "The convention is meant to exclude all critic voices in the movement," said Jamal Jahjouh, Fatah's leader in the Qalandia refugee camp in the West Bank. He said Fatah leaders had excluded key activists from this week's convention and replaced them with Abbas loyalists. He said members of the movement in his camp would protest Tuesday to voice their opposition to Abbas and his convention. Dahlan was expected to remotely deliver a speech to the convention on Tuesday. His supporters say they plan to hold an alternative convention with 2,000 members in Egypt in the near future to voice their criticism of Abbas and opposition to his policies. This week's convention is to be followed by a long-overdue meeting of the Palestinian National Council, the parliament of the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization. The PNC is to elect the top PLO leadership. Fatah dominates the PLO, but many smaller factions also belong. In a gesture of unity, Fatah invited the rival Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups to attend this week's conference as observers. Neither group belongs to the PLO but their membership is seen as crucial to restoring Palestinian unity. Abbas is scheduled to address the gathering this evening. Insurance companies will be required to share the costs of damages caused by the rash of fires which ravaged hundreds of apartments throughout Israel over the last week, despite the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments linking most of the fires with terror-related arson attacks would have placed the onus on the state, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said during a press conference on Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Netanyahu's Friday remarks, if proven correct, would essentially absolve insurance companies of responsibility for covering the extensive wreckage inflicted since damages caused by a natural brush fire are covered by insurance companies, while those caused by arson may fall under terrorism, making payment incumbent upon the government. Nevertheless, Kahlon indicated that this line of reasoning may be subject to change. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Director General of Finance Ministry Shai Babad and David Ezioni in Haifa press conference When it became clear that damages for people who would normally be recognized as victims of terror will cost the state between NIS 500-700 million, Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon said "there is room to check how damaged property owners can be compensated." Speaking in Haifa, the city hardest struck by the fires, Kahlon added that, "It is possible insurance companies will have to pay damages to their customers as well." On Sunday morning, assessors from the Israel Tax Authority were sent to homes damaged by fire with the intention to cover damages that were caused by deliberate arson. However, on Sunday night, the Director of the Tax Authority and Head of the Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Department sent an urgent letter to insurance companies urging them to send representatives to assess damages and pay policy holders accordingly. The Tax Authority promised to compensate insurances companies in cases where arson is proven. Yesterday, the Knesset Finance Committee held a discussion in which confused MKs asked Shai Babad, the director general of the Ministry of Finance, "Who is compensating?" There was no clear answer, but both Babad and Kahlon assured the committee that "everyone whose property was damaged will be compensated." Photo: Eli Segel However, until an accurate map detailing areas affected by arson is released, citizens don't know who to turn to for compensation. In the event of damages incurred by arson, the state will provide compensation, but only for damage to structures, clothes, furniture, electricity and household appliancesand only up to a certain limit. Damages related to jewelry, musical instruments and artwork will not be covered. By contrast, whoever insured their property through a private insurance company will be completely covered for all damages. However, insurance companies are not yet ready to compensate anyone until the exact causes of fires are established. Additionally, the fact that the state is supposed to be the body in charge of compensation for damage caused by natural disasters makes insurance companies even less willing to open their wallets. The people most at risk of not getting compensated at all are those who did not have private insurance for their property that was damaged in a fire determined to be arson. In an attempt to address this issue, Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked ordered the Estates Committee from the Ministry of Justice to allocate funds to those who don't have private insurance coverage and are not eligible for compensation from the Tax Authority. According to Shaked, "We will do everything we can to bring life back to normal and we will see that no one is left behind. Fire victims should be treated as sensitively as possible and with respect to the difficult situation, the country will stand by them until things return to normal." KABUL -- An Afghan official says that an army general has been killed alongside at least ten injured after a military helicopter malfunctioned over the western Badghis province. Mohammad Radmanish, the deputy spokesman for the defense ministry, said Tuesday that the army corps commander for the western region, Gen. Mohiuddin Ghori, was killed in the incident. Local officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, said at least 10 officials accompanying Gen. Ghori were injured. Radmanish said the commander was visiting an army base in Bala Murghab district when the incident occurred. He denied any insurgency or hostile attack had caused the crash. Haji Mujadi, the spokesman for Badghis' governor, said the provincial council head and the chief of provincial intelligence were among those wounded. SARAJEVO -- Bosnian authorities say they arrested 11 people in northern Bosnia who are suspected of smuggling weapons to criminals in Austria. A statement from the state prosecution office said Tuesday the operation was conducted in cooperation with Austrian authorities. Those arrested are also suspected of drug smuggling. Police say they also raided several locations in the northern towns of Bijeljina, Orasje Doboj and Modrica. The weapons allegedly collected for smuggling were used during the 1992-95 war. ISTANBUL Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Muslims to defend the Palestinian cause, striking a tough stance on Israel despite improved ties between the two nations. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The president of majority Muslim Turkey said Tuesday "it is the common duty of all Muslims to embrace the Palestinian cause and protect Jerusalem" and that safeguarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be left to children armed with nothing but stones. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount is sacred to Muslims and Jews. Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: AFP) Speaking at a parliamentary symposium on Jerusalem in Istanbul, the Turkish leader also criticized an Israeli proposal to make mosques reduce the volume of loudspeakers issuing the call to prayer. His comments come as Israel and Turkey prepare to exchange ambassadors as part of a reconciliation deal BOSASSO -- Islamist insurgents killed four pro-government Somali soldiers and injured 11 others when a roadside bomb destroyed a military pickup in the north of the country on Tuesday, the military said. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in the Galgala hills, an insurgent stronghold about 30 km to the southwest of Bosasso, the largest city in the region. "A roadside bomb destroyed our pickup as we drove from Galgala hills today. We lost four soldiers, including a female soldier, and 11 men from our forces were injured," Major Mohamed Ibrahim, a military officer in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, told Reuters. Kosovar President Hashim Thaci ordered authorities to ban anti-Semitic books after a visiting Israeli appealed directly to him after encountering openly anti-Semitic and Nazi publications on the main avenue of the capital, Pristina. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ido Daniel, an expert on the fight against anti-Semitism and racism, came to Kosovo at the invitation of the government and the European Cooperation Organization to participate in a conference on combating racism and radicalization. The conference was attended by experts on terrorism from across the world as Kosovo battles against incitement and recruitment for extremist organizations such as ISIS. Anti-Semitic books on sale in Kosovo One day during the conference, Daniel walked through Pristina's main boulevard and noticed that many stands and bookstores were selling anti-Semitic books translated into Albanian. Among the works sold were three different versions of Mein Kampf. "How many people were exposed to this poison? Thousands of people pass by there everyday. It turns out that there is a whole industry of anti-Semitic literature translated into Albanian and other languages in the region as part of an organized campaign of incitement against Jews in the Balkans," said Daniel. Daniel turned to the Ministry of Public Security of Kosovo, which invited him to the conference, and filed a complaint. Together with Dr. Shimon Samuels of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the two wrote a letter to the Kosovar president to investigate the matter. President Hashim Thaci (Photo: AP) The president responded with a letter to Daniel and Dr. Samuels saying: "We are deeply concerned by the attempts of individuals to introduce radical and threatening ideologies into Kosovo. As such, we are taking the information on such activities seriously," wrote Thaci. "Regardless, this incident is rare, and I can assure you that I directed authorities to immediately investigate this incident and take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of hatred in a flagrant violation of the constitution." In response, Daniel said, "People in Kosovo today are pro-Israel, but who knows what can happen in ten years? I can only thank the President of Kosovo for acting decisively against the vendors." US President-elect Trump appears to still be torn over his choice for secretary of State after summoning former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to New York for dinner Tuesday night to discuss the post for a second time. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter He was also meeting with Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was getting new attention from Trump's team. On Monday, Trump spent an hour with retired Gen. David Petraeus, another new contender. Trump (L) and Romney (Photo: AFP) Trump's decision to consider Romney for the powerful Cabinet post has sparked an unusual public backlash from some of his closest aides and allies. Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has warned that it would be a "betrayal" to Trump supporters if he selected Romney, who was a fierce critic of the president-elect. Three people close to the transition team said Trump was aware that Conway planned to voice her concerns about Romney in public and they pushed back at suggestions that the president-elect was angry at her for doing so. Meanwhile, Trump won praise from Republicans Tuesday for his pick of Congressman Tom Price to serve as health and human services secretary. A six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, Price has been a leading critic of President Barack Obama's health care law. If confirmed by the Senate, he will be a leading figure in Republican efforts to repeal the measure. Incoming Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Price "has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want" for programs that help seniors, women, families and those with disabilities. His nomination, Schumer said, is "akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house." Jason Miller, a transition team spokesperson, said at least one other Cabinet post would be announced in the afternoon. He did not elaborate on the matter further. Transition aides said Trump was likely to be at least a few days away from a decision on secretary of State. Romney was fiercely critical of Trump throughout the campaign, including his preparedness for the foreign policy and national security decisions that confront a president. Still, he is said to be interested in serving in the administration and held a lengthy initial meeting with Trump before Thanksgiving. Other top Trump allies, notably Conway, have launched a highly unusual public campaign against a Romney nomination. Conway's comments stirred speculation that she is seeking either to force Trump's hand or give him cover for ultimately passing over Romney. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a loyal Trump ally, was initially seen as the leading contender to helm the State Department. However, questions about his overseas business dealings, as well as his public campaigning for the job, have seemingly given Trump pause. Trump is now said to be considering Giuliani to head the Homeland Security Department, according to those close to the transition process. Sweden will side with the rest of the European Union in talks with Britain about leaving the bloc, the Swedish minister for EU affairs and trade said on Tuesday, ending any hope Britain would get any special favours from one of its closest EU allies. Britain is Sweden's fourth biggest trading partner and the two countries have often seen eye to eye on such issues as free trade and reforms within the EU. But the statements by Ann Linde show how allies like Sweden may prefer to move closer to the EU rather than jeopardise the union by being too soft on Britain. "For us, as close as possible relations with the UK is what we prefer," Linde told Reuters. "But it is more important that the EU as such is functioning at its absolute best and effective way. "If the UK will ask to let go of freedom of movement of persons, not pay to the EU budget and not follow the EU court, that will not be a feasible way to conduct negotiations," she said. "We will not step outside the EU 27 and say, 'Yes, that's a good idea.'" German economic newspaper Handelsblatt reported that businessperson Miki Ganor raked in 11 million (NIS 45 million) on deals with German company ThyssenKrupp. Ganor received most of his payment as part of the recently publicized submarine deal, which included the acquisition of four sea vessels for the protection of the Israeli marine gas reserves. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Criticism of the deal raised questions regarding a conflict of interest due to the involvement of attorney David Shimron, who was representing both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ganor, who was in turn representing ThyssenKrupp. Accusations of corruption have claimed that Shimron torpedoed a tender over the deal, having instead offered it solely to ThyssenKrupp. An IDF submarine ThyssenKrupp, for its part, confirmed to Handelsblatt that opening the deal up to a tender would have been against the companys interests, as similar bids from South Korea and France could have been found to be less expensive. ThyssenKrupp has stated that its contract with Miki Ganor, who was the companys official representative in Israel, "requires him to seek the company's approval for any subcontractor working on his behalf," which he did not do. Miki Ganor (Photo: Dmitry Shevchenko) "The company did not approve Shimron's employment by Ganor, and if indeed Ganor hired him without approval, it is a breach of our contract with him. The issue is under investigation." The recent accusations have caused ThyssenKrupp to launch its own investigation into the matter. According to sources within ThyssenKrupp, the scandal could even lead to the deals extermination, as chances of canceling it are increasing. Even Ganor's appointment to ThyssenKrupp's representative in Israel has been called into question. Ganor began this job in 2009. According to his predecessor, Shaike Barkat, Ganor managed to nab the position after then commander of the Israeli Navy, Eliezer Marom, threatened to never purchase another submarine from ThyssenKrupp if it did not replace Barkat with Ganor. Sources within ThyssenKrupp confirmed Barkat's story. "What can you do if you want to strike a deal?" a captain from the company's shipyard was quoted as saying. Coalition Chairman MK David Bitan (Likud) proposed Tuesday evening a compromise on the "Regulation Bill" that would allow Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) to support it in its first reading, following the latter's opposition to a section that retroactively legalizes the Amona outpost. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The compromise is that the bill, which is to be brought to the Knesset on Wednesday, would be presented in two different versions to be voted one. One version would include the clause in question, which seeks to bypass the ruling by the High Court of Justice (HCJ) that calls for Amona to be evacuated, and the other would not. Amona (Photo: AP) Sources in the coalition explained that the purpose of the different versions is to stall while alternative solutions can be sought. The Security Cabinet is to meet on Wednesday to discuss the bill and the alternative, which is supported by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and which entails temporarily relocated Amona residents. Monday night, Mandelblit presented his compromise proposal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which is detailed below: AG's compromise 1. Evacuating as planned The basic assumption is that, in any case, Amona will be evacuated by the end of December, as the HCJ ordered, and that the controversial Regulation Bill will be effectively buried. 2. Temporary relocation The evacuees will be moved out of their current homes in the outpost, which is located on private Palestinian land, to three nearby plots of land that belong to absentee Palestinian land owners, dubbed "North Amona." 3. Arranging permanent residences Planning and construction officials and jurists will collaborate to locate lands nearby Amona to be a permanent site for Amona residents. 4. Introducing the "Cypriot Model" Alongside the evacuation procedures, the attorney general will introduce a model wherein a land dispute court will be established in the West Bank to deal with such issues and prevent similar crises in the future. Mandleblit's above compromise is composed to a variety of proposals ventured by politicians in recent days. It depends on a clear stipulation: the elimination of the Regulation Bill before it is brought to a vote. Education Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel should view the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) results, released Tuesday and showing a significant decrease in the ranking of Israeli eighth-graders in math and science since 2011, as a "national emergency" that should propel the country to invest more in math and science education. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The study showed that Israeli students dropped from 7th to 16th in math and 13th to 19th in science. "To all those who needed further proof that we need to revolutionize our math and science educational system, the results of these tests prove it is now a national emergency," said Bennett in a statement. Naftali Bennett (Photo: Gil Yohanan) "For the future of our country and (to educate our) potential future Nobel Prize winners, we will continue to push our students to study math at the highest levels even in the face of criticism," he concluded. The TIMSS results coincided with the first International Summit for Start-Up Education of Israel Sci-Tech schools, held Tuesday and Wednesday in Jerusalem and chaired by Technion Prof. Dan Shechtman, winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Shechtman told Tazpit Press Service (TPS) that despite the TIMSS results, Israel's educational system excels in high-tech and innovation. "We have a very high-standard of science and technology education in our universities while also maintaining relatively good vocational education as well," he said. Shechtman explained that Israeli students are pressured to pursue university studies, largely as a result of encouragement at the high school, or even primary school levels to pursue technology careers. At the same time, however, he said Israeli society has a tendency to overlook the quality and importance of vocational education. In his view, that's a mistake. Prof. Dan Shechtman (Photo: The Knesset) "People forget that that there are many developed countries, such as Switzerland, where only a very small percentage of youngsters even go to general high schools, and instead proceed directly to vocational high schools. "We need to come back to the old way of teaching technicians, like we did 2030 years ago. Many could become great professionals, working with computers or other machines and earning very good salaries. We should invest more in their advancement," he said. When asked about the challenges of educating youths in a changing world, Shechtman argued that the key to adaptation is a strong foundation in the basics. "When you come to study in any science field, you are definitely not the most advanced technologically savvy in the world because you cannot know what the future holds. But if you teach the basics properly, then the sum total of our universities can very easily adapt to new technology because they hold solid underpinnings," he argued. Also in concert with the conference, the Ministries of Economy, Immigrant Absorption and Finance, as well as the Planning and Budgeting Committee at the Council for Higher Education have created an Israel National Brain Gain Program as a cooperative project to reverse the "brain drain" trend which has seen many Israeli academics leaving the country for foreign pastures in recent years. "Israel has a high-quality teaching system, but our greatest asset is our human potential." said Professor Shechtman. "This country has many exceptionally bright minds compared to other countries. That is the most important natural resource a country can possess, and we need to develop it properly to succeed," he concluded. Article reprinted with permission from TPS After Aerosmith, Justin Bieber and Guns n Roses have all confirmed they will be performing in Israel next summer, a new name has been floating around as a possible entertainer to visit the Holy Land. Her name is Britney, and shes looking to give you more for your money come watermelon season. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Ms. Spears team has been negotiating with the owners of Zappa music clubs to find an appropriate venue for and price for the all-out circus that Britneys performance is sure to evoke. Zappa, however, is not the only party in town; Bluestone Productions have also been in talks with the sultry songstress. Spears has already given a green light, said a source privy to the correspondence betwixt the eager companies and Spears. Now its just a question of timing and price. Britney Spears at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards (Photo: Gettyimages) Timing is of the essence, since in a season already frothing with pop and rock stars, clashing schedules could pit Britney against the music of Bieber, Steven Tyler or Axl Rose. This in turn could cause Spears sales tickets to go down. Since she is looking to charge $2 million for her show, its producers would be looking to draw at least 35,000 people. Bieber speaks to a similar audience, said an inside source. So its a real dilemma whether to bring Britney for this summer or the next one. Britneys last tour was the 2011 Femme Fatale, which promoted her album by the same name. The tour brought in $69 million and catered to 700,000 fans in total. Since then, Spears has been keeping her talent local: these days, if you seek Britney, look no further than her Las Vegas extravaganza Britney: Piece of Me. Her show has been immensely successful, and her contract has recently been renewed to May 20th, 2017. Every time rumors of a possible Britney show in Israel had been raised in the past, they were eventually refuted. Last year, Spears team had looked into a possible tour, but that did not end up materializing. Britney, for her part, has voiced her desire to celebrate her latest album, Glory, with her fans. In a recent interview, she mentioned the rush she gets from meeting fans who do not come to see her in Las Vegas, and how she loves to go on tour. Its in my blood, she said. Citizen Airmen devoted to canine training, airport security Passengers waiting in line for security at the Honolulu International Airport came in contact with a passenger screening dog, equipped with a harness that says DO NOT PET who walked vigilantly amongst the line of people. The canine known as Zip, a German short-haired pointer, is being tested to see if he can pinpoint the decoy, or volunteer, who is carrying simulated explosive material through the security line. If Zip successfully identifies the decoy in various training scenarios, he will gain employment on the elite Transportation Security Administration Explosive Detection Canine team. Within a matter of minutes Zip provided his handler with the correct alert, his eyes glued to the suspected passenger. When a dog finds a very sensitive item that could put the public in harms way its rewarding, said Tara Corse, Regional K-9 training instructor for the TSA. The canines must pass rigorous, real-world scenarios coordinated by Corse, who also serves as an Aerial Transportation Specialist with the 48th Aerial Port Squadron a Reserve unit based out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Corse credits her Air Force career for giving her the insight to provide realistic training scenarios for the canines. When I transferred from Active Duty to the Reserves, I knew I was going to work at the airport as a K-9 instructor, said Corse. So I picked out the aerial port squadron specifically because it would help me in gaining knowledge of the airport environment and all of the inner workings. The 48th APS provides expertise in all areas of air terminal operations to include aircraft loading, cargo processing and inspecting passenger services worldwide in support of contingency operations, disaster and humanitarian relief. My TSA job and Reserve career correlates and intermingles wonderfully, said Corse. I am also able to rely on volunteers from the Air Force Reserve to help us train the canines. We need new people each time we do a different scenario. If we used the same person, the dog will associate that persons smell with the sensitive material. Changing the decoys challenges the dogs to ensure they are effective at their job. The TSA is selective when it comes choosing volunteers. We have a small pool of personnel we are allowed to use due to the sensitive items we are placing on the decoys, said Corse. We would not be as successful today without the assistance of the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve. Master Sgt. Marilyn Kinoshita, member of the 624th Regional Support Group, volunteers as a decoy and encourages her team to participate. I volunteer because as an Airman, it is our duty and responsibility to safeguard and protect the people of the United States, said Kinoshita. The TSA is also a partner in this critical mission as they are the forefront of airport security and the first line of defense in air travel. Teaming up with TSA not only assists in recognizing gaps in their practices, but the outcome of our efforts contribute to corrective action plans that make air travel safe. The volunteers are able to get a first-hand look at how the TSA operates. They get to see why the TSA has all of the security requirements and restrictions, said Corse. The public doesnt see all the layers of security and how difficult it is find certain things. The volunteers are able to see the actual capability of the canines and how well it helps in the entire process of screening passengers. The passengers are also able to witness the talent of the detection dogs since the security line is real-world, not staged. The traveling public is reassured even though its a test and not a real threat, said Corse. It gives the travelers piece of mind that these dogs are capable of finding even the smallest amount of explosive material on a person. After Kinoshita experienced Zip identifying her as the decoy as fast as he did, she believes the explosive detection canines enhance airport security. Either in the combat zones of Iraq, Afghanistan, or in the airports of America, these security professionals are on duty and trained to deter crisis, said Kinoshita. As a passenger, these dogs make me feel safe. As an Air Force warrior, it is good to know that these canine teams are professional, well-trained and on duty to support our war on terrorism. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Teens are invited to the Main Library for games, crafts, movies, and more! Ages 13-18 are welcome. There is no charge to attend any event. Please note, the library will close at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 24th, and remain closed through Monday, December 26th, in observance of Christmas. Saturday, December 3rd, 10th, 17th @ 1:00 p.m. Anime Club Join us for Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm and Navi anime and crafts! Monday, December 5th @ 4:00 p.m. Teen Movie: Elf (2003) After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. (PG) After the film, check out our books about New York City. Tuesday, December 6th @ 4:00 p.m. Teen Movie: The BFG (2016) A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kind-hearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. (PG) Based on the book by Roald Dahl. Wednesday, December 7th @ 4:00 p.m. Christmas Poetry Write your own poem with published poet Erika Vazquez and give it as a gift to a loved one for the holidays! Thursday, December 8th @ 5:00 p.m. Nerd Day Thursday Enjoy Stranger Things with fellow nerds! Saturday, December 10th @ 3:00 p.m. Escape Room Follow the clues to find the key that allows you to escape the room! Monday, December 12th @ 4:00 p.m. Teen Movie: The Santa Clause (1994) When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. (PG) After the film, check out our books about St. Nick. Tuesday, December 13th @ 4:00 p.m. Teen Movie: The Secret Life of Pets (2016) The quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes. (PG) After the film, check out our books about pets. Wednesday, December 14th @ 4:00 p.m. Homeschool Meet-up Our monthly Homeschool Meet-up is for ages 13-18, and features a different library resource or program. This month, play with our coding tech toys, including the Makey Makey and Sphero! Thursday, December 15th @ 4:30 p.m. Manga Club Join us to discuss Attack on Titan. Friday, December 16th @ 3:00 p.m. Christmas Penguins Revisit your childhood by making a simple Christmas Penguin that moves! Saturday, December 17th @ 3:00 p.m. Peppermint Slime Make your own oozing slime with glue and other household items. Spice it up for the holidays with peppermint and glitter! Monday, December 19th @ 3:00 p.m. Teen Movie: Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve. (G) Based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Tuesday, December 20th @ 3:00 p.m. Teen Movie: Suicide Squad (2016) A secret government agency recruits some of the most dangerous incarcerated super-villains to form a defensive task force. Their first mission: save the world from the apocalypse. (PG-13) Based on the DC Comic books. Thursday, December 22nd @ 4:00 p.m. Nerd Day Thursday Enjoy Supernatural with fellow nerds! Tuesday, December 27th @ 3:00 p.m. Teen Movie: Ghostbusters (2016) Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat. (PG-13) After the film, check out our books about the supernatural. The Main Library is located at 2951 S 21st Drive. For more information, call (928) 782-1871. The poor professors have never had it so bad. There is nothing that they can do that does not run foul of the media. Especially if it has to do with dresses. Let them but whisper the words dress code, and the entire media brigade descends on them. Every Tomlinson, Dickinson and harried socialite wannabe is called in to pour out their outrage at these otherwise respected guys.

And it does not help that they look such fuddy duddys on TV. In this uneven contest they come out looking like dinosaurs, stuck in another age and knowing nothing about liberalism, freedom or fashion. No one could even remotely imagine letting their ilk set the agenda for what to dress.

But make no mistake about it, freedom has nothing to do with the issue. We do follow trends. And the anxiety to get it right could be terrible. In a college, or in any other non-fashionable place, it does not really matters. Who gives a care if someone walks in wearing a white lungi, or a faded kurta into a classroom. But say you are in an upmarket restaurant, and the first people to give you a stare if you go out dressed wrong would be the waiters, probably following you all around (their gaze, i.e!). It could be even worse in a nightclub you could be denied entry.

So it is just as necessary to go out not dressed in suits and ties to night clubs, as it is necessary to go out in them in a business conference.

Me, I am a fashion dinosaur. I make my capris by cutting off the bottom of my pyjamas, and I have yet to figure out the difference between my old jeans, which were torn when I fell off a moving bus, and the torn stuff that has been in rage.

So, you will understand my bewilderment at all this fashion fundamentalism. The bottomline though is that trends are set increasingly by the fashion designers, models, socialites and the P3P, and are religiously followed.

Why is this so?

One reason is that with the advent of the television age, suddenly people who were anybody (which means they have to appear of TV), could not afford not to be well groomed anymore. This thing has combined in recent days with our fanaticism to have experts for everything from baby food to military security the guy (or the gal) doing the advising must have unimpeachable credentials that s/he can actually do that.

So these citizens of the fashion world serve as experts for an important concern, look. And look muh dahlings is important. Witness how the packaging industry has grown. Witness also the concept that things need to be packaged properly, has grown. Everything today is packaged. There is the physical package and the metaphorical package. There is the packaged bottle of water, and there is the packaged tour. There is also packaged spirituality and others things that one never imagined deserved a package.

So how could humans not be packaged? The look dahlings, is the package. It puts the proper spin on the person. Puts him in perspective, gives him a context, and says something about him. Those who can afford it, do not dare to leave such an important thing to there own bumblings. They call in the experts.

This is as it were, looking at the issue from the inside. From the point of view of people who with a passion follow the fashion, (forgive the doggerel).

There is another way to look at it. From the point of view of the industry that thrives on it. This circle includes not just the designers and the models, but also the big retail chains (Westside and Shoppers Stop are an example) and branded clothing corporations. One may go on to say that it also includes all those who profit from the beauty industry: cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, (in twenty thousand colour for twenty thousand types of hair and I am not exaggerating dahlings) enhancements, spas (chocolate, wine milk, stones, are the new substitutes for plain old bath water), and then dance classes, etiquette, self development etc, etc.

Because Look is not only about clothing, but a lot other things besides.

This entire industry has a stake in keeping people perpetually anxious about their looks. No, I am not suggesting a grand conspiracy against the women, (and lately the men) of this earth but simply that a huge swathe of the corporate world thrives on our look-anxiety and therefore, quite naturally, do everything to subtly reinforce it. This happens through various means well funded researches on the virtues of being slim, expert opinions, etc but mainly through ads.

Have you noticed how the 21st century woman or the liberated woman or the empowered woman in the ads is always someone who has the perfectly shaped body and is draped in designer wear?

If you dont look like that, walk like that and talk like that it is subtly implied then you do not qualify for the above titles. Thats social conditioning for you.

There is nothing wrong in being look conscious. It is a sign of civilisation to bother about how you look. One must, without doubt, try to look ones best but that is where it should halt. One should not start trying to look like someone else, however gorgeous.

We all are unique. Different, without the help of any designer. What could be better than that?

South African President Jacob Zuma looked on Tuesday to have survived an attempted ousting after days of fierce debate within the ruling ANC party as several ministers called on him to resign. Zuma has been weakened by a series of scandals but the manoeuvre to oust him took many by surprise in the African National Congress, which has held power since 1994. A weekend meeting of the party`s executive was extended into Monday after a rebellion led by senior government figures, including at least four ministers. Local media said the meeting, which ended late on Monday evening, was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. But the President appeared to have headed off the most serious threat to his hold on power since he came to office in 2009. He left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The ANC announced it would hold a press conference at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) on the meeting`s outcome. "The president told us that he will never step down, as it would be like handing himself over to the enemy, and that there are people who want to see him in jail," an unnamed source at the closed-door meeting told the News24 website. It said Zuma`s loyalists had rallied strongly to his defence during Monday`s sessions. The president has been hit by multiple corruption allegations and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC suffered a serious setback in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high. Zuma has been under renewed pressure since a corruption probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country`s top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence. However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in Parliament on November 10. Ontario: Justin Trudeau will not attend Fidel Castro`s funeral, the Canadian prime minister`s office said Monday, after he was rebuked for calling the late Cuban strongman and family friend a "remarkable leader." Instead, Governor General David Johnston will represent Canada at the commemoration in honor of the former Cuban president in Havana Tuesday evening. Trudeau described Castro after his passing as "a legendary revolutionary and orator." His kind words for Castro, however, were sharply criticized by the opposition and American conservatives who said he was praising a cruel dictator. Pressed on the matter, Trudeau acknowledged the opposition`s concerns, saying: "He certainly was a polarizing figure, there certainly were significant concerns around human rights." Miami: Cuban police have detained dissident artist Danilo "El Sexto" Maldonado, once declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, after he made a video celebrating the death of Fidel Castro, a dissident human rights group and the artist`s girlfriend said on Monday. Castro died on Friday at age 90, a decade after he had retired due to poor health and ceded power to his brother, current President Raul Castro. Maldonado posted a video on social media on Saturday in which he rants against Castro and calls him a "mare," a Cuban pejorative. Such a video could constitute the offence of "disrespect." Maldonado, 33, was previously jailed on that charge for painting the names "Fidel" and "Raul" on a pair of pigs. His most recent detention was reported by Maldonado`s American girlfriend, Alexandra Martinez, who said she spoke with him in jail, and by the dissident Cuban Commission of Human Rights and National Reconciliation, which said Maldonado`s mother reported the detention on South Florida radio. Cuban officials have not confirmed whether Maldonado was in custody, said Kimberley Motley, a human rights attorney contacted by the Human Rights Foundation to handle Maldanado`s case. Cuba does not publicly report arrests and dismisses dissidents as U.S.-paid mercenaries. Maldonado has used performance and graffiti art to criticize the Cuban government. Following his arrest in December 2014, he spent 10 months in prison and was released after an Amnesty International statement that he was considered Cuba`s only prisoner of conscience. Washington: Stepping up his search for a new US secretary of state, President-elect Donald Trump has met highly-decorated but scandal-scarred former CIA chief David Petraeus amid open infighting among Trump's advisers over who to pick for the coveted post. Petraeus, one of America's most celebrated generals credited with turning the tide in Iraq, spent an hour with Trump at his office in Trump Tower in Manhattan yesterday. Trump tweeted about the meeting immediately afterwards, saying he "was very impressed" with the retired general. "Just met with General Petraeus--was very impressed!" Trump said in a tweet after his meeting with the former decorated general of the US armed forces and the top spy master. In his brief interaction with reporters after the meeting, Petraeus said it was a "very good conversation," and added that, "We'll see where it goes from here." He said Trump showed a great grasp of a variety of global challenges. "I was with him for about an hour. He basically walked us around the world," he said. "(Trump) showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well. Very good conversation and we'll see where it goes from here. We'll see where it goes from here," Petraeus said amidst reports that the former CIA director is among the new names for his Secretary of State. The presidential transition team has not said anything except that the search for a new US secretary of state continues. Trump is scheduled to have another round of meeting with his former bitter opponent and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney. "The search process or the interview process as the president-elect works to come to a final decision on the secretary of state of front, he'll complete that and announce his decision when he's ready," the transition communication director Jason Miller told reporters during a conference call. "He has met with a number of very well-qualified individuals and obviously through this week met with a number of well-qualified individuals and he's going to pick the person who he thinks will do the absolute best job," Miller said. On Sunday a top advisor to the President-elect had voiced her concern over tapping Romney for this position given that he had criticised Trump during the primaries and had called him phony. According to reports, Petraeus's appointment could allow for a compromise amid reports of divisions within the Trump team, with some backing Romney and others supporting Rudy Giuliani. Petraeus resigned as CIA direct in November 2012, was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2015, and is currently on probation for sharing classified information with his biographer and mistress, former Army intelligence officer Paula Broadwell. Petraeus agreed to a plea deal that saw him sentenced to two years' probation and forced him to pay a USD 100,000 fine for sharing classified information. Before becoming the CIA Director, Petraeus was commander of the US Central Command and also headed the US and NATO troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. CNN?s top counter terrorism expert Peter Bergan in an op-ed argued that Petraeus would be a smart choice for Trump?s Secretary of State. "Indeed, Petraeus would be an outstanding first diplomat of the United States, although Trump is reportedly also considering candidates such as former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, among others," Bergan wrote. Havana: Just three days after the death of Fidel Castro, the first scheduled commercial flight from the US to Havana in more than 50 years has landed to the applause of passengers and a water-spraying salute from firetrucks. But the wheels didn't even hit the ground before the warming ties initiated by President Barack Obama were thrown into doubt by President-elect Donald Trump, who has tweeted that he might "terminate" the detente. The travel industry, among others, hopes otherwise. Passengers from Miami, wearing straw hats provided by American Airlines with the word "Cuba" on the back, were greeted with welcome signs in various languages, but no music. They arrived during an official mourning period, as Cubans packed Havana's Plaza of the Revolution to join an homage to Castro, and a state-sanctioned live music ban hushed the capital's usually festive nightlife. The landing "was very emotional for me," said Jonathan Gonzalez, 31, a Cuban-American born in Miami who said it was his third time visiting the island. For decades, people thought it would take the death of Castro to open up travel to Cuba. In reality, restrictions on travel from the US had already eased since Obama lifted some rules last year by executive order. Several airlines began routes to other Cuban cities earlier this year. Later yesterday, a JetBlue flight arrived in Havana from New York. Carnival Corporation launched its first cruise to the island this year, and Starwood Hotels became the first US hotel brand to operate on the island. Despite the relaxing of travel restrictions, going to Cuba isn't exactly like hopping a flight to another Caribbean destination. Pure tourism remains illegal under US regulations that allow 12 categories of travel to Cuba. They include religious and sports activities, and educational travel promoting "people-to-people" contact, which is the clause most United States citizens travel under. For Americans without family ties to Cuba, the most popular form of travel had been on tightly focused educational trips organised in conjunction with the Cuban government. The Obama administration lifted that group requirement in March, leaving Americans free to travel to Cuba as long as they can credibly describe their trips as educational. What happens after Trump's inauguration in January is murkier. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the US as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump tweeted yesterday. Some in the travel industry remain hopeful that Washington will keep its Cuba policies intact and that Havana won't react by shutting off travel. Beijing: Armoured troop carriers belonging to Singapore and currently impounded in Hong Kong should be "melted down", China`s influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said on Tuesday, in its second swipe at the island nation in two days. The nine troop carriers were impounded in Hong Kong last week en route back from Taiwan, sparking a rebuke to Singapore from China about maintaining military ties with self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province. Ties between China and Singapore have been strained in recent months, particularly over the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing, which claims most of the waters, suspects Singapore of siding with the United States. Beijing has accused Washington of deliberately creating tension by sailing its ships close to China`s islands. The Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party`s official People`s Daily, blasted Singapore`s "carelessness" with the armoured vehicles, which it said reflected a failure to take seriously China`s displeasure over its military relationship with Taiwan. "Singapore`s image in China is now so rotten that ordinary Chinese people think the best thing to do with the `confiscated` armoured vehicles that `walked right into our trap` is to send them to the steel mills to be melted down," it said. The editorial, published in the paper`s Chinese language edition, whose website attracts millions of visitors every day, adopts a similarly strident tone to a Monday commentary in its much less read English edition, accusing Singapore of "hypocrisy". Singapore should use this "interlude" in its relations with China to find "enlightenment" rather than to provoke more resentment, it added. "All incidents have causes - to grasp and understand them is always wise," the editorial said. Singapore and Taiwan have a longstanding military relationship that began in the 1970s and involves Taiwan being used as grounds for Singaporean infantry training. Beijing has grudgingly tolerated this agreement since the China and Singapore re-established diplomatic relations in the 1990s. The Global Times has a history of writing hyperbolic editorials and is usually significantly more hawkish than the government`s official line. In September, the paper embarked on a war of words with Singapore`s ambassador to China, Stanley Loh, over a report that said Singapore had raised the South China Sea at summit in Venezuela, which the ambassador denied. China has repeatedly warned Singapore against getting involved in the territorial dispute in which China asserts sovereignty over waters and islands claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore has no claims, but as the biggest port in Southeast Asia, the city-state`s open economy depends on continued free navigation in the area. Islamabad/New Delhi: On a day when Pak-sponsored terrorists attacked an Army camp in Nagrota near Jammu, General Qamar Bajwa, Tuesday, took over Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Outgoing Army chief General Raheel Sharif handed over the baton to General Bajwa at a ceremony held at the General Headquarters(GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Addressing the gathering, General Sharif stressed the need for all institution of the Pakistani establishment to work together against external threats. Dawn News quoted the outgoing Army chief as saying that India's aggressive tactics in the past months have kept the area under pressure of looming violence. "...but India should know that taking our policy of patience as weakness would be dangerous," he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has asserted that there will be no immediate change in India's military policy. "The military policy will continue and there will be no immediate change in it (under Bajwa)," Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo News, yesterday. "The focus will remain on country's eastern border and the armed forces backed by the nation will meet all challenges," he said. "The legacy of General Raheel Sharif would continue in the light of the examples he set," Asif said. The Defence Minister expressed hope that the government and military leadership will continue to work together for the betterment of the country. According to Pakistani media and experts, General Bajwa's "pro-democracy credentials" and his low-profile influenced Sharif to appoint him to the powerful post of army chief superseding four top generals. The military has been in charge of the country for more than half of Pakistan's nearly 70-year history since independence. New Delhi: The Bihar government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it is not "averse" to shifting of controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to Tihar prison here. The state government, in which RJD is a coalition partner, concurred with stand of CBI which has already agreed to suggestion of the apex court that alleged history sheeter be shifted to Delhi as his continous presence in Bihar may adversely impact the trials in various pending criminal cases against him. The government told the bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy that Shahabuddin has been facing trial in 45 cases including one in Jharkhand. "We are not averse to shifting of the accused (Shahabuddin) to Tihar jail but the court should also decide the mode of trial of pending cases against him," the counsel representing the Bihar government said. During the hearing, the bench said, "You (the Bihar government) file the list of all the cases against him including in which he has been convicted or acquitted". The counsel said that the list has already been filed and is on the apex court records. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Siwan-based Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons have been killed in two separate incidents, said that all these incidents have taken place when Shahabuddin was in Siwan jail. He also informed the bench that Shahabuddin had alleged that lack of means while seeking legal aid counsel to defend him in various cases. The plea was allowed by the trial court. Dave further said that interestingly, the state government challenged the order in the Patna High Court which in turn stayed the trial court order leading to stalling of proceedings in all criminal cases against Shahabuddin. "Since the legal aid counsel was looking all his 45 cases, the trial eventually got stayed after the Patna High Court order," Dave said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, said that he is in jail for past 11 years, how can he hire a private lawyer to defend himself. The hearing, however, remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. The apex court had yesterday mulled shifting the RJD leader from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the national capital, saying it is test case for the "concept of fair trial and witness protection". Patna: With the political pot on the boil in Bihar since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar supported the Centre's demonetisation move despite protests by allies, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday asked him to review ties with RJD and Congress and said his party would consider any proposal of realignment from JD(U). Reacting to Kumar's comment yesterday that efforts were on for a long time to end his political career, Modi said it would "definitely" happen if he continued to stay with RJD and Congress. "If you (Kumar) stay with Lalu Prasad and Congress you will definitely be killed politically," he told reporters. Hailing the JD(U) National President for supporting demonetisation, he said, "Any campaign against black money and corruption is not possible in the company of RJD and Congress." "RJD is known for its corrupt practices while the Congress rule was marred with scams," said Modi, the Parliamentary board chief of Bihar unit of BJP. He alleged that due to the alliance with RJD and Congress, Kumar's effective step against corruption through Special Court Act which has provision for confiscation of property of a guilty has "slowed down". Asked if there is any chance of a reunion of JD(U) and BJP, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council was quick to say: "If a proposal comes from JD(U), the party would consider." "After all Nitish Kumar stayed with BJP for 17 years and this was 'golden period' for Bihar," Modi, who was the deputy chief minister during the NDA rule in the state, said and added Kumar's image got a boost during the time. "Politics is a game of possibilities ... You never know when one comes with whom in politics," he added. He, however, feigned ignorance about media reports of Kumar meeting BJP president Amit Shah and talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his support for demonetisation. "These are high level issues to which I have no access," he said. Meanwhile, former chief minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi took a swipe at Sushil Modi for his comments. "If (Sushil) Modi wants he can take Kumar home on his lap," she told reporters emerging from the Legislative Council after it adjourned for the day. Kumar had led JD(U) to severe ties with BJP in June 2013 after 17 years over the elevation of Narendra Modi as PM candidate. He joined hands with RJD and Congress before the Bihar polls last year and romped back to power. Patna: The Bihar legislature on Tuesday transacted very little business with ruling as well as opposition legislators trooping into well at both the houses in support of their demands. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was not present in either of the House. He had gone to his native place Kalyan Bigha to pay respect to his departed father on his death anniversary. In state Legislative Assembly, as the House sat for the day, JD(U), RJD and Congress members came into the well and started raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP members too rushed to the well in support of its adjournment notice on law and order situation. Unruly scenes were witnessed with members pushing and shoving each other. In the midst of intense protest, Congress MLA Ramdeo Rai and some from BJP and RJD were seen standing on reporters' table. The Speaker first adjourned the House till 12 O'clock. Earlier, even before Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary came in the House, MLAs of ruling as well as opposition parties had gathered around reporters' table and raised slogans against each other. The scene was no better after the house reassembled and the Speaker was forced to adjourned it again till 2 PM. Pandemonium prevailed when the house resumed. Though grand alliance legislators were together in the well but they had their different agendas. Senior JD(U) leader and deputy leader of the house Shyam Rajak told reporters outside the Assembly that they were protesting purchase of land by BJP for opening their offices in districts allegedly out of black money in higher denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes. He demanded CBI probe into the land purchase by BJP in Bihar. Lalu Prasad's RJD members demanded the PM to fulfill his "poll promise of providing Rs 15 lakh each in the bank accounts of people by bringing black money from outside." Congress members vented their anger against BJP members for their alleged uncharitable remarks against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi yesterday in Legislative Council. BJP and its NDA allies RLSP, LJP and HAM protested alleged deterioration in law and order situation in the state. The same political drama was enacted in Legislative Council by rival parties in the well against. Amid din, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi was heard seeking apology from BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and state party chief and MLC Mangal Pandey for "uncharitable comment" of BJP members on Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi ,failing which they would not allow the house to function. The council was first adjourned till 1 PM and latter till lunch recess due to pandemonium. After the adjournment of the Assembly, the agitating members of ruling as well opposition parties continued with their protest outside the house. Grand alliance parties gathered at the main gate of the Assembly and shouted slogans against BJP in support of their issues. BJP members led by leader of opposition Prem Kumar sat on dharna in the Assembly lawn and shouted "Modi Modi". Women legislators of RJD also sat separately RJD also sat separately in the lawn adjoining BJP members.BJP members. Later, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav accompanied by senior party leader and Finance minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui and others criticized the PM on demonetisation. Tejaswi told reporters that Lalu Prasad and RJD is not against drive against black money. "We are protesting deaths of 70 people due to mismanagement in implementation of demonetisation," he said. Tejaswi, who is also RJD Legislature party leader, criticised IT Amendment Bill brought in Parliament with provision of hefty tax penalty on disclosure of unaccounted money. "This is an effort to convert black money into white," he alleged. Senior BJP leader Prem Kumar told reporters that law and order situation has "deteriorated in Bihar due to presence of RJD in the alliance." Congress MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan said that the party legislators are protesting against uncharitable remarks by BJP members. They have called Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as "dalal" (agents of black money), Khan said. When the members gathered back in Assembly post-lunch, the same scene continued. Ruling as well opposition legislators raised slogans against each other at top of their voice. Amid the din, the House passed two Bills including one on amendment in taxation in Motor Vehicle Act and another concerning street vendors. Later, Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary adjourned the House till tomorrow. The Council was also adjourned for the day after it reassembled at 2 pm. New Delhi: A special court has given final opportunity to Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Abu Jundal to advance his arguments on framing of charges in a case of alleged conspiracy to commit terror attacks in India after the 2008 Mumbai strike. Jundal, who is lodged in a Mumbai jail, has been insisting for his production before the court here but in view of the prohibitory orders passed by Mumbai government, which was later upheld by the Bombay High Court, the court had rejected his plea last year. District Judge Amar Nath asked the accused to start his arguments, by himself or through his advocate, on the next hearing on December 8. Advocate M S Khan, appearing for Jundal, meanwhile, told the court that his client did not want him to argue in the matter without his physical presence here. National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already concluded its arguments on the point of framing of charges against the accused, in which it claimed that "sometime in 2010, Jundal, along with his associates, entered into a conspiracy to commit terror attacks in the country." "He used Facebook accounts with the use of fake IDs and sent emails to contact several persons. Three among them were examined by the NIA. The confession given by Jundal in 26 November, 2008 Mumbai blasts case also corroborates this case," the NIA said. The NIA had chargesheeted Jundal alias Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari for allegedly conspiring to carry out terror activities in India after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Germany`s foreign intelligence service chief warned on Tuesday that Russia could seek to disrupt next year`s elections in Europe`s biggest economy with cyber attacks. "Europe is in the focus of these disturbances, and Germany particularly so," Bruno Kahl told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily in an interview published a day after Deutsche Telekom said hackers disrupted internet services for almost one million of its clients. Kahl said there are indications that "cyberattacks are taking place with no reason other than to sow political uncertainty." Asked if he agreed with Washington`s assessment that Russia had sought to interfere in the US elections through cyber attacks, Kahl said that "there are indications that that came from this front." "Attributing to a state actor is technically difficult. But there is some evidence that this is at least tolerated or desired by the state," he added. Chancellor Angela Merkel had said early in November that Russia could try to influence Germany`s general elections next autumn through cyber attacks or disinformation campaigns. Meanwhile, hackers brought down or partially disrupted internet services for around 900,000 of Deutsche Telekom clients on Sunday. Quoting unnamed security experts, Tagesspiegel daily said the attack may have been carried out by Russian hackers. Germany has been the target of repeated cyber attacks in recent years. In September, several political parties were targeted with fake emails purporting to be from NATO headquarters but which in fact contained a link that installed spying software on victims` computers. The German parliament also fell victim in a 2015 attack that security services have since blamed on Russia. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s decision to demonetise the Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes on November 8 this year was a risky but very brave one that would benefit the citizens of the country in the long term. Interacting with the public through an exclusive talk show on the television channel News Nation on the occasion of him completing 11 consecutive years in office, Chouhan said those protesting against this decision were doing it for no reason. "People have stood strongly behind this decision taken by the Prime Minister to demonetise the 500 and 1000 currency notes. Whereever I went, I saw people supporting it," he added. "Such a strong decision can be taken only by a leader who is determined and has the strength to strike positive change. It was a risky, but a very brave decision by the Prime Minister against corruption, fake currency and black money," he said. Speaking at length about his personal and political life, he talked about how he managed to strike a balance between his family and his professional life. "As an active political figure and also as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, I had to be out for days together and am thankful that I have all support from my wife and the family," he said. He said "I take out time at least twice in a year to move out with my family and at least once in two months do go out to a restaurant for having food with my family." "This keeps the family ties strong and acts as a mechanism to strike a positive chord between the family and the profession life and gives you the required strength to work for the people," he added. Speaking about some of the welfare schemes launched in Madhya pradesh, he said, "I want entrepreneurs to come out from Madhya Pradesh and for which special schemes have been tailored by the state government." Venture funds have been created for supporting innovative business ideas in the state, he said. He also said that he was a religious person. "I am a devout Hindu but I equally respect all other religions as every religion talks about and teaches how to strengthen human values," he said. Chouhan, who is popularly referred to as ` Mama` in the state, said, " I was moved by the plight of the girls and women since my early days and had then itself thought of bringing in the required changes. I had seen girls not being treated at par with the boys as they were always considered as economic burden. So, when came I decided to check such social discrepancies and took the decision to run welfare schemes for them," he said. "Where girls are not safe, one cannot talk about progress," he said, and hence we started the "Ladli Yojna", the " Beti Bachao Yojna " among others," he added. He also spoke at length about his early days and what made him enter into politics, and also how he was convinced to get married and to lead a family life. He said he spent the early days in a village on the banks of Narmada and fought for the welfare of farmers, workers and women. The Madhya Pradesh chief minister took questions on various issues, ranging from demonetisation, political situation, welfare schemes which are being run by Madhya Pradesh Government for the safety and empowerment of the Girls and Women and also for the employment generation and skill development. Indore: Yoga guru Ramdev on Tuesday described the Centre's demonetisation as a "bitter pill" but said it will have a "healthy impact" on the Indian economy. "Demonetisation is posing some problems to commoners. It is an issue which will wither in a few more days. It is like a bitter pill for the Indian economy but it is going to have a good impact," he told reporters here. "The opposition had called a 'Bharat bandh' yesterday to protest against demonetisation but the people stood by the decision of scrapping high-value currency notes. This shows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a bold step to demonetise the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. He has also won the people's confidence with this move," Ramdev added. He congratulated Shivraj Singh Chouhan for completing 11 years in office as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister on Tuesday. Ramdev said Chouhan, as chief minister, had worked for the welfare of farmers, labourers, Dalits and the oppressed, adding that Madhya Pradesh had "excelled" in agriculture, industry, health, education and other sectors under his leadership. The prime minister, on November 8, had announced his government's decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes. Indore: Yoga guru Ramdev today described the Centre's demonetisation as a "bitter pill" but said it will have a "healthy impact" on the Indian economy. "Demonetisation is posing some problems to commoners. It is an issue which will wither in a few more days. It is like a bitter pill for the Indian economy but it is going to have a good impact," he told reporters here. "The opposition had called a 'Bharat bandh' yesterday to protest against demonetisation but the people stood by the decision of scrapping high-value currency notes. This shows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a bold step to demonetise the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. He has also won the people's confidence with this move," Ramdev added. He congratulated Shivraj Singh Chouhan for completing 11 years in office as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister today. Ramdev said Chouhan, as chief minister, had worked for the welfare of farmers, labourers, Dalits and the oppressed, adding that Madhya Pradesh had "excelled" in agriculture, industry, health, education and other sectors under his leadership. The prime minister, on November 8, had announced his government's decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes. New Delhi: Following their Aakrosh Diwas, which did not seem to have any major impact on the Centre in regards with demonetisation, the Opposition is set to go into a huddle yet again ahead of Tuesday`s Parliament session. The Opposition parties will meet around 9:40 am in Parliament to discuss their strategy. Yesterday, leaders of opposition parties met to discuss their strategy in view of continued impasse in both houses of Parliament because of demonetisation. The leaders decided to continue their demand for seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s presence during a discussion on the matter in the Rajya Sabha to ensure smooth functioning of the House. They also sought the Prime Minister`s apology for his alleged remarks against the opposition for its criticism on the implementation of demonetisation. The demand of setting up of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the alleged selective leakage of the decision to demonetise high value currency notes is to be continued by the Opposition. Meanwhile, the BJP has branded the nation-wide shutdown and protests by the opposition against demonetisation as a flop show. Party secretary Shrikant Sharma claimed that the people have rejected it as they have no faith in the parties who are supporting black money and corruption, adding that the common people have appreciated the efforts of the Prime Minister. In Himachal Pradesh, the Bharat Bandh call by the CPI-M evoked no response as essential services, shops and commercial establishments remained open.Life also remained normal throughout in the state and buses as well as private vehicles plied on roads as usual. As part of Congress Party`s Akrosh Diwas, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh accompanied by his cabinet colleagues and HPCC president Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu submitted a memorandum against the Centre`s decision to demonetise to Governor Acharya Devvrat at the Raj Bhawan in Shimla. Ahmedabad: BJP has registered yet another massive win! After shinning in the Maharashtra civic polls on Monday, BJP on Tuesday won the municipal and district panchayat elections in PM Narendra Modi's home-state Gujarat. Details of results BJP swept local bodies elections by capturing 107 seats out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state. The party won in two municipalities and one taluka panchayat along with majority seats of various other local bodies on which voting was held on Sunday. Severe defeat for Congress Putting a dismal performance ahead of the Assembly polls due next year, the Congress manged to capture only 16 seats in this election. Other details As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP. Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 29 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayats across the state. The bypolls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons. Out of total 16 seats of different municipalities, BJP bagged 14 while Congress has to settle for only two. Out of the total four seats of district panchayats, both the parties bagged two each. In the taluka panchayat by-polls, BJP won on five out of total nine while Congress captured four seats. PM Narendra Modi congratulates party, people Reacting to BJP's win, PM Narendra Modi said that the Gujarat bypolls result illustrates that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and mis-governance. "I salute people of Gujarat for continued trust in BJP. BJP`s great win in local polls shows people`s strong faith in development politics. These results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. Congratulating the state party unit, the Prime Minister Modi also thanked the people of Gujarat for showing faith in the party. "Congratulations to @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas, CM @vijayrupanibjp & @jitu_vaghani for their hardwork work across the state. Over the last few days we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, Assembly & local polls across India. Be it the Northeast, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat...BJP has performed very well. I thank the people," he said in a series of tweets. I salute people of Gujarat for continued trust in BJP. BJP's great win in local polls shows people's strong faith in development politics. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 29, 2016 Congratulations to @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas, CM @vijayrupanibjp & @jitu_vaghani for their hardwork work across the state. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 29, 2016 Over the last few days we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, Assembly & local polls across India. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 29, 2016 Be it the Northeast, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat...BJP has performed very well. I thank the people. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 29, 2016 These results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation & will not tolerate corruption & misgovernance. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 29, 2016 Maharashtra civic polls results In Maharashtra, the ruling BJP has made big gains in the first phase of key civic elections winning 851 of 3,705 seats across 147 municipal councils and 17 panchayats. BJP candidates have won in 52 councils where council chiefs were elected directly. Chandigarh: A taxi driver in Punjab became a billionaire this month, albeit for a day or so, giving him a shock of his life but forcing bank and income tax authorities to launch a probe. Taxi driver Balwinder Singh of Barnala town was shocked out of his wits when an SMS on his mobile phone informed him crediting of over Rs 9,800 crore in his Jan Dhan Yojana account at the S.D. College branch of the State Bank of Patiala dated November 4. A perplexed Balwinder approached the bank, who got the money debited from his account the next day. The bank officials also kept his old passbook and handed over a new one without the wrong entry after three days. Balwinder, who said he usually had a balance of around Rs 3,000 in his account, said: "I was shocked to see the huge figure. I did not even know how much money it was." The income tax authorities launched an investigation to see if an attempt was made by someone to covert the black money into white after the November demonetisation. The Barnala district administration too questioned the bank authorities regarding the wrong entry. Barnala town is around 175 km from state capital Chandigarh. Bank officials are tightlipped, though bank insiders say it was a clerical mistake. "The 11-digit account number, by mistake, got fed into the amount column and led to this situation," bank Manager Sandeep Garg said. Delhi: Even as Parminder Singh, the alleged 'mastermind' of the daring daylight jailbreak in Punjab was shifted to a high-security prison in Muzaffarnagar district on Tuesday, it has come to the fore that Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo had made calls to Pakistan while he was lodged in the Nabha jail. India Today quoted sources as saying that investigating agencies are now going through his call details to ascertain where exactly he made those calls. The KLF militant was frequently using skype to contact his Pakistani handlers and he may have made those calls to Khalistan movement sympathiser. The media house further quoted sources as saying that Mintoo may even have called some ISI operatives in Pakistan. Singh along with Mintoo and four other prisoners had escaped after 'armed men in police uniform' stormed the high-security Nabha prison at Patiala in Punjab on November 27. Singh was arrested from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district on the day itself when the getaway vehicle was stopped at a police picket. On the other hand, Mintoo was arrested from Nizamuddin railway station's parking area in the national capital on Sunday night within hours of his escape from Nabha jail, with Delhi Police saying he was planning to flee abroad, to Malaysia or Germany. He was carrying a sophisticated semi-automatic pistol along with six live cartridges when he was arrested, Arvind Deep, Special Commissioner of Delhi Police's Special Cell, told reporters. Also Read - Nabha jailbreak: Khalistani terrorist Harminder Singh Mintoo, gangster Gurpreet Singh Lehmber arrested Mintoo was produced before a court here which sent him to seven days' police custody. Earlier, he was arrested by Punjab Police after he was deported from Thailand in November 2014. He was wanted in ten terror cases. The KLF chief was brought to India along with his key aide Gurpeet Singh 'Gopi' after Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, traced them in Thailand. (With PTI inputs) Mumbai: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will visit Bangladesh on Wednesday to deepen security ties with the neighbouring country led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to visit India next month. Parrikar will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Bangladesh. He will call on the top leadership in the country to strengthen defence cooperation initiatives during the two-day visit. He is expected to call on President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka on the first day and hold talks with the Security Advisor to Prime Minister, officials said. On December 1, the Vice Chief of the Army and Air Force besides the Deputy Chief of Navy and Coast Guard chief will join the Defence Minister at the military academy in Chittagong and meet Hasina. According to top Defence Ministry officials, the focus of the trip was to deepen security ties and firm up a defence cooperation agreement that is likely to be signed when Bangladesh Prime Minister visits here around December 17. Parrikar was originally scheduled to travel to the country much earlier this month but the visit was delayed, however, the officials denied any link between the visit and the sale of two submarines by China to Bangladesh. Hasina announced the plan to purchase two submarines in 2013 as part of her government's move to build a modern navy. When Bangladesh Navy chief Muhammad Farid Habib had visited India in November last year, he had said Bangladesh is going to buy two used submarines from China for "training" its surface crew and Sonar crew in anti-submarine warfare. "Since the delimitation of maritime border problem has been solved, we are now trying to cooperate. We are trying to patrol in our areas. So in our sea, we also expect lot of gas and oil," Habib had said then. He also said Bangladesh wants to work with the Indian Navy as there are many "non-traditional threats" in sea, a reference to piracy, floating armouries among others. "We cannot tackle those threats alone. It requires cooperation so that we can together fight non-traditional threats and make the area peaceful," the visiting Navy chief had said. Areas of naval cooperation that are proposed include option of coordinated patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line(IMBL), bilateral exercises between both navies, joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone and cooperation in hydrography. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on Tuesday about the ongoing operations against the militants who attacked a military base near Jammu, informed sources said. Sources in the Defence Ministry told IANS that Modi was briefed about the overall situation in Nagrota and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed when suicide bombers armed with guns and grenades stormed a military base, near the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16th Corps in Nagrota. In another incident, three militants were killed in a shootout with security forces near the International Border with Pakistan in Samba. The attacks at the military unit and a BSF camp - both on the outskirts of Jammu city -- were the latest in a series of escalating militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir after the September 29 surgical strikes at terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistani Kashmir. The combing operation against the militants was halted after it became dark and would resume on Wednesday morning. Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday termed the BJP's victory in the municipal council polls in the state as not just a wave but a tsunami. "This (victory) is not merely a wave. This is a tsunami," Fadnavis, who joined in the celebrations at the state BJP office in south Mumbai, told reporters. "The BJP government is one which thinks of the common man," Fadnavis said, adding people have reposed their trust in the BJP-led regime. "People have shown that BJP is the number one party in Maharashtra. We dedicate this victory to the people of Maharashtra," the Chief Minister said. "We are governing the state keeping Shivaji Maharaj as our idol," he added. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address campaign meetings ahead of crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections early next year. With the government introducing direct elections for the post of president in the 147 municipal councils, the BJP won 52 seats, Shiv Sena 23, Congress 19, NCP 16 and others 28. The BJP has surged ahead in elections for the 3,510 municipal council member seats, held on party lines, in the Congress-NCP bastions, specially in western Maharashtra. The party-wise tally: BJP (851), Shiv Sena (514), NCP (638), Congress (643), MNS (16), BSP (9), CPM (12), local coalitions (384), Independents (324), unrecognised members (119). In 2011, the BJP was nowhere in the reckoning in 127 out of 147 municipal councils, with its tally at 298 compared to Congress (771), NCP (916) and Shiv Sena (264). Results of all 3,705 seats for which polls were held on Sunday, are expected by this evening, an official in the state election commission said. Panaji: The BJP on Tuesday accused the opposition and a section of the media of trying to create anxiety among Catholics by trying to politicise an Income Tax department notice to the Goa Archbishop. The notice last week requested officials of the Archbishop's House, which is the apex administrative authority of the Catholic hierarchy in Goa, for an account of the demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. "Opposition parties and a section of the media in Goa are trying to create a communal rift in society, by trying to impute political motives to the IT department notices which has been issued to several other orgainsations, religious and non-religious," BJP state spokesperson Nilesh Cabral told a press conference. Last week, after the notice was served by the Mangalore circle of the IT Department, several parish priests claimed that the Catholic Church in Goa, a state where Catholics account for more than 26 per cent of the population, was being singled out and harassed. Goa falls under the IT department's Mangalore circle. "This is a routine order. There is nothing malicious about it," Cabral said. Goa goes to polls in early 2017. Dubai: A Pakistani man has been sentenced to six months in jail for sexually abusing and threatening to kill an 8-year-old Indian girl here. The Court of First Instance found the 21-year-old man guilty of groping and kissing the minor and ordered his deportation. The Pakistani perpetrator, who is a site supervisor, sexually abused the girl from India and then threatened to kill her if she informed anyone, Khaleej Times reported. The incident took place on August 29. The court sentenced him to 6 months in jail yesterday and ordered his deportation, it said. The victim said the man had lured her and her little brother to play hide and seek outside their apartment in Al Rafa. "When my brother hid, that man asked me to sit on the stairs. He then came close to me," she told the investigator. She said that she became upset and slapped the man after he kissed her and bit her neck, prompting the perpetrator to threaten to kill her. "She looked afraid of something. She told me what happened and how she was threatened," The girl's father, a 40-year-old accountant, said. The forensic report showed a mark that looked like a bruise, on the girl's neck. New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi, it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. Mumbai: Indrani Mukerjea was a "schemer and a lady of dominant nature" who used to interfere in the affairs of a media group through her husband Peter who was the CEO, though not being on payroll, a 'secret witness' in the Sheena Bora murder case has claimed. Peter was arrested in November last year on the charge of murder conspiracy. A special court on Tuesday opened the statement of 'secret witness' Ravina Raj Kohli, former president of Star News, from a sealed cover and handed it over to the defence lawyers. On November 21, the CBI had told the Bombay High Court that it will give a copy of the secret witness's statement, withheld so far by the agency, to Peter and other accused after deleting a portion of it. "To my understanding, Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and a lady of dominant nature," Kohli said in a four-page statement recorded on February 10. Sheena, daughter of Indrani from her previous relationship, was killed in a car on April 24, 2012, and her body was later dumped and set afire in neighbouring Raigad district. Police had last year arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai for murder and destruction of evidence. Rai later turned approver. Peter and Indrani were said to be against Sheena's relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, Peter's son from his former wife. Kohli stated that before Indrani's marriage with Peter, she had received a message from her saying that the latter had settled everything with Khanna. "In my view it (the message) was sent by her (Indrani) to avoid any problem in her marriage with Peter," Kohli told CBI. Peter was the chief executive officer of Star India network from 1999-2007. He and Indrani got married in 2002. After leaving Star in 2007, Indrani established news channel INX News, and Peter managed its two channels, 9X and 9XM. Peter and Indrani exited the company in 2009. Kohli stated that Indrani had told her she was running a recruitment agency in Kolkata before shifting to Mumbai. Indrani later opened branch offices of the agency in Delhi and Bengaluru. "In due course, she (Indrani) started providing HR support to Star and at the time of her marriage with Peter, she was providing maximum human resources to Star. "I came to know from my sources that Indrani had manipulated this contract of recruitment with Star through Peter by throwing the threat of poaching to the media company," Kohli said. New Delhi: The Supreme Court today expressed concern over lack of courtrooms and infrastructure across the country and directed the government to submit state-wise break-up of money allotted for setting up of court infrastructure. The apex court asked the Centre to apprise it about the total amount of funds which the 14th Finance Commission has allocated for the judiciary in the country over the next five years starting from April 1, 2015.14th Finance Commission has allocated for the judiciary in the country over the next five years starting from April 1, 2015. A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh to specify the manner in which the Centre proposes to monitor the utilisation of the amount earmarked for judiciary by the states and directed him to file an affidavit in this regard within 10 days. "Whether any break-up of the said allocation has been provided for by the Finance Commission and/or government of India or any guidelines as to the areas in which the said amount will be expanded. "In case such a break-up is prescribed, a copy of the communication/order under which the same has been provided be placed on record. What is the manner by which the government of India proposes to monitor the utilisation of the amount set apart for judiciary by the states. State-wise allocation be also indicated," the bench, also comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao, said while reserving its order on the plea. The court was hearing the petition relating to arrears and vacancies in several courts. New Delhi: Days after Tina Dabi announced her engagement to the second rank holder Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi, the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha has said that while they were proud of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) topper's achievements, it was painful that she chose to marry a Muslim. In a letter to her parents, Munna Kumar Sharma, the national general secretary Hindu right wing outfit, described Tina's relationship with Athar as love jihad. According to Sabrang India, Munna Kumar Sharma said that Athar should first be convinced for a ghar-wapisi, which means converting to Hinduism. The Financial Express said that the letter called for `proper thought` to the proposed marriage and urged Tinas parents to join force against the conspiracy. Speaking from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy for Administration here, Tina had earlier told The Times of India that love between the two blossomed in a very sarkari set-up. Tina and Athar met at the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) office in North Block for a felicitation function on May 11. "We met in the morning and by evening Aamir was at my door. Uske liye pehli nazar mein pyaar ho gaya (For him, it was love at first sight)", she said. She confessed her love in August. When asked about the criticism she faces on doing so, Dabi said: "We are in love and very happy . But I must admit that I get very disturbed when I read stuff about us. We have stopped googling our names and reading news about ourselves. I think it is a small price to pay for being in the public eye." "As any freethinking independent woman, I am entitled to certain choices. I am very happy with my choice and so is Aamir. Our parents are happy too. But there will always be those elements, that small minority who will always pass negative comments about dating someone from another religion. It is just that 5%. The majority are very happy . You would have seen on my Facebook timeline that most of the comments are encouraging. In fact, I am overwhelmed by the support and congratulatory messages. I thought "yeh to achcha hai" (this is good.)" "There have been a lot of comments attributed to me falsely . Then there are comments that are anti-caste, targeting reservations, religion. It's as if I have committed a crime by falling in love with someone who is not the same religion or caste as me. Things do become offensive. I then wonder if I should be active on social media and confront such stuff. But then I tell myself that I don't have to prove anything to anyone," she said. While 22-year-old Delhi girl Tina Dabi topped the UPSC, Athar Aamir-ul Shafi Khan of Jammu and Kashmir finished second nationally. He was also the only Muslim in the top 100 successful candidates. Dabi, who studied at Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College, cleared the exam - considered one of the toughest in the country - in her first attempt and also topped it. For Khan, who hails from Anantnag in Kashmir, it was his second attempt. In his first attempt in 2014, he had got a lower rank and could not make it to the top administrative jobs and had to be content with the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS). Jammu: Authorities on Tuesday sounded an alert and stepped up security in and around Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. "We have sounded an alert. Security has been beefed up at Katra and other areas of the shrine after the terror attack at army camp in Nagrota," a police officer of Reasi district said. Police and security men have been asked to remain vigilant, he said. Katra town, which is nearly 30 km from Nagrota, is thronged by over one crore pilgrims annually. "Security along the shrine track and around it has been stepped up," he said, adding "checking and frisking has been increased and people should cooperate with us". Patna: The Bihar legislature on Monday transacted very little business with ruling as well as opposition legislators trooping into well at both the houses in support of their demands. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was not present in either of the house. He had gone to his native place Kalyan Bigha to pay respect to his departed father on his death anniversary. In state Legislative Assembly, as the House sat for the day, JD(U), RJD and Congress members came into the well and started raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP members too rushed to the well in support of its adjournment notice on law and order situation. Unruly scenes were witnessed with members pushing and shoving each other. In the midst of intense protest, Congress MLA Ramdeo Rai and some from BJP and RJD were seen standing on reporters' table. The Speaker first adjourned the House till 12 O'clock. Earlier, even before Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary came in the House, MLAs of ruling as well as opposition parties had gathered around reporters' table and raised slogans against each other. The scene was no better after the house reassembled and the Speaker was forced to adjourned it again till 2 PM. Pandemonium prevailed when the house resumed. Though grand alliance legislators were together in the well but they had their different agendas. Senior JD(U) leader and deputy leader of the house Shyam Rajak told reporters outside the Assembly that they were protesting purchase of land by BJP for opening their offices in districts allegedly out of black money in higher denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes. He demanded CBI probe into the land purchase by BJP in Bihar. Lalu Prasad's RJD members demanded the Prime Minister to fulfill his "poll promise of providing Rs 15 lakh each in the bank accounts of people by bringing black money from outside." Congress members vented their anger against BJP members for their alleged uncharitable remarks against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Legislative Council. BJP and its NDA allies RLSP, LJP and HAM protested alleged deterioration in law and order situation in the state. The same political drama was enacted in Legislative Council by rival parties in the well against. Amid din, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi was heard seeking apology from BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and state party chief and MLC Mangal Pandey for "uncharitable comment" of BJP members on Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi ,failing which they would not allow the house to function. The council was first adjourned till 1 PM and later till lunch recess due to pandemonium. Srinagar: Heavily armed militants stormed the headquarters of the Army's 16 Corps in Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota area early Tuesday, killing three Army personnel. The militants carrying automatic weapons and explosives entered the field regiment camp around 5.30 am. Thereafter, a fierce gunfight broke out between the security forces and the attackers. There were unconfirmed reports that four militants were killed in the ensuing gunfight. A senior Army officer said that heavily-armed militants in police uniform stormed the 166 artillery unit, opening indiscriminate fire. Meanwhile, the state administration has ordered shutting down of schools in Nagrota. The field regiment camp is located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarters of Army`s 16 corps in the state. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which runs through Nagrota, has been closed as the security forces cordoned off the area. BSF foils infiltration bid along IB In another incident, a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol party today morning noticed some suspicious movement near a Border Out Post in J&K's Samba district. Following this, the BSF immediately cordoned off the area. When challenged, BSF patrol was fired upon by miscreants holed up in a tube well pump house. BSF DIG, two jawans were injured in cross-border firing during mopping-up operations in Samba sector. BSF foiled the infiltration bid along the International Border, killing three terrorists. A senior BSF officer said a group of militants entered into this side along the International Border in Ramgarh sector of Samba district and the movement was picked up by BSF troops. "There was no loss of life to the BSF in the gunbattle", he said adding the infiltration was foiled. Jammu: Two Army officers and five jawans lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota on Tuesday when militants in police uniform attacked an artillery unit. The attack involved a hostage-like situation with 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children being held captive. The Northern Command issued a statement today evening saying terrorists had forced their way into officers' mess by throwing grenades and firing at sentries. They entered two buildings which were occupied by officers and their families, which led to a hostage-like situation, the Army said. In the initial counter-attack, one officer and three soldiers were martyred. Later, in the rescue attempt one more officer and two jawans were killed. The two officers who died fighting the terrorists were Major Gosavi Kunal Mannadir (33), a resident of Maharashtra's Solapur district, and Major Akshay Girish Kumar (31), a resident of Bengaluru in Karnataka, a defence spokesman said. The other soldiers who were killed in the encounter were Havildar Sukhraj Singh (32), a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab, Lance Naik Kadam Sambhaji Yeshowanttro (32), a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra, Grenadier Raghvendra Singh (28), a resident of Dholpur in Rajasthan, and Rifleman Asim Rai (32), a resident of Khotang in Nepal. The details of the seventh solider were not given by the army saying his family was yet to be informed. In the gunbattle, three terrorists were killed. "Bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area," the spokesman said, as per PTI. Nagrota is the headquarters of Army's 16 corps. It is about three kms from the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city. Also Read - Mutilation of Indian soldier: Recoveries indicate Pakistan's complicity, says Army Meanwhile, in view of the attack, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for traffic in the area. Also, the district administration has closed all schools in Nagorta tehsil as a precautionary measure. On the other hand, an alert has been sounded in Jammu city. (With Agency inputs) Bengaluru: A week after the Bengaluru ATM cash heist, the city police on Tuesday arrested the main culprit and van driver Dominic Selvaraj Roy, who had fled away with Rs 1.37 crore. He was arrested from KR Puram area in Bengaluru. Dominic, who was employed as the van driver of a logistics agency had driven away on November 24 with Rs 1.37 crore cash collected from bank, when two other employees had gone to attend the nature's call. Yesterday, the police had arrested Dominic's wife Evelyn from a hideout at Banaswadi in Bengaluru and had recovered Rs 79.8 lakh from her. A day after the heist, the van, which was used by Dominic during the heist was found abandoned at Vasanthnagar in the city. The police found Rs 45 lakh, all in Rs 2,000 denomination notes, and a rifle lying untouched in the van. Thiruvananthapuram: On the day a group of women activists entered the famous Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai after five years, the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Tuesday relaxed its dress code for women, allowing devotees to wear the traditional Indian salwar kameez and churidar while worshipping at the shrine. The decision was, however, faced the opposition by the temple's senior Tantri (priest). Earlier, women devotees had to wear a 'mundu' (dhoti) over their waist if they were attired in salwars and churidars before entering the famous shrine. "A decision was taken today to allow women to wear salwar kameez and churidars...From this evening itself, devotees can offer worship wearing salwars and churidars," Temple Executive officer KN Sateesh told news agency PTI. The centuries-old Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is considered the richest Hindu temple in the world. The Kerala High Court had recently disposed of a petition seeking permission to allow women to wear salwars and churidars inside the temple after directing the Executive officer to decide within 30 days on the matter. Sateesh said he had received mails and mass petitions from devotees, especially women, seeking a direction to temple authorities to permit wearing of salwar kameez and churidars inside the shrine. Devotees from all over the country visit the shrine throughout the year and had been wanting a change in the dress code. "Keralites have also wanted this saying it was more convenient..There is no justification for wearing a mundu on top of the salwars or churidars. It is a mockery," he said. Sateesh said he had received several letters from IAS officers, scientists, doctors and from ordinary persons also seeking permission to be allowed to wear churidars as it was a 'decent and dignified dress'. Salwar kameez and churidars were being allowed as it was a traditional Indian attire, he said, adding, however, jeans, tights, and such other dresses will not be permitted. Meanwhile, temple's senior Tantri (priest) Nedumpilli Tharanalloor Parameshwaran Namboodiripad has voiced opposition to allowing women to wear salwar and churidar, saying it was against customs and age old traditions of the shrine. The present dress code should continue, he informed the Administrative Committee and Executive officer, temple sources said. The Administrative Committee has also said that the present dress code should be continued. "Such a decision has been taken after obtaining the written opinion of Tantri and also after gathering the opinion of other stakeholders like the Trustee, 'Ettara Yogam functionaries' and a cross-section of the devotees," the committee said. (With Agency inputs) Mumbai: The first phase of polls to 164 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in Maharashtra saw several leaders from different political parties tasting defeat in their own backyard. The results of the polls were declared yesterday. The BJP had to face defeat in Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde's Parli municipality where her estranged cousin Dhananjay Munde led the NCP to a clear victory. State Water Supply Minister Babanrao Lonikar's wife Manda was defeated in Partur municipal council president poll. Congress could retain only Shirdi municipality in Ahmednagar, the stronghold of Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. In Rahata municipality, BJP won the president's post while the Congress got majority. BJP won the Karad municipal council presidentship in the constituency of former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, while Congress won the Bhokardan municipal council presidentship in BJP state chief Raosaheb Danve's constituency. In Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar's constituency Sawantwadi, Shiv Sena won the municipal president's post but did not get majority, while in Vengurla, the council president's post went to BJP. In NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal's constituency Yeola, BJP bagged the municipal council president's post while in his son Pankaj's constituency Nandgaon, the Sena won the Nandgaon and Manmad municipalities. In Islampur, NCP leader Jayant Patil's constituency, the BJP-led local outfit won the municipality president's post. In Congress leader and Legislative Council deputy chairman Manikrao Thakre's constituency Darwha in Yavatmal district, the Sena came to power and also won the council president's post. In Khed, the constituency of Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam of Sena, the MNS candidate won the municipal council president's post. According to political observers, BJP's success is a "personal victory" for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who "led the party from the front". They said the state government's decision in October this year to extend fee waiver to all students whose family income limit is less than Rs 6 lakhs, for professional and higher education courses including medical, helped the BJP. The 'Rajrishi Shahu Maharaj Fee Pratipurti Yojana' was earlier implemented for SC/ST and OBC students. But, with the Fadnavis government extending the scheme to students of all castes, the Maratha youths' grievances regarding opportunities in education was addressed, the observers felt. Similarly, after the November 8 demonetisation move, Fadnavis allowed citizens in urban local bodies to pay their dues like property tax, water bill and other arrears in the scrapped notes and the local bodies received dues worth over Rs 1,000 crore in 15 days. "This move is also likely to have helped BJP in the semi-urban areas," an observer said. Ankara: At least 11 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in Turkish airstrikes in Syria`s Aleppo city, authorities said on Tuesday. The airstrikes targeted the Baratah, Dana and Zarzur regions in western Aleppo as part of Turkey`s Operation Euphrates Shield that began in late August to clear Syria`s northern border area of terrorists, the MAP news agency reported citing a government statement. Two IS vehicles were also targeted by armed drones in the region. Istanbul: Twelve people, most of them schoolgirls, were killed on Tuesday when fire ravaged a dormitory for pupils in the southern Turkish region of Adana, local officials said. The fire, which officials said was likely caused by an electrical fault, raced through the building`s wooden interior as panicked victims tried to jump from windows to safety. Officials expressed concern that many of the dead were killed after they were unable to open a closed fire door to escape the top floors of the building. Images showed scenes of devastation as emergency services arrived to tackle the fire at the dormitory building, parts of which were turned into a blazing wreck and whose roof collapsed. "We lost 12 of our citizens in the fire. Eleven of them were schoolchildren and one was a tutor. 22 citizens are injured," Adana region governor Mahmut Demirtas told Turkish NTV television. "According to initial findings, we believe the fire was caused by electrical fault," he said. The Dogan news agency specified that all 11 of the schoolchildren killed were girls. Their identities have yet to be disclosed but they were also said to be 14 or under. The disaster took place in the town of Aladag north of Adana city, one of the biggest urban centres in the south of Turkey.Television footage showed the three-storey building in flames, with fire engine teams trying to put out the blaze. Demirtas said some terrified schoolgirls were injured after jumping out of the window to escape the flames. He added that none of the injuries were serious condition. The governor said the fire at the private schoolchildren dorm broke out at around 19:25 (1625 GMT) and it was brought under control some three hours later. Demirtas declined to comment on claims that fire escape stairs were locked and students were unable to use them. But Adana city Mayor Huseyin Sozlu said: "It appears that the fire escape stairs door was locked. Children could not open it. Bodies were found there," he said. He told NTV "of course children would have survived" if they had been able to flee down the fire escape stairs. "From tomorrow the governor`s office will start an investigation." He said the children were aged between 11-14. Students trapped on the second and third storeys of the building who could not flee outside, were killed in the fire, the Dogan news agency said. The fire spread rapidly because of the building`s wooden interior and carpeted floor, officials said. Aladag district`s mayor Mustafa Alpgedik, quoted by the Dogan news agency, said the fire erupted on the ground floor and then the flames spread because the third floor was wooden. With the burning of the wooden floor, the roof then entirely collapsed, he said. In an agonising wait, families who could not see their children stood outside in tears, Dogan added. The dorm had a capacity for 54 students and was open to both secondary and high school students. Demirtas said it was a private dormitory with 34 students in residence. Fires are frequent in Turkey due to antiquated and often wooden buildings and faulty electrics. But a disaster of this magnitude is highly unusual. In a sign of the seriousness of the insident, several ministers were heading to the region, including Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz. Demirtas meanwhile informed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who expressed his sadness over the catastrophe, the state-run Anadolu news agency said. United Nations: As nearly 500,000 children are living under siege amid escalating violence across Syria, the UN Children`s Fund (UNICEF) has called for lifting sieges and allowing immediate humanitarian access. The number of children living under siege has doubled in less than one year, Xinhua news agency quoted UNICEF as saying in a press release. "Nearly 500,000 children now live in 16 besieged areas across the country, almost completely cut off from sustained humanitarian aid and basic services," it added. "For millions of human beings in Syria, life has become an endless nightmare -- in particular for the hundreds of thousands of children living under siege," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. He added that children are being killed and injured and are too afraid "to go to school or even play". They are "surviving with little food and hardly any medicine". In the absence of safe spaces, children are turning to basement playgrounds, schools and hospitals to continue playing, learning and seeking medical care when necessary. In one besieged area, a group of volunteers built a playground and a park by linking a series of basements. On average, around 200 children come to this playground every day. In another besieged area, an underground school provides 250 girls with the chance to keep learning. As the conflict nears six years, UNICEF renews its call on all parties to lift the sieges across Syria, and to allow and facilitate immediate and sustained humanitarian access to all areas across the war-torn country. New York: President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named a vociferous Obamacare critic and an Indiana policy consultant to help him overhaul the US healthcare system. Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, will be Trump`s Health and Human Services secretary, and consultant Seema Verma will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a powerful agency that oversees government health programs and insurance standards. Trump cast Price and Verma as a "dream team" to help him once he takes office on Jan. 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare, President Barack Obama`s signature health law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Of Price, Trump said in a statement: He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American." Price said there was much work to be done "to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors" based on "sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit." The 2010 Obamacare law triggered a long and bitter political battle between the White House and congressional Republicans, who said it created unwarranted government intervention in personal healthcare and private industry. Trump has said he will replace Obamacare with a plan to give states more control over the Medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally. Both positions require Senate confirmation, and the Trump administration will need congressional approval to repeal and replace the health law. Price, an early Trump supporter from the U.S. House of Representatives, is chairman of the budget committee. He has long championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts and lawsuit reforms to replace Obamacare. Verma worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, on a compromise to expand Medicaid coverage for the state`s poor with federal funding. The Indiana program requires beneficiaries to make monthly contributions to health savings accounts. Trump said Verma had decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate complicated healthcare systems. "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," he said. Price campaigned with Trump because he promised to overhaul Obamacare. However, Trump`s position on the health insurance program appeared to soften after he met Obama following the hard-fought Nov. 8 election. Obama has acknowledged the law could use improvements but has credited Obamacare with cutting the number of uninsured Americans from 49 million in 2010 to 29 million in 2015. Much of that drop is due to the law`s provision allowing states to expand Medicaid. Trump said he would consider keeping provisions in the law that let parents keep adult children up to age 26 on insurance policies and bar insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Price and Verma are two of about 70 people with whom Trump has met as he looks to shape his White House and Cabinet team. Trump is expected to reveal an additional Cabinet pick on Tuesday while continuing to consider his options for the three biggest positions - secretaries of state, defense and Treasury. Trump saw retired General David Petraeus, a potential candidate for the State Department or the Pentagon, on Monday. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet with U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and later have dinner with Mitt Romney. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, and Corker are in the running for secretary of state, along with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. AMSTERDAM: The Dutch Parliament`s lower house voted on Tuesday to ban the wearing of face-covering clothes - such as burqas and niqabs - in some public places, making the Netherlands the latest European country to restrict garments worn by some Muslim women. The legislation, which still needs to be passed by the senate, bans the veils in settings where identifying the wearer is considered essential, such as in government buildings, on public transport, at schools and in hospitals. Few women in the Netherlands wear such clothes, but the issue has been high on the agenda for years, with an outright ban one of the main demands of the anti-Islam opposition Freedom Party, which is leading in polls ahead of elections in March. Brussels: EU President Donald Tusk warned Tuesday against using expatriates as "bargaining chips" in Brexit negotiations but rejected a call by British lawmakers to hold early talks on protecting their rights. Eighty British MPs wrote to Tusk saying that Britons living in European Union countries must have their rights protected after Britain leaves the bloc following its June referendum vote. "Just like you, I would like to avoid a situation where citizens become 'bargaining chips' in the negotiation process," Tusk wrote in reply to the British parliamentarians, who had first used the phrase. "For this not to happen, we will need precise and comprehensive solutions, which, other than nice-sounding expressions, will provide citizens with genuine guarantees of security," the former Polish premier wrote. The letter called for the issue to be discussed at the next EU summit in December "to resolve this matter once and for all", but Tusk said there could be no talks of any kind on Brexit terms until Britain triggers the EU divorce process. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will initiate the two-year exit proceedings in March. Tusk said that the EU was ready to start negotiations whenever London was "but that can only happen on the condition that Article 50 has been triggered", and that it remained a decision for Britain. Tusk also lashed out at the British MPs for saying that the European Commission's Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier, had caused "anxiety and uncertainty" by refusing to negotiate with London. "It is a very interesting argument, the only problem being that it has nothing to do with reality. Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit?" he said. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will not allow a new "front of terror" in the Golan Heights, a day after Islamic State (IS) militants clashed with Israeli soldiers. "There have been attempts to attack our forces," Netanyahu said on Monday, referring to the shooting and mortar attack launched by IS militants near the Israeli-Syrian border on Sunday. "We will not allow radical Islam to open a front against us in the Golan Heights. Israel will not allow any drizzle of assaults, and will attack if necessary," Xinhua news agency quoted Netanyahu as saying. On Sunday, IS militants fired at Israeli soldiers from a machine gun-mounted truck. Israel quickly responded with an airstrike, killing four gunmen in the vehicle. In addition, Israel`s Air Force struck a compound used by IS militants in the southern Syrian Golan Heights on Sunday night. Jerusalem: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin spoke out Tuesday against a controversial bill that would prohibit mosques from using loudspeakers to summon believers to prayers early in the morning. The draft law, which sparked outrage around the Arab and wider Muslim world, is set to be submitted to its first reading in parliament on Wednesday. Its original form was amended last week to not affect the sirens that announce the start of the Jewish day of rest at sundown each Friday. Rivlin on Tuesday hosted in his Jerusalem residence a meeting of religious leaders "seeking to bridge gaps over the issue of the muezzins," the Muslim lay officials charged with calling the faithful to prayer across the country, a statement from his office read. "I thought that perhaps such a meeting could have an impact on the whole public, and that it would be a shame that a law should be born which touches on the issue of freedom of faith of a specific group among us," the president was quoted as telling participants. Rivlin, whose post is mainly ceremonial, considers the new legislation -- supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- unnecessary. "The president believes that the existing legislation on noise levels is able to answer problems arising from this issue, along side dialogue between the different faith communities in Israel," Rivlin`s spokesperson Naomi Toledano Kandel said. Israeli government watchdogs have baulked at the proposed legislation, describing it as a threat to religious freedom and an unnecessary provocation. Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi has vowed to appeal to the High Court of Justice if the Shabbat siren is excluded from the scope of the bill on the grounds that it discriminates between Jewish and Muslim citizens. The law would apply to mosques in annexed Arab east Jerusalem as well as Israel, although the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound -- Islam`s third holiest site -- will be exempted, according to an Israeli official. The bill`s sponsor, Motti Yogev, of the far-right Jewish Home party, says the legislation is necessary to avoid daily disturbance to the lives of hundreds of thousands of non-Muslim Israelis. He also charges that some muezzins abuse their function to incite hatred of Israel. On Sunday, Rivlin had told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israeli legislative initiatives pertaining to prayers would be "considered with sensitivity, as any matter of freedom of speech and religion should be." Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will take part in a rare rally to protest a bloody crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, an official from his office said on Tuesday. The gathering, which will take place in an yet-to-be announced location on Sunday, will involve politicians, NGOs and "all concerned with the issue" the official told AFP, without giving further details. Last Friday, Malaysia summoned the Myanmar ambassador while around 500 Malaysians and Rohingya marched through a heavy tropical downpour from a Kuala Lumpur mosque to Myanmar's embassy carrying banners denouncing the Rakhine "genocide." Muslim-majority Malaysia's Cabinet also issued a statement last week condemning the violence, an unusually strong criticism against a fellow member of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which has a policy of non-interference in member states. "The major gathering on December 4 is to express our concern over the violence taking place on the Rohingya," Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi was quoted as saying by the Malay Mail Online on Tuesday. Chong Ja Ian, a political analyst from the National University of Singapore, said Najib's appearance at such a rally will be "odd." "During last year's migrant crisis, there was criticism but it was oblique and not to this level," he said. The discovery last year of human-trafficking camps -- and scores of nearby graves -- first in Thailand and then over the border in Malaysia caused shock and revulsion in Southeast Asia. The camps are believed to have been used by people-smuggling syndicates who move large numbers of impoverished Rohingya out of Myanmar, where they face systematic repression, with most heading for Malaysia. Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia politics expert with Turkey's Ipek University, said the planned gathering was "purely a political exercise" for Malaysian leaders. "These leaders are desperately trying to show their Islamic credentials as they are losing moral legitimacy at home," she said. Violence in Rakhine -- home to the stateless ethnic group loathed by many of Myanmar's Buddhist majority -- has surged in the last month after security forces poured into the area following a series of attacks on police posts blamed on local militants. A UN official has said Myanmar is engaged in "ethnic cleansing" of Rohingya Muslims, as reports emerged of troops shooting at villagers as they tried to flee. But Myanmar's new civilian government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, has rejected the allegations. Columbus: Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the Somali-born attacker, who was fatally shot dead by policemen for launching a gruesome attack on Ohio State University students, had left an anti-US Facebook post that was quickly taken down by the authorities. Investigators have discovered that Artan had expressed his anger about the treatment of Muslims around the world in his post. "I can't take it anymore. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah (community). We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," his post read. "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace," the post reads. "We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims." Law enforcement officials told NBC News that Artan was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident. Artan also referred to Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born Al-Qaeda cleric, as a hero in the posting. His shocking attakc lasted just a few minutes -- from the car careening into the crowd until the suspect was shot dead -- but triggered a tense lockdown on the university`s main campus in Columbus, with panicked students hiding in bathrooms before the scene was declared secure. Officials said 11 people were being treated at local hospitals for stabbing wounds and injuries from the motor vehicle. None of their injuries were life-threatening. Columbus police chief Kim Jacobs said earlier in the day they were considering the "possibility" that it was terrorism related. The rampage comes two months after a Somali immigrant stabbed 10 people at a mall in Minnesota, before he was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer. New York: A young terrorist with Pakistan links launched an attack at a US university using his car and a butcher`s knife injuring 11 people before being shot dead by a police officer. The attack was carried out at the Ohio State University in Columbus by Abdul Razak Ali Artan. Artan had spent seven years in Pakistan after leaving his native Somalia before coming to the US as a refugee two years ago. The attack turns a spotlight on Republican President-elect Donald Trump`s calls during his campaign for a temporary halt to Muslim immigration while screening procedures are tightened. Trump has since softened his stand, leaning towards heightened vigilance towards those coming from some countries linked to terrorism. While national leaders were reluctant to even call the incident terrorism, a Republican Indian American Ohio lawmaker, Niraj Antani, jumped into the fray with a challenge. Democrats see such acts as a result of the proliferation of weapons rather than the motivations. In line with this Tim Kaine, who was the Democratic Party`s candidate for vice president, reacting to first reports of the shooting, tweeted that he was "deeply saddened by the senseless act of gun violence." State Representative Antani, who at 25 years is among the youngest elected officials in the US, tweeted back at Kaine, "But not saddened by the senseless act of machete or car violence?" The tweet was later removed. Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs told reporters that "we have to consider that it is" a terror attack. Artan, whose age was reported to be between 18 and 20, was a third year transfer student in logistics management. After leaving Somalia in 2007, he lived in Pakistan till 2014 before he came to the US. According media reports, Catholic Charities had helped with his family`s resettlement. Officials said that after a university building was evacuated on Monday morning because of reports of a gas leak, Artan drove a car into the crowd of people standing outside, charged out of his car wielding a knife and attacked. A police officer who was nearby reached the scene of the terror strike and shot Artan dead, officials said. Officials did not release the names of the injured, who have all survived. One of them was a faculty member and most of the others were students, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) have called upon their supporters to carry out attacks by driving vehicles into people or using knives, tactics that do not require elaborate preparation or equipment or networks. However, these can be potent weapons for sowing fear among the public. The deadliest of the vehicle attacks by Islamic terrorists was in Nice in July when a man influenced by the IS drove a truck through a throng of people watching the French national day celebrations killing 86 people. Trump had not, as of Monday night, said anything publicly about the Ohio attack showing uncharacteristic restraint after his strong statements on terrorism during the campaign. Vice President-elect Mike Pence called it a "tragic incident" and expressed sympathy for the families of those affected. In an interview with him published in the student newspaper, The Lantern, Artan had said, "I am a Muslim, it`s not what the media portrays me to be." He went on to blame the media for creating a picture of Muslims that would make people "feel uncomfortable" to see him praying in public. But NBC news said that in a Facebook post attributed to him he wrote that he had reached a "boiling point" and added, "America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah [community]. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that." In a gloomy room in Peru`s Anti-terrorism police headquarters lies a trove of old red flags and books of Marx, seized from jailed communist rebel leader Abimael Guzman. Now the police officers who curate this mini-museum in Lima fear a new generation could be dusting off the legacy of the leader of the dreaded Shining Path guerrilla force. In one corner, dressed in striped convict`s overalls with his trademark brown sunglasses and bushy black beard, stands a lopsided effigy of Guzman himself shut in a cage. That is how many Peruvians prefer to think of the insurgent, who turns 82 on Saturday. His fighters waged a two-decade fight against the Peruvian state that authorities say left 70,000 dead. Among the collection -- open for visits only by appointment -- are personal effects taken from other Shining Path followers who were jailed over the years. Peru turned a page on a dark, bloody period in its history when Guzman was captured in 1992 and handed a permanent life sentence. But officials warn that now two political groups are trying to revive his legacy. The Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (MOVADEF) is a group of families of imprisoned guerrillas, considered by Police to be the Shining Path`s political wing. Another allied group is also active, Police say the People`s Unity and Defense Front (FUDEPP). "The aim of the museum is to show that the message of Guzman`s cult was one of death and destruction," says Jorge Luis Pinzas, the retired police colonel who looks after the museum. "That is something that the young people who did not live through the time of terrorism have to learn, now that MOVADEF is trying to recruit them."Peru has enjoyed a relative economic boom in recent years, but millions still live in poverty. And now growth is slowing. Pinzas says the Maoist political groups are preying on the young and poor to revive Guzman`s fundamentalist message: that society should be rebuilt through violent struggle. "Both groups are like wolves in sheep`s clothing," says Pinzas. "They do not want a new society. They want to destroy it."MOVADEF and FUDEPP have tried to run for office in elections but have met with legal obstacles. Authorities fear their political efforts are a prelude to more violence. In September, a court barred them from seeking office until they formally renounce Guzman`s teachings of violence. Authorities estimate some 400 members of what remains of Shining Path are engaged in drug trafficking in the remote southeast. The two political groups meanwhile have some 2,500 members -- 70 percent of the students, police say. They demand a general amnesty for all who took part in the conflict on both sides -- including Guzman. His lawyers meanwhile have tried unsuccessfully in the courts to reclaim his book collection. The library occupies the walls of a whole room and includes books by Karl Marx, Mao, Lenin and more. The books offer a tour through the political mind of the philosophy professor turned guerrilla. There is even an old travel guide: "How To Travel Through Europe On Five Dollars a Day." The Philippines criticised on Tuesday as "irresponsible and alarming" a UN envoy`s warning that life sentences meted out to two ex-Khmer Rouge leaders should serve as a warning to Manila over human rights abuses. Last week, a United Nations-backed court in Cambodia upheld life sentences for crimes against humanity for two senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime, which was responsible for the death of up to two million Cambodians from 1975-1979. David Scheffer, the UN Secretary-General`s envoy to the tribunal, said leaders in countries such as the Philippines, as well as the Islamic State (IS) group, must "take note" of the verdict. "Mr Scheffer`s remarks are irresponsible and alarming since these are directed at the leadership of a democratic country with a functioning criminal justice system," the Philippine foreign ministry said in a rare statement. "His remarks are unjustified and without basis." President Rodrigo Duterte, 71, has drawn a wave of international criticism for his drug war that has left more than 4,800 people dead. The UN, the United States and the European Union have warned against alleged extrajudicial killings and a breakdown in the rule of law. Duterte won May elections by a landslide after vowing to kill 100,000 criminals and rid the country of illegal drugs in six months. Since he took office in June, 1,900 have died in police operations and another 2,900 were killed in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures. After the verdict in Cambodia last week, Scheffer said the decision showed world leaders can be held accountable for atrocities. "Leaders in the Philippines or in South Sudan or in Sudan or in the Central African Republic or in Syria or among (IS) in Syria and Iraq should all take note that what happened on Tuesday in this courtroom ultimately can reach their domain because international justice is not backing down." He added: "Holding senior leaders accountable for the perpetration of atrocity crimes under their leadership, does happen, it does ultimately occur." While Scheffer did not mention Duterte`s drug war, the Philippine foreign ministry defended the anti-crime crackdown. "The government`s campaign against crime and corruption is being waged precisely for the protection of its people and the continued enjoyment of their rights," it said. Duterte has been defiant following global criticism of his drug war and on Monday continued his verbal assault on critics. He has threatened to follow in Russia`s footsteps and pull his country out of the International Criminal Court, the world`s only permanent war crimes court, in fury at foreign criticism of his deadly drug war. The ICC`s chief prosecutor said last month she was "deeply concerned" about the Philippine killings. "Do not believe those European lawyers. They are all stupid, believe me," he said Monday, adding they had brains "just like a pea". He added: "You threaten me that you will jail me? International Criminal Court, bullshit." New York: President-elect Donald Trump selected a second Indian American, Seema Verma, on Monday for a high-level position in his administration, assigning her "to the dream team that will transform our healthcare system," a major campaign promise. Verma, who has worked closely on healthcare with Vice President-elect Mark Pence in Indiana state, is to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services overseeing government health insurance programmes. With a track-record of developing Republican-friendly healthcare programmes, she will play a crucial role in carrying out the high-priority Trump campaign promise of scrapping President Barack Obama's healthcare programme, popularly known as Obamacare, and replacing it with "something better." Last week Trump announced that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, a cabinet-level post. Although Verma's job is not of cabinet rank now, it has great political importance and she will be in the national spotlight because she will be working on the controversial Republican vow to end Obama's signature healthcare programme, which attempts to make affordable health insurance available to all, and come up with a new model. "I look forward to helping him tackle our nation's daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way," Verma said after Trump's announcement. The Medicare programme that she will oversee provides insurance for over 46 million retirees and senior citizens, who are a politically powerful block, and Medicaid, which covers the poor, has about 60 million people enrolled in it. Together they are about a third of the US population. Additionally now, she will have to help shape a programme for those who are outside of these two programmes and do not get health insurance from their employers. Her appointment was welcomed by Ajay Lodha, the president of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin. "The Indian community of physicians is very excited by the appointment of an Indian American to this high-level position by Present-elect Trump," Lodha told IANS. "We will support her endeavours," he added. "We expect her to make Medicare more patient-friendly, especially in reforming the part of it that provides medicines." There are nearly 60,000 doctors of Indian descent working in the US, making them an important constituency for healthcare reforms. Verma will be working with Congressman Tom Price, the House Budget Committee Chairman, who is to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a cabinet-level position. Announcing his intent to nominate them, Trump said: "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans." About Verma, Trump said: "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems." "She has ideas on how to make healthcare more affordable and available to all in line with the Republican Party goals," A.D. Amar, president of Indian Americans for Trump, told IANS. Trump has said that while he wants to abolish Obamacare, he gave the assurance that Americans will not be left by the roadside, Amar said. Verma who has pioneered in healthcare reforms in Indiana, will make sure that there is a replacement model that meets Trump's aspirations, he added. Verma, who heads a healthcare consulting company, SVC Inc., helped develop a public healthcare system in Indiana for implementing Obamacare. Among other things, it requires those using it to make contributions to it, even if it is a dollar for the poorest, which is opposed by many Democrats. She has also consulted with other Republican-run states on healthcare issues. Verma was awarded the Indiana state award, Sagamore of the Wabash, by Pence. Seoul: South Korea`s scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said Tuesday she was willing to stand down early and would let parliament decide on her fate. "I will leave the issue of my departure, including the (possible) reduction of my term in office, to a decision by the National Assembly", she said in a speech carried live on television. "Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down", she said. The statement is seen as a desparate bid for Park to avoid the humiliation of being impeached by the opposition-controlled assembly over a scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power. Seoul: South Korea's scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said today she was willing to resign early and let parliament decide her fate, a move critics said was a bid to delay impending impeachment. Park has been engulfed in allegations of influence peddling and claims that tens of millions of dollars have changed hands, sparking widespread anger across South Korea and bringing hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets demanding her ouster. "I will leave the issue of my departure, including the (possible) reduction of my term in office, to a decision by the National Assembly", she said in a speech carried live on television. "Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down," she said. Park's Presidency has gone into a tailspin, with accusations that Choi Soon-Sil -- a secretive confidante dubbed "Korea's Rasputin" -- elicited more than USD 60 million in payments from some of the country's top firms, including Samsung. Park has been named as a suspect in the growing investigation, making her the first sitting president to be subject to a criminal probe while in office. While she retains the presidency, she cannot be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason, but she could be charged once she steps down. Huge protests calling for her impeachment have rocked Seoul every weekend for the more than a month, and opposition parties say they expect to vote to remove her as early as this week. Park's latest remarks are a possible bid to de-fang that effort, critics say, with the president hoping that she can cut a deal that would avoid -- or lessen -- formal sanctions. But opponents on Tuesday rubbished her offer. "Our stance to seek Park's impeachment remains unchanged," Choo Mi-Ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said, describing Park's remarks as "a trick" designed to distract attention. Three opposition parties, which jointly hold 55 percent of seats in parliament, and some members of Park's party are seeking to collect a two thirds of total votes to pass the bill as early as Friday. If the motion passes, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as interim head of government. But the impeachment would not be finalised until the Constitutional Court approves it -- a process that could takes six months. Massive weekly protests have intensified over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park's resignation, according to organisers. Canberra: A former law firm receptionist who left school at 15 was on Monday named the first woman to become Australia's highest ranking judge. High Court Justice Susan Kiefel, 62, will in January become the senior judge on the seven-judge bench with the retirement of Chief Justice Robert French, the government said. She will become the 13th Chief Justice of Australia since the court first sat in 1903. In announcing her appointment, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described Kiefel as an inspiration and a reminder to lawyers that their own office secretary might one day become Australia's most senior judge. Kiefel cautioned against others making the same early life choices. She quit a government school in Brisbane to learn secretarial skills at a technical college. She then held down full-time jobs while completing high school and studying law at night. "I didn't like school and I didn't think I was being told what opportunities there were out there," she said today. "I thought it was best to get out in the world and find out what career opportunities there were." "I would definitely counsel anyone against it. Working full-time and studying at night and not having holidays for five years is not to be recommended," she said. Kiefel earned a Master of Laws at the University of Cambridge in Britain before returning to her home state where in 1993 she became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland state. Kiefel is currently one of three women on the High Court bench and the longest serving judge after French. Beirut: Renewed airstrikes killed at least 10 civilians on Tuesday in Syria's besieged eastern part of Aleppo as they were fleeing government advances in the opposition held-enclave, opposition groups reported. The United Nations said up to 16,000 people have already been displaced in recent days of fighting. France called for an urgent Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in Aleppo, where fighting continued as government forces seek to break down rebel defenses in the deeply divided city, once Syria's commercial centre. The opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said new airstrikes left at least 10 civilians killed, while a rescue group in eastern Aleppo put the figure at 25. The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders, said the airstrikes hit a group of civilians fleeing to Bab al-Nairab district from government advances in the north. In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition held eastern Aleppo in the last couple of days, touching off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Many of the fleeing civilians headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held zones. The UN Humanitarian Chief Stephen O'Brien said he was "extremely concerned" about the fate of civilians, calling the situation of Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." "There are no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished in eastern Aleppo," O'Brien said in a statement. "It is likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue to spread and intensify over the coming days." Residents of the besieged, eastern part of Aleppo reached by telephone reported thousands of civilians have moved to its southern district, cramming into alleyways and empty or deserted buildings. "They are not safer from airstrikes, but are at least seeking refuge from the government gangs," said Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who has remained in rebel-held Aleppo. Alhamdo said many of the fleeing civilians fear revenge attacks from the advancing government, amid reports of arrests from people living in government-held areas. Alhamdo said 11 empty apartments in his building were already occupied by the newly displaced, many of them women. "Those have escaped death miraculously," he told The Associated Press from Aleppo, where airstrikes and shelling continued. "They called it a death trip." Amnesty International said it has received reports of Syrian security forces detaining men in Aleppo areas that have returned to government control. The London-based human rights group warned of the potential for revenge attacks, arbitrary detention, torture, harassment and kidnappings against people formerly living under opposition control. The reports could not be independently confirmed. Bangkok: Thailand`s Parliament on Tuesday invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the next king, resolving lingering anxiety over his accession following his father`s death last month. The country has been plunged into mourning since widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, ending a remarkable seven-decade reign and removing a key pillar of unity in a bitterly divided nation. Tuesday`s move ends a period of uncertainty sparked by the junta making the surprise announcement after Bhumibol`s death that the prince had asked to delay his official proclamation so he could mourn. "I will invite the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to succeed to the throne and become king of the Thai people," Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, head of the rubber stamp National Legislative Assembly said. Lawmakers then stood up and replied: "Long live the king". The parliamentary endorsement came after Thailand`s cabinet officially submitted Vajiralongkorn`s name earlier in the day. Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and the junta`s number two, said the prince`s ascension was "proceeding step-by-step" according to the country`s arcane succession rules. According to protocol, the assembly speaker will now seek a royal audience with the prince to invite him to ascend the throne, the last step before being proclaimed the new monarch. Prawit said that would likely happen "either tomorrow or the day after". Vajiralongkorn, 64, has been the named successor to Bhumibol for more than four decades. He spends much of his time outside the kingdom, particularly in southern Germany where he owns property. A military source told AFP the prince was still currently in Germany.He will soon inherit one of the world`s richest monarchies, an institution protected by a tough royal defamation law. That law makes open discussion about the royal family`s role all but impossible inside the kingdom and convictions have skyrocketed since generals seized power in 2014. Officially Thailand`s monarch has limited constitutional power. But over his seven-decade reign, Bhumibol built up a powerful network of alliances, especially within Thailand`s military elite, and forged a reputation as an arbiter in times of crisis. Yet the late king has left his son with a sharply divided country. Thailand`s last decade has seen a cycle of political protests, coups by an arch-royalist military while inequality has deepened. Dubbed the "lost decade", Thailand`s most recent period of political unrest coincided with Bhumibol`s increasingly frail health and fewer public appearances. Vajiralongkorn, a certified pilot, has yet to achieve his father`s widespread adoration. Rumours over his private life have also trailed him. He has had three high-profile divorces, while a recent police corruption scandal linked to the family of his previous wife allowed the public a rare glimpse of palace affairs. Since Bhumibol`s death, he has attended some of the daily funerary rites for his father but has made no public statements. He has asked his younger sister, Princess Sirindhorn to oversee the organisation for Bhumibol`s cremation, which will not take place until an official one year mourning period has ended. Historically, the new monarch in Thailand is only crowned once the previous monarch is cremated. Colombo: Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan, who was the former deputy leader of the LTTE and a trusted aide of the slain Velupillai Prabhakaran, was arrested on Tuesday for alleged financial irregularities during the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Muralitharan alias Karuna, who was also a minister in the previous government, was asked to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) this morning to record a statement on the alleged misuse of a government vehicles. He was arrested after he appeared before the FCID, officials said. Karuna was the former deputy leader of the LTTE and a trusted cadre of LTTE chief Prabhakaran. He later became a deputy minister in the Rajapaksa government in 2010. In January last year, when the new government took office Karuna lost his place in the government and later in Parliament. He has been accused by human rights groups and UN agencies of being involved in human rights abuses during the civil war that ended after nearly three decades with the defeat of the LTTE in 2009. Aleppo: The Syrian government offensive to recapture rebel-held parts of Aleppo sparked international alarm on Tuesday, with the UN saying nearly 16,000 people had fled the assault and more could follow. France called for an immediate UN Security Council session on the fighting, which has seen the army capture a third of opposition-controlled east Aleppo in recent days. The fighting has prompted an exodus of terrified civilians, many fleeing empty-handed into remaining rebel-held territory, or crossing into government-controlled western Aleppo or Kurdish districts. UN humanitarian chief Stephen O`Brien said the situation was "alarming and chilling". "Up to 16,000 people have been displaced, many into uncertain and precarious situations," he said. The figure excludes civilians who have escaped to remaining rebel-held territory, and O`Brien warned it was "likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue." East Aleppo has been under government siege for more than four months, with international aid stocks exhausted and food supplies running low. World Food Programme spokeswoman Bettina Luescher said civilians were enduring a "slow motion descent into hell." Government forces have advanced swiftly in their two-week operation, capturing all of the city`s northeast in a major blow to the opposition.The loss of their east Aleppo stronghold would be the worst defeat for rebels since Syria`s conflict erupted more than five years ago. The opposition has steadily lost territory in recent months to government forces bolstered by a Russian military intervention that began in September 2015. Moscow says it is not involved in the Aleppo offensive, but a Russian defence ministry spokesman said Syrian government forces had seized "nearly half the territory occupied by rebels in east Aleppo in recent years". "The careful and long-planned operations by the Syrian army have radically changed the situation over the past 24 hours," said General Igor Konashenkov. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed his government to set up mobile field hospitals around Aleppo, the Kremlin said. A hospital with a capacity of up to 250 patients a day will be sent to the Aleppo region on Wednesday morning, according to Russian news agencies. More than 250 civilians have been killed in the government`s assault on east Aleppo since November 15, including nearly 30 children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitor said at least 10 civilians were killed in a strike in the Bab al-Nayrab district on Tuesday and reported ongoing clashes in the Shaar and Tariq al-Bab neighbourhoods. The Observatory said the civilian exodus continued Tuesday from neighbourhoods now on the front line. An AFP correspondent said families were forced to sleep in the streets or in unfurnished apartments left empty by fleeing residents. Rights group Amnesty International urged Syrian authorities to protect civilians in recaptured areas. "Given the Syrian government`s long and dark history of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances on a mass scale, it is even more crucial that civilians are protected in newly captured areas of Aleppo city," said Samah Hadid, Amnesty`s deputy director for campaigns in Beirut.And Save the Children warned the assault was separating families and leaving thousands, including children, homeless and at risk. "With so many people trapped in an ever-shrinking space, children can be little more than sitting targets for bombs," said Syria director Sonia Khush. Backers of Syria`s moderate opposition have expressed concern about the army`s advances, but have shown little willingness to intervene. France`s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called Tuesday for an "immediate" UN Security Council meeting to discuss the "humanitarian disaster" in Aleppo. "More than ever, there is an urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance," he said. On the ground, residents expressed despair and uncertainty for the future, after months of food shortages and heavy bombardment. Syria`s conflict has killed more than 300,000 people and drawn in world powers including a US-led air coalition fighting the Islamic State group. After a six-week probe, the Pentagon on Tuesday said intelligence errors resulted in a coalition strike that reportedly killed about 90 Syrian government forces in eastern Deir Ezzor in September. Also on Tuesday, at least 1,200 including rebels and their relatives were evacuated from a rebel stronghold near Damascus to the northwest province of Idlib, the Observatory and aid workers said. Local leaders in Khan al-Shih, southwest of the capital, struck a deal with Damascus that would see their town brought back under regime control in exchange for an end to the government siege. Columbia: The US Supreme Court took up Tuesday the case of a longtime Texas death row inmate who claims his mental disabilities should exempt him from capital punishment -- an argument the eight justices seemed inclined to support. No one disputes the fact that Bobby Moore, 57, shot dead a cashier at a Houston store in 1980 during a robbery gone wrong. A few months later, Moore was sentenced to death in Texas, the state that carries out the most executions nationwide. The Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that those convicted of murder could not be executed if they are intellectually disabled, as it would violate the Constitution`s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The justices, however, allowed some room for lower courts to determine how to gauge such a disability. Moore`s legal team has argued that he meets the Texas standard for being exempt from the death penalty. At age 13, Moore was unable to tell time, indicate the day of the week or do simple math. His lead attorney Clifford Sloan argued that the Lone Star State is taking "a unique approach to intellectual disability in capital cases in which it prohibits the use of current medical standards." "It relies on harmful and inappropriate lay stereotypes," Sloan said.Texas indeed uses the so-called "Briseno factors" -- a non-clinical, seven-faceted test that a judge based -- somewhat controversially -- on the mentally disabled character of Lennie from John Steinbeck`s classic "Of Mice and Men." "Most Texas citizens might agree that Steinbeck`s Lennie should, by virtue of his lack of reasoning ability and adaptive skills, be exempt," wrote then judge Cathy Cochran in the 2004 Briseno case. "But, does a consensus of Texas citizens agree that all persons who might legitimately qualify for assistance under the social services definition of mental retardation be exempt from an otherwise constitutional penalty?" On Tuesday, the justices seemed unconvinced by the Texas method, which critics say is too subjective. "The state had no problem in saying that Lennie, even though he could work, earn a living, plan his trying to hide the death of the rabbit he killed, that he could do all of those things, and yet he was not just mildly, but severely disabled," said liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor. "Why is the fact that he could mow lawns and play pool indicative of a strength that overcomes all the other deficits?" Sloan replied that there was a "common stereotype and misunderstanding that if somebody has strengths, they`re not intellectually disabled."Jordan Steiker, a professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin, told AFP that Texas was indeed an "outlier." "It is the only jurisdiction that has really sought to impose its own substantive definition of intellectual disability that`s separate and distinct from the professional clinical definition," Steiker said. "The goal is to narrow the exemptions." Texas accounts for 40 percent of all executions in the United States. In other states, courts refer to a series of clinical standards in assessing mental functioning. But Texas bases its conclusions on a medical manual from 1992 with some controversial findings. It also factors in an inmate`s IQ, a measure that has lost its predominance as a standard in favor of practical aptitude tests. For Steiker, Moore "clearly meets the clinical definition. He has very, very poor academic performance. He basically dropped out of school after failing a number of grades, He has obvious deficits in adaptability." In 2014, a judge sided with Moore and removed him from death row, but that ruling was overturned last year on appeal. The appellate judges noted that he wore a wig on the day of the murder, saying that such an act showed he was mentally capable of understanding his actions. They also noted that as a teen, he adapted to life on the streets when his father threw him out of the house. Washington: As President-elect Donald Trump threatened to "terminate" the detente policy with Cuba, the White House today warned that reversing historic rapprochement would have "significant" diplomatic, economic and cultural costs. The policy is considered as one of the foreign policy legacies of outgoing President Barack Obama. Trump yesterday threatened in a tweet to put an end to the detente policy. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the US as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump said in a tweet. Trump's tweet landed just as Cuba began its week-long farewell to its former leader Fidel Castro. The White House, however, was quick to warn that there are costs involved for cancelling such an agreement with Cuba, under which the two countries not only reestablished their diplomatic relationship after decades, but also resumed flights and lifted several sanctions. "I don't think I'm gonna be in a position of predicting the future. I think what I'm merely highlighting and trying to underscore here in as much detail as possible, is that it's just not as simple as one tweet might make it seem," the White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference. Earnest said that reversing the policy would be "a significant economic blow" to Cubans and was "not as easy as a stroke of a pen". "That's just an objective fact when you consider how the American people and US businesses have implemented this deal in a way that has provided significant benefits to the American people and provided significant benefits to the Cuban people," he said. "All of that would be undone by the reinstitution of a policy that has failed after having been in place for more than five decades. There are significant diplomatic, economic, cultural costs that will have to be accounted for if this policy is rolled back. This is among the many significant challenges that the incoming administration will have to carefully consider," Earnest said. After realising that the five decades old policy was not working, Obama two years ago announced to begin normalising relations between the two countries. Aden: Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi accused Shiite rebels and their allies on Tuesday of dashing hopes for peace after they unveiled a new government in areas under their control. Hadi said that Monday`s formation by the Iran-backed rebels of a government of national salvation showed their determination to "spread chaos and destruction" and "destroys any chance of dialogue and peace". Speaking through a spokesman from Yemen`s second city Aden, the seat of his beleaguered government, Hadi called on the international community to "condemn this move and hold the militia responsible for the collapse of peace efforts." Announcing their new government, the Huthi rebels said it was a response to Hadi`s "stubbornness" in pursuing a deadly war against them with the support of a Saudi-led coalition since March last year. The war of words comes as the UN envoy for Yemen shuttles between the two sides in an effort to revive a US-backed ceasefire that collapsed after just 48 hours early last week. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who has been attempting to persuade the two sides to agree to a government of national unity, met rebel representatives in Oman on Saturday and is scheduled to hold talks with Hadi in Aden. The president, who is usually based in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, flew into Aden on Saturday on his first visit in a year. Fierce fighting has raged on the ground since the ceasefire collapsed. The rebels launched an attack on loyalist positions in Dhaleh province north of Aden on Tuesday but were repulsed, a military official said. Three government troops and 14 rebels were killed. Witness Fawaz al-Marissi said the insurgents had been forced to leave their dead behind in the rough terrain. Despite 20 months of Saudi-led military support, Hadi`s authority is still largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border. The rebels control the capital Sanaa and most of the north The conflict has claimed more than 7,000 lives and left millions of civilians dependent on food aid. By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) As many as 78 schemes including Jhan Dhan and MGNREGA being implemented by 17 ministries and departments are covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, the Parliament was informed today. In case of food subsidy, Minister of State for Food C R Chaudhary said, "DBT for foodgrains is being implemented as per the cash transfer of food subsidy rules 2015." advertisement At present, cash transfer of food subsidy is being implemented in Chandigarh and Puducherry since September 2015 and it has also been partially implemented in Dadra and Nagar Haveli from March 2016, he said. A high-level committee of FCI has recommended gradual introduction of cash transfer in PDS, starting with the large cities with more than 1 million population and extending it to grain surplus states and then giving option to deficit states to opt for cash or physical grain distribution, he said. In Public Distribution System (PDS), the minister said DBT is being implemented in two ways: cash transfer of food subsidy into bank accounts of beneficiaries and DBT in-kind means automation of fair price shops. Subsidised foodgrains are distributed via PDS after authentication, preferably taking beneficiary details using electronic point of sale machines, while cash transfer of food subsidy is done in three union territories through Aadhaar Payments Bridge (APB), he added. To a separate query on DBT in fertilisers, Minister of State for Fertiliser Mansukh L Mandaviya said, "The government has decided to introduce DBT system for fertilizer subsidy payments. Under the proposed system, 100 per cent subsidy on various fertilizer grades shall be released to the manufacturers and importers on the basis of actual sales made by the retailer to the beneficiaries." Initially, the modified-subsidy procedure under DBT system will be introduced on pilot basis in 16 select districts and after its due stabilization, the new payment system would be rolled out in all states in the second phase, he said. Noting that the DBT being implemented in fertilizer subsidy payment is slightly different from the normal DBT being implemented in LPG subsidy, the minister explained, "Under the DBT in fertilizer sector, the subsidy will be released to the fertilizer companies instead of beneficiaries, after the sale is made by the retailers to the beneficiaries on submission of claims generated in the web-based online Integrated Fertilizer Monitoring System (iFMS) by fertilizer companies." After implementation of DBT, it is expected that diversion/smuggling of fertilizers will be reduced to a large extent and the government will save subsidy to that extent. However, no assessment has been made to calculate the savings, he added. PTI LUX BAL --- ENDS --- advertisement The expressway was built in a record 23 months and will be open to public on December 23. By Indo-Asian News Service: The 302-km Agra-Lucknow Expressway will be thrown open to the public on December 23, an official said on Tuesday. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday. The chief minister asked officials to ensure police presence to deter commuters from breaching the maximum 100 km per hour speed limit. The expressway was inaugurated by the chief minister on November 21. advertisement Ambulances would be stationed on the expressway, which was built in a record 23 months. The Agra-Lucknow Expressway is expected to reduce the travel time between two cities to three and half hours. It will further reduce the journey time between Lucknow and Delhi by almost half to 5-6 hours. Watch the video here: Also read: 2 hot air balloons make emergency landing in Agra, injure 3 --- ENDS --- By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) Air India Express (AIE) board today granted its approval to a proposal, seeking a one-way codeshare pact with the parent Air India for some select destinations. The board, which met here today, also accorded its permission to the airline to launch air services to Iranian capital Tehran from early next fiscal, sources said. advertisement AIE is the international budget arm of the national carrier Air India. "Air India Express Board has given its green signal to the airline to operate codeshare flights with Air India. It has also given its approval to the proposed air services between New Delhi and Tehran from early next fiscal," sources privy to the information told PTI here. The pact would allow AIE to sell tickets and book passengers from the cities from where it does not fly, they said, adding, "Codeshare flights with Air India will be operated from 5-6 tier-II cities to begin with." Code sharing allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carriers and provide seamless transport to destinations where it has no presence. At present, Air India Express flies to 14 international destinations across Gulf and South-east Asia from 15 domestic airports with a fleet of 23 Boeing 737 planes. Sources also said that with the approval for Tehran flight in place, Air India Express may launch the service to the Iranian capital city as soon as by April next year. Earlier Air India used to fly to Tehran before it opted out of the route in the 1990s due to the political instability in the region at that time. AIE Chief Executive Officer K Shyamsundar had also month said that most of the issues pertaining to the launch have been sorted out and the airline was in the process of finalising a General Sales Agent (GSA) and cargo handling firm for this purpose. PTI IAS RAM RG --- ENDS --- By Pramod Madhav: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Tamil Nadu Police arrested three al-Qaeda suspects - Sulaiman, Samsum Raja and Abbas Ali after questioning them for a day in Madurai. Mohammed Ayub, a fourth suspect is still being questioned. The NIA said that the men were allegedly involved in the Court Complex bombings in Chittoor, Nellore, Kollam, Mysore and Malapuram. The men were also suspected to have made threat calls to 6 different embassies as well. advertisement Meanwhile, the family members of the arrested suspects have claimed that there is some confusion and the agencies have made a mistake. Thagapan Nachiyar, mother of Mohammed Ayub said she was shocked to hear that her son was detained by the NIA. "My son went out on Sunday evening around 6:30 pm to offer prayers but didn't return home. Then he called me saying that he has to go to office for some work and will return soon. But after 11 pm his phone went offline. We didn't know that he got arrested." Mohamed Taslim, Ayub's father said, "This is a false case against him. He can never be involved in such things. I have raised him well and it is very hurtful to see him taken away like this." Also read: NIA arrests 3 suspected al-Qaeda operatives who were planning to kill PM Modi Abbas Ali, another suspect worked as a painter was also arrested by the NIA. His brother Mohamed Ismail said that around 1.30 pm his brother was taken away from home for questioning. Since then his family was searching for him and filed a compliant with Madurai P1 Police station. "We were searching for him everywhere. We did not know who it was or where he was being taken. After sometime, we saw news running that my brother has been arrested along with two other men and they had explosives with them. We don't know what happening." Except Sulaiman, all others have been kept at the ITBP office at Madurai and are being questioned about their involvement with "The Base Movement". Sulaiman has been named as leader of the unit and will be moved to Bangalore special court after getting transit remand from Chennai. Watch the video here: Also read: Trouble for Zakir Naik grows after ban: NIA tightens noose, IRF staff resigns --- ENDS --- There are deep divisions between European creditors led by Germany, and the IMF, which believes that the Europeans' expectations of Greece's economic performance are too ambitious EU Economy Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Tuesday he is optimistic about concluding an overall deal on Greece's latest bailout programme by the end of the year including discussions on debt relief. Moscovici spoke just days before a key meeting of eurozone finance ministers on December 5 to discuss Greece's massive 86-billion-euro bailout, its third since 2010. "This is doable, feasible," Moscovici told journalists at the end of a two-day visit to Athens. However he said that "the precondition is to have pre-agreement this weekend involving all partners." "Greece has made significant progress, the second review is going forward well, I'm convinced to reach a staff agreement before the December fifth Eurogroup" meeting, he said. During the previous review of Greece's reform programme in May, the EU and IMF agreed to start discussions on debt relief by the end of the year if Athens keeps its reform pledges. But influential Germany firmly opposes any new gestures to Athens, especially ahead of German elections later next year in which anti-EU populists could see a significant surge. Greece's leftist-led government is desperate to reach agreement with the creditors on the new fiscal measures before the end of the year in order to secure a pledge of debt relief, hoping it will kickstart the ailing economy. Athens is also hoping that a deal will persuade the European Central Bank to include Greek sovereign debt in its asset purchase programme, known as quantitative easing or QE. Without debt relief, the ECB will not grant Greece access to QE, and without this, the country will not be able to return to the debt markets by early 2018, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said Monday. Greece's debt will grow to 315 billion euros ($334 billion) or around 180 percent of output this year, according to the Greek finance ministry. The International Monetary Fund has said it won't join the latest bailout until it sees a concrete plan from the Europeans to substantially cut the debt burden. Story continues Despite strong opposition by Germany, Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said debt measures would be discussed on Monday in the hopes of persuading the IMF to sign on to the bailout. "I think the IMF is committed because they had already agreed in May to go to the board (for approval) before the end of the year," Dijsselbloem told MEPs in Brussels. In a gesture towards the IMF, Dijsselbloem admitted that the EU's budget demands of Greece may be too strict, putting himself in opposition to powerful German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. "The IMF has a point that running a primary surplus of 3.5 percent of GDP for a very long time is a huge thing to ask and we need to be realistic here," Dijsselbloem said. Twenty-four oil-producing countries meet at the headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna on Friday to discuss a landmark agreement to cut output and reduce a worldwide glut in oil. Oil prices slumped by nearly two dollars Tuesday as expectations dimmed of an OPEC agreement to reduce the cartel's crude output into the massively saturated global market by around a million barrels per day. Prices were also hit as non-OPEC Russia confirmed it would not send a delegation to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' meeting in Vienna on Wednesday. "There is no need (to attend the meeting), OPEC should hold its meeting first," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday. At close of European trading, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January was down $1.7 at $45.34, in what market analyst Jasper Lawler at CMC Markets called "heebie-jeebies" on the eve of the talks the talks. Brent North Sea crude was down $1.90 to $47.34. Analysts expect further falls if OPEC fails to agree on Wednesday on what would be its first joint output cut in eight years in an effort to reduce the global glut and so lift prices. The group's big players -- Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq -- disagree on what size cuts each member should make, and the cartel wants non-OPEC countries like Russia to reduce production too. Russia is currently pumping some 11 million barrels per day (bpd), a level not seen since Soviet days. Hit hard by the low price and Western sanctions, Moscow has said it is ready to freeze output but not to cut it. - 10-hour meeting - While making life cheaper for consumers and businesses, two years of low prices have wreaked havoc on the public finances of OPEC member states, even in the wealthy Gulf states. But Iraq and Iran, OPEC's biggest producers after Saudi Arabia, on Monday continued to express objections to a proposal to cut up to 1.2 million bpd from October levels, Bloomberg News reported, citing an OPEC delegate. In a 10-hour meeting, Iran said it might be ready to freeze production at about 200,000 barrels a day above its current output, Bloomberg said. Saudi Arabia hit back saying Tehran should freeze its production at just over 3.7 million bpd -- more or less its current level. Story continues Iran has consistently said it won't cut production until it has reached pre-sanctions levels. It is also a fierce regional rival of Saudi Arabia, engaged in a proxy war in Yemen and backing different sides in Syria. Arriving in Vienna on Wednesday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh sought to assuage fears the bloc might not come through with an agreed cut-- though he did not announce any change in his government's position. "We continue to implement that level of production that we decided in Algeria," Zanganeh said, referring to a plan reached in an informal meeting in the North African country in September to limit production to 32.5-33 million bpd. Iraq meanwhile has said it will cut output but that it is short of money needed to fight Islamic State extremists. It also disputes with OPEC the level of its current output. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia added to the pessimism about prospects for a deal on Sunday by appearing to say it could live without an agreement. Recovering demand, said Energy Minister Khaled al-Falih -- who arrived in Vienna but made no immediate comment to reporters -- would "stabilise" prices in 2017 anyway. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it would reject a deal if Iran and Iraq were not on board, according to Bloomberg News. - 'Kicking the can' - Prices had made a slight recovery Monday after Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi sounded an upbeat note as he arrived in Vienna, saying he was "optimistic" that the 14-country group would strike an accord. Algeria, which is trying to mediate a deal, on Monday proposed a compromise with Iran capping its production at 3.795 bpd, delegates said, according to Bloomberg. Arriving in Vienna from Moscow, where he and his Venezuelan counterpart Eugenio del Pino travelled on Monday to try to convince Russia to cap its production, Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Bouterfa appeared to be hopeful. "The discussions are going in the right direction," he told reporters. Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei echoed the Saudi argument that, with or without a deal, the market would correct itself in 2017. A deal is still necessary, however, "to help the market recover faster than waiting six months" -- or the next OPEC meeting, Mazrouei said. "I am optimistic" that an agreement will be reached, he said. However, "everyone needs to be participating." Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at top Nordic corporate bank SEB, said that the chances of an agreement between all the ministers were now "very low". The best possible result was that the club would end up with a face-saving deal while "kicking the can to the next OPEC meeting in half a year's time", Schieldrop said. Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it was considering splitting the company into two as it faces growing pressure to overhaul its governance during a crucial power transfer in top management. The announcement came as the South Korean electronics giant is seeking to ensure a smooth succession to Lee Jae-Yong, the firm's vice chairman and scion of the parent Samsung group's founding Lee family. It is also struggling to contain the fallout from a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone caused by exploding batteries as well as a snowballing political scandal in South Korea. The firm said in a statement it would consider breaking into a holding firm and a producing and operating unit, and would take at least six months to study the option. It also said it would increase its dividend payout to shareholders to more than 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion) this year, up more than 30 percent from a year ago. Other options on the table include plans to nominate at least one new independent board member with "global corporate experience" for approval at an annual shareholders' meeting next March. The plans suggest the firm is listening to calls for change after US hedge fund Elliott Management last month urged it to divide into a listed holding and operating firms to streamline a byzantine ownership structure. The US firm also called for an increase in share dividends, the addition of new independent board members and a listing in New York. "We view the plan outlined by Samsung to be a constructive initial step," two Elliott units, Blake Capital and Potter Capital, said in a statement Tuesday. "We anticipate more meaningful changes following the company's corporate structure review. We look forward to working with Samsung." The Lee family controls the vast Samsung group -- South Korea's top business group -- through a web of complicated cross-shareholdings among its units including the flagship Samsung Electronics. "Samsung addressed a strong determination to overhaul its governance structure," said Lee Sang-Hun, analyst at Hi Investment & Securities. Story continues The latest announcement implies that the firm will eventually split to set up a holding company "in May or June next year", he added. However, he warned that the growing political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-Hye that has engulfed the company could delay the overhaul. - Link to embattled president - Park and her confidant, Choi Soon-Sil, are accused of coercing the major firms into donating tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit foundations Choi used as her personal ATMs. Samsung made the biggest contribution of 20 billion won and is accused of separately offering millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The scandal saw the Samsung group's headquarters raided by authorities multiple times and several top managers including Lee Jae-Yong summoned to answer prosecutors' questions. Investigators have widened the probe to look into whether Samsung had lobbied officials at Seoul's pension fund to garner support for its push for a controversial merger deal last year. The merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries -- seen as a crucial step for the power transfer to Lee -- was heavily criticised by many who said it willfully undervalued Samsung C&T. Elliot, which then controlled 0.62 percent of Samsung, rallied opposition to the deal, which eventually went through after the pension fund -- a major shareholder -- sided with it. As the salary day is nearing, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is fearing that people might start panicking. Naidu appealed to them to remain calm. By Ashish Pandey: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to people to not panic over currency crisis on December 1 as the state government has been making efforts to solve the currency shortage. Speaking to media persons in Vijayawada today, the Chief Minister said people have several commitments in the first week of a month and keeping in view the problems of people, the state government has been making efforts to ease the situation. advertisement Naidu assured the people that salaries, pensions, payments to DWCRA groups and NREGS would be credited in people's accounts on time and one could withdraw money as per their requirement in view of small currency shortage. ALSO READ | Salary in the times of demonetisation: Big test for Modi government in first week of December OPT FOR CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS: NAIDU The Chief Minister requested people to opt for alternative cashless transactions including mobile and online transactions to come over the current currency crisis. Andhra Pradesh government also decided to convert 29,000 fair price shops as banking correspondents operating with POS machines. The Chief Minister expressed happiness over increase in mobile banking transactions from 6 per cent to 10 per cent till Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Andhra pradesh government is organising training programme on cashless transactions and so far 1.49 lakh students, 15.13 lakh self-help group women and 7.20 lakh NREGS workers have been trained in cashless transactions in the state. Also Read: Salary day: Are employers, banks, RBI and the government prepared? Maharashtra state government employees demand salary in cash --- ENDS --- English | Publisher: Auckland University Press, 2002 | PDF | 218 pages | 9 MB download from free file storage click to show download links Fourteen musicians tell their stories about how they became who they are, the commitment required, the struggles, failures and successes, and the fierce ambition which has driven them.The interviews criss-cross with one another. They may be national stories but they are also international stories. They may be about musicians but they are also about artists, writers, sculptors, theatre practitioners and the intersections our art-forms have with one another.In the telling of their stories, through Sarah Shieff's interviews, all these working musicians invoke the much greater hinterland of culture-making and history-making in our country. By Andrea Hopkins OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will not attend the funeral of Fidel Castro, his office said on Monday, days after Trudeau's warm comments about the late Cuban leader sparked a backlash. Trudeau referred on Saturday to Castro as a "remarkable leader" and expressed his sorrow at the death of "Cubas longest serving president." Trudeau acknowledged on Sunday that Castro had been a dictator as political opponents called on him to boycott the funeral. Outrage and mockery about Trudeau's fond words for Castro, who had been an honorary pallbearer at the funeral in 2000 of Trudeau's father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, has threatened to end the Liberal leader's long honeymoon. Noting the "many questions" about whether Trudeau would attend the funeral, spokeswoman Andree-Lyne Halle said in an email the prime minister would skip the event. "His schedule doesn't permit it," she said. Governor General David Johnston, Queen Elizabeth's representative in Canada, will attend a commemoration in honor of Castro in Havana on Tuesday, at the request of Trudeau, Johnson's office said in a statement. Canada has long been one of Cuba's closest Western allies, maintaining ties after its 1959 revolution even as the United States imposed an economic embargo. Trudeau's condolences following Castro's death prompted a parody trend on Twitter, with users penning fake fawning #Trudeaueulogies for Cambodian dictator Pol Pot, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Opposition Conservatives have seized on the Castro controversy as a political misstep that could cut into the popularity the prime minister has enjoyed among voters since his surprise majority election in October 2015. The government faced a barrage of questions in parliament on Monday about Trudeau's Castro comments, but the prime minister did not attend the raucous session. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said Trudeau's comments were not markedly different from those by leaders of Spain, Mexico, the European Union and the United Nations. Maxime Bernier, foreign affairs minister under the former Conservative government and a contender for his party's leadership, said Trudeau's remarks about Castro risked alienating the United States by departing so dramatically from the views of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has criticized President Barack Obama's diplomatic thaw with Cuba. "Does Trudeau believe his historic family ties with Castro are more important than our economic interests and the future of millions of Canadian workers? Bernier said in a statement. (Reporting by Andrea Hopkins; Editing by David Gregorio and Peter Cooney) By Mark Hosenball and Kim Palmer WASHINGTON/COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - A Somali immigrant who injured 11 people at Ohio State University in a vehicle and stabbing attack before he was shot dead may have followed the same path to self-radicalization as militants in a number of "lone wolf" attacks, U.S. officials said on Tuesday. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the attack. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 20, was shot dead by a police officer on Monday moments after he plowed his car into a crowd of pedestrians and then leapt out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife. Investigators were probing the background of Artan, a Muslim who was a lawful permanent resident of the United States and a student at Ohio State. Police have given no motive for the attack on the Columbus campus. So far, investigators have found no strong evidence linking Artan to other known militant individuals, cells or groups, said two federal law enforcement officials, who declined to be named because the probe is ongoing. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. Artan's actions fit the pattern of lone-wolf militants who carried out other attacks in the United States, such as the gunman who shot to death 49 people at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in June, and the man who killed four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor in a shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last year, the officials said. The gunmen in those two attacks were also Muslim and were killed by police. A federal official who asked not to be identified said that while Islamic State has claimed responsibility in other attacks, investigators have seen no evidence so far that the militant group's role was anything more than inspirational. ARTAN SPOKE OF "BOILING POINT" Investigators were looking into a message posted on Facebook by Artan that contained inflammatory statements about being "sick and tired" of seeing Muslims killed and reaching a "boiling point," a law enforcement source said. Story continues "Stop the killing of the Muslims in Burma," Artan said in the Facebook post. Violence in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, has sent Rohingya Muslims fleeing across the border to Bangladesh amid allegations of abuses by security forces. All of Artan's Facebook postings have been removed from the social media website. Artan on Facebook also called Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S.-born radical cleric linked to al Qaeda's Yemen wing, "a hero." Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2011. In its claim of responsibility for Monday's attack at Ohio State, the Islamic State news agency AMAQ posted a photo of Artan wearing a blue shirt and sitting with greenery in the background. It described him as a soldier of the group. "Brother Abdul Razak Ali Artan, God accept him, implementer of the Ohio attack, a student in his third year in university," the caption read. Artan, who was born in Somalia, arrived in the United States in 2014, said a federal official, who also asked not to be identified. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said Artan was 20 years old. Investigators believe Artan may have lived for as long as seven years in Pakistan, said the federal official, who declined to be named because of the ongoing investigation. Somali refugees often spend some time in Pakistan before coming to the United States, another official said. Investigators were trying to assemble a full picture of Artan's associates and recent activities, according to federal officials. Two people remained hospitalized at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Two others were at Riverside Methodist Hospital, according to a spokesman. None of the victims have life-threatening injuries, officials said. Seven people have been released. The attack rattled students at the state's flagship public university, which had been placed under a campuswide alert as people barricaded themselves in rooms and police with rifles searched for a possible second suspect. Members of Columbus' Somali community have denounced the attack. Ohio Governor John Kasich and other officials have praised Ohio State police for quickly reacting to the rampage. (Additional reporting by Amy Tennery and David Ingram in New York and Ali Abdelatti in Cairo; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Leslie Adler) MONDAY, Nov. 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Women who think they're too old to worry about mammograms may want to reconsider the age at which their breast cancer screening years are behind them, a new study suggests. Based on an analysis of nearly 7 million mammograms over a seven-year period, "the benefit continues with increasing age up until 90," said study author Dr. Cindy Lee. She is an assistant professor in residence at the University of California, San Francisco. The question of when to stop having mammograms has been widely debated. In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued new guidelines, saying there wasn't enough evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 and older. Lee and her colleagues looked at patient age, mammogram results, recall rates for more testing, biopsy referrals and biopsy results. The investigators also looked at the percentage of breast cancers found when a biopsy was recommended or performed. Ideally, Lee explained, screening should result in a higher cancer detection rate and a low recall rate. In the analysis, which included data from 39 states from 2008 through 2014, nearly four breast cancers were found for every 1,000 patients screened. The recall rate was 10 percent. "We are finding more cancers with increasing age," Lee said, which makes sense because the risk rises with age. "We are doing better at catching them," she said. And, "we have decreased the recall rate. We are calling back fewer women for additional testing, but are finding more cancers." The study authors concluded that "there is no clear age cut-off point" to determine when to stop screening. The study findings suggest that the decision to screen may depend on a woman's personal choice and health status. Older women with 10 years of life expectancy, for instance, might choose to continue screening, Lee said. The study was to be presented Monday at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, in Chicago. Studies presented at medical meetings are viewed as preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal. Robert Smith, vice president of screening for the American Cancer Society, said the study findings show that mammograms are still worthwhile after the age of 70. "Breast cancer incidence and mortality increase as women age, and roughly 30 percent of breast cancer deaths each year occur in women who were diagnosed after the age of 70," he said. "Many of these deaths are avoidable, as Lee and colleagues demonstrate in this new report, since mammography screening performs increasingly well as women get older. While incidence is high, the disease is slower growing and density is lower, providing improved opportunity for early detection," Smith explained. "Their [the researchers'] conclusion that these data provide no support for a particular age to stop screening is consistent with the American Cancer Society breast cancer screening guideline, which states that the decision to continue screening should be based on individual patient values, [co-existing] conditions, overall health status and estimated longevity," he noted. But Smith added a caveat. "While it is the case that too many older women stop screening prematurely, it also is the case that too many women with serious chronic conditions and few remaining years to live continue to be screened for breast cancer," he said. Such women aren't likely to benefit from continued breast cancer screening. Smith said. "And the detection and treatment of breast cancer in a woman with limited longevity may also further diminish the quality of life of her remaining years," he said. "Breast cancer screening should continue as long as there will be value from early detection, and should cease when the potential for benefit no longer exists," Smith added. More information To learn more about breast cancer screening for older women, visit Breastcancer.org. The actress looks stunning in the new photoshoot. By India Today Web Desk: Balika Vadhu actress Veebha Anand is a talented actress, alright. But she is also oh-so-gorgeous. Have a beautiful day! A photo posted by veebha anand (@veebha_anand) on Nov 28, 2016 at 8:59pm PST Also read:Happy Birthday, Rishabh Sinha: 9 super hot pictures of the Bigg Boss 9 runner-up The actress recently shot for a, well, photoshoot. And she looks super- sizzling in all the pictures. The pretty lady recently shared some of the pictures from the shoot on her personal Insta account. When odds are one in a million, be that one. Picture @sachin113photographer makeup @ankitrajput_mkoverartist hair @krazzykhush A photo posted by veebha anand (@veebha_anand) on Nov 28, 2016 at 2:57am PST advertisement She is looking scorching in one of the photos in a shocking red garment. She captioned the picture as "When odds are one in a million, be that one." And she sure does look like one in a million! In another picture where she is dressed in an oversized white shirt, she wrote in the description of the picture, "Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder. #morning#blessed." Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder. #morning #blessed A photo posted by veebha anand (@veebha_anand) on Nov 27, 2016 at 9:04pm PST Doesn't she look absolutely stunning? Being happy never goes out of style. ?????? Pic credit: @sachin113photographer A photo posted by veebha anand (@veebha_anand) on Nov 26, 2016 at 10:22pm PST --- ENDS --- The campaign for Ann Roe, who is running for Congress against Lyin' Bryan Steil has come out with the best one-liner of this cycle so far: I can't argue... 1 year ago As reported by Bloomberg, Amazon.com Inc. AMZN is in talks to buy a Dubai-based ecommerce giant, Souq.com, for approximately $1 billion. Shares of Amazon have been steadily treading higher on a year-to-date basis. The stock has returned 15.46% compared with the Zacks Electronic Commerce industrys gain of 10.65%. More Details Souq.com is a Dubai-based online retail service. It sells more than 1.5 million products to customers in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The company recently secured $275 million of funding from its investors. Reportedly, Souq.com plans to sell around 30% stake but Amazon is eyeing the entire site, thus trying to expand its footprint in the high-growth Middle East market. Reports say that no final agreement has yet been reached and negotiations could falter. Conclusion Amazon is one of the largest online retailers in the world, with extensive operations in North America. Although the primary product line was books, now the company has diversified into a host of other product categories and therefore wants to spread all over the world. Though the company has more or less been successful in penetrating every region worldwide, it has still miles away to go before gaining a strong foothold in Middle East region and Africa. Its retail market share is still relatively small in these markets, but there is a good possibility of its capturing a significant share of the Middle East within the next few years. It this happens the company would see an additional several billion dollars a year in revenue. This deal, if it materializes, would certainly help Jeff Bezos and his company to establish a presence in key and emerging markets like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. AMAZON.COM INC Price and Consensus AMAZON.COM INC Price and Consensus | AMAZON.COM INC Quote Currently, Amazon has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the industry are Cognex Corporation (CGNX), Itron, Inc. (ITRI) and Teradyne Inc. (TER) with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Story continues Cognex Corporation delivered a positive earnings surprise of 24.92% in the trailing four quarters. Itron, Inc. delivered a positive earnings surprise of 30.55%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. Teradyne Inc. delivered a positive earnings surprise of 19.26% in the trailing four quarters. 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Zacks Investment Research By Eric Auchard FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A cyber attack that infected nearly 1 million routers used to access Deutsche Telekom internet service was part of a campaign targeting web-connected devices around the globe, the German government and security researchers said on Tuesday. The revelation from the German Office for Information Security, or BSI, stoked fears of an increase in cyber attacks that disrupt internet service by exploiting common vulnerabilities in widely used routers, webcams, digital video recorders and other web-connected devices. Security researchers said the infections spread to countries including Brazil, Britain and Ireland using a technique similar to one that stopped millions of people in the United States and Europe from reaching websites including PayPal Holdings Inc , Twitter Inc and Spotify on Oct. 21. "It was a global attack against all kinds of devices," said Dirk Backofen, a senior Deutsche Telekom security executive. The BSI said that German government networks were also targeted in Sunday's attack on Deutsche Telekom customers, though authorities said they succeeded in keeping systems online. Deutsche Telekom, Germany's largest telecom company, said internet outages hit as many as 900,000 of its users, or about 4.5 percent of its fixed-line customers. Deutsche Telekom and the German government did not identify other victims, though cyber security firm Rapid7 Inc said it observed the attackers trying to infect routers across the globe. Irish telecom operator Eir and Vodafone Group Plc in Britain use routers that were vulnerable to same kind of attack, said Rapid7 security research manager Tod Beardsley. Flashpoint, a second U.S. cyber security research firm, said it routers were infected in Brazil, Britain and Germany. Eir said in a statement it was aware of potential vulnerabilities in broadband modems from Taiwan's ZyXel Communications Corp used by about 30 percent of Eir customers. "We have deployed of a number of solutions both at the device and network level which will remove this risk," Eir said. It reported the incident to Irish regulators. Vodafone declined to comment on whether it customers had been infected, but said it was aware of a vulnerability in routers that enables attackers to mount denial-of-service attacks. The Brazilian National Computer Emergency Response Team told Reuters it was analysing the impact of the attack on Brazil, but declined to say how many computers had been infected. MIRAI BOTNET The attacks were launched with software known as Mirai that seeks out vulnerable connected devices, then turns them into remotely controlled "bots" for mounting large-scale attacks that disrupt access to websites and computer systems. Deutsche Telekom executives apologised for the outages, saying the company had provided details about the attack to other network operators and security agencies. Security experts said the problem affected Deutsche Telekom customers using three types of routers manufactured by Taiwan's Arcadyan Technology <3596.TW>, which created a software patch that was pushed out to users on Monday. Arcadyan did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment. Security experts said attributing blame for the attacks may prove impossible because the Mirai software had been released on the internet. It is relatively easy to use, which means hackers with relatively few technical skills could be to blame for follow-on attacks, they said. (Additional reporting by Jim Finkle in Boston, Harro Ten Wolde, Ilona Wissenbach and Peter Maushagen in Frankfurt and Caroline Copley, Andreas Rinke and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing Mark Potter, Ruth Pitchford and Lisa Shumaker) By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) With Delhi reeling under pollution, the government today told Lok Sabha that enforcement of ban on paddy stubble burning in farmlands of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh has not been fully implemented. However, there is no conclusive study which says that burning of paddy straw crop residue "would always" impact quality of air in states like Delhi and Rajasthan, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply. advertisement "Available satellite images indicate that the enforcement of ban on stubble burning in farmlands of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh has not been fully implemented and there has been significant level of stubble burning. "The incidents of stubble burning increase during the post harvesting period as farmers prepare their fields for next sowing season," he said. Dave said as per the report of IIT Kanpur, the back trajectory analyses suggest that the Crop Residue Burning and other biomass emissions may be transported to Delhi from the sources upwind of Delhi. "There is no conclusive study available that burning of paddy straw crop residue in the states like Punjab and Haryana would always impact quality of air in the states/UT like Rajasthan, Delhi etc," MoS for Environment, Forest & Climate Change said. The Minister said burning of stubble has been banned in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. He said Delhi High Court has assigned the responsibility of prevention of stubble burning and biomass on the chief secretaries of the concerned state governments and the states have initiated steps for compliance. The union government has been monitoring various preventive measures to curb the burning of paddy stubble or crops residue and check the pollution level in Delhi and NCR at regular intervals, Dave said. While meetings of Environment Minister Dave with state environment ministers were held on many occasions, four secretary-level meetings have also been organised. Noting that implementation of air pollution control measures is an on-going process, he said violations relating to stubble burning have been reported from states and they have been asked to enforce the ban relating to burning of stubble during various review meetings. CPCB has issued comprehensive directions including control of stubble burning under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to NCR states for prohibiting or restricting the open burning of straw. PTI TDS DIP --- ENDS --- HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Pacific Prime, a leading global insurance advisor, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Protection Insurance Services, a leading insurance and reinsurance broking firm headquartered in Bahrain. This agreement will see both companies extend their operations within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and in other regions across the globe. Providing mutual benefits to both parties, this exclusive partnership, finalized on November 17, 2016, now enables Pacific Prime to provide their services in the territories covered by Protection Insurance Service's licence, and vice versa. For Pacific Prime, this means that they can now write business in KSA, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, markets that they were not licensed to quote for business in, up until now. "In partnership with Protection Insurance Services, Pacific Prime will expand its footprint across the GCC. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship between the two companies," said Maria Loughran, Corporate Account Manager at Pacific Prime's Abu Dhabi division, Medstar Insurance Brokers LLC. "Protection Insurance Services is a client centric brokerage, and as such, make for an ideal partner for our business. The values and ethical behavior of both brokerages align perfectly and both companies operate with the core value that; The client is at the heart of everything that we do." Protection Insurance Services has over 20 years of significant expertise in a comprehensive range of marine and non-marine insurance broking, consulting and claims-handling services, and as such, Pacific Prime sees this partnership as a unique opportunity to acquire deep insights into the industries that they operate in. CEO of Protection Insurance Services, Samy Aziz, commented: "We at Protection Insurance Services are very excited about this partnership with Pacific Prime Middle East as it will strengthen relationships with our clients and insurance companies. We're thrilled to be Pacific Prime's partner while building upon our extensive experience, and bringing that robust expertise into the Employee Benefits insurance market." About Pacific Prime Headquartered in Hong Kong, Pacific Prime International Limited is a leading insurance advisor that leverages its close relationships with over 60 leading insurance companies to provide the best value insurance services and products to individuals and corporations. With offices strategically located in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE, Pacific Prime principally offers advice on international health insurance, business insurance and life insurance. For more information, visit: https://www.pacificprime.com/ About Protection Insurance Services W.L.L. Founded in 1996, Protection Insurance Services W.L.L is a leading insurance and reinsurance broking firm with sound reputation among the insurance community in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The company provides international specialized insurance, reinsurance services (including takaful and retakaful), and advisory services across the region of MENA, parts of Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia. For more information, visit: http://www.protectionre.com/index.html This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/11/prweb13880843.htm Danish English The government of South Korea will be improving subsidies to the countrys catheter users after the turn of the year, marking a breakthrough for Coloplasts Continence Care business in the country. Thousands of South Koreans suffering from disorders such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease will be able to opt for better and more modern catheters next year. Public reimbursement rules in South Korea have been improved, and that is good news to Coloplast, as the company aims to outgrow the market in the Continence Care business area. An estimated 25,000 users in South Korea who need help emptying their bladder are covered by the public reimbursement scheme in the country, and they will now be able to opt for modern catheters. According to Coloplast CEO Lars Rasmussen, the reimbursement will support the companys growth opportunities in South Korea. "This is good news for Coloplast in South Korea and for the users, whose everyday lives will be made easier with the benefits of modern catheters, enabling them to live the life they want to", says Coloplast CEO Lars Rasmussen. Previously, South Korea only offered reimbursement to a limited group of users, but the improved access will allow all catheter users covered by the national health insurance access to better products. Continence Care is Coloplast's second-largest business area, accounting for some 35% of consolidated revenue. Coloplasts other business areas are Ostomy Care, Wound & Skin Care, and Urology Care. Last year, Coloplast generated revenue of DKK 14.7 billion. Facts: Phoenix, Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jean Ekobo, CEO of BioNovelus Inc. recently attended the Sintercafe - International Coffee Week, the largest coffee convention in Central America. This year, Sintercafe celebrated its 30th anniversary in San Jose, Costa Rica, with an attendance of approximately 500 participants, from 25 countries including both coffee producers and consumers. The coffee industry is the second largest commodity market in the world to the oil industry (Source: Business Insider). Since the late 19th century, the coffee industry has been plagued by Coffee Rust or "Roya" (Hemileia vastatrix) a devastating fungus that attacks the Arabica plant. Billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of industry jobs have been lost throughout Central America since 2012 to this Coffee Rust epidemic. (Source: ICafe). The entire coffee belt from Indonesia to Africa, to Central and South America to Vietnam and Asia is seeking a remedy to this Coffee Rust epidemic. Sintercafe - International Coffee Week presented the perfect occasion for BioNovelus Inc. to introduce its organic coffee rust killer, biofungicide, CR-10, following 9 months of highly successful testing in coffee plantations throughout Costa Rica and Guatemala. CR-10s biodegradable solution as well as its organic, non-toxic yet highly effective coffee rust killing agent, is captivating coffee professionals from around the world. At Sintercafe, BioNovelus CEO, Jean Ekobo met Craig Russell, the Executive Vice President of Starbucks Global Coffee, along with Starbuckss team of agronomic engineers at Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks 240-hectare coffee farming research and development center. Always open to new solutions, the Starbucks Team asked to test CR-10 at Hacienda Alsacia. Ekobo also met again with Costa Rican National Coffee Association, ICafe, to present an update and summary of all the CR-10 testing ongoing in 12 farms in Costa Rica and Guatemala. In support of BioNovelus, ICafe requested an opportunity to conduct a phase II testing. One of the objectives of a phase II testing is to prove that the organic product CR-10 can be as effective (if not more so) as its toxic chemical competitors in eradicating coffee rust. ICafe believes that there is no other organic product on the coffee-rust-killing-market, therefore, research on CR-10 has moved to the next level. About Biofungicide CR-10 CR-10 is a proven, biodegradable, non-toxic solution that kills bacteria, fungi and spores rapidly, safely and effectively. It is a new generation of biofungicide with a unique mode of action. BioNovelus management believes that CR-10 has a broad range of uses in agricultural applications. About BioNovelus Inc. BioNovelus, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ONOV) is a bioscience company that honors the environment with an innovative, cost effective and disruptive technology-based solution to agricultural and water problems. We are determined to help coffee growers keep the better tasting strain of the Arabica plant by fighting coffee rust through our green CR-10 instead of being forced to change to hybrid type plants. We feel very strongly that our green, biodegradable product is not only better for our environment but for people who enjoy the rich flavor that comes from Arabica coffee beans, whether organic or not. BioNovelus primary target market is the $100Billion* plus, annual, worldwide, coffee industry. (*Source: Business Insider) Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking statements covered by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results for fiscal year 2016 and beyond could differ materially from the Company's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "anticipates," "projects," "expects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "targets," and other similar expressions that indicate trends and future events. There is no assurance of if and when EPA approval will be obtained for CR-10 and various applications. There is no assurance that the coffee rust application will prove commercially viable. There is no assurance that any transaction will be done with Starbucks or any members of ICafe. Factors that could cause the Companys results to differ materially from forward looking statements regarding EPA approval and the efficacy of the CR-10 results a delay in EPA approval include the lack of capital needed to complete testing, the lack of experience with pursuing approval of this product and modifications that may be demanded by the EPA of the CR-10 formula. Factors that could cause lower rates of success in CR-10 eradication of fungi in coffee plantations and marijuana fields include the method and timing of applications of CR-10, the impact of heavy rain fall the strength of fungi contamination, and other environmental conditions resulting in re-infection. Factors that may impact transactions with Starbucks and members of ICafe include the alternatives of genetically modified crops, products of competitors, government approvals, and pricing. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, variation in demand and acceptance of the Company's products and services, general business and economic conditions beyond the Company's control the consequences of competitive factors in the marketplace including the ability to attract and retain customers, results of continuous improvement and other cost-containment strategies, and the Company's success in attracting and retaining key personnel. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, since these statements may no longer be accurate or timely. Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to Rule 3B-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and other results and further events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. For additional information: http://bionovelus.com ### HENDERSON, Nev., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Lithium Corp. (OTC:LITH) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the highly anticipated relaunching of the iWeedz platform. The Company had spent several years building the most advanced and most comprehensive delivery platform for the U.S. and Canada and now with the favorable new legislations around North America we believe we are well ahead of any other platform and the proof is by the large interest we are receiving. The iWeedz.com search engine is a cannabis information resource that connects consumers with vendors or likeminded individuals. iWeedz streamlines the process of finding the right strains and products for your ailments comfortably, fast and simple. Whether you're new to cannabis, a medical marijuana patient, or simply a recreational consumer, iWeedz is the perfect destination. iWeedz.com for vendors will be a cloud based solution to manage inventory, post daily deals, attract new customer with proximity marketing via mobile phones, engage with customers via email and text messaging and offer payment processing. The Company will operate its technology platform through its soon relaunched Website located at www.iWeedz.com, and through its mobile application for Apple iPhone operating system (iOS) and Android operating systems. The move to revitalize the iWeedz platform comes at a time when Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada's largest pharmacy chain, has formally applied to be a distributor of medical marijuana. With more than 1,200 locations across Canada including Pharmaprix in Quebec, Shoppers is the largest pharmacy chain in the country. According to the latest government data, just in Canada alone more than 75,000 Canadians had valid prescriptions for medical marijuana at the end of June a figure that has tripled in the past year and they had purchased a total of more than 4,000 kilograms of dried marijuana in the previous three months. That works out to a little less than a gram of pot per day, per person. Furthermore, in recent elections numerous states in the United States, including California, have approved to legalized marijuana. Greg Rotelli, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Lithium, commented We spent several years developing the iWeedz platform. We are exploring ways of streamlining the marijuana industry for both consumers and vendors by providing cutting edge scalable solutions that remain easy to use. In researching various opportunities, it was important for us to look at opportunities that were scalable and trendy. With the Green Rush trend, we felt that we could not ignore the interest by the investment community; we felt iWeedz was the right move as it is scalable and can solve a lot of problems consumers and vendors in marijuana commerce are experiencing. As a Company, we feel there is tremendous opportunity for our investors with this diversified approach especially with various upcoming state legislations looking to legalize marijuana. About U.S. Lithium Corporation U.S. Lithium Corporation is an exploration and development company focused in North America on lithium and related resources for the rapidly growing energy storage industry. The Company looks to capitalize on opportunities within the lithium sector including providing lithium to the ever expanding next generation battery market. Lithium demand is projected to triple by the year 2025 according to a recent report by Goldman Sachs and for many analysts is considered the new gasoline of the future. As the demand for lithium expands, U.S. Lithium Corp intends to be an integral part of this next booming industry. Our current focus is in the Basin and Range province of Nevada where the only producing lithium brine mine in North America, Albemarles Silver Peak Project, is located. Elon, our first project, is located in Clayton Valley and is in close proximity to Silver Peak and several other active explorers and developers. Additionally, the Company has previously developed the iWeedz platform that connects consumers with vendors in the cannabis industry. Forward-looking Statements: Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties related to the progress, timing, cost, and results of technology programs; competition from other companies; and the Company's ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct its activities. Please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a comprehensive list of risk factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Nov. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Chicagoland congratulates Community Association Manager Lea Marcou on being presented the Rising Star Award at the Community Associations Institute Illinois (CAI-IL) Chapter's 25th Annual Excellence Awards & Winter Gala. The ceremony took place November 18 at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Rising Star Awards are presented to newer committee members who have proven to be an asset the chapter through their volunteerism, have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, and have shown an interest in being future leaders. "Lea has always gone above and beyond when it comes to serving our clients and advancing her knowledge about this business," said Associa Chicagoland Director of Business Development Erica Horndasch. "We are so proud that she is part of the Associa team and that her industry peers also recognize what a fantastic job she does." Marcou has been with Associa since 2008 after working in customer service for more than 15 years. She manages a diverse portfolio of properties, including mid-rise condos, townhomes, single family homes, developer and commercial properties. Marcou obtained her Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), Association Management Specialist (AMS) and Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designations from CAI where she serves the local chapter as the co-chair of the homeowner forum committee. Building and managing successful communities for more than 37 years, Associa is the leader in community management with over 10,000 employees operating more than 180 branch offices in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Based in Dallas, Texas, our industry expertise, financial strength and innovation meet the unique needs of clients across the world with customized services and solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more about Associa and its charitable organization, Associa Cares, go to www.associaonline.com or www.associacares.com. Stay Connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/associa/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/associamarketing Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Associaonline/ A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=41925 Controversial South African pastor who is famous for forcing his church members to eat fresh grass and even stepping on them, has hit the headlines once again. Penuel Mnguni Pastor Penuel Mnguni who told his congregation that mango leaves would turn to KFC once they eat it, loves to court controversy and this time he has given people reasons to talk about his style of pastorship. Mnguni has also stepped on his congregants during deliverance session, and also ordered them to eat 'healing grass' on different occasions. PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App Mnguni who is the pastor of the End Times Disciples Ministries, reportedly asked one of his church members to bend over like a horse, while he climbed him. Here's what a post on their Facebook page said: "The Prophet of God was ministering being led by the Holy Spirit he commanded one of the congregants to become a horse he then ride on top of the horse." See more pictures below: Penuel delivering his church member Penuel rides his church member like a horse Penuel commanded his church member to bend over like a horse Na wa o! When you think you have seen it all! Source: Legit.ng By PTI: From Anisur Rahman Dhaka, Nov 29 (PTI) Police in Bangladesh have arrested the alleged mastermind of attacks on Hindu temples and houses earlier this month. Police said the accused arrested last night could have hacked the Facebook account of a Hindu youth and posted images of Hindu gods over those of Muslim holy shrines to instigate violence. advertisement "We arrested him last night from the (Brahmanbaria) town. He was on the run and we believe he is one of the main culprits," police official Mizanur Rahman told PTI on phone. He said 30-year-old Jahangir Alam, a cyber cafe owner, was arrested as police investigations confirmed his crucial role in the mobilising Islamists to carry out the attacks while "we are now trying to be certain if he himself had hacked the Hindu youths Facebook account". "But we can tell you, he is the man who prepared handbills copying the controversial image (to be distributed among ordinary people) and hired trucks to carry the attackers to the scene at Nasirnagar (in Brahmanbaria)," Rahman said. The district police chiefs comments came as a court ordered Alam to be interrogated in custody for four days as he was brought before a magistrate. Officials said Alam was the last among the detained suspects while police earlier arrested over 100 people for their alleged involvement in Nasirnagar attacks when the Islamists carried out two subsequent attacks ravaging nearly a dozen temples and over 20 houses. Police had announced a bounty for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of the attacks amid mounting protests demanding action against the culprits. PTI AR KUN --- ENDS --- 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 By PTI: From Anisur Rahman Dhaka, Nov 29 (PTI) A cyber cafe owner has been arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly masterminding attacks on Hindu temples and houses earlier this month, authorities said today. Police said the accused arrested last night could have hacked the Facebook account of a Hindu youth and posted images of Hindu gods over those of Muslim holy shrines to instigate violence. advertisement "We arrested him last night from the (Brahmanbaria) town. He was on the run and we believe he is one of the main culprits," police official Mizanur Rahman told PTI on phone. He said 30-year-old Jahangir Alam, a cyber cafe owner, was arrested as police investigations confirmed his crucial role in the mobilising Islamists to carry out the attacks while "we are now trying to be certain if he himself had hacked the Hindu youths Facebook account". "But we can tell you, he is the man who prepared handbills copying the controversial image (to be distributed among ordinary people) and hired trucks to carry the attackers to the scene at Nasirnagar (in Brahmanbaria)," Rahman said. The district police chiefs comments came as a court ordered Alam to be interrogated in custody for four days as he was brought before a magistrate. Officials said Alam was the last among the detained suspects while police earlier arrested over 100 people for their alleged involvement in Nasirnagar attacks when the Islamists carried out two subsequent attacks ravaging nearly a dozen temples and over 20 houses. Police had announced a bounty for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of the attacks amid mounting protests demanding action against the culprits. PTI AR KUN AKJ KUN --- ENDS --- By Nolan Pinto: Dominic Roy, the driver who fled with Rs 1.37 crore of ATM cash last week, was arrested from KR Puram in Bengaluru today. His wife Elvin was arrested on Monday. In a daring daylight heist on November 23, Roy, 45, who was hired by outsourcing agency Logi-Cash, drove away with the cash when two other employees had gone to a bank in the heart of the city to collect money. advertisement Next day, the abandoned white-and-yellow cash van was found at Vasant Nagar and Rs 45 lakh of Rs 1.37 crore recovered from it. Of the Rs 45 lakh recovered from the van, Rs 10 lakh were in Rs 100 denomination and the remaining (Rs 35 lakh) in the new Rs 2,000 denomination. Also read: Bengaluru ATM theft: Wife of cash van driver arrested, police recover Rs 79.8 lakh Police were also investigating why Dominic left behind Rs 45 lakh in the pick-up van before fleeing with the remaining Rs 92 lakh in Rs 100 and Rs 2,000 denominations. Dominic's wife, who had come to Bengaluru from Dubai a fortnight ago with their son, had left their house in the city's northeast suburb after police quizzed her last week on his whereabouts. Also read: BJP national headquarters go cashless as e-wallet, Paytm transactions begin --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: It is reality TV star Bani Judge's birthday today, and TV actor Yuvraj Thakur has shared the sweetest message for the Bigg Boss 10 contestant. The actor wrote a rather sweet message for her on his personal Instagram account. In fact, he even shared a cute video which featured Bani and Yuvraj's intertwined hands. advertisement Also read:BB10: Is Bani Judge dating THIS TV actor? This is what the TV actor wrote: Dear land, You were the land and I was the wanderer. I dreamt of wandering everywhere but to be nowhere. I walked for nothing, I wanted nothing, I am nothing and I want nothing but I happened to be on this beautiful majestic land that happened to be you. It's vibrant and here each grain of sand breathes life. I am scared to be here because it's so beautiful. I am scared to be a little selfish and to stay here longer than I have ever let anyone stay in my memories. So I ran faster than I could have ever run. I ran away from this beautiful land but then I realised that the land is expanding itself all around me, its following me. I got tired, fell on my knees helplessly. Just then land whispered in my ear that don't run! Remember that You are nothing, so stay where you are. Right now, you are running away to escape from something and to find something. Don't run away from me, be nothing again and I promise you that I will be around you as your NOTHING always and forever. Promise. And the wanderer kept walking to nothing, the land kept following him till the horizon of nothing. They found oneness in their nothingness. Yours truly Nothing. #yuvwrites #birthdaysmonth. advertisement Now that is some way to make a lady feel special, isn't it? And if recent media reports are to be believed, then the two (Bani and Yuvraj) are actually dating. "Yes, I am in a relationship with Bani. We have been together for past four months," the actor told India Forums. Now that is some relationship goal right there. --- ENDS --- As viewers, we have already seen him stealing stuff in the house; but the housemates will be in for a shock tonight after discovering the hidden side of Swami ji. By India Today Web Desk: Until now, only viewers knew--thanks to the cameras--that Swami Om had been stealing items belonging to other housemates. But in tonight's episode, Manu and Manveer will discover a basket containing all the stolen stuff of other housemates. The duo, who has of late turned against Swami, will decide to expose him in front of other people, by bringing the basket to their notice. advertisement Also read: Bigg Boss 10 Day 43: Bani, Priyanka bitch about Mona; Manu refuses to trust Priyanka True to his nature, Swami will not admit his theft and will instead lash out at his former friends for making false allegations against him. Even Swami's beti Priyanka Jagga will turn against him and refuse to support him. Swami, in yesterday's episode, was seen bonding with the housemates, as Lopamudra gave him a cool makeover. For a brief while, it looked like, that the housemates had started accepting Swami again. We don't know how this latest disclosure will impact his relationship with others. Also read: BB10 wild card contestant Sahil Anand to drop the demonetisation bomb on housemates? Wait and watch. Bigg Boss 10 airs Mon-Fri at 10:30pm and Sat-Sun at 9pm on Colors TV --- ENDS --- Today marks the 21st day of PM Modi's demonetisation drive and the deprivation that has followed. Here are times when leaders of various political parties made statements sharing their views on PM Modi's currency ban. By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on November 8 laying new rules with demonetisation. It has been 21 days since the note ban was announced, The Republic of India was found forming queues outside ATMs and since then, a lot of statements by various leaders of prominent political parties of India have made headlines. Here is a 'quote battle' between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of many political parties. advertisement NARENDRA MODI AND INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS\RAHUL GANDHI NARENDRA MODI AND AAM AADMI PARTY\ARVIND KEJRIWAL NARENDRA MODI AND SAMAJWADI PARTY\AKHILESH YADAV NARENDRA MODI AND BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY\MAYAWATI NARENDRA MODI AND MAHARASHTRA NAVNIRMAM SENA\RAJ THACKERAY NARENDRA MODI AND ALL INDIA TRINAMOOL CONGRESS\MAMATA BANERJEE --- ENDS --- Knowing that terrorist organisations worldwide are adapting to newer modus operandi and resorting to unconventional methods, Delhi Metro today organised a mock drill to battle a chemical attack. In this exercise CISF also involved other stake holders namely NDRF, NSG, DMRC, DDMA, DHS, IB, DFS, CAT, DMRP, Delhi Police NSG and SWAT. By Jitendra Bahadur Singh, Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: On a day when country saw two major terror attacks in Nagrota and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir, multiple agencies carried out a massive joint mock drill exercise on Chemical attack scenario (CBRN Attack) at Jawahar Lal Nehru Metro Station. The terrorist organisations worldwide are adapting to newer modus operandi and resorting to unconventional methods to fulfil their nefarious goals. advertisement ISIS has been accused of using chemical weapons in Syria. Japan recently marked 20 years since members of a shadowy cult let off deadly sarin nerve gas in Tokyo's subway system. The attack was the worst in Japanese history, and prompted global concern about terrorist groups obtaining chemical weapon. Delhi Metro also known as 'lifeline of the NCR' and 'a Symbol of progressive India' is a sensitive installation and security of this iconic MRTS is a formidable challenge. WHO WERE INVOLVED In this exercise CISF also involved other stake holders namely NDRF, NSG, DMRC, DDMA, DHS, IB, DFS, CAT, DMRP, Delhi Police NSG and SWAT. Around 180 CISF personnel and around 120 personnel from other agencies participated in the exercise. The scenario of the exercise was as following:- At north side entry point one passenger brought chemical aerosol and released the chemical gas at a crowded point near metro ticket counter. The passenger and security staff in the nearby vicinity of the chemical release started showing the symptoms of convulsions, spasm, unconsciousness, irritation and uneasiness. These abnormalities were immediately noticed by the on duty CISF personnel and all the concerned agencies were informed. The CISF personnel deployed there immediately swung into action by isolating the area and evacuated the passengers from the affected area through gate no.2, 3 & 4 at south side. The teams from CISF and NSG cordoned the area and NDRF personnel identified the chemical agent. The demonstration about decontamination and medical first aid was also conducted at the station premises. This mock drill has resulted in bringing required coordination and role clarity among various agencies and stake holders in case of any such contingency. The teams were debriefed at the end of the operation. Also Read India participates in ocean-wide tsunami mock drill --- ENDS --- By PTI: London, Nov 29 (PTI) Comparing yourself with Facebook friends is more likely to lead to feelings of depression than making social comparisons offline, a new research has claimed. Researchers from Lancaster University in the UK examined studies from 14 countries with 35,000 participants aged between 15 and 88. They found that the relationship between online social networking and depression may be very complex and associated with factors like age and gender. advertisement In cases where there is a significant association with depression, this is because comparing yourself with others can lead to "rumination" or overthinking. Negative comparison with others when using Facebook was found to predict depression via increased rumination, researchers said. They also added that frequent posting on Facebook was found to be associated with depression via rumination. However, the frequency, quality and type of online social networking is also important. Facebook users were more at risk of depression when they felt envy triggered by observing others or accepted former partners as Facebook friends. The risks are also high if the users make negative social comparisons or make frequent negative status updates. Gender and personality also influenced the risk, with women and people with neurotic personalities more likely to become depressed. However, the researchers stressed that online activity could also help people with depression who use it as a mental health resource and to enhance social support. The study appears in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking. PTI NKS MHN SAR MHN --- ENDS --- By PTI: Patna, Nov 29 (PTI) Nepalese participants in an international conference here today sought a more "caring and sharing" approach from India towards the Himalayan country for further promoting cordial bilateral relations. This view was expressed at the two-day international conference on India and Nepal relations, organised by B P Koirala centre for Nepal studies at Gandhi Sangrahalay, which began here today. advertisement B P Koirala, who served as Nepals Prime Minister from 1959 to 1960 and headed Nepali Congress, had made Patna the centre of his political activities in Nepal, with much of his planning for November Revolution in 1950 done in Bank Road here where he stayed for many years. Speaking at the conference, former Nepal education minister and sitting MP Chandralekha Devi, urged India to show "more caring and sharing approach towards Nepal being an elder brother." Devi, who was Education minister in the Sushil Koirala government and also served as Deputy Speaker of Nepal Parliament from 1999 to 2008, emphasised on further promoting people-to-people contact of the two neighbours. She sought start of direct flight from Patna to Kathmandu to this effect. Former MP Jitendra Sonal said viewing India and Nepal ties with "spectacle of 1950" should be stopped as he sought helpful approach of New Delhi towards Kathmandu particularly in the field of electricity. Nepal MPs Laxman Lal Karna and Lal Babu Rawat also spoke at the conference. Nawal Kishore Choudhary, former Principal of Patna College and Director of B P Koirala Centre for Nepal Studies, emphasised on a give-and-take approach, particularly in the field of education, between the two countries. Gandhian and Director of Gandhi Sangrahlaya Patna Razi Ahmad, Vice Chairman of State Disaster Response Force Vyasji and former MP Ramji Singh also shared their views about stronger ties between India and Nepal. PTI SNS PR SAI --- ENDS --- Hi Tom, I would like to present a counterpoint to the discussion regarding how noisy the modern dining room has become. I think its important to note that the impending closure of Vidalia makes a an important point. The dining room with an elegant, calm atmosphere, with wide spaced tables fit with tablecloths and carpet, are all closing. It is very difficult for a restaurant like this to survive if it doesnt charge at least $100+ a head. Meanwhile restauranteurs are constantly opening up large halls that fit 150+ seats, decked with industrial materials, modern pop music and large boisterous bar areas. People can claim that these environments are a turn off but theyre popping up left and right these days and people are fighting to get a table. They can offer an affordable menu because they fit so many people, turn so many tables and create the very energy that, lets face it, people are attracted to. This is not meant to be an attack on you, but you are recommending the likes of Le Diplomate, All Purpose and Ambar. If people really want to go there so badly, then they need to accept that the environment is part of the package. Ask Steven Starr if Le Diplomate would be successful if he took out half the tables in the dining room and put carpeting on the floor. I completely agree that there needs to be a balance of style of dining room, but this crowd that claims that dining rooms are too noisy are supporting the types of environments they say they are looking for. The market responds to demand, and right now the demand is for high energy, affordable and forward thinking restaurants. So I call on the dining public who complain of noise levels to stop into the likes of the old guard more often before theyre all gone. Maybe people will catch on and start opening more of them. Props to you for making the most out of your short layover! I recently attempted the same feat with a college friend of mine during a 20-hour layover at Narita. In my experience, it was definitely worth the hassle! If you choose to venture into Tokyo, I would recommend staying in a neighborhood near a metro stop that's close either to a stop on the Narita bullet train or a main metro hub (think Tokyo, Ginza or Shinjuku). I would also recommend going to attractions that are open at all hours to give you flexibility since you're facing a time crunch (Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku Street, Yoyogi Park). Remember to make lunch/dinner reservations ahead of time if you know where you would like to dine. My friend and I spent time trekking to Umegaoka Sushi No Midori only to find out once we arrived there was a 3+ hour wait to get in! Luckily, we ended up at Kaikaya By the Sea, which was beyond delicious. If you like seafood and end up near Shibuya, I would add that to your list. Last thing, if you do choose to the fish market, make sure to get there early. Really early. My friend and I attempted to go at 3 a.m., thinking we would beat the crowds, only to learn the queue was already filled by 1 a.m.! Resentment is growing against Algerian authorities which have so far managed this burgeoning discontent with a stick-and-carrot policy that has kept a tenuous peace but not addressed underlying issues, warns International Crisis Group. Since 2013, the politically marginal but economically crucial oil-producing areas of the Algerian south have experienced successive waves of unrest over what may appear local economic, environmental and communal issues, says the think-thank in its latest report. Ahead of an uncertain presidential succession and given the painful consequences of low oil prices, Algeria should go beyond treating the symptoms to address governance shortcomings and include its peripheral populations in political decision-making, says the report. The International Crisis Group (ICG) calls on Algeria to act now as the challenges are still amply manageable, rather than allow them to fester and bleed dangerously into the coming political transition. Three separate movements in three southern cities have evolved in recent years to mobilize thousands of Algerians, both in the desert region and elsewhere in the country. The historic town of Ghardaia has seen recurrent clashes between Sunni Arabs and a Berber minority, in a rare instance of sectarian violence in an overwhelmingly Sunni country. In the far south, the town of In Salah has given birth to the Maghrebs most significant ecological protest movement, with thousands mobilizing against shale gas exploration the government concealed. In Ouargla, widespread unemployment has provoked unrest by local youths, who have formed a movement that demands an end to what they consider central-authority neglect. According to ICG experts, these issues, long considered politically marginal, must be taken seriously, not only for the sake of the vast region, but also because of their growing and very real impact on the countrys political core in the north. However, Algerian authorities continue to think in terms of handouts, repression and policing, tools which have barely kept a lid on an occasionally violent cauldron. But Algeria, which is facing the most serious economic challenges in decades due to falling oil production and low international prices, is less and less able to substitute spending for inclusive politics and good governance. It appears that its former strategy, which helped Algerian government secure peace in the 2000s, is no longer viable. The unrest of the last few years demonstrates that southern citizens are no longer willing to put aside their demands for improved transparency, communication and respect from their government. Pro-Assad forces have made significant progress in the battle to take over eastern Aleppo in their latest offensives with Director Rami Abdel Rahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stating that the rebels have lost control of all the neighborhoods in the north of east Aleppo, and this is their worst defeat since they seized half the city in 2012. Assad forces renewed their attacks two weeks ago and pro-government newspaper, Al-Watan, reported that the next phase will be to divide the remaining area into security districts that will be easily controlled and to capture them (rebels) successively. It added that the military operation will push the gunmen to turn themselves in or accept national reconciliation under the terms of the Syrian state. Rebel forces are claiming that Damascus latest victory is due to the support it is receiving from other countries. Egypt forces are one of them according to many reports. For all the past years, we have resisted with the primitive means we have had, but today were resisting Iran and Russia, Yasser Youssef, an official from the Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group lamented. In reference to the Egyptian forces air strikes, he added that rebel groups in Aleppo are fighting armies and militias from every corner of the globe. Some of the civilians are fleeing to government controlled areas while others prefer to head to areas still under the rebels. UNHCR spokesman Scott Craig said they are deeply concerned about the impact of the fighting on the civilian population in Aleppo as food and fuel shortages continue. Aleppo has been a center-stage in the Syrian war and most of the once flamboyant commercial city has been turned into ruins with the some parts of abandoned due to heavy fighting. Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life! With all of the furor surrounding the proposed FPB Amendment Bill, its easy to forget the effect the FPB currently has on gaming in South Africa. Like did you know that stores could face a hefty fine for allowing underage gamers to play age-restricted games in their store? It is an offence to exhibit films, including games, to any person contrary to the age restriction imposed by the Film and Publication Board. Only games or films classified as SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES, including those rated A and PG, may be publicly exhibited by way of trailers or demos unless access can be restricted to only people over the stated age restriction. That means stores could face a fine for even a totally innocuous trailer playing in the background if such game is age-restricted. Its not just limited to trailers either, demo stations are also liable under the Act, meaning retailers are not supposed to demo any games with the above restrictions to the South African public. Now read: This is what the new FPB policy means for South African gamers WSJ: UAE tried to convince Saudi Arabia not to cut oil production Cavusoglu: Greece must stop arming the demilitarized islands in the Aegean Sea Moody's downgrades outlook for banks in Germany, Italy, and 4 other countries to negative About 40 international companies to announce their relocation to UAE by end of year Israeli Prime Minister cancels participation in climate summit in Egypt Earthquake strikes in Antalya Polish manufacturing output falls amid economic uncertainty IEF: Oil price to exceed $100 due to EU sanctions against Russia Iranian MFA denies information about country's planned attack on Saudi Arabia Lebanon: U.S. guarantees will protect maritime border agreement with Israel if Netanyahu wins Belarusian MFA responds to Armenia after reaction to statements of Alexander Lukashenko Azerbaijani propaganda machine launches anti-Iranian rumors in social networks Lavrov and Abdollahian discuss situation in Persian Gulf zone and South Caucasus Erdogan and Aliyev discuss results of Sochi meeting of Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders Goldman Sachs predicts that natural gas prices in Europe will fall by about 30% White House alleges Iran's plans to supply Russia with surface-to-surface missiles Iran to send delegation to Vienna to strengthen relations with IAEA Iranian Foreign Minister to discuss state of nuclear deal negotiations with Borrell Putin: Russia is ready to supply grain to the poorest countries even without participation in the deal First list of Armenian servicemen killed as result of Azerbaijan's September aggression is published Pentagon to supply Vampire anti-drone system to AFU Xi Jinping confirms China's readiness to invest in Pakistan Kuzmina: I don't agree that Armenia's economy will be swept away if the borders with Turkey are opened Poland to build wall on border with Kaliningrad Garo Paylan proposes opening Armenian-Turkish border Eduard Solovyov: Russia stated extreme undesirability of close contacts between Baku and NATO countries Zelenskyy: Threat of use of nuclear weapons by Russia exists and it is not related to non-compliance with ultimatums IRNA: Azerbaijani State Security Service reacted nervously to Pashinyan's visit to Tehran FLYONE ARMENIA to start operating flights on the route Yerevan - Beirut Yerevan Moscow to host meeting of Secretaries of CIS Security Councils Armenian MFA considers it inappropriate to comment on Lukashenko's rambling statements Dollar rises, euro falls in Armenia Makredonov: The Sochi summit showed that it is it's too early to write Russia off Biden's threat to impose profit tax on oil companies is more of boast than threat Vadim Mukhanov: Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh are one of main points of negotiations Russia analyst describes Karabakh Armenians fate if Western version of peace treaty is signed Armenia MFA: Lukashenko statement is disconnected from reality Russia MFA spox comments on Zangezur corridor prospects Voytolovsky: Both sides will have weighty reasons to extend Russia peacekeepers mission in Karabakh Armenia finance minister: Expenditure for PM's office will be reduced next year Finance minister: Expenses for needs of parliament staff, Armenia President will increase considerably in 2023 Zakharova on meeting of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs in Sochi Armenian President congratulates Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Azerbaijani special forces conduct exercises on border with Iran Armenia defense minister meets with head of EU monitoring mission Nikol Pashinyan: It is necessary to continue the work to reduce cash turnover Russia resumes its participation in grain deal UK shortage of F-35 fighter pilots Premier: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Intelligence Service will be established in Armenia in 2023 Shoigu: The NATO grouping near Russia's borders has grown 2.5 times since February New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad hopes to continue talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran Security Council chief receives head of EU monitoring capacity mission to Armenia Pashinyan: Armenia-Azerbaijan borders existence was recorded both in Sochi and Prague Second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan to take part in rally on November 5 Canada to welcome 500,000 immigrants a year by 2025 Armenia PM: Communication difficulties, challenges in relations with Turkey have been overcome Pashinyan: Armenian side suggests extending mandate of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh MFA: Armenia has no misunderstandings with Iran Russia position on Karabakh status corresponds to Armenia government approach, PM says Pashinyan: Armenia attaches great importance to further development, deepening of relations with Brazil Premier: Armenia defense spending will increase by 113% in 2023 compared to 2018 Deputy PM Grigoryan to attend Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation, security commissions 3rd meeting Pashinyan: Armenia has set new record for registered jobs Israir Airlines launches flights between Tel Aviv, Yerevan Armenia envoy briefs UK House of Commons defense committee chair on impact of recent Azerbaijan attack PM: Armenia's economy is booming today Seoul, Pyongyang launch missiles Newspaper: Armenia ruling political team is in favor of western version of peace treaty with Azerbaijan State Department: US will contribute to Armenia-Azerbaijan talks Turkey parliament approves extending mandate of countrys military in occupied Aghdam of Karabakh Sweden to reach NATO's defense spending goal of 2% of GDP by 2026 Lebanon raises electricity price for first time since 1990s Lavrov and Cavusoglu discuss situation over 'grain deal' Turkey not satisfied with Sweden's promises Azerbaijan claims to have 'exposed' Azerbaijanis who acted 'under control of Iranian secret service' Taliban sets up female Interior Ministry unit in Afghanistan to disperse protests U.S. concerned about Iran's 'threats' against Saudi Arabia Lebanon is facing a power vacuum, left without a president Gas exports from Iran to Armenia to double In first 9 months about $1.7 billion is transferred to Armenia Baerbock and Scholz disagree on China Delegations of Ukraine, Turkey and UN temporarily suspend movement of ships in framework of Black Sea grain deal Qatar Energy Minister calls EU proposal to limit gas prices hypocritical Jamshidi: Any capturing of further territories is occupation Putin: Kiev must give real guarantees of strict compliance with the Istanbul agreements Putin and Erdogan discuss results of meeting of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Sochi Blinken goes to Germany to meet with G-7 colleagues Iranist: Cooperation between Yerevan and Tehran will prevent further Turkish activism U.S. military conducts field weapons inspections in Ukraine Defense Ministers of Russia and Turkey once again discuss suspension of 'grain deal' Armenian President and ICRC representatives discuss Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan Aliyev's aide visits Nakhchivan Berlin urges Serbia to choose between EU and Russia Armenian Deputy Prime Minister and USAID representatives discuss bilateral cooperation Erdogan: Turkey continues to make necessary initiatives on grain deal Macron promises Ukraine to survive winter and strengthen air defense The Collins British Dictionary chooses main word of 2022 Medvedev: Western countries are pushing the world into a global war Deputy Minister: 50,5 bln AMD will be allocated to North-South transport corridor construction in 2023 Georgia begins preparations for multinational exercise Agile Spirit 2023 By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Nov 29 (PTI) Seeking to end the year-long political crisis over the new statute, Nepal government today tabled the Constitution amendment bill in Parliament to address the grievances of the agitating Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups. After the Council of Ministers passed its draft, the Constitution amendment bill was registered at the Parliament Secretariat, according to Parliament sources. advertisement The Cabinet meeting was held at the Prime Ministers official residence in Baluwatar in the afternoon. Re-demarcation of the provincial boundary and citizenship issue are the two major demands put forth by the agitating Madhesi parties. The minority, mostly of Indian-origin, has led months- long violent protest seeking better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the Constitution that divides their ancestral homeland. The bill tabled today proposes to amend provisions related to redrawing provincial boundaries, recognition of various languages, citizenship and representation in the National Assembly. The bill brought as per the Article 296 of Nepals Constitution would mature after five days of registration, said an official at the Parliament Secretariat. PTI SBP NSA --- ENDS --- YEREVAN. Vice President of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov, on Tuesday met with members of the Syrian Peoples Council (parliament), Omar Al-Arabi and Alan Bakeri. Charge daffaires of Syria to Armenia, Issam Nayal, also attended the talk, the NA press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Sharmazanov welcomed the Syrian lawmakers visit to Armenia, and said Armenian-Syrian friendship dates back centuries, and this was further strengthened owing to Syrias sheltering and giving a second homeland to the Armenian refugees who had survived Armenian Genocide. Eduard Sharmazanov highlighted the cooperation between the two countries, and in this context, paid special attention to the strengthening of parliamentary ties. He expressed gratitude to Syrias parliament for the steps aimed at discussing the Armenian Genocide issue in the year past. The denial of genocides is full of the risk of recurrence of the crime, Sharmazanov said. Turkish denial and impunity gave birth to new terrorists, like the Islamic State. The Syrian Crisis was also discussed at the meeting. Sharmazanov wished endurance to the people of Syria, and expressed the hope that soon peace and law will be established in this country. He also underscored the stance of Armenia regarding fight against terrorism, and assured that Armenian lawmakers are ready to raise their voices in various international platforms, for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian issue. The Syrian MPs, for their part, thanked Eduard Sharmazanov for the warm reception, and passed on the gratitude of the Syrian leadership and people to the Armenian people, for supporting and assisting them during difficult times. The Syrian lawmakers also highlighted the deepening of parliamentary ties, and said discussions are underway in the respective committees of the Syrian parliament, regarding the recognition of Armenian Genocide. In addition, they invited the deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament to pay an official visit to Syria. YEREVAN. The funds provided by international donor organizations shall be spent for the intended purpose, so as to properly organize the upcoming parliamentary election in Armenia. Vice President of the National Assembly (NA), Eduard Sharmazanov, on Tuesday told the abovementioned to reporters in Parliament. We positively assess our international partners disposition that the forthcoming elections in Armenia will be in line with democratic standards, noted Sharmazanov. Also, he singled out three steps that are needed to conduct elections in Armenia that meet democratic standards. In his words, the first condition is the Armenian authorities respective political will, which, as per the NA deputy speaker, exists. The second step is the political forces consolidation, which, in his view, also is present. [And] the third step is the availability of financial means, added Eduard Sharmazanov. And, it seems this matter is also being resolved thanks to the assistance by our international partners. YEREVAN. The opposition in Armenia has no chance of winning; artificial unions are ignorance. National Assembly Vice President Eduard Sharmazanov, who is also press secretary of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), on Tuesday told the aforesaid to reporters in Parliament. When asked whether the countrys opposition has a chance to win the forthcoming parliamentary election, Sharmazanov also responded: Frankly, no. Take a look at who the opposition is. What does it mean to have a chance? (). If all of them unite with one another, I will only be happy; but thats impossible. The RPA spokesperson substantiated his view as follows Because the key issue in the 2017 parliamentary elections shall be the foreign policy of Armenia. But these [opposition] political parties need to clarify their [respective] position. (). Even if they unite, it will be a brief pre-election combination that will have the fate of the previous similar combinations. YEREVAN. Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency, will provide a $20 million loan to Ameriabank. The signing ceremony was attended by France's Ambassador to Armenia Jean-Francois Charpentier who welcomed the work of both the French Development Agency and its subsidiary Proparco in Armenia. Since 1976 Propaco has been supporting economic development in the country, especially to small and medium sized enterprises, Ambassador said. The first loan agreement was signed back in 2013 when Prpoaco provided $15 million loan to Ameriabank. Four Armenian companies have already used the opportunities of that loan, Ambassador added. Proparco Director for Financial Institutions Guillaume Barbrus, in turn, said Ameriabank remains a reliable partner even taking into account the economic difficulties Armenia was faced with during the last two years. The bank is number one in Armenias financial sector according to its indicators. With the new agreement, we intend to strengthen our achievements, he said. Director General Ameriabank Artak Hanesyan noted that the attracted funds will be used for dollar loans, but the bank also has other programs for available monetary resources. In this context, a new agreement will be announced in the coming month, with one of the international financial organizations, which agreed to provide loan in Armenian currency. Despite everything, there are excess funds in AMD. This allows us to provide medium and long-term local currency loans, Hanesyan added. Ameriabanks loan portfolio makes 410 billion drams, and has grown by 19.7% as compared with the same period last year. YEREVAN. Armenian Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan introduced to President Serzh Sargsyan the report on development of Armenian culture in the country and beyond its borders. According to the press service of the president, during the meeting they discussed issues of implementation of the offers, the best representation of Armenia in the international platforms. The Minister mentioned cultural figures request for a meeting with the president. The Armenian leader agreed to meet and talk to cultural figures, noting that he feels the need for such a meeting. Armen Amiryan suggested to create pan-Armenian symphony orchestra which will include Armenian talented compatriots from around the world. The first concert can be held on April 24, 2017 in Yerevan after which the orchestra will perform in a number of cities having large Armenian communities. President Sargsyan welcomed the idea emphasizing that it almost completely corresponded to his idea of the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. If you thought Dear Zindagi was about Kaira and her relationships with her boyfriends and therapist, you may have missed these. By Samrudhi Ghosh: From the snippets of Dear Zindagi that we had seen before its release, it seemed that the film was all about Alia Bhatt and her dysfunctional relationships. With the teasers having titles like "Love. Break up. Repeat," it was only natural to come to this conclusion. ALSO READ: Dear Zindagi is where Shah Rukh Khan happens. But life ain't that dear advertisement REVIEW: Dear Zindagi Watching the film, one realises that romantic relationships are only a small part of the narrative. The focus is not on Kaira (Alia's character) falling in love and getting her heart broken, or even on her relationship with her therapist Jahangir Khan, essayed by Shah Rukh Khan. When Dear Zindagi is viewed through this limited lens, the crux of her journey to being able to live life to the fullest is lost. Here are five things you may have missed out on in the film: 1. Romantic love is not the be-all and end-all of love Yes, Kaira is unable to sleep because one of her former lovers has got engaged to someone else. And that lands her at the doorstep of a therapist, taking the story forward. But even as smooth-talking Jug puts her at ease about her multiple relationships with the chair metaphor (the number of chairs you have to try before you can settle on one that's comfortable also applies to romantic relationships, Jug says), he reminds her to reconnect with her family and friends. Kaira herself admits that best friends Jackie and Fatty are her go-to people; she feels safe with them in a way that she cannot with her boyfriends. 2. Being well-to-do in a big city doesn't always guarantee an easy life Kaira is a young, successful and independent woman. She has made it by herself in the city of dreams, Mumbai. She is living in a plush apartment, keeps travelling for work and has great friends. However, everything does not stay so rosy. Kaira is kicked out of her apartment by her landlord without notice for being "unmarried." A frustrated Kaira protests at the unfairness of it all - she had been a model tenant, paying her rent on time and keeping the apartment clean. Director Gauri Shinde points out a very real problem - society isn't always kind to single girls living alone. 3. Coming out to friends and family isn't the only worry of homosexuals It is often believed that the biggest problem homosexuals have is coming out of the closet to their near and dear ones, but Dear Zindagi shows that there is much more to it. Of course, society can be judgmental, as we see with Kaira's uncle and aunt who are uncomfortable with the very idea that their niece might be a lesbian. "Are you a Lebanese?" her uncle hesitatingly asks her. But coming to terms with your own sexual identity is an equally formidable problem. In between shots, when Kaira asks her gay friend if he takes therapy sessions so he can reveal his sexual orientation to everyone, he replies, "Nahi, taaki main khud ko bata sakoon." advertisement 4. Therapy is not just for those who hit rock-bottom In the beginning of the film, Kaira is heartbroken. It is her own doing to some extent - she pushed the guy away and he did not wait around for her. When she decides to go to therapy, it is not because of she has reached the depths of despair. She is simply having trouble sleeping. At no point is Kaira termed as depressed - she is a normal overthinker, like most of us are and we never feel the need to label her condition. Dear Zindagi shows us that it's okay to seek help even before things spiral completely out of control. 5. Sexism exists in every sphere of life Kaira is a woman in the male-dominated field of cinematography. The opening shot establishes that she is talented, but her abilities are constantly doubted because of her "hot" looks. Such is the dominant sexism that when Kunal Kapoor's character tells Kaira of an opportunity in New York, she is skeptical that her talent landed her the project. This is a recurring theme in Dear Zindagi, with the film ending with Kunal Kapoor shutting up Kaira's family who attributes her success to him. --- ENDS --- advertisement On November 23-24, in Geneva, the UN Committee against Torture at the 59th session discussed Armenias 4th Report on implementation of the UN Convention against degrading treatment or punishment, MFA press office informed NEWS.am. The Armenian delegation headed the Deputy Minister of Justice Artak Asatryan. The delegation involved ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, representative of the Police, Special Investigation Service, as well as representatives of the Armenian Permanent Mission to UN. The monitoring of the report took place in an open and constructive atmosphere of dialogue with the Committee members, during which they discussed implementation of the rights enshrined in the Convention. The Committee positively assessed the fact of submitting the 4th reports earlier than required. Answering to the questions of Committee members, the Armenian delegation introduced positive developments in the last four years in that area, as well as current programs and steps taken to align the sector with international commitments. In particular, the delegation pinpointed to the legislative package adopted in June 2015, as a result of which the Criminal Code was aligned with definition of the Conventions first article, as well as detailed discussions were provided on criminal cases. The Committee members also informed about Azerbaijans violation of international humanitarian law on April due to unleased large-scale military actions, torture, and killings of civilians. The DTC officials were categorically directed to not accept the old currency notes from November 9 onwards, but latest statistics show that the collection by DTC depots from November 9 - November 20 amounted to Rs 8,14,85,500. By Pankaj Jain: A shocking revelation by sources in the Delhi government shows that the DTC officials accepted over Rs 8 crore old Rs 500 and 1000 notes after the demonetisation scheme was announced on November 8. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the old Rs 500 and 1000 notes would not be accepted from November 8 midnight, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) continued to not just accept the old currency but even exchanged them. advertisement The DTC officials were categorically directed to not accept the old currency notes from November 9 onwards. But latest statistics show that the collection by DTC depots from November 9 - November 20 amounted to Rs 8,14,85,500. India Today got access to the total collections by the DTC between the above time period. The collection by DTC all across the Delhi. ALSO READ | DTC officials change old notes with smaller denominations, face probe HOW THE ISSUE CAME TO LIGHT On November 19, many people filed their complaints against DTC alleging that the conductors had been accepting old notes, and even exchanging them. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation immediately ordered an inquiry into the matter. On November 22, minister Satyendra Jain wrote to the SDMC asking for the investigation to be completed as early as possible. The Delhi government, which ordered an initial enquiry into the allegations agianst DTC, found that the accusations were indeed true- the DTC officials, and conductors had been accepting and exchanging old Rs 500 and 100 notes at various depots. The initial revelations show that the old currency was being accepted at various depots until recently. ALSO READ | Demonetisation: Rs 1000 notes can't be used now, Rs 500 will live on till Dec 15 --- ENDS --- YEREVAN. - The Council session of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP)which is slated for December 3will be held in the framework of the petition to partys former leader Gagik Tsarukyan to return to politics. The content and further actions of the party congress, which is to be held in February, depends on the result of the aforementioned session. Tsarukyans answer to the petition of the party members will ascertain the key message of the congress. Talking to Armenian News NEWS.am, PAP faction MP Lyova Khachatryan didnt refute the news concerning the expected discussion on Tsarukyans return. I dont think the issue has to do with the petition. The council will present its positions on this and probably turn to Mr Tsarukyan asking him to return, the MP said, adding that everything depends solely on Tsarukyans will. I dont think there might be other issues: institutions which the council session will be convened for, have such a wish. As to what Tsarukyans answer will be, lets wait and see. To the question as to whether without Tsarukyan they have enough resources to rank the second in 2017 parliamentary elections, Khachatryan said: The elections in Gyurmi showed what resources we have. Of course, that wouldnt be what we had during Tsarukyans time. According to the MP, together with Tsarukyan they will be able to reach better positions. Pro-IS Telegram Channel Details IS Activity in Philippines, Asserts Fighters Will Expand into SE Asia Masonry Contractor Fined $345K for Exposing Workers to Scaffolding Hazards The company, a severe violator, has been cited 41 times since 2011 J.C. Stucco and Stone, a Lansdowne, Pa., masonry contractor, has been fined $344,960 after a March 2016 for violations related to two 2014 inspections. The company was seeking a hearing by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Comission, and the two parties entered into a partial settlement prior to the hearing. The company has agreed to accept the willful and repeat citations as issued. J.C. Stucco has a long history of leaving workers unprotected from incidents that can cause injuries and possible death and result from falls and unsafe scaffolding, said Theresa Downs, OSHA area director in Philadelphia. Workers should not have to risk their lives for the sake of a paycheck. The company was placed in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program in 2011 for instances of repeated, high-gravity violations. Mastercard cardholders can help fight cancer this holiday season Purchase, NY (November 28, 2016) With the holiday season beginning, there is no better time to support and encourage the act of giving. Knowing how passionate people are about causesespecially the fight against cancerMastercard is partnering on two different opportunities for its cardholders to help raise life-saving funds for Stand Up To Cancers innovative cancer research. See a Movie, Make a Difference When the family has had enough of holiday shopping, take some time out for a movie and help make a difference at the same time. Beginning November 25, 2016, when moviegoers use their U.S. Mastercard in Masterpass to purchase movie tickets on Fandango or in the Fandango app through December 31, 2016, Mastercard will donate $10 for each transaction to Stand Up To Cancer, up to a total of $500,000. Masterpass is a digital payment service from Mastercard that enables consumers to look no further than their own trusted bank to make fast, simple and secure digital payments across devices and channels anywhere they want to shop: online, in-app, and in-store using contactless technology. Masterpass helps you skip the movie lines and make the process of buying a ticket on Fandango easier than ever, and leverages the most advanced methods of payment security available today. Give Even More this Giving Tuesday Mastercard encourages cardholders to take a moment after the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday to celebrate Giving Tuesday, the international day of giving, by making a donation to Stand Up To Cancer. Starting November 29, 2016, Mastercard will donate $2 for every $1 our cardholders donate using a U.S. Mastercard through SU2C.org through December 31, 2016, up to a maximum of $200,000. This holiday season, were encouraging our cardholders to donate to an organization weve been proud to collaborate with over the past seven yearsStand Up To Cancer, said Maripi Jalandoni, executive vice president, U.S. marketing, Mastercard. It is a Priceless Cause we know many people hold close to their hearts, and together, we can do more good and raise more critical dollars to support life-saving cancer research. We are so grateful to Mastercard for their ceaseless commitment to Stand Up To Cancer. It is because of the incredible support we receive from Mastercard and their consumers that Stand Up To Cancer is able to carry out the accelerated cancer research programs that are helping to save more lives, said Stand Up To Cancer co-founder Rusty Robertson. During this years season of giving, everyone can help, through the simple acts of seeing a movie with loved ones, or making a donation. The donations driven by Mastercard and its generous cardholders have helped provide support for translational cancer research conducted in the Stand Up To Cancer model. For more information about the companys support for SU2C, visit http://www.standup2cancer.org/supporters/visionaries [2] . Pocket App From ShopKeep Now Available On Android NEW YORK November 29, 2016 ShopKeep, the cloud-based technology solution that transforms an iPad into a connected cash register and is used by more than 23,000 small businesses, today announced the launch of its Pocket App for Android. Pocket is a smartphone app enabling independent business owners the ability to monitor performance of their business in real-time, without being tethered to any physical store location. Now on both mobile iOS and Android systems, the Pocket App is available exclusively to ShopKeeps customer base, which commands more than $3.5 billion dollars in annual transactions. Through our cloud-based system, merchants have always been able to conveniently keep an eye on key business functions and see real-time sales data from any location with an internet connection. Pocket extends that convenience for our customers, allowing them to access real time performance data right from their smartphones, said Michael DeSimone, Chief Executive Officer, ShopKeep. We are pleased to now extend this aspect of the user experience through Android, in addition to iOS, as ShopKeep continues to expand our product capabilities and provide independent business owners with an increasingly intuitive, easy-to-use POS solution that transforms how they run their businesses. Using the Pocket App, merchants with Android smartphones can check business performance data in real time, at any time all without having to log into the full back-office system. The mobility and convenience afforded by the app allows merchants to remain in sync with how their operations are doing from anywhere in the world, which is especially critical for busy merchants who cant always be physically onsite as they work to grow their enterprise. Running an independent business, you can often find yourself needing to be in multiple places at once, which is why I find the remote visibility Pocket allows extremely valuable, said David Crane, Owner of Williamsburg, Mo.-based Cranes Country Store. For me, the app is not only an extension of the value ShopKeep provides, but also indicative of how the company approaches innovation always keeping the needs of small business owners like myself in mind. About ShopKeep Everything ShopKeep does supports growing and independent businesses. Built by and for small business owners, ShopKeep provides an intuitive, secure, iPad point-of-sale system with POS software that empowers merchants to run smarter businesses by optimizing staffing, regulating inventory and accessing sales reports and customer information on one seamless, cloud-based platform. With more than 23,000 customers, ShopKeeps award-winning customer care team is available to help 24/7 and provide a robust support network for growing business owners. Ranked one of the fastest growing North American tech companies by Deloitte and a member of Apples Mobile Partnership Program, ShopKeep is headquartered in New York, with offices in Portland, Chicago, and Belfast. Follow @ShopKeep on Twitter, join the discussion on the ShopKeep blog or visit www.shopkeep.com to learn more about ShopKeeps POS system. Other Point of sale articles: Point of Sale Software Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a POS System Today, independent retailers have access to point of sale systems with features comparable to large competitors. The costs of these systems are often hundreds of times less than the investment made by the large retail chains. If a retailer avoids the ten most common mistakes when selecting a point of sale system, they can avoid duplicating their efforts and control these costs. Avoiding these ten mistakes will help insure that the right system is selected the first time. 1. Not Understanding Your Needs If a retailer isnt automated or is operating an out-of-date point of sale system, they may have developed inefficient procedures. Every process in the business (e.g. purchasing, receiving, transfers, etc.) should be noted and worked through in the point of sale software during the demonstration phase. The provider of the software can then demonstrate the automation of each process within the proposed solution. The provider should also have extensive industry knowledge and be able to make recommendations on how related retailers have automated similar processes. 2. Not Obtaining Product References Do not move forward with a purchase until you have obtained a minimum of three references and contacted those references. Requesting local references also gives you the ability to visit the retail store and see the point of sale product in action. When talking with references also make sure that they are using the version of the software you are evaluating. Ask them if they like the product, how the implementation went, and how they rate the on-going support. These references can also be used to create your own support group if you move forward with the purchase. 3. Neglecting Due Diligence What do you know about the company providing your new POS system? There are many companies that will sell you a system but very few that are exclusively in the point of sale business. Companies that are in the business have been dedicated to the market for decades and have vast amounts of knowledge and expertise. Once you make a decision on a system purchase, you are married to the company providing you with the system. Do your due diligence homework and find out the following: How long has the company been in business? You want to insure that the company will be around as long as you have their POS system. Most businesses fail within the first five years. How large is the company measured by employee count and revenue? A financially strong company will have sufficient revenue and resources to support you for the life of the POS system. Larger companies with more employees often offer superior support services, training, installation, and faster feature development. How strong is the company and is it publicly traded? Public companies offer the safety of full disclosure and access to the capital markets. Audited financial statements will provide you with information regarding the companys strength. Records for public companies can be obtained through any financial website such as Yahoo Finance, eTrade, Fidelity and so on. Software development and support is labor and capital intensive. By choosing a strong company, you are insuring that the software you choose will be updated with new features for many years. 4. Insufficient Training Maybe it is human nature, but all retailers try to save money in this area. But, just like a college degree, you will earn many times more than the training costs with better use of the system. Many retailers have purchased great point of sale systems only to use them as glorified cash registers because of a lack of training. Your training plan should resemble the following: Pre-installation 1 day of classroom training as an overview of the system Installation 1-5 days depending upon the size of the store and number of employees. This training normally takes place at the store location. Point of sale training for employees normally only requires an hour or two. Back office management functions such as purchasing, receiving, barcodes, inventory management, reporting, ecommerce, etc. will take up the remaining time. Make sure you dont overwhelm yourself at this point with too much information. Learn what you need to run your business day to day. More training should be available in the future. 1 Month Post-Installation The retailer has had some time with the POS system and will need to generate month end reports. This is also a good time to train on questions that have come up since the initial training. Post-Installation training is often accomplished through a phone call and remote access to the retailers system. 3-6 Month Post-Installation The retailer knows their way around the POS software, has established procedures, and the retail store is fully automated. At this time the retailer may want to learn the advanced features of the software to give them a strategic advantage. This could include advanced reporting, open-to-buy planning, eCommerce integration, customer marketing and so on. 5. Buying on Price We are bombarded everyday with offers for low priced hardware and POS software. Advertisements from major computer manufacturers display unbelievable prices. Resist the temptation of trying to save yourself a few dollars with cheap hardware. It will end up costing you more when it doesnt work. The low priced computers and printers advertised are cheap for a reason. They are consumer level products that arent manufactured to take the daily twelve hour beating most retail environments will impose on them. You can verify this by checking the duty cycles on consumer level hardware versus business class machines. Low priced hardware is difficult for anyone to support because the internal components of the computer changes on a frequent basis. What is inside a cheap computer is based upon the lowest bidder at the time of bid. As an example, you may order a model M30 computer today and your point of sale software and peripherals run fine on it. You then order ten of the model M30 and find that the software only runs on some of them. The others have different components inside that conflict with the software. Youve just saved yourself a few dollars on hardware but now get to pay an unlimited hourly rate for the point-of-sale company to figure out the problem. Point-of-sale companies know what they know, but they dont know what they dont know. With cheap hardware, they can never possibly know so you will only cost yourself more money in the long run by not following their recommendation. 6. Purchasing One Size Fits All System There is not a single point-of-sale system that is a perfect fit for every type of retailer. The retail industry has several different vertical markets that all have unique needs. As an example, pharmacies require a pos system that integrates with their prescription dispensing software and support IRS IIAS legislation for FSA (flexible spending account) credit cards. A bike shop requires serial number tracking and work order management for mechanics. A clothing store needs size and color matrixes to support the large number of SKUs for a single pair of jeans. The list goes on and on. Find a point-of-sale system specific to your market. The unique features they offer will automate the distinct needs of your market. The industry specific automation will provide you with a better ROI (return on investment) compared with choosing generic point-of-sale software. 7. Customizing For Planned Obsolescence Point-of-sale systems for independent retailers have been around for almost three decades now. The feature lists are extensive because millions of retailers have helped software developers create features specific to the industry. 95% or more of the features you will require will be offered in a single package. If not, avoid the temptation to customize the software. Customizing any software freezes you into the version you purchase and precludes you from moving forward with future releases. There are still many stores today that operate DOS based point-of-sale systems because of this oversight. Dont be one of them. 8. Following the Garbage In, Garbage Out Cliche A great point-of-sale system can be turned into a mediocre system if data input and standards arent maintained. Todays software has the capability to turn raw data into meaningful information. The best example of this is the department/class/subclass structure. Every retail store has departments, larger ones also have related classes, and even larger ones have related subclasses. Categorizing your inventory this way allows you to quickly spot sales and inventory trends on the reports produced by the system. Use the 10/10 rule. You should have no more than 10 departments and each of those departments should have no more than 10 classes. If you think about it, even the largest department stores merchandise within the rule. 9. Neglecting Disaster Recovery The most neglected rule of all. But when it happens, people tend to become diligent about it. With the technology today, there is no reason to ignore this any longer. Backing up a system no longer requires slow tape drives, archaic software, and confusing rotation procedures. Today, backups can be performed with the use of portable hard drives or internet based online backup services. Most retailers think of disaster recovery only in the case of a computer crash. But over the years Ive seen retailers rely on them for fires, floods, and computer theft. As long as you have a good backup and insurance policy, a disaster does not have to be catastrophic. 10. Choosing the Wrong Partner The point of sale space has always been very competitive but only a few key players have sustained in the marketplace. Every year many companies enter the market and leave just as quickly. Retailers are then stuck without support and eventually have to choose a new system from a reputable company. To guard yourself against this, make sure to partner with a strong company dedicated to the retail industry. You can accomplish this by asking a few of the following questions: Is point-of-sale the companys primary business? When software companies choose to expand their target market, they will often times view the retail space very favorably due to the large number of retailers. Many times they underestimate the complexity of the market and the vertical requirements of each retail segment. This will cause them to enter the market with an offering and leave once they suffer unsustainable losses. Accounting software companies have been notorious for this behavior throughout the years. To protect yourself, make sure the focus of the company is primarily point-of-sale systems. Is the provider THE company or just a reseller of a product? Several of the prominent point-of-sale companies use a direct sales channel. Smaller point-of-sale companies use a reseller or distributor model to sell their systems. The difference is staggering. The direct channel establishes a relationship between the retailer and the software vendor. Better support, quality, and expertise are the result. Resellers of a product cannot begin to match support or quality a direct relationship provides. It is far too common for retailers to be left without support once a reseller moves on to other products. What type on on-going support do they provide? Support departments for POS systems are very different than consumer software products. Point of sale applications are mission critical. If a POS system is down, it literally costs the retailer money. Insist that the point-of-sale provider you select offers a real time support model. Real time support insures that a technician will pick up the phone and assist you when you call. Older support models implement a call back method that requires you to leave a message of the problem and a technician calls you back at an undetermined length of time. The difference between the two support models can literally cost a retailer thousands of dollars in lost sales. Do they offer onsite technical assistance? Your job is retail, not technology. You should be able to rely upon your point-of-sale provider to supply you with onsite technicians. These technicians can install a new system correctly and troubleshoot any technical problems you may experience. Do they offer training classes? Training, training, training, we all know we get better with more of it. You can insure you get the most out of your investment with on-going training. The provider you select should offer classes to help you gain efficiencies as your expertise on the point-of-sale system grows. Do they have user groups and regular meetings? User group meetings are one of the best places to learn new ideas, see the newest features in the software, and network with your peers. Many times a peer will have a solution or offer a new way to accomplish a task using the software. An independent retailer can insure their success by avoiding these ten common mistakes. Although this article is written with a point-of-sale purchase in mind, the same checklist can be applied to many other business purchases. Often times, the strength and ethics of the company providing the product is just as important as the product itself. Measured by dollars, the technology investment made by an independent retailer is considerably less than their larger counterparts. But if you measure the investment against annual revenues (i.e. percent of revenue), the comparison becomes similar. Once understood, independent retailers should approach their technology investment like the large retail chains. Unlike other purchases a retailer will make, the technology decision is one the retailer will live with for many years. The amount of time required to implement a system and become productive in its use will be the largest costs associated with any system. Economists refer to these types of costs as sunk costs. Sunk costs are those costs that are incurred and cannot be recovered to any significant degree. Independent retailers have traditionally been technology laggards. This slow adoption of new technology has provided hidden benefits though. Economies of scale are achieved at larger retail stores and the new technologies become available to independent retailers at much lower costs. By CAM Commerce CAM Commerce is a leading provider of point of sale, ecommerce, and omni-channel solutions. Please visit http://www.camcommerce.com/ for more information. Interesting links: Point of sale success stories how others have done it. How do I use a barcode reader? How does a barcode work? Make your own barcode How to get a barcode number For information on barcodes and how they can be used in point of sale, click on this link {jcomments on} Editor's note: TaShawn, a wife to Bolaino Akwenuke (a warlord/close associate of Tompolo) visited Warri, Delta state, last December with intentions to do mission work in villages affected by the spills. TaShawn spent four months there and was unable to do anything due to high crime in the areas. Recently, she speaks with Bolaino Akwenuke on the current situation in the oil-rich region, which has been constantly suffering from the attacks of the militants. Mr Akwenuke denied that former Niger Delta warlord Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, is supporting the activities of the militants. Instead, he claimed that the sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers is Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Akwenuke also speaks about the role of Pastor Ayo in the Dasukigate and government of Muhammadu Buhari. Nigerian army vs militants In life, you never know who you will meet. I say this while reflecting upon my decision to visit Nigeria last December 2015. I would have never imagined I would stumble into a man who is part of a situation that can impact so many lives in a negative or positive way depending on how this story plays out. When I arrived at the airport In Lagos last year I was escorted by the kindest man I had ever met. My travel itinerary contained plans of travel to Warri and then to visit rivers area of Delta state to help victims affected by the oil spills. We made it Warri but we never reached the rivers area due to high crime, military action and oil pipeline and facility bombings. At the time the incidents were being blamed on Tompolo; I know this because while there I became interested in Nigerian news and we would read the local papers daily. What I did not know is the extent of involvement my host played in the situation. Nor did I know that his involvement would lead to my own. READ ALSO: Military reportedly kills many militants in a major confrontation Fast forwarding to today and here we are: bombings still occurring in the Delta region, Tompolo still being framed, and me assisting Akwenuke Bolaino Marho, the nice man who met me at the airport in Lagos December 2015, to tell his story of involvement; not only how he is involved but also to disclose the real culprit behind the Shell and Chevron Texaco oil facility bombings. In one of the most recent conversations that I and Bolaino have had he mentioned that tribal tension had been on the rise and if things continued than his tribe the Urhobo and the Ijaw tribe, for which Tompolo belongs to may fight each other. As I asked him why the conversation proceeded and this is what ensued: TaShawn: So why will your tribe (Urhobo) fight the Ijaws? Bolaino: They are trying to frame me up, I will not fold my hands and allow people kill Americans and blame it on my organization. The only thing that will solve all this is if that pastor is arrested. Ijaw and Urhobo people are killing each other more each day in the villages, and the man who is responsible for this is going out to party. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, immediate past CAN president TaShawn: Who is this man you speak of? Bolaino: The man is the devil incarnate himself. He succeeded in making the Itsekiri and Ijaw fight endlessly in Delta state many years ago. He succeeded then and he is succeeding again. This time around the death rate from a tribal war between Urhobo and Ijaw going the way it is already will be devastating. My parents' house will be burnt to ashes and all houses in the area. As it is now, there is already a refugee crises as Ijaw people are moving out of my area in Udu which is an Urhobo community. Some are being harassed and assaulted, and Tompolo has told me that if all this should continue we will fight each other. TaShawn Do you want to fight Tompolo ? Bolaino: No I do not want to fight, I want peace. TaShawn: Have you told anyone else about this? Bolaino: I have been telling everyone for the past few weeks how they want to give me a name that is not my own. From the FBI, CIA, to the State Department. My country, my Senator, my ministers, etc. but they are acting like imbecilas, as if they don't know A from B. They are forcing my hands. I have called the Nigerian Army. DSS. All of them. I have called the minsters I know. They pick the call and pretend to listen, and tell me they will do something about it but all the while, things are escalating. TaShawn: How has the situation escalated and you never mentioned the Pastors name? Bolaino: His name is Ayo Oristsejafor. He is now moving his guns and weapons from his church to Urhobo communities to fuel tribal war. They plan on blowing up a Chevron facility and putting the blame on me and my movement (MFPND). That is why I had to go to the creeks this period to plan for this. I have written about this man, there are a lot of things he has done if there is a Satan that is who he is. TaShawn: So why are you telling me and how do you expect these agencies to help? Bolaino: I want you to expose this man. It is the only way to end this situation. There is evidence to put him in prison, but Nigerian people are scared of him, because he is a pastor. If you can help to expose him everything will be over.. the militancy in the region, etc. TaShawn: What kind of evidence do you have and are you sure it will stick to him? Bolaino: I can tell you everything if you agree to help and are willing to listen. You will need to write all of this down. TaShawn: Alright I will do what I can to help and am ready to listen... Bolaino: Ok, firstly, Pastor Ayo is the chief sponsor of the militant group the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). TaShawn Are you are saying that Tompolo is not the one giving the NDA orders? Bolaino: That is exactly what am saying. He (Pastor Ayo) sponsors them by giving weapons and ammunition. He gives them targets to bomb in the Niger Delta. TaShawn: Now Bolaino how can you allege that a Pastor is the sponsor of such a deadly group. What proof do you have of this allegation? Bolaino: Yes we have very strong proof of his involvement in the bombings of the Niger Delta. But we will only show the evidence to incorruptible government lawyers and we are ready to stand in a competent court of law to defend our allegations. I assure you we have corroborative evidence against this man and the media can attest to its truthfulness. I want to discuss this evidence with men and women of the press. READ ALSO: Niger Delta militants explain why they attack oil facilities TaShawn: Ok, what exact evidence do you have on the Pastor? Bolaino: First and foremost the pastor uses his private aeroplane to ferry drugs and guns from America and other parts of Europe to Nigeria. He has been caught once by the Authorities, but the corrupt government of the former president of Nigeria swept it under the rug. TaShawn: Why did the former president not apprehend the Pastor at that time he was caught? Bolaino: The plane was purchased with money from the Government scams involving the Nigerian Army. At the time the pastor was helping with corrupt Government officials in Nigeria to launder money with his bank Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank . They were stealing money meant for fighting insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. At the time Colonel Sambo Dasuki was in charge of ripping the army off from the inside, since he was in government at the time. TaShawn: Please explain more in depth how these men, Dasuki and Ayo operated inside the scandal? Bolaino: They were supposed to buy aeroplanes, weapons, and ammunition for the Nigerian Army fighting Boko Haram, but these monies were never spent on the things that were needed to be purchased. TaShawn: Is this a factor of why Boko Haram is still at large in Northern/ Northeast Nigeria presently? Bolaino: Yes, as a result, Boko Haram invaded the Northeast and Nigerian army men were running away from the battle field because they were not well equipped enough and they became mutinous. TaShawn: Is that the only evidence you have? Bolaino: No, we have more, We have evidence that he was caught once more working with Hezbollah organisation in Nigeria. They were helping him to buy weapons in South Africa when his plane was caught with over 9 million dollars. When they questioned him as to what he intended to do with that large sum of money the response was that he wanted to buy arms and ammunition from a South African defence contraction company. After the claims were investigated they were found to be false. This lead us to believe that he was preparing for secession in Nigeria if the ruling party at the time lost. Prior to that time he and others at large had tried to assassinate Mr Muhamadu Buhari, in a twin car bomb attack in Kaduna. Fortunately, Buhari survived. TaShawn: Bolaino how did you come to learn all this information? Bolaino: The pastor told us in an informal gathering of warlords that period that they did it because they did not want Buhari to survive; they knew that if they allowed him to contest in the election they would loose and he would win. Afterwards, the pastor came up with the BuhariBokoHaramOp. See at the time he was the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) so he had a cult following and he still does to this day. TaShawn: What do you mean by he had a cult following and exactly how did the pastor use his following to further his agenda? Bolaino: I mean he had a mass following of pastors and their members that would do as he said with no questions asked. He started telling his pastors and their members in churches all over Nigeria that Buhari is a terrorist. That Buhari planned to Islamize Nigeria if he won. Former Niger Delta warlord Tompolo TaShawn: Since you say we a lot I am assuming there are witnesses other than yourself that can attest to this information you are sharing with me today? Bolaino: Yes, we have numerous witnesses to this scandal. Myself being one of course. But Pastor Ayo and his followers did this for long, even until this day that propaganda still thrives on, hence the current disposition of my fellow warlords to Buhari. As they still honestly believe that Buhari is the sponsor of the Boko Haram. They dont know any better otherwise. But as God would have it everything they did in trying to kill Buhari or spoil his image was in vein. At the time of the past election, it has to be mentioned that the pastor was campaigning for PDP which is the party of the former president. TaShawn: Ok, so to back track a little you mentioned you are a warlord, but that you currently want peace; are you saying that some warlords in Nigeria are fighting for peace? Bolaino: Yes, I am a warlord, and once again yes I and other warlords want peace to reign throughout Nigeria, as there is no reason to fight. The problem is corruption and greed. To add to my earlier information, we received word of Ayos involvement in the assassination attempt on Buhari in 2014 by a former Hezbollah operative we caught at sea after the act. He confessed to it before he died. That was when we started to connect the dots between him and the Hezbollah network in Delta state. After his candidate lost he sent a mole into the APC (opposing political party) in the person of Chief Ayiri Emami. TaShawn: Who is this Chief Ayiri, what is his background and why did Pastor Ayo choose him as a mole? Bolaino: Ayiri is known in Warri as a popular assassin and ritualist, so he was welcomed into the APC. Ayiri made sure to enter the APC two days after it was announced that his former party the PDP had lost the election. The APC being a party of Northern extraction did not fully understand the workings of the Niger Delta Politicians/ warlords. So it was from here on that the Niger Delta agitation was hijacked by Pastor Ayo and his cohorts. This is where everything started, this is where the story is today. TaShawn: And what of Tompolo and how are you so deeply involved and knowledgable of all this information that no one else will speak of ? Bolaino: Tompolo is a good man, a man that I owe immense gratitude to. He is the one that inspired me to join the Niger Delta struggle for resource control. He was always helping the poor and making them millionaires over night. It was strange because no one else in the region had ever done anything like it before. Although he was an outlaw when I first met him, he was given amnesty and I was not, so I began working with pastor Ayo and Ayiri. TaShawn: Ayiri, Ayo, Tompolo and You are Warlords? Any other names I should know of that pertain to this story? Bolaino: Ayiri is a warlord for all the Itsekiri people of Delta state. You have to also know that Pastor Ayo is also of the Itsekiri tribe, with the former Governors of the Delta state. Chief Ibori who was the first democratic governor of Delta state is half Urhobo and half Itsekiri. It was through his cousin Governor Uduaghan who is the immediate past governor of Delta state; he is also Itsekiri, and he is also the brains behind the whole NDA operation. He does the planning, strategizing etc. He is a brilliant man but he only uses his brilliance for evil. He is the evil genius behind all this and he is also the one who set Ibori up. Ibori is currently serving jail time in the UK. Ibori, his wife Nkoyo, and his sisters and lawyers are all serving time in the UK. They were all set up by the same people who are about to set me and Tompollo up. So I started working with Pastor Ayo. TaShawn: Why is Ibori in jail? Bolaino: There are newspaper articles to corroborate what I am saying. These things are public knowledge, well not all but some. They are deceiving the Deltans. Did you not hear of the Monseca law firm scandal? That indicted many prominent men and women of the world for tax evasion and financial crimes. Ibori is highly implicated in that scandal, as his name was released in the leaks. Google it. The British government intends on levelling new fresh charges against him. TaShawn: Alright, now please tell me what you want the media and press to do? Especially the American press... Bolaino: I have gone to British Media many times. They know all this but are afraid to do anything. Many people only hear my name but they do no know my face. I need to put a face to my name for the sake of peace to reign. I want you and others to take this issue very seriously, please. We want these things to be published everywhere in news in the US because what is happening now concerns them a lot. It is common knowledge that American and British companies like Shell and Texaco operate in Delta state. The Niger Delta Avengers have been blowing up Shell facilities, but they have not been blowing up much of Texaco facilities. TaShawn: Do you know why it's mostly the Shell facilities being bombed? Bolaino: Good question, yes I do. Shell operates in the Ijaw part of the Delta state, namely the Shell oil exporting tank at Forcados, In Ogulagha Kingdom. While Chevron Texaco is located in the Itsekiri part of Delta state. Texaco has an oil exporting tank farm at Ugboroda in Warri Southwest Escravos of Delta state. TaShawn: Are you going to get to how this all escalates into Tribal conflict and future war? Bolaino: Yes, that is where I am going to. You have to know that for many decades the Ijaws and Itsekiris have been fighting tribal war in the Delta state for long. The fight is usually on and off, and when they fight they burn down everywhere in Warri. The reason we moved to the area (my family and I) we are currently staying is because of the tribal fighting in that part of Warri we used to stay. They were always burning down houses and the house we were staying in Ogborikoko at the time was owned by an Ijaw man. READ ALSO: Niger Delta militants threaten to shock Nigeria So we were at risk of our house being burnt by the Itsekiris at any time. So after the former president lost the election and Ayiri switched into the APC just two days after his former party lost the election it was assumed that Ayiri had betrayed them at the federal government level of the PDP. TaShawn: So who are the Urhobo/ Isoko preparing to fight presently? Bolaino: Currently the Ijaws. Pastor Ayo is giving us all the weapons we need to fight. TaShawn: So why arent you happy about this, why tell me to expose the man who is helping you? Bolaino: He is a bad man. The reason I am angry is because he tried to kill me when I refused. If not that I am a strong man, a man of the spirits then I would be dead by now and my son would be fatherless for sure, but God Disgraced him. TaShawn: Why are they fighting? Bolaino: They are fighting because the pastor set us up to fight and gave the order. TaShawn: So in Nigeria, one must fight when a Pastor gives the order because he is a warlord who hands them out weapons ? Bolaino: Yes Jesus is God in Nigeria, anything church if you oppose it they will kill you. Do you know how many thousands of people pastors have killed in Delta State? You dont. They sent people to my house. My father and mother have relocated to other regions. Right now he is distributing Guns out to people under his boy Ayiri and others at large. He is the one (The pastor Ayo) who told the King of Aladja and Urhobo Community that God revealed to him that if he does not tell his fellow Urhobo Kings to drive out Ijaws from Urhobo land that the Ijaws will take over all of Urhobo land in the next year 2017 with the Biafrans. The Biafrans have vowed to tear Nigeria apart by January next year to fulfil Americas prediction of Nigeria breaking into pieces in 2017. TaShawn: Do you know why he (Pastor Ayo) is doing all this? Bolaino: He is doing all this to escape prison. Many of the people he shared federal government money with meant to fight Boko Haram, are currently in prison. They are mentioning his name in statements, and soon he will be indicted. So he is doing this in order to escape being arrested. This is what he told me before trying to kill me. He tried to kill me in his church, this is where we hold meetings and that is also where he stores the weapons for the NDA. Tompolo and I were preparing to submit all our weapons to the government, but our hands are being forced to fight one another; if this pastor is caught the bloodshed will cease. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng. Source: Legit.ng The gang robbed Rs 7.5 crore and the police tracked the robbers down, detained them initially but allowed them to leave after they agreed to pay Rs 2.3 crore in bribe. By India Today Web Desk: Two policemen, an inspector, and an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) have been accused of taking a bribe of Rs 2.3 crore from a gang of robbers to let them flee. The incident came to light during the investigation of another robbery case at Chhatarpur wherein the police team came across a youth who was a friend of the robbers. advertisement The gang robbed Rs 7.5 crore from a satta operator in 2013 but he did not register any FIR fearing a case of hoarding black money. When the two policemen got to know about the incident, they tracked the robbers down and detained them. Also read: Andhra Pradesh: Clerk arrested while accepting bribe at the newly built secretariat However, the policemen allowed the robbers to flee because they agreed to pay Rs 2.5 crore in bribe. The young man who guided the police team also claimed to be a part of the 2013 gang and said he could identify the policemen if they were produced before him. A team was then formed and the man was asked to identify the policemen who now have been asked to explain their decision. A probe against the policemen have been ordered and is being monitored by senior officers, reported TOI. Also read: Section Officer held for Rs 50,000 bribe --- ENDS --- Terrorism Suspected in Ohio State Attack Its been 24-hours since 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan rammed his car into a group of people on Ohio States campus before exited his car wielding a butcher knife injuring 11 people, within a minute he was shot dead. Police have searched through surveillance footage, talked to witnesses and have obtained a search warrant to view the Artans residence, but they are still looking for any clues that might provide them with information about the motive behind this violent incident. A motive police still havent struck off the list of possibilities is terrorism. Artan was described by police as a Somali refugee who fled to Pakistan and then took permanent residence in the United States in 2014. He was a transfer student at Ohio State, with the current fall semester being his first on campus. In an issue of the Ohio State newspaper, The Lantern, Artan was featured in a group of stories about students on campus. In his interview, he talked of how he didnt have a specific place to pray. I just transferred from Columbus State. We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day. Artan said in the interview. I wanted to pray in the open, but I was scared with everything going on in the media. Im a Muslim, its not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. But, I dont blame them. Its the media that put that picture in their heads so theyre just going to have it and it, its going to make them feel uncomfortable. I was kind of scared right now. But I just did it. I relied on God. I went over to the corner and just prayed. Police are looking into a Facebook post made by Artan just minutes before his car was seen in surveillance footage driving towards the scene of the crime. The post reads: I cant take it anymore. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that. The post also mentions the name Anwar Al-Awlaki, a radical American-born al-Queda cleric whose propaganda has been linked to several domestic terrorist attacks. Antar described him as a hero. If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace, the post reads. We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. The page the post was found on has now been disabled, but it has given police and investigators a look into what Antar might have been thinking before the car and knife attack. See how the day unfolded through emergency alerts and officials tweets in this Twitter Moment. Singapore Driving License Although Singapore is widely known for its crazy car prices, it doesn't put off people from taking up driving licenses. For one, having a driving license can be very handy in a variety of situations, such as when travelling or for work. The average price of getting a Class 3A driving license here stands between $1,500 to $3,000, but there are ways to do it cheaper. Here, we share a number of tips to help you optimise the money paid for getting a driving license in Singapore. Go Private Instead of going through the structured driving programs provided by the various driving schools, you can choose to go with a private instructor that would probably cause you less. While you definitely need to take your basic and theory tests in schools, the bulk of the cost of getting a driving license comes from taking the practical lessons. Compared to doing it in a school, you save on average about S$7 per lesson when you go through a private instructor. Taking into consideration that most people typically requires about 25 lessons, you actually save about S$175 for the entire term. Take lessons during off-peak hours If you have flexible work hours or are still studying, it is highly advised to take lessons during off-peak hours. The price difference between peak and off-peak hours is about S$8, so even if you can take about half the lessons during these hours, it can save you close to S$100 dollars. Self-Study For Theory Lessons While lessons for theory lessons are provided at the school. It is common knowledge that you can easily buy the book and self-learn. What's more, it saves you time from going to and fro the school just to attend the lessons. There are now a number of mobile apps and onllline simulator where you can learn from, so save that S$70 instead. Consider Getting An Auto Car License Instead Of Manual If you are taking up the license just so that you can drive in Singapore, you might want to consider taking up the license for auto car instead of a manual car instead. This is because you can find an abundant of auto car these days, auto car is much easier to learn compared to a manual car. Story continues How this translates into cash savings is that you will most likely require fewer practical lessons, which will then cost you less. Considering that most people require about 25 practical lessons to pass their manual car license, you might need 18 to 20 lessons for the auto car, which will save you a whopping S$400! Use A Credit Card To Help You Save Money Since the average cost of getting a car license in Singapore is around $2,000, you can consider using a good rewards credit card or cashback card to help you earn points or cashback when you pay for it. Just using the right credit card that gives you a 5% flat rate rebate can already save you S$100 without doing much, not to mention that there are cards that rewards you with up to 10 percent in rebates. To find the best deal, check out our list of best promotions and bonuses for credit cards in Singapore. Convert A Foreign License If you are a foreigner who has driving experience in your home country and is considering taking up a car license here, listen up. Instead of going through the whole learning cycle again (and paying the full price) when you obviously don't need to, consider converting your foreign car license to a local one. The process is fairly easy you need to still take the theory test in order to familiarise yourself with local rules and pass it. Once you passed the theory test, you can apply for a conversion using a copy of your foreign driving license. The processing fee for this is only S$50. Including the four theory lessons and the price of taking the theory test, doing it this way will cost you less than S$150, which is far less than the S$2,000 average to go through the entire process of obtaining a license here. Written by Lynette Tan The article 6 Ways To Save On A Driver's License in Singapore originally appeared on ValuePenguin. ValuePenguin helps you find the most relevant information to optimise your personal finances. Like us on our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest news and articles. More From ValuePenguin: Best Travel Credit Cards 2016 Best Personal Loans in Singapore 2016 Best Travel Insurance 2016 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said his country has not yet given up on its ambition to join the European Union but has "many other alternatives" if the stalled process goes nowhere. "We have not yet closed the European Union book right now," Erdogan told an international conference in Istanbul. "But nobody should forget that Turkey always has many other alternatives." Last week the European Parliament backed a freeze in Turkey's membership talks, angering Erdogan who threatened to retaliate by rupturing a migrant deal curbing the flow of refugees to Europe. Turkey agreed to step up maritime and land border controls in exchange for incentives on its long-stalled membership bid, including visa-free travel for its citizens and an acceleration of the accession talks. The deal has substantially helped reduce the wave of migrants since it was signed in March. Erdogan said the non-binding vote at the European Parliament "upset" Turkey, adding it did not currently have "positive" feelings on the accession talks. If the EU path is blocked, Erdogan said, "we'll continue our road by evaluating one of those alternatives," without naming them. "I don't find it right to say it here but we are of course continuing our talks with those alternatives." Earlier this month, Erdogan again floated the idea of joining Russia and China in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The SCO is a loose security and economic bloc. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are also members. But Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a televised interview last week that the SCO was not an alternative to Ankara's EU accession talks. - 'Waiting at the door' - EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, speaking in France, warned that Erdogan would be "held responsible" if the March agreement crumbles and Turkish citizens lose their right to visa-free travel in Europe. Turkey must ask itself "does it really want to become a member of the EU one day or not? Mr Erdogan must know that one day he will be held responsible for having turned down visa liberalisation", Juncker said in an interview appearing in the Wednesday edition of the Ouest-France newspaper. Turkey formally applied to become an EU member in 1987 and accession talks only began in 2005, even though Ankara's aspirations to become part of the bloc dates back to the 1960s. "There is an EU that has kept Turkey waiting at its door for 53 years," Erdogan said. "I say it, you (the EU) are not the only fine Indian fabric around!" he said, using a traditional Turkish idiom equivalent to the English "there are plenty more fish in the sea". "You applied a similar kind of pressure on many countries in the world. What happened? You destroyed them? With God's help, you cannot destroy Turkey." - Failed coup - Tensions in Turkish-EU relations have built since the failed July 15 coup attempt that aimed to oust Erdogan. Authorities have responded to the failed putsch by arresting or dismissing tens of thousands of people from state institutions to cleanse the "virus" of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara blames for the coup but he denies the allegations. Opponents have argued the purge has gone beyond coup suspects and is being used by the government to silence dissent, with Europe urging Turkey to comply with its rights obligations. Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel told AFP in an interview that "the values on which the union is built are being trampled on a daily basis, but I hope that Turkey will become again the partner in which I used to have confidence". "The situation is worrying," he said, while refusing to back a freeze in the accession negotiations. Visiting Brussels, Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik described the European Parliament vote as the "most unjust resolution in history" and urged solidarity instead. "If there were objective, fair negotiations... then there is no reason why Turkey would not be a full member state today," Celik said. More than 1,300 Chinese citizens have been arrested in the Philippines for working illegally at an unlicensed online gaming business, the immigration bureau said Tuesday. China has expressed concern over the raid at a casino-hotel complex in the northern Philippines and said Manila must guarantee "humanitarian treatment" of those being held. Some 1,318 people were detained during the raid on November 24 in Angeles city, immigration bureau spokeswoman Maria Antoinette Mangrobang told AFP. "A number of them have been charged for immigration offences, for engaging in gainful activity at an unlicensed online gaming business," she said. Those found guilty are likely to be deported, she said, adding that sorting through the documents of all of those being held would take time. China is "highly concerned about the detention by the Philippine side of such large number(s) of Chinese citizens," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing Monday. China has called on Manila to handle the case "with impartiality" and demanded the immediate release of those who are legally in the Philippines. Philippine authorities must "ensure the safety and humanitarian treatment of all the involved," they added. Some of the people detained had arrived recently on tourist visas and others had working visas, Mangrobang said, adding that they could still be found guilty if their permit was unrelated to their actual line of work. "We're just enforcing Philippine immigration law," Mangrobang said. The arrests come after President Rodrigo Duterte made a state visit to China in October in a bid to repair bilateral ties damaged by rival claims over South China Sea islands and waters. Attacking Congress, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that their anger is towards the blockade of black money and not against demonetisation. Naqvi said the Congress-led opposition to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was in contravention to the popular mood of the nation. By Mail Today Bureau: Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "The demonetisation move of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to be most beneficial to the poor and marginalised classes of Indian citizens, therefore, for the minorities, that have long been pushed to the margins of development by black money hoarders and those who have been corrupt." Attacking the Congress, Naqvi said, "Why is the Congress feeling troubled due to PM's fight against black money? Their aakrosh (anger) is not against demonetisation, but against the blockade of black money." advertisement Also read: Demonetisation: Dalits hit in Agra, struggle to feed families NAQVI RANTS OUT Also read: Labourers bare brunt of demonetisation as factory owners unable to pay workers Also read: Demonetisation: Modi fights Opposition's inconvenience barb with cashless economy benefits While he dubbed Opposition's attacks on Modi as "hue and cry over bankruptcy of those who had hoarded black money", Naqvi said the Congress-led opposition to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was in contravention to the popular mood of the nation. "Today, the entire nation and every section of the society is with the Prime Minister in this decisive war against corruption and black money. This is a war, which the people of the country were waiting for, for the last about seven decades. Action against corruption and black money had been a slogan of streets, slogans of political parties and a part of their poll manifesto, but it never translated into reality." Also read: Demonetisation fallout: Fishermen go on strike in Tamil Nadu's Rameshwaram "The Congress had left a legacy of scams, corruption and open loot of public money. But, without doing politics on this, the Modi Government proved that if there is an honest will by the leadership, it can change the government as well as the system. The Congress came into power at the Centre for about 11 times by giving slogan of 'Gareebi Hatao-Bhrashtachar Mitao'. But it never fought against the disease of corruption," Naqvi added. --- ENDS --- Ukraine on Tuesday unveiled the world's largest moveable metal structure over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's doomed fourth reactor to ensure the safety of Europeans for future generations. The gigantic arch soars 108 metres (355 feet) into the sky -- making it taller than New York's Statue of Liberty -- while its weight of 36,000 tons is three times heavier than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The 2.1-billion-euro ($2.2-billion) structure sponsored by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been edged into place over an existing crumbling dome that the Soviets built in haste when disaster struck three decades ago. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was visibly proud at his impoverished and war-torn country's ability to deal with one of the worst vestiges of its Soviet past. "Many people had doubts and refused to believe that this was possible," Poroshenko told the festive ceremony held in front of the gleaming new dome. "But my friends, I congratulate you -- yes, we did it!" - 'Super-human efforts' - Radioactive fallout from the site of the world's worst civil nuclear accident spread across three-quarters of Europe and prompted a global rethink about the safety of atomic fuel. Work on the previous dome began after a 10-day fire caused by the explosion was contained but radiation still spewed out of the stricken reactor. "It was done through the super-human efforts of thousands of ordinary people," the Chernobyl museum's deputy chief Anna Korolevska told AFP. "What kind of protective gear could they have possibly had? They worked in regular construction clothes." About 30 of the cleanup workers known as liquidators were killed on site or died from overwhelming radiation poisoning in the following weeks. The Soviets sought to try to cover up the accident that was caused by errors during an experimental safety check and its eventual toll is still hotly disputed. The United Nations estimated in 2005 that around 4,000 people had either been killed or were left dying from cancer and other related diseases. But the Greenpeace environmental protection group believes the figure may be closer to 100,000. Authorities maintain a 30-kilometre-wide (19-mile) exclusion zone around the plant in which only a few dozen elderly people live. - 30-year lifespan - One of the main problems of the Soviet-era response was the fact that it only had a 30-year lifespan. Yet its deterioration began much sooner than that. "Radioactive dust inside the structure is being blown out through the cracks," Sergiy Paskevych of Ukraine's Institute of Nuclear Power Plant Safety Problems told AFP. Paskevych added that the existing structure could crumble under extreme weather conditions. - Long time coming - The new arch should be able to withstand tremors of 6.0 magnitude -- a strength rarely seen in eastern Europe -- and tornados that strike the region only once every million years. Kiev has complained that European assistance was slow to materialise. The EBRD found 40 state sponsors to fund a competition in 2007 to choose who should build the massive moveable dome. A French consortium of two companies known as Novarka finished the designs in 2010 and began construction two years later. The shelter was edged towards the fourth reactor in just under three weeks of delicate work this month that was interrupted by bad weather and other potential dangers. It will later be fitted with radiation control equipment as well as air vents and fire fighting measures. The equipment inside the arch is expected to be operative by the end of 2017. "Only then will we begin to disassemble the old, unstable structure," State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine's head Sergiy Bozhko told AFP. But he said no timeframe had yet been set for the particularly hazardous work of removing all the remaining nuclear fuel from inside the plant or dismantling the old dome. Novarka believes that its arch will keep Europe safe from nuclear fallout for the next 100 years. Taiwanese fraud rings based all over the world have for years swindled billions of dollars from members of the public through phone scams -- now they are the target of an angry China. As relations sour between Taipei and Beijing, China has insisted that Taiwanese scammers caught abroad are deported to the mainland. While Taipei has called the move "abduction", Beijing says it is justified because the majority of the phone fraud victims are mainland Chinese. In several swoops since April, nearly 200 Taiwanese fraud suspects have been deported to China from countries including Armenia, Cambodia and Kenya, according to Taiwanese authorities. Previously they would usually have been deported back to Taiwan as part of informal arrangements between crimefighting agencies in China, Taiwan and countries where the fraudsters are operating. Beijing still sees self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory and the new wave of deportations are widely seen as a move to pressurise China-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen -- relations between the two sides have grown increasingly frosty since she won the presidency in January. "Taiwan and China used to jointly investigate fraud cases but it is getting more difficult with the change of ruling party in Taiwan," said lawmaker Hsu Shu-hua of the opposition Kuomintang, who has proposed tougher fraud laws. Crimefighters say the current lack of cross-strait cooperation is making it more difficult to tackle the burgeoning networks. The crime rings involve thousands of citizens from Taiwan and China. This year more than 10,600 phone fraud cases were recorded up to October, with numbers almost doubling over the past two years due to smartphone app fraud. Scammers have been hacking into popular messaging app Line posing as the user's friends to access phone account details, or asking them to buy gift cards. Fraudsters also make phone calls to victims, posing as police officers to request credit card information which is then used to make purchases, or pretending to be prosecutors demanding access to accounts implicated in money-laundering. Story continues Some victims transfer their entire accounts over to the fake law enforcers who say they need to ringfence the money while an investigation is under way. China's Taiwan Affairs Office has accused the swindlers of causing more than $1.5 billion in losses annually on the mainland. - Young offenders - Historic crackdowns when relations were better between China and Taiwan have forced fraudsters further afield, says Chan Chih-wen, an anti-fraud specialist at Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB). Since 2011, more than 2,000 Taiwanese fraud suspects have been arrested in 15 countries. While cross-strait politics may now make them harder to catch, some observers say malaise among Taiwanese youth is also to blame. With a stagnating economy many young people in Taiwan are disillusioned about a lack of jobs. Zhang Xue-hai, head of a civil group assisting jailed Taiwanese nationals in Thailand, said his cases are young people duped into joining fraud rings, which then confiscate their passports and mobile phones. "They are twenty-somethings who can't find work after graduating. They were introduced by friends and went to Thailand thinking they were getting normal jobs," said Zhang of the Taiwan Association for Legal Aid. - 'A better life' - Police say fraudsters typically operate in small groups and recruit from acquaintances, mainly the young and jobless. While some may be tricked into involvement, others go into it with their eyes open. One young Taiwanese suspect deported from Kenya to Beijing in April said he had simply done it for the money. "I just want to help my child to live a better life," said Liu Tai-ting, 27, in a confession aired on Taiwanese television. He said he made around $8,000 in Kenya and wired the money to his ex-wife. Legal experts say scammers often receive sentences of under a year when apprehended in Taiwan. "The profit far outweighs the punishment and they will do it again and again," said Tsai Tyan-muh, a criminologist at the Central Police University. The possibility of being sent to China, where fraudsters face a maximum life sentence, may become an extra deterrent. Taiwan has also put new measures in place. Earlier this month, the island's parliament passed a bill allowing the prosecution of fraud suspects who have committed crimes abroad -- previously only prosecution of more serious offences was allowed. Police are also screening lists of overseas departures, which led to the arrests of 19 Taiwanese nationals in the Philippines in November. But Zhang says authorities must also focus on the bigger picture. "The fundamental solution is to improve the job environment so young people won't be tempted to risk breaking the law," he said. In digital marketing we understand the importance of tracking. We spend money getting people to our site with hopes theyll do what we desire them to do and that well learn something about how to improve our digital marketing efforts. While weve seen a consistent trend of print spend be allocated to digital spend, we often forget that print advertising is still a channel worth understanding. In fact, one study shows that print ads are more likely to engage users and prompt action. This begs the question, if print can be a strong channel, why dont companies invest in it? The answer is likely because companies are now used to understanding what their dollars are doing. When print, TV and billboards were the primary ad spots, attribution was not an easy task. But today, companies have built a habit of understanding how much revenue is generated by their ad spend dollars thanks to the Internet and Google Analytics. Currently when print ads list the website on the actual ad in the hopes that users will check out the company at home on their desktop, users usually do just thattheyre likely to type it into their browser. This would then mean that the traffic is classified as Direct, which is not a fun traffic source to analyze or understand in Analytics. Or maybe the user does a Google search for the brand and clicks on one of their pages in the search results, which would classify the traffic as Organic Search. Unfortunately, both of these metrics are wrong. The print ad should get the credit for bringing the user to the site. So how can we track print advertising digitally? To help make sure you can track print advertising digitally in Google Analytics so that you can better analyze the success of your ads, below is an easy four-step process. How to Track Print Advertising Decide on a vanity URL Most print ads include a domain name or URL, but if you want to know which website visitors saw this ad youll need a vanity URL. Vanity URLs are unique, short and/or simple URL that demonstrates the brand or ad campaign. For example if the company EntoBento, a San Diego based dog treat company, ran a promotional ad in Time Magazine, the vanity URL might be entobento.com/time. Create and apply UTM parameters to the landing page URL for the ad UTM parameters are tracking codes appended to the end of a URL that allow you to customize your tracking sources. You can use the Google UTM builder to create the tracking URL for the ad in just a few minutes. Continuing with the previous example, the tracking URL for EntoBentos ad might look like: entobento.com/?utm_source=time%20magazine&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=promo We got this URL by using the UTM builder mentioned above. We simply plugged in the URL of our website and the tool generated this new URL with UTM parameters for us. Redirect the vanity URL to a URL with custom UTM parameters This part is a little technical. A developer will have to create a redirect to send traffic from your vanity URL to the tracking URL. This means, taking the example from above once again:entobento.com/time would redirect to entobento.com/?utm_source=time%20magazine&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=promo). Check Google Analytics real-time reports After the redirect is setup, paste your vanity URL into the browser to test the redirect and that the UTM is working properly. Open Google Analytics and navigate to Real-Time reports on the left side. Select traffic sources to confirm you see the tracking. Below is a screenshot of what the report looks like: Why It Matters: The Benefit of Tracking Print Ads Via Google Analytics By implementing print ad tracking youre reducing the amount of traffic that is wrongly classified as Direct or Organic search and gaining insight into how your different print efforts are working. With this practice you will be beyond most companies who do print advertising with little understanding of how their ad performs. Extra: This same process can be applied on your business cards, handouts, fliers, billboards, stickers, or your banner at an event / tradeshow. Wouldnt that be interesting to see how much handout traffic you get? Or what the bounce rate is on your business cards? Get creative. If your business is using print, dont be scared to track it digitally. Do you have experience with tracking print ads through Google Analytics? Let us know if you have any questions or thoughts in the comment section below. Republished by permission. Original here. The fight for a $15 minimum wage will strike Americas airports Tuesday, as low wage workers at Chicagos OHare International Airport and 18 other airports plan to demonstrate. OHares airplane cabin cleaners, baggage handlers, wheelchair attendants and janitors are not unionized, but the Service Employees International Union assisted low-wage employees in organizing a strike on behalf of the fight for fifteen. The spokesman for the SEIU told the Wall Street Journal that the union has organized more than 20,000 airport workers employed by airline vendors (not the airlines or the city) at airports across the country. While a walkout was limited to OHare, it is unclear as to what plans workers have at other airports across the country. States, which set the minimum wage, are trending towards increased minimum wages, with some states agreeing to phase in a $15 minimum wage in the coming years. Blowback from the fight for fifteen may include the replacement workers with computer screens or robots, something McDonalds quietly rolled out in recent months. The SEIU Local 1 announced that OHares support staff will be walking out Nov. 29, after threatening to strike before Thanksgiving. The unions said employees chose the date to minimize travel disruptions, while still getting their point across at the nations second busiest airport. About 500 of the 2,000 support staff working at OHare took a vote two weeks ago; all but one employee were in favor of a strike, according to SEIU spokesperson Izabela Miltko-Ivkovich. Five hundred workers make up about 25 percent of the airports support staff, which revealed the effort is not resonating with the entire class of employees. Most of the workers threatening to strike are independent contractors, not employees of the city or the airlines, according to Fox News. Support staff make $8.25 per hour. The strike announcement is par of the fight for fifteen, where low wage workers are demanding a new $15 minimum wage. Workers plan to picket outside the airport and through the terminals once a strike date and time is announced, according to SEIU Local 1 president Tom Balanoff. The union does not expect to shut down the airport, but Balanoff admitted that it will cause some disruption, no doubt. The union reiterated that it does not plan to have work stoppages at airports other than OHare, but workers have planned to demonstrate at other major airports, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New Orleans. Twenty-seven million Americans traveled by air over the Thanksgiving weekend, with hundreds of thousands of those passengers still making their way home this coming week. The airports largest carriers by passenger, United Continental and American Airlines, said they are taking steps to ensure a safe and on-time operations for their customers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Republished by permission. Original here. Businesses can use publicity stunts for a variety of different purposes, from raising awareness about a cause or issue to promoting a new product. But one company recently launched a publicity stunt aimed at accomplishing something totally different digging a big hole. Cards Against Humanity is the company behind the giant hole. The company makes what it calls a party game for horrible people. It launched a website dedicated to the hole where people could contribute money to keep the digging going. It went on from Black Friday until Sunday afternoon thanks to over $100,000 in donations. Other than getting some attention for the brand, this project didnt really accomplish anything. And its not the first time that Cards Against Humanity has raised money for something pointless. Last year, the company asked customers to pay $5 for absolutely nothing. And the company raised over $71,000, which team members took for themselves, with a little bit of charitable donations thrown in. If youre wondering why the company decided to dig a hole instead of raising money for charity, youre not alone. But the company already responded, Why arent YOU giving all this money to charity? Its your money. Know Your Audience You might not agree with the idea or message behind this stunt. But since its a party game for horrible people, you cant accuse Cards Against Humanity of not understanding their target audience. When you know your audience, effective marketing cant be far behind. While professors can teach you a lot of relevant information for running your business, there are some things you just have to learn on the job. Thats why we asked 13 entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question : Name one management technique you cant learn in school and explain why it works so well. Management Techniques You Wont Learn in the Classroom Heres what YEC community members had to say: 1. Instinct No one can teach you how to listen to your gut, but Ive found that its a critical component in management. Every time I look back at turning points where things went wrong, I recognize that those were moments when I didnt trust my instincts. ~ Darrah Brustein, Network Under 40 2. Emotional Intelligence The one management technique you cant learn in school is emotional intelligence. Only experience will teach you to understand that all people are different, how to discern their values, and how to give them what they value instead of taking a blanket approach. ~ Vladimir Gendelman, Company Folders, Inc 3 . Persistence Employees look up to leaders who persevere in the face of major setbacks and challenges. School doesnt teach you to sustain a positive attitude when things dont go your way, but an ability to do this as a leader will motivate your staff to adopt the same outlook. And, when you have an entire team that can get back up after a fall, the organization will eventually realize the toughest of goals. ~ Alexandra Levit, Inspiration at Work 4. Coaching Building other peoples confidence and skill set is something that students are not expected or taught to do, but its the most important characteristic of a great leader. ~ Christopher Kelly, Convene 5. Active Listening You really cant learn how to actively listen from any theory provided in a book. Instead, you have to be out there with people, practicing how you hear them. You can learn from talking to others and see how they actively listen or dont listen to you so you can determine how it works. This is an interactive lesson that has to be put into practice. ~ John Rampton, Due 6. Hustling I cannot emphasize the value of hustling enough. Business school provides you with a lot of planning and evaluation tools. However, having started multiple companies, I can tell you that execution is the key, and hustling is one of the most important techniques towards successful execution. ~ Karan Chaudhry, Comnplus 7. Collaboration My management technique is all about coupling bonus, which means even if two people had a conflict of interest based on their position, they will get an extra bonus if they both choose to let it go and collaborate. ~ Kevin Xu, Mebo International 8. Delegation Delegation isnt something you can find in a textbook. Its a learned behavior that involves practice and observation in order to understand who should be delegated to and how you should approach them with the delegated work. ~ Peter Daisyme, Due 9. Vulnerability and Authenticity Vulnerability has made me a better and more effective leader. My team is committed to the vision of our firm and trusts me to take us there because I have replaced professional distance with emotional exposure. Im honest, and I outwardly focus not just on their growth but mine as well. Our connection as a team working towards a common goal is greater as a result. ~ Megan Smith, Brownstone PR 10. Resiliency Bad things happen. Ideas fail, revenue fluctuates and businesses go through many ups and downs. When things dont go your way, does it discourage or demotivate? The ability to be resilient is a must. Look ahead no matter what and focus on constantly trying to improve to build resiliency. ~ Shawn Schulze, AnyplaceAmerica.com 11. Negotiation Whether Im negotiating salary, management fees, or any real-life business scenario, these techniques are hard to learn in school. Many colleges have debate clubs. However, when Im dealing with real companies and my own money, I approach things more strategically. Simply put, negotiation is vital for success and can make or break a companys future. ~ Anthony Pezzotti, Knowzo.com 12. Passion While everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, not everyone has the passion for it. Anyone can start a website or a business, but without the required passion and dedication, its just another job or side project that wont get 100 percent of your attention. While business in general can be taught, passion cannot. ~ Zac Johnson, Blogger 13. Empowerment They say we learn everything in school, but empowering/appreciating employees is something we tend to forget. Because employees work for us, we tend to get the copyright of whatever they do. Empowering, encouraging and appreciating them is the least we can do aside from paying them well. Lets take care of our people by rewarding and appreciating them. ~ Daisy Jing, Banish A national Fight for $15 protest Nov. 29, that had many taking to the streets, found many commenting on Twitter as well. The national protest day saw workers from fast-food chains, airports, retail stores and other industries participating in a union-backed strike to rally for higher wages, union rights and immigration reform. Uber drivers in more than two dozen cities also joined in. This despite the fact they are independent contractors, not employees. Labeled a day of disruption, Tuesdays demonstrations were scheduled to take place in 340 cities and nearly 20 of the nations busiest airports, Reuters reported. Fight for $15 started four years ago with a few hundred fast food workers in New York City. Since then, the protest has spread globally and encompassed industries that include fast food, airport service, child care, retail and higher education. The movements organizers are backed by the Service Employees International Union. The organization explains its activist rationale by saying For too long, McDonalds and low-wage employers have made billions of dollars in profit and pushed off costs onto taxpayers while leaving people like us the people who do the real work to struggle to survive. Thats why we strike. Protesters have tended to view franchise brands like McDonalds as a monolithic corporation rather than as a community of small business owners. These businesses owners too must struggle with limited resources and rising costs to keep their businesses going. As might be expected, reactions surrounding the push for a minimum wage are strong and represent both sides of the issue. Many have taken to Twitter to express their approval or disdain: You can't reduce dependence on government services when you protect corporations ability to pay low wages #FightFor15 #RaiseTheWage ?? Christopher Zullo (@ChrisJZullo) November 29, 2016 Liberals support open borders and illegal immigration which drives down wages, then complain about low wages. #Fightfor15 Geniuses! Mark Romano (@TheMarkRomano) November 29, 2016 Politicians are also raising concerns: In the year 2016, a job has got to lift workers out of poverty, not keep them in it. #FightFor15 Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 29, 2016 There isnt a single state where minimum wage workers earning $7.25 an hour can afford to rent an apartment. We need to #FightFor15! Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) November 29, 2016 See Also: 71 Percent of Hispanic Entrepreneurs Expect Revenue Increase While workers are out in force today vying for an increase in the minimum wage, the reality is that many companies simply cannot meet their demands. For example, McDonalds, a company under fire by Fight for $15, could face a drastic reduction of its workforce. Ed Rensi, former president and chief executive officer of McDonalds USA, writing for Forbes, said the wage increase would result in wiping out thousands of entry-level opportunities for people without many other options. He added that that the 90 percent of McDonalds restaurants owned by independent franchisees, which make roughly 6 cents in profit for every dollar spent by consumers, could see their profit margin drop to zero. Add to that the fact that millions of small businesses may also be forced to either raise prices, lay off employees or go out of business altogether. Many in support of these businesses and opposing a drastically increased minimum wage as the only answer were also out tweeting in force: Something tells me these guys will work for much less. #Fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/0UQQ1K3nYa DefeatLeftism (@Maximiliano0331) November 29, 2016 #Fightfor15 Pay you more. Prices go up. Business slows. Layoffs begin. Hiring Ceases. Want more? Become more. Business isn't charity. Chuck Sailer (@ChuckSailer) November 29, 2016 Min wage only hurts the poor & unskilled. If you can't produce at >$10-15/hr, you don't get hired. Good short essay on this #Fightfor15 https://t.co/czErM5GV8c Andrew Vots (@AndrewVots88) November 20, 2016 #Smallbiz owners & entrepreneurs risk their own money, work enormous hours & bear crazy stress. Nobody guarantees their wages. #Fightfor15 Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) November 29, 2016 The whole #Fightfor15 movement is based on laziness and entitlement. Get educated, work hard, and #Earn15 instead!! Emily Rutherford (@emrutherford90) November 29, 2016 Tom Rogan, a domestic policy columnist for news organization Opportunity Lives, writing for Forbes, said the Fight for $15 movement is actually hurting the very people it claims to defend, explaining: The true victim of the Fight for $15 is always going to be the lowest-skilled workers. This is the ultimate failing of minimum wage laws. By imposing unaffordable costs on employers, they force employers to discard their least productive employees. And those employees are the ones who need to get a foot on the economic ladder, and the skills to earn higher wages. Student Competitions Paradigm Project Launches STEM Competition This year's Paradigm Challenge has launched with an invitation to students aged four years to 18 to use their STEM skills to solve real-world problems and share in more than $200,000 in prizes and grants. This year's challenge asks students to come up with ideas to reduce waste in their homes, schools, communities or around the world. Last year's challenge included more than 50,000 participants tasked with preventing fatalities and injuries as a result of home fires. The winning project was an oven mitt that can be unfolded to make a fire blanket for putting out kitchen fires. Students or teams of any size can register for free at projectparadigm.org. "The 100 finalist teams with the best ideas will win cash prizes of up to $100,000," according to a news release. "Their supporting teachers will win cash grants up to $5,000. In addition, the top team in each age category will win a trip to Los Angeles to attend The Paradigm Challenge's black-tie prize ceremony. Last year, teams came from as far away as New Zealand and India to attend the event." "The Paradigm Challenge is a terrific opportunity for educators who are looking for motivational project-based learning activities for their students," said Ashley Greenway, 2016 Allen Distinguished Educator and Georgia STEM Laureate, in a prepared statement. "The challenge is particularly appealing because of its engaging online video lesson plans and supporting materials." Virtual Reality Iowa District to Use $54K Google Grant for VR Hardware Council Bluffs Community School District (CBCSD) in Council Bluffs, IA has received a $54,500 grant from Googles Charitable Giving Fund of the Tides Foundation. With the funding, the district will purchase 28 kits (each with 15 headsets) that cost about $4,500 per kit, according to a report from the Omaha World-Herald and other sources. The hardware will enable teachers to incorporate VR into their curriculum, like VR tours on Google Expeditions, Alchemy VR, Discovery VR, zSpace and other platforms. The district ran a pilot program with VR headsets earlier this year and now will expand the program to other schools with the new grant. The objective, according to CBCSD Chief Technology Officer Dave Fringer, is to engage students in learning opportunities that would otherwise not be possible without the technology. We cant take actual field trips to the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum of Rome, Chichen-Itza, Petra, Rio de Janeiro or Machu Picchu, Fringer told the Omaha World-Herald, however, that wont prevent our students from seeing these magnificent sights in three dimensions." By Brijesh Pandey: In a move aimed at silencing critics and opposition alike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all BJP MPs and MLAs to submit their bank transaction details between November 8 and December 31 to party president Amit Shah on January 1. The PM said this in the BJP parliamentary party meet which took place inside parliament today morning. However, this move did not cut much ice with the Opposition parties. advertisement The Opposition alleged that if PM Modi was really serious about dispelling the allegation that some people were told about demonetisation before it was announced, he should have asked his leaders to submit their account details from September onward to examine if they got a tip off. The Opposition pointed out that it was a pointless exercise now, as after November 8 all accounts were being monitored. CONGRESS SLAMS MODI GOVERNMENT "It's funny that instead of a declaration before November 8, now they are being asked to reveal their account," said Congress MP Raj Babbar. Also read: Demonetisation: 50 per cent tax on unaccounted deposits, 85 per cent if caught Meanwhile, in the parliamentary party meet today the PM said that the IT reforms passed in cabinet is not to convert black money to white. He said that it was an effort to recover money which has been looted from the poor. PM Modi reiterated that from Lok Kalyan Marg, previously known as RCR, to Gharib Kalyan Marg the central government has been taking steps to reach out to the poor of this country. Also read: Retired Indian Army veteran shuts those who drag soldiers to defend inconveniences caused by demonetisation "The government in both houses are ready to debate since the start of the winter session but the government can't comprehend what is the problem with the opposition," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. Kumar added that the PM will intervene in the house and put forth his view. Also read: Manmohan Singh fires second salvo against Centre on demonetisation at PHDCCI event --- ENDS --- Reuters The United States strongly suggested that there would be no controlling interest by China in the Hamburg port terminal, a senior U.S. State Department official said, adding that the final deal was adjusted in the end with no controlling stake for Beijing. Shipping giant Cosco made a bid last year to take a 35% stake in one of logistics firm HHLA's three terminals in Germany's largest port, but the German coalition has been divided over whether to let the deal go ahead. Germany may allow China's Cosco to take a smaller stake than originally planned in a Hamburg port terminal, in what an economy ministry source last week described as an "emergency solution" to approve the deal but mitigate the impact. Baazov Secures Alternative Funder for Amaya $6.7B Bid November 29 2016 Katie Callahan Amaya Inc. founder David Baazov has replaced KBC Aldini Capital Ltd., a Dubai investorwho denied involvement in Baazovs bid, with two Hong Kong funds in his effort to privatize the company, Bloomberg Technology reported. Amaya is the parent company of PokerStars and Baazov is the companys largest shareholder. When Baazov submitted a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission placing KBC as an equity funder in the bid, the investment firm filed a complaint with the SEC, denying involvement. According to Bloomberg, Baazov did, in fact, receive equity commitment letters from the other funders, namely Head and Shoulders Global Investment Fund SPC and Goldenway Capital SPC for $3.45 billion, as stated in a SEC filing Friday. The Head and Shoulders Financial Group chairman told Bloomberg in a phone interview that they would continue to support Baazov. In this new filing, Baazov said that KBC was not part of the financing and fails to mention Ferdyne Advisory Inc., the other financier listed in the Nov. 14 release announcing the offer, Bloomberg found. These funders, in total, will provide $4.1 billion, the bids total, excluding debts, which bring the privatization bid to about $6.7 billion. Read the rest of the story on Bloombergs website here. Sharelines David Baazov secures an alternative investor to fund his bid to purchase and privatize Amaya. Marc Wright Wins Season-Ending GUKPT Grand Final November 29 2016 Matthew Pitt Editor Marc Wright secured the largest live tournament cash of his career this weekend when he topped a field of 276 players in the 2016 GUKPT Grand Final, turning his 2,125 into 132,380. Wright, known as dean23price in online poker circles, where he has won just shy of $4 million, now has $444,253 in live tournament winnings. His previous largest live cash came in 2012 when he finished seventh in the EPT Berlin Main Event, a result that netted him 97,000. 2016 GUKPT Grand Final Final Table Results Place Player Prize 1 Marc Wright 132,380* 2 Will Davies 125,380* 3 Tamer Kamel 63,480 4 Naoufel Smires 40,850 5 Bandar Alireza 28,150 6 Paul Scipioni 20,980 7 Kiat Le 16,560 8 Nikola Minkov 13,240 9 Lucas Blanco 11,040 *reflects a heads-up deal The 2016 GUKPT Grand Final paid 26 places with a min-cash worth 4,420. Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody finished in 23rd place for 4,420 with such luminaries as Shola Akindele, Kevin Allen, Ben Jones, Matt Strom-Perrins, and Babis Lappas finishing inside the money places, the latter bursting the final table bubble and ensuring the remaining nine players would leave London with a five-figure cash haul. Spains Lucas Blanco was the first player to bust at the final table, pushing his 18 big blind stack into the middle with a suited ace-king and running into Wrights red kings. The five community cards were void of an ace and the final table lost its first player. Wright then sent another short stack, Nikola Minkov, to the rail in eighth place. Minkov committed his stack with ace-queen, Wright called with pocket jacks and went on to improve to an unnecessary full house by the river. Shortly after Minkov bust, Kiat Le followed suit. Le lost a significant pot to be left with slightly more than six big blinds and these went into the middle of the felt while holding three-four of hearts. That man Wright called with ace-nine, flopped an ace and Le was gone. Only 10 minutes passed before the final table became even shorter handed. Paul Scipioni raised all-in for around 10 big blinds from the button with a pair of black queens and was called by Will Davies in the big blind who was holding a lowly pair of fives. Just as it looked like Scipioni was going to double his stack, the door card was the five of diamonds to put the ball firmly in Davies court. No queen followed that five and Scipionis tournament came to an abrupt end. Bandar Alireza fell in fifth place at the hands of Wright. Alireza opened to 50,000 at the 12,000/24,000/3,000a level and called when Wright three-bet to 135,000. Alireza then check-called a 210,000 bet on the jack-ten-four rainbow flop before checking on the nine turn. Wright moved all in and Bander called off his 400,000 stack, turning over queen-ten as he did so for an open-ended straight draw. Wright revealed a pair of aces, which held as the river bricked off. Four-handed play lasted 75-minutes and ended with the elimination of Naoufel Smires. A preflop raising war with Wright resulted in Smires being all in with a pair of kings against Wrights ace-king and those kings remained the best hand right up to the river, but the ace of spades made an appearance to further whittle the field. Almost immediately after Smires demise, Tamer Kamel fell victim to the run good of Wright. All in preflop, Kamel showed pocket nines against the ace-ten of Wright. Kamel flopped a set on the all spade flop, the turn was a red ace, and the river the six of spades, gifting Wright a flush as he had the ten of spades in his hand. Wright and Davies decided to strike a deal that locked up 127,000 for Wright, 120,000 for Davies, and kept 10,000 and the trophy for the eventual champion. After almost an hour of heads-up play, Wright and Davies agreed to chop the 10,000 theyd previously reserved for the winner and flip for the trophy. Wrights final hand was king-queen, Davies was six-four and by the river the board contained four spades, Wright held the queen of spades in his hand, thus busting Davies in second place and becoming the 2016 GUKPT Grand Final champion. The GUKPT now goes on a well-deserved break before returning on January 29 for the opening leg of its 11th season, which takes place at the London Poker Room at The Vic. Check out the full 2017 GUKPT schedule via this link. If you have opinions about the subject matter of posts on this blog please share them. Do you have a story about how the system affects you at work school or home, or just in general? This is a place to share it. WASHINGTON The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST): 10 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump is lashing out on Twitter as he faces questions about his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. On Monday night, Trump retweeted a series of messages that were critical of a CNN reporter who called the accusations blatant and baseless. He then tweeted that CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100 support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they dont know what to do. Trump has responded to a recount effort by arguing that illegal voting happened in the November election, but he has offered no proof. He has singled out Virginia, California and New Hampshire, but there has been no indication of widespread election tampering or voter fraud in those states or any others. ___ 9:45 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Thats according to a person familiar with the decision, which is expected to be announced Tuesday morning. Price has been a leading critic of President Barack Obamas signature health care law. Trump has vowed to repeal the measure, though he has been unclear about exactly what he hopes to replace it with. The person familiar with the decision insisted on anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the nomination publicly ahead of Tuesdays announcement. Trump adviser Newt Gingrich has tweeted his approval, calling Price the right leader to help Congress replace Obamacare. ___ 7:05 p.m. Vice President-elect Mike Pence is offering support to the families of a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University. Speaking to reporters at Trump Tower Monday night, Pence said, Our hearts go out to the families of those affected in Ohio a tragic attack. He added that our prayers are with them all. Eleven people were hurt in the attack Monday. A Somali-born university student plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot to death by an officer. Police said they are investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. ___ 5 p.m. The presidential election may be over, but the money hunt continues. President-elect Donald Trump is set to attend what would be his first post-election fundraiser on Dec. 7 in New York City. Its a $5,000-per-person breakfast to benefit his transition effort. More than 60 people are listed as hosts for the event, according to the invitation, obtained by The Associated Press. Although the federal government through taxpayer money covers at least $6 million in transition costs, incoming presidents typically supplement that with outside fundraising. To maintain access to the federal money, the president-elect cannot accept more than $5,000 per individual donor. Separately, Trump is also raising money to pay for multimillion-dollar inauguration festivities in January. ___ 4:10 p.m. Even when President-elect Donald Trump isnt around, visitors to Trump Tower still get quite a show. On Monday afternoon in the Manhattan luxury buildings lobby, two street performers dressed as Naked Cowboys in boots, cowboy hats and colorful robes serenaded a crowd that included gawkers, journalists and Trumps campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway. Conway laughed and chatted with the two performers and stood with them while they sang a song about Trump building a wall. She did not respond to requests from reporters to answer questions. Trump has been ensconced in his penthouse apartment all day, meeting with potential administration hires. ___ 4 p.m. Retired Gen. David Petraeus says he had a very good conversation with President-elect Donald Trump. The former CIA director met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York City Monday afternoon. He says the two spoke for about an hour and says Trump showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there. Petraeus, who could be in line for a Cabinet nomination, says the two will see where it goes from here. He did not respond to questions about whether Trump had offered him a job in the new administration. Petraeus was President Barack Obamas CIA director in 2011-12 before resigning amid the disclosure that he had an affair with his biographer and shared highly classified information with her. ___ 2:45 p.m. A lawyer for Green Party candidate Jill Steins campaign has notified the Michigan elections board that it will seek a recount of the presidential election results. Mark Brewer told the Board of State Canvassers that the recount petition will be filed on Wednesday. The board on Monday certified Republican Donald Trumps 10,704-vote win over Democrat Hillary Clinton out of nearly 4.8 million ballots cast. Brewer, a former Michigan Democratic Party chairman, says about 84,000 Michigan voters cast ballots but not in the presidential race a higher number than in the past. He says tabulator machines are known to not count every vote and are vulnerable to hacking. The states recount policy is to count every ballot by hand. ___ 2:15 p.m. Jill Stein is on track to raise twice as much for an election recount effort than she did for her own failed Green Party presidential bid. Fueled by the social media hashtag #recount2016 and millions of dispirited Hillary Clinton voters, Steins recount effort in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania had already netted $6.3 million by Monday, according to her campaign website. Thats millions more than the roughly $3.5 million she raised during her entire campaign. Stein said she is proud to stand up for election integrity regardless of whether it changes the outcome of the presidential race. Laurence Tribe, a Harvard constitutional law professor, said that recounts are entirely within the law and that Steins effort is probably aimed more at trying to gain attention and establish herself as a national player. ___ 2:10 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump has won Michigans 16 electoral votes. The Board of State Canvassers certified Trumps 10,704-vote victory on Monday, nearly three weeks after the election. The two-tenths of a percentage point margin out of nearly 4.8 million votes is the closest presidential race in Michigan in more than 75 years. Trumps win in Michigan gives the Republican 306 electoral votes to Democrat Hillary Clintons 232. Trump is the first Republican presidential nominee to win Michigan since 1988. Green Party candidate Jill Stein is expected to ask for a recount. She has until Wednesday. Trump would have seven days to file objections to her request. ___ 1:55 p.m. The White House says President Barack Obama isnt worried about his successor reversing his detente with Cuba. White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the policy has resulted in new economic ties, travel and business deals that make it very difficult to undo. Earnest cited new daily commercial flights from the U.S. to the island, as well as a surge of other U.S. investment allowed under new regulations. Earnest says reversing the policy would mean a significant economic blow to Cubans, and it is not as easy as a stroke of a pen. President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he will terminate Obamas reestablishment of diplomatic ties and normalization of relations if Cuba isnt willing to negotiate a better agreement. ___ 1:35 p.m. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says Donald Trump should provide proof to back up his claim that there was widespread voter fraud in Virginia on Election Day. The president-elect is claiming, without evidence, that millions of people voted illegally in the election he won. Trump alleged that three states, including Virginia, saw serious voter fraud. Speaking to reporters Monday, McAuliffe laughed when asked about Trumps comments. The Democratic governor said there was not a single instance of voter fraud occurring in Virginia. He said Trump should put proof behind the allegation. Hillary Clinton easily won Virginia, the only southern state to back her on Election Day. __ 12:20 p.m. President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to end the detente with Cuba initiated by the Obama administration. Trump tweeted Monday he will terminate President Barack Obamas reestablishment of diplomatic ties and normalization of relations if Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole. But Trumps warning could face opposition from some Republicans on Capitol Hill and corporate leaders who see continued engagement with Havana as good for American businesses and the best way to force the Cuban government to change. Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake said this past weekend a get tough policy that isolates Havana and restricts travel and commerce will hurt the Cuban people and make the U.S. government a convenient scapegoat for failed socialist policies. __ 11:55 a.m. The Green Party says it will ask a Pennsylvania court to order a statewide recount of the states Nov. 8 presidential election result. But its unclear if the courts would have authority to do so. A lawyer for Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein wouldnt discuss what would be alleged in the expected lawsuit Monday. Republican President-elect Donald Trump edged Democrat Hillary Clinton by about 71,000 votes, or about 1 percent, in Pennsylvania. Democratic Secretary of State Pedro Cortes says theres no evidence of voting irregularities or cyberattacks on Pennsylvanias voting machines, 96 percent of which record votes electronically and leave no paper trail. A GOP lawyer says the courts lack authority to order a statewide recount. Cortes says hes also unaware of the courts having authority to do so __ 11:50 a.m. A Republican member of the Electoral College from Texas says hes resigning so he wont cast one of the states 38 electoral votes for Donald Trump. Art Sisneros previously told The Associated Press that he was wavering on supporting Trump because the Republican is not biblically qualified for office. In a lengthy weekend blog post, Sisneros updated that, saying the best option I see at this time is to resign my position as an elector. Texas doesnt require its presidential electors to vote in accordance with the states presidential election results. Trump won Texas by around 9 percentage points and captured 290 overall electoral votes to Hillary Clintons 232. Texas electors meet in Austin next month to vote for president. By state law, they can vote then on a replacement for Sisneros. __ 10 a.m. President-elect Donald Trump is claiming, without evidence, that millions of people voted illegally in the election he won, issuing the baseless claim as part of his angry response to a recount effort led by the Green Party and joined by Hillary Clintons campaign. Trump tweeted on Sunday that he won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. He later alleged serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California. Trumps transition team did not provide any evidence to back up the president-elects assertions of fraud in the November election. They pointed only to past charges of irregularities in voter registration. There has been no evidence of widespread tampering or hacking that would change the results of the presidential contest between Trump and Clinton. BISMARCK, N.D. The Latest on the protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline (all times local): 10:30 p.m. A standing-room only crowd has filled a library in Bismarck, North Dakota, during a public forum about tribal opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline. The Bismarck Tribune (http://bit.ly/2gQD8E0) reports that Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault joined tribal youth during the meeting sponsored by the Dakota Resource Council. He said officials didnt listen to tribal concerns about a plan to drill under the Missouri River near the reservation boundary for a section of the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline. Archambault called it history repeating itself, a reference to other clashes between the federal government and tribes involving various treaties. Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Don Morrison said the speakers at the meeting represent critically important voices that arent being heard. _ 6 p.m. Authorities say no action will be taken to enforce North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymples emergency evacuation order for protesters of the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Dalrymple signed the order Monday for protesters who are camping on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. Dalrymple cited harsh winter conditions, and his order said the unpermitted camp sites are not zoned for suitable housing. Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong told The Associated Press that authorities will not be using law enforcement or the National Guard to enforce the governors order. Earlier, the Corps ordered the protesters to leave federal law but said it has no plans to forcibly remove anyone. Hundreds of people have been gathered at the encampment for months to oppose the four-state, $3.8 billion project, which they contend could affect drinking water and damage cultural sites. ___ 5:30 p.m. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple is ordering an emergency evacuation of Dakota Access pipeline protesters who are camping on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. The Republican governor signed the order Monday because of what he calls harsh winter conditions. The order didnt say what action would be taken for protesters who dont comply, and a spokesman for Dalrymple didnt immediately respond to calls and an email from The Associated Press. The governors order says the unpermitted camp sites are not zoned for housing suitable for living in winter conditions. Hundreds of people have been gathered at the encampment for months to oppose the four-state, $3.8 billion project, which they contend could affect drinking water and damage cultural sites. The Corps has ordered the protesters to leave federal land, but the Corps says it has no plans to forcibly remove anyone. ___ 2:10 p.m. A government order for protesters of the Dakota Access pipeline to leave federal land could have little immediate effect on the encampment where hundreds of people have been gathered for months to oppose the $3.8 billion project. A North Dakota sheriff says the deadline is meaningless and serves only to reduce the governments legal responsibility for demonstrators. The Corps says all federal lands north of the Cannonball River will be closed for safety concerns starting Dec. 5. The order includes the large encampment known as the Seven Council Fires camp. The agency cited the approach of winter and increasingly contentious clashes between protesters and police. But the Corps says it has no plans to forcibly remove anyone. Violators could be prosecuted for trespassing. LOS ANGELES An attorney for a former Playboy playmate pleaded not guilty on her behalf Monday to charges that she secretly photographed a 70-year-old woman in the nude in the shower area of a Los Angeles fitness center. Dani Mathers, 29, faces a misdemeanor count of invasion of privacy, having been accused of posting an image of the woman on her Snapchat social media account in early July. In addition to the photo, Mathers included the comment, If I cant unsee this then you cant either. Mathers posting sparked public outrage as well as a national discussion about body shaming. Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said he hoped the case sent a message to others about such behavior. Prosecutors often use invasion of privacy charges against peeping Toms and people who conceal cameras to take sexually suggestive photos of women. But legal experts said this marks a rare instance in which authorities have brought charges against someone over photos making fun of someones weight. Outside of court Monday, defense lawyer Thomas Mesereau said Mathers regrets the events and apologizes for her behavior and he expects the matter to be resolved in a fair manner. Shortly after she posted the image and comments, Mathers issued a statement saying it was absolutely wrong and not what she meant to do. I know that body-shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am, she wrote. Mathers said the photo was meant to be sent as a private message, but was posted publicly. Mesereau has said his client did nothing illegal. She never tried to invade anyones privacy and never tried to violate any laws, he said. Last month, Feuer condemned Mathers actions, saying: Body-shaming is humiliating, with often painful, long-term consequences. It mocks and stigmatizes its victims, tearing down self-respect and perpetuating the harmful idea that our unique physical appearances should be compared to airbrushed notions of perfect. What really matters is our character and humanity. While body-shaming, in itself, is not a crime, there are circumstances in which invading ones privacy to accomplish it can be. And we shouldnt tolerate that, Feuer said. Los Angeles police began an investigation in July after receiving a report of illegal distribution of the image. L.A. Fitness officials reported the posting to police as well, officials said. Digital technology has made it easier to secretly capture others in their most private moments. Last year, a prominent Washington rabbi was sentenced to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to secretly recording 52 women as they prepared for a religious bathing ritual. In California, a U.S. Border Patrol supervisor admitted in federal court that he secretly recorded seven female co-workers in the bathroom of the Chula Vista office. Some states have increased the penalties for taking secret images, making it a felony. In New York, offenders can receive up to four years in prison for a first offense. The claim is an apparent attempt to divert the media focus on the vote recounts requested by the Green Party in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and in Michigan. By Indo-Asian News Service: The White House has said that there is no evidence to support the allegation of "election fraud" claimed by President-elect Donald Trump, who on the weekend said that "millions" of people voted "illegally" for his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in the November 8 election. On Sunday, Trump said on Twitter that he would have beaten Clinton in the nationwide popular vote "if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally". advertisement MEDIA NOT REPORTING VOTER FRAUD He also called into question the results in three states he lost to Clinton, saying "serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California -- so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias -- big problem!", but offered no evidence of the supposed fraud. However, there has been "no evidence produced to substantiate" Trump's claims, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. Also read | Explained: Why Trumponomics will triumph Trump has resurrected the claim of election fraud in an apparent attempt to divert the media focus on the vote recounts requested by the Green Party in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and in Michigan. WHAT TRUMP'S TEAM CLAIMED The mogul's transition team insisted on Monday that there was evidence of election fraud. Trump's reaction came after Clinton's campaign said on the weekend that it would "participate" in the Green Party's recount effort. Meanwhile, Trump's transition team spokesman Jason Miller told reporters on Monday that it was "ridiculous wasting oxygen" on recounts, labelling it a fundraising "scam by Jill Stein in an election already conceded" and an effort that would not change the overall election result. Also read | 'Nasty woman, Putin puppet': Final Trump-Hillary face-off got dirty and personal Trump won 306 votes in the Electoral College to Clinton's 232, putting him above the 270 votes needed there to win the presidency. But the College's electors are scheduled to formally vote on the matter on December 19 and Trump will not officially be declared the winner until he secures at least 270 of their votes. --- ENDS --- For a man given to fiery rhetoric and long-winded sermons, Abu Muhammad al-Adnani became oddly quiet during his last summer as the chief spokesman for the Islamic State. The Syrian who exhorted thousands of young Muslims to don suicide belts appeared increasingly obsessed with his own safety, U.S. officials say. He banished cellphones, shunned large meetings and avoided going outdoors in the daytime. He began sleeping in crowded tenements in a Syrian farm town called al-Bab, betting on the presence of young children to shield him from the drones prowling the skies overhead. But in late August, when a string of military defeats suffered by the Islamic State compelled Adnani to briefly leave his hiding place, the Americans were waiting for him. A joint surveillance operation by the CIA and the Pentagon tracked the 39-year-old as he left his al-Bab sanctuary and climbed into a car with a companion. They were headed north on a rural highway a few miles from town when a Hellfire missile struck the vehicle, killing both of them. The Aug. 30 missile strike was the culmination of a months-long mission targeting one of the Islamic States most prominent and, U.S. officials say, most dangerous senior leaders. The Obama administration has said little publicly about the strike, other than to rebut Russias claims that one its own warplanes dropped the bomb that ended Adnanis life. But while key operational details of the Adnani strike remain secret, U.S. officials are speaking more openly about what they describe as an increasingly successful campaign to track and kill the Islamic States senior commanders, including Adnani, the No. 2 leader and the biggest prize so far. At least six high-level Islamic State officials have died in U.S. airstrikes in the past four months, along with dozens of deputies and brigadiers, all but erasing entire branches of the groups leadership chart. Their deaths have left the groups chieftain, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, increasingly isolated, deprived of his most capable lieutenants and limited in his ability to communicate with his embattled followers, U.S. officials say. Baghdadi has not made a public appearance in more than two years and released only a single audiotape suggesting that the Islamic States figurehead is now in deep, deep hiding, said Brett McGurk, the Obama administrations special envoy to the global coalition seeking to destroy Baghdadis self-proclaimed caliphate. He is in deep hiding because we have eliminated nearly all of his deputies, McGurk said at a meeting of coalition partners in Berlin this month. We had their network mapped. If you look at all of his deputies and who he was relying on, theyre all gone. The loss of senior leaders does not mean that the Islamic State is about to collapse. U.S. officials and terrorism experts caution that the groups decentralized structure and sprawling network of regional affiliates ensure that it would survive even the loss of Baghdadi himself. But they say the deaths point to the growing sophistication of a targeted killing campaign built by the CIA and Defense Department over the past two years for the purpose of flushing out individual leaders who are working hard to stay hidden. The effort is being aided, U.S. officials say, by new technology as well as new allies, including deserters and defectors who are shedding light on how the terrorists travel and communicate. At the same time, territorial losses and military defeats are forcing the groups remaining leaders to take greater risks, traveling by car and communicating by cellphones and computers instead of couriers, the officials and analysts said. The bad guys have to communicate electronically because they have lost control of the roads, said a veteran U.S. counterterrorism official who works closely with U.S. and Middle Eastern forces and who, like others interviewed for this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operations. Meanwhile our penetration is better because ISIS situation is getting more desperate and they are no longer vetting recruits, the official said, using a common acronym for the terrorist group. We have a better picture inside ISIS now, he said, than we ever did against al-Qaida in Iraq. The first to go was Abu Omar the Chechen. The red-bearded Georgian Islamic militant, commonly known as Omar al-Shishani, fought in the Russia-Georgia war in 2008 and had been trained by U.S. Special Forces when he was in the Georgian military. He rose to become the Islamic States minister of war and was reported to have been killed on at least a half-dozen occasions since 2014, only to surface, apparently unharmed, to lead military campaigns in Iraq and Syria. Shishanis luck ran out on July 10 when a U.S. missile struck a gathering of militant leaders near the Iraqi city of Mosul. It was the beginning of a string of successful operations targeting key leaders of the Islamic States military, propaganda and external operations divisions, U.S. officials said in interviews. On Sept. 6, a coalition airstrike killed Wail Adil Hasan Salman al-Fayad, the Islamic States minister of information, near Raqqa, Syria. On Sept. 30, a U.S. attack killed deputy military commander Abu Jannat, the top officer in charge of Mosuls defenses and one of 13 senior Islamic State officials in Mosul who were killed in advance of the U.S.-assisted offensive to retake the city. On Nov. 12, a U.S. missile targeted Abd al-Basit al-Iraqi, an Iraqi national described as the leader of the Islamic States Middle Eastern external-operations network, responsible for carrying out attacks against Western targets. But it was Adnanis death that delivered the single biggest blow, U.S. analysts say. The Syrian-born Islamist militant was regarded by experts as more than a mere spokesman. A longtime member of the Islamic States inner circle, he was a gifted propagandist and strategic thinker who played a role in many of the organizations greatest successes, from its commandeering of social media to its most spectacular terrorist attacks overseas, including in Paris and Brussels. His importance within the organization was also steadily rising. Last year, after the U.S.-led coalition began retaking cities across Iraq and Syria, it was Adnani who stepped into the role of cheerleader in chief, posting messages and sermons to boost morale while calling on sympathetic Muslims around the world to carry out terrorist attacks using any means available. He was the voice of the caliphate when its caliph was largely silent, said Will McCants, an expert on militant extremism at the Brookings Institution and author of The ISIS Apocalypse, a 2015 book on the Islamic State. He was the one who called for a war on the West. The CIA and Pentagon declined to comment on their specific roles in the Adnani operation. But other officials familiar with the effort said the task of finding the Islamic States No. 2 leader became a priority nearly on par with the search for Baghdadi. But like his boss, Adnani, a survivor of earlier wars between U.S. forces and Sunni insurgents in Iraq, proved to be remarkably skilled at keeping himself out of the path of U.S. missiles. His personal security was particularly good, said the U.S. counterterrorism official involved in coordinating U.S. and Middle Eastern military efforts. And as time went on, it got even better. But the quality of the intelligence coming from the region was improving as well. A U.S. official familiar with the campaign described a two-stage learning process: In the early months, the bombing campaign focused on the most visible targets, such as weapons depots and oil refineries. But by the middle of last year, analysts were sorting through torrents of data on the movements of individual leaders. The information came from a growing network of human informants as well as from technological innovations, including improved surveillance drones and special manned aircraft equipped with the Pentagons Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System, or EMARSS, designed to identify and track individual targets on the ground. In the first year, the strikes were mostly against structures, said a U.S. official familiar with the air campaign. In the last year, they became much more targeted, leading to more successes. And yet, insights into the whereabouts of the top two leaders Baghdadi and Adnani remained sparse. After the Obama administration put a $5 million bounty on him, Adnani became increasingly cautious, U.S. officials say, avoiding not only cellphones but also buildings with satellite dishes. He used couriers to pass messages and stayed away from large gatherings. Eventually, his role shifted to coordinating the defense of a string of towns and villages near the Turkish border. One of these was Manbij, a Syrian hub and transit point for Islamic State fighters traveling to and from Turkey. Another was Dabiq, a small burg mentioned in Islams prophetic texts as the future site of the end-times battle between the forces of good and evil. Adnani picked for his headquarters the small town of al-Bab, about 30 miles northeast of Aleppo. There he hid in plain sight amid ordinary Syrians, conducting meetings in the same crowded apartment buildings where he slept. As was his custom, he used couriers to deliver messages until suddenly it became nearly impossible to do so. On Aug. 12, a U.S.-backed army of Syrian rebels captured Manbij in the first of a series of crushing defeats for the Islamic State along the Turkish frontier. Thousands of troops began massing for assaults on the key border town of Jarabulus, as well as Dabiq, just over 20 miles from Adnanis base. With many roads blocked by hostile forces, communication with front-line fighters became difficult. Adnani was compelled to venture from his sanctuary for meetings, and when he did so on Aug. 30, the CIAs trackers finally had the clear shot they had been waiting for weeks to take. Records generated by commercially available aircraft-tracking radar show a small plane flying multiple loops that day over a country road just northwest of al-Bab. The plane gave no call sign, generally an indication that it is a military aircraft on a clandestine mission. The profile and flight pattern were similar to ones generated in the past for the Pentagons EMARSS-equipped MC-12 prop planes, used for surveillance of targets on the ground. The country road is the same one on which Adnani was traveling when a Hellfire missile hit his car, killing him and his companion. The death was announced the same day by the Islamic State, in a bulletin mourning the loss of a leader who was martyred while surveying the operations to repel the military campaigns against Aleppo. But in Washington, the impact of his death was muted by a two-week delay as U.S. officials sought proof that it was indeed Adnanis body that was pulled from the wreckage of the car. The confirmation finally came Sept. 12 in a Pentagon statement asserting that a U.S. precision airstrike targeting Adnani had eliminated the terrorist groups chief propagandist, recruiter and architect of external terrorist operations. The Russian claims have persisted, exasperating the American analysts who know how long and difficult the search had been. Meanwhile, the ultimate impact of Adnanis death is still being assessed. Longtime terrorism experts argue that a diffuse, highly decentralized terrorist network such as the Islamic State tends to bounce back quickly from the loss of a leader, even one as prominent as Adnani. Decapitation is one arm of a greater strategy, but it cannot defeat a terrorist group by itself, said Bruce Hoffman, director of Georgetown Universitys Center for Security Studies and an author of multiple books on terrorism. Noting that the Islamic States military prowess derives from the more anonymous Saddamist military officers who make up the groups professional core, Hoffman said the loss of a chief propagandist was likely to be only a temporary derailment. Yet, as still more missiles find their targets, the Islamic State is inevitably losing its ability to command and inspire its embattled forces, other terrorism experts said. The steady destruction of the leadership of the Islamic State, plus the loss of territory, is eroding the groups appeal and potency, said Bruce Riedel, a 30-year CIA veteran and a terrorism expert at the Brookings Institution. The Islamic State is facing a serious crisis. The Washington Posts Thomas Gibbons-Neff contributed to this report. isis The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency was hit with malware that held its computer systems hostage on Friday and caused problems over the weekend as attackers reportedly sought a ransom to release their digital grip on the system. In a press statement Sunday, SFMTA confirmed it was the victim of ransomware a type of malware that makes computer data inaccessible by scrambling it with encryption. The hacker then demands payment for the digital key that can unlock the information. SFMTA said transit services were not affected by the attack. But fare machines inside the stations were lit up with OUT OF SERVICE messages over the weekend, according to the San Francisco Examiner, which was among the first outlets to report on the incident. And trains kept running with passengers getting a free ride, the SFGate reported. Station agent computers displayed the message You Hacked, ALL Data Encrypted. Contact For Key(cryptom27681 ,Enter. on Friday and Saturday, according to the Examiner. SFTMA said in its statement that the situation was contained. A person in control of the cryptom27@yandex.com email address took credit for the attack and demanded SFMTA to cough up more than $70,000 worth of bitcoins, a type of digital currency, according to the Examiner. In an emailed response to The Post, the operator of the address did not mention a ransom, however, and said it had not intentionally targeted the transit system. We Gain Access Completely Random and Our Virus Working Automatically ! We Dont Have Targeted Attack to them !, the email read. The email described the attack as a proof of concept and said SFMTA systems were poorly secured. The person wrote that they would be happy to advise SFMTA on how to correct its security problems. But the apparent attacker also said they would release 30 gigabytes of data including employees data and contracts they claimed to have obtained in the attack if the transit agency did not secure its systems. Ransomware attacks have been on the rise this year. In April, the FBI warned that ransomware infections had hit hospitals, school districts and even local law enforcement agencies. The FBI advised businesses to regularly back up their data so it can be restored if theyre attacked. One reason this type of attack remains popular is that, well, it tends to work, according to Tod Beardsley, senior security research manager at cybersecurity firm Rapid7. Regular backup and recovery systems have a tendency to never be tested in non-crises, so oftentimes, the victims are left with two unappealing solutions, they can either attempt to restore from untested backups, or simply pay the ransom for the decryption keys, he explained. rail-hack ROSWELL, N.M. Authorities say a man wanted on suspicion of attempted murder in California has been arrested in New Mexico. Roswell police say 26-year-old Joseph Daniel Kribell was taken into custody without incident Monday morning. Hes been held without bond at the Chaves County Detention Center and awaiting extradition to Los Angeles County. Kribell is from Long Beach, California. Details of the murder case werent immediately available Monday. Roswell police say they were called out to investigate a suspicious person in a parked vehicle about 4:45 a.m. An officer found Kribell sitting in the drivers seat. When the officer checked with dispatch for any warrants on Kribell, he say that Kribell was wanted for attempted murder in Los Angeles County. We finally have an Obama doctrine. It is the 223 words of the White House statement on the death of Fidel Castro. It is blank of moral judgment, empty of indignation, blind to injustice, dismissive of history and indifferent to injury. A dictator has died and Barack Obama sent him off with lazy weasel words: History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. History will also record Obamas failure to condemn. Fidel Castro was a killer. He came to power in a revolution and so violence was probably inescapable. But he followed it with mass executions the guilty, the innocent, it hardly mattered. He imposed a totalitarian system on Cuba even harsher and more homicidal than the one that preceded it. He persecuted homosexuals, dissidents, critical writers and journalists. He would not tolerate a free press and his own political party was the only one permitted. In the end, he ruined his countrys economy while at the same time exporting terrorism. Obama mentioned none of this. Instead, he cited the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. If individual lives were altered by torture, imprisonment, execution or mere harassment then I suppose the president is on to something and once again using language creatively. But this is thin gruel for Castros victims, some of whom might have expected the president of the United States to acknowledge their suffering. Alas, they got nothing. I call this inert White House statement the Obama Doctrine because it nicely encapsulates the presidents lack of indignation. No-drama Obama, as he has been called, has an occasional moral moment, but not often. Hes been offended by Donald Trump, but then the president-elect has trafficked in bigotry, asserting that Obama was not a native-born American, as the Constitution requires of a president. It was only with pained reluctance that Trump acknowledged otherwise a perfunctory performance lacking all conviction. But the president has abided the Syrian slaughter without showing much disgust. He drew a red line around Bashir Assads use of poison gas and then walked away from it. I understand. His use of the term red line always seemed accidental, just a term that came to mind, and he was boxed in by it. But his failure to enforce it was certainly purposeful and he has allowed the Syrian regime, the Russians and Hezbollah to kill with impunity. The Obama Doctrine comes down to a shrug of the shoulders. Trump, on the other hand, awoke on Saturday twittering. In a tweet, he remarked that Castro had died and in a statement he denounced him as a brutal dictator. It is an odd and sad day when I agree with Trump and disagree with Obama and feel, moreover, that the learning-unabled president-elect has expressed American values while the president has expressed no values at all. Here, once again, Obama ignored the past and all its complications and instead focused on the future. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, the president said. The past, possibly. Memory, never. Castro has always represented an odd litmus test for the American left. He assumed a kind of literary bona fide, the dictator who read Gabriel Garcia Marquez and was in turn flattered by him. Castro became a literary invention himself, The General in his Labyrinth perhaps. Garcia Marquez saw the invisible in his writing but could never see the reality of Castro. Others, less gifted than Garcia Marquez, also found extenuating circumstance in Castro. He had an excellent health service, they insisted, as if it were not possible to have good doctors and a free press or oppose racism and not persecute homosexuals or dissidents. For some on the left, it was enough that Castro loathed capitalism and was Americas enemy. Like Uncle Ho, Uncle Joe and even that charming beast Mao, those attributes put him on many a dorm room poster. In his statement, Obama looked forward to a future in which Cuba and the U.S. have a better relationship. But in not recognizing why that relationship has been so bad in the past in not even acknowledging the vast crimes of Fidel Castro Obama let the Cuban people know that the future can be just as bad. Its the Obama Doctrine in a nutshell: do what you want. There is a good argument that one person acting unilaterally should not be able to set aside hundreds of thousands of acres under the guise of conservation without adequate debate or discussion about what makes that acreage so very valuable in its pristine form. Likewise, there is a good argument that one person should not be able to put all those acres back into play without adequate public debate or discussion about why that was the wrong decision. Call it a breakdown of our nations system of checks and balances. More specifically, call it a gaping hole in the 110-year-old Antiquities Act. The act was passed in 1906 during the Republican administration of President Theodore Roosevelt after two decades of looting, desecration, and destruction of Native American sites in the Southwest such as Chaco Canyon and Cliff Palace, according to the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University. It allows the president or Congress to establish national monuments. Under the act President Barack Obama has established 28 national monuments including the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in Taos County and the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in southern New Mexico. President Bill Clinton designated 19. President George W. Bush created two. Sixteen presidents have used the act to establish national monuments; Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush are the only presidents of either party since 1906 who have not. Now Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, head of the House Committee on Natural Resources, wants President-elect Donald Trump to abolish the 47 national monuments created during the Obama and Clinton administrations, specifically Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument as well as the proposed Bears Ears area in his state. Its questionable if Trump would be able to do that an official with the National Parks Conservation Association points out there is no precedent for a president taking back a national monument, and a former chief attorney for the Department of Interior says a U.S. Attorney General opinion from the 1930s examined the issue and concluded that a president cannot undo a monument. That leaves the question relatively open. There is no question that Congress can undo a monument, and it has 11 times. Theres also no question government gridlock helped create the current situation. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said back in 2013 she would recommend Obama act alone if necessary to create new national monuments because the paralysis on Capitol Hill had created a yearslong conservation backlog. She emphasized that there are places that are ripe for setting aside, with a tremendous groundswell of public support. Thats likely always true, yet the tax-paying public deserves national monuments that do more than win popularity contests with their vocal supporters which at times dont include a majority of the locals. At the same time, the public deserves more than a no-monument mindset that ignores personal private land gifts as well as the vital role land conservation plays in local economies. The public deserves science, fiscal analysis, standards for designation, and thorough and open vetting of proposals. None of which come from one person designating or declassifying a monument. U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall and U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, all N.M. Democrats, have vocally criticized Bishops proposal. U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., is espousing a middle-of-the-road approach, unsurprising since he introduced legislation to protect 60,000 acres of the Organ Mountains versus the 496,000 acres Obama ultimately set aside. Pearce points out the Antiquities Act requires that a president designate the smallest possible footprint in order to achieve the desired environmental preservation and emphasizes these decisions must be made in Congress. Those are important starting points for any legislation that affects land that will belong to all Americans. Yet they hinge on a Congress that does in fact act, that actually airs all pertinent facts, debates proposals and then votes on them. And that should include designating as well as declassifying national monuments. 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. Editors note: Investigative journalist Diane Dimond, whose weekly syndicated column on crime and justice appears in the Journal, is preparing a book on the nations elder guardianship system. Its a system designed to protect the elderly from the unscrupulous. But as Dimond discovered, it can be dominated by a core group of court-appointed, for-profit professionals who are accused of isolating family members and draining the elders estates. New Mexico is no exception. This is the third installment of a five-part Albuquerque Journal series. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal Blair and her husband, Clarence Casey Darnell, loved horses. They met in the late 1950s when Blair, a handsome, vibrant transplant from New Orleans, attended the University of New Mexicos anthropology program. She and her 2-year-old daughter, Kris, visited the Darnell stables to buy a horse. But after the animal tossed Blair, she took it back, demanding that Casey break the horse or give her a refund. Casey, a World War II bomber pilot, was smitten by Blairs spirit. They married at a friends North Valley home on Jan. 27, 1958. Casey adopted little Kris, and the couple started their own family on the 17-acre Darnell ranch nestled in the bosque (near what is now Coors and Paseo del Norte), where champion quarter horses were raised and trained. They had three children on that ranch: Cliff, Emily and Mary, in that order. My mother was active in 4-H and took in lots of wayward kids to come work the ranch, Mary Darnell recalls. My dad was vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association and was inducted into the Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2009. Casey Darnell died in August 2001. Not long after her husband passed away, Blair was kicked by a horse and hit her head on a railroad tie when she fell. She was unconscious for about 30 minutes, but in her tough cowgirl fashion, refused medical treatment. In later years, Mary came to believe their mothers forgetfulness was a byproduct of a brain bleed suffered during that accident. Brother Cliff remembers he and his half-sister, Kris Darnell-Kreger, taking their mother to a doctor in 2005 or 2006 and being told she displayed early signs of dementia, not Alzheimers. Nevertheless, no one denied Blair was having cognitive difficulties in her later years and needed assistance. Emily and Mary say they were more than willing to help care for their mother but say they were shut out after Kris got the court involved. Kris Darnell-Kreger has declined several requests to be interviewed for this story. Under the Uniform Probate Code, proceedings in elder guardianship cases are sequestered, meaning none of the parties is allowed to speak about the case. But the Journal has learned that on Jan. 6, 2010, a petition was filed in the court of Judge Beatrice Brickhouse by attorney Gregory MacKenzie on behalf of daughter, Kris. In it, he painted a dire picture of 78-year-old Blair Darnells situation. The petition accused Mary, her mothers primary caregiver, of seriously neglecting her mothers medical needs and self-dealing by directing her mother into questionable financial transactions. MacKenzie also accused Emily and Cliff of less serious actions that adversely affected their mother. The next day, Judge Brickhouse granted the petition, appointed a temporary guardian/conservator, a so-called court visitor and a psychologist to perform a neuropsychological exam of Blair Darnell. She had not appeared before the judge but was immediately referred to in court documents as an adult incapacitated person. No hearing was ever held to determine whether any of the allegations against the adult children was true. By Jan. 7, the system was in full motion and Blair Darnell would lose all ability to control the final years of her life. In the original petition, Judge Brickhouse was told that Mary lived on the Darnells 17-acre ranch free of rent and owed her mother more than $200,000. Attorney MacKenzie specifically mentioned two suspect land deals he said Mary orchestrated that were financially detrimental to her mother. One transaction involved a North Carolina property sold to a cousin that netted Blair about $156,000, money that was then invested in land Mary owned in Corrales. The second charge against Mary was that she had acted as a realtor and listed the Darnell familys 17-acre ranch in the bosque for sale, hoping to reap a sizable commission for herself. Mary has had a real estate license for 20 years but denies doing anything that would harm her mothers financial interests. So from Day One, (MacKenzies allegations) just set everything against me with the judge, Mary said. Why would (Judge Brickhouse) ever believe me on anything I say? And theres no truth to it. No shred of evidence ever entered, no audit. Its all hearsay. Chief Judge Nan Nash of Albuquerques 2nd Judicial District, responding to written questions from the Journal, said, The guardianship petition is not taken at face value. The statutory framework includes precautions to keep that from happening. Siblings Emily and Cliff disagree, saying the negative portrayal of their sister, Mary, was completely untrue and none of them was given an opportunity to address the court to set the record straight. From his home in Arkansas, Cliff said that all the siblings, including Kris, along with their mother, had fully discussed both land transactions and had agreed to go forward. It wasnt a hidden thing it wasnt a crooked thing, Cliff said. Mary had the power of attorney. She had all the authority to do what she did. We all knew what was happening. They say you did all these horrible things and then say, Now we have to come in and hire all these people to help your mom, Emily Darnell told the Journal. They make it all about the money, which it never was. It was a trauma, like torture, watching what they did to Mother. Far and away the most outlandish charge, according to Cliff, Emily and Mary, was the whispered story that Mary had taken $1 million from her mothers accounts. Mary said she tracked the rumor, via longtime ranch staff, to caretakers hired by the court-appointed elder guardian firm Decades LLC. Decades President and CEO Nancy Oriola said that she could not talk about specific cases, but that Decades strives to hire professional staff, and that Decades takes all complaints seriously and tries to address them. Yet the allegations came back to haunt Mary Darnell. During a telephone call with the Journal in June, attorney Darryl Millet, who was appointed permanent conservator in the Darnell case, outlined an eerily similar allegation without mentioning any names. There were allegations substantial allegations that family members had taken substantial financial advantage of their mother, Millet said. When I looked at the numbers the first conservator (Decades) came up with after their investigation, he said, It appeared to me that there was well over $1 million missing from Moms estate. The three youngest Darnell siblings say thats impossible, because Blair had no major liquid cash reserves her wealth mostly was tied up in the land and horses. According to her children, Blair lived comfortably off the income from two family trusts administered in South Carolina and Louisiana, between $60,000 and $80,000 a year, plus her monthly Social Security benefits, which were as high as $968. Cliff Darnell opined that if an attorney had information that someone had stolen a million dollars from an incapacitated elderly person, They should have been going after an indictment, but no one did. System insiders The day Kris Darnell-Kregers petition was filed, Judge Brickhouse appointed everyone attorney MacKenzie recommended. Attorney Ruth Pregenzer was named Blair Darnells guardian ad litem to represent her interests in court. Decades became Blairs temporary conservator for 90 days, during which time an evaluation was to be conducted to determine whether guardianship should be made permanent. The judge also appointed MacKenzies choices of Susan Stuart of Decisions in Care LLC as court visitor to help assess the family situation and Rex Swanda, Ph.D., to conduct the neuropsychological testing of Blair Darnell. Lawyers and others familiar with the system, which is highly secretive, say it is rare for the court-appointed team to come up with findings that stop or reverse the guardianship process. The three Darnell siblings said that at first they were delighted to learn their mother was getting a court-appointed lawyer to look out for her best interests. But then they learned that Pregenzer also had represented Decades in the past. So had attorney MacKenzie. When the familys conflict-of-interest complaint was raised with the court, Judge Brickhouse found no reason to change her guardian ad litem appointment. The judge declared Blair Darnell an incapacitated person and made her a permanent ward of the court. During an interview at her law office last month, Pregenzer told the Journal it is not unusual in a guardian/conservator case for one of the attorneys to have had a previous relationship with one of the parties. Given Albuquerques relatively small community of elder law attorneys, she said, It is our practice to disclose that information up front so that everyone knows it. If there ever is an objection to my being able to provide an unbiased report, then I say I dont want to have anything to do with this. Asked how often Decades LLC had been recommended for appointment by MacKenzie, Oriola said she would estimate that he had referred 10 or fewer cases to Decades in the past 10 years. And she did not believe he had referred a guardian or conservator case to us in several years. Dr. Rex Swanda did not respond to telephone and written requests for comment. Susan Stuart of Decisions in Care declined an interview, writing in an email, I feel it would be impossible to have a discussion with you without running the risk of disclosing matters that are protected by statute. Decades Oriola responded only to written questions submitted by the Journal and defended the system, saying, The professional guardian system was developed in the late 80s in response to the enormous abuse occurring against our elders by family members. Oriola could not comment on any individual case due to strict confidentiality, which is enforced on all elder guardianship cases to ensure the wards privacy. But she said that in most every case, family conflict is the reason Decades is appointed. She said her companys obligation was to the elder person, and that in many cases it is almost certain some family members will be unhappy with some of her companys decisions. The Journal was told by a court spokesman that the New Mexico code of judicial conduct prohibited Judge Brickhouse from commenting on the case. Repeats Many of these same names surfaced as the Journal investigated other New Mexico families complaints, indicating a revolving cast of for-profit specialists in the elder care arena. Complaints of cronyism were commonly heard. They all know each other, and recommend each other, and never contradict what the other one says, said one woman who tended to her father but moved out of state after his death. And the worst part, she said, is that the judges just accept what they say as gospel. Pregenzer, a veteran of elder law, reminds that it is an area that is fraught with understandable emotion. What these family members are suggesting really goes to the heart of whether our judiciary has integrity or not. And also whether our judges are intelligent and are able to ask cogent questions about whats going on, she said. I just dont buy into this (idea) that the system is rigged against the family. Judges have to make hard decisions with imperfect evidence and imperfect families. No relief Multiple families caught up in the elder guardianship system told the Journal their complaints to the bar association, various state legislators, regulatory boards, the district attorney, the Albuquerque Police Department, the attorney general and the Governors Office produced no relief. To the three youngest Darnell children, facing the group of elder care professionals appointed by Judge Brickhouse was intimidating and made them feel as though events surrounding their mothers fate were spiraling out of control. They are to assess whether you need a guardianship or not, Mary said. Well, all those people get paid by your (parents) estate. They get paid if theres a conflict. They get paid if they find that a guardianship is needed. If a court visitors final report concludes the family is not suitable to care for the elder, then, as Mary put it, Her company gets put in as the guardian for, like, $40,000 to $50,000 a year. So whats the incentive for her ever to rule that youre OK and that you dont need them? Mary asked and answered, None. Thats what happened in the Darnell case. Court visitor Susan Stuart ultimately was assigned as permanent guardian. For a while, the court allowed sisters Emily and Kris to be their mothers guardian, but ultimately, that did not work out when Kris resigned. Stuart had determined that sisters Mary and Emily were too close and their relationship might pose a family conflict, so she told the court they were not suitable to act as co-guardians for their mother. In the end, Judge Brickhouse moved Stuart from the court visitor position to guardian. Financial records provided by the Darnells show that for the period between January 2010 and August 2011, Stuarts Decisions in Care was paid $52,119.69 from Blair Darnells estate. In April 2010, Judge Brickhouse again took attorney MacKenzies recommendation and named Albuquerque lawyer Darryl Millet as the permanent conservator for 78-year-old Blair Darnell. Millet is an imposing man. One family member who dealt with him said, Millet goes after people like a pit bull, and others who have dealt with him agree. Millett, however, says he is a dedicated professional with an excellent reputation. Cliff Darnell is not a member of Milletts fan club. Cliff, who like his father trains horses, described Millets demeanor as always aggressive and mercurial. Hes one way in front of the court; he is another way in front of men and he cant handle a woman whos got backbone, he said. TOMORROW: Part 4 One court appointee, multiple allegations of intimidation, financial impropriety and questionable behavior from family members. Contact her at www.DianeDimond.com; e-mail to Diane@DianeDimond.com SANTA FE New Mexicos lawsuit against neighboring Colorado over the fallout of a massive mine spill could be affected by the pending presidential transition, after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked the federal Department of Justice to weigh in on the case. Since President-elect Donald Trump will take place in less than two months, its possible the federal agency will wait until after Trump takes office to act on the request. Top-ranking state officials indicated Monday that they are taking a wait-and-see approach to the request for the federal governments legal opinion even if that means a drawn-out court saga. We will be interested to read the U.S. Office of the Solicitor Generals opinion of our lawsuit filed in the U.S. Supreme Court against the state of Colorado, state Environment Secretary-designate Butch Tongate said in a statement. New Mexicos lawsuit, filed in June, contends Colorado was too lax in its oversight of water contaminated by decades of mining and should be held responsible for the fallout of the 2015 Gold King mine spill. It was filed by Attorney General Hector Balderas office and outside attorneys hired by the Environment Department. The mine spill occurred when a crew of workers hired by the federal Environmental Protection Agency accidentally breached a containment wall, releasing a yellow-orange plume of waste out of the Gold King Mine, north of Silverton, Colo., and into a tributary of the Animas River. That plume of waste eventually carried more than 888,000 pounds of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, copper and mercury into New Mexico. It forced community water systems and irrigation ditches in San Juan County to stop drawing water from the Animas and San Juan rivers for more than a week after the spill and prompted concerns about damage to high-profile trout habitat. In addition to the lawsuit against Colorado, New Mexico has also filed a lawsuit in federal court against the EPA and the owners of a mine adjacent to the Gold King Mine. That lawsuit seeks more than $136 million in damages, which would be used to pay for economic losses the state attributes to the mine spill, specifically in the tourism, recreation and agriculture sectors. The U.S. Supreme Court typically handles cases that involve one state suing another. And its common for the nations highest court to ask the solicitor general, a top attorney within the Justice Department, to weigh in on such cases by filing official court briefs. The briefs lay out the federal governments views on the case, including its merits. Milo Yiannopoulos, who writes columns suggesting women suck at job interviews and that fear of Islam is rational, will speak at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building next year. The UNM chapter of Young Americans for Liberty is hosting Yiannopoulos visit on Jan. 27 during a national speaking tour. Ryan Ansloan, vice president of the group, said the group has been talking to Yiannopoulos organizing team for about a year. We have been eager to host him because he offers a very specific and different point of view than whats normally offered at universities, Ansloan told the Journal on Monday. The event will be free to attend. Ansloan said Yiannopoulos didnt charge a fee to speak at UNM. Yiannopoulos writes for and is the tech editor for Breitbart News, a news website with a sharp conservative slant popular among so-called members of the alt-right, a movement The Associated Press describes as an offshoot of conservatism mixing racism, white nationalism and populism. He has written articles for Breitbart with headlines such as Theres No Hiring Bias Against Women in Tech, They Just Suck at Interviews and Why Equality and Diversity Departments Should Only Hire Rich, Straight White Men. He also wrote America has a Muslim problem and that Islam around the world rules through fear and terror. The sites former chairman, Steve Bannon, is President-elect Donald Trumps chief strategist and special counsel. Bannon once described the site as a platform for the alt-right, though Trump has disavowed the movement. Yiannopoulos also is an ardent and vocal supporter of Trump, which may be a contentious point for some members of the UNM community. Since the election, students and employees have protested against the election of Trump and many of his stances on immigration. Yiannopoulos, a gay man, calls his organized speaking engagements The Dangerous Faggot Tour. He is known for riling what are typically left-leaning university communities. At Rutgers University in New Jersey, for example, some attendees smeared themselves with fake blood during one of his speeches. At DePaul University, protesters ripped the microphone from his hands. Ansloan said he expects some will protest Yiannopoulos at UNM. Young Americans for Liberty doesnt agree with all of Yiannopoulos stances, he said, but is merely offering the speaker a platform. Students in Billie Heleans second-grade class at Maggie Cordova Elementary are building gingerbread houses to support Meals on Wheels and the battle against hunger this holiday season. Meals on Wheels sponsors an annual fundraiser called Gingerbread Enchantment in which it auctions off the gingerbread houses. Helean said she decided to pick the event this year after one of her students parents told her about it. Its something that I am very passionate about, she said. Its something I do myself as much as I can, and because its something I believe strongly in I try to pass that on to the children that I teach. For the past three years around holiday season Helean has picked a charity to involve her second-grade class in, she said. This year Helean has 25 students in her class who are participating. Helean said she feels strongly about helping because New Mexico has one of the poorest populations of children in the country. We really need to do what we can to support the community, especially with children, she said. They are our future and everything we do impacts them. Some of the second-graders cried after learning about people with deeper needs than their own, she said. Every year I have at least one student who lives in poverty, and I have had students who where homeless, Helean said. Poverty strongly affects even children in Rio Rancho, and were actually a fairly well-off community. Annam Manthiram, development director for Meals on Wheels, said her organization does not get any state or federal funding, so Meals on Wheels relies on donations and events to continue helping. This year, Heleans class is the only elementary class building gingerbread houses to help Meals on Wheels, she said. We do advertise to all of the schools in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho and any school is welcome to participate, Manthiram said. All of the proceeds from the raffle of the gingerbread houses go to Meals on Wheels low-income food and enrichment program called Life, she said. We currently feed 175 people that live below the poverty line and cannot afford to buy their own meals, Manthiram said. Recipients are often very ill so they cant prepare their own food or even go out to pick it up. Although Meals on Wheels has been around for 45 years, hunger is still a very real and modern problem, she said. The gingerbread houses created by Heleans class will be raffled off Dec. 2 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, she said. Its more than a meal, because its meals and friendships that last a life time, Manthiram said. Copyright 2016 Albuquerque Journal State Auditor Tim Keller said Monday that New Mexico should hire a new independent accounting firm to determine whether health-insurance companies have been underpaying the premium taxes they owe. He also said his office should supervise the new audit and that the superintendent of insurance should be removed from any potential settlement negotiations with the companies. The potential underpayment is a $100 million question, Keller said in a meeting with Journal reporters and editors, adding that he isnt confident the state Office of the Superintendent of Insurance can provide an accurate answer. Keller said he is concerned that the department itself is broken on this issue. Were not sure theyre capable of dealing with this question, and thats the nicest way I can put it. He said the Legislative Finance Committee and the Department of Finance and Administration, which is under the Governors Office, are in general agreement on how to proceed and that the Attorney Generals Office will be involved. The prospect of a new audit comes after the insurance office has scrambled to respond to an initial special audit released in September that found that New Mexico had failed to collect at least $193 million in premium taxes from health insurance providers over a recent five-year period. Insurance Superintendent John Franchini disagreed with those audit findings and set off on a new course of collection for a much lower amount that raised vocal concerns from three state agencies, including officials from the Legislative Finance Committee and Gov. Susana Martinezs administration. The potential insurance underpayment comes at a time when legislators and the governor are looking for ways to plug a $458 million shortfall this fiscal year. Premium taxes go into the state general fund. Under Franchinis alternate method of tabulating the back taxes, one unidentified insurers bill would have been slashed to $33 million from more than $118 million cited by the special audit which was based on a sampling of payments. Franchini, in a separate interview Monday, backed the idea of a new audit. Weve worked diligently at getting a system in place (to assess the back taxes owed) and would like to have another audit from another accounting firm to review what were doing and bless it so to speak. But on Monday, Keller noted the staff turnover in Franchinis office different teams of OSI employees have worked on the issue and other challenges. I just dont believe anything coming out of there anymore, Keller said. We cant rely on their own calculations. Representatives of at least one health insurance company have said they dont think they owe any premium taxes and that they have paid the amounts the state says were due. Keller said he isnt necessarily confident in the $193 million figure cited by the special audit to judge the process used by Franchinis office to tally back taxes. I dont even know if we can trust OSIs own record-keeping because of (the computer) system, Keller said. This also raises these massive lawsuit questions. How can they bill anyone if their internal record-keeping is bad? A new audit could cost $500,000, Keller said, but it could produce firm answers on how to calculate the taxes that should be paid and whether there have been underpayments. The work would involve getting a legal opinion on how to determine the tax calculations, he said. The insurance office already paid $50,000 to an Albuquerque-based law firm for such a legal opinion but now disagrees with it, Keller said. New auditors would examine records kept by insurance companies to ensure the audit doesnt rely only on information provided by the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, he said. Maybe theres only a tiny bit owed, or maybe theres a lot owed, Keller said. But well be in a position to end the debate. Insurance companies themselves havent necessarily done anything wrong, Keller said. They may just be paying what the insurance office tells them to. And the insurance office itself wants to get to the bottom of the question, too, he said. I think theyre just in over their heads, Keller said. Justine Freeman, deputy chief of staff for the auditor, said a final decision on whether to pursue a new special audit could come later this week. The Auditors Office is also in talks about having the attorney general oversee any potential settlements, she said. Disputed audit Franchini said he first asked for an audit two years ago but needed a $100,000 legislative appropriation to proceed. Half of that was spent on the legal opinion on how to compute premium taxes owed. Franchinis office then disputed the findings from the audit by CliftonLarsonAllen, claiming the methodology was wrong. As for a new audit, Franchini said, I dont think that it will be as extensive or as expensive as theyre estimating. Franchini added that his agency has now rescinded two invoices recently sent to insurance companies seeking back taxes. The Department of Finance Administration, the state auditor and the Legislative Finance Committee asked Franchini to hold off from issuing such assessments until there was a consensus on how the bills would be tabulated. Meanwhile, state Attorney General Hector Balderass office has formally joined the group of agencies involved, in part because of what has been described as a pending criminal investigation by the insurance office into at least one health insurer that owes back taxes. Balderas involvement was requested by the LFC and DFA to ensure Balderass office, which conducts criminal and civil investigations, reviews any such insurance office investigations and oversees any negotiations of settlements with insurers. From Bawarchi in the 1970s, to The Lunchbox three years back--Bollywood has no dearth of food movies for you to enjoy. These Hindi movies will inspire you to cook and eat like no Hollywood movie can. Picture courtesy: amitabhbachchan-ucoz.net By Shreya Goswami: Our palates are deeply connected with the other senses that we have. Sight, smell, sound, touch--it's only when these senses are combined with taste that we actually get that deep satisfaction from food. And if food is all about bringing a conjunction of all these senses, then think about what happens when you watch a movie about food. We go through such a myriad of emotions when watching movies anyways. So when a movie is about food, with the central characters spending most of their time in the kitchen--commercial and household--we tend to engage with our culinary culture even better. advertisement There's no dearth of food movies in Hollywood. In fact, who hasn't enjoyed watching Ratatouille or Chef in recent times? But if you think there aren't enough Indian movies about food, you're wrong. Here are a few Hindi movies about food that we've loved through the decades. Bawarchi This 1972 adaptation of the Bengali movie, Galpa Holeo Satyi, showcased actor Rajesh Khanna as a cook working for a joint family living under the same roof. While Khanna's character is shown as a master of many trades, cooking is where his forte lay. From preparing a morning cuppa that refreshed everybody in the household, to managing a kitchen for nine family members, he did it all. Rajesh Khanna's character makes the most refreshing cup of tea for the family. Picture courtesy: koimoi.com The message of the movie was to point out that when you eat great food, your day cannot take anything but a positive turn. Home-cooked food is what decides our attitude towards the world, and how we face its challenges--and if somebody, even a bawarchi or cook, nails that for your home, then nothing can stop you from achieving your best. Ramji Londonwaley When you have R. Madhavan playing a Brahmin chef, living and working illegally in the UK, you probably don't expect the storyline to deliver on mouth-watering goodies. But this 2005 movie does just that. Ramji wins over the British crowds and food critics in this movie. Picture courtesy: ravepad.com Ramji wins over the British crowds and food critics in this movie. Picture courtesy: ravepad.com Ramji, as a likeable fellow who cooks up the most scrumptious Indian delicacies to woo his love interest, convinces us that Indian men can really cook to please. And coming up with a sugar-free halwa for diabetics that wins over the London crowds and food critics? That was a moment borne of pure genius, and inspired many Indians to try and update Indian cuisine. Also read: 5 tiffin favourites that we absolutely loved as kids Cheeni Kum You might say this 2007 movie is just an extraordinary love story, but we argue that it's all about the flavours. Amitabh Bachchan plays a chef who fails to impress Tabu with his Hyderabadi Zafrani Pulao--and that's the beginning of a culinary journey this movie undertakes. Cheeni Kum gives us a rare insight into a commercial kitchen. Picture courtesy: amitabhbachchan-ucoz.net From maa ke haath ka khana, to a man cooking delicacies to prove his worth to a prospective father-in-law, you won't find the absence of good food in any frame. And, more than anything else, this is the only Hindi movie till date that gives us an insight into a commercial kitchen run by an Indian man who reminds you of the genius that is almost equal to Marco Pierre White's. advertisement Stanley Ka Dabba Here's a movie that evokes nostalgia for all the school tiffin boxes we've eaten out of as kids. The very premise of this 2011 movie is based on the hunger-pangs Stanley experiences every day, and the insatiable lust for food that his 'Khadoos' teacher has. You can learn to appreciate food with young Stanley in this movie. Picture courtesy: Instagram/uco_log While you only encounter the delicious food in the packed dabbas throughout the movie (on occasion, even a makeshift feast at school), the end takes you to a little dhaba where young Stanley works. And that's when you realise the depth of his hunger--there's food all around him, but barely any for him to take to school. If that doesn't make you value every morsel you put in your mouth, we don't know what does. Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana This 2012 movie might just be the story of any Punjabi family that runs a popular restaurant--it has everything from a secret recipe that made the family's business famous, to the every day running of a restaurant by an eccentric family. Two people bond over a hot kadhai of Chicken Khurana, which has a secret ingredient nobody remembers. Picture courtesy: endlessdigi.blogspot.com advertisement As Omi Khurana struggles to figure out the secret ingredient that makes his daarji's chicken curry so darned good, we see how people can bond over a hot kadhai full of freshly-cooked gravy. It also shows that creating outstanding and innovative recipes takes time and genius which can't be replicated that easily. Also read: This Indian-Australian Chai Walli just won the title of Businesswoman of the Year English Vinglish You might argue that this 2012 Sridevi movie is all about learning the nuances of a language, but there's quite another way to look at it. Here's a housewife who makes scrumptious ladoos, and is trying her hand at entrepreneurship. If you think about it, isn't that just how Indian food entrepreneurs without huge capital start out? Sridevi is a food entrepreneur who makes scrumptious ladoos that are very popular. Picture courtesy: indianlink.com advertisement Shashi's little business seems to be growing in popularity, and her cooking is the one strength that keeps her afloat even when her family demeans her (unintentionally). And one of the people she naturally finds companionable in the US is a French chef. Really, can a story be more about food. The Lunchbox The oil in the hot kadhai sizzles when the tadka or tempering goes in; the splash of cream on an inviting paneer gravy; the first whiff of delicious food when you unpack a dabba--all the senses are activated in this 2013 movie about a wife who tries to woo her husband by cooking delicious food. Can you identify with the efforts Nimrat Kaur makes to cook delicious food in The Lunchbox? Picture courtesy: HKYantoYan.com Her box is mistakenly delivered to a man she doesn't know by Mumbai's famed dabbawalas, and for the first time, her efforts at cooking to please find a willing appetite. Nimrat Kaur and Irrfan's relationship is based on a strong appreciation of good food. And if you didn't find that one of the most alluring parts of the movie, you're probably not looking carefully. There are, of course, a number of other movies that feature characters who cook--like Saif Ali Khan in Salaam Namaste or Kangana Ranaut in Queen. But it's only the movies mentioned above that strike you with that visual and auditory impact that you want in a food movie. We definitely need more movies to be made on this theme, because we Indians have a brilliant relationship with food. And yet, we're happy with the choices of food movies we have till now. In parting, here's a clipping of Amitabh Bachchan describing the flavours and recipe of a Hyderabadi Zafrani Pulao in Cheeni Kum: --- ENDS --- For nearly two years, an open count of murder was hanging over Dominique Perez, described as a model Albuquerque police officer whose life changed abruptly when he was dispatched to a police standoff in March 2014 and ended up firing at a mentally ill man brandishing knives. With the filing of a single piece of paper dismissing that second-degree murder charge, Perez got his life back Monday, said his attorney, Luis Robles. Unless the new DA chooses to refile, the case is over against Dominique Perez, Robles told the Journal. Special prosecutor Randi McGinn filed the dismissal without prejudice, which gives incoming District Attorney Raul Torrez the option of refiling the charge after he takes office Jan. 1. It was the right thing to do, McGinn said Monday. A decorated Iraq War veteran who received a Purple Heart before joining the Albuquerque Police Department in 2006, SWAT team member Perez was fired pursuant to APD policy after he was formally charged with a felony. If convicted, he would have faced up to 15 years in prison. If nothing else it allows him the ability to go on with his life, including the ability to ask for his job back, Robles said. Sandy charge remains The criminal case against Perezs co-defendant, former APD detective Keith Sandy, who retired in late 2014, is still pending. McGinn didnt comment on why only Perezs charge was dismissed, but Sandys lawyer, Sam Bregman, cried foul, saying both officers fired the fatal shots at homeless camper James Boyd and shouldnt be treated differently. There is no logical way in which you could prosecute one police officer who fired first and not the police officer who fired afterwards. Hopefully, he (Torrez) will do the right thing and dismiss, Bregman said. The defense, during a 15-day trial that ended with a hung jury Oct. 11, argued that the officers were following their training and were justified in using deadly force because they believed Boyd posed an imminent danger to another officer who moved too close to Boyd during the March 16, 2014, standoff. District Judge Alisa Hadfield declared a mistrial after jurors deadlocked 9-3 in favor of acquittal of both Perez and Sandy. Since then, McGinn offered to drop the charges against Perez if Sandy would agree to plead guilty to a lesser conspiracy charge. Sandy refused. On Monday, Torrez released a statement saying: As I have previously stated, all decisions on this case moving forward will be guided by the facts and by the law. This does not change my plans to appoint experienced independent prosecutors to review the case when I take office and make recommendations for any future actions. A key piece of evidence in the case was a videotape from Perezs APD helmet camera that captured the fatal shooting. Boyd was hit three times, in the arms and the back, and died the following day. The videotape made it appear that Boyd was surrendering at the time he was shot. Perez couldnt be reached for comment Monday, but his attorney Robles said his client was so thankful and so happy and relieved. Robles said Perezs appeal of his firing was held in abeyance until the criminal charges were resolved. Different roles Throughout the 13 days of trial testimony, McGinn blamed Sandy for creating the situation that led APD officers to use deadly force against Boyd, a mentally ill man who had been camping illegally in the Sandia foothills. McGinn had far less criticism of Perez, who was called to the scene and ordered to provide lethal cover for a group of negotiating plainclothes APD officers who had been trying to persuade Boyd to drop his knives and surrender. Perez arrived in the last three minutes of the confrontation. But Sandy inserted himself into the hours-long standoff, McGinn argued. Bregman denied that assertion. Sandy arrived to furnish a less-lethal Taser shotgun, but he ended up assembling a trio of tactical officers who took over negotiations with Boyd, and Sandy then assumed the lethal cover responsibility for protecting the officers. Sandy fired the first shots at Boyd, when a K-9 officer chasing his police service dog moved within 9 feet of Boyd. Boyd, seconds earlier, pulled two pocketknives from his pockets upon seeing the dog headed toward him. Perez followed up with three more shots just moments after Sandy fired. At one point, before cross-examining Perez on the witness stand during the trial, McGinn thanked Perez for his military service. I cant tell you how sorry I am that you were the one sent up into the mess that other officers created, she said. An Albuquerque native and Del Norte High School graduate, Perez joined the Marines in 2000 and served two tours in Iraq. He was injured in 2003 when a caravan he was leading hit an improvised explosive device. PHOENIX A federal appeals court has resurrected an excessive-force lawsuit by a woman who was shot by a University of Arizona police officer six year ago as she held a knife in her hand outside her home. Amy Hughes had lost her lawsuit in late 2013 when a lower-court judge made a pretrial ruling that concluded Cpl. Andrew Kiselas actions were reasonable and that he was entitled to immunity. But the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision on Monday, concluding that a rational jury that believes Hughes version of events could find that she had a constitutional right to walk down her driveway holding a knife without being shot. The appeals court said factual questions such as the severity of the threat posed by Hughes and the adequacy of warnings made by officers were in dispute. Officers went to Hughes house in May 2010 after getting a report that someone was acting erratically and hacking at a tree with a knife. They arrived to find Hughes in her driveway holding a large kitchen knife. Hughes didnt comply with commands from officers to drop the knife and continued to move toward her roommate. Kisela recalled that Hughes raised the knife as if to attack, though two other officers said they didnt see her make such a move. Kisela shot Hughes four times through a chain-link fence that prevented officers from getting closer. Hughes survived the shooting. Her roommate described Hughes demeanor as composed and non-threatening. She said she believed Hughes didnt understand what was happening when officers yelled at her to drop the knife. Whether the police should have perceived this is a question for the jury, the appeals court wrote. Vince Rabago, Hughes attorney, said the officers werent called to his clients home to investigate an actual crime but rather were responding to a request to check on her well-being. You cant just show up and make assumptions that there is wrongdoing when you are there on a check-welfare call, Rabago said. He said Hughes still suffers physical pain and emotional trauma from being shot in the groin, hip, arm and leg. The Arizona Attorney Generals Office, which is defending Kisela in the lawsuit, declined to comment on Mondays ruling. A 22-year-old Carlsbad man is dead following an early morning shooting on Sunday. Trevor Eaton of Carlsbad was pronounced dead at the scene of an alleged shooting on the 7400 block of Conestoga, according to Sgt. Matt Hutchinson of the Eddy County Sheriffs Office. The office of the medical investigator will perform an autopsy, Hutchinson said, but Eaton is believed to have died from gunshot wounds. Hutchinson said deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the area, and a brief standoff ensued with persons inside the home where investigators believe the shots were fired from. Following the six-hour standoff, a woman was treated for non-lethal gunshot wounds she had received during the earlier incident in which Eaton was shot. Hutchinson said that the woman, who is not being identified, was treated and then interviewed by officers. The incident is still being investigated but is believed to be a homicide. New Mexico State Polices crime scene unit is assisting. The persons involved are believed to have been attending a gathering at the home. Alcohol might be a factor. Hutchinson said several interviews have been conducted and multiple search warrants were executed following the shooting. Hutchinson said weapons were recovered during those searches. Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact detective Ray Williams at 575-887-7551. 2016 the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) Visit the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) at www.currentargus.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ VIENNA Attendees gathered this month inside Viennas opulent Grand Hotel for an extraordinary event billed as the New Anti-Semitism Conference. The Israeli superspy who hunted down war criminal Adolf Eichmann flew in for the occasion, timed to commemorate the 1938 night when the Nazis stormed Jewish synagogues and businesses. What made the event truly remarkable, however, was its sponsor: Austrias Freedom Party a far-right movement founded in part by former Nazis and now on the cusp of capturing this nations presidency. They are one of the most pro-Israel parties in Europe, insisted Michael Kleiner, a conference panelist and former member of the Israeli parliament. Newly energized by the presidential victory of Donald Trump, far-right and anti-establishment forces are pushing into the mainstream on both sides of the Atlantic. As they do, many are seeking to neutralize one of their oldest and most debilitating labels: as anti-Semites. In the United States, top Trump adviser Stephen Bannon is fending off accusations of anti-Semitism even as a string of archconservative Jewish voices rally to his defense. Using the forum of Breitbart News the same website Bannon ran and described as the platform for the alt-right they have called him an honorary Jew and a man without an Anti-Semitic bone in his body. In France, the Netherlands and Sweden, far-right nationalists are counter-programming decades of deeply engrained anti-Semitism in their ranks. As left-wing parties in Europe press for boycotts of Israel over its treatment of Palestinians, far-right European politicians at least in public are promising Israelis their full support. Nowhere has the rebranding been more effective than here in Austria. The Freedom Party candidate, Norbert Hofer, is facing a center-left opponent in a rerun of Mays presidential election which Hofer narrowly lost following a successful court challenge by the far right. Ahead of the Dec. 4 vote, Hofer and his opponent are in a statistical tie. Although the job of Austrian president is traditionally ceremonial, it comes with ambiguous powers that Hofer has vowed to amp up. A Freedom Party victory would make Hofer the first far-right head of state in Western Europe since the demise of Nazi Germany. His victory would also mark a huge step forward for the Freedom Party, founded in the 1950s and initially led by a former officer of the Nazi SS. Today, it is headed by Heinz Christian Strache, who took over after a 2005 split with Jorg Haider its former chief known for thinly veiled flattery of Adolf Hitler. Strache is angling for Austrias top job chancellor in elections that could be held as soon as next year following what many see as his 21st century reboot of Austrias far right. Its leadership now insists that not only has the party purged its ranks of anti-Semites but that it now shares a common cause with Israel and the Jewish people: controlling the spread of Islam. Indeed, the Freedom Party is pledging to protect ethnic Judeo-Christian culture on the continent by stopping Muslim immigration and imposing more surveillance on Austrian mosques. That mission, they argue, has become all the more urgent given the recent arrival into Europe of nearly 1 million refugees from the Middle East. Islam is not a part of Austria, Hofer said at the anti-Semitism conference, while seated near the famed Israeli Nazi hunter Rafael Eitan. By the year 2050, 50 percent of the children [in Austria] under 12 will be Muslims. . . . The kind of politics that is permitting a changing face of Austria and Europe has to be opposed. His campaign to court Jews and Israelis has gone all the way to the Temple Mount, where Hofer made a pilgrimage during a 2014 visit to Jerusalem. In April this year, Strache, the Freedom Partys chief, laid a wreath at Jerusalems Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in a move rife with symbolism. The Israeli government still cautious about the Freedom Partys far-right roots did not officially greet its delegates. But David Lasar, a top Hofer adviser who is also Jewish, said that private meetings took place in April between Strache and some Israeli government ministers. He declined to name names. Lasar, who calls the Freedom Party a rare friend for Israel in Europe, portrayed Muslims in Austria as the real threat to Jews. He cited a spike in anti-Semitic incidents. In 2015, such incidents jumped 82 percent to 465 cases, including two physical attacks, according to Austrias Forum Against Anti-Semitism. The forum did not break down how many incidents were attributable to Muslims, but said it was concerned about an increase in Islamist motivated violence. The Freedom Party says one of Hofers first trips if he wins will be an official visit to Israel. On Friday, Strache issued an impassioned plea for the Austrian government to help Israel combat a sudden rash of fires there, including some allegedly set by Palestinian nationalists. The new anti-Semitism in Austria, in Europe, is being imported and spread by Islam, Lasar said. Its important that Austria maintains a Judeo-Christian tradition. Islam is not a part of that. The Jewish community in Austria today numbering slightly more than 8,000 people is a shadow of the pre-World War II population of roughly 185,000. Freedom Party officials argue that Jews represent so few votes now that the party could hold no political motive other than a genuine desire for rapprochement. Yet critics decry the effort to court Jews as little more than window dressing designed to portray the party as reformed, thus appealing to non-Jewish centrists. It is also, critics say, a step meant to obfuscate what is still a core racist message, this time aimed at Muslims. Across Austria, for instance, Freedom Party candidates have peppered the landscape with billboard slogans including Love for the Homeland and Not Moroccan Thieves and New Apartments Instead of New Mosques. Austrian Jews are divided over how to react. Some like Michael Kaner, a 28-year-old Vienna Web designer are backing the Freedom Party. Though his family especially his mother is strongly against his decision to vote for Hofer, Kaner says he is deeply concerned by reports of Muslim harassment of Jews, and is tired of left-wing Austrian politicians railing against Israel. Hofer on occasion still wears a lapel pin of a blue cornflower a symbol of Germanic nationalism once used by the Nazis. He also attends a far-right fraternity ball in Vienna long rooted in nationalist thought. But Kaner says he is unconcerned by such acts. They are not neo-Nazis. Should we ask them to stop wearing Hugo Boss clothing too because the Nazis wore it? he said. I know other Jews who are voting for Hofer too, but they dont want to admit it. Jewish critics, however, are blasting the nations main Jewish cultural body for not doing more to stand up to the Freedom Partys targeting of Muslims. This is a question of morality for the Jews in Austria, said Karl Pfeifer, an Austrian Jewish journalist and author. He fled the Nazi invasion of Austria as a child, before returning after World War II. Any party that is inciting against a minority group cannot be trusted, he said. Nobody should understand that more than us! Critics also call the partys move to cultivate better ties with Jews little more than a whitewash. In 2011, Hofer told a far-right German publication that the scientist Konrad Lorenz who espoused ideas almost indistinguishable from Nazi race theory was one of his role models. Earlier this year, the German daily Bild confronted Hofer with a photograph showing his aide, Rene Schimanek, as a young man at a neo-Nazi event carrying what appears to be a baton. Hofer acknowledged that the photo was real, but said his aide has never been indicted or convicted for the incident. He added that it had happened 30 years ago and you shouldnt use something like this against someone. Under Strache, the Freedom Party has indeed moved to rid its ranks of anti-Semites, ousting, for instance, one prominent politician last year for apparently agreeing with an article blaming Jews worldwide for Europes refugee crisis. This year, the party voted in favor of building a memorial in a village where around 10,000 Austrian Jews were killed by the Nazis. Yet in 2012, Strache, himself briefly posted a cartoon on his Facebook page depicting a fat banker with an exaggerated nose that was widely criticized as anti-Semitic. And anti-Semitism still flourishes, critics say, at the partys fringes. They cite far-right Austrian magazines like Die Aula, in which the Freedom Party has advertised. Last year, the magazine published a piece claiming local Austrians suffered after the liberation of the Nazis Mauthausen Concentration Camp because freed prisoners engaged in robbing, pillaging, murdering and raping. The right has discovered its love for Judaism, said Ariel Muzicant, an Austrian Jew and vice president of the World Jewish Congress. Calling the overtures bizarre, he added, we are repudiating such attempts. austria-right In Western Uganda, police and military on Sunday raided the Rwenzururu kingdoms palace in the town of Kasese. The crackdown on suspected militia members among King Mumberes royal guards left palace buildings ablaze and at least 46 royal guards dead. Police arrested another 139 royal guards and airlifted the Omusinga (king) to the Nalufenya counterterrorism detention center to face murder charges. The fighting came after clashes on Saturday in Kasese and attacks on police after royal guards reportedly threw an IED at security patrols. On Sunday morning, President Yoweri Museveni called on King Mumbere to surrender his royal guards and prevent further violence. The king who has consistently rejected allegations of a move for a separate state or the existence of the militia failed to oblige, and security forces raided the palace. By Tuesday morning, the weekends death toll in the district had risen to 126. Other skirmishes last week left eight suspected militia members dead when security forces cleared a suspected training camp of the Bakonzo militia, reportedly a group vying for an independent Yira State for the Bakonzo people and their fellow tribesmen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Banande. Both Kasese and Bundibugyo districts, in the Rwenzururu heartland, saw large-scale clashes between security forces and civilians in July 2014 (100 deaths) and March 2016 (50 deaths). But with no credible investigations of previous clashes, the identity and motives of those instigating violence in earlier years remain murky. The regions recurring conflicts likely reflect long-standing tensions in the region, exaggerated by the governments patronage policies and militarized responses to violence. A long history of ethnic struggle in Western Uganda This region has a long history of armed resistance involving minority ethnic groups struggling for recognition. In colonial times, the Bakonzo ethnic group felt marginalized and oppressed by the Tooro kingdom. In 1962, the Bakonzo (together with the Bamba, another marginalized ethnic group) launched the Rwenzururu rebellion, seeking to establish an independent kingdom. This conflict helped give rise to the NALU rebel group, which later joined up with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). In 2009, the Ugandan government recognized the Rwenzururu kingdom as a cultural institution and crowned Charles Mumbere as the king. It is important to understand that kingdom recognition and the creation of districts are the result of the governments patronage politics, in which the state and its resources are used to consolidate the regimes power, particularly for electoral reasons. Control over Ugandas districts and kingdoms means control over public funds and land as well as political representation and mobilization. So the recognition of the kingdom was an apparent attempt by the Ugandan government to swing the votes in a region that had overwhelmingly voted opposition. It didnt work the region still voted for the opposition in the 2011 general elections and the creation of the new kingdom created new tensions. Recognizing the Rwenzururu kingdom created new problems On the one hand, minority tribes in the region the Bamba and the Basongora now claimed separate kingdoms of their own: the Rwenzururu kingdom was regarded as a representation of the majority Bakonzo, rather than all ethnic groups of the region. Other tribes therefore sought to establish their own kingdoms. On the other hand, the Bakonzo saw these other kingdoms as a deliberate strategy of the government to limit the influence of the Rwenzururu kingdom. All governments were therefore perceived as an intentional divide-and-rule plan to weaken their power. This led to major tensions. In June 2014, President Museveni yielded to the demands of the regions second-largest group, and granted recognition to the Bamba kingdom in Bundibugyo district. Weeks later, Bakonzo youth staged attacks in various localities, triggering reprisal killings and counter-operations by security forces. The government arrested hundreds of suspected attackers, mainly Bakonzo youth and a handful of Rwenzururu kingdom officials, and charged them before military tribunals but eventually let them go. No in-depth investigation into what happened took place, and there was no substantive reconciliation initiated between the various actors involved in the conflict. Instead, the government increased its military and security presence, and largely delegated the peace process to the kingdoms themselves. In doing so, the government has overemphasized the ethnic character of the conflict, and has left wider frustrations with the national government a main cause for the 2014 attacks unaddressed. After the February 2016 general election, deadly violence returned after disputed local council elections in two areas. The government blamed an alleged militia loyal to the Rwenzururu king. And local politicians instead blamed the government and police for raising tensions when they deployed security forces in the region. Land conflicts and marginalization are common Underlying these tensions are feelings of marginalization: various ethnic groups feel their communities are left out of employment opportunities or access to land. Land conflicts including agriculturalists vs. cattle-keepers, land grabbing, tribal migration issues are rife in Kasese, the countrys fifth-most populous district. Fueling these land conflicts are feelings of neglect: The Bakonzo believe the government favors other ethnic groups (such as the Bamba). Ethnic land tensions are a translation of frustrations with the Ugandan government and its perceived favoritism. Furthermore, high numbers of unemployed youth mean that opportunity costs to engage in violence are low. At the same time, traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution through elders have lost influence. So the existence of the Rwenzururu kingdom in combination with perceived marginalization by all ethnic groups involved has created an explosive situation. All sides of the conflict remain locked into their traditional roles and actions the kingdom(s) seek to portray their symbolic power, while the government continues to rely on a combination of military power and patronage. In doing so, the government is primarily trying to consolidate the regimes electoral power, but is further invigorating the Bakonzos frustrations with its perceived divide-and-rule policy. Both mechanisms continue to add fuel to the fire, rather than dousing the tensions. In October, for instance, the Rwenzururu kingdom celebrated its 50th anniversary, but denied security forces access to the ceremonial grounds. In turn, security forces stepped up their patrols in Kasese. This impasse shows little sign of abating Museveni recently created four new districts in Kasese district, a move rejected by opposition MPs as well as the Rwenzururu kingdom. Addressing the root causes through in-depth investigations into recent events and dialogue between all concerned parties is key to resolving the current situation. A strictly military solution and short-term electoral calculations are likely to further fuel tensions rather than restore stability. Reuss is a Kampala-based political and security analyst. She is pursuing her PhD at the Universities of Ghent and Antwerp. Titeca is a lecturer at the Institute of Development Policy and Management at the University of Antwerp. For other commentary from The Monkey Cage, an independent blog anchored by a group of political scientists from universities around the country, see www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage. uganda-comment WASHINGTON A 996-page bill that seeks to speed up the approval of new medicines and medical devices is expected to head to the House for a vote on Wednesday, amid criticism that the complicated legislation is being rushed through without sufficient scrutiny. Called 21st Century Cures, the legislation earmarks $6.3 billion for biomedical research, opioid abuse prevention and support for the agency that oversees the safety of drugs. It also contains multiple provisions that aim to ease the requirements for drugmakers seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration to sell their products. The bill has had broad bipartisan support, but consumer advocates have criticized the bill, saying that there are major tradeoffs that could weaken the FDAs regulatory power and potentially put patients in harms way. And some legislators, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., say the regulatory changes in the bill amount to a giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry. Congress has been working on medical innovation legislation for yrs. But in the final days of 2016, Big Pharma hijacked 21st Century Cures. The legislation has been supported by drug and medical device companies and patient groups, and has been the subject of intense lobbying. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, more than 1,400 lobbyists have pressed for the bill on behalf of clients that range from drug companies to universities that could benefit from an increase in federal biomedical research funding. A spokesman for the FDA said the agency does not comment on pending legislation. A previous version of the bill sailed through the House more than a year ago but has been stalled in the Senate. The new version, unveiled by House and Senate leaders over the holiday weekend, contains changes intended to smooth its passage through both houses. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., together introduced the final version of the bill over the Thanksgiving weekend and in a joint statement, they called it an innovation game-changer, a transformational bill to bring our health infrastructure light years ahead. There are popular provisions sprinkled through the legislation, including an additional $4.8 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health over 10 years, $500 million for the Food and Drug Administration over a decade and $1 billion for opioid abuse prevention over two years. Its proponents are touting the support it will bring for initiatives such as Vice President Joe Bidens cancer moonshot and President Obamas precision medicine initiative In a speech on the Senate floor on Monday afternoon, Warren called the funding for NIH and opioid abuse prevention a tiny fig leaf of funding that masks provisions that benefit the industry. Why bother with a fig leaf in the Cures bill? Why pretend to give any money to NIH or opioids? Warren said. Because this funding is political cover for huge giveaways to giant drug companies. There are more examples than I can count. The funding is less than many had hoped; the original bill called for $8.75 billion over 5 years for NIH. The bill authorizes $1.8 billion to support cancer research over five years the Obama administrations cancer moonshot program, though the legislation doesnt use that phrase. The funding would begin with $372 million for the current fiscal year, far less than the $700 million or so that the administration said it was seeking a few weeks ago. Still, cancer-research advocates were relieved that the legislation contained money for the initiative, and said they hoped to build on it in future years. Jon Retzlaff, managing director of science policy and government affairs at the American Association for Cancer Research, called the $372 million a down payment for a historic effort, adding that the anti-cancer campaign will require robust, sustained and predictable annual funding increases over the next several years. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called the bill the most important legislation before Congress this year. Cutting back on bureaucratic red tape, advancing life-saving research and tackling the scourge of cancer would move our country forward and help millions looking for more than hope, but a chance at long, healthy lives, McConnell said. But Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said Monday that he objected to a provision that would water down transparency requirements that require doctors relationships with drug and device companies are disclosed. The bill would exempt doctors from disclosing when drug companies paid for continuing medical education. With taxpayers and patients paying billions of dollars for prescription drugs and medical devices, and prices exploding, disclosure of company payments to doctors makes more sense than ever, Grassley said. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called it a bad bill, criticizing the legislation for corporate giveaways with no relief on drug prices. The drug approval process has been criticized as bureaucratic by politicians and by the pharmaceutical industry. But an FDA study of novel drugs approved in 2015 found that two-thirds of them were approved in the United States first, before they were approved in any other country. Critics of the bill argue the bottleneck in developing new cures is not the approval process, but the fact that scientists and doctors do not yet know how to cure many diseases. They note that the FDA already has considerable flexibility to approve drugs based on preliminary evidence that a drug is working. Earlier this year, the agency made the controversial decision to approve a drug for rare, fatal Duchenne muscular dystrophy, despite advisors recommendations against it and no evidence that it had a clinical effect. The maintenance of a vibrant pharmaceutical and drug products market depends on the FDA regulators standing guard and implementing their work the best they can, said Aaron Kesselheim, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. But theres substantial flexibility in that, and I think a lot of provisions in this bill stretch that flexibility I think to stretching it to the point where it becomes quite concerning. Critics said that some of the most troubling aspects of the original legislation have been removed, but they flagged some new concerns. For example, the bill opens the door for the FDA to ease the requirement for the level of evidence when approving a drug thats already been authorized for other diseases and conditions. Some drug companies have paid big fines for promoting drugs for unapproved uses, so easing that pathway which other work has found can be correlated with price hikes raises concerns. In our view, thats dangerous; it creates a double-standard for FDA approval for drugs, said Michael Carome, director of the health research group at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization. The level of evidence to show that a drug is safe and effective should be the same for every marketed use. Ellen Sigal, founder and chairperson of Friends of Cancer Research, a nonprofit organization, praised the bill and the rare bipartisan collaboration. She disputed critics who said the legislation would accelerate FDA approvals for drugs and devices by sacrificing standards. Theres nothing in this bill that suggests that standards are being lowered, she said, adding that there was substantial input from the FDA on this, as well as from the White House and patient groups. We would not support it if there was a lowering of standards. Vinay Prasad, a hematologist at Oregon Health and Science University, said that in his field, cancer, the FDA has been approving drugs at a rapid pace. Despite preliminary evidence that they are working, many treatments have not yet been shown to prolong peoples lives. He compared the changes aimed at speeding up drug approvals to trying to run a faster mile by buying a new stopwatch. We really want transformative drugs, Prasad said. These kinds of changes to regulation just lower the bar for non-transformative drugs to let them fly by. Laurie McGinley contributed to this story. pharma Aroostook County occupies the northernmost tip of Maine. It is vast and rural, and less than one-fifth of its adults graduated from college. It is hundreds of miles removed from the industrial Midwest, and yet a good place to start probing the question of how Democrats could win back the Blue Wall states that crumbled behind Hillary Clinton and cost her the presidency. On Election Day, Aroostook County voted for Donald Trump over Clinton by 17 percentage points, helping to deliver the Republican nominee an electoral vote from the states 2nd Congressional District. It also, by a seven-point margin, voted to raise Maines minimum wage to $12 an hour. Trump only out-polled the minimum wage increase by 400 votes. From that data point, and dozens of others mined from the results of the Nov. 8 vote, its tempting to conclude that economic populism alone could lead Democrats out of political wilderness and back to the White House in 2020. This is the argument of a number of Democratic strategists and policymakers, including Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. You cannot take this election as anything but a mandate for bold economic changes to rewrite the rules of the economy, Greenberg wrote in an analysis of post-election polling. Sanders, meanwhile, has told GQ: You need to stand for something! Its not good enough to say, Well, Im not a racist, Im not a sexist, Im not a xenophobe, Im not a homophobe, you gotta vote for me.' Yet upon detailed inspection, the failure of the Clinton campaign to advance an adequately populist message only partially explains her loss and thus might not be an adequate prescription for the partys next steps. For certain, economically battered white workers in the industrial Midwest turned against Clinton en masse and delivered victory to Trump. A strong, worker-focused message is likely a crucial part of either party winning the presidency in an era of declining middle class fortunes. The prescription for Democrats starts by accepting that a huge swing in key states among white voters without a college degree away from past support of President Barack Obama, and toward Trump cost Clinton the electoral college. Thats clear from a wealth of election autopsies, including a detailed analysis of election returns by Civis Analytics, a political data firm founded by the chief analytics officer of Obamas 2012 re-election campaign (which did not do any work for Clinton this cycle.) The Civis analysis explored how Clinton lost the race via narrow defeats in three states that had previously been part of the vaunted Blue Wall for Democrats: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In each, it found a tight relationship between lower education levels in a county and an erosion in Democratic support from 2012. The story is simple its not about turnout, its about support, specifically among white non-college voters, said Dan Wagner, the founder and chief executive of Civis. In majority white counties where more than 20 percent of the population went to college, support dropped by about a point and a half. In majority white counties where less than 20 percent of the population went to college, support dropped by nine points. If this drop had only been five points, Hillary would have won Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, and the presidency. This is where Aroostook County is illustrative. It was filled with the sort of non-college-educated white voters Clinton saw break away from her and toward Trump and it shows a clear appetite among those voters for a populist economic pitch, in raising the minimum wage. Maine was one of several states targeted this year by a group of progressives seeking to raise minimum wages by referendum. Voters there approved an increase to $12 an hour by 2020, as did voters in Arizona and Colorado. So yes, if Democrats want to rebuild their Blue Wall in the Midwest, they need to win over a lot more white voters without college degrees. For starters, theyll have to show up more often. Clinton never set foot in Wisconsin during the general election. She barely went to Michigan and only began advertising there late. She abandoned her economic pitch on the airwaves late in the race, instead going all-in on attempts to paint Trump as unfit for the office. In the closing weeks of the campaign, the Political TV Ad Archive counted 12,723 advertisements aired by the Clinton campaign in a quartet of battleground markets: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cleveland; Milwaukee; and Philadelphia. Only 769 of those ads 6 percent focused even in part on the issue of jobs, the Archive found. By contrast, Trump focused on jobs in 43 percent of his ads a total of 3,086 spots. Yet even this is likely to be inadequate for at least three reasons. 1. Clinton lost Pennsylvania, a state she showered in ads and in attention, including her own campaign stops and trips from the partys favorite Scranton surrogate, Vice President Biden. She lost Ohio by a much larger margin, despite heaping ads and attention on the state. 2. A true economic populist Democrat, Russ Feingold, lost his Senate race in Wisconsin by a wider margin than Clinton did, and against a far less populist opponent than Trump. Feingold earned fewer votes in Wisconsin than Clinton did. 3. Economics wasnt the only force driving this election. There is evidence that racial factors help explain the big shift in blue-collar whites toward Trump, whose campaign often stoked tensions over immigration and refugees. These factors accompany economic forces in the assessments of why Democrats lost this year. Taken together, those points cast doubt on the idea that Clinton would have held the Blue Wall simply by talking louder and more often about how the economy is rigged against workers and in favor of the rich and the powerful. Looking toward 2020, the danger of betting on complaints about a rigged economy is that Democrats cant be sure how rigged things will appear to Midwestern voters in four years. Trump inherits an economy where middle-class incomes have begun to rise, and if he can keep it on that course, his first term will see meaningful improvements to those workers lives. It will be a much larger challenge for Trump to deliver the industrial revival he promised those workers in the industrial Midwest the return of millions of manufacturing and mining jobs. Most economists doubt he can deliver. If he doesnt, Democrats will have an opening an opportunity to pitch those workers on policies that could help create jobs that pay better, but just as importantly, restore the sense of pride and ownership many of them once felt in their jobs. As Sherrod Brown, a Democratic senator from Ohio who faces reelection in 2018, wrote following the election, those workers know they toil harder and are paid less than their parents, and have less power to control the hours they work and their share of the wealth they create for their employer. It probably wont be enough for the next Democratic nominee to acknowledge that sense of loss. She or he will need a plan to reverse it one that competes with the return-to-glory promises that Trump offered this time around. The most successful Democratic nominee among non-college white voters over the last three decades, Bill Clinton, was able to make that sort of connection and maintain it, by steering a hot economy that delivered wage increases to workers of all races, geographies and education levels. In her run, Hillary Clinton was hindered, in part, by the failure of Bill Clintons policies to keep delivering good jobs for the working class, particularly when it came to trade deals. For all her white papers and all her slogans on the economy, Hillary Clinton never offered a tangible vision of what millions of new, more dignified jobs would look like; how struggling workers would find them; and what she would do, as president, to make sure those jobs sprouted in their back yards. If youre looking for a starting point for the next Democratic nominee, thats a pretty good one. dems ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Federal wildlife officials on Tuesday agreed to reconsider the status of a grouse found in pockets across the Great Plains as environmentalists fight to return the bird to the list of protected species. The lesser prairie chicken was removed from the threatened and endangered species list earlier this year following court rulings in Texas and a decision by government lawyers not to pursue an appeal. Environmentalists responded by petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take another look at the bird. They argued that emergency protections are needed for isolated populations of the bird along the Texas-New Mexico border, in Colorado and western Kansas. This is a bird that used to number in the millions and now in recent years it has declined to roughly 25,000 birds. The population that straddles Kansas and Colorado, for example, may already be gone. So its still very much losing ground, said Noah Greenwald with the Center for Biological Diversity. The lesser prairie chickens Great Plains habitat has shrunk by more than 80 percent since the 1800s. It lives primarily in Kansas, but also in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado, with most of its range on private lands. To keep the bird off the endangered species list, the states organized their own conservation program, offering economic incentives to landowners and companies that set aside land. Still, the Fish and Wildlife Service last year designated the lesser prairie chicken as threatened, one step beneath endangered status. The classification meant federal officials thought the bird soon would be in danger of extinction. Oil and gas groups opposed the listing, saying it would impede operations and cost companies hundreds of millions of dollars in one of the countrys most prolific basins the Permian Basin, which stretches from West Texas into eastern New Mexico. They took their case to court, where a federal judge found that the agency failed to make a proper evaluation of the multistate conservation plan. Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, said he was disappointed with the Fish and Wildlife Services decision. He said the conservation plan marks an unprecedented effort in which more than 10 million acres have been voluntarily enrolled and more than $60 million has been invested by the industry. He said the birds populations have been increasing since 2012 and the trend is expected to continue under the plan. The oil and gas industry and state officials are still worried that relisting the grouse could hamper drilling, renewable energy development and agriculture. U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, a Utah Republican who chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources, said President Barack Obamas administration is disregarding the court ruling and trying to jam through decisions with questionable scientific support in the eleventh hour. The Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to finish its review by midsummer, long after a new administration takes the reins in Washington. The agency has more than 300 status reviews pending for species that have been petitioned for protection. SANTA FE Outgoing New Mexico Secretary of State Brad Winter said Tuesday that state residents can be confident in the outcomes of this months general election, disputing a suggestion from President-elect Donald Trump about widespread illegal voting. Winter, a Republican who was appointed to the office last year and did not seek election in this years election, said there have been isolated incidents of voter fraud in New Mexico, but that the state has ample safeguards in place to prevent sweeping irregularities. We have such a great system, because everything is backed up by a paper ballot, Winter told the Journal after a meeting of the State Canvassing Board. Theres nothing on that scale, he then added, referring to Trumps recent claim on social media that millions of people around the country voted illegally in the Nov. 8 general election. More than 804,000 New Mexicans or about 62.4 percent of those registered cast ballots in the Nov. 8 general election, according to official vote results that were certified Tuesday by the canvassing board. Although Democrat Hillary Clinton lost the national election, she defeated Trump in New Mexico, receiving about 48.3 percent of the votes cast in the race, compared with 40 percent for Trump. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, a former governor of New Mexico, got more than 9.3 percent of the votes cast in New Mexico, his strongest showing in any state and a total that puts the Libertarian Party on track to have major party status for the 2018 election cycle. Since 2006, New Mexico has used a paper ballot system that requires most voters to manually mark ballots and feed them into electronic vote tabulating machines. The system allows elections officials to recount paper ballots if necessary. Winter said it would be all but impossible to hack into New Mexicos vote-counting system, saying, Theres no way you could do that with us. No evidence has surfaced to back Trumps claim of widespread voter fraud, but New Mexicos previous secretary of state, Dianna Duran, also raised the issue of ineligible voters casting ballots. Duran eventually scaled back her claims. She resigned from office in December 2015 after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds. Meanwhile, Gov. Susana Martinez also expressed confidence in the election results during Tuesdays meeting at the state Capitol and praised the work done by staffers in the Secretary of States Office. Its nice to have some confidence in our electoral process, Martinez said. Per state law, the canvassing board ordered state-paid vote recounts in three legislative races in which the candidates are separated by vote margins of less than 1 percent. Those recounts will begin today and are expected to be finished by next week. The three races are: House District 29 Incumbent Rep. David Adkins, R-Albuquerque, holds a 9-vote lead over Democratic challenger Ronnie Martinez in a race with nearly 14,000 votes cast. The district encompasses part of Albuquerques West Side. House District 23 Democrat Daymon Ely of Corrales holds a 102-vote lead over GOP incumbent Paul Pacheco of Albuquerque. The district includes parts of Corrales and Albuquerque. Senate District 9 Incumbent John Sapien, D-Corrales, holds a 198-vote lead over Republican challenger Diego Espinoza of Rio Rancho. The district includes Placitas and parts of Bernalillo, Corrales and Albuquerque. In an interview Tuesday, Adkins said he was confident about keeping his House seat after votes are recounted, saying, Im pressing on like Ill be there next year. His Democratic opponent indicated he wasnt holding out hope for the 9-vote deficit to be overturned. Ill just wait to see what happens, and God will put me where I need to be, Martinez told the Journal . Two Chicago-area dental clinics are partnering with a New Mexico dental tourism agency to send some of their patients south of the border to save money on pricey procedures. Beyond Borders Dental, a Santa Fe business that launched this past summer, said Chicago-based Dental Salon is referring its clients to the New Mexico dental concierge service, which arranges dental care, lodging and round-trip transportation from Santa Fe and Albuquerque to dental clinics in Palomas, Mexico. Ralph Grosswald, the companys co-founder, hopes the pilot program will be successful and prompt other American dental clinics to start referring to Beyond Borders some of their patients who need extensive dental care but cant afford it or have insufficient dental insurance. Grosswald said the company is marketing its clinical partnership program to U.S. dentists in cities with direct flights to Albuquerque, such as Denver, Dallas, Chicago and Salt Lake City. Dental clinics now have an affordable option to recommend to their clients who may need extensive and costly treatments, said Grosswald. Many of them have a backlog of patients in this category, he said. Grosswald said that in most cases, the U.S.-based dentists will still be in the mix, conducting examinations and evaluations and preparing a treatment plan for the English-speaking dentists vetted by Beyond Borders. The company works with both general dentists and specialists who do periodontal or orthodontic work. Beyond Borders claims such treatments are about 50 to 80 percent less expensive in Mexico than what is charged in the states. U.S. dentists referring clients to Beyond Borders also will receive a portion of the money that their patients spend in Mexico, but Grosswald declined to say what their share would be. Grosswald and partner Terri Heeter, who used to operate an international tour business, have packaged dental visits, lodging and round-trip transportation from Santa Fe and Albuquerque to the border. The cost of the service is $250 and $210, respectively. That doesnt include the price of the hotel, meals or the dentists tab. Medical tourists travel in a 12-passenger van every other week and usually stay overnight at a Deming motel before heading to Columbus, where clients cross the border. Patients are escorted by Grosswald and Heeter to the clinics and picked up following their appointments. In addition to its concierge fee, Beyond Borders gets a commission from the Palomas dentists for bringing them patients. Grosswald said many of the clients are senior citizens, only 2 percent of whom have dental insurance. Recent data shows that 50 percent of seniors have not seen a dentist in the past year and, according to the HealthView Insights 2015 report, couples age 65 years and older eventually will face as much as $18,000 in dental costs. By PTI: From Yoshita Singh United Nations, Nov 29 (PTI) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed hope that India and Pakistan will bilaterally resolve issues over water-sharing, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan. "We will take a look at the issue on water. Obviously, we hope its something that the two parties can resolve themselves," Bans spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the daily press briefing here yesterday when asked about Modis remarks on the Indus Water Treaty amid escalating tensions between the two nations. advertisement Addressing a rally in Punjab last week, Modi had said the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan and he will ensure that Indian farmers in India utilise it. PTI YAS "Now, every drop of this water will be stopped and I will give that to farmers of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and Indian farmers. I am committed to this," he had said. Last week, during a Security Council debate on water, peace and security, Ban had cited the Indus Water Treaty signed by India and Pakistan as well as other similar agreements "as instruments promoting stability and peace" and said "shared water resources often generated cooperation". During the debate, Pakistans Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi had warned against use of water as instrument of coercion or war. She had said the 1960 Indus Water Treaty is an example of what can be achieved through bilateral agreements but also a case study of what could wrong if such agreements are not honoured or threatened with abrogation by a state party. Separately, Ban had also expressed deep concern last week over the deterioration of the situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir in recent days, saying he "trusts" India and Pakistan can find "common ground" and work towards a sustainable peace. The UN Chief had called on all involved to prioritise the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation and loss of life. When asked during the briefing about Indian-Pakistan tensions at the border, Dujarric referred to Bans remarks saying the increasing tensions over the Line of Control are of "great concern to the Secretary-General". PTI YAS PMS --- ENDS --- SACRAMENTO, Calif. The husband of Sherri Papini said his wife was emaciated and covered in bruises when she was found on Thanksgiving, and he castigated those who have suggested her kidnapping was a hoax in a long statement released Tuesday morning to ABCs Good Morning America. Papini was found about 4:30 a.m. Thursday after she flagged down a driver on Interstate 5 in Yolo County. The Redding-area woman disappeared after going for a jog on Nov. 2 near her home in Mountain Gate in Shasta County. Investigators say the Shasta County woman was bound with restraints when she was let out of a sport utility vehicle near a freeway interchange in the town of Yolo. They say she was able to flag down a motorist on the freeway near County Road 17. Authorities are searching for two women armed with a handgun. They were driving a dark-colored SUV. In his statement, Keith Papini said he was told by authorities to brace himself before he was reunited with his wife because her condition was not good. My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed her face covered in bruises, ranging from yellow to black because of her repeated beatings, read the statement. The bridge of his wifes nose was broken, he said. Keith Papini said when his wife was found she weighed only 87 pounds and her long blond hair was shorn, apparently by her captors. She was found with a chain around her waist that was also attached to her wrist, according to the report by Good Morning America. Papini also had a bag over her head, he said. The limited description has fueled social media skepticism about her disappearance. To that, Keith Papini reacted with dismay: Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting, his statement says. Those people should be ashamed of their malicious, sub human behavior. We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs. I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to gain money, or some fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Papini said of his wifes condition when she was found: Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multi-colored bruises, severe burns, red rashes, and chain markings. Her signature long, blonde hair had been chopped off. She has been branded and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers. She was thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist, attached to her wrists and a bag over her head. The same bag she used to flag someone down once she was able to free one of her hands. Sherri was taken from us for 22 days, and suffered incredibly through both intense physical agony and severe mental torture. My reaction was one of extreme happiness and overwhelming nausea as my eyes and hands scanned her body. I was filled with so much relief and revulsion at once. My Sherri suffered tremendously and all the visions swirling in your heads of her appearance, I assure you, are not as graphic and gruesome as the reality. 2016 The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) Visit The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.sacbee.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. _____ The rampant inflation currently tearing through world economies has had little to no effect on venture capital investing according to a new survey from PitchBook. Nestled in the green, wooded hills of the North York Moors lie the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. English Heritage has recently opened a new museum on the site, more than doubling the number of artefacts on show. Lucia Marchini discovered how the state-of-the-art displays explore over 400 years of Cistercian abbey life. Founded in 1132 by 12 monks from Clairvaux in Burgundy, Rievaulx Abbey was the first Cistercian monastery in northern England and its population and prominence quickly grew, with a community of 650 men already living there by the 1160s. Over 300 objects tell the abbeys history from its foundation to its suppression in December 1538 and subsequent destruction. Every artefact in the new museum comes from Rievaulx itself. The vast majority of these are damaged and incomplete, reflecting the ruined state of the abbey and the dramatic end to monastic life at the site. Set in some unassuming farm buildings, the museums simple and modern interior contrasts elegantly with these medieval artefacts and the ruins outside, leaving the focus very much on the exhibits, which are arranged thematically into eight main areas of interest, such as work and prayer, patronage, and change. Decking the halls On entering the museum, visitors are greeted by a statue of Christ in Majesty dating from c.1260-1290 a finely sculpted but heavily damaged headless and forearmless Christ seated on a throne. Neatly encapsulating in just one work the successes of the abbey and its later suppression, the quality of the craftsmanship reflects Rievaulxs status as a medieval monastic centre, while its incompleteness is emblematic of the rest of the abbey and its collections. High quality carvings are in abundance throughout the museum. A sculpted capital from the infirmary, dating from the 1150s and the abbacy of Aelred (who attracted many new monks and lay-brothers to the abbey and was later venerated as a saint), demonstrates some of the founding principles of the Cistercian order. All features of the building were to be austere so as not to distract. Though the infirmary capital on display is simple, its well-crafted scallops show that it is not entirely without ornamentation. The important thing is that the decoration is not superfluous or distracting. Also from the infirmary hall, is a narrative frieze dating from c.1400. This shows a clear change in decorative technique from the austere style of Aelreds day. One part of the frieze depicts two hunters stealing a tiger cub. As they make their escape pursued by a tigress, they throw down a mirror, which stops the animal in her tracks as she mistakes her reflection for her cub. This frieze is more involved than the scalloped capitals of the 12th century, but the decoration is still not superfluous as the scene depicted is an allegory taken from the Bestiary warning against deception by the devil. The museums not all about Cistercian stonework. Coins, jetons, weights, seals, and pottery all chart how the abbeys population, wealth, and geographic influence changed over the centuries, with a particular emphasis on trade. A rare set of fragments of painted wall plaster shows change of another kind. The infirmary hall was converted into the abbots lodging (one of the largest in the country) by the late 15th-century abbot John Burton (whose rebus is also on display). This lavish living was the sort of behaviour later condemned by Henry VIII. Decorated with foliate designs, the pieces of plaster, which curator Susan Harrison believes come from the abbots lodging, mark a point of transition with abbots exhibiting their importance. This is not necessarily a gratuitous flaunting of wealth, however. In the 15th and 16th centuries, a time when the Cistercians are generally viewed as losing their austerity and piety, the abbot did hold a critical position in a vast trade network, a status that it would have been useful to project. Medieval metals Monastic life at Rievaulx came to an end with Henry VIII. After the Dissolution, the building was quickly rendered unusable. Valuable materials extracted from the abbey and the tools used to strip it bare are on show. The extent of this extraction is at its clearest in one large object. A half-ton fother (a unit of lead) cast from the abbeys roof lead and marked with the kings stamp is one of 140 made at Rievaulx. Four of the fothers were still on site when the building collapsed and were not recovered until the 20th century. Three of them were gifted to York Minster for reuse in their Five Sisters Window, and the other is the one on display at Rievaulx. Another star item from the abbey is also metallic. In a case exploring prayer as an essential part of monastic life is a scourge, made from plaited copper alloy wire and used for self-penance. It is the best example of a scourge in the UK, but it is impossible to date with any greater precision than saying that it is from the medieval period. This is symptomatic of a problem that affects a substantial part of the abbeys collection, which was largely uncovered and recorded during the clearance and consolidation of the site carried out from 1919 onwards by His Majestys Office of Works (later the Ministry of Works). Contexts, often imprecise due to the large grid-squares used, were written onto paper labels stuck onto the finds. These disintegrated over time, losing a great deal of information. Although some items like the scourge remain undateable, over the last few years curators have re-examined the original findsbook and tried to re-establish many of the lost locations of the finds, shedding light on their uses and the movement of material after the Dissolution. This new research has had an important part to play in creating the new museum, which places a special emphasis on contextualising exhibits as much as possible in relation to the abbey ruins looming outside. All images: Historic England / English Heritage Trust Further Information Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rievaulx-abbey for more details about the abbey, opening times, and ticket prices. Why did this happen? Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. Excise Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, "This decision is being taken to check the sale of spurious and illicit liquor, especially toddy. The order for reducing the number of bottles to two will come into effect from today itself." By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: In a bid to crack down on the sale of illegal liquor, Maharashtra government has come up with a notification under which a person will be allowed to possess only two bottles of country liquor. Earlier a person with valid drinking permit could store 12 units (1,000 ml) per month, but through the notification issued on Tuesday, now the limit has been brought down to two bottles. advertisement The move comes in the wake of misuse of the current limit, especially in rural areas, where instances of selling liquor from their permitted quota, hoarding of illicit liquor and selling it at cheaper rates have come to light. Excise Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, "This decision is being taken to check the sale of spurious and illicit liquor, especially toddy. The order for reducing the number of bottles to two will come into effect from today itself." Also Read: Bihar liquor ban illegal, says Patna High Court RELOCATE Recently, the state government has also amended the 2008 orders and empowered Gram Sabhas to pass a resolution calling for the shops located within boundaries of villages to be relocated 100 meters away (outside the village limit). According to the new amendment, if 50 per cent members of Gram Sabha votes in favour of relocation then the liquor shop owner will have to relocate his shop 100 meters outside the village limits. The liquor shop owner will be given a year's time to shift within and won't be charged any fees. And in case if the shop owner fails to do so , this may lead to cancellation of licence. This decision was taken in view of several demands made by noted social worker Anna Hazare, Bawankule added. Also read: Raid at 4 illegal dance bars in Mumbai, 60 rescued, 80 held --- ENDS --- By PTI: Colombo, Nov 29 (PTI) At a time when Sri Lanka is involved in the process of drafting a new Constitution, Indias envoy here has said issues deliberated by Indian statute makers like the relationship between the centre and states and separation of powers have a resonance in the current Lankan context. IndianHigh Commissioner Y K Sinha highlighted the importance of Indias Constitution Day while drawing parallels between Indias Constitution drafting process and the Lankan process current ly underway. advertisement Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India on November 26 every year to commemorate the adoption of Constitution of India. On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950. The envoy elaborated on the task given to Indias Constituent Assembly to deliberate upon and come out with a document which would shape the future of India, an Indian High Commission statement said today. Sinha said itincluded issues such as the relationship between the centre and states, sharing of resources and separation of powers between the legislature, judiciary and executive. These issues have much resonance in the current Sri Lankan context of Constitution-making, Sinha said. The process to replace the existing 1978 Constitution got underway in January this year when parliament was converted into a Constitutional Assembly. The Constitutional Assembly is to meet in December again to consider the reports of six sub committees. PTI CORR ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- A youth has admitted going berserk and attacking gardai after he stole live exotic animals which had been part of a wildlife exhibition at a library in Dublin. The 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to stealing a Rhino iguana valued 1,600, a Mexican Red Knee tarantula spider which cost 85 and an Asian forest scorpion that was worth 65 from the Lucan library on July 21 last. He also admitted attacking a male Garda sergeant as well as a male garda and a female garda on the same date at the two locations nearby on the same date. Judge John O'Connor adjourned sentencing the youth for a probation report to be prepared and to see if the victims wanted to give impact statements. I don't know what he was on or what he was doing but it wasn't right, Judge O'Connor said, adding that it was a very serious incident. Garda Sergeant Paul Moran said a wildlife lecture had taken place at the library and some exotic animals were on display. Afterwards the lecturer and owner of the animals David Griffin was bringing them back to his car via a lift in the building. He put the boxes in a lift but the door close and it descended to the car-park without him. When the door opened at the bottom, the accused removed the box containing the creatures and left, said Gda Sgt Moran. They were not dangerous or poisonous, he said. Gardai watched the CCTV footage and the teenager, who was already known to them, was contacted. While other gardai and the owners of the exotic creatures were out searching, the youth returned the iguana and the scorpion but the tarantula was still missing. Later that day, gardai found the youth at a park in Lucan carrying a plastic box. There was a short foot chase and he was caught at which point the spider was recovered. Gda Sgt Moran said the youth just went berserk and began kicking and lashing out at gardai. "He kicked out and head butted a garda sergeant in the chest and his behaviour was so irrational that an incapacitant spray had to be used, Gda Sgt Moran said. The youth, who has no prior criminal convictions, was then placed in a garda car and spat at one officer and tried to head butt a female garda. Gda Sgt Moran said the accused was out of control when he arrived at Lucan Garda station and it took an hour and a half for him to calm down. Judge O'Connor said the incident must have been appalling for the gardai involved and the taking of the creatures was certainly not for their welfare. He described the assaults as very serious. None of animals were harmed, the court heard. The court was told the boy was intoxicated at the time but it was Gda Sgt Moran's belief that the youth had not just alcohol taken. Defence counsel Damian McKeone told the court that the theft was purely opportunistic and the youth was extremely drunk at the time. He had been waiting to get in the lift when the door opened and the animals were inside on their own. Counsel said. It was a bizarre scene - an iguana was sitting on top of a box in the lift. The youth was surprised at seeing the exotic animals on their own and carried them out, the barrister said. Mr McKeone said a psychiatric report on the youth is being prepared in connection with another case. The teenager, who was accompanied to court by his mother, also pleaded guilty to other theft and criminal damage incidents. The court heard that on April 25 last he stole eight cans of lager from a shop in Temple Bar in Dublin and on a date in July he ripped up a mattress in a garda station cell. He remains on bail pending sentencing. CDC supporting Texas investigation of possible local Zika transmission Press Release For Immediate Release: Monday, November 28, 2016 Contact: Media Relations (404) 639-3286 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been informed by Texas health officials that Zika virus infection has been diagnosed in a resident of Brownsville, Texas, without any other known risk factors, suggesting possible local transmission of Zika virus infection. This case may be the first known occurrence of local mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission in the state. CDC is closely coordinating with Texas and local officials to increase surveillance efforts and vector control activities in this area. State and local officials in Texas proactively issued Health Alerts in October 2016 expanding the testing criteria for Zika virus disease. They are responding rapidly to the current situation with a community-wide search for additional Zika cases, as recommended in CDCs Zika interim response plan. Residents, especially pregnant women, should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites. They should use an insect repellent registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) containing one of the following ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, use or repair screens on windows and doors, use air conditioning when available, and remove standing water inside and outside where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Even though it is late in the mosquito season, mosquitoes can spread Zika in some areas of the country, said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. Texas is doing the right thing by increasing local surveillance and trapping and testing mosquitoes in the Brownsville area. Zika virus spreads to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus), but can also spread during sex by a person infected with Zika to his or her partner. Most people infected with Zika wont have symptoms, but for those who do, the illness is usually mild. However, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe brain defects in fetuses and infants. We continue to learn about Zika virus, and we are working hard with our state, county, and local partners to find out more about Zika virus infection in Brownsville. Here is what we do know: Zika is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus), both found in Brownsville. A pregnant woman can pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy or during birth. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe brain defects and is associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes in fetuses and infants. A person who is infected with Zika virus can pass it to sex partners. Many people infected with Zika virus wont have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. No vaccines or treatments are currently available to treat or prevent Zika infections. As of Nov 23, 2016, 4,444 cases of Zika have been reported to CDC in the continental United States and Hawaii; 182 of these were the result of local spread by mosquitoes. These cases include 36 believed to be the result of sexual transmission and one that was the result of a laboratory exposure. This number does not include the current case under investigation in Texas. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESexternal icon By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, Nov 29 (PTI) The first meeting of Nepal-India oversight mechanism was held here today with both sides reviewing the progress of economic and developmental projects and discussing ways to expedite them. The Indian side was led by Ambassador Ranjit Rae while the Nepalese delegation was headed by Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi. advertisement The meeting reviewed progress of bilateral cooperation projects and discussed bottlenecks in the ongoing Nepal-India economic and development projects being implemented in the country, according Nepalese Foreign Ministry sources. Joint secretaries from concerned ministries including finance, commerce, physical infrastructure and transport, planning, home affairs, energy and irrigation took part in the meeting from the Nepalese side. From the Indian side, deputy chief of mission, economic cooperation counselor and reconstruction counselor attended the meeting. Nepal and India had agreed to set up the oversight mechanism to review the progress of economic and development projects on a regular basis during Prime Minister Prachandas visit to India in mid-September in the wake of delay in the execution of projects funded or pledged by the Indian government in Nepal. PTI SBP ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- More than half the charities in England and Wales do not have trustees from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, according to new research by campaign group Inclusive Boards. The study of the Charity Commissions register of charities reveals that 57.4 per cent of trustee boards have no BAME trustees, while just 379 (6.3 per cent) of trustees from the top 500 charities are from a BAME background. Nearly a quarter (22.6 per cent) of the top 500 charities had between just 1 and 10 per cent of BAME representation on their boards. The research analysed data looking at 5,988 trustees across England and Wales. Some of the largest charities with no BAME trustees include Cancer Research UK, the Lloyds Register Foundation and Nuffield Health. 'Government should set a target to double number' Inclusive Boards is calling on the government to intervene. Samuel Kasumu, founder of Inclusive Boards, said: It is simply unacceptable that there is such a clear lack of BAME representation on the UKs charity boards. While this remains a cross-sector issue, the third sector has been far too slow to address this challenge and there is very little evidence of a coherent strategy going forward. Considering that many end users are likely to come from marginalised and underrepresented backgrounds, it is worrying that charities do not represent the diversity of the people they seek to support. Were calling on the government to set a target of doubling the number of BAME trustees to 12.6 per cent by 2020. International charities lead the way Charities with strong BAME representation are those with an international focus or those that work with people from minority backgrounds, the research revealed. Half of BAME trustees at the top ten charities are female. According to the last UK census, some 14 per cent of the UK population identifies themselves as having a non-white background. Inclusive Boards is an agency that exists primarily to support the third and public sector with their efforts to attract more black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders at board and executive level. It is currently calling for the government to review policy and legislation to address the lack of diversity within charity governance, to put it on a par with public sector requirements. The January 2017 edition of Governance & Leadership magazine is the Diversity issue subscribe now to make sure you get your copy. i read few articles like how to secure web api. they are saying client and server will share some secret key . client will create a has value of secret key and send it to web api always when calling web api action. web api action will create a hash value of secret key and compare that value against client sent has value. if match then client will allow to call web api action. suppose a attacker can capture the client request and send the same hash data to web api then how could we protect this ? from some where i found this below trick to protect it. they said 1) requests with different Date header values will have different signatures, thus attacker will not be able to modify the timestamp we will generate hash based on secret key then how date comes to scene ? this points is not clear to me. 2) we introduce a requirement that no http request can be older than X [eg. 5] minutes - if for any reason the message is delayed for more than that it will have to be resent with a refreshed timestamp. point two is not clear. what this area try to mean delayed for more than that it will have to be resent with a refreshed timestamp. when client will send first request and then client may send second request after 10/15 minute later. please help me to understand how to protect web api when using HMAC hasing against Replay attack. anyone can explain it nice like how to protect web api with HMAC hashing thanks tbhattacharjee Tridip Bhattacharjee wrote: 1) requests with different Date header values will have different signatures, thus attacker will not be able to modify the timestamp we will generate hash based on secret key then how date comes to scene ? this points is not clear to me. 1) Use the current date as a factor in the hash function that generates your MAC. This is used so that the hash can be appropriately re-created using the time stamp on the packet, and rejected if it doesn't match. Tridip Bhattacharjee wrote: 2) we introduce a requirement that no http request can be older than X [eg. 5] minutes - if for any reason the message is delayed for more than that it will have to be resent with a refreshed timestamp. point two is not clear. what this area try to mean delayed for more than that it will have to be resent with a refreshed timestamp. when client will send first request and then client may send second request after 10/15 minute later. 2) Not sure how this isn't clear. Honestly, 5 minutes over the wire is pretty forgiving. In your example, the second request will have a new time stamp. We're talking about packets here, not sessions. "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli suppose my first call happen at 9 AM and second call will happen after 10 AM. so gap can be long between two call. so what happen if request come from valid client with huge time gap between two call. let me know. thanks tbhattacharjee A request is sent from a browser to your WebAPI at 0900. If that exact request, with a time stamp of 0900, is received by the server at 0906 or later, it get's rejected. This is to prevent that exact same request from being replayed at a later time, which is exactly what you're trying to defend against. You send a second request at 1000. Providing that request is received by your server by 1005, everything is fine. It has no relation at all to the previous request, which is part of the definition of a RESTful service (which WebAPI implements). "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli The web service is deployed to IIS (it runs fine when I test which runs a temp iisexpress hosted session via debug menu) and then I try to access the URL for the service and get the following error: HTTP Error 500.19 - Internal Server Error The requested page cannot be accessed because the related configuration data for the page is invalid. Detailed Error Info: Moduele IIS Web Core Notification BeginRequest Handler Not yet determined Error Code 0x80070021 Coding error This configuration file section cannot be used at this path. This happens when the section is locked at a parent level. Locking is either by default (overrideModeDefault="Deny"), or set explicitly by a location tag with overrideMode="Deny" or the legacy allowOverride="false". Config file \\?\C:\inetpub\wwwroot\WCFService1\web.config Requested URL http://localhost:80/WCFService1/ Physical Path C:\inetpub\wwwroot\WCFService1\ Logon Method Not yet determined Logon User Not yet determined The web.config file is: I went according to the publish wizard from the build menu. And I created the profile for deployment and the deployment said success. So I am not sure what I need to do additionally or correct. I also am concerned I do not see any endpoints listed in the web.config file. I plead ignorance since this is WCF and I am not sure what happens behind the scenes. Thanks in advance, -Scott Kay "Matthews... we're getting another one of those strange 'aw blah ess spa nol' sounds from dolphin number three?" modified 29-Nov-16 14:44pm. Of course, this problem means that development machine and hosting machine are entirely (or somewhat) configured differently. So, check the settings in order to run the applicatio. In many cases, you are just hiding a feature from application, or there is a lock that prevents it to perform. The sh*t I complain about It's like there ain't a cloud in the sky and it's raining out - Eminem ~! Firewall !~ Does anyone know how to create a signature form in asp.net where a person signs in a blank space and then saves the signature and then it sends an email to another person to approve. Hy all, i have: ASP.NET < asp:Button ID =" ButtonCheckIN" runat =" server" Text =" Edit" CommandArgument =' <% # GetBLText(Bind( " BL_MODULE" ).AsEnumerable(), " UN_ML_ID" )%>' CommandName =" CheckIn" / > When I run it, it throws error saying "'Bind' is not declared. It may be inaccessible due to its protection level". Can you help me? There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. Examples: works: ASP.NET <% # Bind( " BL_MODULE" ) %> doesnt work: ASP.NET <% # GetBLText(Bind( " BL_MODULE" ).AsEnumerable(), " UN_ML_ID" ) %> ..and throws error There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. ASP.NET <% # GetBLText(Eval( " BL_MODULE" ), " UN_ML_ID" ) %> it throws run time error saying C# does not contain a property with the name ' BL_MODULE' ListView.ItemDataBound Event (System.Web.UI.WebControls)[^] and use FindControl to get your button and then set the CommandSource using your code. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. C# does not contain a property with the name ' BL_MODULE' If I use Bind I get something like "Bind is not declared". As I see, the offer I get here is to use Eval, so how to make program to think that there is a property. What datatype should I use to make property work. I tried DataTable as I thought that property should work as a column, but didnt work. String names checked. Its fine. Member 11031304 wrote: I dont get why should I try FindControl and try to get my button. I dont need to get any buttons Yes, you are trying to set the CommandArgument property of the button in each and every Item in your ListView. So, do it in C# instead of trying to get the right syntax in aspx. Simple and done. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. BL_MODULE . Using Bind won't change that. It will simply hide that error behind a different error. Stick to using Eval , and either fix your property name, or fix your data source so that it contains the expected property. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer Eval so that it matches the name of a property / field on your data source, or you change the data source so that it contains a property with the specified name. If you're still getting the "property not found" error, then you've done something wrong. Either the property name doesn't match, or you're not binding to what you think you're binding to. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer normally these days many web site provide OAuth to login to their web api but how we can use the same oauth for web api ? client will send user id and pwd in plain text to web api and web api will send those client credentials to oauth site ? if user credentials found right then OAuth will send token to web api and web api will send token to client and from the next subsequent call web api will use the same token for each request...........am i right ? if my thinking is wrong then just briefly tell me how oauth is used with web api and how client send their credentials and how get token etc. thanks tbhattacharjee Scientists are now able to better track the giant ice sheets movements Scientists say the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica may be melting faster than in past years, raising concerns about the consequences if it shrinks faster than expected. Its actually nicknamed the doomsday glacier because of what could happen if it began to rapidly add water to the ocean. In a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, researchers suggest the massive ice sheet could begin melting twice as fast as in the past. To make their projections, the scienti... Before the days of social media before viral videos and sponsored ads was the natural social interaction between consumers: the recommendation of a product or service from one person to the next. Word of mouth marketing (WOMM) is the organic communication of information from one person to another about a brand, product or service. It is most often influenced and driven by a positive interaction that an individual has had with a brand. WOMM is nothing new, and has been reviewed and discussed in a number of articles. More recently, there has been strong evidence for WOMM to succeed in the credit union space. With customer satisfaction levels at an all-time high for credit unions, and with 82% of credit union marketers believing that referrals are the most effective customer acquisition method, customer referral programs just make sense. Why Does It Work? WOMMs success can be attributed to its source: a friend or family member whose opinion you trust. Businesses can spend millions of dollars building a creditable reputation, however what can more likely influence a purchase decision is a simple recommendation from a peer. The evidence is overwhelming: 92% of consumers around the world say that they trust recommendations from friends more than all other forms of advertising. 84% of global consumers say that word of mouth is the most trustworthy source of product recommendations, and 77% of consumers say they are more likely to buy a new product when they learn about it from friends or family. Because it stems from a reliable source, word of mouth taps into principles that are at the core of credit unions and their members: credibility, community and dependability. Word of mouth referrals break through the traditional marketing messages used by financial institutions distributed via their paid advertising. Banner ads, billboards and commercials cant engage the same way a personal conversation can. Moreover, the customers that get referred to your brand are going to be more valuable for you long-term. A study from Deloitte shows that new customers referred by existing loyal customers will have a 37% higher retention rate. The facts are laid out, but how can a credit union encourage word of mouth for their branch? Try these three tips when considering a boost to your WOMM strategy: Give Your Members Something To Talk About A visit to a financial institution of any kind can be considered a mundane chore for consumers. To generate word of mouth about your institution, consider creating a unique brand experience that your members will find value in. Identify what it is that makes your company unique and capitalize on that. Credit unions leading the charge in customer experience are the ones that are showing growth and high loyalty. Hint: Its more than free coffee. At Envision Credit Union in Cloverdale, BC, the credit union team greets you at the branch door and lets you know how long the wait will be. They encourage you to sit comfortably and surf the web instead of standing in line. If you need to take a call while waiting, they will try to find you a room for privacy. Everyone including the branch manager makes time to greet you by name or introduce themselves if they dont yet know you. This kind of personalized service leads to customer retention and motivates overall customer satisfaction to get people spreading the word about your CU. Be Social A stellar social media presence is a necessity for businesses today and plays an important role in the success of your word of mouth campaign. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram give you a space to share your latest news and initiatives and broadcast straight to your audience. It also gives your members a platform to learn more about your credit union and post about their experiences. The more likes, followers and pins you have, the larger your reach. Millennials now almost exclusively rely on social referrals and reviews when making purchase decisions 60% of millennials indicate that online reviews are important so having high social currency is crucial to getting business from younger demographics. Hint: Its not all about you. Instead of posting about deals, offers and products, spend some time talking about whats going on in the community and engaging with your followers to see what theyre involving themselves in. Most credit unions engage in some local neighbourhood activities, from sponsoring events to hosting local charity drives. Elevations Credit Union In Boulder Colorado focuses their social media presence on highlighting positive community action, like sponsoring bike-to-work days, celebrating local farmers markets, and promoting community giving. They recently won a CUNA marketing award for their social media focus. Involvement in the community and consistent interaction on your social channels increases your chances of getting referred online. Incentivize People like free stuff. Consumers are accustomed to getting perks, loyalty discounts and rewards from the brands they interact with, so it stands to reason that their credit union should be no different. However, deciding on whether or not to reward members for their loyalty, or for their referrals, is something that credit union marketers can struggle with. Determining the amount or quantity of the reward adds more complexity. Theres no question that rewards can influence referral activity. Statistically speaking, 1/3 of your customers are likely willing to refer their friends and family members to your credit union without needing any kind of incentive to do so. However almost 30% of your customers would refer more if rewards were made available to them. Hint: It doesnt have to be costly. If your member acquisition strategies require you to keep marketing costs to a minimum, remember that you dont always have to reward with account credits or prepaid credit cards. Some credit unions like UECU in Pennsylvania combine their referral and loyalty programs together, and issue loyalty points when a referral is made. UECU is one of the top 15 Credit Unions in their state, and have a sophisticated points program in which earned rewards can be aggregated and redeemed at hundreds of local and national businesses. Consumers are more likely to recommend your credit union if a reward program is in place. Marketing managers at credit unions today are facing the combined challenges of lack of budget and staff availability, but your marketing strategy doesnt need to suffer. Word of mouth is proven to be one of the lowest cost methods of customer acquisition and retention and being that credit union customer satisfaction is presently so high, you have a set of highly engaged and loyal customers to draw upon to drive your word of mouth referrals. You can see more facts and figures on the current success of word of mouth marketing for credit unions from RewardStreams 2016 Credit Union Marketing Report. Save The Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a full committee hearing Wednesday on Trust Betrayed: Financial Abuse of Older Americans by Guardians and Others in Power. CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan said Monday this is the only hearing of note this week, as CUNA and others are working to move the Senior$afe Act through the Senate before Congress adjourns for the year. The House has already passed a version of the legislation, and Congress would need time to reconcile modest differences between the House and Senate bills before enactment into law, which makes this hearing all the more timely. The Senior$afe Act (H.R. 4538 and S. 2216) would provide limited immunity for certain financial services employees who report concerns about suspected elder financial abuse. In letters of support for the legislation, CUNA has written that the member-credit union relationship often puts credit union employees in a key position to detect suspicious activities, but they can sometimes be constrained from reporting suspicions by various privacy laws. Thanksgiving and Black Friday have already passed, and now, for many of us, the real fun begins on Cyber Monday. While we are searching the whole web for the best deals on new clothing and that big TV, it is also a good time to put some thought into our digital identities. What is Digital Identity? The internet has essentially become a necessity in our daily lives; both work and personal. Whether we like it or not, every interaction we make online helps to create a more comprehensive identity of our digital selves. Digital identities are not only your shopping history and google searches, but also include how you use your apps (fitness, sleep, etc.), where you have taken Uber rides, the social media updates you have posted, the friends you interact with, your credit, and so much more. Why should you care? Businesses collect and own all these different pieces of data about you and your digital interactions. In a way, it is easy to argue that businesses know more about you than you know about yourself. Some reputable companies will collect your data and actually use it to try to serve you better, similar to how Netflix or Pandora will try to learn about you in order to offer better suggestions for new movies or songs you will probably enjoy. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former NCUA Chairman Michael Fryzel for his transition effort at the NCUA. Fryzels appointment was one of several Trump made to fill his agency landing team members. Fryzel, who now runs a Chicago-based financial consulting group, served as agency chairman from 2008 to 2009, after being nominated to the board by President George W. Bush in 2007. He was chairman during the corporate credit union crisis. Fryzel was replaced on the board by current member J. Mark McWatters in 2014. Fryzel is a former director of the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions. The presidential election is over and Donald J. Trump is now our president-elect. Perhaps some critics of my last column, in which I used Trump as an example of risky brand extension, feel vindicated. After all, that column was based in part on the assumption, backed by polling at the time I wrote it, that Trump would lose the election. Has actually winning the election helped the Trump brand recover from its over-extension woes? From what I can tell, the answer is no. For starters, lets consider the three-building apartment complex in Manhattan formerly known as Trump Place. Thats formerly, as in, up until a couple of weeks ago. Post-election, 600+ residents petitioned the owner (the complex is not owned by Trump) to remove the president-elects name from their home. The owner acquiesced. At some point, the owner believed the Trump name was an asset; now its apparently a liability. A few days ago, someone published a comprehensive list of Trump-affiliated companies for would-be boycotters. The list is presented in spreadsheet format. To make boycotting Trump as easy as possible, a second tab on the spreadsheet provides a list of Trump-free alternatives. But why mess around with a spreadsheet? Shouldnt there be an app for that? Of course, there is. According to a report on NBCNews.com this morning, the super PAC Democratic Coalition Against Trump has created just such an app. Its not just Donald J. Trumps brand thats getting roughed up these days. When daughter Ivanka appeared on 60 Minutes with her father recently, her wardrobe included a very stunning bracelet. No big deal, right? It probably wouldnt have been had Monica Marder, the vice president of sales for Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, not followed up the interview with a style alert press release hawking the $10,000 bangle. Folks as far away as Australia found the idea of using a presidential interview on 60 Minutes to push jewelry just a little offensive. Melania Trumps fledgling brand has also taken a considerable hit. Her line of jewelry mysteriously disappeared from the webpages of QVC.com in July, and melaniatrump.com, once a showcase for her products, now redirects to trump.com. More recently, as reported on FoxNews.com and elsewhere, designer Sophie Theallet announced that under no circumstances would she offer her designs to Mrs. Trump. To which a number of other designers responded, so what? The article I read about the Trump Place incident included several reader comments. Among them was this one: Trumps brand is garbage. Over half of America does not want to be associated with the man. The other half cant afford to be. While I dont agree that the Trump brand is garbage, this reader brings up a good point. Many, many people who support President Trump cant afford to buy the Trump Organizations products. And that creates a potentially major problem for the Trump brand. Theres some segment of the affluent buying pubic that now wants nothing to do with Trump. And its not just individual buyers that will impact Trumps bottom line, either. Corporations and other organizations wanting to take a stand against his alleged transgressions may choose, for example, not to allow their employees to stay at Trump hotels during business travel. When all is said and done, this will be a very expensive branding lesson for The Donald. But whats the lesson in all this for the rest of us? If the temptation of brand extension proves too great and you decide to take that leap, be clear going into it exactly how youre going to measure success. Donald Trump won the presidential election, but in doing so, he also damaged the Trump empire. Does that mean extending the Trump brand into politics was a success or a failure? We should all have a clearer answer in about four years. Washington, D. C. November 28, 2016 -- The science behind what makes a human voice sound pleasant, or "vocal attractiveness," is something that people are exposed to everyday while interacting with a digital assistant like Apple's Siri. Once the province of psychologists and linguists, vocal attractiveness is now of increasing interest to acousticians as well as artificial intelligence (AI) researchers. In a study to be presented during the 172nd Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the 5th Joint Meeting with Acoustical Society of Japan, being held Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2016, in Honolulu, Hawaii, a Canadian researcher has new data about the vocal attractiveness of consonants. Vowels are already well studied and there are several acoustic cues intrinsic to vowels -- such as pitch -- that effect listeners' judgments of attractiveness. Data show that both female and male listeners typically agree in their "vocal attractiveness" ratings of voiced vowels whether they were spoken by a female or a male. According to the researchers, consonants are different. Results of this new study show that both the sex of the speaker and the sex of the listener were important to how an acoustic cue was perceived and ranked a 7-point "vocal attractiveness" scale. "Overall, I think the big take away from my study is the fact that the sex and gender of speakers and listeners influence the vocal attractiveness of consonants in different ways -- and this influence has not been found for listeners when judging vowels," explained Emily Blamire, a doctoral student in linguistics at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. One of her key findings specifically pertains to the vocal cue of "s" duration (written by linguists as /s/). In her tests, two native speakers of Canadian English (one male, one female) spoke words containing the /s/ sound to make audio recordings. The recordings were then manipulated to both increase and decrease the value of each cue linguists study such as center of gravity and duration. Unlike other test parameters, it was only the manipulations of "s" duration that evoked statistically significant rating differences by 32 test participants aged 19-32, 16 of whom were female, who were asked to rate vocal attractiveness. "Results show female listeners rank the male voice as more attractive when /s/ duration is decreased," Blamire said, while male listeners did not. Blamire continued, "This suggests that not only are male and female voices judged by different standards as to what is attractive, but that men and women are using different criteria when making these judgments." Why consonants might be different is a topic for future research. "For the linguistic community, I think one of the most important aspects of this work was that not all consonant cues that encode social information -- such as sex -- played a role in perception of vocal attractiveness," she said. Though vocal attractiveness research may in fact influence how your phone talks to you, for Blamire, there is a deeper significance. "Truly, the wider value of this study, I feel, is that it is one little step more in illustrating the complexity of the human mind in how we perceive and categorize the world around us," Blamire said. ### Presentation 1pSPb6, "The role of consonants in the perception of vocal attractiveness," by Emily Blamire is at 4:50 p.m. HAST, Nov. 28, 2016 in Room Coral 3. MORE MEETING INFORMATION The 172nd Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America The meeting is being held Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. USEFUL LINKS Main meeting website: http://acousticalsociety.org/content/5th-joint-meeting-acoustical-society-america-and-acoustical-society-japan Technical program: http://acousticalsociety.org/asa2016fall.abstractcentral.com/planner.jsp Meeting/Hotel site: http://acousticalsociety.org/content/5th-joint-meeting-acoustical-society-america-and-acoustical-society-japan#hotel Press Room: http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/ WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOM In the coming weeks, ASA's World Wide Press Room will be updated with additional tips on dozens of newsworthy stories and with lay-language papers, which are 300-1200 word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio, and video. You can visit the site during the meeting at http://acoustics.org/world-wide-press-room/. PRESS REGISTRATION We will grant free registration to credentialed journalists and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Emilie Lorditch (elorditc@aip.org, 301-209-3029) who can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips, or background information. LIVE MEDIA WEBCAST A press briefing featuring the acoustics of snapping shrimp and coconut beetles plus, how speech sounds influence female vocal attractiveness will be webcast live from the conference on Wednesday, Nov. 30th from 10 - 11 a.m. HAST in room Iolani I. ABOUT THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit our website at http://www.acousticalsociety.org. One Army officer and two soldiers were martyred in the terror attack on artillery unit of the Army in Nagrota area of Jammu and Kashmir. By India Today Web Desk: Four terrorists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Nagrota area of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the latest reports, one officer and two soldiers were martyred in the attack. According to reports, the terrorists targeted a military location near White Knight Corps in Nagrota at 5:30 am today. "A group of heavily armed militants, believed to be four-to-five in number, attacked the 166 field regiment camp in Nagrota area of Jammu today (Tuesday) morning," the police said. advertisement The field regiment camp is located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarters of Army's 16 corps in the state. Latest Updates BSF DG, KK Sharma to meet Home secretary to submit report on Chamaliyal terrorist attack One terrorist is still holed up in the area. Fresh firing has been reported in Nagrota. One Army officer among three personnel killed in Nagrota terror attack. Alert sounded, security beefed up in Vaishno Devi town following terror attack in Nagrota No civilian has been targeted as terrorists seek local support. PM has been briefed on it: Manohar Parrikar Statistics have shown attack is on military installations. Civilians not being targeted: Manohar Parrikar Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar briefed by Army. Two jawans martyred, two others critical. As per latest reports, this is a suicide attack and terrorists have come from the Srinagar side of the national highway. The artillery unit attacked in Nagrota is on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, about 15 kms from Jammu and 39 kms from Pakistan border. According to the sources, the terrorists first threw a grenade on the guard stationed at the main gate after which they started firing indiscriminately. All schools have been ordered to shutdown. Army has cordoned off the area. Terrorists attacked the 166 field regiment camp in Nagrota. J&K: Exchange of fire between Army and terrorists in Nagrota. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/HfuMVb0TWT ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 READ: New Pakistani Army Chief takes command on the day of terror attack on Indian Army unit in Nagrota Army personnel and J-K Police take position during encounter after militants attacked an Army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu today. (Photo: PTI) Army personnel and J-K Police take position during encounter after militants attacked an Army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu today. (Photo: PTI) ANOTHER ENCOUNTER In another encounter, three militants were killed and three BSF jawans were injured in a gunbattle along the border in Samba area. 3 BSF personnel sustain injuries after BSF troopers faced fire from across IB in Chamliyal, Samba (J&K), admitted to hospital for treatment pic.twitter.com/RhCTQMwc3s ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Some suspicious movement was noticed by thermal imagers in the intervening night of November 28-29 2016, in the general area of Border Out Post Chamliyal, Samba. READ: Outgoing Pakistan army chief's parting shot at India: Don't mistake patience as weakness The area was immediately cordoned off and when challenged, a BSF patrol was fired upon by miscreants holed up in a tube well pumphouse in the fields. The fire has been retaliated by BSF parties. Firing is still going on. Samba Infiltration bid: One BSF jawan injured, ops continue (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/H0fDiY4V9E ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 This area falls very close to the border fence and International Border. advertisement According to reports, the terrorists crossed the IB in Ramgarh sector of Jammu and took shelter in a village close to the border. On Monday, terrorists opened fire at security forces in Handwara area of north Kashmir WATCH VIDEO Also Read:4 Jaish terrorists attacked Pathankot air base and not 6: MHA Uri attack: An inside story of how it happened Uri attack: Another soldier succumbs to injuries, death toll rises to 19 India hits Pakistan back with surgical strikes across Line of Control, 38 killed Watch how India carried out military operation in PoK How Ghatak platoons from units attacked in Uri helped commandos in surgical strike --- ENDS --- ITHACA, NY-- Researchers studying the viruses that affect agricultural production or human health now have a new tool for investigating where viruses have spread, on a local, national, or even global scale. VirusDetect is a free, open-source bioinformatics pipeline that can efficiently analyze small RNA (sRNA) datasets to identify both known and novel viruses. Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) Associate Professor Zhangjun Fei and colleagues present this pipeline in a recent paper in Virology. "We choose this small RNA sequencing technology because it is a highly efficient technology for virus identification and discovery," said Fei. "VirusDetect is the first bioinformatics tool that is specifically designed to analyze this kind of data for virus detection." There are many ways to detect a virus. Traditional methods use microscopes, antibodies or molecular techniques that detect specific sequences of viral genetic material--all techniques that are not highly efficient, especially in detecting novel viruses. With newer sequencing technology, researchers can sequence viral DNA or RNA along with the host material, but this approach requires expensive, deep sequencing, and early, low-level infections can be easily missed. VirusDetect takes advantage of an antiviral defense system shared by both plants and animals called RNA interference (RNAi). When a plant or animal cell is invaded by a virus, the cell churns out numerous small RNAs that are just 21-24 nucleotides long. By sequencing these small RNAs and feeding the dataset into the VirusDetect pipeline, scientists can predict the presence of RNA viruses, DNA viruses and viroids. Fei's lab used this tool to create a Pan-African sweet potato virome, which describes all the viruses affecting sweet potatoes in multiple locations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. With more than 1,000 field samples, the researchers couldn't process this much data manually and needed a high-throughput pipeline to identify the known and unknown viruses. "You can use this strategy to investigate virus distribution, diversity and evolution at a large scale--a continent or even global scale. You can collect samples from all over the world," said Fei. ### Yi Zheng, a postdoctoral scientist at BTI and Shan Gao, a former postdoctoral scientist at BTI and now a faculty member at Nankai University, China, are co-first authors on paper, with contributions from researchers at the USDA and the International Potato Center. Funding for this project came from the U.S. National Science Foundation (IOS-1110080), the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (2012-01507-229756 and 2010-600-25320) and the CGIAR research program on roots, tubers and bananas. URL upon publication: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0042682216303166 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2016.10.017 Media Relations Contact: Patricia Waldron (607-254-7476, pjw85@cornell.edu) To learn more about Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) research, visit the BTI website at http://bti.cornell.edu. Connect online with BTI at http://www.facebook.com/BoyceThompsonInstitute and http://www.twitter.com/BTIScience. About Boyce Thompson Institute Boyce Thompson Institute is a premier life sciences research institution located in Ithaca, New York on the Cornell University campus. BTI scientists conduct investigations into fundamental plant and life sciences research with the goals of increasing food security, improving environmental sustainability in agriculture and making basic discoveries that will enhance human health. BTI employs 150 staff, with scientists from 40 countries around the world and has twice been named as one of the Best Companies in New York State. Its 15 principal investigators are leading minds in plant development, chemical ecology, microbiology and plant pathology, and have access to the institute's state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities with computerized controls and a system of integrated pest management. BTI has one of the largest concentrations of plant bioinformaticists in the U.S., with researchers who work across the entire spectrum of "omics" fields. BTI researchers consistently receive funding from NSF, NIH, USDA and DOE and publish in top tier journals. Throughout its work, BTI is committed to inspiring and educating students and to providing advanced training for the next generation of scientists. For more information, visit http://www.bti.cornell.edu. BINGHAMTON, NY - A new website created by faculty and students at Binghamton University, State University of New York ranks university philosophy departments and academic journals by gender in order to draw attention to the underrepresentation of women in philosophy. Data on Women in Philosophy is a project created by Nicole Hassoun, associate professor of philosophy at Binghamton University, and a group of professors and students. The site orders departments by number of women faculty and journals by number of women authors. The project attempts to collate some of the existing data and provide new data that can have an impact on the field. So far it has looked at the proportion of women on the faculties of 99 departments and the number of women publishing in 20 top journals over several decades. Visitors to the site can select from various sources of data from a pull-down menu and see the resultant ordering. "It is well established that women are under-represented in philosophy at all levels," said Hassoun. "There is also some data on the under-representation of women in philosophy journals. But better data is essential for setting targets and evaluating performance in attempting to improve the situation for women in the field. If we know what programs and journals are doing well and which are doing poorly, and how things are changing over time, perhaps we can figure out how to make progress." Some of the preliminary findings include: 1) Very few schools have reached 50 percent women. 2) As of 2015, women account for 25 percent of tenured/tenure track philosophy faculty (comparable to several STEM disciplines) and things are improving more slowly in philosophy than in several of these disciplines. 3) Things tend to get worse for women as one ascends the hierarchy. a. Women are better represented as assistant than associate and as associate than full professors. b. In general, Philosophical Gourmet Report ranked institutions do less well, and are improving slower, than ranked institutions. 4) The average proportion of women in top journals was only 16 percent, and evidence from a sample of these journals suggests things have not changed much since at least the 1970's. a. Journals practicing blind review tend to do worse than those which do not. b. Relative to the proportion in the ethics, it is hardest for women to publish in ethics journals and then in general journals (which is a problem because the greatest proportion of women in the field are in this sub-discipline). "More data is still necessary to answer some of our questions and for setting targets, and evaluating performance, in attempting to improve the situation for women in the field," said Hassoun. "We must wait at least a few more years to know, for instance, whether there is a glass ceiling that explains why women are not as well-represented as associate and full professors as assistants. We also need to do more analysis to identify what has gone wrong in the academic pipeline." Hassoun hopes the site itself will create incentives for positive change. "We've now written all presidents, provosts, deans and department heads at the schools in our sample and gotten some positive responses from administrators, who are going to use this to push the departments to implement better practices for promoting diversity, and department heads, who will use it in approaching administrators," she said. Professor Hassoun said that, "just by ranking programs, we can get people to pay attention to, and address, the problems for women in philosophy. Graduate students and faculty often prefer more diverse programs and department heads, deans, and other administrators are starting to pay attention." Hassoun hopes to expand this project to include other minorities and other disciplines. ### LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Nov. 29, 2016 -- A new bioinformatics platform called Empowering the Development of Genomics Expertise (EDGE) will help democratize the genomics revolution by allowing users with limited bioinformatics expertise to quickly analyze and interpret genomic sequence data. Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and their collaborators at the Naval Medical Research Center developed EDGE, which is described in a paper recently published in Nucleic Acids Research. "We realized that while next-generation sequencing instruments are becoming more widespread and more accessible to the average biologist or physician, the bioinformatics tools required to process and analyze the data were not as user-friendly or accessible," said Patrick Chain, of Los Alamos' Biosecurity and Public Health group and EDGE team lead. "Given the large number of applications where sequencing is now used, a robust bioinformatics platform that encapsulates a broad array of algorithms is required to help address questions a researcher may have. We sought to develop a web-based environment where non-bioinformatics experts could easily select what pipelines they need and rapidly obtain results and interact with their data." Stopping the spread of disease--from naturally occurring or manmade threats -- requires an in-depth understanding of pathogens and how they work. To this end, the ability to characterize organisms through accurately and rapidly comparing genomic data is an important part of Los Alamos' national security mission. Technology advancements have fueled the development of new sequencing applications and will flood current databases with raw data. A number of factors limit the use of these data, including the large number of associated software and hardware dependencies and the detailed expertise required to perform this analysis. To address these issues, Chain and his team have developed an intuitive web-based environment with a wide assortment of integrated and pioneering bioinformatics tools in pre-configured workflows, all of which can be readily applied to isolate genome sequencing projects or metagenomics projects. EDGE is a user-friendly and open-source platform that integrates hundreds of cutting-edge tools and helps reduce data analysis times from days or weeks to minutes or hours. The workflows in EDGE, along with its ease of use, provide novice next-generation sequencing users with the ability to perform many complex analyses with only a few mouse clicks. This bioinformatics platform is described as an initial attempt at empowering the development of genomics dxpertise, as its name suggests, for a wide range of applications in microbial research. ### EDGE has already helped streamline data analysis for groups in Thailand, Georgia, Peru, South Korea, Gabon, Uganda, Egypt and Cambodia, as well as within several government laboratories in the United States. The paper "Enabling the democratization of the genomics revolution with a fully integrated web-based bioinformatics platform" was published in Nucleic Acids Research in partnership with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Naval Medical Research Center-Frederick and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. About Chain Patrick Chain earned his master's of science in microbial genomics from McMaster University and his doctoral degree in molecular microbiology and molecular genetics at Michigan State University. He is currently leading the Bioinformatics and Analytics Team and the Metagenomics Program within the Biosecurity and Public Health group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His background is in microbial ecology, evolution, genomics and bioinformatics, having spent the past 20 years using genomics to study various microbial systems, including the human microbiome, other environmental metagenomic communities, various isolate microbes or single cells, including bacterial and viral pathogens as well as fungal, algal, plant and animal systems. He currently leads a team of researchers whose charge is to devise novel methods, algorithms and strategies for the biological interpretation of massively parallel sequencing data. About Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, BWXT Government Group, and URS, an AECOM company, for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns. Tiny, glowing crystals designed to detect and capture heavy-metal toxins such as lead and mercury could prove to be a powerful new tool in locating and cleaning up contaminated water sources. Motivated by publicized cases in which high levels of heavy metals were found in drinking water in Flint, Mich., and Newark, N.J., a science team led by researchers at Rutgers University used intense X-rays at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) to probe the structure of the crystals they developed and learn how they bind to heavy metals. The crystals function like miniature, reusable sensors and traps, and are known as luminescent metal-organic frameworks, or LMOFs. Top performer for detecting and trapping heavy metals One type of LMOF that the team tested was found to selectively take up more than 99 percent of mercury from a test mixture of heavy and light metals within 30 minutes, according to recent results published in Applied Materials and Interfaces. No other MOFs have performed as well in this dual role of detecting and capturing, or "adsorbing," toxic heavy metals, the team reported. Simon Teat, a Berkeley Lab staff scientist, studied individual LMOF crystals, each measuring about 100 microns (millionths of a meter), with X-rays at the lab's Advanced Light Source (ALS). Using diffraction patterns produced as the X-ray light struck the LMOF samples, Teat applied software tools to map their three-dimensional structure with atomic resolution. The ALS is one of just a few synchrotron X-ray light sources in the world that have dedicated experimental stations for chemical crystallography studies of crystallized chemical compounds such as MOFs. It all starts with structure What he found was a patterned, grid-like 3-D structure containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and zinc atoms that framed large, open channels. These atomic-scale structural details are key to understanding how the LMOFs bind heavy metals, and can also aid in designing more highly specialized structures. "With MOFs, you're typically interested in using the holes for something," Teat explained. In this case, the structure allows heavy metals to enter these open channels and chemically bind to the MOFs. Their very open framework gives the MOFs an abundant surface area relative to their size, which allows them to take in a large amount of contaminants. The LMOF structure was engineered to glow by incorporating a fluorescent chemical component, or ligand. "When the metal binds to the fluorescent ligand, the resulting framework fluoresces," Teat said. The fluorescence of the LMOFs switches off when they interact with the heavy metals. According to Jing Li, a chemistry professor at Rutgers University who led the research, the technology could be a money-saving solution. "Others had developed MOFs for either the detection of heavy metals or for their removal, but nobody before had really investigated one that does both," Li added. Intense X-rays produced at synchrotrons are the best way to map the 3-D structure of the MOFs, Li said, adding, "Knowing the crystal structures is one of the most important aspects of our research. You need those in order to perform subsequent characterizations and to understand the properties of these materials." Tests show MOFs are chemically selective, reusable In their tests, researchers found that the LMOFs bind strongly to mercury and lead, but bind weakly to lighter metals such as magnesium and calcium that are also found in water supplies but do not pose the same hazards. This selective trait, based on the molecular makeup of the LMOFs, is important, Li said. "We need to have a MOF that is selective and will only take the harmful species." The LMOFs can also be recycled. Researchers found that they could collect, clean, and then reuse the LMOFs for three cycles of toxic cleansing before their performance began to degrade. What's next? The study notes that heavily industrialized areas, cities with antiquated water regulations, and agricultural communities can be particularly susceptible to groundwater contamination, which can lead to soil contamination if not addressed. This can cause the contaminants to be taken up by plants and animals in the surrounding environment, broadening the pathways of exposure. Li said that further R&D could explore lower-cost and more durable LMOFs that could last for more cycles, and researchers could also pursue the development of water filters by blending the LMOFs with polymers to create a solid film. "These filters could be used for capture on a larger scale," she said. "We would like to continue with this research," Li said, adding that her team would like to test the system's performance on actual contaminated water sources if funding becomes available. "These are promising results, but we have a long way to go." Her team also has used Berkeley Lab's ALS to determine the crystal structures of MOFs for a wide variety of other applications, including high-explosives detection; toxin detection in foods; and new types of light-emitting components for LEDs, known as phosphors, that incorporate cheaper, more abundant materials. ### The Advanced Light Source is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. Researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas and Rider University also participated in this research. The work was supported by the DOE Office of Science. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. For more, visit http://www.lbl.gov. DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- As manufacturers build more wings, fuselages and other major commercial aircraft parts out of solid-laminate composite materials, Sandia National Laboratories has shown that aircraft inspectors need training to better detect damage in these structures. So the Airworthiness Assurance Center -- operated by Sandia for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the past 26 years -- has developed the first course to train inspectors in the airline and aircraft manufacturing industries nondestructive inspection techniques (NDI) for solid-laminate composite materials. The course was first presented this summer at Delta Air Lines Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, to 35 engineers and inspectors from six countries. The FAA sponsored development of the course, which is now available to private industry. "We're trying to improve the proficiency of these inspectors so that they're better able to detect damage in composite structures," said Dennis Roach, a senior scientist in Sandia's Transportation, Safeguards & Surety Program. "We're also trying to increase the consistency in inspections across the commercial airline industry." By volume, 80 percent of the Boeing 787 and more than half the Airbus 350 by weight are made from composite materials, driving the need for this training, said Stephen Neidigk, a Sandia mechanical engineer and principal developer of the Composite NDI Training Class. Alex Melton, a Delta manager of quality control and nondestructive testing, said the course began at the right time for his company. Delta will receive the Airbus 350 aircraft next year and the Bombardier C-Series shortly thereafter. Delta plans to have a custom version of Sandia's course in place for its inspectors. "This type of class enhances inspector proficiency insofar as it develops the skill of the inspectors," Melton said. "I think it's going to be a really good curriculum for our inspectors as we develop the training and integrate it into our training program and, certainly, I think it's going to be valuable to the greater industry." Experiments detecting composite damage showed need for inspection course For the past decade, Sandia has conducted experiments on the probability of detecting damage in composite materials -- honeycomb and solid-laminate structures -- that showed wide variations in inspectors' abilities and techniques, Roach said. Because many experienced aircraft inspectors started their careers when airplanes were made mainly of aluminum and because composites behave in so many different ways than metal, Sandia recommended the training. "We saw people not using the exact equipment setup, procedures or methods that would produce optimum inspection results," Roach said. "They needed customized training that didn't exist." Building on that recommendation, Sandia conducted two workshops in 2014-15, inviting regulators, airlines and aircraft manufacturers from 12 countries to refine the course's content. The FAA also provided feedback on the course and the design of the NDI Proficiency Specimens used in the hands-on portion of the class, Roach said. The two-day course covers the properties of composites, the manufacturing processes and the benefits and shortcomings of the materials. Composites produce more fuel-efficient aircraft because they are lighter than metal. Due to the materials' structures, they are resistant to fatigue and do not crack as easily as metal, in part, because they use fewer joints and fasteners where cracks can originate. But one drawback is that solid-laminates can suffer damage, particularly from impact, that's not visible at the surface, often because the visible, external surface pops back into place, masking subsurface damage, Roach and Neidigk said. Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program sponsored two research projects -- on the structural health monitoring of composite materials and the development of sensor network systems to assess damage in transportation infrastructure -- that produced information that was useful in the course's development. Engineered damaged parts based on years of research help inspectors practice In the course, inspectors learn about nondestructive testing techniques through hands-on exercises. They examine custom carbon-fiber composite samples representing various types of structural configurations common on aircraft, but including engineered defects that range in complexity to fine tune their skills, Neidigk said. The samples were designed and built by Sandia and aerospace company NORDAM in Tulsa, Oklahoma, based on years of Sandia research. The inspectors set up commercial scanners, including phased-array ultrasonic scanners where they "paint" a two-dimensional image of the composite with ultrasound (C-scan image) to detect damage, and learn to optimize settings to more clearly detect damage, Neidigk said. They learn how to recognize structural features found in composites, including laminates with substructure, such as co-cured bond lines or tapered laminates, and types of damage, including disbonds, delamination, porosity and impact damage. The airline industry wants to save time and money by reducing false calls, when inspectors believe they have found signs of damage that is not actually there. An eye-opener for course participants was noticing that the scanner signals decreased in amplitude or intensity due to the presence of acoustic tiles and sealant accompanying composite fuselage panels. These are commonly used to mitigate aircraft vibration noise for passengers. The poor readings on the detection equipment might appear as damage to an untrained inspector, Neidigk said. But with practice, Melton said, the inspectors learned to discern the effects of the acoustic tiles on the signals generated by the defects. "One of the most valuable things in our view about this class was the opportunity to practice with these materials because we really don't get that opportunity and feedback on the aircraft," he said. In preparing the course, Sandia engineers recorded the best results they obtained in the lab to identify flaws in the engineered samples and produced flaw maps and grading templates, Neidigk said. "After the participants have the chance to inspect the panels, we use our grading templates to point out which ones they hit and missed. Then we show them how the reflected signal changed for a particular flaw and why they missed it," he said. Roach and Neidigk expect companies to customize the course, as Delta plans, to meet their needs and Sandia will support those efforts as necessary. The team hopes to develop further nondestructive testing courses, particularly to inspect composite aircraft repairs. ### The Composite NDI Training Class provides an overview of composite materials, in-depth knowledge of nondestructive testing techniques, the use of ultrasonic technology for testing and practice with engineered samples to increase proficiency in composite inspections. For more information, call (505) 284-2200 or email sneidig@sandia.gov. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major R&D responsibilities in national security, energy and environmental technologies and economic competitiveness. Philadelphia, PA, November 29, 2016 - Feral horses are free-ranging descendants of once-domesticated horses. All free-ranging horses in North America are feral horses, and between 2014 and 2015 the feral horse population in the United States increased 18% according to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In 2015, the number of feral horses in the western ranges of the United States alone was estimated at 58,150. With few natural predators, populations will continue to rise, doubling every four years; thus, managing populations of feral horses represents a unique challenge in the United States. "The ever-expanding population of feral horses is a critical but not simple problem to solve," said Lori L. Ward, lead author of a recent review of the feral horse issue in The Professional Animal Scientist. "Any solution to this problem must have an understanding of current populations of horses in each ecosystem, the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, and consideration of how these numbers will naturally vary." In the 1950s, to combat rising populations, many feral horses were slaughtered by various means, including poisoned watering holes. This solution was met with public outrage and led to congressional action in the form of the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, which protected feral horses as a link to our national heritage. This act protected horses on federal land and kept them from slaughter, prompting new efforts at population control. Since that time, BLM has herded animals into holding locations where they can be managed and adopted-out. Many horses do not get adopted, however, and are labeled unwanted; likewise, the process of rounding-up feral horses is expensive and costs to maintain captive feral horses are estimated to exceed $1 billion by 2030. Such rising costs may end the adoption practice in coming years, according to the BLM. Another means to limit populations is contraceptive use. The practice is controversial, as animal welfare activists often do not agree with the use of contraceptives, but the United States Humane Society is in support of such measures. Contraceptives, such as porcine zona pellucida vaccine, castration, or vasectomy, have not been without side effects, however. These methods may only slow growth, or in the case of vasectomy have no effect on foal rates; likewise, they may disrupt seasonal patterns within the herds among other changes. Perceptions of feral horses in the United States are numerous and multifaceted, which creates a unique challenge when it comes to managing their populations. In order to determine the most effective management practices, knowledge of horse population dynamics as well as public political views are necessary. Any solution to such an issue can only be gained by continued research. ### Notes for editors The article is "Review: Challenges and opportunities in rising feral horse populations," by J. L. Ward, S. Lindsey, J. M. Martin, M. Nicodemus, and E. Memili (doi:10.15232/pas.2015-01415). It appears in The Professional Animal Scientist, volume 32, issue 6 (December 2016), published by Elsevier. Copies of this paper are available to credentialed journalists upon request; please contact Eileen Leahy at +1 732 238 3628 or jdsmedia@elsevier.com. To schedule an interview with the authors, please contact Dr. Molly Nicodemus, Ph.D., Associate Professor: +1 662 325 2802, nicodemus@ads.msstate.edu; Dr. Erdogan Memili, Ph.D., Associate Professor: +1 662 325 2802; em149@ads.msstate.edu. About The Professional Animal Scientist The Professional Animal Scientist (PAS) is an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal and the official publication of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS). In continuous publication since 1985, PAS is a leading outlet for animal science research. The journal welcomes novel manuscripts on applied technology, reviews on the use or application of research-based information on animal agriculture, commentaries on contemporary issues, case studies, and technical notes. Topics which will be considered for publication include (but are not limited to): feed science, farm animal management and production, dairy science, meat science, animal nutrition, reproduction, animal physiology and behavior, disease control and prevention, microbiology, agricultural economics, and environmental issues related to agriculture. Themed special issues may also be considered for publication. http://www.professionalanimalscientist.org About the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) The American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) is the organization which provides certification of animal scientists through examination, continuing education, and commitment to a code of ethics. Continual improvement of individual members is catalyzed through publications (including the PAS journal) and by providing information on educational opportunities. ARPAS is affiliated with five professional societies: American Dairy Science Association, American Meat Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, Equine Science Society, and Poultry Science Association. http://www.arpas.org About Elsevier Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make groundbreaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions -- among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey -- and publishes over 2,500 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and more than 35,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. http://www.elsevier.com Media contact Eileen Leahy Elsevier +1 732 238 3628 jdsmedia@elsevier.com With 29 747 newly reported HIV infections in 2015, the EU/EEA notification rate is similar to recent years with an overall insignificant change from 6.6 per 100 000 population in 2006 to 6.3 in 2015 (adjusted for reporting delay). European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said: "HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious problem in Europe. The Commission is committed to helping Member States reach the SDG target of ending HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis by 2030 and reducing Hepatitis, as underlined a few days ago in our Communication for a sustainable European future. ECDC's estimate that one in seven people living with HIV are unaware of their status is particularly worrying: people who do not know they are infected cannot benefit from life-saving treatment, and can continue to transmit the virus to others. This is why easy and accessible testing is so important. The European Commission supports HIV testing by working together with Member States and civil society on joint projects, funded by the EU Health Programme, on prevention and linkage to care." "The facts we know about the HIV epidemic in the EU/EEA, are based on the number of new diagnoses reported each year, which represents the cornerstone of European HIV surveillance", explains ECDC Acting Director Andrea Ammon. "But we also know that these figures do not reflect the true picture. ECDC estimates that currently around 122 000 people in the EU/EEA are infected with HIV but are not aware of their infection - that is every 1 in 7 people living with HIV in the region." If diagnosed and treated early enough, people can live long and healthy lives with HIV. "To reach the estimated 15% who are not aware of their infection, we need to increase efforts to promote and facilitate more testing for HIV. And link those diagnosed to care. A simple and quick blood test allows people to determine their HIV status. It's best to know your HIV status so you can take care of your own health - and also protect others", stresses Ammon. "ECDC is currently supporting Member States to standardise and improve their national estimates regarding the number of people living with HIV. This should lead to a more effective HIV response, because it enables better targeting of resources at the populations they identify as being most at risk in that country." "Despite significant efforts, HIV remains among the main public health concerns in the WHO European Region, in particular in its eastern part. 2015 recorded the highest number of new cases in one year, contributing to an appalling 2 million cumulative cases", says Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. "To address this critical situation, we have made available a new action plan that all European countries endorsed in September 2016. We now call on countries' leaders to use this plan for an urgent, accelerated and innovative response to HIV in the Region, to reverse the AIDS epidemics immediately and end it by 2030". In the EU/EEA, sex between men is still is the main reported HIV transmission mode, accounting for 42% of all notified HIV diagnoses in 2015 and for more than half of new diagnoses in 15 countries . Men who have sex with men are the only group in the EU/EEA that has seen a steady increase in notifications over the years. With 32% of reported HIV diagnoses, sex between women and men is the second most commonly reported mode of transmission in the EU/EEA, followed by injecting drug use (4%). Time between infection and diagnosis in the EU/EEA: four years The new surveillance data also show that almost every second (47%) HIV positive person in the EU/EEA is diagnosed at a late stage of infection. The new ECDC estimate revealed that, on average, it takes almost four years (3.8) before an HIV infection is diagnosed and reported. This again suggests persistent problems with access to, and uptake of, HIV testing in many countries. The European Test Finder makes it easy to locate an HIV testing site in Europe: all that is needed is a post code or city name to find the nearest test centre. This year's updated version also includes places for STI and hepatitis testing. In addition, available ECDC Guidance and results from monitoring the Dublin Declaration on Partnership to Fight HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia assist Member States in their HIV response. Read the full report HIV/AIDS surveillance in Europe 2015 ### Notes to editors: The ECDC HIV estimate: The estimate for the EU/EEA countries is based on a modelling exercise with existing HIV and AIDS surveillance data for the years 2003 to 2015 data using the ECDC HIV modelling tool. Data on the estimated number of people living with HIV in 2014-2015 were reported by nominated contact points in EU/EEA countries to ECDC as part of the Dublin Declaration monitoring process. Based on country reports, the estimated total number of people living with HIV in the EU/EEA is around 810 000 (0.2% adult population). The resulting estimated proportion of those living with undiagnosed HIV is 15%. National estimates and those within certain populations at highest risk of HIV are likely to vary widely across countries The WHO European Region comprises 53 countries, with a population of nearly 900 million people, of which around 508 million live in the EU/EEA (28 EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). In 2015, 153 407 new HIV diagnoses were reported from 50 of the 53 countries, resulting in a rate of 17.6 per 100 000. World AIDS Day was introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1988 and is observed annually on 1 December to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by HIV infection. Living in subsidized housing seems to give a boost to children with high standardized test scores and few behavior problems, but it has the opposite effect on students who score poorly and have behavioral issues, a new study finds. Previous studies have concluded that living in homes with rent assistance from the federal government -- including public housing, units built as "affordable" and private market homes rented with vouchers -- has no effect on children. But Johns Hopkins University researchers found that subsidized housing can significantly influence a young person's standardized test scores and behavior, particularly very high- and very low-performing children. The findings, which shed new light on how housing subsidies can improve children's wellbeing, were published online this month by the American Journal of Community Psychology. "Studies have shown assisted housing has no effect on children, but what we found, looking at subgroups, is that this is not a one-size-fits-all situation," said co-author Sandra J. Newman, a public policy professor. "Some kids do well and some kids do poorly." Newman and researcher C. Scott Holupka examined 194 low-income children who lived in subsidized housing at some point when they were between ages 3 and 12, and compared them with 215 children of the same age whose families were eligible for housing assistance but did not receive it. The study then examined their standardized test scores for 2002 or 2007, when the young people would have been between 13 and 17 years old. Children with very strong test scores who lived in subsidized housing scored about 8 percent higher on standardized reading, math and behavioral tests than similar children who never lived in subsidized housing, the researchers found. Meanwhile, the lowest-performing children who lived in subsidized homes scored lower on these tests than their counterparts who did not get housing assistance. It's unclear why subsidized housing would cause test scores for low-performing students to drop even lower. The researchers suspect the boost for higher-performing children comes from parents who use the housing savings to invest more in enrichment for their kids. Newman and Holupka found in 2014 that how much a family spends on housing is linked to their children's cognitive achievement. "Housing is a major budget burden for families, and assisted housing provides a way for low-income families to live affordably," Newman said. "If families don't have to worry as much about necessities, maybe they can do more to provide for their children financially." ### Support for this research was provided by the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. CONTACT: Jill Rosen Office: 443-997-9906 / Cell: 443-547-8805 jrosen@jhu.edu @JHUmediareps MANHATTAN, KANSAS -- The American Association for the Advancement of Science is honoring Vara Prasad, Kansas State University distinguished professor of agronomy, as one of its 2016 fellows. Prasad is among 391 fellows chosen this year and was selected for his distinguished contributions to the field of abiotic stress physiology, particularly for understanding responses of food grain crops to high temperature stress. "I am very pleased and humbled by this recognition," Prasad said. "I am thankful to all my students and scholars who contributed to innovative research; my colleagues, staff and administrators at Kansas State University for their continuous support; my mentors for their guidance; and my family members for their constant encouragement." The American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, is the world's largest scientific society. The association's fellowship program recognizes individuals whose efforts toward advancing science applications are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. Prasad's selection follows a vote by peers in the association. This year's fellows were formally announced in the AAAS News and Notes section of the journal Science on Nov. 25. Prasad will be recognized at a certificate and pinning ceremony at the association's annual meeting Feb. 18, 2017, in Boston. Prasad joins 24 current and emeritus Kansas State University faculty members who are fellows of the association. "This is an important recognition by one of the leading professional scientific societies," said Peter Dorhout, the university's vice president of research. "Dr. Prasad had been involved in research here that will shed light on how the changing climate conditions affect our ability to grow crops, which impacts our largest industry in Kansas and the Midwest." Prasad is the director of the university's Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development. Prasad's research focuses on understanding responses of food grain crops to climate change factors and developing crop, water and soil management strategies for efficient use of inputs and to improve crop yields. He has quantified the influence of high temperature stress on various physiological and yield processes of several grain crops, improved our understanding of physiological and biochemical mechanisms associated with high temperature tolerance, and screened germplasm collection and identified genotypes tolerant to high temperature stress in various food grain crops. He has active research and capacity building programs in several countries in Asia and Africa that are focused on providing food and nutritional security to smallholder farmers. A Kansas State University faculty member since 2005, Prasad has received $62 million in grant funding to support research, education and extension activities from local, national and international agencies. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and his research has been cited 5,130 times. He has mentored and trained more than 100 research scholars and graduate students. He has received several noteworthy awards for his research, teaching and service activities, including International Educator of the Year, the Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award, the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award, and the Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award from Kansas State University, as well as the Early Career and Outstanding Research Award from Gamma Sigma Delta. He is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. Prasad earned his bachelor's degree in 1991 and his master's degree in 1993 from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University in India. He earned his doctorate from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom in 1999. ### An international research group, including a scientist from the Zoological Museum (Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University) has conducted a comparative analysis of incubation rhythms in a range of shorebird species with wide geographical coverage. This became possible due to usage of light loggers (geolocators). The results of the project have been published in Nature. Part of the study fulfilled in the Lomonosov Moscow State University has been conducted within the framework of the "Noah's ark" project. Pavel Tomkovich, a Leading Researcher (Zoological Museum at the Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University) together with Egor Loktionov has made the following contribution to the project. They have shared the data about shorebird incubation rhythms, obtained in southern Chukotka from geolocators retrieved from breeding lesser golden plovers (Pluvialis fulva), common ringed plovers (Charadrius hiaticula) and red knots (Calidris canutus). They also presented data on nests, incubating birds and their behavior (namely, the human approach response). Geolocators' readings were checked by direct observations, made during studies of incubation modes in red knots. Pavel Tomkovich, Doctor of Biological Sciences from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, and one of authors of the paper, says: "This study is devoted to learning about the organization of our world, where we live together with the plants and animals. It seems that this project doesn't have direct practical application. For ornithologists this study helps to understand how birds react to some environmental variables, such as light conditions, tidal effects on the sea shores (where shorebirds forage) and temperature conditions. It also reveals why nests of some species can easily be found, while in case of other species, on the contrary, it is extremely difficult." The research is based on data collected by zoologists from many countries on different continents, who directly and remotely studied various species of shorebirds during nesting period with the help of the methods of instrumental control (video cameras, geolocators, GPS and radio tags). Geolocators or light sensors, being fixed to a ring placed on a bird's leg, record in the memory unit of the device its light intensity, with the frequency of 5 or 10 minutes. This approach has allowed to determine periods of continuous coverage of a clutch of eggs (when a geolocator is closed by the bird's body and feathters) and periods of activity outside the nest (when a geolocator is mostly lit). It is necessary to retrap a bird with a geolocator in order to download the stored information from this mini device. Interpretation of this piece of data allows to understand incubation rhythms of the bird, namely about the length of periods of continuous incubation and incubation cycles both during a day and the whole period of incubation: from egg laying till chick hatching. A comparative analysis for a wide range of species with wide geographical coverage only became possible thanks to the agglomeration of data obtained by a multitude of researchers. Data about incubation rhythms from 729 nests of 91 populations of 32 monogamous biparentally incubating shorebird species are used for comparisons in this study. Researchers have shown significant within and between-species diversity in behavioral rhythms' synchronization of incubating mates. The mean value length of one parent's incubation bout on average varied from 1 to 19 hours. And the probability of the length of one incubation cycle alternately by each mate was fluctuating from 6 to 43 hours. The length of incubation bouts didn't depend on energy cost indicators. This characteristic was more sustainable among species that rely on crypsis (a type of coloration that enables a bird to avoid detection by other animals), in comparison with the species that are readily visible or actively defend their nest from predators. Rhythms, entrainable to the 24-h light-dark cycle, are less prevalent at high latitudes, being absent in 18 species. The similarity of incubation rhythms among closely related species has been discovered. Even in the same environmental conditions, including the 24-h light-dark cycle, social synchronization of partners' behavioral rhythms is much more diverse than it has been expected, judging by the results of observations conducted in captivity. Scientists have come to a conclusion that the risk of egg loss from predators (and not the risk of starvation of an incubating bird, which doesn't get food) could be a key factor that determines the observed diversity in incubating rhythms. Pavel Tomkovich notices: "In science some questions are always left... In the current case it is quite obvious that further clarifications are needed. It is still necessary to learn whether the length of incubation bouts of shorebirds with cryptic nest behavior depends on predators' pressure. Besides that, it is still unclear how the existing diversity in incubation rhythms has emerged and which consequences one or another incubation rhythm has for th partners (for instance, concerning energy demand)." ### By PTI: Lekshmi Gopalakrishnan Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 29 (PTI) In an unusual action, Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau chief and DGP Jacob Thomas, who has taken a tough stand against corrupt politicians including ex-ministers and bureaucrats, has sought whistleblowers protection for himself from the Centre. Thomas has sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Chief Secretary S M Vijayanand requesting them to urge the Centre "to grant him adequate protection from being harassed and put under any kind of pressure while exposing departmental corruption and irregularities by public functionaries," official sources told PTI here. advertisement According to Whistleblowers Protection Act 2011, the "Central government shall ensure that no person or a public servant who has made a disclosure under this Act is victimised by initiation of any proceedings or otherwise merely on the ground that such person or a public servant had made a disclosure or rendered assistance in inquiry under this Act." The Act, which received Presidential assent on May 9, 2014, also states that if any person was being victimised or likely to be victimised for making disclosures or rendered assistance under the Act, he may, file an application before the Competent Authority seeking redress in the matter. "And such authority shall take such action, as deemed fit and may give suitable directions to the concerned public servant or the public authority, as the case may be, to protect such person from being victimised or avoid his victimisation," it says. The demand of the senior most IPS officer in the state assumes significance in the wake of a series of inquiries launched by the anti-corruption watchdog, including those against some top bureaucrats. Interestingly, Thomas was the first IPS officer in the state to get whistleblowers protection from the Union government in 2005 after he brought to light corruption in the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation while serving as its managing director. Advocate D B Binu, a state-based RTI activist, said even two years after the much-awaited Whistleblowers Protection Act came into existence, it was yet to be fully operational in the country. "There is no concrete system to protect whistleblowers in our country right now. If a person gets threat and harassment for whistleblowing a corruption, will anybody else be ready to follow his footsteps?" he told PTI. "Whistleblowers play a significant role in anti-corruption drives. They face lot of threats and harassment while exposing corruption. This is much high in the case if an insider, who whistleblows about the corruption of a system by standing within it," he said. PTI LGK UDVS VSC SRY --- ENDS --- MAYWOOD, IL - William Small, Jr., MD, FACRO, FACR, FASTRO, chair of the department of radiation oncology, has been named Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine's Senior Scientist of the Year. The award is based on scholarly productivity, service to the institution and community, professional society activities, research funding, mentoring and peer-review activities for both scientific journals and external sponsors of research funding. Dr. Small received the award November 3 during the 37th annual St. Albert's Day, which celebrates Loyola's commitment to research. Lara Dugas, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, department of public health sciences, was named Junior Scientist of the Year. Dr. Small is a fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology, American College of Radiology and American Society for Radiation Oncology. He is former president of the Council of Affiliated Regional Radiation Oncology Societies and the Chicago Radiological Society. He is immediate past chair of the Gynecological Cancer Intergroup. Dr. Small has been lead researcher in multiple national and international clinical trials. He has written more than 190 publications, 25 invited book chapters and six books, including textbooks on toxicity and combining targeted biological agents with radiation. Dr. Small has published in many leading journals and is a member of multiple editorial boards, including Advances in Radiation Oncology and Brachytherapy. Dr. Small also has helped bring state-of-the-art cancer clinical trials to low- and middle-income countries. ### Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered a way to make pinpoint changes to an enzyme-driven "assembly line" that will enable scientists to improve or change the properties of existing antibiotics as well as create designer compounds. The work is the first to efficiently manipulate which building blocks the enzyme selects in the act of synthesizing erythromycin, an important antibiotic. Many antibiotics are synthesized by huge sets of enzymes called polyketide synthases: a series of proteins arranged in a particular order that recruit specific small molecule building blocks to assemble the drug of interest. Picture an automobile assembly line - a car is assembled sequentially, using various interchangeable parts as it moves from one workstation to the next in line. Drug synthesis via polyketide synthases works in much the same way. Each protein module acts as a workstation responsible for selecting and adding another specific building block to the antibiotic. Improving upon existing antibiotics is an efficient way to create new drugs in terms of both time and cost. If researchers could manipulate the function of each module in the enzyme assembly line, it would allow them to design man-made molecules, thus fine-tuning the pharmacological properties of a drug. However, no one had been able to discover how to make small tweaks to an enzyme module in order to completely change which building blocks are selected during the assembly process. Gavin Williams, associate professor of bio-organic chemistry at NC State and corresponding author of a paper describing the work, along with former Ph.D. student and first author Irina Koryakina, former Ph.D student John McArthur and current Ph.D. student Christian Kasey, set out to discover how to make an enzyme module in erythromycin select a man-made building block. The group looked at a protein module designated Ery6, which is the sixth module, or workstation on the assembly line, for erythromycin. They found that the module identifies and installs a methyl group building block. By genetically altering the active site of the enzyme they were able to make changes to single amino acids in that area, engineering the enzyme to reject the naturally occurring substrate, or building block, that it normally selected in favor of a man-made substrate the researchers preferred. "We have engineered the incorporation of a non-natural substrate by changing the building block specificity of Ery6," Kasey says. "Because we have completely changed the specificity only at the sixth module, we know that the chemistry at a defined part of the molecule will be changed. So if we move to a scenario where these compounds are generated in environments that may have both the natural and man-made substrates available to them, we know that only module six will select the substrate we want." "Previously, most changes to these compounds have been in the form of swapping out an entire enzyme module, rather than tweaking functionality within it," Williams says. "Instead of a hatchet, our method is more surgical, making small but impactful changes to the module that won't change its overall function while allowing us to fine tune the portions of the compound that we select. "We want to apply this same approach to alter other groups in the structure so that we could diversify and modify other properties of the antibiotic. We believe that this approach will prove a powerful tool in constructing new designer compounds with pinpoint accuracy." ### The work appears in ACS Chemical Biology and was funded in part by the National Science Foundation (CHE-1151299) and the National Institutes of Health (GM104258). Koryakina is currently at Intrexon Corporation, and McArthur is currently at the University of California, Davis. Joseph Chemler, Shasha Li, Douglas Hansen and David Sherman from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor also contributed to the work. Note to editors: An abstract of the paper follows. "Inversion of extender unit selectivity in the erythromycin polyketide synthase by acyltransferase domain engineering" DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00732 Authors: Irina Koryakina, NC State and Intrexon Corp.; John McArthur, NC State and UC-Davis; Christian Kasey and Gavin Williams, NC State University; Andrew Lowell, Joseph Chemler, Shasha Li, Douglas Hansen and David Sherman, University of Michigan Ann Arbor Published: ACS Chemical Biology Abstract: Acyltransferase (AT) domains of polyketide synthases (PKSs) select extender units for incorporation into polyketides and dictate large portions of the structures of clinically relevant natural products. Accordingly, there is significant interest in engineering the substrate specificity of PKS ATs in order to site-selectively manipulate polyketide structure. However, previous attempts to engineer ATs have yielded mutant PKSs with relaxed extender unit specificity, rather than an inversion of selectivity from one substrate to another. Here, by directly screening the extender unit selectivity of mutants from active site saturation libraries of an AT from the prototypical PKS, 6- deoxyerythronolide B synthase, a set of single amino acid substitutions was discovered that dramatically impact the selectivity of the PKS with only modest reductions of product particular substitution (Tyr189Arg) inverted the selectivity of the wild-type PKS from its natural substrate towards a non-natural alkynyl-modified extender unit while maintaining more than twice the activity of the wild-type PKS with its natural substrate. The strategy and mutations described herein form a platform for combinatorial biosynthesis of site-selectively modified polyketide analogues that are modified with nonnatural and non-native chemical functionality. Scientists have long used satellite tags to track blue whales along the West Coast, learning how the largest animals on the planet find enough small krill to feed on to support their enormous size. Now researchers from NOAA Fisheries, Oregon State University and the University of Maryland have combined that trove of tracking data with satellite observations of ocean conditions to develop the first system for predicting locations of blue whales off the West Coast. The system, called WhaleWatch, produces monthly maps of blue whale "hotspots" to alert ships where there may be an increased risk of encountering these endangered whales. NOAA Fisheries has begun publicly posting the maps on its West Coast Region website each month. A new scientific paper published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology describes the development of the WhaleWatch system and the methodology behind it. "We're using the many years of tag data to let the whales tell us where they go, and under what conditions," said Elliott Hazen, a research ecologist at NOAA Fisheries Southwest Fisheries Science Center and lead author of the new paper. "If we know what drives their hotspots we can more clearly assess different management options to reduce risk to the whales." Helen Bailey, the WhaleWatch project leader at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and coauthor of the paper, described WhaleWatch as an innovative combination of satellite technology and computer modeling that will help protect whales by providing timely information to the shipping industry. NASA helped fund the project, which draws on ocean observations from NASA and NOAA satellites. "This is the first time that we've been able to predict whale densities on a year-round basis in near-real time," said Bailey, who specializes in studying the movements of marine mammals and hopes the same approach will be used for other species of whales. "We hope it's going to protect the whales by helping inform the shipping industry." Blue whales are listed as an endangered species, although their population has increased in recent years. Earlier research has found that shipping lanes to and from Los Angeles and San Francisco overlap with important blue whale foraging hotspots, putting whales at risk of fatal ship strikes. Studies have found that ships off the West Coast strike an average of about two blue whales a year, although some ship strikes probably go unnoticed. "No ship captain or shipping company wants to strike a whale," said Kip Louttit, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, which tracks ship traffic into and out of Southern California ports. "If we can provide good scientific information about the areas that should be avoided, areas the whales are using, I think the industry is going to take that very seriously and put it to use." NOAA Fisheries has developed a California Current Integrated Ecosystem Assessment to examine how environmental conditions affect marine resources including whales and other marine mammals. Hazen said WhaleWatch could help evaluate different management strategies to tell whether they are effective in reducing risk to whales. "This is where science meets management," he said. "Now we have the tools for scientists to predict outcomes of different decisions or choices." As the scientists note in the new paper, the WhaleWatch model "provides a critical step towards developing seasonal and dynamic management approaches to help reduce the risk of ship strikes for blue whales in the California Current." Maps produced by the model may also prove useful to fishermen who want to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled in lines attached to crab traps or other gear. The strength of WhaleWatch is more than a decade of tracking data collected by Bruce Mate of Oregon State University and his team for more than 100 blue whales from 1994 to 2008. Hazen used computer models to look for relationships between the movements of the whales and environmental factors such as ocean temperature, chlorophyll concentrations and other factors. "Nobody has ever had a database like this for any whale anywhere in the world," Mate said. "These aren't guesstimates of how whales may respond to certain conditions, but actual data on how they did respond, which improves the accuracy of the predictions." ### Funding for the research was provided by NASA, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Smithsonian Institution Climate and Response Program and by NOAA's Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Program. The tagging of whales was funded through Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute. WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced 18 grants totaling more than $6.7 million for research to discover how components of the agroecosystem from soil, water and sun to plants, animals and people, interact with and affect food production. These awards are made through NIFA's Bioenergy and Natural Resources Program, Agroecosystem priority area of the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). "Population growth, along with environmental factors, including the growing threat of climate change, are putting increasing demand on the land, water and other resources that produce our food," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "These investments will help us understand how we can farm more effectively and sustainably to feed the growing global population." NIFA's AFRI Foundational: Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment Program supports research on healthy agroecosystems and their underlying natural resources essential to the sustained long-term production of agricultural goods and services. Agroecosystems may include crop production systems, animal production systems, and pasture, range and forest lands that are actively managed to provide economic, societal and environmental benefits. Projects funded through this program area contribute to the knowledge needed for sustainable production of agroecosystems while retaining needed ecosystem services--such as drinking water, pollination and climate regulation. Awards for 2016 include: Arizona Board of Regents, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., $439,080 The Regents of the University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Calif., $439,676 National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., $50,000 Archbold Expeditions, Venus, Fla., $499,921 University of Florida Board of Trustees, Gainesville, Fla., $438,705 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill., $ 440,000 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill., $439,892 Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $474,632 Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., $49,500 University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., $ 149,736 The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $499,094 The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $439,966 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., $ 375,000 The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa., $471,324 New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M., $145,205 The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn., $375,000 Utah State University, Logan, Utah, $499,884 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, Madison, Wisc., $498,995 For more information on these projects, visit the NIFA website. Among this year's projects, the National Academy of Sciences will host a free, livestreamed workshop that will bring together policy makers, foundations and scientists to discuss how soil affects food security, water quality and ecosystem health and identify policy solutions and research decisions to preserve this critical resource. Archbold Expeditions, a nonprofit dedicated to long-term ecological research, will compare different grassland management systems to see which offer the most effective ecosystem benefits, such as greenhouse gas management and water use efficiency. Previous agroecosystem projects include a research and education initiative by North Carolina State University that investigated how farming practices such as tillage, pesticide and fertilizer use can affect beneficial soil organisms like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Scientists and extension educators from the University of Idaho, Washington State University, Oregon State University and USDA's Agricultural Research Service collaborated on a planning grant to develop sustainable agriculture in the rain-fed cereal production areas of the inland Pacific Northwest. Since 2009, USDA has invested $19 billion in research both intramural and extramural. During that time, research conducted by USDA scientists has resulted in 883 patent applications filed, 405 patents issued and 1,151 new inventions disclosures covering a wide range of topics and discoveries. To learn more about how USDA supports cutting edge science and innovation, visit the USDA Medium chapter Food and Ag Science Will Shape Our Future. ### NIFA invests in and advances innovative and transformative research, education and extension to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA support for the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability and ensuring food safety. To learn more about NIFA's impact on agricultural science, visit http://www.nifa.usda.gov/impacts, sign up for email updates or follow us on Twitter @usda_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. USDA is an equal opportunity lender, provider and employer. The first available dengue vaccine, CYD-TDV (Dengvaxia), is estimated to reduce the burden of dengue and be potentially cost effective in settings where infections with dengue are common, according to a study published by Stefan Flasche from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and an international consortium of dengue experts, in PLOS Medicine. The researchers used dynamical models informed by the results of efficacy trials combined with assumptions on vaccine mechanisms, to estimate the impact and cost-effectiveness of CYD-TDV over a 30-y post-vaccination period in a variety of epidemiological settings. In settings with moderate to high dengue transmission intensity, i.e. where at least 50% of children get infected with dengue before they are nine years old, they estimated that a routine vaccination policy involving a three-dose schedule in 9-y-old children at 80% coverage would reduce the burden of dengue disease for the population by 6%-25% and that vaccination would be potentially cost-effective if priced competitively. However, in settings where dengue infections are uncommon, they identified a risk of potential increase in hospitalizations for dengue disease. These findings were an important contribution to the evidence base that led the WHO to recommend countries to consider the use of CYD-TDV only in settings with a high burden of dengue disease. The authors say: "Our results can guide countries on the general suitability of Dengvaxia introduction; however, local factors related to treatment costs, intensity of dengue transmission and age groups particularly exposed to dengue will need to be considered." In a linked Perspective, Jacqueline Deen from the University of the Philippines, Manila, discusses challenges in balancing the individual and population risks and benefits for CYD-TDV. ### Research Article Funding: SF and MJ received funding from WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to conduct this work. LC is a paid employee at Sanofi Pasteur. GM and JK were funded by the University of Western Australia, with computing resources provided by the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, which is funded by the Australian Government and the Government of Western Australia. MR is funded by a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. NF, ID and DJL received research funding from the UK Medical Research Council, the UK NIHR under the Health Protection Research Unit initiative, NIGMS under the MIDAS initiative, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. IRB and DATC were funded by MIDAS Center Grant NIH/NIGMS U54-GM088491 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. DATC was also supported by NIH/NIAID R01-AI114703. TJH, IL, and CABP were funded by a Dengue Vaccine Initiative Grant to IL, NIH/NIAID R37 AI32042. THJ, IL, and KK were funded by MIDAS Center Grant NIH/NIGMS 1135 U54 GM111274. All other authors have received no specific funding to conduct this work. The funders had no role in the study design, data analyses, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: LC is employed by Sanofi Pasteur. KV is a staff member of the World Health Organization. TAP and GE receive support from GlaxoSmithKline for unrelated work on dengue vaccine modelling. IL, TJH, and CABP have received travel support from Sanofi Pasteur to present other work on dengue vaccine modelling. Sanofi Pasteur has not funded any of their research and was not involved in any research decisions related to their work presented. NF gave advice to Sanofi-Pasteur and the World Health Organization on the efficacy profile and potential public health impact of Dengvaxia. He is also collaborating with Sanofi-Pasteur on secondary analyses of Dengvaxia clinical trial data. He has received no remuneration, grant income, expense payments or in-kind benefit from Sanofi-Pasteur. DATC and IRB have advised WHO on the use of the Sanofi vaccine in a number of meetings and as part of a consortium of modelers who estimated the potential impact of the vaccine. On occasion they received travel expenses for visits to WHO. They have also advised Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. on the implications their work has for use of their vaccine. They have not received any financial or in-kind payment from Sanofi. All other authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Citation: Flasche S, Jit M, Rodriguez-Barraquer I, Coudeville L, Recker M, Koelle K, et al. (2016) The Long-Term Safety, Public Health Impact, and Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Vaccination with a Recombinant, Live-Attenuated Dengue Vaccine (Dengvaxia): A Model Comparison Study. PLoS Med 13(11): e1002181. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002181 Author Affiliations: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America Sanofi Pasteur, Brussels, Belgium University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia University of Florida, Gainesville, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland IN YOUR COVERAGE PLEASE USE THIS URL TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE FREELY AVAILABLE PAPER:http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002181 Perspective Article Funding: No funding was received for this work. Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and have the following conflicts: I was an unpaid external consultant in the "Extended Study Group for dengue vaccine effectiveness evaluation studies in Asia" from 6 April 2015 to 31 August 2015 convened by Sanofi Pasteur. I was a WHO temporary adviser in a meeting entitled "Targeting Vaccination and Post-licensure Studies for the Licensed Dengue Vaccine" in Geneva from 14 to 15 June 2016 convened by the WHO. I am an unpaid co-investigator of a study entitled "Effectiveness of the tetravalent dengue vaccine, CYD-TDV (Dengvaxia) in the Philippines" currently in preparation, sponsored by the University of the Philippines-Manila and funded by Sanofi Pasteur. Citation: Deen J (2016) The Dengue Vaccine Dilemma: Balancing the Individual and Population Risks and Benefits. PLoS Med 13(11): e1002182. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002182 Author Affiliations: Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines IN YOUR COVERAGE PLEASE USE THIS URL TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE FREELY AVAILABLE PAPER:http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002182 In an evaluation of retinal photographs from adults with diabetes, an algorithm based on deep machine learning had high sensitivity and specificity for detecting referable diabetic retinopathy, according to a study published online by JAMA. Among individuals with diabetes, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is approximately 29 percent in the United States. Most guidelines recommend annual screening for those with no retinopathy or mild diabetic retinopathy and repeat examination in 6 months for moderate diabetic retinopathy. Retinal photography with manual interpretation is a widely accepted screening tool for diabetic retinopathy. Automated grading of diabetic retinopathy has potential benefits such as increasing efficiency and coverage of screening programs; reducing barriers to access; and improving patient outcomes by providing early detection and treatment. To maximize the clinical utility of automated grading, an algorithm to detect referable diabetic retinopathy is needed. Machine learning (a discipline within computer science that focuses on teaching machines to detect patterns in data) has been leveraged for a variety of classification tasks including automated classification of diabetic retinopathy. However, much of the work has focused on "feature-engineering," which involves computing explicit features specified by experts, resulting in algorithms designed to detect specific lesions or predicting the presence of any level of diabetic retinopathy. Deep learning is a machine learning technique that avoids such engineering and allows an algorithm to program itself by learning the most predictive features directly from the images given a large data set of labeled examples, removing the need to specify rules explicitly. Application of these methods to medical imaging requires further assessment and validation. In this study, Lily Peng, M.D., Ph.D., of Google Inc., Mountain View, Calif., and colleagues applied deep learning to create an algorithm for automated detection of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema in retinal fundus (the interior lining of the eyeball, including the retina, optic disc, and the macula) photographs. A specific type of network optimized for image classification was trained using a data set of 128,175 retinal images, which were graded 3 to 7 times for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and image gradability by a panel of 54 U.S. licensed ophthalmologists and ophthalmology senior residents between May and December 2015. The resultant algorithm was validated using 2 separate data sets (EyePACS-1, Messidor-2), both graded by at least 7 U.S. board-certified ophthalmologists. The EyePACS-1 data set consisted of 9,963 images from 4,997 patients (prevalence of referable diabetic retinopathy [RDR; defined as moderate and worse diabetic retinopathy, referable diabetic macular edema, or both], 8 percent of fully gradable images; the Messidor-2 data set had 1,748 images from 874 patients (prevalence of RDR, 15 percent of fully gradable images). Use of the algorithm achieved high sensitivities (97.5 percent [EyePACS-1] and 96 percent [Messidor-2]) and specificities (93 percent and 94 percent, respectively) for detecting referable diabetic retinopathy. "These results demonstrate that deep neural networks can be trained, using large data sets and without having to specify lesion-based features, to identify diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema in retinal fundus images with high sensitivity and high specificity. This automated system for the detection of diabetic retinopathy offers several advantages, including consistency of interpretation (because a machine will make the same prediction on a specific image every time), high sensitivity and specificity, and near instantaneous reporting of results," the authors write. "Further research is necessary to determine the feasibility of applying this algorithm in the clinical setting and to determine whether use of the algorithm could lead to improved care and outcomes compared with current ophthalmologic assessment." ### (doi:10.1001/jama.2016.17216; the 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. The invention, under development by a Ph.D. candidate, would sit underground to not block water views BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Jorge Cueto was running a successful consulting and construction company in Bogota, Colombia, and teaching civil engineering in a university five years ago, but he felt the need to do more. He wanted something new. "I wrote on the application for the Fulbright scholarship what I was trying to do. I was looking for something new, but I didn't know what it was," he said. He won the scholarship, and by a fortunate coincidence -- one of his favorite professors in Bogota had graduated from the University at Buffalo -- he came to UB. After finishing his master's degree and writing his PhD thesis, Cueto recently won UB's Engineering & Applied Sciences Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. The award is a recognition of outstanding contributions to his career field and comes after a long struggle to win support for his invention, which is also the subject of his thesis: a telescoping structural system. Cueto devised a patent-pending system of telescoping rectangular fiber-reinforced concrete boxes that he hopes will be the basis for "rise on demand" flood walls. The walls can be installed below ground level, so as not to block any water views, and can be raised when the threat of flooding occurs. NSF grant winner His invention, called Smart Walls, won a $225,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation. He had earlier won $8,000 in seed funding from the Entrepreneurial Lab, a joint effort of the university's School of Management; Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach; and the undergraduate Entrepreneurship Academy to get the project going. The inspiration for the telescoping walls came in an emerging technologies class. The assignment was to identify a problem and then design a solution. "I was literally sitting at my desk in my apartment. I am usually very efficient with space, to optimize its use. When I started thinking of the hollow space inside massive columns. You're not using that space, and I was playing with an umbrella," he recalled. The idea clicked, and he started designing a telescopic structure. Cueto, 34, entered numerous business contests in search of money for his fledgling company, Smart Walls Construction LLC. But success eluded him until he received the NSF award. "The NSF grant was the last straw for me. It allows the company to have a real prototype to be tested and shown to potential clients and investors," Cueto said. Now his company is occupying space in the UB business incubator on Sweet Home Road in Amherst, New York, and he will continue his research and his fight to launch the company. He is devising a system of gaskets to keep water from entering the walls, which are built of a highly fibrous concrete for extra strength. Expandable flaps that will cover the space between the walls are also being designed. Thesis idea become a business Andre Filiatrault, PhD, and Amjad Aref, PhD, both professors in the Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Department, have been Cueto's thesis advisors. Both professors knew Cueto was looking to commercialize his idea, but they insisted he not go light on scientific aspects of his thesis. "We insisted on that," Filiatrault said. "What I admire about Jorge is that he did not shortchange the scientific aspect of his PhD dissertation." Aref concurred. "Jorge is very industrious, and importantly, possesses very positive attitude toward his work," Aref said. "I hold him in high regard, and wish him all the success in running his company." In addition to winning the NSF grant, which Filiatrault called almost unprecedented for a student, Cueto is a rare as a civil engineer seeking to develop a business. "In civil engineering it's much harder to start companies, because the structures we are using are often public structures," Filiatrault said. "Most of our PhD graduates become faculty members or consulting engineers." Student becomes the boss Cueto has presented the walls at a meeting of the American Concrete Institute's Strategic Development Council, and had interest from seafront towns. The walls could be useful to protect private property and hospitals, which cannot have access permanently blocked. Cueto said his professors were supportive of his business plans, but held him to very strict academic standards in his thesis. "They were very strict on the scientific and technical aspects, and they were right. Innovative structural systems have to be based on strong science," he said. And Filiatrault notes one bit of irony in Cueto's success. "Now with this NSF grant, Professor Aref and I became consultants on his company, so we are working for him now." ### Researchers from University of East Anglia (UEA) have produced new guidelines aimed at improving the communication and understanding of scientific data - using knowledge of how the human brain processes visual and written information. Drawing on cognitive and psychological sciences and using climate change data as an example, the team looked at how scientists and other communicators can increase the accessibility of graphics used to present information, while maintaining scientific accuracy and rigor. Scientific information is one factor that can influence decision-making to achieve change, and visualisation of data through graphics - such as graphs, diagrams and thematic maps - plays an important role in the communication of climate change findings to both expert and non-specialist audiences. However, graphics created for scientific assessments published by bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have been criticised for being inaccessible to non-experts. The researchers from UEA and Temple University provide guidelines to support climate scientists in developing more accessible graphics. They show how they can be applied in practice and provide recommendations on how the IPCC might use these guidelines in the development of future reports. The project was conducted in response to the IPCC itself asking how graphics and reports can be made more user-friendly as it looks ahead to the Sixth Assessment Report, due to be released in 2020-2021. Writing in the journal Nature Climate Change, the researchers suggest that graphics should be tested during their development to understand viewers' comprehension of them, for example by using eye tracking technology to measure visual attention. Co-author Prof Kenny Coventry, an expert in the relationship between language and perception and head of UEA's School of Psychology, said the cognitive and psychological sciences can provide valuable insights into how visualisations of data can be improved. "Graphics of climate data are integral to scientific assessments of climate change, but only support communication and decision-making if they are understood," said Prof Coventry. "Testing graphics and applying insights from the science of human cognition to help overcome comprehension problems offers the potential to make climate science knowledge more accessible to decision-makers in society, while also retaining the integrity of the scientific data and evidence on which they are based. "The ease of accessibility of graphics of climate science has implications for how society might make best use of scientific knowledge. Graphics of climate data that are accessible to all parties involved could support improved engagement, dialogue and decision-making between scientists, policy-makers, practitioners, communities and the public. "While the science underpinning graphic comprehension is still developing, the guidelines we present provide a useful reference for climate scientists to apply psychological and cognitive insights when creating graphics of data." The researchers say that visual attention when viewing graphics can be limited and selective - visual information in a graphic may or may not be looked at and/or processed by viewers. An excess of visual information can also create visual clutter and impair comprehension, while the visual structure and layout of the data influences the conclusions drawn about it. Animating a graphic may help or hinder comprehension, and the language used can influence thought about the graphic. The team used the guidelines to re-design a figure from one of the IPCC's Summaries for Policy Makers (SPMs), which are primarily aimed at experts working in government. This cognitively inspired version included larger font size to highlight key headings, emphasised important differences using contrast in colour, and reduced visual clutter. When tested with a sample of climate change researchers and non-experts, 80 per cent of them preferred the cognitively inspired version. The guidelines include: Direct viewers' visual attention to visual features of the graphic that support inferences about the data; Include only information for the intended purpose of the graphic; break down the graphic into visual 'chunks', each of which should contain enough information for the intended task or message; Identify the most important relationships in the data that are to be communicated; consider different ways of structuring the data that enable the viewer to quickly identify these relationships; Use text to help direct viewers' understanding of the graphic, for example by providing key knowledge needed to interpret the graphic. Jordan Harold, co-author and PhD researcher within UEA's School of Psychology and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, said: "Visually representing climate data to inform decision-making can be challenging due to the multi-dimensionality of data, a diversity in users' needs across different stakeholder groups, and challenges and limitations in the use of software and tools to create graphics. "As the IPCC prepares for its Sixth Assessment Report, there is an opportunity for it to open up the review process and ask the psychology and cognitive science communities, and those working in associated disciplines, for feedback on drafts of graphics. Similar collaborations have led to improved communication in related scientific fields." ### 'Cognitive and psychological science insights to improve climate change data visualisation', authored by Jordan Harold, Irene Lorenzoni, Thomas Shipley and Kenny Coventry is published in Nature Climate Change. "Early detection is key to this condition which, if left untreated, can become a ticking time bomb for patients" -- Professor Matt Bown, University of Leicester Thousands of lives could be saved every year after it was discovered a fatal cardiovascular condition could be linked to four genes, research has found. A 10-year project, led by a Leicester surgeon, looked at 10,000 people worldwide and found those who had suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) had four genes in common. It is hoped that the findings could help doctors understand more about the condition, which can lead to fatal internal bleeding if left untreated. Professor Matt Bown, a vascular surgeon from the University of Leicester and the NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) and Honorary Consultant Vascular Surgeon, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: "Abdominal aortic aneurysm commonly affects the older population and can only be treated by surgery. "Early detection is key to this condition which, if left untreated, can become a ticking time bomb for patients. Thousands of people die from burst AAAs each year yet about one in five men do not attend their free screening appointments so we can't detect if there may be a problem. "The discovery of the four genes, which is the culmination of more than a decade of a global research effort, could help us determine those at risk much earlier. If we are able to do this, then we could potentially save thousands of lives." The research, which has been published in the journal Circulation Research, was funded by the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and supported by the NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular BRU. It also involved institutions from New Zealand, South Africa, Poland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Iceland, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Germany, Sweden and the USA. As part of the study, researchers compared the genes of people with AAAs to those without. A new research programme, funded by the British Heart Foundation, will now investigate whether the four common genes affect the speed at which the AAAs grow. In order to continue with their work, they are asking for men who have been found to have an AAA by screening to provide blood samples. In the UK men aged 65 or over are invited to attend a free aneurysm screening appointment. Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, which part-funded the genetic study and is funding Professor Bown's current research programme, said: "The only available treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms is surgery, which is expensive and can be risky. We desperately need to find new ways of treating aneurysms, but can only do so by learning more about how and why they grow. "The discovery of four new genes associated with these aneurysms will enable us to explore their function, and could provide a potential target for treatments. ### "Professor Bown will harness this discovery in his BHF-funded research aimed at improving the detection of people whose aneurysms are at greatest risk of a deadly rupture." The paper 'Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 1 Identifies Four New Disease-Specific Risk Loci' published in the journal Circulation Research is available on request. An image of Professor Matt Bown is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r4mos3zd6kwb1xn/AACwr45UQXJCNzBvHypfOMgma?dl=0 To arrange an interview with a patient who has been diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm contact Fiona Bailey on Fiona.bailey@ojpr.co.uk or call 01604 882342 Lawyers who help people fleeing violence, war and persecution say cases could be strengthened by medical evaluations -- but not enough doctors do them ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- They come from war zones and terrorist strongholds. From places where being the "wrong" religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation is a crime. From countries where sexual violence and mutilation are considered normal. And after a long journey to America, tens of thousands of refugees every year begin another long journey: The legal process that offers their only chance of permanent asylum in the United States. It can take years to get a verdict from the federal government. If their case isn't strong enough, they're deported. Now, a new study shows how physicians and mental health professionals can play a crucial, objective role in this process, by examining refugees to document the scars of physical and emotional abuse. But the study also highlights how many more such exams are needed, based on feedback from the lawyers who handle refugee cases. And that translates into a need for more medical professionals to be trained on how to do the exams, and then to volunteer their time to conduct them and write medical affidavits that become a formal part of the asylum case. Even if the flow of new refugees decreases in coming years due to U.S. and United Nations policy changes, there are hundreds of thousands already here who are still building their cases. The new research, done by a team from the University of Michigan Medical School and published in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, compiles information from a range of lawyers who help refugees on their asylum journey. Such lawyers donate their time, or work for much less than they could otherwise earn, to compile the best case for why our nation should accept one more person. But often, they told the researchers, that case is missing some of the most compelling evidence of what the applicant has suffered: an independent report on the mental and physical effects of what they endured back home. Whether that's a raised scar, the trace of a broken bone, or the telltale symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, the trained eye and ear of a physician is needed to detect them all. Sixteen of these lawyers from around Michigan sat down with U-M researchers to talk in depth about how the results of medical exams factor in to their work, and what they look for in an exam when trying to make the best case on behalf of a refugee. Most crucially, the attorneys said, independent, thorough and objective exams can provide corroboration for what the refugees tell the attorneys about their past. They can even reveal additional details. In rare cases, the physical signs conflict with the story that the individual has told their lawyer. To be most helpful, the written medical affidavits must document an asylum seeker's physical and mental health in a way that attorneys and immigration officials can understand - not in the medical jargon that doctors usually use in their reports for one another. The project grew out of the U-M Asylum Collaborative, a medical student-run organization that takes in requests for asylum-related medical and psychiatric exams from the organization Physicians for Human Rights and from the Freedom House asylum-seekers facility in Detroit. The students connect with U-M medical faculty who donate their time to conduct hours-long exams, and report their findings. Michele Heisler, M.D., M.P.A., the senior author of the new study, is one of the group's faculty advisors and a professor of internal medicine at the Medical School with additional appointments in the U-M School of Public Health and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. She serves on the board of Physicians for Human Rights, and has volunteered for the group since medical school. She's also a member of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Many of the asylum seekers also work with U-M Law School students and faculty to build the legal document that they file with the government. U-M medical teams have completed such exams for more than 50 asylum seekers in the past two years. At least two of them have already succeeded in their quest for refuge. The group offers an annual training workshop for medical professionals interested in getting involved. PHR also offers training in other locations. The first author of the new study, third-year medical student Elizabeth Scruggs, notes that the idea to interview lawyers who work on asylum cases was the idea of the collaborative's founders, Anna C. Meyer, M.D., and Jamie VanArtsdalen, M.D., who have since graduated. "Our sense was initially that there was great potential for an organization like UMAC to have an impact on people who are actively seeking asylum, but who couldn't afford or couldn't find a physician to perform these exams," says Scruggs. "But we also know that there are physicians who are interested in human rights and want to use their skills to help people who are going through the asylum process." The authors note that there's potential for much more collaboration between the medical and legal professions around asylum cases. "What was surprising was seeing how each lawyer handles their cases differently, and how each applicant's story is unique," says Scruggs. "So, a conversation between the doctor and the legal professional about each case, before the exam is very important. They need to connect before and even after, about the level of detail that's needed for an applicant to have a strong case, and the way the affidavit is written. They also need to understand any inconsistencies between what the exam shows and what the applicant has said. And the physician must be impartial." Interestingly, some attorneys told the researchers that photos of refugees' scars might not be useful in asylum cases, because their quality and resolution can suffer during the process of evaluation by the relevant agencies. This can even weaken the applicant's case inadvertently. The researchers did not look at whether the presence of a medical affidavit in an applicant's file increased their chance of receiving asylum, though the attorneys mostly said they felt it did. Previous studies in the last decade have suggested that asylum petitions with medical exam results do have a better chance of succeeding, but there is no definitive proof. "The overwhelming response from the lawyers was that a medical exam was a necessary part of an application, that they always want it but they don't always have the 'luxury' of getting it at all," says Scruggs. In cases where someone leaves their country without being able to take evidence of what they endured, the only documentation may be embedded in their body or their mind. ### Reference: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Volume 44, November 2016, Pages 72-78, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2016.09.002 By Harish V Nair: The bitter judiciary versus Modi government spat over judicial appointments is only showing signs of escalation. Pulling out facts and figures, the Law Ministry on Tuesday tried to turn the tables on the judiciary over the issue, squarely blaming it for delay in appointment and claimed the government which appointed the second highest number of judges in a year since 1990 was being "unfairly" targeted. advertisement "This is not acceptable. The government is being unfairly accused of delaying appointment of judges while we have done our best. We appointed 120 judges to the high courts this year, the second highest so far. A 121 were appointed in 2013. This is against an annual average of just 80 appointments since 1990," highly-placed law ministry sources said referring to Chief Justice TS Thakur's frequent "uncalled for" outburst over the issue. THE LAKSHMAN REKHA The ministry attempted to set the record straight two days after fresh round of heated exchanges between the Chief Justice of India and Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Both had taken on one another at several public functions organised as part of Constitution Day on November 26 warning each other to stay within the confines of the 'Lakshman rekha' as drawn by the Constitution and not to interfere into respective spheres. Also read: TS Thakur vs Ravi Shankar Prasad: When Constitution Day turned into a battleground Also read: CJI Thakur slams Modi govt, says strong judicial system will tempt investors The source said that while the Chief Justice was frequently blaming the government for the delay in judges' appointments, the judiciary on its part was doing precious little to help the situation and attributed non-filling of several vacancies in three tiers of judiciary - Supreme Court, High Courts and lower courts - largely to indecision of the judiciary. "Look at the Supreme Court itself. There are seven vacancies? no names recommended yet by the collegiums... One vacancy is more than a year old. Another vacancy is nine months... another five months. Two vacancies are of two months and two more are of one month. Why is the collegium sitting on them without suggesting any names?" asked the source. "You talk of 430 vacancies in the high court. But out of that no recommendation has come so far from the high courts for the 279 vacancies. There are 4,937 vacancies of lower court judges. State or central governments have no role in it but the high courts have a role. Why they are not being filled?" the source asked, adding that records also show that 32 per cent to 35 per cent vacancies have always been the norm. advertisement FRICTION CONTINUES The friction between the two sides began in October last year when a constitution bench quashed a new law brought in by the government for setting up a National Judicial Appointments Commission which was to replace the system of judges appointing judges with a panel in which the Executive was to have a say in judicial appointments. The Supreme Court had said the proposed eroded independence of judiciary. "See we could have taken a position that we will not appoint any judges till a new memorandum of procedure is finalised as the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench itself had raised questions about the present collegium system vis-vis transparency, objectivity and fairness. This only shows our respect for the system," the source said. --- ENDS --- Qilian Liang, a professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In its letter informing Liang of his honor, IEEE's Board of Directors cited his "contributions to interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems." Fuzzy logic is aimed at efficient computing methods that are tolerant of imprecise inputs, much like a human decision-making process where not all answers are as simple as yes or no, or true or false. Examples include thermostats for home heating and cooling and automatic transmission systems in vehicles. In addition to fuzzy logic, Liang is an expert in radar and wireless sensor networks, wireless communications, compressive sensing, smart grids and signal processing for communications. Liang joined UTA as an assistant professor in 2002. He was promoted to associate professor in 2008 and became a full professor in 2011. He received an Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award in 2003 to develop a fuzzy logic system for wireless sensor networks and has earned grants totaling $6 million in his career. "It is a great honor to be elevated to Fellow status. It recognizes my body of work and my contributions to the field. I hope more colleagues from UTA will join this group in the near future," Liang said. Liang has made great contributions to knowledge and use of fuzzy logic systems. He established the theoretical foundation of Interval Type-2 systems, which use simpler mathematics and allow uncertainties to be quantified, and he widely expanded the use of fuzzy controllers in signal processing and digital communication applications. His work has led to applications in military product development and knowledge processing and threat assessment within sensor networks. Liang has published more than 280 journal and conference papers and seven book chapters, and has several patents pending. His work is an example of UTA's focus on data-driven discovery as part of the Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact. "Being named an IEEE Fellow is a great honor, and Dr. Liang is a truly deserving recipient. His research into fuzzy logic systems has been recognized by his peers worldwide as groundbreaking and this new status bestowed upon Dr. Liang is clear recognition of this," said Peter E. Crouch, dean of the College of Engineering and an IEEE Fellow. "It is the hard work, dedication and peer recognition of faculty like Dr. Liang that helps the College of Engineering grow in stature and meet the goals of the College and the University." Liang is the 11th current College of Engineering professor to be honored as an IEEE Fellow. Zeynep Celik-Butler, Crouch, George Kondraske, Wei-Jen Lee, Frank Lewis, Robert Magnusson and K.R. Rao (electrical engineering), Ishfaq Ahmad, Bill Carroll and Hong Jiang (computer science and engineering), and Khosrow Behbehani (bioengineering) also are IEEE fellows. Purnendu "Sandy" Dasgupta, UTA's Jenkins Garrett Professor of Chemistry, also was named a IEEE Fellow. IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. It has more than 421,000 members in more than 160 countries and is a leading developer of international standards that are the basis of many telecommunications, information technology, and power-generation products and services. IEEE and its members inspire a global community through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities. Fewer than one-tenth of 1 percent of IEEE members worldwide are selected as Fellows in any year. Fellow status is awarded to individuals who have "an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest." ### About The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie Research-1 "highest research activity" institution of about 55,000 students in campus-based and online degree programs and is the second-largest institution in The University of Texas System. U.S. News & World Report ranks UTA fifth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is ranked as the top four-year college in Texas for veterans on Military Times' 2016 Best for Vets list. Visit http://www.uta.edu to learn more, and find UTA rankings and recognition at http://www.uta.edu/uta/about/rankings.php. For more on the Strategic Plan, see Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact. Carlos Moreno, M.D., chairman of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), has been recognized for his contributions to community health by Spring Branch Community Health Center (SBCHC). At SBCHC's 6th Annual Fall Harvest Luncheon, Moreno was presented an award named in honor of longtime center supporter and UTHealth professor emeritus Louis Faillace, M.D. Faillace is a founding board member of SBCHC and an advocate for medically underserved populations. He was also the founding chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School. "The Faillace Award recognizes the often overlooked but important work of health care providers such as Dr. Moreno," SBCHC CEO Marlen Trujillo, M.B.A. said. "It's a small token of our gratitude for the impact he's had on our community." A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Moreno completed a residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and a fellowship at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a past president of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the C. Frank Webber, M.D. Chair of Family Medicine at UTHealth. Serving in academic family medicine for 25 years, Moreno sees patients at the UT Physicians Family Medicine Clinic-Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. SBCHC aims to decrease health disparities and increase the number of healthy individuals and families in the community. SBCHC is a growing component of the primary care safety net in Houston/Harris County where 1.1 million people are uninsured and/or medically underserved. Since SBCHC began seeing patients in 2004, it has grown from one to five clinic locations, serving 13,567 patients in 2015. ### NEW YORK (November 29, 2016) --A new generation of threatened hawksbill sea turtles is thriving in the protected waters of Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize, evidence that efforts to protect these and other marine species in one of the world's great barrier reef systems are working, according to WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and the Belize Fisheries Department. In a recently published study in the journal Endangered Species Research, scientists have reported that the coral reefs surrounding the atoll are home to more than 1,000 juvenile hawksbill sea turtles- good news for a species. The authors of the study titled "In-water assessments of sea turtles at Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize" are: Samantha Strindberg, Virginia R. Burns Perez and Janet Gibson of WCS; Robin A. Coleman of WCS and Sawfish Consulting Ltd.; Cathi L. Campbell of WCS and the University of Florida, and Isaias Majil of the Belize Fisheries Department. Study DOI: doi: 10.3354/esr00765 "The findings of our research show that juvenile hawksbill turtles are thriving at Glover's Reef- extremely good news for this endangered species," said Virginia Burns Perez, WCS Technical Coordinator in Belize. "Strongholds for the species such as this one should become a model for other foraging and nesting areas that are important for the hawksbill turtle." Glover's Reef Atoll is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere. The Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, in particular, is important to both the fishing economy of Belize and the region's marine biodiversity. In order to safeguard this natural wonder, WCS worked with the Belize Fisheries Department and other local stakeholders to initiate a conservation plan for the site. The hawksbill sea turtle was selected as one of several target species for conserving the larger seascape. "A healthy population of hawksbill turtles at Glover's Reef has positive implications for recovery of the species in Belize and the wider Caribbean region," said Nicole Auil Gomez, WCS Belize Country Director. "Once these young hawksbills mature they leave the Atoll and can travel incredible distances." Meanwhile, Fisheries Administrator Beverly Wade stated that "This study validates the importance of the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve for the survival of such an iconic species. The thriving Hawksbill turtles are a wonderful success story for the government and people of Belize and its partners in their efforts toward the sustained management and conservation of the Glover's Reef Atoll." The newly published study is the result of field research between 2007 and 2013, during which time 12 snorkel surveys on sea turtles were conducted in the coral reefs around Glover's Reef Atoll. Safe and tested methods were used to catch, examine, tag, and release sea turtles. From 2009 onward, for the first time ever for in-water assessments of turtles, a technique known as distance sampling (visually spotting sea turtles along a transect line and estimating distance between the turtle and the line) was used. Complementary monitoring methods provided a comprehensive assessment of turtle population status and dynamics, while accounting for the proportion of turtles that were not caught or seen. "Our turtle monitoring protocol is based on robust survey and analysis methods," said WCS Scientist & Wildlife Statistician Samantha Strindberg. "This allows us to more confidently assess the effectiveness of conservation management for this important population of hawksbill turtles now and in the future." Results of the study found that the abundance of juvenile hawksbill turtles was estimated to be more than 1,000 individual animals, with much smaller numbers of green and loggerhead sea turtles. The research team also determined that the probability of survival for the hawksbills was reassuringly high, another reason for optimism about the persistence of sea turtles at Glover's Reef Atoll. "The discovery that Glover's Reef Atoll is an important habitat for young sea turtles is an important find, one that will enable regulatory agencies to fine-tune already effective management policies to safeguard a highly threatened species and its biodiverse habitat," said Jason Patlis, WCS's Director for Marine Conservation. "This is great news on two levels: the discovery of a robust population of juvenile hawksbill sea turtles means a brighter future for this highly endangered species, and the protections afforded this population within the Glover's Reef Atoll once again demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of well-managed marine protected areas," added Patlis. Glover's Reef Atoll is also the focus of a 167,000-gallon tank located in the New Conservation Hall and Glover's Reef exhibit at WCS's New York Aquarium. The exhibit replicates its diverse coral reef namesake in Belize and is home to marine creatures including eels, rays, hogfish, and many other species. Through powerful graphics, visitors are introduced to WCS's Glover's Reef Marine Research Station along with WCS studies on coral diversity, bleaching, and other conservation topics. ### This research was possible thanks to the support of Oak Foundation. To find out about WCS's conservation work in the seascape of New York and New Jersey, go to Blue York. WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world's oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242. Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium is open every day of the year. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Fall/winter/spring hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Tickets are $11.95 per person (ages 3 & up), and include Aquarium admission plus one admission to the new 4-D Theater; children age 2 and under are admitted free. Fridays after 4 p.m. in the summer and after 3 p.m. in the fall, Aquarium admission is by pay-what-you-wish donation. The aquarium is located on Surf Avenue at West 8th Street in Coney Island. The New York Aquarium is located on property owned by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. For directions, information on public events and programs, and other aquarium information, call 718-265-FISH or visit our web site at http://www.nyaquarium.com. Now is the perfect time to visit and show support for the WCS New York Aquarium, a beloved part of Brooklyn and all of the City of New York. Due to Hurricane Sandy we are partially opened. Check our website for more information. http://www.nyaquarium.com. http://www.wcs.org/ http://www.wcsgloversreef.org/ https://nyaquarium.com/ https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6264/WCSs-New-York-Aquarium-Unveils-Its-New-Conservation-Hall-and-Glovers-Reef.aspx http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v31/p211-225/ A Wyss Institute team has engineered a method for directly bonding biocompatible chitosan materials to living tissues, which could be used to quickly patch life-threatening wounds (BOSTON) - Chitosan, a biomaterial derived from the chitin shells of crustaceans and insects, has already been developed by scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering into an environmentally-friendly and fully biodegradable substitute for plastic. It is only natural that the team, led by Wyss Institute Founding Director Donald Ingber, has also become interested in extending chitosan's usefulness into the clinical realm. "What's good for the environment is also good for us," said Javier Fernandez, who first developed a chitosan bioplastic called 'Shrilk' with Ingber back in 2014. Now Ingber and Fernandez have unveiled a new study in the journal Tissue Engineering that demonstrates biodegradable chitosan bioplastics can be used to bond bodily tissues to repair wounds or even to hold implanted medical devices in place. As chitosan is already approved for clinical use and it has antimicrobial properties, the approach could one day be utilized to immediately seal tissue tears or other serious injuries, preventing infection from setting in before a patient can be moved to a hospital for more in-depth care. "This work really spans the entire mission of the Wyss, as we have developed a biomaterial that could be used in sustainable consumer products and packaging or, as we now show, be adapted for clinical uses," said Fernandez, Ph.D., the first author on the new study, who is a former Wyss Institute Postdoctoral Fellow and is currently an Assistant Professor at Singapore University of Technology and Design. "The material is non-toxic and biodegradable, leaving behind no trace once it has served its purpose." To adapt chitosan to seal wounds and surgical incisions, Ingber and Fernandez searched for a way to quickly and tightly bond chitosan materials to living tissues. They zeroed in on transglutaminase (TG), a naturally occurring enzyme found in the body - where it keeps skin strong and strengthens blood clots - that has also been adopted to bond proteins together during commercial food processing. "As we starting thinking about going in vivo, we faced the challenge of how to adhere chitosan to living tissues," said Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., who is senior author on the new study and in addition to directing the Wyss Institute is Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Harvard Medical School and the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children's Hospital as well as Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering an Applied Sciences. "We explored using different formulations of transglutaminase to bond various forms of chitosan materials, including sheets, foams and sprays, to many different types of tissues." A sheet of chitosan may be applied with a transglutaminase powder to patch wounds, as the team demonstrated using an ex vivo porcine intestine with a large hole in it. A pressure test revealed that the chitosan patch was even stronger than the native intestinal tissue. For the spray, a stream of liquid chitosan and liquid transglutaminase combine during application to quickly bond chitosan to tissue and close wounds. The team used this approach to seal a porcine lung that had sustained a puncture wound while it was cyclically insufflated with air to mimic inspiration and expiration. The spray application could also be useful for covering large areas of vulnerable tissue, like might be found on someone whose skin had sustained serious burns. To treat even larger and more traumatic wounds like those that might occur on the battlefield or during a motor vehicle accident, Ingber and Javier formulated a chitosan foam that could potentially be used to fill and seal larger wound cavities until a patient can be transported to a hospital for surgical intervention. The team's findings also suggest that their approach could be tailored to bond inorganic surfaces - which make up crucial components of many different kinds of biomedical implants and microfluidic devices - to tissue or chitosan. "Right now our approach is very general, but we could theoretically take this concept and mold it into almost any form imaginable for a broad number of possible uses," said Fernandez. Looking ahead, the team hopes to develop an array of specific applications through collaboration with clinical partners. ### Additional co-authors on the study include Wyss Institute researchers Suneil Seetharam, Christopher Ding, and Edward Doherty. PRESS CONTACT Kat J. McAlpine, katherine.mcalpine@wyss.harvard.edu, +1 617-432-8266 MULTIMEDIA CONTACT Seth Kroll, seth.kroll@wyss.harvard.edu, +1 617-432-7758 The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University uses Nature's design principles to develop bioinspired materials and devices that will transform medicine and create a more sustainable world. Wyss researchers are developing innovative new engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing that are translated into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators, corporate alliances, and formation of new startups. The Wyss Institute creates transformative technological breakthroughs by engaging in high risk research, and crosses disciplinary and institutional barriers, working as an alliance that includes Harvard's Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Arts & Sciences and Design, and in partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston University, Tufts University, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, University of Zurich and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and University of Cambridge researchers have created sOPTiKO, a more efficient and controllable CRISPR genome editing platform. Today, in the journal Development, they describe how the freely available single-step system works in every cell in the body and at every stage of development. This new approach will aid researchers in developmental biology, tissue regeneration and cancer. Two complementary methods were developed. sOPiTKO is a knock-out system that turns off genes by disrupting the DNA. sOPTiKD is a knock-down system that silences the action of genes by disrupting the RNA. Using these two methods, scientists can inducibly turn off or silence genes, in any cell type, at any stage of a cell's development from stem cell to fully differentiated adult cell. These systems will allow researchers world wide to rapidly and accurately explore the changing role of genes as the cells develop into tissues such as liver, skin or heart, and discover how this contributes to health and disease. The body contains approximately 37 trillion cells, yet the human genome only contains roughly 20,000 genes. So, to produce every tissue and cell type in the body, different combinations of genes must operate at different moments in the development of an organ or tissue. Being able to turn off genes at specific moments in a cell's development allows their changing roles to be investigated. Professor Ludovic Vallier, one of the senior authors of the study from the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge and the Sanger Institute, said: "As a cell develops from being stem cell to being a fully differentiated adult cell the genes within it take on different roles. Before, if we knocked out a gene, we could only see what effect this had at the very first step. By allowing the gene to operate during the cell's development and then knocking it out with sOPTiKO at a later developmental step, we can investigate exactly what it is doing at that stage." The sOPTiKO and sOPTIKD methods allow scientists to silence the activity of more than one gene at a time, so researchers have the possibility to now investigate the role of whole families of related genes by knocking down the activity of all of them at once. In addition, the freely available system allows experiments to be carried out far more rapidly and cheaply. sOPTiKO is highly flexible so that it can be used in every tissue in the body without needing to create a new system each time. sOPiTKD allows vast improvements in efficiency: it can be used to knock down more than one gene at a time. Before, to silence the activity of three genes, researchers had to knock down one gene, grow the cell line, and repeat for the next gene, and again for the next. Now it can do it all in one step, cutting a nine-month process down to just one to two months. Dr Alessandro Bertero, one of the first authors of the study from the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, said: "Two key advantages of using sOPTiKO/sOPTIKD over other CRISPR editing systems are that it is truly inducible and can work in almost any cell type. In the past we have been hampered by the fact we could study a gene's function only in a specific tissue. Now you can knock out the same gene in parallel in a diversity of cell type with different functions." ### Notes to Editors For a video of the methods in action: please see: https://youtu.be/DKdDhEe0vJY Publication Bertero A et al. (2016) Optimized inducible shRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 platforms for in vitro studies of human development using hPSCs. Development 143: 4405-4418. doi:10.1242/dev.138081 Funding This work was supported by a European Research Council starting grant Relieve IMDs (L.V., D.O., N.R.F.H., M.C.F.Z., E.G.); the Cambridge University Hospitals National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Center (L.V., N.R.F.H., F.Sa.); the EU Seventh Framework Programme TISSUGEN (M.C.d.B.); theWellcome Trust PhD program (L.Y.); a British Heart Foundation PhD Studentship (A.B.); a research fellowship fromthe Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (M.P.) [PA 2369/1-1]; and a core support grant from theWellcome Trust and Medical Research Council to the Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Selected Websites About the British Heart Foundation (BHF): Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer. For over 50 years we've pioneered research that's transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people's lives. For more information visit https://www.bhf.org.uk About the University of Cambridge The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 96 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize. Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges, which admit undergraduates and provide small-group tuition, and 150 departments, faculties and institutions. Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America. The University sits at the heart of one of the world's largest technology clusters. The 'Cambridge Phenomenon' has created 1,500 hi-tech companies, 14 of them valued at over US$1 billion and two at over US$10 billion. Cambridge promotes the interface between academia and business, and has a global reputation for innovation. http://www.cam.ac.uk/ The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is one of the world's leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease. http://www.sanger.ac.uk/ Wellcome Wellcome exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive. We're a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. We support scientists and researchers, take on big problems, fuel imaginations and spark debate. http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/ The land agent representing a group of seven Scottish tenant farmers says they have been left in total disbelief that they are being evicted without appropriate compensation, because of the governments failure to honour its commitments. Two brothers from Arran, John and Ian Paterson, were forced from their farm on Monday (28 November) as the result of a legal error dating back more than a decade. It follows the eviction of an East Lothian farmer, Andrew Stoddart, late last year. The rest of the group faces being forced out in May or November 2017. See also: Appeal to farmers affected by Salveson-Riddell ruling The farmers have been affected by the Salvesen/Riddell ruling, which resulted from a late amendment to the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003, granting some tenants in a limited partnership the right to a secure tenancy. But the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the amendment was invalid, and the Scottish government was subsequently forced to correct the legislation. At the time, the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee pointed out that the change in the law would have distressing consequences for some tenants, given that they had already invested in their holdings believing they had a secure tenancy. The Scottish government confirmed it was willing to fund and participate in mediation for the affected farmers and, in some instances, accepted that compensation would be required. But, according to Eddie Henderson of Hendersons Surveyors, these promises had been broken and the affected tenants were left with little alternative but to apply for a judicial review. They are currently awaiting a judgment. Despite assurances from government that they would mediatethe only party who frustrated the exercise was the government themselves, he said. Reaction Angus McCall, director of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, said if the mediation process had taken place as originally planned, perhaps half the tenants would have agreed an alternative tenancy and would not now be facing eviction. NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker added that, while only a small number of individuals was affected, the impact on them was enormous. We firmly believe that Scottish government is liable for compensation to both landlords and tenants, as this issue has come about because of flawed Scottish government legislation. A Scottish government spokesman said: It is not possible for us to comment on or discuss the details of live court actions. We remain committed to facilitating and funding mediation between tenant farmers and their landlords, in the interests of supporting the sustainability and productivity of the holdings. An investigation is under way following the death of a farmer killed after falling through a roof while carrying out repairs. Owen Bryn Edwards, 70, is believed to have been repairing an asbestos roof of an outbuilding when the incident happened. According to reports, Mr Edwards had gone to inspect a roof damaged in a storm when he fell to his death on the family farm, Tyddyn Ronnen, Llanuwchllyn, near Bala, north Wales. He was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but was later pronounced dead. See also: Read the latest health and safety news and features Police said the incident is not suspicious. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating. Family man His friend Dyfydd Roberts, said Mr Edwards was a true Welshman and family man. Mr Edwards family, including wife, Mair, and three daughters and a son, Elain, Llinos, Enfys and Telor as well as his grandchildren meant everything to him. He was my friend since childhood. We went to the same primary school Ysgol Llanuwchllyn and Bala Grammar School. Both of us couldnt wait to leave school to work on farms, Mr Roberts told the Daily Post. The weather was terrible on Monday. Were afraid that he has gone to do something after the storm. I first saw an air ambulance land there on the farm and they took him to hospital in Stoke. Its not clear enough whats happened. It looks likely that he has fallen through an asbestos roof. Careful and diligent man Councillor Alan Jones Evans, Llanuwchllyn, said Everybody has been shocked by the news. Bryn was such a careful and diligent man. He was more than a farmer, he was also a craftsman. He was very proud of the success of his children and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren. Its up to us now to carry on telling them stories and keep memories of him alive. A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: We were called at about 1.15pm on Tuesday (22 November) to reports of an accident at an address in the Llanuwchllyn area of Bala. We sent an emergency ambulance and a Wales Air Ambulance to the scene, and a man was taken to hospital in Stoke in a serious condition. The Howard Zinn Book Fair welcomes legendary film director and writer Alex Cox (El Patrullero, Repo Man, Sid and Nancy) to San Francisco for a special screening and discussion at Piano Fight in San Francisco on November 29th, 8 PM (doors 7:30).Cox will present his 1987 film Walker, a neo-Western biopic about William Walker, an American mercenary who made himself president of Nicaragua in 1856. Walker is almost unknown today but at the time he was wildly popular, and U.S. newspapers wrote about him more than they did about the sitting U.S. presidents during that period.Alex Cox decided to make a film about William Walker, on location in Nicaragua, during the height of the Cold War in Central America, when Ronald Reagans government was pouring millions of dollars into supporting sociopathic dictators and paramilitary death-squads across the region. Cox, Joe Strummer of The Clash (who recorded the soundtrack and who appears briefly in the film), and a band of determined producers, crew and cast worked with the brand new revolutionary Sandinista government of Nicaraguas film ministry, to produce what has been described as an Acid Western and what Cox himself says is his best work.Please join us for an evening of cinema and discussion at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29th at Piano Fight, located at 144 Taylor Street in San Francisco between Eddy and Turk. The nearest BART Station is Powell Street.TICKETS AVAILABLE AT https://www.eventbrite.com/e/howard-zinn-book-fair-presents-film-director-alex-cox-tickets-28879395048 Adams Ship Building & Repairs FZE was established in 2009 and it is a sister company of Adams Ship Repairs which was established in 1992. We are located in the Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 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Web: www.adamship.com Shivraj Singh Chouhan completed 11 years in office today, says housing for homeless, Narmada rejuvenation and financial aid for students from MP is immediate focus in comings months By Rahul Noronha: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday completed 11 years in office, thereby continuing his hold over the record of being the longest serving CM of the state. Shivraj Singh Chouhan had on November 2015 broken the record of Digvijaya Singh who had earlier been the state's longest serving CM for 10 years. Presently, Chouhan is the third longest serving BJP CM in the country, the longest being Chattisgarh CM Raman Singh and the second longest tenure being that of Narendra Modi as CM of Gujarat. advertisement The BJP had come to power in MP in December 2003 after 10 years of rule by the Congress. The BJP had appointed Uma Bharti as CM soon after the elections and later replaced her with Babulal Gaur who too eventually was replaced by Shivraj Singh Chouhan on November 29, 2005. While interacting with the media on Tuesday, the CM listed his priorities in the coming time and expressed anguish at some incidents in the past. NARMADA REJUVENATION Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that in the coming months he would embark on the Namami Devi Narmade program, a plan to rejuvenate the Narmada river which he described as the 'lifeline of the state'. He said that under the plan, farmers would be encouraged to plant fruit bearing trees up to 1 km on either bank of the river which and the government would subsidize the losses of the farmers as horticulture does not give immediate returns. Also read: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh believes public perception can make someone a terrorist He said that the volume of water in the Narmada has drastically reduced over the years and plantation would help increase it. Besides this, the CM said that he would ensure houses for all in the state. Under this plan, the government would provide houses for the urban and rural poor. "It is one thing to say that slums make a city ugly, but urban planning also needs to factor in places for the poor and working classes to stay," he said. Those squatting on government or private land would be given houses. "If we can give land to industries why not to the homeless," he said. The CM also said that the MP government would bear the expenses for higher education of all students from the state and a student panchayat has been called by him on January 12. The CM said that the Petlawad blast in September 2015 that had resulted in hundreds of deaths had saddened him the most. He said he saw the enhancement of irrigated area and the consequent increase in agricultural production as one of the greatest achievements of his government. advertisement A LOT STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE When asked that the health, employment and education situation in the state was still below standard, the CM said that it is not true to say that nothing has been done but a lot still remains to be done. Also read: Madhya Pradesh: Congress threatens to drag Shivraj Singh Chouhan to court over terror remarks On the issue of killing of 8 SIMI operatives after a jail break in Bhopal, the CM said that he was not trying to develop the image of an 'eliminator' but something which becomes a problem for the people needs to be taken out of the way. When asked why he described the SIMI operatives as terrorists even though courts had not found them guilty as yet and the state government's general administration department had also referred to them as undertrials, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that their past actions and accusations had created a perception of them being terrorists. CM'S RESIDENCE NOT PERMANENT On a lighter note, while commenting on his unbroken 11 years in office, the CM said that 6 Shyamla Hills, the residence of the CM was not anyone's permanent address. When asked why former Deputy PM LK Advani had stopped coming to MP after Narendra Modi became PM, the CM said that he along with the PM and scores of BJP leaders respects LK Advani and there was no particular reason for him to not visit MP. advertisement Also read: Bhopal jailbreak: CM pays tribute to slain constable, slams Opposition for votebank politics over incident Later in the day, the CM also visited the Sanjay Gandhi School where he studied in class 6 and 7 and interacted with students there. A series of functions were organized by the state unit of the BJP which came in for criticism by the state unit of the Congress. --- ENDS --- A fire has broken out at a vacant apartment building Lower John Street in Cork city centre. Several units of the Cork City Fire Brigade are at the scene. The scene of the fire is close to, but separate from, the Heineken brewery in the city. Update 9.41pm: The fire is under control and there are no reports of injuries. Emergency Services are expected to remain on scene for the rest of the night. Road closures and traffic diversions will remain in place, including the closure of Upper John Street. This may affect bus routes in the area tonight and in the morning. Government is under pressure to back an Opposition bill seeking to force insurance firms to cover homes and businesses in flood-risk areas if State defences have been introduced. Fiachra O Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner writes that Fine Gael and Independent ministers - including Office of Public Works junior minister for floods Sean Canney - will be urged to back the bill this evening when it is put down by Fianna Fail. Despite the OPW putting in place effective flood defences across large parts of Cork, Clare, Limerick and Galway, among other counties, after a series of damaging storms in recent years, thousands of people in the areas are being refused cover by insurance firms. However, under a new bill being put down by Fianna Fail, and which will be backed by Labour and other opposition parties, insurance firms will be forced to cover the claimants in the now flood defence protected areas. Speaking about the potential law change to reporters outside the Dail this morning, Fianna Fail finance spokesperson Michael McGrath said insurers have "failed" to help people and must now be forced to do so. "There is a major dispute here between the insurance industry and the ombudsman on demonstrable defences, "We simply have to get this right. "When insurance industry say 86% of households in areas where defences have been completed include flood cover they're ignoring the fact that many of those areas people can't get flood cover at all, or if they can the terms and conditions are so onerous that people don't opt to take out that insurance. "It's [the bill] not saying there has to be flood cover for everyone, that's not realistic or practical, there's going to have to be a different solution in terms of insurance for people living in communities who are still at great risk of flooding," he said. Speaking at the same event, Fianna Fail Roscommon-Galway TD Eugene Murphy said the reality is "a lot of people have been left out there with no assistance and no help". "The Government seem to be relying on the child of Prague, that the rain won't come. That's not going to work," he said. While Independent Alliance TDs Mr Canney and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran are strongly in favour of improving flood protections for vulnerable households, a senior Government spokesperson said this afternoon that the Coalition has yet to decide on its position on the exact details of the Fianna Fail bill. However, Labour TDs Sean Sherlock and Jan O'Sullivan - whose Cork and Limerick constituencies have been ravaged by floods in recent years - said they will support the bill as there is "no logical reason" for insurers not to cover people in areas where flood defences now exist. Speaking at an event to launch a separate Labour bill seeking to ban the use of micro-beads in certain products, Mr Sherlock said: "There is no logical reason why insurance companies can't insure against flooding. "The only reason I can see why the insurance companies are not insuring against flooding is on the basis that they just don't want to, there mustn't be enough profit in it for them." Malnutrition played a part in the death of a young chef who spent months in hospital, a coroners court has been told. Sean Paul Carnahan, from Beechmount Grove, west Belfast, died in July 2013 - five months after he was admitted to Belfast City Hospital with a severe brain injury. His death is shrouded in controversy amid allegations the 22-year-old starved to death. A nutritional expert told a resumed inquest in Belfast that, while it was not a direct cause of death, the lack of food was among the underlying reasons he died. Dr Jon Shaffer said: "I do think that malnutrition was a contributory factor." Mr Carnahan was taken into hospital in March 2013 after a failed suicide attempt. He spent a month in the intensive care unit (ICU) before being transferred to a respiratory ward. The inquest opened in September but was adjourned after just one day when coroner Joe McCrisken requested more information from a nutritional expert. Dr Shaffer, who provided a report, said the case was among the most complex he had ever seen. When asked if he had encountered patients with similar needs, Dr Shaffer said: "Not as complicated as this, to be honest." The nature of Mr Carnahans brain injury meant he could not swallow and was, at times, extremely agitated, thrashing about wildly. Hence, tube feeding was extremely difficult. Alternative feeding options were not fully explored and neurological specialists should have been contacted earlier, the court was told. Dr Shaffer added: "I have no problem with the things they were doing but there were other things they could have done." It was also claimed a specialist rehabilitation unit would have been better equipped to deal with Mr Carnahans needs. "In an ideal world, if he could have been transferred to the rehab ward it would have given him the best chance," Dr Shaffer said. However, the expert conceded it was impossible to know if the outcome would have been any different. Meanwhile, a barrister representing the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, questioned whether Dr Shaffer had consulted all the medical notes in the case before compiling his report Mark Robinson QC suggested he had made "sweeping generalisations" without the detail. Dr Shaffer said he had not been asked to provide a "blow by blow" account of everything that happened during Mr Carnahans hospital stay. According to medical documents presented during the opening day of the inquest, Mr Carnahans weight dropped from 74kg on admission to just 32kg at the time of the post-mortem examination. Throughout the hearing his mother, Tracey, who has fronted a campaign for justice for her son, sat in the body of the court supported by close friends and family members. Solicitor Aiden Carlin with Tracey Carnahan outside Laganside Court in Belfast today. Picture: PA A number of others sat in the public gallery wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan Justice for Sean Paul. In a statement ahead of the resumption of the inquest, Carnahan family solicitor Aiden Carlin said: "Our clients grief and sense of loss is very raw. She engaged with the hospital, police, politicians and the media at the material time and continues to campaign for justice for her son." Newly filed accounts for the well-known retailer, which has 10 outlets spread across Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Castlebar, Tralee, Mullingar, Waterford, and Clonmel show it generated pre-tax profits of 116,662 in the 12 months to the end of last January. This was a turnaround from a pre-tax loss of 236,837 for the preceding year. The opening of a new store in Kilkenny also helped boost revenues by 7% to 21.58m in the latest year. In the directors report section of the new accounts, Guineys management said they see the key significant risk and uncertainty facing the business being the increased competition from other retailers. Regarding the last financial year, management said the period had been a challenging year, due to economic conditions. However, the Dublin-based companys balance sheet remains strong with accumulated profits amounting to 11.8m, contributing to shareholder funds totalling 11.86m. The shareholder funds included 2m in cash. Last years profit takes account of operating lease rentals of 909,165 and non-cash depreciation costs of 625,933. The accounts also show during 2015, the numbers employed by the company increased from 163 to 197 with staff costs decreasing from 4.6m to 3.9m. A breakdown of the staff shows 182 are sales staff, five in administration and 10 in management. The companys directors, Michael Guiney, Suzanne Guiney, and Gretta Guiney, shared 158,328 in remuneration down from 172,707 shared out in 2015. The business paid 66,247 in dividends to shareholders during the year. This was more than halved from the previous year. The expansion of the firm in recent years is underlined with the value of its fixed assets increasing from 6.4m to 7.7m. Guineys first opened in doors in 1971 and now has two stores in Dublin on North Earl St and Talbot St. The company was solely Dublin-based until 1992, when a branch opened in Cork. This was followed by new stores in Tralee, Waterford, and Limerick, and then Castlebar in 2008, while the companys online store was launched in 2012. In 2013, Guineys opened a store in Clonmel, followed by Mullingar. Most recently, the company opened its doors in Kilkenny in 2015. The firm recorded post-tax profits of 62,625 last year, after paying out 54,037 in corporation tax. Iraqs oil minister, Jabbar al-Luaibi, said he is optimistic a deal will be reached at Opecs summit in Vienna tomorrow. Saudi Arabia previously said the producer group does not necessarily need to curb oil output, after pulling out of a scheduled meeting with non-members including Russia. Opec is heading into the last stretch of negotiations before its November 30 meeting to adopt a supply deal that was first floated in September. Oil prices whipsawed last week as various Opec members and Russia tried to position themselves ahead of a final accord to reduce production. Ministers from Algeria and Venezuela headed to Moscow on Monday to get the biggest non-Opec producer on board. Oil prices have been buffeted by the various pronouncements from Opec producers. Iraq has come out today with a little more of a positive rhetoric, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity markets strategy at BNP Paribas in London. What we have now is the usual poker game ahead of the meeting, where you have the various producers, each with their own agenda. In the end, they will sit down behind closed doors they will have to show their cards. In the US, West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery rose $1.19 to $47.25 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent for January settlement advanced $1.15, or 2.4%, to $48.39 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. While Saudi Arabia has pushed to reverse Opecs pump-at-will policy, energy minister Khalid Al-Falih had said the oil market would recover in 2017 even without cuts as consumption grows in countries such as the US. Russia has so far resisted requests to join a cut, offering instead to freeze production at current levels. Energy minister Alexander Novak has insisted that Opec reach an internal consensus on output curbs before Russia considers joining an accord. Algerian energy minister Noureddine Boutarfa presented a proposal over the weekend to Iranian oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh for an Opec cut of 1.1 million barrels a day. If Opec fails to reach an output deal this week, oil prices may fall to the $20s, said Energy Aspects chief oil analyst Amrita Sen. Bloomberg The sale will provide Focus Ireland and COPE Galway with the deposits to purchase at least 15 homes for families who are homeless. Focus Ireland and COPE Galway today announced a campaign to allow high net worth individuals to help with the homelessness crisis. [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/32291929-ec38-4fe5-b337-4c0cdc57a32d_l.jpg[/imgcap] The 'Home from Home' campaign encourages people who are in a position to do so, to donate properties or funds to support the provision of homes to the homeless. Every 20,000 each organisation receives can be leveraged to purchase or refurbish a home (through borrowing and other government funding schemes). The result will be that O'Sullivan's very generous gift from the proceeds of one house will help to deliver homes for up to 15 families or individuals who are currently homeless. [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/7b34c72d-d0e6-43e8-bd0c-283afe9eefcb_l.jpg[/imgcap] This could be even more depending on the final sale value of OSullivans property. The house he is putting up for auction is a stunning 6 bed property which enjoys magnificent views of Kilmurvey beach and the wild Atlantic on Inishmore. The house is going to auction on December 16 with ODonnellan & Joyce Auctioneers in their Wild Atlantic Way Christmas Property Auction at 2pm in the Harbour Hotel, New Dock Road, Galway. The property is guiding with a minimum value of 300,000 however both charities are hopeful that it will raise even more. [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/2c3708d8-87a4-48cc-8a82-f87cb1569bbd_l.jpg[/imgcap] "I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Barry and his family for this really lovely gift," says Focus Irelands Life President and Founder Sr. Stan. "I thank him not only on behalf of Focus Ireland but on behalf of the families who will have a place to call home because of this great act. She added: It is vital that both Focus Ireland and COPE Galway have programs like Home from Home in place that enable donations such as this to be leveraged with other funds to provide much needed housing. Large donors often want to get involved but may be thinking: What can I do to really help? Well this is a perfect example of how such a donation will help both our charities to deliver homes for families and their children to escape the trauma of being homeless. [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/97d026ad-fe90-4c34-99a8-756deb6ceb06_l.jpg[/imgcap] The cost-efficient programs in place at both charities mean that every 20,000 each organisation receives can be leveraged to purchase and refurbish one home. The balance of the purchase price will come through borrowing and government funding schemes which are extremely difficult to avail of without the 20,000 initial leverage. [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/50b56e0f-c38c-49c2-b5dc-0f4b23a46adf_l.jpg[/imgcap] CEO of COPE Galway Jacquie Horan says that the numbers of people facing homelessness in Galway is the worst she can remember in her 20 years with COPE Galway and the biggest challenge now is getting access to housing. "So the value of this house in providing a further 15 or more houses for homeless people is amazing," she said. Maybe it might even plant a seed for other such donations." [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/dd5e4690-4d64-43d9-bc58-9b1ec57358fe_l.jpg[/imgcap] It is for this reason that both charities encouraged O'Sullivan to go public with his donation. It is hoped that this will raise the profile of the property, and encourage others who may be in a similar position to consider doing something similar. The generous act by the international businessman comes as family homelessness is at record levels with over 1,200 families and 2,400 children facing Christmas in emergency homeless accommodation. [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/3602e9eb-52ee-463f-b37a-16e34a899ff8_l.jpg[/imgcap] Barry OSullivan has been on the board of management of COPE Galway from 2009 to 2015. "I know from my work with COPE Galway the terrible trauma families who are homeless go through," he said. "I also know charities like Focus Ireland and COPE Galway help many families and individuals to secure a home and escape from being homeless. I am happy to be in a position to sell this house and donate the proceeds to the Home from Home program." [imgcap=]http://photos-a.propertyimages.ie/media/6/6/6/3828666/2f1b24c0-c644-420e-9009-3f2945d7b114_l.jpg[/imgcap] Anybody wishing to donate to the Home from Home program should contact Focus Ireland or COPE Galway. The pair appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday after gardai raided an apartment complex in the town on Sunday. Detectives revealed the arrests of the four people at 1 Riverside Apartments, Pearse Rd, Letterkenny, were a culmination of a week-long undercover investigation. Detective Sgt Michael Galvin told the court how all four, who are from Romania, admitted knowing prostitution was taking place in the apartment. He told the court how gardai seized numerous mobile phones, laptops, as well as 1,470 in cash which was the proceeds of prostitution. Detective Galvin said that, while in the apartment, the various phones were ringing regularly and that one prospective client arrived. He added that several items found in the apartment suggested that an active brothel was operating from the premises. He said the women had advertised their services on the well-known contacts website, Escort Ireland. Before the court were Mihia Margarit, aged 37, his sister Giorgiana Chiscon, aged 34, Adriane Niculu, aged 38, and Elena Florea, aged 35. The court was told that the women were not being trafficked but we working for themselves and were sending the money back to relatives at home. One of the women had three children and another was using the money she earned to put her 20-year-old son through college. Another of the women was sending money back to her own country so a relative could have a serious medical operation in Spain. Evidence was given that the average wage in Romania was 500 a month compared to the 50 to 60 the women were charging clients for sex for each half hour here. The court was told that Mr Margarit had only arrived in Ireland recently and was only here to make sure his sister sent the money back to Romania as she had a serious gambling problem and was spending all her money in local casinos. There was no evidence to suggest that Mr Margarit was putting undue pressure on any of the women to take part in prostitution. Judge Paul Kelly asked Sgt Galvin if there was any evidence that the landlord knew what was happening in the premises and he was told there was no evidence. The women were paying 120 each week to rent the apartment, which was an average rent in the area. Judge Kelly ordered the destruction of the mobile phones and laptops and also ordered the seized cash of 1,470, be given to the State. He also applied the Probation Act to all four defendants. Her mother had told her this was how babies were born. Anne had become convinced that she was pregnant and, as this was 1970s Ireland, this meant she was most certainly, going to hell. She was terrified. She couldnt talk to her parents about her fears, though, as the man who lived down the road from her had warned her that if she disclosed anything to them, they would dispatch her to a childrens home. For two years, she and her little friend had been sexually abused by pirate radio kingpin, Eamon Cooke. He would give a certain nod and they felt no choice but to follow him over to his house and do as he requested. Cooke, who was later sentenced to jail for 10 years for the abuse of Anne and three others, has been linked to the unexplained disappearance of Phillip Cairns in 1996. Gardai attended the hospice where he died this year imploring him to tell them where the nine year-olds body is. The DJ said he didnt know what they were talking about. By the time Anne was nine, Cooke was taking her naked into the bed and attempting to penetrate her. Cookes abuse turned Anne, who grew up in Inchicore in Dublin, into a withdrawn, angry and sulky young girl who was frightened of my position in the family as she was terrified of being kicked out. For years, she would seek comfort in alcohol. Her lifeline has been the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. It was her father who rang them seeking help for his daughter when she eventually rang him at work, aged 18, to tell him what she had endured. On RTE Radio yesterday, Anne made an impassioned plea to the Government to restore rape crisis centre funding which was cut sharply during the economic downturn. Cooke had started off a nice man, letting Anne and her friends play in his garage and giving them sweets and money when she was aged 7. But the nice man withdrew and the threats began. The first time he attempted to touch her inappropriately was when she watching a home video that he had made of her and three of her friends dancing the Can-Can, I was very confused as nobody had ever touched me that way, she said. You know as a child that its not right at a deep level. When he approached her, Anne would flinch. I would hold my breath when he was near me, especially when he was naked as he stank. He was physically unbelievably dirty. At 18, she reported him to the gardai and urged others to make a complaint but they were too afraid. He confronted her in a shop where she was working after she made the garda complaint. He demanded 20 Rothmans. She refused to serve him and picked up a knife. He came back twice more to intimidate her including one time with a little girl, aged about 7. The little girl was in tears in the car before she came into the shop asked for 20 Rothmans. Horrified, she obliged. That crucified me for 20 years, I wanted to grab the child, she said. Otis Gold Corp. (TSX.V: OOO) ("Otis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has intersected 85.4 meters (m) grading 2.50 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) in hole 16 OKR-338, 69.1m grading 2.07 g/t Au in hole 16 OKR-348 and 50.3m grading 2.04 g/t in hole 16 OKR-330 at its Kilgore Gold Project drill program, Clark County, Idaho. Drilling associated with the 2016 field program is now complete and totaled 10,300 metres spread among a combination of 40 core and reverse circulation (RC) drill holes. The final 12 holes of the 2016 drill program are currently being logged and assayed, and intercepts for these holes will be released as they become available. Assay results for the 13 drill holes announced in this release, along with those for the first fifteen holes previously announced (see Otis News Releases dated September 26, 2016 and October 31, 2016), continue to indicate that the Aspen Formation has the potential to host significant additional gold mineralization. TABLE 1: DRILL RESULTS, KILGORE GOLD PROJECT, CLARK COUNTY, IDAHO Hole Number Hole Type TD (m) Azimuth/ Angle From - To (m) Intercept1 (m) Au Grade (g/t) Primary Host Rock Unit(s) 16 OKR-330 RC 225.6 230/-50 65.5 - 115.8 50.3 2.04 Lithic Tuff 16 OKC-331 Core 304.8 -/-90 123.4 - 139.6 16.2 0.69 Lithic Tuff 164.6 - 169.2 4.6 0.92 Tertiary Sill 16 OKC-332 Core 335.5 50/-70 53.3 - 103.6 50.3 0.63 Lithic Tuff 131.1 - 141.7 10.6 0.91 Lithic Tuff 285.0 - 319.4 34.4 1.28 Aspen Formation 16 OKR-336 RC 198.1 50/-75 No significant intercepts 16 OKR-338 RC 198.1 50/-70 45.7 - 131.1 85.4 2.50 Tertiary Sill and Aspen 176.8 - 195.1 18.3 0.83 Aspen Formation 16 OKR-339 RC 182.9 50/-75 4.5 - 33.5 29.0 1.17 Lithic Tuff 96.0 - 114.3 18.3 0.75 Tertiary Sill 153.9 - 158.5 4.6 0.95 Tertiary Sill 16 OKC-340 Core 305.7 50/-65 No significant intercepts 16 OKR-342 RC 213.4 -/-90 67.1 - 76.2 9.1 0.69 Lithic Tuff 189.0 - 205.7 16.7 0.91 Aspen Formation 16 OKR-343 RC 198.1 50/-75 No significant intercepts 16 OKC-344 Core 298.7 50/-65 108.2 - 171.3 63.1 0.66 Tertiary Sill and Aspen 16 OKR-346 RC 243.8 230/-61 41.1 - 45.7 4.6 0.51 Tertiary Sill 77.7 - 109.7 32.0 0.89 Aspen Formation 134.1 - 138.7 4.6 0.57 Aspen Formation 172.2 - 189.0 16.8 0.79 Aspen Formation 16 OKR-347 RC 222.5 230/-72 120.4 - 170.7 50.3 0.97 Aspen Formation 16 OKR-348 RC 174.72 230/-75 80.8 - 97.5 16.7 0.43 Tertiary Sill 105.2 - 174.3 69.1 2.072 Aspen Formation Notes: 1. True widths are estimated at between 80% and 100% of the drilled interval based on their dip, association with diking and the orientation of sedimentary bedding, and continuity of mineralization between drill holes. 2. Hole OKR-348 was lost in Aspen Sandstone and ended in rock containing 5.63 g/t Au. Drill Program Highlights Highlights of the drill results to date and of importance to the future development of the Kilgore Gold Deposit (or the "Kilgore Deposit") include: 1) Results of Otis' 2016 drill campaign continue to support the premise that gold mineralization in the Aspen Formation is more extensive than indicated by the previous drill testing and appears to lie along a northwesterly-trending belt or corridor in the northern half of the deposit, much of which remains open for further drilling. 2) Results of drill holes targeting basement Aspen Formation sedimentary host rocks continue to reveal the presence of significant open-ended mineralization that is typically higher-grade and displays thicker mineralized intercepts than those comprising the current bulk of the deposit in the overlying volcanic host rocks. 3) In addition to having an intercept of 69.1m grading 2.07 g/t Au, hole 16 OKR-348 bottomed in basement Aspen Formation rocks grading 5.63 g/t Au. It should be noted that this hole is the fifth hole drilled in 2016 that bottomed in open-ended mineralization in the Aspen Formation (the others being holes 16 OKR-315, 316, 319 and 324, respectively). Management believes this is a strong indication that additional deposit growth potential exists within this host rock unit. 4) Holes that targeted the basement Aspen Formation along the Segment 1 Road (holes 16 OKR-346, 347, and 348) all reveal significant intercepts of mineralization that indicate a strong potential to expand the size of the current Kilgore resource. Further drilling is required to fully evaluate the open-ended nature of the mineralization in the area. 5) Reported intercepts in basement Aspen Formation sedimentary rocks demonstrate that mineralization exists to depths of up to 250-meters below the surface of the deposit, with some intercepts remaining open at depth. 6) The Tertiary intrusive sill (Tct), which directly overlies the Aspen Formation and locally intrudes the upper portion of it, has been proven to host significant mineralization and the extensive contact between the two rock types is an important locus for locating additional mineralization in the basement. Significant intercepts can and do exist in both the Aspen Formation and the Tct, and in many cases straddle the contact between them to occur continuously throughout both units. 7) Results of drilling conducted along the North and "B" Roads continue to further define the mineralized horst block in the area (Table 1, hole 16 OKC-344) and show that the mineralization, which is still partly open, trends more northeasterly of where it was previously projected to occur at the ends of both roads (Table 1, holes 16 OKR-338 and 339). 8) Intercepts drilled in Aspen Formation rocks along the Segment 1 Road contain coarse-grained visible gold indicative of potential bonanza grades at depth. 9) Next steps at the Kilgore Gold Project include producing an updated set of geologic cross-sections reflecting the 2016 drill results, permitting next year's and beyond drilling activities, preparing an updated resource estimate and developing a project-wide reconnaissance program. Drill Program Background and Details of Drilling Results The 40-hole 2016 drill program was designed from an updated set of geologic cross sections and long sections containing all historic Kilgore drill results through 2015. Based on these sections, drill holes were selected to target mineralization at depth in the Aspen Formation and to infill and define the limits of the current resource. Selected hole locations targeting the Aspen Formation at depth are focused along the Main Road, Segment 1 Road, North Road and "B" Road areas (the location of the Crab Claw drilling completed in 2015 and reported in early 2016 - see Otis News Release dated January 14, 2016 News). Drill holes in this area were selected to infill and define the limits of the resource and are mostly located in the southwestern part of the deposit where historic drilling is sparse. Craig Lindsay, Otis President and CEO states: "We continue to be encouraged by the excellent results we are encountering in both the Lithic Tuff horizon, host to a majority of the existing mineralization at Kilgore, and the Aspen Formation, a rapidly-emerging gold host that is becoming better understood by Otis with each successive drill hole. It is very clear to us that the Aspen Formation sedimentary unit is a critically important feature of gold mineralization at Kilgore and for the potential expansion of the deposit. Lastly, we are pleased to have completed the expanded 40 hole drill program on budget and on time." The 13 drill holes reported in this news release, and assays and drill intercepts from the 15 holes announced on September 26 and October 31, 2016, are presented in a drill-hole location map: Analysis and Otis QA/QC Program All assay work is being performed by ALS Chemex Labs located in Reno, Nevada and Vancouver, British Columbia, which has quality management system certification and technical capability accreditation. A 50-gram pulp of all samples is assayed for gold by Fire Assay/AA finish methods. Certified reference materials, duplicates, and blanks are inserted into the sample stream for quality control. Intercepts reported in Table 1 are calculated using a 0.25 g/t Au cutoff grade and may include a few internal waste intervals less than this cutoff. The RC drilling reported in this release was conducted by O'Keefe Drilling, Inc., Butte, Montana, employing a Foremost 650 Reverse Circulation drill rig outfitted with a circulating wet splitter. The core drilling was conducted by Timberline Drilling of Hayden, Idaho employing two rigs, a DE-140 NQ core rig and an LF-90 HQ core rig. The Qualified Person under National Instrument (NI 43101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this News Release is Paul D. Gray, P. Geo, who has reviewed and approved its technical content. About the Kilgore Gold Project The Kilgore Gold Project contains a current (dated September 12, 2012) NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 520,000 ounces (oz) Au in 27.4 million tonnes at a grade of 0.59 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 300,000 oz Au in 20.2 million tonnes at a grade of 0.46 g/t Au (the "Deposit"). The Deposit is part of an extensive low-sulfidation quartz-adularia epithermal hydrothermal system hosted in Tertiary volcanic rocks and basement Aspen Formation calcareous siltstone, shale, and sandstone of Late Cretaceous age. Gold mineralization is of the traditional disseminated, bulk-tonnage type similar to that comprising the classic volcanic-hosted gold deposits at Round Mountain, Nevada and McDonald Meadows, Montana. The deposit features very attractive metallurgy with excellent gold recovery averaging greater than 80% at 1.5" crush size based on column leach test results (see Otis News Release dated June 5, 2012). About the Company Otis is a resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits in Idaho, USA. Otis is currently developing its flagship property, the Kilgore Gold Project, located in Clark County, Idaho. Source: Otis Gold By PTI: Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) Maharashtra government has decided to supply 30,000 Point of Sale (PoS) machines to its Apale Sarkar (Your Government) centres, mostly in rural areas, to support digital transactions and help the rural economy. Apale Sarkar centres are already functioning in some areas, but these new centres with PoS machines will start functioning from December 1. advertisement The decision was taken at the instruction of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stated an official communication by the state Chief Secretary Swadhin Kshatriya. Apale Sarkar centres with PoS machines will function as digital banks, Kshatriya said. The government has given a list of registered distributors of fertilisers, seed suppliers and pesticide vendors to Indian Bank Association and the State Bank of India officials. The farmers will have to submit their debit slip from bank to Apale Sarkar centre to transfer the money to vendors account and make purchases, the release said. The banks would be supplying the PoS machines. The decision was communicated after a review meeting through video conference with district collectors and municipal commissioners across the state. There will be 10,000 such centres where digital banking facility will be provided to the farmers and other needy persons. There are 3,156 government centres where PoS machines are already available. The bank-correspondents will also get some bonus in the coming days, Kshatriya said. The collectors were asked to undertake promotion of use of RuPay cards which would benefit the farmers who had already received these cards, Kshatriya said. PTI ND KRK BAL BAS --- ENDS --- Rockcliff Copper Corporation (TSX.V: RCU) ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional drill hole assay results from its phase 2 drill program on the Talbot Property, Manitoba. Drill holes TB-013 and 14 have extended the strike length of the high grade, gold-rich, Talbot copper deposit a total distance of 175m north of historical drill holes. The Talbot deposit forms part of Rockcliff's Snow Lake Project centered on the Snow Lake Mining Camp. The depositional environment at the Talbot Property is similar to that of present and past producing base metal mines of bi-modal volcaniclastic rocks in the prolific Flin Flon - Snow Lake Greenstone Belt. Rockcliff also wished to announce that its common shares have been listed and posted for trading on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol "RO0", WKN:A142TR, ISIN: CA77288Q1037. Ken Lapierre, President and CEO commented, "The high grade, gold-rich, Talbot copper deposit continues to exhibit impressive grades and we will continue to focus efforts on expansion of the present resource. Additionally, our current 6,000 metre phase 2 drill program is testing high priority geophysical anomalies that have similar size and conductance values comparable to that associated with the Talbot deposit." Completed drill hole information from the Company's ongoing phase 2 drill program is tabled below. Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cueq (Copper equivalent %) Copper % Gold g/t Zinc % Silver g/t Comments TB-013 571.36 578.42 7.06 4.10 1.3 1.28 3.3 29.14 Talbot deposit-north lens includes 571.36 573.15 1.79 7.8 2.8 3.03 4.6 55.48 TB-014 621.66 624.27 2.61 2.4 1.2 1.10 0.3 20.93 Talbot deposit-north lens includes 622.72 623.7 1.05 4.5 2.3 2.27 0.1 40.26 (m) =metres represents down the hole thickness as true thickness is not currently known,% = percentage, g/t = grams per tonne, *copper equivalent value used US$2.50/pound copper, US1300/ troy ounce gold, US$1.15/pound zinc and US$20 /per ounce silver, 100% metal recoveries were applied, copper equivalent calculation is: CuEq = Cu grade + ((Zn grade%/100*2204.6 x Zn price) + (Au grade/32.15/1000 x Au price) + (Ag grade/32.15/1000 x Ag price))/Cu price/20. The numbers may not add up due to rounding. TB-013 was drilled at UTM NAD83 co-ordinates 458550E/5997575N, to a depth of 707 metres, along an azimuth of 285 degrees and a dip of -70 degrees. TB-014 was drilled at UTM NAD83 co-ordinates 458575E/5997618N, to a depth of 695 metres along an azimuth of 285 degrees and a dip of -70 degrees. The gold-rich Talbot copper deposit is defined as a stratabound, VMS deposit consisting of several lenses of coarse grained to stringer to massive sulphides of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrrhotite in a quartzofeldspathic gneiss. On February 4, 2016, Rockcliff announced on the Talbot Property an Inferred Mineral Resource as set out in the National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") technical report dated January 25, 2016 and titled "Technical Report on the Talbot Property, Manitoba, Canada" (the "Technical Report"), a copy of which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, in respect of an initial Mineral Resource Estimate prepared by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. ("RPA") for the Talbot Deposit located on the Talbot Property, central Manitoba. The Inferred Mineral Resource Statement prepared by RPA for the gold-rich Talbot copper deposit is detailed below. Mineral Resource Statement, Talbot Deposit, Manitoba, RPA, January 26, 2016 Zone Tonnes (kt) Grades Contained Metal Cu (%) Au (g/t) Zn (%) Ag (g/t) Cu (Mlb) Au (koz) Zn (Mlb) Ag (koz) Talbot Main 1,441.0 3.4 2.6 2.4 61.0 107.0 118.6 76.4 2,827.8 Talbot Main FW 443.9 2.2 2.0 2.4 55.6 22.0 28.5 23.2 793.8 North Lens 283.4 0.7 2.0 1.3 20.6 4.6 18.3 7.9 187.6 Total 2,168.3 2.8 2.4 2.2 54.6 133.6 165.4 107.4 3,809.3 Notes: 1. CIM definitions were followed for the estimation of Mineral Resources. 2. Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of $140 Net Smelter Return (NSR) (equivalent to a copper NSR cut-off of 2.0%) using metal prices, estimated recoveries and offsite payments. 3. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term copper price of US$3.50 per pound, gold price of US$1450 per ounce, zinc price of US$1.25 per pound and silver price of US$22 per ounce. 4. An US$/C$exchange rate of 1.18 was used. 5. A minimum mining width of 2 m was used. 6. The average bulk density is 3.2t per cubic meter. 7. Numbers may not add due to rounding. 8. Given the tonnage, grade and orientation of the deposit, RPA considers the Talbot Deposit to be reasonably amenable to extraction using underground mining methods. 9. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Samples of half core are packaged and shipped directly from Rockcliff's field office to TSL Laboratories (TSL), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. TSL is a Canadian assay laboratory and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025. Each bagged core sample is dried, crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh and a 250g pulp is pulverized to 95% passing 150 mesh for assaying. A 0.5g cut is taken from each pulp for base metal analysis and leached in a multi acid (total) digestion and then analyzed for copper, lead, zinc and silver by atomic absorption. Gold concentrations are determined by fire assay using a 30g charge followed by fire assay gravimetric and atomic absorption finish. Samples greater than an upper detection limit (3000 ppb) are reanalyzed using a 1 AT charge. Rockcliff inserted certified blanks and standards in the sample stream to ensure lab integrity. Rockcliff can earn a 51% interest in the Talbot Property from Hudson Bay Exploration and Development Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hudbay Minerals Inc. Please refer to the news release dated October 11, 2016 for specific terms of the option agreement. Please visit our website at www.rockcliffcoppercorp.com for additional information. Ken Lapierre, P.Geo., President and CEO of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release. About Rockcliff Copper Corporation Rockcliff is a Canadian resource exploration company focused on the discovery, advancement and consolidation of the highest grade unmined metal deposits in the prolific Flin Flon - Snow Lake (FF-SL) greenstone belt specifically centered on Snow Lake, MB. The Company's Snow Lake Project, totalling in excess of 45,000 collective hectares, is located in and around the Snow Lake mining camp and hosts the highest grade unmined copper deposits, the highest grade unmined zinc deposits and the highest grade former gold producer in the FF-SL greenstone belt. The Snow Lake Project includes two high grade VMS NI 43-101 Resources (the gold-rich Talbot copper deposit and the Rail copper deposit), three historic high grade zinc-rich VMS deposits (the Lon zinc deposit, the Bur zinc deposit and the Morgan deposit), and a Net Smelter Return Royalty (NSR) on the Tower property which includes the T-1 copper deposit. The Snow Lake Project also includes the highest grade former lode gold producer (Laguna) in the FF-SL greenstone belt. Rockcliff also owns a zinc-silver rich NI 43-101 Resource (the Shihan deposit) in Ontario and a royalty on two gold properties in Colombia, South America. Rockcliff is well funded with over CDN$3.0 million in its treasury and no debt. Source: Rockcliff Copper Critical Elements Corporation (TSX.V: CRE) (the "Corporation" or "Critical Elements") is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Steffen Haber as its president. Dr. Haber is well known in the lithium industry, having been Chief Executive Officer and President of Rockwood Lithium up until it was acquired by Albermale for $6.2 billion in January 2015. Dr. Haber was President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockwood Lithium GmbH when Chemetall GmbH was legally split off in 2012. From 2011 to 2012, he was Managing Director of Chemetall GmbH and since 2007 President of Chemetall's Lithium business. Prior to joining Chemetall GmbH, Dr. Haber worked in different executive positions for Sanofi-Aventis SA and its predecessor companies, in France. Dr. Haber completed his doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, in 1991 and added one year as a Post-Doc at Ecole Polytechnique in Paris. In 1997, Dr. Haber earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from the International School of Management in San Diego, in the United States. Dr. Haber is a fellow of the International Directors Program of INSEAD. "The Board of Directors and team at Critical Elements Corporation are delighted to welcome Dr. Steffen Haber as President," said Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. "The addition of a member with extensive lithium experience and an exceptional background in the industry will provide the team with important knowledge support. Dr. Haber's solid experience and success in leading and developing the largest lithium company as president of Rockwood Lithium will be very valuable assets in the next phase of our Corporation's development." "I'm very enthusiastic in joining the very talented and dynamic team of Critical Elements, the thrive lithium market is in great need of new sources of supply and it will be our focus for success with the development of the Rose Lithium Tantalum Project", said Steffen Haber new President of Critical Elements starting January 1, 2017. Critical Elements is also pleased to announce the appointment of Jean-Sebastien Lavallee as Chairman of the Corporation's Board of Directors. The Corporation would also like to take the opportunity to announce that it has increased the number of shares reserved for issuance under its stock option plan (the "Plan") by 2,448,154. The total number of shares issuable under the Plan now stands at 14,444,591. The increase is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Corporation is also announcing that it had granted options to its employees, directors and officers to acquire a total of 4,250,000 common shares. Each option entitles its holder to subscribe for one share of the Corporation at a price of $0.56 for a period of five years. The Corporation has also granted 150,000 common shares to consultants at a price of $0.56 per share. Options granted to consultants are valid for five years or under the terms of the Plan. About Critical Elements Corporation A recent financial analysis (Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Rose lithium-tantalum Project, Genivar, December 2011) of the Rose project, 100% owned by Critical Elements, based on price forecasts of US $260/kg ($118/lb) for Ta 2 O 5 contained in a tantalite concentrate and US $6,000/t for lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) showed an estimated after-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 25% for the Rose project, with an estimated Net Present Value (NPV) of CA $279 million at an 8% discount rate. The payback period is estimated at 4.1 years. The pre-tax IRR is estimated at 33% and the NPV at $488 million at a discount rate of 8%. (Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability). (The preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature). (See press release dated November 21, 2011.) The conclusions of the PEA indicate the operation would support a production rate of 26,606 tons of high purity (99.9% battery grade) Li 2 CO 3 and 206,670 pounds of Ta 2 O 5 per year over a 17-year mine life. The project hosts a current Indicated resource of 26.5 million tonnes of 1.30% Li 2 O Eq. or 0.98% Li 2 O and 163 ppm Ta 2 O 5 and an Inferred resource of 10.7 million tonnes of 1.14% Li 2 O Eq. or 0.86% Li 2 O and 145 ppm Ta 2 O 5 . Source: Critical Elements Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSX-V: BAY) (Aston Bay or the Company) is pleased to announce that Thomas Ullrich has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective November 28, 2016. Mr. Ullrich has been the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President - Exploration since February 1, 2016. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ullrich had significant executive-level experience with both majors and juniors in the metals and mining industry. I am very pleased with the direction we have taken this Company and the Storm projects very promising exploration potential to be a high-grade, large tonnage copper target in North America, said Mr. Ullrich. I am honored to take the lead to continue to advance the project with Aston Bay and its partners. Benjamin Cox will continue to take a strong executive role in formulating, planning and executing Aston Bay Holdings strategic direction for the foreseeable future as Executive Chairman. Mr. Cox founded the Companys predecessor company, Aston Bay Ventures Ltd., in 2011. Now that Aston Bay is focused on our ground-level exploration activities, I am very pleased to hand the management reins to Tom. I will continue to be closely involved in directing the Companys strategy and leading the Boards oversight, said Mr. Cox. Mr. Ullrich has over 20 years experience in mineral exploration and geoscience. He has been Chief Geologist North America for Antofagasta Minerals plc since 2011, investigating the regions copper potential through extensive property evaluations and management of drill programs in Alaska and Canada. Prior to Antofagasta, he was Senior Geologist for Almaden Minerals, where he managed the drill program for the teams discovery of the Ixtaca Ag-Au deposit in Mexico. Aston Bay is also pleased to announce the results of its annual general meeting of shareholders held on November 14, 2016. At the meeting, shareholders approved all resolutions put before them by management, including the election of Jan-Erik Back, Clifford Boychuk, Benjamin Cox, Michael Dufresne, Ian McPherson and Thomas Ullrich as directors, the re-appointment of the incumbent auditor, and approval of Aston Bays previously adopted 10% rolling Stock Option Plan, as required annually by Exchange policies. About Aston Bay Holdings Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSX-V: BAY) is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the 976,066-acre (395,000 hectares) Aston Bay Property located on northwest Somerset Island, Nunavut. The Aston Bay Property hosts the Storm Copper project and has been optioned by BHP Billiton. Historical drilling has confirmed the presence of sediment-hosted copper and zinc mineralization on the property. Further to its news release of November 7, 2016, Kincora Copper Ltd. (the "Company", "Kincora") (TSX.V: KCC), is pleased to announce that the re-registration of the mineral licences held by Ibex Land Mongolia LLC into the name of Kincora's subsidiary Golden Grouse Ibex LLC by the Mineral Resources, Petroleum Authority of Mongolia ("MRPAM", previously known as the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia, "MRAM") has occurred. This is the last milestone for the IBEX transaction. As a result the 5,895,000 shares and 2,947,500 warrants of Kincora registered in the name of High Power Ventures Inc. ("HPV") held in escrow have been released to HPV and are expected to ultimately be held by the shareholders of HPV. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.54 (equal to 1.8 times the price per security of the July 28, 2016, private placement of Kincora) and a term of 24 months. This term is subject to acceleration if the closing price on the TSX Venture Exchange is greater than $0.90 for 30 consecutive trading days and Kincora elects to accelerate the expiry date of the warrants to 30 days from the date of such notice. The Company is also pleased to provide an update that field activities have concluded on time and budget. Recent programs have included extensive ground magnetics, detailed mapping, regional and local geochemistry, petrography, whole rock geochemistry with fertility analysis, and age dating. Further high priority drilling targets are expected in addition to those previously announced at Bayan Tal (refer our November 7, 2016 press release and new Company presentation). The Company looks forward to providing further details upon conclusion of a planned Technical Committee Workshop, where a portfolio of high quality targets across Kincora's district level portfolio will be ranked and systematic exploration activities outlined to advance these targets up the value curve. Kincora has 48,621,959 issued shares and the aforementioned 2,947,500 warrants outstanding. Further details on Kincora's corporate structure, priority exploration targets and pipeline of prospects are provided in an updated corporate presentation: http://kincoracopper.com/investors/corporate-presentation President Park Geun-hye bows before delivering a national address at the presidential office, Tuesday. / Yonhap By Park Si-soo President Park Geun-hye will follow the National Assembly's decision on her presidency, including her resignation, she said in a nationally televised speech from the presidential office on Tuesday. "Once the ruling and opposition parties come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimizes any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down," Park said. By Hardeep Dugal: Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan have moved the family court in Bandra, Mumbai, for a divorce after 17 years of marriage. Touted to be one of the most loved couples of Bollywood, actor Malaika Arora and producer Arbaaz Khan today moved the family court in the Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai for a divorce. Both have filed for dissolution of their marriage based on mutual consent. The couple has been allotted Court No 1 for further case proceedings under Principal Judge IJ Nanda. advertisement ALSO READ: Malaika finally breaks her silence on rumours of affair with Arjun Kapoor ALSO READ: Malaika and Arbaaz file for divorce, no reconciliation happening The two got married in 1997, and have a son Arhaan who is 14 years old. Both celebrities, dressed in white, appeared for their first marriage counselling session today only to leave the court premises in a hurry. As per law, after the filing of the divorce petition, the court gives the couple a period of 6 months to mull over reconciliation. If that doesn't happen, the court agrees to dissolve the marriage. This is the procedure being followed for this case as well. Malaika and Arbaaz announced their separation in March this year, and soon Malaika moved out of the Khan residence into a separate apartment with her son. Advocates Kranti Sathe and Amruta Sathe, who have been representing both the actors, said that the two had reached the family court for their first counselling session at 11am on November 29. Sathe said that in the family court, "the two of them were together with the counsellor for more than an hour". Sathe added that it depends on each couple and their issues which determine how many counselling sessions they have to attend. Since the two actors have decided to go for divorce via mutual consent, the number of counselling sessions they have to attend might be less. Malaika and Arbaaz have been given approximately six months time to the couple to come back and tell the court what they have decided. While some reports suggest that the trouble in their paradise began due to Malaika's supposed affair with Arjun Kapoor, sources have told India Today that Malaika particularly wanted Arbaaz to come out of the shadow of big brother Salman Khan. In fact, Salman is said to have spoken to both on several occasions to work things out, but all of that was in vain. (With inputs from Vidya) WATCH: Malaika and Arbaaz confirm their separation --- ENDS --- advertisement Brigadier-General Thomas J Jackson, a professor of Virginia Military Institute, and his foot cavalry. It was the first major battle of the American Civil War in the eastern theatre. The Union men afterwards knew it as First Bull Run, the Confederates as First Manassas. It was fought on 21 July 1861 by two armies of enthusiastic but very raw citizen-soldiers. Panic was the most common reaction to the first experience of close-range musketry and canister. Chaos was the outcome of the overly complex plans of opposing commanders. The notable exception was Virginias First Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Thomas J Jackson, a professor from Virginia Military Institute who had formed his command at Harpers Ferry on 27 April. It was an amalgamation of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th, and 33rd Virginia Infantry Regiments and the Rockbridge County Artillery Battery. It was, in short, a brigade of Virginians from the lush Shenandoah Valley. Jackson was austere, religious, serious-minded, and a tough disciplinarian. Under fire, he was courageous and cool-headed. Later, it would emerge that he was also a master of deception, rapid movement, and the sudden killer-blow. There was irony in that, for he and his men acquired a nickname at First Manassas that implied the very opposite: he became Stonewall Jackson and they the Stonewall Brigade. Union commander McDowell had successfully executed a wide turning movement that looked set to collapse the Confederate left. The climax of the battle was fought on Henry House Hill, where the Union surge met an improvised Confederate line in serious danger of collapse. Jackson, skilled tactician that he was, had placed his brigade on the military crest, such that attacking Union troops saw it only when they breasted the false crest. Sheltered from enemy fire, Jacksons Virginians achieved maximum shock effect as the Union regiments came over the top of the hill and were suddenly blasted by massed musket-volleys. General Barnard Bee from South Carolina, commanding a faltering brigade of Deep South men from Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina, saw the Virginians and called out to his troops by way of encouragement, Look! There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians! The Confederate line held. Fresh regiments joined the battle on the exposed right flank of the attacking columns. Panic spread through the Union ranks. Soon, mixed up with thousands of civilians who had arrived to watch the spectacle, the men of the Union Army were in flight to their entrenchments around Washington. They left behind them a newly formed legend: the Stonewall Brigade. Jackson was rapidly promoted, but his brigade remained in his command as long as he lived (he was killed in a friendly fire accident at Chancellorsville in May 1863). So the Stonewall Brigade participated in the famous Valley Campaign of March-June 1862, when Jackson moved with such speed and effect that he was able to inflict a succession of defeats on separate Union forces which together outnumbered him four-to-one. The Stonewall Brigade marched 400 miles in four weeks, including one extraordinary 57-mile march in 51 hours, earning itself a new nickname: Jacksons foot cavalry. The Stonewall Brigade served in the eastern theatre throughout the war, becoming part of General Robert E Lees Army of Northern Virginia, and participating in almost every one of its major battles. The American Civil War was characterised by frequent battles and horrendous casualties. In the eastern theatre in particular, the opposing Armies of the Potomac and of Northern Virginia clashed again and again in full-scale pitched battles in which as many as one in four of the combatants might become casualties. The Stonewall Brigade was often in the thick of it. In the murderous fighting in the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania in May 1864, all but 200 of its men were killed, wounded, or captured. The fate of the units eight commanding officers tells its own story: three were killed in battle at the head of the Brigade, and one was seriously wounded. The Brigade had been constantly replenished with fresh recruits, but the Confederacy was exhausting its reserves of manpower by the summer of 1864, and the losses at Spotsylvania could not be made good. The survivors were reorganised into a single regiment, fighting as part of Brigadier-General William Terrys brigade during the last year of the war, when they participated in the last Confederate invasion of the North Jubal Earlys 1864 Valley Campaign. Some 6,000 men served in the Stonewall Brigade during the Civil War. When the survivors surrendered with the rest of Lees army at Appomattox on 9 April 1865, there were only 219 left, none above the rank of captain. Further information Formed: 27 April 1861 Reformed into single regiment: May 1864 Surrendered and disbanded: 9 April 1865 Later reformed as: 1st Brigade The Stonewall Brigade, 29th Infantry Division (Light), Virginia Army National Guard. Now: 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Commanders: Brigadier-General Thomas Stonewall Jackson, Brigadier-General Richard Garnett, Brigadier-General Charles Winder, Colonel William Baylor, Colonel Andrew Grigsby, Brigadier-General Elisha Paxton, Brigadier-General James Walker, Brigadier-General William Terry. Battle honours: First Manassas, Valley Campaign 1862, Seven Days, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Valley Campaign 1864, Siege of Petersburg, Appomattox Campaign. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. advertisement While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. MODI LEADING WITH 21 PER CENT VOTES According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. OTHER CONTENDERS Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Ti Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. --- ENDS --- advertisement Ron Field uncovers the role of Scots Americans in the war to free the slaves. In the wake of the failed Union attack on the Tower Battery at Secessionville on James Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, on 16 June 1862, the Charleston Mercury reported, It was left to the brave 79th Highlanders, to test the virtue of unadulterated cold steel on our Southern nerves. Thank God, Lincoln had only one 79th regiment. In fact, the Union Army possessed several predominantly Scottish regiments between 1861 and 1865, mostly based on pre-war militia units. Approximately 600,000 Scots migrated to the United States between 1851 and 1861, bringing with them a rich military tradition. Militia companies of Scottish origin wearing full Highland uniforms were formed in both Northern and Southern states, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Referred to as the sons of auld Scotia, a company called the Scotch Light Infantry was organized at Albany, the capital city of New York State, in August 1851, and was one of the first American units to wear a uniform based on that of the British 42nd Highland Regiment, or Black Watch. According to the By-Laws of the Scotch Light Infantry, printed on 25 July 1854, they wore a Bonnet of black ostrich feathers, red hackle [or feather plume] and plaid band. Red coat, double breasted, with gold lace on the collar, cuffs, and skirts. Kilt of the Forty-second plaid. Spooran [sic] made of white hair, six black tassels, silver or German silver top [or cantle], with the Goddess of Liberty in the centre and a star at each end. Hose of red and white plaid. Shoes and silver buckles. Highlanders for the Union In Chicago, Illinois, the Highland Guard commanded by Captain John McArthur wore the regular old style, with red frock coats, tartans, huge overhanging caps, bare continuations, and other paraphernalia when first organised in 1856. With the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861, this company formed the nucleus of the 12th Illinois Infantry, or First Scotch Regiment, with McArthur as colonel. Although the 12th Illinois received state-issue uniforms of gray at the beginning of its war service and later wore blue, its headgear until at least 1862 consisted of a Scottish tam-o-shanter with tartan, or plaid, band. The 12th Illinois sustained heavy losses at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth in 1862. In the defence of Allatoona, Georgia, on 5 October 1864, it suffered 57 casualties among its remaining 161 men. Survivors and replacements marched to the sea with General William Tecumseh Sherman, and then into the Carolinas to finish the war. First organised in New York City during November 1858, a Highland regiment was subsequently designated the 79th New York State Militia, named after the 79th Regiment, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, of the British Army. Adopting the Cameron of Erracht tartan, which was specially shipped from Scotland, this regiment first paraded in undress uniform composed of plaid pants, polka jackets and small caps on 17 September 17 1860. The uniform was further described by the regimental historian William Todd as consisting of handsome State [blue] jackets with red facings, blue fatigue caps and Cameron tartan pants. In February 1860, a few members of the 79th paraded in kilts for a Grand Military Fete held in New York City, and B Company of the regiment dressed in kilts, polka jackets, plaid stockings and bright buckled shoes escorted Elmer Ellsworth and the Chicago Zouave Cadets on their departure from the city six months later. The 79th musters for war With the onset of Civil War, the 79th NYSM was increased in size to 895 officers and men and mustered into Federal service on 29 May 1861, with many new recruits of Irish as well as Scottish origin. At this stage, the regiment found great difficulty in provided its whole compliment with kilted full dress. According to William Todd, All of the officers and many of the men wore the kilts while the rest [or new recruits] were dressed in handsome State jackets with red facings, blue fatigue caps and Cameron tartan pants With the arrival of the regiment at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, en route for Washington DC, the Inquirer newspaper reported, The different companies were somewhat diversified as to style of uniform, but the national plaid marked all. Some were accoutred [sic] in the full Highland costume, kilt and bare knees; others were in plaid pants. When the regiment took part in the review of New York troops at the Federal capital in July 1861, only three or four of the officers wore the full Highland rig. In a last effort to provide the whole of the 79th New York with complete Highland dress, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Elliott wrote to the New York Tribune in July 1861, I purpose going to New-York on furlough to attend to the unfinished business of the regiment, which may occupy me some time, as I am anxious to obtain pipers, for whom I may have to go to Canada, and also to procure kilts for the entire regiment, without which the Highlander is shorn of half his martial spirit and all his martial splendors. Battle honours When McDowells army began its march to Manassas Junction prior to the Battle of First Bull Run four days later, Elliott clearly had had no time to fulfill his mission. Of that occasion William Todd wrote, At two oclock in the afternoon in light marching order the march began; our knapsacks containing our uniform jackets and tartan pants having been packed and left at camp in charge of the Invalid Corps. If any of our men wore anything other than the regulation dark blue blouses and light blue pants during the campaign they were few. The 79th Highlanders fought bravely at Bull Run and later at Secessionville, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, the Wilderness, and Petersburg. They became one of the most respected units from New York City during the Civil War, and earned themselves a fearsome reputation on the battlefield, where they lost 190 men killed in action or died of disease, and 747 discharged because of wounds or sickness, from a total roster of 1,374. At the end of the conflict in 1865, the 79th returned to New York City, where they reverted to militia status and carried on their proud Highland military tradition. As the last knot of mutineers stood against the charge of the 10th Bombay Native Infantry, there must have been many who marvelled at the regiments bravery. Kotah-ki-Serai in June 1858 was the stiffest fight that the 10th experienced in the so-called Sepoy Mutiny. Bengal troops trained, armed, dressed, and equipped just like the 10th fought with great ferocity against their East India Company masters. The mutineers were supported by swarms of local fighters undisciplined, but full of the same desperate courage. Both sepoys and civilians had come to hate the British and their vassals from distant Bombay. But, as volleys from the new Enfield rifles scythed through them, and as bayonets stabbed flesh and butts smashed bone, there were many in the rebel ranks who wondered at the steadfastness of the 10th. Although there was no sign of it in this bitter fight, only a few months before, 800 miles away to the south, these same troops had been paraded and disarmed by the Queens regiments now fighting alongside them. At that moment, the British had stared down their barrels, fingers on triggers, expecting to fire into their comrades at the least sign of unrest. Then, as the 10th stood and sweated in the sun, the court-martials sentence was passed on three comrades who just days before had been arrested on suspicion of planning mutiny. All were found guilty. One was to be transported, but Havildar Sayad Hussein and Sepoy Mangal Cadiya were to face the executioner. The area in which the 10th Bombay was to fight was in Mahratta country, far from insurgent Meerut and Delhi. There had already been several bloody wars against this proudly independent people, the last sparked as Britain was distracted by the First Afghan War. Then, in the 1850s, resentment had been rubbed raw by the clumsiness of London and Calcutta, while the mishandling of the campaign in the Crimea suggested that the colonial power was vulnerable once again. Maharajas such as Nana Sahib chose his moment at Cawnpore, while around Gwalior the northern heart of the Mahrattas other leaders watched and waited. It was to this distant country that the 10th Bombay Native Infantry were sent in October 1857, with many of the British wondering just how reliable and loyal they would prove to be. By boat and boot, the 10th covered hundreds of miles into Bengal before meeting their first, serious opposition at the entrenched village of Rowa on 6 January 1858. Another test awaited the 10th Bombays resolve a few days later on 23 January. Forced marches had brought the column to another enemy stronghold at Awah. Again, this was an action against large numbers of poorly armed mutineers and local men who had nothing but a belief in the Mahratta cause to sustain them. The town fell without much fighting, but over 170 prisoners were taken, all of whom were tried by summary court-martial. Now the penalty for being taken in arms and in open rebellion against the state was unequivocal: death. Twenty-five men were found guilty, and it fell to the 10th to carry out sentence. One wonders if this was another test of loyalty, for British troops could have been detailed for the task Then came the much more serious challenge of the fortress of Kotah, which had to be taken by storm at the end of March, the 10th providing one of the assault parties. Under cover of over 60 guns, the assault troops moved forward at about 11am on 30 March, the whole force penetrating the rebel stronghold via the Kettenpore Gate, which had been undermined by British sappers. Unfortunately, the mine exploded another that had already been placed by Singhs men, the blast utterly destroying the gateway and stunning the assault troops.The 10th quickly recovered, though, and were soon skirmishing through the alleys and walled enclosures of the town, hunting out their quarry. The 10th Bombays last real battles of the Mutiny were in mid June, when the fabulous Rhani of Jhansi fell at Kotah-ki-Serai and the final Mahratta stronghold of Gwalior was sacked. The glamorous female warrior, the Rhani of Jhansi, was (and still is) much written about; indeed, she is the subject of a very popular Indian TV series. In her bejewelled hands lay the only hope of a restoration of her peoples sovereignty, yet she was killed by the 8th Hussars, with whom she clashed on 17 June, sword in hand and dressed in mail. This fateful skirmish was within sight of the 10th Bombay, who were pressing forward over sandhills and scrub under heavy fire and a roasting sun towards their next objective the great fortress of Gwalior. Here the 10th were seen to drive the enemy further into the Lashkar [a suburb of Gwalior], capturing a small brass howitzer and a mortar. Captain Roome was ordered to send on part of a company to disable the guns by knocking off a wheel, [while the rest of the regiment was] one hundred yards in the rear firing while lying down. The struggle at Kotah-ki-Serai and the fall of Gwalior were to prove the denouement of the whole Mutiny and the 10th Bombay were in at the death. Their brigade commander said in his despatches: I cannot speak too highly of the steady and soldier like conduct of both officers and men of the 10th Bombay NI, who, though exhausted by fatigue and want of food, stormed the heights under a burning sun and a heavy fire. In less than a year, the regiment had gone from disgrace to distinction, proving their bravery and loyalty beyond doubt. Curiously, despite the steadfast conduct of the Madras and most Bombay troops during the Mutiny, the British afterwards decided that recruiting for all three presidencies armies would be concentrated in the Punjab and northern states. The martial races of the north were considered better material than those of the south! After many changes and amalgamations, the 10th Bombay emerged as Rajputana Rifles, earning laurels around Cassino in Italy in 1944. Patrick Mercer This is an extract from an article that appeared in issue 71 of Military History Monthly. Ewuraba Nyamekye, a US-based Ghanaian gospel songstress, has been honoured at the sixth edition of the 3G Awards held in New York, USA. The awards ceremony was in recognition of the exceptional leadership qualities exhibited by some Ghanaians and their contributions to their society and the global community. The songstress was honoured in the social sector and philanthropic category of the awards. The awards was produced by 3G Media Incorporated, an online news platform promoting Ghanaian and African affairs in the Diaspora. The awards have categories, including government and politics, leadership and corporate sector and social sector and philanthropy. Ewuraba Nyamekye in an interview with the GNA from her base in the US expressed gratitude to the organisers for recognising her efforts in the society. She also thanked her team, fans and well-wishers for their continuous support to provide for the needy in the society. The gospel musician said the awards would urge her on to do more for the community. Highlife musician Kaakyire Kwame Appiah last Sunday launched his new song titled 'One Logologo' featuring Pasco Abrantie at the Hope Generation Ministry International (HGMI) at Weija in Accra to raise funds to support the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) polling agents during the elections. The launch which was chaired by Prophet Eric Akwasi Amponsah, also known as Computer Man, leader and founder of the ministry, attracted a large number of NPP supporters and sympathisers from all walks of life. It witnessed musical performances from a number of musicians, including Dada KD, Pasco Abrantie and a host of others. The objective of the song, according to Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, is to encourage every eligible voter to go and cast his or her vote for the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo on December 7. He was very optimistic that when the NPP is voted into power, it would help the creative arts industry to grow. According to him, the money raised from the launch would be given to the leadership of the party to share among the polling agents, adding, The initiative is an act of charity not influenced by anybody. Some of the celebrities who graced the launch include Prince Yawson (Waakye), Yaw Labito, Socrates Safo, Fred Kyei Mensah, Matilda Agyemang, members of the Creative Arts For Change, among others. By George Clifford Owusu Mr Shark 29.11.2016 LISTEN We wish to bring to the attention of the discerning reading public the unfortunate lies and misinformation by one Chopper, who operates in the name of Ghanaian-UK based musician Atumpan, and his resolve to malign the brand of one of Accras top DJs, Mr Shark. In an interview with Sammy Flex on Pluzz FM on Tuesday 29th November 2016, which was broadcast in Accra and across the globe via the internet with numerous discussions on social media, the said Chopper alleged among other falsities that Mr Shark collected an amount of GHC 100 (hundred Ghana cedis; equivalent to $ 23.12) as payola to play his song. Chopper further questioned our integrity and raised serious ethical concerns with our professionalism by insisting that Mr Shark refused to play the song after the alleged payola was paid. We find these allegations as wild, unfounded; and clearly nothing but a pool of dishonesty calculated to create unnecessary controversy in a quest to damage our hard earned reputation. Setting the Record Straight The said Chopper approached our client (Mr Shark) to help review his song and advise if the song was good for airplay. Mr Chopper therefore, persistently and willingly offered the amount in question to our client with the sole purpose to analyzing and recommendations, which Mr Shark gladly did. Unfortunately because the song was not good per Mr Sharks expertise and for the fact that it did not meet the requirement of the station to be included in their playlist to be played on air, Chopper became bitter. With service fully provided and suggestions made, the said Mr Chopper insisted Mr Shark forgoes his professional standards to smuggle the song into the playlist of the radio station even though the song failed to meet the stations requirements. In line with this and the fact that Mr Shark values his professional policies and that of his employers, he refunded, fully the amount to Mr Chopper. We however find it appalling and in seeking a way out of his mundane and humdrum for Chopper to come on public radio to make such bad and capricious allegations. Our client has worked hard and earned his place in Ghanas foremost media landscape with several award recognitions, and therefore will not tolerate such baseless and incongruous allegations geared at ruining his brand. Signed: Kelly Nii Mensah (EoD Media Consultants) for Mr Shark (DJ at Pluzz FM) Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL. Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's ruling ANC party rejected a call for scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma to resign after a "difficult" debate, a party official said Tuesday. Zuma has been weakened by corruption scandals, but his supporters were taken by surprise at an attempt to oust him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress's executive committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zuma's hold on power since he became president in 2009. It also shook the ANC party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994 but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. "Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the (ANC executive committee) did not support the call for the president to step down," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, told reporters. "All members of the (executive committee) had an opportunity to raise, in the meeting, the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country. All these are very important." Local media said the meeting -- which was extended into Monday -- was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. But the president and his loyalists eventually headed off the attempt to oust him. Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa on Wednesday begins a major clinical trial of an experimental vaccine against the AIDS virus, which scientists hope could be the "final nail in the coffin" for the disease. More than 30 years of efforts to develop an effective vaccine for HIV have not borne fruit, but for the first time since the virus was identified in 1983, scientists think they have found a promising candidate. The new study, known as HVTN 702, will involve more than 5,400 sexually active men and women aged 18-35 in 15 areas around South Africa over the course of four years. It is one of the biggest clinical trials involving the disease ever undertaken and has revived hopes in the scientific community of a breakthrough in the battle against AIDS. "If deployed alongside our current armoury of proven HIV prevention tools, a safe and effective vaccine could be the final nail in the coffin for HIV," said Anthony Fauci, director of the US National institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is taking part in the study. "Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly decrease the burden of HIV disease over time in countries and populations with high rates of HIV infection, such as South Africa." Condoms are at the frontline of efforts to prevent the spread of HIV, which is mainly transferred through the sexual fluids and blood of infected individuals. A small number of people, mainly in developed countries, use virus-suppressing drugs as a preventive aid, although the exact level of protection this offers is not clear. Specially adapted South Africa was not chosen by accident. The country has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world -- 19.2 percent according to the UN AIDS agency -- with more than seven million people living with the virus. Each year some 2.5 million people around the world are infected with HIV, which has killed more than 30 million people since the 1980s, according to a study presented at a conference in South Africa in July. The vaccine has been adapted for the HIV strain prevalent in southern Africa from one used in a trial of 16,000 people in Thailand in 2009, which reduced the risk of infection by more than 30 percent for three-and-a-half years after the first jab. The safety of the "South African" vaccine has already been tested successfully over 18 months on 252 volunteers. The new study aims to test its effectiveness as a virus-killer. Vaccines work by priming the body to respond with germ-fighting antibodies whenever a virus or bacteria invades. But the AIDS-causing virus is stealthy and quick to mutate to avoid being targeted. "The results obtained in Thailand are not good enough for a roll-out (...) we have set the minimum bar at 50 percent" lower risk, Lynn Morris, head of the HIV virology section at South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), told AFP. South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told parliament earlier this month that "scientists expect the (new) vaccine to be at least 50 percent effective but hope that it will be much higher". Results to take years Even if the new vaccine proves effective, experts warn it is vital to remain vigilant in the fight against HIV. "A highly efficient vaccine would be a game-changer but the results of these trials will take years," Morris said. "We must continue to use other HIV prevention tools to reduce the number of new HIV infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young women, who continue to be most heavily affected." According to UNAIDS, half of the 36 million or so people with HIV around the world have access to anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), a figure that has doubled in five years. Thanks to these treatments, which keep the virus in check and increase the lifespan of HIV-positive people without curing them, average life expectancy in South Africa has risen from 57.1 years to 62.9 since 2009, according to authorities. The new trial is being carried out by the US National Institutes of Health, the South African Medical Research Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sanofi Pasteur, GlaxoSmithKline and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. The Director of EKGS Culinary Institute says the culinary sub-sector of the hospitality industry could help address the unemployment situation in the country if it is given the needed support to grow. Efua Otuwa Goode Obeng Kyei says the sub-sector has the potential of providing Ghanaian youth, who are unskilled, with the right skills that would keep them not only employed but also useful to society. The sub-sector holds a huge potential to attaining the twin objectives of creating sustainable employment and reducing poverty among our people if the government makes a conscious effort to groom it, she said. Addressing students and parents at the Institutes 36th Graduation Ceremony held at the Accra International Conference Center Sunday, Mrs Obeng Kyei said government could support the sub-sector through soft loans and provision of quality tools for local practitioners to do their work with ease. At least a total of 85 students graduated. They cut across the various departments at the Institute namely Cake Making and Decorating-Sugarcraft, Pastry Arts, Cookery Arts and Floral Decor. Speaking on the theme "Harnessing the potential of the youth to attain the sustainable development goals (SDGs)," the Director said considering the level of development of Ghana, it is important for to place priority on skills to spur on development. According to her, when government comes to the aid of the culinary sub-sector, local companies would expand their facilities to accommodate more of the unskilled youth on the street. "The government should insulate if from foreign domination, otherwise foreigners with the wherewithal can take advantage of the situation and dominate it to the detriment of indigenous Ghanaians," he said. Mrs Obeng Kyei appealed to practitioners in the sector to "wake up to the challenges in the modern hospitality industry to meet the changing needs and expectations of customers." Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com Elections are messy affairs everywhere. In third world countries, they are even more so. In Ghana, the role of the Electoral Commissioner is very important. Her actions and inactions can directly influence the outcomes of major elections especially when the call is a close one. The reason is simple: we do not have strong institutions that will make the role of the Electoral Commissioner a purely supervisory one. For instance, if we can conduct accurate population censuses and make correct projections of our population at each moment of time, we will not be at a loss to know who is a Ghanaian and who is not or who is an eligible voter and who is not. If we kept accurate records at all levels of our society, we would not even need to conduct any registration of voters prior to any elections. But, alas, we cannot do that. That is why the role of the Electoral Commissioner has become so important. The question can still be asked: in trying to correct for our inherent shortcomings, has the constitution not given too much powers to the Electoral Commissioner? Article 43 of the 1992 Constitution provides for an Electoral Commission made up of seven members a chairman, two deputy chairmen and four other members. Only persons who are qualified to be members of parliament can also be members of the Electoral Commission. Not only are all members of the commission appointed by the President under Article 70, the president also determines the power relations within the commission. The president says who the Chairman is and who the deputies and ordinary members shall be. There is a clear pecking order where the chairman of the commission is the undisputed boss and the other members are his underlings. This is also shown in their terms and conditions of service. The chair has the same conditions of service as a Justice of the Court of Appeal whereas those of the two deputy chairmen are equivalent to a Justice of the High Court. The terms of services of the four ordinary members are lower down the scale and at the mercy of Parliament. The commission has enormous powers in the exercise of which it shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority (Article 46). Even though the constitution provides guidelines as to how the elections shall be conducted, the powers accruing to the Electoral Commission within these guidelines are immense. At the apex of these powers is the Chairman of the commission the supreme commander. Given that the other state institutions that the Commission may depend on are weak and dysfunctional, and given our near-schizoid respect for persons in authority, the de facto powers of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission are far greater than is suggested by the provisions of the constitution. She can bully everybody in sight. This is a recipe for disaster. Our general elections can only be as good as the Chairman of the Electoral Commission wants it to be. He must have divine powers to ensure near perfect elections. Where the outcome of a national vote is one in which one candidate wins by an overwhelming difference, we can be sure, even if we do not believe the exact figures, that the winner really did win. But where the tally is close, you can be sure that not even the Chairman of the Electoral Commission can be cocksure of who the winner is. This was the situation in our last two general elections. It is likely to be so in the forthcoming one too. I submit that even Mr Afari-Gyan, the former Chair of the Electoral Commission, did not know for sure who really won the last presidential elections he supervised. It was so close that he didnt know! Another area where the arbitrary powers of the Chair of the EC come into play is seen in the provision that the winner is the candidate getting 50% plus 1 of the votes. This is just a theoretical formulation since such exactitude is practically impossible to achieve especially with all our inefficiencies. Can anyone imagine a second round election which is so close that, of ten million votes cast, a single ballot decides the winner? And who says the EC Chair cannot decide, on his own whims, which ballot paper that is? The arbitrary nature of the power of the EC Chair can also be seen in the recent mass disqualification of candidates. I suspect the same mistakes that led to their disqualification were made during the Afari-Gyan era but he chose to handle the issue in a different way. It does also look very suspicious that only the two major parties were judged to have done the correct thing. Was the EC chair afraid of daring the big boys? After all, all the parties are made up of Ghanaians with our usual predilection for cutting corners. The constitution does not spell out the academic qualifications members of the Electoral Commission bring to their jobs. Their conditions of service are equivalent to those pertaining in the upper echelons of the judiciary. This may suggest that people with legal training may be best suited for the job. It is not so. Mr Afari-Gyan was a lecturer in Political Science. If you ask me, I think the post is best occupied by an able administrator with training in Statistics. The other members of the commission can have complementary qualifications including legal expertise. Even the USA, the richest and most technologically advanced country in the world, is not able to determine the exact outcomes of its elections. Did Bush really win the 2001 elections? Did Trump win fairly? It will be too much to expect us to do better than the USA, not to talk of the Scandinavian countries that never conduct population censuses or register voters because all such vital statistics are already correctly known to the relevant authorities at every minute, nay, every second, of the day! But we can start by taking the power to appoint members of the EC from the President and investing such powers in an independent body. The other solutions will come naturally, even if slowly, as our other institutions become stronger and bring about the reduction in the arbitrary powers of the Chairman of the Electoral commission. If our system is strong and trustworthy, it wont matter who occupies the important chair of the Electoral Commission. As it is now, Mrs Charlotte Osei will determine who wins a close vote. Are we going to remember her in a positive way other than just for her pretty face? Only time will tell. Btw: the constitution does not really use the term Electoral Commissioner choosing the rather colourless term Chairman of the Electoral Commission. But the fact that Ghanaians call the occupier of the position Electoral Commissioner only emphasises the enormous powers of the position. Gentle reader, do you know the names of the Electoral Commissioners, or their equivalents, in the USA or the UK? What about those of Denmark or the Netherlands? Kofi Amenyo ([email protected]) According to reports, five youth arrested from Madurai had allegedly planned to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 21 top leaders of the country. By Girish K Nair: The National Investigation agency (NIA) with the help of Telangana Police and Tamil Nadu police yesterday arrested five suspected Al-Qaeda operatives from Madurai, for their alleged role in the blast in Mysuru court complex on August 1. According to reports, the arrested youth had allegedly planned to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 21 top leaders of the country. They are also suspected to have threatened to attack the embassies of different countries in India. advertisement THE ARREST Based on the leads, the NIA had arrested five youths, identified as Abbas Ali, Suleiman, Samsum Karim Raja, Mohammad Ayub Ali and Shamsudeen from Madurai and Chennai. Among those arrested is Suleiman a 23-year-old software professional who is a native of Madurai. Agencies believe that Suleiman is the leader of this "Base Movement", who along with others plotted the attack in courts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. Investigation also revealed that Suleiman, who works with TCS in Chennai used his engineering expertise to assemble the IEDs. Also Read: NIA court frames charges against 5 ISIS accused who used matchsticks to make bombs During the investigation, it was revealed that all the arrested youth first met each other at a local Masjid during prayers. During their interaction Abbas Ali who runs a library in the name Darul Ilm at Madurai started radicalising Suleiman, Samsum Karim Raja, Mohammad Ayub Ali and Shamsudeen. THE SERIAL BLASTS The chain of event started on April 7 from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, where the first blast took place in a local court compound. Initially the police thought that it was the work of local fraction groups fighting for power. But few months later, another blast took place at chief judicial magistrate court of Kollam district, Kerala on June 15. A 61- year-old man who had come to court suffered injuries as the IED kept under an unused vehicle in parking area went off. The investigation revealed use of pipe bomb with trace of gun powder and timers from the blast spot. Also Read: Kerala: NIA arrests six youths with suspected IS links for terrorism conspiracy On August 1 at around 4:30 pm a blast took place in the toilet of the Mysuru court complex. No casualties were reported but the blast was loud enough to create panic among visitors. It was found that the IEDs used in all the three blasts--in Chittoor, Kollam and Mysuru-- were similar in nature. The traces of Malayalam and English newspapers were found and the IED were powered by 9V batteries strapped around steel containers, packed with explosive material like potassium chlorate and gun powder. advertisement On September 12, again a blast took place and this time it was the court premise of Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. At the blast spot agencies found a pen drive carrying videos and photographs of Babri Masjid demolition, Gujarat Riots, Mumbai blast convict Yakub Memon who was hanged and Mohammad Akhlak who was lynched by mob in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. The pen drive also had a message saying that a "Base Movement" is firmed, and it will carry out more such attacks on courts in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Later this very "Base Movement" again carried out a low intensity blast at Malappuram court premises on November 1. This time again, the security agencies found a letter with a photograph of Osama-Bin-Laden and a signature of "Base Movement". The letter had a threat message, "Your days have been counted. Mohammed Akhlaq's death will be avenged." Also Read: 3 al Qaeda sympathisers arrested by NIA in Madurai WANTED TO KILL PRIME MINISTER MODI The youth who pledged their alliance with Al Qaeda, wanted to kill Prime Minister Narendera Modi and other senior leaders of BJP and RSS apart from targeting judiciary. The arrested suspects believe that justice was denied to their community and thus they have been targeting district courts. advertisement They also wanted to avenge the killing of Akhlaq, who was lynched in Dadri. The suspects carried out attack against the hanging of Yakub Memon and Afzal Guru, Babri Masjid demolition and Gujarat riots. --- ENDS --- President John Mahama has urged Ghanaians to retain him on December 7 because he is the President the country needs for progress. President Mahama says apart from his ability to fix problems as evidenced by the jobs he has created, his ability to stabilise the economy, improve infrastructure and stabilise power supply, Ghanaians must also consider his humility and his quest for peace as part of the reasons to renew his mandate. The President said these at Twifo Praso in the Central Region as he intensifies his campaign to get a one-touch victory in the December polls. President Mahama says Ghana needs a leader who can unite the country and prevent it from burning over ethnocentric or political differences. As part of his campaign of the Central Region, President Mahama also commissioned two of his community day Senior High Schools and also addressed a number of rallies. He was also in Elmina to commission a fish processing factory for fisher folks in the region. The President will be in Cape Coast, the Central Region capital later Tuesday, to commission the ultra-modern Kotokuraba market and also commission the overpass on the Kasoa interchange. He is also billed to commission a number of other projects in the region. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com As part of efforts to ensure a free and fair elections, the Electoral Commission has made some offences in connection with elections punishable. The infographic below captures 18 electoral offences that are punishable by law. By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @EfeAnsah A group calling itself the Northern Women for Peace (NWP), is unhappy with what it calls political upheavals recorded at Odododiodio, Wulensi, Walewale and other parts of the country. The groups President, Sarah Ajara Musah, in a statement copied Citifmonline.com, said the situation required that security agencies should up their game to ensure violence free elections on December 7. She emphasized the need for all stakeholders in the political landscape to use dialogue as the panacea to settle their scores ahead of the polls. Below is the statement Our friends from the media, welcome and thank you for your response to our call. We have called you here today because we see you as partners and also know the power of the media in ensuring peaceful elections. As some of you may be aware, we are a group of women traders in the Northern Ghana who are very much concerned about the peace of this country. For us as women, the humiliating circumstances and the pain women, children, the aged and persons living with disabilities go through during times of war are not something we even wish for our enemies not to dream of experiencing it for any cause. That is why we have strongly campaigned for peaceful elections this year. We have done so through peace marches and presented our concerns to some of our respected chiefs to keep reminding politicians of the need to protect the prevailing peace and also advise the youth to avoid tendencies that can trigger violent conflicts. Recent media reports on political clashes especially between the NPP and NDC supporters give us a cause to worry. The clashes between supporters of the NPP and NDC in the Odododiodio Constituency which left scores of supporters injured and hospitalized, the unfortunate incident near Nima residence of the NPP Presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the political conflict at Nakpayili and Tinangeria both communities in the Wulensi Constituency and the clash at Tampion in the Nanton Constituency, to mention but a few, are not good signs and such ugly incidences must be condemned. We therefore call on the security agencies especially the Ghana Police Service to beef up security and increase their visibility in the communities from now till the political tension completely subsides after the elections. They should also do their professional work without fear or favour to protect lives, properties and the peace. We also entreat the security agencies to resource their intelligence operatives to enable them pick up signals that could help prevent the pockets of conflicts surfacing few days to the elections. We also urge our religious leaders to include in their sermons, peace messages and stress the importance of dialogue, love, tolerance, forgiveness and abiding by the laws of the land, which are necessary ingredients for ensuring peace. We are pleading with the pastors who are fond of predicting the outcome of the election to try and keep their visions to themselves and stop creating fear and panic among Ghanaians. Enough of the predictions, that practice is heightening unnecessary political tension. Friends from the media, we have observed that violence can be highly infectious and can spread across the whole country within a twinkle of an eye especially when it fueled by partisan politics and particularly in areas where there are already burning chieftaincy issues. We can't take the relative peace we have in the north and Ghana at large for granted. The war torn countries in Africa have ever tasted peace that is why we can't be complacent in our case. Northern Women for Peace will soon knock at the doors of the various radio stations in Tamale to intensify our peace campaign as the Election Day draws closer. We believe peace is a very necessary ingredient and a precondition for development in every nation. There is no point, therefore, allowing elections to destroy the very ingredient needed for the development of mother Ghana. Thank you. By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana The Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has commended President John Mahama for the decision to allocate a portion of the oil revenue to the Scheme, describing it as forward looking and a step in the right direction. Addressing a press conference in Accra on the status of the NHIS, Mr. Otoo said the President's statement is a welcome call and one that will provide respite for the Scheme. His Excellency the President's recent announcement to commit a portion of the oil revenue to the NHIS is gratifying as it provides a significant prospect to address the issues of sustainability, the NHIS boss averred. The NHIS is mainly funded by taxes and deductions from social security contributions. Premium payment, according to the NHIA, accounts for less than 4% of the Scheme's revenue base. In the last few years, the subject of the sustainability of the Scheme has become topical. Administrators of the Scheme have maintained that given the steady growth of the scheme and the global trend of healthcare financing, a review of NHIS' funding sources was important to support the expansion of the Scheme. President Mahama at a recent event in Accra, mentioned that he will push for the allocation of petroleum revenue for the funding of the NHIS. According to him, there is the need to rework the sustainability of the Scheme, hence the need to look for new sources of funding for the National Health Insurance. Thus he said, My proposal is that a percentage of the annual budget funding amount that comes from petroleum revenues should be allocated to the National Health Insurance Scheme. This commitment by the President is what the NHIA top man described as progressive. This is forward looking and an indication that the known challenge of delays in claims payment occasioned by the inadequacy of funds from the traditional funding sources, could be dealt with, an optimistic Mr. Otoo stated. The NHIS currently has a membership of 11.3 million members with an average of 40,000 people either joining or renewing their membership daily. This huge number and the accompanying cost of their healthcare, arguably puts a lot of strain on the kitty of the Scheme, especially as about 70% of these people by law do not pay premiums. The categories of people who do not pay premiums include the poor, persons below 18 years, aged, pregnant women among others. Health sector players have lauded the President's promise, and have said it will allow the NHIS some more financial muscle to support its operations. Mr. Otoo mentioned that, the NHIA in recent years has employed technology in addressing many of the challenges it has faced. He named the introduction of paperless NHIS registration which saves the Scheme about 6 million cedis annually, introduction of Provider Unique Identification, electronic identification of the poor and vulnerable persons for enrolment onto NHIS, the expansion of Clinical Audit capacity among many others. A new product, the multi-year registration for NHIS members, which allows NHIS members the option to renew their membership for 2, 3 or 4 years, was launched on the same day. By: citifmonline.com/Ghana Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, is expected in Accra on Tuesday to lead the Commonwealth Observer Mission for the general elections on December 7. The South African diplomat will stay in Ghana for the next two weeks, returning to his home country on December 13. Mr Mbeki says he accepted the Commonwealth assignment because all of us have a responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that Africa continues to consolidate and deepen democracy as one of the central pillars in her Renaissance. Ghanaians will on December 7, 2016, elect a new President and 275 Members of Parliament. Six other candidates are contesting incumbent President John Dramani Mahama who is seeking a second four-year term in office. Those in the race are Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) who is making his third attempt at the presidency. Others are Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Ivor Kobina Greenstreet of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Dr Edward Mahama of the People's National Convention (PNC) who is also making his fifth attempt at the Presidency and independent candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY). A total of 15,683,435 voters will be expected to cast their ballot to elect the new President and Parliamentarians. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says they have found evidence of massive vote buying by both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). CODEO says its observers saw NDC and NPP parliamentary candidates giving money to people and some women groups in some communities in the Tolon Constituency of the Northern Region. In one case on October 14, 2016, an aspiring Member of Parliament in Sefwi Akontobra gave money to parents and university students to settle their school fees. CODEO, however, failed to identify the Parliamentary aspirant. National Coordinator for the group Albert Arhin admits guilty political figures most be exposed. Meanwhile, CODEO it is satisfied with the level of preparedness for next weeks general polls. The presidential election on December 7 is billed to be a fierce contest between NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo, who is making his third attempt at the presidency, and incumbent President John Mahama. Others are Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Ivor Kobina Greenstreet of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Dr Edward Mahama of the People's National Convention (PNC) who is also making his fifth attempt at the Presidency and independent candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY). A total of 15,683,435 voters will be expected to cast their ballot to elect the new President and Parliamentarians. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) continues expansion across the African continent, officially announcing recruitment of Entrepreneurs-In-Training (EITs) from Cote d'Ivoire, the first French-speaking country in which MEST will have a presence. The news will be publicly announced at the Africa Web Festival in Cote d'Ivoire, taking place 30th November- 1st December, in front of 6,000 attendees. Throughout the week, MEST is also hosting recruitment sessions for the next cohort of EITs. The expansion into Cote d'Ivoire is a strategic move for MEST, marking a foothold in its fifth African country, and bridging the gap between the English-speaking and French-speaking African economies to expand the tech ecosystem even further. With the addition of Cote d'Ivoire, MEST is now accepting applications from Ivorians, Ghanaians, Kenyans, Nigerians and South Africans who wish to spend a year at the flagship campus in Accra, Ghana to take part in an intensive entrepreneurial training program, launch their own software startup, and pitch to receive seed funding from the Meltwater Foundation. The MEST expansion strategy remains the same: a phased rollout of incubators in key economic centers on the continent, replicating the successful operating model and expanding the power of the network for all MEST portfolio companies to quickly scale across Africa once theyve found an idea that works. MEST is organizing info sessions 28th November - 1st December 2016 in Abidjan, in conjunction with Africa Web Festival. 30th November - 1st December: Come meet MEST at this years Africa Web Festival, taking place at the Rue du Lycee Technique Abidjan Cocody. Catch MESTs Head of Partnerships, Celine Duros, speaking on Wednesday 30th from 12.30pm to 2.20 pm at the conference lunch: A small start up will become big, ...but not alone Come and learn more about MESTs plans to support tech entrepreneurs from Cote d'Ivoire. RSVP to attend this event here. Have any specific questions about joining MEST or meeting up with us in Abidjan? Please contact [email protected]. Better yet, apply here to be part of the next cohort of Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs). Applications are now open for those wishing to enroll in that cohort that begins August 2017. Help Us Spread the Word - [email protected] announces expansion into #French-speaking Africa for the first time with the addition of #Cotedivoire goo.gl/MFJJEn - French-speaking #entrepreneurs can now train at @MESTAfrica, with launch of MEST #Cotedivoire goo.gl/MFJJEn - [email protected] expands Pan-African presence with the addition of #Cotedivoire goo.gl/MFJJEn And for those not familiar with our process, below is a breakdown of the MEST Entrepreneurs-in-Training journey. Training Program: Admitted applicants receive a full scholarship to a one-year entrepreneurial training program that blends an MBA-type education with hands-on training in software development. During the program, students form teams, develop a software product, write business plans, and craft investor pitches. The strongest and most promising business concepts receive between $50,000 to $100,000 USD in equity investment to support the launch of their businesses. Incubator: Teams that receive investment enter the MEST Incubator, where they receive continued hands-on support as they launch and grow their businesses. To date, the MEST Incubator has invested in over 25 companies and backed more than 75 co-founders. These companies have developed solutions addressing local and global markets, created jobs locally, received outside follow-on funding from global investors, and gained admittance to top accelerator programs such as 500 Startups, Y Combinator and TechStars. 29.11.2016 LISTEN Berkeley Professor Emerita Arlie Russell Hochschild s newly published Strangers In Their Own Land: Anger And Mourning On The American Right is an important book and a delight. Its a sociological almost anthropological foray into the minds, hearts, and lives of the Tea Party my own Tribe. Prof. Hochschilds jacket biography describes her as one of the most influential sociologists of her generation. Im probably the first right winger to review it. A long time ago 2010, a past epoch the Washington Post invited me to represent the Tea Party in an online Q&A. I had been the co-emcee of the July 4, 2009 Boston Tea Party rally in Boston Common. The Tea Party was, then, a rising force about to wrest control of the Congress from the progressive Democrats. The online Q&A made me feel like an alien who had just landed in a flying saucer on the national mall to be confronted by curious, hostile Earthlings. At the start of the Q&A I revealed how the City of Boston had slow walked the 2009 permits. I told the Washington Posts Q&A how I reached out to Sen. Ted Kennedys office for help. The permits appeared, miraculously, within hours. Sen. Kennedy was a true liberal, cherishing freedom of assembly and speech even by those with whom he disagreed. My praise for Sen. Kennedy notwithstanding most of the Washington Posts readers still treated me as an alien belligerent. The Tea Party, now, is but a shadow of its former self. Perhaps it has in part morphed, as suggested by Prof. Hochschild, into the Trump Campaign. I give Prof. Hochschild, a progressive Berkeley academic, enormous credit for going over what she aptly calls the empathy wall to investigate what she calls The Great Paradox. The Great Paradox has been fairly paraphrased by at least two prominent reviewers as Why is hatred of government most intense among people who need government services most? Spoiler alert: most Tea Partiers feel that we need good jobs, not government services, most. And it is our view that the federal government has spent 16 years ineptly stifling job growth and betraying our trust in many other ways. More on this later. Prof. Hochschild lit out for Louisiana to encounter some of us up close and personal. What she calls her keyhole issue into the paradox is that the people of Louisiana, very devoted to the land, are hostile to federal intervention against pollution and industrial practices destroying their land and water and way of life. I am as appalled as she at the record of the former governments big tax giveaways to Big Petro, throttling of essential government services, and ignoring the environmental degradation. Thanks, in part, to the environmental degradation caused by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- a federal agency -- Louisiana reportedly has lost an area of its landmass the size of Delaware. That's yet another source of our sometimes inchoate mistrust of government. There are no paradoxes in nature. A paradox always means that there is some deficiency in our perspective. As Niels Bohr once said How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress. So I give Professor Hochschild enormous credit for tackling her paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress. Prof. Hochschild yields many fascinating insights. I especially enjoyed her deep dive into what she calls our Deep Story. That said, one senses that she herself is not quite satisfied that she has resolved the paradox even to her own satisfaction. It is my pleasure here to point out the several keys which she inventoried but did not turn in the lock. Time to resolve the Great Paradox. Its really difficult, even undertaking meticulous field and abundant scholarly research, to appreciate someone elses narrative. Its even difficult for insiders to see and convey it. I have spent many years pondering our Deep Story from the inside. Three keys to resolving the Great Paradox: The Great Paradox is slightly misstated. We dont need government assistance. We need jobs. Good jobs provide both prosperity and dignity. For technical reasons good jobs cannot be provided in mass by the government civil service. Poor economic growth over the past 16 years has caused a sense of near desperation among the rank-and-file. It is the dwindling of such job growth, and with it the possibility of playing by the rules and getting a piece of the American Dream, that fuels resentment of others such as immigrants. Such resentment is inevitable in a zero sum game. Tea Partiers sense, as supply-siders like me have repeatedly declaimed, that a bad government policy mix is the perp behind job stagnation. No wonder we are somewhere between skeptical of and hostile to our pretentious government. Poor, sometimes catastrophic, performance by the government, especially regulators at all levels, municipal, state, and federal, has forfeited our trust in the governments competence and even good faith. The plenary extent of the failure signals that while the diagnosis is right the remedy is defective. The vast regulatory state has failed. The prescription of More Regulatory State leaves us, at best, incredulous. There are legitimate other ways to make business the only possible source of great jobs keep the environment pristine. The first line of Edgar Allen Poes Cask of Amontillodostates our mood to perfection: THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. We have been remarkably patient with the injuries Big Government in Cahoots with Big Business inflicted on us. Insult, however, is intolerable. Prof. Hochschild picks up and displays each key but she does not turn them in the lock. As to the first key, as she observes, skilled workers employed in the oil industry and chemical plants can make $80,000/year. That is, as she points out, more than twice or three times as much as can be made in the agricultural, fishing, and tourist economy. Thats a huge differential. I recall a column I once wrote some time ago for Global Times, the English language edition of the Beijings Peoples Daily. One of the commentators, commenting on another comment, crisply observed, Sounds like this was written by someone with a full belly. If a persons only real chance at economic security, and even modest affluence, derives from working for a petrochemical company it is unrealistic not to recognize that workers will develop a strong partisanship, even to the point of turning a blind eye to corporate misdeeds. Its human nature. As to the second key, Prof. Hochschild shares the lefts Deep Story as to the benevolence of government regulation. That belief remains unshaken notwithstanding her dramatic reports of repeated regulatory negligence, failure, and capture by the regulated industry. She reports, credibly, heartrending devastation of the environment and of health of workers and neighbors and of corporate abuse of the legal system to avoid paying meaningful damages for the damage from their emission of toxic chemicals into the environment. She documents repeated government failure at every level local, state and federal repeated government betrayal of innocent citizens. Such betrayals are by no means limited to Louisiana. Her response? More regulation. As Hemingway concludes The Sun Also Rises, Isnt it pretty to think so? Government benevolence is a dubious proposition. Environmental degradation was even worse in the Soviet Union. It is even worse in the Peoples Republic of China. Having worked inside and close to the federal government for 30 years I know up close and personal that while policy sometimes correlates with good outcomes more often it represents symbolic gestures or represents good intentions that build a road to Hell. As Prof. Harold James, of Princeton, concluded in an important recent article in The American Interest , Before offering up yet more technocratic fixes for what at base is not a technical problem, these folks need to get out more. This observation does not represent a counsel of despair. Nor does it countenance shilling for Big Business. Just, lets get real. A corporation making a million dollars a day can afford lobbyists and lawyers and PR agencies with which to subvert the government. The rank-and-file have no such resources. It was ever thus. Government officials, whether elected, appointed, or career civil service, are people just like us. Government is neither staffed nor inhabited by angelic creatures. Concentrating more power in the hands of officials and civil servants by no means promises benevolence. Benevolent dictatorships are only slightly less rare than unicorns. What, then, to do? Robert Townsend, then president of Avis Rent-a-Car, wrote an iconic best seller, Up The Organization. In it he addressed the problem of runaway corporate policy and human resources manuals. These are cognate to government regulations, now running to the millions of words. Townsend: If you have to have a policy manual, publish the Ten Commandments. Poisoning the habitat and imperiling the health of people is criminal and actionable to lawsuits. The rage of Tea Partiers may be inchoate but it is justified. My libertarian friends would be horrified by the failure to prosecute, both criminally and civilly, acts of force, fraud and coercion. Conservatives believe that more affluence will bring about political dynamics that will bring about cleaner air and cleaner water. This is part of our Deep Story and has a lot of historical evidence grounding it. Regulations are almost inevitably spottily enforced due to the attendant expense and political blowback. Rather than imposing stifling regulations, better to impose prison time and stiff damages on malefactors. The law, rather than regulation, has a marvelous deterrent effect. Corporate executives do not like to wear orange jumpsuits. Shareholders detest billion dollar damage judgments. The free market, you see, actually works if applied. Thats my Deep Story and Im sticking to it. There is another benefit of ending crimes against humanity and habitat by publishing the Ten Commandments and enforcing by law, not regulation, those prohibiting murder, theft, and dishonesty. Doing it that way would speak directly into the Deep Story of most Tea Partiers whether religious or secular. These Commandments represent deep-seated norms of social justice cherished by conservatives as well as progressives. As for the third key, it is not easy for progressives, who trend sanctimonious, to grasp how insulting we find what Prof. Harold James, in the same article above referenced , calls massive condescension from the elite. In this the elites are out of integrity with their own principles. One of the signature claims of progressives is to celebrate diversity, to oppose invidious discrimination of out groups. President John F. Kennedy pioneered the federal governments entry into championing equality with an Executive Order , signed on March 6, 1961, establishing The Presidents Committee On Equal Employment Opportunity. He declared it to be the plain and positive obligation of the United States Government to promote and ensure equal opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. Bravo! But hold on a moment! Somewhere respect for creed seems to have dropped out of progressives Deep Story pantheon. Creed, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary, is defined as: a set of beliefs or aims that guide someones actions. That is its third definition. The first two are: a system of Christian or other religious belief; a faith: people of many creeds and cultures, and a formal statement of Christian beliefs, especially the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed. I know for a fact Ive done it that a red meat Tea Partier like me can get along beautifully with members of the progressive elite no matter how puzzling they find me. My own creed holds Capitalize with the capitalists but socialize with the socialists. They throw much better parties." But now it has become an article of faith in the Progressive Creed that it is a virtue to discriminate against those with whose creeds they disagree. Thats really very ugly. We Tea Partiers do not actually represent a threat. We want great jobs. We want effective rather than oppressive enforcement of environmental and worker safety laws. And we demand respect. Strangers In Their Own Land: Anger And Mourning On The American Right is by far the best book by an outsider to the Tea Party I have ever encountered. It lays out in plain sight, although does not quite turn in the lock, the three keys to resolve the Great Paradox. Still, it makes a wonderful contribution to the national discourse. We Tea Partiers really are (mostly) as delightful as Prof. Hochschild reports. That said, our Deep Story that of restoring America as the Land of Opportunity is deeper than the one Prof. Hochschild has reported. Do not fear us. And if there comes a day where the Earth stands still know that we come in peace. Back to my Washington Post2010 online Q&A as a member of the Tea Party to Washington, DC. It made me feel like Klaatu, the Michael Rennie, character emerging, surrounded by the U.S. Army, from his flying saucer on the national mall between the Washington monument and the Lincoln Memorial in the 1951 movie The Day The Earth Stood Still. The Washington Posts readers treated me as an alien. A stranger in my own land. America is a land that used to be called The Land of Opportunity. Originating at Forbes.com . The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) has applauded its sister organization, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) on the election of its new corps of officers. President-elect Charles Coffey and his corps of officers were elected on Saturday, November 19 in Ganta, Nimba County at the Union's 5th Annual Congress. In a recent telephone call to Mr. Coffey, ALJA National President, Moses D. Sandy, extended the Association's best wishes to him and the other elected officers on their ascendency to the PUL leadership. An ALJA release issued Monday, November 28, 2016, quoted Mr. Sandy as saying the Association looks forward to working with the new PUL leadership in sustaining the partial gains made in press freedom in Liberia, and prayed that both organizations will combine their resources in the fight against draconian laws that are impediments to the exercise of press freedom in Liberia. He said ALJA foresees a cordial working relationship between the two organizations in seeking the welfare of local Liberian journalists with particular focus on improved salaries and fringe benefits such as medical insurance. Meanwhile, ALJA has praised the PUL out-going President, Abdullai Kamara, for cementing the amiable relationship which subsists between the two organizations. The Association said Kamara's recent participation in its second annual convention held in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, demonstrats the PUL interest in working with ALJA in ensuring the participation of diaspora Liberian journalists in matters regarding media development in Liberia. ALJA is a conglomeration of Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. The organization was founded in 1998 in Washington, D. C. and it seeks to foster companionship amongst its members. ALJA is also, dedicated to the advancement of press freedom and the principle of good governance in Liberia. Signed: _______________________ Gardea Woodson National Secretary General 610-212-1935 Approved:______________________ Moses D. Sandy National President 302-494-4688 Freda Prempeh 29.11.2016 LISTEN Residents of Tano North constituency in the Brong Ahafo region have vowed that they will continue to vote for the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Freda Prempeh, on unprecedented development she has done for the constituency. According to the residents, almost all the communities in the Tano North constituency have benefited from several development projectsby Hon.Freda Prempeh administration. They said four years after she was elected, the constituency has benefited from good roads, health centers, education, scholarships, drainage system and others, all this things she promised to fix in the area. Well never make a mistake to vote out competent Hon. Freda and vote in incompetent person never, all because we still need massive development in our constituency they added. All these unprecedented development she has done for us happened under NDC government, which we all know that she belongs to NPP , so why should we stop voting for her as we believe and have faith that her party, New Patriotic Party (NPP) would win the 2016 general elections. The residents told the Sunyani based radio station Metro 90.5FM, when Hon. Freda Prempeh commissioned some projects and inspected ongoing projects in the Tano North constituency. The projects commissioned included, Mechanized Borehole in two communities at Bomaa, Durber ground at Susuanso, ultra modern toilet and market at Tanoso and among others. Hon. Freda Prempeh addressing the people described the Mahama led administration as a failure which has subjected Ghanaians to unprecedented hardship. She appealed to Tano North residents to retain her in parliament by voting massively for her and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo comes December 7. Nana Addo has this nation at heart and wants to set his people free from corrupt, arrogant selfish, incompetent and visionless leadership she added. Hon. Freda Prempeh, who is also a member of the Communications and Government Assurance committees in Parliament, promised people in the Tano North constituency that she will bring massive development into the constituency if they vote for her and Nana Addo to be in power. Vote for Nana Addo who has pledged to restore the allowances of teacher and nursing trainees should he win the December 2016 polls she added. Meanwhile Chief of Susuanso, Nana ObrempongAntwiTebri II and Krontihene of Bomaa traditional council, Nana OwusuMensah I, expressed appreciation to Hon. Freda Prempeh for the good things and developmental project she is doing in the constituency. They appealed to chiefs, Bishops and pastors of religious bodies to pray for peaceful elections on the December 7. As per the sources, it is being suspected that Mintoo made calls to Khalistan movement sympathiser and even some ISI operatives in Pakistan. By Atir Khan: Investigations into the Nabha jailbreak case have revealed startling information. As per the sources, the investigation has revealed that Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo had made calls to Pakistan while he was lodged in the Nabha jail. The investigating agencies are now going through his call details to ascertain where exactly he made those calls. Mintoo was frequently using skype to contact his Pakistani handlers.It is being suspected that he made those calls to Khalistan movement sympathiser and even some ISI operatives in Pakistan, sources said. advertisement During the interrogation, he revealed that he was trained by Pakistani agencies to make a bomb in Thailand Harminder Singh Mintoo is currently being subjected to a joint interrogation, based on which raids are being carried out in different parts of Delhi NCR to arrest the second suspect Kashmira Singh. Also read: Nabha jailbreak: This is how Harminder Singh Mintoo was arrested 10-12 armed men had stormed the high security Nabha jail in Patiala and freed Harminder Singh Mintoo on Sunday morning. But soon a massive manhunt was launched and within 24 hours, the hardened militant was arrested from Delhi. Apart from the police of Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi, intelligence bureau and national security advisor Ajit Doval were also involved in the operation. MINTOO DISGUISED APPEARANCE According to police sources, Mintoo had shaved off his beard and gotten a hair cut to avoid being identified. But, the joint team guided by NSA Ajit Doval had their plan in place that ended Harminder Singh Mintoo's run. Mintoo was not carrying any weapon lest he attracted suspicion of a curious onlooker or security officials at public places. He wanted to make sure that he looked as one among the crowd. However, the other five, who escaped during the jailbreak, are still on the run. But, Mintoo is the big catch for the agencies. Also read: Nabha jailbreak: Khalistani terrorist Harminder Singh Mintoo arrested in Delhi WHAT HE PLANNED According to police sources, Mintoo had bought to ticket for Panvel, Mumbai. He was then supposed to go to Goa, from where he planned to visit Nepal. Harminder Singh Mintoo has established a good network in Southeast Asia and Europe with the help of Pakistan's ISI. Police recovered some cash from Harminder Singh Mintoo suggesting that he was being financed by someone. Agencies are trying to trace the people, who gave him financial support and provided him with cash. Also read: Nabha jailbreak: Who is Harminder Singh Mintoo --- ENDS --- advertisement I perused through, albeit with a glint of incredulity, President John Dramani Mahamas somewhat weird caution to Ghanaians not to fall for the change calls being trumpeted by the opposition New Patriotic Party ahead of the December polls (See: Dont change me for changing sake-Mahama; starrfmonline.com/ghanaweb.com, 28/11/2016). According to the President, the calls are empty and must be disregarded since the NPP has no good record of delivery when in power. I have said time and time again that when experienced politicians like President Mahama keep holding on to vague rhetoric and political inebriations with a view to deceiving the unsuspecting Ghanaians, it thus gives some of us the reason to confute the apparent wrench. I must admit, though, it is, heart-breaking to continue reading and listening to the bottomless claims from the government quarters, given the economic hardships the same government has wilfully imposed on the good people of Ghana. Tell me, my dearest reader; if this is not a sheer political gimmickry, what would then drive a president who has presided over so much sleaze and corruptions which have resulted in Ghanas economic collapse to gasconade about unprecedented achievements? Apparently, manipulating politicians like President Mahama, having the prior knowledge of their apple-polishing bandwagons grovelled acceptance of below par performances, continue to manipulate their way to power and then offer laissez-faire leadership. They are calling for change for changing sake. If you ask them why they want change, they say oh, he has been on the seat for too long. Thats not enough basis to vote for change, rather we must look at the good work the occupant of the seat is doing. The consideration should be the amount of work youve done and those youve started. I beg your pardon, you are wrong, President Mahama. The fact of the matter is that Ghanaians are calling for change not because you have been in power for too long, but you have rather messed up the economy and the good people of Ghana are facing untold hardships. So, stop being condescending President Mahama, because Ghanaians are not that gullible, as you think. As a matter of fact, they are experiencing the harsh economic conditions you have wilfully imposed on them, so they dont need anyone to remind them to clamour for a positive change. Obviously, Ghanaians are feeling the stiff utility bills including electricity and water. And not to mention the ever increasing petroleum prices, among other things, diesel, gas, petrol and kerosene. And more so given that dumsor has crippled and continues to collapse Ghanaian businesses, it would be patronising for anyone to suggest that whoever clamours for change of government is a grumbler. How bizarre? Well, if indeed, the previous NPP government left the economy in a terrible state, as you would want us to believe, how come you inherited a favourable economic growth of around 14 per cent in 2012 and have woefully dragged it back to around a mere 3.5 per cent as of October 2016? Speaking at a rally at Essam in the Bia West Constituency on his tour of the Western region, President Mahama said the poor record of the NPP during their eight years in power is enough basis for Ghanaians to reject them again. That cannot be entirely correct, President Mahama. The fact is all available records show that NPP government actually turned around your party founder, former President Rawlingss HIPC economy into a Lower Middle Income economy. The fact is, former President Rawlingss 228 months (military, 132 months and democratic, 96 months) destabilised Ghanas micro economic indicators. Ghana was then declared as a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) in April 2001, three months into President Kufuors NPP administration. The benefits of the HIPC were enormous during former President Kufuors administration. Consequently, microeconomic indicators begun to stabilize and Ghanas debt stock was significantly reduced by about $4 billion within that period. Moreover, as a result of the HIPC initiative and prudent borrowing, Ghanas external debt stock actually declined from $6.1 billion in 2000 to$3.8 billion by 2008 (it was unprecedented achievement). It is also true that the average GDP growth of the NDC from 1993-2000 was 3.8% while that of the NPP from 2001-2008 was5.2% with economic growth reaching 6.3% in 2007. We realized our young ones complete Junior High Schools with passes without spaces to enter Senior High Schools. This is because the NPP administration didnt even put up a single secondary school when they were in power. Today, we are constructing 123 new secondary schools. You cannot be serious on your claim, President Mahama, can you? I mean have you soon forgotten what you said in 2008 about infrastructural projects? If I were you, I will shut up so as to ward-off the seeming embarrassment. Were you not the same President Mahama who said in 2008 that even though you did appreciate President Kufuors numerous infrastructural projects, including school blocks, you did not think that the erection of infrastructural projects was what suffering Ghanaians needed, amid harsh socio-economic standards of living? Mr. Mahama also accused the NPP of abandoning developmental projects the previous NDC administration started in the Western region, when they took over power. He cited the Gambia No. 2 Kyeremasu road in the Western region to buttress his point. In fact, I have no reason to repudiate your claims on the abandoned projects, but isnt it hypocritical on your part to seek to exonerate yourself from blame? The fact of the matter is that you have been committing the same crime you are accusing former President Kufuor and his government of committing while in power. Didnt you abandon the important Kumasi-Accra high road which former President Kufuor initiated? Indeed, you demitted most of the projects former President Kufuor started, including Sofoline interchange (Kumasi), all the affordable housing projects, the mini dams meant to provide electricity to small towns and many other abandoned projects started by the previous NPP government. The President also dismissed assertion of the opposition that infrastructural projects on their own do not put food on the table saying, projects are edible given the impact they make in peoples lives. Well, it wasnt the opposition who suggested so in 2008, but it was rather President Mahama who made such an unfathomable statement somewhere in 2008. Yes, President Mahama said that every government undertakes infrastructure projects, so it would be an exercise in mediocrity for any government to celebrate such an accomplishment in the midst of economic downslide (as it is happening in President Mahamas Ghana). K. Badu, UK. FIDEL has gone home and, in death, as he did in life, the bearded revolutionary who defied America for so long continues to divide opinion. His admirers are legion but so are his detractors. And there are reasons for his mythic status: -- He wrote to US President FDR at the age of ten. -- He led the Moncada barracks assault in 1953 and delivered the famous "history will absolve me" speech. -- He and Cuba speeded the end of apartheid by the decisive intervention in Angola that weakened the SADF. -- He improved the access of the poor to health and education significantly. Those are the reasons why Barack Obama, Justin Trudeau, Kofi Annan, Enrique Penenieto and indeed many Cubans are celebrating FIDEL and his leadership. But there is another side to his story. He recklessly took the world to the brink of nuclear war in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. And he has deprived millions of Cubans of their lives and liberties. And they have voted against him loud and clear, with their feet. They have been fleeing Cuba in droves, throughout his rule. That is why, in the little Havana section of Miami, they were honking horns and clicking glasses in celebration of Mr. Castro's death. They were joined by US President-elect Trump in denouncing Mr. Castro's life and legacy.The celebrations in Miami remind me of similar celebrations in Abidjan in 1984, following the death of Sekou Toure of Guinea. Guinean exiles were ecstatic about Toure's death. Now, how do we reconcile the praise of these respected leaders with the condemnation of those who were most affected by Fidel's rule? Are his admirers not aware of his human rights abuses? How can President Obama condemn "strong men" in Africa and celebrate Fidel Castro, who was the strongest of strong men? How can Kofi Annan be a forceful advocate of democracy and an equally strong admirer of the undemocratic Castro? It would seem that despite Mr. Castro's assertion that "history will absolve me", it will be some time before we know the verdict of history. In the fullness of time, we will know whether elites praising Fidel or the Cubans damning him are right. I am with the Cuban people. No good leader needs nearly six decades to make his mark. Arthur K The chairman of NPP Germany branch Rev Alex Acheampong is calling for the immediate arrest of Abdulai Naaba, the brother of NDC Parliamentary candidate and Minister for Local Government Hon Collins Dauda. Abdulai Naaba is the leader of the Naaba boys vigilante group who have been terrorizing people especially supporters of the New Patriotic Party in the Asutifi South constituency. The Naaba boys vigilante group led by Abdulai Naaba, on Saturday 26th November 2016 attacked the Campaign Team members of the NPP Parliamentary candidate Hon Cecilia Djan Amoah during a Campaign visit to party members at Nkrankrom in the Asutifi South constituency. The members of the NPP Campaign Team were severely beaten by the Naaba boys who had originally targeted the NPP Parliamentary candidate Hon Cecilia Djan Amoah. It was this same Abdulai Naaba who arrogantly said in an interview on Agyenkwa FM and on other radio stations that he and his gang has been killing people in the area for the past 20 years. He again threatened to attack Hon Kennedy Agyapong, NPP MP for Assin Central if he steps foot to the constituency. Although the IGP is said to have ordered for his arrest following a petition by the leadership of NPP and other concerned citizens of Ghana, he is still terrorizing people especially supporters of the NPP but has since not been arrested. The question is: Is Abdulai Naaba above the laws of Ghana? Why has he not been arrested but has been allowed to continue to torment people and still walking freely. We are once again calling on the IGP to order his men to arrest Abdulai Naaba with immediate effect to take away fear and panic from the people in the area before the December 7 general election. We also demand immediate disbandment of the Naaba boys vigilante group to restore peace and security in the Asutifi South constituency. Rev Alex Acheampong Chairman of NPP Germany The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, will travel to Tunis, Tunisia, to co-chair Tunisia 2020, an international conference in support of Tunisias economic, social and sustainable development, to be held on November 29 and 30, 2016. At the conference, the Tunisian government will present its 2016 to 2020 economic development plan and receive commitments from donor countries. While in Tunisia, Minister Bibeau will also meet with local partners to discuss the Tunisian development model and possible development assistance that Canada might offer. Quotes Tunisia is facing major socio-economic and security challenges. Tunisia 2020, which brings together partners from the international and business communities, is crucial to helping Tunisia build a dynamic, open democracy. We must put the rights of Tunisians at the heart of all discussion about the future of their country. - Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Quick facts A former Interior Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, has described as intimidating, the recent statement from the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Michael Samson Oje, announcing the intention of the military to deal brutally with trouble makers on December 7. According to Air Marshall Samson Oje, the military will take tough action against people planning to cause mayhem during this years election, stressing that the military are ready and prepared to deal ruthlessly with anyone who causes any kind of trouble during the election period. But Mr Owusu-Agyeman believes the threatening statement from the CDS is unhelpful in a democratic country such as Ghana, observing that it constitutes a subtle attempt to scare aware voters on the day of elections. I want to tell the Chief of Defence staff to stop intimidating us because we will not be intimidated. I am telling everyone to go and vote on December 7. Everyone should go about their duties because what the CDS said is neither here nor there. Nobody is going to deal with anybody ruthlessly and we should just do what the law requires, he stated. Mr Owusu-Agyemang told the Daily Statesman that the job of the military is to protect the country against external aggression, and not to intimidate the people or meddle in political matters, especially as the electorates prepare to exercise their franchise on December 7. What he must realize is that no one is creating trouble and besides that the job of the military is to protect the country against external aggression not to intimidate the people. What he (CDS) is doing is tantamount to interfering in the system because people in developing countries always associate the movement of the armed forces with governmental functions, he said. Mr Owusu-Agyemang, also a former Member of Parliament for New Juaben North in the Eastern Region, added: it is completely out of order, unheard of, never happened in this country for the Chief of Staff to issue such statements or threaten people. Describing his posture as unacceptable, Mr Owusu-Agyemang explained that it was rather the CDS who was giving the citizenry the bad impression that there was going to be violence on the Election Day. I can say it on authority that what he has done is completely unbecoming of a CDS. It has never happened before. I take exception to that, he said. Mr Owusu-Agyemang regretted that fact that the body language of the CDS, as well that of some of the other security heads, leaves a lot to be desired, stressing that the confidence people have in the security services, especially with regards to their neutrality, is nothing worth writing home about at the moment. OccupyGhana has cautioned the Social Security and National Insurance Trust against any attempt to use pensioners monies to fund any 'phantom' deal of Alfred Agbesi Woyome, which was uncovered last week. According to OccupyGhana, the Government has issued a directive to SSNIT to "use our pension funds to acquire a 24% stake in this phantom Woyome project." According to the pressure group, it has documents showing that sometime in 2009, in a scheme similar to the Stadium matters which led to the first scam, Mr Woyome managed to convince government officials that he could establish what he called Green Townships in Ghana. This concept, at the time, was allegedly to provide solar power and 20,000 houses for Urban Renewal Project, which was to be replicated and adapted to agriculture, mining or manufacturing communities. "It made fantastic and unsubstantiated claims of providing 12,000 permanent jobs and 30,000 construction jobs for two years, and would 'lift over 200,000 people above the poverty line, including residents and workers on the project'", OccupyGhana disclosed in a statement yesterday. According to the pressure group, Mr Woyome then managed to get the Finance Minister at the time, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, to write a letter, dated December 15, 2009, to in principle accept participation stake holding of 24% in the joint venture. That letter was, however, clear that the Government was going to subject the proposal to further discussion with relevant stakeholders, leading to formal negotiations towards a definitive agreement. The letter was also clear that a final position on all aspects of the project would only be arrived at after discussions with all stakeholders, subject also to Cabinet and Parliamentary approvals. "It appears to us that this matter cooled off for several years while Woyome battled us in court over the GH51.2M that was unconstitutionally and fraudulently paid to him, the statement noted. OccupyGhana said by the time Mr Woyome re-surfaced in 2014, what was a Green Townships project had transformed and ballooned into a huge Special Economic Zone project designed to do practically everything under the sun: electricity, deep sea ports, roads, railways, hospitals, factories, agriculture, mining, archaeological findings. You just name the project, and Woyome was going to do it. The group further disclosed that Mr Woyomes consultant, Albert Essamuah Associates Limited, now claiming to have been appointed as the Governments consultants, on August 19, 2016, wrote to the Chief of Staff demanding the latter to issue an urgent directive from your august office, to SSNIT through its Board Chairman, to take up the 24% stake holding of the Government of Ghana in the Project SEZ on behalf of the people of Ghana. This letter also revealed that when the construction of the Port commences the value will escalate to over US$25 Billion. Although this letter was disingenuously silent about the value of the alleged 24% stake that SSNIT was to be directed to acquire, what is apparent is that either SSNIT or the Government was expected by Woyome to fork out a colossal 24% of US$25B for that acquisition. The statement added: "So, what Dr. Duffuor had clearly stated as an in principle acceptance with several approval conditions was, after the illegal Framework Agreement was signed between Woyome and Dzifa Attivor, being represented to the Chief of Staff as a firm commitment to acquire a 24% stake in the phantom project." The group is, therefore, satisfied that the Chief of Staff asked for a legal opinion from the Attorney-General, on whether the government could issue the directive to SSNIT as demanded by Woyome. "We are satisfied that this opinion did not bind SSNIT to taking up the alleged 24% stake. However, we are concerned that in one part of the opinion, it is stated that this is a proposed stake as opposed to an actual stake, while another part claims that Government has accepted the proposal [to take a 24% stake in the project] per the letter from the Ministry of Finance dated December 15, 2009 the pressure group stated. OccupyGhana, therefore, charged SSNIT not to consider, even for a moment, to use the pension funds of Ghanaians to fund this latest phantom Woyome project. "In the coming days, we will show to Ghanaians even more shocking aspects of this matter. If Ghanaians do not arise to occupy their democratic space, public officials, either through negligence or complicity, will engage in shady and dodgy deals that would cost the nation money that we do not have and should not be spending, the statement asserted. Mr. Harruna Attah is a journalist of no mean repute in Ghana. I read with stark disappointment about Mr Attahs attempt to justify the unsavory ethnic-centered statement attributed to the president of the republic of Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama. Sometimes I feel sad when I see some of our Northern brothers running around and also doing this (the change sign), they will use you and dump you, Mr. Mahama told a rally in Lawra in the Upper West region, where he is currently campaigning ahead of the December 7, polls (Source:atinkafmonline, November 19, 2016, http://www.atinkaonline.com/1.10201522 ). Mr. Harruna Attah justifies the foregoing unfortunate statement of Mr. Mahama by writing that Nana Addo once told him non-Akan would not lead New Patriotic Party (NPP). Upon receiving condemnation from the public, Mr Attah intransigently asserted Did I have that encounter with Nana Akufo Addo and did he tell me that the NPP was not ready to cede its Akan Leadership? Yes I stand by every single word in the original document. Since this is an issue of integrity, honor and credibility, it is up to Mr. Akufo-Addo to speak directly on the issue and not through a spokesperson. I believe there is something called perjury. I am ready to go through that process. The others I mentioned too can avail themselves of the process. That is all I can say for now (Source: ghnanaweb.com, November 28, 2016). Ethnocentricity is evil in our national discourse and no amount of justification could make it attractive. Edmund Burke was right when he asserted that when bad men combine, the good must associate: else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. Granted that Nana Addo once told Mr. Attah that non-Akans cannot lead New Patriotic Party (NPP), he said it only to Mr. Attah not to all Ghanaians. NPP is a democratic party which thrives on a constitution and the argument that the Late Vice president Aliu Mahama was challenged because he was from the northern region of Ghana is bereft of merit. It is logically untenable because vice presidency is not an automatic heir apparent to any vacant presidency in democracy. Hurana Attah and President Mahama cannot sacrifice Ghanas interethnic integration and peaceful co-existence on unholy altars of their own ethnocentric convenience. Historically, ethnicity ushered Ghanas independence in an ephemeral period of euphoria. Shortly after, independence in 1957, the people of southern Togoland engaged in open rebellions and even boycotted the independence celebration. Nkrumah-led government was compelled to send soldiers and police into that area which culminated in the death of three individuals at Kpando. In Accra, many inhabitants, predominantly local Gas, increasingly became disenchanted with Nkrumahs government on the grounds that the autochthonous (native) Gas had been sidelined in terms of public housing and jobs in favor of the Akans. In July, 1957, the growing Ga discontent became a force to reckon with as a political movement known as the Ga Shifimo kpee emerged. In an unsuccessful attempt to frustrate the movement, Nkrumahs government suspended the Accra Town council. The Kumasi municipal council controlled by the National Liberation Movement (NLM) was equally suspended. Nkrumah envisaged that local opposition predominantly formed on ethnic lines could be very pernicious to the existence of his Convention Peoples Party (CPP) as well as national cohesion and interethnic bridging. This motivated government to introduce Ghana Nationality and Citizenship Bill. The legislation empowered the minister of interior the right to determine who was a citizen without subject to appeal in the countrys court. After July 1957, Nkrumah passed the Deportation Act and used the legislation to deport some leading Lebanese and Syrians who expressed political opposition to CPP government. The Deportation Act was used to deport Bankole Timothy, who was from Sierra Leone and the then deputy editor of Daily Graphic. His crime was when he was curious to know why Ghanas new currency had Nkrumahs head instead of the queen. He also questioned why Nkrumah had his effigy erected in Accra. In December 1957, the CPP government passed the Avoidance of Discrimination Act, which prohibited the existence of political parties on regional, tribal, or religious lines. This was a calculated attempt to frustrate the opposition parties which hitherto came together to form United Party (UP). It was equally meant to preserve the embryonic independence of Ghana. The political history of Ghana reveals unpleasant testimonies on ethnicity. We are all Ghanaians. Mr. Harruna Attah must stop justifying actions that threaten national integration. Mr. Harruna Attah claimed he was not happy about the perceived Akan leadership of the NPP. Is he now happy about the president inciting the northerners to engage in tribal voting? Did he really dislike National Democratic Congress (NDC) or was it because President Rawlings (My own papa J) is from Volta Region? I think if truly Nana Addo really told Mr. Attah that Akans will continue to lead NPP against his (Attahs) convictions that should rather goad him to condemn the obnoxious statement of Mr. Mahama. Justifying Mr. Mahamas statement makes Mr Harruna Attah more ethnocentric than Nana Addo and almost invariably like a wicked monarch who always ask for immortality while his or her main preoccupation had been anything but the love for human life. Eschew ethnocentricity now AMBASSADOR HARRUNA ATTAH! God bless our homeland Ghana and help us to resist oppressors rule. I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing. (Socrates) Nana Yaw Osei (Padigo), USA Feedbacks must be directed to [email protected] (CNS): Success breeds complacency and complacency breeds failure. When the number of people affected by a disease decreases, there is a tendency to disregard it as a public health problem. Even as the HIV/AIDS epidemic is on the decline in India, we have to intensify, and not dilute, our efforts to have virtual elimination of the disease, emphasised Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, Director-in-charge at National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). He spoke with CNS (Citizen News Service) at the sidelines of the 9th National Conference of AIDS Society of India (ASICON 2016). This interview is part of CNS Inspire series featuring people who have decades of experience in health and development, and learning from them what went well and not-so-well and how can these learnings shape the responses for sustainable development over the next decade. Dr Gangakhedkar, an eminent clinician and epidemiologist, has been intensely involved in devising guidelines for HIV management, as well as policy making for HIV/AIDS control programmes at the national level. Initially trained as a paediatrician, he jumped headlong in the field of HIV/AIDS in 1989, at a time when even the mention of this dreaded disease was a big No-no. He later shifted from Mumbai to Pune when NARI was established in 1993. GAME CHANGERS FOR HIV/AIDS CONTROL IN INDIA Mentioning major milestones in HIV/AIDS management in India, Gangakhedkar said, It was community involvement in decision making that proved to be the most important game changer. Going beyond just community mobilization, it involved sex-workers, MSMs and injecting drug users representatives sitting with the experts, and giving their opinions on policies and programmatic strategies to reach them. Another bold step, according to him, was the national investment for prevention of parent to child transmission (PPTCT) programme for the mainstream population in 1999, when the Indian government started to invest its own money rather than depend on international donors. It also paved the way for free anti retroviral therapy for people living with HIVfor the first time in the countrys history, the government committed itself to give free treatment for a chronic disease that required life long treatment. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT Even though India has prioritised interventions among key sub populations (like sex workers, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, migrants), one of the larger goals that still remains is to ensure that community itself leads the targeted interventions, with NGOs acting as only gatekeepers, feels Gangakhedkar. Community led structural interventions should have complete control on all kinds of prevention and control services. Community based HIV testing should improve and even ART centres for these sub populations should be hosted in community based organisations with some technical support (by a doctor or pharmacist) from outside. Once community starts managing their own programmes they will also manage their other day to day non health related problems as well. The marginalized and disempowered communities have to be empowered in a more holistic manner so that they do not remain vulnerable to just HIV/AIDS, but to other diseases too. Community voices have to become stronger and inequity between main-stream and key sub-populations reduced substantially. We must be advocates to provide the right kind of support to the community organizations so that they lead by themselves; but we should not be part of these organizations. This is the kind of advocacy I foresee myself doing in the coming years, he said. #endAIDS by 2030 As of today, only 14 lakh (1.4 million) of the estimated 21 lakhs (2.1 million) PLHIV in India have been diagnosed. This leaves an estimated 7 lakh (700,000) PLHIV who are not even aware of their HIV positive status. Gangakhedkar called for prioritizing and intensifying community based testing all over the country. But rapid scale up of services should not be at the cost of quality of services. Only by improving quality of services and intensifying our strategies will we be able to achieve the last 90 of the UNAIDS goal of maintaining virological load suppression for elimination of HIV/AIDS. There is also a dire need for implementation research in HIV/AIDS, to not only identify the gaps but also the solutions at each level of implementation. A completely decentralised approach for decoding of evidences and modification of policies is vital. There is no one size that fits all. We have to build the capacity of those involved with the interventions so as to be able to interpret the evidences and have strategies that are locally adapted, he said. SOME PROUD ACHIEVEMENTS When Dr Gangakhedkar started his career in HIV there was no treatment available. At times he would feel frustrated that as a doctor he could do nothing beyond counselling his patients. But he persevered and, in his own modest way, brought about many changes in the HIV/AIDS control scenario. His landmark study, done in India at a time when stigma around HIV was very high, found a very high prevalence of HIV amongst married monogamous women. This was contrary to the existing perceptions, as till then HIV was presumed to be prevalent in only high risk populations like sex workers, MSMs, and injecting drug users. But my study proved that a very high percentage of married monogamous women acquired HIV infectionnot because of their behaviour but because of the risk behaviour of their husbands. The study results were extensively used for HIV related advocacy work all over SE Asia region. It also led the policy makers to have women centric prevention approaches. The focus was suddenly shifted to women in mainstream population, resulting in interventions like PPTCT. Gangakhedkar was also instrumental in the roll out of the PPTCT programme in India. I realized that one cannot make the system responsive unless one goes for mainstream population. I thought PPTCT was one of the key areas for mainstreaming, as treatment was available then (in the late 1990s) to prevent mother to child transmission by providing short course zidovudine. I submitted a proposal, which was also supported by UNICEF, to the government of India, Thus began a feasibility study at 11 centres with zidovudine based Bangkok regimen, which was later replaced by the more feasible single dose nevirapine regimen. And in 2001 the PPTCT programme in India was started. Apart from an impressive array of professional achievements, Gangakhedkar feels fortunate that working in this field has improved his personal sensibility of social justice and social equity. He shared candidly, As a typical Indian male from a conservative Indian society, I initially felt very awkward when I started going to the red light areas for creating awareness about HIV/AIDS control. I had no idea who the sex workers were and how they lived. But over time, I saw from close range the problems faced by them. It made me understand what social exclusion was, making me more committed to my cause. Subsequently, I started working on community led interventions, taking these women to the policy makers table and to understand from them how the epidemic could be controlled. In the aftermath of the Mumbai bomb blasts, we took special permission from the police to deliver simple meals (through kind courtesy of donors and philanthropic hotels) during curfew time to the sex workers every day. Their earnings had dwindled and I was apprehensive they might start practicing unsafe sex with their clients to make both ends meet. I do not hesitate to go to see patients in Punes red light areas when some woman is sick and calls for help. These small gestures have increased their trust in me. One needs to be not only committed but also sensitised enough to be able to work for the good of the community. THE WAY FORWARD Gangakhedkar insists that, It is imperative to consolidate our efforts of past several years to end AIDS by 2030. We can definitely do better in ensuring quality of services for PPTCT and the free ART programme. Today treatment as prevention is regarded as the biggest component of controlling HIV infection. So if we could improve the quality of service then perhaps we should be in a better place to control the epidemic. Doctors must treat all patients as their equal, irrespective of their social class or caste. A prescriptive approach cannot be healthy for anybody. Doctors also need to have good communication skills to be good advocates as well. Also, unless we empower key populations we will never be able to eliminate HIV/AIDS. If they are not empowered, then even if they are free of the HIV infection today, their behavioural and social vulnerabilities might provide a chance for HIV to hit back again. Watch this video interview: http://bit.ly/2fLdcrJ | Listen or download the audio podcast: http://bit.ly/2gD21yT Shobha Shukla, CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the award-winning Managing Editor at CNS Citizen News Service. Follow her on Twitter @Shobha1Shukla or @CNS_Health and website www.citizen-news.org) The Eastern Regional Police command is on a manhunt for the driver and owner of a Lexus salon car, which was involved in a crash on Sunday. The accident occurred at Teye Kwame on the Asutare Kpong road, around 5:00pm, when the driver of the Lexus collided head-on with a Toyota corolla, after a failed attempt to overtake another vehicle. In a Citi News interview with the Eastern Regional Police PRO, ASP Yaw Nketiah Yeboah, he said the driver of the Lexus tried to overtake another vehicle and in the process crashed with the Toyota corolla which caused the death of the 6 people. He added, the driver of the Lexus somehow abandoned the car and managed to escape. The driver of the Toyota corolla, Francis Adufu, Precious Tanoh Nhyira Tanoh, 2-month-old, Sandra Afua, Seth Badu, and Agnes Badu, who were in the Toyota corolla, died on the spot. Two Survivors, an adult female, Monica Adu Afful, aged 37 years, and Michael Danso, 4 years, are in critical condition at the Akuse Government Hospital where they are being treated. ASP Yaw Nketiah Yeboah said the bodies have been deposited at the Akuse Government Hospital morgue. He mentioned thatlater on in the evening, the police received reports that the Lexus was being towed by some people; but when the police reached the scene, there was nobody there; so we have managed to tow the car to the Akuse Police station. The Regional Police command thus informed the general public to assist the police with information on the owner of the Lexus vehicle. They have adviced the driver and the owner to report themselves to the police. By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unleashed a campaign advertisement few days away from the general elections. It is an advertisement which shows how low the party can go in an effort to divide this country. It is a 'do-and-die' grade advertisement as this level of desperation is referred to in street parlance which we find appropriate for the context under review. That a party which claims to have the nation at heart can descend to such despicable depths is beyond our ken. It is amazing that the advertisement, in spite of the danger it poses to our cohesion as a country, is yet to receive flak from relevant state institutions. A campaign advertisement which seeks to set one ethnic group against another should not under any circumstances be allowed oxygen to survive, regardless of the level of desperation and frustration of those originating it. The advertisement with a known actor playing a key role in it claims that a certain ethnic group would not be safe in Kumasi and its membership should avoid the Ashanti Regional capital at this time. The predominant ethnic group in that part of the country would not welcome these persons, is its import. It is so morally obscene we can only paraphrase, as we have done, just so we don't serve as a vessel for disseminating it beyond its original channels. We have observed that a television station in the country has agreed to be an accessory in the transmission of this social venom. Whoever is behind the advertisement should be condemned with all the available harshness in view of the dangerous fallouts which it can visit on the country. People who can descend to such depths of immorality and turn around to ask for the votes of Ghanaians should be shunned by all well-meaning citizens of this great country. As a paid advertisement, those behind it definitely constitute the top echelon of the ruling party. These persons should bow their heads in shame for such inappropriate conduct just because of votes. Will such persons govern the rubbles of the aftermath of a civil strife? Our forebears worked indefatigably to build what today stands as a cohesive country, its multiplicity of ethnic groupings providing an impetus for growth and development. Kumasi is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in West Africa, an attribute which has been in existence from colonial times and beyond. Posterity will deal ruthlessly with those who have foisted this contagion on us. It is our belief that this seed of social disharmony would die at birth. We have heard about the widespread condemnation of the spirit of the advertisement which for us is in order. Let us all stand up and be counted among those who detest efforts at deepening the unwholesome schism in the country. Considering what happened to a certain African country where the reckless manipulation of the ethnic card on radio led to an avoidable bloodletting, we in Ghana cannot countenance this nonsense on our airwaves. We expect channels which accept such commercials to consider the larger picture which is Ghana and be wise. The Ghana Peace Council, Christian Council of Ghana and the Office of the National Chief Imam, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces should deal with this emerging security challenge. This is a major threat to security which the likes of the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces Maj Gen Sampson Adeti and the IGP should look at. Not doing anything about this danger is not an option no matter how the President would stand in their way. Amit Sharma, a gangster who was on the run after allegedly opening fire at a bouncer 20 days ago, surrendered before police on Monday, telling cops that he may be killed. The police effort has majorly centered on capturing Khalistan Liberation Front chief Harminder Singh Mintoo and there is little known about the four gangsters . By Manjeet Sehgal: The daring jail break by two terrorists and four gangsters on Sunday has given a headache not only to the police, but also the underworld in the state, with many fearing for their lives dreading that an all-out gang war will break out as the gangsters are now on the loose. The intensity of fear among rival gangs is so strong that the leader of one gang, Amit Sharma, who was on the run after allegedly opening fire at a bouncer 20 days ago, surrendered before police in Mohali on Monday, telling cops that he may be killed. advertisement THE FEAR HAS SETTLED Also read: Nabha jailbreak: 9 lapses that led to escape of 2 terrorists, 4 gangsters The police effort has majorly centered on capturing Khalistan Liberation Front chief Harminder Singh Mintoo and there is little known about the four gangsters - Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon, Neeta Deol and Vikramjit - who also escaped from the high-security Nabha prison on Sunday morning. Also read: Nabha jailbreak: Who is Harminder Singh Mintoo Also read: Nabha jailbreak: KLF chief Harminder Singh received money inside prison Another KLF ultra, Kashmir Singh, is also at large, police said. Vicky Gaunder, who was the leader of the gang, has built up a reputation among his rival gangsters, leading to the fears of a gang war on his escape. He had allegedly killed rival gangster-turned-politician Jaswinder Singh Rocky in Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh in May this year. So as soon as Amit Sharma, who is believed to be close to deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, heard news of the escape, he decided to surrender before the police. The local court has remanded him to four days in police custody. Also read: Nabha jailbreak: Contrasting claims about who is the mastermind AMIT SHARMA IN FOR 4 DAYS "We have arrested Amit Sharma alias Meet. He is accused of firing at a bouncer. We have got his police remand. The investigations are on," Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP of Mohali said. According to the police, a probe has been launched to probe the connection between Khalistani terrorists and gangsters who managed to escape from the jail. Police said that Pakistan is desperate to revive terrorism in the region and is using these gangs as proxy armies. A special task force has also been formed to probe the 57 gangs active in the region. --- ENDS --- The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has indicated that there are clear indications the party will win the December 7 general elections. He, however, urged the partys supporters not to be complacent but work hard to ensure resounding victory. The wind of change is blowing everywhere we go. But I beg you, nobody should think that it is a done deal. We need everybody to vote. Go in your numbers to vote. If you want change, you have to vote for the NPP, he entreated. The NPP leader was addressing a mammoth Western Regional rally in Sekondi on Sunday ahead of the polls. It was attended by thousands of party supporters and sympathizers. Nana Addo told the supporters that the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had led the country into economic difficulties that had made the cost of living unbearable. Nana Akufo-Addo waving at the crowd According to him, the NPP is the best political grouping that can deliver Ghana from all the hardships caused by the Mahama-led administration. Nana Akufo-Addo assured Ghanaians that he would revive the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which has collapsed under the Mahama government, when given the nod. According to him, the previous NPP government, led by President John Agyekum Kufuor, introduced the NHIS to replace the inhumane Cash and Carry system, adding that over the last eight years, the government has collapsed the scheme. Nana indicated that if good health is basic to the survival of citizens, then good education is also critical to Ghana's development the reason why he proposed the Free Senior High School policy. I am coming to revive and truly implement the Free SHS policy for the benefit of all Ghanaians, he assured. He reiterated his pledge to reintroduce the teacher and nursing trainee allowances, which had been scrapped by the Mahama administration. President Kufuor did not benefit from oil revenue and yet was able to pay the allowances. President Mahama, with oil, has canceled the allowances. I am going to restore them, he said, much to the delight of the gathering. He promised those in the Western Region that the next NPP government would move the headquarters of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to the region as part of efforts to make the region an oil hub in the sub-region. Alan Cash Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen (aka Alan Cash), a leading member of the NPP, accused the Mahama administration of collapsing businesses with its bad policies. He also lambasted the government for failing woefully to create jobs for the unemployed youth over the past eight years. Alan Cash predicted a massive victory for Nana Akufo-Addo on December 7, saying that an NPP government would create jobs in excess. He urged the unemployed people in the country to rally behind the party and its flag bearer so that they would win the polls and create jobs for them. Ken Cautions The Member of Parliament for Assin Central in the Central Region, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, cautioned all NPP polling agents not to attempt collecting monies from NDC activists on the election day because that would enable the ruling party rig the elections. He alleged that the NDC had planned to bribe polling agents of the NPP with money to allow them change some of the figures at the polling stations adding, We will cater for our polling agents but if you are found to have taken monies from the NDC, we will deal with you. From Emmanuel Opoku, Sekondi Six people died on the spot at Tei Kwame, a village near Akuse junction in the Eastern Region, when a Toyota Lexus collided with a Toyota Corolla, according to police report. The accident happened at about 5pm on Saturday when the driver of the Lexus rammed the Toyota Corolla with the registration number, GE 6947-10 after a failed overtaking. Four males and two females out of eight persons who were on board the Toyota Lexus, with registration number MAX 1 15, died on the spot. It is believed that the deceased persons had gone to visit their children at school in the Volta Region and were returning to Accra. The Akuse District Police Commander, ASP Francis Ackah, told Adom Fm that two passengers on board the Toyota Corolla sustained serious injuries and were sent to the Akuse Government Hospital for medical care. They are currently responding to treatment and the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the same hospital awaiting autopsy, ASP Ackah said. He indicated that the police were able to reach family members of some of the deceased persons to identify the bodies. A search, according to ASP Ackah, had been launched to fish out the driver of the Toyota Lexus who fled the scene after the accident. THE NEW Patriotic Party (NPP) yesterday sharply responded to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) saying that it does not understand why Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Communications and other government officials continue to tell lies to Ghanaians about the glaringly hard economic situation they have created in the country. According to the party, it was shocked by the fact that Dr Omane Boamah and the John Dramani Mahama-led administration are still spewing out lies adding that these are enough testaments that truly, the NDC party and government are masters in lies, deception and propaganda. In a press statement, the NPP minced no words: Omane Boamah, the current Minister for Communications, is following in this NDC tradition of lies and deception. NDC's Docket Of Lies Recalling the numerous lies propounded by the incumbent government, the NPP said the NDC lied to the IMF/World Bank in 1999 which made Ghana pay a penalty of $32 million. ln the 2008 campaign season, their lies reached their peak. They published bank accounts of NPP stalwarts which turned out to be fabrications. At the parliamentary vetting in 2008, NDC nominee after nominee begged for forgiveness for these lies they had told Ghanaians in 2008, it indicated, adding that an NDC deputy minister for Information instructed public servants to twist facts and tell lies to make the party and the government look good. An NDC Minister for Communications on Joy Fm 'News File' warned his colleagues to refrain from being candid as this made the work of NDC communicators difficult. From 1992 up till this year, NDC was the only political party in Ghana that officially had a Propaganda Secretary. Corruption Averring that the dubious nature of the NDC government is typified by President Mahama himself, the NPP said the president told Ghanaians in 2013 that the election petition had no effect whatsoever on the government whereas in 2016, he tells Ghanaians that the petition caused him to lose one year! He told the BBC in 2016 that he had never received a bribe. It turned out that at least on one occasion, he received a bribe of a Ford four-wheel drive in 2012. The opposition party continued that President Mahama gave Ghanaians over a dozen dates for dumsor to be over, even prophesying in church before God. However, the challenge continued for four years making dumsor now an international word for load shedding, the party underscored. Inability To Produce Cost Recalling that Dr Omane Boamah claimed Nana Akufo-Addo lied about the cost of the Kasoa interchange and the 2015 presidential diaries, the NPP yelled, Omane Boamah should simply tell Ghanaians what value for money audit was done for the Kasoa lnterchange. It continued that Omane Boamah denies the costing for the 2015 presidential diaries, but he doesnt tell Ghanaians the cost. While claiming others are lying, neither Omane Boamah nor the NDC government up till today over one year after the diaries have been published told Ghanaians what the cost of the diaries are! So who is lying? Bloated Hospital Projects The NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo have claimed that the cost of the Ridge Hospital expansion is bloated. It is indeed, strange that the 600-bed Teaching Hospital at Legon negotiated by the University of Ghana is cheaper than the 400-bed Ridge Hospital expansion. That there was bloating in the cost of the Ridge Hospital expansion is not in doubt. Omane Boamah should just publish the result of the value for money audit done by the Crown Agents Company on the Ridge Hospital expansion, NPP charged. Suspension It said Dr Bawumia, in March 2015, demonstrated with documents that Ghana had been suspended by the African Development Bank for non-payment of debts. Dr Bawumia had also insisted that government had borrowed the equivalent of $37 billion, but he was vehemently attacked by Omane Boamah. Dr Bawumia has shown that the practice of calculating national debt by simply using the current exchange rate is deficient and does not measure the true value of the borrowing contracted, the party posited. Job Creation Propaganda The NPP noted that the NDCs record in job creation has been criminal, explaining that the National Youth Employment Programme a vehicle fashioned to bring relief to young job seekers was turned into a vehicle for gargantuan corruption and stealing of the taxpayer's monies, using it to siphon over $100 million dollars. Despite the loud mouthing, millions of Ghanaian youth today are looking for jobs. Ignorance On Display The party continued that the Communications Minister's remark that the NPP had not offered any alternatives to Ghanaians was born out of malice. Just in Bawumias presentations alone are a wealth of solid, well thought-out alternatives that will propel Ghana to an upper middle income country in a generation, it noted. Corrupt Deals Versus JM Toaso Slogan The NPP finally questioned the 'JM toaso' call on Ghanaians by Omane Boamah after the numerous shady sole-sourced contracts by the government. Among these are the Woyome Waterville, Bankswitch, GYEEDA, SADA, Smarttys, $63,000 monthly rent paid to cronies, Guantanamo terrorists, 4-year dumsor, 'killer' vehicle insurance, electricity and water bills, AMERI and Karpower contracts, CDB loan, STX, Brazil airlift, declining agriculture and industry, state equipment handed to the presidents brother and the collapsing NHIS, among others. Give the suffering Ghanaian a break, Dr Omane Boamah, the NPP fumed. By Samuel Boadi [email protected] Ghanaian Community in China wishes to condemn unreservedly recent spate of unguided statements coming from various political leaders, political sympathizers and religious heads and with the run up to the election. We have observed that tribal and ethnocentric speeches are being used to coerce some tribes to vote in a certain direction. This divisive and defeatist approach will not win any political party power since Ghanaians are widely awake and shall vote base on developmental issues propagated by the aspiring candidates. The Community is saddened by such effrontery emanating from seasoned journalists and politicians who ought to know better but have rather sold their conscience to the detriment of our dear nation. We are therefore appealing to our civil societies, national peace council and the international community to frown on such uncouth and volatile utterances calculated to score cheap political points. We believe that those aspiring to steer the affairs of our country should rather inform and educate the electorates their developmental programs and policies because that will be the yardstick on December 4th. The community entreats all voters to listen to the campaign messages of the political parties carefully and make an informed decision and cast their vote accordingly. Vote against candidates who preaches divisiveness to send an indelible signal that Ghanaians cannot be taken for a ride. The community pleads with all the political parties to ensure decent campaign devoid of hate speeches, personal vilifications and malignancy but issues bordering on employment, education, health, infrastructure and security. In another development, the community wishes to inform traders and businessmen/women who ply their business in China that, Chinese New Year Holiday begins on 28th January, 2017 and most factories will not take big orders fifty days to the break. You are therefore informed to place your orders during the early days of December to avoid unnecessary delays. LONG LIVE GHANA! The 2016 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to commit to a clean campaign ahead of next week's elections. Nana Akufo-Addo made this call when he toured the Central region on Monday to win the hearts and minds of the people there. It is just about seven days and less than fifteen hours to the 2016 general elections. Flagbearers of some political parties, including the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom and National Democratic Party (NDP)'s Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings said in a joint statement they have no confidence in the elections. The NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo says there are people who have intentions of disrupting the electoral process through the use of fear and harassment. I would want to urge our opponents to stop the manipulation and intimidation, Akufo-Addo said in Twi. Transparent polls devoid of fear-mongering and intimidations, according to the three-time Presidential Candidate, will inspire electoral confidence in the result of the polls. Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com Social Enterprise Ghana (SE Ghana) in partnership with the BUSAC fund and British Council will be holding a Policy Sensitization Dialogue as part of activities towards the finalization of a Social Enterprise Policy for Ghana. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to network, share their experiences and provide critical input into this landmark policy The event takes place on Thursday, 1st December, 2016 at the Reach for Change Ghana Office, Dadeban Road, North Industrial Area from 5-7pm. Register for free https://egotickets.com/events/social-enterprise-policy-dialogue-series In line with this, SE Ghana has hosted a series of forums in Kumasi and Tamale to sensitize members and the general public on the draft policy. These programs took the form of open panel discussions at the selected locations. The series of open forums will be followed by 2 stakeholder engagement meetings in December in both Accra and Kumasi respectively. For information and directions please contact Harriet Motte on : 0242674351 We look forward to seeing you there! Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BEIGE Group who has been adjudged 'Entrepreneur of the Year,' Mike Nyinaku, has called on students in the country's universities to remain focused and make entrepreneurship part of their lives. Mr Nyinaku disclosed this at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) during a panel discussion organised by the Association of African Universities under the theme: Entrepreneurial Learning & Communities of Practice. Entrepreneurship is a way of life; it's quite difficult to teach it, as it's more linked to one's behaviour, personal experiences, as well as aspirations. If you are not naturally disposed to exhibit those traits and are also not compelled by your environment to demonstrate them, then it would be difficult to portray that character, he said. Mr. Nyinaku, Ghana's sixth most influential person, added that opportunities exist but one has to be very determined to be able to take advantage of them. The BEIGE Group CEO said, What you gain as you graduate from school is knowledge. It's powerful but limited. Unless combined with practicable application of your knowledge, it cannot turn into skill. Touching on what most organisations look out for when employing graduates, Mr. Nyinaku hinted that values are essential in everything that one does. As a people we need to show positive values and ethics such as honesty, diligence, integrity, hardwork among others. Many young graduates and employees do not often show positive values on the job, hence lose their jobs. Other speakers at the event were Prof. Goski Alabi, Dean, Centre for International Education & Collaboration, University of Professional Studies and Dr. Josephine Larbi-Apau, Presbyterian University College. AAU represents the voice of institutions of higher education in Africa, and works as the apex organisation and forum for consultation, exchange of information and cooperation. The AAU is based in Accra and has a current membership of over 380 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). An Accra High Court has set December 9, 2016 for the hearing of the case involving NDK Financial Services and the State over the diversion of funds by the then Ministry of Energy. The adjournment follows an agreement by the parties in a court, presided over by Justice Noble Jerome Nkrumah. As a result, the court could not hear how much had been paid into the said account. It would be recalled that an Accra High Court granted NDK Financial Services a garnishee order following a certificate of judgement obtained on 23rd August 2016. The completion of the garnishee proceedings by the court would, among others, enable NDK to access funds in the frozen accounts. The court directed that certain accounts of government be frozen. Meanwhile, the BoG is expected to justify in court why some government accounts should not be frozen to pay off debts owed NDK Financial Services after the company filed a garnishee case against the State. The Court of Appeal on November 22, 2016 also struck out a notice for stay of execution of the Supreme Court judgment and certificate judgement filed by Attorney General after the lawyers for the State failed to make an appearance. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld an application by NDK which indicated that the nature of interest payable was compound at 6.5 percent and should be calculated from the date of contract to the date of final payment. NDK had also filed a contempt application against the Principal Accountant and Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy for failing to obey a court order to furnish it with details of accounts of payments made in breach of payment guarantees given to NDK Financial Services. Per the Supreme Court ruling, the two should have filed the said accounts that were diverted to Ahaman Enterprise. Already, NDK has won GH88.5 million as judgement debt for GH286,000 initially diverted. By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson [email protected] Dr Johnson Asiama, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), has called for the abolition of stability agreements in the mining sector. This, according to him, will ensure full repatriation of the export earnings in the mining sector. Dr. Asiama, who was speaking at the Ghana Mining Industry Awards in Accra said, Despite our aversion to the existing stability agreements, the mining sector continues to repatriate significant amounts of its export earnings. He said, From 2010 to date, the sector has repatriated about 64 percent of its total export earnings made up of 17.0 percent mandatory repatriation and 47 percent voluntary repatriation. I am looking forward anxiously to the day we will do away with stability agreements and obtain 100 percent repatriation, even though the current level of repatriation is commendable. Dr. Asiama said despite the discovery of crude oil, the minerals sector's contribution to total exports continue to rise, averaging about 37.5 percent during the period (gold 36.4 percent). He said the projected revenue from gold for the year 2016 of US$3,328.0 million was exceeded in the middle of September 2016 and we are expecting export revenues of over US$4.5 billion by the end of the year. It is not only in the external sector that the managers of the economy feel the impact of the mining sector. The sector is also the leading taxpayer to the fiscal authorities, contributing over one billion Ghana cedis each year in corporate taxes, royalties, PAYE, VAT and dividends. The contribution in 2015 was GH1.56 billion. Notwithstanding these achievements, the Deputy Governor said, I believe that as a country we should be taking value addition in the industry more seriously. It is expected that the mining sector's contribution to the economy of Ghana will increase with the establishment of auxiliary industries, especially gold refineries, diamond cutting and polishing firms and alumina plants, among others. By Cephas Larbi [email protected] The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has directed the Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank, Kwadwo Aye Kusi to proceed on leave effective November 28, 2016. After several years, the Central Bank now wants to launch full-scale investigations into the issues raised particularly because the bank's management has been associated with bad corporate governance and financial malfeasance since Mr Aye Kusi came into office. A letter from the Bank of Ghana addressed to the Board Chairman of ARB Apex Bank read: For unfettered access to documents and information, it is required that the subject of investigations Managing Director stays out of office. It also stated that the Managing Director is therefore directed to proceed on his outstanding leave, with effect from Monday, 28th November 2016, until investigations are concluded. While some staff petitioned the Central Bank over issues of bad corporate governance, disregard for the bank's policies and financial malfeasance, the workers' union of ARB Apex Bank lodged a complaint with the Bank of Ghana (BoG), indicating that failure to address the grievances could lead to the collapse the bank. It would be recalled that the National Union of Industry, Commerce and Finance Workers (UNICOF), lately called on the Central Bank not to renew the tenure of Kwadwo Aye Kusi, who was investigated by EOCO last year in connection with some procurement irregularities. A statement from UNICOF last week declared two days of red-alert by all staff of the bank which regulates rural banks in Ghana across the country. In view of this, members of the union across the country were directed to wear red arm and wrist bands. The red has become necessary to let stakeholders understand that the UNICOF and staff are not happy about the events at the bank. The autocratic nature of the board chairman and his personal relationship with the MD are affecting the governance of the bank. A split board that appointed the MD will affect the progress of the bank. According to the Central Bank, it has asked the Financial Stability Department to conduct investigations into the allegations, adding the investigations were expected to cover a period of two weeks spanning November 21, 2016 to December 2, 2016. The team may need to call randomly on directors, management and staff of ARB Apex Bank to clarify issues, the letter to the Board Chair further stated. Recently, workers of ARB Apex Bank across the country staged nationwide protest against MD and chairman of the bank's board. By Samuel Boadi [email protected] According to reports, a group of militants armed with automatic weapons and explosives, entered the field regiment camp dressed in police uniform around 5.40 am. By India Today Web Desk: As many as seven soldiers, including two army officers were today killed in an encounter with security forces in Nagrota area of Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, a group of militants armed with automatic weapons and explosives, entered the field regiment camp dressed in police uniform around 5.40 am. They started firing indiscriminately at the Officers' Mess inside the camp in Nagrota, some 15 km from here. advertisement "12 jawans, 2 ladies and 2 children were inside the building when the terrorists entered the building in the Officers' Mess complex creating a hostage like situation," Army PRO Lt Col Manish Mehta said. "Two officers and five jawans were martyred in the operation and three terrorists neutralised," he added. TIMELINE Terrorists dressed in army uniform approached army unit gate in the morning. They hurled grenade, fired indiscriminately and entered the camp They rushed towards the built up area, firing indiscriminately; two soldiers killed in action Terrorists entered the army officers' mess and living quarters Quick Response Team of CRPF and army reaches camp. Quick Response Team of CRPF and army rescues some families and rushes injured to hospital Young army major engages terrorist, gets injured Officer refuses to be evacuated and fights terrorists Officer shot by terrorists Army Quick Response Team and other teams rush to reinforce troops Terrorists take hostage inside living quarters Deliberate operations mounted by army Several hostages including 12 soldiers, two women and two children rescued One more officer and 2 jawans killed in action rescuing hostages and engaging terrorists Army sanitises the area HIGHLIGHTS Four terrorists entered the Officers' Mess around 5.40 am and threw grenades at the artillery unit Nagrota base is the headquartes of the Army's 16 Corps, a military formation that defends the borders. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, "The attack is on military installation. Civilians are not being targeted." However, schools close to the vicinity were shut down and the traffic was put to a hault. Today's attack coincides with General Qamar Javed Bajwa taking charge from General Raheel Sharif, who parted saying with a message for India: "Don't mistake our patience for weakness." NAMES OF MARTYRS Major Gosavi Kunal Mannadir from Pandharpur, Maharashtra Major Akshay Girish Kumar from Koramangala, Bengaluru Havildar Sukhraj Singh from Maan Nagar, Punjab Lance Naik Kadam Sambhaji Yeshwantro from Janapuri, Maharashtra Grenadier Raghvendra Singh from Gadijatar, Rajasthan Rifleman Asim Rai from Ratanchha PO Khotang, Nepal GUNFIGHT IN SAMBA As soldiers battled the militants in Nagrota, another gunfight raged in Samba, some 40 km south of here. A police officer said security forces engaged a group of infiltrators from Pakistan in a shootout near the International Border. Three militants were killed in the heavy exchange of fire, the officer said. THE SERIES OF ATTACKS India and Pakistan have been exchanging fire for months after killing of 19 soldiers in an attack on a military base in Uri, Kashmir. Following the Uri attack, the Indian Army destroyed at least seven terror launch pads and killed an unknown number of terrorists and their sympathisers across the LoC in Pakistani Kashmir in a surgical strike. Since then, militants have attacked security forces in at least a dozen strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. MEHBOOBA MUFTI CONDEMNS THE ATTACK Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today condemned the terror attacks on security forces in Nagrota and Samba, saying such "dastardly" acts would not lower the resolve to fight terrorism. advertisement "Condemn the terror attacks in Nagrota and Samba today. Such dastardly acts won't lower our resolve to fight terrorism," the Chief Minister today tweeted. --- ENDS --- Some regional executives of the Convention People's Party (CPP) in the Atwima Kwanwonma constituency in the Ashanti Region have defected to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The CPP parliamentary candidate for the constituency, James Sarfo who confirmed the move to Citi News said his colleagues took the decision on Monday to support both the NPP's parliamentary candidate and Nana Akufo-Addo. Our Vice Chairman who is acting as a Chairman now and second Vice Chairman and Deputy Womens Organiser and the Secretary, they have pronounced their intentions to support the Member of Parliament and Nana Akufo Addo. Mr Sarfo said the move came as a surprise to him and the party. I had a meeting with them on Saturday night so I was surprised that unfortunately on Monday morning this thing happened. He further indicated that the party will soon take a decision on the next line of action. They have breached the constitution of the past so the regional executives will be meeting today to find a way out so that we can sanction or suspend , or dismiss them from the party. Members of various parties have defected to the NPP ahead of the upcoming election. In September, over 800 supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) defected to the NPP. The defectors were from three communities comprising Kumbung-Kukuo Yipeli-Naayili and Duli Zugu. They organized a rally at Duli Zugu, where the NPP's Parliamentary Candidate for the Kumbungu Constituency, Iddrisu Muqtar Dems and other party bigwigs from the Northern Region, officially welcomed them to the party. By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @EfeAnsah A case filed by the International Standards Journalist Association (ISJA) against the Electoral Commission over media accreditation fees has been dismissed by an Accra High Court. Justice Gifty Agyei Addo dismissed the case based on an application filed by the lawyer for the EC, Thaddeus Sory that the group had failed to appropriately invoke the court's jurisdiction. She awarded a cost of Ghc 3,000 cedis against the group. The ISJA filed the suit after the EC announced its intention to charge accreditation fees from journalists who would cover the December 7 elections. The group had said the Commissions demand for payment of money as a condition for the issuing of accreditation tag constitutes discrimination against journalists. Reporting from court, Joy News' Ackah-Blay said the EC's legal cousel Thaddeus Sory had argued that the complainant should have come to the court through an application not a writ of summons. This is because the suit is one that deals with fundamental human rights, Mr. Sory explained. He also said the ISJA is not a registered company. After the dismissal of the case on Tuesday, the group, however, filed a fresh suit at the High Court seeking to restrain the EC from charging accreditation fees for coverage of next week's polls. The hearing of the new case will be heard on Wednesday, November 30. Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | AA A total of 79 Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) personnel, constituting the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), have passed out after receiving 12 months training in emergency medical procedures from the National Ambulance Service (NAS). The trainees were taken through basic principles of resuscitation, control of haemorrhage, bandaging of wounds and oxygen administration, among other courses. In an address, Director-General of Personnel, GAF, Brigadier General Omane Agyekum, indicated that as enshrined in the world standard of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operative areas, the Military EMTs would not do anything different from their colleagues in Ghana and other parts of the world. He added that the Military EMTs would be assigned job descriptions such as opening and maintaining of airways of their patients, ventilating patients, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillation. Brigadier General Agyekum commended the NAS for their efforts and collaboration in training the EMTs, and expressed the hope that the collaboration would continue to ensure that the GAF will always have sufficient number of EMTs. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NAS, Ahmed Zakariah, explained that the 79 EMTs who have passed out would augment the current Military EMT staff of 66. In his view, the passing out of the 79 EMTs is an indication that the collaboration between the NAS and GAF had yielded a lot of dividends. Corporal Alfred Ocran was adjudged the overall best student and was also awarded the best student for his excellent performance in cognitive. BY Ernest Pappoe Lawrence Nkem Ayem, the husband of Comfort Agbolosu, who set their house at Lebanon Zone Two in Ashaiman ablaze, has died from his injuries at the Korle-Bu Hospital. Comfort Agbolosu, a 38-year-old seamstress, allegedly burnt her husband and her brother-in-law, Benjamin Ayem due to marital problems. Lawrence, who was initially rushed to the Tema General Hospital, was referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra where he died later. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Juliana Obeng, Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional Police Command, noted that the husband of the suspect failed to recover from coma. According to her, the body has been deposited at the morgue of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, the Ashaiman District Court has remanded the Comfort into police custody to reappear on December 12, 2016. The children of the accused have been relocated to their auntie in Accra. It would be recalled that on the night of Thursday, 17 November, 2016, Comfort Agboblosu, took her three children all females aged 4, 7 and 9 years from the room as the kids were sleeping with her husband and brother-in-law. After taking her children from the room, ASP Juliana Obeng claimed that the suspect, who had earlier soaked used clothes with kerosene, set fire to the clothes and left them in the room. ASP Obeng said that the suspect then locked the door outside and left the vicinity, leaving the husband and the brother-in-law to their fate. According to her, some neighbours who saw the fire eventually managed to rescue the two men who had sustained severe burns and quickly rushed them to the hospital. However, the police spokeswoman asserted that Benjamin, who was being referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for further treatment died before arrival. From Vincent Kubi, Ashaiman THE ASHANTI Regional Police Commander, COP Kofi Boakye has sternly cautioned the Electoral Commission (EC) to refrain from suspicious acts that could create unnecessary tension in the system on December 7, the voting day. The police chief observed that acts such as late arrival of electoral materials, sending wrong electoral materials to wrong polling stations and EC officers giving wrong information to police personnel at polling centers, can create tension. COP Kofi Boakye has therefore charged EC to diligently carry out its mandate of supervising the upcoming elections in a free, fair and transparent manner. According to him, EC should make sure that the electoral materials were transported to the right polling stations on the stipulated time so that the people would have confidence in the EC, so as to help reduce avoidable tension. He was speaking during a mammoth meeting of police officers in the Ashanti Region at the regional police headquarters in Kumasi. The meeting was the last meeting of the police officers before the December 7 polls. The meeting was also used to brief the police chiefs about the roles of the police during the upcoming elections. COP Kofi Boakye insisted that disturbances on the day of voting could be reduced greatly especially if the EC conducted its activities in a professional manner, stressing that the police would maintain law and order before, during and after the voting. Snap Checks He announced that the police would soon begin an exercise to search vehicles that ply the roads in the region, before, during and after the elections, to make sure that people don't move around with offensive weapons. COP Kofi Boakye also warned people who have registered guns not to carry them around, especially on the voting day, stating that the police would not hesitate to arrest anyone that would be found in possession of guns. The Ashanti Regional Police Commander stated that motorbikes have been banned at least 100 meters away from polling centers, stressing that anyone that would flout this rule would be arrested and dealt with. He warned police personnel against indulging in acts that are solely the prerogative of the EC officials, stressing that the major role of the police is to make sure that there is law and order at the polling centers. One of the victims of the sankore mayhem 29.11.2016 LISTEN Akwasi Adu, who is believed have killed and maimed many people in Sankore in the Asunafo South Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region, has been remanded into police custody by a Goaso Circuit Court. The accused person, who committed crimes some time ago and travelled to the house of the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister in Accra to hide in his bedroom, was finally arrested by a combined team of military and police personnel. He was arrested last Thursday together with five others at their hideout at Sankore at dawn. They were quickly arraigned before court the next morning. Other accused persons were identified as Salia aka Jobhene, a brother of Akwasi Adu, Akida and another called 50 Cent. The names of the rest were not readily available to DAILY GUIDE. The Goaso Circuit Court, presided over by judge Twumasi, remanded them into police custody to reappear on December 8, while the police continue their investigations The arrest and prosecution of the suspects were hurriedly carried out so many people did not hear of it, according to residents of Sankore and Goaso. The NPP parliamentary candidate for Asunafo South Constituency, George Yaw Boakye told DAILY GUIDE that no charges were preferred against them because of further police investigations. Reports said they were arrested because of the recent attacks on George Yaw Boakye at his residence at Sankore where two supporters of the PC, Kofi Francis and one Taller sustained injuries. Some others say they were arrested on 24th November and remanded into police custody, but sources at the regional police headquarters in Sunyani also say they were arrested on 16th November and granted bail by the court. From Daniel Y Dayee, Goaso [email protected] A female Nigerian student of the All Nations University College in Koforidua, the Eastern regional capital, has been crushed to death by a vehicle belonging to the Ghana Education Service (GES). The deceased, identified as Miss Jubilee Chioma James, a level 300 Biomedical Engineering student's painful death occurred on Friday while crossing the Akwadum to Suhum road to lectures at the new campus of the University when the speeding GES vehicle knocked her down and killing her on the spot. The body of the deceased had since been deposited at the St Joseph's Hospital morgue. Meanwhile, management of All Nations University had subsequently informed the family of the deceased in Orlu -Nigeria. The family is expected to be in Ghana this weekend for the necessary arrangements. The incident has thrown the entire students and staff of the school into mourning. The deceased was described by the students as intelligent, friendly and adorable. THE MAIN opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has come across a communique from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) instructing authorities of the Metro Mass Transit company not to render any of its services to the NPP from 4th December this year in the run up to the 7th December elections. This is to make sure the NPP does not have the opportunity to transport its members en bloc to any part of the country to go and vote for it because some of the party's supporters have their votes in their home towns. According to the party's Sunyani East Parliamentary candidate, Kwesi Ameyaw Cheremey, the move is an indication that the NDC knows it will lose the election hence it is doing everything possible to thwart efforts of the NPP from winning the election. Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremey revealed this during the final regional rally of the party at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region last Friday. According to him, the NDC in the communique planned to pay for all the buses so that they will be parked till the election is over; except those which will be used by the party. Continuing, he repeated the allegation by the NPP deputy national general secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen that, locked funds of the defunct DKM is with President Mahama and his wife Lordina. He wondered why the government after saying it will liquidate all assets of DKM to re-pay customers did not sell a single property of the company yet it is paying part of the investment. This, he said, meant the money is with Mahama and his wife. He told the crowd if they need their full investment, then they should vote for Nana Addo to power to retrieve their monies for them. A popular comedian, Kofi Adu alias Agya Koo who jokingly said he will attend Kumasi Technical University when Nana Addo becomes president, seriously urged the people to vote for Nana Addo because Ghanaians are suffering. He said, though the country has so many natural resources like gold, diamond, iron, manganese among others, citizens are struggling to make ends meet. He asked the people to go to the polling stations in their numbers and vote for Nana Addo. [email protected] FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani The Secretary General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dr Kituyi has commended South Africa for leading the global debate on Investment Policy Reforms. He stated that South Africa was on the cutting edge of the investment policy reform globally. He was speaking at the Africa Trade Week 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa Trade Week 2016 is a new Pan-African platform for advancing intra-Africa trade dialogue among mutli-stakeholders. The main objective of the Africa Trade Week is to provide a comprehensive, integrated and inclusive platform for policy dialogue between various trade-related constituencies. Dr Kituyi applauded the South African government decision to announce a sunset clause to its old stock of investment agreements. Everybody in the developing community knows that the stock of investment agreements that were signed particularly in the era of structural adjustment were too unbalance, promising the investor everything without obligations and tax payers carrying all the burdens. This has required renegotiation/rearrangement and for a long time there have been a lot of foot dragging. So the decision of South Africa to announce a sunset clause to the old stock of investment agreements may have sound radical and even very risky, but to the developing community it was an act of leadership which has open doors that now even the majors are agreed that we must start embracing a new framework for investment agreements, he said Dr Kituyi stated that South Africa helped to create the movement towards the right direction for global investment policy making. He stated I dont think that momentum that has now spread even to the developed countries including the recent adoption of a new framework for investment agreement making at the G20 Summit in China would have been possible without the first steps taken by South Africa, added Kituyi. South Africa was one of the first countries to initiate investment policy reforms that led to a decision to not renew the first generation/old style bilateral investment treaties that were unbalanced since it provided absolute protection to investors while placing no obligations on them. These bilateral investment treaties were also not clear on the right of Governments to regulate in the public interest. South Africa has since developed domestic legislation that provides protection to both local and foreign investors while reaffirming the right to regulate in the public interest. A mission led by Mr. Michel Lazare, IMF Mission Chief for Mozambique, will visit Maputo from December 1 to December 12, 2016 to initiate discussions with the Mozambican authorities on a new program. These discussions will continue in the first part of 2017. In September 2016 the authorities requested the Fund to resume discussions on financial support as soon as possible. As indicated at the time ( See PR N0 16/436 of September 29, 2016 ), a solid track record of implementation of sound macroeconomic policies and an effective initiation of the audit process in the near term would help to create the conditions for a possible resumption of program discussions with the IMF. Since then, these conditions have been met, opening the way to the upcoming mission. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today addressed a rally in Lucknow against PM Modi and demonetisation. Banerjee compared Modi to Hitler and asked the people to give a befitting reply to notebandi. By Romita Datta: After Bengal, Mamata Banerjee chose Lucknow to give the call for ouster of Narendra Modi. Addressing a moderately crowded audience at Gomtinagar in Lucknow, Banerjee raised her voice against Narendra Modi government for harassing people, especially those of the economically weaker section, in the name of demonetisation drive. "It is a big scandalous story," she told the audience, reminding them that the effort to weed out black money was just a farce. advertisement "The BJP bought land while people were feeling the impact of notebandi. Since they have done notebandi, it's your turn to give the fitting reply with votebandi," she said. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: ALSO READ | Chaos ensues after Mamata's massive protest against demonetisation, cripples normalcy in Kolkata Bharat Bandh: Mamata Banerjee leads massive protest in Kolkata, Congress takes to the streets in Mumbai 'MODI BEHAVING LIKE HITLER' According to Banerjee, Modi had timed the demonetisation drive deliberately, keeping in mind the UP and Punjab elections. Terming the situation as worse than emergency, the Trinamool Congress supremo said that Modi was behaving like Muhammad Bi Tughluq and Adolf Hitler. Banerjee had Samajwadi Party ministers and leaders as company on the dais, but the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was absent. However, Yadav had given her a warm reception yesterday. ALSO READ | Mamata asks MP's not to join dharna by Opposition at Gandhi statue MAMATA BANERJEE TO FLY TO BIHAR NOW Mamata is flying to Bihar from UP to campaign against demonetisation. She will wrap up her nation-wide tour with Punjab. Even though she is not having other big regional leaders in her Modi-bashing campaign, Banerjee is willing to go it alone. This is her chance to take hold of the issue and jump into the national arena as an alternative face to Narendra Modi. When names of leaders such as Nitish Kumar, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad are doing the rounds as possible contenders for the Prime Minister's post, Mamata took a plunge to test her popularity and scope in the Indian market. ALSO READ | Mann Ki Baat: Mamata accuses Modi of misusing government machinery, Omar rejects cashless idea --- ENDS --- 29.11.2016 LISTEN Going for Gold, women empowerment programme that aims at working towards women living in and around artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mines in Ghana and Tanzania, has been launched in Accra. The partnership programme, which consists of Simavi, Solidaridad and Healthy Entrepreneurs, was in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The five-year programme, which comes at a total cost of four million Euros, is being funded by the Dutch as part of efforts to increase opportunities for women. Speaking on the theme: Womens Economic Empowerment in and around Gold Mines, Mr Isaac Gyamfi, the Regional Director of Solidaridad West Africa, said for the next five years, partners would be working in carefully selected Small-Scale Gold Mines in the Western Region to improve working conditions for women within the mines. We will also be working closely with women in Small-Scale Gold Mining communities to improve on their status and abilities to engage in economic activities, increase their sexual and reproductive health rights knowledge. Through this we will create an environment in which communities, health workers and authorities will recognize womens health rights, he said. Mr. Gyamfi expressed happiness about Solidaridads collaboration with other agencies especially when the objectives of the programme fitted into their work ethic as well as aligning fully into Solidaridads strategic goals in the Region. Ms Renatu Douwes, the Programmes Manager of Simavi Ghana Office, said the outcome of the programme would increase the abilities of women where their economic opportunities would be extensive. She added that the initiative would also help in the formation of womens savings group where women would be empowered economically and work on their rights and health training. Ms Douwes noted that the three partners would work both at the mining sector and at the community levels to ensure the empowerment in beneficiaries working conditions. On the selection Criteria, Mr Yaw Britwum Opoku of Solidaridad explained that only licensed Small-Scale mines with a minimum life span of five years were selected, adding that Mining mine management being willing to invest in the programme by subscribing to standards is also a criteria, he said. Addressing stakeholders at the launch, Mr Simon Atebia, the Technical Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, challenged partners to demonstrate a visible impact on the lives of the beneficiaries. The huge investment being made by the Going for Gold programme on a Small-Scale mining sector will be meaningless unless it demonstrates a visible impact on the lives of the beneficiaries, he said. Mr Atebia commended partners for the laudable initiative that would empower women in the mining sector and also open up opportunities for them to actively participate in decision making process of the sector. He pledged Governments commitment to promote responsible small-scale mining as well as support the implementation of the going for Gold programme. Mrs Sabia Kpekata, the Programmes Officer of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the programme had come on board timely and would improve the capacity building of women in the mining communities. This initiative will also improve the working conditions of women in the sector in the country, she said. Mrs Kpekata who admitted the challenges that confronted women in the mining sector over the years, called for collaborative efforts to curb the problem that had persisted through the reform laws, social norms and institutions that had inhibited womens participation, productivity and development. Nana Atta Brempong III, the Chief of Bompieso, said the initiative was welcome and it would concientize as well broaden the vision of women. Source: GNA From Richard Owusu-Akyaw, Kumasi Don't be part of any political violence. Entreat your brothers, friends, and family members to avoid any political extremism which could throw this country into chaos, the General Secretary of Christ Apostolic Church International, Dr. E. O. K. Donkor, has urged Ghanaians ahead of next week's general elections. In a keynote address at the matriculation of 152 students of the Christ Apostolic University College (CAUC), Dr. Donkor urged the students to stay away from electoral violence and study hard, stressing it is his prayer that they would be faithful, so that God may grant them great mercies, to enable them study peacefully. The General Secretary reminded the students that Ghana needs absolute peace, before, during, and after the elections. The President of Christ Apostolic University College (CAUC), Prof. Philip Owiredu Yeboah, urged Ghanaian students to be entrepreneurship conscious and set up their own businesses upon completion of their university education. He told the students that the measure of educational success is the ability for an individual, not just to get a job and pay recurrent bills after completing secular education, but rather to be able to create jobs for themselves and others, thereby running a profitable venture that creates wealth for their families, communities and Ghana at large. Prof Yeboah noted at the university's 6th matriculation ceremony that courses such as hospitality and tourism management and communication design are designed to fit students into any profession they find themselves in upon completing school. He said: Academic achievement is one means by which you achieve employability. But to attain the final objective of being employable and entrepreneurial, you have to apply yourself to gaining knowledge, developing skills, and finally, being assessed to see how well you have managed this. The varsity head reminded students of the numerous problems facing Ghana, and told the matriculants that they will be equipped with skills and knowledge to solve problems as the primary reason why they are at the CAUC. The academician urged students to be serious by attending and paying attention at lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops, or laboratory sessions. To understand what Fidel Castro represented to the world, one has to evaluate what he did for the world. He had a lot to say about the world, of course lots and lots of words, which poured out of his mind, in speeches two or three hours long at a time. But it's what he did that changed the world, especially Africa, that will for ever stand as a tribute to him that cannot be undermined with mere words, as his enemies would like to do. For Castro played midwife to the birth of several African countries once oppressed by imperialism and colonialism. Among them are Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and the greatest prize of all (as far as Africa is concerned) South Africa. It was Fidel Castro' Cuba that sent 50,000 soldiers from a tiny island whose population numbers only 11,240,000 (2015 census) or roughly half the population of Ghana to help African freedom fighters combat and defeat a mighty conglomeration of forces made up of racist South African troops, racist Portuguese troops and renegade African insurgent groups financed mainly by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Cuba also helped the freedom fighters of Algeria and Zimbabwe; and even the Democratic Republic of Congo would be free of its protracted civil war(s) today if its former leader, the late Laurent Kabila, had played his part when no less a person than Che Guevara, Castro's alter ego, travelled there in 1965 to try and help Kabilla's Lumumbist forces -- who claimed to be following the progressive line laid down by the pioneering Congolese hero, Patrice Lumumba -- fight those of the CIA's corrupt agent, Mobutu Seseseko. Castro came to power in Cuba, a tiny island in the Caribbean, on New Year's Day -- 1 January 1959. He didn't achieve power in the ordinary way say through a coup d'etat, or through a civilian uprising that spirals into a military rebellion and forces the Government to quit power. Fidel Castro's revolution was against a particularly corrupt dictator called Fulgencio Batista, and was carried out through guerrilla warfare, whose success depended on the integration of a group of urban intellectualsand their followers with peasants operating in the countryside. The terrain where the Cuban guerrilla campaign began, the Sierra Maestra mountains, was rugged and fairly poor. Castro and his men arrived there by a rickety boat called Granma from Mexico and managed, through persuasion, to recruit guerrillas from the countryside to join their band. By being able to meld the small band of intellectuals with large numbers of peasants into a successful armed resistance movement, Castro unleashed an alliance of forces whose exploits played to the romantic imagination not only of the Cuban people but of oppressed peoples all over the world, who heard about the guerrillas' exploits. Legends grew from vivid accounts of the guerrillas' brave encounters with the forces of oppression, and enabled people of diverse cultures and backgrounds to envisage waging similar struggles in their own terrain. Suddenly, "revolution" was seen as a possible and viable alternative to corrupt dictatorship in many developing countries. The Cubans had themselves been inspired by the classic methods of guerrilla warfare, evolved by the most successful revolutionaries in the world, Mao Tse Dong in China and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. Now, Castro joined the other two to dominate the narrative of guerrilla warfare in the 20thand 21st centuries. As far as Africa is concerned, Cuba stands supreme because it was not only able to preach revolutionary victory against superior forces, but also, to put theory to the test practically by donating actual flesh and blood to the cause of Africa's struggle against imperialism and racism. In Latin America, countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia and Guatemala (among others) also felt both the theoretical and practical influence of the Castro revolution in one form or another. Castro believed in exporting revolution. His willingness to help Che Guevara, his comrade-in-arms -- to personify that principle and become a martyr to it in Bolivia -- demonstrates the depth of conviction with which Castro approached what he saw as his task in the world. But who was Fidel Castro? He was born Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz on Aug. 13, 1926 in the eastern Cuban province of Oriente. His father was, of all things, a plantation owner -- a fact whose ironical implications cannot be lost on anyone who studies Cuba's history. You see, after he won power, Castro tried instituted socialism in Cuba which meant he implemented measures that included the nationalisation of land and the seizure of plantations. Fidel Castro (according to The New York Times) was "a boisterous young student who was sent away to study with the Jesuits at the Colegio de Dolores in Santiago de Cuba and later to the Colegio de Belen, an exclusive Jesuit high school in Havana. Cuban lore has it that he was headstrong and fanatical even as a boy. In one account, Fidel was said to have bicycled head-on into a wall to make a point to his friends about the strength of his will-[power]. In another often-repeated tale, young Fidel and his class were led on a mountain hike by a priest. The priest slipped in a fast-moving stream and was in danger of drowning until Fidel pulled him to shore. Heroism, in other words, came to Castro at an early age! He entered the University of Havana in 1945 to study law, and almost immediately immersed himself in radical politics. A portent of Castro's future guerrilla activities was provided when, as a student, he took part in a dangerous invasion of a foreign country -- the Dominican Republic -- that unsuccessfully tried to oust that country's dictator, Rafael rujillo. From then on, Castro devoted himself to Cuban politics and led quite a few student protests and demonstrations. After receiving his law degree, Castro briefly represented the poor, often without charging them any money. In 1952, he ran for Congress as a candidate for the Cuban opposition Orthodox Party. But the election was scuttled because of a coup staged by a soldier called Fulgencio Batista. Castros initial response to the Batista government was to challenge it with a legal lawsuit. Batistas actions had violated the Constitution, Castro's affidavit said. But the attempt to remove coupist Batista by legal means was, of course, doomed to come to nothing. Frustrated by the inability of the law to oust Batista, Castro, on 26 July 1953,organised a core group of radical students to attack a military barracks called Moncada in Santiago de Cuba. Many of the rebels were killed. Others were captured, including Castro and his younger brother, Raul (the current Cuban President. At his subsequent trial, Castro defiantly declared: As for me, I know that jail will be as hard as it has ever been for anyone -- filled with threats, with vileness and cowardly brutality. I do not fear this, as I do not fear the fury of the miserable tyrant who snuffed out the life of 70 brothers of mine. Condemn me, it does not matter. History will absolve me. Castro was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But Batista, in a bid to prove that he was not a dictator, released Castro and his followers in an amnesty in 1954. Thuis was a great mistake, for shortly after his release from prison, Castro went into exile in Mexico, where he plotted his return to Cuba with other malcontents. He bought a beat-up 61-foot wooden yacht named Granma in which Castro and 80 other rebel leaders sailed to the Sierra Maestra mountains in eastern Cuba, and cultivated contacts with the peasant population. The rest, as they say, is history. They harried the forces of Batista with hit-and-run attacks, and eventually defeated the Batista army on New Year's Day 1959. Batista fled into exile. Castro's popularity in Cuba was enhanced by his determination to enact health reforms, provide free education, and make it unlawful to practise racial discrimination (10% of the Cuban population is black and as elsewhere in Latin America, they had been at the bottom of the piled in Cuba's social setup, too). Because of his influence in developing countries, the CIA tried many times to kill Castro -- by , for instance, hiring agents to try and give him a cigar that exploded when lit; and providing him with diving equipment sprayed with a chemical that would have made Castro's charismatic beard fall off! Many beautiful women were suborned to seduce and poison him but -- most fell in love with him and refused to carry out the murderous instructions of their pay-masters! In all, over 600 attempts were reported to have been made to kill Castro. But none worked. Even a full-scale invasion, mounted on 17 April 1961 with 1,500 Cuban exiles recruited and secretly trained by the CIA which was launched at a place called the Bay of Pigs, failed and the CIA operatives were all either captured or killed. And a US economic embargo that denied a host of consumer goods to Cuba, also failed to oust Castro, despite the hardship that the embargo caused to the people. President Obama tried to begn dismantling the embargo and visited Cuba in 2016. But the election of Donald Trump as President of the US means that hostility between the two countries may remain for some time to come. The attempts on Castro's life and regime infuriated them and in 1962, Cuba allowed the Soviet Union to select sites for secretly stationing nuclear missiles on Cuban soil. The Americans detected these missile sites by satellite, and they mounted a quarantine of Soviet ships trying to enter Cuban waters. For 13 days, the world was on the brink of World War Three a thermonuclear war as the US and the USSR stared "eyeball to eyeball" at each other, militarily. Eventually, a diplomatic solution was found that made it possible for the Soviets to withdraw their missiles without losing face. And the world was saved. I met Fidel Castro in person when I went to Havana in September 1979 as a member of the Ghana delegation to a Summit Conference of the Non-Aligned Nations. I found him extremely intelligent but quite friendly -- and humorous. Certainly, the world is the poorer for his passing. But he had a good innings -- 90 years of age for a "dangerous" revolutionary on the hunting list of the CIA, must count as at least 900 -- in real terms! www.cameronduodu.com The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in collaboration with the One Million Community Health Workers (1mCHW) Campaign of Millennium Promise Ghana has recruited and trained 1000 e-Health Technical Assistants (ETA) to be deployed into the various communities for community based health care. The e-Health Technical Assistants are expected to support the 19,500 Community Health Workers (CHWs) trained nationwide with health related data collection, transmission, storage, analysis, use, retrieval and archiving. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Kobina Beecham said the ETAs will Ghana meet the increasing demand on health data with the introduction of Community Health Workers in the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage in Ghana. He added that following this official launch, the ETAs shall be deployed to the District Health Administrations across the country to work under the immediate supervision of the District Health Administration Information Officers and overall direction of the District Directors of Health Services. Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO noted that the ETA initiative which is under the Community Health Assistants Module of YEA, is being rolled out to fast track Ghanas strides towards achieving universal health coverage and meeting the increasing data demands under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He indicated that the module will also contribute to YEAs quest to create job opportunities for the youth in Ghana and contribute to SDG eight (8) of promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all. Mr. Beecham emphasized that the ETAs will help strengthen community health data handling processes to facilitate prompt decision making for improved health. According to him, YEA is supporting the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service (GHS) to go digital with community based health data system through the introduction of the ETAs module which was launched on 28th November 2016. He posited that ETAs are young Ghanaians between the ages of 18 and 35 years with a minimum of Senior High School certificate who were trained by a joint team of facilitators from the Center for Health Information Management (CHIM), of the Ghana Health Service, the College of Health and Wellbeing in Kintampo, and the 1mCHW Campaign. Chief Nat Ebo Nsarko, Country Director, 1mCHW Campaign Millennium Promise, donated 500 tablets for the ETAs, 500 Sleeveless Jackets for the ETAs and 1000 male Community Health Workers Uniforms plus 1000 waterproof bags. According to him, Millennium Promise (MP) is committed to supporting efforts towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Ghana and meeting the SDGs. He added that Millennium Promise aims to help spur transformative 360 degrees, health data revolution in Ghana by leveraging ICT to improve service delivery and information sharing. Chief Nsarko intimated that the donation of the items to help improve the community based health information component which is currently collected through paper-based systems. He indicated that having in place a robust, real-time, quality community-health information system provides health managers 360 degrees view of health situation and this helps with better informed decision making. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Klottey Korle Constituency of the Greater Accra Region have complained about Nii Noi Nortey's use of party symbols in his campaign as an independent parliamentary candidate. In a November 23 letter to Valentino Mr Nortey, the executives say he cannot break ranks with the party and still continue to use the party's name, colours and symbols in his campaign. Dissatisfied Mr Nortey went independent after he lost the party's primary under controversial circumstances. The results of an earlier primary in August 2015 which he won was cancelled by the party in February after a contestant Phillip Addison challenged the process. In the re-run in February 2016, Mr Addison, who was the lawyer for the NPP Presidential candidate Akufo-Addo in a 2013 Supreme Court case, won. Photos: [L-R] Philip Addison celebrates as Nii Noi Nortey mulls Feeling short-changed, Nii Noi made good of his vow to go independent. The Klottey Korle seat is now a high-energy contest involving three candidates. The governing National Democratic Congress' (NDC's) candidate Dr Zanetor Rawlings who is the first daughter of the former President Rawlings is contesting Mr Addison and Mr Nortey. With barely eight days to the polls, the NPP in Klottey Korle says Mr Noi Nortey by going independent has automatically terminated his membership. The party fears that his continuous use of party symbols could create confusion in the minds of voters and hurt the party's chances in the polls. While a split has appeared in the NPP, the NDC camp has not been free of controversy. Dr Rawlings' victory was challenged by the incumbent NDC MP Nii Armah Ashitey. The legitimacy of the process was debated in court for seven months until the Supreme Court last July, endorsed Dr Rawlings' claim that she was the rightful winner in the lopsided NDC parliamentary primaries contest. The winner of the Klottey Korle seat will be the party which manages its internal issues better and analysts are tipping the daughter of the former President to win. Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|EA The New Patriotic Party has returned to the Brong Ahafo Region, in a last strategic attempt to win the hearts, minds and votes of the electorates there. The flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, reminded thousands of supporters how important the region is for the fortunes of the NPP ahead of the December 7 elections. He was confident, a resounding victory in Brong Ahafo would catapult the NPP to victory in the elections. Believed to be one of the swing regions in Ghana's elections, president John Mahama polled 51% of the votes in the Brong Ahafo. His closest contender, Nana Akufo-Addo polled 47.% for the NPP. The NDC's John Mahama later went ahead to win the polls by 50.70% whilst the NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo followed closely with 47.74% of the votes. With seven days more to go for another election cliffhanger, the parties are making frantic efforts to make final impression on voters in swing regions. The president, only yesterday went to Cape Coast, another swing region, where he commissioned a number of projects there. The NPP's Nana Akufo-Addo has made a quick dash to the Brong Ahafo after leaving the Central Region on Monday. He told supporters, many of whom thronged the campaign ground of the NPP, that the time has come to change the destiny of the country. He told the electorate that he needed the support of Brong Ahafo to seal a one touch victory for the NPP. He chronicled the events of 2008, 2012 elections he contested, praying that he will be lucky in his third attempt. Nana Akufo-Addo won the 2008 election in the first round but did not secure the 50% plus one vote needed to crowned president. He lost in the run-off to the late president John Mills. In 2012, he lost to president John Mahama in an election which ended in the Supreme Court, after the NPP challenged the verdict of the Electoral Commission. The Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the Commission after eight months of litigation. Nana Akufo-Addo told BA supporters, the time to change the destiny of the country is now and promised policies he said would transform the country. Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah The 2016 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to commit to a clean campaign ahead of next weeks elections. Nana Akufo-Addo made this call when he toured the Central region on Monday to win the hearts and minds of the people there. It is just about seven days and less than fifteen hours to the 2016 general elections. Flagbearers of some political parties, including the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom and National Democratic Party (NDP)s Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings said in a joint statement they have no confidence in the elections. The NPPs Nana Akufo-Addo says there are people who have intentions of disrupting the electoral process through the use of fear and harassment. I would want to urge our opponents to stop the manipulation and intimidation, Akufo-Addo said in Twi. Transparent polls devoid of fear-mongering and intimidations, according to the three-time Presidential Candidate, will inspire electoral confidence in the result of the polls. -Myjoyonline From Inusa Musah, Tema.. The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has inaugurated a new 12-unit classroom block for the Anglican Junior High School (JHS) at Tema Manhean. The new structure, one of six schools being built by the Assembly under its Industrial City Basic School initiative, is to help end the shift system in the Metropolis. The three-storey 12-unit classroom block, with ancillary facility including ICT Laboratory, well-stocked library, Home Economics block and washrooms, was constructed with funds from the District Assembly's Common Fund. The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tema, Isaac Ashai Odamtten said the assembly, in its bid to eradicate the shift system, had started the construction of a number of schools, including a six-unit classroom block at Baatsona and Mexico Basic School at Community '2'. Other structures to help end the shift system being constructed were a two-storey 12-unit classroom block at Lashibi and Adjei Kojo and a two-storey 12-unit classroom block at the Republic Road Primary School at Community Four. We are confident that these projects will, to a large extent, not only improve the human and educational well-being in the metropolis but also help produce brilliant students who will be worthy future leaders, he said. The Greater Accra Regional (GAR) Minister, Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo commended TMA for the intervention to improve on education in the community. He said as the Regional Minister for Greater Accra, he would continue to promote education in the region by ensuring that all the assemblies under his jurisdiction utilized their resources efficiently and judiciously to expand and improve on infrastructure for the benefit of all. The Tema Metropolitan Education Directorate's Public Relations Officer, Azeriya Ayeriga, deputizing for the Metropolitan Education Director, said the Assembly's investments in new school infrastructure was a challenge to all teachers to improve on their teaching skills to produce good students. The Paramount Chief of Tema, Nii Adjei Kraku II, commended the TMA for taking steps to help improve on education in the Metropolis. He was optimistic the edifice would raise the overall quality of education service delivery in the area. 29.11.2016 LISTEN From Inusa Musah, Ashaiman.. One Hundred and thirty nine workers of the Ghana Textile Printing (GTP) have been sacked. The management of GTP communicated this to the affected workers last Wednesday in a letter, and the workers would be going home first week in December. Sources within the company told The Chronicle that some of the affected workers, after reading the content of their letters collapsed, while others went on bended knees to weep uncontrollably. They could not fathom why they should be sent home at a time when Christmas was approaching and at a time most Ghanaians could hardly secure a sustainable job. When contacted, Seth Mawuenyagah, the Union Chairman of the workers, confirmed the decision of the management, explaining that management took the decision based on a new plan to automate the Wax Department of the company. The department had been operating under a system called 'manual blocking'; however, he said GTP had come a long way to grow to the international trend. In the world over, textile companies are moving from manual blocking to roller printing to cut down cost and reduce time constraints in the production processes. It is, therefore, necessary for us to also follow the pace by investing in automation. As we speak, we have five roller printing machines which will do the same work that manual had been doing. As a result of the automation, all the staff at the Wax Department have to go because we also want to be part of the latest technological development, he said. Mr. Mawuenyagah was quick to assure the affected workers that management had worked out a redundancy package for them. One of the dismissed workers told The Chronicle on condition of anonymity that their dismissal had nothing to do with automation but the cost of doing business. He said management had been complaining about unfair competition and cost of doing business due to excessive imposition of taxes by the government. Johannesburg (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma survived an attempt to oust him from office after a "robust" and "difficult" debate within the ruling ANC party, an official said Tuesday. Zuma has been weakened by corruption allegations, but his supporters were taken by surprise at the bid to unseat him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress's executive committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zuma's hold on power since he became president in 2009. It also shook the ANC party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994 but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. "Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the (ANC executive committee) did not support the call for the president to step down," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, told reporters. Zuma fights back "All members of the (executive committee) had an opportunity to raise, in the meeting, the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country." Local media said the meeting -- which was extended into Monday -- was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. But the president launched a fierce defence of his position, and his loyalists eventually headed off the attempt to oust him. "The president told us that he will never step down, as it would be like handing himself over to the enemy, and that there are people who want to see him in jail," an unnamed source at the closed-door meeting told the News24 website. Atul Gupta (pictured) is one of the three Gupta brothers accused of exerting undue influence over South African President Jacob Zuma Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The president has been hit by multiple corruption scandals and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC performed poorly in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high. Zuma has been under renewed pressure since a graft probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country's top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence. However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in parliament on November 10. "Zuma will only leave when the patronage faction around him decide it is time," Peter Montalto, analyst from Nomura bank, said in a briefing note. "The ANC may well be tired of Zuma but it's not clear it is ready to conclude anything on succession yet." Zuma is due to stand down in 2019 after serving the maximum two terms. The green panel said that more than a year has passed since its directions on a scrapping policy , but nothing has been done till date. By Press Trust of India: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday rapped the Centre for delay in introduction of a new scrapping policy which will provide incentives for surrendering old polluting vehicles and asked it to expeditiously frame a scheme in this regard. The green panel said that more than a year has passed since its directions on a scrapping policy which includes benefit in purchase of new cars, but nothing has been done till date except tall claims by the ministry of heavy industries. advertisement TALL CLAIMS BUT NO WORK: NGT "You (Ministry) made tall claims before us that you are going to provide incentives for scrapping of vehicles, but did nothing. You say something before us and forget as you step outside the tribunal. We had asked you to provide scrapping procedure and propose a site as well," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said. "What have you done? The ministry of heavy industries had assured us that it was in the process of providing methodology and incentives to those scrapping their vehicles... We direct the ministry to take clear instructions in this regard," the bench further said. Also read: NGT to punish builders who fail to comply with space and environmental regulations Also read: NGT orders Delhi government to enforce ban on diesel vehicles over 10 years old The green panel also directed the Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh governments to hold meetings with the chief secretary of the Delhi government for identifying land in border areas to park vehicles banned from plying in Delhi-NCR. "This meeting should take place immediately and the minutes of the meeting should be placed on record before the tribunal on the next date of hearing," the bench said. Advocate Balendu Shekhar, appearing for the ministry of heavy industries, informed the bench that it was in talks with the ministry of finance and examining the viability of the scrapping policy. --- ENDS --- Introduction U.S. immigration law classifies visa applicants into nonimmigrants and immigrants. The visa classification and the reasons for the refusal may determine the options that may be available to you. This article attempts to discuss some of the options you may consider if your visa application is refused. However, it must be emphasised that there is no right of appeal against the decision of a consular officer (CO) to refuse a visa. Reapplication for a visa Most nonimmigrant visas are refused under section 214 (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). A refusal under this section means that you failed to satisfy the CO that you have sufficient ties to your home country to justify entitlement to the visa classification. In assessing your ties, the CO will consider your permanent employment or business, meaningful financial and economic connections, close family ties, social or cultural associations and any other factor that will induce your return to your home country. You can reapply at any time after your refusal. However, you must be prepared to satisfy the CO that your circumstances have changed since your previous application or that you have provided information not submitted in your original application. You must complete a new Form DS-160, pay the relevant visa fee, submit your biometrics, and appear for a personal interview. In considering whether to reapply, you may consider whether you explained your situation accurately at the interview. You may further consider whether in your opinion, the CO overlooked something in your application. Finally you may consider whether you have any additional information you can present to establish your ties. Advisory Opinion from LegalNet If you have been refused a visa, you or your authorised representative may pose a legal question by email to [email protected]. This medium is available only for case-specific questions on the interpretation or application of immigration law. LegalNet is not an avenue for reviewing factual determinations made by a CO, including a refusal under 214(b) in a B visa application. You may pose a legal question about a specific case when you or your representative has attempted to contact the consulate at least twice without receiving a final response, and where 30 days have passed since the second inquiry. In this case, you may pose a question for determination whether the consulates refusal to respond to your inquiry is in accordance with law. You may also submit legal questions about a specific case in which you or your representative has received a final response from the consulate, but believes it to be wrong as a matter of law. For example, if you were refused on grounds of misrepresentation section 212 (a) (6) (c) (i), you may pose a legal question arguing that the basis for the finding did not meet the legal threshold of misrepresentation. You may also pose legal questions about specific cases involving T visas, U visas, Diversity visas, or adoption visas. Among others you must provide a summary of the situation and legal contention. Within 7 business days of submitting an inquiry that meets all requirements, you or your representative will receive a notice that the inquiry has been received and is being processed. The time frame for substantive responses depends on the complexity of the matter and availability of essential information but usually within thirty days. Reconsideration of Visa Refusal This option applies only to immigrant visas. The Federal Regulations provides at paragraph 22 CFR 42.81 (e) that if a visa is refused, and the applicant within one year from the date of refusal adduces further evidence tending to overcome the ground of ineligibility, the case shall be reconsidered. In such circumstance, an additional application fee shall not be required. You must file your request with the consulate that refused your visa. The Request must be professionally presented and must include relevant legal arguments and documentary evidence pointing out legal or factual mistakes made by the CO. You must state new facts and support them by affidavits or other documentary evidence. If you resubmit previously provided evidence or assert a fact without providing supporting documentary evidence, your request may not succeed. To be continued Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on U.S. immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. The writer is an immigration law advisor and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He advises on US, UK, and Schengen immigration law. He works for Acheampong & Associates, an immigration law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on [email protected] or www.acheampongassociates.com I need a job! That is a line you are bound to hear from droves of young professionals and fresh graduates fresh in Lagos today. Thanks to the natural consequence of the dark economic times we are trudging, there is a high rate of unemployment and people are desperate for job. The good thing about this difficult time is that it now pushes job seekers to think outside the box. They find themselves employing creative maneuvers and unorthodox tacticsand surprisingly, when they do, they are greeted with opportunities they have never thought existed before. Some of these opportunities result in professions that are not normally viewed as common; however, they pay quite a lot. Wondering what these unusual employment opportunities may be? Jumia Travel shares 5 uncommon vocations that can earn you a living in Lagos. Voice-over artiste So many adverts are shown on TV and radio on the regular with voice overs from different people. Who do you think are behind these voice overs? Celebrities? Not necessarily. Ad agencies and companies regularly hire and pay voice-over artistes for such tasks as dubbing for the television and audio productions, creating online books and audio files amongst other things. These artistes can actually make as much as N50,000 for just 5 minutes of recording. If you have a great voice and you love reading from books and other textual matter, you can try this out. Personal Shopper Lagosians love fashion and no matter how broke they claim to be, a majority of the citys residents will still shop till they drop. The thing, though, is that most of these people who can afford to shop so much, do not have the time or the skill per say to go out shopping for what they need to create the style they are looking for, they instead need personal shoppers to do the task for them. Personal Shopping, though uncommon, is one of the easiest jobs to have in Lagos. The job is probably for people who like to shop all the time and it pays good money too. Toll Booth Collector Nobody ever thinks of this job when seeking for employment really, but if you dont mind sitting in a cramped tin room and collecting money from people all day long, this certainly can be a dream job. From the highways to shopping malls and centers, toll booths are found all over Lagos and all a toll booth collector has to do is sit around in the tiny room, collect money from people driving off to better places. The perk is that you could get tips from people who want to brighten up your day. The good thing is you can even just decide to work just night shifts and do something else in the day time. While this seems like a lazy job, it pays quite handsomely for the little work you do. House-Sitting This job which literally involves babysitting a house, mostly luxury homes, may seem far-fetched for Lagos , but it really is not. A number of people who own houses within the city either live in other countries or travel a lot and need people to tend to their houses while they are away. It is not common to find houses in Ikoyi area and Banana island, including VGC being occupied by house-sitters. The responsibility of a house sitter is such that he/she ensures that when the homeowners are away, they safeguard the space, most times, living in their home like it is their own and getting paid for it. Dog walker Lagosians, especially those who live in highbrow areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and VGC, usually have a lot of things on their plate and barely have the time to groom, train or walk their pets. They employ dog walkers to help tackle that responsibility for them. While the mere mention of a dog walker as a source of real money will come as a joke to many, there are people who do earn a living out of this job in Lagos and making good money. Keep in mind though that this job is basically best suited for people who are in love with animals and have the patience required. Premium Motors, dealers in Renault vehicles are pushing for a better regulation of petroleum products in the country. Chief Executive of the dealership, Jihad Hijazi says this would not only enhance the performance and lifespan of vehicles but also help consumers make some savings on the maintenance and use of their vehicles. There have recently been concerns about the quality of fuel sold on the Ghanaian market especially, following a global report that ranked Ghana as one of the countries with the most toxic diesel. Speaking with JOY BUSINESS at the launch of its first ever Oroch pickups onto the Ghanaian market, Mr. Hajadi said authorities should act urgently to address the situation. The newly launched Oroch pickups the first of its kind in the Renault range of vehicles according to Mr. Hijazi, is currently the cheapest and most durable on the market, with the capacity to carry close to one ton. The National Petroleum Authority is planning to start implementing, new quality levels for petroleum products for next year which meets international standards. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Kuuku Abban| Joy Business I am an immigrant, a woman, a community leader that vigorously campaigned for Hillary Clinton not just on social media but across the country, and I proudly voted for her on November 8TH, 2016. At exactly 8pm on the Election Night, a group of African leaders gathered at a well-known African Restaurant in New Jersey to watch and celebrate the result of the election alongside correspondents from BBC Radio and other media outlets that came just to capture the reaction of African leaders to the result of the historic election. We were all excited eating suya and drinking until everything started turning red right in front of us. The emotions across the room ranged from shock to anger to disappointment to fear. I remember breaking down with tears when Donald Trump won Ohio; I just knew it was over. I could not stand to watch the rest of the result before heading back home broken. I am one of the many people that hoped Donald Trump would not win. Well, we were wrong. He won! Now is the time for us to heal, get involve in the new administration at whatever level we can to influence a change as nobody can fight our causes like us, and respect the countrys democracy by not signing the Electoral College petition going around to influence the election results. A number of friends and acquaintances have sent me the change Electoral College vote petition link to add my name to influence the Electorates to influence the election results. I will not sign this petition, and am writing this piece to hopefully change some minds from signing also. America is indeed a land full of milk and honey. I came to this country sixteen years ago with so many dreams and ambitions, most of which are already realized to God be the glory. America is a welcoming and friendly country for those that follow the laws and respect the constitution. I love this country too much to want to destroy it by signing a petition that will change the result of an election that has already been conceded just to favor my candidate. The online petition calling upon the Electoral College to vote for Hillary Clinton instead of Trump on December 19th is the most selfish reasoning I have ever heard in my life. I wonder what the over sixty million voters of Donald Trump will do when the favorable election result that was announced to them on all major networks is actually snatched from them. They will probably just stay at home drinking hot tea as Hillary Clinton is declared the new winner or maybe those people dont really exist! I have lived through many riots, demonstrations and tribal war from my home country that I can smell disaster from afar. There will be war in our America if the Electoral College petition actually makes Hillary the new President Elect. Any new idea or scientific method that will dramatically make Hillary Clinton the new winner after two weeks will not only be unprecedented but will be a recipe for disaster. Before the election, the media speculated for so many weeks about the possibility of Donald Trump not respecting the peoples votes by not conceding to Hillary Clinton if she was the winner, and calling it risky. Now, the table is turned, lets do what we preached. I know this is painful for so many people that wished Hillary won, and its perfectly fine to grieve in any way you can like peaceful street protesting, but to now want to change the result of an election because we prefer our own candidate is hypocritical. Donald Trump ran a very nasty campaign. He said so many scary things to energize some groups that felt the political establishments have forgotten about them, and wanted change. He struck a cord with them, and they came out in millions to vote for him. Will he carry out most of his campaign promises as a President? I personally dont think so. I think his voters got scammed! He is already changing his mind on major campaign promises like keeping some parts of the Obama Care. Just like President Barack Obama said in one of his speeches after meeting Donald Trump, I know no President deliberately comes to the White House with the intention of making half of the country hate him/her. I am sure some people will say, what if he is actually the President he promised to be during the campaign? That is why we have the Congress and Senate; Republicans are the majority now, but most of his party representatives in Capitol Hill dont agree with his policies, and will stop him when he is acting unconstitutional. That is why we cant just stay in our houses throwing stones at the house. We have to get involve at whatever level we can to fight our communitys causes and interest. I am for anything that will fight against President Donald Trumps anti constitution behavior. The only notion am scared of is the one that dramatically changes an election that has been conceded with a winner to declare the supposed loser as the new winner. Someone said to me but she won the Popular vote. Well, the law of the land we live in is different. Do I prefer the Popular vote to the Electoral vote? Yes! But the law of the American people electing their President with the Electoral vote has been in existence for many years. President Elect Donald Trump will become the fourth President in US history to win in the Electoral College vote while losing the Popular vote. George W. Bush did the same in the 2000 election. It also happened when Rutherford B. Hayes won in 1876, and Benjamin Harrison won in 1888. For many years, the Electoral College has picked the winner. The candidates knew this before getting into the campaign. Hillary Clinton understood this law; she has shown leadership by conceding to the election and recognizing Donald Trump as the winner. For the sake of our children and the love of America, let us all accept our new President Elect Donald Trump, give him a chance, and call him to order when he does something that affects our constitution. But, to actually want to take away the title of President-Elect from him is going to cause a big disaster and war in our America. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has welcomed the support of the founder of All People's Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga for President John Mahama. According to the NDC, the endorsement of Mr. Ayariga is evidence that people recognize the President's effort to transform the country. Speaking to Citi News, the National Coordinator for President Mahamas 2016 Campaign, Kofi Adams said the NDC welcomes him with open arms as Mr. Ayariga was entitled to his choice. If out of many people who are contesting, he finds President Mahama as the best to be able to keep this country, to continue to bring about development that is needed and to uplift the people of this country, why not? He has exercised that right as a person and also as the leader of a political party with his members, Mr. Adams said. Kofi Adams Mr. Ayariga at Press Conference in Accra on Monday explained that the decision to endorse President John Mahama followed careful consideration of the attributes and competence of two presidential candidates who approached his APC for an endorsement. The APC Flagbearers stance is evidence of President Mahamas strong standing going into the election, according to Mr. Adams. It just goes to support that President Mahama is stronger, President Mahama has a vision that a lot of young people who are enterprising and who are willing to see a progressive Ghana will buy into. The NDC welcomes everybody who will join in making sure that Ghana moves forward so if Ayariga has joined in making sure that Ghana moves, forward, why not? We welcome his support, he added. Split in APC over endorsements Ayariga had over the weekend challenged the endorsement of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, by the APCs General Secretary, Razak Opoku and its running mate, Carl Bartels. He said the two had been sacked by the party on Friday [November 25] after he discovered they had had a secret meeting with the NPP, against party rules. But the two insisted at a press conference on Sunday that their decision was backed by the National Executive Committee of the party. By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana Kampala (AFP) - Ugandan police said Tuesday that another 25 bodies had been recovered after weekend fighting in a western kingdom whose tribal monarch is accused of stoking a separatist rebellion, bringing the total death toll to 87. "We recovered 25 bodies from two sub-counties on Monday and a postmortem is being done to establish the facts," Kasese district police commander, Sam Odong, told AFP. Accra, 29th November, 2016: Employees of Airtel Ghana, the Global Carrier Award winner for Best CSR Initiatives, have showered over 1,400 pupils of the La Wireless Cluster of Schools in Accra with gift items leading up to the Christmas festivities. They donated Samaritan Boxes comprising gifts, toys, clothing, stationery and shoes to pupils from the nine basic schools that make up the La Wireless Cluster of Schools one of Airtel Ghanas adopted schools. Airtel has over the years invested in the school providing infrastructure, teaching and learning materials. Recently, the company commissioned a fully stocked library and ICT Center for the Cluster and launched a coding club to empower and provide an avenue for pupils interested in coding to fully harness their potential. The Samaritan boxes where sponsored by Airtel employees, through donations matched by the company. Commenting on the donation, Airtel Ghanas Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Hannah Agbozo said, Airtels vision for all the schools under its award winning School Adoption Programme is to ensure improvement in both infrastructure and the human potential. Earlier this year we commissioned a fully equipped Library and ICT Lab to provide a platform for practical lessons and engagement. This donation, spearheaded by our employees, is to give the pupils in the Cluster an exciting and memorable celebration during the Christmas festivities. Maame Dufie Cudjoe, Airtel Ghanas CSR Manager added that, Our annual Christmas parties for schools are events that go beyond a corporate act of goodness. Our employees are very much involved in the planning and execution process because they derive a lot of joy and fulfilment putting smiles on the faces of these young minds. From Adaklu in the Volta region to Himankrom in the Western region, we are always eager to travel the length and breadth of the country to meet and surprise pupils from our adopted schools with gifts especially at this time of the year. All the head teachers led by the circuit supervisor of the cluster, Mr. Cyril Opoku, expressed their gratitude to Airtel Ghana for the continuous support. Under Airtels school-adoption initiative, the company works closely with the Ghana Education Service to improve the quality and delivery of education to children in underprivileged communities. About Bharti Airtel Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 3 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 359 million customers across its operations at the end of July 2016. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com About Airtel in Africa Airtel is driven by the vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services to all. Airtel has 17 operations in Africa: Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Airtel International is a Bharti Airtel company. For more information, please visit www.airtel.com, or like the Airtel Ghana Facebook page via www.facebook.com/airtelgh or follow us on Twitter via the handle @airtelghana. Airtel Donation @ La Wireless 2-123 Airtel Donation @ La Wireless 2-53 Revenues from gold exports into the economy is expected to reach over $4.5 billion by end of year as the revenues have exceeded the projection by about 73 percent. This comes as the contribution from the commodity was pegged at $3.3 billion in spite of the challenges with gold prices on the international market. The was disclosed at this years Ghana Mining Industry Awards which was held over the weekend. The awards ceremony which was the second in the series saw Newmont Ghana Gold - Ahafo Mine see off eight other mining firms to clinch the prestigious Mining Company of the Year Award. The companys outstanding Corporate Social Investments, Environmental Management, Innovation, among others did the trick. Regional Senior Vice President for Newmont Ghana Alwyn Pretorius said the company will simply continue to create value for its stakeholders. The Best Performer in Mine Supplies and Support Services went to PW International, while Asanko Gold grabbed the Corporate Social Investment Project of the Year Award. Best Performer in Local Content was picked by Adamus Resources, whereas the Best Performer in Exploration went to Cape Coast Resources. The Best Performer in Innovation was picked by Newmont Ghana Gold Ahafo Mine, with Chirano Gold Mine grabbing the Occupational Health and Safety Best Performer Award. The Best Performer in Environment and Management was jointly won by Newmont Ghana Gold Akyem Mine and Chirano Goldmine. President of the Chamber of Mines Kwame Addo-Kufuor commended players in the industry for their resilience in the face of what he said are challenging times for the sector. He, however, underscored the need for stakeholders to support the Minerals Commission in addressing the menace of galamsey operations in the country. Ambassador John Bentum Williams was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award for his immense contribution to the sector. Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Asiamah, was full of praise of the mining sector acknowledging that it still contributes the largest to the economy. Some $4.5 billion he noted is expected in, from exports by end of year, a development he says is helping the countrys balance of payments a great deal. The 2nd Ghana Mining Industry Awards was under the theme: Recognising Excellence, Celebrating Achievement in the Mining Industry. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com 29.11.2016 LISTEN From Richard Owusu-Akyaw, Kumasi.. The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr. Kwasi Gyan Appenteng, has said the Electoral Commission (EC) cannot accredit every journalist everywhere in Ghana. He says the EC cannot accredit every journalist in all the corners of Ghana where the elections will take place. The NMC boss noted: We have to accept our responsibilities as media practitioners and organisations, and should be able to pay for the little to enable us to move round. According to him, this should be an exciting time for every journalist as we experience the festival of democracy. Answering a question at the NMC's new election monitoring report for Kumasi, under the auspices of the European Union (EU), Mr. Appenteng indicated that his views about the EC demanding money from the media for accreditation was personal and does not represent the stance of the NMC. He noted: The elections will take place across the country, and journalists should feel free to report the process. The accreditation is a very specific process. It will enable journalists to do certain things; probably to have more access to the election officials. The Executive Secretary of the NMC, Mr. George Sarpong, who took the media through a presentation, revealed that Kumasi media personnel are giving the political parties wider coverage than what the people are looking up to. According to him, Kumasi-based radio stations allotted 79 percent of their coverage to political parties, namely, New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress (NDC), recording 42% and 36% respectively, with the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and others following. Mr. Sarpong revealed that the EC, referee in the upcoming elections, recorded 7% of media coverage in Kumasi. He explained that the grievances of the masses in Kumasi are unemployment, education, utility bills and others, but these issues are not topical in the media. He urged the media to be gender balanced in reportage and allow the voices of women to be heard. 29.11.2016 LISTEN From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi The National Peace Council, per its regional branch in the Ashanti Region, and the Ashanti Regional Election Early Warning and Response Group (REEWARG), has cautioned pastors, traditional rulers and professionals like teachers who use their various platforms to engage in open and serious partisan politics. The two bodies explained that the practice has a harmful potential and the tendency to create tension among the people and must be discouraged hence the admonition premised on complaints about the activities of these groups of persons. A statement issued in Kumasi last Monday and signed by Rev. Fr. George Gyasi Adjei of the Council's Regional Secretariat noted that some religious leaders, traditional leaders and teachers engage in partisan politics. It said it had taken notice of some pastors who use their pulpits to preach politics to brainwash and create dissension among church members along party lines, while others go to the extent of predicting winners of the impending elections in so-called prophetic revelations from God, with some teachers using study sessions to brainwash their students. The National Peace Council and REEWARG noted that traditional leaders and the clergy wield a lot of influence and reverence, since tradition and culture see them as symbols of unity and peace, more so when the 1992 Constitution bars them from such active partisan politics. The Council urged nananom and the clergy to see themselves as role models and paragons of virtue, and not stoop so low as to defy the laws of the land, or indulge in things that would attract public criticism and slights. Chiefs and ministers of the Gospel were called upon to demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities, which gives them the moral right to be able to rein-in others who breach the peace of the country. They were reminded of the fact that they preside over many people with diverse political alliances and persuasions, and that any open endorsement of one presidential candidate might erase and diminish the trust and confidence accorded them, and even affect their regimes or tenure of office. Teachers were also reminded of their roles as mentors to adhere to their professional duties, and not stir needless controversies among students. An US official said agencies are investigating the Columbus attacker's background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups. By Reuters: A student drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians at Ohio State University on Monday morning and then jumped out and stabbed several people with a butcher knife, injuring 11 people, before a police officer shot and killed the attacker, officials said. Abdul Razak Ali Artan was shot and killed within minutes after plowing into the group by a police officer with less than two years on the force, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University. advertisement ATTACKER, A SOMALI REFUGEE A US government official confirmed the assailant was from Somalia, 18-years-old and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A second government source said investigators had reason to believe the attacker at the campus in Columbus was a Somali refugee. Columbus, the state capital, has a large Somali population. US Congressman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation. "It bears the all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalised," Schiff said in a statement. Another US official told Reuters US agencies are investigating the Columbus attacker's background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups. The attack at the Columbus campus, which was initially reported by the university on Twitter as involving an "active shooter," drew a massive response of heavily armed police. WHAT HAPPENED The suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall, Moll said. The suspect left the vehicle armed with the knife and stabbed several others, Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said. "This was done on purpose," Stone said. Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. local time and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said. One person was critically injured in Monday's incident, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer. They included two with stab wounds and three others who had injuries from being hit with the vehicle. Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said. With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university. --- ENDS --- advertisement 29.11.2016 LISTEN From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi Mr. Johnny Osei Kofi, Deputy Chief of Staff and National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Oforikrom in Kumasi, has cautioned the youth not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians to cause mayhem, before, during and after this years elections. According to him, the youth are the future of this country and, for that matter, have a lot to do and achieve in life, and must not allow politicians to use them for achieving their selfish political interests in the name of winning elections. Speaking at a meeting with the NDC ward executives at Deduako in the Oforikrom Constituency, he stressed that the future of the youth is very important to the President, John Dramani Mahama, and their parents, and would not want anyone to be injured or die because of elections. He advised the youth not to engage themselves in anything that has the potential to endanger or jeopardise their lives and future. He noted that the youth are still too young to die for politics, and entreated all concerned citizens to pray for those who have a hidden agenda of causing violence in the upcoming elections, to repent or die at their own peril. He said the NDC, as political party, does not entertain violence and insults, and commended party supporters in the Ashanti Region for their loyalty. He urged the NDC faithful to always preach peace and desist from all manner of violent acts. By Adams Okae, GNA Abetifi (E/R), Nov 29, GNA - A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Donwini Dabire Kuupole, has added to calls to make academic programmes relevant to industry. That, he said, was the way out of the growing unemployment of the country's university graduates. He indicated that the present education system that remained largely academic and focused on theories, was not helpful to the effort to make the products of the tertiary institutions employable. Prof Kuupole was addressing the 10th congregation of the Presbyterian University College of Ghana (PUCG) at Abetifi in the Kwahu East District. A total of 661 students made up of 352 males and 309 females graduated at the ceremony. 'Graduate unemployment; the education for what' was the theme chosen for the event. He said it was vital to equip students with the requisite skills to fit the demands of the job market. He underlined that education should aim at giving young people the knowledge, skills and attitudes that could help build the society and ensure sustainable development. The Reverend Prof Emmanuel Addow Obeng, President of PUCG, appealed for a review of the government's policy to tax the private universities. He also suggested a freeze by the National Accreditation Board on the authorization of the establishment new private universities, except those into science and technology, health and medical sciences. From the year 2000 figure of about 15 private tertiary institutions, there are now 110 universities in the country with majority of them ignoring the sciences. The Right Rev Prof Emmanuel Martey, the Chancellor, said its goal was to become a centre of academic excellence and a catalyst for growth of the nation's education. GNA By Isaac Arkoh, GNA Kumasi, Nov 29, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has intensified its effort to get persons with disabilities out to vote in this year's presidential and parliamentary elections. It has been organizing education forums to assist them to have better understanding of the electoral laws and to take them through the voting process. Mr. Alhassan Yakubu, the Ashanti Regional Director, said their goal was to make sure that no qualified voter was disfranchised. Addressing a day's workshop for physically challenged students in Kumasi, he reminded them that voting was a civic responsibility that needed to be taken seriously. The progamme was jointly organized by the NCCE and the Millennium Child Support Group, an NGO, with support from STAR-Ghana, a multi-pool funding mechanism. On hand to participate, were representatives of three political parties - the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Progressive People's Party (PPP). Mr. Yakubu advised the students to abide by the electoral laws to avoid getting themselves into trouble. The students called for the Electoral Commission (EC) to go the extra mile to ensure that the December 07 polls was free, fair and credible. Ms. Ernestina Yeboah, their leader, asked that all key actors demonstrated good faith and worked together to remove suspicion, needless political tension and confusion. GNA By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA Cape Coast Nov. 29, GNA - One Hundred and sixty-six selected fishermen from landing sites in the Central Region have received training on effective use of fish finders, Global Positioning System (GPS) and its accessories. The three-day training, which was held in Cape Coast, forms part of the ICT for Sustainable Fishing Project, a nationwide campaign by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), the Fisheries Commission and the National Canoe Fishermen Council. It is to encourage the use of technology in locating shoals of fish and harvesting only the matured ones. The project also aims at reducing the cost of fishing and mitigating the depleting fish stock in Ghana's territorial waters by reducing the harvest of fingerlings and the use of unorthodox fishing methods such as light, explosives and chemicals and undersized nets. At the end of the training, GIFEC distributed 200 fish finders, 280 GPS and accessories to the beneficiaries. Mr Kobby Owusu Acheampong, the Chief Executive Officer of GIFEC, and an aspiring candidate for the ruling National Democratic Congress in the Cape Coast North Constituency, urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the devices. He said encouraging ICT in fishing could lead to better fishing experience and enhanced livelihoods of fishermen. Mr Andrews Akiti, the Technical Manager of GIFEC, explained that the fish-finders used solar technology to show what was directly below a fisherman's boat or canoe, making it possible for fishermen to locate spots where there was significant amount of fish for harvesting. He said 420 finders and accessories had been supplied to 29 landing sites along the coastal stretch of the country and the fishermen in those landing sites had been trained to use the equipment effectively. He said GIFEC intended to equip 280 fishermen who had received fish finders with GPS to enhance navigation at the sea. He expressed the hope that the devices would help in fuel reduction for fishing expeditions since fishermen would no longer roam the high seas in search of fish. Mr Kwesi Acquah, the Central Regional Chief Fisherman, expressed gratitude to GIFEC, and Mr Acheampong for the initiative and indicated that the devices would facilitate and improve their work, especially at a time when the fish stock was depleting. GNA By Bertha Badu-Agyei, GNA Mamfe (E/R), Nov 29, GNA - The Mamfehene, Nana Ansah Sasraku, has performed the ceremony for the construction of a multi-purpose commercial centre - to add impetus to the economic development of the area. The six-storey building would serve as a business hub in the Akuapim Ridge. It would provide space for banks, telecommunication companies and other commercial enterprises. An initiative of the chiefs and people of Mamfe, it is expected to be ready within 18 months. Nana Sasraku said it was part of the drive to create boost the local economy and give jobs to the people, especially the youth. He said they were determined in their bid to make optimal use of the town's strategic location on the Accra-Koforidua-Tema road corridor and position it as a destination of choice for business operators. That was the way forward to create wealth and transform the lives of people in the Akuapim area. Nana Asiedu Okoo Ababio, chief of Larteh, applauded the Mamfehene for his foresight and indicated that the centre was going to open up the entire Akuapim area. He called for strong support and cooperation of the people towards its smooth implementation. GNA 29.11.2016 LISTEN Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it. - Frantz Fanon Hey, Femi, it has been a long, long while. Yes, o, my brother. How are you keeping? I am good. I am good. Thank you. How are things at your end? Doing my best to keep out of trouble, as usual. That is good. Thats good. What have you been up to? Oh, this and that. Doing my best to keep my head above water, and also provide garri for the family. That is good. Thats good. How come you went AWOL, just like that? Just like what? Hey, please dont start with me again. I asked you a simple question and you are turning it into a fight. I am not turning anything into a fight if I asked you to clarify the question you asked me. You! I merely wanted to know why you just stopped writing and commenting. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Is that your answer? You know what, I dont always agree with you on issues and, if the truth be told, I disagree with most of your takes on things, but I do admire your tenacity. You keep on going for so many months, so many years. And then, suddenly, you stopped writing. Just like that. What happened? Nothing happened. Why did you stop writing, then? Writers need to take a break now and then. It is necessary to sit back for a while and just observe the flow of things. It is good for the soul. I wont know about that; I dont write. But I think you did us all a big disservice when you failed to say something positive about the massive infrastructural development going on all over the country.. What? Dont tell me that you have not been travelling around the country to see the unprecedented pace of development. Huh, huh! I know that you like to criticize a lot, but there is nothing wrong with giving praises when it is well deserved. When was the last time you traveled to Accra? I went there last week Thursday. And did you pass through the Kwame Nkrumah Circle? As a matter of fact, I did. And? And what? And what you asked me. Didnt you notice any change? Did you not see the sheer architectural splendor of the new carriageway? Were you not wowed by the glistening Water Fountain? Did the impressive flyover fail to amaze you? Tell me. Hmmmmmmm. Cmon, my friend. There should be no hmmmmmmmmmmmmm here. Try to give praise to the visionary leadership that brought us to par with the likes of Dubai, New York and Paris. What? What, what? Are you for real? What type of question is that? What type of human being are you if you are not excited by the beauty of the new Kwame Nkrumah Circle. I know that you enjoy bashing governments, but on this occasion, try to be objective and charitable. Give praise where it is due. At least, the beautiful fountain plus its simmering light is worthy of praises. It is sad. What is sad, my friend? It is sad that you feel that way. You, of all people, should know that I have never been motivated by malice. I give praise when I think that they are well-deserved, but My friend, there should be no but If only you will calm yourself down. It is difficult to explain myself to you if you remain in such an agitated and excited state. Sorry, Ok, continue. It is quite sad when we have people like you, educated and well-travelled guys like you, getting excited because our government borrowed money, gave it to a Brazilian company to build a flyover for us And what exactly is wrong with that? There you go again, impatient to allow me to explain myself. I know where you are going? Blessed are those with the uncanny abilities to read minds. You asked me a question, but you are not willing to allow me to explain. What is the point? What is the point of what? What is the point of your asking me a question if you are not interested in my answer? Ok, Sorry. Continue. You see, it is said that a people deserved the type of government they have. I saw the huge excitement, the massive jubilation. I saw the dancing and the celebrations when the president went to commission the new flyover with pomp and pageantry. I listened to all the high rhetoric of officials. I said to myself that we, as a people, have a long, long way to go. It is pathetic that almost six decades after we begin to self-govern ourselves, we see nothing wrong in Brazilian Engineers building our roads with loans contracted from foreign sources. To me, we should be in deep mourning. This certainly could not have been the type of future our founding parents envisaged when they fought for our liberation from colonial rule. Rather than for us to jump up and down like mindless, little children in celebration of the construction of a mere flyover, we should have used the occasion for deep, sober reflection. And as to the inane comparison with Dubai, this is just insane. Just few meters away from our new glistening flyover are massive inhuman ghettos where many of our citizens still eke out miserable existence (forget about living). I talk here about the Sahara slum. A more serious people would be ashamed to showcase an unplanned ghetto like Accra as their capital, but so low is our self-esteem that a flyover built by foreign Engineers is enough to send us into a dizzying spell. What exactly do we expect to happen when next the rains come and deluge our fanciful Circle? Do you know what is so tragic about our current situation, my good friend? Pray, tell me, Kamerade. It was the Poet Yeats who told us that: "The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity. You have been to Dubai on several times. I also know for a fact that you have travelled to the US and several European countries. In which of those places did you see people fetch water with Kufuor Gallons? Hmmmmm My friend, please admit it. There are few places outside of our continent where people do not feel a sense of shame to be seen carrying water on their heads the way their ancestors did thousands of years ago. In which of the places you visited did you see people struggle to get electricity, or where people defecate in open spaces or where people continue to live happily in ghettos as though it is most natural thing in the world/ But Sorry to interrupt you, my friend. Lets stop excusing our misrulers in Africa. We no longer have any business supporting those that make us live in poverty in this age and time. I saw you reading a Frantz Fanon book the other day, do you know my favourite Fanon quotation? Tell me. Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it. - Frantz Fanon Kampala (AFP) - Ugandan prosecutors charged a tribal king with murder Tuesday, accusing him of backing a separatist militia in his kingdom where weekend fighting between his guards and security forces left at least 87 people dead. The Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere is accused of commanding a militia from his palace with the aim of creating an independent state straddling Uganda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. "Court sat this afternoon. He has been charged with murder," Uganda's judiciary spokesman Solomon Muyita told AFP, without giving further details. Police and army officers stormed Mumbere's palace in the western town of Kasese on Sunday in a hail of gunfire and explosions, dragging him out and placing him under arrest after he failed to accept an ultimatum to disband his royal guards, the authorities have said. According to police, fighting first broke out on Saturday when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards and quickly spread to surrounding towns. Kasese district police commander Sam Odong told AFP another 25 bodies had been found on Monday in towns outside Kasese, however it was not clear whether they were civilians or royal guards. Police had earlier reported that 16 police officers and 46 guards were killed in the weekend unrest, bringing the total death toll to 87. Another 139 guards have been arrested. Amnesty International on Monday expressed alarm at what "appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests". A modern kingdom The Rwenzururu kingdom, of the Bakonzo tribe, is a modern one. It began as a separatist movement of the same name when the Bakonzo -- tired of being subjected to the rule of another tribe given preference under British rule -- declared its own kingdom in 1962. The move led to years of bloodshed until a settlement was reached in 1982 in which the movement laid down arms in return for a degree of local autonomy. President Yoweri Museveni officially recognised the kingdom in 2009. However, many in the region still feel marginalised by the government and want to create their own state known as the Yiira Republic, uniting the Bakonzo and its sister tribe, the Banande, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister General Jeje Odongo told a press conference that "claims and counter-claims over land rights between the Bakonzo and other communities is alleged to be one other cause of the conflict" in the region. He said a wave of attacks was carried out in 2014, leaving nearly 100 people dead -- mostly attackers from a group known as "Youth of the Kingdom". "In the recent wave of violence the attackers have graduated into a militia which is trained, uniformed, armed, camped, and under a command and control structure. This new structure is composed of "KilhumiraMutima" (the stronghearted and keepers of a secret)," he said. He said regional security authorities met on November 21 to decide to dismantle camps set up by the militia, spurring a surge of attacks on police stations and posts in the region by the fighters who retreated into the palace. Odongo said machine guns, pistols, machetes, spears and petrol bombs had been found in the palace. Guards offered amnesty The kingdom has denied any links to the alleged militia. "At the moment the institution is not ready to give a statement," said palace spokesman Clarence Bwambale. "We can't have the figures of our people killed because we have been denied access to the palace... but definitely we lost many people." Kasese district commissioner James Mwesigye on Tuesday offered amnesty to members of the royal guards and alleged militia who turned themselves in, saying they would "be handled as children who went astray and have returned to the fold". "We don't want to see more bloodshed," said Bwambale. "Come and hand yourselves in because we want to see you alive, the heroes are those who are alive." On November 28, the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, on behalf of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, signed with the Ambassador of the Chinese Mission to the AU a hand over certificate for the provision of USD1.2 million for support to the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). It is to be recalled that China donated the same amount in 2015, in addition to several other donations in kind for the AU troops in Somalia. In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador reiterated Chinas commitment to continue to support the AU in promoting peace and stability in the continent as well as to enhanced relationship and cooperation between China and the AU. The Commissioner for Peace and Security expressed his gratitude to China and indicated that the donation comes at a critical moment where AMISOM needs additional support for its engagement in Somalia. He also informed that the donation is earmarked for future operations and reiterated the need for other partners to strengthen and coordinate their support to AMISOM and the Somali national security forces. President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday November 29, 2016, inaugurated the newly built Kotokuraba Market at Cape Coast in the Central Region. Apart from having several shops, it also has banks, a hospital and a school. It also has an office block, a parking lot, eatery, a fire department, offices, a drainage system and walkways, to ensure the free movement of traders and customers. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President John Mahama said the project will among other thing boost the economy in the area. The President during the commissioning stated that, the initial traders at the market will have shops allocated to them, and also promised that there will be no unfairness in the allocation of the shops. A list of the women and other traders who were trading in the market before the reconstruction are going to be served first. Afterwards, if there are more stores, others will be attended to, he added. On his part, the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, thanked government for the project. It is a good thing that has happened in Oguaa. About four years ago this place was disorganized. The late President John Atta Mills saw the importance to develop the market. We thank you [President Mahama] and your team for the good work you have done, Osabarima Atta II added. Work on the project began in December 2014, after a court in Cape Coast ordered the demolition of the old project to make way for the Cape Coast stadium. Some traders had prayed the court to halt the demolition of the old market until decent structures had been provided for their relocation. By: Akwasi Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana South Africas governing ANC has rejected a bid to oust the scandal-hit President Jacob Zuma. A no confidence motion in Mr Zuma, tabled by a government minister, was defeated at meeting of the ANCs top leadership body. Mr Zuma has faced a string of corruption allegations, with a recent report highlighting his links with the wealthy Gupta family. He left for Cuba early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Fidel Castro. Mr Zuma has survived several opposition-sponsored no confidence votes in parliament. This was the first time he faced a rebellion from senior ANC members who serve in his cabinet. Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom tabled a motion calling for his sacking at a meeting of the partys National Executive Committee (NEC). He was backed by several other ministers, including Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, local media reported. The NEC did not support the call for the president to step down, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told a news conference. This issue was debated openly, robustly and, as we said, sometimes it was very difficult for members themselves, he added. Earlier this month, an investigation by South Africas anti-corruption watchdog said a judicial inquiry should be set up to further investigate allegations of criminal activity in Mr Zumas government. Mr Zuma is accused of letting the Gupta family wield undue influence in his government. Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The Guptas also denied offering Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas $44.6m (36.2m) last year if he accepted the post of finance minister and advanced their business interests. Earlier this year, the Constitutional Court ruled that Mr Zuma had breached the constitution by failing to repay government money spent on his private home in rural Nkandla. A High Court has also ruled that he should be charged with 783 counts of corruption in relation to a 1999 arms deal. Mr Zuma has denied taking bribes, and has appealed against the ruling. In August, the ANC lost control of the key cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria in local elections, for the first time since the end of white-minority rule in 1994. Voters had punished the party for corruption, and its failure to act against Mr Zuma, analysts said. Mr Zuma was elected South Africas president in 2009, and his allies say he will step down at the end of his two terms in 2019. -BBC News The Opposition parties, led by Congress, will be holding a meeting tomorrow to discuss their strategy to corner the Modi government on the newly-passed Income Tax Amendment Bill. By Supriya Bhardwaj: Parliament's winter session seems to be heading towards a washout. While the showdown continues on the issue of demonetisation between the NDA government and the United Opposition parties' front, passing of the Income Tax Amendment Bill today is the new bone of contention between the two fronts. Opposition parties led by Congress termed the passing of Income Tax Amendment Bill as '50-50 Kala Dhan Dharak Kalyan Yojna' for black money hoarders. advertisement The Opposition is planning to protest against the manner in which this bill was introduced and was later passed. A crucial meeting of Opposition parties' leaders will take place on Wednesday morning where the strategy will be finalised to corner the Modi government on the Income Tax Amendment Bill. ALSO READ | Parliament: Income Tax Bill passed in Lok Sabha amid uproar by Opposition WHAT THE OPPOSITION IS SAYING The Opposition claims that under Income Tax Act's section 271, one is liable to pay 132 per cent tax if found guilty of keeping black money. But the NDA government is a giving chance to black money holders to convert their black money at 49.9 per cent tax rate, the Opposition claims. While referring to passing of Income Tax Amendment Bill, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress' communication department head, said, "The PM has brought to Fair and Lovely scheme back to back to convert black money into white. This is the new 50-50 PM that we are seeing where Black Money holders can retain 50 per cent of black money amount." Also read | Demonetisation hits Parliament House too, ATMs in premise run out of cash WHAT ARE THE MAJOR OBJECTIONS Opposition alleges the central government has bulldozed its way into the Parliament. "Constitutional propriety was trampled upon by the way bill was passed," said Sushmita Deb, Congress Lok Sabha MP. Opposition parties also maintained that neither Presidential consent was taken nor was appropriate discussion on the amendments allowed in the lower house of the Parliament. "Even house was not in order. Amendments moved by opposition were not taken into account," said Deb. The Income Tax Bill was converted into a Money Bill. This technically means that this bill now would not be introduced in Rajya Sabha. "This shows Modi government's commitment to fight black money menace. If Modi government was keen to give this chance to black money holders, then why did they brought demonetisation scheme?" questioned Samajvadi Party MP Naresh Agarwal. --- ENDS --- The opposition New Patriotic Partys (NPP) National Youth Organizer, Sammy Awuku, has alleged that the upcoming special voting on December 1, marks the beginning of the Electoral Commission's grand ploy to rig the December 7 elections, in favour of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to him, some eligible voter names have been deleted on the special voting list. The special voters list is a source of worry to us as a political party because several names have been deleted. Sammy Awuku was addressing the NPP Northern Regional Youth League in Tamale, as part of his nationwide campaign tour. He admonished the National Peace and Christian Councils to stop calling on political parties' leadership to sign peace accords, and rather descend on the Electoral Commission to demonstrate its transparency and neutrality as the arbiter of the December 7 elections. Sammy Awuku downplayed the EC's running advertisements on some media networks asking the electorate to go home immediately after exercising their franchise. He explained that there is no such law requiring voters to immediately leave the polling stations after voting. We disagree with the EC's advert asking voters to go home. We are ready to protect the precious ballots. We are determined and prepared to defend the ballot on December 7, and no amount of news conferences by the security agencies can frustrate us. He damned President John Dramani Mahama's administration saying, Ghanaians should punish Mahama's government for taking us for granted. We have suffered for eight years under Mahama and so you need to register your anger on the ballot. Sacrifice the last eight days to achieve this goal, he emphasized. Sammy Awuku claimed that Ghanaians could suffer the penalty of President Mahama's dictatorship if his mandate is renewed. The NDC now symbolizes desperation. They have wasted the taxpayers' money on erection of giant billboards. Ghanaians will regret it if they make a mistake and renew Mahama's mandate. Chieftaincy and religious politics The NPP National Youth Organizer advised the party's communicators to stay away from chieftaincy and religious issues. Chieftaincy and religious politics will not help our party especially in the Northern Region, he underscored. He reaffirmed the NPP's determination to get rid of the NDC through the ballot on December 7, and further damned Ben Ephson's prediction of 52% win for President Mahama and the NDC on December 7. By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has picked up a member of NPP Presidential candidate Akufo-Addo's security detail and one other supporter while they are jogging by the Flagstaff House in Accra. The incident happened last Sunday morning at about 8am, New Patriotic Party member John Kumah told myjoyonline.com, after he was granted access to the two Tuesday. He said Jalil Bawa, a former police officer and a member of the security team and Alhassan Abubakar who is in his late 20s. The two who live in Nima, a community in Accra, were jogging by the seat of government when Abubakar's keys fell into the sand. They stopped to retrieve the key and continued the exercise. But about 50 meters away, two security officials accosted them and accused them of planting something in the ground. Despite their explanations, the security officials walked them back to the spot where the key fell and asked that the dig around the area to be ensure they had not planted 'juju'. "There was nothing there" John Kumah explained. He said one of the security officers identifed Bawa as a former police officer who left the service and joined the NPP security team. The new fact completely changed the dynamics of the investigations. Several security officers poured out of the Flagstaff House and the two were led inside. They were later taken to BNI cells. Their families had been searching for them until checks revealed they had been picked up. No charges have been levelled yet and according to John Kumah, the two cannot be granted bail until their 'busy' superiors are available for office work. Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com October 21st 2016 marked the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Tanzania. As part of planned year-long anniversary events, the Embassy of Switzerland is hosted a panel discussion to x-ray the state of Tanzanias health care system at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC). The discussion focused on providing a critical analysis of the current landscape of the health care delivery system and also provided an outlook on how equity and universality of access can be ensured sustainably. Notable panelists included Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Hon. Hamisi Kigwangalla and President of Swiss Academy of Sciences Prof. Marcel Tanner. The event brought together key stakeholders in the health sector to identify innovative solutions in addressing challenges around service delivery, infrastructure, financing, medicine and equipment. Other contributing panelists included Dr. Hassan Mshinda, Director General of Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology; Dr. Meshack Shimwela, Hospital Director at Amana Regional Referral Hospital; Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, CEO Aga Khan Health Services; and Mr. Kain Mbaya, CEO Strategis Insurance Co. Ltd. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Flora Kessy, Associate Professor of Social Policy and Development at Mzumbe University. Opening remarks were given by Swiss Ambassador to Tanzania H.E Florence Tinguely Mattli and the discussion was closed by Ms. Romana Tedeschi, Head of International Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland. Switzerland has been a trusted partner in Tanzanias development since 1960. In health, Switzerland is promoting the equitable access to and improved quality of health services and care for women, children and communities in remote areas. As the current Chair of the Development Partners Group for Health (DPG Health), Switzerland aims to engage in health financing policy dialogue with development partners, Tanzanian government and other stakeholders in the sector. Over three hundred known NPP Assembly Members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly(KMA) say they have defected to the NDC. Their main reason for leaving the NPP they say is the inability of the flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo to unite members of the party. "Ever since he assumed the leadership reigns of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo has succeeded in reducing a once formidable political force to a laughing stock which is neither capable of wrestling power nor governing this country," a portion of a statement presented at a press conference read. Among the defectors are a former Assembly Member for Ahwemasi Electoral Erea, Osei Sarfo Kantanka, an NPP polling station Chairman for Atwima Tachiman M/A Primary A School, a former Assembly Member for Kwadaso North Electoral Area, Eric Assibey and some others. They accused the NPP's 2016 candidate of superintending over high levels of bigotry, intolerance, and discrimination which has never been witnessed in the history of the NPP." Among their reasons for joining the NDC are some qualities of the 2016 presidential candidate of the NDC, President John Dramani Mahama including tolerance. They said, "beside his stellar unifying and accommodating qualities, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has achieved so much as the president of Ghana within the short space of four years in power." They condemned unreservedly the hooting of President John Dramani Mahama at the Manhyia Palace during the observation of the one week passing of the Asantehemaa Afia Kobi Ampem II. Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | Akosua Asiedua Akuffo | [email protected] Ten French tactical vehicles and five transport trucks, including an all-equipped sanitary unit, were officially handed over on Tuesday November 29th to the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo, by French Ambassador Gilles Thibault. These vehicles are equipped with weapons and transmission equipment and are accompanied with precision rifles, helmets and bullet-proof vests. All for a total value of 430 million FCFA, are destined for the Cameroonian army special units. This second transfer of the year 2016 is part of the bilateral Franco-Cameroonian military cooperation, reinforced by the signature of a defence partnership agreement on May 21st 2009. It complements the training activities carried out throughout the year by the French military units in Gabon. This material support is one of the concrete manifestations of the strengthening of France's solidarity with Cameroon in its fight against Boko Haram as it was announced by the President Francois Hollande during his visit in Yaounde on July 3rd 2015. Over the past year, in addition to the training and equipment of special units, Military cooperation between France and Cameroon has particularly increased in the field of mine clearance and information sharing to support the fight against terrorist armed groups. The number of banks in Ghana may shoot up next year if the Bank of Ghana (BoG) yields to pressure from some industry players to increase the number. Ghana currently has 32 banks after the central bank this year approved five more banks which include OmniBank, Premium bank and Ghana Home Loans. As the number of banks grows, there have been calls for smaller banks to merge to help them expand their capital base to undertake high-budget projects. But speaking recently at a launch of OmniBank, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah rather urged the Governor of the central bank, to license indigenous companies that meet all the criteria to be a bank since it will intensify competition in the industry and create jobs. According to him, the move will create jobs and provide an opportunity for Ghanaian owned banks to have a major stake in the financial sector. Even though we have reached the thirty second, let me use this opportunity to encourage the Bank of Ghana to license any Ghanaian entity that qualifies to run a commercial bank. Because if for nothing at all, they will create jobs and increase competition which will make the banks operate within ther terms of the industry, he said. Mr. Debrah observed that Ghana has a stable financial sector that has the capacity to drive the country's developmental agenda. He stated that government is always ready to support financial institutions that will abide by the rules of the regulator to protect Ghanaians. I believe sincerely that Ghana has come of age and because we want to expand our economy we should encourage our brothers and sisters who have the ability to support the banking industry the opportunity to do so. Meanwhile the Managing Director of Omni Bank Ghana, Philip Oti Mensah has assured that the bank will continue to serve the SME sector to expand its operations. According to him, prior to attaining a banking status, the company which operated as Union Savings and Loans adequately served the SME sector, hence will not depart from it. Mr. Oti Mensah also told Citi Business News the bank aims at achieving three billion deposits by 2020. By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana The New Patriotic Party has uncovered what it says is a grand plot, a carefully orchestrated scheme by the first family to bribe leading and influential members of the party to paint the NPP leader as an ethnic bigot and an anti-northern person. Addressing a press conference in Accra, Tuesday, Moustapha Hamid, spokesperson of the NPP leader Nana Akufo-Addo, made damning allegations of bribery against president John Mahama and his brother Ibrahim Mahama- claims we cannot independently confirm, at least for now. According to him, an offer of a brand new V6 Mitsubishi, a brand new V8 Landcruiser and a promise of 3.3 million was made to Bugri Naabu, the Northern Regional Chair of the NPP in a meeting held on October 28, 2016. A contractor of repute, owed to the tune of 247,000 cedis by the state for jobs done in the past, Mr Naabu was promised payment by the two powerful men if he were to play ball. The offer was to induce Bugri Naabu to "resign from the NPP and damage Akufo Addo beyond electability." Bugri Naabu He was to tell the world, that Nana Akufo Addo, a rabid anti-northern person who could not advance the cause of the Northern people, a person who is knocking the heads of one northerner against another. Bugri Naabu is said to have collected the booty offered but failed to do what he was instructed to do. Rather he informed leading members of the party about the attempt to bribe him. Moustapha Hamid claims a cash amount of 500,000 cedis was paid to Naabu, at the same meeting held at the home of Ibrahim Mahama and the money was subsequently deposited at the Prudential Bank, Abossey Okai branch on Saturday October 29, 2016. Moustapha Hamid brought with him documents he claimed were evidence of the bribery, including the brand new Mitsubishi Vehicle and the documents covering it. Plot Hamid said the plot was to confirm a contrived assertion, a wicked fabrication that Akufo Addo is a violent person who does not like northerners. And the plan was to use northerners to carry out the plot. With his level of influence in the party and in the Northern Region Bugri Naabu was deemed to be right person to carry out the plot and finish off the political career of the NPP leader. According to him, Moustapha Hamid, the brother of the president Mr Ibrahim Mahama had for months been trying to get Bugri Naabu to meet the president to discuss how best he could carry out with the plot. After several overtures, the president's brother succeeded and struck that meeting between Mr Naabu and the president on October 28, just last month. Narrating how it happened, Hamid said the NPP Northern Region chair was picked up at his Osu Office by Ibrahim Mahama and driven to his house (Ibrahim Mahama) for that all important meeting. At that meeting the president is quoted as saying "why are you with these Asante people, you know they don't respect we northerners." Present in that meeting was one Alhaji Awal, Ibrahim Mahama himself and the president. After agreeing to play ball, Bugri Naabu was given the cash amount of 500,000 out of which he was supposed to pay 50,000 to Alhaji Awal who was instrumental in organising the meeting. According to Hamid, at a funeral of a relative of Bugri Naabu, the president and his brother attended and gave a donation of 10,000 and 20,000 cedis respectively to Mr Naabu all in appreciation of the said deal. Evidence The NPP leader's spokesperson adduced what he said were documentary evidence and the car at the centre of the controversy. According to him, the car was shipped into the country in August by a company, Malin investment. Checks by the party at the Registrar's General Department indicate that the company is owned by Hawa Mahama and Frank Alomasor, personal assistant to the president. The ownership of the car was transferred to Bugri Naabu, on November 2,2016. Moustapha Hamid brought what he said was the DVLA documents transferring the ownership of the car into the name of Bugri Naabu. Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic of Ghana, on a statement read on his behalf by the Minister for Interior, Prosper D.K. Bani, has applauded the Chief Fire Officer and the Command of the Service for exhibiting good leadership qualities and massive transformation in the Service. Prosper D.K. Bani said he is not surprised that the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Chief Fire Officer continue to receive awards both home and abroad. You have indeed carved a good image for yourselves and it is my hope that you will continue in this direction so that we can have a Fire Service comparable to any Fire Institution in the world. The Good people of Ghana will continue to count on you for their safety, he stated. He mentioned the Home Fire Safety Certificate Project launched months ago which is meant to ensure that homes are supplied with fire dispense systems including fire and smoke alarms, and firefighting equipment, whilst occupants of the home are trained on the use of the equipment. I have observed with keen interest the performance of the Service in recent years and would recall Circle Twin Disaster of Flood and Fire in which the Service executed its duties per excellence to save a lot more lives and properties which could have been lost, but for the quick intervention of the Ghana National Fire Service (GHFS), through its efficient and effective response, he stated. Mr. Bani acknowledged the efforts of other stakeholders during the incident and urged them to continue to collaborate with each other in such emergencies. I must commend the Ghana National Fire Service once again for putting in place proactive measures to curb the rampant market fires. I will urge you not to rest on your oars but continue to do more of public education and sensitization to ensure that no fires are recorded in our markets in the years ahead, he intimated. He said this at a ceremony to handover twenty four (24) Fire Tenders of which fourteen (14) were on display which forms the last batch of one hundred and four (104) Fire Tenders from India through the Exim Bank of India credit facility. The Sector Minister emphasized that the Government of Ghana had earlier taken delivery of 152 Fire Tenders from the Exim Bank-USA and the Belgium Government. Which brings the number to 256 Fire Tenders so far procured for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. He commended the Indian Government for making the Exim Bank of India Facility available to the Government of Ghana to help equip and retool the GNFS to provide rescue, evacuation and Fire Management services to the Ghanaian citizenry. Mr. Bani reassured the fire personnel that the NDC Government shall fulfill to equip the Service with Hydraulic Platform to help the Service gain access to the ever increasing high rise buildings that are springing up in the country as a result of development the NDC has brought to Ghana. According to him, the Government has approved a 20 percent rent allowance across board for all personnel of the Service effective January 2017 to improve the conditions of service of personnel. He added that a sod was recently cut at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Brong Ahafo Region to begin the construction of an ultra-Modern Fire Acedemy and Training School to serve as a Centre of Excellence for the Fire industry in the West African sub-region. The Chief Fire Officer, Dr. Albert Brown Gaisie, said, its quiet significant that as an institution we improve upon our human and logistical resources. He indicated that fire fighting is a process and as an institution they are responsible for the prevention and management of undesired fires in this country. According to him, one crucial thing is that they have not essentially covered the whole country but as these vehicles are made available to them, it makes it quiet imperative that they extend their services to cover other areas that are highly required. At the moment, Dr. Gaisie noted that they are left with about 40 Metropolitans, Municipalities and districts to cover the whole country which eventually means they may still need more fire tenders to cover those areas. He added that when fire tenders are available in terms of proximity, they will reach emergency scene on time thereby facilitating their response to those as quickly as possible. The Chief Fire Officer indicated with these facilities handed over especially the dual purpose tender which has a combination of water and foam compound which goes a long way to suppress the occurrence of fire outbreak. So I think generally, its a welcoming new and taking delivery of 24 fire engines that means out of the 64 that are left, weve covered 24 and at the end of the day we have about 24 plus left. Hopefully, if the future presents us with more facilities, virtually we are covering the whole country and that is a quiet laudable effort, he intimated. Dr. Gaisie posited that from August 2015 to now, they have opend 34 fire stations and they hope to expand more. He added that next week they are likely to open a new fire station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle because of the congestion, hazards and risk indentified within the area. Remarkably, according to him, for the past 2years the country has not recorded any major market fire outbreaks and the regularity of fire outbreaks as it used to be, considerably has been reduced all because of the proactive measures which shall continue to sustained. It is my vision hopefully that by the end of next year, God willing we will be able to minimize the occurrence of fire outbreaks in this country closed to about 50 percent, he intimated. The Ashanti Youth Association (AYA) has condemned what it describes as gross disrespect shown to the Manhyia Palace and the President during the one-week observation of the late Asantehemaa. Asanteman was in grief over for the death of the Queen mother of the Ashanti stool Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa, Ampem II, the mother of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The 111-year-old queen mother who reigned for 39 years passed early November. The solemnity of the occasion gave way to chants, hoots for President John Mahama and his biggest adversary in December's election Nana Akufo-Addo suggestive of a political campaign ground; indicative of the political season the country is engrossed in. And it all happened at the Manhyia Palace, much to the chagrin of some chiefs. Members of the Asante Youth Association blame the action of supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for what happened. Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Vice President of Association, Dr Ronald Ofori asked the Party to call its members to order. He said their attention was brought to the fact that a "political grouping of some sort were responsible for heckling members of government who have come to mourn with us." More soon... Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com Nairobi (AFP) - A top advisor to Burundi's president and the most public face of the government has escaped an assassination attempt blamed on Rwanda, in the latest political attack in the crisis-wracked nation. The attack took place late on Monday when a group of gunmen ambushed Willy Nyamitwe, the government's top spokesman, as he was returning to his home in the capital Bujumbura. The assailants opened fire and threw grenades, killing one of his bodyguards but leaving Nyamitwe with only minor injuries to his arm. Police said the gunmen were waiting in a nearby house which was under construction, blaming the botched assassination on Rwanda. "Rwanda's role in the current crisis in Burundi is undeniable," police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye told reporters on Tuesday. He said two conspirators had been arrested, one of whom admitted the mission was sponsored by neighbouring Rwanda, with whom Burundi has fraught relations. "It is the same enemy, they are criminals based in Kigali," said Nkurikiye. Burundi has repeatedly accused Rwanda of meddling in its affairs, supporting rebels and seeking to destabilise the government. High-profile targets Nyamitwe is one of the most prominent voices in Burundi, an active tweeter who frequently criticises the West for interfering in the central African nation. "I thank those who wish me a speedy recovery. I am doing well but saddened by the death of a best friend, the policeman Gasongo," he tweeted after the attack. Burundi has been in turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza (L) announced plans in April 2015 to run for a third term, which he went on to win His brother Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Burundi's foreign minister, described the assassination bid as "a new, pointless effort to disturb republican institutions". Burundi has been in turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans in April last year to run for a third term, which he went on to win. More than 500 people have been killed in the unrest and at least 300,000 have fled the country, while several well-known figures, including high-ranking military officers, have been assassinated. The European Union said in a statement that the attack "reflects the continuing climate of violence in Burundi characterised by numerous murders and forced disappearances." In April, Human Rights Minister Martin Nivyabandi and his wife were injured in a grenade attack while leaving church. General Adolphe Nshimirimana, considered Nkurunziza's right-hand man, was killed in August 2015, the highest-ranking member of the regime to be assassinated. 'Foreign plot' A volley of reports by international rights groups accusing the government of atrocities and warning of genocide has infuriated Bujumbura, which says there is a "foreign plot" to overthrow the government. Burundi in October informed the United Nations it intended to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. A Burundian policeman stands next to the vehicle in the security advisor to Burundi's vice president Athanase Kararuza was killed on April 25, 2016 in Bujumbura It also suspended cooperation with the UN human rights office and declared three UN rights investigators persona non grata after a damning September report detailing atrocities. A report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) two weeks ago warned of the risk of genocide in the country which suffered a brutal civil war from 1993 to 2006 between majority Hutus and minority Tutsis that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives. In response, Nyamitwe launched the hashtag #ThisisMyGenocide, posting pictures of himself posing with a kitten and juggling eggs to mock the "biased report". The taking over of command came amid a fierce gunbattle between security forces and heavily armed militants who opened fire on an Army camp in the garrison town of Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir. By Alok Ranjan: Pakistani Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa is taking over as the chief of the country's Army on today. On Monday, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said there would be no change in the country's military policy under Bajwa's leadership. The taking over of command came amid a fierce gunbattle between security forces and heavily armed militants who opened fire on an Army camp in the garrison town of Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir. advertisement Two soldiers were martyred and two others critically injured after militants attacked an artillery unit in Nagrota today morning. Heavy exchange of fire has been going on between the militants and security forces since 5:30 am. After the attack Army has intensified the combing operation against the militants. The state administration has ordered shutting down of schools in Nagrota. Nagrota serves as the headquarters for the Army's 16 Corps and plays a very important part of the military formation and security on the border as well for anti-terrorist operations. Read: Army jawans killed as terrorists attack Nagrota base; 3 militants trying to enter India killed in Samba In a separate encounter, one Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was injured after the security forces intercepted a group of militants attempting to cross the border at Chamliyal border out post which is located in the Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir. In this exchange of firing about three terrorists were gunned down by the security forces. The two attacks come on the day when the newly appointed Pakistani Army chief Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa is taking command from the outgoing chief Raheel Sharif. His appointment comes at a time when relations between Pakistan and India have touched a new low after the Uri attack and Indian Army's replies in the form of surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads inside PoK on September 29. There has been a steady rise in ceasefire violations by the Pakistani side. There is considerable rise in infiltration attempts by terrorists from Pakistan to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir post surgical strike by Indian Army. This is the fourth major attack on an Army camp establishment in last 3 months. Before this, on October 6 militants attacked an Army camp at Langate in Kupwara District in which three militants were killed in the encounter. On October 2, two militants and a soldier were killed when militants launched a suicide attack on two military camps in Baramulla. The worst militant attack over Army camp was seen on September 18 when 18 Army personnel belonging to infantry battalions were killed in Uri town of Baramulla. At least four militants were also killed in the encounter. advertisement Following today's attack, security forces have been ordered to maintain high vigil across Jammu and Kashmir. Forces are also on high alert along the highways. Why was Nagrota attacked ? This town is around 39 kms from the border. The 16 Corps Headquarters known as 'White Knight Corps' is located here. The Nagrota Corps is one of the largest corps of the Indian Army. Nagrota has Oil Depots and godowns. Nagrota is home to prestigious Army school. It is located on National Highway between Jammu city and Udhampur. Read: 3 soldiers killed in Jammu and Kashmir, body of one soldier mutilated, Indian Army vows revenge Major Terrorist attacks on Army camps and security forces in J&K in 2016: October 6: Militants attacked an army camp at Langate in Kupwara District in which three militants were killed in the encounter. October 2: Two militants and a soldier were killed when militants launched a suicide attack on two military camps in Baramulla. advertisement September 18: The worst militant attack over army camp was witnessed on September 18 when 18 Army personnel belonging to infantry battalions were killed in suicide attack in Uri, Baramulla district. At least four militants were also killed in the encounter. June 25: Eight CRPF troopers were killed when militants attacked their convoy at Frestbal near Pampore in Srinagar on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. June 3: Three BSF personnel were killed when militants ambushed their convoy near Bijbehara on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Anantnag. Read : Lt General Qamar Javed Bajwa appointed Pakistan Army chief, say reports --- ENDS --- KIGALI (Rwanda) (AFP) - Rwanda on Tuesday opened a formal probe into 20 French officials suspected of playing a role in the 1994 genocide which left some 800,000 dead, the prosecutor general said. "The inquiry, for now, is focused on 20 individuals whom, according to information gathered so far, are required by the prosecution authority to explain or provide clarity on allegations against them," said a statement by prosecutor general Richard Muhumuza. The National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rubbished claims by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), that President John Mahama and his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, attempted to brib e the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu. Speaking on Eyewitness News, Kofi Adams, who is the National Coordinator of President Mahama's campaign team, described the allegations as cock and bull stories. The NPP at a press conference on Tuesday addressed by Mustapha Hamid, spokesperson for the NPPs presidential candidate, alleged that the President and his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, tried to compromise Bugri Naabu with a brand new V6 Mitsubishi, a brand New V8 Land Cruiser and GHc 3.3 million for him to resign from his party and further paint the Akufo-Addo as a dictator and an anti-northerner. Around the same time, Ibrahim Mahama had tried to convince Bugri with money to leave the NPP to become a chief after Daniel Bugri Naabu's uncle died, but Bugri refused, he added. But Kofi Adams maintained that the claims by the NPP are lies. Who in his mind collects money he says its bribe; and goes and deposit in his account. He didn't find any police station to take that money that he considers as a bribe. He didn't find any person to witness that he took the money and was going round and looking for a Prudential bank that works on Saturday to go and deposit the money. This cock and bull stories should be told to only NPP members and not Ghanaians in generality. When further asked by host Eyewitness News, Richard Dela Sky on whether the government would investigate the matter, Kofi Adams said they will do no such thing. We will not have to waste our time as a country on NPP. There are so much things to do in this country that we cannot waste our time on NPP and sit on that fallacious statements that they are making. This is the business they do when we are approaching elections. How are you going to investigate these allegations? Clearly they are lyingthey are lying and just making allegations, he insisted. Further claims by NPP Mr. Hamid also revealed that the vehicle that was given as bribe, was imported in August 2016 by a firm called Malin Investments Company Limited. He noted that, the NPP's checks at the Registrar General's Department indicated that, the two of the company's Directors are Hawa Mahama, sister of President Mahama, and Frank Nuhu Alormasor, President Mahama's personal assistant. By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @AlloteyGodwin 29.11.2016 LISTEN The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has promised to build an ultra-modern market and a school in Santana, a suburb in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in Accra. The PPP believe the residents living in and around the Santana market deserve an ultra modern market and a school hence the Partys decision to build them a new one. The Santana market is an old market which will never go away but has also not seen any growth and development. Its been around for over 40 years and the traders as well residents have expressed the need for a new market complex that will also take care of the educational needs of their children, PPP parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon, William Dowokpor revealed. Interacting with the market women at the Santana market during his market storm campaign, William Dowokpor, who also doubles as the 1st National Vice Chairperson of the party said PPP in its third year of governance would hand over an ultra-modern market for the market women and traders. He bemoaned the current state of the Santana market where it is too open and there are no cubicles for the market women to keep their goods and wares and noted that the new market that the PPP will build for them would have cubicles where they can safely keep all the goods and ware. The Santana market since the last 40 years has been the same and that PPP is ready to change that situation in the Ayawaso West Wugon constituency, a confident looking Dowokpor reiterated. Explaining the rationale for building the ultra modern school, he said it falls directly in line with the Free Compulsory Universal and Basic Education (FCUBE) plans of the PPP so the party wants to make sure it does not leave out the children of the market women and traders. The market women have been craving for a school where they can take their kids to whiles they attend to their market activities. They brought that request to me and we would honour it and make sure we build an ultra modern school for them as well Mr. Dowokpor indicated. The PPP campaign team visited and interacted with food vendors and customers at the University of Ghanas Bush Canteen and Night markets, explaining the partys alternative policy visions to the electorate. For her part, the 2nd Vice Chairperson of the PPP, Berlinda Bulley, who accompanied Mr. Dowokpor to the market storm campaign, charged the market women, food vendors and students to vote massively for the PPP. Story by Ghana/Myjoyonline.com KIGALI (Rwanda) (AFP) - Rwanda opened a formal probe into 20 French officials suspected of playing a role in the 1994 genocide, in a move likely to further sour diplomatic ties with France. Kigali has long accused France of complicity in the genocide of some 800,000 mostly ethnic Tutsis, at the hands of Hutu extremists, angering Paris and straining relations. "The inquiry, for now, is focused on 20 individuals whom, according to information gathered so far, are required by the prosecution authority to explain or provide clarity on allegations against them," said prosecutor general Richard Muhumuza in a statement. This will enable prosecutors to decide "whether the concerned individuals should be formally charged or not". Muhumuza said the relevant French authorities had been contacted and that full cooperation was expected. France is accused of missing or ignoring the warning signs for the 1994 Rwanda massacre, and sending troops only to counter the Tutsi rebels of Paul Kagame, who is now president The dispute centres on France's role prior to the genocide as a close ally of the Hutu nationalist regime of Juvenal Habyarimana. The shooting down of his plane over Kigali on April 6, 1994 was the event that triggered 100 days of meticulously planned slaughter. France is accused of missing or ignoring the warning signs, and of training the soldiers and militiamen who carried out the killings. And when the genocide was in full swing, it was further accused of using its diplomatic clout to stall effective action. When it did finally send in troops -- in Operation Turquoise -- it was accused of only doing so to counter the advance of the Tutsi rebels of Paul Kagame, who is now president, allowing the perpetrators to escape to neighbouring Zaire which later became the Democratic Republic of Congo. Long-running spat France says its soldiers were only deployed after most of the killing had happened and that their presence helped save thousands of lives. And French officials insist that any guilt for failing to prevent the genocide is shared by the entire international community, accusing Kagame of raising the issue in a bid to distract attention from what they say is his own poor human rights record. A visitor looks at items used as weapons during the 1994 Rwandan genocide displayed at The Shoah Memorial (Memorial de la Shoah) in Paris When contacted by AFP, the French defence ministry referred to a statement issued on November 16 by Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian after a list of 22 high-ranking French officers suspected of involvement was first published by Kigali. There was "nothing new" in the list, Le Drian said at the time, adding that it was "almost identical to one produced in 2008" and "to say that the French army took park in genocide was a disgraceful lie". Although relations between Kigali and Paris were completely frozen from 2006 to 2009, they were on the mend until 2014 when Kagame repeated accusations that French soldiers were both accomplices and "actors" in the bloodbath. The remarks prompted France to pull out of ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the massacres. The stormy relationship took an even worse turn when the French judiciary decided in October to re-open an investigation into the shooting down of Habyarimana's plane to hear testimony from a former general who accuses Kagame of being behind the assassination. "It is France which should be in the dock," said Kagame. In apparent retaliation, Rwanda on November 1 published the list of 22 senior French officers it accuses of being involved in the genocide. Good afternoon, Ghana. We have invited you here this afternoon on a matter that is of grave concern, not only to us, but to the people of Ghana. The unity and cohesion of our country should not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. We should all stand up and fight against those who wish to divide this country, merely because they want to perpetuate themselves in power. It is important that we name and shame those who seek political office on the altar of tribalism and ethnocentrism. I am sure you all witnessed the big and warm welcome that Nana Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia received in the three regions of the North recently. Indeed, in the Greater Accra Region and the Volta Region, we have all witnessed the massive show of support for the Nana-Bawumia ticket. In the north in particular, the sound and feel of change is in the air. The ground has shifted and it is the people who have tasted bitterness and sweetness and, knowing too well the difference, who have decided to move in their numbers from those who cheat, lie, and disappoint, the NDC, to those who deliver, the NPP. The President and his party gurus know the ground is not good. Their party foot soldiers in the North feel they have been seduced, used, abused and refused. They struggle to pay fees and their electricity bills. They dont have jobs. They feel abandoned. They feel disrespected and the youth are convinced that government does not care about their future. Mahama has killed the hope of the young people. We must revive it and more and more farmers, women, and young people in the three northern regions see hope and a brighter future in Nana Akufo-Addo and Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Ladies and gentlemen of the press, instead of President Mahama concentrating his efforts on fighting poverty, ignorance and disease in the north, he only sees northerners as pawns in his political chess game, who he must manipulate to perpetuate himself in power in order to continue with the rape of the public purse. Many communities across the north do not have drinking water. And when their brother, who is president, purports to give them water in the form of boreholes, he only uses it as an avenue to make money for himself and his family and friends. For every borehole that President Mahama sinks in the north, five villages are denied same. Northerners are still seething with anger over the 60,000 cedis per borehole project. The story of SADA and the rape of the north, has become the butt of many jokes in Ghana. The NDC has targeted the north with five key things. (1) They want to cheat by using election officers who have been carefully selected for this exercise. (2) They want to intimidate voters and our agents with violence and the threat of violence. (3) They want to excite hatred amongst northerners against southerners, particularly Akans in order to continue exploiting the north. (4) They want to use cash and other material things to buy the conscience of voters. (5) Above all, the NDC has a big plan to buy the loyalty of party executives and polling agents of the NPP and all the other opposition parties. (1) On the plan to cheat using election officers. We know for a fact that it will not work and for three reasons: (a) Not many Election Officers are prepared to cheat for them this time; (b) Our agents are prepared to defend the ballots and know that once they police the process well, no election officer can get away with cheating; (c) The ordinary people in communities across the Northern Region are saying that they themselves will watch over the entire process. They will not go home after voting. They will stay there and watch without interfering. They are determined to have a peaceful and clean elections. (2) On the issue of intimidating voters and party agents, the NPP wants to call on the security agencies sit up to their responsibility. We do not want to be forced to defend ourselves. We want those who are paid to defend the people and properties to do their jobs without fear or favour. But we want the NDC to know that we shall not be intimidated by them. We are prepared to defend the Constitution and our votes. We will, therefore, appeal to them to help us keep this election violent-free. Our young people need jobs and not weapons. (3) The President is at it again. He is playing the worst politics the world has known: tribal politics. The danger in what he is doing is that he is in fact turning Gonja against Mamprusi, Konkomba against Gonja, Nanumba against Konkomba etc. (4) In 2012, the NDC used cash to buy votes. They went from house to house sharing money and sometimes even shared money when people were in the line to vote. We believe the vote buying only worked to some extent in 2012 because the people of the North were somehow persuaded by the assurances from Dramani Mahama that he is our brother, he is our father, he is our son, and can therefore be trusted to make sure we prosper and get our fair share of the national cake. The people of the North trusted him. I am confident from what I hear and see on the ground that this time, vote buying will not work in the north. I cannot speak for other regions. The people of the north were told by President John Mahama to vote for him because he is one of us and can be trusted to develop the north faster and better. But, what we saw was that he rather allowed his close friends like Roland Agambiri to use the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to steal most of the GH300 million given to SADA and meant to help the people of the north. Today, our people are sad, angry, hungry, ashamed and feel very insulted by Dramani Mahama. He exploited us and used our name, through SADA, to enrich his friends and family and to make our people even poorer. Today, under a president who comes from the North, the people of the North are poorer than they were under the late President Mills before 2012 and President Kufuor before 2009. But, President John Dramani Mahama has not apologized to the people of the three Regions of the north for using our name to take money which have been shared among his friends and family. Not a single person has been sent to court over the SADA rot. Roland Agambiri, who promised to build Hope City left Ghana for Dubai City and left the north in calamity. The people of the north feel cheated, insulted and embarrassed. We gave our son, our brother, John Dramani Mahama our cola and he chewed it all and spat it back on our faces. Never again! (5) The biggest concern we have now are efforts from the President and his party to exploit the poverty that they have made worse in their efforts to avoid defeat. They want to buy and steal votes in the north. But, they can only succeed if we allow them. They tried it in 2012 and it worked. They are trying it again in 2016 but it will not work. And, my job here today is to show to the country why we are sure it will not work. MAHAMAS BRIBE TO BUGRI Since the New Patriotic elected its regional executives in January 2014, followed by the election of national officers in April 2014, President Mahama and his people have not relented in their evil ways and means to use money to get some of our own people to work against the NPP. Fortunately for us, with all their cash, cars and lies, they have failed. And, I want to send a message to any party member or executives who is taking money from the NDC to work against the NPP: do not do it! If you do so, you work against yourself, your party and your country. I want to focus on the experience of the Northern Regional Chairman of our party. On Friday, the 28th of October 2016, our Northern Regional Chairman, Mr. Daniel Bugri Naabu, was invited to meet President John Dramani Mahama. The meeting was set up by his brother Ibrahim Mahama and a friend of his, Mohammed Awal. Ibrahim Mahama and Awal drove to the office of Bugri Naabu in Osu near the Osu Police Station, Accra shortly before 9pm. It was Alhaji Awal who walked to Bugri Naabus office. With Bugri Naabu were Majid Bawa and John Kwaku Alhassan (JK), who contested in the NPP parliamentary primaries in the Yunyoo constituency. Awal said that the President wanted to see Bugri Naabu and insisted it was important that Bugri meets with the President. Bugri got into the front seat of Ibrahims car, a brown jeep, with a partition, so he could not even see who was in the car. He was told the President was in the back. He did not look. If the President was in the car, he did not say a word and Ibrahim drove from Bugris office in Osu to Airport Residential Area. Awal drove behind them in his saloon car. When they got to Ibrahims house, they used a back door. Bugri walked with Ibrahim and Awal into an inner living room. According to Bugri Naabu, he was genuinely scared. Yes, big man Bugri was anxious. He was not so sure what was going to happen next. Less than five minutes later, the President entered the room, through the same route that they took. At this time, Bugri was curious to find out what really they had in mind because Alhaji Awal had been trying for over six months to get him to meet the President. Around the same time, Ibrahim Mahama had tried to convince Bugri with money to leave the NPP to become a chief after the death of Bugris uncle, which Bugri refused. Even before Awal, there was Hardi Bin Salih, who came with a message to Bugri shortly after he was elected Northern Regional Chairman, that the President and his brother, Ibrahim, wanted to meet with him urgently. Bugri did not pay heed. They did not give up because the central plank of their campaign for 2016, was and still is, the disunity or the perception of disunity in the NPP. At the funeral of our late former National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, held at the forecourt of the State House, the President himself appealed to Bugri. Bugri was with Alhaji Short, NPP Upper West Regional Chairman and Alhaji Murtala, NPP Upper East Regional Chairman. When the President got to them, as he was greeting people, he gave Bugri a big hug and said into Bugris ears: I want to see you. I want to see you. I must see you. Alhaji Short even heard it, so the two of them laughed over it, wondering what the President was looking for. They even joked that he was probably looking for a new big fish to work with in the NPP. Nearly three months ago, Bugri was in his office when Ibrahim Mahama came with Alhaji Awal, where he was asked to sit in Ibrahims car. The Presidents brothers first statement to Bugri was this: Why are you with these Ashanti people. You know they dont respect us. He said he and his brother were prepared to give Bugri a very good pension package if he would quit the NPP and destroy any chances that Akufo-Addo may have at winning the presidency. Ibrahim gave Bugri GH10,000 for his transport back to Tamale through Alhaji Awal. But, Bugri told Alhaji Awal straight that it was impossible for him to leave the NPP or to destroy a good man like Akufo-Addo. But, they would not listen. They were determined to catch this big elephant. They kept putting pressure on Awal to put pressure on Bugri. Eventually, Bugri accepted their invitation to meet the President out of curiosity. 28TH OCTOBER: MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT Now, let me get back to the meeting with the President now that I have given you enough of a background. The meeting took place in the house of Ibrahim Mahama, close to Gold House, at Airport Residential Area, after 9pm that Friday, October 28. In the meeting was Bugri Naabu, the President, who sat in a chair to Bugris left, his brother, Ibrahim, who sat in another chair on Bugris right side, and Awal, who sat further away from the President, in another chair. They met for over an hour until 11pm. Ibrahim started the meeting by saying he had been talking to Bugri for some time now and Bugri was playing hard but now has agreed to meet and he was sure that Bugri was ready to strike a deal with them. His words were that: I have been talking to him for long time but he did not agree but now he is ready to support you for your second term. The President responded, first by thanking Bugri. He went on to say that he is a Northerner like Bugri and has not been happy with the things that Bugri had been saying about him. He also mentioned Dr Bawumia as another Northerner who has been very harsh on him, the only Northern President we have and that it was through them that Bawumia got to work at the Central Bank. The President said nothing pains him more than Hajia Samira, the wife of Bawumia, who has been very harsh on him. The President then went on to say that Nana Akufo-Addo does not like Northerners. Bugri told him that it cannot be true. The President said, that was why Afoko was suspended. Bugri told him that was not true but Afoko brought it upon himself and it was his behavior that got the party to suspend him and not Akufo-Addo. They then told Bugri what the deal was. The Presidents brother led that discussion. He said Bugri was supposed to resign and damage Akufo-Addo beyond electability. According to the President, Bugri should paint Akufo-Addo as a rabid anti-northern person, who could never be trusted to advance the cause of the people of the north. He was supposed to tell the world that it was Nana Akufo-Addo who got him to turn against Afoko and that he has gotten wiser. He was supposed to say that Nana Addo was knocking the head of one Northern against another. That Bugri should say that Akufo-Addo was running a one man show; the NPP was led by a dictator; if he doesnt like you, you are in trouble and that Bugri should say that it was even Nana who got him to suspend the Regional Womens Organiser. Nana hates Northerners so our people should stop saying NPP is a better alternative when Nana is the one in charge. Bugri asked them how they expected him to survive after spewing these lies against an innocent man. They told him they were prepared to fly him abroad, put him up in a hotel and fly Ghanaian journalists there to interview him and that Bugri should even say he was afraid for his life that is why he had to flee Ghana. Now, I am sure you want to know what they offered Bugri. As the President was talking, Ibrahim got up to signal and a man walked into the room with a bag behind his back. He dropped it in front of Bugri and left. Ibrahim opened it and it was full of Fifty Ghana Cedis notes. Bugri asked what that was about. Ibrahim said there was GH500,000 in it. The deal was that they were prepared to give him more. Bugri said to them that, he was surprised. Why now? The government had sat on Bugris money as a contractor for years. Bugri was still owed GH247,000 for a feeder road contract and the certificate had been ready since 2013, when he was not even Regional Chairman but they refused to pay because he is NPP. This was the full details of the deal they offered Bugri that night: Brand new V8 Toyota Land Cruiser Brand new V6 Mitsubishi Pajero Brand new Nissan Pick-up GH3.3 million, including the contract sum owed to Bugri and minus the GH500,000. Plus a new road contract Ibrahim said they were prepared to give Bugri a road contract worth GH190 million. There and then, they offered Bugri work on a road that he had already worked on years ago under the NPP, the Osenase-Apenamang Road. The President directed Bugri to see the Director of the Department of Feeder Roads, Mr Francis Digber. When, Bugri was leaving, Ibrahim asked him to give GH50,000 of the GH500,000 to Alhaji Awal, promising to reimburse him later. The very next day, Bugri managed to locate the one Prudential Bank that he knew would be open on a Saturday and put the money in. That is, the Abossey Okai Branch. He deposited it in his account number 0090985590013, which account holding branch is Ring Road Central. Bugri immediately reported the full details of the meeting to the Flag bearer, who was out of town campaigning, but through a trusted aide who is also a senior member of the NPP campaign. A few days later, to show good faith, Ibrahim Mahama joined a high-powered NDC delegation, led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Kenneth Wujangi, with Minister of State, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed and Ghanas Ambassador to Angola Moses Bukari Mabengba, to he funeral of Bugri Naabus daughter. Ibrahim Mahama generously donated GH20,000 at the funeral, and the President GH10,000. True to their word, the first of the three vehicles was ready and Bugri sent one of his boys to pick it up. According to the Customs Classification and Valuation Report, the vehicle was imported into Ghana by Malin Investment Ltd in August this year and the duty paid on it was GH40,274.70. Ladies and gentlemen of the media, I have given you enough names and enough details to support the case that the President and his brother have approached Bugri and offered him cash, a contract and vehicles and in return, for him to create divisions in the NPP and tell lies about the flagbearer and paint him as an ethnic bigot who hates northerners. But, I know there are some who may still doubt me. Well, let me give you just one more piece of the evidence. The company that imported the vehicle and transferred it to Bugri, Malin Investment is owned by a Hawah Hayisi Aryee Mahama and Frank Nuhu Alormasor, a Personal Assistant to the President. I leave it to you to find out who Hawah Mahama is. I want to end with a final message to the President. Yes, Bugri thanks you for the gifts the car and the cash. I am not so sure, where things have gotten to, I dont think Bugri should expect the other two cars, the contract and the rest of the cash. But, that is ok. Since the car is registered in Bugris name he intends to donate it to the Northern Region NPP so that it can be used for the 2016 NPP campaign to win power against the NDC. As for the cash, he intends to use it to support our campaign efforts, especially work at the polling station level, so that our agents will be well trained and resourced to protect the ballot. My message to my party people, especially polling agents is this: the NDC will try to bribe you. Please do not sell your party. The country depends on your loyalty, your integrity and your vigilance to effect the change that is before us. My message to the rest of Ghanaians is this: the NDC will come to attempt to buy your votes, after they have made you poorer. It is your own money they will bring to you. Please take it and use it but let them know that your vote is too precious to be bought. You are not for sale. Your future is not for sale. Ghana is not for sale. Change is here! Let us go out in our numbers and reject ethnic bigotry, bribery and corruption and division. You cant buy us! Ghana is not for sale! Thank you. Accra, Nov 29, GNA - The 22-year-old mason who allegedly strangled a seven- year old girl to death after having sex with her say he was conscious and did not need any medical care to determine his state of mind. Lucas Agboyie said: 'My Lord everything is alright. I am conscious. I don't want any test to be conducted on my mind.' According to him since the incident occurred he had been stable in the mind. When the court presided over by Mr Worlanyo Kotoku asked him whether he knew the deceased mother, Agboyie said he did not know her. According to him the deceased family should forgive him for the pain he had caused them. The matter was however adjourned to December 20, following a strike action embarked by State Attorneys in the country. State Attorneys at the Attorney- General"s Department for the past few weeks have been on strike over poor conditions of service. The state was to begin committal proceedings to enable Lucas Agboyie to stand trial at the High Court. The accused who is being held for murder's plea had been preserved by the court. At the last sitting, Mrs Francisca Tete-Mensah, Principal State Attorney prayed for a date to enable the Police deliver by hand a copy of the docket to the Attorney General's (AG's) office. This she said would enable them to put together the Bill of Indictment, summary of evidence and list of exhibits. Mrs Tete-Mensah recounted that the case docket had not been sent to the AG's office as the case investigator was sent on another national assignment in the Northern Region. The Principal State Attorney, however, said on his arrival, the case investigator had promised to deliver the docket by hand instead of through a dispatch rider. The murder of the victim took place at Kubekro No one, near Atadeka in the Ashaiman Municipality. The case of prosecution was that the deceased, Ruth Ankomah, was a class one pupil of Meshach Academy School at Zenu, in Ashaiman. The accused person lives 200 meters away from the deceased's house. On April 19, last year, at about 0800 hours, the deceased's mother prepared porridge and gave her GHa 20.00 to go and purchase bread at a nearby shop for breakfast. The Prosecution said having waited for a long time without Ruth's return; she became alarmed and started searching for her in the area, but to no avail. Later, an informant told the victim's mother that he saw the accused person pulling the victim into his metal container. The search team marched to the container but the accused was nowhere to be found. However, they found the naked body of the victim lying in a supine position on an old student mattress with blood oozing from her nostrils and mouth. The search team nabbed Agboyie during the search and he confessed to killing the girl after having sex with her. The Prosecution said the accused, during the interrogation, said he wanted to have sex with the victim but she screamed, hence he strangled her after, which he had sex with her. The Police, during their visit to the scene, saw bruises on the neck of the deceased, with her vagina swollen, while her pant, sandals and dress were lying beside her. Agboyie has been remanded into lawful custody. GNA Akim Oda (E/R), Nov. 29, GNA - The Akim Oda deanery under the Koforidua Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, has held a programme to launch of the 25th anniversary of the Diocese. It coincided with the Feast of Christ the King and the climax of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. According to history the Koforidua Diocese was created from the Accra Arch Diocese in 1992 and has five deaneries under it namely Nkawkaw, Asamankese, Koforidua, Krobo and Oda. Most Reverend Father Charles Palmer Buckle was the then the Bishop of the Diocese but now the Archbishop of Accra. Rev Fr Christopher Deh, the Parish Priest of St Andrew Parish - Akim Swedru who deputised for the Dean; Very Rev Fr Sylvester Agyapong, said, the launching marked the 25th anniversary of the Diocese to be celebrated in November 2017. He said the event was very significant due to the two other activities: the celebration of feast of Christ the King and the climax of the jubilee year of mercy. The Oda deanery held the programme with seven parishes in the area, some of which were St Andrew Parish - Akim Swedru, Our Lady of Fatima Parish - Oda and Christ the King Parish. The programme was on the theme: "Renewing Our Faith in the Light Of The New Evangelisation." Rev Fr Tony Asare, the Parish Priest of St Joseph the worker Parish - Community 8, Tema who was the guest speaker for the function described feast of Christ the King as, the kingship of Christ both in heaven and on earth and it must reign in the hearts of men. This, he said should serve as instruments for the interior sanctification of the souls. Christ the King Sunday is observed as the last Sunday of the liturgical years. Rev Fr Asare also explained the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy as a period of prayer held from the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 2015 to the feast of Christ the King, November 20, 2016. He therefore admonished Christians to live Christlike attitude to merit the kingdom of God. He called for peace to prevail during and after the December 7 general election. As part of the programme the Rev Fr Tony Asare unveiled the 25th anniversary cloth for 2017 celebration. GNA By Erica Apeatua Addo, GNA Tarkwa (W/R), Nov. 29, GNA - A 45-year-old Tarkwa-based radio presenter of Pure Fm and Medeamaa Fm, who allegedly went to visit his 17 year-old girl friend at Essamang Kakraba, in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency has been murdered. The deceased, Kojo Quayson, was allegedly hit with a stick twice on the back of his head by the father of the girl, Mohammed, 52. Superintendent of Police Augustine Anyarah, the Municipal Crime Officer, who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Tarkwa, said the body had been deposited at the Tarkwa Government Hospital morgue for autopsy. He said on November 27, at about 1430 hours, the deceased, who was also a Senior Safety Officer at Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine, drove his personal car to the suspect's house. Superintendent Anyarah said when he arrived in the house, the suspect and his daughter were not at home, but his two other daughters were watching a film in the hall, while his eldest was in the bedroom. According to him, one of the daughters stated that when Quayson entered their hall without a knocking on the door, she told him to go back since his girlfriend was not at home. Mr Anyarah said Quayson started foundling the girl so she cried out and this attracted another sister to the scene, who informed their father on phone. The suspect, who had earlier warned Quayson on his first visit to the house not to visit there again, quickly came home to demand Quayson's mission. Superintendent Anyarah said Mohammed slapped the deceased and this resulted in a fight between them. Superintendent Anyarah said in the process the suspect picked a piece of wood and hit the deceased, which made him dazed and he tried to move to his car, but fell some eight meters away from the suspect's house. Some tenants who were nearby quickly went to his aid and rushed him to the Tarkwa Government Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. The crime officer added that the suspect and his two daughters, who were currently in police custody and they would be put before court, while investigations continued. GNA By Laudia Sawer Tema, Nov 29, GNA - More accident victims, pregnant women and anaemic children in and around Tema could lose their lives if residents do not donate more blood. The Tema General Hospital Blood Bank which supplies blood to public and private health institutions in the Tema Metropolis and beyond can no longer meet its monthly demand. While the Metropolis needs at least 600 pints of blood monthly, the highest it could get was about 400 units leaving a deficit of over 200. Mr John Ahadjie, Blood Organizer at the Tema General Hospital, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency during a blood donation exercise organized by the Tema Metro Health Providers Association and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) with support from the Rotary Club of Tema, BC Global Foundation among other stakeholders. Mr Ahadjie said even though the blood bank often turned to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to provide the needed blood when Tema experienced shortage, residents must voluntarily donate. He further noted that stocks for all the eight blood groups were needed, adding that "O positive" blood was the most needed while "O negative" was the most scarce blood type available. The blood organizer pleaded with residents not to wait for an emergency before donating blood but should rather donate ahead of a situation as that was the only way to save lives. He encouraged people aged between 17 and 60 years who weigh above 50 kilograms to participate in blood donation exercises as well as voluntarily walk into the blood bank to donate, Dr Tease Kyemenu-Caiquo, Past President of Tema Metro Health Providers Association. Bemoaned the lack of interest in blood donation by workers in the various firms and industries in Tema. Dr Kyemenu-Caiquo said companies must always encourage their employees to donate blood to stock the blood bank as according to him, workers in the Metropolis were one of the critical group of people who needed blood transfusion in industrial accidents. He also suggested that people who fall within the blood donating age must be made to donate a pint of blood before being issued with a driver's license, this he said would ensure the availability of the needed blood to save road accident victims. He appealed to individuals and organizations to support the Health Directorate to purchase a blood screening machine as the Blood Bank at the Tema General Hospital lacked one. Bloods collected from donation programmes, are therefore sent to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for screening before being stored at Tema General Hospital. Dr John Yabani, Tema Metropolitan Health Director, commended the organizers of the blood donation exercise and said their effort have helped saved a lot of lives. Dr Yabani also reiterated the need for more residents to donate and therefore encourage workers and students not to shy away from blood donation exercises. Mr Emmanuel A. Aboanor, Tema Metropolitan Coordinating Director, said the TMA was putting in interventions to ensure the reduction of high maternal mortality rate recorded at the Tema General Hospital. GNA By Julius K. Satsi, GNA Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Christian International Youth Club (CIYC) over the weekend held its annual Youth Arise Conference and Talents Expo at the Osu Children's Home. This seventh edition of the conference, held on the theme: 'The Youth of Ghana: Living a morally right life pays', was attended by over 300 junior high schools students and primary pupils. Reverend Dr Georgina Aba Wood Eshun, the Executive Director of the CIYC, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the conference was organised to counsel young people on the need for good morals and address emerging social vices concerns of the country. She said 'some of our leaders are not giving our youth good examples to follow and if we don't arrest the situation, then we are going to get some youth who would think that it is right to be corrupt'. Madam Monica Mamattah, the Deputy Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at the National Commission for Civic Education, advised the youth to strive to live morally upright lives in their communities. She said by so doing 'your life enhances the well-being of others and the favour of God would always rest on you'. Madam Mamattah urged the youth to avoid acts that are detrimental to the peace of the country and make a careful assessment of all the political candidates in order to an informed choice come December 7.' She also urged the youth to be cautious and avoid any of the electoral offences because 'anyone found guilty may be fined, imprisoned or both'. Lady Reverend Awurama Annan, the General Overseer of Power Explosion Chapel, Tantra Hill, said 'don't buy into a wrong opinion' because it has the potential of jeopardizing your future. The Youth Arise Conference is an annual event held to inculcate useful values into the youth in the effort to make them responsible citizens and good Christians. GNA By Indo-Asian News Service: Pakistan's outgoing army chief General Raheel Sharif today warned India against mistaking its policy of patience for weakness. He was speaking at the 'Change of Command' ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military's media wing said. General Qamar Javed Bajwa officially took charge as the 16th army chief of Pakistan during the ceremony. advertisement India's aggressive stand In his farewell speech at the ceremony, attended by former army chiefs, federal ministers and foreign diplomats, General Raheel Sharif stressed the need for institutions to work together for the nation's progress, and cautioned India against adopting an aggressive stance in the region. ALSO WATCH Referring to the Kashmir Valley, he said, "In recent months, India's increasing terrorism and aggressive stance in India-held Kashmir (Jammu and Kashmir) have endangered the region." "India should know that mistaking our policy of patience for weakness would be dangerous," the outgoing army chief said. ALSO READ: Pakistan Army ready to teach India a lesson: General Raheel Sharif Complicated security scenario Sharif said he always prioritised national interest in every decision he made during his tenure but the security situation in the region remains "complicated". During the ceremony General Sharif handed over the "command stick" to General Bajwa -- signifying the change of command. General Bajwa has spent a considerable part of his military service in the Rawalpindi-based 10 Corps, which is responsible for guarding the Line of Control (LoC) that divides India and Pakistan. However, his time at the 10 Corps was a period of relative quiet following the 2003 ceasefire accord. ALSO READ: General Qamar Bajwa takes charge as Pakistan's next army chief New chief not fond of limelight However, he takes command amid serious escalation of tensions on the LoC. The new army chief is said to be witty, accessible, well-connected with the troops and not fond of limelight. He is the fourth officer from the infantry's Baloch Regiment to become the army chief. Before him, General Yahya Khan, General Aslam Beg and General Kayani rose to that position. ALSO READ: Expect no change in Pakistan's anti-India policy after Bajwa takes over as army chief ALSO READ: Nawaz Sharif appointed General Bajwa due to his pro-democratic credentials: Experts --- ENDS --- By Laudia Sawer Tema, Nov 29, GNA - Officials of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project have appealed to residents of the Tema Metropolis to have trust in the project. Mrs Bertha Essel, Project Coordinator for the GAMA project at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), who made the appeal, said some residents feared they would be duped should they register for the project. Mrs Essel, speaking at a day's workshop for journalists in Tema on the project, said the lack of trust in the implementer was delaying the target of providing 22,000 household toilets in beneficiary communities in the Tema Metropolis by the year 2018. She lamented that some registered residents sometimes come back to request for the monies paid due to influence from their neighbours. Explaining how the project works, she noted that the World Bank had given a grant of 150 million US dollars for the implementation of the project in all the 11 beneficiary metropolitan and municipal assemblies. The grant, she said would cater for 50 per cent of the cost of a household toilet facility while residents pay in installment for the remaining 50 per cent which she stated receipts would be issued to cover. She indicated that while the full cost of a standalone toilet cost GC4,000, a standard digester could also be constructed at a full cost of GC2,200, adding that beneficiary households were expected to pay only half of the stated amount. Residents in Tema Newtown (Bankuman, Ziginshore, Manhean, Ashaman, Awudum, Sealite), Adjei-Kojo (Suncity, promiseland), Lashibi and Klagon are the beneficiary communities in the Tema Metropolis. Mrs Essel said since the inception of the project, her outfit had registered 550 households out of which 112 had completed payment of the 50 per cent cost, 82 toilet facilities had been completed and handed over while 23 were still in progress and seven were yet to be started. Lawyer Osei Kodwo, a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, urged journalists to use their work to improve the well-being of society instead of being loyal to the Assembly or politicians. Lawyer Kodwo encouraged media practitioners to make use of the 1992 Constitution and other laws to ensure a well-balanced story. Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the TMA was doing its best to improve sanitation in the Metropolis and called on residents and industries to embrace good environmental practices. Mr Odamtten noted that the Assembly was prepared to help residents acquire the needed decent toilet facility to ensure the end to open defecation in the beneficiary areas. GNA 29.11.2016 LISTEN Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - African governments must domesticate and localize the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enable every citizen to be abreast with the agenda, Professor Godwell Nhamo, Exxaro Chair in Business and Climate Change University of South Africa has said. Speaking at a two-day College of Research Associates' Conference (CRAC) 2016, organised by the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), Prof Nhamo said the SDG's needed to be broken down to the company and household level to enhance buy-in and acceptance by citizens. The CRA is a continent-wide network of senior African research scientists who assist the UNU-INRA to address the critical challenges facing natural resources management in Africa. Research scientists from more than 10 African countries are participating in the conference on the theme: 'New frontiers in natural resources management in Africa.' Professor Nhamo, who spoke on the topic 'Domestication and localization of natural resources-related sustainable development goals in Africa', emphasized the need for African governments to develop policy and regulatory framework at the national level to translate, integrate and embed SDGs into the national development agenda. Besides, there must be in place Institutional Framework to ensure SDGs are implemented in ministries and local governments' level and to ensure public participation in its entire process. To ensure that goals are being met, Prof Nhamo called for accountability Mechanism Framework to strengthen data management and the mechanism of monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Prof. Nhamo said the 15-year development agenda could be translated into major local languages of the respective countries, as part of the effort to localise the SDGs. He said African governments must also learn from the implementation challenges of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and adopt measures to avoid such mistakes being repeated. 'The SDGs are not a replacement of the MDGs; rather, they present an expanded 15-year development agenda 2016-2030. 'We need to avoid a repeat of the late engagements with the SDGs as was the case with the MDGs,' Prof. Nhamo said, adding that, the governments must ensure that no one was left behind. The Director of the UNU-INRA, Dr Elias T. Ayuk, said the conference was to create a platform for the sharing of innovative policies and best practices in the sustainable management of natural resources in Africa. 'The exchange of information, ideas and experiences will further enhance our understanding of the issues and challenges that Africa faces with respect to the management of her resources and the actions to be taken in order to achieve the success that we want,' he said. The two-day conference will cover three key areas-Natural Resources Accounting, Trade and Green economy, Governance, Policies and Institutions for Natural Resources Management and Science, Technology and Innovation. GNA By Gideon Ahenkorah, GNA Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - Only three parliamentary candidates of Ga South Municipality pledged their commitment to ensure that peace prevails in the society. The pledge was made at a Peace Forum organised by the Ga South Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). The Ga South Municipality consists of the following constituencies: Domeabra-Obom, Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfrom and Weija-Gbawe. The candidates are Mr Ekow Jones-Mensah, Convention People's Party (CPP); Ms Jessica Manuel, Progressive People's Party's (PPP); and Mr Pius Kwame Fiakuma an independent candidate. Candidates of the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, People's National Convention, and National Democratic Party failed to show up at the event but were represented by their party representatives. Mr Ben Tetteh, the Municipal Director of the Ga South NCCE, said the forum formed part of the Commission's efforts to ensure a violence-free election. He said the forum sought to educate the electorate on the core values underpinning peace and security in the country. Mr Tetteh said the event was also to assure the public of the Commission's preparedness to ensure that peaceful elections are held. 'Per the regimes of the NCCE, we are obliged to sensitize the people on peace and security so as to ensure smooth elections', he said. Mr Francis Aboagye Nyarko, the Odorkor Divisional Police Commander and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the police have intensified it initiatives to ensure that peace prevails at all times in the society. ACP Nyarko, who is also the President of the Election Security Taskforce, said the police was well-prepared to provide the needed security for the process adding that 'we have identified all the flash points and deployed the needed personnel to take charge of them'. He cautioned voters against reckless electoral attitudes adding that those found contravening the electoral laws would be accordingly prosecuted. 'The CI 94 stipulates the regulations that guide the elections, anyone who goes contrary to it would be made to face the appropriate sanctions', ACP Nyarko said. Mr Tetteh, later in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the Commission had prior to the event informed the candidates on the need to attend the forum. He expressed disappointment at their non-participation saying their presence would have added colour to the event. GNA By Laudia Sawer Tema, Nov 29, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) offices in the Tema Metropolis, Kpone-Katamanso and Ninigo-Prampram Districts are ready to conduct the special voting exercise in their respective constituencies. According to them, presidential and parliamentary ballot papers for all the five constituencies in the areas have been received by the offices and subsequently checked by the political parties. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nana Oduro Numapau, Tema Metropolitan Electoral Officer, said all political parties' representatives for Tema East, West and Central constituencies together with the electoral officers, on Saturday and Sunday went through all the ballot papers. Nana Numapau stated that the parties were cooperative and have expressed their satisfaction at the preparation so far towards the conduct of the elections. He added that his office would receive the 'pink sheet' and the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) before December 1. Security officials, journalists, and some electorates who would be on special duties on December 7, are expected to participate in the special voting with Tema East having it's polling station at the Community One police station, while Tema West and Central would vote at Community Two and Community Eight police stations respectively. Mr Charles Botchey Junior, Electoral Officer for Ningo-Prampram District, also confirmed receiving the ballot papers stating that he would go for the BVDs by the close of day on Monday, adding that over 300 people were expected to vote. Mr Botchey Junior further said the political parties had agreed with his outfit to have the special voting exercise at the Anglican School at Prampram. He commended the political parties in the District for comporting themselves and believing in the EC. Mrs Doris Agbezuhlor, Kpone-Katamanso Electoral Officer, indicated that the about 397 voters on the special voting register would vote at Michelle Camp. Mrs Agbezuhlor urged the electorates to be in readiness for the December 7 elections as her outfit was fully ready to organize the election. GNA 29.11.2016 LISTEN By Kodjo Adams, GNA Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Department of Social Work, University of Ghana and the California State University, Sacramento in USA over the weekend donated assorted items to the Echoing Hills Village, an orphanage that caters for persons with disability. The items include 85 bags of sachet water, cooking oil, bags of rice, sugar, washing powder, sanitary pad, wheel chairs among others. The California University also presented a cheque for GH5,000.00 to the orphanage to facilitate their work. Dr Sylvester Bowie, Undergraduate Director, California State University Sacramento, USA, said the donation formed part of activities to provide support to the underprivileged in the society. He said the University has a good relations with the Department of Social Work, University of Ghana and thought it prudent to donate the items to put smiles on the faces of the inmates. Dr Bowie assured the orphanage of the University support and asked the public to show love and compassion to the handicapped since they are God's creation. Professor Charity Akotia, Dean at the School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, commended the orphanage for working to ensure that the wellbeing of the disadvantaged children are secured. She said the country needed more of such NGOs to complement government efforts in addressing social issues in the country. Reverend Lawrence Lamina, Director of the orphanage, thanked the donors for the support and called on other corporate bodies and individuals to support them. He said the orphanage was established in 1994 as one of the facilities to provide rehabilitation and relief services to children with special needs and persons with disability. Rev Lamina said the Village also provide camps and retreats for the deaf and visually impaired and this is aimed at providing life changing opportunities for them. He said currently the orphanage has 80 residents in the facility with 41 enrolled in formal schools and the rest are given home tuition on the facility. GNA 29.11.2016 LISTEN Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - Nii Lantey Otanka II, Lante Dzanwe Mantse, has appealed for calm between Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Member of Parliament (MP) of Odododiodioo and the parliamentary candidate, Nii Lante Bannerman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He said it was unfortunate that two brothers who hailed from the same stool house would be fighting each other because of politics. Nii Otanka II made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency during his enstoolment as the new Lante Dzanwe Mantse in Accra. He succeeds Nii Lante Lawson, who acted for 67 years after the death of Nii Lante Okunka II, who died in 1947. Nii Otanka expressed regret that political conflicts resulting in the destruction of properties and death had never helped any nation before and urged them to resolve all differences and live as brothers to promote peace and development of Odododiodioo. He said Lante Dzanwe Stool had an obligation to its sons and daughters to promote their education and social development. 'Some of its priorities programmes are the immediate renovation of the Stool House which is long overdue and the organisation of a homecoming for all Lante Dzanwe citizens both home and abroad,'' he said. He said Nii Otanka expressed the hope that communal interaction and the elimination of acrimony, bitterness and squabbles among the people would pave way for more development. He urged the people to preach peace since that was the only way to make a positive impact on their lives. Nii Laryea Faamlite II, the Chief of Gbawe, who chaired the function, advised the newly installed chief not to lord over the people but should be humble and respectful to all manner of persons. He advised the people to engage in activities that would bring progress to Lante Dzanwe and desist from conflicts which retard development. Nii Ati Dakor V, a Sub Chief from La, who witnessed the ceremony, advised the people against litigation as that had crippled the development agenda of a lot of communities. GNA The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon is urging the presidential candidates of the two leading political party; President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) toensure peace in the country this electioneering period. The Secretary General in separate telephone calls placed to the two candidates on Tuesday , November 29 said it was important for them to help maintain an environment of peace and credible elections. He said the two candidates must help in defusing tensions and preserving peace before, during and after the 2016 general elections. He also urged the two to sign a Code of Conduct which will greatly assist in lowering tensions and preventing electoral violence. Read the Secretary Generals full release below: Secretary-General's telephone conversations with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Head of Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Today, the Secretary-General had separate telephone conversations with H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, head of Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), to discuss the general elections that are scheduled to take place on 7 December in Ghana. The Secretary-General underscored the importance of an environment conducive to peaceful and credible elections, and urged the two leaders to continue their role in defusing tensions and preserving peace. Bearing in mind Ghana's history of political stability and peaceful elections, the Secretary-General underscored the need for all political parties to sign a Code of Conduct, which will greatly assist in lowering tensions and preventing electoral violence. New York, 29 November 2016. New York, 29 November 2016. The international community have shown a keen interest in Ghanas elections following the countrys enviable record in holding peaceful polls in spite of high pre-election tension. US warns nationals in Ghana Last week, the US Embassy in Accra issued an alert to its citizens in Ghana to avoid political hotspots. The release mentioned a number areas in the country the embassy had identified as hotspots where violence or electoral trouble may occur with little or no danger warning. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana Russia has rubbished Pakistan's claims that it has requested to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). By Santosh Chaubey: According to the Russian news agency TASS, the Russian Foreign Ministry has not initiated any negotiation on joining CPEC, the $46 billion mega project that Pakistan sees as the next big thing in the nation's history that will transform it into a hub of regional and economic activity in this part of Asia. In a flat denial that highlighted 'secret talks', the Russian Foreign Ministry said, "Reports on the 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on implementing the projects within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that have appeared in the Pakistani media are not true." advertisement The TASS report added that any possibility of Russia's involvement to this initiative has not been discussed with Islamabad. ALSO READ | Army to have Russian T-90 tanks with 'Make in India' element as Pakistan threat looms large PAKISTAN'S TALL CLAIMS Pakistan recently accepted Russia's request to use Gwadar port for its exports. And today's clarification by Russia says it was limited to the use of Gwadar port as a strategic trade stopover only. This means all the big talks in the Pakistani establishment and media about Russia joining CPEC were nothing but cooked up propaganda stories. Perhaps, the Pakistani media reports follow the claims of its prime minister and president. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during his Turkmenistan visit last week, had claimed that may countries including Russia had shown willingness to join CPEC and he welcomed the Russian initiative. His words were echoed by the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain who said that the Russian interest showed the significance of the project. Reiterating the Pakistani establishment's version, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on Monday said that "Russia had shown a keen interest to boost its relations with Pakistan". ALSO READ | Moscow assures India of support in its efforts to isolate Pakistan PAKISTANI MEDIA JOINED THE CLUB Pakistani media had picked up these clues and had widely reported on Russia joining CPEC. A report in The Nation went on to the extent to claim that Alexander Bogdanov, Federal Security Services chief, had made a secret visit to Pakistan, the first visit by any Russian intelligence chief in 14 years, during which he had forwarded the Russian request to join CPEC. Interestingly, according to The Nation report, the Russian request was accepted and the Gwadar Port permission was given under this only. Geo News, in its coverage, said that after the Gwadar Port access, Russia also wanted to join the CPEC to 'reap the maximum dividends'. All those claims, by Pakistani leaders as well as by its media, proved a bunch of lies today. advertisement INDIA OPPOSED TO CPEC Russia is India's oldest defence partner and was also the largest one, when seen on annual trade figures, until it was overtake by the US in 2014. Now with big defence deals signed between Russia and India during Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit in October 2016, Russia is there again and it would never want to lose the big opportunity that India's $100 billion defence upgade provides. India is opposed to CPEC because a part of it passes through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. For strategic reasons also, India doesn't welcome a Chinese presence just across the border in a disputed territory that India considers its own. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed these concerns to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Also Read: India-Russia joint venture to end Army, IAF helicopter handicap We are a friend, an ally who stood by India in darkest hours: Top Russian defense official --- ENDS --- - A communal clash in Kogi state has left about 40 people killed - The clash is said to be between the Ebira, Mozu and Bassa Komu people - Many houses were set ablaze, following the fight which has been recurrent for years Bassa Local government area of Kogi state witnessed some carnage, on Monday, November 28, after fight broke out between the Ebira Mozu and Bassa Komu people. File photo: Communal clash in Kogi state leaves 40 killed. About 40 people were reportedly killed in the fray, as houses were burnt and property worth millions were destroyed. The incident which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, had been a reoccurring development in the last few years. This Day reports that dangerous weapons like guns, knives and arrows were said to have been freely used in the clash that lasted for hours. READ ALSO: Niger Delta: Panic as army battles militants, pirates, 2 feared dead Many houses were said to have been set ablaze during the attack, leading to pandemonium among the residents of the area. Reports suggest that the latest onslaught was said to have led to casualties on both sides and wanton destruction of property in the community. It was learnt that the crisis and the destruction were aided by the peculiar terrain of the community which can only be easily accessed by water. Sources also stated that some of the security operatives deployed to quell the crisis were involved in an accident at Odenyi and that they sustained inquiries. Unconfirmed reports however said two of the security agents lost their lives in the accident. Confirming the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Anya, said houses were burnt, but that the police were yet to have full information. He, however, said the community had already been deserted before the arrival of a detachment of policemen sent to restore order in the area. Meanwhile, several people are feared dead following a communal clash between two communities in Lagos state. Punch reports that a clash between Otodo Gbame an Egun community in Lekki phase 1 and some Yoruba youth have led to the killing of 11 people. It was also gathered that seven people re still missing after the clash. Meanwhile, eye witnesses said the conflict started on Sunday, November, 13, after residents of the community insisted that the Yoruba youths relocate from the area over land grabbing issue. Source: Legit.ng Ministry of Home Affairs today said that it was four and not six terrorists who attacked the Pathankot air base in January. By Jitendra Bahadur Singh, Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Almost a year after the deadly Pathankot terror attack, Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA) today informed parliament that four heavily armed Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist had attacked the airbase. Hansraj Ahir, Minister of State Home disclosed before the Parliament that not six but four terrorists attacked Pathankot. In response to a question raised by Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, Ahir said that four terrorists entered via Ravi river bridge on Junial Road in Gulpur, Simli village - Akalgarh and attacked the air base. advertisement The revelation is contrary to the statement issued by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 16 in Lok Sabha that it has been established that there were six terrorists who attacked the airbase in January this year. CONFUSION OVER NUMBER OF TERRORISTS He had told the house that the confusion over two terrorist who were allegedly killed in the airmen's billet but whose remains could not be found, had been resolved. "Some charred remains were found in the billet. A forensic report about them has been received. The forensic report revealed that those inside the building were two more terrorist," Singh told parliamentarians. Also read: 6 more terrorists invade Pathankot to carry out attacks in Delhi Ministry Home Affairs recently gave National Investigation agency (NIA) a sanction prosecution in Pathankot case to file chargesheet. MHA has in the past been left red faced over goof up over answers to questions by the Parliament including another Pakistan related controversy, where MHA informed the house that they did not know about whereabouts of most wanted terrorist "Dawood" forcing government to retract, and clarify that Dawood is in Pakistan. The government has been maintaining that six terrorists had attacked Pathankot. Four terrorists were killed on day one of Pathankot operation but it was extended for two days in search of the two elusive terrorists. NSG had also claimed six terrorists attacked Pathankot. Also read: Pathankot attack: India shares evidence with Pakistan --- ENDS --- By PTI: CPI-M New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misleading people by calling Oppositions Aakrosh Divas as "Bharat Bandh", CPI(M) today sought to clarify that none of the opposition parties which observed the day had called for a "shut down". Rather, it is the NDA government which has imposed an "economic bandh" on the country through demonetisation, the CPI(M) politburo said. advertisement It urged all opposition parties, trade unions and mass organisations to continue the protest movement to ensure people can use Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes for all transactions till the government makes adequate alternative arrangements. "Prime Minister Modi and the BJP have misleadingly called the national protest day as a Bharat bandh. None of the opposition parties which joined the protest had called for a Bharat bandh. In fact it is the Modi government which has imposed an economic bandh on the country through demonetisation," the Politburo said in a statement. It also greeted "lakhs of people" who hit streets yesterday to partake in the protest against discontinuation of the high-value notes. The hartals (strikes) in Kerala and Tripura were particularly successful because the Left parties mobilised the people to register a powerful protest, it said. Addressing a Parivartan Yatra rally in Uttar Pradesh a day ahead of the Aakrosh Divas, the Prime Minister had slammed opposition parties for calling the "Bharat Bandh" against demonetisaion, saying the protest was organised at a time when he was trying to root out corruption and black money. "I am stopping black money and corruption and some are giving call for Bharat Bandh," he had said. PTI ENM DIP --- ENDS --- Modi has asked BJP legislators to give details of their accounts from November 8 (the day demonetisation was announced) to December 31, a day after the drive ends. By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked all the BJP MPs and MLAs to give the details of their bank accounts to party chief Amit Shah by January 1 next year. Sources in the BJP said Modi has asked all the party legislators in the states and Parliament to share their transaction details from November 8 (the day demonetisation was announced) to December 31, a day after the drive ends. advertisement The directive to the BJP leaders was given at a Parliamentary Party meeting Modi attended today before Parliament met for another acrimonious day over demonetisation. In a televised address on November 8, Modi had announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. December 30 is the deadline for submitting the banned notes to banks. Modi has also rejected allegations that the Income Tax Amendment Bill tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday is aimed at converting black money into white. "The PM described the move as a fight against black money and said it is for the welfare of poor," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters. Modi also sought support from everyone to make India a digital and cashless economy. "The Prime Minister wants to make the country a cashless society and sought everyone's support," the minister said. WHY NOT SIX MONTHS: KEJRIWAL One of the first reactions to Modi's significant move came from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who took to Twitter to demand that the BJP leaders should declare at least six months of their bank transactions. "Why after Nov 8? Pl take details of 6 months bfore Nov8. Also Modi ji shud obtain bank acc of his friends- ambanis, adanis, PayTM, Big Bazar (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. Also read | Demonetisation to lead to 'massive activation' of digitisation in Indian economy: Nandan Nilekani RUCKUS IN PARLIAMENT AGAIN Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned as soon as they met following uproar over the Opposition's continued demand for Modi's apology over his black money jibe. The Opposition has been demanding Modi's apology since his statement last week that the Opposition is protesting note ban because they didn't get time to park their illegal money. Also read | Note ban: Dance bars in Maharashtra unaffected, run on parallel currency "There is little criticism against the move. But those who are criticising it are saying that the government was not prepared to implement the decision. But that is not the real reason behind their criticism. They are sulking because the government didn't give them enough time to prepare for it," Modi had said. --- ENDS --- advertisement The Election Commission has asked the party to submit before the panel 2 copies of the Dalit manifesto. By Ankit Tyagi: Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab unit has received a letter from the State Election Commission, stating the Election Commission of India has objected to the party's Dalit manifesto. The poll panel has asked the party to submit before the commission 2 copies of the Dalit manifesto. Also read | Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur, ex-Olympian Pargat Singh join Congress ahead of Punjab election advertisement DALIT MANIFESTO RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 25 AAP had released the Dalit manifesto on Sangrur on November 25 in the presence of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal later tweeted that if his party won Punjab elections, a Dalit MLA would be appointed the deputy CM. Punjab has a Dalit vote share of roughly 32 per cent, which is significant enough to make or break chances of any political outfit. Also read | Ahead of Punjab polls, SIT to reopen 286 anti-Sikh riot cases --- ENDS --- American Heritage Federal Credit Union Assumes Members, Shares and Deposits ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Nov. 29, 2016) The National Credit Union Administration today liquidated First African Baptist Church Federal Credit Union of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. American Heritage Federal Credit Union of Philadelphia immediately assumed First African Baptists members and deposits. The new American Heritage members should experience no interruption in normal services. Member deposits remain protected by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Administered by NCUA, the Share Insurance Fund insures individual accounts up to $250,000, and a members interest in all joint accounts combined is insured up to $250,000. The Share Insurance Fund separately protects IRA and KEOGH retirement accounts up to $250,000. The Share Insurance Fund has the backing of the full faith and credit of the United States. American Heritage Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union with assets of more than $1.7 billion serving more than 150,000 members, according to its most recent Call Report. American Heritage operates more than 30 branch offices, and the branch nearest to First African Baptist is located at 2101 Market Street, Philadelphia. Members with questions about their accounts should contact American Heritage at 215.969.0777 or toll-free at 800.342.0008 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Members may also visit the Share Insurance Section (opens new window) of NCUAs MyCreditUnion.gov (opens new window) website at any time for more information about their insurance coverage. NCUA made the decision to liquidate First African Baptist Church Federal Credit Union after determining the credit union was insolvent with no prospect of restoring viable operations. At the time of its liquidation and subsequent purchase and assumption by American Heritage Federal Credit Union, First African Baptist Church Federal Credit Union had assets of $76,188 and served 261 members, according to its most recent Call Report. Chartered in 1978, First African Baptist served members and employees of the First African Baptist Church in Darby Township, Pennsylvania. First African Baptist Church Federal Credit Union is the eleventh federally insured credit union liquidation of 2016. Recently named the second most affordable city in Europe by Airbnb, Belgrade rentals average just $40/night. The New York Times has called the capital of Serbia the next Berlin thanks to a thriving cafe culture, design scene and nightlife. Here are 10 of our budget-friendly Airbnbs in the Slavic city. 1. One-bedroom house 2. Studio 24 3. Unique studio apartment 4. Apartment on Republic Square 5. Marijas cozy apartment 6. Nemanjas sunny spot 7. Sunny ivory-hued flat 8. Old Hercegovina Penthouse 9. Martinas apartment 10. Nikolas flat Erica Jackson Curran is a former alt-weekly editor turned moonlight freelancer based in Richmond, Virginia. 1 of 10 This one-bedroom house is tucked within a secluded garden, yet it's steps away from the restaurants, bars, and shops of Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra, the longest street in the city. The house has a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi. There's free parking on the street, or it's a quick walk to public transportation. Recent guests have called it "one of the best Airbnbs I've ever stayed at" and "a truly magic experience"not bad for $31/night. 2 of 10 At an average rate of $18/night, Studio 24 seems almost too good to be true, but Jana is a certified Superhost with 45 positive reviews under her belt. The studio has a kitchen with a washing machine, a small table, and a full-size bed. The updated bathroom is a decent size with a walk-in shower. Located on a bustling square in the heart of the city, the apartment is close to attractions like the Zeleni Venac green market, the pedestrian Knez Mihajlova street, the presidential palace, and the floating bars on the Sava River. 3 of 10 Described by host Milo as "confusion and chaos but with order within," this unique studio apartment has a double round bed, a big wooden bar, and windows overlooking the street. When not being rented out, it serves as an art gallery, which means the apartment's artwork and decor can be purchased as souvenirs. It's in a quiet neighborhood in the heart of the city close to boutiques, museums, and taverns. 4 of 10 Lazar and Dusan's apartment on Republic Square is a minute's walk from Knez Mihailova, one of the main pedestrian zones in Belgrade. It's also near the historic Skadarlija area, Kalemegdan Park, and the Belgrade fortress. Inside, you'll find three beds, a fully equipped kitchen and all the essentials, plus a phone with free mobile SIM cards. 5 of 10 With original artwork, vintage tchotchkes, and charmingly mismatched furniture, Marija's cozy apartment has two bedrooms and space for four guests. The main living area is open while the bedrooms are private, and there's a terrace as well. Marija recommends nearby Cetinjska Street for its nightlife, plus the Botanical Garden and a swimming pool on the banks of the Danube River. 6 of 10 Nemanja's sunny spot is across from the Grand Casino and the Danube River. There's one bedroom with a king-size bed, plus a sofa bed and couch for extra guests. The host can provide transportation from the airport if requested. The city center is about 10 minutes away by bus. A recent guest says the apartment looks "literally like you entered an Ikea catalogue." 7 of 10 This serene ivory-hued flat is in the historic Simina neighborhood in the center of Belgrade. There's a little kitchenette, a separate room with a fold-out couch, and a bathroom with a large walk-in shower. Superhosts Marija and Joca have stocked the place with local maps and information for exploring the area. 8 of 10 The sprawling Old Hercegovina Penthouse has five beds scattered around a loft-style space, which also includes two living and dining areas. It's situated above one of the oldest ethnic restaurants in the city, and a block from a bus station and several bakeries. 9 of 10 Martina's apartment is in the central Dorcol neighborhood surrounded by cafes, shops, and green spaces. There's a full-size bed, a small table with chairs, and a kitchenette with a microwave. Past guests have called the place "cozy," "clean," and "perfectly located." 10 of 10 Superhost Nikola's flat is located on Nikola Pasic Square close to restaurants, theaters, monuments, and museums. It has a king-size bed along with two single beds and a sofa bed. The apartment is cleaned weekly and the linens are restocked regularly. Visitors praise Nikola as a friendly, fast communicator. Ever since Hillary Clintons loss to President-elect Donald J. Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders and his progressive followers have been calling on the Democratic Party to adopt a more robust economic platform that addresses the concerns of labor. Facts are facts, the Vermont Senator told reporters last week. When you lose the White House to the least popular candidate in the history of America, when you lose the senate, when you lose the House, and when two-thirds of the governors in this country are Republicans, it is time for a new direction. Sensible as this may seem, given it was the white working class in the Rust Belt that ultimately cost the party the election, not everyone is welcoming a course correction. In a recent column for New York Magazine titled, Blaming Clintons Base for Her Loss is the Ultimate Insult, Rebecca Traister, a writer who has castigated both Obama boys and Bernie Bros (in essentially the same article, written twice eight years apart), took aim once again, at the left arguing that addressing the economic concerns of working class white voters would lead to the abandonment of minority groups. Dismissing the role disenfranchised groups play in Sanders vision for the future, Traister framed progressivism as a privileged, white ideology. It is unconscionable, she wrote. [T]his know-better recrimination, directed at the very people who just put the most work and energy into defeating Trumpism, coming from those who will be made least vulnerable by Trumps ascension. She continued: Clintons erstwhile primary opponent, Bernie Sanders, seemed to amplify Lillas message on his book tour this week by recommending that Democrats embrace the working class and Ditch Identity Politics, according to one headline. In fact, the headline was overblown: Sanders did not say we should dump identity politics, and affirmatively noted that we should bring more and more women into the political process and that we need 50 women in the Senate! But Sanders did say something telling. Asked by a young woman who described herself as wanting to become the second Latina senator in U.S. history for tips, Sanders offered not advice, or even acknowledgment of the particular roadblocks sexism, racism, fundraising, party support she might encounter. What he offered instead was an insulting reaction to what he assumed must motivate her ambition: an argument based purely on identity. Noting that she would not like what he was about to say, he scolded her that it was not enough to say, Hey, Im a Latina, vote for me; that it was not good enough for somebody to say, Im a woman! Vote for me! No, thats not good enough. Never mind that nobody has ever made that argument for a female or minority candidate except in the fevered imaginations of Hillary haters. It is clear that this is what Sanders hears when someone describes a desire to overcome representational inequality in politics: an infantile, politically unsophisticated, feather-brained appeal to narcissistic self-advancement. Traister is not alone in her sentiments. Other writers have been weighing in on the need for a new direction. One is Sady Doyle, a blogger who was exposed by Wikileaks for coordinating with Clintons campaign during the primary: This entire bitter Identity Politics war started with some polite "perhaps consider the unconsciously gendered nature of your statements." Sady Doyle (@sadydoyle) November 23, 2016 Another is Wonkette's Rebecca Schoenkopf: If you want to end racism and sexism, I want to work with you. But if you wince at the 99% versus the 1%, get the hell out of the way. David Atkins (@DavidOAtkins) November 23, 2016 literally nobody does that. the only reason we're saying "it's not ALL populism" is bc populism CAN exist without protections @DavidOAtkins Rebecca Schoenkopf (@commiegirl1) November 24, 2016 for minorities and DID, in Nazi Germany. Saying "identity politics" is to blame sounds like shut up and be white men or else @DavidOAtkins Rebecca Schoenkopf (@commiegirl1) November 24, 2016 Here's Mehdi Hasan of Al Jazeera: I'm enjoying all these Very Serious People saying left must give up "identity politics" and focus on the white working class. #ironyfail Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) November 28, 2016 And MSNBC national correspondent and Daily Beast contributor Joy-Ann Reid, in a piece titled, President-Elect Donald Trump Gets to Work Betraying His Backers, also attacked progressives calling for a more economically-focused Democratic Party: Democrats continue to practice identity politics at their peril, they say; demanding that issues around rape culture, Black Lives Matter and merciful immigration policy be scotched in favor of bucking up men, dialing back blunt talk on race, policing and DREAMers, and emphasizing things like border security. In other words, Democrats must learn to talk more like Republicans and marginalized groups must learn to be quiet. The party has been here before, and ironically, that kind of thinking is what produced Bill Clinton, whose surname, and wife, the very people hawking this prescription loathe. These hyperbolic remarks shed light on a divide that has existed under the surface of left wing politics for generations, between social liberalism and labor (economic progressivism). In the 1970s as antiwar congressional Democrats ousted the old establishment by eliminating seniority rules, the party began moving away from Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal liberalism (labor), opening its doors to big business while maintaining its push for civil rights (social liberalism). Over the next decade, however, Reagan Revolutions changed the political landscape and people recoiled from the Democrats and big government. This was when the Clintons and their New Democrats rose to power abandoning social liberals and appealing to white working class voters, as Reid pointed out, but with a serious caveat. While President Clinton did abandon Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Coalition, he also abandoned economic progressivism, favoring lax regulation, free trade, and an incremental approach to change. This approach was only successful given the legacy of the Democratic Party, and it soon faded, and social liberals took control. As columnist Emmett Rensin explained in a prescient piece for Vox from April, titled, The smug style in American liberalism, which dissected and documented the Democratic Partys problem with working class voters, this was the point when liberalism changed. A movement once fleshed out in union halls and little magazines shifted into universities and major press, from the center of the country to its cities and elite enclaves. Minority voters remained, but bereft of the material and social capital required to dominate elite decision-making, they were largely excluded from an agenda driven by the new Democratic core: the educated, the coastal, and the professional. It is not that these forces captured the party so much as it fell to them. When the laborer left, they remained. After social liberalism became the prevailing ideology within the party, the economic populism of the New Deal Era remained abandoned. Democrats assured the progressive left of commonality of purpose, but recoiled from the white working class and the poor. However, following decades of uneven growth and economic uncertainty culminating in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the political landscape changed. In its wake, more and more, people started demanding government solutions to ease their struggling. To date, no administration has adequately done that. Keith OBrien noted in an article from June in Politico titled, Uprising in the Rust Belt, Donalds Trumps road to the White House began in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Hillary Clinton and the social liberal Democratic establishment were caught off guard by the new landscape, and openly hostile to it. Just as the party had been doing for years, Clintons Democrats wrote off all opposition as attributable to irreparably flawed peoplethe bigots, the stupid, the naive, the uneducated, the bros, the deplorables. It was the same mistake Mitt Romney made in 2012 with his 47 percent remark, repeated over and over again. Republican strategy guru Lee Atwater recognized this toxic dismissiveness on the left years ago, and dumb Republicans have been exploiting it ever since, outfoxing more qualified liberals by caricaturing them as elitists. Unsurprisingly, 2016 was yet another year that hubris cost Democrats the election, vindicating Rensins April prediction: Faced with the prospect of an election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the smug will reach a fever pitch: six straight months of a sure thing, an opportunity to mock and scoff and ask, How could anybody vote for this guy? until a morning in November when they ask, What the fuck happened? Not only did the white working class abandon them, but poor minority voters were not convinced enough that Democrats were going to solve their problems, many of which are economic. Since the What the fuck happened? moment arrived, many Clinton diehards have reacted badly, building straw men to explain their defeat, the burning of which will provide little warmth to those most vulnerable in Trumps America, or petulantly insisting on a symbolic victory. Traisters column, for example, contains the following passage: All of these people are facing very dark and scary days, and instead of blaming them, I want to thank them. Ill also thank Clinton herself, now an old woman, who worked her ass off for decades to do something no woman has ever done before; and President Barack Obama, who for eight years showed us a different picture of what leadership could look like in America. Neither of their careers would have been possible without the struggles of generations of identity politics activists that came before them. In other words: It is totally fine that Clinton, who had secured the nomination through a skewed primary contest, lost to the least popular candidate in generations, ensuring hard times ahead for struggling Americans and minority groups. At least we made history with the first female major party nominee! Such a response reveals both the deep cynicism and deep disconnect of social liberalism that has not embraced economic progressivism. Clintons achievement, muddied by the reality of the skewed primary that handed her the nomination, is, at best, cold comfort for those who now fear for their safety. That is why, as Michael Moore told Paste earlier this month, no longer can Clinton Democrats call the shots for the party. The only option is for the left to rethink liberalism. It can no longer ignore or exclude small towns and the financial distress of white voters. It can no longer sit back and lob insults rather than engage, as Traister did in her piece, unleashing on the hosts of the progressive podcast Chapo Trap House: The world has never lacked for young, spoiled white people (perhaps mostly men), who grumble ungratefully at their parents (perhaps mostly moms), whove done the work of putting food on a Thanksgiving table, and instead return to their onanistic gaming aeries with loaves of bread (no roses) and an absolute assuredness that they know better than everyone else and that one of the great injustices of the world is the ban on them saying whatever vulgar thing theyd like to. Enough is enough. This is so clearly not how the left should deal with dissent. Donald Trump is president, and already hes filling his government with terrifying fringe people like Senator Jeff Sessions, Steve Bannon, and Betsy DeVos. The reality is economic issues have eclipsed social issues in the minds of ordinary American voters, so those who profess to prioritize social justice have a responsibility to adapt; to make sure Bernie Sanders progressive populism is the future of the Democratic Party. Only with this transformation can Trumpism be defeated. The stakes are high. If the Democrats fail to win a majority of state legislatures by 2020, the GOP will again be able to redistrict the House of Representatives, allowing Republicans to foil reform for the next decade. If Democrats do not prevent a Republican supermajority in the Senate, there is no telling what Trump will do. Follow Walker Bragman on Twitter. Former PokerStars Employee Paul Tate Avoids Prison in Black Friday Case November 29, 2016 Katie Callahan Former PokerStars employee Paul Tate forfeit $119,000 to avoid prison Nov. 28 after pleading guilty for operating an illegal gambling business in the U.S., Reuters reported. Tate was indicted with 11 others after the Black Friday crackdown on online poker companies operating in the U.S. back in April 2011. The list included other online poker companies, Full Tilt and Absolute Poker, who were all also accused of money laundering. Congress put a federal ban on online real-money gambling games in 2006. Tate ran payment processing for PokerStars during this time and pleaded guilty in October. He stood to face five years in prison. Tate left PokerStars in 2014 when it was acquired by Amaya Inc. Nine others have pleaded guilty. However, the U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered him to forfeit money instead, stating that Tate had accepted responsibility by staying for the charges instead of returning to his home base, Isle of Man, where he could have avoided extradition, according to Reuters. In 2012, PokerStars settled for $731 million. That included $547 million that went to reimbursing Full Tilt players in the United States. Read the full story here on Reuters. Marc Wright Wins Season-Ending GUKPT Grand Final November 29, 2016 Matthew Pitt Editor Marc Wright secured the largest live tournament cash of his career this weekend when he topped a field of 276 players in the 2016 GUKPT Grand Final, turning his 2,125 into 132,380. Wright, known as dean23price in online poker circles, where he has won just shy of $4 million, now has $444,253 in live tournament winnings. His previous largest live cash came in 2012 when he finished seventh in the EPT Berlin Main Event, a result that netted him 97,000. 2016 GUKPT Grand Final Final Table Results Place Player Prize 1 Marc Wright 132,380* 2 Will Davies 125,380* 3 Tamer Kamel 63,480 4 Naoufel Smires 40,850 5 Bandar Alireza 28,150 6 Paul Scipioni 20,980 7 Kiat Le 16,560 8 Nikola Minkov 13,240 9 Lucas Blanco 11,040 *reflects a heads-up deal The 2016 GUKPT Grand Final paid 26 places with a min-cash worth 4,420. Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody finished in 23rd place for 4,420 with such luminaries as Shola Akindele, Kevin Allen, Ben Jones, Matt Strom-Perrins and Babis Lappas finishing inside the money places, the latter bursting the final table bubble and ensuring the remaining nine players would leave London with a five-figure cash haul. Spains Lucas Blanco was the first player to bust at the final table, pushing his 18 big blind stack into the middle with a suited ace-king and running into Wrights red kings. The five community cards were void of an ace and the final table lost its first player. Wright then sent another short stack, Nikola Minkov, to the rail in eighth place. Minkov committed his stack with ace-queen, Wright called with pocket jacks and went on to improve to an unnecessary full house by the river. Shortly after Minkov bust, Kiat Le followed suit. Le lost a significant pot to be left with slightly more than six big blinds and these went into the middle of the felt while holding three-four of hearts. The man Wright called with ace-nine flopped an ace and Le was gone. Only 10 minutes passed before the final table became even shorter handed. Paul Scipioni raised all in for around 10 big blinds from the button with a pair of black queens and was called by Will Davies in the big blind who was holding a lowly pair of fives. Just as it looked like Scipioni was going to double his stack, the door card was the five of diamonds to put the ball firmly in Davies court. No queen followed that five and Scipionis tournament came to an abrupt end. Bandar Alireza fell in fifth place at the hands of Wright. Alireza opened to 50,000 at the 12,000/24,000/3,000a level and called when Wright three-bet to 135,000. Alireza then check-called a 210,000 bet on the jack-ten-four rainbow flop before checking on the nine turn. Wright moved all in and Bander called off his 400,000 stack, turning over queen-ten as he did so for an open-ended straight draw. Wright revealed a pair of aces, which held as the river bricked off. Four-handed play lasted 75 minutes and ended with the elimination of Naoufel Smires. A preflop raising war with Wright resulted in Smires being all in with a pair of kings against Wrights ace-king. Those kings remained the best hand right up to the river, but the ace of spades made an appearance to further whittle the field. Almost immediately after Smires demise, Tamer Kamel fell victim to the run good of Wright. All in preflop, Kamel showed pocket nines against the ace-ten of Wright. Kamel flopped a set on the all spade flop, the turn was a red ace, and the river the six of spades, gifting Wright a flush as he had the ten of spades in his hand. Wright and Davies decided to strike a deal that locked up 127,000 for Wright, 120,000 for Davies and kept 10,000 and the trophy for the eventual champion. After almost an hour of heads-up play, Wright and Davies agreed to chop the 10,000 theyd previously reserved for the winner and flip for the trophy. Wrights final hand was king-queen, Davies was six-four and by the river the board contained four spades. Wright held the queen of spades in his hand, thus busting Davies in second place and becoming the 2016 GUKPT Grand Final champion. The GUKPT now goes on a well-deserved break before returning on Jan. 29 for the opening leg of its 11th season, which takes place at the London Poker Room at The Vic. Check out the full 2017 GUKPT schedule. International, UK - Belarus Nika Wegosky has launched a funding campaign using the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo with a goal of raising 19,000. By: LIT-LOTTO Media Contact Nika Wegosky and Ulia Kudzina ***@gmail.com +375 25 643 40 00 Nika Wegosky and Ulia Kudzina+375 25 643 40 00 End --is a tabletop game that helpsat the same time. LIT-LOTTO includes cards with proverbs, letter-tiles and philosophy. Kids learn the alphabet easily in the rush of a challenge they start to recognize letters in words. They learn essential vocabulary and the wisdom of language at the same time. Knowing and understanding the meaning of these proverbs provides a gateway to the better understanding of cultures.are co-founders of the creative agency Smart Space Farm. Smart Space Farm, a multidisciplinary team with successful experience in design, production, music, theatre, events, agriculture, and marketing. We do amazing things, moved by creativity and the idea of social enterprise, trying to develop new ideas instantly and every day.Ulia says "we have great portfolio in making this world better: from the day we started to work together - one year ago, we have organised a charity festival #OhMyGoat, made tons of souvenirs, and we planted the Charity oakwood in Belarus and raised this as international project on the local TED-conference.Moreover - we follow our philosophy that came from the fairy-tale "The Wish Oak grew on the Green Doeling's head" that we made the Christmas musical about. That's why every project with the Magic Doeling label contributes to Charity. In a case of lit-lotto we will donate for creating the prototype of the educational board game for Blind kids in Braille alphabet."Nika Wegosky invented this game for her kids, who are multilingual, and had difficulties with starting to read. And she wants to share it with the rest of the world - it is fun and effectivity in one box.your support is urgently needed! Please look at all the rewards they have for those who make a contribution. Please consider getting involved, at whatever level you can, and helpget funded!If you can't afford to donate, don't worry - there are plenty of other ways you can help. Please take some time to share this campaign across your social networks and encourage your friends and family to donate.For more information about LIT-LOTTO, please visit: Move to larger premises reinforces ZEDRA's global expansion since January launch Increased product and service offers from the ZEDRA Isle of Man office, including Marine & Aviation, strengthens its position as a key employer on the Island By: www.zedra.com End -- ZEDRA, the independent specialist of corporate, trust and fund services, will officially move from its current location to its new offices at St. George's Court on November 21, with a high profile launch event on December 1, including attendance from the Island's Chief Minister, Treasury Minister, Minister for Economic Development, Senior Government Department Officials, and many VIPs from the islands business and professional communities.The move provides the next step in ZEDRA's journey which began when it was launched just under a year ago. St. George's Court is a prestigious building located in the heart of the Douglas financial district.As ZEDRA continues to grow on a local and a global scale, building and nurturing relationships with key partners and individuals is fundamental to our success. ZEDRA is dedicated to fostering a distinct business culture with a global team mindset. ZEDRA currently has more than 350 staff serving clients globally across 10 jurisdictions, including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, the Cayman Islands, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore, the UK and Switzerland.Such events as the ZEDRA official launch in Douglas are a vital way to connect, communicate and network with business leaders, ministerial personnel and the local community. It is also a unique opportunity to build stronger connections amongst the global team, thus increasing further engagement.ZEDRA also formed a partnership with the Isle of Man Post Office and London based agency Glazier Design to create a unique ZEDRA stamp and post mark for the invitation which was then distributed by the Isle of Man Post Office to all ZEDRA's invited guests."We are thrilled to have been able to set up this unique partnership with the Isle of Man Post Office for our official launch as well on other international ZEDRA events," says Alan Patrick. Managing Director, ZEDRA Isle of Man, "ZEDRA looks forward to working with the Isle of Man Post Office again as we develop our business further."ZEDRA has been pleased to work with a variety Isle of Man based businesses in its relocation and move to St. George's Court, many of whose representatives have been invited by Alan Patrick and Niels Nielsen, ZEDRA CEO, to the launch event. "This will be an opportunity for us to thank the many local businesses who have helped our journey to the new offices," says Alan. "We are delighted with our new space and client suite on 2Floor St George's Court, which have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard."Locally, the ZEDRA Isle of Man office is continuing to grow beyond its current 80 employees as it further develops and expands its key product and service offerings, including new Client Accounting and Bookkeeping teams, and recently a new appointed Head of Finance. The recent addition of Marine and Aviation services goes further to position ZEDRA at the forefront of the industry.Alan says, "The move is a natural progression for ZEDRA's commitment to position itself as a major player in the trust, corporate and fund service industry. In the Isle of Man we are continually investing in, and developing, the products and services we provide. The relocation and departure away from the Barclays offices has been seen as a positive move by our clients and for our staff represents the final stage of our physical separation from Barclays after a long and successful history as part of the Barclays group."The move to St. George's Court allows the ZEDRA Isle of Man the space it needs, as it grows in size, to meet the ever changing market needs of its international client base. Alan continues, "The launch is also to celebrate the teams' success which is underpinned by our approach to deliver the highest level of service and client needs possible."Niels Nielsen says, "Making the move to the new larger premises is an exciting time for ZEDRA, Isle of Man. I am looking forward to growing the team further to fill the new office space located in the centre of Douglas's thriving business community." To support the ambition behind the Singapore government's Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2020 Plan APACSMA & TBK Consult will be organizing workshops to help the Singapore entrepreneurial communities commercialize their value proposition By: TBK Consult Zeenath Kuraisha Contact Zeenath Kuraisha ***@apacsma.com +65 9100 8401 Zeenath Kuraisha+65 9100 8401 End -- Research, innovation and enterprise are cornerstones of Singapore's national strategy to develop a knowledge-based innovation-driven economy and society. Public investment in research and innovation has grown over the last 25 years. Under the last five-year Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2015 Plan, the Singapore government committed $16 billion (2011 - 2015) to establish Singapore as a global research and development (R&D) hub. The government will be sustaining its commitment to research, innovation and enterprise, and will invest $19 billion for the RIE2020 Plan over 2016 to 2020. [1]"You cannot conquer the world with brilliant technology alone", says Zeenath Kuraisha, CEO of APACSMA. "It takes brilliant business models and the ability to break into foreign markets. We are therefore excited to be able to offer Hans Peter Bech's three workshops in Singapore in March and October 2017. Hans Peter's workshops are focused on how to build business models around great products, how to scale the business through partnerships and how to break into foreign markets."The workshops(2 days)(2 days) and(1 day) are designed to address the challenges facing technology companies that need to grow beyond the small Singapore market and capture shares of foreign markets. The workshop curricula are designed for the information technology community and address the specific challenges of small companies that need to grow fast on a tight budget."I am looking forward to working with the Singapore technology community," says Hans Peter Bech. "Singapore represent less than 0,5% of global demand for information technology and the companies here have the exact same challenges that we have in Denmark. Our companies must take on foreign markets very early in their life cycle. That's what I call 'Going global on a shoestring.' We have found ways to do that and are excited to share this insight with the Singapore technology community."The Asia Pacific Sales & Marketing Academy provides accredited training programs for business development, marketing, sales development, sales and other revenue generation professionals throughout the Asian Pacific region. APACSMA is the Authorized Delivery Partner for the TBK Academy.[1] Source: http://www.nrf.gov.sg/ rie2020#sthash.KRuLSk0G.dpuf By Mail Today Bureau: Congress leader Rambir Shokeen was arrested by the special cell of Delhi police on Monday under provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Shokeen, a former Independent MLA from Mundka, carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head. He was produced before the court of ACMM Sumit Dass which remanded him to three days in police custody. The police told the court that Shokeen was to be confronted with the other accused. He was chargesheeted last year for his involvement in a crime syndicate headed by his nephew Neeraj Bawana. advertisement SHOKEEN'S HISTORY "Shokeen, who was declared a proclaimed offender, was arrested on Sunday evening from Yuva Shakti School at Rama Vihar in Karala in outer Delhi. He is an uncle of jailed gangster Neeraj Bawana," said DCP (Special Cell) Pramod Kumar Kushwah. Besides Neeraj and Shokeen, police has chargesheeted Neeraj's elder brother Pankaj Sehrawat and other arrested members of the syndicate - Sunil Rathi, Amit Malik alias Bhura, Naveen Dabas, Rahul Dabas, Naveen Hooda, Deepak Dabas and Gurpreet Singh. Police, which had named 163 persons as witnesses, claimed that the accused were involved in several criminal cases. Shokeen was elected to the Delhi Assembly as an Independent MLA in 2013. He later joined the Congress. He was declared a proclaimed offender by the court on August 26 last year. In February this year, a court in Delhi had denied anticipatory bail to the accused, saying that there was incriminating evidence showing he had played an active role in a crime syndicate. --- ENDS --- "Magyar and Sibley, local authors are excited to unveil their masterpiece." By: Elevation Book Publishing, LLC Media Contact Rhonda Wilson Elevation Book Publishing ***@elevationbookpublishing.com 404-370-2639 Rhonda WilsonElevation Book Publishing404-370-2639 End -- Anthony Magyar and Jason Sibley authors of the Suspense Novelare excited to unveil their masterpiece. Their friendship has birthed this awesome page turner, which eerily mirrors their life meeting while incarcerated."best buds Evan Masters, a former member of the Air Force's elite Combat Control unit, and Matthew Cassidy, a former member of the Marine Corps' Force Recon, not only survive Parchman but emerge with a plan to create Dare Ya!, a website based on stunts that they and their followers concoct. An infusion of capital from the Weisenstein Institute makes them millionaires. Meanwhile, their mysterious enemy, known only as the Director - aided by his deadly associate, Constance - plots Dare Ya's downfall. Outrageous and humorous dares abound" Publisher's Weekly Review 10/14/2016Dare Ya! Debut Book Signing, Saturday December 10, 2016, Noon to 2:00pm, SAGE Books and Coffee 19 Page Avenue Starkville, MS 39759. "We're excited to host the first book signing forand showcase local talents," says SAGE Books and Coffee Owner, Lara Hammond.Dare Ya! releases in December 6, 2016.Anthony Magyar grew up in Ackerman, Mississippi. He spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corp and earned a Mathematics Degree from Mississippi State University. Anthony enjoys everything country and simple living.Jason Sibley is a U.S. Air Force veteran, who was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Jason's hobbies are reading and writing fiction along with sports.Elevation Book Publishing, dedicated partners who agreed to create a unique relationship with writers to elevate their creation to best seller levels. Elevation Book Publishing is open for submissions;Genres: Fiction Drama, Romance and Self-Help. Visit www.elevationbookpublishing.com for more information. New innovative ingredients will make this luxury hand crafted natural skincare range an instant hit with proprietary formulas such as BioRestore3Plus, Merino Wool Collagen, Manuka Honey 24+, New Zealand Pine Bark extract and more. By: Te Mana Contact Amanda McGillivray The Natural Skincare Company Ltd. amanda@thenaturalskincarecompany.co.uk 01403 588050 Amanda McGillivrayThe Natural Skincare Company Ltd.01403 588050 End -- Transferring luminosity and bliss to your skin through the unique vibrations of Te Taiao the Natural World of Aotearoa - New Zealand(Te Mana meaning in Maori language enduring, indestructible power, prestige, purpose, and a supernatural force)Te Mana is a New Zealand owned, hand crafted, boutique-batched skincare range offering the best from Aotearoa, from both Whenua (the land) and Moana (the ocean), while abiding Tikanga Maori (Maori customs).Unique boutique-batched ingredients and skincare products are thoughtfully gathered, made here in Aotearoa and delivered to you with Aroha Tino Nui great love.Te Mana's founder Andrea Taimana mixes her creative, intuitive feminine energy and vigorous Mana (charisma) using her scientific and innovative approach to develop unique, top-end skincare products derived from native botanicals while respecting Tikanga Maori (Maori customs).When she started creating advanced anti-ageing treatments and products for herself and her clients, she soon recognised the vital role of bio-mimetic ingredients in synergistically revitalising and enhancing both beauty and natural healing powers. She wanted her products not only to feel good, but also to deliver excellent results with lasting, prolonged effects, naturally."The excitement about the unrivalled benefits of the rarest botanicals on the planet, sustainably sourced in the remote, green, nuclear-free antipodean islands inspired us to create the essential range of five bespoke skincare products abundant with high levels of most vigorous, multitasking actives in the world, that can outperform any high-end conventional offerings on the market.https://www.thenaturalskincarecompany.co.uk/temana-about ( https://temanaskincare.com/ traditional- harvesting/ In traditional Maori knowledge, as in many other indigenous cultures, everything in the world is believed to be related. Te Mana products supply luminosity and bliss to your skin through the unique vibrations of Te Taiao the Natural World of Aotearoa.Our approach is one of respect for all living things around us and an acknowledgment of human dependence on Papatuanuku our Earth Mother.That's why we gather our proprietary ingredients by hand in the wild, using strict traditional protocols and at specific times, to ensure that the wisdom of our ancestors is not lost."http://www.thenaturalskincarecompany.co.uk/temana-star-ingredients ( https://temanaskincare.com/ star-ingredients/ Te Mana carefully blends the world's most amazing botanicals, that create a huge advantage in the efficacy and distinctiveness of the brand.Introducing flagship ingredients;BioRestore3Plus - proprietary seaweeds/fern blend, Bioactive Manuka Honey 24+, Enzogenol - New Zealand Pine Bark Extract, New Zealand Kiwi-Seed Oil, New Zealand Avocado Oil and Butter, Zealong - Premium New Zealand grown Green tea, New Zealand Merino Wool Powder and New Zealand Merino Wool Collagen.The star ingredient, BioRestore3Plus is a blend of the world's most effective, all natural, multitasking botanicals, renowned for their remarkable antioxidant and moisture-retaining properties. This top performing trio of native red and green seaweeds (Codium fragile subsp.novae-zelandiae and Aeodes nitidissima ) and Mamaku - New Zealand Black fern gel, is abundant with naturally occurring polysaccharides and peptides, that help to enhance skin's barrier function, protect against water loss, act as a natural filler and powerful antioxidant.Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, our Bio-active Manuka honey 24+ promotes skin overall wellbeing, regeneration, reduces redness and soothes congested or inflamed skin. Incorporated in Te Mana skincare range, Bio-active Manuka honey 24+ also helps to retain moisture and inhibits MMP, a group of collagen destroying enzymes.Enzogenol is a 100% natural extract from the bark of New Zealand grown Pinus Radiata trees.Enzogenol consists of a potent mixture of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compounds known as bioflavonoids. It is scientifically proven to boosts the skin's natural free radical defence, stimulates skin cell growth, binds and protects collagen.Zealong is premium green tea grown at the Zealand Tea Estate in the pristine air and soils of Waikato, New Zealand. It is processed to the highest of quality standards and crafted by the world's best tea masters.Zealong Tea is Aotearoa's gift, rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, manganese, copper, carotin, selenium, and potassium (https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-potassium.html?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=smartlinks), as well as vitamin A,vitamin B,vitamin C,vitamin E and vitamin K.Green tea helps improve your skin complexion and skin health. It helps flush out toxins from the skin, helps heal blemishes and scars, and reduces inflammation. It even improves the skin's elasticity.New Zealand Merino Wool proteins are almost identical to the proteins present in the skin. Therefore, they have an amazing ability to naturally interact with skin structure.Keratin intermediate filament proteins derived from New Zealand Merino Wool, present the most abundant material in the outer layers of the skin, while being the core structure of all cells at the same time.When applied to the skin these proteins boost natural regeneration of skin's essential collagens, in order to create stronger and vibrant dermal-epidermal network.A few months before the official launch, the brand's hero productgot into the finals @ Pure Beauty Awards UK 2016 in category BEST NEW ETHNIC BEAUTY PRODUCT 2016 Atlanta nonprofit partners with BOMA Georgia for special volunteer work day event HomeAid & BOMA Georgia at Solomon's Temple on November 18 Contact Cecily Stevens ***@homeaidatlanta.org Cecily Stevens End -- On November 18, HomeAid Atlanta celebrated its 50HomeAid Care Day, and its sixth partnering with BOMA Georgia at Solomon's Temple in southwest Atlanta. Approximately 180 volunteers were in attendance to help make improvements at the facility, which provides transitional housing and programs aimed at empowerment and self-sufficiency for homeless Atlanta women and children. Also in attendance were special guests David Dreyer, Georgia House Representative-Elect District 59; Mandy Crater, HomeAid Atlanta Executive Director; and BOMA GA president Ian Hughes, LEED Green Associate - Lillibridge.This special event also marked the fifth time HomeAid and BOMA Georgia partnered together for a Care Day since 2009, for a total of six Care Day locations. Jean Hilyard, HomeAid Atlanta Director of Community Engagement stated, "BOMA Georgia is an incredibly organized group that HomeAid Atlanta is honored to have the pleasure of working with. Their member organizers this year, Carla Moule and Kacey Levine, worked diligently to secure material and labor donations for the BOMA HomeAid Care Day. BOMA Georgia members seriously stepped up to make a big difference at Solomon's Temple. We are proud to call BOMA Georgia a partner in assisting homeless serving organizations."The work completed by Care Day volunteers included rebuilding a gazebo and benches, painting two main resident living areas, pressure washing, landscaping and tree work, electrical and general repairs, ceiling tile replacement, parking lot paving/striping, floor cleaning and more. The Care Day provided approximately $40,000 in savings, handling these much needed facility improvements for Solomon's Temple. The savings assist Solomon's Temple in meeting more direct client needs such as case management and food."I had so much fun during the Care Day just watching everything unfold," said Kecia Baker, Solomon's Temple Director of Program and Facilities. "The housing building and grounds are just 'awe'mazing!Everyone was so friendly and loving. Thank you for the fantastic job orchestrating the event, and it was a pleasure to work with you again."HomeAid began its Care Day initiative in 2008 and since then has provided savings of approximately $420,000 to Atlanta organizations serving homeless families and individuals. Care Days provide Atlanta businesses and organizations an opportunity to make a one-day commitment that has a lasting impact on local nonprofit organizations serving homeless families and individuals. HomeAid is proud of this outreach initiative and looks forward to continuing to help meet the building repair and improvement needs of Atlanta homeless service providers in the years to come., founded in 2001, is a nonprofit organization that builds new lives for homeless families and individuals through housing and community outreach. HomeAid works in partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, as well as community building industry organizations, to assist people experiencing temporarily homelessness. To date, HomeAid Atlanta has completed over 60 housing, remodel and care day projects at locations that serve victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, abused and abandoned children, and more. Learn more at www.homeaidatlanta.org (BOMA Georgia) is a trade association representing one of the largest and most revenue-generating industries in the state: commercial real estate. BOMA Georgia members represent building ownership, professional property management firms, professional service providers, contract services, and more. Our members are responsible for the safety and security of hundreds of thousands of employees housed in facilities managed by this industry.is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the eradication of homelessness by empowering women and their children to overcome life's challenges, realize their potential, define their own destiny and become vital factors in the revitalization and sustainability of their community. Solomon's Temple houses up to 144 homeless women and children. Patrizia Immobilien AG has appointed Geoffroy Cerez as Director of fundraising for France, Belgium and Southern Europe. He joins to support the Companys global fund raising capability, extending the team of experts that are already active in Germany, the UK, Australia and North America. Cerez ha... [] Goodman Group to develop a new 55,000 sqm facility at the Lauwin-Planque Logistics Centre in Northern France, pre-leased to Goodman's existing customer, Log'S. This latest project is the fourth facility to be developed in Lauwin-Planque over a four year timeframe and equating to a total of 215,000 sqm of new [] On behalf of two La Francaise collective real estate investment vehicles, La Francaise Real Estate Partners International (formerly La Francaise Forum Real Estate Partners) has acquired a high street retail asset in the Hanseatic City of Lubeck at Breite Strasse 47-53. With this purchase, the company has invested in one [] Ducati India has updated its Scrambler range of motorcycles today, focusing largely on cosmetic and some equipment updates. The updates are the same as can be seen on European versions. 2019 Ducati Scrambler Icon, Full Throttle, Cafe Racer and Desert Sled at INR 7.89 Lacs, INR 8.92 Lacs, INR 9.78 and INR 9.93 Lacs respectively (Ex-Showroom Pan India). Sergi Canovas, Managing Director of Ducati India said, The Scrambler range is one of the most loved and highest selling Ducati family in the country. Scramblers have always been the quintessential bike when it comes to accessible power and supreme control on any kind of roads and this year, we have made the entire range more advanced and capable. The new line up is a cultural movement in itself standing for a free-spirited attitude. The Ducati Scrambler isnt just a bike: its a whole new lifestyle, shaped by dedicated apparel and accessories. This is our first product launch of the year and we are thrilled to introduce the all new Scrambler range in India. One of the important changes in 2019 Ducati Scrambler range is Bosch-sourced cornering ABS, which will now be offered as standard. Its a complex system comprising ECUs, actuators, sensors, and pressure regulators that allow effective braking even when the bike is at full tilt. Cornering ABS helps the rider avoid things like wheel locking and crashing. Other key updates include new LED headlamps featuring an X-shaped element, new swappable tank panels, LED turn indicators, new fuel gauge and gear position indicator, and updated LCD instrument console. However, engine is the same as earlier, the 803 cc, air-cooled L-twin engine that generates 75 hp of max power @ 8,250 rpm and 68 Nm of max torque @ 5,750 rpm. Engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. 2019 Ducati Scrambler range gets an additional hydraulic clutch for seamless gearshifts. Features like tubular steel Trellis frame, Brembo brakes and ABS as standard are common to Full Throttle, Icon, and Cafe Racer. Suspension duty on these bikes is performed by 41 mm Kayaba USD forks and Kayaba monoshock with adjustable preload settings at the rear. However, suspension system for Desert Sled is different, owing to its off-roading profile. Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled has 46 mm fully-adjustable USD forks at the front and Kayaba monoshock with adjustable pre-load and rebound at the rear. It also gets the popular Scorpion Rally tyres from Pirelli, which are known for their superior off-roading capabilities. First showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo in February this year, new Hyundai Tucson was launched earlier this month in India. This is not the first time Tucson is being offered in India. In fact, Indian consumers are very well aware of the SUV as the previous generation was on sale as a CBU. Later it had to be discontinued due to high price tag. This time around, Hyundai India has managed to bring the Tucson in CKD format, thus keeping the price tag comparatively lower. This has led to a good initial run for the Tucson. The car has already received about 500 orders. The Indian-spec Tucson is offered with a 2.0 liter petrol and 2.0 liter diesel engine option. The petrol Tucson generates 155 ps @ 6,200 rpm and 192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm while the diesel Tucson delivers 185 ps @ 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm @ 1,750 2,750 rpm. Transmission options on offer include 6 MT and 6 AT while drive system is a FWD unit. No AWD version is on offer. The new generation Hyundai Tucson is seen with fresh exteriors and revamped interiors. Exteriors boast of a hexagonal front grille, efficient LED twin projector headlamps and integrated LED daytime running lights. Sitting on an extended wheelbase, interior space is at a premium. In fact it is the interiors which impress more. Inside the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, receives premium and soft touch materials while a leather pad is see located near the drivers right knee offering better comfort during longer rides. Infotainment is via a 8 HD color display with rear view camera and touch screen options. Space is at a premium and cargo room can be extended with rear seats in a 60/40 combination while reclining is adjustable depending on cargo and passengers. Below is the new TVC if Hyundai Tucson. Built like a tank, is a phrase which relates very well to the Toyota Fortuner. Best selling car in its segment, the Fortuner commands respect on the road, and not only for its size and built, but also for its capabilities. Recently, a Fortuner proved its mettle in an accident in India. The accident took place in Dehradun earlier this week. As per Mr Suri, who shared these images with us, the Uttar Pradesh State Bus in front, suddenly applied brakes. This resulted in the Fortuner which was travelling behind the bus to brake hard. The Fortuner driver managed to brake in time and save itself from crashing into the bus. But, there was another car and truck coming behind, which was not able to apply brakes. The truck brakes had reportedly failed. This resulted in the truck crashing into the small hatchback in front. The impact was such that the hatchback was thrown on to the divider. The truck then collided into the Fortuner, which in turn collided into the bus in front. Seeing the photos, one can realize that the truck was probably travelling at a high speed. The Fortuner is completely smashed. But, in spite of this, all four passengers who were inside the Fortuner survived the crash. Yes. No one died in this accident. The hatchback was lucky enough to have gotten out of the way, or else it too would have been sandwiched in this accident. The Fortuner above is the old gen Fortuner, which is no longer on sale in India. It has been replaced by new Fortuner. The new Fortuner is based on the second gen IMV platform. The 7-seat ladder frame premium SUV adopts one diesel and one petrol engine in India. The diesel engien is in the form of a 2.8 liter generating 177 hp and 450 Nm while the 2.7 liter petrol engine is rated at 164 hp and 250 Nm. Both engines are offered in a choice of automatic as well as manual transmissions. Drive system is RWD as standard while the 2.8 liter diesel is also offered with AWD. Here is a detailed Toyota Fortuner Review. Highlights Newly developed frame structure that delivers exceptional torsional & bending rigidity even in the harshest environments New suspension enhances ride comfort, through straight-line stability, controllability, handle response & advanced damping technology Newly adopted Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) & Downhill Assist Control (DAC) Electronic drive control Eco & Power drive modes Newly adopted Active Traction Control (A-TRC) Expected to be priced in the range of INR 12-18 lakh, Tata Hexa will be the new Tata flagship and compete with Mahindra XUV500, and even with the Toyota Innova Crysta to an extent. To be launched in January 2017, Tata Motors has launched a customer-centric campaign which will allow interested buyers to test the Hexa in every way possible. Called Tata Hexa Experience Centre, we attended the first such event which took place in Gurgaon earlier this week. Hexa being a family car, the essence of the event was to engage every member of your family, be it your kids, or your parents. For the driver in you, there is a small off-road track where you can test the Hexas off-roading capabilities, its 44 system, the driving modes, ABS, braking, and almost every feature on offer. And the best part is, your family can sit next to you when you are taking them on this fun activity. Once you are done with your test drive, you can speak with experts from Tata Motors who are present at the venue. This will help you understand the car even better, and help you clear your doubts if you have any. In the meantime, your family can take a look at the multiple fun-filled activities lined-up at the venue. These include mini coffee bar, special kids zone, a pet adoption zone and food kiosks. Tata will soon bring the Hexa Experience Center to your city. Do check with your local Tata dealer about the same and make sure you pay a visit. The Hexa Experience Center is open for all and entry is free. Already touted as the best Tata ever built below is a brief about the new Hexa. For a detailed review, read our Tata Hexa Review here. Exteriors With its contoured bonnet, aggressive front grille with the right amount of chrome, stylish lower bumper which embodies the scuff plates and fog lights, projector headlamps, LED DRLs above the fog light, all give the Hexa a very sport look. On the side, Hexa gets five spoke machined 19 inch alloys wrapped around MRF 235/55 section rubber, plastic cladding on the lower part of the sides and wheel arches, roofline that aerodynamically merges into the D pillar and large enough windows for all three rows. Rear gets LED taillamps, scuff plates, twin exhaust, roof spoiler, and a big tata logo in between the taillights. All in all, compared to the Aria, which looks more like an MPV, the Hexa looks more like a premium SUV. Interiors The variant in the images here, is the top-end XT variant. It gets all black dashboard with leather upholstery, leather seats, leather cover on the steering wheel, and piano black finish around the gear lever and touchscreen. It also gets dull silver inserts on the steering wheel. The seats seem to have good cushioning, making it comfortable for passengers and driver. The space inside the cabin is also very impressive. Rear AC vents help the cabin to cool faster. Unlike the seats in front two rows, the third row seats are bench seats, and not captain seats. But, they are split in 50-50 format, so as to make storage of luggage flexible. Features A total of four drive modes are on offer with the new Hexa. This can be selected by the driver from the steering mounted controls. The driver can see the modes on offer in the small TFT colour screen in between the two circular pods in the instrument panel. New Hexa also offers ambient lighting, which you can select as per your mood from the touchscreen on the dashboard. The car will also be loaded with many more features including safety features like ABS, airbags, EBD, and so on. Engine Measuring 4,788 mm long, 1,903 mm wide, and 1,791 mm tall, under the hood, Hexa gets the companys most powerful engine till date 2.2 liter VARICOR 400 diesel engine. This engine is rated to deliver 154 hp power and 400 Nm torque. To be offered in a choice of 2WD and 4WD options, Tata Hexa will get 6 speed manual transmission. There is also a 6 speed AT on offer. Ranveer and Deepika, who have been busy with shooting and promotions of their film, will be travelling to Dubai for an award function. By India Today Web Desk: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's relationship is the hottest topic in B-Town. Even as rumour mills went into an overdrive speculating that their relationship was going through a rough patch and even that the two had called it quits, the two chose not to respond. ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone clears the air on Ranveer Singh and their relationship advertisement SEE PICS: Deepika joins ex Ranbir for the success bash of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil DP and Ranveer's public appearance at the Ambanis' bash last week put a rest to all rumours that they had fallen apart due to differences and their hectic schedule (while Deepika was shooting for her Hollywood venture xXx: Return Of Xander Cage, Ranveer was in Paris working on Befikre). Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone hand-in-hand at the Ambanis' party. (Photo: Yogen Shah) The two lovebirds silenced all, as they walked hand-in-hand and were unable to take their eyes off each other. Now, they are taking a much-needed break and flying off to Dubai for an award function. They were spotted at the airport last night, and although they did not come together, we can safely assume that they will be spending some quality time far away from the media glare here. Ranveer and Deepika fly off to Dubai (Photo: Yogen Shah) --- ENDS --- A visual problem affecting astronauts who serve on lengthy missions in space is related to volume changes in the clear fluid that is found around the brain and spinal cord, according to new research being presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Over the last decade, flight surgeons and scientists at NASA began seeing a pattern of visual impairment in astronauts who flew long-duration space missions. The astronauts had blurry vision, and further testing revealed, among several other structural changes, flattening at the back of their eyeballs and inflammation of the head of their optic nerves. The syndrome, known as visual impairment intracranial pressure (VIIP), was reported in nearly two-thirds of astronauts after long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). "People initially didn't know what to make of it, and by 2010 there was growing concern as it became apparent that some of the astronauts had severe structural changes that were not fully reversible upon return to earth," said study lead author Noam Alperin, Ph.D., professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Fla. Scientists previously believed that the primary source of the problem was a shift of vascular fluid toward the upper body that takes place when astronauts spend time in the microgravity of space. But researchers led by Dr. Alperin recently investigated another possible source for the problem: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the clear fluid that helps cushion the brain and spinal cord while circulating nutrients and removing waste materials. The CSF system is designed to accommodate significant changes in hydrostatic pressures, such as when a person rises from a lying to sitting or standing position. However, the microgravity of space presents new challenges. "On earth, the CSF system is built to accommodate these pressure changes, but in space the system is confused by the lack of the posture-related pressure changes," Dr. Alperin said. To learn more about the role of CSF in spaceflight-induced visual impairment and eye changes, Dr. Alperin and colleagues performed high-resolution orbit and brain MRI scans before and shortly after spaceflights for seven long-duration mission ISS astronauts. advertisement They compared results with those from nine short-duration mission space shuttle astronauts. Using advanced quantitative imaging algorithms, the researchers looked for any correlation between changes in CSF volumes and the structures of the visual system. The results showed that, compared to short-duration astronauts, long-duration astronauts had significantly increased post-flight flattening of their eyeballs and increased optic nerve protrusion. Long-duration astronauts also had significantly greater post-flight increases in orbital CSF volume, or the CSF around the optic nerves within the bony cavity of the skull that holds the eye, and ventricular CSF volume -- volume in the cavities of the brain where CSF is produced. The large post-spaceflight ocular changes observed in ISS crew members were associated with greater increases in intraorbital and intracranial CSF volume. "The research provides, for the first time, quantitative evidence obtained from short- and long-duration astronauts pointing to the primary and direct role of the CSF in the globe deformations seen in astronauts with visual impairment syndrome," Dr. Alperin said. There were no significant post-flight changes of gray matter volume or white matter volume in either group of astronauts. Identifying the origin of the space-induced ocular changes is necessary, Dr. Alperin said, for the development of countermeasures to protect the crew from the ill effects of long-duration exposure to microgravity. "If the ocular structural deformations are not identified early, astronauts could suffer irreversible damage," he noted. "As the eye globe becomes more flattened, the astronauts become hyperopic, or far-sighted." According to Dr. Alperin, NASA is studying a number of possible measures to simulate the conditions that lead to VIIP and testing various countermeasures. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an unforgiving killer of horses, donkeys and zebras, resulting in mortality as high as 80 percent of infected animals. It causes rapid, catastrophic swelling of the brain and spinal cord, leading to severe neurological symptoms and -- in many cases -- sudden death. The virus can also infect humans, with similar results. The U.S. and Soviet Union both weaponized VEEV during the Cold War, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health to classify VEEV as a category B pathogen. A research team led by the University of Maryland has exploited a weakness in VEEV's genetic code, resulting in a far less deadly mutant version of the virus when tested in laboratory mice. The new discovery could enable the development of a vaccine and other drugs to combat VEEV. The findings were published online November 16, 2016 in the Journal of Virology. Like many other dangerous viruses, VEEV has RNA as its genetic material instead of DNA. Because a similar weakness exists in RNA viruses that pose serious health risks to humans -- such as HIV, Zika, chikungunya and others -- the discovery could advance the development of treatments for these viruses as well. "RNA viruses tend to cause acute infections," said Jonathan Dinman, professor and Chair of the UMD Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, who is the senior author on the research paper. "You either fight them off quickly, like the common cold, or they overwhelm you, like Ebola." Dinman and his colleagues exploited a mechanism known as programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF), which allows RNA viruses to pack a larger amount of genetic information into a relatively short sequence of RNA. By prompting an infected cell to read the same sequence of RNA in two different phases, PRF allows a virus to create two different proteins instead of one. The researchers created a mutant version of VEEV with a disrupted PRF mechanism, which impaired the virus' ability to create a second protein from a specific section of RNA. Tests in cultured cells did not reveal a large difference in the rate of virus production. But when the researchers tested the mutant virus in laboratory mice, they saw a dramatic increase in the rate at which infected mice survived the disease. "With some simple mutations, we compromised VEEV's ability to be a virulent virus," said Joe Kendra, a biological sciences graduate student at UMD and the lead author of the study. "This result shows that PRF might be a therapeutic target for other viruses. If we can confirm that the mutant virus confers immunity, opening the door to a vaccine, that will be very exciting." In addition to a higher survival rate of mice infected with mutant VEEV, the researchers also noted a lower incidence of the virus accumulating in brain tissues. Dinman, Kendra and their co-authors suspect that the missing protein in the mutant virus plays a role in the virus' ability to cross the blood-brain barrier -- an essential step to cause brain swelling. "It's interesting that the virus uses PRF to survive, but we can also manipulate that mechanism to work against it," said study co-author Yousuf Khan, an undergraduate biological sciences major and Goldwater Scholar at UMD. "This is a new way to target viruses and make vaccines. It opens up a lot of new research questions." According to Dinman, the finding is particularly encouraging in light of the challenge posed by climate change, as viral diseases begin to extend their range north beyond the tropics. "So many of these diseases are borne by mosquitoes. Chikungunya is now established in the Caribbean, and Zika has been found in two counties in Florida," Dinman said. "These viruses are on our doorstep. But these results give us hope. Developing a vaccine takes a long time, but with a concerted effort across government and academic labs, we have a good chance." In one episode of Sesame Street, Ernie takes a bigger piece of pie for himself and gives a smaller piece to Bert. Bert responds, "That is not very polite. I mean, if I had two pieces of pie, I'd offer you the big piece and take the small one for myself." Confused, Ernie replies, "Well you have the small piece, Bert." Fairness is a central concept in the adult world. But how do children learn what is fair and what is not? When do children learn to distribute resources in an equitable manner, and what do they do when it is impossible to divide the pie equally? In a new research, Dr. Shoham Choshen-Hillel of the Jerusalem School of Business Administration at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Dr. Alex Shaw and Prof. Eugene Caruso from the University of Chicago, examined the decisions that children make at different ages when confronted with inequity. The study shows that as children mature, they develop an increasingly complex understanding of fairness. As they grow older, children behave less like Ernie and more like Bert -- although they are not always happy when others get more, they would much rather give the bigger piece of pie to others than waste it, as long as the decision about who gets the smaller piece of pie comes from them rather than someone else. The research, published in the journal Psychological Science (LINK), found that children learn to distinguish between inequity and unfairness at a young age (around 6 to 7), and that as they grow older they become more concerned with the fairness of the allocation rather than the outcomes per se. This makes them more likely to offer others the bigger piece of the pie. "Children develop an understanding that inequity is not problematic in and of itself. Instead, they realize that inequity is problematic when it is driven by unfairness or partiality," explained Dr. Choshen-Hillel. "Our past research shows that this is how adults react to inequity, but now we have evidence that even children as young as 7 years of age are concerned with inequity, only when it is seen as unfair." To examine the way children of different ages divide resources that cannot be shared equally, the researchers conducted experiments with about 500 children who visited the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Each child was told that the research team would like to give them and another child named Mark colorful erasers, because they did such a great job learning at the museum that day. "Mark and you each get one eraser. Now we have one left over. What do you want to do with it?" advertisement In one experiment, children could choose whether to take the third eraser for themselves or throw it in the trash. The results showed that while younger children (aged 4-6) tended to take the eraser for themselves, the older children (aged 7-8) preferred to throw the eraser in the trash. In another experiment, the children could give the eraser to the other child or throw it away. The younger children were more likely to throw the eraser away and the older children were more likely to give it to the other child. "In both experiments, the choices of the older children demonstrated that they prefer to create inequity but to avoid being unfair towards the other. They disadvantaged themselves and were not concerned about the resulting inequity, because they were the ones responsible for it," Dr. Choshen-Hillel said. "Previous theories in psychology have argued that as children grow older, they become more concerned about inequity. Our studies show that children develop partiality aversion rather than inequity aversion. They are actually happy to give the bigger piece of the pie to someone else, even if it creates inequity and puts them in an inferior position." Similar experiments are now being conducted in Israel and in China. The researchers report that initial data suggest this tendency is characteristic of children all over the world. "Interestingly," said Dr. Choshen-Hillel, "Preliminary findings indicate that children from Israel and from China behave in a very similar way to what we have seen in American children." The findings shed light on when and how children learn what is fair and what is equitable, an understanding that is central to the grown ups' world. "We distinguish between different types of inequity, and the key factor is whether or not inequity is seen as unfair or partial," explained Dr. Choshen-Hillel. The findings from these studies may lead to the development of educational tools to reduce children's envy and rivalry, and promote sharing behavior and cooperation. "For example," suggested Dr. Choshen-Hillel, "We recommend that parents and educators encourage children, especially those who are seven years old or older, to make resource allocation decisions by themselves, rather than have the adults make these decisions. For instance, rather than having the parent decide on who should get the bigger cookie, the children should be asked to make this decision by themselves. This way, the child will benefit from giving to his siblings or friends and would be more satisfied with the final allocation, even if he or she gets less than the others. It is a win-win." Solutions to reduce herd sizes face issues of ethics and perception, according to a new article in The Professional Animal Scientist. Feral horses are free-ranging descendants of once-domesticated horses. All free-ranging horses in North America are feral horses, and between 2014 and 2015 the feral horse population in the United States increased 18% according to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In 2015, the number of feral horses in the western ranges of the United States alone was estimated at 58,150. With few natural predators, populations will continue to rise, doubling every four years; thus, managing populations of feral horses represents a unique challenge in the United States. "The ever-expanding population of feral horses is a critical but not simple problem to solve," said Lori L. Ward, lead author of a recent review of the feral horse issue in The Professional Animal Scientist. "Any solution to this problem must have an understanding of current populations of horses in each ecosystem, the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, and consideration of how these numbers will naturally vary." In the 1950s, to combat rising populations, many feral horses were slaughtered by various means, including poisoned watering holes. This solution was met with public outrage and led to congressional action in the form of the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, which protected feral horses as a link to our national heritage. This act protected horses on federal land and kept them from slaughter, prompting new efforts at population control. Since that time, BLM has herded animals into holding locations where they can be managed and adopted-out. Many horses do not get adopted, however, and are labeled unwanted; likewise, the process of rounding-up feral horses is expensive and costs to maintain captive feral horses are estimated to exceed $1 billion by 2030. Such rising costs may end the adoption practice in coming years, according to the BLM. Another means to limit populations is contraceptive use. The practice is controversial, as animal welfare activists often do not agree with the use of contraceptives, but the United States Humane Society is in support of such measures. Contraceptives, such as porcine zona pellucida vaccine, castration, or vasectomy, have not been without side effects, however. These methods may only slow growth, or in the case of vasectomy have no effect on foal rates; likewise, they may disrupt seasonal patterns within the herds among other changes. Perceptions of feral horses in the United States are numerous and multifaceted, which creates a unique challenge when it comes to managing their populations. In order to determine the most effective management practices, knowledge of horse population dynamics as well as public political views are necessary. Any solution to such an issue can only be gained by continued research. March 2012 was unusually warm. Biomass crops around the Midwest were well established and thriving. But when a late frost came in mid-April, all of that changed. "When I went out in the morning, I was just shocked," says University of Illinois agronomist D.K. Lee. "All the grasses were covered in frost. By noon, Miscanthus and switchgrass had turned black. The only plant that was untouched was prairie cordgrass." Lee already knew that prairie cordgrass, Spartina pectinata, was especially tolerant of flooding and salt stress, but this discovery confirmed his suspicion that cordgrass was tolerant of freezing, too. Being tolerant of environmental stress factors is important for biomass crops, because they are often grown on so-called marginal land where conditions are far from perfect. With its tolerance of several major stress factors, cordgrass has the potential to be grown in more places than other perennial energy crops. The next step for Lee and his research group was to identify the molecular changes that keep cordgrass perky in cold weather. "Unlike salt and flooding stress, freezing usually happens abruptly. The plant has to react quickly. To find out what was happening at the molecular level, we grew cordgrass in a growth chamber at 25 degrees Celsius and then abruptly moved them into another growth chamber set to -5 degrees. "We looked at gene expression within five minutes after exposure to freezing temperatures. We found some unique genes being activated right away and then different ones turning on 30 minutes later," Lee says. The team suspects that the initial genetic response protects the cells from freezing. Typically, ice crystals form in the spaces outside the cell when a plant is exposed to freezing temperatures. Once these "seed crystals" form, they grow quickly and burst the living cells. To avoid this, cordgrass may quickly pump ions outside the cell, keeping ice crystals from forming or growing. The secondary reactions that occur after 30 minutes may have to do with repairing damaged cells, allowing the plant to recover more quickly. Lee says the findings just scratch the surface; much more needs to be done to fully understand the genetic mechanisms that allow cordgrass to avoid tissue damage during freezing temperatures. Once the system is fully understood in cordgrass, the hope is that it can be applied to other crops. "Corn farmers are always looking to plant earlier in the spring," Lee says. "They think if they plant early, they could see a yield benefit. Currently, crop insurance won't cover corn if farmers plant before a certain date, because there's a big risk of frost. If we understand more about freezing tolerance, we could eventually apply it to annual crops and potentially expand the production area for crops such as corn." The article, "Transcriptome analysis of Spartina pectinata in response to freezing stress," is published in PLOS One. Lee's co-authors are from U of I and Seoul National University. Somewhere between Earth's creation and where we are today, scientists have demonstrated that some early life forms existed just fine without any oxygen. While researchers proclaim the first half of our 4.5 billion-year-old planet's life as an important time for the development and evolution of early bacteria, evidence for these life forms remains sparse including how they survived at a time when oxygen levels in the atmosphere were less than one-thousandth of one percent of what they are today. Recent geology research from the University of Cincinnati presents new evidence for bacteria found fossilized in two separate locations in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. "These are the oldest reported fossil sulfur bacteria to date," says Andrew Czaja, UC assistant professor of geology. "And this discovery is helping us reveal a diversity of life and ecosystems that existed just prior to the Great Oxidation Event, a time of major atmospheric evolution." The 2.52 billion-year-old sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are described by Czaja as exceptionally large, spherical-shaped, smooth-walled microscopic structures much larger than most modern bacteria, but similar to some modern single-celled organisms that live in deepwater sulfur-rich ocean settings today, where even now there are almost no traces of oxygen. In his research published in the December issue of the journal Geology of the Geological Society of America, Czaja and his colleagues Nicolas Beukes from the University of Johannesburg and Jeffrey Osterhout, a recently graduated master's student from UC's department of geology, reveal samples of bacteria that were abundant in deep water areas of the ocean in a geologic time known as the Neoarchean Eon (2.8 to 2.5 billion years ago). advertisement "These fossils represent the oldest known organisms that lived in a very dark, deep-water environment," says Czaja. "These bacteria existed two billion years before plants and trees, which evolved about 450 million years ago. We discovered these microfossils preserved in a layer of hard silica-rich rock called chert located within the Kaapvaal craton of South Africa." With an atmosphere of much less than one percent oxygen, scientists have presumed that there were things living in deep water in the mud that didn't need sunlight or oxygen, but Czaja says experts didn't have any direct evidence for them until now. Czaja argues that finding rocks this old is rare, so researchers' understanding of the Neoarchean Eon are based on samples from only a handful of geographic areas, such as this region of South Africa and another in Western Australia. According to Czaja, scientists through the years have theorized that South Africa and Western Australia were once part of an ancient supercontinent called Vaalbara, before a shifting and upending of tectonic plates split them during a major change in the Earth's surface. Based on radiometric dating and geochemical isotope analysis, Czaja characterizes his fossils as having formed in this early Vaalbara supercontinent in an ancient deep seabed containing sulfate from continental rock. According to this dating, Czaja's fossil bacteria were also thriving just before the era when other shallow-water bacteria began creating more and more oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. advertisement "We refer to this period as the Great Oxidation Event that took place 2.4 to 2.2 billion years ago," says Czaja. Early recycling Czaja's fossils show the Neoarchean bacteria in plentiful numbers while living deep in the sediment. He contends that these early bacteria were busy ingesting volcanic hydrogen sulfide -- the molecule known to give off a rotten egg smell -- then emitting sulfate, a gas that has no smell. He says this is the same process that goes on today as modern bacteria recycle decaying organic matter into minerals and gases. "The waste product from one [bacteria] was food for the other," adds Czaja. "While I can't claim that these early bacteria are the same ones we have today, we surmise that they may have been doing the same thing as some of our current bacteria," says Czaja. "These early bacteria likely consumed the molecules dissolved from sulfur-rich minerals that came from land rocks that had eroded and washed out to sea, or from the volcanic remains on the ocean's floor. There is an ongoing debate about when sulfur-oxidizing bacteria arose and how that fits into the earth's evolution of life, Czaja adds. "But these fossils tell us that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were there 2.52 billion years ago, and they were doing something remarkable." Amy Jackson put a rest to rumours that she is dating Salman Khan by saying that she is single at the moment. By India Today Web Desk: Salman Khan and Amy Jackson were rumoured to be the newest lovebirds in town. Reports were doing the rounds that Salman had dropped in uninvited to the launch of the first look of her film 2.0 not to meet Rajinikanth, as he announced, but to be there for his ladylove Amy. ALSO READ: Has Salman Khan found love in Amy Jackson, after Iulia Vantur? advertisement ALSO READ: Is this the reason for Salman Khan's break-up with Iulia Vantur? ALSO READ: What's cooking between Salman Khan and Urvashi Rautela? Neither Amy nor Salman confirmed these rumours. However, at the launch of a health magazine, Amy reportedly spoke about her link-up with Sallu. "Who wouldn't want to date Salman Khan? But I am single and not dating anyone," the Action Jackson actor clarified. Salman Khan was reportedly dating Romanian beauty Iulia Vantur, but that fizzled out due to cultural differences between the two. ALSO WATCH: --- ENDS --- Whenever we're heading home for the holidays, the question always comes up: Should I take my pet with me, or leave her behind? Parting with our pets can definitely be emotional, even though sometimes it's the best option. But if you have no other choice and absolutely need to bring your pet on your flight home with you, here are some tips and tricks to help everything go as smoothly as possible. What to bring with you Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Couple Meets A Beach Dog In Mexico Who Changes Their Life All pets traveling with their owners are required to have their own carrier, which will count as one of your carry-on bags. That means less room for books and snacks to entertain us along the way, but these are the sacrifices we make for our fur babies. Each airline has different measurements and specifications regarding carriers, so make sure to look them up and measure your pet's carrier before you head to the airport. Worried about your pet needing an ID or passport? The tag on his collar should do! Pets don't typically need paperwork for domestic flights, but make sure you check your airline's specific requirements beforehand, just in case. It's always smart, in any situation, for your pet to be wearing tags or be microchipped (or both) in case something goes wrong and he gets away from you. "Make sure that tags are clearly visible because people are more likely to catch pets if they can return them to the owner," Dr. Cathy Meeks of BluePearl Veterinary Partners told The Dodo. "Getting your pet a microchip for identification is an important step, too." When going through security, agents will ask you to take your pet out of his carrier and walk him through security in your arms. It's a good idea to make sure your pet is wearing a harness so youll always have a firm hold on him in case he tries to bolt. After all, the last thing anyone wants is a scared cat running loose through a busy airport, and thats definitely the last thing your cat wants, too. Place your pet's favorite toy in his carrier with him so that he has something familiar and comfortable to hang out with while he flies. Treats are great too, but it's not a great idea to feed your pet a heavy meal right before the trip, in case he gets sick on the flight. Your vet can prescribe anti-nausea medication for your dog or cat if need be. (Always talk to your vet before giving your pet any kind of medication before flying.) What you need to know about airlines There are limits to how many pets can fly in the cabin of a plane on any given flight, so it's important to plan ahead and research the airline you're using beforehand. Not every airline will be the same when it comes to pets, and different companies may have different rules. If your pet is on the bigger side, United has a program called PetSafe that specializes in flying pets who are too big to fly in the cabin with their owners. All pets must be at least 8 weeks old in order to fly. United also allows rabbits and small birds (yes, really) to fly in the cabin. Delta requires all pets be at least 10 weeks old in order to fly. Delta allows pets to fly in the cargo hold, but that can't be booked until 14 days before your flight. Household birds are also allowed in the cabin. JetBlue does not fly pets in the cargo hold, but it does have a program called JetPaws, which offers everything you need to fly with your pet. Southwest does not allow pets on any international flights. All pets must be checked in at the airport ticket counter prior to their flight, and they must be at least 8 weeks old in order to fly. Southwest does not fly pets in the cargo hold under the plane. American Airlines requires that all pets be at least 8 weeks old in order to fly. Pets are allowed to fly in-cabin to most destinations, but certain destinations have special restrictions, which are listed on American's website. You will have to pay a fee to have your pet travel with you, and those range from $95 to $125 each way, sometimes more (for in-cabin travel). Pets are never allowed to travel with unaccompanied minors. Your pet needs to be small enough to fit comfortably in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Approved service animals are, of course, exceptions to every rule. Never be afraid to ask for help Caitlin Jill Anders You could do all of your homework and be the most prepared person in the world, and there are still some things you won't know until you get to the airport and start going through the motions. When you get to the airport, ask a staff member if there are special animal relief areas in your terminal, or which security lines are pet friendly. Being proactive instead of just hoping you find the answer on your own is one of the best things you can do when flying with your pet. Be prepared Pets are unpredictable, so it's good to be ready for absolutely anything with them, especially when flying. Do your homework, bring absolutely anything you can think of that will make them more comfortable and don't leave anything to chance. "Over-planning is really the best thing you can do when traveling with your pets," Meeks said. "If in doubt, always err on the side of caution." When I flew with my cat for the first time, I lined her carrier with bed liners (used for little kids who wet the bed), just in case she got scared and peed during takeoff or landing. I made sure to have a sweatshirt with me that I could throw over her carrier in case all the sights and sounds started to stress her out too much. It's the little things you do that will make all the difference and ensure that your pet has the best experience they possibly can. I was prepared for the worst when I flew with my very high-maintenance cat, and she ended up having a grand ole time on our flight. She hated the airport, but she seemed to love the airplane, and even tried to make friends, which is very weird for her. Murphy's law, right? To fly or not to fly? Of all the puppies rescued from a puppy mill in Arkansas earlier this year, no one fought harder to leave that dark place than Daniel - only he was so sick and malnourished, he couldn't take the steps on his own. So he crawled. This browser does not support the video tag. HSUS But his rescuers - local authorities alongside staff from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) - were there for the tiny puppy, along with 294 other dogs saved from miserable circumstances. HSUS "I still remember seeing Daniel for the first time in that dark shed - crawling towards us through piles of dirt and feces, whimpering as if he knew we were there to rescue him," Jessica Lauginiger, a rescue responder, tells the Dodo. "He was full of fight and spirit from the moment we found him." Dodo Shows Soulmates Pig Loves To Launch Himself Onto His Dad's Lap HSUS The dogs at this property in Madison County had been living in feces without access to clean food or water. HSUS All of them had been bred as little more than commodities for unscrupulous pet stores and individuals. HSUS And on that day in March, all of them left that place for good. "No animal should ever be forced to live in conditions like we've seen today," Jessica Lauginiger, puppy mills response manager for HSUS' Animal Rescue Team, said at the time. HSUS The dogs were transported to an emergency shelter, where they received urgent medical care. And that's where Daniel found himself, at last, in good hands. This browser does not support the video tag. HSUS In just two weeks, Daniel was running. And, not long after that, Great Plains SPCA found him the family he was born to be with in Blue Springs, Missouri. HSUS Today, while Daniel is still a puppy, there's no trace of his wobbly, timid former self. Just a dog basking in the light of a real family. HSUS Its been over six years since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, but the messy split between the Ray J appears to be in a VERY bad place. We can only hop the artist and reality star is getting the help he needs. A group of 70 students who won scholarships from Toronto-Dominion Bank is calling for the company to withdraw its funding from the Dakota Access Pipeline. TD Bank is one of the companies providing loans for the controversial energy project, which has been the focus of a months-long protest camp on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes traditional territory near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The project and its funders have faced increasing criticism in recent months as the standoff has escalated. At one showdown earlier in November, police in riot gear used tear gas, rubber bullets and water hoses in sub-zero temperatures on demonstrators who call themselves water protectors. Its very frustrating, disappointing and heartbreaking to see (TDs) silence in the face of these types of human rights violations, said Aube Giroux, a TD scholarship recipient in 1996. They need to at least issue a statement that condemns the human rights violations that are taking place. Thats a first step, Giroux said. Earlier this month in Toronto, three protesters locked themselves by the neck inside TDs Toronto headquarters, also demanding a statement from TD condemning the violence at Standing Rock. What were trying to do by drawing attention to a Canadian-funded pipeline is to show that were complicit in (the violence), said Taylor Flook, one of the activists arrested at the Toronto protest. We wanted to just have a conversation or have a statement issued by the CEO Bob Dorrance that they are watching the situation and also are not happy with the violence, Flook said. Alison Ford, a spokesperson for TD Bank, said in an emailed statement that the company respects the rights of those who wish to voice their opinions in peaceful protest. We support efforts to ensure environmental sustainability and the safety of the site. We will continue to encourage (Energy Transfer Partners, which owns the project) to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards a resolution with stakeholders and community members, including the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the statement said. The tribe opposes the pipeline, saying it threatens their drinking water in the Missouri River, and crosses their traditional territory. The protest camp has grown to include an estimated 5,000 people who have come from across the U.S. and many indigenous communities in Canada to fight the pipeline project. In September work crews bulldozed through land the tribe said was a sacred burial ground. Since then confrontations between the protesters, pipeline crews and police have continued to worsen. The pipeline route was originally set to pass near Bismarck, North Dakota but residents there opposed it. The TD Scholarship students call comes one week before a deadline issued by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close the protest camp, setting the stage for another escalation in the months-long standoff. York University professor Dirk Matten said divestment by project funders isnt the best way to push for change on mega-projects like Dakota Access. Matten is the Hewlett-Packard Chair in Corporate Social Responsibility and Director of the Centre of Excellence in Responsible Business at York's Schulich School of Business. He said that acts of civil disobedience can be very effective over the long term at getting banks to change their policies, but not if they simply pull out their money. I would say that they have proven to be quite effective over the last 20 years. These events change the mindset of top management. They definitely do, Matten said. On Nov. 7 Norwegian Bank DNB said it was reconsidering its involvement with the Dakota Access project over concerns about the escalating violence. Getting banks to pull their funding is both very rare, and less effective than remaining engaged and pushing for change, Matten said. Matten pointed to big players like the Norwegian pension fund, which he said has worked with companies like Barrick Gold and BHP Billiton to address human rights concerns instead of simply yanking their funding. What they always do if problems come is to engage with these companies and say look, these issues have come up, what can you do to improve? And thats where corporate social responsibility kicks in and becomes an important management tool, Matten said. Its better to keep that relationship but use it to leverage change. Thats what we see in a lot of cases, Matten said, adding that Canadian banks are still on a steep learning curve and may not recognize the appeal of that option. Each year TD awards 20 scholarships of $70,000 each to 20 students across Canada who show outstanding community leadership. Giroux was part of the first year of winners, awarded for her work on womens issues and AIDS awareness. Many of the students have worked for TD in the past, taking advantage of an employment option in the scholarship program, Giroux said. That makes speaking out against the company more difficult for many of the students because theyve seen the best the company has to offer, she said. Its something were really struggling with. We feel very much a part of the TD community, the TD family, she said. I know that TD is a very progressive institution. The people I know that work there are good, caring people. I dont think that whats happening right now in Dakota is in line with TDs corporate social responsibility policies, she said. Read more about: SHARE: On Thanksgiving Day, president-elect Donald Trump hinted he is in contact with Carrier, a manufacturing company that has been in the spotlight for plans to move 2,000 jobs from Indiana to Mexico. The tweet followed a pledge during the campaign to stop Carrier from moving the jobs overseas, which Trump made after a viral video circulated of Carrier officials announced the job losses earlier this year. Its not like we have an 80-per-cent chance of keeping them or a 95-per-cent. One hundred per cent, Trump said at a rally in Indianapolis in April. Whether the president-elect succeeds will be one of the first big tests of whether he will be able to stick by his campaign promises. It also is a window into the unusual new world of a president-elect intervening on behalf of workers at one company that, though important in the communities it operates in, is small in the context of the entire economy. Local politicians regularly meet with corporate leaders to negotiate tax credits and other incentives to encourage businesses to locate in a particular jurisdiction, but modern presidents have typically not micromanaged the economy in this way. It basically violates the notion of The free market knows best, said Lawrence Mishel, president of the liberal Economic Policy Institute in Washington. Its an unusual thing for a Republican, thats for sure. Mishel described the negotiations as an important test for Trump of whether he can fulfil his bold promises to voters through a combination of experience in business and a new style of leadership. I really hope the factory doesnt close, said Mishel, adding that Trump has laid claim to a magic wand to be able to reverse trends in global trade. His fingers are going to be in a lot more decisions, Nick Heymann, an analyst at the investment firm William Blair, said of Trump. That kind of business perspective will be brought to how the federal governments run. Carrier confirmed Thursday that the companys representatives had had discussions with the incoming administration, but spokespeople declined to comment further. The Carrier plant in Indianapolis builds furnaces. United, the firm that owns Carrier, will also close a plant nearby in Huntington, Ind., that manufacturers microprocessors for heaters, ventilators and air conditioners. The planned closures are part of a broader strategy on the part of United Technologies to reduce costs. The companys plan is to spend about $1.5 billion (U.S.) over three years to improve efficiency, Heymann said, including by shifting manufacturing to locations where labour is less expensive. Theyre, kind of, running in place at best in a tough economy, he said. Representatives of the company have told state officials that the company will save about $65 million a year by moving production from Indiana to Mexico. United had about $55.7 billion in sales last year. Analysts suggested that Trump could offer to seek special tax benefits for United Technologies, either at the state or the federal level, to help preserve the jobs. United Technologies has benefited from such largesse in the past. The firm received some $400 million in additional tax breaks from the state of Connecticut, where United Technologies is headquartered, in 2014. The company also received $500,000 in grants from the administration of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. After announcing that the plant in Indianapolis would close, Carrier reported that it had repaid those credits. Pence is now the vice-president-elect. As Trumps running mate in their successful campaign, he has a second opportunity to entice Carrier to stay. Another potential source of leverage for the new administration could be United Technologiess military contracts. Besides Carrier appliances and Otis elevators, the firm also makes Pratt & Whitney engines for aircraft, including the engine used in the Air Forces controversial new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Theres no question that as United Technologiess main military customer, the government has some leverage over the decision it makes in other areas, said Loren Thompson, chief operating officer of the Lexington Institute in Arlington and a defence industry-consultant. That said, Thompson added, the Trump administration might need United Technologies as much as United Technologies needs Trump. Its not likely that Trump would use military contracting as a point of leverage because the government must have United Technologies engines in order to power its aircraft, Thompson said. Others were more optimistic that Trumps entreaties would be successful. Ivan Feinseth, the director of research at Tigress Financial Partners in New York, said that while labour in Mexico might be cheaper, energy is more expensive there, and shipping finished air conditioners across the border could be costly. He noted that General Electrics appliance unit now owned by the Chinese firm Haier manufacturers most of its products for the U.S. market domestically, and that Whirlpool and other appliance makers have recently expanded some production in the United States as well. For these reasons, it might not take much of a financial concession to persuade United Technologies to keep the Carrier plant open in Indianapolis, especially given how high the stakes are in terms of public relations. It would be good for both Trump and the company to keep the plant here, Feinseth said. This is going to happen. Its very simple to put together. Read more about: SHARE: As Daniel MacIvor tells it, a lot of the shows he has done in his celebrated collaborations with Daniel Brooks were exorcisms. The pair have worked together on a number of solo shows performed by MacIvor since the early 1990s, including Here Lies Henry, House, Cul de Sac and Monster. Darkly comic fictions that toyed with audiences perceptions of truth and with the limits of representation, the shows were highly acclaimed and toured internationally. But their latest, says MacIvor, is a conjuring. . . . Im conjuring Spalding and maybe his disquiet. Or the place where he was most uncomfortable. The Spalding in question is Spalding Gray, the American monologist who killed himself in January 2004. Who Killed Spalding Gray? represents a departure from MacIvors and Brooks previous work on two fronts: it involved a third collaborator, the dramaturge Iris Turcott; and in it, MacIvor mostly plays himself rather than a fictional character. It grew out of a story MacIvor told Turcott and some other colleagues a few years ago about the unusual circumstances in which MacIvor found himself when Gray went missing in 2004. MacIvor was in California pursuing the services of a spiritual healer and in a state of intense self-examination. In the evenings he would switch on the TV and follow the unfolding drama around Gray, whose body was eventually found in the East River. When I told that story in rehearsal one day, I said, Oh my God, I killed Spalding Gray . . . and Iris said, Theres your title. That didnt end up feeling exactly like the right title, but it came close. So the beginning was my perceived culpability. MacIvor performs the show partly in Grays signature style, sitting alone at a table and addressing the audience directly, though Brooks has him move around the stage more than Gray ever did. The narrative weaves together a number of strands: MacIvor in California with the spiritual healer, a fictional yarn about a man named Howard whos trying to commit suicide, and MacIvors musings about the circumstances that led Gray to end his life. As for the part about conjuring, Brooks says MacIvor is also conjuring a different relationship with the audience. Its an attempt at a less mediated relationship . . . less mediated by character, story, so thats hes exploring a slightly more I hesitate to use the word vulnerable . . . Lets use the word tender, says MacIvor. Its tenderer. Before this, MacIvors and Brooks most recent collaboration was the solo show This Is What Happens Next in 2010, given a four-star review by the Star for its unapologetic honesty. The appearance of that show was something of a surprise, given that MacIvor swore in the early 2000s never to do another solo show. So how do they come together on these projects? We have this ongoing thing in our relationship, says MacIvor. Its kind of an emotional calendar of events. Its time to do another solo show. When they met for this interview at a College St. coffee shop, it had been some time since theyd seen each other. The two have pursued separate careers as independent artists and artistic directors of theatre companies. And MacIvor, originally from Sydney, N.S., lives part-time in Halifax. The old friends greeted each other with warmth and ease. The dynamic between them is quietly entertaining: MacIvor is verbose and emotional; Brooks a thoughtful, sardonic voice of reason. Brooks had a passing (and very New York) acquaintance with Spalding Gray when both men were living there in the mid-1980s: I was going to acting school at the time and I would ride the subway with him. I think he had some kind of shrink appointment uptown. The productions that Gray created with the Soho-based Wooster Group were very influential on the work Brooks was doing at the time with the Augusta Company, he says. And it was through that work that I met Daniel. MacIvor laughs. Its so interesting that your experience of Spalding was so in the world and mine was so in myself. Typical! MacIvor grew used to people comparing his monologues to those of Gray, though initially he didnt see the comparison . . . then later, when I read (Grays) journals, I stated to understand that we had similar obsessions. For Brooks, the questions that Grays practice raised about seeming to strip away all the artifice . . . when in fact theres loads of artifice resonate in the current political moment: I wont say theres a direct line between him and Donald Trump . . . but its that so-called idea of reality. Its a performance of reality. Who Killed Spalding Gray? premiered in Halifax in June 2014 and played short runs at the 2015 Luminato Festival in Toronto and Calgarys High Performance Rodeo in January. On Sept. 22, Turcott died of cancer. A beautiful tribute MacIvor wrote about her in Now magazine circulated widely in theatre circles. He becomes briefly overwhelmed when talking about her. Iris was an ally in a different kind of way, he says. I always believed that my talent was intuitive and Daniel is more practical than I am. So this show, what was great about it was that he would talk about specifics and she would talk about, I can see Spalding in there! I think she always saw herself as a kind of medium, Brooks says. She was a kind of angel that people could pass through along their way to somewhere . . . she just carried that identity. Who Killed Spalding Gray? plays Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 at the Berkeley Street Downstairs Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. See canadianstage.com for information. SHARE: Andy Prosserman will never be a father and he couldnt be more delighted. The 31-year-old Torontonian commemorated his recent vasectomy with a celebratory photo shoot. In one photo, he tenderly cradles a head of kale like a green, leafy infant. In others, he clutches a bottle of scotch, a Nintendo controller, and his Canadian passport all things hell have time to enjoy in the absence of parental responsibilities. Ive known I didnt want to be a father as far back as I can remember, says Prosserman. Id thought about getting a vasectomy when I was in my early 20s. I chose not to do it at that point because I knew things could change and that it wouldve been irresponsible to do it that young, but Ive always assumed Id do it at some point. And here we are. Unlike Prosserman, Cam Nursall came to his realization gradually. I have zero paternal instinct, says the 25-year-old, currently in consultation for a vasectomy. I want to travel, I want to open a small brewery, I want to ride across the continent on my motorcycle, and kids just dont fit into that. There was no hesitation or anything from (my doctor), says Prosserman. The choice about whether or not to have children is among the most important we make. If parenthood is ultimately not for us, there are myriad options available to us, including permanent sterilization. But young peoples choices about their own bodies and futures arent always taken seriously especially the choices of young women. Samantha Bleiziffer, 27, is certain she does not want to be a mother and would get a tubal ligation if she could. I cant even seem to find a doctor who will sit down and discuss the options with me, like an adult with autonomy over what happens to her body, says Bleiziffer. I first tried talking to my family doctor about it when I was 25, because I wanted information on the process and the risks. I was very quickly denied the conversation. My next attempt was at 26, where the doctor at a private womens health clinic denied me the same information and conversation. Compare this with Prossermans experience his vasectomy took place two months after putting in an initial request with his GP. Tubal ligations are irreversible and more invasive than vasectomies, but this informal double standard is frustrating for young Canadian women certain of their decision. The current summary guidelines from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) states: Before providing permanent contraception, women should be counselled on the risks of the procedure, the risk of regret, and alternative contraceptive methods, including long-acting reversible contraceptives and male vasectomy. Informed consent must be obtained. Despite this, several women Ive spoken to were stonewalled by health-care providers when requesting information on tubal ligations. Physicians seem especially reluctant to offer it to women in their 20s, like Bleiziffer. According to Christine Butt, communications and public education representative for the SOGC, there is a technical update for permanent birth control underway, but it is not yet finalized or ready to be made public. Having children remains the default setting and status quo. Young people who are open or vocal about not wanting them sometimes face criticism and even anger from family, peers and strangers. One of the more common criticisms they face is that choosing not to have children makes them selfish. Having children can be beautiful, but that doesnt mean its for everybody, says Prosserman. The only thing thats selfish is forcing your own ideals onto others. I dont think its selfish to know what I want from my life, and if not being a mother is a part of that plan, it truly doesnt concern anybody but me and my partner, Bleiziffer says. I dont critique anybodys choice to procreate and have kids. All I want is the same respect for my choice. SHARE: OTTAWAA senior CSIS official admitted Monday the spy agency may have spied on the communications of Canadian journalists in the past. The admission comes weeks after Quebeckers were shocked to learn Montreal city police and Quebec provincial police had tracked communications of several high-profile columnists and investigative journalists in that province in attempts to find suspected leaks of information by police sources. It runs contrary to assurances offered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson, and the countrys top spook, CSIS director Michel Coulombe, that federal agencies do not target journalists communications. Each made cautious statements couched in the present tense after the Quebec revelations prompted outrage. But the prime minister and his top security officials were careful to evade direct answers about whether journalists had been targeted federally in the past. On Monday, Coulombe was unable due to personal reasons to make a scheduled appearance before the senate standing committee on national security and defence. Under pointed questioning, two other top CSIS assistant directors squirmed and tried to dodge questions by Sen. Claude Carignan, the Conservative Oppositions leader in the Senate who has tabled a private members bill to enshrine legal protection for journalists sources. Tom Venner, assistant CSIS director for policy and strategic partnerships, said CSIS only investigates people and activities that fit the definition of threats to the security of Canada as defined in the CSIS Act terrorism, espionage, foreign interference. He went on to say, There are no safe havens from those definitions and from those categories. If you are engaging in those type (sic) of activities then you may be investigated. He and Brian Rumig, assistant director of CSIS operations, said CSIS and the federal government absolutely recognize the sensitivity around institutions such as the media, academia. They said special policies and levels of authority ensure any investigations that target people in those sectors meet a higher threshold. But under repeated questioning by Carignan, Rumig finally conceded it was possible CSIS had spied on reporters either directly or indirectly. We would not investigate someone simply because they are a journalist, said Rumig. But he said, Im going to guess ...that in the past in the course of 30 years of the service being in existence yes, there might have been a journalist who because of his or her activity in support of threats to the security of Canada might have been investigated by us. Currently I dont know those numbers, he said. Carignan drew an undertaking by the officials to provide the number in writing to the committee. In an interview Carignan said he was very concerned by the revelation. If you use journalists to have information about threat examples, you could put at risk this journalist. Imagine a journalist goes and talks with people from the other side, and the enemy thinks that they could be used by the agency to have information, their life is at risk. For me thats very dangerous for journalists when youre doing your job. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWAThe Liberal government is demanding that the air force have more fighter jets on standby to defend North American and respond to NATO missions, a policy shift that means Canada will need more frontline fighters than first planned. The change threatens to push the cost of replacing the aging fleet of existing fighters even higher, with the potential of having to spend billions of dollars more to buy more jets than expected. Lt.-Gen. Michael Hood, the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, confirmed the shift Monday during an appearance before the Senate defence committee. The government has announced a policy whereby the Royal Canadian Air Force is required to simultaneously meet both our NORAD and NATO commitments, Hood told senators. I am at present unable to do that with the present CF-18 fleet. There arent enough aircraft to deliver those commitments simultaneously, he said. Before the change, while the air force had standing commitments to NORAD and NATO, Hood suggested there was more flexibility to manage the fleet. That commitment is now a firm commitment with respect to this policy change so we will meet it, he said. Ive been told I will be given all the resources I need to increase the numbers available. Im happy the government is investing in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he said. Indeed, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said last week the government was not content to risk manage its international commitments. Sajjan made the comments as the federal Liberals revealed plans to move ahead with a lengthy competition for a new fighter to replace the CF-18s now flying. Cabinet ministers also announced plans to explore the purchase of 18 Super Hornet jets as a stopgap measure to help boost the fleet until the new aircraft enter the fleet. But Hood made plain on Monday that the government has actually changed its approach to meeting its obligations to military alliances in a way that puts more pressure on the air force. Yet no one is saying just how many fighters are needed to do the job. Hood said the current fleet of 76 CF-18sone was lost in a crash Monday is not sufficient, once maintenance requirements are factored in. Nor would a fleet of 65 modern jets the number of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters that the Conservatives proposed buying be enough either, he said. Hood refused to say exactly how many jets the air force would need to meet the new demands, saying that number is classified information. Well make recommendations to the number of aircraft that we need to meet that policy, he said. Defence analyst Dave Perry said the revelation helps explain the governments complaints of a capability gap, that the existing fleet of CF-18s are unable to meet Canadas commitments even though upgrades will keep them flying until 2025. In fact, it appears the Liberals themselves created the gap with the policy change, requiring the air force to have fighters ready to meet demands to protect North American airspace while also responding to NATO needs abroad. This government has decided as a matter of policy, its now a firm commitment rather than a flexible one, said Perry, a senior analyst with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. And if Canada now requires more than 65 fighters, Perry wonders about the budget. They made clear that 65 wont cut it, Id be very interested to know where all the money for this is going to come from, he said. Jets are probably the second or third most expensive capability in the armed forces, he said. SHARE: By PTI: Gitika Saxena Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) Sea food lovers are in for good news as they can now relish salmon, native to tributaries of North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, in Indianised versions like Amritsari Tawa Salmon and Bengali yogurt mustard Salmon. Aimed at sharing knowledge and passion for producing the best tasting salmon from Norway, Consul General of the Royal Norwegian Consulate H E Torbjon Holthe and Vice Counsel and Norwegian Seafood Council Director India, Yogi Shergill, held a demo cooking session in Mumbai recently to offer a glimpse of the European countrys aquaculture known for producing delicious and delicately flavoured salmon fish. advertisement "Salmon from Norway is raised in cold, clear waters. It grows at its own pace, gaining a pure and fresh taste, fat marbling and an attractive red-orange colouring. It also has a firm consistency, making it a pleasure to eat," Shergill, who dished out Grilled Salmon Fillet with Tandoori Marinade and smoked salmon appetisers at the event, told PTI. The production and consumption of farmed salmon is around 2.4 million tons in the world, of which Norways share is 1.3 million tons. Ninety five per cent of Norwegian salmon is exported to other parts of Europe, Asia and the US. "The Indian consumption of salmon was around 450 tons in 2015, which is small compared to the consumption base we have identified to be around 25 million people, who have the buying power to purchase salmon and cod," he said. When asked if he sees a growing demand for salmon among fish lovers in India, he said the country consumed around 9.2 million tons of seafood every year, half of which comes from the Indian Ocean and the rest from fresh water aquaculture. This consumption growth has increased six times in the past 15 years and we believe this trend will continue, he said. "So yes, we believe that there is a long term potential for imported seafood in India as the wild catch from Indian coastal waters is not growing. India also has a young population which is more health focused and also willing to explore new foods," he said. "We believe that preparing the groundwork now will result in long term benefits," the official said. On the unique recipes of salmon, Shergill said the fish is popular around the world. Atlantic salmon can be served in variety of ways - from poached to pickled, smoked to sushi. "Smoked salmon is a favourite in many hotels, we have seen salmon tikka, fried salmon in Indian cuisine," he said. "In Norway, salmon is eaten raw as sushi, baked in the oven, pan fried and grilled. We have recently made a recipe brochure for Norwegian salmon in Indian cuisine with dishes like Amritsari Tawa Salmon, Bengali yogurt mustard Salmon and Vindaloo glazed Salmon to mention a few," he said. (MORE) PTI GK NM DK SRY --- ENDS --- advertisement Ontarians could one day buy electricity in the same way they get natural gas, phone or Internet service in pricing plans that best suit their lifestyles, says Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault. He issued a challenge to the industry Monday to rethink how the provinces electricity system works and find innovative ways to trim costs for people struggling with hydro prices. That includes a new approach for the government in procuring electricity, getting the best deals on whatever sources of clean power are cheapest by calling for bids when more supply is needed, he said in an Empire Club speech to 300 business people. If we can find a way to change a few things and save dollars, lets do that, said Thibeault, who has been tasked by Premier Kathleen Wynne with cutting costs in the system as the government faces continued public pressure on rates. Theres no reason why good ideas from other sectors cant be copied and adapted, he added after a 20-minute speech at the Arcadian Court on Bay St. I call it R and D. Not necessarily research and development, but rip-off and duplicate. Thibeault acknowledged the way the electricity system has been run with the government arbitrarily mandating how much of the supply must be from nuclear, natural gas, wind, solar and other sources has led to uncompetitive prices. But he defended the Green Energy Act under which renewable power contracts for wind and solar were signed for 20 years, often at above-market rates to kick-start the industry, and said the $12-billion refurbishment of the Darlington nuclear plant will continue. Its created 42,000 jobs and its given us an opportunity to have a really good system in place that is reliable and clean, Thibeault told reporters, referring to the green energy push. Critics have blamed renewable energy for rates that have hit many Ontarians hard, particularly those on fixed incomes or with electric heat, prompting the government to waive the 8-per-cent provincial portion of the HST on bills starting next year. We have these giant turbines going up in unwilling host communities for surplus electricity we do not need, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown said Monday. On pricing for consumers, Thibeault said theres no reason why a retired couple in his riding of Sudbury should be on the same plan as a Mississauga condo resident who is away at work all day. As the system now works, those retirees are home during periods of peak demand paying the highest prices to run air conditioning or other appliances. Thibeault raised the possibility that consumers could opt out of time-of-use pricing for flat rates or other mechanisms. Details will come in the governments updated long-term energy plan being developed now with input from the industry and consumers. It will be released next spring, with any measures taking until after the 2018 election to be implemented. Anything is possible, Thibeault told reporters. Lets start looking at giving consumers options. Local utilities such as Toronto Hydro might lose their monopolies and face competition from new players in the industry, he added. New opportunities for electricity supply will arise when existing contracts expire. We have a heck of a long way to go in creating this new, adaptive market, Thibeault said, acknowledging many costs are already built into the system, making it difficult to offer major rate relief. For example, jurisdictions that have moved to a bid system or capacity auction for procuring new sources of electricity have saved about 8 per cent, the energy minister noted. If its solar, if its wind, if its hydroelectric, whatever is going to be the cheapest and most affordable. With files from Kristin Rushowy SHARE: OTTAWAA new report is raising serious questions about the risks of deploying Canadian military and police officers to a UN peace operation in Africa, recommending Parliament should have a say on whether it proceeds. The report issued Monday by the Senate standing committee on national security and defence says the government should seek approval in the Commons and the Senate for a deployment of Canadian military, police and civilian personnel, and only after the government reveals the anticipated cost, the rules of engagement for how Canadian soldiers will defend themselves, the impact on current military operations, a timetable for when an African mission would end, and a clear plan for how soldiers would be counseled after returning from what the report says is certain to be a dangerous mission. The Star reported Saturday that Mali has emerged as the most likely destination although the Canadian government has not yet announced where it intends to dispatch up to 600 soldiers, 150 police and civilian personnel. The senate report agreed that Mali is the likely mission, after senators heard weeks of testimony and travelled to New York City for briefings at the UN. And it demands proper training pre-deployment and support services post-deployment for soldiers and police officers who may develop post-traumatic stress disorders. Senators say any of the current UN missions in Africa would see Canadians operating in countries where violence and unresolved political, religious and tribal tensions rage. However, it noted Mali has become one of the UNs most-dangerous missions. UN troops in Mali face asymmetric threats and have seen 106 personnel, including 97 military, killed since the UN mission began in 2013. Several military experts testified before the committee and warned a UN mission is no cakewalk. Shortfalls in UN capabilities and imposed constraints in mission mandates must be critically reviewed to ensure that Canada does not run the risk of mission failure or of seeing the diversion of scarce resources for the achievement of only local, tactical and other transient successes, said Col. (retd) Michael Cessford. David Bercuson, Director of the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary, said Canada should focus on NATO and NORAD commitments and not go to Africa because any mission to just about any of Africa's trouble spots Mali, the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, to name a few is a mission to join one of a number of incredibly complex wars, wars way more complex than the one we fought in Afghanistan and none of which show any chance of a peaceful resolution any time soon. Conservative Sen. Dan Lang, chair of the committee, said Canada has not yet fulfilled all of its military commitments, including a promise to deploy next year to Latvia in support of NATO operations in the Baltic region. Now were going into another theatre, so are we taking from Peter to pay Paul? said Lang in an interview. He said if the government fails to get a majority in both houses of parliament, Then maybe they shouldnt go to Africa. The federal Liberals have not committed to allowing a vote in Parliament on the decision. In the Commons on Monday, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said only that he was still getting all the necessary information and developing a whole of government approach with cabinet colleagues. The goal is to have this information before the new year and I look forward to sharing all this information with the House and Canadians as well. New Democrat leader Tom Mulcair said with a majority in the Commons, the Liberal government would likely win a vote, but he said its nevertheless important to allow all members their say. I dont want a deployment in Mali or anywhere else in Africa without a full debate in Parliament. Whats the definition of the mission? Whats its scope? Whats the timeline? What are the strategic goals? Why are we there? he said Monday. Mr. Trudeauseems to have forgotten what he wanted when he was in opposition now that hes the Prime Minister. The senate committee pointed to a detailed 14-page letter the Dutch government tabled in its parliament on the Mali mission, and urged the federal Liberals to do the same, and provide a statement of justification for the mission. It urged Canada to boost the participation of women in all aspects of peace support operations; and ensure that Canadian and United Nations personnel deployed receive extensive training related to the women, peace, and security agenda. Anticipating the military will draw heavily on francophone units to send to a francophone African nation, senators said the government should develop a strategy to better support the soldiers and their families. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWAThe Liberal government has approved two major pipeline projects, including a controversial plan to transport Alberta oil to British Columbias coast, setting up a showdown between Ottawa and local political and First Nations leaders. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced late Tuesday afternoon his government has approved the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and Enbridges Line 3 replacement pipeline. The $6.8-billion Trans Mountain project would add 980 kilometres of new pipeline between Edmonton, Alta. and Burnaby, B.C. Importantly, it would open up a route to the Pacific for Albertas oilsands. But it has faced strong opposition in British Columbia, including from First Nations communities, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, and local Liberal MPs. Trudeau acknowledged there are bitterly held positions on the pipeline. But the prime minister personally pledged that the pipeline is safe for B.C. To them, and to all Canadians, I want to say this: if I thought this project was unsafe for the B.C. coast, I would reject it, Trudeau said at a press conference in Ottawa, flanked by several of his cabinet ministers. This is a decision based on rigorous debate, on science, and on evidence. We have not been, and will not be, swayed by political arguments . . . . We have made this decision because we are convinced it is safe for B.C., and it is the right one for Canada. During the announcement, Trudeau repeatedly pointed to recent steps the Liberals have announced to protect the environment including committing to wean Canada off coal by 2030 and a five-year, $1.5-billion coastal protection initiative. But critics have pointed to the tension between approving new oil pipelines while committing to the Paris Agreement on emission reductions. Todays announcement may as well have said that Canada is pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, Aurore Fauret, a campaign director with environmental advocacy group 350.org, said in a statement. By approving the Kinder Morgan and Line 3 pipelines, there is no way Canada can meet those commitments. Trudeau insisted there was no contradiction between Canadas environmental agenda and the approval of these two pipelines. In fact, the prime minister suggested the Liberals environmental efforts give them more of a licence to get pipelines built. We are able to approve pipeline projects because we have significant measures in place, including a price on carbon pollution, a world class oceans protection plan, because were phasing out coal, because were demonstrating real climate leadership, Trudeau said. Those two things go together. The Liberals also approved Line 3, a replacement and expansion of Enbridges 1960s-era pipeline from Alberta to Wisconsin. The $7.5 billion project, which faces local opposition but has garnered little national attention, is expected to increase oil exports from 390,000 barrels per day to 760,000. Finally, the Liberals rejected Enbridges controversial Northern Gateway proposal, which would have transported Alberta oil through the Great Bear Rainforest to Kitimat, B.C. The move was widely expected, with Trudeau saying for over a year that the rainforest is no place for an oil pipeline. Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose criticized that decision, a move she said would cost 4,000 jobs. And Ambrose said it was a questionable decision because of the uncertainty that still swirls around the Kinder Morgan project, which she suggested will never get built. There was no reason why we should have taken (Northern Gateway) off the table, she told reporters. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said Trudeau betrayed the trust of B.C. residents on Kinder Morgan, after promising a more stringent review process than the previous Conservative government. He doesnt have social licence for Kinder Morgan. Heck, he doesnt even have a learners permit, Mulcair said. Its a broken promise that the people of British Columbia are going to hold him to account for . . . . He got a lot of votes in British Columbia because of that promise. Another New Democrat, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, had a different take. Notley cheered the Liberals decision, calling it a chance for Alberta to break (their) landlock. Without looking at one particular line or one particular company, what we said is we need to get our product to tidewater so that we can get to new markets, Notley told reporters outside the House of Commons, after a meeting with Trudeau. Thats whats happened in todays announcement so that is good news for Alberta. Read more about: SHARE: OTTAWA A series of high-profile meetings will take place next week in Ottawa featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadas premiers, aboriginal leaders and U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden. The White House released a statement today saying the outgoing vice-president would be in Ottawa Dec. 8-9 to meet with Trudeau, as well as the premiers, to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and several international issues. That announcement came just after the prime minister confirmed plans to meet with his provincial and territorial counterparts in Ottawa, as well as with First Nations, Inuit and Metis leaders. In a statement, the Liberal government touts its efforts to work with the provinces and territories on a pan-Canadian framework for clean growth and climate change. The statement says the ministers will work to finalize that framework during the meeting, and confirm the steps necessary to implement it. It doesnt mention health care funding, which the premiers have made clear they intend to put on the meeting agenda, whether the prime minister wants it there or not. The provinces and territories are pushing back against federal plans to halve the amount by which federal health transfer payments increase each year. The statement says Trudeaus meeting with the leaders from the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Metis National Council will discuss the framework and indigenous perspectives in advance of the first ministers meeting. The White House statement says Biden will participate in bilateral meetings with Trudeau, to discuss the strong partnership between the United States and Canada, and will speak with the first ministers on, a range of bilateral and global issues. SHARE: Along with hot chocolate and mulled wine, it seems discontent is also brewing at the Distillery Districts Christmas market. Organizers say they are upset that some large retailers took advantage the big crowds heading for the festive spot by parking, for free, outside the market to promote their brands, instead of paying to be inside. They are capitalizing on our hard work, our marketing, our staff, and our idea, said Mathew Rosenblatt, the executive producer of the Toronto Christmas Market. Is it illegal to do what theyve done? Rosenblatt asked. No, its not illegal. But I dont think it is overly ethical. On Sunday, Hallmark which Rosenblatt said was invited to be a corporate sponsor, but declined had a truck parked by Mill and Trinity Sts. They were giving out free hot chocolate and greeting cards, but the companys director of marketing and business insight said they werent taking business away from the market. We werent selling anything, we were giving stuff away, Hallmarks Dan Bengert said. If we hadnt been there, we wouldve been somewhere else. They still wouldnt have had any corporate sponsorship from us. Nobody did not go into the market because they sent a free greeting card. We didnt take anything away. Thats his perspective. But its wrong. Rosenblatt also said Nordstroms, which has just opened two Toronto stores, also had a truck. The store had a hot cocoa truck out from Nov. 14 to 25, visiting a number of places around the city, and was at the Market on Nov. 18 and 25, said spokesman John Bailey. Were sorry to hear that by being outside the Holiday Market, the organizers felt we were being opportunistic and trying to avoid sponsorship, Bailey said. That most definitely wasnt our intent. We would have been glad to learn more about the event and look at options for a formal partnership or even possibly change our plans. Were sorry for this misunderstanding. This is not the first time that corporate trucks have parked outside the market, Rosenblatt said. In the past it was local companies, mostly start-ups that couldnt afford the sponsorship fee. But he said this is the first time that such big brands that should know better and behave better have done it, he said. The historic areas Christmas market has become incredibly popular. On Sunday evening, it was packed as mothers with strollers, fathers with children on their shoulders and couples holding hands squeezed through the crowds. This years market began Nov. 18 and runs to Dec. 22. There are more than 40 sponsors listed on the Christmas Markets website, and many of them have a presence inside the event. For example, visitors to the Campbells kiosk could sample soups, while Hersheys was handing out their signature chocolate kisses. Just little moments of experience and little samples inside, Rosenblatt said. Theyre both helping us to be able to offer this to the city, and at the same time theyre offering our customers something unique and special and a benefit to the overall experience. He said corporate sponsorship, which can range anywhere between $35,000 and $100,000, helps make the market possible and affordable. Rosenblatt added that the market is non-profit with proceeds from the current year going into setting up the market the following year, and any excess funds being donated to charity. Bengert explained that the truck was part of a three-day event where Hallmark set up a mobile pop-up in different parts of the city, giving out free holiday cards. We didnt feel that we needed to be inside the grounds, he said. SHARE: A pair of doctors who were acquitted in court of gang sexual assault after a high-profile trial in 2014 are now facing discipline proceedings before Ontarios medical watchdog for the same alleged incident. Torontos Dr. Suganthan Kayilasanathan and Dr. Amitabh Chauhan of Hamilton are facing allegations of conduct unbecoming of a physician and engaging in disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional conduct, according to a notice of hearing from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The notice alleges that Chauhan and Kayilasanathan engaged in sexual activities with a woman, known only as Ms. X, without her consent and/or witnessed each other engage in sexual activities with Ms. X without her consent in February 2011. The notice further alleges that on the same occasion, they administered a drug or drugs to Ms. X without her knowledge. Chauhans criminal lawyer, Marlys Edwardh, who is also one of the lawyers representing him before the college, confirmed that he is facing discipline proceedings on the identical matters that were before the court in 2014. After a lengthy trial, both Dr. Chauhan and Dr. Kayilasanathan were acquitted, she said in an email Monday. Lawyers for Chauhan and Kayilasanathan will be bringing a motion before the colleges discipline committee on Dec. 19 arguing that hearing the case is an abuse of process. The abuse of process motion is about the interplay between the acquittal in the criminal case and the basis for it and the colleges ability to prosecute the same case on the same facts, said Kayilasanathans lawyer, Tom Curry, who declined to comment further. At least 23 days throughout 2017 have been booked for the discipline hearing. In a separate proceeding before the colleges discipline committee to be heard in November next year, Kayilasanathan is also facing allegations of sexually abusing a patient in December 2010 by, among other things, engaging in sexual intercourse and/or touching and/or remarks of a sexual nature. Curry declined to comment on that case as well. The case of Chauhan and Kayilasanathan highlights the difference in the standard of proof in a criminal court versus an administrative tribunal like the colleges independent discipline committee, and the fact that the same case can indeed be prosecuted in more than one arena. The outcome of a college proceeding can be different than a criminal proceeding even when the facts underlying both proceedings are the same, said medical malpractice lawyer Paul Harte, who isnt involved Chauhan and Kayilasanathans case. The onus of proof in college discipline hearings is less onerous than the criminal standard. The criminal standard requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The general rule for college proceedings is proof on a balance of probabilities. What that means, lawyers say, is that it simply must be proven that it is more likely than not that the assault happened. But Harte said that even before the discipline committee, the more serious the allegation, the more compelling the evidence must be. The complainant, who was a 23-year-old medical student in 2011, testified at trial that she had vivid flashes of two men kissing her, whispering sexual comments to her, and eventually raping her as she lay barely able to move on a hotel room bed. Chauhan and Kayilasanathan, who pleaded not guilty, testified that the three partied and drank into the early hours of Feb. 13, 2011 and when they returned to the hotel room from a club, it was the woman who initiated sexual contact with both of them, and it was consensual. They were acquitted by Superior Court Justice Julie Thorburn of drugging and gang sexual assault. Chauhan was also acquitted on separate charges of drugging and sexual assault related an incident with his ex-girlfriend in 2003. In the case involving the medical student, Thorburn pointed to video surveillance showing the woman leaving the club and walking into the hotel, her motor skills appearing to be in full command of her physical movements. The woman also sent text messages while at the hotel during the time she told the court she was unable to move, Thorburn found. Blood, urine and hair samples, all taken more than 12 hours after the alleged sexual assault occurred, showed no evidence of drugging, the judge said. From a complainants perspective, there are advantages and disadvantages to having a case heard in criminal court and before the colleges discipline committee, said lawyer Loretta Merritt, who has represented many sexual assault survivors in civil cases. In both cases, the complainant generally must testify and face what can be a difficult cross-examination. In the criminal context, Merritt pointed out that there is a victims bill of rights, which calls for the complainant to be treated with respect and compassion and to have access to other remedies including potential compensation as a victim of crime. In some jurisdictions in Ontario, a sexual assault complainant can also have access to up to four hours of free legal advice. At the college level, a complainant is potentially entitled to funding for therapy, and Merritt said the experience can feel more personal because the complainant is generally only dealing with one prosecutor throughout the process, versus potentially several Crown attorneys as the criminal case moves through the courts. With files from Alyshah Hasham SHARE: A Markham elementary school principal who apologized for posting discriminatory anti-Muslim posts on her Facebook page is taking a leave until the new year. In the monthly newsletter sent home to parents of Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School, Ghada Sadaka told parents she would be away until January. On the advice of my doctor, due to a pre-existing medical condition, I will be away temporarily until after the new year, she wrote, in the December newsletter, sent home with students last week. She said her role would be temporarily filled by someone else until the winter holidays. A spokesman for the York Region District School board confirmed Sadakas leave had started and that her return is anticipated in the New Year. Sadaka, a new principal at Sir Wilfrid Laurier, has been the centre of controversy since the first day of the school year, after the YRDSB said it was investigating questionable posts on her Facebook page that had been brought to their attention. In October, the board refused to tell parents the outcome or status of the investigation, only saying it was a personnel issue and that all their policies had been followed. But earlier this month, Sadaka apologized for her discriminatory posts, and pledged to improve her understanding of human rights issues and social media use. Days later, Cecil Roach, the superintendent for equity for the York board, confirmed in a letter that he had been excluded from the investigation into Sadaka, even though it fell under his portfolio casting doubt on the extent of the boards investigation. In a letter sent to the board last week, the Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter, asked the YRDSB for specifics regarding the investigation into Sadaka, citing concerns from parents that the boards own policies were not followed. I am requesting that you articulate what your process is for such investigations and how you ensure that processes are followed, Hunter wrote in a Nov. 22 letter. The community has voiced particular concern around the transparency of this process what will you do to appropriately respond to this community and the public? Its unclear if Sadaka will be back before the Jan. 13 deadline the ministry has given the board to respond to questions around the investigation, alleged racism in the board, and trustee transparency. But some parents say they are hoping Sadaka will return sooner than later. We all wish her a quick and speedy recovery, said Mymi Huynh, the school council chair, who contacted the Star to show her support for the principal. We will miss her energy, affection and care for all students. We look forward to her return, she said. SHARE: Stephanie Kim says shes experienced racism before, but she was caught off guard by a series of racial slurs she experienced while standing in line at a bank on Friday. Kim, 27, was waiting to speak with a teller at a TD branch, located at Queen St. W. and Spadina Ave., when she says she heard a man standing behind her making weird noises in her direction. I looked straight at him and he said hey chinky, chinky can you grant me a wish, chink? said Kim. I ignored it at first, kind of brushed it off, didnt really know what to do and then he kept hounding me essentially, being like can you grant me a wish chink? Kim, who is ethnically Korean, said she told the man to stop, but he responded by saying we can do anything to you guys and we own you. The man was white, in his late 20s or early 30s, she said, and his clothing looked tattered. He wore a bandana, a baggy shirt and jeans, which hung low, and held a hat in his hand. She said there were fewer than a dozen people in the branch who mightve heard the slurs, including four people waiting in line. Nobody really did anything, nobody acknowledged it. I was staring at people, they were staring at me, she said. They just kind of looked at me with pity. Once Kim was at the front of the line she explained what happened to the teller, who didnt seem to understand the slur, she said. When she finished banking, she approached another staff member to ask about the branchs security, and pointed out the man who had called her a chink. Kim said the staff member apologized and explained the man was known to the bank, but there was nothing they could do because he was a client. Im like, I understand that but Im also a client, she said. I literally at that point felt like a second-class citizen. After phoning the branch later on Friday to initiate a formal complaint, she said the branch manager called her Monday morning to apologize. We regret that our customer has had this experience and we are equally concerned about this situation, said TD spokesperson Daria Hill in a statement. We treat situations like this one very seriously because we are committed to an environment of mutual respect where customers feel comfortable and safe in our branches. Generally speaking, there are protocols in place within our branches to deal with security risks. Hill stated the other customers unacceptable behaviour would be dealt with appropriately. Nicole Simes, a lawyer with MacLeod Law Firm, said businesses arent necessarily responsible for racial slurs or discriminatory comments made between members of the public at their institution. Where they become liable is what they do in response, Simes said. If they handle the situation in a manner that protects the dignity of the person whos experienced the racial slur . . . then theyre not going to be liable for the comments made by the member of the public in their institution. Dealing with these kinds of racism in way that further perpetuates them or doesnt take the complaint seriously can be a problem. Kim said she appreciated the banks apology but hoped the branch could develop a guideline so its employees are prepared to respond should clients feel uncomfortable or harassed by others at the institution. For me its not about a formal apology, its about a plan of action, she said. What really disappointed me was that fact that no one really acknowledged it and when I addressed it, it was like I made them uncomfortable through my discomfort. At that moment I felt completely displaced. Kim said the incident served as a reminder that prejudices persist in a city as diverse as Toronto, where she was born and raised. I think people dont realize thats a part of life for people of different ethnic backgrounds, she said. Racism is so prevalent. It still exists. Read more about: SHARE: Residents in the path of the Scarborough subway extension are no longer in danger of losing their homes. The TTC sent notices to about a dozen property owners near the intersection of McCowan Rd. and Ellesmere Rd. last week, alerting them that their land would no longer be required to make way for a construction staging site for the controversial transit project. In May, the TTC told residents of 11 homes on Stanwell Dr. that their properties might need to be expropriated for a tunnel staging site. A further 23 properties were facing partial expropriation. Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker (Ward 38, Scarborough Centre) said he was thrilled by the TTCs decision, and declared that the transit agency had avoided a huge mistake. I wish that these proposals were not put on the table in the first place, said De Baeremaeker, who is a vocal supporter of the one-stop subway extension to the Scarborough Town Centre. So I do tip my hat and congratulate the TTC staff for actually listening to the public. Among those who had been facing the loss of his home was Vivek Bhatt, who has lived on Stanwell since 2002. He had been girding for a fight with the TTC, but despite the reversal, hes still upset with the transit agency. In an interview he said the TTC should never have considered forcing residents out of their homes, especially if there was a viable alternative. When something was not supposed to be done in the first place . . . and you retract it, of course there is some sort of relief, said Bhatt. But there is also anger. Bhatt charged that planning for the subway had been haphazard and that residents were not adequately consulted. TTC spokesperson Brad Ross countered that description, writing in an email that the transit agency has been very proactive in its communications with residents. He said the TTC had written directly to residents before releasing information about the project to the wider public, conducted one-on-one meetings, and ensured that locals were always the first to know, even when we were unsure of whether we'd require their properties. We wanted residents to hear from us first so we could answer their questions directly and help explain the type of impacts they might be facing, he said. The transit agency had originally planned to set up two construction sites, one near the Scarborough Town Centre and another in the vicinity of Ellesmere and McCowan. The location for the 10,000-square-metre Ellesmere and McCowan site was never finalized, but in correspondence to residents earlier this year, the TTC outlined five potential spots. All provoked pushback from the community because they would have required either expropriations, or leveling part of the historic Frank Faubert Woodlot. In July council voted to remove the woodlot from consideration as a construction site. The TTC is now planning to consolidate its work sites at a single location, in the parking lot to the east of the Town Centre on either side of Triton Rd. According to Ross, the agency changed its plans after conducting a value engineering review in September and determining that the new site would achieve tunnel construction logistics requirements with reduced property impacts. He said the TTC doesnt anticipate significant additional costs or delays associated with the new construction plan. He didnt rule out the possibility that some properties near the project might need to be expropriated, however. Property impacts will be updated for the next report to Toronto city council, he wrote. Council reaffirmed its commitment to the six-kilometre subway extension in July, favouring it over a plan to build a cheaper seven-stop LRT. The extension is estimated to cost at least $3.2 billion, but that figure is expected to rise. Council has yet to approve a final route for the subway. An update on the plan is expected to go to the TTC board and Mayor John Torys executive committee in January. SHARE: Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown insists he was up front about a paying job for the ex-MPP who resigned his seat for him despite internal party emails ordering staff to stonewall. A testy Brown complained Tuesday about an unfair story in the Star revealing Garfield Dunlop received compensation after stepping down in Simcoe North so the new PC leader could run in a byelection last year. The Tory chief was responding following the publication of emails that show his office misled the Star about the arrangements with Dunlop, who has not returned messages seeking comment for the past two days. With the governing Liberals under investigation at the time for allegations of bribery in the Sudbury byelection, senior Tories were emailing back and forth in September 2015 about how to respond to questions that the MPP was on the payroll. Brown expressed displeasure at linking the Election Act charges against Patricia Sorbara, Premier Kathleen Wynnes former deputy chief of staff, with the Dunlop deal. First of all, Garfield Dunlop was a 25-year MPP who chose to retire. He came to me . . . saying that he was going to resign. I think the comparison in todays Toronto Star is unfair, the leader said. The Toronto Star was informed as soon as I learned about it before he even got his first paycheque. In full transparency I went and informed the Toronto Star. Its not our obligation to tell you what everyone at party headquarters is being paid. We told you when he was employed. Thats more transparency than any other party has been saying and frankly that should have been in (Tuesdays) Star. But the emails show the Tories wanted to keep a lid on Dunlops appointment. As of Monday, Garfield will be coming on board as a full-time adviser to the party, on contract with the PC Ontario Fund. FYI, his change in status from part-time volunteer to full-time contractor is not public. It is not a secret but there is no reason to broadcast it either, wrote PC lawyer Mike Richmond in a Sept. 11, 2015 message to senior officials. In an email to Richmond and other top Tories two weeks later, Browns director of communications confided that the Star had been told Dunlop wasnt yet being paid. The leader has spoken to the Toronto Star about Garfield advising them that Garfield will be working with the party in the near future. That he has not received compensation this far, wrote Tamara Macgregor on Sept. 30, 2015. I would ask that no one speaks to them. We do not comment on internal party matters, she continued. One day earlier, Richmond voiced his reservations about not telling then-Star reporter Richard J. Brennan, who retired last year. Tamara informed me this morning that she told Brennan that Garfield is a volunteer. Brennan told her that he knows we are paying Garfield and that Garfield is hiding from him, the lawyer wrote to Brown, Macgregor, and other top Tories. We cannot continue to look like we are hiding something, and we cannot continue to call Garf a volunteer since it is no longer true. The truth is completely legit and we have nothing to be ashamed of. We need to correct the record or we look like we are lying. On Tuesday, Brown played down what he called internal party matters. We went out of our way to keep the Toronto Star informed something that I think is not normally expected of Progressive Conservative leaders. Thats why I thought the article today was unfair. Deputy premier Deb Matthews and other Liberals were chortling. Now we have the revelation that he knowingly misled members of the media and therefore the public on whether or not Garfield Dunlop was being paid, said Matthews. He clearly knew that Dunlop was getting paid and he told you folks that he wasnt. So, once again, we have to question is this somebody who you can trust to tell the truth or is this somebody you always have to second-guess? she said. Hes had different opinions on different issues; hes had different positions at the same time on the same issue. Thats a reference to Browns flip-flop on the updated sex-education curriculum he once opposed but has since embraced albeit after a very public spat with the social conservatives who backed his 2015 leadership. Read more about: SHARE: As per Tollywood grapevine, Samantha is likely to play the leading lady in actor Ram Charan's next with director Sukumar of Nannaku Prematho fame. By India Today Web Desk: Samantha, who was last seen in the Telugu blockbuster Janatha Garage, is all set to team up with Tollywood star Ram Charan for an upcoming Telugu film. Interestingly, the upcoming yet-untitled film will mark Samantha's first collaboration with Ram Charan. ALSO READ: Akkineni Nagarjuna's Raju Gari Gadi 2 goes on floors ALSO READ: Queen remake- Tamannaah will reprise Kangana Ranaut's role in Tamil To be helmed by Sukumar, the film will have music by Devi Sri Prasad. Tipped to be a romantic drama, the regular shooting of the film will commence from January 2017. advertisement It must be noted that Samantha is signing a Telugu film after a year, although she had three Telugu releases this year with Brahmotsavam, A...Aa and Janatha Garage. While rumours rife are about Samantha's relationship with actor Naga Chaitanya, the latter confirmed that the marriage will take place next year. Meanwhile, Ram Charan awaits the release of his action thriller Dhruva. Directed by National Award-winning director Surender Reddy, the film also stars Rakul Preet Singh playing the leading lady in the film. The trailer was unveiled recently and has clocked more than 4 million views on YouTube. The film, which is a remake of Tamil blockbuster Thani Oruvan, is slated to release on December 9. --- ENDS --- Full disclosure: I have received free gifts from the companies I am writing about below. Using points accrued on my own dime and time, I have redeemed them for travel awards. You may have, too courtesy of Air Miles, Aeroplan and others. Heres another confession: I once loved loyalty programs. Now Im leery of disloyalty. Possibly you are, too. Bad enough when a business is guilty of bait and switch. But beware bait and devalue: Thats when loyalty programs move the goalposts further back, or dismantle them entirely. By diminishing or discontinuing your reward points, they are not only disloyal, but dishonourable. Now, just in time for Christmas gift-giving, brace yourself for holiday takeaways. While Santa is descending the chimney, vast numbers of Air Miles points will go up the chimney in smoke. Vaporized, vitiated, rescinded, withdrawn, wiped out. All because youve been hoarding them in your Air Miles account for too long the equivalent of confiscating cash in your bank account because youve been saving up for something special over the years. LoyaltyOne, the owner of Air Miles and custodian of points for 10 million Canadian households has decreed that if a good faith customer fails to spend them within five years, the points are no longer yours to redeem. Points more than five years old will be pointless starting Dec. 31. Aeroplan tried a similar stunt a while back, but backed down under public pressure. Air Miles is refusing to compromise, so what recourse do you have? In a perfect market economy, you could take your marbles elsewhere by patronizing a competing loyalty program if you had perfect foresight or could travel back in time. But if youve been a loyal Air Miles member for years, stashing points in hopes of cashing in later, how do you retroactively retrieve your investment in a scheme that dilutes or disputes its promise of future redemptions? And what if you have no choice of merchants and their affiliated reward program? In Ontario, the effective monopoly seller of spirits, most wine and much beer is the provincially owned LCBO, one of the biggest issuers of Air Miles to customers. In that case, you are stuck with LoyaltyOne, with their unilaterally imposed terms and conditions and revisions after the fact. You cant easily take your business elsewhere, or boycott the Air Miles that are built into the cost of booze sold by our government. You could sue joining a class-action lawsuit that will wend its way through the courts for years, enriching lawyers before you ever get back pennies on your points. By that time, more of your points might be pilfered. There is an alternative remedy. Its called consumer protection, which is precisely the role envisioned for government in regulating corporate practices by law. On Tuesday, a legislative committee will debate a bill proposed by Liberal MPP Arthur Potts (BeachesEast York) restricting the ability of reward programs to rescind points unilaterally. It points a finger at point grabs that amount to cash grabs. The bill builds on a previous law banning expiration dates on gift cards, based on the sensible principle that a promise is a promise not a discretionary, time-limited obligation. When loyalty companies argue those points shouldnt stay on the books forever lest they persist as annoying liabilities on corporate balance sheets they should rethink their legal obligations and loyalty undertakings. If a gift card doesnt expire, theres no logical reason points should disappear. Its expropriation without compensation, Potts told me. Its taking peoples equity. Like gift cards, point cards are promises for future redemptions. If loyalty programs wish to discharge their obligations prematurely, they should be required to pay out cash at a prescribed rate, not simply help themselves to someones holdings without compensation. You cant just send them an email. You need to send them a (cash) gift card they can use, Potts argues. Companies cant break contracts retroactively. Which is why the legislation proposed by Potts if voted into law next month would retroactively restore any points confiscated by Air Miles as of Oct. 1. In life, loyalty is its own reward. But Air Miles will only take you so far, which is why LoyaltyOne should be governed by law. Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca , Twitter: @reggcohn SHARE: Hes not even been sworn in and already hes breaking with his leader. Newly elected MPP Sam Oosterhoff told the Star that if he had been able to vote on Bill 28, he would definitely not have supported it even though a day earlier Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown said he expected his caucus to vote in favour of the legislation giving same sex couples and those who use reproductive technology legal recognition as parents. Oosterhoff, Brown said Tuesday, is a team player . . . we fully expect him to support the direction that Im taking the party and I have confidence that he will. But in an interview, the 19-year-old MPP called it a horrible piece of legislation and said while all parents need to be respected the bill, as is, can lead to litigation on the child. The All Families are Equal Act, the first update of parentage laws since 1978, passed unanimously Tuesday. It means same-sex parents will no longer have to go to court spending thousands to get legal recognition, allowing them to register births in the same way heterosexual couples do. The new legislation also means a birth parent can enter into a parenting agreement with up to three others before a child is conceived. New Democrat MPP Cheri DiNovo, whose private members bill inspired the legislation, said it has taken more than a decade to make these changes as ordered by an Ontario Superior Court. This is a wonderful day, said DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park). Again, this is about the children. All children should be born having the same rights, and this finally accomplishes that. The bill passed with all 79 MPPs present in favour, including just over half of the Progressive Conservative caucus. A handful, known for socially conservative views, either did not show up or left before the vote. There are 58 Liberal, 29 Tory and 20 NDP MPPs in the 107-seat legislature. Almost half his caucus wouldnt vote on that bill. That tells you something, Deputy premier Deb Matthews told reporters. Its clearly a divided caucus. Oosterhoff was elected Nov. 17, the same as Liberal MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers (Ottawa-Vanier), who was sworn in Monday. The Liberals had charged that Brown, who has been trying to build an inclusive party, was delaying the teens swearing-in as he was anxious to avoid having his new MPP voting against a bill that gives legal rights to gay couples. But Oosterhoff said while Bill 28 attempted to streamline certain processes in law, which was a good thing I encourage adoption and I am super pro-adoption . . . but the reality is we made a very common sense, very practical proposed amendment at the committee stage which was shut down by the Liberals. I think it just goes to show how out of touch they are with people. Hes concerned that having the opportunity for four parents, for example, is something that when the child is placed into the contractual agreement where you dont even need to have a notarization . . . (four of us), we could create a contract and adopt a child together and I think thats worrying because that can create difficult scenarios down the road where you can be litigating . . . over the child. I think that we have to make sure that family law is very child-focused, he said during a five-minute sit-down interview at Queens Park. Oosterhoff was at Queens Park all day Tuesday and has been planning a celebration for the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday morning with about 60 friends and family members invited. Hes expecting four of his seven siblings to be there, including his brother, whose wife gave birth to a girl on Monday. Family is coming in from Ottawa and Owen Sound, he added, and his oma and opa grandparents who live in his Niagara West-Glanbrook riding will also make the trip. He called Bill 28 an attempt to distract people from the very real, negative impact theyre having on families through soaring hydro rates, cuts to health care you name it, right? We can all testify to that damage. Would he have voted against it? I would definitely not have supported the legislation. And when asked how he feels about same-sex parents, Oosterhoff said we need to respect all parents. I think its amazing whenever people decide to be parents . . . I was a counsellor at camp . . . I had four kids I was taking care of man, I was beat, like I was so tired . . . anyone who takes it upon themselves to be a parent should be commended because its a sacrificial job. With files from Rob Ferguson and Robert Benzie SHARE: Patrick Browns office misled the Toronto Star about compensation to a former MPP who quit his seat for the Progressive Conservative leader, imposing a gag order at a time when the secret contract could make the Tories look bad, internal emails show. Documents obtained by the Star reveal Conservative officials were scrambling after Garfield Dunlop stepped down in Simcoe North so the new PC leader could run in a byelection on Sept. 3, 2015. Mindful the governing Liberals were under investigation for allegations of bribery, senior party officials were emailing about how to keep under wraps potentially embarrassing details of how the Tories compensated Dunlop. In one email, a key Brown aide overruled a lawyer from the party who suggested full disclosure, telling him that she had already denied any payments and intended to feign ignorance if asked again. She also ordered all other staff and PC activists to abide by her edict. The circumstances surrounding Dunlops departure are in the headlines again because of the Sudbury byelection bribery charges against Patricia Sorbara, Premier Kathleen Wynnes former deputy chief of staff. When the Tories hammer the Liberals on the Sorbara matter in the legislatures daily question period, the government counters by pointing to how the PC leader secured his Orillia-area seat. Last year, Brown publicly said Dunlop who earned $129,000 in 2014 as an MPP and vice-chair of a legislative committee was serving as his part-time volunteer education adviser and received no compensation for giving up the riding. In an emailed statement Monday, his office reiterated that no employment arrangements were either promised or offered at the time, nor at any time before he resigned his seat on Aug. 1, 2015, nor at any time before the byelection was held on Sept. 3, 2015. The only arrangement was for him to stay on as a part-time volunteer adviser and to assist with transition, specifically on the education file. Mr. Dunlops initial performance in that role, combined with his performance helping (again as a volunteer) in the Simcoe North byelection, suggested that he had more to contribute to the party. But behind the scenes last fall, staff in the leaders office appeared to be trying to figure out a response when Star reporter Richard J. Brennan was pressing them with questions about how much the former MPP was being paid. The leader has spoken to the Toronto Star about Garfield advising them that Garfield will be working with the party in the near future. That he has not received compensation this far, wrote Tamara Macgregor, Browns director of communications, on Sept. 30, 2015. I would ask that no one speaks to them. We do not comment on internal party matters, continued Macgregor in an email to other top Tory officials. A day earlier, senior Conservative strategist Mike Richmond expressed concern about claiming Dunlop wasnt being paid. Tamara informed me this morning that she told Brennan that Garfield is a volunteer. Brennan told her that he knows we are paying Garfield and that Garfield is hiding from him, wrote Richmond, a lawyer with McMillan LLP, to top PC insiders, including Brown and Macgregor. We cannot continue to look like we are hiding something, and we cannot continue to call Garf a volunteer since it is no longer true. The truth is completely legit and we have nothing to be ashamed of. We need to correct the record or we look like we are lying, wrote Richmond. I have looked into your questions and found out that in the past few days, Garfield has in fact received a contract from the party. He has not been paid anything, but he will be. In the same email chain, Macgregor told her colleagues she would not reveal to Brennan, whose nickname is Badger, that Dunlop was on the Conservative payroll. There have been conflicting things discussed. I will not tell Badger there is a contract. If we say we dont discuss internal HR matters then we do not discuss. Period. she wrote. No more emails please. Im serious. Richmond had wanted Browns office to come clean with the journalist counsel that was apparently ignored. In a separate email on Sept. 11, 2015 eight days after Brown won the Simcoe North byelection the lawyer had advised senior Tories that as of Monday, Garfield will be coming on board as a full-time adviser to the party, on contract with the PC Ontario Fund. FYI, his change in status from part-time volunteer to full-time contractor is not public. It is not a secret but there is no reason to broadcast it either, wrote Richmond, noting Brown was in the know about Dunlops contract. On Monday, the PC leaders office said the more comprehensive mandate was discussed and a more permanent arrangement was negotiated between Mr. Dunlop and the party later in September. Dunlop did not return messages left by the Star. By Sept. 29, 2015, Garfield Dunlops new arrangements with the party had been finalized but he had not yet started to be paid. The Toronto Star was advised of the change in status on Sept. 30, 2015, though specific employment details were not provided to the Toronto Star. The Star has no record of being advised of a change in status. Since Dunlop resigned on July 22, 2015, Brown has maintained there was no quid pro quo. Last Thursday, Brown said it was a number of months after I had been elected MPP that he was asked to take on an additional workload. The PC leader also insisted there is no similarity between the Liberals Sudbury byelection debacle and the Simcoe North situation. In Sudbury, Sorbara, who has denied any wrongdoing, was charged with bribery under the Election Act for allegedly offering then New Democrat MP Glenn Thibeault now Ontarios energy minister a job in exchange for running for the Liberals in the byelection on Feb. 5, 2015. Listen, we have a case where the OPP have laid charges for an alleged bribe, said Brown. And we have a case where someone, who was planning to retire, retired after 25 years of public service. You cant even compare not even remotely. Read more about: SHARE: In remembering Fidel Castro, it is easy for Canadians to forget the many ways the Cuban leader ruthlessly repressed basic freedoms and created a climate of fear and control over all aspects of peoples lives. For many Canadians, Cuba is, after all, a sunny holiday destination with bone-white beaches, classic Chevrolets and Cohiba cigars. This country has been largely insulated from the fiercely anti-Castro voices in the U.S. that ensure any discussion of Cuba touches on the dictators darker legacies. In the years after he came to power in 1959, Castro summarily tried hundreds of members of deposed president Fulgencio Batistas government, executing at least 582 by firing squad. The Castro regime shuttered independent newspapers. Gay Cubans faced re-education in camps. By 1964, Castro acknowledged holding 15,000 political prisoners and though that number went down over the years, he held hundreds of captives throughout his reign. It was totalitarianism light, said Arch Ritter, an economist at Carleton University who taught part time at the University of Havana from 1994 to 2000. Castro borrowed the political and economic system of Eastern Europe. He had people spying on one other. He demonized the opposition, calling them gusanos (worms) and he denied people basic labour rights. Some Canadians, seduced by inexpensive beach vacations or the idea of an underdog standing up to the U.S., might be reluctant to evaluate Castros legacy with as much rigour as other dictators. This would be a mistake, Ritter said. The fact is that he locked up people for long periods of time for disrespectful criticisms. He did a lot of crazy things economically too, he said. In his first statement following Castros death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remembered Castro as a legendary revolutionary and orator. The statement praised Castros legacies on education and health care, but didnt mention human rights violations. On Sunday Trudeau amended his remarks, saying he did not intend to minimize Cubas human rights record. Castros repressive tactics certainly softened after the violent early years, but state control over all aspects of Cuban life remained a reality to the end, Amnesty International noted in a statement Saturday. The Cold War ended in 1989 and other undemocratically elected leaders stepped down before their deaths, including Gorbachev in the USSR, Honecker in East Germany and others, added John Price, managing director for Americas Market Intelligence. In contrast, Fidel spent the last 25 years consolidating his grip on Cuba, espousing a revolution that lost its moral authority decades ago. One-fifth of all Cubans left the country during Castros time in power, including entrepreneurs, intellectuals, musicians and artists, many of whom risked their lives in leaky boats to escape the island for nearby Florida. Internally, Castro dealt with peaceful reform movements harshly, including during the so-called Black Spring of 2003, when the government cracked down on 75 human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists and other critics and tried them in closed hearings. While most were released, the one-party Communist state remained repressive following the handover of power from Fidel to his brother Raul Castro in 2008. It continues to use short-term detention to prevent people such as the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), the wives and mothers of Cubas jailed dissidents, from participating in political meetings or in peaceful marches. The government also limits access to the Internet (only 25 per cent of Cubans use the Internet) and restricts media and websites of writers affiliated with the opposition, such as blogger Yoani Sanchezs digital newspaper, 14 y Medio. Cuba continues to restrict freedom of travel, censors art, books, music, film and even pornography. Fidel Castros legacy is a tale of two worlds, said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director with Amnesty International. The question now is what human rights will look like in a future Cuba. The lives of many depend on it. With files from Star wire services SHARE: DALLASThe exclusive Dallas boys prep school that Richard B. Spencer attended is denouncing the activities and ideas of its white nationalist alumnus. St. Marks School of Texas headmaster David Dini issued the statement of criticism after a Nov. 19 rally in Washington where Spencer, a member of St. Marks Class of 1997, shouted Hail Trump! Hail our people! Hail victory! as supporters raised their arms in Nazi salutes. Without referring to Spencer by name, Dini said his activities have been deeply troubling and terribly upsetting to our whole school community. We reject racism and bigotry in all its forms and expressions. In his statement, posted on the schools Facebook page, Dini hailed other St. Marks alumni for expressing their outrage and disgust toward the National Policy Institute, which Spencer heads, and the ideas that group promotes. Spencers classmates have raised about $40,000 so far in a fundraising campaign to settle refugees in Dallas. One of them is Ben Kusin, former Shark Tank contestant and chief executive of deodorizing wipes company. This issue hits deep not just for me but for everyone, he told WFAA-TV of Dallas-Fort Worth, adding about the rally, When you see something like this, you have to say something. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a hate group watchdog, describes Spencer as one of the countrys most successful young white nationalist leaders a suit-and-tie version of the white supremacists of old. He wants to expel all these non-white Europeans from this country, Kusin said. Our countermeasure was supporting refugees coming into this country. An email message to Spencer from The Associated Press drew no response Sunday. Other school alumni include folklorist/musicologist Alan Lomax, rock stars Steve Miller and Boz Scaggs, actors Tommy Lee Jones and Luke and Owen Wilson, and investigative journalist Kurt Eichenwald. More at thestar.com: Trump still facing concerns about alt-right movement impact on White House SHARE: NEW YORKPresident-elect Donald Trump made two cabinet selections on Tuesday, choosing fierce Obamacare critic Georgia Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and Elaine Chao, who served in the cabinet of George W. Bush, to serve as the secretary of the Department of Transportation. The president-elect appeared to still be torn over his choice for secretary of state. He summoned former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to New York for dinner Tuesday night to discuss the post for a second time. He was also meeting with Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who was getting new attention from Trumps team. On Monday, Trump spent an hour with retired Gen. David Petraeus, another new contender. Trumps decision to consider Romney for the powerful cabinet post has sparked an unusual public backlash from some of his closest aides and allies. Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has warned that it would be a betrayal to Trump supporters if he selected Romney, who was a fierce critic of the president-elect during the campaign. Trump announced his choice of Price, while the selection of Chao, the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the decision but not authorized to speak publicly. Price is exceptionally qualified to lead an effort to repeal and replace President Barack Obamas health care law, Trump said in a statement. The president-elects transition team did not immediately respond to questions about the congressmans past commitment to transform Medicare into a voucher-like system, a position at odds with Trumps repeated campaign promises not to cut the popular health care program that serves an estimated 57 million people. Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on health-care policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity, Trump said. Chao led the Department of Labor for several years under Bush. In Washington, sources close to the transition say Steven Terner Mnuchin, a financier with deep roots on Wall Street and in Hollywood but no government experience, is expected to be named Trumps Treasury secretary as soon as Wednesday. Mnuchin, 53, was the national finance chairman for Trumps campaign. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he became a partner, before creating his own hedge fund, moving to the West Coast and entering the first rank of movie financiers by bankrolling hits like the X-Men franchise and Avatar. As Treasury secretary, Mnuchin would play an important role in shaping the administrations economic policies, including a package of promised tax cuts, increased spending on infrastructure and changes in the terms of foreign trade. Even as he weighed crucial cabinet decisions, Trump appeared distracted by outside forces or eager to create distractions himself. The president-elect spent the weekend tweeting his opposition to a recount effort in up to three states that is led by Green Party candidate Jill Stein and joined by Hillary Clintons team. He also falsely claimed that millions of people had voted illegally in the presidential election and provided no evidence to back up the baseless charge. Trump won praise from Republicans Tuesday for his pick of Price to serve as health and human services secretary. A six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, Price has been a leading critic of President Barack Obamas health care law. If confirmed by the Senate, hell be a leading figure in Republican efforts to repeal the measure. Incoming Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Price has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want for programs that help seniors, women, families and those with disabilities. His nomination, Schumer said, is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house. Trumps team also announced Tuesday that Seema Verma has been chosen to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Jason Miller, a transition team spokesman, said at least one other cabinet post would be announced in the afternoon. He did not elaborate. Transition aides said Trump was likely at least a few days away from a decision on secretary of state. Romney has supposed from vice-president-elect Mike Pence, who is heading the transition efforts. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, a loyal Trump ally, was initially seen as the leading contender to helm the State Department. But questions about his overseas business dealings, as well as his public campaigning for the job, have given Trump pause. Trump is now said to be considering Giuliani to head the Homeland Security Department, according to those close to the transition process. With files from the New York Times Read more about: SHARE: So. Farewell then, Fidel Castro. He was 90, had been in poor health for many years and his death was not exactly a jolt. Yet the right still makes hay of history, of Castro facts. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said kindly words appropriate under the circumstances (death). Fidel was a remarkable leader, which he was, who made significant improvements to the education and health care of his island nation, which he did. What went unsaid was that Castro had also offered Canadians decades of cheap vacations on a special island where Americans couldnt go. We were, like, free to travel because we were totally not like the States. It was a point of pride. As the Stars David Rider said online, its not universal by any means but anti-Americanism is a fact of the Canadian psyche and history. By chance, many Americans suddenly agree with us. In 2015, 800,000 Canadians travelled to Cuba, spending $708 million, says StatsCan, and that was a quiet year. Get drunk and fall off a hotel balcony in Cuba, and youd get excellent medical care. Cool. Just like in Canada. We never miss a chance to be smug. Any Conservative who deplores Trudeaus measured praise of Castro should be deploring the Cuba vacationers who are their voters. Their attacks became a toxic family funeral where the tacky Trumpy Kellie Leitch side says the eulogy didnt capture Grandpa Eudell and the side wearing appropriate funeral apparel gives them an up-and-down look and a roll of the hairy eyeball. The complaints about Trudeau come from Ottawa types, who are not like the rest of us. I dont take beach vacations because I hate sand, also heat, but I am an otherwise normal Torontonian who thinks Castros tenure was surreal. He survived the Bay of Pigs invasion, a cruel economic embargo, the U.S. nuclear threat and a stream of CIA assassination plots, including The Exploding Cigar, The Painted Seashell, The Exploding Pen, and the Thallium Salt on His Shoes to Make His Beard Fall Out. Its fair to criticize Castros spying on his own people and his prisons. But the U.S. spies on its own people, has the highest prison-population rate in the world, and set up Guantanamo Bay, a prison and torture camp on Cuban land. American atrocities dwarfed Cuban ones. Yet Castro lived to see his American tormentor pay the ultimate price: President-elect Trump and a descent into authoritarianism. I tire of Trudeau saying some minor thing and Ottawa commentators leaping on it and asking if the honeymoon is over. They track this as if its a stock index. Its their in-house screen crawl. Normal people dont think in these terms. They care about having a job, schooling, health care and not turning into the U.S., where Medicare is about to become an exciting private-contribution plan under Trumps Tom Price. They crave a bit of beach in February. But go help Cubas poor by all means. Canadians have a pre-existing condition. Its called being Canadian. We are different. And Quebecers are unique, which is why I admire them. They feel free to contest the mainstream. Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard didnt mind Trudeaus message on Castro. Yes, his accomplishments will be in various tones of grey some white, some black but historians will have to decide this. I see no controversy in describing him as a giant of the 20th century. As the CBCs admirable Aaron Wherry correctly pointed out, the failure of Western leaders to sufficiently condemn certain international regimes is a regular theme. Theyre too nice to some, too mean to others, its very Gilmore Girls. Face it, who cares what Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio think of Trudeau? And it was kind of Stephen Harper to visit Raul Castro at the Americas summit in 2015 when Rauls brother Fidel was ill, though he did try to keep it a secret. When youre prime minister, you have to dance, even with people you dont want to date. Its part of the job. The Canada-Cuba friendship is part of our history. I suspect the Conservative complainers just want Trudeau to be someone other than himself. They seek a duller man, a droner, a baggy-suited social inadequate with library paste in his hair. Ditch the self-confidence, Trudeau. I want the PM to stand firm on this one. Apologizing is a national tic. Im sorry, I do it too, but please consider stopping, if you feel like it. SHARE: Updated from 10:34 a.m. with additional details Tiffany (TIF) may have surprised Wall Street with its third-quarter earnings, but by no means has it gotten beyond several huge challenges that have been weighing on its performance. The high-end jeweler reported Tuesday that third-quarter net sales rose 1% year over year to $949 million, ahead of analysts' forecasts for $922.6 million. Propped up by a combination of stock repurchases and lower costs for gold and other metals, Tiffany's earnings came in at 76 cents a share, outpacing Wall Street forecasts of 68 cents. The company surprisingly maintained its full-year sales and earnings outlooks despite global economic challenges weighing on demand for pricey jewelry and post-election Donald Trump related protests spilling out front of its iconic store on Fifth Avenue in New York. Tiffany sees worldwide sales falling by a low-single digit percentage, while are earnings are expected to decline by a mid-single digit percentage. Shares of Tiffany were up 4.66% to $81.78 in mid-morning trading. Investors, however, shouldn't be fooled into believing that Tiffany is out of hot water. In the Americas division, same-store sales dropped 2%, excluding the impact of the strong U.S. dollar. As in prior quarters, the strong dollar continues to impact tourist spending in major U.S. markets, such as New York City, where Tiffany has prominent stores on Fifth Avenue and Wall Street. The tepid traffic trend may become worse this holiday season due to the U.S. dollar's rally following Election Day. Spending by U.S.-based consumers continues to be weak, too. "An even stronger U.S. dollar, which has accelerated since early November and is now up about 4% year over year, is likely to bring renewed headwinds to luxury tourism spending in upcoming quarters," cautioned Oppenheimer analyst Brian Nagel. Meanwhile, same-store sales in Tiffany's Asia Pacific region plunged 7% on a constant currency basis in large part to continued declines in Hong Kong. Both a strong Hong Kong dollar and the Chinese government's anti-corruption crackdown on gift-giving for party officials remain headwinds to luxury goods players in the region. The lone bright spot in Asia for Tiffany was China, where sales rose by a double-digit percentage on the back of improving economic conditions. In Europe, same-store sales fell 7% on a constant currency basis as Tiffany was still plagued by weak demand in France by tourists and locals in the wake of prior terrorist incidents. "We are encouraged by some early signs of improvement in sales trends, but we clearly need more positive data over time before this can be considered an inflection point," conceded Tiffany CEO Frederic Cumenal, As for Tiffany's well-known Fifth Avenue store, which is nearby to Trump Plaza and represents about 10% of worldwide sales, the company acknowledged Tuesday that sales have been hurt by protests. "With respect to the impact of recent election-related activity near the company's New York flagship store, management has noted some adverse effect on traffic in that store and a continuation of sales softness relative to prior year and to the company's other U.S. stores this year," Tiffany said in a statement. The company declined to estimate the impact or how long it believes it will last. "How can it not affect them?" asked Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a retail consulting and investment banking firm. "You can't go on the block sometimes - how are you going to go in the store?" Davidowitz has a birds-eye view of the kerfuffle as he's lived in Trump Tower for 22 years. And since much of the luxury jewelry retailer's sales come during the holiday season, any disruption could hurt Tiffany's top and bottom lines. "There's no question that the fourth quarter for Tiffany's is very important because of the gifting aspect of what they do," said Jim Leventhal, chief executive of Leventhal Asset Management. Any hit to the flagship store's sales could "affect their earnings big-time," added Davidowitz. Global energy prices extended losses on Tuesday as OPEC showed no signs of agreeing to a production cut, and Goldman Sachs said that without cuts, oil could fall below $40 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery fell 3.8% lower to about $45.29 a barrel. "Subject to the usual modeling caveats, our analysis suggests that as of Monday's close, Brent futures are reflecting a 30% probability of a deal being reached," Goldman Sachs noted on Tuesday. The bank said that without a deal oil prices could fall as much as $6 per barrel, based on an analysis of the option market, but were unlikely to move below $40 a barrel for an extended period of time. An agreement to curb OPEC production to a target by 32.5 million barrels a day could boost prices into the low $50s per barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 3.7% to $46.44 per barrel. The slump reversed gains made over the past two days as traders react to signs that OPEC members are struggling to agree the terms of a production cut just one day ahead of the deadline for a deal. OPEC's No. 2 and No. 3 producers, Iraq and Iran, failed to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia over plans to curb production as of Tuesday afternoon. Iran's Oil Minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, has ruled out cuts from the world's sixth-largest producer on Tuesday. "We will leave the level of production (where) we decided in Algeria," Zanganeh said Tuesday, according to Reuters. Instead, Iran instead wants OPEC's leading producer, Saudi Arabia, to cut oil output to 9.5 million barrels per day, Reuters reported. Saudi Arabia has said it was prepared to curb production by 0.5 million barrels per day from current levels of 10.5 million barrels. Tuesday's lack of action adds to the growing doubt that Saudi Arabia, OPEC's biggest producer and the driving force behind the initiative to cut output, will be able to cajole Iraq and Iran into cutting their output by Wednesday. Iraq has claimed it should be exempt from the agreement as it needs oil revenues to fund its war against ISIS militants in the North of the country, while Iran has said it should be allowed to maintain or boost output to recuperate market share and revenues lost when it was subject to sanctions. Saudi Arabia appeared to prepare the market for the failure of talks over the weekend when it suggested for the first time a deal was not vital to the rebalancing of supply and demand in the oil market. Tuesday's fall also followed an OPEC "technical meeting" Monday that broke up without apparent agreement on who should shoulder the burden of targeted cuts of about 5% of production and after Indonesia's representative, on Tuesday, expressed little confidence that a deal would be done. "The feeling today is mixed," Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters. In a further blow to the talks, Russia on Tuesday said that it would not attend the OPEC gathering. OPEC members led by Saudi Arabia had earlier made great play of the involvement of Russia in an agreement, suggesting at one stage that the world's biggest oil producer could even agree to cut production alongside OPEC. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Longson's confidence in OPEC to reach a deal by Wednesday has slipped to 55%. However, he still believes the cartel will reach an agreement, one that will likely last for six months. Longson see oil prices reaching $50 per barrel if the cartel can agree to cut production. "We see OPEC production falling into 2017 as Saudi Arabia cuts seasonally, but we are skeptical of OPEC's ability to keep production low and sustain it, certainly beyond the six-month timeline," Longson wrote in a research note Tuesday. RBC Capital Markets calculates that 70% of investors expect OPEC to announce a production cut, with 46% anticipating a cut of 750,000 barrels per day, while the other 24% expect a cut greater than 750,000 barrels per day. An overwhelming majority, 94%, see oil prices of greater than $50 per barrel within the year, if OPEC cuts its production. Energy ministers from OPEC countries are due to meet in Vienna on Wednesday to sign the production cut agreement, which would be the first of its kind since 2008. OPEC could attempt to fudge a deal by issuing a statement to the effect that members had agreed to limit output, without providing details of individual country production caps or even an overall production limit. That is unlikely to provide a significant boost to oil prices, with many traders already expressing doubts that a detailed agreement will be honored by OPEC members. "Deal details and the level of production will be the key for price action," Morgan Stanley's Longson wrote. Global crude prices extended declines Tuesday following reports that Iran's Oil Minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, has ruled out cuts from the world's sixth-largest producer. West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery, which had been falling for much of the European session, fell sharply on the report, taking prices 3.45% lower to $45.08 per barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, also declined, falling 3.28% to $48.13 per barrel. Traders have been paring bets on an agreement at Wednesday's meeting of OPEC members in Vienna amid a spat between Saudi Arabia and Iran over burden sharing. Iran has said that nations which increased production in recent months should bear the brunt of agreement cuts, while Saudi Arabia and others have argued for non-members such as Russia to join in on any agreed limits. The 14-member cartel pledged to cap output at 33 million barrels per day in September amid a collapse in global prices, but have yet to come to terms on a pact that would limit the flow of crude in the months ahead. By PTI: Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) With growing number of Indians preferring to plan their honeymoon overseas, picturesque Seychelles and Mexican city Cancun have emerged as the top destinations being explored by honeymooners this season, according to a report. "A honeymoon is one of the most anticipated and indulgent holidays one ever takes. Nowadays, couples spend a lot of time searching about the destinations and the activities they offer. Seychelles and Cancun are the top destinations being explored by Indian newlyweds for their honeymoon," Hotels.com said in a report here. advertisement Both the spots are home to numerous beaches. While has been 68 per cent growth in search for Seychelles from last year, Cancun saw 59 per cent growth in searches, said the report, which is based on actual searches on Hotels.com from October, 2016 for the travel period November, 2016-March, 2017. Other destinations on the top five list are Maldives, with 44 per cent growth in searches from last year, followed by Bali in Indonesia, with 34 per cent growth in searches. Santorini (one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea) saw the searches by Indians going up by 20 per cent, said the report by Hotels.com, a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites. PTI SM ARS SAI SRE --- ENDS --- Connecticut's pension plans joined the chorus of investor critics over governance at Wells Fargo (WFC) , saying the CEO and board chairman roles should remain split following this year's scandal over the creation of as many as 2 million unauthorized accounts. Although Wells Fargo's board appointed lead director Stephen Sanger to become independent chairman last month when former Chairman and CEO John Stumpf resigned, Connecticut Treasurer Denise Nappier said today that the roles should remain split in perpetuity. Currently, the CEO is Tim Sloan, who had been second in command at the San Francisco-based lender before taking over Stumpf's duties. "In our view shareholders are best served by an independent board chair who can provide a balance of power between the CEO and the board," Nappier said in a statement. The split between CEO and chairman has been a flashpoint for investors and corporate-governance watchdogs since 2014, when Bank of America (BAC) combined the duties under Brian Moynihan, defying a 2009 shareholder vote that had stipulated the roles should remain separate. The backlash was so severe that the Charlotte, North Carolina-based lender had to agree to hold a separate referendum in 2015 to ratify the decision. That passed with 63% approval -- a thin margin of victory given that such matters typically garner at least 90% of votes. Wells Fargo's Stumpf stepped down amid withering criticism from lawmakers, investors and consumer advocates, after the bank admitted that employees ginned up bogus accounts to meet sales quotas imposed by senior management. The lender agreed to pay a $185 million penalty and has faced a spate of investigations, additional regulatory scrutiny and the loss of some lucrative government deals. The lender's shares are down 4.4% this year, even as the KBW Nasdaq Bank Index has climbed 17%. According to the Connecticut statement, Nappier has filed a shareholder proposal with Wells Fargo seeking to change the company's bylaws to make sure the chairman remains independent. The resolution was filed in conjunction with Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Hermes EOS and the Needmor Fund, an Ohio-based family foundation. Nappier, in her role as state treasurer, serves as principal fiduciary of the $30 billion Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, according to the statement. Press officials with the bank didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. EXCLUSIVE LOOK INSIDE: Wells Fargo is a holding in Jim Cramer'sAction Alerts PLUS charitable trust portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells the stock? Learn more now. Credit Suisse Group AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The company offers wealth management solutions, including investment advice and discretionary asset management services; risk management solutions, such as managed investment products; and wealth planning, succession planning, and trust services. It also provides financing and lending solutions, including consumer credit and real estate mortgage lending, real asset lending relating to ship, and aviation financing for UHNWI; standard and structured hedging, and lombard lending solutions, as well as collateral trading services; and investment banking solutions, such as global securities sales, trading and execution, capital raising, and advisory services. In addition, the company offers banking solutions, such as payments, accounts, debit and credit cards, and product bundles; asset management products; equity and debt underwriting, and advisory services; cash equities, equity derivatives, and convertibles, as well as prime services; and fixed income products, such as credit, securitized, macro, emerging markets, financing, structured credit, and other products. Further, it provides HOLT, a framework for assessing the performance of approximately 20,000 companies; and equity and fixed income research services. The company serves private and institutional clients; ultra-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, and affluent and retail clients; corporate clients, small and medium-sized enterprises, external asset managers, financial institutions, and commodity traders; and pension funds, hedge funds, governments, foundations and endowments, corporations, entrepreneurs, private individuals, financial sponsors, and sovereign clients. As of December 31, 2021, it operated through a network of 311 offices and branches. The company was founded in 1856 and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Workday, Inc. provides enterprise cloud applications in the United States and internationally. The company's applications help its customers to plan, execute, analyze, and extend to other applications and environments, and to manage their business and operations. It offers a suite of financial management applications, which enable chief financial officers to maintain accounting information in the general ledger; manage financial processes; identify real-time financial, operational, and management insights; enhance financial consolidation; reduce time-to-close; promote internal control and auditability; and achieve consistency across finance operations. The company also provides cloud spend management solutions that helps organizations to streamline supplier selection and contracts, manage indirect spend, and build and execute sourcing events, such as requests for proposals; Human Capital Management (HCM) solution, a suite of human capital management applications that allows organizations to manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement, and enables HR teams to hire, onboard, pay, develop, reskill, and provide employee experiences; Workday applications for planning; and applications for analytics and reporting, including augmented analytics to surface insights to the line of business in simple-to-understand stories, machine learning to drive efficiency and automation, and benchmarks to compare performance against other companies. It serves professional and business services, financial services, healthcare, education, government, technology, media, retail, and hospitality industries. The company was formerly known as North Tahoe Power Tools, Inc. and changed its name to Workday, Inc. in July 2005. Workday, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. Robert Half International Inc. provides staffing and risk consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. It places temporary services for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping; temporary and full-time office and administrative personnel consisting of executive and administrative assistants, receptionists, and customer service representatives; full-time accounting, financial, tax, and accounting operations personnel; and information technology contract professionals and full-time employees in the areas of platform systems integration to end-user technical and desktop support, including specialists in application development, networking and cloud, systems integration and deployment, database design and administration, and security and business continuity. The company also offers temporary and full-time employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative, and legal secretarial positions; and senior-level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields for financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process re-engineering, business systems performance improvement, and post-merger financial consolidation. It is involved in serving professionals in the areas of creative, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations; and placing various positions, such as creative directors, graphics designers, web designers, media buyers, front end developers, copywriters, digital marketing managers, marketing analytics specialists, brand managers, and public relations specialists. The company provides internal audit, technology consulting, risk and compliance consulting, and business performance services. It serves clients and employment candidates. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. A former colleague of Peter and Indrani has made some startling revelations in her statement submitted to the CBI. By Vidya : In a yet another twist to the controversial Sheena Bora murder case, one of the witnesses have revealed several shocking details about Indrani Mukerjea and Peter Mukerjea's life and media venture. Ravina Raj Kohli, former colleague of Peter and Indrani had given her statement to the investigating agency CBI in February this year. In the statement she said that she attended the wedding of Peter and Indrani in 2001 and that before the wedding Indrani had sent her a text message. advertisement "Indrani had sent me an SMS saying that she had settled everything with her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna. In my view, she sent it to avoid any problem in her marriage with Peter," said Kohli in her statement. "To my understanding Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and has a dominant nature," Kohli recalled. She had met Peter and Indrani before their marriage as well. Indrani who used to run a human resource company provided staff to Peter's company as well as the firm where Peter and Kohli used to work. Also read: India Today cover story: Life, loves and lies of Indrani "I came to know from my sources that Indrani had manipulated this contract of recruitment from Star Channel through Peter by threatening to take over the media company," Kohli said. INDRANI INFLUENCED PETER'S DECISIONS Peter allowed Indrani to interfere in the affairs of the television company that he was heading so much that although she was not on the pay rolls yet she had an influence on all major decisions taken by Peter. "Once while interacting with Peter, he referred to Indrani as his retirement plan," said Kohli. According to Kohli, it was for this reason that Peter promoted Indirani in media and business circles during that period when Peter was the CEO of Star TV. Kohli recounted that as Peter grew closer to media mogul James Murdoch he became a very powerful person in Star India Network. Peter controlled the activities of Star India Network and manipulated the things according to his will. Kohli said that Indrani was taking advantage of Peter's influence for her own interests. According to Kohli, Indrani's role created unrest within the organisation. Also read: Both Peter and Indrani conspired to kill Sheena Bora: CBI to High Court Peter and Indrani had wanted to start INX Media when they were part of the Star India Network. "Before floating the company Peter pursued a management diploma from Chicago. He made Indrani the face of INX but he personally looked into the day today affairs of the company. The failure of the company can be attributed to the lack of funds and Indrani's inexperience in the industry," said Kohli. advertisement INDRANI'S DICTATORIAL APPROACH Kohli in her statement revealed that noted journalist Veer Sanghvi had joined INX Media, however, he later resigned due to the dictatorial approach of Indrani. She said that Peter approached her too, but she declined the offer as she did not find it lucrative. "I came to know from sources that my name was shown by them in their media company records. More over Indrani was not interested in keeping me in their company," said Kohli. In her statement, Kohli alleged that both Indrani and Peter had siphoned off money from their media company through kickback and deposited the same in some bank abroad. Also read: The Sheena Tapes: Peter is innocent, Indrani has dragged him into this mess, claims daughter Vidhie "The deposited the amount in some unknown bank account abroad, may be in HSBC Singapore or Hong Kong. I came to know that Indrani and Peter used the company money to receive kickback from the dummy production companies," she added. advertisement In 2009, both Peter and Indrani left India and settled in UK but they kept coming to India frequently. "I heard that Indrani and Peter were planning to start their media house yet again. They had arranged a party sometime in 2014," ALLEGATIONS OF FORGERY Kohli also revealed that Indrani and Peter had floated a company in the name of the deceased Sheena Bora and both of them had deposited huge money in the bank accounts of the company. However, Peter's lawyer Mihir Gheewala said that whatever Kohli revealed in her statement was hearsay and that it has been brought out only to malign Peter. He alleged that there were many paragraphs from the statement that were truncated from the statement by CBI. Also read: Rahul Mukerjea 'misses' Sheena Bora 'this Diwali', blames Indrani for murder According to CBI the statement of Kohli was suppressed as she had apparently called him a womaniser and many terms that could potentially lead to his character assassination. However, they have handed over the statement to defence witnesses. --- ENDS --- 11/29/2016 By Ed Brennen In the five years Mark-Henry Kamga has called Lowell home, the Ph.D. student from Cameroon had never walked along the banks of the Merrimack River as it flows past the historic mills downtown. On a sunny Saturday morning in mid-November, Kamga finally found reason to visit. He and a dozen other grad students donned work gloves and spent two hours picking up debris along the riverbank as part of the universitys first-ever Graduate Volunteer Day. Organized by the Graduate Student Association and the newly formed Graduate Ambassadors program, the day offered students three volunteer opportunities to choose from around the city: preparing and organizing goods for those in need at the Wish Project; serving food and cleaning at the Lowell Transitional Living Center; and working with the Clean River Project to beautify the banks of the Merrimack. For Kamga, volunteering helped him connect with the city and with fellow graduate students whom he might not otherwise meet. Photo by Ed Brennen Photo by Ed Brennen Graduate students scrub walls at the Lowell Transitional Living Center during the first Graduate Volunteer Day. Its good to see Lowell from a different perspective, not just on the way to class, said Kamga, who earned a masters in chemical engineering from the Francis College of Engineering in 2011 and is now working on his doctorate. You come to Lowell and everything looks nice, but there are a lot of people working in the background to keep it that way. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the work while meeting other grad students. Nearly 60 graduate students participated in the volunteer day, including 25 at the Wish Project and 18 at the LTLC. Biochemistry Ph.D. student Fang Zhang, who is vice president of the GSA and helped launch the Graduate Ambassadors program this semester, hopes to see the volunteer day become an annual or even semi-annual event. When youre pursuing an advanced degree, youre not just doing it for the degree. I think youre doing it for the betterment of mankind, said Zhang, a native of Beijing who earned a masters in chemistry from the Kennedy College of Sciences in 2015. So this is a very direct action for us to show our gratefulness for the local community. Photo by Ed Brennen Photo by Ed Brennen Ph.D. student Mark-Henry Kamga, left, helps remove an abandoned bicycle he found along the banks of the Merrimack River. Paridhi Saxena, a masters student in computer engineering from India, is one of 10 Graduate Ambassadors this year. Open to full-time graduate students from any discipline, the programs Graduate Ambassadors assist at university events, answer questions about student life and support the Office of Graduate Admissions in outreach to new and continuing students. As she filled a heavy-duty trash bag with scraps of paper and plastic along the Merrimack, Saxena reflected on the importance of bringing graduate students together for a common cause. Undergraduate students have a wonderful campus life here, but most graduate students come for class and then go away, she said. Thats why we came up with the Graduate Ambassadors, so we can bring graduate people together and let them get to know each other. Fellow Graduate Ambassador Sri Kuppa, a masters student in computer science from India, said she was motivated to help the community. As an international student, I wanted to give something back to this country that has welcomed me for some time, she said. Photo by Ed Brennen Photo by Ed Brennen Graduate student Erica Lancaster, right, helps organize and clean the kitchen at the Lowell Transitional Living Center. Over at the Lowell Transitional Living Center, Erica Lancaster helped organize pots and pans and scrub walls in the kitchen from which meals are provided to the citys homeless. As a masters student in public health, she said the experience gave her new insight into her field. I really wanted to give back and see another side of public health, instead of just in the classroom, said Lancaster, a native of Haverhill. Its good to see how many people they house here, how long they stay here, what kind of health care they have access to and what resources they are using. Djeneba Kassambara, a native of Mali who is pursuing her masters in applied math, had been looking for a volunteer opportunity in Lowell, but since Im new here, I didnt know where to go. When she learned she could lend a hand for a few hours on a Saturday morning with fellow graduate students, she jumped at the chance. In my opinion, this could be any one of us, Kassambara said as she looked out at the LTLCs busy dining room at lunch time. Its good to give each other hope and support each other. Elon Musk has changed his Twitter bio again. Now he is no longer Chief Twit. Instead, he has become a Twitter Complaint Hotline Operator. Although, it wasn't clear if he did so in sarcasm or if he is just enjoying Twitter, his latest purchase, way too much. If you're interested in volcanoes, there are a number of excursions you should not miss if you're in the area: hike to the craters of Stromboli volcano, climb Etna volcano, get to know the unique volcanic history of Santorini - some examples of shorter (1-3 days) tours and excursions we offer. Banker Steven Mnuchin is the next potential Treasury Secretary in Donald Trumps administration. Heres what you need to know about him. (Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post) Banker Steven Mnuchin is the next potential Treasury Secretary in Donald Trumps administration. Heres what you need to know about him. (Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post) President-elect Donald Trump is planning to name investor and former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin as treasury secretary, opting for an industry insider with no government experience to helm the agency in charge of the nations finances, according to people familiar with the matter. Mnuchin (pronounced mah-NEW-chin) joined Trumps whirlwind campaign in May as finance chairman, despite the fact that he had never worked in politics and that he had donated to Democrats in the past. He quickly earned Trumps trust as he worked closely with the Republican National Committee to raise substantial amounts of money in a short period. On policy issues, he was instrumental in crafting the details of Trumps proposal to overhaul the tax code. Hes an expert on finance issues, said Stephen Moore, who worked with Mnuchin as an adviser to the president-elect on the campaign trail. He clearly, like Donald Trump, understands that the number one goal for this administration is going to be to grow the economy and get jobs. The president-elect scored an early victory Tuesday night when air-conditioning manufacturer Carrier announced that it would reverse plans to move one of its factories from Indiana to Mexico. The company, which is owned by United Technologies, said about 1,000 U.S. jobs would be preserved. Trumps tough talk on trade during his campaign helped cement his populist appeal. But Trump a real estate developer famous for his flashy style appears to be staffing his Cabinet with advisers who also have amassed extraordinary wealth. Trump is expected to nominate industrialist billionaire Wilbur Ross to lead the Commerce Department, and Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos was named as Trumps pick for education secretary last week. Mnuchin made his fortune on Wall Street, first at the storied New York investment bank Goldman Sachs and then as the head of his own private-equity fund. His close ties to an industry he would be in charge of regulating have the potential to complicate his confirmation and could undermine Trumps populist message. While on the stump, the president-elect frequently lambasted big banks Goldman Sachs in particular and advocated the reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall legislation that once separated retail and investment banks. In addition, Mnuchin was deeply involved in running a bank that had been at the heart of the subprime housing bust, eventually selling it for billions of dollars in profit. So much for draining the swamp, said Adam Hodge, communications director for the Democratic National Committee. Trump is already heading into office as the most corrupt, conflicted and unpopular president-elect in history, and now hes breaking his signature promise to the voters who elected him. As treasury secretary, one of Mnuchins top priorities probably would be shepherding Trumps tax plan through Congress. Trump has advocated cutting the corporate tax rate to 15 percent and streamlining individual tax rates into three brackets. Although Republican lawmakers have expressed enthusiasm for reform, there remains substantial debate over how to tackle corporate profits overseas, among other issues. In addition, key GOP senators are advocating for a more bipartisan approach that probably would require complex negotiations with Democrats. I think hes extremely knowledgeable about taxes, Moore said. But, he added, most members of Congress dont know who he is. [With Treasury pick come possible conflicts] In news interviews, Mnuchin has said he was not previously close to Trump, but the two move in the same circles of big-money financiers, willing to take big risks in the face of improbable odds. Trumps campaign was just the latest big bet in Mnuchins varied career in the upper echelons of finance, which has stretched from New York to Hollywood. 1 of 35 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Heres a look at Trumps administration so far View Photos President-elect Donald Trump faces a challenge as he prepares for his move to the White House: selecting the men and women who will fill his administration. Caption The men and women the president-elect has selected for his Cabinet and White House team. Scott Gottlieb, nominee for commissioner of FDA President Trump is set to nominate Scott Gottlieb, a conservative physician and businessman with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry, to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a White House official said. Courtesy of American Enterprise Institute/via Reuters Wait 1 second to continue. Working at Goldman Sachs was a family affair for Mnuchin. Before he worked at the Wall Street giant, his father, Robert Mnuchin, spent more than 33 years at the bank. His brother, Alan, was a Goldman Sachs vice president. Mnuchin spent 17 years at the bank, rising from its savings-and-loan business to mortgage-backed bond trading before becoming the banks chief information officer in 1999. Mnuchin is a very smart guy, Lloyd Blankfein, chief executive of Goldman Sachs, said this month. He was a very senior guy at a very young age at Goldman Sachs, he said. Blankfein said that Mnuchin reported to him when he ran the fixed-income division but that they havent spoken much in recent years. Im sure he stayed just as smart as he was when he was at Goldman, he said. After leaving the bank, Mnuchin worked for famed billionaire investor George Soros a well-known Democratic donor. He then founded his own private-equity fund, Dune Capital Management. Among its most notable investments was the purchase of IndyMac from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation during the depths of the financial crisis in 2009. Dune led the consortium of investors who bought the failed subprime lender for about $1.6 billion, and Mnuchin oversaw the rebuilding of its business as chairman of the renamed OneWest. (A member of Trumps economic advisory team, John Paulson, was also part of the investor group.) Under Mnuchin, the bank more than doubled its branches and increased its assets. But it also faced criticism from advocacy groups who complained about aggressive foreclosure tactics. At one point, activists marched to Mnuchins home in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles to protest its treatment of customers. As treasury secretary, Mnuchin would be responsible for the Trump administrations response to the aftermath of the housing bust. A crisis-era program that helps homeowners refinance their mortgages, for example, is not scheduled to end until next year. He also would head the Financial Stability Oversight Council, which oversees some of the countrys largest financial institutions. Putting a Wall Street CEO in charge of his administrations oversight of Wall Street is dangerous and even more proof that Donald Trump is only interested in protecting corporations at the expense of working families, said Jessica Mackler, head of American Bridge 21st Century, a Democratic political action committee. In 2014, OneWest was sold to financial services firm CIT Group for $3.4 billion. Mnuchin is on CITs board of directors but is not involved in day-to-day operations. He owns about $100 million in company stock, according to compensation research firm Equilar. After moving to California with the purchase of IndyMac, Mnuchin also became involved in financing Hollywood films. Dune Capital invested in several blockbusters, including American Sniper, Gravity, Avatar and Life of Pi. Renae Merle contributed to this report. Donald Trumps transition team may have taken steps to distance itself from lobbyists, but the president-elect continues to get advice on energy policy from people working for think tanks heavily funded by oil companies. These advisers could influence Trumps choice of personnel for Cabinet jobs for Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department. And they could reshape a host of environmental policies and limits on mining and drilling. On Monday, Trump met with Kathleen Hartnett-White, a former chairman and member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality who is now a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The foundation has a board of directors stacked with oil industry executives and GOP activists. Koch Industries, an oil-based conglomerate that has funded a variety of libertarian political groups, was one of a broad range of original donors. Trumps transition team for energy also includes Thomas Pyle, head of American Energy Alliance (AEA), a wing of the Institute for Energy Research. Both groups have strong ties to the oil industry, including Koch Industries, for whom Pyle worked as a lobbyist eight years ago before heading the AEA. Neither returned calls seeking comment. They join Myron Ebell, another non-lobbyist who has spent more than a decade working for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which has received money from ExxonMobil in the past and more recently from an ultra-conservative funding entity called Donors Trust, staffed largely by people who have worked for Koch Industries or a nonprofit financed by brothers Charles Koch and David H. Koch. Gone are the registered lobbyists who did not want to agree to the transitions 13-point ethics guidelines for transition team members, including a six-month ban on lobbying after the transition or a five-year ban if they were to serve in the new administration. But Norman Eisen, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and President Obamas ethics adviser, said the restrictions should be broader: What good is a five-year lobbying ban if youre going to let all the non-lobbyist swamp creatures frolic in the murky waters of special influence? Hartnett-White, Pyle and Ebell have all expressed doubt about climate change and have criticized the findings of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a volunteer group of climate scientists whose findings are considered the gold standard of climate science. The IPCC not only issues forecasts, but also gathers and assesses data that have shown a steady trend of global warming and rising sea levels. I am not at all persuaded by the IPCC science that we are standing on some precipice, Hartnett-White told The Washington Post in October. Were not standing on a cliff from which we are about to fall off. Hartnett-White argued the United States had the mother lode of all hydrocarbon reserves and that the nation should not curtail development of those resources for the sake of climate concerns. She also criticized the Supreme Courts 2007 decision allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act. I take issue with that, she said. Carbon dioxide has none of the characteristics of a pollutant that could harm human health. When you stare at the words of the Clean Air Act, almost anything could be a pollutant, she added. Hartnett-White said she was not in favor of reducing the EPA to an advisory body, as some Trump advisers have recommended. But she said the agency should leave major decisions such as climate ones to Congress and should leave other regulation to the states. Though Hartnett-White had not spoken to Trump at the time of the October interview, she praised his written policy. He really wants the market to work, she said. That means that the government steps back, not forward. She also condemned other strategies for curbing carbon emissions. She said a carbon tax is like taxing food not only because food includes energy costs but also because of energys value to human welfare. And she said the Clean Power Plan would rip up this trillion dollar finely tuned electrical system to shut the coal plants. New to the transition team is Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, an advocacy group that promotes free-market energy policies. He replaced Mike McKenna, president of firm MWR Strategies, who stepped aside after the transition team asked advisers to drop their lobbying clients. Pyle earned $365,000 in 2014 from the nonprofit AEA and its sister group Institute for Energy Research. AEAs website argues that Obamas Clean Power Plan, which promotes energy efficiency and places strict limits on coal plants, fails on several fronts. Without immediate action by our elected officials to protect your state sovereignty, Americans could face diminished living standards and an uncertain future, it said. The group said Obamas new five-year plan to lease sites for drilling offshore was the most anemic in U.S. history. The group wants to end the renewable fuel standard for ethanol, end wind welfare by cutting tax credits that are being phased out, and calls the Obama administrations tightening of ozone standards the costliest regulation in U.S. history and all pain, no gain. The IERs website says the Obama administration violates rule of law by holding up the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota. It advocates an end to costly regulations, including a relaxation of federal fuel economy mandates that have shaved as much as 2 million barrels a day from U.S. oil consumption. The group proclaims its devotion to freely functioning energy markets. Id hit 40 by the time I began to write real words, writes Betty Fussell, now 89, in the preface to Eat, Live, Love, Die, her new essay collection. By then Id married a professional writer/teacher, typed and edited his manuscripts, raised two children, entertained like crazy, finished a doctorate in English Lit, taught Shakespeare, performed in community theaters, traveled as a family all over Europe, lived in Princeton, London, and Provence. Betty Fussell (Amy Dickerson) What Fussell doesnt say is that she was, like many midlife women of her generation, desperate to make up for lost time. She doesnt have to. A restless intelligence and energy pulses under the surface of these essays, even when the topic is as banal as the deliciousness of French chicken. The Beautiful Birds of Bresse, the magazine piece with which Fussell began her career in 1969, shows all the hallmarks of her work: scrupulous research, taut prose, arrestingly voluptuous descriptions of sensual pleasures (the meat of the French birds is thick as a fist, white as milk, juicy as melon ) juxtaposed with unsettling reminders of the price of those pleasures. In its last days the tasty French chicken was imprisoned in a dark cell, its gullet crammed by the farmers wife with a paste of corn and skimmed milk as it awaits the guillotine. Fussell takes the tragic view of both gastronomy and life: For her, pleasure and pain are inevitably intertwined. [Big Magic: Elizabeth Gilberts advice on how you, too, can eat, pray, love] The pieces gathered here span almost five decades and range from the food writing for which Fussell is best known (she has published acclaimed histories of corn and American beef) to travel journalism and autobiographical meditations. Whatever the subject at hand, Fussell meets the chief requirement of the essayist: Shes good company. Opinionated and sometimes caustic, she moves easily from high to low, from the scholarly to the deeply personal. She is as comfortable singing the praises of hamburgers as she is souffle au calvados, as confident in her allusions to 1930s radio jingles as in her quotations from Andrew Marvell. Although her reported pieces are strong, her best work here springs from her own life, a subject she mined for her 1999 memoir, My Kitchen Wars, about her unhappy marriage to historian Paul Fussell. In My Son the Body Builder, she writes of meeting her adult son, Sam, who had taken up bodybuilding, at the airport, likening him to a monster as he approaches: slow-thighed, arms flared by a massive chest, neck engulfing his jaw an incredible hulk who parted the crowd like the Red Sea and kept on coming. She proceeds to unpack the possible reasons for his obsession, genetic and Freudian, as well as her own complicated responses. "Eat Live Love Die: Selected Essays," by Betty Fussell (Counterpoint) In the deft Love and Mayonnaise, Fussell uses the creamy sauce as a metaphor for grace throughout her life. As a child, mayonnaise was sturdy Hellmanns from the jar, a delicacy she took for granted and spread on peanut butter sandwiches and vanilla ice cream. (She doesnt indicate that she knows how weird that is.) In adulthood, obsessed with French cooking, she began making mayonnaise from scratch and learned that real grace, like real mayonnaise, is anything but shelf stable. Her mayonnaise story culminates on a sweltering Greek island vacation with a group of boisterous friends, her husband, and her erstwhile lover. Anxious and unhappy, Fussell went through a dozen eggs and a liter of oil trying to make a basil mayonnaise that, despite all her strenuous efforts or perhaps due to her strenuous efforts wouldnt emulsify. Such failures, in Fussells view, make the fragile successes of both mayonnaise and life all the more precious. [Nora Pouillons My Organic Life] A few of these pieces feel like filler, such as Fussells 1989 homage to Alice Waters for the now-defunct magazine Savvy Woman, which tells us nothing we havent heard a hundred times about the sainted founder of Chez Panisse. The sketch is outdated, to boot. (Waters wrote the introduction to this book.) A two-page appreciation of the late food writer Elizabeth David also feels superfluous. Her portrait of M.F.K. Fisher, on the other hand, is memorable, perhaps because it springs from lived experience and her long-standing fascination with the celebrated writer. Fussell gives a precise and vivid account of lunch at Fishers home, rich with odd detail: Fisher, who was then 81 and in a wheelchair, wore a hot-pink blouse and a black velvet pantsuit, her hair held back in multicolored combs. The two women consumed tomatoes, sprouted wheat bread, and cheap wine. Im a junkie about writing, I have to have it, Fisher told Fussell. That is my way of screaming primally. Fussell is now older than Fisher was at the time, and you get the sense in these essays that writing has also been Fussells way of screaming primally. Fussell writes of her first encounter with Fishers work in the 1960s as she was about to embark her own career: That she could write so wittily, learnedly, and sexily about a subject as base as food shocked my Puritan upbringing and threatened my literary snobbery. But as I gobbled up her pages, I saw that food was merely the ruse of this libidinous oyster-eater, wolf-killer, gastronomical storyteller, kitchen allegorist, American humorist, metaphysical wit. She was an American original and a writer of the first order. Fussell might as well be describing herself. Jennifer Reese, the author of Make the Bread, Buy the Butter, writes the food blog the Tipsy Baker and lives in Mill Valley, Calif. Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: While I did very well in school and attended a prestigious university, I cant help but feel down. I procrastinated a lot I went into college hoping I would grow out of that, but I still did it, even though I got good results in the end. I havent yet found a job, mainly for lack of trying, although I have a plan for next year. The job search was just overwhelming and my response to its too much has been to shut down. Not a good thing, I know! So now I kind of have this feeling that since I didnt try, I might as well continue not trying because itll be pointless anyway. This isnt true logically, but its still there. How can I move on from this? Getting Over Apathy Getting Over Apathy: Im going to do what I set out not to do when I started this column: Skip trying to answer you and advise good counseling, and by good I mean really solutions-oriented, someone who will explore with you possible underlying conditions. ADHD, for example. (Nick Galifianakis/The Washington Post) Im not doing this because youre a hard case or because your struggle is unusual, but because achieving plus chronic procrastination suggests this isnt just about growing up. So take your questions about yourself and your habits and your performance to someone who can help you find pragmatic answers, and from there develop strategies based on your nature and your strengths. Its ridiculously common for us to think were broken when really were just on a path that doesnt suit us or we have obstacles that havent been diagnosed. That theres a Right Path for Everyone is a message our schooling tends to drill in, providing rich soil for your kind of discontent. Add to that a system that still isnt great for recognizing and serving alternate learning needs, and there are a lot of people who are getting by only at great cost to their senses of self. A trained guide can offer strategies, and even the aha moment you crave. Re: Apathy: Im in my mid-20s and work with undergrads. The ideal of college is so set on being an adult immediately out of high school, finding yourself, experiencing new things, getting a great education and having fun all at once that at times I find the whole thing paralyzing, and Im not even a student. Give yourself a break for not doing it all, and take a minute to be done. Then, get serious about applying for jobs. If you have to move home to do that, then move home with a plan. Maybe its applying to five jobs a week, or 10, and then do it. Its scary and disappointing. But its scary and disappointing for EVERYONE until it works out. Anonymous Re: Apathy: Are you by chance a high achiever? I used to get overwhelmed and upset when I couldnt do something perfectly or the right way. My response was to just not do it at all, which is not helpful. Instead of agonizing and avoiding, take small steps and be glad when something is done rather than done perfectly. Anonymous 2 Anonymous 2: Thanks. Carol Dwecks Mindset could be useful here as well. Coming soon to Baltimore: official government ID cards for people who live in the city. The City Council is moving ahead with a bill that would require the city to issue a municipal identification card to any resident who asks for one. The bills chief sponsor, council member Brandon Scott, said the idea is to make it easier for homeless people, immigrants and others who lack a drivers license to obtain services from the city. It would cut down on unnecessary arrests, Scott said, and bolster a sense of civic pride. Baltimore businesses and cultural institutions could offer discounts to cardholders. Its optional, but were going to encourage people to get one, Scott said. I hope to be the first to get one. Scotts legislation grew out of an effort he pushed last year on behalf of Baltimore students. Seeing that they needed four different ID cards to access schools, libraries, recreation centers and buses, Scott introduced legislation to combine those functions into one card. Now hes trying to expand the program to adults. These IDs will be available to homeless people, to immigrants and refugees, to women who are the victims of domestic abuse who cant get their documents in order to get another ID, Scott said. The legislation hasnt sparked much debate in heavily Democratic Baltimore. Its been praised by groups including the police department and the House of Ruth, a shelter for women and children who have suffered domestic abuse. [How Maryland is trying to make drivers licenses and ID cards more secure] But elsewhere, such proposals have been fought by those who oppose allowing immigrants in the country without legal documentation, such as the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which says such cards encourage lawbreaking. When New York City instituted municipal ID cards in 2014, the group said that the cards would draw illegal aliens to New York City by making life more practicable for them. The new Baltimore ID would have the same effect, a FAIR spokesman said. The reason we have so many illegal immigrants living in his country is because we make it easy for them, said Ira Mehlman, the spokesman. We provide all sorts of benefits for breaking the laws. A number of these local governments have lost sight of the reason why we have immigration laws. Scott disagrees. He said making life easier for immigrants those who are here with or without legal documentation is a strength of the legislation. He said immigrants often carry cash because they dont have proper identification to open bank accounts, making them targets for street robberies. Municipal ID cards are used in New York and Los Angeles. Its believed that the first city to issue municipal ID cards was New Haven, Conn., followed by San Francisco. The cities have taken different approaches. In Oakland, Calif., for example, the municipal ID cards can function as debit cards. Scott said he would like to explore that option for Baltimore because young people often cash their paychecks at check-cashing businesses that take a significant cut. Fernanda Durand, a spokeswoman for the advocacy group CASA, said ID cards have helped new immigrants in Montgomery County. We think it will do the same in Baltimore City, she said. People who have no IDs are living in the shadows. This is a small way to help them to get out of the shadows. They are hard-working members of the community who contribute to the economy. The legislation calls for applicants personal information to be promptly destroyed once they receive an ID. If someone comes calling about information about our immigrants, we wont have it because were going to be destroying it, Scott said. Durand said the victory of President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged during the campaign to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country without legal documentation, has created fear. We wouldnt want the city to be an unwilling participant in their deportation, she said. The bill has advanced with unanimous support in the City Council. It will receive a final vote Dec. 5. City Council President Bernard C. Jack Young(D) backs the measure, as does outgoing Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D). Signing the bill is expected to be one of her last acts in office. The Baltimore Police Department has also endorsed the bill. Andrew G. Vetter, the departments chief of staff, said officers often face an unenviable situation when confronting low-level offenses on the streets. If the suspect can show identification, the officer is allowed to issue a citation instead of making an arrest. The officer cant do so if the person has no ID. An arrest can make it more difficult for that person to get a job and more likely that they will be arrested in the future, Vetter said. David Rocah, senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, said Scotts legislation has avoided the problems that other ID plans present, such as infringing on civil liberties. It creates no database and the personal information is destroyed, Rocah said. This proposal seems aimed at avoiding all of those problems, he said. The Baltimore Finance Department has yet to determine a cost of issuing the cards. Scott said he anticipates the ID cards would be available next year. This is the 69-year-old leader's second admission in the same hospital this year. By India Today Web Desk: Congress president Sonia Gandhi is down with viral fever and has been admitted to New Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. "Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to the hospital on account of viral fever. She will be in hospital for two days," Congress spokesperson RS Surjewala said. "Mrs Gandhi's routine tests are being conducted. She is better today and will likely be discharged in a day or two," Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's Dr DS Rana told reporters. advertisement This is the 69-year-old leader's second admission in the same hospital this year. On August 3, Sonia was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital with fever, dehydration and shoulder injury after she fell ill during a rally in Varanasi. She had undergone a surgery during that admission. Watch the video here: Also read: Sonia Gandhi to India Today: I'm not the right person to decide on Rahul's elevation as Congress chief --- ENDS --- THE DISTRICT Arrests made in two slayings District police have arrested suspects in two fatal shootings that occurred hours apart on Sunday afternoon in the Navy Yard neighborhood and near Anacostia in Southeast. In the first shooting, police said they charged Babajide Pittman, 31, with second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. The victim, Anthony Young, 27, of Southeast was shot about 1:45 p.m. during what police described as a dispute between two people who knew each other. It occurred in the 600 block of L Street SE. Peter Hermann MARYLAND Woman dies after house fire A woman taken to a hospital after being burned in a house fire last week has died. Emily Novotny, 74, of Riverdale was rescued by firefighters from a blaze on Nov. 23 in the 6300 block of Sheridan Street in Riverdale, according to the Prince Georges County Fire Department. She was taken to a hospital, where she died Sunday. Lynh Bui Pot board to hire diversity consultant Medical cannabis regulators plan to hire a diversity consultant to help address criticism over the underrepresentation of African American owners among the businesses awarded preliminary licenses to grow marijuana. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission announced the plans at a meeting Monday, where it also awarded 102 preliminary licenses to open medical marijuana dispensaries. The names of those companies will be revealed Dec. 9. Fenit Nirappil VIRGINIA Man and child die in crash A man and a toddler from Virginia were killed after the car they were traveling in struck a delivery truck in Prince William County on Monday morning, police said. Officers responded to Lee Highway and Heathcote Boulevard in Gainesville about 9:50 a.m. for a reported crash, Prince William County police said in a statement. An investigation showed that Daniel Sasha Velasco, 32, of Gainesville was headed north on Lee Highway in a 1999 Honda Accord with Ronin William Velasco, 2, in the back seat when the car struck the rear of a delivery truck stopped at the intersection. The Velascos were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck stayed there, according to the statement. He was not injured. Man accused of fatally stabbing wife Police in Fairfax County allege that Yesenia Membrano-Diaz, 35, of Alexandria was fatally stabbed Monday in the Mount Vernon area by her husband, Ricardo Molina-Martinez, who they say is in his late 40s. The incident occurred before dawn in the 8400 block of Diablo Court near Richmond Highway. Dana Hedgpeth Police identify man killed on Thanksgiving Police in Fairfax County have identified the victim of a Thanksgiving Day killing in Falls Church. Leif Erick Ohlsson, 69, was killed about 10 p.m. on Nov. 24 at his apartment in the 5500 block of Seminary Road. Three men were arrested on Friday. Fredy Cisneros Agustin, 24, was charged with murder and burglary. Gabriel Coca, 31, and Jose Nasario Perez Amaya, 27, were charged with burglary. Rachel Weiner In Sarasota, Fla., someone pulled a 75-year-old gay man from his car and beat him, saying: You know my new president says we can kill all you f------ now. In San Antonio, a man told an Asian girl: When they see your eyes, you are going to be deported. A teacher in Wesley Chapel, Fla., told black students: Dont make me call Donald Trump to get you sent back to Africa. The Southern Poverty Law Center documented 867 hate incidents in the 10 days after Donald Trump was elected president, more than 300 of which included direct references to the president-elect or his campaign rhetoric. The incidents documented in the media or reported through a form on the centers website included vandalism of places of worship, attacks on Muslim women in headscarves and bullying of Hispanic students in schools. The center also counted 23 incidents it classified as anti-Trump, including one in which someone grabbed a man wearing a Trump hat by the neck on a subway in New York. Ethnic intimidation and hate crimes are hardly new. Because the center only began tracking incidents after the election, it is impossible to determine whether Trumps candidacy and election coincided with a rise in incidents. But Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said many of those who reported being harassed or targeted said they were shocked because they had never experienced anything like it, leading him and others to conclude that the divisive campaign has emboldened harassers. Were seeing something new in its intensity and ferocity, Cohen said. In releasing the new report Tuesday Ten Days After the center and other civil rights organizations assailed Trump, accusing him of inspiring acts of violence and harassment and of being too tepid in his condemnation of those behind them. They cited what they think is a rise in acts of hate primarily targeting women, minorities and immigrants. [Read the Southern Poverty Law Centers report, Ten Days After] Trump said in a 60 Minutes interview that news of Muslims and Hispanics being harassed saddened him. I would say dont do it, thats terrible, because Im gonna bring this country together, Trump said in the 60 Minutes interview. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it. [Stop it, Trump tells supporters who are spreading hate. Is it enough?] Trumps transition team released a statement late Tuesday, saying that Trump denounces racism of any kind and vows to be a leader for every American. To think otherwise is a complete misrepresentation of the movement that united Americans from all backgrounds, the statement said. For anyone to conclude these senseless acts are the result of the election is disappointing and gives an excuse for their appalling behavior. Civil rights leaders have called on Trump to apologize to groups that have been targeted, including the Muslim community in Jersey City, where Trump falsely claimed Muslims celebrated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. What he hasnt done is acknowledge that his own words have sparked this barrage of hate that were seeing, Cohen said Tuesday. Instead of pretending to be surprised by the pervasive hate that has infected our country, Mr. Trump needs to take responsibility for it and repair the damage that he caused. Leaders also called on Trump to rescind some of his political appointments, which they say signal that bigotry will follow him to the White House. Some of his selections indicate that the bigoted and divisive rhetoric that we saw in the campaign will continue as a matter of policy and practice in the White House, said Brenda F. Abdelall of Muslim Advocates. If President-elect Trump wants to bring America together and be a leader for all Americans, he will need to disavow the dangerous proposals and ideas that single out and demonize Muslims and other communities. Abdelall said that the FBI documented a 67 percent rise in hate crimes against Muslims between 2014 and 2015 and that her organization, which has been tracking hate crimes, suspects that number will rise again in 2016. [Hate crimes against Muslims hit highest mark since 2001] The center also surveyed educators in the wake of the election, and many reported elevated levels of anxiety among students, particularly immigrants who are concerned about what Trumps election means for them and their families. They also reported bullying in which students repurposed campaign rhetoric to harass their classmates, including telling Hispanic students they were going to be deported. Others have taken Trumps words captured in a 2005 videotape as license to assault girls. [The Trump Effect: Report says 2016 campaign is causing an alarming level of fear and anxiety for children of color] I have had one male student grab a female students crotch and tell her that its legal for him to do that now to her, said an elementary school teacher in Minnesota. Eighth-grade students across the United States showed some improvement in math and science over the past four years, but fourth-graders performance was stagnant and students in both groups continued to trail many of their peers in Asia, according to the results of a major international exam released Tuesday. The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS, was administered to nearly 600,000 students in dozens of education systems across the globe in 2015. U.S. scores are likely to stoke renewed debate among politicians, educators and business leaders about why math and science achievement has not improved more quickly relative to other nations. U.S. fourth-graders, for example, scored an average of 539 out of 1,000 possible points in math, down two points from the average in 2011. Scores have risen at both grade levels and in both math and science since TIMSS was first given in 1995. Matt Larson, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, said the long-term trend is heartening and means far more than the change over a four-year span. Certainly we have much more work to do and achievement is not as high as we would like to have it, Larson said. But the trajectory is positive, and it may indicate that some of the efforts weve made over the past two and a half decades are making a difference. The average score of U.S. eighth-graders rose from 509 in 2011 to 518 in 2015, painting a picture of improvement that contradicts results on another important assessment: the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called the Nations Report Card. On that test, eighth-graders showed a decline in achievement from 2011 to 2015. Peggy Carr, acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, said she did not know why the results of the two tests show such different patterns. But she said that the national exam tends toward questions that are more complex than the questions on TIMSS. [U.S. students slip on national test] On TIMSS, the average score of U.S. fourth-graders in math put them behind students in 10 other systems: Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, Northern Ireland and Ireland, Norway, and the Flemish portion of Belgium. In Singapore, for example, 50 percent of students scored high enough to be considered advanced in math, compared with just 14 percent of U.S. students who reached that benchmark. U.S. fourth-graders average score was indistinguishable from nine other systems and higher than 34 systems. U.S. students ranked comparably in science. David Evans, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, said the slow progress is cause for some concern but is not surprising given that Americans so often treat science and math as inscrutable fields of study that arent essential to becoming educated in the same way that reading and writing are. During the two decades in which TIMSS has been administered, he said, the time devoted to science has decreased as schools under pressure to raise standardized test scores have focused their attention on math and reading. But there has been no big change in the way science has been taught in the United States. Evans said that he is now hopeful that new science standards that have been adopted by a growing number of states and that push students to solve problems and learn about science by doing science will make a difference, prompting bigger gains in the coming years. I think were right now at the very beginning of what could be a very significant change in the way we teach science, Evans said. Also released Tuesday were the results of TIMSS Advanced, a study of the performance of high school seniors who take advanced courses in physics and math. Those students achievement is unchanged since 1995, the only other year in which the United States participated in that exam. Among fourth- and eighth-grade students, the gender gap has narrowed or closed in math and science, according to TIMSS results. But there continues to be a yawning gender gap among the advanced high school seniors: Males scored 46 points higher than females in physics, and 30 points higher in math. Baltimore Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh (D) serves residents of the Baltimore Community of the Goodwill on Nov. 23. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post) The list of challenges facing the next mayor of Baltimore is daunting: enduring poverty, widespread blight, high unemployment, low high-school-graduation rates, troubling crime levels and allegations of police misconduct. You couldnt pay me to do that job, said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), the dean of Marylands political establishment and a self-described resident of Baltimores inner, inner city. But Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh (D), who will be sworn into office Tuesday , says she has wanted nothing more than to serve as Baltimores chief executive since taking a seat on the City Council in 1999. Pugh, who went from the council to the state legislature and rose to Senate majority leader, is pledging to help close the gap between troubled parts of Charm City and those that have boomed with development and economic growth in recent years. Im in my dream job, and this is where I want to be, said the 66-year-old Philadelphia native, who moved to Baltimore in the 1970s to attend Morgan State University. Ill be here until this city becomes the greatest in America. This place has loved me, and Im loving it back. [Baltimore teens voice their anguish through art] A former high school cheerleader, Pugh became an avid runner in her mid-20s and spearheaded an effort to create the Baltimore Marathon in 2001. Colleagues describe her as soft-spoken in public but forceful behind closed doors, and they say she prepares tirelessly and pursues her goals relentlessly like any distance runner should. One thing about her that can be good and bad is that when she sets her mind on a goal, nothing stops her from attaining it, said state Del. Curtis S. Anderson (D-Baltimore). Its more or less using facts to support her position and the intonation in her voice that makes you think, Damn, okay, that must be right. Pugh helped usher police-accountability measures through the Senate this year, after Baltimore resident Freddie Gray died of injuries he suffered while in police custody. She also pushed legislation that would require employers to offer paid sick leave, an effort that prompted first lady Michelle Obama to invite Pugh to her box for President Obamas final State of the Union address. Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh brainstorms with members of Bloomberg Philanthropies at John Hopkins University in Baltimore earlier this month. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post) Pugh, who will be the 50th mayor of Baltimore, succeeds outgoing Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D), who decided against running for reelection following the riots that erupted after Grays death. While Rawlings-Blake has had a noticeably cool relationship with Gov. Larry Hogan (R), Pugh appears to be on good terms with him. The governor plans to deliver remarks at her inauguration next week. Outside the legislature, Pughs experiences include running a clothing boutique and public- relations firm, launching an African American newspaper, hosting a television talk show and authoring childrens books. She also established a design school for Baltimore students in grades 6 through 12 and created a program that raised money for children to participate in the arts. None of her grandest ideas would have come to fruition, she says, without networking and connections. If you surround yourself with the right people and get them to buy in, you can get it done, she said. Its about learning whats around you, whos around you. A few days before Thanksgiving, Pugh huddled with members of her transition team at Johns Hopkins University, brainstorming with experts from the schools Center for Government Excellence and meeting with representatives from Bloomberg Philanthropies, which she hopes will invest more in the city. During the campaign, she worked to gain the trust of community organizers and grass-roots activists, said Baltimore NAACP President Tessa Hill-Aston, seeking their input on how to improve schools and housing and get the crime and drug problem under control. She went around talking to all the right people, Hill-Aston said. [City seeks new mayor to heal its wounds] Pugh, who is divorced and has no children, lives in Ashburton, a neighborhood in northwest Baltimore. She beat 12 other candidates in a crowded Democratic primary, narrowly defeating second-place finisher and former mayor Sheila Dixon, who left office in 2010 as part of a plea agreement for an embezzlement conviction. Pugh easily won the general election, despite a write-in campaign launched by Dixon. As mayor, Pugh says, she wants to expand Baltimores housing options without pushing out lower-income residents. She plans to clear blighted properties, promote more affordable housing in new residential developments and aggressively market some of the citys middle- and working-class neighborhoods to real estate investors. Pugh has avoided criticizing Rawlings-Blake and says she will retain several key members of Rawlings-Blakes administration, including Police Chief Kevin Davis, who helped implement the departments body-camera program and training for officers to respond to civil unrest, and city Health Commissioner Leana Wen, who has deployed new methods for fighting opioid addiction. She wants to increase neighborhood-watch programs and citizen patrols and include civilians on trial boards for police accused of misconduct. Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh, right, poses for a selfie after a transition team announcement. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun) The mayor-elect has also said she will push to assume greater local control of Baltimores public-school system, which has received increased state oversight and funding since 1997. Her bill to strip the governor of the power to appoint city school board members died in committee this year. But allies say Pugh can be formidable in dealing with such roadblocks. After she was elected to the Senate in 2007, she began pushing legislation to raise the compulsory school-attendance age from 16 to 18. Her bill failed at first, amid concern about the cost of keeping would-be dropouts in school and the impact on teacher shortages and crowded classrooms. Pugh said the state had an obligation to pay for kids to attend school until they were old enough to graduate. She pressured the legislature to create a task force to recommend ways for schools to prepare themselves for such a change. After the work group released its report, Pugh pushed the legislation again, this time rallying support from the Legislative Black Caucus and tweaking the plan so that it would be phased in over a number of years. The measure passed in 2012. Shes not a quitter, said state Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam (D-Baltimore City). She takes great pride in the things she does. Pugh doesnt apologize for her determined approach. I always told the lobbyists, if Ive got a bill on the floor, make sure you load up with everything youve got, she said. Because Im coming to win and get my legislation done. A bus passes the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring, where an explosion and fire in August killed seven and left about 100 homeless. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved legislation Tuesday to make a suburb that has been a bastion of homeownership more hospitable for residents who rent. The bill, sponsored by council member Marc Elrich (D-At Large), would require annual county inspections of problem apartment buildings that generate numerous code violations. It also establishes a repair and deduct provision that under certain circumstances would allow tenants to fix problems and deduct the cost from their rent if landlords are slow to respond. Landlords would have to offer tenants who renew their lease an option to stay for two years, and county housing officials would have to make apartment rents and other data they collect in an annual survey available to the public. The countys housing director would report to the council each year on code citations issued and fines paid broken out by specific landlords. County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) is expected to sign the bill into law. About one-third of Montgomery residents rent their housing, according to census data. Tenant advocates contend that while Montgomerys renter population has grown, county policies until now have remained oriented toward homeowners and primarily have benefited landlords and property management companies whose campaign contributions afford them political clout. The Elrich bill, co-sponsored by council members Nancy Navarro (D-Mid-County) and Tom Hucker (D-Eastern County), went through two years of committee hearings and behind-the-scenes negotiations with property owners and tenant groups. Some of Elrichs original provisions fell out of the final version, including one that would have barred landlords from adding rent surcharges if a tenant wanted to switch to a month-to-month lease. A proposal for a standard lease to be used in all rental properties was also eliminated. Still, Elrich called it a very good bill. Steve Silverman, a former council member and county economic development director who lobbied on behalf of major property owners affected by the bill, said the legislation offers a fair and balanced approach. His clients included including Bozzuto, Southern Management, Tower Cos. and Washington Property. The bill does not provide renters with some of the major protections available elsewhere. The District, for example, has a strong rent-control law, while Montgomery County under this bill would continue to recommend an annual rent-increase limit that is strictly voluntary and often ignored by landlords. There is also no specific protection for tenants against retaliatory evictions. Montgomery landlords can still decline to renew a lease without offering a specific, or legitimate, reason. Matt Losak, executive director of the Montgomery County Renters Alliance, said that while he welcomes the bill, its provisions are modest compared with other jurisdictions where the cost of housing is rapidly escalating. Its a good start, Losak said. But there is much work to be done. Council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) said he was drafting additional legislation that would move the county more toward the District model, where tenants can raise issues without fear of reprisal. The Districts Office of the Tenant Advocate, for example, offers legal advice and can represent tenants in court. Montgomerys Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs is more limited in its reach, providing information and adjudicating certain disputes, but not specifically advocating for tenants. Tenants do need more muscle behind them, and a safe place to go, Berliner said. Elrichs bill gained momentum in the aftermath of Augusts deadly explosion and fire at the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring. The disaster, which left seven dead, 39 injured and 63 families homeless, trained a spotlight on poor conditions at the 362-apartment community. Records showed frequent evidence of mice, roaches, mold from water damage and other substandard conditions. Justin Sullivan plotted to kill hundreds of people in North Carolina and Virginia on behalf of the Islamic State and wanted a silencer for a gun. So he had one built from a flashlight and delivered to the Morganton, N.C., house he shared with his parents. When his parents asked what he planned to do with it, he tried to have them killed. The person he offered to pay to kill his parents and who sent him the silencer was an undercover FBI employee. Sullivan, 20, admitted his plot on Tuesday, pleading guilty in federal court in North Carolina to attempting to commit acts of terrorism. According to court documents, Sullivan began watching videos of Islamic State beheadings and other atrocities on his laptop in September 2014. He converted to Islam, announced his support for the Islamic State to his parents and destroyed some of their religious objects. I liked IS from the beginning then I started thinking about death and stuff so I became Muslim, he later told the FBI employee, the indictment in the case said. By June 2015, Sullivan had made contact with Junaid Hussain, an Islamic State recruiter who was reported killed in a drone strike in Syria two months later. A British hacker-turned-militant, Hussain encouraged several attempted terrorist attacks in the United States. A Kosovo-based hacker passed along personal information about U.S. military personnel to Hussain. According to authorities, Hussain asked Sullivan to film a video of his deadly attack for use by the Islamic State. Sullivan agreed. Ill kill people this month, he told the FBI agent on June 7, 2015. Sullivan said he would carry out his attack in a bar, club or concert, where he hoped to kill as many as 1,000 people. Court documents do not say if he identified a specific target. He was arrested two weeks later. Sullivan is also suspected of killing a 74-year-old neighbor, John Bailey Clark, to get enough money to finance his terrorist attack, authorities said. They said Sullivan admitted that he stole a .22-caliber rifle from his stepfathers gun cabinet. Forensic testing linked the rifle to Clarks death. According to court documents, Sullivan also said that the $689 he planned to use to buy an AR-15 rifle and ammunition at a gun show came from Clark. But he has not confessed to the murder. Prosecutors said Sullivan has agreed to a sentence of life in prison, which is the maximum penalty for attempting to commit terrorism. The Maryland Natural Resources Police put out this sketch that shows what a teenager may have looked like. Partial skeletal remains were found in May of a young man at Cunningham Falls State Park, in Frederick County, Md. (Courtesy of Maryland Natural Resources Police) Authorities have released a reconstructed image of a male teenager whose remains were found this past spring in a Maryland state park, as they investigate his death. Partial skeletal remains of a young, black male were found in a wooded area near Cunningham Falls State Park, in Frederick County, according to the Maryland Natural Resources Police. It is believed the victim died one to two years before his remains were found. Based on a forensic anthropologists review, the victim is thought to have been between ages 16 and 19 and about 5-foot-6. Authorities said they did not have any details on his eye or hair color. A forensic artist made the rendering based on a facial reconstruction. Officials said they were not able to recover the mans jaw bone but were able to use a suitable match to create the reconstruction. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-260-8888. By India Today Web Desk: Googling (yes, an official verb now) for the latest on a politician is a journalist's second nature. But what the writer of this story came across as soon as he started working on a story on Congress president Sonia Gandhi admitted to a New Delhi hospital would surprise even the most cynic journalists. As soon as he finished typing 'Sonia Gandhi illness' and pressed enter, the first link that popped up among the thousands was, no surprise, from Quora, a question-and-answer site where queries are asked, answered, edited and organised by its users. The blurb that appears on top of the search results page reads: "Sonia Gandhi is a chronic sickularist, currently she is showing symptoms of allergy to saffron, and developing an intolerant disorder, and she sees communal in everything, so her sickular disease is in a grave state as of now." advertisement 'Sickular', a take on secular, is a term most used by right-wing politicians and their supporters in India who accuse the Congress and other centrist parties of understanding secularism as "Muslim appeasement". When you go to the Quora link from where the above text is taken, you encounter the complete answer by the user named Vikram Yashashvi. Yashashvi's long answer to the question - 'What's Sonia Gandhi's disease?' - suggests the "virus" that affects the Congress chief as well as her son and party vice-president Rahul is "sickular", which he says is "hereditary". Yashashvi then goes on to write that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "successfully begun to contain the disease in India, and soon there will be a vaccine for it". Also read: Sonia Gandhi in hospital again, has viral fever His complete answer: "Most of the Indians believe that Sonia Gandhi has been afflicted by a disease which contains the word sick in it. So she is continuously sick, and has travelled abroad for treatment without finding a cure. While international medical experts failed to identify the disease, the common Indians in last few years have discovered that the virus that afflicts Sonia Gandhi is called 'sickular' Sonia Gandhi is a chronic sickularist, currently she is showing symptoms of allergy to saffron, and developing an intolerant disorder, and she sees communal in everything, so her sickular disease is in a grave state as of now. Researchers who thought the disease is contagious, are now equally baffled because it is discovered that the disease may be hereditary as well. Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul Gandhi has been afflicted too, and in addition to the symptoms of his mother, Rahul Gandhi displays additional symptoms of siding with seditious people, forgetting something in every sentence including names and gender of person he addresses, he has trouble reading properly from given notes, and repeats same sentences to different questions posed, sometimes the disease makes him so aggressive that he can shred the authority of the highest office publicly in India, but he is not penalized because of pity people take on him for being badly afflicted with sickular disease. There is however a reason to cheer. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has successfully begun to contain the disease in India, and soon there will be a vaccine for it." It is possible that Yashashvi, like hundreds on Twitter and Facebook, might be a social media troll, who often show their affection for a particular political party or ideology. After all, his answer has 89 upvotes so far, while the top answer, more explanatory and objective, has just eight. Also read: Sonia Gandhi to India Today: I'm not the right person to decide on Rahul's elevation as Congress chief --- ENDS --- A D.C. man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a September homicide in Prince Georges County, police said. On Sept. 8 about 11 a.m., officers responded to the 2500 block of Southern Avenue in Temple Hills for the report of a shooting, Prince Georges County Police said in a statement. The officers found 52-year-old George Barnes, of Temple Hills, suffering from a gunshot wound, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died, the statement said. [Police in Prince Georges County identify man shot and killed in Temple Hills] On Tuesday, 26-year-old John Hazelwood, of Southeast, was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder, assault and weapons charges, according to the statement, and is being held without bond. An investigation showed Hazelwood shot Barnes inside Barness apartment building and fled, police said. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, they said. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 301-772-4925 or submit a tip to pgcrimesolvers.com. Aleah Thompson, on left, at 6 to 9 weeks, and on right, at an unknown age. (Montgomery County States Attorneys Office) The initial allegations in the case were brutal: Robert Davidson, a 24-year-old father in Rockville, had sexually abused his 10-week-old daughter and then killed her. In court Monday at Davidsons plea hearing it became even more clear how much the little girl had suffered in her short life. The autopsy of Aleah Thompson showed a broken collarbone and 34 rib fractures in various states of healing, Assistant States Attorney Mary Herdman said in court. The injuries occurred during at least three severely traumatic events and appeared to be the result of Aleahs chest being constricted, Herdman said. Davidson specifically pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a minor and first-degree child abuse resulting in death. As part of his entering the plea, prosecutors agreed to drop an additional charge of second-degree murder. Davidson didnt speak Monday, but could do so when he is sentenced in February. He faces up to 50 years in prison. Robert Davidson pleaded guilty to sex abuse and child abuse in the case on Monday. (Montgomery County Police Department) Herdman laid out many of the details advanced last year when Davidson was arrested: On June 23, 2015, she said, Davidson called police and medics to an apartment where he lived with Aleah and Aleahs mother, Lorena Thompson. She was at work at the time. The police and medics arrived to find Davidson trying to perform CPR on the child. Aleah died three days later at a hospital. Davidson initially told detectives hed been in the living room playing video games when he heard labored breathing coming from a bedroom. He went to check on Aleah, he had said, and found her limp and unresponsive. Davidson also told police that he had dropped his daughter several times and that she had rolled off a couch. He later admitted to police that he had shaken Aleah, according to Herdman. An autopsy found the child died of multiple blunt force injuries. Doctors found injuries to her head, eyes and spine, Herdman said. A forensic anthropologist examined Aleahs bones, and determined she had suffered severe trauma during the first two weeks of her life, several weeks after that, and just before her death, Herdman said. Earlier, Leahs mother wrote: Feels like Ive died again inside. The exact nature of the sexual abuse allegations remains disputed. In court Monday, Davidsons attorney, Ronald Gottlieb, said that his client had told detectives he was trying to remove mucus and other substances. Lorena Thompson earlier pleaded guilty to neglect in the case (Montgomery County Police Department) He never admitted to doing it for a sexual gratification, but the actual act itself he has admitted to, Gottlieb said. Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to seek no more than 50 years in prison for Davidson. Aleahs mother also was charged in the case. On July 22, 2016, she pleaded guilty to neglect of a minor. Police and prosecutors alleged she had seen bruising on her girl and suspected Davidson had inflicted the injuries, but she took no action. She was sentenced to five years of probation, according to court records. George Bol forced a girl into a church kitchen and inappropriately touched her, police said. (Courtesy of Fairfax County Police) A man forced a 12-year-old girl into a kitchen at a Fairfax County church and inappropriately touched her, police said. The incident happened about 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church on Gallows Road in Annandale, according to Fairfax County Police. The girl told church members about the incident and they told her parents. Authorities arrested and charged George Bol of Falls Church with abduction and aggravated sexual battery. Police said the girl did not require medical attention. As a member of a police crime suppression team, you apparently learn what to look for. On Monday evening, in the Districts lively H Street NE corridor , members of such a team used eyes and ears to spot signs of trouble, and acted on them, according to a police account. They said they saw a man hurry into a business in the 1200 block of H Street NE. Then, they heard what they described as a physical altercation. That often can be considered to represent a fight. Next, the police saw the man who went into the business come out again. When he did, they said, he appeared to be clutching his waist area. He was doing this in the way that a person would if he had stuck something into his belt that was relatively heavy, and that he did not wish to drop. As the police described it, in his grasp of his waistband, he seemed to be matching the characteristics of an armed gunman. The man took flight, in what police described as an attempt to get away from the officers. But they said, a man was stopped and held. Police said they seized a 40 caliber pistol. It had 12 rounds in the magazine, and one in the chamber, they said. They said someone from the place where the robbery occurred took a look at the man. The man was placed under arrest, police said. They noted that they recovered a large amount of cash which was taken in the robbery. As for the sounds of the physical altercation, police said, were determined to be the sounds of an armed robbery. President-elect Donald Trump picked a Washington insider Tuesday for his secretary of transportation, selecting former labor secretary Elaine L. Chao for the post. Secretary Chaos extensive record of strong leadership and her expertise are invaluable assets in our mission to rebuild our infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner, Trump said in a statement. Chao became the first Asian American woman to be named to a Cabinet post in 2001 and went on to head the Labor Department under George W. Bush for eight years. In naming a former Cabinet member, who has been married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993, Trump selected another Washington insider after campaigning on a promise to drain the swamp of the influences that he said permeate the capital. [Donald Trump is showing just how tough it is to drain the swamp] Chao is expected to play a critical role in the administration if the president-elect follows through on his campaign promise to invest $1 trillion in restoring bridges, roadways and transit systems over the next 10 years. The President-elect has outlined a clear vision to transform our countrys infrastructure, accelerate economic growth and productivity, and create good paying jobs across the country, Chao said in a statement released with Trumps announcement. That would make her Trumps point person in negotiating his legislative agenda to achieve that plan with congressional leaders, presumably including her husband. Congress has struggled to come up with money to meet transportation needs in recent years, as the traditional source of revenue the federal gas tax has fallen short. [Trump promised $1 trillion for roads and bridges. The trick now is finding the cash.] There are sticky differences between what Trump has proposed and what Congress has shown itself willing to accept. For example, congressional Republicans have been sticklers about what are called pay-fors. If spending is to expand, they insist on knowing where the money will come from. The heart of Trumps revitalization plan is issuing massive tax credits to investors who would step in to build and rebuild infrastructure. But his pay-for is the questionable belief that putting construction workers and contractors on the job will yield new tax income that will compensate for the tax credits. McConnell and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) are critical players both in negotiating with the administration and quieting fractious members often from their own party who might obstruct their goals. Whether Chao will negotiate directly with her husband was unclear Tuesday. Let me be quite clear, I will not be recusing myself, McConnell said. I think it was an outstanding choice. The pace of Chaos nomination is likely to move quickly, as her recent public service means that there are somewhat recent vetting files on her. McConnell promised to quickly move ahead with hearings on some nominees even before Trump is sworn in Jan. 20. We hope on January 20 that, even though theres a lot going on that day, we hope to be able to vote on and confirm a number of the presidents selections for the cabinet so that he can get started, McConnell said. If Chao is confirmed, it would not be the first time that a Cabinet member has been put in position to deal directly with a spouse. Elizabeth Dole served as secretary of transportation during the Reagan administration during a period when her husband, Bob Dole, was Senate majority leader. Samuel K. Skinner, who hired Chao after he was transportation secretary under President George H.W. Bush, described her as an effective communicator with Congress. Her relationships in Washington are really deep and very well-respected, and that helps a lot, Skinner said. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), the incoming Senate minority leader, said in a statement that he hopes Chao is willing to work with Democrats. Senate Democrats have said that if President-elect Trump is serious about a major infrastructure bill, backed by real dollars and not just tax credits and without cutting other programs like health care and education, that we are ready to work with his administration, Schumer said. [Trump names Rep. Tom Price as next HHS secretary] Since departing the Bush administration, Chao served as a fellow at the Heritage Foundation and, more recently, as a fellow with the Hudson Institute, a Washington think-tank headed by conservative commentator Kenneth R. Weinstein. She also has been a contributor to Fox News. She served four years as president of United Way. Before becoming politically active, Chao was a vice president of Bank of America and an international banker at Citicorp. A career in public service that began as a White House fellow in Ronald Reagans administration grew to stops in the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. She served as a deputy secretary of transportation under George H.W. Bush and went on to direct the Peace Corps for two years in the early 1990s. As secretary of labor, Chao and two other Cabinet members took a bus tour across the country to promote George W. Bushs tax cuts. She earned a reputation for reforming regulations and restructuring the department. During a major West Coast labor dispute at several ports, the Bush administration invoked the Taft-Hartley Act for the first time since 1971. Her tenure as secretary of labor was not free of controversy. Labor leaders remain hostile after her sharp-elbowed approach to unions set the tone. Shortly after she left office in 2009, she touted her departments crackdown on unions. From 2001-2008, the Labor Department secured more than 1,000 union fraud-related indictments and 929 convictions, she claimed in a Heritage Foundation essay, though she provided no specifics. The Government Accountability Office said in a report that her department did not fully investigate when low-wage workers lodged complaints against their employers over failure to pay the minimum wage or overtime. Chao also faced criticism in two mining disasters that occurred after coal mine inspections were reduced. In the Sago Mine incident in 2006, 12 miners were killed. The following year, three rescue workers died at Crandall Canyon Mine as they tried to reach trapped miners. Though Chao announced beefed up inspections after the two disasters, an inspector generals report in 2008 found that many mines still went uninspected. [Meet the key players in fundraising scandal] Chao also faced controversy involving her husband. In 1999, a House committee heard testimony from John Huang, a former midlevel Commerce Department official, who said that Chao asked him to contribute to McConnell. The Indonesian company for which he worked, Huang said, illegally reimbursed him for the $2,000 contribution. Huang later pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws for funneling $100,000 to Bill Clintons 1996 reelection campaign. Chaos selection creates a strong tie among two people who otherwise have little in common McConnell and Trump, whose relationship during the campaign was neither confrontational nor cordial. Early in the primary season, McConnell did not support Trumps candidacy, but he never wavered once Trump wrapped up the nomination and was destined to be on the ticket this fall. Chao, 63, was born and received her early education in Taiwan. Chao, her mother and two sisters immigrated to the United States in 1961. She was 8 years old when the family arrived. We didnt speak any English and we were not familiar with any of the American customs. We left behind everything that was near and dear to us our families, our friends, my schooling, and our tradition and our culture and our food, Chao told graduates at Indianas DePauw University in a 2002 address. During the early, difficult days, Chao said, it was the kindness and the helping hands of strangers, who soon became neighbors and our friends, that helped us smooth our transition. After high school in Upstate New York, she received an economics degree from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Chao was steeped in the transportation world early. Starting as a young girl, she watched her father build a global shipping business. He still runs the company, the Foremost Group, with two of Chaos sisters. Chaos perspectives on transportation and management were also shaped in part by her stints in corporate boardrooms. She served as a director at Northwest Airlines, where she was granted lifetime travel benefits before the airline was acquired by Delta. She was also a former director at Parsons, the international construction company. Lori Aratani, Paul Kane, Michael Laris and Martine Powers contributed to this report. This story was updated on Dec. 19 to reflect Chaos role with the Hudson Institute. A proposal to close Metro services earlier is intended to allow more hours of track work on the system. Metro says it needs to reduce service hours so another SafeTrack program wont be necessary. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post) Metro would close at 1 a.m. on weekends and 11:30 p.m. weeknights under a proposal being recommended to the agencys board this week, an effort by General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld to carve out more time for track work and respond to pleas to maintain some late-night service. The proposal, which Metro acknowledges disproportionately impacts minorities and low-income riders, was the overwhelming preference among the unprecedented 16,000 public comments it received on the issue selected by 45 percent of respondents, Metro said. Under the recommendation, Metro would close at 11:30 p.m. weeknights and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday hours would be 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; the system would continue to open at 5 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on Saturdays. The proposal will be presented to the board at its Thursday meeting and have its first vote in a board committee. Wiedefeld issued a moratorium on late-night service at the beginning of the agencys SafeTrack maintenance program in June, with the understanding that it would resume with the end of the year-long project. However, Wiedefeld later proposed ending late-night service permanently to give workers eight more hours for critical track maintenance and inspections. The goal is to get into a healthy routine of preventive maintenance so that a disruptive emergency program like SafeTrack is not needed again, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said Monday. Critics say the recommended proposal, which would end weekday service 30 minutes early and end the 3 a.m. weekend closings indefinitely, still would leave restaurant, hospitality and other workers scrambling for transportation to and from work, threatening their jobs and livelihoods. But some board members, acknowledging the need for more time to do track work and for a bolstered safety regimen, say theyre open to the reductions, provided they can be reexamined at a future date. Am I happy with it? The people I represent are not happy with it, said the Metro board chairman, Jack Evans, who also is a D.C. Council member. Still, Evans, whose Ward 2 council district is home to more of the citys hotels and restaurants than any other ward, said that theres room for compromise . . . for a year. He and board member Corbett A. Price, who also represents the District, said they would support the staff recommendation provided any changes would terminate after a set date possibly a year. Itll be a certain date that the schedule will return to what we had prior to SafeTrack, Price said. The proposal, as written, calls for the new hours to be reevaluated after two years. Let the board look at it again at that point, said Metro Board member Michael Goldman, who represents Maryland and is likely to support the proposal. He said the agencys new safety oversight commission also should be up and running by that time. The D.C. Council voted unanimously in October to urge Metro to restore late-night hours, and Evans hinted that D.C. members of the Metro board could use a jurisdictional veto to block any proposal that permanently slashed night-owl service. On Monday, the office of Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) released a statement saying the proposal unveiled falls short of expectations. Bowser and Evans plan to discuss the issue at Tuesdays mayor-council breakfast. [D.C. Council calls on Metro to restore late-night service] Our position on [Metros] late-night service has not changed: soon after SafeTrack, late night operations should resume, the statement said. As the nations capital and home to over 670,000 residents, we need a Metro system that works for everyone residents, workers, employers and visitors. That means having a Metro that stays open late as the region continues to grow. Price later tweeted that he supports Bowsers position, making it unclear how he will vote Thursday. In a separate development, it was learned that Metro has sharply increased the amount of money it plans to seek from the District, Maryland and Virginia over the next three years to cover its budget shortfalls. Metro will ask the District for $655.4 million more than the city has anticipated for fiscal 2018 through 2020, according to a letter from D.C. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey S. DeWitt to Bowser and the D.C. Council. Of the increase, $160.8 million is for operating expenses and $494.6 million is for equipment and other capital costs. The funding gap increases each year, DeWitt said in the three-page letter. Part of the explanation for the deteriorating situation is that ridership has declined and SafeTrack costs have increased above the original estimates, it said. The letter also said that Maryland and Virginia face similar gaps between current funding levels for WMATA and WMATA requested funding level increases. WMATA stands for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Metros formal title. The disclosure confirmed worries that Metros financial woes would result in significant new demands for money in coming years from the state and local governments of the jurisdictions that Metro serves. The District, Maryland and Virginia are struggling already to figure out how to cover Metros request that together they ante up an extra $130 million to help cover the transit systems operating budget shortfall for fiscal 2018, which begins July 1. That represented an increase in the requested subsidy of 15 percent over the preceding year. It is Metros need to keep on top of maintenance, however, that led to the recommendation to scale back late-night service, the agency said. It reviewed public responses, mostly from online surveys, but also paper surveys in stations and written and oral testimony. About 45 percent of respondents preferred the 1 a.m. closing to the other three options despite the fact that it both disparately affects and disproportionately burdens minority and low-income populations under a Title VI equity analysis of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Metro argues, however, that the systems urgent maintenance needs justify the reduced hours and that there is no less discriminatory alternative, allowing for an exception under the act. Metro believes that the least discriminatory option is Proposal 3, because it is overwhelmingly favored by both minority and low-income populations, the agency said. Critics however, say its inaccurate to use responses to the four proposals to gauge public support. If you give me four bad choices and Im forced to pick one of the four, the one I pick doesnt make it a good choice, said John A. Boardman, executive secretary-treasurer for Unite Here Local 25, which represents 7,000 restaurant, hospitality and cleaning workers in the region. To provide a bad choice is the same as providing no viable choice at all. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington worries that reduced service hours will stifle growth in the industry, which propelled the Districts restaurant scene to the ranks of the prestigious Michelin Guide for the first time this year. [Metro late-night service hearing features scathing criticism, pleas and protests from riders, advocates] We fear that reducing Metros hours of operation will slow the strong momentum among our local business at a time when we have the opportunity to thrive, said Kathy Hollinger, the organizations president and chief executive. Opponents say the shortened hours will be an unmanageable burden on workers. We have people right now with a 12 oclock cutoff that have to punch out and sprint, literally, to the Metro station to make the last train, Boardman said. If you take a half-hour off that, were done, we cant make it. Metro says expanding its maintenance windows from 33 to 41 hours per week will permit the agency to launch an aggressive, industry-grade maintenance program that will allow a shift from emergency to preventive maintenance. SafeTrack, the long-term maintenance program aimed at restoring the system to a state of good repair, was a step in that direction imposing a moratorium on early openings and late closures for special events, and shuttering the system at midnight every day of the week. Other proposals that had been floated by the agency included closing the system at midnight Monday through Saturday, but keeping early openings each day of the week; closing 30 minutes earlier on weekdays to keep the system open until 11:30 p.m. on Sundays; and keeping the system open until 3 a.m. on weekends, but delaying Sunday opening until noon. [D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to Metro: No articulation of a need for late-night service cuts] The new hours, if approved, would go into effect in July. Goldman says he expects that the proposal will pass a committee vote Thursday. It would then go to the full board. At the board level, with the jurisdictional veto there, we can never predict, he said. Aaron C. Davis contributed to this report. There are no fewer than four distinct plans being floated to save Metro. Business leaders and elected officials urge a crusade to repair the transit system by restructuring its board, giving it reliable funding or handing it over to the federal government. They proclaim that failure is not an option. In fact, experience with similar reform efforts suggests that failure is the probable outcome. The same political and economic divisions that have stymied restructuring for the past 40 years persist today. If the region is to finally fix Metros structural weaknesses, analysts say, then force must be exerted on the top elected officials in the District, Maryland and Virginia to get them to act. One such stimulus for change would be a unified coalition of business leaders, transit advocates and civic organizations. Government and business groups, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Federal City Council, hope to assemble such a bloc. It is especially important that prominent chief executives join the effort, supporters say. Top executives of large companies have the clout needed to persuade legislators in Richmond and Annapolis to ensure dependable revenue for Metro and possibly transform its board and other governing structures. It has to be key industry leaders, CEOs, stepping up and saying, We cant afford to live in limbo here, said Bob Buchanan, president of the 2030 Group, a regional business organization. The status quo continues to be an embarrassment as Metro twists slowly in the wind, and piecemeal efforts arent going to do it. But many CEOs of major companies in the area are busy with national or global issues rather than local ones, or they prefer to avoid potential political controversies. [How to salvage Metro? Rewrite the compact, says influential D.C. business group] Another potential change agent but less desirable is Congress. It could appoint a control board or other body to take over Metro temporarily or permanently and push through needed changes to save the system. Metro board Chairman Jack Evans, who also is a D.C. Council member (D-Ward 2), is among those who has endorsed such plans. That prospect has lost much of its allure with Republican victories in the national election. Much of the GOP prefers to devote transportation dollars to roads, and the party platform approved in July urged phasing out federal transit spending altogether. There needs to be a strategic pause in discussion of a control board, said a senior official in the administration of D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk candidly about a sensitive political issue. The question to be decided in the coming months is whether the region can overcome its internal differences and coalesce around a common plan. Otherwise, federal intervention becomes more likely. Two major obstacles loom. First, it will be difficult to get Virginias support for increased taxes for Metro, as advocated by the District and Montgomery County. Northern Virginia Democrats said it would probably be necessary for their state to find a different source of fresh revenue, such as highway tolls. This all really hinges on Virginia, said COG Chairman Roger Berliner, who also is a Democratic Montgomery County Council member representing Potomac-Bethesda. I know we will win in the District. I believe we can win in Maryland. A division also has emerged over whether it is necessary to transform Metros board and governing structure at the same time that reliable funding is sought. On one side, Virginia and the Federal City Council say it is vital to rewrite the Metro compact, the founding document that outlines how Metro is governed and funded. U.S. Reps. John Delaney (D-Md.) and Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) also have proposed revising the compact, albeit to a lesser extent, by requiring Metro board members to have expertise in transit or another relevant discipline. [Federal takeover of Metro? Board chairmans proposal triggers debate but has some support.] Theres no doubt there needs to be governance reform, Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne said. It needs a visioning process so we can look at both public and private entities [as guides] and ask, Whats the best structure to run Metro? By contrast, the District, the COG and the Board of Trade have sought to avoid a discussion of amending the compact. Although they are open to it if a consensus could be reached, they say they fear that a battle would undercut the higher priority of obtaining a dedicated funding source. It runs the risk of being a distraction from the core issues with the system, the senior District official said. The riders dont care who governs Metro. They just want a safe system that gets them to where they need to go. There is little time to waste. Officials have said they need a common funding plan by summer. That would allow for a lobbying campaign before the Virginia and Maryland legislative sessions open in early 2018. Metros budget pressures have led some players to think of moving more quickly. The Board of Trade may propose legislation in the Richmond and Annapolis sessions beginning in January to allow the suburban counties to tax themselves to raise money for Metro. It probably needs to move faster than originally anticipated, James C. Dinegar, president of the Board of Trade, said. Heres a summary of the four plans: Put funding first. The COG and the Board of Trade have been working since spring on a plan to seek a reliable funding stream in exchange for setting performance benchmarks for Metro on safety, reliability and customer satisfaction. Metro is the only major transit system in the nation that doesnt obtain a significant amount of its revenue from a tax or other dedicated source. The proposal got a major boost last month when Bowser publicly urged adoption of a regional sales tax of at least half a penny to fund Metro. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), a strong opponent of higher taxes, initially was cool to the idea. But he later signaled he could go along if Montgomery and Prince Georges wanted to tax themselves to support Metro, as long as the rest of the state wasnt affected. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) has supported a regionwide sales tax for Metro for two years. Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) sought to place responsibility on Annapolis. His spokesman noted that the state, rather than the counties, has funded Metro in the recent past and has unique authority to explore sources such as a sales tax. A major hurdle is Virginia. The Republican-controlled General Assembly opposes tax increases to help Metro. Even Northern Virginia Democrats said they cant ask their constituents to pay more in sales or property taxes to support transportation. [Budget proposal paints grim portrait of Metros future.] At the same time, two top Virginia Democrats, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, agree that Metro eventually will need dedicated funding even if it is in some form other than a tax. Thats something well all be scratching our heads over, Bulova said. Rewrite the compact. The Federal City Council, arguing that dedicated funding alone is not enough to save the agency, introduced a proposal this month to radically overhaul Metros governance by rewriting the agencys compact. The council wants to reduce the size of the 16-member Metro board, among other things, to make it more efficient. It also wants to weaken union protections by dropping the requirement that outside arbitrators decide labor contract disputes. Critics say such mandatory arbitration has had the effect of driving up labor costs. The proposal to reopen the compact enjoys wide support in the business community, but transit advocates are skeptical. You could end up in a complete quagmire, stalemate, unable to come to an agreement on the union issues, on funding formulas, said Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth. Let the feds take over. Evans, the Metro chairman, has been so frustrated with the board that he called for federal appointees to take control of the agency, either temporarily or permanently. He has acknowledged that such a scenario is unlikely. He hoped in part to call attention to the structural problem in which board members have split loyalties between their duties to Metro and the jurisdictions that appoint them. The Federal City Council urged Congress to use the threat of a federal control board as an incentive to force the District, Virginia and Maryland to agree on changes. Some welcomed that idea as providing necessary leverage. Others said it risked handing over Metro to people with no stake in the region. Congress cant even pass a budget on time, and were going to ask them to make the trains run on time? said Ronit A. Dancis, president of the Action Committee for Transit, which advocates for improved public transit. Im not comfortable with a federal takeover even being a threat. Professionalize the board. Delaney and Comstock have co-sponsored a bill to require that most federal appointees to the Metro board be certified as experts in transit, management or finance. If the compact were rewritten, the rule would also apply to board members from the District, Virginia and Maryland. Comstock and others said that revising the compact is critical to supporting Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld, who has generally won praise for aggressive changes in his first year in the job. We need a new structure with the compact so Paul J. Wiedefeld can do the job that hes been hired to do, Comstock said. Delaney said it is hard to push through genuine reforms because Metro is suffering a gradual decline without a dramatic, one-time crisis requiring immediate action. It can kind of limp along for a while, and thats why you dont see something being done right away, Delaney said. Its death by a thousand cuts. President Park Geun-hye said she is ready to step down once parliament ensures smooth transfer of power. By AP: South Korea's embattled president Park Geun-hye today said that she will resign her office once parliament develops a plan for a safe transfer of power. The surprise announcement, which the opposition called a ploy to delay impeachment, comes amid prosecution claims that she colluded with a friend who wielded government power from the shadows. Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Seoul each Saturday for the last five weeks to demand that Park step down. advertisement Park would be the first South Korean leader to resign since the country's first president, Syngman Rhee, quit and then fled to Hawaii amid a popular uprising in 1960. The succeeding government was overthrown by a coup by Park's late father, the military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose rule also abruptly ended after he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. ALSO READ: Viagra pills in South Korea President's office. Reason: To treat altitude sickness of employees Ensure a safe transfer of power "I will leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly," Park said today in a live address to the nation, referring to parliament. "If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will resign from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law." ALSO READ: North Korea preparing for 5th nuclear test, says South Korea A ploy to avoid impeachment Opposition parties had been closing in on an impeachment motion against Park, and even her allies in the conservative ruling party have called for her to "honorably" step down rather than face impeachment. An impeachment motion vote has been planned for Friday. The country's two largest opposition parties were also planning on Tuesday to nominate a special prosecutor to independently investigate the scandal. The country's largest opposition party, the Minjoo Party, called Park's address a ploy to avoid an impeachment vote and said the party would continue to push for impeachment as planned. ALSO READ: South Korea, US to discuss missile defence; South cuts power to Kaesong park Immunity from prosecution At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime friend and the daughter of a late cult leader who allegedly meddled in state affairs and pressured companies to donate millions of dollars to foundations controlled by her at the request of Park. Prosecutors have so far indicted Choi, two ex-presidential officials and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges. advertisement Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet with prosecutors. Her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, has described prosecutors' accusations against Park as groundless. ALSO READ: Boundless possibilities for cooperation with S Korea: PM Modi ALSO WATCH --- ENDS --- south carolina Murder trial examines officers gun training One of Michael Slagers old colleagues from the North Charleston Police Department testified at his murder trial Monday that someone fleeing from a crime scene could be considered a threat. Slager faces 30 years to life if convicted in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott, who was shot five times in the back as he fled from a traffic stop in April 2015. Scott was unarmed. The shooting was captured by a bystander on cellphone video that stunned the nation. The 35-year-old Slager was charged with murder and fired from the department once the video was made public. Jason Dandridge, the firearms training officer for the North Charleston Police Department, testified that officers must qualify in the use of their revolvers at least once a year at a local shooting range. He said officers must hit targets, shooting in rapid succession. He added there is no other mandatory training with firearms for officers. Under cross-examination by the state, Dandridge was asked whether a suspect who was running away is considered a threat. A suspect could be if someone has tried to kill someone and they are fleeing to another area of potential victims, Dandridge replied. Asked if North Charleston officers are trained to shoot someone in the back, he replied if its needed. The trial entered its fifth week Monday and could go to the jury by the end of the week. Associated Press PENNSYLVANIA Delta apologizes over Trump rant on flight The video, shot aboard a Delta Air Lines flight earlier this month, shows a man in a ball cap standing in the aisle of an airplane. We got some Hillary b------ on here? the man shouts. Come on, baby! he continues. Trump! Thats what Im talking about. Hey, baby! Donald Trump! Hes your president, every g------ one of [you]. If you dont like it, too bad. The man was allowed to remain on the Nov. 22 flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pa., according to the Allentown Morning Call, which spoke with the woman who shot the video. But Delta officials later apologized for the disruption, saying that the man, who wasnt identified, shouldnt have been able to stay in the plane. And, in an internal memo to employees, chief executive Ed Bastian said that the Trump supporter in the video wont be flying with Delta again. We are sorry to our customers who experienced this disruption, the company said in a statement Saturday. The company will be refunding customers the cost of their tickets, Bastian said. Sarah Larimer SOUTH DAKOTA Jewish community in the state to get a rabbi South Dakotas small, tightknit Jewish community has made do without a rabbi for several years, but the states status as the only one with no religious leader will change this winter when a family arrives from New York to open a Jewish community center. Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz and his wife, Mussie, will open a Chabad House soon in Sioux Falls that will offer religious education, worship services and other programs. Alperowitz will also travel across the sparsely populated prairie state to reach as many Jews observant and nonobservant as possible. Alperowitz estimates there are nearly 1,000 Jews in the state. South Dakotas last rabbi, Stephen Forstein, arrived in the late 1970s after the rabbi at the Sioux Falls synagogue died. Forstein moved to Michigan in 1998. Associated Press CONNECTICUT Marilyn Monroe room key sells for $131 The key to a room at the Connecticut inn where Marilyn Monroe stayed in 1956 while dating playwright Arthur Miller has sold for $131. The key from the Homestead Inn in New Milford sold Friday on eBay to a woman who lives in the town, antiques dealer Loretta Kretchko said Monday. Kretchko put the No. 22 key up for sale after seeing the interest generated by the recent auction of a dress Monroe wore as she famously sang Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy. The dress sold this month for $4.8 million. Associated Press At long last, Fidel Castro is dead. Now the oppressive system he installed in Cuba can wither and die, too unless Donald Trump reverts to Cold War policies and gives Cubas failing dictatorship new life. It is tempting to see Castros death as little more than a formality. After all, his brother Raul has been running the country for nearly a decade, ever since ill health forced Fidel to step aside and kept him from reassuming command. But the very fact that Fidel still drew breath served as a limiting factor in the program of economic reform Raul has been trying to enact. According to The Post, Raul Castro gave a speech in April in which he joked that we have two parties here, just like in the United States Fidels and mine. Fidels is the Communist one, he added, and you can call mine whatever you want. There is considerable truth in those words. Raul has been trying to move his country toward the Chinese model of authoritarian one-party rule combined with some degree of free-market economic development. Fidel, a true believer in the brutal communist experiment, has consistently tried to slow, derail or reverse any meaningful economic change. Fidel was reportedly appalled at the way Mao Zedongs China was transformed by Deng Xiaopings reforms. He saw the society dividing into haves and have-nots. Worse, in his mind, he saw the Chinese Communist Party potentially sowing the seeds of its own demise by allowing the accumulation of private wealth and the development of civil society. He was determined that the Communist Party of Cuba would not make the same mistake. Whether out of loyalty or obligation, thousands of Cubans filed past memorials to Fidel Castro. The Washington Post's Nick Miroff reports from Havana. (Nick Miroff,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post) But the Cuban leadership no longer had a choice. Fidel barely managed to survive the collapse of the Soviet empire and the loss of huge subsidies from the USSR and Eastern Europe. Cubans were hungry in the mid-1990s, and there were violent anti-government riots, but el Comandante loosened strictures on private agriculture and enterprise and then tightened them again as the crisis abated. The Castro regime got another lifeline from Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez, whom Fidel cultivated as a protege. Chavez gave his mentor billions of dollars worth of oil, so much that the Cubans were able to satisfy their own needs and sell the surplus on the world market for precious hard currency. But Chavez died, Venezuelas economy melted down, and the Castro regime found itself fresh out of saviors. That explains Rauls willingness to work with President Obama to normalize relations. Those who complained that the United States didnt get more in the deal fail to understand the reality of todays Cuba. From their point of view, Cubas leaders were surrendering one of their primary instruments of power and control: the threat from Cubas hostile neighbor to the north. For half a century, the Castros cited the U.S.-imposed trade embargo, the travel ban for U.S. citizens and other such measures as proof that the Cuban revolution was under sustained attack by the United States. From my experience Ive made 10 trips to Cuba and written a book about the place most Cubans are not gullible; they see their government for what it is. But they are nationalistic. Even most of the brave dissidents who stood up to the Castro regime argued that hard-line U.S. policy was counterproductive, doing more to shore up the system than weaken it. Raul Castro knows he needs the economic boost that an opening to the United States will produce. But the price he is paying allowing more free-market economic development, permitting freer access to the Internet, letting more Cubans have smartphones will make any return to a purer form of communism impossible. Thats where things stand now, and Fidels death should hasten change on the island. Unless a certain president-elect does something tragically dumb. If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, Trump tweeted Monday, I will terminate deal. Im betting that no one, including Trump, knows exactly what that means in concrete policy terms. But we do know that now, for the first time since the Kennedy administration, we have the chance to flood Cuba with American ideas and values. That is how we promote freedom. If Trump goes back to a posture of implacable U.S. hostility, he will disappoint and discourage millions of Cubans while strengthening the hand of only one: Raul Castro, who will be all too happy to play David to Trumps Goliath. Read more from Eugene Robinsons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A. FIDEL CASTROs demise provoked an unlikely but entirely understandable reaction among younger Cubans: hope. As the Communist regime has promised and then largely failed to deliver on economic reforms and greater freedoms in recent years, many have supposed that resistance from the revolutions founder was holding back change. Now, it is said, Raul Castro, who formally took over from his brother nearly a decade ago, will have no excuse not to break up state monopolies, allow greater foreign investment, and give Cubans space to innovate and speak freely. The vast majority of the population of the island, desiring change, is expectant, wrote commentator Peter Campos in the Cuba-based online newspaper 14ymedio. Unfortunately, Mr. Castro has made clear that his aim is to change the state-run economy just enough to save it, and the totalitarian political system not at all. He negotiated a diplomatic opening with the United States two years ago not, as President Obama hoped, to accelerate reforms, but to collect for the state a new stream of hard-currency revenue from U.S. tourists and companies. Cubans who cheered the renewal of relations because they expected it would improve their lives have been bitterly disappointed and those who actively work for greater political freedom have suffered more rather than less repression. These facts ought to inform the charting of Cuba policy by the new U.S. admininistration and Congress. Mr. Obama stretched executive powers to offer concessions to the Castro regime while demanding little in return. Most of the benefit has gone to institutions controlled by the Castros, such as the state-run tourism industry. U.S. military and police officials have courted their Cuban counterparts, often overlooking their records of human rights abuses. A better policy would align itself with the hopes of ordinary Cubans and the legitimate demands of the islands pro-democracy movements. That does not necessarily mean reversing the renewal of diplomatic relations and relaxed restrictions on the movement of people and goods; most Cubans still want that. But it should mean that official exchanges with the regime, and any concessions that benefit it, should be tied to tangible reforms that benefit the public: greater Internet access, expansion of space for private business and tolerance of critical speech and assembly by such groups as the Ladies in White. President-elect Donald Trump, who made contradictory statements about Mr. Obamas opening during the campaign, hinted at such a policy over the weekend. A statement on Saturday condemned Fidel Castro as a brutal dictator and said the new administration will do all it can to ensure that the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. On Monday, Mr. Trump tweeted, If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal. Its refreshing to see the incoming president link good relations with the United States to progress on human rights. But it would be perverse to apply that precept only to Cuba. Mr. Trump has appeared willing, even eager, to excuse repression by other autocratic regimes, including in Egypt, Turkey and Russia. Cubans are not the only people who deserve U.S. solidarity with their struggles for basic rights. ITS NOT easy to run afoul of two constitutional amendments in 140 characters. Whether he realizes it or, more likely, not, President-elect Donald Trump did so in this Twitter outburst Tuesday: Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag if they do, there must be consequences perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that the First Amendment protects burning the flag in protest. The high court ruled in 1967 that the 14th Amendment not only grants U.S. citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in this country; it also forbids the government from taking citizenship away from them. In effect, then, Mr. Trump is proposing two constitutional changes both of which provide further evidence of his tendency to address differences and disagreements within American society by suggesting new limits on their expression, or by excluding people from the American community altogether. We have seen this tendency at work in his call to open up libel laws i.e., make it easier for public figures such as himself to sue when newspapers criticize them and in his floating a religious test for entrants from abroad. [No, you couldnt strip flag-burners of citizenship, even if flag-burning could be made a crime] On flag-burning, his view is no doubt popular: Forty-eight states and Congress outlawed it before the Supreme Court ruled in 1989; subsequent Congresses voted repeatedly to reinstate such a rule in various ways, albeit not by the two-thirds of both houses necessary to send a constitutional amendment to the states. Nor does the political right have a monopoly on burn-banning. Justice John Paul Stevens, one of recent historys most eloquent judicial progressives, dissented, passionately, in the flag-burning case. In 2005, none other than Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) co-sponsored (unsuccessfully) a bill to bar flag-burning when intended to incite violence. Certainly the flag is the greatest of our national symbols, an emblem of liberty, unity and democracy borne aloft not only by American soldiers in battle, but also by the prisoners of Dachau concentration camp who secretly sewed one, then waved it to welcome U.S. Army troops when they arrived in 1945 and by the marchers at Selma, Ala., who demanded their own portion of liberation 20 years after that. Its desecration rankles, deeply. Here's what you should know about President-elect Donald Trump's Nov. 29 tweet calling for a ban on burning the U.S. flag. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) But burning-banners arguments ultimately founder on the rock of the First Amendment, which, if it means anything, means that the people have the right to express their views through the widest possible range of nonviolent means, even or, perhaps, especially those views that offend most deeply. It is ironic that a man elected on a platform of opposition to hypersensitive political correctness would embrace a flag-burning ban. Another irony: Among those who understood the democratic necessity of protecting even the most unpopular expression was Justice Antonin Scalia, whom Mr. Trump purports to admire, and whose successor he will soon nominate. Many fellow conservatives disliked it, but Scalia often cited his vote to protect flag-burning as an example of how the Constitution limited his power, and that of all other government officials, to stamp out ideas they personally despised. It would be President Trumps prerogative to urge Congress, and the states, to rewrite the First Amendment along more repressive lines. Like Scalia, we prefer the original. Sri Lankan ministry will now fine, an amount ranging from Rs 30 lakh to 17 crore, foreign boats entering their territory. By Akshaya Nath: In a troubling news for Indian fishermen, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources development, Sri Lanka has announced a hefty penalty for foreign boats straying into Sri Lankan territory. Foreign boats straying into Sri Lankan territory without permission will be harshly fined up to 17 crore. Singling out the violation, now becoming a subject of worry, the Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has announced this decision. advertisement READ | Sri Lankan Navy arrests 11 fishermen for trespassing Mahinda Amaraweera today said that local fishermen have been facing a lot of trouble because of foreign fishermen illegally entering the Sri Lankan territory. Amaraweera also said that fine on foreign boats will range from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 17 crore. The current law will be amended to incorporate this clause, Mahinda said. NEW LAW FOR SEIZED BOATS AND FISHING EQUIPMENTS Till date, Sri Lankan Navy has taken trespassers, their boats and their fishing equipments in custody but never fined anyone. However, now the boats seized will be returned when the owner comes to retrieve the boats from Sri Lanka, Mahinda confirmed. READ | Demonetisation fallout: Fishermen go on strike in Tamil Nadu's Rameshwaram The situation has been tense between the fishermen of both the countries over Katchatheevu issue and their rights to fish in the Indian Ocean. Indian fishermen who have been constantly facing the threat of arrest by the Sri Lankan Navy have approached the State and Central government for intervention and aide. The only time the Indian fishermen are allowed to Katchatheevu is during the festival at St Antony's shrine there. READ | 4 Tamil fishermen arrested, boat seized by Sri Lankan Navy --- ENDS --- College students actually their anxious parents, more often sometimes write to ask what the jobs of the future will look like. What skills and disciplines should workers-to-be master to succeed in the 21st-century economy? My answer used to involve programming, data analysis, creativity, empathy. Basically, skills that are complementary to rising automation and that will help workers invent new products or support those who do. Today, my answer must change. In light of the regulatory vision being laid out by President-elect Donald Trump and his advisers, Id recommend college students bone up on hustling and swindling instead. Mammas, make sure your babies grow up to be con men. One of the many underappreciated legacies of the Obama administration has been its widespread implementation of pro-consumer policies. Under the outgoing presidents leadership, multiple executive branch departments and independent agencies have enacted laws, rules and regulations designed to protect regular Americans from, well, the Donald Trumps of the world. President-elect Donald Trump told reporters on Nov. 10 that his administrations priorities will include immigration, health care and big league jobs. (The Washington Post) By which I mean big companies and moneyed interests eager to fleece unsophisticated or shallow-pocketed borrowers, investors, consumers, workers and small-potatoes entrepreneurs. To the untrained ear, Trumps campaign rhetoric suggested he might be on board with Obamas mission. Trump spoke frequently of how the system was rigged against the little guy, and how because no one knows the system better than Trump he alone could un-rig it. But now that hes heading into office, Trump has flanked himself with a fleet of anti-regulation, anti-consumer subordinates who appear hellbent on dismantling the Obama administrations hard-won pro-little-guy protections. With a Cabinet likely worth tens of billions of dollars, Trump is assembling a government of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. And the policies his team wants to enact wont line only their leaders pockets to the contrary, if they succeed, theyll enrich enterprising mugs, pugs and thugs throughout the land, too. Almost immediately after the election, a Trump transition team member declared the president-elects intention to scrap the Obama administrations new fiduciary duty rule. This rule, set to take effect in April, would require retirement investment advisers to act in the best interests of their clients. The finance industry hates the rule and would rather preserve its ability to sell products that are, by definition, not in the best interest of little-old-lady clients. Trump and his economic advisers have likewise committed to repealing Dodd-Frank, the post-crisis financial reform legislation. This would, among other things, vaporize the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While most consumers may not be familiar with the CFPB, they can thank it for going after predatory lenders, forced arbitration clauses, illegal debt-collection schemes and banks that incentivize employees to open up fake accounts in clients names. Its sole purpose is to make sure the deck isnt stacked in favor of chicaners and cheats. The Obama administration also made high-profile changes to higher-education policy to protect consumers. It increased accountability at low-performing for-profit institutions, for example, by making access to federal student aid contingent on student outcomes. The Federal Trade Commission likewise sued DeVry University for alleged deceptive advertising, and the CFPB and the Securities and Exchange Commission have brought actions against now-closed ITT Tech for alleged predatory lending and fraud, respectively. While Trumps pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, does not appear to have taken a public position as yet on higher-ed regulation and enforcement actions, the industry itself is getting pumped about plumping up again. Stock prices for publicly traded for-profit colleges soared following the surprise election result. Plus the fraud case against Trumps own nonaccredited, defunct pseudo-university, recently settled to the tune of $25 million, would suggest that Trump himself may not be terribly sympathetic to the concerns of students who dont feel they got their moneys worth. With or without substantive legal changes, there are plenty of other snake-oil-based industries that we should expect to thrive under the new administration. The profitable fake-news business, for instance. Or the dodgy multi-level marketing schemes that some likely members of the new administration have profited from and thus look unlikely to police. With no one watching the till, its hard to advise the next generation of workers to invest time and energy in trying to be productive members of society. Inventing the next iPhone or Google will be hard; legalized grifting is much easier. Even before taking the oath of office, Trump is reshaping the economy in his own image: an economy of con men. Three weeks after Election Day, allegations of Russian interference in the contest continue to appear. Adm. Michael S. Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, stated that there was a conscious effort by a nation-state to achieve a specific end. Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein has formally called for a recount in Wisconsin, citing reports of potential outside hacking. Hillary Clintons campaign has joined the call, even though a campaign lawyer admits that her team has not uncovered any actionable evidence of hacking or outside attempts to alter the voting technology. The Post features an article alleging that independent research reveals that Russia ran a sophisticated propaganda campaign to interfere in our elections, weaken Clinton and discredit our democracy. But much of the research cited comes from a group that insists on remaining anonymous and bases its conclusions on murky methodology. Clearly somebody hacked into the Democratic National Committee computers and into Clinton campaign chairman John Podestas email. The intelligence agencies state that the former was done by hackers supported by or promoted by Russia. The agencies have been less clear about the source of the latter. Clinton campaign spokespeople have suggested that the Podesta emails and the election eve machinations of FBI Director James B. Comey, who no one argues is a Russian stooge contributed to Donald Trumps victory. Somehow Comeys announcement and the dribble of stories out of Podestas email forced the Clinton campaign to close with salvos of ads attacking Trumps character rather than those rousing voters to a clear vision and agenda to make this country work for working people. What were Russian President Vladimir Putins purposes in meddling with the U.S. election, if in fact he did so? (Putin dismisses the charge as hysteria, and cybersecurity experts argue there is no hard evidence.) The Economist argues that the Kremlins main objectives are to discredit the institutions of democratic elections and free press, and to weaken both candidates as much as possible. It sought to make the election look messy, the Economist argues, and to damage the brand. If were going to use market lingo damage the brand in reference to democratic elections, lets consider Putins ROI, his return on (alleged) investment. The two candidates used billions in free airtime and spent more than $1 billion, almost all of it on negative ads, to weaken their opponents as much as possible. This was, as Trump says, the nastiest campaign not because of anything Russians did, but because of the candidates choices. We didnt really learn anything from the hacked DNC emails or Podesta emails that we didnt already know. And those hacks surely arent what brought discredit to democratic elections and the free press. The mainstream media wallowed in horse-race reporting and gotcha journalism while devoting little attention to the platforms and promises of the two candidates. It was the media, not Putin, who decided that catastrophic climate change didnt merit even one question during the course of the presidential debates, or decided that the troubling foreign-policy views of both the hawkish Clinton and the blustery Trump needed less probing than Clintons emails or Trumps potty mouth. Our election system is embarrassing not for anything Putin allegedly did. In the worlds strongest democracy, this is the second presidential election in the past five in which the winner of the popular vote has lost. In U.S. elections, money talks louder than elsewhere, simply because we spend so much more of it a record $6.8 billion spent in the 2016 presidential and congressional elections. Yet our turnout 58 percent of eligible voters this year is among the lowest of all democracies. It is only in U.S. elections that money is considered protected speech and corporations pass for people. In this years elections, the Brennan Center for Justice reports that 15 states had new restrictions on the right to vote, part of a systematic, partisan effort by Republicans to suppress the vote, particularly the vote of people of color. Gerrymandered congressional districts make it so that Democrats must win the popular vote by an overwhelming margin to have any hope of winning a majority in Congress. The Russian-state-funded RT may report on these grotesqueries, but Putin didnt create them. If we want to keep foreign powers from discrediting U.S. elections, we might start by cleaning up a broken system. The hysteria being drummed up around Putins alleged intervention in the U.S. elections isnt accidental. Neoconservatives and liberal interventionists have been pumping for a new cold war with Russia. Now, with Trump suggesting that he might seek a new detente with Russia, cooperate to attack the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and cool tensions over Ukraine, hyping Putins alleged intervention in our elections makes any cooperation more difficult. In this situation, the press has to be careful that its reporting doesnt peddle fear and neo-McCarthyite slurs rather than fact. For example, The Posts front-page article touted independent researchers making the sensational claim that Russian propaganda efforts in the election were viewed more than 213 million times on Facebook alone. But the primary source of the report was the anonymous executive director of PropOrNot, which apparently started up just this summer and refuses to release the names of its leaders or the sources of its funds. PropOrNot, The Post reported, maintains a list of more than 200 websites that it claims were routine peddlers of Russian propaganda during the election. These include RT and Sputnik News, which are funded by the Russian government, but also independent sites such as Naked Capitalism, Truthout and the right-wing Drudge Report. It doesnt take alleged Russian propaganda operations to reveal that the way we run elections is a disgrace. Leaders of both parties, if they had any concern for the republic, would move expeditiously to reform our election laws. And it doesnt take Russian hackers to discredit our free press. Shoddy and shallow reporting on the election contributes more than enough to do that. Putin may be an authoritarian leader and a master strategist. But he didnt undermine American elections. We do that to ourselves. Read more from Katrina vanden Heuvels archive or follow her on Twitter. In his Nov. 25 Washington Forum essay, The electors should reflect the peoples choice, Lawrence Lessig described the two previous cases in which a president was elected by electoral votes in spite of having lost the popular vote, and wrote, In both cases, the result violated what has become one of the most important principles governing our democracy one person, one vote. Mr. Lessig used one person, one vote to mean that votes should be equal in their power. He said that nothing in the Constitution compels the violation of this principle. But the structure of the Senate means we will not be governed by the principle that all votes are equal in power. There are 100 senators, and the vice president can vote to break a tie. This means that 51 senators senators from 26 states can block any law. The population of the smallest 26 states totals less than 57 million individuals. Those states representatives can block legislation in a country with more than 325 million people. This means that the votes of those 57 million people would be more powerful than the votes of all the rest. Our Constitution clearly does compel that our votes be of unequal power. Jeffrey Reiman, Washington Lawrence Lessig would retain the electoral college, yet he did not explain how voters would know enough about the electors to select them. The Harvard University professor imparts undemonstrated wisdom to the electors, now chosen by party functionaries. Voters know next to nothing about the electors, who actually cast their votes in their respective states. There is merit in Wyomings general-election votes being worth four such votes in Michigan. Under Mr. Lessigs plan, which would allow voters just from California, New York, Florida and Texas to provide a victory, dissatisfied activists need lobby only 538 individuals occupying catbird seats. Alexander Hamilton may have offered Mr. Lessig arguments. The 10th Amendment still gives some weight to the states and their citizens, grantors of the federal governments powers. Carl Eifert, Alexandria Lawrence Lessig may have a point about how electors should reflect the popular will, but he was wrong in suggesting that our Founding Fathers would have supported his position. In fact, the men who wrote the Constitution did not anticipate any popular vote for president whatsoever. Just as the members of the Senate were to be appointed by state legislatures (changed by the 17th Amendment), our founders sought to shield our presidential selection process from the passions of the crowd. Electors were to be wise men who would choose a president without the influence of a popular vote. After George Washingtons election in 1789, the political party that controlled the state legislature selected the electors for that state, until 1824, when some states allowed individual voters to participate in the elector selection process. Like almost every other election in this country, this is a plurality-prevails election: The candidate with the most votes wins. So, Mr. Lessig may believe that the winner of the popular vote should be the president, but his position is not based upon the views of our founders. James T. Currie, Alexandria Regarding the Nov. 25 front-page article Research ties fake news to Russia: The fake news planted in the United States during the presidential election is a serious issue that demands a serious response. While we cannot say that the fake news in itself was the decisive factor in this election, it clearly had a pernicious effect, seriously misleading voters, particularly the supporters of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. They believed outrageous and scurrilous tales about Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, stories that lacked even a shred of truth. If these stories were concocted by amoral entrepreneurs, this would be bad enough. The fact that the lies were concocted and spread by Russian agents is outrageous. We now stand at the brink of inaugurating as president a man who owes a considerable debt to the Russians for the help they gave his campaign. Whom is he going to serve: the people of the United States, or Russian powers that assisted his presidential run? Any patriotic American should wonder where Mr. Trumps true loyalties lie. Eric Schwartz, Williamsport, Md. Donald Trump claimed victory on election night, but it may be Russia who is the real victor. The article Research ties fake news to Russia reported that planting fake news stories in politically conservative news outlets was an effort to erode faith in U.S. democracy. In another effort to put Mr. Trump in the White House, national security analysts say, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his cronies were behind the hacking of the Democratic National Committees emails. Interestingly, in spite of Russias misdeeds, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is about 2 million votes ahead in the popular vote. How are we to respond to this kind of malicious interference in our democracy? Do we really want Russia, whose values are contrary to those of the United States, choosing our next president? Jo Ann Tooley, Arlington A FEDERAL JURY has made it official. Eric W. Payne, as he has long maintained, was wrongfully terminated from his D.C. government job because he blew the whistle on misconduct in city contracting. Will city officials now, at long last, do the right thing, acknowledge the injustice and pay up? Money cannot make up for the shameful way city officials treated Mr. Payne. Nor can it erase the damaging message the city sent to honest workers wondering how to respond when they see wrongdoing. But on both fronts, paying Mr. Payne what he is owed would help. Following a two-week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman, a jury of seven women and three men last week determined that Mr. Payne was wrongly demoted and then dismissed in 2009 from his job in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Payne resisted pressure to take improper action regarding the award of the citys lucrative lottery contract, and he raised questions about contracting practices in the office, then headed by Natwar M. Gandhi. The jury ordered an award of $1.7 million in compensatory damages. Mr. Payne also is owed back pay and other equitable relief, including payment of his legal fees. City attorneys spared no expense and pulled out all the stops, including questionable use of laws designed to curb frivolous lawsuits, to oppose Mr. Payne. That he prevailed nonetheless, with far fewer resources at his disposal, testifies to the strength of his case, his fortitude and his perseverance. It is therefore beyond disturbing that the city will not rule out continuing its fight against Mr. Payne. Nothing we can say about litigation strategy would be appropriate, a spokesman for D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) said when we asked if the city planned to appeal the verdict or the amount of the award. Allow us to suggest a comment that would be entirely appropriate: Mr. Payne is an honest employee shabbily treated by the city. We deplore the way city officials ignored and then defamed him, and we welcome this opportunity to offer some redress. Mr. Racine inherited this case from the previous administration after becoming the citys first independently elected attorney general. That puts him in a good position to turn a corner. The people worth defending in this case are not those who played politics with public contracts and then retaliated against an employee who stood up to the wrongdoing. Instead, Mr. Racine should be looking out for the best interests of his client the District of Columbia and that means justice for someone who did not what was asked of him but rather what should be expected of those who serve the public. Give Mr. Payne his money, an apology and, if he wants it, his job. As Donald Trumps campaign promises have been dunked in realitys strong solvent, many have been transformed in one way or another modified, moderated, qualified, abandoned or pushed off into the distant future. Not a wall across the whole southern border. Not every part of Obamacare repealed. Not all illegal immigrants deported, at least in the foreseeable future. Not literally tearing up the Iran agreement. Not an actual prison cell for Hillary Clinton. All this has opened up Trump to the charge of being a hypocrite. For the nations sake, lets hope so. Hypocrisy has always been a complicated vice. It is the easiest, most common charge made in politics (my opponent claims to love apple pie but uses them regularly in unspeakable acts). Most of us feel a visceral reaction when a crusading prosecutor makes use of prostitutes, or a law-and-order judge takes bribes, or a moralizing pastor tends to his or her flock a little too closely. But we should take care in defining hypocrisy. A hypocrite is a person who but who isnt? said Don Marquis. More helpfully, British political scientist David Runciman says that hypocrisy involves claims to a consistency that one cannot sustain, claims to a loyalty that one does not possess, claims to an identity that one does not hold. [Who is the real Donald Trump (and what does he stand for)?] Here are some of the most memorable campaign promises Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has made since he declared his candidacy in June 2015. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) Hypocrisy comes in a long continuum of seriousness. You can wear a false face in displaying good manners toward someone you secretly despise. There is often hypocritical deception involved in political and diplomatic negotiations, which generally start with principled, nonnegotiable demands that are negotiated away in the process of finding a compromise. Hypocrisy can come in accommodating human realities that dont quite fit our ideals, as in the widespread use of artificial birth control by American Catholics. Or it may be that you have simply changed your mind in light of new circumstances as President George H.W. Bush did in violating the pledge Read my lips: no new taxes. In one sense, hypocrisy is unavoidable and necessary. If people were required, at all times, to live up to ideals of honesty, loyalty and compassion in order for those ideals to exist, there would be no ideals. Being a moral person is a struggle in which everyone repeatedly fails, becoming a hypocrite at each of those moments. A just and peaceful society depends on hypocrites who ultimately refuse to abandon the ideals they betray. Before we become overly self-forgiving, it is worth recalling that the founder of Christianity took hypocrisy quite seriously: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Purity of heart and motivation, in the Christian tradition, does matter. But the hunt for hypocrisy should begin in the mirror. The issue at hand, however, is a certain kind of political hypocrisy the conscious use of a mask to fool the public and gain political benefit. Most would concede that this type of hypocrisy is generally harmful for a democracy, in which self-government requires informed choices. Trumps brand of personality-driven politics emphasizing the virtues of a single leader exaggerates the challenge. Trump arrives in Washington claiming to be the only honest man in a world of mendacity. It is a long way down from such a pedestal. [Donald Trumps disturbing tweets expose his fatal flaw] Some of Trumps strongest supporters seem to assume his cynicism. The part about forcing Mexicans to pay for the wall, according to Newt Gingrich, was a great campaign device. Of the largest construction project since the Qin dynasty, Rush Limbaugh now says he never expected Trump to do it. In this case, perhaps surprisingly, I am all for the wisdom of Gingrich and Limbaugh. Trump presents a special case, in which the normal criticisms of political hypocrisy should be suspended. Every time the Trump agenda is reshaped or refined to better fit reality, even Trumps most dedicated critics have reason to applaud. This is a rare ethical circumstance in which realism and good sense take the form of hypocrisy. On a variety of issues, the sincerity of Trumps current intentions or the cynicism of his past intentions should not matter. If the candidate who gave a wink and nod toward white nationalism now repudiates the alt-right and promises to bring this country together, so much the better. If the candidate who promised a trade war with China reconsiders, it is all to the good. It is admittedly an odd thing to cheer for cynicism. But in this strange, new political era, hypocrisy is our best hope. Read more from Michael Gersons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook . THE RECENT presidential campaign eroded custom after custom, but in the end the legitimacy of the results and the sanctity of the peaceful transition of power were reaffirmed. Or so it seemed. Once the electoral college vote was clear, Hillary Clinton graciously conceded to President-elect Donald Trump, and President Obama promised to work for a smooth transition. Neither Democrat emphasized the fact that Ms. Clinton won the popular vote. Russian government interference in the campaign is a legitimate subject of concern, but Ms. Clinton properly chose not to use it to cast doubt on the outcome of the election. Mr. Trump reciprocated her positive tone. Then Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential nominee, pressed for recounts in a handful of swing states, based on thin suspicions of election tampering. The Clinton campaign indicated that it saw little reason to initiate a recount or any other kind of inquiry, but announced it would join in anyway so its representatives would be present for any official review. The likely results of Ms. Steins recount effort are twofold: enhancing her fundraising and sowing unfounded doubts in Americans minds about the integrity of the election. Yet it was Mr. Trumps reaction that was the most corrosive. Following the Clinton camps decision to join in the recount, the president-elect lashed out on Twitter on Sunday. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, Mr. Trump wrote, offering zero evidence for the incendiary charge. The president-elect appeared to be repeating a debunked story circulating on conspiracy-peddling right-wing websites that claims millions of noncitizens voted. Mr. Trump is the president-elect. He above all others bears responsibility to safeguard and defend the integrity of the nations democratic government. Instead, he illogically attacked the very system that resulted in his victory. For those who hoped that as president-elect he would be slower to take offense than he had been as candidate, and less willing to trade in lies, the tweet came as one more disappointment. Mr. Trumps overreaction suggests he is not prepared for the responsibilities of the presidency or the scrutiny that comes with it. The nation, in fact, does have a voting problem, but it is not the imaginary fraud that Mr. Trump conjures. Rather, it is a system that makes it too difficult for citizens to cast their votes. Registration procedures are unnecessarily restrictive. Early voting opportunities are needlessly limited. Lines are way too long. Names are too easily purged from voter rolls. Election equipment lacks paper trails in some states. Yet, if Mr. Trumps preoccupation with phantom voting fraud is any indication, his administration may spend a lot of time making ballot access worse, not better. The integrity of the countrys democracy would suffer for it. We finally have an Obama Doctrine. It is the 223 words of the White House statement on the death of Fidel Castro. It is blank of moral judgment, empty of indignation, blind to injustice, dismissive of history and indifferent to injury. A dictator has died, and Barack Obama sent him off with lazy weasel words: History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. History will also record Obamas failure to condemn. Fidel Castro was a killer. He came to power in a revolution and so violence was probably inescapable. But he followed it with mass executions the guilty, the innocent, it hardly mattered. He imposed a totalitarian system on Cuba even harsher and more homicidal than the one that preceded it. He persecuted homosexuals, dissidents, critical writers and journalists. He would not tolerate a free press, and his own political party was the only one permitted. In the end, he ruined his countrys economy while at the same time exporting terrorism. Venezuela today is a quasi-police state run with the invaluable assistance of Cubans. Obama mentioned none of this. Instead, he cited the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. If individual lives were altered by torture, imprisonment, execution or mere harassment, then I suppose the president is on to something and once again using language creatively. But this is thin gruel for Castros victims, some of whom might have expected the president of the United States to acknowledge their suffering. Alas, they got nothing. I call this inert White House statement the Obama Doctrine because it nicely encapsulates the presidents lack of indignation. No-drama Obama, as he has been called, has an occasional moral moment, but not often. He has been offended by Donald Trump, but then the president-elect has trafficked in bigotry, asserting that Obama was not a native-born American, as the Constitution requires of a president. It was only with pained reluctance that Trump acknowledged otherwise a perfunctory performance lacking all conviction. But the president has abided the Syrian slaughter without showing much disgust. He drew a red line around Bashar al-Assads use of poison gas and then walked away from it. I understand. His use of the term red line always seemed accidental, just a term that came to mind, and he was boxed in by it. But his failure to enforce it was certainly purposeful, and he has allowed the Syrian regime, the Russians and Hezbollah to kill with impunity. The Obama Doctrine comes down to a shrug of the shoulders. Donald Trump sent out a four-word tweet early Saturday morning after the death of Cuba's Fidel Castro. He followed that up a few hours later with a lengthier statement. (Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Jason Aldag / The Washington Post) Trump, on the other hand, awoke on Saturday twittering. In a tweet, he remarked that Castro had died and in a statement he denounced him as a brutal dictator. It is an odd and sad day when I agree with Trump and disagree with Obama and feel, moreover, that the learning-unabled president-elect has expressed American values while the president has expressed no values at all. Here, once again, Obama ignored the past and all its complications and instead focused on the future. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, the president said. The past, possibly. Memory, never. Castro has always represented an odd litmus test for the American left. He assumed a kind of literary bona fide, the dictator who read Gabriel Garcia Marquez and was in turn flattered by him. Castro became a literary invention himself, The General in his Labyrinth perhaps. Garcia Marquez saw the invisible in his writing but could never see the reality of Castro. Others, less gifted than Garcia Marquez, also found extenuating circumstance in Castro. He had an excellent health service, they insisted, as if it were not possible to have good doctors and a free press or oppose racism and not persecute homosexuals or dissidents. For some on the left, it was enough that Castro loathed capitalism and was Americas enemy. Like Uncle Ho, Uncle Joe and even that charming beast Mao, those attributes put him on many a dorm-room poster. In his statement, Obama looked forward to a future in which Cuba and the United States have a better relationship. But in not recognizing why that relationship has been so bad in the past in not even acknowledging the vast crimes of Fidel Castro Obama let the Cuban people know that the future can be just as bad. Its the Obama Doctrine in a nutshell: Do what you want. Read more from Richard Cohens archive. In his Nov. 26 letter, Metro is unsustainable, William Adams asked why taxpayers in Virginia who never use Metro should have to pay for it. Id be fine with that as long as Mr. Adams and his fellow Roanokans covered the full cost of their local roads. After all, I dont drive, and I have no plans to visit that part of Virginia. Why should I defray those costs? One can apply this argument to other expenditures, too. Why should the childless subsidize school systems? Surely those who never fly dont need to pay for airports. Alternatively, we might recall that we the people are all in this together. The pennies each of us contributes to maintain Metro and other transportation systems and improve our infrastructure benefit the United States as a whole. Steven Alan Honley, Washington I assume William Adams does not commute on Interstate 66 or Interstate 270 from Roanoke. If he did, he would see that Metro is necessary and should be extended to Manassas. Even if the government has to subsidize the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, it is better for our environment, commuter welfare and society to have public transportation. Imagine the millions of cars in our cities every day spewing poisons into our air, the drivers stress and their time away from family. Many European countries have excellent train systems, and it is just another failure of our government that Americans do not have efficient, well-maintained trains. Barbara Adams, Chevy Chase North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) on Monday ordered the emergency evacuation of protesters at the main camp near the Dakota Access Pipeline because of harsh winter conditions, his office said in statement. Demonstrators at a camp on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers in southern Morton County, who oppose the $3.8 billion pipeline, were ordered to leave the area immediately and not return, according to an executive order signed by Dalrymple. Winter conditions have the potential to endanger human life, especially when they are exposed to these conditions without proper shelter, dwellings, or sanitation for prolonged periods of time, the executive order said. Most of western and central North Dakota are under a winter storm warning, according to the National Weather Service, which said the area would experience heavy snow through Wednesday. Demonstrators have protested for months against plans to run the Dakota Access Pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer Partners, beneath Lake Oahe near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, saying it poses a threat to water resources and to sacred Native American sites. The companies say the pipeline would carry Bakken shale oil more cheaply and safely from North Dakota to Illinois en route to Gulf Coast refineries. The 1,172-mile project is nearly complete except for the segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, less than a half-mile north of Standing Rock. The Obama administration in September delayed final approval of a permit required to allow tunneling beneath the lake, a move intended to give federal officials more time to consult with tribal leaders. The delay also led to escalating tensions as police last week used water hoses in subfreezing weather to disperse about 400 activists near the proposed excavation site. The boat ferrying the 60 kg Kerala ganja was spotted by the Sri Lankan Navy after some suspicious movement was seen in Parthithurai. By Akshaya Nath: Three people have been arrested in Sri Lanka after 60 kg of cannabis (Kerala Ganja) was seized by the Sri Lankan Navy in a joint operation with the Sri Lankan Police. The boat carrying the 60 kg Kerala ganja was spotted by the Sri Lankan Navy after some suspicious movement was seen in Parthithurai region. The boat was reportedly spotted when the three accused were transferring the 60 kg Kerala ganja worth Rs 91,50,000 into their boats from an Indian boat in the middle of the sea. advertisement Also read | Indian fishermen attacked, trawlers damaged by Sri Lankan Navy; third incident in a week The Sri Lankan Navy had suspected something fishy and stopped the boat returning to Sri Lanka with the shipment. The incident took place early today morning. The trio will be produced before the Parithithurai court today. CONTINUOUS SMUGGLING OF CANNABIS The Sri Lankan officials have of late been bringing up the issue about how there has been continuous movement of cannabis and other drugs from India to Sri Lanka. Multiple arrests have already taken place in the last three months. One-and-a-half tonnes of drugs have been seized by the Sri Lankan Navy and since July, 10 Indians have been arrested for attempting to transport drugs into Sri Lanka. Also read | DRI seizes psychotropic drugs worth Rs 57 lakh from Mumbai --- ENDS --- Attendees gathered this month inside Viennas opulent Grand Hotel for an extraordinary event billed as the New Anti-Semitism Conference. The Israeli superspy who hunted down war criminal Adolf Eichmann flew in for the occasion, timed to commemorate the 1938 night when the Nazis stormed synagogues and Jewish businesses. What made the event truly remarkable, however, was its sponsor: Austrias Freedom Party a movement of anti-immigrant, right-wing nationalists founded in part by former Nazis and now on the cusp of capturing this nations presidency. They are one of the most pro-Israel parties in Europe, insisted Michael Kleiner, a conference panelist and former member of the Israeli parliament. Newly energized by the victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential race, anti-establishment forces on the political right are pushing into the mainstream on both sides of the Atlantic. As they do, many are seeking to neutralize one of their oldest and most debilitating labels: that they are anti-Semites. In the United States, top Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon is fending off accusations of anti-Semitism even as archconservative Jewish voices rally to his defense. Using the forum of Breitbart News the website that Bannon ran and is described as the platform for the alt-right, a white-state movement often espousing anti-Semitic views they have called him an honorary Jew and a man without an Anti-Semitic bone in his body. Many far-right parties in Europe are celebrating the presidential victory of Donald J. Trump. (Jason Aldag,Ishaan Tharoor/The Washington Post) In France, the Netherlands and Sweden, right-wing nationalists are counterprogramming decades of deeply ingrained anti-Semitism in their ranks. Critics say some hard-right parties in Hungary and Greece remain hotbeds of anti-Semitism. But as left-wing parties in Europe press for boycotts of Israel over its treatment of Palestinians, many populist nationalists in Europe at least in public are pledging Israel their full support. Nowhere has the rebranding been more effective than here in Austria. Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer is facing a center-left opponent in a rerun of Mays presidential election which Hofer narrowly lost after a successful court challenge by the far right. Ahead of the Dec. 4 vote, Hofer and his opponent are in a statistical tie. Although the job of Austrian president is traditionally ceremonial, it comes with ambiguous powers that Hofer has vowed to amp up. A Freedom Party victory would make Hofer the first far-right head of state in Western Europe since the demise of Nazi Germany. His victory would also mark a huge step forward for the Freedom Party, founded in the 1950s and initially led by a former officer of the Nazi SS. Today, it is headed by Heinz-Christian Strache, who took over after a 2005 split with Jorg Haider its former chief, known for thinly veiled flattery of Adolf Hitler. Strache is angling for Austrias top job chancellor in elections that could be held as soon as next year. Its leadership insists that not only has the party purged its ranks of anti-Semites but now it also shares a common cause with Israel and the Jewish people: controlling the spread of Islam. Indeed, the Freedom Party is pledging to protect ethnic Judeo-Christian culture on the continent by stopping Muslim immigration and imposing more surveillance on Austrian mosques. That mission, it argues, has become all the more urgent given the recent arrival in Europe of nearly 1 million refugees from the Middle East. Islam is not a part of Austria, Hofer said at the anti-Semitism conference, while seated near the famed Israeli Nazi hunter Rafael Eitan. By the year 2050, 50 percent of the children [in Austria] under 12 will be Muslims. . . . The kind of politics that is permitting a changing face of Austria and Europe has to be opposed. His campaign to court Jews and Israelis has gone all the way to the Temple Mount, where Hofer made a pilgrimage during a 2014 visit to Jerusalem. In April, Strache laid a wreath at Jerusalems Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. The Israeli government still cautious about the Freedom Partys far-right roots did not officially greet the partys delegates. But David Lasar, a top Hofer adviser who is Jewish, said private meetings took place in April between Strache and some Israeli government ministers. He declined to give names. Lasar, who calls the Freedom Party a rare friend for Israel in Europe, portrayed Muslims in Austria as the real threat to Jews. He cited a spike in anti-Semitic incidents. In 2015, such incidents jumped 82 percent to 465 cases, including two physical attacks, according to Austrias Forum Against Anti-Semitism. The forum did not break down how many incidents were attributable to Muslims but said it was concerned about an increase in Islamist-motivated violence. The Freedom Party says one of Hofers first trips if he wins will be an official visit to Israel. On Friday, Strache issued an impassioned plea for the Austrian government to help Israel combat a sudden rash of fires there, including some allegedly set by Palestinian nationalists. The new anti-Semitism in Austria, in Europe, is being imported and spread by Islam, Lasar said. Its important that Austria maintains a Judeo-Christian tradition. Islam is not a part of that. The Jewish community in Austria today numbering slightly more than 8,000 people is a shadow of the pre-World War II population of about 185,000. Freedom Party officials say that Jews represent so few votes now that the party could hold no political motive other than a genuine desire for rapprochement. Yet critics decry the effort to court Jews as little more than window dressing designed to portray the party as reformed, thus appealing to non-Jewish centrists. It is also, critics say, meant to obfuscate what is still a core racist message, this time aimed at Muslims. Across Austria, Freedom Party candidates have peppered the landscape with billboard slogans such as Love for the Homeland and Not Moroccan Thieves and New Apartments Instead of New Mosques. Austrian Jews are divided over how to react. Some like Michael Kaner, a 28-year-old Vienna Web designer are backing the Freedom Party. Although his family especially his mother is strongly against his decision to vote for Hofer, Kaner said that he is deeply concerned by reports of Muslim harassment of Jews and is tired of left-wing Austrian politicians railing against Israel. Hofer, on occasion, still wears a lapel pin of a blue cornflower a symbol of Germanic nationalism once used by the Nazis. He also attends a fraternity ball in Vienna long rooted in nationalist thought. But Kaner said that he is unconcerned by such acts. They are not neo-Nazis. Should we ask them to stop wearing Hugo Boss clothing, too, because the Nazis wore it? he said. I know other Jews who are voting for Hofer, too, but they dont want to admit it. Jewish critics, however, are blasting Austrias main Jewish cultural body for not doing more to stand up to the Freedom Partys targeting of Muslims. This is a question of morality for the Jews in Austria, said Karl Pfeifer, an Austrian Jewish journalist and author. He fled the Nazi invasion of Austria as a child and returned after World War II. Any party that is inciting against a minority group cannot be trusted, he said. Nobody should understand that more than us. Critics also call the partys move to cultivate better ties with Jews little more than a whitewash. In 2011, Hofer told a far-right German publication that the scientist Konrad Lorenz who espoused ideas almost indistinguishable from Nazi race theory was one of his role models. Earlier this year, the German daily Bild confronted Hofer with a photograph showing his aide Rene Schimanek as a young man at a neo-Nazi event carrying what appeared to be a baton. Hofer acknowledged that the photo was real but said Schimanek has never been indicted or convicted for the incident. He added that it had occurred 30 years ago and you shouldnt use something like this against someone. Under Strache, the Freedom Party has indeed moved to rid its ranks of anti-Semites, ousting, for instance, one prominent politician last year for apparently agreeing with an article blaming Jews worldwide for Europes refugee crisis. This year, the party voted in favor of building a memorial in a village where the Nazis killed about 10,000 Austrian Jews. Yet in 2012, Strache briefly posted a cartoon on his Facebook page depicting a fat banker with an exaggerated nose that was widely criticized as anti-Semitic. And anti-Semitism still flourishes, critics say, on the partys fringes. They cite far-right Austrian magazines like Die Aula, in which the Freedom Party has advertised. Last year, the magazine published an article claiming local Austrians suffered after the liberation of the Nazis Mauthausen concentration camp because freed prisoners engaged in robbing, pillaging, murdering and raping. The right has discovered its love for Judaism, said Ariel Muzicant, an Austrian Jew and vice president of the World Jewish Congress. Calling the overtures bizarre, he added, we are repudiating such attempts. Stephanie Kirchner in Berlin and Ruth Eglash in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Read more: How Angela Merkel, a conservative, became the leader of the free world Germany launches raids, bans group on suspicion of Islamic State recruiting Europeans are worried about Donald Trump. Heres why. Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news By PTI: Mumbai, Nov 29 (PTI) Governments Make-in-India initiative and structural reforms will allow the manufacturing sector to accelerate growth over the next few years, according to a CII-BCG report. Also, the government needs to specifically look at Industry 4.0 adoption by creating supportive ecosystem and policies that promote technology adoption, it said here. Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. advertisement "Make-in-India initiative and structural reforms will enable Indian manufacturing sector to accelerate growth over the next few years. "However, we cannot afford to ignore global trends in terms of rise of globally competitive manufacturing nations and profound impact of Industry 4.0 on global manufacturing," Arun Bruce, Partner, BCG said at the CII Manufacturing Summit here. "Apart from existing structural reforms and infrastructure push, the government needs to specifically look at Industry 4.0 adoption by creating supportive ecosystem and policies that promote technology adoption," he said. At the summit, CII and BCG released a report titled Next Generation Manufacturing: Winning through Technology & Innovation. The report assesses current state of Indian manufacturing sector, looks at the countrys rise as global manufacturing hubs, analyses the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on global as well as Indian manufacturing, and lays down imperatives for the industry as well as government. CII-BCG also conducted a survey among leaders of the manufacturing industry for developing key themes in this report. The report takes stock of the recent progress of the manufacturing sector and the Make-in-India initiative. It also takes notes of the efforts on reforms related to GST, FDI relaxation and infrastructure development. Such steps are making Indian manufacturers more optimistic. Nevertheless, 45 per cent of the executives feel that the Make-in-India initiate has become closer to reality as compared to the last year, it said. The report highlighted two structural shifts shaping global manufacturing. First, rise of global manufacturing superstars such as Mexico and Vietnam. These countries have built upon their natural advantages to create competitive advantage and promote growth in the manufacturing sector. Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman, CII Manufacturing Summit said, "Globally, manufacturing is entering into a new era with the advent of next generation manufacturing technologies. India needs to proactively invest in building capabilities and become globally competitive." PTI AP RSY BAL BAS --- ENDS --- A coalition of criminal-justice-reform advocates asked President Obama on Tuesday to expand the number of inmates eligible for clemency by granting commutations to broad categories of nonviolent offenders. Currently, inmates who meet certain criteria file individual clemency petitions that are reviewed by several layers of officials at the Justice Department and the White House. The coalition, which includes former judges and prosecutors as well as groups such as the NAACP and the Sentencing Project, is asking Obama instead to grant sweeping commutations to large groups of inmates, possibly without the individual review of each petition. With the stroke of your pen, you could change the lives of thousands of individuals and their families and write a legacy that will stand throughout history, the coalition wrote in a letter to Obama. We do not know whether the next president will support clemency efforts or criminal justice reform. But we do know that until January 20, you alone have the power to deliver both mercy and justice to those who deserve it. [Obama grants more commutations, pushing total past 1,000] Under his two-year-old clemency initiative, Obama has granted a historic number of commutations more than 1,000 to federal drug offenders who were imprisoned over the past several decades under harsh sentencing laws. Of those inmates, 342 were serving life sentences for their offenses. But the administration of President-elect Donald Trump is not expected to keep in place Obamas program. That program has involved a stepped-up effort to review cases by U.S. Pardon Attorney Robert A. Zauzmer, Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates and White House Counsel W. Neil Eggleston, along with a massive effort by Clemency Project 2014, a group of about 4,000 volunteer lawyers from across the country who have been sifting through inmate clemency requests and helping prisoners who meet the criteria prepare petitions. During his campaign, Trump called for more law and order measures and criticized Obamas clemency initiative. Eggleston has said that the president will continue to issue more grants of clemency throughout the remainder of his term and has pointed out that Obamas commutation of sentences for 1,023 people is more than the previous 11 presidents combined. This year, Obama commuted the sentences of 839 individuals, the most ever granted in a single year by any president. The coalition of more than 50 advocates praised Obama but urged him to move quickly in his remaining weeks and grant relief to thousands of other drug offenders behind bars. While your administration continues to review individual petitions, we urge you to also determine that nonviolent offenders in certain extremely low-risk categories either deserve expedited review or should be granted clemency absent an individualized review, the group wrote. In the letter, the group suggested considering inmates serving time for crack-cocaine offenses who did not receive benefits under the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, an effort to address the disparate sentences for powder and crack cocaine. The group said that the Justice Department should place those inmates in a camp, the lowest level of federal incarceration, or in a low- or medium-security facility as a surrogate for how an individual has behaved in prison, one of the criteria for clemency, to speed up the clemency process. The letter also suggests giving special priority to veterans and older individuals. Privately, administration officials said it is highly unlikely that Obama will change the process of how he is granting commutations. White House and Justice Department officials have called on Congress to pass comprehensive criminal-justice-reform legislation to further address the issue of outdated, harsh drug sentences. Read more: How a first crack cocaine offense led to a life sentence The painful price of aging in prison Secretary of State John F. Kerry said the Obama administrations foreign policy had made the world stronger and safer. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images) Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Tuesday defended the Obama administrations foreign policy legacy, arguing that from nuclear weapons proliferation to climate change it has made the world more secure. In a speech to the Womens Foreign Policy Group, Kerry seemed to make a direct appeal to President-elect Donald Trump not to abandon international agreements or undermine alliances. Kerry did not mention Trump by name but said democracy is measured not by a particular vote, but by whether we have the maturity to place the needs of the country above partisan concerns. Trump has vowed to dismantle or undercut much of what Kerry sees as the administrations diplomatic achievements, including the Iran nuclear deal, the rapprochement with Cuba, the Paris agreement on climate change and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. [I know firsthand what happens when you have a lousy policy and it results in a war] Its little wonder that some Americans want to turn inward and search for ways to fence off our own safety and prosperity from that of the international community, Kerry said, in a reference to international trade deals. No politician, no prime minister, no president can by edict or parliamentary decree shut off globalization. Because people want it. It is folly to think we can build a brighter future by hiding from the real world or by severing our connections to it. Kerry also took a swipe at Russia a country Trump has said he wants to forge a friendlier relationship with. Kerry said economic sanctions put in place over the Kremlins intervention in Ukraine were a necessary punishment. Weve heard a lot of self-congratulations coming out of Russia in recent times, but the ruble has declined, capital has fled and unemployment has climbed all because of self-inflicted wounds, he said. He defended the Iran nuclear deal, saying it had blocked Tehrans ability to obtain a nuclear weapon. [Obama: Iran nuclear deal shows the power of diplomacy] Now, I know that some people have said that Iran is such a huge threat we shouldnt even have attempted to do that that we should have passed up the best chance we had for the international community to come together and block each and every one of Irans pathways to a nuclear weapon, he said. To me, that argument just doesnt compute. He also made a case for continuing to support the climate change deal that more than 190 countries reached in Paris a year ago. Trump has said he would cancel it, though he has seemed to reconsider that position recently. Climate change is a dire threat to the future security and prosperity of our planet, Kerry said. Logic screams out to us that no country can plausibly claim to be a global leader if it fails to lead on climate change. [Kerry wanted to see how Antarctica was changing] Trump was meeting Tuesday with potential picks for secretary of state, including former governor Mitt Romney and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). In his most overt plea to the incoming administration not to reverse course, Kerry said that success doesnt require a change in direction, but instead bigger strides down the road that were already on. He concluded with an appeal to set aside the divisions the election generated. After the turmoil of the past few months, it is essential that we restore civility, honesty and reasonableness, common sense to the policy debates we have in this country, Kerry said. We cannot survive if we are a fact-free nation. Its also essential that we not turn our back on the alliances, friendships and principles that have enabled the United States to lead in the world so productively and for so long. Read more: Fulfilled and broken promises for Americas new role in the world I will give you everything: 282 of Donald Trumps campaign promises Experts say Iran nuclear deal could collapse under Trump People line up to pay tribute to the late Cuban former president Fidel Castro at the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana on Monday. (Alejandro Ernesto/European Pressphoto Agency) President-elect Donald Trumps vow to terminate normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba if he cant get a better deal from Havana may leave him at odds with many in the U.S. business community and in deeply Republican states. In Florida, where a significant portion of the Cuban American community objects to renewal of diplomatic relations and other elements of the thaw, President Obamas lifting of limits on both family travel and money sent to the island are widely popular. But there is also broad business and political support across the country for expanding exports to what is seen as a small but eventually lucrative U.S. market. Republican governors from Texas, Arkansas and elsewhere have led trade delegations to Cuba, along with their state farm bureaus and chambers of commerce. Companies from technology to tourism have established contractual relationships with Cuba under the Obama-era changes. With the approval of U.S. commercial air service to the island negotiated last summer, American Airlines and Jet Blue landed the first regularly scheduled flights from the United States to Havana on Monday. [Cubans line up to bid farewell to Fidel Castro in government-ordered mourning] I think the American business community would be strongly opposed to rolling back President Obamas changes, and strongly in favor of continuing the path toward normalization of economic and diplomatic relations, said Jake Colvin, vice president of the National Foreign Trade Council. What is he going to do? Stop direct flights to Cuba? Thats actually popular, Colvin said. As with many of Trumps pronouncements, his vow to terminate Obamas Cuba initiatives has been a source of head-scratching. Its difficult to know exactly what he means, reading tea leaves from Twitter, Colvin said. He predicted that Donald Trump will confront the reality of better relations with Cuba when he gets into office . . . American companies are making more money, American travelers are visiting Cuba, and the Cuban people have more money. Its hard to see how rolling back any of those things helps either the American people or Cuba. Trumps threat, made in a tweet posted at dawn Monday following the Friday death of Fidel Castro, came after Trump officials said over the weekend that all options were on the table, including shutting down the process that led to reestablishment of diplomatic relations last year and increased travel and commercial ties between the two countries. Absolutely, Reince Priebus, Trumps designated White House chief of staff, told Fox News Sunday. I mean, hes already said that would be the case . . . Repression, open markets, freedom of religion, political prisoners, these things have to change. [Cuba could face renewed tensions with the United States] By Monday, however, Trump spokesmen appeared to temper those remarks. Clearly, Cuba is a very complex topic and the president-elect is aware of the nuances and complexities, spokesman Jason Miller said. I wouldnt qualify it as far as changing up or down. Id say this has been an important issue, it will continue to be one, and to be clear, the president-elect wants to see freedom in Cuba . . . and a good deal for Americans where we arent played for fools. Only Congress can lift the long-standing U.S. trade embargo with Cuba and the Republican leadership has not allowed action on any of a number of bills to do that, and to lift remaining restrictions on U.S. travel to the island. Obama has used his executive authority to expand what is permissible despite the embargo. But agricultural producers across the country, from rice producers in Louisiana to Northwest apple farmers to Kansas wheat growers, have pushed for more, including lifting a ban prohibiting Cuba from buying American agricultural goods with U.S. credit. Cubas wheat consumption is about 50 million bushels a year, said Daniel Heady, director of governmental affairs at the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. Although not a huge market, its right off the coast and it would be extremely easy for us to deliver our product. It is something that Kansas farmers are extremely interested in, Heady said. In a world of extremely depressed commodity prices, especially wheat, 50 million bushels looks extremely good right now. Those who favor moving forward with Cuba dispute Trumps insistence that the deal has been bad for the United States, and they say that increasing contact can only reduce repression in Cuba, where the government has long blamed U.S. pressure for its crackdowns. I think we get into a bad place if we expect something out of the Cubans and condition what we should be doing anyway on Cuban behavior, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) said. Theyll disappoint every time . . . They know how to play isolation well. They played our policy like a fiddle. Ive never seen it as a concession to allow your own citizens to travel, Flake said. These sanctions are against Americans, not really Cubans. A Syrian soldier walks past destroyed buildings in eastern Aleppos Baadeen district Monday, a day after government forces took control of the area from rebels. Residents who remain in the still-blockaded parts of the citys east face starvation. (George Ourfalian/AFP/Getty Images) With its stockpile of food dwindling rapidly and government forces tightening their stranglehold on rebel-held eastern Aleppo, the Khattab family dreads what could come next. The brutal blockade has brought the familys side of the city close to starvation, while punishing airstrikes have turned trips to local markets into life-or-death excursions. Over the weekend, Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces made major advances against the remaining rebel enclaves, but even as thousands of residents flee, many others are refusing to leave, fearing capture. Those who are staying have very little left after years of war and months of a near-total blockade. Were only eating two small meals a day now, and its just rice and cracked wheat, said Moataz Khattab, 26, who lives with nine family members. We eat together, what we can, but we are losing so much weight. Were running out of supplies, and now we talk about starving to death. Last week, Jan Egeland, a senior U.N. humanitarian adviser, warned of impending starvation if efforts to bring in aid continue to falter. Syrian soldiers inspect damage in a street in eastern Aleppo's Bustan al-Basha neighborhood Monday. Government forces captured six rebel-held districts in the citys east over the weekend, forcing thousands of residents to flee. (George Ourfalian/AFP/Getty Images) [In under siege Aleppo, there is no normal life] Since Sunday, rebel defenses in Aleppo divided since 2012 between rebels in the east and government-held districts in the west have started unraveling. Government forces have seized more than a third of the east, prompting more than 16,000 people to leave the area, according to Stephen OBrien, the U.N. humanitarian chief. What comes next could be a final deadly assault or an even tighter siege to starve the remaining rebels into submission. For the past four months, Assads forces have blockaded more than 200,000 people in the east, nearly half of them children, according to U.N. officials. Those who remain trapped there must contend with frigid winter temperatures and lack of access to fresh supplies of food and other essentials, such as drinking water, fuel and medicine. Every day, my children ask me for food that is not available. They want fruit. They want chicken. Theyre hungry, said Ali al-Halabi, a 36-year-old father of three who lives in the area. He has also reduced his familys meals from three per day to two, and hes begun contemplating eating just once daily himself. The familys food stockpile is almost exhausted, he said. Aleppo, the nations commercial hub and its largest city, was once a symbol of the rebellion against Assad. Half of its districts fell quickly to the rebels in 2012, and it was expected to become the staging ground for the Syrian leaders eventual overthrow. That overthrow never came, however, and nearly 400,000 people were killed in the civil war that saw Russia, Iran and other Syrian allies step in to support the government and turn the tide of the war. Now eastern Aleppo is a symbol of desperation. Airstrikes have leveled hospitals, homes and much of the infrastructure, with people surviving on vegetables grown in backyard plots. Its residents know what horrors still await them, having watched rebel-controlled towns and neighborhoods across the country succumb to the governments harshly efficient starvation sieges. U.N. officials and aid workers say scores of Syrians have died under these blockades from the effects of malnutrition. Dozens just in the town of Madaya, west of Damascus, died when the food ran out. The world was shocked earlier this year by a flurry of images from Madaya that showed residents looking deathly ill, some so thin they resembled walking skeletons. Khattab, who said he has lost 15 pounds just in the past few weeks, actually thinks he and his family members are fairly lucky, considering the situation. They stockpiled a relatively large amount of food, although they have now whittled down their supplies to alarmingly low levels. The familys less fortunate neighbors have run out of food, and one boy in Khattabs district is close to death, he said. He has become a skeleton, Khattab said. Neighbors donated food to him, but it wont last long. Khattabs mother, 52-year-old Hend, tries to come up with creative ways of cooking the familys remaining supplies of cracked wheat and rice. But the declining portion sizes and lack of nutrients are taking a toll, especially on younger family members. Khattab is particularly concerned for his 10-year-old brother, Mohammed. Hes so young, and hes not getting the foods he needs to be healthy, he said. Its dangerous for him. For Khattab, it is becoming hard just to make it out the door each day to pursue his work as a freelance photographer chronicling the devastating aftermaths of countless airstrikes. You just stay at home, rest, and thats it, he said. You dont have energy. It is a condition afflicting many of the young men who keep eastern Aleppo running. Raed al-Saleh, the head of the Syria Civil Defense Force or White Helmets, said his team of volunteers, who play a vital role in retrieving people from the wreckage of buildings bombed by government forces, show signs of worsening fatigue from the lack of food. The lack of energy makes their lifesaving work much harder, said Abu Laith, 26, a White Helmet rescuer who said he is subsisting on rice. These are the worst days of the war, he said. Were exhausted. Were so exhausted. Louisa Loveluck in Beirut and Heba Habib in Stockholm contributed to this report. Read more: Assads forces seize a third of rebel held Aleppo The battle for Aleppo explained Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Embattled South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she would allow the National Assembly to determine her fate, signaling that she would resign over a corruption and influence-peddling scandal if lawmakers so demanded. Relinquishing her previously defiant tone, Park struck a chastened note in her third televised address to the nation over the scandal, which has angered South Koreans and created a political vacuum. I have surrendered everything now, Park said Tuesday from the presidential Blue House, while insisting that she had not done anything illegal and had never sought to enrich herself. I relegate the decision on my course of action, including reducing my term in office as the president, to the National Assembly, she said. If the ruling and opposition parties devise a plan for a stable transition of government that would minimize any confusion or gap in the state affairs, I will resign from the presidency according to such schedule and legal procedures. Park, South Koreas first female president and the daughter of military dictator Park Chung-hee who ruled with an iron fist in the 1960s and 1970s has been under intense pressure to step down before her term expires in February 2018. South Korean President Park Geun-hye bows during her address to the nation at the presidential Blue House in Seoul. (AP) She is suspected of allowing her lifelong friend, Choi Soon-sil, to use their relationship to raise tens of millions of dollars from big businesses and letting her wield extensive influence over the running of the country. Choi has been indicted on charges of coercion, fraud and abuse of power, and prosecutors say Park was an accomplice to the crimes. As the South Korean assembly prepares to impeach the president, paralysis looms Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans protested in central Seoul on Saturday for the fifth weekend in a row, calling on Park to resign. The latest Gallup Korea poll put Parks approval rating at 4 percent the lowest it had ever recorded for any president since democratization in 1987. But Park has remained defiant, with her attorney saying just on Monday that she was too busy to cooperate with the prosecutors who want to question her. She cannot be prosecuted while in office but she can be investigated, and charges could be laid against her once she steps down. As such, Parks announcement Tuesday took many by surprise. While it was not a formal resignation, there was an air of resignation, said John Delury, a professor of political science at Yonsei University. Thats new because we were hearing that she was in the bunker in the Blue House and was ready to fight this out. But others, including some opposition lawmakers, thought Park was trying to shift the problem onto the assembly, known as a fractious place. Shes made a really clever move, said Choi Kang of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Shes betting that the National Assembly will not be able to agree on what to do. Its not a fight between Park and the assembly any more, its a fight within the assembly. Opposition parties in the National Assembly, with the support of dozens of lawmakers from Parks Saenuri Party, were planning to bring a motion to impeach the president as soon as Friday. Analysts had said that there was a good chance the motion would succeed, as 40 Saenuri lawmakers had indicated they would support it, putting them over the two-thirds threshold needed to pass the motion. Heres whats involved in impeaching a president in South Korea But Parks announcement will probably bring that process to a halt and some in the main opposition Minjoo, or Democratic, party think it was Parks intention to create a split within the pro-impeachment camp. Some Saenuri lawmakers were indicating Tuesday that they would prefer to amend the constitution instead, allowing presidents to serve two four-year terms instead of the current five-year, one-term limit. This would bring Parks term to an end in February. To pass a constitutional amendment, more than a half of the 300 National Assembly members are required to support a bill. Then, within 60 days a vote would be held, which would require a two-thirds majority to pass. Yet if she were eased out this way it would enable Park to make a more dignified exit than becoming the first South Korean president to be impeached. I think shes heading off the drawn-out humiliation of impeachment, Delury said. But Choi of the Asan Institute said that Park had severely misread the mood of the country and that her statement would do little to assuage the public anger. There is still going to be strong resentment coming from the people, he said. She doesnt understand why people are so disappointed in her. Indeed, protest organizers said they would press ahead with a demonstration planned for this Saturday. Park was trying to pass the buck with a political ploy to distract attention from impeachment, said Ko Gye-hyun, a spokesman for some of the dozens of civic groups behind the protests. He called her move a sign of her disrespect for the citizens. Why are South Koreans so angry about presidential Choi-gate? Here are 4 reasons] Plus, Choi, who has been indicted on charges including extortion and fraud, is accused of using her connection to the president to enrich herself and win favorable treatment for her family. Choi is alleged to have raised almost $70 million from big businesses including Samsung, the countrys flagship conglomerate, ostensibly for two foundations but actually for herself. Furthermore, Chois daughter seems to have won admission to a prestigious university, despite not meeting the requirements for entry. The scandal continues to widen, with prosecutors last week raiding the headquarters of Samsung and other conglomerates including SK and Lotte, as well as the offices of the national pension fund and the university that Chois daughter attended. Along the way, there have been numerous bizarre twists in this tale, notably the revelation last week that the presidential office had bought 364 erectile-dysfunction pills. A spokesman explained that they were for the president and aides to take in case they experienced altitude sickness while traveling abroad. Read more Prosecutors link South Korean president to corruption scandal Presidential scandal shows that Korean disease of corruption is far from cured South Koreans gather en masse to protest president Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news By India Today Web Desk: Nitish's current ally Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, also a former Bihar Chief Minister, today lashed out at senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi for suggesting that Nitish should rejoin the NDA. "The media people are saying that Sushil Modi thinks Nitish Kumar should dump RJD and join hands with the BJP. I invite Modiji to take Nitishji away on his lap," Devi said in Hindi. When she was told the remark may be inappropriate, she retorted, "What is your objection to it? What's wrong in having some fun? Everybody does it." Devi then went on to attack PM Modi over the note ban. "PM has hidden black money. Laluji doesn't have them. The case against him has been going on for 25 years, not a single penny has been found," she said. Lalu, one of the accused in the multi-crore fodder scam, is Nitish Kumar's ally in Bihar. Lalu's son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav is Nitish Kumar's deputy in the Bihar Cabinet. advertisement Also Read: There is a conspiracy to eliminate my political career, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar NITISH WELCOME TO REJOIN NDA: BJP Earlier, Sushil Modi had invited Nitish to come back to the NDA fold. "Nitish Kumar should rethink about his alliance with the RJD and the Congress. If he continues to work with them, his political career will surely end," Modi said. "He was with the BJP for 17 years. Where has his political career ended? In fact, his stature has only increased," Modi said when asked about Nitish Kumar's comment. Union Minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan had also said he will welcome Nitish Kumar into the NDA, and even claimed that the JD(U) chief was apprehensive that Lalu Prasad of the RJD would weaken his party. On Monday, Nitish Kumar had called "political analysis" over his support to the ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and his party's refusal to join the Opposition's nationwide protest "baseless", and lamented that the controversy over his "principled stand" might "end his political career". "Nowadays, baseless analysis is being done for placing a view on a political issue," he had said in an apparent dig at media reports suggesting he was getting closer to the BJP by supporting demonetisation. "Efforts are on for a long time to end my political career through a sustained attack," said Kumar, who had left the NDA after 17 years in 2013 over the BJP's decision to field Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate. Also Read Nitish demands nationwide ban, says if you can't live without liquor, leave state --- ENDS --- A report released last Friday by an influential Chinese think tank, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS), provides details of the US military build-up in Asia under President Barack Obama and also a glimpse of the nervousness in Chinese ruling circles over the Donald Trump presidency. The Obama administrations pivot to Asia has transformed the South China Sea into a dangerous geo-political flashpoint by deliberately inflaming longstanding territorial disputes between China and its South East Asian neighbours. The US has seized on Chinas land reclamation activities on islets under its control to ramp up military provocations, including three freedom of navigation operations within the 12-nautical-mile territorial limit claimed by China around its land features. In releasing the report, NISCSS director Wu Shicun admitted that his institute like everyone else assumed that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would win the US presidency. As quoted by the South China Morning Post, Wu said the US would likely expand its military presence in the region under Trump. There will not be a reversal in the Asia-Pacific policy, but the strategic rivalry between China and the US is likely to continue over the South China Sea, Wu predicted. He warned that Trumps plan to increase the size of the US naval fleet from 272 to 350 warships could lead to a greater US military deployment in the Asia Pacific and break the delicate balance in the region. According to the South China Morning Post, the NISCSSs Report on the military presence of the United States of America in the Asia-Pacific region is the first attempt by a Chinese academic institution to document US military spending and deployment in Asia from publicly available data. The NISCSS is based on Chinas Hainan Island, which is directly adjacent to the South China Sea and hosts key Chinese naval bases, including nuclear submarine facilities. An abstract of the NISCSS report posted on its web site outlines what Wu declared was the unprecedented increase in US military deployments in the region under Obama. By 2020, the Pentagon will have stationed 60 percent of its air and naval assets in the Asia Pacific, including its most advanced weapons systems. In view of the great strategic value of the Asia-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean to the United States, the US military established seven military base groups in these regions, accounting for 50 percent of all of its overseas military bases, among which are 122 in Japan and 83 in South Korea, the report states. By 2015, the Pentagon had 368,000 military personnel in the Asia Pacific, including 97,000 stationed to the west of the International Date Line. The report highlights a vast expansion of US surveillance operations, directed particularly against China, via advanced reconnaissance aircraft, aerial drones, electronic surveillance ships, nuclear submarines and reconnaissance satellites. China has become the No.1 targeted country of the US close reconnaissance in terms of frequency, scope and means, it states. According to statistics available, the US made more than 260 sorties of close reconnaissance against China in 2009 and the number in 2014 was more than 1,200. The report notes the obvious increase in operations by US vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea during 2015 to more than 700 patrols. This not only threatened Chinas national security, damaged Chinas relevant maritime rights and interests and undermined Sino-US strategic mutual trust, but is also very likely to lead to accidental collisions at sea or in the air. The report also points to the expanding US build-up with military allies and partners in Asia. This included: the stationing of an advanced aircraft carrier in Japan; the deployment of the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea; the forging of an extensive basing arrangement with the Philippines; access for US Marines, aircraft and warships to Australian bases; greater access to Singapores naval and air bases; and enhanced military relations with Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. China is in no doubt as to the purpose of US military activities in the South China Sea. Along with untrammelled freedom of navigation, the reported explains that Washington aimed to consolidate its alliance and partnership system to pursue absolute superiority in maritime military capacity and to dominate rule-making in the region. The NISCSS report was obviously written from the standpoint of Chinas strategic interests. Beijing has responded to the US build-up in Asia over the past five years by accelerating its own expansion, including the establishment of facilities on its South China Sea islets that could, in the future, be used for military purposes. The militaristic reaction of the Chinese regime, which represents the interests of a super-rich oligarchy, only heightens the danger of war between nuclear-armed powers. The NISCSS report, however, underscores the scale of the US military expansion in the Asia Pacific. British strategic analyst Alex Neill, based in Singapore, told the Financial Times: I think it is fair to say that the US has increased the pace and intensity of surveillance flights all along Chinas periphery, and that has been commensurate with Chinas military modernisation. Neill does not of course consider what would happen if China took commensurate steps and conducted hundreds of military surveillance flights along the US East and West coasts, as well as around Hawaii. To ask the question is to answer it: the reaction would be explosive in the US political, military and media establishment. The installation of the extreme right-wing Trump as US president will only heighten the danger of war in the Asia Pacific. Trump has already foreshadowed a trade war with China as part of his Make America Great Again nationalist agenda. In its historic decline, however, US imperialism no longer has the economic clout to advance its global dominance and has increasingly resorted to military threats, provocations and war to assert its interests. Reflecting the fears in Chinese ruling circles, NISCSS president Wu declared last Friday: What I am most worried about is that there will be a new arms race in the Asia-Pacific due to the tension in the East and South China seas. As Wu is no doubt well aware, an escalating arms race, which is already well underway in the Asia-Pacific, is the prelude to conflict and war. Americanna, a socially responsible producer of edible gummies in the legal marijuana industry, has recently launched its latest edible: CannaPuffs. The new product is a hybrid between a marshmallow and a gummy. The CannaPuff is brand new to the cannabis marketplace and its also novel in... Americanna, a socially responsible producer of edible gummies in the legal marijuana industry, has recently launched its latest edible: CannaPuffs. The new product is a hybrid between a marshmallow and a gummy. The CannaPuff is brand new to the cannabis marketplace and its also novel in the world of traditional confections, Dan Anglin, founder and CEO of Americanna, told Confectionery News. The edibles come in watermelon, strawberry, sour apple, and grape flavors, each available in sweet or sour. The recent legalization of recreational marijuana in California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts will allow the edible cannabis industry to expand, especially with gummies being the most popular cannabis edible in the marketplace by 22 percent, according the a recent BDS Analytics report. Americanna anticipates expanding aggressively in states where cannabis-infused edible confections are legal, Douglas Brown, the companys spokesman, told Confectionery News. This is a priority for the company in 2017. One Cubs fan is celebrating his teams historic World Series win in an epically sweet way. Chef Gerald Madero and his team at the Forest Hills Country Club in Rockford, Illinois, has built a replica Wrigley Field made from 400 pounds of gingerbread and edible decorations. The project, which will... One Cubs fan is celebrating his teams historic World Series win in an epically sweet way. Chef Gerald Madero and his team at the Forest Hills Country Club in Rockford, Illinois, has built a replica Wrigley Field made from 400 pounds of gingerbread and edible decorations. The project, which will remain on display until after the holidays, took more than 70 hours to complete about three times as long as the running time of the World Series itself. The entire thing except the Lego players is edible. The seats are made out of crackers, the scoreboard is edible paper, the windows are gelatin, and every single piece is a perfectly scaled replica of the real Wrigley Field in Chicago. "Everybody here, we're all Cubs fans, so you know, being that the Cubs won the World Series, we just thought it was right to make Wrigley Field, Madero told local news station WRBC. We had to cut and measure templates, square everything off, make sure it all measured out so everything is even. It was a lot of work. Two black men were kicked out of a CVS after a bizarre incident that began with asking for sliced cheese and ended with terrified employees calling the cops. Ricky Berry said he and his roommate stopped into a CVS in Richmond, Virginia, and asked if it sold sliced cheese. After being told it did... Two black men were kicked out of a CVS after a bizarre incident that began with asking for sliced cheese and ended with terrified employees calling the cops. Ricky Berry said he and his roommate stopped into a CVS in Richmond, Virginia, and asked if it sold sliced cheese. After being told it did not, all store employees allegedly disappeared. Then, 30 minutes later, police showed up, found the employees hiding in the backroom of the store, and told the two men they had to leave. Berry told the local ABC station that it was the most bizarre experience of his life. We were walking around trying to find an employee, and the cop himself ended up opening up the emergency door, which set the alarm off, Berry told the local ABC news station. He was laughing with us because, like, this is how weird, apocalyptic movies start. Berry and his roommates recorded a video of the incident and posted it to Snapchat, which you can see in full here. Were being kicked out because they were scared of us and hiding, Berry can be heard explaining in the video. CVS has responded to media requests for comment by apologizing and said the employee who called the police would be interviewed and re-trained, though no further admittance of wrongdoing was mentioned. Residents of the Lilley Lodge Assisted Living Facility in North Pole, Alaska, couldnt wait for 22-year-old nursing assistant Emily McDonald to bring her newborn daughter into the center. But that day never came to pass. On Friday, the young mother, who was still on maternity leave, was the victim of a murder-suicide at the hands of her husband, McKay Hutton, 22, according to the Fairbanks Police Department. Hutton also fatally shot their infant daughter, eight-week-old Teagan Hutton, and his own mother, Linda Hutton, 54, before turning the gun on himself. Im just in shock, McDonalds longtime employer, Lilley Lodge owner Terry Ann Gainer, tells PEOPLE. I dont think it has set in yet. They seemed so happy. Police responded Friday to a call from hotel staff at the Hampton Inn about a suspicious circumstance, according to Fairbanks police. Officers who arrived on the scene found an adult male crying in the hallway before discovering the four dead bodies inside one of the rooms, according to the Fairbanks police. The man crying in the hallway has since been identified as a family member, say police, who add that a preliminary investigation shows he was not there during the shooting. Authorities have not yet released his name. A single firearm was recovered in the room, say police, who are withholding the make, model and location of the gun. Authorities are awaiting the results of autopsies that were performed on the four victims on Monday, Fairbanks Police Department Public Information Officer Yumi McCulloch tells PEOPLE. On Thanksgiving night, just hours before the shooting, Gainer says she saw a picture McDonald had posted on Facebook of her young son from another relationship and her infant daughter. Then the next day Emily and the baby were gone, she says. It just boggles the mind. 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. In the days following the murder-suicide, police are still working to determine motive. Story continues The million dollar question is why they were in that hotel room, says Gainer. They had a lovely little home nearby. Gainer met McDonald five years ago when she hired her to work at her assisted living facility. She became a great part of our family. She was like one of our own, Gainer says. The residents McDonald cared for by helping bathe and dress them adored her and are devastated by her loss, says Gainer. She was so kind-hearted and loving, she says. She had a gentle spirit. Thats why I hired her. While McDonald was private, she and Hutton, whom she wed in November 2015, seemed very happy together, says Gainer. I remember how excited she was to tell me she was having a little girl, she says. She was such a good mom. She was so devoted to her children. She loved her children. Gainer says she has no idea what led Hutton to allegedly shoot McDonald, their baby and his mother. In hindsight, she recalls photos of the family taken at the hotel and posted on Facebook just before their deaths and finds the photos disturbing. They look so somber, she says. They dont look happy at all. She was always smiling and laughing. When I saw those afterward, I thought, Something was happening. As happy as they seemed, no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. Anyone with more information about the individuals involved should contact Detective Avery Thompson at 907-450-6549 or send an email to asthompson@fairbanks.us. Actress Leah Remini has harsh words for Scientology, the controversial religion she left in 2013. On Monday, she appeared on the Today show, to promote her upcoming show Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which delves into ex-members stories. She told Savannah Guthrie what motivates her to speak out: Im not a big fan of bullies, so it is part of who I am, and I was a fighter in the church, this is what they taught me, and so Im going to continue my fight, but Im on the right side of that fight now. Both in her upcoming show and her 2015 book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, Remini accuses Scientology of abusing its members. The church has consistently denied the allegations and labeled the accusers liars. Remini responded to that on Today: People are talking about their experiences [in Scientology] of physical abuse and mental abuse, and to be called a liar and victimize victims is not OK with me. Remini also addressed how Scientology manages to keep its membership, in light of these allegations of abuse. She told Today that its due to the risks of leaving, saying, People say, Why not just get up and leave? Well, youre leaving everything youve known, youre giving up your whole life, because that is what it takes to be a Scientologist. Remini is the latest high-profile Scientology member to leave and publicly criticize the church. In 2009, writer/director Paul Haggis broke from the religion, but other notable actors like Tom Cruise and John Travolta remain members. Find out which Jonas Brother was recently busted with pot, below: President-elect Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, reportedly sent an approving message to the mastermind behind the Bridgegate lane closures shortly after he resigned from his position amid the scandal. According to an email obtained by The Washington Post, Kushner wrote to former Port Authority official David Wildstein on Dec. 7, 2013: Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and wishing the best. For what its worth, I thought the move you pulled was kind of badass. Kushner, a key player on Trumps presidential transition team, appeared to be referring to the 2013 lane closures on the George Washington Bridge that froze traffic for days in a long-running ordeal that came to be known as Bridgegate. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. Talking Points Memo reports that Wildstein previously worked for Kushner as the anonymous blogger for PolitickerNJ.com. Wildstein later confessed to masterminding the Bridgegate scheme. Earlier this month, two former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were convicted of plotting to close the lanes as part of a revenge plot against a Democratic mayor who wouldnt endorse the Republican governors 2013 re-election bid. RELATED VIDEO: 5 Things to Know About Jared Kushner Kushner Companies spokeswoman Risa Heller told The Washington Post that Kushners email was a poorly worded way of Jared trying to cheer up an old friend. U.K.-based theater chain Ambassador Theater Group has named new executive leadership to its North American arm including Kristin Caskey, the Broadway producer who was one of the lead producers on the 2015 Tony Awards champ Fun Home. Caskey will serve as executive vice president, content and creative, of ATGs North American operations, joining the organization alongside Stephen Lewin, an executive who has spent three decades in the wine and spirit business at companies like Seagram and Clicquot. He and Caskey step into roles at a company thats rapidly expanded its holdings in the U.S., having acquired what is now Broadways Lyric Theater in 2013, soon-to-open Broadway venue the Hudson in 2015, and the holdings of ACE Theatrical Group, which include venues in Brooklyn, New Orleans and San Antonio. The new hires in North America come soon after the ATG mothership has named a new chairman, Tony Ball, to replace Greg Dyke, who steps down after seven years in the post. Ball is a former chief exec of Sky and is senior adviser at Providence, the private equity firm that acquired ATG in 2013. The addition of Caskey seems like a move to shore up the Stateside producing activities of a company thats planted its real-estate flag in the U.S. theater industry but had less success as a producer on Broadway, where ATG-backed shows including Elling and Guys and Dolls proved disappointments. (ATG subsidiary Sonia Friedman Productions, the company behind the Tony-winning revivals of Twelfth Night and Richard III, has had much better luck, however.) Caskey, whos spent some 20 years at Fox Theatricals, will continue work as a stage producer with Mike Isaacson, the partner with whom she produced the commercial transfer of Fun Home as well as titles including Bring It On, while also overseeing programming at ATG venues in North America. ATG bills itself as the worlds largest theater company, with more than 45 venues in the U.K, the U.S. and Australia. The current tenant of Broadways Lyric, Cirque du Soleil show Paramour, is coming off a strong Thanksgiving week, while the Hudson is due to open in 2017 with an inaugural tenant still to be announced after a Jake Gyllenhaal-led revival of Burn This was postponed. Story continues Related stories Broadway Box Office: Sales Down 14% in Post-Labor Day Decline Jake Gyllenhaal to Make Broadway Return in 'Burn This' Tony Champ 'Fun Home' to Close in September "We started right from our home kitchen and oven," baker, chef and entrepreneur Lovey Kapur says, smiling behind her trademark horn-rimmed glasses. As home bakers for two generations, sisters Lovey and Puja often found themselves holding cooking and baking classes for Puja's friends. Orders from friends, family and extended acquaintances were common too, until it became tough to do so much out of the home kitchen. So they moved to the garage with one mixer and one oven and hired five people to meet orders. Even then they could barely keep up. "I realised that even if I hired more people, I would still not be able to manage it. I needed to open a shop," she says. So without a proper business plan, Kookie Jar was born. It was the December of 1985. advertisement Lovey's parents gifted the Rawdon Street space to her with the thought that "at least the space would be hers even if the business did not run". So they opened shop with a given amount of cookies and tarts. Puja came along from school (her school La Martiniere For Girls was right across the street) with her friends to help out and before they knew it, within a few hours of opening it, they ran out of stock. They went back to baking immediately but that too sold out. "It's been that way ever since. Since its food, you don't really want it to be left over," says the older Kapur. Also read: 10 lip-smacking street foods of Kolkata that you'll regret missing out on MAKING A MARK Their brand name grew and Kookie Jar soon became quite the favourite for the who's who of Kolkata and even the country whose elite parties they catered with an exclusive customised menu. The Goenkas, the Mittals, the Ambanis, the Dabur Burmans were all loyalists. As was Satyajit Ray, whose wife Bijoya would make it a point to pick up his birthday cake from here every year. "He even wrote us a lovely letter of appreciation," she says. Their success is even more surprising when you consider that Lovey does not have background in baking or any formal training in it. "I think it always helped that I was not trained in a particular school of thought. I was free to experiment come up with our own things," she says. AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR Lovey learned by experiencing and through her travels, "Paris, Austria, Vienna-we loved the pastries there," she says. Looking out for international trends the old-school way, before smart phones and the internet revolution also helped. Sometimes it was coincidence. "We were invited to iba, an international trade fair for bakery, confectionery and snacks, in the early days because at the time we were one of the very few stand-alone outfits to use an industrial dough-sheeter, which was generally only available in five star hotels," says Lovey. Meeting people there, looking out for new trends and travelling with them opened their horizons. "We would go to the best or the most expensive restaurants and tell ourselves that this was R&D," says Puja. It was through an iba meet in Dusseldorf, Germany that the sister met the famous Italian decor firm, Costa, who were known throughout Europe for doing the interiors of patisseries, gelaterias restaurants and bars. But just meeting them did not help. "We called them for months asking for a meeting. Finally they gave us an unreasonably short notice for a meeting but we hustled to get our tickets and visas and met them in person. The Costa brothers did the decor for all the Kookie Jar stores from then on, including their City Centre, Alipore and South City Mall outlet as well their restaurant, Mangio. advertisement KEEPING IT FRESH Maintaining an international standard was something Lovey took on as a challenge. Belgian dark chocolate, imported food colouring, decorative glitters and sometime even the ribbon that went around the cake box would be imported. Anyone in the family travelling abroad has a long Kookie Jar shopping list. However, thanks to online ordering and a steady relationship with suppliers, things have become "more streamlined" these days. Although the ingredients are the stars, they are not always imported. "Instead of keeping New Zealand Lamb chops in my restaurant, I like to serve good-quality locally sourced ones," she says. The cream will be done to Kookie Jar's specification every day but it has to be local as well. Even the mayonnaise used in the chicken sandwich is made by the family. STAYING IN THE BUSINESS Thirty years seems like a long time for a restaurant, especially in Kolkata, where many have not even survived ten. To put it to perspective, at 31, Kookie Jar's reign as the most trusted bakery and pastry shop in Kolkata is only two years short of CPM's, the party that was in power in Bengal for 33 years. "Even now there are people who may not know our history but will not turn to other bakeries instead of Kookie Jar," says Lovey. advertisement --- ENDS --- The U.S. News Short List, separate from our overall rankings, is a regular series that magnifies individual data points in hopes of providing students and parents a way to find which undergraduate or graduate programs excel or have room to grow in specific areas. Be sure to explore The Short List: College, The Short List: Grad School and The Short List: Online Programs to find data that matter to you in your college or graduate school search. At some colleges, the chances of being admitted are slim. But there are also schools at the opposite end of the spectrum, where applicants don't need to worry too much about the odds. Among the 1,255 ranked schools that submitted these data to U.S. News in an annual survey, nine reported acceptance rates of 100 percent in fall 2015. Also on the list is Cameron University in Oklahoma, which admitted 99.7 percent. Most of the 10 schools on the list are Regional Colleges -- which focus on undergraduate education but award fewer than half of their degrees in the liberal arts -- or Regional Universities, which offer a range of undergraduate and some master's degrees, but few doctoral programs. [Discover three tips to complete college applications on time.] The University of Pikeville in Kentucky is the lone National Liberal Arts College on the list. These schools emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. The University of Texas--El Paso is the list's only National University, meaning it has a range of undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs. A majority of schools on the list are designated as Rank Not Published, or RNP, meaning that they rank in the bottom one-fourth of their ranking category. In those cases, U.S. News calculates a rank for the school but has decided not to publish it. An additional 101 ranked schools nearly admitted 100 percent of applicants, reporting acceptance rates of higher than 90 percent to U.S. News for fall 2015, including the University of Toledo in Ohio and Montana State University--Billings. Story continues [Learn to write a great college application essay.] Meanwhile, schools with the lowest acceptance rates for fall 2015 include Alice Lloyd College, a National Liberal Arts College in Kentucky, at 4.7 percent; Stanford University in California, at 5 percent; and the Ivy League Harvard University, at 5.6 percent. Below are the 10 colleges that had the highest acceptance rates in fall 2015. Unranked schools, which did not meet certain criteria required by U.S. News to be numerically ranked, were not considered for this report. Don't see your school in the top 10? Access the U.S. News College Compass to find admissions data, complete rankings and much more. School officials can access historical data and rankings, including of peer institutions, via U.S. News Academic Insights. U.S. News surveyed more than 1,800 colleges and universities for our 2016 survey of undergraduate programs. Schools self-reported myriad data regarding their academic programs and the makeup of their student body, among other areas, making U.S. News' data the most accurate and detailed collection of college facts and figures of its kind. While U.S. News uses much of this survey data to rank schools for our annual Best Colleges rankings, the data can also be useful when examined on a smaller scale. U.S. News will now produce lists of data, separate from the overall rankings, meant to provide students and parents a means to find which schools excel, or have room to grow, in specific areas that are important to them. While the data come from the schools themselves, these lists are not related to, and have no influence over, U.S. News' rankings of Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools or Best Online Programs. The admissions data above are correct as of Nov. 29, 2016. Jordan Friedman is an online education editor at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at jfriedman@usnews.com. Every great performance has to start with an amazing audition. To become the chosen one, actors must convincingly dive into character without the help of million-dollar sets or expert costars, possibly while managing a bevy of nerves. Below, see everyone from future mega-popular child stars to eventual Oscar winners give it their all for the roles that would cement their places in Hollywood history. 1. Miley Cyrus: Hannah Montana A 12-year-old Cyrus brought the spunk (and a serious fast talk) to her auditions for the Disney Channel comedy. Looking back, its clear the spirited star was destined to march to the beat of her own drum. 2. Rachel McAdams: The Notebook The actress stunning first take on Allie Hamilton proves just how perfect she was for the tear-jerking romance. McAdams later called the try-out the best audition experience Ive ever had. 3. Jimmy Fallon: Saturday Night Live The comedian delivered a seemingly endless array of impressions, earning a six-year stint on the sketch show (not to mention a thriving post-SNL career). 4. Henry Thomas: E.T. Thomas tearful audition for the now-classic would be impressive coming from an adult actor, let alone a 9-year-old boy. The improvisation was so heartfelt and honest that I gave him the part right there, director Steven Spielberg told Premiere magazine about knowing he had found his Elliot after Thomas reading. 5. Matthew McConaughey: Dazed and Confused McConaughey perfectly embodied the laid back overgrown high schooler in his audition, soon gifting us all with all right, all right, all right. 6. Daniel Radcliffe: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone No pressure here, clearly: The too-cute Radcliffe didnt seem very stressed out about attempting to helm a handful of films based on a worldwide phenomenon. 7. Benedict Cumberbatch: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Now that weve seen Cumberbatchs full physical manifestation of the villain, we kind of just wish they had put him in a dragon onesie for the film. Story continues 8. Emma Stone: Easy A The snarky-yet-lovable Olive that Stone created in her audition tape would soon translate to big-screen comedy gold. 9. Scarlett Johansson: Jumanji Although the role ultimately went to Kirsten Dunst, its still fascinating to see the young actress talent begin to blossom in front of the camera. 10. The Office This mash-up of auditions (both successful and not-so-successful) for the workplace comedy is full of surprises. Seth Rogen as Dwight? Adam Scott as Jim? Its hard to imagine anyone else as the now-iconic characters, who are hilariously born in this audition reel. Hiking the Incan Trail to the ancient stronghold of Machu Picchu sits at the top of many travelers wish lists. The sacred citadelwhich sits perched high up in the Andes Mountainswas discovered (as much as an outsider can discover a local historic site) in 1911 by an Indiana Jones-type Yale professor named Hiram Bingham. He was lead to the ancient city, which was built around the 1450s, by a local boy and was understandably stunned by the beauty and grandeur of the abandoned site. Bingham shared the existence of Machu Picchu to the modern world in the April 1913 issue of National Geographic and since then the spectacular archaeological site has attracted visitors, researchers, and explorers from around the world determined to unravel the mystery of the siteor simply to bask in its ancient splendor. Despite the fact that the city is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site and scientists have been studying the sacred mountain retreat for decades, there are still many secrets about Machu Picchu and the people who built it. Before you head out on your own Peruvian adventure, here are a few secrets of the sacred site. If anything, these make for great hiking buddy banter. It was never supposed to be discovered. The Incans were worried (for good reason) that the Spanish would discover and loot Machu Picchu. To prevent that probable ransacking, less than a hundred years after they built the city in 1532, the Incans abandoned it, burning the forest on the way out so the re-growth would hide the trails up the mountain. The plan worked and the Spanish never discovered Machu Picchu and it was hidden to outsiders until Hiram Bingham visited in 1911. Bingham actually discovered the wrong city. According to National Geographic, who funded some of Binghams later explorations, when the explorer was brought to Machu Picchu, he thought he had discovered a different city altogether. Bingham believed that his local guides had led him to the so-called Lost City of the Incas, Vilcabamba, the Inca stronghold where the rulers waged a years-long battle against Spanish conquistadors. It took 50 years of arguing until Bingham was proved wrong, by an explorer named Gene Savoy, who in 1964, proved that the real lost city of the Inca was Espiritu Pampa, west of Machu Picchu. Bingham thought Machu Picchu was home to a bunch of woman called the Virgins of the Sun. The explorer may have been good at paying off trail guides, but he had no idea what he discovered. Bingham not only believed that he had discovered Vilcabama, but he also believed that Machu Picchu was the mythical Tampu-tocco, the birthplace of the Inca forefathers. His fallback theory was that Machu Picchu was a sacred convent filled with chosen women known as the ''virgins of the sun,'' and presided over by priests who worshiped the sun god. This delightful theory turned out, sadly, not to be true. Machu Picchu may have been the original resort town. According to a group of archaeologists, Machu Picchu was built as a retreat for the royal family. Research conducted by John Rowe, Richard Burger, and Lucy Salazar reveals that Incan ruler Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, who it is believe built Machu Picchu, may have envisioned the city as a peaceful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city in Cuzco. Machu Picchu was basically an ancient hilltop getaway that most likely would have topped T + Ls Worlds Best list in 1457. Theres a good chance it was an incredibly diverse city. Andean civilization expert Brian Bauer told National Geographic, that there is a great deal of archaeological evidence that the Inca weren't the only people to live at Machu Picchu. While the village didnt have a marketplace, archaeologists have uncovered ceramics from people across the region indicating that people from a variety of backgrounds lived inor at least passed throughthe city. The Inca were master stonemasons. The massive structure of Machu Picchu was built without using wheels, iron tools, or even mortar. Instead, according to National Geographic, the rocks were cut to fit together perfectly, using a method called ashlar masonry. It was a clever move, too. Peru is prone to earthquakes and the lack of mortar has helped the structures remain standing despite the fact that Machu Picchu was built on two fault lines. Much of the citys infrastructure is hidden. While the majestic mountain city towers over the surrounding valley, much of the citys architectural wonders are underground. According to Australias News, as much as 60 percent of the Inca construction is veiled under the terraced hills as part of the network of foundation walls and drainage systems that wind beneath the city. There are at least two hidden temples. The Temple of the Moon and the Cave of the Sun are easy to miss. Visiting the Temple of the Moon requires climbing a ladder for an hour up the side of the Huayna Picchu mountain, according to the News. At the top is a small, but stunning temple built into the cliff wall. Intimachay, or the Cave of the Sun, is tucked below Machu Picchus main site, which causes many tourists to miss it. The cave was a sacred space, which may have been designed to make the most of the rising sun during the December solstice as part of the Incan wintertime ritual, Capac Raymi. It may have been part of a pilgrimage route. While early explorers thought that Machu Picchu was a secluded citadel, modern archaeologists believe that the site was part of an ancient pilgrimage route. Unfortunately, due to the arrival of the Spanish, the pilgrimage trail was never finished, according to National Geographic. While the reasons for the route are lost to the past, archaeo-astronomer Giulio Magli believes the journey to Machu Picchu may have been related to the first Incas who traveled from Lake Titicaca. There are still archeological discoveries being made at Machu Picchu. In 2014, French explorer Thierry Jamin found a previously undiscovered door at Machu Picchu, which he believes holds the royal burial chamber of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the Inca ruler that built Machu Picchu. The Peruvian government, though, wont let him open the chamber as it could cause irreparable damage to the site (also, perhaps, theyve seen The Mummy). Kim Jong Un Here is what you need to know. Doubts are growing that OPEC can reach an agreement. Key members still cannot agree on how much oil production should be cut ahead of Wednesday's meeting. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark trades down 2% at $47.43 per barrel. China is trying to limit capital outflows. Regulators are now requiring transfers abroad worth $5 million or more to be reported to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), Reuters reports. Previously transfers of $50 million or more needed to be reported. Korea's president is willing to resign. Scandal-ridden Korean President Park Geun-Hye said in a TV address to the nation, "Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimizes any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down." UnitedHealth is optimistic on 2017. The health insurer preannounced guidance for 2017 saying it expects to earn an adjusted $9.30 to $9.60 per share on revenue of $197 billion to $199 billion. AT&T unveils DirecTV Now. The streaming TV service launches November 30 and will give subscribers 60 channels for $35 per month or 120 channels for $70 per month. Theranos and its founder got hit with another lawsuit. The blood testing company and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, are being sued by investors who claim she lied about the technology. Theranos is also facing lawsuits from a major investor, patients, and Walgreens. Uber drivers are protesting nationwide. Drivers for the ride-hailing service will protest across the United States on Tuesday, joining the "Fight for $15" minimum wage. Stock markets around the world are mixed. Overnight, China's Shanghai Composite (+0.2%) eked out a gain. Meanwhile in Europe, Britain's FTSE (-0.6%) lags. The S&P 500 is set to open up 0.2% near 2,205. Story continues Earnings reporting is light. Tiffany & Co. reports ahead of the opening bell. US economic data flows. GDP will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET before S&P Case Shiller home prices and consumer confidence cross the wires at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, respectively. More From Business Insider Istanbul (AFP) - Twelve people, most of them schoolgirls, were killed on Tuesday when fire ravaged a dormitory for pupils in the southern Turkish region of Adana, local officials said. The fire, which officials said was likely caused by an electrical fault, raced through the building's wooden interior as panicked victims tried to jump from windows to safety. Officials expressed concern that many of the dead were killed after they were unable to open a closed fire door to escape the top floors of the building. Images showed scenes of devastation as emergency services arrived to tackle the fire at the dormitory building, parts of which were turned into a blazing wreck and whose roof collapsed. "We lost 12 of our citizens in the fire. Eleven of them were schoolchildren and one was a tutor. 22 citizens are injured," Adana region governor Mahmut Demirtas told Turkish NTV television. "According to initial findings, we believe the fire was caused by electrical fault," he said. The Dogan news agency specified that all 11 of the schoolchildren killed were girls. Their identities have yet to be disclosed but they were also said to be 14 or under. The disaster took place in the town of Aladag north of Adana city, one of the biggest urban centres in the south of Turkey. - Jumped from window in panic - Television footage showed the three-storey building in flames, with fire engine teams trying to put out the blaze. Demirtas said some terrified schoolgirls were injured after jumping out of the window to escape the flames. He added that none of the injuries were serious condition. The governor said the fire at the private schoolchildren dorm broke out at around 19:25 (1625 GMT) and it was brought under control some three hours later. Demirtas declined to comment on claims that fire escape stairs were locked and students were unable to use them. But Adana city Mayor Huseyin Sozlu said: "It appears that the fire escape stairs door was locked. Children could not open it. Bodies were found there," he said. Story continues He told NTV "of course children would have survived" if they had been able to flee down the fire escape stairs. "From tomorrow the governor's office will start an investigation." He said the children were aged between 11-14. Students trapped on the second and third storeys of the building who could not flee outside, were killed in the fire, the Dogan news agency said. The fire spread rapidly because of the building's wooden interior and carpeted floor, officials said. Aladag district's mayor Mustafa Alpgedik, quoted by the Dogan news agency, said the fire erupted on the ground floor and then the flames spread because the third floor was wooden. With the burning of the wooden floor, the roof then entirely collapsed, he said. In an agonising wait, families who could not see their children stood outside in tears, Dogan added. The dorm had a capacity for 54 students and was open to both secondary and high school students. Demirtas said it was a private dormitory with 34 students in residence. Fires are frequent in Turkey due to antiquated and often wooden buildings and faulty electrics. But a disaster of this magnitude is highly unusual. In a sign of the seriousness of the incident, several ministers were heading to the region, including Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz. Demirtas meanwhile informed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who expressed his sadness over the catastrophe, the state-run Anadolu news agency said. Donald Trump has a knack for posting provocative comments on Twitter. But one of the president-elects most recent tweets has some wondering if the real estate mogul-turned politician is tiptoeing on the thin line between dictatorship and democracy. Trump's tweet Tuesday morning suggested that people should lose their citizenship or be thrown in jail for burning the U.S. flag, an act that is technically protected by the First Amendment. Since posting the tweet, Trump has received praise from those who seem to agree that flag burning should be a crime punishable by jail. But there are others who believe his latest comment is just another example of Trump's lack of respect for the First Amendment, which gives U.S. citizens the right to free speech, freedom of religion and ability to freely exercise that religion, freedom of assembly and the press. Trumps latest tweet isnt the first time the soon-to-be 45th president has said something that has been called dictator-like. Check out a few more quotes of Trump sounding like an authoritarian below. I think if this country gets any kinder or gentler, its literally going to cease to exist. March 1990 The point is, you can never be too greedy. "Art of the Deal," 1997 Our country is in serious trouble. We don't have victories anymore. We used to have victories, but we don't have them. When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let's say China, in a trade deal? I beat China all the time. All the time. June 2015 If I become president, were going to be saying Merry Christmas at every store. You can leave Happy Holidays at the corner. October 2015 "Donald J. Trump is calling for a complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on." December 2015 "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot people and I wouldn't lose voters. December 2015 Story continues "You have to give him credit. How many young guys he was like 26 or 25 when his father died take over these tough generals, and all of a sudden you know, it's pretty amazing when you think of it. How does he do that? Even though it is a culture and it's a cultural thing, he goes in, he takes over, and he's the boss. It's incredible. He wiped out the uncle. He wiped out this one, that one. I mean, this guy doesn't play games. And we can't play games with him. Because he really does have missiles. And he really does have nukes." Trump said about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January 2016 "If these politicians went to the beach and didn't do a thing, and we had Saddam Hussein and if we had Gadhafi in charge, instead of having terrorism all over the place, we'd be at least they killed terrorists, all right." February 2016 "In the Middle East, we have people chopping the heads off Christians, we have people chopping the heads off many other people. We have things that we have never seen before as a group, we have never seen before, what's happening right now. The medieval times I mean, we studied medieval times not since medieval times have people seen what's going on. I would bring back waterboarding and I'd bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding." February 2016 "I think Islam hates us... There's a tremendous hatred." March 2016 "Hillary wants to abolish essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don't know." August 2016 "If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your (missing email) situation because there has never been so many lies, so much deception. Trump told Hillary Clinton in October 2016, adding, Because you'd be in jail." Related Articles Geneva (AFP) - Up to 20,000 people have fled a Syrian government offensive in rebel-held eastern Aleppo in the last 72 hours, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the Geneva-based ICRC, Krista Armstrong, told AFP that the 20,000 figure was an estimate and that the situation remained fluid, stressing that "people are fleeing in different directions", desperately seeking refuge from the brutal fighting. Terrified civilians have fled empty-handed into remaining rebel-held territory, or crossed into government-controlled western Aleppo or Kurdish districts. The United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien had earlier put the number of displaced from eastern Aleppo at 16,000. The Syrian government offensive to recapture rebel-held parts of Aleppo has sparked international alarm. France called for an immediate UN Security Council session on the fighting, which has seen the army capture a third of opposition-controlled east Aleppo in recent days. Public health officials say three people died and five others got sick after a community Thanksgiving dinner hosted Thursday in Antioch, California, NBC Bay Area reported Monday. Eight patients were treated Friday and Saturday, according to representatives from Sutter Delta Medical Center. Contra Costa County health officials said it was unclear whether the victims became ill from the dinner or at the assisted living facility where they all lived, the Associated Press reported. The officials said they have not received additional reports of illness, and that they do not believe there is any risk to the general public. About 835 people attended the Thanksgiving meal on Thursday in the suburb about 45 miles northeast of San Francisco. NOW WATCH: Watch the Trump protest that shut down parts of New York City More From Business Insider The young Syrian girl posted several tweets describing the bombardment of her house as government forces advance on rebel-held parts of the city Syrians walk over rubble of damaged buildings, while carrying their belongings, as they flee clashes between government forces and rebels in Tariq al-Bab and al-Sakhour neighborhoods of eastern Aleppo towards other rebel held besieged areas of Aleppo, Syr By Reuters: A 7-year-old Syrian girl, whose depictions of daily life in Aleppo have gained a large Twitter following, has sent harrowing messages describing the bombardment of her house as government forces advance on rebel-held parts of the city. Bana Alabed has amassed some 137,000 followers since joining the social media site in September, sharing videos and pictures of life during the conflict from her @AlabedBana account managed by her mother, Fatemah. advertisement Overnight Sunday to Monday, Fatemah posted a Tweet telling her followers: "Last message - under heavy bombardments now, can't be alive anymore. When we die, keep talking for 200,000 still inside. BYE.- Fatemah". Last message - under heavy bombardments now, can't be alive anymore. When we die, keep talking for 200,000 still inside. BYE.- Fatemah; Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 27, 2016 Several hours later, a picture of the young girl covered in dust was uploaded with the text: "Tonight we have no house, it's bombed & I got in rubble. I saw deaths and I almost died. - Bana #Aleppo". Tonight we have no house, it's bombed & I got in rubble. I saw deaths and I almost died. - Bana #Aleppo pic.twitter.com/arGYZaZqjg; Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 27, 2016 A following tweet posted later on Monday read: "Under heavy bombardments now. In between death and life now, please keep praying for us. #Aleppo". We have no home now. I got minor injury. I didn't sleep since yesterday, I am hungry. I want to live, I don't want to die. - Bana #Aleppo; Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) November 28, 2016 Reuters could not immediately verify the events described by Bana and her mother. The Syrian army and its allies on Monday announced the capture of a swathe of eastern Aleppo from rebels in an accelerating attack that threatens to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold. Also read: ISIS uses 'chemical gas' against Syrian rebels: Turkish media Contacted by Reuters, Fatemah said the family were staying with neighbours while they looked for another house. "We wait & see because right now we are fighting for life," she said in English via Twitter. Bana's past tweets have gained responses from various users including "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling, who has sent the young girl eBooks of the best-selling series. Rowling has re-tweeted Bana's latest messages. Also read: Syria's White Helmets take Mannequin Challenge, Twitterati question authenticity of their videos --- ENDS --- DailyFX.com - Talking Points USD/CAD correction targeting initial support- CAD GDP, OPEC meeting on tap Updated targets & invalidation levels Click Here to be added to Michaels email distribution list. USD/CAD 120min USD/CAD 120min Chart Technical Outlook: Loonie has continued to trade within the confines of these descending slope lines highlighted last week. A critical support zone (near-term bullish invalidation) rests at 1.3388where the 61.8% retracement converges on a pair of long & short-term median lines. Note that this levels is backed closely by confluence Fibonacci support at 1.3367/76 and a daily close below this threshold would be needed to validate abreak with such a scenario targeting subsequent support objectives at 1.3314, 1.3259 & 1.3231. That said, the immediate short-side bias is at risk while above this key support zone with interim resistance seen at the weekly open / upper parallel at 1.3498. A breach above 1.3539 is needed to signal continuation of the broader uptrend targeting 1.3575. From a trading standpoint, heading into Canadas 3Q GDP report I would be looking to fade weakness while above this 1.3367. Keep in mind that the growth rate is expected to recover to an annualized rate of 3.4% from previous contraction of 1.6% (beleaguered by the Alberta fires). The OPEC meeting in Vienna will also be central focus tomorrow and could charge additional volatility in Crude & CAD crosses keep an eye on the Real-Time News feed for headlines. USD/CAD SSI A summary of the DailyFX Speculative Sentiment Index (SSI) shows traders are net short USD/CAD- the ratio stands at -1.31 (43% of traders are long)- weak bullish reading Long positions are 4.7% lower than yesterday and 7.9% below levels seen last week Short positions are 9.6% higher than yesterday but 4.3% below levels seen last week Open interest remains subdued at 5.9% below its monthly average The current dynamic of building short-exposure suggests the immediate risk remains higher- That said, its worth noting that as SSI continues to come off the recent extreme (-2.45), a move out of negative territory may mimic market conditions during the mid-October decline when traders flipped net long. In that instance, the pair snapped back from a fresh monthly low (where traders turned net-short following the move) before rebounding sharply to new highs. Story continues Relevant Data Releases 3Q GDP, OPEC to Drive USD/CAD Volatility- Shorts at Risk into 1.3370 Looking for trade ideas? Review DailyFXs 2016 4Q Projections Other Setups in Play: ---Written by Michael Boutros, Currency Strategist with DailyFX Join Michael for Live Weekly Trading Webinars on Mondays on DailyFX at 13:30 GMT (8:30ET) FollowMichael on Twitter @MBForex or contact him at mboutros@dailyfx.com original source DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from IG. Some of the world's finest museums housing vast collections of art, history and modern memorabilia can be found in New York City. Whatever your interests, the Big Apple likely has a museum dedicated to it. Whether you're looking to experience America's immigrant history, view paintings by the great masters or explore the universe, these are some of the best museums in New York City, according to local experts. Metropolitan Museum of Art Known simply as The Met, this massive, historic institution located on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street holds more than 5,000 years of art from a range of cultures and eras. Explore different time periods, from ancient Greece to the medieval years and the Renaissance to the 20th century, through the lens of their paintings, costumes, sculptures and even armor. There is a constant roster of rotating exhibits, but you can always find works by masters including Picasso, Cezanne or Monet. The Met is approximately 2 million square feet, making it one of the largest museums in the Western Hemisphere, so it's impossible to see everything in a day. Instead, focus on a specific style or time period that interests you. Isabelle Hogan, chef concierge at The Mark hotel, says there is always something to see at The Met, and suggests visitors check out the rooftop, which is open from May through October. [Read: 5 Must-See Parks in New York City.] The Met is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults, however, on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., The Met allows you to "pay what you wish" as part of the city's "free Fridays" museum program. American Museum of Natural History Located on Central Park West at 79th Street, the American Museum of Natural History has been feeding visitors' curiosity about our planet and our place in the universe since its opening in 1869. The setting for the hit 2006 movie "Night at the Museum," the American Museum of Natural History is a labyrinth of wonders that will delight children and adults alike. Story continues Permanent exhibitions include the Hall of North American animals, the Hall of Vertebrate Origins, the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Science and, of course, the Millstein Hall of Ocean Life featuring the famous 94-foot model of a graceful blue whale. It's in the Millstein Hall that you can attend the museum's sleepover parties, which require reservations made in advance. Soon, the museum will feature an exhibit about Cuba and its biodiversity. The American Museum of Natural History is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. General admission tickets are $22 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 2 to 12. New York Public Library Once you see those majestic marble lions flanking the front steps, you'll know exactly where you are -- the iconic New York Public Library, which was featured in the 1984 movie "Ghostbusters." Designed in the beaux-arts style, the library is located on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street next to Bryant Park, and has been inspiring New Yorkers and book lovers for more than a century. "The New York Public Library is a beautiful building, it's like going to a museum, it has amazing history," says Hogan. While you may overlook the library as a must-see museum, think again: The library houses extensive collections of historic documents, books and art, and you can browse them all for free. Exhibits rotate, but in the Schwarzman Building, learn about founding father Alexander Hamilton and the alternative press, or view old maps of New York state's Erie Canal, which stretches from Albany to Buffalo. Or glimpse at what New Yorkers were eating decades ago at the library's archive of restaurant menus. The main building of the New York Public Library is open daily, though hours vary by day. [Read: 5 New York City Neighborhoods to Explore on Vacation.] Tenement Museum New York City was built by the hands of immigrants, people who came from all over the world seeking opportunity and a chance at a better life. The Tenement Museum, located at 103 Orchard St. in Manhattan's Lower East Side, turns a spotlight onto a chapter of history that should never be overlooked. Visitors experience the difficult living conditions that nearly 7,000 working-class immigrants faced during their time at 97 Orchard St., tenement apartments built in 1863. "I send many visitors there, it's a great educational experience," says Susanne Carter, chef concierge at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park. "You see how families lived, walk around and see how cramped things were, how hard things were, and you understand where our city comes from." Hear the stories of specific families who weathered hardship at 97 Orchard St. See how sweatshop workers lived, how Irish immigrants got by and how factory workers struggled during the economic depression of the 1930s. Walking tours around the tenement are also available. The Tenement Museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and on Thursdays it stays open until 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults. National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center One of New York City's newest museums pays tribute to the United States' darkest day -- Sept. 11, 2001. While this museum may stir up difficult memories for visitors, it also shares stories of resilience and restoration. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum contains artifacts from that day and the following weeks, including pieces of the Twin Towers and personal items found in the debris. The site also honors the emergency workers who were among the first to arrive at ground zero, and shares stories of heroism. "See what we've rebuilt," says Frederick Bigler, chef concierge at The Peninsula Hotel. "We should be proud as New Yorkers. The younger generation might not remember 9/11, but older people remember that day. It's like our Pearl Harbor. It's part of New York history, and world history, and it's something for new generations to learn from." [Read: The Best Things to Do in New York City.] The museum is located at 200 Liberty St. in the Financial District. The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The memorial is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for the museum cost $24 for adults and $15 for children ages 7 to 17. To experience more of what New York City has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide. Katrina Woznicki is a freelance writer based in the New York City area. Follow her on Twitter. Its hard to have too much sympathy for the fiscal plight of the Department of Defense, whose total budget last year breached $600 billion more than the next seven highest-spending countries combined. And if President-elect Donald Trump has his way, overall military spending will rise substantially in the coming years. For now, however, the Pentagon, like just about every other major department and agency, is limping along under a short-term appropriations resolution forcing it to operate under last years spending levels while facing with this years more ambitious and demanding operational and procurement imperatives. Related: The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the Pentagons Arsenal For the eighth year in a row, Congress has failed to complete work on all major appropriations bills for the coming year and has resorted to a series of continuing resolutions, or CRs, to keep the government operating and avoid another shutdown. The most recent CR will keep the government afloat through Dec. 9. Republican leaders appear determined to kick the can down the road again with another CR until the end of March, to give the incoming Trump administration time to weigh in on the final shape of the fiscal 2017 spending package. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) concluded that another delay was necessary to give their members and the new Republican administration more time to reconcile their differences over spending priorities and clear the deck in January for a big vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act. Yet budget policy watchdog groups including the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) believe this is a reckless way of doing business that could harm the quality of government and even jeopardize national security. Related: Here's What Could Scuttle Trumps Big Spending Plans The Defense Department had requested $582.7 billion including $58.6 billion for overseas military operations for fiscal 2017, which technically began Oct. 1. The Department of Energy sought an additional $20 billion for defense-related projects. Story continues But because Congress has yet to get around to approving spending for the new fiscal year, the Pentagon has to adhere to the fiscal 2016 spending levels totaling $580.3 billion or $2.4 billion below their request for the current fiscal year. While there is little difference in the two top lines, retaining last years funding levels well into the new fiscal year restricts the Pentagons ability to execute its modernization and readiness plans and prevents the military from starting procurement of new weapons systems, according to experts. The Defense Department and other agencies are straightjacketed by being held to last years funding levels for their programs, Katherine Blakeley, a research fellow at the non-partisan CSBA, said in an interview Tuesday. If youre the Defense Department, you might get about the same amount of money, but it might be allocated in the wrong way. Related: How the Pentagon Cooks the Books to Hide Massive Waste For example, she said, the Navy is working on a new generation of ballistic missile submarines to replace the Ohio-class nuclear subs. That project represents one of the Pentagons highest priorities in maintaining the nations nuclear deterrent. Until now, the new submarine has been in the research, design and development phases. But because the Defense Department is hamstrung by last years budget, it may not have the procurement money necessary to begin building the first of the new submarines this year. DoD cannot start procurement of new systems, as continuing resolutions typically prohibit new starts, said Blakeley. House Appropriations Committee Chair Hal Rogers (R-KY) appeared crestfallen when GOP leaders again postponed final action on a new set of spending bills for fiscal 2017, and warned that government by CR was a risky way of proceeding. We must continue to keep our federal agencies and programs open for business, while looking towards future progress on these vital Appropriations bills, he said in a statement in mid-November. I am also hopeful for a renewed and vigorous regular order on future annual funding bills, so that the damaging process of Continuing Resolutions will no longer be necessary, he added. Related: Why the Pentagon Budget Is Out of Control Managers at the Department of Defense struggle to adjust to spending on auto-pilot that doesnt account for emergencies or sudden changes. Frequently they are saddled with more money than they want for certain programs and less money than they need for high priority activities, purchases and development. Defense Department Comptroller Mike McCord recently said that his biggest challenge is operating within a continuing resolution, according to a report by Federal News Radio. We have a contractual understanding with Boeing that were going to buy more tankers this year than we did last year, he said. If were unable to fulfill that because were in a CR that prohibits us from increasing our quantity purchase, were going to waste hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money, for which they will get nothing in return. Related: Pentagons Sloppy Bookkeeping Means $6.5 Trillion Cant Pass an Audit Here are seven programs at the Pentagon facing disruption by the use of continuing resolutions, based on a Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments study by Blakeley and Maureen Smolskis: 1. AGM-114 Hellfire. The Army and Navy intend to purchase more of these air-to-ground missiles for use against ISIS while the Air Force wants less, but the continuing resolution is preventing the three branches from shifting funds to adjust to their specific needs. The Air Force will be required to spend $698 million on Hellfire acquisition in fiscal 2017, about 300 percent more than the amount it originally requested, while the Army will get significantly less than it wants next year. 2. KC-46A Pegasus. The continuing resolution will cap the number of these new tanker aircraft the Air Force can purchase in fiscal 2017 at 12, instead of the 15 that were originally requested. That means that the Air Force will have to rely for a longer period of time on older, less capable tanker aircraft for mid-air refueling. 3. Ohio Replacement Program/Columbia Class SSBN. The Navy is concerned that the continuing resolution will slow its schedule for replacing the aging Ohio-class nuclear submarines with the new Columbia-class submarines. Any further budget delays could hold up delivery of all dozen planned Columbia-class submarines beginning in the late 2020s. 4. CH-53K King Stallion. The Marine Corps plans to replace its ancient CH-53E heavy lift helicopters with this new model with twice the capacity, but is experiencing gaps in airlifts because of a shortage of the new choppers, which were supposed to start coming on line in 2017. Further delays to the CH-53K will force the Marines to continue to rely on the older helicopters for a longer period of time. Related: Ryan Declares GOP Has a Mandate to Enact Sweeping Changes 5. Carrier Replacement Program. The Pentagon is pressing for construction of additional Ford-class aircraft carriers to replace the aging Nimitz-class carriers. The Navy needs at least eleven of them in the coming years and anything less could cause gaps in coverage in the Middle East and Pacific if the carriers must rotate home more frequently for maintenance. 6. E-2D Hawkeye. This airborne early warning aircraft is the eyes and ears of the carrier strike group and can detect long-distance threats like enemy missiles, ships and aircraft. The Navy requested $1.52 billion for fiscal 2017 to procure six of these aircraft, or one more than the year before. Any interruption in the acquisition of these planes could put the military at a disadvantage in detecting enemy attacks. 7. F-35B Lightning II STOVL Aircraft. This versatile aircraft is being jointly developed by the Navy and Marines as an eventual replacement for the F/A-18 Hornet. The goal is to have two F-35B squadrons ready for deployment in 2018. The good news for the Navy is that it will receive $171 million more than it requested for fiscal 2017, or $3.3 billion. The bad news is that the mix of research, development and testing and procurement funding is not what the Marines wanted. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: The 8-year-old Illinois girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered last Wednesday after being abducted while waiting for a church bus suffocated to death, the states attorneys office confirms to PEOPLE. Sabrina Stauffenberg was allegedly abducted Wednesday evening, authorities have said. Her body was found hours later near a vinegar plant in Olney, a small southern Illinois city. She had allegedly been sexually assaulted, which caused great bodily harm to that was life-threatening, a spokesperson for the states attorneys office tells PEOPLE. On Sunday, police arrested 53-year-old Glen Ramey in connection with Sabrinas death. According to Denise Haley, a friend of the family, Sabrina was allegedly lured off the family porch by Ramey. Haley said Ramey had met the little girl on several occasions and had dated one of Sabrinas cousins. He was just walking home and he saw Sabrina standing outside and lured her away form the porch, Haley tells PEOPLE. She knew him so she wouldve went. Haley says Sabrina last spoke with her grandmother before the abduction, telling her that the church bus hadnt come. Sabrinas grandmother hung up and called the church to ask why the bus was late. When she tired to call Sabrina again, there was no answer, Haley says. So she called aunt and uncle and said she tried getting a hold of Sabrina. They were at home and they looked outside and saw that Sabrina was gone, Haley says. They started screaming outside for her name They went to the laundromat asking people if theyd seen her. No one had seen her. Haley says the family contacted the police who tracked Sabrinas cell phone to her body behind the vinegar plant. She was bound and they found her pants down around her ankles, Haley tells PEOPLE. They did find DNA on her. The spokesperson for the states attorneys office would not confirm or deny the state of Sabrinas clothing or that she had been bound. Haley started a GoFundMe page to help the girls family in the wake of Sabrinas death. A funeral for the little girl will be held Friday at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney. Story continues Ramey was arrested on Sunday and charged with first-degree murder and predatory sexual assault. His bail has been set at $10 million. He has not entered a plea and has not retained an attorney. Records show that he is expected to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. Court records show that Ramey has been the subject of at least four separate orders of protection since 2014. He is not listed on the Illinois sex offender registry. Investing for the youngest generation. During Black Friday, countless children watched their parents very, very carefully, trying to catch a glimpse of the booty they've stashed in the car trunk. But given that today's perfect gifts are tomorrow's perfect garage sale fodder, doesn't it make sense to think about what else your kids are watching you do? To wit: You're demonstrating how to spend money when you could show them how to make money instead. Not even Santa and his elves have an inside track to that kind of racket. So now's your chance to start teaching them that while money doesn't grow on Christmas trees, capital gains are the gift that keeps on giving. Don't tell them how stocks work, show them. Vic Patel, founder of the Forex Training Group, has turned stock picking into a bonding ritual with his teenage daughter. "We sit down every few weeks and collaborate on which stocks we feel will make a move in the near future," he says. "It's a great way to get her involved and interested in the markets and investing in general." It's also a tantalizing incentive for competitive young adults to school their expert parents. Game the market. You can start younger children off by giving them a play-money portfolio and tracking the results. "Make it fun by making it a game at first," says Rebecca Pavese, a financial planner and portfolio manager with Palisades Hudson Financial Group's Atlanta office. Pavese, who's also a mom, advises using online competition tools and/or create and track investments together. "Playing through the simulations first will allow you to spend time with your child and open dialogue about the rules of investing," she says. Watch Warren Buffett's "Secret Millionaires Club." There's no treehouse involved here though Buffett, who helped create this video series, could buy a dozen national forests. The 26 episodes, available on the Kid Genius channel via Xfinity on Demand, star an animated Oracle of Omaha, who mentors the characters (and a robot) in ways of financial and business wisdom. Short webisodes air on smckids.com, and the series also guest stars the likes of Bill Gates, Jay-Z and Kelly Rowland. OK, so it's a secret club -- but how do adults join? Story continues Demonstrate patience in action. As any value investor knows, success equals delayed gratification. Consider a project where results unfold over years, says Dave Geibel, senior vice president and wealth advisor at Girard Partners in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. "Starting to invest at a young age allows a child to witness growth and experience the common ups and downs of the market," he says. Geibel also notes: "Volatility is normal. Knowing and investing through it will keep emotions in check when investing at an older age." Children. Emotions in check. Imagine that. Buy a 10 pack. Robert Johnson, president and CEO of the American College of Financial Services in the Philadelphia area, suggests parents give children a portfolio of about 10 stocks. "Pick one share each and have some be dividend payers, some not," he says. Better yet, "make them companies kids understand: Walt Disney Co. (ticker: DIS), Coca-Cola Co. (KO), Nike (NKE). It will give them an appreciation for compounding, yield and the fact that some wonderful companies aren't necessarily great investments." True, losing could hurt -- but it's your money, right Santa? Pound home compound interest. When children rake in the bucks from relatives this holiday, resist the temptation to set them loose in the mall. To them, compound interest may seem like a trick -- but in this case, the magic is real. "I stress to my kids the value of saving their money, which means all that loose change and cash gifts," Patel says. When there's a big enough pile, take it to an interest-bearing account where they can watch it grow long after the mistletoe turns to compost. Don't forget giving. Legendary investors like Buffett believe deeply in giving -- and not as an afterthought. "We started with our kids once they were old enough to put the offering in the plate at our church," says Daryl Dagit, financial advisor and market manager at Savant Capital Management's office in Peoria, Illinois. "And once they started receiving cash gifts for birthdays and doing extra chores around the house, they were taught to put some in the bank, give some to Sunday school and that it was OK to spend the rest." Pass on your parents' gifts. Marguerita Cheng, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, has experience aplenty taking her daughters holiday shopping. But she'll also pass on the financial gifts her father gave her. "Parents can have kids invest in stocks via a dividend reinvestment plan," Cheng says. "I distinctly recall my dad discussing the price of IBM (IBM) stock and how he purchased it via payroll deduction. In fact, this is exactly how I learned to read Value Line [an investment survey] -- and how Dad helped me pay for college." More From US News & World Report Investing for the youngest generation. During Black Friday, countless children watched their parents very, very carefully, trying to catch a glimpse of the booty they've stashed in the car trunk. But given that today's perfect gifts are tomorrow's perfect garage sale fodder, doesn't it make sense to think about what else your kids are watching you do? To wit: You're demonstrating how to spend money when you could show them how to make money instead. Not even Santa and his elves have an inside track to that kind of racket. So now's your chance to start teaching them that while money doesn't grow on Christmas trees, capital gains are the gift that keeps on giving. Don't tell them how stocks work, show them. Vic Patel, founder of the Forex Training Group, has turned stock picking into a bonding ritual with his teenage daughter. "We sit down every few weeks and collaborate on which stocks we feel will make a move in the near future," he says. "It's a great way to get her involved and interested in the markets and investing in general." It's also a tantalizing incentive for competitive young adults to school their expert parents. Game the market. You can start younger children off by giving them a play-money portfolio and tracking the results. "Make it fun by making it a game at first," says Rebecca Pavese, a financial planner and portfolio manager with Palisades Hudson Financial Group's Atlanta office. Pavese, who's also a mom, advises using online competition tools and/or create and track investments together. "Playing through the simulations first will allow you to spend time with your child and open dialogue about the rules of investing," she says. Watch Warren Buffett's "Secret Millionaires Club." There's no treehouse involved here though Buffett, who helped create this video series, could buy a dozen national forests. The 26 episodes, available on the Kid Genius channel via Xfinity on Demand, star an animated Oracle of Omaha, who mentors the characters (and a robot) in ways of financial and business wisdom. Short webisodes air on smckids.com, and the series also guest stars the likes of Bill Gates, Jay-Z and Kelly Rowland. OK, so it's a secret club -- but how do adults join? Story continues Demonstrate patience in action. As any value investor knows, success equals delayed gratification. Consider a project where results unfold over years, says Dave Geibel, senior vice president and wealth advisor at Girard Partners in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. "Starting to invest at a young age allows a child to witness growth and experience the common ups and downs of the market," he says. Geibel also notes: "Volatility is normal. Knowing and investing through it will keep emotions in check when investing at an older age." Children. Emotions in check. Imagine that. Buy a 10 pack. Robert Johnson, president and CEO of the American College of Financial Services in the Philadelphia area, suggests parents give children a portfolio of about 10 stocks. "Pick one share each and have some be dividend payers, some not," he says. Better yet, "make them companies kids understand: Walt Disney Co. (ticker: DIS), Coca-Cola Co. (KO), Nike (NKE). It will give them an appreciation for compounding, yield and the fact that some wonderful companies aren't necessarily great investments." True, losing could hurt -- but it's your money, right Santa? Pound home compound interest. When children rake in the bucks from relatives this holiday, resist the temptation to set them loose in the mall. To them, compound interest may seem like a trick -- but in this case, the magic is real. "I stress to my kids the value of saving their money, which means all that loose change and cash gifts," Patel says. When there's a big enough pile, take it to an interest-bearing account where they can watch it grow long after the mistletoe turns to compost. Don't forget giving. Legendary investors like Buffett believe deeply in giving -- and not as an afterthought. "We started with our kids once they were old enough to put the offering in the plate at our church," says Daryl Dagit, financial advisor and market manager at Savant Capital Management's office in Peoria, Illinois. "And once they started receiving cash gifts for birthdays and doing extra chores around the house, they were taught to put some in the bank, give some to Sunday school and that it was OK to spend the rest." Pass on your parents' gifts. Marguerita Cheng, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, has experience aplenty taking her daughters holiday shopping. But she'll also pass on the financial gifts her father gave her. "Parents can have kids invest in stocks via a dividend reinvestment plan," Cheng says. "I distinctly recall my dad discussing the price of IBM (IBM) stock and how he purchased it via payroll deduction. In fact, this is exactly how I learned to read Value Line [an investment survey] -- and how Dad helped me pay for college." A former longtime staff writer, editor and columnist at the Chicago Tribune, Lou Carlozo writes about investment for U.S. News & World Report, and personal finance for Money Under 30 and GOBankingRates. He is based in Chicago. Connect with him at linkedin.com/in/loucarlozo. Numerous 911 calls have described a frantic moment on campus as terrified students and faculty reported a student mowing down people with a car and stabbing others at Ohio State University Monday. Read: Pictured: Hero Cop Who Stopped Knife-Wielding Attacker at Ohio State University The calls were released by authorities hours after Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 18, launched his rampage. I think this is some type of terrorist attack, one person told the 911 operator. There's a guy, crashed his car into a bunch of people and ran out with a knife chasing down people, another said. Artan borrowed a car from a family member Monday when he started his rampage. He used the car to jump a curb and strike pedestrians walking to class. He got out of the car, reportedly wielding a butcher knife, and slashed several people in the area, officials said. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, though at least two of the pedestrians hit by the vehicle underwent surgery. Read: Man Shot and Killed His Wife, 8-Week-Old Baby, and Mother Before Turning Gun on Himself Frightened students shot video out of a classroom window after the suspect was shot dead by OSU police officer Alan Horujko, 28. Horujko joined the OSU police force in 2015 after graduating from the school. The @OSUPolice confirm Officer Alan Horujko shot and killed the suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/6BuZ9GN1zY OSU Police (@OSUPOLICE) November 28, 2016 "I heard someone yell, 'he's got a knife,' and I saw a guy with a big-ass knife just chasing people around," OSU student Jacob Bowers told NBC News. "When I saw that, I grabbed all my stuff and started running." Bowers added that the man was going insane prior to being gunned down by Officer Horujko. Story continues Watch: Ohio University Attacker Is 18-Year-Old American Resident From Somalia Related Articles: By Belinda Goldsmith LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Feted for playing an FBI agent in "The X-Files" tackling the supernatural, actress Gillian Anderson has cast herself in the real-life role of an anti-slavery campaigner after being shocked at the scale of the problem. Anderson said she had been unaware up to 46 million people globally were living as slaves, generating an estimated $150 billion in illegal profits a year, until she became involved in the film "Sold". Based on a book about a Nepali girl trapped in the sex trade, "Sold" follows 13-year-old Lakshmi as she fights to escape the red-light district of Kolkata, India. In the film Anderson's role is inspired by real-life U.S. photographer, Lisa Kristine, known for documenting victims of modern day slavery trafficked into forced labor, sold for sex, trapped in debt bondage or born into servitude. The film is being screened in London on Wednesday at Trust Women, an annual women's rights and trafficking conference run by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Describing slavery as a pandemic, Anderson said it was shocking that so many people are living as slaves today in every country across the globe, from India to the United States. "At certain points in one's life one realizes there are issues that break your heart," Anderson, 48, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview. "I've been involved in many charities over the years but the issue of trafficking, particularly child trafficking for sex, is such an abomination of humanity that I cannot not do something." SEX TRAFFICKING THRIVING The American actress, who has three children aged from 22 to eight, said it was unacceptable that an estimated 1.8 million children were trafficked into the sex trade every year. Globally, nearly 21 million people are victims of human trafficking, according to the International Labour Organization. Of that total, an estimated 4.5 million people are forced into sex work, despite the fact international law and the laws of 134 countries criminalize sex trafficking. Women and girls make up an estimated 98 percent of victims of sex trafficking. "It is the fastest growing black market industry in the world. It is easier sometimes to traffic humans than to traffic drugs," said Anderson. "The film is an entry point to the issue. By telling one girl's story it gives voice to the millions of children who are trafficked every year." Anderson, who lives in London, said she hoped "Sold", set for a digital release early next year after limited theatrical screenings since 2014, would help raise awareness of the issue. It is being backed by a campaign TaughtNotTrafficked, which is lobbying for children to have access to an education. She said governments did not appear to know how to start to combat trafficking which was "an intricately woven web", while companies needed to be involved to clean up their supply chains. "Funds and action and time and resources and a different structuring of policing - a lot needs to take place in order for this to change and it has to become a priority," said Anderson. "It affects all of us even though we might not realize it. It is in every city, in every country ... and we need to start the conversation about what we can do to make changes ." Anderson said the revival of her role as Dana Scully in "The X-Files" this year for a 10th season after a 14-year gap may have helped draw some attention to her campaign work. "I am not a big social media person but there was something about being wrapped up in that series again that initiated more activity from me," said Anderson who has just finished two films, "Crooked House" and "Viceroy's House", for 2017 release. "In that sense maybe more people would have become aware of the fact that I am part of a campaign to end slavery." Does that mean an 11th season of the popular science fiction TV series is around the corner? "Probably not. I think it is finished," she said. (Reporting by Belinda Goldsmith @BeeGoldsmith, Editing by Katie Nguyen.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) By India Today Web Desk: A ring and an expensive diamond necklace worth Rs 80 lakh has been missing from Kiran Rao's home in Bandra, Mumbai. Only a few weeks ago, the filmmaker-turned-producer discovered that some jewellery has been missing from her bedroom. And that's when her relative, under whose jurisdiction the family home falls, lodged a complaint at the Khar police station. advertisement ALSO READ: Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao are on a vacation in Arunachal Pradesh According to a report in Mid-Day, the police have filed an FIR under Section 453 of Indian Penal Code. Kiran currently lives with her husband Aamir Khan in an apartment on Carter Road. The report further suggests that the police suspects house help's hand in the theft and has been questioning the three of them for the last five days. The police have also visited the residences of the three house helps in their quest to find the stolen jewellery. But there have been no leads so far. --- ENDS --- - By Harsh Jain It was almost a flat year for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) in 2015, but the company has performed surprisingly well this year. The company's stock price has surged more than 300% this year on the back of its latest Polaris architecture-based graphics card. Throughout the prior three quarters, the company managed to exceed analyst estimates on earnings and revenue. In the third quarter, the company reported earnings per share of three cents, four cents better than the estimates. On the other hand, the company's revenue came in at $1.30 billion, beating estimates by $90 million and representing a surge of 22.6% year over year. As a matter of fact, NVIDIA (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices are the top two players in the graphics processing unit (GPU) market. Both companies are growing at a rapid rate. Although Advance Micro Devices is smaller than its rival NVIDIA, the company is still likely to gain additional benefits from an enormously expanding industry. Most significantly, Google recently announced it will start using AMD's powerful FirePro S9300 x2 server GPUs for its Google Cloud Engine and Cloud Machine Learning services. This is definitely a great achievement for the company. On the other hand, Google also detailed that it will use NVIDIA's Tesla P100 for its cloud platform in 2017. It is not surprising news for NVIDIA, as GPUs manufactured by NVIDIA are already being used by Microsoft's Azure, Amazon Web Services and IBM's cloud platform. However, Google's decision to use AMD's server GPUs acknowledges the company's efforts to become a significant player in the accelerator market. It is true that NVIDIA still holds a leading position in the cloud computing market, but AMD is taking major steps to catch up. AMD launched several graphics cards this year, but the most significant thing that helped the company regain its position was its pricing power. Story continues Moving onward, Advanced Micro Devices is getting ready to launch its new CPU architecture, Zen. Although the company's new Zen architecture will not be as efficient as Intel's upcoming architecture, mainly due to the lack of cash to fund its research and development activities, it can compete exclusively on price. Summing up Although Advanced Micro Devices has surged more than 400% from its all-time low, it still has massive upside potential. AMD has proven the bears wrong and is headed in the right direction. Under the leadership of CEO Lisa Su, the company can still surprise shareholders in the future. Therefore, investors should continue holding the stock for fruitful results. Disclosure: No position in the stock in this article. Start a free 7-day trial of Premium Membership to GuruFocus. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Afghanistans natural gas industry will be able to expand to Turkmenistan now that the two countries have opened the first link on their new railway system. The first 55 miles of railway connecting the two countries opened in Turkmenistan on Monday, according to Reuters. However, the link is only the first of a nearly 250-mile long project, and authorities aren't actually sure when the project will be completed due to Afghanistans security concerns. Turkmenistan is known for exporting natural gas, mostly in China after buyers in Moscow put a hold on gas purchases earlier in 2016. However, the new railway could potentially boost the former Soviet republic's economy by providing easier transport access for oil-rich countries like Afghanistan, which has limited resources and funds to export natural gas to China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and other neighboring countries. The last link on the railway stops at the Ymamnazar customs control point, where Turkmenistan officials have created an entire oil product terminal capable of holding approximately 540,000 tons of gas. In Afghanistan, the rail link is planned to run to the Auina dry port in the Faryab province into Tajikistan. However the Talibans comeback in Afghanistan has brought project extensions to a halt, as Tajikistan officials reportedly said they would not build rail links into Afghan territory until the country can regain control over the group. At the opening ceremony Afghan President Ashraf Ghani thanked Turkmenistan leaders for the millions and billions of dollars the country has already invested in Afghanistans government restructure and stability programs while assuring the projects completion. Although the war in Afghanistan is still underway, the Taliban has lost some momentum due to a lack in funding from other Afghan and Arab supporters over the past year. Taliban senior diplomat Mullah Rahmatullah Kakazada told The Guardian on Tuesday that the organization was facing a financial struggle due to a shortage of donations, resulting in limited Taliban access to health services and new weapons. Kakazada said that people were starting to pull back on donations because of the rising number of children and civilians being killed by Taliban orchestrated mines. Related Articles Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa on Wednesday begins a major clinical trial of an experimental vaccine against the AIDS virus, which scientists hope could be the "final nail in the coffin" for the disease. More than 30 years of efforts to develop an effective vaccine for HIV have not borne fruit, but for the first time since the virus was identified in 1983, scientists think they have found a promising candidate. The new study, known as HVTN 702, will involve more than 5,400 sexually active men and women aged 18-35 in 15 areas around South Africa over the course of four years. It is one of the biggest clinical trials involving the disease ever undertaken and has revived hopes in the scientific community of a breakthrough in the battle against AIDS. "If deployed alongside our current armoury of proven HIV prevention tools, a safe and effective vaccine could be the final nail in the coffin for HIV," said Anthony Fauci, director of the US National institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is taking part in the study. "Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly decrease the burden of HIV disease over time in countries and populations with high rates of HIV infection, such as South Africa." Condoms are at the frontline of efforts to prevent the spread of HIV, which is mainly transferred through the sexual fluids and blood of infected individuals. A small number of people, mainly in developed countries, use virus-suppressing drugs as a preventive aid, although the exact level of protection this offers is not clear. - Specially adapted - South Africa was not chosen by accident. The country has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world -- 19.2 percent according to the UN AIDS agency -- with more than seven million people living with the virus. Each year some 2.5 million people around the world are infected with HIV, which has killed more than 30 million people since the 1980s, according to a study presented at a conference in South Africa in July. Story continues The vaccine has been adapted for the HIV strain prevalent in southern Africa from one used in a trial of 16,000 people in Thailand in 2009, which reduced the risk of infection by more than 30 percent for three-and-a-half years after the first jab. The safety of the "South African" vaccine has already been tested successfully over 18 months on 252 volunteers. The new study aims to test its effectiveness as a virus-killer. Vaccines work by priming the body to respond with germ-fighting antibodies whenever a virus or bacteria invades. But the AIDS-causing virus is stealthy and quick to mutate to avoid being targeted. "The results obtained in Thailand are not good enough for a roll-out (...) we have set the minimum bar at 50 percent" lower risk, Lynn Morris, head of the HIV virology section at South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), told AFP. South Africa's Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told parliament earlier this month that "scientists expect the (new) vaccine to be at least 50 percent effective but hope that it will be much higher". - Results to take years - Even if the new vaccine proves effective, experts warn it is vital to remain vigilant in the fight against HIV. "A highly efficient vaccine would be a game-changer but the results of these trials will take years," Morris said. "We must continue to use other HIV prevention tools to reduce the number of new HIV infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young women, who continue to be most heavily affected." According to UNAIDS, half of the 36 million or so people with HIV around the world have access to anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), a figure that has doubled in five years. Thanks to these treatments, which keep the virus in check and increase the lifespan of HIV-positive people without curing them, average life expectancy in South Africa has risen from 57.1 years to 62.9 since 2009, according to authorities. The new trial is being carried out by the US National Institutes of Health, the South African Medical Research Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sanofi Pasteur, GlaxoSmithKline and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Johannesburg (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma survived an attempt to oust him from office only after a "robust" and "difficult" debate within the ruling ANC party, an official said Tuesday. Zuma has been weakened by corruption allegations, but his supporters were taken by surprise at the plot to unseat him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress's executive committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zuma's hold on power since he became president in 2009. It also shook the ANC party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994 but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. "Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the (ANC national executive committee) did not support the call for the president to step down," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, told reporters. "All members of the (executive committee) had an opportunity to raise, in the meeting, the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country." Local media said the meeting -- which was extended into Monday evening -- was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed, a claim the party denied. "We are not aware of anyone who has said they are going to resign," ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte insisted. - Zuma fights back - Reports also claimed the president launched a fierce defence of his position, and his loyalists eventually headed off the attempt to oust him. "The president told us that he will never step down, as it would be like handing himself over to the enemy, and that there are people who want to see him in jail," an unnamed source at the closed-door meeting told the News24 website. Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, said the ANC's decision to back Zuma was "no surprise". Story continues "Zuma clearly holds all the power in the ANC," Maimane said in a statement. "We can never trust an ANC that keeps Zuma through all he has done. "While the ANC continues to fight amongst themselves, our economy is hanging by a thread." - Strong loyalty - The president has been hit by multiple corruption scandals and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC performed poorly in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high. Zuma has been under renewed pressure since a graft probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country's top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence. However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in parliament on November 10 -- and will face his third of 2016 next week after an urgent application by the rowdy populist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. "Bring it on, if the EFF wants to," Duarte told reporters Tuesday. "This is the only weapon they have." Peter Montalto, analyst from Nomura bank, said Zuma would only leave "when the patronage faction around him decide it is time". "The ANC may well be tired of Zuma but it's not clear it is ready to conclude anything on succession yet," he said in a briefing note. Zuma is due to stand down in 2019 after serving the maximum two terms. By Joseph Ax and Agnieszka Flak NEW YORK/MILAN (Reuters) - Lapo Elkann, grandson of late Fiat patriarch Gianni Agnelli, is facing charges in New York for falsely reporting he had been kidnapped, law enforcement sources said on Tuesday. Elkann apparently concocted the fake kidnapping scheme in an effort to get ransom money after running out of cash during a drug-fueled partying binge, one law enforcement source said. He was taken into custody on Sunday around 2 a.m. EST, according to the sources. The 39-year-old claimed he was held against his will in an apartment on East 28th Street in Manhattan from approximately 6 p.m. EST on Friday until 10:30 p.m. EST on Saturday. Elkann's publicist declined to comment. The Agnelli family's investment holding Exor had no comment. One law enforcement source said Elkann met a 29-year-old man through an escort website after he arrived in New York on Thursday and that the two men did drugs at the East 28th Street apartment before Elkann decided to report the false kidnapping. Elkann, who along with his older brother, Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann, is an heir to Italy's biggest industrial dynasty, nearly died of a drug overdose in 2005 after collapsing in the apartment of a transsexual prostitute. While John is known for his shyness and reserve, Lapo's flamboyant style has made him a celebrity in Italy, where he is dedicated to family-owned soccer club Juventus and owns a stable of luxury sportscars. Elkann no longer holds any positions at Fiat after leaving a marketing post years ago, but he is still on the board of directors at luxury carmaker Ferrari, one of the various companies controlled by his family. In 2007 he founded sunglasses company Italia Independent, which debuted on the Milan stock market in 2013. Shares in the company, which reported an operating loss of 4.4 million euros for the first six months of the year and recently carried out a capital increase, fell nearly 10 percent on Tuesday but later recovered and closed down 3.5 percent. Story continues Although the Agnellis are best known for their investment in Fiat Chrysler, Exor also owns reinsurer PartnerRe and has significant holdings in trucks and tractor maker CNH Industrial, The Economist, Juventus and Ferrari, among others. Elkann was released after his arrest and is due in criminal court in New York on Jan. 25. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York and Agnieszka Flak in Milan; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Writing by Agnieszka Flak and Isla Binnie in Milan; editing by Mark Heinrich and David Gregorio) Seven military bodyguards of President Rodrigo Duterte and two other soldiers were wounded Tuesday in an ambush by suspected Islamic militants on the eve of his planned visit to the southern Philippines, the military and president said. Military spokesmen said a bomb hit the soldiers' convoy as it drove on a road in a southern region where an armed group which had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group operated, wounding nine. "My advance party was ambushed a while ago. The Presidential Security Group was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device)," Duterte said in a speech during a visit to a northern Philippines military camp. "But I'm going there. The advice was to postpone it (the trip), but I said no. We are taking the same route if possible," Duterte added without explaining the purpose of his trip. The convoy that was attacked in Marawi city also included local troops as well as staff members of the presidential communications office, though no civilians were hurt, military officials said. The planned Duterte visit came days after the military began operations against dozens of armed members of the Maute group holed up in an abandoned government building in the mainly Muslim rural town of Butig on Mindanao island. Butig is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Manila, and an hour-long drive from Marawi. Fifteen soldiers were injured in the fighting while 35 militants were killed, military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla told AFP. The ambush came a day after the police said the Maute group left a bomb near the US embassy in Manila which authorities later safely exploded. The Maute gang was also blamed for a bombing in Duterte's home town in the southern city of Davao in September that killed 15 people. Padilla said it was likely the Maute group was behind Tuesday's ambush. "We know their supporters are surrounding the area and possibly planted bombs on the side of the roads to disrupt the movement of troop reinforcements," Padilla said. Muslim groups have waged a decades-long armed independence struggle in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that is believed to have claimed more than 120,000 lives. On Monday, Duterte said IS, which controlled vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, had linked up with the Maute gang, a departure from previous military denials of formal links between IS and local extremist groups. The Daily Beast GettyRussia announced Wednesday that it views Norways work with other countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as provocative, warning that Norways efforts to bolster its military in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine this year will likely be the death knell for Oslo-Moscow relations moving forward.Oslo is now among the most active supporters of NATO's involvement in the Arctic, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Wednesday, according to TASS. We cons By PTI: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Nov 29 (PTI) US President-elect Donald Trump today nominated an Indian-American woman to a top administration position, making her in charge of a federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. "I am pleased to nominate (Dr) Seema Verma to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services," Trump said in a statement. advertisement The announcement came along with Trumps nomination of Congressman Tom Price as his Health and Human Services Secretary. A leading expert in the country on Medicare and Medicaid, Verma would serve as Administrator of Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services. "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," Trump said. "I am honoured to be nominated by President-elect Trump today," said Verma, who met Trump in New York last week. "I look forward to helping him tackle our nations daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way," she said. Verma currently is the President, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc, a national health policy consulting company. Based in Indianapolis, Verma has supported Indiana through development of the historic programme since its inception in 2007, from development of the enabling legislation, negotiating the financing plan with the states hospital association, developing the federal waiver, supporting federal negotiations and leading the implementation of the programme, including the operational design. For more than 20 years, she has worked extensively on a variety of policy and strategic projects involving Medicaid, insurance, and public health, working with Governors offices, state medicaid agencies, state health departments, state departments of insurance, as well as the federal government, private companies and foundations. "Verma has extensive experience redesigning Medicaid programmes in several states. Verma is the architect of the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the nations first consumer directed Medicaid programme under Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana and then-Governor Pences HIP 2.0 waiver proposal," said the presidential transition team. Verma received her Masters degree in Public Health, with a concentration in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins University, and her Bachelors degree in Life Sciences from the University of Maryland. She served as the state of Indianas health reform lead following the passage of Obamacare in 2010.PTI LKJ ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- advertisement Alexis Bledel chatted with Jimmy Fallon about Netflix's Gilmore Girls revival, A Year in the Life, on Monday's Tonight Show. Without giving away any spoilers, Fallon asked Bledel how she felt about the famous last four words of the Netflix special. "Amy [Sherman-Palladino] told me and I was very shocked," said Bledel. Fallon had previously shared his four favorite Gilmore Girls characters not counting the main stars - Taylor (Michael Winters), Luke (Scott Patterson), Kirk (Sean Gunn) and Paris Geller (Liza Weil). He asked Bledel to share her top four. Bledel was ready with her answer, immediately saying Caesar was one of her favorites. "He's underrated, he's amazing," she said, pointing out that Caesar is the one who runs Luke's Diner when Luke isn't around. Babette (Sally Struthers) and Miss Patty (Liz Torres) were next on her list. "They were on All in the Family together," said Bledel. "They were on the show for years and years, so every time they would come to set they would get together and sing show tunes. It was such a raucous day on set every time they were there, so I have to appreciate them." And to round out her favorites, Bledel said she agreed with Fallon that Kirk belonged in the top four. Watch below to see Bledel address her fans' good-natured teasing that she doesn't know how to hold things and her desire for another Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie. Read more: Critic's Notebook: 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' Spoiler Talk The Last 4 Words and More Those prone to forget the dark years preceding the 1944 Normandy invasion might puzzle over the decision, in Robert Zemeckis Allied, to portray Oklahoma-born Brad Pitts officer-protagonist as hailing from Canada rather than the United States. In market terms, that choice makes the hero slightly more remote for U.S. viewers, though perhaps more approachable for others around the world. But in historical terms, Pitts Canadian identity makes perfect sense something that is explained, without specific reference to the film, in a meditation recently posted by Hollywood writer-producer Lionel Chetwynd on the Daily Wire website. Titled My First Ameriphobe, the piece explains how Chetwynd was born in England, then migrated to Canada before eventually moving to Los Angeles. While in Canada, he served in that countrys military, and along the way he acquired considerable respect for its history and traditions. Among the strongest of those folk memories, as Chetwynd describes them, is the recollection of an ill-fated raid on Dieppe, on the Norman coast of France, in 1942. England at the time was fairly exhausted by more than two years of warfare, and the U.S. still was mobilizing. So the Dieppe raid fell heavily to the Canadians, who contributed about 5,000 of the roughly 6,000 Allied troops who took part. In large part, they were crushed by heavily armed and well dug-in German defenders. By Chetwynds count, 3,367 of the Canadians were killed, wounded or taken prisoner about 68% of their force. But even knowing in advance that the odds were almost entirely against them, writes Chetwynd, When the embarkation roll call was taken, not one man failed to answer. So it is entirely right that Pitts character, who drops in and out of Dieppe in a small plane through the course of an Allied script written by Steven Knight, should belong to Canada, not the U.S. The choice makes him a bit more distant for viewers here. But it makes him only the more real, and heroic, historically speaking. Story continues Related stories 'Moana' To Keep Dancing During December's Doldrums - Box Office Preview 'Fantastic Beasts' Climbs To $475M WW; 'Moana' Surfs To $17.2M Offshore; Duo Leads Crowded China - Intl Box Office 'Moana' Slots 2nd Best Thanksgiving Debut; 'Allied's Fight; 'Rules' The Worst Turkey Since 'Victor Frankenstein' Geneva (AFP) - The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that nearly half of all people with HIV around the globe do not know they are infected, and called for broader access to at-home testing kits. The UN health agency said that 40 percent of people with the virus that causes AIDS, or more than 14 million people worldwide, are unaware of their status, according to 2015 estimates. However, that marks a huge improvement from a decade earlier when only 12 percent of people with HIV were estimated to know they had the virus. But the continued lack of diagnoses remains a major obstacle to implementing WHO's recommendation for everyone with HIV to be offered anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Today, more than 80 percent of those diagnosed with HIV are receiving ART, but that is still less than half of the 36.7 million people believed to be living with the virus. "We still have a major treatment gap," Gottfried Hirnschall, head of WHO's HIV department, told reporters in Geneva, warning that "many people actually get to treatment late because they don't know they are HIV positive". WHO chief Margaret Chan said that making home testing kits more easily available could make a dramatic difference. "HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services," she said in a statement. HIV self-testing allows people, in the privacy of their own homes, to use oral fluid or blood from a finger prick to determine their status in about 20 minutes, while new tests are being developed that work even faster. - Record infections - WHO urges anyone who tests positive to seek confirmatory tests at a health clinic, where they can receive information about the disease and how to get counselling, as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services. Self-testing has been shown to nearly double the frequency of HIV testing among men who have sex with men, and recent studies in Kenya found that the male partners of pregnant women were twice as likely to get tested if they were offered self-testing, WHO said. Story continues Twenty-three countries currently have national policies in place supporting HIV self-testing while others are developing such policies, but WHO warned that in much of the world wide-scale access to the tests remains limited. And in countries where they are easily accessible they are often pricey, as in the United States where they can be bought in most chemists at around $40 (37.67 euros) a piece. "We would really like to emphasise that they should ideally be free," said Rachel Baggaley of WHO's HIV prevention unit. WHO said it was supporting a project in three southern African countries -- Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia -- aimed at making free home testing kits widely available, and said a number of other countries were interested in joining the initiative. More testing is also needed in other regions, with the EU and WHO reporting on Tuesday that one in seven people with HIV in Europe is unaware of their infection, as 2015 marked another record year for new HIV cases in the region. Europe registered 153,407 new cases, up from 142,000 in 2014, the WHO said, a jump driven by cases in Russia and immigrants who acquired the virus after arrival. Hirnschall acknowledged on Tuesday that the rate of new HIV infections globally had stopped declining in recent years and had stagnated at around 2.1 million annually, voicing hope that increased testing could help turn that trend. A white nationalist known for his role in the alt-right movement has accepted an invitation to speak at Texas A&M University, the school confirmed Monday. Richard Spencer was invited to the institution by former student Preston Wiginton earlier this month, according to the Guardian. Wiginton extended an invite to Spencer primarily because hes been in the news quite a bit with the Trump election, said the former student who describes himself as sympathetic to nationalists. In response, almost 10,000 people have signed a petition to protest Spencer's appearance. "I like for the students to be able to engage different people," Wiginton told First News at Four host Rusty Surette. For those against Spencers appearance, the university will be holding an event during the same time "celebrating the inclusive environment and core values that we hold dear," Texas A&M spokeswoman Amy Smith said before explaining the university's inability to prevent the speech. "Private citizens are permitted to reserve space available to the public as we are a public university as is the case here. Public groups must cover all rental expenses so that state resources are not burdened," said Smith. While some at Texas A&M may be welcoming of Spencer, his local prep school alma mater has denounced him for a speech in Washington, D.C. during which he said Hail Trump! Hail our people! Hail victory! to supporters holding up apparent Nazi arm salutes Nov. 19. Although Spencer was not explicitly named in a statement from the St. Marks School of Texas in Dallas on Friday, his words have been deeply troubling and terribly upsetting to our whole school community," Headmaster David Dini wrote in part. "We reject racism and bigotry in all its forms and expressions." Spencer is expected to speak at the university on Dec. 6. Although the university did not invite him to speak, Spencer's appearance will not be canceled due to freedom of speech, Smith said. "Our students and our faculty, our staff and our alumni are outraged that this is happening to our campus when no one from our campus desires it," Smith said. Related Articles Amazon An Amazon employee reportedly sent an email to hundreds of co-workers before jumping off a 12-story building at its Seattle headquarters on Monday, Bloomberg first reported. Seattle Police told Business Insider that it responded to the call of an attempted suicide at 8:45 a.m. PT on Monday morning and transported the person to Harborview Medical Center. The man survived the fall and was injured in the incident. The hospital couldn't be reached late Monday for an update on the man's condition. Our thoughts are with our colleague as he continues to recover," Amazon said in a statement to Business Insider. "Hes receiving some of the best care possible and we will be there to support him throughout the recovery process. The man's identity and role at Amazon have not been released publicly. According to a Bloomberg report, the employee had sent an email shortly before to hundreds of employees, including Amazon's CEO Jeff Bezos, and had recently put in a request to transfer to a different department. Instead, the person was placed on an employee improvement plan, which can lead to termination, according to Bloomberg, which cited persons "familiar with the matter." Amazon declined to comment further on Monday's incident. If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. More From Business Insider Nov 28 (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc and Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd have dropped their bid to coordinate prices and flight schedules, according to a filing submitted to the U.S. Transportation Department on Monday. The decision comes after the department tentatively denied the airlines' request earlier this month. Air travelers would have few remaining competitive options if the alliance were expanded, "given the scale of the resulting joint business," the Transportation Department had said. The carriers submitted their application in June 2015, several months before American started flights between the United States and Australia. The partners had been marketing flights on routes that the other did not offer, and requested immunity from U.S. antitrust law in order to coordinate their operations going forward. The existing "codeshare" marketing arrangements remain in place, Qantas said in a statement. Explaining the reason for the application withdrawal, American said, "When the Department of Transportation issued its (tentative ruling) it was clear it would take longer than the 14 days they gave us to respond, and the DOT refused to give us an extension to fully demonstrate the benefits of our position." The airlines said they were disappointed with the U.S. decision. They maintained that their enhanced alliance would have benefited consumers and pointed to the approval for other airlines to coordinate prices on flights between the United States and Australia. The carriers will now consider their positions separately before determining their next move, Qantas said. (Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in Los Angeles and Tom Westbrook in Sydney; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) AEP Ohio, an affiliate of American Electric Power Company, Inc. AEP, has submitted a plea with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for extending the current Electric Security Plan (ESP), including some modifications, through May 2024, which would otherwise expire in May 2018. Rationale of the Proposal The ESP is intended to support AEP Ohios systematic investment program for the purpose of improving customer service and enhancing operating efficiency of its electric system. This can be achieved through the deployment of smart energy technologies like microgrids to supply uninterrupted power service to critical public safety infrastructure, electric vehicle charging stations and smart street lighting systems. In order to curb and effectively manage outages, the ESP aims to engage in the proactive replacement of aging equipment, aggressive tree trimming and vegetation management programs, deployment of a new communications system to ensure timely dispatch of crew and rapid restoration of service in the event of an outage, and the use of security features to protect distribution stations from vandalism and physical attacks. AMER ELEC PWR Price AMER ELEC PWR Price | AMER ELEC PWR Quote The modified proposal further includes a mechanism to facilitate the recovery of renewable investments going ahead. AEP Ohio has committed to develop 900 megawatts of new renewable generation in Ohio, subject to the PUCOs approval. The PUCOs decision on this proposal is anticipated in Apr 2017. On approval, although the plan would increase average electricity bills by $1.58 per month in the near term, reduction in other charges over the eight-year span of the plan will lead to lower customer utility expenditure. Price Movement American Electric has largely outperformed the Zacks Categorized Utility-Electric Power industry. The companys current rate of return is 8.7%, compared to the industry average of 4.8% over the last twelve months. Story continues With focus on augmenting the bottom line, American Electric has directed capital expenditure toward regulated businesses. In doing so, the company increased its capital investment budget in core operations for the next three years. This has encouraged management to raise the long-term EPS growth rate to 57% from the earlier projection of 46%. To boost earnings, American Electric plans to invest approximately $17.3 billion over the 20172019 period in its core regulated operations and contracted renewables. This capital investment plan also includes the reinvestment of $2.2 billion in levered proceeds after the completion of the sale of a portion of its competitive generation portfolio. Zacks Rank & Key Picks American Electric Power carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A few better-ranked stocks in the same space include Avista Corp. AVA, Ameren Corporation AEE and DTE Energy Company DTE. Avista has seen one upward estimate revision for 2016 over the last 60 days. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2.You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Ameren Corp., another Zacks Rank #2 stock, has seen four upward estimate revisions for 2016 over the last 60 days. DTE Energy has seen two upward estimate revisions for 2016 over the last 60 days. DTE Energy carries a Zacks Rank #2 as well. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AMEREN CORP (AEE): Free Stock Analysis Report AMER ELEC PWR (AEP): Free Stock Analysis Report DTE ENERGY CO (DTE): Free Stock Analysis Report AVISTA CORP (AVA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. American Express This story was delivered to BI Intelligence "Payments Briefing" subscribers. To learn more and subscribe, please click here. American Express will be the first major credit card issuer to raise its late payment fees under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus updated allowable limit, according to the Wall Street Journal. At the start of 2017, Amex will begin charging a fee of up to $38 to customers with more than one late payment in a six month period. That's $1 more than what was previously charged by the card issuer, but could give the firm a solid revenue boost. Late fees could prove to be very lucrative in the current card market. As credit card usage increases, it's likely the number of delinquent accounts will also grow. Credit card accounts and usage are close to pre-recession numbers once again, according to Forbes. That's leading to a big rise in usage US credit card debt is on track to hit $1 trillion this year, according to the Wall Street Journal. That could help explain the rise in delinquent accounts since 2013, the percentage of accounts at least 90 days delinquent six months after origination has increased, according to Forbes. Late fees could be a vital revenue source. Nearly one in five active credit-card accounts incur a late fee, according to CFPB data used by the Wall Street Journal. This is significant, considering credit card companies were able to collect roughly $10.8 billion in fees during 2015 from these late payments. And for Amex, that revenue could be critical as the issuer grapples with the loss of Costco.Based on 2015 numbers, if Amex is able to capture just 1% of the late fee market, that's roughly $100 million in revenue a figure that could grow as the market expands following the updated allowable limit. Although this revenue could boost any card network, it could be particularly beneficial to Amex in light of the firm's sale of its Costco cobrand portfolio to Citigroup earlier this year. Story continues Costco had 11.6 million cardholders and accounted for 8% of the firm's $1 trillion global billed business in 2015. As the firm realizes the impact of the Costco sale, it is looking for additional sources of revenue. Finding a way to capitalize on growing card spend and delinquencies could be one such way among a variety of strategies. The CFPB's new guidelines could have a significant effect on the payments ecosystem, which has grown in the last several years to include merchants, issuers, acquirers, processors, and more. BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on the payments ecosystem that drills into the industry to explain how a broad range of transactions are processed, including prepaid and store cards, as well as revealing which types of companies are in the best and worst position to capitalize on the latest industry trends. Here are some key takeaways from the report: 2016 will be a watershed year for the payments industry. Payments companies are improving security, expanding their mobile offerings, and building commerce capabilities that will give consumers a more compelling reason to make purchases using digital devices. Payments is an extremely complex industry. To understand the next big digital opportunity lies, it's critical to understand how the traditional credit- and debit-processing chain works and what roles acquirers, processors, issuing banks, card networks, independent sales organizations, gateways, and software and hardware providers play. Alternative technologies could disrupt the processing ecosystem. Devices ranging from refrigerators to smartwatches now feature payment capabilities, which will spur changes in consumer payment behaviors. Likewise, blockchain technology, the protocol that underlies Bitcoin, could one day change how consumer card payments are verified. In full, the report: Uncovers the key themes and trends affecting the payments industry in 2016 and beyond. Gives a detailed description of the stakeholders involved in a payment transaction, along with hardware and software providers. Offers diagrams and infographics explaining how card transactions are processed and which players are involved in each step. Provides charts on our latest forecasts, key company growth, survey results, and more. Analyzes the alternative technologies, including blockchain, which could further disrupt the ecosystem. To get your copy of this invaluable guide, choose one of these options: Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> START A MEMBERSHIP Purchase the report and download it immediately from our research store. >> BUY THE REPORT The choice is yours. But however you decide to acquire this report, youve given yourself a powerful advantage in your understanding of the payments ecosystem. More From Business Insider The raids come after the discovery of three newborn babies on Nov. 21 hidden inside cardboard biscuit boxes in a locked storeroom in a nursing home. By Reuters: Police in West Bengal have rescued 13 babies and discovered the skeletons of two infants in raids on homes for the elderly and mentally disabled, as a probe into a suspected international human trafficking ring widened on Monday. Ten infants, all under one year old, were found on Friday in a home for the mentally disabled run by a charity in the impoverished district of South 24 Parganas in West Bengal. advertisement While in another raid in the neighbouring district of North 24 Parganas, the remains of two infants were found in office premises of a charity which ran an adoption centre. WHAT LED TO THE RAIDS The raids come after the discovery of three newborn babies on Nov. 21 hidden inside cardboard biscuit boxes in a locked storeroom in a nursing home, where women would come to deliver or have an abortion. Also read | 7 arrested for trafficking children under guise of adoption in Tamil Nadu Rajesh Kumar of West Bengal's Crime Investigation Department (CID), said 18 people had been arrested for taking the newborn babies and trafficking them for adoption in India and overseas. "It is a huge network of NGOs, nursing homes, doctors and middlemen dealing in illegal adoption and baby trafficking that the police have busted. Our men are now building on the huge leads they have already got in this case," Kumar, CID's Additional Director General said on Monday. GIRLS PERSUADED TO SELL BABIES Initial investigations revealed that unmarried girls and women who visited the clinics for an abortion were persuaded by staff to give birth and sell their babies. The police did not give a price, but local news reports said the mothers were given 300,000 rupees ($4,380) for a boy and 100,000 rupees ($1,460) for a girl. Babies were also stolen from women who delivered at the clinics, but who were told by staff their children were stillborn. Some were even given the bodies of stillborn babies preserved by the clinics to dupe parents, police said. Also read | Delhi Police nabs 1 accused in human trafficking racket of GB road The babies were then smuggled in biscuit containers to adoption centres, homes for the mentally disabled and elderly people, where they were kept until their adoption was organised. Those arrested included the owners of the clinics, midwives, doctors, owners of the charities, as well as court clerks who are accused of forging documentation for the babies. BABIES, SKELETONS, FOREX FOUND South Asia, with India at its centre, is one of the fastest-growing regions for human trafficking in the world. Gangs sell thousands of victims into bonded labour every year or hire them out to exploitative bosses as domestic servants, or sectors such as farming and manufacturing. Many women and girls are sold into brothels. advertisement Following last Monday's raid on the nursing home in Baduria, 80 km (50 miles) from Kolkata, interrogation of clinic staff led police to conduct over 20 raids in what police say appears to be a highly organised human trafficking racket. Also read | Child trafficking racket busted, minor girl kidnapped from Delhi rescued safely from Bihar They included a swoop on the offices of an adoption centre run by a charity in Machlandapur, 25 km (15 miles) away, where police on Friday found the skeletal remains of two infants, who are suspected to have died there while awaiting sale. The same day police also found ten babies lying on a sheet on the ground on the second floor of a charitable home for mentally disabled people in Behala. The infants showed signs of malnourishment and some had chest and skin infections. Kumar said one of the doctors arrested on suspicion of involvement in the baby smuggling racket had over $3,200 in U.S. dollars, euros and Hong Kong dollars in his possession, suggesting the infants were being sold overseas. advertisement FOREIGN CURRENCY HINTS AT LINKS ABROAD "The seizure of this foreign currency is a definite indication that the racket may have its tentacles spread into foreign countries and foreign couples who were interested in baby adoption," he said. One of rescued infants has been reunited with its parents, who had been told by clinic staff that their baby was stillborn, he said, adding that police were trying to locate other parents as well as those who had adopted the children. Also read | Delhi: Human trafficking gang that lured Nepal youths busted, 4 arrested Senior government officials said the rescued babies were being treated at government hospital. "I have asked the South 24 Parganas district child welfare officer to look into the case and arrange for proper care and upkeep of the babies," Sashi Panja, West Bengal's Minister for women and child welfare told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. --- ENDS --- CNN commentator Ana Navarro has weighed in on Donald Trump's tweeting habits, suggesting the president-elect needs "his medication" over his recent social media "tantrums." "When a 2-year-old throws a tantrum, he throws himself on the floor and he starts kicking and screaming," Navarro, a Republican pundit and vocal critic of Trump's, said to CNN Tonight's Don Lemon on Monday night. "When 70-year-old Donald Trump throws a tantrum, he goes to Twitter. It's time that somebody give him his medication." The comment prompted fellow panelist and Trump supporter Paris Dennard to step in with an appeal to Lemon: "Don, too far. What medication? Don. Seriously." Navarro continued, however, saying Trump's recent strings of tweets are not helping to calm the divided nation. She specifically referenced Trump's posts targeting Hamilton and a series of tweets he sent Monday night aimed at the cable news network over alleged voter fraud. Read more: Donald Trump Slams CNN Over His Unsubstantiated Voter Fraud Claim "He has tweeted out five tweets against CNN in the last hour," she said. "This is a man who has got 4,000 positions to fill, a cabinet to fill, intelligence briefings to attend and he's tweeted out 13 tweets against inexistent voter fraud and the recount, five tweets against CNN and [reporter] Jeff Zeleny, c'mon? You're president-elect. Dude, you won. Act like it." After Hillary Clinton's campaign announced that it would participate in recount efforts in key states including Wisconsin, Trump took to Twitter to make an unfounded claim that "millions" voted illegally in the election. There has been no indication of widespread election tampering or voter fraud in the November election, and Trump has offered no proof. Later Monday night, Trump again drew attention to his Twitter feed when he said the burning of the American flag should come with consequences, "perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Story continues Flag burning is constitutionally protected by the First Amendment. Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 Trump's senior communications adviser Jason Miller appeared on CNN shortly after the president-elect posted the flag-burning tweet, and told anchor Chris Cuomo, "Flag burning is completely ridiculous. And I think you know that and I think the vast majority of Americans would agree." Cuomo then pointed out: "But legal." .@ananavarro says its time for someone to give @realDonaldTrump "his medication" https://t.co/WZflCxLRzA - CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) November 29, 2016 By Leigh Thomas PARIS (Reuters) - On paper, French presidential favourite Francois Fillon's free-market plans to cut business taxes, relax labour laws and shrink the public sector should give corporate France a shot in the arm and boost economic growth. But his reforms are likely to come at the cost of showdowns with labour unions and public-sector workers who face losing jobs in a country where strikes can often drag on for several weeks if not months. He could also clash with Berlin over a ballooning budget deficit, while a sales tax hike that would help pay for his other plans risks dampening consumer spending. Fillon, an admirer of late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is the centre-right candidate for the presidential election in May, when he will go up against far-right leader Marine Le Pen and a yet-to-be selected Socialist opponent. If victorious, he would have a popular mandate to enact his free-market reforms following deep disenchantment with Socialist President Francois Hollande's failure to fulfil pledges to slash high unemployment of about 10 percent and deliver growth. Fillon says he would introduce 50 billion euros (42.42 billion pounds) in tax cuts - worth about 2.5 percent of GDP - with most of that targeting companies' payroll tax. The loss of state revenue would be partially offset with a 2 percentage point increase in value-added sales tax, by far the government's biggest source of tax revenue. Economists liken the move to a currency devaluation - something outside French authorities' power as a member of the euro zone - because firms could sell at more competitive prices abroad while importers face higher prices, thus improving the overall terms France trades on with the rest of the world. "The aim is to rebalance France's growth model towards exports and away from solely relying on consumption," said economist Emmanuel Jessua at Coe-Rexecode think tank. There are precedents in France, notably when conservative former President Nicolas Sarkozy, with Fillon as his prime minister, tried to cut payroll taxes in the final months of his term in 2011. Story continues Sarkozy's successor Hollande unpicked the programme once he came to office and introduced instead a tax credit scheme to reduce the payroll taxes companies pay. Fillon would turn that scheme into a permanent reduction in payroll charges, while also going further than Sarkozy's plans by also cutting the corporate tax rate to 25 percent, from 33 percent currently. 'BOSSES BACK FILLON' Fillon, a former labour minister, would also reduce the complexity of the labour code, make firing workers easier, and also axe France's 35-hour legal cap on the working week and raise the retirement age to 65 from 62-63. "He's taken on board all of our concerns," the head of the MEDEF employers association, Pierre Gattaz, told journalists. "There's a lot of bosses backing Fillon." With proposals to shrink the public sector and spending by cutting 500,000 civil service jobs and reducing unemployment benefits, critics have characterised Fillon as a man who threatens France's cherished welfare system. Fillon's plans to cut public spending to 49 percent of output by 2022 would still leave it well above the current OECD average of 45 percent. Nonetheless the conservative, who lives in a Loire valley chateau, makes an easy target for hardline unions eager to show that they remain relevant after years of declining influence. "When workers are not happy, and retired people are not happy, they go on strike, factories have to shut," the head of the CGT union Philippe Martinez said. "When a majority of workers are on strike the economy suffers." Though he insists he will not water his plans down, on Monday, Fillon retreated on prime time television from a suggestion he would privatise basic healthcare. FISCAL FUDGE With spending cuts coming gradually after the tax cuts, Fillon accepts that the initial strain on the budget means he will have to tear up the current government's plans to cut the deficit to less than 3 percent of output next year. Instead, his programme would let the deficit balloon to as much as 4.7 percent of GDP next year before gradually coming down as tax cuts gradually lift the overall growth rate. France's partners in Berlin have not forgotten that a similar fiscal strategy by Sarkozy at the start of his term left the French finances vulnerable when the financial crisis struck in 2008-2009. EU Economics Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, a French Socialist close to Hollande, has said he would not cut Fillon any slack for overshooting the 3 percent target. Playing in Fillon's favour is an emerging international consensus, including at the European Commission, supporting looser fiscal policy as long as it helps growth. The OECD estimates that near record-low borrowing rates mean France like other countries can afford some fiscal slack after years of sweating to rein in the finances. "They have cash they found on the sidewalk, so they don't have to be budget neutral," OECD chief economist Catherine Mann told Reuters. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Additional reporting by Yves Clarisse and Michel Rose; Editing by Andrew Callus and Pravin Char) Playing Spider-Man left Andrew Garfield heartbroken, a little. In Varietys Actors on Actors interview with Amy Adams, Garfield discussed the struggle he had coming to terms with big-budget movies. Theres something about being that young in that kind of machinery which I think is really dangerous, Garfield said of his time on the two The Amazing Spider-Man films. I was still young enough to struggle with the value system, I suppose, of corporate America really, its a corporate enterprise mostly. Garfield went on to say that his experience taught him that story and character are ultimately not always top of the priority list. I found that really, really tricky. I signed up to serve the story, and to serve this incredible character that Ive been dressing as since I was three, and then it gets compromised and it breaks your heart, he said. I got heartbroken a little bit to a certain degree. Adams added that she never feels like she owns the role of Lois Lane, especially given the multitude of incarnations of the character that have come before hers. Thats the tricky thing with Lois, that I find is, I love playing her, I love everyone I work with, but sometimes its tricky because I feel shes in service of the story instead of the story serving the character, Adams said. That sometimes can be tricky when you show up and you really wanna retain a character and you have to serve the story.in a perfect universe they all work together. The interview will air on PBS SoCal for Varietys Actor on Actors Season 5, presented by The Venetian Las Vegas, which debuts on Jan. 3. Click here for the full video. Related stories Why Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams Don't Regret Their Starts in the Biz as Child Actors Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams on Child Acting and Playing Famous Historic Women Amy Adams and Andrew Garfield Talk 'Serving a Canon' in Superhero Movies Kampala (AFP) - Ugandan prosecutors charged a tribal king with murder Tuesday, accusing him of backing a separatist militia in his kingdom where weekend fighting between his guards and security forces left at least 87 people dead. The Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere is accused of commanding a militia from his palace with the aim of creating an independent state straddling Uganda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. "Court sat this afternoon. He has been charged with murder," Uganda's judiciary spokesman Solomon Muyita told AFP, without giving further details. Police and army officers stormed Mumbere's palace in the western town of Kasese on Sunday in a hail of gunfire and explosions, dragging him out and placing him under arrest after he failed to accept an ultimatum to disband his royal guards, the authorities have said. According to police, fighting first broke out on Saturday when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards and quickly spread to surrounding towns. Kasese district police commander Sam Odong told AFP another 25 bodies had been found on Monday in towns outside Kasese, however it was not clear whether they were civilians or royal guards. Police had earlier reported that 16 police officers and 46 guards were killed in the weekend unrest, bringing the total death toll to 87. Another 139 guards have been arrested. Amnesty International on Monday expressed alarm at what "appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests". - A modern kingdom - The Rwenzururu kingdom, of the Bakonzo tribe, is a modern one. It began as a separatist movement of the same name when the Bakonzo -- tired of being subjected to the rule of another tribe given preference under British rule -- declared its own kingdom in 1962. The move led to years of bloodshed until a settlement was reached in 1982 in which the movement laid down arms in return for a degree of local autonomy. Story continues President Yoweri Museveni officially recognised the kingdom in 2009. However, many in the region still feel marginalised by the government and want to create their own state known as the Yiira Republic, uniting the Bakonzo and its sister tribe, the Banande, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister General Jeje Odongo told a press conference that "claims and counter-claims over land rights between the Bakonzo and other communities is alleged to be one other cause of the conflict" in the region. He said a wave of attacks was carried out in 2014, leaving nearly 100 people dead -- mostly attackers from a group known as "Youth of the Kingdom". "In the recent wave of violence the attackers have graduated into a militia which is trained, uniformed, armed, camped, and under a command and control structure. This new structure is composed of "KilhumiraMutima" (the stronghearted and keepers of a secret)," he said. He said regional security authorities met on November 21 to decide to dismantle camps set up by the militia, spurring a surge of attacks on police stations and posts in the region by the fighters who retreated into the palace. Odongo said machine guns, pistols, machetes, spears and petrol bombs had been found in the palace. - Guards offered amnesty - The kingdom has denied any links to the alleged militia. "At the moment the institution is not ready to give a statement," said palace spokesman Clarence Bwambale. "We can't have the figures of our people killed because we have been denied access to the palace... but definitely we lost many people." Kasese district commissioner James Mwesigye on Tuesday offered amnesty to members of the royal guards and alleged militia who turned themselves in, saying they would "be handled as children who went astray and have returned to the fold". "We don't want to see more bloodshed," said Bwambale. "Come and hand yourselves in because we want to see you alive, the heroes are those who are alive." BEIJING (Reuters) - The head of Ant Financial Services Group, the payment affiliate of Alibaba Holdings Ltd, apologised on Tuesday following backlash from Chinese netizens over a social feature in the company's payment app that critics say enabled a sexually explicit dating service. In an internal letter reviewed by Reuters, Chairwoman Lucy Peng said the company had removed a group within the Alipay app's new social feature "circles", including a group called "schoolyard diary" which drew intense fire from Chinese users after its launch on Nov. 24. "These past two days have the most difficult since I had joined Alipay 7 years ago," said Peng, who apologised to users and promised to clamp down on illicit content on the platform. The social group, which allowed only female users to post images publicly, blocked onlookers from commenting or contacting the women unless they had a high enough credit rating as determined by Ant Financial's data-backed rating system, Sesame Credit. "It's like a brothel," protested one Alipay user on Chinese Twitter-like social media service Weibo. "It's enough to make me and my friends boycott the [Alipay] payments service." Ant Financial has recently sought to increase its international footprint, planning to replicate the Alipay model in Thailand through a tie-up with Thai payment firm Ascend announced on Nov. 1st. Alipay is currently China's top online wallet service, with over 400 million local users. The criticism comes as the Chinese government ramps up its censorship campaign against content deemed harmful to the national psyche, including pornography and violent videogames. At a summit organised by China's top internet regulator earlier this month, officials called on tech firms and media outlets to clamp down on fake news and immoral content. Earlier this month the same regulator formalised rules banning content deemed offensive on Chinese social video streaming sites. Chinese state media broadcaster CCTV condemned the social media feature, which has attracted millions of views on the Alipay app and tens of thousands of comments on Chinese social media outlets. Story continues Earlier on Tuesday an Ant Financial spokeswoman told Reuters the company would remove the controversial credit rating criteria but not group in question. Peng said in the letter sent late in the afternoon that the company had decided to remove the group and permanently ban the users who posted suggestive photos. She thanked the thousands of netizens who spoke out in her letter, saying "without going through the experience of seeing our brand at risk of being destroyed in a single day ... we could have presumed we were right and continued down the wrong path." (Reporting by Catherine Cadell, editing by David Evans) In Sunday nights episode of Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain explored the growing Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais. Its one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, according to Bourdain. However, its population of 5 million people is not well known on the world stage. Minas Gerais was founded as a gold rush town in the 16th century when Portuguese settlers brought African slaves from overseas to search for gold. By the 19th century, resources were completely depleted and Brazil had the largest African diaspora population in the world. The Africans were integral in forming Minas Geraiss rich culinary tradition. The cuisine is rich in garlic and onion. Dishes that are now iconic Brazilian were invented by African women slaves. Everything African is fundamental to what makes Brazil awesome, Bourdain said. However, Minas Geraiss African roots often go unrecognized. Throughout the episode, many guests complained that not only is Brazils afro population unrepresented in politics, the historical context of so many Brazilian dishes is often buried. The history of colonization took over and pronounced fine dining strictly European cuisine. Traditional meals were left at homeuntil a generation of Brazilian chefs came back to elevate their countrys comfort foods. Where do all the best Brazilian chefs come from? Find out on #PartsUnknown with @bourdain tonight at 9p ET/PT. pic.twitter.com/MMX7wbzSty Parts Unknown (@PartsUnknownCNN) November 28, 2016 Bourdain toured Belo Horizontes traditional culinary scene with the chefs currently revolutionizing it. He tasted a carousel of dangerous and exotic foods: fruits that stab the tongue if you bite too deep, produce that can poison you if it expires, and meat from absolutely all parts of the animal. But the question on Bourdains mind as he talked to local chefs was, Why isnt Brazilian food recognized on the world stage? Story continues Although there are probably quite a few reasons for thisBrazilian food is notoriously hard to preserve, package and shipone chef attributed Brazils hidden cuisine to its cultural behaviors. We are a very quiet people, he said. You have to discover us. But for as much as history and time-honored cultural understanding is important, the world is unpredictable. In the middle of a meal at BiroscaMinass all-female fine-dining establishmenta man showed up outside the packed restaurant, brandishing a gun. Cameras shake, people fall to the floor and hide underneath tables. Its a disturbing and tense moment. And then suddenly everything is alright again. As quickly as the danger appeared, everybody falls back into a calm pace. Just like that, its back to the food, the conversation, Bourdain said. Keep your glass full, and your friends around you, and youll make it through. Related Articles Given the political earthquake that occurred on Nov. 8, the recent political and constitutional crisis in Hong Kong now seems comparatively diminished in significance. At the time, however, it was widely seen as and continues to be a major challenge for both the Chinese Party-State and the Hong Kong local government. If anything, the magnitude of that challenge has increased since the U.S. election, given the turmoil a Trump presidency could generate abroad. There are, in fact, a number of common themes among the election of Donald Trump, Brexit, and the unyielding stance Beijing has taken towards Hong Kong political activism over the past few years: all three are largely products of rising nationalism. While the role nationalism and anti-globalization sentiment have played in recent U.S. and British politics has been covered ad nauseam, analysts have often overlooked the ways in which Chinese nationalism popular nationalism, as opposed to government-sponsored patriotism shapes and, in many ways, constrains the ruling Communist Party leaderships political tactics. The failure to understand and account for mainland nationalism is perhaps most evident in the political strategies pursued by the Hong Kong democracy movement, many of which have been self-defeating for precisely this reason. Ever since it first became an object of international attention during the Occupy Central protests in late 2014, where mass demonstrations decried the lack of true democracy in the former British colony, Hong Kongs democracy movement has been fueled by a volatile combination of genuine pro-democracy sentiment, grievances against economic inequality, occasionally shapeless youth idealism, pro-independence separatism, and various forms of xenophobia and bigotry against mainlanders. The latter two elements were again on prominent display during the recent oath-swearing controversy, when two elected Hong Kong legislators were denied their seats for refusing to swear allegiance to the Peoples Republic of China. They displayed Hong Kong is not China banners and, when pressed, referred to the Peoples Republic of China as the peoples re-fucking of Chee-na. (Chee-na, as most Chinese students learn in middle school, is a Japanese name for China broadly used during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and it now carries strong derogatory and often racist undertones.) Story continues The episode reinforced the common belief among mainlanders, and outside observers, that Hong Kong activists are at least partly motivated by anti-mainland bigotry. Mainland netizens swiftly drew comparisons between the oath-swearing incident and the inflammatory rhetoric employed by some Occupy Central protestors in 2014, which compared mainland migrants and tourists to locusts eating away at the social and economic foundations of Hong Kong. When Chinas rubber-stamp National Peoples Congress responded on November 7 with an aggressive interpretation of the citys governing Basic Law that essentially barred all Hong Kong legislators from taking office if they failed to properly swear allegiance, Wechat and Weibo, the Chinese equivalents of Whatsapp and Twitter, exploded with approval. The continued entanglement of the Hong Kong democracy movement with anti-mainland bigotry may make some amount of political sense; it allows the movement to draw support from sectors of the local population that would not otherwise be sufficiently interested. Raw xenophobia, as recent developments in Western politics demonstrate all too clearly, can be an extremely powerful motivator, especially for populist movements that lack elite sponsorship and ideological coherence. It may very well be true that, but for its appeal to the uglier side of Hong Kong localism, the citys democracy movement would never have gotten off the ground in the first place. But if the movements goal is to win any real institutional victories, and not just vent frustrations and galvanize youth, then an anti-mainland angle is ultimately self-defeating. What many activists and Western commentators do not seem to understand is that Beijing cares far more about sociopolitical stability on the mainland than in Hong Kong, which is, after all, only Chinas 18th most populous city and its third largest urban economy. Especially under the one country, two systems superstructure, which officially allows Hong Kong a separate political and economic system until 2047 and requires those passing between Hong Kong and the mainland to present their passport, the Partys rule is almost completely unaffected by the degree of its support there. Obviously, the opposite is true for Party popularity on the mainland. The more Hong Kong democracy activists employ anti-mainland rhetoric, rather than anti-oppression or anti-autocracy rhetoric, the more they provoke nationalist fury among the mainland population, and the more Party leadership is able to reap political gains from a hardline stance. If the cost of shoring up popular support on the mainland is merely a period of heightened political tension in Hong Kong which, after all, has no realistic path towards democracy without Beijings consent, and zero chance of independence then that is a bargain Party leaders are likely quite willing to make. One could argue that Party leaders are or should be wary of damaging Hong Kongs status as a global financial center. But if the relatively muted financial reaction to Occupy Central is any indication, Hong Kongs attractiveness as a financial hub does not necessarily depend on warm relations between Chinese policymakers and the local population. Financial markets rely more on institutional predictability than on government popularity; the two are sometimes correlated, but not necessarily so. In fact, a consistently hardline position by mainland policymakers in a secure position of political dominance may actually offer more institutional predictability and stability than a more accommodating but potentially ambiguous position. That calculus could change if Beijing begins to actively interfere with the operation of Hong Kongs financial institutions, but at present, there is no discernible danger of that. Mainland Chinese nationalism can be a fickle thing, but if there is anything predictable about it, it is the consistency with which it lashes out at perceived disrespect by foreigners or outsiders. Western media often mocks the frequency at which the Chinese government accuses foreign entities of hurting the feelings of the Chinese people, but there is, at least in recent years, an element of truth to the claim. As nationalist sentiments gain traction among younger generations, there is a stronger likelihood that perceived disrespect by foreigners or, even worse, by residents of Hong Kong or Taiwan will in fact hurt the feelings of large portions of the mainland population. Chinese nationalism draws, above all, on a narrative of humiliation and victimhood extending from the Opium War in 1840 to the founding of the Peoples Republic in 1949. In this narrative, the century of humiliation is presented as a never again moment in Chinese history, a nadir from which the country must constantly struggle to recover. Even more than the glorification of Chinas cultural traditions or historical dominance, the shared memory of shame and weakness in the recent past constitutes the cornerstone of Chinese sociopolitical consciousness, supplying both a foreign other to unite against, and a set of objectives to pursue: national unity, material wealth, military power, and ultimately, international respect. For older Chinese who experienced first-hand the material and political challenges of the Mao era, wealth and stability likely remain central concerns. Younger mainland Chinese, however, may have a tendency to take the wealth and stability of the past 25 years for granted. They are therefore particularly keen on foreign respect, and particularly hostile to the perception they arent getting it. When that disrespect seems to come from within, especially from Hong Kong or Macau, then the backlash from the mainland is usually furious and unrelenting. Hence the incentive for Party leadership to adopt hardline positions against Hong Kongs democracy movement. In fact, had Beijing been accommodating, it might actually have risked significant instability on the mainland. One can easily imagine the following scenario: following grants of greater autonomy and democracy to Hong Kong, nationalist intellectuals on the mainland begin to compare these grants to the 19th century extraterritorially a vanquished Beijing gave to foreign powers. They could argue that not only had the Party leadership shown weakness, but it was also creating different levels of citizenship. Why do they deserve democracy, but we do not? is a powerful accusation, one that could spark widespread resentment among the mainland urban population and sow the seeds for unrest. Compared with ongoing unrest in Hong Kong, that would be a far more dangerous outcome. As these thought experiments suggest, nationalism can be a source of legitimacy and popularity for the Party-state, but also a constraint. It rewards, and in many cases demands, aggressive foreign policy, even when the Party leadership may not necessarily want it. Take, for example, the 2008 demonstrations against foreign coverage of Beijings summer Olympics: the widespread public furor over biased reporting by CNN and other Western media outlets was a major source of anxiety for Party leaders who desperately desired a smooth and glamorous Olympics. Compared to that relatively mild episode of nationalist mobilization, the Partys handling of Hong Kong is a far more volatile and politically dangerous issue, especially when the Partys other major source of popular support economic growth and increased living standards is becoming somewhat less reliable. So long as the Hong Kong democracy movement remains a prominent target of mainland nationalism, Beijing has very little incentive to compromise. What does this all mean for Hong Kongs democracy movement? If it truly wants real institutional change, then at the very least, it needs to detach itself from the uglier parts of Hong Kong localism and reject anti-mainland xenophobia in clear terms. Ideally, it would want large portions of the mainland population on its side, perhaps by appealing to common frustrations over free speech, or even political representation. This would be a very tough sell, given current animosity between the two sides, but probably not an impossible one. Chinese nationalism has always reacted poorly against foreign claims of cultural or political superiority, which triggers perceptions of disrespect and derision, but there is very little evidence that it is innately hostile towards democracy. As a recent academic article suggests, it tends to correlate strongly with support for a strong state and wariness of the West, but not nearly as strongly with hostility towards democracy or free speech. Mainland nationalism is, at its core, a reactionary sentiment, and therefore ideologically malleable. Like other forms of nationalism, it necessarily defines itself against foreign others. But there is no reason why Hong Kong necessarily has to be an other. Quite to the contrary, mainland nationalists may feel irritated or even betrayed by Hong Kongs perceived refusal to reciprocate their beliefs in shared ancestry and common political identity. Therein lies the source of current resentment, but also, potentially, of future reconciliation. Getty Images Less than a month ago, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that sales of the Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 7 line would decline in the first half of 2017 as a result of weak demand in China, slow volume shipments of the 4.7-inch iPhone in the first fiscal quarter of 2017 (the current quarter at Apple), and no new iPhone SE in the second quarter of 2017. According to a report in 9to5Mac, Kuo estimated first quarter shipment volume of 40 to 50 million units, less than the 51.2 million shipped in the same quarter of fiscal 2016. Second-quarter volume will decline from 40.4 million units in the same quarter of 2016 to 35 to 40 million units. ALSO READ: America's 25 Murder Capitals On Thursday KGI said it expects Apple to sell 120 to 150 million iPhones in the second half of 2017, beating the old record set with the release of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. According to 9to5Mac, KGI expects Apple to release 3 new iPhones in 2017: a major redesign that is known as the iPhone 8 plus improvements to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. KGI analysts expect all new models to feature wireless charging. The revamped iPhone 7 line is expected to include an all-glass casing, along with new cameras and upgrades to the chips. The new iPhone 8 is believed to be a curved-screen, bezel-less device that will include its Home button integrated with the screen. If Apple meets the second-half projects it would easily beat the 110 to 120 million sales record for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Apple stock traded up about 0.1% Tuesday afternoon at $111.72 in a 52-week range of $89.47 to $119.86. The stock's 12-month consensus price target is $131.00. Related Articles By PTI: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Nov 29 (PTI) As President-elect Donald Trump threatened to "terminate" the detente policy with Cuba, the White House today warned that reversing historic rapprochement would have "significant" diplomatic, economic and cultural costs. The policy is considered as one of the foreign policy legacies of outgoing President Barack Obama. Trump yesterday threatened in a tweet to put an end to the detente policy. advertisement "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the US as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump said in a tweet. Trumps tweet landed just as Cuba began its week-long farewell to its former leader Fidel Castro. The White House, however, was quick to warn that there are costs involved for cancelling such an agreement with Cuba, under which the two countries not only reestablished their diplomatic relationship after decades, but also resumed flights and lifted several sanctions. "I dont think Im gonna be in a position of predicting the future. I think what Im merely highlighting and trying to underscore here in as much detail as possible, is that its just not as simple as one tweet might make it seem," the White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference. Earnest said that reversing the policy would be "a significant economic blow" to Cubans and was "not as easy as a stroke of a pen". "Thats just an objective fact when you consider how the American people and US businesses have implemented this deal in a way that has provided significant benefits to the American people and provided significant benefits to the Cuban people," he said. "All of that would be undone by the reinstitution of a policy that has failed after having been in place for more than five decades. There are significant diplomatic, economic, cultural costs that will have to be accounted for if this policy is rolled back. This is among the many significant challenges that the incoming administration will have to carefully consider," Earnest said. After realising that the five decades old policy was not working, Obama two years ago announced to begin normalising relations between the two countries. Earlier in the morning, the Trump Transition Team communications director Jason Miller said though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Castro cannot be erased, the Trump Administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. advertisement Miller said Cuba is a very complex topic and the president-elect is aware of the nuances and complexities regarding the challenges that Ireland and the Cuban people face. "Id say this has been an important issue, it will continue to be one, and to be clear, the President-elect wants to see freedom in Cuba for the Cubans and a good deal for Americans where we arent played for fools," he said. PTI LKJ UZM --- ENDS --- * United Wa State Army blacklisted by U.S. over drug trafficking * Mine run by armed group in "Wa State" is a major producer of tin * Top smelter Yunnan Tin indirectly buys big quantities of Wa tin * Many international companies list Yunnan Tin as a supplier * Sourcing tin from mine puts firms at risk of sanctions breach (Updates with new headline) By Yimou Lee and Joel Schectman YANGON/WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found. The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters. This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid "direct or indirect" dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving U.S. official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement. Several sanctions experts said the U.S. government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Myanmar tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said U.S. sanctions "generally prohibit U.S. companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities" on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances. The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex. Story continues Following a 2012 U.S. regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa. But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones. Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfil those regulations they looked to an audit programme designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). A CFSI programme director said the group was "aware of tin exports from Myanmar to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Myanmar". The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include "a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas". Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa. "Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible," she said. CIVIL WAR Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating. The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal. The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organisation to do so. Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by U.S. and other international companies. Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Myanmar's peace process. "There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning," the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. "Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. It's the biggest source of income." While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents. Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the U.S. Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence. "The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved," Kucik said. Two companies in Apple's supply chain, the world's No. 1 tin producer Yunnan Tin Co Ltd and leading Taiwan-based solder maker Shenmao Technology, told Reuters that some tin they bought was from the Wa mine. Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from China's leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine. Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of U.S. sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A U.S. government official involved in Myanmar policy consulted on Reuters' findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA. Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said. SUPPLY CHAIN The chain connecting some of the world's best known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys "a long-term, stable strategic partnership" with the UWSA statelet. YCII declined several interview requests. YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the world's top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan. Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co and, indirectly, Pegatron Corp, whose clients include Apple. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, also a supplier to Pegatron. "Myanmar is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSI...As long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, that's acceptable for us," said Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, who said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from U.S.-based trade tracking company Panjiva. More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Two members of Yunnan Tin's board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a "portion" of the company's tin came from the UWSA-operated mine. "We certainly buy tin indirectly from Myanmar," Pan told Reuters. "We don't specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from." Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste. That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tin's purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons. Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, "and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain". "While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Myanmar in our products, we'll continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights," it said. Foxconn said it "enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers". It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a "single, non-U.S.-based customer". Pegatron Corp said it carried out "annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains". "Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly," the company added. FROM JEWELLERY TO APPLIANCES Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals. Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a "very small amount of tin" from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewellery and hollowware. The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, "use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy". Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops. The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Myanmar, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures. A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had "noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners". A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was "committed to responsible business conduct". "We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this," the statement said. (Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Yangon, JR Wu in Taipei, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Paul Carsten in Beijing and Sijia Zhang in Hong Kong; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Yimou Lee and Joel Schectman YANGON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found. The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters. This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid "direct or indirect" dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving U.S. official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement. Several sanctions experts said the U.S. government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Myanmar tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said U.S. sanctions "generally prohibit U.S. companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities" on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances. The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex. Following a 2012 U.S. regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa. But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones. Story continues Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfil those regulations they looked to an audit programme designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). A CFSI programme director said the group was "aware of tin exports from Myanmar to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Myanmar". The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include "a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas". Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa. "Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible," she said. CIVIL WAR Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating. The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal. The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organisation to do so. Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by U.S. and other international companies. Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Myanmar's peace process. "There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning," the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. "Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. It's the biggest source of income." While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents. Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the U.S. Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence. "The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved," Kucik said. Two companies in Apple's supply chain, the world's No. 1 tin producer Yunnan Tin Co Ltd and leading Taiwan-based solder maker Shenmao Technology, told Reuters that some tin they bought was from the Wa mine. Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from China's leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine. Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of U.S. sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A U.S. government official involved in Myanmar policy consulted on Reuters' findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA. Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said. SUPPLY CHAIN The chain connecting some of the world's best known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. ((For a GRAPHIC, click on: http://tmsnrt.rs/2giJmcq)) One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys "a long-term, stable strategic partnership" with the UWSA statelet. YCII declined several interview requests. YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the world's top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan. Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co and, indirectly, Pegatron Corp, whose clients include Apple. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, also a supplier to Pegatron. "Myanmar is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSI...As long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, that's acceptable for us," said Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, who said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from U.S.-based trade tracking company Panjiva. More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Two members of Yunnan Tin's board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a "portion" of the company's tin came from the UWSA-operated mine. "We certainly buy tin indirectly from Myanmar," Pan told Reuters. "We don't specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from." Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste. That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tin's purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons. Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, "and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain". "While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Myanmar in our products, we'll continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights," it said. Foxconn said it "enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers". It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a "single, non-U.S.-based customer". Pegatron Corp said it carried out "annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains". "Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly," the company added. FROM JEWELLERY TO APPLIANCES Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals. Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a "very small amount of tin" from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewellery and hollowware. The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, "use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy". Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops. The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Myanmar, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures. A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had "noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners". A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was "committed to responsible business conduct". "We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this," the statement said. (Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Yangon, JR Wu in Taipei, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Paul Carsten in Beijing and Sijia Zhang in Hong Kong; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Yimou Lee and Joel Schectman YANGON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found. The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters. This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid "direct or indirect" dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving U.S. official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement. Several sanctions experts said the U.S. government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Myanmar tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said U.S. sanctions "generally prohibit U.S. companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities" on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances. The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex. Following a 2012 U.S. regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa. But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones. Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfill those regulations they looked to an audit program designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). A CFSI program director said the group was "aware of tin exports from Myanmar to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Myanmar". The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include "a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas". Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa. "Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible," she said. CIVIL WAR Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating. The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal. The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organization to do so. Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by U.S. and other international companies. Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Myanmar's peace process. "There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning," the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. "Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. It's the biggest source of income." While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents. Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the U.S. Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence. "The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved," Kucik said. Two companies in Apple's supply chain, the world's No. 1 tin producer Yunnan Tin Co Ltd and leading Taiwan-based solder maker Shenmao Technology, told Reuters that some tin they bought was from the Wa mine. Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from China's leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine. Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of U.S. sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A U.S. government official involved in Myanmar policy consulted on Reuters' findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA. Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said. SUPPLY CHAIN The chain connecting some of the world's best known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. ((For a GRAPHIC, click on: http://tmsnrt.rs/2giJmcq)) One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys "a long-term, stable strategic partnership" with the UWSA statelet. YCII declined several interview requests. YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the world's top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan. Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co and, indirectly, Pegatron Corp, whose clients include Apple. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, also a supplier to Pegatron. "Myanmar is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSI...As long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, that's acceptable for us," said Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, who said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from U.S.-based trade tracking company Panjiva. More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Two members of Yunnan Tin's board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a "portion" of the company's tin came from the UWSA-operated mine. "We certainly buy tin indirectly from Myanmar," Pan told Reuters. "We don't specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from." Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste. That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tin's purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons. Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, "and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain". "While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Myanmar in our products, we'll continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights," it said. Foxconn said it "enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers". It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a "single, non-U.S.-based customer". Pegatron Corp said it carried out "annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains". "Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly," the company added. FROM JEWELLERY TO APPLIANCES Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals. Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a "very small amount of tin" from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewelry and hollowware. The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, "use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy". Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops. The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Myanmar, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures. A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had "noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners". A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was "committed to responsible business conduct". "We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this," the statement said. (Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Yangon, JR Wu in Taipei, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Paul Carsten in Beijing and Sijia Zhang in Hong Kong; Editing by Alex Richardson) The drama between soft and hard power is about to play out on the stage of Armenia. The U.S. Embassy in Armenia announced this week that the United States, along with the European Union and the governments of the United Kingdom and Germany, will provide financial support for a new voting process in Armenia. The new processes are meant to decrease electoral fraud. According to a statement, posted Monday on the U.S. Embassys Facebook page, American envoys will help strengthen trust in the Armenian electoral process via same-day voter authentication and the publication of signed voter lists after the elections. The statement concludes by noting that the United States was the first country to recognize Armenias independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, stressing the strength of the relationship between the two countries, and that Washington remains strongly committed to being a part of Armenias ongoing democratic growth and in helping it become the independent, secure, and prosperous nation its people deserve. Is this, then, a sign that Armenia is to tighten ties with the United States and Western Europe? Not quite. Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan is currently in Moscow, where he and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu are expected to sign an updated military task force agreement this week. Under this agreement, Russia will legally be able to use its military to ostensibly protect Armenia. In an interview with Izvestia prior to his Russian rendezvous, Sargsyan said Russia and Armenia have between them not only a long-term alliance, but also centuries of friendship and brotherhood. That Russia is pulling Armenia ever closer is upsetting to some in Azerbaijan, where some lawmakers are asking for reconsideration of their countrys close relations with Russia. Azerbaijans relationship with Armenia is fraught over, among other things, the frozen conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, in which Russia has played peacemaker, and from which it has therefore sometimes been accused of benefiting. But before Western watchers get too excited: If it is unlikely that Armenia forsake Russia for Americas electoral embrace, it is even less likely that Azerbaijan would turn away from Russia and toward true democracy. Photo credit: MIKHAIL METZEL/AFP/Getty Images More than 60 international museums and arts organizations have signed up to the new .ART domain, including the Tate (London, UK), Guggenheim Museum (NYC, US) and Centre Pompidou (Paris, FR). Considered "the first internet domain created exclusively for the global art community," the .ART address is designed to promote and preserve the global arts industry. .ART The newest domain on the web, .ART has its headquarters in London, UK. The company's offer appeals to establishments and organizations that want to "instantly identify [themselves] as a member of the art world and position [themselves] as a key player in the international arts community." Museums/institutions already signed up Over 60 "early adopters" have already signed up for the address, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Beyeler, Fondation Cartier, Brussels Art Fair, Guggenheim Museum, ICA Miami, LACMA, MAXXI, Bolshoi Theater, Tate and Walker Art Center. Some of these organizations plan to fully migrate to the new domain, whereas others, like the Centre Pompidou in France, are creating sites to accompany the principal website, either in a different language or to promote a specific event, such as the international Hauser & Wirth gallery (Zurich, London, New York, Somerset and Los Angeles) which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2017 with an interactive brand history website. Dominique Chevalier, President of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, explains that "For us, and for our galleries, '.com' is too commercial and '.fr' is too generic. The problem with most domain names is that they don't say anything about the business that you do, '.ART' solves that." The union will soon be switching to SNA.ART. Gradual roll-out December 2016 - February 2017 marks the "sunrise" stage of the rollout, where .ART domain names will only be available to ICANN (TMCH)-registered trademarks. Then, from February - May 2017, registration will be open for members of the art world. Finally, anyone will be able to register from May 2017 onwards. http://art.art/ By Laila Bassam and Ellen Francis BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria and its allies aim to drive rebels from Aleppo before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. President, a senior official in the pro-Damascus military alliance said, as pro-government forces surged to their biggest victories in the city for years. Rebels face one of their gravest moments of the war after pro-government forces routed fighters over the past few days from more than a third of the territory they controlled in the city. Thousands of civilians have fled for safety. The pro-government official, who declined to be identified in order to speak freely, nevertheless indicated that the next phase of the campaign could be more difficult as the army and its allies seek to capture more densely populated areas. Rebel fighters fought fiercely to stop government forces advancing deeper into the opposition-held enclave on Tuesday, confronting pro-Assad militias who sought to move into the area from the southeast, a rebel official said. The attack on eastern Aleppo threatens to snuff out the most important urban center of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, who has been firmly on the offensive for more than a year thanks to Russian and Iranian military support. Capturing rebel-held eastern Aleppo would be the biggest victory to date for Assad in the conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people since it arose out of protests against his rule nearly six years ago. As Russia and Iran have stuck steadfastly by Assad, the rebels say their foreign backers including the United States have left them to their fate in their besieged enclave of eastern Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the civil war. Government forces backed by Shi'ite militias from Iran, Lebanon and Iraq punched into the rebel-held area from the northeast last week. The senior, pro-Assad official said the rebel lines had collapsed more quickly than expected. "The Russians want to complete the operation before Trump takes power," said the official, repeating a previous timetable which pro-Damascus sources had said was drawn up to mitigate the risks of any shift in U.S. policy towards the war in Syria. The Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond when asked whether it had drawn up such a timeline. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has indicated that he may abandon support for Syrian rebels who have received military aid from states including the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and could even cooperate with Russia against Islamic State in Syria. The United States has offered aid including military support to some rebel groups under President Barack Obama, though the rebels have always said this backing has fallen well short of what they need against better armed government forces. THE WEST "CAN'T DO ANYTHING" The rebel official said the outgoing U.S. administration was paying little attention to Syria. Assad and his allies were "trying to exploit the current circumstances, unfortunately, and the Western states can't do anything", he said. France, another backer of the opposition, called for an immediate U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss Aleppo. "More than ever before, we need to urgently put in place means to end the hostilities and to allow humanitarian aid to get through unhindered," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement. Russia has consistently blocked attempts by Western states to take action in the Security Council against Damascus. Accounts from eastern Aleppo, where the United Nations says at least 250,000 civilians are trapped with no access to the outside world, point to a dire humanitarian situation. People have been forced to scavenge in the garbage for food as aid supplies have run out, and all the hospitals in eastern Aleppo have been repeatedly bombed. The civil defense rescue service that operates in eastern Aleppo said on Monday it had nearly run out fuel to power the equipment it has been using to pull people from the rubble of bombed-out buildings. Pummeled by air strikes, artillery and ground attacks, the rebels were forced on Monday to withdraw to more defensible lines along a highway that runs through Aleppo, hoping that it would be harder for the government side to make further gains. The rebel official with one of the main Aleppo rebel groups said the opposition fighters had managed to stabilize new frontlines, but were fighting to stop pro-government militias that sought to advance from the south. FIERCE BATTLES "There is no progress but the bombardment and battles remain fierce, particularly in Aziza" in southeastern Aleppo, said the official with the Jabha Shamiya rebel group, which fights under the Free Syrian Army banner. "Yesterday evening there was a big mobilization by Iranian militias in Aziza," the official added. The government and its allies gradually besieged the rebel-held sector of Aleppo this year before abandoning a ceasefire to launch a fierce assault in September. The latest fighting has forced thousands to flee. Some have crossed the frontline to government-held areas, others have sought refuge in a Kurdish-controlled part of the city, and many more have fled deeper into the remaining rebel-held area. Air strikes on Bab al-Nairab, a district in the rebel-held area, killed at least 10 people and left dozens more wounded or missing, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the civil defense rescue service said. The Syrian military could not be reached for comment. The civil defense said government planes struck as people were trying to flee the neighborhood on foot, killing 25. The United Nations humanitarian chief and relief coordinator said up to 16,000 people had been displaced from eastern Aleppo. A U.N. spokesman said that according to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent 10,000 people had moved into government-held western Aleppo, and 4,000-6,000 had moved into the Kurdish-held Sheikh Maqsoud district. Rebels say thousands more have moved deeper into the areas still held by the opposition. The U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said he could not say how long eastern Aleppo would hold out. "Clearly, I cannot deny - this is a military acceleration and I can't tell you how long eastern Aleppo will last," he told the European Parliament. Russia said that the army's breakthrough in Aleppo had dramatically altered the situation on the ground, allowing more than 80,000 civilians to access humanitarian aid after years of what it described as being used by militants as human shields. "During the last 24 hours, thanks to very well-prepared and careful actions, Syrian soldiers were able to radically change the situation," Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a defense ministry spokesman, said in a statement. "Practically half of the territory occupied by rebels in recent years in the eastern part of Aleppo has been completely liberated." A medic in eastern Aleppo who gave his name as Abu al-Abbas said however there was "intense fear of collective annihilation". "This week I've changed locations three times," he added, speaking on Monday using a social networking site. "In the shelter, we had dead people who we couldn't take out because the bombardment was so intense," he said. (Additional reporting by Tom Perry and Angus McDowall in Beirut, Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman, Andrew Osborn and Katya Golubkova in Moscow, John Irish in Paris, Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles in Geneva; writing by Tom Perry; editing by Peter Graff) On Twitter Tuesday morning, President-elect Donald Trump took a break from abusing CNN and citing right-wing website assertions of voter fraud in an election that he actually won to take a strong policy position on an issue that, well, nobody was talking about. At 6:55 a.m., apropos of absolutely nothing, Trump tweeted out, Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag -- if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! Related: Will Democrats Stand Up to Trump? Heres Their First Test There are multiple levels of oddness in that tweet, not least of which is that the issue of flag-burning isnt one that has a whole lot of salience with the public right now and hadnt been addressed in any significant way during the just-concluded presidential campaign. Also, there are already two strong Supreme Court precedents holding that flag-burning is a legal form of expression that is protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution: Texas v. Johnson from 1989, and U.S. v. Eichman from 1990. Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 Finally, the tweet was strange because one of the most recent high-profile efforts to make flag burning a federal crime was spearheaded by none other than Trumps Democratic opponent in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton. In 2005, then-Senator Clinton introduced the Flag Protection Act, which prohibited the destruction or damaging of the flag with the primary purpose and intent to incite or produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace, and under circumstances in which the person knows that it is reasonably likely to produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace. Violators could face up to $100,000 in fines and up to a year in prison, but the proposal never became law. Story continues Related: Why Trump Should Welcome an Election Recount While jailing political protestors is something most Americans associate with despots and dictators, laws against flag desecration, including some that carry prison sentences, are surprisingly common even in advanced democracies, including close U.S. allies. In Europe, flag desecration laws exist in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Portugal. In more totalitarian states, like China, and those ruled by a monarchy, like Saudi Arabia, the penalties for flag desecration can be extremely harsh. Trumps suggestion that a fitting punishment for flag-burning could be the loss of citizenship appears to be his own personal touch and is a bit problematic legally. The only way a native born U.S. citizen can be involuntarily stripped of citizenship is if he or she is found guilty in a court of law for committing any act of treason against, or attempting by force to overthrow, or bearing arms against, the United States. Given past Supreme Court precedents, though, the chances of even a Trump-friendly Congress coming up with a bill outlawing flag-burning that would survive a court challenge seem low. And if Trump follows through on his promise to nominate a like-minded conservative to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the chances seem even worse. Related: Looks Like Most Voters Disagree With Trump on Just About Everything It was Scalia himself, having twice joined decisions on the Supreme Court that upheld flag-burning as a form of protected speech, who succinctly summed up the reasons why actions that may give grave offense to many are still legal in a Democracy that prides itself on protecting civil liberties. If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag, Scalia said during a speech in 2015. But I am not king. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: Donald Trump with campaign aide Rick Gates, left, prepares for his speech at the Republican National Convention in July. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) A longtime business and lobbying partner of Paul Manafort, the former Donald Trump campaign manager who was ousted last summer over his ties to a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine, has resurfaced as a key figure in planning the Trump inauguration, according to four Republican sources familiar with matter. The business partner, Rick Gates, was not mentioned in the Trump transition teams Nov. 15 public announcement naming the members of the inaugural committee. But behind the scenes Gates is serving as the chief deputy to Thomas Barrack, the private equity investor and close friend of Trump who is inaugural chairman, the sources said. One described him as in effect the shadow chair of the event, involved in everything from raising the $50 million to $75 million the Inaugural committee is seeking to the selection of entertainers. Another source, a top Republican fundraiser, said he recently met with Gates about planning for inaugural events and it was clear he was playing a critical role in overseeing the operation. Gates is Barracks guy in helping to run the inaugural, said the source. Gates prominent, if so far unpublicized, role has caused grumbling among some Trump allies in large part because of his close ties to Manafort, the controversial former campaign chief whose dealings with pro-Russian figures in Ukraine led to his departure from the campaign last August. Manaforts resignation came after disclosures that Ukraines National Anti-Corruption Bureau was investigating entries in a ledger book supposedly showing $12.7 million in off the books payments to Manafort between 2007 and 2012 from the Party of Regions headed by Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych is the former Ukrainian president, aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who fled the country in 2014 and now lives in Moscow. Manafort has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the payments. Gates was Manaforts deputy on the Party of Regions account while their firm, Davis Manafort International, advised Yunukovychs election campaigns. He was the complete business guy who managed the account, hiring pollsters and other consultants, said Tad Devine, Bernie Sanders chief strategist during the 2016 primary campaign, who had been hired by Manaforts firm to assist with the Party of Regions account but who says he quit in 2011 after Yanukovychs government prosecuted and imprisoned his chief political rival, Yulia Tymoshenko. Story continues As first reported by Yahoo News, Gates also was a co-investor with Manafort in a $26.2 million business deal with Oleg Deripaska, a billionaire Russian aluminum baron who had been barred by the FBI from entering the United States due to alleged ties to Russian organized crime. Deripaska later initiated legal action against both men in the Cayman Islands, alleging in court papers they had simply disappeared when his lawyers sought to liquidate their joint investment in 2014 and sought to question them about what happened to his funds. Paul Manafort, then Trumps campaign manager, on the floor of the Republican National Convention with Rick Gates, right. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP) Gates was neck deep in all the pro-Putin activity and the dealings with oligarchs so shameful theyre not allowed into the United States, said John Weaver, a Republican political consultant with clashed with Manafort and Gates when he was an adviser to John McCain during his 2008 run for the presidency. I guess [Gates] is immune from draining the swamp. This is so typical of the hypocrisy coming out of Trump Tower. Gates did not respond to email and phone requests for comment. But sources said that he quietly weathered the storm of Manaforts resignation and continued to do major work on the Trump campaign, serving a key role as a liaison to the Republican National Committee. Manafort left the Trump campaign under a cloud as the Associated Press and others, including Yahoo News, reported that he and Gates were the go-betweens in hiring two high-powered Washington firms to secretly lobby for Yanukovychs party, under the cover of representing a Belgian nonprofit group. According to a source close to the Ukrainian government, those allegations prompted an inquiry by the FBI into possible violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The status of that investigation is unclear. (Manafort recently told NBC News he was unaware of any FBI investigation.) Bloomberg News reported this week that Manafort has recently quietly resurfaced in Trumps camp and has been in regular contact with Vice President-elect Mike Pence and other members of the transition team, as well as inaugural chair Barrack, with whom he has a longtime relationship. The disclosure of Gates behind-the-scenes role comes as the inaugural committee this week is planning to send out offers on package deals for tickets to inaugural events. According to a source who has been briefed on the plans, the deals include separate packages for contributors at levels of $100,000, $250,000, $500,000 and $1 million, with progressively more access to balls, events and photo opportunities with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. The public members of the inaugural committee include such well-known GOP donors and fundraisers as Roy Bailey, a Texas insurance mogul, and Wall Street investor Lew Eisenberg, both of whom are serving as finance co-chairs, as well as well as casino magnates Sheldon Adelson and Steve Wynn, Oklahoma oil baron Harold Hamm and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. Barrack, the chair of the event, told the New York Times last week that the inauguration will allow corporations and wealthy donors to contribute to the inauguration, but would ban gifts from registered lobbyists. One GOP fundraiser said that Trumps election had spurred interest from corporations that had been wary of contributing during the campaign because Hillary Clinton was expected to win. Now, theres no risk, said the fundraiser, who like most others in this story asked not to be identified by name. The guy won. A group of 75-80 women from across India will visit the shrine. By Indo-Asian News Service: After five years, a series of legal battles and agitations, a group of women activists will enter the Haji Ali dargah today. A group of 75-80 women from all over India would visit the shrine for prayers around 3 pm, said an activist. "It will be a routine now, we have not informed the police or the Dargah trust. We shall pay our respects and come out," Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) co-founder Noorjehan S Niaz told IANS. advertisement The fight for equal access Till June 2012, women were allowed entry up to the sanctum sanctorum comprising the grave (mazaar) of Muslim saint, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, but suddenly it was stopped. Mumbai: Women activists entered the Haji Ali Dargah today, after a series of legal battles. pic.twitter.com/Ot1w7ouGO0 ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 ALSO READ: Mumbai's Haji Ali Dargah implements lifting of ban on women entry into sanctum sanctorum In 2014, the BMMA and others challenged the move of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust in the courts. On August 26, Justice VM Kanade and Justice Revathi Mohite-Dhere had ruled in favour of the petitioners and directed the trust to allow equal access to women, which the trust challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on October 24 delivered its verdict on grounds of equal access to men and women, even as the trust expressed readiness to allow women inside the sanctum sanctorum. ALSO READ: 'A grievous sin': Why women were banned in Haji Ali Dargah in the first place Praying for peace The Trust authorities sought four weeks time to make certain infrastructural changes and alterations to accommodate women devotees, who would now throng the shrine. Niaz said women would offer floral tributes, 'chadars' and pray for peace at the dargah today. ALSO READ: Bombay HC allows women's entry into inner sanctum of Haji Ali dargah "It was a fight for equality and to end gender bias. We are happy that it has resulted in women and men getting equal unrestricted access right till the sanctum sanctorum," Niaz said. A trustee of the dargah, Suhail Khandwani, said that there would be separate entries to the shrine for men and women and henceforth nobody would be allowed to touch the peer's tomb. Under the new arrangements, all devotees would wait and pray nearly two metres away from the tomb with rights of equal access to all. ALSO READ: Haji Ali Dargah agrees to women entering sanctum sanctorum ALSO WATCH --- ENDS --- Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved From Cosmopolitan Photo credit: KSLA News 12 An 8-month-old baby who was ejected from a moving vehicle after a car crash on an Arkansas interstate was found sitting up, totally safe and fine more than 25 feet from the road, at the bottom of a storm drain. According the KSLA News 12, the family of five was driving along the highway in Texarkana, Arkansas, on Friday night when an 18-wheeler clipped their car, causing it to flip. The family noticed their 8-month-old infant Bryce had been completely ejected from the vehicle in the crash, and, along with the help of some passing drivers who pulled over, immediately began looking for her. Eventually, someone heard a bit of human-sounding noise coming from the direction of a storm drain in the interstate median, which is covered in hay. Sure enough, that noise was coming from baby Bryce, who appeared to be very much safe and chill at the bottom of the drain. "The eight month old was actually sitting down in the grate, sitting up and looking up at us, waiting for us to pull her out," said Josh Moore, a Texarkana firefighter who arrived on the scene of the crash. And in true women-are-strong-as-hell style, baby Bryce was calm and collected throughout the entire ordeal. "She wasn't screaming, she wasn't crying, she was just sitting there waiting for us," Moore added. The family of five was immediately rushed to the hospital, and all but the driver have since been released. Baby Bryce was remarkably unharmed, without even a bump or a scratch on her body. Police told KSLA they believe she probably rolled down the hill in the interstate median and softly fell down into the storm drain, between the grates. Baby Bryce's family have referred to the infant as their "miracle baby," for obvious reasons. Her mom told KSLA that she was especially surprised by the careful way the first responders had to remove the baby from the storm drain. "They had to turn her head a certain way, turn her body a certain way," she said. Story continues While the crash itself was truly awful, being able to pull an 8-month-old baby totally unharmed from a storm drain at night on the side of a busy highway definitely counts as good news in the final days of 2016. Follow Hannah on Twitter. You Might Also Like Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell have put a temporary hold on their plans to walk down the aisle, but that doesnt mean its completely out of the question. The pair called off their initial wedding plans in front of the cameras on Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After, but they have assured fans theyre still very much together and working things out. During an interview with Extra Monday, the pair revealed that theyre still working out the details of their upcoming wedding. Lauren told the publication that neither she nor Ben have a specific date in mind, though they do still hope to get married in the future. Similarly, Ben said they intend to use this time to work on their relationship and ensuring that its strong and healthy. I think at this point, Lauren and I are focusing on our relationship, which is obvious. Were definitely together we are happily engaged. The wedding in our mind ... is still on, but we are just taking some time to help plan that where its not stressful or overwhelming, Ben said. After getting engaged during Season 20 of ABCs The Bachelor, Ben and Lauren went on to star in their own reality show on Freeform. During a Nov. 15 episode of Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After, Ben opened up to his bride to be about his desire to call off their impending nuptials. He was clear, however, that he was not leaving Lauren, but had no desire to go forward with wedding plans. Lauren later said that she was fine with her future hubby needing more time, explaining that he was not fully comfortable with the idea of getting married just yet. If Ben needs a little more time to feel comfortable getting married, then he should really have it because in the end, it wont matter if this weddings a little bit later, she said. Viewers were aware that the premiere season of Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After would capture their rocky road towards marriage. As was previously reported, previews for the series showed Lauren moving to Denver, Colorado, to be with Ben, but it also showed some drama involving his exes. JoJo Fletcher the other woman Ben said he loved made an appearance during the trailer as well, joined by her fiance Jordan Rodgers. Story continues Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Freeform. Ben Higgins, Lauren Bushnell Photo: Getty Images Related Articles (Adds details) Nov 29 (Reuters) - Baker Hughes Inc said it has reached an agreement with CSL Capital Management and Goldman Sachs Group Inc's merchant banking division to create a hydraulic fracturing company in which Baker Hughes will own a 46.7 percent stake. Under terms of the agreement, oilfield services provider Baker Hughes will contribute its North American land cementing and hydraulic fracturing businesses, which comprises of assets in the United States and Canada. The agreement does not include Baker Hughes' international pressure pumping businesses or its Gulf of Mexico offshore pressure pumping operations, which it will continue to operate. Upon closing, private equity firm CSL Capital Management will contribute its Allied Energy Services platform to the new company, which provides hydraulic fracturing and cementing services on land in North America. CSL Capital Management and Goldman Sachs's West Street Energy Partners (WSEP) will together own 53.3 percent of the privately-held new company, and contribute $325 million in cash. About $175 million will be used to strengthen the balance sheet of the new company, while the remaining $150 million will go to Baker Hughes. The new company will operate under the Baker Hughes-owned BJ Services brand and will be headquartered in Tomball, Texas. Warren Zemlak, who is the current president & CEO of Allied Energy Services, will head the new company. Wells Fargo Securities LLC served as Baker Hughes' financial adviser. (Reporting by Ahmed Farhatha in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) LONDON (Reuters) - British Indians are calling for an extension to a deadline which could see some of their cash become worthless by the end of December, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock decision earlier this month to abolish 500 ($7) and 1,000 ($14) rupee banknotes. The looming Dec. 30 deadline has rattled many British Indians, who make up 2.5 percent of the population of England and Wales according to a 2011 government census, because the notes can only be exchanged in India. "I have been getting hundreds and hundreds of calls," said the president of the National Congress Of Gujarati Organisations UK (NCGO), CJ Rabheru. "They have no clue what the hell is happening," Rabheru said, adding that many of his members are confused by rumours regarding the status of their cash in a move that he said was likely to affect at least 1 million people in Britain. Although supportive of Modi's effort to fight counterfeiting, Rabheru said many people are scrambling to find flights to India or asking friends and relatives to carry cash for them. The notes are being abolished in a move to crack down on forgeries and the shadow economy but the withdrawal of denominations that account for 86 percent of the cash in circulation in India have brought India's cash economy to a virtual standstill. Britain's longest-serving Indian-origin lawmaker Keith Vaz has called on Modi to extend the deadline for foreign nationals until mid-2017. "The Indian government should be commended on this bold and courageous policy, and I completely understand why they have taken these steps," Vaz was quoted as saying in Indian media. "However, the rupee recall has inadvertently caused concern and distress to many members of the Indian diaspora community who live abroad who fear they will be unable to exchange their currency by the deadline in December." Vaz has written to Bank of England Governor Mark Carney asking for a solution to allow British Indians to exchange their bank notes in the UK. "Why do we have to go to India to exchange our currency? That I dont understand," said Mahendrasinh Jadeja, vice president of the British Organisation of People of Indian Origin. (Reporting by Adela Suliman; editing by Stephen Addison) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned on Tuesday that hopes for a two-state peace settlement between Israel and a future Palestine are fading fast. Marking the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People," Ban warned that settlement building and home demolitions undermine Israeli democracy. But he also criticized the Palestinians' "paralyzing lack of unity" and warned that their infighting has damaged their own democracy and the rule of law. And he told both sides that unless they act to revive hopes for peace, "they risk entrenching a one-state reality." Ban hailed a July report by the Middle East Quartet -- the United Nations, European Union, Russia and the United States -- as a blueprint for revived talks. Israel ignored the report and has accelerated its program of building Jewish settlements on occupied land, while demolishing dozens of Palestinian homes. (Recasts with comments on outlook, unconventional measures) By Alastair Sharp TORONTO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Many of the uncertainties surrounding the economic outlook that the Bank of Canada faced at its last policy decision still remain, though the central bank has two major data reports yet to consider this week, Governor Stephen Poloz said on Monday. In October, the bank held rates steady but said that it had actively considered cutting for the third time in two years. The bank cited uncertainty on a number of fronts, including geopolitical factors and the impact of recent moves by the government to boost infrastructure spending and tighten mortgage rules. "On most of those things, we have very little additional information since October, so very little has changed therefore in that analysis," Poloz told reporters on Monday. Poloz said that uncertainty still needs to be monitored. The central bank will get reports on the current account and third-quarter growth this week, which should help the bank better understand the economic picture, Poloz said. The bank is widely expected to hold rates where they are when it meets next week, though some think the market is too complacent about the prospect of further cuts following the U.S. election of Donald Trump. Poloz said the bank would not incorporate U.S. policies into forecasts until they occur. Poloz also made clear he had not put away the bank's toolkit of unconventional measures that could be used if necessary, which includes negative interest rates and large-scale asset purchases. "The possibility we'd have another downturn in the world economy is present," he said. "We're not predicting one, we see no signs of it, but we need to be ready for whatever that next shock might be." "Given that we start with interest rates at 0.5 percent, we need to be ready for the possibility of needing additional tools because we only have half a point of room to maneuver," he added. Poloz made the comments following a speech highlighting the role of the service sector in bolstering the economy at a time when it is still struggling with fallout from a drop in commodity prices. While Poloz acknowledged that the process of getting the economy back on track has been more gradual than the central bank would like, he reiterated his forecast that Canada would close its output gap around mid-2018. (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Writing by Leah Schnurr and David Ljunggren; Editing by Andrew Hay and Kim Coghill) SANTIAGO (Reuters) - The Basel Committee, which sets the standard for global banking regulation, made "great progress" in meetings on Monday and Tuesday in Chile, said William Coen, the committee's secretary general. The financial watchdogs are gathered to try to finalise global rules on bank capital, the so-called Basel III. "We've made really great progress these last couple of days," Coen told Reuters on the sidelines of a meeting in Santiago. (Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Ellen Wulfhorst LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Global goals to end poverty and aid to the developing world are at risk of severe setback under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose campaign rhetoric was ominous and whose plans are vague, experts said on Tuesday. The makeup of Trump's administration remains uncertain three weeks after his Nov. 8 election, as he has made few appointments to key positions affecting foreign aid, according to experts assembled for an online panel by the Overseas Development Institute, a London-based think tank. "It does not appear that President-elect Trump has a considered world view of any sort," said Reuben Brigety, dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. "As a result, we really do not know what he's going to do," Brigety said. "I suspect, frankly, that we will see him make this up as he goes along." Trump, who has no foreign affairs or political experience, has advocated an "America First" position with the slogan "Make America Great Again" in his unexpected victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Among the few appointments he has made is that of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She also lacks foreign policy experience. Trump's pronouncement that he would "stop sending foreign aid to countries that hate us" and instead invest in U.S. infrastructure spells likely cuts in foreign assistance, said Susan Page, former U.S. Charge d' Affaires to the African Union. "We may be facing more of an isolationist policy that could lead to less stable and secure countries," she said. "That's a bit worrying." Trump promised to build a wall along the southern U.S. border to keep out Mexican immigrants that he said were rapists and criminals. He also threatened to ban Muslim immigration to the United States. Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center, a policy research institute in Beirut, said she sees a dangerous rollback in human rights, given Trump's "affinity for strongmen" such as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "This is music to the ears of extremists," said Yahya. "It's basically a self-fulfilling prophecy of, 'Look, the West really has abandoned us. They don't care about us. The only people who care about us is the more extreme agenda.'" The ambitious global goals adopted in 2015 by the United Nations to end extreme poverty and inequality, champion the rights of women and girls and resolve the world refugee crisis all may falter in the Trump era, said Alex Their, ODI's incoming executive director. "When you look at pronouncements during the campaign around foreign policy and particularly development policy, it doesn't look good," Thier said. "The United States, when it is its best self, has the potential to move the world in positive directions as well as negative directions," he said. Trump, a real estate developer and television celebrity, is slated to succeed outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama and begin a four-year term on Jan. 20, 2017. (Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst, Editing by Katie Nguyen. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) The Victorias Secret Fashion Show in Paris is going to be one big family affair for the Hadid clan. Not only will sisters Gigi Hadid, 21, and Bella Hadid, 20, walk in the show, mother and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid, 52, will be cheering them on from inside, having arrived in the European city today. Both sisters have opened up about how supportive their mom has been of their careers, and how important it is to them for her to attend their biggest events for moral support (like at the Marc Jacobs fashion show, pictured below). Recently, Gigi had mom Yolanda backstage with her at the American Music Awards, while the model hosted. Meanwhile, Bella told PEOPLE before she left for the show at a fitting at Victorias Secret headquarters in New York that she was hoping her mom could make it because she is my emotional angel, she says. She always makes me feel so much better, Bella continues. Just like any mother would. RELATED VIDEO: Buddy System! Kendall Jenner Arrives in Paris for vs Fashion Show With Bella Hadid Weeks After Kims Robbery Today, Yolanda posted on Instagram that shes getting amped to attend the show, where her two daughters will walk in lingerie. Im so excited to see you girls tomorrow night, she wrote. Yolanda, a former model herself, offered some advice to Bella before she went. Shes just like, Shoulders back, be confident and walk strong,' says the young model. Bella will be wearing two looks during the show, including an embellished top covered in over 6,000 crystals. I look like a disco ball, she says of the design. Its so beautiful and shiny. The Victorias Secret Fashion Show will air on CBS on December 5th. They ended their romantic relationship just a few short weeks ago after a year and a half together. But on Monday, exes Bella Hadid and The Weeknd (ne Abel Tesfaye) reportedly bumped into each other in Paris while at the famed Hotel Costes. While the European city is known for its romantic atmosphere, it was all platonic between the two during their surprise meeting, a source told E! News.The 26-year-old Grammy winner was having dinner at the Hotel Costes with friends when Hadid, 20, stopped by to say hello. Shes walking in the Victorias Secret Fashion Show, which tapes Wednesday while The Weeknd is performing for the second year in a row at the event, alongside Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. RELATED VIDEO: The Weeknd and Bella Hadid are going their separate ways Bella sat next to The Weeknd and spoke for a little while to him, E! News reported. They were really cool with each other. Bella was in a great mood, smiling and seemed really happy while being there. While it may be awkward for the exes to be working together on the show, a source previously told PEOPLE the former couple ended things on good terms. Their schedules have been too hard to coordinate and he is focusing on finishing and promoting his album, the insider said. They still have a great deal of love for one another and will remain friends. As for Hadid, she told PEOPLE shes spending her time before her very first Victorias Secret fashion show practicing her smile. I am not a very good smiler on cue, she told PEOPLE during a fitting for the show in New York City. I have to practice that a lot. Sure, I wish I could smile bigger but its everything you can work on, she added. I just hope when I am out there I am not too nervous about being in my lingerie. But I am excited to just walk and show off my outfits because theyre so cute. The Victorias Secret Fashion Show tapes Nov. 30 and will air Dec. 5 on CBS. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Retired neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential contender Ben Carson has reportedly accepted the role of the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency tasked with helping people secure affordable housing in an age where a dearth of homes on the market have led to skyrocketing rents and prices. There had been no announcement of Carsons acceptance as of Monday afternoon, and his spokesman Armstrong Williams declined to comment to realtor.com about the appointment. According to a story on Housing Wire, sources say the deal is done and that an announcement is forthcoming. If he accepts the spot, Carson will have a key role in crafting and ushering through policies that could affect the housing market long beyond the next four years of President-elect Donald Trumps administration. And those policies will also play a role in determining the futures of the millions of Americans who depend on HUD, ranging from the poorest Americans seeking subsidized housing to first-time buyers shopping for mortgages. Like his would-be future boss, the doctor who grew up in Detroit is better known for a long and storied career in an unrelated fieldin Carsons case, brain surgerythan for the government portfolio he would oversee. This is a marked departure from the last two HUD secretaries, who brought housing and urban renewal experience to the position. So what would Carson mean to HUD? His proposals from the campaign trail offer a few hints, which might spell bad news for mortgage interest deductions and a HUD fair housing rule designed to better integrate communities across racial and economic lines. After serious discussions with the Trump transition team, I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly to making our inner cities great for everyone, Carson posted on his Facebook page last week. We have much work to do in strengthening every aspect of our nation and ensuring that both our physical infrastructure and our spiritual infrastructure is solid. Story continues New priorities under Carson Housing experts are trying to determine what Carsons appointment would mean for the agency, which oversees an annual budget of about $50 billion. Some believe a reprioritization of HUD in the new administration is in the works. If [housing was at] the top of some policy agenda, I would think [Trump] would want to put someone in charge who has a real record in dealing with these issues, says Rachel Meltzer, an urban policy professor at the New School in New York. The current agency chief, Julian Castro, is a former San Antonio mayor who helped revitalize the Texas citys downtown, earning him accolades for urban development. His immediate predecessor, Shaun Donovan, who was in the position from 2009 to 2014, had been the commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration and the New York Citys Department of Housing Preservation and Development before his appointment. Outgoing Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images But housing neophytes have held the position in the past as well. Steve Preston, who served from 2008 to 2009, came from more of a finance background, having been the administrator of the Small Business Administration, a government agency. During his run for the Republican nomination, Carson gave some indications of his views toward U.S. housing policy. He pledged to eliminate home mortgage interest deductions when he was running for the Oval Office. But these deductions, which allow homeowners to subtract what they pay off each month from their taxes, are unlikely to be abolished, most experts believe. Youd be taking away a tax break that benefits higher-income homeowners, says Meltzer. Carson also supported scaling back and eliminating various federal programs he deemed wasteful, inefficient or unnecessary in a six-page document outlining his positions during the race. He indicated he would support privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which insure mortgages. That would severely limit the number of mortgages available and the lowest rates borrowers can getunless those same mortgages were guaranteed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, says Peter Orser, acting director of the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington. Without these agencies to support first-time home buyers, buyers have [few] other solutions, because the private market doesnt have the lending capacity, the rates will not be as low, and it could be harder for borrowers to qualify for loans, Orser says. Fair housing rule may come under fire Carson is also no proponent of a HUD rule, the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, which requires certain communities that receive HUD grants to assess and address problems with residents of all races, nationalities, disabilities, and income levels to ensure they receive equal access to housing. Section 8 voucher holders tour apartments in Chicago. The Washington Post via Getty Images This is just an example of what happens when we allow the government to infiltrate every part of our lives, Carson told Iowa radio host Jan Mickelson in June 2015 in response to a question about Iowans allegedly having to recruit poor people from Chicago to qualify for Section 8 housing. Carson expanded his position further by stating the rule would fundamentally change the nature of some communities from primarily single-family to largely apartment-based areas by encouraging municipalities to strike down housing ordinances that have no overtly (or even intended) discriminatory purpose all in the name of promoting diversity, in a July 2015 piece he penned for The Washington Times. But doing away with the rule has its risks, says Solomon Greene, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan research institute based in Washington, DC. The fears are that we have been making slow but important progress in this country toward ensuring our neighborhoods, cities, and regions are more [racially] inclusive and integrated, Greene says. But it could change and turn around. What the future could hold for affordable housing Carsons appointment could also affect taxpayer-supported subsidized housing, which primarily helps homeless, low-income, and even senior Americans. Dealing with the affordable housing crisis in the U.S. is a critical issue facing our country, says Scott Muldavin, chair of the Counselors of Real Estate, a Chicago-based group of industry professionals who provide real estate advice. The winds are blowing against government subsidies in housing. Creating more affordable housing isnt a problem that the next HUD secretary will be able to tackle on his or her own. It will require the president and Congress to work with state and local governments to come up with solutions, he says. It seems that housing affordability is going to be in for a difficult stretch, given the Republican Congress and new administrations general position on reducing the size of government, Muldavin says. But the one potential positive is Ben Carson is a caring person. And if he can fight the battles in the most important places, he might be able to move the needle a little. The post Ben Carson as HUD Secretary: What Could It Mean for Housing? appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com. The 2016 edition of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, held Nov. 24 in New York City and broadcast on NBC, received a soundtrack from well over a dozen artists during its three-hour run time, with many seeing notable digital sales gains, according to Nielsen Music, as the sales tracking week wrapped up at the end of that day. LunchMoney Lewis, Johnnyswim and Easton Corbin see the largest single-song sales gains in the tracking week, which helps populate the Billboard charts dated Dec. 10, with Fitz & the Tantrums, Ben Rector and more also seeing notable bumps in digital downloads. Lewis' "Mama," originally released in May 2015, snags the biggest gain, leaping 3,430 percent in sales to 1,000 downloads sold after selling almost nothing the previous week. It's the biggest sales week for the song since it moved 4,000 copies in the tracking week ending May 12. Additionally, the track jumps 332 percent in domestic on-demand audio and video streams, from 11,000 to 46,000. Meanwhile, folk-pop duo Johnnyswim, fresh off the release of new album Georgica Pond (No. 34, Billboard 200, Nov. 5 chart), gain 2,120 percent in sales of "First Try" - like Lewis, from fairly miniscule numbers to 1,000, its best sales week since its October release. And Corbin's "Let's Ride," released last year, sells 1,000 from, again, a tiny amount the previous week, representing a 1,952 percent gain (while also rising 39 percent in streams, garnering 13,000 clicks in the tracking week). The sales of Corbin's song are its best since the Sept. 10, 2015, tracking week, when it also moved 1,000. Elsewhere, multiple tracks performed during the parade return to the Billboard charts due to sales volume. "Candyman," the M&Ms-commissioned remake of "The Candy Man" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory featuring Zedd and Aloe Blacc, returns to the Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart dated Dec. 10 at No. 13, the song's highest position since reaching No. 12 (May 7), after the track sold 4,000 downloads, up 254.6 percent, following Blacc's solo performance of the song. Story continues On Rock Digital Song Sales, Ben Rector's "Brand New" reaches No. 15, its best position since landing at No. 11 (Aug. 20), with 6,000 downloads, up from 1,000 - a 290 percent bump. Fitz & the Tantrums' "HandClap" returns to its No. 3 peak on the same chart (and earns a new peak of No. 2 on Alternative Digital Song Sales) with 24,000 downloads sold, the most the song has sold in its history (it debuted in April), representing a 26 percent sales gain. Grace VanderWaal's debut single "I Don't Know My Name" also makes a Billboard sales chart, debuting on Pop Digital Song Sales at No. 17 after managing 19,000 downloads. However, the tracking week was also the debut sales week for the song from the 12-year-old America's Got Talent victor; it was released digitally on Nov. 18. Holiday-specific songs perform respectably as well, with Brett Eldredge's "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and Sarah McLachlan's "Silver Bells" leaping 598 and 477 percent in sales, respectively. Both holiday covers are from new seasonal albums released in October. Eldredge's Glow bowed at No. 29 on the Nov. 19-dated Billboard 200 (14,000 equivalent album units, nearly all of which were pure album sales) and at No. 2 on Top Holiday Albums, while McLachlan's Wonderland debuted at No. 79 (Nov. 12; 7,000) on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on Top Holiday Albums. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that hes not one for blindly following tradition, so its not surprising that the political trailblazer is turning another White House tradition on its headby becoming the first commander in chief over the past 150 years who doesnt have a pet. Every president except James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson has been a pet owner, according to The Washington Post. Their menageries included dogs, cats, horses, and a wide variety of more unusual clawed, taloned, gilled, and winged inhabitants of l600 Pennsylvania Ave. For instance, who knew George Washington had Polly the parrot as well as 36 hounds, plus horses? Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt had bears (live ones, not the cute stuffed ones named after Roosevelt). John Quincy Adams had an alligator. James Buchanan owned eagles (very patriotic of him). And Martin Van Buren had two tiger cubsuntil Congress made him donate them to a zoo. Killjoys! In more recent years, Americans on both sides of the political aisle have melted just a little over those warm fuzziesinducing first family portraits of the Obamas with their Portuguese water dogs Bo and Sunny. Their hearts have similarly warmed over photos of George W. Bushs clan with their Scottish terriers and English springer spaniel. The White House has been home to a wide variety of pets, but in general the benefits of owning a dog cant be beat, says animal behaviorist Jessica Lockhart of Fairview Behavior Associates in Dallas. Bo will be leaving the White House soon Official White House Photo by Pete Souza Plus, canine companions have been proven to lower stress levels and blood pressurea perk for the holder of arguably the most stressful job in the world. For the incoming president, Crista Coppola of Dog and Company, in Tucson, AZ, would recommend cats instead. Thats because Trumps busy, peripatetic lifestyle may not be a good match for needy, attention-craving canines, the animal behaviorist says. Felines are more independent and would give Trump some space to attend to more pressing matters than belly rubs. Story continues Another option is a marine creatureor two. A fish that sat on his desk that he could practice his speeches on would be cool, Coppola says. It wouldnt disagree with him. Trump shouldnt rule out ferrets either, animal specialists suggest. Ferrets make great pets, Coppola says. Theyre extremely smart and cunning, and they can be house-trained and you can walk them on leashes. Theyre also very optimistic (albeit odoriferous) little creatures, says Marc Morrone of Parrots of the World in Rockville Center, NY. No matter how depressing a situation is, a ferret will always make it better, Morrone says. The only issue is ferrets are not legal in Washington, DC. So hes going to have to change the law. No problem! Or he could consider the friendly bearded dragon lizards. They enjoy human contact, so its a great pet for Barron, he says, referring to Trumps youngest son. [And] they dont need much time so theyre not going to interfere in anyones busy schedule. And the president-elect shouldnt overlook African gray parrots. They talk very well, so it will be very entertaining for any guests or diplomats who come to the White House, Morrone says. But as far as birds go, theyre nice and quiet. Discreet, even. The post Whats the Best Pet for Donald Trumps White House? appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com. By Abdiqani Hassan BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Islamist insurgents killed four pro-government Somali soldiers and injured 11 others when a roadside bomb destroyed a military pickup in the north of the country on Tuesday, the military said. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in the Galgala hills, an insurgent stronghold about 30 km (20 miles) to the southwest of Bosasso, the largest city in the region. "A roadside bomb destroyed our pickup as we drove from Galgala hills today. We lost four soldiers, including a female soldier, and 11 men from our forces were injured," Major Mohamed Ibrahim, a military officer in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, told Reuters. Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's military operation spokesman told Reuters by telephone: "We completely destroyed the military pickup outside Bosasso - none escaped - all 17 soldiers on board perished." The insurgency routinely exaggerates the number of casualties killed in its attacks. The deaths come as hundreds of forces allied to the Western-backed government prepare to retake the northern port town of Qandala from a group that has splintered from al Shabaab and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. Qandala is about 70 km to the east of Bosasso and has been under the control of Abdiqadir Mumin, a Somali insurgent leader, for about a month. "We are also evaluating the situation and we shall attack the IS as soon as possible," Jamac Mohamed Khurshe, the mayor of Qandala told Reuters on Tuesday. Hundreds of pro-government militia began moving towards Qandala on Monday. Somalia has been riven by civil war for more than 25 years. Al Shabaab, which has ties to al Qaeda, is fighting the government to impose their own strict version of Islamic law but has lost much of the territory they used to control. Mumin's group, which renounced al Shabaab in favor of Islamic State, is not thought to number more than a couple of hundred fighters. It has no publicly known operational links to Islamic State in the Middle East. (Additional reporting by Feisal Omar and Abdi Sheikh in Mogadishu; Writing by Katharine Houreld; Editing by Alison Williams) Amid his divorce battle with Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt enjoyed a tropical getaway. On Tuesday, a source confirmed to ET that the Allied star spent Thanksgiving weekend in the Turks and Caicos. WATCH: Brad Pitt Attends 'Allied' Photo Call in Paris -- See His Dapper Look! According to the source, the 52-year-old actor stayed at Amanyara Villas, a secluded luxury resort. He was joined by a male friend. As for Pitt and Jolie's reported temporary two-day truce? The source says reports of Jolie inviting Pitt to Thanksgiving in Los Angeles are "not true." The reports claim Jolie had allegedly called Pitt and told him that their six children -- Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8 -- were asking them to be nice to each other for the holidays. The reports also claim that Shiloh even wrote her parents an email, begging them to spend it together. NEWS: Angelina Jolie Returns to Spotlight for the First Time Since Brad Pitt Split "Completely false," the source also told ET. "[Angelina] never called [that's a] total lie." "The reports that she refused to let him see them on Thanksgiving or originally called a truce and then went back on it are all false," another source explained. "They were never planning to see Brad on Thanksgiving per the schedule created by the children and the family therapist." News of Pitt's trip comes just one week after the FBI closed its child abuse allegations investigation against him. The bureau confirmed they would no longer be investigating Pitt's alleged Sept. 14 plane incident, and that no charges would be filed. "In response to allegations made following a flight within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States which landed in Los Angeles carrying Mr. Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI has conducted a review of the circumstances and will not pursue further investigation," the FBI said in a statement to ET. "No charges have been filed in this matter." Story continues WATCH: FBI Closes Investigation Into Brad Pitt Over Child Abuse Allegations: 'No Charges Will Be Filed' The exes are still working on their divorce terms as their filings dispute who will have custody of their six children. To hear the latest on their messy split, watch the video below. -Additional reporting by Carolyn Greenspan and Rande Iaboni Related Articles (Adds quotes, debt context, market reaction) By Ana Mano SAO PAULO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian phone carrier Oi SA said on Tuesday that Dutch judicial authorities could compel bankruptcy proceedings for its two Netherlands-based units, which hold most of the company's bond debt. Oi said in a securities filing that it hoped that a bankruptcy process in the Netherlands, should it take place, would have no meaningful bearing on its own bankruptcy court procedures in Brazil. Oi, Brazil's No. 4 wireless carrier, last June sought Brazilian court protection for 65.4 billion reais ($19 billion) in obligations, of which about 34 billion ($10 billion) is in bonds. About 25 billion reais ($7.35 billion) of the bonds are held by the two Dutch entities - Oi Brasil Holdings Cooperatief U.A. and Portugal Telecom International Finance BV (PTIF), according to company data. Currently, the Dutch units have "suspension of payments" legal standing -- which protects a company from creditors and gives it time to reorganize. "Dutch judicial administrators could require the conversion of two suspension of payments procedures ... into bankruptcy processes," Oi's security filing said. If bankruptcy is declared, the assets of a company may be liquidated to repay creditors, according to Rotterdam, Netherlands-based law firm LVH-Advocaten. The price on PTIF's 5 percent note due in November 2019 rose 2 cents on the dollar to 27 cents, the biggest intraday gain since mid-June. Rio de Janeiro-based Oi did not specify what conditions would lead the two Dutch units to enter the bankruptcy procedure. However, Tuesday's filing noted that the potential bankruptcy of the units in the Netherlands does not affect operational activities or Oi's cash position in Brazil. However, the company said it hoped that prospect in the Netherlands "does not result in significant impacts on the bankruptcy process day by day on the company in Brazil." In the filing, Oi also said it will start to settle claims in Brazil worth up to 50,000 reais, aiming to help small creditors get repaid. Reuters reported on Nov. 3 the company's intention to repay small-sized supplies ahead of financial creditors. ($1 = 3.4059 reais) (Reporting by Ana Mano; Editing by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and W Simon) Bikini time! Brielle Biermann and her boyfriend, Red Sox minor league pitcher Michael Kopech, jetted down to the Bahamas for a tropical vacation, and theyre spending plenty of time in the sun. The long-distance couple is sharing photos from their trip all over Instagram. At my favorite place with my favorite person, Biermann captioned a photo from one of their dinner dates, where the 19-year-old wore a body-baring dress. And she showed off her bikini bod as the couple hit the beach. Biermann says Kopech is very protective of her, and will lash out at people who post negative comments on her Instagram account. Some boys comment really gross things on my photos and my boyfriend will get pissed and comment back like Get the f out of here! she previously said. He gets frustrated with them more than I do. Im like, Who cares? Biermann said that most of the comments she receives are from people accusing her of getting plastic surgery, which the reality star denies. People are just ignorant, she said. You guys are probably comparing me to season one of Real Housewives of Atlanta and then going straight to now. Where were you guys between? You can see me every single season, and you can see how I change. RELATED VIDEO: Kim Zolciak-Biermann on Her Daughters Body Shamers: Why Would You Do That to a 14-Year-Old? Biermann has copped to getting lip fillers, but says theres no way she would have time for plastic surgery. Im on Snapchat 24-7. If I were to do some downtime, how would that happen? she asked. * Post-Brexit Britain nurturing new trade ties * Mongolia has huge reserves of copper, gold, coal * Exports high volumes to China By Barbara Lewis LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Britain and Mongolia signed their first memorandum of understanding in the mining sector on Tuesday, pledging an exchange of technology and expertise, and deepening ties based on Rio Tinto's huge copper mine in the South Gobi desert. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of a mining conference in London, recognised "the spirit of cooperation that exists between the respective countries" and a willingness "to promote closer cooperation in the extractive sector". In an emailed statement, the Department for International Trade said the cooperation would cover technology transfer, education and training. Tumentsogt Tsevegmid, CEO of Erdenes Mongol, set up to manage the state's mineral reserves, including copper, gold and coal, said the agreement also covered financing. Mongolia, a vast country of just three million people, went on a borrowing spree at the height of the commodity cycle, and the $12 billion economy is staggering under total foreign debt - public and private - of more than $20 billion. It has, however, been helped by this year's commodity price rally that has seen gains of more than 200 percent for coking coal and it is hoping to benefit from Anglo-Australian group Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi copper mine. In June, Rio gave the go-ahead to a $5.3 billion expansion of the mine, which will keep a steady flow of foreign investment during the next five-to-seven years of construction. Rio says the massive mine will eventually be responsible for around 30 percent of the economy, but direct benefits for Mongolia will be delayed. According to a 2009 investment agreement, investors must recoup their original investment costs before Mongolia can collect dividends for its 34 percent shareholding in the mine. Oyu Tolgoi is jointly owned by the Government of Mongolia (34 percent) and Turquoise Hill Resources (66 percent, of which Rio Tinto owns 51 percent). Rio Tinto has been the manager of the Oyu Tolgoi project since 2010. Story continues Copper aside, Tumentsogt told Reuters he expected Mongolia would export 20 million tonnes of coking coal this year to China and slightly more next year. It is also undertaking a feasibility study on construction of a 5.2 gigawatt thermal coal plant that would export power to China. Since Britain's decision to leave the European Union in June, the British government has emphasised the importance of new trade relations and is also seeking, for instance, to negotiate contracts in Iran. (Editing by David Evans) By Alistair Scrutton and Johan Sennero STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden will side with the rest of the European Union in talks with Britain about leaving the bloc, the Swedish minister for EU affairs and trade said on Tuesday, ending any hope Britain would get any special favours from one of its closest EU allies. Britain is Sweden's fourth biggest trading partner and the two countries have often seen eye to eye on such issues as free trade and reforms within the EU. But the statements by Ann Linde show how allies like Sweden may prefer to move closer to the EU rather than jeopardise the union by being too soft on Britain. "For us, as close as possible relations with the UK is what we prefer," Linde told Reuters. "But it is more important that the EU as such is functioning at its absolute best and effective way. "If the UK will ask to let go of freedom of movement of persons, not pay to the EU budget and not follow the EU court, that will not be a feasible way to conduct negotiations," she said. "We will not step outside the EU 27 and say - yes, that's a good idea. One EU official helping to prepare the negotiations has said he was surprised Britain's usual Nordic, Polish and Dutch allies had not backed a "soft Brexit" to appease British concerns on immigration while letting it keep access to free trade. "I've actually been surprised that the solidarity among the 27 is so strong," Linde said. "It's really strong. I think there is a common view among the 27 how we will do it. "Our goal is to keep EU27 as effective as it possibly can be. That is our main goal with these negotiations," she added- Linde's stance appeared to differ from that of Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson, who told Reuters earlier this month, "from our point of view, the softer Brexit is, the better". (Reporting by Alistair Scrutton, editing by Larry King) The British government has denied that have cake and eat it is an official Brexit negotiation policy, after a senior politicians aide was photographed carrying notes into a government meeting that implied the U.K. was pursuing such a strategy. Julia Dockerill, an aide to the Conservative Partys vice-chair Mark Field, was captured on a long-lens camera carrying the notes into Downing Street after a meeting at the Department for Exiting the European Union. A close look at the hand-written document revealed the words Whats the model? Have cake and eat it as well as a comment believed to be about negotiations with the EU: French likely to be most difficult. Have cake and eat it aide reveals Brexit tactic https://t.co/zeiXum2J0a pic.twitter.com/VAftRob7kK The Times of London (@thetimes) November 29, 2016 The notes also showed that the government is not confident about remaining in the single market and that a Canada-plus option could look to replicate a trade deal between the E.U. and Ottawa. However, a Downing Street spokesperson told the BBC said the notes did not belong to a government official or a special adviser and did not reflect the governments position in relation to Brexit negotiations. Business Secretary Greg Clark told the BBCs Today program that he was interested and amused to see the notes because they did not reflect any of the conversations that [he had] been part of in Downing Street. [BBC] LONDON (Reuters) - BT said it would continue to work with UK telecoms regulator Ofcom to find an agreed solution for its networks division Openreach, after the regulator said it would go to the European Commission to try to force a legal separation. Ofcom, which put forward its plan for a legally separate Openreach in July, said on Tuesday BT had not done enough to address its competition concerns and it would seek redress through European channels, but remained open to further proposals from BT. Former state monopoly BT said in response that it would continue to work with Ofcom to agree a deal. "We will continue to work with Ofcom to reach a voluntary settlement," BT said in a statement. "We are in discussions with Ofcom on two outstanding issues, the reporting line of the Openreach CEO and the form of legal incorporation." (Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle) NAIROBI (Reuters) - A senior aide to Burundi's president Pierre Nkurunziza was injured in an attack on Monday night that also killed one of his bodyguards, officials said. The International Criminal Court (ICC) says at least 450 people have been killed in the central African nation since Nkurunziza's announcement early last year that he planned to seek a third term triggered a surge in violence. Monday's assassination attempt on Willy Nyamitwe, a senior communications officer for Nkurunziza, occurred in the Kajaga suburb of the capital Bujumbura, according to a security official who requested anonymity. "Nyamitwe was slightly wounded on his arm during the attack. He is receiving treatment," the official told Reuters, adding that the incident took place near Nyamitwe's home at about 7:30 p.m. (1630 GMT). "One of his bodyguards died on the spot, while another was seriously injured," the source said. Nkurunziza was re-elected in July 2015 in a poll largely boycotted by the opposition, which says his extended presidency violates the constitution and the terms of a deal that ended a previous rebellion. Some opponents have taken up arms against his government. On his Twitter account, Foreign Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe said the aide, who is also his brother, had "survived another assassination attempt". The instability has raised ethnic tensions in Burundi, whose Hutu-Tutsi ethnic mix is similar to that of neighbouring Rwanda, which suffered a genocide in 1994. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Aaron Maasho and Catherine Evans) NAIROBI (Reuters) - A senior aide to Burundi's president Pierre Nkurunziza was injured in an attack on Monday night that also killed one of his bodyguards, officials said. The International Criminal Court (ICC) says at least 450 people have been killed in the central African nation since Nkurunziza's announcement early last year that he planned to seek a third term triggered a surge in violence. Monday's assassination attempt on Willy Nyamitwe, a senior communications officer for Nkurunziza, occurred in the Kajaga suburb of the capital Bujumbura, according to a security official who requested anonymity. "Nyamitwe was slightly wounded on his arm during the attack. He is receiving treatment," the official told Reuters, adding that the incident took place near Nyamitwe's home at about 7:30 p.m. "One of his bodyguards died on the spot, while another was seriously injured," the source said. Nkurunziza was re-elected in July 2015 in a poll largely boycotted by the opposition, which says his extended presidency violates the constitution and the terms of a deal that ended a previous rebellion. Some opponents have taken up arms against his government. On his Twitter account, Foreign Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe said the aide, who is also his brother, had "survived another assassination attempt". The instability has raised ethnic tensions in Burundi, whose Hutu-Tutsi ethnic mix is similar to that of neighboring Rwanda, which suffered a genocide in 1994. (Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Aaron Maasho and Catherine Evans) Banana exporter Jovenel Moise won the first round of the Haiti presidential election, according to preliminary results released by the electoral council late Monday. The businessman won a comfortable majority eliminating the need for a second round runoff. The political novice won 55.67 percent of the votes in the Nov. 20 election well ahead of his rival Jude Celestin who won 19.52 percent of the votes. Given Moises over 50 percent majority and the fact that he leads his nearest rival by over 25 points, a second round runoff is not required as per the countrys election rules. Moise also won the presidential election in October 2015 but the result was overturned due to allegations of fraud. Fresh elections were scheduled for October this year but had to be postponed when the Category-4 storm, Matthew, ravaged the country. The hurricane left over 1,000 Haitians dead and over a million in need of humanitarian aid. Moise was handpicked by former President Michel Martelly as the Tet Kale partys presidential candidate. A little-known businessman prior the 2015 election, Moise was reportedly nicknamed banana man during the campaign. Aside from setting up a banana plantation in North Haiti, Moise also founded the public-private project Agritrans, which helped in exporting the fruit to Europe. He served as secretary general of the chamber of commerce in northern Haiti and according to his campaign, began a project that would bring solar and wind power to 10 communities. His campaign promises include improving education in the country and the creating more jobs. Several bouts of violence have marred the country's election process. Interim President Jocelerme Privert appealed for calm before Mondays announcement. Resorting to acts of violence can only spoil the fruits of the beautiful day we had on 20 November, he reportedly said. About 21 percent of Haitians voted on Nov.20. However, even before the results were announced, the capital Port-au-Prince witnessed violence as supporters of the Lavalas Family party set up flaming street barricades in one part of the city and smashed car windows. Story continues The party, whose supporters spearheaded the week of protests prior to the result, was founded by former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was elected into power twice and was ousted from office both times. The partys supporters have said for days that only massive fraud would prevent their candidate Marysse Narcisse from coming to power. Narcisse won 8.9 percent of votes. We will never accept Jovenel! It is all being manipulated, Rony Jean-Pierre, one of the demonstrators, said. The Haitian people have made their choice and voted for me in the first round. Thank you all for your trust. Long live Haiti! Moise tweeted. The final results will be handed over to the countrys electoral tribunal where parties can appeal against them before the winner is certified on Dec. 29. Related Articles Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f299541%2fafa5e651c3d54d98b13ac4c8d49c34cd Family is, perhaps, more important now than ever before. And that's why you should absolutely purchase socks from Rob Kardashian's sock line featuring images of Kylie Jenner's cosmetically enhanced lips. Lip kit entrepreneur Kylie Jenner has been teasing a holiday kollection for the new extension of her personal brand, The Kylie Shop, with a slew of sexy photos. Today, she revealed a whole new set of products that will soon be available. SEE ALSO: Please enjoy Kylie Jenner's bizarre, sexy Snapchat story about making lasagna Socks, pins, tees, underwear, hats, sweatshirts, jackets and phone cases with Kylie's lips will be available for purchase in the suburbs of Los Angeles on Dec. 9 and online the following day. This new video unveils a range of products, including Arthur George socks, tees featuring topless Kylie on top of Tyga and thongs with, yep, her lips on them. I'm very excited to be launching The Kylie Shop online this December 10th. Follow @thekylieshop for updates and visit kyliejennershop.com to view the countdown .. A video posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Nov 28, 2016 at 12:31pm PST You can buy Kylie phone cases. If minimalism is more your style, you can opt for an understated black and white phone case that simply says "Kylie Jenner Lips" instead of a lip pattern. Kylie Kases #December10 A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 28, 2016 at 1:20pm PST Are you a Kylie or a Kendall? Let the world know! I'm The Kylie You're The Kendall A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 23, 2016 at 12:57am PST This matching sporty lingerie set says, "Kylie." It's a nice thing to buy someone to remind them that they are not Kylie. kyliejennershop.com A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 19, 2016 at 12:53pm PST If you're looking for something to wear over your Kylie Jenner undies, might we suggest a T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of Kylie Jenner in lingerie? Story continues kyliejennershop.com A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 21, 2016 at 10:19am PST A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 19, 2016 at 1:01pm PST But if you'd prefer a different photo on your tee, check out this one. Tyga has his hands on Kylie's boobs, who in turn has her hands on his hands. It's very romantic! A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 20, 2016 at 6:18pm PST Top off the outfit with a cap to help protect your lips from SPF damage. A photo posted by Official Kylie Jenner Shop (@thekylieshop) on Nov 21, 2016 at 5:51pm PST However, the best product in Kylie's shop is this statement tee honoring the moment way back in January we all learned that Kylie Jenner is, in fact, a psychic. This year is just the year of .. A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Nov 22, 2016 at 2:05pm PST it was all just a dream coming soon to the Topanga Westfield Mall. I grew up at this mall .. Crazy 12.9.16 A photo posted by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Nov 21, 2016 at 11:28am PST The prices for these must-have items remain a mystery, however. Kylie's lips are sealed. Have you bought anything you loved lately? In the PeopleStyle offices, the answer to that question is usually Yes. (Just check out our weekly What Were Loving Right Now gallery for proof!) This week, were featuring guest contributor Lindy Tsang of BubzBeauty, who has a fabulous gift idea for a charitable cause. Lindy Tsang, YouTube star and beauty expert: Last month, I launched my first-ever eyeshadow palette, Be by BubzBeauty, in collaboration with BH Cosmetics! Theres so much more to beauty than whats on the surface its about what is in the inside as well. The name of each shade in the palette (Optimistic, Kind, Bold, etc) is a daily reminder to inspire you to be the very best you can be. My favorite part? For the month of November, $2 from every palette sold will go to Pencils of Promise to help fund three schools in Ghana this holiday season. RELATED PHOTOS: What Were Loving: Our Editors Favorite Style Finds Lindy Tsang can be found at BubzBeauty on YouTube, and you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter. And visit her Pencils of Promise page to help her build schools in Ghana! And tell us: what outfits are you loving this fall? Sound off in the comments section below. CSOC chooses Amazon.com AWS to host the service JOHNSTON, RI / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Caduceus Software Systems Corp (The Company), trading on the OTCMarkets with ticker symbol CSOC (CSOC) has released an 8K on November 28th 2016. The 8-K was filed through Edgar. This is an official announcement of that 8K. The Company is pleased to announce its intentions to create an Inventory tracking system for the Marijuana industry. It intends to make a Software as a Server (SaaS) for growers and vendors that covers all aspects of tracking its related product; which is known as Seed-to-Store tracking. The Company had a vigorous board meeting held on November 8th 2016 todiscuss its business plan and revenue stream. A motion was passed (2/2) to broaden the scope of the business plan to add subscriber-based product offerings, IT consulting, and hardware/software reselling. The Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription models (recurring revenue model) is what the Company strives to do; as recurring revenue models uses efficient business models. A motion was passed (2/2) to make a SaaS platform for niche products. Specifically the Company has identified the need for reliable Inventory Tracking Services for the growing Marijuana Dispensary and Cannabis Derivative sector. The reason for choosing the Marijuana Dispensary and Cannabis Derivative Inventory Tracking System is because: A) There are numerous public companies that are selling these products and may need the expertise of tracking their items. B) Having clients that are publicly traded adds legitimacy and has advantageous marketing aspects. And C) We have a good working knowledge of how and where the hosting servers are domiciled, in order to abide by all regulations set forth upon the industry, so that the Company can help these marijuana start-up businesses be compliant. The Company has programming expertise and knowledge to execute and code the software lifecycle and relevant use-cases, to make a viable SaaS platform for vendors of Cannabis, growers of Cannabis, and related hardware vendors, in order to track their products. (This is known in the industry as Seed to Store tracking). Story continues The Company has reserved the domain name www.Inventory420.com to serve as a portal for these SaaS offerings. The Company has chosen Amazon.com's AWS hosting to be the prime hosting vendor for this project because it has geographical load balancing and can abide by the appropriate jurisdictions that then legally serve its content to our clients. We currently chose Amazon's Oregon Cloud hosting service, and plan to expand to other Amazon Cloud cities to meet our clientele needs. "Our inspiration behind the CBD and Marijuana inventory tracking system was from a bid by another publicly traded company that has been following our progress via news announcements and by following our team's twitter and website. They had opened a tender (called a Request for Proposal) as they need an inventory tracking system and had emailed and called us to discuss whether we can build such a platform. The conversation concluded that we will, on best efforts, build a SaaS offering so that any vendor can use it and they will be part of our recurring revenue model, so that it is not exclusive to them. Since we are in the RFP bid stage we cannot discuss more details or the company name," says Richard Tang, CEO and President of Caduceus Software Systems Corp. This information has been disclosed as an 8K Subsection 8.01 Material event because it is an amendment to our original business plan. Future subscriber based software (SaaS) will be disclosed via 8K Filings, as it affects our potential revenue stream. About The Company Caduceus Software Systems Corp is an innovation company. It develops software, software design assets and technical expertise to its clients. The term, Caduceus, is an ancient symbol of good business/commerce. The company is focused on innovation with search as a primary project, and has lots of experience in IT in harsh environments, and it has a passion for music and the ability for music searchability improvements. It has assets and intellectual property that has accumulated for the past 5 years and will be applied to its projects. As of November 2016, the company has recently expanded its business model to include Software as a Service (Cloud business services) to obtain recurring revenue streams. It has projects in technology currently, and has strategic alliances with the open source community. Forward Looking Statements Some information in this document constitutes forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements, such as the closing of the share exchange agreement. The words "wishes", "aspires", "plan", "forecast", "anticipates", "estimate", "project", "intend", "expect", "should", "believe", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to Caduceus Software Systems Corp., herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the above-mentioned cautionary statement. Caduceus Software Systems Corp., disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this estimate, except as may be required by law. For information of our latest news, and our trending posts: Our preferred social media outlet is Twitter: Twitter.com/CSOCusa or @CSOCusa www.caduceussoftware.net info@caduceussoftware.net This press release is approved by the Company, Caduceus Software Systems Corp. SOURCE: Caduceus Software Systems Corp LONDON (Reuters) - Britain denied on Tuesday that a document photographed in the hands of a Conservative Party official which said the strategy for Brexit talks was to "Have cake and eat it" accurately reflected its plans for forthcoming EU divorce negotiations. The handwritten note, which also said Britain would be unlikely to stay in the EU's single market, was pictured being carried by an aide to Mark Field, vice-chairman of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party, after a meeting with Brexit officials in Downing Street. The photograph was printed in newspapers on Tuesday and showed the memo contained the lines: "What's the model? Have cake and eat it" and "It's unlikely we'll be offered single market". May has promised to trigger formal divorce talks with the European Union by the end of March but has so far been tight-lipped about what Britain is seeking to achieve in the two-years of talks which will then follow. "These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser," a government spokesman said. "They do not reflect the government's position in relation to Brexit negotiations." The handwritten note suggested a deal on manufacturing would be "relatively straightforward" to achieve but one on services would be harder. The government was "loath" to bring in "transitional" arrangements, it said, and suggested Britain could seek a "Canada Plus" deal, a reference to a trade deal agreed between Canada and the EU last month after seven years of talks. It also warned "French likely to be most difficult". Business Secretary Greg Clark said he did not recognize any of the memo's contents. "I was interested and amused to see it because it doesn't reflect any of the conversations that I've been a part of in Downing Street," told BBC radio. Asked if "have cake and eat it" was indeed government strategy, he said: "It would be nice to have but it's not the policy." (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) San Francisco Bay Area law enforcement officials have opened a hate crime investigation into the killing of a black musician who was beaten, robbed and shot to death by a group of white men outside of a bar earlier this month, according to local reports Tuesday. The Contra Costa County Sheriffs department said Will Sims, 28, was attacked by three white men outside of a pool hall close to his home in Richmond, California on Nov. 12, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday. Daniel Porter-Kelly was arrested and charged with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement on Nov. 16. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Investigators were still searching for Ray Simons and Daniel Ortega, suspects who are both considered to be armed and dangerous. Porter-Kelly, 31, who had a clean criminal record, was being held without bail, but his attorney denied his involvement in the killing. Colin Cooper said county prosecutors hadnt disclosed any details about the investigation into his client that constitutes the hate crime accusation, the Washington Post reported Monday. Its baffling to me. If youre going to charge some young kid with murder and a hate crime, the Constitution and due process require that the prosecutors tell somebody what it is based on, Cooper told the Washington Post. Mr. Porter-Kelly has nothing to do with this. Derek Butts, a Contra Costa County homicide prosecutor, said details about the case supporting the hate crime or homicide accusations hadnt been released in the wake of the two suspects remaining at large. A construction worker who was friends with the three suspects and sometimes offered them employment opportunities told the San Francisco Chronicle he would never expect that type of behavior out of them. The three suspects frequently went to the pool hall where the incident occurred after work, Anthony Rayford said. Every time theyve worked with me and for me, Ive never had any trouble with any of them. Always on time and hard workers. ... Its hard for me to swallow that they would be charged for this, Rayford, 39, told the San Francisco Chronicle. Story continues Sims, who worked as a retail clerk and had a clean criminal record, was lauded by his friends and family members after being collectively shocked and shaken by his killing. People close to him, including his sister, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Sims was a gentle, peaceful and generous man. He was a very kind and loving person, Stacy Simms, 33, who lived with her brother in a suburban home with their parents, told the San Francisco Chronicle. He loved music. He loved making friends. He was the best brother a sister could ever have. Its been very difficult. It still seems unreal. African-Americans are the largest ethnic group in Richmond, California, making up 36 percent of the population, according to the most recent Bay Area Census data. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said Sims was targeted because of the color of his skin, but advised community members to show restraint in an attempt to quell the uptick in racially motivated hate crimes since the 2016 election. I urge Richmond residents to maintain our citys values of respect and care for one another, especially during a time when we are experiencing a nationwide surge in hate-filled hostility and threats to public safety, Butt told the Washington Post. Racism, bigotry, discrimination, and all other forms of hatred and oppression have no place in our city. There have been more than 700 incidents of physical harassment and intimidation throughout the U.S. since Donald Trumps presidential election victory, the Southern Law Center reported Nov. 18. Related Articles By Rajendra Jadhav, Euan Rocha and Rahul Bhatia MUMBAI (Reuters) - In late September, a woman in National City, California, received a voice message on her phone saying she was in trouble with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over "tax evasion or tax fraud". Panicking, she rang the number and told a man who said he was from the IRS: "I can pay $500," half the sum demanded. "I could do a payment plan. I just can't pay all of it at once." "Ma'am, you can pay $500 today itself. You can do that?" the man asked, adding that lawyers would look at her accounts and work out a monthly payment plan, but she had to pay half now. In transcripts of the conversation that investigators shared with Reuters, the man told her to keep the phone line open and drive to a nearby grocery store, where she bought $500 worth of iTunes gift cards and gave the 'agent' the redemption codes. She had just been scammed - one of at least 15,000 people the U.S. Justice Department says lost more than $300 million in an "enormous and complex fraud" running since 2013. The department last month brought grand jury charges against 56 people in India and the United States for "telefraud" scams run from fake call centres in India. Investigators have arrested 20 people in the United States, and Indian authorities have made 75 arrests following October raids on three premises in the Thane suburb of Mumbai. Charges include conspiracy to commit identity theft, impersonation of an officer of the United States, wire fraud and money laundering. Indian police say they are looking for Sagar Thakkar, a man in his early 30s also known as Shaggy, who they believe masterminded the scam. Thakkar was also among those named by the U.S. Department of Justice. Reuters was unable to contact Thakkar for comment; he is not known to have a lawyer, and police believe he fled to Dubai last month. "We are trying to complete the procedure to issue a red corner notice for Thakkar," Parag Manere, a deputy commissioner at Thane police, told Reuters, referring to an Interpol arrest warrant. Police said Thakkar led a lavish lifestyle, frequenting 5-star hotels and driving expensive cars with proceeds from the scam. He gave one, a 25 million rupee ($365,000) Audi R8, to his girlfriend. "We have seized an Audi car, and are trying to find other assets of Thakkar," Manere said. The FBI, which is involved in the investigations, declined to comment. The Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment for this article. At a news conference last month, Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said the U.S. would seek the extradition of suspects in India, and warned others engaged in similar schemes they could face jail terms. In interviews before the U.S. charges were filed, police, suspects and call centre workers in India told Reuters how the scam was run. Training materials and taped conversations, which investigators believe were made by call centre instructors for training purposes, shed some light on an operation aimed to exploit the aged and gullible. "TAUGHT TO BE TOUGH" "The revenue was unpredictable. Some days were good, some were bad," Haider Ali Ayub Mansuri, who said he managed operations at one fake call centre, told Reuters as he was returned to jail in India last month after a court extended his custody. He is among the 75 arrested by Indian police. "On a good day, we extracted as much as $20,000 from a single U.S. citizen," he said. In India, the sheer scale of the operation surprised many. For months, hundreds of young men and women worked nights at several call centres in Thane. Callers posed as IRS officers and threatened their victims, often newly-arrived immigrants and the elderly, into paying fictitious tax penalties electronically - sometimes by buying gift cards and turning over the redemption codes, Indian investigators said. "They used to blast out pre-recorded messages to thousands of citizens who were asked to call back. When they called back, there was a centre just like this," said Manere at Thane police. Acting on a tip-off, police raided premises in early October as call centre workers settled in for their shift. The buildings housed seven call centres, and over a few days more than 700 people were detained. Most have since been released, but told not to leave the city. Callers bullied their victims with the threat of arrest, jail, seized homes and confiscated passports. "There was one instance where an old lady was crying," because she didn't have the money to pay, said a former call centre worker who spoke only on condition of anonymity. "But we kept insisting on the money. We were taught to be tough," he told Reuters. On a follow-up raid in Ahmedabad, 500 kms (310 miles) north of Mumbai, police uncovered what they believe was "a nerve centre for these centres," said Manere. "A lot of money has been transacted. It's been going on for a few years." The police raids found little in the way of documentation, beyond some training materials. Another former worker said this was likely because call centre managers stopped employees from bringing pens and phones to work. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the accounts provided by call centre workers. WEEKLY INCENTIVES Another former worker, an economics graduate, told Reuters she took a job without knowing what the centre did. The 12,000 rupee ($180) monthly salary was well below the going rate for a graduate, she said, but it was a job, and "people aren't hiring." She said several of her colleagues looked as though they had just left high school. Her first week was spent in training with floor managers. While callers spoke to their victims, she said dozens of trainees squeezed in around the room, and had to memorise pages of dialogue for use on calls. Another former employee said his instructors told him his work was illegal, but there was "nothing to worry about." Callers made "fast money", another former caller told Reuters. In comments confirmed by investigating officer Mukund Hatote, the worker said: "For every dollar you brought in, you were given 2 rupees (around a third of a U.S. cent)." People wanted to leave rather than be involved in something they suspected was illegal, he said, but carried on because managers offered weekly incentives, such as cash or gadgets, for meeting their targets. ($1 = 66.7200 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav, Euan Rocha and Rahul Bhatia; Writing by Rahul Bhatia; Editing by Ian Geoghegan) By David Ljunggren and Leah Schnurr OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Tuesday approved Kinder Morgan Inc's hotly contested plan to twin a pipeline from the Alberta oil sands to the Pacific coast, setting up a battle with environmentalists who helped elect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The government, under pressure from both green groups and the energy industry, said allowing Kinder Morgan to build a second pipeline next to its existing Trans Mountain line will help ensure oil exports reach Asia and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. "Our duty is to permit infrastructure so Canada's resources get to market in a more environmentally responsible way, creating jobs and a thriving economy," Trudeau told a news conference, adding he was "under no illusions" that the Kinder Morgan decision would be bitterly disputed. The government blocked Enbridge Inc's Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Coast, as expected. Trudeau had long opposed the project, which would run through the Great Bear Rainforest. Enbridge, however, will be allowed to replace the Canadian segments of its ageing Line 3 from Alberta to Wisconsin. The proposed upgrade had been less controversial than Northern Gateway project. Enbridge said it expected the pipeline to enter service in 2019, pending U.S. regulatory approval. Canada's energy sector, hit hard by a two-year slump in oil prices, wants more pipelines to help ease bottlenecks in moving crude out of Alberta. Canada, home to the world's third-largest crude reserves, wants to diversify away from its reliance on the United States and into Asian markets. Kinder Morgan's C$6.8 billion ($5.06 billion) project would nearly triple capacity on the artery to 890,000 barrels a day. ""We are getting a chance to break our landlock. We're getting a chance to sell to China and other new markets at better prices," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement. Environmental groups, who say the risk of a spill is too great, were quick to promise resistance to the Trans Mountain project. "You will see the movement continue to escalate in the streets as the number of protests and actions continue to grow, in the courts, and at the ballot box here in (British Columbia) and beyond," said Sven Biggs of climate group Stand.Earth. Trudeau, keen to show environmentalists he is not selling out to the energy industry, also said the government would ban tanker traffic along the northern coast of British Columbia. Earlier this month he said Ottawa would toughen its response to oil spills at sea, which some saw as a signal Trans Mountain would be approved. The Liberals have taken other measures recently to shore up their green credentials, including speeding up plans to virtually eliminate coal-fired electricity, promising to bring in a minimum price on carbon emissions by 2018 and vowing to revamp the national energy regulator. Canada's former Conservative government had approved Northern Gateway in 2014 but a federal court overturned the approval last June. (Editing by Chris Reese and Meredith Mazzilli) By Nia Williams VANCOUVER (Reuters) - If Canada approves Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, the company's four-year campaign for the project will be far from over. Next up is a battle against hardening opposition amongst some communities along its planned route. The C$6.8 billion ($5.04 billion) project is a big step toward opening up Asian markets to supply from Canada's massive oil sands. Kinder Morgan plans to build a pipeline parallel to an existing line and nearly triple capacity on the artery to 890,000 barrels per day. Without the expansion, Canadian oil sands producers may find it too costly to ship crude by rail, missing out on billions of dollars of export revenue. First, the crude must travel from the conservative heart of the Canadian oil industry in Alberta across mountains and grasslands to the liberal West Coast. The further west on the route, the stiffer the resistance to the plan. The pipeline ends at Burnaby, part of Vancouver's urban sprawl, which already hosts fuel tanks and the marine terminal for the existing pipeline, as well as a refinery. In opposition to further development thousands have taken to the streets vowing to block bulldozers if Trans Mountain construction goes ahead. Ottawa has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve it, but the decision could come as soon as this week. Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan said he would join the protests even if could end his political career. "It's not nice to be a politician who has been 15 years in this office, to be heading into the end of my career with something that would show civil disobedience," Corrigan, 65, told Reuters. "I lose sleep about whether or not this is going to turn into being something ugly." The backlash against a plan to build on sites already dedicated to energy infrastructure shows how entrenched opposition to new energy projects in North America has become. It also shows how the government is struggling to soothe public concerns despite its pledge to give local communities greater say in the approval process. Pipeline opponents - British Columbia municipalities, aboriginal groups and environmentalists - are fighting the expansion for reasons ranging from climate change concerns to fears of tanker spills, pipeline leaks or tank farm fires. INSPIRATION FROM THE SOUTH They draw inspiration from the fate of Enbridge's stalled Northern Gateway pipeline, TransCanada's rejected Keystone XL and protests against the Dakota Access pipeline built in the United States by Energy Transfer Partners. "Simply because the government will issue a grandiose statement of approval does not mean the project will ever see the light of day," Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Chiefs, an aboriginal organization, told Reuters in on the eve of a 3,000-strong anti-Trans Mountain rally in Vancouver's center. In an emailed response to Reuters, the project's media team cited Kinder Morgan's strong safety record in the area, but said it had not expected consensus on the project given a wide range of interests and opinions. It noted that the Canadian energy regulator had approved the new pipeline with 157 "rigorous, but achievable" conditions that address environmental and safety concerns that Kinder Morgan is committed to meet. The pipeline starts from a 140-acre (0.57 square km) tank farm outside of Edmonton where, like elsewhere in Alberta, new export pipelines enjoy public support as a way to revive the oil province's stuttering economy. About 800 kilometers (497 miles) west in Kamloops, a south central British Columbia city that unlike most of the province voted Conservative in the 2015 federal election, the local businesses and the mayor also back the pipeline. "Communities along the interior route have a familiarity with resource-based projects and what they bring," Kinder Morgan Canada President Ian Anderson said at a Kamloops Chamber of Commerce event this month. But further west, the sentiment turns against the pipeline. Earlier this month Liberal lawmaker Ron McKinnon urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reject the expansion because of "overwhelming" opposition on the west coast, where his party did unexpectedly well in the last election. A recent poll commissioned by one of environmental groups found nearly a third of British Columbia's Liberal voters said they would be less likely to support the party if Trans Mountain goes ahead. From Kamloops the pipeline climbs over the steep Coquihalla Pass, which separates interior British Columbia from the Fraser Valley and the coast. As the vegetation turns from semi-arid scrublands to temperate rainforest and the route enters the fertile farming region, opposition intensifies. GRANDMOTHERS AND BULLDOZERS "I know five grandmothers who will go and lie down in front of bulldozers...and I will absolutely join them," said Michael Hale, 72, a co-founder of Yarrow Eco Village near Chilliwack, a 20-acre farm under which the existing pipeline runs. "They may bring in the army, they may throw me in jail, but when I get out I will come back," he said. The pipeline ends at Burnaby Mountain tank farm near the Westridge marine terminal, which Kinder Morgan aims to expand to load 34 oil tankers a month from five now. Burnaby deputy fire chief Chris Bowcock says the planned increase in the number of oil storage tanks on Burnaby Mountain from 13 to 27 would raise the risk of a single tank fire spreading across the complex. Opponents, among them Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson, also fear a potential oil spill would cripple the local economy powered by the Port of Vancouver, tourism, and increasingly, the film industry. Kinder Morgan says it is investing in extra safeguards to mitigate the probability of a tanker spill but opponents say the risk to the rugged coastline is too great. "Our first mother is the water," said Reuben George of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, whose lands face Westridge dock. "We will do anything to protect it and we will not let the pipeline go through." The aboriginal group is planning litigation if the government approves the project. In June, two conservation groups filed a lawsuit challenging the energy regulator's positive recommendation saying the oil tankers' route cut across a habitat of an 80-strong pod of killer whales protected under Canada's Species at Risk Act. If legal action fails, Trans Mountain's opponents say they will resort to civil disobedience. This month in Vancouver environmental groups gave free training on mass protests, blockades, and de-escalating confrontations with police. Asked how Kinder Morgan might respond, Anderson told reporters in Kamloops the company was prepared to talk to all who had a view about the project. "We'll see what unfolds and hopefully we can get through this period in a respectful way." (Editing by Simon Webb and Tomasz Janowski) OTTAWA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to reveal his government's verdict on at least two major pipeline projects when he makes an announcement at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT) on Tuesday. Although Trudeau spokeswoman Kate Purchase did not reveal the topic of the event, political sources say the Liberal government will address the fate of two Enbridge Inc proposals. Ottawa is widely expected to veto the Northern Gateway line from Alberta's oil sands to the Pacific province of British Columbia while allowing the firm to replace the Canadian sections of its aging Line 3 from Alberta to Wisconsin. Purchase declined to comment when asked whether Trudeau would also reveal a decision on Kinder Morgan Inc's plans to more than double the capacity of its Trans Mountain line from Alberta to the Pacific. Environmental and aboriginal activists fiercely oppose the idea, saying the risks of a devastating spill are too great. Approving the pipeline could be politically damaging for the Liberals, who won power in 2015 in part due to strong support in British Columbia. The Liberals have until Dec. 19 to make a final decision. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chris Reese) (Adds details, analyst comments, reaction) By David Ljunggren and Leah Schnurr OTTAWA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Canada on Tuesday approved Kinder Morgan Inc's hotly contested plan to twin a pipeline from the Alberta oil sands to the Pacific coast, setting up a battle with environmentalists who helped elect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The government, under pressure from both green groups and the energy industry, said allowing Kinder Morgan to build a second pipeline next to its existing Trans Mountain line will help ensure oil exports reach Asia and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. "Our duty is to permit infrastructure so Canada's resources get to market in a more environmentally responsible way, creating jobs and a thriving economy," Trudeau told a news conference, adding he was "under no illusions" that the Kinder Morgan decision would be bitterly disputed. The government blocked Enbridge Inc's Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Coast, as expected. Trudeau had long opposed the project, which would run through the Great Bear Rainforest. Enbridge, however, will be allowed to replace the Canadian segments of its ageing Line 3 from Alberta to Wisconsin. The proposed upgrade had been less controversial than Northern Gateway project. Enbridge said it expected the pipeline to enter service in 2019, pending U.S. regulatory approval. Canada's energy sector, hit hard by a two-year slump in oil prices, wants more pipelines to help ease bottlenecks in moving crude out of Alberta. Canada, home to the world's third-largest crude reserves, wants to diversify away from its reliance on the United States and into Asian markets. Kinder Morgan's C$6.8 billion ($5.06 billion) project would nearly triple capacity on the artery to 890,000 barrels a day. ""We are getting a chance to break our landlock. We're getting a chance to sell to China and other new markets at better prices," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement. Story continues Environmental groups, who say the risk of a spill is too great, were quick to promise resistance to the Trans Mountain project. "You will see the movement continue to escalate in the streets as the number of protests and actions continue to grow, in the courts, and at the ballot box here in (British Columbia) and beyond," said Sven Biggs of climate group Stand.Earth. Trudeau, keen to show environmentalists he is not selling out to the energy industry, also said the government would ban tanker traffic along the northern coast of British Columbia. Earlier this month he said Ottawa would toughen its response to oil spills at sea, which some saw as a signal Trans Mountain would be approved. The Liberals have taken other measures recently to shore up their green credentials, including speeding up plans to virtually eliminate coal-fired electricity, promising to bring in a minimum price on carbon emissions by 2018 and vowing to revamp the national energy regulator. Canada's former Conservative government had approved Northern Gateway in 2014 but a federal court overturned the approval last June. (Editing by Chris Reese and Meredith Mazzilli) (Adds details on specific stocks, updates prices) * TSX down 70.03 points, or 0.47 percent, to 14,945.33 * Seven of the TSX's 10 main groups move lower TORONTO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Tuesday as energy stocks slumped for a third straight session due to leading oil exporters' struggle to agree on terms of a planned production cut, while Bank of Nova Scotia gained after a solid earnings report. Oil prices fell more than 3 percent as Iran and Iraq resisted pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail their output, complicating the efforts of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to reach a global output-limiting deal when it meets on Wednesday. The most influential weights on the index included Suncor Energy Inc, which fell 2.5 percent to C$40.25, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd, down 2.7 percent to C$41.49. The energy group retreated 2.3 percent overall. Energy investors are also awaiting Canadian government decisions on two major Enbridge Inc pipeline projects that are expected on Tuesday. Shares in the company were off 1.6 percent at C$56.50. At 9:54 a.m. EDT (1454 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index fell 70.03 points, or 0.47 percent, to 14,945.33. Seven of the index's 10 main groups were in negative territory, with five decliners for every two gainers. The financials group gained 0.5 percent, helped by Bank of Nova Scotia gaining 1.8 percent to C$73.84 after Canada's third-biggest lender reported a better-than-expected rise in fourth-quarter earnings. The materials group, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, lost 1.5 percent. Copper prices declined 2.5 percent to $5,732.5 a tonne and gold futures fell 0.3 percent to $1,187.4 an ounce. U.S. crude prices were down 3.8 percent to $45.28 a barrel, while Brent lost 3.8 percent to $46.41. Canada's current account deficit narrowed in the third quarter after three consecutive quarterly increases as exports saw the highest growth in over two years, data from Statistics Canada showed on Tuesday. (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Paul Simao) (Adds details from report) OTTAWA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Canada's current account deficit narrowed in the third quarter after three consecutive quarterly increases as exports saw the highest growth in over two years, data from Statistics Canada showed on Tuesday. The current account deficit shrank to C$18.3 billion ($13.6 billion) from a downwardly revised C$19.02 billion in the second quarter, though that was short of economists' expectations for a deficit of C$16.8 billion. The deficit on international trade in goods narrowed to C$8.33 billion from C$11.06 billion as exports outpaced imports. Exports, a key part of the Bank of Canada's economic outlook, racked up the highest growth since the first quarter of 2014, increasing by C$5.9 billion to C$130.11 billion. Energy products were the major contributor to export growth, benefiting from both higher prices and volumes. The deficit on trade in services edged down to C$5.29 billion, the sixth quarterly reduction in a row, helped by an increase in tourism. The central bank has recently highlighted the growing importance of services exports as the economy adjusts to the impact of lower oil prices. Foreign investment in Canadian securities was C$33.62 billion, led by purchases of corporate bonds. ($1 = 1.3457 Canadian) (Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Paul Simao) By Alex Dobuzinskis (Reuters) - A car and knife attack by an Ohio State University student that injured 11 people on Monday before the suspect was shot dead by a police officer is being investigated as a possible terror attack, a U.S. congressman and another government source said. The suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was shot and killed by a police officer with less than two years on the force after driving into a group of people and then jumping out of the vehicle and stabbing people with a butcher knife at the school's Columbus campus, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University. The assailant was an 18-year-old immigrant from Somalia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, two U.S. government sources said. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone told a news conference that Artan might have been as old as 20. The officials said they could not speak on the record because of the ongoing investigation. U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation. "It bears all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized," Schiff said in a statement. Another U.S. official, who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation, told Reuters that U.S. agencies are investigating the Columbus attackers background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups. President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. A spokesman for Columbus' Somali community spoke out against the attack. I want everyone to know that we the Somali-American community stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow Americans in condemning the sickening violence that took place in our city earlier today," Abdi Dini, a member of the Somali community, said at a news conference in Ohio. SUSPECT SAID DIDN'T "EVEN KNOW WHERE TO PRAY" The campus newspaper, The Lantern, on Monday posted on its website an interview with Artan that it had published only in print in August as part of its Humans of Ohio State feature. In the interview, Artan, a third-year logistics management student, said he had recently transferred to Ohio State from Columbus State University. Artan talked about being a Muslim and said that Columbus State had offered more accommodations for prayer. "We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day," he was quoted as saying. Artan said he was scared to pray openly on campus as a Muslim, saying that he feared that media portrayals of Muslims would give people the wrong idea about him. "This place is huge, and I don't even know where to pray," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. ... But I just did it. ... I went over to the corner and just prayed." Of the people injured in the attack on Monday, one was critically injured, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance. "It frankly took a piece out of everybody here at our beautiful Ohio State University that this could have happened here," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at a news conference. With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university. Fire officials said the critically injured victim was taken to the university hospital. A spokeswoman said that by Monday evening, none of the patients there suffered from life-threatening conditions. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, including two with stab wounds and three who were hit by the vehicle, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer. Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said. The university initially reported the attack on Twitter, saying it involved an "active shooter." Moll said that while in the vehicle, the suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall. He then left the vehicle and stabbed several other people, Stone, the Ohio State police chief, said. Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said. Monday's incident follows a stabbing attack in September at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where a man whose family came to the United States from Somalia wounded 10 people with a knife before he was shot to death by an off-duty police officer. Authorities last month indicated the Minnesota attacker showed signs of radicalization, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent said his actions appeared to be "consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups." CNN aired an image from a room at Ohio State where students had barricaded a door with stacked chairs. Columbus and university police continued their investigation with assistance from the FBI. A university warning on Twitter telling students to shelter in place was lifted shortly before noon (1700 GMT). The university campus remained open, although classes were canceled for the day. (Reporting by Kim Palmer in Cleveland, Laila Kearney and Franklin Paul in New York, Mark Hosenball and Ayesha Rascoe in Washington and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, Calif.; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Leslie Adler) Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - German carmakers BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Audi and US competitor Ford said on Tuesday they would cooperate on a Europe-wide network of electric charging stations. The move is an "important step towards facilitating mass-market battery electric vehicle adoption", the manufacturers said in a joint statement, and comes as German carmakers rev up their offers of electric cars for the coming years. "We intend to create a network that allows our customers on long-distance trips to use a coffee break for recharging," Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler said. The firms have signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint venture and plan to begin construction of some 400 high-speed charging stations across Europe in 2017. Completion of the network is slated for 2020. Hybrid and all-electric cars from any manufacturer using the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard will be able to use the stations, in a move aimed at boosting growth of electric car use on the continent. German carmakers have lagged behind some competitors when it comes to introducing electric models. The technology remains little-used in Europe, hobbled by high prices, the short range of the vehicles and a lack of recharging infrastructure. But recent months have seen a fresh commitment from the industry, a pillar of Europe's largest economy, to speed up the introduction of electric cars. Audi and Porsche parent Volkswagen announced this month that it aims to sell one million electric vehicles per year by 2025. VW sees non-polluting technology as a chance to clean its tarnished reputation, after it admitted in September 2015 to installing software designed to cheat regulatory emissions tests on 11 million diesel-powered cars worldwide. Meanwhile, higher-end manufacturers like BMW and Daimler, which owns Mercedes, face a challenge from newcomers like Tesla, which has a head start in autonomous driving as well as electric power. Story continues Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche was a surprise keynote speaker at the German Green Party conference this year, and has promised 10 new all-electric models in the next few years. BMW has so far limited its electric ambitions to its BMWi range. This year the Munich-based manufacturer said it would go further, with plans to offer an all-electric version of its iconic Mini by 2019 and a BMW X3 4x4 by 2020. Beyond Tesla, German carmakers fear being overtaken by new home-grown competitors in China, which remains a major market. Chinese plans to introduce a quota system -- which would require a share of vehicles produced in the country to be all-electric -- prompted complaints from German economy minister Sigmar Gabriel ahead of a visit to Beijing last month. The lawyer who helped Casey Anthony get acquitted of murder charges in 2011 is now facing charges himself after authorities discovered he conspired to transport cocaine throughout Central America and to the United States. Todd Macaluso was arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court on Nov. 19 after he was apprehended by police just five days prior in Haiti, the New York Daily News reported Monday. NYPD Detective Alexander Sosa of the Drug Enforcement Administration task force told the Daily News that Macaluso, who is also a registered pilot, had conspired with other drug traffickers to fly a plane from Haiti to Ecuador to pick up 1,500 kilograms of cocaine. After securing the drugs, Macaluso was allegedly supposed to transport the cocaine to Honduras and later to the U.S. Officials say they discovered Macaluso was conspiring to transport drugs after his name came up in a separate investigation of drug traffickers using U.S.-registered airplanes to transport drugs. Macaluso was arrested along with two other men, Carlos Almonte Vasquez and Humberto Osuna Contreras, both of whom Macaluso discussed the transport details with on several occasions, according to investigators who had recorded conversations of the trio. Upon arraignment, they were ordered to be held without bail in New York federal prison. It is unclear when Macaluso will stand trail. Macaluso is best known for helping Anthony avoid charges for the murder of her daughter, Caylee Anthony. The lawyer represented Anthony from March 2009 to February 2010, and following Anthonys acquittal in 2011, Macaluso reportedly used his plane to fly her out of Orlando. This isnt Macalusos first run-in with the law. The 54-year-old was just released from prison in June following a five-month sentence on charges of defrauding clients in California. He was supposed to be on supervised released when he was arrested on drug trafficking conspiracy charges in Haiti. Related Articles Paris (AFP) - There are no prizes for guessing whose face features on the poster for the first German edition of Charlie Hebdo which will appear on newsstands in Berlin and Vienna on Thursday. Chancellor Angela Merkel will be pictured in a moment of quiet contemplation reading the satirical weekly on the toilet. "Charlie Hebdo, the newspaper that relaxes," the legend reads. The irreverent French phenomenon, which was the victim of a bloody jihadist attack in January 2015, hopes to continue its renaissance with a German version of its provocative mix of no-holds-barred cartoons and biting satirical columns. Germans bought 70,000 copies of Charlie Hebdo's "survivors' edition", which appeared one week after last year's massacre in the magazine's Paris offices, and its already sells 1,000 copies a week of its French edition there. Its editor the cartoonist Riss -- who was shot in the shoulder during the attack -- has been working on a German-language version for six months. He has also drawn the poster for the first issue with Merkel resplendent in pink reading a Charlie Hebdo which wonders whether she would be able to govern both Germany and France at the same time. The cover she is holding on her throne is one originally drawn by the weekly's murdered former editor, Charb, who was gunned down in the attack in which 12 people died. "I always thought that we would be able to export Charlie Hebdo," Riss told AFP. "There is a real curiosity in Germany about what we are doing, which is not the case for instance in Britain, Spain or Portugal," he added. - Freedom to attack religion - Its 200,000-copy launch in Germany is certainly ambitious -- almost the same number as are printed in France every week. "Unfortunately lots of people outside France discovered Charlie Hebdo because of the attacks when it is supposed to be a magazine that makes you laugh," Riss said. And the cartoonist said he was wary of the weekly's 46-year history being reduced to the attacks. Story continues "It is true that an important aspect of our editorial identity is our attachment to the freedom to criticise religion, but Charlie Hebdo in not just that," he insisted. "If we succeed in developing a readership abroad, we are also making allies," said Riss, whose real name is Laurent Sourisseau. "Those allies will help us get our message out and be understood," he added. Despite its many fans and supporters, Charlie Hebdo has never had a shortage of enemies. It first became a target of Islamist extremists after publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Most Muslims consider portraying the prophet in images to be blasphemous. But it also regularly outrages Christians, drawing criticism from the Vatican, as well as from the French political establishment. - 'Tactless' - Nor did its humour go down well in Italy after the town of Amatrice was devastated by an earthquake in August. Its "macabre and tactless" pasta-themed cartoons on the quake, including one portraying victims crushed under layers of lasagna, prompted the town to sue. Italy's Interior Minister Angelino Alfano was even more forthright in his fury, telling the cartoonists where they "could stick their pencils". Charlie Hebdo is keeping under wraps which German sacred cows it will take to the slaughter. Its 16-page German version is mostly a translation of the French edition but with some content written specifically for a German audience. Riss said he hoped it would inspire young German cartoonists to dare to start drawing for it. But such are the security concerns that the edition's young female editor -- who heads a 12-person team -- is working under a pseudonym, Minka Schneider. "Our biggest challenge isn't German humour," she said, "it is that the cartoon culture (from which Charlie Hebdo comes) doesn't really have an equivalent here." Germany already has two major satirical monthlies, Titanic and Eulenspiegel, but their humour is different to Charlie Hebdo's, she said. Riss is realistic about the German edition's long-term prospects. "It's a test, an experiment" but he argued that the magazine's brand of humour was "universal", with part of its website already available in English. Nevertheless, he admitted that often foreigners didn't how to take the magazine's often vicious edge. "Charlie Hebdo is kind of an extra terrestrial... its humour is a little cynical, disillusioned. There is a pessimism in our drawings but we try to laugh about it," he said. BEIJING (Reuters) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) on Tuesday rejected a media report which said the central bank had told some banks in cities with overheated property markets to stop issuing new home loans. Citing unidentified sources, Bloomberg reported that central bank branches in those cities communicated verbally with some lenders and told them to stop distributing new home loans, without specifying the timeframe for the suspension. The PBOC told Reuters that the report was "false", and that it didn't order commercial banks to suspend mortgage lending. Speculation has been rife in Chinese social media that banks in certain cities are temporarily suspending mortgage lending. But local government-backed newspapers in Guangzhou, Nanjing and Jinan have denied the rumours. New household loans, mostly mortgages, fell to 433.1 billion yuan in October from 637 billion yuan in September, central bank data showed, suggesting demand for mortgages is cooling after a spate of steps by local governments to restrict home purchases to cool soaring prices. Still, the ratio of new household loans to total new loans rose to 66.5 percent from 52 percent in September, due to lower overall lending, the data showed. Two of China's major cities - Shanghai and Tianjin - said this week they would impose fresh borrowing restrictions to cool their hot property markets, as authorities fret that price growth will rebound after showing only modest signs of abating. Home and residential land prices have soared in many parts of China this year, prompting authorities to impose a range of restrictions on buyers and curbs on developers' ability to raise funds. The central bank said earlier this month that it will maintain ample liquidity in the economy while taking steps to prevent asset bubbles, adding that the balance between stabilising growth and preventing bubbles has become more challenging. (Reporting by Yawen Chen and Ryan Woo; Editing by Kim Coghill) BEIJING (Reuters) - Armored troop carriers belonging to Singapore and currently impounded in Hong Kong should be "melted down", China's influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said on Tuesday, in its second swipe at the island nation in two days. The nine troop carriers were impounded in Hong Kong last week en route back from Taiwan, sparking a rebuke to Singapore from China about maintaining military ties with self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province. Ties between China and Singapore have been strained in recent months, particularly over the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing, which claims most of the waters, suspects Singapore of siding with the United States. Beijing has accused Washington of deliberately creating tension by sailing its ships close to China's islands. The Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, blasted Singapore's "carelessness" with the armored vehicles, which it said reflected a failure to take seriously China's displeasure over its military relationship with Taiwan. "Singapore's image in China is now so rotten that ordinary Chinese people think the best thing to do with the 'confiscated' armored vehicles that 'walked right into our trap' is to send them to the steel mills to be melted down," it said. The editorial, published in the paper's Chinese language edition, whose website attracts millions of visitors every day, adopts a similarly strident tone to a Monday commentary in its much less read English edition, accusing Singapore of "hypocrisy". Singapore should use this "interlude" in its relations with China to find "enlightenment" rather than to provoke more resentment, it added. "All incidents have causes - to grasp and understand them is always wise," the editorial said. Singapore and Taiwan have a longstanding military relationship that began in the 1970s and involves Taiwan being used as grounds for Singaporean infantry training. Beijing has grudgingly tolerated this agreement since the China and Singapore re-established diplomatic relations in the 1990s. The Global Times has a history of writing hyperbolic editorials and is usually significantly more hawkish than the government's official line. In September, the paper embarked on a war of words with Singapore's ambassador to China, Stanley Loh, over a report that said Singapore had raised the South China Sea at summit in Venezuela, which the ambassador denied. China has repeatedly warned Singapore against getting involved in the territorial dispute in which China asserts sovereignty over waters and islands claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore has no claims, but as the biggest port in Southeast Asia, the city-state's open economy depends on continued free navigation in the area. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Ben Blanchard) BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Tuesday it hoped for a "clear" message to be sent with new UN sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear program, but would not comment on the draft, saying there had been too much speculation about the details. The Security Council is set to vote on Wednesday to impose new sanctions on North Korea for its fifth and largest nuclear test, slashing Pyongyang's export earnings by some $800 million, diplomats say. Diplomats say the council's five veto-wielding powers - the United States, China, Britain, Russia and France - have agreed to new measures, seen by Reuters on Friday, that largely target the hermit Asian state's coal export earnings. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China supported further action against North Korea, but that it should be targeted and not harm normal humanitarian, civilian or development needs. "At present the Security Council members are having consultations on the draft," Geng told a daily news briefing. "We hope Security Council members can reach consensus on the draft as soon as possible, to send a clear and united message." North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and missile tests. It conducted its latest nuclear test on Sept. 9, and the United States and China, North Korea's most important diplomatic and economic backer, spent more than two months negotiating new sanctions. China is believed to be the only country that now buys North Korean coal and under the U.S.-drafted U.N. resolution likely to be adopted it would cut its imports by some 60 percent, or $700 million on 2015 sales, diplomats said. The new sanctions would cap North Korean coal exports at $400.9 million, or 7.5 million metric tonnes, annually, whichever is lower, starting on Jan. 1. Over the first 10 months of this year, China imported 18.6 million tonnes of coal from North Korea, up almost 13 percent from a year ago. Coal is one of North Korea's only sources of hard currency and its largest single export item. The draft U.N. resolution would also ban exports of copper, nickel, silver and zinc, which the U.S. official said are worth about $100 million a year. Asked about the details of the new sanctions, Geng said there had been a lot of speculative reports around ahead of the resolution being passed. "So it's not appropriate to comment on conjecture and supposition." China has always been conscientious about enforcing UN resolutions, and all countries have an obligation to do so, he added. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie) By Sijia Jiang HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Cyber attacks on Chinese companies have soared in the past two years, according to a survey, with new technologies that connect household items to the internet and allow them to receive and send data seen as particularly vulnerable. The average number of cyber attacks detected by companies in mainland China and Hong Kong grew 969 percent between 2014 and 2016. The number of attacks averaged more than 7 a day for each of the survey's 440 China-based respondents - around half of the global average of 13. However, the average number of attacks fell by 3 percent globally over the last two years, and 30 percent since 2015, in contrast to the rise in China. China's rapid adoption of new consumer and industrial technology for the 'Internet of Things (IoT)' era may be part of the reason. PwC said such connected devices are the leading targets of cyber-attacks. "IoT devices in general have not paid attention to cyber security," said Marin Ivezic, a partner on cyber security at PwC in Hong Kong. "In China and Hong Kong ... we have more adoption than anywhere else in the world," he said, noting China was also one of the biggest manufacturers of these items. Chinese-made connected home devices such as webcams with security loopholes that gave way to botnet malwares were blamed by security researchers for a massive cyber attack in the US last month that temporarily paralysed major internet sites. The Chinese companies surveyed had cut their cybersecurity budget by 7.6 percent in 2016 compared with flat global spending. Thirty four percent of them identified competitors as a source of attacks, a rate higher than anywhere else in the world. The PwC survey does not track the country of origin of the attacks, which Ivezic said is "almost impossible". The drop in the global number of cyber attacks did not reflect a safer environment, he said, but was rather the result of more sophisticated cyber criminals who more selective in who they targeted. (Reporting by Sijia Jiang; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A former Citigroup Inc financial adviser on Monday filed a lawsuit accusing the bank of running a "boys' club" that favored men over women, treating her as a "glorified secretary," and firing her in retaliation for whistleblowing activity. Erin Daly is seeking double back pay, unpaid bonuses and punitive damages over the bank's alleged harassment, hostile work environment and unlawful retaliation, according to her lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court. The resident of Manhattan's Upper West side said Citigroup let her go less than two weeks after she complained that her manager demanded inside information from her work on restricted stock offerings, so that he could pass it to favored clients. Daly said she also filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and plans to add federal discrimination claims against the fourth-largest U.S. bank. "We believe the claims alleged are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them," Citigroup spokeswoman Danielle Romero-Apsilos said. The lawsuit is one of many over the years accusing U.S. banks of favoring male bankers, traders and financial advisers over their female counterparts, and permitting improper conduct. Bank of America Corp in September settled one such case, in which former co-head of global structured products Megan Messina accused it of running a "bro's club." Daly said she graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2005, and according to brokerage industry records worked for Citigroup from 2007 to 2014. She claimed that even though she performed well, Citigroup took away many of her responsibilities, and even once forced her to apologize in writing for requesting equal treatment. Daly also said Citigroup sometimes routed stock allocations from "hot deals," such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's $25 billion initial public offering in 2014, to a male colleague, advancing his career at her expense. Story continues "Citi's 'boys' club' policies and practices" reflect a "culture of gender discrimination," the complaint said. "The boys were in charge. The men were doing business. Erin was just a glorified secretary." A lawyer for Daly declined additional comment. The case is Daly v. Citigroup Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 16-09183. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Diane Craft) ALI RASH, Iraq Abdullah Hardi thought of his family, his destiny, and Iraqs future as the truck carrying him to the frontlines bounced along dirt roads toward Mosul on Sunday. On Nov. 9, after a week of home leave, Hardi, a soldier in the Iraqi Armys 9th Division, was on his way to rejoin the effort to wrest the citys eastern districts from the Islamic State. It would be his first time in Iraqs second-largest city, which has been held by the extremist group since June 2014. I dont know what my fate will be, but I came here of my own free will, the 33-year-old said. There was none of the bellicose posturing evident in his comrades back at base, nor did he insist as many Iraqi officials have that the result of the battle was a foregone conclusion. Since the operation to retake Mosul began on Oct. 17, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have retaken a score of villages on the Nineveh Plains and have now entered the eastern suburbs of the city. Recent reports indicate that Iraqi forces advancing from the south are still at least 10 miles from the city. When I left home I didnt tell my children what I was doing because I didnt want them to worry, Hardi said. But this is history being written now and when my son grows up I will tell him the part I played. The 9th Division gained a foothold in Mosuls eastern district of Intisar on Nov. 3, making it the first army unit in the city after elite counterterrorism forces breached the outer neighborhoods last week. Officers say the military operation is progressing ahead of schedule, but political pressure to achieve a quick victory contributed to Iraqi forces advancing in the city without fully clearing areas, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to counterattack. After facing brutal street fighting against a suicidal enemy, some soldiers admit privately that Islamic State resistance is heavier than they were led to expect. At the 9th Divisions rear base in Qaraqosh, 10 miles from Mosul, one soldier, Mohamed Hamudi, played a video on his phone of the fighting a week earlier to retake the historically Christian town. Story continues We saw two fighters running away, so we followed them, he said, handing over the phone. Abdullah Hardi, a 33-year old soldier with the Iraqi Armys 9th Division, heads into Mosul after a week-long leave. An Iraqi Army Humvee drives through the town of Hamdaniya on its way back from the frontlines on the outskirts of Mosul. Jameel, a fighter with the Nineveh Plain Protection Units, a militia predominantly consisting of Assyrian Christians, clears a house from the Islamic State in the city of Bakhdida. The interior of a ransacked house in the city of Bakhdida, on October 30. Soldiers in the Iraqi Armys 9th division try to flag down a convoy after their vehicle broke down while trying to reach the frontline on the outskirts of Mosul. Shaky footage showed soldiers moving through empty streets. Then theres the sound of an enormous explosion erupting, followed by a huge dust cloud the product of an Islamic State car bomb. Afterward, a soldier emerged from the scene carrying a comrade who had lost a leg. Even with a tourniquet we couldnt stop the bleeding, and he died, Hamudi said. The ISIS fighters werent running away; they were leading us into their trap. The fighting last month to retake Qaraqosh and other towns around Mosul occurred on terrain that largely favored the Iraqi Army and Kurdish Peshmerga. On the open Nineveh Plains, suicide bombers were often visible a mile away, and depopulated villages made calling in coalition air support relatively straightforward. Even so, the Islamic States defense of the area offered the soldiers alarming clues about the resistance awaiting them in Mosul: Piles of completed improvised explosive devices (IEDs), homemade rockets, and precursor materials strewn across the jihadi groups workshops were capable of near-industrial scale production of munitions. Networks of trenches and warrens of tunnels also allowed fighters to maneuver unseen, and garages concealed suicide vehicles until the moment Iraqi forces approached. As these forces push farther into Mosul, Islamic State fighters are gaining several strategic advantages. The urban environment favors their preferred tactics of hit-and-run attacks, suicide bombings, and use of snipers. And the presence of civilians in densely populated neighborhoods is making the Iraqi Armys job very difficult. The use of heavy weapons poses a severe risk to innocents who stay in their homes, while escaping civilians risk being shot in the crossfire. Already, hundreds of civilians are believed to have been killed. Daesh is trying to draw us into the city, said Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, using an Arabic term for the Islamic State. The presence of civilians and the urban environment suits their strategy. Rasoul, the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, which coordinates among the Iraqi Army, Kurdish Peshmerga, and international coalition, was eager to emphasize the importance of protecting civilian life. Daesh want to be able to tell the people that the army is killing them, he said. For this reason, our use of airstrikes in Mosul has been very restricted. Each one has to be confirmed by a general. Despite these precautions, the coalition has struck more targets in and around Mosul than any other location in Iraq. In the operations first week alone, it launched 1,776 bombs, artillery rounds, and rockets at targets around Mosul. These strikes have come with a human cost: Chris Woods, the director of the Britain-based organization Airwars, said his organization has tracked 35 separate alleged incidents involving civilian casualties from the Mosul operation, with a fatality range of 84 to 87 deaths. Newly displaced civilians fleeing the conflict between the Iraqi army and the Islamic State arrive in the village of Gogjali, east of Mosul, on Nov. 4. Gogjali was the nearest liberated area for civilians fleeing the violence in Mosul, as Iraqi security forces tried to wrest the city from the Islamic States grip. A child looks back as he flees to Gogjali on Nov. 4. Once displaced civilians exit Islamic State-held territory, they are loaded onto a trucks and transported to an IDP camp on the northern edge of Gogjali. The brother of Matham Tarek, a 15-year old boy killed in a mortar attack, cries over his body at a field clinic in Gogjali. Since the beginning of military operations on Oct. 17, more than 72,000 people have been displaced from in and around Mosul, the United Nations says, a figure that is increasing rapidly as Iraqi forces push deeper into the city. More than 10,000 people have arrived at the newly constructed Hasansham Camp, 20 miles east of Mosul. Since opening on Nov. 4, the camp has been the scene of tearful reunions between the fleeing civilians and family members who have been living in exile in Iraqs Kurdistan region. Medics working near the frontlines say they have treated hundreds of civilians injured in the crossfire. Lise Grande, the U.N. humanitarian chief for Iraq, registered her alarm on Nov. 6, saying she was deeply disturbed by reports of civilian casualties. Senior Iraqi officers have adopted a more optimistic line than some of the men on the frontlines. At the 9th Division base in Qaraqosh, Gen. Sharker Qasim Mohsem, the chief of staff, has followed his soldiers progress through radioed updates from the front. There has been no heavy resistance, Mohsem insisted Sunday, with the worst threat coming from a half dozen suicide vehicle bombings over the past few days. Casualties so far have been light, he said, thanks to God and our armored vehicles. But if many vehicles were disabled, this could slow their advance. We only have a few spare Humvees, he said. His men have taken control of about 80 percent of the Intisar district on Mosuls eastern outskirts, he said, killing about 100 Islamic State fighters. Elsewhere in Mosul, Iraqi officials estimate that there may still be up to 5,000 fighters. Weve broken through their main line of defense, and theres not more than a dozen fighters still in Intisar, Mohsen said. But even these few remnants have halted the 9th Divisions advance. They now must painstakingly clear the neighborhood house by house before they can advance further. So far, Mohsen said, the soldiers are yet to discover Islamic State tunnels or hidden IEDs, suggesting the real fighting may lie ahead. As he spoke his hand-held radio crackled to life, with one of his officers reporting that another street had been cleared. Rasoul said the worst is yet to come for the Iraqi forces. Theres intelligence to suggest that the Islamic State may be preparing to make its last stand in Mosuls west bank, on the other side of the Tigris River. In the narrow streets of its old town, armored vehicles will struggle to operate, and its more conservative population may be more likely to support the jihadi group. In the next few days we will liberate and control the left bank of Mosul, Rasoul predicted. But the heart and core of ISIS in Mosul is on the right bank. But for all the Iraqi soldiers passion to defeat the Islamic State, the equipment at their disposal could mean that they are in for a long and painful battle. It was midafternoon by the time Hardis unarmored vehicle stopped at a hamlet five miles from Qaraqosh. It was still another five miles to Mosul, but they needed an armored convoy to take them into the city. After a few minutes, they received some bad news over the radio: There were no armored vehicles available to take them into the city. The voice on the radio instructed the soldiers to return to base in Qaraqosh. The driver turned the key, but their truck wouldnt start. He got out to look under the hood, trying to determine the cause of the breakdown. The soldiers, who were standing around smoking, started looking throughout the hamlet for other vehicles returning from the front to drive them back. If Hardi was relieved by the reprieve, he didnt show it. As he put it: Driving Daesh from Mosul is a duty on all of us. Photo credit: LIFE collection/Dorothea Langeundefined From ELLE When President Obama spoke to media following his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, he adhered to the long tradition of American presidential transitions. He buried partisan and personal differences and called on the nation to offer Mr. Trump the opportunity to implement his vision. The president went on to say of Mr. Trump, "the American people will judge over the course of the next couple of years whether they like what they see." Appropriate. Presidential. Beyond reproach. I'll pass on the wait and see approach. As a student of the late Dr. Maya Angelou, I am reminded of her oft-repeated lesson, "when people show you who they are, believe them the first time." President-elect Trump has shown us who he is. I believe him. I believed his immigration advisor Kris Kobach when he said the Trump transition team is considering a Muslim registry much like a Bush-era policy prompted by post 9/11 hysteria. I believe Trump supporter and spokesman for the pro-Trump Great America PAC Chris Higbie when he claimed there was a precedent for Muslim registration in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans in U.S. concentration camps during World War II. The Japanese American Citizens League believed Higbie, too. They immediately issued a statement that reads in part: Higbie's attempt to cite Japanese American incarceration as a precedent for this type of action is frightening and wrong. It's a statement intended to lay a marker for a misguided belief that ignores the true lessons of Japanese American incarceration. I did not want to be among those who ignored the true lessons of Japanese American incarceration. So I called on the contributor circle who came together earlier here at ELLE.com when President Obama made his historic visit to Hiroshima in May: Christen Tsuyuko Sasaki, an assistant professor in the Asian American Studies Department at San Francisco State University; Traci Kato-Kiriyama, a writer, performer, and community organizer, based in Los Angeles; and Mari Matsuda an activist, critical race theorist, and professor of law at the University of Hawaii. Story continues Photo credit: Hulton Archiveundefined Traci: I take nothing for granted at this point. Even if we take lightly the campaign-trail rhetoric of bans and walls and "law and order," we can't possibly ignore his running mate and every potential appointee and advisor. He shows his intentions to us daily. He campaigned on being a straight shooter. I will take him at his so-called word and plan accordingly. When the president-elect and his advisors speak of bans en masse, a Muslim registry, "extreme vetting," or any kind of model of "internment," what rings loud and clear is his intention to have an arsenal of scapegoats-a countless list of targets to keep people in fear, dependent upon him, and focused on a cause to remove, divide, and incarcerate. Christen: When I first heard that Mr. Trump was advocating for a Muslim registry, I couldn't help but think back to the last conversation that we had together regarding President Obama's trip to Hiroshima. We spoke about the violence of empire. I see this at play again, in the history and memory of xenophobia, racism, and hate that Mr. Trump is invoking when he suggests a Muslim registry. This type of policing is not new to communities of color in the United States-communities that were racialized as other, including indigenous populations. In the years before the U.S. officially entered World War II, the federal government was already watching the Issei and Nisei community [first- and second-generation Japanese Americans]. This was one of the reasons why the FBI was able to start rounding up Japanese and Japanese American leaders, including teachers and priests, just a few hours after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Photo credit: Dorothea Langeundefined Mari: My family was among those people who were rounded up. My father was a U.S. citizen born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. He was incarcerated at Heart Mountain, Wyoming, where he volunteered for combat duty. Many of his comrades didn't make it. He was the only survivor of his machine gun squad, in the "Purple Heart Battalion." Dad never blamed FDR for the incarceration. He blamed the Hearst newspapers and the relentless barrage of violently racist propaganda against Japanese Americans that began well before Pearl Harbor. No acts of mass incarceration or racist violence happen without an ideology to support it. The first lesson from my dad's experience is to take neo-Nazi propaganda seriously. [Editor's Note: Historians of the WWII era cite Hearst newspapers as particularly egregious in near daily manifestations of "yellow peril" propaganda and pro-internment editorials. These arguments claimed Japanese Americans posed an existential threat from within and laid the foundation for mass incarceration.] MHP: It is important and difficult to have you name the complicity of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and of Hearst newspapers. It is easy to have an uncomplicated public narrative about FDR, as the most successful, progressive President. As someone who works for a Hearst publication, I would rather forget any difficult parts of our history. But this selective memory is extraordinarily dangerous. Traci: I think about this every single time scholars or pundits talk about FDR as the greatest American president. Over here, in my native birthplace, both sides of my family were put away during WWII in an American concentration camp called Manzanar, while over there, in my ancestral homeland, the [creation of the] atomic bombs [were] put in motion by FDR back in 1941, two months before Pearl Harbor. My father never met his eldest sibling. He was the one grown child who lived in Japan, while the rest of the family was here and locked up at Manzanar. He was a grown adult with a family and hoped to see his family again, but they died in the months following the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the war. I never forget. Photo credit: LIFE collectionundefined Christen: Like Traci, many of us can never forget. But many people have the privilege to look away. I think people find it easier to turn a blind eye to a history that makes them uneasy and uncomfortable, rather than to grapple with the feeling that you must create and demand change. This is true for history, but also in this moment. The mass deportation in the Obama administration. Also the violence directed toward the water protectors at Standing Rock Sioux reservation who are being hit with tear gas and water cannons as we speak. Traci: There is even room for a broader public discussion about how education has failed us all by refusing to teach about our government's most critical and egregious actions toward entire groups of people as part of our country's foundational process. If we are even allowed [to look at this side of our] history, we are taught to look at it as a past "mistake," rather than see how governments deliberately violate people in order to win elections. It deliberately mis-educates us. [note: Japanese American Citizens League offers a lesson plan on "Race and Media in Times of Crisis"] For example, I just met an older white woman at a community forum to process the trauma many are still feeling since the election. She told me she had attended fairly liberal public schools as a child in the Pacific Northwest and went on to attend West Point. She didn't learn about the American concentration camps for Japanese Americans until she was well out of school. It was shocking for her to contemplate a lifetime of learning about history and our military but never being taught about this massive, unconstitutional action against our own citizens and their families during WW II. Now the Trump transition team banks on our collective disconnection and lack of historical memory of an unfathomable act and attempt to make it fathomable yet again. MHP: The urgent question is whether their calculation is accurate. Will Americans be sufficiently gripped by fear and will media be significantly motivated by profit to allow this kind of horror to be repeated in part because we don't even remember we did it once before? Christen: The Japanese American community has not forgotten this history of policing and forced removal and incarceration. Our community is rallying to resist the registry of Muslims and other racist legislation. I live in the Bay Area, and there have already been events in Japantown in San Francisco to show support for the Muslim community. We clearly see the connections between what happened to Japanese American and what Mr. Trump is proposing to do with this registry. Photo credit: LIFE collection/Dorothea Langeundefined Mari: The good news is that the human rights failing represented by the incarceration of U.S. citizens like my dad during World War II is now acknowledged as illegal. Under current equal protection doctrine, fought for and emerging from the civil rights movement, racial targeting, whether for "registration" or internment, is not allowed. My father and other incarcerated Japanese Americans received an apology from Congress and from President Ronald Reagan acknowledging the constitutional violation that the Japanese Americans suffered. The conviction of Fred Korematsu was overturned when it was discovered the government had lied in its efforts to justify mass incarceration without due process of law. [Editor's Note: Fred Korematsu was a Japanese American who resisted leaving his home during World War II. His case reached the Supreme Court in 1944, where his conviction was upheld.] The last word on this subject will belong to we, the people. If Muslim-Americans are profiled and attacked as Japanese Americans were in the war years, my community will rise aggressively to defend them. This has already happened, as chapters of the Japanese American Citizens League have stepped up across the U.S. to oppose "Muslim registries" and other acts of hate. Photo credit: Dorothea Langeundefined Every single year, Japanese Americans hold a day of remembrance to memorialize what happened to us and to promise never to let it happen again. Elders come forward to tell their stories. This is how I have a detailed picture of what racial targeting looks like. I have heard stories of proud women humiliated by having to defecate in gang outhouses, of women giving birth while biting on a stick so neighbors would not hear their screams through tar paper walls, of my own grandmother-a poet and painter-leaving behind all her books and art when she was forced out of her humble L.A. home and sent, first to the stinking horse stalls at Santa Anita race track, and then to the freezing plains at Heart Mountain. I am among the many Japanese Americans who have taken the pledge: never Again. If you come for my Muslim neighbors, you will have to take me too. I will put my body in their doorway. MHP: Mari, I believe you Suggesting that Muslim registration has a basis in the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII sounds an undeniable alarm. This alarm signals the potential for state-sponsored, media-supported human rights violations capable of fraying the fabric of our democracy. Those who understand this history are deeply alarmed. One way to better understand this history is to read some of the vast literature written about it. Here is a suggestion of where to begin. Michi Nishiura Weglyn's Years of Infamy: The Untold Story of America's Concentration Camps, published first in 1976, was the foundational text of this history, forcing the country to begin to grapple with the horror of what it had done. Karen Ishizuka's November 22, 2016 article for Rewire "What's in a Word? History, Violence, and Erasure When the Words Are 'Japanese Internment' and 'Muslim Registry" traces the reasons we should not use the euphemisms "internment" and "relocation." It is also important to engage Ishizuka's scholarly text Serve the People: Making Asian America in the Long Sixties. This text is foundational for understanding the development of Asian American consciousness as relevant identity for political work and organizing in the context of a decade of Civil Rights work we typically think of as dominated by African American and gender organizing. Valerie Matsumoto's City Girls: The Nisei Social World in Los Angeles, 1920-1950.Oxford University Press 2014. In addition to helping us understand the extreme trauma incarcerated women experienced as a result of forced removal and incarceration, City Girls, also reveals the many creative tools of resistance and survival these women innovated. Diane Fujino's Heartbeat of Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Yuri Kochiyama.University of Minnesota Press (2005), is a beautifully researched and written story of one of the Japanese American community's most effective radical activists voices. Kochiyama was incarcerated as a young woman in a WWII U.S. concentration camp, later shared a brief, but influential friendship with Malcolm X, and spent a lifetime engaged in political coalition work much like the women I spoke with are calling for us to engage in today. Tina Takemoto is an artist and associate professor of visual studies at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Her work examines issues of race, queer identity, memory, and grief. Rather than suggesting a single book, I am suggesting her current work exploring the dimensions of same-sex intimacy and queer sexuality for Japanese Americans incarcerated by the U.S. government during World War II. Jiro Onuma is one few LGBTQ folks whose stories has documented during and after camp. You Might Also Like Related Links: Joel McHale brought his charming attitude and acidic humor to Conan on Monday, promoting his new show on CBS, his book, and his one-man war against Angela Lansbury. That comes after Conan reveals he has a little green bone to pick with McHale over a certain portion of his book. Im sure its not the first time that Conan has been compared to some freakish looking leprechaun, but McHale is not nice to quite a few people in this book. Theres the already mentioned Lansbury and then we have the way Chevy Chase is represented in the book. Its well known that Chase and McHale literally butted heads a few times on the set of Community, but to ensure future actors and actresses are prepared, McHale has included a how-to guide for dealing with a Chevy Chase attack. It might be worth buying the book for this alone. Conan Chase isnt the only Community cast member to get made fun of in the book. Ken Jeongs status as a former doctor also gets some ribbing, all thanks to some mail fraud by McHale. Although is it really traditional mail fraud if you just emailed yourself to approve your jokes about your doctor friend abusing his position to aid in your Ambien abuse? I dont think it would hold up in court. Lansbury gets it the worst, though. Not only does McHale include an entire chapter called Eat A D*ck, Angela Lansbury, but he also manages to cross Conans invisible line by returning to joke at the end of the interview. She knows what she did. (Via Team Coco) By Jacqueline Lopour Best Defense Council of the Former Enlisted Throughout Pakistans tumultuous history, the perennial question has not been if there will be another military coup but when. As Pakistans incredibly popular Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif retired on schedule yesterday, ceding power to his successor, many breathed a sigh of relief at what outwardly appeared to be a smooth transition of power. Such things are never taken for granted in Pakistan. The army is Pakistans most effective and respected institution, and the army chief is the most powerful man in the country. Many observers watched this transition closely, wondering if Sharif might employ a last-minute maneuver to stay in power. Some segments of the public certainly wanted him to do so. General Sharif was arguably the most countrys most popular army chief ever. Billboards praising his leadership lined the streets; hashtags thanking him for his service went viral on Twitter. He garnered acclaim for anti-terrorism operations in North Waziristan, improving security country-wide, anti-corruption efforts, and averting political crises by mediating between Pakistans fractious political parties. There were calls for his extension as COAS or promotion to field marshal. Some even suggested he should take over the government altogether. But Pakistan has a long tradition of army chiefs overthrowing corrupt or inept civilian leaders, with wide public backing, only for the army to eventually overstay its welcome and lose the publics goodwill. The cycle began in 1958 with General Ayub Khan, who deposed the civilian president, seized control, and installed himself as president. He ruled for 11 years until allegations of vote rigging and political assassinations forced him to hand the reins to another army chief. That successor, Yahya Khan, imposed martial law and named himself as president, but he eventually resigned in disgrace after a war that resulted in the breakup of Pakistan, with Bangladesh separating to become its own country. Story continues Pakistan returned to civilian rule, but in 1977, then-COAS Zia ul-Haq overthrew the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, suspended the constitution, and imposed martial law. He ruled for eleven years before dying under suspicious circumstances. Just over a decade later, Pakistan saw its third coup in 1999, when COAS Pervez Musharraf arrested Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (then in his second term), declared a state of emergency, and eventually appointed himself president of Pakistan. Musharraf was initially popular with the public, as he was perceived as a less corrupt and more effective than the civilian leaders of the 1990s. However, as tends to be the case in Pakistan, popular discontent with Musharrafs rule intensified throughout the mid-2000s until he was finally forced out of office in 2008, handing full control over the government back to the elected civilian government. Sharif knows this history well. He joined the army just a year before Zias coup, and he held key leadership roles in the early years of Musharrafs rule. He has seen the armys reputation rise, fall, and rise again. Under his leadership, the armys star is at its highest point in years. Sharifs successor, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has big shoes to fill, and even bigger problems to address. India-Pakistan tensions are on the rise. Militants continue to plan and execute deadly attacks. With President-elect Donald Trump about to take office, the trajectory of U.S.-Pakistan relations remains a giant question mark. Perhaps most significantly, Bajwa will be COAS during Pakistans next general election in 2018. Accusations of corruption and vote rigging are inevitable, and Bajwa will likely find himself mulling over the same quandary pondered by all his predecessors: To make a coup, or not to? In Pakistan, that is always the question. Jacqueline Lopour spent 10 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, specializing in South Asia and the Middle East. She currently works at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, a non-partisan think tank in Waterloo, Ontario, where she focuses on the global refugee crisis and international security challenges. She holds the CIA chair in the Best Defense Council of the Former Enlisted. The views expressed are her own. Photo credit: SS MIRZA/AFP/Getty Images Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Hundreds of thousands of people were without water in eastern Mosul Tuesday, residents and officials said, raising fears of a major health crisis in the war-torn Iraqi city. It was not immediately clear what caused the disruption, but residents on the eastern side of Mosul said they had not had any water supplies for days and were pumping water from wells. "There is a major shortage of water in many districts on the eastern side," said Basma Basseem, from Mosul municipality. She said up to 600,000 people living on that side of the Tigris river, which splits the city in two, could be affected. Some residents said the sudden water shortage was caused by air strikes from the US-led coalition that damaged the main carrier bringing water from the western side of the city. Basseem suggested that the Islamic State group that Iraqi forces are battling in eastern Mosul may have intentionally stopped the flow. "There are efforts to bring water tankers to neighbourhoods that have been retaken," Basseem said. Iraqi commanders said around 40 percent of the eastern half of Mosul has been retaken from the jihadists since a huge offensive began on October 17. The forces have told civilians to stay at home in order to avoid massive displacement from the city, which was believed to have a population of a million-plus before the operation started. - 'No water at all' - Barely more than a third of the 200,000 displaced that the UN had expected in the first few weeks of the offensive have fled their homes so far. The lack of clean drinking water could now make it difficult for residents to remain, however. "There is no water -- we drink water from the well. It's very salty and we have to boil it before we drink it," Umm Ahraf, a 45-year-old woman, told AFP in the Khadraa neighbourhood on Tuesday. "We don't have water at all, we need it, it's the most important thing, how can we live without it?" asked an old man living in the same neighbourhood. Story continues Another resident of eastern Mosul told AFP that people in retaken areas of eastern Mosul were asking Iraqi forces for their supplies of bottled water. Abdelkarim al-Obeidi, the secretary general of the local civil society organisation Mosul People Gathering, warned of a "humanitarian disaster" in the making. "The government as well as aid organisations must step up and offer assistance to the people, especially those families forced to drink water from the wells that is not fit for drinking," he said. The local Nineveh provincial council on Tuesday delivered basic goods to several neighbourhoods of eastern Mosul. The progress of Iraqi forces that vastly outnumber the estimated 5,000 jihadists defending their last major bastion in Iraq has been slowed by the presence of a large civilian population often used by IS as human shields. In the coming weeks, various critics groups, as well as the Screen Actors Guild, will set a more definitive tone for this years Oscar race. The influence of the critics is great: They can rally behind strong contenders and establish them as frontrunners, or they can revive the chances of fringe hopefuls looking for a foothold. On Dec. 1, the New York Film Critics Circle will meet to deliberate the best of the year. Theyll be joined by their West Coast counterparts, the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn., three days later. Throughout the rest of the month, various regional groups will chip in with their assessments, building toward something resembling a consensus. The most critically acclaimed films so far, according to the Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes websites, are Moonlight and Manchester by the Sea. Those movies were already expected to register with Oscar voters. Where critics could really push the issue is with a swell of support for on-the-bubble movies like Hell or High Water and Jackie, which are in the running for best picture recognition but could take on a sheen of further importance with critical laurels. Or Paul Verhoevens Elle, which could net Gotham Award winner Isabelle Huppert a nomination in the highly competitive lead actress Oscar category. One win from a major group like the New York or Los Angeles critics, and that long shot inches toward reality. Other critically acclaimed films will be looking for similar boosts, like Love & Friendship and The Lobster, which could pop up in the screenplay races. Sony Classics The Red Turtle would also distinguish itself amid the record-breaking number of animated-feature Oscar submissions this year by landing a key critics win. And along with Elle, international films like Toni Erdmann or Aquarius could break out of the Academys ghettoized foreign film category with a performance or screenplay victory from the critics. On Dec. 14, meanwhile, the industry finally speaks up with the Screen Actors Guilds nominations. The early deadline for SAG-AFTRA voting often reflects earlier stages in the Oscar timeline, evidenced in recent years by recognition for Johnny Depp (Black Mass), Forest Whitaker (Lee Daniels The Butler), and Helen Mirren (Woman in Gold), among others. The guilds ensemble prize gives considerable shine to Oscar contenders looking to break into the best picture race. Story continues Often its just false hope. (See: Trumbo, Straight Outta Compton, and Beasts of No Nation, from last year alone.) Other times its a major feather in a films cap (Dallas Buyers Club, Midnight in Paris, The Kids Are All Right). If nothing else, a SAG ensemble nomination is an indication of how the Academys largest branch the actors might perceive a films worth. This year, as ever, there are a number of great casts to pull from. Fences and La La Land appear to be the best bets. Moonlight looks solid as well. But if Florence Foster Jenkins, Hidden Figures, Patriots Day, or the aforementioned Hell or High Water can break through, things will get interesting. Jackie, Loving, and 20th Century Women are all in play as well among ensembles. The superlative circuit cuts both ways, though. Will SAG-AFTRA, for instance, be mindful enough to remember an electrifying performance like Ralph Fiennes in A Bigger Splash? Will the critics ever be so bold as to distinguish outstanding documentaries like 13th or O.J.: Made in America as best picture/best film winners rather than relegate them to their own nonfiction categories? Likely not. So while a year as scattered as 2016 could really use this annual culling from the critics and guilds, its still crucial, as ever, that Academy voters think for themselves and not follow the script. Related stories From 'La La Land' to 'Jackie,' Celluloid Thrives in Cinematography Oscar Race Oscars: 10 Live-Action Shorts Advance in 2016 Race Oscars: 10 Animated Shorts Advance in 2016 Race Cropcast Morning Headlines: -Midwest is wetter in southwestern areas in the 6-10 day period. Showers in southeastern areas have improved moisture for wheat. Showers should be rather limited there the rest of the week, but notable showers should return in the 6-10 day period. The 6-10 day outlook is wetter in southwestern areas. Temperatures are unchanged. The 11-15 day outlook is drier and slightly cooler. -Plains are drier in southern areas in the 6-10 day period. Showers in southern areas later this week should improve moisture a bit, but dryness will continue to stress wheat in west central areas. The 6-10 day outlook is drier in southern areas. Temperatures are cooler. The 11-15 day outlook is drier in central and southern areas. Temperatures are cooler in southern areas. -Florida is warmer in the 6-10 day period. Continued dry weather this week will favor citrus harvesting. Frost threats will remain very low. The 6-10 day outlook is warmer. The 11-15 day outlook is unchanged. Delta is warmer in the 6-10 day period. Widespread rains in eastern areas through mid week will further improve moisture for wheat early growth. The 6-10 day outlook is slightly warmer. The 11-15 day outlook is slightly cooler. -No changes for Argentina. Dryness will continue to stress corn and soybeans across Cordoba as well as central and eastern Buenos Aires. The 6-10 day outlook is unchanged. -No changes for Brazil. Additional rains in central areas this week will further improve moisture for corn and soybeans. However, moisture will decline a bit in southern and northeastern crop areas. The 6-10 day is unchanged. -No changes for Europe. Colder temperatures in eastern areas this week will push wheat and rapeseed towards dormancy. Dryness will continue in northeast Italy, northern UK, and Czech Republic. -No changes for Black Sea. Snow cover should increase in northern and western Ukraine this week as cooler temperatures return to western Russia and Ukraine. Story continues -No changes for China. Cool temperatures this week will continue to slow wheat and rapeseed growth. -No changes for Australia. Very limited showers this week will favor wheat harvesting. -No changes for South Africa. Limited rains this week will allow dryness to continue to redevelop in western corn areas. Donald Keeney Senior Agricultural Meteorologist cid:image001.jpg@01D21267.57F01910 MDA Information Systems LLC 820 West Diamond Ave., Suite 300 / Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Direct: 301-833-8300 www.mdaus.com cid:image004.png@01D2126A.1DC8ADD0 Turning complex data into real-world solutions MrTopStep Group https://mrtopstep.com Questions: info@mrtopstep.com Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter For More Intra-Day Market Updates! https://www.facebook.com/mrtopstep https://twitter.com/MrTopStep (@MrTopStep) Dont Forget To Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel! Sign Up Here: http://www.youtube.com/mrtopstepgroup photo by: This is despite a three-fold rise in biodiesel demand. Biodiesel demand in Indonesia is likely to continue rising in 2017, after tripling in 2016. However, this is unlikely to lead to higher average crude palm oil (CPO) prices in 2017, relative to current levels, due to higher CPO output following improved weather conditions, says Fitch Ratings. Higher biodiesel usage is an important factor behind improving CPO prices in 2016, as CPO is the main raw material for biodiesel. Indonesian biodiesel consumption over the year to end-October 2016 tripled on an annualised basis from 2015, rising to 2.16 million kiloliters (kl) from 0.86mn kl, according to the Indonesia Estate Crop Fund. Fitch estimates that Indonesia's higher biodiesel consumption contributed to over half of global CPO demand increase in 2016, even though CPO inputs for Indonesia's biodiesel are only 4% of total global consumption. The increase in biodiesel consumption follows a government push under its B20 programme, which mandates that biodiesel should be blended with diesel in the ratio of 20:80 in 2016, an increase from the 15% blending in 2015. The government aims to increase biodiesel consumption to 5.5 million kl in 2017, from its 2.9 million kl target for 2016. "Assuming other demand components show steady growth, we expect global CPO demand to increase by 3 million to 4 million tonnes (t) in 2017. However, global CPO output should rebound by around 6 million t in 2017 after a weak 2016 to outpace demand, as dry weather conditions due to El Nino have dissipated," said Fitch. According to the rating agency, the higher output should gradually replenish inventories during 2017, but given current low inventory levels, the effect of higher production on prices should be more visible in 2H17. "Overall, we expect CPO prices at around USD660/t in 2017, slightly lower than current levels of USD670/t, but better than the 2016 average price of USD635/t," it said. More From Singapore Business Review Current White House CTO Megan Smith Credit: Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch As Inauguration Day approaches, Donald Trump and his team face the task of filling Cabinet posts and thousands of other government roles in his administration. That long list will likely include a vacant spot for US chief technology officer, a role currently held by Megan Smith, the 52-year-old former Google (GOOG) executive who spent the last two years serving as assistant to the president in Washington, D.C. As the USs second-ever CTO following Athenahealth co-founder Todd Park, Smith focused on improving three key areas during her tenure, including technology policy, creating a digital, open government, and increasing internet across the US. Whomever the president-elect appoints as Smiths successor ought to be a member of the tech community with vast industry experience, an impressive Rolodex to help recruit talent for other technical roles in Trumps administration, and of course, a deep understanding of the many facets of tech infrastructure, including the cloud and big data. Yahoo Finance has assembled a short wish list of candidates wed like to see in the White House next year. During his eight years at Facebook, Mike Schroepfers role has evolved from director of engineering to CTO. Source: EFE/ANDRE KOSTERS Mike Schroepfer Chief Technical Officer, Facebook Schroepfer, or Schrep as hes called in Facebooks (FB) swanky open offices, remains one of the social networks internal stars. During his eight years at Facebook, his role has evolved from director of engineering to CTO. Simply put, Facebooks 10-year vision encompasses three areas including artificial intelligence, connectivity and virtual reality, and Schroepfer is responsible for leading all of them. His accomplishments range from the minor, from helping improve A.I. so Facebook can better rank photos in the News Feed, to developing features that will eventually take advantage of VR. As CTO of the second-most trafficked website in the world (second only to Google), Schroepfer possesses the vision and technical chops needed to potentially serve as White House CTO. Flipboard CEO Mike McCue is extremely well-liked in tech and has the virtual Rolodex to match. Source: Business Insider Mike McCue CEO, Flipboard McCue, who was once rumored among Silicon Valley gossip circles as a potential CEO replacement for Jack Dorsey at Twitter (TWTR), is a longtime Silicon Valley veteran and serial entrepreneur, with stints at IBM (IBM) and Microsoft (MSFT). He also served as vice president of technology at the influential internet company Netscape during the late 1990s before eventually founding the digital magazine app Flipboard in 2009. Besides having decades of industry experience, McCue is extremely well-liked in tech and has the virtual Rolodex to match. Story continues The world is under massive disruption as we move to digital, McCue told me in 2014 in an unpublished interview. Its the web, mobile and social. Theres a threat but also an opportunity to help people think and operate differently and really thrive. What better perch for McCue to do that than from the White House? As senior vice president of Intuits platform and services, Raji Arasu oversees the group responsible for enabling business teams to develop many of Intuits products. Source: MIXEvent Raji Arasu Senior Vice President, Intuit Arasu has worked in tech since the early 1990s, starting as a senior software engineer at companies such as Oracle (ORCL) before spending 10 years at eBay (EBAY) in technical roles and finally landing at Intuit (INTU). As senior vice president of platform and services, Arasu oversees the group responsible for enabling business teams to develop many of Intuits products. Like Smith, she is also deeply invested in addressing the issue of gender diversity in Silicon Valley. In a recent conversation with Yahoo Finance, Arasu said she counsels and mentors women contemplating tech careers. She also serves as an advisory board member for Code.org, a nonprofit focused on introducing computer science to students, particularly women and underrepresented students of color. Amazon CTO Werner Vogels was one of the key architects behind Amazon Web Services, the No. 1 public cloud provider. Source: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Werner Vogels Chief Technical Officer, Amazon Vogels is Amazons tech whiz. Before joining Amazon (AMZN) in 2004 as director of systems research, Vogels was a research scientist in the computer science department at Cornell University. At Amazon, he was one of the key architects behind Amazon Web Services, the No. 1 public cloud provider with over 1 million paid customers, including NASA, Netflix (NFLX) and Comcast (CMCSA). Vogels clearly has the skills necessary to help advance the countrys push towards analyzing and leveraging large amounts of government data for good. Tesla CTO JB Straubel (center) has been instrumental in driving the companys success. Source: REUTERS/James Glover II JB Straubel Chief Technical Officer, Tesla A Stanford University alum, Straubel was named one of MIT Technology Reviews top 35 innovators in 2008. Indeed, Teslas CTO has been instrumental in driving the companys success. Among his many accomplishments: pushing for the switch from analog to digital controllers in the electric motor, so the motors can be controlled by software and updated remotely. That decision is one of many that contributed to Tesla (TSLA) being considered one of if not the innovative carmakers today. The White House could benefit from Straubels gutsy decision-making when it comes to tech infrastructure and data. JP Mangalindan is a senior correspondent for Yahoo Finance covering the intersection of tech and business. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook. More from JP Mangalindan: Why only 2 women made this top CEO list Trump victory bursts Silicon Valley bubble Why Trump might not be a disaster for tech Obamas chief tech boss explains the shortage of women in tech Shaquille ONeal explains why he missed the boat on investing in Starbucks Michael Phelps is trying to be the Michael Jordan of ex-swimmers There has been a lot of talk of deglobalization and potential trade wars in the aftermath of Donald Trump's election as US president. The president-elect has accused China of manipulating its currency, said he will withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, and said he will bring back jobs to the US. With that in mind, Deutsche Bank economists Zhiwei Zhang and Li Zeng took a look at how a trade war (think tariffs and quotas) between the US and China might play out. In a note published Monday, the duo ranked the industries by the ratio between domestic production and domestic demand. The chart below shows the extent to which domestic demand could be met by domestic production, assuming US-made goods weren't exported. In other words, if there were demand for 100 leather belts in the US in 2015, and the US produced 80 leather belts that year, the ratio would be 80%. The lower the ratio in the chart below, "the stronger is the indication that a sector was hurt badly by imports." Screen Shot 2016 11 29 at 10.17.13 AM The most extreme example here is "textile, apparel and leather products," in which domestic production in 2015 met only 36.6% of domestic demand. That is down sharply from 1997, when the percentage was more than 60%. There is a similar story in the "computer and electronics" industry, though US production there is much higher, meeting 60.5% of domestic demand. At the other end of the chart, US domestic production of goods like "paper products," "food, beverage & tobacco," "chemicals," and "fabricated metal products" all come in at above 90% of domestic demand. In addition, for many of these industries, the ratios really haven't changed. "This suggests that these industries are not being hurt so badly by imports," the note said. Here's Deutsche Bank on the findings: "Among industries with low domestic production to demand ratios in 2015, there seem to be three groups: (i) Those whose situations had worsened over time, including 'computer and electronics', 'electrical equipment and parts' and 'furniture'. For instance, in 1997, the US's domestic production of 'computer and electronics' could meet 92 percent of its domestic demand. It dropped to 72 percent in 2006, and was only 61 in 2015. (ii) Those where most 'damages' by imports seemed to have taken place prior to 2006. This includes 'textile, apparel and products' and 'automobiles, trailers and parts'. (iii) The last group is 'oil and gas extraction' and 'miscellaneous manufacturing'. Although their domestic production to demand ratios were low in 2015, they had been stable or even improved compared with early periods." Story continues Zhang and Zeng focus on the first and second group, or those industries in which the situation has worsened over time or where the damage was done before 2006. They looked at how a 10% reduction in the trade deficit in each sector would affect gross domestic product and found that the industries that deliver growth would not necessarily bring back jobs to the US, and vice versa. Screen Shot 2016 11 29 at 11.14.02 AM Focusing on "computers & electronics" would add $18 billion to US GDP along with a lot of jobs. But focusing on "oil and gas extraction," while adding a lot in US GDP, would have less of an impact on the labor market than focusing on the "textiles, apparel & leather good" industry. The report said: "The analysis suggests that the US should probably have different top priorities in a trade war, depending on whether it wants growth or jobs most. If the US wants the biggest boost to growth, industries with high value-added should be its top priorities, such as 'computer and electronics' and 'automobiles, trailers and parts'. Figure 6 shows that a 10 percent deficit reduction in 'computer and electronics' would raise the US's domestic value-added by some USD18 billion. On the other hand, if what the US wants most is to 'bring jobs back', especially to lower income areas, it should place its top priority on 'textile, apparel and leather products'. While this sector only ranks 4th in terms of additional domestic value-added, the extra labor compensation it would bring is the second highest. Considering the low labor cost in this industry, it probably means most job increase among all industries." NOW WATCH: The real estate tricks billionaires use to sell their penthouses faster and for more money More From Business Insider Enter for a chance to win on November 28, 2016. Travel + Leisures 26 Days of Travel Giveaways offers a new prize each day, so be sure to check back here every morning at 8am EST for your chance to win. Retail Price: $475 Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Rimowais not a sponsor of the Travel + Leisure 26 Days of Travel Giveaways. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Purchasing does not improve your chances of winning. Travel + Leisure 26 Days of Travel Giveawaysis open to residents of the 48 contiguousUnited States and D.C., age 18 or older. Void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, outside the United Statesand wherever else prohibited by law. Sweepstakes begins at 8:00:01 AM ET on 11/28/16 and ends at 7:59:59 AM ET on 12/24/16. Click here for Sweeps Facts and Official Rules. Sponsor: TI Media Solutions Inc., 225 Liberty St., New York, NY 10281. Travel + Leisure Privacy Policy | Rules | Facts | Your California Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |Tarte Privacy Policy Related Articles This Immigrant Doctor Is Reimagining Health in the American City Eighty years ago, the worlds last Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, died in Hobart Zoo in Australia. This year, animal lovers and conservationists around the world will mark the extinction of the thylacine and other vanished creatures on the sixth annual Remembrance Day for Lost Species. The gloomy holiday will be celebrated with art installations, public talks, memorials, and other events in more than a dozen countries on Nov. 30. Founder Persephone Pearl, an artist and the codirector of the ONCA art gallery in Bristol, England, said the event aims to show that learning to grieve is part of the process of healing our broken culture. Pearl came up with the idea for Lost Species Day in 2010 after creating a mock extinction funeral as part of an all-night climate vigil meant to hold the incoming U.K. government to the commitments it made earlier that year at an international climate conference. Other people got involved, and a full-scale theater piece called Funeral for Lost Species was held in the spring of 2011. The first official Remembrance Day for Lost Species was held later that year, and things have snowballed since then. This year there are so many events that I can't keep track of them anymore, Pearl said. Although most of the events are scheduled for Nov. 30, a few have been held, including one that took place at a park in South London this past weekend. Organizers handed out leaflets that looked like lost pet signs but were about recently extinct species. Then we read out a list of 125 extinct species and the years in which they were declared extinct, said organizer Daniela Othieno, who has created Lost Species Day art projects for the past three years. For me getting involved in Lost Species Day is as much about raising awareness as about processing my own thoughts and feelings about what is happening and giving others an opportunity and space to do the same. RELATED: The Biggest Marine Animals Risk Extinction Story continues Othieno said that event produced a lot of emotion and some confusion among the people in the park. Many people told us that they were glad we were doing it, but quite a few expressed total surprise at the rate of extinction, she said. Some confessed they had never really thought about it. In the United States, tattoo artist J. Trip, cofounder of an endangered species awareness effort called the Holocene Project, will be creating extinction-themed hourglass tattoos in Englewood, Colorado. You can put one anywhere on your body you want and start spreading knowledge as soon as someone asks you about it, he said. Other scheduled events include an expedition in New Orleans in memory of the ivory-billed woodpecker; an extinction vigil in Washington, D.C.; a musical procession for lost species in New York City; and a ceremony for the thylacine in Brisbane, Australia. Pearl said she hopes to continue Lost Species Day for many years to come and praised what other artists have brought to the message. I love the interdisciplinary action of artists, biologists, and conservationists working together, she said. Pearl also noted that many of this years events will mention two recently extinct species, the Bramble Cay melomys and the Rabbs tree frog, both of which were lost earlier this year. This is a time of grief, she said. Its also one of remembrance. Donate: Save Animals at the Brink of Extinction With the Endangered Species Coalition Related stories on TakePart: Climate Change Killed This Critter, but Can Others Be Saved From Extinction? Report: Hunting Threatens Hundreds of Animals With Extinction Mass Consumption Is Causing Mass Extinction. Can We Stop Ourselves? Original article from TakePart Acquisition this year amounted to $400m. DBS Group Holdings Ltd. and Bank of Singapore, Asias largest home-grown private banks, will consider more acquisitions as they grapple for a bigger slice of business from the regions growing number of millionaires. DBS would look at any deal that fits with its strategy and is at the right price, the banks consumer and wealth head Tan Su Shan told Bloomberg Televisions Haslinda Amin on Tuesday. Bank of Singapore, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp.s private-banking arm, will definitely evaluate any opportunities, Chief Executive Officer Bahren Shaari said in a separate TV interview. The two banks have already announced at least $400 million of acquisitions this year as they seek to compete with larger western rivals such as UBS Group AG. OCBC completed its purchase of Barclays Plcs wealth-management units in Singapore and Hong Kong on Monday, while DBS said last month it will buy Asian retail and wealth businesses from Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. Read more here from Bloomberg. More From Singapore Business Review dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa has announced that it will launch its hospitality event brand in the Philippines in 2017 to capitalize on the Southeast Asian countrys growing international tourism and hospitality portfolio. The Hotel Show Philippines will take place from 2 to 5 August, 2017 in Metro Manila, while the flagship show will follow in September at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the UAE. The Hotel Show Philippines will be co-located with the World Food Expo (WOFEX) organised by PEPTarsus, the largest food show in the Philippines which will turn 17 next year. Together, they will provide the biggest food and hospitality platform in the countrys history, occupying its two largest venues, namely the World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center, says dmg events. Andy Stuart, Vice President, dmg events, said: Tailored for the Philippine market, The Hotel Show Philippines will be based on dmg events successful The Hotel Show Dubai. The Hotel Show Dubai yearly gathers international exhibitors to showcase their hospitality products for restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels, to cite a few. Bringing the Dubai shows undisputed legacy and giving it a local flavour, we are confident that the Philippine version of our highly popular brand will attract the same level of local and global interest and attention. The upcoming opening of our geo-cloned hospitality event in the Southeast Asian nation forms part of our expansion strategy aimed at widening our scope and establishing our presence in key international markets. The launch comes at a time when there is much buzz around the commercial hospitality opportunities being presented in the Philippines tourist destinations, central business districts and metropolitan areas. Ray Tinston, Portfolio Director of the dmg events hospitality portfolio, commented: The Philippines hospitality sector is experiencing a period of remarkable growth and modernisation. Strong demand for new hotel and F&B outlets is being driven by sustained economic performance, a stable business environment, improved infrastructure and growing international recognition as a leading destination for both leisure and business travellers. Expanding our portfolio to include an annual Hotel Show in Metro Manila will provide a key platform for industry professionals looking to invest in the future of hospitality here. The announcement followed dmg events recent move to geo-clone The Hotel Show in Africa, the first edition of which is slated to take place from 25 to 27 June 2017. Also part of its hospitality portfolio is The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia whose 5th edition will be staged from 4 to 6 April, 2017. President-elect Donald Trump has made no secret of the fact that he relies heavily on his daughter Ivankas opinions and ideas. For example, Trump introduced his proposed paid maternity leave policy to Americans this summer after his 34-year-old daughter urged him to do so, saying, Daddy, daddy we have to do this. People on social media are raising their concerns about President-elect Donald Trumps proposed policies by writing to his daughter Ivanka with the hashtag #DearIvanka. (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images) So its no surprise that Americans concerned about the proposed policies of Trump from rolling back environmental regulations to deporting millions of undocumented citizens to punishing women for accessing abortion care have decided to appeal directly to the woman who seems to have the most influence over the United States incoming 45th president. And many are doing so by using the hashtag #DearIvanka. On Monday, Nov. 28, some of these people with concerns about the future of America will be gathering for a vigil in New York City thats being held under the #DearIvanka banner. The vigil is organized by the Halt Action Group, which described itself to Yahoo Style as a coalition of regular people, artists, writers, curators, cultural figures, [and] activists that have come together in New York. The political gathering has been promoted by, among others, Half Gallery director Bill Powers, who is married to New York-based fashion designer Cynthia Rowley. All we are saying, is don't give Pence a chance. #DearIvanka candlelight vigil this Monday night 6pm Houston Street. pic.twitter.com/xy3SHl86rg half gallery (@halfgallery) November 26, 2016 Rowley herself shared her thoughts about the president-elect on Instagram on the day after the election: A photo posted by Cynthia Rowley (@cynthia_rowley) on Nov 8, 2016 at 5:42pm PST Halt Action Group drafted its own #DearIvanka letter today in advance of the vigil and shared it with Yahoo Style. It reads: Story continues Dear Ivanka, We are a group of concerned citizens who live in all five boroughs of New York City. As were all neighbors, we thought the most direct way to reach out would be to come to your building with our hopes and urgent concerns. Because you are an official member of your fathers transition team, we wanted to appeal to your rationality, and your commitment to protecting the rights of all Americans, especially women and children. As your father has said on countless occasions, you are the one who really has his ear. Here are some of the types of notes weve been collecting from members of the community: Dear Ivanka, Im Jewish and afraid of the swastikas spray painted on my park. Dear Ivanka, Im black and Im afraid of Jeff Sessions. Dear Ivanka, My mom is going to be deported. Dear Ivanka, Im Muslim American and I was attacked on the subway. Dear Ivanka, Im gay and I want to be able to marry when your dads president. Dear Ivanka, Ive been raped and I need to have an abortion. Dear Ivanka, I work three minimum wage jobs and cant afford healthcare. Dear Ivanka, My children come home from school worrying about World War III. Dear Ivanka, New York will be underwater if we ignore climate change. All of these Dear Ivanka notes form a giant open letter, which we will continue to add to, voicing our shared anxieties and hopes; we are writing to you and your husband [to] ask for your help and attention. The group is asking to HALT Steve Bannon, HALT Jeff Sessions, HALT talk of a Muslim registry, HALT the rise in hate crimes, HALT the assault on womens reproductive rights, HALT the abolition of the Affordable Health Care Act, HALT Trumps conflicting business interests, and HALT attacks on freedom of the press. On its website, members also write: Dear Ivanka, Racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and homophobia are not acceptable anywhereleast of all in the White House. Steve Bannon has no place in the White House. Jeff Sessions has no place in the White House. Talk of a Muslim registry has no place in the White House. Hate has no place in the White House. We refuse to wait and see. We look to you as the voice of reason. Yours, Halt Action Group Meanwhile on Instagram, the group is running a #DearIvanka account and flooding it with messages appealing to the woman herself and sharing stories from others about their personal concerns as they look ahead at life under her fathers administration. @dear_ivanka: Your father's choice to head up the EPA, Myron Ebell, is a fanatical anti-science, anti-environmentalist climate change denier. I'm afraid for what's at stake. A photo posted by Halt Action Group (@dear_ivanka) on Nov 23, 2016 at 8:21am PST @dear_ivanka My twelve year old daughter came home from school in tears. A classmate told her Mike Pence says her two daddies are sick and have to be given electro shock therapy A photo posted by Halt Action Group (@dear_ivanka) on Nov 23, 2016 at 6:40am PST @dear_ivanka Im one of those dykes that came from the Seven Sisters schools, to quote Steve Bannon. Please tell your father not to give him a cabinet post. A photo posted by Halt Action Group (@dear_ivanka) on Nov 23, 2016 at 6:36am PST On social media, individuals are using the hashtag, first employed by filmmaker and activist Michael Moore, to raise their concerns about the incoming administration: #dearivanka Women everywhere are counting on you to guide your father to protect their rights, & to abandon forever his anti-women rhetoric. CallyBanham/Cortango (@CorCally) November 10, 2016 Dear Ivanka, We are now counting on you as a woman, mom and his most trusted advisor to guide your father well. Thank you. #dearivanka Melissa (@1740testore) November 10, 2016 Dear @IvankaTrump can you talk to your dad about Roe vs. Wade? It's very serious for millions of women in America. #DearIvanka Kate Ziegler (@kkaatlyn) November 14, 2016 @IvankaTrump Please work with your father to respect the environment. Our children's future is at stake. #dearivanka #greenpeace James Labeck (@Jslabeck) November 14, 2016 Others have taken to writing open letters to the eldest Trump daughter, going into greater detail about why they are appealing directly to her someone who has built an entire brand around being a woman who works. Writer Genevieve Field wrote an open letter to Ivanka too, which she published on Medium. Fields letter focuses heavily on the need for Ivanka to make it clear to her father whats at stake for the environment given the kinds of policies hes suggested and the ideas about climate change espoused by the people he has appointed to his cabinet. Field begs the woman she once interviewed for a magazine story, I know you already have enough to do: running The Trump Organization, the Ivanka Trump line, your household, and now your dads public image. But what if I told you that what I want to talk about might actually save your childrens future and put you in the history books, on the good side? Ivanka, maybe you dont fully realize this (I didnt!) but your dads plans dont just threaten polar bears and distant generations of humans. In fact, your father is about to lock in a grim future for his own children and grandchildren your beautiful family. And mine. This summer, the editor-in-chief of the Mexican and Latin American editions of Marie Claire magazine made #DearIvanka a literal headline, using the Spanish translation #QueridaIvanka on the magazines cover, which showed a stereotypically glossy photo of the soon-to-be first daughter against an artfully stylized background of images of Americana. The issue was filled with letters to the then-candidates daughter from a number of women of various ages, backgrounds, and occupations all unified in their concern about what a Trump presidency might mean for the world writ large and all of whom believed that Ivanka was in a position to exert some influence over her father and assuage their fears. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f299613%2f584565456738401e918129976478fd45 Australian far-right politician Pauline Hanson has been quite the know-it-all recently. Last week, she claimed the Great Barrier Reef is fine, then on Monday night, she decided that "there's no definition to an Aboriginal" and a person could be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander by marrying one. It's part of her rhetoric around lobbying to repeal the country's Racial Discrimination Act, 18C, which makes it illegal to "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" someone due to their race or ethnicity. But with grace, a touch of sass and a large serving of reality, Indigenous Australians have responded with a hashtag: #DefineAboriginal. SEE ALSO: Great Barrier Reef is A-OK says climate change skeptic as she manhandles coral "If you marry an Aboriginal you can be classified as an Aboriginal, or if the community or the elders accept you into that community, you can be defined as an Aboriginal," Hanson told Sky News. By that bizarre logic, one could be white by marrying to a white person. The tweets are painted with tales of segregation and disadvantage, which still occur to this day in Australia. Being the only one given a plastic cup by your friends parents instead of glass. #DefineAboriginal Ryan Griffen (@RyanJGriffen) November 29, 2016 going to more funerals than weddings #defineaboriginal The Funkoars (@funkoars) November 29, 2016 Having to get an Uber because a Taxi wont pick you up #DefineAboriginal Ryan Griffen (@RyanJGriffen) November 29, 2016 My brother having to explain his lighter skin despite the stolen generation's plan to "breed out the black" #defineaboriginal Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) November 29, 2016 Being told you're too pretty & smart to be Aboriginal. #DefineAboriginal Tay (@littletaysimo) November 29, 2016 Growing up & being told "you're not like 'them' over there, though..." #defineaboriginal BirdZ (@MisterBirdZ) November 29, 2016 Being told by a school mate at my reunion that the day I was born was the darkest in my town's history #defineaboriginal @RyanJGriffen Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) November 29, 2016 Being told you cant use any paint or brushes in your high school art class cause those are 4 students who pay school fees. #DefineAboriginal NOOKY (@nookymusic) November 29, 2016 Getting told that the three kids that were murdered were just going walkabout & still not getting justice 25+ years later #DefineAboriginal Tasman Keith (@TasmanKeith) November 29, 2016 hearing @IGGYAZALEA say that the government builds us houses. FFAARKN #DefineAboriginal NOOKY (@nookymusic) November 29, 2016 When a white person glances at you to work out your blood quantum, then boasts they know more about Aboriginal culture. #DefineAboriginal Wyld, Karen (@1KarenWyld) November 29, 2016 #DefineAboriginal follows a similar hashtag from back in August, #IndigenousDads, which showcased the positive contribution of Indigenous fathers in opposition to an offensive cartoon drawn by Bill Leak in The Australian. When Bill Leak draws a cartoon to save your kids #DefineAboriginal BRIGGS AKA BIG SIGH (@BriggsGE) November 29, 2016 BONUS: When Did You Realize Your Race? * European spin-off trend set to continue, investors say * Industrial, energy conglomerates targeted * Spin-off, carve out benefits often come with a delay * GRAPHIC - Europe's spinoffs http://tmsnrt.rs/2fQNKRV By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The days of the European conglomerate may be numbered, as activist shareholders are pressing diversified groups to spin off secondary businesses and focus on doing one thing well. Many investors and analysts - and some managers - say that in a world where good returns are hard to come by, breaking up businesses that don't belong together can be profitable. In theory, spinning off business divisions allows the parent company and the spin-off alike to focus better on their respective strategies, while investors tend to value both more highly due to greater transparency. "I think demergers and the destruction of conglomerates is the next major trend in the M&A market," said Christer Gardell, co-founder of Cevian, a Swedish-based activist investment fund. "The trend has already started, it's going to run for the next 10 years," said Gardell, who is pushing Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB to spin off its power grid equipment division from its robotics and other operations. While some conglomerates such as ABB are trying to hold their businesses together, others are embracing the trend either under pressure from investors or even willingly. A wave of spin-offs through initial public offerings (IPOs) among energy and industrial groups is already underway. Philips of the Netherlands, Fiat Chrysler of Italy and Germany's biggest energy groups E.ON and RWE have all floated major divisions this year. German engineer Siemens has announced similar plans. Companies with many business lines are "mostly too complicated, too bureaucratic, too slow, and they usually suffer from poor capital allocation and poor performance", Gardell told Reuters. "Obviously for investors to invest in these complicated structures, they require a discount, and usually it's a significant discount." Story continues Remove these obstacles, and the need for a discount will fade, Cevian argues. It says ABB shares, which are below 21 Swiss francs, would be worth 35 francs if its separate business arms traded in line with listed peers. ABB disagrees that it power grids business should be spun off. "As part of the strategic review process, we examined all options for the division. The outcome of the review was clear that the most value would be created through the continued transformation of Power Grids under ABB's ownership," spokesman Saswato Das said. OUTPERFORMANCE Not every spin-off works out for shareholders. However, a JPMorgan study in 2015 of spin-offs in the United States, where the trend began earlier than in Europe, appears to support Gardell's arguments in general. It found that U.S. shares typically rose a relatively modest 2-4 percent against the S&P 500 average when a spin-off was announced. But over the next two years, the combined value of the parent company and its spin-off rose 15-20 percent - with the relative values of both usually rising. Marc Zenner, one of the study's authors, said this U.S. data would show activist investors that there is also potential across the Atlantic to create value through spin-offs. "In Europe one reason why you could see more in the future is that there are more conglomerate companies there," he said. Conglomerates have lasted longer in Europe due to a mix of factors that can insulate managers from unhappy shareholders. These include "poison pill" rules to discourage hostile takeovers and higher levels of family ownership. Some countries also have laws stipulating that managers must consider the interests of employees and other groups along with those of shareholders. Some firms are willing to accept limited change. One such is German industrial group ThyssenKrupp, which is in talks to merge its struggling European steel business with that of India's Tata Steel. However, ThyssenKrupp has so far resisted calls to isolate its most profitable business, making elevators. It also sells car parts, and engineers military ships and chemical plants. The company announced worse than expected profits for 2016 last week and a gloomy outlook for 2017, which analysts said strengthens the case for a breakup. MANAGEMENT FOCUS OR INVESTOR TRANSPARENCY? Advocates argue that spin-offs do better because smaller companies have a stronger focus and their chiefs have a greater incentive to succeed than division heads. But for investors, the biggest benefit seems to be increased transparency. "When (spin-offs) do work, it is more often the market valuing the standalone business more accurately than a stronger clarity of focus by management," said Drew Dickson, managing director of Albert Bridge Capital. Dickson doesn't look for breakup candidates as a strategy. But he said revaluation paid off for one of his firm's investments, Fiat Chrysler, after the group floated its Ferrari sportscar division in October 2015. "The market knew that Ferrari was valuable, but only could answer the question (of how valuable) once it was standalone," he said. Under the deal, Fiat Chrysler shareholders were handed an 80 percent stake in Ferrari in January. While the parent company's shares are down 13 percent year to date, the value of their Ferrari stock is such that investors who held onto both have made a gain of roughly 60 percent. However, the jury is still out on strategies adopted by the German power companies, which are under pressure from government-subsidised wind and solar electricity. E.ON spun off its fossil fuel operations into Uniper , while RWE carved out its green energy operations as Innogy in an IPO, while still holding a controlling stake. Both parent companies have lost around 60 percent of their value over the past five years. Uniper and E.ON, if still regarded as one unit, would be up 1.2 percent since they started trading separately in September. RWE is down 12.5 percent since Innogy listed in October. ECLIPSE Philips CEO Frans van Houten is an example of a manager who has embraced the spin-off trend. In May, the group floated Philips Lighting, its original business dating back to 1891, allowing the parent to focus on healthcare equipment. Both divisions were "great opportunities with a lot of room to grow (but) both required investment; the commonality was minimal other than the Philips brand," Van Houten told Reuters. Proceeds from the IPO will be reinvested in the high margin health operations while the spin-off, the world's largest lighting company, hopes to have greater access to capital markets to fund M&A. During his career Van Houten has seen Philips eclipsed in value by not one but two former divisions it has spun off: semiconductor equipment maker ASML, and computer chip maker NXP. He left Philips to oversee NXP's restructuring after it was sold to private equity investors in 2006, returning to Philips in 2011. NXP, which had a new IPO in 2010, is now in the process of being acquired by Qualcomm for $38 billion. "Definitely my learning there helped me in my thinking," Van Houten said. After lacklustre performance for most of Van Houten's tenure, Philips shares are up 17 percent year to date. (Additional reporting by Maiya Keidan, Thomas Escritt, John Revill and Georgina Prodhan; editing by David Stamp) By Toby Sterling AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The days of the European conglomerate may be numbered, as activist shareholders are pressing diversified groups to spin off secondary businesses and focus on doing one thing well. Many investors and analysts - and some managers - say that in a world where good returns are hard to come by, breaking up businesses that don't belong together can be profitable. In theory, spinning off business divisions allows the parent company and the spin-off alike to focus better on their respective strategies, while investors tend to value both more highly due to greater transparency. "I think demergers and the destruction of conglomerates isthe next major trend in the M&A market," said Christer Gardell, co-founder of Cevian, a Swedish-based activist investment fund. "The trend has already started, it's going to run for the next 10 years," said Gardell, who is pushing Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB to spin off its power grid equipment division from its robotics and other operations. While some conglomerates such as ABB are trying to hold their businesses together, others are embracing the trend either under pressure from investors or even willingly. A wave of spin-offs through initial public offerings (IPOs) among energy and industrial groups is already underway. Philips of the Netherlands, Fiat Chrysler of Italy and Germany's biggest energy groups E.ON and RWE have all floated major divisions this year. German engineer Siemens has announced similar plans. Companies with many business lines are "mostly toocomplicated, too bureaucratic, too slow, and they usually sufferfrom poor capital allocation and poor performance", Gardell told Reuters. "Obviously for investors to invest in these complicated structures, they require a discount, and usually it's a significant discount." Remove these obstacles, and the need for a discount will fade, Cevian argues. It says ABB shares, which are below 21 Swiss francs, would be worth 35 francs if its separate business arms traded in line with listed peers. Story continues ABB disagrees that it power grids business should be spun off. "As part of the strategic review process, we examined all options for the division. The outcome of the review was clear that the most value would be created through the continued transformation of Power Grids under ABB's ownership," spokesman Saswato Das said. OUTPERFORMANCE Not every spin-off works out for shareholders. However, a JPMorgan study in 2015 of spin-offs in the United States, where the trend began earlier than in Europe, appears to support Gardell's arguments in general. It found that U.S. shares typically rose a relatively modest 2-4 percent against the S&P 500 average when a spin-off was announced. But over the next two years, the combined value of the parent company and its spin-off rose 15-20 percent - with the relative values of both usually rising. Marc Zenner, one of the study's authors, said this U.S. data would show activist investors that there is also potential across the Atlantic to create value through spin-offs. "In Europe one reason why you could see more in the future is that there are more conglomerate companies there," he said. Conglomerates have lasted longer in Europe due to a mix of factors that can insulate managers from unhappy shareholders. These include "poison pill" rules to discourage hostile takeovers and higher levels of family ownership. Some countries also have laws stipulating that managers must consider the interests of employees and other groups along with those of shareholders. Some firms are willing to accept limited change. One such is German industrial group ThyssenKrupp, which is in talks to merge its struggling European steel business with that of India's Tata Steel. However, ThyssenKrupp has so far resisted calls to isolate its most profitable business, making elevators. It also sells car parts, and engineers military ships and chemical plants. The company announced worse than expected profits for 2016last week and a gloomy outlook for 2017, which analysts saidstrengthens the case for a breakup. MANAGEMENT FOCUS OR INVESTOR TRANSPARENCY? Advocates argue that spin-offs do better because smaller companies have a stronger focus and their chiefs have a greater incentive to succeed than division heads. But for investors, the biggest benefit seems to be increased transparency. "When (spin-offs) do work, it is more often the marketvaluing the standalone business more accurately than a strongerclarity of focus by management," said Drew Dickson, managing director of Albert Bridge Capital. Dickson doesn't look for breakup candidates as a strategy. But he said revaluation paid off for one of his firm'sinvestments, Fiat Chrysler, after the group floated its Ferrari sportscar division in October 2015. "The market knew that Ferrari was valuable, but only could answer the question (of how valuable) once it was standalone," he said. Under the deal, Fiat Chrysler shareholders were handed an 80 percent stake in Ferrari in January. While the parent company's shares are down 13 percent year to date, the value of their Ferrari stock is such that investors who held onto both have made a gain of roughly 60 percent. However, the jury is still out on strategies adopted by the German power companies, which are under pressure from government-subsidised wind and solar electricity. E.ON spun off its fossil fuel operations into Uniper, while RWE carved out its green energy operations as Innogy in an IPO, while still holding a controlling stake. Both parent companies have lost around 60 percent of their value over the past five years. Uniper and E.ON, if still regarded as one unit, would be up 1.2 percent since they started trading separately in September. RWE is down 12.5 percent since Innogy listed in October. ECLIPSE Philips CEO Frans van Houten is an example of a manager who has embraced the spin-off trend. In May, the group floated Philips Lighting, its original business dating back to 1891, allowing the parent to focus on healthcare equipment. Both divisions were "great opportunities with a lot of roomto grow (but) both required investment; the commonality wasminimal other than the Philips brand," Van Houten told Reuters. Proceeds from the IPO will be reinvested in the high margin health operations while the spin-off, the world's largest lighting company, hopes to have greater access to capital markets to fund M&A. During his career Van Houten has seen Philips eclipsed in value by not one but two former divisions it has spun off: semiconductor equipment maker ASML, andcomputer chip maker NXP. He left Philips to oversee NXP's restructuring after it was sold to private equity investors in 2006, returning to Philips in 2011. NXP, which had a new IPO in 2010, is now in the process of being acquired by Qualcomm for $38 billion. "Definitely my learning there helped me in my thinking," VanHouten said. After lacklustre performance for most of Van Houten'stenure, Philips shares are up 17 percent year to date. (Additional reporting by Maiya Keidan, Thomas Escritt, John Revill and Georgina Prodhan; editing by David Stamp) Since the election, grassroots Democrats have urged their leaders in Congress to exhibit fierce resistance against Donald Trump and the Republican agenda. The first test will come this week, nearly two months before Trump is inaugurated as president. As early as Wednesday, the House will take up H.R. 6392, the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act. This bill would lift mandatory Dodd-Frank regulatory supervision for all banks with more than $50 billion in assets, meaning those financial giants would no longer be subject to blanket requirements regarding capital and leverage, public disclosures and the production of living wills to map out how to unwind during a crisis. Related: Why Wall Street Should Be Worried About Steve Bannon Instead, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), the new super-regulator charged with monitoring systemic risk, would have to affirm that individual institutions require this enhanced supervision because they could pose a threat to the financial stability of the United States. A vote of two-thirds of the FSOCs 10 voting members would be needed for designation. Eight so-called global systemically important banks would be automatically subject to the standards: Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of New York Mellon, Morgan Stanley and State Street Bank. So this bill, authored by Missouri Republican Blaine Leutkemeyer, isnt about protecting the biggest banks, but the relatively smaller regional players firms like PNC Bank, Capital One and SunTrust. An estimated 28 institutions would be affected. Dont think that just because a nice-sounding regional bank isnt Wells Fargo, this bill makes some sense. Given the extreme interconnectedness of the financial system, relaxing policing of banks with about $4.5 trillion in assets severely hampers overall stability. After all, while the 2008 financial crisis is remembered for the collapse of Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, regional banks like Washington Mutual and Wachovia also came crashing down. Story continues Related: The Worst Banks in America (Wells Fargo Isnt Even No. 1) You can see with this bills framework how financial regulation in the Trump era will be relaxed, not by outright repeal but through deliberate atrophy. Republicans want to replace any mandatory rules for regulation with discretionary ones. That way they can claim that theyre merely improving the system by putting the decisions in the hands of the experts instead of members of Congress. The second step in that process, of course, would be to hire regulators dedicated to not paying attention to anything the financial industry does. In this case, the chair of FSOC is the Treasury Secretary. Two of the rumored selections for that position in the Trump administration have current or former allegiances to banks that would be subject to an FSOC determination on enhanced supervision. John Allison was for 19 years the CEO of BB&T Bank, the nations 15th largest, with $221 billion in assets. Allison, former head of the libertarian Cato Institute, has endorsed a repeal of 95 percent of all financial regulations. Steven Mnuchin, Trumps national finance chair and the most likely choice for Treasury, still sits on the board of directors of CIT, which also carries over $50 billion in assets. Another bank affected by this is Deutsche Banks North American operation, also known as Donald Trumps main lender on commercial real estate projects. Related: Not So Fast, Big Banks! Trump Says Its Not Party Time Yet Does anyone expect that the Trump administration would designate its friends and colleagues and business partners as requiring extra supervision? And the rest of the FSOC board, made up of banking regulators and presidential appointees, would likely share the same laissez-faire philosophy. This will be the modus operandi of the next four years on bank regulation. Why eliminate FSOC or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau when you can neuter them with appointments? Why reverse derivatives trading rules in Congress when conservatives on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission can do it themselves? Why repeal the Volcker rule, which bars many types of proprietary gambling with depositor funds, if you can just not enforce it? President Obama would almost certainly veto this bill, even if it miraculously passed the Senate. But theres a reason Republicans plan to roll it out this week instead of waiting for Trump to enter the Oval Office. They want to gauge just how much Democrats have been cowed by the election loss. Related: Most Voters Disagree With Trump on Just About Everything In fact, the phrase regional banks has a totemic power to turn Democrats resolve to jelly. Wall Street-friendly caucus members have already endorsed tailoring Dodd-Frank rules away from the regionals, even though that phrase minimizes the sheer size of banks with $250 billion in assets. Because Democrats can say that JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are unaffected by this change, you might see them support it. Indeed, in the Financial Services Committee, eight Democrats voted for the bill (while the linked scorecard references HR 1309, the bill is the same; only the number has changed). This is really a moment of truth for those Democrats. If Republicans put up a big bipartisan vote in the House for this, the Senate will be more inclined to try to pass it down the road. And it will serve as a test case for Democratic resolve more generally. Will they submit to donors and lobbyists and play ball with the Trump deregulatory agenda, or will they recognize the harms that would cause? In particular, watch the Congressional Black Caucus posture. Five members of the caucus David Scott, Emanuel Cleaver, Gwen Moore, Terri Sewell and Joyce Beatty voted for this deregulation in committee. Will they follow suit on the House floor? Will they encourage their colleagues to do the same? The CBC has been fighting amongst itself for years over some of its influential members doing their part to dismantle Dodd-Frank, one of President Obamas signature pieces of legislation. At a time when their constituencies in particular are demanding a fight against Trump, will they sell out the economy to the lords of finance? Deregulation historically has never been a partisan game. Democrats and Republicans have typically worked together to roll back rules and open up the Wall Street casino for business. H.R. 6392 could represent a return to those times, or the moment when Democrats join together and say no, forcing Republicans to funnel victories to the banking industry on their own. If I were a Democratic member of Congress, I know what Id rather have on my conscience. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: G.O.O.D. Music rapper Desiigner has been cleared of all charges in his September drug and gun arrest, Billboard can confirm. The M.C. (real name Sidney Selby III) -- along with three co-defendants, Michael Davis, C.J. McCoy and Utril Rhaburn -- accepted adjournments in contemplation of dismissal, or a negotiated settlement that can result in a case being sealed or dismissed. The New York City District Attorney's Office granted the defendant's request to seal the case, according to a source. An NYPD spokesperson told Billboard that the "Panda" hitmaker faced gun and drug charges on Sept. 8, after police pulled over an SUV following an alleged road rage incident. Desiigner and four other passengers were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of drugs with intent to sell. The rapper was also hit with felony criminal possession of a loaded weapon, which was dropped several days after, and menacing. Desiigner's attorneys told TMZ after the verdict, "We're happy he's been exonerated ... and happy with the investigation from the D.A." * Infections hit some 900,000 of 20 mln Telekom customers * German government says its networks also targeted * Routers in Brazil, Ireland, UK also infected, experts say (Adds comment from Brazilian National Computer Emergency Response Team) By Eric Auchard FRANKFURT, Nov 29 (Reuters) - A cyber attack that infected nearly 1 million routers used to access Deutsche Telekom internet service was part of a campaign targeting web-connected devices around the globe, the German government and security researchers said on Tuesday. The revelation from the German Office for Information Security, or BSI, stoked fears of an increase in cyber attacks that disrupt internet service by exploiting common vulnerabilities in widely used routers, webcams, digital video recorders and other web-connected devices. Security researchers said the infections spread to countries including Brazil, Britain and Ireland using a technique similar to one that stopped millions of people in the United States and Europe from reaching websites including PayPal Holdings Inc , Twitter Inc and Spotify on Oct. 21. "It was a global attack against all kinds of devices," said Dirk Backofen, a senior Deutsche Telekom security executive. The BSI said that German government networks were also targeted in Sunday's attack on Deutsche Telekom customers, though authorities said they succeeded in keeping systems online. Deutsche Telekom, Germany's largest telecom company, said internet outages hit as many as 900,000 of its users, or about 4.5 percent of its fixed-line customers. Deutsche Telekom and the German government did not identify other victims, though cyber security firm Rapid7 Inc said it observed the attackers trying to infect routers across the globe. Irish telecom operator Eir and Vodafone Group Plc in Britain use routers that were vulnerable to same kind of attack, said Rapid7 security research manager Tod Beardsley. Flashpoint, a second U.S. cyber security research firm, said it routers were infected in Brazil, Britain and Germany. Story continues Eir said in a statement it was aware of potential vulnerabilities in broadband modems from Taiwan's ZyXel Communications Corp used by about 30 percent of Eir customers. "We have deployed of a number of solutions both at the device and network level which will remove this risk," Eir said. It reported the incident to Irish regulators. Vodafone declined to comment on whether it customers had been infected, but said it was aware of a vulnerability in routers that enables attackers to mount denial-of-service attacks. The Brazilian National Computer Emergency Response Team told Reuters it was analysing the impact of the attack on Brazil, but declined to say how many computers had been infected. MIRAI BOTNET The attacks were launched with software known as Mirai that seeks out vulnerable connected devices, then turns them into remotely controlled "bots" for mounting large-scale attacks that disrupt access to websites and computer systems. Deutsche Telekom executives apologised for the outages, saying the company had provided details about the attack to other network operators and security agencies. Security experts said the problem affected Deutsche Telekom customers using three types of routers manufactured by Taiwan's Arcadyan Technology, which created a software patch that was pushed out to users on Monday. Arcadyan did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment. Security experts said attributing blame for the attacks may prove impossible because the Mirai software had been released on the internet. It is relatively easy to use, which means hackers with relatively few technical skills could be to blame for follow-on attacks, they said. (Additional reporting by Jim Finkle in Boston, Harro Ten Wolde, Ilona Wissenbach and Peter Maushagen in Frankfurt and Caroline Copley, Andreas Rinke and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing Mark Potter, Ruth Pitchford and Lisa Shumaker) By Eric Auchard FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A cyber attack that infected nearly 1 million routers used to access Deutsche Telekom internet service was part of a campaign targeting web-connected devices around the globe, the German government and security researchers said on Tuesday. The revelation from the German Office for Information Security, or BSI, stoked fears of an increase in cyber attacks that disrupt internet service by exploiting common vulnerabilities in widely used routers, webcams, digital video recorders and other web-connected devices. Security researchers said the infections spread to countries including Brazil, Britain and Ireland using a technique similar to one that stopped millions of people in the United States and Europe from reaching websites including PayPal Holdings Inc , Twitter Inc and Spotify on Oct. 21. "It was a global attack against all kinds of devices," said Dirk Backofen, a senior Deutsche Telekom security executive. The BSI said that German government networks were also targeted in Sunday's attack on Deutsche Telekom customers, though authorities said they succeeded in keeping systems online. Deutsche Telekom, Germany's largest telecom company, said internet outages hit as many as 900,000 of its users, or about 4.5 percent of its fixed-line customers. Deutsche Telekom and the German government did not identify other victims, though cyber security firm Rapid7 Inc said it observed the attackers trying to infect routers across the globe. Irish telecom operator Eir and Vodafone Group Plc in Britain use routers that were vulnerable to same kind of attack, said Rapid7 security research manager Tod Beardsley. Flashpoint, a second U.S. cyber security research firm, said it routers were infected in Brazil, Britain and Germany. Eir said in a statement it was aware of potential vulnerabilities in broadband modems from Taiwan's ZyXel Communications Corp used by about 30 percent of Eir customers. "We have deployed of a number of solutions both at the device and network level which will remove this risk," Eir said. It reported the incident to Irish regulators. Story continues Vodafone declined to comment on whether it customers had been infected, but said it was aware of a vulnerability in routers that enables attackers to mount denial-of-service attacks. The Brazilian National Computer Emergency Response Team told Reuters it was analyzing the impact of the attack on Brazil, but declined to say how many computers had been infected. MIRAI BOTNET The attacks were launched with software known as Mirai that seeks out vulnerable connected devices, then turns them into remotely controlled "bots" for mounting large-scale attacks that disrupt access to websites and computer systems. Deutsche Telekom executives apologized for the outages, saying the company had provided details about the attack to other network operators and security agencies. Security experts said the problem affected Deutsche Telekom customers using three types of routers manufactured by Taiwan's Arcadyan Technology, which created a software patch that was pushed out to users on Monday. Arcadyan did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment. Security experts said attributing blame for the attacks may prove impossible because the Mirai software had been released on the internet. It is relatively easy to use, which means hackers with relatively few technical skills could be to blame for follow-on attacks, they said. (Additional reporting by Jim Finkle in Boston, Harro Ten Wolde, Ilona Wissenbach and Peter Maushagen in Frankfurt and Caroline Copley, Andreas Rinke and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing Mark Potter, Ruth Pitchford and Lisa Shumaker) * Attack attempted to commandeer routers to crash internet * Deutsche Telekom says routers made by Arcadyan affected * 900,000 of 20 mln Telekom fixed network customers hit * Outages a result of Telekom network defending against attack (Adds comments from minister, Telekom execs, details) By Eric Auchard FRANKFURT, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Internet outages that have hit hundreds of thousands of Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany since Sunday were part of a worldwide attempt to hijack routing devices, German government and commercial security experts said on Tuesday. Other operators globally were targeted by the attacks and their systems may have been compromised, executives warned on Tuesday at a security conference organised by Deutsche Telekom. They advised network operators to look for tell-tale signs of infected machines, such as blocked customer service features. Deutsche Telekom, Germany's largest telecom company, said the attack caused internet outages for as many as 900,000 of its users, or about 4.5 percent of its 20 million fixed-line customers, but said it was thwarted before it could spread. The attack used malicious software known as Mirai, which last month cut off access to some of the world's best known websites, including Twitter and Spotify. Mirai can turn network devices ranging from webcams to digital recorders to internet routers into remotely controlled "bots" that can be used to mount large-scale attacks against other targets across the internet. "This was not an attack against Deutsche Telekom. It was a global attack against all kinds of devices," said Dirk Backofen, a senior Deutsche Telekom security executive. "How many other operators were affected, we don't know," he said. The German Office for Information Security (BSI) said the attack had also targeted the German government's network but had failed because defensive measures had proved effective. "The BSI considers this outage to be part of a worldwide attack on selected remote management interfaces of DSL routers," the government agency said on its website. Story continues Such remote interfaces, or ports, allow network technicians to fix customers' routers from afar, but have been found in certain cases to expose the equipment to outside attack. Both the attack and rapid recovery exploited this feature. LUCKY BREAK The Mirai malware was modified by unknown attackers to target certain models of routers used in homes and offices, but was thwarted by defensive measures designed to block malware in the Deutsche Telekom network, company executives said. Nonetheless, these defences had the effect of knocking affected routers offline, resulting in Internet outages for nearly 1 million Telekom customers, who rely on these boxes for internet service, voice calling and online TV reception. Telekom executives apologised to customers but warned the massive firepower created by this botnet would have overwhelmed the internet worldwide if unchecked, and still might do so. "You can assume that somewhere in the world this attack will have been successful," Thomas Tschersich, Deutsche Telekom's head of IT security, told experts at the conference. Tschersich said Telekom had notified other network operators around the world and relevant security agencies of what is known about the attack. UNKNOWN ENEMY The outages started on Sunday and continued through Tuesday, albeit with a lot fewer crippled devices. Telekom resells routers from more than a dozen mostly Asian suppliers under the brand Speedport. Security experts worked late into the night on Sunday to isolate the issues among its German customers to three types of routers manufactured by Taiwan's Arcadyan Technology. The companies worked together to create a software patch which Telekom quickly tested and pushed out to users on Monday. Arcadyan did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment. Security experts said attributing blame for the attacks may prove impossible because, while the creator of the original Mirai software showed great sophistication, its release onto the open internet in recent months means even teenaged hackers with few technical skills could be to blame for follow-on attacks. Bruce Schneier, a top U.S. computer security expert also speaking at the Telekom conference, warned of the limited technical knowledge required to mount subsequent attacks: "The first one uses skill, everyone else uses software", he said. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said he did not want to speculate on who was behind the action but noted that the lines between criminal activities and state-backed security attacks can no longer be clearly drawn. "Attacks come from private and criminal organisations, but also from states, namely Russia and China take part in such attacks," de Maiziere said in Berlin, noting that past assaults on Germany's parliament were linked to Russian state-backed hackers. "That still can't be determined for Sunday's event." (Additional reporting by Harro Ten Wolde, Ilona Wissenbach and Peter Maushagen in Frankfurt and Caroline Copley, Andreas Rinke and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing by Keith Weir and Mark Potter) Thirteen tanneries showcase at Blossom Premiere Vision France Targeting the calendar for first fashion collections, the second edition of Blossom Premiere Vision extends its offer to include thirteen tanneries whose materials are aimed at creative, luxury and high-end fashion brands. After a successful debut in July 2016, the second edition of Blossom Premiere Vision will be held at the Palais Brongniart in Paris, France, on December 13-14. Accelerating it growth through an enriched offer, this edition will host the presentations of 31 new companies and 81 exhibitors from Italy, France, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, UK, South Korea and India. The leather industry will be represented for the first time with the participation of 13 tanners who target the fashion and leather goods markets, and whose collections for the spring/summer 2018 include calfskin, lambskin, kid leather, and exotic leathers. The concept of the event was developed by the Premiere Vision fashion team in collaboration with industry professionals (exhibitors, buyers, creatives, and experts). The opening of Blossom Premiere Vision will be accompanied by an online presentation of early seasonal directions on the events website. Barton Brooks continues his incredible surprise journey with his mother, Carla. This time, with a special detour through the lush country of Wales. The death of Carlas husband, Karl, last year left her devastated. So, Barton and his partner, Gregg, decided to take her on a European getaway with 20 stops one for each year she took care of Karl, who suffered a stroke 20 years before he passed away. So far the crew has traveled to Paris, EuroDisney and Switzerland and now Wales! With suggestions from PEOPLE readers, the group first took a castle tour in Northern Wales. Its stunning, were just loving it! says Carla. The travelers then took a lovely road trip though the picturesque countryside. It is so beautiful! says Carla. Barton, Carla and Gregg are headed to Budapest next, and theyd love some guidance on where to go you can leave ideas in the comments section below. Well post a new episode of Carlas Comeback every Wednesday, so be sure to follow all 20 of their adventures here! Back during Star Wars Celebration Europe in July, an enthusiastic Diego Luna gave us a quick dossier on his Rogue One character. My character is Capt. [Cassian] Andor and he works for the Rebellion in intelligence. Hes in charge of a very important mission, and he has to go on this mission with Jyn Erso. Its quite an interesting man. He has lots of secrets. And hes been with the Rebellion for all of his life, and all he knows is fighting for this cause, for freedom. I really admire the guy. The admiration continues to shine through in a new Cassian-centric featurette released Monday (watch above) titled Living in Star Wars. (The videos are arriving at lightspeed with the movie launch just over two weeks away, on Dec. 16.) Its like Ive been preparing my whole life for this, Luna says at the outset, proclaiming his fandom. We then see footage alternating between making-of snippets and images from the final cut. Among them: Luna and Felicity Joness Jyn Erso preparing to embark on the films central mission to steal the Death Star plans from the X-wing hangar on Yavin 4, painstakingly recreated from A New Hope Jyn and Cassian in disguise infiltrating an Imperial base with Cassians droid compadre, K-2SO On location with Alan Tudyk (who provides K-2SOs mo-cap and voice) on a deserted island in the Maldives, which provides the setting for the planet Scarif, site of a gritty Rebel-Imperial skirmish Its a true adventure, says Luna towards the end of the clip. Im here enjoying the ride in a galaxy far, far away. All This Panic, Jenny Gage and Tom Betterton's documentary about two teenage girls coming of age in New York that had its world premiere at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, has found a U.K. home. Dogwoof, the London-based doc sales and distribution company, picked up the film, signing a deal with its U.S. agent The Film Sales Company with plans to release it theatrically and online across the U.K. in March 2017. "All This Panic is a gem of a movie, and we were delighted at the number of people who fell for its charm at the BFI London Film Festival," said Oli Harbottle, Dogwoof's head of distribution. "The film is now achieving great word-of-mouth, and we're looking forward to rounding off our fantastic Q1 slate with this next year." Shot over three years, All This Panic looks at the struggles and trauma of shedding childhood as it follows Ginger and Dusty, two sisters in Brooklyn, along with their friends and classmates as they attempt to navigate high school politics and embrace an uncertain future as adults. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Dogwoof to bring All This Panic to the U.K.," said directors Gage and Betterton. "Their passion and excitement for the film is exactly what we are looking for to bring this film to British audiences." Read more: Sundance: Dogwoof Takes U.K. Rights, International Sales for ISIS-Themed Doc 'Jim' (Exclusive) Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f300751%2fap_553631794244 Dolly Parton's famous Dollywood theme park near the Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee was closed Tuesday as a wildfire ravaged the area and made its way seriously close to the park's border. The legendary attraction, a Parton-themed collection of roller coasters, water rides and other attractions along with a resort and mountain cabins, was expected to remain shuttered through Wednesday, park spokesman Pete Owens told Mashable. Dolly said she was "heartbroken" by the fire, which seems to have spared her domain for now although it did reportedly reach "right on the doorstep." SEE ALSO: Dollywood: Inside the biggest theme park you've never seen More than a dozen cabins were damaged or destroyed in the Chimney Top Fire that spread through the dry Southeast region Monday night. The blaze is part of a larger outbreak of fires in the region caused by unusually mild and dry conditions. Fifty rooms at Dollywoods DreamMore Resort and at 19 cabins at Dollywoods Smoky Mountain Cabins were evacuated. As of Tuesday, the resort is open on a limited basis for "for those in need and for registered guests," Dollywood staff said on its website. YIKES! Wildfires seen early this morning near Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Photo credit: Bruce McCamish. #GatlinburgFire #TNwx pic.twitter.com/f0An3N3GMU Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) November 29, 2016 Owens told Mashable that the last time the park had to close was two years ago for two days because of severe snow and ice. Dolly Parton wrote on Facebook Tuesday that she was praying for the families affected. The fire destroyed many structures in Gatlinburg, about 15 miles south of the theme park, including Cupid's Chapel of Love and the Mountain Lodge restaurant. Story continues The restaurant owners said on their Facebook page Tuesday morning that "the Mountain Lodge might not physically be standing but it will live on forever in our wonderful memories that you have all made possible." A Twitter user, meanwhile, posted a photo purportedly of Cupid's Chapel ablaze taken by a firefighting brother-in-law. Local TV station WBIR is updating a growing list of buildings in the area, many of which were damaged or destroyed. Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg has said that its animals are safe. The attraction will remain closed until evacuation orders in the area are lifted. Tennessee emergency officials reported Tuesday that three people suffered severe burns, almost 12,000 are without power, thousands of residents have been evacuated, roads blocked by trees and power lines remain impassable and most schools are closed. The Associated Press reported Tuesday afternoon that three people have died in the fire to date. A Mexican lawmaker who helps control the nation's policy on migrants said President-elect Donald Trump is right to want to deport Mexicans from the U.S. because they have a "bad reputation." Iris Aguirre Borrego, who represents the Mexican state of Zacatecas, faced removal from the right-wing Social Encounter party for her pro-Trump remarks after many Mexicans have labeled Trump a racist for his anti-immigrant campaign rhetoric. If Trump moves forward with his plans to immediately deport up to 3 million undocumented immigrants, Mexicans only have themselves to blame, Aguirre said. The pushback came after she said the U.S. has become too liberal and that Trump would put things in order, TeleSur reported Sunday. (Leaders in the U.S.) are taking extreme decisions because sadly Mexicans are involved in very shameful activities in the U.S., said Aguirre. I think it's the Mexicans who to take advantage of supermarkets, it's Mexicans who have a bad reputation, and sadly this is one of the consequences, she continued in remarks that seemed to suggest Mexicans were stealing from stores. Aguirre, who sits on Mexico's legislative committee for migrants, said Trump's Election Day victory was necessary for the U.S., to return to the principles of the country that were being lost, that sadly other presidents let happen. After social media users demanded she apologize and began calling her "Lady Trump," Aguirre later said media outlets had manipulated her comments. Trump has vowed to build a 2,000-mile wall between the U.S.-Mexico border and make Mexico City pay for it. He also wants to end the North American Free Trade Agreement, limit remittances that support millions of Mexican families and crackdown on illegal immigration. Annual trade between the U.S. and Mexico is worth roughly $11.2 billion every week. "We have a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we're going to incarcerate," Trump said in a recent interview on CBS's 60 Minutes. "But we're getting them out of our country, they're here illegally." Related Articles Business leaders must now confront a mammoth trend that's just as significant for them as the quickening march of technology. It's the global turn away from socialism in its many forms, away even from classical liberalism, and toward populism. The trend gained momentum over the weekend and could now become one of those epochal turning points, analogous to what happened when John Paul II became pope in 1978, Margaret Thatcher became Britain's prime minister in 1979, and Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980, together setting the world in a new direction. Fidel Castro's death on Friday was heavily symbolic but not just that. While he lived, he cast a broad shadow over his brother Raul's modest efforts to begin reforming the island's pathetic communist economy. He didn't publicly condemn the restoration of relations with the U.S., but he was known to oppose it. No one should expect rapid reforms now; dictatorships don't give up power easily. But the way is finally clear for Cuba, part of the nearly extinct species of truly communist countries, to evolve. Ecuadoran president Nicolas Maduro declared three days of mourning for Castro's death - anything to distract attention from his own economic disaster. An eye-opening report in the New York Times details how over 150,000 Venezuelans have fled the country in just the past year. Their objective: food. Venezuela was one of Latin America's richest countries until Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, turned it sharply toward socialism. Now it's on the brink of starvation, insurrection, and collapse. In a starkly different environment, Francois Fillon yesterday astoundingly won his center-right party's runoff election in advance of next year's French presidential election. Here's a country where government accounts for a higher proportion of GDP than in any other European nation but Finland and where the merest threat of rolling back worker protections sparks violent rioting. Yet Fillon won by promising he will slash government spending, end early pension rights for many in the vast state sector, and raise the retirement age to 65 for everyone. His victory sent France's Socialist party into a panic. The great question now is whether the far-right populist Marine Le Pen will be even stronger in the general election next spring; polling suggests she may well be. Combine the past weekend's news with Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, and rising nationalism in Russia, China, Turkey, and elsewhere, and this looks increasingly like one of those world-historical moments that historians will be studying decades from now. The challenge for leaders will be to assess it coolly, to see the long-term implications, and to reallocate their resources shrewdly. Sign up for daily insights, updates, and opinion on leadership and leaders in the news at the Power Sheet. The big idea to keep in mind is the magnitude of this opportunity. History shows that times of tumult are when the competitive order gets recast, when winners become losers and new leaders emerge. How will your organization make the most of this moment? See original article on Fortune.com More from Fortune.com Donald Trumps inaugural committee is offering huge perks prime tickets, luxurious lodging, access to the president-elect himself in exchange for six- and seven-figure contributions from individual and corporate contributors. Donors in the $1,000,000+ category will receive four tickets to a leadership luncheon billed as an exclusive inaugural event for donors in that category and featuring select Cabinet appointees and House and Senate leadership to honor our most generous inaugural supporters, according to a brochure obtained by the Center for Public Integrity. Theyll also get four tickets to a dinner with Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, and eight tickets to a ladies luncheon billed as an opportunity to meet the ladies of the first families. In addition, theyll receive tickets to a series of other dinners and receptions featuring Trump, Pence and other officials, and eight premier access tickets to a black-tie inaugural ball attended by the president, vice president and their wives. The donor packages offer tickets to Trumps swearing-in ceremony, although the packages include an odd caveat noting that this congressional ceremony is not part of our official package; however, Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) will have access to tickets. The Center for Public Integrity confirmed the brochures authenticity with three sources familiar with the donor packages. Spokespeople for Trump, as well as Tom Barrack, the chairman of Trumps inaugural committee, as well as other members of the committee, could not immediately be reached for comment. Related: Donald Trump inauguration donor packages This story is part of Buying of the President 2016. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. Don't miss another Politics investigation: Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email. The inaugural committee is reportedly attempting to raise $65 million to $75 million to pay for inaugural celebrations. Taxpayers will kick in millions of dollars more to pay for things such as security and the swearing-in celebration itself. Story continues Presidents have taken varied approaches to inauguration fundraising, and theyve sometimes changed the rules from one inauguration to the other. In 2009, for example, President Barack Obama set strict limits on inaugural fundraising, capping individual contributions at $50,000 and banning donations from corporations, political action committees and registered lobbyists. Four years later, Obama lifted the contribution cap for individuals. He also allowed corporate contributions. That year, his inaugural committee reported raising about $43.8 million, a total that included seven-figure contributions from AT&T, Boeing and Microsoft. Trump has decided to accept corporate contributions, but not money from registered lobbyists, according to a report in the New York Times. Lobbyists have also been restricted from working on his transition team. Inaugural festivities let big donors celebrate alongside the new president and mingle with incoming members of the administration. You can tell donors do get something out of it when you take a look at the funding sources, said Craig Holman, a longtime government affairs lobbyist for nonprofit group Public Citizen, which advocates for limiting the influence of money in politics. To throw a lot of money into a big party to welcome a new president, these corporations believe that is endearing them to the next administration. All the donor packages include Priority Booking at Premier Inaugural Hotel(s), allowing donors the chance to book prime hotel rooms (at their own expense, of course, and with a four-night minimum stay). Packages are crafted for donors who contribute at least $25,000 to the inaugural committee, a nonprofit set up to raise money for the celebrations that traditionally accompany the swearing in of a new president. The nonprofit is required to disclose its donors but not until after Trumps inauguration. Not indicated on the brochure? Whether one of those Premier Inaugural Hotel(s) might be the president-elects own newly opened Trump International Hotel, a luxury hotel located five blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and along the inaugural parade route. This article was co-published by Philly.com and Salon. This story is part of Buying of the President 2016. Tracking the candidates, political committees and nonprofits that are making this presidential election the most expensive in history. Click here to read more stories in this investigation. 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. Donald Trump It's time to see if President-elect Donald Trump can follow through on one of the biggest promises of his campaign: keeping two factories that employ more than 2,000 people from moving to Mexico. Last week, on Thanksgiving Day, Trump announced that he was "making progress" convincing Carrier an air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration manufacturer to keep its plants open in Indiana. Carrier announced earlier this year that it planned to close the factories and move manufacturing jobs to Mexico, a change that was estimated to save parent-company United Technologies Corp. $65 million a year, in large part due to reduced labor costs. Carrier confirmed its discussions with the incoming administration, but said the company had nothing to announce at the time. Workers say they're unsure if the apparent negotiations will keep the factory open. T.J. Bray, a Carrier worker who serves as a media representative for the manufacturer's United Steelworkers Local 1999 union, told Business Insider that all workers know "is what [Trump] and Carrier put on Twitter." I am working hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier A.C. Company to stay in the U.S. (Indiana). MAKING PROGRESS - Will know soon! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2016 Trump's attempts to convince Carrier to keep its Indiana factories open represent the culmination of a campaign in which he promised he would prevent jobs from leaving the US. "If I was in office, Carrier wouldn't be leaving," Trump said in a speech at the Indiana Fairgrounds in April, saying that he would impose an aggressive tax on Carrier and other companies moving manufacturing jobs outside the US. Carrier became a go-to example that Trump used to represent problems facing American workers as manufacturing jobs leave the US. Under his presidency, he promised to reverse the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and bring these jobs back to America a promise that helped him win over blue collar, Rust Belt workers. Story continues Now that he has won the election, Trump needs to back up his promises with actions. And, the first signal of if he will succeed or fail to keep these promises is the future of Carrier. Donald Trump Speech While Trump has revealed few details regarding his Carrier plans since the election, there are a number of strategies the president-elect could utilize to convince the manufacturer to keep the factory open. Imposing higher taxes or reducing tax breaks for manufacturers like Carrier that outsource jobs have become common proposed fixes. The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that negotiations with Carrier have also included discussion of tax overhaul that could potentially result in companies' reduced taxation of overseas profits. As president, Trump also has the power to favor certain companies when it comes to government contracts. United Technologies makes roughly $5.6 billion, or 10% of its annual sales, every year from military sales. In both of these strategies, Trump could push for new regulation that applies to all companies that utilize a certain amount of outsourcing, in the form of new taxes or ending the possibility of federal contracts. Alternatively, he could attempt to convince each individual manufacturer to stay in the US through negotiation a tactic that, if the Journal's tax overhaul report is correct, the president-elect seems to be attempting to some degree with Carrier. Trump needs to keep Carrier's jobs in the US, and is apparently willing to work directly with United Technologies to try to make sure that happens. Losing the 2,100 jobs would not only be failing to keep a promise it would require Trump to admit he isn't the negotiator or leader he promised he was. NOW WATCH: Trump makes baseless claim that he lost the popular vote only because 'millions' voted illegally More From Business Insider President-elect Donald Trump tweeted early Tuesday morning that burning the American flag should be a crime punishable by jail time or loss of citizenship. Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag if they do, there must be consequences perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! he wrote. Its unclear what prompted Trumps tweet, but it was sent out at 6:55 a.m., shortly after Fox News aired a segment about a protest at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. About 1,000 veterans reportedly gathered at the school Sunday to protest the colleges decision to remove all flags from campus, including the U.S. flag, after students allegedly burned flags to protest Trumps election. Laws against burning the American flag were struck down by the Supreme Court in 1989 and 1990. In both cases, the Supreme Court declared the right to burn or desecrate the American flag a form of protected free speech. RELATED VIDEO: Donald Trump Falsely Claims He Won the Electoral College and Popular Vote by a Landslide Trumps suggestion that those who burn the American flag should lose their U.S. citizenship as a penalty is also legally untenable. A 1958 Supreme Court decision rejected the practice of stripping U.S. citizenship as a form of criminal punishment. CNN legal analyst Steve Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas Law School, noted: Even if flag burning wasnt protected, it would still be unconstitutional to deprive someone of their citizenship without some voluntary act on their part to renounce their allegiance to the United States or pledge fealty to a foreign sovereign. However, Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller made clear on Tuesday that the president-elect isnt in step with the Supreme Courts previous rulings. Flag burning should be illegal, Miller told CNNs Chris Cuomo. The President-elect is a very strong supporter of the First Amendment, but theres a big difference between that and burning the American flag. Donald Trump and CNNs Jeff Zeleny CNNs full-time Jeff Zeleny, by the way just had what often passes for political debate these days, with the President-elect retweeting a batch of anti-CNN comments after Zeleny called out Trumps unfounded claims of rampant voter fraud. On Anderson Cooper 360 tonight, CNNs senior Washington correspondent Zeleny accurately called Trumps tweeted claims Sunday of millions of illegal votes baseless. Trumps response was to retweet messages that criticized CNN, including one that referred to Zeleny as just another generic CNN part time wannabe journalist. The pro-Trump tweets mostly demanded that Zeleny provide evidence that Hillary Clinton didnt get millions of illegal votes, a prove-the-negative supposition that Trump apparently supported. CNN still doesnt get it, the President-elect added to one tweet. They will never learn! Finally, Trump tweeted a message of his own, saying that CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they dont know what to do. Zelleny, meanwhile, says hes still looking for those illegal votes. And that hes fully employed. Another big topic on cable news today was the seemingly rogue appearances on Sunday mornings Beltway shows by Trump strategist Kellyanne Conway, who repeatedly sniped at Mitt Romney and said his appointment as Secretary of State would be a betrayal of Trump supporters. While panelists on Don Lemons CNN show tonight debated whether Conway had been working in concert with her boss, The New York Times had received a statement from Trumps spokeswoman Hope Hicks indicating Conway had Trumps support. The Trump statement published on the Times website tonight for tomorrows edition reads: Kellyanne came to me and asked whether or not she could go public with her thoughts on the matter. I encouraged her to do so. Most importantly she fully acknowledged there is only one person that makes the decision. She has always been a tremendous asset and that will continue. Story continues But the Times also quotes anonymous sources within Trump Tower saying that Conway had been neither insubordinate nor acting directly on the president-elects instruction. Continues the Times: Ms. Conway was simply doing what she knows Mr. Trump likes: encouraging a public airing of conflicting views when he is unsure of what path to take. In any case, Trump clearly knew what path to take with CNNs Zeleny. Here are tonights tweets as they were blasted "@HighonHillcrest: @jeffzeleny what PROOF do u have DonaldTrump did not suffer from millions of FRAUD votes? Journalist? Do your job! @CNN" Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 "@JoeBowman12: @jeffzeleny just another generic CNN part time wannabe journalist !" @CNN still doesn't get it. They will never learn! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 "@FiIibuster: @jeffzeleny Pathetic you have no sufficient evidence that Donald Trump did not suffer from voter fraud, shame! Bad reporter. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 @realDonaldTrump Good evening! Have been looking for examples of voter fraud. Please send our way. Full-time journalist here still working. Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) November 29, 2016 .@CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 Related stories Harry Shearer Developing Trump-Focused Political Satire Series 'Too Soon?' Donald Trump Proposes Jail For Flag Burners, Triggers Morning TV News CNN To Premiere 'Now More Than Ever' On New Year's Day Ahmad Montazeri was brought up on charges of revealing state secrets and spreading propaganda against the regime after he released a recording of his father speaking out against the mass executions of political prisoners in the summer of 1988. The executions mainly targeted the dissident group known as the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran. The still-banned organization estimates that 30,000 people were put to death in little more than two months. The Montazeri recording, made in the immediate aftermath of the executions, referred to the incident as the greatest crime of the Islamic Republic and declared that the other people featured in the recording would be condemned by history because of it. These other regime figures included Mostafa Pourmohammadi, who currently serves as justice minister in the administration of President Hassan Rouhani. After the release of the recording, Pourmohammadi acknowledged his participation in the massacre and declared that he was proud to have carried out Gods commandment of death for the members and supporters of the PMOI (MEK). In an interview, Ahmad pointed out that the contents of the recording had already been made publicly known through his fathers memoirs and thus could not have constituted state secrets. Nevertheless, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison and was stripped of his status as an Islamic cleric. Ahmad believes that the judge in his case was prevented from acting independently, and that the verdict had been determined ahead of time by the political establishment. This casts doubt upon the prospects of success for his appeal, which he has 20 days to file. Any clemency he might have hoped to earn through that appeal has probably already been offered, albeit informally and without legal basis. The court declared that although the legal sentence was 21 years, Ahmad would only have to serve six of those years. The defendant told IranWire that he believed this to be a ploy to try to convince him that he owed the regime a debt of gratitude. According to the World Tribune, two specific justifications were given for the partial appeal: Ahmads lack of criminal record and the alleged fact that his brother was killed in a bombing by the PMOI (MEK) in 1981. With this statement, the regime appears to have attempted to reframe the discussion of Ahmad Montazeris case, to portray the leading Iranian resistance organization as criminals and not as victims of the massacre about which Hossein Ali Montazeri had spoken out. But to accomplish this end, the regime will have to reframe the discussion about more than just the Montazeri case. The release of the recording brought unprecedented publicity to the massacre, which had been a severe taboo in Iranian political discussions since immediately after the victims were buried in secret mass graves. Now there is a concerted effort underway to launch inquiries into the massacre and to uncover the locations of those graves. And this effort has met with renewed efforts by the regime to crack down on sources of public exposure like the Montazeri recording. One example of this is the case against Mansoureh Behkish, who was recently the subject of an Amnesty International call to action. The human rights organization pointed out that she had lost a sister, four brothers, and a brother-in-law during the 1988 massacre. Now she is facing national security charges over her membership in Mothers and Families of Khavaran, a group that holds commemorative gatherings for the victims of the massacre and other incidents of violent repression, as well as providing support for the families of victims. If convicted of collusion against national security and spreading propaganda against the regime, Behkish will likely be called upon to also serve out a suspended sentence that she was given in 2011 as a result of her activities with Mothers and Families of Khavaran and also Mothers of Laleh Park, which focuses upon victims of repression following the Green Movement uprising of 2009. By many accounts, Tehran has been paranoid about another such uprising ever since the Green Movement was suppressed. The growing domestic and international awareness of the 1988 massacre is certainly a potential motivator for such instability. But the regimes attempts to repress dialogue regarding the massacre are only a portion of the larger crackdown that has been ongoing in recent months and years. Activists, journalists, and even fellow regime officials face reprisals for voicing dissent, as evidenced by media reports on the attempted arrest of Iranian Member of Parliament Mahmoud Sadeghi. On Sunday, the MP temporarily escaped arrest with the help of neighbors and activists, after judiciary chief Sadeqh Larijani issued an order for his arrest. The order reportedly came in response to Sadeghi publicly raising questions about Larijanis financial dealings, involving the apparent deposit of millions of dollars worth of government funds into a number of private accounts. The attempted arrest seems to justify Ahmad Montazeris claims about the criminal justice system being used as a political cudgel, as well as illustrating the overall intolerance of dissent, even in response to actual crimes. The Trump supporter who berated fellow passengers in the name of the president-elect has been banned by the Delta Airlines for life. Read: At Least 76 Killed After Plane Carrying Brazilian Soccer Team Crashes in Colombia Delta chief executive, Edward H. Bastian, said in a memo published on their website which stated: This individual displayed behavior that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers. We must require civility on our planes and in our facilities. The obnoxious tirade was captured on a cell phone video November 22 by yoga instructor Emma Baum. I was shocked, I was shocked he was doing this. I fly all the time, she told Inside Edition. Ive never seen anything like this. The man yelled: Donald Trump, baby! We got some Hillary b****es on here? He also added: Donald Trump! Its your president. Every Godd*** one of you. If you dont like it, too bad. The 21-year-old said the man believed to be a 39-year-old married father of two launched his out-of-control rant before passengers even boarded the Delta flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Baum said she asked the man why he liked Trump so much. She recalled his reaction: He turned around to me and said: You want to know why I like Donald Trump? I got something to say to everyone. I told him I'm gonna videotape this and he said good, I want to see it on YouTube. Its gonna go viral! She says the flight attendants acted quickly and reprimanded the passenger. Read: Recently Engaged Woman and Dad of 3 Among 4 Victims Killed in Air Ambulance Plane Crash The attendants said, can you come with me? They were gone for about 15, 20 mins and he came back," Baum recalled. "We were all shocked that he was allowed back on the plane and then he said this is what you get for being a patriot.'" Story continues After landing in Allentown, Baum posted the video on Facebook where it went viral. The Delta chief executive's memo went to the companys 800,000 employees, a move that Baum applauds. That was a good move on their part," she said. "It sends a message that this is not behavior they tolerate on their aircraft. Watch: Sand of the Free: Giant Sanitation Trucks Redeployed as NYC's New Line of Defense on Thanksgiving Related Articles: In less than two months, President-elect Donald Trump will assume the role of commander-in-chief. His selections for top posts in the White House and the Department of Defense will signal the focus of his national-security apparatus and the means by which it could address the numerous challenges facing the country. One of the most pressing questions for this next administration is the fate of the Third Offset, a strategy geared to ensure the long-term competitive advantage of the United States military. Much of the present discussion around the strategy centers on building futurist technologiesfrom swarming drones and hypersonic weapons to artificial intelligence and human-machine pairing in combatand which combination of them can help maintain U.S. military preeminence for years to come. But as the Trump administration determines the strategys future, it should consider historys lesson that offsets also hinge on the evolution of military institutions and their warriorsnot just the sophistication of their technologies. On the campaign trail, Trump called for an increase in the number of military personnel, ships, and planes, as well as for technologies that can be quickly acquired and fielded, such as cyber capabilities developed by the private sector. But for this approach to create a real strategic offset, it will need to be paired with qualitative organizational and personnel improvements that make full use of technological advances. If innovations are only technological and not structural, the offset cannot be realized. Though past military successes are often viewed only through a technological lens, the U.S. militarys advantage has never been due solely to technological superiority. Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work has clearly expressed this view, noting to a reporter earlier this year that if you ever hear anybody say that the Third Offset is about technology, just tell them that theyve got to be crazy. And as a retired Navy commander and defense and national-security research manager at the Deloitte Center for Government Insights, Ive found this to be true: The United States true advantage resides in its ability to rapidly field and integrate new technologies at a speed, scale, and range that cannot be easily duplicated. Recommended: Donald Trump and the Legacy of Andrew Jackson As such, a critical enabler of offset strategies is the militarys ability and willingnesseven if begrudginglyto fundamentally reform itself to better capitalize on new innovations. This has always been the case. For example, the tank and the aircraft carrier were extraordinary technologies that didnt fully deliver competitive advantages until the military made two major changes: The Army devised new doctrine to employ tanks in concert with its other weapons, and the Navy learned to operate with the carrier as a primary source of firepower. Even now, a nations ability to produce or acquire an aircraft carrierwhich is especially technologically complex and expensiveoffers little advantage until officials figure out how best to use it alongside their other military capabilities. Quickly lost in the romanticization of technology-enabled Cold War advantages, like jet-powered bombers, and the United States combat dominance in the Middle East are the significant military transformations at the institution and individual level that accompanied them. Consider the First Offset strategy in the 1950s. President Eisenhower and his advisers were worried about the implications of the Warsaw Pact, a Soviet Union-led multinational defense agreement that gave the collective a conventional-force advantage over the United States in Europe when it came to personnel, tanks, planes, and other weapons platforms. Recommended: Tom Price's Anti-Obamacare Agenda Attempting to offset the Soviets edge, Eisenhower turned to advances in nuclear-weapon and propulsion technologies that reduced warhead sizes, enabled long-range strikes from airplanes, and facilitated ballistic missiles. His New Look policy, which sought to achieve more security at less cost, bet that the threat of a U.S. retaliatory nuclear strike over long distances was enough to deter Soviet aggression. Because of this, the First Offset is often viewed as a technological achievement of nuclear-weapon miniaturization and delivery. What such a recounting often leaves out, though, is the substantial reform that had to occur to make the New Look possible. The fact is, 10 years before the First Offset, there was no such thing as the U.S. Air Force, the Central Intelligence Agency, the secretary of Defense, or the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. These organizations and positions were created by the National Security Act of 1947 and further refined throughout the 1950sand each was elemental to the success of the First Offset. The Air Forces portion of the military budget doubled from 22 percent in 1949, two years after its founding, to an average of 44 percent from 1955 through the end of the Eisenhower administration in 1961higher than both the Army and Navy shares. This increase in funding is emblematic of the shift in strategy and organizational priorities that was needed to achieve an offset. The Defense Reorganization Act of 1958 streamlined military command authority, a particularly important aspect of the nuclear triad, which consists of U.S. weapon-delivery capabilities from planes, submarines, and land-based ballistic-missile sites. The success of the Second Offset was on display during the Gulf War in 1991 when U.S. forces completely dominated the Iraqi military. Further, there were important personnel-level and social accomplishments that enabled the First Offsets success. For example, the GI Bill educated, housed, and provided economic stability for many World War II veterans, which improved relations between the military and its civilian leadership in a way that paid dividends in the following decadesand helped reshape society by creating a modern middle class. Also, the desegregation of the military was a significant policy shift that was part of the slow dismantling of de jure racial discrimination, an issue that other nations used in an attempt to show the duplicity in the United States commitment to democracy, equality, and liberty. A similar dynamic can be found when examining the Second Offset. By the 1970s, the Soviets had closed the technological gap in nuclear-warhead and missile technologies. So Defense Department leaders instituted a long-range research-and-development program that leveraged advances in digital microprocessors, satellite technologies, and materiel sciences to compensate. Recommended: How to Deal With the Lies of Donald Trump The goal was to dramatically improve intelligence and surveillance capabilities to identify foreign forces, develop precision-strike munitions to target those forces with minimal expenditure of arms, and create stealth aircraft to fly into airspace with a lower probability of being detected and targeted. These advances allowed the United States to project power disproportionate to its force size and also offset the Soviet nuclear force, which had achieved parity with the United States since the First Offset. But the offset was only achieved because of a number of statutory and structural changes in the military. First, the decision to abandon the draft in favor of an all-volunteer force helped to significantly reshape the militarys culture: by not forcing into service those who were disinterested or objected to the present conflict, by increasing the aptitude and skill level of the force because of more selective recruiting, and by improving public opinion of servicemembers as selfless volunteers, particularly after it was tarnished in the Vietnam War. This move was in response to the nations growth and changing demographics, the unpopularity of the Vietnam War and forcing citizens into service, and the disciplinary and training issues that stemmed from compelled service. The higher quality and competence level of the all-volunteer force were better situated to integrate and employ the new technologies available to it. Second, the passage of the Goldwater-Nichols Reform Act of 1986 transformed the military by requiring better integration of military personnel across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. It mandated joint training and assignments for its senior leaders, streamlined the command structure, empowered the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to provide strategic direction for the force and codified his role as a presidential adviser, and accounted for the ability of each branch to use equipment before buying it. And third, the creation of new entities such as U.S. Space Command and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency signaled then-unrivaled expertise and commitment to these burgeoning areas. The success of the Second Offset was on display for the world to see during the Gulf War in 1991 when U.S. forces completely dominated the Iraqi military. Technology alone did not win the day; it required a transformed force to make it effective. These historical examples may provide a blueprint for how a Trump Pentagon can continue with the Third Offset, first announced in November 2014 by then-Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and detailed in a report from the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. In each of the two previous offsets, technological advances were better leveraged because of statutory reform, organizational transformation, and the changes in military personnel. If the Defense Department uses a similar approach now, it can be better prepared to wield this transformed entity to defeat violent extremist organizations, confront and deter nation-states, and operate in nontraditional realms like cyberspacesimultaneously. To be sure, there are provisions in the current Defense Department bill that would make some modest structural changes to the military. But the new administration and department leadership will have to consider what additional reforms are required to achieve the offset thats needed. A Third Offset strategy in the Trump era should look to lessons from previous successes. As is often the case in military affairs, whats past is prologue. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Dozens of protesters were arrested in downtown Los Angeles at a Fight for $15 demonstration on Tuesday, November 29. The protest was one of many being held across the United States on Tuesday calling for a $15-per-hour minimum wage. The protest at Seventh Street and Alameda Street, near a McDonalds, was the first of at least two rallies scheduled in Los Angeles, according to reports. A second demonstration was planned for near the airport later in the day. This video shows police on scene as protesters gathered and blocked the road in Los Angeles. Credit: Instagram/merry_flowers via Storyful The Hague (AFP) - Dutch MPs on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to ban the Islamic full-face burqa from some public places such as schools and hospitals, the latest such move in a European country. "The law is adopted," said the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Khadija Arib, referring to legislation which will also ban burqas, and face coverings just with eye-slits, from public transport. The motion "to ban all clothing which completely covers the face" from government buildings was approved by 132 members in the 150-seat house, including Prime Minister Mark Rutte's ruling Liberal-Labour coalition. The legislation must now go before the Senate for approval before becoming law. It follows similar bans imposed in France and Belgium, and comes amid rising tensions in Europe with Islamic communities. The Dutch cabinet had approved the plan in mid-2015, but decided not to go as far as banning wearing burqas on the streets. It backed the legislation due to the "necessity to be able to interact face-to-face, for instance in places where public services are performed and safety must be guaranteed," the government said. "The government sees no need to impose the ban on all public spaces," it added. Those flouting the ban would face a fine of up to 410 euros (around $430). Safety equipment such as helmets or full-face protection while working, playing sport or "during a festive or cultural event" is not however included in the ban. - Jihadists in disguise? - Supporting the ban was the anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) of firebrand politician Geert Wilders, who is leading opinion polls ahead of March elections. His election campaign appears to have been given a boost thanks to the publicity from his trial on charges of hate speech in a Dutch court over comments he made about Moroccans living in the country. "How do we even know there's a woman under this Islamic textile?" said PVV lawmaker Machiel de Graaf. Story continues "It might as well be a well-trained jihadist who completed his training in Raqa of course," he said in a parliamentary debate last week. Public newscaster NOS said only about 150 women in The Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally. And MP Tunahan Kuzu, who vehemently fought against the draft legislation, said freedom of expression allowed people "to be who they are and dress how they want". "It is reprehensible to exclude these women and isolate them because of a subject anxiety among certain citizens," he said. Several women attended last week's parliamentary debate dressed in burqas. One of them, Karima Rahmani, argued that arrangements to enable women wearing full-face Islamic dress to identify themselves were already in place. "When we go to the town hall we have to identify ourselves, as well as at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport where we have to remove it," she told NOS. "The obligation to identify oneself is already provided for in the law." - 'Not a big social problem' - The Dutch government's advisory State Council body had said it believed issues around the Islamic veil could be solved "without invoking legislation". "From time-to-time there's discussion about it... but it's not really a big social problem," it said in a letter published in mid-2015. France introduced a ban on women wearing the burqa in 2011, or risk a 150 euro fine, resulting in some 1,500 arrests in the past five years. The European Court of Human Rights in 2014 backed the French ban, rejecting arguments that outlawing full-face veils breaches religious freedom. Belgium and some parts of Switzerland have followed France's lead and similar bans are being considered in other European countries. This summer some French towns also controversially banned burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit. Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's parliament on Tuesday approved a contentious bill on the regulation of non-governmental organisations and sent it to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to sign into law. Lawmakers gave the text final approval after making some amendments, the parliament's website said. The amendments were "superficial" and "do not affect the spirit of the law, which is to nationalise NGO work and restrict civil society," said representative Khaled Youssef, who voted against the bill. Critics fear the law will enable authorities to further limit the operations of NGOs already in their sights as part of a crackdown on dissent since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Under the new law, NGOs would be prohibited from activities including carrying out surveys or publishing them unless they are granted government permits. It would require the creation of a "national authority" including army and intelligence representatives who would oversee the foreign funding of NGOs and the activities of foreign NGOs. Those who violate the law could imprisoned for up to five years and fined up to one million Egyptian pounds ($55,564, 52,315 euros), parliamentarians have told AFP. "If this law passes, it would be a farce to say that Egypt allows 'non-governmental' organisations, since all would be subject to the security agencies' control," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. The organisation urged Sisi to decline to sign it into law, and recommended the government puts forth another bill with input from independent NGOs. - 'Government puppet' - If it is signed into law, "it would devastate the country's civil society for generations to come and turn it into a government puppet," UN special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Maina Kiai said in comments published last week. Story continues The proposed law appears to be "deliberately drafted to curtail civil society's ability to operate, and to stifle their ability to freely express themselves," said Kiai. There are more than 47,000 Egyptian NGOs in the North African country, and more than 100 foreign ones, according to the government. "All of this is because there is a small number of organisations that play a suspicious role, and that do receive financing linked with an unclear agenda that could really hide malicious objectives against the Egyptian state," said Ahmed al-Tantawi, a member of the "25-30" group of lawmakers who call themselves the opposition. Officials and security services have aired suspicions since the January 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak that civil society groups were plotting against Egypt at a time of heightened tensions with western countries. Rights groups have repeatedly accused Sisi's government of violations, including forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions. Egyptian and foreign NGOs operating in the country are governed by a strict law which allows the government to supervise their activities and finances. In September a court froze the assets of five prominent human rights defenders and three NGOs for receiving foreign funds in a case dating from 2011. Neither Jill Stein nor Hillary Clinton are realistically expecting the outcome of the 2016 presidential election to change if there are statewide recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Instead, Stein is pushing for contentious and exhaustive recount efforts in each state in part to draw attention to the integrity of the nationwide voting system after a campaign season chock-full of foreign interferences, cyberattacks on the Democratic Party and even a purported hack on electronic voting machines. Stein raised nearly $6.3 million in donations toward her goal of filing for recounts in three key battleground states where Trump won by small margins. "After a presidential election tarnished by the use of outdated and unreliable machines and accusations of irregularities and hacks, people of all political persuasions are asking if our election results are reliable," Stein said in a statement on Monday. "We must recount the votes so we can build trust in our election system." The Clinton campaign defended its support for the recount on Medium this week, calling it more a matter of principle than a last-ditch effort to take control of the White House. Marc Elias, the campaign's general council, noted Clinton's margin of loss in each state is higher than any recount producing a change in results in history. Still, a change in the vote totals in Michigan, Wisconsin or Pennsylvania, no matter how slight, would prove voting in a U.S. presidential election is not as secure as it was once believed to be. Even if the results don't change, the conversation will. By pushing for recounts in states like Michigan and Wisconsin, where Trump won by less than 1 percent, Stein is hoping voters and politicians alike will take a closer look at the country's voting system as a whole, from the typical problems states experience in casting and recording ballots, to the possibility Clinton's election was compromised by international influences. While a recount might not be able to definitively prove electronic voting machines were hacked, the revelation that thousands of votes were submitted incorrectly in either state would shine a light on Stein's belief that the election process needs serious reform. Perhaps the recount shouldnt even be called a recount to begin with. As FiveThirtyEights Nate Silver writes, Lets not call it a recount, because thats not really what it is. Its not as though merely counting the ballots a second or third time is likely to change the results enough to overturn the outcome in three states. ... So what were talking about is more like an audit or an investigation. An investigation that would look for signs of deliberate and widespread fraud, such as voting machines having been hacked, whole batches of ballots intentionally having been disregarded, illegal coordination between elections officials and the campaigns, and so on." RTSKQJ2 Photo: Reuters Stein has already filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin to demand a statewide recount of the ballots is performed by hand. She also filed a suit in Pennsylvania to force a recount in the Keystone state, where thousands of voters are required to file signed affidavits demanding the state perform an official recount. Then theres Michigan, which had been counting votes since Election Day and was the last state to announce its results on Monday, handing Trump the typically blue states 16 Electoral College by 10,704 votes. The late announcement opened a 48-hour window in which Stein will have to file an official recount request in order for the process to begin before the state deadline. Officials in Wisconsin have called Stein's claims of a flawed system unfounded. "If nothing else, this is going to give us a very good audit, its going to reassure Wisconsin voters that we have a fair system, that were not counting illegal votes," Elections Commission chairman Mark Thomsen told CNN. "To say we didnt count them correctly the first time that somehow illegal votes were counted is really inappropriate. I dont think well find in this that our fellow citizens counted these votes (in)accurately Were not counting dead peoples votes." Its unclear if each of the three states will be able to file their recount results by the federal deadline of Dec. 13. If a state begins the process of an official recount and misses that date, they run the risk of not having their electoral votes count. The Electoral College convenes Dec. 19 to cast their official ballots. Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania would have to perform their recounts by Dec. 13 and Clinton would have to flip each state in order for the election results to change a feat that has never happened in American presidential election history. Related Articles Shabnam Madadzadeh, 29, serving a five year prison service, was held for six years in some of the most infamous prisons of Irans criminal justice system. She secretly sent letters from her cells, and through them, drew attention to the conditions she and thousands of other women faced. Paton writes, She called the on UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran to visit Rajai Shahr and Gharchak prisons, where she was held. Madadzadehs plight as a prisoner of conscience was raised by international NGOs and the US State Department before she finally escaped to Europe. Like other prisoners inside Rajai Shahr and Gharchak prisons, Madadzadeh was forced to watch the execution of fellow captives, while living under the threat of death and sexual violence. She was also tortured while in the custody of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. In every moment, second by second you can feel death. The interrogators talk about execution every day and every day you think you are going to be executed, Madadzadeh told IBTimes UK during a telephone interview. Madadzadeh lived in a room at Rajai Shahr that she described as a corridor. 200 women also lived there, they had the use of only two toilets, and unsanitary drinking water. The lights were never turned off, thus depriving the inmates of sleep between brutal interrogation sessions. When I was under interrogation I was physically tortured too. Five or six men surrounded me and as they were questioning me they beat me, pulled my hair and hit my body, she said. Her interrogators hoped Madadzadeh would renounce the Peoples Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI), an opposition group in Iran outlawed by the Mullahs regime and which advocates the overthrow of the Islamist regime. She explained the worst punishment she could receive was to be sent to solitary confinement, but that it was the stories of sexual abuse in the prison which led her to realise she needed to speak out against her jailers, writes Paton. Madadzadeh said, Inside there were girls who were raped by the guards. These girls and these women dont have anyone to help them or to hear them and [the guards] easily raped many of them. She adds, I can still see the face of a girl who told me she had been raped six times by a guard. It was horrible. My heart broke with her and when I was listening I would just cry because I was in prison and I could do nothing for them. Thats when she decided, you should be the voice of these women, because this the way to support these women and to fight the regime. Arash Mohammadi, 25, states that men also face the threat of sexual violence in prison. He recently arrived in Europe, like Madadzadeh, and he described living constant nightmare in which he faced prolonged and vicious beatings and was threatened with rape. The interrogations would last 12 hours, there was a rack that I was put up on and then I would be tortured with beatings and also shocked with electric shocks. There were three interrogators; one to ask the questions while the other two carried on the beatings. Sometimes I would pass out and they would splash water on me until I gained consciousness again and then they would resume. Mohammadi was subjected to eight days of 12-hour-long interrogations, and told he had to denounce the PMOI. Both Mohammadi and Madadzadeh used the beatings to strengthen their resolve against the Iranian government. I believe all of these women were victims of the regime. Without any basic rights for any of the prisoners, Madadzadeh said. Especially for women in Iran. They dont have any rights and they are still without safety or people to help them. Italian car-maker Maserati has confirmed that its first all-electric model will be a version of the upcoming Alfieri. However, it isn't expected in dealerships before 2020. Maserati has unveiled its schedule for the future Alfieri, directly derived from its concept car of the same name. A first model equipped with a V6 engine is slated for release in 2019, with an all-electric version following one year later. Both versions will be based on the 2+2 grand tourer concept unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, paying homage to the founder of the famous brand, Alfieri Maserati. This compact and aggressive concept has a 460hp 4.7-liter V8 atmospheric engine, but the version heading to dealerships will get a V6 engine of as-yet-unknown power. The front bumper spoiler and the rear diffuser are made from carbon fiber with aluminum inserts. On the inside, the spacious driving cabin features TFT displays rather than analog instrument dials. Note that production of the Maserati Alfieri has been slightly delayed, notably because the chassis needs adapting to suit the fuel and electric versions. Photo credit: WCVB From Cosmopolitan A former Massachusetts prosecutor once named one of People Magazine's most eligible bachelors is again facing sexual assault allegations. Gary Zerola was arraigned Wednesday on two counts of sexual assault following an incident that authorities say happened Nov. 10 in Boston. Authorities say Zerola and the victim were acquainted before the incident. He was held on $10,000 cash bail and ordered to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, observe a curfew, have no contact with the victim, and not consume alcohol. The 45-year-old former Suffolk County prosecutor faced three sexual assault charges between 2006 and 2007, but was never convicted. Zerola made People magazine's list of America's Top 50 Bachelors in 2001. His lawyer tells WCVB-TV the case is "based on a foundation of lies." Zerola's next court date is Jan. 4. You Might Also Like Rome (AFP) - An alert and chatty Italian woman, Emma Morano, on Tuesday celebrates her 117th birthday as the last known person alive who was born in the 19th century. Born November 29, 1899, she is the world's oldest living person and the secret to her longevity appears to lie in eschewing usual medical wisdom. "I eat two eggs a day, and that's it. And cookies. But I do not eat much because I have no teeth," she told AFP in an interview last month in her room in Verbania, a town in northern Italy on Lake Maggiore. On a marble-topped chest of drawers stands proudly the Guinness World Records certificate declaring her to be the oldest person alive. The eldest of eight children who has outlived all her younger siblings, Morano knows that this landmark birthday will be an event to celebrate and that people are curious about her. "People come. I don't invite anybody but they come. From America, Switzerland, Austria, Turin, Milan... They come from all over to see me," she said with an amused smile. But she's not sure she will eat some birthday cake, saying "the last time I ate a little, but then I did not feel good". Birthdays aside, Morano is a solitary person. Having left her violent husband in 1938 shortly after the death in infancy of her only son, she lived alone, working in a factory producing jute sacks to support herself. She clung to her independence, only taking on a full-time carer last year, though she has not left her small two-room apartment for 20 years, and has been bed-bound for the last year. While her mind is alert, she is very deaf, speaks with difficulty and does not see well enough to watch television, spending her time instead either sleeping or snacking. Among the plans surrounding the birthday, she is expected to receive some relatives and journalists as well as Verbania Mayor Silvia Marchionini. And in the town at the local theatre there will be a performance of music over three centuries in Morano's honour and also a preview of a romanticised biography called "The woman who saw three centuries". MOHALI, India (Reuters) - England's opening batsman Haseeb Hameed will miss the last two tests against India after sustaining a hand injury during the third test. The 19-year-old, who was struck on the hand in the first innings and did not field in the match, made 59 not out after coming in down the order in the second innings before India secured an eight-wicket victory to move 2-0 up in the series. "He is out of the whole tour, he is going home. A replacement will be called," England captain Alastair Cook told reporters. Hameed made 82 on his debut in the first test and has scored 219 runs in the series at an average of 43.8 to stake a strong claim to be Cook's long-term opening partner. The fourth test in Mumbai starts on Dec. 8. (Editing by Ed Osmond) Washington (AFP) - A string of miscommunications, intelligence shortcomings and human errors resulted in a US-led coalition air strike in Syria in September that reportedly killed around 90 regime forces, the Pentagon said Tuesday. American, Australian, British and Danish planes all took part in the massive air strike, which saw a total of 34 guided bombs and hundreds of rounds of high-caliber ammunition blasted at what were believed to be Islamic State targets. There were "errors in the development of intelligence, as well as missed opportunities for coalition members on duty to recognize and voice contrary evidence to decision makers," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The statement, which followed a six-week probe, marked the US military's first formal admission of fault into the September 17 attack near Deir Ezzor. The US-led coalition is focused on attacking IS in Syria and Iraq, and is eager to avoid getting involved in Syria's brutal civil war. Regime officials have accused the coalition of intentionally killing its troops, but CENTCOM stressed the attack was conducted in the "good faith" belief it was targeting IS. US Air Force Brigadier General Richard Coe, who investigated the case, told reporters the probe had only conclusively counted 15 deaths, but acknowledged the toll was possibly much higher. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group has said at least 90 regime troops were killed. The targets struck included "defensive fighting positions" -- vehicles, tents, tunnels and people -- all of which were thought to be legitimate IS targets, Coe said. "In this incident, we made an unintentional, regrettable error primarily based on human factors in several areas in the targeting process," he said. - 27-minute delay - An intelligence analyst spotted a tank in the region north of Deir Ezzor's airfield and concluded that the vehicle "can't possibly" belong to IS, Coe said. Story continues But his assessment was overlooked or countered because IS had been able to commandeer a regime tank a few days earlier. "It was not unreasonable at the time to come to the conclusion that that was an (IS) commandeered asset," Coe said. The belief the tank was in IS hands led intel experts to erroneously assume the areas it was operating in and troops it interacted with were all jihadists, a mistake known as "confirmation bias." Further complicating matters, the troops being monitored were not wearing recognizable military uniforms or carrying identifying flags, Coe said. Perhaps most significantly, a critical miscommunication occurred when Russian forces called the coalition to tell them the strike was hitting Syrian regime troops. That call, which came in on a special hotline between the coalition and the Russians, was subject to a 27-minute delay because the officer with whom the Russians normally spoke was not immediately available. During that window, almost half of the separate strikes making up the larger assault occurred. As soon as the Russians spoke to their regular point of contact, the strike was called off. No coalition forces have been charged in the incident, and the Pentagon has expressed "regret" but not apologized to the Syrian regime. "In my opinion, these were a number of people all doing their best to do a good job," Coe said. "The decision to strike these targets was made in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement." The strike was conducted by F-16 and FA-18 fighters, A-10 ground-attack craft and drones. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was confident "lessons learned" would be implemented. "When we fall short of our high standards, as happened in this case, we acknowledge our mistakes, we learn from it and that's what we will do after this effort," Cook said. The IS group has since January 2015 besieged the eastern city of Deir Ezzor where more than 200,000 people live. It controls more than 60 percent of the city, the capital of the province of the same name. Brussels (AFP) - EU President Donald Tusk warned Tuesday against using expatriates as "bargaining chips" in Brexit negotiations but rejected a call by British lawmakers to hold early talks on protecting their rights. Eighty British MPs wrote to Tusk saying that Britons living in European Union countries must have their rights protected after Britain leaves the bloc following its June referendum vote. "Just like you, I would like to avoid a situation where citizens become 'bargaining chips' in the negotiation process," Tusk wrote in reply to the British parliamentarians, who had first used the phrase. "For this not to happen, we will need precise and comprehensive solutions, which, other than nice-sounding expressions, will provide citizens with genuine guarantees of security," the former Polish premier wrote. The letter called for the issue to be discussed at the next EU summit in December "to resolve this matter once and for all", but Tusk said there could be no talks of any kind on Brexit terms until Britain triggers the EU divorce process. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will initiate the two-year exit proceedings in March. Tusk said that the EU was ready to start negotiations whenever London was "but that can only happen on the condition that Article 50 has been triggered", and that it remained a decision for Britain. Tusk also lashed out at the British MPs for saying that the European Commission's Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier, had caused "anxiety and uncertainty" by refusing to negotiate with London. "It is a very interesting argument, the only problem being that it has nothing to do with reality. Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit?" he said. In a massive crackdown, police and law enforcement agencies across Europe have seized more than 4,500 website domains trading in counterfeit goods, often via social networks, officials said on Monday. The operation came as Europol, Europe's police agency, unveiled its newest campaign dubbed "Don't F***(AKE) Up" to stop scam websites selling fake brand names online. "The internet has become an essential channel for e-commerce. Its instant global reach and anonymity make it possible to sell nearly anything to anyone at any time," Europol said. "Counterfeiters know it and are increasingly exploiting the unlimited opportunities" the internet offers. But Europol warned that "despite these products looking like a bargain, they can pose serious risks to the health and safety of buyers." In the crackdown, agencies from 27 countries mostly in Europe but including from the US and Canada, joined forces to shut down over 4,500 websites. They were selling everything from "luxury goods, sportswear, spare parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and other fake products," Europol said in a statement, without saying how long the crackdown took. An annual operation run in collaboration with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security, there was "a significant increase in the number of seized domain names compared to last year," said Europol director Rob Wainwright. - Spotting the fakes - As part of the crackdown, Dutch anti-fraud police arrested 12 people across The Netherlands over the past two weeks as they searched homes and warehouses. Most of the raids were prompted by online sales of counterfeit goods on social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram. "This is a relatively new phenomenon in the trade in counterfeit brand names," the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) said in a statement. More than 3,500 items of clothing and fake luxury goods were seized in Holland, including shoes, bags and perfumes purporting to be such brands as Nike, Adidas, and Kenzo, with a market value of tens of thousands euros. Story continues Publishing a guide on how to spot fake websites and social media scams, Europol warned consumers had to be on their guard. "When shopping online, you are more likely to fall victim to counterfeiters," it said as "without the physical product to look at and feel, it can be more difficult for you to spot the differences." It also warned that by using illicit websites online shoppers "are exposing your computer or mobile device to cyber-attacks like phishing or malware." Evan Rachel Wood posted a letter about her experiences with sexual assault, and its so powerful When youre acting in a piece thats as violent and graphic as HBOs Westworld, its tough to totally separate yourself. Some actors use their past traumas to fuel their performances. And thats the case for Evan Rachel Wood, whose personal demons influenced her Westworld character Delores. Evan told Rolling Stone that she draws from her past abuses, which include sexual assault, to influence some of the darker moments on the show. Evan sent Rolling Stone a letter that offered raw details about her experience with sexual assault. Evan also released the letter in its entirety on Twitter, so that everyone can know her story. Evans letter is so sad, but also SO important, and were glad she shared. Evan Rachel Wood released the below note detailing her sexual assault, and everyone needs to read it. Well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to @RollingStone in its entirety. #NotOk pic.twitter.com/0FSP1gsE36 #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) November 28, 2016 Find Evans letter below in full: I started questioning my reasons for staying vague about my experiences as a girl growing up in America. I think, like a lot of women, I had the urge not to make it a sob story, to not make it about me. I didnt have to confirm what happened, what mattered is that shit happened. Bad. Shit. That still affects me to this day. I think, deep down, I also didnt want to be accused of doing it for attention, or told it wasnt a big deal, Or Thats not really rape. I will not be ashamed. I will also not project some false idea of being completely over it because I am so strong. I dont believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer. I certainly cant. Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism. It should be talked about because its swept under the rug as nothing and I will not accept this as normal. Its a serious problem. I am still standing. I am alive. I am happy. I am strong. But I am still not ok. I think its important for people to know that, for survivors to own that, and that the pressure to just get over it already, should be lifted. It will remind people of the damage that has been done and how the trauma of a few minutes can turn into a lifetime of fighting for yourself. Its not that you cant get over it. Its just that you are never the same, or maybe I just havent gotten there yet. So to answer your blunt question bluntly. Yes. I have been raped. By a significant other while we were together. And on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar. The first time I was unsure that if it was done by a partner, it was still in fact rape, until too late. Also who would believe me. And the second time, I thought it was my fault and that I should have fought back more, but I was scared. This was many many years ago, and I of course know now neither one was my fault and neither one was ok. This was all before I tried to commit suicide and I am sure was one of the many factors. there you have it. Story continues That must have been such a difficult letter to write, but we applaud Evan for her honesty. Premiere Of HBO's "Westworld" - Arrivals She offers a message of the importance of sharing these kinds of experiences, but she also makes us all understand why its so difficult. Sexual assault can be SO damaging because, as Evans letter said, so many feel like they were at fault or that they wont be believed. Victims almost worry more about defending themselves than about healing. And that has to stop. We are so heartbroken to hear what happened to Evan, but we are also so inspired by her courage and her honesty. We hope that her words, along with those of so many others the past few months, will finally start to change the conversation about sexual assault. And that they use real experiences to change preconceived notions they may have about rape and sexual assault. We appreciate that Evan Rachel Wood is willing to share her pain to hopefully open peoples eyes. And we hope everyone will listen. The post Evan Rachel Wood posted a letter about her experiences with sexual assault, and its so powerful appeared first on HelloGiggles. Evan Rachel Wood, who currently stars on HBO's sci-fi western hit Westworld and is half of the electro-pop duo Rebel and a Basketcase, revealed in a recent interview with Rolling Stone that she had been sexually assaulted twice in her past. In the Nov. 17 interview, the actress spoke about past abuse that she described only as "physical, psychological, sexual." She later detailed the abuse further in an email to the reporter that she sent the day after the U.S. presidential election. "Yes," she wrote. "I've been raped. By a significant other while we were together. And on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar ... I don't believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer. Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism." On Monday, Wood shared the "confession letter" she sent to the magazine in its entirety. "Well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to @RollingStone in its entirety. #NotOk," she posted with the letter to her Twitter account. Wood, 29, has been open about her bisexuality since 2011 and her suicide attempt at age 22. In her letter, Wood claims the past assaults were "one of the many factors" that contributed to the attempt to take her own life. Westworld has also been in the headlines recently for its depictions of sexual violence. Wood plays Dolores, a highly advanced android at a futuristic amusement park who is almost indecipherable from a human being and is often victim to the violent urges of the visiting guests. The pilot episode shows her being dragged against her will into a barn by the murderous Man in Black (Ed Harris). Wood defended the show's violence to The Hollywood Reporter, saying, "I don't like gratuitous violence against women at all, but I would wait for the context in which it's being used. As the show progresses, the way it's being used is very much a commentary and a look at our humanity and why we find these things entertaining and why this is an epidemic, and flipping it on its head." Story continues The actress is also aware of the stigma many women face when coming forward with their experiences with sexual assault, addressing them in her letter. "I think deep down, I also didn't want to be accused of doing it for attention," she wrote, adding, "I will not be ashamed." Read her letter in its entirety below: Well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to @RollingStone in its entirety. #NotOk pic.twitter.com/0FSP1gsE36 - #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) November 28, 2016 This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter They write, As leaders of vibrant Iranian-American communities in California, Texas, and Missouri, we are sometimes amazed, but not really surprised to see how often our campaign for democratic change by the people of Iran, in favor of a free Iran, has come under fire. After all, we seek to oust the worlds number-one state-sponsor of terrorism and leading per capita executioner of its own citizens, a goal which certainly serves American national security interests. Their cause, however, doesnt serve the interests of the apologists for the Iranian regime, or the regimes lobbyists in Washington. They say that lately theyve been disturbed by the defamatory propaganda targeting former U.S. officials who addressed scores of conferences and seminars we organized on U.S. policy on Iran. Because they came to the U.S. after enduring hardship at the hands of the ruling theocracy, they care more deeply than most about U.S. Iran policy. Many Iranian-Americans lost family members under the repressive policies in Iran, and have relatives among the ranks of the main Iranian opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). For nearly a decade they MEK had the protection of U.S. Military in Iraq, but after the U.S. withdrawal, they were targeted by Iranian regime sponsored terrorist attacks in Camps Ashraf and Liberty in Iraq. Fortunately, they were safely resettled in Europe earlier this year. Because of our personal histories, we also appreciate the freedoms and opportunities of life here in the United States perhaps more deeply than most. Our communities members are generally very successful, taxpaying professionals, committed to paying it forward, and using our good fortune to promote the secular, democratic, and non-nuclear Iran that best serves the interests of our homeland, Iran, and our new home, the United States. We have been privileged to enjoy the support of many patriotic American leaders who helped our communities inform U.S. policy-makers and the public about the threats posed to this country by the epicenter of Islamic extremism and the central banker of international terrorism, namely, the clerical regime in Iran, they write, and add that, After three decades of time-consuming, tiring, and sometimes demanding work in our Congressional districts and trips to Washington, phone calls to our representatives, meetings, and letters, our campaign now enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. We are honored to have sponsored conferences and seminars, in the course of which we hosted more than 80 distinguished and patriotic former officials, including Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Govs. Howard Dean and Ed Rendell, and Ambassador John Bolton, whose names have been mentioned in the media recently. The events where these officials spoke are protected by First Amendment rights under the United States Constitution and are therefore consistent with U.S. law. Dozens of the speeches were broadcast into Iran via satellite, and made public through traditional and social media. The authors agree, It is our hope that they helped make millions of ordinary people in Iran aware of the falsity of the narrative propagated by the ruling mullahs,that America is the Great Satan. They take great pride in the fact that Iranian-American community members shouldered the costs of organizing and facilitating these events, and avow to continue doing so. They say that in the interest of transparency, they fully cooperated with the Treasury Departments thorough review of activities that began in 2012 until the Department sent its final enforcement response, in 2013, when the Treasury Department stated that it had completed its review and cited no violations. Iranian-Americans are loud and proud about the work we have accomplished, about the distinguished officials who have joined us in our call for policy change, about the support we have received from our Congressional representatives, and most of all about the alarm bells we have set off in Tehran, they conclude. Photo credit: Instagram From Town & Country You know a meme's gone viral when American royalty gets involved. Over Thanksgiving, the Kennedy family gathered at their famed compound in Hyannis Port to celebrate the holiday. While there, they decided to give the Mannequin Challenge a try, and fortunately for us, Kick Kennedy posted the whole thing on Instagram (because if you don't share the Mannequin Challenge, did it even happen at all?) We counted at least 30 participants in the video, with faces like Robert Kennedy Jr. and Ethel Kennedy alongside the younger generations. Let's just say that signature family jawline was out in full force. Watch the whole thing go down here: The Kennedys weren't the only ones giving the meme a try over the weekend. Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, posted her version of the viral video as well, to much fanfare: [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Stories" customtitles="Kick%20Kennedy's%20Favorite%20Family%20Stories%20%7CThe%20Young%20Kennedys%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20%7CT&C%20Modern%20Swan:%20Princess%20Olympia%20of%20Greece" customimages="||" content="article.8428|gallery.2178|article.7267"] You Might Also Like Photo credit: NASA/JPL From Popular Mechanics After 12 years orbiting Saturn, including multiple mission extensions, the Cassini spacecraft will soon meet its doom by plummeting into the planet it has so longingly investigated. Launched in October 1997 and arriving at Saturn seven years later, Cassini has proven the gift that keeps on giving, operating in Saturn's orbit three times longer than originally planned. It's discovered water geysers erupting from the surface of the moon Enceladus and deposited the Huygens lander on the mysterious moon Titan to discover its vast lakes of methane. Cassini also beamed back invaluable information about the composition and structure of Saturn, its rings, and its moons for over a decade. But the fuel is running out, so NASA will crash the spacecraft into Saturn rather than risk it impacting one of the planet's pristine, potentially habitable moons. On Wednesday November 30, Cassini will use a gravity assist around Titan to enter a set of 20 daring and close orbits that will fling the spacecraft around Saturn's poles, skirting the edges of the planet's outer rings and attempting to obtain particle samples from the rings along the way. In April of next year, the spacecraft will adjust its orbit to fly in between Saturn and its rings, flying as close as 1,012 miles over the cloud tops for 22 more orbits. Finally, on September 15, 2017, at 8:07 a.m. ET, Cassini will make its final dive into the clouds of Saturn, transmitting its last bits of data as it burns up in the thick alien atmosphere. Godspeed Cassini, and farewell. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="The%20Triumphs%20of%20Cassini" customtitles="NASA's%20Stellar%20Saturn%20Explorer%20Has%20One%20Year%20Left%7CCassini%20Will%20Taste%20the%20Oceans%20of%20Enceladus%7CFlooded%20Canyons%20Discovered%20on%20Saturn's%20Moon%20Titan" customimages="||" content="article.20577|article.17958|article.22266"] Story continues h/t The New York Times You Might Also Like Hirotake Ooka does not do anything by half. For nearly two decades the former Japanese chemist has been on a quest to make the very best and most natural French wine possible. But he hasn't made it easy for himself. His modest vineyards on a hill near Cornas, where the mountains of the Ardeche drop into the Rhone valley, is not so much steep as vertiginous. Which means not only that his grapes must be picked by hand but that he and his pickers are often forced to perform the backbreaking task on their knees, grape by grape. With most parcels of land in this dry corner of south central France passed down from father to son, Ooka had to carve his vineyards out of a wooded hillside, before planting his syrah vines in the granite soil. But it was perhaps destiny that Ooka should land there -- his surname means "big hill" and he duly named his estate "Domaine de Grande Colline". An old French maxim has it that to make good wine, the vines must struggle. And just like them, Ooka has suffered in his almost fundamentalist pursuit of "vin nature", the most organic wine possible. Yet despite the worst that nature could throw at him -- he lost 90 percent of his harvest in 2013 to "black rot" and nearly two-thirds this year to mildew -- Ooka has become one of the most respected natural wine makers in France. "My philosophy is to make a wine just with the grapes, without yeast, sugar or sulphites. In the vineyard as well, I like to do the most natural things possible," he added, letting the grass grow under his vines and encouraging as much biodiversity as possible. - Lashed to a harness - Part of his quiet, maniacal dedication to the precision and authenticity means he crushes his red grapes himself with his bare feet, lashed to a harness in case he drowns in the vat. "Crushing them with my feet I learn a lot about their aroma, temperature and the speed of fermentation," he said. Story continues "I wear the harness because it's dangerous with all the carbon dioxide that escapes -- it would only take a little for me to pass out and drown." Ooka, 42, discovered wine on his first visit to France 20 years ago. "In Tokyo I drank beer, I thought wine was too snobby," he told AFP. But his road to Damascus came with the opening of a bottle of claret he bought for his father. He returned to France and trained to be a winemaker among the great wineries of Bordeaux. But he soon realised that the wine he wanted to make was not possible amid the monoculture of villages given over totally to wine. He wanted his vines to benefit from the biodiversity of being next to trees and vegetable patches. - 'More extreme than us' - "He is a lot more extreme than us in the way he looks after his wines -- he's a real non-interventionist," said Thierry Allemand, one of the pioneers of the vin naturel or vin nature movement, with whom Ooka also trained. Some of the other local winemakers "do not understand his way of doing things", Allemand admitted. But few dispute the quality of his wine. Allemand described it as "very well made, fresh and long in the mouth", even if Ooka is still searching for the perfect equilibrium after only five harvests at Cornas. Half of the 30,000 bottles a year he produces are exported to Japan, although with this year's poor harvest he is having to buy in some of his grapes from his organic neighbours in Saint Peray and Saint Joseph. Ooka is one of just a handful of Japanese winemakers in France, with the young Kenjiro Kagami also beginning to make a name for himself -- also with vin nature -- in the Jura region. But his success has also come at a personal cost. His wife and three children are moving back to live in Japan, although he intends to divide his time between the two countries. And one day he hopes to found his own domain in Japan. But until then his commitment to making his wine in France is total. When he first decided to give up chemistry for winemaking, he initially thought about going to California. "But the Americans learned how to make wine from the French, so I decided to go straight to France, even through I didn't speak French," he said. "All the great wines are there and it is beautiful too." (Reuters) - U.S. Republican President-elect Donald Trump holds more meetings on Monday and Tuesday as he continues to form his administration before taking over from Democratic President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. He was scheduled to meet with the following people, according to his transition team: MONDAY FRANCES TOWNSEND * A former adviser on homeland security to former U.S. President George W. Bush PAUL ATKINS * A former commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission * Member of Trump's transition team overseeing independent agencies, including the SEC. KATHLEEN WHITE * A former head of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, now with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a free-market think tank. * Has been mentioned as a possible chief of the Environmental Protection Agency. DAVID PETRAEUS * Retired four-star general and former director of the CIA under President Barack Obama until his resignation in 2012 over an extramarital affair, after which he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for mishandling classified information * Has been reported as a possible pick for secretary of state. DAVE STEWARD * Chairman of World Wide Technology Inc, an information technology and supply chain logistics firm described as one of the largest African-American-owned businesses in the United States. SCOTT PRUITT * Republican attorney general of Oklahoma* Reported to be a possible candidate to head the Environmental Protection Agency. DAVE CLARKE * Sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin * A strong Trump supporter, Clarke, who is black, had criticized protests that erupted in Milwaukee after a 23-year- old man was shot and killed by police in August. JOHN ALLISON * Former CEO of regional bank BB&T and former CEO of the Cato Institute. * Reported to be under consideration to head the U.S. Treasury Department. SANDEEP MATHRANI * Chief executive officer of Chicago-based real estate investment firm General Growth Properties Inc TUESDAY MARSHA BLACKBURN * Republican congresswoman from Tennessee. PETE HEGSETH * Veterans advocate who was formerly executive director of Vets for Freedom and a former counterinsurgency instructor in Afghanistan. MARION BLAKEY * President and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America and former CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, a defense industry trade group. * Former Federal Aviation Administration administrator under President George W. Bush BOB CORKER * Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Tennessee Republican MIKE MCCAUL * House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security chairman, Texas Republican LOU BARLETTA * Republican congressman from Pennsylvania, member of the House Committee on Homeland Security MITT ROMNEY * Republican presidential candidate in 2012 who was highly critical of Trump during the election * Considered a potential pick for secretary of state (Reporting and Writing by Eric Walsh; Editing by Susan Heavey) For the first time in more than fifty years, a U.S. commercial flight landed in Havana, Cuba, on Monday, the Associated Press reported. The scheduled flight took off from the Miami International Airport just days after the death of former leader and Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro. Cubans and Cuban-Americans both celebrated and mourned his death at age 90 throughout the weekend and into Monday. American Airlines operated the flight that will be part of four daily trips to Cuba from Miami, according to the same report. I had the privilege of joining the passengers and crew on that flight this morning as it left Miami and made the one hour journey across the Florida Strait, marking another important milestone in our ongoing efforts to reengage with Cuba, Deputy Secretary of Transportation Victor Mendez said in a statement. First daily direct flight from Miami airport to Havana takes off https://t.co/Y9GszmIskw pic.twitter.com/WUJMAgxU7e News 6 WKMG (@news6wkmg) November 28, 2016 While airlines flew commercial planes to other cities in Cuba earlier this year, Mondays flight was the first U.S. commercial flight to land in the capital. These commercial flights have been part of a thawing of U.S.-Cuba relations championed by President Barack Obama. Related Articles ANKARA (Reuters) - Twelve people, including eleven teenagers, were killed when a fire swept through a girls dormitory in the southern Turkish province of Adana on Tuesday, officials said. The fire, which broke out in a dormitory housing middle and high school students, may have been caused by an electrical fault, Omer Celik, a senior government official who represents the province in parliament, told broadcaster CNN Turk. At least twenty-two other girls were injured, Celik said. Also among the dead was a woman who worked at the dormitory. The dormitory housed impoverished girls whose families coming from nearby villages where there are no schools, Elif Dogan Turkmen, an opposition parliamentarian, told CNN Turk. Television footage showed a blaze rising from the rooftop of a multi-story building and teams of firefighters working to put it out. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by David Dolan) The U.S. Representative Office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran recently published an article aimed at dispelling myths about the MEK, and providing some facts about this organization. The State Department designated the MEK as a Foreign Terrorist Organization NOT because MEK engaged in terrorism, but rather, as a senior Clinton Administration official quoted to the Los Angeles Times, a goodwill gesture to Tehran and its newly elected moderate president, Mohammad Khatami. A year later, in 1998, a bi-partisan House Majority letter rejected the designation as a wrong headed policy, and described the MEK as a legitimate resistance movement. This led to a House resolution being introduced with 99 bi-partisan co-sponsors, calling for the removal of the FTO designation. U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit, found no evidence of terrorism, and gave a deadline to Secretary Clinton, leading to the September 2012 delisting. The MEK has been blamed for the death of U.S. military officers and contractors in Iran between 1973 and 1976. However, independent studies published by the University of Baltimore, DLA Piper, and the Iran Policy Committee, using newly declassified information, newspaper reports, and interview with U.S. Government officials and the survivors, have proven that the murders that took place four decades ago were NOT related to the Mujahedin-e Khalq. All MEK leaders and officials and ninety percent of its cadres were arrested between September and November 1971 by the Shahs SAVAK. All members of MEK central committee, including its founders, were executed by June 1972 (13 months before the first U.S. officer was killed in Tehran). In 1972, a bloody coup was carried out within the organization. The leaders of this splinter group were responsible for the assassination of the Rockwell Contractors in Iran. U.S. military officers also testified before Congress that after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the U.S. Government carried out a 16-month investigation the MEK members based in Camp Ashraf in Iraq. They found no evidence that connected members of the MEK to the killing of the Americans in the 1970s. The U.S. Government then recognized all the MEK members as protected persons under the 4th Geneva Convention, and the U.S. military fully protected them. The MEK did NOT support the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. They played no role in the US Embassy occupation in 1979. The hostage crisis was created by the regimes then-Supreme Leader Khomeini to consolidate power for the clergy, purge all liberal elements from the government, suppress secular opposition. On on the fifth anniversary of the embassy takeover, November 4, 1984, then-Chief Justice Ayatollah Abdol Karim Moussavi-Ardebili spoke on Tehran Radio. He said, [The embassy takeover] brought about the fall of the Provisional Government, the isolation of the liberals and the confusion of left wing groups and the [MEK] and exposed their real faces. As Imam Khomeini said, this revolutionary move was greater than the first revolution. In his book, The Iranian Mojahedin, Ervand Abrahamian, wrote that the MEKs criticisms of the regime at the time included: Engineering the American hostage crisis to impose on the nation the medieval concept of the velayat-e-faqih. To support the last accusation, they [the MEK] published articles revealing how the student hostage-takers were linked to the IRP [ruling Islamic Republic Party]; how the Pasdars [Revolutionary Guards] had facilitated the break-in; and how those who had refused to toe the IRP line were forced out of the compound. The MEK did NOT participate in the suppression of the Iraqi Kurds following the 1990 Persian Gulf war. The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) is the source of this allegation. In his 1999 letter to a court in the Netherlands, Hoshyar Zebari, then-foreign policy spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq (KDP) and later-to-become Iraqs Foreign Minister, wrote, (We) can confirm that the Mujahedeen (sic) were not involved in suppressing the Kurdish people neither during the uprising nor in its aftermath. We have not come across any evidence to suggest that the Mujahedeen have exercised any hostility towards the people of Iraqi Kurdistan. In 1995, an official United Nations document also refuted those allegations. From our independent investigation and discussion with parties involved, we find these allegations false, wrote International Educational Development, a non-governmental organization with consultative status with UN. The MEK ideology is NOT Marxism or a synthesis of Islam and Marxism, but rather a moderate Shiite Muslim movement. The origins of the Islamic-Marxist label dates back to early 1970s, when SAVAK tried to tamp down the organizations growing popularity among young Iranians. The Iranian scholar Afshin Matin-Asgari described it as an ingenious polemical label used by the Shahs regime to discredit its enemies. In a Washington Post op-ed, on August 19, 1981, former Undersecretary of State George W. Ball wrote, The sloppy press habit of dismissing the Mujahedeen as leftists badly confuses the problem. Masud [Massoud] Rajavi is the leader of the movement. Its intention is to replace the current backward Islamic regime with a modernized Shiite Islam drawing its egalitarian principles from Koranic sources rather than Marx. U.S. military commanders who worked with the MEK in Camp Ashraf testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee in October 2015 that the MEK is not communist; rather it is Muslim. The MEK is NOT a cult-like organization with little support inside Iran. The fact is, that Tehran embarked on a multi-million-dollar campaign to demonize the MEK by describing it as a cult in an attempt to justify western policy of appeasing Tehran. The head of a security minded think-tank told the media that he was offered $80,000 by a man tied to Irans mission in Canada They wanted me to publish a piece on the Mujahedin-e Khalq to label it as a terrorist cult. The same U.S. military officers in day-to-day contact with the MEK in Camp Ashraf also testified before Congress that they had seen no cult like behavior. The movement has had extensive presence in Europe and availed very open access to the media and the public. It organizes its annual rally in Paris attended by over 100,000 as well as public events in its main headquarters in Auvers-sur-Oise near Paris. The movement emerged as the leading opposition movement shortly after the 1979 revolution, and the regime view the MEK as an existential threat due to its support at home among a vast majority of the Iranian population, especially the youth. MEKs modern, tolerant and democratic view on Islam has been the antithesis to the Islamic fundamentalists and the velayat-e faqih system. The MEK has been the main victim of repression in Iran. In summer 1988, the Iranian regime, by direct order of Supreme Leader Khomeini, massacred 30,000 political prisoners, most members of MEK. Over 100,000 of its members have been murdered since 1981, and many of its supporters are currently jailed in prisons across the country. Most of those arrested and sentenced to death after the summer 2009 uprising in Iran, belonged to the MEK. The MEK did NOT pay former US officials and Treasury to launch an investigation. In 2012, the Treasury Department launched an investigation into Iranian American citizens who, in exercising their first amendment rights, had organized conferences and seminars in which former US officials spoke. After more than a year of investigation, Treasury Department sent letters to the communities, informing them that it had completed its review of the case and that no laws had been violated. The pro-Iranian regime lobby in Washington failed to silence those who spoke in favor of a firm policy against the Iranian regime. After President-elect Donald Trump met with President Barack Obama for the first time after his election in November, he offered some conciliatory words about the outgoing presidents signature domestic achievement, the Affordable Care Act. Acknowledging that many elements of Obamacare are popular, he suggested that parts of the law might remain in place rather than being torn up root and branch as many Republicans have demanded. But whatever hope Trumps words held out for the law should probably be considered dashed by the news Monday night that he has selected Georgia Rep. Tom Price to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Related: Trump Cant Make America Great If He Kicks the Medicare Can Down the Road Currently the chair of the House Budget Committee, Price has been one of the most ardent opponents of Obamacare in Congress and is one of the few Republicans who has gone beyond simple calls for repeal of the law to develop actual alternative proposals. An orthopedic surgeon, Price is among the most politically and socially conservative members of Congress. He associates himself with the Tea Party movement and has served as the head of the conservative Republican Study Committee. In a statement released early Tuesday morning, Trump said, Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on healthcare policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity. He said Price is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American. Calling the nomination an honor, Price said, I am humbled by the incredible challenges that lay ahead and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people. Related: Replacing Obamacare: Here's How Republicans Can Fix Medicaid Prices own plan for an Obamacare replacement, the Empowering Patients First Act, combines long-time conservative policy preferences in an attempt to create a more market-based system for delivering healthcare. The proposal would offer tax credits to offset the cost of purchasing health insurance policies and would provide funding to the individual states to subsidize a high-risk pool for people whose health status makes them ineligible for typical health insurance programs. Story continues The Price plan would allow business and professional associations to form large insurance pools that could offer coverage to their members, and would also allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines. Price has also called for restrictions on medical malpractice lawsuits and has proposed changes to the way doctors deliver care to Medicare-eligible patients, potentially allowing them to charge more than the plan allows. Prices nomination is certain to raise protests from multiple interest groups across the country. His strong stance against abortion puts Price at odds with many groups that support a womans right to choose to end a pregnancy. (He has voted in favor of laws that include exceptions for rape, incest, and an immediate threat to the life of the mother.) Price is also an opponent of gay rights, and for several years running, his voting record has received a score of zero from the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for homosexual equality. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: (The following statement was released by the rating agency) SINGAPORE/JAKARTA, November 29 (Fitch) Biodiesel demand in Indonesia is likely to continue rising in 2017, after tripling in 2016. However, this is unlikely to lead to higher average crude palm oil (CPO) prices in 2017, relative to current levels, due to higher CPO output following improved weather conditions, says Fitch Ratings. Higher biodiesel usage is an important factor behind improving CPO prices in 2016, as CPO is the main raw material for biodiesel. Indonesian biodiesel consumption over the year to end-October 2016 tripled on an annualised basis from 2015, rising to 2.16 million kiloliters (kl) from 0.86mn kl, according to the Indonesia Estate Crop Fund. Fitch estimates that Indonesia's higher biodiesel consumption contributed to over half of global CPO demand increase in 2016, even though CPO inputs for Indonesia's biodiesel are only 4% of total global consumption. The increase in biodiesel consumption follows a government push under its B20 programme, which mandates that biodiesel should be blended with diesel in the ratio of 20:80 in 2016, an increase from the 15% blending in 2015. The government aims to increase biodiesel consumption to 5.5 million kl in 2017, from its 2.9 million kl target for 2016. Assuming other demand components show steady growth, we expect global CPO demand to increase by 3 million to 4 million tonnes (t) in 2017. However, global CPO output should rebound by around 6 million t in 2017 after a weak 2016 to outpace demand, as dry weather conditions due to El Nino have dissipated. The higher output should gradually replenish inventories during 2017, but given current low inventory levels, the effect of higher production on prices should be more visible in 2H17. Overall, we expect CPO prices at around USD660/t in 2017, slightly lower than current levels of USD670/t, but better than the 2016 average price of USD635/t. Contact: Akash Gupta Associate Director +65 6796 7242 Fitch Ratings Singapore Pte Ltd. One Raffles Quay South Tower #22-11 Singapore 048583 Rufina Tam Associate Director +62 21 2988 6813 Media Relations: Leslie Tan, Singapore, Tel: +65 67 96 7234, Email: leslie.tan@fitchratings.com. 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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 Florence Henderson was known for playing the lovable matriarch on the 1970s ABC series The Brady Bunch, but the actress, who died Nov. 24 of heart failure at age 82, had a much bigger range, says director Srikant Chellappa. He cast her as an accidental killer in Grandmothers Murder Club, her final film (which is now seeking a distributor). He spoke to THR about working with her on the movie, also starring Pam Grier and Judge Reinhold, which shot in the St. Louis area in 2015. "Grandmothers Murder Club is a dark comedy about four church-going Southern old ladies who are conned out of a house by one of their son-in-laws. Florence's character is the lead protagonist, who ends up accidentally killing him. I was looking for someone who had had a successful career but would play a different role that they were known for in the past." 'Grandmothers Murder Club' "This was the antithesis to her role in The Brady Brunch. She signed on right away. On set, I noticed that she had this ability to put everyone around her at ease. We were shooting in St. Louis, and a lot of my team had never worked with big actors before, so they were a little intimidated when we cast Florence and Pam Grier. But she just put everyone at ease. She took care of everyone on set, buying them food. She took all the PAs out to lunch. She loved spicy food and would always bring back Thai food for everyone." Florence Henderson and Srikant Chellappa on the St. Louis set of 'Grandmothers Murder Club' "I remember when my producer Daniel Byington went to pick her up from the airport, he asked her, 'Which carousel is your baggage in?' and she just looked at him straight in the eyes and told him, 'We just met. Why are you bringing up my old baggage? I didn't ask about your baggage.' She was funny, and had that ability with situational comedy. She would make raunchy jokes on set, which is not something we expected. "After having her on the set, I have to say that I was surprised that she wasn't in more films with different roles and different characters. She has the range. She was in a few made-for-TV films, but they didn't do her justice. I feel sad that she did not get the range of material that she deserved." Read more: 'Dancing With the Stars' Cast Pays Tribute to Florence Henderson Cologne (Germany) (AFP) - The head of Ford in Europe demanded a fair deal from Britain over Brexit on Tuesday, saying it should not be disadvantaged in any rush to secure a stable footing. The comments from Jim Farley follow apparent assurances Nissan received from the British government in October over the future of the Japanese company's Sunderland plant. In an interview with AFP, Farley described Brexit as "a significant headwind" but said his team was "staying very close to the British government" to avoid losing ground. "Free trade is the essence of our industrial infrastructure in Europe and we will fight for our employees," he said before alluding to the apparent deal Nissan made with British Prime Minister Theresa May. "At Ford, we think being the biggest player in the market there, that it's quite important for the industry to have an aligned position. We will make sure that Ford is not disadvantaged in the UK." To contain the immediate impact of the British electorate's vote in favour of leaving the European Union, Ford has increased its prices and reduced inventories. Nissan's decision to go ahead with the new Qashqai sport utility vehicle and four-wheel-drive X-Trail model in Sunderland eased concerns about Brexit's impact on British industry. But business minister Greg Clark caused an uproar after confirming that the government made several assurances to Nissan before the announcement. He has refused to reveal the letter detailing what was pledged. Volunteers distribute food and drinks to migrants who arrived at Malmo train station in Sweden in this September 10, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Ola Torkelsson/TT News Agency/Files Black Friday and Cyber Monday are officially over, but a newer, lesser known post-Thanksgiving tradition is ramping up. Today is Giving Tuesday, a 24-hour period devoted to charitable giving following the frenzy of holiday shopping. A team at the 92nd Street Y, a New York City cultural center, came up with the idea and launched the first Giving Tuesday in 2012. Using the hashtag #GivingTuesday, the effort harnesses social media to encourage people to give money, time, or in-kind donations to charities of their choosing. Charitable donations are already on the rise following Trumps election victory, with progressive organizations reporting a considerable uptick in giving. The ACLU announced it received $7.2 million in the five days after the election. Planned parenthood got almost 80,000 donations in the week after the election, and investigative journalism organization ProPublica saw a surge of support after John Oliver mentioned its work on his HBO show. But election aside, the holiday season is always a popular time to support the causes you believe in. Here are a selection of well vetted charities to donate to today, or any time of the year. climate march Support grassroots environmental activism: 350.org 350.org seeks to build a global climate movement that holds leaders accountable for following through on aggressive climate change mitigation efforts. The organizations name refers to the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, in parts per million. The planet is currently at 400 parts per million. Fight one of the worlds most deadly diseases: Against Malaria Foundation The #1 recommended charity from giving guide GiveWell, the AMF provides funding for the production and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, which can protect people in developing countries from malaria. According to GiveWell, the charity offers strong evidence of the success and cost-effectiveness of its methods and approach, and stands out for its commitment to transparency and self-evaluation. The website estimates the cost pf purchasing and distributing one of AMFs nets at just $4.68, so even a small donation can make a big difference. Story continues Help those impacted by the refugee crisis: American Refugee Committee The ARC bases their work on what refugees in communities around the world tell the group they need. Their work spans many areas, including emergency response services, helping refugees find shelter, providing healthcare, delivering clean water in camps, and conducting formal and informal education programs. The organization has been around since 1979, and currently has programs in 11 countries. Charitable giving guide Charity Navigator gives the ARC the highest rating (95.47 out of 100) of all the groups currently working in Syria. syrian refugee children Fund health research: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health The FNIH raises funds and manages relationships with institutions to support the work of the National Institutes of Health, the countrys premier medical research agency. The foundation began its work in 1996, and is devoted to accelerating biomedical research and investing in strategies that can help fight disease around the world. The FNIH also administers education and training programs for medical researchers, as well as support initiatives for patients. Charity Navigator gives the organization its highest possible rating of 100 a distinction given to less than one percent of the thousands of groups evaluated. Fight wrongful imprisonment: Equal Justice Initiative EJI provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted of crimes, given unfair sentences, or been victims of abuse in jails and prisons. The nonprofit, which was founded in 1989 by public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson, also works to challenge the death penalty, help formerly incarcerated people reenter society, publishes research and reports, and assists policy makers who pursue criminal justice reform. The organization has the best possible rating (100) from Charity Navigator. Support the arts: Fractured Atlas A national organization founded in 1998, Fractured Atlas helps artists and arts groups of all disciplines by providing access to funding, healthcare, education, and more. It doesnt curate or discriminate based on the actual art produced instead the nonprofit aims to help with what they call the unsexy stuff that helps make art happen. It currently has 3,926 active fiscally sponsored projects, including the Philadelphia Rhythm Festival and all-male dance group Project 44. Charity Navigator gives the organization a score of 95.47. Simply give cash: GiveDirectly The #4 top charity recommended by GiveWell, GiveDirectly directly transfers money to poor individuals in Kenya and Uganda, and lets them decide for themselves how theyd like to use the funds. Research has suggested that people who received cash do not spend it in irresponsible ways, and instead generally make investments in things like agriculture, home repair, and education. GiveWell highlights GiveDirectly because it has a strong method for getting a high proportion of cash donated to its intended targets, and is committed to measuring the impact of the transfers and making that information public. Support efforts to promote health among impoverished people: MAP International The health and relief organization aims to save lives and advance the health of those living in the worlds poorest communities. Since it was founded in 1954, MAP has given over $5 billion worth of medicines and supplies to over 100 countries. The group also works on disaster relief, providing humanitarian assistance and aid in the immediate aftermath of crises. Though it is a Christian group, its services are offered to all people. Charity Navigator gives it the highest possible rating of 100. Support our troops: Navy SEAL Foundation The organizations mission is to support current and former US Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, Naval Special Warfare personnel, and their families. The foundation does work in three main areas: education and motivation, history and heritage, and health and welfare which includes tragedy assistance. The nonprofit was established in 2000, and also has a score of 100 from Charity Navigator. navy seals Give kids in public schools some extra help: NEA foundation The public charity believes every student deserves a great public education, and aims to advance student achievement by investing in public education. Since 1998, the NEA Foundation has provided nearly 4,000 grants to schools and educators (totaling $8.5 million), and invested $10 million to support district-level initiatives to close achievement gaps. That mission stands in contrast to the philosophy of Betsy DeVos, who Donald Trump has tapped as his pick for education secretary. DeVos supports school vouchers that allow students to use public funds to attend private schools. Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, called her the most ideological, anti-public education nominee in the history of the Department of Education. In nominating DeVos, Trump makes it loud and clear that his education policy will focus on privatizing, defunding and destroying public education in America, he wrote. The NEA has a score of 100 from Charity Navigator. Support womens reproductive health: Planned Parenthood The largest reproductive healthcare nonprofit in the US, Planned Parenthood turned 100 years old in October 2016. The organization operates approximately 650 health centers around the country, providing sexual and reproductive health care to 2.5 million men and women annually. Part of Planned Parenthoods operating budget comes from federal funds, a subsidy that Donald Trump and Mike Pence have both vowed to eliminate. An endangered gray wolf is pictured in this undated handout photo from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Handout via Reuters Protect endangered species: Wildlife Conservation Network WCN works to support endangered animal species by preserving their natural habitats and supporting environmental conservation work. The organization currently operates programs in 37 countries. Charitable giving guide Charity Navigator gives the organization its highest possible score of 100 based on WCNs financial responsibility, accountability and transparency. NOW WATCH: REPORT: Trump used charity money to pay for legal fees More From Business Insider By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - France and Britain are pressing to sanction those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria, though Russia says it would not support a United Nations Security Council resolution. An inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) found that Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas. French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said on Tuesday that a draft resolution "sanctioning those responsible for the use of chemical weapons" was essentially ready and would be circulated to the 15-member council as soon as possible. British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the draft resolution would "make sure that those members of the regime who were involved in that abhorrent use of chemical weapons in Syria will face the consequences." The inquiry found the Syrian government's 253 and 255 squadrons, belonging to the 63rd helicopter brigade, were responsible for gas attacks and said that those "with effective control in the military units ... must be held accountable." Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said, however, there was "just not enough material proof to do anything" and described the French and British bid to impose sanctions as a "misplaced effort." "We wouldn't support any action on this," Churkin told reporters. He said the important thing was the council had earlier this month been able to extend the mandate of the inquiry for another year. He said Russia hoped that would serve as a deterrent. Chlorine's use as a weapon is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid and can kill by burning lungs and drowning victims in the resulting body fluids. Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under a deal brokered by Moscow and Washington. The Security Council endorsed that deal with a resolution that said in the event of non-compliance, "including unauthorized transfer of chemical weapons, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone" in Syria, it would impose measures under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter. Chapter 7 deals with sanctions and authorization of military force by the Security Council. The French/British draft could propose targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - on people or entities linked to the attacks. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool) The United States prides itself on upholding freedom, but recent research indicates America is not as free as many other countries. In fact, it might be less free now than it was before. READ: [The 10 Most Corrupt Countries in the World] According to the Human Freedom Index, which "presents the state of human freedom in the world based on a broad measure that encompasses personal, civil, and economic freedom," America is the 23rd freest country in the world. The U.S. fell from 16th place in 2008 and 19th place in 2013. The index is co-published by the Cato Institute, a libertarian, free-market-oriented think tank based in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the conservative-leaning Fraser Institute in Canada, and the Liberales Institut at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Germany. READ: [American Prosperity Has Been Stagnant for the Past Decade, Study Says] "Human freedom is a social concept that recognizes the dignity of the individual. The declining performance of the United States, once considered the bastion of liberty, is worrisome," Ian Vasquez, director of the Cato Institute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity and co-author of the study, said in a press release. "We should all be concerned with the impact on liberty of the war on terror, the war on drugs, and the decline in the rule of law and economic liberty in the United States." READ: [The 10 Safest Countries in the World, Ranked] According to the release, the index "ranks 159 countries based on 79 distinct indicators of personal, civil, and economic freedom, using data from 2008 to 2014, the most recent year for which sufficient data is available." The index found Hong Kong to be the freest country, followed closely by Switzerland. Other notable rankings include Russia, which ranked 115th, and China, which ranked 141st. Meanwhile, Iran, Yemen and Libya rounded out the bottom of the list. You can follow Rachel Dicker on Twitter or reach her at rdicker@usnews.com. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Frontline Gold Corporation (FGC.V) ("Frontline" or the "Company"), announces it has acquired a 100% interest in several early stage exploration projects in the Red Lake District. The acquired exploration properties consist of; 1) two contiguous claims, totaling 480 acres on 12 claims units, which is adjacent to the Company's Chukuni property, which consist of seven contiguous claims, totaling 2,960 acres on 74 claim units, that is located long the south and western boundaries of Goldcorp Inc's ("Goldcorp") Red Lake Gold Mine; and 2) the largest exploration projects consisting of 16 claims, totaling 6,400 acres on 160 claim units, adjoining Pure Gold's Madsen mine to the east and the south (see attached Claim Map). Frontline's Purchase To exercise the option and to complete the acquisition of the 100% interest in the claims, Frontline paid the optionor a total of $14,000. The remaining payments under the purchase option totaling $24,000 and $2,000 of additional staking costs for the two Chukuni claims were paid equally by Abitibi Royalties Inc. ("Abitibi") and AuRico Metals Inc. ("AuRico") in exchange for a combined 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR") on the above acquired early stage exploration projects. See Abitibi press release dated 11/29/2016: http://www.abitibiroyalties.com/news/2016/november29/. Commentary Frontline's President and CEO, Mr. Walter Henry, said, "The two Chukuni claims staked are an excellent addition to the Company's current Chukuni Project given the strategic location of the Chukuni Project in the Red Lake Gold District and being directly contiguous to Goldcorp's Red Lake Property both on northern and eastern property boundaries of the Chukuni property boundaries. The Chukuni Project combined with the acquisition of the exploration projects adjoining Pure Gold's Madsen mine to the east and the south, provides the Company with one of the largest exploration land packages within the Red Lake District totaling just under 9,400 acres. Story continues This land package combined with the Company's White Horse Island Project, situated between the Goldcorp / Premier Gold Rahill-Bonanza Gold Property and Premier Gold's Hasaga Gold Property (see attached map) provides the Company with several early stage exploration projects within the Red Lake District." Frontline is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company. The Company's principal properties include the following: Keban Tailings Project - Located approximately 45 km northwest from the city of Elazig, via paved highway, which is fully permitted, which includes the exclusive rights to process a minimum 114,000 tonnes of mineralized milled tailings stored in two areas within the defined tailings boundaries. Kambertepe Tailings Project - Includes the exclusive rights to process approximately up to 6,000 tonnes of mineralized tailings, with the following average reported grades per tonne of tailings: 2.1% Copper, 21 g/t Silver, 1.9% Zinc, 0.5% Titanium and over 50% Iron, based on assays completed by Bureau Veritas, Vancouver, Canada, as noted from a Firat University report on the project dated March 15th, 2016. Menderes Gold Project, a 6,194 ha (62 km) contiguous land package located near the village of Efemcukuru, in Izmir Province, Western Turkey. The permits that make up the Menderes Gold Project were acquired for their excellent potential to host low to medium sulphidation, gold-mineralized epithermal vein systems. The Menderes Gold Project is contiguous to the eastern and southern property boundaries of Eldorado Gold's Efencukuru Mine (source: www.eldoradogold.com). Niaouleni gold project, in southern Mali in the heart of West Africa's prolific gold belt. Active gold exploration projects in the immediate vicinity of Niaouleni include African Gold Group Inc.'s Kobada Gold Project (www.africangoldgroup.com). Within the general geographic area surrounding Niaouleni, there are approx. 12 operating mines, which make the economics of establishing mining operations very viable. Niaouleni sits between the 6.4Moz Lero mine (source: www.nordgold.com) & the 5.9Moz Morila mine (source: www.randgoldresources.com). Flint Lake and Sandhill Lake Gold Projects which are adjacent to First Mining Finance's advanced stage exploration Cameron Lake Gold Deposit in Ontario. Measured & Indicated Resource: 8.9 Mt at 2.29 g/t for ;650,000 ounces of gold. Inferred Resource: 14.9 Mt at 1.91 g/t for 920,000 ounces of gold (source: www.firstminingfinance.com). Red Lake (gold) and Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt exploration properties, which include the Whitehorse Island Mining Patents, the Chukuni Gold Exploration project (adjacent to Goldcorp's Red Lake Gold Mine). Production Royalty and Net Smelter Royalty on a portion of First Mining Finance's Pickle Crow Gold Project which was acquired from PC Gold Inc. (see http://www.frontlinegold.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=668206&_Type=News-Releases&_Title=PC-Gold-Enters-Into-Agreement-to-Acquire-Mining-Claims). The technical information herein was reviewed by Mr. Greg Isenor, P. Geo., who acts as Frontline's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.frontlinegold.com, or our social media sites listed below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frontline Gold Corp./ Twitter: https://twitter.com/frontlinegold This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, programs, and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations; receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. "Walter Henry" Walter Henry, President & CEO FRONTLINE GOLD CORP. Contact: Walter Henry Telephone: (416) 362-9100 Fax: (416) 362-9300 Email: info@frontlinegold.com Website: www.frontlinegold.com Frontline Gold Corp. (FGC.V) 1 Toronto Street, Suite 201 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V6 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. (Fig 1) Frontline Gold's Exploration Projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://www.accesswire.com/uploads/frontline.jpg SOURCE: Frontline Gold Corporation He points out that the broadest and most impressive bipartisan coalition in a generation has supported the MEK in its campaign for regime change in Iran, saying that this includes former CIA directors, a former attorney general, two former chairmen of the joint chiefs and former chairs of both political parties. From Howard Dean and Patrick Kennedy to Newt Gingrich and John Bolton. The MEK, formed during the 1970s, quickly emerged as an opposition group and fled into exile in Iraq and France. Torricelli said that although the group took legitimate political and military action against the regime, there is nothing to say they were terrorists. During the 1980s the MEK refugee camps in Iraq had to be under protection. Benjamin said that they helped Saddam Hussein repress Kurds, yet U.S. forces have said this is untrue, and the MEK actually saved American lives by identifying the location of IEDs. This, more than anything, explains the groups support by former U.S. military personnel, including the former army anti-terror officer and the U.S. military police general assigned to the camp, said Torricelli. He adds that the MEK provided crucial information about Irans nuclear program that was the turning point in hindering the countrys development of nuclear weapons. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the leader, has committed herself to a secular, non-nuclear and democratic Iran. The group now benefits from support in European Parliament and Congress. On the other hand, others cannot shake the terrorist label which comes from President Bill Clinton being persuaded to add the MEK to the State Department list of terrorist organizations. This was described by some as a goodwill gesture to Iran. Thousands of Iranian-Americans and literally hundreds of members of Congress protested. In 2011, as a private attorney, I led a team of lawyers in a State Department inquiry to resolve the issue. After four hours of testimony, we yielded to the State Department to present their contradictory evidence. They had nothing. Therefore, the MEK was removed as no evidence was provided. In 2012, several thousand MEK refugees on the Iran-Iraq border were in immediate danger of attack. Secretary Clinton asked Torricelli to get a group of distinguished Americans to urge Mrs. Rajavi to move the refugees to a former American military base near Baghdad airport. Louis Freeh, Ed Rendell, Michael Mukasey and Rudy Giuliani not only accepted, but also all travelled at their own expense, and cancelled prior arrangements to see Mrs. Rajavi. Benjamin argues that Giulianis participation with the MEK should disqualify him from being considered for the secretary of state post. Torricelli believes that this should not happen. Among the most likely crises facing the new president is an escalation in the struggle with the fundamentalist Islamic Republic of Iran. Rudy Giuliani has lived that struggle for a decade. Mr. Benjamin may quarrel with his efforts but its important to note that voices in the American foreign policy establishment as diverse as Senator McCain, Secretary Clinton, Deputy Secretary Blinken and John Kerrys own personal representative on the MEK, Jonathan Weiner disagree. Each has thanked Rudy Giuliani and the other Americans involved in these efforts. By Peter Hobson and Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top share index fell on Tuesday, underperforming other European markets as energy and mining stocks were hit by weaker oil and metals prices. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index (.FTSE), which is more heavily weighted towards commodity-related stocks than continental European indexes, fell 0.4 percent. Signs that leading oil exporters were struggling to agree a deal to cut production to reduce global oversupply ahead of a meeting on Wednesday pushed Brent crude down more than 3 percent. Gold fell and metals including copper, lead and steel slipped on perceptions that a post-U.S. election rally in industrial metals prices had overreached. That pushed the FTSE mining stocks index and the oil and gas index down 2.2 percent and 2.1 percent respectively. "(With) continued production cut brinkmanship from both OPEC and Russia, scepticism is still rife about whether tomorrow's official OPEC meeting in Vienna will be a success," said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets. Mining companies Antofagasta (ANTO.L), BHP Billiton (BLT.L), and Fresnillo (FRES.L) were the biggest fallers, down by between 3 and 3.9 percent. Shares in BP (BP.L) dropped 2.1 percent while Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) slipped 2 percent. But banks stabilised after Monday's fall, with Barclays (BARC.L) rising 1.1 percent, even though Asia-exposed HSBC (HSBA.L) and Standard Chartered (STAN.L) were little changed. Homebuilders Barratt Development (BDEV.L), Persimmon (PSN.L) and Taylor Wimpey (TW.L) gained between 1.9 percent and 2.3 percent after Bank of England data showed mortgage approvals were stronger than expected in October. The data also showed lending to Britons expanded last month at the fastest annual pace in 11 years, helping boost consumer-facing stocks such as retailers Next (NXT.L) and Dixons Carphone (DC.L) and broadcaster ITV (ITV.L) by between 1.8 and 2.7 percent. Mid-cap stocks on the FTSE 250 (.FTMC), which are less exposed to swings in commodity prices, edged up 0.1 percent. Story continues Shares in broadband company TalkTalk (TALK.L) rebounded 3.1 percent after touching a four-year low on Monday, as Britain's telecoms regulator said it would try to force BT (BT.L) to legally separate its Openreach network infrastructure division into a legally separate entity. This move would benefit smaller broadband firms such as TalkTalk as it would allow them to see whether they have been paying over the odds for access to the UKs copper and fibre optic network, Accendo Markets' van Dulken said. TalkTalk shares had fallen by a quarter over eight sessions after results earlier in the month, but have been up for the last three days. BT fell in early deals, but ended up 1.2 percent. Mid-cap food service company SSP Group (SSPG.L) jumped 8.5 percent after reporting stronger revenues and profits. But in the longer term, British mid-caps are in for a tough time as the index has yet to price in the effect of Britain's vote to leave the European Union, French investment bank Societe Generale said. "We are cautious on the FTSE 250, more domestic than the FTSE 100, as it is trading above its pre-referendum level despite the outlook for much lower GDP growth and much higher inflation," the bank's strategists said in a note. By contrast, higher commodity prices and weaker sterling will help the FTSE 100 gain more than 10 percent by the end of 2017, they said. (Reporting by Peter Hobson; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) The holiday weekend was a time to grieve for families in Tennessee whose children were among the youngsters killed in a horrific school bus crash. Funerals were held over the weekend for two children killed after a Chattanooga bus crashed Monday into a tree, killing six. Read: 8-Month-Old Miraculously Unharmed After Being Thrown 30-Feet From Vehicle in Crash At the Redemption Point Church, mourners gathered Sunday to say goodbye to 9-year-old CorDayja Jones. The fourth grader's pastor remembered her as a child who made everyone's day a little brighter. "She was the most genuine child you could ever meet. You know when people say, that oh man they leave everyone smiling? And they just say it? For CorDayja it really meant that," the Pastor Moriah Stanley said. Also laid to rest Sunday was 10-year-old Zyanna Harris. Zyanna "loved to dance" and had "a good heart" her stepfather told local news outlet WREG. A GoFundMe campaign is asking for donations that will help Harris's family offset funeral expenses and can be found here. A funeral for 9-year old Zoie Nashs funeral is scheduled for Thursday. Zoie was on the bus with her brother Zecheriah when 24-year-old driver Johnthony Walker crashed into a tree. Zecheriah was one of 24 hospitalized but survived the crash. Their mother described to the Times Free Press the anguished moment she told her son what happened to his sister. "I told him she got her wings, she was in heaven," Misti Nash said. "And he understood. He cried." Another GoFundMe campaign has been set up by the siblings' sister, Daquesha, to help the Nash family pay for Zack's medical expenses and the costs of Zoie's funeral. In addition to startling reports that authorities received complaints about Walker's behavior behind the wheel in the months prior to the crash, WRCB reports that he was involved in an accident while driving a bus two months ago. Story continues On September 20, Walker was driving a school bus in Chattanooga when, according to a police report, he sideswiped a Kia Soul going in the opposite direction after he allegedly failed to yield while maneuvering through a blind curve. The report indicated that children were not sitting in the front rows but did not state whether students were onboard in the back. No one was hurt and there was no indication that alcohol or drugs were involved. No charges were filed. Read: Man Survives 50-Foot Fall off Bridge After Getting Hit by a Car, Swims to Shore With Broken Leg Following Monday's crash, Walker has been charged with five counts of vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. Court documents allege Walker was driving well over the posted 30 mph limit when he lost control of the bus, which ended up wrapped around a tree. Walker is due in court Tuesday. Watch: Doctors Save Baby of Pregnant Woman Shot to Death in 'Targeted' Attack Related Articles: Futurebook, Europe's largest digital publishing conference -- taking place on Friday, December 2 -- will have a specific focus on the position of the audiobook in today's market, and implications for its future. With printed text having long been the King of Content, recent reports have been suggesting that audio content -- long not taken seriously -- is on the way up. Looking at market research from various regions seems to confirm this: sales of audiobooks in the US and Canada rose by 21% in 2015, and 43% of Americans 12+ have now listened to an audiobook, according to data from The Audiobook Consumer 2016 by Edison Research. Meanwhile a new publication on the subject, "The Untold Story of the Talking Book" argues that the social impact of "this distinctively modern art form" is considerable. With the UK audio digital download industry estimated at being worth almost 100 million (around 125 million USD) annually, the Bookseller's 2016 Futurebook conference in London will begin with a history of the audiobook, followed by a closer look at market statistics entitled "Listen up: what the data tells us about audio consumption." Jan Paterson, head of books and audio for BBC Worldwide, will chair a section on how to take advantage of this emerging market. The last sessions will include focuses on the future of the industry and new innovations. Other forms of digital media will also be addressed during the conference, such as "Virtual realities: the market for interactive storytelling" and "Print vs digital: together in perfect harmony?" Expanding for its 2016 edition, the event will this year also feature a dedicated conferences on Education Technology (EdTech), as well as the annual FutureBook Awards and the BookTech Showcase. By Edward McAllister BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh will face a rare challenge from a revitalized and united opposition in an election on Thursday as he seeks to extend his 22-year grip on power in the tiny West African nation. Jammeh, 51, seized power as a young army officer in a 1994 coup and has maintained his control over Gambia in four subsequent elections despite growing international concern over his government's deteriorating human rights record. Election observers have questioned the credibility of past polls. Regional bloc ECOWAS boycotted the last election in 2011, claiming the process was not free or fair and have also stayed away from this week's poll. The European Union said this month that it had been refused access to monitor. In the final days of campaigning, a grinning Jammeh stared out from the large billboards positioned every few hundred meters along the main roads leading into Banjul, the capital of the nation of 1.8 million people. "I am the best president that Gambians will ever get," Jammeh, who once said he would rule his country for "a billion years", said on Tuesday. "My presidency and power are in the hands of Allah and only Allah can take it from me." Long known for his eccentricities, including a claim to have invented a cure for AIDS and a snap decision last year to declare Gambia an Islamic republic, international attention has increasingly focused on the repressive nature of his rule. Jammeh has rejected outside criticism and last month announced Gambia's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, a body he says is biased against Africans and which his spokesman dubbed the "International Caucasian Court". This week's poll comes at the end of a turbulent year that has given hope to opposition supporters that change may be on the horizon. In April, small protests in Banjul calling for electoral reform led to dozens of arrests, including that of the leader of the main UDP opposition party Ousainu Darboe. Two UDP members have since died in custody while others remain in jail, but the almost unheard of act of defiance has helped galvanize Jammeh's opponents. Eight opposition parties have rallied behind businessman Adama Barrow, calling for human rights and justice reforms and a revamping of a stuttering economy that has made Gambians more likely than any other Africans to migrate illegally to Europe. Opposition rallies have drawn large crowds in the last two weeks of campaigning. Thousands came out to cheer Barrow's motorcade on Sunday, banging drums as he passed. "My chances are high to beat the incumbent president Jammeh with a landslide victory. A new Gambia will be born December first," he told reporters on Tuesday. He has promised to rule only for a three-year transition period. Still, experts question whether victory is even possible given Jammeh's tight control of state resources, including the military and the police, and his reluctance to relinquish power. A third candidate, Mamma Kandeh - a former Jammeh ally and member of parliament who has since formed his own political party - could also drain votes from the opposition under Gambia's single-round election system. "The question is probably not if he will win but by how much and what Jammeh will do with that message for his next mandate," said one Western diplomat who follows events in Gambia. "He has already said that he will not accept the result if he loses and it's hard to see who would challenge that." (Additional reporting by Emma Farge; editing by Ralph Boulton; Editing by Joe Bavier) "Game of Thrones" star Michiel Huisman is set to star opposite British actress Lily James in "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" reports The Hollywood Reporter. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the film will tell the story of journalist Juliet Ashton, to be played by James, who decides to write about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a book club formed on Guernsey Island in the English Channel. After receiving a letter from a Guernsey resident named Dawsey (Huisman) Ashton starts writing letters to the book club, eventually traveling to the island to meet the members before writing a book about the group. The story is based on the 2008 best-selling book of the same name by Annie Barros and Mary Ann Shaffer, which reached the No. 1 position on the New York Times best-seller list for paperbacks. Mike Newell will direct the project Best known for his role as Daario Naharis in hit show "Game of Thrones," Huisman is also known for his roles in cult horror hit "The Invitation," "The Age of Adaline" with Blake Lively and "Wild" with Reese Witherspoon. Thousands of people in Tennessee living next to the Great Smoky Mountains were being evacuated Tuesday after unexpected and vicious wildfires spread over the weekend and engulfed nearby forests. The flames came threateningly close to a popular resort town there, Gatlinburg, drawing in the help of National Guard troops while rain began to fall in some areas that could help the efforts to extinguish the fires. That rain, though, was not considered likely to reverse the drought effects plaguing the region that have led to fires in at least three states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. Rain storms approaching Tuesday were also expected to hit those other fires, including a 28,000-acre area in north Georgia called the Rough Ridge fire and also the 25,000 acre Rock Mountain fire that has spread from Georgia to North Carolina in recent weeks. Unpredicted, extreme weather conditions on Sunday afternoon through Monday led to the exponential spread of fires both inside and outside of the National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials said Tuesday in a release. Severe wind gusts of over 80 mph, unprecedented low relative humidity, and extended drought conditions caused the fire burning in the National Park to spread rapidly and unpredictably, in spite of suppression efforts on Sunday that included helicopter water drops. While no deaths had been reported as of Tuesday morning, there were other threats: Evacuations had affected several communities near the National Park, the fires had come close to popular tourist attraction Dollywood theme park and an aquarium had been threatened. Aquarium workers were evacuated but said they were eager to return to check on the welfare of the 10,518 animals there. In addition to the mandatory evacuations, some counties reported power outages that affected more than 12,000 people. Check out photos and tweets from people near the fire below. NASA Gatlinburg fire picture space Photo: NASA Story continues Related Articles Berlin (AFP) - A German working in intelligence has been exposed as "a suspect Islamist", Germany's domestic security agency said on Tuesday, following reports he was planning an attack on the agency's headquarters. "The Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has managed to expose a suspected Islamist among its associates," the agency said in a statement, confirming information published earlier by the Der Spiegel weekly and the daily Die Welt. The 51-year-old German, who was arrested for sharing "sensitive information" online, is believed to have been planning a bombing at the BfV headquarters in the western city of Cologne, according to the German press. There was no immediate suggestion he had any ties to the radical Islamic State group. Contacted by AFP, a BfV spokeswoman said the unnamed 51-year-old had "made Islamist remarks online under a false name, and had offered internal information during online chats". She confirmed that an arrest warrant was issued and the suspect had been detained. She did not though confirm the reports that he was plotting an attack, saying there was no "evidence of a real danger to the office or its workers". Prosecutors are readying a case of "preparing a serious act threatening state security". Both Der Spiegel and Die Welt said he had converted to Islam in 2014. Married with children, he was employed at a bank and had, since April, also been doing some work for the agency gathering intelligence on the Islamist scene in Germany. The publications said the suspect had partially admitted to the allegations by making references to bomb attacks carried out "in the name of Allah". He used several different names online and allegedly divulged information about the agency in chat rooms, the reports said. His activities were uncovered about a month ago. Germany has so far been spared the kind of large-scale deadly jihadist atrocities which have been carried out in Paris and Brussels, though individuals have carried out attacks and others have been prevented. News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. In the present crisis in the region, any solution seeking to ultimately end war and insecurity, and specifically address the problem of Daesh, must consider terminating the regimes meddling in the region, particularly in Syria, she said, and added, Nothing is more catastrophic than collaborating with the Iranian regime to fight Daesh because it would strengthen the Iranian regime and its terrorism, and would nourish Daesh, politically and socially. Mrs. Rajavi went on to say, Although [Supreme Leader Ayatollah] Khamenei attempts to justify the regimes continued invasion of and carnage in Syria by absurd rhetoric of defending its Holy Shrine, the people of Iran detest this filthy war and stand by the courageous and proud people of Syria. She said that the six world powers, particularly the U.S., gave in to Irans demands during talks that were meant to limit the countrys nuclear activity, in return for lifting economic sanctions. However, she said the agreement has turned out to be counter-productive. Poverty and hunger haunt our people more than ever, and the regimes internal factions have begun settling their accounts. Today, the mullahs are no longer able to contain their own internal factions or the social protests, as they previously did. The Velayat-e Faqih [governance of the jurist] regime is in difficult straits from every respect, but the road to regime change and the establishment of a pluralist republic based on separation of religion and state, abolishment of the death penalty and womens equality is more accessible than any other time, the President-elect of the Nation Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) declared. She continued, Our expectation and the expectation of the people of the Middle East is that the international community stop its policy of giving concessions to the Velayat-e Faqih regime and end its silence and inaction vis-a-vis the regimes crimes in Iran. Instead, we expect them to respect the Iranian peoples struggle for freedom and the desires of the peoples of the region. The conference was organised by the NCRI, and participants also heard from young people who had escaped the country after serving prison sentences there, including one of Irans highest profile student activists, Shabnam Madadzadeh. Madadzadeh spent five years in various prisons in Iran, including Evin in northern Tehran, Rajai Shahr, west of Tehran and Gharchak in Veramin. She was physically and mentally tortured, during her incarceration. She was forced to watch executions and kept in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. Madadzadeh, a computer science student, was a member of the l Islamic Association, and was general secretary of a students organisation. She was jailed for moharebeh (being an enemy of God) and disseminating anti-state propaganda. She told The National, Among the prisons they sent me to were some of the most horrible in Iran. They tortured me physically and mentally, and forced me to watch mock executions. But they also made us watch real executions and I saw a number of my cell mates lose their lives by the rope. They also beat and whipped my brother Farzad to try to make me confess. She added, While I was in 209 ward (at Elvin Prison) they interrogated me every day for three months, trying to force me to confess to things I had not done. She described the conditions in the Iranian jails. There were different women in the prison, she said. There were under-age girls who had made perhaps a small mistake in their lives and the regime made sure they would pay. Conditions were disgusting. There were seven corridors in the jail and 200 women and they [guards] watched us all the time, even during the night they kept the lights on. Two hundred women but only two toilets and two showers for all of us. It was disgusting and degrading. In a courageous move, she managed to sneak out letters to the UN Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Ahmad Shahid, inviting him to the Rajai Shahr and Gharchak prisons to witness crimes that were allegedly being committed by the state in the institutions. For this she was placed in solitary confinement. Madadzadeh, diagnosed with digestive and heart problems during her detention, received no medical treatment, and was only released once she had served her five-year sentence. By Eric Auchard FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE) customers in Germany were hit on Sunday by network outages and a company executive blamed the disruptions on a failed hacking attempt to hijack consumer router devices for a wider internet attack. Deutsche Telekom said on Monday as many as 900,000, or about 4.5 percent of its 20 million fixed-line customers, suffered internet outages starting on Sunday and continuing into Monday, when the number of affected users began to decline sharply. Deutsche Telekom's head of IT Security Thomas Thchersich told the newspaper Der Tagesspiegel that the outages appeared to be tied to a botched attempt to turn a sizeable number of customers' routers into a part of the Mirai botnet. "In the framework of the attack, it was attempted to turn the routers into a part of a botnet," Tschersich told the Berlin newspaper, referring to the network devices customers use to connect to the internet for phone, data and TV services. Mirai is malicious software designed to turn network devices into remotely controlled "bots" that can be used to mount large-scale network attacks. Last month, hackers used it to unleash an attack using common devices like webcams and digital recorders to cut access to some of the world's best known websites. Telekom resells routers from more than a dozen mostly Asian suppliers under the brand Speedport. It offered firmware updates on Monday to three models, all of which are made by Taiwan's Arcadyan Technology . The German network operator will be reviewing their cooperation with Arcadyan following the outage, Tschersich told Tagesspiegel. Arcadyan did not reply to an emailed request for comment. The network monitoring site Allestoerungen.de (Breakdown)reported tens of thousands of complaints across Germany ranging from Berlin, Hamburg and Duesseldorf in the north to Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich in the south. The site showed outages began to surge at 1400 GMT on Sunday and peaked around 1600 GMT, then picked up again on Monday. Story continues Telekom said on Monday its security measures appeared to be taking effect and the number of customers affected had declined to around 400,000 by 1200 GMT on Monday. German security officials said the outages looked like the work of hackers, several government sources told Reuters. The company suggested that users having connection problems unplug their router, wait 30 seconds and then restart their device. But if problems continued, the network operator advised them to disconnect their equipment from the network. Deutsche Telekom said the rest of its customers could use its fixed-line network without any issues. (Additional reporting by Harro Ten Wolde, Ilona Wissenbach and Peter Maushagen in Frankfurt and Andreas Rinke and Sabine Siebold in Berlin; Editing by Keith Weir and Andrew Hay) FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German drugmaker Merck KGaA and U.S. partner Pfizer have been granted priority review status in the United States as they seek approval to fight a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer with immunotherapy drug avelumab. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the request for approval and will review the trial data for the drug against metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma within six months instead of the usual 10, Merck said on Tuesday. Avelumab belongs to a new generation of biotech drugs that stop some tumors from hiding from the immune system, similar to Merck & Co's Keytruda or Roche's Tecentriq. The future of Merck KGaA's pharmaceuticals division rests largely on avelumab, after the business suffered development setbacks in several other medicines and amid rising competition for its established brands, such as Rebif against multiple sclerosis. The FDA has previously granted Merck and Pfizer other support schemes for the drug, such as breakthrough therapy designation. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Georgina Prodhan) By Tom Kackenhoff DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Thyssenkrupp's powerful labour chief said workers would resist shutting down capacity in any merger of the German industrial group's European steel business with that of peer Tata Steel . "We have capacities that are worth preserving, and we will fight for that," Wilhelm Segerath, who represents the works council on Thyssenkrupp's supervisory board, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. "I don't see any strengthening (of Thyssenkrupp) through a merger with Tata," Segerath said, adding he would prefer a sale of Thyssenkrupp's steel plant in Brazil. Steel-to-elevators group Thyssenkrupp has been exploring a steel merger with Tata in response to excess production capacity and a weak demand outlook. Thyssenkrupp's works council, which represents 28,000 steelworkers, has made clear it will resist any move that could cost jobs or see the firm abandon its 200-year-old steelmaking roots. Industry sources told Reuters on Monday that Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp were looking at reducing the size of Britain's largest steel plant in Port Talbot, Wales. Earlier this month, a union source told Reuters that Tata could close its defined-benefit pension scheme to future accruals as a way to cut the massive deficit that is the major stumbling block to a deal. (Writing by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Keith Weir) By Paul Carrel BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany takes over the presidency of the G20 leading economies on Thursday, a platform Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to use to safeguard multilateral cooperation under threat following Donald Trump's U.S. election victory. With the imminent departure of U.S. President Barack Obama, Merkel, who is seeking a fourth term in office next year, is left as the senior leader anchoring a Western alliance shaken by Trump's election win. "Shaping an Interconnected World" is Germany's motto for its presidency of the G20, which since the global financial crisis took hold in 2008 has been the leading forum for world leaders to coordinate economic policy. German officials, while acknowledging privately that they will not have an easy ride next year leading the G20, stress that the motto indicates they want to take globalisation forward through international cooperation rather than roll it back. They plan to address issues including free trade and climate change on which they may well be at odds with Trump. "It will certainly be exciting, lively, controversial," said one G20 official. Trump has said China - a G20 member - is "killing us" on trade and that he would take steps to reduce the large U.S. goods trade deficit with China, including labeling Beijing as a currency manipulator soon after he takes office on Jan. 20. CLIMATE POLICY Under the broad themes of stability, sustainability, and responsibility, Germany wants to make the global economy more resilient, link climate and energy policies more closely, and support Africa with a view to heading off new migration waves. On climate policy, no major breakthroughs are likely. Trump has already made the issue a thorny one by threatening to pull out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. On the economy, the Germans want to improve the global financial architecture to help stabilise the world economy. They also stress that the World Trade Organization (WTO) must remain central to global trade and see "a need for negotiation" to address a recent rise in protectionist measures. Trump suggested during his election campaign that he could pull the United States out of the WTO if its rules stopped him renegotiating U.S. terms of trade to his satisfaction, though the WTO chief said last week he had no indication that the president-elected wanted to do so. "Isolation will not be the solution," said one G20 official. On Africa, Germany wants the G20 to create more incentives for private investment on the continent, where a population boom risks a new wave of migrants to a Europe still trying to cope with an influx last year of refugees from the Middle East. Germany will host a summit of G20 leaders in Hamburg on July 7-8 next year. (Additional reporting by Gernot Heller; editing by Ralph Boulton) By John Irish and Sabine Siebold MINSK (Reuters) - Four-way talks on ending a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine finished without a breakthrough on Tuesday, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier declaring that "lip service" statements were not enough to achieve lasting peace. Amid low expectations, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia met in the Belarussian capital to discuss ways of implementing last year's Minsk ceasefire accord for Ukraine's Donbass region. Steinmeier said both Ukraine and Russia had hardened their positions and there was no political agreement in sight on holding local elections in Donbass, as demanded by Russia and the Kremlin-backed separatists. "It was very tedious again today," Steinmeier said. "Pure lip service will not be enough to solve this conflict." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meanwhile pushed back on a Ukrainian proposal to allow armed OSCE monitors in Donbass. "There weren't any breakthroughs today. The Minsk agreements are stalled -- we're not managing to agree on the sequence of steps," Lavrov told reporters. Highlighting some positives, Steinmeier did, however, say the International Red Cross could help facilitate a significant exchange of prisoners before the end of the year and was optimistic about more phased troops withdrawals taking place. PRESENTS TO RUSSIA The four nations agreed in October to draw up a roadmap this month on how to implement a ceasefire agreement struck in Minsk last year to end fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Separatist violence there has killed nearly 10,000 people since it erupted in 2014. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking the separatist movement and aiding the rebels. Western nations have imposed economic sanctions on Moscow. The Kremlin denies these charges, however, and accuses Ukraine of perpetuating the violence and violating the Minsk deal. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said there was still a long way to go on implementing the Minsk process. Speaking to Reuters ahead of the talks, he also called for Europe to stand firm on sanctions against Russia. With one eye on the presidential election race back home, where front runner Francois Fillon favours lifting the sanctions, Ayrault said Russia was playing a waiting game to allow Western divisions on the Ukraine crisis to widen. Lifting sanctions "would weaken the objective of resolving this conflict and would be a victory to those who endangered the security of a country," Ayrault said. The Russians "are waiting for divisions to increase in Ukraine, Europe and elsewhere. That's why we have to remain consistent. We're already seeing in the internal French political debate that some want to give Russia presents." (Writing by Madeline Chambers and Matthias Williams; additional reporting by Andrei Makhovsky in MINSK and Andrea Shalal in BERLIN; Editing by Richard Lough) The following story contains spoilers from Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Proceed at your own peril. That breathtakingly cinematic Life and Death Brigade sequence in Fall, the closing chapter of Netflixs Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, was every bit as ambitious as it looked, according to Tanc Sade, who plays Finn (arguably the secret societys most eccentric member). PHOTOSGilmore Girls Revival: The 28 Best Quotes From Netflixs A Year in the Life We took a lot of time shooting that it was done over a few months, the actor revealed to me at the revivals premiere earlier this month, adding that scheduling issues made the sequence even more challenging to execute. I was shooting [Showtime]s Roadies at the time and Matt Czuchry (Logan) was still working on The Good Wife. We were all working on other shows. VIDEOSLauren Graham and Alexis Bledel Contemplate a Second Gilmore Revival As far as Czuchry is concerned, the ends more than justified the means. The Life and Death Brigade stuff was my favorite stuff to do, he enthused. I think that captured the best of who Logan is, the best of who Rory is, and the best of who Rory and Logan are together. Press PLAY below for more from Czuchry and Sade, then hit the comments with your thoughts on the L&DBs splashy return. Related stories Gilmore Girls' Amy Sherman-Palladino: The Revival Post Mortem Interview You've Been Waiting For Gilmore Girls Panel: The Cast Reflects on Returning for A Year in the Life Drew Barrymore's Santa Clarita Diet Gets Premiere Date -- See First Photos GILMORE GIRLS Yanic Truesdale Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven't watched Netflix's "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life." Among the revelations promised in Netflix's "Gilmore Girls" revival, the one about Michel's sexuality was pretty unexpected even for the actor who plays the character. "I found out about it when I read the script," Yanic Truesdale told Business Insider recently. Truesdale said that he had never spoken to "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino about his character being gay even just to discuss the character's backstory, which can be helpful for an actor. For years, fans speculated on the uptight, easily annoyed Frenchman's sexuality. The character's romantic life was never shown, nor discussed during the original series. But during the first part of Netflix's "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life," we finally learned that he's not only gay, but married to a man. "People have been speculating since the beginning of the show if he was gay or not," Truesdale said of Michel. "Some fans thought I had a secret crush on Lorelai. I mean, everyone has their own take on him." In the revival, Michel's personal life is an important piece of information. He and his husband, whom we don't actually meet, were looking to adopt a child and Michel had to wonder about his ability to provide for the new member of the family, as well as whether there was anywhere to move up at Lorelai's (Lauren Graham) Stars Hollow hotel, the Dragonfly Inn. "I think it was more satisfying for me, this time around, because we touched on some of his personal aspects of life," Truesdale said. "You know, the fact that hes married, the children issue, the crossroads with his work, and having to make big decisions in his life made me connect with him at a deeper level. And that was great. Ive always wanted to have more personal stuff for him, because its satisfying to go there for an actor. So Im happy about it." Story continues Even so, Truesdale said that knowing the character is gay didn't affect how he portrayed Michel. "To me, it didnt change anything either way because Michel is a character thats never been defined by his sexuality," he told us. "Mostly, he's defined by his irritants or being French and everything that entails. This is the foundation that Ive worked with, so either way, for me whatever his love life was didnt affect my choices as an actor." NOW WATCH: The 7 best TV shows on Netflix you've probably never heard of More From Business Insider A 1-year-old twin girl awoke from a coma, just as doctors and family members were preparing to take her off life support. Read: Coma Patient, 22, Wiggles Toe to Tell Family Not to Turn Off Life Support, Deemed 'Walking Miracle' In a video posted to Facebook, little Marwa, from Marseilles, France, could be seen with her eyes wide open, and smiling as her father repeated her name. After Marwa was hospitalized in September, doctors said the outlook was grim. Doctors put her in an induced coma after an aggressive virus attacked her nervous system, but after months of respiratory assistance, doctors suggested it was time to turn off life support. Doctors think she will never be able breathe on her own, her father, Mohamed Bouchenafa, wrote online, including that she may not walk or eat on her own. The family then started a social media campaign to raise support for Marwa, whose twin sister is named Safa. Even though they community gained more than 100,000 supporters, Bouchenafa said the hospital was going through budget issues, and doctors said they would turn off life support within a week. Ten days later, Marwa awoke on her own. My little wonder can smile at me, finally continuing to battle, Bouchenafa wrote in an update. Her face has softer traits than normal but her condition remains stable, aside from a fever from time to time. Read: Father Who Speaks With A Stutter Gets Through Bedtime Story With Help From His Daughter According to Marwas father, she continues to receive ongoing treatment, but the family is grateful for every small milestone. Watch: Baby Who Defied Expectations to Survive with Damaged Heart Rejoices at Seeing Snow for First Time Related Articles: DailyFX.com - Talking Points: Gold Prices Rally as US Dollar Strength Fades Intraday US Dollar Support is Found Near 100.63 Next Resistance for Gold Price is Found Near $1,189.53 Gold prices have rebound from this mornings low of $1,180.70, after the US Dollar initially rallied on better than expected GDP figures. US GDP (Annualized) was expected at 3.0%, but released at an actual 3.2%. If the US Dollar continues to retreat, this may signal a shift in momentum for commodities prices such as Gold. Traders should next be looking towards Friday NFP employment figures to better gauge the overall fundamental strength or weakness of the US Dollar. US Dollar 30 Minute Chart with Pivots Gold Prices Rally as US Dollar Strength Fades (Created Using TradingView Charts) Technically, the US Dollar Index (Symbol DXY) can be seen turning this morning at resistance near 101.43. This barrier is depicted above as todays R3 pivot, and while prices have breached this point they have failed to trade significantly higher. This retracement has pushed the US Dollar back to support near todays S3 pivot found near 100.90. If the US Dollar continues to weaken, traders may find next support for the Index under the current weekly lows of 100.63. Gold Price 30 Minute Chart with Pivots Gold Prices Rally as US Dollar Strength Fades (Created Using TradingView Charts) Gold prices are technically trading back above their weekly lows, and are attempting to move higher late into todays trading session. Currently, prices are trading under Tuesdays S3 pivot at $1,189.53. As a value of previous support, this pivot is now acting as short term resistance for Gold. If Gold prices strengthen later today, traders may look for the commodity to then press on resistance closer to $1,197.52. Despite bouncing this morning, Gold traders should remember that bearish breakouts may begin under $1,185.35. A move through this value should be seen as significant as it would suggest that the US Dollar is again beginning to strengthen. --- Written by Walker, Analyst for DailyFX.com Story continues To Receive Walkers analysis directly via email, please SIGN UP HERE See Walkers most recent articles at hisBio Page. Contact and Follow Walker on Twitter @WEnglandFX. original source DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from IG. ATHENS, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Greece and its official creditors can reach an initial agreement on reforms and fiscal targets to pass a key bailout review by the end of the week and a final deal to conclude it by the end of the year, the country's government spokesman said on Tuesday. Athens, however, cannot make further concessions on labour reforms which go beyond European norms, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told reporters. Tzanakopoulos also said the IMF must realise that Greece cannot accept austerity measures after 2018. Athens hopes for inclusion in the European Central Bank's asset-purchasing programme (QE) in the first quarter of 2017, he said. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Lefteris Papadimas) DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. (GRSO) (the Company or Grow Solutions), a company involved in the development and distribution of high demand products for cultivation, processing, and consumption of legal cannabis, announced today it has filed its Quarterly Report (10-Q) for the period ended September 30, 2016, in which the Company reports a revenue increase from approximately $900,000 from the same quarter last year to approximately $1,700,000 representing approximately an 89% gain year over year. - http://www.otcmarkets.com/edgar/GetFilingHtml?FilingID=11700472 "As a company we are very proud of our accomplishments in such a short period of time," stated President Jeff Beverly. "And I want to add another highlight from our recent quarterly report, and that is that our only convertible debt is from friendly sources (friends and family), and can convert no earlier than June 30, 2018, at a minimum of $0.80 per share." "Also, our attendance at the Marijuana Conference and Expo in Las Vegas was a stunning success," continued President Jeff Beverly. "We came away with double digit leads representing multi million dollar deals. We have initiated talks with several of the potential candidates." "As I have stated before, the greenhouse market is valued in the multi-billions of dollars, and the cannabis market is the fastest growing segment in that sector. Currently, we expect to close any day now on the first of two different proposals which we expect to help us exceed our projection of $10 million in revenue from our greenhouse division alone in the coming quarters of 2017." Five Seasons Greenhouse is a wholly owned subsidiary of Grow Solutions Holdings Inc. Five Seasons has already submitted two greenhouse proposals prior to its official launch - the first proposal is in excess of $750,000, and the second proposal is in excess of $2,000,000. Grow Solutions concentrates on three of the fastest-growing segments of the industry: Story continues GrowTech (products needed to grow cannabis in and outside); ConsumerTech (products to process, store and consume cannabis); DigiTech (online properties, including a state of the art employment platform). About Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. is a holding company that is publicly traded on the OTCQB market, under the symbol "GRSO". The Company is focused on the development/distribution of high-demand products and services for cultivation, processing and consumption of cannabis. Safe Harbor for Forward-looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these statements are made to convey to the public the Company's progress, business opportunities, and growth prospects, they are based on managements current beliefs and assumptions as to future events. However, since the Company's operations and business prospects are always subject to risk and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this news release might not occur, and actual results could differ materially from those described, anticipated, or implied. For a more complete discussion of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. Jeff Beverly, President (917) 780-2381 SOURCE: Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. In a storied career, involving projects by various leading industry auteurs, Australian visual effects supervisor Chris Godfrey has tended to end up working on either war films or musicalsthough he doesnt know exactly why. Teaming up with director Mel Gibson on his triumphant return to filmmaking, harrowing WWII tale Hacksaw Ridge, Godfrey had his work cut out for him. Working down under, on a budget of some $40 million, resources were limited; and yet with Godfreys help, and the commitment of a steadfast ensemble, Gibson was able to put on screen one of the most immersive war films in recent memory. Below, Godfrey gives a detailed look at the process of the visual effects supervisor, gory inspirations, and the integration of visual effects with makeup and prosthetics. What attracted you to Hacksaw Ridge? Look, Id be lying if I didnt say Mel Gibson. Its hard to say no to a man who, with everything outstandingeverything you hear, and all the rest of ithes an exceptional director. Also, Ive worked with [producer] Bill Mechanic before, many, many years ago. I did Moulin Rouge! and Bill was the head of Fox Studios at that time. For some reason, I tend to get a lot of war films and a lot of musicals, and I havent quite figured that out. I tend to get a lot of war films and musicals and Im not sure why. That seems to be my forte. Mel is an exceptional director. Who wouldnt want to work with him? Ive worked with Terry Malick, Ive worked with George Miller, Ive worked with Mel and Ive also worked with Baz [Luhrmann], so its a really interesting group of directors. All things considered, Hacksaw was fairly low budget. How did that affect your approach to visual effects? Effectively, we started with not enough bullets, is the reality of it. A war film with not enough bullets, so it was a tight film, but it was so worth telling. You get the budget that you have to work with. Because of that, a lot of thingsbullet hits, explosionshad to be pulled together with visual effects. Story continues The ground row underneath the escarpment was about 300 kilometers away, and then the top section we built as a much smaller area, and then we had a portion of it in the studio. So we had to tie all those together. Everything from the top looking down was an extension. Everything from the top looking across became an extension, or hidden by smoke. There was a lot of things, because of the ramifications of the budgeta lot of it fell under visual effects towards the end. There were hero moments, like where the big explosions fell off, and I directed the explosion sequence. Then were other things which were clean up, pulling them together. A lot of the things that, if we could have found the right location, if we could have found the right situation, but rarely you ever doFrom what I understand, theyve almost made their money back on the sales so far. Where does the process begin and end with visual effects? I was brought in with the other heads of departments. Generally, visual effects come in a little bit earlier than that if its possible. With Baz, Ill come in when theyre scripting. With this, they already had their scripts. I did an interview with Mel, got the gig and then they bring me in and then we talk, and you pull apart the script as a group. Theres certain things, like where the very first explosions happenyou know, the anticipation when he puts his hand on that guys knee? That was a scene that Mel was particularly interested in, where they just evaporate. From the waist up, after about the first bullet, its all computer graphics. To get the effect of seeing into the head, I got one of our guys who does prosthetics to get a melon baller and literally hollow out what the effect would be, or what hole would be left. He even put in bone, he put in tongue, he put in some jawline, the lip, the mouth. Then, he gave that back to us as stills. We scanned that and that became the basis for it. We scanned the base of the head, we scanned the bodies. We couldnt build it in any other way; its so visceral, you cant approach it in any other way. We had to just slice them at the hip and then build everything in 3D above that. There are certain moments that are very specifically 3D or visual effects. The rest of it is a game play where you say, okay if you do the first three close squib hits, Ill handle all of the background, which is CG. Its a negotiation. Did Gibson contribute specific ideas for how or when your department would come into play? The worst thing that can happen is if a director gets involved in the technology of the visual effects, so Mel was very instructive as a director. He can explain what he wants, he can explain the feel of how he wants something, and then its up to interpretation. With things like the explosion sequence where they first go up on top of the hill, we came up with the look. We started off actually using what was called the box bombs, which were black and you could basically run through one of them. The issue became, there was too much of the black sitting there, and so I changed that out, and instead we used five liters of fuel in each of those. Now the big explosion sequence, when it starts off, I think its 75 explosions in 11 seconds, shot-fire speed. In that one sequence alone, we can [use] over 300 liters of fuel. We had 15 layouts with gelignite, so it was a big setup. It took three days to line up the one shot, and once youve got a shot like that, you cant stop. Mel had no input into that whatsoever, we complete it because we know our trade and then we show him the end results. He does know what he wants to dohes done this all before. One of the statements that he did make, which I think was very interesting, was he wanted to be between the bullet and the gun all the time. That was the definite thing we had to achieve; we had to be close enough in to see the attack, to see the bullet, to see the wound. Thats hard. If you stand back and youve got people falling all over the place, and theres random hits and theyre way off in the distance, thats easy. Bring them up close and actually have bullets hits that go through people, and theres blood that comes out, bits of their fabric that move, thats a lot more complex. Thats sort of in the area that he wanted to be. It made it a difficult dance because we were limited in what we could spend, but we had a very definite plan of what we wanted to achieve. During the shoot, what do your responsibilities entail? We had a split unitmain and second unit. I generally stayed on main unit. War films are an odd thing. With a war film, what you need to do, from a visual effects point of view, is stand back. If youre doing a Star Wars film, the visual effects stand forward and they say, To do this, were going to have to do this, this and this. With a war film youve got 200, 300 guys on set who are all running around attacking each other, and the worst thing you can do is actually stop it. So apart from two instances, it always became a situation where we were going to trim later, not plan early. Also, theres a lot of things which are serendipitous in that, because you also take advantage of the fact that certain things will happen. Therell be blowups, therell be whatever, therell be wire removals, and so you cant really pre-plan those. How did visual effects integrate with makeup and other practical effects produced on-set? The prosthetics are really goodShane [Thomas, makeup designer], at the outset of this, went and found all these really gory images from wars, from car accidents, from suicides. It was interesting that after a while, you became a little bit desensitized to it. Larry [Van Duynhoven] looked at those and made removable prosthetics. We did also have, on top of that, some amputee victims that we dressed, and its an odd thing. One of the interesting thing we did do on this that I hadnt done before, hadnt tried before, was when the Japanese were finally shot, the majority of them are bare-skinned, and we actually tracked wounds over bare skin at the endbullet hits. Ive never seen that on another film before. What stands out about Hacksaw, in comparison to other war films youve done? I suppose the major thing is the battle scene itself; its a gruelling battle. The first part of it runs for almost 11 minutes. What was very surprising to me was it had such a strong response with women. My two sisters rang me up last night, were praising the film. It has a very strong response because its also married in with the fact that you have to have that level of violence to counter that level of despair. Theres almost a texture to the way [Gibson] plans these things out. He had a very definite plan as to the pace that it went at. Mels done a lot of action stuff and it does show. The other thing, too, that Mel is very different at, was that Mel would get down on the ground himself. His knees are totally shot, and Mel would get down on the ground and hed go, No, no not that. Hed jump down into a foxhole and go, I want it more like this. He put the effort in, he put the action in, and he put himself in those situations. Related stories Lin-Manuel Miranda Boards Lionsgate's 'The Kingkiller Chronicle' To Produce TV Series, Movie & More Lionsgate, China's iQIYI Extend Relationship With Long-Term Output Deal Daniel Trachtenberg In Talks For Lionsgate's Houdini Film Port-au-Prince (AFP) - The man who appears to have won the first round of Haiti's presidential election, Jovenel Moise, says he wants to lift the Caribbean country out of poverty by reviving its agricultural sector. Moise, a 48-year-old political novice and entrepreneur who worked in agriculture mostly growing bananas, has been nicknamed "banana man" since former president Michel Martelly chose him to represent the PHTK party. "We will need to mobilize all the resources of the country, as I repeated during my campaign: men, land, sun and rivers to put food on people's plates and money in their pockets," Moise said late Monday, shortly after the preliminary results of the first-round election were announced. The preliminary results showed that Moise won the election outright, garnering 55.7 percent of the vote, but he lacks much popularity, with only 21 percent of eligible voters casting their ballots. A candidate who wins more than half of the ballots cast in the first round is the victor, preventing the election from going to a second round. Jude Celestin, who ran as a candidate of the opposition LAPEH and came in second with 19.52 percent, has joined fellow candidates Moise Jean-Charles (11.04 percent) and Maryse Narcisse (8.99 percent) in challenging the outcome. "We are saying there was cheating and we will see who cheated," Celestin told AFP, without naming Moise directly. - 'Electoral coup' - Violence broke out Tuesday in some of Port-au-Prince's poorest neighborhoods, which were carried by Narcisse's Fanmi Lavalas party. Police launched teargas grenades to disperse a crowd of hundreds of her supporters who called the vote an "electoral coup" and reacted to the advancing officers by throwing stones. "We didn't vote in secret. All of the working-class neighborhoods in the country... voted for Maryse, but the results they announced were an electoral coup," said Rose-Marie Rosilus, who lives in Bel Air, a neighborhood that has historically been a bastion of former leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who heads the Lavalas party. Story continues "We will stay out in the streets until the electoral council gives us our true results," added Rosilus, who brought lemons to alleviate the effect of the teargas. Provisional Electoral Council president Leopold Berlanger cautioned that the results were preliminary and final results would not be confirmed until December 29. Haitian law offers candidates the opportunity to challenge the results in electoral courts. The drawn-out proceedings are slowing down the return to constitutional order in a desperately poor country already beset by political upheaval. Three of the council's nine members refused to sign the results announced on Monday, signaling a potential conflict over the outcome. "There were no demonstrations of joy in Haiti. When a candidate wins with more than 55 percent, there should be spontaneous demonstrations by people who are out in the streets because they are happy," Celestin said. The fact that there were no such public revelries "means that people do not agree with the results which do not reflect the popular vote," he said. - 'A candidate cheated' - "It is not just a fight to narrow the gap, but rather to demonstrate that a candidate cheated and therefore must be punished as the electoral decree mandates, which is to say he should be removed from the process if necessary," Celestin said, indicating he would pursue the matter in the courts. The long-delayed November 20 election took place without major incident. Haiti's vote was originally held in October 2015, but the results were scrapped after an independent commission found massive fraud. Moise was initially said to have won the October 2015 election's first round with approximately 33 percent to 25 percent for Celestin, who denounced the results as a "ridiculous farce" before they were scrapped. Fatigued by the long-delayed vote, the majority of Haitians report that they do not believe an election can lift Haiti -- where more than 60 percent of the population survives on less than $2 per day -- out of extreme poverty. Nearly 6.2 million people were eligible to vote in the Americas's poorest country, parts of which are still struggling to recover from a devastating hurricane. More than 800,000 people in Haiti currently need emergency food assistance, according to the United Nations. Harry Shearer is developing a topical political sketch comedy series titled Too Soon? that will have a heavy focus on President-elect Donald Trump and his time in the Oval Office. In a teaser (see above), with the use of motion-capture technology, Shearer voices and plays both Trump and President Barack Obama, as he envisions their 90-minute meeting in the Oval Office shortly after Trumps electoral college win. In the clip, we see the incoming and outgoing commanders-in-chief discussing Abraham Lincolns desk in the oval office, Obamas bookshelf, the office drapes, among other things. Shearer says hes been working for some time on developing a new kind of topical sketch series based on his characterizations and mo-cap technology, and for the first time found a team capable of producing it. John MacInnes and Remington Scott of MacIinnes Scott, who worked together on vid-game Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, directed and produced the short. The Simpsons Shearer says his goal is to do a wide-ranging satirical take on current events, but given Trumps ability to make news, hell probably have an outsize presence in the show. That, along with the idea that topical satire, of necessity tends to have a heavy emphasis on whoever occupies the Oval Office at the time. Shearer is currently shopping the series, looking at various distribution platforms. The job is to find the ideal combination of the budget numbers we need to produce content and the distribution platform with maximum speed and flexibility, he says. Shearer is no stranger to playing a president. He previously portrayed Richard Nixon in his web series Nixons The One, based on the Nixon White House tapes. Shearer is repped by Affirmative Entertainment. Related stories Donald Trump Names Steven Mnuchin New Treasury Secretary Donald Trump Proposes Jail For Flag Burners, Triggers Morning TV News Donald Trump Slams CNN's Jeff Zeleny, Reportedly "Encouraged" Kellyanne Conway's Anti-Romney Beltway Barbs 29 Nov - Actress Hasmine Killip has won another Best Actress award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards recently. As reported on InterAksyon, the actress, who has won Best Actress at the Hanoi International Film Festival and Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival for her role in "Pamilya Ordinaryo", was recognised again at the event held in Brisbane, Australia, not long after the movie was awarded the People's Jury Special Mention at the Five Flavours International Film Festival in Warsaw. The London East Asia Film Festival also honoured Killip with the Special Citation for Performance earlier. However, Killip, who is residing in London, couldn't attend the event, and was represented by producer Almond Derla, who received the award on her behalf. At 21, not only is she the only Filipina to win the award aside from Nora Aunor, but also the youngest nominee in her category. In "Pamilya Ordinaryo", Killip plays a homeless teenager who has to raise her baby in Manila alongside her partner, Aries (played by Ronwaldo Martin). Helen Mirren is getting candid about her marriage! In a new interview with AARP, the Oscar-winning actress opens up about why it took 13 years for her and film director, Taylor Hackford, to get married. EXCLUSIVE: Helen Mirren Reveals the Surprising Secret to Her 18-Year Marriage "It's very hard to unpick you choices," the 71-year-old film legend said. "A lot of it was luck, but a lot of it was choice, absolutely. Yes, I did very consciously choose my work over my relationships right up to the time that I met Taylor. I was 38 when I met Taylor, pretty late in life." "We got married in the end because we realized that we were going to be together forever," the British star continued. "We got married, ultimately, for legal reasons more than anything else -- estate planning and other complicated things like that. And our families, we sensed, wanted us to be married. I always said I have nothing against marriage; it just wasn't to my taste, like turnips. It took me a very long time to come round to acquiring the taste. I just had to meet the right turnip." AARP The couple met on the set of White Nights and started dating in 1984, but didn't make things official until 13 years later, when they tied the knot on New Year's Eve in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland. WATCH: James Marsden Gets a Kiss From Crush Helen Mirren Despite more than three decades together, Mirren's latest project, Collateral Beauty, marks the first time the pair have been able to work in the same town. Mirren says she relished being able to come home and ask her 71-year-old husband how his day was. "We were both going off to work like, 'Have you got a big day?'" she said. "'Yeah, I have a big day!' And then coming home, 'How was your day?' It was brilliant." NEWS: Helen Mirren Leaves Stephen Colbert Speechless With Surprise Kiss Collateral Beauty also stars Kate Winslet, a Mirren fangirl, who said she would chat with the icon for hours on end about "anything from boobs to boys," during their downtime on the film. Story continues "She is everyone's friend," Winslet told the magazine. "And she is out-of-control sexy and beautiful! We all wanted to make out with her." See Mirren dish on her secret to a long-lasting marriage in the video below. Related Articles KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (LXRP) (CSE:LXX) ("the Company" or "Lexaria") is pleased to announce the entry of a letter of intent (the "LOI") for the licensing of its proprietary absorption and palatability enhancing technology to Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. (HEMP.V) ("Hempco"). Under the auspices of the LOI, Hempco and Lexaria begin lab tests and formulations this week to evaluate proprietary methods of applying Lexaria's newly-patented technology for Hempco's needs and demands. Hempco's already-excellent award winning food products may be enhanced with Lexaria's patented technology. "The combination of Hempco's existing product innovations and proprietary manufacturing methods combined with Lexaria's patented food flavour-masking and nutrient delivery enhancement technology is hoped to create manufacturing and technology synergies powerful enough to create a quality gap that other hemp food providers and the world's leading brands in the sector will find difficult to match," said Hempco CEO, Charles Holmes. "In our efforts to make the finest and most innovative and healthy hemp seed foods possible, the Lexaria technology is a perfect fit for us, and an excellent addition to our award winning PLANETHEMP brand retail line of products." Hempco and the Holmes family is a pioneer in hemp protein powders and an innovator in manufacturing and global distribution of hemp based foods with wide applications. Hempco recently launched its PlanetHemp brand of hemp seed nut, hemp seed oil, and hemp seed protein powder snacks in Canada and the UK to approximately 800 stores in North America as well as Europe and Asia. Hempco is vertically integrated from field to consumer products, and has rapidly growing international sales and distribution which also offers additional opportunity for synergies with Lexaria's existing hemp-oil based products. "I could not be happier than to engage in this LOI with Hempco," said Chris Bunka, CEO of Lexaria Bioscience Corp. "We immediately begin product formulation testing and evaluation, and will work with all types of hemp food products such as proteins, seeds, oils and derivatives thereof, as we determine the most advantageous methods of embedding superior technology into Hempco's product mix." Story continues Financial terms of the LOI are not disclosed at this time and are still under negotiation, but have already been narrowed down to agreed-upon ranges. The LOI is expected to advance into a definitive agreement within 90 days but there is no assurance of this. Further details regarding the completion of the definitive agreement and formulation development and testing will be announced as information becomes available. Readers are cautioned that if a definitive agreement is completed with Hempco, much of Lexaria's financial compensation is dependent upon the marketplace success of the Hempco products enhanced with Lexaria's technology. About Lexaria Lexaria Bioscience Corp. is a food sciences company focused on the delivery of active compounds that can behave as superfoods through its proprietary infusion technologies. Lexaria's technology enables higher bioavailability rates for CBD; THC; NSAIDs; Nicotine and other molecules than is possible without lipophilic enhancement technology. This can allow for lower overall dosing requirements and/or higher effectiveness in active molecule delivery. Lexaria hopes to reduce other common but less healthy ingestion methods such as smoking as it embraces the benefits of public health. www.lexariabioscience.com About Hempco Hempco and the Holmes family is a trusted and respected pioneer, innovator and provider of premier hemp seed foods for more than 15 years. Hempco is recognized as a "company that cares" and guarantees that its customers, all over North America, Europe and Asia, are provided the finest hemp seed foods possible. The Hempco mandate has grown to "whole crop utilization" and is investigating hemp fiber and hemp CBD nutraceuticals to create a "tri-crop" opportunity for farmers. Hempco has grown its business significantly and is generating value and profits for shareholders. 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: that any license arrangements may be entered into with other companies or partners, that the Company's technology will prove to be beneficial to third parties or to generate revenue for the Company. 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 the participation in the 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. There is no assurance that the new LOI entered will result in a definitive license agreement nor that Lexaria will experience any benefit from either the LOI or a potential definitive agreement. There is no assurance that existing capital is sufficient for the Company's needs. 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 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 of Lexaria's postulated uses, benefits, or advantages for the 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). 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. Shares of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com JD were up nearly 4.8% in early-afternoon trading Tuesday after investment banking firm Macquarie Group announced that it raised its stake in the company by 6.9% during the second quarter. The funds ownership of JD.com, one of Chinas largest online direct sales companies, is up to 718,600 shares after an additional 46,100 shares were purchased earlier this year. Macquaries holdings of JD were worth about $15.26 million at the end of the most recent quarter. JDs largest domestic competitor, Alibaba BABA, was also up on Tuesday afternoon, while its U.S. rival Amazon AMZN remained relatively flat. While no exact numbers have been released yet, many investors are getting the sense that this years Cyber Monday was a success around the globe. Heading into the holiday season, the focus will remain on the retail giants of the world, however, domestic like companies like Amazon and Walmart WMT have more at stake given the nature of their customer bases. Questions remain about the overall health of the global economy, and China remains an uncertainty after economic concerns plagued the countrys stock market at the beginning of the year. Although not perfect, several U.S. economic indicators point to domestic shoppers having a little extra cash to spend this holiday (Also read: Q3 GDP Up to 3.2%). The worlds attention will now turn to the highly anticipated OPEC meeting taking place this week. Stocks that Aren't in the News. Yet. You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AMAZON.COM INC (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report JD.COM INC-ADR (JD): Free Stock Analysis Report WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report ALIBABA GROUP (BABA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Thousands of Indonesian security forces will be deployed at a rally this week against Jakarta's Christian governor to prevent a repeat of violence that marred a protest earlier this month, police said Tuesday. About 22,000 officials -- mostly police and soldiers, as well as some paramedics -- will be on the streets for Friday's rally against governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who has caused anger in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country by allegedly insulting Islam. Police said they expect at least 150,000 protesters to turn out for the demonstration against Purnama, who is also a member of Indonesia's small ethnic Chinese minority. Authorities named Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, a suspect in a blasphemy investigation this month after Muslim groups demanded that he be prosecuted for allegedly insulting the Koran while campaigning for governorship elections. The controversy is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where minorities have increasingly come under attack. Some observers however say it is as much about politics, accusing the governor's rivals of whipping up anger in a bid to reduce his support. After a massive demonstration against Purnama on November 4 turned violent in its later stages, with one man dying as Muslim hardliners battled police, authorities are taking no chances ahead of Friday's rally. Police have restricted the area of the protest to a park around a major monument in downtown Jakarta and it will take place from 8:00 am (0100 GMT) to 1:00 pm. On Tuesday national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar detailed the number of security forces to be deployed and urged protesters not to bring any weapons. "It's forbidden to bring sharp weapons, like sharpened bamboo," he told reporters, adding that at the earlier protest some people had used bamboo flagpoles to attack officers. Several hundred people were injured in the protest violence, which saw demonstrators hurling missiles at police who responded with water cannons and tear gas. Story continues The controversy began in September when Purnama accused his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him. Even though Purnama has been named a suspect, hardliners are now demanding that he be arrested before an expected trial. The governor -- who faces up to five years in jail if found guilty -- has vowed that he will still contest the February election. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to kill human-rights activists who obstruct his bloody drug war during a speech at the presidential palace Monday. Duterte gave a stark warning to those who accuse him of extrajudicial killings, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports. He said human-rights defenders would be responsible if the numbers of drug users increased. The human-rights [defenders] said I ordered the killings. I told them, O.K. Lets stop. Well let them [drug users] multiply so that when its harvest time, more people will die, the President said. I will include you because you are the reason why their numbers swell, he added, referring to human-rights activists. While saber rattling has been a perennial feature of Dutertes presidency he has directed profanity ridden tirades at various world leaders, which are often dialed back by members of his Cabinet his drug war has killed at least 5,000 people since July 1, many of them at the hands of shadowy vigilante groups. Although he continues to deny ordering extrajudicial killings, in a separate speech on Saturday, Duterte addressed drug users, saying: If you go out, you sons of b-tches, I will kill you if I see you outside. Amid his latest slew of threats, the Inquirer reports that the President brandished a stack of documents he said contained a validated list of some 5,000 public officials with alleged links to the drug trade. [Philippine Daily Inquirer] Warsaw (AFP) - Hungary called on the European Union to speed up accession talks with the western Balkans on Tuesday, so as to "protect" the bloc from a future influx of migrants. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto warned of unspecified security risks if Brussels allows negotiations with the Balkan nations to drag on too long. Hungary has repeatedly voiced its opposition to the EU's programme of redistributing migrants across the EU to share the burden of Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War II. Budapest filed a legal challenge with the European Court of Justice late last year against the mandatory resettlement quotas, while authorities also erected a fence and brought in tough new laws punishing illegal entry. "The countries of the western Balkans should be strong enough to protect the EU against another wave of migration," Szijjarto told reporters after a Warsaw meeting with his central European counterparts and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Before it was shut down in March, the so-called Balkan route was taken by hundreds of thousands of migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa on their way to western Europe. "The quickest route to strengthening these countries is to offer them accession to the EU," Szijjarto added. He said the Visegrad Four group of countries -- the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia -- will work to accelerate the negotiations. The six Balkan nations wishing to join the EU are Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. However, the bloc has ruled out any further enlargement before 2020, and even that date looks unrealistic. "We should be enlarging in the upcoming five years. What's more, we should be enlarging the EU immediately," protested Szijjarto. "If the enlargement process is still going to be so slow as it was up until now, this may lead to serious risks both in the security and in the economic dimension." Story continues Mogherini for her part told reporters that the EU and the western Balkans had already made "impressive progress". Many in the western Balkans -- a region of widespread poverty and turbulence that is home to around 20 million people -- see the 28-nation bloc as a beacon of stability and prosperity. Membership negotiations have already started with Serbia and Montenegro, but are yet to get underway for Albania and Macedonia. Bosnia and Kosovo have been promised the prospect of membership when they are ready. By Nigel Hunt LONDON (Reuters) - India is unlikely to need to import sugar in the 2016/17 season despite a drop in production, Abinash Verma, director general of the Indian Sugar Mills Association said on Tuesday. "If the production number we are suggesting at the moment comes out correct, or comes close, I don't think we will need to import," he told Reuters on the sidelines of a sugar seminar hosted by the International Sugar Organization. Some analysts have forecast that India would import sugar, with the country's consumption likely to outpace production for the first time in seven years. Verma said ISMA was forecasting a crop of 23.4 million tonnes in 2016/17, down about 7 percent from a year ago as back-to-back droughts ravaged cane crops in the top producing western state of Maharashtra. He said more information on the level of production in India would be available by the end of January. "The biggest question will be are our estimates good and how much deviation there will be from our estimates," he said. Verma said production in India should rebound in the 2017/18 season, with the outlook improved by recent rains which have boosted water reserves. India's government has estimated production in Maharashtra fell to 5.5 million tonnes in 2016/17, while some analysts expect a rebound to 9.0 million or possibly 10.0 million tonnes in 2017/18. "Maharashtra can move from 5.5 million to 9 (million), whether they can move to 10 (million) we will have to wait and see," Verma said, adding there were some concerns whether sufficient seed would be available to reach the higher total. Verma said production in Karnataka should also rebound, potentially climbing by around 1.0 to 1.5 million tonnes, while in Uttar Pradesh there was scope for it to rise by around 500,000 tonnes. (Reporting by Nigel Hunt; Editing by Mark Potter) By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists are taking the battle to prevent HIV to the next level with large-scale trials set to start using injections to protect vulnerable groups such as gay men and women in Africa for at least two months. Further down the road, the hope is to produce matchstick-sized implants containing slow-release drugs - similar to existing under-the-skin contraceptive devices - that could offer year-long protection. Companies with drugs involved include GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences and Merck. The initiatives build on the success of Gilead's once-daily pill Truvada, which has proved remarkably effective at stopping HIV infection during sex. Clinical studies show such pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, can cut the risk of catching the virus by more than 90 percent, as long as people take their pills regularly. The problem is many do not. Some women in trials in Africa, for example, said they were reluctant to have HIV tablets in the house for fear of what partners or neighbours would think. An injection given in a clinic, experts argue, would add privacy and ensure steady drug levels. An implant in the arm might even combine contraception and HIV protection in one go. "The more options there are the better and I think for some individuals injections will be great," said Jean-Michel Molina, professor of infectious diseases at Hospital Saint-Louis in Paris. "Now that we know antiretrovirals have great potential to prevent HIV infections, it is time to really assess other ways to deliver these drugs." The need remains acute. Despite treatment advances that have slashed AIDS deaths, around 1.9 million people still catch HIV each year - a number that hasn't budged since 2010. New infections among gay men are actually increasing. The United Nations AIDS programme warned last week that the problem now threatened progress in ending the global epidemic, while the World Health Organization has recommended PrEP for all groups at substantial risk of HIV infection. STILL NO VACCINE GlaxoSmithKline's majority-owned ViiV Healthcare unit, working with U.S. government agencies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, hopes to add the first injectable PrEP. It plans to start a four-year trial as soon as next month testing its experimental drug cabotegravir in gay men in the Americas and Thailand, with a second trial next year assessing the medicine in African women. Two separate studies evaluating cabotegravir in combination with another drug for HIV treatment were launched this month. "The holy grail is a vaccine, but we don't have a vaccine yet," said Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who is involved in the ViiV prevention study programme and believes new options can help rein in HIV. He is also working on another prevention trial giving people antibodies via an intravenous drip. Gilead, meanwhile, is running a late-stage study assessing its next-generation HIV drug Descovy as an alternative oral PrEP, since it has milder side effects than Truvada. In the long run, Cohen and other HIV experts are especially excited by slow-release drug implants. Implants have yet to prove themselves in human trials, although an experiment in beagles last year with a Gilead drug produced promising results. Products from GSK and Merck are also seen as implant options. The size of the HIV prevention market remains uncertain and price will be an issue, especially in Africa, but some industry analysts believe it could be substantial. Truvada, the only medicine so far approved for HIV prevention, is now being used for PrEP by 80,000-90,000 people in the United States, accounting for 35-45 percent of the drug's revenue in the third quarter. It is starting to gain traction, too, in Europe, with France offering free supplies, while in Britain and other markets, where it is not paid for by the government, people are turning to online "buyers clubs" to get cut-price generics. There is resistance, however. A French government campaign this month promoting HIV awareness, including PrEP, was attacked by several French mayors. Some have also criticised PrEP for diluting the "safe sex" message of condom use, especially as it will not prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But Sheena McCormack of University College London argues this misses the point. "Sometimes people can't see the wood for the trees. The STI that lasts a lifetime and costs governments a lot of money is HIV." (Editing by Alexandra Hudson) canada Donald Trump won't be sworn in as US President until January, but one major internet organization is already making back-up plans, literally. The Internet Archive, a San Francisco non-profit that maintains one of the world's largest library of cached web sites, said on Tuesday that it was planning to create a copy of its archives in Canada, out of the reach of the incoming US government. "On November 9th in America, we woke up to a new administration promising radical change. It was a firm reminder that institutions like ours, built for the long-term, need to design for change," Brewster Kahle, founder of the Internet Archive wrote in a blog post published on Tuesday. "For us, it means keeping our cultural materials safe, private and perpetually accessible. It means preparing for a Web that may face greater restrictions." You might know the Internet Archive because of the Wayback Machine, or the most common way for people to find old copies of websites dating back as much as 20 years. The organization also maintains a massive collection of political TV ads and e-books. Trump's views on free speech have raised worries among many people, and he has said he'd like to "open up" libel laws so he can punish journalists who write negative things about him. Presumably, if the Internet Archive had a Canada-based operation, controversial documents would stay online in the event that US censorship laws became more restrictive under Trump. Kahle also points to the possibility that government surveillance may increase under a Trump administration as another reason for the move. "Throughout history, libraries have fought against terrible violations of privacywhere people have been rounded up simply for what they read." Kahle said the plan to build a copy of the internet archive in Canada will cost "millions" and he asked supporters to donate money to help fund the effort. Story continues "We still need to pay for the increasing costs of servers, staff and rent," Kahle wrote. NOW WATCH: We sleep much differently than our ancestors here's why More From Business Insider IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2016 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces a class action lawsuit against Sanderson Farms, Inc. ("Sanderson Farms" or the "Company") (SAFM). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares between December 17, 2013 and October 6, 2016 inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm in advance of the December 27, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline. If you purchased shares of Sanderson Farms during the Class Period, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esquire, of Khang & Khang LLP, 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, Sanderson Farms made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material information. On September 2, 2016, some media outlets reported the filing of an antitrust class action lawsuit against Sanderson Farms and some of its peers for conspiring to manipulate the price of broiler-chickens. Allegedly, in 2008, Sanderson Farms, along with Tyson Foods and several other companies, conspired by sharing proprietary data and reducing production to support prices. On October 4, 2016, a group of consumers filed an antitrust class action complaint against Sanderson Farms and several of its industry peers for violations of the Sherman Act. On October 7, 2016, Pivotal Research downgraded peer company Tyson Foods from "buy" to "sell," due to fears over the class action against the Company and its peers, which it called "powerfully convincing." When this information was disclosed to the public, the stock price of Sanderson Farms declined, causing investors harm. If you wish to learn more about this lawsuit, at no charge, or if you have any questions regarding 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 certain 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 28, 2016 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Tenet Healthcare Corp. ("Tenet" or the "Company") (THC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between February 28, 2012 and October 3, 2016 inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors, who purchased or otherwise acquired Tenet shares during the Class Period, are encouraged to contact the firm in advance of the December 6, 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 throughout the Class Period, Tenet made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: the Company illegally paid kickbacks to induce the referral of patients to Tenet's hospitals for labor and delivery; that Tenet defrauded the Georgia Medicaid program through this scheme; and that as a result of the above, statements about Tenet's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. On August 1, 2016, Tenet announced that it reached an agreement in principle with federal and state authorities that the Company would pay nearly $514 million to settle allegations that four Tenet hospitals in Georgia and South Carolina paid kickbacks for obstetric referrals. Under the settlement, two Tenet subsidiaries would plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate federal kickback laws. On October 3, 2016, Tenet issued a press release and filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, announcing that the Company finalized the agreement in principle announced on August 1, 2016. When this news was announced, the stock price of Tenet fell, causing investors significant harm. Story continues Lundin Law PC was established by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding the rights of shareholders. 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 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2016 / Lundin Law PC , a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit 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 prior to 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 yet. 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 through 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 information went public, the stock price of Adeptus Health declined, causing investors serious harm. Lundin Law PC was established by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding the rights of shareholders. 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 Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged Tokyo to keep costs for the 2020 Summer Games below $20 billion as the hosts continue to grapple with ballooning expenses for the multi-sports event. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike ordered a review of the budget that recommended revised plans for three venues to trim costs projected to hit 3 trillion yen ($26.75 billion), four times the initial estimates made when Tokyo won the rights for the Games. At an open meeting for a four-party working group that includes the IOC on Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 organizers vowed to keep costs below $20 billion but the Olympic authority felt even that ceiling was too high. "The IOC has not agreed to that amount of money," IOC Vice President Peter Coates told reporters after the meeting, the culmination of a month of technical talks and lower level working group gatherings. "We believe the Games can be delivered for significantly less than that," he said, noting that the IOC would sit down with Tokyo officials to discuss further cuts. Among proposals discussed were those made by the Tokyo government to move rowing and canoe/kayak sprint events to an existing course 400 km (250 miles) north of Tokyo, and using older facilities in the capital for volleyball and swimming. Koike, who became governor in August, told the meeting that due to the high cost of refurbishing the existing rowing venue, Tokyo had decided to stick with plans to build a new one in the capital. ATHLETES ARE PRIORITY Costs for a brand new aquatics center will be pared by cutting the number of seats. As for volleyball, she proposed using an existing venue in the neighboring city of Yokohama and asked to have until Christmas to make a final decision -- a request to which the group agreed. Last month, IOC President Thomas Bach said that while the Olympic authority was concerned about rising costs for the Tokyo Games, the experience of the athletes had to remain a priority for any planning. Costs for many venues have soared since Tokyo beat Madrid and Istanbul for the right to host the Games in 2013, which organizers blame on increased construction costs following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. IOC reforms known as "Agenda 2020," carried out with the aim of keeping the Olympics more sustainable, urge the use of existing facilities when possible -- even in other cities or countries -- if it makes financial and practical sense. Games organizers have run into a series of broken promises and problems in their preparations, including scrapping the original design for the centerpiece National Stadium as well as the first logo after allegations that it was plagiarized. (Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by John O'Brien) By Ahmad Ghaddar and Vladimir Soldatkin VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran and Iraq are resisting pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail oil production, making it hard for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to reach a deal to limit output and boost the price of crude when it meets on Wednesday. OPEC sources told Reuters a meeting of experts in Vienna on Monday failed to bridge differences between OPEC's de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, and the group's second- and third-largest producers over the mechanics of output cuts. On Tuesday, tensions rose further after Iran wrote to OPEC saying it wanted Saudi Arabia to cut production by as much as 1 million barrels per day (bpd), much more than Riyadh is willing to offer, OPEC sources who saw the letter told Reuters. "It is a response to Saudi telling Iran what to produce," one of the sources said. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told reporters upon arrival in Vienna that he was not prepared to reduce output: "We will leave the level of production (where) we decided in Algeria." OPEC, which accounts for a third of global oil production, made a preliminary agreement in Algiers in September to cap output at around 32.5-33 million bpd versus the current 33.64 million bpd to prop up oil prices, which have halved since mid-2014. OPEC said it would exempt Iran, Libya and Nigeria from cuts as their output has been crimped by unrest and sanctions. The deal was seen as a victory for Iran. Tehran has long argued it wants to raise production to regain market share lost under Western sanctions, when its political arch-rival Saudi Arabia increased output. In recent weeks, Riyadh changed its stance and offered to cut its output by 0.5 million bpd, according to OPEC sources, while suggesting Iran limit production at around 3.8 million bpd - in line with or slightly above the country's current output. Tehran has sent mixed signals, saying it wanted to produce as much as 4.2 million bpd. Iran's letter to OPEC suggested Saudi Arabia should cut output to 9.5 million bpd. Story continues Iraq has also been pressing for higher output limits, saying it needs more money to fight the militant group Islamic State. Iran and Iraq together produce over 8 million bpd, only slightly behind long-time leader Saudi with 10.5 million bpd. The argument between Iraq and Saudi Arabia mainly focuses on whether Baghdad should use its own output estimates to limit production or rely on lower figures from OPEC's experts. As tensions within OPEC mounted, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said at the weekend that oil markets would rebalance even without an output-limiting pact. He had previously said Riyadh was keen for a deal. One of Saudi Arabia's main allies, UAE Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui, said on Tuesday the market would indeed rebalance itself within six months although an output deal would help speed the process. Falih was not expected to land in Vienna before Tuesday evening, leaving little time for traditional pre-meeting discussions with other ministers. "The feeling today is mixed," Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the prospects of a deal. "I don't know. Let's see." GOLDMAN SEES DEFICIT Brent crude (LCOc1) was down more than 4 percent, near $46 a barrel, after the Indonesian and Iranian comments. [O/R] Some analysts including Morgan Stanley and Macquarie have said oil prices will correct sharply if OPEC fails to reach a deal, potentially going as low as $35 per barrel. Goldman Sachs, one of the most active banks in oil trading, said it saw prices averaging $45 a barrel until mid-2017 even without any OPEC deal and added the market was likely to move into a deficit in the second half of 2017. A year ago, Goldman was saying a global glut would push oil prices to around $20. Prices fell to multi-year lows of $27 per barrel in January 2016. Besides disagreements with Iran and Iraq, Saudi Arabia has also signaled it was unhappy with Russia's position. Oil ministers from OPEC members Algeria and Venezuela traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to try to persuade non-OPEC Russia to take part in cuts instead of merely freezing output, which has reached new highs in the past year. They made no comment as they emerged from their meeting. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he had no plan to travel to Vienna but could meet OPEC once it reaches a deal. (Additional reporting by Rania El Gamal and Alex Lawler; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson) By Ahmad Ghaddar and Vladimir Soldatkin VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran and Iraq are resisting pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail oil production, making it hard for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to reach a deal to limit output and boost the price of crude when it meets on Wednesday. OPEC sources told Reuters a meeting of experts in Vienna on Monday failed to bridge differences between OPEC's de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, and the group's second- and third-largest producers over the mechanics of output cuts. On Tuesday, tensions rose further after Iran wrote to OPEC saying it wanted Saudi Arabia to cut production by as much as 1 million barrels per day (bpd), much more than Riyadh is willing to offer, OPEC sources who saw the letter told Reuters. "It is a response to Saudi telling Iran what to produce," one of the sources said. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told reporters upon arrival in Vienna that he was not prepared to reduce output: "We will leave the level of production (where) we decided in Algeria." OPEC, which accounts for a third of global oil production, made a preliminary agreement in Algiers in September to cap output at around 32.5-33 million bpd versus the current 33.64 million bpd to prop up oil prices, which have halved since mid-2014. OPEC said it would exempt Iran, Libya and Nigeria from cuts as their output has been crimped by unrest and sanctions. The deal was seen as a victory for Iran. Tehran has long argued it wants to raise production to regain market share lost under Western sanctions, when its political arch-rival Saudi Arabia increased output. In recent weeks, Riyadh changed its stance and offered to cut its output by 0.5 million bpd, according to OPEC sources, while suggesting Iran limit production at around 3.8 million bpd - in line with or slightly above the country's current output. Tehran has sent mixed signals, saying it wanted to produce as much as 4.2 million bpd. Iran's letter to OPEC suggested Saudi Arabia should cut output to 9.5 million bpd. Iraq has also been pressing for higher output limits, saying it needs more money to fight the militant group Islamic State. Iran and Iraq together produce over 8 million bpd, only slightly behind long-time leader Saudi with 10.5 million bpd. The argument between Iraq and Saudi Arabia mainly focuses on whether Baghdad should use its own output estimates to limit production or rely on lower figures from OPEC's experts. As tensions within OPEC mounted, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said at the weekend that oil markets would rebalance even without an output-limiting pact. He had previously said Riyadh was keen for a deal. One of Saudi Arabia's main allies, UAE Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui, said on Tuesday the market would indeed rebalance itself within six months although an output deal would help speed the process. Falih landed in Vienna on Tuesday evening, leaving little time for traditional pre-meeting discussions with other ministers. "The feeling today is mixed," Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the prospects of a deal. "I don't know. Let's see." Documents prepared for Wednesday's meeting propose the group cut production by 1.2 million bpd from October levels, an OPEC source familiar with the papers said. The papers also propose Saudi Arabia reduce production to 10.07 million bpd from 10.54 million bpd in October and that Iran freeze output at 3.797 million bpd, according to the source. OPEC delayed the start of Wednesday's formal talks by one hour to 1000 GMT (5.00 a.m. ET), a schedule posted on its website showed. Additionally, OPEC ministers will meet informally at 0700 GMT on Wednesday before the formal talks, an OPEC source said. GOLDMAN SEES DEFICIT Brent crude was down more than 4 percent, near $46 a barrel, after the Indonesian and Iranian comments. [O/R] Some analysts including Morgan Stanley and Macquarie have said oil prices will correct sharply if OPEC fails to reach a deal, potentially going as low as $35 per barrel. Goldman Sachs, one of the most active banks in oil trading, said it saw prices averaging $45 a barrel until mid-2017 even without any OPEC deal and added the market was likely to move into a deficit in the second half of 2017. A year ago, Goldman was saying a global glut would push oil prices to around $20. Prices fell to multi-year lows of $27 per barrel in January 2016. Besides disagreements with Iran and Iraq, Saudi Arabia has also signaled it was unhappy with Russia's position. Oil ministers from OPEC members Algeria and Venezuela traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to try to persuade non-OPEC Russia to take part in cuts instead of merely freezing output, which has reached new highs in the past year. They made no comment as they emerged from their meeting. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he had no plan to travel to Vienna but could meet OPEC once it reaches a deal. (Additional reporting by Rania El Gamal and Alex Lawler; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson) An Iranian vessel pointed a weapon at a U.S. military helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz this weekend in the latest in a series of actions meant to harass U.S. assets in the area this year. Reuters quoted two U.S. defense officials as saying the incident, which they described as unsafe and unprofessional, occurred Saturday. It was the first such incident since Donald Trumps election Nov. 8. There was no comment from the president-elect or his transition team. The officials said the incident involved a Navy MH-60 helicopter that flew within a half-mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters, one of which aimed a weapon at the chopper. "The behavior by our standards is provocative and could be seen as an escalation," the officials said. In September, a U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship was forced to change course when an Iranian fast-attack craft came within 100 yards. Trump has been dismissive of Iran, ridiculing the harassment. Tense relations with Iran eased somewhat after Tehran and world powers reached agreement on the countrys nuclear program. Serious differences remain, however, over Irans ballistic missile program and its involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. Fears are growing Trump and Congress will undermine the deal, which the president-elect has called a disaster. Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., Trumps pick to be head of the CIA, recently tweeted he is eager to roll back the deal, which also involves Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said last week there have been no talks with the United States on changing provisions of the agreement, denying a report in the Wall Street Journal officials held serious discussions about cutting the size of Irans nuclear stockpile to keep Trump from junking the agreement, the Tasnim news agency reported. Marine Gen. James Mattis, Trumps reported favorite to be defense secretary, has said the U.S. should abide by the accord even though he thinks Iran is the single most belligerent actor in the Middle East and an enduring threat to stability and peace in the region, the Lobe Log on Foreign Policy reported. Story continues I want to make clear theres no going back. Absent a clear and present violation [by Iran], I dont think we can take advantage of some new presidentRepublican or Democratand say, well, were not going to live up to our word in this agreement. I believe wed be alone if we did, and unilateral economic sanctions from us would not have anywhere near the impact of an allied approach to this, Mattis said. Iran last week formally protested the votes in Congress that extended sanctions against Tehran for 10 more years and blocked aircraft sales to the regime, the National Council of Resistance of Iran reported. Related Articles Welcome back to Kitchen Stadium! The original cooking competition show is coming back after a short break. Iron Chef America in all its dramatically cheesy, nail-biting glory is being rebooted by Food Network after a short hiatus on the Cooking Channel.The show will still be hosted by nerdy food icon Alton Brown, but will now be called Iron Chef Gauntlet. Iron Chef Gauntlet will begin production early next year to be premiered in the second quarter of 2017, according to Variety. The new show will offer some twists on the old competition format, but details are scarce. Previous Iron Chefs include Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Alex Guarnaschelli, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Masaharu Morimoto. These experienced chefs traditionally face off against challengers to battle for the title of Iron Chef America in different rounds using mystery ingredients or themes. The show usually follows the overly dramatized format of the original Japanese series. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli President Reuven Rivlin spoke out on Tuesday against a controversial bill that would prohibit mosques from using loudspeakers to summon believers to prayers early in the morning. The draft law, which sparked outrage around the Arab and wider Muslim world, is set to be submitted for its preliminary reading in parliament on Wednesday. Its original form was amended last week in order not to affect the sirens that announce the start of the Jewish day of rest at sundown each Friday. Rivlin on Tuesday hosted in his Jerusalem residence a meeting of religious leaders "seeking to bridge gaps over the issue of the muezzins", the Muslim lay officials charged with calling the faithful to prayer, a statement from his office read. "I thought that perhaps such a meeting could have an impact on the whole public, and that it would be a shame that a law should be born which touches on the issue of freedom of faith of a specific group among us," he was quoted as telling participants. Rivlin, whose post is mainly ceremonial, considers the new legislation -- supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- unnecessary. "The president believes that the existing legislation on noise levels is able to answer problems arising from this issue, alongside dialogue between the different faith communities in Israel," Rivlin's spokesperson Naomi Toledano Kandel said. Israeli media reported that after the meeting, Rivlin telephoned Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and encouraged him to enable members of his Kulanu faction to vote against the bill. Sources close to Rivlin and Kahlon would not comment on the reports. Israeli government watchdogs have baulked at the proposed legislation, describing it as a threat to religious freedom and an unnecessary provocation. Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi has vowed to appeal to the High Court of Justice if the Sabbath siren is excluded from the scope of the bill on the grounds that it discriminates between Jewish and Muslim citizens. Story continues The law would apply to mosques in annexed Arab east Jerusalem as well as Israel, but not to the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, according to an Israeli official. The bill's sponsor, Motti Yogev of the far-right Jewish Home party, says the legislation is necessary to avoid daily disturbance to the lives of hundreds of thousands of non-Muslim Israelis. He also charges that some muezzins abuse their function to incite hatred of Israel. In a Sunday phone call, Rivlin told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israeli legislative initiatives pertaining to prayers would be "considered with sensitivity, as any matter of freedom of speech and religion should be". Also on Wednesday, parliament will vote on a bill to legalise thousands of West Bank settler homes built on private Palestinian land, but also affording landowners compensation. Israel currently considers such homes to be illegal, while the international community considers all settlements, including those authorised by the Israeli government, illegal. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Cellcom (CEL.TA), Israel's largest mobile phone network operator, said on Tuesday it has submitted a request to a Tel Aviv court for the liquidation of Golan Telecom, alleging that the upstart rival owes Cellcom 600 million shekels ($156 million) for using its network. Cellcom said it had filed a request with the court to appoint an interim liquidator to Golan, which was launched in 2012 when the government issued new licences to boost competition in a sector that had been dominated until then by three players. A spokesman for Golan, owned by French businessmen Michael Golan and Xavier Niel, the majority owner of French telecoms group Iliad (ILD.PA), declined to comment. Offering rock-bottom prices that Cellcom and other competitors have struggled to meet, Golan has taken about 10 percent of Israel's mobile market. Cellcom tried to buy Golan for about $300 million last year but Israel's regulators opposed the purchase, arguing such a deal ran contrary to its efforts to introduce more competition to the market by having more networks. Cellcom said it could not anticipate what the court would decide or what impact the action would have on its ability to collect the money it says it is owed by Golan or to generate future revenues from its rival's use of its network. ($1 = 3.8358 shekels) (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Greg Mahlich) LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Italy's government bond yields fell to a one-week low on Tuesday as shares in its beleaguered banks recovered from recent falls. Shares in lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena rose 5.5 percent, having ended Monday down over 13 percent, while Italy's benchmark banking index gained 1.5 percent. A top bond investor for BlackRock Inc, the world's largest asset manager, said on Monday he was scaling up exposure to European banks and other financial stocks that have been beaten up by worries over a referendum in Italy that may unseat its prime minister, Matteo Renzi. Rick Rieder, BlackRock's chief investment officer of global fixed income, also said he still held exposure to Italian government debt, though at lower levels than in the past. Italy's 10-year government bond yields fell as much as 4 basis points to a one-week low of 2.02 percent, according to Tradeweb data. (Reporting by John Geddie, editing by Nigel Stephenson) BERLIN (Reuters) - Italy's foreign minister said on Tuesday he would welcome a more open approach towards Russia from the United States under President-elect Donald Trump. "If there is a more open attitude towards Russia then I am not worried, I am happy," Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said at an event in Berlin. He said that he and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was sitting on the stage with him, had long supported stronger engagement with Russia. (Reporting by Noah Barkin) [November 28, 2016] Airborne Telemetry Market Worth 8.52 Billion USD by 2021 PUNE, India, November 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Airborne Telemetry Market by Application, Technology (Wired, Wireless), Platform, Component (Receiver, Transmitter, Antenna), Sensor (GPS, Load Cell, Torque, Weather Prediction) And Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is projected to grow from USD 7.08 Billion in 2016 to USD 8.52 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 3.78% during the forecast period. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 68 market data Tables and 61 Figures spread through 164 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Airborne Telemetry Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/airborne-telemetry-market-91782443.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Factors, such as increase in the R&D expenditure in technology advancements, increased use of cloud computing in telemetry, and increase in demand for UAVs is expected to drive the growth of the airborne telemetry market. Based on technology, the wireless telemetry segment of the airborne telemetry market is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast period Wireless telemetry is used for the data transfer between aircraft and air traffic control towers using radio frequency and satellites. The data provided by aircraft to air traffic control towers is in real-time, with continuous flow of information about the location, destination, speed, and other information about aircraft. The Rise in aircraft deliveries is expected to boost the demand for wireless telemetry systems. Based on platform, the parachute segment is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast period Based on platform, the parachute segment of the airborne telemetry market is estimated to witness highest growth, owing to the increasing use of parachutes for tourism and weather monitoring. Based on sensor, the load cell segment is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast period Based on sensor, the load cell segment of the airborne telemetry market is estimated to witness highest growth during the forecast period, as load cell sensors provide highly precise and linear measurements and possess long operating life and excellent fatigue chracteristics as compared to other types of sensors. Asia-Pacific is projected to grow witness highest growth during the forecast period Asia-Pacific is one of the fastest-growing markets for Airborne Telemetry Market, due to increase in the number of aircraft delivers in the region. Countries such as India, China, and Japan are increasingly investing in network-centric solutions to strengthen their defence communication systems to intercept threats arising from regional conflicts. Furthermore, India and China are building modern and advanced aircraft carriers and countries such as Vietnam and Philippines are procuring modern communication systems for homeland security. These developments are expected to boost the demand for airborne telemetry systems in Asia-Pacific. Inquiry Before Buying: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=91782443 Major players in the airborne telemetry market include BAE Systems plc (U.S.), Honeywell International (U.S.), L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.(U.S.), Rockwell Collins, Inc. (U.S.), and Cobham PLC. (U.K.). Browse Related Reports Network Centric Warfare (NCW) Market by Platform (Land, Air, Naval, Unmanned), Application (ISR, Communication, Computer, Cyber, Combat, Control & Command), Mission Type, Communication Network, Architecture, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/network-centric-warfare-market-77370144.html C4ISR Market by Platform (Land, Naval, Airborne) Application (Command & Control, Communications, Computers, ISR, EW) Component (Networking Technologies, Communication Networks, Display Consoles, Software, EW Hardware) and Region - Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/c4isr-market-1315.html Subscribe Reports from Aerospace & Defence Domain @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical info graphics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle WA 98101, United States Tel: 1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit MarketsandMarkets [email protected] http://mnmblog.org/market-research/aerospace-defence Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's jovial leader Jacob Zuma is a former herdboy who was once known as the "Teflon president" -- but no longer. Late US president Ronald Reagan first earned the sobriquet Teflon -- "nothing sticks" -- for surviving a series of scandals while in office, and 74-year-old Zuma has done much the same through a very different set of problems. Now things are getting sticky for him. A past freedom fighter, Zuma has kept his political career alive despite a trial on charges of raping a family friend as well as allegations of corruption, abuse of power and misusing $24 million of state funds to refurbish his private residence. As leader of the late Nelson Mandela's African National Congress (ANC), which has won every election since South Africa became a democracy in 1994, Zuma was an easy victor when securing a second five-year term in 2014. The son of a domestic worker, he has "a very strong appeal" to the working class and the poor, says Sdumo Dlamini, head of the Confederation of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), an ANC ally. "He is a people's person and he has grown through the ranks of the working class. He knows the suffering of the ordinary folk." - Grassroots support - Born on April 12, 1942, in the rural outpost of Nkandla in the north of the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma had a meteoric rise in politics though it was marked by controversy. Popularly referred to as "JZ", he enjoys loyalty from millions of ANC grassroots supporters awed by his journey from uneducated cattle herder to president, with a 10-year stint as an apartheid-era political prisoner along the way. When he took the reins of the ANC in 2007 in a putsch against ex-president Thabo Mbeki, Zuma inherited a party riddled with divisions that had festered under Mbeki, who was accused of being out of touch with the masses. Tensions have since deepened further as poverty and unemployment levels continue to blight the country more than 20 years after the end of white-minority rule, and the ANC has been accused of losing its moral compass. Story continues As criticism of his reign mounted, Zuma has maintained a cheerful public facade, often giggling and laughing as the allegations against him built up. But he has also made significant U-turns to head off the most damaging lines of attack, and has been significantly weakened over the last year. Last December, he was forced into a climbdown after firing a respected minister of finance and appointing a man widely seen as a stooge. As the local rand currency went into freefall, Zuma bowed to pressure and reappointed an admired former finance minister to the key post. And in March he finally agreed to pay back some of the public money spent on his rural residence at Nkandla -- backing down and apologising after two years of resistance. - Zulu warrior gear - Zuma's private life is as colourful as his political career. A proud traditionalist, he often swaps his suits for full leopard-pelt Zulu warrior gear, engaging in energetic ground-stomping tribal dances during ceremonies in his village. At ANC rallies, he is normally the first to break into tuneful song. In the past, he loved leading supporters in the rousing anti-apartheid struggle song "Umshini Wami" (Bring Me My Machine Gun), which became his signature tune. The teetotaller and non-smoker has four wives and at least 20 children, making Zuma the only president in sub-Saharan Africa who is an open polygamist. Before taking office, Zuma dismayed the nation during his 2006 rape trial when he told the court he had showered after having sex with his young HIV-positive accuser to avoid contracting the virus. He was head of the country's national AIDS council at the time. Zuma was acquitted of rape but is mocked in newspaper cartoons -- where he is often depicted with a shower nozzle sprouting from his bald head -- and in art. An infamous painting called "The Spear", which showed him in a Vladimir Lenin pose with his genitals exposed, stirred a racially charged storm in 2010 when senior ANC officials campaigned to have it removed from a gallery and it was vandalised. During Zuma's time in power, South Africa has also been rocked by increasing social unrest over a failure to provide enough housing and basic services such as electricity and water to end the inequalities of apartheid. Despite the stalling economy and the many calls for him to stand down, Zuma may well see off his critics and stay in office until his term ends in 2019. Actress Jennifer Lawrence (Photo by Stephane Cardinale Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) Its official: Jennifer Lawrence is a star. Its written all over her. Yesterday, the actress promoted her new film, Passengers, in Paris in a star-themed outfit. Her ensemble was taken directly from the runway of the Dior Spring-Summer 2017 Ready-to-Wear Show. It consisted of a gray cashmere and Lurex sweater with one huge gold star in the middle and smaller ones dotted all around it, and a floor-length gray tulle skirt covered in gold embroidered bugs that, from far away, also look like stars. Actress Jennifer Lawrence (Photo by Stephane Cardinale Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) Embroidered on the hem of the sweater is LEtoile, which means The Star, in case you had forgotten Lawrences status. The skirt is see-through, and showed off her toned legs and matching booty shorts. Lawrence is no stranger to baring her unmentionables; she recently wore La Perla lingerie as a top to the La La Land premiere. Actress Jennifer Lawrence (Photo by Stephane Cardinale Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) While she could wear yesterdays star-struck outfit anywhere and it would make sense, the celestial ensemble was particularly appropriate for this event, because Passengers is about space exploration. She complemented the glimmer with a delicate chain choker and a low, wavy ponytail with a few loose strands framing her face. The end result? Total Cinderella-goes-to-space vibes. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Former presidential candidate Jill Stein and the Green Party are raising money to file recount votes in three statesWisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Stein insists she doesnt want to change the outcome of the election, but instead she wants to root out fraud. Were going to the three states that are most likely to show hacking because they had razor-thin margins, because they have corrupt voting machines In Wisconsin they use voting machines that are illegal to use in California because they are so tamper-friendly. They are wide open, theyre an invitation to tampering, Stein explained to the FOX Business Networks Kennedy. While Stein acknowledged she has no hard evidence of hacking in these states, she cited examples of election-related hacking as a reason to file for recounts. I am convinced, and it didnt start in this election, that we have a very vulnerable, wide-open voting system. These electronic voting machines are basically a black box. They are an invitation to tampering. Weve seen it over and over again and in this election You wont see the hacking unless you look for it. She added: Whats justification is that you saw the Democratic Party database hacked into, right? We saw private emails hacked into and we saw the voter database hacked into in Arizona, Illinoisthats proven, this is not conjecture. The former presidential candidate clarified that she is not referring to the election system, but rather a state database of voters. Thats not what you vote on, this is like who is registered to vote, she said. We know there was hacking all around the periphery of this election and we know that outdated, insecure 10-year-old voting machines without security are being used all over the place, most vulnerable in these three states. Stein stated that her campaigns lawyers have contacted the campaigns of Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Gary Johnson. The Clinton campaign said it will join Stein in recount efforts, though the Green Party candidate said they are not coordinating with Clinton. Story continues This is not a partisan action herethis is on the behalf of very frustrated, cynical, disappointed voters who said they were disgusted by the process of this election. And unhappy with the candidates and unhappy with the dialogue, unhappy with the whole thing. And very unhappy with these voting machines that we saw being hacked, she said. Related Articles Editors' pick: Originally published Nov. 29. Jill Stein's recount efforts aren't going to win her the presidency. What they will get her is donor data potentially worth millions of dollars. The former Green Party candidate has raised more than $6.4 million to fund voting recount efforts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania since November 23. Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in each state by a narrow margin, leading some still-optimistic progressives to hold onto the slim hope the results will be flipped. But Stein, whose distaste for Clinton is obvious, isn't trying to oust Trump. She's gathering email addresses. Stein is the owner of the name, contact and credit card information of each and every individual who donates to the #Recount2016 cause. And while at first glance it may appear a trivial detail, in the political realm, it's gold. Not only can she use them for future fundraising efforts of her own, but she can also rent out the emails gathered for thousands and even millions of dollars. "She's collected tens of thousands of high-quality donor emails, and many of those folks will continue to give and give over and over again if her campaign asks," said Kenneth Pennington, former national digital director of Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. An average, fresh email address is generally worth $5 to $10, but donor emails can easily be valued at $20 to $30, said Vincent Harris, a Texas-based digital strategist who worked for Rand Paul, Newt Gingrich and Ted Cruz, among others. The Stein recount campaign has received donations from nearly 140,000 individuals. Taking that into account, a conservative calculation puts the list Stein is now in possession of at $2.8 million. Harris estimated she could command a fee of $50,000 to $75,000 for a one-time blast. "It's a really powerful asset for her, and it's one that could be a moneymaker," he said. Stein uses NationBuilder, a Software as a Service for political causes and campaigns, for her fundraising efforts. Unlike other platforms that use crowdsourcing like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, NationBuilder does not take a cut of any of the donations. It doesn't hold onto donor information, either -- Stein does. Story continues "Jill Stein then owns that data and can use the emails, use the amounts they save and have the information about the amounts they've donated and also, if they've recruited other people," said Emily Schwartz, vice president at NationBuilder. Once a person has donated, they have the option to share that via Facebook or Twitter. This is part of what has helped Stein's campaign go viral -- and garnered her more information and names. "That creates a natural engine for her to keep that going," said Schwartz. Donor lists are a hot commodity in politics. "The immediate donations are gravy, but the emails, which they will trade and sell to other like-minded groups, is where the enduring value is," said John Phillips, CEO of nonpartisan political technology firm Aristotle. Ben Carson collected information from more than 700,000 supporters during his presidential run. The list could earn the retired neurosurgeon $4 million over three years of rentals, according to one estimate. Wisconsin Republican Scott Walker used the rental of 675,000 emails on his list to pay off his more than $1 million in campaign debt. According to FEC filings, Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign committee made $2.2 million in list rentals in 2015 and the first three quarters of 2016. Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign committee made $3.1 million on list rentals in the 2010 midterm election cycle two years later. Bernie Sanders is in possession of what could potentially be a very lucrative list -- more than 2.4 million donors gave to his presidential campaign. But he's not renting it out. He is instead using it for his Our Revolution political action organization, which raises money for various progressive candidates and causes. Email lists owned and used by a candidate's campaign committee are the property of the candidate's campaign committee, and any money derived from renting the lists belongs to the committee, not the candidate, said Paul S. Ryan, vice president of policy and litigation at Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group Common Cause. "Both the email lists and money derived from rental of the lists are campaign committee assets and can't be converted to the personal use of the candidate. Doing so would violate well-established federal campaign finance law," he said. Scam super PACs are more prevalent on the right than on the left, and the same happens with list rentals, though to a lesser degree. Progressive organizations tend to have stricter standards about opting users in to receive emails, and they are generally more wary of falling into traps by sending a lot of unsolicited mail. Still, there's no doubt Stein is now in possession of a valuable asset. A Stein spokeswoman said that the average donation size for the recount campaign is about $45, and that three-quarters of the donations received have been under $100. Only a little over 300 contributions of over $1,000 have been made. The maximum amount allowed legally is $2,700 per donor per campaign. The spokeswoman declined to comment on Stein's intentions for the donor list. Trump spokesman Jason Miller on a call with press Monday called Stein's recount efforts a "completely frivolous, throwaway fundraising scheme." But that isn't the case. "I'd pay at least $2 for any old working email address. These are donor addresses so they're worth much, much more. The future value depends on the quality and tenacity of the fundraisers are who control the fate of the list down the line," said Pennington. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: See inside Jim Cramers multi-million dollar charitable trust portfolio to see the stocks he thinks could be potentially HUGE winners. Click here to see his holdings for FREE. Joel Edgerton is one of those character actors whos been in so many movies, its hard to remember them all. Right now, hes getting a well-deserved moment in the spotlight for his lead performance in Loving (in theaters now), the true story of the Virginia couple whose 1967 Supreme Court case invalidated laws against interracial marriage. But Edgertons first big Hollywood moment was something quite different: the decidedly not-true story of Anakin Skywalker. While promoting Loving, the Australian actor spoke to Uproxx about playing Owen Lars (future Uncle Owen to Luke Skywalker) in the Star Wars prequels Attack of the Clones (2002) and, very briefly, Revenge of the Sith (2005). I found out I was doing Star Wars on my birthday, Edgerton recalled. My brother had bought me a video player, and I thought that was pretty rad, and then I got a phone call saying I could do Star Wars. And so that was one of the greatest birthday presents that Ive ever had. Related: Sith Happens: 10 Years After Its Release, How Does the Final Star Wars Prequel Hold Up? Though Edgerton was in Attack of the Clones for in his own words like three minutes, he discovered that nothing opened doors in the film industry like being a friend of Obi-Wan. It became my big swindle to meet agents in Hollywood, Edgerton said. Because George Lucas took 18 months to put the movie together. And all I had to say was that I was in Star Wars and they were like, Oh, come in. Sit down. Lets talk. And then it was, By the way, Im not in the movie for very long. Related: Should You Name Your Baby Anakin? The Rising Popularity of a Star Wars Baby Name Though its far from his most notable role, Edgerton is constantly reminded of his Skywalker lineage by die-hard Star Wars fans. We were coming into the AOL building today, and theres people there, you know, theres always people with photographs for you to sign. And theres this photograph of me, I must be 25 or 24 or something, in my Uncle Owen outfit, he said with a laugh. And I was like, Oh, no. Story continues Watch Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga talk about the story behind Loving: On Monday's Conan, Joel McHale revealed that he might have started a legal battle with Angela Lansbury and Ken Jeong. McHale explained that in his new book, Thanks for the Money: How to Use My Life to Become the Best Joel McHale You Can Be, he wrote a chapter about gaining fame through starting a celebrity feud. He picked Murder, She Wrote star and American treasure, Angela Lansbury. However, the lawyers for his publisher warned that he could get sued for the things he said about the 91 year old actress. McHale also had to answer to claims he made about his Community co-star, Ken Jeong. He explained, "I joked in the book that he supplied me with my daily 12 Ambiens it took to act." His publisher's lawyer required Ken Jeong's permission. Instead of asking for Jeong's permission, he created a fake email address and sent himself a fake note from Jeong, granting permission. He admitted, "This will be the first time that they hear about it." Conan O'Brien ended the conversation by looking at the camera and saying, "Wave at the legal people." On Mondays Conan, Joel McHale revealed that he might have started a legal battle with Angela Lansbury and Ken Jeong. McHale explained that in his new book, Thanks for the Money: How to Use My Life to Become the Best Joel McHale You Can Be, he wrote a chapter about gaining fame through starting a celebrity feud. He picked Murder, She Wrote star and American treasure, Angela Lansbury, as the celebrity to pick a fight with. However, the lawyers for his publisher warned that he could get sued for the things he said about the 91-year-old actress. McHale also had to answer for claims he made about his Community co-star, Ken Jeong. He explained, I joked in the book that he supplied me with my daily 12 Ambiens it took to act. His publishers lawyer required that he get Ken Jeongs permission to make the claim. Instead of asking for Jeongs permission, though, McHale said he created a fake email address and, pretending to be Jeong, sent himself a note granting permission. The legal team was satisfied but was never aware the note wasnt real. McHale admitted to Conan, This will be the first time that they hear about it. Conan ended the conversation by looking at the camera and saying, Wave at the legal people. Conan airs weeknights at 11 p.m. on TBS. Watch: Ashton Kutcher reveals rejected baby names Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Cynthia LuCiette, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. [November 28, 2016] Fitch Rates Northrop Grumman's Proposed Notes 'BBB+(EXP)'; Outlook Stable Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'BBB+(EXP)' rating to Northrop Grumman (News - Alert) Corporation's (NOC) proposed senior unsecured notes. NOC plans to issue 10-year senior unsecured notes that will rank equally with the company's existing unsecured notes. The proceeds from the debt issuance will be used for general corporate purposes, including debt repayment which may include redemption of the remaining $200 million of 6.75% senior unsecured notes due 2018 by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), NOC's (News - Alert) wholly owned subsidiary. Fitch expects the size of the issuance will be less than $1 billion. NOC's existing ratings are listed at the end of this release. The Rating Outlook is Stable. The ratings also apply to NGSC. Fitch's ratings of NOC will cover up to $7.2 billion of long-term debt after giving effect to the proposed senior unsecured notes and the redemption of the $200 million senior unsecured notes by NGSC. Similar to the company's other existing senior unsecured notes, the proposed notes will be governed by the indenture dated as of Nov. 21, 2001. KEY RATING DRIVERS NOC's ratings are supported by a highly diversified defense portfolio, strong margins, high level of U.S. defense spending and solid financial flexibility. The company has adequate credit metrics for the rating, despite a slight deterioration of leverage (debt/EBITDA) over the past two years primarily driven by an issuance of $600 million senior unsecured notes to fund a $500 million discretionary contribution to pension plans. Fitch expects NOC's leverage metrics will deteriorate further with the issuance of the proposed senior unsecured notes, and any further material weakening of the metrics could potentially pressure the ratings. Fitch estimates the company's leverage (debt to EBITDA) will increase to approximately 1.9x-2.0x immediately following the issuance of the notes up from 1.8x as of the last 12 months (LTM) ended Sept. 30, 2016 (depending on the final size of the offering). Similarly, FFO adjusted leverage is expected to deteriorate to approximately 3.0x-3.1x, up from 2.2x as of LTM Sept. 30, 2016. Fitch expects NOC's leverage will decline to approximately 1.8x at the end of 2017 and below 1.6x at the end of 2018 primarily driven by anticipated increases in the company's earnings and EBITDA and NGSC's anticipated $200 million notes due 2018. In addition, Fitch believes a part of the proceeds from the current debt offering may be used to repay a portion of $850 million of senior unsecured notes due in 2018. Fitch expects the company's credit metrics will be adequate for current ratings over the rating horizon. NOC has significant growth opportunities in its Aerospace Systems segment driven by anticipated increases in production rates for several programs. The company expects to start low-rate initial production for the Triton program and increase the production rate on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. NOC also expects to benefit from the F35 program, which should reach full-rate production by 2019. The anticipated growth will be further complemented by the development work on the recently won B-21 program. Higher volumes from these programs will be partially offset by further production cuts of the F-18 aircraft which have already reduced segment revenue by approximately $400 million and overall revenues by approximately $600 million per year. NOC has historically generated strong cash flows. As of the last 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2016, the company generated $1.5 billion of free cash flow (FCF). Fitch expects NOC will generate FCF in the range of $1 billion to $1.3 billion annually despite elevated CapEx over the next two to three years. NOC's FCF is seasonal, and the company generates the majority of its cash during the second half of the year. Large swings in quarterly working capital requirements and operating cash flow are offset by NOC's solid liquidity. Similar to most defense contractors, NOC is focused on increasing its international sales, which accounted for approximately 14% in 2015. The company anticipates a sizable increase in international sales due to higher global demand for its unmanned aircraft and a ramp-up of F-35 production. An increase in aircraft sales to international customers should eventually translate into service and aftermarket revenue in the Technology Services segment when aircraft systems require sustainment and modernization. In October 2015, NOC won U.S. Air Force's B-21 contract which is expected to replace the B-52 and B-1 bomber fleets with a targeted production of 80 to 100 aircraft. The contract is expected to exceed $55 billion over the life of the program but there is a high level of secrecy around it. Fitch expects the B-21 contract will not have a meaningful financial impact on the company for the next two to three years as the development and initial testing phases for such programs take significant time. Over the long term, B-21 will become NOC's largest contract and will most likely pressure overall operating margins over the next five to six years due to low margins typically associated with new development programs. Margin pressures could be partially offset by the scheduled conversion of several of NOC's programs from development into higher-rate production. Rating concerns include NOC's exposure to potential cuts to the U.S. defense budget which may negatively affect the F35, the Global Hawk, and the Triton programs. The concern is mitigated by increased U.S. defense spending in FY2016 and FY2017. U.S. defense spending has increased in FY2016 due to higher investment spending after a three-year trough. Three agreements between the White House and Congress have provided relief from the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011, but projected spending beyond FY2017 is above the budget caps, so caps remain a risk through 2021. Fitch bases its defense ratings on the assumption that the caps will continue to be overridden. The results of the recent U.S. elections could drive an update to Fitch's forecast. Approximately 86% of the company's consolidated debt will be issued by the holding company (NOC) after giving effect to the proposed senior unsecured notes and the redemption of NGSC's $200 million notes due 2018, with the rest issued by NGSC. NOC's bonds are structurally subordinated to NGSC's debt because there are no upstream guarantees from NGSC, but Fitch does not consider the difference to be great enough for the NOC's ratings to be lower than the operating subsidiary's ratings. KEY ASSUMPTIONS Fitch's key assumptions within therating case for NOC include: --Mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth beginning 2017; --EBITDA margins in the range of 15.5% to 16%; --Share repurchases subside to approximately $1.2 billion annually beginning 2016; --FCF margin will dip slightly in 2016 to approximately 4%; however, will rebound and remain steady at approximately 5% beginning in 2017. --Capital expenditures will fluctuate in the range of $0.8 billion to $1 billion over the next three years; --The company's leverage will return to 1.8x by the end of 2017 due to anticipated growth in revenues and EBITDA. Leverage will remain in the range of 1.6x to 2.0x over the next two years and the company will refinance maturities as they come due; --The company will not make acquisitions; --The company will not have significant tax deferrals; --The company will contribute approximately $100 million to its pension plans annually. RATING SENSITIVITIES Fitch does not anticipate a positive rating action in the near term given current credit metrics and the company's significant share repurchases. Positive rating actions could be considered if the company modifies its cash deployment strategy and focuses on debt reduction. Negative rating actions may be driven by issuance of additional debt to fund share repurchases or acquisitions; if the company experiences significant performance issues on large contracts; or if there are material unexpected changes in U.S. defense spending trends. Fitch will likely consider a negative rating action if NOC's leverage (debt to EBITDA) increases and remains above 2.0x or if the company's FCF margin declines and remains below 3.5%. LIQUIDITY As of Sept. 30, 2016, NOC had approximately $2.7 billion total liquidity consisting of $1.1 billion in cash and full availability under its $1.6 billion revolving credit facility. The company maintained significantly higher liquidity during the past five years to mitigate increased uncertainties in U.S. DoD spending. NOC's liquidity has decreased due to increased share repurchases. Approximately $550 million of NOC's cash was held overseas at the end of 2015. Fitch expects the company's liquidity has stabilized and will remain in the range of $2.7 billion to $3.3 billion over the rating horizon. NOC's debt structure consists of senior unsecured notes denominated in U.S. dollars. NOC does not have a significant maturity until 2018 when a total of $1.1 billion of senior unsecured notes become due. Fitch believes the company will refinance its maturities and will maintain its current leverage. Fitch anticipates a part of current offerings will be used to repay 2018 maturities. FULL LIST OF RATING ACTIONS Fitch currently rates NOC as follows: --Issuer Default Rating (IDR) 'BBB+'; --Senior unsecured debt 'BBB+'; --Newly offered Senior unsecured debt 'BBB+(EXP)'; --Bank facilities 'BBB+'. Fitch currently rates NGSC as follows: --IDR 'BBB+'; --Senior unsecured debt 'BBB+'. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Date of Relevant Rating Committee: Sept. 30, 2016 Summary of Financial Statement Adjustments - Fitch has made no material adjustments that are not disclosed within the company's public filings. Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com Applicable Criteria Criteria for Rating Non-Financial Corporates (pub. 27 Sep 2016) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/885629 Parent and Subsidiary Rating Linkage (pub. 31 Aug 2016) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/886557 Additional Disclosures Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1015404 Endorsement Policy https://www.fitchratings.com/regulatory 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 (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEB SITE AT WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA, AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. 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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/20161128005700/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] William_Kunstler_and_Gregory_Lee_Johnson The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stressed that flag burning is protected by the Constitution even if he doesn't think it should be. In 1989, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Texas v. Johnson, which found a man named Gregory Lee Johnson had a Constitutional right to burn the American flag during the Republican National Convention. Scalia sided with the majority in that case, which found the First Amendment protects political expression like setting the stars and stripes on fire. That doesn't mean the 78-year-old justice likes flag desecration, but it's the justices' job to interpret the Constitution, not to pass moral judgment, Scalia has said repeatedly. "I hate the result [in Texas v. Johnson]," Scalia, who died earlier this year, said at a 2014 question-and-answer session sponsored by Brooklyn Law School. "I would send that guy to jail so fast if I were king," he added, then referring to Gregory Lee Johnson as a "bearded weirdo." President-elect Donald Trump, who has said he would like to appoint a Supreme Court justice in the mold of Scalia to replace him on the bench, suggested Tuesday that flag burning should be criminalized. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag if they do, there must be consequences perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Trump wrote on Twitter. Johnson was with several dozen other protesters when he poured kerosene on an American flag and lit it on fire during the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, The New York Times reported in 1989. The protesters then chanted, "America the red, white, and blue, we spit on you." Johnson was convicted of violating Texas' flag desecration law, fined $2,000, and sentenced to a year in prison. In overturning Johnson's conviction, Scalia signed onto an opinion written by one of the court's most iconic liberals, William J. Brennan. Scalia's vote may have surprised some people, but it was not the last time the conservative justice would shock people in the interest of upholding Constitutional principles. Story continues An earlier version of this story was written by Erin Fuchs. More From Business Insider Cast: Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun, Lee Dong Wook, Yoo In Na, BTOBs Sungjae Genre: Fantasy, Romance Synopsis: The director and screenwriter of Descendants of the Sun are back with another promising series starring the stunning duo, Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook. With a mix of fantasy and romance, Gong Yoos return from his drama hiatus begins as a goblin who lives with the handsome grim reaper, Lee Dong Wook. Available every Sat & Sun, 12am 4 hours after Koreas telecast Cast: Yoo Jae Suk, Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo, Ji Suk Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Jo Jung Suk, EXOs D.O Genre: Variety Synopsis: After Jo Jung Suks highly praised performance on Jealousy Incarnate, find out if hes as quirky in real life as he faces the Running Man team with EXOs D.O. Available every Mon 12 hours after Koreas telecast Cast: ZE:As Kim Dong Jun, Lee Young Eun, Choi Jung Won, Park Ha Na Genre: Melodrama, Family, Romance Synopsis: Idol actor Kim Dong Jun lands his first leading role in this family drama revolving around 2 ladies who first met as teacher and student but find themselves caught in a messy family relationship. Available every Tue-Sat 12 hours after Koreas telecast On Nov 28, we issued an updated research report on Kansas City Southern KSU. The company posted mixed results in the third quarter as earnings missed estimates but revenues surpassed expectations. The company, however, witnessed a year-over-year decline in both metrics. Coal-related headwinds continue to adversely impact the company. The energy segment saw a significant drop in revenues. Chances of coal volumes returning to its prior levels appear dim. The companys performance has been impacted by floods, outages and service disruption in the Mexico unit. However, we are impressed by growth in segments like Chemical & Petroleum and Agriculture & Minerals. Key Challenges The surprise victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. Presidential elections is likely to be unfavorable for the company. This is because the current President-elect does not have positive opinions about Mexico. Given that Kansas City has a sizeable chunk of operations in Mexico, it is to be seen how the companys business is impacted going forward. Meanwhile, we wait to see how the political relations of the countries pan out once Trump takes office in Jan 2017. Nonetheless, we expect the company to overcome these challenges on the back of its vast networks. We are also positive on the possibility of increasing demand in the coming quarters as economic growth in the U.S. starts showing signs of recovery. Although, risks related to adverse foreign exchange movements remain, we are bullish on the company's efforts to reward shareholders. Kansas City also faces tough competition from peers such as Union Pacific Corp. UNP, CSX Corp. CSX and Norfolk Southern Corp. NSC. Zacks Rank Kansas City currentlycarries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report KANSAS CITY SOU (KSU): Free Stock Analysis Report CSX CORP (CSX): Free Stock Analysis Report UNION PAC CORP (UNP): Free Stock Analysis Report NORFOLK SOUTHRN (NSC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Photo credit: Getty From ELLE DECOR Here's one bright spot in the recent avalanche of Kanye West news: the Chicago home where the rapper grew up and first discovered his creative impulse will soon serve as a community arts incubator, according to Refinery 29. The home was purchased earlier this month by Donda's House, an arts education non-profit named after West's mother Dr. Donda West, who died in 2007, according to an Instagram post by Rhymefest, an Oscar and Grammy award-winning rapper and the creative director of the organization. The arts center will feature a recording studio and a museum dedicated to Chicago music. "I'm excited to announce the purchase of Kanye's childhood home as a community Arts incubator," Rhymefest wrote, alongside a shot of himself on the front steps of the home on Instagram. "It will be the first of our Nationwide Lite-Houses. A state of the art recording studio, a curriculum space for @dondashouse and southside music museum. We want to show bright spots in communities that've been divested from, we know more Lights exist here, they just need to be activated." The home will now serve as the permanent headquarters for Donda's House's programming and community events, according to a fundraising page set up to support the efforts. Rhymefest also revealed to Billboard that he hopes to buy up more properties to provide homes and jobs for the organization's students. "This is the beginning of the rebuilding of our community," he told the magazine. Before they co-founded the organization, West and Rhymefest, whose real name is Che Smith, met as 15-year olds and started rapping together in the West's home, where he was deeply influenced by Donda West, an English professor who fully supported the young artists' passions. "It was like she touched my forehead and brought the light out," Rhymefest told Billboard earlier this month. West, who now serves on the board of the non-profit, has often spoken about his mother's influence, so it's no surprise that he'd want her real home to be the base for Donda's House, and to continue to inspire other Chicago teens there today. Story continues "She really supported me and she always wanted me to be the best that I could be and not get hung up on the small things," Kanye told Ellen DeGeneres in a 2008 interview. Kanye West visited his former home back in 2011 with Jay-Z during the Chicago stop of their "Watch The Throne" tour and documented it on video for an online series on VOYR. In the clip, the pair talks as they stroll around the small, fenced in yard. "It always seemed so much bigger when I was a kid," Kanye muses. The home does look modest indeed, so it will be interesting to see how the organization turns it into an education center, concert venue and museum. Get a glimpse of the home in the clip below (jump to 2:17 to see the house): h/t: Refinery29 You Might Also Like ASTANA (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's Energy Minister, Kanat Bozumbayev, has not yet decided whether to attend the meeting of OPEC members and other oil producers in Vienna, he told Reuters on Tuesday. "I don't know yet, I have booked the tickets but I don't know whether I'm going or not," Bozumbayev said before a government meeting. Bozumbayev said Kazakhstan - along with Russia, Azerbaijan and Mexico - was waiting for members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to agree among themselves on proposed output cuts. OPEC said in September it would limit output in an effort to boost prices, which have languished at less than half of their mid-2014 levels due to a persistent supply glut. Details of the deal, however, have yet to be agreed upon. Iraq and others, such as Libya and Nigeria, have asked for exemptions, while non-OPEC member Russia and top exporter Saudi Arabia have said markets would rebalance even without a cut. OPEC experts ended a Monday meeting without agreeing details on how much individual countries would cut in the output reduction plan to be presented to an OPEC ministerial gathering on Nov. 30, an OPEC source has told Reuters. OPEC has been trying to get Russia and other non-OPEC producers to participate in the plan to reduce output and support the market. (Reporting by Raushan Nurshayeva; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Tom Hogue) Who says you can't make long-distance love work? Following the holiday, Brielle Biermann and long-distance boyfriend Michael Kopech retreated to paradise in the Bahamas for a little one-on-one time. EXCLUSIVE: Brielle Biermann Opens Up About Her Boyfriend Michael Kopech: 'I Think He's The One' Kim Zolciak's daughter, 19, and the Red Sox minor league pitcher, 20, enjoyed a picturesque view from their high-rise hotel in the tropical islands. @briellebiermann A video posted by Michael Kopech (@mikop34) on Nov 26, 2016 at 11:31am PST Biermann also shared several stunning snaps of her bikini bod basking in the sun near the beach: Once again, Im here to hook you guys up! @diffeyewear has extended their sale through the weekend - go to diffeyewear.com right now to get up to 50% off, and use my code BRIELLEBF to get free shipping <3 A photo posted by brielle biermann (@briellebiermann) on Nov 27, 2016 at 11:31am PST The Don't Be Tardy star shares a striking resemblance to her 38-year-old mother, and while Zolciak has owned up to her plastic surgery, Biermann continues to battle rumors. EXCLUSIVE: Kim Zolciak-Biermann Owns Up to All Her Plastic Surgery, Reflects on Life After Her Stroke While the teen has admitted that she regularly receives lip injections, she insisted that she has never aesthetically enhanced her nose, cheeks, breasts or butt. "[Critics] are probably comparing me to season one of Real Housewives of Atlanta, and going straight to now," she told ET. "Where were you guys in between? You can see me every single season, and you can see how I've changed." Story continues MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Brielle Biermann Candidly Addresses Plastic Surgery Speculation: 'People Are Just Ignorant' For more behind Biermann's gorgeous look, watch the video below. Related Articles Elizabeth Holmes Welcome to Finance Insider, Business Insider's summary of the top stories of the past 24 hours. The US economy grew by 3.2% in the third quarter better than expected and initially reported according to the second estimate of gross domestic product, released Tuesday. Consumer spending was stronger than previously estimated, and it was the main reason overall economic growth was revised higher. Personal consumption grew by 2.8%, up from 2.1% in the Commerce Department's initial estimate. In other news, the world could be about to run low on dollars. A "serious hangover" is about to hit the bond market. This is the "damage" imports have done to America's industries. And 2017 will be a year of "economic nationalism," according to Fitch. President-elect Donald Trump will meet with Goldman Sachs COO and President Gary Cohn on Tuesday. And Fox News is bringing on a top Democratic fundraiser and ex-President of UBS Investment Bank who advised President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In markets news, oil is getting smoked after Iran said it won't take part in a production cut. The Russian ruble is tumbling. And here's where all 14 OPEC members stand ahead of the crucial meeting in November 30. The world's largest asset manager is buying European banks ahead of Italy's referendum. The property bubble "is the most important macro issue in China," according to Deutsche Bank. A potential nightmare scenario has arrived for the electric-car industry. Theranos and its founder just got hit with another lawsuit. Lastly, here's how much you need to earn to be in the top 1% of every US state. Here are the top Wall Street headlines at midday Consumer confidence soars to a post-recession high - Consumer confidence soared in November to a post-recession high, according to the Conference Board's monthly report published on Tuesday. Story continues Black Friday was a record-breaking day for gun background checks in America - The FBI processed 185,713 background checks for buyers through its National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS.) That was nearly 400 more transactions than the bureau processed on Black Friday 2015, the bureau's Stephen Fischer Jr. told Business Insider. Tiffany's sales jump for the first time in 2 years - Tiffany & Co reported its first rise in sales in eight quarters as strong sales in Japan and China more than offset a decline in the United States, its biggest market. Former Citigroup financial adviser sues the bank, claiming it ran a "boys' club" and treated her like a "glorified secretary" - A former Citigroup financial adviser on Monday filed a lawsuit accusing the bank of running a "boys' club" that favored men over women, treating her as a "glorified secretary," and firing her in retaliation for whistle-blowing activity. There's about to be a shift in who dominates the US housing market - The balance of power in the US housing market will shift from sellers to buyers by 2019, according to experts surveyed by Zillow. Most Americans want to prepare for retirement but are clueless about what they need to do - Preparing for retirement is top priority for an overwhelming majority of Americans, but only 50% of pre-retirees believe they are well-prepared with a strong retirement plan, according to the results of a Prudential Investments survey of 1,568 adults living in the United States (including 438 retirees). ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN: Here are the 12 most crowded US stocks - AllianceBernstein has released a report ranking the most and least crowded global stocks. Heres the stunning electric car Porsche is making to take on Tesla - Tesla will soon be getting some serious competition. Forget Black Friday here are 12 charities to donate to on Giving Tuesday - Black Friday and Cyber Monday are officially over, but a newer, lesser known post-Thanksgiving tradition is ramping up. Today is Giving Tuesday, a 24-hour period devoted to charitable giving following the frenzy of holiday shopping. More From Business Insider When you feed your pet, do you know what's in their food? On some packages of pet food, there are pictures of beautiful cuts of beef and chicken. When Inside Editions Chief Investigative Correspondent Lisa Guerrero asked shoppers what they thought the main ingredient was, they said they believed it was grilled chicken. Read: Some Restaurants With Lamb on the Menu Are Mixing It With Cheaper Meat, Investigation Finds But those consumers were wrong. The chicken "flavored" dog food actually contained "meal," which is made from powdered parts of the chicken that humans do not eat. The same often goes for packages showing cuts of beef and fish. While it can be nutritious for pets, there are no pieces of meat in their dinner, as the packaging suggests. When it comes to knowing what's in your dog's food, labeling rules can be confusing. A can of dog food labeled "beef" has to have 95 percent beef in the food. But if companies call it "beef dinner" instead, it must contain only 25 percent beef. And if the package says "with beef, it only has to have three percent beef. Finally, if it says beef flavor it doesnt have to contain any beef. "I think the rules for how pet food is labeled [are] very confusing," Dr. John Tegzes, a professor of veterinarian medicine, told Inside Edition. "It's confusing for me and Im a veterinarian. It's absolutely essential that we read the ingredients." But reading the ingredients is not as easy as it should be. The ingredients label on a package of Pedigree chicken-flavored dog food has a tiny font. Print and labeling expert Ruth Ciavarra had to take out a magnifying glass to read it. The actual height of the font, the width of the font and the closeness of one letter to the next, really just makes it completely unreadable. I would make it larger, and let people see it, she told Inside Edition. Story continues The next time you go to buy pet food, don't go by the pictures or the labels. Instead look at the ingredients if you can. Read: No Country for Old Beans: Some Coffee Retailers Selling Years-Old Java Mars, the makers of Pedigree told Inside Edition: "We believe the ingredients are legible and we take additional steps to communicate about our products. Beyond product packaging, we list all of our ingredients on our brand websites and we have our support team available by phone to answer any questions. We want to give consumers as many options as possible to read and understand our ingredients." They added: "The image of the chicken is meant to visually underscore that the product is chicken flavored (as opposed to salmon or steak), which is important in helping consumers identify the flavor and product that they are looking for." Pet food makers told Inside Edition they recognize that some animal lovers may find the food labels hard to understand. Together with state regulatory and consumer group communities, the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and its members are working under the auspices of the Association of American Feed Control Officials to modernize pet food labels. Kibbles n Bits told Inside Edition that their products are made with quality ingredients and the company provides complete and balanced nutrition for pets throughout all life stages. Our products are manufactured and labeled in accordance with all applicable State and U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards and regulations. Watch: Is Some Store-Bought Meat Blasted With Carbon Monoxide to Keep it Red and Juicy? Related Articles: After spending more than a month in prison Lockjaw rapper Kodak Black, real name Dieuson Octave, has been released, but he isnt in the clear yet. The rapper was released from St. Lucie County jail in Florida on Monday only to be transferred to South Carolina to face a sex charge, the Sun Sentinel reports. It does say that he has been turned over to South Carolina via the Florence County Sheriffs Office, said Bryan Beaty, head of the Public Office of Information at the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office. The rappers original jail sentence came after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis, plus a misdemeanor charge of use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Kodak was sentenced to spend 120 days behind bars. Due to time served in the month of August and September, he was allowed to be released at the end of November. As for the sex charge, the alleged incident occurred in February. On or about Feb. 7, 2016, Octave is alleged to have engaged in the sexual battery of the victim at a hotel located at 2120 West Lucas Street, Florence, SC, the Florence County Sheriffs Office said in an August statement. At 19 years old, Kodak Black has been rapping since 2009 but saw his buzz grow in 2015 when One Dance rapper Drake posted a video of himself dancing along to Kodaks song, Skrt. The rapper was then featured on French Montanas 2016 song Lockjaw and was also named to XXLs 2016 Freshman Class list. Although the rapper hasnt spoken much about his jail time, a hip-hop producer Dubba-AA said he spoke to Kodak who said he would be coming home soon. Related Articles [November 28, 2016] Kaplan Test Prep Survey: GRE Acceptance Among Business Schools Hits Record High; Most Say GRE Option Helps Them Enroll More Non-Traditional MBA Students Kaplan Test Prep's 2016 business school admissions officers survey finds that 92 percent accept the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT, giving aspiring MBAs more flexibility than ever in deciding which exam to take to get in*. This all-time high percentage in Kaplan's annual survey represents a huge jump from its 2009 survey -- the first year Kaplan asked the question -- when only 24 percent of business schools said they accepted GRE scores. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128005838/en/ But despite increased acceptance of the GRE among business schools, there's a point of consideration for MBA applicants who are considering this option: The GMAT might still give applicants an edge at some schools. Twenty-six percent of admissions officer say those who submit a GMAT score have an admissions advantage over those who submit a GRE score. Only 2 percent say GRE takers have the advantage; the remaining 73 percent say neither exam taker has the advantage, essentially unchanged from Kaplan's 2015 survey. Business schools have contended that accepting the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT -- long the only accepted admissions exam --widens the pool of applicants beyond students from 'traditional' MBA backgrounds like finance, banking or consulting. Kaplan survey data supports this notion and finds that schools have been successful in this effort, with 61 percent saying offering the GRE option has resulted in the enrollment of more students from nontraditional backgrounds. The GRE has not, however, significantly contributed to business schools enrolling more female students (25 percent), students of color (24 percent), or low income students (16 percent). It's important to note, unrelated to th GRE, that the percentage of female students at top business schools has increased over the past several years and there are other efforts underway to increase the number of students of color; and the GRE alone isn't the only reason business schools have enrolled more students from non-traditional MBA backgrounds. "One reason acceptance of the GRE continues to grow seems to be because it generally broadens the application pool to include prospective students who might bring a different set of experiences and skills to business school and the business world, which is important as the economy continues to diversify. It's also possible that business schools that don't offer the GRE option may lose excellent prospective students to schools that do," said Brian Carlidge, executive director of pre-business and pre-graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep. "We continue to stress to students to understand that some schools are still reluctant to give both tests equal cachet, even though they accept both exams. Our advice is to gather intel and ask admissions officers if their program has preference for one exam over the other." *The survey was conducted between August 2016 and October 2016 of admissions officers at 224 business schools in the United States. Among the 224 business schools are 18 of the top 50, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. GMAT is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council. Kaplan materials do not contain actual GMAT items and are neither endorsed by nor affiliated in any way with GMAC. GRE is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product. About Kaplan Test Prep Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 100 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128005838/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Breakfast Club Kodak Blacks got two legal headaches behind him but his toughest challenge in court may still be yet to come. The Florida rapper was released from county jail on Monday, only to be extradited to South Carolina, where hes facing a more serious sex charge. Earlier in his case, there was a question on whether he would be released once his sentence was up or if hed be handed over to South Carolina authorities. A Florida judge approved the transfer during a November 21 extradition hearing, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Kodak, born Dieuson Octave, had served a 120-day sentence in St. Lucie County Jail after pleading no contest to two misdemeanor drug charges back in September. The judge in the case reportedly exercised leniency in the case to give the 19-year-old a chance to turn his life around with his promising music career. But, the drug charges are in lesser seriousness in comparison to the criminal sexual conduct case he faces in South Carolina. If hes found guilty, the charge carries a potential 30-year sentence. Still, his attorneys say the young rapper is in good spirits. We are firmly convinced that he will be vindicated in that charge and shortly be set free, said attorney Gary Kollin. Hes looking forward to getting to South Carolina so he can go on with his life and career. After serving more than two months in a St. Lucie County, Florida, jail on two misdemeanor drug charges, 19-year-old rapper Kodak Black (born Dieuson Octave) was released on Monday (Nov. 28) afternoon only to be transferred into custody of South Carolina deputies. The Sun-Sentinel reported that the "Skrt" rapper will be extradited to S.C. to face a charge of criminal sexual conduct; the paper said Black appeared at an extradition hearing on Nov. 21, where a judge approved his transfer. "It does say that he has been turned over to South Carolina via the Florence County Sheriff's Office," St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Bryan Beaty told the paper on Monday. He is accused of sexual battery at a hotel in Florence, S.C. on the same night (Feb. 6) that he played a show in the city for approximately 1,200 fans; his Florida lawyers said on Monday that their client's name will be cleared in the second charge, which could carry a punishment of up to 30 years in prison. "We are firmly convinced that he will be vindicated in that charge and shortly be set free," attorney Gary Kollin told the Sun-Sentinel. "He's looking forward to getting to South Carolina so he can go on with his life and career." An Atlantic Records spokesperson for the rapper could not be reached for comment at press time. Though he's yet to release his debut album, Kodak dropped the songs "Chances" and "Jailhouse Blues" while behind bars. Black also had a stint at St. Broward County jail before landing at St. Lucie on multiple charges that included robbery, false imprisonment, drug possession, firearm possession, and fleeing a law enforcement officer. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye will address the nation over a snowballing influence-peddling scandal on Wednesday, her spokesman said, as Seoul lawmakers stepped up efforts to impeach her. The televised address -- Park's third over the scandal that has engulfed her presidency -- will be made at 0530 GMT Wednesday, her spokesman said without elaborating further. Meanwhile, a sufficient number of ruling party lawmakers joined the three opposition parties in endorsing a motion to remove the president from office, lawmakers said. "We plan to have the impeachment passed (by parliament) this week", floor leader Woo Sang-Ho of the main opposition Democratic Party was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. Woo's counterpart in the second largest opposition People's Party, Park Jie-Won also said the impeachment motion would be passed on Friday. Massive weekly protests have been intensifying over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park's resignation, according to organisers. Park's justice minister and a senior advisor have both stepped down, while even staunch supporters from within the president's ruling Saenuri Party have joined calls for her departure. Park has issued public apologies over the scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power, but has defied repeated calls to resign. Choi is also accused of interfering in government affairs, despite holding no official position. The 60-year-old allegedly leveraged her relationship with Park to coerce donations from conglomerates, including SK, Lotte and Samsung, to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain. Park had promised to submit herself to a judicial probe, as well as a separate investigation by an independent special prosecutor to be appointed by parliament. But she backtracked, with her lawyer rejecting a series of requests by prosecutors to make herself available for questioning. Story continues Her approval ratings have plunged to a record low for a sitting president as top advisers and some of South Korea's most powerful companies are caught up in the ever-widening scandal. The headquarters of SK, Lotte and Samsung were raided by state prosecutors last week along with the offices of the finance ministry and state pension fund. If parliament passes the impeachment motion, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as an interim head of government. The Constitutional Court could take as long as six months to decide whether to approve the impeachment. South Korea's scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said Tuesday she was willing to resign early and let parliament decide her fate, a move critics said was a bid to delay impending impeachment. Park has been engulfed in allegations of influence peddling and claims that tens of millions of dollars have changed hands, sparking widespread anger across South Korea and bringing hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets demanding her ouster. "I will leave the issue of my departure, including the (possible) reduction of my term in office, to a decision by the National Assembly", she said in a speech carried live on television. "Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down," she said. Park's presidency has gone into a tailspin, with accusations that Choi Soon-Sil -- a secretive confidante dubbed "Korea's Rasputin" -- elicited more than $60 million in payments from some of the country's top firms, including Samsung. Park has been named as a suspect in the growing investigation, making her the first sitting president to be subject to a criminal probe while in office. While she retains the presidency, she cannot be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason, but she could be charged once she steps down. Huge protests calling for her impeachment have rocked Seoul every weekend for the more than a month, and opposition parties say they expect to vote to remove her as early as this week. Park's latest remarks are a possible bid to de-fang that effort, critics say, with the president hoping that she can cut a deal that would avoid -- or lessen -- formal sanctions. But opponents on Tuesday rubbished her offer. "Our stance to seek Park's impeachment remains unchanged," Choo Mi-Ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said, describing Park's remarks as "a trick" designed to distract attention. Story continues - Push for impeachment - Three opposition parties, which jointly hold 55 percent of seats in parliament, and some members of Park's party are seeking to collect a two thirds of total votes to pass the bill as early as Friday. If the motion passes, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as interim head of government. But the impeachment would not be finalised until the Constitutional Court approves it -- a process that could takes six months. Massive weekly protests have intensified over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park's resignation, according to organisers. Park has been hemorrhaging allies, with her justice minister stepping down and staunch supporters within her own party calling for her to go. Park -- in her third public apology over the scandal -- tried Tuesday to distance herself from Choi, who was charged earlier this month with coercion and abuse of power. She said the huge sums of money that had changed hands had been directed towards projects that were for "the public good". "I have not sought any personal gain there" she said, but added: "It was my fault that I failed to keep my personal ties (with Choi and Choi's associates) under control." Park had earlier promised to submit to a judicial probe, as well as to a separate investigation by an independent special prosecutor. But she later backtracked, with her lawyer rejecting a series of requests by prosecutors to make herself available for questioning. Kristin Cavallari is paying tribute to her late brother on the 1-year anniversary of his death. A year after The Hills stars brother, Mikey, was found dead in Utah nearly two weeks after he went missing, the mother of three is honoring his legacy and the impact he had on her life. On Monday, Kristin, 29, took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of her brother with a heartfelt post. The last few days have been toughyesterday was the anniversary of my brothers passing. There hasnt been a day thats gone by where I havent thought of him and missed him, Cavallari began. I know he is watching over me and my family though from all of the amazing signs he has given us, Kristin continued. She concluded the tribute: Love and miss you so much, Mikey. The last few days have been tough...yesterday was the anniversary of my brothers passing. There hasn't been a day that's gone by where I haven't thought of him and missed him. I know he is watching over me and my family though from all of the amazing signs he has given us. Love and miss you so much, Mikey. A photo posted by Kristin Cavallari (@kristincavallari) on Nov 28, 2016 at 9:50am PST On Dec. 10, 2015, Mikey was found dead at around 10:30 a.m. in Utah, three miles from his abandoned car, after an extensive search in the desert outside of Green River. After learning about his death, Kristin shared a childhood picture of her next to her brother on social media. My heart is in a million pieces, she wrote. Mikey, I could always count on you to make me laugh. You had such a good heart and will be forever missed. Im at a loss for words but I know u are in a better place and finally at peace. I love u so much RIP, she captioned the Instagram photo. The Grand County Sheriffs Office later ruled Michaels death as hypothermia in February. The Medical Examiners Office has determined the death as accidental with the cause of death, hypothermia from exposure to cold environmental temperatures, the sheriffs office said. Lady Gaga looks like she is channeling herself circa 2010 with this blue coat Lady Gaga wore the bluest of blue fur coats in Paris on Tuesday, looking like the over-the-top O.G. version of herself. She chose the color wisely, given how Parisians love blue. And though she was only headed to rehearsals (shes performing at this years Victorias Secret runway show), she couldnt help but make a statement. In her favorite platform stiletto boots and enormous cat-eye sunglasses, she struck a curious pose on her stroll to the Grand Palais. We have to say, were pretty excited to see what crazy hijinks Ms. Gaga is going to bring to the Victorias Secret show. Celebrity Sightings In Paris - November 29, 2016 Always making some sort of artistic reference, Gaga in this coat reminds us of a cobalt Spongebob Squarepants. Celebrity Sightings In Paris - November 29, 2016 Or a darker version of Chairy the PeeWees Playhouse puppet. Or the blue Barbapapa. (You know the French cotton candy cartoon character?!) This also reminds us of OLD SCHOOL Gaga, like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Michalski Arrivals & Party The megastar may feel like her fame has kept her from being free (as she told CBS Sunday Morning), but she is and always will be free to rock the weirdest, wackiest garb. In fact, we declare, it is her mandate. Celebrity Sightings In Paris - November 29, 2016 Were aware of how much we rely on her to remind us that we can be anyone and anything we want. The post Lady Gaga looks like she is channeling herself circa 2010 with this blue coat appeared first on HelloGiggles. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is leading a drive to recount votes in at least two swing states. Historically, how have these efforts fared and could they affect the 2016 presidential elections outcome? Green Party candidate Jill Stein As of Tuesday morning, Donald Trump has 306 electoral votes after the November 8 presidential election and Hillary Clinton has 232 electoral votes. A candidate needs 270 votes to win the election outright. Yesterday, Michigans 16 electoral votes went to Trump when the Michigan Board of State Canvassers certified Trump as the winner in that state by a margin of 10,704 votes. Stein is expected to ask for a recount in Michigan on Wednesday. Last Friday, the Wisconsin Elections Commission received two recount requests from Stein and another candidate, Rocky Roque De La Fuente. The commission in Wisconsin has started the recount process. By itself, Wisconsins 10 electoral votes wont likely tip the election scales to Clinton. Even if Trump lost a Wisconsin recount and lost the final count in Michigan, the Republican candidate would be 10 votes above the Electoral College threshold to become the next President outright. It would take a successful recount in at least one other state (such as Pennsylvania with its 20 electoral votes), or the defection of at least 12 Electoral College members to throw the election to Clinton or the House of Representatives if Trump loses Wisconsin and Michigan. In Wisconsin, Trump leads Clinton by about 24,000 votes out of 2.9 million votes cast in the election in the most-recent official results. His lead is even bigger in Pennsylvania, a total of about 70,000 votes, or a 1.2 percent margin over Hillary Clinton. Such an unlikely outcome would fly in the face of history and trigger its own type of post-election battle. Those Trump vote margins are significant when it comes to recounts. Back in 2004, a similar recount request in Ohio by the Green Party showed a net change of about 300 votes in the George Bush-John Kerry race. The 2000 race between Bush and Al Gore involved disputed Florida votes in the 1,000 to 1,500 vote range. Story continues In one recent Senate election where a recount saw a trailing candidate eventually win after a recount, Al Franken defeated Norm Coleman in a swing of 527 votes in Minnesota in 2009. Franken initially trailed by 215 votes and won by 312 votes in a recount fight that lasted about eight months. And there was the Washington state election for governor in 2004, when Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire overcame a 261-vote deficit to win the election after two recounts by 133 votes out of 2.8 million cast. Stein is expected to ask for recounts in Pennsylvania as well as Michigan, and she is required to pay for the recount efforts initially as required under those states laws. (She has reportedly raised about $6 million to cover recount costs in two states.) If the Michigan recount takes place, about 4.8 million ballots will need to be counted by hand. In Wisconsin, Stein has sued to force a recount of ballots by hand. But in Pennsylvania, the recount process is very difficult for Stein and dissatisfied voters. More than 27,000 voters in Pennsylvania would need to sign petitions in a cumbersome process, with the apparent deadline already passed in some districts. Stein would only be left with a court action to address fraud allegations, and Pennsylvania uses an electronic voting system that makes any fraud allegations problematic. It is important to remember that the settlement of the election disputes must happen within the state legal system. And bigger issues are requirements under the Constitution and federal law for states to send their certified list of electors to Congress after the electors meet within each state. Under federal law (3 U.S. Code 5) known as the safe harbor provision, a state must determine its electors six days before the Electoral College members meet in person. In 2016, that deadline is December 13, since the college votes on December 19. (Back in 2000, a deeply divided Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote, wouldnt allow an extension of the safe harbor deadline proposed by Justice Stephen Breyer in the specific case of Floridas recount.) In 2016, all three states would need to complete their recounts by December 13. The losing side in the recount has the ability to appeal to the courts before then. But the recount process needs to take place in the space of about two weeks, with Trump somehow losing three recounts. Such an outcome would be without precedent, since more than 100,000 ballots in three states would need to change their status. Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily Does the Constitution put limits on a presidents private business ties? Dont expect Electoral College drama on December 19 Explaining President Obamas outgoing pardon powers During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly suggested that American elections might be so tainted by fraud that a victory could be stolen from him. That innuendo raised hackles among critics who worried that Trump was laying the groundwork to shake faith in the foundations of U.S. democracy. Then two strange things happened: First, Trump beat even his own teams expectations and won. Second, hes now questioning the validity of election counts anyway. Over the last few days, Green Party candidate Jill Stein announced she was filing for a recount in Wisconsin, citing suggestions of irregularities in the vote. Hillary Clintons campaign then said it would participate as well. That didnt sit well with Trump: In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016 He added: Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 Trumps statements are baseless and misleading. It is not just, as many (though not enough) news organizations reported, that Trump provided no evidence for this. There simply isnt any evidence for it. It isnt real. Activists who insist there is voter fraud say its impossible to prove a negative, which is of course true, but repeated scientific studies have failed to pinpoint anything resembling fraud on the scale that would affect national, or even state-wide, elections. If there were truly millions of fraudulent votes being cast, it would be both detectable andgiven the cottage industry around preventing frauddetected. (Also, if there really were millions of fraudulent votes, wouldnt that tend to support the case for extensive review of results, rather than detract from it?) Recommended: How to Deal With the Lies of Donald Trump Even if there were not rafts of evidence suggesting that the fraud threat is overblown, one might just look to the likely source of Trumps claim of millions of illegal votes. The claim was made by Gregg Phillips, who cited his own analysis. He has, however, refused to provide any data to back it up, and since its a distant outlier from any other finding, its safe to discount it, at least until Phillips produces actual data. But Alex Jones, a conspiracy-theorist radio host, picked up the claim and broadcast it further. We know that Jones has Trumps ear; the president-elect has appeared on Joness show, and told him, Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down. When asked to substantiate the claim Monday morning, Trump spokesman Jason Miller pointed to a study that was published in The Washington Post in 2014, which has been extensively debunked. The Monkey Cage, the political-science-focused blog that published the original post, has all but disowned it. The author of another report Miller cited tweeted that the report did not say what Miller claimed it did. While Trump has amassed a track record as an unusually dishonest politician, it is once again tough to know whether Trump believes the lies hes spreading or if hes aware of how bogus they are. Neither option is reassuring; either the soon-to-be-president is willfully lying to the American people and anyone else reading his Twitter feed, or else hes incapable of sifting fact from clear fiction. Recommended: The Coming War on Radical Islam Claims like this one are, as James Fallows writes, a particular challenge for the press, which is not set up to deal with such disregard for objective truth, and which is also hobbled by the well-intentioned and generally wise caution against simply stating outright that a claim like Trumps is false, since its impossible to prove the negative. Trumps tweets map neatly onto the division that characterized his campaign and has emerged even more forcefully during the transition, between the club-wielding Vandals intent on sacking the entire government establishmentincluding Republicansand the Republican establishment, which is intent on directing the Trump campaign to achieve conservative policy goals. Before the election, defenders of government worried that Trumps rhetoric would undermine faith in elections altogether; this might be seen as the goal of the Alex Jones types, who argue that the entire apparatus is corrupt. But the more immediate effect of rhetoric like this is probably on the partisan debate over voting laws. Despite the lack of any evidence of systemic voter fraud, Republicans around the country have been advocating for tougher voter laws for the last decade or so. The most commonly proposed provision requires voters to present a photo ID for voting, even though theres practically no evidence of in-person voter fraud. There is, however, evidence that changes like thisas well as reductions in early voting, another common tackdo disproportionately affect young and minority voters, who tend to vote Democratic. Recommended: How to Deal With the Lies of Donald Trump: Your Suggestions The last few months have not treated those laws well. A series of court decisions, most notably in North Carolina but also in Texas, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, have battered those laws, finding that they are racially discriminatory. In the North Carolina case, a federal appeals court pointed to a long record of evidence that the law was designed specifically to suppress minority turnout. But the election offers a chance to breathe new life into the battered voter-fraud canard. This is on display in North Carolina, where Republican Governor Pat McCrory, trailing by around 8,000 votes in his reelection campaign, has complained that voter fraud was responsible for handing the race to his Democratic challenger, Roy Cooper. So far, state and county authorities have treated the questions raised by McCrorys campaign and his allies with skepticism. Republican have alleged, for example, that ineligible felons voted in the election, yet many of the names they have presented are either people with the same name as felons or people who committed misdemeanors but did not forfeit their right to vote. This is a leitmotif in voter-fraud allegationsthe smoking guns frequently turn out to be cases of mistaken identity or of similar names. But the insistence that fraud is responsible for the result, even if ends up being disproven, seeds the idea in the public consciousness that theres widespread fraud. The same is true of Trumps suggestion. It doesnt matter how many articles there are like this one that point out that Trumps statement is balderdash. In the American system, the press is intended to act as one counterweight on powerful politicians, but its not the only one, and this is not a symmetrical fight. Simply by raising the question, the president-elect sows the seeds of doubt. They may yet ripen into an utter lack of faith in the system, or sprout into an attempt to pass stricter voting laws that disenfranchise minority voters in the name of stopping an illusory problem. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. [November 28, 2016] Don't Let Cyber Monday Turn Into Cyber "Crime Day," Warns Leading Online Security Expert. PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Retail Federation estimates nearly half of all holiday shoppers will be logging on for Cyber Monday that's some 121 million Americans. But for each transaction, security experts like Francis Dinha, Co-Founder of OpenVPN and Private Tunnel (http://privatetunnel.com) a product that protects consumers online - say people need to make sure they have taken necessary precautions to protect their computers and mobile devices. "So many people assume they're safe online, but the fact is, criminals prey on people using public, unsecured networks for theirshopping," he said. "Just because your computer hasn't been hacked yet doesn't mean it won't be, as cyber criminals become more sophisticated everyday." Even the United States Department of Justice says "Cybercrime is one of the greatest threats facing our country, and has enormous implications for our national security, economic prosperity, and public safety," right on its website. So if the risks are so great, why do so many people still log on while at the mall, a coffee shop or hotel lobby? "I think the only reason is they have a sense of safety when they're on their own laptops or cell phones," says Dinha. "They have the mindset of 'it can't happen to me'. But it does, and can ruin your life." That's because when surfing online unprotected, your computer's information is available to any hacker. "Someone could be sitting in their car outside a coffee shop on the same wifi connection, and get your credit card information, saved passwords on your computer and all the info needed to steal your identity," says Dinha. He recommends people update anti-virus and firewall software, and to consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). "Most of all, we don't want Cyber Monday to turn into Cyber 'Crime Day' for people trying get the most for their hard-earned cash. You wouldn't leave your debit card and pin number lying out for people to see. Why would you do that with everything on your computer?" Private Tunnel is a consumer Virtual Private Network product available worldwide that shields computers from hackers. Private Tunnel was created by OpenVPN, a privately-held company based in Pleasanton, Calif, and used nearly 1 million times a day. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160818/399562LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dont-let-cyber-monday-turn-into-cyber-crime-day-warns-leading-online-security-expert-300369052.html SOURCE OpenVPN Technologies Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Photos: A&E In her new eight-episode documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, the former King of Queens co-star is on a mission to expose what she believes is the cult of Scientology, and to give camera time to others who, like her, were once in thrall to this particular religion. Remini, who spent decades as an ardent Scientologist (the new show plays footage of pro-Scientology interviews she used to give), broke away from the self-styled church a few years ago. She wrote a bestselling book, 2015s Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, and gave some TV interviews to publicize it. But now shes in a car with a camera crew, crisscrossing the country to visit former Scientology members, interviewing them about their experiences in the hope of discrediting the religion, and encouraging more of its disciples to flee. The first episode focuses primarily on Amy Scobee, a woman who spent almost three decades as an enthusiastic, highly exalted Scientologist. Scobees jobs included helping enlist Los Angeles-based celebrities into the organization. Now she claims to have been sexually assaulted by at least one prominent official of the church as well as being the subject of intense harassment, including a campaign to keep her separated from her family. Its compelling stuff, especially because it arrives in the context of an A&E show that runs a rather nervous-seeming graphic after commercial breaks giving viewers a link where they can see Scientologys official responses to the various charges made in Scientology and the Aftermath. If youre looking for a thorough history and deconstruction of Scientology, you still have to watch filmmaker Alex Gibneys 2015 documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief , which along with New Yorker writer Lawrence Wrights book of the same name are by far the most complete critiques of the religion thus far. Both that film and Reminis series also feature Mike Rinder, formerly a high-level Scientology spokesman and official who now repudiates the church and alleges lots of behind-the-scenes bad behavior by those at the highest levels of the organization. Story continues The gist of Scientologys beef with Remini is that shes doing her anti-Scientology work to make money, a pretty ironic castigation given the massive amount of fundraising and profiteering the church does with its expensive training sessions for both celebrity and ordinary-citizen participants. Toward the end of the premiere, Remini is shown saying shes hearing the same stories over and over that the abuse and harassment that former members are subjected to have similar traits. Unfortunately, thats not much of an incentive to keep watching her series, which even during the first hour becomes a little repetitive. Nevertheless, Remini comes across as a sincere crusader, if one whose obsessive passion also suggests the very aspect of her character that enabled her to remain so devoted to Scientology in the first place. Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on A&E. Beirut (AFP) - At least 1,200 people including Syrian rebels and their families were evacuated to the country's northwest Tuesday from one of the last opposition bastions near Damascus, a monitor and aid workers said. Dozens of buses transported rebel fighters and their relatives out of Khan al-Shih, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) southwest of the Syrian capital, late Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "Vehicles holding at least 1,200 people, as well as about 30 ambulances carrying wounded people, reached Idlib on Tuesday morning," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. The evacuation came after local rebel groups and Syrian authorities struck a deal that would see Khan al-Shih brought back under government control in exchange for an end to a siege by regime forces. Khan al-Shih is the fifth opposition-held town in three months to be evacuated, after Daraya, Moadamiyat al-Sham, Qudsaya, and al-Hama. The regime has touted such "local reconciliation" agreements as a way to bring an end to country's nearly six-year civil war. Khan al-Shih was the last rebel bastion southwest of Damascus and was used by anti-government fighters to dispatch reinforcements to the capital's suburbs from southern Syria. Abdel Rahman said more people were expected to be evacuated in the coming days. An AFP journalist saw dozens of men, women, and children arriving at a camp for displaced people in northwest Idlib on Tuesday. Aid workers pushed wounded individuals in wheelchairs into large white tents and helped others carry duffel bags and suitcases inside. Fateh Awwad, who heads the local office of the Saaed (Help) charity, said as many as 1,700 people from Khan al-Shih reached the camp on Tuesday. "Today, we're welcoming people coming from Khan al-Shih... We've prepared the camp with everything, but as the number (of displaced people) is growing, we're missing some goods," said Awwad. Since it erupted in March 2011, Syria's conflict has displaced more than half of the country's pre-war population. An estimated five million have fled to neighbouring countries, but millions more have sought refuge in internal displacement camps. Jerusalem (AFP) - A series of previously unknown letters by literary great Stefan Zweig to a young man reveals a paternal side of the Austrian Jewish author concerned with the fate of Jews. Israel's National Library, which has a Zweig archive comprised of letters and manuscripts, was recently contacted by 90-year-old Hannah Jacobson from Bat Yam, a coastal city in central Israel. Jacobson had in her possession 26 letters and six postcards sent by Zweig, born on November 28, 1881, to her late stepfather Hans Rosenkranz over a 12-year correspondence. The correspondence began in 1921 when Rosenkranz was 16 and Zweig was at a high point in his literary career, which eventually included works such as the novellas "Letter from an Unknown Woman" and "Amok" as well as his memoir "The World of Yesterday". The academic world has had almost "no access" to the Zweig letters to Rosenkranz until now, said Stefan Litt, the German-born archivist in charge of the Zweig collections. "This is really a brand new finding, not just for researchers but for the whole public," Litt told AFP. The letters start with Zweig offering Rosenkranz advice on how to face life as a young Jewish man in Germany, Litt said. "The Jew must be proud of his Judaism and glorify in it," Zweig wrote, warning Rosenkranz however to "not brag about accomplishments" of the Jewish people. Zweig was a pacifist who considered himself a citizen of the world and not a Zionist, or those who have worked toward the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland. In another letter to Rosenkranz, he discouraged the young man from immigrating to British-mandate Palestine, where the state of Israel was later established in 1948, but told him to "learn languages". "Who knows, maybe Germany and Europe will become so stifling that the free spirit will not be able to breathe within them," Zweig wrote. - Zweig renaissance - Story continues At the same time, Zweig greatly admired Zionism visionary Theodor Herzl and praises the Austrian-Hungarian journalist in the third letter of the series to Rosenkranz. Zweig had reason to admire Herzl for more than his politics, according to Litt. "Herzl was actually the one who enabled him (Zweig) to publish literary writings in the Neue Freie Presse," the newspaper where Herzl served as literary editor, said Litt. Beyond the content of the letters, their very existence says a lot about Zweig, according to Litt. "What is striking here is that Zweig took his time to respond to that young guy, who was after all just 16 years old when he wrote to Zweig," the archivist said. The two met twice over their years of correspondence. The letters evolve over the years to Zweig giving professional advice to Rosenkranz, who became a publisher in Germany before marrying and eventually immigrating to Palestine in 1933. He fought in World War II, divorced, changed his name to Chai Ataron and worked as a journalist with Israeli newspaper Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post, before committing suicide in 1956. As for Zweig, he would flee Europe after Hitler rose to power, eventually winding up in Brazil, where he committed suicide along with his wife in 1942. He died childless, shortly after finishing his memoir. To Litt, the find is exciting not only to researchers but to the general public as well, with Zweig "experiencing right now a sort of renaissance". US director Wes Anderson partly based his 2014 film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" on Zweig's writings. This year's film "Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe" depicts the writer's time in exile. The National Library is set to digitise the documents soon and upload them to its website, where they will be accessible to the public, said Litt. Could there be other Zweig letters waiting to be discovered? "I hope so!" he said. By Maria Tsvetkova MOSCOW (Reuters) - Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, the dominant figure in the divided country's east, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday and said he was seeking Moscow's help in his fight against Islamist militants at home. Haftar, on his second visit to Moscow since the summer, requested military support from the Kremlin in September, according to Russian media. It was unclear on Tuesday if such help would be forthcoming. "Our relations are crucial, our goal today is to give life to these relations," the TASS news agency quoted Haftar as saying at the start of talks with Lavrov. "We hope we will eliminate terrorism with your help in the nearest future." Libya splintered into rival political and armed groupings after the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and remains deeply divided between factions based in the east and west that back rival governments and parliaments. Haftar, who is aligned with the eastern parliament and government, has been fighting a two-year military campaign with his Libyan National Army against Islamists and other opponents in Benghazi and elsewhere in the east. Many suspect he seeks national power. Donning a Russian fur hat as he entered the snow-lashed foreign ministry, Haftar told Lavrov he had met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday to tell him about his military needs. Haftar has received public backing from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and France sent special forces to work alongside Haftar's Libyan National Army earlier this year. Recent military advances by Haftar's forces have boosted his popularity at home. A U.N. arms embargo in place since 2011 prohibits the transfer of weapons into Libya. Only the country's U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, which Haftar opposes, can bring in weapons and related materiel with the approval of a U.N. Security Council committee. When asked, the Kremlin did not say whether it might offer Haftar any military support, describing the talks with him as business as usual. "Moscow is in touch with various Libyan representatives and contacts with Haftar take place as part of this process," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. Haftar's allies have previously cultivated ties with Russia, which printed banknotes for an eastern breakaway branch of Libya's central bank. "We spoke in general," Haftar told reporters after the talks with Lavrov. "We explained our position with regards to arms supplies. As a great country, Russia respects the arms embargo until it indicates it is an unjust verdict." Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed the West for pursuing policies that he said led to civil wars in Libya and Syria. Russia launched a military operation to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year. (Additional reporting by Aidan Lewis in Tunis; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Richard Lough) PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Lithium Exploration Group Inc. (LEXG) announced today that it is exploring an expanded role in the McKean County oil and gas project. The company has already funded one well, which is to be drilled, but there are two other wells which were required to be funded by another group before drilling can begin. Due to the other groups inability to fund the final two wells, Lithium Exploration Group has the opportunity to take control of the additional wells. "We are in an interesting position: the inability of one group to fund their wells has unexpectedly caused a gift to fall in our lap. This is an amazing opportunity caused by the distress in the oil markets," commented CEO Alex Walsh. "Two years ago, and two years from now, this type of investment would have been significantly more expensive. I have been in discussion with a few different funding sources that have interest, pending an independent engineering analysis of the project. I hope to have that process complete by the end of this week. This is a significant opportunity for LEXG." About Lithium Exploration Group Lithium Exploration Group is a US-based exploration and development company focused on the acquisition and development potential of lithium brines and other precious metals that demonstrate high probability for near-term production. Currently the company is focused on testing the SonCav Oil Unit and the acquisition of oil and gas related assets. Lithium Exploration Group is a fully reporting company traded on the OTC Markets under the symbol LEXG. Website: www.lithiumexplorationgroup.com. Safe Harbor Statement This news release contains "forward-looking statements." Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future testing of the ultrasonic technology. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of lithium prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Story continues Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact Info Shanon Chilson 480-641-4790 info@lithiumexplorationgroup.com SOURCE: Lithium Exploration Group Inc. [November 28, 2016] Cayman Captive Forum to Wow Once Again Twenty four years on, the Cayman Captive Forum is expected to wow the more than 1,400 delegates registered once again. The Forum, having grown from humble beginnings is now well-touted as the largest captive insurance conference in the world. Run almost exclusively by volunteers from the Insurance Managers Association of Cayman, the event continues to attract captive directors, CFOs, risk managers, captive insurance managers and other service providers from around the world. The Forum consistently hits the right buttons in terms of its ever-relevant content, its generous and always entertaining networking functions and the great mix of people from all sides of the captive insurance industry. This year's keynote is the incredible Diana Nyad, who at the age of 64 successfully fulfilled her lifelong dream of swimming the 110 mile epic journey from Cuba to Florida as the world watched in anticipation. Diana's message is clear and powerful: "We should never give up; you are never too old to chase your dreams; and even if it looks like a solitary sport, it always takes a team." The remaining two and a half days are jam-packed with topics of relevance and interest, including global risks and trends, new regulatory requirements and the emergingmedical risks of Zika, Ebola and other infectious diseases. Also back by popular demand is Michael Bazzell, who has astounded the crowd year after year with his insight on cyber security. Forum Committee Chair Erin Brosnihan of Kensington Management Group, Ltd. is excited for this year's event: "We have another incredible line up of speakers this year, we have a great team that has worked tirelessly to put on a great event and of course we couldn't have done it without all of our sponsors, but I do want to acknowledge our main sponsor this year - KPMG." Asked more about the speakers, she added: "As always, I look forward to the thrill in the audience when Michael Bazzell shares his insights into the world of hacking with live demonstrations. He is always a show-stopper." The Cayman Captive Forum is being held at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman from November 29 - December 1. More information is available about the conference at www.imac.ky/ccf-home.aspx. Insurance Managers Association of Cayman (IMAC) is a non-profit organisation run by the insurance managers of the Cayman Islands. In operation since 1981, IMAC's aim is to act as both regulatory liaison with the Cayman Islands Government and to promote the Cayman Islands as a domicile of choice for captive insurance companies. IMAC hosts the world's largest captive insurance centric conference, attracting approximately 1,500 clients, directors and officers of captives, service providers and captive managers annually. For more information on IMAC visit www.caymancaptive.ky. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128005929/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An investor is looking for Stillwater Mining to rally by early 2018. OptionMonster's market scanner shows that 2,000 January 2018 17 calls were purchased in one print for $2.05 yesterday. This is clearly a new position, as open interest in the strike was just 155 contracts before the trade occurred. Long calls lock in the price where investors can buy stock, allowing them to profit from a rally with limited capital at risk. Their cheap cost can also generate significant leverage on a percentage basis if shares move in the right direction. (See our Education section) SWC rose 0.14 percent to $14.62 yesterday and is up 14 percent in the last month. The platinum and palladium producer is expected to report earnings in pre-market hours on Feb. 21. Overall option volume was 3 times greater than average in the name yesterday. Calls outnumbered puts by a bullish 4-to-1 ratio. More From optionMONSTER In Burma, a country long plagued by ethnic strife, violence is breaking out once again. The government is accusing members of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority, of attacking police officers, while human rights groups say that security forces have killed unarmed civilians and raped Rohingya women. Its becoming clear that, despite the countrys vaunted democratic transition, it will take decades to erase the visceral hatred, dispel the haze of misinformation, and effect genuine national reconciliation. Unfortunately, the conflict between the Buddhist and Muslim populations in Rakhine State represents just one of Burmas many ethnic divides. The country is home to the longest-running civil war in the world, dating back to its independence from the British Empire in 1948, when ethnic rebels took up arms against the new central government and its leaders. The military junta that seized power in 1962 established a harsh dictatorship, barring any debate about the discrimination suffered by the nations minority groups or any possible remedies. The resulting stasis, which continued until the start of liberalization some five years ago, ensured the continuation of armed conflict between Burmas Buddhist-majority center and the periphery. Now all hopes are turning to Nobel laureate and de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi to heal the countrys wounds. Ms. Suu Kyi herself was under house arrest for 21 years under the military regime. Last year, when her National League for Democracy (NLD) was finally allowed to compete in nationwide democratic elections, the party won a landslide victory that enabled it to take control of the government. Suu Kyi has invited former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to head an international panel that will attempt to solve the crisis in Rakhine State. Ms. Suu Kyi, known simply as the Lady, has a great burden placed on her. The world is watching the longtime democracy champion and international icon as she attempts to maintain good relations with Burmas powerful army, which still controls 25 percent of the parliaments seats, while navigating ceasefire negotiations involving more than a dozen armed ethnic groups. Yet despite Aung San Suu Kyis personal charisma and popular mandate, dont expect her NLD to resolve Burmas simmering ethnic conflicts: Achieving real national reconciliation may take generations. While negotiations on power-sharing between the ethnic minorities and the central government are a clear precondition for an end to the violence, they alone cannot ensure a permanent solution to the countrys deep-seated problems. A successful long-term strategy requires the government to invest significantly more in education and international experts to scale back their presence, allowing local stakeholders to lead the negotiations. First, Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy, should invest more in education, which currently takes up just 7 percent of the government budget, or $13 billion. By comparison, neighboring Thailand spent nearly 20 percent of its budget on education in 2012. This will not bear immediate fruit, but in the long run, educating Burmas people will be the most effective way to promote broad-based growth and national reconciliation. For decades under military rule, the junta of Ne Win (1962-1988) and successive generals shuttered universities across the country and clamped down harshly on civil society organizations in an attempt to stifle dissent. In response, groups across the border in Thailand, such as the Vahu Development Institute (where I used to work), took on the task of training young civil society leaders in the hopes that this generation would lead Burma toward reform. This educated cadre will be a critical voice in the countrys ongoing transformation, but the government must do more to build human capital by improving the quality of education and enabling greater access to it. Secondly, the alphabet soup of international experts, consultants and peace-brokers involved in the peace process (who are often perceived as meddlers by locals), should reduce their footprint to let Burmese (not to be confused with Burman, the two-thirds majority Bamar ethnic group) civil society leaders lead the ceasefire negotiations. Burma is not inexperienced in the instruments of war and peace, and its time for the international community to recognize that fact. Its people have been struggling since independence in 1948 to form an identity as a multi-ethnic state. The country is home to an astounding number of ethnic minority groups (Burmese law officially recognizes 135). On top of the crisis in Rakhine State, there are myriad other ethnic armed factions. As many as 21 (depending on how youre counting) are actively engaged in wars against the government. The most intense conflict has taken place in regions where the central government has historically lacked a strong presence. As a result, local residents often know the Burmans for their soldiers abuses rather than for any government services. In the wake of a successful ceasefire deal, it will be especially critical to expand education and development services in those under-resourced states. Education, as well as improved public health and basic infrastructure, can in turn stabilize these conflict zones by encouraging political buy-in to Burmas democratization and earn the government much-needed goodwill. Education can also encourage Burmas disparate ethnic groups to think of one another as equals in a larger federal union by teaching the history of the countrys diverse cultures and ancient kingdoms. This will be an important corrective to the current narrative of hate directed at subgroups like the Rohingya. Though optimists point to the rise of Aung San Suu Kyi as a sign of the countrys long-awaited democratic awakening, Burma presents a mixed picture to regional leaders. Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have called attention to the regional migration crisis spawned by Burmas persecution of the Rohingya, even as investors have high hopes for the countrys rapidly growing economy (projected growth in the next year is around 8 percent). Ultimately, if the United States and regional powers like ASEAN want to help Burma on its path toward democratic stability, they should assist in education and technical assistance, while taking care not to commandeer the peace process. In the end, it is up to the Burmese people not the international community to forge a lasting multiethnic national identity. In the photo, Muslims pray at a religious event in Yangon, Burma on September 24. Photo credit: ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images A Berlin best actor Silver Bear winner for Daniel Burmans Lost Embrace, actor-helmer Daniel Hendler has gone back behind the camera as a writer and director of his second feature, The Candidate. As with his 2010 debut, Norbertos Deadline, Hendler has teamed up with Micaela Sole, his partner at their production label, Montevideo-based Cordon Films, to bring to the screen a dramedy which explores and questions typical character archetypes and keeps the audience guessing throughout, while leaving room for shards of dark humor. An Argentina-Uruguay co-production, The Candidate had its theatrical release in Uruguay on Oct. 27. Hendlers first film, Norbertos Deadline, told the story of a timid thirtysomething (Fernando Amaral) who has trouble finding his lot in life. The boss at his new real estate job suggests he take an assertiveness class to help with his new career, but instead Norberto joins an acting class which pushes him to do things he never expected of himself. The Candidate delivers a behind-the-scenes tale of a campaign being run in an effort to get voiceless millionaire Martin Marchand (Diego de Paula) elected to office. A team of advisors is brought in to shape the image of Marchand, producing social media profiles, commercials and a new public persona. Conflict arises when it is revealed that not everyone is who they present themselves to be. The Candidate has an invitation-only sneak peek at at Ventana Sur. In your first two features, you take character archetypes and turn them around forcing the audience to evaluate their assumptions of who the sympathetic characters are and who they might root for, often reversing the roles multiple times throughout the films. Could you comment? Yes. I suppose there is a principle of aspirational identity that governs us as spectators. It is usually a gateway to the movies, to the point of view of the narrative. This is most clearly seen in advertisements where identification is sought with characters who respond to the target market they are looking for. I think I am more interested in the cinema that challenges the viewer in his need for identification, to invite him to reflect in an altered or deformed mirror from the way he normally sees himself. At times he is horrified, at others laughs. I suppose we are willing to identify with any character to live the cathartic experience of the piece where through a protagonist we must overcome obstacles to achieve goals and satisfy desires, something that in our life does not work in such a linear way. Because of that we often give the film or video games that key of ephemeral satisfaction. Story continues Increasingly, our mind is looking for shortcuts to interpret the codes, cataloging and giving genre to what we see, and thats where I think emerging or independent cinematography would have a duty to be a bit annoying and not stick to those furrows, which are ever more limited. That annoyance, that discomfort that generates the back and forth between identification and rejection towards a protagonist, or between the elements of one genre and another, I think, would bring these films closer to a more Brechtian experience, where a more active stance is called for of the spectator. When you write is it your intention to challenge the typical figure of a protagonist or are these hard-to-pin-down characters a result of the stories you are trying to tell? How sympathetic for you are your protagonists? I feel empathy for the characters I write, and also some rejection. That rejection however, is similar to how I feel towards some characteristics of my own personality, which I suppose I have tamed. In the characters I emphasize these characteristics, and put them in contexts where certain defects become more dangerous. I am interested in identifying with that monster that is the candidate, and to remove it from the place of demon or object of terror, because when we access their human dimension (which is so difficult for me to perceive in certain increasingly popularized sinister politicians), we understand that the danger nested in them does not come from the condition of being good or bad. This danger comes, sometimes, from other sources, behind their carefully designed empty or perverse speeches. These characters of The Candidate (and, to some extent, Norberto) are also deformed mirrors of some common miseries, but I do not turn away from them or cease to feel affection for them (although clearly in the The candidates case its a little more uncomfortable, that affective relationship). Both Norberto and Martin show desires to be artists rather than continue on with their established lives. Norberto drops everything to become an actor and Martin has a uniquely sincere conversation about how much he would like to be a painter. You have been an actor, producer, writer and director now, are these characters a way for you to express other creative avenues, and are there other areas within the arts you would like to or are exploring? I would like to explore almost all creative avenues but I do not think I have the time or the capacity to develop them. However, this coincidence between Norberto and Martin, is more a limit between sensitivity and lethargy, or between the down-to-earth-ness and the delusions of grandeur, things with which I can also identify myself. Both Norbertos Deadline and The Candidate are series pieces of drama which challenge the audience, however both also have moments of levity. How important is it to you when writing drama that comedy be a part of your scripts? Is there an intention on your part include these bits of comedy or is it just your sense of humor coming through naturally as you write? It does not happen consciously although I can see it as I write. I do not mean to tell the joke but to access the humor. Humor I think should never be lost, even when we write something tragic. The market is not very open to humor, except when it comes to a deliberate mood and framed in established genres. The intermediate zones do not meet the demands of the market that needs a place for everything and everything in its place. As Martin says: I prefer to be extreme left or extreme right rather than center. That is a sinister but also lucid side of Martin, I believe, with respect to the seduction of masses. The truth is that humor for me is fundamental because it adds another layer to look at, and therefore can enrich when you manage to connect well the discussion. Your producer Micaela Sole has said that this film was meant to represent a new form of politician, entrepreneurs without political tradition and a discourse empty of ideological content. The protagonist of your film is a middle aged white man who inherited a large fortune from his father and has decided to run for political office but has no real platform to run on. Does it surprise you how true to life your story telling has become and now that you know everything you write comes true will you use your new superpowers for good or evil? Haha, I would like to think I have that kind of power but Im afraid I dont have the necessary influence to contribute more than a grain of sand. Those who hold that power are not artists but entrepreneurs or advisors. Along with these new politicians to which Micaela Sole refers, have also appeared their advisors who, in the shadows, are horribly powerful, and who feel no ethical or moral weight because they are limited to fulfilling a strategic function where what matters is only that they win. In the end, all of them wash their hands by delegating that ethical responsibility. Whats worse is, they are strutting around writing books in which they expose their audacious techniques to destroy opponents in the most fruitless and violent ways. They have the foresight and the power to do good or evil, and they usually choose evil. You have now finished directing your second feature film and continue to add to an impressive resume of TV and cinema roles as an actor. Is there anything upcoming from you, either as an actor or director, that you can tell us about? Right now Im acting in the second season of the series The Hypnotist. I just finished a web series, The Division, where I direct and act, to be released in 2017. Also in 2017, we will premiere a film directed by Israel Adrian Caetano The Other Brother, in which I act. Finally, we are also premiering a film for television in which I act called On the Edge, which is directed by my wife Ana Katz. In turn, I plan to attend some premieres of The Candidate in 2017. Related stories Puenzos Power Up 'Argenshow,' Animation Hybrid 'Last Wish,' New TV Dramas, as 'Unseen' Bows at Ventana Sur (EXCLUSIVE) 'Harpoon,' 'Rifle,' '3 Zene' Play Ventana Sur's Copia Cero 'Voices,' 'Luiza's Desert,' 'Clamor' Among Films From Rio 2016-17 Projects at Ventana Sur This week in the Lucifer fall finale, Charlotte (begrudgingly) sought out a non-lethal way of using her sons partner in crimesolving to advance her agenda, only to come to a startling realization about Detective Decker one that changes everything. RELATEDFoxs Lucifer Snags Full Season 2 Pickup Picking up right where last week left of, Charlotte was poised to make Chloe go boom, only to get interrupted by 1) Chloes interaction with a valet and then 2) Amenadiel, who argued that killing Detective Decker will only send Lucifer deep-diving into a relentless murder investigation. Instead, Charlotte weaseled her way into the sorest spot in Chloes life, by defending prison warden Smith against charges that he years ago killed John Decker, and has silenced others since to keep that secret. This court case sets up a hugely entertaining montage in which Lucifer re-enacts the events leading up to Smiths arrest. Alas, the prosecution is short on evidence to support their case, especially since their key witness, Boris from the steam room, has turned up well, as just a head. Also, thanks to Dan being careless with his phone when hooking up with Charlotte, Chloes presence at Joe Fields murder scene comes into question, sullying their case. Seeing an opportunity, Charlotte offers Chloe a deal Smith strung up on lesser charges, if the detective takes the stand to call publicly Lucifer a liar, thus delivering a blow to the quality he holds most dear. RELATEDLucifer Casts White Collars Tim DeKay in Deadly Midseason Arc Lucifer, Dan and Maze, meanwhile, are hunting down the gang member responsible for decapitating Boris, teeing up a sequence in which Maze rides Dan hard about his deeper connection to Charlotte, and then the gorgeous fight sequence that Lesley-Ann Brandt told us about a few weeks back, in which Maze bests the Chinese gang lords burliest bruiser. Alas, that all leads to a dead end, when the hatchet man who beheaded Boris himself is himself found dead. Story continues Yet even with that setback, when Chloe takes the stand she does not stick to the script Charlotte pensioned, but instead attests to Lucifer Morningstars incapacity to lie even though it means the warden gets set free. Dan and Maze, however, see to it that another form of justice is served, by offering Smith up to Russian goons who dont care much for third parties taking out their kind. All is not lost for Charlotte, however. Far from it. For as Lucifer delivers on the dinner he skipped out on cozying up to Chloe over wine and French fries at his place, the two of them even leaning in for a kiss Amenadiel presents a fun fact to his mother: Thirty-five years ago, Father asked me to come down here to bless a couple that was unable to have a child the first and last time He would ever make such a request. Having just bumped into Penelope, Amenadiel now realizes that said miracle baby grew up to be Chloe. Meaning, God purposely put her in Lucifers path, using His other son as a pawn. (And that seemingly also explains why Lucifers powers are muted in the detectives presence.) As a result, Charlotte gushes, Chloe herself represents not an obstacle but the key to them getting it all back, to get everything they want. But how, exactly? What did you think of the episode Quid Pro Ho? Launch Gallery: Fall TV Winners & Losers (2016) Related stories Pitch's Kylie Bunbury: Ginny's New Man Will 'Cause Some Conflict' in Finale Empire Recap: That's the Way Our Cookie Crumbled Scream Queens Recap: Talk to the Hand Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - European air travel giant Lufthansa has been battling its own pilots over pay and conditions for more than two years. Tuesday saw a renewed walkout, bringing the number of passengers affected by strikes over the past week to more than half a million. - What do the pilots want? - Lufthansa's 5,400 pilots have been called out on strike some 15 times since spring 2014 by union Vereinigung Cockpit. The dispute was sparked by disagreements over managers' plans to change costly early retirement provisions as they looked for savings in the face of stiff competition from low-cost rivals like Ryanair and Easyjet as well as higher-end competitors from the Gulf. Cockpit is also concerned about the board's plans to reform pensions and hire more pilots on lower pay as Lufthansa builds out its own low-cost subsidiary Eurowings. The most recent series of strikes launched last Wednesday is the latest skirmish in a battle over salaries. Cockpit says pilots have had no salary increase over the past five years, even as Lufthansa has been booking billions in profits. The union wants a pay rise of 3.66 percent per year, retroactive for the past five years. But managers' position remains far removed from Cockpit's, with the last offer from the board a bonus equivalent to almost two months' salary plus a 4.4-percent pay increase spread over two years -- roundly rejected by the pilots. Lufthansa says that its pilots are among the best-paid in the sector, with co-pilots at the start of their career earning 6,500 euros ($6,890) gross per month, while a late-career captain earns more than 22,000 euros. - Why is the conflict dragging on? - Pilots are not the only group to have hit Lufthansa with work stoppages in recent years. November 2015 saw the group face its longest-ever strike as cabin crew staged a seven-day walkout at the urging of their own union, UFO -- forcing the cancellation of more than 4,600 flights. Story continues Lufthansa has managed to strike deals in several labour disputes, notably with cabin crew and ground crew on its flagship airline. But other battles are still to be fought -- as a walkout by some cabin crew at Eurowings showed just last week. An end to the trial of strength with Cockpit appears distant for now. "The damage is already so great that it's increasingly difficult for the two sides to reach a compromise without losing face," said Guido Hoymann, an air travel sector analyst at Metzler bank. "They should bring in a mediator, the conflict could run on for a long time yet," he went on. Cockpit rebuffed Lufthansa's latest offer of a mediation process, while the group has failed in its attempts to prevent walkouts with legal action. - What does this mean for Lufthansa's business? - Repeated strikes at Lufthansa have caused "long-term" damage to the group's reputation, analyst Hoymann said. "Lufthansa's reliability has been called into question," he said, adding that the group could lose customers -- especially from its sizeable business segment. In purely financial terms, the impact has so far been smaller. One strike day costs the group between 10 and 15 million euros, Lufthansa says. In 2015, the group lost around 100 million euros to strikes -- a large figure but one that remained dwarfed by its record profit of 1.7 billion euros. Paris-based luxury speaker start-up Devialet has announced a strategic funding round aimed at expanding its tech to the automotive and media industries. The company says it raised 100 million ($106 million) from a batch of high-profile investors including electronics manufacturer Foxconn, carmaker Renault, Sharp (owned by Foxconn), Andy Rubin's Playground Global fund, Line parent Naver and Jay Z's Roc Nation. Founded in 2007, Devialet is best known for two very high-end audio systems: the Expert, which bears a price too high even for its web store (upgrades to existing systems start at over $4,500), and the wireless Phantom, which begin at $1,990 apiece. "Phantom's ultra dense sound creates intense emotional experiences," the company promises of its uniquely designed, audiophile-targeted products. "We are at the foot of Everest, we have the right equipment to get to the top," Quentin Sannie, CEO and cofounder of Devialet, told Le Figaro of the cash infusion on Monday. The company said in a separate statement that the new funding will be targeted for rolling out Devialet's technologies across the very industries of its new global investors, namely automotive (Renault), television (Sharp) and mobile web devices and streaming services. Jay Z's Tidal has already partnered with Phantom to offer more intuitive access using its Spark app. The company also said it wants to put more money to research and development and expand upon its current retail strategy, which includes new flagship stores adding to the ones in Paris, London and NYC. In addition, the company wants to continue opening smaller "immersive" stores like the ones in Hong Kong and Singapore. A deal was struck in 2015 to sell the "budget" Phantom speakers in Apple retail stores. "This fundraising marks a new stage in our incredible development towards being a global tech company and leader in our industry," said Sannie. "Our ambition is to be the pioneering role model of technology at the service of emotion throughout the world. We are extremely happy and proud to welcome the new investors, most of whom are entrepreneurs." Story continues Sannie added, "Beyond enabling us to accelerate our development though additional funds, they will support our geographical influence, especially in Asia and the US. We have already initiated very promising common projects." Playground's Andy Rubin, who created Android and worked at Google for years, said in a statement that he believes "Devialet is the most disruptive company in the audio business. It is my dream to work with Quentin and his team to change the way people appreciate media of all types." This Series C round, which was led by Foxconn's investment arm Ginko Ventures, brings the total raised by Deviate to roughly $145 million to date, according to Crunchbase. Previous investors who did not participate this time include Groupe Arnault, Marc Simoncini and Zavier Niel. SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (MBVX), a clinical stage immuno-oncology drug development company announced today that it will be presenting at the 9th annual LD Micro Main Event on Wednesday, December 7 at 2:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM EST at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. President and CEO J., David Hansen, of MabVax Therapeutics will be presenting, as well as meeting with investors. "We look forward to the opportunity to discuss our release in mid-November of interim data on our two HuMab-5B1 antibody phase I programs at the LD Micro Conference. The mid-November release outlined results from our clinical programs evaluating the use of MVT-5873 as a therapeutic antibody, and MVT-2163 as an immuno-PET imaging agent, in patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer," said President and CEO J. David Hansen. He added, "We also expect to share at the conference important progress we have been making in advancing our clinical trial of MVT-5873 into treatment of newly diagnosed patients in combination with a standard of care chemotherapy in previously untreated pancreatic cancer patients." The LD Micro Main Event is the largest independent conference for small/microcap companies and will feature 240 presenting companies. The presentation will be webcast. Please use the link below to access the webcast: http://wsw.com/webcast/ldmicro11/mbvx View MabVax's profile here: http://www.ldmicro.com/profile/MBVX News Compliments of Accesswire. About MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (MBVX) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of antibody-based products to address unmet medical needs in the treatment of cancer. MabVax has discovered a pipeline of human monoclonal antibody products based on the protective immune responses generated by patients who have been vaccinated against targeted cancers with the Company's proprietary vaccines. MabVax's HuMab-5B1 antibody is fully human and was discovered from the immune response of cancer patients vaccinated with an antigen-specific vaccine during a Phase I trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, or MSK. The antigen the antibody targets is expressed on more than 90% of pancreatic cancers making the antibody potentially broadly applicable to most patients suffering from this type of cancer. Additional information is available at www.mabvax.com. Story continues About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event). In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com/events for more information. Contact: Robert Haag, Managing Director IRTH Communications MBVX@irthcommunications.com 1-866-976-4784 SOURCE: MabVax Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. via LD Micro If President-elect Donald Trump picks Gen. James Mattis to be his secretary of defense, the retired Marine and combat veteran may be a moderating influence on the impulsive incoming commander in chief. But Mattis shares a hawkish view of Iran echoed by others in Trumps national security team, raising the potential specter of a conflict with Tehran. The president-elects hints that he will nominate Mattis for the job have raised hopes among conservative policy experts and some lawmakers in Congress that the former commander could add strategic perspective and prudence to a Trump White House sorely in need of both. Revered as a war-fighting legend in the Marine Corps, the warrior monk is also well-steeped in history and strategy and carries around a copy of Marcus Aureliuss Meditations. Trump, a novice in foreign affairs, has often relied on his instincts and his shoot-from-the-hip style throughout his career in real estate and, more recently, as a presidential candidate. And given Trumps isolationist campaign trail rhetoric and trashing of U.S. alliances, some former defense officials and lawmakers believe Mattis could possibly steer the president-elect and his national security team away from hasty action or a radical break with Americas traditional foreign policy. I think one of the reasons you see such enthusiasm for Gen. Mattis is because people hope that will be the case, said Eric Edelman, who held a senior Defense Department post in President George W. Bushs administration. How it will really work, what kind of advice Trump will take, are all propositions that remain to be proven, Edelman said. Nominating Mattis, who only retired from active military service three years ago, also will test a long-established principle of civilian control of the armed forces. Trump has already appointed a retired three-star Army lieutenant general Mike Flynn as his national security advisor. At least two other retired generals have met with Trump as possible candidates for secretary of state or other top positions: Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly and Army Gen. David Petraeus. Only Mattis would require a congressional exemption to serve as a civilian secretary of defense. Story continues Its unclear if Mattiss forceful personality will ultimately gain Trumps ear and shape his decisions. Yet his moderating influence is already on display: Trump told the New York Times last week that after a conversation with Mattis, the president-elect re-examined his views on waterboarding and torturing terrorist suspects, a stump speech staple. Trump said he was surprised Mattis didnt think such tactics were useful and that the president-elect came away impressed by that answer. Mattis is famous for his blunt, salty language when speaking to troops preparing for battle. But the retired four-star general has often displayed a nuanced understanding of geopolitics that contrasts with Trumps black-and-white view of the world, say officials and officers who have worked with Mattis. His nomination would also serve to reassure prospective Republican appointees to the Pentagon, many of whom are ambivalent about signing up to work for the Trump administration, given the president-elects off-the-cuff remarks and nativist America First rhetoric during the campaign. Mattis could be a mature voice in the room, a congressional staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Foreign Policy. When it comes to the threat posed by Iran, however, Mattis seems closer to other Trump advisors and most Republican lawmakers. In a speech last April, Mattis ranked Iran as the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East and cited Tehrans hostile rhetoric toward Israel and Persian Gulf states. Mattis sharply criticized President Barack Obama over the nuclear deal negotiated with Tehran last year. His view of the danger posed by Iran, coupled with the hawkish outlook shared by Flynn and Trumps nominee for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), could pave the way for heightened U.S. tensions with Tehran. Mattis led U.S. Central Command from 2010 to 2013, overseeing U.S. forces across the Middle East. He later said his first three questions every day during those years were Iran, Iran, and Iran. A former Centcom official told FP that Mattis spent much of his time there focused on Iran and the potential threats it poses. Mattis was very concerned about Irans activities in the region shipment of arms, the building of proxies for terrorism, said the former official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The general gamed out ways to understand how Iran looks at us, how theyre deterred by us and are influenced by our behavior, and [to control] the Iranian reaction to what the United States is doing, the Centcom official recalled. Mattis would eventually be forced out of his job at Centcom in 2013 after a series of disagreements with the White House over Iran. He argued unsuccessfully for a tougher military posture designed to deter Tehran from backing its proxies in Yemen and elsewhere in the region, a view shared by many others at Centcom. But unlike other hawks advising Trump, Mattis is more realistic about U.S. options in the Middle East, former colleagues said. He recognizes that a unilateral bid to dump the Iran nuclear deal which was negotiated between major powers and Tehran might harm American interests. Instead, the colleagues said, Mattis probably would argue for enforcing every provision of the nuclear deal, insisting that Iran abide by the agreement to the letter. Hes not a rash guy. Hes not looking to tear the lid of this thing and just duke it out, the congressional staffer said. The former Centcom official agreed. You have a number of people who are coming onto the [Trump] team who are going to take a strong line on Iran, but Mattis really brings an enormous range of experience on these issues that would be very important and that requires you, frankly, to be very realistic in understanding the vast capabilities and limitations of American power. In his April speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank in Washington, D.C., Mattis questioned the benefits of the Iran nuclear deal but said theres no going back on it and the next president would have to live with it. He also suggested the United States would have to be ready for a potential confrontation with Iran, saying, Were going to have to plan for the worst. Mattis has continued to attract a cult-like following among Marines, who refer to him affectionately as Mad Dog and revel in his blunt advice to troops: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet. Yet he also is a voracious reader, fond of quoting Marcus Aurelius and comfortably fluent in ancient history and geopolitics. He has a relentless work ethic and is a demanding boss, with no patience for shoddy work or missed deadlines. Widely respected across the government, Mattis likely would win broad and swift support from both parties in Congress if he is nominated as the next Pentagon chief. But lawmakers would have to make an exception for Mattis. By law, a defense secretary must have retired from active military service at least seven years before taking the job. His nomination would require amending current legislation, thereby expending some of the new administrations already shaky political capital. Congress has granted such an exception only once before, in 1950, for retired Gen. George Marshall, when he served as President Harry Trumans defense secretary to manage the Korean War. But Marshall was a staff officer and a diplomat. And although Mattis has a breadth of experience from his 44 years in uniform, he may struggle as a civilian administrator of the sprawling Defense Department bureaucracy and its $600 billion budget. Some senior defense officials are wary of Mattis possibly taking over the Pentagon and applying military-style leadership to a largely civilian workforce. Retired generals have had a mixed record in recent years in the transition to running a civilian agency. Colin Powell, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who served as secretary of state under George W. Bush, got high marks from the diplomatic corps for his management of the State Department. But Petraeus rubbed some veteran spies the wrong way with his approach as CIA chief. Its unclear if the House and Senate armed services committees would hold pre-nomination hearings about a Mattis waiver before his nomination testimony. Such hearings could allow lawmakers from both parties a chance to question the incoming administration on national security policies that were only addressed in broad brushstrokes in the presidential campaign. Having several recently retired military officers serving in top administration positions would mark an unprecedented break with convention. It could send a charged symbolic message that the top brass favor one political party over another and that civilian leadership has failed and only former generals can repair the damage. They are all independently extremely capable as individuals, but appointing them all creates an optics problem, said Edelman, now with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. Trump reportedly mulled naming Flynn to the Pentagon job. But unlike Mattis, the retired Army intelligence chief would have faced stiff opposition in Congress to amending the law and allowing him to take the post. Whoever gets the job, one of the first big issues the incoming defense secretary will face is the Pentagons budget, which is currently funded through a stopgap measure slated to expire next March. Trump has promised to dramatically increase defense spending by roughly $100 billion over the course of his first term to pay for dozens of new warships, hundreds of planes, and tens of thousands of additional troops increases that have not come along with any proposed change in U.S. strategy. But its unclear how the massive arms buildup would be funded, as Trump has also promised a big tax cut and a major investment in infrastructure projects across the country. The battle over military spending could spark feuds not only between Republican and Democratic lawmakers but among different factions inside the GOP with some fiscal conservatives reluctant to raise federal spending even for defense. If confirmed as defense secretary, Mattis would likely see eye to eye with the top-ranking military officer, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, a fellow Marine and longtime friend who at one point served as a subordinate to Mattis. Both Mattis and Dunford take a dim view of some of the personnel changes carried out by the Obama administration, particularly those focused on integrating transgender troops and opening up combat jobs to female soldiers. In 2011, the Obama administration repealed a ban on gay troops from serving openly. Last year, the Pentagon lifted a prohibition on women serving in ground combat jobs. And in June, Defense Secretary Ash Carter opened the door to allow openly transgender people to serve in the military. The changes likely will come under strict scrutiny from a Trump administration, and the transgender rules could even be reversed. In a book published this year about civilian-military relations co-edited with FP contributor Kori Schake, Mattis warned of the danger of civilian leaders with a progressive agenda imposing social change on the military. We fear that an uninformed public is permitting political leaders to impose an accretion of social conventions that are diminishing the combat power of our military, Mattis and Schake wrote. Photo credit: U.S. Embassy Kabul [November 28, 2016] Visit Vacaville Wins Gold Adrian Award VACAVILLE, Calif., Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- We are very excited to announce that Visit Vacaville has won a Gold Adrian Award for Website Design from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). In 2015, Visit Vacaville chose to rebrand its organization to better showcase the story of Vacaville through updated logos, taglines, and brand colors. As part of this rebranding initiative, Visit Vacaville partnered with Tempest Interactive Media to establish a new digital marketing platform that features Vacaville and the surrounding communities through a fully responsive website using cutting edge technology and user interface elements. By combining the new brand with an innovative and attractive website with best in class user interface features, Vacaville looked to increase engagement with core target audiences and drive tourism to the region. "We are thrilled to be acknowledged with this fantastichonor," says Visit Vacaville CEO Melyssa Laughlin. "Our Digital Media Manager Janette Maack has worked tirelessly on the new site over the last year, and our collaboration with Tempest has been an amazing process. We are excited to be able to offer such a wonderfully immersive website experience to all of our visitors." The new website's overall creative direction evokes the feeling of luxury and speaks to the influence of wine tourism through the use of rich aubergine and golden hues, while Vacaville's approachability and abundant activities shine through the use of imagery, artwork, and typography. Large-format photography and HTML5 HD videos immerse the visitor in the Vacaville experience on key pages, creating a memorable first impression. The ability to share content directly on social media platforms, showcase imagery posted on Instagram and Facebook, and provide user-friendly engagement points fosters extensive consumer interaction. The feature-rich, interactive event calendar keeps travelers and residents alike aware of exciting events happening in the community, fostering engagement across Visit Vacaville's target audience segments. About the HSMAI Adrian Awards The Adrian Awards began in 1957 and consider entries from every segment of the travel and hospitality marketing industry, including hotels, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, destinations and credit card companies, among others. Winners are selected from a field of more than 1,200 entries by senior industry and media experts. For more information, visit adrianawards.com. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Melyssa Laughlin at 707-450-0500 or email at [email protected]. Contact Melyssa Laughlin Telephone 707-450-0500 Email [email protected] Website www.visitvacaville.com Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443293 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/visit-vacaville-wins-gold-adrian-award-300369111.html SOURCE Visit Vacaville [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Copenhagen (AFP) - The container shipping unit of Danish conglomerate A.P. Moller-Maersk on Tuesday refused to comment on a report that it was mulling an acquisition of German peer Hamburg Sud. The company was interested in buying the entire business, which had $6.7 billion (6.3 billion euros) in revenue last year, and "not just... a few vessels", The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing a person familiar with the matter. "Out of principle we do not comment on rumours," Maersk said in an email to AFP on Tuesday. Hamburg Sud's owner, the family-owned Oetker Group, was discussing a sale of its shipping business, the same newspaper reported last week. "Hamburg Sud is one of the players in the industry that is probably too small to survive in the long run. It only has three percent of the market," Sydbank analyst Morten Imsgard told Danish news agency Ritzau. The shipping industry is undergoing a wave of consolidation after suffering its worst downturn in six decades amid overcapacity and slumping global trade. Japan's three largest shipping firms said in October they were merging their container businesses, and France's CMA CGM earlier this year bought Singapore-based container liner Neptune Orient Lines (NOL). Hanjin -- South Korea's largest shipping company and once the world's seventh biggest -- filed for bankruptcy protection in August. By Joseph Sipalan KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's prime minister has expressed support for strict Islamic laws as he seeks to consolidate support of ethnic Malay Muslims at a party meeting this week, as frustration over graft and the economy cloud prospects for the next election. Prime Minister Najib Razak has battled calls to resign over the last 18 months, as a scandal at his pet project, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), drew the anger of the public, opponents and members of his own United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) ruling party. A new opposition party led by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and a former deputy prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, who Najib sacked for questioning his handling of 1MDB, is threatening to split the majority Malay vote that has handed UMNO victory in every election since independence in 1957. Ahead of the annual party meeting, Najib said it was the responsibility of Muslims to support a plan by the rival Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party to push for the adoption of hudud, the Islamic penal code, that sets out punishments such as amputation and stoning. "We want to develop Islam," Najib said in an interview with pro-government broadcaster TV3. "Non-Muslims must understand that this is not about hudud but about empowering the sharia courts." With rising prices and poor economic prospects for next year, Najib is expected to bank on ethnic and religious sentiment to woo majority Malay voters. An election is due by 2018. Najib said his policy speech at this year's UMNO meeting would focus on the interests of Malays and Islam. "This is my speech as UMNO president, so my main audience are UMNO members and the Malays and bumiputera," he said, using a term that roughly translates as sons of the soil, and includes Malays but not members of the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. "It doesn't mean we don't care at all about the others, but this is an UMNO assembly," he said. Najib faced the biggest challenge to his leadership last year after reports that hundreds of millions of dollars was misappropriated from state fund 1MDB, which he founded. He acted swiftly to preserve his position - sacking critics in his administration and closing a graft investigation. Nevertheless, the scandal clouds prospects for an early election that Najib could call to cement his position, with multiple international investigations going on and a suit related to the case filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. Adding to his troubles is the plunge of the ringgit currency after Donald Trump's U.S. election win. It is Asia's worst performing currency, shedding nearly 7 percent over the past two weeks. "Najib's big problem is market confidence," said James Chin, director at the University of Tasmania's Asia Institute. "Tycoons will move against him if the ringgit keeps going down, but more importantly, SMEs and traders will go to the wall as prices will go up 20 percent across the board," he said, referring to small- and medium-sized enterprises. (Editing by Robert Birsel) 20th Century FOX If Home Alone has a single Christmas message besides dont forget your kids and appreciate your family, blah, blah, blah its that heroes are born out of adversity. At the beginning of Home Alone, Kevin McCallister was simply the family runt who couldnt pack his own suitcase and was denied a single slice of cheese pizza. But by the end of those 90 minutes, he was a survivor. A warrior. A blonde-haired, 9-year-old John Rambo if you will. Sure, it was later revealed that he grew up to be a psychopath, but being deserted by family twice will do that to a boy. We all know that Kevin defies the odds and proves to his family hes not completely helpless, but would the other young McCallisters have been so lucky? Lets take a moment to ponder just how well Buzz, Fuller, Linnie, and the others in the McCallister clan would have fared had it been them who had to defend the home from Harry and Marv. Fuller and Brooke McCallister 20th Century Fox Had brother and sister Brooke and Fuller McCallister been left behind, Home Alone would have taken a drastically dark turn. Theres no way these two kids would have made it more than half a day before succumbing to the perils of non-adult-supervised life. Neither one can do much more than stare at Harry with a deer in the headlights look when he stops by to case the place, and Fullers only known character trait is Pepsi-guzzling followed by bed-wetting. None of this gives any sort of credit to their chances of surviving alone for three days. Rod McCallister 20th Century Fox Im going to go out on a limb here and assume that were all on the same page concerning Kevins cousin Rods chances of survival. We dont get to know Rod too well, but the kid doesnt exactly give off a house warrior vibe. We see Rod tapping on the glass of the aquarium where Buzz keeps his tarantula, peering out the window at Old Man Marley and then giving Kevin the evil eye in the kitchen. Not exactly a lot to go on. Judging a book by its cover, though, the Wet Bandits would have probably shoved Rod in a closet without even bothering to lock it and then taken their time with cleaning out the place. Story continues Linnie McCallister 20th Century Fox Kevins sister Linnie doesnt appear to get picked on by Buzz and Jeff in the way that Kevin does, but given that she has two older brothers, its unlikely shes a pushover. Having to put up with Buzz and Jeff year-round might give her an advantage over some of the others in the event that she was left home alone for a while at least. Linnie might have done okay those first couple of days, and Harry and Marv would have been the true test to whether it was she who was truly the incompetent one. Jeff McCallister 20th Century Fox Kevins older brother Jeff isnt as harsh of a bully as Buzz, but hes still one of Kevins tormentors nonetheless. How Jeff would fare is sort of a toss-up. Hes not quite as young and helpless as some of the other children in the McCallister clan, but he never really shows any real sense of maturity. We really dont even see much of Jeff other than him ganging up on Kevin after the pizza incident and when he hurls his packed suitcase down the stairs. Maybe hed do alright in the beginning, but once the Wet Bandits launched their attack, his chances of survival would probably be 50/50. Heather McCallister 20th Century Fox Heathers a college student, so one would hope shed be capable of surviving alone in a giant house with a stocked kitchen for a few days. If anything, the only concerning factor for Kevins parents might be if Heather trashed their pad by inviting friends over for a house party which wouldve made Home Alone an entirely different movie. Now, had the Wet Bandits shown up, there might have been trouble. I say this only because if the girl cant correctly do a headcount of the number of children in the airport shuttle, theres no way she can launch a strategic home defense plan. Megan McCallister 20th Century Fox Megan McCallister would definitely survive being home alone for a few days. She does fall into the same mindset as the others and chastises Kevin for being helpless, but she displays more maturity than nearly any of the other siblings. Once Kevin is left behind, she seems to be the only child who realizes the gravity of a 9-year-old boy by himself on the mean streets of suburban Chicago. Truth be told, if it had been Megan McCallister who was been left behind, Home Alone would have been a rather dull movie. Megan would have phoned the police, the airline, and her uncle Robs apartment almost immediately upon waking up and probably spent the remaining couple of days crashing at a friends house. Or she would have gotten on the next plane to Paris. Sondra and Tracy McCallister 20th Century Fox Tracy and Sondra dont have many lines and aside from the pizza incident and a scene at their uncles apartment in Paris, theyre not around much. Despite the fact that they present no verbal air of confidence for their chances of survival of being left home alone, their prospects look good for one reason only that teenage girl death stare. They both have the teenage girl death stare perfected and have the ability to wield it with striking accuracy. That stare says I dont care if youre Old Man Marley, a pizza delivery punk or a low-life burglar, dont f*ck with me. Buzz McCallister 20th Century Fox Out of all the McCallister kids, Buzz definitely has a survival advantage above the rest. First off, he was a straight-up d*ck to his siblings and sometimes being a d*ck can be the difference between life or death. Escape From New Yorks Snake Plissken d*ck. Dirty Harrys Harry Callahan d*ck. Not to mention, a good portion of Kevins arsenal belonged to Buzz: the firecrackers, BB gun, and tarantula are all Buzz. Now, had Buzz had the cajones to actually use his weaponry and go toe-to-toe with the Wet Bandits, well never know. But based on his personality, war chest, and physical size always a plus my money says he would have survived. Then again, Buzz does assume that his family lives on the most boring street in the United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen and that kind of naivety could be his downfall. Hes also probably too stupid to construct traps in the way that Kevin did. Though thats just a theory. That does bring us back around to the marvel that is Kevin, though. So deceptively devious and creative in his torture. Youd never know it to look at him, so this whole list might be turned on its ear. Hell, maybe Fuller really is a bad-ass who knows exactly what hes doing. 20th Century Fox If youre a little fuzzy on Kevins trap-making abilities, check out Home Alone on Blu-ray. It's been over a week since Kanye West was admitted to Los Angeles's Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and placed under observation after suffering from exhaustion and sleep deprivation. In that time, little information has been released about what is ailing West and what the timetable for his recovery might be. An unnamed source told People magazine this week that West generally has "big ups and downs, but this bout seems to be much more serious. In the hospital he has been very paranoid and is under constant watch for his safety." The anonymous source said the 39-year-old rapper is still under observation because "clearly he's not doing well." The magazine reported that wife Kim Kardashian West says she is "very concerned" about her husband's condition, and says he hasn't yet been formally diagnosed. "She says that Kanye is on many different medications and that his doctors are figuring proper doses. Kim says that not much has changed since he was admitted and that his doctors seem concerned." A spokesperson for West did not return requests for an update on his condition at press time. So what will the next few days, weeks and months look like for the polymath entertainer who is constantly busy producing music, concerts, fashion lines and multi-media projects? Billboard spoke to mental health experts about what the rapper's extended stay might indicate and what his recuperation could look like. "If someone remains in the hospital [after an event like this] it may just mean that they need to be in the hospital that long to get well," Dr. Jody M. Rawles, a psychiatrist and the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs in the psychiatry department at the University of California-Irvine, told Billboard. Dr. Rawles, who has no first-hand knowledge of the situation and has not treated West in the past, said when his team admits someone under similar circumstances they will keep them in the hospital as long as is necessary, but not a day longer, because staying in a hospital environment for too long can be detrimental to a patient's health. "Physical exhaustion and sleep deprivation can lead to erratic, psychotic and paranoid thinking and many performers and other professionals -- and our society in general -- don't get enough sleep," he added. "Certainly someone who has a lot of pressure to perform, present [their art], do interviews and be seen can feel a lot of pressure. If the alleged reason for admission is dehydration and exhaustion, part of keeping someone hospitalized for a longer period is to figure out if that is all that's going on. The hospitalization came after a bizarre series of incidents involving the hip-hop superstar, including rants endorsing President-elect Donald Trump, calling out Beyonce and Jay Z, cutting a concert short, canceling the remainder of his Saint Pablo Tour, and posting 99 fashion catalog images on his previously spare Instagram feed in the hours before he was transported to the hospital. The emergency hospitalization brings to mind similar incidents involving two other pop stars who exhibited bizarre or troubling behavior before -- in their cases -- being placed under what's commonly known as a "5150 hold," or involuntary psychiatric hold. In January 2008, Britney Spears was hospitalized on a 5150 after a series of erratic incidents and placed under a temporary conservatorship that put her day to day affairs in the hands of her father, and which continues to this day. And, in July 2013, former child actress Amanda Bynes was put on a 72-hour 5150 hold after setting a fire in a stranger's driveway; that hold was eventually extended for several months, after which Bynes was moved to a residential facility for further treatment. Bynes' mother was also granted a temporary consevatorship over her daughter's affairs. Both appear to have taken to the treatment they received -- though neither have spoken publicly about what ailed them at the time. Spears went on to resume her career, while Bynes has lived quietly and not returned to the spotlight. "If this were an isolated incident and there was no other evidence of anything happening before -- certainly someone who is sleep deprived can get into an altered state of reality," Rusty Selix, a California lawyer, mental health advocate and director of policy and advocacy at the California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies told Billboard. Selix -- who is not a physician and also has no first-hand knowledge of the West case, but who consults with a number of California mental health non-profit agencies -- said Kim Kardashian's alleged comments about various medications could indicate an underlying mental illness. "Sleep deprivation alone is very severe and can cause all kinds of conditions... and when someone gets into a manic phase where they don't sleep for days they can get a powerful high from that manic energy and then crash," he said. "From the comments made by his wife there seems to be an awareness that there is a mental illness involved that it has to be managed and they likely don't want to talk about it because it's a highly stigmatized [thing]. But once an incident like this happens things might go the other way and you get sympathy and empathy as opposed to when there's no mental health component and it's much harder to explain." West's Saint Pablo Tour, which had the rapper performing solo on a floating platform that flew over the crowd, kicked off on Aug. 25 in Indianapolis and had the rapper performing every or every other night for September and October before its final 21 dates were canceled at a refund cost estimated by Billboard to be $27.3 million on a tour that had grossed $34.5 million according to Billboard Boxscore (based on the 26 dates reported at the time). Before pulling the plug on the 22 dates that need refunding, West played 40 shows in 86 days. If there are other issues that factored into West's hospitalization, Rawles said doctors need to eliminate those factors if possible and see how the patient reacts once they are stabilized and the right medication mix is administered. "That might explain why longer hospitalization is required," he postulated. "If you are starting a new medication you want to keep that person in the hospital for a day or two to make sure they are not having any side effects and you have the right dose." West's week-plus stay is not that unusual in Rawles' experience, but because of the star's notoriety and the public fashion in which it played out, an undue focus might be placed on the length of his hospitalization so far. "It's not unusual to have someone in the hospital for 14 days for a condition like this," he said. "Just to make sure everything is okay, they are getting adequate sleep and are starting their medication." The good news is that hospitals are protected environments where someone like West can feel safely out of the usual glare of the cameras. In fact, though patients often complain, at Rawles' facility patients have no access to their smart phones or computers for protective reasons. "If you're not in your right mind and you have access to your phone you can tweet something that could damage your reputation or make business decisions that could be harmful," he said. BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday she had no information on where a cyber attack on Deutsche Telekom, which hit its network on Sunday and Monday, came from. "I have no information on the origin of the attacks on the network, the ... appropriate body will do all it can to find out where the attacks came from," Merkel told reporters at a news conference with the Maltese prime minister. "Such attacks are a part of every day life and people have to get used to them," she said. Telekom has said about 900,000 users suffered Internet outages starting on Sunday and continuing into Monday. A company executive said it was an attempt to hijack consumer router devices for a wider Internet attack. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Joseph Nasr and Paul Carrel) Michelle Williams knows a little something about grief. Perhaps thats why her performance in Manchester by the Sea is already generating Oscar buzz. In her new film, Williams plays a heartbroken mother struggling to cope with a family tragedy. I couldnt stop crying, the 36-year-old actress tells Porter magazine about the emotional storyline. Its like the darkest part of your heart, something happening to your child Shes making a brave choice, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. Because it is a choice. I would exit It would be so much easier than living with the loss. Williams dealt with her own family tragedy years ago. She is raising her 11-year-old daughter Matilda alone after Matildas father, Heath Ledger, died in January 2008 from an accidental overdose. He was 28. In all honesty, for pretty much everything else, I feel like Im a believer in not fighting circumstances, accepting where you are and where youve been. In pretty much all senses but one, she tells the magazine for its Incredible Women issue via the Huffington Post. I would be able to go totally down that line of thinking were it not for Matilda not having her dad. You know thats just something that doesnt I mean, it just wont ever be right. Related: Celebrities We Lost in 2016 As for the current state of the stars personal life, Williams adds that shes really sensitive about dating. Her priority is giving Matilda a wonderful life. I watched [Matilda] warm in the sun, in her swimsuit, get on her bicycle and smile and wave as she rode off to go meet her friends. I went back into the house and sobbed because of this incredibly simple moment common everyday happiness. I really felt like in that moment, like wow, weve done it, Williams says. Not only are we OK, shes happy. Life has brought us to a place thats not just surviving, but thriving. Related: Busy Philipps Has Crab Cakes Dumped on Her at Manchester Premiere Afterparty, BFF Michelle Williamss Face Says It All The Dawsons Creek alum has a great support system around her like bestie Busy Phillips so its no wonder they are doing so well. Its been nearly eight years since Heath Ledgers tragic death, but ex-wife (and mother of their 11-year-old daughter, Matilda) Michelle Williams has remained a successful parent and Oscar-nominated actress on her own. In a recent interview with Porter magazine, Williams shed a little insight into motherhood during the grieving process as seen through the lens of her character in the critically acclaimed new drama Manchester by the Sea. Its like the darkest part of your heart, something happening to your child Shes making a brave choice, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, Williams explains of her characters drive to reclaim her life after loss. Because it is a choice. I would exit, she said. It would be so much easier than living with the loss. (In the movie, Williamss character Mia becomes estranged from main actor Casey Affleck.) In all honesty, for pretty much everything else, I feel like Im a believer in not fighting circumstances, accepting where you are and where youve been, she told the fashion magazine. I would be able to go totally down that line of thinking were it not for Matilda not having her dad I mean, it just wont ever be right. Williams also shared a tender moment realizing her daughter was growing up happily. Not only are we OK, shes happy. Life has brought us to a place thats not just surviving, but thriving, she said. During Monday nights episode of WWE Raw, there was a brief moment of panic among wrestling fans, as it appeared Mick Foley lost a tooth while yelling at Sami Zayn. Well, dial down your cringe meter, because it was only his dental bridge, not his actual teeth. Whew. Yes, that was my bottom teeth (my HIAC teeth) falling out on live TV! Just means @iLikeSamiZayn brought something out in me. #RAWCharlotte Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) November 29, 2016 Yep, those are his replacement teeth for the bottom grill he lost while being thrown off and then through the Hell in a Cell cage by the Undertaker way back when. You know the match. As for what got Foley so worked up, the Raw general manager was angry at Sami Zayn for being angry at him for stopping Braun Strowman for beating him up, after Mick made a match between Zayn and Strowman last week as a punishment for failing to capture the Intercontinental title. Foley then immediately felt bad that he set up the match, and told Zayn that he has no chance of ever beating Strowman. You know; typical wrestling stuff. A military dad is showing just how brave he can be by attending a ballet class with his 4-year-old daughter. Philip Curry, who is stationed in England with the U.S. Air Force, made the little girl's day by joining her at the "Bring a Family Member to Dance" event at the Brandon School of Dance near Norwich. Read: Bride and Dad Wow Wedding Guests With A Choreographed Father-Daughter Dance "He was very willing to do it with her and took it seriously," his wife, Jessica, told InsideEdition.com. A video taken by Jessica and shared by Caters shows Curry's best pirouetting skills. He even waves a pink wand while his daughter grins beside him. "Alison LOVED having him dance with her. You can see that in her smile," Jessica said. Read: Deployed Navy Dad Finds Clever Way to Attend Son's 'Lunch With Dad' Day Philip, an aircraft maintainer originally from Dallas, Texas, is clearly a contender for dad of the year. "The other dads chose to do the tap dancing portion of the class instead but Philip dove right in [to ballet]," Jessica said. "She loves her daddy very much. They love spending time together." Watch: Police Officers Escort Girls Without Fathers to Annual Daddy Daughter Dance Related Articles: When Johanna Morton watched her 5-month-old baby girl see snow for the first time, it was like time stood still, she tells PEOPLE. For that moment, she wasnt sick, she was just thrilled. My husband and I looked at each other and knew that whatever comes next, well have this memory, Johanna says. For Johanna, 22, and her husband Craig Morton, 25, every first theyre able to share with their daughter Clara Ray feels like a miracle. Thats because 12 weeks into the couples pregnancy, doctors discovered a problem with Clara Rays heart. They told me I was going to go home and miscarry, the Cornwallville, New York, mom says. They said our baby wasnt going to live. Clara Ray was a fighter from the beginning, but the couple returned to the doctor to receive a new crushing diagnosis. Next we were told she was going to be stillborn, Morton says. It was a prognosis she and her husband simply couldnt accept. From the beginning, I said we were going to see this thing through and we continued to celebrate her, she continues. We had a reveal party and a baby shower and we set up her nursery even though we didnt know if shed be coming home or not. Need a little inspiration? Click here to subscribe to the Daily Smile Newsletter for uplifting, feel-good stories that brighten up your inbox. Clara Ray was delivered via C-section on June 14 her heart was too weak to handle a natural birth. I asked the doctors if my baby was going to be born alive and they couldnt tell me, Morton recalls. The room got really silent when she was born and then she let out this amazing cry. I looked at my husband and he looked at me and we started crying, it was the most amazing moment ever, she continues. Then fear struck. Clara Ray was rushed to Boston Childrens Hospital where she underwent open-heart surgery to treat her multiple congenital heart defects, heart block and Heterotaxy syndrome. Then, on July 21, the newborn was finally cleared to come home. Story continues We walked into the nursery with her on that first day home and we were in awe, says Morton. Were still in awe that shes here today. Every single day that shes here is a miracle. Doctors have informed the couple that Clara Rays heart may not keep up with the pace of her growth. We just take it minute by minute because anything with her can change, Morton says. Clara Ray has already been hospitalized five times in her five months of life she was undergoing surgery in Boston when it first snowed at her New York home. So, when Morton woke up on November 20 to a fresh blanket of snow outside her window, she couldnt wait to show Clara Ray. She was mesmerized, Morton, who shared a photo of the special moment on the Love What Matters Facebook page, says. Thousands shared Mortons post, bringing new supporters to the couples Prayers for Clara Ray Facebook page and to the couples GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses. Its amazing that were able to spread CHD awareness through her story because there is no cure, Morton says. Despite this fact, the Mortons are holding onto hope that theyll get to share more firsts with their little girl. Shes an energetic smiley little thing who just lights up a room, Morton says. No matter what negative things were told we still believe well see her first birthday. An anonymous donor who offered $100,000 for the safe return of Sherri Papini, the 34-year-old white woman who went missing while on a jog three weeks ago, might now use the ransom money to help the Redding, California, mother and her family recover after she was found heavily battered on the side of a highway Thanksgiving morning. Papini was discovered bound by restraints along the Interstate 5 highway outside of Sacramento after being reported missing by her husband on Nov. 2. Her husband notified the police about his wifes disappearance after discovering she hadnt picked her children up from day care that day, which he said was completely out of her character. Keith Papini said when he first saw his wife after the kidnapping, she weighed 87 pounds and her blond hair was lopped off. "Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see upon my arrival at the hospital, nor the details of the true hell I was about to hear," he said in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" Tuesday. "My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of repeated beatings, the bridge of her nose broken." The donor, who acted without the help of police, initially offered Papinis captors $50,000 for her safe return, USA Today reported on Nov. 18. The ransom sum was then upped to $100,000 for any information about her disappearance roughly 24 hours before she was found, the Los Angeles Times reported. After Papini was found, Cameron Gamble, a Redding defense contractor who trains government employees about hostage situations and was hired privately by the anonymous donor, told local reporters that money could potentially go to Papinis family as the donor wanted to support the family in any way he can to ensure they receive the necessary treatment for their recovery. While the anonymous benefactor returned the ransom money to the bank when his offer to obtain any information pertaining to the identities of Papini's captors expired last Wednesday, Gamble said the amount the donor would give to her family was really up to him at this point. Story continues But theres only one hero in this. Its Sherri Papini, Gamble told local reporters. She found the key to stay alive. Papini told investigators she had been abducted by two armed Hispanic women driving in a dark sport-utility vehicle while jogging near her house in Northern California. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko, who confirmed she suffered injuries requiring medical treatment Sunday, told ABC News there was no reason to disbelieve Papinis story. Bosenko said he did not believe the unknown benefactor's ransom money caused Papinis return, citing that no one called the police department with a tip about the identity of the suspects. Bosenko said while law enforcement officers were still searching for her captors, the investigation had shifted toward looking into events from Papinis past, including her first marriage, divorce and online activity that might have inspired her kidnapping, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday. He said it was not apparent whether Papini had previously known her abductors personally. Related Articles By Stephen Jewkes MILAN (Reuters) - Monte dei Paschi (BMPS.MI ) is in a race against time to secure a commitment from a cornerstone investor by the weekend before tapping the market for much-needed funds, CFO Francesco Mele said on Tuesday. Its shares have been hammered by worries over its ability to execute a 5 billion euros (4.24 billion pounds) capital raising, with some fund managers saying sentiment could brighten if it finds an anchor investor. Sources said Qatar Investment Authority was in talks and could inject up to 1 billion euros but wanted to wait until the outcome of a Dec. 4 constitutional referendum to take a final decision. "We have a number of advanced discussions," Mele told an investors' conference call, without mentioning any specific institution. "If we get to Monday with a good anchor commitment we should be able to complete the transaction successfully," he said. The bank launched a voluntary debt-to-equity swap offer on Monday on 4.3 billion euros of subordinated notes. The debt swap is central to a broader capital boosting plan funded by private investors to keep it afloat, after it fared the worst in European bank stress tests in July. The chances of success will also hinge on the Dec. 4 vote, which could unseat Matteo Renzi's government, triggering political uncertainty and scaring off investors. Mele said it would be up to banks in the underwriting consortium to decide on Monday if the conditions were in place to proceed with the deal. The Chief Financial Officer, who arrived at the bank in October just after Marco Morelli took the helm as Chief Executive Officer, said European Central Bank approval for the cash call was subject to the lender launching its share sale by the end of the year. Should the privately-funded plan fail, the state would probably have to launch a precautionary recapitalisation of the bank under conditions set by the European Commission for state aid, he said. But before the state injected public money, investors would first take a hit, Mele said, adding the European Commission would ask for "burden sharing", affecting only shareholders and junior bondholders -- a much milder solution than a complete "bail-in". Sources told Reuters last week that authorities would apply EU rules with flexibility in case of state aid for Monte dei Paschi to avoid perverse effects on the whole Italian banking system. (Additional reporting by Pamela Barbaglia and Paola Arosio; writing by Francesca Landini; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) BERLIN (Reuters) - Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) pilots staged another walkout on Tuesday, with neither side showing any willingness to yield in a dispute that has already cost the German airline hundreds of millions of euros since early 2014. The stoppage hit short-haul flights departing from German cities, forcing Lufthansa to cancel 816 out of around 3,000 planned flights on Tuesday. The pilots have also announced plans to strike on short- and long-haul flights on Wednesday, which will see a further 890 flights cancelled. The strike is the 15th since the early 2014, and the costs are mounting. Lufthansa has put the cost of the first two days of last week's strike at about 20 million euros ($21 million), but past experience shows the effect on future bookings could cost tens of millions more. Analysts at Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded Lufthansa shares to "reduce" from "hold" on Tuesday, saying the strike jeopardised the company's 2016 profit target of around 1.8 billion euros. Lufthansa says it has to cut costs to compete with leaner rivals such as Ryanair (RYA.I) on short-haul routes and Emirates on longer flights, despite a record profit in 2015. Ryanair, keen to build market share in Germany, has been wooing customers there with what it calls a rescue offer. "Industrial action is a great opportunity for rivals such as Ryanair and easyJet. They will hope to retain the customers that they may have captured as a result of the strike for the longer-term," Liberum analyst Gerald Khoo said. Lufthansa pilots are well paid by industry standards. A pilot at Lufthansa earns on average 180,000 euros a year before tax, though a captain on the highest pay level can earn as much as 22,000 euros a month before tax. Walkouts in 2015 by both pilots and cabin crew affected 7,748 flights, costing Lufthansa 231 million euros in lost profit, with around 108 million of that coming from lost advance bookings. Including last week's four-day walkout, Lufthansa has cancelled 4,500 flights, still far fewer than the total numbers seen in 2014 or 2015. Story continues Liberum analyst Khoo said the short-term pain from strikes would be worth it for Lufthansa, if the result was a long-term deal that brought suitable reforms. But both sides seem to be digging their heels in, and the union has rebuffed pleas from Lufthansa for mediation. Lufthansa has offered to increase the pilots' pay by 4.4 percent in two instalments and make a one-off payment worth 1.8 months' pay. Union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) wants an average annual pay rise of 3.7 percent for 5,400 pilots over a five-year period backdated to 2012. "We are willing to compromise. But if management says there's no room for manoeuvre, then what good will mediation do? We just don't believe there's the will to find a solution," said VC spokesman Joerg Handwerg. ($1 = 0.9431 euros) (Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Additional reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Keith Weir) CAIR Ohio State University Press Conference The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned an attack at Ohio State University on Monday that injured at least 9 people and asked the public to avoid rushing to judgment about the suspect's motives. Like all of our fellow Columbus citizens we are saddened and heartbroken by this senseless act of violence and we want to condemn in the strongest possible terms this and any other kind senseless violent act, Jennifer Nimer, Legal Director for the Ohio Chapter of CAIR, said at a news conference late Monday. The suspect, who police identified as a Somali man named Abdul Razak Ali Artan, allegedly struck pedestrians with his vehicle when he drove onto the university's campus in Columbus, Ohio, before using a weapon to cut several people. Members of the Muslim and Somali community at the conference also urged the public not to jump to conclusions about the attack as investigators were still uncovering details about the suspect We as yet know nothing about the motivation of the attack but we do know of his Somali heritage and that will be enough for some people to falsely link this tragic incident to the faith of Islam and the Somali and Muslim communities, said Roula Allouch, national board chair of CAIR, said. Following reports of threatening letters allegedly mailed to mosques nationwide, CAIR sent a letter asking FBI director James Comey to investigate the messages. The letters, which reached six mosques in California and Georgia, referred to Muslims as "Children of Satan and "vile and filthy people." Monday's attack at Ohio State University may prompt similar threats against the Somali and Muslim community, leaders said at the news conference. We are living in times where theres been increased violence against members of the American Muslim community and we want to ensure that as Americans we stand drawn together, united and we dont allow the act of one individual to cause a backlash against others, Allouch said. Story continues Earlier this year, areport from CAIR found 78 violent attacks occurred at mosques in 2015 up from 34 in 2014. The organization has been tracking the incidents since 2009 and said the number of attacks in 2016 could make it "one of the worst years" on record. More From Business Insider CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Myomo, Inc., a commercial-stage medical robotics company whose products enable users to overcome upper extremity paralysis (www.myomo.com), today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Paul Gudonis, is scheduled to present at the 9th Annual LD Micro Main Event. Myomo, Inc. has confidentially submitted a Form 1-A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock under the recently amended provisions of Regulation A pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012. Myomo intends to apply for listing its common stock on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol "MYO." LD Micro Main Event When: December 6-8, 2016 Where: Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA Presentation Day and Time: Wednesday, December 7th at 4:00 pm PST Presentation Room: Track 4 Additionally, management will be available for one-on-one meetings with attendees throughout the conference. Investors are encouraged to contact their LD Micro representative or TriPoint Global Equities at sales@tpglobal.com to request a meeting with management. Investors may obtain more information on Myomo and register indications of interest at http://www.banq.co/causes/myomo Myomo intends to use the proceeds from the offering to fund its sales and marketing expansion, product development, repayment of debt and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Myomo specializes in myoelectric orthoses for people with neuromuscular disorders. Myomo developed the MyoPro product line which is based on its patented myoelectric technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The orthosis, available on a physician's order, is a non-invasive, powered brace used for the purpose of supporting and moving a patient's weak or deformed arm and hand to re-enable functional activities. The company's products can help restore function in individuals with neuromuscular conditions such as stroke, peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, ALS, and others. Story continues The amendments to Regulation A, known as "Regulation A+," were adopted by the SEC pursuant to Title IV of the JOBS Act and became effective in June 2015. Regulation A+ is designed to allow early stage growth companies to raise up to $50 million in a public offering through a process that provides streamlined and lower-cost access to the capital markets for the issuer and provides investors the opportunity to participate in an IPO for these potentially high growth companies. Myomo, Inc. is currently a privately held company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information please visit www.myomo.com. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event). In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com/events for more information. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include ''forward-looking statements.'' To the extent that the information presented in this press release discusses financial projections, information, or expectations about our business plans, results of operations, products or markets, or otherwise makes statements about future events, such statements are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as ''should,'' ''may,'' ''intends,'' ''anticipates,'' ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''projects,'' ''forecasts,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' and ''proposes.'' Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and other disclosures, including the statements made under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the offering statement we have filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and Energy Hunter does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. Legal Disclaimer The offering will be made only by means of an offering circular. An offering statement on Form 1-A relating to these securities has been filed confidentially with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become qualified. 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 these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No money or other consideration is being solicited at this time with respect to such an offering, and if sent in response to these materials for such an offering, it will not be accepted. No securities may be sold, and no offer to buy securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received for an offering under Regulation A+ until an offering statement is qualified by the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and any such offer may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time before notice of its acceptance given after the qualification date. An indication of interest made by a prospective investor in a Regulation A+ offering is non-binding and involves no obligation or commitment of any kind. Contact: Alan Weinberg Director of Marketing Myomo, Inc. (617) 861-4191 alan@myomo.com SOURCE: Myomo, Inc. via LD Micro Three Indian soldiers were killed in a terror attack Tuesday at an army artillery unit in the town of Nagrota near Jammu in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, just about 12 miles from the countrys border with Pakistan. An alert was sounded in Jammu city after an army officer and two other personnel were killed in the gun battle that ensued after terrorists, reportedly four in all, stormed the 166 artillery unit, opening fire at the officers' mess in the town that serves as the headquarters of the army's 16 corps. The terrorists reportedly positioned themselves inside the building, making it difficult to rescue family members of some officers stranded because of the gunfire. Reports said four militants were killed as search operations continue. The army is expected to investigate how the attackers were able to access the highly fortified base, while the local highway close to the headquarters was blockaded. We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil [a local administrative unit] in view of the terror attack, Jammus Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said, according to Indian daily the Times of India. In a separate incident, Indias Border Security Force intercepted a group of terrorists, killing three of them as they reportedly attempted to cross over from Pakistan into India in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir, 35 miles southeast of Nagrota. In September, terrorists attacked the Indian army base in Uri, Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. India claimed the attacks were carried out by Pakistan-based militants, sparking retaliation from New Delhi in the form of reported surgical strikes across the line of control later in the month. According to India, the strikes resulted in the killing of several militants but Pakistan denied any such raids took place, asking India to produce credible evidence to back its claim, a request India ignored. india pak tensions Photo: Getty Images/AFP/AFP Story continues The Tuesday attacks in Jammu occurred on the same day Pakistans new army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, took charge from General Raheel Sharif. In his farewell speech, Sharif left a message for the neighboring country, saying: Don't mistake our patience for weakness. Related Articles New technology could use X-rays to transmit data at high rates over vast distances in outer space, as well as enable communications with hypersonic vehicles during re-entry, when radio communications are impossible, NASA scientists say. The technology would combine multiple NASA projects currently in progress to demonstrate the feasibility of X-ray communications from outside the International Space Station. The radio waves used by mobile phones, Wi-Fi and, of course, radios, are one kind of light. Other forms of light can carry data as well; for instance, fiber-optic telecommunications rely on pulses of visible and near-infrared light. [Communicating With Deep Space - How It Works (Video)] The effort to use another type of light, X-rays, for communication started with research on NASA's proposed Black Hole Imager. That mission is designed to analyze the edges of the supermassive black holes that previous research suggested exist at the centers of most, if not all, large galaxies. One potential strategy to enable the Black Hole Imager was to develop a constellation of precisely aligned spacecraft to collect X-rays emitted from the edges of those black holes. Keith Gendreau, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, thought of developing X-ray emitters that these spacecraft could use as navigational beacons to make sure they stayed in position relative to one another. The system would keep them aligned down to a precision of just 1 micron, or about one-hundredth the average width of a human hair. Gendreau then reasoned that by modulating or varying the strength or frequency of these X-ray transmissions on and off many times per second, these navigational beacons could also serve as a communication system. Such X-ray communication, or XCOM, might, in theory, permit gigabit-per-second data rates throughout the solar system, he said. (For comparison, the fastest current Wi-Fi standard also theoretically offers up to 1-gigabit per-second data rates.) Story continues "As mankind moves further out into the universe, being able to communicate with home will require new technologies," Gendreau said. "XCOM will play in that." One advantage that XCOM has compared to laser communication in deep space is that X-rays have shorter wavelengths than the visible or infrared light typically used in laser communication. This means that, in principle, XCOM can transmit more data for the same amount of power that laser communication requires, Gendreau said. Moreover, because X-rays have shorter wavelengths, they can be transmitted in tighter beams than visible or infrared light, so less energy is wasted in trying to communicate over vast distances, he added. Moreover, X-rays can penetrate obstacles that impede radio communication. "Remember the radio-frequency blackout in the Apollo days, when the capsules were entering the atmosphere?" Gendreau said. "Well, high-energy X-rays can make it through the hot plasma that blocks the radio waves." To experiment with XCOM, the researchers developed a device called the Modulated X-ray Source, or MXS, which generates rapid-fire X-ray pulses. MXS is slated to get installed on an experimental pallet that will be deployed outside the International Space Station in 2018. MXS will transmit data via X-rays about 165 feet (50 meters) to the Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), which is designed to study neutron stars and their rapidly spinning relatives, pulsars, and will launch to the International Space Station in early 2017. MXS' data transmissions will be run by NavCube, a NASA computing and navigation platform. Although most of the technology for MXS is ready, the researchers are still seeking additional funding to complete a space-ready version of the XCOM device, including its housing and high-voltage power supply. "We have most of the hardware but need a little more support to complete the XCOM package," Jenny Donaldson who is leading the development of the NavCube payload, said in a statement. "This is a great opportunity to demonstrate NavCube and, if all things go as planned, X-ray communications." X-ray modulation could enable more than deep-space communications. "For example, there is a real possibility we could significantly reduce the radiation doses in medical X-ray imaging using this technology," Gendreau said. "I like how a black hole imaging mission can enable real down-to-earth medical applications that can make a difference." Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Editor's Recommendations BUENOS AIRES Its the most singular biopic that Ive seen in many years, Woo Films Rafael Ley, one of the films producers, enthuses about Natalia Beristains second feature, Los Adioses (The Goodbyes) which screens as a work in progress at Ventana Surs Primer Corte on Thursday. Beristains second movie, after she won Best Mexican Feature at the 2012 Morelia Festival, Mexicos premier talent hub, with She Doesnt Want To Sleep Alone. The Goodbyes is a portrait of Rosario Castellanos, the mid-last-century Mexican poet, novelist, essayist and early supporter of the fundamental freedoms of Mexican women. Starring Karina Gidi (Abel), Daniel Gimenez Cacho (Bad Education) Tessa Ia (After Lucia) and Pedro de Tavira (Cantinflas), it is also a calling card for a generation of young Mexican women helmers who are beginning to shape their countries national cinema, as happened from early last century with Lucrecia Martel and Lucia Puenzo in Argentina, or Alicia Scherson, Dominga Sotomayor, Marialy Rivas, Marcela Said and soon, one senses, Francisca Alegria, in Chile. There are still not enough women directors rising to prominence in Latin America, their numbers are far greater in documentary than live action or as producers in alternative TV. But at mid-Novembers vibrant Los Cabos Festival, five women directors swept most top plaudits, from Andrea Arnold who won the international competition with American Honey to three of Mexicos highest-profile young women helmers: Lucia Carreras, with Tamara & the Ladybug, Alejandra Marquez (Semana Santa) with new project Nieve, and Beristain (pictured) herself with The Goodbyes, which won a post-production Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund award. Just what Ley means by The Goodbyes being such a singular biopic remains to be seen. It can be sensed, however, by the films opening stretches. Castellanos, by 1958 one of Mexicos most revered poets, is at a book reading for Balun Canan, her faux naif narration from the point of view of an eight-year-old girl which would cement her reputation. Story continues The Mexican head of faculty and philosophy lecturer Ricardo Guerra, the love of her life, joins the audience, tells Castellanos afterwards he has just divorced. In bed with Guerra, Castellanos thinks back to when she first made love with him, how she met him and doted on his every gesture. A portrait of Castellanos raptures and ruptures, untiring sensibility, emotional neediness, incessant self scrutiny and facility for writing which fascinates and emasculates Guerra at one and the same time, Beristains The Goodbyes still has to run the gauntlet of an industry screening at Ventana Sur and critical scrutiny at, surely, festivals in 2017. Its personal portrait of one of Latin Americas greatest women writers of last century and her valiant attempt in a largely uncomprehending 1960s Mexico to combine not only motherhood and work but also writing will surely strike chords in the regions now burgeoning new generation of women filmmakers. Related stories Ventana Sur: Meikincine Grabs Worldwide Sales Rights to Peruvian Dramedy 'Seven Seeds' Puenzos Power Up 'Argenshow,' Animation Hybrid 'Last Wish,' New TV Dramas, as 'Unseen' Bows at Ventana Sur (EXCLUSIVE) 'Harpoon,' 'Rifle,' '3 Zene' Play Ventana Sur's Copia Cero Jackie, set to be released on Dec. 2, tells the story of Jacqueline Kennedy in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Its star, Natalie Portman, was on Today and discussed an interesting detail regarding an outfit she wore for the part, Kennedys famous pink Chanel suit. Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, wearing a replica of the pink Chanel suit. (Photo: Pablo Larrain/Fox Searchlight Pictures) The first lady kept the suit on after the assassination, even wearing it as she stood next to Lyndon B. Johnson as he took the oath of office. She had the presence of mind to say Im going to stay in this dress because my image is important right now, Portman shared. Its important for people to see what this looks like. So they were offering to take off this bloody dress, bloody suit, and she said, No, everyone should see what this is. The suit is kept at the National Archives but is not available for public viewing due to Kennedy family restrictions. Jacqueline Kennedy, left, and Natalie Portman playing the first lady. (Photos: Gtresonline/LD Entertainment/Fabula/Protozoa Pictures) Another interesting tidbit from Portmans conversation with Matt Lauer was regarding the Camelot legacy of the Kennedys. One might think that term was in use as the glamorous president and first lady moved into the White House, but thats not actually the case. Rather, it was the first lady herself who pushed the image after JFKs death. Kennedy stands next to then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson as he took the oath of office. (Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images) She came up with the term herself, which is so wild, to name yourself, sort of, as the king and queen of this nation thats not a royal government, not a monarchy, the Oscar winner noted. So she was the one who came up with Camelot, and it endured. Thats part of what the film is about. You can tell us what you think on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Washington (AFP) - Nearly 900 incidents of hate and intolerance were recorded across the United States in the days following Donald Trump's election, many by assailants apparently emboldened by his victory, an advocacy group reported Tuesday. "I have no doubt whatsoever that this is a tremendous, tremendous undercount," said Richard Cohen, president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate crimes. The group recorded 867 cases of harassment and intimidation in the 10 days following Trump's election, which was cheered by white supremacists and others fired up by his rhetoric disparaging immigrants, Muslims and women. "Many harassers invoked Trump's name during assaults, making it clear that the outbreak of hate stemmed in large part from his electoral success," it said in a report. Though it was not clear from the SPLC data whether the United States is experiencing a spike in such attacks, Cohen said that: "Time after time, those who reported hate incidents to us said they had never experienced anything like that before." "The level of hate that's been unleashed by the election, they told us, is something entirely new." Most incidents involved graffiti or verbal harassment, although a small number were violent physical altercations. Slightly more than half of the cases were anti-immigrant or anti-black. The incidents were reported in nearly every state in the country, led by California with 99 cases. At a middle school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Latino students were told that "Not only should Trump build a wall, but it should be (electrified) and Mexicans should have to wear shock collars." In Silver Spring, Maryland, a church offering Spanish-language services was spray-painted with the messages "Trump Nation" and "Whites Only." - Swastikas - In Los Angeles, a large sign saying "NO NIGGERS" was placed next to a bus shelter, while a woman in Arizona reported that two men in a truck yelled "Trump forever, you half-nigger slut bitch" as she put groceries in her vehicle. Story continues There were recorded 80 instances of swastikas scrawled onto public spaces, schools, cars and garage doors. Many also included references to Trump. In Vermont, the front doors of a synagogue were defaced with swastikas. Although the SPLC report only detailed cases from the 10 days after the election, Trump-related disturbances have continued to crop up as the president-elect stokes controversy with his senior advisor picks. Trump has faced calls to distance himself from the "alt-right" -- and the pressure became acute after members of the white nationalist movement were caught on film celebrating his victory with Nazi salutes. He finally did so in an interview with the New York Times last week, saying: "I don't want to energize the group, and I disavow the group." But Trump's pick of chief strategist Steve Bannon remains closely identified with the "alt-right," while his attorney general nominee Senator Jeff Sessions has been accused of racism and his national security advisor, retired lieutenant Michael Flynn, has promoted anti-Muslim conspiracy theories. The SPLC is spearheading an online petition calling on Trump to rescind his appointment of Bannon. - 'Words fell flat' - On Monday, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian banned a passenger for life after he was recorded shouting about Trump on a flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pennsylvania. "Donald Trump, baby! That's right!... We got some Hillary bitches on here?" the unidentified man declared, standing and clapping in the plane's aisle in the November 22 incident captured on video. "Donald Trump! It's your president. Every goddamn one of you. If you don't like it, too bad." In his first major interview following his election, Trump instructed perpetrators of harassment and intimidation to "Stop it." But those words fall flat when considering Trump's senior administration appointments, Cohen said. "His words must be followed by concrete actions, both his policies and his appointments, to repair the wounds of division that his campaign has caused," he said, calling on Trump to apologize and reach out to marginalized communities. "If he doesn't do those things, the hate that Mr Trump has unleashed during this election season will continue to flourish." [November 29, 2016] Voipfuture announces Tier-1 deployment in Germany of new Qlear solution to enable top enterprise voice services In order to support telecommunications service providers to exploit growth opportunities in the VoIP enterprise market Voipfuture developed the new Qlear solution. Enterprise voice services open an attractive market, yet the complex environment can lead to immense technical service costs. Efficiently managing the technical challenges is the key to success. Qlear offers an app for customer pre-qualification and troubleshooting as well as a Qlear enterprise probe that uniquely combines state of the art active and passive monitoring technologies. The Qlear user interface is designed for non-technical and service technicians. As Dr. Michael Wallbaum, Director Product Marketing puts it: "Qlear's new hybrid monitoring approach combines the best of passive and active technology. With Qlear we significantly reduce the providers' risk of offering enterprise VoIP services, by making quality clearly visible - by customer, site and call. Qlear is applicable to enterprises in different stages of their lifecycle, offering fast and flexible customer pre-qualifcation as well as SLA monitoring." Qlear covers: LAN/WAN pre-qualification and VoIP readiness check On boarding process with baselining and regression testing 24x7 availability assurance and live traffic quality monitoring Troubleshooting Jan Bastian, Voipfuture's CEO said: "We are very proud of Qlear with its unique capabilities for the VoIP service enterprise market. For the first time now service providers have a solution to pre-check customer environments to fit their service requirements and to guarantee high service quality for enterprise customers." He added: "We want service providers to offer better and profitable VoIP services to their customers." Voipfuture is a vendor of premium monitoring solutions offering a highly detailed view on media and control plane communication to service providers and enterprises. Voipfuture develops unique technology for assessing, aggregating, analyzing, and visualizing voice quality information. Since day one, Voipfuture has been at the forefront of voice quality monitoring and continues to redefine Voice over IP by connecting the technical view on service quality with high resolution user experience. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, Voipfuture is globally present with deployments in North and Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. More about Voipfuture: www.voipfuture.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005751/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New MTV president Chris McCarthy is looking to a rising star from VH1 to head unscripted. McCarthy has tapped VH1's Nina L. Diaz - an MTV grad - to head unscripted for both Viacom-owned cable networks, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Diaz joined VH1 in 2014 and was promoted in June to exec vp and head of reality programming and development. She will now serve as head of unscripted for MTV and VH1, where she'll oversee development and production of all unscripted programming for both cable networks. Diaz's promotion helps fill the void created by Michael Klein, who exited as head of originals following a six-month run. Klein oversaw both scripted and unscripted, with Diaz now charged with overseeing the latter. MTV's scripted fare - including Scream, Teen Wolf and The Shannara Chronicles - will continue to be overseen by Mina Lefevre. VH1's scripted, including The Breaks, will continue to be overseen by senior vp, scripted Maggie Malina. Read more: MTV Head of Originals Michael Klein Out After 6 Months "Nina has made a career of developing big, bold series that cut through and emerge as cultural touchstones, from Martha & Snoop to Cribs to the most successful seasons of Love & Hip Hop," McCarthy said in making the announcement Tuesday. "I couldn't ask for a better partner, and I'm thrilled she'll be taking on this expanded role and building on her incredible legacy at MTV and VH1." The promotion marks a return for Diaz to MTV, where she started her career developing unscripted series, including My Super Sweet 16 and The Osbournes. Diaz left MTV to become an independent producer during which time she developed The Real Housewives and Mob Wives, the latter of which brought her to VH1. During her tenure at VH1, Diaz has developed some of the cabler's biggest hits, including Love & Hip Hop as well as Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, the latter of which has already been renewed for a second season. She was instrumental in reviving America's Next Top Model at VH1. Story continues Read more: Nina L. Diaz to Oversee Reality for VH1 "I'm humbled by this wonderful opportunity to return to MTV, while continuing to work with my incredibly talented colleagues at VH1. Chris is a true visionary and I'm grateful for his trust in me. VH1 and MTV have contributed so much to the unscripted genre and it's an honor to tell stories through the lens of these iconic brands," Diaz said. The promotion comes a day after Klein exited MTV following a six-month run and a month after MTV president Sean Atkins departed, with McCarthy stepping into the latter role. Read more: MTV President Sean Atkins Steps Down After One Year Nintendo announced Tuesday that its Mario-themed parks will be featured at Universal Studios Japan, Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood. The Japanese company revealed its plans in May to create a spectacular, dedicated experiences at Universal parks based on the characters and works of its most popular video games. Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto discussed the project in an announcement video alongside president of Universal Creative Mark Woodbury. We are constantly amazed how the park developers are bringing the essence of our games to life in the real world, said Miyamoto. "Together we are building it with an eye for what guests will actually experience. We are working very hard to create attractions that can be equally enjoyable to anybody regardless of age. Since we're really bringing the world to life, I think Mario will feel like he finally came home, Miyamoto said. "We're going to be able to create an entire Nintendo world," said Woodbury. "We can't wait for fans to experience this at all three our parks." Japanese news outlet Sankei reports the companies are envisioning the project to be just like the Harry Potter attraction at Universal Orlando, but with Nintendo-themed restaurants and collectible shops. Universal is investing $352 million into the Nintendo theme parks. Thats $87 million more than it spent on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida. Their goal: to bring the characters, action and adventure of Nintendo video games to life within Universal theme parks. And to do so in new and innovative ways that capture what makes them so special. All of the adventure, fun and whimsy you experience through a screen will now be all around you in breathtakingly authentic ways, it read in a press release The partnership with Universal is part of Nintendos efforts to expand the reach of its iconic characters and franchises. Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima previously said that as a result of changes in the gaming landscape, fewer and fewer young people are finding out about Nintendo games through.games. Instead, theyre discovering Nintendo and its iconic characters through things like Mario toothbrushes. "Due to changes in our industry, the proportion of young consumers who are first experiencing games on our systems has been falling," he explained. "We want to have everyone become familiar with our IP by reaching as many people as possible from an early age within their daily lives. Our long-term strategy is to spark our consumers' interest in playing Nintendo game systems and encouraging continued growth of our games business." Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," David Bowie's "Changes," R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" and Prince's Sign 'O' the Times are among the 25 recordings that will be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame as part of their Class of 2017. N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton, the Beach Boys' "I Get Around," Jackson 5's "ABC" and Sly & The Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" are among the diverse group of inductees, which also includes TV themes (Lalo Schifrin's "Mission Impossible), country (Merle Haggard's Okie From Muskogee, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make Your Love Me") and early Sixties pop (Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me," Dion's "The Wanderer"). According to Billboard, the criteria for Grammy Hall of Fame eligibility is that the recording must be at least 25 years old; both "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Losing My Religion" celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. The 25 new additions would bring the Hall of Fame's number of inductees to 1,038. "The Grammy Hall Of Fame represents all genres of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Academy has become renowned," The Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow said in a statement. "Memorable and inspiring, these recordings are proudly added to our growing catalog and are an integral part of our musical, social and cultural history. Check out the complete list of Grammy Hall of Fame inductees below: Arlo Guthrie - "The City of New Orleans" The Beach Boys - "I Get Around" Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues Blind Willie McTell - "Statesboro Blues" Bonnie Raitt - "I Can't Make Your Love Me" Cab Calloway And His Orchestra - "(Hep-Hep!) The Jumpin' Jive" David Bowie - "Changes" Deep Purple - "Smoke of the Water" Dion - "The Wanderer" Elvis Presley - "Jailhouse Rock" The Everly Brothers - "Wake Up Little Susie" Jackson 5 - "ABC" Lalo Schifrin - "Mission Impossible" Lesley Gore - "You Don't Own Me" Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra - "When the Saints Go Marching In" Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee Mills Brothers - "You Always Hurt the One You Love" Mississippi John Hurt - "Stack O'Lee Blues" N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Prince - Sign 'O' the Times R.E.M. - "Losing My Religion" Rod Stewart - "Maggie May" Sly & The Family Stone - "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" Sonny & Cher - "I Got You Babe" Related Content: Washington (AFP) - The United States will send two senior officials to Fidel Castro's memorial service Tuesday, but not as part of an official delegation -- a diplomatic fudge designed to avoid offending Havana. The White House said it would not dispatch an official delegation -- which usually includes top officials, diplomats, lawmakers and other notables -- but would send Obama's close advisor Ben Rhodes and the top US diplomat in Cuba, Jeffrey DeLaurentis. "The president has decided not to send a presidential delegation to attend the memorial service today," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. "We continue to have some significant concerns about the way the Cuban government currently operates, particularly with regard to protecting the basic human rights of the Cuban people." Rhodes was one of the architects of Obama's diplomatic thaw with Cuba, which has seen the two countries try to move beyond decades of Cold War animosity. During the depths of that conflict, the CIA had repeatedly tried to kill the long-time Cuban leader, who stepped down as president in 2006 because of illness. Relations have improved markedly, but America's continued embargo and Cuba's suppression of political opposition mean differences remain. Obama decided not to meet Fidel Castro when he visited Havana earlier this year. Instead, he opted to speak with his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro. While the post-Fidel era in Cuba de facto began years ago, his brother Raul and nephew Alejandro Castro Espin are among the family members who remain major power players, so the White House was keen to avoid undue offense. Sending an official delegation could also risk exacerbating differences between Obama and his successor Donald Trump, who has threatened to "terminate" the US-Cuba thaw. Minsk (AFP) - Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the meeting on Tuesday with his Ukrainian, French and German counterparts made "no progress" in ending the war between Kiev and pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's east. "It's presently impossible to even agree on the steps to be taken in terms of security and political reforms" in Ukraine, the Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying after the huddle in the Belarusian capital Minsk. "There was no progress today," he said, adding contact on the matters would continue between experts and diplomats. At an October summit in Berlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko said they were aiming to resolve an impasse on the conflict by the end of November, vowing to put together a roadmap for applying the frayed 2015 Minsk peace accords. Neither the Ukrainian government nor the pro-Russian rebels waging an insurgency in the country's east have fully implemented the agreements -- designed to bring an end to a conflict that has claimed 10,000 lives since 2014 -- and low-level fighting continues. "Regarding the roadmap, the discussion remained very superficial" on Tuesday said Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin, who described the meeting as "very difficult". "Sadly, we cannot announce any promising results" from the gathering, Klimkin added. The Minsk accords call for a ceasefire along with a range of political, economic and social measures to end the conflict between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian rebels. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange may have to stay put at the Ecuadors embassy in London where he has been seeking refuge for over four years -- for longer as there is no quick way out, an Ecuadorean prosecutor reportedly said. Assange, 45, is facing allegations of sexual assault in Sweden, and the country has demanded for him to be deported. He could also be charged in the United States for publishing hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic documents through his non-profit organization. On Nov. 14, a Swedish prosecutor and an Ecuadorean state attorney questioned Assange at the embassy over the allegations of rape, which he has denied. Today, after six years of offering his statement to the Swedish authorities, Julian Assange has finally been afforded the opportunity to do so, WikiLeaks reportedly said in a statement, while adding that the absence of Assanges Swedish lawyer, Per Samuelson was a breach of process. Swedish Chief Prosecutor Ingrid Isgren spent almost four hours at the embassy, posing questions through Ecuadorian prosecutor Galo Chiriboga . The Guardian reported Chiriboga as saying that Ecuadorean officials will be sending the official transcript of Assanges evidence to Swedish authorities in mid-December. Four years have passed and we are only at this stage, but that is no longer attributable to Ecuador, it is attributable to Swedish prosecutors. I do not think there is a quick way out, Chiriboga said. The British police has also taken a DNA sample from the Australian for Swedish prosecutors to use in their investigation against him. The prosecutor added, Therefore Sweden will now have to request that DNA sample from the British police. Assange has also been in the limelight for his alleged role in swaying popular opinion against Democrat nominee for U.S. president Hillary Clinton after his organization released a spate of emails between her, her campaign chair John Podesta and the democratic party. Story continues Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador Guillaume Long has maintained that Assange remains under government protection and that the circumstances that led to the granting of asylum remain. Related Articles On Nov 28, 2016, we issued an updated research report on Noble Corporation NE. Noble Corp. is a leading offshore drilling firm with a robust portfolio of assets, which provides diversified services for the oil and gas industry. Though the industry has witnessed a setback in the past few months, the company is likely to be less impacted by it than its peers. This is because Noble Corp. enjoys a strong backlog position of $4.7 billion. As of Sep 30, 2016, around 62% of the company's available rig operating days were committed for 2016, including 41% of floating rig days and 85% of jackup rig days. For 2017, an estimated 47% of available rig operating days are committed. This consists of 28% and 69% of floating and jackup rig days, respectively. These secured commitments cushion the company from the volatile pricing market. With less oil being discovered on land and companies having to dig ever deeper to get to their reserves, Noble is poised to benefit from a market with robust multi-year demand trends, given its technologically advanced and versatile drilling fleet. Noble Corp. has incessantly endeavored to upgrade its fleet through acquisitions and newbuild projects. Moreover, it continues to benefit from its robust position in the ultra-deepwater market. However, the offshore drilling industry is challenged with rig oversupply, which is a cause for concern for the likes of Noble Corp. as this could hamper contract flow and dayrates. In addition to this, major oil companies are lowering deep-water capital spending, which is making the situation worse. Moreover, Noble Corp. remains highly leveraged to the North Sea, where tax regime changes could have a significant impact on the future demand. We also remain concerned about company-specific risks like new product growth challenges, potential backlog losses and high dependency on its top customers. Additionally, delays in deepwater infrastructure awards may limit the companys growth prospects. Story continues NOBLE CORP PLC Price and Consensus NOBLE CORP PLC Price and Consensus | NOBLE CORP PLC Quote Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider Noble Corp. currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked players in the same sector include SunCoke Energy Inc. SXC, Suncor Energy, Inc. SU and Futurefuel Corp. FF. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. SunCoke Energy posted a positive earnings surprise of 177.78% in the last reported quarter. It reported a positive earnings surprise in three of the four preceding quarters. Suncor Energy posted a positive earnings surprise of 300.00% in the preceding quarter. It reported an average earnings surprise of 40.55% for the four preceding quarters. Futurefuel Corp. posted a positive earnings surprise of 20.83% in the last reported quarter. It reported a positive earnings surprise in all of the four preceding quarters. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buy"" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells"" and other private research. See these stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SUNCOR ENERGY (SU): Free Stock Analysis Report NOBLE CORP PLC (NE): Free Stock Analysis Report FUTUREFUEL CORP (FF): Free Stock Analysis Report SUNCOKE ENERGY (SXC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - A 20-year-old North Carolina man accused of murdering his neighbor and offering to pay someone to kill his own parents pleaded guilty on Tuesday to plotting mass shooting attacks in the name of Islamic State. Justin Sullivan admitted to one count of attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries in federal court in Asheville, North Carolina. The plea agreement calls for a sentence of life in prison. U.S. prosecutors said Sullivan conspired with Junaid Hussain, a British hacker who was an active online recruiter of people to carry out attacks on behalf of the militant group Islamic State. Hussain was killed by a U.S. military air strike in Syria last year. Islamic State has carried out or inspired attacks in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, including the June massacre of 49 people in an Orlando nightclub. Sullivan had discussed his plot online with an undercover federal agent, making plans to buy a semi-automatic rifle at a gun show and discussing potential targets. Sullivan said he would use the rifle at a concert, bar or club in an effort to kill as many as 1,000 people. At Sullivan's request, the undercover agent sent a homemade silencer to his home, which was opened by Sullivan's mother, prosecutors said. When his parents questioned him about the silencer, Sullivan offered to pay the agent to kill them lest they interfere with his plans, according to prosecutors. Sullivan also told investigators he had stolen his father's rifle and hidden it, authorities said. The rifle was used to murder John Bailey Clark, Sullivan's neighbor, and North Carolina state prosecutors indicted him for murder in February. Sullivan did not admit to the murder as part of his plea, but U.S. prosecutors said they may present evidence of the crime at his sentencing. State prosecutors have previously said they plan to seek the death penalty for Sullivan on the murder charge. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Tom Brown) (Adds comment from tribal news conference) By Terray Sylvester CANNON BALL, N.D., Nov 28 (Reuters) - North Dakota's governor ordered the expulsion of thousands of Native American and environmental activists camped on federal property near an oil pipeline project they are trying to halt, citing hazards posed by harsh weather as a blizzard bore down on the area. The "emergency evacuation" order from Governor Jack Dalrymple came days after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the site, set a Dec. 5 deadline for the demonstrators to vacate their encampment, about 45 miles (72 km) south of Bismarck, the state capital. The Army Corps has insisted, however, that it has no plans to forcibly remove protesters, many of them members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The agency instead urged a "peaceful and orderly transition to a safer location." Late Monday, Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault II denounced Dalrymple's order as a "menacing action meant to cause fear," and accused the Republican governor of trying to "usurp and circumvent federal authority." Archambault noted that the evacuation order, which the governor said he issued for the campers' well-being in the face of dangerous winter weather, came a week after police turned water hoses on protesters in sub-freezing temperatures. Activists have spent months protesting against plans to route the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, saying the project poses a threat to water resources and sacred Native American sites. The governor did not specify how he intended to enforce his order other than by directing state and local agencies to refuse emergency assistance and other services to anyone who remained at the site. He said the order was effective immediately and would stay in force "until rescinded." But Standing Rock Sioux spokeswoman Phyllis Young told a news conference Monday night the tribe would stand its ground. Story continues "We have lived for generations in this setting. That is our camp. We will continue to provide for our people there," she said. "This is Lakota territory. This is treaty territory, and no one else has jurisdiction there." Protest leaders suggested a forced evacuation could prove more dangerous to the activists than staying put. "We're in the heart of winter now. To even think of a forced removal is terrifying," said Dallas Goldtooth, an organizer with Indigenous Environmental Network, who estimated there were about 5,000 people in the camp. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier added to the pressure by issuing a video statement urging protesters to avoid subjecting themselves to "life-threatening conditions" by remaining exposed to the elements with little shelter. The National Weather Service has posted a storm warning for most of western and central North Dakota, forecasting the possibility of heavy snow through Wednesday. The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline project is mostly complete except for a segment that is supposed to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River. The Obama administration in September postponed final approval of an Army Corps permit required to allow tunneling beneath the lake, a move intended to give federal officials more time to consult tribal leaders. The delay also led to escalating tension over the project. The companies say the pipeline would carry Bakken shale oil more cheaply and safely from North Dakota to Illinois en route to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries than it could be shipped by railroad or tanker trucks. (Additional reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Leslie Adler, Robert Birsel) How the New Administration will React on Recreational vs Medical MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Novus Acquisition and Development, Corp. (OTC Markets: NDEV), is a diversified insurance entity in health, liability and excess. Novus is the nation's first healthcare insurance carrier/aggregator in the medical cannabis sector. The day Donald Trump was elected president, four states legalized marijuana for recreational use, while four others legalized or expanded access to medical marijuana. As a result of those ballot initiatives, most states now recognize marijuana as a medicine, and one in five Americans live in a state that has decided to tolerate medical cannabis consumption with a doctor's note. Trump campaigned on a platform of marijuana and legalization, stating; "I think that it should be a state issue, state-by-state," he said to The Washington Post last year. He later told Bill O'Reilly that he is "100 percent" in support of medical marijuana. So as an investor let's asses this situation; Trump is for medical marijuana and no particular stance on recreational, but for the states that just legalized it then the Trump administration would have a monumental cost of fighting this cause state by state, leaving less federal funds to fight the crimes that matter to the American public. While a spending rider that is likely to be renewed protects medical marijuana suppliers from the feds, this rider was approved by Congress in 2014 and 2015 prohibiting the Justice Department from prosecuting marijuana suppliers who "fully comply" with state laws allowing medical use of the plant. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit said federal marijuana defendants are entitled to evidentiary hearings at which they can try to show their actions were authorized by state law. Therefore if Sessions, if given free rein and he is in a marijuana destruction mode he could easily destroy in the recreational industry (not without being challenged) but not the medical marijuana industry. Story continues Sessions also could challenge state legalization in federal court. While the DOJ might prevail in arguing that state licensing and regulation of cannabis businesses conflicts with federal law, it cannot force states to re-criminalize on existing businesses, making sense? There are only two Federal Departments that do not uphold against popular vote, they are the DEA and the FDA for obvious reasons, but neither department has regulatory authority over appropriations of funds, Congress does. So, what we have here is most Americans (60 percent, according to Gallup) think marijuana should be legal, while most Republicans continue to oppose legalization federally, and that's ok with businesses in medial marijuana practices, such as Novus' business model. But even among Republicans, most70 percent, according to CBS News poll conducted last Aprilthink the feds should not try to override state decisions in this area. Again leaving cannabis in recreational realm open for discretion not medical marijuana and any challenges against either one would be an up hill legal battle that can reign for years. In summary: Collectively the estimated American voters for marijuana legalization was 160 million and total number of votes Trump and Clinton combined was 124 million votes (chalk this up to the American voters) If Sessions goes rough shot over this issue it will take away from other crimes in America that are more prevalent, again, leaving recreational more venerable and medical marijuana a much safer alternative Trump abiding to his promise to respect state medical marijuana policies could please left-leaning voters in the house and the DOJ. All the president-elect has to do is leave this issue alone. And let both recreational and medical continue to gain market share, which is estimated to be $50 billion by 2020, and tremendous job growth. NDEV 3rd Quarter Financial Filing: http://www.otcmarkets.com/financialReportViewer?symbol=NDEV&id=162770 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 3rd Quarter Financial Filing: http://www.otcmarkets.com/financialReportViewer?symbol=NDEV&id=162770 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. [November 29, 2016] Shopkick's Highest Company Revenue Ever Capped with Stellar C-Suite Hire Shopkick, the leading shopping rewards app that engages people with brands and drives in-store action, today announces Kristy Stromberg as Chief Marketing Officer as the company rides powerful momentum into the end of the year: Highest Q4 revenue quarter in company's history, with key holiday shopping days still to come 2016 YTD revenue already 50 percent higher than in 2015 Weekly revenue generating users at the highest in company history and growing "Kristy's experience in driving brand and customer insight will be key with users, brands, ad agencies and retailers," said Bill Demas, CEO of shopkick. "She brings decades of marketing experience in both B-to-C and B-to-B roles with companies such as Intuit (News - Alert) and General Mills, driving product positioning, brand strategy and identity." Prior to joining shopkick, Stromberg served as the senior vice president of marketing at jobs search engine and online recruitment site Simply Hired. There sh was responsible for all facets of marketing and PR, including a complete company rebrand. Stromberg launched the company's first offline/online consumer brand campaign, improved Simply Hired's Net Promoter Score by 30 points, and built out new sales and marketing capabilities. Before Simply Hired, Stromberg spent 12 years at Intuit, most recently as the director of marketing for the Office of the CMO where she was responsible for driving web strategy and best practices. Preceding that role, Stromberg held other senior positions including director of digital marketing & design for the Small Business Group and brand manager for QuickBooks. Stromberg has also held marketing positions at General Mills, Yahoo and HP. "This is such an exciting time in marketing, with the traditional walls between channels crumbling," said Stromberg. "Not only can we apply the precision and measurement from online to traditional physical experiences, but at shopkick we can keep in touch with consumers throughout their day in a way that creates real engagement and connection." About shopkick, Inc. Shopkick (News - Alert) is the #1 shopping rewards app, creating an ecosystem of consumers, brands, and retailers driving value and insights for each. Some of our leading retail and brand partners include, American Eagle Outfitters, American Greetings, Best Buy (News - Alert), Clorox, Coty, Macy's, Marshalls, Nestle, P&G, Starbucks and TJ Maxx, among others. Shopkick is available for free on the iPhone from the App Store and for Android (News - Alert) from Google Play. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005379/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Rupert Murdoch When Theranos was at its prime, it attracted funding from big-name investors who poured millions into the blood testing startup. Now, we're learning for the first time who some of those investors are, and who stands to lose big if the startup can't be turned around. The Wall Street Journal reports that Rupert Murdoch, Cox Enterprises, and Riley Bechtel of Bechtel Group, one of the largest construction companies in the world, were among Theranos' early investors. Murdoch and Cox each put $100 million into the company during its most recent funding round of $632 million, which came to a close in 2015, according to The Journal. Murdoch is the executive chairman of the Journal's parent company, News Corp. In an interesting twist, The Journal was the first publication to report on trouble at Theranos in October 2015. Theranos remains mired in legal battles, including a $140 million breach of contract suit filed by Walgreens earlier this month and a new lawsuit filed Monday by Robert Colman, cofounder of San Francisco investment bank Robertson Stephens & Co. The suit alleges that Theranos was misleading its investors and making false claims about its technology, according to the Journal. Theranos also shut down its lab operations in October after the accuracy of the test was called into question, cutting 340 jobs and closing the Wellness Centers where blood tests were performed. Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes is now banned from the lab-testing industry for the next two years. That setback, plus what will likely be expensive legal battles as Theranos fights the Walgreen suit, are likely to cost the company millions. The startup was once valued at $9 billion and, according to Pitchbook, has raised more than $750 million to date. NOW WATCH: This hidden iPhone feature will boost your reception More From Business Insider New York police are searching for a woman who is suspected of pick-pocketing numerous people waiting in line for the Broadway smash Hamilton. The department released video of the suspect on Monday in hopes of tracking her down. The latest incident happened earlier this month outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre at 226 W. 46th St. in Manhattan, police said. According to CBS New York, the suspect has been pick-pocketing victims since May, lifting wallets from six people and racking up thousands on the stolen credit cards. The thefts usually happened while fans were trying to get autographs from performers near the outside of the building following a performance, according to the news station. The suspect is wanted on the suspicion of grand larceny, police said. WANTED: Female for grand larceny. Removed property from victims as they stood on line at 226 W. 46 St, Manhattan. Call #800577TIPS with info pic.twitter.com/UEmd9ot2rF - NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 28, 2016 Read more: Off Script: How Javier Munoz Handles 'Hamilton' Demands Onstage and in the Media MELBOURNE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Nxt-ID, Inc. (NXTD) ("Nxt-ID" or the "Company") announces that it will be presenting at the upcoming 9th Annual LD Micro Main Event being held December 6,7, and 8th at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Nxt-ID's presentation will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec 8th (Track 2) for interested investors. CEO, Gino Pereira will discuss the company's security technology portfolio, its recent acquisition of LogicMark and the flye smart card, customized exclusively for WorldVentures' DreamTrips Members. The LD Micro Main Event is the largest independent conference for small/microcap companies and will feature 240 presenting companies. View Nxt-ID's profile here: http://www.ldmicro.com/profile/NXTD News Compliments of Accesswire. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event). In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com/events for more information. About Nxt-ID, Inc. - Mobile Security for a Mobile World Nxt-ID, Inc. (NXTD) is a security technology Company providing security for finance, assets and healthcare. The Company's innovative MobileBio solution mitigates risks associated with mobile computing, m-commerce and smart OS-enabled devices. With extensive experience in biometric identity verification, security and privacy, encryption and data protection, payments, miniaturization and sensor technologies, the Company partners with industry leading companies to provide solutions for modern payment and the Internet of Things ("IoT") applications. The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, LogicMark, LLC, manufactures and distributes nonmonitored and monitored personal emergency response systems ("PERS") sold through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA"), healthcare durable medical equipment dealers and distributors and monitored security dealers and distributors. http://nxt-id.com/, http://wocketwallet.com/, http://www.logicmark.com. Story continues Forward-Looking Statements for NXT-ID: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business strategy. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our ability to establish and maintain the proprietary nature of our technology through the patent process, as well as our ability to possibly license from others patents and patent applications necessary to develop products; the availability of financing; the Company's ability to implement its long range business plan for various applications of its technology; the Company's ability to enter into agreements with any necessary marketing and/or distribution partners; the impact of competition, the obtaining and maintenance of any necessary regulatory clearances applicable to applications of the Company's technology; and management of growth and other risks and uncertainties that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nxt- ID Inc Contact: Corporate info: info@nxt-id.com Media: D. Van Zant 800 665-0411 press@nxt-id.com SOURCE: Nxt-ID, Inc. The scope of war-making authorities and powers available to the Trump administration depends on decisions made by the Obama administration. Two recent news reports shed some troubling light on its approach to the coming transition. The Obama administrations present mindset reflects a departure from its approach in the fall of 2012. In anticipation of an election it believed Republican challenger Mitt Romney might win, the Obama White House accelerated the development and implementation of a drone rule book that codified the procedures for drone strikes in non-battlefield settings. As one official worried aloud in November 2012, There was concern that the levers might no longer be in our hands. The latest reporting suggests that, rather than restraining and limiting Trump, the Obama administration, in its final weeks in office, is further expanding the geographic scope of airstrikes, the nature of combatants who can be targeted, and the legal justification underpinning such strikes. The incoming president-elect, who has previously pledged to bomb the hell out of ISIS, will have the capabilities and authorities to do just that for the Islamic State and other terrorist and militant armies. On Friday, Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Dan Lamothe revealed the creation of a new unit within the militarys highly secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). According to the reporting, this new entity, known as the Counter-External Operations Task Force, is authorized to conduct clandestine operations outside of the battlefields of Iraq, Syria, and Libya, without the approval of regional combatant commanders, such as Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, who himself once led JSOC. This essentially elevates U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) within which JSOC resides to a truly global combatant command, with the resources and authority to strike targets seemingly anywhere, rather than only after being placed under the authority of a regional combatant command. Obama administration lawyers and officials have always contended that there are no geographic limits to where U.S. forces may conduct operations against terrorism, with the battlefield being anywhere from Boston to the FATA. Now, it appears that it has set up an organizational command structure to support such limitless targeting. As Gibbons-Neff and Lamothe quote a defense official: Layers have been stripped away for the purposes of stopping external networks. There has never been an ex-ops command team that works trans-regionally to stop attacks. Story continues There have been previously reported changes to the relationship between SOCOM and regional combatant commanders, each with the objective of integrating them with one another, and speeding up the decision-making cycle for approving strikes. It is unclear, however, if these changes have increased the volume of clandestine military operations. In a rare interview last year, the current SOCOM commander, Gen. Raymond Tony Thomas (who also once led JSOC you might be sensing a pattern) stated that when it came to such operations: Im told no more than go on a magnitude of about ten to one on a daily basis. But the most recently announced changes seem precisely designed to make it easier for JSOC to be told go in the last weeks of Obamas leadership and when it is under the ultimate command of Donald Trump. Meanwhile, in todays New York Times, Charlie Savage, Eric Schmitt, and Mark Mazzetti reported a puzzling new legal and policy interpretation for U.S. airstrikes in Somalia. The article, appropriately titled Obama Expands War With Al Qaeda to Include Shabab in Somalia, has revealed that the U.S. military can now undertake collective self-defense strikes in support of foreign partners, even where there are no Americans service members or contractors at direct risk. In other words, U.S. military assets are now permitted to provide close air support against the enemies of foreign ground forces, even if those enemies pose no threat to Americans. Though this mission draws its legal justification from the post-9/11 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, the designers of that law could never have imagined it being used to such ends. The Obama administrations new legal interpretation, expected to be disclosed next month, will further entrench its counterterrorism strategy in Somalia. But the Times story would not surprise anybody who reads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) press releases. On September 28, for example, a drone strike was conducted in Galcayo, Somalia, against what were believed to be al-Shabab attackers on behalf of the local Puntland Security Forces (PSF). AFRICOM labeled this a self-defense strike, even though, as Kevin Sieff reported, the U.S. advisors were not alongside the PSF while they began taking fire. A subsequent, brief AFRICOM press release stated that the strike killed no al-Shabaab members, but rather ten members of local militia forces, who themselves had worked with U.S. advisers to fight al-Shabaab in the past. Under this broad concept of collective self-defense, it seems that U.S. military close air support airstrikes may be called upon anywhere U.S.-partner forces are threatened, whether or not that threat extends to American personnel on the ground. To give some sense of what that could potentially entail, in 2015, a spokesman from the command acknowledged that SOCOM forces had deployed to 147 countries. Undoubtedly, these deployments primarily consist of short-term military-to-military engagements, like training and education programs, with few direct-action operations. However, the Obama administrations claim that certain foreign partner forces can be incorporated into the U.S. militarys inherent right to self-defense could open up the scope and intensity of airstrikes even further. The Times piece concludes with a quote from yours truly: this administration leaves the Trump administration with tremendously expanded capabilities and authorities. Indeed, it has, and with far greater capabilities and authorities then they would have handed over to a President Mitt Romney. After Obama leaves the White House in January, let us hope that his successor faces far more rigorous scrutiny from congressional members, journalists, and research organizations over these military operations. Lethal drone strikes and special operations raids that were exceptional under President George W. Bush became semi-routine under President Obama. Under President Trump they may further define U.S. counterterrorism strategy and how the world perceives U.S. foreign policy more generally for years to come. Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Roses and medals serve as a base for a portrait of the late Fidel Castro at Revolution Plaza in Havana on Monday, and President Obama. (Photos: Ramon Espinosa/AP, Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Cuban-American lawmakers have denounced President Obamas tepid statement about the death of Fidel Castro, accusing the White House of whitewashing decades of human rights abuses. But Obamas reaction fits a modern tradition of American presidents playing down, or entirely ignoring, those sorts of criticisms when responding to a foreign leaders passing. Obamas statement alluded to the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation, and predicted that history will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. There were no references to longstanding U.S. condemnations of Havanas record on political, economic and religious rights. This isnt uncommon. When Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin died in March 1953, the United States lost a vital World War II ally turned ruthless Cold War enemy. President Dwight Eisenhowers remarkably terse official condolence statement made no mention of life behind the Iron Curtain or of USSR expansionism. The Government of the United States tenders its official condolences to the Government of the U.S.S.R. on the death of Generalissimo Joseph Stalin, Prime Minister of the Soviet Union, it said. The new leaders of the Soviet Union act as pallbearers as they carry the casket of Joseph Stalin in Moscow on March 9, 1953, and President Dwight Eisenhower. (Photos: AP, George Skadding/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) (Ike delivered a fuller appreciation for what Stalins death meant in a famous speech to newspaper editors on April 16, 1953 indicting the Soviets but also challenging Moscows new leaders to help defuse Cold War tensions and bemoaning military spending. The remarks were titled The Chance for Peace.) When Vietnams Ho Chi Minh died on Sept. 2, 1969, President Richard Nixon did not dwell on the tens of thousands of Americans killed by Communist forces in the Vietnam War. Instead, at a press conference on Sept. 26, he mused that the revolutionary leaders death might lead down a new path in bilateral relations. Looking to the future, as new leaders emerge, as they look at the consequences of past policy and the prospects for future policy, and as long as the United States holds to its course, I think the prospects for a possible change are there, Nixon told reporters. I am not predicting it. I am not trying to raise false hopes. I am only suggesting that since there is new leadership, we can expect perhaps some reevaluation of policy. Story continues When Mao Zedong died in September 1976, President Gerald Ford did not note the tens of millions who suffered under the Chinese leaders rule, either in deadly famines resulting from his economic policies or in Cultural Revolution purges. Chairman Mao was a giant figure in modern Chinese history, Ford said, in language remarkably similar to Obamas statement on Castro. He was a leader whose actions profoundly affected the development of his own country. His influence on history will extend far beyond the borders of China. Ford noted that Mao and Nixon had worked to end a generation of hostility and to launch a new and more positive era in relations between our two countries and declared, I am confident that the trend of improved relations between the Peoples Republic of China and the United States, which Chairman Mao helped to create, will continue to contribute to world peace and stability. Communist Party leaders help carry the coffin of Leonid Brezhnev in Moscow on Nov. 15, 1982, and President Ronald Reagan. (Photos: Boris Yurchenko/AP, Bettman via Getty Images) Ronald Reagans uncompromising criticisms of the Soviet Union are legendary. But theres no reference to the Evil Empire in the White Houses November 1982 statement on the death of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The President is expressing his personal condolences to Mr. Kuznetsov, First Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., on the death of Soviet President Brezhnev. A high-level delegation will represent the United States at the memorial ceremonies in Moscow, the statement said. As leader of the Soviet Union for nearly two decades, President Brezhnev was one of the worlds most important figures. President Brezhnev played a very significant role in the shaping of U.S.-Soviet relations during his Presidency, it continued. President Reagan is conveying to the Soviet Government the strong desire of the United States to continue to work for an improved relationship with the Soviet Union and to maintain an active dialog between our societies on all important issues. The President looks forward to a constructive relationship with the new leadership of the Soviet Union. (Reagans statement on the death of Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov was similarly diplomatic.) Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini led Irans 1979 revolution, supported the Iranian hostage takers at the U.S. embassy in Tehran and frequently labeled the United States the Great Satan. When he died, in June 1989, President George Bush issued a terse statement at least implicitly criticizing Iran, but in relatively muted terms. The official Iranian news agency has confirmed the death of the Ayatollah Khomeini. With his passing, we hope Iran will now move toward assuming a responsible role in the international community, the White House said. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafats coffin, draped with the Palestinian flag, is carried by Egyptian military honor guards in Cairo on Nov. 11, 2004, and President George W. Bush. (Photos: Hussein Malla/AP, Evan Vucci/AP) President George W. Bushs November 2004 statement on the death of Yasser Arafat makes no mention of what was, by then, his deep mistrust for the Palestinian leader. The death of Yasser Arafat is a significant moment in Palestinian history, Bush said. We express our condolences to the Palestinian people. For the Palestinian people, we hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfillment of their aspirations for an independent, democratic Palestine that is at peace with its neighbors. During the period of transition that is ahead, we urge all in the region and throughout the world to join in helping make progress toward these goals and toward the ultimate goal of peace. Obamas diplomatic statement about Castro set aside longstanding criticisms of the Cuban leaders record including by Obamas own State Department in its annual human rights reports. That may be well worth criticizing, but its not unusual. It also bears noting that the response to his statement stems as much from American politics as Cuban affairs from the vocal Cuban-American constituency that also rejects the presidents efforts to end one of the Cold Wars final disputes. For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. Police are investigating an anti-U.S. rant posted by Abdul Razak Ali Artan on Facebook just minutes before his attack on Ohio State University students on Monday, according to ABC News. I cant take it anymore. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah, the post reads according to NBC News. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that. The post was published minutes before the beginning of Artans rampage, which left 11 people injured. Authorities are investigating his Facebook page to see if the incident was a terrorism attack, according to CNN. If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace, the post reads. We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. A law enforcement official told NBC News investigators they were also trying to determine whether Artan had problems in his personal life or if there was something that had pushed him over the edge. Artan, 20, was a Somali refugee who was in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident. Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack and the investigation is ongoing. Artan left his birth country with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan for a time and then came to the U.S. in 2014. The incident began Monday morning when the suspect drove a vehicle into several people on campus before leaving the car and slashing victims with a knife. About 11 people were hospitalized, according to CNN, with one in critical condition. Artan was killed by OSU Police Officer Alan Horujko, 28, who shot him less than one minute after the attack began. [November 29, 2016] HookLogic Reports Record-Breaking Cyber Monday Shopping and Sales Across Ecommerce Sites NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's Cyber Monday saw record-breaking numbers of shoppers across major retail sites, according to HookLogic, the pioneer of performance marketing for brands. On Cyber Monday, the number of both shoppers[1] and purchasers[2] were up 11%, compared to same day averages in 2015. Purchasers were highest from 8 9PM EST on Cyber Monday: the biggest purchasing hour in online holiday shopping history. Consumers had likely shopped around in the previous weeks and converted quickly to take advantage of Cyber Monday deals. Mobile phone shoppers reached 43% of total (vs. 46% on desktops and 11% on tablets) on Cyber Monday as shoppers turned to the device of convenience at the start of the work week. Conversions on mobile phones rose 14.8% YOY while conversions on desktop and tablets declined (15.7% and 15.1%, respectively). "While early and extended promotions have likely shifted some buying patterns, we were still thrilled to be part of yet another record-breaking Cyber Monday with our brand adverisers and retail partners," said HookLogic CEO Jonathan Opdyke. "Seeing both the number of shoppers and buyers exceeding expectations as they did is a significant moment for all of us as we work together to make this one of the best holiday shopping seasons yet." According to HookLogic's retail data, Thanksgiving saw the highest cart sizes (3.2) and the highest cart values: $160.20, with an average unit price of $50.77. Ecommerce likely benefited from the fact that more retailers chose to stay closed on Thanksgiving and that many retailers made their Black Friday deals available earlier in November than before. To see the latest holiday shopping data, visit HookLogic's 2016 Holiday Insights. About HookLogic HookLogic, the pioneer of performance marketing for brands, partners with the world's leading retailers and online travel agencies to accelerate sales for product brands and hotels. Advertisers use the platform to reach in-market shoppers, drive traffic to products, and attribute resulting sales. Network partners and advertisers include Walmart, Tesco, Target, Asda, Best Buy, Macy's, Expedia, Hasbro, Intel, LG, L'Oreal, Mondelez, Philips, Microsoft and Marriott. HookLogic is headquartered in New York, with offices in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Santa Monica, Calif.; London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Toronto and the Netherlands. HookLogic was acquired by Criteo (NDSQ: CRTO) on November 9, 2016. For more information, please visit www.hooklogic.com or call (646) 467-8200. Contact: Finn Partners for HookLogic Valerie Beesley, 315-491-0811 [email protected] [1] Unique users across ecommerce sites [2] User conversions Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160329/349284LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hooklogic-reports-record-breaking-cyber-monday-shopping-and-sales-across-ecommerce-sites-300369876.html SOURCE HookLogic [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Ginny McCabe CINCINNATI (Reuters) - The expected retrial of a white former University of Cincinnati police officer who killed a black motorist during a traffic stop last year hit a series of snags this week as three judges recused themselves before a fourth agreed to take the case. The quest for a new judge came after a jury failed earlier this month to reach a verdict on whether former officer Ray Tensing was guilty of murder or manslaughter for shooting Samuel DuBose, 43, in the head after pulling him over for a missing front license plate on his vehicle. DuBose's killing fueled demonstrations against the use of lethal force by white officers against unarmed blacks and other minorities, an issue that has renewed a national debate over racial bias in the criminal justice system. Courtroom staff for Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Leslie Ghiz said she was assigned to the case on Tuesday, after several colleagues turned down the job. Hamilton County Judge Megan Shanahan, who presided over the original trial, said in court on Monday she would not hear the retrial. "It's this court's opinion that the retrial should be conducted with that blank slate on all matters surrounding evidence and procedure," Shanahan said. After Shanahan recused herself, the case was assigned to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Tom Heekin. The judge, who represented one of DuBose's children as a court-appointed representative in a civil lawsuit, recused himself on Tuesday morning, said bailiff Mitch Gillen. The case was then briefly assigned to Judge Beth Myers, who also recused herself, citing an upcoming new post at the Ohio First District Court of Appeals. Tensing, 27, was fired from the University of Cincinnati Police Department after being indicted for murder and voluntary manslaughter in July 2015 in relation to the shooting. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $1 million bond. After the jury of six white men, four white women and two black women failed to reach a verdict on Nov. 12, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he would retry Tensing. He also requested a change of venue for the second trial. Story continues During the July 2015 traffic stop, Tensing asked DuBose to remove his seat belt and tried to open the car door. DuBose did not comply and closed the door. The vehicle started rolling forward slowly as Tensing pulled his gun and fired once. A date for the retrial has not been set. (Editing by Sharon Bernstein and Peter Cooney) By Ginny McCabe CINCINNATI (Reuters) - A new judge will hear the second murder trial of a former University of Cincinnati police officer who killed a black motorist during a traffic stop last year after the original judge recused herself from the case on Monday. Hamilton County Judge Megan Shanahan said in court that she would not hear the retrial of former officer Ray Tensing, 27, who shot Samuel DuBose, 43, in the head during a traffic stop after pulling over DuBose for a missing front license plate on his vehicle in July 2015. "It's this court's opinion that the retrial should be conducted with that blank slate on all matters surrounding evidence and procedure," Shanahan told an Ohio court on Monday. "I find that this court is otherwise disqualified to preside over the retrial of the State versus Raymond Tensing." The case has now been assigned to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Tom Heekin. The jury of six white men, four white women and two black women failed on Nov. 12 to reach a verdict on whether Tensing was guilty of charges of murder or voluntary manslaughter, prompting Shanahan to declare a mistrial. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said on Nov. 22 that he would retry Tensing. Deters said a change in venue was also necessary. During the traffic stop Tensing asked DuBose to remove his seatbelt and tried to open the car door. DuBose did not comply and closed the door. The vehicle started rolling forward slowly as Tensing pulled his gun and fired once. Tensing was fired from the University of Cincinnati Police Department after being indicted in July 2015. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $1 million bond. (Writing by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) William Clark, an Ohio State University engineering professor who was one of 11 people injured in an attack at the university on Monday, expressed empathy for the assailant during a press conference. Authorities identified Abdul Artan, who was shot and killed by a police officer, as the suspect who drove his car into a crowd at OSU before getting out and attacking people with a knife. Having been a faculty member for 35 years, Im only too aware of the things that drive students sometimes to do things that they wouldnt ordinarily do, Clark told reporters on Tuesday. Before I pass judgment on this young man, I would like to see exactly what the circumstances are and exactly why he took the course of action that he chose. Im sore, but Im going home this afternoon. Hes dead. Clark, still wearing the yellow hospital socks given to him at the OSU medical center, said he didnt realize he was injured in the attack until a student pointed out to him that he was bleeding. He was hit by the car when it barreled over the curb and received two deep lacerations and contusions on his left leg. Clark would not speculate on Artans motives, which authorities are still investigating. Officials said Facebook posts by Artan railed against U.S. interference in Muslim lands, and wrote, If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace with ISIS. The Associated Press reports an ISIS news agency called Artan a soldier of the Islamic State who carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of international coalition countries. Anybody can take responsibility if they see it as a feather in their cap, Clark said, regarding ISIS claim of the attack. Until I know whether it was behind it, until I know this was something to do with a radical group, and whether that is the entire story, or whether theres some other personal family issues and social issues behind it, I withhold judgment. Story continues Clark said he hopes people realize the attack was an isolated incident. University campuses are vulnerable to that kind of thing because we are an open society where young people can grow up and learn and make a certain amount of mistakes, he said. He continued, Were still a great university. We still beat Michigan. Oliver Stone has never been one to shy away from politics. During a speech at the Gotham Independent Film Awards on Monday night, the director of Snowden made an oblique reference to national security under a Trump administration. Mr. Snowden said very clearly that the mechanism is in place now so that when there is another terror attack, which inevitably there probably will be in this country, the next president, whoever he may be, will have the authority to close down the system in a way that is much more oppressive than its ever been, Stone said. The surveillance state, 1984, cyberwarfare, drone warfare is with us. Stone was at the Gotham Awards to accept a career tribute presented to him by J.C. Chandor. Prior to taking the stage, he spoke for a few minutes with Variety about the election, voting for Jill Stein, and why Trump as president isnt all bad news. How has the independent film business changed since you started as a director? Im not an expert, but I struggle from film to film. I make them as they come. Snowden was a film that was outside the realm of the U.S. interests. We didnt get any financing here that was very hard. It wasnt a small movie. We needed some money. France and Germany were our biggest supporters. All the majors turned us down. Open Road did jump in. Thank God we got distribution. But still, its a much more limited game. Im glad the movie got out. Did you think in a few years, itll be possible to make a movie like Snowden? I dont think you are able to make movies critical of the U.S. in any large degree, since the 1970s, when there was a wave of it. I think I was able to squeak by in the 1980s with the movies I did. The Vietnam movie [Platoon] was enough of American interest that they watched it. It was still rejected for 10 years. For Born on the Fourth of the July, Tom Cruise helped us get it made. Those are movies that they wouldnt do now. JFK certainly not. Nixon certainly not. These are movies critical of the country and the system. Wall Street is critical but they made it because it was sexy. So Im always on the edge. Story continues What are your thoughts on Trump getting elected as president? I was shocked. I said Id eat my shirt if it happened to a journalist. I owe him. I have to eat my shirt somewhere along the line. Are you going to actually do that? I dont know, it depends. What do you think? I told everyone in Europe, I said, You guys are paranoid. Youre inventing this scenario. Its just not going to happen. It shows you Im not really in touch with how strong a reaction globalism has gotten, as well as Hillary Clinton was not liked. You accept it and move on. So far, his appointments have been very hardcore. Are you concerned? Yeah any American should be. But I was concerned with either case, because I was worried about her going to war with Russia. Theres no Peace Party in the United States. The Democrats are no longer the Democrats that I grew up with. Were you a Bernie supporter? I was. But Im not an activist. Bernie would have been better than both of these guys. I voted for, whatever, Jill Stein. It was symbolic. Many people are angry at Jill Stein voters because they think she cost Hillary the election. Yeah. But you know, Im not involved in that. Im not an ideologue. I really try to make a practical vote. I think Trump can be influenced and its not necessarily all bad news. There have been thoughts on working on the infrastructure of the United States. That would be great. I think he would make a lot of friends. His intentions, at least as stated, are not to make enemies or interfere in other peoples affairs, which has always been the problem with our country. I dont know what the CIA guy [Mike Pompeo] is going to do. Hes a hardcore guy. Whether hes going to go out and mess with other countrys internal process is a big question mark. Have you heard about Jill Steins efforts to do a recount? I dont have an opinion. It seems like we dont have fair elections anyway 2000 was proof it was over. Really, it was an awful election. I felt 2000 was a corrupt election. I felt that Gore won. After that, your hopes dim because it was so important. In 2004, there were significant questions about the electoral ballot in Ohio with John Kerry. We criticize Venezuela for not being a democracy. We say hes a dictator [Nicolas Maduro]. But the truth is, he was elected many times, and they have in Venezuela a paper ballot as well as an electronic ballot. This is what we should have in this country. We shouldnt have different states with different systems. You cant just go electronic, because it is hackable. Youll never know. Its crazy not to have a paper ballot to me. You cannot consider this a democracy. Its an oligarchy, I guess. Related stories Donald Trump Blasts 'Ridiculous' Recount Efforts: 'This Is a Scam' Green Party's Jill Stein Requests Recount of Wisconsin Vote 'Arrival,' 'Hacksaw Ridge' Are Among Films in Camerimage Main Competition The one fashion trend Kim Kardashian was obsesssed with in 2006 that youd never see her wearing today A decade ago the world was a vastly different place. A young country ingenue named Taylor Swift had just released her very first album, superstars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got hitched in a beautiful dream wedding in Italy, and a tight-knit Los Angeles family with the name Kardashian had yet to become a household name. But, that didnt mean the Kardashian family wasnt ~around~ at that time. Because a young woman from this family named Kim was just starting to make a name for herself, hanging out at LA parties and major red carpet events with then-BFF Paris Hilton. 2006 was also the year Kim Kardashian favored one particularly perfect 00s fashion trend that wed never see her wearing today Chunky belts over, well, EVERYTHING! Like this chunky silver belt over a flowy gown she wore at Paris Hiltons album release party. Kim This simple, but bold black belt over a form-fitting knit dress and collared shirt. Kim Kim opted for a thinner belt on this red carpet, but the trend is still in peak form. Kim The return of the chunky belt!!! And it even matches her boots, bag, undershirt, and stripes too! Kim Kim went more boho-chic for this slouchy knit dress look. Kim But then dressy thin belt was back by the Holidays and the chunky belt was no more Kim 2006 was a good year for the chunky belt. And clearly a really good year for Kim Kardashian and her perfectly on point 00s style sensibilities. The post The one fashion trend Kim Kardashian was obsesssed with in 2006 that youd never see her wearing today appeared first on HelloGiggles. OPEC, which for decades controlled global oil production, appeared to be losing its grip ahead of Wednesdays scheduled meeting in Vienna to freeze or reduce output and prop up prices. Some members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have been trying to convince the rest to cut production to boost oil prices, which are half of what they were in 2014, currently hovering in the mid-$40 a barrel, the result of an oil glut. Current price levels are good news for airlines, truckers and drivers but bad news for alternative energy startups, shale oil and gas operations, and economies dependent on oil prices to fund their budgets. Any price increase, however, could come at the cost of market share as Asian buyers, who use a third of the worlds supply, look elsewhere, Reuters reported. "For us, the current price levels look to be appropriate for both sides [buyers and producers]," said Eiichiro Kitahara, executive officer at Japanese refinery TonenGeneral Sekiyu. "Our company aims to avoid depending highly on certain suppliers, and we may seek new [supply] opportunities." Russia already has become Chinas top oil supplier, displacing Saudi Arabia, Reuters said. opec Photo: Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters Algeria has been working hard to convince Iran, which is trying to make up for years of sanctions to cut its oil income, and Russia, a nonmember of the oil cartel invited to participate, to agree to a production deal, Bloomberg reported. Russia, however, isnt even planning to attend Wednesdays meeting. At current prices we wont be able to survive two years [if prices dont rise], Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Boutarfa told Bloomberg. There are some billions in foreign reserves but they risk to melt like snow in eight to 10 months if the price of the barrel stays as it is. Story continues OPEC hasnt been able to hold the line on production for years. Its last successful deal to cut production was eight years ago. The target Wednesday is to cut output by 1.2 million barrels a day from October levels, to bring production down to 32.5 million to 33 million barrels a day. The oil ministers could impose production quotas on each member nation and cut deals for exemptions to keep participants happy enough to sign on. They also could fail to reach any deal, sending oil prices plummeting to less than $40 a barrel, or just postpone a decision. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar said Tuesday his country isnt willing to cut production while Saudi Arabia, which currently is producing a record 10.6 million barrels a day, has indicated it wont agree to cuts unless all OPEC members, except Libya and Nigeria, cooperate, Bloomberg reported. Venezuela, where the economic situation has reached catastrophic proportions, and Iraq, which is battling the Islamic State group, also have asked for special consideration. oil rig Photo: Carlos Garcia Rawlins Platts reported Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed to coordinate with each other. Putin said last month he would like to see production levels frozen rather than cut. Saudi Arabia has been slow to come to the idea of a production cut, given its vast cash reserves. The position has created pressure on other producers without the wherewithal to ride out low prices. The nationalism and anti-colonial sentiments that led to OPECs birth in the 1960s have waned, and the cartel has been unable to mount a successful campaign since the 1970s, Oilprice.com noted. "What I hear is kind of crazy. The fear in town is it's Doha redux. Everybody's worst nightmare," Helima Croft, head of global commodities strategy at RBC, told CNBC, referring to the meeting in Doha, Qatar, in April that failed to produce a freeze agreement when Saudi Arabia and Iran started feuding. "Once again, it seems [Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman] has decided Iranian participation in a cut is mandated. If he sticks to that position, it doesn't lift off [Wednesday]. I think a cut was never on the table for Iran. Is this just a hard-line tactic? Are they trying to get the maximum concession?" Croft said. Iran reportedly is demanding Saudi production be cut back to 9.5 million barrels a day, but the Saudis are balking. Reaching a deal may not be the answer, however. "If prices are pushed up towards $60 we will see within nine months a strong response from U.S. shale production putting oil in the market," Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, told Reuters. Related Articles (Reuters) - Oil futures slid on Tuesday as Iran and Iraq remained at loggerheads with Saudi Arabia over an oil production cut before a long-anticipated meeting of OPEC ministers the following day. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in September it hoped to cut oil output to 32.5-33.0 million barrels per day from a record 33.64 million bpd to reduce a global supply overhang and bolster prices. Analysts' belief that the group would finalise a deal, if only to save face, has been eroded in recent days after Saudi Arabia said oil markets would balance next year even without an OPEC output cut, sparking a last-ditch attempt to clinch a deal at Wednesday's Vienna gathering. Forecasts for oil prices now vary widely. With a realistic but significant deal, prices could reach $60 a barrel, according to the most optimistic forecast, or barely hit $50, according to the most bearish predictions. Some market watchers believe prices have found a floor at around $40 a barrel and so would not fall dramatically, should OPEC fail to strike a deal. Others believe the $40 mark could be breached and open the way to $30 a barrel. GOLDMAN SACHS: PRICE RISK SKEWED TO THE UPSIDE "If the proposed OPEC production cut to 32.5 million barrels per day is agreed to, we would expect prices to rally to the low $50s per barrel, with observed implementation required to support prices further. If no deal is reached, our expectation of rising inventories through first half of 2017 would warrant prices averaging $45 per barrel through next summer." "With the Brent market in our view only pricing in a 30 percent probability of a deal being reached and the option market pricing in a $6 per barrel move, we believe that a move to below $40 per barrel would be difficult to sustain. This suggests that price risk is likely skewed to the upside heading into Wednesday." BARCLAYS: CUT NOW NEEDS TO BE LARGER AS OUTPUT SOARS "With production continuing to rise through September and October, the implied cut needed on Nov. 30 is now larger than it was and assigning country by country quotas appears more difficult than first thought given arguments over the use of secondary data for production sources. Volatility is set to be high in the oil market in the days ahead." Story continues "If no deal is implemented, further downward pressure is likely. If a deal is secured then oil prices could well move above $50 per barrel relatively quickly." SAXO BANK: HIGH CHANCE OF 0.8-1.0 MBPD CUT "In such a case, I see a short-term pop above $50 but at this stage I do not see Brent break above $54/b. Once the dust settles on the deal, the market may begin to ask questions about compliance and a wait and see approach may be adopted during which time the price may drift lower, but not below $45. Failure to agree a deal should remove some of the credibility the cartel has tried to build up since Algiers and the market response could be a renewed sell-off towards the $40 area." MORGAN STANLEY: 'PAPER AGREEMENT' LIKELY LASTING SIX MONTHS "Nov. 30 is unlikely to be the definitive event the market wants. The inventory overhang could be a challenge to lifting prices too far, but we expect notable upside with a headline agreement. Even so, markets will remain skeptical of compliance. Details and subsequent production trends will be important, and we expect more meetings to follow." "We see OPEC production falling into 2017 as Saudi Arabia cuts seasonally, but we are skeptical of OPEC's ability to keep production low and sustain it, certainly beyond the six-month timeline." MACQUARIE: DEAL ODDS BARELY BETTER THAN A TOSS-UP "...unfortunately, the remaining issues are still the original issues - which countries should cut and by how much? Given the circumstances, we are reducing the odds of a deal but still believe a last-minute agreement will happen." WOOD MACKENZIE: SIGNIFICANT CUT UNLIKELY "The same obstacles toward a deal remain a reluctance on the part of key producers to cut production and lose market share." "Even without an agreement Wood Mackenzie expects Brent to moderately strengthen in H2 2017 with prices remaining below $50 per barrel, although likely holding $40, in H1 2017." IHS ENERGY: MOST IMPORTANT OPEC MEET SINCE 1973 "A deal will be extremely challenging to deliver given political differences between members ... An agreement of some sort is more likely than not to emerge this week as there are intense financial, political and credibility pressures on OPEC to strike a deal even if it is flawed." SEB: CHANCE OF OPEC CUT DECLINED SUBSTANTIALLY "(The Saudi comment on Sunday) is clearly an effort by (Energy Minister Khalid) al-Falih to prepare the market for a no-cut outcome in order to avoid too much of a sell-off in case of an announcement of a no-deal. "...If OPEC this week announces that there will be no cut we expect the oil price to trade down to $43-44/b but we don't expect it to stay there all that long. It'll likely revert back towards $48/b where it has averaged since the start of June." COMMERZBANK: OIL AT $40 IF NO DEAL "OPEC is currently producing roughly 700,000 barrels per day more than is needed. If OPEC's present production level were maintained, this would remain the case until mid-2017. The market would then be balanced only at the end of 2017, assuming that OPEC does not further increase its output. Yet experience in recent months shows that this is unlikely, especially since Libya and Nigeria are likely to grab every opportunity to raise their currently subdued production to a more normal level." PVM: A CUT FROM WHICH LEVEL? "OPEC's current production is 33.6 to 33.8 mbpd. Once the dust settles it is less the size of the cut and more the actual production level that it could imply that really matters. Do not take an announcement of a headline cut of 1 mbpd at face value. It could still imply an OPEC production level considerably in excess of 33 mbpd, depending on developments in Libya and Nigeria and the speed and rigour of compliance." JBC: RUSSIA'S INTENTIONS IN DOUBT "Russia's possible intention to contribute to a coordinated effort to curb the crude supply overhang remains in doubt despite statements by its energy minister and deputy suggesting that a freeze at current production levels would in effect be equivalent to a cut of 200,000-300,000 b/d. This latter volume is more or less in line with our expected annual supply growth for 2017 of 220,000 bpd but with the recent surge in October, Russia has in fact already reached this higher production level, indicating that any freeze would simply be just that holding production steady at the recent strong level." LATE LAST WEEK: BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH: "DEAL HIGHLY PROBABLE" "Should OPEC just deliver a half a million barrel deal, we see prices staying around the current levels. For prices to firmly break over $50/barrel, OPEC would have to deliver a 1 mln bpd cut announcement ... Oil may drop to $40 a barrel if the cartel cannot agree to cut." DNB MARKETS: "$40 BY CHRISTMAS IF NO DEAL" "Saudi Arabia does not seem very happy about the prospect of another year of oil prices below $50 per barrel and we believe all the cartel members are aware that unless a deal is reached the oil price could fall to $40 by Christmas." CAPITAL ECONOMICS: "FACE-SAVING AGREEMENT LIKELY" "In the case of a strong credible deal, with participation from a number of large non-OPEC producers we could see prices go into the high 50's. On the other hand, if there is no deal we could see prices slump to below $40." ABN AMRO - "75 PCT CHANCE OF CUT" "If OPEC surprises with a larger cut, or can make sure that non-OPEC producers like Russia would also cut production, then the impact can be bigger and a jump towards $55-60 range can be seen. However, the risk of a disappointment is much bigger. A real failure could push prices below $41 a barrel which would open the way towards the 2016 lows of around $30." (Reporting by Apeksha Nair and Swati Verma in Bengaluru and by Sabina Zawadzki in London; Editing by Dale Hudson and Mark Potter) By Henning Gloystein and Yuka Obayashi SINGAPORE/TOKYO (Reuters) - For the first time since 2008, OPEC is set to strike a deal to cut oil output that may boost prices. It may also give itself a bloody nose in Asia, where big buyers are ramping up supplies from elsewhere and say they don't want to pay more for fuel. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meets on Wednesday to hammer out a deal to prop up prices (LCOc1) that have halved since 2014. As they gather, tanker shipments to Asia from non-OPEC sources like Alaska, Azerbaijan, and the North Sea are growing, according to shipping data in Thomson Reuters Eikon. (http://tmsnrt.rs/2fvsKBo) Buyers in Asia, which alone uses a third of the world's oil supply, have watched with concern as OPEC suppliers - their biggest - openly discuss propping up prices. With non-OPEC supplies readily available, they say they'll consider exploring new sources if the cartel's price is no longer right. "For us, the current price levels look to be appropriate for both sides (buyers and producers)," said Eiichiro Kitahara, Executive Officer at major Japanese refinery TonenGeneral Sekiyu . "Our company aims to avoid depending highly on certain suppliers, and we may seek new (supply) opportunities," Kitahara said, though like other executives he cautioned against expectations of any sudden change in supply trends among buyers. Major importers in Japan, China and South Korea have long-standing relationships with OPEC suppliers, with just its Middle East members providing two-thirds of Asia's oil needs. Those ties could loosen, with refiners in countries like Japan - which gets around 90 percent of its oil from Middle East OPEC-members - keen to diversify sources to cut reliance on any single supplier. In China, now challenging the United States as the world's biggest oil importer, efforts to reduce dependence on Middle East supplies have already seen OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia lose its no.1 supplier rank to its rival Russia. Eikon data shows Middle East producers' share of China's supply market fell from 50 percent in January to 46 percent in November. Story continues PRICE - THE BOTTOM LINE Oil markets remained jittery ahead of the OPEC meeting. But refiners across Asia remain alive to the prospects of shifting market dynamics and how they could make other suppliers more attractive, even as OPEC seeks a price rise to boost the economies of countries that rely heavily on crude exports. "We are closely monitoring the OPEC meeting," said Kim Woo-Kyung, a spokeswoman at major South Korean refiner SK Innovation . "Even if OPEC cuts output, it won't have a big impact (on SK Innovation business) as there are a lot of supplies out there." Despite Asia's openness to new suppliers, price remains the ultimate arbiter. Most Middle Eastern crudes cost between $45 and $48 per barrel - ahead of any production cut accord - a competitive price versus supplies from elsewhere when shipping fees are included. North Sea crudes like Britain's Brent and Forties, or Norway's Oseberg, cost between $46 and almost $47 a barrel, Azeri Light crude is currently priced at over $48, while Alaska North Slope crude is on the market for $46.30 per barrel. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which represents interests of oil consumers, told Reuters at a conference in Tokyo that an OPEC cut designed to raise prices could trigger an increase in output by other producers elsewhere - an increase in supply that could end up pegging prices back. "If prices are pushed up towards $60 we will see within nine months a strong response from U.S. shale production putting oil in the market," Birol said. OIL TO ASIA In the United States, suppliers are poised to take advantage of any shift in buying patterns. "Asian (oil) dependence on the Middle East is higher than they are comfortable with," said Bill Walker, Governor of Alaska, speaking during a recent visit to Japan. "They'd like to see something coming out of the U.S. We have seen some shipments come over (to Asia) and I think we are going to see more." "Our location is an advantage. It's seven days of transit (to Japan)," he added, compared with around three weeks it takes to get Middle East oil to Japan. U.S. crude supplies to Asia from Alaska remain rare, but they have gradually picked up this year - after years of strict government restrictions on oil exports ended. Last month, BP (BP.L) sold its first shipment U.S. crude to Thailand and Australia. Another exporter seeking to place more oil into Asia is Azerbaijan. The mid-sized producer pumps under 900,000 barrels of crude per day - and isn't a member of OPEC. Eikon trade flows show almost 7 million barrels of Azeri Light crude were loaded for Asia in October, bound for mainland China, Taiwan and India - the highest volume since records began in January 2015. Shipping data also shows large amounts of North Sea oil - especially British Forties grade crude - currently aboard supertankers heading for northeast Asia. North Sea crude oil flows to the region as a whole have jumped, with 10.7 million barrels arriving in November, their highest level since December last year, Eikon data shows. (Reporting by Henning Gloystein in SINGAPORE and Yuka Obayashi in TOKYO; Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick in TOKYO, Florence Tan in SINGAPORE and Jane Chung in SEOUL; Writing by Henning Gloystein; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) The biggest hurdle against OPEC reaching an agreement in Vienna is that not all member states appear ready to participate in production cuts, Suhail al Mazroui, United Arab Emirates oil minister, told CNBC on Tuesday. "OPEC is a consolidated organization, and it needs to be unanimous. The expectation is that if we agree on something, it needs to be sustainable and that benefits everyone. Everyone needs to be participating," said Mazroui. "Don't ask me how, who or when before we meet." OPEC will meet in Vienna on Wednesday in an attempt to implement a deal outlined in September which proposed cutting oil production by around 1 million barrels per day. Speculation as to whether OPEC will be able to agree on a deal to reduce global oversupply of oil has intensified in the run-up to the meeting, with Iran and Iraq resisting pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail oil production, according to a Reuters report. Non-OPEC producer Russia confirmed on Tuesday that it would not be attending the meeting but said a meeting at a later date would be possible. Correction: This story was revised to reflect that the UAE oil minister the OPEC meeting may not succeed because of a lack of agreement on production cuts. More From CNBC Full Sail University students Omar Maldonado, Tim Asunmo, Sophia Pun, Nadif Cadet, and Josh Davis first met at a songwriting club on campus. Immediately following the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando on June 12, Davis and other students set out to find a creative outlet to express their feelings. What was supposed to be a creative exercise, turned into Together Were Strong, a masterful piece that purely captures the raw emotion of coping after a loss. Yahoo Music is pleased to debut the song in honor of Giving Tuesday, along with a short documentary which explains the single and its importance. In todays heightened concerns post-election, Together Were Strong couldnt come at a more opportune time. The song speaks a lot about the things going on in the world today, inspired by the Pulse Nightclub shooting but expands far beyond that tragedy, notes Josh Davis. The song is a tool to teach people how to love again, how to unite during hard times, and not fight. It is an anthem to show people that differences are okay, and it is all right to be divided but we all must live together in unison. The group partnered with Heart of Florida United Way, which operates the Orlando United Assistance Center (OUAC)100% of the proceeds generated from the song will be donated to the Orlando United Assistance Center. Although the songwriters decided to release the song for free, they have a goal to raise over $5,000 and are asking for a minimum donation of $5 per song download for OUAC to provide on-going support to those directly impacted by the incident. You can download and donate here. The Pulse tragedy rocked our community to its core. It takes all of us, united, to begin the healing, explains Heart of Florida United Way Chief Marketing Officer Ashley Blasewitz. We applaud these Full Sail students on sharing their creativity and talents to not only assist those directly impacted through donations, but also the healing of our community as a whole through this powerful song. Suspect_Identified_in_Ohio_State_Attack_as_Abdul_Razak_Ali_Artan_ _NBC_News Multiple reports have suggested Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the 18-year-old whom the police fatally shot after he attacked students and faculty members at Ohio State University on Monday, may have posted a rant to Facebook just before the rampage. Fox News first reported that law-enforcement officials were investigating a post they believe Artan wrote that described being "sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters being killed and tortured EVERYWHERE" (emphasis the author's). Artan was a legal permanent resident who came to the US with his parents in 2014. The family had lived in Pakistan for several years after fleeing Somalia in 2007, according to CNN. "America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah," the Facebook post said, according to a screenshot from NBC News, using the Arabic word for "community." "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying out lone wolf attacks, then make peace with 'dawla in al sham.' Make a pact or a treaty with them where you promise to leave them alone." The post's reference to "dawla in al sham" could be short for "al-Dawla al-Islamiya fil Iraq wa al-Sham," a full name for the terrorist group also known as ISIS, the Islamic State, ISIL, or Daesh. The group has been urging its followers to copy the Bastille Day attack in France, in which a man drove a large truck through a crowd of people, killing 84. ISIS also recently posted a video explaining how to conduct a knife attack, according to ABC News. Here's what the #OhioState jihadist posted on Facebook before attack per NBC news. I re-copied the words so you can read it in the 2nd image pic.twitter.com/6XhtU9ldwN Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) November 29, 2016 Hours after the Facebook post went up, an attacker whom the police identified as Artan crashed a car into pedestrians on the campus sidewalk before attacking them with a butcher knife. Eleven people were hurt in the attack, the Columbus Dispatch reported, but they are expected to recover. Story continues Officer Alan Horujko of the Ohio State campus police reportedly shot Artan dead just one minute after the attack began. Chief Craig Stone of the Ohio State University Police Division said Monday afternoon he was "confident" that Artan was the only attacker. Early reports also suggested that the police believed Artan to have acted as a so-called lone wolf, without direct help from a terrorist organization. In an interview with the Ohio State student newspaper The Lantern from August, Artan said he didn't "even know where to pray" after transferring from Columbus State Community College. He continued: "I wanted to pray in the open, but I was scared with everything going on in the media. I'm a Muslim, it's not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what theyre going to think, what's going to happen. But, I don't blame them. It's the media that put that picture in their heads so they're just going to have it and it, it's going to make them feel uncomfortable. I was kind of scared right now. But I just did it. I relied on God. I went over to the corner and just prayed." The police haven't identified a motive for the attack and are still investigating. Numerous Muslim and Somali leaders have denounced the attack. Hassan Omar, the president of the Somali Community Association of Ohio, told NBC News that many people were calling him, crying. "This is a shock," Omar said. "As a Somali community here, we are in a state of shock. In Columbus, we live in a very peaceful community. This is going to affect the life of everybody. We are American, and we don't want somebody to create this problem." NOW WATCH: How to move to Canada and become a Canadian citizen More From Business Insider Pakistan's outgoing military chief warned India Tuesday it would be dangerous to mistake his country's "restraint" over recent tensions in disputed Kashmir for weakness, as he handed over power to his successor. The hugely popular General Raheel Sharif spoke at a colourful ceremony welcoming the incoming chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a stadium at army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. "Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in (Indian) occupied Kashmir, and India's aggressive steps have put the region's peace in danger," Sharif said. "I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her," he said to applause. "This is reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international community's special attention is necessary," he continued. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have spiralled following a deadly assault on an Indian army base in September that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it had responded to the September attack by carrying out "surgical strikes" across the heavily militarised border, sparking fury from Islamabad, which denied the strikes took place. There have been repeated incidents of cross-border shellings and gunfire from both sides since, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Sharif spoke Tuesday as Indian police said armed militants had launched a fresh attack near the border with Pakistan, killing two soldiers. Officials said the attack took place in Nagrota in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which borders Pakistan and has seen repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing in recent weeks, and blamed it on "terrorists". Pakistan on Saturday named Bajwa as its new military chief as Sharif stepped down from a three-year tenure, winning praise for respecting democracy even as many Pakistanis called for him to extend his term. Story continues Military bands played as uniformed soldiers marched at the ceremony Tuesday, where the outgoing chief gives his wooden cane to his successor, symbolising the handover of power. The Pakistani military plays an outsize role in national life, offering the armed reassurance against arch-rival India that many Pakistanis see as vital to their identity. Kashmir is one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints, bitterly divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 but claimed in full by both. The nuclear powers have already fought two wars over the mountainous region. By Asad Hashim ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's outgoing army chief issued a stern warning to India over violence in the disputed region of Kashmir on Tuesday as he handed over command, saying patience should not be mistaken for weakness. Tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors has ratcheted up in recent months, leading to almost daily cross-border shelling at the Line of Control that acts as a de facto frontier dividing Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Dozens of people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed on either side of the border in artillery and small arms fire. Both sides accuse each other of instigating the shelling. "I want to make it clear to India, that taking our policy of patience (in Kashmir) as a sign of any kind of weakness will prove to be dangerous to it," said General Raheel Sharif, who handed over the reins to General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a ceremony full of military pomp. "Unfortunately in recent months, the rising state terrorism in (Indian-administered) Kashmir and India's aggressive steps have put regional peace at risk," added Sharif, who many viewed as the most powerful man in Pakistan in his role as army chief. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full, but have ruled it in part since partition and independence from the British in 1947. Tension between the neighbors began to sour in July, when Indian security forces killed a young Kashmiri separatist, sparking protests in the region and a subsequent Indian security forces crackdown that has killed at least 80 civilians. In September, India blamed Pakistan for supporting a militant raid on an army base that killed at least 19 soldiers in Indian Kashmir. India's military then said it launched "surgical strikes" across the Line of Control. Pakistan denies involvement in the army base attack in September, and also disputes that any Indian incursion onto its territory occurred, saying it's an effort by New Delhi to divert attention from rights abuses in Kashmir. Bajwa, who once commanded the Pakistani military corps deployed on the Line of Control, will be seeking to address the conflict with India, as well as manage Pakistan's ongoing fight against Islamist militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and elsewhere. He was appointed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - no relation to General Sharif - on Saturday, and has now taken command of the world's sixth-largest army by troop numbers. As well as controlling security, the army operates a vast business empire in the country and often dictates key areas of foreign policy, including relations with India and Afghanistan. (Reporting by Asad Hashim; Editing by Drazen Jorgic and Nick Macfie) Nicole Kidman is headed to Palm Springs. The actress will receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival's International Star Award for her performance in Lion, it was announced Monday. Mary Hart will host the annual awards gala, to be held Jan. 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center and also honoring Sully's Tom Hanks, Loving's Ruth Negga, Manchester by the Sea's Casey Affleck and the cast of La La Land. The Weinstein Company drama Lion follows Saroo, a five-year-old boy who gets lost on a train traveling away from his home. He is adopted by an Australian couple, but later uses Google Earth to reunite with his family. Nicole Kidman plays Saroo's adoptive mother, and Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, David Wenham and Sunny Pawar also star in the Garth Davis film. Kidman previously received the fest's Chairman's Award in 2005. Past International Star honorees include Javier Bardem, Helen Mirren and Saoirse Ronan. "One of the world's most luminous and versatile actresses, Nicole Kidman has filled so many unforgettable roles including her performances in The Hours, Moulin Rouge!, Cold Mountain, Rabbit Hole and dozens more," festival chairman Harold Matzner said in a statement. "In her latest film, Lion, she gives yet another award-worthy performance as Sue Brierley, an Australian woman who adopts two young boys from India." The 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is set to run Jan. 2-16. Read more: Dev Patel Shares How His Mom Influenced His 'Lion' Performance (Exclusive Video) Paris Geller grew up to be just like her parents in Gilmore Girls and its breaking our hearts In the second episode of Netflixs Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, we come to a pretty sad realization about one our favorite characters Paris Geller. Paris, Rorys best frenemy since Chilton, had a tough childhood. Although she grew up with wealthy parents and plenty of opportunity, her parents were never around to raise her. Paris was almost completely raised by her nanny growing up. Although Paris admits to loving her Nanny , she always acknowledged that she didnt like the arrangement and though that it contributed to some issues in her life. Thats why it was completely heartbreaking when it was revealed that Paris grew up to be exactly like her parents. What is so hard about this realization is we know that Paris completely meant well. In the revival we learn that she is the head of a very high-end fertility clinic, and incredibly successful. Shes married to her college boyfriend Doyle who grew up to be a big shot screenwriter. They live together in a beautiful home in Brooklyn. She is clearly trying her very best to provide for her children. However, we soon learn that not everything is as good as it seems. Paris and Doyle are in the process of getting divorced, and can barely stand to be in the same room together. Both of their demanding careers make it hard for them to be home, so the children are almost entirely raised by their nanny. Paris even admits that they probably love their nanny more than they love her, and later confesses that she depends on her nanny for help in childcare in a way that she didnt totally expect to happen. It is really tough to see Paris go through this, and repeat the cycle that she resented so much growing up. However there is hope. We can tell that Paris is beginning to do some more soul searching, and Rorys friendship can only mean good things for Paris. The two have been through so much together. Being back in each others lives will only mean good things for Paris Geller. [subheader]So heres wishing the best to Paris Geller! No one fights as hard for what they want as much as she does, and were assuming that includes love and her family too! The post Paris Geller grew up to be just like her parents in Gilmore Girls and its breaking our hearts appeared first on HelloGiggles. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter voiced opposition to extending a temporary government funding bill well into next year, saying it would negatively impact the military, including in the fight against Islamic State. Washington has been operating since Oct. 1 under a stopgap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, to keep most federal programs running. It expires on Dec. 9. House and Senate leaders are negotiating the end date for a new temporary funding bill. "The most problematic shortfalls DoD (Department of Defense) will face in a long-term CR (continuing resolution) are in the operations and munitions accounts that fund counterterrorism operations and assistance in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, among other priorities," Carter wrote in the letter to top Congressional leaders. Carter said the Pentagon had never been under such a situation during a presidential transition, calling it "unprecedented and unacceptable." (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese) By Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine lender RCBC and a Bangladeshi minister traded blame on Tuesday over liability for tens of millions of dollars that were looted from a New York bank and then went missing in Manila after one of the biggest bank frauds ever. Unknown cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank in February and managed to make off with $81 million via an account at the New York Federal Reserve. That was transferred to four accounts with bogus names at one RCBC branch in Manila before vanishing. The lawyer for RCBC, or Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), said that her client had no reason to compensate Bangladesh Bank, saying that the lender was "negligent" because the initial security breach was its own fault. Bangladesh's Law Minister Anisul Huq said that was "irrelevant" and argued that RCBC should shoulder the burden for accepting stolen cash. "It is not for RCBC to point fingers. They should explain their conduct, and the conduct has been very much culpable," he told a news conference in Manila. Most of the money that ended up in the Philippines was laundered through casinos. About $15 million has been recovered from a gaming junket operator and was returned to Bangladesh, with a further $2.7 million frozen. Huq, who is in Manila to speed recovery of the money, said that his delegation met the Philippines finance minister, gaming regulators, justice department and the Senate speaker. All had assured him of their full cooperation in getting the money returned, Huq said, adding that Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr told him that he would start the process to resume a legislative hearing into the heist saga. Bangladesh Bank has refused to disclose the findings of its own inquiry, saying that it wanted to deny the crime's perpetrators knowledge of the investigation. 'ABNORMAL' AND 'QUESTIONABLE' But RCBC external counsel Thea Daep said it should share those results and shed light on the identity of the perpetrators. Story continues "They have no case against us. BB (Bangladesh Bank) was the one who was negligent," Daep said in a statement. RCBC received the funds after they went through three layers of highly protected financial institutions, Daep said, adding that reports from Bangladesh officials indicated there were insiders in Dhaka facilitating the heist. "Shortly after, BB decided to abort its investigation, which raises a lot of questions, to say the least," Daep said. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha told Reuters that "halt payment" instructions were sent to RCBC from both Dhaka and New York but RCBC did not comply. "The payment in cash was also abnormal," he said in Dhaka. "...The mechanism of transfer of money was also not transparent. So all these are questionable." The Bangladesh delegation was due on Thursday to meet the Philippine central bank governor and the anti-money laundering body, which last week filed charges against five RCBC staff in connection with the heist. The central bank fined RCBC a record 1 billion pesos ($20 million) for failing to prevent the transfer of stolen money through its accounts. Huq said that by paying that fine RCBC had shown its culpability. "They have accepted the liability by paying the fine," he said. "That is why we are asking them to return our money." ($1 = 50 pesos) (Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in Dhaka; Editing by Martin Petty and David Goodman) By Tom Polansek CHICAGO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Pilgrim's Pride Corp, the world's second-largest chicken producer, said on Tuesday it will buy smaller rival GNP Company in a $350 million deal that will increase its organic and antibiotic-free offerings. The all-cash deal allows Pilgrim's, which is mostly owned by meatpacking company JBS SA, to tap more deeply into a consumer shift toward products perceived to be more natural and healthy. Increasingly, major meat companies and restaurants are seeking to raise poultry on organic grain and without antibiotics to take advantage of the trend. The change also addresses consumer concerns about health risks from eating meat raised with certain antibiotics. Pilgrim's shares were up 2.1 percent at $18.35 in afternoon trading, broadly in line with other meat producers such as Tyson Foods Inc. GNP, owned by privately held Maschhoff Family Foods, sells organic chicken and chicken raised without any antibiotics under its Just Bare brand. Each package contains a code that can be used to trace the chicken inside to where it was raised. Acquiring the brand "further positions Pilgrim's as a leading provider of high-quality products in the fastest growing chicken segments," Pilgrim's said in a statement. GNP also sells chicken under the Gold'n Plump brand. Public health experts and federal regulators have long been concerned that routine feeding of antibiotics to animals could lead to antibiotic-resistant superbugs, a health hazard for humans. Finding enough protein raised in the United States without such drugs has been a challenge for food companies. In August, McDonald's Corp said it had removed antibiotics that are important to human medicine from chicken served in its U.S. stores. Tyson, the nation's largest chicken company, intends to remove such antibiotics from its flocks by September 2017. Pilgrim's said it expects to close the deal for GNP in the first quarter of 2017. A Pilgrim's representative could not immediately be reached for comment. Story continues The company's statement said the acquisition will allow Pilgrim's to expand production and customer bases in the upper U.S. Midwest. GNP has processing plants in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A GNP spokeswoman declined to discuss the company's sales or comment on the transaction. Maschhoff acquired the chicken company three years ago for an undisclosed amount, in a departure from its business as the biggest family-owned U.S. pork company. Jason Logsdon, the Maschhoff chief executive who oversaw the transaction, left the company last year. (Editing by Matthew Lewis) Paris (AFP) - Pirelli unveiled its feminist-friendly 2017 calendar Tuesday with a galaxy of Hollywood stars daring to show their wrinkles and crow's feet to the camera. The arty black and white compilation is a world away from the glossy airbrushed images of naked women that traditionally graced garages and men's locker rooms. Fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh roped in veteran stars Helen Mirren and Charlotte Rampling -- aged 71 and 70 -- declaring that his calendar was "a cry against the terror of perfection and youth". Even his shots of Nicole Kidman and glamorous Bond star Lea Seydoux embraced their imperfections. "Talent is sexy," said the German-born filmmaker, who shot some of the actresses, including Julianne Moore, without makeup. "We don't do naked any more," he added as the calender was launched in Paris. "What is much more important than naked body parts is when you really show yourself as you are." Pirelli stopped using nude shots for its calendar three years ago. Lindbergh said he wanted to strip away all the airbrushing that has come with the age of celebrity. "There is no beauty without truth. All this fake making up of a person into something that is not them cannot be beautiful. It is just ridiculous," he said. Oscar-winner Kate Winslet said she agreed to do the calender because she knew Lindbergh does not touch up his photos. - 'Isn't it OK to be 40?' - "I wanted him to photograph my age at 40, as I am," Winslet said in a video filmed after her shoot in London. "He wants to see women as they are, their lines, their little crow's feet, their veins... I asked him to photograph the backs of my hands, because they are different than when I was 30. "People are always making us a softer version of 40 or a more youthful version of 50. But isn't it just OK to be 40 or 50 or 60?" she added. The 15 women featured in the calendar range in age from 28 to 71, with most in their 40s including Penelope Cruz and Uma Thurman. Story continues Rather than concentrate on their bodies -- as Pirelli calendars did in the past -- Lindbergh focused mostly on the faces of his subjects, with a series of tender and revealing portraits. Kidman said she wasn't afraid of nudity "but if it is exploitative it is not interesting". She was happier, however, that the photographer had allowed the women to be their age. "The voice of actresses is getting stronger," she said. Both Mirren and Rampling said they worked on being as emotionally naked as they could be standing before the camera. "In our business we start out very young hopefully being true to ourselves and then the profession can start to put so many limits that we are no longer the true person you are," Rampling said. "Peter wants to get to that vulnerable part of yourself." Polar bear cub Nora is ready to meet the public, according to the Oregon Zoo. The zoo on Monday, November 28, reopened its polar habitat, which was closed to allow Nora to get used to her new surroundings. Nora was hand-raised by staff at the Columbus Zoo after being rejected by her mother and only interacted with humans until her transfer to Oregon Zoo, where she has gradually been introduced to the zoos other polar bears. Credit: YouTube/Oregon Zoo via Storyful WARSAW (Reuters) - It is in Poland's interest that Britain remains a European Union member and pays into the bloc's budget for as long as possible, Rzeczpospolita daily quoted Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski as saying on Tuesday. Earlier in November, Waszczykowski's deputy said Britain should keep paying into the EU's budget until the end of the current budget period in 2020 after voting in a June referendum to leave the 28-country bloc. "It is in our interest that Britain remain an EU state as long as possible and pay contributions as long as possible," Waszczykowski told Rzeczpospolita daily. Waszczykowski was among ministers who accompanied Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo on a visit to London on Monday. "Brexit will not take place earlier than in 2-3 years. If it takes place at all," Waszczykowski also told the paper. "In the next three years there is no need to treat Britain as a child with special needs, which is stigmatized and marginalized." On Monday, Szydlo and British premier Theresa May discussed defense, security and trade as well as the post-Brexit rights of 3 million EU nationals living in Britain, which according to a 2015 estimate included 831,000 Poles. Britain is seeking to strengthen ties with Poland, which joined the European Union in 2004, has been one of London's closest allies in calling for reform of the bloc. Szydlo's government also sees Britain as a focus of its foreign policy. May currently plans to initiate a two-year divorce process from the EU next March. Waszczykowski also said that if he were European Council President Donald Tusk, he would "not dare" seek a second term in the post without the support of the Polish government. Tusk is a considered a political foe by Waszczykowski's conservative and eurosceptic Law and Justice party (PiS). Formerly head of the center-right, pro-European Civic Platform party, he served two terms as Poland's prime minister before resigning in 2014 to take the top European Union job. (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; Editing by Catherine Evans) Vatican City (AFP) - "Goodfellas" director Martin Scorsese is to be granted a private audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday after unveiling his latest film to an audience of 400 Jesuits, the Vatican said. "Silence", an adaptation of Shusaku Endo's 1966 novel of the same name, tells the story of two Jesuit missionaries (played by Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) who visit 17th century Japan in the footsteps of their mentor (Liam Neeson). Francis was not due to attend the screening of the film in Rome on Tuesday, despite its subject being close to his heart. A member of the Jesuit order, the Argentinian pontiff wanted to become a missionary in Japan himself as a young man but was prevented from doing so by ill health. Scorsese's numerous acclaimed films include 1988's "The Last Temptation of Christ", which was condemned as blasphemous by some Christian groups. The veteran director was to attend the Rome screening of his latest work, for which a senior figure in the Jesuit order was employed as a consultant. The order, officially known as the Society of Jesus, also granted the production team access to its historical archives for research. The film is due for release in the United States on December 23. The Obamas at a rally for Hillary Clinton on Nov. 7. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) President Obama says both he and first lady Michelle Obama will be very active in working with people at the grass-roots level to support progressive causes once he leaves office. But despite her popularity and natural public speaking ability, Michelle isnt interested in a career in politics. Michelle will never run for office, the president told Rolling Stone in an interview conducted the day after the election. She is as talented a person as I know. You can see the incredible resonance she has with the American people. But I joke that shes too sensible to want to be in politics. Obama says that after he hands the keys to the White House to President-elect Donald Trump, he plans to sleep for a couple weeks and take Michelle on a well-deserved vacation. After that? Ill spend time in my first year out of office writing a book, and Im gonna be organizing my presidential center, which is gonna be focused on precisely this issue of how do we train and empower the next generation of leadership, Obama said. How do we rethink our storytelling, the messaging and the use of technology and digital media, so that we can make a persuasive case across the country? According to Obama, one of the biggest challenges he and his fellow Democrats face is figuring out how to recapture the white working class voters who voted for him and didnt vote for Hillary Clinton. I think that part of it has to do with our inability, our failure, to reach those voters effectively, he said. Part of it is Fox News in every bar and restaurant in big chunks of the country, but part of it is also Democrats not working at a grass-roots level, being in there, showing up, making arguments. That part of the critique of the Democratic Party is accurate. We spend a lot of time focused on international policy and national policy and less time being on the ground. And when were on the ground, we do well. Obama said the Midwestern voters who helped Trump win industrial states like Michigan and Wisconsin didnt get the message that the Democratic Party has been working for them. Story continues This is not simply an economic issue. This is a cultural issue. And a communications issue. It is true that a lot of manufacturing has left or transformed itself because of automation. But during the course of my presidency, we added manufacturing jobs at historic rates, Obama said. You start reading folks saying, Oh, you know, working-class families have been neglected, or Working-class white families have not been paid attention to by Democrats. Actually, they have. What is true, though, is that whatever policy prescriptions that weve been proposing dont reach, are not heard, by the folks in these communities. And what they do hear is Obama or Hillary are trying to take away their guns or they disrespect you.' President Obamas 10th Rolling Stone cover. (Courtesy Rolling Stone) More face-to-face time with white working class voters is needed, the president said. I think it is really important for us, as progressives set aside the Democratic Party as an institution, but just anybody who wants to see a more progressive America to think about how we are operating on the ground and showing up everywhere and fighting for the support of folks and giving them a concrete sense of what it is that we think will make their lives better, Obama said, rather than depending on coming up with the right technocratic policies and sharing that with the New York Times editorial board. If we are not on the ground, and people are not hearing and seeing us face-to-face, then well keep on losing, even though I genuinely believe that the Republican prescriptions are not going to be as helpful to these folks. But Obama dismissed the idea that Trumps election represents a hard-right turn among U.S. voters. If you survey the American people, including Trump voters, theyre in favor of a higher minimum wage, he said. Theyre in favor, in large numbers, of decriminalizing marijuana. They, I think, are, increasingly and with shocking speed, accepting of the need to treat the LGBT community with respect. They are hugely suspicious of Wall Street, hugely suspicious of the Establishment. Part of what Trump did, as well as [Vermont Sen.] Bernie [Sanders], was run against that Establishment. Now the irony, of course, is that one would think Trump would be considered part of that Establishment and not a genuine outsider like Bernie was. So this doesnt seem to be a moment in which there is a huge turn to the right. Obama also addressed the growing push to legalize marijuana. Ive been very clear about my belief that we should try to discourage substance abuse, Obama said. And I am not somebody who believes that legalization is a panacea. But I do believe that treating this as a public-health issue, the same way we do with cigarettes or alcohol, is the much smarter way to deal with it. But removing pot from the list of Schedule I drugs is not something the president is willing to do himself. Typically how these classifications are changed are not done by presidential edict but are done either legislatively or through the [Drug Enforcement Agency], Obama said. As you might imagine, the DEA, whose job it is historically to enforce drug laws, is not always going to be on the cutting edge about these issues. Still, Obama acknowledged that it is untenable over the long term for the Justice Department or the DEA to be enforcing a patchwork of laws, where something thats legal in one state could get you a 20-year prison sentence in another. So this is a debate that is now ripe, much in the same way that we ended up making progress on same-sex marriage. MOSCOW The award ceremony had all the trappings of legitimacy: a trendy loft venue not far from the Kremlin; a rapturous, inquisitive, and mostly young audience; and a jury made up of top scientific minds. The prize at stake, however, was not about whose research had been the most cutting-edge or who had made the greatest contribution to Russian science that year. The jury, instead, was charged with determining who had been most successful in bringing the light of ignorance to the masses. Those voting cast their ballots into a tin-foil hat. In the end, Octobers inaugural honorary member of the pseudoscience academy award went to Irina Yermakova, a biologist and regular commentator on Russian national television. Yermakova is on the record as believing that men, as a sex, evolved from early hermaphrodite Amazonians. Shes one of Russias leading anti-GMO campaigners, claiming that genetically modified foods are actually an American bioweapon aimed at committing genocide against Russia. In handing her the award, Russias scientific community was seeking to demonstrate that, even in trying times, it hasnt lost its sense of humor. The event organizer, Alexander Sokolov, a science journalist and award-winning author, issued a defiant proclamation from the stage: Let as many people as possible see that science is alive in Russia and that it can defend itself! Except theres growing evidence it cant. Science is under assault in the land that has produced some 17 Nobel Prize winners in the sciences. Its not just that funding has been slashed (though it has) or that the field struggles with corruption and brain drain (though it does). Members of the scientific community say one of the biggest issues they face is the recent embrace of pseudoscientists like Yermakova by the Russian state. The Kremlin has elevated and institutionalized their ideas, often mixing them with a healthy dose of anti-Western rhetoric for good measure. Story continues Yermakova, for example, in addition to her TV spots, has appeared as an expert before the Russian parliament, where populist lawmakers use her to back up their case against genetically modified foods. Russia has been pressured into GMO after its accession to the [World Trade Organization], majority party member of parliament Yevgeny Fedorov told state channel Rossiya 24 in 2014 in words that echoed Yermakovas views. This is political pressure; its goal is to create risks of sterilization to shrink the Russian population, he said. Russia passed a law in July banning production of genetically modified foods, despite repeated protests by the Russian Academy of Sciences. Other believers in fringe pseudoscience who have been elevated to positions of authority include Mikhail Kovalchuk, a physicist from Vladimir Putins inner circle who presides over the Kurchatov Institute, a nuclear energy research institution. Last year (the same day Moscow began its bombing campaign in Syria), Kovalchuk gave a presentation to Russian senators warning that the global elite, overseen by the United States, is developing a special human subspecies a genetically different caste of laboring servant people who eat little, think small, and reproduce only on command. (Buried beneath the wacky conspiracy theory and anti-Western hyperbole was a lobbying pitch for more state funding so that his institute could stay ahead of the curve on groundbreaking research.) In some cases, these figures have already done real damage. Kovalchuk is one of Putins top science advisors, a veteran senior member of his science council who is also the brother of Yuri Kovalchuk, a man the U.S. government has called the personal banker to senior Russian officials. Kovalchuks connections were expected to make him an eventual shoo-in for Russias top academic post as president of the Academy of Sciences. The academys membership, which selects both members and leaders in democratic votes, unexpectedly resisted Kovalchuk, however; his bid to become a full member of the academy, a requirement to head it, was rejected in 2008. This and other moves by the academy to reject Kovalchuk are believed to have led to a backlash in 2013, when the Russian government moved to dismantle the institution: It took away most of the academys property, diluted its ranks by combining it with the less rigorous agriculture and medical academies, and curbed its independence, subjecting it to the supervision of a newly created state agency for scientific organizations. The reforms have done great damage to the academy, an institution that dates back to the 18th century and serves as the nerve center for a network of Russian scientific institutions, said science journalist Alexander Sergeyev. Theyve buried scientists in paperwork and subjected them to the control of non-scientists. Meanwhile, Kovalchuks Kurchatov Institute is becoming increasingly powerful and has assumed control over some of the academys research centers. Believers in, and peddlers of, pseudoscience now occupy positions throughout the Russian government. Anton Vaino, Putins virtually unknown chief of staff, who was elevated to the post in August, published academic work in 2012 on the nooscope, a baffling mystical instrument that he claims can forecast and control society and the economy by scanning the universe. The Kremlins ombudswoman for children, Anna Kuznetsova, appointed in September, reportedly believes in telegony the archaic theory that a womans child bears the traits of all her past sexual partners. Such people in power is a new trend that shows that the authorities are no longer afraid of people that are overt carriers of pseudoscientific ideas, Sergeyev said. On the contrary, the authorities are ready to accept them and to be under their influence. The Russian governments seeming vendetta against legitimate science is no coincidence, critics say. The Kremlin has discovered that pseudoscience fits its present ideological needs. In September, the academys special commission to fight Russian pseudoscience published a report that found that its rise was in part tied to the countrys growing isolation and nationalism. Russians who reject global scientific norms have treated this ideological shift as an opportunity to lobby for government support for their projects. The report concluded that unscientific ideas and projects have thrived in recent years in part by speculating on pro-regime ideologies. Kovalchuk, for example, has theorized that Russia could stay ahead of Western science by funding an undefined field he calls convergent technologies; another argument, currently popular in Russia, is that established methods for fighting the spread of HIV, such as condom use, are in fact an American tool to weaken Russia. The pseudo-patriotic rhetoric that surrounds these para-scientific topics allows their lobbyists to rise to a level far higher than their competence, the academys report said. Meanwhile, the growing link between nationalism and pseudoscience has allowed pseudoscientists to accuse their critics of being unpatriotic Russophobes. Anatole Klyosov, a Russian biochemist who worked in the United States before veering off into genetics, last year opened a Moscow-based academy for DNA genealogy, a field he claims to have discovered and upholds as a patriotic science. In the 10 books he has published since 2010, Klyosov has advanced outlandish claims, including the idea that the human species originated in the Russian North and that the view that humans derived from Africa is an expression of Western political correctness. In 2015, a group of scientists from various fields wrote an open letter saying Klyosovs writing could fuel hatred by attracting readers whose nationalist and political ambitions are not satisfied with the worlds scientific body of knowledge. Klyosov responded in his latest book, which he called Lies, Insinuations, and Russophobia in Modern Russian Science, dismissing his critics as members of a fifth column. In addition to creating a climate that supports pseudoscience, the Kremlin seems to be making efforts to cut off legitimate Russian researchers from the outside world, said Sergeyev, who is part of the academys pseudoscience-fighting commission. Whispers last year indicated some universities are reviving the Soviet-era requirement that administrators vet scholarly papers before publication while others have imposed a ban on professors giving interviews without first receiving permission. Russia has a mixed historical legacy when it comes to science policy. Science in the Soviet Union enjoyed relative prestige, especially fields that had applications for the military, space, and nuclear research. Students, beginning from a young age, were encouraged to pursue physics and mathematics in particular (the countrys proud stock of Nobel laureates and Fields medalists attests to the success of those efforts), and universities headhunted promising students to work in secret government labs in relatively comfortable conditions. But the country has also long been susceptible to the potent combination of political power and pseudoscience. Research on an idea known as the Torsion field theory, for instance which claimed to be able to explain telekinesis and levitation, among other phenomena secretly received funding from the Soviet military and the KGB in the 1980s despite rejecting basic principles of physics. The darkest example of state support for pseudoscience comes from the period between the 1930s and the 1960s. That was the heyday of a biologist named Trofim Lysenko, who became a darling of Joseph Stalin. Lysenko was everything the dictator wanted in a scientist: a plain-spoken man from a peasant family, eager to put science to work for the people. Appointed to head the Soviet agricultural academy in 1938, Lysenko went on to set Soviet science and agriculture back decades by promoting baseless ideas, including methods for transforming rye into barley, and insisting that schools reject Mendelian genetics. What might have been a scientific debate between geneticists and agronomists like Lysenko who rejected natural selection turned into something else entirely with Stalins overt support for the latter. The government amplified Lysenkos slander against his opponents (state media discredited geneticists as misanthropic fruit fly lovers, proponents of eugenics and imperialism), and hundreds of Russian scientists who challenged his ideas were sidelined, exiled, or killed. The most famous victim of what came to be called Lysenkoism was Russian ethnobotanist Nikolai Vavilov, who dedicated his life to eradicating famine and created the worlds largest collection of plant seeds in St. Petersburg. Vavilov came to be highly critical of Lysenkos ideas, however, and as a result was labeled a traitor and died in prison in 1943. Lysenkoism was summarily discredited, and the taboo on genetics discarded in the 1970s and 1980s, after the departure of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, a Lysenko supporter. Meanwhile, Vavilovs name now graces several prestigious Russian institutes, including the Institute of General Genetics in Moscow. In recent years, however, Lysenko has crept back into the realm of respectability, riding on the coattails of the rehabilitation of Stalin himself. In 2014, a book that was at least partially sponsored by a state grant from the Ministry of Communications titled Two Worlds, Two Ideologies represented the argument between Lysenko and opponents as one between patriots and national traitors. Articles praising Lysenko appear regularly today in national newspapers: One 2015 article in the newspaper Kultura erroneously said, Agricultural methods developed by the academic are still used in the entire world. It continued: If one were to analyze facts objectively, one would have to say that Lysenko was without question an extraordinary man. Pseudoscience exists in all countries, but it is like cancerous cells: A healthy organism rejects them and does not let them grow, said Svetlana Borinskaya, a geneticist who works at the Institute of General Genetics. A sick organism is not able to react. There are signs in Russia that the cancer is taking hold: An annual study by the Higher School of Economics, a research university in Moscow, found in 2015 that the number of Russians who felt that science and technology bring more harm than good was 23 percent. The ratio of positive to negative views of science places Russia 30th out of 31 countries in a ranking of how much they value scientific progress; the study called it a worrying signal. Even educated people are starting to talk about reptilians that have taken over and are plotting in the world government, Borinskaya said. The influence of such ideas on Russian society has been strong enough that one news website, Gazeta.ru, has created a special subsection in its science department called Obscurantism to expose fake science. Pseudoscience and obscurantism harm real researchers and harm the public, said Gazeta.rus science editor, Pavel Kotlyar. They harm the elderly babushkas who absorb the nonsense about various health gadgets and water filters. Russian scientists have begun to fight back. In addition to the pseudoscience academy award and several independent popular science projects, a group of online vigilantes has been exposing widespread fraud in Russian Ph.D. dissertations since 2013 as part of a project called Dissernet. The practice is widespread in the social sciences, Andrei Rostovtsev, one of Dissernets founders, told me. The fake dissertations are then defended in corrupt dissertation councils in what amounts to a vast criminal business that has impaired entire fields, particularly economics. Many of these fraudulent dissertations were produced by people who go on to become parliamentarians, Rostovtsev said. Others serve the Kremlin as politically convenient experts: After Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 went down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, for instance, Moscow brought out of them, Ivan Andriyevsky, on state television to back up its theory that MH17 had been shot down by a Ukrainian fighter jet. Andriyevsky showed a crudely altered satellite image of a plane to a reporter as evidence. A few days later, Dissernet looked into his dissertation and found that 17 of 26 pages in the work on Russias defense industry, for which he received a Ph.D. in economics, had been copy-pasted from other work, with heavy plagiarism on most of the other pages as well. Rostovtsev describes Dissernet as a symbolic tool for Russias legitimate research community to maintain its reputation and build solidarity but doubts it will help hold any Russian officials directly accountable. The same is likely true for the academys pseudoscience award, whose trophy shows a sad reptilian creature posing like The Thinker and sitting atop an Egyptian pyramid. A few days after the pseudoscience ceremony, I called the organizer, Sokolov, to ask if Irina Yermakova had yet to collect it. She had not. Photo credit: ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images Major rail operators are disputing the Federal Railroad Administrations assertion this week that the country is making uneven progress on the mandatory installation of Positive Train Control safety technology. The FRAs analysis of third quarter 2016 data showed that progress on PTC implementation has remained relatively stagnant on major East Coast rail systems other than SEPTA and Amtrak. The federal government has mandated that all freight and passenger rail operators fully install PTC, which automatically slows trains traveling at a dangerous rate of speed, by the end of 2018. According to the FRAs data, New Jersey Transit hadnt installed PTC technology on any of its 440 locomotives as of 3Q, nor has it fully acquired the radio spectrum needed to transmit the most up-to-date safety information throughout its system. In September, NJ Transit drew criticism after a train that lacked PTC technology crashed at a Hoboken train station, killing one and injuring dozens. An NJ Transit representative disagreed the FRA reports characterization of its progress on PTC. The operator cited its October agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to lease the necessary radio spectrum. The Third Quarter report does not reflect the most recent accomplishments such as the acquisition of radio spectrum, NJ Transit spokesperson Nancy Snyder told FOXBusiness.com. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT has retained Peter Cannito, a renowned rail operations executive to review the organizations overall rail operations, and we are currently recruiting a compliance officer to ensure our reporting to federal and other agencies is consistent and thorough. PTC proponents, most notably the National Transportation Safety Board, argue that the technology could have prevented hundreds of deaths on rail systems over the last several decades. Congress originally required freight and passenger rail operators to complete PTC installation by 2015. The deadline shifted to the end of 2018 after executives warned the initial date was untenable. Industry lobbyists argue that PTC implementation is too complex and expensive to be rushed. Story continues The FRAs data further shows that the MTA has implemented PTC on just 3% of its Long Island Railroad trains and none of its Metro-North trains. The system does have the necessary radio spectrum in place. Metro North and LIRR have aggressively and diligently moved forward to fully implement PTC on both railroads before the Congressionally-mandated deadline of 2018, MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast said in a statement. The Association of American Railroads, which advocates on behalf of major freight rail operators, says its constituents have spent $7.1 billion to date on PTC installation. The freight rail industry continues to work all out on PTC testing and installation and to move this complex safety system from concept to nationwide reality across the country on about 60,000 miles of track, AAR spokesperson Ed Greenberg said. Implementing this developed-from-scratch technology remains a remains a priority for the nations freight rail industry with Class 1 freight railroads remaining on track at having PTC fully installed by the deadline. So far, the FRA says it has provided more than $716 million to passenger rail system for PTC installation. The MTA received a $967.1 million loan in May 2015 to aid its efforts. Related Articles An assault by Syrian government forces and allied militias in the city of Aleppo has forced up to 16,000 people to flee over the last few days, as a besieged rebel stronghold began to collapse after more than four years of fighting. The fall of key neighborhoods of the city on Monday was one of the clearest illustrations to date of the rapid unraveling of the armed rebellion that spilled out of a popular uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2011. The advances in recent days by forces loyal to Assad could signal an endgame in the battle for Aleppo, once Syrias most populous settlement, where rebel fighters have held on to a section of the city since 2012. If Assad manages to assert control over Aleppo, he will complete his domination over the majority of Syrias major population centers. As many as 300,000 people were trapped in the eastern, rebel-held section of Aleppo prior to the current government offensive, and as many as 16,000 people fled over the past few days, according to a statement from the United Nations humanitarian chief, Stephen OBrien, on Tuesday. Read More: Syrian Jets Bombard Aleppo Childrens Hospital During a 48-Hour Offensive Images circulated on Tuesday showed fleeing civilians walking through the bombed-out streets of the city, carrying children and bundles of belongings. Residents of East Aleppo described thousands of people fleeing the fighting, pouring into what remains of the opposition enclave, following the fall of neighborhoods including Hanano and Sakhour. Some 4,000 others reportedly fled to the government-held western side of the divided city. Its raining nowbarrel bombs and artillery shelling, says Wissam Zarqa, a teacher living in the eastern, rebel-controlled section of the city. He described attacks near his school in a message sent to journalists on Tuesday afternoon. When I went there, we were targeteda lot of shelling around us. We couldnt allow students to go out immediately. They made them go out three after three like this so that it wouldnt be dangerous. Story continues Aleppo has been the epicenter of Syrias civil war since rebels seized roughly half of the city in 2012. The country descended into turmoil after Assad violently resisted a popular uprising that began in early 2011, inspired by protests that toppled authoritarian leaders elsewhere in the Arab world. But though he has been under pressure, Assad has never fallen, and as many as a half million people have died in the conflict over more than five and a half years. Read More: Syrias White Helmets In recent years, Assad and his allies have employed an approach that opposition activists call kneel or starve: encircle a rebel-controlled town or city, then impose a siege, before ultimately negotiating the exit of both fighters and civilians. Residents of eastern Aleppo, weary after four years of nearly nonstop fighting and a months-long blockade, fear that a similar fate could await themor something worse. Many are wary of accepting evacuation at the hands of the government, worrying that they could be detained and punished as suspected supporters of the opposition. The Assad regime, backed by Russian airpower and mainly Shiite militia forces from countries like Iran, has been closing in on east Aleppo since February 2016. Regime and Russian forces renewed their offensive on Nov. 15, citing rebel attacks on government-held Western Aleppo. Shelling knocked out of commission the last fully functional hospital in the rebel section of the city on Nov. 18. The campaign by the regime and Russia has resulted in attacks on dozens of hospitals, schools, marketplaces and other vital centers of civilian life in East Aleppo and other rebel-held areas of Syria. International condemnation that has followed has done little to stop the attacks. Read More: Syrian Troops Capture East Aleppo Neighborhood From Rebels The election of Donald Trumpwho has questioned President Obamas support of some Syrian rebel groups and his condemnation of Assad and Russias involvement in the warmay have accelerated Assads offensive in Syria. A pro-government official told Reuters that Assad and his Russian allies are trying to drive the rebels from the city before Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Nobody seems capable of or willing to apply effective pressure on the regime or its allies to give some relief to besieged east Aleppo, and so you end up in a situation where east Aleppos rebels are penned in, without supplies, without reinforcements, says Sam Heller, a Beirut-based Syria analyst with the Century Foundation. If the regime wanted to it seems like it could just sit back and wait for them to get hungrier. Instead, its pressing its advantage. Rather than sweep into the eastern section of the city all at once, Heller said the pro-Assad side could intersperse attacks with negotiations and calls for civilians to leave. It can just turn these offensives on and off, he said. By Isabel Coles QARAQOSH, Iraq (Reuters) - A strip of negatives lying in the rubble of a home in northern Iraq contains snapshots of life as it was before Islamic State overran the area two years ago and purged its Christian community. In some of the frames, a woman barbecues meat on a skewer surrounded by friends or family, perhaps celebrating a birthday or engagement. Others show a man scaling a ladder propped against the wall of a house under construction. Those images stand in contrast to the devastation that is now Qaraqosh - Iraq's biggest Christian settlement before militants took over in 2014 and issued an ultimatum to residents: pay a tax, convert to Islam, or die. Most of its population of 50,000 fled - the latest chapter of a history that dates back two millennia to the start of Christianity in Iraq and which has become increasingly beleaguered over the past decade. Iraqi forces retook Qaraqosh about a month ago in the early stages of their campaign to drive Islamic State out of Mosul and terminate the group's self-styled caliphate, but it may be too late to reverse the decline of Iraq's Christian minority. Displaced residents venturing back to assess the damage say they will not live in Qaraqosh again unless they get compensation and guarantees of protection from the international community. A few are being brought back in coffins to be buried beneath their home town, spared the sight of destruction. Qaraqosh has been ransacked by the militants, who stole everything of value - televisions, washing machines, fridges - to distribute to their followers or sell for profit. Some houses have been torched, either to create a smokescreen against coalition aircraft bombing Islamic State in support of Iraqi forces, or apparently out of spite. "It's worse than we expected," said teacher Wisam Rafou Poli, trying to exorcise the militants who occupied his house by emptying its entire contents onto the street to be burned. Amongst the debris was a militant's underwear and the lid of a box of ammunition for 120mm mortars labeled: "The state of the caliphate. Committee for military development and manufacture; department of explosives." "I cried when we entered the house," said his wife Zeena, comforting their young daughter, who was mourning her favorite doll, found filthy and ripped. BOMB FACTORY Nearby, Saad Behnam Batous found his home had been turned into a bomb factory. A chemical smell pervades the house and in the living room were ingredients for making explosive devices: buckets of fertilizer ground to a fine powder and a saucepan full of door hinges, presumably for use as shrapnel. In every house, the contents of wardrobes and drawers are dumped on the floor - evidence of the militants' search for hidden valuables. They did not find the 12 million dinars ($10,000) that Kheder Abada buried in a pile of earth on the roof of his home before fleeing, but the elements did, reducing his savings to a worthless pulp. The plasma screen for which Abu Maryam paid $1,600 is gone, but the militants left his old television behind, sitting on a table exactly where it was when he abandoned the town that August night in 2014. Asked how he felt when he saw his house again, words failed him and a lump rose visibly in throat: "Rage," he managed eventually. One of his sons made the perilous and illegal journey by boat to Europe this year and is living in Germany, having lost hope in Iraq. In the years after Saddam fell, Christians became a target for insurgents, and many sought refuge in Qaraqosh including Dhia Roufa, who used to live in Mosul but fled when militants threatened to kidnap his daughter in 2006. Even if it were safe to return to Qaraqosh, Roufa and others said they did not have the means to rebuild because their livelihoods are destroyed and their savings spent. "I am 64 years old. If I were young I could start again, but at this age what can I do?" Roufa said. "We (Christians) have no future in Iraq." Makeshift wooden crosses have been raised above Qaraqosh's churches, replacing those torn down by Islamic State. In one church, a statue of Jesus remains, but has been decapitated. Pages from bibles in Aramaic - the language spoken by Jesus - litter the floor. The shutters of shops on the main street have been daubed with Islamic State slogans and signed by fighters whose names indicate some came from Dagestan and Chechnya. Written in red on the wall of a plundered electrical shop are the words: "By God, we will break your cross". (Editing by Patrick Markey and Giles Elgood) There was some really problematic body-shaming during the Gilmore Girls revival This may seem premature, but Im taking all the spoiler precautions I can. So, if you havent seen the revival, dont read any further because SPOILER ALERT. Overall, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was a charming check-in with the little town in Connecticut we all know and love and hadnt seen since 2007. While the Netflix revival was full of fun pop culture references and shout-outs to characters who werent seen in the revival or didnt get much screen time (Im looking at you Sookie), it was nice to see our beloved characters move on in life. Yet, while there was definitely a lot to love in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, the episode Summer featured a body-shaming scene that was pretty disappointing. Summer opens with Lorelai and Rory Gilmore spending time at the Stars Hollow community pool. Right off the bat, two overweight men walk by, only to be quietly mocked by the Gilmore girls, who say belly alert as the men walk past. The line is quick and uncomfortable, but is rushed past as Stars Hollow resident Andrew comes over to welcome Rory back to Stars Hollow, a recurring element of the episode. Despite her continuous claims that she is not back and is just visiting, Rory isnt fooling anybody and it seems the residents of Stars Hollow are actually excited to see her. We learn roughly two minutes after belly alert that the body-shaming moment before wasnt a one-off, as a Stars Hollow resident nicknamed Back Fat Pat by Rory approaches the duo to kindly welcome Rory back to Stars Hollow. Making it even worse, Rory thanks him by accidentally calling him fat, TO HIS FACE. This is widely inappropriate for so many reasons, but its also disappointing that Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino see this as something viewers will find funny. Sure, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore arent supposed to be perfect characters, but this scene wasnt meant to show off their flaws. It was meant to be a funny moment in which Rory calls someone fat to his face which is definitely not funny or Stars-Hollow-charming. Story continues As viewers, weve been conditioned to love and support Lorelai and Rory through all their trials and tribulations. We rooted for Rory to go back to Yale after dropping out and supported Lorelai as she struggled to open her own inn. To me, it almost seems like whenever someone on the show says something offensive or inappropriate, ASP and Dan expect us to either laugh at the comments or roll our eyes lovingly at it and brush it off as SUCH a Lorelai thing to say. This is especially troubling considering Lorelai and Rorys love of food. In fact, in the very first trailer for the revival, these two women are seen discussing the fact that they ordered Chinese food, Greek food, Italian food, and hot dogs the night before, all while munching on some Pop-Tarts at the dining room table. In other words, us viewers are led to believe that its cool to eat unhealthy amounts of food but its not cool to gain weight from it? This isnt the first instance of offensive or inappropriate comments on the show, either (Emily Gilmores weird dynamics with her housekeeper), but the fact that offensive comments and storylines made it into the revival is disappointing. In fact, it seems that when writing the show, ASP and Dan didnt take into account that the viewers had grown in the 10-year absence of Gilmore Girls. This doesnt mean that the body-shaming scene wouldnt have been offensive or weird in 2007, it just means that the characters havent progressed in the 10-year absence like the viewers have. Most teens or preteens who watched the show during the initial run have grown to become more conscious adults. Unfortunately, we cant say the same about our beloved Gilmore girls. You can love the show or feel optimistic about the revival, but you can also still be frustrated with some of the comments made during the reboot. Ultimately, with this in mind, we hope that if ASP and Dan *do* decide to make more episodes, theyll think a little bit more about their audience before throwing in cheap, demeaning jokes. The post There was some really problematic body-shaming during the Gilmore Girls revival appeared first on HelloGiggles. CHARLESTON -- A man who reportedly fled from the scene after police found drugs in a vehicle in Charleston agreed to prison time for the drug possession. Kenneth M. Ghaziani pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver that accused him and others of having the drug in their vehicle on Aug. 18. With the agreement reached in his case, Ghaziani, 23, for whom records list a Chicago address, formerly of Mattoon, was sentenced to prison for 7 1/2 years. The charge to which he pleaded guilty required a prison sentence of six to 30 years with a conviction because it alleged possession of at least a half-ounce of methamphetamine. A count against Ghaziani alleging cocaine possession, also reportedly found during the vehicle search, was dismissed. Coles County Circuit Judge Teresa Righter sentenced Ghaziani by accepting the terms of a plea agreement that Assistant State's Attorney Bryant Hitchings and Assistant Public Defender Terese Matthews recommended. Ghaziani and two other men were arrested after police stopped and searched their vehicle at the Mach 1 station at 702 W. Lincoln Ave., Charleston. Ghaziani also reportedly fled on foot from the scene of the stop and was later located and arrested at the County Market store at 551 W. Lincoln Ave. The other men who were arrested in connection with the incident are charged with the same drug offenses and their cases are still pending. They are Brian D. Allen, 38, and Ian J. Kearns, 19, both of whom have addresses on record in Chicago. Case records say police stopped the suspects' vehicle after seeing them leave the Unique Suites motel in Charleston, which followed several reports of the men being involved in drug activity there. The records say 28 bags, each containing about a third of an ounce of methamphetamine, along with about a quarter-ounce of cocaine were found in the men's vehicle during the search. Police identified all three men as having ties to a street gang, and also say Allen faces pending charges of attempted murder and armed robbery in Colorado, the records also say. Ghaziani is on parole from a prison sentence that resulted from a Cook County weapons conviction. He also served prison sentences for earlier Coles County convictions and court records show previous addresses for him in Mattoon and Charleston. Graduating from college and joining the workforce early has always been Italian national Giulia Ongari's plan. When she learned about fast-track bachelor's degree options, she realized that she could make her goal a reality. Accelerated or fast-track degrees allow students to complete their studies at a faster pace -- depending on the country, university and major, students can graduate with a fast-track bachelor's degree in two or three years. [Read these reasons to earn a bachelor's degree overseas.] Ongari is now enrolled in the accelerated Bachelor of Communication program at Bond University in Australia. She says she selected the university and program over other Australian and U.S. universities for its "connections in the communication field" and faster-paced course of study. "My program is two years long instead of three in other Australian universities and back home in Italy and four years in the U.S.," says Ongari. Cheryl Jolliffe, director of international student recruitment at Bond University, says all degrees at the school are accelerated and offered through a three-semester-per-year schedule. She says students can start their degree in January, May and September, which "allows students to complete a six-semester bachelor degree in two years." In addition to earning a degree more quickly, prospective international students may find other benefits from the fast-track option. 1. Save on fees and housing: While costs vary between universities, shaving a year off a degree program can prove more cost-effective, particularly for tuition and housing costs. Nigerian national Mfonobong Smith, who is in the fast-track two-year Bachelor of Arts honors law program at the University of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom, says the degree saves her a year's worth of fees and living expenses. "An international student on a three-year degree will spend approximately 31,500 pounds on tuition and 15,000 pounds on living expenses and upkeep," says Smith. That's roughly $39,100 and $18,600, respectively. "It literally cut the expenses by a third," she says. Story continues [Find out how to calculate the cost of earning an overseas degree.] "The cost difference is substantial," says Courtney Lehmann, professor and director of the Pacific Humanities Scholars Program at the University of the Pacific in California. The Scholars Program offers a three-year bachelor's degree in the humanities, including in art, English and religious studies. The university also offers an accelerated dental hygiene bachelor's program. Lehmann says the total cost per year at UOP, with room and board, is around $67,000 for international students. "So, the savings on the fourth year can often be a game-changer," says Lehmann. But accelerated degrees can be harder to get into. Lehmann says when offered by a reputable institution, the degrees "are often recognized as more selective than traditional four-year tracks." In addition to outstanding academics and standardized test scores, UOP's accelerated degree program in the humanities and dental hygiene requires an interview with prospective students to determine fit. 2. Attend graduate school sooner: Fast-track undergrad degrees can be a quicker route to grad school for students looking to pursue further study. Although on an accelerated pace, these degrees "are considered the same as standard undergraduate degree programs," says Thomas L. Harnisch, director of state relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. As such, he says they meet the standards for graduate school admissions. Indian national Harsimran Virk says she chose the fast-track Bachelor of Arts honors program in business management from Middlesex University in London so she could attend grad school sooner. But the program had the added bonus of preparing her for graduate studies. Virk, who is now working on her master's in practicing accounting at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, says the fast pace, smaller class size and access to research and collaborative projects with faculty served as "huge preparation for my master's degree." Lehmann says UOP's recent fast-track grads have been offered scholarships from and gone on to attend graduate programs at the University of California--Davis, University of San Francisco and Northeastern University. [Debunk four myths about earning a graduate degree abroad.] 3. Gain a quick route to the workforce: Rather than spend an extra year in the classroom, some students prefer to gain practical work experience and a competitive advantage. Ongari says what appealed to her the most about her program at Bond University was "the idea of entering the workforce at 21." She hopes to work in media and advertising and says "the curiosity of discovering how the industry really works" has made her even more driven. Jolliffe, Bond University's international student recruitment director, says that for students, the "career head start puts them on a promotional fast track." She says many of their grads have become directors and CEOs or achieved private practice and partnership status within 10 years of graduating. However, Harnisch of the AASCU says fast-track programs are not for everyone. The programs' tighter structure, heavier course load and fast pace could make students miss out on some on- and off-campus experiences and activities. Also, he says if students are unsure of their major, they might want to consider a more conventional degree path. But while students may not have time for other activities, the quick pace of the degree may be beneficial in providing the focus and discipline they need to pursue and excel in a career. "Being a journalism and advertising major, I do understand that I won't have that much free time once I enter the workforce," says Ongari. "I see my fast-track experience as a preparation for the future." 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. Photo credit: undefined From Delish Every holiday season we see reports of waiters receiving massively generous tips and the first of this season in Houston, TX has arrived. Houston resident Taryn Keith shared a photo of a receipt her boyfriend received from a very generous customer Saturday night. "Hopefully, this can get you back to Ireland for the holidays. [signed] Jeffery," the receipt reads with an arrow pointing to the $750 tip. Photo credit: Facebook / Taryn Keith Whomever Jeffery is, bravo for your generosity. Keith, 21, is a mom-to-be and her boyfriend, Ben Millar, is trying to get the trio back home to meet his family in Ireland after their son, Killian, is born. "He's from Ireland and is trying to take us back there once Killian is born so we can meet his family," Keith wrote on her Facebook post. "Thought I would share to to show everyone that's there is not only hate out there. Truly blessed." Keith told Chron.com that the $750 gift will go to a ticket back to Ireland. "We haven't looked up tickets yet, but when he flew down here awhile ago, it was around $800 to $900, I think," Keith said. "Just for one ticket, so the generous tip will go to one ticket then we just have to save up for the other because babies fly free." Keith went on to say the two of them were in total shock and disbelief at the generosity of one person. "We're happy that everyone finds it amazing as we do, and we just plan on working until we can get to Ireland in July," Keith said. Commenters flooded Keith's post with congratulations and praise for the customer's generosity. News of the tip going viral and reaching parts of the world, like Ireland and Holland, also was shared in the comments. Follow Delish on Instagram. You Might Also Like (Repeats with no changes to text) * United Wa State Army blacklisted by U.S. over drug trafficking * Mine run by armed group in "Wa State" is a major producer of tin * Top smelter Yunnan Tin indirectly buys big quantities of Wa tin * Many international companies list Yunnan Tin as a supplier * Sourcing tin from mine puts firms at risk of sanctions breach By Yimou Lee and Joel Schectman YANGON/WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found. The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters. This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid "direct or indirect" dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving U.S. official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement. Several sanctions experts said the U.S. government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Myanmar tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said U.S. sanctions "generally prohibit U.S. companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities" on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances. The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex. Story continues Following a 2012 U.S. regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa. But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones. Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfil those regulations they looked to an audit programme designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). A CFSI programme director said the group was "aware of tin exports from Myanmar to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Myanmar". The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include "a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas". Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa. "Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible," she said. CIVIL WAR Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating. The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal. The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organisation to do so. Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by U.S. and other international companies. Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Myanmar's peace process. "There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning," the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. "Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. It's the biggest source of income." While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents. Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the U.S. Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence. "The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved," Kucik said. Two companies in Apple's supply chain, the world's No. 1 tin producer Yunnan Tin Co Ltd and leading Taiwan-based solder maker Shenmao Technology, told Reuters that some tin they bought was from the Wa mine. Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from China's leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine. Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of U.S. sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A U.S. government official involved in Myanmar policy consulted on Reuters' findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA. Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said. SUPPLY CHAIN The chain connecting some of the world's best known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys "a long-term, stable strategic partnership" with the UWSA statelet. YCII declined several interview requests. YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the world's top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan. Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co and, indirectly, Pegatron Corp, whose clients include Apple. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, also a supplier to Pegatron. "Myanmar is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSI...As long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, that's acceptable for us," said Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, who said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from U.S.-based trade tracking company Panjiva. More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Two members of Yunnan Tin's board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a "portion" of the company's tin came from the UWSA-operated mine. "We certainly buy tin indirectly from Myanmar," Pan told Reuters. "We don't specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from." Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste. That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tin's purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons. Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, "and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain". "While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Myanmar in our products, we'll continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights," it said. Foxconn said it "enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers". It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a "single, non-U.S.-based customer". Pegatron Corp said it carried out "annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains". "Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly," the company added. FROM JEWELLERY TO APPLIANCES Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals. Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a "very small amount of tin" from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewellery and hollowware. The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, "use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy". Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops. The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Myanmar, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures. A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had "noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners". A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was "committed to responsible business conduct". "We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this," the statement said. (Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Yangon, Yeganeh Torbati in Washington, JR Wu in Taipei, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Paul Carsten in Beijing and Sijia Zhang in Hong Kong; Editing by Alex Richardson) A mass bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this year killed more corals than ever before, scientists said Tuesday, sounding the alarm over the delicate ecosystem. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) long reef -- the world's biggest -- suffered its most severe bleaching in recorded history, due to warming sea temperatures during March and April, with the northern third bearing the brunt. Follow-up underwater surveys, backing earlier aerial studies, have revealed a 700-kilometre stretch of reefs in the less-accessible north lost two-thirds of shallow-water corals in the past eight to nine months. "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most-pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef," said Terry Hughes, head of the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University. "This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected." Further south over the vast central and southern regions, including major tourist areas around Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, there was a much lower toll. - Fossil fuels - Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour. Algae are vital to the coral, which uses the organic products of photosynthesis to help it grow. The loss of algae makes the host vulnerable to disease and means it will eventually die. However, coral can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonise them. Environmentalists blame the burning of fossil fuels for global warming and repeated calls Tuesday for Australia to abandon coal mining to help prevent further bleaching disasters. "This is the devastating price we are paying for the Australian government propping up the coal industry," said Greenpeace Australia reef campaigner Shani Tager. "A credible plan to protect the reef must address climate change and start with a ban on new coal mines." Story continues Canberra insists it is doing more than ever to safeguard the reef, which is also under pressure from farming run-off, development and the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, committing more than Aus$2.0 billion (US$1.50 billion) over the next decade. - Vibrant colour - Scientists estimate the northern region, which teems with marine life, will take at least 10-15 years to regain lost corals, but are concerned that a fourth major bleaching event may occur before that, hampering the recovery. The reef studies centre warned earlier this year that if greenhouse gas levels keep rising, similar events would be the new normal, occurring every two years by the mid-2030s. Given reefs need so long to recover from severe bleaching, it said "we are likely to lose large parts of the Great Barrier Reef in just a couple of decades". That study noted climate change had added 1.0 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming to ocean temperatures off the Queensland coast in March, when corals were first seen turning white. There had been fears that the bleaching would badly hurt the tourism industry but Andrew Baird, who led teams of divers to re-survey the reefs in October and November, said the more accessible parts had not suffered as badly. "The good news is the southern two-thirds of the reef has escaped with minor damage," he said. "On average, six percent of bleached corals died in the central region in 2016, and only one percent in the south. The corals have now regained their vibrant colour, and these reefs are in good condition." Tourism on the World Heritage-listed reef employs 70,000 people and generates Aus$5 billion in income each year. Australia last year narrowly avoided UNESCO putting the site on its endangered list and must report to the World Heritage committee by December 1 on the progress being made to rescue the reef. The number of foreign buyers surged 11.7% in the first nine months. It has been a positive year so far for Singapore's private residential property market with the improved sentiment and transaction volume especially with foreign buyers. A recent study by the real estate firm JLL proved this, as it revealed that the number of foreign buyers (excluding permanent residents) in the first nine months of 2016 rose 11.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. This was driven by Chinese buyers, which accounted for 29.4% of all foreign purchases from the start of the year. The Indonesians were second, accounting for 14.6 per cent of all foreign purchases in the same time period. "Chinese buyers have overtaken Indonesians as the top foreign buyers of private homes in Singapore since 2010 and this can be attributed to the wealth growth of the Chinese and their increasing familiarity with the Singapore residential market," the firm explained. Meanwhile, there is an interest in the growing prominence of buyers from United States. JLL recorded 57 transactions involving buyers from the United States in the first three quarters of 2016, taking fourth spot and accounting for 7.3 per cent of foreigner purchases. "This is a significant increase in proportion, relative to the 1.1 per cent in 2011. USA nationals are exempt from Additional Buyers Stamp Duties (ABSD) under the Free Trade Agreement, which partly explains their purchases, although the absolute number attributable to them was even higher in 2013, at 119," the firm noted. More From Singapore Business Review By Madeline Kennedy (Reuters Health) - Despite an explosion of clinics in U.S. stores and shopping malls that can handle minor illnesses and injuries, emergency room visits for these non-emergency problems have barely decreased, researchers say. More than 10 percent of emergency department (ED) visits are for ailments that could be treated outside the ED, which would help cut down on crowding that can compromise the care of patients with real emergencies, the study team writes in Annals of Emergency Medicine. People use the ED for many reasons, including serious issues like heart attack, strokes and injuries, said lead author Grant Martsolf of RAND Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Others, instead, use EDs more like primary care providers for more minor conditions such as ear infections and coughs and colds. These minor conditions are those that might be better treated at less expensive locations such as a retail clinic, Martsolf told Reuters Health by email. Store clinics offer support for minor medical issues and tend to have flexible hours, lower wait times and accept most insurance types, the researchers write. Between 2006 and 2012, the number of retail clinics in pharmacies, big box stores and stand-alone urgent care facilities rose from 130 to nearly 1,400, the authors write. To explore how the availability of these clinics affected nearby emergency rooms, the study team analyzed data on visits to 2,053 EDs in 23 states between 2007 and 2012. In particular, the researchers looked at visits to the ED for minor complaints that could be treated at clinics, such as bronchitis, pink eye, flu, ear infections, sore throats, urinary tract infections and viral infections. They also looked at how much of the local area served by each emergency room was within a 10-minute drive of a retail clinic. Over the five-year study period, the proportion of EDs that were within quick driving distance of retail clinics doubled from 8 percent to 16 percent. By 2012, however, 56 percent of emergency rooms were still not within a 10-minute drive of a clinic. At the start of the study, about 13 percent of emergency room visits were for minor conditions. Overall, having more retail clinics open nearby was not linked to a decrease in people coming to the emergency room with minor complaints, compared with areas that did not gain more clinics. During the study period, ED visits for minor issues decreased slightly among people with private insurance, but not among uninsured people or those receiving Medicaid or Medicare. Emergency room overcrowding is a real problem, said Amer Kaissi, a professor at Trinity University in Texas who was not involved in the study. For many people, when they have a minor but nagging condition in the evening or on the weekend, the only choice may be the emergency room, Kaissi said by email. This overcrowding can cause issues when doctors and nurses are unable to care for people who need serious help like those in car accidents or with heart attacks, Kaissi noted. Kaissi added that the costs for patients being treated in the ED are also much higher than at clinics, even for the same conditions. Although the quality of care in clinics is similar to care from a primary doctor, Martsolf noted, contrary to what many have hoped, retail clinics have not reduced ED use for minor ailments. Kaissi recommends that people choose carefully where to go for medical help. If you have a minor condition you can go to the retail clinic, but if you have a serious disease you should see your doctor, and if you have a life-threatening condition, you should go to the hospitals emergency room. SOURCE: bit.ly/2fCxGAe Annals of Emergency Medicine, online November 10, 2016. By Jemima Kelly LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Royal Mint and leading U.S.-based derivatives exchange CME Group have teamed up to create a blockchain-based digital platform for dealing in gold in a drive to cut the costs involved in trading the precious metal. The platform, due to launch in 2017, will see the Royal Mint - the Treasury-owned body that is permitted to strike British coins - issue "Royal Mint Gold", or RMG. This will be traded via a platform created and run by the CME Group. The Royal Mint will put gold bars into its on-site secure vault, which will then be digitised to create RMGs whose ownership will be recorded on the blockchain. Traders will then be able to trade in and out of RMGs between themselves. Blockchain - or distributed ledger - technology keeps track of and authenticates a continuously growing list of transaction data, which is secured by a global network of computers and is virtually impossible to be tampered with or revised. Blockchain first emerged as the technology underpinning digital currencies such as bitcoin, but is now being adapted for use in more traditional financial tasks. One RMG will represent one gramme of gold, which is currently worth around $42. "While things have improved in terms of gold trading over the centuries, its our view that it still remains difficult and relatively expensive as a commodity to invest in ... Gold is known in the industry as a negative-return investment," said David Janczewski, director of new business for the Royal Mint. "What we're trying to do with the announcement of Royal Mint Gold - or RMG - is to really address this issue and offer a better way to invest in solid digital gold." The platform will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Unlike the traditional model for investing in gold, with management fees and storage charges, RMGs will offer ownership of the underlying gold with the option for conversion to physical gold by the Royal Mint at zero storage cost. The Royal Mint said it would issue up to $1 billion worth of RMGs initially, with more added later, subject to demand. It will be offered through both retail and institutional investment providers. "We spent the greater part of this year with the Royal Mint working through the fact they wanted to launch a digital gold product and looking at all the available technologies that were out there. This is not about just applying blockchain just because it is blockchain," said Sandra Ro, executive director of digitisation at CME Group. "This is about looking for what the best delivery mechanism is that could also help us to scale at a global level over time." (Reporting by Jemima Kelly; Editing by Gareth Jones) Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy A new draft law proposed to Russian legislators aims to restrict foreign ownership of digital audio-visual services in Russia, potentially threatening the local operations of companies like Netflix. The draft law, submitted by legislator Andrei Lugovoi, known for his security service background, and Shamsail Saraliyev, stipulates restricting foreign ownership of local online video services to 20 percent of a given company as of July 2017. (The US has similar rules governing, for example, foreign ownership of terrestrial radio stations.) In the Russian language, the term 'audio-visual' is mostly applied to video content, and the legislation is primarily aimed at online video services. Audio streaming services are not specifically mentioned. A similar move against media companies two years ago led to the exit from Russia by Sweden's Modern Times Group, which held a 39 percent stake in Russian TV company CTC Media and ownership changes throughout a number of companies, including the local subsidiaries of Turner and Discovery. A spokesperson for the Media Communications Union, the organization which actually wrote the bill, tells Billboard that the draft doesn't target any specific company, and that foreign companies concerned about being affected by it should voice their concerns to Russia's investment agency, an organization dealing with attracting investment which operates under the auspices of Russia's chamber for commerce and trade. Netflix declined to comment. The law will not only affect foreign companies but also Russia-based digital companies such as Yandex and Mail.Ru Group, which have foreign-own stakes exceeding 20 percent. A spokesperson for the local online giant Yandex tells Billboard that the draft, if adopted in its present form, will have a negative impact on the competitive environment in Russia's digital media industry. "It will restrict Russian audiences' access to licensed video content, pushing users to pirated web sites," she added. Earlier this year, the Russian government said it planned to make specific regulations for foreign online video services. They would have to be locally registered and translate 80 percent of their content into Russian, a plan that hasn't yet been executed. Screen Shot 2016 11 29 at 7.48.20 AM The Russian ruble is tumbling. The petro-currency is weaker by 0.7% at 65.2758 per dollar as of 7:48 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, is down 2.8% at $47.84 per barrel amid tensions within OPEC ahead of the cartel's Wednesday meeting. Iran and Iraq are reportedly not keen to curtail oil production, making it hard for the OPEC to reach a global output-limiting deal. OPEC sources told Reuters a meeting of experts in Vienna on Monday failed to bridge differences between Saudi Arabia and the group's second and third largest producers over the mechanics of output cuts. As for the rest of the world, here's the scoreboard as of 7:49 a.m. ET: The Japanese yen is down by 1% at 113.02 per dollar. Earlier, October data showed that Japan's unemployment rate held at 3.0%, and the job-to-applications ratio rose to 1.40 the highest since 1991. Moreover, retail sales fell by just 0.1% year-over-year for October, above expectations of a 1.2% drop. The US dollar index is little changed at 101.42 after Monday's early sell-off. "What had looked like a possible deeper dollar correction is turning into a consolidative phase that may be sufficient to alleviate the over-extended technical condition," wrote Marc Chandler, global head of currency strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman, in commentary. The euro is down by 0.3% at 1.0583 against the dollar. France's GDP rose 0.2% in the third quarter, in line with expectations, while French consumer spending rose 0.9% month-over-month in October, above expectations of 0.4%. The British pound is up by 0.4% at 1.2469 against the dollar. NOW WATCH: The pros and cons of drinking protein shakes after exercising More From Business Insider KIGALI (Rwanda) (AFP) - Rwanda opened a formal probe into 20 French officials suspected of playing a role in the 1994 genocide, in a move likely to further sour diplomatic ties with France. Kigali has long accused France of complicity in the genocide of some 800,000 mostly ethnic Tutsis, at the hands of Hutu extremists, angering Paris and straining relations. "The inquiry, for now, is focused on 20 individuals whom, according to information gathered so far, are required by the prosecution authority to explain or provide clarity on allegations against them," said prosecutor general Richard Muhumuza in a statement. This will enable prosecutors to decide "whether the concerned individuals should be formally charged or not". Muhumuza said the relevant French authorities had been contacted and that full cooperation was expected. The dispute centres on France's role prior to the genocide as a close ally of the Hutu nationalist regime of Juvenal Habyarimana. The shooting down of his plane over Kigali on April 6, 1994 was the event that triggered 100 days of meticulously planned slaughter. France is accused of missing or ignoring the warning signs, and of training the soldiers and militiamen who carried out the killings. And when the genocide was in full swing, it was further accused of using its diplomatic clout to stall effective action. When it did finally send in troops -- in Operation Turquoise -- it was accused of only doing so to counter the advance of the Tutsi rebels of Paul Kagame, who is now president, allowing the perpetrators to escape to neighbouring Zaire which later became the Democratic Republic of Congo. - Long-running spat - France says its soldiers were only deployed after most of the killing had happened and that their presence helped save thousands of lives. And French officials insist that any guilt for failing to prevent the genocide is shared by the entire international community, accusing Kagame of raising the issue in a bid to distract attention from what they say is his own poor human rights record. Story continues When contacted by AFP, the French defence ministry referred to a statement issued on November 16 by Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian after a list of 22 high-ranking French officers suspected of involvement was first published by Kigali. There was "nothing new" in the list, Le Drian said at the time, adding that it was "almost identical to one produced in 2008" and "to say that the French army took park in genocide was a disgraceful lie". Although relations between Kigali and Paris were completely frozen from 2006 to 2009, they were on the mend until 2014 when Kagame repeated accusations that French soldiers were both accomplices and "actors" in the bloodbath. The remarks prompted France to pull out of ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the massacres. The stormy relationship took an even worse turn when the French judiciary decided in October to re-open an investigation into the shooting down of Habyarimana's plane to hear testimony from a former general who accuses Kagame of being behind the assassination. "It is France which should be in the dock," said Kagame. In apparent retaliation, Rwanda on November 1 published the list of 22 senior French officers it accuses of being involved in the genocide. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. Yahoo Singapore file photo. Recovery of the nine Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) armoured vehicles seized in Hong Kong will begin after the reasons for the detainment are made clear, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. Hong Kong customs officials and staff from shipping firm APL, which was contracted by the SAF to transport the vehicles from Taiwan to Singapore, are meeting later on Tuesday (29 November), said the minister. Ng said at a media briefing at Choa Chu Kang camp, After the reasons and legal basis are made clear for the detention of SAF Terrexes by the Hong Kong authorities, Mindef and the Singapore government will commence proceedings to recover our assets. Mindef aims to comply with all regulations and laws as well as exercise our full rights of recovery available to us. Last Wednesday, the nine Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles were confiscated by Hong Kong customs officials during an apparent routine inspection. But media reports speculated that the seizure followed a tip off from mainland security agents in Xiamen, where the shipment by APL had made a stop prior to Hong Kong. On Monday, Beijing lodged an official diplomatic complaint with Singapore over its long-standing military ties with Taiwan. The Republic has sent its troops to Taiwan for training since the 1970s. Ng said during the media briefing that the diplomatic aspects will be dealt with by the two countries foreign ministries while Mindef will confine itself to the issue of the detained vehicles. I think speculations are on why they were, until the facts are established, and we should all wait for the facts. Until that is established, it is speculation unwarranted and unfair on all parties involved, Ng added. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stressed that Singapore will not allow its deep ties with China to be hijacked by a single issue. Speaking at a forum organised by The Straits Times on Tuesday morning, Balakrishnan was responding to a question about the impact of the confiscated vehicles on bilateral ties with Beijing. Story continues I wouldnt overreact to that. All I would say is we expect commercial providers to strictly comply with the law. We expect the law to take its course, according to a separate report by Today. Calling China a close and long term friend, the minister said that there would be differences in view every now and then. He added, We are very consistent, we are very transparent, and we call a spade a spade. From time to time, a different perspective will emerge over specific issues. When that happens, our belief is that its better to be upfront, and be honest about it and do it in a non-provocative way. And honestly, at the most senior levels and at the leadership levels, theres a deep appreciation that this is a long and wide ranging relationship, and we will not allow any single issue to hijack it. Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it was considering splitting the company into two as it faces growing pressure to overhaul its governance during a crucial power transfer in top management. The announcement came as the South Korean electronics giant is seeking to ensure a smooth succession to Lee Jae-Yong, the firm's vice chairman and scion of the parent Samsung group's founding Lee family. It is also struggling to contain the fallout from a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone caused by exploding batteries as well as a snowballing political scandal in South Korea. The firm said in a statement it would consider breaking into a holding firm and a producing and operating unit, and would take at least six months to study the option. It also said it would increase its dividend payout to shareholders to more than 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion) this year, up more than 30 percent from a year ago. Other options on the table include plans to nominate at least one new independent board member with "global corporate experience" for approval at an annual shareholders' meeting next March. The plans suggest the firm is listening to calls for change after US hedge fund Elliott Management last month urged it to divide into a listed holding and operating firms to streamline a byzantine ownership structure. The US firm also called for an increase in share dividends, the addition of new independent board members and a listing in New York. "We view the plan outlined by Samsung to be a constructive initial step," two Elliott units, Blake Capital and Potter Capital, said in a statement Tuesday. "We anticipate more meaningful changes following the company's corporate structure review. We look forward to working with Samsung." The Lee family controls the vast Samsung group -- South Korea's top business group -- through a web of complicated cross-shareholdings among its units including the flagship Samsung Electronics. Story continues "Samsung addressed a strong determination to overhaul its governance structure," said Lee Sang-Hun, analyst at Hi Investment & Securities. The latest announcement implies that the firm will eventually split to set up a holding company "in May or June next year", he added. However, he warned that the growing political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-Hye that has engulfed the company could delay the overhaul. - Link to embattled president - Park and her confidant, Choi Soon-Sil, are accused of coercing the major firms into donating tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit foundations Choi used as her personal ATMs. Samsung made the biggest contribution of 20 billion won and is accused of separately offering millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The scandal saw the Samsung group's headquarters raided by authorities multiple times and several top managers including Lee Jae-Yong summoned to answer prosecutors' questions. Investigators have widened the probe to look into whether Samsung had lobbied officials at Seoul's pension fund to garner support for its push for a controversial merger deal last year. The merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries -- seen as a crucial step for the power transfer to Lee -- was heavily criticised by many who said it willfully undervalued Samsung C&T. Elliot, which then controlled 0.62 percent of Samsung, rallied opposition to the deal, which eventually went through after the pension fund -- a major shareholder -- sided with it. * Samsung says doing review for optimal corporate structure * Firm stresses it is "absolutely neutral" in deliberations * Holding firm shift seen as next succession move * Firm also boosting 2016 dividend, to buy back more shares (Adds statement from Elliott affiliates, background, details) By Se Young Lee SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, under pressure from shareholders to improve investor returns, said on Tuesday it will consider creating a holding company in what would be the biggest shake-up in its 47-year history. The move and a plan to raise dividends come after U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management in October called for the South Korean firm to split itself into a holding vehicle and an operating company. However, the world's top maker of smartphones, memory chips and televisions, said it was "absolutely neutral" about whether to proceed and provided little detail on the potential restructuring, underwhelming investors. "The review does not indicate the management or the board's intention one way or another," the company said in a statement, adding it had hired external advisers for a review expected to take at least six months. Samsung's statement keeps the door open for Elliott to continue its pressure on the company, which includes the hedge fund's ability to nominate board directors at the next annual meeting. Elliott, through its holding company affiliates, Blake Capital and Potter Capital, called Samsung's plan a "constructive initial step." But the $27 billion hedge fund also signalled it wanted more. "We anticipate more meaningful changes following the company's corporate structure review," the Elliott affiliates said in a statement on Tuesday. The shareholder pressure on Samsung comes as the company juggles a leadership succession and a major blow to its brand after issuing an unprecedented recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in September. Shares in Samsung, worth $224 billion combined, finished unchanged on the day at 1.677 million won ($1,434) each. The 2016 dividend boost fell short of some expectations, while uncertainty over the restructuring kept investors at bay, analysts said. Story continues "There is some disappointment that the dividend wasn't even higher or possibly a special dividend, and this is the reason for a flat share price today," said Sat Duhra, asset manager at Henderson Global Investors. Samsung did not directly mention Elliott in its statement, but the Korean firm promised to respond to the fund's ideas by the end of November. Elliott, which launched its Samsung campaign last month, owns 0.62 percent of Samsung's stock. Samsung pledged to return 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders for 2016 and 2017, falling short of Elliott's call for 75 percent to be returned and to pay a $26 billion special dividend. Samsung rejected another Elliott proposal by saying that even if it adopts a holding company, it has no plans at present to merge that with Samsung C&T Corp, the group's current de facto holding company and a firm that Elliott has previously targeted. "I don't think Samsung said much that was surprising or beyond what investors already had in mind," said HDC Asset Management fund manager Park Jung-hoon. SUCCESSION Investors and analysts have long viewed a split for Samsung Electronics as a way for the Lee family scion, Jay Y. Lee, and his two sisters to boost their control of Samsung Group companies. They have said that Samsung shares trade at steep discounts to global peers due to what they say is a complex ownership structure, poor corporate governance and inefficient cash management. The hope is that a major restructuring would address those concerns and boost the company's value. Samsung executives did not elaborate on the restructuring in a conference call on Tuesday. But under a restructuring, investors would expect the Lees and affiliates in the Samsung group of companies to exchange their operating company shares for stock in the holding firm, strengthening their grip. Samsung Electronics would then return more capital to shareholders, investors say. Such a move would boost earnings for Samsung Group firms and the Lee heirs, who face a multi-billion dollar inheritance tax in the event that 74-year-old Samsung Group patriarch Lee Kun-hee dies. The senior Lee has been in hospital since May 2014 following a heart attack. Henderson's Duhra said the asset manager would be satisfied with a restructuring if it addresses "decades of inefficient structures, poor governance and weak corporate behaviour towards minority shareholders." Samsung said it would increase dividends for 2016 by 36 percent to 28,500 won ($24.36) per share, and buy back and cancel additional shares in January 2017 with whatever excess free cash remains from 2016. The company also said it needed to maintain a net cash position of between 65 trillion won and 70 trillion won, suggesting it is not likely to pay the special dividend sought by Elliott. ($1=1,169.8400 won) (Additional reporting by Michael Flaherty in NEW YORK; Nichola Saminather and Anshuman Daga in SINGAPORE; Editing by Miyoung Kim, Stephen Coates and Paul Simao) The year-old Galaxy Note 5 might be the best Samsung phablet money can buy right now, thanks to the Galaxy Note 7 and its exploding battery. Samsung had to stop Galaxy Note 7 production permanently after it failed to fix the battery issues that turned the 2016 handset into a fire hazard. To compensate for this huge failure, Samsung has been aggressively pushing Galaxy S7 sales. But the company might also be interested in making the Galaxy Note 5 exciting again. DEAL ALERT: The best Cyber Monday sale of the season is happening right now! Samsung is currently rolling out Galaxy Note 7 software to the Galaxy Note 5 in Korea, SamMobile reveals. As interesting as the Galaxy S7 might be, it lacks a built-in stylus, which is one feature some fans of the Note series appreciate. Limited to South Korea for the time being, the Grace UX update will bring to the Galaxy Note 5 some of the features found on the Galaxy Note 7. Sadly, this is still a Marshmallow-based update for the old phablet, but that shouldnt make it any less exciting. Features like Wide Selfie, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Smart Manager, Blue Light Filter, and Game Tools are included in this new Grace UX update. Its not clear at this time when the update will be available to Galaxy Note 5 owners outside of South Korea, but given that its already being pushed out in Korea you should expect it soon.Youll still have to wait for a proper Android 7.0 Nougat update for the phablet, though. Images showing the new Grace UX for the Galaxy Note 5 are available in SamMobiles report. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com In treaties such as the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, the lands of Native peoples in the west were legally recognized and guaranteed. That such agreements carry the full weight of the United States Constitution belies the casual nature of their neglect. The Sand Creek Massacre of Nov. 29, 1864, represents just one example of our nations failure to live up to the ideals and laws sanctified in the documents of civilization. Less than a decade after the Fort Laramie Treaty was signed, gold was discovered in land covered by the agreement. For some settlers, this news made the Fort Laramie Treaty a troublesome nuisance. The influx of prospectors and settlers into the Rocky Mountain region hastened the establishment of a territorial government and an urgent necessity to deal with Native nations living there. As more settlers arrived, the resulting violence demanded attention. But the territorial government was unwilling and perhaps unable to secure the treaty boundaries against such violation, so instead they set out to create a new treaty greatly reducing the land of the Arapaho and Cheyenne people within Colorado territory. Known as the Treaty of Fort Wise, this new agreement was signed in 1861 by a smaller group of Arapaho and Cheyenne chiefs and representatives. Given that many of the Native people affected were unaware of the treaty or opposed the stipulations, it was widely rejected. Even so, land in Colorados central and eastern plains and in Kansasincluding the area around Sand Creekwas encompassed within the treaty boundaries. These places, by rights of occupation, treaty and law, were Indian land. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter By 1862, John Evans, a physician from Ohio, would be appointed by President Lincoln as Governor of Colorado Territory. Born into the cauldron of war that was the old Northwest where the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, and his Native allies had faced down General William Henry Harrison and the United States Army, it is not surprising that he harbored unsympathetic views of Native people. His arrival in Denver was marked by escalating violence and cries for the wholesale annihilation of Native people. Story continues There was strong pressure for driving Native people from the territory by the time Arapaho and Cheyenne chiefs, accompanied by Major Edward Ned Wyncoop and Captain Silas Soule, arrived at Denvers Camp Weld on Sept. 28, 1864, to meet with Evans for peace. Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle reportedly said that the trip had been like coming through the fire, only hoping for peacebut Evans, whod first rejected the meeting, stated that he was in no condition to make a treaty, and his soldiers were preparing for the fight. When Wyncoop returned to his command at Fort Lyonsome 20 miles from Sand Creekhe assured the assembled Arapaho and Cheyenne that he would protect them. But his superiors were displeased with his humane treatment of these people, and charges were made that forced him to relinquish his command on November 25 of that year. The Sand Creek Massacre itself would take place a mere four days later. According to reports by Lt. Joseph Cramerwho, along with Capt. Silas Soule, defied orders by refusing to take part in the massacrescouts were placed around the Post, with instructions to let no one out to prevent news of the plan from getting out. Early in the morning of Nov. 29, Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope came out from their lodges as the troops neared. Black Kettle carried an American Flag and a white flag of truce presented to him by President Lincoln; White Antelope wore a peace medal, also from Lincoln. The soldiers opened fire, wounding Black Kettle and killing White Antelope as he sang his death song: nothing lives long . . . only the earth and mountains . . . The massacre would not end until the following day, by which time approximately 200 people, mostly women and children, lay dead, with as many wounded. In the report of his subsequent investigation into what had happened, Wyncoop characterizes Col. John Chivington, who led the attack, as an inhuman monster, stating that, the most fearful atrocities were committed that ever was heard of. Want more historical perspective? Subscribe to TIME and choose one book from our History collection: D-Day, The Roosevelts or The Civil War. Click here for more details. After military and congressional investigations determined Sand Creek to be a massacre, the U.S. government negotiated the Little Arkansas Treaty in October 1865 as a gesture of conciliation, accepting full responsibility and providing reparations. But the terms of this treaty would once again be forgotten within a few years, and Arapaho and Cheyenne people confined to reservations in Wyoming, Montana and Oklahoma. Now, more than 150 years after the Sand Creek Massacre, its anniversary is still commemorated each year by a days-long Spiritual Healing Run that retraces the route of taken by Chivington and his troops as they made their way back to Denver, there to be welcomed as conquering heroes. But the runners also make their way to the grave of Silas Soule, one of the Army officers who defied Chivington. As we consider the moral and ethical dimensions of these events on this, the 152nd anniversary of the massacre, that aspect of the history should be remembered as well: for this is not just a story about the status of treaties and the question of justice in our American past, but also a reminder that it is always possible to stand up for what is right in the face of hatred and violence. Billy J. Stratton is an associate professor of English at the University of Denver and the author of Buried in Shades of Night: Contested Voices, Indian Captivity, and the Legacy of King Philips War. Days ahead of an Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting expected to cap oil output, Saudi Arabia revealed an increasingly dire need for a price hike of its top export. Riyadhs net foreign reserve assets, the foreign currencies a central bank keeps and uses to pay back debts to other countries, fell 2 percent between September and October, to the equivalent of $543.8 billion from $554.7 billion, according to monthly data from the nations Monetary Agency. Thats a 16 percent decline from October 2015, when reserves stood at $647.9 billion. The Gulf state, where nearly 39 percent of gross domestic product relies on oil, has seen its reserves dwindle in stride with falling oil prices over the past two years after peaking at $745.7 billion in mid-2014right around the time Brent crude, an international benchmark, began to tank from more than $110 per barrel toward todays less than $50. Saudi Arabias reserves, among the worlds largest in dollar value, contain mostly U.S. dollars and American government bonds, according to Reuters. Thats due in part to Riyadh serving as the second largest oil source for the U.S., with 11 percent of American petroleum imports coming from the kingdoms state oil company, Saudi Aramco, which is the worlds largest and pays the government 93 percent of its revenue. If OPEC decides to cut oil production by more than 1.2 million barrels per day, or between 4 and 4.5 percent, at its meeting in Vienna on Wednesday, Saudi Arabias top commodity could receive a modest price boost. But reports that Iran appeared to be backing out of the cartels collusion on Tuesday signaled that the group may not reach its goal of an output cap on Wednesday. We will leave the level of production we decided on in Algeria, Iranian oil minister Bijan Zangeneh told reporters on Tuesday, referring to output levels agreed upon at a previous OPEC meeting, Reuters reported. Zangenehs comments marked a reverse from his statement last week when he said it was highly probable that OPEC leaders would reach an agreement in Vienna and that the cartel would aim for oil prices of between $55 and $60 per barrel, up from todays $45.56. Related Articles The protests by grade school and college students is orchestrated by teachers who have failed to introduce those students to the Constitution and the Democratic form of government. These young students, who dont know one politician from another, are being urged on by various elements of the Communist party to use anarchy to overthrow the American government. The kids dont realize what they are actually doing or asking for. If they did, they would quickly realize that living under a Communist form of government only serves to stifle all incentives for bettering ones self. A Communist dictator would not permit protests to his government, and would imprison or murder anyone who defied him or her. Most colleges and universities dont permit free speech on their campuses, where God, nationalism and patriotism is mocked. This is not something new, for it has been the practice for generations. If you entered a university as a Christian, you are not likely to leave as such. If you dont believe me, just ask Mao, Stalin, Castro, or Kim Jong of North Korea. You young protestors deserve to live in Communist China for a time, or in Russia, Cuba or North Korea. No dissent is allowed in any of these Communist nations. The media is controlled by the government, hence no free speech. The Communist penalty for dissent is, much like the Nazis final solution, death by what ever means seems appropriate. Yes, indeed, the Communist party is behind these protests to the Trump presidency. If you have any doubt of that, just listen to the media, which would serve very well as the voice of Pravda, the government run Russian newspaper. Long ago, fifty and more years ago, Nikita Khruschev told then President Nixon that our grandchildren would abandon Democracy and live under the Communist flag. Most of us though that a laughable remark, but that prophecy now seems not too far in the future. The loss of Hillary Clinton was just one notable road block on the way to a Communist state. Jack Pierce, Mattoon A number of Saudi social media users reacted with anger when a woman posted Monday a picture showing her in Riyadh without the traditional body covering known as the abaya and headscarf known as the hijab. A 21-year-old student from the city of Dammam who called herself Sara Ahmed for fear that her real name could put her in danger shared the tweet of a woman named Malak Al Shehri photographed wearing a dark blue coat, bright multicolored skirt and boots. Next to the picture, she included screenshots of three tweets by accounts calling for justice and even violence against Shehri. All three tweets included an Arabic hashtag that translates to "We demand the imprisonment of the rebel Angel Al Shehri." The name Malak translates to "Angel" in Arabic. "Kill her and throw her corpse to the dogs," @ab_alshdadi wrote, while @ilQil tweeted "we want blood." Many others insulted Shehri's morals. Ahmed explained that Shehri tweeted to her followers from her account @AngelQShe, which has since been deleted, saying she was going out to breakfast without wearing a hijab or abaya. Her followers asked her to post a picture. The photo began circulating throughout social media in Saudi Arabia, and Shehri ultimately received hateful messages. "So many people retweeted it and what she did reached extremists, so she got threats. She deleted her tweets but they didn't stop, so she deleted her account," Ahmed told International Business Times over Twitter. Many other users came out in support of Shehri's actions. "Just imagine one day you slept and then woke up to people calling for your imprisonment only because you changed your clothing. Now you know the extent of the oppression against women in Saudi Arabia," @abuahmedalqarni wrote. @msafr2002 tweeted: "The people have reached such a dangerous stage of extremism that they demand the imprisonment of a girl because she changed the way she dressed, if she was a foreigner it'd be fine." Story continues @danielcroona called Shehri "a modern Rosa Parks." Female users were especially vocal. "It's about time to protest against this discriminative abaya prison against women," tweeted @FarahAqqad. @uuuuuakj wrote: "They're literally saying that 'Covering her body is more important than her life.'" International Business Times was unable to get in touch with Shehri. However, Ahmed, who identifies as atheist, said this is not an uncommon occurrence. She mentioned that just a couple of days ago, the phrase "Saudi women remove their abayas in the rain" was trending along with hateful and sexist comments. She said this sort of behavior restricts women from even the simplest of freedoms. "I'm an atheist and I still wear the hijab in most places because that's how society here is it's inexcusable to remove it, in fact, many of my atheist friends have to cover their faces because their families are more conservative than mine, and it's not just atheists, many Muslim women want to remove them," she wrote. "The tweets were sad, just basic things are dreams here," she added. Despite this reality, Ahmed said she has seen more Saudi women with uncovered faces and even without hijabs in major cities, especially among the younger generation. Those who do cover up wear the abaya, the hijab, the niqab a full body covering that leaves a slot open in front of the eyes or the burka, a head-to-toe covering with a mesh veil in front of the eyes. Though dress code tolerance varies from region to region in Saudi Arabia, non-Muslim foreigners are usually required to at least wear the abaya and Muslim women to at least wear the hijab. The state of women's rights in Saudi Arabia has been criticized by international watchdog organizations. Civil liberties are some of the region's most restrictive for women and the issue has been the subject of media investigations and documentaries such as the New York Times' "Ladies First." Related Articles After successfully launching the acclaimed scripted series Girlfriends Guide to Divorce and Odd Mom Out, Bravo is continuing its foray into fictionalized television with their new original drama, Imposters. And its enlisting the help of an Oscar-nominated actress to do so Uma Thurman! PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the first trailer for the new show from the network that brought the Real Housewives franchise to the pop culture forefront, premiering this winter. Previously announced as My So-Called Wife, the show stars Israeli-American actress Inbar Lavi (The Last Ship) as persona-shifting con-artist Maddie who has left a trail of angry exes behind her after robbing them of everything they have. Said dejected lovers (played by Rob Heaps, Parker Young, and Marianne Rendon) team up to track her down just as Maddie meets her latest potential love interest, Being Mary Janes Stephen Bishop who himself could ultimately get in the way of pursuing her newest mark Do we ever really know the one were with? the show asks in its sexy sneak peek. Thurman, 46, will join the cast in the shows third episode as Lenny Cohen a fixer who is sent to keep the con artists in line and eliminate any potential enemies. The show also stars Brian Benben (Dream On) and Katherine LaNasa (The Campaign) as Max and Sally Maddies trusted cohorts. Imposters premieres Feb. 7 at 10 pm. ET on Bravo. Photo credit: Designed by Megan Tatem From Redbook The more things change, the more they stay the same. In January 1976, Redbook dedicated two pages to a questionnaire for their readers to fill out and mail back in. The subject was "How Do You Handle Sex on the Job?" which is a kind of strange way of saying "sexual harassment." The term sexual harassment was coined in 1975 by Cornell University activists, and Karen DeCrow, then-president of the National Organization for Women, told Redbook, "This is an issue that's been shrouded in silence, because it's its occurrence is seen as both humiliating and trivial." The questions, however, were relatable to women all across the country. The magazine ran mail-in surveys all the time, but the response to this one was different: The overwhelming amount of letters sent in helped start a crucial conversation about the treatment of women in the workplace. Redbook's survey provided the first nationwide statistics on sexual harassment at work, like: 92 percent of women said sexual harassment at work was a problem, with a majority of respondents saying "it is a serious one." Nearly 9 out of 10 women reported that they had experienced one or more forms of unwanted attentions on the job. Nearly 50 percent of respondents said that they (or a women they know) had quit a job or have been fired because of the problem. One-third of the respondents said they pretended not to notice the signals of sexual harassment. Only 25 percent of respondents said they believed the man would be asked to stop if they reported it. 30 percent of respondents said they have used their sexual attractiveness to gain some job advantage. One in three women said their appearance was as important as their other qualifications when it came to being hired. The story as a whole helped to shine a light on an issue, as DeCrow said, that was often kept in the dark. Women shared their own personal stories, which read like a laundry list of situations you might still be familiar with today, and experts shared ways to avoid and handle harassment on the job - advice that still holds true. Story continues Help Redbook find out if the state of sexual harassment at work has changed by taking the survey yourself. Follow Redbook on Facebook. You Might Also Like Despite rainfall, the so-called Chimney Top Fire that has blazed through more than a hundred buildings and displaced thousands overnight is still spreading through Tennessee. The ongoing wildfire, which began in the Great Smoky Mountains, spread rapidly Monday night and forced more than 14,000 residents and resort-goers to flee Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). The fires even burned down a Westgate Resorts location, according to the Orlando Business Journal. In a stunning video shot by an evacuating resident, homes, cabins, and trees can all be seen engulfed in massive flames. The fires, fanned by strong winds over 80 mph and prolonged drought, spread unpredictably despite efforts to tame the flames using helicopter water drops, a representative with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park wrote in a statement. Three people were admitted to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville with severe burns, while a fourth person with burn on their face is still being evaluated at the University of Tennessees Knoxville hospital. No fatalities have been reported, according to TEMA. Even with the rain that is currently falling there, the fires continue to burn and structures remain engulfed with little hope that the rainfall will bring immediate relief, a TEMA representative wrote in a statement. Hundreds of firefighters and local and state personnel were dispatched to deal with the wildfire. Country star Dolly Parton, whose theme park Dollywood was spared by the fire, also offered her condolences regarding her hometowns plight. I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken. I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe, Parton wrote in a statement. It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared. A top U.K. commander said Monday that a large batch of intelligence documents belonging to the Islamic State group was recovered during operations in northern Syria, revealing terror attacks planned across the world. Major General Rupert Jones, the most senior U.K. commander in Iraq and Syria, first made the announcement Sunday while addressing politicians and diplomats on the current fight against the militant group also known as ISIS. He said some 10,000 documents, which included hard drives, USB flash drives and other forms of data storage, were seized following the push by Western-backed Syrian rebels to drive ISIS out of the city of Manbij in August. The contents were being processed at the Kuwaiti headquarters of the Western-led operation to defeat ISIS, whose self-proclaimed caliphate has suffered territorial defeats after taking large swathes of land in Syria and Iraq. Without revealing any specific plots, Jones confirmed Monday to reporters at the Al Assad Air Base in Iraq that the recovered documents did involve international terror operations. He stated that Manbij, along with the Syrian city of Raqqa and the de facto capital for ISIS, acted as headquarters for coordinating terror efforts abroad. "External operations have been getting orchestrated to a very significant degree from within the caliphate, critically from within Raqqa and from within Manbij," Jones said, according to Sky News. "They were key external operations hubs. There is a huge amount of intelligence, documentation, electronic material that has been exploited there that points very directly against all sorts of nations around the world," he added. He went on to say that defeating ISIS was crucial for preserving national security in the U.K., where counterterrorism police units have taken to the streets. Europe has been on high alert since being targeted by a number of ISIS-conducted and inspired terrorist attacks in the past two years. In the deadliest incident, ISIS militants killed 130 people in a series of gun and suicide bomb attacks in Paris last November. Story continues As ISIS continues to be uprooted in Iraq and Syria, concerns among Western countries are growing that the militants will increasingly set their sights on the U.S. and Europe. Related Articles BEIJING (Reuters) - China's government hopes Hong Kong will oppose independence, a top Communist Party official said on Tuesday in a meeting with a pro-Beijing group from the southern financial hub. Chinese leaders are concerned about a fledgling independence movement in the former British colony that returned to mainland rule in 1997 with a promise of autonomy, and recent protests in the city. The comments by Zhang Dejiang, the most senior Chinese official responsible for Hong Kong affairs, come after Beijing staged a rare interpretation of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, this month to effectively bar pro-independence city lawmakers from taking office there. China's central government "hopes Hong Kong compatriots can clearly oppose Hong Kong independence, jointly safeguard Hong Kong's social and political stability" and "amass popular sentiment to seek development and promote harmony", Zhang told a delegation from a group called Silent Majority for Hong Kong. Zhang, who also heads China's parliament and is the third most senior Communist Party official, told the group in Beijing that China would safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests. Hong Kong's High Court this month backed a government demand to bar two recently elected lawmakers from the city's legislature, after the court and Beijing both ruled they had insulted China with gestures of protest when taking their oath of office. Before the ruling, about 2,000 lawyers protested against Beijing stepping in and interpreting the city's mini-constitution in the middle of the lawsuit, which they said interfered with judicial independence. President Xi Jinping last week told Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying he should uphold national unity and maintain social and political stability. Earlier in November, Xi said China would never allow any part of its territory to break away. Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems" agreement that ensured its freedoms and wide-ranging autonomy, including a separate legal system. But Communist Party rulers in Beijing have ultimate control, and some Hong Kong people are concerned they are increasingly interfering to head off dissent. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel) The death of Fidel Castro unleashed an explosion of emotion in Miami's Little Havana, where thousands of Cuban-Americans poured out into the streets to celebrate the 90-year-old former dictator's passing. But if many first-generation exiles once thought Castro's death would bring about the end of his regime, they're not so sure now. Because Castro ceded the presidency to his younger brother Raul eight years ago,"Fidel's death is paradoxical, ... it means nothing," said Pedro Freyre, who heads the international law practice at the Akerman law firm in Miami. "But it means everything, because Fidel Castro was the essence, the icon that held that revolution together," said the 67-year old Cuban-born lawyer, who advises companies on doing business on the island and was part of the delegation that accompanied President Barack Obama to Havana last March for the re-establishment of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations. Freyre said for Cuba's next generation of leaders, Castro's death could be the turning point that frees them to accelerate the opening of Cuba's economy, much the way Mao Zedong's death allowed a new generation of China's leaders to transform that nation's economy. "Sometimes ... they flash their frustration at the process that things aren't going quicker," Freyre added. "(Fidel) will no longer be the shadow looking over their shoulder." But second-generation Cuban-Americans in Miami's Little Havana are more skeptical about the possibility of economic opportunity expanding in Cuba in the wake of Castro's death. "Cubans need to get together to get a strategy to change the Cuban system. But now, I don't think it's going to change," said Elio Esteban Mena, the owner of Old's Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina, who came to the U.S. from Cuba 12 years ago. He worries that President-elect Donald Trump will reverse the return of American flights and cruises to Cuba, ushered in this year by the Obama administration. Trump warned on Monday that he may take a harder line with Havana and may roll back some of President Barack Obama's initiatives unless the Cuban people can get "a better deal." Story continues "I think all the progress that we got from Obama, we're going to go back and it's going to be hard for the Cuban community," Mena said. But at a table at his restaurant, Janelle Gueits, a Cuban-American millennial said the opening under Obama came with no real guarantees to advance the rights of the Cuban people. She'd like to see the U.S. press Havana to enact social reforms as a condition of continued economic co-operation She sees an opportunity for Trump administration to press Havana for greater social reform as a condition of continued economic co-operation. "We need our business leaders to realize that commerce is not the only one of our values" that's important, said Gueits, a filmmaker whose grandfather was jailed for religious activities in Cuba under Castro. "We need people to engage, but do it responsibly." This is a generation that grew up in the U.S. hearing stories of how their families lost everything when the Castro regime nationalized private businesses and seized the property of their parents and grandparents back in Cuba. "The second generation, the third generation (of Cuban Americans) we understand what the rule of law is, what institutions are all about," said Evelio Medina, CEO of the Miami Brickell Chamber of Commerce, who is cautiously optimistic the Trump administration will push Cuba's new guard to accelerate economic reform. "It's important to have a rule of law and a level playing field ... that gives us the opportunity to really do business," Medina said. Freyre, meanwhile, says Cuba post-Castro is poised for significant change, and the potential for U.S. businesses is good. "If you drop a seed in Cuba, agriculture flourishes," Freyre said. "If you drop the seed of capitalism, it will grow." But for many, just as important is whether greater business ties with Cuba will propagate the seeds of freedom and human rights in Cuba. Correction: Janelle Gueits was not a supporter of Donald Trump in the general election. More From CNBC NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Levi & Korsinsky announces it has commenced an investigation of Profire Energy, Inc. (PFIE) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duty by the board of directors of the company. To obtain additional information, go to: http://zlk.9nl.com/profire-energy-pfie, 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. Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, 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 and shareholder lawsuits. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP 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 29, 2016 / Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP, a class action law firm dedicated to representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating a potential breach of fiduciary duty claim involving the board of directors of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SPPI). If you are a shareholder of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at: http://pjlfirm.com/spectrum-pharmaceuticals-inc/ You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at rl@pjlfirm.com or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation. Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE: Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP, a class action law firm dedicated to representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating a potential breach of fiduciary duty claim involving the board of directors of AngioDynamics, Inc. (ANGO). If you are a shareholder of AngioDynamics and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at: http://pjlfirm.com/angiodynamics-inc/ You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at rl@pjlfirm.com or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation. Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE: Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP Per reports recently published on Reuters, integrated energy major Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A is considering exiting its positions in Iraqi oil fields. This sale is part of a $30 billion divestment plan of the company following the BG Group buyout. The acquisition was completed in February and was worth $54 billion. In Iraq, Shell holds a 45% stake in Majnoon oil field. The company operates the field under a technical service contract, which will expire in 2030. It also owns a 20% interest in the West Qurna 1 field. In 2015, Iraqi assets contributed about 4.4% of Shells total oil and gas production. Per sources, the Anglo-Dutch group the worlds top liquefied natural gas producer is divesting only its oil field assets in Iraq and not its gas field properties. This is because the company has found only limited financial benefits from its involvement in Iraq's oil production. Hence, it intends to focus on oil production in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico, as these areas generate the highest returns. Shell, however, plans to retain the gas business because it expects those assets to generate sufficient value for it. Shell intends to divest as much as $30 billion by exiting operations in five to 10 countries. It has, however, made relatively slow progress in this regard as the oil price rout dampened buyer enthusiasm for deals at the prices Shell is targeting. In 2016, Shell sold or agreed to sell around $6 billion of assets. The Anglo-Dutch groups divestment plans are targeted to weather the more than two-year downturn in oil prices and to improve its financials post the BG Group acquisition. ROYAL DTCH SH-A Price ROYAL DTCH SH-A Price | ROYAL DTCH SH-A Quote Headquartered in Hague, the Netherlands, Shell is one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies in the world. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. It has interests in chemicals as well as power generation and renewable energy. Story continues Shell currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), which implies that the stock will outperform the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months. Other well-ranked players from the broader energy sector include Braskem S.A. BAK, Ultra Petroleum Corp. UPLMQ and McDermott International Inc. MDR. All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. In the last four quarters, Braskem posted an average positive earnings surprise of 105.5%. Ultra Petroleum, on the other hand, delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 65.91% in the last four quarters. In the last four quarters, McDermott posted an average positive earnings surprise of 250.00%. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report MCDERMOTT INTL (MDR): Free Stock Analysis Report ROYAL DTCH SH-A (RDS.A): Free Stock Analysis Report BRASKEM SA (BAK): Free Stock Analysis Report ULTRA PETRO CP (UPLMQ): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The husband of Sherri Papini, the California mom who mysteriously vanished earlier this month, has described the brutal condition she was in the first time he saw her after her release by her captors on Thanksgiving Day. My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed. Her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of her repeated beatings. The bridge of her nose broken, Keith Papini told Good Morning America in a statement. He added that when he reunited with Papini, she weighed only 87 lbs. and her long, blonde hair had been chopped off. He told GMA that Sherri had been thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist which was also attached to her wrists and a bag over her head. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko confirmed the injuries to GMA, but said investigators have not determined whether Papini was thrown from the vehicle. Papini, a mother of two, was abducted as she went for a routine jog on November 2. Authorities and her family searched for her for weeks and her husband went on GMA to plead for her return. 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. Papini was found on the side of a rural road in Yolo County, California, at around 4:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving day about 150 miles from her home. Papini told authorities that her captors were two Hispanic women who had a handgun and were driving in a dark SUV, Bosenko said during a press conference last Thursday. Since her rescue, rumors surrounding the mysterious abduction have prompted some to question the authenticity of her claims. However, Keith told GMA that any speculation that this was anything other than an abduction is flat-out wrong. Rumors, assumptions, lies and hate have both been both exhausting and disgusting, he told GMA in the statement. I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to get money or fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Story continues RELATED VIDEO: Sheriff: No Reason to Disbelieve Abduction Account of California Mom Sherri Papini Bosenko echoed Keiths statements, telling GMA that investigators have no reason to disbelieve Papinis story. So far we are still investigating this as a kidnapping abduction. And everything that she is providing us thus far is indicating that, he said. We currently dont have a known motive or reason for this abduction. We dont know if it was targeted to her specifically or a random abduction. Nov 29 (Reuters) - Sherritt International Corp cut its full-year production forecast for its joint nickel venture in Cuba following the collapse of a municipal bridge there last week that killed four workers. The Canadian miner lowered its finished nickel production forecast for the Moa operation to 32,500-33,000 tonnes, from 33,500-34,500 tonnes. However, Sherritt said that its finished cobalt production forecast remained unchanged as higher volumes of third-party feed offset the impact of reduced production. Sherritt owns 50 percent of the Moa operation with General Nickel Company SA of Cuba. Last week, Sherritt said the workers had died when the bridge they were repairing collapsed. The bridge had been damaged by Hurricane Matthew in October and workers have been repairing the structure since late last month. The bridge crosses a shallow river and is the main access from the local town and port of Moa to the mine site and an acid leach plant. Sherritt said on Tuesday that a temporary bypass over the river is in place. Plant operations have resumed, although transport is affected by longer travel times and the need to carry lighter loads, Sherritt said. The Toronto-based company said that the timing of more permanent repairs to the damaged bridge or a replacement of the bridge is still unknown. Shares of Sherritt were down 9.3 percent at C$1.17 in late afternoon trading. (Reporting by Arathy S Nair and Ahmed Farhatha in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Photo credit: Instagram From Country Living It's no surprise that Black Friday shopping can come with a few obstacles. But the aftermath of one shopping spree in Washington state shows how hunting for deals can go way too far. Q13 News reports that a Nike Factory store at the Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulaip, Washington was completely trashed after a full day of Black Friday shopping this year. An estimated 20,000 people shopped at the store between Thursday night and Friday night, according to BuzzFeed News. Those shoppers left orange shoeboxes strewn everywhere, leaving what was certainly a nightmare for the retail workers there. Shopper Larry Downer told Q13 News that he saw people toss boxes around, and that he found one shoe in one aisle and the matching shoe in the next aisle. "I thought there was an earthquake that happened," Downer told BuzzFeed News. "It was unreal." Nike has yet to comment on the Black Friday sale. Take a look at the result for yourself, and maybe consider shopping online next year-or at least cleaning up after yourself when you rummage through the sale rack. You Might Also Like Heres a short list of 9 times Lauren Graham cried while filming Gilmore Girls Its safe to assume that you cried watching Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life on Netflix over the last weekend. Maybe you even cried three or four times, or three or four times during each episode. Thats perfectly fine, as we had been holding in many of our Gilmore tears for the last nine years. But do you know who cried the most during Gilmore Girls? Lauren Graham. Laurens brand new book, Talking As Fast As I Can, is out today, and it provides some Gilmore Girls information. The book is filled with little tidbits from shooting the revival, and also a detailed list of all the times Lauren cried or, more of bawled while filming the revival. I was very, very emotional the whole time [we were filming], Lauren writes in her book. I dont usually cry easily, but throughout the days and months of filming, I welled up a lot. While you should most certainly run out to your nearest bookseller (or, get on the internet and find one), heres just a short list of all the times Lauren found herself tearing up while filming Gilmore Girls: 1. The first time she and Alexis Bledel did a scene together in Lorelais house. 2. The first time she returned to the Gilmore mansion, and Kelly Bishop spoke aloud to Ed wherever he is now. 3. During a run through with Chris Eigman, who plays Jason (As Lauren writes: My normal state of happy-to-see-someone does not usually involve tears, but on this show tissues were being handed to me a lot). 4. During the scene when Lorelai is talking to her new Wild friends, and she has to say My name is Lorelai Gilmore, and Im from a little town in Connecticut. 5. The first time she read the script for Fall (I cried from start to finish). 6. When a light went out while Lauren and Kelly were filming a scene together, and Kelly jokingly said, Thanks Ed. 7. During every single take of Sutton Fosters song for Lorelai (those tears in the episode of Summer are real). Story continues 8. When Carole King did an impromptu concert during filming, and played the song that the the Year in the Life episode titles are named afterWinter, Spring, Summer, Fall. 9. Filming Luke and Lorelais wedding, which was the last scene filmed, because OF COURSE. The post Heres a short list of 9 times Lauren Graham cried while filming Gilmore Girls appeared first on HelloGiggles. Before Silence makes its world premiere at the Vatican on Thursday, pics director Martin Scorsese will have a private audience with Pope Francis tomorrow morning at 8:45AM Rome time before the pontiff has his regular weekly general audience. The news was announced by the Vatican press office today. Pope Francis and Scorsese are expected to discuss Silence, and the mission of the Jesuits, which is the priestly order Francis belongs to. Theres a couple of screenings of Silence being held in Rome. The screening before 400 Jesuits is occurring now per a Paramount rep, while the Vatican VIP screening for 50 guests is happening on Nov. 30. When the news broke about Silence playing the Vatican, it was uncertain whether Pope Francis would be in attendance. The Vatican has a history of tubthumping faith-based movies with Pope John Paul giving the thumbs up to Mel Gibsons 2003 Passion of the Christ after a private screening. Angelina Jolies Unbroken from two years ago was the last Hollywood movie to book a Vatican screening given his faith-based elements. Pope Francis did not attend the screening, but he met with Jolie following the event. Silence, a long-time passion project of Scorseses, is based on Japanese writer Shusaku Endos 1966 novel about the persecution of Jesuits in 17th-century Japan, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson. Silence debuts on Dec. 23 stateside and on Jan. 12 in Italy. Related stories Pete Hammond's Notes On The Season: Strategists Woo Critics As Voting Deadlines Near; 'La La' & 'Lion' Buzz Grows 'Silence' Trailer: Thrilling First Look At Martin Scorsese Epic About Feudal Japan Adam Driver's Awards-Season Route Ranges From 17th Century Japan To New Jersey: Q&A This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions . Judith will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.Rachel peered over the rail as the hydrofoil eased into a slip at a floating dock. Whalebones on the floor of the bay, from the days whaling ships used the harbor, could be seen through the clear water. As usual, the beach near the dock was bustling with penguins. A Snow-Cat, a sleek, bullet-shaped vehicle with yellow stripes painted on it, was parked just above the beach line.As they disembarked and started up the beach toward an awaiting Snow-Cat, some of the gentoo penguins scattered, lurching and stumbling over the cobblestones. Others raised their bright orange beaks in protest.The penguins seem particularly jumpy today, remarked one of the crew. Like something spooked them during the night.Two men unloaded what looked like a body bag from the Snow-Cat and loaded it on the hydrofoil.In the distance beyond a ridge, Rachel noticed a small hut silhouetted by the low sun. Thats the Argentinean hut, said Antonio, shouldering his overnight bag. After saying a quick farewell to them, he slipped on a pair of snowshoes and headed up to the hut.All aboard, one of the men said. He reached out a hand and helped Rachel climb up into the cab of the Snow-Cat.From her seat on the Snow-Cat, Rachel could see the skittish penguins watching the receding vehicle wind its way up to Shackleton Station. What had upset them? The very air seemed to bristle with angst. She glanced over at Trevor sitting across from her, but he didn't seem to notice anything amiss.Judith Boss (nee Wager) was born in the village of Honeoye Falls, south of Rochester, New York in the heart of wine country. She attended elementary school in Irondequoit, where her family moved when she was two.When not in school, she enjoyed wandering the woods and fields around her home and picking beans for 25 a basket for Mr. King, who owned the truck farm behind her house. She also loved hiking and camping and was active in the Girl Scouts throughout high school.An avid writer, when Judy was 11 years old she wrote and illustrated her first novel," a story about her beloved parakeet Sparky." My Little Sparky was followed by several other short novels and a book of poems.Following graduation from high school, Judy attended the University of Rochester for a few years before dropping out and emigrating to Australia. Both of Judys daughters were born in Australia. She also finished her B.A. in philosophy and anthropology at the University of Western Australia.From Australia, the family moved to Nova Scotia, Canada for graduate school. After graduate school, Judy worked for eight years as a writer/researcher for the Nova Scotia Museum. In 1979, Judy and her two daughters moved to Newport, Rhode Island where she continued to work as a writer. She also worked as a lecturer for several years at the University of Rhode Island before going back to full-time writing.Judy currently lives in rural Rhode Island with her family and Corgi. An avid traveler, she has traveled with students from the University Of Rhode Island and Brown Medical School to work with undeserved, indigenous people in Guatemala and Mexico. Her favorite travel destination, however, is Antarctica.Buy the book at Amazon * Settlement with Turtles members covers pre-1972 songs * Sirius was found liable for infringement in California By Jonathan Stempel Nov 29 (Reuters) - Sirius XM Holdings Inc may pay close to $100 million after settling a copyright lawsuit brought by founding members of the 1960s band The Turtles over the satellite radio company's broadcast of songs made before 1972. Terms of the proposed class-action settlement were disclosed in a Monday filing with the Los Angeles federal court, two weeks after Sirius resolved its differences with The Turtles' Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman on the eve of a damages trial. Sirius agreed to pay between $25 million and $40 million for past royalties, depending on the outcomes of related litigation, and enter a 10-year license agreement that could be worth between $45.5 million and $59.2 million. The settlement would cover Kaylan's and Volman's company Flo & Eddie Inc and other owners of pre-1972 songs that New York-based Sirius has played since August 2009. It requires approval by U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez in Los Angeles. Sirius denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. It did not immediately respond on Tuesday to requests for comment. Henry Gradstein, a lawyer for Kaylan and Volman, in a statement said his clients "had the tenacity to stay the course over three grueling years of litigation on behalf of all members of the class, because they believed in what was right." Digital radio services such as Sirius and Pandora Media Inc have resisted paying royalties for songs recorded before Feb. 15, 1972 because they lacked federal copyright protection. But some recording artists and labels have persuaded courts to award copyright protection under individual state laws for older songs, such as The Turtles' hit "Happy Together." In September 2014, Gutierrez found Sirius liable to Flo & Eddie under California law. A damages trial had been scheduled for November 15. Flo & Eddie also sued Sirius in New York and Florida under those state's copyright laws, prevailing in New York but losing in Florida. Story continues Both decisions were appealed, and the respective federal appeals courts asked New York's and Florida's highest courts for guidance on what their states' copyright laws cover. In June 2015, Sirius agreed to pay five major record companies $210 million to settle a lawsuit over its broadcast of pre-1972 songs by the likes of the Beatles, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. The case is Flo & Eddie Inc v. Sirius XM Radio Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 13-05693. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Tom Brown) MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Siyata Mobile Inc. (the "Company" or "Siyata") (TSX-V:SIM / OTCPINK:SIMFF) announces that it will be presenting at the 9th annual LD Micro Main Event on Wednesday, December 7 at 4PM - 4:30PM at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. CEO and Director Marc Seelenfreund will be presenting, in addition to meeting with small cap technology funds, analysts, brokers, and investors. Siyata Mobile CEO, Marc Seelenfreund, commented, "As we anticipate launching our growing portfolio of innovative cellular devices in the United States in the first quarter of 2017, we believe it's time to start building awareness in the United States. The LD Microcap show is a proven conference to begin this process and we look forward to meeting with new potential investors and current shareholders alike." The Company will also hold a conference call on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss its recent Q3 financial results along with an investor call with Marc Seelenfreund, CEO of Siyata Mobile. Details of the conference call: Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time North America dial-in number: 1-877-277-0232 International dial-in number: 1-647-788-4965 The LD Micro Main Event is the largest independent conference for small/microcap companies and will feature 240 presenting names. View Siyata Mobile Inc.'s profile here: http://www.ldmicro.com/profile/SIM.V News Compliments of Accesswire. To book a meeting with Siyata Mobile during either December 6th or 7th, please contact investor relations below. About Siyata Siyata Mobile Inc. is a leading global developer and provider of innovative cellular communication systems under the Uniden Cellular brand. Siyata's "Connected-Vehicle" devices and accessories are specifically designed for professional fleets, including trucks, vans, buses, emergency service vehicles, government cars, and more. Siyata aims to provide greater mobile connectivity for professional drivers and to facilitate replacement of the aging in-vehicle, multi-device status quo with a single device that incorporates voice, push-to-talk, data, and fleet management solutions. Story continues Siyata also markets and sells Uniden cellular signal boosters and accessories, as well as rugged mobile phones for both the consumer and enterprise markets. Siyata's customers include cellular operators, commercial vehicle technology distributors, and fleets of all sizes in Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into an event platform hosting several influential conferences annually (Invitational, Summit, and Main Event). In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. LD will continue to provide valuable tools for the benefit of everyone in the small and microcap universe. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com/events for more information. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of: SIYATA MOBILE INC. Marc Seelenfreund CEO and Director Investor Relations: Arlen Hansen Kin Communications 1-866-684-6730 SIM@kincommunications.com Paradox Public Relations Carl Desjardins 514-341-0408 or Toll Free: 1-866-460-0408 info@paradox-pr.ca SOURCE: Siyata Mobile Inc. Snyders-Lance, Inc. LNCE intends to sell its Diamond of California culinary nut business to Blue Road Capital in order to increase focus on core brands. The company did not disclose the terms of this definitive agreement, which is expected to close by the end of 2016. Post the acquisition of Diamond Foods, Inc. in Feb 2016, Snyders-Lance entered into the culinary nuts business that contributed $42.9 million to its third-quarter 2016 net revenue. SNYDERS-LANCE Price SNYDERS-LANCE Price | SNYDERS-LANCE Quote Carl E. Lee, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer at Snyders-Lance said, This strategic transaction will allow us to concentrate on our core business of providing our consumers and retail partners with our premium portfolio of snack brands focused on better ingredients, quality and taste. Meanwhile, Snyders-Lance is on track to slash leverage to less than 4.0x by the end of 2016 and 3.0x by the close of 2017. Hence, this sale agreement is in sync with the companys plans to reduce leverage. Additionally, the company stated that the divestiture will not materially impact its full-year 2016 outlook. As such, Snyders-Lance has maintained its previously issued full-year 2016 outlook. For 2016, the company expects earnings per share in the range of $1.24 to $1.30 on revenues of $2,290 million to $2,310 million. Adjusted EBITDA is projected in the $310 million to $320 million band. Charlotte, NC-based Snyder's-Lance manufactures and markets snack foods throughout the U.S. and internationally. The companys products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, pretzel crackers, potato chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style crackers, popcorn, nuts and other snacks. Snyders-Lance has a decent earnings surprise history, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three out of the last four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 6.80%. Zacks Rank & Key Picks Snyders-Lance carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the food space include General Mills, Inc. GIS, Lancaster Colony Corporation LANC and Mondelez International, Inc. MDLZ, all carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. General Mills has a decent earnings surprise history, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three out of the last four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 4.37%. Lancaster Colonys fiscal 2017 earnings are expected to grow 7.3%. Mondelez will likely witness 11.5% EPS growth in 2016. "The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 ""Strong Buy"" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 ""Strong Sells"" and other private research. See these stocks free >>" Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report GENL MILLS (GIS): Free Stock Analysis Report SNYDERS-LANCE (LNCE): Free Stock Analysis Report MONDELEZ INTL (MDLZ): Free Stock Analysis Report LANCASTER COLON (LANC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Warner Music Group has snagged Sony Music stalwart Ole Obermann to oversee the company's global business development strategy. In his new role as chief digital officer and executive vp, Obermann is tasked with exploring new forms of commercial innovation and creating new digital revenue opportunities, while expanding the music major's streaming activities. "With two decades of diverse digital experience, Ole has the special skill-set needed to forge new business models with tech start-ups and big players alike, while nurturing WMG's existing partnerships," said Warner Music CEO Steve Cooper, to whom Obermann reports. Obermann earned a reputation as a commercial innovator and streaming expert during his decade-long stint with Sony Music. "He brings a deep understanding of both global and local streaming markets, data-driven commercial acumen, and a principled, artist-centric sensibility to his new post," adds Cooper. "We are committed to championing the value of music, expanding the universe of opportunity for our artists, and helping them create change, not merely embrace it. Ole's vision and leadership will make him a valuable asset in achieving our mission." At Sony, Obermann negotiated and implemented deals with the group's network of global digital partners, was instrumental in company's audio and video streaming strategy and oversaw the buildout of its digital analytics infrastructure. He joined Sony BMG's London office in 2006 as vp, international business development, and rose to senior vp two years later, based in New York. Obermann returned to London in 2012 and was elevated to the post of executive vp, global digital partner development and sales. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand retreated on Tuesday, reversing gains that lifted it near three-week highs in the previous session after reports that President Jacob Zuma had survived an attempt by senior members of the ANC to remove him. * At 0702 GMT, the rand was at 13.8425 per dollar, 0.9percent weaker than its overnight close of 13.7225. * Rand gained nearly 3 percent on Monday to its firmestsince Nov. 10 after rating agencies Fitch and Moody's affirmedinvestment-grade credit ratings. * Financial markets also cheered moves within ANC to removeZuma. * Tuesday newspaper said Zuma had survived no-confidencemotion. ANC due to address media at 1200 GMT. * Central Bank data showed credit demand slowed in October.RMB/BER Q4 business confidence index due in the session. * Government bonds also reversed Monday's gains, with yieldon benchmark government bond due in 2026 rising 5.5 basis pointsto 8.95 percent. * Stocks opened firmer, with JSE's Top-40 index up 0.2percent at 43,700 points by 0701 GMT. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Ed Cropley) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma has sent the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill, a key piece of regulatory legislation for banks, back to parliament for further consideration, his office said on Tuesday. Zuma said the bill was "very important and pressing" but said he was worried about the constitutionality of some of its aspects, particularly those relating to "warrant-less searches", a statement said. (Reporting by Ed Cropley; Editing by James Macharia) By TJ Strydom JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's scandal-plagued President Jacob Zuma has survived a move by some members of his party to hold a no-confidence motion against him, local media reported on Tuesday without naming sources. The rand sank more than 1 percent on the reports which dashed many traders' hopes of a swift resolution to months of political uncertainty in Africa's most industrialised economy. Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom had proposed holding the vote to effectively oust Zuma at a meeting of the African National Congress's (ANC's) governing committee, Beeld, an Afrikaans-language daily had reported. But the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting ended late on Monday without a formal vote, Beeld said. It was not immediately clear if the committee had actively decided to back Zuma through a less formal decision-making process, or if it had just dropped the matter all together. The ANC said it will hold a media briefing at 1200 GMT on Tuesday to give details about the NEC meeting. Zuma's presidency has been plagued by accusations of corruption. The nation's anti-graft watchdog this month asked for a judge to investigate alleged influence-peddling by a wealthy family Zuma has called his friends. The report by the Public Protector watchdog, released on Nov. 2, focused on allegations that businessman brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta had influenced the appointment of ministers. Zuma and the Gupta brothers have denied any wrongdoing. The rand's fall reversed a rally on Monday that traders said had partly been built on hopes of a resolution to the building political crisis. "The rand has been strengthened by the pressure on the president to go, outperforming strongly yesterday. Some reversal is likely today but expect some of the gains to hold," Rand Merchant Bank analyst John Cairns said in a note. Analysts said Zuma's hand would be weakened by the challenge even though he had survived the vote - other media reports said at least four ministers had turned against him. "POLITICAL NOISE" Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is also a member of the NEC, declined to answer questions about the no-confidence debate on Zuma while speaking to media in Johannesburg. He said the recent affirmation of South Africa's investment grade by Fitch and Moody's showed that the country was doing well despite "political noise... there are good things that are happening," he told media after meeting business leaders. With the economy expected to grow by only half a percent this year, South Africa has been racing to avert a downgrade of its sovereign debt to sub-investment status, which would raise its borrowing costs and deter investment. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa called for calm in a speech to local government officials in Johannesburg. "Recent events within the state have raised concern in many quarters about the direction of the country and the stability of its institutions," he said without elaborating. 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 struggled to end weeks of violent student demonstrations over the cost of university education. Separately, the Gupta family asked a court to force a financial regulator to give the family details concerning the closure of its business accounts, which were terminated by four major banks earlier this year. Zuma last week told parliament that the banks' action was "suspicious". The banks refused to make public their reasons for closing the accounts. Analysts have said the banks were likely prompted by concerns about reputational risk. ($1 = 13.7952 rand) (Additional reporting by Mfuneko Toyana and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Michael Slager walter scott Former South Carolina police officer Michael Slager said he was in "total fear" during the altercation that led to the death of an unarmed black motorist in 2015. Slager, testifying in his own defense on Tuesday, is facing 30 years to life in prison if he is convicted in the murder of Walter Scott. Bystander video from the incident shows Slager firing at Scott's back eight times, hitting him five times, as Scott ran away. But on the stand, Slager said he had first tried to subdue Scott on the ground with a Taser when Scott wrestled the stun gun out of the officer's hands. Scott "was extending his right arm, leaning forward, and coming at me," Slager said, his voice cracking. "I saw that Taser coming at me and I knew I was in trouble. I knew I was overpowered." "I was scared," Slager, who is white, told prosecutors. "It was total fear that Mr. Scott didn't stop." The case will hinge on whether the jury which consists of 12 people, 11 of whom are white determines Slager was in life-threatening danger when he shot Scott. When asked by a defense attorney if he was "filled with ill will or a depraved heart" during the shooting, Slager replied, "No, I was not." The incident began when Slager, a North Charleston Police Department officer with five years of experience, pulled Scott over for having a broken tail light. During the stop, Scott fled his car, and Slager pursued him on foot. The chase led them to a grassy lot behind a pawn shop, where the bystander's video begins. In the video, Slager can be seen picking up his Taser and dropping it closer to Scott's handcuffed body. Prosecutors have accused Slager of attempting to stage the crime scene, while Slager maintained he was following protocol by accounting for his weapons. "A lot of this is fuzzy in my mind," Slager said. Story continues The case is expected to go the jury by the end of the week. NOW WATCH: How to move to Canada and become a Canadian citizen More From Business Insider (SEOUL, South Korea) South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that shell resign if parliament arranges the technical details in her latest attempt to fend off impeachment efforts and massive street protests amid prosecution claims that a corrupt confidante wielded government power from the shadows. Opponents immediately called Parks conditional resignation offer a stalling tactic, and analysts said her steadfast denial that she has done anything wrong could embolden her enemies. The countrys largest opposition party, the Minjoo Party, said it would not let Parks ploy to avoid impeachment interfere with a planned vote on impeachment on Friday. Park, who did not take questions from reporters after her live address to the nation, said she will leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly, referring to parliament. If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will step down from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law, she said. How exactly this might play out is still unclear. But some saw Parks speech as a clear effort to avoid leaving office, despite the resignation language. One clue that she was trying to buy time, said Yul Shin, a politics professor at Seouls Myongji University, was her comment on shortening the presidential term, which he said would require a time-consuming constitutional amendment. Park is to end her single five-year term in early 2018. There is no possibility that the opposition parties will accept her offer; not when the public is this angry, Shin said. She apparently wanted to buy more time, but in the end she might have hastened the end of her presidency. Story continues Parks speech came as opposition parties were closing in on an impeachment motion. Even some of her allies have called on her to honorably step down rather than face impeachment. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Seoul each Saturday to demand her ouster. The countrys two largest opposition parties said they will propose to the presidential office two former senior prosecutors as candidates for a special prosecutor to independently investigate the scandal. Under a law passed by parliament earlier this month, Park has three days to pick a special prosecutor among the two candidates. Park, in her speech, continued to deny accusations by prosecutors that she colluded in the criminal activities of her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who, despite having no official role in government, allegedly had a say in policy decisions and exploited her presidential ties to bully companies into giving large sums of money to businesses and foundations that Choi controlled. Not for one moment did I pursue my private gains, and I have so far lived without ever harboring the smallest selfish motive, Park said. The problems that have emerged are from projects that I thought were serving the public interest and benefiting the country. But since I failed to properly manage those around me, (everything that happened) is my large wrongdoing. Instead of buying her more time, Parks conditional resignation offer may embolden street protesters and further fan the anger of her critics because she continues to deny wrongdoing over the scandal, said Choi Chang Ryul, a politics professor at South Koreas Yongin University. Chung Jinsuk, floor leader of Parks Saenuri Party, defended her speech as showing a determination to avoid confusion in state affairs, and said that parliament should overcome factions to agree on the process and timeline for Parks exit. South Koreas first president, Syngman Rhee, quit and fled to Hawaii amid a popular uprising in 1960. The succeeding government was overthrown by a coup by Parks late father, the military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose rule also abruptly ended after he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. Choi Kyu-hah then became acting president, but was forced out of office eight months later after a military coup led by Chun Doo-hwan, who would eventually become president. At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader and mentor who became close to Park after her mothers assassination in 1974. Prosecutors have so far indicted Choi, two ex-presidential officials and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges. Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet with prosecutors. Her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, has described prosecutors accusations as groundless. Following protests by thousands of people over five weeks in South Korea, scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said Tuesday she will step down from office once the parliament puts a plan for a safe transfer of power in place. Park, who has about 15 months left in office, found herself in the middle of a political influence scandal after her close aide and confidante Choi Soon-sil was arrested for allegedly meddling in government affairs and exerting influence over the president. Choi has also been accused of pressurizing companies into giving a combined 77.4 billion won ($65.5 million) to two nonprofits that were under her control the Mir and K-Sports foundations. I will leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly, Park said Tuesday in a live address to the nation. If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will resign from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law. The opposition, however, has referred to the announcement as an attempt to delay impeachment, after prosecutors said they believed the president conspired in the criminal activities of Choi, her so-called spiritual adviser. But who exactly is this Choi Soon-sil? After Parks father and former military dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated in 1979, Chois father Choi Tae-min, leader of a religious cult, reportedly acted as a mentor for Park, establishing a strong relation between the two families. Other than being Parks close friend, Choi was also the presidents spiritual advisor and her former husband, Chung Yoon-hoi, served as an aide to the Park when she was a lawmaker. Choi, who has been indicted by South Korean prosecutors, rarely made public appearances and was relatively unknown before the political scandal the biggest scandal to hit South Korea in recent times surfaced. Story continues Earlier this month, prosecutors charged two of Parks former aides in connection with the wide-ranging scandal. The presidents former senior advisor for policy, Ahn Jong-beom, is facing charges of abuse of power and attempted extortion and ex-private secretary Jeong Ho-seong was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of leaking confidential documents to Choi. Cha Eun-taek, a pop music video director in the country, has also been charged with abuse of power, coercion and embezzlement and will be tried for allegedly using his ties to the presidents confidante to win major projects. park geun hye Photo: REUTERS/Jung Yeon-Je/Pool/File Photo Last week, Lee Young-ryeol, chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said evidence showed the president was involved as a conspirator in a considerable part of the criminal activities by suspects Choi Soon-sil, Ahn Jong-beom and Jeong Ho-seong, referring to the two former presidential aides. However, because of the president's impunity from prosecution stated in Article 84 of the constitution, we cannot indict the president. The special investigation headquarters will continue to push for an investigation of the president based on this judgment, Lee added, saying Park would be questioned soon. Despite her presidential immunity, Park is liable to be investigated, the Associated Press reported. While Parks term ends in February 2018, she is facing immense pressure from the public and the opposition to resign or face impeachment. The 300-member National Assembly, or parliament, was expected to vote on an impeachment bill before Dec. 9, which is the date the legislative session ends. If 200 members vote for the motion, Park would be impeached. The likelihood of the impeachment to go through is high as there are 172 opposition and independent lawmakers who want Park removed. In addition to this number, they will need 28 of the 128 lawmakers from Parks conservative Saenuri Party to break ranks. While some of them have already said they support the impeachment, 30 to 40 of Parks lawmakers are reportedly set to change sides. If the National Assembly votes to impeach Park, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn an unelected official will serve as the acting president till the Constitutional Court takes its decision on ratifying the impeachment vote, a process that could take up to six months. Hwang, however, is deeply unpopular with the masses. If Park steps down, she will be the first South Korean leader to resign since the country's first president Syngman Rhee quit and fled to Hawaii during a popular uprising in 1960. On the other hand, if the president is impeached, she will again be second to former president Roh Moo-hyun who was impeached in 2004 after allegations of calling on voters to support his party during parliamentary elections, a violation of his neutrality. Related Articles By Ross Kerber (Reuters) - Investors, including the state treasurers of Connecticut and Illinois, called on Wells Fargo & Co to require an independent board chair, saying the bank needs stronger oversight in the wake of a scandal over fake customer accounts. Although Wells Fargo already has shuffled its leadership structure, Connecticut Treasurer Denise Nappier on Tuesday said the investor group has filed a shareholder resolution for the San Francisco bank's annual meeting next spring seeking a change in its bylaws. Improvements need to be formalized, she said, because a board whose chair is also chief executive - the dual role once held by John Stumpf at Wells Fargo - creates a potential conflict of interest. "At the end of the day, the companys shameful conduct was fueled by poor governance that fostered a culture of irresponsibility and deficiencies in risk management," Nappier said in a statement. Via email, Wells Fargo spokesman Ancel Martinez said, "We appreciate the feedback that we receive from our investors and we will review the proposal." Stumpf resigned on Oct. 12, bowing to pressure following a $190 million settlement the bank reached with regulators in September. Reviews found the bank's staff opened as many as 2 million accounts without customers' knowledge to meet internal sales targets. Stumpf was replaced as CEO by the bank's president, Tim Sloan. The role of board chair was given to Stephen Sanger, who had been Wells Fargo's lead director and was listed as independent in the bank's latest proxy filing. Nappier called the splitting of the roles "a welcome first step" but said Wells Fargo must still put a better leadership structure in place. Co-filers of the resolution included Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, shareholder adviser Hermes EOS and Needmor Fund, which had filed before Stumpf's departure. In a separate news release on Tuesday, Frerichs said the bank's "predatory and illegal banking practices have proved that the company needs a set of independent eyes to ensure stronger, unbiased oversight." Frerichs had earlier cut some state business with Wells Fargo, such as suspending its use as a broker dealer. (Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston; additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Dan Grebler and Jonathan Oatis) Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - German airline Lufthansa said it had slashed 800 flights Tuesday as pilots walked out for a 48-hour strike following a four-day stoppage last week in a long-running pay dispute. Around 82,000 passengers are affected Tuesday by the latest industrial action, the 15th by the carrier's flight crew since April 2014. While Tuesday's walkout affects short-haul flights, Wednesday will see a further 890 flights cancelled including some long-haul services. Lufthansa failed to obtain an injunction to halt the strike from a Munich court -- the second time in a week its attempts to block industrial action by legal means have fallen through after a similar judgement in Frankfurt. A spokesman told AFP the group had withdrawn an appeal against the Bavarian court's judgement. There is little sign of an end to the drawn-out dispute between pilots and managers at Lufthansa, with union Vereinigung Cockpit warning of further strikes if the airline does not soften its position. "Strikes can continue as long as we don't have an offer we can negotiate over," union leader Joerg Handwerg told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily. Pilots complain that they have had no pay rise in five years, while the airline has continued to book healthy profits. They demand a pay increase of an average of 3.66 percent per year, retroactive for the past five years. But managers have rejected such a settlement, with their last offer a one-off bonus of just under two months' salary and a 4.4 percent pay increase spread over two years -- a deal refused by Cockpit at the weekend. The pay deal was "only a part of an overall package" that included cuts to pensions, Handwerg said. Lufthansa says it pays pilots significantly more than its competitors. According to managers, a co-pilot earns a starting salary of 6,500 euros ($6,890) gross per month, while a late-career captain can be paid as much as 22,000 euros. By Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Digital payments company Stripe Inc has raised a fresh round of funding that nearly doubles its valuation to $9.2 billion, the company said on Monday. San Francisco-based Stripe raised $150 million in a funding round that closed this week, said Chief Financial Officer Will Gaybrick. The round brings the company's total fundraising to $450 million. After its previous funding round more than a year ago, Stripe was valued at $5 billion. Its new valuation of $9.2 billion makes Stripe among the world's highest-valued 'fintech' startups backed by venture capitalists. Fintech loosely refers to companies using technology to reinvent financial services. Stripe facilitates online payments for companies and organizations ranging from Target and Lyft to Twitter and the Girl Scouts. The funding round was co-led by CapitalG, the venture capital arm of Alphabet Inc, and General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors including Sequoia Capital, Gaybrick said. Separately, Stripe said on Monday it received a credit facility from banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co, Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Morgan Stanley and Barclays Plc, but declined to disclose the value. The new financing comes as other fintech startups face a cooling funding climate. The third quarter this year brought a slump for North American fintech companies, with $900 million invested across 96 deals, down from $2.8 billion across 118 deals in the third quarter last year, according to venture capital database CB Insights. Stripe, founded by brothers John and Patrick Collison in 2010, has raised less money than some of its fellow private tech startups with similar valuations. Music company Spotify, for instance, has raised about $1 billion for a $8.5 billion valuation. Theranos, the beleaguered blood-testing company, raised roughly $750 million for a $9 billion valuation. But Stripe is growing globally, now in 25 countries, and needs to hire workers and set up more offices as it competes with PayPal Holdings Inc, Square Inc and other more established payments players. Story continues Stripe is also expanding its reach with a program called Atlas, which allows young businesses in countries such as Cuba and Turkey to incorporate and open a bank account in the United States, and use Stripe to begin receiving payments over the Internet. The Wall Street Journal first reported news of the latest funding round on Friday. (Reporting by Heather Somerville; Editing by Bill Rigby) For 14 years, the Supreme Court has been puzzling over how to solve a basic constitutional puzzle over the death penalty: how to make sure that people who are intellectually disabled but are not insane are spared from execution. For a time during a hearing on Tuesday, it appeared that, at this point, it needed only to conclude that states should not follow the lead of Texas the nations most execution-minded state. But the Justices did move beyond that, and made what appeared to be genuine progress. That is a project that began with the Courts 2002 ruling in the case of Atkins v. Virginia. That was one of a series of decisions in which the Justices were setting up categories of people for whom the death penalty would be considered cruel and unusual punishment and thus barred by the Eighth Amendment. In Atkins, the Court changed its mind from its refusal in 1989 to include intellectually disabled people in the protected category, and added them (in that ruling, it referred to this group as mentally retarded, but that is a phrase that has since become culturally discredited, so the Court no longer uses it). At the time, however, it was not entirely clear who would be put into that grouping. The Court remarked candidly in that decision that there was no consensus on which offenders are retarded, so it chose to leave it to the states to devise standards to implement the new constitutional mandate. That may or may not have been intended as a signal that the states could experiment with their own definitions, but they have done so in response. Two years ago, the Court decided Hall v. Florida, making clear that states could not use the single factor of an IQ test score as the standard. Intellectual disability is a condition, not a number, it said. So, it said that lawyers must be allowed to offer clinical evidence based upon medical standards, especially on how well a person could adapt to normal life patterns and changing circumstances. Again, though, it avoided spelling out a legal formula that would encompass a uniform standard. Story continues Last June, it returned to the project. It agreed to hear the case of Moore v. Texas, raising the specific issue of whether a state could use an out-of-date set of clinical standards or was obligated to use the most current standards (the medical community changes those about every 10 years). The case involves Bobby James Moore, convicted of murder for killing a store clerk in Houston during a robbery. Texas highest court for criminal cases, the Court of Criminal Appeals, ruled that he could be executed because he was not intellectually disabled, based on a 2004 state court decision that made binding in Texas a set of medical standards that prevailed in 1992, along with assessments of the judgment of the people of a community about an individuals mental capacity. The Moore case came up for argument before the Justices on Tuesday, and the hearing started slowly because the Court and Moores lawyer had to sort out just what question they were debating. As the hearing unfolded, though, it became clear that the focus landed directly on the meaning of that 2004 Texas state court ruling (issued in the case of Ex parte Briseno). The more liberal Justices bore down on that rulings perceived defects, suggesting that it amounted to a declaration that Texas could execute any person who was only mildly disabled intellectually, even if every clinical expert would agree that that individual was, in medical terms, actually too disabled to be executed. Those Justices suggested that Texas would only spare those convicted individuals who were severely disabled intellectually. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who wrote the decision in Hall v. Florida and has become the leader of the Court on limiting the death penaltys application to vulnerable categories of individuals, joined in milder terms as a critic of Texas approach. Moores lawyer, Washington, D.C., attorney Clifford A. Sloan, eagerly adapted part of his argument to that Texas-focused inquiry, noting that the state had used the Briseno standard only for judging intellectual disability in death-penalty cases, and not in other criminal cases. But Sloan also continued to weave into his argument his basic stress on the need for states in general to apply the latest clinical standards, adapting to each new set as it emerged every decade or so. Texass lawyer, state Solicitor General Scott A. Keller of Austin, made a studied effort to portray the Briseno decision as fully consistent with the Courts mandate on looking to medical standards for judging intellectual disability, but that effort kept running into the liberal Justices harsh critique of their view of the Briseno decision. The larger project to further define the Atkins mandate did get advanced during the argument, as Justice Stephen G. Breyer pointed out with no evident disagreement on the bench that it probably was not possible for the Court to lay down a specific, uniform standard for judging intellectual capacity, especially in borderline cases between the margins of obvious mental incapacity and obvious mental capacity. That was helpful because, for one thing, the Court would not have to lay down a flat prohibition on a states use of anything but the very latest clinical standards, and thus could continue to allow states to work this out on their own, so long as they stayed faithful to the core Atkins protection of the intellectually disabled. It also was helpful because it moved the Court back to the task of finding ways to give states more guidance on the Eighth Amendment objective that the Atkins and Hall decisions had meant to achieve. Instead of engaging in the awkward process of judges attempting to mediate the use or non-use of specific clinical standards, the Court might find itself more able to do the judicially manageable task of clarifying how much discretion the Eighth Amendment would allow states to use in defining eligibility for a death sentence. Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston is Constitution Dailys Supreme Court correspondent. Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011 and he has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com, where this story first appeared. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily Last-ditch presidential recount efforts face a tough task Dont expect Electoral College drama on December 19 Explaining President Obamas outgoing pardon powers South Carolina authorities have charged 45-year-old realtor Todd Kohlhepp with three more counts of murder, officially linking the suspected serial killer to the deaths of seven people. Jail and court records accessed by PEOPLE confirm the charges against Kohlhepp, whose arrest earlier this month led to the discoveries of three bodies and an alleged confession to a quadruple homicide that could resolve a 13-year-old cold case. Kohlhepp has already been charged with four counts of homicide after his alleged confession. After those charges were filed, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright told PEOPLE that more charges are coming soon. Kohlhepp was arrested after an allegedly chained-up woman was rescued from a metal shipping container on the approximately 100 acres he owns in Woodruff, South Carolina. Since then, authorities have combed the Kohlhepps expansive property, finding at least three dead bodies. The rescued woman 30-year-old Kala Brown was reported missing in late August, along with her boyfriend, Charlie Carver. Brown told police she watched Kohlhepp fatally shoot Carver; his body was found in a shallow grave on Kohlhepps land. 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. Later, Kohlhepp allegedly led investigators to the grave sites of a missing couple, later identified as Meagan Coxie, 25, and Johnny Coxie, 29. On Monday evening, the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office formally filed three additional counts of murder, charging Kohlhepp with killing Carver and the Coxies. Kohlhepp was also charged Monday with unlawful weapons possession and with kidnapping Carver and the Coxies. Kohlhepp is being held without bond and has not yet entered a plea. It is still unclear who his attorney is. The successful real estate agent who spent 15 years behind bars for raping a 14-year-old at gunpoint as a teen was already being held on four counts of murder after his alleged confession to the 2003 quadruple homicide inside a motorcycle shop outside Chesnee. Sleeping beauty! Blac Chyna took to Instagram Tuesday to share an adorable new picture of her daughter Dream Renee and the baby girl certainly looks like shes living up to her namesake. In the picture, Dream, 3 weeks, is dozing off peacefully, mouth wide open as she leans up against what appears to be Moms chest. Mood, Chyna, 28, captioned the post. Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the PEOPLE Babies newsletter. Chyna and her fiance Rob Kardashian welcomed Dream via c-section at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Nov. 10. A source previously confirmed to PEOPLE the couple had cameras rolling in the delivery room, and Dreams arrival will be chronicled on an hour-long baby special airing next month on E!. In the weeks since, the proud parents havent been shy about showing off their little girl, regularly snapping pictures and videos of her and even signing her up for her very own Twitter and Instagram accounts. And Dream has certainly brought Chyna and Kardashian, 29, together: Though the pair were living apart up until Dreams birth, a source told PEOPLE Monday the two are now living together in Chynas home so that Kardashian can spend as much time as possible with his daughter. Rob is super hands on with Dream, said the insider. Shes changed his life. She makes him want to be better. And hes spending a lot more time with his family. The source added that Kardashian wants to continue living with Chyna and wants to spend every day with his daughter. He is making a big effort to get along with Chyna, said the source. She seems very happy with him. They are getting along great and enjoying parenting together. Rob & Chynas Baby Special is set to air Dec. 18 on E! BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels were fighting pro-government militias on the southeastern edge of east Aleppo's opposition-held enclave on Tuesday, a rebel official said, as Damascus and its allies try to build on major gains in the city in recent days. A major assault by government forces backed by allied militia has driven rebels from the northern part of their eastern Aleppo enclave and they now hold only two thirds of the area they had held for years in the city. "There are no new advances (by government forces) but the bombardment and battles are still fierce, particularly in Aziza," an official in the Jabha Shamiya rebel group told Reuters. The official said there was a large mobilization of pro-government militias in the area on Monday night. Jabha Shamiya is one of the main rebel groups in Aleppo. (Reporting by Tom Perry; Editing by Louise Ireland) By Humeyra Pamuk and Nick Tattersall ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Time was that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dedicated large parts of his speeches to condemning Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for atrocities against his people, calling for his ouster and urging greater support for the rebels fighting him. Now, as Syrian government forces capture swathes of eastern Aleppo, threatening to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold, Assad and the battle for what was once Syria's biggest city get little more than passing mention. NATO member Turkey has been one of the main backers of Syria's rebels since early in the near six-year war. But rapprochement with Russia, one of Assad's main allies, frustration with U.S. policy, and an overriding concern about securing its borders against Kurdish militia fighters and Islamic State have seen Ankara scale back its ambitions. "At the moment, Turkeys foreign policy in Syria is hostage to Russia. Russia controls the air space and Turkish soldiers are 30 km inside Syria," said Behlul Ozkan, assistant professor in international relations at Marmara University in Istanbul. "Turkey needs to be in agreement with Russia on every step it takes in Syria," he said, or Turkish troops would be exposed. In a speech on Tuesday, Erdogan condemned what he said was the failure of the United Nations in Syria and cast Turkey's incursion in August, when it sent tanks, fighter jets and special forces over the border, as an act of exasperation. "Close to one million people died in Syria, and they continue dying. Where is the U.N.? What are they doing? We kept saying 'patience, patience, patience' but could not take it any more and entered Syria," Erdogan said. "We are there to bring justice. We are there to end the rule of the cruel Assad, who has been spreading state terror." But Turkey's "Operation Euphrates Shield" was not about battling Assad. It aims to sweep Islamic State from a roughly 90-km (56-mile) strip of the Syrian border and prevent Kurdish militia groups from seizing territory in their wake. Tuesday was the first time in almost a month that Erdogan had mentioned Assad by name in a major public address, according to a review of his recent speeches published on the presidency website. He made no direct reference to events in Aleppo. A senior official from one of the Turkmen rebel brigades backed by Turkey said some 60 percent of Turkmen fighters pulled out of Aleppo in August to take part in Euphrates Shield, withdrawing from front lines against Assad's forces. "Of course that withdrawal had an impact. If those groups had stayed, perhaps Aleppo could have resisted more," said the official from the Muntasir Billah Brigade, although he doubted it would have changed the course of the battle. "They did not have much of a chance as their weapons are limited - machine guns and Kalashnikovs - while the regime and Russians have used everything from barrel bombs to warplanes," he told Reuters from the Turkish border town of Gaziantep, a rear base for some of Syria's rebel forces. RUSSIAN RAPPROCHEMENT Russia has been helping forces loyal to Assad try to take back full control of Aleppo by providing training, equipment, advice and intermittent air support. Just over a year ago, Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet over Syria, prompting a breakdown in ties that was only resolved in August after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Erdogan in St Petersburg. The rapprochement has not changed Ankara's position that Assad must go to restore peace in Syria, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told Reuters on Saturday. But Erdogan has spoken with Putin at least twice over the past week, agreeing to try to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and "coordinate efforts against international terrorism", officials in his office have said. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also made a surprise visit to regional rival Iran, another key Assad ally, at the weekend, discussing cooperation in Syria with President Hassan Rouhani. "The government does continue to criticize the brutal targeting of Aleppo by Assad and his allies, Russia and Iran, but it has seen that the rhetoric does not have much influence," said Can Acun, a researcher at the SETA think-tank in Ankara. "It is trying to achieve results through shuttle diplomacy with Iran and Russia through its bilateral ties but so far there haven't been any meaningful positive results," he said, adding that the international community was "turning a blind eye". "Turkey does not have much of a capacity in the current equation to get results on its own." The level of continued support from the rebels' other backers, including the United States and Gulf, is uncertain. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled opposition to U.S. support for the rebels, indicating he could abandon them to focus on fighting Islamic State. Qatar's foreign minister told Reuters this week Doha would continue to arm them even if Trump ends U.S. backing, but would not on its own supply the shoulder-fired missiles they want to defend against Syrian and Russian warplanes. For its part, Turkey's focus is squarely on ensuring that the Turkmen and Arab rebels it backs secure the 90 km strip of territory south of its border and prevent Kurdish militias from joining up cantons they already control on either side. Ankara fears such a move would stoke Kurdish separatism at home. Their immediate challenge is securing al-Bab, an Islamic State-held city northeast of Aleppo which Kurdish-led fighters are racing to take, and which lies close to the front lines of Assad's allies. Turkish-backed forces have made rapid gains since August, but largely through less heavily populated areas. Urban warfare around al-Bab is already taking a heavier toll. Five Turkish soldiers have been killed in the past week alone, three of them in a suspected Syrian government air strike. "Right now the question is whether Russia will allow Turkey to seize al-Bab," said the Muntasir Billah Brigade official. "There's a political equation here. It's not about whether Turkey has enough tanks, soldiers and weapons, but whether there's any room for such a move from Turkey in the equation." (Additional reporting by Orhan Coskun and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Anna Willard) Tony Martell, a veteran label exec and founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, which has raised more than $270 million for cancer and AIDS research, passed away Sunday at the age of 90. While he enjoyed a long and successful career -- most prominently at CBS Records and Sony Music, where he worked closely with Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Electric Light Orchestra, The O'Jays and many others -- there's no question that his greatest work was with the Foundation, which was founded in 1975 after his son T.J. died at the age of 21, after a battle with leukemia. The Foundation has become one of the most prominent and important charities in the music industry, and its annual ceremony is one of the year's major events. Tony was there on Oct. 18, just five weeks before his death, telling the audience that leukemia is no longer the number-one killer among young people, and speaking proudly about the Foundation's considerable role in that milestone. Below, Tony is remembered by a few of his many of his friends and colleagues. "It saddened me to hear of my friend Tony Martell's passing. Tony was the only record executive to believe in me when he signed me to Epic Records as a solo artist in 1980. He will be missed." -- Ozzy Osbourne "Tony Martel was such a sweet man. Maybe he didn't belong in this business. When no one would take an artist or manager's call, Tony would always make time, and always did his best to help out talented people, no matter how down on their luck they were. He was so important, but never 'self-important.' He was one of the only major record company folks to believe in Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. We loved him so. "When I [Laguna] was young, Tony's son died. We started the T.J. Martell Foundation, starting with just the 2 of us, at ABC Dunhill. Most successful record moguls think they are more than they are -- but they aren't curing cancer. TONY WAS CURING CANCER!! He had mammoth success in music, but all that pales next to his accomplishments in making sure T.J. Martell did not die in vain. -- With love and respect, Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna / Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Story continues "I've known Tony Martell for 40 years and he's never once wavered from the cause of eradicating leukemia and cancer. He leaves a broad, deep footprint and a lot of friends behind." -- Charlie Daniels "Tony was a real music man and had a great knowledge of the industry, and he really galvanized it in supporting the Foundation and its strategy to find cures for cancer. He didn't just have the support of Sony, the company he'd worked for -- he had the support of most music labels, majors and indies, because the foundation has given hundreds of millions of dollars for research. He was the lighting rod that brought it all together. Obviously losing his son was the spark that started the Foundation, but he took it to a level that was just incredible -- and it happened because of who he was. "He had a lot of energy and was always willing to help people. I've had friends with cancer and he would willingly get on the phone with them and put them in touch with specialists. He was incredibly gracious with his time. "Artists and people in the industry recognized the importance of the cause -- cancer doesn't discriminate and he got that message across. He was one of a kind -- he was a lovely man and a good, good person who did incredible work." -- Kevin Kelleher, EVP/CFO, Sony Music "I am deeply saddened by the news of Tony's passing. He was a great man to a great many people in many great ways: A loving husband and father, a music industry leader, an icon in the world of charitable institutions, a ray of hope to those with cancer. To me he will best be remembered -- and missed -- as a cherished friend. The world was a much better place because he was in it." -- Kid Leo, longtime radio and record label executive and Vice Chairman, T.J. Martell Foundation "I am happy that the music industry supported the T.J. Martell Foundation over the years. Tony was a great friend to me and he raised a lot of money to help find a cure for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. He will be extremely missed." -- Clarence Avant, former manager and label executive "Tony Martell was a brilliant music man and extraordinary individual who did so much to change the lives of so many people. He inspired many in our business and worked tirelessly to help those affected by leukemia, cancer and AIDS. His passion and energy will be missed. Together we will mourn his passing yet celebrate his remarkable life." -- Tom Corson, president and COO, RCA Records "Tony Martell's unwavering and selfless commitment to helping others was his hallmark and the memory that I will honor." -- Avery Lipman, president/COO, Republic Records "There's nothing more admirable in life than helping those in need; Tony Martell will forever live in the hearts of those he touched. I'm honored to have known the man." -- Monte Lipman, chairman/CEO, Republic Records "There was only one person in the music industry who actually did something important: Tony Martell! We worked together for many years and I have many wonderful memories and stories. I spoke to him four weeks ago and we planned to have a meal before Xmas. When I called him, all I said was hello -- I didn't identify myself. He said, 'Hello, Harvey Leeds, remember I was behind you from day one!' That was one of his favorite sayings. "If Tony added you to his family, you were a lifer! If you ever enjoyed the music of Ozzy Osbourne, Gamble & Huff, The Isley Brothers, Weird Al Yankovic, The Romantics, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Survivor, Kansas, Steve Forbert, Johnny and Edgar Winter, David Johansen, Tabu Records, on and on -- it was because of Tony, the ultimate mensch! -- Harvey Leeds "Tony was truly an inspiration to anyone who was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work with him. What can you say about a man who spent every waking moment looking for ways to make good on his promise to his dying son? I am honored to have had the chance to be a part of the foundation he created, and see first-hand the amazing things that all of Tony's hard work and determination have led to. We will miss him dearly and will do all we can to live up to the high standard that he set." -- Rick Krim, co-president, U.S., Sony ATV Music Publishing "T.J. Martell, finally reunited with his father, probably said, 'Thanks, Dad, for the good fight against cancer!' So Tony is saying to us: 'The battle goes on!' " -- John Huie, CAA "I was so fortunate to know Tony Martell. He had an amazing spirit and touched many people through the years. We must continue his legacy and carry the T.J. Martell Foundation forward so we may find a cure for these horrible diseases." -- Laura Heatherly, CEO, T.J. Martell Foundation 19-year-old Halima Aden became the first hijab-wearing contest in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant [Photo: Instagram/kinglimaa] As women continue to push the message that they are more than just their looks, the world of beauty pageants seems ever more controversial. But 19-year-old Halima Aden set out to change that. Over the weekend, she became the first Muslim woman to compete in Miss Minnesota USA wearing a hijab. Wearing the religious garment throughout, Halima changed into a burkini an item which has recently been banned in a number of countries for the famed swimwear round. Halima Aden starts off Miss Minnesota USAs swimsuit segment to big cheers from the crowd. Announcer: Shes making history tonight. pic.twitter.com/OUvbHv6xct Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) November 27, 2016 Halima told KARE-11 that she chose to remain comfortable throughout her first pageant, saying: A lot of people will look at you and will fail to see your beauty because youre not covered up and theyre not used to it. Be who you are. Its easy to feel like you have to blend in but it takes courage to live your life with conviction and embrace the person you are. Unfortunately, Halima didnt win but did make it to the semi-finals; a real achievement for someone who refused to stick to the norm. Social media went wild upon the news with people praising the teenager for staying true to herself. Lets hope that this pageant diversity continues. Is it right to ban burkinis on beaches? Muslim blogger designs hijab range for all skin tones Home for the holidays the sentiment is suddenly more important for brothers Jorge, Jacob and Santiago Hernandez of Houston, Texas, whose dog was stolen from their porch early on Monday morning. KTRK reports that the heartbroken dog owners are offering their earnings and Christmas money which total $100 as a reward for the return of their 9-month-old dog Toby. Surveillance footage obtained by the station shows a man covering his head with a jacket before swiping the Yorkie Maltese mixs dog carrier from their porch and fleeing the scene in a car. I never expected something to happen like that, Jacob, 13, said. thought maybe theyd take a bike, added Santiago, 8. Not Toby. KTRK said the boys parents filed a police report with the Houston Police Department, but they were told that cases like this are difficult to solve. The brothers saved money this summer in order to buy the pup, who they already consider a brother, according to Jorge, 17. That dog not only was he like a member of the family, it was pretty pricey to get him, Jorge said. How could somebody be that heartless? Analyst predicts 1% contraction in 4Q. Thailand's exports unexpectedly dropped after two months of gains, adding pressure on the struggling and trade-reliant economy. Thailand's export value in October was US$17.8b, 4.2% lower YoY. The government attributed the decline to slow global trade, weaker shipments of gold and oil products plus last year's high base of comparison. Imports meanwhile rose a better-than-expected 6.5% from a year earlier. The 10-month export value was US$178.3b, down 1.02% from the same period of 2015. Maybank KimEng comments that exports excluding gold and crude oil fell 3.7%, below the markets lowest estimate of 3.1%. Many sectors showed signs of weakness after a recovery in Aug-Sep 2016. Frozen seafood and chicken posted 10% growth in Oct 2016, matching the strong growth delivered by ceramic exports at 12% YoY. On 10M basis, the fruit juice sector is a winner, recording 22% YoY growth. According to the research house, using the 10M16 average exports of THB17.8b for the last two months this year, exports will drop 0.2% YoY. However, it noted that the export performance in November and December has been on average 3% lower than October in the past 15 years. "Based on our estimates, Thai exports are most likely to average US$17.25b a month in Nov-Dec 2016, bringing 4Q16/2016 export performance to 1%/0.8% contraction, below the government target of flat growth," it said. More From Singapore Business Review Thailands Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will be asked to become the nations new monarch this week, the ruling junta has announced, following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej last month. Prince Vajiralongkorn, 64, surprised many by not immediately succeeding to the throne after the passing of the 88-year-old Bhumibol on Oct. 13, instead saying he needed a period to grieve for his father, who was lauded as a unifying figure in the Southeast Asian nation. Senior junta figure General Prawit Wongsuwan told local media Tuesday that the Crown Prince would be invited to accept the role of monarch by the national legislature this week. After this, we enter the parliamentary process, he said, according to Reuters. We expect an audience [with Vajiralongkorn] within the next one to two days. Leaked palace documents addressed to government ministries appear to tell officials to prepare for the naming of Vajiralongkorn as King on Friday. TIME has not been able to independently verify their authenticity. Vajiralongkorn, who after a slew of scandals is not as popular as his father, will be known as King Rama X of the 234-year-old Chakri dynasty. However, he can only be formally crowned after his fathers cremation, which is scheduled for next year, Reuters says. The subject of succession is a source of deep political tension in Thailand. Bhumibol was the worlds richest monarch and many see the coup of May 22, 2014, as a bid to control the royal fortune and system of patronage. The passing of a controversial constitutional referendum in August means the military will continue as an influential power broker even after elections slated for November. Thailand has the worlds harshest royal-defamation laws, which are increasingly co-opted by the junta to quash dissent. There aren't many artists fortunate enough to hold a Kanye West-produced album in their discography or can even tap Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld for art-direction on a project, but for Theophilus London, an anomaly among his rap counterparts, those are just the few encounters that helped bolster his rise to prominence since his 2008 debut mixtape Jam! After the release of his last studio effort, Vibes, in 2014, London's ingenuity has been relatively absent from the music scene, a hiatus he took to from the "madness" he's endured over his eight-year career. "I just wanted to take two years off and see where I fit in this new industry, a lot of things have changed," he told Billboard about his break. "I just wanted to take some time off to enjoy it again. I'm ready and I feel a burning desire inside of me to start again." The Trinidad-born, Brooklyn-raised MC moved to Los Angeles during his hiatus but cited his recent return to the Big Apple as the fuel that ignited his hunger to get back in the studio to create new material. "I'm interested in flourishing in the music industry for the next 10 to 15 years, really be present and consistent," he says. London added that apart from his homecoming, his comeback was also inspired by candid conversations between he and a few friends, who reminded the "Can't Stop" rhymer of his past musical creations and helped imbue a greater appreciation for music in him. While he's maintained a steady presence among today's ever-changing musical landscape, London often finds himself digging into the past, whether he's drawing inspiration from his musical influences Michael Jackson and Prince or combing through old emails when he feels "nostalgic" to discover oft-forgotten beats that were previously sent to him. For his newly released single "Revenge," the style maven recreated New Musik's "They All Run After the Carving Knife," an email sent from a friend back in 2008, and tapped the "free-forming musicianship" of Ariel Pink, which took the two artists 72 hours to create. Doused with a driving energy and psychedelic guitar riffs, the infectious pairing of Pink and London straddles the line between New Wave sounds and Funk basslines as London coos "They race to the top, yeah / until they drop, ohh / when they take all the pain Is it all in vein?" over the synth-laden track. Story continues Honing in on his entrepreneurial skills, London teamed up with social media app Clapit, an interactive mobile network designed to support rising artists by allowing them to upload short clips of their talent to the app and the best videos uploaded receives a "clap," heightening the chances of gaining global recognition. "My partnership with the app wasn't about the single ["Revenge"], it was about me wanting to reach out to those obscure kids that I can't reach out to on any other social media," he offered. The rapper recently launched an open call challenge with the app where participants must upload their videos using the hashtag #singit, and the highest clapped video will win the chance to meet London. To all creative people around the world! Would u want to meet me have dinner than create vibes after? Download app and start now to win U pic.twitter.com/IPAVdQRSeG - Theophilus London (@TheophilusL) November 20, 2016 "I have been blessed with amazing mentors throughout my career so I look forward to being able to discover and acknowledge some of the country's most promising young talent on Clapit," said London. "It's an authentic community of creatives, where we can support talent together. We're out here scouting emerging artists, talents looking for their big break." With his comeback in full-swing, London reveals that he has a multitude of new material waiting to be unleashed including the Mark Ronson collaborative number "Whiplash," which he performed earlier this year during a performance at the Boiler Room in Brooklyn, and a Skepta-produced track titled "Alone." "I have about 50-60 songs sitting in my studio right now," he continued adding that his collection includes freestyles from his Kanye West-helmed Vibes session. "I'm a music-head so I kind of want to form them into a free-forming mixtape, something that people can collect and not tie it down to an album." London continues saying that his break allowed him to "to stop and foresee the future." "Making it about music and skill and transforming into sub-cultures - that's what I'm interested in." Listen to Theophilus London and Ariel Pink's funky "Revenge" below. From Esquire It's fitting that the current demand to audit/recount the presidential vote is centered on Wisconsin. The transformation of the state where so much of the progressive improvements to self-government began into the independent Republic of Griftsylvania (Scott Walker, assistant manager for sales) is one of the great triumphs of the money power and its lickspittles in modern American politics. Further, if you want to see how long and hard a pull it's going to be to roll any of this back, you should check out the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's account of one race for a seat on the state's supreme court. (Reminder: an elected judiciary is the second-worst idea in American politics. Thank you.) "I haven't heard anyone making any noise about Annette," said Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joe Donald, who ran for the Supreme Court this year but lost in the primary. "If someone was out there thinking about it, they would need to move right away." Attorneys, judges, political consultants and others contacted for this story told The Associated Press that they hadn't heard of anyone who was planning to challenge Ziegler. "I haven't heard a thing," said Madison attorney Linda Clifford, who ran against Ziegler in 2007. There was no talk, either publicly or privately, about any potential challenger to Ziegler during the annual Wisconsin Judicial Conference meeting last week, said former Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler. He lost his re-election bid in 2008 and is now working as an attorney in the Milwaukee area. As the story informs us, Annette Ziegler's ascension to the state's highest court can be seen as the beginning of the conversion of that court into a rubber-stamp for the ongoing campaign to sell off Wisconsin for parts waged by Walker and his pet legislature. Ziegler, 52, paved the way for a conservative re-shaping of the officially nonpartisan court with her victory in 2007. When she joined the court nearly a decade ago, liberals held a 4-3 majority. Now conservatives have a 5-2 majority, which they would retain if Ziegler were to winOutside money could also play a large role. Ziegler's race in 2007 marked the first time that outside groups spent heavily on Supreme Court races in Wisconsin. Of the $3.1 million spent by outside groups in that race, about $2.7 million came from conservative groups backing her, according to a tally by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Outside groups spend about $3.4 million on this year's race won by conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley. All but about $700,000 went to Bradley. Knowing that so much outside money could flow in for Ziegler, as it did in 2007 and has for conservative justices since then, could also be scaring off potential challengers, Bannon said. Story continues Once in office, unsurprisingly, Judge Ziegler ran afoul of the state's ethics laws because ethics laws used to be something of which the state was justly proud. Therefore, they can be ignored before being destroyed. Again, from the J-S: According to a summary of the complaint, Ziegler told an Ethics Board investigator that her husband, J.J. Ziegler, has been a director of the West Bend Savings Bank since 2000 or 2001. Annette Ziegler, 43, told the investigator that her husband is paid $20,000 a year to serve as a director for the bank but noted that he is a developer and said the bank is "not how we make our living." Ziegler also told the investigator that Supreme Court conflict-of-interest rules did not enter her mind when she acted on the five cases, and if they had, she would have felt that her conduct was allowed under the rules. State Supreme Court rules explicitly say a judge cannot rule on a case if his or her spouse is a company director unless both sides in the case approve a waiver allowing that judge to preside. And there, in microcosm, is the whole damn thing. The destruction of traditional political norms. (The court was designed to be bipartisan.). Big money helping to elect a knee-jerk conservative majority. Dark money helping to guarantee that majority's permanent survival. And, eventually, an opposition party giving into the futility of it all. That's how Wisconsin got the way it is. That's how Kansas got the way it is. One day, unless people get smart and careful in one quick hurry, that is how the United States is going to have become what it is. In related developments, the University of Wisconsin, the pioneer state university in using its research facilities for the general good of the people of the state, home of The Wisconsin Idea, just fell out of the National Science Foundation's list of Top Five research universities for the first time since 1972. Nice work, Scott. Keep an eye on Wisconsin. It's the lab rat for a lot of really terrible ideas. Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page. You Might Also Like The highly-anticipated Victorias Secret Fashion Show is just a day away, and the models are getting themselves into tip-top shape before their big reveal down the runway. That means working out, waxing, spray-tanning, deep-conditioning their hair, and moisturizing their mugs in a way truly befitting an Angel: 24-karat gold face masks. If youre dying to get the glowing skin Alessandra Ambrosio, Sara Sampaio, Iza Goulart and Elsa Hosk are known for, behold the models pre-runway skincare secret: pricey, precious removable face masks.. If youre willing to shell out $300 (yes, thats the price of beauty), this gold leaf sheet mask from Mimi Luzon has become a secret weapon among the Victorias Secret models this year. RELATED PHOTOS: The Best Behind-the-Scenes Photos from the Victorias Secret Fashion Show Pure gold is said to give the skin extra radiance when applied directly to the skin, as well as having properties that treat redness and fine lines, which is why its no surprise plenty of companies are incorporating this anti-aging superstar ingredient into their skincare formulas. RELATED VIDEO: Buddy System! Kendall Jenner Arrives in Paris for vs Fashion Show With Bella Hadid Weeks After Kims Robbery RELATED PHOTOS: How the Victorias Secret Angels Models Get In Shape But dont worry: just because golds the main ingredient, that doesnt mean you need a Victorias Secret Angels budget to try out the treatment at home. If youre looking for a bit of a luxury splurge but still want something a bit more affordable than the models $300 pick, try out either Oribes Gold Envy Luminous Face Mask (for $95) or the Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Mask (for $80). Or, if sheet masks are more your thing, Peter Thomas Roth also sells its Un-Wrinkle 24k Gold Intense Wrinkle Sheet Mask for just $12 apiece. Are you going to check out gold masks, and see what the Victorias Secret models are so excited about? Tell us below. By Laila Kearney and Dan Whitcomb (Reuters) - Local officials said on Tuesday that "the worst is over" for two small Tennessee resort towns in the Great Smoky Mountains where wildfires killed three people, destroyed or damaged more than 100 homes, forced thousands to flee and threatened country music star Dolly Parton's theme park, Dollywood. The flames, driven to the outskirts of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge overnight by hurricane-force winds and fed by drought-parched brush, forced 14,000 people to flee and sent three to hospitals with severe burns, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said. Three people were killed in the wildfires, the agency said, and a total of 14 people injured. No further details were immediately available on the fatalities. While downtown Gatlinburg was untouched by the flames, heavy smoke and an orange sky hung overhead as motorists packed roads in an attempt to leave town. "I can tell you that we've all been overwhelmed at the scene of destruction in the county and primarily in the city of Gatlinburg," Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters told reporters at a press conference. Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner said that about half of the town of some 3,000 people, known as the "gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains," had been affected by the blazes. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said the so-called Chimney Top fire exploded on Monday evening as humidity dropped and wind gusts reached nearly 90 miles per hour. "I can tell you this, whatever we deal with today is not gonna be anything like what we dealt with last night. The worst is definitely over with," Miller said at the news conference. It was not immediately clear how many people were ordered from Pigeon Forge, which includes Dollywood's 150-acre (60.7-hectare) spread of rides and other attractions. The theme park said it would suspend operations on Wednesday because of the wildfires, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials said all of the park's facilities were closed because of extensive fire activity and downed trees. "I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken," Parton said in a written statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with the great people of Tennessee during these terrible wildfires. Stay safe!" President-elect Donald Trump said in a post on Twitter. Vice President-elect Mike Pence told reporters that Trump had spoken to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to express the incoming administration's concern and offer their prayers. About 12,000 homes and businesses were left without power in the area and some 2,000 people sought refuge in shelters, officials said. Downed power lines and fallen trees sparked several smaller fires, local media reported. Members of the state's National Guard have been called in to assist first responders. Firefighters have battled dozens of wildfires across the U.S. Southeast in recent weeks. "It's the apocalypse on both sides" of the city's center, volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant Bobby Balding told local 9News. (Reporting by Laila Kearney in New York, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Diane Craft and Sandra Maler) Tilda Swinton admits she doesnt like Harry Potter for this very surprising reason Wands, magic, flying broomsticks theres so much to love about the wizarding world of the Harry Potter books and films. We cant imagine what there isnt to love about them. But one actress can. Tilda Swinton revealed that she dislikes Harry Potter, but its not for a reason you might expect. Tilda Swinton grew up in the upper echelons of British society, and she had a lot of expectations impressed upon her. For many of us in the US, boarding school seems like a distant fantasy. But for someone who grew up like Tilda, they were very much a reality. And therein lies her problem with Hogwarts. Tilda Swinton dislikes the Harry Potter franchise, because it romanticizes boarding schools. Tilda said, I think they are a very cruel setting in which to grow up, and I dont feel children benefit from that type of education. Children need their parents. Thats why I dislike films like Harry Potter, which tend to romanticize such places. We never thought of that, but we totally understand Tildas point. Tilda attended West Heath Girls School in Sevenoaks, Kent as a girl. Tilda doesnt specify what specifically made her unhappy in boarding school, but we know there was no magic, so thats no fun! Looking to create an alternative to boarding schools, Tilda established her own independent school, Drumduam three years ago. It offers boarding to older students, but its not required. The school also emphasizes art based practical learning, rather than the strict curriculums at some boarding schools. We can totally see why Tildas experience growing up in a boarding school might make Hogwarts less magical. But while we still love Tilda, we also still love Harry Potter. The post Tilda Swinton admits she doesnt like Harry Potter for this very surprising reason appeared first on HelloGiggles. The lame-duck Congress has set forth its final agenda items under President Obama, as lawmakers attempt to meet the Dec. 9th spending legislation deadline. But how much of that agenda will be approved as Republicans are set to assume control of the executive branch come January? President-elect Donald Trump has proposed a $1 trillion infrastructure spending plan to be rolled out over the next 10 years. In an interview with FOX Business Networks Countdown to the Closing Bell, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) said a conservative House will never pass a $1T infrastructure program. [Congress is] not going to spend that kind of money. If they wanted to spend that kind of money on infrastructure they would have voted on President Obamas stimulus package, DeLay said. DeLay, who became the Republican majority leader of the House in 2003, and was known as The Hammer for his political style, said the Federal government has no business involving itself in running local airports and transit systems. The federal government has a constitutional duty for interstate highways and interstate transportation systems, then maybe you can make a case for airports. But, the biggest problemis federal government regulations, he said. According DeLay, increasing infrastructure spending wont stop federal regulations from creating a road block and preventing projects from meeting their completion dates. Do you realize it takes 10 years from the conception of building a road to actually starting construction only because the federal government mandating historical impact statements, environmental impact statements. You can increase spending by 40% and not blink an eye, DeLay said. Related Articles Countless studies have shown that democracies are less likely to go to war, torture their own citizens, and censor the media. Thats one reason why Western governments and philanthropic foundations funnel more than $10 billion every year into promoting democracy overseas. For example, donors fund efforts to help train election observers, educate voters about their rights, and train local media outlets to cover political issues. In the last year, more than $70 million have been spent on such projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a poor and fragile country emerging from over two decades of armed conflict. That may sound like a lot of money, but in relative terms its not. The American, British and Canadian governments alone spent more than eight times that amount on democracy promotion in Afghanstan during the countrys most recent elections. In this instance as in so many others the international community has failed. The DRCs president, Joseph Kabila, is decidedly unpopular. After enduring 15 years of his rule, which have been marked by corruption, conflict, and rising inequality, fewer than 10 percent of Congolese want him to remain in power. Almost all of the countrys diverse ethnic and social groups are united in opposition, and violent protests are growing increasingly common. But last month, in a naked grab for power, Kabilas administration managed to manipulate supposedly independent institutions in particular the Elections Commission (CENI) and the Constitutional Court to execute a constitutional coup detat, delaying elections until 2018 or beyond. A number of opposition parties have agreed to support Kabilas scheming in exchange for plum positions in his cabinet. In this light, its hard not to wonder if all the Western democracy assistance was a waste of time and money. But its important to understand that democracy promotion is not destined to fail. When executed correctly and informed by rigorous analysis and a common strategy, such programs have made a crucial difference in building democracy around the world. Story continues The DRC offers lessons for the international community on how not to promote democracy overseas, and of the negative consequences of under-investment in these critical projects. I spent months researching democracy promotion in the DRC and found little evidence of a common strategy guiding the efforts of international donors and NGOs. Hesitant to upset the Congolese government, funders avoided supporting politically-sensitive projects that might have made a difference. They also funneled their resources towards a small geographic area within the DRC, marginalizing millions of Congolese as a result. The international community has neglected several important obstacles to democratization in the DRC. More than 46 percent of democracy promotion projects in the country focus on monitoring and observation or civic education. But, despite the fragmented and disorganized nature of the DRCs 400-plus opposition parties, just 2 percent of donor efforts have focused on building political parties capacity and only 1.4 percent on training candidates for public office. Harvards Pippa Norris finds that opposition parties with strong internal coordination and an enabling legal context can help improve democratic outcomes, mobilizing citizens to participate and hold the government to account. Congos opposition parties were unable to prevent Kabila from violating the constitution and extending his stay in power, despite a groundswell of grassroots engagement and protests. Even as Kabila seeks to coopt independent institutions like the CENI, only 6 percent of donor-funded democracy promotion initiatives have sought to reinforce these public electoral bodies. These also include the Constitutional Court, judicial structures designed to mediate contested election results, and parliamentary institutions responsible for approving the electoral calendar. Effective electoral institutions can improve the quality and legitimacy of popular votes. But the Kabila regime has had little difficulty in sweeping these bodies aside. Despite the clear evidence of their importance, the international community clearly decided not to fund democracy promotion projects that focused on these issues. One explanation may be the perceived sensitivity of such projects, particularly in the eyes of the Congolese government, which regards efforts to work with the opposition or conduct polls as a threat to its authority. Its tough for us to be seen as working against the government these days, one international donor told me on condition of anonymity. Its getting harder and harder, and more and more dangerous, to work on these issues in Congo. In recent months, the Kabila regime has expelled numerous experts working on these issues, such as leading Congo analyst Jason Stearns. Kevin Sturr, a senior USAID official, was arrested along with a score of Congolese activists at a training workshop in March 2015. If the international community concedes to authoritarian governments threats and ignores salient issues, its not surprising that democracy promotion efforts will founder. Governments fear such projects for the very reason that they represent a threat to its ability to subvert democracy and strengthen legitimate albeit unwelcomed checks and balances on its power. Thats exactly why such efforts are so important. Theres also the problem of which regions to focus on. I found that Kinshasa, the countrys capital, and a few of the volatile eastern provinces, received the lions share of democracy promotion funding. Donors invested $3.34 per person in democracy promotion efforts in South Kivu; $3.28 per person in Maniema; and $1.94 per person in Kinshasa. These funds financed large-scale media campaigns to educate voters about where and how they can vote and frequent town hall meetings to explore the most important issues facing the community. But funders neglected many other provinces, including those at highest risk of future electoral violence. The international community invested just five cents per person in Ituri less than 60 times the amount spent in South Kivu. Ituri is one of the least stable and most tense areas in the country: Armed groups continue to stoke inter-ethnic tension and commit serious human rights abuses. And without significant investment in efforts to defuse these tensions and reinforce electoral institutions, elections may themselves spark an intensification of violence in this tinderbox province. Donors have failed to confront this reality. Preventing authoritarian leaders from subverting democracy ultimately requires more than just donor dollars. It also requires diplomatic pressure. In the DRC, its been a case of too little, too late. World leaders statements of deep concern, calling for Kabila to usher in Congos first peaceful and democratic transition of power, have had minimal impact. President Obama has led the way in imposing sanctions on Congolese leaders responsible for engineering Kabilas continued rule, subverting the constitution and crushing peaceful protests. But the U.S. government has imposed asset freezes on just three officials so far. And even those limited sanctions came in June and September of this year, even though moves to prolong Kabilas presidency began as early as late 2014. Despite its stated deep concern, the European Council continues to wait and see before following suit and imposing its own sanctions. Its time for the international communitys actions in the DRC to match its rhetoric. The $70 million allocated for democracy promotion in the DRC is insufficient for a country almost as large as Western Europe. Donors should invest greater resources in this effort, prioritizing sensitive but critical efforts to reinforce political parties and strengthen supposedly independent institutions. Multilateral sanctions on Kabilas closest allies and advisors including Vice Prime Minister Evariste Boshab, spy chief Kalev Mutond, and Communications Minister Lambert Mende would ratchet up the pressure on the Congolese government to stage elections as soon as possible. These individuals have great sway over the Presidents decisionmaking and could push Kabila to stand aside. In decades and centuries past, the international community has often found itself on the wrong side of history in the DRC. And as Joseph Kabila clings to power against the wishes of the people and against the tenets of the constitution, history looks set to repeat itself. Future generations of Congolese may look back at this troubled and violent era of their countrys history and wonder why the world didnt do more. In the photo, protesters face anti-riot police in Goma on October 19 during a demonstration against plans by President Joseph Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his term in December. Photo credit: MUSTAFA MULOPWE/AFP/Getty Images Nairobi (AFP) - A top advisor to Burundi's president and the most public face of the government has escaped an assassination attempt blamed on Rwanda, in the latest political attack in the crisis-wracked nation. The attack took place late on Monday when a group of gunmen ambushed Willy Nyamitwe, the government's top spokesman, as he was returning to his home in the capital Bujumbura. The assailants opened fire and threw grenades, killing one of his bodyguards but leaving Nyamitwe with only minor injuries to his arm. Police said the gunmen were waiting in a nearby house which was under construction, blaming the botched assassination on Rwanda. "Rwanda's role in the current crisis in Burundi is undeniable," police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye told reporters on Tuesday. He said two conspirators had been arrested, one of whom admitted the mission was sponsored by neighbouring Rwanda, with whom Burundi has fraught relations. "It is the same enemy, they are criminals based in Kigali," said Nkurikiye. Burundi has repeatedly accused Rwanda of meddling in its affairs, supporting rebels and seeking to destabilise the government. - High-profile targets - Nyamitwe is one of the most prominent voices in Burundi, an active tweeter who frequently criticises the West for interfering in the central African nation. "I thank those who wish me a speedy recovery. I am doing well but saddened by the death of a best friend, the policeman Gasongo," he tweeted after the attack. His brother Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Burundi's foreign minister, described the assassination bid as "a new, pointless effort to disturb republican institutions". Burundi has been in turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans in April last year to run for a third term, which he went on to win. More than 500 people have been killed in the unrest and at least 300,000 have fled the country, while several well-known figures, including high-ranking military officers, have been assassinated. Story continues The European Union said in a statement that the attack "reflects the continuing climate of violence in Burundi characterised by numerous murders and forced disappearances." In April, Human Rights Minister Martin Nivyabandi and his wife were injured in a grenade attack while leaving church. General Adolphe Nshimirimana, considered Nkurunziza's right-hand man, was killed in August 2015, the highest-ranking member of the regime to be assassinated. - 'Foreign plot' - A volley of reports by international rights groups accusing the government of atrocities and warning of genocide has infuriated Bujumbura, which says there is a "foreign plot" to overthrow the government. Burundi in October informed the United Nations it intended to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. It also suspended cooperation with the UN human rights office and declared three UN rights investigators persona non grata after a damning September report detailing atrocities. A report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) two weeks ago warned of the risk of genocide in the country which suffered a brutal civil war from 1993 to 2006 between majority Hutus and minority Tutsis that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives. In response, Nyamitwe launched the hashtag #ThisisMyGenocide, posting pictures of himself posing with a kitten and juggling eggs to mock the "biased report". DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2016 / Trintech, a leading global provider of integrated, cloud-based Record to Report (R2R) software solutions for the office of finance, today announced that it has been named one of the 20 Most Promising Compliance Solution Providers of 2016 by CIO Review Magazine. In addition to being named in this prestigious list, Trintech is also featured on the cover of the publication as the headline story. "It is an honor to have been recognized as one of the 20 Most Promising Compliance Solution Providers of 2016 by CIO Review Magazine," says Teresa Mackintosh, CEO at Trintech. "We continuously work hard to ensure we deliver value to our customers around the world, and it is a great honor and testament to our team and customers alike to have our solutions and company spotlighted as leaders in the compliance marketspace." Trintech is committed to providing exceptional financial Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions that enable highly qualified employees to refocus their time and effort on ensuring the integrity of the period-end numbers and driving strategic growth for the organization, leaving the manual tasks to the robots. Mackintosh continues, "With RPA, an effective controls framework underpins the whole process, unifying all key control components together to enable a clear audit trail for your compliance initiatives." Trintech's Record to Report RPA platform, Cadency, delivers a world-class framework, addressing the entire financial close process through a single, seamless, integrated technology, eliminating the need for multiple single-point solutions. With Cadency, the CFO can easily alleviate the internal and external pressures brought on by regulatory bodies and multiple audits. "Tasks critical to the close should not be completed manually, as they are time-consuming, error prone, and inefficient, creating high risk to the entire organization," affirms Mackintosh. "That is why it is time to bring Robotic Process Automation to the office of finance." Trintech continues to innovate its products and further enhance the technology and features they provide in order to meet the evolving needs of the market and its strong customer base. Trintech is committed to providing world-class, innovative RPA solutions that deliver increased efficiency, real-time visibility, collaboration, and control to enterprise-class organizations around the world and across a multitude of ERP systems, including Oracle, SAP, and NetSuite. About Trintech Trintech, Inc. pioneered the development of Financial Corporate Performance Management (FCPM) software to optimize the Record to Report process. From high volume transaction matching and streamlining daily operational reconciliations, to automating and managing balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, treasury management and bank fee analysis, to governance, risk and compliance - Trintech's portfolio of financial solutions, including Cadency, ReconNET and T-Recs, help manage all aspects of the financial close process. Over 1,700 clients worldwide - including the majority of the Fortune 100 - rely on our cloud-based software to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve governance and transparency across global financial organizations. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Trintech has offices located across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Nordics, as well as strategic partners in South Africa, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. To learn more about Trintech, visit www.trintech.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. SOURCE: Trintech, Inc. WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A Republican antitrust veteran has been named on Monday to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team for the Justice Department, a choice that lawyers say signals a more hands-off approach to antitrust enforcement compared to Democratic President Barack Obama. David Higbee, a partner at the law firm Hunton & Williams LLP, worked for President George W. Bush's administration from 2001 to 2005, spending the last year in the Antitrust Division. Since then he has advised clients on merger reviews, antitrust litigation and government investigations. Higbee joins Joshua Wright, an economist and former commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission, as the only two people on Trump's transition team with a background in antitrust. The Obama administration has challenged an unusually large number of mergers in the last few years, leading to the collapse of Halliburton Co's plan to buy Baker Hughes Inc , among others. Currently, the Justice Department is suing Anthem Inc to prevent it from buying Cigna Corp and Aetna Inc to stop its purchase of Humana Inc . While Trump, who campaigned as a populist, has talked tough on media mergers such as AT&T Inc buying Time Warner Inc , and singled out Amazon.com Inc for antitrust scrutiny, Higbee's naming heralds a return to a traditional Republican view of merger enforcement, lawyers said. "Higbee will have that sensible caution," said Bruce McDonald, another veteran of the Bush administration now at the law firm Jones Day. "He will be more confident in business and markets and less confident that government can identify and fix problems." An antitrust division designed by Higbee would be tough on price-fixing and mergers of competitors but would be cautious in challenging deals where companies buy suppliers or incidents where companies are accused of breaking antitrust law to run competitors out of business, McDonald said. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will unveil its biggest defense research plan in more than a decade on Wednesday to reverse billions of euros in cuts and send a message to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that Europe wants to pay for its own security. Part of a broader push to revitalize defense cooperation, the European Commission will propose a defense fund and seek to lift a ban on the EU's common budget and its development bank investing in military research. The main proposal, to be presented at around 12 p.m. (1100 GMT), is an investment fund for defense, which could allow EU governments that pay into it also to borrow, ensuring funds are always available for joint defense programs such as helicopters or drones. The fund, which could start on a small scale in 2017, could be backed by the European Investment Bank to finance projects if governments agree to remove the ban on backing military projects. With the Commission overseeing a common EU budget of about 150 billion euros ($160 billion) a year, France and Germany say it is time to allow it to be used for military research. (For a graphic on EU defence spending, click: http://tmsnrt.rs/2ctbMmP) The European Parliament has approved a 90 million euro pilot plan for 2017 to 2019 and the Commission could potentially allocate 3.5 billion euros from the budget between 2021 and 2027, officials say. Defense research spending by EU governments has fallen by a third since 2006, leaving the European Union reliant on the United States for advanced warfighting equipment. During the U.S. election campaign, Trump questioned whether the United States should protect allies seen as spending too little on their defense, raising fears that he could withdraw funding for NATO at a time of heightened tensions with Russia. France and Germany rely on aging military transport planes, for example, while some navy helicopters have been grounded because of technical faults related to long years of service. A report by the German military seen by Reuters on Tuesday showed its Tornado jets had a readiness rate of just 44 percent and its newer Eurofighters were ready for use 52 percent of the time, well under the goal of an average 70 percent readiness. "Europe has to be very careful that the investment gap is not translated into an ever wider technology gap," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told defense contractors and officials at a speech earlier this month. "If left unchecked, this could translate into a political gap which would clearly not be in our interest," she said, referring to a potential loss of the EU's foreign policy clout. BREXIT DILEMMA An earlier Commission plan in 2003 failed to win over governments. This time around, France, Germany and Italy are seizing on Britain's decision to quit the bloc. They see it as removing an obstacle to deeper defense cooperation, given Britain's fears about a European army run from Brussels. Britain's departure removes one of the biggest contributors to the EU budget, although it is not clear if Britain would seek to collaborate on defense from outside the bloc. "We see EU defense as detrimental to NATO, but if there are major collaborative research projects, we would want to be part of them," said Geoffrey Van Orden, a former brigadier in the British army and now a lawmaker with the euroskeptic European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament. Germany and France say sharing resources may be the only way to sustain adequate military forces. EU officials point to the merger of missile systems companies in France, Italy and Britain in 2001 to create MBDA, the only European group able to design and produce world-class missile systems. Waste is also a problem, as European governments champion national defense contractors. According to EU data, the bloc has 19 types of armored infantry fighting vehicle, compared with one in the United States. (Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Berlin; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Former secretary of labor Elaine L. Chao has been chosen to head up the Department of Transportation by President-elect Donald Trump, according to multiple reports Tuesday. Chao, 63, is definitely a part of the so-called "Republican establishment." She served in the administrations of both President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush. She's also been married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell since 1993. Chao, who was labor secretary under the second President Bush's administration, was the first Asian-American woman to serve in a cabinet-level job. She was the sole cabinet member to serve the entire eight years with Bush. Chao met with Trump last week to talk labor and transportation policy. Other candidates for the position had included Rep. Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania, a staunch opponent of immigration, and Rep. John Mica of Florida, who chairs the House Transportation Committee. While Chao is an experienced politician, unlike outsider Trump, her political career is not without controversy. Critics, chiefly labor unions, said her tenure as labor secretary was marred by favoritism for big business and a lax attitude to worker safety, the New York Times reported in January 2009, just ahead of President Barack Obama's inauguration. Chao has remained involved in politics, even if not directly holding a job in Washington. She's been described as a trusted adviser to her husband, with a Time article in 2014 describing her as McConnell's "secret weapon." Chao had previously attended Harvard Business School, served as a fellow in the Reagan White House and as Deputy Secretary of Transportation in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Chao was born in Taiwan and came to the United States as a child, fleeing China's communist revolution. Her family, in turn, started a shipping company that grew into a massive business. Story continues As transportation secretary, Chao may have to oversee massive spending on infrastructure, as Trump has promised to spend $1 trillion on roads, bridges and other similar projects. The New York Times' Maggie Haberman posted on Twitter that Chao's selection is perhaps a bit surprising since a transition official had told her Chao was a "dark-horse candidate" as recently as Monday. Related Articles Donald Trump will meet with Goldman Sachs president and COO Gary Cohn on Tuesday, Trump's spokesman said in a press call. The president-elect and vice-president elect, Mike Pence, will sit down with Cohn at Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday, according to Trump spokesman Sean Spicer. The 56-year-old business executive is the banking and securities giant's number-two leader behind CEO Lloyd Blankfein. Spicer did not comment on what the meeting would entail. Cohn did not publicly come out in favor of any candidate during the 2016 election, but he has been active in donations. According to data from campaign finance website OpenSecrets, Cohn contributed to the National Republican Congressional Committee and GOP members of Congress like Kevin McCarty, Tom Cotton and Rob Portman, among others this election cycle. He also gave to Kelly Ayotte, the New Hampshire Senator who was critical of Trump during campaign season and lost her seat in November. Goldman Sachs did not immediately return a request for comment. Blankfein said publicly he was "supportive" of Hillary Clinton. Cohn joined Goldman Sachs in 1990 and has been a partner there since 1994. Prior to Goldman, he served as a director at the London Metals Exchange and as a member of the board of directors and the executive committee of the New York Mercantile Exchange and the Commodity Exchange. He is no stranger to the public stage. In Malcolm Gladwell's 2013 book David and Goliath, Cohn related his early-life struggles with dyslexia and his path to Wall Street. Trump and Pence have held meetings and conversations with dozens of individuals regarding potential positions and roles in their administration since Election Day, including with leaders in business and banking. For example, on Tuesday, Trump will also meet with Marion Blakey, CEO of Rolls-Royce North America . And on Monday, the president-elect sat down with Sandeep Lakhmi Mathrani, CEO of General Growth Properties . JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was rumored to be in contention for Treasury Secretary, but according to Fortune, he formally declined the offer. "He's taking people who've been successful in all different walks of life," said Trump spokesman Jason Miller in the Tuesday press call. "I think it's safe to say that the president-elect has fantastic relationships with a number of industry titans." EXCLUSIVE OFFER: See inside Jim Cramers multi-million dollar charitable trust portfolio to see the stocks he thinks could be potentially HUGE winners. Click here to see his holdings for FREE. Gary D. Cohn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Goldman Sachs attends the session 'Where Is the Chinese Economy Heading?' of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich - RTX23C1Q President-elect Donald Trump will meet with Goldman Sachs COO and President Gary Cohn on Tuesday, according to Sean Spicer, a spokesman for Trump's transition team. Cohn is the No. 2 executive at the firm, behind CEO Lloyd Blankfein. The president-elect was highly critical of the Wall Street bank throughout his campaign. He condemned Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for her ties to Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street firms and for earning hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches given to the global investment bank and its clients. Trump said in October that Clinton "meets in secret with international banks to plot the destruction of US sovereignty in order to enrich these global financial powers, her special interest friends and her donors." To that, Blankfein said in an October CNBC interview that "if there's some secret international cabal, I've been left out of the party." Blankfein said in an October interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria that he supported Clinton. Since winning the election, Trump has been considering a number of current and former Wall Street executives for his Cabinet, including the former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin and current JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon for Treasury secretary, according to multiple reports. Steve Bannon, a senior adviser to Trump, is also a Goldman Sachs alum. NOW WATCH: Richard Branson: Entrepreneurs need to fill the gap where government is lacking More From Business Insider President-elect Donald Trump continued to meet with advisers and possible cabinet appointees at Trump Tower in New York City on Tuesday. And he also met with a Republican supporter who entered the building virtually unrecognized, according to a pool report: former Vice President Dan Quayle. Quayle strolled through the lobby accompanied by Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser to Trump who stopped to pose for a photo with a fan who apparently didnt want the former vice president in the frame. Members of Trumps transition team did not respond to questions as to why the president-elect was meeting with Quayle, though a source said that Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and Quayle had breakfast together around 8 a.m. (Quayle, who was born in Indianapolis, has served as a member of both the House and Senate representing Indiana Pences home state.) Quayle told reporters upon leaving Trump Tower that he was in the area and stopped by to offer personal congratulations to the president-elect. Former Vice President Dan Quayle and Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trumps senior adviser, walk through the lobby at Trump Tower on Tuesday. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters) Things are in good hands, Quayle said. Hes moving forward, and hes going to make America great again. Quayle reiterated that he supported Trump during the presidential campaign. As did Vice President Cheney, the two Bush vice presidents, Conway added. Trump is scheduled to have dinner with Mitt Romney, a possible choice for secretary of state, on Tuesday evening. President-elect Donald Trump took to his Twitter account early Tuesday to announce that the burning of the U.S. flag is illegal and those found doing so will face punishment. The Republican said that those who burn the American flag will lose their citizenship or face one year in jail. Using the flag as a symbol of protest is an American tradition. During protests, the country has witnessed the burning of the flag as protestors vent out their anger as a mode of free speech. In 2005, Hillary Clinton co-sponsored a bill that would make burning the American flag a criminal act punishable by one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Despite the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) calling the burning of the flag offensive, it is not illegal or unconstitutional. The first flag burning case in the Supreme Court was Texas v. Johnson. On June 21, 1989, a deeply divided court voted 5-4 in favor of Johnson, a protester in Texas who burned the U.S. flag. Johnsons actions, the majority argued, were symbolic speech, political in nature and could be expressed even if it upset those who disagreed with him. In reaction to the Johnson decision, which only applied to the state of Texas, Congress passed an anti-flag burning law called the Flag Protection Act of 1989. However, in 1990, the Court struck down that law as unconstitutional in a second case, United States v. Eichman. Related Articles New York (AFP) - Donald Trump dined at one of New York's swankiest restaurants with Mitt Romney, his erstwhile foe turned potential frontrunner in the race to become America's next secretary of state. The dinner came as the president-elect got a shot in the arm by a manufacturing company announcing a deal to keep nearly 1,000 jobs in the Rust Belt and as the New York billionaire prepared to switch his attentions from job interviews to a post-election victory tour. "We will keep our companies and jobs in the US. Thanks Carrier," Trump tweeted late Tuesday, referring to the Indiana-based air conditioning company that announced the deal. The choice of Jean-Georges, a three-starred Michelin restaurant overlooking Central Park run by celebrity French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and popular with New York high society, was the clearest indication yet that Trump may select Romney as his chief diplomat. After the dinner, Romney offered words of praise for Trump that contrasted sharply with his past criticisms, saying he had been "impressed" by his acceptance speech and subsequent preparations for office, calling it "a wonderful evening." "I think you're going to see America continue to lead the world in this century," Romney told reporters, saying he had "increasing hope that president-elect Trump is the very man who can lead us to that better future." The brash real estate tycoon and the former Republican nominee who lost the 2012 election to Barack Obama were joined by Trump's incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus in full view of other diners, who included CNN's senior White House correspondent. In a restaurant where dinner starts at $148 a head, the Trump team said they feasted on garlic soup with thyme, sauteed frog legs and scallops with caramelized cauliflower and a caper raisin emulsion. For their main course, both the president-elect and Priebus opted for prime sirloin with a citrus glaze and carrots, and Romney for lamb chops with the mushroom bolognese sauce. All three had chocolate cake. Story continues Asked by a reporter briefly allowed to observe the meal whether it was going well, the president-elect flashed a thumbs up. - Mnuchin touted - It was the second face-to-face meeting in 10 days between Trump and the 69-year-old former Massachusetts governor, who savaged him as a "conman" and a "fraud" during the election campaign. Trump's secretary of state will be America's public face to the world who could face the delicate task of reassuring foreign allies alarmed by the president-elect's rhetoric on the campaign trail. Other key posts yet to be announced are the secretaries of defense and treasury -- for which US media reported that Trump was expected to name former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin. But the search for the right diplomat has proved contentious with some of Trump's inner circle horrified at the prospect of rewarding a prominent critic with such a plum job. Romney's distrust of Russia -- at odds with a president-elect who has spoken admiringly of Vladimir Putin -- and the respect he generally commands have been touted as qualities by establishment Americans. It remains unclear how influential the secretary of state would be on crafting foreign policy with Trump loyalist and retired general Michael Flynn already nominated as national security adviser. Besides Romney, other potential candidates are celebrated general yet scandal-clad former CIA director David Petraeus, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Earlier Tuesday, Trump met Corker, 64, who said that he thought Trump had narrowed the choice "to a very small group of people" and it was important that he selects somebody on the same wave length. Petraeus, who met the president-elect on Monday, has by far the most foreign policy experience, but was forced to resign from the CIA after showing classified material to his mistress Paula Broadwell. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified materials, and was put on probation and fined $100,000. - Jobs to stay - Helping Trump claim success on his election pledge to save American jobs from going overseas, air-conditioning company Carrier Corp announced it had reached a deal with the president-elect and vice president-elect Mike Pence "to keep close to 1,000 jobs." Trump had tweeted on America's Thanksgiving holiday last week that he was seeking to persuade the company to stay in the United States. The New York Times reported that Trump and Pence plan to appear at the company's Indianapolis plant on Thursday to announce they have struck a deal after the company had threatened to move 2,000 jobs to Mexico. The same day, both Trump and Pence are also scheduled to lead a post-election rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. The evening event at the home of the Cincinnati Cyclones, with a maximum capacity of more than 17,000, is expected to be similar to those that drew enthusiastic crowds of thousands during the campaign. The transition team has dubbed it a "thank you tour." tom price Rep. Tom Price of Georgia on Tuesday was nominated as the new secretary of health and human services by President-elect Donald Trump. A former orthopedic surgeon, Price has an impressive record in the healthcare field. He is also a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act, the healthcare law better known as Obamacare, and his appointment perhaps signals Trump's seriousness in intending to dismantle the law. "The Trump administration's mantra has been that the ACA is a disaster and the only way to fix it is to repeal and replace it, and this appointment seems to confirm that idea," Timothy Jost, a law professor and health-policy expert at Washington and Lee University who supports the ACA, told Business Insider. Price has been at the forefront of congressional fights to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's signature legislation. While Trump's own details on how to replace the law have been spotty, Price has written legislation called the Empowering Patients First Act, which would repeal most of the sections of Obamacare and shift toward what Republicans call a "market-based" approach. How it would work Price's plan would significantly restructure the benefits given to Americans without health insurance through their employer or the government. Price's plan structures tax credits based on age brackets $1,200 for people ages 18 to 35 and up to $3,000 for those 50 and older. This is different from the ACA, which bases its tax credits on the income of the patient. Another key aspect of Obamacare one Trump has said he would consider keeping that prevents insurers from denying coverage based on a preexisting condition, would change. Under Price's proposal, people would be able to continue coverage if they shifted from the employer market to the individual market, but only if they have no interruptions in coverage. Thus, a break in care would allow insurers to deny coverage to people with an illness. Story continues For those who do not maintain that care, Price's plan would institute state-level high-risk pools to help cover them. The Price plan would provide $1 billion in federal funding to help control costs for these pools. The Commonwealth Fund, however, a nonpartisan health-policy think thank, estimates that these pools would require well over $170 billion a year in federal funding to cover those who today have ACA-based plans. Additionally, such high-risk pools typically have premium costs double those of normal individual-market plans. The expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare would also be rolled back under Price's plan, shifting roughly 15 million people from the government-sponsored insurance to the individual marketplace. The expansion provided coverage for those making roughly $16,490 and below annually. Questions loom over, even with a subsidy, how affordable it will be for those people to obtain plans on the individual market. In total, Price's proposal bears much of the same hallmarks of plans from Republican other congressional leaders, such as House Speaker Paul Ryan, who called Price the "absolute perfect choice" for the position in Trump's Cabinet. "We could not ask for a better partner to work with Congress to fix our nation's healthcare challenges," Ryan said in a statement. barack obama sad frown 'Asking the fox to guard the hen house' The appointment of Price has drawn criticism from Democrats and advocates of the Affordable Care Act. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the incoming Senate minority leader, said Price's healthcare proposals were "far out of the mainstream of what Americans want." "Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house," Schumer's statement said. Jost said Price's proposals would, incidentally, end up hurting many of the people who elected Trump to the White House. Price's plan "shows where we're heading," Jost told Business Insider. "It will help wealthier people and does nothing to help the working-class people who actually voted for Trump." Critics point to potential rollbacks of provisions in the ACA that compel insurance companies to provide certain types of care, meaning insurance companies could exclude comprehensive coverage needed by sick people. For older individuals, Price's plan would take away the provision linking what insurers can charge young people compared with seniors, providing the potential for insurers to increase rates for older people with chronic-care needs. Even the majority of Americans who get their insurance through their employer, Jost said, might see their costs increase under a Price-type plan. Those with insurance through their workplace currently do not pay federal taxes on premiums and other health-related payments such as health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements paid to these plans. Price's plan would cap the amount of healthcare spending that is non-taxable at $20,000 for a family and $8,000 for an individual. While such a provision could hurt affordability for those with employer-based insurance, according to the Tax Policy Center, the exemption cost the federal government $250 billion in lost taxes in 2015. Jost also suggested many of the provisions in Price's plan such as state-level tribunals for malpractice cases and limitations on what patients may use in cases as evidence against a doctor are designed to guard physicians from patients. "The bill should probably be called 'Empowering Doctors First,'" Jost told Business Insider. "He's a doctor, and it's clear he is trying to shield doctors." NOW WATCH: Trump makes baseless claim that he lost the popular vote only because 'millions' voted illegally More From Business Insider As rattled Americans look to Canada to flee President-elect Donald Trump's presidency, universities north of the border are seeing a flood of traffic by U.S. high school students to enrollment websites, and applications are dramatically up from this time last year. Kim Bartlett, director of admissions at McGill University in Montreal, tells The Hollywood Reporter her school has received hundreds more applications from U.S. citizens since the Nov. 8 election, which sparked a surge in traffic to websites for future students. "We saw a lot of traffic on our social media sites the night of the election, as prospective students gave their opinions," Bartlett recalls. Indeed, Trump's victory in the U.S. election, besides crashing Canada's main immigration website, dramatically shifted the trajectory of enrollment enquiries and applications at Canadian universities. "A single graduate program website at UBC received 30,000 hits between midnight and 3 a.m. PT after the U.S. election," University of British Columbia president Santa Ono wrote on Twitter a day after the U.S. election. He added that visits to his school's undergraduate website from the U.S. jumped 100 percent between Nov. 6 and 12. Google Trends also points to a surge in online traffic on Nov. 9 for search terms like "Canadian Universities," "University of Toronto" and "University of British Columbia." "What we saw in the lead-up to the Nov. 8 election was an increase in traffic from the U.S. to some of our websites, and it peaked on the 9th," says Damara Klaassen, senior director of the international student initiative at University of British Columbia. The University of Toronto saw traffic to its admissions websites also soar, with nearly 10,000 U.S. visitors clicking onto one website, www.future.utoronto.ca, on Nov. 9. This represented 10 times the traffic received on the same website on Nov. 7. Story continues "Canada is a model for tolerance and inclusivity, and many students are looking for an opportunity to study in that environment," says Richard Levin, executive director enrollment services and registrar at the University of Toronto. Beyond page visits, the number of applications to Canadian universities from U.S. high schoolers ahead of a Jan. 2017 deadline at major Canadian Universities has also jumped. Preliminary data at the University of Toronto indicates, as of Nov. 20., the school received 339 applications from American students, compared to 213 applications received from the U.S. a year earlier on November 20, 2015. Elsewhere, UBC president Ono on Nov. 24 tweeted: "The number of undergraduate applications to UBC from U.S. students has increased by 26%, compared to this point in time last year." A UBC spokesperson confirmed that rise in applications, which is ahead of the annual 11 percent rate of growth for applications from the U.S. over the past five years. The UBC rep cautions, however, that the rise in applications "cannot be entirely attributed to the U.S. election" as the school has been actively recruiting students from south of the border for over 15 years. "It is too early to predict that the increase at this point in time will be sustained throughout the 2016/17 recruitment cycle," the spokesperson added. McGill's Bartlett agrees more than the U.S. election win is at play. Canada's favorable currency exchange rate, the promise of an Ivy League-level education and a short plane ride home for the holidays also helps young Americans and their bank-rolling parents decide on where they will eventually study, at home or abroad. Studying in Canada is also far easier than moving here for Americans, and graduating from a Canadian university with in-demand work experience has long been seen as a path to permanent residency, especially if you have relatives north of the border. To woo more young Americans, the University of Toronto plans two panel discussions stateside in the coming weeks: The first, in New York City on Dec. 13, is entitled "Saving the World: Innovative Sustainable Development at the University of Toronto," and the second, on Dec. 15 in Washington D.C., will be on the topic of "Aftershocks: A Global View on the U.S. Election." Read more: How Americans Aiming to Escape Donald Trump Can Move to Canada Tunis (AFP) - Tunisia won pledges of billions of dollars in support on Tuesday at an investment conference aimed at reviving the country's economy following its Arab Spring revolution. Nearly six years after dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled, Tunis hopes the meeting will help it tackle challenges including high unemployment, low growth and a tourism sector battered by jihadist attacks. The two-day "Tunisia 2020" conference aims to put the North African nation "back on the investment map of the Mediterranean", officials said. "Tunisia faces exceptional circumstances and needs exceptional support," said 90-year-old President Beji Caid Essebsi. "The success of the democratic project in Tunisia... serves the interests of the region and can help strengthen security and stability regionally and globally," he said ahead of attending an EU-Tunisia summit in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday. More than 2,000 business, finance and political leaders from 40 countries are attending the Tunis conference, including officials from global lenders such as the World Bank. The government is seeking bids on 140 ventures -- from infrastructure and agricultural projects to hi-tech schemes -- worth roughly $32 billion (30 billion euros). At Tuesday's opening session, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani pledged $1.25 billion (1.18 billion euros) to "support the Tunisian economy and strengthen its process of development". - French pledges - Kuwait said it would lend Tunisia $500 million (470 million euros) over the next five years, while Canada and Algeria also pledged financial support. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the French Development Agency (AFD) would invest "at least 250 million euros ($265 million) every year" in Tunisia, a former French colony. That is on top of an aid package France announced last year to pump a billion euros ($1.06 billion) into Tunisia's economy by 2020. Story continues "We want to go further," Valls said, adding that France has "duty and a responsibility" to support Tunisia, and urged Europe to "live up to expectations". The International Monetary Fund approved a $2.9-billion loan to Tunisia in May to help implement economic and financial reforms. The European Union also announced a doubling of its financial support in 2017 to $318 million (300 million euros). On Tuesday, the EU's European Investment Bank announced that loans amounting to 2.5 billion euros would be granted to Tunisia by 2020. EU neighbourhood commissioner Johannes Hahn said this would make Tunisia "the first beneficiary of EU funds" in the region. "Today, the world has hailed Tunisian democracy with its confidence," Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said during the evening signing of some 30 funding agreements and conventions. Earlier, Investment Minister Fadhel Abdelkefi spoke of a "new business climate" in Tunisia, referring to the recent adoption of a code to simplify investment procedures. - 'New governance' - "We are trying to put in place new governance," said Abdelkefi, who is also on a government anti-corruption team. The meeting coincided with an announcement by French auto giant PSA that it would open a factory in Tunisia producing Peugeot pick-ups for the local market. PSA and its Tunisian partner Stafim said they would produce 1,200 vehicles a year from 2018. But with some 15 percent of its workforce unemployed as of spring 2016, according to the World Bank, Tunisia needs much more investment to stave off social unrest. Many of its jobless are young graduates who have seen the hope of the Arab Spring dissipate. Chahed's government took office in August in place of an administration heavily criticised for its economic management. That followed a catastrophic 2015 in which attacks claimed by the Islamic State group killed 59 foreign visitors and 13 Tunisians. The attacks dealt a devastating blow to the tourism industry, which in 2010 employed 400,000 people and represented 10 percent of gross domestic product. Strikes and social unrest have also hit strategic sectors including phosphate mining. In January, Tunisia faced its biggest social unrest since the revolution. Chahed told AFP last week that the international community "should invest in Tunisian democracy". Incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told Tuesday's conference that Tunisia had not yet received enough support. "The success of Tunisia requires a strong economy," he said. "For the private sector, investing in Tunisia is an intelligent decision." Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish prosecutors have demanded multiple life sentences for almost 50 alleged failed putschists charged with seeking to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a plot he says left him 15 minutes from death, state media reported Tuesday. Erdogan, who was holidaying at a hotel in the upmarket Aegean resort of Marmaris with his family on the night of the July 15 coup, had rushed to Istanbul by plane to escape the conspiracy. Forty-seven suspects -- 44 of whom are under arrest while three are on the run -- have been charged with 17 different crimes including an "attempt to assassinate the president", the state-run Anadolu news agency said. Prosecutors have sought six life sentences for each of the suspects, who include an alleged "assassination team" of 37 soldiers suspected of seeking to execute the plan. No date has yet been given for the start of the trial. Turkish officials say the plot to kill Erdogan was a key part of the plan to seize control, a plot they say was masterminded by the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Two Turkish policemen who were helping to guard Erdogan at the hotel were killed, according to the indictment. - 'Killed in 15 minutes' - Accompanied by close family members including his son-in-law, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, Erdogan managed to flee Marmaris and fly by plane to Istanbul where he oversaw the suppression of the coup. "If I had stayed 10 or 15 additional minutes there, I would have been killed or I would have been taken," Erdogan told CNN in an interview on July 18. Turkey has hit out at claims that the coup plotters' failure to eliminate Erdogan raises questions about the authenticity of the plot, insisting that the president was targeted by a potentially lethal conspiracy. Some 37,000 people have been arrested following the coup attempt in a massive crackdown on followers of Gulen that has raised international concerns. Gulen vehemently denies being behind the plot. Story continues Trials are expected to get under way at the end of this year or early 2017 in the biggest legal process in the country's modern history. Critics say a state of emergency imposed after the coup is being used to target any opponent of Erdogan, including those who unequivocally denounced the putsch. Those arrested in the last month include Kurdish politicians and activists accused of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). In the latest indictment, prosecutors have asked for the former mayor of the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Gultan Kisanak, to be sentenced to up to 230 years in jail for alleged crimes including 41 charges of "terror propaganda". Meanwhile, a life sentence has been demanded for pro-Kurdish politician Idris Baluken on charges of membership of a terror group. Baluken, head of the parliamentary group of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), is one of 10 of its MPs currently held under arrest including its two co-leaders. Brussels (AFP) - Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik on Tuesday dismissed a European Parliament vote to freeze accession talks with Ankara as the "most unjust resolution in history" and urged solidarity instead. During a visit to Brussels, Celik sought to ease tensions exacerbated by the non-binding vote last week to halt Turkey's membership process over its "disproportionate" crackdown since July's failed coup. "Turkey is a big country, a magnificent country and the people of this country live in pluralism. They stand up for democracy," Celik told both European and Turkish journalists. "The European Parliament's taking this resolution against such a society is the most unjust resolution in history," he said trying to clear up what he sees as EU misperceptions. "Today, now is the time for solidarity." Ahead of talks with the European Commission's First Vice President Frans Timmermans and other officials, Celik renewed charges that the EU failed to show sympathy with a democratic country rocked by the deadly July 15 coup attempt. "Please try to empathise with us," he pleaded. But the parliamentary vote underscored growing European concerns over rights and democracy in Turkey, especially over the coup crackdown that has seen almost 37,000 arrested. Turkey formally applied to become an EU member in 1987 and accession talks only began in 2005, even though Ankara's aspirations to become part of the bloc dates back to the 1960s. "If there were objective, fair negotiations... then there is no reason why Turkey would not be a full member state today," Celik said. The parliament vote escalated tensions with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who threatened to retaliate by rupturing a March deal that has sharply reduced the flow of migrants to Europe. Erdogan on Tuesday said his country has not yet given up on its ambition to join the EU but has "many other alternatives" if the stalled process goes nowhere. Apart from Timmermans, Celik is also due to meet EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and climate commissioner Miguel Arias Canete and security commissioner Julian King. ANKARA/CAIRO (Reuters) - The Turkish military said it lost contact on Tuesday with two of its soldiers deployed in northern Syria, although it stopped short of confirming an Islamic State claim that the militant group had kidnapped a pair of Turkish soldiers. The army said that contact was lost at around 3:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT). It did not give any further details. Islamic State's Amaq news agency earlier said that Islamic State fighters had captured two Turkish soldiers near a village west of al-Bab in the Aleppo countryside. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the authenticity of the claim. Turkey launched an incursion into northern Syria in August, sending tanks, fighter jets and special forces over the border. It aims to sweep Islamic State from a roughly 90-km (56-mile) strip of the Syrian border and prevent Kurdish militia groups from seizing territory in their wake. Islamic State is believed to have kidnapped a Turkish soldier near Turkey's border with Syria in the summer of 2015. His whereabouts are still unknown. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Ali Abdelaty; additional reporting by Orhan Coskun; Editing by David Dolan) Seven Indian soldiers were killed after militants disguised as policemen stormed a major army base near the frontier with Pakistan Tuesday, as tensions between the two neighbours ran high after weeks of cross-border firing. Four suspected militants were also killed in the stand-off with security forces inside the command centre in northern Jammu and Kashmir state that lasted most of the day. It was the most audacious attack on an Indian military base since September, when 19 soldiers were killed in an assault that India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. The army in a statement said four of its soldiers were killed in the initial assault after heavily armed militants wearing police uniforms stormed the base early Tuesday firing small arms and hurling grenades. Three army men were killed in a rescue operation after the militants took 16 people hostage inside two buildings used by the families of the army officers. Two women and children were among the hostages, the army said. "In this rescue attempt one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives," it added Three bodies of the attackers have been recovered and operation to sanitise the complex continues, the statement said. One of the dead soldier was a major while the rank of another officer remained unclear. Earlier a senior local police officer said all four militants were killed in the counter-attack by security forces. "Now the search operation is going on inside the premises," the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. The base is one of four command centres in the restive region and home to over 1,000 officers. The attack came as Pakistan's hugely popular military chief General Raheel Sharif handed over to his successor on Tuesday with a warning to India not to mistake his country's "restraint" for weakness. It also comes days before a scheduled visit to India by Pakistan's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz for a weekend conference on Afghanistan. Story continues -- 'Sabotage' peace -- "It clearly suggests there is an attempt by certain groups to sabotage the apparent peace outreach by Pakistan's government," said Mohan Guruswamy, head of the Centre for Policy Alternatives think-tank in New Delhi. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of sponsoring militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which it blames for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Separately, Indian authorities said three militants were killed in a shoot-out with security forces after crossing into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated since the September 18 attack on an Indian army base, the deadliest in a decade. India said after that attack it had launched "surgical strikes" on militant bases across the heavily militarised de-facto border known as the Line of Control (LoC) in disputed Kashmir, a claim Islamabad has denied. India and Pakistan both claim the region in full and their troops regularly exchange fire across the LoC, but they rarely send ground troops over the line. Since then there have been repeated incidents of cross-border shelling and gunfire from both sides, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Pakistan said last week that at least nine people had been killed when a shell fired from the Indian side hit a bus. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said last week he was "deeply concerned" by the deterioration in the security situation in Kashmir and urged both countries to work together to "reach durable peace". Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both claim the territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two bankers with Swiss lender Zuercher Kantonalbank (ZKB) pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges they conspired to help American clients and others hide more than $420 million in offshore accounts from U.S. tax authorities. Stephan Fellmann, 52, and Christof Reist, 58, who live in Switzerland, entered their pleas in federal court in Manhattan after agreeing to face charges contained in an indictment that has been pending since 2012. Both men along with a third were charged in one of several cases against Swiss bankers and their employers stemming from a U.S. crackdown on offshore tax evasion by wealthy Americans utilizing undeclared Swiss bank accounts. Until Monday, Fellmann and Reist were outside U.S. authorities' reach while they were living in Switzerland. Both men voluntarily agreed to face the charges, Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah Solowiejczyk said in court. U.S. Magistrate Judge James Cott released both men on $150,000 bonds and ordered them to remain in New York. Prosecutors in court said they were in talks with the defendants about resolving the case. Lawyers for both men either declined comment or did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives for ZKB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this year, the bank's annual report said it was cooperating with authorities and working toward a settlement. The indictment said that from 2003 to 2009, more than 190 U.S. taxpayer clients of ZKB conspired to conceal accounts at the bank from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to evade taxes. Prosecutors said Fellmann, Reist, co-defendant Otto Huppi and other client advisors at ZKB conspired to hide at least $423 million in assets from the IRS. Fellmann, who worked at the bank since at least 2008, personally managed $104 million in undeclared U.S. assets; Reist, who worked there since at least 2003, personally managed $5.4 million in such assets, the indictment said. Story continues Both men helped clients open and maintain undeclared accounts using codenames or in the names of sham entities and ensured that mail relating to the accounts was not sent to their American clients in the United States, the indictment said. The case is U.S. v. Fellmann et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 12-cr-00962. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio) Cabela's said Tuesday in a securities filing that both U.S. and Canadian antitrust regulators want more time to examine its proposed merger deal with Bass Pro Shops. Cabela's announced Oct. 3 that it had agreed to be acquired by Bass Pro in a deal valued at $5.5 billion including debt. In its securities filing, Cabela's said the two companies filed their required reports to both U.S. and Canadian regulators on Oct. 25. In each case, there was a 30-day period for regulators to examine the deal. Cabela's said that on Nov. 24, the companies received a request from the Canadian regulators for more information. On Nov. 25, the companies agreed to give U.S. regulators an additional 30 days to examine the deal. Cabela's did not say whether the regulatory requests will delay closing of the deal. The companies have said they expect the sale to be finalized in the first half of 2017. Tyga is in legal trouble regarding his finances, again. The rapper is being sued in a lawsuit for failing to make car payments on a red 2016 Ferrari 488, according to legal documents obtained by E! News. The lessor, Alex Benedict, filed the suit earlier this month in Orange County Superior Court claiming that he made an agreement with Tyga, 27, in May but the rapper has yet to pay. Benedict is asking for $150,000 in damages. Tygas attorney did not return request for comment. After the Rack City hitmaker missed several of the cars lease payments, Benedict had the Ferrari repossessed in August. Then the car was repossessed for a second time in November, after Tyga broke the agreement he and Benedict made that allowed him to use the car until Oct. 9. Ferrari summer A photo posted by Tyga / T-Raww (@kinggoldchains) on Jul 23, 2016 at 5:49pm PDT We attempted to work with Tyga and his representatives before filing this lawsuit. Unfortunately, they all but ignored our requests to return the vehicle forcing us to take action and file suit, Benedicts lawyer, Ron Chini, told New York Daily News on Monday. While one lawsuit begins, another ends. As of Nov. 28, Tyga has paid off the nearly $280,000 debt owed to famed jeweler Jason Arasheben in a lawsuit filed against the rapper earlier this year for the jewelry. has made the payment as promised to the satisfaction of our client, Arashebens attorney Danny Abir of Abir, Cohen, Treyzon and Salo tells PEOPLE. We are done. A 50-year wait comes to an end, with U.S. carriers American Airlines Group Inc. AAL and JetBlue Airways Corp. JBLU commencing flights to Havana, Cuba. American Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to operate a commercial flight to the Cuban capital in over five decades, followed by JetBlue. The American Airlines flight was from Miami, while the JetBlue flight took off from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. Both flights have already landed in Havana. Launch Coincides with Cuba Mourning Fidel Castro The commencement of direct flights to Havana comes at a time when Cuba is mourning the death of its former leader, Fidel Castro. We remind investors that diplomatic ties between the nations were severed by the U.S. in 1961 after Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government to set up a socialist state and in the process started to establish strong relations with the erstwhile Soviet Union. In late 2014, President Obama called for the restoration of diplomatic ties with the nation after consulting his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro (Fidel Castros brother). U.S. flights to other Cuban cities are already in operation, following the decision of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to authorize six U.S.-based carriers to operate scheduled flights to nine second-tier Cuban cities. After the announcement in June this year, the first commercial flight to Cuba from the U.S. was operated by JetBlue. Havana Approval However, the approval to fly to Havana came two months later in August. The Havana routes were highly in demand among U.S. carriers as they collectively applied for the approval to operate nearly 60 flights to Havana on a daily basis. The agreement allowed for only 20 daily roundtrip flights between the nations. On Aug 31, the U.S. DOT granted approval to eight carriers Delta Air Lines DAL, American Airlines, United Continental Holdings UAL, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines SAVE, Southwest Airlines Co. LUV, Alaska Air Group ALK and Frontier Airlines to operate direct flights to Havana. American Airlines was the biggest winner as the carrier gained approval to operate 35 weekly flights. All the above-mentioned publicly traded carriers carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Story continues With American Airlines and JetBlue having already commenced flights to Cuba, the other carriers are expected to follow suit. The top line of carriers should benefit significantly from operations to the new destination as Havana is a favorite tourist spot. Transportation - Airline Industry Price Index Transportation - Airline Industry Price Index The Trump Impact Despite the optimism surrounding the move, it remains to be seen what stance President-elect Donald Trump takes for Cuba, when he assumes office in January. In fact, a report appearing on the Reuters mentioned that the President-elect recently tweeted that he may terminate the deal in the event of Cuba not doing enough for its people. Hence, the U.S. carriers are expected to chalk out schemes to ensure that the deal remains intact. We expect investor focus to remain on this burning issue going forward. Looking for Ideas with Even Greater Upside? 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Zacks Investment Research By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court takes up a closely watched gay rights case on Wednesday in which an Indiana college professor who says she lost her job because she is a lesbian is arguing that federal civil rights law should protect gay people from workplace discrimination. The full 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago will hear Kimberly Hively's appeal of a July decision by three of its judges who threw out her discrimination case against Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend, Indiana. In order to rule in Hively's favor, the appeals court would have to buck decades of rulings that gay people are not protected by a milestone 1964 U.S. civil rights law. Hively sued Ivy Tech in 2014, saying it passed her over for a permanent position and refused to renew her contract as an adjunct professor after school administrators learned she is a lesbian. The school has denied the claims. "If I had been a man attracted to women, I truly believe I would have been offered a full-time position and given promotions," Hively said. Hively, along with plaintiffs in at least three other cases pending in U.S. appeals courts, says discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a form of unlawful gender bias under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin and religion. In July's ruling by the three-judge panel, Circuit Judge Ilana Rovner said it was difficult to justify denying employment protections to gay people after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision striking down state bans on gay marriage. "From an employee's perspective, the right to marriage might not feel like a real right if she can be fired for exercising it," the judge wrote. But the court, Rovner said, was bound by a "confused hodge-podge" of decisions dating back to the 1980s in which the 7th Circuit, a regional appeals court that covers Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, dismissed discrimination claims by gay workers. Story continues The full court, however, can reverse those prior decisions. So far, every U.S. appeals court to consider the issue has ruled that Title VII does not protect gay workers. But as public opinion on gay rights has shifted, and after the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, judges have become more receptive to revisiting the law, said Hively's lawyer, Greg Nevins of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights group Lambda Legal. Lawyers for Ivy Tech did not respond to a request for comment. While federal law does not explicitly bar workplace discrimination against gay people, 22 of the 50 U.S. states prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Efforts to pass a federal law protecting gay people from job discrimination have come up empty in the U.S. Congress, spurring rights groups to turn to the courts. The Obama administration has sided with Hively and submitted court briefs on her behalf. On Wednesday, a lawyer from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will join Nevins in arguing Hively's case. The case is Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College, 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals No. 15-1720. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Will Dunham) By Suzanne Barlyn NEW YORK (Reuters) - Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren on Monday criticized Wells Fargo & Co's (WFC.N) decision to require customers affected by its unauthorised accounts scandal to go through arbitration rather than allowing them to sue. The San Francisco-based bank last week asked a U.S. court to uphold contract clauses that mandate arbitration, something financial firms often use to protect against litigation. Wells Fargo's situation is unusual, though, because it opened accounts without customers' permission, calling into question whether the contracts and their clauses are legitimate. In a Facebook post on Monday, Warren, a frequent critic of the banking industry, said Wells Fargo's promise to treat customers better in light of the scandal is "meaningless" as long as it is pursuing arbitration. "After dozens of Wells Fargo customers sued the bank to recover fees they were charged from these fake accounts, Wells Fargo tried to boot the claims from court and into the closed-door, industry-friendly arbitration process," Warren said. "Unfortunately, there's a real chance a court will let Wells Fargo shuffle these claims off to die in arbitration." A Wells Fargo spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last year, The bank successfully argued in another lawsuit that arbitration agreements customers signed when opening legitimate accounts extended to the unauthorised ones. Warren also used her Facebook post to advocate for a rule proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that would eliminate mandatory arbitration. Before being elected to Congress, Warren was a vocal proponent of such an agency being created as part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law. Some Republican lawmakers in newly powerful positions following the 2016 elections have pledged to eliminate it. (Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn in New York; Writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra; Editing by Alan Crosby) By Lawrence Delevingne NEW YORK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - At least four U.S. agencies are investigating former officials of a now-bankrupt oil and gas company once majority owned by troubled hedge fund manager Platinum Partners, according to a legal filing submitted last week. In a motion filed with federal bankruptcy court on Nov. 23, a group of 10 directors, officers and employees of Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations LLC said an undisclosed number of them had incurred costs from investigations by the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn, New York, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Postal Service. The men, some of whom have close ties to Mark Nordlicht's Platinum, filed the motion to request that Black Elk's insurance policies cover costs related to those investigations and potential settlements, in addition to lawsuits and claims by the Black Elk litigation trustee and others. The Black Elk investigations are happening in tandem with U.S. federal probes into Platinum. Spokespersons for the Department of Justice, SEC, USPS and IRS declined to comment or did not respond to emails seeking confirmation that the investigations are linked. A spokesman for Platinum declined to comment. In June, the hedge fund's New York headquarters were raided by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as part of a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe. Platinum later decided to liquidate its main hedge funds under the supervision of a professional monitor amid pressure from the DOJ's investigation, a similar probe from the SEC, and the earlier arrest of a longtime associate on separate criminal corruption charges. Since then, Platinum's main offshore hedge fund has received U.S. bankruptcy protection as Cayman Islands-based liquidators work to recover money and sell off its assets on behalf of creditors. More recently, the trustee of a Black Elk litigation trust sued Platinum funds and employees on allegations they improperly transferred more than $200 million from Black Elk into its various hedge funds, effectively killing the Houston-based company. The core of those allegations were described in a Reuters Special Report in April. (Read that report here: http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-hedgefunds-platinum/) (Editing by Carmel Crimmins and Phil Berlowitz) (Refiles to remove duplication in headline) * Uber says its model boosts mobility, curbs pollution * Taxi companies complain of unfair competition * Case could affect other sharing economy firms By Foo Yun Chee LUXEMBOURG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Uber defended its business model in Europe's highest court on Tuesday, saying its service had made it easier for people to get around and cut pollution as it fights a case which could leave app-based startups facing tougher regulation. The ride-hailing app, which expanded into Europe five years ago, has come under attack from established taxi companies and some EU countries because it is not bound by strict local licensing and safety rules which apply to some of its competitors. Uber's dispute with Barcelona's main taxi operator, which in 2014 accused it of running an illegal taxi service via its UberPOP service, is seen as a landmark case which could lead the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) to label it a transport company rather than a digital service. Such a ruling would subject the company to stricter rules on licensing, insurance and safety, with possible knock-on effects on other startups such as online home rental company Airbnb and food delivery company Deliveroo, other big brands in the sharing economy. It could also limit efforts by the European Commission to boost e-commerce, a sector where the EU lags behind Asia and the United States, to drive economic growth and create jobs. "Uber is part of a wave of technology which radically changes the way we shop, obtain information," Uber's lawyer Cani Fernandez told a panel of 15 judges at the ECJ. "Uber contributes to linking drivers and passengers more efficiently," she added, pointing to improvements in getting around, lower pollution and easier access to parking. Uber is valued at more than $60 billion and its investors include Goldman Sachs and GV, formerly known as Google Ventures. It has faced protests, bans and legal action around the world including in the United States and much of Europe as it disrupts existing business practices. Story continues In this latest case, Barcelona's main taxi operator argues Uber has an unfair advantage because it does not bear the costs which taxi companies face. "If there is a transport service provided, a company should not be able to hide behind the thin veil of a different service," its lawyer Montse Balague Farre said. Lawyers for Spain, Ireland and France also argued that Uber should be treated as a transport company. The Netherlands where Uber has its European headquarters, Estonia and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) however said the company merely provides a connecting service between the passenger and a driver. The court should "send a message that innovation and new business opportunities in the European Union should be encouraged and not hindered by submitting them to unnecessary rules," EFTA's lawyer said. An ECJ adviser is expected to give a non-binding opinion in the coming months before the judges give their verdict. The case is Case C-434/15 Asociacion Profesional Elite Taxi. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Keith Weir) London (AFP) - The British government on Monday distanced itself from a memo outlining plans for Brexit spotted as a lawmaker left Downing Street, which included the aim to "have cake and eat it". "What's the model? Have cake and eat it," read the hand-written paper held by an aide accompanying Mark Field, a London MP for the ruling Conservative Party. The notes were caught by a photographer as Field left the Department for Exiting the European Union -- an office set up in the wake of Britain's shock June 23 vote to leave the bloc. The Brexit department would not detail the purpose of Field's visit to Downing Street or who he had been meeting. "These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the government's position in relation to Brexit negotiations," a government spokesperson told AFP. The memo suggests Britain will fail to keep access to the European single market and will seek to keep the negotiations to two years, rejecting the idea of a lengthier transitional deal aimed at lessening the sudden impact of leaving the EU. "Keep the two years. Won't provide more detail. We think it's unlikely we'll be offered single market," the notes read. "Transitional -- loathe to do it. Whitehall will hold onto it," the say, referring to the view that pro-EU lawmakers in Britain would seek to make a transitional deal permanent. More than five months after the referendum, Prime Minister Theresa May has refused to outline the government's Brexit strategy. The government's promise to keep its playing cards close to its chest ahead of starting formal divorce proceedings with Brussels -- which May has promised to do before the end of March -- has also fuelled interest in any snippets of information out of Downing Street. - 'Very French negotiating team' - The notes photographed on Monday go into brief detail on negotiating by sector, suggesting a deal on manufacturing will be "relatively straightforward". Story continues "Services harder -- because French hoping for business," is also written, while "French likely to be most difficult" appears further down the page. Paris is just one of many European cities hoping to attract business away from the City of London financial hub, by promising access to the EU single market and free movement of workers. "Canada Plus" is scrawled on the notepad, likely referring to the recent trade deal struck between Ottawa and Brussels, while the comment "no Norway" suggests London should not seek membership of the the tariff-free European Economic Area as part of its EU exit. The notes will prove embarrassing for Downing Street, following a memo leaked earlier this month which claimed the government had no overarching plan for Brexit. Civil servants are struggling to cope with more than 500 Brexit-related projects and an extra 30,000 extra staff may be needed to handle the workload, according to the memo, reportedly prepared for the government by a consultant. May's team denied the claims and said it did not commission the report. Rome (AFP) - The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) has written to the mayor of Rome voicing alarm over the hundreds of migrants sleeping rough on the capital's streets while thousands more with legal residency are forced to live in squats. "We have been highlighting this problem for months and our worries have only increased," said Carlotta Sami, UNHCR's spokeswoman in Italy. The protest to Virginia Raggi, Rome's recently elected new mayor, comes a year after the closure of a large informal reception centre located close to the capital's Tiburtina train centre led to a spike in the number of migrants sleeping on the streets, often in makeshift camps that are regularly dismantled by the authorities. Sami said Rome's could learn from Milan, where the city authorities have established a migrant reception "hub" with the express purpose of keeping people off the streets as winter sets in. Raggi, a member of the populist Five Star Movement, said recently that her administration's priority was to stop the flow of migrants into the city. "If we set up 100 tents, in two days we will have to provide 100 others," she argued. The UNHCR said the Rome authorities could not turn a blind eye to thousands of refugees and other people granted leave to remain in Italy who were currently living in squats or informal camps in the centre of the Eternal City. "This reality means there has to be reflection on developing concrete integration policies," UNHCR said in its letter. Italy has registered a record 171,000 migrant arrivals at its southern ports this year and its neighbours tightening of their borders has meant more than ever are staying in the country, stretching reception facilities like never before. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations is readying tighter sanctions on North Korea that would limit its coal exports to China, in response to Pyongyang's fifth and biggest nuclear test, US diplomats said Monday. The resolution, spearheaded by the United States and negotiated with Beijing for three months, should go to a Security Council vote early Wednesday, according to diplomats who expect it will pass. "This resolution would impose a hard, binding cap that will cut the DPRK's coal exports, which are its largest single source of external revenues, by more than 60 percent," said a US official familiar with the text, using the formal acronym for the North. The tightening aims to cut $700 million from Pyongyang's coal earnings -- or a 62 percent reduction from last year. "It would dramatically reduce the regime's access to hard currency used for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs," the diplomat stressed. "We do not claim that this resolution is going to cause the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons program... but this resolution would make it significantly more difficult." And China, North Korea's lone ally, is also among the few potential markets for that coal. The draft text says that the Council "condemns in the strongest terms" the North's September 9 test. Pyongyang claimed at the time it had made major strides in its efforts to fit a miniaturized warhead on a rocket that could reach the United States. "The measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DPRK," the draft text adds. US President Barack Obama reportedly told his incoming successor Donald Trump that confronting the nuclear threat from North Korea represents the top US national security priority. The reclusive regime has carried out more than 20 missile tests this year, one of which reached Japanese-controlled waters after a launch in August. By Josh Smith KABUL (Reuters) - The U.S. military wants to replace Afghanistan's well-worn fleet of Russian helicopters with American-made aircraft, according to a new budget proposal, a decision aimed at reducing the Afghan air force's decades-long reliance on Russian equipment. The Afghan air force, trained and assisted by NATO advisers, has slowly gained strength, but remains too small to meet the needs of security forces struggling to combat a stubborn Taliban insurgency. Now the U.S. Defence Department is requesting funding to refurbish and update 53 older-model U.S. military UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for the Afghans, enough to replace the current fleet of Russian-designed Mi-17 helicopters. Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, and the prospect of warmer U.S.-Russian ties, could yet impact the proposed move, but were it to go through, it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and require retraining potentially hundreds of Afghan pilots to fly the new craft. Roughly 50 Mi-17 transport helicopters form the backbone of the air force, flying missions including troop and supply transport, medical evacuation and close air support. Heavy fighting, hard conditions and maintenance problems have taken their toll on the fleet, however, and the U.S. military has faced legal barriers to providing new Mi-17s and parts amid deteriorating relations with Russia. "The Department of Defence has determined that procuring U.S.-made helicopters is a more sustainable long-term solution to meet the requirements," spokesman Adam Stump said. Among the reasons were "legal restrictions on spending DoD funds to maintain or buy more Russian helicopters." NEW FUNDING REQUESTED The $814 million request, made in a budget amendment submitted this month, would also provide money for other new attack aircraft for the Afghans. It would help push the total funding for Afghan security forces to $4.2 billion for 2017, surpassing the $1.2 billion requested for arming and supporting local forces in Iraq and Syria. Under the proposal, UH-60A helicopters earmarked for the Afghans would be taken from the U.S. Army's inventory and upgraded to a UH-60A+ variant, which Stump said was "suitable for the challenging Afghanistan environment." Military planners hope to begin fielding the Black Hawks in Afghanistan, already a common sight during America's 15-year war there, within two years of Congress approving funding, he added. The budget also requests funding for 30 additional armed MD-530 attack helicopters, six A-29 fixed wing close attack aircraft and five AC-208 aircraft for the Afghan air force. Altogether, the military may order as many as 159 Black Hawks for the Afghans, said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who represents Connecticut, home of the helicopter's manufacturer Sikorsky, and other lawmakers in a statement. Of roughly 3,000 Black Hawks in use in the world, the U.S. Army operates at least 2,300, according to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, which was acquired by military aviation giant Lockheed Martin last year. Afghan officials in Kabul said they had yet to be officially informed of any decision, but would welcome Black Hawks. "They have been tested in Afghanistan and can support our forces on the ground," said Mohammad Radmanish, a spokesman for the Afghan Defence Ministry. Russia's state-owned Rostec, parent company of the main Russian military helicopter manufacturer, and Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms export agency, declined to comment, as did the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, which is the state regulator for arms exports. RETRAINING Since 2010, the United States has provided at least $3.7 billion to develop and support the Afghan air force, which has struggled to field enough trained crews to operate its aircraft. Stump said there were now enough personnel. But switching to more complex Black Hawks would require retraining potentially hundreds of pilots, crew chiefs, and maintenance workers. Captain Jason Smith, a spokesman for the coalition training wing in Kabul, said the military mission was still waiting for a decision from Congress, but "stands ready to work with our Afghan Air Force counterparts no matter what recapitalization looks like once approved." While many vehicles, aircraft, and weapons provided to Afghan security forces by the United States are American-made, military officials originally favored the Mi-17 because Afghan pilots and mechanics were already familiar with it. That decision was made at a time when the United States and Russia were cooperating on a range of Afghanistan-related issues, including a major supply route for the NATO coalition in and out of the country. Since then the relationship has soured over conflicts in Syria and Ukraine. Under pressure from Congress in 2013, the Pentagon scrapped a plan to spend more than $1 billion on new Mi-17s, and in 2014 President Barack Obama issued formal restrictions on doing business with Russian arms manufacturers. With the U.S. military's endorsement, India has been involved in helping provide a handful of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan, but the Pentagon's decision would almost entirely supplant the Afghans' Russian aircraft. While incoming president Trump campaigned on promises of protecting American manufacturing jobs, he has also signaled a desire to repair relations with Russia. "Given President-Elect Donald Trump's desire to improve relations with Moscow, the Mi-17s could be making their return not too far down the road," said Michael Kugelman, an analyst with the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. While Mi-17s represent one of the most visible signs of ties between Russia and Afghanistan, Kugelman said the impact of a switch to Black Hawks would be limited, with Moscow looking at other potential arms deals and back-channel outreach to the Taliban. (Additional reporting by Gleb Stolyarov in MOSCOW; Editing by Mike Collett-White) Two years ago, Lara Stemple, Director of UCLAs Health and Human Rights Law Project, came upon a statistic that surprised her: In incidents of sexual violence reported to the National Crime Victimization Survey, 38 percent of victims were mena figure much higher than in prior surveys. Intrigued, she began to investigate: Was sexual violence against men more common than previously thought? The inquiry was a timely one. For years, the FBI definition of rape was gendered, requiring carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. But a recent redefinition focused instead on forced penetration with no mention of gender. Meanwhile, other data-gatherers had started to track a new category of sexual violence that the Centers for Disease Control call being forced to penetrate. And still others were keeping better track of sexual violence in prisons. Taken together, the new data challenged widely held beliefs. Recommended: The Case Against Reality In When Men Are Raped, the journalist Hanna Rosin summarized the peer-reviewed results that Stemple published with co-author Ilan Meyer in the American Journal of Public Health. For some kinds of victimization, men and women have roughly equal experiences, Rosin wrote. Stemple is a longtime feminist who fully understands that men have historically used sexual violence to subjugate women and that in most countries they still do. As she sees it, feminism has fought long and hard to fight rape mythsthat if a woman gets raped its somehow her fault, that she welcomed it in some way. But the same conversation needs to happen for men. This awareness-raising need not come at the expense of women victimized by sexual violence, Stemple emphasized to Rosin, because compassion is not a finite resource. She also began to wonder, if men were victims of sexual violence far more often than was previously known by researchers, who were the perpetrators? Other men? Women? In what proportions? Under what circumstances? Story continues A new investigation was born. * * * Today, the fruits of that research were published in another peer-reviewed paper, Sexual Victimization Perpetrated by Women: Federal Data Reveal Surprising Prevalence. Co-authored with Andrew Flores and Ilan Meyer, it appears in Aggression and Violent Behavior. Once again, federal survey data challenged conventional wisdom. These surveys have reached many tens of thousands of people, and each has shown internally consistent results over time, the authors note. We therefore believe that this article provides more definitive estimates about the prevalence of female sexual perpetration than has been provided in the literature to date. Taken as a whole, the reports we examine document surprisingly significant prevalence of female-perpetrated sexual victimization, mostly against men and occasionally against women. Recommended: The Biologists Who Want to Overhaul Evolution Those conclusions are grounded in striking numbers. The authors first present what they learned from the The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, an ongoing, nationally representative survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that measures both lifetime victimization and victimization within the 12 months prior to questioning. Only the 2010 report provides data on the perpetrators sex. It found that over their lifetime, women were vastly more likely to experience abuse perpetrated by men, as were male victims who were penetrated without their consent. But among men reporting other forms of sexual victimization, 68.6% reported female perpetrators, the paper reports, while among men reporting being made to penetrate, the form of nonconsensual sex that men are much more likely to experience in their lifetime ... 79.2% of victimized men reported female perpetrators. Next they turn to the National Crime Victimization Survey, conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This survey focuses on violent crime. After pooling and analyzing the data gathered in the years 2010 through 2013, the authors found female perpetrators acting without male co-perpetrators were reported in 28 percent of rape or sexual assault incidents involving male victims and 4.1 percent of incidents with female victims. Female perpetrator were reported in 34.7 percent of incidents with male victims and 4.2 percent of incidents with female victims. Recommended: Trump's Two-Step on Climate Change To study nonconsensual sex among the incarcerated, the authors draw on data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. (Their paper focuses on surveys of previously incarcerated inmates in state prisons; Stemple told me that the patterns they related are similar to data collected from those held in a broad range of prisons and jails.) Noting the high prevalence of sexual victimization committed by female staff members and female inmates, the authors report that women are much more likely to be abused by other women inmates than by male staff. They add that for women prisoners and girls in detention, staff perpetrators are overwhelmingly male, and for men and boys the staff perpetrators are overwhelmingly female. Women are disproportionately represented among all staff abusers because men and boys are so disproportionately incarcerated overall. Among adults who reported sexual contact with prison staff, including some contact that prisoners call willing but that is often coercive and always illegal, 80 percent reported only female perpetrators. Among juveniles, the same figure is 89.3 percent. Queer men and women were two to three times more likely to report abuse. The disproportionate abuse by female staff members does not occur because women are more often staffing facilities, the authors write. Men outnumber women by a ratio of three to one in positions requiring direct contact with inmates. Then theres the finding that surprised me most: ...while it is often assumed that inmate-on-inmate sexual assault comprises men victimizing men, the survey found that women state prisoners were more than three times as likely to experience sexual victimization perpetrated by women inmates (13.7 percent) than were men to be victimized by other male inmates (4.2 percent) (Beck et al., 2013). The authors also note a 2011 survey of 302 male college students. It found that 51.2 percent reported at least one sexual victimization experience since age 16. About half of the victims reported a female perpetrator. As well, a 2014 study of 284 men and boys in college and high school found that 43 percent reported being sexually coerced, with the majority of coercive incidents resulting in unwanted sexual intercourse. Of them, 95 percent reported only female perpetrators. The authors defined sexual coercion broadly, including verbal pressure such as nagging and begging, which, the authors acknowledge, increases prevalence dramatically. And a 2012 study using data from the U. S. Census Bureaus nationally representative National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions found in a sample of 43,000 adults little difference in the sex of self-reported sexual perpetrators. Of those who affirmed that they had ever forced someone to have sex with you against their will, 43.6 percent were female and 56.4 percent were male. Finally, there is reason to fear that abuse by female perpetrators is under-reported: Tellingly, researchers have found that victims who experience childhood sexual abuse at the hands of both women and men are more reluctant to disclose the victimization perpetrated by women (Sgroi & Sargent, 1993). Indeed the discomfort of reporting child sexual victimization by a female perpetrator can be so acute that a victim may instead inaccurately report that his or her abuser was male (Longdon, 1993). Male victims may experience pressure to interpret sexual victimization by women in a way more consistent with masculinity ideals, such as the idea that men should relish any available opportunity for sex (Davies & Rogers, 2006). Or, sexual victimization might be reframed as a form of sexual initiation or a rite of passage, to make it seem benign. In some cases, male victims are portrayed as responsible for the abuse. Particularly as male victims move from childhood to adolescence, they are ascribed more blame for encounters with adult women. And according to the paper, when female abusers are reported, they are less likely to be investigated, arrested, or punished compared to male perpetrators, who are regarded as more harmful. * * * The authors completed their research and writeup long before multiple sexual assault allegations roiled the 2016 presidential race. Even so, they were sensitive to the possibility that a focus on female perpetration might be skeptically viewed as an attempt to upend a womens rights agenda focused on male-perpetrated sexual victimization. As they see it, attention to female perpetration is consistent with feminist approaches that take into account power relations, intersectional analyses, and the imperative to question gender-based stereotypes. Stereotypes about women include the notion that women are nurturing, submissive helpmates to men, they write. The idea that women can be sexually manipulative, dominant, and even violent runs counter to these stereotypes. Yet studies have documented female-perpetrated acts that span a wide spectrum of sexual abuse. They argue that female perpetration is downplayed among professionals in mental health, social work, public health, and law, with harmful results for male and female victims, in part due to these stereotypical understandings of women as sexually harmless, even as ongoing heterosexism can render lesbian and bisexual victims of female-perpetrated sexual victimization invisible to professionals. To date, no existing clinical studies examine large numbers of female sexual perpetrators. As a result, we understand less than we might of a category of sexual perpetrator that, while not the most common, will still victimize many thousands each year. The authors conclude that in a better world, those charged with responding to sexual victimization would be both gender inclusive, addressing all victims and perpetrators, regardless of sex, and gender sensitive, understanding how prevailing norms influence women and men in disproportionate or different ways. Do you have a personal experience relevant to this piece? Please send to hello@theatlantic.com. (We may publish it, anonymously, in Notes.)Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. United Airlines Boeing 737 Houston On Monday, a female passenger jumped out of the emergency exit of a United Airlines Boeing 737 jet at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The incident took place at 1:15 pm local time shortly after Flight 1892, which originated in New Orleans, landed in Houston. "We responded to a third-party caller who reported that a passenger had opened an emergency hatch and exited the aircraft," The Houston Police Department told Business Insider. "She was transported to a neuro-psychiatric center for evaluation with no charges filed." According to local news, the passenger exited the aircraft onto an airport operations areas. In an email to Business Insider, a United Airlines spokesperson wrote," The customer was detained, and we worked with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our customers and employees." The aftermath of the incident was caught on camera by fellow passenger Hampton Friedman who wrote on twitter, "Lady opened the door, jumped off our plane while taxiing to the gate." In addition, Friedman also posted a video of the scene. Unfortunately for United, this isn't the first time something like this has happened on board one of its aircraft in Houston this year. In April, one of the airline's flight attendants deployed the emergency slide of a Boeing 737 aircraft while parked at a gate and jumped off the plane. More From Business Insider Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge was honored on Tuesday during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, donned his knightly sword and inaugurated Sir Lucian's appointment to the Order of the British Empire and Knight Bachelor for his accomplishments in the music business. The knighthood was first announced in June as part of Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday honors. "It is with enormous pride that I receive this honor from Her Majesty the Queen," he said at the time. "It is a recognition of British music's significance to the U.K.'s culture and economy, its role in inspiring investment, and the contribution of incredible creative talent from around the world." [readmore:6874748] UMG, owned by Vivendi, is having a good year. In the first nine months, UMG revenues were up 3.8 percent to $4 billion, with streaming alone accounting for a quarter of that. Grainge, a former A&R executive who worked with acts from Eurythmics to Amy Winehouse, was recognized as the top executive on this year's Billboard Power 100 list. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest speaks during the daily news briefing on Nov. 29. Earnest discussed the funeral of Fidel Castro, flag burning and other topics. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP) President Obama is sending two senior officials to represent the United States at a service on Tuesday for the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. But dont call it an official delegation, the White House insisted. I can tell you that the president has decided not to send a presidential delegation to attend the memorial service today, Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters. I can tell you, however, that Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes will attend the service, as will the top U.S. diplomat in Cuba, Jeff DeLaurentis. Rhodes was one of the key architects of the secret diplomacy with Cuba that led to the stunning December 2014 announcement that the two Cold War adversaries would renew diplomatic relations and pursue deeper economic ties. Obama nominated DeLaurentis, the top U.S. official at the embassy in Havana, to be ambassador, but Republicans have blocked the nomination. Although Rhodes and DeLaurentis will be representing the United States at the memorial service this evening, Earnest said, Obama has withheld the official delegation designation in a symbolic show of disapproval toward the government in Havana. There are many aspects of the U.S.-Cuba relationship that were characterized by a lot of conflict and turmoil, not just during the Castro regime, but we continue to have some significant concerns about the way the Cuban government currently operates, particularly with regard to protecting the basic human rights of the Cuban people, the spokesman said. This is an appropriate way to show respect, to participate in the events that are planned for this evening, while also acknowledging some of the differences that remain between our two countries, Earnest said. DailyFX.com - Talking Points: - USD/CAD Technical Strategy: Upside Remains Favored Despite Bounce Off 50% Retracement - Crude Oil Price Forecast: Crumbling OPEC Deal Agitates Oil Market - Slew of North American & Oil economic data makes it tough for CAD to gain ground Quick Fundamental Take: The Canadian Economy continues to do little favors for those long the Canadian Dollar in the current environment. While the CAD has traded well against weaker currencies like the EUR & JPY in November, there is still very little hope in the near-term outside of an OPEC accord and consolidation of leading currencies right now (GBP & USD) for CAD to triumph. On Tuesday, the Canadian economy recognized a worse than expected, albeit improved trade balance or current account of 18.3bn in Q3. Given persistent USD strength as seen via the DXY that was influenced by Tuesdays strong real GDP, the Canadian Dollar continues to back-pedal against the greenback. Access Our Free Q4 Dollar Outlook As The US Dollar Faces An Unorthodox Presidential Election The fundamental backdrop seems to favor more of the same, which is gradual CAD weakness against the USD as Oil looks unstable on a doubtful OPEC deal, homeland economic data is showing exports are not delivering the boost hoped for, and USD strength looks ready to persist. The rest of the week is packed with economic data for Canada with GDP on Wednesday and Employment numbers on Friday, which could increase the volatility of USD/CAD. Having a Hard Time Trading USD/CAD? This May Be Why Technical Focus: D1 USDCAD: Clean Corrective Channel Within Broader Uptrend USD/CAD Technical Analysis: Oil Instability Favors Trend Resumption Chart Created by Tyler Yell, CMT The Canadian Dollar has lost ground on Tuesday morning but continues to trade in a corrective channel after pushing off significant support from last week against the US Dollar. Namely, the 50% Fibonacci Retracement of the 2016 range at 1.3575. The weakness displayed in the Candian Dollar has aligned with the trend shift that weve been focusing on since the price broke above the Ichimoku Cloud and was followed by the momentum line. We continue to favor upside based on both the charts and fundamental story explained above. Story continues An additional component to favor the upside is the persistence of RSI(5) on the daily chart of USD/CAD above the 50 level. One way to utilize RSI is to divide the oscillator in half. A persistent move above the 50-point market or below the 50-point mark can provide you with a clear bullish or bearish bias respectively. You can Learn To Trade With Ichimoku Cloud At My Free Weekly Webinar By Registering Here As the price remains above the 50-point mark on RSI(5) and Ichimoku Cloud, the path of least resistance remains higher in our view. Also, we could be paving the way for an aggressive rise as we move from a leading diagonal to an impulsive wave iii of C in Elliott Wave terms. The leading diagonal view has been encouraged by the recent break to the 50% retracement that has been followed by what appears to be a corrective channel. The recent price channel is not exciting, but it can set us up to be on the lookout for a breakout higher. The bias will remain as long as we stay above 1.2364, the post-election low, well look to confirm the upside pressure on a break above the bearish channel drawn off the 1.3589 high on November 14. Interested In Learning the Traits of DailyFXs Successful Traders? If So, Click Here The current upside target is the November 14 high near the 50% retracement of the January-May range at 1.3589. If 1.3589 breaks, well be on the watch of the 61.8% retracement of the same range at 1.3838. A few of the support levels that would need to break to change the tune from Bullish to Neutral is 1.3312, the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement of the Jan-May range followed by the November 9 low of 1.3264 that was mentioned above. Late November tends to provide thin trading, but over the past few years, USD/CAD has accelerated higher over December & January. Well keep a watch on this trend to continue as the charts favor further upside above 1.3264. Key Short-Term Levels as of Tuesday, November 28, 2016 USD/CAD Technical Analysis: Oil Instability Favors Trend Resumption T.Y. Interested in learning more about markets and trading strategies? Join Tyler and other DailyFX analysts for FREE every trading by registering HERE! original source DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets. Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from IG. The Hague (AFP) - Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum ruled out Tuesday a public debate over the authenticity of a book of sketches that an art historian has said belonged to the Dutch impressionist. Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov, a University of Toronto academic, has declared the apparent find to be "the most revolutionary discovery" in the history of Van Gogh's work. But the Dutch museum says the sketches, said to be from the artist's stay in the French city of Arles, are fake. Welsh-Ovcharov's French publishers Le Seuil reproduced the drawings earlier this month in a book titled "Vincent Van Gogh, the fog of Arles: the rediscovered sketchbook." The art historian says the drawings came from the Cafe de la Gare in Arles -- where Van Gogh stayed -- which "records that on May 20, 1890 Dr Felix Rey (who had treated Van Gogh's severed ear) visited the cafe on behalf of the artist" and left a large book of drawings. But the museum, which has already sought answers directly from the publisher, said that an open debate would not be helpful. "We will need to have all the hard facts first. "We therefore call on the publisher and the author to provide a clear and open response to all our comments, to all the issues in need of clarification and to the questions raised," it said. "Until they have, we see no point in a scholarly debate and our contribution to the discussion ends here: we will no longer respond to further questions." For Jim Spahr, being the first person at Bryan Heart to receive a dissolvable heart stent isnt such a big deal. To him, the big deal is that he is alive and feeling better than he has in more than a year thanks to the two new heart stents called Absorb, manufactured by Abbott. The stents, placed back to back, hold open a once-clogged artery, allowing blood to flow freely. Such blockages often lead to heart attacks -- many of them fatal. In 1977, cardiologists began using a procedure called balloon angioplasty, in which they insert a balloon into an artery and inflate it to reopen a vein. Around 1989, they added metal stents, which stay in the artery and hold it open. In 2003-04, they started using drug-coated stents to reduce the chance of rejection and to minimize scar tissue. The dissolvable stent was created about three years ago, and CHI Nebraska Heart took part in the clinical research trial, and continues to participate in research on the Absorb device. It got FDA approval in March and has been placed in more than 1,500 people in the U.S. since, Bryan Heart cardiologist Scott Coatsworth said Tuesday in Lincoln. On Oct. 14, he became the first doctor at Bryan to place one of the stents, which dissolve into the artery wall two to three years after they're implanted. That cuts down on complications should a patient need additional heart surgery later. The new stent also allows blood vessels in the heart to move and expand the flow of blood while slowly releasing medicine to limit the growth of scar tissue, Coatsworth said. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, with over half a million Americans losing their life to this condition every year, he said. This new, bio-absorbable stent is proven technology that will provide better results and safer long-term outcomes for our patients. Spahr is a 66-year-old agricultural supplier in Seward who had long promised his wife Kathleen, a private pilot, that if she stopped flying hed take her to Europe. Her small plane crashed in New Mexico on Feb. 29, 2016, and she not only survived, she helped pull her three passengers to safety. Then, she quit flying and her husband booked a 20-day tour of Scotland and Ireland in September. On day 16 of the trip, Jim Spahr had what he called a little incident on the tour bus -- terrible heartburn, his chest was tight and he was sweating profusely. His wife and traveling companions thought he should see a doctor -- a few even theorized he was having a heart attack -- but he said he was fine and "toughed it out. Once they got home, he gave in and saw his doctor but waited until the end of the appointment to bring up what happened, saying he had a little incident in Ireland. He said, 'Youve got to be kidding me! Why didnt you say that earlier?' The doctor confirmed that Spahr had indeed had a heart attack. The next morning, Spahr was at Bryan Heart being prepped for surgery. As he was being wheeled into the operating room, staff asked if he would be open to trying the dissolvable stent. He was a good candidate, Coatsworth said, because he was in good shape and good health. Its a little more tedious to implant, Coatsworth said of the stent. Also the stents are not available in a full range of sizes for all patients at the present time. The biggest issue was the artery, which was nearly 100 percent blocked, the doctor said. You really had to work at it, Spahr said, recalling how the surgical staff actually applauded when Coatsworth successfully opened the artery. Spahr, who was only mildly sedated for the procedure, remembers the instant the stent was in place and the artery opened. I could just feel the flow bringing the energy back that I had not had the year before, he said at a Tuesday news conference marking the first time the stent was used in Nebraska. By that afternoon, Spahr was up walking the hospital corridor with nursing assistance. He told his wife he wanted to get back to Seward so he could put in a couple of hours at work. Hospital protocol required him to stay overnight, but by the next afternoon he was home and headed out the door to his office. In hindsight, the heart disease symptoms appeared about a year earlier, he said. He had little energy, even with a good nights sleep, he always felt tired. He blamed it on getting older. Today, he is first to admit his wife was right when she insisted he see a doctor. Ive been wrong before, he said. I guess this isnt the first time or the last time. A near miss like this, I realize I better start taking care of myself. Nobody is going to do it for you, Spahr said. And if there ever is a day where he doesnt feel like exercising or eating right, all he has to do is pull up two pictures on his cellphone: before and after images of his heart. The first shows shows an artery abruptly coming to an end at a black dot. The other reveals what was once an invisible artery now darkened by the healthy flow of blood circulating. Its almost like Im a new person, he said. And much more aware. Its not just about you. Your family and friends suffer. You might think you are just an individual, but you are part of their lives, just as they are a part of yours. You need to take care of yourself so you are around for years to come. Kanye West is being heavily supervised during his time at UCLA Medical Center, where he was admitted for exhaustion and sleep deprivation a week ago, an insider tells PEOPLE. The source says that West generally has big ups and big downs, but this bout seems to be much more serious. In the hospital he has been very paranoid and is under constant watch for his safety. PEOPLEs insider adds, Hes still there because clearly hes not doing well. West, 39, was hospitalized shortly after he canceled the remaining dates of his Saint Pablo tour last Monday, and remained there over the Thanksgiving holiday. (Photo: Marc Piasecki/GC Images) Wife Kim Kardashian West acts very concerned. She says he has yet to be diagnosed, but she uses words like paranoia and explained that Kanye thinks everyone is out to get him. The only person Kanye trusts is Kim, a source close to the family tells PEOPLE. Kim does spend hours with Kanye every day. She says that Kanye is on many different medications and that his doctors are figuring out proper doses. Kim says that not much has changed since he was admitted and that his doctors seem concerned. A West source told PEOPLE that it remains unclear when the rapper will be able to return home, but claimed that a recent update was a positive one. They tell me hes doing good, the source said, adding that hes been really eager to make music and to work even from the hospital bed. In regard to questions about the rappers mental state, the second source said that Wests mental health is very private, and between him and his family. Categories Celebrity Beauty The 2016 Victorias Secret Fashion Show will be filmed in Paris tomorrow, and the models have been giving us a behind-the-scenes look across social media leading up to the big event. In addition to getting in tip-top shape, skincare is a huge part of prepping for the runway show. Elsa Hosk, Sara Sampaio, Izabel Goulart and Alessandra Ambrosio all shared selfies wearing the same face mask to get their complexions camera-ready. The product is made of 24K gold, because of course the worlds most famous supermodels would only use the best of the best. The good news is, you can score the metallic wonder for yourself, but itll set you back a few hundred dollars. @hoskelsa Made by Mimi Luzon, the mask intends to correct wrinkles and improve skin's elasticity, texture and tone. The gold leaf is laid over the powerful ingredients and is said to enhance the overall effect. Typically $300, it's on sale today only for $220. Each package contains three full treatments. On the bright side, it's a lot less painful and intimidating than not-so-fun anti-aging treatments such as fillers. While you may not be striding the catwalk of the year, you can be as radiant as the Victoria's Secret Angels. Gold-Infused Beauty Pure 24k Gold Mask Mimi Luzon, $300 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Mask Peter Thomas Roth, $80 Allegresse 24K Gold Illuminating Facial Peel Bibasque, $100 24K Eye Elixir Pixi, $22 Photo credit: Victoria's Secret/Instagram From Harper's BAZAAR The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show takes place in Paris in just two days, and the models have already made their way overseas to the City of Lights. Yesterday, they boarded a private (VS-themed) jet from New York City headed to France, but not without a mini photoshoot before takeoff. The girls were dressed in matching pink "Victoria's Secret Paris 2016" t-shirts, jeans, black hoodies and boots. Take a look at their snaps below. Joan Smalls, Lily Donaldson, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner goofed around with a luggage dolly. They also posed with on-theme French flags and Eiffel Tower cut-outs. The girls conveniently traveled via the buddy system, as Bella put it. Adriana Lima and Lais Ribeiro got thier own flags, too. And so did Josephine Skriver. Romee Strijd posed with her fellow VS Angels. Elsa Hosk got a fun group shot in the bus. Sara Sampaio got showed off her excitement (in a great pair of flared jeans). Alessandra Ambrosio was all smiles while boarding. She even stopped by the cockpit. The plane ride looked beyond comfortable. Taylor Hill and Romee Strijd cozied up with their striped Victoria's Secret towel and bags of merch. They apparently got striped pillows and eye masks too. Elsa Hosk and Stella Maxwell kicked their feet up and relaxed (with some epic footwear). Martha Hunt and Lily Aldridge sipped on some in-flight champagne. And Skriver and Tookes couldn't help taking a few polaroids. Watch a video of their travels below. The VS models take the runway on November 30th. Watch them on CBS on December 5th. You Might Also Like Though diversity in casting has been strong on television recently, progress in feature films has been slower, Viola Davis and Tom Hanks discussed in a one-on-one interview for Varietys Actors on Actors. Hanks, who recently starred in the drama Sully, noted that although diversity is a bonanza in television, the economics of film creates a barrier to increasing diversity. (When) the economics of a movie comes along, that has to play in China, or has to play overseas, simply in order to make its investment back, it ends up being one of the boundaries of being as diverse, Hanks said. Davis, who stars in the drama Fences as well as on How to Get Away With Murder on TV, discussed the barriers and expectations that people of color face in the world of film. Even in fabulous roles, they are still within the confines of being strong, a device, funny,' Davis said. If its a black movie, at best its a biopic because it makes the audience feel comfortable that I am investing in this black persons humanity, who I already know has made a mark in the world. Davis explained that the biggest tool an actor or writer has is his or her imagination, but for people of color in film, even that is threatened as well. Im sorry, but that is the one tool that is tossed out the window when it comes to people of color, Davis says. For more, tune in when the fifth season premieres Jan. 3 on PBS SoCal, presented by The Venetian Las Vegas. Click here to see the full video. Related stories Andrew Garfield Was a Little 'Heartbroken' After Playing Spider-Man Amy Adams and Andrew Garfield Talk 'Serving a Canon' in Superhero Movies Viola Davis on the Importance of Her 'Sexualized' 'How to Get Away With Murder' Character By Joseph Guyler Delva PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Violent protests erupted in Haiti on Tuesday as losing candidates rejected the preliminary results of an election that indicated banana exporter Jovenel Moise would be the next president. Moise, who ran for former President Michel Martelly's Bald Heads Party, won with 55.67 percent of votes cast in the Nov. 20 election, the electoral council said on Monday. The result avoids a second round run-off next year. Police used tear gas on protesters in the La Saline neighborhood, a stronghold of Fanmi Lavalas, the leftist party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. It called the results an "electoral coup." A Reuters witness heard gunshots in the city. The United States Embassy also issued reports of demonstrations, gunshots and burning tires in downtown Port-au-Prince and Malpasse, a town close to the border with the Dominican Republic. A spokesman for the Haitian national police said it was responding to protests in La Saline but could not confirm whether protests in Malpasse had taken place. Moise, the front-runner in a scrapped election last year, received a majority of votes, meaning there is no need for a second round. "We salute those who voted for me and those who did not vote for me," Moise said. "We are going to use the people, the sun, the land and water to develop the country." In the upscale suburb of Petionville, residents danced and cheered the result. Jude Celestin, a mechanical engineer who had led a government construction firm, came in second. He received just under a fifth of the vote. Moise Jean-Charles, a leftist senator, netted 11 percent, while Narcisse, running for Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party, won around 9 percent, the preliminary results showed. However, turnout was low and 10 percent of sheets tallying votes were thrown out because of irregularities. In a country of 10 million people, Jovenel Moise received just 600,000 votes. Three people on the nine-member electoral council did not sign the report declaring Moise the winner, although the council's president did not say who had abstained. Those elements fueled a universal condemnation of the results from the losing candidates, who have 72 hours to contest before the final results are released on Dec. 29. "We reject the results because they are invalid votes that have been counted," said Michel Andre, a lawyer for second-place finisher Celestin. "Jude Celestin will challenge the results." Moise Jean-Charles also said on Tuesday that he would fight the results. "The outcome of the election is the result of a conspiracy by the economic oligarchy and sectors of the international community," he said. (Additional reporting and writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Christine Murray and Dan Grebler) Oculus Rift Filmmakers, video game designers and journalists are already incorporating virtual reality into their work, but another somewhat surprising group of professionals is also starting to use it: lawyers. The immersive technology offers a way for members of a jury to look inside a crime scene or watch a simulation of an accident with a level of detail that photographs and witness testimonies cant capture. Using VR, jurors can watch 3D reconstructions of an event or scene. Some versions even allow them to interact with the elements inside, picking up objects or examining a situation from different angles. Were seeing large interactive displays where the whole crime scene may have been reconstructed in a virtual world, Damian Schofield, a professor of human computer interaction at the State University of New York, explains in a recent episode of our podcast Codebreaker. Schofield believes virtual reality for the legal world is a growing business and predicts well soon see more of it in a trial setting. Because of its potential for the legal field, researchers and legal scholars around the world are investigating VRs courtroom applications. In December 2014, a team of researchers at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Zurich in Switzerland published a paper about the use of the Oculus Rift to examine 3D computer reconstructions of events or crimes. And a project at Staffordshire University in England has been experimenting with similar VR applications that could change how crime scenes are documented and shown to jurors. But using virtual reality in the courtroom is not a completely new concept the first VR-like experience was actually first used in a case nearly 25 years ago. The 1992 lawsuit, Stevenson v. Honda, was about the safety of a motorcycle, with riders suing Honda after an accident. Honda recreated the scene of the accident from the point of view of the rider, showing the rough terrain beneath the wheels and the speed at which he was traveling. The jury wound up siding with Honda, agreeing that the driver was going too fast for the conditions. Story continues This, of course, presents an obvious problem about using VR in a courtroom: depending on how the video or scene is designed, it can easily present a one-sided narrative, thereby giving the jury a biased perspective. Imagine recreating a murder scene. I could show you that murder scene from the perspective of the victim, or I could show you that murder scene from the perspective of the killer. And whichever way you see it is going to give you a completely different perspective of that crime, Schofield tells Codebreaker host Ben Johnson. Click for full episodes. That means whichever side of the trial can afford to pay for the VR technology which is priced pretty prohibitively might have a better shot at winning. Schofield acknowledges, however, that wealthier parties already have an advantage in court, since they can afford better attorneys, graphics, and expert witnesses. But a technology that helps to provide more information about a crime or controversial incident could nonetheless have a positive impact on our justice system. NOW WATCH: Playing this virtual reality game was the scariest thing Ive ever done More From Business Insider Suits actress Meghan Markle is certainly having a moment in the spotlightand not just because shes been officially confirmed as Prince Harrys love interest. Markles career is also on the upswing, as shes the lead in a British crime thriller, Anti-Social, thats getting its North American release (and a special edition cut) this January. In the gangster drama, Markle plays a high-fashion model dating a street artist who may or may not be connected with some major jewelry heists. The story is actually based on three real-life London crimes of the last decade, including the Graff Diamonds robbery in 2009, the Selfridges Burka robbery in 2013, and the Brent-Cross robbery in 2012. Directed by Amy Winehouses boyfriend Reg Traviss, Markle stars alongside Gregg Sulkin and British rapper Skepta, who plays a criminal mastermind. I hate violence, Markle says at one point in the trailer, which features plenty of smash-and-grab action and police activity alongside posh parties attended by a glamorous Markle. Stateside fans of Markle will be able to watch Anti-Social: Special Edition on video on demand on Jan. 2. It was originally released in the U.K. in 2015. This vertically exaggerated view shows scalloped depressions in a part of Mars where such textures prompted researchers to check for buried ice, using ground-penetrating radar. They found about as much frozen water as the volume of Lake Superior. (NASA / JPL-Caltech / Univ. of Arizona Photo) Scientists say theres enough water in just one region of Mars to fill up Lake Superior if only it could be extracted from subsurface ice. So how can future Red Planet settlers take advantage of those deposits to produce the drinkable water, breathable oxygen and hydrogen-based rocket fuel theyll need? Researchers at the University of Washington are working on a way. Their research builds upon a technology that was pioneered almost two decades ago, known as the water vapor adsorption reactor, or WAVAR. Adam Bruckner, a professor in UWs Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, worked with students to develop a device that could extract tiny amounts of water vapor from the Martian atmosphere. The WAVAR device was successfully tested in Mars-type conditions, but there wasnt any funding to move the technology beyond proof of concept. NASA has not really funded in-situ resource utilization for research work on that at all, Bruckner told GeekWire. WAVAR does make a cameo, however, in the fictional tale of Red Planet settlement depicted in Mars, a miniseries airing on National Geographic Channel. Meanwhile, Bruckner has taken the concept in a different direction. Instead of trying to draw trickles of water out of Mars air, hes looking into using microwaves to cook water out of Mars soil. Its a natural WAVAR, Bruckner said. The process could be workable for places like Utopia Planitia, where researchers say a lakes worth of water lies frozen in the soil across an area wider than the state of New Mexico. Their estimate is based on readings from a ground-penetrating radar instrument on NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The radar data point to a deposit that ranges in thickness from 260 to 560 feet, beneath a layer of soil thats 3 to 33 feet thick. This deposit probably formed as snowfall accumulating into an ice sheet mixed with dust, during a period in Mars history when the planets axis was more tilted than it is today, Cassie Stuurman, a researcher at the University of Texas in Austin, said in a NASA news release. Stuurman is the lead author of a report on the find in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Story continues Diagonal striping on this map of a portion of Mars Utopia Planitia region indicates the area where a large subsurface deposit rich in water ice was assessed using the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) instrument on NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. (NASA / JPL-Caltech / Univ. of Rome / ASI / PSI Graphic) The deposit isnt made of pure, clear ice. Rather, its thought to be about 50 to 85 percent water ice, mixed in with dust or rocks. Conditions on Mars are such that if you just dug up the deposit, the exposed water ice would turn directly into water vapor. But Bruckners concept calls for placing a dome over the soil, injecting microwaves to heat up the soil particles, liberating the water and capturing the moisture. Bruckner and his colleagues at UW arent the only ones taking this tack. Other ventures, including Alabama-based Space Resources Extraction Technology, have been working on similar methods to cook the water out of icy soil on Mars or the moon. NASA is even planning to send an oxygen-extraction experiment called MOXIE to Mars in 2020. For more than a decade, following the water has been NASAs mantra for Mars exploration. The University of Texas Joe Levy, a co-author of the study in Geophysical Research Letters, hopes that all that frozen water will play a role in building Mars future as well as understanding its past. The ice deposits in Utopia Planitia arent just an exploration resource, Levy said. Theyre also one of the most accessible climate change records on Mars. We dont understand fully why ice has built up in some areas of the Martian surface and not in others. Sampling and using this ice with a future mission could help keep astronauts alive, while also helping them unlock the secrets of Martian ice ages. The six-episode Mars miniseries airs on Mondays on the National Geographic Channel. Check local listings for times. More than a dozen featurettes, including a half-hour prequel titled Before Mars, are available for viewing via the website and National Geographics YouTube channel. More from GeekWire: A Lincoln businessman was arrested Friday and charged with felony theft Monday on suspicion of taking more than $55,000 in payments for orders he never filled between 2013 and 2015. The Better Business Bureau issued an alert about Isaac Herron's furniture business in March 2014. According to the BBB, Aliyah Rose Home Furnishings had 29 complaints over a three-year period, 25 of which were unresolved. In a 2014 interview with the Journal Star about the BBB alert, Herron said he got behind in orders when he opened an account on Etsy.com. He said then that he was working to resolve all of the complaints and had stopped selling online. However, the Lincoln Police Department began investigating Herron on Sept. 19 of this year when a PayPal representative reported several accounts had been opened under the names of Herron's family, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. PayPal told police money was drawn against those accounts from October 2013 to September 2015 and that it lost $55,758.84 after reimbursing customers for items not received, court documents say. The BBB also got a complaint that a customer who paid with a credit card wound up with a charge on the card that turned out to be a payment for Aliyah Rose Home Furnishings' electric bill, according to the BBB. Herron, 37, was charged with felony theft Monday and has been jailed since Sept. 28. Judge Laurie Yardley set his bond at $20,000. Police believe Herron opened the additional PayPal accounts because he was behind on payments from his own. Money from the accounts were deposited into Herron's personal banking accounts, documents say. Aliyah Rose Home Furnishings also went by the names Aly and Co. and Aliyah Rose Inspired Childrens Furnishings. The store, which has been shut down, was at 5221 S. 48th St. in the Sutter Place Mall. Herron said he built custom-made furniture and sold mainly at trade and craft shows. Shutterstock Weve already talked about the Arctic and how climate change is melting the North Pole at worrying speed it could raise the ocean by 20 feet. But if the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melts along with it, that could raise ocean levels by 200 feet, which would be more than enough to drown most coastal cities. So, uh, yeah, guess what the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is doing. What keeps the ice sheet out of the ocean is a network of glaciers serving as a sort of plug keeping the sea away from the ice. But those glaciers are falling apart. Calving, or glaciers shedding chunks of ice into the sea, is nothing new, but these glaciers are over the ocean in the first place, where the ice sheet isnt. Think of glaciers like big ice cliffs, while the ice sheet is solid ground. A new study found that the Pine Island Glacier experienced a calving in 2015 caused by cracks in the ice sheet itself, first uncovered in 2013. In other words, the ice sheet is melting and the glacier is breaking because of that instead of the natural progression of water eroding the glacier. This fits with the model that the ice sheet is retreating, (the scientific word for melting) and yeah. Thats bad. Did we mention NASA believes a fair chunk of these glaciers melting is unstoppable? We might be able to save at least some of the ice sheet. The whole thing doesnt have to melt. But we need to act, and quickly, or we might soon be dredging the Sea Of Los Angeles. (Via Gizmodo) Photo credit: Stephanie Branchu - 2016 - Fox Searchlight Pictures From ELLE This article originally appeared in the December 2016 issue of ELLE. When the celebrated Chilean director Pablo Larrain read the script by Noah Oppenheim for what would become his first English-language feature, Jackie, it had already been touted on Hollywood's famed Black List of homeless projects, considered by Steven Spielberg and Darren Aronofsky (who ended up producing the film), and offered to Natalie Portman for the lead role. Larrain went straight to Portman: "I said, 'I'm not doing the movie without you. If you won't do it, then I won't even touch it.' " Portman's portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy, framed by her famous interview with a Life magazine reporter (here played with cagey charm by Billy Crudup) just days after her husband's assassination, is one of the most astounding feats of biographical reimagining in modern cinema. Photo credit: Stephanie Branchu - 2016 - Fox Searchlight Pictures "Jackie Kennedy was the most unknown of the known women of the twentieth century," Larrain says. "You could be captivated by her without really knowing what was going on inside her." But that's precisely what he has attempted to unravel: to cast this uncanny woman, caught up in a larger-than-life tragedy, in the most excruciatingly intimate, human light. It's hard to imagine that an American director could have cut to the quick of Jackie's raw experience as Larrain has-there's just too much civic piety and encrustations of Kennedy mythology to reckon with; it probably required an outsider's eye. Larrain didn't try to make Portman look like Kennedy. He trusted in Portman's hyperintelligent and deeply informed ability to construct a parallel resemblance: a mannered, somehow stilted way of comporting herself physically; a disarming way of speaking in a self-deprecating, almost girly high-Wasp lilt; and, perhaps most arrestingly, a disorienting way of bearing her extraordinary facial beauty within a largely affectless mask-except in the most private and unguarded moments. And as Jackie shows, she couldn't afford many of those-least of all in the days after the assassination, which are examined in tight focus. We see her realize with bitter shock how, after being widowed in the most devastating possible circumstances, she is suddenly, almost rudely, being ushered off the historical stage; it is with a kind of terror of the void-she has nowhere to call home, no plans for life ahead-that she vacates the White House. In the film's most speculative scenes, she turns to a priest (rivetingly played by John Hurt) to try to get her existential bearings. Story continues Photo credit: William Gray + Twentieth Century Fox In the end, as Larrain admiringly puts it, Jackie recognized and embraced her primary imperative: "to protect and define JFK's legacy." She refused a private burial in the Kennedy family plot, insisting instead on a horse-drawn procession to Arlington National Cemetery-an occasion, complete with John-John's saluting his father's casket on his third birthday, that's indelibly imprinted on our collective historical memory. "I've grown accustomed to a great divide between what people believe and what I know to be real," Jackie says at one point in the movie. In the end, she demonstrated how thoroughly she had taken that lesson to heart: The most novel and enduring theme of her Life magazine interview was her invocation of Camelot-playing for the reporter the theme song from the cast album of the Lerner and Loewe musical, and thereby shaping history. You Might Also Like Photo credit: Instagram/@darth_bador From Cosmopolitan The U.K. magazine Blackhair dropped its December/January 2017 issue Nov. 3., featuring 19-year-old model Emily Bador on the cover. Emily, who identifies as white and Malaysian, fronted the cover wearing a curly, afro-textured hairstyle that is traditionally worn by black women. Because Emily is not black, people were pissed. Commenters vented their frustrations on social media: @Blackhairmags this cover makes no sense to what you stand for!? Smh - OG (@Olivia_Gold) November 21, 2016 Wow. Even when it's for us, we get overlooked #blackhair. Respect to #EmilyBador for her apology post. https://t.co/URmh3n8zpm - Black Spice (@MissFBlackSpice) November 23, 2016 According to Blackhair editor Keysha Davis, the magazine aims to celebrate the diversity of black women. She explained on Instagram that Blackhair's policy is to "ask PR companies/salons to submit images for the magazine, specifically stating that models must be Black or mixed race." After being called out on social media, Bador apologized for the cover on Instagram. "I would deeply and sincerely like to apologize to every one for this, and black women especially," she wrote. "I would like to clarify, I believe this shoot is from when I was around 15 and didn't understand cultural appropriation or the impact it has on POC. I was uneducated, which obviously is no excuse, ignorant and immature." She went on to explain that she never granted permission for the magazine to use her photo on their cover. "This image is (I think, although I'm not 100% sure) about 3/4 years old, it was never intended to be on the cover of this magazine. If I had known it was going to be published, I would never have condoned it. I'm upset and angry I was never asked by the photographer/hair salon/anyone if this image could be used for the cover [of] Black Hair." Story continues Emily also acknowledged the double standard black women are often subjected to when it comes to wearing natural hairstyles: "Growing up in a very very white city, I had no idea the struggles black women face and how often they were persecuted for their hair. I didn't understand how black women are constantly told their natural hair is inappropriate/unprofessional for the work place, or how young girls are told they can't go to school with natural hair. I didn't understand that shoots like this support the very Eurocentric beauty standard that the mainstream media focus on which reinforce the idea that black features are only ok on white women. I didn't understand that as a white passing woman I'd be praised for this hair, but if I was a black woman I'd be persecuted. I didn't understand cultural appropriation." Her post has since been liked over 3,000 times on Instagram with over 400 comments of readers praising Bador for her genuine response. Emily told Cosmopolitan.com that if asked to take the same photo today, she'd refuse. "Models are often young girls who seem to be very disposable," she said. "It's hard to stand up to a whole team of people who you don't know and are older than you [to] say you feel uncomfortable or don't morally agree. "Often you're getting paid too, which adds another level of pressure and you feel like you have no other choice. It feels like if you rebel against the norm you could be ostracized from the industry. But being a good ally is more important." Shortly after Bador publicly apologized, Blackhair's editor Keysha Davis also put out an apology statement addressing the issue, saying that the magazine staff was not aware that Emily was not black. "At Blackhair we continuously strive to celebrate black women in all our beautiful variation of skin hues and hair textures. We are only too aware of how black women are underrepresented in the mainstream media and the last thing we want to do is add to our erasure." At a time when the cultural appropriation of black hair is a constant battle, I commend Emily for such a real AF response. The world needs more people like her who educate themselves on social issues, especially when they don't necessarily directly affect them. Get non-boring fashion and beauty news directly in your feed. Follow Facebook.com/CosmoBeauty. Follow Maya on Instagram and Twitter. You Might Also Like Richard Spencer, the white nationalist and prominent figure of the so-called alt-right movement, will speak at Texas A&M University in December, despite protests against the event. Spencer made recent headlines after video earlier in November was released showing him quoting Nazi propaganda in German during a highly anti-Semitic speech and shouting Heil Trump! at a controversial white nationalist conference held in Washington D.C. to celebrate Donald Trump winning the election. Video footage showed audience members raising a Nazi salute at the end of his speech. Thealt-right movement generally favors racist and white supremacist beliefs. Preston Wiginton, a former student who said he was sympathetic to nationalists, invited Spencer to speak at Texas A&M because he has been in the news so much in light of the election, the Guardian reported. A spokeswoman for the school said Wigginton rented a room there as a private citizen, and that the university denounces Spencers rhetoric. Wiginton said he had invited Spencer to speak at the university before the white nationalist conference, but had not considered rescinding the invite. Spencer is scheduled to speak on Dec. 6. At American universities the education is so left-leaning that its more of an indoctrination than a discussion of ideas, Wiginton told the Guardian. Ive brought other controversial speakers to A&M on topics that people dont want to discuss. Things such as immigration. So I just thought it was an opportunity. Nearly 10,000 people have signed a petition urging the university to denounce Spencer and cancel the event. University spokeswoman Amy Smith told the Guardian the event would continue as planned because of free speech laws, but that the school would review its booking policies. Texas A&M has planned an alternative inclusive event for the same day as Spencers speech. By Letitia Stein (Reuters) - A white former South Carolina policeman testified in his murder trial on Tuesday that he felt fear before fatally shooting an unarmed black man last year in an incident that intensified debate about racial bias in law enforcement. Michael Slager, 35, appeared emotional at times on the witness stand in a Charleston courtroom, in his first extensive public detailing of the April 2015 killing of motorist Walter Scott, 50. A bystander's cellphone video appeared to show Slager firing eight times at Scott's back as he fled after a traffic stop in North Charleston. The recording was shown repeatedly on television and social media. "My family has been destroyed by this," said Slager, who recalled missing his son's birth after being jailed over the shooting. "Scott's family has been destroyed by this. It's horrible." Dressed in a dark suit, he described how a normal Saturday turned deadly after he stopped Scott for a broken brake light. Slager said the motorist ran from him, resisting his orders to stop. Slager testified that when he attempted to use a Taser to subdue Scott, they ended up in a scuffle. Scott grabbed his stun gun, the ex-officer said. Slager said he felt "total fear" as Scott came toward him. He pulled out his gun and opened fire. "I fired my firearm until the threat was stopped," he said. The account by Slager, who was dismissed from the North Charleston Police Department after the shooting, offered a different view from what state prosecutors argue was captured by the bystander's footage of the incident. Prosecutors contend Slager did not appear to be in danger when he hit Scott with five shots. They said Scott fled because he was behind on child support payments and feared arrest. Under cross-examination, a prosecutor accused Slager of changing his story at times. Slager acknowledged that some things clear on the video were not known to him as the incident unfolded. Story continues "My mind was like spaghetti," he said, noting he was tired after running and fighting Scott on the ground. Testimony began early this month before a jury of 11 whites and one black. Slager faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Slager said that looking back, with facts he since has learned, he would not have left his patrol vehicle to chase Scott. "Things could have been different," he said. (Reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Fla.; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Peter Cooney) In a recent conference call with investors, Kelcy Warren, the CEO of Energy Access Partners, railed against demonstrators in North Dakota who are protesting the pipeline that his company plans to build near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. This is ridiculous. Its absurd whats happened to us, it should be unlawful, Warren said. Warren seemed to imply that the Obama administration wasnt doing enough to discourage protests and that the incoming Trump administration would be more amenable to pipeline construction. Pay attention to who you vote for, Warren said. Just everybody needs to really pay attention to who the heck were putting in the White House. Read: What You Need To Know About Standing Rock The investors call was held to discuss the details of an ongoing merger between Energy Access Partners and the fossil fuel giant Sunoco Logistics Partners, and the transcript was made available to the public. A representative from Energy Access Partners declined to comment on or clarify Warrens remarks. For the past eight months, protesters from around the country have joined with Native American activists to try to block the $3.8 billion Energy Access Partners pipeline (known as the Dakota Access Pipeline). The pipeline routes is less than a mile from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where the last segment is awaiting construction. Anti-pipeline activists, who refer to themselves as water protection activists, have a range of concerns about the project: The pipeline could leak and contaminate drinking water; the project will facilitate the transfer of fossil fuels half a million barrels of crude a daywhich scientists warn must stay in the ground to stave off climate change; and Native Americans worry construction could disturb sacred burial grounds nearby. Standing Rock has become a flashpoint in a national debate over Native American land rights and the environmental hazard associated with fossil-fuel pipelines. The protest which started as a small local movement of Standing Rock Sioux has since attracted the support of celebrities and national politicians. Story continues The investor call took place after a particularly brutal nighttime confrontation between police and anti-pipeline protestors. On the evening of November 20, as a group of activists tried to advance towards a proposed construction site, police turned a freezing water hose on demonstrators. Activists say a young womans arm was severely injured when police threw concussion grenades into the crowd. The police deny using grenades. That evening, over two dozen anti-pipeline activists were hospitalilized. Just two days after the brutal encounter, the company held a conference call for investors, where CEO Warren defended the company's track record: Weve done everything, and I want to be clear on this weve done everything right," he said. Weve not done one thing incorrectly on this project. Since the protests began, the Obama administration has angered both the energy company and protesters. Earlier this month, Energy Access Partners sued the federal government, alleging it is delaying the project for political reasons. Meanwhile, just last week, the administration issued an eviction notice for protesters sparking outrage among activists. Donald Trump may prove a more reliable ally: According to the president-elects financial disclosure form, he owns between $15,000 and $50,000 in Energy Transfer Partners stock. Trump also owns between $100,000 and $250,000 in stock for the company Phillips 66, which itself owns a one-quarter slice of the pipeline. Related Articles A Lincoln man has been cited on suspicion of shooting through a road sign Sunday night, and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office is investigating whether a bullet he fired went into a house that evening. Capt. Ben Houchin said the sheriff's office received reports of shots fired near 120th Street and Nebraska 2 about 11:30 p.m. Deputies found Alex Ralston, 29, in the area and said he had three rifles, a handgun and ammunition in his SUV. A road sign had been hit and deputies found shell casings, Houchin said. They cited Ralston on suspicion of shooting into a roadway, criminal mischief and driving while under the influence. Deputies are investigating whether he is also connected to a shooting that happened about 7 Sunday night near Southwest 86th Street and Nebraska 33. One bullet went into a nearby home and hit a floor lamp, reports said. No one was injured. Just met with General Petraeuswas very impressed! tweeted President-elect Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Petraeus described his conversation to reporters. [Trump] basically walked us around the world, showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well. Very good conversation, and well see where it goes from here. In a process not entirely dissimilar to that of the hit show The Apprentice, Trump is currently finalizing his Cabinet selections, including the prize role of secretary of state. The finalists appear to include Petraeus, Mitt Romney, and Senator Bob Corker. Petraeus is a controversial and flawed selection, but if chosen he could also be an essential part of Trumps White House. Petraeus is, to say the least, damaged goods. During the presidential campaign, Trump condemned Hillary Clinton for using a private email server, claiming the scandal was bigger than Watergate. But in 2015, Petraeus pled guilty to a charge of unauthorized removal and retention of classified information, after handing over data to his mistress and biographer, and was sentenced to two years probation. The reason that Trump needs Petraeus is what we might term Trumps Clausewitz problem. The 19th-century Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz argued that war is not about destroying things for its own sake, but is a political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, carried on with other means. In other words, fighting is not the end of politics, but is instead a shift in tactics, or a new form of bargaining. Clausewitzs insight continues to be central to military thought. According to the 2014 U.S. Army Operating Concept: Army forces are prepared to do more than fight and defeat enemies; they must possess the capability to translate military objectives into enduring political outcomes. Story continues But when Trump talks about war, he focuses almost solely on destructionnot on the larger political goals. Trump promised to beat the hell out of ISIS, and the Islamic State will be gone if Im elected president. And theyll be gone quickly. They will be gone very, very quickly. Trump shows little interest in the political consequence of bombing, nation-building, or the demands of post-conflict reconstruction. We are spending trillions of dollars in the Middle East, and the infrastructure of our country is disintegrating. Recommended: What's the Point of Isolating Cuba Again? But what happens after ISIS is defeated? What type of government will replace Islamic States rule in Mosul and elsewhere? With Sunnis, Kurds, and Shiites vying for power, what will stop the creation of a power vacuum that annihilates the Iraqi state? Trump has also suggested employing forms of torture much worse than waterboarding, and targeting the families of suspected terrorists. He also criticized NATO as obsolete and suggested that Japan, South Korea, and other nations acquire nuclear weapons. What all these positions have in common is an apolitical vision of war. Even if a tormented prisoner screams out a few extra names in a bid to end the pain, what political price will the United States pay in terms of its international image? What will be the impact on U.S. alliances if Washington deliberately kills innocent civilians simply because they are blood relations of terrorists? Will questioning NATOs role serve to encourage Russian adventurism? How would a Japanese nuke shape regional stability? One of Trumps great heroes is General Douglas MacArthuranother man who failed to understand the political consequences of conflict. During the Korean War, MacArthur railed against President Harry Trumans policy of keeping the fighting limited to the Korean Peninsula, and demanded that the U.S. bomb inside China in a bid for decisive victory. MacArthurs public criticisms of the president led to the general being fired in 1951. In a narrow tactical sense, it might have made sense to bomb China. But this escalation would have risked a broader regional conflict, or even World War III, which the U.S. army chief of staff at the time described as the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong enemy. Recommended: The Case Against Reality The reason Trump doesnt understand that war is politics is that he has little experience or either war or politics. By contrast, for all Petraeuss flaws, the general understands this essential truth. Petraeus didnt win the Iraq War, but he did help to pull Iraq back from the brink of total catastrophe. Petraeus literally wrote the book on counterinsurgency, overseeing the production of the Army and Marine Corps field manual, FM 3-24, which laid out the tenets of fighting guerrilla warfare. The core idea is that politics is at the heart of counterinsurgency. A civil war is a contest to see if the government or the guerrillas can govern most effectively. Therefore, counterinsurgents should live among the people, build local relationships and networks of intelligence, and use firepower with discretion. In 2007, Petraeus was appointed commander in Iraq to oversee the surge strategy. In line with the principles of FM 3-24, he moved American troops out of large bases and closer to the people, and developed an alliance with Sunni tribes to fight the common foe al-Qaeda in Iraq (an effort known as the Awakening). Petraeus didnt win the Iraq Warthe costs were so high by that point that no victory was possible. But he did help to pull Iraq back from the brink of total catastrophe. FM 3-24 is far from a guaranteed recipe for victory over insurgents, even with Petraeus in charge. The general had far more mixed results as commander in Afghanistan in 2010-2011. Nominating someone for secretary of state who is currently serving probation for leaking classified material is an unsavory choice. But an administration that fails to understand the nature of war would be even worse. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. President-Elect Donald Trump said he was very impressed with former CIA director and retired Army general David Petraeus following a meeting Monday between the GOP leaders. Petraeus, who has served as a senior officer under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, is being considered for the secretary of state position in Trumps cabinet, along with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whom Trump will meet with on Tuesday. The high-profile position was established by Congress in 1789. It is an important role for Trump to fill, since the secretary of state is the presidents top foreign policy advisor, responsible for carrying out foreign policies through the Foreign Service of the United States and State Department. The role, which was once held by Trumps opposing presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during President Barak Obama's first administration, is considered a complex one as it requires the secretary of state to aid the president with all foreign affairs, maintain relationships with foreign leaders and determine foreign policy and procedures for the greater good of the United States. Check out the list of secretary of state duties as per the U.S. Department of State below: 1. Serves as the president's chief principal adviser on U.S. foreign policy 2. Handles all negotiations regarding U.S. foreign affairs. 3. Grants and issues passports to American citizens and exequaturs to foreign consuls living in the U.S. 4. Helps the president choose U.S. ambassadors, ministers, consuls and other diplomatic representatives. 5. Aids in the presidents decision on acceptance, recall and termination of the representatives of foreign governments. Participates in or directs U.S. representatives to international conferences, organizations and agencies. 7. Negotiates, interprets and terminates treaties and agreements. Story continues 8. Ensures the protection of the U.S. Government to American citizens, property and interests in foreign countries. 9. Oversees the administration of U.S. immigration laws abroad. 10. Informs American citizens regarding the political, cultural, economic, social, and humanitarian conditions in foreign countries. Explains the conduct of U.S. foreign relations to Congress and American citizens. 12. Encourages and maintains economic intercourse between the U.S. and other countries. 13. Manages the Department of State. 14. Oversees the Foreign Service of the United States. Related Articles The argument over whether Star Wars saved or doomed Hollywood by the scale of its success, and by the industry it created in its wake, is one that's gone on since the movie's original release almost 40 years ago. The real answer is "both" - it would be short-sighted at best to deny more lessons have been learned from the merchandise opportunities Star Wars created than its world-building - but just because George Lucas's galaxy far, far away created an Empire of its own doesn't mean that it's worthless as a movie. Despite that, The Hollywood Reporter executive editor, features, Stephen Galloway recently suggested that Star Wars is less than the sum of its parts, and is far more successful as a corporate property than series of stories. "There's a strange thing I've noticed," he wrote in a column titled "Why I Hate 'Star Wars,'" published Monday. "No one ever seems to defend Star Wars (or any other franchise) as a great work of art." That's untrue, of course; there are countless books, essays and internet arguments on the artistic worth of any and every facet of Star Wars from George Lucas' original movie through to the now non-canonical Expanded Universe merchandise from cultural critics, academics and fans alike. It's nonetheless true, however, that Star Wars-as-franchise often overshadows Star Wars-as-artistic-endeavor, and that's a shame. It's unmistakably true that, as Galloway wrote, Star Wars borrows - if not outright steals - from a number of places: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Metropolis and The Hidden Fortress, as Galloway suggested, but also the comic books and pulps of Lucas' upbringing and their antecedents. (The crossover between Jack Kirby's comics and Star Wars is often commented upon.) But the result of this combination was something that touched a nerve in a way that the individual elements had never managed on their own, with the result being a significant shift in the medium going forward. In that, Star Wars follows in the footsteps of the musical career of The Beatles and the 1960s creation of Marvel Comics - both significant milestones in popular culture that dramatically changed their chosen fields in ways in which those involved couldn't have imagined, especially considering that both The Beatles and the Marvel creator brain trust got started essentially trying to recreate work they admired by other artists. Three of the biggest pop cultural events of the last 60 years - if not the three biggest - have come, essentially, from trying to copy something someone else did and getting it wrong in such a way that it's more appealing to people than the originals; there's something charming, and frustrating, about that in equal amounts. (Undoubtedly, those it frustrates the most are those who want to innovate instead of refine; Galloway isn't wrong in complaining that "franchise product isn't meant to be original"; very little successful pop culture is; en masse, audiences prefer something that's survived past the prototype stage.) The power of crowds might seem like a weak identifier of artistic worth - everyone can point to a massively successful project which, to them, is creatively bankrupt, let's be honest - but it's a useful tool in this case; surely the fact that Star Wars was quite as successful as it was (as it continues to be; look at last year's Star Wars: The Force Awakens) proves that Lucas was adding something of his own to the mix of influences, even if it was simply his taste in choosing what elements to combine. (Everything is a remix, after all.) Does that mean that Star Wars is proven to be a "great work of art"? Doubtlessly not - the actual movie (and greater franchise) will convince you of that more than any conversation about its creation, if all goes well. But putting it in the context of The Beatles and Marvel Comics might allow the franchise to be separated from everything that followed. Does anyone really blame The Beatles for the music business that existed after 1970? (E.L.O., sure, but that's all Jeff Lynne's fault, really.) Can the omnipresence of superhero crossover comics be placed at the feet of what Lee and Kirby did in their Fantastic Four run? The art should be separated from the effect, in order to be judged - and, in deciding whether something is or isn't a great work of art, it's also valuable to look outside individual taste. 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, as the saying goes, and there are at least as many people out there who'd argue that George Lucas hit on something when it came to Star Wars a long, long time ago. If nothing else, given all that Galloway complains about that changed in the aftermath of the original movie's success - which is to say, a mass change in focus for the western movie industry - it should be considered one of the most important pieces of art in the last half-century. Read more: Galloway on Film: Why I Hate 'Star Wars' Jools and Jamie Oliver have been criticised by some parents for using a forward-facing baby carrier [Photo: Instagram/JamieOliver] Barely a day goes by when a celebrity parent isnt being bashed on social media for their parenting skills. The latest parents to find themselves on the receiving end of the shaming are Jamie and Jools Oliver. Uploading a sweet snap to Instagram of his wife with their fifth baby, River Rocket, the 41-year-old celebrity chef offered Jools some birthday love. Happy birthday Mrs Oliver, he wrote. Love you and of course the dude that is baby River So far, so innocent. But critics were quick to pass judgement about the way Jools was holding the baby in his carrier. Her parenting crime? Supposedly allowing her little one to face away from her, which critics said wasnt safe. No, the baby should never look forward, one concerned user wrote. Happy birthday. But please never use that carrier again, another added. Its not ergonomic for the child and can cause hip dysplasia. Use a carrier that support from knee to knee. Please do your research or ask your physio; narrow-based carriers are not only dangerous but also uncomfortable for baby, another added. River doesnt look particularly cosy in that pic, they should never front face. Also hip dysplasia can be undiagnosed in 15% of babies. This isnt the first time a celebrity has been on the receiving end of criticism about the position they are wearing their baby in. Earlier this year Sam Faiers found herself on the receiving end of negative comments about carrying her baby, Paul, in a forward facing carrier. And last year Ryan Reynolds shared a sweet fathers day snap of him and his 6 month old (at the time) baby daughter, James, only to be shamed for the way he was carrying her. Though Ryans daughter was facing inwards, onlookers said she wasnt being carried in an ergonomic way, and slammed the dad for allowing her feet to dangle out of carrier. #familyhike A photo posted by Samantha Faiers (@samanthafaiers1) on May 12, 2016 at 1:54am PDT Happy Fathers Day!!! @vancityreynolds Since the day our baby was born, I've felt so strongly in my heart that you were most likely the father. ????????????????????????????????????#ILoveYouSoMuchItsSilly A photo posted by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on Jun 21, 2015 at 7:29am PDT But like many parenting debates, how to carry your baby safely in a carrier is somewhat of a grey area. The British Association of Babywearing Instructors (BABI) recommends following the TICKS checklist, which has been developed by the The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers. These advise that you should be carrying your baby Tightly, that your baby is In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keeping your babys chin off their chest and that your babys back is Supported. Story continues According to an article republished on the NCT website, carrying a young baby facing out in a sling is not recommended because it forces your babys back straight against your chest and causes their legs to dangle in a harness like position. This can mean the babys weight rests on his crotch rather than being spread from his bottom and thighs. But other baby wearing experts believe that a baby facing outwards in a carrier isnt always unsafe. The best carrying position is the one that mum/dad and baby are happiest with, Michelle Mattesini at Attachment Parenting UK told parenting website MadeForMums. In early development being able to see the caregiver is hugely beneficial to cognitive development. But as the child develops they also benefit from interaction with the world around them. This is individual to each child. There are carriers now available that make world-facing more comfortable for both parties. And what of the Dysplasia risk many users raised on Jamie Olivers Instagram post? Hip dysplasia is a condition where the bones of the hip joint are not aligned correctly. It prevents the hip joints from functioning properly and means your child may develop painful and stiff joints, a limp or hip pain, especially during teenage years. According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) hip dysplasia affects 2-3 in every 1000 babies (approximately 2000 babies in the UK each year). So can forward facing baby carriers increase the risk? According to Dr Charles Price director at IHDI the support a baby carrier offers is more important than the position of the baby. From the perspective of hip health, its OK to face toward or away from the mother/father as long as the hips are supported properly, he told MadeForMums. Hip support is probably more natural when the baby faces the mother and most babies prefer to look at their mother or father instead of the World. So far neither Jamie or Jools has responded to the criticism of their baby wearing choices, but one awareness hip awareness association took it upon themselves to offer their support to the couple. Were sorry your birthday Jools and loving post Jamie got hijacked by baby carrier and hip dysplasia concerns, @healthyhipsaustralia wrote. You didnt design the carrier. Awareness is important but not at the expense of the scapegoat. You are both loving parents. Happy birthday Jools. Besides, as baby River is the youngest of five, the likelihood is that Jamie and Jools probably know what theyre doing by now. So maybe we should just let them get on with it. What do you think? Let us know @YahooStyleUK Ryan Reynolds Under Fire for the Way He Carries Baby Daughter Sam Faiers Mum-Shamed Over Her Parenting Skills Donald Trump closed out the Thanksgiving holiday weekend by tweeting an outrageous lie about the 2016 election. "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally," the president-elect tweeted on Sunday. He went on to directly target states he lost: "Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias big problem!" To begin with the obvious: There is no evidence whatsoever that any of this happened. The claim of millions voting illegally appears to have come from a "story" published by conspiracy website Infowars, which has also promulgated claims that the Sandy Hook massacre was faked and Hillary Clinton is a "demon from hell." Serious election observers quickly condemned Trump, pointing out that instances of noncitizens voting are vanishingly rare. "We know historically that this almost never happens," David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, told Politico. "You're more likely to get eaten by a shark that simultaneously gets hit by lightning than to find a noncitizen voting." One common theory about Trump's unhinged tweets is that they are calculated to draw attention away from more serious and more damaging stories. In this case, the election tweets followed a lengthy investigation by The New York Times into Trump's sprawling global business empire and how his own personal financial interests could shade his decisions as president. Trump has already shown no real desire to separate himself from his businesses beyond saying his children will be in charge and argued that it's legally impossible for the president to have a conflict of interest. It's possible the distraction theory could have some merit. But the simpler answer is probably the correct one. Trump simply cannot stand the fact that while he won a narrow Electoral College majority, he now trails Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by nearly 2 million votes. Trump is also reportedly enraged by Green Party nominee Jill Stein's efforts to push a recount in Wisconsin, where he won by just 27,257 votes. Stein, who is also pushing for recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania, won 30,000 votes in Wisconsin. So her recount effort there seems aimed at proving she did not cost Clinton the state rather than altering the actual result. Story continues The Hillary Clinton campaign has not pushed the recount effort but said it would participate to ensure fairness. None of the recount efforts are likely to alter the result. Trump is going to be president. But his raging tweets show just how thin his skin really is and how unlikely he will be as president to smoothly handle any insults or criticism from foreign leaders or opponents on Capitol Hill. The Sunday tweet storm also helped obscure a disturbing story that broke just before Thanksgiving reporting that Trump is turning away daily briefings from national security officials. Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway explained that Trump is getting intelligence information from other sources but declined to elaborate on who those sources might be. And Trump himself is not talking to the press. He hasn't held a news conference in four months, letting his transition process devolve into a series of leaks and extraordinarily public fights. Conway took the unprecedented step on Sunday of publicly urging her boss not to pick Romney for secretary of state, saying Trump's supporters "feel betrayed" by consideration of the 2012 nominee, a highly respected figure in the GOP establishment. Now Trump is reportedly meeting with retired general David Petraeus on Monday to discuss the secretary of state job. Petraeus resigned in disgrace from the CIA in 2012 after acknowledging that he shared classified information with Paula Broadwell during an extra-marital affair. Petraeus agreed to plead to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized possession of classified information. A Petraeus pick would come after Trump spent months on the campaign trail hammering Clinton for using a personal email account during her tenure as secretary of state, arguing that it compromised classified information. Trump, after campaigning as a champion of forgotten blue collar voters in the Rust Belt, is also stocking his administration with millionaires and billionaires. All of this should give pause to anyone including investors sending stocks to new highs regarding whether Trump will be able to run a successful administration that lowers taxes, streamlines regulations, cuts great trade deals and sparks faster economic growth. Trump's transition is a complete mess and there is no reason to assume his White House will be any different. Ben White is Politico's chief economic correspondent and a CNBC contributor. He also authors the daily tip sheet Politico Morning Money [politico.com/morningmoney]. Follow him on Twitter @morningmoneyben. More From CNBC By Toni Clarke (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass a $6.3 billion piece of legislation on Wednesday designed to spur medical innovation, speed access to new drugs, expand mental health treatment, and combat opioid abuse. The bill, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, provides $4.8 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over 10 years to support brain, cancer and precision medicine research. It also provides $500 million to the Food and Drug Administration to approve drugs and devices more quickly. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to cut "red tape" at the FDA. He has not commented specifically on 21st Century Cures. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week. It is expected to pass, though possibly not before some additional changes are made. It would then go to President Barack Obama for signature. The bill calls for $1 billion over two years to treat and prevent opioid abuse, including improving prescription drug monitoring programs, training for health care providers, and expanding access to opioid treatment programs. Critics of the bill, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a Democrat, said it contains too many give-aways to the pharmaceutical industry and will allow companies to push treatments with limited proof of efficacy. Speaking on the Senate floor on Monday, Warren said she could not vote for the bill despite its many positive elements and would not be a "lackey" for the drug industry. Warren, along with Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, also objects to a provision that would allow companies to hide payments to doctors under the auspices of continuing medical education. Grassley co-authored the Sunshine Act which led to the creation of a database listing drug and device company payments to doctors. "A lot of earlier payments to doctors were under the umbrella of Continuing Medical Education," Grassley said in a statement on Monday. "We shouldn't create a loophole that would let drug and medical device companies mask their payments to doctors under a payment category that's too broad and could gut the spirit and the letter of the Sunshine Act." The bill would add an additional reporting exemption for physicians who receive indirect payments for speaking fees. Patients groups hailed the bill, saying it would bring patient voices to the center of the drug approval process. "This is a patient-centered bill," said Ellen Sigal, chair and founder of Friends of Cancer Research, a patient advocacy organization. "It fosters innovation and doesn't lower safety standards." (Reporting by Toni Clarke in Washington; editing by Diane Craft) Correction appended, Nov. 30, 2016 When a man wouldnt stop obnoxiously whistling Semisonics 90s rock ballad, Closing Time near her house, an Oregon woman made the only logical moveshe called the cops to report a crime. Police officers responded to reports of a jack-ss guy who wouldnt stop whistling, according to Captain Mike Herb of the Forest Grove Police Department, who writes the departments always entertaining weekly police log. Its not clear if the caller would have been more or less upset if it was a different genre or whether it was just the talent lacking in the whistling, Herb told TIME, with a chuckle. Whatever the reason (perhaps she just realized what the song was about?), the woman was definitely not a fan of the mans whistling, and when she told the whistler to shut up, a verbal altercation broke out. Thats when she called the police. While the whistler had moved on by the time police arrived, cops still located him and, according to Herb, he was still whistling Closing Time. Police officers spoke to the man who said he was upset that he had been told to shut up. Cops sent him on his way, and according to the notes left by the officer in the police log, he whistled his way back home. Relive the song below. [H/T Oregonian] Correction: The original version of this story misidentified the Forest Grove Police Department Captain. His name is Mike Herb. Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) is reportedly conducting an accelerated examination of the massive 2014 hacking incident at Yahoo! Inc. YHOO that caused theft of user information from 500 million accounts. Yahoo publicly admitted the incident in Sep 2016 and has faced U.S. politicians ire for being so late in admitting the breach. The Data Protection Commissioner also stated that it awaits information from Yahoo on allegations that it assisted U.S. authorities to scan some email accounts. The examination is aimed at ascertaining if Yahoos support to the email surveillance was in violation of European law. Reuters had reported last month that Yahoo developed a custom software program to scan all of its users incoming emails for particular information demanded by the FBI. The news had fueled widespread privacy concern. The spokeswoman of DPC, MB Donnelly confirmed the change from preliminary enquiry to active investigation in case of the hacking incident. As far as the email surveillance incident is concerned, she stated that DPC is continuing with preliminary assessment of the case. YAHOO! INC Price YAHOO! INC Price | YAHOO! INC Quote Will the Verizon Deal be Affected? It would be interesting to see how all these affect Verizons VZ decision to acquire Yahoos core assets for $4.8 billion. Earlier, Verizon's general counsel Craig Silliman confirmed in a statement that the company has received preliminary briefings but its expecting a demonstration of the full impact on Yahoos part. Till that time, Verizon will keep its final decision on hold. He stated Verizon is "absolutely evaluating (the breach) and will make determinations about whether and how to move forward with the deal based on our evaluation of the materiality." Silliman, however, declined to comment on renegotiation of the purchase price. At its third quarter 2016 earnings conference call, Verizon Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Francis J. Shammo stated that the evaluation is still on and more information has been sought from Yahoo. Story continues We believe that Verizon, on being aware of the fact that Yahoo is troubled to a great extent, will find it extremely difficult to look for another buyer, and is most likely to try and extract a better price. 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Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report YAHOO! INC (YHOO): Free Stock Analysis Report VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA CORP (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report KIMBALL ELECTRN (KE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. In an emergency move, Lancaster County Engineer Pam Dingman has ordered the closure of a bridge along one of the countys busiest rural roads -- 148th Street between O and Holdrege streets. The county ordered an inspection after getting a permit request for heavy load to travel the road earlier this month. JEO Consulting Group of Lincoln inspected the bridge, a circa 1938 steel structure with box culverts that were added onto the sides in 1968, then covered with dirt and asphalt. The bridge, theoretically, should fail under the dead load of the soil placed on top of it alone, Dingman said during a County Board meeting Tuesday. I have to close this road. The calculations say there is no reason for this to be standing, except for it has stood since 1968. The paved road was closed Tuesday, and Dingman said it will stay closed until the bridge is tested to determine a safe weight limit. The Engineers Office is working with the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Civil Engineering Department and Nebraska Department of Roads to do the tests. According to 2009 traffic counts, 4,329 vehicles use the stretch of 148th Street each day. Dingman said its unknown how long testing will take or what future weight limits might be, but she hopes to have more information by the end of the year. That is a major, major corridor. It acts as our east beltway, she said. Two other short bridges along 148th Street were built in the 1920s and also need to be replaced, although the 1938 bridge just south of Holdrege Street is the weakest, she said. We dont have any plans for how these bridges were constructed, or if there is reinforcement in the slab or how (the box culverts) were attached, Dingman said. We dont have a structure that is behaving uniformly. There are a lot of complexities to this. Dingman said her office is working on an emergency plan to get the bridges replaced, probably with box culverts. She estimated the cost for replacing all three at $750,000 and $1 million. Because the three structures are less than 20 feet in length, they are not considered bridges by federal standards, which had previously allowed them to fly under the radar. The Engineer's Office is making an effort to inspect more short structures like these. Lancaster County Board members on Tuesday unanimously approved closure of the road. Commissioner Bill Avery was absent. When the Broad museum opened its doors last year in downtown Los Angeles, aesthetes from across the globe flocked to the contemporary art mecca to see a remarkable collection of more than 2,000 art pieces. Though seeing works from artistic greats such as Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha, and Robert Therrien is more than worth a trip to the avant-garde museum, the attraction that continues to draw the most attention is Infinity Mirrored RoomThe Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. Created by legendary octogenarian artist Yayoi Kusama, the experiential exhibit utilizes walls of mirrors, pools of water, and endless strands of multicolored LED lights to create a colorful kaleidoscope that each guest experiences individually for around a minute. The beloved installation helped inspire Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, a traveling exhibition that will debut at the Smithsonians Hirshhorn Museum in February before making stops at the Seattle Art Museum (June 30 to September 10, 2017), the Broad (October 2017 to January 2018), the Art Gallery of Ontario (March to May 2018), and the Cleveland Museum of Art (July to October 2018). In addition to paintings, sculptures, and other artwork from the 1950s to the present, the exhibition will also showcase the evolution of Kusamas infinity rooms. The installation begins with Infinity Mirror RoomPhallis Field (1965), a whimsical collection of red-dotted tubes in a mirror-lined room. Next, guests will glimpse the dizzying Infinity Mirror RoomLove Forever (1966), a chamber of colorful flashing lights. Dots ObsessionLoved Transformed into Dots (2009) explores Kusamas love of polka dots through a throng of inflatable balls covered with black dots. Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity (2009) and Infinity Mirrored RoomThe Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013) use lanterns, LED lights, and mirrors to seemingly extend the exhibitions into eternity. Kusamas hands-on installation, The Obliteration Room (2002), will serve as the finale. Guests are invited to decorate the all-white living-room replica with a rainbow of multicolored polka-dot stickers. Story continues The traveling display will also showcase several recent works by Kusama, such as the newly completed All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins (2016) infinity room, which features dozens of dotted yellow pumpkins. The traveling collection will be the most significant North American tour of Kusamas works in nearly two decades. (yayoi-kusama.jp) More From Robbreport.com John Lennons Sgt. Peppers Piano Will Fetch Millions A Look Inside the Factory Where Bugatti Creates Its Custom Dream Machines Cirrus One Step Closer to Launching Its First Jet Aircraft Yayoi Kusamas Mesmerizing Infinity Rooms Embark on a North American Tour These Are Game-Improvement Irons, But No One Has to Know That An Exciting New Motorcycle Brand Hits the Streets Aden (AFP) - Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi on Tuesday accused Shiite rebels and their allies of dashing hopes for peace after they unveiled a new government in areas under their control. Hadi said Monday's formation by the Iran-backed rebels of a government of national salvation showed their determination to "spread chaos and destruction" and "destroys any chance of dialogue and peace". Speaking through a spokesman from Yemen's second city Aden, the seat of his beleaguered government, Hadi called on the international community to "condemn this move and hold the militia responsible for the collapse of peace efforts". Announcing their new government, the Huthi rebels said it was a response to Hadi's "stubbornness" in pursuing a deadly war against them with the support of a Saudi-led coalition since March last year. On Tuesday, the official Saba news agency cited Hadi's spokesman as saying the president urged the international community to "condemn this move and endorse the militias' responsibility for the collapse of peace efforts". The war of words comes as the UN envoy for Yemen shuttles between the two sides in an effort to revive a US-backed ceasefire that collapsed after just 48 hours early last week. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who has been trying to persuade the two sides to agree to a government of national unity, met rebel representatives in Oman on Saturday and is scheduled to hold talks with Hadi in Aden. In a speech later Tuesday, Hadi said that in naming their government the rebels had "killed off the last hopes" of peace talks resuming. - 'Always open to peace' - The president, who is usually based in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, flew to Aden on Saturday on his first visit in a year. Hadi insisted that he was "always open to peace", and praised "the positive role played by the UN and its envoy" to settle the conflict and implement international resolutions "including 2216". Story continues UN Security Council Resolution 2216 calls on the rebels to withdraw from territory they have captured since 2014. The Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday said Hadi's was the "only legitimate government" in Yemen. In forming their own government, the rebels had shown their "lack of seriousness in engaging in political negotiations" and their "will to hamper the UN mediator's intense efforts to end the war", GCC secretary general Abdellatif Zayani said. Oman is the only country in the six-nation GCC not to have joined the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Huthis in Yemen. Fierce fighting has raged on the ground since the ceasefire collapsed. Rebels attacked loyalist positions in Dhaleh province north of Aden on Tuesday but were repulsed, a military official said. Three government soldiers and 14 rebels were killed. Witness Fawaz al-Marissi said the insurgents had been forced to leave their dead behind. Despite 20 months of Saudi-led military support, Hadi's authority is still largely confined to the south and areas along the Saudi border. The rebels control Sanaa and most of northern Yemen. The conflict has claimed more than 7,000 lives and left millions of civilians dependent on food aid. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f299418%2factivist-apps-sites-trump It's been less than a month since President-elect Donald Trump's victory, and everywhere you look, people are struggling to organize. You can see a lot of it happening on our favorite social platforms. On Facebook, it comes in the form of repetitive pleas to "Call your legislator!" On Twitter, people retweet every 140-character nugget of pseudo-profundity they can find. SEE ALSO: Trumps America will also be a new golden age of activism It can be confusing to know what to do when so much of our democracy is at stake, but a few new sites and apps (and even a couple of old ones) can help activists and concerned Americans pave a manageable path forward. Below, we've compiled a list of digital tools that make it easier for those who want to organize, but need specific solutions, coordinated guidance and helpful information at their fingertips. 1. For day-to-day help: Flippable Flippable's main goal is simple: to help "turn America blue" by building power at all levels of government, both federal and state. While state politics may not generate the same energy and theater as national politics, Democrats desperately need to control more state legislatures if they have any hope of stopping gerrymandering and recapturing Congress and the Oval Office. Image: flippable Flippable provides users with one simple thing they can do every day to help curb Trump's abuses and/or put progressives into office. Phone numbers, calling scripts and easy-to-follow steps are all there for you all you have to do is visit the site or sign up for daily emails. According to its website, the app was set up "by organizers, politics junkies, strategists and engineers who met each other working on the Hillary Clinton campaign in Columbus, Ohio, and Brooklyn, New York." 2. For weekly guidance: Wall-of-Us Some people aren't able to take a moment every day to organize, but they can donate larger amounts of time throughout the week. Wall-of-Us gives users four "concrete acts of resistance delivered to your inbox each week," which can involve donating to a recount or asking followers to call their local representatives. Story continues "Three seemed like too few, and five seemed overwhelming," Amelia Miazad, one of the site's founders, told Mashable in an email. "Four seemed like a number that most people could do." Image: wall of us As a bonus, the site is really pretty so that's a small source of comfort in these otherwise unspeakably bleak times. 3. For people who love to pick up the phone: Weekly Actions to Resist Trump It may be hard to believe, but there are plenty of people left on this earth who still like speaking to strangers on the phone. And, thankfully, calls make a difference much more so than emails and letters, it seems. Many staffers will tally up the types of calls they've received in a given week, and share the results with your representative. Weekly Actions to Resist Trump gives users guidance on what types of calls to make, and who to make them to, all while providing the contact information users need. Image: Weekly actions To Resist Trump And don't worry if you call your representative's office, you'll likely speak to a voicemail recording or a trained-to-be-nice staffer. It's a win-win. 4. For people who want to donate that cash: Support.fm/Express Following the election, organizations like the ACLU and Planned Parenthood reported a surge in donations. (In one week alone, the ACLU raised a record $7.2 million in funds.) And while it's important to support leading nonprofits, many grassroots and community-led organizations will also need real support. Support.fm/Express provides a comprehensive yet digestible list of groups, including Muslim community organizations, migrant justice groups and POC-led nonprofits, where people can donate their funds (and sometimes their IRL support). Image: support.fm/express 5. For people who don't want to give Trump their money: Boycott Trump If there's one thing we learned from the #GrabYourWallet campaign in October, it's that boycotts can work. In the weeks following the start of the campaign, Ivanka Trump's brand experienced a 54 percent drop in "interest," or item views on select online retailers. Now, Boycott Trump, a new app from the Democratic Coalition Against Trump, allows users to search a database of more than 250 businesses to see if they share any connection to Trump and his business interests. Image: Boycott Trump Image: BoyCott Trump The app has already found dozens of companies that are affiliated with Trump. 6. For people who want to volunteer (and maybe donate, too): TogetherList Many people want to volunteer or give their money they just have no idea who needs the help or what needs to be done. TogetherList provides a list of agencies and nonprofits where people can donate money or volunteer their time. All you have to do is click "donate" or "volunteer" below the organization of your choice. Sure, it's important to reach out to your legislators or show up to a protest. But TogetherList allows people to support an established nonprofit organization directly and more extensively, whether by volunteering their time or donating their hard-earned dollars. SEE ALSO: 4 positive ways to take action after Trump's victory 7. For folks who really want to hold their representatives accountable: Countable Though the app is two years old, Countable remains just as relevant as ever. Users simply type in their name and address, and the app provides them with their list of legislators. Countable users even get to see how they voted on important pieces of legislation so they can wait for it hold them accountable. The app lets you send a video message to your representative so they know you're serious (and have a super nice smartphone). Image: countable Of course, there are hundreds of sites out there helping people to organize in their communities, countless 1,000-word Facebook posts telling desperate people what to do, and approximately 19,999,999 articles shared on Twitter that people have promised to send their Trump-supporting family members, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. For many, there's so much to do and so many ways to do it they just need a lot of focus and a little help. These apps will do the trick. BONUS: These are the most shocking quotes to come out of Trump's '60 Minutes' interview Cortana, Siri, Alexa, meet Miles. Through February, the oil and gas giant BP is testing a new kind of pump technology at several gas stations in the Chicago and New York City metro areas. The technology includes a tablet that lets customers interact with an assistive, AI-based personality called Miles. BP says its installed proprietary voice-activation technology inside what its calling its new personality pumps, which let customers do everything from play music through Pandora to answering music trivia to whipping up a quick, fun video e-card they can send to a friend. Miles is a friendly sounding helper and keeps things light since, of course, most people will only be there for the 5 minutes or less it takes to put gas in the tank. DONT MISS: WSJ: iPhone 8 with curved OLED display may launch next year Sure, it might sound completely unnecessary distracting, even for someone just there for a quick fill-up. No one goes to the gas station because they want to be there. Its an interruption; a transactional way-station thats not all that fun to be at. Which is why BPs innovation is interesting on a deeper than just a legacy company trying to shake up the customer experience: Miles represents another incremental spread of a particular kind of AI creation. Our future will be filled with all kinds of different versions of Miles robots, AI assistants and more that have names, personalities, quirks and other things meant to make them relatable and, ultimately, likable- to the mere mortals that will use them and exist among them. I wont beat around the bush, said Doug Dryan, BPs consumer advertising manager. The industry Im in, retail gasoline, isnt the most personable experience. The majority of the transactions that happen at a BP site there is no personal experience. The consumer is buying and dispensing their fuel at the pump. You never actually to talk anyone. Its one of the hard parts about our industry. The entire industry has gone to an ease of buying or ease of payment, because consumers do want to get in and out quick. Story continues Tech giants like Microsoft and Apple have already decided AI like this will carry increasing sway over our gadgets. In tandem with that, they and their competitors are acclimating us to the ubiquity of assistive personalities and virtual assistants ready with quips and quick replies, just like Miles. If we like Cortana, the thinking goes if shes funny, likable, helpful well use her more. Which helps Microsoft make her smarter, and gives the company more data from our searches and queries to parse and study to make its own systems smarter. And on and on that cycle goes. Hey Cortana, howd you develop such a winsome personality, I might ask if I was typing this on something other than a MacBook Air. Easy, shed reply my creators hired writers from around the world, some of whom dont even have tech backgrounds and who are playwrights and artists and similar creatives, to write all these wonderful things for me to say. These assistants, meanwhile, are already pervasive, or nearly so. Amazon keeps giving Alexa more so-called skills actions like the ability to text or play music. The Information reported in recent days that more than 5,000 such skills are now available, a figure thats grown from about 130 since January. Samsung, meanwhile, plans to incorporate an AI-based digital assistant in its Galaxy S8. Well be greeted by such assistants everywhere, it seems, as the BP news shows. For its part, BP began testing Miles at select locations in NYC and Chicago on Nov. 15. This is not about getting customers to spend 15 minutes on site with Miles, Dryan said, acknowledging that the average visit to the pump may only span something on the order of three to five minutes. Its about we know youve got to fill up your car or put fuel in your car, so lets make that experience a little more enjoyable and interactive and quite honestly maybe put a smile on your face while youre doing it. Its more about us starting to innovate in the (fuel) dispenser area for consumers, and maybe this is great and it does roll out to more places. But there will also be other things that roll out next year we want to try as well. This is kind of our first step. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com By Jamie Freed and Byron Kaye SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's antitrust regulator said on Tuesday it is likely to deny four local banks permission to collectively bargain with Apple Inc in relation to its mobile digital payments system. But the preliminary decision was "finely balanced" and could be reversed if the banks make a convincing case before a final opinion is due in March, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims told Reuters. Losing the case would be a setback to the banks' hopes of bypassing Apple's in-house payments system and rolling out their own iPhone versions free of competition from the Silicon Valley giant, which has the biggest smartphone market share in Australia. Under Australian law, bargaining cartels can be formed as long as they have permission from authorities, and the banks are seeking the ability to offer their own digital wallets in Apple iPhones - the first major challenge to Apple Pay of its kind. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corp, National Australia Bank Ltd and smaller rival Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd also want to bargain with Apple over charging customers extra fees for transactions made through Apple Pay. A successful application would allow the banks - which jointly have two-thirds of the Australian credit card market - to collectively boycott Apple Pay for up to three years as a negotiating tactic. Apple has argued that third parties should not have access to its digital wallet technology because it would undermine customers' privacy and data security. The company's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Apple Pay allows users to register credit cards on devices such as iPhones, and pay for goods and services by swiping the devices over contactless payment terminals. Apple charges card providers for transactions via the service, which it introduced to Australia last year. In their application, the banks argue that there is an information imbalance weighted in Apple's favour due to the secret nature of the terms Apple has agreed with competitors over the use of Apple Pay, including fees. Sims said that if the ACCC determines that the heart of the banks' complaint lies with fees, then it would be difficult for them to win the case. But if it is more about access to Apple's contactless payment technology, then they had a stronger case. A representative for the banks behind the application, Lance Blockley, said there would be effectively no competition against Apple for mobile payments on the iPhone if the draft determination stood. The banks would continue to argue their case with the ACCC, he said. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd is the only one of Australia's "Big Four" banks to have a digital wallet agreement with Apple, betting that being one of the first to offer the service would help bring in more customers. (Reporting by Jamie Freed and Byron Kaye; Editing by Stephen Coates and Edwina Gibbs) As many as 900,000 of Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany suffered network outages that might have been caused by hackers through a flaw in routers. As many as 900,000 of Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany suffered network outages that might have been caused by hackers, the company and government security experts said on Monday, according to Reuters. Deutsche Telekom customers had problems connecting to their networks on Sunday afternoon, as the outages impacted certain routers that dial into the network for phone, internet and TV access, the company said. The number of customers that were affected decreased to about 400,000 after security measures were put in place. A software update was issued and the company asked affected customer to unplug their router for 30 seconds, the company said in a statement. There is no error pattern: some customers are experiencing temporary problems or very marked fluctuations in quality, but there are also customers for whom the service is not working at all, the company said. Based on the error pattern, we cannot exclude the possibility that the routers have been targeted by external parties with the result that they can no longer register on the network. Meanwhile, German security officials said the outages obviously looks like the work of hackers" according to Reuters. The company is still investing the issue, but said its technology experts have identified the problem as originating from how some routers connect to the network. Vulnerable Routers Hackers that handle Mirai malware, which turns IoT devices into denial of service tools, are exploiting a vital flaw that could be present in millions of routers, Ars Technica reported on Monday. Routers used by customers of companies Deutsche Telekom and Eircom have already been labeled as vulnerable, researchers following the attacks say, according to Ars Technica. The flaws have been found in routers made by Zyxel, which is available in the U.S., Speedport and most likely other manufacturers as well. Related Articles A new report found that many consumer drones lack adequate security making it easy for an outside hacker to take control (AFP Photo/Josh Edelson) (AFP/File) Washington (AFP) - A big rise in drone use is likely to lead to a new wave of "dronejackings" by cybercriminals, security experts warned Tuesday. A report by Intel's McAfee Labs said hackers are expected to start targeting drones used for deliveries, law enforcement or camera crews, in addition to hobbyists. "Drones are well on the way to becoming a major tool for shippers, law enforcement agencies, photographers, farmers, the news media, and more," said Intel Security's Bruce Snell, in the company's annual threat report. Snell said the concept of dronejacking was demonstrated at a security conference last year, where researchers showed how someone could easily take control of a toy drone. "Although taking over a kid's drone may seem amusing and not that big of an issue, once we look at the increase in drone usage potential problems starts to arise," he said. The report noted that many consumer drones lack adequate security, which makes it easy for an outside hacker to take control. Companies like Amazon and UPS are expected to use drones for package deliveries -- becoming potential targets for criminals, the report said. "Someone looking to 'dronejack' deliveries could find a location with regular drone traffic and wait for the targets to appear," the report said. "Once a package delivery drone is overhead, the drone could be sent to the ground, allowing the criminal to steal the package." The researchers said criminals may also look to steal expensive photographic equipment carried by drones, to knock out surveillance cameras used by law enforcement. Intel said it expects to see dronejacking "toolkits" traded on "dark web" marketplaces in 2017. "Once these toolkits start making the rounds, it is just a matter of time before we see stories of hijacked drones showing up in the evening news," the report said. Other predictions in the report included a decrease in so-called "ransomware" attacks as defenses improve, but a rise in mobile attacks that enable cyber thieves to steal bank account or credit card information. The report also noted that cybercriminals will begin using more sophisticated artificial intelligence or "machine learning" techniques and employ fake online ads. Facebook, Inc FB is not letting the Free Basics fiasco affect its plans of connecting the whole of India. Per media reports, Facebook has been testing Express Wi-Fi, a service that empowers local entrepreneurs to help provide quality internet access to their neighbors and make a steady income. Facebook further added that Express Wi-Fi will be "working with carriers, internet service providers and local entrepreneurs to help expand connectivity to underserved locations around the world". Reportedly, the social media giant plans to expand this service to other regions in the coming days. At present, no details are available on how much does it cost to use the service and whether it provides limited internet access like Free Basics. India deserves special mention when it comes to user growth. India as the worlds second largest populated country offers tremendous potential. It has over 1.2 billion people out of which only a little over 350 million use Internet. Despite low Internet penetration, India is already the second largest market for the company just after the U.S, given its extreme popularity. With most developed markets reaching maturity and China seemingly off the radar, India can prove to be a terrific growth engine for Facebook. A burgeoning well educated middle class, increasing spending power and rapid adoption of smartphones will boost Facebooks prospects in the country. Not just Facebook, tech behemoths right from Apple Inc. AAPL, Amazon.com, Inc. AMZN and Alphabet Inc. GOOGL all are trying to grab a share of this lucrative market. Last December, Facebook suffered a massive blow when Indian regulatory body TRAI asked Facebooks India operator partner, Reliance Communications, to put on hold the Free Basics services in the country, citing net neutrality principle violation. Net neutrality implies an open-Internet atmosphere, which will prohibit ISPs, especially telecom and cable TV operators, from discriminating against applications. Following the suit, Egypt banned Free Basics services too. Story continues Though CEO Mark Zuckerberg heavily defended the service in India by launching a marketing campaign, he eventually lost. Zuckerberg had earlier said that Facebook totally agrees with the net neutrality principle but at the same time he advocated that if people cant afford to pay for connectivity, it is always better to have some access and voice than none at all. This wasnt enough to pacify the critics of the service, who accused Facebook of trying to exercise control over users preference by giving them limited Internet access. Free Basics Services, a part of the Internet.org project, is Facebooks effort to rope in more users by providing free access to Internet across the 19 emerging markets of South East Asia, Latin America and Africa. These emerging economies with their burgeoning population offer great scope for expanding its user base. Also, the lack of physical infrastructure has propelled the increasing use of mobile Internet in the region, which is in tune with Facebooks growth strategy. The project was launched three years back. FACEBOOK INC-A Price FACEBOOK INC-A Price | FACEBOOK INC-A Quote Facebook had collaborated with France-based Eutelsat Communications to launch a satellite that would beam Internet in sub-Saharan African regions. However, the SpaceX rocket explosion caused the loss of AMOS-6; the first satellite that could have helped in providing Internet access to Africa and Middle East. Apart from testing Express Wi-Fi, Facebook is developing laser technology to move loads of data at superfast speed along with Aquila, a solar powered aircraft to beam Internet from the sky. At its last F8 conference, Facebook said that it was working on ARIES (Antenna Radio Integration for Efficiency in Spectrum) and Terragraph, two of its ambitious Internet connectivity projects. With ARIES, Facebook is testing to bring speedier connectivity in rural areas by using antennas to provide faster Internet coverage on 2G spectrum.Terragraph will boost connectivity in congested urban areas by employing WiGig antennas. We believe these initiatives will significantly drive Facebooks user base in these regions in the long run. At present Facebook carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Shares of Facebook have been on an upward trend on a year-to-date basis. The stock generated a return of 15.05% compared with the Zacks Computer-Software Services Industrys gain of 3.82%. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AMAZON.COM INC (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report APPLE INC (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report FACEBOOK INC-A (FB): Free Stock Analysis Report ALPHABET INC-A (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that attacks orchestrated by Russia "could also play a role" in Germany's election campaign next year (AFP Photo/Tobias Schwarz) Berlin (AFP) - Cyber attacks from Russia are now so common that Germany must learn to cope with them as part of daily life, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday, after Europe's top economy suffered its biggest hacking assault. Almost one million Deutsche Telekom clients were knocked offline from Sunday, with Germany's online security chief describing it as "a hacking attack". Merkel said she did not know who was behind the strike, but added that "such cyber attacks, or hybrid conflicts as they are known in Russian doctrine, are now part of daily life and we must learn to cope with them". "We have to inform people, and express our political convictions clearly," she said, calling on the population to "not allow themselves to be irritated" by such rogue operations. "You just have to know that there's such a thing and learn to live with it," she told journalists. Merkel had said earlier this month that attacks orchestrated by Russia "could also play a role" in Germany's election campaign next year. The warning was echoed by the head of foreign intelligence service on Tuesday. "Europe is in the focus of these disturbances, and Germany particularly so," foreign intelligence service chief Bruno Kahl told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily in an interview. There are indications that "cyber attacks are taking place with no reason other than to sow political uncertainty," said Kahl. - 'Organised crime' - Germany's biggest telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom became the latest victim of an online assault that lasted over a day from Sunday. "It was quickly clear to us that it was a hacking attack," Arne Schoenbohm, the head of the Federal Office for Information Security, told the regional newspaper group Funke. "That is organised crime," he said, adding that the hackers apparently used the so-called Mirai malware to infect routers, preventing them from connecting to the main network. Story continues The attack could have caused far more destruction, Schoenbohm told Die Welt daily. "We were lucky this time -- the attack didn't work properly," he said. While it managed to force the targeted router offline, the malware failed to install properly and was destroyed when the router was rebooted. Tagesspiegel daily, quoting unnamed security sources, drew a link between Sunday's event and Russia. Mirai was developed by the Russian hacking group Sofacy, which had targeted the German parliament in 2015, the newspaper said, adding that the telecoms assault could be a dry-run ahead of a wider attack when Germany hosts the G20 summit next July. - Repeated assault - Russia has been blamed for several major hacking operations, with Washington last month formally accusing Moscow of trying to "interfere" in the 2016 White House race with online attacks hitting US political institutions. With Germany also gearing up for a general election expected next September, top politicians are wary that it could also fall prey to similar rogue operations. Merkel had said that "we are already, even now, having to deal with information out of Russia or with internet attacks that are of Russian origin or with news which sows false information." Germany has suffered repeated cyber assaults in recent years. In September, several political parties were sent fake emails purporting to be from NATO headquarters but which in fact contained a link that installed spying software on victims' computers. The emails affected party operations such as the regional network of the Christian Democratic Union in a western state, and the federal offices of the Left party. The German parliament also fell victim to a 2015 attack that security services have since blamed on Russia. That rogue operation against the Bundestag involved an aggressive attack by Sofacy that had also struck NATO members and put French TV station TV5Monde off air. Amid the rising frequency of attacks, Germany's defence ministry this year set up a cyber department to coordinate a response to online intrusions. Huawei might be the third largest phone manufacturer in the world, but security concerns are stopping it from succeeding in the United States. Chinese electronics manufacturer Huawei will officially bring its new Mate 9 flagship Android smartphone in the United States. However, it looks like the company is facing a huge challenge in convincing U.S. carriers to support the smartphone, and this could certainly hamper Huaweis effort in penetrating the market. Over 80 percent of smartphones in the U.S. are distributed by mobile network carriers in the country. Huawei is is the third largest phone maker in terms of shipments just behind Samsung and Apple. Carriers partnering with Huawei seems like a good idea, and yet U.S. carriers are reluctant to work with the manufacturer because of its low brand recognition in the country and security concerns with Huaweis networking equipment, sources told the Wall Street Journal. Back in 2012, U.S. Congress recommended that carriers shouldnt use network equipment from Huawei as it might be a means for China to spy on American citizens. Huawei denied the accusations against them, but it hasnt stopped carriers from worrying about potential spying by Beijing authority, according to Android Headlines. Mobile chips being used by Huawei currently dont comply with the cellular standard used by Verizon and Sprint. If the company tries to change its chips, it would be too costly. T-Mobile is also currently in a patent dispute with Huawei, making a partnership between the two nearly impossible. The only hope that the company has is AT&T which Huawei has already had talks with. Theres no word yet on a deal being made between the two. Despite all of these issues, Huawei will still be bringing the Huawei Mate 9 in the United States. The company hasnt revealed a release date just yet, nor has it even provided U.S. pricing for the upcoming device. The Huawei Mate 9 will sell for 699 in Europe which is around $760 USD. Huawei might only be able to sell the Mate 9 through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart, as pointed out by Digital Trends. Related Articles Visitors to the Lancaster County District Court Clerk's Office may have noticed the clatter of construction, the buzz of power tools or the smell of fresh paint coming from the back room over the past month. Or the bright yellow building permit #575 taped to the door. Clerk Troy Hawk said work is in the final stages on a $60,000 project that solved three needs: increasing office space, replacing an aging file system and finding extra room for juvenile court files being stored in a cabinet in the office hallway. The impetus was to bring the county's jury commissioner employees to his office on the third floor of the Hall of Justice, said Hawk, who is also the county's jury commissioner. Until now, commission employees have been housed at the Election Commissioner's office at 601 N. 46th St. "My beginning purpose for everything was to bring the jury commissioner back here. The other two pieces were like frosting on the cake," said Hawk, who became district court clerk about 3 years ago. By statute, the jury commissioner's duties can be attached to the district court clerk's office or the election commissioner. Years ago, judges in Lancaster County voted for it to be at the election commissioner's office. The jury commissioner's duties include answering questions from prospective jurors, employers and the public about jury service in Lancaster County. Hawk said he and Election Commissioner Dave Shively talked and both thought it made more sense to be at the courthouse. Now, the two employees, Nicole Miller who is full-time and Julie Fitzgerald who is part-time, will have office space steps from the lounge where potential jurors report for jury selection every month. Hawk's hope is that court bailiffs who have been checking in jurors will be able to focus on trial preparation, and his office can track down jurors or hand out letters jurors need for their employers. He said he'd also like to look into modernizing things, like allowing jurors to answer jury summons online or to let them know when they need to report by a recorded call. "It just made so much sense to bring that all under this one roof, and then I can work with the judges to modernize, streamline and make it work smoother for everybody," Hawk said. Shively was doing a fine job, he said, but his focus was elections, not trials. It took a couple of years of planning, Hawks said. The county made the money available for the remodel, and the judges agreed. And, as of Nov. 1, the jury commission became part of the district court clerk's office. The two employees didn't move into their new digs until Wednesday. As for the other parts of the project, Hawks said he learned he couldn't buy parts for their old motorized file system and that replacing the three they had would cost $20,000 to $30,000 each. So he started looking into a new system. The new one is on tracks and works like sliding library shelves. It's less expensive than replacing the old system and takes up a fraction of the space. But the weight meant steel beams had to go in to support it. And then there was drywall and carpeting and paint. Where two Lektrievers (the old system) used to sit, they now can fit all of their files, microfilm, plus juvenile files that have been in file cabinets in a hallway, Hawks said. Plus, there still was room for a new office space. "For the price of replacing two Lektrievers, we increased our storage space and gained some office space to bring the jury folks back in," Hawk said. The Internet Archive, a digital library that preserves massive parts of the web, is asking for donations to create a backup of its work in Canada to avoid any challenges under the Trump administration. The election of Donald Trump doesnt just mean major changes for the government, but for organizations operating within the United States as well. In response to the incoming Trump administration, the Internet Archivea digital library that documents the history of the webis planning to create a copy of its database in Canada. The decision to create an Canadian-based backup was announced via blog post on Tuesday by Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle, and was presented as part safety precaution and part reaction to President-elect Trump. On November 9th in America, we woke up to a new administration promising radical change. It was a firm reminder that institutions like ours, built for the long-term, need to design for change, Kahle wrote. For us, it means keeping our cultural materials safe, private and perpetually accessible. It means preparing for a Web that may face greater restrictions. Kahle estimates the project will cost millions of dollars, but may be a necessity to avoid potential challenges in the U.S. for the San Francisco-based project. Legal challenges, government surveillance, and censorship could all present issue for the Internet Archives operation. In the post, which asks for user donations to supplement the expansion of the service into Canada, Kahle compares the Internet Archive to libraries, which he notes are susceptible to fault lines. Throughout history, libraries have fought against terrible violations of privacywhere people have been rounded up simply for what they read, he wrote. At the Internet Archive, we are fighting to protect our readers privacy in the digital world. Much of Kahles concern stems from the lack of clarity in the Trump administrations positions toward the issues that could pose a threat to the Internet Archive. Trump has previously expressed his belief of closing up certain areas of the internet and suggested people who believe freedom of speech is protected on the internet are foolish. Story continues Trump has also taken a stance against net neutrality, supported expansion of government surveillance tools, called for a boycott of Apple when it declined to work with law enforcement to crack its own encryption protocol, and openly wished for the power to hack his opposition. The proprietors of the Internet Archive have collected more than 15 petabytes of data (about 15 million gigabytes). Its a fraction of what Facebook has managed to gather, but Internet Archive runs as a non-profit with a staff of just 150. The service is perhaps best known for the Wayback Machine, a running archive of the web that logs more than 300 million web pages each week. Related Articles Paris-based audio hardware startup Devialet has raised $106 million in funding from a large group of investors that include Jay Zs Roc Nation label, Chinese electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn, Renault, Sharp and Playground Global, the venture capital company founded by Andy Rubin, the inventor of Googles Android mobile operating system. What brings an auto manufacturer, a record label, a TV manufacturer and a mobile computing pioneer together, you may ask? The simple answer is good sound. Devialets founders have been working since 2007 on improving digital sound quality. In 2010, the company released its first product, an amplifier that promised audiophiles with lots of disposable cash superior sound. There is no distortion, no noise, said Devialet co-founder Quentin Sannie in an interview with Variety this week. Devialet also built a speaker based on that technology, which sells for a whopping $2000 at Apple stores and elsewhere. Its not a cheap product, admitted Sannie. Its luxury experience. However, the speaker is based on custom-designed chipsets that could potentially power much less expensive products, including TV sets, mobile phones and car stereo systems. It could be an affordable technology, said Sannie. Devialet is now getting ready to license these chipsets to partners, which will likely include investors like Sharp and Foxconn. Sannie said that consumers may be able to buy first products powered by his companys technology as early as next September. Can't wait to get your hands on a super-sized Pixel XL? Better mark your calendar for 2017, then, as certain models of Google's new Pixel phones could be delayed until after Christmas, according to reports. Some orders already placed for the 128 GB Pixel XL, the larger of two models, won't ship from the manufacturer until Dec. 26, according to Android Headlines. And orders placed for that model now won't ship until until January 13, according to the Verizon Wireless website. This comes after the phones were already delayed by a month, according to reports just weeks after Google unveiled the devices at an October event in San Francisco. Credit: Getty Images Credit: Getty Images Google is expected to sell 3 million Pixel phones during the last quarter of this year, and 5.5 million of the phones next year, according Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak. MORE: Google Pixel Review: Taking Android to New Heights Verizon is the only carrier to directly offer the Pixel and Pixel XL, where both the 32GB and 128GB versions of the larger XL won't ship until January if you order them today. (The 32GB Pixel is available now from the carrier, while the 128GB version of the 5-inch phone ships a few days after you order it.) You can also buy the phone unlocked directly from Google, though right now the 128GB version of the Pixel XL is listed as out of stock. By Se Young Lee SEOUL (Reuters) - Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd <005930.KS>, under pressure from shareholders to improve investor returns, said on Tuesday it will consider creating a holding company in what would be the biggest shake-up in its 47-year history. The move and a plan to raise dividends come after U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management in October called for the South Korean firm to split itself into a holding vehicle and an operating company. However, the world's top maker of smartphones, memory chips and televisions, said it was "absolutely neutral" about whether to proceed and provided little detail on the potential restructuring, underwhelming investors. "The review does not indicate the management or the board's intention one way or another," the company said in a statement, adding it had hired external advisers for a review expected to take at least six months. Samsung's statement keeps the door open for Elliott to continue its pressure on the company, which includes the hedge fund's ability to nominate board directors at the next annual meeting. Elliott, through its holding company affiliates, Blake Capital and Potter Capital, called Samsung's plan a "constructive initial step." But the $27 billion hedge fund also signaled it wanted more. "We anticipate more meaningful changes following the company's corporate structure review," the Elliott affiliates said in a statement on Tuesday. The shareholder pressure on Samsung comes as the company juggles a leadership succession and a major blow to its brand after issuing an unprecedented recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in September. Shares in Samsung, worth $224 billion combined, finished unchanged on the day at 1.677 million won ($1,434) each. The 2016 dividend boost fell short of some expectations, while uncertainty over the restructuring kept investors at bay, analysts said. "There is some disappointment that the dividend wasn't even higher or possibly a special dividend, and this is the reason for a flat share price today," said Sat Duhra, asset manager at Henderson Global Investors. Samsung did not directly mention Elliott in its statement, but the Korean firm promised to respond to the fund's ideas by the end of November. Elliott, which launched its Samsung campaign last month, owns 0.62 percent of Samsung's stock. Samsung pledged to return 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders for 2016 and 2017, falling short of Elliott's call for 75 percent to be returned and to pay a $26 billion special dividend. Samsung rejected another Elliott proposal by saying that even if it adopts a holding company, it has no plans at present to merge that with Samsung C&T Corp <028260.KS>, the group's current de facto holding company and a firm that Elliott has previously targeted. "I don't think Samsung said much that was surprising or beyond what investors already had in mind," said HDC Asset Management fund manager Park Jung-hoon. SUCCESSION Investors and analysts have long viewed a split for Samsung Electronics as a way for the Lee family scion, Jay Y. Lee, and his two sisters to boost their control of Samsung Group [SAGR.UL] companies. They have said that Samsung shares trade at steep discounts to global peers due to what they say is a complex ownership structure, poor corporate governance and inefficient cash management. The hope is that a major restructuring would address those concerns and boost the company's value. Samsung executives did not elaborate on the restructuring in a conference call on Tuesday. But under a restructuring, investors would expect the Lees and affiliates in the Samsung group of companies to exchange their operating company shares for stock in the holding firm, strengthening their grip. Samsung Electronics would then return more capital to shareholders, investors say. Such a move would boost earnings for Samsung Group firms and the Lee heirs, who face a multi-billion dollar inheritance tax in the event that 74-year-old Samsung Group patriarch Lee Kun-hee dies. The senior Lee has been in hospital since May 2014 following a heart attack. Henderson's Duhra said the asset manager would be satisfied with a restructuring if it addresses "decades of inefficient structures, poor governance and weak corporate behavior towards minority shareholders." Samsung said it would increase dividends for 2016 by 36 percent to 28,500 won ($24.36) per share, and buy back and cancel additional shares in January 2017 with whatever excess free cash remains from 2016. The company also said it needed to maintain a net cash position of between 65 trillion won and 70 trillion won, suggesting it is not likely to pay the special dividend sought by Elliott. (Additional reporting by Michael Flaherty in NEW YORK; Nichola Saminather and Anshuman Daga in SINGAPORE; Editing by Miyoung Kim, Stephen Coates and Paul Simao) November is almost over and Samsung has not told us what caused the numerous Galaxy Note 7 explosions that made the news for the better part of September and October. However, the company is expected to announce its findings by the end of the year, a new report reveals. DONT MISS: Theres a fix for your iPhone 6s serious battery drain, but you might not like it There were various theories looking to explain why the Galaxy Note 7s battery overheated to the point where the phone would explode, but Samsung has not acknowledged any of them. The company started investigating the explosions soon after it was forced to issue a worldwide recall. Batteries are considered to be the ignition point, but other factors may have favored explosions. Samsung then announced the initial batch of phones had faulty batteries, and assured customers that the replacement batteries would be safe. It turned out that wasnt the case, and Samsung had to recall the handset a second time, and terminate production. Samsung launched a new round of investigations on November 11th, The Korea Herald explains, together with product safety authorities and experts from Korea and the US. According to industry sources, the final results of Samsungs probe will be announced by the end of the year. The sources said the reuse of the returned phones is also dependent on the investigations results. One rumor said that Samsung may consider selling refurbished Galaxy Note 7 units once it fixes them for good. The Herald says that Samsung sold some 4.3 million Galaxy Note 7 phones since its launch in August. Trending right now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com ICANN became independent on October 1, 2016 after the expiration of an 18-year contract to manage the technical functions of the internet address system which ensure that users arrive at certain websites (AFP Photo/ROSLAN RAHMAN) Washington (AFP) - The internet address system gatekeeper, independent after a split from the US government, is now in a phase where "the grassroots are in charge," its top executive said Tuesday. Goran Marby, president and chief executive of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, said in an interview that nothing has changed for people using the internet after the expiration of its contract with the US Commerce Department. This means that "nothing happened and everything happened," Marby told AFP in an interview in Washington. "The internet is a grassroots thing, and now the grassroots are in charge." The nonprofit, California-based ICANN became independent on October 1 after the expiration of an 18-year contract to manage the technical functions of the internet address system which ensure that users arrive at certain websites, such as through domain names including .com or .gov. The separation came despite some critics in the US Congress who argued that Washington was "giving away" the internet, allowing authoritarian regimes to be able to exercise greater control. But ICANN officials and backers argued that the longstanding plan to privatize its functions would give greater credibility to the internet and temper critics around the world who claimed the US controlled the internet. US officials said Washington agreed to cede this "symbolic" role to blunt the arguments of Russia and China and other authoritarian regimes seeking greater control over the internet. Under the so-called "multi-stakeholder" model giving a role to various interest groups such as academics, businesses, technical experts and governments, no single entity can assert control over the internet's technical underpinnings, Marby said. "It's an entity that no one can control," he said. "It's built into the system that no country, no entity, no government, no organization, no person can control what we can do." Story continues This makes for a unique governance model that is sometimes difficult to understand, he said: "I don't think there is any place in history where this has happened before, and I think that shows the strength of this process." - Service, not content - Still, he pointed out that ICANN is purely a technical administration and does not make decisions on how the internet is used. ICANN's system allows for "interoperability" without control of networks within individual countries. It does not have a role if countries block, filter or censor the internet, he said. "Our mission is to make interoperability work," he said. "It's up to the people of the world to use it the way they want it to be used. We provide the service, not the content." But it is an accomplishment to have 3.6 billion users connected through ICANN's protocols for communications, online commerce and other services, he noted. Failure to become independent, Marby had warned ahead of the transition, could have eroded credibility of ICANN and fueled efforts to create alternative networks. ICANN still must grapple with controversial decisions on how to deal with requests for new domain names, and who manages these functions. In recent years the organization dealt with issues such as control of domains like .wine and .book, and the creation of unorthodox ones like .sucks. Marby said the stakeholder model appears to be adapted for these issues. "It works out through a consensus process," he said. "The model seems to be working to take care of these conflicts." A fresh report from Taiwan is claiming that Microsoft is already doing trial productions for its highly anticipated Surface Phone. There is now another reason to believe that Microsoft could soon be launching its long-rumored Surface Phone. A new report fresh from Taiwan is already spilling the beans on the secretive operation thats being carried out by the Redmond giant for the development of its superior handset. On Monday, MSPoweruser obtained information from The Commercial Times of Taiwan about the Surface Phones whereabouts. According to the Taiwanese publication, the Surface Phone has already entered trial production under ODM Pegatron, the same company that manufactures Apples iPhones and Microsofts Surface Studio. No other pertinent information was provided by the publication. Whats only clear for now is that the Surface Phone could arrive some time next year or in early 2018. Knowing that Microsoft is already conducting trial productions is already a good sign that the handset could be arriving no later than 2018. For consumers who are still wondering why the Surface Phone is taking a lot of time to make, Ubergizmo says the reason behind this has to do with Microsofts desire to offer the ultimate mobile device when it launches its new flagship smartphone. There are already speculations that this smartphone is going to be capable of running x86 apps on Continuum mode. The news about the Surface Phone entering trial production comes less than a week after Microsoft CEO Natya Nadella opened up on how the company is planning to make a spectacular comeback in the smartphone scene. We dont want to be driven by just envy of what others have, the question is what can we bring? Thats where I look at any device form factor or any technology, even AI, Nadella said. We will continue to be in the phone market not as defined by todays market leaders, but by what it is that we can uniquely do in what is the most ultimate mobile device. Nadellas recent statement paved the way for fans to believe that the ultimate mobile device the CEO mentioned in the interview was actually referring to the Surface Phone. Related Articles The Journal Star editorial board has long been skeptical whether the worlds suspicious, quarreling nations would ever be willing to cooperate to slow global warming. That skepticism has hardened to near certainty now that Americans have elected Donald Trump. The planet will continue to warm for years and decades, regardless of whether meaningful cooperation occurs at some point in the future. The best response in the short term is for state and local officials to plan how to cope. The president-elect occasionally seems to back off from his extreme position that climate change is a hoax concocted by the Chinese, as he did when he told the New York Times this week that he has an open mind on whether to quit the Paris Accord on climate change. But a quick review of Trumps actions and repeated statements over a long period of time make it difficult to believe that the nations new president intends to do much about climate change. After all, he has put climate denier Myron Ebell in charge of transition for the Environmental Protection Agency. He also has promised to revive the coal industry. In any event, even if the United States would remain part of the vaunted Paris Accords, the agreement did little to slow global warming. At best it could be considered only a first step. Scientist James Hansen, perhaps the first to sound the alarm on global warming, called the agreement just worthless words. There is no action, just promises. Meanwhile the worlds temperatures continue to rise. Records for global temperatures have been set month after month. The pace slowed in October. It merely was tied for the third warmest October on record. But the world is still on pace to set a new record in 2016. Even if the yearly average would slip below 2015, the past three years would still be the three hottest years on record. Sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are both at record low levels for this time of year. Thirty-four states have adopted climate action plans, according to a special legislative committee chaired by Sens. Ken Haar of Malcolm and Tyson Larson of ONeill. A preliminary report shared at a legislative preview with incoming senators said the committee heard one universally supported recommendation, which was the need to create a climate action plan for the State of Nebraska. The preliminary report concluded, The University of Nebraska Lincoln has the background, staff resources and expertise to create such a plan. The plan should be based on empirical evidence and Nebraska-based data, developed through outreach to the public and coordination with public and private sector interests. The proposal is sensible and prudent. We hope that senators follow through. Think about it: When white, Christian, Republican legislators in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Texas kept black people from voting, they also kept black and white veterans from voting because of the district they live in. Men and women who fought for the United States, who helped to build this nation with their sweat and taxes, are being kept from the most basic rights the Constitution guarantees. The so-called good, white, Republicans say, "its just politics." In federal court testimony on Wisconsins restrictive voting laws, then-state Senate aide Todd Albaugh told the court that while lawmakers were publicly declaring that the purpose of a bill was combating voter fraud, one legislator said in a private meeting, "What Im concerned about here is winning." Albaugh said several Republican representatives were giddy and politically frothing at the mouth over the prospect that the voter ID law would make it more difficult to vote for those likely to support Democrats. Gov. Pete Ricketts admonishes those who kneel in protest as being disrespectful of flag and country as his Republican strategist guides Petes puppets on how to attempt to block one-third of Nebraska citizens' votes from counting in a federal election, all while providing political cover for why our representatives will not focus on nonpartisan voting boundaries. As an old white guy and a student of history, I believe whites have pounded on Native Americans from day one in this country. The battle over the pipeline in North Dakota is just another chapter in this rancid story. Gov. Pete Ricketts is on the side of big business once again and on the wrong side of history. Instead of sending state troopers to North Dakota to battle with the Native protesters defending their water and sacred sites, Gov. Ricketts should be spending his time more positively in working with other key players in this disaster to find a compromise. Via the Internet, the whole world is watching, and we once again look like fools. Gov. Pete Ricketts on Tuesday urged older and disabled Nebraskans who want assistance in making decisions about their Medicare health care plans to seek help from a state program that already has assisted 32,000 people. Nebraskans saved $15 million over the past year with their choices after consulting with volunteer counselors who work in the federally funded Senior Health Insurance Information Program administered by the Nebraska Department of Insurance, the governor said. Program coordinator Alicia Jones said the program provides "free, unbiased and confidential" advice through one-on-one counseling in-person or on the telephone. The program is fueled by 370 certified counselors and a $450,000 annual federal grant. In addition to helping older Nebraskans choose the health care plans that best meet their needs, the program has assisted people with denied claims and help in applying for assistance. Ricketts said his administration wants to "focus on being customer-oriented," providing services for Nebraskans. "I encourage Nebraska seniors purchasing insurance and prescription drug coverage through Medicare to participate in this program to make sure they are getting the best coverage for the lowest cost," the governor said. The deadline for seeking senior health insurance assistance this year is Dec. 7, he said. Contact the program through 1-800-234-7119 or at www.doi.nebraska.gov/shiip/. On other matters, Ricketts said he will work with the Legislature next year on proposed tax reform or tax cuts within the framework of a two-year state budget constrained by projected revenue shortfalls. "We will manage within the budget," the governor said. The state's projected cash reserve, or so-called rainy day fund, was "meant for times like right now," Ricketts said. The cash reserve is projected to be $630 million at the end of the next fiscal biennium. Ricketts said the state has no plans to send more Nebraska State Patrol personnel to North Dakota to assist with control of demonstrators opposing construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline. "But I would not rule anything out," the governor added. Two earlier deployments of State Patrol personnel, requested and paid for by North Dakota, have returned to Nebraska. NORFOLK The Nebraska State Fly-In will return to Norfolk next year when the event marks its 25th anniversary. Organizers are excited to host the event on June 24 because it will coincide with the state's 150th birthday. The last time the event was held in Norfolk was in 2012. Airport manager Terri Wachter says she is really looking forward to the event, and the big crowd it will bring to the area. An air show will accompany the fly-in event. Organizers are now working on recruiting volunteers to help with the event and arranging for historic planes to take part. PAPILLION The mother of a girl injured in a 2014 sledding accident at a Papillion-La Vista Community Schools junior high school will get a $500,000 lump-sum payment as part of a settlement with the school district's insurance company. Valarie Potter was 14 when she was hurt at what used to be known as La Vista Junior High School. She and a friend slid down a hill there together and hit a chain-link fence. A lawsuit filed by Potter's mother, Christina Augeri, said her legs were broken and an artery in her left knee was torn. The lawsuit said the school district failed to post a sign or otherwise warn people of the danger despite knowing that people often hit the fence while sledding there. District spokeswoman Annette Eyman said insurance company officials decided to settle the case, although it must still be approved by the court. Eyman said she doesn't think the settlement will result in district officials imposing sledding restrictions on school property. "You want your public school facilities to be used by the public," she said. "Our district has always seen our schools as community buildings, and we want them to be used, but that's a risk that you run when you do that." According to the lawsuit, the medical bills for Potter's medical procedures and therapy exceeded $400,000. Attorney Sean Rensch said she seems to be progressing with her recovery. "I've been impressed with how far she's come, though she still has a long road ahead of her," he said. The school, now renamed La Vista Middle School, still has the fence in place. Ethan Villwok remembers the moment, at age 9, that his life changed forever. He remembers how auctions interested him even though he knew very little about the business. I remember outside running the snack bar and peeping my head in every 30 seconds to see the action even though there was a line of customers outside waiting for snacks, Ethan said. From that first auction on I knew I was going to be up there doing my own chant someday. His older brother, Caleb remembers the long car rides home after. My fondest memory are the rides home after a long hard day of work, sometime 12-14 hours long, and our dad telling us how proud he was of us, thanking us for the help, Caleb said. We would talk about what to do better and what we did well at that auction. The feeling of pride knowing you put a good hard days work and knowing someone appreciates it is a good feeling. Ethan, now 14, and Caleb, 16, work at the family business, Fremont Auction Company, with their parents Brian and Dana Villwok. Both boys believe their passion for the business has many advantages. Auctioneering means more to me than anyone could imagine, Ethan said. Not only do I have fun when Im doing it but I also get to help people out and thats always good. Ethan said he cant imagine his life without them. Its been such a large part of my life ever since I was a very little kid, he said. It is an honor to be working hard to get top dollar for all items being sold for the customers. Caleb said being an auctioneer is not just a way of making income but also a way to give back to the community. I enjoy doing charity auctions, he said. I dont have a lot of money I can give to causes I believe in, but I can give my talents. I have done charity auctions for a lot of different nonprofits, schools and charities. Ethan admits to his favorite part of auctioneering is being in charge, but not just for personal reasons. If you have the microphone then youre the one in charge, he said. For example at benefits/charity live auctions I have the power to raise as much money possible for the association, business and non-profits which is always a good thing. It is amazing to think that I have the skills to raise thousands of dollars for those in need. Caleb believes that perfecting his chant is an ongoing challenge that in some ways is impossible. My favorite part of chanting or bid calling is the challenge of getting better, he said. Its different from a lot of things because you can always get better, you can always build, there is no limit or top; the sky is the limit. Both admit to gaining life skills from auctioneering that they will carry with them towards their futures. As an auctioneer I have already gained so many good traits, Ethan said. It has improved my public speaking, maturity and pronunciation of words. It has helped to make me a hard worker and I have also gained a lot of friends and respect from my elders. 264) Fix the rigged system. 265) Sue the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct or assault. "All of these liars will be sued after the election is over." 266) Sue the New York Times for publishing accusations from women who say Trump groped them. 267) Reopen Trump University. (Earlier this month, Trump paid $25 million to settle a fraud case against the now defunct business.) 268) Ensure that Iowa continues to host the nation's first presidential nominating contest. 269) Boost American agriculture by lessening environmental regulations and ensuring family farms aren't double taxed. 270) Push federal regulators to increase the amount of ethanol blended into the nation's gasoline supply. 271) "I will take care of women, and I have great respect for women. I do cherish women, and I will take care of women." 272) Change the new name of North America's tallest mountain back to Mount McKinley. 273) Provide more funding for drug treatment, especially for heroin addicts. "We are going to work very hard with medical professionals to take care of those people that are so badly addicted." 274) Fully protect Social Security benefits. RACINE A man was arrested Saturday after reportedly being hit with a Taser more than six times. Deangelo V. Herron, 32, of the 2200 block of Lawn Street, was pulled over for a traffic stop at about 6:02 p.m. near the intersection of 10th Street and South Memorial Drive, according to the criminal complaint. Deputies reportedly smelled an odor of intoxicants coming from the vehicle; Herron denied that he had been drinking. Herron allegedly also told deputies that the car was a rental. After running the vehicles information, the car was determined to not be a rental. In addition, two forms of identification that Herron reportedly provided did not match. Herron was removed from the vehicle and when he refused arrest, he was hit with a Taser, the complaint said. After going to the ground, Herron reportedly got up and began to run. During the chase, the deputies hit Herron with a Taser more than six times until they brought him to the ground, according to the complaint. Two baggies of marijuana weighing a total of 2 grams were found on Herron. In addition, Herrons right shoe, a semiautomatic pistol and three rounds of ammunition were found in Herrons flight path, the complaint said. Herron faces two felony charges for possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a felon, two misdemeanor charges for obstructing an officer, two misdemeanor charges for bail jumping and one misdemeanor charge for carrying a concealed weapon. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. Herron remained in custody as of Monday at the Racine County Jail, online records showed. RACINE A 19-year-old north-side Racine man was charged Tuesday with two counts of attempted first-degree homicide after an incident that reportedly involved $40. Dajon D. Daniel, 19, of the 1000 block of Mayfair Drive, met the two victims in the 4000 block of Marquette Drive on Nov. 9 in reference to a woman who owed one of the victims $40, according to the criminal complaint. Daniel reportedly approached the vehicle and said the woman, who had the money, would come out soon. After leaving briefly, Daniel allegedly returned with what appeared to be the money, but did not give it to the victims. Standing near the front passenger side of the vehicle, Daniel turned and allegedly fired as many as five rounds at the car before the victims drove away, the complaint said. Two bullets reportedly struck the vehicle. The first shot out the front passenger window and the second penetrated the passenger rear door. Daniel was later detained by the Racine Police Department near the intersection of Hamilton Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Daniel is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. Daniel remained in custody as of Tuesday at the Racine County Jail, online records showed. MOUNT PLEASANT An estimated $30,000 in damage resulted after a truck caught fire early Tuesday morning and fire and heat extended to nearby homes. The South Shore Fire Department was called to 6533 Washington Avenue (Highway 20) at about 7:32 a.m. for a report of a pickup truck on fire, according to South Shore Battalion Chief John Radewan. At the scene, firefighters discovered the truck fully engulfed in flames and fire spreading to the structure located to the east of the truck. The home to the west of fire at 6601 Washington Ave. also reportedly incurred damage, a result of radiated heat melting siding. Radewan said the truck was a total loss and the home east of the truck sustained extensive fire, heat and smoke damage to the garage area. No injuries were reported. Firefighters battled the blaze for an hour and a half during which time Washington Avenue was closed to eastbound traffic. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. MOUNT PLEASANT The Village Board on Monday unanimously approved a rezoning request to allow for senior apartments near Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church. Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society plans a 50- to 60-unit building at 1748 S. Green Bay Road, though construction is at least a couple of years away. The organization plans to apply for Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority programs to help finance the building, a process that often takes a few years. Village officials alleviated nearby residents traffic concerns by not extending Ridge Avenue, located west of the proposed site. They also said they would keep an existing treeline, which would create a buffer for the neighborhood to the south. The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Good Samaritan Society is a 90-year-old organization that has created similar senior housing developments in 240 locations. Also on Monday, the Village Board approved a certified survey map related to a new fast-casual restaurant at the former Golden Keys restaurant property, 5930 Washington Ave. Construction is expected to start next year. RACINE On Monday morning, the staff at Red Apple Elementary School, 914 St. Patrick St., gathered to plan for a very difficult and emotional day. Monday was the first day of school since 9-year-old Emily Dalley died, along with her father, in a traffic crash on 4 Mile Road within sight of their home. Everyone is devastated by this, said Kevin McCormick, the school's principal. Some (teachers and staff) are more emotional than others because of the relationships that have been built in the classroom, teacher to student or knowing the family during the course of the years. Emily was a fourth-grade student at Red Apple, along with her 6-year-old sister, who survived the crash. The family has another daughter who attends a Racine Unified school, although district officials declined to release additional details. On Monday morning, an auto-dialer message was sent out to Red Apple parents before school and a letter, in both English and Spanish, was sent home with the students notifying them of the tragedy. Some students are more emotional than others, McCormick said of Emilys classmates. Overall theyve been dealing with it fairly well. Theyve done some expression, through the grieving process, through some artwork and through cards. Some of these were ideas generated through the students." McCormick said he plans to meet with Emily's mother, Jennifer Dalley, to see how the school can assist the family. Educators step up The district crisis team was activated on Friday when the district learned of the news. The team is comprised of counselors, social workers and psychiatrists who provide extra support for a school going through some sort of traumatic experience, said Stacy Tapp, chief of communications and community engagement. This is really a time where I have seen, in my experience at school districts, where educators really step up, Tapp said. Its part of the job. Our students really need us to be the rocks during difficult times like this. "Though the staff may be grieving as well, our students really need that consistent, safe, supportive environment at the school. The driver of the pickup truck was identified by Caledonia Police as Levi G. Ruohonen, 25, of Caledonia. Monday he was charged with two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. McCormick said they havent been pushing the students to talk about drunken driving, but they have discussed it with students who mentioned it. He added the students are focused on helping the family. They are already very active in creating things in memoriam and just expressing their feeling about Emily, McCormick said. That is largely through handmade cards. That we will share with the Dalley family. Wisconsin election officials estimated Monday it would cost $3.5 million to recount every presidential vote, while expressing confidence it would uphold Republican Donald Trumps surprise win in Wisconsin, which helped him become president-elect. The recount was requested by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who cited unspecified evidence of voting irregularities, and American Delta Party candidate Rocky Roque de la Fuente. The $3.5 million figure is far more than previous estimates, and the state Elections Commission said in order for the recount to begin the amount must be paid in full in by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday by the campaigns of Stein, de la Fuente or a combination of both. Also Monday, Steins campaign asked a Dane County judge to order that the recount of all ballots tallied by optical scan machines which is how the vast majority of ballots in Wisconsin are counted be conducted by hand after the commission rebuffed that request earlier in the day. The developments underscored the unprecedented nature of the recount, set to begin Thursday and end by 8 p.m. Dec. 12, under a plan approved by the commission Monday. State election officials emphasized the timeline is unusually speedy and will require the employment of thousands of temporary workers. Its designed to meet a federal deadline for any dispute involving presidential election results to be settled within 35 days of Election Day this year, thats Dec. 13 so the Electoral College can meet before the holidays to formally elect the next president. An online fundraising bid by Stein helped her campaign raise more than $6 million in recent days to pay for recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Those three states tipped the Electoral College to Trump, although polls did not predict his wins there. The Stein campaign moved closer Monday to triggering recounts in the other two states. It said it initiated a court proceeding in Pennsylvania that could lead to a statewide recount. The campaign said it will request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday. No evidence Wisconsin elections officials say they found no indication of an effort to tamper with results. Official results show Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton by a little more than 22,000 votes in Wisconsin, or less than a percentage point. Thats close, but far greater than could be expected to be reversed in a recount absent an unprecedented scale of vote-counting error or an unprecedented effort to manipulate the results. State Elections Commission chairman Mark Thomsen, a Democrat, told reporters hes confident a recount will uphold Trumps victory in the state. His remarks came after a special meeting of the commission to plan for the recount. Thomsen also blasted Trumps baseless claim, circulated on his Twitter account Sunday, that Trump won the national popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. Recent tallies have shown Democrat Hillary Clinton winning the national popular vote by more than 2 million, even as Trump won the Electoral College that picks the next president. Thomsen called Trumps remarks an insult to the people that run our elections. Ive never seen this kind of attack on poll workers, and on how this system works, Thomsen said. The Clinton campaign has signaled it will closely monitor the recount in Wisconsin and potential recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania. The campaigns attorney, Marc Elias, wrote that it has examined the possibility of attempts to hack election results but has not uncovered any actionable evidence. Majority are paper ballots About 90 percent of all ballots cast in Wisconsin are paper ballots, the vast majority of which are tabulated by optical scanners, with the remainder counted by hand, according to Elections Commission spokesman Reid Magney. About 10 percent of votes are cast on touch-screen machines. A recount of the paper ballots will involve counting them by machine or hand, a decision that will be left to each of the states 72 counties. Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell said Monday on Twitter the county would conduct a hand recount. Recounting the touch-screen votes will involve examining the paper audit trails they leave behind. The paper records of votes must be verified for accuracy by each individual voter before he or she completes the process, Magney said. The Stein recount petition says both the touch-screen and optical-scan machines are susceptible to compromise. The campaign has said the best way to find potential evidence of an attempt to tamper with the election results would be to recount or audit the vote. The states elections supervisor, Ross Hein, said Monday that the machines are not connected to the internet, limiting opportunities to tamper with them. In order to access the equipment, you would have to actually get your hands on it, Hein said. J. Alex Halderman, director of the University of Michigan Center for Computer Security and Society, provided an affidavit that was included with Steins recount petition. Halderman wrote that his tests have shown its possible to quickly install vote-stealing malware on voting machines that would surreptitiously alter election results. Under a scenario described by Halderman, such malware could be loaded onto election officials desktop computers that are used to load the ballot design onto electronic voting machines. The malware then could be spread to the voting machines when the ballots are loaded onto them, Halderman wrote. Cyberattacks noted The affidavit notes the 2016 campaign was affected by an unprecedented scale of cyberattacks. Attackers infiltrated and released emails from Democratic National Committee staffers and Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. They also infiltrated voter registration databases in at least two states, Illinois and Arizona. An affidavit submitted with the Stein campaigns court filing cites a statistical analysis by Walter Mebane, professor of political science and statistics at the University of Michigan. According to the affidavit, Mebane found statistical anomalies in vote counts from small wards in Wisconsin where votes are tallied by optical-scan machines. Mebane wrote separately about his findings in a Washington Post report published Monday. The affidavit was authored by Philip Stark, director of the Statistical Computing Facility at the University of California Berkeley. The Stein campaigns petition notes the number of absentee votes cast in Wisconsin increased significantly which the petition alleges could be attributed to a breach of the states electronic voter database. But state election officials have highlighted a long-term trend toward increased absentee voting. Early, or in-person absentee, voting hours also were expanded before this election after a federal judge struck down portions of a state law restricting them. The recount will not scrutinize the internal workings of electronic voting machines. A separate audit of the machines, required by state law and scheduled to begin next month, will examine the machines error rates. Hein said officials in Wisconsins 72 counties, who will oversee the recount, will need to work long hours in the next two weeks to meet the deadline. It is going to be a very tight and aggressive timeline, Hein said. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Aftershock kills mountain guide A magnitude 5.6 aftershock of the Gorkha Earthquake rocked the central and western parts of the country, killing one person from a quake-triggered avalanche in the Everest region on Monday morning. Buddha, Yeti racing to acquire new aircraft Two major domestic airlines, Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines, are gearing up for a fierce battle with both of them racing to induct ATR 72 turboprops into their fleet next year. CIAA refining draft bill to amend anti-graft Act The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has taken a fresh initiative to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002 in line with the provision of the new constitution and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. CIEDP publishes 2,800 names of conflict victims The Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons has made public a name list of 2,886 individuals reportedly disappeared during the decade-long insurgency. Citizenship and naturalisation Madhesis do not want provisions that might compromise their relations with people across the border Demand for transfer of SP Lohani accused of manhandling journalists Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Gajendrabadi) has strongly denounced and opposed Saptari's Superintendent of Police (SP), Dibesh Lohani's manhandling of journalists assigned to cover the news of Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev at the Chinnamasta Bhagawati temple on Saturday. Gathabandhans stance dims bill tabling chance Madhesi and Janajati parties have declined Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals request to support the constitution amendment bill, creating more confusion over its registration in Parliament. Govt committed to gender responsive DRR policy: DPM Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi has stated that women leadership, voice and agency should be at the forefront of actions to reduce and respond to disaster risks. Govt registers constitution amendment bill at Parliament The government has registered a bill at the Legislature-Parliament seeking to amend the constitution to address the concerns of Madhes-based parties. LLRC working on local units in Province 2 The Local Level Restructuring Commission has started fixing the numbers of local units on its own after consulting with the district technical committees from Province 2 as the Madhes-based parties did not cooperate for holding interactions at the local level. Man arrested on charges of cow slaughter The police on Monday filed a case at the district court against a person arrested in accusation of slaughtering a cow from Dhulikhel of Kavrepalanchowk district. Missions in New York and Geneva activated: MoFA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that it has been informed about the abduction of two Nepalis by armed gunmen in Darfur of Sudan and that its missions in New York and Geneva are in touch to assess the matter. Negotiations underway to free Nepalis abducted in Sudan The United Nations has informed the government that negotiation are underway to release two Nepali citizens who were kidnapped by armed men from Sudan's strife-torn Darfur region. Nepali Congress recommends 10 state ministers Nepali Congress has handed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal the names of 10 state ministers from their party. The state ministers will take their oath of secrecy on Wednesday. NHRC appeals for Dr KCs life The National Human Rights Commission has urged the government to take immediate steps to save the life of Dr Govinda KC, who has been staging an indefinite hunger strike for the past 16 days. No truck with cartels Sajha is a shining light but only broader policy decisions can reform public transport One dies, 9 injured in Kulekhani jeep accident A passenger died when a Tata sumo jeep met with an accident at Kulekhani along Hetauda-Dakshinkali road section on Tuesday. Nine others, along with a toddler, are injured in the accident. Over half a million observe Bala Chaturdashi at Pashupati Over half a million Hindu devotees performed Satbeej Chharne ritual in memory of their departed family members on the occasion of Bala Chaturdashi festival at the Pashupatinath temple on Monday morning. Pyuthan and Rolpa unite against govt plan to split province Politicians, business owners, journalists and civil society representatives in Pyuthan and Rolpa have joined forces to protest the government plan of registering a constitution amendment to split Province 5. Ramdev denies claims of unauthorised investment Noted Indian yoga guru Swami Ramdev has gone on defensive after it was claimed that the company affiliated to him was conducting business in Nepal without seeking approval from concerned authorities. Report raises doubts over effectiveness of measles vaccine A new research has raised question on the effectiveness of measles vaccines in the country that is likely to threaten the governments national measles elimination programme and put lives of children at risk. South Korea's President Park 'willing to resign' South Korea's President Park Geun-hye has said she has asked parliament to help her find a way to stand down. Thailand begins naming Prince Vajiralongkorn as new king Thailand has begun the process of naming Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as the country's new king. Three weeks on, Nepal awaits Indias response It has been almost three weeks since the Indian government banned circulation of 500- and 1,000-rupee banknotes, TUTH resident docs to halt hospital services except emergency The National Resident Doctors Association (NRDA), expressing their solidarity to the indefinite hunger strike being staged by TUTH senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC, have decided to halt all other hospital services except for emergency service from Wednesday. West Seti may generate less power than projected The much-touted West Seti Hydropower Project may not generate as much electricity as expected, as the Chinese developer has signalled downward revision on its installed capacity, citing drop in water level in the river. What It Is KauaiEclectic is a collection of observations, images and writings about Kauai Kamawaelualanimoku and the world as seen, felt, experienced and interpreted by me. All is set for the trial of former Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebel commander Dominic Ongwen with three judges assigned to handle the case at Trial Chamber Nine. The presiding judge is Bertram Schmitt and will be assisted by Raul Pangalangan and Peter Kovacs in the trial that kicks off on December 5th 2016. According to a statement issued by the ICC, the opening statements will take about two days before the trial is adjourned until 16th January 2017 when witnesses will be called in. On 23 March 2016, Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed the 70 charges brought by the Prosecutor against Dominic Ongwen, as alleged former Commander in the Sinia Brigade of the LRA, and committed him to trial. The confirmed charges concern crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during attacks against the Pajule IDP (October 2003), Odek IDP (April 2004) Lukodi IDP (May 2004) and Abok IDP camps (June 2004), as well as sexual and gender-based crimes directly and indirectly committed by Ongwen. Ongwen was surrendered to the ICC on 16 January 2015 pursuant to an ICC warrant of arrest and transferred to the Courts custody on 21 January 2015. Meanwhile, the Courts Registrar is expected in Abok in northern Uganda this week to interact with government officials, NGOs and victims of the alleged atrocities. When a trial starts, the charges will be read out to the accused, who will then be asked to confirm his understanding of the charges, and to either plead guilty or not guilty. During the trial, the Prosecution and Defence each present their cases, and the Legal Representatives of Victims present the victims views and concerns. Ongwen faces the maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment or in extreme circumstances, life imprisonment in case of a guilty verdict. The judges may also render a decision on reparations for victims. U.S. Army researchers want to improve the services flame-resistant, protective apparel by developing a U.S.-manufactured, wool-blend uniform. The Army has developed a wool-blend uniform composed of 50 percent wool, 42 percent Nomex, 5 percent Kevlar and 3 percent P140 antistatic fiber, according to a recent Army press release. One goal of textile research and development effort is to create a flame-resistant combat uniform made solely from domestic materials, said Carole Winterhalter, a textile technologist with the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. This research may provide an opportunity to meet this objective. "We have a lightweight fabric that is inherently flame resistant; no topical treatments are added to provide FR," Winterhalter said. "We are introducing a very environmentally friendly and sustainable fiber to the combat uniform system. We don't have other wool-based fabrics in the system right now. This is a brand new material." Three Army researchers traveled to Germany from Aug. 26 to Sept. 15 for Exercise Combined Resolve VII to work with about 100 soldiers in testing and evaluating prototype, wool-blend uniforms composed of this fabric. The scientists joined John Riedener, the field assistance in Science and Technology advisor assigned to 7th Army Training Command. The exercise brings about 3,500 participants from NATO allies to the region. "We were in the heat of summer here, and it was very warm during the exercise, Riedener said. The uniforms were lighter weight and breathed better. Soldiers were very happy with the material. FAST advisors are a component of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. Soldiers from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division participated in the 21-day testing and completed surveys before and after the exercise, said Brian Scott, NSRDEC equipment specialist, Soldier and Squad Optimization and Integration Team. The R&D team selected Hohenfels, Germany, because the previous FR wool undergarment evaluation took place there. Each soldier received three wool-blend uniform prototypes. Each uniform was made from the same wool-based blend. One was "garment treated" with permethrin, an insecticide, and another "fabric treated" with permethrin. The third was untreated. Soldiers wore each of the three uniforms for about seven days in a field environment for a total of 21 days. The testing and survey instructions asked soldiers not to compare the prototypes with existing uniforms or camouflage patterns. Participating soldiers came from multiple military occupational specialties. Their feedback regarding comfort, durability, laundering and shrinkage, insect resistance, and overall performance will help determine whether researchers continue this development effort, Winterhalter said. Initial results suggest the majority of the soldiers liked the fabric because it was lightweight and breathable; however, analysis of the survey data is not complete, said Shalli Sherman, NSRDEC program manager for the Office of Synchronization and Integration. Winterhalter is optimistic about the prospect of a wool blend being incorporated into combat uniforms because of its environmental, manufacturing and economic benefits. She said the United States has about 80,000 wool growers, and the Army would like to include this material in the clothing system. "Wool is 100 percent biodegradable. It's easy to dye and absorbs moisture," said Winterhalter, who is also the federal government's chief technology officer for the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America Manufacturing Innovation Institute. The Army has spent quite a bit of time and money to reintroduce a manufacturing process in this country called Super Wash that allows us to shrink-resist treat the wool, Winterhalter said. "When blended with other fibers, the fabric does not shrink excessively when washed, Winterhalter said. The Super Wash line at Chargeurs in Jamestown, South Carolina, has exceeded its business estimates. It has revitalized wool manufacturing in this country. The new Super Wash process makes wool viable for combat clothing in nearly any application, including jackets, pants, underwear, headwear, gloves and socks, Winterhalter said. NSRDEC researchers plan a larger field study with more users over a longer time period of possibly 30 days. More data on comfort and durability is needed as the Army moves forward with this R&D effort, Winterhalter said. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low around 45F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Areas of patchy fog developing. Low around 45F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. ANGOLA The following people were arrested over the weekend by law enforcement officers working in Steuben County and lodged in the Steuben County Jail. Felisha N. Combs, 20, of the 2000 block of U.S. 66, Cloverdale, Ohio, arrested on a warrant alleging misdemeanor failure to appear. Braxton T. Easton, 19, of the 4000 block of North C.R. 650E, Fremont, arrested at the sheriffs department on a felony charge of burglary. Stephani J. Hartley, 18, of the 4000 block of North C.R. 650E, Fremont, arrested at the sheriffs department on a felony charge of burglary. Melisa M. Magness, 31, of the 600 block of South Walnut Street, Bloomington, arrested on warrants alleging misdemeanor driving while suspended with a prior and possession of paraphernalia. Chintan Patel, 31, of the 13000 block of S.R. 15, Montpelier, Ohio, arrested on the Indiana Toll Road on a felony charge of operating while intoxicated. April M. Salay, 42, of the 1300 block of South Randolph Street, Garrett, arrested on a fugitive warrant and a warrant alleging probation violation. Erica Silva-Sanchez, 39, of the 600 block of North Cross Street, arrested on a warrant alleging misdemeanor failure to appear. Dennis T. Springer, 67, of the 300 block of Lane 101 Jimmerson Lake, arrested at the sheriffs department on a misdemeanor charge of operating with a blood alcohol content of .15 percent or more. Elaine M. Tibbetts, 45, of the 5000 block of North C.R. 450W, arrested at home on a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. Timothy A. White, 51, of the 5000 block of North C.R. 450W, arrested at home on a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. Christy R. Wilkins, 31, of the 500 block of Lane 100 Lake Charles East, arrested at the jail on a civil warrant alleging contempt of court. They were the stuff that nostalgia is made of the tall-masted schooners of bygone days that slipped quietly through the salty mist of the Atlantic carrying coal and other goods to points along the eastern seaboard, or tried to outrun a storm on the Great Lakes under full sail. Or like the W.B. Phelps, a triple-masted schooner that failed and became a legend, claimed by the shadows of Lake Michigans murky waters. In mid-November of 1879, the Phelps took on a load of wheat and 600 cases of beer in Milwaukee. Arriving at Manitou Passage, she was hit by a storm and driven into Sleeping Bear Bay. As the story goes, that night the captain and several of the crew were washed overboard before the ship began to break up. In the morning, local residents staged a daring rescue. Twice repulsed by high waves, on the third try, they rescued the remaining two living crew members. To be sure, these were romantic times, but they were also dangerous ones. Nautical history buffs living in Wisconsin can time-travel back to the heyday of the schooners at any number of maritime museums dotting the Great Lakes coastline, but to actually sail back in time, aficionados must head east to Maine. In the heyday of American sail shipping, Maine emerged as one of the primary locations for schooner construction. Its shipyards churned out over a thousand vessels in the century between the 1780s and the 1880s. Some say that the schooner was as vital to opening up the Great Lakes as the covered wagon was the west. Laying quietly at her moorings in Bar Harbor, Maine, is the Margaret Todd, a four-masted replica of the nearly 2,000 schooners that plied the Great Lakes in the early to mid 1800s. Her thick masts webbed with rigging stretch skyward like oaks in winter. Launched in 1998, the 152-ton Margaret Todd is almost twice as heavy as the original schooners and her cargo today is passengers. She seems almost out of place in a hyper-techno world. On a crystal clear morning following a day of gale-force winds, about 75 passengers quay up to board the vessel. After everyone is seated, the captain boards and soon the Margaret Todd is underway, motoring smoothly through the harbor. Its a narrated tour. Captain Steve Pagels, owner and designer of the ship, points out Porcupine Island. He also tells of the hikers who almost daily trek to Bar Island at low tide, but end up either being rescued or sitting it out when the tide comes back in. Pagels is mostly all business. Its heady stuff to navigate a 151-foot schooner loaded with passengers around multi-story cruise ships and through lobster fishing grounds. Although the helm is roped off, he still talks with interested bystanders. As a boy, he learned to sail from his father in Long Island Sound. Hes been sailing ever since. He prefers to train his own deck hands instead of hiring from sailing schools. When cruising season ends, Pagels operates a ferry service to neighboring islands. At one time, island high school students were forced stay in Bar Harbor throughout the week due to lack of boat service, but since the advent of his ferry, students return home every night. Pagels says that in winter, he leaves in the dark at 5:30 a.m. to pick them up and comes home in the dark at 4:30 p.m. When clear of harbor traffic, Pagels cuts the engine and gives the command to hoist the sails. He invites volunteers to help. The remaining passengers stay seated. While the voyage is safe, setting the sails poses some potential issues. Rigging could break or the foot-thick Spruce beams that hold the sails could swing away. Small groups of willing hands congregate around the main halyards and soon pulleys squeak as the teams work in unison to hoist the 4,000 square feet of sail that quickly flaps into the wind. As the crew members neatly coil the halyards, all sounds disappear except the wind. A deckhand lets a little blonde-haired boy help him neatly stow the rope, and the Margaret Todd slices quietly through tiny whitecaps and out into Frenchman Bay. The passengers get up and walk around, talking in small groups and enjoying the crisp morning sea breeze. In the distance, seagulls gracefully circle around the lobster boats that bob like corks. Fall colors radiate from the shores of nearby islands. The cruise isnt glitzy; its not for those looking for high-powered excitement. Rather, it caters to people who wish to experience the sea in a new way, or perhaps like those who salivate with the opportunity to climb aboard an old locomotive, capture the ambiance of a bygone era that was once the backbone of the American transportation industry. Now, even Pagels is more relaxed. He is a walking book of nautical history. Today, he explains to listeners about a primitive steering mechanism that often left helmsmen with bruised knees or at worst, a broken leg, when a strong wave caught the rudder. After almost an hour, Pagels turns the boat around. On the way back, he talks about lobstering. Its been a good year for them, he says. The industry is closely regulated and theres a waiting list for new licenses, but to ensure that interest is passed on to the next generation, students may obtain a permit to experience life as a lobsterman and keep what they catch. Pagels starts the engine and signals the crew. The pulleys begin to squeal as the crew lowers the sails. We again motor past the lobster boats and the 19-deck Princess Regal straining at her moorings in the harbor. Pagals swings the boat into the pier and the crew effortlessly ties her up, much like mariners of yesteryear. And perhaps, just perhaps, if one looks closely enough, he could see the spirit of an old 18th Century salt nodding his head in approval. The company operates under the name of Downeast Windjammer Cruises, Bar Harbor, Maine, and sails two other historic vessels: the 91-foot Bailey Louise Todd, a replica of an 1896 cargo schooner, and the six-passenger Chrissy Lobster sloop. Nearly 20 people who live near the site of a proposed 195-foot telecommunications tower in the town of Holland turned out for a public hearing on the tower Monday night. The tower appears destined for approval, despite their concerns, and it would not have made any difference if the hearing drew more people than the Dakota Access Pipeline protest in North Dakota. The La Crosse County Board really has no choice but to approve the tower or face legal action. But after Monday nights public hearing, members of the boards Planning, Resources and Development Committee voted unanimously to delay its action on the proposal until its next meeting, which is set for Jan. 3. The Wisconsin Legislature put a provision in the 2013 budget bill -- without any hearing -- that basically tied the hands of local units of government when deciding whether to grant permits for new telecommunication towers. If theyve met state standards, then were required to approve it, said Charlie Handy, the countys planner. It might seem like the state made life easier for local officials, especially elected ones, because it takes the decision-making out of their hands, but thats not how Handy sees it. I think it makes it tougher, he said. If youre going to hold a public hearing, you like to be able to address the concerns and not just pass the buck. At Mondays hearing, residents cited concerns about property values, health effects, proximity to the Holland Air Park, and even the need for the tower. Holmen Public Works Director Dean Olson, representing the village, noted that Holmen and Holland have worked out a boundary agreement that calls for residential development of the area around the tower site, plans that would be jeopardized by erection of the tower. Clearly, it would be disappointing if La Crosse County would support any action that would jeopardize this future goal for the area of impact, said Olson, who concluded by indicating the village might take legal action if the tower is approved. But with the new regulations, local governments can no longer deny wireless tower permits solely for aesthetic reasons, limit the height of towers to under 200 feet, or require that antennas and structures be placed on public property, such as water towers. Local officials can deny a tower permit if the applicant does not investigate co-location putting equipment on another providers tower but there are few other options local governments can turn to for preventing erection of a telecommunications tower. They also cant prohibit towers from going in specific locations and they cant force companies to do environmental testing or require monitoring for radio frequency emissions. And local officials cant drag their feet. The state requires municipalities to rule on a permit application within 90 days or the application will be considered automatically approved. The county board would have take action at its Jan. 19 meeting to meet the state deadline. Committee members considered not taking a vote on the conditional-use permit application for the tower and having it gain automatic approval under the state law, but that would strategy would deprive the county the chance to impose some limited conditions on the tower, such as a minimum setback from the road and a $20,000 bond to guarantee removal of the tower should it no longer be needed. The Holland tower, which would be built on Old Hwy. NA west of Hwy. 35, is being proposed by Green Bay-based Bug Tussel Wireless, a company that focuses on improving cell phone reception and providing mobile internet access in rural areas. The company helps the big cell phone providers improve reception in rural areas, particularly in major highway corridors. Eventually, wed like it to be fairly ubiquitous throughout rural La Crosse County, Bug Tussel President and CEO Steve Schneider said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. Schneider said the company does take community concerns to heart, despite the state law that allows companies to ignore citizen sentiment. He noted that the company will bring the tower proposal to the Holland Town Boards Dec. 7 meeting, even though hes not required to. Youve got to work with the communities youre in, Schneider said. If you do get hearings where there are a lot of people opposed, then you do back off. If theyve met state standards, then were required to approve it. Charlie Handy, La Crosse County planner. State Sen. Jennifer Shilling extended her lead over Republican challenger Dan Kapanke by four votes in the first day of a recount. Shilling defeated Kapanke by just 56 votes out of more 89,000 ballots cast in the 32nd District race, which pitted the Senate minority party leader against the Republican she unseated in a 2011 recall. The La Crosse Democrat picked up a net total of seven votes Monday, according to reports filed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Kapanke gained three votes. Less than a quarter of the ballots were recounted on the first day of the recount. Kapanke petitioned for the recount, alleging that counting mistakes were committed in each of the more than 130 voting wards that make up the district. Representatives of both campaigns are monitoring the tabulation in Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe and Vernon counties, where clerks have estimated it will take between two and six days to complete the Senate recount. Counties are supposed to begin recounting presidential votes on Thursday, after Green Party candidate Jill Stein paid a $3.5 million fee Tuesday. CALEDONIA, Wis. Many at Grace Church dont know Reince Priebus as the savvy operative and political heavyweight about to enter what some argue is the second-most powerful position in the country. They know Priebus as a principled, devout Christian whose faith helps guide him. Church members say a strong work ethic and love for politics was evident long before his rise from Wisconsin state politics to the White House, where he is set to become President-elect Donald Trumps chief of staff. I am not surprised at all that he has risen to a position of such influence in our country, said John Binkley, a longtime friend of Priebus. Im grateful for it. We need more men like him in positions of influence and impact in the world. Faith very important Fresh out of law school and newly married, Priebus came to Grace Church, 3626 Highway 31, in about 1999, Binkley said. Binkley and Priebus, along with their wives, started a Bible study and prayer group for young married couples. The two also met weekly with another friend for a separate Bible study and prayer. Priebus, who has Greek heritage, maintained dual participation with Kimissis Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, Binkley said. (Officials there could not be reached for comment.) He was passionately focused on his marriage, on his career, on his faith, Binkley said. His faith was something very important to him. In the small-group settings, Priebus often asked questions and absorbed information as he grew in his faith, Binkley said. Priebus wife, Sally, was also heavily involved in the church, particularly with music. In interviews, church officials raved about how Priebus used his legal background to perform countless hours of pro bono work in areas such as real estate, church administration and liability releases. He was a great asset, former church administrator Randy Due said. He was friendly. He was fun. He knew his stuff. And Priebus political ambitions were apparent, officials said. One of his early forays into politics was an unsuccessful run for state Senate in 2004 against Democratic Sen. Bob Wirch of Somers. In 2007, he became chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He and his wife moved to Washington after Priebus won the Republican National Committee chairmanship in 2011, though the couple still maintain a residence in Somers. As Priebus progressed in his career, my interactions were, as a pastor, to keep grounded and to keep focused on the Lord and values and integrity, former senior pastor Jerry Worsham said. Worsham used to give Priebus stories to read about Abraham Lincoln and William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament and active evangelical Christian. They were not only politicians who were instrumental in ending slavery on their respective sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but men of character with a strong spiritual component, Worsham said. Worshams wife, Jane, recalled that whenever her husband delivered a message on leadership, Priebus immediately sought him out afterward. He knew thats what he was and what he was designed to do. He just wanted to do it in the right way, she said. We saw the progression up close, so it wasnt a surprise going into leadership at all, with the party. And (were) just thrilled to see him be honored and respected as he is in the new role. Gatekeeper to president Priebus ascension to White House chief of staff capped a roller-coaster 2016. He stuck by Trumps side from the moment the New York billionaire became the presumptive nominee, through his controversial and turbulent campaign and all the way to his stunning Nov. 8 victory. In his new role, Priebus will act as a gatekeeper of information and access to the president and play a big role in everything from policy making to political strategy. Even though its a powerful position, I hope he remains humble and has a sense of integrity, Due said. Binkley, who stays in touch with Priebus, believes Trump has a right-hand man who got into politics for the right reasons. It wasnt for power or prestige, but to try to make the world a better place, he said. Reince has a keen intellect, unwavering integrity and a ferocious work ethic, said Binkley, who now owns a recruiting firm in North Carolina. Yet hes also extremely likable, very humble and incredibly down to earth with a hilarious sense of humor. Hes got this interesting combination of attributes that I think are the makings of a good leader. MADISON Gift cards take the responsibility for buying a Christmas present out of the hands of the giver, but be careful when buying, since gift cards can also cost you more than the purchase price. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is telling shoppers this holiday season to be careful when buying gift cards online, especially with offers of free cards or hugely discounted cards. Free gift cards can turn out to be scams, and buying cards secondhand, such as those offered by auction on websites, might be fake or drained of value. The fact gift cards are so popular makes them a favorite tool for scammers looking to separate you from your money, said Frank Frassetto, division administrator for trade and consumer protection at DATCP. Fake secondhand gift card sales and free card scams on social media sites and in text messages are ways scammers may try to take advantage of your interest. The best way to avoid losing money on gift cards is to buy directly from the retailer or an authorized merchant, but if you want to buy unused secondhand cards, buy from someone you know. Some cards online, sold at auction or in classified ads, are already empty of value, are counterfeit or could be stolen from a retailer and never activated. If the gift card merchant discovers your card is fraudulent, the merchant will deactivate the gift card and refuse to honor it for purchases, DATCP said. The free card scam is usually tied to taking a survey or is on a fake website that sucks you into giving your cellphone number, so the scammer can use the number to get a variety of services without paying because you are paying. Scammers also use text messages promising gift cards to retailers by completing a phony survey or by giving personal information; when the card doesnt come and your information has been sold, that free card becomes very expensive. If you receive an unsolicited message promising a free gift card, do not click any links and delete the message, DATCP said. TOMAH The Veterans Administration is asking nearly 600 patients of its Tomah hospital to get screenings for hepatitis and HIV after discovering that a dentist wasnt using sterilized equipment. The dentist, who was hired in October 2015, was reusing drill bits without properly sterilizing them. The VA requires its dentists to dispose of bits after one use. The VA announced the lapse Tuesday, the same day it began contacting 592 patients seen by the dentist over the past year. Acting director Victoria Brahm said only 54 of those patients received crowns or bridges, but the VA wants to test every patient he treated. Were trying to be transparent, Brahm said. Were taking extreme measures. The dentist, one of four who practiced at the facility in the past year, has not been identified because of federal employee protections. VA spokesman Matthew Gowan said the screenings are precautionary. There is no indication of a transmission of an infection, Gowan said. Out of an abundance of caution its still the proper thing to do. If any veterans are found to be infected, the VA says it will provide the necessary care and treatment without charge. Gowan said the dentist was removed from patient care on Oct. 21, immediately after senior staff learned of the violation. The VAs Clinical Episode Response Team launched an investigation that concluded Oct. 31. Brahm said the VA spent the past four weeks reviewing patient medical records and organizing a hotline and clinic for testing and follow-up care if needed. We needed to know exactly what we were dealing with first, Gowan said. Folks have not been sitting on their hands. A review board is scheduled to meet Dec. 5 to recommend disciplinary action against the dentist, who is currently on administrative duties. Brahm said the VA also has contacted the dental licensing board in Texas, where the dentist was licensed, as well as state and federal prosecutors who are reviewing the case for possible criminal charges. This was a purposeful act by a dentist who knew better, Brahm said. The violation was initially reported by a dental assistant who was filling in for the dentists regular assistant, who Brahm said is also being investigated. Brahm praised the assistant for coming forward and said she hopes that organizational changes made since she took over the troubled organization last year has made it more comfortable for employees to speak out. Weve been working really hard to change the culture, Brahm said. Brahm also said dental assistants now rotate regularly so they are not always working with the same dentist. The Tomah medical center was at the center of an 18-month Congressional investigation that culminated in May with a top VA official acknowledging a clear and inexcusable lack of leadership was to blame for the deaths of at least to veterans who were treated there. The investigation began after 2015 media reports detailed high levels of opioid prescription and a pervasive culture of intimidation and retaliation against employees who spoke out. Two top officials from Tomah Director Mario DeSanctis and medical Chief of Staff Dr. David Houlihan were removed in the wake of that report, as were at least two other care providers. Wisconsin elections officials estimate a presidential recount in Wisconsin will cost nearly $3.5 million, the entirety of which must be paid by one or both of the campaigns requesting it by late Tuesday afternoon. Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Reform Party candidate Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente filed separate petitions late Friday afternoon for a recount in Wisconsin, which would be the state's first in a presidential election. County clerks provided cost estimates to state officials on Monday, after the state Elections Commission voted to approve a timeline for the recount. Payment is due from either or both campaigns by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to trigger a recount order. If both campaigns pay in full, half the cost will be refunded to each candidate. County clerks have done their best to estimate the actual costs of conducting a large recount in a relatively short time, elections administrator Michael Haas said in a statement. The estimates may vary widely as some clerks may not have been able to precisely identify their estimated costs in the short time available to them. If the estimate turns out to be too high, the campaign will receive a refund. If the estimate is too low, they will have to pay the additional cost. If the fee is paid by Tuesday afternoon, the recount will proceed on Thursday, with clerks and volunteers working evenings and weekends to meet the federal Dec. 13 deadline to certify electoral votes. Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's campaign sent an email to supporters in Wisconsin on Monday seeking volunteers to help with the recount. "In the weeks since the heartbreak of Election Day, our campaign has taken a number of steps to verify the accuracy of the vote tally in a few critical battleground states and to this point, we've found no evidence that would change the outcome," read an email from Clinton's Wisconsin state director Jake Hajdu. "But as you might have heard, now that others have asked for a recount of the vote here in Wisconsin, we will participate to make sure everyone who voted for Hillary in this state has their interests represented." A lawyer for Clinton's campaign said Saturday the campaign would participate in the recount "to ensure the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides." Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Brandon Weathersby said the party has not been asked to assist with recruiting volunteers. It's up to each of the state's 72 counties to decide whether to recount ballots by hand or by machine. Milwaukee County, which plans to conduct its recount via machine, predicts the highest cost, at nearly $540,000. The cost estimate for Dane County, which plans to count by hand, is estimated at about $340,000. Late Monday afternoon, Stein filed a lawsuit in Dane County seeking to require a hand count in every county. Stein received about 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, where president-elect Donald Trump defeated Clinton by about 22,000 votes. De La Fuente received about 1,500 votes in Wisconsin. In her recount petition, Stein alleged some electronic voting machines in Wisconsin are "susceptible to compromise." She suggested there were "irregularities" in the state's vote totals that "indicate potential tampering with electronic voting systems." Stein cited an affidavit from J. Alex Halderman, a professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, who argued "vote-stealing malware" could have been installed on machines in battleground states like Wisconsin. Haas said Monday that elections officials are "skeptical" of those claims. The state's machines are not connected to the internet, a point Halderman said is irrelevant. A person would have to physically access each individual voting machine to tamper with the state's election results, elections supervisor Ross Hein said. Elections Commission chairman Mark Thomsen said he expects the recount will not change the results, even if the margins are adjusted. He lauded the state's "very decentralized" elections process, conducted by county and municipal clerks and volunteers throughout the state. Man accused of drunkenly setting house on fire Why not? was the only reason given by a Winona man for setting his neighbors house on fire in the wee hours of Nov. 19, according to Winona police. The woman and child living in the house escaped uninjured. Jason Martin Burke, 22, is in the Winona County Jail, charged with a single count of first degree arson. Winona police and firefighters were called to the residence to find the siding ablaze on the single family dwelling. The fire was quickly extinguished. A burned end table, propane cylinder and torch were found at the source of the fire, deputy police chief Tom Williams said. On arrival, police noticed a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt looking out an upstairs window of the house next-door. Police asked the man to come down, and when he did, they observed he was intoxicated, with smeared blood and soot on his face, and smoky haze inside his house. He was identified as Jacob Martin Burke. Police then checked on other occupants in Burkes residence. A man living there said Burke had been drinking and going in and out of the house repeatedly, court documents state. The man told police the last time Burke came back to the house, he told the man, I set the neighbors house on fire. When asked why, Burke responded, Why not? according to the criminal complaint. Burke was taken into custody. He made his first appearance in Winona County District Court Nov .21. Bail was set at $60,000 without conditions, $10,000 conditional. - Winona Daily News Three face charges in Westby armed robbery Two La Crosse men are jailed and authorities issued warrants for two others in connection with a July 19 armed robbery in rural Westby, Wis., according to the Vernon County Sheriffs Department. Ramon Washington, 18, was arrested Nov. 16 and jailed on a $10,000 cash bond. Paris Whittington, 23, is jailed in La Crosse County on unrelated charges and Dakota Fair, 17, also of La Crosse is housed at the Milwaukee House of Corrections. All face armed robbery charges when they appear in Vernon County Circuit Court, but authorities did not release details of the crime. Fair has been jailed in Milwaukee County since Sept. 18, when he discarded a semi-automatic gun inside a backpack while running from Milwaukee police, authorities said. His misdemeanor case is pending in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. - La Crosse Tribune Suspected drunken driver flees cops, crashes into home A suspected drunken driver was arrested Thanksgiving morning after leading La Crosse police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed into a North Side home. According to police reports, 41-year-old Terrance Traylor of Onalaska, Wis., was heading north on Rose Street about 2:30 a.m. when an officer tried to pull him over for veering from his lane. Traylor pulled into the parking lot of the Econo Lodge motel and then sped out the back, jumping a curb. Traylor fled east for six blocks, running a stop sign at what the officer estimated to be more than 70 mph, before plowing into a home at 1903 Loomis St., according to the reports. The collision damaged the homes porch and ruptured a natural gas line. A woman who was home escaped without injury, while Traylor took off on foot. The officer heard a man several doors away yelling at someone to get off his property and then chased Traylor through an alley. Traylor was arrested nearby after the officer threatened him with a Taser. According to the report he was bleeding from his head and hands and said he knew that he was in a lot of trouble. Traylor refused a breath test and was arrested on suspicion of fourth offense drunken driving, fleeing police, resisting an officer and operating after revocation. He appeared in court to face charges Tuesday. Homeowner Anne Nicklay said she was on her couch watching a movie when she heard a godawful bang. - La Crosse Tribune Where do you get ideas for bills? a woman at a cafe recently asked me. The best ideas for bills come from people like you, I told her. December begins a brief time of calm in the Capitol. But behind the scenes, lawmakers are working on new legislation. In the next few weeks I will be drafting bills to introduce in January. I am looking for your ideas! Lawmakers will open the 103rd session of the Wisconsin Legislature on Jan. 3. On that day, and for perhaps the next 15 months, legislators will introduce roughly 1,800 bills or proposals. Many of my best ideas for new legislation come from people like you. Ideas show up in my inbox or as a phone call. Often these proposals happen because a question seems to have no commonsense answer. For example, two local school superintendents contacted me with the same question, Why does the state give us extra money to help run rural schools and in the same funding formula take away some of our state aid? I introduced a bill to change the school aid formula and bring needed aid to rural schools. Broadband is another unmet rural need. Many people called to complain about a lack of high-speed internet service. Through research I discovered unused funds and introduced a bill to use these funds to expand rural broadband. Much work remains to bring Internet access to all. Sometimes a new and serious problem occurs and many constituents with similar complaints contact me. Such is the case with sand mining. Over the years many constituents have contacted me with specific problems that resulted in me drafting new proposals. In one example, a man bought land and built his dream house in rural Jackson County. He called in tears one day when he learned quite by accident neighbors on three sides of the property had contracts with sand mines and plan to open a mine. This arrangement was made before he bought the land. His sad story resulted in a bill that requires disclosure of sand mine contracts as part of the normal real estate buying process. A mother called when she realized an unfair situation happened unintentionally in this case because of a number in the law. Her son was graduating as valedictorian. State law awards these smart teens an Academic Scholarship. But the law limited the award to school districts with 80 students. Local enrollment had dropped to just below 80, leaving her son and other smart rural teens unable to get the same earned reward as their urban peers. Many people tell me of their concern about the political system. I acted to make Wisconsin politics fairer and more transparent by introducing a series of bills: a referendum on nonpartisan redistricting, banning lawmakers from passing a law that financially benefits their campaign, disqualifying a judges action based on campaign contributions and shining a light on corporate campaign contributions. Similarly, people are concerned about legislative speed and secrecy especially related to the budget. Ive introduced proposals to slow things down and keep non-fiscal policy out of the budget. It is interesting to note that none of these proposals passed or even had a hearing. Often people call me when they are upset over threats to their way of life. Such was the case when railroad police warned locals who crossed rail tracks on their way to ice fishing. I introduced a bill to eliminate the powers of the railroad police and another to allow for a complaint system for those threatened. As a result of anglers concerns, rail officials are working with locals to build needed rail crossings. This is one example of how introducing a bill can create change even if the bill does not become law. So dont be shy in letting me know what new bills should be introduced! In the next few weeks I will be working through ideas for new legislation. The best ideas come from you. Standing Rock Sioux tribal leader Dave Archambault and other Dakota Access organizers say they plan to stay at the Oceti Sakowin camp and continue with protests despite receiving a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that said all federal lands north of the Cannonball River will be closed to public access Dec. 5 for safety concerns. In a statement Sunday, the Army Corps said it has no plans to forcibly remove protesters of the nearly complete pipeline, but anyone staying on the camp after that date will be trespassing and subject to prosecution. The Army Corps has offered what it calls a free speech zone in a different location that it says is more accessible to emergency vehicles. The camp of 10,000 people sits on a prairie, surrounded by hills next to the Cannonball River. Its called Oceti Sakowin. The name means Seven Council Fires and it represents the many bands that make up the Sioux Tribe. At night, the protesters, who call themselves water protectors, go to sleep to the sound of singing, drums, and generators. Some sleep in Indian teepees, others in modern campers. Many are in tents. And a few have even built tiny wooden homes. Oceti Sakowin is on federal land, but some 150 years past, according to treaties cited by tribal leaders, the land and the rivers belonged to the Lakota people or Sioux Tribe. Tribal elders call the Standing Rock protest movement a spiritual war, a rebirth for Native Americans everywhere. More than 300 tribes are now represented, and the numbers are climbing. When visitors first arrive, they are greeted with welcome home my relatives. They undergo required orientation meetings and protesters can then learn about early morning or late evening volunteer opportunities for after ceremonial prayers. Native men and women spread announcements through the camp on horseback. Theres a school for children, a large medical tent, kitchens throughout the prairie, and designated areas where people can find donated winter clothes. I spent my first week working in the kitchens, working in some of the different storage areas, said Michael Penuelas, who has volunteered for more than a month. Penuelas is white and a graduate of Stanford University, but he said that doesnt matter in the camp. And one of the things they always say when you first arrive, when you meet the elders, they say, remember that no one here is higher than anyone else. I am no one, you are no one, that all of these constructs, that we in Western Society have built to value ourselves, in the grand scheme of things are not really that important or representative. One of the elders Penuelas has met is Virgil Taken Alive. He was born and raised on Standing Rock. Ill probably end up dying and end up being buried here. My whole family is from Standing Rock, so long history, he said, laughing. But Taken Alive says things are not like in the past when Native tribes physically fought white men. Not like in the days of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. We could physically fight against them and win, hence the treaties came, he said. But we do have something that is much more powerful than violence, and that is prayer. Water is life Mni Wiconi what the creator has given to us is for life. And especially the water. And to respect it. It has a life of its own. As news of the Army Corps intention to shut down the camp spread over the weekend, people like environmental activist Nick Tilsen expressed renewed resolve. Indigenous people are here to stay, he said. Tilsen is co-founder of the Indigenous Peoples Power Project and calls this their ancestral land. He says protesters will only move on their own terms. This is where people have been for thousands of years. To the Army Corps that sent that letter, the message from Indigenous people here, is the letter means nothing to us, because our purpose here is to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners is the primary company behind the $3.8 billion project. CEO Kelcy Warren stated in a press release earlier this month, it is time for the courts to end this political interference and remove whatever legal cloud that may exist over the right-of-way beneath federal land at Lake Oahe. The Associated Press reports more than 560 protesters have been arrested in the area since August, including more than 30 at a mall over the holiday weekend. On Friday, protesters went to Bismarcks Kirkwood mall and formed a prayer circle. By the end, police arrested at least 33 protesters for criminal trespass. Bismarck native Rick Kringstad was at the mall that day. Hes like many locals who say they want the protesters out of Bismarck, away from businesses, and off federal land. What I believe they should do, is be done with it. Weve had a pipeline under water since the early 1950s they did that, theres no repercussions, no problem at all. I can see both sides, but enough is enough. And I would strongly like to see it be put an end to, in one way or another. 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10 (6) Feb 09 (7) Feb 08 (6) Feb 07 (6) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (5) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (10) Feb 02 (9) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (8) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (9) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (7) Jan 24 (6) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (7) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (5) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (5) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (5) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (3) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (6) Jan 04 (5) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (5) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (7) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (6) Dec 19 (10) Dec 18 (9) Dec 17 (10) Dec 16 (8) Dec 15 (4) Dec 14 (6) Dec 13 (10) Dec 12 (6) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (6) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (8) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (6) Dec 04 (7) Dec 03 (7) Dec 02 (6) Dec 01 (9) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (9) Nov 28 (7) Nov 27 (6) Nov 26 (7) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (7) Nov 21 (7) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (8) Nov 18 (12) Nov 17 (8) Nov 16 (6) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (11) Nov 13 (11) Nov 12 (9) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (9) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (7) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (8) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (7) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (6) Oct 29 (7) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (7) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (7) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (7) Oct 22 (7) Oct 21 (6) Oct 20 (8) Oct 19 (7) Oct 18 (6) Oct 17 (6) Oct 16 (8) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (6) Oct 13 (7) Oct 12 (5) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (8) Oct 09 (8) Oct 08 (7) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (7) Oct 05 (8) Oct 04 (6) Oct 03 (8) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (10) Sep 29 (7) Sep 28 (10) Sep 27 (10) Sep 26 (11) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (6) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (5) Sep 21 (8) Sep 20 (8) Sep 19 (6) Sep 18 (6) Sep 17 (7) Sep 16 (5) Sep 15 (6) Sep 14 (5) Sep 13 (6) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (10) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (3) Sep 08 (8) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (8) Sep 04 (7) Sep 03 (6) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (6) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (5) Aug 27 (6) Aug 26 (5) Aug 25 (9) Aug 24 (7) Aug 23 (8) Aug 22 (5) Aug 21 (9) Aug 20 (8) Aug 19 (7) Aug 18 (6) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (8) Aug 15 (6) Aug 14 (5) 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15 (8) Feb 14 (9) Feb 13 (8) Feb 12 (8) Feb 11 (7) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (7) Feb 08 (9) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (10) Feb 05 (10) Feb 04 (6) Feb 03 (8) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (6) Jan 31 (10) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (9) Jan 27 (7) Jan 26 (8) Jan 25 (8) Jan 24 (7) Jan 23 (6) Jan 22 (8) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (10) Jan 19 (8) Jan 18 (6) Jan 17 (7) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (8) Jan 13 (8) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (6) Jan 09 (8) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (6) Jan 05 (9) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (7) Jan 02 (6) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (9) Dec 29 (6) Dec 28 (2) Dec 27 (8) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (6) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (6) Dec 22 (8) Dec 21 (8) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (8) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (8) Dec 16 (7) Dec 15 (9) Dec 14 (7) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (4) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (6) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (7) Dec 01 (7) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (5) Nov 28 (6) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (8) Nov 23 (2) Nov 22 (6) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) 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(3) May 18 (2) May 17 (2) May 16 (2) May 15 (3) May 14 (2) May 13 (2) May 12 (2) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (2) May 08 (3) May 07 (2) May 06 (2) May 05 (2) May 04 (2) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (2) Apr 30 (1) Apr 29 (2) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (2) Apr 26 (2) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (4) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (2) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (2) Apr 15 (2) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (2) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (2) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (2) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (2) Mar 22 (1) Mar 21 (1) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (2) Mar 18 (2) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (2) Mar 14 (2) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (2) Mar 07 (1) Mar 06 (2) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (2) Mar 01 (1) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (1) Feb 25 (1) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (2) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (2) Feb 20 (2) Feb 19 (2) Feb 18 (2) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (2) Feb 15 (1) Feb 14 (1) Feb 13 (1) Feb 12 (2) Feb 11 (1) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (1) Feb 08 (1) Feb 07 (1) Feb 06 (1) Feb 05 (5) Feb 03 (1) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (1) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (3) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (1) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (6) Dec 14 (4) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (5) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (3) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (3) Nov 03 (2) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (6) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (4) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (3) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (4) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (5) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (6) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (5) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (2) Aug 07 (2) Aug 06 (2) Aug 05 (2) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (2) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (6) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (4) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (2) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (2) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (1) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (2) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (2) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (2) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 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(3) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (4) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (5) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (2) Dec 29 (2) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (2) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (4) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (2) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 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Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) During his life, Fidel Castro blamed Cubas economic problems on the United States and its restrictions on trade with Cuba. Now, after Castros death, many people are wondering what will happen to the economic relationship between the two countries. The election of Donald Trump as U.S. president will likely make the situation even more complex. The U.S. trade restrictions on Cuba or, the embargo remain in place. But President Barack Obama recently eased some of those limits. Obama reestablished diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States. The two sides opened embassies in each others capitals in 2015. And the improved relations have led to an increase in the number of U.S. visitors to Cuba. Yet many U.S. companies say the government in Cuba makes it hard for foreigners to do business there. U.S. Senator Bob Menendez says economic links remain firmly connected to Castro's family. "Do you want to do business in Cuba, do you want to be a part of the hotel tourism industry? You have to see Raul's (Cuban President Raul Castro) son. You want to go ahead and do agriculture business in Cuba? You have to do it with his son-in-law, both high-ranking officials of the Cuban military." Jose Azel is an expert on Cuba at the University of Miami in Florida. He agrees that the Cuban government has too many restrictions on foreign businesses. Azel said that foreign investors must share control of their business interests with the Cuban military. And, he adds, the foreigners cannot control who works for their company in Cuba. But Azel does not believe the country will change its central planning system soon. Another issue for U.S.-Cuba relations is the election of businessman Donald Trump. During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized President Obama's moves to ease tensions with between the two countries. Trump said he will undo Obamas actions unless Cuba gives more religious and political freedom to its people. He also wants Cuba to release political prisoners. I'm Ashley Thompson. Ken Bredemeier and Jim Randle reported this story for VOA. Kelly Jean Kelly adapted their story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story embargo n. a government order that limits trade in some way high-ranking adj. having a high rank or position central planning adj. In a centrally planned economy, the government makes most economic decisions The death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro has produced a mix of reactions in the United States. The death confirms sharp differences in the thinking of President Barack Obama and his replacement, President-elect Donald Trump. It has also led to discussions about how the U.S. government will deal with Cuba when Trump becomes president in January. President Obama considers reestablishing ties with Cuba after more than 50 years of tensions one of his greatest foreign policy successes. Obama, who visited the country in March, became the first sitting U.S. president to do so since 1928. Obama told the Cuban people: I have come here to bury the last remnants of the Cold War in the Americas. In September 2015, Trump supported Obamas decision to open up relations with Cuba. I think it's fine, he told The Daily Caller website. We should have made a better deal (but) the concept of opening with Cuba -- 50 years is enough. However, during the election campaign, Trump began to strongly criticize the decision to normalize relations. Now, he is almost always critical of the move. In a statement released soon after Castros death last Friday, Obama said: History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and the world around him. He added that the United States offers a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. Some U.S. lawmakers immediately criticized the statement. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican, called it pathetic. He noted that the statement did not talk about the thousands of people Castro killed and imprisoned. Rubios parents lived in Cuba, and moved to the United States in the 1950s. Another Republican, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, told ABC News that he hopes we dont see any U.S. government officials going to Fidel Castros funeral. Cruzs father was born in Cuba and now, like Rubios parents, is a Cuban-American. Trump released a statement after Castros death. He called the former leader a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. He blamed Castro for firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty, and the denial of fundamental human rights. Trump promised that, as president, he will do all he can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. It is not known how relations between the two countries will change when Trump takes office. Kellyanne Conway is a top aide to the president-elect. She told ABC News that Trump will demand that Cuba make changes. Conway said the release of political prisoners would have an important effect on relations. She also said the president-elect is absolutely willing to change the Obama policy on Cuba. Some lawmakers hope Castros death will lead to improved relations between the two countries. Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and some Republicans support a bill that would end the 50-year-old ban on U.S. trade with Cuba. Im Alice Bryant. VOAs Cindy Saine and Fern Robinson reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the reports for Learning English. He also used information from VOANews.com. 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 sitting - adj. In this context, sitting means currently having a political office or job remnant - n. the part of something that is left when the other parts are gone concept - n. an idea of what something is or how it works enormous - adj. very great in size or amount singular - adj. better or greater than what is usual or normal pathetic - adj. very bad, poor, weak, etc. funeral - n. a ceremony held for a dead person firing squad - n. a group of soldiers whose job is to shoot a prisoner who has been sentenced to death prosperity - n. the state of being successful -- usually by making a lot of money The parts of a traditional piano have changed very little for hundreds of years. The keys are black and white in color, just like when classical musical greats like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach were alive. But now an electronic, piano-like musical instrument replaces those keys with surfaces that react to touch. A start-up company called ROLI began selling the electronic keyboard in 2013. The keyboard is known as Seaboard. It does not have the same white and black keys as a piano. Instead it is made from soft, rubbery materials. Roland Lamb is the inventor of Seaboard and a jazz piano player. He says he invented Seaboard so he could create different kinds of sounds with the instrument. "I wanted to be able to express more from the keyboard and create the kinds of sounds and modulations that people could create on a bass or a guitar or a saxophone. And I was sitting at the piano and thinking why cant I strike a note and then slide it and move it." The way a person touches the keys on a Seaboard affects the instruments sound. This new technology enables the player to create sounds that traditional pianos cannot make. Marco Parisi is a classical pianist. He likes Seaboard very much and says he is always learning something new he can do with it. "This is the most expressive instrument I ever played. And to be able to use my piano technique and make that expressive changed my world." Roland Lamb notes it would be harder for him to go back to playing a traditional piano. But Seaboard is not Lambs only interesting musical invention. His latest creation is called Blocks. It is a small, black box with a screen like a smartphone. When a person presses on the box in different places, Blocks produces different sounds. Pressing harder or softer changes the intensity of the musical notes. Lamb says the best thing about Blocks is that it is easy to use. Colored images on the screen represent different kinds of sounds. Blocks can record combinations of sounds. And people can buy and combine other devices to use with the small box. Lamb says he designed Blocks so that almost anyone can make top quality music. "Now I know the possibilities that one can access through new technologies and new sounds." Several world-famous music artists use Blocks. They include Grimes, Steve Aoki and RZA. RZA helped demonstrate how to use Blocks at a special event ROLI held in New York in November. The performer had high praise for the device. Music is something that you feel," he said. Whether you know how to make music or not, or play music traditionally, when you start playing with this, you will find your voice." Im Pete Musto. VOAs Deborah Block reported on this story. Pete Musto adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Have you ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument? What kind of music would you make if you could? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story piano n. a large musical instrument with a keyboard that you play by pressing black and white keys and that produces sound when small hammers inside the piano hit steel wires jazz n. a type of American music with lively rhythms and melodies that are often made up by musicians as they play modulation(s) n. gradual movement from one system of musical tones based on a scale to another classical adj. relating to music in a European tradition that includes opera and symphony and that is generally considered more serious than other kinds of music technique n. the way that a person performs basic physical movements or skills screen n. the usually flat part of a television or computer monitor that shows the images or text Thailands parliament has officially invited Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn to become the countrys next king. The parliament acted after Thailands cabinet named the prince to be the new king. The president of the National Assembly, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, officially nominated the prince. He urged legislators to give their blessings to the new king. Parliament members then stood up and replied, Long live the king. Thailands King Bhumibol Adulyadej died last month at the age of 88. He was the worlds longest serving monarch and served as king for 70 years. The process for choosing a new king is described in a 1924 Thai law. The law gives the king power to choose who should succeed him. In 1972, Bhumibol chose Vajiralongkorn his second child and only son - to be his successor. The last step is for the prince to meet with leaders of the National Assembly before being formally named king. Government officials said that meeting is expected to happen soon. The 64-year-old prince spends much of his time outside Thailand. He is often in Germany, where he owns property. The prince has yet to gain the same respect in Thailand as his father. King Bhumibol was greatly beloved across Thailand, a mainly Buddhist country. He was known as a humble leader who directed many social and economic development projects. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said shortly after Bhumibol's death, the prince told him he did not want to immediately become king. He said he needed more time to mourn his father. The government declared a full year of mourning for all public offices after the kings death. Many Thais have dressed in black or white since then to honor him. The king's remains have been on display at the Grand Palace in Bangkok so Thai people can pay their respects. His body will be cremated in a special ceremony likely to take place a year or more after his death. The official coronation of Vajiralongkorn will happen after the cremation. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press and Reuters. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story blessing n. approval that allows something to go forward monarch n. a king or queen humble adj. not proud or believing you are important cremate v. to burn a dead body coronation n. a ceremony to officially crown a king or queen This is Whats Trending Today... President-elect Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had their last debate before the presidential election on October 19. The moderator of the debate asked Trump if he would accept the results of the election. In response, Trump said, I will look at it at the time. Later in the conversation, he said, Ill keep you in suspense, okay? Trump is now the president-elect. He is set to take office in January. But officials have announced they will re-count the votes in some states. In response, Trump wrote on Twitter that millions of people voted illegally for his opponent. Almost 50,000 people forwarded the tweet, and close to 150,000 more liked it. News organizations and political analysts say no evidence supports Trumps claim. One reason that people are still disputing the results is because of how presidents are elected in the United States. States not voters choose the president. The system is called the Electoral College. In the 2016 election, Trump won enough states under the Electoral College system to beat Hillary Clinton, but he did not win the most votes overall. Members of the Electoral College will meet on December 19. The results were very close in three of the states Trump won -- Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Activists are raising money to request the votes there be re-counted. If the results change, Trump risks losing the Electoral College and therefore the election. This weekend, Trump said on Twitter that he won the Electoral College. He would have won the popular vote, too, he said, if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. Trump also claimed there were illegal votes in three of the states Clinton won: Virginia, New Hampshire and California. Trump asked, Why isnt the media reporting on this? Alex Padilla is the secretary of state in California. He said Trump did not have evidence for his claim of illegal votes in California. Padilla added that Trumps tweets were reckless and unbecoming of a president-elect. Others warned news organizations not to report Trumps comments without considering first whether they were true. One social media user brought some humor into the debate, saying: Trump won the popular vote 100-percent if you deduct the millions and millions of people who did not vote for him. And thats Whats Trending Today. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. What do you think of Donald Trumps election comments? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story moderator n. someone who leads a discussion in a group and tells each person when to speak suspense n. a feeling or state of nervousness or excitement caused by wondering what will happen assert v. to state (something) in a strong and definite way deduct v. to take away (something, especially an amount of money) from a total inappropriate adj. not right or suited for some purpose or situation unbecoming adj. not appropriate or acceptable for a person in a particular job or position President-elect Donald Trump says people who burn the American flag should be punished. He suggested that punishment could be up to a year in prison or a loss of citizenship. But it will not be easy for Trump to carry out his proposal. Supreme Court says burning flag is permitted form of protest In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that flag burning is protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech. Changing a Supreme Court decision requires either amending the amendment or a new opinion by the High Court. Neither is easy to get done. The Supreme Court case involved a man named Gregory Lee Johnson. He was arrested in 1984 for burning an American flag at the Republican Partys national convention in Texas. Johnson said he set the flag on fire to protest the nomination of Ronald Reagan for a second term as U.S. president. A lower court had ruled against Johnson. But the high court overturned the decision. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that a lot of Americans are offended by the burning of the American flag. But he noted that in the Texas case, Johnson burned the flag as an act of protest. As an act of protest, he said, flag burning is protected under free speech. The hard fact is that sometimes we must make decisions we do not like, Kennedy wrote. We make them because they are right, right in the sense that the law and the Constitution, as we see them, compel the result. Four Supreme Court justices agreed with Kennedy. Four others disagreed. Writing for the minority judges, Justice William Rehnquist noted that burning a flag is not really free speech. He said it is more like a person grunting, making sounds like an animal. Trump has not said why he is raising the flag burning issue now. Flag protests at Massachusetts college But his comments on Twitter came after a group of U.S. military veterans protested at a small Massachusetts college last weekend. The veterans objected to the removal of an American flag at Hampshire College, a private school in the town of Amherst. The removal came after some students lowered the flag to half-staff on November 9th. That was the day after the U.S. presidential election, of which Trump has been declared the winner. Flags are flown at half-staff to recognize deaths of important people or to recognize sad events. Some Hampshire College students and teachers said they are fearful of what will happen under Trumps presidency. The flag continued to be flown at half-staff until November 10th, when it was burned. The college says it does not know who burned the flag. A new flag was ordered flown at half-staff. But later, College President Jonathan Lash ordered the flag removed, saying some had seen it flying at half-staff as a comment on the presidential election. It was not, Lash said. He said it was part of an effort by the college to deal with divisions over the flag among members of the college community. Weve heard from members of our campus community that, for them and for many in our country, the flag is a powerful symbol of fear theyve felt all their lives because they grew up in marginalized communities, never feeling safe, Lash said. For others, the flag is a symbol of their highest aspirations for the country. On CNN television Tuesday, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said that the countrys next president believes flag burning should be illegal. The president-elect is a very strong supporter of the First Amendment, but theres a big difference between that and burning the American flag, Miller said. Im Ashley Thompson. Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story compel - v. to force someone to do something grunting v. top make a sound like a pig symbol - n. an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality marginalized - adj. putting someone in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group aspiration - n. something that a person wants very much to achieve A Polk City man is being held without bond in the Polk County jail on armed kidnapping and armed false imprisonment charges. Activist was arrested for kidnapping, false imprisonment Ronnie Davis is accused of holding a woman against her will Fellow anti-government activists don't believe the claims Ronnie Davis is accused of holding a woman against her will on a piece of property he shares with more than a dozen other anti-government activists. Davis and his group claim they are fighting a corrupt, illegitimate system of laws. They call themselves the Bears Law and Forensic Science Team. They specialize in cases involving children being taken from parents by state child welfare agencies. Group members do not consider themselves citizens of the United States. They believe they are not subject to laws, including needing a drivers license. "So we have corporations masquerading as government and what they are doing is railroading innocent people in their jails," said member Adam Samuel. And what they are doing is storing them in their warehouses as a mortgage backed security." Polk Sheriffs detectives said a woman named Angela Yeager claimed she traveled from Texas to the groups property in Polk City to study Daviss legal methods. In an affidavit, Yeager claims that Davis said he was going to make her his wife. Group member Thomas Nelson said Davis had no interest in Yeager. "There was nothing romantic going on between them," said Nelson. "He wanted nothing from her. He's got his girlfriend thing going on. He doesn't need that." Yeager claimed she had been held against her will and finally figured out a way to leave the group's property last month. She said she feared for her life. Yeager also claimed that Davis threatened to kill group members and the only way they could leave was in a body bag. Nelson, however, openly displayed a handgun in a holster. He said the idea that group members were being held against their will was not true. "OK, No. 1," started Nelson, "I'm walking around with a gun and how many times have you seen abductees walking around with guns? Or further, if we were abductees why was it when the police pulled us over, why weren't we going, 'Oh thank you for saving us?'" A judge has denied the motion for a reduced sentence in the case of a former Polk County English teacher convicted of having sex with multiple students, according to the Polk State Attorney's office. Judge denies reduced sentence for former Polk teacher convicted of having sex with students Jennifer Fichter was sentenced to 22 years in prison Fichter claimed the victims were willing participants, asked for a sentence reduction Jennifer Fichter was sentenced to 22 years in prison last year, after she admitted to having sex with at least three students. She also admitted that she slept with one of them 20 to 30 times. Fichter claimed that the victims were willing participants and that she needed to be out in order to seek appropriate treatment. Dr. Richard Marshall even testified that men usually engage in sexual relationships with minors for predatory reasons, and that women usually engage in those relationships for emotional reasons. However, State Prosecutor Ashley Krieger argued that Fichter is in fact a predator because the victims were teenage boys. After hearing both sides, the judge denied the motion for a reduced sentence. Fichter will continue serving a 22-year sentence. About 100 homes and at least 30 buildings, including a 16-story hotel, have been impacted by wildfires that are burning in and around Gatlinburg, Tenn., according to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). No reported deaths More than 12,000 people without power The fire was near the famous Dolly Parton theme park Dollywood, according to CNN. Sevier County residents please stay off mobile devices unless it's for emergency calls. #Gatlinburg T_E_M_A (@T_E_M_A) November 29, 2016 TEMA stated that local officials ordered evacuations for various parts of Sevier County. "Dangerous wildfires are still having an impact in Sevier County as local officials ordered evacuations for downtown Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and other parts of the county," stated TEMA. "Fire crews are still battling blazes in Sevier County as a heavy layer of smoke settles in many areas of the county." There have been no reports of deaths, but one evacuee suffered a burn injury and minor injuries were reported due to a fire truck-involved accident, TEMA stated. Sevier County has more than 12,000 people without power, according to TEMA. Gilmore Girls fans were treated to four new feature-length episodes after almost a decade. And fans of the franchise who were left wanting more after Netflix's A Year in the Life can have the comfort of knowing that Lorelai, Rory, as well as a multitude of familiar faces in Stars Hollow might be returning to their screens yet again. The new long-awaited episodes finally gave original showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino, who departed before the comedy-drama's controversial seventh season, a chance to end Gilmore Girls the way she had always planned. Sherman-Palladino has teased the potential for more Gilmore Girls on Netflix, depending on how well received A Year in the Life is. "We really had a very specific journey in our minds and we fulfilled the journey," creator Amy Sherman-Palladino explained to The Hollywood Reporter. "So to us, this is the piece that we wanted to do. And the whole thought about, is there more, is there more, is there more this has to go out into the universe now. We've got to put this to bed. And then whatever happens, happens." Itd be nice to do it every year, Scott Paterson, who plays Luke Danes told Celebrity Buzz. Maybe every two years, do a three-month thing, do four more chapters. It was easy to do. It was fun. It was really rewarding and people got a sense that if this was going to be the last thing that we now have some closure." When Time Out asked Alexis Bledel if this was really the end for Gilmore Girls, she said, "We are interested in presenting something really special. The last thing we want to do is exploit that opportunity." And Lauren Graham wants to treat all future projects with extreme care. Netflix is big on revivals at the moment so its very possible theyll order more, and though the actors schedules is a factor, theyd surely be able to clear room for such a big show. Balwinder Singh, a taxi driver in Punjab, was in for a big surprise on 4 November when he got a whopping Rs 9,806 crore in his Jan Dhan account in State Bank of Patiala. However, the amount was withdrawn the very next day, according to a report in the Hindustan Times. Singh has told the newspaper that when he visited the bank branch, the staff took his passbook and issued another one without entering the Rs 9,806 crore credit and subsequent debit. "My balance usually is around Rs 3,000, Singh has been quoted as saying in the report. The bank has not yet given a convincing explanation for the freak transaction. The account holder happens to be a designated vendor for the bank. While passing a credit entry of Rs 200, an assistant manager (accounts) wrongly inserted the banks 11-digit internal Banking General Ledger account number in the amount column. The mistake was noticed the next day, following which the entry was reversed, lead bank manager Sandeep Garg has been quoted as saying in the report. It is to be noted that there is suspicion that tax evaders are misusing the Jan Dhan accounts ever since the government announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on 8 November. According to the government, the total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have increased to Rs 64,252.15 crore as of 16 November. The sudden surge in deposits in these accounts is being scrutinised by the income tax officials. Prime minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat, had warned against misuse of these accounts for money laundering. The RBI had long back cautioned that opening of bank accounts without proper documentation may encourage tax evaders to make use of the poor to launder their ill-gotten wealth. However, it is not yet clear whether the freak transaction, which made Singh a billionaire for just a day, was indeed related to evading taxes. Contrary to expectations that demonetisation will blot out the use of black money, there are reports that it is still in use in real estate transactions. A sting conducted by a real estate channel in Mumbai indicated three things: developers were willing to stagger payments over several months if the cash portion was paid in new notes; those who wanted to pay with old notes had to pay a premium over the face value of these notes; property dealers were eager to sell at discounts and for cash. Does this indicate that black is still beautiful in real estate? Actually, no. It probably represents the last hurrah of King Cash in real estate, and one can expect future deals to be less and less cash-oriented. The spike in black money deals is probably temporary, and one could have predicted this when Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were demonetised from the midnight of 8 November. People are trying to get rid of cash, and this is apparent from not only its short-term rise in real estate, but also in increased payments of municipal taxes, and increased sales at petrol bunks and utility bills, areas that were exempted from the ban on accepting old notes. Real estate is the biggest store of benami wealth, and cash is the lubricant for such deals. Even though black money held in cash is a small proportion of the total estimates of black money in the economy, in real estate cash had made a significant comeback a couple of years ago when prices became unaffordable. When buyers revolted against extortionate prices in Mumbai real estate, they forced sellers to cut prices to reduce inventory. But, in return, sellers sought more in cash. The tradeoff was simple: while the buyer gained in terms of a lower sticker price, the seller gained from avoiding tax on the reported sales price. Now, post-demonetisation, the rush is to get rid of cash, and black money use is peaking. After 30 December, the old notes will be worth zero. But right now, it is still possible to put the same cash into bank accounts and/or show it as sales revenue. The premium on old notes is because of the expectation that the taxman will impose higher taxes on this unexplained surges in sales. The staggered payment terms offered to buyers with new notes are an attempt to push sales right now and cash flows. What is clear is that the real estate system is squeezed. In future, the cash element in property will come down. Not for nothing did Niranjan Hiranandani tell The Economic Times the other day that cash payments in realty will be a thing of the past. It may not be gone forever, but there will be very little cash in property deals. More so since Narendra Modi has promised to start implementing the Benami Property (Prohibition) Act which was notified earlier this month. This draconian act gives government powers to confiscate benami properties, and also put benaamdars seven years in jail. Demonetisation of high-value currency notes is expected to have a negative impact on consumer spending, especially for luxury items including gems and jewellery, Care Ratings said in a report. The gems and jewellery sector is likely to be impacted at least in the medium-term, the rating agency added. Though export market and large diamantaires in the organised sector may not be impacted much, small and medium players, carrying out local trade and sourcing, are expected to feel the pinch of currency recall exercise, it pointed out. Domestic jewellery retailers are expected to feel the heat of this move in the medium term, though the organised retailers are expected to withstand the impact of cash clean-up in a more resilient manner, the rating outfit maintained. After a subdued demand scenario for exports of cut and polished diamonds (CPD) from India during large part of FY15 and FY16, which had also resulted in pressure on profitability margins in the industry, some signs of revival in demand have been witnessed during first half of FY17, it said. Though export in carat volume remained largely stable, the growth is mainly led by increase in demand from the US, the world's largest diamond jewellery market. The decommissioning of Rs 500/1,000 notes may not impact the CPD industry, especially as the major market for polished diamonds lies outside India, the report said. Also, larger organised sector players undertake most of their transactions in the US dollar, with mainly employee expenses required to be paid in Indian rupee. However, it is expected that small and mid-size diamond polishing firms having presence in the local trade could be impacted as such trades are targeted towards smaller unorganised jewellery players who would be starved of cash following this step of the government, Care said. Further, it said the unorganised segment comprises around 7075 percent of the domestic gold jewellery market, although the share of organised jewellery retail segment is growing at 15 percent annually. In H2CY2016, demand was earlier expected to be better due to wedding season, good monsoons and 7th pay commission implementation. However, demonetisation might impact consumer spending on luxury items, and domestic demand for gems and jewellery is expected to be muted in the near to medium term. Even as quoting PAN had become mandatory for purchases above Rs 2 lakh, a lot of small ticket jewellery buys were being made in cash as more than 60 percent of the demand is estimated to originate from cash-dependent rural India. Though there was a brief spike in demand after the 8 November note ban, in the medium-term a slowdown in demand for jewellery is expected. But in the long-run, the move could turn out to be positive for organised sector, it said. Interest-free banking is a concept in itself, practiced in several countries including secular countries such as Hong Kong, UK, and the US, in South East Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore and in our neighboring Islamic countries Bangladesh and Pakistan. In India there are wealthier sections of Muslims in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala and to a smaller extent in Tamil Nadu, who would like to offer an interest-free loan also called as Sharia banking. This type of banking is compliant to their reading of scripture since their religious belief says demanding or accepting interest on money lent is in violation of their faith. But the usage of the facility of interest-free banking world wide is by no means confined to any religious community. Under the present Regulations of the RBI Act interest has to be paid on bank deposits, but to permit interest-free banking the Central Bank has to amend the regulations. Professor Imtiaz, a reputed social scientist whose articles are being published in the RBI journal, has from his research come to the conclusion that unclaimed interest deposits amounting to about Rs 4,800 crore are lying in the Indian banking system. This however could not be corroborated despite invoking the Right to Information. Imtiaz stated that such unclaimed interest is lying with three banks; Corporation Bank, Canara Bank and State Bank of India. . There has been two issues at the heart of the discussion on Islamic banking: 1) whether interest-free banking as a concept can be included in our banking system, and in case this was not possible, then 2) can the Department determine the quantum of such money so that concurrence could be sought from depositors for utilising such amount for the benefit of socially and economically backward sections of the community. Since core banking systems are in place the interest accruing in each of the deposits is automatically credited to the account of the individual or corporate deposit holder at periodic intervals of three to six months by the banks. There is no money lying with RBI as accumulated interest or as unclaimed interest. The money lying in the non-operative accounts for more than 10 years is set aside in a central pool with individual banks. In case the depositor or his legal heir claims this amount this is returned with interest. The banking division of the Ministry of Finance has considered an amendment to the banking regulation so that this central pool of non-operative accounts could be used for social betterment like education or for generating awareness of the banking system. There have been suggestions from several Muslims that this money could be used to subsidise Haj flights, a cost indirectly borne by the government, which according to some Islamic scholars is an un-Islamic practice. If the regulations are to be amended to allow for banking without interest, then the question would arise on how to sustain the financial viability of banking, a concept that stems from the mediaeval practice of usury. A client might avail credit from an interest-free lending bank by recourse to ijara amounting to a transfer of asset to the bank, which then pays an amount as fixed rental. Through the murabaha the bank might purchase the asset at market price and sell it back to the client at a mutually agreed price to be paid for in instalments. A third alternative is musharaka, a joint investment of bank and client with both sharing in the profit on agreed terms. Similarly, savings bank accounts allow for usage by banks with clients sharing in the banks returns. It means Sharai banking is a business partnership between bank and client. Led by Dr Abdur Raqeeb, General Secretary of the Mumbai-based National Committee on Islamic Banking has been actively campaigning to allow this form of banking. Dr Raqeeb had made presentations to Secretary of the Department of Banking, and appreciated the responses received. The department has also received a proposal from the National Commission for Minorities, referring to Deputy Governor of the RBI, Anand Sinha, who headed a committee that had examined the issue, for a re-look. The banking division saw two possibilities: - 1) Some nationalised banks could be allowed to open interest-free deposits and (2) they could also allow non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to operate such accounts. The RBI, on the other hand had two main concerns requiring address: (i) how to meet the operating/administrative cost of 2-3 percent and (ii) how to protect the interest of a depositor in case the bank fails. Interest-free banking is in fact a viable system for incorporating into a banking structure, which will also address the long-standing concerns of the business section of a minority community. The Prime Ministers visit to Saudi Arabia on 2 April, 2016, is clear indication of the road embarked upon in this direction, which has the potential to open India to the vast investment opportunity in Sharai bonds, which are the preferred form of banking through the Middle East. It is in this context that the RBI has moved a few simple products which are similar to conventional banking products that could be considered for introduction through Islamic window of commercial banks with the objective that this will be a step towards introduction of a regular Islamic banking facility in India. The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand sparked the First World War. I am not saying we start the First World War, but the beheading of an Indian soldier in the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir with the complicity of the Pakistani-backed Border Action team (read terrorists) cannot be simply bypassed as 'one of those things'. And barely had the dust settled on that bit of news before the military camp in Nagrota was hit on Tuesday morning. But let's look at the heading: The Geneva Convention forbids such acts of cowardly violence against prisoners of war or against those in uniform. So, we must show that it is not acceptable. In a strong and tangible manner. Do not rush to the home of the next of kin, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal. No one needs that sort of nonsense. Get serious. Do not make pious laden speeches, Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley and Manohar Parrikar. Make promises you can keep. Dont sell Indians dross. Do not simply make a flurry of noise, all the Opposition parties. This calls for a total sense of togetherness beyond party lines, not scoring brownie points. A beheading is a deliberate and horrific act against the human body and in that, the soldier was the symbol of the nation. They went for India. Can this vilification go unanswered? It is not enough to say that we condemn this sort of act. On the contrary, this soldiers beheading is to be seen as an act of hostility in the extreme. If the commander-in-chief of the Northern Command has gone on record that there is concrete evidence that Pakistani forces were involved in this grisly act one has to accept it as prima facie evidence. What is unbelievable is that the code of honour which exists between men and uniform was so easily ignored and that if proven beyond a shadow of doubt Pakistani soldiers allowed this dastardly act to take place in their presence, it is a matter of profound shame. Not just to the individual but to the honour of his regiment or battalion and its history. For us, in India, it is a time to wake up from this absurd slumber that Pakistan wants to extend a hand of friendship. Get over this dream. They do not. Lets get this straight. They will provoke us at every opportunity. And they really do not care about a couple of surgical strikes which now have blunted their edge because there was no follow up. It cannot be assumed that these were the only seven or eight launch pads that is naive and the fact that after the first assault we were too busy patting ourselves and letting the rope loose till that much vaunted surgical strike has become passe. The cruel fact is that we do not grasp the nettle and see Pakistan for what it is. Not unless we hurt it in the pocket and send out a loud and clear message that it cannot be assumed there will be no retribution for this death so wait for it. Will we stop returning to the backfoot? By the same token lets stop depending on the United States and Britain for support. They will never back us against Pakistan. Even Donald Trump will do nothing once he is swallowed by the system and like a stallion, tamed by the Hill. For one day, our prime minister must put aside our relatively trivial travails over the demonetised currencies and speak out against Islamabad and this atrocity. In terms that have no ambiguity and are bound by time limits. We have to act like this neighbour does not exist for us. Do we have the moxie to do this? New Delhi: The Bihar government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it is not "averse" to shifting of controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to Tihar prison. The state government, in which RJD is a coalition partner, concurred with stand of CBI which has already agreed to suggestion of the apex court that alleged history sheeter be shifted to Delhi as his continuous presence in Bihar may adversely impact the trials in various pending criminal cases against him. The government told the bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy that Shahabuddin has been facing trial in 45 cases including one in Jharkhand. "We are not averse to shifting of the accused (Shahabuddin) to Tihar jail but the court should also decide the mode of trial of pending cases against him," the counsel representing the Bihar government said. During the hearing, the bench said, "You (the Bihar government) file the list of all the cases against him including in which he has been convicted or acquitted". The counsel said that the list has already been filed and is on the apex court records. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Siwan-based Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons have been killed in two separate incidents, said that all these incidents have taken place when Shahabuddin was in Siwan jail. He also informed the bench that Shahabuddin had alleged that lack of means while seeking legal aid counsel to defend him in various cases. The plea was allowed by the trial court. Dave further said that interestingly, the state government challenged the order in the Patna High Court which in turn stayed the trial court order leading to stalling of proceedings in all criminal cases against Shahabuddin. "Since the legal aid counsel was looking at all his 45 cases, the trial eventually got stayed after the Patna High Court order," Dave said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, said that he is in jail for past 11 years, how can he hire a private lawyer to defend himself. The hearing, however, remained inconclusive and will continue on Wednesday. The apex court had on Monday mulled shifting the RJD leader from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the national capital, saying it is test case for the "concept of fair trial and witness protection". The bench had on Monday asked the lawyers appearing for different parties to come prepared on the point of transfer of cases and Shahabuddin to Delhi from Siwan. The CBI had filed status report in the murder case of scribe Rajdeo Ranjan and had that it will welcome if the cases are transferred to Delhi. On 17 October, the apex court had granted three months time to CBI to conclude probe in the sensational scribe murder case, and directed that six accused, including Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed who were seen alongside the RJD leaders, cannot seek statutory bail on the ground of non-filing of chargesheet in the matter. Ranjan, 42, a senior journalist working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of 22 July in Siwan town. The apex court, on 23 September, had directed CBI to proceed with its probe into the murder of the journalist and asked Bihar police to provide protection to the family members of the slain scribe. It had also issued notices to Shahabuddin, Tej Pratap Yadav and the Bihar government on a petition by Ranjan's wife who also sought transfer of the case from Siwan to Delhi. The RJD chief's son was seen in a photograph published in newspapers with one of the two sharp shooters of alleged gangster Shahabuddin. Asha, the wife of the deceased scribe, had moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the probe and trial in the case to Delhi alleging that media photos had shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap Yadav. Security forces killed three militants on Tuesday morning when a group of militants tried to sneak in from Pakistan through the International Border near a border outpost in Samba district of Jammu. The three militants were killed following a "heavy firing exchange" with the Border Security Force (BSF). According to ANI, the firing is over and the area is being sanitised. Samba Infiltration bid #UPDATE: A total of three terrorists have been killed, operation over ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 The BSF noticed some suspicious movement in the general area of Border Out Post Chamliyal in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir. The area was immediately cordoned off. When challenged, BSF patrol was fired upon by miscreants holed up in a tube well pumphouse, reported ANI. According to reports, three BSF jawans were injured in the gunbattle with the group of militants infiltrating the border. Samba Infiltration bid #UPDATE: One BSF jawan injured, operation continues ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 3 BSF personnel sustain injuries after BSF troopers faced fire from across IB in Chamliyal, Samba (J&K), admitted to hospital for treatment pic.twitter.com/RhCTQMwc3s ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 The infiltration bid on the border in Jammu came amid a fierce gunbattle between security forces and heavily armed militants who opened fire on an army camp in the garrison town of Nagrota near Jammu. With agency inputs The Opposition observed Jan Aakrosh Divas to protest against the demonetisation move and the Left-dominated Tripura and Kerala went for Bharat Bandh, on Monday, affecting banking services in these two states. However, banks across the country stuck to normal banking hours. Many ATMs are still running dry despite recalibration of more than 60 percent of such cash-dispensing machines. There are also reports that banks in major metros are getting less than their cash requirement leading to chaos at the branches. And though bank branches across the country reopened to very short queues after a two-day break on Monday, news updates of day 21 since the demonetisation of higher denomination notes show that there were more than reports of cash shortage at some locations. Congress leader dies during protest march Gwalior District unit chief of the Congress party Darshan Singh, 56, died of cardiac failure on Monday while taking part in the Jan Aakrosh march to protest the demonetisation decision of the central government. Some Congress workers taking part in the protest march said the march began from Phoolbagh around noon. They walked up to the office of the Divisional Commissioner and submitted a memorandum there. It was after this that Singh complained of chest pain. He was taken to the hospital where doctors declared him dead. Currency exchange gang busted Police have arrested seven members of a currency exchange gang and seized Rs 8.20 lakh in valid notes from them, a senior official said. Allegedly, the gang was involved in exchanging banned notes on commission basis for valid currencies in Peddapalli district. Acting on a tip-off about the gang, a Police Sub-Inspector, G Vijender, was sent as a decoy customer looking to exchange old notes worth Rs 11.50 lakh for new ones to one of its members, Poorna Chandra Sekhar, said K Vijayender Reddy. Sekhar promised Vijender to give valid notes of Rs 8.20 lakh in exchange of banned currencies of Rs 11.50 lakh and asked him come to Peddapalli railway station to complete the deal, he said. But the moment Sekhar and six of his gang members reached the spot, they were apprehended. Customers vandalise SBI branch Angry customers vandalised an SBI branch on the campus of Manipur University in Imphal on Monday after the bank refused to let people withdraw Rs 24,000 each. Although police reinforcements rushed to the bank, no arrest was made. Normal bank work was disrupted, witnesses said. The State Bank of India manager said the trouble started when two customers demanded Rs 24,000 each the maximum a person can take out from the bank every week after demonetisation. When it was pointed out that senior bank officials had declared that such big amounts could not be withdrawn, they turned unruly and did not allow bank work to continue. However, an SBI customer, said people who had been queuing up from early in the morning became furious when they were informed they could take out only Rs 2,000 each from their savings accounts. Sensing the mood, the SBI said they could take out Rs 4,000 each. "But the bank will be closed once the cash runs out," one officer told the crowd. On hearing this, the account holders started vandalising the office, the witnesses said. Newly-wed Odisha woman killed A newly-married woman was killed by her in-laws in Odisha's Ganjam district as her father failed to give dowry of Rs 1.70 lakh in new currency, the state police said on Monday. Prabhati of Rangipur village married Laxmi Nahak of the same village on 9 November, a day after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes was announced. Her family had earlier agreed to give Rs 1.70 lakh in cash as dowry. However, when her family offered the money in old demonetised notes on the marriage day, the groom's family refused to accept the money and instead demanded new notes within stipulated time. Prabhati's parents said her in-laws killed her on Sunday as they did not get the new notes in dowry, the police said. Inspector Alok Jena, who heads the Golanthara police station, said a case of dowry death has been registered. Indian expats in UAE affected Expatriates in the UAE are finding it difficult to send money to their families in India due to the continuing cash crunch caused by demonetisation, according to a media report, by Gulf News. The cash crunch has badly hit rupee remittance transaction to India through bank transfers and instant cash transfers, according to the staff at some money exchanges in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, the situation has deprived Indian expatriates of an excellent opportunity to cash in on a record low exchange rate of rupees, it said. North Indian villages, especially where access to banking system is limited, mainly depend on instant cash transfers, have taken a hit. With inputs from agencies On Monday, a late night press release from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took everyone by surprise. The release read thus: As it is impeding active circulation of currency notes, it has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29, 2016 beyond the current limits; preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 are to be issued for such withdrawals. To put it in simple words, if you deposit money in acceptable currency denominations, you can withdraw beyond the current weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000. Legal tender Now, what are the legal tenders currently? Going by the 8 November televised speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, old notes of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 notes ceased to be legal tender from midnight. To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the 500 rupee and 1,000 rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight tonight that is 8th November 2016, the PM said announcing one of the biggest demonetisation exercises in the country since the 1978 crackdown by Morarji Desai government. But, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are banned only from transactions but are still 'legal' enough to be accepted at bank counters in the form of deposits until 30 December. The question is, will such deposits too qualify for higher withdrawal limits or does the RBI notification refer to only deposits made in currency denominations that are in use (denominations of Rs 100 and below and new Rs 200, Rs 500 currency notes). There needs to be clarity on this aspect. Reason: If the latter is the case, the RBI is treating customers differently based on the type of notes they deposit, even though both sets carry the same promise to the bearer as offered by the constitution. One customer who deposits his old currencies faces restrictions on withdrawal and the other with new currency notes gets unlimited withdrawal facility. Is that the case here? An email sent to the RBI spokesperson seeking clarity on the press release remained unanswered at the time of writing this piece. However, a senior banking industry official clarified that the current limits are Rs 24,000 a week. "But if you deposit some amount in legal tender you can withdraw that amount over and above this limit. For instance, if you have deposited Rs 10,000 of which Rs 6,000 is old notes and Rs 4,000 in legal tender - Rs 10/20/50/100/500/2000 - you can withdraw that additional 4000," the official said. There are two logical questions that arise: First, at a time when currency in existing lower denominations (Rs 100, Rs 50 and Rs 10) is a luxury and the new ones (new notes of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500) a rarity, why would someone deposit cash in these denominations in a bank? Those who have the first lot will preserve it for use and the second lot -- who acquired them after standing for hours in long queues -- will be very cautious with it.Even otherwise, there are withdrawal restrictions on new currency from ATMs and bank branches. There are still many ATMs even today that have shut shop. Someone should have to be out of their minds to deposit hard earned money back to the bank in these times. Even those who get salary in cash (mostly low-income workers or small traders) would rather keep the cash in hand than deposit it in the current scenario. Second, at a time when bank branches are struggling and ATMs are gasping for cash despite the restricted withdrawals since 8 November, how can the RBI expect banks to offer unlimited withdrawal (which is what the line beyond the current limits; preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500) suggests. An email sent to the RBI spokesperson seeking clarity on the press release remained unanswered at the time of writing. So far, given the withdrawal restrictions, only a fourth of the money deposited in bank branches have gone out of banks as withdrawals. Since 10 November up to 27 November, 2016 banks have received deposits of Rs 8,11,033 crore, while exchanges amounted to Rs 33,948 crore, taking the total figure to around Rs 8.4 lakh crore. As against this, the amount withdrawn by the public is Rs 2,16,617 crore from their accounts either over the counter or through ATMs. RBI-finmin disconnect PM Modi and economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das have been dominating the demonetisation episode from the beginning, not RBI governor Urjit Patel. Theoretically, the central bank is the authority on currency management and hence the governor should have played an active role by taking the public into confidence and push ahead the demonetization exercise. This is despite the fact that demonetization was primarily a political decision, not an RBI job. But, it would have been far better if the execution of the plan was effectively communicated to the public by the central bank governor, rather than a government bureaucrat. But, Patel has been behind the scenes from the beginning. Also, there has been a serious disconnect between the RBI and the government on the implementation of demonetisation. Frequent changes in rules and broken promises have become the norm since the 8 November announcement that points to absence of coordination. In a 11 November press release, the RBI had said, The facility for exchanging the withdrawn denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 is available for nearly 50 days. The Reserve Bank appeals to members of public to be patient and urges them to exchange their old notes at their convenience, any time before December 30, 2016." This promise of the central bank to the public to give time till 30 December was broken when the Finance Ministry said on 24 November that beginning midnight, the exchange of old Rs 500, Rs 1,000 currency notes at bank counters would be stopped. The Opposition parties have criticized Urjit Patel for compromising the central banks autonomy for his silence on the cash-crisis for over two weeks. Since then Patel has spoken to a few media houses but except for his assurances that the cash situation is under control (which is not reflected on the ground though), the central bank governor hasnt addressed the media to offer more clarity to the public on the actual liquidity position of the banking system and how soon will the currency-crunch last. The ball is in Patels court now. The governor would do well coming out of the shadows of the finance ministry and be his own man to address the public. Else, the demonetization episode will also be remembered as an event when RBI, an institution of impeccable record, compromised its functional autonomy. New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will on Wednesday embark on a two-day visit to Bangladesh during which he will call on the top leadership there and firm up defence cooperation initiatives ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's trip here next month. Parrikar, who will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Bangladesh, will call on President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka on Wednesday and hold talks with the security advisor to prime minister, officials said. On 1 December, the minister, who will be accompanied by the vice-chiefs of the army and air force, deputy chief of navy besides coast guard chief, will visit the military academy in Chittagong and meet Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio. Top defence ministry officials said the focus of the trip was to deepen security ties and firm up a defence cooperation agreement that is likely to be signed when Hasina visits here around 17 December. They said that Parrikar was originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh much earlier this month but the visit was delayed. They also ruled out any link between the visit and the sale of two submarines by China to Bangladesh. Hasina announced the plan to purchase two submarines in 2013 as part of her government's move to build a modern navy. When Bangladesh Navy chief Muhammad Farid Habib had visited India in November last year, he had said Bangladesh is going to buy two used submarines from China for "training" its surface crew and Sonar crew in anti-submarine warfare. "Since the delimitation of maritime border problem has been solved, we are now trying to cooperate. We are trying to patrol in our areas. So in our sea, we also expect lot of gas and oil," Habib had said then. He also said Bangladesh wants to work with the Indian Navy as there are many "non-traditional threats" in sea, a reference to piracy, floating armouries among others. "We cannot tackle those threats alone. It requires cooperation so that we can together fight non-traditional threats and make the area peaceful," the visiting navy chief had said. Areas of naval cooperation that are proposed include option of coordinated patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), bilateral exercises between both navies, joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone and cooperation in hydrography. Casualty in the Nagrota Army Headquarter attack has risen to seven as two officers and five jawans lost their lives. In two major terror attacks, that rocked Jammu region on Tuesday, seven army personnel, including a Major, were killed and eight other securitymen, including a BSF DIG, were injured, before six heavily-armed terrorists were eliminated in the separate fierce encounters. In one incident, a group of heavily-armed terrorists in police uniform stormed an army unit in Nagrota, very close to the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city on Tuesday morning, triggering an intense gunbattle that lasted for hours. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in this attack before three terrorists were killed in an armed stand-off After the initial offensive, a hostage-like situation emerged with almost 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children held captive in a camp in the headquarters. The army successfully freed all the hostages, however, one more officer and two jawans lost their lives during the rescue operation. However, bravery of the wives of two army officers who were staying in the family quarters helped in averting a major hostage crisis during the encounter. Soon after the heavily armed terrorists disguised in police uniform entered an army unit located within three kms from the headquarters of the 16 Corps, they wanted to enter the family quarters where they could take the families of the soldiers and officers hostage. However, due to the bravery of these two women, who were staying in the family quarters along with their newborns, the plans of the terrorists could not materialise. "The wives of the two army officers, who were on night duty when the encounter broke out, displayed exemplary courage as they blocked the entry of their quarters with all the household items, making it difficult for the terrorists to break into the houses," an army officer privy to the encounter told PTI. On Tuesday, according to a police officer, an unknown number of militants barged into the field regiment camp in the Nagrota cantonment near the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16 Corps in Jammu and Kashmir around 5.30 am. The militants were carrying automatic weapons and explosives and they started firing indiscriminately at the Officers' Mess inside the camp. After around eight hours of heavy exchange of fire, security forces managed to kill three terrorists, however, the number of militants who entered the army premises could not be confirmed. Manish Mehta, Defence PRO, told reporters in Jammu that bodies of three militants were recovered from the premises and combing operations have still not concluded. The combing operations were concluded for the day on nightfall but will resume on Tuesday on daybreak. Mehta also added that the terrorists entered the premises disguised in police uniforms and launched into indiscriminate firing with heavy war-like ammunition. #WATCH Defence PRO Manish Mehta briefs about #Nagrota Attack (J&K), says 2 Army officers and 5 jawans lost their lives in the attack pic.twitter.com/ETv9sjmDwW ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 It is instructive to note here that Nagrota is not close to the international border, which raises questions that for how long the terrorists could have been inside the Indian territory. The field regiment camp is located in the garrison town of Nagrota, around one kilometre from the headquarter of Indian Army's 16 Corps in the state a military formation that acts as a nerve centre to fight militancy and defend the borders in Jammu region. The militants were holed up in the army camp since morning as they exchanged fire with the security forces, killing three jawans and injuring three others in the gunfire, one of them being a young army major. The retaliatory firing by the security forces killed one terrorist in the morning before the terrorists split up and started firing from three ends the officers' mess, the store and the river front in the camp. "A group of heavily armed militants, believed to be four-to-five in number, attacked the 166 field army regiment camp in Nagrota area of Jammu today [Tuesday] morning," a police officer told IANS. "After entering the camp, the militants fired at the Officers Mess inside the camp. Two militants were killed and three soldiers injured. Other militants are still firing inside the camp," the officer added. According to CNN-News18, the Indian forces killed two other militants in the afternoon after the paramilitary commandoes joined the operations. But it couldn't be confirmed. #BREAKING 4 terrorists neutralized after 8 hrs gunfight at #Nagrota Army camp. Search ops on,Para Commandos leading ops, reports @islahmufti News18 (@CNNnews18) November 29, 2016 However, Manish Mehta, Defence PRO refused to confirm the details till the operation was completely over. We will share info after ops over. Firing is going on but situation under control: Manish Mehta,Defence PRO on Nagrota attack pic.twitter.com/tTkgv5UCbb ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 In the wake of the terror attack on 166 Artillery unit of the army, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic in the area and was reopened on Tuesday evening. The district administration has closed all schools in Nagorta tehsil as a precautionary measure. "We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack," Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. The attack came around the same time when an infiltration bid was undergoing near the Chambliyal border outpost in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, some 40 km away from Nagrota. However, any connection between the two attacks has not been confirmed as yet. A police officer said security forces engaged a group of infiltrators from Pakistan in a shootout near the International Border. Three militants were killed in the heavy exchange of fire during which an ammunition dump caught flames and exploded, critically injuring at least six border policemen, including an officer of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank, BS Kasana. The six, including Special Operation Group Inspector Sarabjit Singh, were taken to a hospital here, a police officer said, adding their condition was serious. BSF said it detected suspicious movement of three persons late last night and a quick reaction team of the force swung into action, laying cordon in the area. "On realising that they have been trapped, the militants started firing automatic weapons and lobbing grenades on the BSF troops. Unable to move further, the militants got holed up in a nearby tube well hut. Taking advantage of the cover, they kept firing intermittently till the day break. The area was kept under intense surveillance by the troops deployed awaiting day break," the BSF said in a statement. At daybreak, the BSF personnel "made their move and with precise and stable fire, neutralised the three militants quickly," it said, adding one constable Shyamal Ahirwar sustained bullet injury in his wrist. Throughout the morning hours, Pakistan kept firing intermittently to provide cover to the militants, it said. In the ensuing events, BSF's Jammu DIG B S Kasana, Inspector Sarabjit Singh of India Reserve Battalion and constable Vaibhav of BSF sustained injuries, it said. All the injured were immediately evacuated to military hospital and were reported to be stable, the statement said. 18 magazines, 25 live grenades, three IED waist belts, five chain IEDs (used to blow up railway tracks) and a wireless set were recovered from the slain terrorists. "Had BSF not successfully contained and eliminated the terrorists, they could have caused massive damage in the mainland. It was only because of BSF's multi-tier security cover that this calamity was averted effectively," BSF spokesman said. The area is being sanitised. This is the seventh terror attack in the last seven days. The camp is situated close to the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16 Corps a massive military formation that acts as a nerve centre to fight militancy and defend the borders in the Jammu region. According to reports, it's likely that the army headquarter was the terrorists' main target. According to ANI, Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said that statistics have shown that the terrorists are targetting mostly military establishments and not civilian areas as they seek support from the locals. The security forces have cordoned off the area and all schools Nagrota tehsil remained shut on Tuesday as a precautionary measure. "We have ordered the closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack", Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. In view of the attack, the Jammu-Srinagar highway, which runs through Nagrota, has been closed for traffic near the town after the security forces cordoned off the area. An alert has been sounded in Jammu city and security has been beefed up in nearby districts including Uddhampur and Katra which is home to the Vaishnodevi temple. #NagrotaEncounter We have issued high alert in Katra region including Vaishno Devi shrine & other religious places: Sanjay Rana (SP, Katra) pic.twitter.com/FEebOCCWil ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Udhampur (J&K): Security beefed up, area on high alert following #Nagrota attack pic.twitter.com/H4KkRTFHtY ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Meanwhile, the Congress has criticised the Narendra Modi government, asking it to clairfy its stand on Pakistan, and how the government plans to deal with cross-border terrorism. It's time PM must answer ppl how is he going to crush terrorism emanating from Pak? What is his policy regarding same: RS Surjewala #Nagrotapic.twitter.com/i2I8L6aHhl ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 The two terror incidents in Jammu came on a day Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa took over as Chief of Pakistan Army from Gen Raheel Shareef. With inputs from agencies Jammu: Militants attacked an army camp in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning, officials said. The attack reportedly started around 5.30 am with militants firing at a field regiment camp located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarter's of army's 16 corps in the state. At least, two-three suicide attackers are believed to be holed up in the area as a heavy exchange of fire is going on between the militants and security forces. However, their exact number is still not confirmed. The ongoing firing has killed two jawans and injured two others, one of them being a junior commissioned officer. CNN-News18 reported that the Indian security forces killed one terrorist later in the morning. According to the TV news channel, the militants entered the area dressed in army clothes. "A group of heavily armed militants, believed to be four-to-five in number, attacked the 166 field army regiment camp in Nagrota area of Jammu today (Tuesday) morning," a police officer told IANS. "After entering the camp, the militants fired at the Officers Mess inside the camp. Two militants were killed and three soldiers injured. Other militants are still firing inside the camp," the officer added. According to CNN-News18, the militants are currently holed up inside the officer's mess near the camp. The camp is situated close to the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16 Corps a massive military formation that acts as a nerve centre to fight militancy and defend the borders in the Jammu region. This is the seventh terror attack in the last seven days. "The encounter is currently in progress, however, the number of militants is still not confirmed. We will able to give more details only once the operation is over," Defence PRO, Manish Mehta told the news channel. We will share info after ops over. Firing is going on but situation under control: Manish Mehta,Defence PRO on Nagrota attack pic.twitter.com/tTkgv5UCbb ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 The security forces have cordoned off the area and ordered to shut down all schools Nagrota tehsil as a precautionary measure. "We have ordered the closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack", Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. "We have ordered the closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack", Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. In view of the attack, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for traffic in the area, PTI said. An alert has been sounded in Jammu city as well. The attack came around the same time when an infiltration bid was undergoing near the Chambliyal Border Outpost in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. (With agency inputs) Dumka: Seven Maoists were arrested in Jharkhand and Bihar in separate operations, including one in which around Rs 31.53 lakh largely in the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes were also recovered, police said on Tuesday. One of those arrested in Bihar was a 'zonal commander', who had been absconding for the past 11 years and was carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his head. Five Maoists were arrested from different areas of Jharkhand's Dumka district on Monday, Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar told reporters here. One of the arrested Maoists, Mithilesh Mandal, had escaped during transit while returning from a court in Giridih in 2012. He faced several naxal-related cases under different police stations and was the self-styled area commander of the banned outfit, Kumar said. Two country-made pistols, two four wheelers, five ATM cards, five cheque books, seven mobiles, naxal literature, five passbooks of different banks were recovered from the possession of those arrested. The seized Rs 31.53 lakh in cash included four new Rs 2,000 notes while the rest are the defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, the SP said. In another operation, two armed Maoists were arrested from the jungles of Chalho in Bihar's Aurangabad district on Tuesday. Superintendent of Police Satya Prakash said a rifle was also seized from the two, who were identified as Ram Pravesh Yadav, a 'zonal commander' of Chalho jungle, and 'sub-zonal commander' Sunny Mistry alias Brahmdeo. Yadav, who has been absconding for the past 11 years, carried a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, the SP said, adding that around two dozens of criminals cases have been lodged against the two rebels in various police stations of the district. On the basis of information given by them, police are conducting raids at various places to nab their accomplices. Mumbai: Indrani Mukerjea was a "schemer and a lady of dominant nature" who used to interfere in the affairs of a media group through her husband Peter who was the CEO, though not being on payroll, a 'secret witness' in the Sheena Bora murder case has claimed. Peter was arrested in November last year on the charge of murder conspiracy. A special court on Tuesday opened the statement of 'secret witness' Ravina Raj Kohli, former president of Star News, from a sealed cover and handed it over to the defence lawyers. On 21 November, the CBI had told the Bombay High Court that it will give a copy of the secret witness's statement, withheld so far by the agency, to Peter and other accused after deleting a portion of it. "To my understanding, Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and a lady of dominant nature," Kohli said in a four-page statement recorded on 10 February. Sheena, daughter of Indrani from her previous relationship, was killed in a car on April 24, 2012, and her body was later dumped and set afire in neighbouring Raigad district. Police had last year arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai for murder and destruction of evidence. Rai later turned approver. Peter and Indrani were said to be against Sheena's relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, Peter's son from his former wife. Kohli stated that before Indrani's marriage with Peter, she had received a message from her saying that the latter had settled everything with Khanna. "In my view it (the message) was sent by her (Indrani) to avoid any problem in her marriage with Peter," Kohli told CBI. Peter was the chief executive officer of Star India network from 1999-2007. He and Indrani got married in 2002. After leaving Star in 2007, Indrani established news channel INX News, and Peter managed its two channels, 9X and 9XM. Peter and Indrani exited the company in 2009. Kohli stated that Indrani had told her she was running a recruitment agency in Kolkata before shifting to Mumbai. Indrani later opened branch offices of the agency in Delhi and Bengaluru. "In due course, she (Indrani) started providing HR support to Star and at the time of her marriage with Peter, she was providing maximum human resources to Star. "I came to know from my sources that Indrani had manipulated this contract of recruitment with Star through Peter by throwing the threat of poaching to the media company," Kohli said. Kohli claimed Peter was allowing Indrani to 'interfere' in the affairs of the company (Star) so much that she used to influence all major decisions of his, despite being not on the payroll. "Once I had an occasion to interact with Peter about Indrani and during the discussion Peter mentioned about Indrani as his retirement plan. It was the reason that she was being promoted by Peter in media business circle," she said in her statement. She claimed Peter had 'controlled' all activities of Star and used to 'manipulate' things according to his choice and in a manner which used to be beneficial to him. "Indrani was taking advantage of his power on her personal benefit," according to Kohli. She said Peter resigned from Star in 2006-07 and floated INX media along with Indrani. "In fact, Peter and Indrani had planned to create this media company (INX Media) with he was still with Star. Before floating the company, he also did management diploma from Chicago," Kohli stated. She further said that since Peter was a British national and there was a non-compete clause in the agreement with Star Channel, Peter made Indrani as CEO of INX Media. According to Kohli, though the planning and execution of concept of launching the firm was conceived by Peter, he kept Indrani as the face of the company but himself used to run the day to day functioning. "The company did not succeed mainly because of funds problem but Indrani's inexperienced background of this profession also played a major role," she stated. In her statement, Kohli also said Peter contacted her to join the company but she refused because they were giving her a "low profile job". "But I came to know from sources that my name was shown by them in their media company records. Moreover, Indrani was not interested in keeping me in their company," she claimed. Kohli told the CBI that she had learnt through her sources in media that Indrani and Peter had siphoned off money of their media company "through kickbacks" and parked the amount in some unknown bank accounts abroad, which she said "may be HSBC Singapore or Hong Kong." "I came to know that Indrani and Peter used the company money to receive kickback from the dummy production companies (sic)," Kohli said. In 2009, Peter and Indrani both left India and settled in UK, although they kept coming to India. "I heard that Peter and Indani were planning to again start their media business in India and in this regard, they had arranged New Year Party in 2013-2014," she stated. Kohli's statement also said that Peter and Indrani were known as "Bunty and Babli" (names of the characters of con artists in the 2005 Bollywood movie). She further told CBI that she never met Sheena but came to know from media sources that she was daughter of Indrani, who used to project Sheena as her sister. "It was also a rumour that Indrani and Peter had floated some company in the name of Sheena and both of them had parked huge money in the bank accounts in India and abroad," Kohli added. New Delhi: Terming the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in Maharashtra municipal polls as a "mandate for demonetisation", Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said the Opposition parties should now understand the mood of the country. "The BJP has registered a massive victory in the municipal council polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The results have shown mirror to those opposing the prime minister's demonetisation move," the minister for Human Resource Development told reporters at the BJP headquarters. "This is response of the people despite the Opposition provocating them against demonetisation. People have understood...when will Opposition parties understand?" Javadekar said. The BJP has emerged as the single largest party, winning 980 seats in the Maharashtra civic polls conducted in 147 municipal councils. Out of the 147 posts of municipal council presidents, the BJP has won 52. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated people of these states. "These results suggest that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance." These results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation & will not tolerate corruption & misgovernance. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 29, 2016 Javadekar said people are supporting Prime Minister Modi for his decisive move against black money and corruption. He said on Tuesday morning, the BJP Parliamentary Party also hailed its Maharashtra unit for the "impressive victory". Raipur: Congress on Monday organised rallies at district headquarters in state as part of 'Jan Akrosh Diwas' to protest against the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and alleged common people are bearing the brunt of the "draconian" decision. Left parties and Aam Aadmi Party also staged protests. Leaders and workers of the Congress, which is the main opposition party in the state, joined a 'Jan Akrosh' rally from the party's headquarters at Gandhi Maidan in Raipur, which passed through main roads before concluding at the starting point. Addressing a gathering at Jai Stambh Chowk, state unit Congress president, Bhupesh Baghel alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision of banning Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes without any prior preparation has put the entire countrymen into trouble. "Labourers are facing hardship to earn two times meal. Women are worried. All businesses have been paralysed for last 20 days. It clearly appears that neither black money is being unearthed nor corruption is being controlled. "The decision is nothing but just an attempt to divert attention of the people from the failure of the Modi government. This draconian decision has brought the situation of economic crises in the country," Baghel said. Separate rallies were led by the leader of opposition in Legislative Assembly, TS Singhdeo at Sarguja district and by former Union minister Dr Charandas Mahant at Korba district headquarter. CPI(M) and CPI staged a protest in front of SBI main branch at Jaistambh Chowk here wherein their workers raised slogans against demonetisation. AAP workers took out a rally from Ambedkar Chowk to Jai Stambh and distributed pamphlets among people against the scrapping of higher value currency notes. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP MPs and MLAs to submit their bank account statements of transaction between 8 November, the day he announced demonetisation, and 31 December to party chief Amit Shah on 1 January, 2017. Modi's direction at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting came following allegations by opposition parties that the BJP had tipped off some of its own leaders ahead of the demonetisation announcement. In an apparent response to the charge that the bill to amend I-T Act will help turn black money into white, the Prime Minister said the amended Act will channel the money looted from the poor for their welfare. The amended Act, he said, is a programme for the poor's welfare from Lok Kalyan Marg, the new name of the road where the Prime Minister's residence is located. "The amendment is not for turning black money into white but to spend the money looted from the poor on their welfare," he said. Quoting Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters that the bill is part of his government's fight against blackmoney. A part of the tax collected on the money deposited under this scheme will be spent on electricity, roads, toilets and education among other welfare measures, he said. Modi also sought everybody's support in his effort to usher in digital/mobile economy and push the society towards cashless transactions. At the meeting, Amit Shah told party MPs to motivate traders in panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies falling in their constituency to shift to cashless transactions. Asked about impasse in Parliament over demonetisation, Kumar said the government has been ready for discussion from the day one of the Winter session and Modi will also intervene in both the House if the opposition wanted. The opposition wants discussion under Rule 56 which entails voting, a condition unacceptable to the government. When 282 Lok Sabha and 55 Rajya Sabha MPs of BJP assembled in Parliament House premises to attend their weekly parliamentary party meeting they were in for another surprise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This time Modi's "kadak chai" (strong tea) dose was meant for all his party MPs and MLAs. Party office-bearers both at the central and state level can hope to relax for a while but it's possible that in days to come, BJP president Amit Shah may issue a similar directive as the one meant for MPs and MLAs. All BJP parliamentarians and legislators have been asked to submit their bank account statements detailing all the transaction between 8 November to 31 December, from the day Modi addressed to the nation announcing demonetisation move till the day the deadline for depositing old currency notes ends. Modi has told them to get relevant details and submit that to Amit Shah. As it is this is for the third time in the last two and half years the BJP MPs will give details about their accounted liquid wealth. With the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the possibility of having unaccounted cash with them is practically nil, one has been very enterprising keeping cash in smaller denomination notes. It is mandatory for any person contesting election to submit details of his assets, cash, real estate and jewellery to the Election Commission. Ahead of 2014 parliamentary elections, they gave that detail to the EC. Second, they then had to submit an affidavit that they don't have a foreign bank account and now for the third time, they will have to submit these details. But there is a difference. In their submission to the EC, they just had to state their current balance, now they not just have to give a statement but also the bank account numbers and so on. This effectively would mean that party headquarters will have all the details of their legitimate deals of these 51 days, between 8 November to 31 December. But if required the party leadership can access everything, present and past transactions, with their account number and KYC. Party MP from Bettiah, Sanjay Jaiswal said, "The move will enhance levels of transparency and probity within the party. As it is our banking details are with the EC and is in public domain. We all will comply with Prime Minister's idea and submit details within given time frame." The prime idea behind Modi's latest move for the BJP MPs and MLAs is to take additional moral high vis-a-vis other political parties. While his political rivals are not expected to follow the suit, at least in immediate future but this will give Modi a talking point when he goes to people. In politics, public perception about a party and about an individual leader matters the most. He wants to convey a message that he is unsparing to his own party men and women on the issue of public transparency. It comes at a time when some Congress, AAP and some other parties had been claiming that Modi had given prior intimation about demonetisation to his party men. Not everyone in the party would be pleased with this task but since the directive comes from Modi there would be any alibi the leaders concerned. Modi also explained proposed amendments in Income Tax Act and how the money received through taxation, penalty and other provisions would benefit poor in the country. In that context, he explained how the initiative taken from Lok Kalyan Marg, the new name of Race Course Road where the prime ministers residence is located were actually meant for the welfare of the poor. "The amendment is not for turning black money into white but to spend the money looted from the poor on their welfare," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said quoting the prime minister. The militants, who carried out the deadly attack on Tuesday morning on Armys 166 Field Regiment at Nagrota, also tried to take four to five families hostage in order to prolong the siege. The families of the army men were living in a building adjacent to officers mess. There were at least four to five families living inside the complex which the militants tried to take hostage. This hostage like crisis was averted but an officer lost his life while rescuing these families, Defence PRO, Manish Mehta, told Firstpost. Two army jawans also lost their lives during the rescue operations. The attackers in Nagrota disguised themselves in police uniform and forced their entry into the officers mess complex, throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. One officer and three soldiers were killed in the initial exchange of gunfire. About a dozen soldiers were injured in the initial militant attack and the subsequent cross-firing and three army personnel, including Major Kunal Gossain of 166 Medium Regiment, succumbed to their injuries at Nagrotas Army-base hospital soon after, the officials said. The militants were armed with automatic weapons and explosives and they started firing indiscriminately at the Officers' Mess inside the camp. The terrorist entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men. This led to a hostage like situation, Defence spokesperson, Colonel NN Joshi, said. However, the bravery of the wives of two army soldiers also helped curtail the situation from escalating. "The wives of the two army officers, who were on night duty when the encounter broke out, displayed exemplary courage as they blocked the entry of their quarters with all the household items, making it difficult for the terrorists to break into the houses," an army officer privy to the encounter told PTI. Had the women not shown this alertness, the terrorists would have been able to take them hostage and would have succeeded in causing huge damage to the army and the families, he said. The situation was very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children. However, in this rescue attempt one more officer and two Jawans sacrificed their lives, Defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said in a statement. There were at least four to five families inside the complex but they (militants) failed to take them hostage as the troops responded quickly to the situation, another Indian army officer, told Firstpost. Had they managed to take these people hostage, it would have been a damage of immense proportions and this would have meant that it would have taken a long time for the operation to end, he added. In a separate incident, three militants were also gunned down by BSF in Ramgarh area of Samba near the International Border in an encounter that lasted several hours and was followed by intense cross-border firing by Pakistani troops. Four security personnel, including a BSF DIG, were injured in this incident As the day came to end thirteen people were killed in eight hours on Tuesday, including seven soldiers and six militants. Sources said the militants, who stormed the unit which is three kilometers from the 16 Corps headquarters at Nagrota area of Jammu, could have possibly infiltrated in the wee hours of Tuesday, taking advantage of the foggy weather. But security agencies are also not ruling out the possibility of militants having travelled from south Kashmir to Jammu to carry out the attack. Nagrota town, located at 13 kilometres north of Jammu along the Jammu-Srinagar highway is the headquarters of the Armys 16 Corps. This is the deadliest attack on an Army base after the 18 September Uri attack in which heavily armed militants suspected to be from Pakistan-based JeM stormed the Uri army base that left at least 20 soldier dead. In the aftermath of the Uri attack, New Delhi had claimed that it had carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan administrated Kashmir but since then the de facto borders between two neighbors in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed major escalation, with soldiers from both sides trading fire , leaving more than forty people dead on both sides. New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of "bulldozing bills" in the Lok Sabha on the strength of their numbers, and called the situation an "undeclared emergency". Briefing media persons outside Parliament House shortly after the Lok Sabha approved the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the bill was passed in a jiffy without any debate. According to the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, any person declaring black money will have to pay a tax of 60 percent and an additional surcharge of 25 percent of the tax (i.e. 15 percent of such income), resulting in a total tax amounting to approximately 75 percent. "They (government) are not ready to follow a democratic method of passing bills. Since they have majority in the House ... they want to bulldoze every bill," Kharge said. "In 10 minutes they passed such an important bill. This is undeclared emergency and they are headed towards dictatorship," he added. The Congress leader asserted that Parliament is supreme and the members have a right to discuss any bill before it is passed. In the Lok Sabha, opposition members had insisted that the House should first take up a debate on demonetisation under an adjournment motion, and then take up the bill. Trinamool Congress member Sudip Bandyopadhyay also suggested that the debate and the bill can be clubbed, which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said was not possible. As opposition members protested, the Speaker put the bill to vote amidst the din, and it was passed by voice vote. Auto refresh feeds "Most of the people eat food in dhabas when they eat outside. Can the government inform us about a dhaba in which a person carries card-swiping machine in his dhoti?" he said. "Many labourers became unemployed today...there are very long lines and crores of people in those lines. But it is not just that," he said. "Does the farmer own black money when he engages in transactions for seeds, fertilisers?" he said. "It is a reality that the farmer is an important part of the economy. That is why India does not have to beg," said a dramatic Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha. "What authority do the prime minister and finance minister have so that we have to beg you for our very own money?" thundered Anand Sharma. "You have created a condition in which you told a person that he can exchange Rs 4000...I marvel at your generosity," Anand Sharma said sarcastically in the Rajya Sabha. "After the Uri attack and surgical strikes, we posed various questions about the army....You said we cannot ask questions about the army," said Anand Sharma. "If you are the government, that doesn't mean India belongs to you. You have created such an environment that we cannot ask questions," he said. "If we ask questions, you start asking questions about our nationality," he added. "Who got the benefits of your decisions?" he said. "Your government is only for those people who are your friends. You hurt those people who question you." "If you are trying to give this impression to the country that India started fighting money laundering now, then the prime minister is living on a different planet," said Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha. After this statement, the Congress MPs began shouting again. Note that Anand Sharma was not interrupted even once when he was talking in the Rajya Sabha. "But I think Anand Sharma does not know much about economics," he said. "If his claim of fight against black money is true, he would not have ignored the fact the entire country has welcomed this move by the Narendra Modi government," he added. "In the future, inflation will be controlled when more people pay taxes," he said. "The central government will also get more resources for the welfare of farmers, labourers, youth, women in the country." "Some people had suggested that this move should have been made public seven days before implementing it. But secrecy is most important in such issues," he said. "The government has taken many steps against corruption. Demonetisation was a historic step against corruption. This was also a warning to the corrupt that the black money they had was useless now," he said. "Finance Minister had informed the House only about the counterfeit money in the economy, not the money which some people have got through corruption," Goyal said in the Rajya Sabha. "Some people just seem to be unhappy that Prime Minister Modi has taken an important step against corruption and black money," he said. "When the government had just come to power in 2014, there was an atmosphere against corruption," Piyush Goyal said in Rajya Sabha. "This is a step after which a person will think twice before engaging in corruption," he said. "The poor labourers will benefit the most," he added. "Please do not hold views which the corrupt can use to free themselves," Goyal added. "You (Congress) talked about surgical strike. We did not mention it. This is good. You have given us a certificate that we conducted precise strikes against corruption," he said. "The country is ready to tolerate a few days of inconvenience," he said. "The entire country is with us," he added. "And even the Election Commission won't be able to notice when someone is carrying the Rs 2000 note in one's pocket," he said. "Several crore vegetables were just thrown away per day from markets," he said. "Who gave you the advice to come up with the Rs 2000 note? Go outside Delhi to the villages of India. Nobody will accept that note," he said. "The farmer is unable to buy fertiliser and seeds," said SP's Ram Gopal Yadav in Rajya Sabha. "Farmers are not able to sell potatoes now. Were these potatoes made using black money?" he said. Who gave you the advice to come up with the Rs 2000 note? SP asks govt in Rajya Sabha "Our party will move adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha," she said, adding that demonetisation was a dictatorial and draconian step by the government. "We told the President that he is the custodian of the Constitution. We told him to talk to the government," Mamata Banerjee said. "Today, people are not getting access to vegetables in the markets. Children are not getting milk. People are dying," she said. "Today, how did the non-performing assets increase in the last six months?" the Bengal chief minister said. "After cancelling notes, there were a lot of notes needed in banks for the huge demand," Mamata Banerjee said after meeting the President. "90 percent of blak money is in tax havens abroad," Yechury further said. "It's like the prime minister is killing the pond to kill the crocodiles, forgetting that the crocodiles can survive on land too." "But where is this black money? All estimates say 6 percent of this black money is in cash," he said. "Black money is in circulation, in real estate...gold imports have surged in the last few days." "We want black money controlled. We want it eliminated. The World Bank says that nearly 21 percent of the Indian economy is in the black economy," Yechury said. "If you stop these Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, you think corruption will stop? Now, corruption will double with the Rs 2000 notes," Yechury said. "After 26/11, we went on debating over a new law to combat terrorism. On many issues, we had agreed over how terror funding needed to stop," Yechury said. "We want to stop counterfeit money. Locate where this is happening. Punish them. We will all support this. But this is not the way to stop it," he said. "By this way, you are killing the poor," he said. "As Anand Sharma said, 0.02 percent of the cash is counterfeit. To take care of that, you needed to do this?" he added. "The point is that black money is not going to go away with this. Black money is not stock, it is a flow," Yechury said in the Rajya Sabha. "For the rest of India, it is Tarasta Bharat," he said. "People can't get their children treated at hospitals." "In our rural population, 80.8 percent of the rural population is not covered by the banks," he said. "What banking does the prime minister want us to go to? There is Shining India with e-wallets for them," he said. "Why are you agonising the Indian people?" Yechury said. "Agonising people is a way to tell people: I control your personal lives," he said, adding that this was a fascist move. "People will say this Tughlaqshahi," he said. "This does not meet the objectives of what the prime minister set out to do." "You have allowed banks to exchange notes. Bulk of Indians today are dealing with rural cooperative banks. You don't allow them to change notes...86 percent of the rural population is dependent on transactions from these banks," Yechury said. "Don't give this exemption to political parties to spend whatever they want," Yechury said. "If you're serious about stopping corruption, stop the supply side of corruption," he added. Laughing at Das, Patel said, "Are you kidding me? How can you allow your EAS to issue such statements. You are making a fool of yourself." Slamming the Narendra Modi government's handling of the issue, Patel gave example of Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, who during a press conference on Wednesday said: "The new currency notes, just as the old ones, will lose colour if rubbed with a piece of cloth wet because that's the nature of the dye used. If your note does not lose colour, it's one of the signs that it may be fake." "Abolishing black money is a move we all support, and BJP government's intention is great but you are asking people to be hungry for 50 days for a feast on the 51st day. Vo aadmi toh mar ayega, bhoj kya khayega (The person will die on the 51st day, what will he do with the feast)," says Patel. Rajya Sabha erupted after the comment. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad interrupted Tiwari's speech and said that the statement, which was "atrocious", should not go in record. "No one speaks about the country's prime minister in such an atrocious way. It should not go in record,"Prasad urged the Chair. In a dramatised speech, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari from Uttar Pradesh compared prime minister to former dictators like Gaddafi, Adolf Hitler and Mussolini. "The seat that you (Narendra Modi) occupy, has been occupied by Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, Shastri ji, Charan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But the way you are working, I am forced to say that it reminds me of dictators like Gaddafi, Hitler and Mussolini." "Modi government marched to victory in 2014 because the country was tired of scams and scandals. That was our poll promise. I request Congress to come out of the dilemma - are you in favour of the people who are hoarders and scamsters or you are in favour of a bold step that eradicates black money from the country. Narendra Modi is capable of taking very strong steps. Temporary pain for long term gain - is the buzz across India. One thing I want to assure - if your money is valid, nothing will happen to it." "You have got a chance to discuss important things on this platform so do not waste it by mud-slinging. When it comes to people and their hatred towards our PM (the way you claim), we saw their hatred in 2014 and we will see it in 2019," Naidu says to a thundering applause. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu addresses Rajya Sabha and says that people across the nation are watching this Session and they are not interested in a history lesson. As expected, the Opposition targetted the Narendra Modi governmemnt over its "ill-preparedness" and "lack of empathy" for the general public. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad at the end of day one requested the prime minister to appear in the House tomorrow and discuss the issue of demonetisation. While the Lok Sabha was adjourned earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha argued and debated on topics till 6 pm on Wednesday. Chairman of Upper House PJ Kurien announced that the House will resume the same discussion (on demonetisation) from 2 pm on Thursday. The first day of Winter Session went as expected, in fact it went better than expected. While the Union ministers and BJP MPs are demanding an apology from Leader of Opposition in the House Ghulam Nabi Azad for his Uri remark, Congress MPs are demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation scheme. "The nation wants to know today," he added, reminding of a news anchor famous for shouting at the panellists on his show. "The Opposition has disappointed us and the country," he said. "I want the Congress to clarify on Azad's remark," he said. "Those who ruled over the country for 50 years and ruined the situation of the aam aadmi and those who did not let the Parliament function are now also on the same path," said Naidu. "The prime minister will respond if needed," he said. "They are not strong...they are not on the side of the truth, the people are not with them," Naidu further said. "The government is ready for a discussion. We don't know what has happened with the Congress. Suddenly, they took a U-turn," said Venkaiah Naidu. "There is a need to fix the railway infrastructure. Modiji talked about the bullet train. But there is no focus. How will the aam aadmi benefit and get safety?" said Rahul on the Patna-Indore Express tragedy. "This is one of the biggest economic decisions in India. But the prime minister had not thought about the impact," he said. "This is some other form of the prime minister," he added. "We are ready for a discussion. These days, why does the prime minister need to come to the Parliament? He is on a different level. He does not need to interact with his ministers," said Rahul sarcastically. "People are complaining of deals at the back of long lines to banks. So people are suffering huge losses," he said. "Only 15 or 20 friends of the prime minister will benefit from this move," he added. "People have told me that they are suffering a lot," said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi outside the Parliament on the issue of demonetisation. The Opposition members raised slogans, even as deputy chairman PJ Kurien threatened to adjourn the House. And... he did. The Rajya Sabha is adjourned till 12 pm. Rajya Sabh and Lok Sabha will resume in a while. Meanwhile, asking his countrymen to tell their views on demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying, "I want your first-hand view on the decision taken regarding currency notes. Take part in the survey on the NM App." Speaker of Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan, quite hassled by the way the MPs were behaving, threatened to adjourn the House. "Kyun kar rahe ho?" asks Mahajan very politely as Opposition MPs raised slogans and asked for debate over demonetisation. The protesting MPs also demanded that Modi should come to the House and make a speech. The Lok Sabha is heading for another adjournment as the Opposition escalated their attack on the BJP government over the same issue of demonetisation. By the look of it, the Winter Session of Parliament till now has been a total washout with no constructive debate happening on the floor. After the ruckus got out of hand, a very calm Hamid Ansari stood up and adjourned the Upper House till 2 pm. Members could not keep it together even as the Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings at 12.32 pm. However, an unrelenting opposition continued to raise slogans. The Speaker again appealed to the opposition to participate in the debate saying that the disruption of proceedings would not resolve the problem. "I am really pained. If you are people's representatives, you should stand by them," she said. As pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon after 20 minutes of proceedings. Ignoring the slogan shouting opposition members, Speaker allowed the Question Hour to continue amidst noise. When some opposition members tried to bring a placard, denouncing the demonetisation move, infront of Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was replying a question related to his Ministry, the Speaker tried to intervene and asked the MPs not to disturb the Minister. "This is not good. Everyone will be shown on TV, but don't disturb the Minister. If you want to discuss something, raise it before the government. People are in pain, tell the government. But this is not the way to highlight people's grievances," Mahajan said asking them to return to their seats. Samjawadi Party, NCP and RJD stood in the aisles in solidarity with the other opposition members. While AIADMK members were also on the aisles raising the issue of Tamil fishermen injured allegedly in firing by Sri Lankan Navy, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was seen busy in his seat in an intimate discussion with AAP MP from Punjab Harinder Singh Khalsa. Opposition disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day demanding discussion on demonetisation on a rule which entails voting forcing Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House for about 50 minutes soon after it assembled. As soon as the House met, members of Congress, TMC, Left parties and AAP rushed to the Well of the House demanding discussions on the demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 under Rule 56, that entails. As BJP members also created a ruckus, an angry Kurien snapped at them. "Why should treasury benches do this? Mr Minister, why should treasury benches to this," he asked Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. He told Azad that he was ready to accept his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business. "Mr Azad, I am ready to admit your notice under 267 if only there is order in the House." As they shouted slogans from the Well, Kurien said, "You cannot speak in the Well. Shouting in the Well is of no use. If you go back to your seats, I will give you time (to speak)." At this point, TMC members carrying placards of "Financial Emergency" trooped into the Well, with Congress members following suit. "He should come and listen to the pain people have faced because of his decision," Mayawati said. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the opposition is ready for discussion on the issue but Prime Minister should come to the Rajya Sabha first. As he spoke, members of the BJP moved into the aisles raising slogans. No sooner were the listed papers laid on the table in Rajya Sabha, Sharad Yadav of JD(U) said the government should pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to kin of the 70 persons who lost their lives due to hardships caused by withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. Naresh Agarwal (SP) and Mayawati (BSP) said Modi should be called before starting discussion on the demonetisation. "Today they want PM Modi to address Parliament, tomorrow they will be demand a JPC on the demonetisation issue. Trust me, the opposition is just shifting the goalpost. Why are they running away from a debate? Why do they just want prime minister to speak, is the finance minister not competent enough to reply to their questions," asks Prasad. Speaking to CNN-News18, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad attacked the Opposition on their demand of asking Prime Minister Modi to address the House of Parliament and in turn asked, "Why is the Opposition running away from debate?" "Government wants that there should be a long and elaborate discussion so that we can explain to this country the enormous benefits of this move," Singh said. "Congress and other opposition parties are on a self-destructing course." On the other hand, Jitendra Singh said that the Opposition was on a self-destruct course. "Let's keep Opposition and government out of this. Let's think of the people," he further said. "Almost 70 people have died. He must be crying for them. And I respect that," Congress leader Kapil Sibal told Times Now, clearly taking a dig at the prime minister and implying that he could not come to the Parliament because he was crying. Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Rahul alleged that the government and the prime minister are not allowing a debate in the House. "We have filed an adjournment motion in the House and we want Modi to discuss the issue with us," says Rahul Gandhi "Main poochna chahti hoon prime minister se ki agar unhone itna acha kaam kiya hai to vo ghabra kyu rahe hain? (I want to ask PM Modi that if he has taken a decision which is so good why is he scared?) I urge President to summon Modi and ask him to take measures to solve the problems faced by people post demonetisation move," Mayawati told the media after Lok Sabha got its first adjournment of the day. Alleging that it sends a wrong message if prime minister keeps shying away from a debate, BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday that a debate is a must because otherwise the BJP government looks like it has done something wrong. "Puri daal kali lag rahi hai." Proceedings was continuously disrupted as Opposition leaders raised loud slogans against the BJP government. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu urges Speaker Sumitra Mahajan not to adjourn the Lower House. "The debate has begun, madam Speaker. Please let the debate happen. The world is watching what Congress and the Oppostion is doing inside the House," Naidu said. The protesting MPs, for the past half an hour, have continously made noise and tried to disrupt the Lok Sabha proceedings. Speaker Mahajan still holding solid ground. Opposition members are trying their best to disrupt the proceedings, but BJP MPs (MJ Akbar, Jitendra Singh) are holding their ground and not giving in to the awful noise that the protesting MPs are making. Samajwadi Party's Akshay Yadav tore paper and threw it at Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in the Lok Sabha. This is definitely a new low for Opposition parties in the Parliament. "I am very sorry that the RBI has been exposed to this kind of criticism which is fully justified," he added. "It is not good that every day, the banking system comes up with some modifications. That reflects very poorly on the prime minister's office," he said. "The national income can decline by about 2 percentage points...I feel that the prime minister must come up with some constructive proposal," said the former prime minister. "In my opinion, the way demonetisation has been implemented will hurt agriculture, small industries and the people in the informal sector," he said. "I want to know from the prime minister the names of countries where people have deposited their money in banks but are not allowed to withdraw it," he said. "What has been done can weaken and erode our people's confidence in the currency and banking system," said Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha. "I say so with all responsibility that we do not know what will be the full outcome," he said. "50 days is a short period but for those who are poor, even 50 days can bring about disastrous effects. About 60-65 people have lost their lives," he said. "Today, there are no two opinions in the country. It is important to take note of the grievances of the common people who have suffered," said Manmohan Singh. "I do not disagree with the objectives of taking steps against terroism and black money," said former prime minister Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House. "By the day, the damage to the economy is increasing. Today, reports have come which have said that in three sectors that are biggest in exports, 4 lakh people have lost their jobs in the last one week or so," Sitaram Yechury said. Addressing the Upper House, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said how can the prime minister say something like this? "How can the prime minister allege that Opposition parties are in favour of black money? This is wrong." Within minutes after the Rajya Sabha began today, the opposition members were up in arms protesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that those cirticising the government are not angry with the government's preparedness but the fact that they did not get time to prepare. Slamming the prime minister for his statements on black money hoarders and his veiled attack against the Opposition, the leaders of Congress and SP and BSP created ruckus in the Upper House and demanded that Modi should address the MPs and apologise for his remarks. "I'm sure many of us have read analysis of noted economist Lawrence Summers, former chief economist of the World Bank and advisor to Obama government who concludes that this exercise has "resulted in chaos and loss of trust" and "without new measures, is unlikely to have lasting benefits. Don't you think it is high time and right time to form a committee of our real experts and intellectuals like Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha, Subramanian Swamy and other top economists and intellectuals of our party and veteran Murli Manohar Joshi to help the government in this hour?" In a series of tweets on Friday, BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, reiterating his faith in PM Modi's intention, said, "However, I have serious concerns about the outcome, fallout and responses of the people of India and the almost united opposition in particular." Seventh day of Winter Session and looks like this week business will take a massive hit due to ongoing protests by the Opposition As Opposition din did not die down even after many requests by the Speaker, Mahajan adjourned the Lok Sabha till Monday (28 November) 11 am. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that a man Rakesh Singh tried to jump in the Lok Sabha off the audience gallery on Friday after the House was adjourned. "Security officials overpowered him and took him under custody and he has been let off with warning," Mahajan added. Taking the nation by surprise, the Prime Minister had on November 8 announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes with effect from midnight. Latching on to media reports, Yechury sought to pick holes in the November 8 decision as he noted that 29 crore out of the 30 crore Rupay card holders have never used their cards in a swipe machine. Referring to a report on surfacing of two variants of Rs 500 currency notes, the Marxist leader also took a dig at Modi, saying it was the "Prime Minister's way" of stopping circulation of fake currency. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, dubbing him as 'Tughlaq' who had "gone missing" after issuing a farman (order). "Barely 20-25 percent of cash demand being met in Metros. Rural areas even worse. While Tughlaq goes missing after his firman," Yechury tweeted. Will government's wait-and-watch technique, as far as Opposition's protests are concerned, work out in their favour? Most political observers say no because the government does not have the luxury of time. Meanwhile, Opposition leaders are still not relenting with their demand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in Parliament. Opposition leaders met before Parliament session commences for the tenth day. However, the worry again is will the Opposition let the Parliament function? Winter Session will go on for 22 sittings - 50 percent of the sittings are already over - the Upper House and the Lok Sabha have still not been able to table crucial bills. "Why is the BJP government so stubborn? Why is the prime minister not coming to debate?" Mayawati asks. In Samba, security forces killed two militants early on Tuesday when a group of militants tried to sneak in from Pakistan through the International Border near a border outpost in this Jammu district. According to reports, the two militants were killed following a "heavy firing exchange" with the BSF. Even as terrorists infiltrated the International Border and attacked two - Nagrota and Samba - districts of Jammu and Kashmir, there was no talk of that in Parliament. The attack in Nagrota reportedly started around 5.30 am with militants firing at a field regiment camp located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarter's of army's 16 corps in the state. Demonetisation has been the reason for Parliament washouts over ten days now since Winter Session began on 16 November. Interestingly, Parliament has not discussed anything else except note ban imposed by the Narendra Modi government since the Winter Session began. TMC leader slammed the BJP government for deploying Army in West Bengal. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu told Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien that the deployment was a routine exercise and casting aspersions on the prime minister is not acceptable. Opposition: Modiji says he wants the poor to build their own homes, but what about those homes which are being broken? If one had to compare, Rajya Sabha gets adjourned way faster and sooner than the Lower House. Unrelenting Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continues to let MPs speak on different issues while a group of MPs continue to try to disrupt Lok Sabha. But since Winter Session has begun (16 November) members who are against the demonetisation drive have tried, and sometimes successfully, to stall Parliament. "These photos on the walls of the Rajya Sabha, from where emanates the power of democracy, often haunt me. It has been particularly difficult these last few days to get past those photos.Till 1 December (15th day since the commencement of the Winter Session) no business has been allowed to occur in the House except on the first day when a good debate took place in the Rajya Sabha over demonetisation. Regular disruptions, chaos and high-pitched slogan shouting have resulted in complete pandemonium in the House. The continuous ruckus usually leads to the suspension of the House proceedings and, sadly, it has become a regular feature. I ask myself: is this the only alternative left to us to address the genuine grievances of the public, the states and the nation?" "Today, the situation is that the withdrawals of the foreigners who come to India are being rationed," he said. "This has globally affected India's image," he added. "Demonetisation created a situation that 86 percent of the currency was invalidated. Now, after one month, tens of millions of Indians are standing in queues...It is wrong to give an impression that the Opposition is opposing the prime minister's crusade against black money," Sharma said. "The government has collective responsibility but the prime minister is the first among the equals," said Congress leader Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha. "In the 2G debates, we have insisted that the prime minister participates in this discussions but there is no such practice in this House that the prime minister must be here to listen to each and every member," Jaitley said. "What is the stage we are in? Halfway through the debate, you interrupted the debate and are now raising concerns which have never been raised in the House," he told the Opposition. "In this case, we've repeatedly said that the prime minister is going to participate in the debate," Jaitley said. "It's obviously an important issue. The questions have to be answered," he said. "The government and the council of ministers fucntions on a collective responsibility. There is no such principle that a specific person has to answer." "We've gone through this exercise of having a major debate which is incomplete. We have spent seven hours on the debate under rule 167," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha. When asked what does the Opposition want, Rahul said, "He should come and debate in Parliament and explain his decision," he said. Targetting the Prime Minister over the issue of note ban, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government saying that the decision to scrap high denomination currency was the biggest mistake ever. "It was a bold decision - that's what Modi ji says - but bold decisions are also foolish decisions. Demonetisation was a foolish decision. Our farmers, fishermen and the poor of the society are dying, our Prime Minister does not care for any of that. He (PM Modi) is laughing and having a nice time while the people of the country are suffering. The idea behind cashless economy is that a few people and corporates will get maximum benefits from these transactions. This has damaged the nation." Today, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi launched a full frontal attack on the prime minister and an united Opposition on Thursday observed Black Day to mark one month since the demonetisation scheme kicked in. 8 November was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. It's been a month since then and the Opposition protests have gone on unabated - both in and outside Parliament. "It is a matter of shame that the government refused to pay tributes to the martyrs," Azad thundered, provoking the ruling party ministers and MPs, who began shouting as if Azad had just thrown something at them. He also said that by protesting in front of the Gandhi statue, the Opposition was the one which paid tributes to the deceased. "We have been saying for a long time that over 100 people have died because of demonetisation," said Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha. "But the government refused to pay tribute to the deceased," he added. President Pranab Mukherjee has accused the Opposition of "gagging majority" in both Houses of Parliament. "Debate, dissension and decision are necessary," Times Now quoted the President as saying. "The Parliament must not be disrupted...this is unacceptable." The Winter Session of Parliament began on 16 November. On 8 December, both the Houses Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met for the 14th day but within minutes of commencing, both the Houses were adjourned. The deadlock over demonetisation has led to wastage of the Winter Session so far and considering that just one more week is left for the session to wrap up, there is little hope that the Houses will be able to pass, introduce or even debate the Bills that have been listed for consideration. Information and Broadcasting Minister Venakaiah Naidu also termed the 'dharna' by opposition leaders near the Gandhi statue in Parliament premises as a big 'tamasha' and an insult to the Father of the Nation. "Our opponents particularly the Congress I am told are observing a Black Day. I say what they are observing is a 'Black Money Support Day'," Naidu said. Hitting out at the Congress-led Opposition for observing a 'Black Day' against demonetisation decision, government on Thursday said they are actually observing a "Black Money Support Day". According to Times Now, the parliamentary panel has found Mann guilty of security breach after he filmed a video entering Parliament by crossing several security layers and posted it on social media. As if the logjam in Parliament for which President Pranab Mukherjee admonished both Houses was not embarrassing enough for the country, there is now a delegation of parliamentarians from Vietnam who are going to witness what happens in an Indian Parliament. "Govt running from debate, if they allow me to speak then you will see what an earthquake will come," says Rahul Gandhi. Keep in mind that Vietnamese Parliamentarians are in both the Houses to witness this scene. It's hard to decide at this point who is trying to stall Parliament. During zero hour in Lok Sabha, MPs in Lok Sabha kept raising ruckus while Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tries her best to keep the House in session. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 14 December On Friday as the count of members in the Upper House remained 21 despite calls from the Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, the house was adjourned till Monday. The benches remained empty while BJP and Congress leaders sparred with each other blaming each other for the non-functioning government. According to an NDTV report Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that Prime Minister Modi will be present in Parliament for the three remaining days of the Session and can participate in proceedings for either of the House depending on the need. Congress is going to raise the issue of corruption charges against Kiren Rijiju. Rajya Sabha member and senior Congress leader, Anand Sharma has given notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha for discussion on corruption charges against Rijiju. "This is the first time that the government is scheming to make sure Parliament does not function. It usually is the job of Opposition to stand up and protest. However, this government is doing a pretty job of that and making sure that Parliament does not work and no one questions the ruling party's decision. Demonetisation has hurt a lot of people, but Modi government's arrogance is not allowing us to debate it in the House," a TMC member said. BJP was reacting to Congress vice-president's claim that he has information of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged involvement in "personal corruption." Rahul was speaking a joint press briefing of the Opposition after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid din created by Opposition. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar said that if Rahul Gandhi had any information, he could have revealed them twenty days ago, ""but till today he wasn't ready to make any earth-shattering revelations." Soon after Rajya Sabha passed the amended The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill (2014) and Kurien congratulated the members over a productive day, Anand Sharma raised the issue of Rijiju and his alleged involvement in the Rs 450-crore scam. Kurien tried to maintain calm in the House by saying, "Allegation without informing the Chair cannot be allowed." As Opposition members raised slogans and ruckus, Kurien said, "What can I do except adjourning. Both sides are indisciplined. The House is adourned till tomorrow (15 December) 11 am." It seemed like the members in the Upper House were just waiting to pass one single Bill this Winter Session. Soon after Kurien praised the members of the Upper House for being disciplined, ruckus over alleged corruption allegations on Kiren Rijiju took the House by storm again. Kurien: "I have given the floor to Leader of Opposition. That's the tradition. Let's follow it. Please sit down." Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi object to leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad speaking in the Upper House. Kurien asks BJP members to sit down. Amid slogans of "Agusta Agusta" , BJP leaders demanded to know what is the topic of discussion? "I have to adjourn.. what should I do?" asks Kurien. "This is for the first time in history of India that it's the ruling party that's not letting the House to function," says Azad. Sources said that it was also decided in the meeting to raise the plight of farmers and common people in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and demand a loan waiver for farmers. Representatives of Congress, Trinamool Congress, BSP, SP, JD-U, CPI, CPI-M, NCP, DMK and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) were present in today's meeting. Leaders of various parties said the entire opposition has decided to approach the President to "complain" against the ruling party for not allowing them to speak in Parliament. The leaders said they were elected representatives of the country and had every right to speak in Parliament and it was "unconstitutional" not to allow them to speak in both Houses. Sources said time is being sought from the President till Friday and all opposition parties were ready to raise the issue unitedly before him. Taking their protest on demonetisation to President Pranab Mukherjee's doorsteps, Opposition parties sought a meeting with the president to convey the problems caused by the measure to the common man and "over not being" allowed to speak in Parliament. At a meeting of the opposition held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, representatives of various parties decided to raise with the President the problems of the common people, including the poor and farmers arising out of demonetisation. Advani also added that "had Atal ji been in Parliament today, he would have been upset." Senior BJP leader LK Advani told Home Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and stop disruptions in both Houses of Parliament. Expressing his unhappiness, Advani allegedly said that he "feels like resigning". Opposition leaders are scheduled to meet the President and PM Modi to push for a way to break the deadlock. The BJPs Parliamentary Party meeting to discuss the strategy to counter the Oppositions charges against the government is currently underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the gathering. The last day of the Winter Session of Parliament is setup for a big tussle between the government and the Opposition as both try to break the deadlock. "Regular and continuous disruptions signify this session... The rules about displaying placards and shouting slogans were ignored by all sections of the house," Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari said in his closing statement before adjourning the house. The Rajya Sabha on Friday concluded its winter session after an emotional speech by the Chairman as the house was adjourned sine die. On the eve of Winter Session, two all-party meetings were convened, first by the ruling NDA and the other by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan. At the all-party meeting Modi requested all parties for cooperation in order to make Parliament session a fruitful one. "I hope that Winter Session will be fruitful. I expect that Winter Session will proceed in a positive way. I hope that Winter Session debate will strengthen democracy. I believe that to take the country ahead this Winter Session debate will be useful, " said Modi as Winter Session sets to begin. "If you will put their husbands in jail, who will provide for them, who will pay for their children," Azad asked as he reiterated that Congress leader Anad Sharma's suggestion to send it to Standing Committee should be taken into consideration. Ghulam Nabi Azad stood up as the bill was taken up for discussion and said that none of the parties are in opposition of the bill in essence. However, he said that the government's bill will "finish Muslim women" instead of saving them. He said that a committee should reflect the nature of the House, which the list of suggestions given by Sharma does not. Sharma's suggestion did not include names from the BJP. Jaitley said that the previous precedents show that any amendments or motions should be introduced with prior notice. He said that the Opposition's demand to send the bill to Select Committee was invalid. He also raised objection on the suggestion on members of Select Committee made by Anand Sharma. Kurien said that the Leader of the House is a very learned advocate himself and all points raised by him are of relevance. The rule he quotes that a prior notice should be given is also correct, he said. "However, the same rule adds that the Chairman has the power to admit such a motion and which is why I cannot overrule it. It is now admitted and hence is the property of the House, only members can amend it," Kurien said on Jaitley's objection over the Opposition motion seeking triple talaq bill be sent to Standing Committee. Roy, responding to Jaitley's objection that the Select Committee suggested by him did not reflect the nature of the House, Roy said that he had included members from all parties who were willing to send the bill to the Standing Committee. However, BJP members were not included because the government was not willing to send the bill to the committee. Roy added that if the BJP is interested in sending the Bill for further scrutiny, he has no objection to ammend the list to include its members too. Govt requests to take up GST bill first as Dy Chairman ruled Triple Talaq bill can't be taken for passage without first building consensus in House "If you will put their husbands in jail, who will provide for them, who will pay for their children," Azad asked as he reiterated that Congress leader Anad Sharma's suggestion to send it to Standing Committee should be taken into consideration. Ghulam Nabi Azad stood up as the bill was taken up for discussion and said that none of the parties are in opposition of the bill in essence. However, he said that the government's bill will "finish Muslim women" instead of saving them. He said that a committee should reflect the nature of the House, which the list of suggestions given by Sharma does not. Sharma's suggestion did not include names from the BJP. Jaitley said that the previous precedents show that any amendments or motions should be introduced with prior notice. He said that the Opposition's demand to send the bill to Select Committee was invalid. He also raised objection on the suggestion on members of Select Committee made by Anand Sharma. Kurien said that the Leader of the House is a very learned advocate himself and all points raised by him are of relevance. The rule he quotes that a prior notice should be given is also correct, he said. "However, the same rule adds that the Chairman has the power to admit such a motion and which is why I cannot overrule it. It is now admitted and hence is the property of the House, only members can amend it," Kurien said on Jaitley's objection over the Opposition motion seeking triple talaq bill be sent to Standing Committee. Roy, responding to Jaitley's objection that the Select Committee suggested by him did not reflect the nature of the House, Roy said that he had included members from all parties who were willing to send the bill to the Standing Committee. However, BJP members were not included because the government was not willing to send the bill to the committee. Roy added that if the BJP is interested in sending the Bill for further scrutiny, he has no objection to ammend the list to include its members too. Govt requests to take up GST bill first as Dy Chairman ruled Triple Talaq bill can't be taken for passage without first building consensus in House The Winter Session of Parliament opened on Wednesday with a united Opposition mounting an assault on the government over demonetisation, saying it had led to "economic anarchy" in the country. The opposition parties also demanded a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the alleged selective leak of information before the official announcement. While Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after paying tributes to nine leaders, including sitting TMC MP Renuka Sinha, the seven-hour-long debate in Rajya Sabha, however, remained inconclusive. The debate in Rajya Sabha continued till 6 pm on Wednesday before Deputy Chairman of the House PJ Kurien adjourned it till 11 am tomorrow. Kurien said that the discussion on demonetisation will be resumed on Thursday at 2 pm. "From 11am to 12 pm will be the Zero Hour and Question Hour will be from 12-1 pm," said Kurien. There were repeated demands by the opposition members that the Prime Minister should be present in the House to listen to the members. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said Modi, who did not come to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, should at least be present tomorrow and possibly intervene. The government rejected as baseless the opposition charge that there was "leakage" of the 8 November decision and said everyone was taken by surprise which is why there are "initial" problems. Joining ranks over the raging issue, parties like Congress, JD(U), RJD, SP, BSP, Trinamool Congress, Left and AIADMK slammed the government, particularly targeting PM Modi, for making Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes invalid and said the "ill-timed" and "ill-conceived" step had severely hit the common people, the farmers and the poor. During a discussion on demonetisation, which was taken up after suspension of all business in response to notices given by a host of opposition members, a scathing attack was made on the government which strongly defended the step as one taken in national interest and to end corruption and black money, which it linked to terror activities in the country. Here's a quick recap of what happened today Anand Sharma uses wit and humour to attack Modi Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma on Wednesday demanded a probe into "selective leakage" of the demonetisation move, which he termed a "Nadirshahi farman" (autocratic order). Initiating a debate after listed business was suspended to take up a discussion on the 8 November decision to withdraw old higher denomination currency, Sharma used wit and humour to attack Modi for being insensitive to problems caused to the common man. He asked Modi to state where he got Rs 23,000-24,000 crore, estimated by the International Money Watch Group, for his Lok Sabha elections. He also asked if cheque or credit card payments were made to organise his rally at Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh a few days ago. Alleging that the information on demonetisation was selectively leaked, he said, "Your BJP units have deposited crores (just before the 8 November decision)." Sharma also sought to know from the Prime Minister as to "who wants to kill him", referring to the Prime Minister's speech in Goa where he had said that with demonetisation resulting in "Looting of their 70 year corrupt earnings, they will destroy me, they can kill me". "There should have been an ordinance for demonetization. But no ordinance was brought. This is a Nadirshahi farman (autocratic order)," Sharma said. "The decision to demonetise high currency notes was leaked to a select few. Secrecy was not maintained on this issue. It was published in a Gujarati newspaper long back and even other newspapers wrote about it," said Sharma. "There should be a probe into the selective leakage of information," he said, asking: "What did the government do to prepare for effective implementation of the policy." He also sought to know from the government which law gave it the right to impose limits on withdrawing money from peoples' own accounts. "I condemn Prime Minister's statement in Goa for mocking the people who are standing in queues. He must apologise. Please explain who wants to kill you," said Sharma posing a question to Modi. Congress will not tolerate anyone planning to harm the Prime Minister of the country, he said. "An atmosphere has been created by the government where questioning them has become a parameter to decide one's nationalism," said Sharma. He sought to know from the Prime Minister as to from where the "15 thousand crore rupees spent on your mega election campaign come from". "Did you pay for your recent Ghazipur rally through credit card," Sharma said mocking the government for asking people to use plastic money for day-to-day expenses. Sharma also demanded that Modi must disclose the list of those names, who are holding black money in Swiss banks. "Government has a list of those holding black money in Swiss banks. We demand that the Prime Minister must tell who all are there in the list," said Sharma. He said the government should disclose how much money left India between March and September this year and how many people invested in bullion, bought gold or forex during this period. Sharma took a dig at the government for using the term "surgical strike" in the context of demonetization and the unplanned consequences of the move, saying, "Bina doctori padhe sab surgeon ban gaye (You became a surgeon without training or education)." Quoting media reports, Sharma said State Bank of India the country's largest lender knew of the decision way back in March and a Gujarati newspaper had in April published a report of the move to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. He demanded a probe into "how many people bought more than Rs 1 crore of foreign currency and bullion" since April. "This is a serious issue... you never kept secrecy (about the decision)," Sharma said. The "ill-timed" and "ill-conceived" move had unleashed "economic anarchy" in the country and benefited a few, he said, adding that to fight black money created by higher denomination currency, a bigger Rs 2,000 note has been brought which is similar to the paper on which 'churan' is sold and "shed colour" was brought. "Your government is insensitive," he said adding Modi was riding a bullet train in Japan when old, women and common man were queueing up at banks at 3 am in the morning to get currency to buy their daily needs. Sharma said Modi had in his Goa speech had stated that those standing in line at banks were those involved in 2G spectrum and coal scam as well as holding black money. "I condemn the Prime Minister for calling the poor standing in the queue for his Rs 4,000-4,500, black money holders and scamster," he said. Taking a dig at the Modi, he said someone who "changes clothes five times a day", has become Prime Minister and travels around the globe was "calling himself a sanyasi and tapasvi". Sharma demanded that the names of persons holding accounts in Swiss bank and those revealed in the Leichtenstein and HSBC lists should be made public. The names of bank loan defaulters above Rs 5,000 crore should also be made public. While the decision had put the common man to immense hardship by way of having to stand in long queues to lay hands on valid currency to meet daily needs, the information about demonetisation was selectively leaked to the "friends of BJP," Sharma alleged. The move had branded 86 percent of the currency in circulation black money and "everyone a criminal," he said adding when Modi announced the plan it was expected that adequate arrangements would be made for dispensing new notes. "The magnanimous prime minister allowed Rs 4,000 of old currency to be changed... what right does the Constitution give the government to place restrictions on withdrawal of ones hard-earned money," he asked, adding one has to "beg to be allowed to withdraw his own money." He said former RBI Governor IG Patel had written about the government's decision to demonetise currency in 1978 and it would be absurd to think that all ill-gotten money is kept in cash and not invested in real estate, billion, equities or foreign exchange. Moving towards cashless economy was fine but even the most developed economies of US or Europe have not achieved that objective yet. If they had, the US central bank would have stopped printing dollars, European Central Bank won't be printing Euros and UK central banks would have stopped printing pound sterling, he said. Stating that the government had in one stroke declared everyone a criminal, he said the government and the finance minister have stated that terrorists would have benefited if advance information on the decision was given. "Which terrorist goes to RBI with sack full of counterfeit currency to change." After withdrawing Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, restrictions were placed even on foreign tourists who could not get their currency changed. The Congress leader said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had informed Parliament in August that fake currency was 0.02 percent of the total currency in circulation. "If 0.02 percent by government admission is counterfeit currency, how can that be made the base to remove 86 percent of currency in circulation," he said. An undeclared emergency has put common people in grave inconvenience, he said while crime money, ill-gotten wealth and that accrued through corruption or tax evasion is blackmoney, Prime Minister should answer if he considered money in the market, or in households, or with farmers, workers and employees was also blackmoney. "This question arises because a message has gone that Indian economy was run on blackmoney... you decide but don't brand the whole country," he said, adding whether the cash the farmers gets for his crop or the one he uses to buy seeds or fertilizer was blackmoney. He said the move had rendered millions of agriculture workers and labourers unemployed. Mayawati calls demonetisation ill-timed As the debate was in progress, BSP chief Mayawati demanded the presence of the Prime Minister in the House to hear out the Opposition parties and address their concerns. Mayawati questioned the government's preparedness for the demonetisation of high-value bank notes, accusing it of spending the last ten months on settling the black money of its people. Participating in a debate in Rajya Sabha on the demonetisation of high-denomination currency notes, she said: "The government has said that they spent ten months preparing for this decision. Ten months was a long time to prepare. If they were serious about it, they would have prepared well for all the problems that people are facing today." "What we are witnessing in India today would not have happened had they prepared," she added. Accusing the government of supporting those close to it in settling their ill-gotten wealth, Mayawati said: "In the last ten months, the BJP government has worked to help the party supporters and big businessmen to settle their black money. "If the government had spent ten months preparing for it, then why do they need another 50 days? There is something fishy." "Masses are in pain. The Prime Minister must be sleeping after taking pills. The move is without preparedness and people will punish BJP in 2019 during general elections. People of five states going for elections including Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will punish BJP," she said, adding that the poor and the middle classes were the worst sufferers. "It is an immature decision taken in haste and the whole country feels that is an 'economic emergency'," she said adding that it was like a "Bharatbandi situation." Opposition demands Modi's presence in Rajya Sabha Mayawati said the House should request the Prime Minister to be present and answer the members' concerns. It is "a very serious issue", she said, adding she has been observing Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, appears "sad". Her demand was supported by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who said the PM must be present in the House to hear out the concerns of various parties. Earlier, Kurien said he had received as many as 13 notices under rule 267 for suspension of business to take up discussion on inconvience and hardships caused by demonetisation of currency. He said there was a general consensus for discussion and the government too was agreeable, so the list of business as notified stands completely suspended. Azad demanded that the prime minister should at least "hear out the feelings of six-seven main parties, otherwise there is a mismatch. The feelings of opposition members should be heard by PM. I demand that at least he hears them out and sit in the House at least today. We can wait for him to come." This was objected to by DP Tripathi (NCP), who said that as Leader of the Opposition he should not distinguish between the big and small parties. Ram Gopal Yadav (who was expelled from Samajwadi Party) joined Anand Sharma to allege that information on demonetisation was "leaked" and termed it as a scam while demanding a thorough probe into it. "A BJP leader in Punjab had tweeted on 5 November about the new Rs 2,000 note. How did this happen? This is an issue of concern. There is a scam in this. This should definitely be probed," he said, alleging further that 10 percent of the people have 90 per cent of wealth of the country and the remaining 90 per cent do not have anything. The common people, especially the poor and the housewives were put to great hardship through this move and if elections are held today they will teach this government a lesson, he said, adding that majority of women who saved money through household savings were upset with the move. "Elections are not fought with money power. You cannot win elections through money power. No one can win elections like that. Elections are won only by winning the hearts of people," he said. Demonetisation of high denomination currency has created big problems to common people and and law and order situation is being created with police being deployed outside banks to control the queue. "Do not hold elections now. If you meet and ask for votes from housewives in villages, they will beat you up with 'belan' and you will have to embalm your back with turmeric," he said, adding that you might lose elections if you hold early polls. Yadav said the entire House was against corrupt and drug money, but lamented that an impression is being created that those opposing this are against curbing black money which is erroneous. JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, who also sought a JPC probe into the suspected leak, said the sudden move was akin to "jumping out of a moving train". He said unlike the rich, who the PM said were standing in queue, it was the poor, handicapped and old people who were doing so to get their hands on their hard earned money. He alleged that while loans worth Rs 7,000 crore was written off today by banks including Rs 1,200 crore of Vijay Mallya and said that the prime minister has made the honesty of the country to stand in queues. Yadav also took a dig at Jaitley saying he was sure that the Finance Minister was not part of the decision making on demonetisation, because had he been, Jaitley would have tipped him off. This remark left most members including Jaitley laughing. Yechury renames PM as "Modi Antoinette" CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said that of the 130 crore population in the country, only 2.6 crore have credit cards. He took a dig at Modi and narrated the infamous quote of Queen Marie Antoinette during the French revolution who had said that people can eat cakes when they don't have bread. "We have Modi Antoinette who says 'If you don't have paper, use plastic'". Yechury compared the Prime Minister with a Roman ruler. He said a Senator had remarked about this ruler that: "I think he knows what Rome is. Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand of the Coliseum. He'll bring them death - and they will love him for it." Alleging that a BJP unit in Kolkata deposited Rs 1 crore in Indian's Bank Account on 8 November, he said "prove me if I am wrong." He added that Prime Minister was advertising for Paytm while talking about cashless economy. The CPM leader said 1/5th of the economy is black economy and people who kept black money invested it in real estate, gold etc. That is why the imports surged and stated that it was this PM only who had stated that 95 percent of the black money is stashed offshore and is in safe havens. "PM is cleaning a pond to kill crocodiles but big crocodiles have survived and only small fishes are dying." He also demanded that corporate funding of all political parties should stop and there should be a stystem of state funding for elections to which Kurien said "why don't you move a private members bill in this regard." Terming the demonetisation move as "Tughlaq shahi", he said the length of queues before banks and ATMs was ever increasing and asked why the government was agonising the people. He sought an investigation into the move, saying "let there be a joint parliamentary committee" for a proper probe. "We need to know the motive behind the move" as before every parliamentary session there is some gimmick which diverts attention from other major issues. With inputs from agencies Lucknow: Charging the prime minister with flouting the constitutional rights of people by bringing in demonetisation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who on Tuesday took her protest to Uttar Pradesh, dared him to declare his bank account details before seeking information from other BJP leaders. "Modiji has surpassed (Muhammad bin) Tughlaq and Hitler...he has flouted the Constitutional rights of common people," the Trinamool Congress chief said at a rally against demonetisation organised jointly with the ruling Samajwadi Party in Lucknow. Vowing to fight till demonetisation is rolled back, Banerjee said, "The fight against note ban will continue till this decision is revoked as note culling has shut shops, markets and agricultural operations." Daring the Prime Minister to first declare his own bank account details and of BJP president Amit Shah, Banerjee said, "Modi has asked BJP MPs and MLAs to give details of their bank accounts, but he needs to start with himself and BJP president Amit Shah. "Just before demonetisation, large number of properties have been bought in the name of BJP and its president," she alleged referring to media reports claiming that BJP bought several pieces of land, worth crores of rupees, in Bihar weeks ahead of the demonetisation declaration on November 8. Terming the demonetisation move as a "big scam" and "black emergency", Banerjee exhorted the people to make the campaign against it a 'people's movement' and termed it as a 'freedom struggle' which should not be given up "as there is a danger to country's freedom because of Modi". Coining the slogan "note-bandi wapas lo, nahi to Modiji wapas jao (take back demonetisation, or Modi go back)," she alleged that after depositing the money of BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal in foreign banks and attacking common people, the Prime Minister is now set to snatch the houses and lands of common people in the coming days. "Hindustan will not be run as per the whims of one individual but its people...he (Modi) is forcing things on people and this had not happened even during the dark days of Emergency," she alleged. Recalling Modi's promise of bringing back black money stashed away in foreign banks, the West Bengal Chief Minister alleged that instead of fulfilling it, he foisted numerous hardships on the poor and unemployed without formulating any backup plan. "Had I been in Modi's place, I would have rolled back the decision," she said, adding demonetisation was a matter of concern for the entire nation and the Opposition is united against it in the Parliament, and in Uttar Pradesh TMC and SP have come together. She also expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for sending his ministers and helping in organising the rally. Earlier, SP national vice president and Rajya Sabha MP Kiranmoy Nanda said his party was with TMC on the issue. "People of the state will undertake surgical strikes in the coming elections on the BJP which raised hue and cry over surgical strikes after going back on its promise of bringing back black money from foreign accounts," Nanda said. He alleged that Centre has got savings earned through hard work deposited in banks, terming it as black money, to offset the loss suffered by them due to people like Vijay Mallya. Uttar Pradesh minister Arvind Singh Gope, who reached the rally with a message from Akhilesh, said that like all her earlier struggles, Banerjee will win this fight against demonetisation as well. "The Centre has taken this step to mislead people in view of the coming Assembly polls in many states," Gope alleged, adding it is for the first time in history that people are not able to withdraw their own money from banks. It is high time Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi took the responsibility of the countrys oldest party. The burden has been on party president Sonia Gandhi for too long and her failing health calls for a quick decision from the party. The Congress president has again fallen ill and has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi on Tuesday. She's reportedly suffering from viral fever. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to hospital on account of viral fever. She will be in hospital for two days, said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday. During the last Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on 7 November, two incidents happened. One, the members of the partys top most decision-making body had unanimously urged Rahul to assume the charge of party chief. Second, Sonia skipped the meeting as she was unwell and in her absence Rahul chaired the meeting for the first time. Though no final decision was taken by Rahul on his elevation, it became loud and clear that the party has been looking for an alternative to Sonia given her poor health condition. And, for Congress, Rahul was the best choice. For all practical purposes, most of the decisions are taken by Rahul and his office. However, Sonia puts the stamp of approval. All important decisions are taken by Rahul and his office. The Congress president isnt involved in day-to-day issues, except the most important ones. Rahul also consults her on crucial issues before taking a decision. Thats why at the CWC meeting, we urged him to take charge of party chief. Soniajis failing health is a matter of great concern for all of us, a senior party leader and CWC member said on condition of anonymity. Sonia besides having a strong brand equity, commands great respect across party lines and continues to be the biggest crowd-puller for the Congress party. However, the fact cant be ignored that the 69-year-old Congress chief has been suffering due to her poor health for quite some time and frequently falling ill, which has become a matter of great concern for the Congress party. Within a period of three months, Sonia has been hospitalised twice. The first was in August, when she called off her much-publicised road show in Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency Varanasi after she had high fever and dehydration. She was immediately admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital and later shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Her absence within the party was felt acutely in August 2011, when she underwent a major surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. She was out of the political arena for quite some time. Congress then had to set up a four-member committee comprising Rahul, AK Antony, Ahmed Patel and Janardan Dwivedi to look after the organisational affairs in her absence. Now, after five years, its the members of the same team, who have pushed for Rahuls elevation as party president. However, its on hold and party workers are waiting eagerly to hear something positive from the vice-president. Due to poor health, Sonia has been unable to attend the ongoing Parliament Winter Session. Rahul is the star campaigner for the party and has a strong connect with the youth. Hes also representing Congress in Parliament in the absence of party chief. Though Soniajis contribution in the revival of Congress in 2004 and as UPA chairperson cant be matched, its high time Rahul took the mantle from her, a senior Congress MP said. Whenever it comes to talking anything about Sonia, the party becomes extremely cautious and guarded, fearing that any statement may affect her brand image and the opponents might create unwanted controversy. An official statement from the party is all that people get to know about Sonia. Beirut: The United Nations' humanitarian chief says initial reports indicate some 16,000 people have been displaced following Syrian government advances on rebel-held Aleppo districts. Stephen O'Brien said on Tuesday that thousands more are likely to flee if fighting continues to spread in the coming days. He says the fleeing civilians are heading to uncertain and precarious situations amid intense attacks. O'Brien expresses concern for the civilians' fate, calling the situation in Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition held eastern Aleppo, touching off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Many of the fleeing civilians headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held areas. Islamabad: The Balochistan High Court on Monday issued a bailable arrest warrant against former Pakistani dictator General Pervez Musharraf in a case pertaining to the alleged murder of former Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation in 2006. A divisional bench of the Balochistan High Court passed the order during hearing of review petition challenging acquittal of the 73-year-old former president by an Anti- Terrorism Court in the case, Dawn reported. Justice Jamal Mandokhail and Justice Zaheeruddin Kakar heard a review petition filed by Nawabzada Jamil Bugti, the son of Akbar Bugti. The counsel of Musharraf, Akhtar Shah pleaded to the court that although his client respects the court, he cannot appear before the court due to "security reasons". However, Bugti's lawyer complained that despite repeated orders, the former president Pervez Musharraf has failed to appear before the court. The court ordered that the administration should ensure adequate security to Musharraf while he appears in court. Pakistan government had allowed Musharraf to go abroad in March this year for medical treatment. Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti was killed in an operation in Balochistan's rugged mountains of Taratani in Kohlu district on 26 August, 2006. Bugti had led an armed campaign to press for provincial autonomy and a greater share of profits from Balochistan's natural resources. The death of the Baloch chieftain had sparked angry protests in parts of the country. Musharraf, who went into self-imposed exile in Dubai after being forced to resign as president facing impeachment following the 2008 elections, had returned to Pakistan in 2013 to contest elections but was implicated in several cases. He also lost in the polls. He was not allowed to leave the country until government allowed him in March this year to go abroad for treatment following orders by the Supreme Court. Musharraf has been facing a slew of cases, including the high treason trial since 2013 and he was barred from leaving the country in 2014 by the government. Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Dhaka: Police in Bangladesh have arrested the alleged mastermind of attacks on Hindu temples and houses earlier this month. Police said the accused arrested last night could have hacked the Facebook account of a Hindu youth and posted images of Hindu gods over those of Muslim holy shrines to instigate violence. "We arrested him last night from the (Brahmanbaria) town. He was on the run and we believe he is one of the main culprits," police official Mizanur Rahman told PTI on phone. He said 30-year-old Jahangir Alam, a cyber cafe owner, was arrested as police investigations confirmed his crucial role in the mobilising Islamists to carry out the attacks while "we are now trying to be certain if he himself had hacked the Hindu youth's Facebook account". "But we can tell you, he is the man who prepared handbills copying the controversial image (to be distributed among ordinary people) and hired trucks to carry the attackers to the scene at Nasirnagar (in Brahmanbaria)," Rahman said. The district police chief's comments came as a court ordered Alam to be interrogated in custody for four days as he was brought before a magistrate. Officials said Alam was the last among the detained suspects while police earlier arrested over 100 people for their alleged involvement in Nasirnagar attacks when the Islamists carried out two subsequent attacks ravaging nearly a dozen temples and over 20 houses. Police had announced a bounty for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of the attacks amid mounting protests demanding action against the culprits. By John Irish | MINSK MINSK France called on Tuesday for an immediate United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in Aleppo and said it would press for a U.N. resolution to punish the use of chemical weapons in Syria.Speaking ahead of a meeting in the Belarusian capital Minsk on the Ukrainian crisis, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Syrian government forces and their allies would not resolve the Syrian conflict by carrying out one of the "biggest massacres on a civilian population since World War Two.""This (Security Council) meeting would have to find a way to deal with the humanitarian situation and see how we can get aid in. We have to find a way," Ayrault told Reuters.Previous such meetings have failed to end hostilities.French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre and British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said they were jointly requesting the council meeting on Aleppo. They said they hoped to schedule the meeting for later on Tuesday or Wednesday and want U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, U.N. aid chief Stephen O'Brien and U.N. children's agency UNICEF to brief the 15-member council. The Syrian army and its allies announced the capture of a large swathe of eastern Aleppo from rebels on Monday in an accelerating attack that threatens to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold.Capturing eastern Aleppo would be the biggest victory for President Bashar al-Assad since the start of the uprising against him in 2011, restoring his control over the whole city apart from a Kurdish-held area that has not fought against him. Retaking Aleppo would shore up Assad's grip over the main population centres of western Syria where he and his allies have focused their firepower, while much of the rest of the country remains outside his control.France, a backer of the anti-Assad opposition, is pushing for a Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on Syria for the use of chemical weapons. Ayrault said France and Britain had taken over drafting the resolution from the United States. An inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has already found that government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas."We are now the penholders. We are not giving up. There have to be sanctions," Ayrault said before meeting his Russian, German and Ukrainian counterparts.Ayrault said a meeting in Paris around Dec. 10 of countries opposed to Assad, including the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, would discuss how to find a political solution to the crisis. (Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Robin Pomeroy and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A mass bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this year killed more corals than ever before, scientists said Tuesday, sounding the alarm over the delicate ecosystem. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) long reef the world's biggest suffered its most severe bleaching in recorded history, due to warming sea temperatures during March and April, with the northern third bearing the brunt. Follow-up underwater surveys, backing earlier aerial studies, have revealed a 700-kilometre stretch of reefs in the less-accessible north lost two-thirds of shallow-water corals in the past eight to nine months. "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most-pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef," said Terry Hughes, head of the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University. "This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected." Further south over the vast central and southern regions, including major tourist areas around Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, there was a much lower toll. Fossil fuels Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour. Algae are vital to the coral, which uses the organic products of photosynthesis to help it grow. The loss of algae makes the host vulnerable to disease and means it will eventually die. However, coral can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonise them. Environmentalists blame the burning of fossil fuels for global warming and repeated calls Tuesday for Australia to abandon coal mining to help prevent further bleaching disasters. "This is the devastating price we are paying for the Australian government propping up the coal industry," said Greenpeace Australia reef campaigner Shani Tager. "A credible plan to protect the reef must address climate change and start with a ban on new coal mines." Canberra insists it is doing more than ever to safeguard the reef, which is also under pressure from farming run-off, development and the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, committing more than Aus$2.0 billion (US$1.50 billion) over the next decade. Vibrant colour Scientists estimate the northern region, which teems with marine life, will take at least 10-15 years to regain lost corals, but are concerned that a fourth major bleaching event may occur before that, hampering the recovery. The reef studies centre warned earlier this year that if greenhouse gas levels keep rising, similar events would be the new normal, occurring every two years by the mid-2030s. Given reefs need so long to recover from severe bleaching, it said "we are likely to lose large parts of the Great Barrier Reef in just a couple of decades". That study noted climate change had added 1.0 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming to ocean temperatures off the Queensland coast in March, when corals were first seen turning white. There had been fears that the bleaching would badly hurt the tourism industry but Andrew Baird, who led teams of divers to re-survey the reefs in October and November, said the more accessible parts had not suffered as badly. "The good news is the southern two-thirds of the reef has escaped with minor damage," he said. "On average, six percent of bleached corals died in the central region in 2016, and only one percent in the south. The corals have now regained their vibrant colour, and these reefs are in good condition." Tourism on the World Heritage-listed reef employs 70,000 people and generates Australian $5 billion in income each year. Australia last year narrowly avoided Unesco putting the site on its endangered list and must report to the World Heritage committee by December 1 on the progress being made to rescue the reef. Manila: Seven military bodyguards of President Rodrigo Duterte and two other soldiers were wounded on Tuesday in an ambush by suspected Islamic militants on the eve of his planned visit to the southern Philippines, the military and president said. Military spokesmen said a bomb hit the soldiers' convoy as it drove on a road in a southern region where an armed group which had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group operated, wounding nine. "My advance party was ambushed a while ago. The Presidential Security Group was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device)," Duterte said in a speech during a visit to a northern Philippines military camp. "But I'm going there. The advice was to postpone it (the trip), but I said no. We are taking the same route if possible," Duterte added without explaining the purpose of his trip. The convoy that was attacked in Marawi city also included local troops as well as staff members of the presidential communications office, though no civilians were hurt, military officials said. The planned Duterte visit came days after the military began operations against dozens of armed members of the Maute group holed up in an abandoned government building in the mainly Muslim rural town of Butig on Mindanao island. Butig is about 800 kilometres south of Manila, and an hour-long drive from Marawi. Fifteen soldiers were injured in the fighting while 35 militants were killed, military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla told AFP. The ambush came a day after the police said the Maute group left a bomb near the US embassy in Manila which authorities later safely exploded. The Maute gang was also blamed for a bombing in Duterte's home town in the southern city of Davao in September that killed 15 people. Padilla said it was likely the Maute group was behind the ambush. "We know their supporters are surrounding the area and possibly planted bombs on the side of the roads to disrupt the movement of troop reinforcements," Padilla said. Muslim groups have waged a decades-long armed independence struggle in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that is believed to have claimed more than 120,000 lives. On Monday, Duterte said IS, which controlled vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, had linked up with the Maute gang, a departure from previous military denials of formal links between IS and local extremist groups. General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday took charge of a post which most people agree is the most powerful post in Pakistan. Bajwa took charge of the world's sixth-largest army (by troop numbers) from Pakistan's outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif. General Qamar Bajwa takes charge as the next Army Chief of Pakistan (source: PTV) pic.twitter.com/P0aduNKxNy ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 To say that the military in Pakistan has played an active role in its civilian politics would be a massive understatement. The military has been in charge of the country for more than half of Pakistan's 70-or-so-year history since Independence. An article titled 'Pakistan: An Army With a Country' published by American global intelligence company Stratfor, described it perfectly when it said: "The saying goes that most countries have an army, but Pakistan's army has a country." When Pakistan was formed in 1947, its founder and first governor-general Muhammad Ali Jinnah devoted the country's scarce resources to strengthening the country's military and defence because of the violence and tension over Kashmir with India. This focus on the military naturally led to the neglect of polity in Pakistan, "leaving a void for the generals to fill", according to the Stratfor article. And this military control over politics in Pakistan has had disastrous effects, the most significant one being the ugly ties between the army and terrorists. This link was perhaps best exposed by Cyril Almeida, a journalist for the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, who wrote an article describing how the civilian government had warned the military leadership against interfering if law enforcement agencies acted against terrorists for their crimes. A 2015 BBC report had said that "Pakistani-based Jihadist groups with a history of fighting Indian forces in the disputed territory of Kashmir are being left alone. So too are the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan-facing Haqqani Network which stands accused of mounting recent attacks in Kabul." But the appointment of Bajwa as army chief in Pakistan is being seen by the Pakistani media as an attempt to shift the power back to the civilian government. And there are, of course, some positive signs. General Raheel Sharif became the first army chief in Pakistan in more than 20 years to step down at the end of his term without getting an extension. According to Pakistani media and experts, Bajwa's "pro-democracy credentials" and his low-profile influenced Sharif to appoint him to the powerful post of army chief superseding four top generals. With his elevation as army chief, General Bajwa superseded Lieutenant-General Syed Wajid Hussain (chairman of Heavy Industries Taxila), Lieutenant-General Najibullah Khan (DG Joint Staff Headquarters), Lieutenant-General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed (Corps Commander Multan) and Lieutenant-General Javed Iqbal Ramday (Corps Commander Bahawalpur). Moreover, Bajwa's military colleagues say he is not attention-seeking and remains well-connected with his troops. Even General Bikram Singh, former chief of the Indian Army who served with Bajwa in the Congo as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force, praised Bajwa's conduct as a soldier during their time in Africa."In the international environment, his performance was professional, outstanding," Singh said. But is the appointment of a new army chief a measure strong enough to change Pakistan's ugly habit of sponsoring terrorism and letting military dictate policies to the government? Bikram Singh himself answered this question after praising Bajwa. When reporters asked Singh if he expected Bajwa to alter Pakistan's military policy, he said: "I do not see any change." And Singh has very good reason to be sceptical. An article in The News International noted that "to pump the tyres of a general for his humility and self-confidence might be the greatest exercise in irony that is possible." The article said that after the appointment of Raheel Sharif as the army chief, even the international media had noted that Nawaz Sharif had chosen him because he had no politican ambitions, the same reason for him choosing Bajwa. But despite that initial impression of Raheel Sharif, he still did interfere in political affairs more than he should have. And his ties with Nawaz Sharif also soured towards the end of his term. Therefore, while Bajwa does have his merits, it is important to note that military involvement in politics depends on the entire institution, not just an individual. After all, let's not forget that Nawaz Sharif had also appointed General Pervez Musharraf as COAS in 1998, after which Musharraf overthrew him in the 1999 Pakistani coup d'etat. "General Bajwa is well-versed with the complexities, nature of operations and terrain along the LoC. He has also handled Kashmir extensively during his career. But it's actually too premature to say anything. Both Generals Pervez Musharraf and Kayani proved different from what their initial assessments were," The Times of India quoted an Indian Army officer as saying. The Stratfor article also noted that since Nawaz Sharif was planning to use the Kashmir conflict for the 2018 elections in Pakistan, the military involvement will probably not be reduced. "Nawaz Sharif recognises that no matter whom he chooses as his chief of army staff, the collective will of the army as an institution will overpower that of the prime minister," the article said. Then, there is also the matter of how willing the Pakistani civilian government itself is to fight against terrorism and work for better ties with India. After all, if Bajwa does stay away from politics, the responsibility of the government will increase. It's not encouraging to note, then, that Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif who had earlier threatened to unleash nuclear weapons against India said that Bajwa's appointment will not have any effect on Pakistan's military policy. "The focus will remain on country's eastern border and the armed forces backed by the nation will meet all challenges," he had said. With inputs from agencies Seoul: South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday that she will resign her office once parliament develops a plan for a safe transfer of power. The surprise announcement, which the opposition called a ploy to delay impeachment, comes amid prosecution claims that she colluded with a friend who wielded government power from the shadows. Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Seoul each Saturday for the last five weeks to demand that Park step down. Park would be the first South Korean leader to resign since the country's first president, Syngman Rhee, quit and then fled to Hawaii amid a popular uprising in 1960. The succeeding government was overthrown by a coup by Park's late father, the military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose rule also abruptly ended after he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. "I will leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly," Park said Tuesday in a live address to the nation, referring to parliament. "If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will resign from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law." Opposition parties had been closing in on an impeachment motion against Park, and even her allies in the conservative ruling party have called for her to "honourably" step down rather than face impeachment. An impeachment motion vote has been planned for Friday. The country's two largest opposition parties were also planning on Tuesday to nominate a special prosecutor to independently investigate the scandal. The country's largest opposition party, the Minjoo Party, called Park's address Tuesday a ploy to avoid an impeachment vote and said the party would continue to push for impeachment as planned. At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime friend and the daughter of a late cult leader who allegedly meddled in state affairs and pressured companies to donate millions of dollars to foundations controlled by her at the request of Park. Prosecutors have so far indicted Choi, two ex-presidential officials and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges. Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet with prosecutors. Her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, has described prosecutors' accusations against Park as groundless. London: The British government denies its strategy for exiting the European Union has been leaked through a set of handwritten notes suggesting the UK's aim is to "have cake and eat it." In spite of its lofty ambition, the same document appears to concede that the government will have to quit the EU single market when it actually leaves the bloc. The sheet of paper was being carried by an aide to senior Conservative lawmaker Mark Field outside the Department for Exiting the EU in London. It was captured by a news photographer in Downing Street, home of the department's offices as well as the prime minister's residence. The paper says: "What's the model? Have cake and eat it." It also lists anticipated problems with the upcoming negotiating process with EU governments, noting "we think it's unlikely we'll be offered single market." The government has consistently refused to disclose details of what kind of deal it will seek with the EU after so-called Brexit, saying that would weaken the UK's negotiating hand in divorce talks. Prime Minister Theresa May plans to start the formal exit process by the end of March, triggering two years of discussions before Britain actually quits the EU. The EU leaders have repeatedly warned Britain that it will have to leave the tariff-free single market if it seeks to limit immigration from EU countries, since free movement is a fundamental principle of the bloc. The densely written notes also include the phrases "Canada-plus" likely a reference to a free-trade deal with the EU based on Canada's recently concluded arrangement and "French likely to be most difficult." Officials said on Tuesday that the notes did not belong to a government official and do not reflect the government's position. "I was interested and amused to see it because it doesn't reflect any of the conversations that I've been part of in Downing Street," Business Secretary Greg Clark said. But opposition politicians said the snatched photo revealed the scale of the chaos in government ranks. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said it "shows the government doesn't have a plan or even a clue." By Ulf Laessing and Maher Chmaytelli | MOSUL/BAGHDAD, Iraq MOSUL/BAGHDAD, Iraq Fighting between Iraqi troops and Islamic State militants has cut water supplies across a large part of Mosul, where poorer families are already struggling to feed themselves, and a local official said the increasingly encircled city was in crisis.Water was cut to 650,000 people - or 40 percent of residents - when a pipeline was hit during fighting between the jihadists and U.S.-backed Iraqi government forces trying to crush them in their northern Iraq stronghold, a local official said."We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe," said Hussam al-Abar, a member of Mosul's Nineveh provincial council, adding that 1.5 million people were still inside Mosul. He said the pipeline ran through a contested part of the city and could not be reached by repair teams."Basic services such as water, electricity, health, food are non-existent," he said, standing in an eastern suburb while mortars were fired inside the city.The battle for Mosul has already raged for six weeks. An alliance of Iraqi forces, backed by U.S.-led air power, have surrounded it and elite troops have seized eastern districts, but face deadly and determined resistance.Aid workers say a full siege is developing and fear that the longer the conflict drags on, the more civilians will suffer."Key informants are telling us that poor families are struggling to put sufficient food on their tables," U.N Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Lise Grande, told Reuters. "This is very worrying."Others are hoarding and hiding food as they expect prices to rise further.Links to maps of areas being fought over inside and outside Mosul: [tmsnrt.rs/2fd0nGE] [tmsnrt.rs/2cMNG3q]PRICES MAY DOUBLE The capture of Mosul, Islamic State's last major urban stronghold in Iraq, is seen as crucial towards dismantling the caliphate which the militants declared in Iraq and Syria after sweeping through Sunni populated northern and western Iraqi provinces in 2014.Iraqi government and Kurdish forces surround the city from the north, east and south, while Popular Mobilisation forces - a coalition of Iranian-backed Shi'ite groups - are trying to close in from the west. Last week Popular Mobilisation fighters cut the supply route to Mosul from the Syrian half of Islamic State's self-styled caliphate, driving up prices in the city. With the last supply route cut off, basic commodity prices in Mosul could double "in the short term", said a humanitarian worker, who declined to be identified.Some 100,000 Iraqi government troops, Kurdish security forces and mainly Shi'ite militiamen are participating in the assault on Mosul that began on Oct. 17, with air and ground support from a U.S.-led international military coalition. "ACUTE NEED" Iraqi forces moving from the east have captured about a quarter of Mosul, trying to advance to the Tigris river that runs through its centre, in the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein."In a worst case, we envision that families who are already in trouble in Mosul will find themselves in even more acute need." Grande said. "The longer it takes to liberate Mosul, the harder conditions become for families."A spokesman of the coalition, U.S. Airforce Col. John Dorrian, said there was "a sense of urgency" to capture the city, without giving a target time frame. "The Iraqis will do it at a pace and a tempo that will enable them to protect civilians," he told Reuters.Islamic State arrested on Sunday about 30 shop owners accused of raising food prices in the city, to try to suppress discontent, witnesses said on Monday.The group is relentlessly cracking down on people who could help the offensive in Iraq. Most of the people executed previously in Mosul were former police and army officers, suspected of disloyalty or plotting rebellions against the militants' harsh rule. The Iraqi military estimates there are 5,000-6,000 insurgents in Mosul, dug in amid civilians to hamper air strikes, resisting the advancing troops with suicide car bombs and sniper and mortar fire that also kill civilians.NO RETREAT An air strike targeting Islamic State fighters hit a clinic south of Mosul on October 18, killing at least eight civilians, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.Iraqi and coalition forces did not confirm the report, which said two militants and the Sunni hardline group's transport minister were also killed in the strike. Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, believed to be somewhere near the Syrian border, has told his fighters there can be no retreat from the city.Some 74,000 civilians have fled Mosul so far, and the United Nations is preparing for a worst-case scenario which foresees more than a million people made homeless as winter descends and food shortages set in.A Reuters correspondent in eastern Mosul saw civilians fleeing the fighting in Aden, a district supposed to be under Iraqi government control, in an indication of the difficulty the troops are encountering in holding terrain."Daesh is still there," said Ehab, a high school student, referring to Islamic State by one of its Arab acronyms. "They drive around in cars; the situation is very, very difficult there. I am glad I made it out alive." (Additional reporting by John Davison in Erbil Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Dominic Evans and Peter Millership) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Geneva: Subsidies given by the US state of Washington to Boeing are illegal, the World Trade Organisation said Monday, in a victory for rival aircraft maker Airbus and the European Union. The ruling from a WTO panel is the latest blow in a drawn out trans-Atlantic battle between the aviation industry's two titans, which has seen both Airbus and Boeing score points along the way. The WTO said that subsidies set up by Washington state to support production of Boeing's 777X jet were "prohibited" as they encouraged the use of domestic materials, fuelling trade distortions. The panel called for the subsidies to be withdrawn within 90 days. Airbus was represented by the European Union in the case while the US federal government fought for Boeing and Washington state because companies and regional authorities do not have standing at the Geneva-based WTO. Boeing said it expects the US to appeal against the decision. "After any appeal, we fully expect Boeing to preserve every aspect of the Washington state incentives, including the 777X revenue tax rate," said J. Michael Luttig, Boeing's general counsel. According to Airbus's own estimates, Washington state has given Boeing tax breaks worth $8.7 billion (8.2 billion euros) in a scheme scheduled to run through 2040. Boeing has dismissed those numbers, putting the benefits to date at a maximum of $1 billion. "The 777X will not cost Boeing a single dollar to develop thanks to Washington State's taxpayers," Airbus president Fabrice Bregier said in a statement of the aircraft that is expected to be market ready by 2020. "This cannot go on any longer. It is time for the US Trade Representative to insist that Boeing cease its anti-competitive behaviour," he added. The WTO, which aims to create a level playing field in global trade, does not have the ability to force compliance with its rulings, but can approve retaliatory measures which in theory can pressure trade manipulators to fall into line. Calling Monday's ruling "an important victory for the EU," the bloc's trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said she expected the United States "to respect the rules, uphold fair competition and withdraw these subsidies without any delay." A spokesman for the US Trade Representative said the agency was reviewing the ruling, but suggested it was ready to fight on behalf of the US aerospace giant. "This case is a small fraction of the overall aerospace dispute, on which the WTO has found overwhelmingly in the United States' favor," spokesman Matt McAlvanah said in a statement, adding that "the US government will continue to hold the EU to account for illegal, market distorting subsidies.". Tit-for-Tat The EU has also been reprimanded by the WTO during the tit-for-tat conflict between Airbus and Boeing. In September, a WTO panel found that Brussels had not respected a 2011 ruling ordering it to take steps to withdraw several support and subsidy programmes for Airbus. The WTO did not put a value on those programmes but Boeing said they amounted to $22 billion worth of illegal support for Airbus development and sales. The EU has appealed against that decision, insisting that the subsidies in question had been discontinued. Meanwhile, a separate 2012 WTO ruling on benefits Boeing received from federal, state and local governments in the US remains a source of dispute, with a report on the issue due out in the coming months. A new industry-wide pact? Airbus Group chief executive Tom Enders described the seemingly never-ending spat with Boeing as "a ridiculous series of disputes initiated by the US." In seeking to move past drawn-out, costly squabbles at the WTO, Enders called for an agreement "on a set of globally applicable rules for the support of the civil aircraft industry, which would benefit both sides of the Atlantic." He noted that the battle for aviation contracts was no longer just Airbus versus Boeing. Aircraft maker Bombardier has received massive support from the Canadian government, while Russian and Asian firms have increasingly become market players, Enders said. "We need a global framework," he continued. "This WTO battle is a battle of the past which benefits only the armies of lawyers both sides employ for more than a decade." BON Hotels, a South African-based hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, has expanded on its CSR initiatives with the introduction of BONangels, a platform launched in South Africa and Namibia earlier this year which is now being rolled out to nine hotels across five cities in Nigeria, and hotels in Uganda and Ethiopia. BONangels will facilitate charity drives, events and campaigns at all their properties, driving staff involvement at all levels in support of the community and those in need. The aim of BONangels is to create a community of carers who speak, support and embody the goodwill of BON Hotels. The objectives include: adopting programs and strategies that contribute to communities conserving environments reducing social problems education combining the efforts of staff at all levels encouraging participation and engagement on social media platforms promoting guest engagement and participation growing a community of 'angels'. CEO of BON Hotels Guy Stehlik says, "This strategy is in keeping with our ethos of Good people. Good thinking. Good feeling, and it is our aim to take care of the communities that service our hotels; to establish a society of guests and staff who want to do something good and give back." The first campaign was a shoe drive which enjoyed great success - guests, staff and members of the community were encouraged to drop off their new, used or unwanted shoes, all of which were donated to local schools, orphanages and charities in the area. This was followed by a blanket drive. All BON Hotels will be actioning a book drive over the festive season with the emphasis on giving those less fortunate the gift of words and imagination. Guests, visitors and staff will be encouraged to drop off books in the donation bins at hotel reception through promotions on social media and in-house initiatives. The properties have embraced this initiative wholeheartedly and Stehlik is confident that together the group, the staff, management and all who get involved can make a difference to their communities, the environment and to those in need. He adds, "So go on, be an angel and join our network of good people!" About BON Hotels BON Hotels, a South African-based hospitality company that owns, manages and markets hotels throughout Africa, now operates 37 hotels across the African continent, including hotels in Ethiopia, Namibia, DRC and South Africa. The West African arm, BON Hotels International West Africa, oversees the operations and management of 25 hotels across 14 cities in Nigeria. Driven by a clear ethos - "Good people. Good thinking. Good feeling." - BON Hotels believes in creating loyalty among their guests, suppliers, hotel owners and stakeholders by bringing a fresh and relevant approach to every aspect of hotel management and operations. BON have developed a reputation for challenging the norm and raising the bar - all in the name of exceptional experiences. Backed by a team of highly experienced, resourceful and inspired individuals, CEO and founder Guy Stehlik is committed to establishing and nurturing good relationships at all levels at each property. They are a team of good people, doing good things. Developing "Africa by Africans" remains front and centre of the BON Hotel growth strategy and commitment to Africa. Amelia Hayes Director - ADverb BON Hotels GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. Differing Chinese and Western expectations over marriage provided the inspiration for Zhang Mos directorial debut, Suddenly Seventeen, which she says is about encouraging young women to explore a little further before they settle down. The daughter of Chinese cinematic great Zhang Yimou, Zhang said returning to China after years of study in the United States felt like a reverse culture shock. Then 26 and viewing a life full of possibilities, Zhang was startled that people thought she should already be married and planning a family. Women in the West, by the age of 28 [] they still feel like theyre still young, they still want to pursue their career maybe, and [find] out who they are, but in China its almost like the opposite, said Zhang, now 33 and married to an American who works for the Hollywood agency representing her. Set for release next month, Suddenly Seventeen is based on a novel published on the internet. Its part of a hugely popular genre among young Chinese that focuses mainly on fantasy and romance tales and has spawned movies and web series. In Zhangs film, the 28-year- old protagonist, Liang Xia, played by Ni Ni, is unhappy in love and eats a magical chocolate that wipes her memory and turns her back into a 17-year- old. Zhang says she seized on the short novels premise and characters, but rather than keeping Liang at 17, her heroine flips back and forth in age every five hours, creating conflict and drama. After moving to the U.S. at 15, Zhang studied architecture at university but felt stifled by an internship at a New York firm. Everyone was in a box [] because they dont want to steal each others ideas, she said. For me, I still want to connect with people, I still want to express emotions, so I decided maybe architecture wasnt the best choice for me. After studying filmmaking at New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts, she returned to China to work as an editor on four of her fathers films, including The Flowers of War starring Christian Bale. Its really a privilege, because editings really the best way to learn how to become a director, Zhang said. Whatever he shot I saw, and I made that into a story, and so through that process you really learn how to cut the movie, how to tell the story, or even how to shoot the film to make it great. Emerging as part of the Chinese post-Cultural Revolution avant-garde, Zhang Yimou gained international acclaim in the 1980s for art films such as Red Sorghum before turning to more commercial fare. His first English-language movie, The Great Wall starring Matt Damon, comes out next year. Being the offspring of a famous director isnt always an advantage, Zhang Mo says. People immediately [think] you must have way more resources, and you can have way more shortcuts, but actually its not true. If anything its the opposite because the family aspect casts such a big shadow, you have to be extra creative, or working extra hard, to gain the audiences approval. Despite basing her directorial debut on an internet novel, Zhang says that movie genre may have already peaked, with audiences now looking for fresher and more personal stories rather than something that has amassed a huge online fan base. I think original content right now is the key for the future of Chinese filmmaking, to tout original stories, not something [remade], not some internet novel, she said. Suddenly Seventeen, whose Chinese title translates as 28-year-old Minor, will be widely released in China and given a limited release in cinemas in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand on Dec. 2. It will be released later in the month in South Korea, Thailand and other Asian countries. AP Beijing to curb megadeals as regulators tame record overseas spree C hina is planning sweeping curbs on its companies overseas acquisitions, including barring most foreign investments of USD10 billion or more, people with knowledge of the matter said, as it seeks to tame a record dealmaking spree thats alarmed officials from Washington to Berlin. The government will generally suspend several categories of deals while still leaving room for some strategic transactions to be executed, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. It will restrict overseas investments of at least $1 billion in industries outside a buyers core business, as well as foreign property deals of $1 billion or more by state-owned enterprises, according to the people. The curbs will last until the end of September 2017, the people said, adding that the rationale for the measures wasnt explained in detail. Regulators will pay extra attention to deals by highly leveraged firms and companies with poor return on assets, according to the people. Chinese firms this year have already announced more than double the record $106 billion of foreign acquisitions they made in 2015, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The unprecedented spate of overseas purchases includes China National Chemical Corp.s pending $43 billion purchase of Swiss pesticide maker Syngenta AG, which would be the largest outbound deal ever by a Chinese company. The authorities are finding it difficult to keep all of Chinas $21 trillion money supply within China, said Victor Shih, a University of California at San Diego professor who studies Chinas government and finance. As investors and households struggle to diversify more of their assets offshore, the authorities will need to tighten capital flows further. The government will also restrict take-privates of overseas-listed Chinese companies using onshore capital, according to the people. Stake purchases of less than 10 percent in an overseas-listed company, as well as Chinese companies subsidiaries doing overseas acquisitions valued at more than their parent company, also will be curbed, the people said. The State Council will issue guidelines on the curbs, at which point it will ask government agencies to draft more detailed rules on implementation, according to the people. Domestically this might generate some degree of FX stability, but it could also mean the liquidity would have to stay onshore and finance certain asset markets, said Geoffrey Yu, head of the U.K. investment office at UBS Wealth Management. Internationally some of the big recipients might suffer. Chinas top economic- planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission, didnt immediately reply to faxed questions. The Wall Street Journal reported the measures last week, citing unidentified people and documents reviewed by the newspaper. The government will review some companies outbound investment projects in accordance with related rules, according to a report yesterday from the official Xinhua News Agency posted on the NDRCs website. China will stick to its go global strategy and the current management policy, which mainly relies on a registration system for outbound investments, the Xinhua report said, citing a joint comment from the NDRC and three other government bodies. Louise Watt, Beijing, Bloomberg Nine executives are being held responsible by the Chinese government for a power plant accident where 74 workers were killed when an under-construction cooling tower collapsed, state media reported yesterday. Those under detention included the board chairman of engineering firm Hebei Yineng, a major builder of power plants that has a record of workplace deaths, state media reported. The chief manager, deputy manager and director of engineering for the project were also detained. Laborers were building a circular cooling tower in the southern province of Jiangxi when the interior scaffolding collapsed last week, releasing a cascade of steel, concrete and wooden planks. It was one of Chinas deadliest workplace accidents in recent years and prompted calls from government officials for stepped-up inspections and a renewed emphasis on worker safety. Chinese President Xi Jinping said local governments should learn from the accident and hold accountable anyone responsible. No formal charges were announced against the detained executives, who also included safety managers and supervisors from a Shanghai consulting firm. But China typically responds to high-profile workplace deaths by arresting and prosecuting company executives and local officials, with their confessions often broadcast on state television, as part of a longstanding effort to convince the public that the government is fighting widespread corruption and poor enforcement of safety standards. After last years explosion at a warehouse in Tianjin that killed 165 people, a court handed down sentences to 49 people, including a suspended death sentence earlier this month for the head of a company implicated in the blast. And a 2014 explosion at an auto parts factory in the eastern city of Kunshan that killed 146 people was followed by prison terms for 14 people, including the owner and top managers of the factory, local firefighters, and work safety officials. Investigators previously announced the detentions of 13 people after last weeks accident. It wasnt immediately clear if the suspects identified yesterday were included in that total. Workers had been toiling in three shifts to try to finish the project ahead of the arrival of winter, according to local media interviews with surviving employees. The project had been designated a priority project by the province, likely adding to the pressure to complete it. A person who answered the phone at Hebei Yineng said he wasnt aware of the situation, and declined to comment further or give his name. AP The 16th Macau Food Festival officially ended on Sunday. This years 17-day food event saw a 10 percent increase in the number of visitors, according to a report by Jornal Cheng Pou. According to the organizers, several package tours included visits to the festival location. Despite a few rainy days, business was estimated to have increased slightly as compared to last year. The organizers have also expressed their satisfaction towards this years festival. The next food festival will be organized for November 2017. Kiang Wus youngest diabetes patient is 13-year-old Kiang Wu Hospital organized a walking event last Sunday, with the aim of reminding the public to be cautious with their health and to be mindful of the risk of diabetes. Over 200 people participated in the walking event. Kiang Wu Hospital disclosed that it had recently received its youngest diabetes patient, who is 13 years old and has a family history of diabetes. In addition, the children reportedly do not undergo enough physical activity. The hospital also announced that it is establishing a weight management center with the aim of combating diabetes. It intends to begin with addressing more severe cases of obesity in local residents. Taiwan expands definition of Macau and HK students Taiwans latest education policy allows Macau students who obtained Portuguese passports after 1999 to study in the island with the same welfare rights as students with Macau or Hong Kong passports. Prior to this new policy, Taiwan only recognized students from the two SARs, who had held Hong Kong or Macau passports. Portuguese passport-holders from Macau will be granted special welfare rights provided by Taiwans education authority. The new policy allows Macau students, who hold both a Macau and a Portuguese passport, to be recognized as students from Macau. AL candidates may be invited to retract from previous stances The Legislative Assembly (AL) Second Standing Committee yesterday continued to analyze changes to the Legislative Assembly electoral law, including the controversial and recent proposal that only those who state their loyalty to the MSAR and never acted against the Basic Law may be elected as lawmakers. At the end of yesterdays meeting, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Sonia Chan, told the committee that the Electoral Affairs Commission would assess how sincere candidates were when making the declarations anticipated under the proposed revision of the election law. The main issue is acknowledgement of Chinas sovereignty over the MSAR. Other ideas that contradict the Basic Law may also be grounds for voiding a candidacy, although Sonia Chan said that candidates may be invited to retract from previous statements and thus be allowed to run as lawmakers. The Second Standing Committee president, Chan Chak Mo, said that the members of the committee do not see the loyalty statement as an issue and will not debate it again before the proposal goes to vote at the AL plenary. Unemployment rate remains unchanged The unemployment rate for August-October 2016 held stable as in the previous period (July-September 2016), at 1.9 percent. According to information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), the underemployment rate was 0.7 percent, up by 0.2 percentage points. The total labour force was numbered at 397,000 and the labour force participation rate stood at 72.3 percent. Total employment decreased by 4,700 from July-September to 389,500. In terms of industry analysis, employment in the gambling and construction saw a decrease, while the tourism sector saw an increase. The number of the unemployed was 7,500, down by 100. Fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job accounted for 19.2 percent of the total unemployed, down by 4.5 percentage points. MGTO launch tourism news database The Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) launched the Macao Tourism News plus (beta version) yesterday, an online database of news materials for members of the press. It will aim to more effectively disseminate information relating to tourism developments within the SAR. The service is dedicated to compiling an extensive collection of Macau tourism news originating from different news providers. MGTO noted in a statement the offices hope that the service will allow users around the world to easily browse and use the information archived in the database, thereby upgrading the efficiency and quality of dissemination of Macau tourism news. Media are invited to register for user accounts now. A controversial Chinese-designed railway that would go over a beloved protected wildlife park in Kenyas capital has divided conservationists in this East African country known for its safari tourism. Some are staging protests even as other wildlife experts insist the project is environmentally sound. Nairobi enjoys a reputation as the wildlife capital of the world thanks to the expansive Nairobi National Park, which in 1946 became Kenyas first sanctuary for wildlife. Its 117 square kilometers of wilderness abuts the city, and is a key attraction for visitors who are able to see herds of giraffe or zebra roaming free with Nairobis skyline clearly outlined behind them. The Kenya Railway Corporation is in the process of building a new 600-kilometer railway to link Nairobi to the port of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean coast. The estimated cost of the railway line is USD3.8 billion, with 90 percent of the financing provided by China Exim Bank. The projects engineers say the most affordable route will bring the railway across Nairobi park and are building a 6-kilometer bridge over the national reserve, at an elevation that they say will not interfere with wildlife movements. Chinese companies are building the railway, envisaged as a modern alternative to the colonial-era line from the coast. It is planned that the railway will eventually be extended to link Nairobi to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. Those who support the project, including the Kenyan government and railway authorities, say the railway is vital for Kenyas economic development, but its detractors argue that the project is being rushed for political reasons and without sufficient consideration of its threat to the countrys wildlife. Amid protests over the railway, a coalition of Kenyan conservationists has obtained a court order stopping construction within the park until an environmental impact assessment is completed by Kenyas National Environmental Management Authority, or NEMA, and is considered by the court. A preliminary report by NEMA said the railway will have no adverse effect on the park and its wildlife, drawing the ire of independent groups that accused the government agency of corruption. More protests to march on the NEMA headquarters are being planned. Akshay Vishwanath, chairman of Friends of Nairobi National Park, which is part of the coalition of conservation groups hoping to stop the railway from proceeding through the park, said they are concerned any incursion into the protected area will compromise the parks integrity. It should not go in, over or under the national park, Vishwanath said. There is a reason there are national parks, you know. They are protected areas, protected for a certain land use, and that is conservation and habitat for wildlife and biodiversity. But conservationists associated with the government, including the park managers, Kenya Wildlife Service, have backed the project. It is very clear what the constitution requires and I believe everything that KWS and the railways is doing are within the bounds and limits of the constitution, Kenya Wildlife Service Chairman Richard Leakey, who formally announced the railway would be permitted to cross over the park last September, told a news conference. Yes, lawyers and activists can query that, but the point is: We are not dirtying the park. What we are doing is putting a railway line across it, above it, and what we are doing is, yes, I can tell you that we are offending the eyesight. People who want to look across the park and say it is very beautiful will see a railway line but so what? The average height of the bridge pillars is high enough for even the tallest land mammal, the giraffe, to pass through very, very comfortably without causing any obstruction to their movements, said Christian Odhiambo, a structural engineer with the Kenya Railway Corporation. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is due for re-election next year, is strongly in favor of the railway, saying it does not violate any of the countrys laws. There are some that are saying if this railway is built it will destroy the Nairobi park. This is nonsense [] The park will still be there and we would like them to stop inciting people, to stop taking people to court, Kenyatta said recently. Let us build the railway. Kenya wants to develop and the animals will still be guarded and taken care of and the world will go on. I want to assure you that nothing will happen that will destroy the Nairobi park. Nairobi National Park is home to Kenyas most successful rhino sanctuary as well as many herbivores, lions and other big cats. The parks proximity to the capital metropolis has always meant conflict between fast-growing human settlements and migrating wildlife. Opponents are urging Chinas government to withdraw its support for the project. Outside the Chinese Embassy here recently, protesters chanted Exim China, respect our laws, referring to Chinas state-owned bank. Opponents also seem to be emboldened by the collapse of part of the newly constructed railway line near Mombasa. The Chinese ambassador to Kenya told The Associated Press that his country is not responsible for the decision to route the railway through a protected area. You know, that is not the decision by the embassy or by the Chinese government, said Ambassador Liu Xianfa. We provide loans and I think, you know, the ministries, the professionals, they make a decision on the sound basis of scientific evaluation. AP The St. Regis Macao Hotel, Cotai Central and Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel hosted a UNICEF Charity Carnival on Saturday at the Samarkan Ballroom of the Sheraton. The event raised more than MOP70,000 in aid of UNICEFs Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, according to a joint statement. This years UNICEF Charity Carnival featured a range of food, games, face painting, appearances by DreamWorks Characters and activities for children such as Kids Aerobics and Bollywood Jam. The highlight was the silent auction of art pieces generously donated by the talented children of three enthusiastic local Macau schools: Macau Anglican College, The International School of Macau (TIS) and Escola Choi Nong Chi Tai. The auction raised over MOP5,000 for the charity. It was fantastic to see the local community of Macau support and contribute to such a worthy cause, said Janet McNab, Managing Director of Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and The St. Regis Macao. Money raised can help less privileged children have access to clean drinking water and basic everyday essentials, something I believe we take for granted in our daily lives. Watching the children create such wonderful pieces of artwork was so inspiring, and each and every one of them are an inspiration to their school. Both Sheraton Grand Macao and the St. Regis Macao have also been participating in an ongoing drive where guests who are checking out are encouraged to donate USD1 to UNICEF. UNICEF works in more than 100 countries to improve access to safe, clean water and sanitation facilities. Globally, waterborne illnesses are a leading cause of death for children under five, killing nearly 1,000 children every day. All funds raised will be donated in full to UNICEF to provide children in impoverished countries access to clean and safe drinking water. A local delegation visited the controversial Taishan nuclear plant last week in order to check the safety of the infrastructure. The power plant is located 67 kilometers from Macau and 130 kilometers from Hong Kong, and is still under construction. The head of the Security Forces Coordination Office, Choi Lai Hang, led the local delegation, and heard representatives of the Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Co. explain that Macau would not require protective measures such as evacuation of the city even in the event of a very serious nuclear incident (level 7) at the Taishan nuclear power plant. According to the technical explanations, only locations within 20 kilometers of the plant would need to be evacuated in the event of a level 7 incident and emergency procedures have been set in place. The Taishan nuclear plant representatives also said that at present, no incidents higher than a level 2 has ever occurred in Chinese nuclear plants, which, according to them, demonstrates that they work under safety precautions. A mechanism to exchange information between a nuclear crisis management cabinet operating in the neighboring province of Guangdong and Macau is also expected to be established soon. According to a statement issued by an interdepartmental group for nuclear safety set up in Macau, it is expected that more visits open to representatives of different sectors of society will be organized after the cooperation mechanism is introduced. Recently, the Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture which results from a partnership between China General Nuclear Power Corp (CGN) and the French energy group Electricite de France (EDF) has been urged to disclose any safety risks relating to the project, after it was recently disclosed that the company has not been forthcoming over the origin of some operational components. Safety concerns were raised earlier this year after components of the nuclear plant were discovered to have been manufactured in mainland China, and not in France as previously thought. The revelations were followed by appeasing statements by local authorities, with Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, stating that there is no cause for concern. PB Syrian government forces and their allies captured another major eastern Aleppo neighborhood and several smaller areas yesterday, putting much of the northern part of Aleppos besieged rebel-held areas under government control for the first time in four years, state media reported. Russias Defense Ministry said the areas captured by Syrian government troops include 10 neighborhoods and over 3,000 buildings in the past few days. The ministry added in a statement that more than 100 rebels have laid down their arms and exited the Syrian citys eastern suburbs. Aleppo, Syrias largest city and former commercial center, has been contested since the summer of 2012 and a rebel defeat in the city would be a turning point in the five-year conflict. If Syrian forces capture all of east Aleppo, President Bashar Assads government will be in control of the countrys four largest cities as well as the coastal region. The governments push, backed by thousands of Shiite militia fighters from Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran, and under the cover of the Russian air force, has laid waste to Aleppos eastern neighborhoods. Medical and food supplies have run short in recent weeks as Syrian warplanes pounded the besieged enclave, rendering all remaining functioning hospitals out of service. Simultaneous advances by Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces on Sunday set off a tide of displacement inside the divided city, with thousands of residents evacuating their premises to safety in government and Kurdish-controlled areas of the city since Saturday. Rebel defenses swiftly collapsed as government forces pushed into the Hanano district on Saturday, the first time they had pushed this far into eastern Aleppo since 2012. With yesterdays capture of Sakhour, the rebels are now left boxed in mostly in central and southeastern Aleppo, encircled by government territory on all sides. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian government forces have captured some 10 neighborhoods over the past few days, putting nearly 30 percent of Aleppos formerly rebel-held neighborhoods under state control. State TV said 3,000 people, half of them children, have fled over the past few hours. It showed men, women and children in green buses being taken to government-controlled areas. It is stinging cold, food is scarce and people are shaken in the streets, Mohammad Zein Khandaqani, a member of the Medical Council in Aleppo, told The Associated Press in a voice text message from east Aleppo. He added that some residents are taking refuge in mosques while others moved to homes of displaced people in safer areas. He said although thousands of people have fled to government or Kurdish-controlled areas in Aleppo, many stayed because they are wanted by the state. Ahmad Araj, senior official with the Syrian National Democratic Coalition that consists of Arab and Kurdish groups, said 8,000 people have fled to the Kurdish-control Sheikh Maqsoud district so far, calling on international aid organizations to help those who are now displaced. The Russian Defense Ministry also said Syrian government troops had pushed the rebels from Qadisia which it described as the key neighborhood of eastern Aleppo.Bassem Mroue, Beirut, AP Lawyers seek war crimes case against Assad in Germany A group of lawyers are seeking to launch a criminal case in Germany against Syrian President Bashar Assad over alleged war crimes committed in the city of Aleppo. The lawyers presented a criminal complaint against Assad, which they are submitting to German federal prosecutors. German law allows prosecutions under the principle of universal jurisdiction, under which countries can pursue foreigners for crimes committed abroad. The lawyers cited Amnesty International reports and individual accounts by asylum-seekers in Germany in arguing that there is overwhelming evidence of multiple atrocities committed by Assad in Aleppo between April and November. Attorney Mehmet Daimaguler said: Were experiencing genocide in Aleppo in slow motion. He cited the targeted bombing of hospitals, cluster bombs on civilians and forced expulsion. Four concertos are being held in the city as part of the Macao Sacred Music Festival 2016, which began this year on November 26 (Saturday) and will run until December 2 (Friday). The Times sat down with two of the performers, Heloise Gaillard and Mailys de Villoutreys, as well as Xavier Garnier, director of the Alliance Francaise and one of the key organizers behind the festival, to understand more about their concerto performances. Macau Daily Times (MDT) What are some of the highlights of the music festival? Heloise Gaillard (HG) The festival includes music by Antonio Vivaldi [], the most famous Baroque composer, as he was the founder of the form of concerto for soloists. It is Baroque music so it contrasts with effect and emotion. It is very particular when you hear it for the first time. One of the pieces is La Notte, or The Night. We can hear seven movements, which are very different from each other. This music really describes the atmosphere of the night. La Notte is the only concerto with seven movements [among the major] productions of Vivaldi. MDT What is it like playing for Chinese audiences? HG This is not the first time that we are in China, because a year and a half ago we went to Wuhan, Peking [Beijing], Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The audiences [in China] were very interesting because there were a lot of different people some very young, some very old. In France, because we are an old European country, the music is more [intended] for a specific audience. There are also many differences between China and Hong Kong [audiences]. MDT What do you expect from Macau audiences? HG We do not expect anything from Macau! We are happy [to be here] but we are not expecting anything! When the audience came to Venice in Vivaldis time, they could not see the performance because they were behind curtains, so they could only hear it. But today in Macau, the audience can be actually be there [laughs]. MDT There will be performances today, tomorrow and on Friday, but you have already performed on Saturday. What was the reception like? Xavier Garnier (XG) We have already received some feedback people are very curious about the concerto at the Mandarin House [tomorrow] because this is very new and different. People are used to concertos in churches, but not in the Mandarins House. Maybe this can be something that connects to the history of Macau. Not only the Western history, the Portuguese history, but also the Chinese history because Macau is in between the two histories. MDT What are your impressions of Macau as a city? Mailys de Villoutreys (MV) We visited the Historic Center [of Macau] and it is very interesting. There is this mix of Mediterranean feeling and China. There were a lot of people HG There were really a lot of people it seems like a very touristic place. XG Certainly, there are [some] 30 million tourists every year from China. You cannot even walk [because it is so busy]. HG We visited St. Domingos Church [Saint Dominics Church], which is just the perfect venue [for our performances] in terms of its dimensions. MDT So why did you choose the Mandarin House as a venue? XG It is Baroque music, and we cannot play that kind of [non-sacred] music in some churches because the priests in Macau are very strict. They will want to check the program and so that is why we chose the Mandarins House. [The priests] are very strict in Macau They would not allow us to play non-sacred music [in the church]. HG Some of them [the rooms] are very big, but still smaller [than other locations in which we perform]. We are actually used to performing in small rooms or salons the rooms in the Mandarins House are still small but a bit bigger than other places. For the audience, this is an opportunity to see the performers up close, in a more intimate [setting]. XG For sure, the Mandarins House is a good venue and we will use different rooms. DB/RM The three remaining concertos of the festival Among the four concertos staged as part of the Macao Sacred Music Festival, a highlight performance featuring three groups will be staged at the Mandarins House tomorrow night. All of the performances are free to the public. These are three concertos still to be staged this week: Today, 8 p.m. Amarillis & Mailys de Villoutreys at St. Dominics Church Wednesday, 8 p.m. Les Sacqueboutiers, Amarillis & Mailys de Villoutreys, Sprezzatura & Sebastien Fournier at the Mandarins House Friday, 8 p.m. Sprezzatura & Sebastien Fournier at St. Josephs Church Philippine coast guard officials say theyve launched a search for five Filipinos who failed to return after fishing in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in bad weather off the countrys northwest. Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said yesterday the fishermen left the shoal due to an approaching typhoon last week and have not been heard from. He said boats and ships passing in the area have been alerted. Balilo said the Philippine coast guard plans to coordinate its search with its Chinese counterpart in the Scarborough area. China seized the shoal in 2012 after a maritime standoff with Philippines. Chinese coast guard ships have been blocking Filipino fishermen from the shoal but were allowed back after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte discussed the territorial rift with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month. BOISE (AP) The Idaho treasurers office didnt make public for about three and a half months information that a state agency was cited for a federal violation. The Spokesman-Review reports Tuesday that the state Credit Rating Enhancement Committees annual report in July detailed the Security and Exchange Commission action involving self-reported violations by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. That report cited a settlement offer with the SEC that included the serious step of a cease-and-desist order, but it wasnt made public on the state treasurers website until Nov. 15. They made us sign a cease-and-desist order, said John Sager, executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. We have to put a paragraph in our official statements that says that weve agreed to do this and well go forward and sin no more. Jace Perry, an investment accountant in the state treasurers office and secretary of the Credit Rating Enhancement Committee, said the information was posted following a budget analysts inquiry. It was overlooked, Perry said. It was an oversight that it hadnt been put on the website yet. Idaho state Treasurer Ron Crane didnt immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Tuesday. Rep. Rick Youngblood, R-Nampa, another member of the committee, first drew attention to the SEC action following a reference to that agency in a draft committee report. It was ultimately included in more detail in the final report, which wasnt made public for months. I dont know why it wasnt posted and made public, Youngblood said. Were we trying to hide something? I dont know. Rons chairman of the committee. Its certainly questionable to me as a legislator as to why this seemed to be some kept secret. The committee advises the governor and Legislature on actions affecting Idahos credit rating. The newspaper reports that the committee hasnt met in six years. A: How many wind turbines are there in the Magic Valley especially near Bliss and Hagerman? Are there more wind turbines being erected? Q: There are 16 independently-owned wind parks that include approximately 188 turbines in total in the Magic Valley and Bliss-Hagerman region, said Brad Bowlin, an Idaho Power spokesman. Each turbine has a capacity of 1.5 to 2.1 megawatts. A megawatt can power roughly 730 average-sized homes in our service area. Obviously, the turbines only operate at their capacity a relatively small percentage of the time. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approves or denies contracts that wind developers enter into with the utilities the commission regulates, said Gene Fadness, spokesman for the commission. I think there are some on the Idaho-Nevada border that sell into Nevada, so we would not have their information, Fadness said. Fadness looked at the latest Cogeneration/Small Power Production Report to tally the wind project contracts with Idaho Power that have been approved. Operating commercial-scale wind farms in the Magic Valley: Cassia Gulch Wind Farm, Cassia Wind Farm, High Mesa Wind, Oregon Trail Wind Park, Paynes Ferry Wind Farm, Pilgrim Stage Station Wind Farm, Salmon Falls Wind Park, Thousand Springs Wind Park, Tuana Wind Park, Yahoo Creek Wind Farm, and Tuana Springs in Twin Falls County; Burley Butte, Golden Valley, and Milner Dam Wind are wind facilities in the Golden Triangle cluster near Burley; and Fossil Gulch in Gooding County. Fadness said Elmore County probably rivals Twin Falls County in wind energy output. There are 10 wind parks in Elmore County, four in Bonneville County, and three in Power County. Idaho Power does not own or operate any of these projects, Bowlin said. There are independent power producers that sell their energy to Idaho Power under a federal law that requires utilities to purchase energy from certain qualified renewable-energy facilities. As far as new wind development in your area, we do not have any open cases with Idaho Power for wind contract approval, but thats not to say there are not any in the works, Fadness said. Solar is the intermittent power source de jour. February 8, 1927 - November 26, 2016 TWIN FALLS - Lila Mae Glass Chidichimo lived a long, blessed life and passed away on November 26, 2016, in Twin Falls, Idaho, from injuries sustained in an accident. She was born February 8, 1927, to Merrill and Catherine Glass in Belvidere, Illinois, where she lived until going off to college at the University of New Mexico in exotic Albuquerque. While taking ballroom dancing at UNM, she met Frank Chidichimo, who was also from Illinois. They married and spent their early life together in the dry desert air of the Land of Enchantment, where their first child, Mark, was born. Eventually they moved back to Belvidere to be near family, and welcomed babies Bill, Mary, Katy and Nancy into the family. A job change took them to Colorado, then another job change took them to Oregon and then Texas, where baby #6, Matt, was born. Ten years in humid Corpus Christi was enough, they said, and in 1978 they moved one last time, to Twin Falls, Idaho. Throughout the years of relocating and resettling, some things remained constant for Lila, chiefly her deep Catholic faith, her unwavering love for her husband and children, and the joy she experienced teaching religious education and art. Lila possessed a sharp wit and love of words and word games, especially crossword puzzles (with a pen, no less!) and Scrabble, along with the ability to make the most groan-worthy puns imaginable. She loved to read, write poetry, sketch on any piece of paper she could find, and she even wrote a few plays, admitting she stole her best lines from I Love Lucy. Most people don't know that when Lila was a teenager, she took flying lessons and had dreams of ferrying planes for the military to support the war effort. She obtained her pilot's license (valid until revoked) at the age of 16. She realized she had no sense of direction, however, when she could not tell her instructor which way led back to the airfield. Lila then decided to concentrate on school, obtaining a BA and teaching for a year. She made our house a real home, where all were welcomed with open arms, a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs. Lila was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Stan, in-laws Frank and Nancy Chidichimo, sister Jessie, brothers Billy and Mike, son-in-law Pat, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by Frank, her husband of 65 years, her brother Pat (Kathy) Glass, her children Mark (Julie) Chidichimo, Bill Chidichimo, Mary (Jim) Little, Katy Touchette, Nancy (Chris) Middleton, and Matt (Sherry) Chidichimo, 14 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 2 yet-to-be-born great-grandchildren. Lila filled her home with angels statues and pictures as well as with memorabilia of her favorite movie idol, John Wayne. When she passed away, she was surrounded by her family, an angel statue, and a huge portrait of the Duke. God bless you, Mom, happy trails, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. If you'd like to honor Lila by donating to a cause close to her heart, you can donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and store or to St. Edward's Catholic School here in Twin Falls. A rosary will be held on Wednesday November 30, 2016 at 7:00 pm at Rosenau Funeral Home, 2826 Addison Ave E. Twin Falls. A mass will be held on Thursday December 1, 2016 at 10:30 am at St. Edward's Catholic Church, 161 6th Ave E, Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home. The failure by OPEC members to reach a production freeze deal amid disagreements over sharing output cuts risks further drop in oil prices, several analysts warned. As the de facto Saudi-led cartel prepares to meet on Wednesday in Virginia, a failure to agree on a production cut will send prices down to below 40 dollars per barrel and probably further down to 30 dollars per barrel early next year, the Financial Times quoted David Hufton of PVM, a London-based oil brokerage, as saying. Battered economies in the cartel are desperate to see a production freeze to end a protracted downturn in their economies. In their latest meeting in Algiers, OPEC members agreed to cut supplies by 1 million barrels a day. The agreement failed to materialize as Saudi Arabia insists that its regional rival, Iran, takes its share in the production cuts. Saudi Arabia has offered to curb output by 4.5% from its total production of 10.5 million barrels per day in October. But this offer has been conditioned by a similar production cut by Iran at around 3.8 million barrels per day. Saudi Arabia also called for a similar output cut by non-OPEC members such as Russia. Iran argues that it should be spared the output cut and be treated like conflict-hit producers such as Libya and Nigeria. Iranian officials say that only Gulf countries who benefited from the high oil price era should cut production. 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. Authorities in Ugandan have ordered the closure of a chain of for-profit international schools backed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Facebooks founder Mark Zuckerberg over concerns about poor sanitation and teaching. According to Ugandan high court, Bridge International Schools (BIA) was not licensed properly, provided unsanitary spaces and relied on unqualified teachers. Parents, students and teachers of the school have denied the allegations. For its part, BIA which runs more than 400 nursery and primary schools across Africa has continuously denied the allegations that have been made by the government. The US-owned chain of low-cost academies, which is also backed by the UK government, has 63 campuses across Uganda with 12,000 students and is allowed to remain open until December 8 to allow students to sit for exams and finish third term after it obtained a court order. Theres a lot of miscommunication and a lot of very serious, unfounded allegations. We would like to be given the opportunity to explain ourselves The Ministry has been unwilling to give us an audience to set the record straight, Ugandas BIA director, Andrew White, told CNN. One agrees with the Ugandan authorities decision to close BIA. According to the President of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), an educational advocacy group based in Kampala, the quality of their (BIA) schools is totally inadequate and unacceptable. Note that Almost 20% of Ugandas population lives below the poverty line, according to The World Bank. - 1 2022 2 290,9 , 18% 2021 36,6% . Presidential elections scheduled for Wednesday November 30 in Somalia, have been postponed to a later unspecified date, local media reports on Monday. This is the third time the elections have been postponed in the country. The chairman of the countrys electoral commission was quoted as saying that the elections will be held before the end of the year. Nearly 14, 000 delegates voted at the beginning of October to designate the 275 of them, including 30% of women, who will sit in the National Assembly. The federated states have designated the 54 senators of a new upper house. The Parliament must meet in November 30 to elect a President of the Republic. Among the presidential candidates are the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Fadumo Dayib, one of the two females to ever run for president in the East African country. Universal adult suffrage (one man, one vote) is not expected in Somalia until 2020 when the countrys Independent Electoral Commission established in 2015 is expected to be ready to administer the polls. This years polls are being administered by the 22-member Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) which is responsible for the oversight and overall planning of the electoral process. As a reminder, Somalia is still battling an insurgency by the Islamist militant group al-Shabab even as it seeks to rebuild after more than two decades of conflict and chaos. Zimbabwe central bank on Monday launched a bond notes currency in a last-ditch bid to inject desperately needed cash into its failing economy. The southern African nation is currently facing a critical cash shortage; massive unemployment and food insecurity, as it also battles to clear a foreign debt overhang of over $8bn. The country is US$ 1.6 billion in arrears to the World Bank and African Development Bank, outstanding debt that prevents Harare from securing any extra financing from the two institutions or the International Monetary Fund. Since the national currency was abandoned in favour of the US dollar in 2009, Mr Mugabe has been unable to resort to his usual habit of ordering the Reserve Bank to print money to fund overseas trips, refurbish his official residences or pay soldiers and civil servants. In Harare, many fear that President with his latest decisions will trigger economic catastrophe all over again. The country has been ruled by Robert Mugabe, 92, since 1980. Some observers have called the bond notes the autocratic presidents last gamble. The central bank says bond notes will ease crippling shortages of currency, but there are fears their introduction could encourage rampant printing of cash, as happened in 2008. The bond notes will be officially interchangeable 1:1 with the US dollar, and banking officials said last week they would be deposited directly into US dollar accounts, where they would be reflected as dollar balances. 'Like' us on Facebook Follow us: Posted on: Nov 29, 2016 The Story of Sai - 4 And the lessons for you and me Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 05 || Part 06 || Part 07 || Part 08 The antiquity of The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, and The Bhagavatha is unquestionable and indecipherable. Yet in India they are as fresh and alive in people's consciousness as the stories of their own families. Rama, Krishna, Radha, etc. are almost a part of their daily life and living. What makes these legendary tales contemporary in every age? Rama's paintings and sculptures or Krishna's images and carvings, poems on Rama's glory or discussions on Krishna's message, are as passionately done now as they happened in 3 AD or 13 AD or 1300 AD. What makes them defy time and be relevant to every society over ages? Is it the incredible heroics of Rama? Or the delightful and miraculous sport of Krishna? Or the awesome plot of these captivating poetic narrations? While all this is true, what makes these epics eternal is something more fundamental. 91st Birthday Celebrations Logo - Download The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are like the heart and the head of India, and are as vital to India as the heart and the head are to a human body, Bhagawan says and goes on to state what makes these epics so vital: Sathya and dharma are not related to merely one person, one period of time, or one country; they are related to all people, all periods of time, and all countries... It is because these tales are nothing but beautiful elaborations of Truth and Righteousness, that they have stood the test of time and circumstance. But this essence can be grasped only if these epics are read not as scintillating stories but as reinvigorating treatises on how to lead a life anchored to Truth and Righteousness. As much as this is true for these ancient epics, it is the same with the current Sai Bhagavatha too. Every scene and character, sequence and incident, twist and turn in the Sai Saga is for the purpose of divinising man through the practice of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love. But to assimilate this deeply and internalise it intensely so that it can be translated into real action, the Story of Sai needs to be not just read but meditated upon assiduously. This series, started in November 2016, commemorating Bhagawan's 91st Birthday is an attempt in this direction. We hope this will help us to reflect more profoundly on the Sai Bhagavatha and implement the lessons learnt more powerfully in our day-to-day existence. His Story Bhagawan with His earthly grandfather Sri Kondama Raju In Puttaparthi there lived a devout, abstemious peasant named Kondama Raju of the Ratnakaram Raju family. The Raju family were Kshatriyas the caste traditionally associated with the ruling class that administered law and order in society and protected its people during wars and invasions. However, the Raju family had long since abandoned its militant role and preferred engaging in interpreting and popularising sacred literature of ancient India, especially the epics - The Ramayana, The Mahabharata and The Bhagavata. Hence, they had the caste name Bhat Raju. The Bhats are generally associated with literature. Reflection In His writing, Sathya Sai Vahini, Baba explains that traditionally Indian society was grouped into four categories: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Shudra. Among these, the Brahmins had the role of studying the scriptures and disseminating this knowledge to others while the Kshatriyas had the duty of protecting mankind from harm. Likewise, Vaishyas engaged in trade and business, while Shudras involved themselves in a host of activities, from farming to weaving, carpentry to pottery, and so on. Originally, this grouping of people was based on peoples innate nature and inclinations and not necessarily by birth. Thus, one could find someone born to Vaishya parents but interested in the learning and assimilation of sacred texts, thereby functioning like a Brahmin. By way of example, Baba narrates the story of King Kaushika who was born as a Kshatriya but was deeply drawn to scriptures and intensely sought the vision of the Divine. This resulted in him transforming into Sage Vishwamitra who gifted mankind with the mother of all mantras, the Gayatri Mantra. Just as his name suggests, he became a friend and well-wisher of the entire world (vishwa + mitra). We see a similar occurrence in the Ratnakaram Raju family. Though Sri Kondama Raju and his family members had Kshatriyas as their ancestors, they were interested in spending their energies and talent only in dwelling themselves in sacred literature and stories concerning the Divine. That is the reason why the title 'Bhat', generally used for Brahmins, got attached to them. Their attitudes and activities were more attuned to the Brahminic way of life. His Story Kondama Raju was blessed with great musical and dramatic talent. He beautifully sang songs from the Ramayana and when village plays were performed based on this epic, he loved to enact the role of Lakshmana. He was indeed greatly loved and revered by the village folk and was known for providing succour and solace to the distressed. Highly intelligent, he was also sought by the villagers for arbitration on disputes among them, such as those concerning land registration and the like. Reflection Thus, like true Brahmins, the Raju family dedicated their time and resources only to singing the glory of the Lord through melodious music, meaningful dramas and mesmerising poetry. It seemed as if they were more attuned to Brahman than those born as Brahmins! Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Lord was attracted to be born into this household. For the Lord, what matters is our inner feelings not our birth or status or power. What is of value to Him is our internal intent, not what is patent outside. Sri Kondama Raju, head of this family, had submitted himself totally to the service of the Lord probably why he loved the character of Lakshmana. He suited this role perfectly. For Lakshmana, serving Rama was the breath of his life; he had no other dream or desire or goal for his existence. Kondama Raju too was such an exceptionally elevated soul, and could be yet another reason that prompted the same Lord Rama to choose this home to descend as Sai Rama. The remoteness of the location, the depravity of the family's economic position or the harshness of the living conditions in that setting was of no concern to the Lord because what draws Him to us is the richness of the soul that we cultivate not the riches of the earth that we accumulate. His Story One night the Goddess Sathyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna, appeared in Kondama Raju's dream. She looked desolate, and was frantically looking out for her Lord whom she had sent to gather parijatha flowers. To add to her misery, there was a terrible rainstorm and she was unsheltered; she definitely needed help. Incidentally when the storm struck, Kondama Raju was passing by, and the Goddess asked him if he could provide her with shelter. For Kondama Raju this was not a mere dream, it was real. When he woke up, the whole scene was fresh in his mind and the Divine Mother's request kept resounding within him. Then and there he decided that he would build a temple for Mother Sathyabhama. He did accomplish this without delay. Soon Sathyabhama became the deity for all the village folk. Reflection While everyone goes to the Lord with some request or prayer or desire, to whom does the Lord go to with a wish to be fulfilled? If a mother wants a particular job to be accomplished, whom would she seek to get it done? Will she ask someone who comes to her every now and then looking for solace and succour or ask her own son and daughter to get it done? The heart of Kondama Raju we saw was like that of Lakshmana. It is no surprise then that the same Mother who incarnated as Sita in Treta Yuga as the consort of Rama was now asking her Lakshmana to execute a task for her. She felt most comfortable asking Lakshmana to do it than anyone else because she knew that firstly, for Lakshmana, her words were as precious as Rama's orders and he would go to any extent to fulfil them. Secondly, he had the ability to carry them out too, thanks to Rama's ever-present grace on him. So, it was nobility and ability, earned by virtue of his purity, which had carved a special place for Lakshmana in Rama's heart. It was in all likelihood the same with Kondama Raju too. He also had become near and dear to the Lord, purely because of his intelligence, integrity and sincere devotion. That was perhaps why the Mother thought of him when she wanted a task to be carried out. The shrine at Sathyamma Temple in Puttaparthi Baba says Lakshmana was gifted with sookshma buddhi, that is, sharp intelligence. Rama did not have to explicitly state the task or its modalities, Lakshmana understood all the subtle hints of Rama flawlessly. It was the same here too. Mother Sathyabhama did not have to overtly order Kondama Raju to build a temple, he understood the import of the dream unambiguously, with no doubts or questions. Thus a temple came up in no time. It was almost as if with the Lord descending in Puttaparthi, the Mother too wanted to be there to be part of the unfoldment of this divine saga. Kondama Raju was the instrument she chose for her descent. Even today, in the Puttaparthi village, right next to the Venugopalaswamy temple stands the Sathyabhama (or Sathyamma as the villagers call her) temple. Just the darshan of the sparkling white statues of the Divine Mother here fill one with light, delight and sublimity. For every villager and visitor, it is a reminder that purity is all you need in order to become an instrument of the Lord. Baba says if purity is present, God Himself will grant us the ability before He entrusts us with a responsibility. Everything that we encounter in our lives too has been given to us because we do have the ability to deal with it. If we depend on our limited talent and resources to resolve them we may face reversals but if we surrender to Him, we have access to His unlimited strength and resources, and nothing is impossible. What is more, we become a part of His story, just like Lakshmana and Kondama. Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 05 || Part 06 || Part 07 || Part 08 Bishu Prusty Radio Sai Team The number of children with psychiatric illnesses admitted to pediatric hospitals in the United States has increased sharply in the past decade, according to a study led by Dr. Bonnie Zima, professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Using discharge records for children age 3 to 17 from 33 children's hospitals in the U.S., Zima and colleagues found that the number of pediatric hospitalizations that included a psychiatric diagnosis rose 138 percent between 2005 and 2014. By contrast, the number of hospital discharges for non-psychiatric disorders rose only 26 percent during this same 10-year period. Although prior studies had shown broadly that pediatric hospital admissions involving psychiatric diagnoses are rising, this new study is the first to apply a deeper analysis by examining hospital trends by the type of psychiatric comorbidity. This study found that much of the increase in pediatric hospital resource use was attributable to cases in which children had two conditions at the same timea primary medical condition that was the reason for their hospital admission, as well as a secondary psychiatric disorder. "The greatest increase in hospitalizations was seen in cases where the psychiatric diagnosis was secondaryfor example, a child admitted for severe asthma who also has a diagnosis of a common condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder," Zima said. In 2014, nearly 80 percent of all hospital discharges with a psychiatric disorder were for a primary medical condition. These hospitalizations were significant because they accounted for 90 percent of the costsor nearly $1.5 billion in totalfor the children's hospital care. "The rising demand for psychiatric care clearly suggests that we place a high priority on the needs of children who have a primary medical condition and also a psychiatric disorder at the same time," Zima said. This study was published in the November edition of Pediatrics, a journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Other authors were Dr. Tumaini Coker of UCLA, Jonathan Rodean and Matt Hall of the Children's Hospital Association, Dr. Naomi Bardach of UC San Francisco and Dr. Jay Berry of Boston Children's Hospital. Funding was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence for California and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Zima and colleagues are now pursuing research on whether children's hospitals will be able to expand their capacity to care properly for children with secondary psychiatric diagnoses. More information: B. T. Zima et al. Psychiatric Disorders and Trends in Resource Use in Pediatric Hospitals, PEDIATRICS (2016). Journal information: Pediatrics B. T. Zima et al. Psychiatric Disorders and Trends in Resource Use in Pediatric Hospitals,(2016). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-0909 A TEM micrograph showing Dengue virus virions (the cluster of dark dots near the center). Image: CDC The first available dengue vaccine, CYD-TDV (Dengvaxia), is estimated to reduce the burden of dengue and be potentially cost effective in settings where infections with dengue are common, according to a study published by Stefan Flasche from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and an international consortium of dengue experts, in PLOS Medicine. The researchers used dynamical models informed by the results of efficacy trials combined with assumptions on vaccine mechanisms, to estimate the impact and cost-effectiveness of CYD-TDV over a 30-y post-vaccination period in a variety of epidemiological settings. In settings with moderate to high dengue transmission intensity, i.e. where at least 50% of children get infected with dengue before they are nine years old, they estimated that a routine vaccination policy involving a three-dose schedule in 9-y-old children at 80% coverage would reduce the burden of dengue disease for the population by 6%-25% and that vaccination would be potentially cost-effective if priced competitively. However, in settings where dengue infections are uncommon, they identified a risk of potential increase in hospitalizations for dengue disease. These findings were an important contribution to the evidence base that led the WHO to recommend countries to consider the use of CYD-TDV only in settings with a high burden of dengue disease. The authors say: "Our results can guide countries on the general suitability of Dengvaxia introduction; however, local factors related to treatment costs, intensity of dengue transmission and age groups particularly exposed to dengue will need to be considered." In a linked Perspective, Jacqueline Deen from the University of the Philippines, Manila, discusses challenges in balancing the individual and population risks and benefits for CYD-TDV. More information: Flasche S, Jit M, Rodriguez-Barraquer I, Coudeville L, Recker M, Koelle K, et al. (2016) The Long-Term Safety, Public Health Impact, and Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Vaccination with a Recombinant, Live-Attenuated Dengue Vaccine (Dengvaxia): A Model Comparison Study. PLoS Med 13(11): e1002181. Journal information: PLoS Medicine Flasche S, Jit M, Rodriguez-Barraquer I, Coudeville L, Recker M, Koelle K, et al. (2016) The Long-Term Safety, Public Health Impact, and Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Vaccination with a Recombinant, Live-Attenuated Dengue Vaccine (Dengvaxia): A Model Comparison Study.13(11): e1002181. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002181 Using multiple brain imaging techniques, researchers have found that a disruption of the circuitry in the brain's cognitive-emotional pathways may provide a physical foundation for depression symptoms in some service members who have suffered mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in combat. The researchers will present their findings today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "We can link these connectivity changes in the brain to poor top-down emotional processing and greater maladaptive rumination, or worrying, in symptomatic depressed soldiers after mTBI," said Ping-Hong Yeh, Ph.D., scientist and physicist at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 352,619 service members worldwide have been diagnosed with TBI since 2000, the majority of these cases being mTBI. In addition, psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and major depressive disorders, are becoming common in military personnel with brain injuries. "With the increased survival of soldiers due to improvements in body armor and advanced medical care, there has been an increase in the number of soldiers surviving major trauma. Consequently, a large number of soldiers are returning from war with mTBI," Dr. Yeh said. "Mood disorders are very common in military-related mTBI patients. This is an ongoing problem facing a large number of warriors in current areas of conflict, and it is likely to be a persistent problem for the foreseeable future." For the study, researchers used two MRI techniques to examine 130 active male service members diagnosed with mTBI and a control group of 52 men without mTBI. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an MRI technique that measures how water moves through tissue. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI), examines the brain in its resting state, when not focused on a particular task. Depression symptoms were rated based on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a 21-item, self-reporting assessment that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression. Patients with a BDI score greater than 20 are considered to have moderate to severe depression symptoms. BDI scores showed that 75 of the mTBI patients were classified as having moderate to severe depression symptoms. Imaging results showed that white matter tractsthe circuits that connect brain regions critical for cognitive and emotional controlwere disrupted in the patients with moderate to severe depression symptoms. Researchers also saw changes in the gray matter cognitive-emotional networks in these patients. "We found consistencies in the locations of disrupted neurocircuitry as revealed by DWI and resting-state fMRI that are unique to the clinical symptoms of mTBI patients," Dr. Yeh said. "We have related the brain structural and functional changes in cognitive-emotional networks to depressive symptoms in mTBI patients." Dr. Yeh noted that this research can possibly lead to treatment strategies in the future. "Though the results of this study were not applied directly to patient care, the neuroimaging changes we found might be incorporated into treatment plans for personalized medicine in the future," he said. Close-up of Perampanel binding site. Credit: Laboratory of Alexander Sobolevsky, PhD/Columbia University Medical Center As many as one out of four adults who suffer from epilepsy do not respond to any available drugs. That makes the search for effective new anti-seizure medications vital, and Carnegie Mellon University chemist Maria Kurnikova is playing a key role in that quest. Kurnikova, an associate professor of chemistry, is part of a team that published a paper in the journal Neuron that shows how one class of drugs blocks the spread of out-of-control electrical signals in the brain during a seizure. A team led by Alexander Sobolevsky at Columbia University used crystallography and other techniques to visualize how the drugs block signals in the AMPA brain receptor, which is one of the main gateways for electrical signals as they propagate through the brain. In epilepsy, the AMPA receptors appear to be hypersensitive, opening the way for the firestorm of electrical impulses that comprise a seizure. Kurnikova, who specializes in computer simulations of how molecules interact in the brain, helped identify the binding sites for the drugs, supporting the idea that the medications sit like a wedge in the AMPA receptor and keep signals from getting through. Because AMPA receptors are necessary for normal brain function, any drug that blocks some of those receptors can cause certain side effects, including sleepiness, nausea and headaches. "Basically what you want to do with the drugs is create a situation where the excitation [in the brain] is not quite so easy to achieve, so you might create some sleepiness," Kurnikova says. "But if it's a question of sleepiness versus epilepsy, you would take the sleepiness." In the future, the work being done by Kurnikova's and Sobolevsky's team may be able to tweak the anti-seizure drugs to reduce the side effects. Sobolevsky notes that this class of drugs, which includes a commercially available medication known as perampanel, already "is way safer than other types of medications," and the new study suggests that "by changing the design of the drug we can make it even safer." Sobolevsky's group used techniques like crystallography and electrophysiological measurements to visualize the shape of the drug and receptor molecules, and to show how the drug changes the receptor's function. Kurnikova enhanced the findings by using software programs that simulate the precise way that the drug molecules bind to the receptor. To do that, the computer program has to examine millions of different configurations between the drug and the receptor, and that requires enormous computing power. In her laboratory at the Mellon Institute, Kurnikova uses computers that are much more powerful than what was available when she started this kind of work several years ago. One reason she can simulate molecules and proteins so much better today is the advances made by the gaming industry. By developing powerful graphics cards in computers to create realistic animations in video games, computer manufacturers have enabled her to buy a $2,000 PC that can accomplish the work of 20 computers just 10 years ago. She also makes use of a special high-speed computer designed specifically for molecular simulations. Named ANTON, the computer was created by the D.E. Shaw Co. and is housed at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. Because it is in demand by researchers around the nation, she must compete for time on ANTON by applying to the National Academy of Sciences. This year, she was allotted enough time to simulate 30 microseconds in the life of an AMPA receptor. The ANTON simulation was 100 times faster than what she has in-house. Kurnikova grew up in Norilsk, a mining city in Russia near the Arctic Ocean where the average high temperature in winter is less than 5 degrees. Her parents were both engineers who later moved to Moscow, where she got her master's from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. She then obtained her Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, and went on to do research and teaching in Israel and at Marquette University before joining the Carnegie Mellon faculty in 2003. She was promoted to associate professor in 2009. Her daughter is a Carnegie Mellon graduate, and is currently a graduate student in neuroscience at the University of California at San Diego. If Sobolevsky and Kurnikova can get additional funding for their epilepsy research, they hope to design new drugs that could block seizures with even fewer side effects. While there are a few medications that have been developed this way, she says, "such rational drug design is difficult. Drug companies usually try everything they can think of and see what sticks." Working together, Sobolevsky says, "we will propose new drugs, and if we are right about our assumptions, some of our new proposed drugs should be better." More information: Maria V. Yelshanskaya et al. Structural Bases of Noncompetitive Inhibition of AMPA-Subtype Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors by Antiepileptic Drugs, Neuron (2016). Journal information: Neuron Maria V. Yelshanskaya et al. Structural Bases of Noncompetitive Inhibition of AMPA-Subtype Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors by Antiepileptic Drugs,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.08.012 The RNA encoding mutant huntingtin (red) forms foci in the nucleus (blue) of a skeletal muscle fiber from a mouse with early-onset Huntington's disease. Credit: Miranda et al., 2017 Researchers have discovered that mice with Huntington's disease (HD) suffer defects in muscle maturation that may explain some symptoms of the disorder. The study, "Progressive Cl channel defects reveal disrupted skeletal muscle maturation in R6/2 Huntington's mice," which will be published online November 29 in The Journal of General Physiology, suggests that HD is a disease of muscle tissue as well as a neurodegenerative disorder and that therapies targeting skeletal muscle may improve patients' motor function. HD is a progressive, and ultimately fatal, disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene that results in the production of defective huntingtin RNA and protein molecules that disrupt various cellular processes. The cognitive and psychiatric disturbances associated with HD, including memory loss and mood swings, are thought to result from the death of neurons in the striatum and cerebral cortex. But some of the disease's motor symptoms, such as involuntary movements and muscle rigidity, could arise from the effects of mutant huntingtin in skeletal muscle. Andrew Voss and colleagues previously found that mice with an early-onset form of HD showed skeletal muscle defects at late stages of the disease, particularly a decrease in the function of a protein called ClC-1, which conducts chloride ions into the cell. This appeared to be caused by defective processing of the messenger RNA encoding ClC-1 and contributed to muscle hyperexcitability, potentially causing some of the motor symptoms associated with HD. But the loss of ClC-1 function could simply be a late response to the death of neurons innervating skeletal muscle; whether the chloride channel is affected during the onset and progression of HD remained unclear. In the new study, Voss and colleagues at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, examined their HD model mice throughout the course of the disease. They found that the RNA encoding ClC-1 was misprocessed in both HD and control mice when they were young, but, as they grew older, only healthy animals were able to start correctly processing the RNA to produce functional ClC-1. Thus, even before their motor symptoms began to appear, ClC-1 function was reduced in the skeletal muscle of HD mice compared with healthy, control animals. This suggested that muscle maturation might be disrupted in HD mice. Voss and colleagues found that HD mice expressed a form of the muscle motor protein myosin that is usually only produced in newborn mouse muscle. Moreover, they identified similar defects in muscle maturation in a different strain of mice with adult-onset HD. "Our results support the idea that HD is a myopathy as well as a neurodegenerative disease and may provide a new opportunity to improve patient care by targeting skeletal muscle tissue," Voss says. In addition, researchers and clinicians may be able to use the skeletal muscle defects as biomarkers to track the progress of HD, a much easier task than examining patients' brain tissue. The science behind what makes a human voice sound pleasant, or "vocal attractiveness," is something that people are exposed to everyday while interacting with a digital assistant like Apple's Siri. Once the province of psychologists and linguists, vocal attractiveness is now of increasing interest to acousticians as well as artificial intelligence (AI) researchers. In a study to be presented during the 172nd Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the 5th Joint Meeting with Acoustical Society of Japan, being held Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2016, in Honolulu, Hawaii, a Canadian researcher has new data about the vocal attractiveness of consonants. Vowels are already well studied and there are several acoustic cues intrinsic to vowelssuch as pitchthat effect listeners' judgments of attractiveness. Data show that both female and male listeners typically agree in their "vocal attractiveness" ratings of voiced vowels whether they were spoken by a female or a male. According to the researchers, consonants are different. Results of this new study show that both the sex of the speaker and the sex of the listener were important to how an acoustic cue was perceived and ranked a 7-point "vocal attractiveness" scale. "Overall, I think the big take away from my study is the fact that the sex and gender of speakers and listeners influence the vocal attractiveness of consonants in different waysand this influence has not been found for listeners when judging vowels," explained Emily Blamire, a doctoral student in linguistics at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. One of her key findings specifically pertains to the vocal cue of "s" duration (written by linguists as /s/). In her tests, two native speakers of Canadian English (one male, one female) spoke words containing the /s/ sound to make audio recordings. The recordings were then manipulated to both increase and decrease the value of each cue linguists study such as center of gravity and duration. Unlike other test parameters, it was only the manipulations of "s" duration that evoked statistically significant rating differences by 32 test participants aged 19-32, 16 of whom were female, who were asked to rate vocal attractiveness. "Results show female listeners rank the male voice as more attractive when /s/ duration is decreased," Blamire said, while male listeners did not. Blamire continued, "This suggests that not only are male and female voices judged by different standards as to what is attractive, but that men and women are using different criteria when making these judgments." Why consonants might be different is a topic for future research. "For the linguistic community, I think one of the most important aspects of this work was that not all consonant cues that encode social informationsuch as sexplayed a role in perception of vocal attractiveness," she said. Though vocal attractiveness research may in fact influence how your phone talks to you, for Blamire, there is a deeper significance. "Truly, the wider value of this study, I feel, is that it is one little step more in illustrating the complexity of the human mind in how we perceive and categorize the world around us," Blamire said. More information: Presentation 1pSPb6, "The role of consonants in the perception of vocal attractiveness," by Emily Blamire is at 4:50 p.m. HAST, Nov. 28, 2016 in Room Coral 3. US firm explores Georgias investment opportunities An American private investment firm, Schulze Global Investments, is interested in investing the in construction of small and medium hydro power plants in Georgia.This was revealed after Georgias Acting Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met with Gabriel Schulze, Executive Chairman of Schulze Global Investments on November 21.Following the meeting, Kvirikashvili said that a group of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) from the United States would visit Georgia next year to familiarise themselves with the Georgian market and investment opportunities."Schulze Global Investments manages investments of hundreds of millions of USD at the largest markets of the world. It is now keenly interested in getting exposure to the construction of small and medium hydro power plants (HPPs) in Georgia, the Governments Administration said in a press release.The pair discussed investment opportunities in Georgia. Schulze believed that Georgia was a "very interesting market for investors and the country had "great potential for growth.Meanwhile, Schulze congratulated Kvirikashvili with his party's overwhelming victory in the Parliamentary Elections last month and expressed his hope that fruitful cooperation with the Government of Georgia would continue.Schulze Global Investments is a US investment firm with its head office in Singapore. The company has been active for almost 10 years and its clients include large investors from all over the world, along with the international financial institutions (IFIs) and funds. Schulze Global Investments manages the Caucasus Clean Energy Fund worth of 100 MLN USD in Georgia with a focus on investments in the construction of small and medium HPPs. Russia will not withdraw its recognition of Georgias de-facto regions By Messenger Staff Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin admits that Russia-Georgia relations have improved since 2012 under the Georgian Dream party's leadership, but he stressed that Russia does not intend to withdraw its recognition of Georgias de-facto regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).After the Russia-Georgia August War in 2008, Russia, Nicaragua and Nauru recognized Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent republics; the rest of the international community unanimously agrees that the regions are integral part of Georgia and are occupied by Russia."Georgia continues to insist on the fact that we must review our position on the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Its impossible today, its a new regional reality, Karasin told Sputnik Belarus.Karasin stated that Russia helped South Ossetia defend its independence in 2008, and after recognized the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali which was followed by open, anti-Russian rhetoric in Georgia.The Russian official said relations between Russia and Georgia started to normalize when the Georgian Dream Government replaced the United National Movement leadership in 2012.We are pleased we have restored our humanitarian, transport and trade ties, Karasin said.He added that Russia also took steps to simplify the issuing of visas for Georgian citizens.The statement means that the restoration of Georgia-Russia diplomatic ties is a long-term perspective as the issue of the occupied regions would play a significant role in this regard.The Government of Georgia has many times stated that the restoration of diplomatic ties with the Russian Federation will never take place at the expense of Georgias territorial integrity.Russia has carried out similarly aggressive actions in Ukraine and Moldova, and gives the same explanations for occupying the territories of other countries.The Russian leadership stresses that they help small nations defend themselves.This naturally begs the question of what further 'defence' Tshkinvali and Abkhazia could possibly need since Georgia commits no acts of aggression; however, Russia continues to erect barbed-wire fences on sovereign Georgian land and erect illegal 'border signs'. The News in Brief Georgian Dream and State for People spent most money in election period - Audit Service The Audit Service has published the statistics reflecting the expenses of political parties and independent MPs in the election period. The statistics cover the period from 8 June to 8 October. According to the statistics, the Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia spent 20,852,680 GEL; Georgian Dream is followed by the State for People, with a total expenditure of 4,396,452 GEL; next is the United National Movement with 2,419,869 GEL; the Patriotic Alliance 2,391,046 GEL; the United Democratic Movement 1,379,225 per month; the Free Democrats 1,308,840 GEL; the National Forum 543,490 GEL; the Republican Party 554,955 GEL; Industry will Save Georgia 489,169 GEL; the Labour Party 472,400 GEL; New Political Center Girchi 232,426 GEL; Civic Platform - New Georgia 324,005 GEL; other parties spent up to 200,000 GEL. As for independent candidates, in the election period the biggest amounts of money were spent by Ilia Kokaia, with 358,293 GEL and Tsezar Chocheli with 212,518 GEL. (IPN) Head of Georgian Border Police Resigns The head of the Georgian Border Police, Zurab Gamezardashvili, who simultaneously served as Deputy Interior Minister, has resigned. In a post on his Facebook page, Gamezardashvili said without specifying the reasons that it was his personal decision. It is unknown who will replace Gamezardashvili, who led the Georgian Border Police since November 2013. (Civil.ge) President says govt has all possible preconditions for economic development All possible preconditions have been provided by the government for economic development, the President told the Public Broadcaster. According to him, from an economic point of view, now it is time to take extraordinary and active steps. "All possible preconditions have been provided by the government for economic development. Now is the time for extraordinary and active steps. I cannot speak about the steps in detail, but the election process and the surveys shoed that the main problem in the country is the economy and employment. I will support the governments active steps in this direction, Giorgi Margvelashvili said. According to him, the Prime Minister has good experience in the field of economics, and he has a strong economic team. (IPN) Freedom House: Georgias Score in Internet Freedom Ranking Decreased Freedom House has published an annual report on Internet freedom around the world. Georgia obtained a score of 25 out of 100 and was assessed as Free in terms of Internet freedom. Nevertheless, the countrys score decreased by 1 point compared to 2015. The report on Georgia positively assesses the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Georgia, which declared law enforcement agencies direct technical access to metadata unconstitutional. Among other key developments, the report covers the cases of blocking of international platforms, Wordpress and Youtube, which arguably negatively affected Georgias performance this year. In addition, the report mentions the one-month detention of an Internet user, Sulkhan Tsuladze, for his forum post describing a fictional attack on the US Ambassador to Georgia. As local human rights defenders argued, the detention was not justified. In terms of obstacles to Internet access, the Freedom House report discussesthe issues of distribution of Internet users among several Internet service providers (ISPs), usage of social networks and importance of long-term state strategy for development of Internet infrastructure are discussed. More specifically, competition on Internet market is minimal, since two ISPs control more than two-thirds of the market (wired Internet market). Similarly, mobile Internet market is also dominated by two main providers. Inadequate infrastructure, low speed Internet and digital divide remain as hindrances. In order to overcome these challenges the government set up the non-commercial legal entity Open Net to build broadband infrastructure. The report mentions public concerns about lack of transparency and inclusiveness of the project. The report refers to the issue of autonomy of the regulatory body of the telecommunication sector, the Georgian National Communications Commission. On a positive note, according to representatives of civil society organizations, the report argues that the agency is gradually becoming more open to engagement with various civil society stakeholders. When it comes to online activism, the report mentions a growing impact of Internet use for disseminating information, mobilizing people for a common cause and waging online campaigns. As an example, the study mentions the campaign titledBeka is not a criminal, which was launched in support of Beka Tsikarishvili, who was detained for illegal possession of marijuana. Online platforms were extensively used for mobilization of like-minded people and accumulation of enough signatures for an online petition protesting against strict drug policy. With regard to limits on content, it is mentioned that despite the latest incidents of government blocking international platforms, censorship online remains rare and web content is not subject to systematic manipulation. Nevertheless, self-censorship is argued to be present among civil servants. As far as online media content is concerned, according to the report, Georgian media landscape is becoming diverse, however, proliferation of unbiased and unreliable media content, especially anti-Western propaganda, was observed during the reporting period. In terms of protection of users rights - the Freedom House report discusses criminalization of public calls to violent action. Based on civil society representatives, the report maintains that in spite of the narrow framing of the law, it could have a chilling effect on free speech online. Moreover, due to the leaked recordings of private conversations between several political figures and opposition leaders, the issue of illegal state surveillance remains as a matter of public controversy. Evaluation of each country includes a detailed narrative report and a numerical score based on three categories: obstacle to access, limits on content and violations of user rights. The 2016 report covers the period between May, 2015 and May, 2016. (IDFI.ge) @MichaelAuslen The steady trickle of political appointments by President-elect Donald Trump over the last month has so far not included one Floridian who is seen as very likely to win a top federal job: Attorney General Pam Bondi. Speculating about Bondi's next career move has become a favorite parlor game in Tallahassee. A lot of ideas have been thrown around: White House drug czar, a nod to her first-term crackdown on so-called pill mills; assistant attorney general; U.S. trade representative. She was even seen as a potential U.S. attorney general until Trump tapped Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama for the job. However consider that more than 1,000 of the most desirable jobs in federal government require Senate confirmation. And Bondi has never been one to enjoy close scrutiny. A controversy about a $25,000 check from Trump to Bondi's reelection campaign that came around the time other states were investigating and suing Trump University came to a boiling point this September in a tense press conference in the state Capitol. After weeks of Bondi refusing to comment, reporters asked pointed questions. Bondi fired back. "If I had returned it, you would have reported, 'Bondi accepted bribe, got caught, and returned it,' " she said. "There was nothing improper about it, so there was no reason to return it." Text messages released to the Times/Herald show that in early June, Bondi felt personally victimized by reporting about the Trump check. "Shame on you," she wrote to one reporter. "You have destroyed my entire career ... Complete lies." Bondi, whose resume includes nearly 20-year career as a Tampa prosecutor and six years as a conservative state attorney general, would likely have no problem winning approval from a Republican-controlled Senate. But the confirmation process can be grueling and contentious. Bondi could face much quesitons from far more adversarial people than the Capitol Press Corps in Tallahassee. Surely, that must be on her mind as she considers what jobs Trump may offer. Still, it's not certain when a Bondi appointment may come. Speculation has been fueled by her absence from the ceremonial organizational session of the Florida Legislature last week. The rest of the Cabinet was there. Bondi, who tends to avoide the spotlight in Tallahassee except during Cabinet meetings and ceremonial occasions, was absent. Her office never responded to three emails asking where the Florida attorney general -- second in the line of succession to the governor's office -- was during the session. On Monday, a spokeswoman provided no answer to questions about whether Bondi had plans to travel to New York, where Trump's team is interviewing job candidates, or about phone calls scheduled with the Trump transition. Photo: Loren Elliott, Tampa Bay Times @ByKristenMClark Senate President Joe Negron R-Stuart, announced his leadership team for the 2016-18 term on Tuesday, a list that includes some expected appointments but also some surprises and a few snubs. Negron put many of his most trusted allies in key positions, such as naming Trilby Republican Sen. Wilton Simpson as majority leader. Simpson is in line to take over as Senate president in four years. Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel was named Simpson's deputy. President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores, R-Miami -- Negron's No. 2 in the chamber -- will helm two committees: Banking and Insurance and the subcommittee in charge of the Health and Human Services budget. She'll also be vice-chairwoman of the full Appropriations Committee. Meanwhile, Bradenton Republican Sen. Bill Galvano -- last year's majority leader who is likely to succeed Negron as president in 2018 -- will be in charge of the higher education budget, a reflection of the emphasis Negron plans to put on the state's public colleges and universities during his tenure. Because half of the Senate is new this term, many freshman senators landed key leadership spots -- including several recently former House members and two Democrats, Lauren Book and Randolph Bracy. Veteran Democrats Bill Montford, of Tallahassee, and Audrey Gibson, of Jacksonville, also were given committee chairmanships, affording the minority party's 15 members a level of influence in the chamber. Of note, as well: The Senate's former steadfast firewall that last spring had halted a couple controversial measures to expand gun rights in Florida is gone, potentially giving such bills an easier route in the 2017 session. Rather than keep a moderate lawmaker as chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee, Negron named conservative Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, to the leadership post. The committee was previously led by Miami Republican Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, who lost his re-election bid to now-Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami. Steube, an ardent supporter of gun rights who last year was in the Florida House, told the Herald/Times last week that he's drafting comprehensive legislation for 2017 to reduce various types of restrictions on conceal-carry permit holders. Some of those same proposals were considered last year but failed to pass because of Diaz de la Portilla's decision to kill the bills. Diaz de la Portilla had said the proposals lacked support in the 40-member Senate, which is generally more moderate than the House and where Republicans hold a narrower majority. In the absence of Diaz de la Portilla, though, Bracy could potentially be a different obstacle as head of the Criminal Justice Committee. The Orlando Democrat supported last year's campus-carry bill but opposed a measure to allow the open-carrying of firearms. Here's the full list of chairmanships for main committees in 2016-18: The Florida Department of Corrections was forced to quell yet another disturbance at a North Florida prison early Tuesday, deploying a response team to quiet an inmate unrest for the fourth time this year at Franklin Correctional Institution. "The situation was quickly and effectively resolved and resulted in no injuries to staff or inmates,'' said Michelle Glady, spokesperson for the agency. "At this time the facility remains on lockdown. The Department is currently assessing the facility for damages and has placed involved inmates in confinement pending disciplinary review." In June, inmates jumped a corrections officer and took over two dorms for several hours during a late-night riot at the facility in rural Carrabelle. During that riot, about 300 inmates stormed two housing dorms, using makeshift tools to drill through a concrete and brick wall and smash bathroom fixtures, TVs, ceiling fans, toilets and sprinkler systems, destroying nearly everything in the dorms, officials with the Florida Department of Corrections and sources confirmed at the time. The incidents are constant reminders that Franklin and other facilities are dangerously understaffed. Yet, the unrest comes on the same day a settlement was announced in a lawsuit in which three prison inspectors accused the agency of covering up an abusive inmate death in 2010 at Franklin Correctional. The officers filed the lawsuit alleging that they had been systematically retaliated against for attempting to bring their claims forward. Rather than investigating the claims, FDC officials demoted the whistleblowers and filed a series of internal investigations against them. The three inspectors filed a retaliation lawsuit and, a year ago, agreed to drop the charges in exchange for the state finding them different jobs at another state agency and releasing them from the investigations. They only cost to the state would have been the attorneys fees of about $25,000, said Ryan Andrews, their lawyer. FDC refused. Tuesday, a settlement agreement was filed in Leon County Circuit Court showing the state agreed to pay the whistleblowers $800,000 to end the lawsuit. Glady said that the portion of the settlement payment not covered by the agency's liability insurance will come from the agencys administrative trust fund: $320,209.66. @ByKristenMClark A popular, parent-backed proposal to require daily recess at all of Floridas public elementary schools will be back before the Florida Legislature next spring. Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, filed a bill on Tuesday that mirrors one that died in the spring despite fervent support when one key senator from Pasco County refused to hear it in committee. The measure, SB 78 for the 2017 session, mandates local school boards offer 20 minutes per day of supervised, safe and unstructured free-play recess for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Orlando Republican Rep. Rene Plasencia, who led the effort last year, will again champion it in the House. He said hes in the process of drafting his bill for 2017 and plans to file it soon. Last sessions proposal was initiated by passionate parents from all across Florida primarily self-described recess moms in Tampa and Orlando, as well as Miami-Dade who pleaded and lobbied for their lawmakers support in the 2016 session. Read more here. Photo credit: Marsha Halper / Miami Herald *This post has been updated. @PatriciaMazzei The U.S. wont send a formal delegation to Fidel Castros memorial in Cuba. But two representatives will attend the memorial, the White House said Tuesday. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes and Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the top U.S. diplomat in Cuba, will go to Tuesday nights memorial, Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters. Rhodes helped negotiate the diplomatic opening between the U.S. and Cuba announced on Dec. 17, 2014. President Barack Obama nominated DeLaurentis in September to be U.S. ambassador in Cuba. He has been the embassy chief since it reopened in July 2015. More here. Photo credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) have signed the Implementation Agreement at the Ministrys HQ at Ubungo, yesterday. The agreement outlines the interventions that will be carried out within the framework of Technical Cooperation between the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and of the Federal Republic of Germany. Speaking at the signing ceremony the Ministry of Water and Irrigations Permanent Secretary, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba said that, with GIZs support, several instruments for policy coordination and implementation have been put in place, including the Water Supply and Sanitation Regulations and the Water Sector Programme Implementation Manual. Eng. Futakamba continued by saying, the current 3-year cycle of GIZs support to the Water Sector Programme, which runs from March 2016 to February 2019 with a funding envelop of Euro 9.5 million , will concentrate on a number of distinct working areas of Sectoral Framework and Sector Finance, Urban Water Supply and Sanitation, Regulatory Framework and Climate-Sensitive Water Resources Management . Meanwhile, the GIZ Country Director, Dr. Regine Qualmann said that, it is in the interest of the Government of Germany that, through effective cooperation with Tanzanian Government the implementation of the GIZ supported water sector development programme will achieve its intended objectives and targets, and to do so in a sustainable manner. As we will always support Tanzania and its development as far as our cooperation is concerned. The cooperation between Tanzania and Germany existed since 1975, and it has been guided by a shared vision of promoting Tanzanias development in a sustainable manner. Over the years, the focus and priorities have somewhat changed, in order to adapt to changing conditions and priorities on site, but also to take on board changing global initiatives and development agendas. Yesterdays signing ceremony signalled the continuation of the joint commitment of the two Governments, towards accomplishing some of the unfinished global commitments of the (8) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which have now been reformulated into (17) measurable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), under the Global Agenda for 2030. The Ministry of Water and Irrigations Permanent Secretary, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba together with the Counsellor- Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany in Tanzania, Julia Hannig (at the left) and the GIZ Country Director, Dr. Regine Qualmann. The invitees listening to the presentantion. The Ministry of Water and Irrigations Permanent Secretary, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba together with the GIZ Country Director, Dr. Regine Qualmann signing the agreement. The Ministry of Water and Irrigations Permanent Secretary, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba together with the GIZ Country Director, Dr. Regine Qualmann exchanging the agreement documents. The Ministry of Water and Irrigations Permanent Secretary, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba together with the GIZ Country Director, Dr. Regine Qualmann in a group photo with ministrys, GIZs and EWURAs representatives. Coming soon Health Education class "Caregivers and Executors Matter," 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Marcy Daly Hospital Blodgett/Canyon View Conference Rooms. Instructor Katherine Herczeg, MSN, APRN, Bitterroot Physicians Clinic South and Larry Johnson, Attorney at Law. Call 406-375-4589. Free wellness presentations The St. Francis of Assisi Health and Wellness Ministry is hosting the following free wellness presentations Thursdays at the St. Francis Pastoral Center, 411 S. Fifth St., in Hamilton: Reduce Stress & Fatigue Promote Focus & Relaxation with Joan Morgan, occupational therapist, 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Red Cross blood drives The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a readily available blood supply for emergencies. Donors of all blood types are needed. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to help reduce wait times. Upcoming blood drives: MISSOULA: Forward Montana, near corner of Broadway and Higgins in the blood mobile, Friday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m. (register at redcrossblood.org, use sponsor code "care". ST. IGNATIUS: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Main and 93, Thursday, Dec. 1, noon-6:15 p.m. Register at redcrossblood.org, use sponsor code "stignatius". Red Willow Center For more information on the following classes at the learning center, 825 W. Kent, call 406-721-0033 or visit redwillowlearning.org: Ongoing classes include "Yoga for Wellness" at noon Mondays, $12 or $40 for four weeks; "Mindfulness Meditation" at 12:10 p.m. Tuesdays, $12 or $40 for four weeks; "Yoga Beyond Cancer" at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, $40 for four weeks; "Yoga for Wellness" at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, $12 or $40 for four weeks; "Yoga for Chronic Pain" at 5 p.m. Wednesdays, $40 for four weeks plus $50 for prerequisite screening' "Meditation for Veterans" at 1:15 p.m. Thursdays (no class Nov. 24) at Missoula Vet Center, 910 Brooks, free. Ongoing programs AA and Al-Anon For the latest Alcoholics Anonymous meetings list, visit aa-montana.org or call the Missoula hotline at 406-543-0011. For more information on Al-Anon and Alateen, which are 12-step recovery programs for relatives and friends whose lives have been affected by alcoholism, visit mt.al-anon.alateen.org. Acupuncture for cancer caregivers Missoula Community Acupuncture, located in the Radio Central Building, 127 E Main St., Suite 314, offers free acupuncture treatments for friends, family, nurses, doctors or anyone who takes care of cancer patients 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call Michael Peluso at 406-926-1611. Adult Asperger's support group An open meeting for those with Asperger's as well as their family and friends is held 6-7:30 p.m. every Thursday at the University Center, Room 215, on campus. Contact Monique Casbeer at 406-721-3947 or Cindy Bacon Janego at cjanego@communitymed.org for more information. Alzheimers support Meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon at the Summit Independent Living conference room, 700 S.W. Higgins Ave. Another group meets the fourth Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Missoula Senior Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave. For more information, contact Jackie Johnson at 406-549-3433 or jackiej45@yahoo.com. Alzheimers caregivers support group Meets the fourth Monday at 6:30 p.m. of each month at the Missoula Senior Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave. For more information, call Jackie Johnson at 406-549-3433. Arthritis programs The Montana Arthritis Program offers physical activity and self-management education programs, such as the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, Walk with Ease and Stanfords Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. Classes are available in several communities including Florence, Hamilton, Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Plains and Polson. To find a class or for more information, visit dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/arthritis. Bereavement support groups Frontier Hospice offers open door meetings 6-7 p.m. Thursdays at the following locations: The Springs at Whitefish on the first Thursday; Rising Mountains Assisted Living Community in Bigfork on the third Thursday; and Frontier Hospice in Kalispell on the second and fourth Thursdays. Call 406-755-4923 for more information. Breast cancer support group Meets the first and third Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon at the Montana Cancer Center, St. Patrick Hospital Broadway Building, second floor. Call 406-329-5656. Cancer Center support group Meets noon-1:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Montana Cancer Center, 500 W. Broadway. For more information, call Bonnie at 406-240-0996. Cancer Resource Guide The online guide covers resources including support groups, treatment centers, camps and retreats, in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli counties. It is available at cancerresourcesMT.org. Cancer support group A support group for anyone affected by cancer meets noon-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays at the Polson United Methodist Church, 301 16th Ave. For more information, call Tammy at 406-883-7284 or 406-824-2868. Celebrate Recovery The Christian-based 12-step recovery program meets 6-9:30 p.m. every Friday at Christian Assembly Foursquare Church, 1001 Cleveland St. Dinner is available from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and child care is provided for ages birth to 11. For more information, call 406-721-6884 or email cafc@4bible.com. Cheerful Heart Lake County cancer patients in treatment can receive a massage and help with hair and skin problems, free of charge, from local therapists and cosmetologists. Other non-medical services include transportation to treatment and doctor appointments, running errands, yard work and meal preparation. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 406-883-3070. Colorectal Cancer Support Group Meets 1-2 p.m. the third Friday of every month through March 20, Community Cancer Care Conference Room, 2827 Fort Missoula Road. "Coping, Education & Support for Women with All Cancer Types" The support group for women in all stages of cancer treatment or survivorship will be held noon-1:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month through March 14, 2016, at the Community Cancer Care Conference Room, 2837 Fort Missoula Road. For more information, call Deb Rivey at 327-3912, Terri Paxinos at 406-327-3957 or Kimberly Hardwick at 406-327-3906. Diabetes program At 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, there will be a short presentation on a topic related to the management of Type 1 diabetes at the YMCA, 3000 S. Russell St. It will be followed by the option for socializing in the foyer or being active together at the Y. A fee of $5 per person will be collected at the door for those choosing to use the facility. Designed for ages 14 and older, children are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver. Double Trouble in Recovery The 12-step program for people with mental health and addiction issues meets 3-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Winds of Change Recovery Mall, 2685 Palmer St., No. C (second floor). Coffee is provided. For more information, call Veronica at 406-721-2038. Epilepsy support group Meets the first Monday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Summit Independent Living Center, 700 S.W. Higgins Ave., Suite 101. Patients, friends, family and caregivers welcome. Call Debbie at 406-721-0707 for more information. Free health exams Women ages 30 to 64 who meet necessary income guidelines and either have no health insurance or have insurance that will not pay for breast and cervical health exams can receive free exams through Partnership Health Centers Montana Cancer Screening Program. Call 406-258-4162 for more information. Gentle yoga class The Missoula Senior Citizen Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave., offers a class that focuses on balance training, back strength and core conditioning through gentle yoga matwork every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m. Fee is $4 per class. All ages welcome. For more information, call 406-543-7154. Health Insurance Assistance Service Montana cancer patients can call the American Cancer Societys 24-hour toll-free number to be connected to a health insurance specialist to ask about coverage and insurance programs specific to the state. The number is 800-227-2345. Mens cancer support group Open to men in all phases of testing, treatment and followup, the group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Montana Cancer Center, 500 W. Broadway. It is facilitated by Gary Weisbrich and Tom King. Call 406-329-5628 or email gary.weisbrich@providence.org for more information. Narcotics Anonymous Meets at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Alano Club, 8 Third Ave. W., Polson. Call 406-883-4135. National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI Missoula meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon in the lower level (behind the cafeteria) of the Providence Center. It is open to anyone affected by mental illness or interested in learning more about the group. The NAMI Connection group for adults living with mental illness meets 1:30-3 p.m. Thursdays at the NAMI offices, 202 Brooks St., Room 210. Call 406-880-1013 with questions. NAMI Family Support Group National Alliance on Mental Illness Missoula meets Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks St., in Room 210. The peer-led support for adult family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals with mental illness is free. For more information, call 406-880-1013 or email namimissoula@gmail.com. My No-Nonsense Nutrition Program A seven-week webinar course to improve your nutrition and fitness. Faith-based approach to better health. Free initial consult with Judy Gilman, registered nurse, diabetes and wellness educator. mynononsensenutrition.com or 406-546-7819. Overeaters Anonymous Local meetings include 7 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks St. A meeting for newcomers is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday followed by a "Back to Basics" meeting at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's. Everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively is welcome. There are no dues, weigh-ins or lectures. For more meeting information, visit oa.org. SAA For the latest Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting list visit saa-recovery.org, call the Missoula hotline at 406-241-4005 or email MissoulaBetterway@yahoo.com. SAA is a 12-step fellowship of men and women who share experience, strength and hope for the purpose of finding freedom from addictive sexual behavior and helping others recover from sex addiction. S-Anon Local meetings are held weekly for this recovery program for people affected by another persons sexual behavior. Visit sanonmontana.org or call 406-544-1271 to learn more. Stroke and Brain Injury Support Group Meets the second Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Providence Center, 902 N. Orange St., in the dining area on the fourth floor. For details, call 406-329-5784. Tai Chi for Arthritis Class offered 9:15 a.m. Mondays at the Missoula Senior Citizens Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave. $4 per class. All ages welcome. Tai Chi Chih Classes are offered at the following locations: Missoula Senior Citizens Center, 705 S. Higgins Ave., 9:15 a.m. Wednesdays, $4 per class; PEAK Health & Wellness Center, 5000 Blue Mountain Road, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, call 251-3344; and The Womens Club, 2105 Bow St., 9 a.m. Fridays, call 406-728-4410. TOPS Take Off Pounds Sensibly, an affordable, nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness organization, meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church, 2701 S. Russell St. Another TOPS meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2512 Sunset Lane. For additional meetings, go to tops.org, click on "Find a Meeting" and enter your ZIP code or call 800-932-8677. After stalling for nearly all of November, 2016s snow season got in gear just in time for December. National Weather Service models show that Monday mornings dusting should continue through the week as bands of snow-laden clouds move east from the Pacific Coast. The heaviest deposits should land in the Bitterroot Mountains along the Montana-Idaho border on Tuesday. After a brief pause, more snow should arrive on Wednesday through Thursday. That could bring another inch of snow for Missoula, and possibly an inch in Kalispell, said NWS meteorologist Dan Zumpfe. I expect the daytime temperatures will melt most of it, but it will re-freeze overnight. That should affect driving conditions on Lookout Pass, Lolo Pass, Lost Trail Pass and Whitebird Hill. Much of the snowfall may shift to a mix of rain and snow with little accumulation below 3,000 feet elevation. But thats likely to change later in the week as a colder system moves over the western part of the state. Between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow are expected in the mountains down to Lolo and Lookout passes. The prime time for the Wednesday-Thursday snow is right at Thursdays morning commute, Zumpfe said. Thats going to be problematic for people trying to get to work and school. The Bitterroot Valley should see the same snowfall but could warm up faster than its northern neighbors on Thursday. On Friday, though, a cold snap should push daytime temperatures consistently below freezing through the middle of next week. Overnight temperatures could range from the teens to the single digits. The change feels all the more extreme because November looks to be bumping record marks for warmest fall weather. The Missoula monthly temperature average was about 4 degrees above normal as of Sunday, and Kalispells was running 6.6 degrees above normal. The rain gauges at both regional airports also show below-normal precipitation, with Kalispell almost three-quarters of an inch behind for November. Missoula is down by 0.6 inches. A 20-year-old man who escaped with another man from a Butte pre-release facility was arrested Monday in downtown Missoula after fleeing police during a traffic stop. Sgt. Travis Welsh, public information officer with the Missoula Police Department, said the stop occurred just after 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Ryman Street and Broadway. Kyle James Wanner got out of his vehicle and fled before being caught a few blocks away, he said. The Montana Department of Corrections sent out a bulletin in early November for Wanner and Roger Gillespie after the pair climbed out of a bathroom window at Connections Corrections pre-release facility in Butte. Gillespie was charged a week ago with stealing a truck and leading Missoula police on a high-speed chase. In 2013, Wanner was convicted in Missoula County of burglary and criminal possession of drugs with the intent to sell. He is being held without bail at the Missoula County jail and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. PRIMM MEADOW What lesson should we take from a walk through this 500-year-old stand of Ponderosa pine? When Frank and Edna Parker homesteaded 160 acres here in 1897, the Gold Creek basin 17 miles northeast of Missoula was covered with trees wider than a Remington 700 hunting rifle was long. Today, a deer hunter needs just 20 minutes to walk from one edge of the grove to the other, from clear-cut logging scar to clear-cut logging scar. One could look at the denuded country around Primm Meadow and feel outrage: How could anyone have thought this was a responsible way to manage a forest? But thats like asking a Civil War surgeon why he sawed so many soldiers legs off. Lots of science and accepted business principles at the time backed up the logging that supplied what became the worlds largest plywood mill downstream at Bonner. One could also probe Primm Meadow for clues why as to Montana has played such an outsize role in United States forest policy over the decades. At its timber-industry height, the nations fourth-largest state only contributed about 10 percent of the nations demand for lumber. Today, Montana provides barely a tenth of that amount. Yet Forest Service Region 1, headquartered in Missoula, has produced the last three chiefs of the federal agency. A history of controversial calculations led to treating the states public forests as a giant tree plantation, justified accelerated old-growth liquidation of its largest stands, and then triggered the virtual shutdown of its federal timber supply. To understand why, it helps to know where trees grow and why we cut them down. Today, Montana supplies about 1.5 percent of the nations demand for lumber and plywood. Its steep mountainsides grow mostly lodgepole, Douglas fir, larch and Ponderosa pine. They take around a century to mature, compared to the 30- to 40-year regrowth cycle in the rainforests of Washington and Oregon. In 2015, Montana produced 535 million board-feet of lumber. Oregon produced 3.7 billion board-feet. The Southern Pine Region of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Carolinas produced 16.6 billion board-feet almost 60 percent of U.S. production. And the United States only mills about two-thirds of its own demand for softwood lumber. Virtually all the rest comes from Canada hence the furor over last months expiration of the Canadian Softwood Agreement that governs how much lumber can be exported from our northern neighbor. Take a step further. The United States ranks fourth in the world for forest area, behind the Russian Federation, Brazil and Canada. At 1.9 billion acres, the Russians oversee more trees than the United States and Canada combined. And our competitors cut their forests at an amazing rate. The World Wildlife Funds Living Forests report concludes that global demand for timber will triple by 2050 as developing countries increase their appetite for paper and lumber. Brazil has so stepped up to that market that it has just 16 years of timber inventory left to cut. Nigeria has already erased 99 percent of its primary forest. Why care about how other countries manage their forests? A new study from the University of Washington published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE shows how large-scale forest losses on one continent can change climate on the other side of the world. For example, tree loss in the western United States causes cooling in Siberia, slowing forest growth there. It also causes drier conditions in the Southeast, hurting forests in the Carolinas. Coincidentally, it actually improves growing conditions south of the equator by making the climate cooler and wetter there. This study shows that local events like forest die-offs in one part of the globe influence climate and ecology in other, often-distant locations, said Tim Kratz of the National Science Foundation, which funded the study. Unraveling these far-reaching effects is critical to understanding how nature works at continental to global scales. *** Americans started transforming North American forests as soon as they got off the boats from Europe in the 1600s. The Society of American Foresters estimates between then and 1900, nearly 30 percent of the United States original forest was converted to other uses, mainly agriculture. The timber industry moved in nomadic fashion across the American frontier. After reducing the Northeasts forest from almost 300 million acres at the Revolutionary War to 144 million acres by 1900, loggers moved west to the Great Lakes region. Between 1830 and 1930, Minnesota loggers alone cut 68 billion board-feet of pine, which the Minnesota Historical Society described as enough lumber to fill boxcars stretching from the earth to the moon and halfway back again. By the Great Depression, the states timber industry was reduced to pulp, paper and matchsticks. Montana got swept into the Gold Rush migration in 1862, just as the Civil War was getting underway. According to retired research forester Steve Arno, the state found itself perfectly positioned to become a national timber player. When railroads made their intercontinental link-up in the 1880s, we were ready to go with a big mill at Bonner and another big mill at Hamilton, Arno said. The quality and abundance of old-growth Ponderosa pine was a big factor. It was quite accessible, growing in the valleys and lower slopes. So we were all set up for export to the Midwest through the rails. The Montana stuff was very competitive. The Anaconda Company acquired most of the timberlands north of Missoula, including Gold Creek and what's now the 28,000-acre Lubrecht Experimental Forest. Anaconda loggers cut most of the big trees off the Lubrecht by 1937, at one point hauling 8,000 modern-sized truckloads a year just to line its mine shafts. When the company donated it to the University of Montana, almost every tree wider than 12 inches around had been cut. The Parkers had a tough life raising potatoes, hay and beef cattle along the West Fork of Gold Creek. They mortgaged the ranch in 1915 for $1,600, and sold the timber rights to Anaconda in 1926. But the company didn't get around to blasting a road along the precipitous Gold Creek Canyon until the late 1950s. Meanwhile, Mahala and Charles Primm bought the homestead in 1938. The story goes that Charlie hit himself in the leg with an ax one day, and Mahala tried to keep him from going to town for treatment. She suspected, correctly, that he might not return to the hardscrabble life under the tall Ponderosas. When she finally relented, the doctor said Charles would have died if she'd stalled two more days. Learning that, Mahala reportedly said she'd wished she'd waited. Although Anaconda continued to cut timber, its land manager George Neff grew fond of the homestead and its grove of big trees. It remained uncut when Mahala Primm died in 1977 at the age of 79. Two years later, her son Morris sold the land to Champion International. Company forester Ernie Corrick sent a proposal to the board of directors recommending Primm Meadows be included in the corporation's Special Place in the Forest program. He suggested calling it The Director's Grove. The Champion directors approved, and the trees stayed standing when the company sold its holdings to Plum Creek Timber Co. in 1993. The Five Valleys Land Trust acquired a conservation easement on the land 14 years ago. *** 1993 was also the year Champion completed its "accelerated old-growth liquidation" strategy. Over the previous 20 years, Champion had tripled its harvest. Much of that took place in the mountains around Primm Meadow. Thats why Champion divested, explained Peter Kolb, Montana State University extension forester. They said they're going to convert value on the land that's not producing a rate of return that's fair. Once weve liquidated that investment, the remaining land has a rate of return that doesn't meet our business model. They over-harvested their own lands, or from a business perspective, converted it to money for the company. The companies then turned to the Forest Service, seeking access to federal timberlands. University of Montana forest economist Alan McQuillan recalled Corrick announcing that Champion needed to buy 60 percent of the Forest Service's available Montana timber after 1992 or the company wouldn't be here to stay. Congress also began receiving reports of phantom forests of greatly exaggerated tree inventories and underestimated costs of timber sale preparation and road construction. A General Accounting Office study in 1994 found the Forest Service failed to consider factors like wildlife habitat, sensitive plant species, or recreation in estimating its available timber production area. In one example, the study reported that between 1991 and 1993, costs of preparing timber sales on the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon climbed 147 percent. But by then, the agency had plunged into its own rethinking of its mission. After selling around 12 billion board-feet of timber a year in the 1980s nationally, the Forest Service reduced its Allowable Sale Quantity, or ASQ, to about one-third that amount by 1993. Locally, forest supervisors were also cranking back the spigot of federal timber. Lolo National Forest Supervisor Orville Daniels whacked his ASQ from 120 million board-feet to 50 million. Now the national forests in Forest Service Region 1 cut an average 13,000 acres annually during the past 10 years. In the same time, the agency ran prescribed burning operations on 49,000 acres. Meanwhile, wildfires burned an average 500,000 acres a year. We imported our timber management from northern Europe, where they were growing trees on sites denuded of forests from subsistence living by peasants for hundreds of years, Arno said. They were reestablishing forests in a damper climate that didnt recognize the role for fire. Ecology as a science started getting traction in the early 1900s, quite a while after our forestry traditions had gotten established. And we didnt recognize the importance of disturbance until the 1960s the whole science of disturbance ecology." Forests need those churning events, Arno explained, to refertilize the soils, clear out dead downfall, and give fire-tolerant species like Ponderosa pine a chance to out-compete the water-hogging Douglas fir. But with modern levels of home-building in the woods, unburned fuels on the forest floor and concern over smoke pollution, fire alone may no longer be a viable management tool. Primm Meadow stands as an example of that disturbance ecology, where small fires frequently burned the undergrowth away from the big Ponderosa pines and left that cathedral-like park. In 1978 Max Baucus was elected to the U.S. Senate, starting a record 35 years of representing Montana. In 1978, Pat Williams was elected to the first of a record nine consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Also in 1978, something happened in New York City that foreshadowed a political event in Montana 38 years later. In 1978 the ABC television network cancelled the prime time show The Six Million Dollar Man. The Six Million Dollar Man was a successful science fiction television series starring Lee Majors, who portrayed a former astronaut who had acquired superhuman strength from bionic implants and then became a U.S. government secret agent. This year in Montana the Six Million Dollar Man event occurred when GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte put an unprecedented amount of his personal fortune, nearly $6 million, into his campaign. But Montana rejected its political Six Million Dollar Man while his show was still in tryouts it never made prime time in the Treasure State. Gianforte spent $5.8 million of his own money to persuade Montanans that he was just another regular Montanan. You may have noticed the effort after being assaulted by what the Center for Public Integrity has documented as a nationally high 38,193 Gianforte broadcast television ads, which does not include ads on cable TV, radio or the internet. In spite of the spending, Gov. Steve Bullock won with 255,933 votes (50.2 percent) while Gianforte got 236,115 (46.4 percent). Gianforte spent $24.56 of his personal money on each and every person who voted for him almost $25 for each vote. In saying no to the Six Million Dollar Man, Montana once again said it is not for sale. Montana didnt just reject Gianfortes expensive bid, they voted for Governor Bullock based on his prudent fiscal management, the strong economy he nurtured and his long-standing commitment to Montana values. Almost 26,000 more votes were cast for governor this year than in 2012. Governor Bullock got 3 of every 4 additional votes cast. He is a majority governor, winning over 50 percent of the vote. His 19,818-vote margin of victory exceeded the vote total for the Libertarian ticket, taking away any charge that the Libertarian vote got him elected. And the governor talked straight with the people of Montana. Recall that Gov. Ted Schwinden was elected back in 1980 and 1984 under the banner Straight Talk Good People. Montanans value that characteristic. But Gianforte fell short on straight talk. As he was lavishly spending his millions, he was also spending his entire campaign trying to obscure where he stood on many issues important to voters. When asked by workers if he would support or sign any form of so-called right-to-work which hurts workers and wages, his non-answer was its not one of my top priorities. Not straight talk. When asked by women if he would de-fund Planned Parenthood, which provides medical services to over 13,000 Montanans, his non-answer was I dont have any plans right now. No straight talk there, either. When confronted with his previous support of a general sales tax, he pretended it was a one-time event, while it was his mantra for a number of years. And then he poured thousands into ads charging the governor with sales tax support. Again, not straight talk. It came out that Gianforte had put up a fence with a no-trespassing sign and filed suit against the state of Montana to deny access to the East Gallatin River through a properly granted easement. He denied it and tried to obscure it by pouring millions into persuading us that he was Montanas No. 1 outdoorsman. Straight talk? Now, I personally like Greg Gianforte, but I was disappointed that he didnt stand tall in support of his personal values, even though I disagree with most of them. He has privately poured millions into causes such as allowing discrimination of Montanas LGBT citizens, denying women the ability to make their own reproductive healthcare choices, advancing anti-science causes such as the creationist dinosaur museum that turns science and history onto its head, and unconstitutionally channeling your tax dollars to religious schools. He told us to pay no attention to these private causes. Montanans were not fooled. The country is abuzz with demands that the U.S. abolish the Electoral College. Does anybody making these demands understand that the United States was purposely founded as a republic and not as a democracy? What is the difference between the two, and why? A republic is a nation whose guiding principal is that the rule of law and a constitution take precedence over majority rule. The power in a republic is purposely disbursed between an executive branch, a legislative branch and the judiciary bound by a constitution whose laws are inviolable even by the majority. States were given separate, but equal, powers precisely to prevent federal abuse of power by a majority that might seek to limit the rights of the states and minorities. In a pure democracy, only the majority decide laws, and minorities seeking freedom from majority abuse are helpless if the majority decides, for example, that free speech can be limited, and thereby the free marketplace of ideas can be suppressed to enforce the majoritys opinions. (Sound eerily like what is happening now on college campuses, whereby freedom of speech was denied to Condoleeza Rice, Lawrence Summers or Ayaan Hirsi Ali? Or similarly, the threatened prosecution by New Yorks attorney general against anyone disagreeing that humans are the principal cause of global warming?) The backbone of states rights (and protector from majority abuse) was embedded in the Constitution via the creation of the Senate, whereby each state is entitled to two senators, no matter their population. Thus Montana has the same voting power in the Senate that California has, no matter that Montanas population is less than 3 percent of California's. Are Montanans demanding majority rule prepared to give up their two senators because the state is not entitled to even one based on majority rule? Similarly, the Electoral College purposely assigned electors based upon the number of senators and congressmen in each state; thus Montana gets three, while California gets 55, adjusted with each census. Our republic guarantees dispersal of power beyond the all-powerful federal government to the individual states in order to prevent an abusive majority from forcing their will upon the individual states or minority parties with whom they might differ in opinion. In short, a republic puts the rule of law and the constitution above majority rule. Finally, though the ostensible presidential popular vote shows Hillary Clinton leading Donald Trump by more than 2 million votes nationwide, in California she leads by 3.9 million votes, yet anyone residing in California, undocumented or a citizen, is entitled to a drivers license, and the majority party's new law there requires automatic voter registration for all drivers licenses. Hispanics in California comprise 39 percent of the population, but we dont know how many are not U.S. citizens. In New York, Clinton leads by 1.5 million votes, yet there is no voter ID required at the polls. No voter ID means that anyone can go to the polls, sign your name and vote without having to produce valid ID. (https://ballotpedia.org/Voter_identification_laws_by_state.) Longtime Democrat Commissioner of Elections, Alan Schulkin, was recently videotaped admitting that there is rampant voter fraud in the city, with voters bused from poll to poll to vote multiple times. You would think the district attorney and state attorney general would open an investigation, but instead he is now being attacked by Mayor Bill de Blasio and other majority party stalwarts in yet another example of majority abuse of the law. Until and unless we require citizenship and voter ID, as all other major democracies in the world do, we will not know who won the legal popular vote. BUTTE Rick Holman, a leader in Buttes gay community and anti-AIDS advocate, died Monday morning in a Missoula hospital due to complications from a heart issue. He touched so many peoples lives, said Doug Ingraham, of Butte, Holmans friend and colleague. Hes going to be missed by a lot of people and in a lot of places. One of those places is Butte AIDS Support Services, Inc., or BASS. Ingraham, whos the organizations treasurer, said Holman was a founding member of BASS and served as its executive director for about 12 years. At BASS Holman, along with other members, provided support services for people with HIV and AIDS, including through the mens group potluck, where people could talk about social issues and health concerns, Ingraham said. Karen Sullivan, Butte-Silver Bow Countys health officer, said Holman was both a formal and informal leader when it came to providing support to those with HIV and AIDS. Sullivan said Holmans personal phone number was circulated as an informal support line within the community, and he was known as a person someone could talk to about coping with a new diagnosis or getting advice on how to talk to friends and family members. It wasnt unusual for Holman to get a call from someone at 2 a.m. in the midst of a crisis, she said. But for Holman the struggle with HIV was personal. Holman received his own HIV diagnosis 25 years ago and was told he only had a few months to live, Ingraham said. However, Holmans struggle with HIV wouldnt be the last time his life was impacted by the virus. Just months before his death, he organized a vigil to honor the 49 victims of the Orlando, Florida, night-club shootings. Earlier in 2013, he had the honor of serving as the co-marshal of the Montana Pride Celebration Parade in Butte. As for Sullivan, she noted that Holman died on the eve of World AIDS Day, which falls on Dec. 1. Funeral services are pending at Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home. KALISPELL Police here are investigating the shooting of a 39-year-old woman who was walking near Woodland Park early Sunday evening. The victim, whose injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, told officers she heard a pop and then discovered she had been shot through the upper thigh. Responding officers discovered the shot had come from a Woodland Avenue residence. Detective Capt. Doug Overman told the Missoulian, Were still trying to figure out the whole circumstances. The Kalispell Police Major Crime Unit served a search warrant at the residence, where further evidence was discovered supporting the shooting had occurred inside the residence by individuals known to each other, according to a press release from the department. Asked if that meant the bullet had been intended for another person but accidentally hit the victim instead, Overman said he couldnt comment. It started with a story that was not consistent with what we discovered at the residence, so were continuing to investigate, Overman said. Police were first notified at about 5:33 p.m. that a woman with a gunshot wound was at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center emergency room. Authorities know who fired the gun, according to the press release. No one has been taken into custody at this time. The woman was walking in the vicinity of Woodland Park near East Center Street when she was shot, police said. KALISPELL Flathead County Sheriffs detectives are trying to sort out what happened Monday night, when a 33-year-old man was shot in the hip at a home on Sleepy Hollow Drive in Evergreen. The man was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening. Sheriff Chuck Curry said other people were in the home when the shooting happened, but at this point it is unclear exactly what occurred. No one is in custody, but the sheriff said he does not believe there is a threat to the community. The shooting was reported at 7:15 p.m. Detectives are continuing their investigation, and Curry said more details will be released when they are available. BILLINGS - Brian Doyle's body was found in January 2012 by state employees picking up debris along Highway 2 between Bainville and Culbertson. Doyle's sister Erin Groom said her brother was left there like a forgotten piece of trash. "That was the hardest part, imagining that lonely death," said Groom, who lives in Michigan. The man who killed Doyle, Charles Boman Bowen, will make his first appearance before the Montana State Board of Pardons and Parole on Nov. 30. And Groom will be there. The Montana Department of Corrections has systems in place to notify victims and their families of upcoming parole hearings. But the new constitutional amendment, Marsy's Law, was not written with the knowledge of Montana's existing notification systems. DOC will make changes to comply with the new law, DOC Spokesperson Judy Beck said. Montana voters approved the constitutional amendment this past election. Groom, along with her younger brother, plan to testify against Bowen's release. "I want to be physically there to say 'We're watching this,'" Groom said. Bowen had known Doyle for almost 25 years, Groom said. He invited Doyle up from Florida to work in Montana as a plumber. Bowen was the last to see Groom alive on the night of Jan. 11, 2012. Bowen said he left Doyle on the side of the highway after the two got into a fight. Doyle's body was found more than a week later. Forensic Pathologist Thomas Bennett, who conducted the autopsy, said Doyle was lying on the side of the highway when a vehicle ran over him at a slow speed. He had multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, a torn liver and internal bleeding, and his entire right arm was useless due to the injuries. Doyle was in extreme pain and would have died from hypothermia within three hours. But, if someone had taken Doyle to a hospital, he could have survived, Bennett said. After a four-day trial in June 2012, a jury convicted Bowen of negligent homicide. "I remember the judge told Charles he was as close to deliberate homicide as you could get," Groom said. About a year ago, the Montana Supreme Court denied Bowen's appeal. The denial was the first time Groom said the family felt confident Bowen would serve a substantial sentence. Until Groom was given 30 days notice that Bowen would appear before the parole board on Nov. 30., Bowen had served a quarter of his sentence, qualifying him to request parole. Being present at the hearing is important to Groom. Beyond opposing Bowen's release, Groom planned to ask the parole board to restrict him from requesting parole for a period of years. "Trying to remember everything, run through it all again, it is emotionally draining," Groom said. "I didn't know what grief was before this happened." Interim Executive Director of Probation and Parole Greg Budd said it is possible for the board to defer parole appearances for up to six years, and victims have the right to make that request. Victims often give the same reason as Groom for seeking the restriction, Budd said. They are tired of reliving the trauma. The Victim Information and Notification Every Day network, which was how Groom was notified about Bowen's upcoming appearance, was set up prior to the approval of Marsy's Law. VINE was established as a notification system for people interested in custody status information about adult felony offenders under DOC supervision. VINE was made to be a voluntary service, meaning victims, and any member of the public or criminal justice system can sign up for the notifications. In addition to VINE, the DOC offers notification through Montana State Prison Records Department and the Montana Womens prison for direct victims of crime. There are 3,126 victims registered with the DOC, according to the department's annual report. Victim Programs Manager Jamie Rogers said the DOC was progressive when it put these notifications systems in place. With the passage of Marsy's Law, however, VINE won't be enough to ensure compliance. VINE costs about $6,200 a month to run, and if multiple systems are implemented to meet the requirements of Marsy's Law, that could cost the taxpayer a lot of money, Rogers said. Victim statements, whether by letter, on the phone, or in person are a major factor for determining release, Budd said. The parole board notifies the victims through the victim registry and encourages victims to speak at the hearings. If victims can't face the offender, they can give their testimony in a separate room. At the same time, victims can attend the entire parole hearing if they wish. Members of the parole board are appointed by the governor. The board comprises seven members, but has six members this month because of an unfilled seat. Six members are allowed, but make things more difficult, Budd said. The six members included a mental health professional, an enrolled tribal member, a former legislator and a couple of attorneys, Budd said. Since January, the board reviewed 1,994 cases. The board granted parole for 680 inmates. About 31 committed a new crime after being released, according to Board of Pardons and Parole's statistical data. This shows the board has done a good job determining if an offender was prepared to rejoin society, Budd said. Many of the new crimes Budd has seen are failures to register and drunken driving offenses. For the board to grant parole the first time a violent offender appeared would be rare, Budd said. "To me it is obvious he will not be released at this time," Groom said. "But we need to show up to tell the board we still want him to pay the price for what he did." The Montana Board of Crime Control is studying what the DOC, local law enforcement offices and county attorneys must do to ensure they are in compliance with the law. There are many issues in play, including confidentiality. Information about victims right now can be shared between places like the Montana State Prison and Board of Pardons and Parole, but that might need to change, Rogers said. Marsy's Law was written with strict confidentiality requirements for victims of crime. Mandatory notification will also be difficult, as Rogers said about one third of the victims registered with the DOC will later request to be removed from the notification system because they don't want to keep reliving the trauma of the crime. Different interpretations of Marsy's Law have given the DOC different deadlines for compliance, with July 2017 being the farthest out. The DOC's Beck said the department will not have implemented all the requirements of Marsy's Law by then. HELENA Rep. Ryan Zinkes team announced Monday that his wife, Lolita Zinke, will join President-elect Donald Trumps Department of Veterans Affairs landing team. Members of the landing team will evaluate the VA and identify changes to be made in the first 100 days. "Nothing is more near to my heart than caring for our troops. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve in such a crucial part of this Administration," Lolita Zinke said in a news release. Congressman Zinke served as a Navy SEAL for 23 years. Their daughter, Jennifer, is a former Navy diver, and their son-in-law is a Navy SEAL. Lolita Zinke said in the release that many changes need to be made to the Veterans Administration. "As a military wife and mom, I have personally seen the challenges that our veterans and our men and women in uniform face when dealing with the VA, she said in the release. I am excited to be part of such a pivotal moment for them." Congressman Zinke said in the release that he was confident his wife will make sure veterans remain a top priority in the Trump administration. Lolita Zinke is a native of Santa Barbara, California, according to a biography on the Republican National Committee website gop.com. After she graduated from the California Western School of Law, she provided bilingual felony arraignment services for the San Diego Public Defenders Office. She is a self-employed estate property and asset manager. Rep. Zinke's spokeswoman Heather Swift did not respond to questions about the appointment Monday, but said Lolita Zinke will be available to comment after she starts work on the landing team Tuesday. Copyright 2022 HT Digital Streams Ltd All Right Reserved Rick Holman, a leader in Buttes gay community and anti-AIDS advocate, died Monday morning in a Missoula hospital due to complications from a heart issue. He touched so many peoples lives, said Doug Ingraham, of Butte, Holmans friend and colleague. Hes going to be missed by a lot of people and in a lot of places. One of those places is Butte AIDS Support Services, Inc., or BASS. Ingraham, whos the organizations treasurer, said Holman was a founding member of BASS and served as its executive director for about 12 years. At BASS Holman, along with other members, provided support services for people with HIV and AIDS, including through the mens group potluck, where people could talk about social issues and health concerns, Ingraham said. Karen Sullivan, Butte-Silver Bow Countys health officer, said Holman was both a formal and informal leader when it came to providing support to those with HIV and AIDS. Sullivan said Holmans personal phone number was circulated as an informal support line within the community, and he was known as a person someone could talk to about coping with a new diagnosis or getting advice on how to talk to friends and family members. It wasnt unusual for Holman to get a call from someone at 2 a.m. in the midst of a crisis, she said. His compassion for people was real, said Sullivan, who described Holman as a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, often being touched by the stories he heard during those 2 a.m. phone calls. But for Holman the struggle with HIV was personal. Holman received his own HIV diagnosis 25 years ago and was told he only had a few months to live, Ingraham said. But he exceeded those expectations, continued Ingraham, who described Holman as having 18 lives, also beating out prior bouts with cancer. However, Holmans struggle with HIV wouldnt be the last time his life was impacted by the virus. In 1997 Holman lost Tony Ray Montgomery to AIDS, who Sullivan described as the love of his life in a health column she wrote for The Standard last year in honor of World AIDS Day. In addition to serving as BASSs executive director and as the house manager for the Mother Lode Theatre, Holman was active in other civic efforts. Holman, a Butte native, grew up in Centerville, where he attended the Trinity United Methodist Church on North Main Street since the age of 5. He left Butte at age 18 and moved around the country until he came to live in Houston for 18 years. Holman returned to Butte in 1992, after which he became a church trustee and its lay leader. Although Trinity United closed its doors in July 2015, Holman remained a steadfast leader in the Methodist community, heading the Trinity Non-Denominational Chapel and Community Center at the site of the former church. Just months before his death, he organized a vigil to honor the 49 victims of the Orlando, Florida, night-club shootings. It is a vigil to let people talk and express their feelings, Holman said in a press release. It is a time of reflection, a time of hope and a hope these things dont happen again. We will light candles in memory of those we lost. Earlier in 2013, he had the honor of serving as the co-marshal of the Montana Pride Celebration Parade in Butte. Im proud to be a gay man in Butte, Holman told the Standard at the time. This is a celebration of where we have come as gay Montanans and gay citizens, and where we want to go. As for Sullivan, she noted that Holman died on the eve of World AIDS Day, which falls on Dec. 1. He had a great sense of timing, said Sullivan, noting that people will celebrate Holmans life the same week theyll be thinking about the cause that for him was a lifes passion. Trash is taking a toll on local "social influencer" artist Hayes "Hazer" Novich. Within less than a month after a massive cleanup behind the Big M, on Buttes North Side, an illegal dumping took place. The litterbug left behind furniture and other junk. Novich, who organized the October cleanup effort, said it looked like someone cleaned a garage and "just dumped it out." But Novich says he is not deterred or demoralized by new trash marring a full days worth of volunteer work. We knew people would start dumping (again behind the Big M), Novich said recently. Its an ongoing project. The good news is that because of the volunteer effort in October, which brought out the county, local organizations and citizens, and removed nearly 15 tons of debris, more eyes are watching. Shortly after the illegal dumping in early November, Facebook users shared photos of the trash. By Thanksgiving, someone had removed the debris. Whats frustrating is the county landfill is only several miles west of Butte, is easily accessible and its free. Theres no excuse for (illegal dumping). We are too accommodating (at the landfill) for (dumping to happen), said Glen Rafish, landfill manager. The landfill is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. In summer, its hours extend to 7 p.m. It is closed on federal holidays. We are open more hours than any landfill in any city in Montana, Rafish said. Parks and Recreation is considering placing signs in the area to try to keep the spot clean, according to the report given by county Parks and Recreation director J. P. Gallagher in October. Frequently used as a shooting range, shotgun shells litter the ground. But Novich says volunteers picked up even the shotgun shells during the October cleanup. Novich and his creative partner Trent Curnow have been trying to beautify the town for the past year. Their initial effort began in November 2015 painting murals on Dumpsters and using social media to document the work. So far, the pair has painted around 20 Dumpsters. In the last few months, Novich said his 1969 Volkswagen beetle was vandalized several times. He has no proof of the culprits, but he believes it is due to the fact that he and Curnow are raising awareness to keep Butte clean. "People are paying attention," he said. The Montana Standard has published a pictorial history of Butte with more than 200 photos, many of which were contributed by local families. Mining City Memories: The Early Years explores the citys history from the 1800s through 1939. It features images from the archives of the Butte Silver-Bow public collection, The World Museum of Mining and our readers. Animal Control impounds listed These animals have been picked up by Butte Animal Control. Details, call Chelsea Bailey Butte-Silver Bow Animal Shelter at 406-497-6528 or stop by 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dogs: Nine-month-old female border collie mix, black with some white, picked up Sunday on corner of Montana and Granite Nine-year-old female Lab cross, black and gray with some white, picked up Monday on 2600 block of Grand Avenue Joe McBride to speak at Archives The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives will continue its Brown Bag Lunch series at noon Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 17 W. Quartz St., with a presentation by Joe McBride about some of the early prominent French citizens of Butte,. McBride is a mix of Butte's French and Irish immigrants, descended from the French Jaccar family. A Butte native who graduated from the Immaculate Conception Grade School in 1956 and Boys Central High School in 1960, McBride earned a bachelors degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1964. He had a long career as a financial consultant and manager with the Royal Bank of Canada while living in Minnesota. He returned to Butte in 2010 to work for the Butte Central Foundation. Details: 406-782-3280. Santa Paws at mall Dec. 10-11 Butte Spay Neuter Task Force will have its Santa Paws fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11, at the Butte Plaza Mall. Photos may be with pets and Santa Paws, or with people, pets and Santa Paws. Pets must be on leashes or in cages. The pet owner will receive two 5x7-inch photos for $16. Proceeds go toward spay/neuter assistance certificates. Homebuyers classes Dec. 12-13 Headwaters RC&D Small Business Development Center will hold a Homebuyers Education Class from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 12-13, at the Thornton Building, 65 E. Broadway. The cost is $25 a person or $35 per couple. The class will cover budgeting and credit, the mortgage process, down payment and closing cost assistance programs, and homeowners and title insurance. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Details: Jene Matzkanin at 406-533-6781 or jmatzkanin@headwatersrcd.org. Santa getting ready to call Butte kids Butte-Silver Bow Parks & Recreation Department and Candy Kane Communications have teamed up once again to connect direct lines from Santa Claus at his North Pole workshop to children in Butte-Silver Bow. Mr. Claus has scheduled time for children in Butte-Silver Bow to receive calls from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Parks & Recreation will assist Santa with logistics and do everything they can to ensure your child receives a call in that time frame. To get on Santas call list, fill out the information form found at the following link: http://co.silverbow.mt.us/FormCenter/Parks-and-Recreation-5/Santa-Calling-You-Form-66, or by clicking the A Personal Call from Santa link found the Butte-Silver Bow homepage, left side. You may also call Bob Lazzari at 406-497-6535. You must be a resident of Silver Bow County to participate. Registration will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. Details: Bob Lazzari, 406-497-6535. Health Department offers free AIDS testing World AIDS Day is Thursday, Dec. 1, and the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department is offering free HIV testing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the basement of the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. This is a rapid HIV blood test that takes about 20-30 minutes from start to finish. Details: 406-497-5076. Wow what a surprise the Electoral College was! Who knew that a candidate could win the race for the presidency even though he didn't get a majority of the actual national vote, like Donald Trump did? Somehow, that possibility evaded all the advisers buzzing around Hillary Clinton, who constantly and smugly assured everyone that they were the modern experts with the superior grasp of data, so worry not about Trump defeating Clinton. They are the same ones who are now bitterly complaining about the unfairness of the Electoral College. Never mind that it's been around since the nation's day one. Shouldn't Hillary's campaign leaders, with all their confidence, have figured out that they have to construct a strategy by factoring in the Electoral College? Now they are reduced to participating in a three-state recount led by the Green Party. Donny tweets that it's a scam, and he's right. Of course, he undercuts his complaint by tweeting that he lost the popular vote because there were millions of illegal voters. So our president-elect is still a fool. As for the Clinton people, they are the same sharpies who are too busy sipping their soy lattes to waste any time thinking about the Maxwell House and Folgers drinkers. But then we witnessed the revenge of the riffraff who had had it with being looked down upon, so tired of being ripped off by the not-so-elite elitists that they were willing to buy into Trump's lying, racist, misogynistic, xenophobic cruelty. At least he pretended that he wanted to radically change things, although one can argue that by supporting such a demagogue, they became racists, misogynists and xenophobes by association, those who were not blatantly out-and-out bigots, but it doesn't matter. All the Clintonistas were astonished to find that these people needed to be reached, their grievances addressed in language they could relate to. Blame Hillary for not grasping that wonkishness doesn't get anyone's juices flowing. In fact, blame her for not once, but twice in 2008 and this year assembling a campaign staff that failed miserably, ripped apart by the self-serving twerps who promoted themselves as much as her. Blame those of us in media for forgetting that our relationship with them is supposed to be adversarial. When Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton or Bill Clinton or Barack Obama holds us in contempt, that's a good thing. But when we try to cozy up to their underlings in order to grovel for the crumbs of news they toss our way, we are making a big mistake and forgetting our reason for being. Now we're begging the Trumpsters to allow us access, through protective pools and the like. There are good reasons for mainstream media having such proximity, but there is no good reason for the begging. If Trump decides he will continue to shut out the press, then we journalists need to restructure our operation and do our reporting without him, independently, or as The New York Times guy said, "without fear or favor." The Trumpster won't like it; he will demonize us and he will use all of social media to distort his record, but we cannot be intimidated by any of that. And we should make it a point to shed the stuffed shirt politicos whose hubris has resulted in the election of a dangerous demagogue who was appealing because he promised to blow up the system, but may blow up the world in the process. As for the Electoral College, it was one of the processes put in place by the founders to make sure there was some way to cool down the passions of the moment, to combat what many have called "the tyranny of the majority." It would take a constitutional amendment to change it. Once you start tampering with the Constitution, it inevitably unravels, along with the entire nation. It doesn't change the fact that Donald Trump has been chosen. The recount won't change anything, either. He didn't win as much as his opponents lost, by refusing to see beyond their own sense of entitlement. America is a Nation of Laws Sandy Comptons opinion column in the Nov. 13 Montana Standard complained that the Alliance for the Wild Rockies wouldnt come to their collaborative meetings. But why would the Alliance, which is an organization that advocates for healthy forests and recovery of endangered species, want to conspire to help local people in the Kootenai National Forest figure out how to break federal laws? Compton's collaborative group came up with a less-than-amazing plan where federal taxpayers across the nation would pay millions of dollars to subsidize clear-cutting of lynx, grizzly bear and bull trout habitat on the national forests owned by all Americans, not just a handful in the Kootenai. And as the Court ruling proved, their plan ignored the legal requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Didnt the Bundys come up with a similar plan to dictate policies on public lands for their own local profits? Of course Comptons group was more sophisticated than the Bundys and instead of showing up with guns to take over a wildlife refuge, they conspired with the Forest Service, the timber industry, and groups like the Montana Wilderness Association to break federal laws. The bottom line and the core of the problem is that Comptons collaborative agreed to massively log one of the most heavily-logged forests in Montana. The grizzly bears in the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem are going extinct because of past logging and road-building that produced 22,000 acres of existing clear-cuts in the East Reservoir area on the east side of Lake Koocanusa. Despite this, the East Reservoir timber sale, which the collaborative backed, calls for another 8,845 acres of commercial logging, of which 3,458 acres will be new clear-cuts in federally designated lynx critical habitat. Bear in mind that the Forest Services own scientists say clear-cuts harm, not help, lynx. Meanwhile, consider that by the Forest Services own estimate the sale will cost taxpayers $2,589,535 to subsidize the further degradation of already degraded habitat. The problem with both the Bundys and Comptons scheme is that America is a nation of laws. The Bundys were arrested by the FBI but there is no federal agency policing the Forest Service. Instead when Congress wrote natural resource laws they include a citizen enforcement provision because our Constitution has the First Amendment, which gives all Americans the right to challenge the federal government. This is what the Alliance for the Wild Rockies did when we challenged the Forest Services decision on East Reservoir. When the local district court decided that it was alright for the Forest Service to violate the Endangered Species Act, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stepped in. Judges appointed by both a Republican president and a Democrat president halted the clear-cutting because the Forest Service was clearly violating the law. In the end both Compton and the Bundys are finding out that just because a group of people get together and decide that they dont want to follow the law, thats not the way it works in America. We are a nation of laws and nobody is above the law. Not the Bundys (they are still in jail awaiting trial in Nevada) not the Forest Service, not timber corporations, not pseudo conservation groups and not Comptons collaborative. We werent told who found him. Some hiker probably, puzzled by a car parked so deep in the woods, got close enough to see the corrugated hose stretching from the tailpipe to a window sealed tight with duct tape. Then he or she got closer still, saw the slumped body, and called the sheriff. Hours later, the investigation complete, the sheriff called my husband to tell him his twin brother was dead. Thus began the ritual known to all who have been touched by suicide: the fumbling for words with his parents; the long, lonely drive to bring him home, the numbing mundaneness of paperwork; the struggle with obituary and eulogy; the forlorn burial in a windswept cemetery amid friends who dont know what to say. And the one-syllable question, tinged with frustration and guilt, that echoes through 29 years: Why? The sad answers to that question are rooted in our identity as Montanans. Montanans cowboy up against depression, especially Montana men, who account for four out of every five Montana suicides. Montanans dont intrude, even though the simple comment, You seem depressed. Lets talk can save someone from the most preventable form of death. Montanans either dont see or dont respond to the signs of suicidal thinking. Three out of four victims of such thinking send these signs, often in multiples. For all these reasons and others arcane (Montanas high altitudes) and obvious (isolation, access to firearms), Montana has had one of the highest suicide rates in the country for four decades. Most disturbingly, our youth suicide rate is more than twice the national average. During the most recent reporting period, nearly 2/3 of these suicides were completed with firearms. Less than 1/3 were alcohol- or drug-related. Nearly occurred in the aftermath of a relationship conflict, typically either a family relationship or a romantic one. Another of these young people gave warning signs. Beyond those 27 kids who were successful in committing suicide are many, many more thinking about it. In 2015, 8.9% of surveyed high school students and 11.6% of 7th- and 8th-graders reported attempting suicide in the previous year. That rate is doubled by American Indian students and students with disabilities. One out of every six Montana students had at least considered suicide in the last year. Three out of every 10 had felt so sad or hopeless they withdrew from their usual activities for two weeks or more. The why that has rattled for 29 years in the emptiness my brother-in-law left behind must seem like a deafening roar to parents who lose their children to suicide. I listened to them testify last session in support of a bill to provide suicide awareness training for Montana educators. What they relayed was heart-rending: We had just watched The Blind Side together, a movie all about family togetherness and hope. Thirty minutes later, he was dead. He was a mathematical genius with Key Club friends all across the nation. But we didnt see the signs. He was so positive, so dynamic, with a magnetic personality. There were subtle changes, but we wrote them off to not getting enough sleep, puberty. It wasnt so much what these parents said as how they said it that struck me. Their voices were flat, without inflection, as if they knew that letting in just a pinprick of emotion would burst the floodgates. For the past two sessions, the Montana legislature and Governor Bullock have responded to the suicide crisis in Montana. In 2013, they established and funded the Montana Suicide Mortality Review Team, which examines every death by suicide in Montana in order to make fact-based policy recommendations. In 2015, they provided the suicide awareness training for educators those parents asked for. In 2017, the Governor has included $1 million for youth suicide prevention in his executive budget, and a legislative committee has proposed three measures to reduce suicides among our military veterans, who account for 22% of all Montana suicides. Please urge your legislators to support these measures. Its past time to limit the membership in Montanas saddest club. As one of those parents put it, the price of admission is just too high. Citizens for Labor and Environmental Justice, a local citizen organization devoted to promoting environmental justice in Butte, recently unanimously adopted the following resolution supporting the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline: Citizens for Labor and Environmental Justice, Butte-Montana, stands in full solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe whose members and friends are assembled at the confluence of the Cannonball and Missouri rivers in North Dakota, where they are holding a peaceful, constitutionally protected protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. We do so for the following reasons: 1. The project poses a severe threat to the natural environment as well as human health. 2. The project subverts efforts to combat global warming by facilitating our dependence on fossil fuels. 3. The project has disregarded and is continuing to disregard the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to protect and preserve their land, cultural resources, sacred sites and citizens. 4. The project has ignored the opposition of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as well as opposition from area farmers, nationally renowned scientists and those affected by the project. 5. The project has disregarded the First Amendment rights of protesters and unleashed a wave of police brutality against peaceful demonstrators. 6. The project has not had meaningful environmental review as mandated by federal law. 7. The project continues that long standing practice of totally disregarding the rights of native peoples. 8. The project has disregarded and continues to disregard the principles and practice of environmental justice. Therefore Citizens for Labor and Environmental Justice resolves that we stand in full, total and complete support of the opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. We strongly oppose the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline and stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Gift your animal-loving human a paw pendant, or head to one of the sites that will customize using a pet's actual paw, including 4pawsforever.org. At Uncommongoods.com, there's a woman who will make you a pendant from a mold of your pet's nose. Look for other customizables there, including pet portraits and pillows that look like your dog. The Muscatine County Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Friday, December 2, 2016, starting at 10:45 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Office, Muscatine County Administration Building, 414 E. 3rd St., Muscatine, Iowa to discuss the following: Zoning Agenda Item #1. Kenneth W. Ferris, Record Owner, requests rezoning of approximately 11.50 acres from the present C-2 Commercial District to the proposed R-1 Residential District. This proposed rezoning is located in Fulton Township, SE of Sec. 36-T78N-R1E, between US Hwy. 61 and 160th Street, 3977 160th Street, Blue Grass, containing approximately 29.27 acres, currently zoned C-2 Commercial District. Any interested party may correspond with us prior to the hearing, request additional information, or attend said hearing to express their views. MUSCATINE COUNTY ZONING COMMISSION By Eric S. Furnas, Planning & Zoning Administrator Muscatine County Building ~ Zoning ~ Environmental Office 3610 Park Avenue West Muscatine IA 52761 Telephone 5632630482 FAX 5632884338 MUSCATINE, Iowa Around a dozen Muscatine County residents attended Monday night's Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss their concerns about the condition of Iron City Avenue. The road, which runs near the Cedar River, was in an area affected by recent flooding, and Nancy Schreiber, the director of administrative services for the county, said residents were concerned about the road's condition and asked that it be repaired. IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust has committed a transformational $45 million grant to the University of Iowa that will allow for the creation of a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary neuroscience center within the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. The new Iowa Neuroscience Institute will conduct research to find the causes of, and preventions, treatments, and cures for, the many diseases that affect the brain and nervous system. In recognition of the gift, the UI has requested that the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approve the permanent naming of the Iowa Neuroscience Institute at its December 5 meeting. Approval of the official name ensures that no future individual or corporate name can be attached to the institute. The Carver Charitable Trusts unsurpassed and unwavering support for the University of Iowa over nearly 30 years has made an indelible impact on the UI Carver College of Medicine, said UI President Bruce Harreld. The Carver name is forever linked with significant scientific discoveries and advanced treatments to cure diseases and transform lives. This new grant furthers that legacy, benefitting Iowans and the world. The Carver Charitable Trust and Roy and Lucille Carver are the largest donors to the UI, with their collective giving totaling more than $195 million. This gift from the Carver Charitable Trust also is the largest in the UIs For Iowa. Forever More. fundraising campaign, which started in 2008 and continues through December 2016. Following Board of Regents approval, the $45 million gift will be added to the campaign total, which is currently $1.85 billion. This funding will provide program and endowment support that is intended to bring greater attention to the exceptional neuroscience programs already existing on campus, as well as assist in facilitating a coalescence of these programs around the newly named institute director, said Troy Ross, executive administrator of the Carver Charitable Trust. In addition, we anticipate that this investment will serve as a magnet, of sorts, to attract additional, accomplished investigators to the university to form an influential core group of scientists with the potential to substantially advance this emerging field of research over the next decade and beyond. We are profoundly grateful to the Carver Charitable Trust for their vision and support, which allows us to continue our leadership role in biomedical discovery, said Jean Robillard, M.D., vice president for medical affairs and dean, UI Carver College of Medicine. It is a privilege to work in partnership with the Carver Charitable Trust and to embark on a new era of scientific innovation made possible through this grant. The $45 million grant will elevate the universitys brain research center, already one of the foremost in the world, by creating a new interdisciplinary institute and bringing together top scholars from across the UI. Researchersincluding biologists, computer scientists, neuro-psychologists, engineers, fundamental chemists, biochemists, geneticists and morewill tackle some of the toughest problems in the neurosciences. The grant will support the creation and maintenance of core neuroscience laboratories; Research Programs of Excellence awarded to institute members demonstrating outstanding research leadership; and five faculty chairs, four professorships, and ten junior-level investigators. The Iowa Neuroscience Institute will be led by Ted Abel, Ph.D., who announced he will join the UI faculty in January 2017 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he serves as the Brush Family Professor of Biology in the Penn School of Arts and Sciences and co-director of the Biological Basis of Behavior Program. As the largest donor to the UI, and the largest donor to our For Iowa. Forever More. campaign, the Carver Charitable Trust has a profound impact on our university, ensuring that we remain on the forefront of medicine and discovery, said Lynette Marshall, president and CEO of the UI Foundation. A top priority of the For Iowa. Forever More. campaign is to ensure a healthier and more sustainable world through discoveries in medicine, and this extraordinary gift will allow us to do just that. Muscatine businessman and philanthropist Roy J. Carver, who died in 1981, and his wife, Lucille Carver, were generous UI contributors during their lifetimes. The Carver Charitable Trust, founded after Roy Carvers death, provides crucial support to UI biomedical research initiatives and other programs and facilities throughout campus. In 2002, the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine was named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Carver and the more than $90 million in gifts supporting medical research. The Carver Charitable Trust has continued to provide leadership support for research in the UI Carver College of Medicine leading to breakthroughs in the neurosciences, cardiology, metabolism and obesity, gene therapy, pulmonology, and cancer. The UI Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the UI, and its mission is to promote the University of Iowas commitment to excellence through engagement and philanthropy. The universitys dedicated contributors fund a broad array of needs, from student scholarships, breakthrough research and life-changing health care to innovative facilities, community outreach and global education. MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine County Conservation Board is holding a Holiday Crafts program from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Environmental Learning Center, 3300 Cedar Street. Naturalist Michelle Berns will lead the program of making some fun nature crafts just in time for holiday gift giving. MUSCATINE, Iowa Muscatine Police are investigating an incident of vandalism after racial slurs and other derogatory words were spray-painted on McKinley Elementary School. The slurs, which included KKK and the N-word, were sprayed on the school building, windows, playground equipment and other locations on school grounds during the weekend. The graffiti was discovered on Saturday, said Joelle McConnaha, the principal at McKinley Elementary, adding that although the words were upsetting, she hoped students will continue to feel safe at the school. "What was written was disappointing," she said. "Our school is a place where kids come to feel safe and cared about and the things that were written doesn't show that." Muscatine Community School District employees, she said, worked on Saturday morning after it was discovered to clean off a majority of the graffiti, but students gathered to look at the remains of the graffiti Monday morning during recess. Employees also planned to finish cleaning the words off the building on Monday afternoon. "And we're very thankful for them [the employees]," McConnaha said. McConnaha said to her knowledge, this was the first incident of its kind at the school. She spoke to students during the Monday morning assembly about the incident. "And they will have a place to come to that when they do come to school we will do everything we can to ensure that this is a safe and caring place," she said. An investigation is ongoing, and the Muscatine Police Department is is asking for the public's help in identifying the perpetrators. Anyone with more information can contact 563-263-9922 ext. 217. 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 Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services has met with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to discuss ways to modernise the postal network to benefit from e-commerce. The meeting between Department Director-General Robert Nkuna and UPU Director-General Ambassador Bishar Hussein was aimed at ensuring that the country emerges with a clear roadmap of how it will work with the UPU to extract the most value from the increasing global trade that is driven by e-commerce activity. The postal services sector is very important in the successful implementation of the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper. It is not a stand-alone policy. It is part of the comprehensive policy overhaul to modernise the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector for the inclusion of all citizens. We are aligned to what the UPU is doing and have referred to it in finalising the White Paper, said Nkuna of the meeting held in Pretoria. Meanwhile, Ambassador Hussein said one of the envisaged outcomes of his visit was to implement a postal network hub for Southern Africa in South Africa, following the approval of UPU strategy that focusses on e-commerce, financial inclusion and postal reform. Africa is not well represented in the current global e-commerce map. The continent has one billion people who are mostly young and tech savvy. They represent an exciting market. Global postal hubs are an idea whose time has come, only if they get off the ground, said the Ambassador. According to Ambassador Hussein, the UPU postal strategy was presented and accepted by all the seven regions of the UPU and now the focus was on finalising delivery mechanisms. The UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. The UPU shared a proposal on setting up a regional hub in South Africa. Ambassador Hussein said they identified countries that have good telecommunications infrastructure and sea and air entry points. He added that South Africa was chosen as a starting country in the region and other countries are welcome to set up their own hubs. SA Post Office (SAPO) Chairperson Dr Simo Lushaba said the UPU proposal was aligned to the turn-around of the post office. The proposal gives us mechanisms to implement our turnaround. It also enables small and medium companies to be global players, said Dr Lushaba. SAPO Chief Executive Mark Barnes said the post office is already seeing an increase on its international mail business with volumes being 20% up compared to last year. Now read: South African Post Office CEO battling with government The new MacBook Pro 13-inch is now available at iStore South Africa for in-store preview and purchase, with the MacBook Pro 15-inch to follow soon. The new MacBook Pro is faster and more powerful than older models, and is also thinner and lighter. The latest Macbook Pros also introduced the Touch Bar a multi-touch strip of glass built into the keyboard which replaces the function keys. Pricing for the new MacBook Pros default configurations are listed below. SAN FRANCISCO A Northern California woman who disappeared while jogging three weeks ago turned up on the side of a California interstate before dawn on Thanksgiving, badly beaten and chained to a "heavy object." Investigators say they are searching for two women who released Sherri Papini about 140 miles south of where she was last seen near Redding, California. But authorities have released few other details, citing the "critical and active investigation." Here's a look at what we know, plus some of the outstanding questions about the case. What happened? On Nov. 2, Papini donned a pink running shirt, grabbed her cellphone and earbuds and went for a jog in her rural neighborhood near Redding, about 160 miles north of Sacramento. Her husband Keith Papini started looking for her when he returned home from work that evening and neither his wife nor their two young children were home. The couple's daycare provider told Keith Papini his 34-year-old wife didn't pick up their children that afternoon. Using an iPhone app, Keith Papini found her phone and earbuds about a mile away, but his 5-foot 3-inch, 100-pound wife was nowhere to be found. He called the Shasta County Sheriff's Department, which launched an intensive land and air search involving hundreds of volunteers, family and friends and multiple law enforcement agencies. A $50,000 reward was offered for her safe return. When was she found? Sherri Papani was found before dawn Thursday along Interstate 5 near Sacramento. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko says Sherri Papani flagged down a passing motorist despite her hands being bound. Responding California Highway Patrol officers reported that she was chained to a heavy object, but authorities have not elaborated on the nature of her restraints. Bosenko says the woman was "very emotional" and battered when found. He said she was treated and released from an area hospital, where her husband was "at her side." The sheriff has declined to discuss details of Papani's injuries. Are there suspects? Bosenko told reporters on Thursday that authorities are looking for two Hispanic women armed with a handgun and driving a dark-colored SUV. He called on potential witnesses to contact authorities and said investigators were working through more than 400 tips. He said investigators have "sensitive information" that hasn't been discussed publicly because the incident is "still a critical active investigation." What are authorities and the family saying? Before Sherri Papani was found, police had filed at least 20 search warrants in court linked to the investigation. Many remained sealed. ABC News reported investigators were also looking through her computer records, probing past relationships and seeking surveillance footage that could offer clues. "Obviously she was emotional and quite upset, but elated to be freed, and so we were able to get some information from her," Bosenko told "Good Morning America." Later, the sheriff told ABC News that police have no reason to disbelieve the woman's story. "She was assaulted and had injuries which she was treated for," Bosenko said. Sherri Papani's sister, Sheila Koester, told The Associated Press the family was "very thankful and very ecstatic" about her safe return. Speaking separately at a news conference, Koester declined to answer questions about her sister's disappearance and the investigation, saying she knew no details. "Right now she's been through a very traumatic event, and needs time with her family," 36-year-old Koester said. What else is unclear? Authorities have not said where they believe Papini was held during her three-week disappearance, nor have they discussed possible motives. The Papinis are not wealthy and no ransom was sought for her safe return. Is the community on edge? Sandra Oswald, a 29-year-old community organizer in Redding, had helped run search groups to look for the missing woman. Oswald is a runner, like Papini, and said her sudden vanishing hit close to home. "It was just the biggest blessing, not only for the family but for the community that's been trying to find her," Oswald said of Papini's return. "Now, it's just praying for them and her recovery." In the wake of Papini being found, the sheriff has urged the community to "be cautious." Beth Kahiga has worked with Napa Valley Support Services since 1976 and became executive director in 2003. Kahigas philosophy is that each individual with a disability should have a quality of life that can be defined and determined only by that individual. 1. What was your first job? File clerk, Napa County Health and Human Services, Old Sonoma Road. 2. Whats the worst job you ever had? Assistant at a pizza restaurant, it was really boring. I did this part-time while working at Napa Valley Activity Center, now Napa Valley Support Services (NVSS), to supplement my wages. 3. How did you get into this business? At age 16 I got a job after school working with Napa Valley Activities Center. I have two brothers with developmental disabilities and even though the pay wasnt great, because of my family connection, I valued what NVSS was doing. We worked with individuals residing at Napa State Hospital to assist in the transition to community placement and had many wonderful success stories. 4. Whats a common question you get about NVSS? Ive heard of NVSS, but what do you do? NVSS provides support for individuals with disabilities to find employment in Napa Valley. We also have programs that support people with disabilities in all aspects of their life. 5. How many individuals with disabilities do you work with in a typical year? More than 350 people a year come through the doors of NVSS. Some of those people we support every day of the work week. Others we might see for a few times to get a job and theyre gone. It depends on what individual need from us. 6. What is the biggest challenge your business has faced? Funding. This equates to the inability to implement continuous quality improvement and retain valuable employees to support the people with disabilities supported by NVSS. We currently have full- and part-time positions available; those who are altruistic should apply. 7. If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be? To have the funds to pay NVSS employees what they are worth and develop an infrastructure necessary for continuous quality improvement. Money tends to show everyone where priorities are and people with disabilities are a priority to me. A large endowment to fund services for people with disabilities would sustain NVSS growth and services for years to come. 8. Whats your favorite thing about your job? There is never a dull moment. 9. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you havent yet? I would like to travel to other countries and learn more about other cultures. 10. What was your childhood ambition? To be a teacher, which I achieved by being an instructor to individuals with disabilities, and continued through training other employees as a program director, associate director and executive director. ST. HELENA After overseeing a financial rescue mission in St. Helena, City Manager Jennifer Phillips is leaving to become city manager for the city of Bothell in Washington. Pending approval of her contract by the Bothell City Council on Tuesday, Phillips will submit her resignation to the St. Helena City Council, according to a statement released on Monday. Her official last day is tentatively scheduled for early January. The city of Bothell released a statement saying she will start on Jan. 17. I am incredibly proud of my work in St. Helena, Phillips said. This opportunity with the city of Bothell is the most exciting of my career. During my visit to Bothell I enjoyed my time with the community, saw first-hand the impressive economic development and open space preservation currently underway, met a very dedicated professional team of employees, and am delighted that the City Council has extended the offer for me to become their next city manager. "Jennifer has been an exceptional city manager for us, and I have most enjoyed working closely with her over the past two years," Mayor Alan Galbraith said in a statement. "She brought focus and clarity to our financial and operational challenges, and assembled a core senior staff that serves the city well. I am confident that we can build on her accomplishments as we move forward. We wish her well in her new position." Phillips attended an open house and underwent a public interview in Bothell on Nov. 18-19, along with five other candidates for the job. The city of Bothell released a statement on Monday in which Mayor Andy Rheaume praised Phillips and the other semi-finalists for their experience and credentials. It was her energetic, articulate and thoughtful personality that we felt would be best to lead our city, Rheaume said. With St. Helena City Councilmembers Sharon Crull and Greg Pitts apparently losing their seats in the recent election, Peter White will be the only remaining member of the council that hired Phillips in July 2014, during Mayor Ann Neveros tenure. White said, I would like to thank Jennifer for all her hard work and the incredible strides she has made in re-shaping City Hall into a highly functional organization. The entire city should be proud of the current level and professionalism of staff she has recruited, which is the legacy she leaves behind. Jennifer Phillips will be greatly missed by me and I wish her well in her new position." Phillips will earn a base salary of $179,000 in Bothell, less than the $199,000 she earns in St. Helena. According to a statement, the St. Helena City Council will appoint an interim city manager to serve during the recruitment process for a new city manager. Casey McConnell and Jim Coleman, co-presidents of the St. Helena Employees' Association, released a statement following Phillips' announcement. "SHEA thanks Jennifer Phillips for her willingness to tackle the challenges faced by the City of St. Helena and the work she has done to help overcome them," they said. "We wish her the best in her future endeavors." Pam Simpson, CEO/President of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce also praised Phillips' efforts. "Her departure is a real loss for the City of St. Helena. Her efforts to diligently sift through the mess of the citys finances and bring to council a true, transparent picture is commendable," Simpson said. "Under Jennifers leadership, we now can see, with real numbers, the citys troubling financial forecast. "Jennifer has done a great job at laying out the harsh truth about our inadequate infrastructure and our exposure to potential liability. She made tough, competent recommendations and decisions that were not always pleasant or popular, but unfortunately, were necessary. This city has a tough road ahead and her leadership will be missed." Phillips' tenure Phillips was St. Helenas fourth city manager in recent years. She was preceded by Gary Broad (2011-2014), Mary Neilan (2009-2011) and Bert Johansson (2003-2009). Phillips oversaw a tumultuous period in St. Helenas history. Most of the citys senior staff had resigned during Broads tenure, which allowed Phillips to hire high-level employees like City Clerk Cindy Black, Planning Director Noah Housh, Finance Director April Mitts, Public Works Director Steve Palmer, and Police Chief William Imboden, who was promoted from within the police department. The new management team quickly discovered a series of financial irregularities that had occurred under previous administrations. During Broads tenure, the city had returned $1.9 million in grant funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency without the City Councils authorization, draining the citys reserves and contributing to a major budget crisis. There were more surprises to come, as Phillips team briefed the public on the poor record-keeping and sloppy accounting that had plagued St. Helenas flood project during the 2000s and early 2010s. City staff worked with granting agencies to research what had gone wrong and schedule a repayment plan for any misallocated funds. A forensic auditor was hired to investigate the situation. Meanwhile, Phillips management team tightened up financial controls inside City Hall, implemented a new purchasing policy, updated the citys employee handbook, overhauled record management procedures, hired a full-time grants manager, appointed a human resources/information technology director, and brought on a new financial auditor to replace the one the city had used for 23 consecutive years. Phillips cut the city's budget in 2015, warning that St. Helenas financial problems went well beyond the flood project. Phillips prepared a long-term financial forecast showing that the city lacked the revenue it would need to maintain basic city operations, much less repave roads, replace City Hall and the police station, and keep the citys infrastructure in compliance with government regulations. The council appointed an Ad Hoc Revenue Task Force that recommended revenue-boosting tactics such as a sales tax, real estate transfer tax and additional hotel rooms. The council put a half-cent sales tax on the ballot, and Phillips facilitated several community presentations on the financial state of the city. She warned that the failure of Measure D would force her to propose major cuts to discretionary programs such as the library, parks and recreation. Voters overwhelmingly passed Measure D by a 69 to 31 percent margin, but Phillips warned it was only the first step in securing the citys financial future, as she often said. Meanwhile, Phillips' staff worked with a consultant on a study that recommended steep increases to St. Helena's water and wastewater rates. Phillips was also at the center of an uproar surrounding the firing of Library Director Jennifer Baker in 2015, especially after Phillips replaced Baker with an interim library manager who was facing a felony DUI charge. Phillips quickly fired the new manager and apologized for hiring her. Bakers defenders sharply criticized Phillips, who said privacy laws prohibited her from discussing Bakers firing in detail. Internal emails released by the city showed how the relationship between Phillips and Baker deteriorated as Phillips sought to rein in the librarys spending during a painful round of budget cuts. Phillips later promoted Chris Kreiden to library director. Baker got a job with the Napa Valley Unified School District and recently was elected to the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees. ST. HELENA Rich Moran knows a thing or two about work after all, hes failed retirement twice and he calls his new book the unwritten employee manual for 2016. Probably the best line in the book is on the last page. Moran lists five rules that we all learned in high school that, apparently, apply to the working world. Along with Leaving a message doesnt mean you have permission, especially when it comes to spending money, he writes, In all cases, whatever you do, you will get caught. It just may be a matter of time. Morans recently published The Thing about Work: Showing Up and Other Important Matters, is a book of ethics, addressing todays workplace issues. The essays, some as short as 76 words and none longer than an 8-by-5-inch page, are based on Morans observations, and each include a prescription at the end. There are 227 humorous essays in the book, easily read with interesting titles such as Dancing with Office Chairs and A Wealth of Webinars. In the latter, Moran admits webinars are OK, although some are better than others. He writes, Webinars are a good way to stay abreast of the industry and tech changes and hear a good sales pitch at the same time. More likely, a webinar is a good way to try to learn about one thing while you are doing something else on your computer. Moran has been writing The Country Life column for the St. Helena Star for the past 20 years, and has written eight books. His first, Never Confuse A Memo With Reality was a national bestseller. Im really proud of that, but now, nobody knows what a memo is. During an interview in the Star offices, where we both sat down in office chairs in one of his essays Moran asks if sitting is the new smoking since both are bad for your health the author addressed a couple of hot-button topics: business casual and the recent presidential election; and whether you should bring your dog to work. First, about dogs. Moran stresses he loves dogs, owns two of them and admits they are the smartest ones in the family. When I die, there probably wont be a big commotion, Moran said. But when my dogs die, it will be horrible. That said, though, he doesnt believe that dogs should go to work. I understand if there are five people working in a loft in San Francisco and your dog is going to be home all day. Then, its OK if one person brings their dog. But its a model that doesnt scale. If you have 500 people working in a corporation, thats a lot of dogs. My point is, in a big organization you shouldnt take your dog to work. You cant believe the hate mail I get from that essay, he adds. The author said he tries to tell his perspective of the truth in the book. I could say, Its a beautiful world, dogs dont poop and they wont eat your bagel, so everybody should bring their dogs. But, the truth is they do poop and they do hump your leg and they do run around in packs and they eat your bagel. You may as well take your children if youre going to take your dog. And Moran advises bringing your children to work only in an emergency. Business casual In the past, business casual used to be defined as a blue blazer and khaki pants with maybe a blue button-down shirt, rather than a white one. Now, however, Moran said its pretty much whatever you want. One of the things thats happened is business casual in a lot of places is worn every day. You need to be alert to that, because people still pay attention to what you wear. So, flip-flops and cargo shorts say something about you, just as much as wearing a jacket and tie does. Even though the term business casual is ill-defined, Moran said it still matters what you wear because people notice. Speaking of ties, he said President-elect Donald Trump always wears a red power tie and a white shirt. But, Moran said, the ties are draped too long. It is supposed to come to your belt, but his went right below his belt. What does that say about him? That means either he didnt know (the rules) or that the long tie is his brand. My point is that people notice. Business casual is more difficult for women than for men. Hillary Clinton, for example, wore different colored pantsuits all the time, in part, to dilute the criticism of her apparel, Moran said. In her concession speech, she wore purple and Bill Clinton was wearing a purple tie. And whats the symbol for a state where red and blue have come together, its purple. I dont know if people are reading more into that than necessary, Moran added. Checkered past Moran said he has a checkered past, where he was a faculty member of Miami University in Ohio, with a Ph.D. in organizational behavior. Then he moved to Silicon Valley and was a consultant for Accenture. After his first failure at retirement, he was executive chairman of Portal Software, which was sold to Oracle. Moran retired again, flunked again, and went into venture capital. Three years ago, he became president of Menlo College in Atherton. He wrote his first book in 2000, and to date, his eight books have sold about 700,000 copies. Theyve done well, he said. Im convinced that people buy my books and leave them on their bosss chair at night. People are telling their bosses, Heres what you need to worry about, boss. Why would an employee leave the book on their bosss chair? Two reasons. One is that all the research shows that the way youll be most satisfied with your job is if you get along with your boss. If your boss is supportive and an effective manager, youre going to like your job. Conversely, youll hate your job if you hate your boss. The second reason is that Moran is trying to convey the message that work can be a good fit and that theres good in work. The rhetorical question I ask in the book is why does Bruce Springsteen still tour? Why does Ted Hall or Michael Mondavi still work? It is the impact that they make. Work is being productive and theyre making an impact. And now this editor has to follow one of Morans rules outlined in his holiday piece, And Goodwill to All. He writes, Wash your dishes or put them in the dishwasher in the office kitchen. Yes, you know who you are if you are guilty. Currently, Moran said he has a five-year plan at college, so that means hell be retiring again. My wife told me once, after a tough week, that I had morphed from being boyishly good looking to ruggedly handsome to weather-beaten, Moran said. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Local guardians of the red-legged frog Napa Valley Unified School District will no longer be running a wildlife preserve to help save the California red-legged frog, an undertaking that has cost it millions of dollars over a decade. The district originally bought about 307 acres in 2007 for $4.6 million to serve as the American Canyon Ecological Reserve. This arrangement allowed it to build American Canyon High School and a future middle school. On Nov. 16, the state Wildlife Conservation Board authorized the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to now accept the land from the school district. The district will provide a $1.4 million endowment to support habitat monitoring and maintenance. As a result the district will now no longer have to pay several thousand dollars a year for a biologist to survey the property and make annual reports. After overseeing a financial rescue mission in St. Helena, City Manager Jennifer Phillips is leaving to become city manager for the city of Bothell in Washington. Pending approval of her contract by the Bothell City Council on Tuesday, Phillips will submit her resignation to the St. Helena City Council, according to a statement released on Monday. Her official last day is tentatively scheduled for early January. The city of Bothell released a statement saying she will start on Jan. 17. I am incredibly proud of my work in St. Helena, Phillips said. This opportunity with the city of Bothell is the most exciting of my career. During my visit to Bothell I enjoyed my time with the community, saw first-hand the impressive economic development and open space preservation currently underway, met a very dedicated professional team of employees, and am delighted that the City Council has extended the offer for me to become their next city manager. Jennifer has been an exceptional city manager for us, and I have most enjoyed working closely with her over the past two years, Mayor Alan Galbraith said in a statement. She brought focus and clarity to our financial and operational challenges, and assembled a core senior staff that serves the city well. I am confident that we can build on her accomplishments as we move forward. We wish her well in her new position. Phillips attended an open house and underwent a public interview in Bothell on Nov. 18-19, along with five other candidates for the job. The city of Bothell released a statement on Monday in which Mayor Andy Rheaume praised Phillips and the other semi-finalists for their experience and credentials. It was her energetic, articulate and thoughtful personality that we felt would be best to lead our city, Rheaume said. With St. Helena City Councilmembers Sharon Crull and Greg Pitts apparently losing their seats in the recent election, Peter White will be the only remaining member of the council that hired Phillips in July 2014, during Mayor Ann Neveros tenure. White said, I would like to thank Jennifer for all her hard work and the incredible strides she has made in re-shaping City Hall into a highly functional organization. The entire city should be proud of the current level and professionalism of staff she has recruited, which is the legacy she leaves behind. Jennifer Phillips will be greatly missed by me and I wish her well in her new position. Phillips will earn a base salary of $179,000 in Bothell, less than the $199,000 she earns in St. Helena. According to a statement, the St. Helena City Council will appoint an interim city manager to serve during the recruitment process for a new city manager. Casey McConnell and Jim Coleman, co-presidents of the St. Helena Employees Association, released a statement following Phillips announcement. SHEA thanks Jennifer Phillips for her willingness to tackle the challenges faced by the City of St. Helena and the work she has done to help overcome them, they said. We wish her the best in her future endeavors. Pam Simpson, CEO/President of the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce also praised Phillips efforts. Her departure is a real loss for the City of St. Helena. Her efforts to diligently sift through the mess of the citys finances and bring to council a true, transparent picture is commendable, Simpson said. Under Jennifers leadership, we now can see, with real numbers, the citys troubling financial forecast. Jennifer has done a great job at laying out the harsh truth about our inadequate infrastructure and our exposure to potential liability. She made tough, competent recommendations and decisions that were not always pleasant or popular, but unfortunately, were necessary. This city has a tough road ahead and her leadership will be missed. Former Mayor Nevero offered more high praise for Phillips. While serving our city, one of my stated goals was to improve the culture and capability of St Helenas City Hall, she said. Our council knew well that St. Helenas aging infrastructure, financial problems and staffing issues required a smart, creative and ethical city manager who could attract and build a capable team to handle the obstacles faced by a small town with big costs and limited income. After extensive interviews, we hired Jennifer Phillips, who has navigated St. Helenas complicated long-standing problems with intelligence, creativity and integrity. Our city is losing a talented public servant, and she will be greatly missed. As chair of St. Helenas Ad Hoc Revenue Task Force, Donna Hinds also worked closely with Phillips, whom she called a tremendous asset to St. Helena in so many ways. She is well prepared, organized, and very intelligent, Hinds said. Jennifer has put in place a very impressive team at City Hall and, as a result of Jennifers management, systems have been put in place that will prevent the devastating impacts of mistakes from the past. Jennifer was making great progress toward the financial stability of St. Helena. I am hopeful a new city manager will be found that will keep the momentum of progress going. Congratulations and best wishes to Jennifer. You will be missed. Newly elected Councilmember Geoff Ellsworth said, Jennifer Phillips brought a level of professionalism to City Hall that helped us understand the need for proper structure and oversight procedures in our administration, and we should be truly thankful for that. Phillips tenure Phillips was St. Helenas fourth city manager in recent years. She was preceded by Gary Broad (2011-2014), Mary Neilan (2009-2011) and Bert Johansson (2003-2009). Phillips oversaw a tumultuous period in St. Helenas history. Most of the citys senior staff had resigned during Broads tenure, which allowed Phillips to hire high-level employees like City Clerk Cindy Black, Planning Director Noah Housh, Finance Director April Mitts, Public Works Director Steve Palmer, and Police Chief William Imboden, who was promoted from within the police department. The new management team quickly discovered a series of financial irregularities that had occurred under previous administrations. During Broads tenure, the city had returned $1.9 million in grant funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency without the City Councils authorization, draining the citys reserves and contributing to a major budget crisis. There were more surprises to come, as Phillips team briefed the public on the poor record-keeping and sloppy accounting that had plagued St. Helenas flood project during the 2000s and early 2010s. City staff worked with granting agencies to research what had gone wrong and schedule a repayment plan for any misallocated funds. A forensic auditor was hired to investigate the situation. Meanwhile, Phillips management team tightened up financial controls inside City Hall, implemented a new purchasing policy, updated the citys employee handbook, overhauled record management procedures, hired a full-time grants manager, appointed a human resources/information technology director, and brought on a new financial auditor to replace the one the city had used for 23 consecutive years. Phillips cut the citys budget in 2015, warning that St. Helenas financial problems went well beyond the flood project. Phillips prepared a long-term financial forecast showing that the city lacked the revenue it would need to maintain basic city operations, much less repave roads, replace City Hall and the police station, and keep the citys infrastructure in compliance with government regulations. The council appointed an Ad Hoc Revenue Task Force that recommended revenue-boosting tactics such as a sales tax, real estate transfer tax and additional hotel rooms. The council put a half-cent sales tax on the ballot, and Phillips facilitated several community presentations on the financial state of the city. She warned that the failure of Measure D would force her to propose major cuts to discretionary programs such as the library, parks and recreation. Voters overwhelmingly passed Measure D by a 69 to 31 percent margin, but Phillips warned it was only the first step in securing the citys financial future, as she often said. Meanwhile, Phillips staff worked with a consultant on a study that recommended steep increases to St. Helenas water and wastewater rates. Phillips was also at the center of an uproar surrounding the firing of Library Director Jennifer Baker in 2015, especially after Phillips replaced Baker with an interim library manager who was facing a felony DUI charge. Phillips quickly fired the new manager and apologized for hiring her. Bakers defenders sharply criticized Phillips, who said privacy laws prohibited her from discussing Bakers firing in detail. Internal emails released by the city showed how the relationship between Phillips and Baker deteriorated as Phillips sought to rein in the librarys spending during a painful round of budget cuts. Phillips later promoted Chris Kreiden to library director. Baker got a job with the Napa Valley Unified School District and recently was elected to the Napa Valley College Board of Trustees. Monday, Nov. 21 1038 -- Report of an ongoing problem with a boy riding his skateboard through a Hunt Avenue residential complex, in violation of the propertys rules. When the caller asked him to please walk his skateboard rather than ride it, the boy refused and started taking photos of the caller. Police checked the area. 1100 -- The back door of a Main Street building was tampered with last night, but nothing was missing. 1124 -- Report of cars speeding on Spring Street. 1246 -- Mail was reported stolen. 1531 -- Report of a reckless driver in a blue Infiniti on southbound Main Street. Tuesday, Nov. 22 1251 -- Report of a tree down on Pratt Avenue, possibly damaging power lines. 1320 -- A citizen said her Social Security number was being used by someone else. Police took a fraud report. 1419 -- A caller said a tow truck had backed into her van on Main Street. 1502 -- Police provided traffic control after an accident at Taplin Road and Silverado Trail. One person complained of back pain and was taken to the hospital. 1657 -- Medical aid for a man having a seizure on Main Street. Wednesday, Nov. 23 1232 -- Report of a dog left in a car on Adams Street. Police checked the area. 1327 -- Report of a suspicious person wandering around a store on Hunt Avenue. 1500 -- Report of a disabled car parked in a three-hour zone on Oak Avenue near Adams Street. Thursday, Nov. 24 1222 -- Medical aid for a sick person on Tainter Street. 1437 -- Report of three dogs running loose and barking in the Hudson/Olive area. 2140 -- Report of a possible domestic disturbance on Rosebud Lane. Friday, Nov. 25 0738 -- Report of an ongoing problem with a verbally abusive man who drinks too much and keeps showing up at the callers workplace. 1312 -- A small collie was found in a vineyard near Dean York Lane. The person who found it will keep it until its owner comes forward. 1355 -- Report of a suspicious car in a church parking lot near Oak Avenue. 1737 -- A car hit a tree on southbound Highway 29 near Rutherford. 1901 -- Police were notified of a child custody issue. 1905 -- Medical aid for a man who fell and might have broken his leg on Spring Mountain Road. Saturday, Nov. 26 0826 -- Medical aid on Voorhees Circle. 1230 -- Report of a woman panhandling in front of a Hunt Avenue store, along with her infant. The caller was concerned for the infants safety because it was raining. 1514 -- A caller said a yellow tow truck that was too large for the Pope Street bridge tried to turn onto the bridge anyway, forcing her to turn left instead of right. She requested better signage to warn large trucks not to cross the bridge. 1616 -- Medical aid on Sulphur Springs Avenue. 1620 -- Report of a tree down blocking a driveway on Oakwood Lane. 1701 -- A package was stolen from the doorstep of a Chiles Avenue home at around 1 p.m. on Nov. 18. 1807 -- A caller reported receiving death threats via text from a St. Helena resident. Police determined the report was unfounded. 1811 -- Citizens returned from vacation to find that their car had been stolen and returned on Hunt Avenue. Numerous items had been left in the car. Police took a report. 1823 -- Police were notified of a child custody issue. 1917 -- A new resident had locked herself out of her house on Los Robles Court. 2039 -- A woman on Hunt Avenue asked for help because her car battery was dead and she had no money or insurance. 2216 -- Report of very loud music near Main Street and Charter Oak Avenue. Police made sure it was turned down. 2224 -- Report of two men causing a disturbance in a Hunt Avenue store. 2305 -- Police responded to a loud music complaint on Charter Oak Avenue. The host agreed to end the party. Sunday, Nov. 27 1118 -- Police were notified of an email scam. 1216 -- Sammy, a white Boston terrier, was reported missing from Charter Oak Avenue. 1219 -- About $750 worth of packages were stolen from the front porch of a house on Spring Mountain Road. 1309 -- Diego, a golden chow/German shepherd mix, was reported missing from Crane Avenue. One of the most pressing questions of our time is the question: Why does God allow suffering and evil? Why do innocent people suffer? Why are babies born blind or why is a promising life is snuffed out as it is on the rise? Why are there wars, in which thousands of innocent people are killed and children are burned beyond recognition and many are maimed for life? Paul Little says, The classic summary pinpoints two sides to this dilemma: (1) God is all-powerful but not all good and therefore doesnt want to stop evil. (2) God is all good but unable to stop evil and therefore he is not all-powerful. The general tendency is to blame God for evil and suffering and to pass on all responsibility for it to Him. When God created Adam and Eve, He created them perfect. They were not created evil. Adam and Eve did, however, as human beings, have the ability to obey or disobey God. Had they obeyed God there would never have been a problem. In fact, however, they sinned against God by choosing to eat the forbidden fruit the knowledge of good and evil. Romans 5:12 describes the results of this rebellion, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. Romans 3:23 states, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. As a result of Adam and Eves sin, willful disobedience has been passed on to every man and every woman, to every child, throughout the history of mankind. The bottom line is this: It is man who is responsible for sin, not God. Someone might ask, Why didnt God just create us so that we could not sin? He could have, but lets remember that at that point we would no longer be men and women, we would be robots. J.B. Phillips says, Free will is a risky business. It is risky because free will allows us to make decisions that are not always in our best interest. In His mercy and grace, God created us with the capacity to choose. Apparently, He thought it worth the risk to create us as we are with the capacity to love, to hate, to adore, to dishonor, to worship, to defame. Why? Because He wanted us to know what real love is all about, not programmed love. If God had created us without the capacity to choose we would never be able to understand the concept found in Luke 7:47: Wherefore I say unto you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. God the Father wanted us to know much love! If He had created us without the ability to choose sin, we could never understand or know what real, sacrificial, selfless, unconditional love is. For we need to be forgiven much! Someone might ask, Why doesnt God just wipe out evil? Paul Little says, If God were to remove evil from the universe, His action would be complete and would have to include our lies and personal impurities, our lack of love and our failure to do good. In His mercy and grace God the Father has done the most dramatic, costly and effective thing he could by giving His Son to die for evil man. The ultimate answer to the problem of evil, at the personal level, is found in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. I believe that Gods judgment of this world is right around the corner. That Jesus will be returning to this earth to claim what is His as King of kings and Lord of lords. But you still have time to choose. In Deuteronomy 30:19 Moses exhorts Israel, I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. Do you realize that there is absolutely nothing you or I can do to attain eternal life on our own merit? Eternal life cannot be attained by doing. Eternal life can only be attained by believing. There is only one way to choose eternal life. Choose Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 expresses it this way: That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Paul Little states, The consequence of evil for eternity is forever removed as we embrace the Lord Jesus Christ. Our sin is forgiven, and we receive new life and power to choose what is Gods best way for us. He directs us and strengthens us and conforms us to be more like Jesus Christ in our character. Confess your sin, repent of your sin (that means dont do it anymore) and ask Jesus to forgive your sin. If you do that, you will have chosen life! The percentage of cabernet sauvignon grown in the Napa Valley continues to be on the rise. This is primarily due to economic considerations: When a vineyard owner can get 2 to 10 times more for cabernet grapes than any other alternative varietal, then there really is often no other choice. In the 1960s and 70s it was not uncommon for Napa Valley vineyards to grow pinot noir, Napa Gamay, zinfandel, petite sirah, gray or white Riesling, chenin banc and Gewurztraminer, but because of consumer preferences and the economic realities of modern-day wine-growing and -making, these have been mostly replaced. For those vintners interested in gaining high scores from their Napa Valley wines, there is only one varietal to consider cabernet sauvignon. For those producers looking to maximize their bottle price there is also only one option cabernet sauvignon. So from growers to winemakers and owners, each is almost forced into growing and making cabernet sauvignon. And thats fine for the most part because Napa cabs can be spectacular, full of jammy black fruit and silky tannins. For those rare Napa vintners who venture beyond cabernet and chardonnay, however, the world can be a cold and lonely place. But it is often within this dark wilderness that the Napa Valley seems to express its raw and wild roots, where history and potential merge and create something wonderfully different and delicious. One of my personal favorite trends is a newfound interest in chenin blanc. A few producers are making a few cases of the wonderfully expressive white wine: Casa Nuestra, Chappellet and John Skupny, the proprietor of Lang & Reed Wine Co. When my wife, Tracey, and I arrived in Napa in the early 1980s there were about 2,000 acres of chenin blanc and 1,600 of chardonnay, Skupny said. Now theres probably over 7,000 of chardonnay and only 14 acres left of chenin blanc. I feel lucky to have access to some of it. Tasting the 2015 Lang & Reed Chenin Blanc ($27 per bottle) makes it clear why this varietal was so widely planted even up to a generation ago. The bright, light-straw-colored wine is full of aromas of dried white peach and mango and waxy honeycomb, with flavors of red apple and quince that culminate in a refreshing tartness. Another of what used to be a common varietal but is now pushed near extinction are the old-head-trained zinfandel vineyards that used to dot the valley, their vines often propped up, as if leaning on canes, with sinewy redwood stakes. A few of these vineyards survive, including two of the most spectacular: the Hayne Vineyard in St. Helena (Chase Cellars) and the Aldos Vineyard (owned by the Robert Biale Winery) in Napa. The pressure on these decades-old vineyards is staggering. Often surrounded by encroaching cabernet sauvignon vineyards, or in the case of the Aldos Vineyard completely surrounded by a subdivision, these stalwart vineyards stand as fortresses against the trend toward homogenization, each vineyard producing some of the finest wines in the valley. The Biale family is totally committed to keeping these wonderful vineyards intact, said Tres Goetting, winemaker at Robert Biale Vineyards. I love these old-vine zins because there is really nothing else like them. Zinfandel in general, and old vines in particular, can produce wines that never cease to amaze me in their complexity and depth. Every single old vine, be it this varietal or any others, is like a sacred old soul that has so much to say if wed just take some time and listen. When theyre gone, they cannot be replaced. If you dont know Chase Cellars or the wines from Biale, I suggest you take time and go taste some of these stunning examples of what zinfandel and other varietals can aspire to. If you do go to Biale winery, youll learn about the story of the black chicken, which was a secret code during Prohibition. Customers placing their order for eggs, zucchini and milk from the Biale farm might also include a request for one or more black chickens, which actually meant a gallon of wine. Today you can still order one of these delicious black chicken wines and now without risk of imprisonment. Any of the Biale wines are worth seeking out, but it is the Aldos zinfandel that reaches the absolute pinnacle of achievement for California zinfandel. The grapes come from a head-trained, non-irrigated vineyard planted in 1937. Boxed in by tract houses, the Aldos Vineyard produces a wine that is as nuanced and mysterious as any in the world. You think Im kidding? Go ahead, find yourself a bottle of the 2013 Aldos Vineyard Zinfandel (if you can, they are now sold out) and try it for yourself. The Aldos Vineyard produces garnet wine that is full of aromas of dried figs, Worcestershire sauce and spiced rum. On the palate this wine sings with baked cherry and blackberry cobbler, clove-infused dark chocolate and sweet plum syrup. The finish of this wine is stunningly long with hints of black tea, pepper and red-ripe raspberries that urge you on to another sip. The Napa Valley is full of amazing stories and produces many spectacular wines, most made by passionate people who have their own special stories to tell. But few can speak through the voice of older vineyards or more diverse varietals. My hope is that we all find time to seek out and support the efforts of those vintners and winemakers who are fighting the good fight because if we dont, these pieces of history will be lost forever, replaced instead by a tract house or another cabernet sauvignon vineyard. Russia is developing a mega-rocket that will transport supplies to build a base on the MOON, Deputy PM reveals, Daily Mail Russia is developing a mega-rocket that will transport supplies to build a base on the moon, the countrys Deputy Prime Minister has revealed. President Vladimir Putin wants work to begin on the new super-heavy rocket which will pave the way for a lunar research station. It will enable the construction of a Russian base that will be both visitable and inhabitable, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. In 2029, a new spacecraft named Federation will fly to the moons orbit, he added. In the 2030s, we set the task of a manned flight to the moon and in 2031 we plan landing on the moon, Mr Solntsev told TASS. Russia is inviting Esa and Nasa to jointly develop a module for landing on the moon, Mr Solntsev said. (As delivered) Good afternoon Prime Minister Pavel Filip, You are really warmly welcome to NATO Headquarters and its good to see you here and its good also to have had this opportunity to meet with you and to address the strong partnership between the Republic of Moldova and NATO. The Republic of Moldova has been a close partner to NATO for several years and NATO Allies continue to support the independence, the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. And I would like to personally thank you for the strong contribution of the Republic of Moldova to NATOs operation, NATOs peace-keeping mission in Kosovo. This promotes peace and stability in Europe. Thats important for NATO and its important for the Republic of Moldova. So we are very grateful for your contribution to KFOR and NATOs presence in Kosovo. We will continue to involve you closely in the decisions shaping our mission and we look forward to continue to work with you in Kosovo. We have just had an excellent discussion on how to strengthen our partnership, how to strengthen it even more. In the past years, we have stepped up dialogue and practical cooperation with the Republic of Moldova. NATO Allies are supporting your defence reforms and helping to strengthen your armed forces. We are also providing practical support in the area of cyber defences. And we are destroying dangerous chemicals that threaten the lives and livelihoods of Moldovans. Today, we took an important step forward. We just signed an agreement that will pave the way for the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office in Chisinau. This office will help promote practical cooperation, practical cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and NATO. It will allow us to better support your reforms. And it will allow us to communicate more clearly what NATO is, and the support we can provide. So the new NATO Liaison Office will be important for our political support but also for our practical support for the Republic of Moldova. This is a small, civilian office - not a military base. It is about cooperation, not about imposing NATO priorities or membership on Moldova. We stand by the right of all countries to make their own foreign and security policy choices. NATO fully respects Moldovas neutrality. In fact, many of our closest partners are neutral countries. Sweden and Finland are two close partners of NATO, they are neutral. The Republic of Moldova is a close partner of NATO, you are also neutral and of course we respect that neutrality. Through cooperation with NATO, the Republic of Moldova can make its armed forces even more professional, and make a stronger contribution to peace in Europe. Prime Minister, NATO fully supports a stable, secure and prosperous Moldova. It is important that Moldova remains committed to the implementation of reforms that benefit all its citizens. And that it remains committed to the values shared by European democracies. So Prime Minister, once again thank you for coming here and thank you for signing the letters together with me today and thank you for being so committed to strengthening the partnership we have developed over so many years. So welcome. Please, you have the floor. [...] Prime Minister Pavel Filip speaks [...] OANA LUNGESCU (NATO Spokesperson): Well start with Moldova One, yeah. Q: Speaking in foreign language. INTERPRETER: (inaudible) Journalist (inaudible). Q: Secretary General, congratulations for this treaty between NATO and Moldova and Id like to ask what will be the main task, the main prerogatives for this NATO office in Chisinau? Speaking in foreign language. INTERPRETER: Sir you know very well there are many speculations regarding cooperation between NATO and Moldova regarding the status of neutrality, integration, not integration in NATO. Dont you think that it will be opportunistic that a document should be signed in the near future that should include EPOP (sic) and other projects where it should be stipulated a statute of each part of the agreement concrete fields of cooperation etc? Thank you. JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): NATO liaison office in the Republic of Moldova will be an important platform, an important tool for strengthening the political dialogue and the practical cooperation between NATO and Moldova and this will be important for implementing the different programs and activities we have agreed upon as part of our partnership program and it will also be, of course, a platform for direct political dialogue. It will also be a tool that we can use to help the Republic of Moldova implement reforms to modernize its armed forces and to continue to strengthen and develop the, the different security and defense institutions where we work together on implementing reforms. It is a small civilian office, its not a military base and its not a tool to impose NATO priorities or NATO membership on the republic of Moldova. So, this is an office which actually aims at strengthening the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the independence of the Republic of Moldova, based on the fact that we fully respect the neutrality and the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. So I think this will be an important step forward in our cooperation and I hope that we will be able to inaugurate the office next year and that will be yet another step in the cooperation and the partnership we have developed. PAVEL FILIP (Prime Minister of Republic of Moldova): Speaking in foreign language. INTERPRETER: Cooperation with NATO will increase in the future years and we need a good and quality communication in this regard. You know very well the surveys that have been done in the Republic of Moldova how popular NATO is amongst the population of the Republic of Moldova and from this point of view we need a very good communication in Chisinau, we need we dont need propaganda and this liaison office is not done against something, but is done for something, for good communication, for talking about beneficial things that Republic of Moldova will have after this liaison office will be created in Chisinau and another very important thing is not to forget that we are in the 21st century and the national army of the Republic of Moldova, although it is not too big, it should become a modern army so as to correspond to the times, modern times. INTERPRETER: Zero National (sic). Q: Nicoli Neggro, Zero National (sic). First question to Secretary General, Mr. Stoltenberg I want, would, like to say about if our government do everything to enhance defense and security capabilities in context of Russian threat on Republic of Moldova? JENS STOLTENBERG: We work with the Republic of Moldova to provide practical and political support and we provide practical support in the area of defense reform and that is to strengthen the capabilities, the strength of the armed forces of Moldova, and thats of course one way to also strengthen the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. We also clearly welcome the efforts of the government to implement reforms because the Republic of Moldova needs to invest more in defense, but, also to spend the money that you invest in defense in a better way, so we need both reforms and stronger or more investments in defense. Then as I said many times, the Republic of Moldova is a sovereign nation. We strongly support the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and for us it is also absolutely clear that we should respect the international recognized borders of the Republic of Moldova because that is a key message from NATO in all issues like, for instance, the conflict we see in Transnistria, where we see the the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Moldova is undermined. So NATO supports the peaceful and lasting resolution of all frozen conflicts in Europe and NATO allies fully respect and call on all to respect Moldovas territorial independence, integrity and sovereignty and NATO allies do not, and will not, recognize Transnistria. We recognize the Republic of Moldova within its international recognized borders. INTERPRETER: Okay go ahead. Q: I dont (inaudible) the Prime Minister. INTERPRETER: Mr. Prime Minister are you signing this agreement after we know the results of the Presidential elections? Mr. President elect has a different vision regarding our relations with NATO, do you have the certainty that the Parliament will ratify this agreement and that the President will promulgate this agreement and what will happen if the President will refuse to promulgate this agreement? INTERPRETER: I am glad that this electoral campaign is over in the Republic of Moldova and we have a President elect. I hope very much that, as a politician said, we are making political campaign and poetry but when we come to governing we do texts, pros, so we hope that after the electoral campaign is over we will start to govern in the mutual interests of all the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. I would like to mention that my visit here to Brussels I brought a very important message to the European Union officials, despite the results of the Presidential elections that took place in Chisinau, Moldova remains determined to implement the Association Agreement. There are things that the Parliamentary majority will not, will not step away from. Here we are talking about the Association Agreement and the DSFTA. With the, with utmost serious involvement that we undertook to implement the reforms in front of the European Union and we, when we managed to have an agreement with the IMF, for which we did a tremendous work exactly when we signed this agreement to open the liaison office in the Republic of Moldova, we did this with utmost certainty that this liaison office will be open in Chisinau, and that the Parliament will ratify and the President will promulgate this agreement. We assure you of this thing and in the end I would like to mention that, we will be even more determined, and as I mentioned answering the previous question, the Republic of Moldova has the need, has a need and a better communication, we need to communicate not only about NATO topics but about all the problems that are discussed in this society. INTERPRETER: Thank you very much this concludes this press point. Thank you. In recognition of World AIDS Day, Emory will host the annual Quilt on the Quad commemoration the nation's largest collegiate display of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. On Thursday, Dec. 1, colorful panels containing names of those whove died from AIDS-related causes will carpet the Emory Quadrangle to help bring awareness to the scope and personal impact of the AIDS pandemic, says Jon Giuliano, an Emory junior who is president of this years Quilt on the Quad organizing group. In case of rain, the quilt will be displayed on the terraces of the Dobbs University Center (DUC). Given the pioneering work on HIV/AIDS being done at Emorys Center for AIDS Research, the Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Rollins School of Public Health including President Claire E. Sterks own background in public health its especially fitting that the university host the quilt display, Giuliano says. With the development of life-extending medicines, a lot of people think of HIV/AIDS as something that exists in the past, notes Giuliano, a neuroscience major with an interest in attending medical school. But for many in the United States and the developing world, this remains a very real problem one that we can still work to solve, he says. This marks the 12th year for the Quilt on the Quad event, which will display some 800 panels, each memorializing the names of individuals who lost their lives to AIDS. A community-partner fair will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on the DUC Terraces, which will include musical performances. At 1 p.m., Emory students will read names of those lost to AIDS. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, with roughly 50,000 new infections per year. Of those who are HIV positive, almost 1 in 8 or 12.8 percent do not know their status. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 36.9 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. To increase awareness about World AIDS Day, sections of the memorial quilt have already been appearing in buildings and public venues throughout campus, Giuliano says. The quilt blocks have been made by the families whove lost loved ones, and we know theyll often travel long distances to see it, he says. If anything, we really do this for them its so important to keep the memories of their loved ones alive. This display allows the public to carry a piece of each person with them. This years Quilt on the Quad display is among several related events intended to build awareness and bring support and healing to those affected by HIV/AIDS, including: Quilt display: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Emory Quadrangle (Rain location: DUC Terraces) Free confidential HIV testing: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., DUC Community-partner fair and musical performances: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., DUC The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was founded in 1987 in San Francisco by a group of people afraid that the names of friends and loved ones lost in the early days of the pandemic would be forgotten. Their goal was to create an ongoing memorial for those who had died of AIDS and to help people understand the devastating scope and impact of the disease. Today, the NAMES Project Foundation is headquartered in Atlanta and remains the international caretaker of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which now comprises nearly 49,000 panels representing the names of more than 96,000 individuals. New panels continue to be accepted and more than 1,000 displays continue to be orchestrated across the nation every year, transforming sobering statistics into a visible reality. In 1976, Emory established a Jewish studies program at what was then a regional, and very Methodist, university. In the four decades since, the program has helped provide the groundwork for the interdisciplinary focus that is now a hallmark of Emory College as an exceptional institution for liberal arts education within a nationally ranked research university. Known as the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies (TIJS) since 1999, the program will celebrate its successes and 40th anniversary with a Community of Scholars Showcase featuring a series of events on Dec. 4 in the Cox Hall Ballroom. Jewish studies was never meant to be studied in a vacuum, and from the beginning the program at Emory was developed to resonate with those interested in all aspects of the humanities and social sciences, says Eric Goldstein, Judith London Evans Director of TIJS and an associate professor of history. We can relish that legacy of scholarly engagement when we see what weve grown into. Key hires set the course for interdisciplinary growth The effort began in 1976, when the university questioned why its religion department taught only Christianity. A national search led to the hiring of religion professor David R. Blumenthal, a trained rabbi and renowned scholar who has held the Jay and Leslie Cohen Chair in Judaic Studies since it was established 40 years ago. Shortly after Blumenthal arrived, Emory also hired professors Kenneth W. Stein, an expert on the history of Israel and the Middle East, and Oded Borowski, a Biblical archaeologist who helped lay the foundation for Emorys Hebrew language program. Emory also went on to hire Deborah E. Lipstadt as the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies, before her battle with a Holocaust denier in a British court made her internationally known as a defender of history. We took broadening our intellectual growth seriously at a time of a general shift in the university as a whole, Blumenthal says. Anniversary celebrates campus, community connections The 40th anniversary festivities will celebrate the Institute for Jewish Studies' deep connections on campus and in the community. After all, the Jewish studies program started with seed money from the Cohen family and the Atlanta Jewish Welfare Federation, as well as the Methodist Church. The Arthur M. Blank Foundation later donated funding for the institute, naming it in honor of Atlanta Rabbi Donald A. Tam. Goldstein has been part of the Emory community since earning his bachelors degree in Jewish studies from Emory in 1992 when some of his now-colleagues were his professors. I remember being in high school looking at one of those big books that profile colleges and universities. The entry for Emory said that the most popular course on campus was 'The History of Israel' with Ken Stein, Goldstein says. It sounded like my kind of place. By emerging as an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary program, the institute has grown to 19 core faculty members who specialize not only in religion but also view Jewish civilization from the perspectives of history, literature, anthropology and politics, among other fields of study. The programs breadth allows it not only to support an undergraduate major and minor, but also the training of doctoral students in many disciplines related to Jewish studies. Emory offers one of the nations leading institutes in Jewish studies, with hundreds of students regularly enrolling in its courses in addition to those who choose to specialize in the field, Goldstein says. Because Jews have lived all over the world, and their history spans so many time periods, the study of Jewish life is a window to so much of world civilization, he says. The institute also has sponsored an increasing number of academic programs and community events, such as the upcoming showcase. For instance, last spring it held a forum examining Jewish-Muslim relations following the Paris terrorist attacks. During the presidential campaign this fall, it drew a large crowd to a session entitled Closing the Gates, Building a Wall, which applied the history of immigration restriction against Jews to current nativism issues. Jews are a group that can be studied religiously, culturally, ethnically, sociologically, so as Jewish studies scholars we have had a head start in knowing different ways to address a question, Blumenthal says. Our world is multicultural now and our contribution is the ability to know that way of looking at the world. Inside his lab, geological sciences professor Matthew E. Kirby studies sediment cores from Abbott Lake. Despite recent rainy weather, its likely going to be another dry winter in Southern California as La Nina ushers in warmer weather and little rainfall, Cal State Fullerton scientists forecast. In his latest study, which focused on the past 1,400 years of wetness and dryness in central coastal areas of California, paleoclimatologist Matthew E. Kirby and his students found evidence that changes in the Pacific Ocean play a key role in both wetter and drier weather patterns. These results support Kirbys related studies, which concluded that in the ancient past dating back 10,000 years the state suffered from long dry spells, even multicentury drought, linked to Pacific Ocean conditions. In this latest study, we continue to find evidence that sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean govern the state of winter climate in coastal California. Cooler conditions in the eastern tropical Pacific are consistently associated with dry periods in Californias history, said Kirby, professor of geological sciences who studies past climates. How future warming of the Pacific will change drought and pluvial conditions in the state remains hotly debated: Will El Nino weather become more intense? Will the La Nina phenomena become equally more intense? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists forecast a weak La Nina this winter, which means a relatively dry winter, and likely to contribute to the severe drought conditions across the majority of the state, especially in central and Southern California. La Nina follows last winters El Nino, which brought much-needed rainfall to the northern part of the state, but fizzled in Southern California. During La Nina conditions, the ocean water is cooler than usual and triggers warmer and drier weather in the southwestern United States, said Joe Carlin, assistant professor of geological sciences. As La Nina arrives, this is likely not a good sign for the drought in Southern California, added Carlin, a marine geologist. Odds are it is going to be a dry winter. Carlin explained that doesnt mean the region will not get rain or some storm events. We may still see a couple of isolated big storms, but it is unlikely that we will see frequent storms like what we would expect during an El Nino, he said. Kirbys research, published in the Journal of Paleolimnology with alumna Christine Kraft-Hiner 12 15 (B.S., M.S. geology), studied sediment samples retrieved from Abbott Lake, a natural lake near Carmel. Findings indicate that coastal central California was relatively dry during the Medieval Climatic Anomaly a warm, dry period from about 900 to 1300 AD yet variably wet, with more rainfall, during the Little Ice Age, a cooler period from about 1450 to 1850 AD. Kirbys past climate studies have focused on sediment samples from Zaca Lake (northwest of Santa Barbara), Lake Elsinore and the Mojave Deserts Silver Lake. What were finding in those locations also are consistent relationships between tropical Pacific conditions and periods of wetness and dryness. What is significant is were seeing this relationship persist over time and showing up in all these records, said Kirby. Finding evidence for sustained periods of drought similar to the Medieval Climatic Anomaly throughout the past 10,000 years prompts the question: At what point do you stop calling it a drought, and rather, a new drier climate state? I start to wonder if these dry periods were seeing today will become the new normal. 13:22 Extremely upset over the Congress staging a walkout from the Lok Sabha despite the government agreeing to discuss all issues, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that the grand old party was now indulging in contempt of democracy as they have become intolerant over the growing popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The way the Congress has behaved in the House, they have insulted the whole country. It is contempt of democracy. They are trying to insult the mandate of the people because they have become intolerant over the growing popularity of the Prime Minister," he added. Naidu said it is extremely unfortunate that the grand old party is doing politics over yesterday's Nagrota terror attack. "The Congress and its allies wanted the Prime Minister's presence in the House. He came in the House and no one knows why they left. We don't know whether even they know the reason. During the Question Hour, the Congress raised the issue of Nagrota attack. The Speaker said that combing operation is currently going on. She said after getting all the necessary information, obituary will be paid to the slain soldiers," Naidu said. Naidu said it has become the job of the grand old party to somehow disrupt the proceedings of the House. "We said we don't have any objection but there must be tradition and discipline in the House. It is very much unfortunate that the Congress Party is doing politics over this. The people of the country hate such politics. It has become their job to somehow disrupt the proceedings of the House," said Naidu. "Even the Prime Minister is in the House.still I don't know why they are not allowing the proceedings of the House. The nation wants discussion on many problems, but the Congress doesn't want that. Does the Congress fear of getting exposed?" he added. Stating that the Congress neither wants a debate nor wants the House to function, Naidu further said this is not expected from a matured party, which has ruled the country for these many number of years. Karen Barad--professor of feminist studies, philosophy, and history of consciousness at UC Santa Cruz--also happens to have a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics and quantum field theory. The author of Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning, she has published numerous articles in the fields of physics, philosophy, science studies, and feminist theory. She also serves as co-director of the Science & Justice Training Program at UC Santa Cruz. A unique graduate-level research and education program, its mission is to train science and engineering students, alongside social science and humanities students, to identify and respond to moments where research requires attentiveness to questions of policy, ethics, and justice. Over the past month, Barad has received multiple honors in Europe for her work. She first received an honorary doctorate in the Arts at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), followed the next day by a symposium held in her honor, titled How Matter Comes to Matter," on her theory of agential realism. A few days later, a conference was held in her honor at the University of Aarhus in Denmark. She then presented the Futures Lecture at that institution, a series that seeks to present some of the most interesting thinkers in the realms of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The title of her talk was Troubling Time/s, Undoing and Re-membering the Future. Finally, on her flight back home, she learned that she had received an invitation to be on the summer faculty of the European Graduate School, founded in Switzerland by the non-profit European Foundation of Interdisciplinary Studies. I spent the first half of my career in a physics department, Barad noted. But I was interested in asking larger questions, including questions of social justice in relation to science, and I found a lot of resources in thinking about philosophy and other aspects of the humanities and social sciences." I never left physics, she added. My research engages questions of the foundations of quantum physics and questions of social justice. The pressing problems of the world dont fit inside individual academic disciplines or divisions, and so I have been working to develop ideas that speak across these divisions we call the natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences and the arts." As University of Aarhus professor Andreas Roepstorff noted in the introduction to Barads recent Futures Lecture in Denmark: This mixture of rigor coming from physics and imagination coming from the humanities--trying to grapple with problems that are so complex that even thinking of them blows up your mind---is where Karen Barad is really making a massive contribution. To learn more about Karen Barads research, visit the Science and Justice web page or her UCSC faculty page. The man, a site supervisor, was found guilty by the Court of First Instance of groping the eight-year-old girl and threatening to kill her if she informed anyone, the Khaleej Times reported. The incident took place on August 29. Earlier, the man pleaded not guilty to the charges of molestation and making criminal threats. But the court convicted him. The Pakistani might appeal against the ruling. --IANS soni/mr ( 109 Words) 2016-11-29-19:26:13 (IANS) Witnessing an exponential growth in terms of day-to-day transactions after demonetisation, Paytm is touching more than five million transactions in one week as compared to the combined average daily number of payment transactions seen by debit and credit cards in India. Lauding the Prime Minister Narendra Mosi's initiative, Paytm vice-president Sudhanshu Gupta said the move is unprecedented which would bring a massive forward looking change for the economy as money will circulate and there will be less of terrorism and corruption. "Digital money goes far. It has a lot of benefits for people because, you actually earn interest on your money; you are also able to get financial services like loans if you have digital money and if you have records. All in all, it's been a great move, and it's obviously meant some hectic times for us because people have started looking for alternatives because of the scarcity of cash," Gupta said. He further said people have started moving to mobile wallets. "It's good because mobile is more penetrated, it's more easily accessible. So for us, we have seen peaks of close to seven million transactions as well. It's been really good for us." he added. One97 Communications Ltd-owned Paytm claims to have added 150,000 merchants to its network of 10 lakh merchant network across India that accepts digital wallet payments. The company has served over 45 million users and signed up over five million new users. Overall, the company has seen 25 million offline transactions on Paytm in the last few days, amounting to Rs.150 crore. Chief marketing officer, Shankar Nath told ANI, "It's an extremely bold initiative and it's a once in a lifetime initiative that's been rolled out by the government, and, I think, it's upon all of us here for Paytm and even outside to try and make this move a complete success. There may be initial short-term issues," "Every Indian who today needs to do transactions and is a little short of cash. We have gone communicating as much as possible with our entire user base of consumers and at the same time the very important element in this chain that's the entire retail network," he said. Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Sunday had appealed to the people to embrace digital banking to tide over the currency crunch. In a renewed push for making India a cashless economy, Prime Minister Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme said, "Scrapping these notes has opened other avenues to make payments. Download apps of banks and e-payment options. Shopkeepers can keep card swiping facilities and everyone can ensure they pay safe using their credit and debit cards." He asked traders and small shop owners to provide alternative payment methods such as using POS machines, e-payment wallets and other such "friendly technologies" to their patrons. The Prime Minister said that by adopting such technology, even small traders can immensely increase their profits. "I invite you to make India a cashless society. Mobile phone and the whole banking system can pose many alternatives to currency notes. Technological paths are safe's, secure and accelerated. I would like you to just help this campaign successful," he said. Acknowledging that the demonetisation has caused great hardships to wage workers, Prime Minister Modi asked them to open their bank accounts so that they can also avail digital banking facilities. Prime Minister Modi said that it is his dream to have a cashless society. He opined that the people would be trouble free if they are made aware of all digital financial transaction options. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived here on Tuesday evening to stage a protest here on Wednesday against demonetisation. "I will stage a dharna and will say something on my next move to oppose demonetisation," the Trinamool Congress leader told the media soon after arriving from Lucknow. --IANS ik/mr ( 60 Words) 2016-11-29-20:24:13 (IANS) In a statement, the RBI said that such a decision had been made as certain depositors are hesitating to deposit their monies into bank accounts in view of the current limits on cash withdrawals from accounts. "As it is impeding active circulation of currency notes, it has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29, 2016 beyond the current limits; preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of ? 2000 and ? 500 are to be issued for such withdrawals," the statement said. Earlier today, meanwhile, the RBI revealed that banks across the country have received Rs 8.45 lakh crore in the period between November 10th and November 27th following the implementation of demonetisation. The RBI has also allowed lenders to put old 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes in currency chests at the district level in view of mounting deposits due demonetisation. In a statement, the RBI said a currency chest operating at the point to be called Designated Chest -DC will be required to operate a separate vault - to be named Chest Guarantee Vault CGV as an extended arm of it. (ANI) Disregarding West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's ominous declaration of removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Indian politics, an unfazed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that she has clearly lost her mental balance post demonetisation. "She has certainly lost her cool and certainly lost her mental balance which should be there as a politician, therefore she is angry and ranting theses kind of language against the Prime Minister. I can only say to Mamata Banejee, whether she lives or die I have nothing to do with it, but Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister after 2019," BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI. The BJP leader's remark came in response to Banerjee's statement vowing to remove Prime Minister Modi from Indian politics, while taking part in a protest march against demonetisation in Kolkata. Singh further alleged that Banerjee was unable to convert her unaccounted money into white and that is why she has been ranting against the Prime Minister. "She has realized after demonetisation that she didn't get any time to convert her unaccounted money or illegal into legal money so therefore she has certainly lost her cool and certainly lost her mental balance which should be there as a politician. Therefore she is angry and ranting theses kind of language against the Prime Minister," he said. Singh further said that the statement did not behove of Banerjee who holds a constitutional position of a state and demanded an unconditional apology from her. "Mamata Banerjee holds a constitutional position and the kind of language she has used against the Prime Minister is obnoxious and there are no words, but she should apologise," he said. Banerjee while holding the protest earlier today said, "I am taking the pledge that either I'll die or live but will remove PM Modi from Indian politics." Attacking the Prime Minister, Banerjee said, "Markets, movie halls, theatres, art, culture all are on pause now. Hawkers are unable to earn anything. Common people are affected. We call all the intellectual class nation-wide to take their protest to roads. Let's fight to find solution for the common people." (ANI) Prior to her arrival in Navsari, the woman Bharulata Kamble made a halt at Vadodara where she was facilitated at the Mayfair Atrium Art gallery. During her journey, she traversed across 32 countries in 57 days from the United Kingdom to India to spread the message of 'Save girls, educate girls'. "My mission is to work for the girl child. I wanted to show the world that there is nothing which we women can't do. I always wanted to come to India with a change that I wanted to see. Education is the key to lead a respectful life. Girls should be educated for betterment of the society," she told ANI. Sharing her experience, she said, "I was treated with high respect in the foreign countries. China was challenging and the most chilling experience for me was the high altitude." Kamble drove through nine mountain ranges, three major deserts and two continents. (ANI) The Telangana government has constituted a Task Force to monitor the situation arising out of scrapping of high-value notes and hardships being faced by the people on account of the Centre's move. The state Cabinet which met at the Secretariat last evening discussed the demonetisation issue at length at took decisions to help the cash starved people. The Cabinet urged all Nationalised and Private banks to increase their branches substantially from the present 5,200 ensuring that atleast one branch for three to four villages. Briefing newsmen after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister K Chanrasekhar Rao said that there was a need to increase MOS and mobile banking system. Stating that all states stood loose following demonetisation, Mr Rao said the government should follow the centre's decision to check black money and corruption. The state Government would speed up double bed room construction with Rs 5000 crore which was readily available with the government to provide wages to the unorganized sectors. The Rs 5 meal centres in Hyderabad city will be increased from 50 to 150, he said. He said Siddipet Assembly constituency will be made a model constituency with 100 per cent cashless constituency and added only below Rs 500 cash transaction would be allowed. Bank officials had assured that the cashless transaction will be made possible with in one-and-half months. Mr Rao appealed to the people to open bank accounts without loss of time. He also appealed to media to create awareness among the people about demonetisation instead of creating panic among them. ''There was no option but to follow the centre's decision'', the Chief Minister added. He appealed to the Prime Minister to make the country 100 per cent corruption and black money free. Telangana would definitely support the centre in its move to eliminate black money in any form.UNI VV SMS CS 1029 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1043307.Xml There seems to be no let up in the battle for supremacy within the first family of the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh despite party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's claims that the family and the party were united and all issues resolved. Candidature for the coming Assembly elections has also turned into a bone of contention for both the groups-- one led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and other by state party president Shivpal Singh Yadav. Though the party has announced around 156 candidates so far, but the sitting members of around 230 are yet to be announced, which is creating ripples among them. However, the rift within the party continues. Party state president Shivpal Yadav had visited Badaun on Sunday to participate in a marriage in the family of a party leader. The youth leaders of the party and then party MP from Badaun Dharmendra Yadav, a close confidant of Akhilesh Yadav was conspicuous by their absence. During the rath yatra by the Chief Minister on Saturday last week from Moradabad to Rampur, pictures of Shivpal Yadav were missing from the thousands of posters, banners and hoarding put up all along the national highway from Moradabad to Rampur. The Chief Minister, during the rath yatra addressed a series of public meetings in Moradabad and Rampur. The posters, hoardings and banners had pictures of almost all the prominent leaders of the SP family, including Akhilesh, his wife and MP Dimple Yadav, Mulayam and party spokesperson Ram Gopal Yadav. Shivpal's pictures, however, were left out. Even the hi-tech rath, from which Akhilesh was campaigning, do not have Shivpal's pictures. Akhilesh had also set-up his election office at Janeshwar Mishra Trust complex here and not at the SP headquarters. The office was managed completely by SP youth wing leaders, who are supporters of the Chief Minister. Many eyebrows were raised over the absence of the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in the Ghazipur rally addressed by the party supremo on November 23. This was the first rally addressed by Mulayam Singh Yadav to launch the party's poll campaign. Samajwadi party sources said chief minister is unlikely to participate in the party's rally in Bareilly on December 7. SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav will address the rally. SP sources here today said Akhilesh Yadav, buoyed by the success of the two phases of rath yatra, first on November 3 from Lucknow to Unnao and later on November 26-- is likely to focus his attention on the direct communication with the masses through rath yatra rather attending the rallies organised by the party at different locations in the state in coming days.UNI MB SB 1113 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1043321.Xml The Google Doodle pays tribute to one of the best-known female authors of the 19th century, Louisa May Alcott, who was born in New England 184 years ago today, with some of the most well-known characters from her semi-autobiographical book 'Little Women'. Alcott became a famous feminist and campaigned for the abolition of slavery but is best known for writing the iconic children's book. It's a semi-autobiographical account of her life growing up with her sisters. The book traces the lives of four sisters through to adulthood, dealing with the various strains of growing up and then finding themselves in different adulthood situations. It set a mark for female individualism in the 1860s as the women were at the centre of the book and fully formed characters who grappled with their own choices, even within traditional domestic roles. "I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead," wrote Alcott, as Jo, in the book. "I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all someday." She grew up alongside other famous Americans like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, who all share her final resting place in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Massachusetts, the burial site for some of the United States' most renowned writers and thinkers. (ANI) The plea was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Upadhyay, seeking to make yoga as compulsory for school students. A bench, headed by Justice Madan B Lockur, was hearing the plea filed by Mr Upadhyay and another one of J C Seth. The top court asked the Central government to take a decision on the issue of yoga whether it wanted to make it compulsory or not. Mr Upadhyay also sought the intervention of the Apex Court and a direction from it to incorporate Yoga in the syllabus.UNI XC SV SB 1232/1300 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0094-1043522.Xml Mr Parrikar ascertained the details of the attack from Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, before meeting the Prime Minister to apprise him about the situation, sources in the Defence Ministry said. Two terrorists have been neutralised in the fierce gunbattle, which ensued after the attack. Two Army jawans were killed and four others injured in the encounter. This was the third terrorist attack on military installations this year after the Pathankot airbase of the IAF and an Army camp based at Uri near the Line of control. A committee, headed by former Vice Chief of the Army, was formed to look into the security aspects of the military bases, which had submitted its report to the government. UNI MK SV SB 1316 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-1043529.Xml Huge consignments of liquor was seized and two liquor peddlers were arrested in Gopalganj and Supaul districts today while it was being smuggled from Himachal Pradesh and Nepal. A Gopalganj report said a team of Commercial Taxes Department seized 250 cartons of foreign liquor from a truck at Nechua-Jalalpur check post under Kuchaikot police station area in the district.An officer of the department Amitabh Mishra said here that cartons, packed with 1,25,000 bottles of foreign liquor were concealed between LPG cylinders. He said that truck driver Devendra Singh, a native of Punjab, had been arrested in this connection. While LPG cylinders were being transported to Darbhanga, the consignment of liquor was to be offloaded at Mahamadpur Bazar in the district. A Supaul report said that police seized 185 bottles of Nepalese liquor from Nirmali Bazar under the same police station area in the district when the bootlegger was carrying the consignment on his motorcycle. The nabbed smuggler had been identified as Prahalad Mandal who smuggled liquor from Nepal for its sale in local market.UNI DH AD1325 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-1043567.Xml Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has accorded administrative approval of over Rs 2.77 crore along with Rs 46 lakh for the construction of building of Police Station, DLF Phase II, Gurgram during the current financial year. Stating this here today, an official spokesman said that it has been decided to construct the police station building as model police station. The spokesman said that the Chief Minister has also accorded administrative approval of over Rs 4.27 crore for special repair of Nahara-Bhadurgarh road from RD 24.970 to 38.670 in district Jhajjar. Apart from this, the Chief Minister has also accorded administrative approval of over Rs 3.33 crore for special repair and laying 40 mm Bituminous Concrete with crack sealing of existing Rai-Nahra-Bahadurgarh road from Kilometer 0.00 to 11.75 in district Sonepat and of over Rs 3.23 crore for the construction of new road from village Mirchpur to Koth Khurd in district Hisar. UNI VJ SB 1356 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1043601.Xml Quess Corp., India's leading integrated business services provider, said that it has entered into agreements to acquire the facility management and catering businesses of Manipal Integrated Services Pvt. Ltd. ("MIS" or "Company"), and have approved the draft scheme of arrangement for such demerger of the facility management and catering businesses to Quess. This will help strengthen the market leading position of Quess in the integrated facility management space in India. Quess will initially invest Rs. 220 crore by subscribing to CCPS of MIS for securing an interest in the Facility Management and Catering Businesses, development of the same and facilitating the demerger ofthe same businesses. Subsequently, the Facility Management and Catering businesses of MIS will be demerged into Quess pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement which will see Quess issue approximately seven million one hundred and fifty thousand equity shares to equity shareholders of MIS.MIS runs the facility management, food services and hostels business of the Manipal Education and Medical Group ("MEMG"), in addition to servicing marquee third party clients. MIS (along with its subsidiaries) serves more than 120 clients with presence in Healthcare, Education and BFSI sectors.With a headcount in excess of 17,000 associates, the facility management and catering businesses are expected to close FY17 with estimated revenue of INR 4,265 million Quess and MEMG, with this agreement, have entered into a long term partnership under which Quess will provide facility management, catering and security services to all MEMG affiliated entities for a minimum period of five years.Closing of the transaction is subject to, inter-alia, fulfilment of certain conditions precedent set out in the agreement between the parties, and statutory and regulatory approvals to the Scheme of Arrangement.ICICI Securities acted as financial advisors to Quess and also provided fairness opinion on the share entitlement ratio envisaged under the Scheme of Arrangement. Allegro Capital Advisors acted as financial advisors to Manipal Education and Medical Group.UNI JS SM1501 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1043743.Xml Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh today said women and youth would be given due representation in the matter of ticket allocation for the 2017 Assembly elections in the state. Reiterating that the main criteria in selection of party candidates would be winnability, Capt Singh told mediapersons that the credibility of candidates would also be a key factor in nomination. Talking to mediapersons at the launch of the party's flagship campaign 'Har Ghar Ton Ikk Captain', the Punjab Congress president said work on the finalisation of the tickets had already begun, with the Congress Screening Committee meeting in New Delhi today and tomorrow. Responding to questions, Captain Singh said the Congress would have to toil hard in Punjab to fulfill the aspirations of the people, especially youth and farmers, who had been subjugated and victimised under the Badal rule. On a question regarding revival of industries, Captain Sing said complete radicalization of policies would be required to ensure that Punjab emerges an attractive destination for industry. Stressing the need to reverse the trend of industries shifting to other states from Punjab, he said they will be given level playing field at par with the incentives in other regions. Allaying the apprehensions of arhtiyas that they would lose their money as a result of the farm debt waiver promised by his party, Captain Amarinder reassured them that they would get back their loans. "We will take over all loans and ensure that the arhtiyas are paid," he said, adding that he would be meeting a delegation of arhtiyas on December 4. The Congress leader also disclosed that his party was in the process of finalizing a comprehensive programme for the welfare of the Dalits, who have been severely marginalized and subjected to atrocities by the ruling Akalis, as well as for the uplift of the urban areas. Denying that funds crunch could impact the fulfillment of his promises to the people post election, Captain Amarinder said he, along with party leaders, was working on out-of-the-box initiatives for revenue generation to ensure the fulfillment of all the promises. Asked about the Modi government's demonetisation move and its impact on the people of Punjab, the PPCC president said there was extreme bitterness and anger among the people against the Bharatiya Janata Party. On a lighter note, Captain Singh once again confirmed that the forthcoming Assembly polls would be his last election, as also the last election for PPCC vice-president Laal Singh, also present at the launch event. UNI KS SW RJ 1515 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1043709.Xml Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, copies of which were circulated by its embassy here, denying the reports and calling them far from realities. "Reports appearing in Pakistan's media about some "secret talks" between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) do not correspond to the realities," the statement said. The possibility of Russia's joining this initiative was not being discussed with Islamabad, it categorically stated. "Our trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan has its own value. We aim for its further strengthening. The implementation by Russian companies of business projects, including the construction of North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, are implemented on bilateral basis," the statement said. UNI MK SW ADG 1558 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-1043851.Xml Ambassador of France in India Alexandre Ziegler will lead a 60-member French business delegation to Andhra Pradesh tomorrow, specializing in the areas of smart cities, infrastructure and industries. A statement from French Consulate here today said, the delegation will meet Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and high-ranking state government officials during their visit. Mr.J Krishna Kishore, CEO, Economic Development Board, will present an overview of opportunities in the state while Dr.Sredhar Cherukuri, Commissioner AP Capital Region Development Authority(APCRDA) will present the Amaravathi project. Reciprocally, officials from the French Embassy, the French Development and the French Development Agency (FDA) will highlight French expertise in the sectors of urban development, renewable energy and infrastructure to the AP government, the statement said. In parallel, round table discussions with participants from both sides, each led by a top official of the Andhra Pradesh government will be held on seven technical themes such as investment and industry, Tourism and partnerships, infrastructure and smart cities, and transportation among other things, the statement added.UNI PAB CS 1649 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1043964.Xml All India Trinamool Congress president and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that she was not afraid of going to jail over the draconian decision of the Narendra Modi government on demonetisation and will intensify her agitation, till it was withdrawn. Though the rally against demonetisation was of Ms Banerjee, but it was the full show of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who did not attend, but all his close Ministers and supporters participated in full strength to make the agitation a success in the state capital. However the UP leaders, speaking on the occasion focused on the coming elections in the state, rather than speaking on demonetisation, claiming that Akhilesh government had done everything to get a second chance to rule the state. Ms Banerjee in her fiery speech, targeting only and only Mr Modi, said that she will not deter from her target till the demonetisation move was withdrawn and Mr Modi was unseated from the Centre. "The demonetisation was introduced without any preparation, which should be withdrawn immediately. I am not afraid of going to jail over the issue. It will also give me some time to rest," she added. "It is like a black emergency in the country and the country is heading towards a Presidential form of governance, where the states have been totally ignored. ''Blacklisting of the cooperative and district banks by the Centre during this demonetisation drive shows its clear motive that how this PM was ruling the country through dictatorial way," she said at the rally, attended by several senior AITMC leaders from WB and even from Punjab. Amid the protestors, who raised anti-Modi slogans, Mamata asked PM to disclose the properties and assets purchased by BJP, just before November 8. "We have information that several properties were purchased in Bihar, Delhi and other places by BJP. But, Modi is keeping mum on it," she said, when questioned about the details of 11, Akbar Road, Delhi property of BJP. Claiming that this fight against Mr Modi is similar to the freedom movement against the Britishers, the WB CM alleged that BJP has always created rift in the society through their communal motives."My brothers and sisters of Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus of UP, you should unite and remove this Modi, who represents your state at the Centre for his anti-people move, which is not acceptable at any cost in democracy," she appealed. Commenting on the cashless society as demanded by Mr Modi, AITMC president questioned the people, "will people eat plastic cards in place of food. There are no banks in most of the villages, how will people purchase foods and other things for the family." She said in West Bengal, there is no bank or post office in more than 700 village panchayats, while in UP it is more than 70 per cent as there are no banks or post offices in 39,000 villages out of the total 56,000 villages." Demonetisation is a big scandalous story of BJP, due to which the unorganised sector has been badly hit, while unemployment has doubled in just 21 days.," she claimed. The WB CM also alleged that Modi government was threatening and blackmailing the opposition through CBI and other agencies."We are not afraid of these agencies and will continue our tirade against them," she asserted.MORE UNI MB RJ 1535 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1043812.Xml Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today met senior counsel Harish Salve representing the state in the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) case in the Supreme Court, slated for hearing on November 30. A spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office today said Mr Badal called on Mr Salve in his office this morning and apprised him that the SYL was not merely a political or legal issue for them rather it was an emotive issue, which should be tackled on the top priority with utmost sensitivity and caution, as river waters was the lifeline of every Punjabi especially the farmers. Mr Badal said Punjab was primarily an agrarian state and river waters were the redeeming factor for its very survival. However, he said after partition of the country, Punjab had been subjected to continuous discrimination and injustice. He said according to the Riparian Principles, Punjab had absolute right over its river waters but through various agreements and decisions it had been robbed of its due share in broad daylight. "The people of Punjab are the custodians of the river waters in the state and won't allow to share a single drop of it with any state as Punjab didn't have spare water to share with anyone," he added. The Chief Minister told the counsel that despite the owners of river waters, the farmers of Punjab had to rely heavily on tubewells, as 73 per cent of irrigation was being done through them resulting in fast depletion of water table. He said 110 out of 135 of Punjab's blocks have turned "dark" - meaning an alarming crisis of underground water availability. Out of these, 45 blocks have been declared "critical" by the Central Groundwater Board and no further water could be drawn from sub surface resource in these 45 blocks. He added that now the situation has become extremely grave and to tolerate this injustice would amount to signing a death warrant of Punjab and Punjabis. "Punjab didn't have a single drop of water to share with anyone and any attempt to divest river waters of Ravi, Beas from Punjab and forcefully implementing the decision to construct SYL on Punjab in defiance to nationally and internationally accepted riparian principles will never be tolerated at any cost," he added.UNI DB SW RJ 1542 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1043811.Xml In an advice to his son, who makes his debut with Sajid Nadiadwala's film production venture, Suneil counselled him to stay grounded. ''God owes us nothing but gives us everything. Always stay grounded Ahan. Welcome to the beautiful world of films. Always there for you. Papa,'' Suneil said in a tweet. Filmmaker Sajid Nadiawala was immensely impressed by the second generational star and sent him to London for training. Suneil's daughter Athiya had earlier made her debut opposite Sooraj Pancholi in 'Hero'.UNI AR SW ADG 1756 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1044082.Xml The demonetisation has proved a master stroke to make Prime Minister Narender Modi a political hero overnight and even his arch enemies are backing and lauding him for the move but the non-availability of new notes of the denomination of Rs 500 in banks has caused widespread resentment in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh. During a visit to the State Bank of India and other banks in the second biggest town of Himachal Pradesh today this reporter saw people, standing in long queues, exchanging hot words with the cashiers of a bank. They were arguing that the Rs 2000 note was not of much use for them. The cashiers were pleading helplessness. Meanwhile, a large number of aggrieved persons have sent mails to the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister to rush currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 100 to redress their difficulties. The banks were allegedly providing old and mutilated currency notes of Rs 100, Rs 20 and Rs 10 denominations which was also irritating for the people.UNI XC DB SNU 1908 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0137-1044393.Xml Speaker Vijay.Kumar Choudhary announced adjournment of the House after his repeated pleas to restore order in the House fellon deaf ears of members of both the treasury and opposition benches. As the House assembled for its post lunch session, BJP members trooped into the well raising the issue of law and order situation and shouted slogans in favour of ban on high value currency notes. They also flayed Congress president Sonia Gandhi, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for opposing the move of demonetisation, saying in fact they were supporting those who had stashed black money. As BJP members continued to disrupt proceedings of the House with slogans, several RJD and Congress members also trooped into the well and Congress members climbed up on reporters' table and demanded from BJP members to apologise for their derogatory remark against Ms Gandhi. RJD members were also seen vigorously protesting the unsavoury remark against Mr Prasad. Speaker Vikay Kumar Chaudhary, requested the slogan shouting members to return to their respective seats but they did not relent, forcing him to adjourn the House for the day.MORE UNI KKS-IS KK 1854 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1044333.Xml A black sheet of gloom descended over the Nanded district when the news about martyrdom of an Army jawan Sambhaji Yeshwant Kadam reached here today. Kadam, who belonged to the 5 Maratha Light Infantry, was a resident of Janapuri village in Loha tehsil of the district. He is survived by his parents, wife and a three-year-old daughter. Kadam was amongst the three Armymen who attained martyrdom when a group of five terrorists attacked in Jammu today in two separate incidents. The first attack took place at Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu City where terrorists, carrying guns and grenades, stormed into an Army camp, in which Kadam was killed. The attacks at the Army base and a BSF camp are the latest in a series of militant attacks after the September 29 surgical on seven terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the Indian Army. arpanch of Janapuri village, Bali Patil, was informed about the incident. The mortal remains of Kadam will be brought to the city tomorrow by a plane either from Aurgangabad or directly to Nanded. The last rites will be performed with full honour at his native village Janapuri. District Collector Suresh Kakani and Deputy Director of the Maharashtra State Sainik Kalyan (soldier's welfare) DirectorateMajor Milind Devdatt Tungar are attempting to bring the mortal remains of the martyr. Protesting the attack, the Shiv Sena activists condemned Pakistan by burning its flag in the city. The BJP activists too condemned the attack and paid tributes to the martyr. Former Chief Minister and Congress State President Ashok Chavan, has paid his tributes to the martyr. State and District Guardian Minister Diwakar Rawate also paid tributes to the martyr.UNI XR SS NP SNU 2059 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1044505.Xml To participate in a rally tomorrow, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee today arrived in Patna to protest against the Centre's decision to ban Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes on November 8. "#Bengal CM @MamataOfficial arrives in Patna ahead of her protest rally against #DeMonetisation tomorrow," All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) tweeted. "Sat Sri Akal. I am in Patna and visited the Patna Takhat Harmandir Patna Sahib. I feel humbled and moved after the visit," Ms Banerjee tweeted after arriving in Patna. She said, the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh ji will be held in January, 2017 and I extend my warmest greetings. Earlier in the day, Trinamool supremo addressed a massive protest rally against demonetisation in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Several members of the Samajwadi Party were present at the rally. Addressing the rally, Ms Banerjee targeted the Prime Minister for demonetisation and said that the people from all sections of society the common man, the farmers, the labourers, housewives -- were facing problems. "The people of Uttar Pradesh have made you the Prime Minister and they can remove you from the post too," she added. Ms Banerjee questioned, "Why only account details from Nov 8? Just three weeks? Why not for last 2-1/2 years? PM Ji you think you alone are intelligent!" "You have started note-bandi, people will reply with vote-bandi. After your 21 days of note-bandi, the whole country is ghar bandi, so why this farce?" she asked. TMC supremo accused the Prime Minister of mismatch between his words and his actions. The West Bengal Chief Minister said the BJP was looting the country without declaring Emergency. She accused the ruling party of depriving people of their constitutional rights. Ms Banerjee slammed the Centre for not planning before going ahead with demonetisation and said the BJP was aware of this move in advance. Calling note-bandi a scandal, she said the fight will go on and she "is even ready to go to jail".UNI BM SNU 2213 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1044634.Xml Sources in the Defence Ministry told IANS that Modi was briefed about the overall situation in Nagrota and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed when suicide bombers armed with guns and grenades stormed a military base, near the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16th Corps in Nagrota. In another incident, three militants were killed in a shootout with security forces near the International Border with Pakistan in Samba. The attacks at the military unit and a BSF camp - both on the outskirts of Jammu city -- were the latest in a series of escalating militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir after the September 29 surgical strikes at terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistai Kashmir. The combing operation against the militants was halted after it became dark and would resume on Wednesday morning. --IANS rs-sk/pgh/vd ( 179 Words) 2016-11-29-22:32:13 (IANS) Ahead of her dharna against demonetisation here, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on RJD Chief Lalu Prasad at his residence tonight. Ms Banerjee also met with the former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav. Both Ms Banerjee and Mr Prasad held discussions on the issue of demonetisation. After their meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister said that both parties had a common view on the demonetisation, notwithstanding Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had a divergent view on it. She said that Mr Kumar might have different opinion on demonetisation, he was also concerned about difficulties being faced by common people in the aftermath of demonetisaton.UNI DH PS SNU 2319 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1044666.Xml West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today sought to downplay her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar's support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the demonetisation of high value currency notes by saying every party has its own views on the issue of demonetisation. "Every party and leader have own perspectives on the issue of demonetisation," Ms. Banerjee told mediapersons here. Ms Banerjee will stage a dharna here tomorrow to demand rollback of the Centre's demonetisation decision. She has invited RJD Chief Lalu Prasad to attend her agitation programme but she has not yet received any confirmation from Mr Prasad in this regard. Senior TMC leader and Rajya Sabha Member Mukul Roy had met Mr Prasad in Patna on November 25 to extend the party's invitation to him for his party's programme but RJD supremo was unsure at that time also ashe was not keeping well. Mr Prasad had also not disclosed so far whether he would attend Ms Banerjee's programme.MORE UNI DH PS SNU 2324 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1044667.Xml A hardcore criminal was arrested today along with Chinese pistol and a magazine in the outskirts of the city. "On specific information Police today laid special naka near Darsopur in Miran Sahib area here,'' police spokesman here said, adding that during the checking, one car was signaled to stop but on seeing the Police, the driver tried to escape. Alert party nabbed the driver and another person. They were identified as Babar Choudhary of Chak and Mohd Ameen alias Babloo of Darsopur. One Chinese Pistol with magazine was recovered from Babar Choudhary and one Bayonet (sharp edge knife) from Mohd Ameen. A case has been registered and investigation has started.UNI VBH PS SNU 2343 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1044693.Xml Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Bert Koenders and Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders signed the convention for adapting the border in the presence of royal couples of both countries. "This unique border agreement is an example of our excellent cooperation with the Belgian people. We have showed today that the Netherlands and Belgium succeeded as good neighbours and can adjust borders in a peaceful way," Xinhua news agency quoted Koenders as saying. According to Reynders, the border treaty symbolizes the excellent state of the Belgian-Dutch relations. This is the second border adjustment between the Netherlands and Belgium in 175 years. The current border was established in 1843 and followed the deepest point of the Meuse river. Adjustment was necessary because in 1961 the winding banks of the river were rectified for navigation purposes. As a result, parts of Belgian territory were attached to the Dutch riverside and vice versa. Although there are neither people living nor buildings on the peninsulas, adjusting the border situation still is a lot of work, said Commissioner of the King in Dutch province of Limburg Theo Bovens. Ministries of both countries such as water boards, land registry agencies and three municipalities will be involved in the land swap. If the parliaments of both countries adopt the treaty next year,the border correction will take effect on January 1, 2018. --IANS vgu/ ( 254 Words) 2016-11-29-04:10:14 (IANS) A car and knife attack by an Ohio State University student that injured 11 people before the suspect was shot dead by a police officer is being investigated as a possible terror attack, a US congressman and another government source said.The suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was shot and killed by a police officer with less than two years on the force after driving into a group of people and then jumping out of the vehicle and stabbing people with a butcher knife at the school's Columbus campus, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University yesterday. The assailant was an 18-year-old immigrant from Somalia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, two US government sources said. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone told a news conference that Artan might have been as old as 20.The officials said they could not speak on the record because of the ongoing investigation.US Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation."It bears all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized," Schiff said in a statement.Another US official, who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation, told Reuters that US agencies are investigating the Columbus attacker's background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups.President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.A spokesman for Columbus' Somali community spoke out against the attack."I want everyone to know that we the Somali-American community stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow Americans in condemning the sickening violence that took place in our city earlier today," Abdi Dini, a member of the Somali community, said at a news conference in Ohio.SUSPECT SAID DIDN'T "EVEN KNOW WHERE TO PRAY"The campus newspaper, The Lantern, on Monday posted on its website an interview with Artan that it had published only in print in August as part of its Humans of Ohio State feature.In the interview, Artan, a third-year logistics management student, said he had recently transferred to Ohio State from Columbus State University. Artan talked about being a Muslim and said that Columbus State had offered more accommodations for prayer."We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day," he was quoted as saying.Artan said he was scared to pray openly on campus as a Muslim, saying that he feared that media portrayals of Muslims would give people the wrong idea about him."This place is huge, and I don't even know where to pray," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. ... But I just did it. ... I went over to the corner and just prayed."Of the people injured in the attack on Monday, one was critically injured, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance."It frankly took a piece out of everybody here at our beautiful Ohio State University that this could have happened here," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at a news conference.With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university.Fire officials said the critically injured victim was taken to the university hospital. A spokeswoman said that by Monday evening, none of the patients there suffered from life-threatening conditions.Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, including two with stab wounds and three who were hit by the vehicle, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer.Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said.The university initially reported the attack on Twitter, saying it involved an "active shooter."Moll said that while in the vehicle, the suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall.He then left the vehicle and stabbed several other people, Stone, the Ohio State police chief, said.Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said.Monday's incident follows a stabbing attack in September at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where a man whose family came to the United States from Somalia wounded 10 people with a knife before he was shot to death by an off-duty police officer.Authorities last month indicated the Minnesota attacker showed signs of radicalization, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent said his actions appeared to be "consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups."CNN aired an image from a room at Ohio State where students had barricaded a door with stacked chairs.Columbus and university police continued their investigation with assistance from the FBI.A university warning on Twitter telling students to shelter in place was lifted shortly before noon 2230 IST.The university campus remained open, although classes were canceled for the day.REUTERS RSD 0656 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-1043230.Xml Parliament will invite Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the new king following the death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej last month, the president of the legislative body said today.Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, said in a televised session the prince would be invited to ascend the throne after the cabinet earlier on Tuesday formally asked parliament to begin the process of installing a new monarch.Members of the assembly stood up during a short parliamentary session and shouted: "Long live the king!"The prince will have to accept parliament's invitation in order for him to be proclaimed king, according to established procedure.Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said: "We expect an audience [with the prince] within the next one to two days."Two senior military sources said Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn would fly into Bangkok on Wednesday from Germany, where he has a home.Reuters reported exclusively on Oct. 31 that Thailand was making preparations for the crown prince to ascend the throne on Dec. 1.The death of the much loved King Bhumibol on Oct. 13 plunged the Southeast Asian nation into mourning. Most Thais have known no other monarch.King Bhumibol, who was the longest-serving head of state in the world when he died at the age of 88, played a stabilising role during decades of often violent conflict in Thailand.The crown prince's invitation to become monarch will likely allay some public concerns the succession might not go according to plan.RAMA XThe prince, who will be known as King Rama X, or the 10th king of the 234-year-old Chakri Dynasty, can only be formally crowned after his father's royal cremation, which will take place next year.Thailand will begin building the late king's funeral pyre next year and 8,000 people will be involved in the cremation ceremony, the government said last week.The prince has not spoken publicly since his father's death and news about his plans has come through the government.Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said last month the prince had asked to delay the succession in order to grieve with the public.In a departure from the usual Tuesday cabinet meeting, members of the cabinet and the junta met jointly at Bangkok's Government House on Tuesday, according to a Reuters reporter.Prayuth, who took power from an elected government in a 2014 coup, has said a year-long mourning period for the king will not affect a general election the junta has promised to hold in 2017.The military, which has traditionally portrayed itself as he ultimate defender of the monarchy, is widely expected to remain a key power broker even after the 2017 general election.A Thai lese-majeste, or royal insult, law criminalises anything that is deemed to be an insult to the monarchy.The law has curbed public talk about the succession or criticism about the crown prince, who has spent much of his adult life abroad and does not command the same level of devotion as his father.REUTERS SV -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1043397.Xml Kazakhstan's Energy Minister, Kanat Bozumbayev, has not yet decided whether to attend the meeting of OPEC members and other oil producers in Vienna, he told Reuters today."I don't know yet, I have booked the tickets but I don't know whether I'm going or not," Bozumbayev said before a government meeting.Bozumbayev said Kazakhstan - along with Russia, Azerbaijan and Mexico - was waiting for members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to agree among themselves on proposed output cuts.OPEC said in September it would limit output in an effort to boost prices, which have languished at less than half of their mid-2014 levels due to a persistent supply glut.Details of the deal, however, have yet to be agreed upon. Iraq and others, such as Libya and Nigeria, have asked for exemptions, while non-OPEC member Russia and top exporter Saudi Arabia have said markets would rebalance even without a cut.OPEC experts ended a Monday meeting without agreeing details on how much individual countries would cut in the output reduction plan to be presented to an OPEC ministerial gathering on Nov. 30, an OPEC source has told Reuters.OPEC has been trying to get Russia and other non-OPEC producers to participate in the plan to reduce output and support the market. REUTERS SV PM1216 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1043403.Xml Taiwan held rescue drills today off the coast of its sole outpost in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, but the biggest claimant in the disputed area kept uncharacteristically quiet.China and self-governed Taiwan seldom see eye to eye, but in responding to Taipei's latest assertion of sovereignty over Itu Aba, Beijing has avoided the harsh language it often directs at other claimants to the busy waterway.China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts or all of the energy-rich South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually.Taiwan and China both suffered setbacks to their claims in July, when an international tribunal ruled that China's historic boundary, the so-called nine-dash line, was invalid, and said Itu Aba was a rock, rather than a self-sustaining island entitled to a 200-km economic zone.Experts say Beijing is largely content for Taipei to push its claims on Itu Aba, the largest natural feature in the Spratlys, because China views Taiwan as a breakaway province to be taken back by force one day, if necessary.So, while Chinese ships have confronted Malaysian, Philippine and Vietnamese vessels in the area, Taiwan's regular journeys to and from the lonely outcrop have gone unimpeded."Our supply transports have never encountered Chinese interference," Lee Chung-wei, minister of Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration, told reporters visiting Itu Aba for the rescue drills.In the exercises, coast guard vessels and navy helicopters practised how to retrieve injured crewmen from a burning ship and transport them to Itu Aba's small port and hospital.PROTECTING SOVEREIGNTYAsked about the drills on Itu Aba, and whether Taiwan had an obligation to respect Chinese sovereignty there, China's foreign ministry underscored its desire for a unified approach."The Nansha Islands, including Taiping Island, are inseparable parts of China," spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily briefing in Beijing, using China's terms for the Spratlys and Itu Aba."Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have an obligation to jointly protect this ancestral property."Drills such as Tuesday's show Taiwan's determination to become an important player, said Ian Storey, a South China Sea scholar at Singapore's ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, adding that Taiwan officials and experts had told him of frustration at being diplomatically marginalized in the South China Sea.Taiwan treads a fine line between annoying friendly South East Asian neighbours and the United States, its sole political ally and arms supplier, by being a proxy for China's sovereign interests, despite the risk of angering Beijing, he added."It is a tricky position that means they are broadly supportive of Beijing," Storey said. "They want to be seen as pushing their own Chinese claims, rather than Beijing's, even though they are essentially the same."Taiwan officials say President Tsai Ing-wen kicked off plans for the drills in July, a month after Beijing cut official communication channels because Tsai, who leads the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), refuses to commit to the 'one China' principle that Taiwan is part of the mainland.To maintain ties, Tsai must continue arguing that Itu Aba is an island, not a rock, and is not to be used by military forces of other nations, said Wu Shicun, head of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies."Doing so would likely mean that they would threaten China's sovereignty in the South China Sea," said Chinese government adviser Wu. "If she steps over these red lines, I believe China will take responsive action." REUTERS VS AS1448 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1043712.Xml Italy's foreign minister said today he would welcome a more open approach towards Russia from the United States under President-elect Donald Trump."If there is a more open attitude towards Russia then I am not worried, I am happy," Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said at an event in Berlin.He said that he and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was sitting on the stage with him, had long supported stronger engagement with Russia.REUTERS VS BL1456 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1043726.Xml A roadside bomb in the southern Philippines today wounded seven members of the president's security team, a day ahead of his planned visit to an area gripped by intense fighting between Islamist militants and government troops.Rodrigo Duterte said he would defy his advisers and still go to Butig town tomorrow to visit wounded soldiers, despite the bombing that hit his security staff and also wounded two soldiers."The truck carrying the president's advance security detail was hit by an improvised explosive device," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters in Manila. "There was no firefight."The men injured in Lanao del Sur province were immediately airlifted to safety. Members of the president's official media team were also in the convoy but were unharmed.Some 40 militants from the Maute Group, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, have been killed during an air-and-ground assault on an old municipal building they have occupied since Saturday, said military spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo.Twenty soldiers have been wounded in the fighting, which continued to rage today.The defence secretary said he would advise the president to cancel his visit."It's still not under control," Lorenzana said, adding the military was trying to validate links between local groups and Islamic State.Duterte, known for ignoring his ministers and security experts, said he would still go and the situation was under control."The advice was to postpone. I said no, I will go there. And if possible, take the same route," he said in a speech."Maybe we can have a little gunfight here, gunfight there."Police believe the Maute Group may also be responsible for the planting of a homemade bomb on Monday near the US embassy in ManilaNational police chief Ronald dela Rosa showed reporters a sketch of a suspect and appealed to the public to help identify and locate him.Police said a man driving a taxi stopped near the embassy during the night and placed something in a trash bin. A street sweeper discovered the bomb, which police safely detonated.Dela Rosa said the device had components similar to a Sept. 2 bomb in Duterte's home city of Davao, which killed 14 people and wounded dozens. Authorities believe the Maute group was responsible. REUTERS VS AS1509 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1043735.Xml Pakistan's outgoing army chief issued a stern warning to India over violence in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir today as he handed over the command, saying patience should not be mistaken for weakness.Tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours has ratcheted up in recent months, leading to almost daily cross-border shelling at the Line of Control that acts as a de facto frontier, dividing Indian and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Dozens of people, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed on either side of the border in artillery and small arms fire. Both sides accuse each other of instigating the shelling."I want to make it clear to India, that taking our policy of patience (in Kashmir) as a sign of any kind of weakness will prove to be dangerous to it," said General Raheel Sharif, who handed over the reins to General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a ceremony full of military pomp."Unfortunately in recent months, the rising state terrorism in Kashmir and India's aggressive steps have put regional peace at risk," added Sharif, who many viewed as the most powerful man in Pakistan in his role as army chief.Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full, but have ruled it in part since partition and independence from the British in 1947.Tension between the neighbours began to sour in July, when Indian security forces killed a young Kashmiri separatist, sparking protests in the region and a subsequent Indian security forces crackdown that has killed at least 80 civilians.In September, India blamed Pakistan for supporting a militant raid on an army base that killed at least 19 soldiers in Kashmir. India's military then said it launched "surgical strikes" across the Line of Control.Pakistan denies involvement in the army base attack in September, and also disputes that any Indian incursion onto its territory occurred, saying it's an effort by New Delhi to divert attention from rights abuses in Kashmir.Bajwa, who once commanded the Pakistani military corps deployed on the Line of Control, will be seeking to address the conflict with India, as well as manage Pakistan's ongoing fight against Islamist militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and elsewhere.He was appointed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - no relation to General Sharif - on Saturday, and has now taken command of the world's sixth-largest army by troop numbers.As well as controlling security, the army operates a vast business empire in the country and often dictates key areas of foreign policy, including relations with India and Afghanistan. REUTERS VS1551 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1043716.Xml Germany's spy chief warned that Russian hackers may target next year's German election with campaigns of misinformation that could undermine the democratic process, echoing concerns voiced by the country's domestic intelligence director.US intelligence officials warned in the run-up to the Nov. 8 presidential election won by populist outsider Donald Trump of efforts to manipulate the vote that they believed was backed by Russian authorities. Russian officials denied any such effort.In an interview published today in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Bruno Kahl, the new head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence service, said there were indications that Russia may be behind the interference."We have evidence that cyber attacks are taking place that have no other purpose than triggering political uncertainty," he said. "The perpetrators are interested in delegitimising the democratic process as such, no matter who that subsequently helps."The head of Germany's domestic BfV intelligence agency told Reuters earlier in November that authorities were concerned that Russia may seek to interfere in Germany's national elections through the use of misleading news stories.Chancellor Angela Merkel has also warned that social bots - software programmes to sway opinion on influential social media sites by spreading fake news - might manipulate the voting.She faces a growing challenge from the anti-immigrant, populist AfD party, which has said the European Union should drop sanctions imposed on Russia and that Berlin should take a more balanced position towards Moscow.Some critics say a proliferation of fake news helped sway the US election in the favour of the Republican Trump, who has pledged to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton accused Trump of being a Putin "puppet".Kahl said Germany among other countries in Europe was a particular target of misinformation campaigns."A kind of pressure is being exercised on public discourse and democracy here which is unacceptable," he said.While intelligence agencies used to focus on countries, today the challenges and the threats are more varied and the actors more diverse, Kahl added.Deutsche Telekom has blamed disruptions experienced by hundreds of thousands of its customers yesterday n a failed hacking attempt to hijack consumer router devices for the purpose of a wider Internet attack.REUTERS VS BL1609 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1043887.Xml South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said today its National Executive Committee had debated a call over the weekend for President Jacob Zuma to step down but that the decision-making group had not supported the motion."The NEC did not support the call for the President to step down," ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe told a news conference. "This issue was debated openly, robustly and, as we said, sometimes it was very difficult for members themselves." REUTERS VS AS1822 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1044208.Xml Britain's air crash investigation agency is sending a team of experts to Colombia to help the country's aviation authority investigate the crash of a regional jet that killed 75 people, a spokesman said.The team of three investigators is expected to arrive at the scene of the crash tomorrow, the spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch added.The investigation will be led by Colombia's Aeronautica Civil, with Britain automatically involved as the country where the BAe 146 jet, also known as Avro RJ, was manufactured.The British team includes experts in flight operations, engineering and flight data recorders, the spokesman added. REUTERS VS BL1903 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1044366.Xml Business minister Greg Clark said today the British government was "unashamedly pro-business", but that he wanted to strengthen existing corporate governance structures to avoid damaging public trust in the private sector.Britain hopes to encourage better corporate behaviour, part of Prime Minister Theresa May's drive to support the millions of people she says voted for Brexit in protest at 'out of touch' elites."This government is unequivocally and unashamedly pro-business, but we hold business to a high standard in doing so," Clark told parliament. "It's right ask business to play its part in building an economy that works for everyone."REUTERS VS BL1905 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1044369.Xml Europe's space agency expects its member states to back major programmes such as the International Space Station and the ExoMars mission to the Red Planet this week, even if it does not receive the full 11.6 billion dollars of funding it is requesting, its director general said."If we get only 90 percent of the funding then this is not a catastrophe," Jan Woerner told Reuters in an interview ahead of a meeting in Lucerne on Thursday and Friday this week, at which ministers of the 22 member states of the European Space Agency (ESA) are to approve spending plans.ESA's investments over the coming years are to focus on a shift to what the agency calls "Space 4.0", in which big data becomes a key part of missions and privately owned space startups shake up the sector.A large portion of funding, at 1.6 billion euros, is to be earmarked for earth observation programmes, while another 1.2 billion is to be for telecommunications projects.ESA is asking for 800 million euros for Europe's participation in the International Space Station (ISS) through 2021 and wants approval to extend Europe's commitment to the space station through 2024."From the discussions I have had so far with the member states, there was no member state saying we will close the European activity on the ISS. It's more that they are asking for clear results coming out of the ISS," ESA's Woerner said.European astronaut Thomas Pesquet arrived at the ISS this month, around five months after the return of Britain's first official astronaut, Tim Peake."The UK is asking for another flight of Tim Peake. This is the normal game," Woerner said.The space agency also needs its member states to approve another 400 million euros of funding for the ExoMars programme, which is to send a rover to the Red Planet's surface in 2020.As part of ExoMars, Europe sent a gas-sniffing orbiter and a test lander to Mars this year, but the lander crashed due to a sensor failure last month.REUTERS PS PR2109 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1044597.Xml Austria's Jewish community recommended today that voters back an independent candidate at an election that could produce the first right-wing president in the European Union - the first time it has ever declared an endorsement.Former Green party leader Alexander Van der Bellen is running neck-and-neck with the right-wing Freedom Party (FPO) candidate Norbert Hofer in a repeat-election seen as the country's most important in decades.For the first time in more than 50 years, Austria's highest office will be held neither by a social democrat nor a Christian democrat candidate. The election first held in May was won by Van der Bellen but a rerun was called because of irregularities in the count of the postal ballots."Van der Bellen is not the lesser of two evils, he is the better candidate and has been a friend of the Jewish community and Israel for many decades," Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Communities of Austria (IKG), which represents around 15,000 jews, said on Facebook.Without naming him, Deutsch spoke out against Norbert Hofer, who is running an "Austria first" campaign and has said that Islam is not a part of Austria.Withdrawing into the Austrian shell can never be the answer to international crises, Deutsch said. Austria's president had to respect every religion including Islam and to combat any "anti-attitude" tendencies.The FPO, whose first leader was a decorated member of the Nazi SS and whose former leader Joerg Haider in the 1990s cited the "proper labour policies" of Adolf Hitler, says it is friendly toward Israel.In early November, the party hosted an event with Rafael Eitan, the Israeli former intelligence officer who hunted down war criminal Adolf Eichmann, to demonstrate its pro-Jewish policy.Party chief Heinz Christian Strache said he was furious about the sight of swastikas daubed on the Jewish cemetery and called anti-Semitism a crime. Both Strache and Hofer have visited Israel."Symbolic visits to Israel are not suitable for covering dubious sets of values," the IKG's Deutsch said. REUTERS PS PR2221 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1044650.Xml Time was that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dedicated large parts of his speeches to condemning Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for atrocities against his people, calling for his ouster and urging greater support for the rebels fighting him.Now, as Syrian government forces capture swathes of eastern Aleppo, threatening to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold, Assad and the battle for what was once Syria's biggest city get little more than passing mention.NATO member Turkey has been one of the main backers of Syria's rebels since early in the near six-year war.But rapprochement with Russia, one of Assad's main allies, frustration with U.S. policy, and an overriding concern about securing its borders against Kurdish militia fighters and Islamic State have seen Ankara scale back its ambitions."At the moment, Turkey's foreign policy in Syria is hostage to Russia. Russia controls the air space and Turkish soldiers are 30 km inside Syria," said Behlul Ozkan, assistant professor in international relations at Marmara University in Istanbul."Turkey needs to be in agreement with Russia on every step it takes in Syria," he said, or Turkish troops would be exposed.In a speech on Tuesday, Erdogan condemned what he said was the failure of the United Nations in Syria and cast Turkey's incursion in August, when it sent tanks, fighter jets and special forces over the border, as an act of exasperation."Close to one million people died in Syria, and they continue dying. Where is the U.N.? What are they doing? We kept saying 'patience, patience, patience' but could not take it any more and entered Syria," Erdogan said."We are there to bring justice. We are there to end the rule of the cruel Assad, who has been spreading state terror."But Turkey's "Operation Euphrates Shield" was not about battling Assad. It aims to sweep Islamic State from a roughly 90-km (56-mile) strip of the Syrian border and prevent Kurdish militia groups from seizing territory in their wake.Tuesday was the first time in almost a month that Erdogan had mentioned Assad by name in a major public address, according to a review of his recent speeches published on the presidency website. He made no direct reference to events in Aleppo.A senior official from one of the Turkmen rebel brigades backed by Turkey said some 60 percent of Turkmen fighters pulled out of Aleppo in August to take part in Euphrates Shield, withdrawing from front lines against Assad's forces."Of course that withdrawal had an impact. If those groups had stayed, perhaps Aleppo could have resisted more," said the official from the Muntasir Billah Brigade, although he doubted it would have changed the course of the battle."They did not have much of a chance as their weapons are limited - machine guns and Kalashnikovs - while the regime and Russians have used everything from barrel bombs to warplanes," he told Reuters from the Turkish border town of Gaziantep, a rear base for some of Syria's rebel forces.RUSSIAN RAPPROCHEMENTRussia has been helping forces loyal to Assad try to take back full control of Aleppo by providing training, equipment, advice and intermittent air support.Just over a year ago, Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet over Syria, prompting a breakdown in ties that was only resolved in August after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Erdogan in St Petersburg.The rapprochement has not changed Ankara's position that Assad must go to restore peace in Syria, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told Reuters on Saturday.But Erdogan has spoken with Putin at least twice over the past week, agreeing to try to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and "coordinate efforts against international terrorism", officials in his office have said.Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also made a surprise visit to regional rival Iran, another key Assad ally, at the weekend, discussing cooperation in Syria with President Hassan Rouhani."The government does continue to criticise the brutal targeting of Aleppo by Assad and his allies, Russia and Iran, but it has seen that the rhetoric does not have much influence," said Can Acun, a researcher at the SETA think-tank in Ankara."It is trying to achieve results through shuttle diplomacy with Iran and Russia through its bilateral ties but so far there haven't been any meaningful positive results," he said, adding that the international community was "turning a blind eye"."Turkey does not have much of a capacity in the current equation to get results on its own."The level of continued support from the rebels' other backers, including the United States and Gulf, is uncertain.President-elect Donald Trump has signalled opposition to U.S. support for the rebels, indicating he could abandon them to focus on fighting Islamic State.Qatar's foreign minister told Reuters this week Doha would continue to arm them even if Trump ends U.S. backing, but would not on its own supply the shoulder-fired missiles they want to defend against Syrian and Russian warplanes.For its part, Turkey's focus is squarely on ensuring that the Turkmen and Arab rebels it backs secure the 90 km strip of territory south of its border and prevent Kurdish militias from joining up cantons they already control on either side. Ankara fears such a move would stoke Kurdish separatism at home.Their immediate challenge is securing al-Bab, an Islamic State-held city northeast of Aleppo which Kurdish-led fighters are racing to take, and which lies close to the front lines of Assad's allies.Turkish-backed forces have made rapid gains since August, but largely through less heavily populated areas. Urban warfare around al-Bab is already taking a heavier toll. Five Turkish soldiers have been killed in the past week alone, three of them in a suspected Syrian government air strike."Right now the question is whether Russia will allow Turkey to seize al-Bab," said the Muntasir Billah Brigade official."There's a political equation here. It's not about whether Turkey has enough tanks, soldiers and weapons, but whether there's any room for such a move from Turkey in the equation."REUTERS PS PR2229 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1044654.Xml KUNMING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese insurance regulatory official Monday called on Asian countries to increase cooperation, particularly to regulate insurer solvency standards. Chen Wenhui, vice chairman of China Insurance Regulatory Commission, told a regional regulatory workshop, in southwest China's Yunnan Province, that Asia has become an important part of the global insurance industry, with market share rising from 20 percent to 30 percent of the world's total in the past decade. Asian nation's insurance markets are very similar, operating in comparable environments, facing the same challenges and having common aspirations, Chen told officials from ten countries including Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Laos and the Philippines. He said China was open to sharing experiences and cooperating with Asian countries on solvency regulation. Unlike the banking sector, insurers around the world are governed by different sets of solvency standards, such as Risk-Based Capital popular in the United States, and the Solvency II Standard Formula in Europe. China has developed its own standard -- China's Risk-Oriented Solvency System assesses insurer solvency based on risk, rather than business-size as with the previous system. China's current system is considered by peers as a system that balances business growth and risk avoidance, and as being more applicable to developing markets. Chen proposed that Asian countries establish a long-term dialogue to participate effectively in global standard setting, to help insurance capital move across the borders and to coordinate risk. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was killed and three others were injured after some unknown gunmen opened fire at their vehicle in Pakistan's northwest Peshawar city on Monday, local Urdu media reported. The militants sprayed bullets at the vehicle of newly formed City Petrol Force of police when the cops were on routine patrolling near Ring Road area of Peshawar, the capital city of the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Express News said. The injured policemen have been shifted to a nearby hospital where one of them is said to be in critical condition. Outlawed organization Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed the attack in an email to local media. Police has cordoned off the area for investigations. Enditem by Anthi Pazianou MYTILENE, Greece, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Greek pupils on Lesvos island have welcomed the first refugee children who started attending classes in schools this November under a Greek education ministry program, local officials told Xinhua on Monday. The island, which has received the bulk of the thousands of refugees who have landed on Greece's shores since 2015, has suffered from tensions lately. Refugees stranded in overcrowded hotspots since spring, when borders to central Europe were closed, are protesting living conditions and locals are demonstrating to demand more support from Athens and European countries. A deadly fire which killed a six-year-old child and his grandmother inside Moria hotspot last week has fuelled tensions. Nevertheless, these tensions do not reach the classrooms and the courtyard of the eighth primary school of Mytilene, where twelve minors from six to 12 years old from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran started attending classes in early November. "They had been looking forward to starting school and are really excited," Pavlos Kalampokis, the principal of school said about the new students who live with their families at the nearby camp of PIKPA. "Overjoyed, enthusiastic, and inquisitive, the Greek students welcomed their new classmates. They were eager to play and talk to them," he said. Two Syrian boys aged six and 12 said they had missed the feeling of being a student and were looking forward to hearing the school bell ring again after such a long time and meeting their Greek classmates. Another 25 refugee children are also attending classes inside the reception hotspots, while over 400 refugee children are expected to attend classes at Lesvos public schools in the coming weeks, according to Aristides Kalargalis, municipal director of education in the Northern Aegean. The program applies to children of refugees who have requested asylum. Approximately 6,200 refugees are currently hosted on Lesvos, according to the Greek government's latest estimates. VIENTIANE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lao and Vietnamese governments have expressed their full support for the construction of a pipeline that would deliver fuel from Vietnam to Laos, reported local Vientiane Times on Monday. The survey, design and feasibility study of the proposed pipeline have been ongoing for several years. Vietnam's Minister of Transport Truong Quang Nghia last week met with Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchanh Sinthavong in Lao capital Vientiane to update him on the progress in preparations for the pipeline with a view to keeping the project on track. The project would involve the building of two pipelines about 306 km in length to carry diesel and petrol from a wharf at the Hon La coastal port in Vietnam's central Quang Binh province to Lao central Khammuane province. A warehouse to store the fuel would be built at Nhommalath district in Khammuane province, which borders Quang Binh province, some 350 km southeast of Lao capital Vientiane. The government would require the investor in the project, Lao Petro Company, to be responsible for the survey and construction of the pipeline, said Vientiane Times, adding that the government will not provide funding for the project, but fully supports construction of the pipeline. It is expected that the results of these project components will be presented to the Lao government at the end of 2016 to request authorization to proceed, following which construction will begin if permission is given. It is hoped that fuel prices in Laos will be lower once the pipeline is in place as it is envisaged that the pipeline would cut the cost of transporting oil products and ensure energy security for Laos. It will also boost bilateral trade between Laos and Vietnam, as well as stabilize and develop the Lao energy industry, said the report. The project will include a wharf for vessels with capacities of some 50,000 tons, a 306 km-long oil pipeline and four pumping stations, and a warehouse with a storage capacity of 100,000-200,000 cubic meters. The warehouse at Vietnam's Hon La port is expected to be capable of storing 300,000-500,000 cubic meters of fuel products. Enditem GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Nearly half of the population in the Central African Republic (CAR) remain in need of humanitarian assistance despite progress made since the crisis in 2013, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Monday. Nearly 400 million U.S. dollars are required to meet the needs of 1.6 million people in the CAR in 2017, according to the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017 which complements the five-year national recovery and stabilization plan that was launched in Brussels on November 17. "Humanitarian efforts are critical to save lives of people who are among the poorest and most forgotten on this planet," the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, Fabrizio Hochschild, told UN members in Geneva Monday. Despite its considerable agricultural potential, CAR has some of the highest chronic malnutrition rates in the world -- almost one in two children -- due to ongoing insecurity, poor access to clean water and health care, as well as lack of seeds and tools. Maternal and early childhood mortality rates are also among the highest in the world. Since September 2016, new conflicts have erupted in many locations leading to hundreds of civilian casualties and the new displacement of tens of thousands of war-weary people. One in ten remains a refugee, the majority in neighboring Cameron. However, of the close to one million people who were displaced within the country in early 2014, almost half have returned home. In this regard, Hochschild underscored that "humanitarian efforts are critical to stabilize the country while its pressing development, political and security needs are addressed". COLOMBO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday called on countries to join hands in strengthening maritime security and overcoming the challenges and threats faced at sea. Rear Admiral Wang Dazhong, assistant to chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy, said with maritime security issues becoming more diversified, complicated and comprehensive, navies should aim at shared responsibility, development and prosperity, and establish an effective and efficient emergency response mechanism to solve maritime security issues, control maritime security risks and avert conflict through fusion of interests. Wang was speaking at the "Galle Dialogue 2016," the 7th International Maritime Conference held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. He said the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road proposed by China was designed to utilize the connectivity and convenience of the ocean to bring together various economy blocks along the South China Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean for economic growth and prosperity of the Ocean. He added that countries needed to join hands in handling challenges at sea and become partners of mutual beneficial and win-win cooperation. The Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference was inaugurated by the Sri Lanka Navy since 2010. The theme for this year's conference was "Fostering Strategic Maritime Partnerships." BELGRADE, Nov.28 (Xinhua) -- Serbia's economic parameters provide high expectations for the future, said Yana Mikhailova, president of Foreign Investors Council (FIC) in Serbia when presenting the annual "White Book" here on Monday. At the presentation in Belgrade, Mikhailova said that the new "White Book 2016" sees the biggest progress in areas of real estate, construction as well as four areas of the general legal framework related to areas of competition, consumer protection, state aid, public notary, as well as in telecommunications, oil and gas, and private insurance. According to her, the book marked least progress in taxation and labor regulations, as well as in the field of law related to foreign exchange and protection of whistleblowers, but also in the sectors of food and agriculture, security and hygiene products in the household and cosmetics. Yet she praised Serbia's fiscal consolidation, estimating that "this made good economic parameters possible that laid foundation for high expectations in future." Mikhailova maintained that the new Serbian government should seize the moment and speed up structural reforms even more, along with cutting bureaucracy and improve implementation of law. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic also attended the presentation. He promised the country will speed up structural reforms, especially when it comes to reform of public companies, and announced that a working group will be set up together with FIC which will meet on a weekly basis, while Vucic himself will partake once in a month. He reassured that the Serbian government is open to investors, reminding that the country is predicting further economic growth with a rate three times higher than the European average. "We can achieve many things with your support," Vucic concluded in his speech in front of members of FIC who are representing foreign companies that do business in Serbia. Enditem TIRANA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Albania on Monday celebrated its Independence Day which is on November 28, organizing several activities across the country. State officials gathered in the southern coastal city of Vlora to mark the day. The national flag was first raised in Vlora and for this reason, the ceremony of flag rising is always organized in the southern city. Albanian President Bujar Nishani, Minister of Defense Mimi Kodheli, local government authorities and residents of the coastal city and other cities attended the flag raising ceremony in the city's square. To mark the Independence Day, many municipalities across the country organized a series of concerts and other festive events that will conclude with an outdoor concert at the Independence square late in the evening, local media reported. Enditem MADRID, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has revised up Spain's economic growth forecast for 2016, the organization reported on Monday. The OECD forecast a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.2 percent for 2016, which was 0.4 percent up on the last prediction made by the organization in July. Meanwhile, the country's economy is expected to grow by 2.3 percent in 2017, a forecast that it has not changed since July, and by 2.2 percent in 2018, the organization said. Spain's public debt would reach 101.3 percent of the country's GDP this year, 102.1 percent in 2017, and 102.2 percent in 2018. Spain's public deficit is anticipated to stand at 4.6 percent by the end of this year, to fall to 3.6 percent in 2017 and 2.9 percent in 2018. The OECD pointed out that the reason for revising up Spain's economic forecast was a stronger economic context and the reforms carried out by the government. Also, the organization recommended more measures to increase the country's competitiveness and investment in order to boost productivity. "Spain is receiving the benefits of its reforms," OECD General Secretary Angel Gurria said in a press conference held in Madrid. "Now more reforms are needed, reforms, and then, reforms of reforms," he stated. The OECD also warned about the problems involving Spain's political situation whose government has not got a majority to rule, a fact that could undermine the implementation of future reforms. Enditem NAIROBI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency said on Monday that it had helped 35,192 Somali refugees to return home since the exercise begun almost two years ago. The UNHCR said 327 returnees were supported to voluntarily return to Somalia capital Mogadishu by flight from Nov. 1 to 15. "Flight movements have now resumed and are currently operating three days per week. In total, as of Nov. 15, 35,192 Somali refugees had returned home since December 8, 2014, when UNHCR started supporting voluntary return of Somali refugees in Kenya, out of which 29,091 were supported in 2016 alone," it said in its latest report. Kenya in collaboration with the UN refugee agency are working on a program that will ensure a smooth and voluntary repatriation of over 300,000 refugees living in five camps at the Dadaab refugee camp after Nairobi announced the closure of the camp. UNHCR said it has continued its interventions to support the refugees' host community areas affected by the drought during the last six months in Dadaab, Fafi and Wajir South Sub-counties in northeast Kenya. "To mitigate against the current drought, UNHCR and partners delivered approximately 2,800 cubic meters or 2.8 million litres of water to approximately 25,000 drought affected people in 28 villages from Oct. 22 to Nov. 11," it said. The UN refugee agency said it relocated 212 individuals (non- Somalis) to Kalobaye by UNHCR in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM). The UN agency said it expects the majority of the remaining refugee population to return to Somalia throughout 2017 and possibly into early 2018. Kenya, which has since postponed the closure of Dadaab refugee camp, says it has put solid measures in place to fast-track repatriation of Somalia refugees and their re-integration in their native country. The East African nation on Nov. 16 said it will delay by six months the closure of the Dadaab refugee camp, the world's largest. UNHCR has supported people's returns from Dadaab for years and in June, it worked with Kenya and Somalia to devise an action plan to that effect. A survey between August and October found that 283,558 refugees were living at Dadaab, 58,000 fewer than in the past. The UNHCR has since called on Kenya to be flexible in terms of a return time frame in order to meet the different elements of the plan that was devised earlier this year, citing a concern that rigid time frames would be difficult to meet. Enditem DUBLIN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The year 2016 is set to be the best year ever for Irish tourism, surpassing all previous records and coming on the back of a number of years of strong growth, according to official figures on Monday. The figures from Tourism Ireland showed that by year end 10.5 million people will have visited the island of Ireland, representing an 11 percent increase over 2015, with growth recorded from all markets. Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday and business tourism destination. It said revenue generated by international visitors is expected to be 5.4 billion euros(5.72 billion U.S. dollars), a 10 percent increase over last year. Tourism Ireland attributed the rise to a number of factors, including new flights to Ireland from the United States, Germany and Scandinavia, as well as expanded services via the Middle East from long-haul countries. It said strong economies in key source markets like the United States and Mainland Europe also contributed to the rise. For 2017, Tourism Ireland said it aims to build on this year's performance. In 2017, overseas tourism revenue will grow by 4.5 percent to 5.7 billion euros, it said. It also said that in terms of visitor numbers, the aim is to sustain this year's results and to welcome 10.6 million overseas visitors. But it admitted the challenge posed by the Brexit fallout. "2017 may present some challenges, not least Brexit, which is likely to impact on consumer confidence, which in turn may have consequences for travel to all destinations, including Ireland, from Britain," it said. As our nearest neighbor and our largest market for overseas tourism, Britain will remain a priority for us. The depreciation of sterling against the euro since the Brexit referendum means that value for money will be a key message for us in Britain next year, it added. Enditem MOSUL, Iraq, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces in Monday continued their clashes against the Islamic State (IS) militants and seized more ground in and near the city of Mosul, after nearly six weeks since a major offensive was launched to drive out the extremist militants from their last major stronghold in the country, the Iraqi military said. In eastern Mosul, the commandos of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) fought heavy clashes with the IS militants and managed to completely clear the districts of al-Qahira, Masarif and Amin, a statement by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said. The number of districts that have been completely freed by the CTS commandos reached so far 23, the statement said. The troops inside Mosul have met stubborn resistance from the extremist militants, who are fighting in small groups and moving quickly throughout the districts in the eastern side of the city, locally named the left bank of the Tigris River that bisects the city. The extremist groups frequently infiltrated behind the advanced CTS forces using tunnels or sneaking through dozens of houses and buildings. In southeast of Mosul, the Iraqi army freed the villages of al-Gaser and al-Egiedat, some 15 km southeast of Mosul, after defeating the terrorist militants who fled their positions, the statement added. Also in the day, the predominantly Shiite Hashd Shaabi units freed the villages al-Salam, Tal Mfeilka and al-Turkomaniya near the IS-held town of Tal Afar, some 70 km west of Mosul, The presence of the Hashd Shaabi units near Tal Afar enabled them to cut off the IS supply routes from the west side of Mosul, and allowed both the paramilitary units and other Iraqi and Kurdish security forces to entirely isolate and surround the city Mosul. On Tuesday morning, the paramilitary units began their advance to encircle the town of Tal Afar, preparing for the next stage to free it from the IS militants. The units' presence in the whole area in west of Mosul would also enable them to secure the border areas between Iraq and neighboring Syria and would cut off the IS supply routes between Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqa, the capital of IS self-declared caliphate. On Friday, a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that after more than a month of military operations against IS militants in Mosul, some 72,990 civilians have fled their homes in the city and its adjacent districts and the number went up every day. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Oct. 17 announced 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. Mosul, some 400 km north of Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under the 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. KIEV, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine and Turkey are aiming to double their trade in agricultural commodities after launching a free trade area (FTA), visiting Turkish minister of food, agriculture and livestock Mehmet Danis said here on Monday. "Our trade volumes could increase by two-fold in the near future," Danis said during the Ukrainian-Turkish agribusiness forum in Kiev. The FTA will give an opportunity to Turkey, which supplies about 1,600 kinds of food items to 192 countries each year, to increase its exports to the Ukrainian market of more than 40 millions of consumers, Danis said. Meanwhile, Ukraine's deputy agriculture minister Olga Trofimtseva said that Ukraine is looking forward to further boost its trade with Turkey, which is already yielding good results. "Turkey ranks the seventh-largest importer of Ukrainian agricultural goods and the third-largest exporter of such products to Ukraine after Germany and Poland," Trofimtseva said. In 2015, bilateral trade turnover between Ukraine and Turkey amounted to about 1 billion U.S. dollars, with Ukrainian exports accounting for three-quarters of the total trade. The two sides are set to complete the talks on the FTA next year. Enditem ASTANA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Seven terrorists were sentenced to life imprisonment in Kazakhstan on Monday. The specialized inter-district criminal court of Aktobe region of Kazakhstan convicted 29 men in a high-profile terrorism trial. Seven terrorists of them were sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorist attacks that occurred in June in the northwestern Kazakh city of Aktobe. Zhanabai Kuanyshbayev, Bakyt Kuanyshbayev, Alibek Akpanbetov, Arsen Tanatarov, Askhat Rakhmetov, Anuar Sadikhov, and Askhat Imangaliyev were found guilty of terrorism and convicted to serve a life sentence. All their property is to be confiscated following the verdict. Another two accused were sentenced to 20 years and 22 years in prison respectively in a strict regime colony. Eighteen people charged with abetting the attackers received jail terms between two to five years. The other two defendants were convicted of harboring criminals and sentenced to four years each. Investigators have said all 29 criminals were Islamic extremists and followers of the Salafist current. On June 5, a group of armed men attacked two gun shops and a military unit in Aktobe killing 3 civilians and 3 soldiers. The city declared a counter-terrorism operation regime. During the manhunt for the suspects, policemen killed 18 attackers, while some remained at large. The operation ended on June 12 as all the suspected Islamists were caught. The city government changed the "red" level of terrorist threat in Aktobe city to an elevated "yellow" one, which is in effect throughout Kazakhstan until January 15, 2017. Enditem SANAA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Shiite Houthi group and its ally of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's party declared on Monday the formation of "national salvation government," according to an official statement posted on Houthi-controlled state Saba news agency. The move was taken unilaterally away from their foes of Saudi-backed Yemeni exiled, but internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The decision was approved in an official decree released by the Houthi-Saleh join governing council, known as the Supreme Political Council, which ordered the decree to be published on the official gazette. The new government is headed by Abdulaziz Saleh bin Habtour and 42 ministers, including the information ministry, foreign ministry, defense ministry and interior ministry. The move came the same day the United Nations envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed arrived at the Yemeni southern port city of Aden to meet President Hadi to push ahead the peace process between Hadi's camp and its rival Houthis-Saleh camp. The UN roadmap, which was largely rejected by Hadi for not being based on the UNSCR 2216, called for naming a new vice president after the withdrawal of the Shiite Houthi rebels from the capital Sanaa and other northern provinces and handing over all heavy weapons to a third party. The UN plan also suggested forming a new government that will include the two-warring sides and will not be led by Hadi who would transfer his power to the new vice president. But in the 2216 resolution, the Security Council demands that the Houthis withdraw from all areas seized during the latest conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Yemeni government and fully implement previous Council resolutions before moving ahead to form a new joint national unity government between the two warring sides. The situation in Yemen has deteriorated economically and politically since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while government forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition share control of the rest of the country including seven southern provinces. The civil war, ground battles and airstrikes have already killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over three millions, according to humanitarian agencies. by Xinhua writer Gan Chun BRUSSELS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Spectacular light shows, bustling food stands, and an exciting ferris wheel ride above the historical city centre ---- these are only a few of the dazzling attractions featured at this year's "Winter Wonders" Christmas market in Brussels, as the city is striving to get people into the holiday spirit despite lingering fears of terror attacks. The five-week outdoor fair, now in its 16th edition, kicked off over the weekend and runs daily from noon till late night. It is one of the biggest outdoor Christmas festivities in Belgium, with some 240 wooden chalets selling all sorts of small commodities and traditional snacks. "Some people were worried about last year's fair as well, but we ended up having a good business as previous years," Vincent, a 52-year-old local food vendor told Xinhua while busy serving hot wine and grilled sausages to customers queuing up in front of his booth. "Terrible things happened, but we cannot let fears stop us," he said. Sylvia, a mother of three from Britain, said she saw some warnings on the news before coming, but was not too scared to bring her kids to enjoy the festival. "The terrorists are doing all they can to promote fears, to keep people away from happy things like this, but we should not be intimidated by them," she said. The Belgian capital has been adopting tight security measures following last year's terrorist attacks in Paris and the bombings at the Brussels airport and a metro station in March. The security alert in Brussels currently remains at level three, the second highest. Soldiers and military vehicles are still deployed at prominent places across the city centre. In addition, the municipal police has reinforced its presence, with two mobile police stations erected at the Christmas market and police officers patrolling in plainclothes. For the past week Belgian anti-terrorism and security departments have been sending out reassuring messages that the festival is not faced with any specific or imminent terrorist threat, after the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert suggesting that American citizens in Europe avoid such crowded outdoor events. "We are indeed in a sensitive period in general, but to date, there is no concrete information about a threat," said the cabinet of the Belgian Interior Minister. The travel alert was issued on November 22 after a terrorist plot linked to the Islamic State(IS) was thwarted in France. It specifically references outdoor markets, popular throughout Europe during the Christmas season, as potential terrorist targets. Belgian authorities also urged the media not to contribute to spreading fears after a local newspaper affirmed it had information about a threat targeting the Christmas market. On Monday, however, several Belgian media reported that Rob Wainwright, director of the European Police Office (Europol) warned of possible attacks targeting European countries during the holiday season. "IS opts deliberately for soft targets, with as many casualties and as much attention as possible. So we should not be blind to its desire to do something on special days," the Europol chief said in an interview with Belgian journalists. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team said Monday that he will be meeting with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former CIA director David Petraeus, who are both believed to be running for the secretary of state position. The meetings with Petraeus and Romney will be on Monday and Tuesday respectively, the team said in a routine conference call. A meeting with another possible pick, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Corker, is also scheduled for Tuesday. "The president-elect is really taking these meetings very seriously," Trump spokesman Jason Miller said. The development came at a time when the race for the top U.S. diplomatic post is heating up and creating rifts among Trump's inner circle. Kellyanne Conway, Trump's former campaign manager, openly questioned Romney's loyalty Sunday, allegedly drawing ire from other Trump advisors who deemed Conway's action "dangerous." Romney has been a fierce critic of Trump during the election, but proponents say selecting him would go along way in showing that Trump is ready to mend fences with past adversaries. Petraeus served as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2011 to 2012, he resigned after the FBI looked into an affair he had with his biographer that had involved mishandling of confidential information. Corker, 64, has been an U.S. Senator representing Tennessee since 2006. Former New York City mayor and long time Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani is also publicly pursuing the sought-after position. KIEV, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine would not be able to reach its targeted level of foreign exchange reserves of 17.5 billion U.S. dollars at the end of the current year due to the postponement of the international aid, local media reported Monday, citing Ukraine's central bank governor Valeria Gontareva. "It will not be possible to reach the initially planned level of reserves. Now, the situation is not critical, but next year it could become a threat to the financial stability," Gontareva was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Currently, Ukraine's foreign exchange reserves stand at 15.2 billion dollars, about 300 million dollars less than at the end of October, Gontareva said. Earlier this month, Gontareva said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will likely to postpone its fourth tranche from the 17.5-billion-dollar bailout program for Ukraine over Kiev's failure to timely adopt the agreed economic reforms. Last year, Ukraine's foreign exchange reserves increased by 77 percent to 13.3 billion dollars as the country received 6.7 billion dollars in two tranches from the IMF. In September this year, Ukraine has received the third disbursement of the financial support worth 1 billion dollars. The East European country had expected to get the fourth tranche by the end of 2016. Enditem BUDAPEST, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hungary would like to become the engine of cooperation between Central Europe and Central Asia, and Tajikistan could play a major role in reaching that goal, a Hungarian official said here on Monday. While the European Union is becoming introverted and focusing on its own problems, Central Europe needs to become the standard-bearer of business openings towards the East, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said at a press conference after a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Aslov. Central Asia has rich potential including energy and natural resources, and can become an important trading partner, said Szijjarto, adding Hungary and Tajikistan both support close cooperation between the two regions. He also reassured Tajikistan that Hungary was doing its share to help restore order in Afghanistan, Tajikistan's neighbor, deploying a military force of more than 100, and training local forces. Tajikistan has a 1,400 kilometer border with Afghanistan so we understand the effort required to protect it, the Hungarian FM said. He noted that Hungary and Tajikistan had finalized an agreement on mutual protection of investments while Hungary's Eximbank was offering 36 million dollars in credit to Hungarian businesses wanting to enter the Tajik market. Water management, he said, was an important area of potential cooperation for the two countries. Aslov said that Hungary and Tajikistan were committed to tightening their relationship and creating new areas of cooperation. The goal, he said, was a long term partnership between the two countries. Possible areas of cooperation he listed included energy, the environment, transport, logistics, the chemical industry, agriculture, culture, and education. Enditem GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said Haiti was nearing the completion of its vaccination campaign against cholera, having reached more than 729,000 people in Sud and Grand Anse departments, areas ravaged by Hurricane Matthew. Since the hurricane struck the island on Oct. 4, more than 5,800 suspected cholera cases have been reported by Haiti's health ministry, while the population in need of humanitarian assistance remains at 1.4 million, and more than 175,000 people are still in shelters, according to WHO. With support from the WHO and other partners, vaccination teams fanned out across the two departments starting Nov. 8, aiming to reduce the burden of cholera cases by immunizing people in 16 different communes where cholera cases had been reported and where water and sanitation systems were damaged. Early reports from the ministry show that vaccination coverage reached 94 percent in Grande Anse and 90 percent in Sud Department, but some communes had lower than average coverage. Epidemiologists and immunization experts were mobilized to support the campaign, which was carried out with one million doses of oral cholera vaccine provided by Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization(GAVI) through the Global Task Force on Cholera Control. Haiti's public health minister Daphne Benoit noted when the campaign began that "the vaccine is an additional intervention which will help us to save lives, but does not replace the efforts that the government supports in the field of water and sanitation." WHO stressed the importance for all partners to join forces in assisting the health ministry to "work together and with partners to build local capacity for clinical management of cases in the cholera treatment centers." UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN secretary-general's special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, on Monday met separately with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, and urged them not to lose momentum of the UN-brokered peace talks, a UN spokesman told reporters here. Speaking to the media after his meetings, Eide said that both leaders had expressed a continued desire to find a way to solve the Cyprus problem, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. He noted that the leaders'second meeting earlier this month in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, had been a setback to a process and that there was a need to find a way to overcome it. "Mr. Eide said that the United Nations would try to help develop ideas, but that it was up to the leaders to make the decision to return to the table and to orchestrate the coming weeks in order not to lose the momentum of the talks," Dujarric said. Last Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged the Turkish Cypriot leader and the Greek Cypriot leader to overcome hurdles in the Cyprus peace talks to "do their utmost" in order to reach a settlement in 2016. The talks that took place between the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, and the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, on Nov. 7-11 and Nov. 20-21. The United Nations which brokers the reunification negotiations announced in the early hours of last Tuesday that the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities had failed to achieve the necessary convergences on criteria for territorial adjustments that would have paved the way for the last phase of the talks. Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey occupied its northern part, in reaction to a coup by the military rulers of Greece, and moved Turkish Cypriots from all over the island into the enclave controlled by Turkish troops. The leaders of both the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus have said that after four decades of negotiations they are close to a solution by the end of this year, provided they can overcome difficulties in agreeing on security arrangements and the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus. ALGIERS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino on Monday urged members and non-OPEC members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to "work together" to stabilize crude prices. "OPEC and non-OPEC countries have to work together to stabilize the oil market," said the Venezuelan minister on arriving at the Algiers international airport, where he was greeted by his Algerian counterpart Noureddine Boutarfa. "The objective is to meet with the Russian authorities to share with them our common strategy within OPEC," Del Pino told reporters at the airport before the two ministers flew to Moscow. A crucial OPEC meeting is due to take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in the Austrian capital of Vienna, when the cartel's oil ministers will discuss ways to maintain the oil prices between 50 and 60 U.S. dollars per barrel. To this end, Algeria has proposed to reduce the OPEC output by 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd). But non-OPEC countries, including Russia, have to join the initiative to make it work. In September, the 14 OPEC members reached a historical agreement in Algiers to slash oil output from 33.4 million bpd to between 32.5 and 33 million bpd. The agreement is expected to be put into effect in the cartel's Wednesday meeting. Enditem by Grandesso Federico, Zheng Jianghua BRUSSELS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The chief challenger to the British government's exit plan from the European Union (EU) expects the Supreme Court to clarify the parliament's role in the exit process, an advisor to the challenger told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. The Supreme Court announced on Nov. 8 that the crucial Brexit hearing will start on Dec. 5 in London and last four days. The Supreme Court set the timetable after it received a formal notification of the British government's intention to appeal a ruling of the High Court over the triggering exit process from the EU. The High Court ruled on Nov. 3 that British Prime Minister Theresa May's government cannot use a royal prerogative to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty that starts the Brexit process. The lead claimant in the case against the government is investment fund manager Gina Miller, who has insisted that she took the case to court because she believes it should be the parliament that triggers Article 50. "Our expectations are that the Supreme Court will provide legal clarity about what consulting the parliament means," said Ivo Ilic Gabara, advisor to Gina Miller, adding that "we anticipate a ruling in early 2017." "Do not forget that the ruling of the Supreme Court will clarify the role of the UK parliament for the entire process, even during the negotiation with the EU after Article 50 is triggered," Gabara noted. Article 50 sets out the procedure to be followed if an EU member state decides to leave the bloc. Once the article is triggered, a two-year clock running starts. "We want to ensure that Article 50 is invoked in full respect with the rule of law," Gabara said. Asked about a possible overturn of the ruling of the High Court, Gabara said: "it would be surprising because the ruling was unambiguous and it left no margin of uncertainty rejecting the government's defense on all grounds." According to the London-based advisor, one possible ruling the Supreme Court will give is that the lawmakers should hold a two-day debate in the parliament and then a yes-or-no vote. He said another possible ruling is that the British parliament tables a bill on invoking of Article 50. This process entails a proper debate and a possibility that some lawmakers would submit amendments to the bill. For Gabara, the worst-case scenario would be that the prime minister triggers Article 50 and in the future somebody challenges the legal basis. "This would be bad for the UK and for the EU," he argued. Theresa May has indicated that she believes the government can start the process without seeking a decision in the parliament. May said she still aims to stick with her timetable to trigger Article 50 by the end of next March. Miller's legal battle against May's government won support from Scotland. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon decided to join the legal case as an intervener and the Supreme Court on Nov. 19 announced that Scotland's most senior law officer, Lord Advocate, had been granted permission to intervene in the case. In the June 23 referendum, the majority of people in Scotland voted to remain in the EU, but the overall vote across Britain was in favor of leaving by a 52-to-48 margin. Gabara underlined that Miller and her team do not want to question whether the Brexit or the outcome of the referendum is good or bad for the country. "what we want is to be strictly committed to the legal certainty," he insisted. "After the ruling of the Supreme Court, in any case the UK government will be in a stronger position to negotiate with Brussels,"he said. COTONOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Eighth edition of Chinese products' trade fair in Benin for the West Africa region on Monday opened in the economic capital Cotonou. The 2016 edition brings together economic operators from West African countries, from Congo and Gabon in Central Africa as well as from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Egypt in East Africa. It is taking place under the aegis of the ambassador of China to Benin, Diao Mingsheng, and is part of the China-Benin cooperation in the area of trade exchange. The trade fair offers household appliances, electrical and digital devices, machinery, equipment, hardware, building materials, office supplies and pharmacopoeia. "This fair is important and can play major role of cross-road where economic operator can meet, discuss and reach agreements," the economic and commercial counselor of the Embassy of P.R. China in Benin, Ma Genxi said. According to Is-Dine Bouraima, general director of Benin Agency for Promotion of Investment and Exportation (APIEX), the fair for Chinese products in Benin ensures and reinforces economic and trade partnership for economic operators from China and Benin. "It relieves Benin economic operators from several business travels to China," Is-Dine Bouraima also said. The Chinese products' trade fair in Benin for West Africa took place for the first time in 2008 and has recorded the exhibition of over 340 varieties of products from 11 categories. To date, the aggregate turnover reached 50 million U.S. dollars while purchasing intention amounted to 100 million U.S. dollars. Figures made available show total investment intentions of around 500 million U.S. dollars. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- An engine fire prompted a United Airlines flight return to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Monday afternoon. SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said UA flight 837 "experienced some kind of engine issue and had to shut down one of its four engines" shortly after taking off from the airport for Tokyo, Japan, on 11:36 a.m. local time. Witnesses reportedly heard the sound of an explosion and saw flames emanating from one of the Boeing 747's engines on the left side, and the plane then circled above the airport for more than an hour before returning safely to the ground. No injuries were reported among 202 passengers and 15 crew members on board the plane. LONDON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A level 2 cold weather warning was issued by meteorologists at the Met Office Monday saying all parts of England should be braced for several days of prolonged temperatures. One report said some parts of Britain could experience the coldest November spell for 25 years, with temperatures dropping to minus 8 degrees C. The alert was issued as gaming companies, the so-called bookmakers in Britain, cut the odds Monday on bets for a White Christmas this year. All parts of England, except for London, are likely to experience colder conditions in the coming days, according to the Met Office which Monday declared its cold weather alert. The cold weather forecasts across most of England, with all affected regions likely to experience prolonged low night and daytime temperatures, prompted warnings to take care from Public Health England (PHE). The warning came as Andy Page, chief operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said there are indications that a cold start to winter is more likely than normal. Dr Angie Bone of the Extreme Events team at Public Health England (PHE) issued a warning about the dangers of the forthcoming freezing weather. Bone said: "Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Now is the time to prepare for the cold weather forecast by the Met Office, and to think of those you know who are older, very young, or have pre-existing health conditions who are particularly vulnerable." The Met's Andy Page said: "Looking ahead into December and beyond, there are indications that a cold start to winter is more likely than normal, but this doesn't guarantee snow nor does it mean we won't see spells of mild and wet weather at times." For some people planning a gambling flutter on a white Christmas this year could prove that every snow cloud has a silver lining. The main high-street Bookies have cut the odds of a white Christmas with the news that a cold snap is set to sweep the country. William Hill are now offering odds of 3/1 odds on a white Christmas in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Cross the border from Scotland into northern England and the winnings will be higher with 5 to 1 odds offered for a white Christmas in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, as well as London. Striking it lucky if snow falls on Dec. 25 will be people in Birmingham, Penzance, Bristol, and Norwich as well as the capital of Wales, Cardif as well as Irish capital Dublin, all offered odds of 7 to 1. PRAGUE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Czech government approved on Monday to increase the financial contribution to the European Space Agency's (ESA) budget in 2017, aiming to help Czech industry get acquainted with state-of-the-art space technologies, said Czech Transport Minister Dan Tok. The Czech Transport Ministry coordinates space activities in the Czech Republic. The Czech government will set 830 million crowns (about 33.2 million U.S. dollars) for space research in 2017. The gradual increase of contributions to space research, particularly satellite technology, will help Czech industry overcome its reputation of "mere assembly hall", said Tok. He said it's a way to help Czech industry to get in touch with the most advanced technologies used in the outer space. According to the Transport Ministry, the Czech contributions to the operation of ESA work has long been undervalued compared to other ESA member states. Last year, the Czech government increased the contribution to the ESA from 200 million crowns to 327 million crowns. Tok said Czech was one of the first ESA members from Central Europe and it has participated in the agency's activities in a long term, and Czech joined a new optional program of development of new Ariane 6 launch vehicles this year. In order to meet the goals identified in the National Space Program for 2014, Czech is yet to pay 245 million crowns a year to the ESA's optional programs. The agency therefore proposed to increase the annual contribution to the optional programs by this sum to 445 million crowns. Besides, Czech must pay 225 million crowns from the Education Ministry's budget to the ESA's obligatory activities, and another 60 million crowns from the Education Ministry will be contributed to the optional programs of research and development. Another amount that Czech contributed to the ESA is 100 million crowns for the preparation of industrial capacities in the Czech Republic for its participation in a space program within the National Space Program. The ESA was founded in 1975 with the aim to draft and implement the European Space Program. The ESA's aim is to deepen the knowledge on the planet Earth, the Solar System and the whole outer space. (1 U.S. dollars = 25 crowns) PRAGUE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said Monday the government approved to provide 20 million crowns (about 0.8 million U.S. dollars) to Bulgaria to help it on border protecting and 10 million crowns to Jordan to cope with the migrant wave from Syria. In Bulgaria, the Czech money will cover the purchase of equipment and cars for the border police and the building of a police facility at the Serbian border. A part of the money will go to the reconstruction of the hotspot in Harmanli. The Jordanian government will use the money from Czech to tackle the migrant wave from Syria and integration of the Syrians staying in Jordanian territory for a long time. The Czech government has sent 40 million crowns to Jordan for the reconstruction of the Azraq refugee camp in the country this year. Last year, the Czech government approved an aid program for refugees and countries under a strong migrant pressure. Within this program, the Czech government has sent financial aids to Balkan and Middle East countries. In 2016, the Czech government has set 150 million crowns for this purpose, 92.5 million of which have been sent so far. (1 U.S. dollar = 25 crowns) A woman reacts during the tribute ceremony for Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro at the Jose Marti Memorial in Havana, capital of Cuba, on Nov. 28, 2016. (Xinhua/David de la Paz) by Raimundo Urrechaga HAVANA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Cubans on Monday paid heartfelt tribute to the legendary revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in a solemn and tearful ceremony at Havana's Revolution Square. The tribute is part of a national period of mourning for the leader who ruled Cuba for nearly half a century, and is considered to have continued the legacy of national hero Jose Marti, whose memorial stands in the square. Average Cubans, as well as government and communist party officials, filed past photographs of Castro dating from the late 1950s, when the young commander led the overthrow of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Mourners were silent, tearful or weeping as they paid tribute to Castro on a sunny morning in Havana. Many children, men and women cried, while others acknowledged the late leader with a military salute. "I have been here since 3 a.m. because I want to salute Fidel one last time. We must continue with great conviction what he did for the Cuban people," retiree Cila Miret told Xinhua. Miret met Castro in 1960, during a rally the former president held at the same square where today thousands bid him farewell. "Fidel always wanted to be with the people, and I remember he hugged me and kissed me as he did to hundreds of people that were there that day," she added. People of all ages were lined up around the square to pay their respects to the man who so influenced the lives of millions in this Caribbean nation. "The best tribute to Fidel is to carry on his ideas. He gave his life so that all Cubans could have basic rights, like education and health," said high school student Carlos Martinez, who was standing in line along with a large number of his friends. People line up in front of the Jose Marti Memorial to pay tributes to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, in Havana, capital of Cuba, on Nov. 28, 2016. (Xinhua/David de la Paz) Many of those in line held pictures of Castro, while others brought flowers or simply a Cuban flag as a way to show their affection for the late leader. "I will defend Fidel's ideas and legacy until my last breath, because he was a man that gave our nation and people back their dignity," said Teresita Gonzalez, a public-sector employee. Others underscored Castro's unique personality, and his impact on global politics and international affairs during the Cold War era of hostile relations with the United States. "He stood out from the rest of the leaders around the world and turned Cuba into a model of solidarity, social justice and international cooperation," said Sofia Rodriguez. While Castro passed away at the age of 90 late Friday night, his ideas will endure for many years to come, many of those paying tribute indicated. "I decided to bring my two-year-old daughter, because they (the children) are the future of Cuba. I want her to see and understand who Fidel was and what she can do to help the revolution continue," said Yanet Ricardo, as she was about to enter the memorial, with her child in her arms. The tribute will continue through 10 p.m. Monday, and on Tuesday. Leaders across the globe have expressed their condolences and admiration for one of the great figures of the 20th century, whose leadership brought unprecedented development to this corner of the Caribbean. PRAGUE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Within the framework of Czech-German strategic dialogue, the two countries agreed to jointly help refugees in Jordan. Czech prime minister's adviser Vladimir Spidla and German Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Roth agreed in Prague on Monday that the two countries will start jointly helping refugees in Jordan in order to improve their living conditions and thus reduce the reasons for them to leave for Europe. According to them, the cooperation on helping directly in the Middle East is one of the measures that may contribute to solving the migrant crisis. Roth said they do not want to fight against the refugees, but against the causes of their mass departures. They intend to concretely contribute to this by a joint project in Jordan. He said that the largest number of refugees currently are not accepted by the European Union, but by the countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. EU countries should try to stabilize these countries, said Roth. Spidla said the joint project in Jordan will immediately start to be prepared. He said it will help improve the living conditions in some of the refugee camps supervised by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Roth and Spidla also signed a memorandum of Czech-German cooperation in the field of migration and refugee integration. CANBERRA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday named Susan Keifel as the country's first female Chief Justice of the High Court. Turnbull told a press conference that Keifel, 62, would take over the role in January when current Chief Justice Robert French formally retires from the role. "The Governor-General has accepted the advice to accept Susan Keifel as the next Chief Justice of the High Court - the 13th Chief Justice of Australia and first woman to hold that role," Turnbull said. Keifel currently presides as senior judge of the High Court, and Turnbull praised her resilience from a young age, describing her journey to become the nation's highest legal officer as an "inspiration." "She left school at 15. She began her working life as a legal secretary and studied for her completion of high school qualifications part-time," Turnbull said. Keifel studied law part-time through the Barristers Admission Board and was admitted to the bar in 1975. Turnbull also took the opportunity to announce that Justice James Edelman would be taking Keifel's place as of the seven presiding High Court judges, describing him as "one of the most outstanding legal minds of his generation." Keifel will become the naiton's first female Chief Justice in the role's 115 year history. WELLINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Italy and New Zealand have committed to doubling two-way trade, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said Tuesday. McClay, leading a New Zealand business delegation to Europe, said he reached the agreement with Italian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto during talks in Milan. However, the statement from McClay's office gave no timeline for when the doubling of trade would be reached. Two-way trade currently stands at 1.5 billion NZ dollars (1.06 billion U.S. dollars) and is focused on machinery, hides and wool, food and beverage, and technology. The two ministers believed two-way trade could double and had committed to create more business-to-business links to foster it. "Another way to expand trade ties is through the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and the European Union, which will bring win-win outcomes for both countries," said McClay. The European Union (EU) is New Zealand's third largest trade partner, but New Zealand is one of six World Trade Organization members having no FTA with the EU. The two sides agreed in October 2015 to start negotiations on an FTA. MEXICO CITY,Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Monday downgraded its 2016 and 2017 economic growth forecasts for Mexico. Citing the political uncertainties introduced by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, among other factors, the OECD's latest November figures predict the country would register economic growth rates of 2.2 and 2.3 percent respectively for this year and next year. An earlier July report had projected 2.6 percent for 2016 and 3 percent in 2017. "Growth will be held back in 2017 and 2018, mostly through investment and consumer confidence, following uncertainties about future U.S. policy, although the economy could benefit from stronger import demand from the United States," the OECD's November "Global Economic Outlook" said. Trump promised to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Mexico and Canada, in his presidential campaign. While Canada seemed immediately amenable to the proposal, Mexico instantly reacted with horror, betraying a nervous awareness of its overreliance on its northern neighbor, analysts said. The OECD also attributed Mexico's reduced growth forecasts to "the fall in oil prices, which reduced government revenues, cutbacks in investment in the energy sector and the severe depreciation of the Mexican peso." The OECD recommended Mexico "raise spending on programs conducive to inclusive growth for Mexican families -- such as child care, health, poverty reduction and infrastructure." YANGON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The internally displaced people (IDP), who fled the recent conflicts in northern Myanmar, started returning to their homes as security improved in their home towns and villages, the official media reported Tuesday. So far, over 400 IDPs have left five relief camps, including those set up in a church, two monasteries and two basic education schools in the town of Muse. Schools and banks also reopened in Muse as peace and stability have been restored to some extent. According to the Ministry of Information, border trade at the Muse border crossing with China has also resumed after one-week suspension due to outbreak of military conflicts. Trucks have been allowed to enter after the trade gate in Muse was re-opened at the weekend. Of the four border gates with China, Muse is the largest trade zone with maximum trade value transacting between the two neighbors. Military conflicts broke out in border area of northern Myanmar's Shan state on Nov. 20 after an alliance of three ethnic armed groups launched attacks on military outposts and police stations in Muse and Kutkai towns as well as the Muse border trade center. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- One suspect attacker was killed by police Monday after he plowed his car into pedestrians on the Ohio State University (OSU) campus and swung knife to stab them, leaving 11 people injured. The injured people, most of whom were in stable condition, were being treated in local hospitals. The suspect drove a car into a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk and then stepped out of the car and began stabbing people with a butcher knife, police reports said. An OSU student who witnessed the incident said that he initially thought it was a car accident when a vehicle rammed into passersby, until the driver came out with a knife in hand. The attacker was shot in less than a minute by university police officer Alan Horujko, who was nearby investigating an earlier report of gas leak, OSU Police Chief Craig Stone said. OSU Department of Public Safety Director Monica Moll identified the attacker as OSU student Abdul Artan, who was born in Somalia and living in the United States as a legal permanent resident. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said they were considering the possibility of a terrorist attack. At least two people were wounded by knife and four others were injured by the car, university officials said, while Ohio Governor John Kasich said full recovery is expected for all those injured. Earlier, OSU's official twitter account sent out a warning message, reading "active shooter on campus. Run hide fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College." It was later clarified that the gun shots were fired by the police. "Run, hide, fight" is a standard protocol for active shooter situations. It means: Run, evacuate if possible; hide, get silently out of view; or fight, as a last resort, take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter if your life is in imminent danger. The school also put out a shelter-in-place warning, asking students to seek safety within buildings they have already occupied. The warning was retracted later after about an hour and half when the police determined the sole attacker was killed. OSU later announced that all classes were canceled for the rest of the day. OSU, one of the largest U.S. universities, has nearly 60,000 students on its Columbus campus. HANOI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has asked all leaders of groups and companies under the ministry to declare their total incomes for 2016. The move aims at improving transparency to prevent corruption, according to the MoIT on its website on Tuesday. Accordingly, leaders of the ministry, offices, departments and representatives at joint-stock companies must all report their incomes. While the ministry's inspectors will collect, review and report the data, the Human Resource Department is assigned to direct and monitor the process. The latest statistics by the MoIT showed that the monthly wages of the leaders in its companies ranged from 38 million Vietnamese dong (1,600 U.S. dollars) to 74 million Vietnamese dong (3,200 U.S. dollars). WELLINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Chinese scientists are to work together on creating a revolutionary new treatment for cancer. The treatment would develop and try cancer immunotherapies in a New Zealand-based joint venture, the independent Wellington-based Malaghan Institute of Medical Research said Tuesday. The institute had signed a letter of intent with the Hunan Medical Research Group, based in the central China city of Changsha, to develop new CAR-T cell therapies against cancer. CAR-T cell therapies involve modifying patients' immune cells (T cells) in the laboratory to redirect them against cancer cells. The modified T cells are then returned to the patient, where they could attack and destroy cancer cells. "The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research has special laboratories for the production of patient-specific immune treatments, and experience in running clinical trials in this area," project leader Dr Robert Weinkove, clinical director of Malaghan's Human Immunology Laboratory, said in a statement. "We are very excited at the prospect of bringing CAR-T cell therapies to New Zealand, as these treatments hold great potential." BANGKOK, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's cabinet has submitted the issue of appointment of a new king to the parliament, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Tuesday. Prawit told reporters after a special cabinet meeting that the cabinet has already submitted the appointment of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as the new king to the parliament, or National Legislative Assembly (NLA). Everything is in the process and "we expect an audience (with the prince) within the next one to two days," he added. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct. 13 that Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn asked for an appropriate time to ascend the throne. According to procedures outlined in the constitution, the cabinet has to notified the president of the parliament that the late king had designated an heir apparent, after which the president will convene members for acknowledgement and will invite the heir apparent to ascend the throne. The crown prince will then have to accept the invitation in order for him to be proclaimed the new king. HAVANA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro, along with top Communist party and government officials, on Monday paid tribute to late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in an emotional ceremony, state television reported. According to the report, they stood in front of Fidel Castro's picture and ashes at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Defense with a minute of silence. Afterwards, Raul Castro presented a white rose in front of his brother's remains and was followed by legendary guerrilla commanders, Ramiro Valdes and Guillermo Garcia. Wearing his typical army uniform, Raul Castro also signed the oath to remain loyal to Fidel Castro's concept of "Revolution", which was expressed in May of 2000. It was the first time that Cubans have seen Fidel Castro's ashes since Raul Castro announced the leader's death late Friday at the age of 90. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans of all generations gathered at the main plazas of the island to bid farewell to Fidel Castro on Monday, paying tribute before the images of the leader as a young guerrilla and pledging allegiance to his socialist principles. At Havana's Jose Marti Memorial, the picture of Fidel Castro was accompanied by flowers and medals awarded to the former president during his lifetime. The tribute will continue until Tuesday noon local time. A mass rally and state funeral is expected later in the day, with the participation of high-level delegations from all over the world. On Wednesday, Fidel Castro's ashes will begin a three-day procession eastward across Cuba, before being placed on Sunday in the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago, Cuba's second-largest city. SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Gunmen Tuesday attacked an Indian military camp in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. The gunmen believed to be fidayeen (suicide attackers) militants threw grenades and opened gunfire, while making their entry inside the camp early morning in Nagrota, about 281 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The first scheduled commercial flight from the United States to the Cuban capital Havana in more than half a century landed on Monday amid uncertainty about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Cuba policy. The American Airlines launched the flight from Miami, Florida, and it has more business plans to fly to Havana including a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday. Earlier this year, several U.S. airlines started flying routes to other cities of Cuba, which is some 145 km away from Key West, Florida. Before the airliner landed in Havana, Trump tweeted that he might "terminate" the thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations initiated by President Barack Obama. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal," he said. The tough comment requesting more concessions from Cuba is suggestive of a hard-line stance and is expected to raise more speculation and uncertainties about Trump's Cuba policy after the death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Friday. Washington resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba in July 2015, with its 55-year-long trade embargo against the Caribbean island nation still in place. In 1961, Fidel Castro declared Cuba a socialist country. Before that, large-scale reforms he led, including nationalization of industries and banks, prompted Washington to sever ties. Negotiations to normalize U.S.-Cuba ties began since two years ago between Obama and Fidel Castro's brother Raul Castro, who succeeded him in 2006. U.S. media reported Trump's aides said nothing on Cuba has been decided. However, a change to reverse the existing course is expected to face pressure from advocates of the detente and the business people. The U.S. daily commercial flights bound for Cuban cities and more expected for Havana represent a U.S. corporate investment in the island as well as economic interests on both sides. The flights to Cuba are "the key thing to watch," said Darrell West, senior fellow at the famous Washington-based think tank Brookings Institution. "That is where the greatest opening took place and it is the ones where companies already have invested the most." "Trump has appointed hardliners to his administration so he may well reverse Obama's policies," West said, while noting the possibility of a moderate approach by Trump. "His background as a developer of hotels, casinos, and resorts may guide his instincts on this issue in favor of further investment in Cuba," he said. NANJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese archaeologist has announced new findings about an ancient scrap of paper, likely to be evidence of the earliest on record, dating 250 years before Cai Lun invented paper-making technology in China. The piece, about five centimeters long and two centimeters wide, was unearthed as early as 1986 in Fangmatan, an archeological site near Tianshui City in northwest China's Gansu Province. However, it didn't garner attention until 2012, when Li Xiaocen, an archaeologist at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, found the piece had uneven fibre distribution when put under the microscope. "The surface of the fragment is yellow and quite rough, and the fibers are randomly yet densely interlaced," said Li. "These are the traits of an ancient paper-making technology, very different from Cai Lun's, that ethnic minorities in Tibet, Yunnan and Xinjiang still use to make Kongming lanterns and transcribe scriptures." Li revealed his findings at a recent seminar, attended by over 160 archaeologists from China, Germany, Greece and Peru. Paper is one of the four great inventions of ancient China. A crude type of paper was used as early as the Western Han Dynasty, or about 2,000 years ago. However, Cai Lun, a Chinese eunuch in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), greatly reformed the art of paper-making and has been regarded as the inventor of ancient paper and the paper-making process. Li said the fragment, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty, is about 250 years older than Cai Lun's invention. But controversy remains over whether the fragment should be identified as real paper. "Further research should be conducted on, for example, the beating degree of the pulp, the entire production process as well as the paper's whiteness," according to Chen Gang, professor with the department of cultural heritage and museology at Fudan University. "But Li's research is helpful for us to understand the full picture of ancient paper-making technology in China." BANGKOK, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Thai parliament said on Tuesday that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is to become the king of Thailand and hailed "long live the new king" during a televised meeting. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, said late King Bhumibol Adulyadej had designated Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn as his heir apparent, thus the parliament formally invited the crown prince to be proclaimed as the king. At the end of the meeting, all members of the parliament stood up and hailed together "long live the new king." Deeply-revered Adulyadej died on Oct. 13 at the age of 88 after years of illness. Vajiralongkorn, 64, was appointed the crown prince by his father in 1972. The crown prince still needs to accept the invitation in order for him to be formally proclaimed as the king, according to established procedure. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said earlier on Tuesday that "we expect an audience (with the prince) within the next one to two days." Once proclaimed king, the crown prince would become King Rama X, or the 10th king of the Chakri dynasty founded in 1782, though his formal coronation will not happen before his father's royal cremation later next year. For the royal cremation, a funeral pyre is going to be built soon, said the government. CANBERRA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government is faced with the energy trilemma when trying to ensure stability, security and reliability in the energy system while balancing cost and meeting consumer needs for a transition to a low carbon, low-emissions economy, Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg said on Tuesday. Addressing the annual Energy Update by the Australian National University (ANU), Frydenberg said the government is committed to taking necessary steps to keep the electricity secure and stable through the transition; keeping prices as low as possible by improving the operation of the gas market, reforming network regulation and increasing energy efficiency; and taking a non-ideological approach to emissions reduction. In October, the Energy Council of Australia asked Alan Finkel, Australia's Chief Scientist, to bring energy market reforms together in a national approach to energy security and reliability. A key area the Finkel Review will address is the challenges to system security from an increasing share of non-synchronous generation. As the generation mix shifts to more non-synchronous generation like wind and solar, it is also creating the need for new ancillary services which were not priced and were therefore taken for granted. To bring down the energy bills, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia between federal and state/territory governments, is looking at reforms to the appeal mechanism for network decisions, which has contributed to rising prices. The minister pointed out that gas is an important transition fuel. It can assist in providing a pathway to a lower emissions generation future with up to 50 percent fewer emissions than coal, depending on the generation technology. The government also promised to play its part in facilitating the transition to a lower emissions future by setting up the Emission Reduction Fund, funding for clean energy research and development, and increasing renewable energy through bi-partisan Renewable Energy Target. Under the Emissions Reduction Fund, the recent fourth auction brought the total contracted abatement to 178 million tonnes from 397 projects at an average price of 11.83 AU dollars (8.8 U.S. dollars) per tonne. The Renewable Energy Target aims to deliver 23.5 percent of Australia's electricity generation by 2020. Also at the forum, experts warned that Australia needs to consider a carbon price of around 140 U.S. dollars a tonne by 2040 to help the world meet its target to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. Director of the ANU Energy Change Institute Professor Ken Baldwin said the latest World Energy Outlook, released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) earlier this month, found global energy policies were well behind those needed to keep global warming below the 2 degrees target by the end of the century. "The carbon price required to keep below 2 degrees is projected by the World Energy Outlook to be 20 U.S. dollars, 100 U.S. dollars and 140 U.S. dollars per tonne in 2020, 2030 and 2040 in developed economies." "Australia needs to consider this - not only in order to mitigate its own greenhouse gas emissions - but also to plan for the future of its trade-exposed industries," Baldwin said. The ANU Energy Update is the ANU Energy Change Institute's annual flagship event, bringing together experts from government, industry and the International Energy Agency to discuss energy trends, new technologies and energy security. COLOMBO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has requested the government of Yemen to help rescue 26 sailors, including nine Sri Lankans, who have been caught by Yemeni pirates, officials at the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said here on Tuesday. The sailors were caught nearly two months ago and are currently aboard the Greek vessel 'Fair Appollon,' which is anchored at the Port of Hodeidah in Yemen. They were taken hostage at sea between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The pirates have have demanded ransom from the company that owns the ship for the release of the 9 Sri Lankans. Foreign Ministry officials said that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Yemen was doing its best to secure the safe release of the hostages and they had been instructed to update Colombo on the latest developments. Local media reports said that representative of the owning company of the ship had been summoned, and discussions were held, regarding the Sri Lankan hostages being freed. The trapped Sri Lankan sailors told a local television station via telephone that they have been held captive by Yemeni pirates for a period of two months, and were facing a number of issues including the lack of food and water. MANILA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven members of the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two soldiers were injured in an ambush Tuesday morning in Marawi City which is due to be visited by President Duterte on Wednesday. Armed Forces public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the PSG men were on a convoy of military trucks with local troop escorts when they were hit by the improvised explosive device (IED) explosion at around 10:45 am in Barangay Matampay. PSG spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said it was still too early to say if the attack specifically targeted the president, or was a result of ongoing security-related operations in the area including the campaign against the Maute group. Duterte announced Monday that he would be going to Marawi to meet with the troops amidst the ongoing campaign of the government against the Maute group that occupied parts of Butig town in Lanao del Sur over the weekend. He was set to visit Marawi City on Nov. 30. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Maute Group may have mistaken the PSG personnel as government reinforcements in the ongoing military operations against the Maute group. "We do not have reasons to believe that they (PSG personnel) were the targets. Its just that they were onboard a military vehicle and probably the perpetrators, whoever they were, took advantage" he said. An injured passenger receives treatment at St. George Hospital in Sydney, Australia, Nov. 29, 2016. Seven people have been transferred to an Australian hospital after a China Eastern Airlines flight struck turbulence en-route to Sydney. (Xinhua/Zhu Hongye) SYDNEY, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven people have been transferred to an Australian hospital after a China Eastern Airlines flight struck turbulence en-route to Sydney. China Eastern on Tuesday confirmed five passengers and two crew members were injured when flight MU777 encountered high altitude turbulence prior to the plane's descent to Sydney. "The safety of our passengers is our primary concern and we have confirmed that all of the affected passengers are in a stable condition, having received treatment for their injuries," China Eastern general manager for Oceania Kathy Zhang said in a statement. The airline said it is attempting to contact the families of those injured, and has set up a hotline - +61 416 791 968 - for any concerned family members of passengers on board. A spokesman for Australia's Transport Safety Bureau told Xinhua that inquiries are ongoing as to the circumstances of the incident, but there is no restrictions on the aircraft or its crew returning to China. "If anything abnormal, we will do a further detailed investigation," the spokesperson said. China Eastern will cooperate with the relevant investigatory authorities, the airline said. BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese construction giant Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) has signed a deal with a British real estate firm to develop Britain's largest residential project, the companies announced Tuesday. BCEG signed the contract worth 85 million pounds (105 million U.S. dollars) with British Scarborough Group. The Chinese company will carry out first-stage construction on Middlewood Locks, Britain's largest multi-functional residential project. Kevin McCabe, Chairman of Scarborough Group, said the project, located in the city of Salford, a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, covers an area of 110,000 square meters and will cost 400 million pounds (495 million U.S. dollars). The project includes 2,215 apartments, hotels, office buildings as well as recreational facilities and retail stores. "We are responsible for the design and construction of 571 apartments. The first stage of the project covers a construction area of 47,000 square meters. We have been confirmed as the preferred contractor for the whole project and will take an active role in later construction," said Zeng Peng, president of BCEG International Co., Ltd. BCEG, which employs 20,000 people worldwide and has branches in 27 countries and regions, was ranked as one of the world's top 250 contractors in revenue over the past 23 years. It entered the British market in 2013 when it signed a deal with British firms to develop a business district around Manchester airport, one of the largest construction projects in the United Kingdom since the 2012 London Olympics. Britain has been trying to woo Chinese investment as part of plans to increase bilateral trade. In 2015, bilateral goods trade between China and Britain stood at 78 billion U.S. dollars. BANGKOK, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Thai parliament said on Tuesday that Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is to become the king of Thailand during a televised meeting. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, said late King Bhumibol Adulyadej had designated the crown prince as his heir apparent, thus the parliament formally invited the prince to be proclaimed as the king. Sources inside the parliament told Xinhua on Tuesday that Pornpetch is going to invite the crown prince to formally ascend the throne on Thursday. At the end of the meeting, all members of the parliament stood up and hailed together "long live the new king." Deeply revered Adulyadej died on Oct. 13 at the age of 88 after years of illness. Vajiralongkorn, 64, was appointed the crown prince by his father in 1972. The crown prince still needs to accept the invitation in order for him to be formally proclaimed as the king, according to established procedure. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said earlier in the day that "we expect an audience (with the prince) within the next one to two days." Once proclaimed king, the crown prince would become King Rama X, or the 10th king of the Chakri dynasty founded in 1782, though his formal coronation will not happen before his father's royal cremation later next year. For the royal cremation, a funeral pyre is going to be built soon, said the government. COLOMBO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- It is important for Sri Lanka to strengthen and maintain a strong relationship with powerful nations such as China and the United States in order to win the geostrategic trading hub position in the Southern Indian Ocean, a high ranking Sri Lankan official said here on Tuesday. Lecturer in International Political Economy for University of London in Sri Lanka and politician, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera said that under the new administration of Donald Trump, the United States and China relationship could move towards a more positive trajectory. "The Trump administrations relationship with China, Russia and India could open new uncharted, unpredictable avenues and will definitely be deferent to the previous regime. It could also deliver better results to island nations like Sri Lanka to develop its economy after a 30-year war," Abeyagoonasekera said. He further said that Sri Lanka will also have a significant role to play and the island country's economic relationship with China was expected to be strengthened further with the Chinese economic zone proposed to be set up in Southern Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka's support for the Belt and Road initiative. Sri Lanka's relationship with China has seen a recent boom with the government stating that it aimed to attract more Chinese investments in order to strengthen its economy. China is currently Sri Lanka's largest foreign direct investor with investments worth 409 million U.S. dollars. BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- On the fourth anniversary of the Chinese Dream, a concept that was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2012 calling for the "great renewal of the Chinese nation," its peaceful nature that advocates all-win results is more apparent than ever to the global community. A prosperous and stable China is conducive to the prosperity and lasting peace of the world. As the world's largest exporter and magnet of foreign investment, China, which is also the second-largest economy on the planet, serves as an important engine for the development of the world's economy and a ballast of global peace and stability. Consequently, its rejuvenation would offer the international community a more robust and reliable engine, injecting new and lasting impetus into the stagnant world economy. Between 1990 and 2011, China lifted 439 million people out of poverty, making not only a significant difference in the life of the Chinese people, but also significant contributions to global peace and development. Inspiring the world with its development path, China has helped the international community by sharing its experience in poverty alleviation. Moreover, the realization of the Chinese Dream also means the country will create and share more development opportunities with other countries. From the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China is welcoming passengers around the world to board its train of development and share growth opportunities. Just as President Xi said, the Chinese Dream is a dream of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit for all. It is similar to the beautiful dreams of the people in other countries. The Chinese Dream will not only benefit the Chinese people, but also people around the world. Besides the economic field, the Chinese Dream benefits the Earth in that it will also change the global governance landscape, which was shaped by Western countries over the past two centuries during industrialization. Marked by inequality between developed and developing countries, the current global governance landscape is haunted by a cold war mentality and zero-sum games. Without an appetite for hegemony, China is dedicated to establishing a new global landscape featuring win-win results, common development and equality through the realization of its dream. As a responsible player, China is promoting the right approach to the balance of benefits and justice in international relations, and always puts righteousness before individual interests for a better world. In 2014, in marking the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, Xi compared China to an awakened lion, a "peaceful, pleasant and civilized" creature which has no intention to harm anyone and will never pose a threat. Related: Xinhua Insight: The Chinese dream continues to make a difference BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China is moving closer to its goal of building an all-round moderately prosperous society by 2020, inspired by the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. NANJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese archaeologist has announced new findings about an ancient scrap of paper, likely to be evidence of the earliest on record, dating 250 years before Cai Lun invented paper-making technology in China. The piece, about five centimeters long and two centimeters wide, was unearthed as early as 1986 in Fangmatan, an archeological site near Tianshui City in northwest China's Gansu Province. However, it didn't garner attention until 2012, when Li Xiaocen, an archaeologist at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, found the piece had uneven fiber distribution when put under the microscope. "The surface of the fragment is yellow and quite rough, and the fibers are randomly yet densely interlaced," said Li. "These are the traits of an ancient paper-making technology, very different from Cai Lun's, that ethnic minorities in Tibet, Yunnan and Xinjiang still use to make Kongming lanterns and transcribe scriptures." Paper is one of the four great inventions of ancient China. A crude type of paper was used as early as the Western Han Dynasty, or about 2,000 years ago. However, Cai Lun, a Chinese eunuch in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), greatly reformed the art of paper-making and has been regarded as the inventor of ancient paper and the paper-making process. To make the Cai Lun paper, artisans dip the mould into a pulp vat, take it out and squeeze the pulp into paper. The Fangmatan piece was made through another method, namely the "paper-pouring" process, during which the pulp is poured onto the surface of a fixed mould to form a sheet of paper. The two methods differ slightly in other processes as well. Li revealed his findings at a recent seminar, attended by over 160 archaeologists from China, Germany, Greece and Peru. Li said the piece, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty, is about 250 years older than Cai Lun's invention. But controversy remains over whether the strip should be identified as real paper. "Further research should be conducted on, for example, the beating degree of the pulp, the entire production process as well as the paper's whiteness," according to Chen Gang, professor with the department of cultural heritage and museology at Fudan University. "But Li's research is helpful for us to understand the full picture of ancient paper-making technology in China." PARIS, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Tuesday called for an immediate United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo after escalated fighting there. "More than ever before, we need to urgently put in place means to end the hostilities and to allow unhindered humanitarian aid," Ayrault said in a statement. The top French diplomat, in a separate communique, expressed deep concerns over the massive offensive by the Syrian government forces, which he said "has killed a large number of civilians and forced thousands of inhabitants to flee the city." France will in December host a meeting attended by representatives of countries that have been demanding the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to the French Foreign Ministry. After a ceasefire accord collapsed in September, the security situation has worsened rapidly in Aleppo, a strategically-located Syrian city bitterly contested by both the government forces and the rebels. The Syrian government forces are now controlling all of northeast Aleppo in northern Syria, as rebel defenses in the city have collapsed. The five-year civil war has already killed up to 500,000 in Syria. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds a seminar commemorating the 130th anniversary of the birth of veteran revolutionary Zhu De in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2016. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and other senior leaders Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attended the seminar in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday held a seminar to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the birth of veteran revolutionary Zhu De. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, who spoke at the event, urged the Party, the military and the nation to learn from Zhu and contribute to the cause pioneered by veteran revolutionaries. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, including Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, attended the seminar, which was chaired by Zhang Dejiang. Zhu De (1886 - 1976) was one of the major founders of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Republic of China. He was awarded the rank of marshal in 1955. Zhu served as commander-in-chief of the PLA, vice chairman of the People's Central Government, Chinese vice president and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC). Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that in Zhu's almost 70-year revolutionary career, he contributed greatly to the Chinese revolution, the liberation of the people and the socialist cause. Zhu's spirit and morality are greatly valued by the Party and the people, according to Xi. Xi said people should learn from Zhu's steadfast belief in pursuing truth. His faith in Marxism and communism is the political soul and spiritual pillar of communist party members. Xi also lauded Zhu's absolute loyalty and being open and aboveboard, urging all comrades to remember that they are first and foremost Party members, and, with this in mind, they should fulfil the duties and missions designated by the Party. He urged people to learn from Zhu's "seeking truth from facts" and his being realistic and pragmatic, adding that "seeking truth from facts" is the essence of Marxism. "All the achievements we have made rely on 'seeking truth from facts' and we must rely on this concept to push forward socialism with Chinese characteristics," Xi noted. Xi asked Party members to continue with activities that are beneficiary to the Party and the people, and to rectify anything that hinders such causes. "We must value the interests of the people first in our work and policies, and strive to meet people's expectations," Xi said, while urging Party members to learn from Zhu's readiness to be a public servant. Xi also spoke about Zhu's pursuit of lifelong learning, and asked the whole Party to realize and properly deal with new situations and problems arising from the country's development process. "It is learning that brought us to where we are today, and we must rely on it when we step into the future," Xi said, adding that "we should put our knowledge into practice and improve our ability to solve problems in practice." Also at Tuesday's seminar, top legislator Zhang Dejiang urged the people to study Xi's remarks, which will guide the CPC as it continues the cause of the country's revolutionaries. Zhang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, called on the people to unite around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, to build an all-round moderately prosperous society and realize the nation's rejuvenation. Officials from central agencies, the military, Beijing and Sichuan province, as well as Zhu's relatives, friends and co-workers, among others, attended the event. Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th R) pays a visit to the embassy of Cuba in Beijing to mourn the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 29, 2016. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to the embassy of Cuba in Beijing on Tuesday morning to mourn the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Comrade Fidel Castro, founder of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuba's socialist cause, was a great leader of the Cuban people. "He is a great figure of our times, and his immortal historic contributions to the world's socialist development and support for the cause of justice for all countries will be forever remembered," Xi said. Xi said he went to the embassy to show that "the Chinese party, government and people stand together with the Cuban party, government and people at this special moment." "I believe that under the strong leadership of Comrade Raul Castro, the Cuban party, government and people will carry on the will of Comrade Fidel Castro, turn sorrow into strength and continue to make new achievements in national construction and the development of socialism," he said. Calling Fidel Castro the founder of Sino-Cuba relations, Xi said the Chinese people have lost a "close comrade and sincere friend." He noted that Cuba was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with China, and there is special friendship between the two nations. Xi said China will work more closely with the Cuban comrades to carry forward the friendly relationship between the two parties as well as the two nations to fulfill Fidel Castro's will. The newly appointed Cuban Ambassador to China, Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos, expressed sincere thanks for Xi's condolences on behalf of the Cuban party, government and Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. He said Xi's presence showed the friendship between the two countries and the high level of their relationship. Ramirez said the Cuban party and government will carry on Fidel Castro's work to continuously push forward the development of Cuba-China ties. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, top legislator Zhang Dejiang, top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng, and former Chinese leaders Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao also sent wreaths to the Cuban embassy. MANILA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Philippine government forces continue to fight with the Maute Group in a southern philippine province and the number of slain Maute Group members rose to 40 Tuesday, or 21 higher than Monday's figure. In an interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the sporadic fighting have been continuing Tuesday around the old and abandoned townhall of Butig, Lanao del Sur province, which the Maute group occupied last Saturday. He said the number of wounded soldiers also increased to 20, from 13 the previous day. "Up to now, they (soldiers) have yet to occupy the specific portion where the members of the Maute Group are in but the operations are ongoing," said Arevalo when asked if government have already retaken the building. Arevalo said soldiers are proceeding with the mission with caution because of the presence of enemy snipers and improvised explosive devices that were possibly planted by the armed group. The military earlier said that there are also skirmishes in other areas in Butig. Officials said the Maute Group occupied the building in response to ongoing operations against the group in the province. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there seems to be a link already between the Maute Group with the Islamic State. "They are talking but there is no formal connection. The Maute Group is attempting to be included in the worldwide organization of IS." said Lorenzana. Lorenzana also said that they have yet to monitor any logistical support provided by the IS to the Maute Group, which , along with the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, has pledged allegiance to the IS a couple of years ago. BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- An inter-city railway network is to be built in municipalities of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei by 2030, to push forward Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration, authorities said Monday. According to National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), a program to build an inter-city railway network was recently approved. "The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is going to serve as a new pole of growth for the Bohai Rim, and the safe and effective railway system shall connect the metropolitan area," said Cheng Shidong, a transport official with the NDRC. The inter-city railway network will connect cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, Qinhuangdao, Langfang, and Baoding. The Tianjin-Baoding railway, which stretches over 157 km, started running in December last year. It has shortened the commute from Tangshan to Shijiazhuang from seven hours to two-and-a-half hours. "The Tianjin-Baoding railway can ease some of Beijing's traffic burden," said He Yongmian, chief engineer of the railway construction project. In 2008, the Beijing-Tianjin inter-city train started running at 350 kilometers per hour and has shortened the journey between the two cities to half an hour. Industry upgrading has also been boosted with over 850 enterprises from Beijing and Hebei establishing offices in Tianjin and over 30 billion yuan(4.36 billion U.S. dollars) investment from enterprises in Tianjin to Hebei. "City clusters are key to the development of a country. The United States, the U.K. and Japan, all have major city clusters which represent 60 percent of the country's GDP, but for China, the Pearl River and Yangtze River delta regions and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region only contribute 38 percent to GDP," said Shao Chunfu, professor at Beijing Jiaotong University. "Transportation infrastructure is necessary for city clusters and economic development," he added. According to the program, commute time between major cities and their surrounding counties will be significantly reduced in the region by 2020. A railway service will also be provided between Beijing Capital International Airport and the new airport which is now under construction. "With people travel, also comes the flow of goods and investment," said Gao Mingming, who is in charge of the railway network plan. "Inter-city high speed railways that cover a large area are important for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration. It will help phase out non-essential functions in Beijing and promote industry distribution in the region," he added. Railway stations will be constructed in cities or counties with a population over 100,000, according to the program. "A better transportation system would make up for the geographical disadvantage of small cities and counties yet highlight their cheap labor and relatively low land costs," said Xiao Jincheng, a former NRDC researcher, "Cities in the metropolitan area will be closely linked to strengthen competitiveness as a whole." "The inter-city railway network would help push the balanced development of the region," said Zhao Hong, deputy dean of Beijing Academy of Social Sciences. China rolled out an integration plan for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei in 2015to address urban problems such as traffic and air pollution and seek balanced development of the region. South African President Jacob Zuma. (Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma will travel to Havana, Cuba to attend the funeral of Cuba's late former President Fidel Castro, the Presidency announced on Monday. Zuma has ordered that the South African national flag be flown at half-mast at all stations in South Africa on Tuesday. The South African national flag will be flying at half-mast in the South African mission in Cuba until the 4th of December. Castro passed away on November 25 at the age of 90. Zuma has once again conveyed a message of condolences to the government and people of Cuba, following the passing of Castro, the Presidency said. Condolence books have been placed at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Tuynhuys in Cape Town and at the offices of the Premiers throughout the country. Castro not only identified with the struggle against apartheid, but also inspired the Cuban people to join South Africans in that struggle. After South Africa gained freedom in 1994, Cuba and South Africa, under President Castro and President Nelson Mandela respectively, formed a strong bond of solidarity and friendship. Zuma has reiterated that the people of South Africa share the loss of the Cuban people and stand with them in this time of grief and mourning. Also on Monday, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said it will hold memorial services in Gauteng and the Western Cape Provinces in remembrance and honour of Castro. "Castro was one of the greatest revolutionaries of our time, a great friend and ally of the ANC, the alliance, the broader national liberation movement and the people of South Africa as a whole," the ANC said in a statement. Castro was with the South African people throughout the period of heightened repression by the apartheid regime and throughout the 30 year period of exile, underground armed struggle and international isolation of the apartheid regime, right from the victory of the Cuban revolution in 1959, said the ANC. File photo shows waters off the Kenyan Island of Lamu in 2012. (Xinhua/Daniel Namale) NAIROBI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The construction of the first three berths at Kenya's second international seaport of Lamu is due to be completed in 2020, to serve three countries in the East African region, offering Kenya a gateway to landlocked states of South Sudan and Ethiopia, a port official told Xinhua in a recent interview. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Head of Corporate Affairs, Bernard Osero, said the second port, currently under construction by China Communications Construction Company, will provide the East African nation with its second port, expected to become the second largest in the region. The Lamu Port is part of Kenya's Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project. The project aims to connect the region with modern transport infrastructure, including the seaport, an oil refinery and resort cities on a busy transport corridor serving the three countries. "It would also provide direct benefits within the region by passing on savings derived from lower marine costs due to faster ship turnaround. This will at the same time reduce the cost of doing business." Osero said. KPA entered an agreement with the Chinese firm for 478.9 million U.S. dollars in August 2014 for the construction of the three Berths out of the 29 Berths expected to be built at the Lamu Port. "It is true the construction of the Lamu Port is being carried out by the China Communications Construction Company. The execution process of plans to put up the LAPSSET project which will soon see the birth of Kenya's second largest commercial port is ongoing," Osero said. The Chinese firm has commenced the process of dredging and reclaiming the channel under the first phase of the project. "The facilities at Lamu Port once complete will lead to the creation of substantial job opportunities that cover not only direct jobs related to port operation but also indirect jobs of all fields -- agriculture, fishery, manufacturing, logistics, transport, trade and commerce," Osero said. The Ports Authority, the state agency which manages all the port installations in Kenya, projects the Lamu Port traffic to hit 23.9 million tonnes by 2030. Osero said the Lamu port is expected to attract some cargo which would traditionally pass through the Ports of Sudan, Djibouti and Mombasa. According to the KPA, cargo movement at the Mombasa Port has recorded an average annual growth of 9.4 percent since 2006. "Ports are principal gateways for about 90 percent of world trade. From bulk cargo, oil and containers to more specialist items, ports connect the cargo carried on ship with the producers of raw materials and finished goods and end users. It is in this light that ports are logistics centers for the entire supply chain, hence the backbone of economic development," Osero said. Initially launched in 2012, the LAPSSET project also comprises a series of highways linking Kenya to Southern Ethiopia and Southern Sudan. The series of highways being constructed along the LAPSSET corridor have already seen the completion of the Isiolo-Moyale road, a 513-km highway to link Moyale, in Northern Kenya, to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. With the highway links to the neighboring states currently under construction as part of the corridor, the authorities in the region expect faster economic development and better trade facilitation across the East African region. SHENZHEN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The trial of Si Xianmin, former general manager of China Southern Airlines, who was accused of accepting bribes, started Tuesday. Prosecutors allege that Si took advantage of various work positions to seek business benefits for various groups and individuals, accepting bribes worth 7.89 million yuan (1.14 million U.S. dollars) either personally or through his son from 2005 to 2014. The trial was held at the intermediate court of Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong Province. Si pleaded guilty to his crimes and expressed remorse during the trial. More than 50 people including lawmakers, political advisors, reporters and Si's relatives attended the trial. The verdict is yet to be announced. CAIRO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Tuesday sentenced eight people to life in prison on charges of joining a terror cell affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group, official MENA news agency reported. Three of the defendants were handed the prison term in absentia. Life sentence in Egypt is 25 five years in jail. They were convicted of forming a cell in Cairo with link to the IS for launching terrorist operations against the police, the Armed Forces and the state institutions. The prosecution had charged them with adopting Jihadist views and communicating with a terrorist organization abroad for assaulting the private and the public facilities. On Nov. 5, two people were sentenced to death and four others to 25 years in jail over forming a terrorist cell targeting the country's institutions. Terrorism has been growing in Egypt since the military-led ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Since then, most of the attacks hit the restive Sinai Peninsula while several deadly ones were carried out in different parts across the country including the Western Desert bordering conflict-stricken Libya. A Sinai-based group loyal to the IS militant group claimed responsibility for most of the anti-government attacks over the past three years. MANILA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday thanked and heaped praises on a Chinese philanthropist who helped build a 10,000-bed drug rehabilitation center inside a military camp in Nueva Ecija, a province north of Manila. Duterte attended the inauguration ceremony Tuesday and said that unlike others who criticized his anti-narcotics campaign, Chinese businessman Huang Rulun "came out of nowhere and came to my office and said he would help me solve the drug problem." Huang, an overseas Chinese in the Philippines who donated 1.4 billion pesos (28.11 million U.S. dollars) to build two drug rehabilitation centers with a total land area of 100,000 square meters, expressed support for Duterte's war against drugs, saying "this is our modest efforts to make the Philippines peaceful, stable and harmonious." Huang said the Philippines and China are close neighbors. "The people of the two countries have maintained a deep, friendly and long-lasting relationship. Especially since President Duterte took office (on June 30), he exerted efforts in strengthening the ties between China and the Philippines, promoting world peace, and opening a new page in the China-Philippines relations," he said. Huang, 65, migrated to the Philippines in the 1980s and later went back to China to invest and expanded his business empire. In the speech, Duterte again lambasted the West for openly criticizing his war on drugs. "When you are a friend, you do not treat him badly before the public. You don't humiliate an ally, and at all cost you must save the friendship as an ally and friend so that you can help each other in the world of geopolitics." he said. Unlike his previous speeches, Duterte did not mention any country this time. The United States, the European Union, the United Nations and international human rights groups have criticized Duterte's anti-narcotics war that police and media reports said has killed more than 4,000. Duterte said that he would continue with his campaign in spite of the criticisms hurled against him. "Let me warn you, drug is a very virulent agent in any society. The campaign against drug will continue until the last day of my term," he said, vowing, "I will not stop until the last drug pusher is out of the street and last drug lord or king killed." BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Police have detained eleven people in connection with a fatal coal mine explosion in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality at the end of October. The State Administration of Work Safety said Tuesday that the detainees are facing several criminal charges, including illegal mining and negligence. An official investigation found evidence to suggest that the explosion, which led to 33 deaths, was due to operational negligence of Jinshangou Coal Mine Co. The company had operated beyond its mining boundaries, used outdated, inefficient or malfunctioning equipment, and failed to ensure adequate ventilation, and its health and safety management was disorderly, said a statement released after the investigation. Following the explosion, Chongqing 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. The State Council has called for a nationwide review to prevent similar incidents. BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party (CPWDP), one of the country's eight non-communist political parties, convened its Fifth Plenary Session of its 15th Central Committee. Attendees studied the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and deliberated CPWDP's work report for 2016. Chen Zhu, chairman of the CPWDP Central Committee, said the party focused on the "Healthy China" and "Beautiful China" concepts, making a number of policy suggestions on environmental protection and healthcare. Firemen clear the debris at the blast accident site in a concrete additive plant in Jinan City, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 29, 2016. The explosion on Tuesday morning disrupted the power supply to a section of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail. The power outage resulted in delayed or canceled trains. Services along the rail were back to normal on Tuesday noon. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui) JINAN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Services along the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail have returned to normal after a factory explosion caused a power outage, authorities said Tuesday. An explosion at around 9:30 a.m. at a concrete additive plant near a high-speed railway in Jinan city, eastern China's Shandong Province, disrupted railway power supplies. The power outage resulted in delayed and canceled trains, according to Jinan government sources. By around 9:50 a.m. the fire was contained, and there were no reported casualties. To help stranded passengers, 16 extra trains from Beijing South Railway Station, and one from Tianjin West Railway Station, were put into service, according to Jinan West Railway Station. An investigation is underway. BEIJING, Nov.29 (Xinhua) -- The central government on Tuesday released a set of guidelines to encourage rural residents to explore entrepreneurship and innovation. According to a State Council document, the government will roll out policies to encourage migrant workers, college graduates, retired servicemen, scientists and technicians to start up businesses in the countryside to aid rural economic development. The government expects them to work together and inject new energy into the rural economy by introducing modern technology, systems and management concepts to the countryside, which would make China's agricultural sector more competitive and increase farmers' income. New agribusinesses including large-scale farming, farm produce processing, leisure agriculture, rural tourism, producer and consumer services are priorities of the policy support, it said. The government will also encourage new types of business entities like family farms and farming cooperatives and online businesses. Specific measures include easing market access, improving rural financial services, increasing fiscal support, providing entrepreneurship and innovation training and perfecting social safety net, it said. BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Two Philippine fishermen, drowning in waters off Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, have been rescued by Chinese coast guard. At a routine press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was asked to comment on a media report that the Philippine coast guard was searching for five Filipinos who failed to return from a fishing trip. "China has deployed ships in search operations," Geng said. A media report quoted Philippine coast guard officials as saying that the fishermen left waters off Huangyan Island due to an approaching typhoon last week and have not been heard from since. MOSCOW, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian government troops have made a "major breakthrough in their anti-terrorist operation" in eastern Aleppo, with nearly half of the eastern part of the city cleared of militants, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday. "The situation has radically changed in the last 24 hours due to well prepared and very precise actions by the Syrian troops," the ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said. More than 80,000 Syrians, including tens of thousands of children, have been freed and provided with water, food and medical care in humanitarian centers, the spokesman added. With the help of Russian war planes, the Syrian army has intensified the offensive on rebel positions in eastern Aleppo over the past two weeks to break their defense lines. Aleppo, Syria's former commercial center, has been bitterly contested by the Syrian army and the rebels due to its strategic location. By retaking Aleppo, the Syrian government forces will have a clear upper hand in dealing with rebel fighters elsewhere in the country, analysts have said. YANGON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar authorities have removed a bomb threat at the Yangon International Airport, according to local police on Tuesday. The four suspected soft-drink bottles found on Tuesday morning at Terminal-1 of the airport are not chemical bombs, and they are filled with some traditional liquid medicine, the police said. The bottles put in a green plastic bag and left on a desk near the ticket counter of Terminal-1 were found at about 9:30 a.m. local time by an airline staff member. The bottles are filled with concentrated liquid in yellow color. A series of explosions caused by home-made chemical bombs had occurred in Yangon regional government office, two giant retailers and South Dagon township Immigration office during this month. Three suspects who were involved in two blasts at Yangon regional government office building have been arrested on Nov. 26, with materials used for making chemical bombs. Tehran, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Minister of Petroleum said the upcoming meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could bear fruits if politics are not involved, semi-official Fars news agency reported Tuesday. "The ordinary meeting of OPEC members in Vienna on Nov. 30 will bear the desired fruits if discussions will be held based on economic and business views and all the members remain committed to what was agreed upon in Algiers in September," Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Fars. On Sept. 28, OPEC members agreed during an impromptu meeting in Algeria to slash oil output by 750,000 barrels per day to raise crude prices. However, it would be difficult to come to terms if politics prevail in the meeting, said Zanganeh, expressing hope that oil will not be used to serve political purposes. "As a founding member, Iran has always cooperated with the organization strongly and has always struggled to play an influential role in the body," the minister said. SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Three troopers including an officer were killed and a few others wounded Tuesday in a militant attack on a military installation in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, local media reports said. The attack was carried out Tuesday morning by a fidayeen (suicide attackers) group at a major army base camp in Nagrota, about 281 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Three soldiers have been killed in a major attack on an army base near Jammu," a local television news channel NDTV said. "Heavily armed suicide attackers entered the base in Nagrota before daybreak on Tuesday with guns and grenades and forced their way in." Indian military so far have not confirmed any casualties in the attack. Officials said a heavy exchange of fire was underway in the camp. Reports said the attackers who stormed the camp have taken positions in the officers' location and targeting army positions from there. Locals in the vicinity told Xinhua that they heard gunfire and sound of blasts at the camp. Officials said the number of attackers inside the camp were believed to be between three and four. Following the attack, the area was immediately cordoned off with reinforcements to take on militants inside the camp. Authorities have ordered closure of all the schools in Nagrota in the wake of the attack. Nagrota is a huge military installation in Jammu and headquarters of Indian army's 16 Corps in the region. In Sept. this year, a similar attack on Indian army's camp in Uri town, northwest of Srinagar, left 19 troopers dead and many others wounded. Following the attack in Uri, Indian army claimed it carried out "surgical strikes" inside Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, inflicting significant casualties on infiltrators and their supporters, which triggered tensions between the two neighbours. The confrontation saw increase in cease-fire violations on Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Kashmir between the two countries. 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. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. ABUJA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria has ordered the closure of a college in the northwestern state of Kaduna due to recent attacks on villages bordering the location of the academic institution. The Kaduna State College of Education was ordered shut indefinitely, said a statement reaching Xinhua on Tuesday from the school's spokesman, Danlami Aduwu. He said the decision to suspend academic activities in the college was informed by the need to safeguard the lives and property of staff and students. Aduwu said the students and teaching staff had been told to vacate the campus with immediate effect. More than 40 people were killed in attacks caused by suspected nomadic herdsmen in Godogodo town and other villages in the southern part of Kaduna last month. Local officials said the attackers wreaked maximum havoc and destruction, razing virtually all houses in that locality. The Kaduna State government had made efforts to quell the violence, describing it as "unjustifiable". NAKURU, Kenya, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Access to land as a resource for development among widows in Kenya is a distressing issue of discussion despite the laws protecting their rights to land. The Constitution outlaws violation of an individual's right to land or property on basis of gender while Matrimonial Property Act clearly stretches out justice to a woman denied access and enjoyment of the respective assets. Nevertheless, the cultural factors strongly spike out overriding the legal achievements made toward prospects of eliminating violation of widows' land rights, according to advocates of women's human rights in Kenya. "Cultural factors are still key in women accessing land," says Agnes Rogo, the senior legal counsel for FIDA-Kenya's Access to Justice Programme (AJ) in Kisumu, western Kenya. FIDA-Kenya is an organization of female lawyers who fight for rights of women and implement programs that advocate for end of all forms of violence against women. They also represent the women in such cases. Even in the existence of favorable legislations, the community customs, traditions and taboos have left widows with no option of thinking about land as their own after the departure of their husbands. "In some tribes, for instance Kalenjin (mainly found in Rift Valley region) and parts of Luo (western) land, it is taboo for a woman to have a title deed in her name," she explains. "In such cases, even if it is the woman who purchased the land, title has to be in her father's, husband's, brother's or son's name. When the relationship with the title owner becomes sour, the woman is left out in the cold." She says these cases are very rampant in western Kenya, an area where wife inheritance is also common and widows are commanded by customs to undergo some harmful cleansing rituals before another man takes her as his wife. Notably, widows' denial of inheritance by in-laws with community's support is a form of violence against women considering the Convention on Elimination of All Forms Violence Against Women (COVAW) which provides a universal basis for promoting women rights as human rights. Ignorance of procedures followed in acquisition of land in regard to succession in the family equally contributes to abuse of widows' right to land. The Law of Succession Act does allow a woman to inherit land upon death of the husband. It however indicates that her rights are terminated when she remarries. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has done an assessment on violation of women's property rights in Kenya in which the agency particularly identifies discriminatory customs as major contributing factor to abuse of widow's rights to property including land. "Many widows in Kenya are excluded from inheriting from their husbands. When men die, widows' in-laws often evict them from their lands and homes and take other property, such as livestock and household goods," it states in its report titled "Double Standards: Women's Property Rights Violations in Kenya". To address this problem, some civil society organizations are taking awareness campaigns to the doors of communities and utilizing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms through traditional systems, FIDA-Kenya being among them. According to Rogo, sensitization of the widows on their property rights is bearing fruit for they become knowledgeable of the legal system backing their strive. She says they also train council of elders who steer the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the affected communities. The elders, who represent the traditional system of governance very common in Kenyan communities, then intervene for the widows especially those who lack legal documents such as title deeds to sustain a case in court, says AJ's senior legal counsel. From HRW's observation in its report, failure to confront women's property rights violations in Kenya will perpetuate women's inequality, doom development efforts, and undermine the fight against HIV/AIDS. It speaks against biased attitudes towards women in which traditional leaders hold opinions that women are untrustworthy or do not deserve equal property rights. LUSAKA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Zambia have started implementing a law banning the movement of public vehicles at night as a way of curbing road accidents, the country's road safety agency said on Tuesday. The Road Transport and Safety Agency said the law restricting the movement of public vehicles at night came into effect on Monday, November 28, 2016. The road safety agency has since reminded all operators and members of the public to adhere to the ban as it was now law, adding that failure to adhere to the law will attract a three month imprisonment, according to a statement. Among vehicles not allowed to move between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. include locally and foreign registered public service vehicles, passenger and goods vehicles, it added. The road safety agency noted that sufficient evidence gathered have indicated that both passengers and goods public vehicles contributed significantly to road traffic crashes occurring at night. Tourists visit the Tian'anmen square in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 3, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Huaiyu) BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- On the fourth anniversary of the Chinese Dream, a concept calling for the "great renewal of the Chinese nation," its peaceful nature that advocates all-win results is more apparent than ever to the global community. A prosperous and stable China is conducive to the prosperity and lasting peace of the world. As the world's largest exporter and magnet of foreign investment, China, which is also the second-largest economy on the planet, serves as an important engine for the development of the world's economy and a ballast of global peace and stability. Consequently, its rejuvenation would offer the international community a more robust and reliable engine, injecting new and lasting impetus into the stagnant world economy. Between 1990 and 2011, China lifted 439 million people out of poverty, making not only a significant difference in the life of the Chinese people, but also significant contributions to global peace and development. Inspiring the world with its development path, China has helped the international community by sharing its experience in poverty alleviation. Moreover, the realization of the Chinese Dream also means the country will create and share more development opportunities with other countries. From the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China is welcoming passengers around the world to board its train of development and share growth opportunities. Just as President Xi Jinping said, the Chinese Dream is a dream of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit for all. It is similar to the beautiful dreams of the people in other countries. The Chinese Dream will not only benefit the Chinese people, but also people around the world. Besides the economic field, the Chinese Dream benefits the Earth in that it will also change the global governance landscape, which was shaped by Western countries over the past two centuries during industrialization. Marked by inequality between developed and developing countries, the current global governance landscape is haunted by a cold war mentality and zero-sum games. Without an appetite for hegemony, China is dedicated to establishing a new global landscape featuring win-win results, common development and equality through the realization of its dream. As a responsible player, China is promoting the right approach to the balance of benefits and justice in international relations, and always puts righteousness before individual interests for a better world. In 2014, in marking the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, Xi compared China to an awakened lion, a "peaceful, pleasant and civilized" creature which has no intention to harm anyone and will never pose a threat. LUSAKA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- A court in Zambia on Tuesday jailed a famous journalist to two years with hard labor over the production of an infamous political documentary which vilified then opposition leader Michael Sata in the run-up to the 2011 general elections. Chanda Chimba (III) was sent to jail after the court found him guilty of producing the defamatory "Stand Up for Zambia" documentary in 2010 and 2011 which was aired on state television and two other private television stations. He was also found guilty over a charge of disposing of property suspected to be proceeds of crime. The court however acquitted former Information and Broadcasting Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha and former permanent secretary in the same ministry Sam Phiri who were arrested together with the journalist. They were charged for abuse of authority of office for allowing the broadcasting of the documentary. The trio was found with a case to answer in June this year. The court said the prosecution failed to provide evidence that the former minister directed the state broadcaster to air the documentary. The journalist, who also worked for the state broadcaster in the 1990s, produced the documentary which vilified Sata and all those close to him in the run-up to the general elections, which Sata won. ISTANBUL, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that his country has not yet "closed book" with the European Union (EU), but is considering other alternatives after European lawmakers voted lately to freeze talks over Ankara's accession to the bloc. "At the moment, we have not yet closed book with EU," Erdogan said at a meeting in Istanbul. "But the picture ahead us does not allow us to have positive expectation." "We could move on in considering one of these alternatives," he said, without elaborating. The president recently talked of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a Eurasian political, economic and security organization, as an option for Turkey. Last Thursday, the European Parliament voted in favor of a non-binding motion on suspending membership talks with Turkey, sparking strong reactions from the country. Following the vote, Erdogan had threatened to open borders for illegal migrants to flood into Europe. Turkey has moved to reduce significantly the illegal flow of migrants under a deal reached with the EU in March. Turkey applied to join the EU in 1987 and started the accession talks in 2005, but the talks have faltered in recent years due to disagreements over issues such as refugees, freedom of press and human rights. GENEVA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS, or ISIL) militants defending the Iraqi city of Mosul are committing serious human rights violations as operations to recapture one of the extremist group's last strongholds continue, the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) warned Tuesday. "We continue to receive reports of serious breaches of international human rights and international humanitarian law by ISIL in and around Mosul," the UN human rights body explained in a statement. "ISIL has been installing rocket launchers and placing snipers on the rooftops of civilian houses. Those who refuse to allow their houses to be used in this way are threatened or killed," it added. Reports received by OHCHR reveal that 12 people were executed on Nov. 11 in the eastern Bakir neighbourhood after civilians refused to allow IS combatants to install and launch rockets from the rooftop of their houses. According to OHCHR, such families are effectively used as human shields since they are caught between IS front line troops and Iraqi Security Forces responding to rocket and sniper attacks. The UN human rights body also voiced concern as to the whereabouts of hundreds of civilians allegedly abducted by IS and moved to secret locations. Reports of IS killing those fleeing the war-torn city have also been received, with one incident pointing towards the shooting of seven-year-old child who was running towards Iraqi troops on Nov. 22. According to latest International Organization for Migration (IOM) figures, more than 73,500 civilians have fled Mosul and adjacent districts since military operations to recapture the northern Iraqi city kicked off on Oct. 17. Supported by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Iraqi troops launched the offensive last month to take back the city which fell into IS hands in June 2014 after government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. International aircraft as well as Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition artillery units are supporting ground operations there. According to reports, more than 5,000 IS militants were initially holed up in Mosul, though they are losing ground amid ongoing military operations. TOKYO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government said Tuesday that Japan's plan to hold a trilateral summit between leaders of Japan, China and South Korea before the end of this year was not changed after South Korean President Park Geun-hye expressed her willingness to step down before her term ends. Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kotaro Nogami told a press conference after Park's announcement that there has been "no particular change" to the government's efforts to arrange the trilateral talks before the end of the year. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, for his part, said Japan will continue the efforts to hold the trilateral summit before the end of the year as "the Japan-South Korea-China summit is an extremely important framework for dialogue." Japan has been trying to bring forth the annual trilateral summit in December, but whether the scandal-hit South Korean President could attend the meeting have evoked question. Park, who has been embattled by a corruption and influence-peddling scandal since late October, said on Tuesday in a nationally televised address that she would entrust the parliament with the task of making decisions on her fate, including a shortened presidency. Her statement came ahead of a scheduled parliamentary vote on a bill to impeach the president as early as Dec. 2 and no later than Dec. 9. China, Japan and South Korea have been taking turns to host trilateral summits since 2008, except for a three-and-half-year suspension since May 2012 due to heightened regional tensions. The sixth China-Japan-South Korea leaders' meeting was held in Seoul, South Korea in November last year. TEHRAN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Minister of Petroleum said that the upcoming Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) meeting may be successful if members considered economic interests without raising controversial political issues, reported the semi-official Fars news agency on Tuesday. "The ordinary meeting of OPEC members in Vienna on Nov. 30 will bear the desired fruits if discussions will be held based on economic and business views and all the members remain committed to what was agreed upon in Algiers in September," Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Fars. On Sept. 28, OPEC members agreed during an impromptu meeting in Algeria to cut crude oil production by 750,000 barrels per day (bpd) in order to raise crude oil prices. For the first time OPEC nations reached a preliminary agreement since the global financial crisis eight years ago, which is to reduce the global production of crude oil which has decreased oil prices for over two years, weakening the economies of oil-producing nations. The preliminary deal has limited OPEC's output to between 32.5 million bpd and 33 million bpd. However, it would be difficult to agree if political issues are raised during the meeting, said Zanganeh, expressing hope that oil will not be used to serve political purposes. "As a founding member, Iran has always cooperated with the organization strongly and has always struggled to play an influential role in the body," said the minister. On Sunday, Zanganeh said Iran hopes a deal could be reached during Wednesday's meeting of OPEC's member states to cut crude oil production. "The discussions show that OPEC can reach a sustainable agreement over its production and the management of the market" Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Press TV. "If we reach an agreement, which I'm optimistic we will, prices will rise. This is what the international economy also demands," Zanganeh said on the sidelines of a meeting with visiting Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Boutarfa. Algeria had previously proposed cuts of 1.1 million bpd for OPEC members and 600,000 bpd for non-OPEC producers. Iran carefully studied Algeria's proposal regarding each country's production and will present its views on the proposal during OPEC's meeting in Vienna on Wednesday, Zanganeh said. He added that his talks with the Algerian energy minister revolved around a plan to exempt Iran from OPEC's production cut scheme. Meanwhile, Boutarfa said that if OPEC members agree, oil prices will reach 50-60 U.S. dollars per barrel by next year. Last month, Zanganeh urged non-OPEC producers to cooperate with OPEC in order to stabilize the market. Oil prices increased substantially on Monday and both Iraq and Iran expressed their willingness to cut crude oil output, reports said. Oil prices initially plummeted by as much as two percent, but later spiked after media reported that Iraq's oil minister said Iraq will cooperate with OPEC to reach an agreement acceptable to all. In addition, on Monday Russia President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart acknowledged the importance of finalizing an OPEC output cut deal in order to stabilize the global oil market. The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery added 1.02 dollars, settling at 47.08 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for January delivery increased by 1 dollar, closing at 48.24 dollars a barrel on London's ICE Futures Exchange. BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- With bilateral partnerships elevated,agreements inked and cooperation deepened, President Xi Jinping's latest tour to Latin America, the third time since March 2013, has driven China-Latin America relations to a new high. Xi returned to Beijing on Friday after state visits to Ecuador, Peru and Chile. During his time in Peru, Xi also attended the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima. The trip, which was the first time that Xi has visited Peru and Chile during his presidency and the first visit by a Chinese president to Ecuador in 36 years since diplomatic relations were established, has pushed China's relations with the three nations to a new level. China lifted relations with Ecuador and Chile to one of a comprehensive strategic partnership, sending a strong signal that China is deepening mutual trust and elevating partnerships with Latin America. The visit to Peru was also of special significance as this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Despite the turbulent international and regional backdrop, the tour has sent a clear message that China's confidence in the future of the region remains unchanged. China signed more than 40 bilateral cooperation documents with the three countries, covering a wide range of areas including trade, finance, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and cultural exchanges. It also inked agreements with Ecuador and Peru on increasing cooperation in production capacity and investment. Xi has visited many nations in the region, including state visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico in 2013, and Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba in 2014. The latest trip has boosted China's overall cooperation with Latin America. On the multilateral front, China and Latin America are engaged in a comprehensive and cooperative partnership, and have established the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). It can be said that China-Latin America relations have entered a new phase of parallel development and mutual promotion between overall cooperation and bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded that "China-Latin America cooperation is not only at its prime, but also boasts promising prospects and great potential." Already the second-largest trade partner to the region, China has pledged to work with Latin America to increase bilateral trade to 500 billion U.S. dollars and elevate investment in the region to 250 billion dollars by 2025. New opportunities also unfold for further coordination on multilateral occasions. Next year, Ecuador will take over the rotating presidency of the Group 77, and Chile will prepare for the Second Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in 2018. At the new historical starting point, China and Latin America are working to achieve peaceful development and cooperation and advance the coordination of development strategies, in an effort to forge a community of common destiny. Seen from the perspectives of either traditional friendship or practical cooperation, China and Latin America are on a path toward common development in line of their fundamental interests. ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni presidency on Tuesday strongly condemned a declaration by the Shiite Houthi group and their allies that they had formed a "national salvation government" in the war-torn northern provinces. The country's presidential leadership stressed its strong rejection of this illegal government that is deemed a violation of the United Nations Security Council's (UNCS) resolutions and would likely derail peace process in war-torn Arab country. "The creation of an illegal government in Sanaa shows that the coup forces in Sanaa are heading forward in undermining all the international efforts exerted to find a peaceful solution to end the suffering of the people and achieve stability in the country," the Yemeni presidency said in a statement. British Ambassador to Yemen Edmund Brown said on twitter "weeks after agreeing to engage in a UN roadmap, Houthi-Saleh side announced an illegitimate government, which takes Yemen further from peace." The UK diplomat added that "this move is destructive and unacceptable. Houthi/Saleh must stick to their word, avoid unilateral action and engage with UN process." On Monday, the Houthis and allied forces of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who occupied Sanaa and seized power militarily in late 2014, announced the formation of a 35-minister government. The Houthi-Saleh alliance described the creation of the government in Sanaa as a very necessary step because of Yemen's "internal situation and for confronting the Saudi aggression forces." The decision was approved in an official decree released by the Houthi-Saleh joint governing council, known as the Supreme Political Council, which ordered that the decree be published in the official gazette. The former governor of Aden Abdul-Aziz Bin Habtoor was appointed by the Houthis as prime minister to lead the Houthi-Saleh government in Sanaa. The move came amid reports that the United Nations envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is preparing to travel to the Yemeni southern port city of Aden in order to meet President Hadi to push ahead the peace process between Hadi's government and the Shiite Houthi rebels. The UN roadmap, which was largely rejected by Hadi for not being based on the UNSCR 2216, called for naming a new vice president after the withdrawal of the Shiite Houthi rebels from the capital Sanaa and other northern provinces and handing over all heavy weapons to a third party. The UN plan also suggested forming a new government that will include the two warring sides and will not be led by Hadi who would transfer his power to the new vice president. But in the 2216 resolution, the Security Council demands that the Houthis withdraw from all areas seized during the latest conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Yemeni government and fully implement previous Council resolutions before moving ahead to form a new joint national unity government between the two warring sides. The situation in Yemen has deteriorated economically and politically since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while government forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition share control of the rest of the country including seven southern provinces. The civil war, ground battles and airstrikes have already killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over three millions, according to humanitarian agencies. BRUSSELS, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Caps on the wholesale prices that telecom operators charge each other for using their networks were agreed by an industry committee in the European Parliament on Tuesday, bringing the abolition of roaming charges for cross-border calls a step closer. The members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the Industry Committee agreed to cap at 0.03 euros per minute for voice call instead of the proposed 0.04 euro. Meanwhile, the MEPs reached an agreement on a gradually decreasing cap for data using, from 4 euros to 1 euro per gigabyte. Besides, the MEPs cap at 0.01 euro for every text message. The legislative resolution was approved by 53 votes to five, with two abstentions. The vote is another step towards the full abolition of retail roaming surcharges, which will enable consumers to use their mobile phones in other European Union countries just like at home without paying extra fees. Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, who is steering the legislation through the European Parliament, said: "The Committee has today given a strong mandate for negotiations with member states. Our position has a single aim -- delivering 'Roam Like At Home' to all Europeans. Setting price caps closer to real cost of providing roaming access will do just that, but will also pave the way for a true gigabyte society by enabling markets to deliver higher data consumption." "Consumers must benefit from competition from small and virtual telecoms operators too after next summer. All citizens must have access to digital services, which today means lower prices and bigger amounts of data," she said. In the coming months, the European Parliament's negotiating team will negotiate with the Council of the EU, which consists of representatives from the EU member states in order to find an agreement. According to the EU legislation, any agreement will need to be voted by the both co-legislators before entering into force. File photo taken on Aug. 29, 2016 shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a commemoration of the National Heroes Day in Taguig City, the Philippines. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) MANILA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven members of the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two soldiers were injured in an ambush Tuesday morning in Marawi City which is due to be visited by President Duterte on Wednesday. Armed Forces public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the PSG men were on a convoy of military trucks with local troop escorts when they were hit by the improvised explosive device (IED) explosion at around 10:45 am in Barangay Matampay. PSG spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said it was still too early to say if the attack specifically targeted the president, or was a result of ongoing security-related operations in the area including the campaign against the Maute group. Duterte announced Monday that he would be going to Marawi to meet with the troops amidst the ongoing campaign of the government against the Maute group that occupied parts of Butig town in Lanao del Sur over the weekend. He was set to visit Marawi City on Nov. 30. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Maute Group may have mistaken the PSG personnel as government reinforcements in the ongoing military operations against the Maute group. "We do not have reasons to believe that they (PSG personnel) were the targets. Its just that they were onboard a military vehicle and probably the perpetrators, whoever they were, took advantage" he said. MANDERA, Kenya, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Twenty Kenyan police officers on Tuesday narrowly escaped an explosion attack in Mandera region near the border with Somalia. Mandera County Police Commander, Job Boronjo, said an improvised explosive device (IED) went off after the police vehicle which the officers were travelling in passed it by "barely ten meters". "The officers from General Service Unit and Rapid Deployment Unit had accompanied passenger buses and a lorry when the improvised explosive device went off at 9:50 a.m.," Boronjo told journalists in Mandera town. The IED were planted in the middle of the road. The officers were patrolling the area between Dabacity and Elwak in Mandera region. Boronjo said there were militants waiting in nearby bush to shoot the officers if the explosion attack succeeded. Police are still combing the area in pursuit of suspects involved in Tuesday's incident. No group has claimed responsibility but suspicion fell on Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab, which has staged a series of attacks in Kenya in recent years. The latest incident comes after the police issued an alert on Tuesday, saying Al-Shabaab was planning to attack public service vehicles, the border region and the coastal city of Mombasa. Enditem GUANGZHOU, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Police in south China's Guangdong Province have detained some 270 people implicated in telecommunications fraud, authorities said Tuesday. In August, Guangdong Police launched an investigation into a frequently occurring telecom scam. The scam involved a phone call from someone claiming to be the boss of the victims who would ask them to transfer money to their accounts, according to Qian Bo, an official with the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department. The arrests were part of a wider crackdown, which saw police seize millions of items of data relating to people's personal information. The telecom gang contacted victims in Beijing, Tianjin and provinces of Guangdong, Shandong, Guizhou, Hubei, Guangxi, Hunan, Hainan, and Liaoning,Qian said at a press conference. The gangs were highly organized and had clear divisions of responsibilities, Qian said. One telecom fraud gang in Dianbai District in the city of Maoming included more than 100 "employees," including organizers, planners, telephone operators, as well as personal information collectors. The amounts of money involved in the case surpassed 3.4 million yuan (493,000 U.S. dollars). Guangdong Police will continue to investigate telecom fraud cases, said the department. YICHUN, Jiangxi Province, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- A week-long rescue was halted at a flooded coal mine in eastern China Tuesday night as rescuers saw no chance of any of the seven trapped miners surviving. The flood in a mine shaft in the rural outskirts of Yichun city, Jiangxi Province, started on Nov. 23. Rescuers had been pumping water from the mine in hope of reaching the miners trapped underground. Fourteen were saved but seven remain unaccounted for. Chen Zhijun, a local district government official, said the miners were trapped too deep underground. Even if there were air in the shaft, the underwater pressure would exceed the limits of the human body, he said Rescuers said they pumped out water three times the volume of the flooded space, but water levels did not subside that much due to the large supply of underground water . The operation was called off to avoid triggering further geological disasters, rescuers said. MOMBASA, Kenya, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police on Tuesday launched an investigation into the murder of a suspected Al-Shabaab militant, who had surrendered to authorities. The body of Abdulkarim Mzee (aka Abdul) was discovered dumped with multiple knife wounds along the Mombasa-Malindi highway in the coastal town of Malindi on Tuesday morning by locals. Abdul was among seven suspected militants of Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab, who surrendered after their names and photos were released by police. Al-Shbaab has staged a series of deadly attacks in Kenya in recent years. Enditem OSLO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Primary school students in Norway show excellence in mathematics, while lower secondary school students are at medium good level in both mathematic and natural sciences, the government said on Tuesday. Norwegian fifth graders are best in mathematics in Scandinavia, while in Europe, only fifth graders from Russia and Northern Ireland are better than Norwegian ones, the Ministry of Education and Research said in a statement. The results are found in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) for 2015, which measures students' knowledge in mathematics and natural sciences. Norwegian Minister of Education and Research Torbjorn Roe Isaksen said that Norwegian teachers "do a job worth being proud of." "We see a positive trend since the introduction of the Knowledge Promotion Reform," Isaksen said. "The knowledge promotion represented an important turn in schools, when we became more focused on what the students learned." Hege Nilssen, director of Norwegian directorate for education and training, said positive development in the fourth grade has also been confirmed. "This is really pleasing because we have been heavily committed to mathematics and numeracy education," she said. The performance of Norwegian fifth graders in natural sciences is equal to those in Sweden and England, but lower than Finland and the United States. The number of teachers with professional specialization in Norway is lower than other European and Scandinavian countries. Around half of the Norwegian students from the study of last year are taught by teachers without professional specialisation. The TIMSS research shows that teachers' professional specialization is important for the quantity of students' learning. "The government has introduced a requirement that all teachers that teach Norwegian, English and mathematics should have professional specialization. We have started a historic commitment to continuing education for teachers. The findings in the TIMSS show that this is the way to go," Isaksen said. The TIMSS shows that teachers' education level and pedagogic safety could reduce importance of students' family background. The report also shows that Norwegian ninth graders are medium well in mathematics in comparison to other European countries. They perform at higher level than Sweden and at the same level with England and the United States. Nilssen said that there is a need to examine the reason why lower graders score better than older students. "We have put forward a strategy for science subjects and introduced an extra lesson of natural sciences in primary schools. Now we have to see whether we could get more of natural sciences in the school schedule for lower secondary school as well," Isaksen said. The TIMSS 2015 shows also that the learning environment is very good in Norway compared to the other countries from the survey. "This is very positive. School is about more than just professional results. We are dedicated to thriving of all the students and we see that there is a lot of good work done in schools," the minister said. The TIMSS is an international study in mathematics and natural sciences in primary and lower secondary schools. Since 1995 it has been implemented every fourth year. Norway has participated each time, except in 1999. Only just 60 countries participate in the TIMSS 2015. Europe makes the biggest group with 29 countries. Out of Scandinavian countries only Iceland dose not participate. The TIMSS is implemented by research organization International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). CAIRO, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) rejected as "illegitimate" the recently-announced government formation of Shiite Houthi group in Yemen, said AL chief on Tuesday. AL Secretary-general Ahmed Aboul-Gheit strongly condemned Monday's unilateral declaration of a so-called "national salvation government" by the Houthi group and ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh's party, according to a statement from AL spokesman Mahmoud Afifi. "The move is an extension of the coup methodology that the Houthis do not want to give up," said Aboul-Gheit, warning that the step is a barrier to the peacemaking efforts in Yemen led by United Nations special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. "Such a step clearly shows which party blocks the way to reach a peaceful solution for the Yemeni crisis," said the AL chief. The situation in Yemen has been worsening since March, 2015, when a war broke out between the Houthi group, supported by former president Saleh, and the legitimate government of fleeing President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by an Arab military coalition led by Saudi Arabia. In early October, the Houthi group and Saleh's party appointed Abdulaziz bin Habtoor as prime minister and tasked him to form a salvation government, which was later announced Monday. The Houthi fighters and Saleh's forces control most of Yemen's northern provinces while the government forces control the rest of the conflict-stricken country. The Yemeni presidency denounced Tuesday the rebellious government formation in the war-torn northern provinces and said it would likely derail peace process in the country. The Saudi-led Arab military coalition has been launching deadly airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, but a lot of civilians have been "wrongly targeted" during the operations. The civil war, ground battles and airstrikes have so far killed over 10,000 Yemenis, half of whom are civilians, injured over 35,000 others and displaced over two million, according to humanitarian agencies. BRUSSELS, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- European police conducted an action against money laundering which resulted in the arrest of 36 suspects, the European Police Office (Europol) said Tuesday. A joint investigation team supported by Europol took action on Nov. 21 against a money laundering group whose members were active in Western Europe and Morocco. The action was conducted by over 450 police officers from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Europol provided operational support to all involved member states, including cross-matches, operational analysis and intelligence. During the action, over 5.5 million euros (5.8 million U.S. dollars) in cash was seized, along with two semi-automatic weapons and ammunition. European police have investigated the group since 2015, which was involved in drug trafficking throughout Western Europe. BUJUMBURA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian president's senior communication adviser Willy Nyamitwe Monday night escaped death following a gunmen's ambush near his home at Kajaga, 7 km west of the Burundian capital Bujumbura, the Burundian police spokesman said Tuesday. "The attack happened around 22:00 (20:00 GMT) at Kajaga as Willy Nyamitwe was preparing to enter the gate of his house. Gunmen armed with guns of the Kalashnikov type and grenades opened fire when a guard opened the gate. They opened fire against Nyamitwe's car, killing one of Nyamitwe's guards and injuring another guard and Nyamitwe himself," said Burundian Police Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye. According to Nkurikiye, Nyamitwe was slightly injured on one of his arms and added that Nyamitwe's car was damaged by a grenade explosion. "Two unexploded grenades were discovered today (Tuesday) morning near the place of the ambush. The guard who was inside the house did a great job as he pushed the gunmen back," said Nkurikiye. He added that an investigation has already started to identify the killers. "A soldier has been arrested in connection with the ambush. Investigations reveal that Rwandans are behind this crime," said Nkurikiye. He said that Monday night's attack against Nyamitwe is the third assassination attempt in recent months. "A soldier of a caporal rank called Jean Claude Nduwimana was earlier arrested in connection with attempting to kill Nyamitwe. He had two pistols and he is the one who revealed that Rwandans and Burundians exiled in the Rwandan capital Kigali are planning to kill Nyamitwe," said Nkurikiye. He added that Colonel Dieudonne Dushimagize, a senior officer in the Burundian army and in prison for about two weeks, is also accused to be part of that network of "killers". Relations between Burundi and Rwanda are bad since April 2015 when Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run his controversial third term in violation of the national constitution and the 2000 Arusha Agreement that ended a decade-long civil war. Rwanda is accused of hosting Burundian citizens who staged a failed coup plot on May 13, 2015 and of providing military training to people who are destabilizing Burundi. But Rwanda has denied all those allegations. More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and some 300,000 people fled to neighboring countries, mostly Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) since the outbreak of the crisis. WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday chose Tom Price, a six-term Republican congressman who firmly opposes President Obama's health care law, to be secretary of health and human services. Price, regarded as a policy wonk, "is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible health care to every American," Trump said in making the formal announcement. Conservatives lauded the appointment, while abortions rights supporters and other Trump critics denounced it. Price, 62, became an outspoken opponent of the health care law Obama signed in 2010, calling it an "unaffordable" piece of legislation. "Premiums have gone up, not down," Price said recently. "Many Americans lost the health coverage they were told time and time again by the president that they could keep. Choices are fewer." He joined Trump at his campaign speech on health care reform earlier this month, and issued a statement praising Trump's commitment to "fully repealing this failed law." During the campaign, Trump promised repealing and replacing Obamacare, listing it as a top priority when he takes office. However, after the election, Trump seems to have moved somewhat away from a full repeal, saying he would favor keeping some parts of the law, including the plank barring insurers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions and the provision of the law that allows children to stay on their parents' health plans until the age of 26. Price won election to the Georgia State Senate in 1996 and was first elected to the U.S. House from Georgia in 2004. He currently chairs the House Budget Committee. He received his doctorate from the University of Michigan and started his career as an orthopedic surgeon in Roswell, Georgia. The Cabinet-level pick requires Senate confirmation. NAIROBI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police have issued an alert and tightened security, saying Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab is planning to launch attacks in the country ahead of the festive season. Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, said on Tuesday Al-Shabaab militants were planning to launch attack in the border region and the tourist resort coastal region of Mombasa, with targets including security personnel and public service vehicles. "We are also aware Al-Shabaab is planning to amass its militants in Jedahaley area in Somalia with intention of infiltrating into the country for attacks," Boinett said. "Some are hiding in small groups pretending to be herders around Hida and Dambala in Somalia while plotting to sneak into the country," he added. The police chief said Al-Shabaab remains the major threat, particularly in areas along the border with Somalia. "We have since heightened security alertness to avert any attacks and equally appeal to the public to continue cooperating with security agencies and remain vigilant," he said. Al-Shabaab has carried out a series of attacks in Kenya since Kenyan peacekeeping troops entered Somalia to battle the group in 2011. Enditem TIRANA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The sooner the Albanian government implements the vetting law, the sooner accession negotiations with the European Union will start, Albanian Minister of Integration Klajda Gjosha told reporters Tuesday. The statement comes a day after the visit of the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to Germany where he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discussed Albania's progress towards EU integration. Gjosha said Rama's visit to Berlin was testimony to the clear support of Merkel to Albania's EU drive. The minister stressed that free and fair elections are the criteria for any country. Since they are so crucial, electoral reform should be finalized on time in the spirit of constructiveness and dialogue, he added. The Albanian parliament approved the vetting law or the law on temporary re-evaluation of the judges and prosecutors of Albania with a qualified majority of votes in an extraordinary plenary session in August 2016. By implementing this law, an evaluation process will begin for judges and prosecutors, members of courts, legal advisors and assistants in all levels. Currently there is a deadlock in implementation of the law since Albanian opposition is accusing the government of not considering its amendments to the law. Enditem JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- About 20 South Africans working in the tourism sector were awarded certificates in Johannesburg on Tuesday after a three months intensive training in Mandarin. The students were awarded certificates by the Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom. They were taken from various parts of the country to be trained in Mandarin so that they can communicate effectively with the Chinese tourists. Some are front line staffs in hotels and lodges while some are tour guides. Hanekom said last year 120 million Chinese people visited other countries and expressed hope that in future they will get about 1.2 million to South Africa per year. "It could happen and jointly we can make this happen. More visitors would mean more jobs," Hanekom said. He said the training given to the tourism practitioners will make them give the Chinese visitors unforgettable experience which will make them want to come back to South Africa. The 20 students will go to China for three weeks next February to experience the Chinese environment. "You will meet the beautiful Chinese people and open cultural ties. Remember everyday that you are the country's ambassador there and come back enriched," Hanekom said. Hanekom said they chose China because it is among the top tourist markets for South Africa. Statistics released in January 2016 showed a 63.7 percent increase in tourist arrivals from China. The Chinese Deputy Ambassador to South Africa Li Song welcomed the achievement by the students and encouraged them to learn more. Li said China wants a long-term relationship with South Africa and is committed to a win-win situation. "I believe that with the further growth of tourism cooperation between China and South Africa, you will find what you have learned from this language training program increasingly relevant and useful. I am full of confidence that all of you will have much to contribute to our tourism cooperation and become cultural ambassadors for people-to-people exchange between China and South Africa," he added. Speaking for the employers, Michael Worsnip, Managing Director for Maropeng (one of the country's heritage sites) said they have been struggling to get Mandarin-speaking tour guides in the past. Worsnip told the newly graduated Mandarin speakers that they should continue to work towards building the Sino-South African relations and people to people relations. He also said, "This is an opportunity to engage with the language, culture and country which we can count as representing civilization and great culture. This is the greatest window which will never be shut." Nathan Cook who is employed by Hilton Hotel told Xinhua that Mandarin will help him communicate better with Chinese tourists who always visit the hotel where he works. He also said he learns about China theoretically and is excited to visit and get the physical experience. According to the Chinese Embassy, 58,000 tourists from China visited South Africa in the first half of 2016. WINDHOEK, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Namibian President Hage Geingob has commended French companies doing business in Namibia especially those involved in renewable energy. Addressing the Mouvement des Entreprises de France business event in Paris France Tuesday, Geingob said companies such as InnoSun that worked on solar farms in Namibia have not only created jobs but transferred technology and expertise. InnoSun was involved in two solar projects in Namibia -- the development of the 4.5MW Omburu solar plant in Omaruru and 4.5MW Okahandja solar farm. According to Geingob, Namibia and France trade in a number of products, including fish, food and beverages, minerals, petroleum products, chemicals, clothing, live animals, pharmaceutical products. "A total value of 25. 6 million euros worth of imports was sourced from France into Namibia during the year 2015," he said. He invited more French companies to take advantage of their advanced technology and greater industrial know-how, and invest in priority areas such as transport infrastructure, affordable housing, agriculture and manufacturing. "As you have successfully done in France, we want to develop our manufacturing capabilities to become the backbone of our economy. We are, therefore, eager to learn from you about the development of labor-intensive industries." "Our main focus is on value addition. We believe that by adding value to our natural resources, Namibia will be able to increase its industrial output and thereby increase its exports of finished and high quality goods to regional and international markets," he said. He told the French business community that Namibia's institutions are strong and the judiciary is independent and the rule of law prevails. The media, he said, the fourth estate is part of our nation building machinery and it certainly helps that they are regarded as the freest on the African continent according to Reporters Without Borders. "We are working hard to continuously strengthen our governance architecture. We believe accountability and transparency are important to increase trust levels between all stakeholders in a democratic society and in the world. As potential investors, we would like to assure that you could put your trust in the Namibian institutions and political system," he added. Doing business in Namibia, he said, has been made easier by the removal of red tape and bottlenecks that hinder the registration process. Geingob said the Investment Promotion Act provides for among others, investor incentives and protection, as well as provisions of dispute resolution mechanisms in the event of a dispute over an investment. Enditem TEHRAN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) dismissed on Tuesday as a "propaganda campaign" U.S. claims that an IRGC vessel recently pointed its weapon at a U.S. helicopter in the Persian Gulf, reported Tasnim news agency. The U.S. claims are part of its "propaganda campaign" against the Islamic republic, said the IRGC Navy in a statement on Tuesday. "Some U.S. officials occasionally repeat such allegations. It shows that they are seeking certain goals beyond their propaganda campaign (against Iran). Therefore, we tell them with emphasis that 'stop the propaganda'," the statement said. On Monday, two U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that an IRGC patrol vessel on Saturday pointed its weapon at its helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter. They claimed the incident took place as a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters. It is no secret to anyone that the main problem is the presence of the U.S. military forces in the Persian Gulf, said the IRGC, adding that via "inappropriate" and "unprofessional" behaviors, Americans are attempting to insinuate that regional security is abnormal. The IRGC said that Iranian military forces, regardless of the "enemies' propaganda," will continue monitoring movements in the gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to protect maritime routes and establish regional security. BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has ordered more initiatives to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS to limit prevalence of the disease. In a written instruction to a meeting on prevention and control of major diseases held in Beijing Tuesday, Li said the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. While commending "marked progress" made in prevention and control of HIV and AIDS during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), Li ordered more efforts to target challenges in controlling the spread of HIV and AIDS during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). Intervention needs to be more efficient, testing and counseling services more accessible, public education more targeted and follow-up services improved, Li said. The premier also ordered "across-the-board implementation" of testing, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, medical assistance and other policy measures. Li guaranteed prevention and control funds, drug research and development, international cooperation and greater roles for social organizations and volunteers. Vice Premier Liu Yandong said at the meeting that the prevention and treatment capacity of major and communicable disease should be comprehensively enhanced. ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese heavy machinery manufacturing firm, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG), has launched a three-year scholarship initiative to financially benefit outstanding Ethiopian university students. The sponsorship, launched on Tuesday, is part of XCMG's global initiative to realize its motto, "XCMG, Making a Better World," in which six countries had been chosen to benefit from the sponsorship project, according to Xiao Xiao, XCMG East Africa Regional Manager. During a period of three years, the scholarship project will benefit 27 outstanding Addis Ababa University students. Nine students will be annually selected and share close to 2,500 U.S. dollars. One of the objectives of the scholarship is to support talented engineering students who could potentially benefit the east African country, said Xiao. He also noted that the project is designed to encourage more and more Ethiopian students to learn Chinese language and culture, and help to strengthen the Sino-Ethiopian relationship. Jeilu Oumer, Academic Vice President of Addis Ababa University, said the scholarship recipients will immensely benefit from the scholarship. "We hope that the partnership will go beyond this step to University-Industry partnership," he added. Mesfin Zemed, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, said the scholarship is important for him to effectively pursue his education and his future career as an engineer. Ethiopia is the only African country selected by XCMG's global sponsorship project. The remaining others are Iran, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Bangladesh. As part of its social responsibility endeavor, XCMG has recently inaugurated a water cellar project in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. The project was made to address water shortage of Oda Nebee Primary School, about 30 km south of capital Addis Ababa. CAPE TOWN, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma has referred the controversial Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration, the Presidency said on Tuesday. "I have given consideration to the Bill in its entirety and certain submissions regarding the constitutionality of the Bill. After consideration of the Bill and having applied my mind to it, I am of the view that certain provisions of the Bill do not pass constitutional muster," presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga quoted Zuma as saying. In line with the Constitution, Zuma has therefore referred the Bill to the National Assembly for reconsideration for the reasons set out to the Speaker of the National Assembly, the spokesperson said. The president specifically raised concern with the provisions of the Bill relating to warrantless searches, which, according to him, fall short of the constitutional standard required for the provision not to unjustifiably limit the right to privacy, according to Ngqulunga. Zuma was of the view that even though the purpose to be served by the Bill was very important and pressing, all the provisions of the Bill must be in line with the Constitution, Ngqulunga said. The Bill is meant to impose more onerous obligations on banks to know their clients and in particular politically exposed persons such as politicians, government officials and directors of companies contracting with government. Zuma has been criticized for stalling the Bill as part of an attempt to "clip the independence and powers" of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The Business Day newspaper reported earlier this year that the developments surrounding the Bill "form part of an orchestrated attack by parts of the government and the ANC (African National Congress) aligned to Zuma on the Treasury, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, and the Reserve Bank, with a view to clipping their independence and powers." That was the reason why the Bill has not yet been signed into law, the report alleged. The Presidency refuted the report as "a gross distortion of the facts." According to the Presidency, the president received an objection to the signing of the bill from the Progressive Professionals Forum. Critics of Zuma's long delay in promulgating the law claimed that he is trying to protect those benefiting from corruption, such as the wealthy Indian Gupta family accused of exerting undue influence on Zuma in the appointment of cabinet ministers. Enditem Photo taken on Nov. 29, 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland, shows the new guidelines on HIV self-testing published by World Health Organization (WHO). Ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines on Tuesday on HIV self-testing to improve access to and uptake of HIV diagnosis. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines on Tuesday on HIV self-testing to improve access to and uptake of HIV diagnosis. According to a new WHO progress report, lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the organization's recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART). The report revealed that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status. Today, 40 percent of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection and often find it difficult to access existing testing services. "Millions of people with HIV are still missing out on life-saving treatment, which can also prevent HIV transmission to others," said Margaret Chan, WHO director-general. "HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services." HIV self-testing means people can use oral fluid or blood finger pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes. HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring services closer to where people live, and create demand for HIV testing. Between 2005 and 2015, the proportion of people with HIV learning of their status increased from 12 percent to 60 percent globally. HIV testing coverage remains low among various population groups, especially among "key populations" and their partners -- men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs, and people in prisons -- who comprise approximately 44 percent of the 1.9 million new adult HIV infections that occur each year. A Yemeni man inspects the damage on a street following clashes between pro-government militants, loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, and Shiite Huthi rebels on November 22, 2016 in the country's third-city Taez. (AFP/Xinhua) ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni presidency on Tuesday strongly condemned a declaration by the Shiite Houthi group and their allies that they had formed a "national salvation government" in the war-torn northern provinces. The country's presidential leadership stressed its strong rejection of this illegal government that is deemed a violation of the United Nations Security Council's (UNCS) resolutions and would likely derail peace process in war-torn Arab country. "The creation of an illegal government in Sanaa shows that the coup forces in Sanaa are heading forward in undermining all the international efforts exerted to find a peaceful solution to end the suffering of the people and achieve stability in the country," the Yemeni presidency said in a statement. British Ambassador to Yemen Edmund Brown said on twitter "weeks after agreeing to engage in a UN roadmap, Houthi-Saleh side announced an illegitimate government, which takes Yemen further from peace." The UK diplomat added that "this move is destructive and unacceptable. Houthi/Saleh must stick to their word, avoid unilateral action and engage with UN process." On Monday, the Houthis and allied forces of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who occupied Sanaa and seized power militarily in late 2014, announced the formation of a 35-minister government. The Houthi-Saleh alliance described the creation of the government in Sanaa as a very necessary step because of Yemen's "internal situation and for confronting the Saudi aggression forces." The decision was approved in an official decree released by the Houthi-Saleh joint governing council, known as the Supreme Political Council, which ordered that the decree be published in the official gazette. The former governor of Aden Abdul-Aziz Bin Habtoor was appointed by the Houthis as prime minister to lead the Houthi-Saleh government in Sanaa. The move came amid reports that the United Nations envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is preparing to travel to the Yemeni southern port city of Aden in order to meet President Hadi to push ahead the peace process between Hadi's government and the Shiite Houthi rebels. The UN roadmap, which was largely rejected by Hadi for not being based on the UNSCR 2216, called for naming a new vice president after the withdrawal of the Shiite Houthi rebels from the capital Sanaa and other northern provinces and handing over all heavy weapons to a third party. The UN plan also suggested forming a new government that will include the two warring sides and will not be led by Hadi who would transfer his power to the new vice president. But in the 2216 resolution, the Security Council demands that the Houthis withdraw from all areas seized during the latest conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Yemeni government and fully implement previous Council resolutions before moving ahead to form a new joint national unity government between the two warring sides. The situation in Yemen has deteriorated economically and politically since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while government forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition share control of the rest of the country including seven southern provinces. The civil war, ground battles and airstrikes have already killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over three millions, according to humanitarian agencies. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) reacts after attending the funeral of a victim of the coup attempt in Istanbul on July 17, 2016. (AFP/Xinhua) ISTANBUL, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that his country has not yet "closed book" with the European Union (EU), but is considering other alternatives after European lawmakers voted lately to freeze talks over Ankara's accession to the bloc. "At the moment, we have not yet closed book with EU," Erdogan said at a meeting in Istanbul. "But the picture ahead us does not allow us to have positive expectation." "We could move on in considering one of these alternatives," he said, without elaborating. The president recently talked of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a Eurasian political, economic and security organization, as an option for Turkey. Last Thursday, the European Parliament voted in favor of a non-binding motion on suspending membership talks with Turkey, sparking strong reactions from the country. Following the vote, Erdogan had threatened to open borders for illegal migrants to flood into Europe. Turkey has moved to reduce significantly the illegal flow of migrants under a deal reached with the EU in March. Turkey applied to join the EU in 1987 and started the accession talks in 2005, but the talks have faltered in recent years due to disagreements over issues such as refugees, freedom of press and human rights. ANKARA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish army lost contact with its two soldiers on Tuesday during Operation Euphrates Shield to sweep Islamic State (IS) in northern Syria, Turkish General Staff said in a statement. The contact was lost at 3:30 p.m. local time (1230 GMT), said Brigadier General Ozkurkcu, press spokesman of the Turkish army. He said search operations were underway for the two missing soldiers in the area. Earlier on Tuesday, the IS claimed via its affiliated Amaq News Agency that it captured two Turkish soldiers. The Turkish military has yet to give any confirmation of the claim. The Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (3rd L) and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades (3rd R) hold a meeting in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, Nov. 20, 2016. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) NICOSIA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations acknowledged on Tuesday that it is difficult to restart the Cyprus reunification negotiations, one week after talks in Switzerland failed to bridge the gap between the remaining differences separating the island's Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. "I have no news. The situation is difficult", United Nations Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, told journalists after completing two days of separate meetings with Greek and Turkish Cypriot politicians. He said he is trying preserve the momentum built in 18 months of negotiations between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. They managed to clear up almost all obstacles towards reunifying Cyprus but they reached a roadblock when they met at the Swiss resort of Mont Pelerin last week supposedly to wrap up their talks. "The last mile is always the most difficult. They started discussing the issue of territorial adjustments which had not been discussed before," said Eide. However, the United Nations official said that actually there are no differences between the two sides which cannot be bridged. Akinci suggested that one way out of the impasse is to have "two tables", that is two negotiations running in parallel but in unison and in full coordination. He said that one of the negotiating process between Cypriots should deal with all internal issues and the second one between Turkey, Greece and Britain, would discuss security arrangements and guarantees. Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus overnight for talks on Wednesday with Eide, Anastasiades and Akinci on restarting the negotiations. WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon said on Tuesday a series of human errors resulted in a mistaken coalition airstrike in September that killed dozens of forces aligned with the Syrian government. "We concluded based upon post-strike analysis that a number of 'human factors' resulted in incorrect identification of forces on the ground," said the U.S. Central Command in a statement after an inquiry into the incident. "In this instance, we did not rise to the high standard we hold ourselves to," said Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces central commander, in the statement. Several factors led to the misidentification of the forces targeted, according to the U.S. military inquiry, which claimed that the those killed by the airstrike "were not wearing recognizable military uniforms and identifying flags." There were also errors in the development of intelligence, as well as missed opportunities for Coalition members on duty to recognize and voice contrary evidence to decision makers, the inquiry found. Also, human factors, such as "improper labeling" and "invalid assumptions," resulted in labeling of individuals as militants of the Islamic State group early in the targeting process, the inquiry concluded. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sept. 17 that the U.S.-led coalition killed 62 Syrian government troops and injured some 100 others in a round of airstrikes in eastern Syria's province of Deir al-Zour. Syria's national TV also confirmed the killing of Syrian servicemen by the U.S.-led coalition. Somali presidential candidate Jabril Abdulle speaks during a press conference in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Nov. 22, 2016. Jabril Abdulle criticized the current Somali government of corruption and mismanagement of the election process. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse) MOGADISHU, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's presidential elections slated for Wednesday will now be held before the end of December on unspecified date, the country's electoral committee chairman said. The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) chairperson Omar Mohamed Abdulle said the new date will be announced after the committee meets with lawmakers. "The exact dates of the presidential election are not known," Abdulle told journalists in Mogadishu on Monday evening. He added that the election of the new president will take place on the attainment of 184 seats in the lower chamber of the federal parliament. "Presidential election will not be held on the original date because Lower House elections have not been completed but it must happen before the new year, some regional states completed the process of the elections while others are close to end next week," he added. The Horn of Africa nation's delegates representing clans are currently choosing the lawmakers, who in turn will select the new president from more than 10 candidates, including incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. Somalia is currently short of attaining the 184 seats by just six members. However elections for the Lower House continue in four states, namely HirShabelle, Galmudug, Puntland and South West states. Jubbaland state concluded elections of Lower House members last week. "The quorum or the minimum number of members of parliament that will be able to sit and conduct business is 184. We have got 178 out of the 184 and the remaining 6 will be elected on Tuesday," Abdulle said. "If that happens, Somalia will have a fully functioning parliament that can legislate, elect speakers and can also announce the exact dates for the speakers' and presidential elections." According to the electoral body, newly elected members of the Upper and Lower chambers of parliament will start collecting their certificates from FIEIT on Wednesday. Christine Mukabunane (Front), spokesperson of Rwanda's National Forum for Political Organizations lays a wreath during the remembrance of politicians who were killed during the 1994 genocide, at Rebero Genocide Memorial Site in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, April 13, 2016. The official commemoration week of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda which started on April 7 closed on Wednesday. (Xinhua) KIGALI, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has opened criminal inquiry against 20 French officials for their role in the 1994 genocide, some of whom could be charged in court if proceedings show they have cases to answer, according to a statement released on Tuesday evening by the office of the Prosecutor General. "The Office of the Prosecutor General announces the start of a formal criminal inquiry into the role of certain French Government agents and/or officials in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda," reads the statement signed by Richard Muhumuza, Rwanda Prosecutor General. Rwanda wants to conclusively bring to an end simmering tension with France by making those who took part in the massacre of over a million lives pay for their actions, reads part of the statement. The prosecution authority further said that as investigations continue, other French government agents and/or officials might be required to similarly assist the prosecution authority. Prosecution said that relevant French government authorities have been formally engaged. "The inquiry, for now, is focused on 20 individuals whom, according to information gathered so far, are required by the Prosecution Authority to explain or provide clarity on allegations against them, to enable the Authority to make conclusions whether the concerned individuals should be formally charged or not," reads the statement. Early this month, Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwanda minister of foreign affairs told local and international reporters that the judicial process against French officials accused of committing genocide crimes will be in steps, starting by a thorough investigation. She stressed that France had political and military advisors to both the government and militia who perpetrated the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In October, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), released a list of 22 senior French military soldiers accused of deliberately aiding the planning of the genocide. France-Rwanda relations continues to sour following the announcement of plans of the reopening of investigations by France into the shooting down of a plane carrying ex-genocidal regime president Juvenal Habyarimana. Last month, Rwanda President Paul Kagame, while speaking at the Rwanda Judicial year event, warned revisiting the case of plane crash of former president Habyarimana would lead to diplomatic standoffs between Rwanda and France and it will be a "showdown." Between 2006 and 2009, relations between Rwanda and France was completely broken off after a French judge claimed that top Rwandan officials were involved in the downing of the Habyarimana's plane -- an event widely seen as sparking the crisis. France's role during the April-July 1994 genocide in Rwanda has for years been the subject of intense scrutiny and much controversy, with both Paris and Kigali trying to pin responsibility on the other for the genocide. While Rwanda has repeatedly accused France of backing the genocidal regime government, allegedly arming and training the Hutu ethnic group perpetrators responsible for the mass murder during genocide, France has denied the accusations of murder, insisting its forces worked to protect the civilians. People visit the exhibition stand of CRRC Corp, a conglomerate formed by the merger of China's top two high-speed rail makers, China North Railway (CNR) and China South Railway (CSR), at the UrTran 2015 International Urban Rail Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2015. (Photo/Xinhua) A metro project in Melbourne, Australia worth AU$2 billion ($1.5 billion) has been given in part to CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, a subsidiary of Beijing-based CRRC Corporation. The Victorian government project will be completed with the Evolution Rail Consortium, which includes CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, Downer EDI and Plenary Group. The project plans to build 65 high-capacity metro trains in Melbourne, as the Chinese train manufacturer announced on Saturday, November 26. CRRC Changchun contributed approximately 45 percent of the value of the project, and under the deal, the company will design the trains and establish new regional headquarters in Melbourne. According to the agreement, the first train is expected to be in testing by November 2018, ready to enter service in mid-2019. All 65 metro trains will be ready in 2026. This project is the biggest project in the Australian state's history. Benjamin Haan, managing director of the project, says all new trains will be built in Victoria, with more than 60 percent local content. The project is also expected to result in at least 1,100 jobs. (Source: CRIENGLISH.com) A child watches a potted plant at a flower market in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 4, 2016. Feb. 4 marks the beginning of Spring in solar terms. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng) The eleventh session of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages opens in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa on Monday. China's Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge of time developed through observation of the sun's annual motion, is one among the 37 requests proposed for the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Spring (Chinese: ) is the first solar term of the year. The names of the 24 solar terms are: Start of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox, Clear and Bright, Grain Rain, Start of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Major Heat, Start of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost's Descent, Start of Winter, Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, Minor Cold and Major Cold. Start of Spring (Chinese: ) is the first solar term of the year. Start of Spring lifts the curtain of spring. After that everything turns green and full of vigor; people clearly see that the daytime is becoming longer and the weather is becoming warmer. The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Rain Water (Chinese: ) signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, lively spring-like scenery starts blossoming: the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again. FCC Approves Broadband Privacy Rules, But Will They Last? In late October, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved sweeping new rules covering the consumer privacy policies of broadband ISPs that will govern how they can collect and share personally identifiable data about their customers. The rules come out of the long-term and controversial Net Neutrality process, which requires ISPs not to discriminate against or favor different forms or suppliers of content and gave the FCC more authority to regulate ISP practices. The new rules will not control the practices of individual websites, such as Facebook and Google, and may be re-evaluated by the incoming presidential administration. ISPs are in a position to collect extensive amounts of data from their customers. Some of it comes from the subscription process, including name and contact information. But it can also include financial information, such as credit card numbers or credit scores, or the subscribers Social Security number. More critically, ISPs can also collect information about customers use of its services, such as their web browsing history, app downloading and usage, and, in the case of mobile devices, GPS and cell tower-based geolocation. The ISPs often gather and use this data in their marketing and development of services, and they may sell the information to or exchange it with third parties. What Are the New Rules? The new rules give consumers Increased Choice, Transparency, and Security Online in the use of their data. ISPs may still collect information, but the rules provide for a number of restrictions on their ability to share and use it. Foremost among the new rules is that ISPs must obtain express permission from customers in order to use or share sensitive information. Described as an opt-in form of consent, this rule says that ISPs cannot use a customers geolocation, financial, browsing, or content information without receiving affirmative approval from him or her. The rules allow ISPs to provide incentives to customers to get them to agree, such as price discounts and higher tiers of servicebut they are not permitted to penalize customers who do not give permission. Nor can ISPs make approval a condition of service, a so-called take it or leave it offer. For information that is less sensitive or has been de-identified (altered to be no longer associated with an individual consumer or device), the rules are more flexible. ISPs can use or share less-sensitive information, provided the customer does not specifically opt out. They can also use de-identified information, but have to take specific steps to prevent it from being re-identified or linked to specific customers or devices, either by themselves or any entity they share information with. Transparency is also a significant part of these new rules. They require that ISPs take steps to protect their data from hacking that are appropriately calibrated to the nature and scope of the ISPs activities, the sensitivity of the information, and the size of the provider. Those steps should include maintaining an industry best practice level of security management, improving accountability, and disposing of data when it is no longer required. In the event of a data breach, the ISP must notify customers as soon as possible (no later than 30 days after it), and it must bring in the FBI and the Secret Service to investigate breaches involving 5,000 or more customers. The FCC is pursuing these rules under the same authority it has to impose Net Neutrality. In the past, the FCC did not consider ISPs to be in the same category as traditional telecommunications companies, known as common carriers. In February 2015, the FCC voted to change its existing policy and reclassify ISPs as common carriers in light of the expansion from modem- and DSL-based services to comprehensive broadband communications providers. This change allows the FCC to impose Net Neutrality rules and gives it the authority to impose the new privacy rules. While opponents to Net Neutrality have filed legal challenges to the FCCs 2015 action, the courts have, for now, have upheld it. Reactions to the Rules As with any major change in policy, the FCCs new privacy rules generated swift positive and negative reactions. Consumer and privacy groups, including Consumers Union, the Open Technology Institute, Common Sense Kids Action, Public Knowledge, the Center for Digital Democracy, and Demand Progress have praised the new rules. An Open Technology Institute representative describes the rules as giving consumers the protection that they deserve and confidence in the internet as a safe platform for the exploration and expression of viewpoints. The reaction from the ISP industry was mixed to negative. Comcast senior EVP David Cohen argues that the rules will likely do more harm than good for consumers, competition, and innovation in the all-important internet ecosystem. Forbes contributor Howard Homonoff notes that by restricting data sharing and use by ISPs, the new rules will threaten the digital advertising that largely subsidizes the internet. With digital advertising already under threat from ad-blocking software and the demand for more personalized, attention-worthy advertising to maintain consumer notice, Homonoff says that the FCCs rules will only accelerate the chaos. As noted, these rules apply only to ISPs and not to websites such as Facebook and Google. Website privacy standards are governed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) generally on a case-by-case basis and rarely use the more rigorous opt-in regime for the use of consumer data. Having ISPs governed by one set of standards and websites governed by another may result in confusion and possibly may be grounds for a legal challenge. Rick Boucher, former chairman of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, says the new rules board up the windows while leaving the doors unlocked. Of course, one possibility is that the FTC could ratchet up its privacy enforcement to the FCCs standards, although that is seen as unlikely. Whats Next The FCC approved the new rules by a 3-to-2 party line vote, with the three Democratic commissioners, including FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, voting in favor, and the two Republican commissioners opposed. The rules do not have legal authority until they are published in the Federal Register, a process that could take several weeks or more. Once published, they are phased in over a period of several months, with the major notice and opt-in choice requirements taking effect no later than 12 months after publication. If the rules survive, that is. With the election of a Republican administration and a Republican Congress, it is possible that the rules may be modified or even canceled. It is the practice of commissions such as the FCC to be chaired by a member of the party that occupies the White House and for that party to have a majority of the five-member commission. Wheeler, a Democrat who advocated for both Net Neutrality and the privacy rules, is expected to step down from his chairmanship prior to Jan. 20, and another of the Democratic members will likely leave at the end of the year. Both replacements would be Republicans. In light of these changes, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recently wrote to Wheeler to urge the FCC to avoid directing its attention and resources in the coming months to complex, partisan, or otherwise controversial items. In addition, the 20-year-old Congressional Review Act gives Congress the power to review recently passed administrative rules. If both houses of Congress vote to invalidate a rule, and the president does not veto the congressional action, the rule is effectively canceled. The act has been used only once in 20 years, but if there is enough of an objection to the privacy rules, we now have congressional Republicans with the power to undo them and a Republican president who is less likely to veto their actions. Woman murdered in Tobago Crystal Tobias-Busby, a midwife at the Scarborough General Hospital, was stabbed multiple times in an incident which shocked the sleepy fishing village where she lived. The mother of one lived at King Street in Plymouth. When Newsday visited yesterday, the victims adopted mother Leiba Matthews-Julien said she was awakened by screams coming from the house at 3 am. It was the mother of Crystal Tobias Busby, screaming and calling for us to call an ambulance. So I ran up the road and when I arrived at the house, I see Crystal sitting at the porch drenched in blood. When I asked what happened, I was told that a man who was close to her climbed through a window and stabbed her up as she lay in bed. I immediately compressed some of the wounds and the neighbour Jason Drysdale also assisted in compressing some of the other wounds to stop the bleeding until the ambulance arrived, Matthews- Julien said. While we we compressing the wounds, she was still in and out of consciousness and when the ambulance arrived, I accompanied her to the hospital and while there the doctors tried with her, they stabilised her, everything seemed fair, like she was going to make it. One of the stab wounds had punctured her lungs so there was internal bleeding, they did all they could do and then she took a turn for the worst and she pass ed away at 6:30, she said. Police said that the victims son who was asleep in the house at the time of the attack, was unharmed. She had a restraining order against that man. Many reports have been made to the police about his behavious towards her, Mathews-Julien said. The victim had been in a relationship with the suspect for six years but ended the relationship when he abused her. Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Secretary of Health and Social Services Claudia Groome Duke visited the family and offered condolences as well as a promise of counselling. An autopsy is to be conducted before funeral arrangements are made. In the interim, investigations are continuing. Cops appear in court charged with fraud SRP Constable Dara Spencer, 40, who was last assigned to the Police Rapid Response Unit was charged with misconduct in public office by dishonestly obtaining $481 from the TT Police Service by falsely pretending to have performed duties on February 7 and 9, of last year, by submitting duty sheets indicating same. The alleged offence was said to have taken place on February 28, 2015, at the Mon Repos Station. Spencer, who was arrested on Thursday at her home, had received station bail in the sum of $60,000 which was not varied by Deputy Chief Magistrate, Nannette Forde-John. The matter is expected to be transferred to the San Fernando Magistrates Court, however Spencer will return to the Portof- Spain Magistrates Court on February 6. She is represented by attorney Cedric Neptune. She was charged by officers of the Fraud Squad. Mere minutes after she appeared, acting Supt Wayne Thongs, 55, appeared before Forde-John charged with perverting the course of public justice by instructing a police officer to give Spencer a document which was part of the investigations of her conduct as a police officer. He too had been granted bail in the sum of $80,000 at the Woodbrook Police Station where he was being held since his arrest last week Wednesday, and this was not varied by Forde-John. Thongs, who was represented by attorneys Ian Brooks and Dr Kenneth OBrien, will also return to court on February 6. Soldier charged for assault on cop A police report stated that about 9.15 pm on Sunday, Cpls Brian Singh and David Nagassar, who were on mobile patrol, responded to a report of a disturbance at Daves Bar, Hermitage Road, Claxton Bay. It is alleged that Gordon intervened while the officers were carrying out their duty during which time Nagassar was assaulted. Gordon was subsequently arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour, insulting language and resisting arrest. Singh and Nagassar laid the charges. He will reappear in court today. Man in court for murder Jalini Parkinson was not called on to plead on the murder charge nor two charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was also charged with wounding David Nanny Matthews. Parkinson will return to court on January 3, after his attorney, Osbourne Charles SC, agreed to a date outside of the 28-day remand period. Gregoire, 39, of Pitilal Road, Waterhole, was with Mathews and another man at Freedom Street, Cocorite, constructing a wall when a masked gunman approached and opened fire. Mathews was shot in the leg and he and Gregoire were taken to the St James Medical Facility where Mathews was treated and transferred to Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Gregoire died from his wounds. Bail granted but Charles still cant go home Although granted bail yesterday in the sum of $120,000 by a magistrate for a fraudulent offence, Charles, 41, one of five Muslim men who returned to Trinidad on Friday after spending two years and eight months in a Venezuelan jail but was arrested when he landed in Piarco, was still not able to walk out of the San Fernando Court as his family had expected. At about 1.50 pm yesterday, Organisational Head of The Islamic Front, Umar Abdullah, broke the bad news to concerned family members saying the administrative process was stalled since those involved wanted to go and vote. Abdullah later told reporters, We do have a bailor, but the documentation and so on to get all that in place is going to take some time and today (yesterday) is election day and the JP (Justice of the Peace) has indicated that she wants to go and vote. She would certainly not be around so he would have to go up (to the prison) and tomorrow (today) we will take care of that definitely. The news wiped the smiles off the faces of the family members especially his mother who had earlier told reporters that she was thrilled to finally be taking Charles to her home in San Juan where all relatives were waiting. Yesterday, Charles, a father of ten, appeared before Magistrate Brahmanand Dubay in the San Fernando First Magistrates Court where he was granted bail for the alleged offence said to have been committed between August 2, 2011 and December 20, 2013. The court heard that during that time, it is alleged that Charles fraudulently converted for his own use and benefit the sum of $279,962 entrusted to him by Ganesh Jaglal to apply same as a down payment towards the purchase and importation of one ten tonne truck valued at $279,962. It was the reason he was arrested when he landed at Piarco on Friday. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan had no objections to bail being granted. The court however stood down the matter for a while to allow a document to be brought to court as the magistrate insisted that it be dealt with swiftly so as to allow Charles to re-unite with his family. As a condition of his bail, Charles, who was represented by attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar and Selwyn Richardson, has to report every Monday and Thursday between the hours of 6 am and 9 pm to the San Fernando Police Station. The court was told that he has another matter relating to illegal quarrying pending in the Arima Magistrates Court. He is to return to court on December 22. LOW VOTE At 9.45 pm, the results showed the PNM retained control of the Port-of-Spain City, San Fernando City, San Juan/ Laventille Regional, Pt Fortin Borough, Diego Martin Regional and Tunapuna/Piarco Regional corporations. The UNC retained Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Couva/Tabaquite/ Talparo, Chaguanas Borough, Siparia and Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional corporations. The Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, which the PNM won in the 2013 Local Government Elections, ended in a tie with the PNM and UNC each winning four districts. Speaking with reporters in Sangre Grande as the results came in, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said, Clearly, we got the popular vote. We fought a good fight and that is the result. What is significant is that the PNM made a significant amount of ground in the UNC controlled seats. He added that the numbers in the Vega de Oropouche and Cumuto/ Tamana showed the PNM lost by slim margins to the UNC. In 2013, the PNM won eight of the 14 local government corporations in Trinidad, including the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation. This result came against the backdrop of one of the lowest voter turnouts in the history of local government elections in Trinidad. Preliminary reports suggest that overall, approximately only 200,000 out of a total of 1,036,731 eligible voters cast their votes in yesterdays election. Speaking at the partys Balisier House in Port-of-Spain last night, Prime Minister and PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley expressed satisfaction with the outcome. We in the PNM are very, very pleased with the results. We entered this campaign at a particularly difficult time for TT. From the moment, we got into Government we were governing in very straightened circumstances, he said. To have gone into a local government election promptly and to have held our position as well as we have done. I am particularly pleased, Rowley said. The Prime Minister said the PNM held all its seats in Diego Martin, Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, Arima and Point Fortin. He noted despite the tie in Sangre Grande, the PNM did very well in seats it would have lost by 1,000 votes, losing only by hundreds of votes, on this occasion. Rowley was unfazed by the low voter turnout and did not see it as an indictment against his Government. For those who came out to vote, they chose the PNM resoundingly. We won 83 of the 137 seats and the UNC won 54. So I will call that a handsome victory for which we are very grateful, he declared. Replying to reporters questions on the low voter turnout, the Prime Minister said, Tonight. We are concerned about those who came out to vote. I think they were turned on. Thats why they came out to vote. I have not heard about anybody being prevented from going to the polls. Wide open choices and those who came to the polls supported the PNMs position. Noting the comments made earlier in the evening by various analysts about the outcome of the elections, Rowley, We campaigned very strongly on local government reform. We are quite happy that those who came out to vote, chose the PNM. Rowley promised the local government reform programme will be accelerated. PNM chairman Franklin Khan agreed with Rowley that the party performed well in the elections, gaining ground in several UNC controlled areas and gaining some new seats. I dont know where this hullabaloo came from the UNC that they won the elections. The UNC did not win the elections. The PNM has resoundingly won the local government elections. Khan noted that with a two party (PNM-UNC) fight in the elections, we have done equally well and some cases, better. Khan stated, I think we have gained more ground, politically and numerically in the election results than the UNC has ever done in this election. On the future of Sangre Grande, Rowley said this may involve a process of drawing straws to determine who controls the corporation. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi supported Rowleys view that the PNM won the popular vote in Sangre Grande. Al-Rawi explained that based on this and the proportional representation system of electing aldermen to corporations, Al-Rawi said the PNM will get three aldermen in that corporation while the UNC will get one. Speaking to supporters at the UNCs headquarters in Couva in Penal last night, Opposition Leader and UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared the results, a victory for the people as she pledged to closely monitor governments performance and expose them, when necessary. We asked the people to send a message to the government that there is so much pain and suffering, that the time for change had come. And so it is, the people have sent that message to the Rowley government and we trust they have received the message and take the necessary steps to ease the pain and suffering of the ordinary people, she said. Persad-Bissessar pledged to continue to monitor the performance of the government, And I pledge as God is my witness, I pledge we will hold the Rowley government to account. (Additional reporting by Corey Connelly and Richardson Dhalai) Young apologises for late Eddie Hart clean up Young reported that he was contacted on Sunday afternoon by CNC3 television about the state of the grounds, and I was quite surprised to hear the report that the grounds had not as yet been cleaned. He said that he made a number of phone calls and he was happy to report, albeit late, the grounds were subsequently cleaned. And we do apologise for that. It seems to be a little hiccup in the machinery. But the grounds were cleaned yesterday (Sunday) and the full clean-up, the pass-by clean-up was supposed to take place (yesterday) morning, he said. Young said that from the reports and photographs he received on Sunday evening it had been dealt with. WASA contractor, pay me my $.7M Jitta is contending in three separate pre-action protocol letters that WASA continues to fail to pay the money. In the first letter, he stated that the Authority rented mechanical equipment from his company Glenford and Jason Jitta General Contractors Limited. Jitta stated that $696,156.86 represents a balance due and owing for rental and hire of mechanical equipment and heavy vehicles at WASAs request. In the second pre-action protocol letter sent on Jittas behalf by his attorneys, Jitta stated that WASA owes his company $47,510. The money, he stated, is for the replacement of a missing Wacker Jumping jack which was rented from him by the Authority. Jitta stated that he rented the jack in January 2014, and, WASAs refusal to return it had resulted in his company suffering loss of earnings at the rate of $400 a day from November 2014. The third pre-action protocol letter contended that WASA rented from Jitta, mechanical equipment and heavy vehicles, since July 2012 and is owing him $48,500.10. Ex-MP hits low turnout Hart spoke to Newsday at a Peoples National Movement (PNM) station outside the Tunapuna Government Secondary School on El Dorado Road, as he circulated in the area to encourage the partys Election Day workers in the nations most populous corporation, Tunapuna/ Piarco Regional Corporation. Several voluntary workers said that not only was the turnout lower than the 2015 general election but up to lunchtime it seemed even lower than the 2013 local government elections. Confirmation of a low turnout came from a local party official at the PNM Tunapuna Constituency Office on the Eastern Main Road (EMR) near Macoya Junction. It is a very low turnout, said the official. This morning was not the usual morning spike in turnout. The turnout is very, very slow. On the EMR, United National Congress (UNC) supporter and former councillor, Kevan Gibbs, told Newsday, Its a very low turnout from what Im seeing driving around. People are taking it as a referendum on national leadership, not on local issues. Otherwise most volunteers staffing their parties stations said the day was incident-free, except for the robbery at Holder Street, off Persad Street in El Dorado, of a woman on her way to vote by three bandits in a AB wagon. A man at the PNM station outside the Tunapuna Government Secondary School told Newsday, Everythings cool. We are satisfied with the flow, but it is less than the 2015 general election. At about 3 pm, he said, the turnout was just less than half the expected final turnout. He said there had been no incidents. At a PNM station outside Hillview College, a female volunteer said, It is lower than the last local elections. It is low, but kind of steady and not that bad. At the UNC station outside the El Dorado West Secondary School, a sole female volunteer said that things were going smoothly. Yes, everybodys coming, but they are coming slowly. I dont think we have a problem. A woman at that schools PNM station agreed. Its a low turnout, but that is so for every local government election. Saying there were no incidents, she said, Everything is nice, cool and calm. However, around the corner at the El Dorado East Secondary School, a woman at the UNC station lamented the earlier robbery of a female elector on her way to vote. Otherwise she said of the day, It is okay. Young: Low early voter turnout He made the comments while speaking with reporters after voting at the Diego Martin North Secondary School. Well the voter turnout seems to be a little less than what we would have witnessed last year September. I was number 38 going into my booth there and around this time last year I think we would have had much higher numbers than were seeing here this morning. But hopefully during the course of the day it would pick up but as we all know, traditionally, local government elections do bring out a much lower electorate, he said. On the voting process he described it as a very, very smooth one, absolutely no break in between. Everybody inside is prepared. They are all prepared. I thank the EBC officers, the persons who have volunteered, the protective services who have helped to assist this process here today. Once again Trinidad and Tobago we have seen democracy at work and a very smooth process of democracy at that, he added. On reports of inconsistencies or irregularities Young said he personally has not received any information though he was about to make his way to Balisier House where he would receive any information. But I would have thought if there were any major inconsistencies I would have been contacted at this time, he said. Also at Diego Martin North Secondary was PNM incumbent candidate for Bagatelle/Blue Basin, Joseph Joey Lewis, who told Newsday that the process was smooth but also reported a lower voter turnout. He explained that at 9 am, they had 531 people voting in his district, but in 2013 at about 10.30am we would have had well in excess of 650. He continued: So based on our comparison it is a lower voter turnout. But at the end of the day, we expect a PNM victory in the Bagatelle/Blue Basin area. House sits Friday While no Order Paper for Fridays sitting has yet been issued, Newsday understands that debate is expected to resume on the Tax Information Exchange Bill 2016. During a news conference at the Eric Williams Financial Complex on November 16, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said, As soon as this local (government) election is over, we will be back in the Parliament and the first order of business will be FATCA. With Parliament expected to take its Christmas recess around mid-December, Imbert was optimistic that the Bill will be passed in the House before that and brought to the Senate in January. Reminding reporters that the United States Treasury asked Government to submit a detailed action plan for implementation of FATCA requirements, Imbert said this involved passing the legislation and put the necessary systems in place to allow the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) to report to the Treasury on US citizens and corporations doing business in TT. He explained the BIR has a discretion right now and, the whole point about FATCA is that discretion is taken away. Imbert said Government told the Treasury the legislation should be passed by the end of February 2017. Indicating, we are on track with that at this point in time, Imbert said he had no idea how the Treasury will operate under the incoming Trump Administration. There is no sitting of the Senate this week. However there are three joint select committees that will hold in-camera meetings (meetings that are closed to the public) at Tower D on Wednesday. These are the Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities, Public Administration and Appropriations and the National Security JSCs. Lok Sabha adjourned till noon Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The Lok Sabha was disrupted twice on Tuesday as opposition members created ruckus over the fiscal chaos following the demonetisation. Soon after the house met, opposition members raised slogans against the Centre's note ban move. They wanted a debate on the issue under an adjournment motion which entails voting. However, the government rejected the opposition demand. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to run the Question Hour, but as the din continued, she adjourned the house first till 11.30 a.m. and then till 12 noon. --IANS ao/in/vt Agra-Lucknow Expressway to open on December 23 Uttar Pradesh,National,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Lucknow, Nov 29 (IANS) The 302-km Agra-Lucknow Expressway will be thrown open to the public on December 23, an official said on Tuesday. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday. The Chief Minister asked officials to ensure police presence to deter commuters from breaching the maximum 100 km per hour speed limit. Ambulances would be stationed on the expressway, which was built in a record 23 months. --IANS md/in/mr Continue protests against demonetisation: CPI-M Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The CPI-M on Tuesday hailed the "lakhs of people" for taking to the streets a day earlier against demonetisation but clarified that there never was a Bharat Bandh on Monday. "The CPI-M greets the ... people who came onto the streets to protest against the attack on their livelihood and the burdens imposed upon the people through the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes," it said. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had misleadingly called the national protest day on Monday as a 'Bharat Bandh'. "None of the opposition parties which joined the protest had called for a Bharat Bandh. In fact it is the Modi government which has imposed an economic bandh on the country through demonetisation." The CPI-M urged all opposition parties and trade unions to continue the protests to ensure that people can use the old notes for all transactions till adequate alternative arrangements were made. The November 8 demonetisation has triggered an unprecedented cash crunch in the country. --IANS mr/sar Two militants killed, 3 jawans injured in Nargota attacks Jammu and Kashmir, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 NI Wire Militants once again attacked in Jammu and Kashmir on an army camp around 5:30 am in Nagrota on early morning of Tuesday, said the officer. The firing was started by heavily armed militants at a field regiment camp located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarters of armys 16 corps in the state. The exact number of militants is still not confirmed but two or three suicide attackers may be present in the area and a heavy exchange of fire is going on between the militants and the security forces. A group of heavily armed militants, believed to be four-to-five in number, attacked the 166 field army regiment camp in Nagrota area of Jammu today (Tuesday) morning, said the police officer. This is the seventh attack in Jammu and Kashmir by militants in the last week. In this attack three jawaans were injured whereas the security forces here killed two militants. The militants entered in the area as dressed in army clothes, as sources reported. According to the sources, the militants are currently inside in the officers mess. On this attack the Defence PRO, Manish Mehta said, The encounter is currently in progress, however, the number of militants is still not confirmed. We will able to give more details only once the operation is over For the security of the people the security forces ordered the area to shut down all the schools of Nagrota tehsil taking as a precautionary measure and sealed off the area. The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said, We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack. He added, We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack. Due to the attack, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for traffic in the area as a precautionary measure. The security forces and administration placed Jammu at alert. This attack was started by the militants around the same time when the security forces suspected the infiltration of militants near the Chambliyal Border Outpost in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir in which the security forces blocked the infiltration. A heavy gun battle was also operated in this operation. --with agency inputs President greets Albania on its Liberation day Delhi,National,Politics,Diplomacy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday greeted Albania on its Liberation Day. "I extend to you and to the people of Albania warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your Liberation Day," Mukherjee said in his message to Albanian President Bujar Nishani. "Relations between our two nations are marked by warmth and cordiality. The revered Saint Mother Teresa's life and mission in India has brought our two nations closer," Mukherjee said in a statement issued here. "Her recent canonization has been rejoiced equally in India and Albania. India is committed to the enhancement of our close cooperation in all areas of our shared interest to the mutual benefit of our two peoples." Albania is a country in south-eastern Europe's Balkan Peninsula and celebrates its Liberation day on November 29. --IANS ruwa/in/vt S.Korean President calls on Parliament to decide her fate South Korea,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Seoul, Nov 29 (IANS) South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday called on Parliament to decide her fate ahead of an expected impeachment vote on Friday, the media reported. Park said she will follow the National Assembly's decision, including a shortened presidency, following a scandal involving her and longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, her decades-long friend who has been indicted on charges including abuse of power and extortion, Xinhua news agency reported. Park became the first South Korean President to be investigated as a criminal suspect after the scandal emerged in October, Yonhap news agency reported. "If ruling and opposition parties find a way through discussion to minimise confusion and vacuum in state affairs and to stably transfer power, (I) will step down from the presidency in accordance with the schedules and legal proceedings (determined by Parliament)," she said. Park did not mention the voluntary resignation, demanded by opposition parties, the public and even by some members of her ruling Saenuri Party. Her statement came ahead of the scheduled parliamentary vote on a bill to impeach the President between December 2 and December 9. As opposition parties and some members of the governing party reached a tacit agreement on putting the impeachment motion to vote, it is highly likely for the bill to be passed through the 300-seat National Assembly. There are 172 opposition and independent legislators who want to remove Park from office, with as many as 40 lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party expected to vote in favour of it. After the passage of the impeachment resolution, Park would immediately be suspended and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn would become an interim President. Following the impeachment, presidential election is required to be held within 60 days, according to the constitution. Higher probability for the impeachment passage encouraged the ruling party's lawmakers close to Park to ask for an "honourable" resignation on Monday. Park's speech, however, indicated her reluctance to voluntarily step down. Opposition parties denounced the address which they claimed to be a ploy to delay the impeachment process. Park Jie-won, floor leader of the casting vote-wielding People's Party, said President Park refrained from scheduling her own resignation and threw the responsibility to Parliament from the strategy that rival parties could not agree to the scheduling. Choo Mi-ae, chairwoman of the biggest opposition Minjoo Party, said her party will continue to push the impeachment vote as Park's speech was aimed at passing the buck to parliament. Choo noted that Park's immediate and unconditional resignation was the sole way to normalise state affairs. Saenuri Party's whip Chung Jin-seok told the media that he wants to call on opposition parties to go back to the starting point to re-schedule the impeachment, Yonhap reported. Meanwhile, Park said it was all her "big" fault to mismanage personal relationships around her, stressing she had not pursued any personal gains "for a flash" as she believed that things would contribute to public interests. Prosecutors said Park conspired with Choi as large conglomerates were pressured by her friend into donating tens of millions of US dollars to two nonprofit foundations Choi controls. Choi has also been accused of having illegal access to secret presidential documents under the connivance or protection of Park. The President made her renewed apology to the public, saying it shattered her heart to be unable to appease people's anger and big disappointment. Park added she will elaborate on what's the truth behind the biggest political scandal she ever faced since her inauguration in February 2013. --IANS py/vt Sonia Gandhi Unwell Again New Delhi, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 NI Wire Sonia Gandhi was admitted in Ganga Ram Hospital today. She was suffering from viral fever. Ms Gandhi has missed most part of the ongoing Parliament Session. Earlier in August she was hospitalized after falling ill during a rally in Varanasi. Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of honorable PM Narendra Modi. She was airlifted from Varanasi with a broken hand as it got fractured after she fell. She was then hospitalized for several weeks. Ms Gandhi, aged 69 was discharged later on 14th August. Sonia Gandhi, born in Italy is President of the Congress Party. Sonia and Rajiv Gandhi got married in 1968. After the assassination of her husband she decided to be away from Politics but she joined Congress on request of many Congress senior leaders. She took charge of Congress from Sitaram Kesri in 1998. Congress won and formed government in Centre twice under her leadership. She is a Lok Sabha MP from Rae Barelly in Uttar Pradesh. In 2013 she was third most powerful women in Forbes list. Congress top brass has met recently and agreed to promote Rahul Gandhi but a specific date is yet to be decided. Rahul Gandhi was made Vice President of the Congress in 2013. Ms Gandhi has been a vocal critic of the demonetization done by Centre. Her health is crucial as there are elections in five states during coming months. Modi is a dictator: Mamta Banerjee kolkata, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 NI Wire The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamta Banerjee participated in the protest against demonetization decision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lucknow on Tuesday. Mamta Banerjee here called Modi as a dictator because post-demonetisation poor has to beg Narendra Modi for his daughters marriage. Protesting against demonetisation, addressing the huge gathering at the 1090 Chauraha, Mamta said, We and Samajwadi Party are now united and we are in Lucknow because we are connected to India. She also said, Uttar Pradesh led the country many times, Nehru and after Nehru many leaders belongs from here. She further added, that the Prime Minister is acting like God on demonetisation and it shows the dictatorial governance. During this period, many ministers were present like Cabinet Minister Arwind Singh Gop, Cabinet Minister Ramu Walia, MLA Gomti Yadav, MLA Indal Rawat, Youth President Santosh Yadav, MLC Anand Bhadauriya, MLC Sunil Singh Sajan and others. When the security was tight it was assumed that the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will also join the protest against demonetisation with Mamta Banerjee but Akhilesh Yadav did not participated in that protest. In place of Akhilesh Yadav, the Cabinet Minister Arwind Singh Gop was there to be with Mamta against the announcement done by the Prime Minister on November 8. At 1090 Chauraha, many Samajwadi workers participated in the protest but when the crowd got to know that Akhilesh Yadav is not coming then they started to leave the protest. Earlier, when Mamta Banerjee reached at the Amousi Airport, Lucknow the Chief Minister warm welcomed and Cabinet Minister Rajendra Chowdhary was also present to welcome the Chief Minsiter of West Bengal. --with agency inputs People suffer due to cash crunch in Telangana, Andhra Andhra Pradesh,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Hyderabad/Vijayawada, Nov 29 (IANS) Three weeks after demonetization of high value currency, people in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continue to face hardships. There was no relief for the common man on the 20th day on Tuesday as people stood in long queues at banks and ATMs to draw cash. At the regional office of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in Hyderabad, people stood in queue since early morning to exchange the scrapped notes with new currency note of Rs 2,000. "I am standing here for four hours. I earn Rs 300 every day but I will lose this income today because I am here to exchange four old notes of 500 each," said K. Ramakrishna, a daily wage worker. With the month coming to an end, people were worried how to meet the monthly expenditure like paying rent and school fees for children. There was no cash board at some bank branches in Hyderabad. At others there were long queues, testing people's patience. At the ICICI Bank branch at Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, customers lodged their strong protest over non-availability of cash. They entered into an argument with the bank employees. The bank staff, however, expressed their helplessness. The staff argued that they had disbursed whatever cash they received for the day. The situation was no different at the ICICI branch at Toli Chowki. The shutters were downed before noon. Some customers were seen pleading with the staff to allow them to draw the cash. They complained that the branch was citing cash crunch for last 10 days and the staff was not allowing them to draw more than Rs 6,000 in a day. There was no improvement in the situation in public sector banks or their ATMs. Only 10 to 15 percent ATMs were functioning. With new note of Rs 500 is yet to reach Hyderabad, there was no relief in sight for the people. A daily wage labourer in Nandikatkur in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh attempted suicide by consuming poison as he was not able to get change for Rs 2,000 for the last four days. His family members said he was depressed as nobody was giving change for the high value note. Angry customers damaged window panes of Andhra Bank branch at Amaravati in Guntur district as the bank had no cash. There was also heated argument between customers and bank officials at another bank branch at Pratipadu in Guntur district. Customers protested against what they said was the rude behavior of the bank staff. --IANS ms/mr Two soldiers martyred, five militants killed: Jammu attacks Jammu and Kashmir, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 NI Wire The security forces killed two militants whereas, two army men were killed by militants after the gun battle started between the security forces and heavily armed terrorists in Jammu on Tuesday. The militants attacked the army camp around 5:30 a.m. near the International Border line and the security forces killed the other three militants. A police officer said, during the operation, arm depot catches fire in which six BSF Jawaans were injured. He also said, in injured Jawaans including D.I.G. B.S Kasana and Inspector General of Special Operation Organisation Sarabjeet Singh also injured. This operation was held at a distance of 40 km away from Jammu. According to the sources, militants attacked on the army camp which was located at Nagrota tehsil near headquarters of Indian Armys 16 corps. It is not clear that how many militants are there in the area. A police official said, the militants had automatic guns or weapons and they attacked around 5:30 a.m. on the Army camp. They started fire on the security forces on the camp which was located at a distance of 20 km far away in Nagrota He also said, we lost three Jawaans and killed two militants whereas three jawaans were injured. The operation is being continued till every militant get killed or caught up. Martyr Major Krunal Gosai lost his life in the operation and the forces also found the dead body of heavily armed militant. The Military spokesperson Manish Mehta said, We will not confirm any casualty till the operation is over, and further he added that the fire exchange is carried on. Taking as a precautionary measure, the security forces closed the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. According to the sources, encounter is still still on and fire exchange between militants and the security forces in Samba district was also still on at a distance of 40 km away from Nagrota. An official said, between Indian security forces and the militants who entered in India by crossing the International Border line is also still on. Earlier, around the late night on Tuesday, the security forces suspect some movements of militants; they had opened fire against them, and carried over the operation near the Bobiyal Border. The security forces blocked the infiltration of the militants here. --with agency inputs UAE pardons 1,100 prisoners ahead of National Day Togo,Politics,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Abu Dhabi, Nov 29 (IANS/WAM) UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday ordered the release of over 1,100 prisoners on the occasion of the country's 45th National Day. The move of the release of 1,102 prisoners comes as part of the President's keenness to give pardoned inmates an opportunity to start a new life and ease the suffering of their families. Attorney-General of Abu Dhabi, Ali Mohammed Al Balushi, said the public prosecution department in the UAE has begun the release process, and expressed gratitude to the President for his decision. --IANS/WAM py/dg Modi seeks bank details from BJP MPs/MLAs, opposition calls it farce Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) In an apparent show of transparency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked all MPs and MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party to provide details of their bank transactions between November 8 -- when demonetisation came into effect -- and December 31, the day the drive ends. But opposition parties lambasted the move as meaningless, demanding that Modi ask his legislators to provide details of all bank transactions for six months prior to November 8. Modi's instruction came at a BJP Parliamentary Party meeting held here on Tuesday. Informed sources said he asked BJP lawmakers to submit their bank transaction details to party President Amit Shah by January 1, 2017. The move, seen as an effort to blunt opposition criticism that BJP members knew in advance about the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes, was instead dubbed by the opposition as an attempt to fool the people. "This is a cosmetic attempt to pull off another PR spin to fool the people of India," Congress leader Sanjay Jha told IANS. "Why not make public all cash deposits/withdrawals prior to that period? Why isn't Modi declaring the source of electoral funds of the BJP during 2014 elections," Jha questioned. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan, while reiterating the demand that disclosures should extend to the period prior to November 8, wondered why the information was being submitted to BJP President Shah. "The information should come out in the public domain and not just be submitted to Amit Shah," he said. The opposition charge is based largely on a sudden surge in deposits at scheduled commercial banks in the second half of September -- a little over a month before the demonetisation announcement -- to the extent of about Rs 3.5 lakh crore. The surge was preceded by a slight drop in deposits in the first half of September. The government has said the surge was a result of the then ongoing Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) and payouts of Seventh Pay Commission arrears. However, the amount involved in the scheme and arrears was not enough to account for the total surge. The Congress apart, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the Prime Minister and the BJP President over the move to disclose banking transactions between November 8 and December 31. "So now BJP MP/MLAs will give their bank details to Amit Shah and he (Amit Shah) will check black money," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted. Attacking the BJP, AAP leader Ashutosh said: "It is the biggest farce one can ever imagine. If the BJP is serious, they should make their transaction details public and give it to the Income Tax Department." "What is the purpose of submitting them to Amit Shah," he wondered. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader and Rajya Sabha Member Ali Anwar told IANS: "First thing, the BJP must give details of the bank transactions prior to November 8." He said: "Our party has exposed the land deals of the BJP in 22 districts of Bihar (in the months before demonetisation). And we shall keep on opposing the wrongdoings of the BJP." At the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting earlier in the day, Shah reportedly told party MPs to motivate traders in panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies falling in their constituencies to shift to cashless transactions. --IANS aks-am/bns/hs/dg Second Indian American picked for important role in Trump administration United States,Politics,Diaspora,Health/Medicine, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New York, Nov 29 (IANS) US President-elect Donald Trump selected on Monday a second Indian American, Seema Verma, for a high-level position in his administration, assigning her "to the dream team that will transform our healthcare system". As the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, she will play a crucial role in carrying out the high-priority Trump campaign promise of scrapping President Barack Obama's health care programme and replacing it with "something better." Last week Trump announced that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, a cabinet-level post. Although Verma's job is not of cabinet rank now, it has great political importance and she will be in the national spotlight because of the Republican vow to end and replace Obama's signature healthcare reform, which attempted to make affordable health insurance available to all. She will be working with Congressman Tom Price, the House Budget Committee Chairman, who is to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a cabinet-level position. Announcing his intent to nominate them, Trump said: "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans." About Verma, Trump said: "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems." Verma, who heads a healthcare consulting company, SVC Inc., has worked closely with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the Governor of Indiana, in designing the state's health care system. She has also consulted with other Republican-run states on healthcare issues. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) --IANS al/vd Government machinery busy hiding Modi's failures: Opposition Delhi,National,Politics, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Reacting to an RTI revelation that the Centre has spent over Rs 1,100 crore in advertisements featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposition parties on Tuesday said the government machinery is busy hiding its failures. According to an RTI reply, the central government spent over Rs 1,100 crore between June 1, 2014 and August 31, 2016 on digital advertisements through community radio, digital cinema, internet, Doordarshan, SMS and others. The amount spent does not include print advertisements, including newspapers, hoardings and posters. Of the Rs 1,100 crore, the government spent over Rs 120 crore on advertisements in Doordarshan. The information was provided by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in reply to an RTI application filed by activist Ramveer Singh. "The entire government is sustaining on PR exercise. It's because the Modi government has failed its mandate half way through its tenure. So, it is exploiting the exchequer's money to hide their failures," CPM leader Mohammed Salim told IANS. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which was criticised after an RTI revelation in 2015 for spending Rs 526 crore on advertisements that year, also reacted to the BJP-led central government spending. "This RTI is incomplete because it does not includes money spent on print advertisements. The actual amount must be much more than Rs 1,100 crore," Delhi Health Minister and Aam Aadmi Party MLA Satyendar Jain told IANS. Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the Modi government has been squandering public exchequer's money on publicity and perception management. "As far as achievement goes, the condition of the country in terms of economics has sunk, especially by the current move of the government to curb black money and create a cashless society. These have turned out to be self-serving goals," Vadakkan told IANS. He added that it is unfortunate that the people of India are out on the streets waiting in queues for their own money, while it is the same government and its Prime Minister, who had promised Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts. Earlier, an IANS story showed how BJP-led central government spent over Rs 36 crore on publicity and advertisements in connection with the one-day "Ek Nayi Subah" show in Delhi to mark two years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. This information was based on an RTI query filed by IANS. The RTI reply received from the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, revealed that the amount spent by the Centre on publicity was about Rs 36.65 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government had organised a grand event at India Gate on May 29 to mark its two years in office. The expenditure incurred on the advertisements in print media was Rs 35.59 crore while for the electronic media it was Rs 1.06 crore. --IANS kd-vv-sid/nir/dg 11 IS terrorists killed in Turkish airstrikes in Aleppo Turkey,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Ankara, Nov 29 (IANS/MAP) At least 11 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in Turkish airstrikes in Syria's Aleppo city, authorities said on Tuesday. The airstrikes targeted the Baratah, Dana and Zarzur regions in western Aleppo as part of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield that began in late August to clear Syria's northern border area of terrorists, the MAP news agency reported citing a government statement. Two IS vehicles were also targeted by armed drones in the region. --IANS/MAP sm/dg Modi seeks bank details from BJP MPs/MLAs, opposition calls it farce Delhi,National,Politics, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) In an apparent bid at transparency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked all MPs and MLAs of the BJP to provide details of their bank transactions between November 8 -- when demonetisation came into effect -- and December 31, the day the drive ends. But opposition parties lambasted the move as meaningless, demanding that Modi ask his legislators to provide details of all bank transactions for six months prior to November 8. Modi's instruction came at a BJP Parliamentary Party meeting held here on Tuesday. Informed sources said he asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers to submit their bank transaction details to party President Amit Shah by January 1, 2017. The move, seen as an effort to blunt opposition criticism that BJP members knew in advance about the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes, was instead dubbed by the opposition as an attempt to fool the people. "This is a cosmetic attempt to pull off another PR spin to fool the people of India," Congress leader Sanjay Jha told IANS. "Why not make public all cash deposits/withdrawals prior to that period? Why isn't Modi declaring the source of electoral funds of the BJP during 2014 elections," he asked. Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan, while reiterating the demand that disclosures should extend to the period prior to November 8, wondered why the information was being submitted to the BJP chief. "The information should come out in the public domain and not just be submitted to Amit Shah," he said. The opposition charge is based largely on a sudden surge in deposits at scheduled commercial banks in the second half of September -- a little over a month before the demonetisation announcement -- to the extent of about Rs 3.5 lakh crore. The surge was preceded by a slight drop in deposits in the first half of September. The government has said the surge was a result of the then ongoing Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) and payouts of Seventh Pay Commission arrears. However, the amount involved in the scheme and arrears was not enough to account for the total surge, says the opposition. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the Prime Minister and the BJP President over the move to disclose banking transactions between November 8 and December 31. "So now BJP MP/MLAs will give their bank details to Amit Shah and he (Amit Shah) will check black money," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted. Attacking the BJP, AAP leader Ashutosh said: "It is the biggest farce one can ever imagine. If the BJP is serious, they should make their transaction details public and give it to the Income Tax Department." "What is the purpose of submitting them to Amit Shah," he wondered. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Rajya Sabha Member Ali Anwar told IANS: "First thing, the BJP must give details of the bank transactions prior to November 8." He said: "Our party has exposed the land deals of the BJP in 22 districts of Bihar (in the months before demonetisation). And we shall keep on opposing the wrongdoings of the BJP." However, the BJP leaders welcomed the move, saying this will only enhance the level of 'transparency'. "It is a directive of the Prime Minister to his party MPs. It is an internal matter. But the instructions have a solemn purpose. I think, like charity, honesty should also begin at home," Union Minister Babul Supriyo said. Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy tweeted, "All BJP MPs to submit to the District President their transactions from 8th Nov to 31st Dec on 1st Jan,2017. Transparency is the key." BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri told IANS that move was aimed at reposing credentials of the leaders among the masses while Kirit Somaiya said, "It is appreciated." But suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad was critical of the move. "They should ask bank transactions of big businessman and traders. I don't understand why they are asking it? They can get all the details of their own as banks are under them," Azad told IANS. At the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting earlier in the day, Shah reportedly told party MPs to motivate traders in panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies falling in their constituencies to shift to cashless transactions. --IANS bns-nd/vd/dg Katie Price speaks of love for father amid his rape trial United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS null Los Angeles, Nov 29 (IANS) Television personality Katie Price spoke of her love for her stepfather amid allegations that he raped a woman twice following a group night out in a seaside resort. Katie described her step-father Paul Price, 53, as a "loving" and "fun" person who despite not being her biological father she regards as "my dad", reports mirror.co.uk Her feelings for her father were read in a statement to Chichester Crown Court in West Sussex, where Paul denies two counts of rape. In the statement, read in her absence by defence counsel Abigail Penny, Ms Price said: "My dad Paul Price has always been so loving and such a fun person to be around. "He is always supportive in all situations and always puts us family first. Although he is not my biological dad, he took me and my brother on from a young age and I regard him as my dad. I know he is there for me for everything. In fact, you can't keep people away -- he is a people person," the statement read. Katie, 38, also told about how Paul was "amazing" with his grandchildren, including her son Harvey, who has disabilities. "I want to come to court to support my dad but because of the media interest it's best I don't attend as I don't want a media circus," the statement read. Her statement was read after Paul's 27-year-old daughter, Sophie Price, broke down in tears as she defended her father, describing him as "fun" and "nice". Paul, a fence erector, is alleged to have raped a woman twice following a group night out in Worthing on March 21 last year. Prosecutors claim he raped the alleged victim first after following her out of a taxi when she complained of feeling sick en route to his home. It is then alleged that a second rape occurred in a woodland after the pair got back into a taxi and got dropped off near Paul's home in North Drive, Angmering. He said on both occasions he could not get an erection. The woman has said she feared Paul was going to kill her as he had his hands round her throat, telling jurors: "The ferocity with which he grabbed me was shocking." In his defence, Paul said she consented to sex, that she never resisted or told him to stop and that she returned with him to his house following the alleged attacks where she and her husband were staying that night. Paul told jurors they had been laughing and joking after getting out of the taxi, then started to cuddle, kiss and hold hands before she told him: "I haven't had sex for a year." --IANS ks/dg null JNU Students Union to go on indefinite sit-in over missing student Delhi,National,Politics,Education, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) on Tuesday decided to stage an indefinite sit-in at the Administration Block of the varsity, accusing the university of scuttling the process of justice for missing student Najeeb Ahmed and depriving them of their protest space. "Today, after getting no reply from the adminstration, JNUSU has decided to go for indefinite sit-in at the admin block against scuttling of protest space and scuttling Justice in Najeeb's case," JNUSU President Mohit Pandey said in a statement. He also gave a reply to a letter addressed to him by the Registrar of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Monday, which had asked them to not stage any protest at the ad-block, citing trouble caused to the nearby residents and employees at the building. "Protest at the admin block has been a tradition of this university. We never saw such suppression of dissenting voices in the university. Bother focussing on the issue for which we are protesting," Pandey said in his reply to Pramod Kumar, Registrar of the University. "We will keep on protesting until we get justice for Najeeb," he added. It has been 45 days since Ahmed has been missing after being beaten by a mob of students affiliated with the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), an RSS student wing. He was attacked by them at his Mahi-Mandvi hostel in the campus on the intervening night of October 14-15, and went missing the next day. Pandey also raised with the university the issue of not punishing those students, who assaulted Ahmed, even after being found guilty in the internal enquiry. --IANS vn/sm/dg 250 women pray at Haji Ali Dargah after 5 years Maharashtra,National,Religion,Immigration/Law/Rights, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Mumbai, Nov 29 (IANS) After five years and a series of legal battles and agitations, around 250 women entered the famous Haji Ali dargah here on Tuesday afternoon and solemnly offered prayers, an activist said. The group comprised women from all over India, including office-bearers of NGO Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) and their supporters. They arrived at the shrine located on the rocks in the Arabian Sea off Worli, were warmly welcomed by a couple of trustees of Haji Ali Dargah Trust and officials and guided them to mazaar (grave) of revered Muslim saint, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. "They came in a very dignified manner, adhering to the rules of the Trust, silently offered prayers, flowers and 'chadars' at the shrine," trustee Suhail Khandwani told IANS. Many women who made their maiden visit went around the tiny rocky islet, the small mosque and clicked selfies galore. BMMA co-founder Noorjehan S. Niaz said all the women activists came away pleased with the unique experience at the dargah on Tuesday. "The trustees and officials were extremely courteous and helpful. Very thoughtfully, they offered us tea and refreshments and showed us around the place," Niaz said after returning from the dargah. "In fact, women's entry had been allowed from November 7 onwards, but from today it has become official. It will be routine now," she said. Till June 2012, women were allowed entry upto the mazaar but suddenly it was stopped. In 2014, the BMMA and others challenged the move of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust in the Bombay High Court. On August 26, Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Revathi Mohite-Dhere had ruled in favour of the petitioners and directed the trust to allow equal access to women, which the trust challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on October 24 delivered its verdict on grounds of equal access to men and women, even as the trust expressed readiness to allow women into the mazaar. "It was a fight for equality, ending gender bias and our Constitutional rights. We are happy that it has resulted in women and men getting equal unrestricted access right till the sanctum sanctorum," said Niaz. Khandwani said that as before (2012) there would be separate entry for men and women, but henceforth nobody would be allowed to touch the peer's tomb. Under the new arrangements, all devotees would wait and pray nearly two metres away from the tomb with rights of equal access to all. The Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of Bukhari, a wealthy Muslim merchant from Bukhara (in Uzbekistan now). At one time, he renounced all his worldly possessions, travelled all around the world, made a pilgrimage to Makkah and finally settled in what would become Bombay. According to local legends, once he saw a poor woman crying over oil spilt from her vessel, afraid that her husband would thrash her. He took the woman to the spot where the oil had spilt and jabbed his finger in the earth and oil gushed out. The happy woman filled up her vessel and went home. Later, the saint had tormenting dreams of how he had injured the earth by his action. He fell ill and instructed his followers to throw his coffin into the Arabian Sea in the event of his death. He died during his pilgrimage to Makkah and the casket carrying his body miraculously was swept back to the shore of Worli and got stuck in the rocks there. His Dargah was constructed at the same spot and on Thursdays-Fridays, it is visited by large number of pilgrims of all religions from India and abroad to seek his blessings. --IANS qn/vd Ex-serviceman who ended life in Delhi gets OROP arrears Delhi,National,Defence/Security,Human Interest/Society, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Arrears due to a retired soldier, who committed suicide in the national capital earlier this month, have been credited to his bank account, the Rajya Sabha was told on Tuesday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (Retd), who had committed suicide in Delhi on November 1, was drawing a pension of Rs 22,608 per month. "He was entitled for a revised pension under the One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP) scheme of Rs 25,634 per month. "The total arrear amount of Rs 53,978 on account of implementation of the OROP has been credited to the bank account of former Subedar late Ram Kishan Grewal on 08.11.2016," Bhamre informed the House. The 70-year-old retired Subedar allegedly consumed poison at a Delhi park over the issue of OROP. He had come to Delhi with three other ex-servicemen to protest against issues around pension for retired soldiers, and was planning to meet Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The Defence Ministry, however, said he did not have any appointment with the Minister. In his suicide note, written with pencil on the corner of a memorandum that Grewal had prepared to submit to the Defence Ministry, he said he was making a sacrifice for the soldiers. "Main mere desh ke liye, meri matrubhumi ke liye evam mere desh ke veer jawano ke liye apne prano ko nyochhavar kar raha hun (I am sacrificing my life for my country, my motherland and the brave soldiers of my country)," the note read. Grewal was entitled to the OROP benefits, but his pension was delayed due to some problem in calculation by his bank, Ministry sources had then said. Grewal served in the Territorial Army for six years and 11 months, after which he was serving in the Defence Security Corps. The delay in receiving the revised pension was allegedly due to problems in calculation by the SBI's Bhiwani branch in Haryana. In the reply, Bhamre also said that Grewal was not part of the United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM), which is continuing with the protest against the government's OROP scheme. "No incident of suicide by any member of this organisation has come to notice so far," Bhamre added. --IANS ao/nir/dg Cash van driver in Bengaluru heist arrested Karnataka,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Bengaluru, Nov 29 (IANS) Dominic Selvaraj, the van driver of a logistics firm who drove away with Rs 1.37 crore in cash from a Bengaluru bank, was arrested here, police said on Tuesday. Selvaraj was caught at K.R. Puram when he returned from Salem in Tamil Nadu and alighted from a bus, Deputy Commissioner of Police N.M. Anucheth told IANS here. "We were tracking his movements after his wife (Evelyn) surrendered on Sunday night with around Rs 79 lakh of the booty," the officer said. A court remanded Selvaraj for five days till December 3 and Evelyn for three days in police custody for interrogation. Selvaraj abandoned the cash van in a residential area in the city with Rs 45 lakh cash and a rifle of the security guard on November 23. At night, he left Bengaluru with his wife and their 12-year-old son in a bus to Vellore in Tamil Nadu with Rs 92 lakh cash in a shoulder bag. The next day, the couple and their son went from Vellore to Chennai and then to Coimbatore by train, CCTV footage showed. They went to Chalakudy near Thrissur in Kerala in a bus and travelled to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on November 24-25 before returning to Bengaluru on Sunday, Anucheth said. "On the advice of her relatives and a lawyer, Evelyn surrendered to police and handed over a bag containing Rs 79 lakh in bundles of Rs 2,000 and Rs 100 notes," said the officer. Preliminary investigation revealed that though the couple had planned to lay their hands on the cash before escaping to Dubai where Evelyn works as a domestic help, they did not know how to handle the money. They were on the run after police gave a look-out notice to all airports and shared their pictures with police stations across the country. "We will find out if Selvaraj has a crime record and also Evelyn's role as they seem to be amateurish in dealing with so much of hard cash," added Anucheth. With Rs 1.24 crore of the cash recovered, including Rs 45 lakh from the abandoned van, police will probe what the couple did with the remaining Rs 13 lakh. Selvaraj had only a few thousand rupees when he was arrested. Selvaraj drove away the cash van from K.G Road when two employees of Logi-Cash Solutions Ltd, which handles cash for banks, went into the Bank of India branch. The security guard went to relieve himself. The logistics agency recently hired Dominic on contract to drive the van for collecting cash from banks and depositing them in their ATMs across the city. --IANS fb/mr Parliament logjam continues; Lok Sabha passes tax amendment bill (Roundup) Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The logjam in both houses of Parliament continued for the ninth consecutive day on Tuesday over demonetisation, as the Lok Sabha passed amid opposition protest an income tax amendment bill to facilitate levy of 60 per cent tax on undisclosed income. While opposition members in the Rajya Sabha insisted on Prime Minister Narendra Mod's presence, the opposition in the Lok Sabha stuck to its demand for a discussion under the rule governing an adjournment motion which entails voting. In the Lok Sabha, the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, was passed as the opposition protested and raised slogans against the government. According to the Bill, the declarant will have to pay a tax of 60 per cent and an additional surcharge of 25 per cent of the tax (i.e. 15 per cent of income), resulting in a total tax component of 75 per cent. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while moving the bill for consideration and passing, called it one of the steps by the Centre to curb black money. However, the opposition members insisted that the lower house first take up a debate on demonetisation under the rule pertaining to an adjournment motion, and the bill be taken up thereafter. Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was disrupted repeatedly as opposition members created ruckus over the fiscal chaos following the November 8 demonetisation. The first adjournment came soon after the house met at 11 a.m. when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's attempts to run the Question Hour failed. The house was first adjourned till 11.30 a.m, then till noon followed by another adjournment till 2 p.m. The scene was no different post lunch and the house was adjourned till 2.30 p.m. At 2.30 p.m., as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the Income Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 for consideration and passing, opposition members objected. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the debate on demonetisation should be taken up first. Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay suggested clubbing debate on the bill and demonetisation together, which the Speaker denied. Members also complained that they were not able to move amendments as certain amendments needed President Pranab Mukherjee's assent. Amendments to a bill that may relate to drawing money from the Consolidated Fund of India need President's approval. As opposition members protested, Mahajan said the bill should have been debated but since the house was not in order it could not be. Amid the ruckus, the bill was passed by a voice vote, and the house was adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha too saw quick adjournments as the opposition insisted on the presence of Modi, alleging the upper house was sought to be bypassed. As the upper house met at 11 a.m., Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati demanded Modi's presence. Amid the ruckus and loud protests, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon. When the house met at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari called for the Question Hour but one of the opposition members tried to raise a point of order which the Chair disallowed. Thereafter, the opposition started raising slogans such as 'Pradhan Mantri sadan mein aao (Prime Minister come to the house)". The treasury benches countered it with slogans in Modi's favour. The opposition members trooped near the Chairman's podium, raising slogans against Modi. Amid the ruckus, the Chairman adjourned the house till 2 p.m. When the House reassembled at 2 p.m., Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal said the Rajya Sabha's importance was being undermined by the government as it was changing the nature of bills to avoid the need for the upper house's nod. "An MP has commented on the social media, asking people if there is need for the Rajya Sabha," he said, adding it was a major disregard to the upper house. "The government has turned many bills into money bills, which is not a good practice," Agrawal said. Agrawal demanded the formation of a committee to explore the possibility of amending the Constitution's Article 110 "to ensure honour of the house". His party colleague Ram Gopal Yadav and some Congress members supported him as Yadav said that "rights of the Rajya Sabha cannot be given to the Lok Sabha". "Importance of the Rajya Sabha must not be undermined," he said. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said the Constitution is very clear on what the money bill is and what is not. But this did not satisfy the opposition members and they commenced shouting slogans against Modi. Amid the ruckus, the house was adjourned for the day. --IANS mak/tsb/dg India seeks to boost business with Latin America Delhi,National,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) In a bid to boost India's engagements with Latin America and the Caribbean in business and trade, Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh on Tuesday addressed chief executives of companies at an Indian Business Forum in the Mexican city of Guadalajara on Tuesday. "Boosting business with Latin America. MoS @Gen_VKSingh addresses CEOs at Indian Business Forum in Guadalajara, Mexico," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted. On Monday, addressing the Seventh India-LAC Conclave, Singh said that the region could play an important role in India's foreign policy initiatives like membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and reforms in the UN Security Council. "Building upon New Delhi's dialogue with the troika of foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the two sides are exploring possibilities of forging an 'India-Latin America and Caribbean Dialogue Mechanism' similar to that of the 'India-Africa Forum Summit'," Singh said at the inaugural session of the conclave. "The LAC region is also critical to the ongoing drive for reforming the global governance architecture; including the reform and expansion of the UN Security Council, and India's ambition to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group -- of which Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are existing members," he said. India's bid for NSG membership was stalled in its June plenary in Seoul by China on the ground that for a country to become a member of the 48-nation bloc, it should be a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). But Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have all backed India's NSG membership bid. The membership is crucial for New Delhi in its plans for generating clean energy. This apart, Brazil is also one of the G4 nations -- with India, Germany and Japan -- that are seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Singh said that India attached great importance to its relations with the LAC region. "India enjoys warm and friendly relations with each of the countries in the region. The economic engagement inter-twining India and the LAC region is complemented by the cultural affinities and connections," he stated. "The presence of about one million Indian diaspora in the LAC region adds a special dimension to the relationship." Singh said that India and the LAC, home to around 1.8 billion people, were continuously looking to ramp up this multi-faceted engagement and open new doors for mutually invigorating partnership. He added that in an uncertain global economic landscape, India, as the world's fastest growing economy, was betting big on Latin America as "an emerging growth pole of the world". "With a combined GDP of over $4 trillion, the LAC region remains a formidable economic force," he said. Singh said that the LAC region was poised to grow in importance for India's energy security as it currently accounted for around 18-20 per cent of India's oil imports. Stating that the India-LAC commercial relationship has grown tremendously since the turn of the 21st century, he said: "Trade has grown from $2 billion in 2001 to a high of $50 billion in 2015, and cross-county investments currently total roughly $23 billion. "The fact that India's bilateral trade with the LAC region is still a small fraction (5 per cent) of India's total external trade as well as that of the LAC region (just 2 per cent), demonstrates the huge potential that exists to increase the bilateral trade." --IANS ab/vd SC to hear plea for ban on high denomination currency notes Delhi,National,Immigration/Law/Rights,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The Supreme Court will hear on December 2 a plea seeking a complete ban on Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes as notes of higher denomination were fuelling black money and corruption. The bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice L. Nagaswara Rao agreed to hear the plea seeking ban on the higher denomination currency notes to curb the corruption and generation of black money which PIL described as the greatest menace to democracy and development of the country. The PIL was mentioned by lawyer Ashwani Upadhyay who said that it was for the benefit of the economically weaker sections (EWS), people living below poverty line (BPL) and socially-economically disadvantaged people. The PIL says that 78 per cent of the Indian population spends less than Rs 50 per day and they do not need high denomination currency over Rs 100. Seeking to restrict cash transactions upto Rs 5,000, the petitioner has contended that the recall of higher currency notes will help to inculcate banking habits among the large unbanked population. "It will move the economy from the unorganised to organised sector, dovetailing into the GST architecture that is expected to come on board next year," said the PIL. It further sought the scrapping of all the 56 taxes including income tax (excluding import duty) and introduction of Banking Transaction Tax (BTT) at the rate of 1 per cent on credit amount. "Cash transaction of above Rs 5,000 should be made through banking system i.e. Cheque, DD, online and electronic and there should be no tax on cash transaction up to Rs 5,000", says the PIL. --IANS pk/vd Modi briefed on operations against militants in Jammu Delhi,National,Politics,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on Tuesday about the ongoing operations against the militants who attacked a military base near Jammu, informed sources said. Sources in the Defence Ministry told IANS that Modi was briefed about the overall situation in Nagrota and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed when suicide bombers armed with guns and grenades stormed a military base, near the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16th Corps in Nagrota. In another incident, three militants were killed in a shootout with security forces near the International Border with Pakistan in Samba. The attacks at the military unit and a BSF camp - both on the outskirts of Jammu city -- were the latest in a series of escalating militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir after the September 29 surgical strikes at terror launch pads by the Indian Army in Pakistai Kashmir. The combing operation against the militants was halted after it became dark and would resume on Wednesday morning. --IANS rs-sk/pgh/vd Nepal government tables constitutional amendment proposal in Parliament Nepal,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Immigration/Law/Rights, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Kathmandu, Nov 29 (IANS) After a year's hiatus and political standoff, the Nepal government on Tuesday tabled a constitutional amendment bill in the Legislative Parliament to address the demands and grievances of agitating Madhes-based political parties. Before registering the proposal, a Cabinet meeting endorsed the four-point proposal regarding the addressing the row over federal boundaries, citizenship, language, inclusive representation of all marginalised communities in various state entities, including the Upper House on the basis of population ratio. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Shankar Nayak registered the amendment proposal at the Parliament Secretariat on Tuesday evening. Besides the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, the proposal was supported by most major political parties of Nepal. This will be the second amendment, if endorsed by Parliament with two third majority. The first amendment was made on January 23, four months after the promulgation of the new Constitution. According to the Bill, the demarcation of provinces 4 and 5 will be changed by swapping some districts. As per the Language Commission recommendations, new languages will be given the national language status and included in the Constitution's schedule. Likewise, any foreign woman married to a Nepalese citizen can obtain naturalised citizenship after she relinquished her citizenship of the country of her birth. To make the Upper House more inclusive, the proposal seeks representation of one member each from Dalit (untouchable), woman and marginalised community categories and the remaining five to be elected on the basis of population of each province. The composition of the Upper House is eight members from each of the proposed seven provinces. "We are very much hopeful that the bill will be approved by Parliament to end the current political standoff soon, said Chakra Pani Khanal, Chief Political Adviser to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. --IANS giri/tsb Israel won't allow IS to open new border front: PM Israel,Politics,Terrorism, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Jerusalem, Nov 29 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will not allow a new "front of terror" in the Golan Heights, a day after Islamic State (IS) militants clashed with Israeli soldiers. "There have been attempts to attack our forces," Netanyahu said on Monday, referring to the shooting and mortar attack launched by IS militants near the Israeli-Syrian border on Sunday. "We will not allow radical Islam to open a front against us in the Golan Heights. Israel will not allow any drizzle of assaults, and will attack if necessary," Xinhua news agency quoted Netanyahu as saying. On Sunday, IS militants fired at Israeli soldiers from a machine gun-mounted truck. Israel quickly responded with an airstrike, killing four gunmen in the vehicle. In addition, Israel's Air Force struck a compound used by IS militants in the southern Syrian Golan Heights on Sunday night. --IANS vgu/ Michigan proclaims Trump election winner after vote count United States,Politics, US Elections, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Washington, Nov 29 (IANS) The US state of Michigan, where the vote count after the November 8 election took nearly three weeks officially proclaimed Republican Donald Trump the winner over Democrat Hillary Clinton by slightly more than 10,000 votes. The state awards its 16 electoral votes to Trump, giving him a total of 306 of the 538 available, well above the 270 threshold a candidate needs to win the presidency, Efe news agency reported. In raw votes, Trump garnered 2,279,543 valid votes, to Clinton's 2,268,839. This gives the Republican an edge of just 10,704 votes and one of the tightest percentage margins -- just 0.2 per cent -- for a state in a presidential election in the past 75 years. With his victory in Michigan, Trump appears to have convincingly won the White House in the Electoral College, although an official vote by the electors remains to be taken on December 19 and Clinton has a lead of more than two million in the nationwide popular vote. Trump is also the first Republican to win the state of Michigan in a presidential contest since 1988, confirming his historic dominance in the Midwest, where he also won in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The magnate also won in Iowa and Ohio, two Midwestern swing states which are typically crucial in determining which party will win the White House. The official result in the Michigan balloting comes after the Green Party, headed by its presidential candidate Jill Stein, managed to force a vote recount in Wisconsin and has promised to do the same in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The recount request was motivated by doubts expressed by several scientists regarding the vote tallies after detecting coincidences in Trump's lead in counties where electronic voting machines were used. According to them, this suggests election fraud or hacking of the voting machines, although the recounts will not change the overall election results. --IANS vgu/ UN officials visits flood-hit areas in North Korea United States,Diplomacy,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS United Nations, Nov 29 (IANS) The UN resident coordinator in North Korea, Tapan Mishra, has taken part in a joint mission with the government and humanitarian agencies in the country to visit some of the areas hardest hit earlier by devastating floods, a UN spokesman said. Nearly 12,000 families in the North Hamgyong province whose homes were destroyed have since moved into new homes, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. "International organisations have been providing food, shelter, medicine, water and sanitation relief, among other items," Xinhua news agency quoted Dujarric as saying. "Some agencies have also contributed towards roofing for the new homes and public institutions such as schools, health clinics and hospitals," he added. The floods have left 133 people dead and another 395 missing, according to a report given by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The official news agency KCNA said in an earlier report that the floods were caused by the strongest storms and heaviest downpours since 1945. Nearly 12,000 families in North Korea have moved into new houses three months after devastating Typhoon Lionrock destroyed their homes. Local authorities in North Hamgyong province say that repairs were made to 17,698 households, including 11,928 new homes built for families. At the end of August, Typhoon Lionrock struck North Korea, damaging many lives and property, and bringing the cost of the response to be $29 million, according to Flood Emergency Response Plan. --IANS vgu/ Militants attack army camp in J&K Jammu And Kashmir,National,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Jammu, Nov 29 (IANS) Militants attacked an army camp in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning, officials said. The area has been cordoned off. Exchange of firing is going on between the militants and security forces. According to reports, at least two-three suicide attackers are holed up in the area. --IANS vgu/in/ Militants attack army camp in J&K Jammu And Kashmir,National,Defence/Security,Terrorism, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Jammu, Nov 29 (IANS) A group of heavily armed militants attacked an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Heavy firing exchanges are now going on between the militants and security forces, police said. "A group of heavily armed militants, believed to be four-to-five in number, attacked the 166 field regiment camp in Nagrota area of Jammu today (Tuesday) morning," the police said. The field regiment camp is located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarters of army's 16 corps in the state. --IANS sq/in/vgu/sar Second instance of fire at SSKM Hospital in 10 days West Bengal,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident,Health/Medicine, Wed, 30 Nov 2016 IANS Kolkata, Nov 29 (IANS) A minor fire broke out in Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial (SSKM) Hospital here on Tuesday evening, fire brigade officials said - the second instance of a fire break out at the largest state-run health facility within 10 days. A library in the sixth floor of Ronald Ross Building within the hospital went ablaze nearly a week ago. "A minor fire broke out today at cabin no.4 in the first floor of Woodburn ward of SSKM hospital at around 5.50 pm," said an officer from Kolkata Fire Brigade headquarters. "The blaze had presumably started from an electrical short circuit. However it was successfully extinguished by the hospital attendants. No activity from the firemen were required," he said. No injury has been reported in the incident. --IANS mgr/ssp/vd Amber Heard pays $350,000 to charity United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Wed, 30 Nov 2016 IANS Los Angeles, Nov 30 (IANS) Actress Amber Heard has reportedly paid $350,000 to two charities. The 30-year-old has reportedly donated a fraction of the $7 million divorce settlement deal with her ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp to Children's Hospital and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) domestic violence unit, reports tmz.com. This news comes after reports the actress had failed to pass on the full amount of money to both organisations. A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union said the non-profit organisation received a payment of 20 times less than what was expected from the "Magic Mike XXL" star on August 19 this year. And it has been reported the delay in sending the full amount was due to the former couple being unable to settle the deal between themselves, as Heard wanted to transfer over the money to the Children's Hospital and the ACLU but Depp hadn't given her the money yet. --IANS ks/nn/ 'Homosexual' no longer offensive, rules Italy's top court Italy,Immigration/Law/Rights,Human Interest/Society, Wed, 30 Nov 2016 IANS null Rome, Nov 30 (IANS/AKI) The word "homosexual" is now a neutral word and can no longer be considered offensive, Italy's highest appeals court said on Tuesday, quashing a libel conviction against a 60-year-old man. "Unlike other words with the same meaning that are clearly intended to be derogatory, the term now has a intrinsically neutral meaning," the Court of Cassation said in its ruling. "The term 'homosexual' has not retained an inherently offensive connotation that it could perhaps have had in a not even too distant past," the ruling stated. "Merely attributing this quality to an individual to describe their sexual orientation does not in itself harm their reputation," the ruling continued. The court cancelled a fine that the defendant had been ordered to pay by a lower court in Trieste last year after he was convicted of slander when he called another man "homosexual" during an argument. Gay rights groups slammed Tuesday's ruling however, saying it could be interpreted as sanctioning slurs against gay people especially youngsters who are vulnerable to victimisation and bullying in schools. "In Italy there is no law against homophobia that bans discriminatory insults as exist in other countries," said the Gay Centre's spokesman Fabrizio Marrazzo. "This ruling would be clearer if such legislation was in place," he added --IANS/AKI vd null Six suspected Mafia extortionists held in Sicily Italy,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Wed, 30 Nov 2016 IANS Catania (Italy), Nov 30 (IANS/AKI) Police in the eastern Sicilian port city of Catania on Tuesday arrested six mafia suspects accused of extorting thousands of euros per month in 'protection money' from local builders and shopkeepers. The suspects aged between 37 and 62 were taken to prison in Syracuse and Caltagirone. The arrests came after four businessmen reported their alleged extortionists to police, prompting an investigation by anti-mafia prosecutors in Catania. The suspects allegedly extorted between 1,000 and 5,000 euros per month from the businessmen, using threats, intimidation and even physical violence, according to investigators. One of the businessmen's cars was stolen and set alight by the suspects, police said. The suspects face charges of associating with the Sicilian mafia's Santapaoloa-Ercolano clan based in the province of Catania. --IANS/AKI vd Moroccan monarch King Mohamed VI will kick off next month another African tour to take him to Nigeria and Zambia, two countries still supporting the Front Polisario, reports say. Jeune Afrique citing sources close to the Moroccan diplomacy notes that Mohamed VI is expected in Abuja, Nigeria to visit President Muhammadu Buhari. The Moroccan monarch confirmed his Nigeria trip in his Saturday November 26 interview. Both leaders met on the sidelines of the COP22 summit in Marrakech and during the Africa Action Summit dedicated to actions against climate change on the continent. Nigeria in 1984 under Buhari (after ascending to power in a coup) vowed its recognition for the Front Polisario. Ties between the two countries under Good Jonathan suffered frustration. In July Morocco announced plans to build a giant fertilizer plant in Nigeria after the Moroccan king dispatched his Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and head of General Directorate of Studies and General Document, Yassine Mansouri to normalise ties with African giant. Severely affected by the fall of oil price Nigeria is looking to diversify its economy and has opted for the development of its agriculture sector. The endorsement of the second largest African economy is also vital for Moroccos future presence in the African Union. Following the Abuja stop, the royal aircraft will land in Lusaka, Zambia. Rabat has already secured a favourable ground. Zambian Foreign Minister Harry Kaaba, in July was quick to announce withdrawal of Zambias support for separatist movement. Lusaka since 1990s, with the first President Dr Kenneth Kaunda has endorsed the separatist group. The former President was the first African leader to visit Sahrawi camps. Kaabas statement contradicted the Southern African countrys stance on the Sahara issue. Prime Minister Edgar Lungu in October warmly welcomed head of the Front Polisairos foreign policy, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek. In February, he also received letter of credentials of new Saharawi ambassador, Brahim Salam El Ami to whom he underscored Lusakas full endorsement for independence, Jeune Afrique reports. Tunisia has been chosen unanimously in Antananarivo, Madagascar to host 18th summit of Francophonie, a year to mark the 50th anniversary of the organisation. The North African country was chosen November 27, the last day of the organisations summit which took place in the Malagasy capital. The international organisation of La Francophonie is an international organisation of countries and regions where French language or culture is accepted by a significant proportion of populations. The 2020 summit will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the organisation. Tunisia is second Arab country to host gathering after Lebanon in 2002 congregated member-states of the orgnisation, says French ambassador to Tunisia Olivier Poivre dArvor. For the French diplomat the choice of Tunisia is a diplomatic victory for the North Africa country as several countries vied for the organisation of the 50th anniversary. No Maghreb country has ever been chosen to host the international summit of La Francophonie, Poivre dArvor said. The choice of Tunisia, the diplomat further noted, is a tribute to the country of the one who was with Diori, Senghor and Sianouk one of four founding members of La Francophonie. Former and first Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba according to the French diplomat was vibrant champion of the organisation. Following Bourguibas ideology, Tunisias young democracy is under the global spotlight! Congratulations Great Tunisia. Armenia will also host the 17th summit in 2018. Over 2,000 delegates are expected to attend Tunisia 2020 forum Tuesday dedicated to drum up investments to the North African country unable to fulfil hopes of millions of youth who spearheaded the 2011 democratic revolution. France and Qatar are the main backers of the initiative expected to the attract $30 billion to cover 142 projects. French Premier Manuel Valls and Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani have arrived and will address the gathering during the opening ceremony alongside Tunisian President Caid Essebsi. 40 countries are present at the two-day event in capital Tunis. The North African country has been embroiled in economic instability that is threatening its vibrant democracy. Public expenditure has drastically skyrocketed against a GDP taking downwards trend, leaving the country to depend on foreign assistance. Unemployment has reached record high 15 per cent. Youth situation has worsened compared to prior revolution situation. Thousands of them have been radicalised and joined terrorist organisations. 500 companies have left companies since 2011 in the backdrop of increasing security challenges. The three terrorist attacks bearing the marks of the Islamic State group (IS) hit the country last year causing loss of 71 lives, most of whom foreign tourists. New foreign investment fell to 2 billion dinars ($885 million) in 2015 from 3.5 billion dinars in 2010, reports say. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed taking office late August warned that the country could go bankrupt if reforms do not ensue. In a bid to attract foreign investment Chaheds cabinet has proposed new investment laws by reducing bureaucracy, taxes on profits, and restrictions on transferring funds out of the country. The forum will also see in attendance Werner Hoyer, Head of the European Bank of Investment, Abdellatif Al Hamad, Head of the Arab Social and Economic Development Fund, Roberto Azevedo, Head of World Trade Organisation. Tunisia will benefit five investment pledges from European Bank of Investment. Reaching a tally of 500 million euros, the investments will go into youth, children and education projects as well the construction of Bizerte bridge, huffpostmaghreb.com reports. Valls is leading strong French delegation. Around 250 diversified French entrepreneurs are accompanying French Premier. France is the first economic partner and investor in the North African country. 1,300 French companies are established in Tunisia and employ around 135,000 people. China is also represented by the Tunisia-China chamber of commerce. China Railways is eyeing transport projects. Three investment corporation of Ningxia province have also booked their presence, reports say. Algerian born terrorist Mokhtar Belmokhtar also known as Mister Marlboro has been killed in the south of the country during a French raid during the week-end, US famous and popular Wall Street Journal reports. Wall Street Journal relying on the American military source points out that the leader of al Qaeda in the lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) was killed in a raid south of lawless North African country. French authorities have not confirmed the information but Libyan security authorities in Tripoli speaking to Jeune Africa belied the information but argued that a raid on a convoy of the Islamic State group (IS) was carried out in South of Tripoli, at Bani Walid, not in the South of the country. It is not the first time the founder of terrorist group Al-Mourabitoune is reported killed. The 44 years old terrorist has been reported active in the South of Libya. In 2013, the Chadian army claimed killing of the one also nicknamed The One Eye but it turned out to be false as Belmokhtar later claimed responsibility for several attacks. In 2015, the US also announced the death of the man in a raid, south of Libya but AQIM debunked the death of its leader in a series published texts signed by the terrorist. Mokhtar Belmokhtar, Saharas emir Belmokhtar has spent his entire life in terrorism after starting militancy in Algerias GIA (Armed Islamic Group of Algeria) in early 90s. Trained in Pakistans terrorist camps, Belmokhtar first withdrew from AQIM due to internal fighting in 2012. He then formed Al-Mourabitoune group before pledging again allegiance to al Qaedas offshoot in 2015. Also accused of arm, cigarette and drogue trafficking as well as abduction of westerners, Belmokhtar staged several attacks in the Sahara region, resulting in the death of hundreds of people. In 2013, he masterminded Algerias In Amenas attacks which claimed the lives of 38 people, most whom foreign workers. He is shouldered responsibility of terrorist attack on Bamakos Radisson Blue Hotel in last year in November. 22 people were killed in the attack. He is also named in the attack of Byblos Hotel at Sevare, 620 km, North-East of the Malian capital. 13 people died in fire shootout between terrorists and governmental forces. Belmokhtar every time managed to escape. The Algerian terrorist born at Ghardaia was early this year in January associated with terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou. 30 people lost their lives. Let the bribery begin. Photo: Gabriella Demczuk/Getty Images Next month, Bahrain an oil kingdom known for its friendliness with the U.S. government and serial human-rights abuses will celebrate the seventeenth anniversary of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas ascension to the throne by giving a lot of money to the next American president. Thats according to an invitation from Bahrains embassy, obtained by Politico, which indicates that the nation has booked Donald Trumps D.C. hotel for a lunch reception on December 7. That booking will, ostensibly, allow the kingdom to directly enrich the president-elects business. If the payment is processed after Donald Trump is inaugurated, it would put him in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution which prohibits officeholders from receiving gifts or payments from foreign governments according to George W. Bushs former ethics lawyer Richard Painter. (Some legal scholars have disputed Painters interpretation of the clause.) But punishing Trump for that violation will likely require a rival D.C. hotel to sue the leader of the free world, a proposition that offers a low reward (gaining competitive parity in the foreign diplomats in D.C. on business market) in exchange for a high risk (when you come at the kleptocrat, you best not miss). The best mechanism for enforcing the Emoluments Clause would be impeachment, but the Republican Congress has little appetite to censure its president verbally, let alone legally. So I got got ma'amed and stared down by @SenJohnMcCain when pressing him on Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/CBckyUqgQd Laura Barron-Lopez (@lbarronlopez) November 29, 2016 And since the president is exempt from conflict-of-interest laws, Trump isnt worrying too much about how the favors of foreign governments could cloud his policy judgement. During the campaign, he vowed to place his assets into what he referred to as a blind trust, but is actually an entity that would allow him perfect knowledge of the assets he holds and that would be managed by his children, whom he then appointed to his transition team. He has since invited the manager of his blind trust into closed-door meetings with the leaders of foreign nations. Bahrain is far from the only government who is interpreting all this as a green light for thinly veiled bribery. After Trumps nomination, Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte named Trumps business partner Jose Antonio as a special envoy to the United States. And earlier this month, roughly 100 foreign diplomats sipped Trump-brand champagne while taking in a sales pitch at the Trump International D.C. Following the presentation, one anonymous Asian diplomat told the Washington Post, Why wouldnt I stay at his hotel blocks from the White House, so I can tell the new president, I love your new hotel! Isnt it rude to come to his city and say, I am staying at your competitor? The state of the kleptocracy is strong. David Brooks. Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images Of all the failures that have led to the historical disaster of the Trump presidency, perhaps the least-remarked-upon is the abdication of responsibility of the American center. Those of us with moderate inclinations need an effective center as a brake against extremism. When one party veers too far from the center, the center joins the opposing party, until the extreme one can be coaxed back into the mainstream. David Brooks calls for a rejuvenation of the center under the Trump presidency. But Brooks himself is the perfect encapsulation of why the center has proven so hapless, allowing itself to enable extremism rather than prevent it. The premise of Brookss column is that there needs to be space between the alt-right and the alt-left, between Trumpian authoritarianism and Sanders socialism. This is a terrible way to conceptualize the political map. First, it distorts the ideas of the two sides, equating a small-d democrat like Sanders (who merely proposes more regulation, taxes, and spending) with Trump, who as Brooks concedes is authoritarian. And second, it distorts their power. Sanders remains a left-wing outlier among his party, while Trump is the dominant force within his. But even if you accept this very strange notion of the political alignment in Trumps Washington, it raises a question Brooks is not prepared to answer. If his objection on the left lies with the Sanders socialism, then isnt there an appealing centrist lying to the right of that? A moderate who favors market-oriented solutions that bring together business and labor, who welcomes empiricism, and is willing to compromise? A politician who has led the Democratic Party for the last eight years and, in fact, is still the sitting president of the United States right now? One might think so. But Brooks spent the last eight years defining the center as something Obama was not. It didnt matter that Obama supported a health-care plan first devised by Mitt Romney, or a cap-and-trade plan endorsed by John McCain. Brooks nestled himself into the territory between Obama and the angry, no-compromise Republicans who were shutting down government and boycotting all negotiations with the president. If Obama endorsed the policies Brooks preferred, he would simply pretend that Obama had not proposed them. Indeed, one of the most common genres of David Brooks column was a sad lament that neither party would endorse policies that in fact Obama had explicitly and publicly called for. If Obama offered a deal to raise taxes through tax reform while reducing entitlements, Brooks would write a sad column about how nobody was willing to raise taxes through tax reform while reducing entitlements. If Obama favored education reform, an infrastructure bank, and more high-skill immigration, Brooks would write a sad column about how nobody favored those things. When Obama supported market-oriented health-care reform, Brooks opposed it as an extravagant government takeover. Then later he wrote a sad column about how wed have had a very different debate if we knew the law was going to be a discrete government effort to subsidize health care for more poor people rather than an extravagant government grab to take over the nations health-care system. The effect of all this commentary was not to empower the moderate ideas Brooks favored, but to disempower them. Brooks was emblematic of the way the entire bipartisan centrist industry conducted itself throughout the Obama years. It was neither possible for Obama to co-opt the center, nor for Republicans to abandon it, because official centrists would simply relocate themselves to the midpoint of wherever the parties happened to stand. The well-documented reality that the parties were undergoing asymmetric polarization was one they refused to accept, because their jobs was to be bipartisan, and it is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends upon not understanding it. The centrists could have played a role in braking the growing extremism of the Republican Party. It would have meant telling the country that there was now one moderate, governing party and one extremist faction, and parking themselves with the moderate party until such time as the dynamic changed. They could not do it. If theres not much of a center left to stop Trump from trampling democratic norms, it is because the centrists abdicated their responsibility and destroyed themselves. The defendant and his lawyer. Photo: Randall Hill/Getty Images A federal judge on Monday granted Dylann Roofs request to represent himself in his upcoming hate-crime trial. Roof, 22, is an avowed white supremacist who stands accused of murdering nine people in a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June of last year. The prosecution has said that it will seek the death penalty. Roof asked Judge Richard Gergel for permission to represent himself on Monday during jury selection, just two days after the judge found him mentally competent to stand trial. Roof had employed a highly regarded legal team, which specialized in capital cases. The judge advised Roof against jettisoning his lawyers but ultimately decided that if Roof was capable of standing trial, he was capable enough to exercise his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation. His lawyers will now stay on in an exclusively advisory capacity. I do find the defendant has the personal capacity to self-representation. I continue to believe it is strategically unwise, but it is a decision you have the right to make, said Gergel. Roof faces 33 federal charges, including nine counts of violating the Hate Crime Act resulting in death, and three counts of violating the Hate Crime Act involving an attempt to kill. He will also face nine counts of murder along with other charges in his state trial, which is expected to begin early next year. In allowing Roof to defend himself, the judge raised the chilling possibility that he will cross-examine survivors and relatives of the victims of his crimes. Roof sat with a Bible study group at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church for more than an hour before opening fire on them with a handgun. Only three members of the group two women and a child survived. Experts worry that in defending himself, Roof will turn the trial into a public platform from which to espouse his racist beliefs. Fight the power. Photo: Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/Boston Globe via Getty Images With just hours to go before the deadline, Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein requested a recount in Pennsylvania on Monday and promised that she would also request a recount in Michigan by Wednesday. Those moves follow a similar request Stein made in Wisconsin last week, which was met with dismissal and unfounded allegations from Donald Trump and his supporters. For Republicans, the recount moving forward surely tempered the news on Monday that Donald Trump had been officially declared the winner in Michigan. Instead of celebrating, Trump spent the day talking about the recount, saying that it was nonsense. And his team stood by the baseless allegations Trump made over the weekend that Hillary Clinton only won the popular vote which she did in fact win by more than 2 million votes because of widespread voter fraud in California, New Hampshire, and Virginia. That idea was dismissed by all three states, voting experts, and the White House. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016 Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 A drive by Stein has so far raised $6.3 million of the $7 million needed for the multi-state recount process. While originally claiming not to support the recount, Hillary Clinton has since come onboard. Clintons presence has resulted in some of the harshest responses from Trump surrogates, including a veiled threat from volatile Republican strategist Roger Stone, who said, Hillary, I think, increases her chances of prosecution by acting this way. Stone also claimed, without offering any evidence whatsoever, that the money raised by Stein had come from Clinton and liberal political activist George Soros. Trump recently backpedaled on his campaign promise to prosecute Clinton over the use of a private email server. Now Stone has implied that Clintons support of the recount would give Trump reason to rethink his reprieve. The Wisconsin Elections Commission, which is made up of three Democrats and three Republicans, unanimously agreed to the recount on Monday, and while Wisconsin hasnt confirmed any voting irregularity, Mark Thomsen, the chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, seemed supportive of the move. If nothing else, this will give us a very good audit. Its going to reassure Wisconsin voters that we have a fair system, he said on Monday, that were not counting illegal votes. Still, the states announcement was met with a lawsuit from Stein, who decided to sue after Wisconsin declined to compel county officials to count the votes by hand. The lawsuit could perilously delay the recount, which must begin this week to meet the federal deadline. If the lawsuit is settled on time, in Wisconsin at least, both sides wont have long to wait; the recount in is slated to start this Thursday and should be all wrapped up by December 13. In the other states, things are far less simple. There is still time for Trump to officially challenge the recount request in Michigan. In Pennsylvania, Stein faces a much more convoluted process before the recount can go ahead: She must successfully sue for a recount and provide evidence of voter irregularities, then she must receive at least three votes in favor of the recount in each of the states 9,163 voting precincts. And even then, in order for Clinton to actually win the White House, election results would have to be reversed in all three states. Stein herself admits that a reversal on that scale wont happen. Aedes aegypti. Photo: Amazon-Images/Alamy Stock Photo Make that two U.S. states with homegrown Zika. Texas health officials have recorded what is likely the first case of local transmission in Brownsville, a southern Texas city on the Mexican border. A 43-year-old woman tested positive for the disease; she had not traveled to a Zika-infected area or had any other risk factors, per officials. No other local cases have been recorded in the area, but Texas officials arent floored by this development as towns across the border have reported local cases of Zika, and the Aedes aegypti mosquito the bloodsucker that carries the virus is all over the area. We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas, said John Hellerstedt, the state health commissioner, in a statement. We still dont believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in parts of the state that stay relatively warm in the fall and winter. Texas health officials will go door-to-door, and will take voluntary urine samples to see if there are any other infections. (The infected womans urine tested positive for Zika, but not her blood, meaning that another mosquito cant transmit the virus to another human.) Crews will also trap and test mosquitoes to try to pinpoint the infection source. The CDC has not issued any travel warnings. In July, a Miami, Florida, neighborhood confirmed the first cases of local Zika transmission in the United States. Since then, 236 homegrown cases have been reported. The majority of cases in the U.S. more than 4,200 of them are travel-related. The symptoms of the disease itself are fairly mild rash, fever, joint pain but the virus causes severe birth defects in pregnant woman, specifically microcephaly which causes babies to be born with or potentially develop serious neurological problems, often characterized by babies with abnormally small heads. From the November 15, 2004 issue of New York. Looking back at the mood after Bush beat Kerry, and the ways our writers thought about it. In Bush II, the Only Thing (Well, One of the Only Things) New York Has to Fear Is Fear Itself, by Chris Smith Yes, last Tuesday was for many a dark day (only 24 percent of New Yorkers voted for George Bush and thats including Staten Island)*. But the future is bound to be an exciting time, if infuriating. One of New Yorks senators, Chuck Schumer of Brooklyn, will be in the middle of the Senate judiciary committees fight against reactionary Supreme Court nominees at least until he runs for governor. And New Yorks junior, suburban senator, Hillary Clinton, is the front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination at least until the party remembers how many empathy-challenged Northeastern liberals have won the White House lately. The Gathering Darkness of the Blue State of Mind, by James Atlas On the Fifth Avenue bus, I gazed blankly out the window. The trees in Central Park were still in their vivid autumn plumage, red, yellow, and green set on fire by the early sun. I found myself thinking that what my friend Edgar, the radical novelist, calls incremental fascism doesnt seem so incremental anymore. There will be a draft, and well have to leave the country: No way Im letting our 17-year-old son, Will, be sent to Iraq. Theyll drill the Alaskan tundra for oil, and the polar ice caps will melt; Manhattan will be inundated like in The Day After Tomorrow And the Jews will be rounded up like in Philip Roths The Plot Against America. Did only Paul Wolfowitz stand between us and concentration camps in Kentucky? New York will be attacked again and Wait. Maybe the guys in power want us to be attacked. What better way to get rid of all those noisome New Yorkers than to have an Al Qaeda dirty bomb explode in Grand Central at rush hour? No more need to bail out New York, because there wont be any New York. MoveOn and ACT: A Movement in Search of Its Next Cause, by Robert Kolker New York money and sweat and political muscle played more of a role in this election than in any in recent memory and even that wasnt enough. George Soros and others with the means and the motive pounced on a loophole in the campaign-finance law to invent the most emotionally potent, lavishly funded, politically sophisticated campaign machine in Democratic Party history On Election Day, the get-out-the-vote group America Coming Together actually spent twice as much as the Democratic National Committee luring voters to the polls. It was a movement, a crusade, and it didnt exactly work. Where can it possibly go now? Learning to Live With a Bush Dynasty, in Five Uneasy Stages, by Ana Marie Cox No. 5: Acceptance. Have you exchanged your Soho House membership for one in the NRA? Has NASCAR replaced Sopranos reruns on your TiVo? Maybe William Kristols foreign positions are starting to sound reasonable. But remember, New York: You dont have to go that far. Acceptance doesnt have to be surrender. You can come to terms with Bush-Cheney II, but only as a challenge. In fact, combine your bitter politics with your Gotham obsessions. Buy Michael Moore a Coney dog. Get Eliot Spitzer moving on a suit against the Diebold company. Oh, and by all means: Kick Curt Schilling in the ankle. What the Democrats Missed at the Populist Revolution, by Thomas Frank It is almost a ritual in Washington: The Democrats are handed some stunning defeat losing Congress, losing the presidency, losing Congress some more and the powerful Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) holds court, comes to a verdict, and announces that the Democrats in question have lost because they foolishly clung to the partys old, liberal, thirties identity. They remained friendly with organized labor. They didnt understand the inevitability of free trade or the magic of the New Economy or the rise of the wired worker. They failed to reach out to the center Let us contrast this philosophy with the practice of the political party that causes all those disasters for Democrats, namely, the Republicans. When beaten, do they surrender their principles and flee for the center? No. Consider the Goldwater debacle of 1964 The leaders of the New Right learned from that defeat the lessons that all successful political movements must master: They organized. They built institutions. They dreamed up hand-grenade issues designed to shatter their enemies coalition. And, principles intact, they came back stronger four years later to capture the presidency Another thing that Democrats will notice if they care to look is that [the Evangelical] constituency, made up mostly of middle- and working-class voters, is the very group that the Establishment right takes most for granted once its in power. The reason for this is simple: GOP leaders know that Democrats have left this huge part of the electorate with nowhere else to go. The challenge for Democrats is to provide them that place. *In 2016, the vote still unofficial was 79 percent for Clinton, 18 percent for Trump. *This article appears in the November 28, 2016, issue of New York Magazine. Old Doc Price is an enemy of Obamacare, of course, but hes also been hostile to the quality revolution in health care. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images The nomination of Representative Tom Price to become secretary of Health and Human Services has naturally stimulated a lot of debate about what that means for the fate of the Affordable Care Act. Price is, after all, the author of one of the more detailed Obamacare replacement initiatives. As chairman of the House Budget Committee, moreover, the Republican Georgia congressman helped put together the 2015 budget reconciliation bill that could provide a model for how Congress and the Trump administration will actually proceed to repeal and replace ACA. It is especially relevant to ask whether Price, who practiced as an orthopedic surgeon for two decades, will stick to his past position in support of the complete repeal of the Medicaid expansion ACA created. Doing so would fly in the face of quite a few Republican governors including Mike Pence who cut deals with the Obama administration to take the new money in exchange for being allowed to implement conservative health policy experiments like patient cost-sharing. Beyond Obamacare, Prices support for turning Medicare into a program that subsidizes private health-insurance premiums is worth noting as well. But there is a much more fundamental aspect of Prices thinking about health-care policy that should not be obscured by the focus on Obamacare or even Medicare. Specifically, he seems to be hostile to the one great recent development that health wonks in both parties and across the ideological spectrum agree on: the shift to quality-based methods of payment for health-care providers instead of the old volume-based fee-for-service model. Forbess Bruce Japsen points out that Price has railed against the Obama administrations rapid move away from fee-for-service medicine to value-based care, particularly Medicares mandatory bundled payment initiatives. Price has also complained that federal policymakers have failed to give sufficient input from impacted stakeholders in its efforts (promoted by ACA as well as Obama administration policies generally) to move the system away from the old-school practice of blindly paying for procedures rather than better health-care outcomes. Those impacted stakeholders would include Prices fellow specialist physicians, often considered the prime beneficiaries of fee-for-service reimbursement. Though his position has been couched in the arcane language of congressional committee jurisdictional squabbles, Price has also been an opponent of initiatives aimed at jump-starting the development of major-disease cures and precision drugs customized for individual patients. It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of the trend toward value-based health care to both liberal and conservative health-care cost-containment strategies. There are a variety of policy ideas associated with this trend, some quite old, like the appointment of primary-care physicians as gatekeepers to more expensive, specialized services, and some new and revolutionary, like big data techniques that speed adoption of more effective treatments. They all share a focus on rewarding good medicine rather than reimbursing providers for whatever they choose to do, regardless of the results. Until now there was not much question the quality revolution in health-care policy would continue no matter which party controlled Washington: Other than simple denial of care, getting more bang for the buck has made sense to Republicans as well as Democrats, regardless of their differences in the role they assign to markets or governments in promoting better-quality health care at lower costs. But the health-care providers who have been enriched by the old system where they called the shots and both private and public insurers paid the bills may beg to differ. So it could be bad news all around if Tom Price does indeed turn out to be a hidebound doc fighting for his professions financial stake in fee-for-service health care. The crucial test will be whether the ultimate Obamacare-repeal legislation which Price will presumably oversee kills without replacing the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation that has been driving the transition to value-based health care, mostly through Medicare. Republicans genuinely interested in holding down public and private health-care costs without radically reducing coverage should pay special attention to the direction Price and the entire Trump administration take on this issue. Tossing millions of people out of their current health insurance will be bad enough. Continuing a discredited system that encourages wasteful spending for the enrichment of medical professionals and hospitals at the expense of patients would be much worse. Trumps new hotel. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Toward the end of the presidential campaign, when it was obvious Donald Trump was going to lose, there was a lot of talk about how the public-relations drubbing he had taken during the campaign would damage the Trump brand. One apparent early victim was the Trump International Hotel, which opened in September. In 2013, Trump had signed a 60-year, $180 million lease with the federal government to take over the Old Post Office Pavilion, a beautiful, historic building which sits on prime Pennsylvania Avenue real estate. Rival bidders complained that the numbers Trump floated to win the contract were pie in the sky, that he couldnt possibly deliver on the promises he was making regarding the propertys development. And indeed, just a month before the election, the hotel was struggling mightily to rent rooms at its normal rates, which were hundreds of dollars higher per night than equivalent hotels in the city. Then, instead of losing the election, Trump won it. And it quickly became clear his victory would be a boon to the fledgling hotel, at least in the short term. In a widely circulated article highlighting the many conflicts of interest to come during the Trump presidency, the Washington Post quoted foreign diplomats who openly said that of course they would stay at a hotel owned by the president as an easy means of currying favor and they expected their counterparts in other countries to do the same. It sounded like a happy ending for Trump and his family members they get to run both D.C. and its hottest new luxury hotel. But if an article published in Government Executive is any indication, Trump may have already breached the propertys contract simply by getting himself elected president. In the piece, headlined GSAs Trump Hotel Lease Debacle, Steven L. Schooner and Daniel I. Gordon, both experts in federal procurement, or how the government buys and sells and leases stuff (Gordon was Obamas administrator for federal procurement policy) lay out why Trumps leasing of the space presents unprecedented and intolerable conflicts of interest now that he is president-elect. Trump will be violating the leases terms when he becomes an elected official on Inauguration Day, they argue and the only realistic solution is for the government to get out of the contract before then. (Some credit is due to Mother Jones for highlighting this issue way back in August.) The issues stem from Trumps imminent role as someone who gets to appoint the heads of all sorts of different government agencies. One of those agencies is the General Services Administration, a bureaucracy that normal people get to mostly ignore. The GSA helps federal agencies build and acquire office space, products and other workspace services, and oversees the preservation of historic federal properties. Its policies covering travel, property and management practices promote efficient government operations. It also leased Trump the Old Post Office Pavilion. This is obviously problematic. Whereas fully grasping Trumps other entanglements is complicated and may, in some cases, require close reading of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Schooner and Gordon write that understanding and addressing the problems raised by the Trump Organizations 60-year, $180 million lease is far simpler. Thats because the contract between Trump and the government contains the following explicit language: No elected official of the Government of the United States shall be admitted to any share or part of this Lease, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom[.] There are good reasons for this language, given how many obvious issues could arise as a result of someone in the government both leasing and overseeing the lease of the building. These issues are only compounded by some of the particulars of the Trump agreement: The Old Post Office Pavilion lease is between GSAwhose administrator President Trump will appointand Mr. Trumps family-owned company. Specifically, the lessor is Trump Old Post Office LLC, which, of course, is part of the Trump Organization, a privately owned conglomerate, of which President-elect Trump is chairman, president, and majority stakeholder. The situation is a casebook example of both the appearance of a significant conflict of interest and an intolerable intermingling of an elected officials governmental duties and his familys personal financial interests. [] The Old Post Office lease is a particularly complicated and, for GSA, rather unusual, 60-year agreement that requires significant annual disclosure of detailed financial information. These extensive disclosures are followed by negotiations over escalation of the rent and any other payments that the Trump Organization must pay to the government. Just imagine GSA pressing the Trump organization for more detailed revenue and expense information, or the Presidents children negotiating annual rent adjustments with a career civil servant who reports to the GSA administrator appointed by their father, who serves at his pleasure. Any reasonable person would worry about the undue pressures and the inherent risk of favoritism that the government might show to such a well-connected contractor Thats why it doesnt matter whether Trump is able to pass off the hotel to his kids or anyone else in his family (as Bloomberg reported in September, the hotel is a major showcase for and test of Ivankas brand, with the Ivanka Suite going for $1,050 a night). As long as the building is in the Trump family orbit, [t]he GSA employees handling the Trump lease will be caught between their duty to protect the interests of the buildings landlordthat is, the government, the public, and the taxpayersand their duty of loyalty to the GSA administrator, who will be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of then-President Trump. According to Schooner and Gordon, theres just no way out except a cutting of the cord. In normal circumstances, the contractor in question Trump would understand the need to do so and would work with the GSA to come to a mutually satisfactory resolution. Given everything Trump has said about his lack of concern with his conflicts of interests, thats unlikely. Therefore, [t]he government should immediately end the hotel lease relationship, before Trump becomes president, Schooner and Gordon write. Thanks to federal law, the government usually has fairly broad latitude to back out of a contract as long as it compensates the contractor appropriately. Unfortunately, the lease with the Trump organization includes language expressly prohibiting this. But since, in Schooner and Gordons view, Trump has already breached the contract, they write that the GSA should quickly take whatever action it can, including a lawsuit, to get out of the contract before Trump is in a position to effectively give orders to his own landlord. Schooner and Gordon anticipate Trump will respond as he always does by suing or countersuing. But even if the government ends up having to pay some sort of judgment to the Trump organization the authors dont expect the award would be all that significant they still view this as a no-brainer. Ponying up a bit of cash to Trump, they write, would be a price worth paying to preserve the integrity of our government and its contracting system. The faster GSA ends its business relationship with the Trump Organization, the better. Protesters outside the Puck Building. Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images Shortly before six on Monday evening, protesters gathered in the small street between Lafayette and Crosby in downtown Manhattan to pick up handmade signs and battery-operated candles before making their way across the road to the historic Puck Building, the Jared Kushnerowned property where he and wife Ivanka Trump reside. The vigil and demonstration was organized by Halt Action Group, the band of artists behind the enigmatic Instagram account Dear Ivanka that cropped up last week. Curator and writer Alison Gingeras and artist Jonathan Horowitz, the founders of Halt, say the Ivanka-themed protest was the first of many they hope to see come to fruition. She really personified a kind of white wash of the Trump campaign, Gingeras told the Cut. We felt that because of her connection to the cultural world in New York the social world, the art world, the fashion world we had a collective agency to speak to her. Ivanka is the subject of this protest, but its not really about Ivanka, Horowitz added. Its about her father, and everything he represents. Sam McKinniss. Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images Around 150 people showed, a good deal of them from the art world. In many ways, it had the essence of absurdist performance piece. A handful of delightfully campy signs featured a gold-chain border, a smiley airbrushed portrait of Ivanka, and pink script that spelled out Dear Ivanka the rest was then filled in with any number of grievances, from Ban Steve Bannon to Ignore climate change and New York will sink. Others created and distributed by artist Rachel Libeskind made Ivanka up to look like a medieval-style saint. This has a lot better signs, artist Becky Howland, whos been to several anti-Trump protests, told the Cut. Humors something were gonna need going forward. The other [protests] Ive been to have been much rawer feeling and angrier. Not that everybodys not angry and upset and full of shock, but this ones more pointed. Jamieson Webster, a psychoanalyst and writer, was holding a bejeweled board that read Dear Ivanka, We need to talk about your Dad! Call me. Im a shrink. Dr. Webster confirmed that many of her clients have been deeply affected by the election results. I think that people need to take action, she said, when asked for therapeutic advice on how to move forward. They really need to think about what they believed before thats changed and make that a significant part of how they understand their reality rather than just be upset that things arent business as usual. Arden Wohl. Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images Arden Wohl, the socialite and shoe designer, was also present. This is not an attack against Ivanka, Wohl, whos known Ivanka for many years, insisted. This is a plea to Ivanka to talk some sense because shes in this transition committee for her father and hopefully she can be his voice of reason. Ivankas always had a very good head on her shoulders, shes always been a really kind person. He does listen to his children, and shes the smartest of all the children. The atmosphere throughout the night was as convivial as it was defiant. As protesters rotated down the stretch of block outside the Puck Building in a pattern reminiscent of a conveyor belt, one woman in a leopard-print coat exclaimed, Nice thing about this is you feel like sushi! About an hour in, the crowd started a cheeky chant of Tell Daddy No that died out shortly after it began. When one woman attempted to revive it ten minutes later, the only people who enthusiastically joined in were two boys under the age of 10. One older, weary-looking man in a windbreaker quietly stood off to the side with a sign that read We Won. It was initially unclear if it was referring to Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote or if he was a pro-Trump counter protester, but it was quickly confirmed to be the latter. He told the Cut that he and other Trump fans try to make it to the anti-Trump protests whenever they can. A while later, he unveiled another sign that read Build the Wall. L: Marilyn Minter, R: Marina Adams. Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images By 7:30, police were beginning to tape off the sidewalk so pedestrians could more easily pass by. The group took that as an opportunity to march around the Puck Building a few times, before deciding to make the half-mile trek to the Trump Soho hotel. Along the way, the Tell Daddy No chant started again, this time louder and more sustained. It continued all the way to the hotel, where the protesters chanted it repeatedly as they circled the building. Marilyn Minter, the legendary artist and activist currently showing a retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum, stopped to chat outside the hotel shortly before the protest dispersed. Ivanka, I dont care. Shes not gonna pay attention. It was a way to start organizing people, Minter said. Ive watched Nixon, Ive watched Reagan, and Ive watched the AIDS crisis, she went on. Ive been an activist my whole life, and this is the worse Ive ever felt. When asked her advice for women, Minter urged them to organize, adding, its these old white men on the wrong side of history, their last gasp. It definitely reminded me of What's My Name the first time I watched it. Reply Thread Link im not gonna watch but can someone say if the scene in the post is the only similar scene Reply Thread Link Yes, it's only one small scene. Reply Parent Thread Link thank u v much <3 Reply Parent Thread Link it's the only similar scene from what i can see lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I don't really think so Reply Thread Link I love What's My Name so much it's a pop classic. Reply Thread Link I did not think of WMN when I first saw Chantaje. And I still don't. Sorry! Reply Thread Link me neither. it made think of GGGB by Cobra Starship if anything because of the whole underground club thing but only in the firt scenes. Reply Parent Thread Link Lol Reply Thread Link both videos are very alicia keys inspired, love the tribute riri and shaki sistren <3 Reply Thread Link Are you talking about Alicia keys, the former singer? Reply Parent Thread Link Well, Alicia Keys, the judge on the voice. That's more relevant now. Reply Parent Thread Link I pity the losers who give a fuck about this shit. Reply Thread Link k Reply Thread Link No, because one is in a bodega and the other in a convenient store Reply Thread Link no because one is as talented as rita ora and the other is just rihanna Reply Thread Link You absolutely tried that Reply Parent Thread Link this is the most gringo comment ever Reply Parent Thread Link oh my goodness who is this Maluma guy... Reply Thread Link Seriously. I want to know EVERYTHING about him. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao how reductive maluma is truly the "90% off damaged bin" drake Reply Thread Link My thoughts exactly. I mean at least it's a period drama? But yeah this doesn't sound interesting at all. Reply Parent Thread Link Nice to see Luke getting more work. Reply Thread Link I would be interested if it was based on Machado de Assis's The Alienist Reply Thread Link whenever I read the title it's what I think of. Reply Parent Thread Link i would give this a shot. Reply Thread Link Kind of young for how I pictued Kreizler but w/e. Reply Thread Link OMG WHAT. I read this book on a whim and I loved it and I love Daniel and this is great news. I'm sad Cary left the project, but this is encouraging. It's weird it's TNT, tho. Reply Thread Link RIght!?!? I was so happy when I saw this in my Google alerts Reply Parent Thread Link read the date as 1986 and got really stoked for a hot second still sounds good though Reply Thread Link Maybe his German films are better but his project choices lately... I hope this works out for him tho cause I like this pocket prince. Reply Thread Link I'm really crossing my fingers for that weird JJ Abrams movie he's gonna be. Then Abrams had to go and say it was part of the Cloverfield universe -_- Still love him though and lol, you are right about his English movie choices because lemme tell you about some of the crap I've sat through (in the grand tradition of sitting through shit for a particular actor) Reply Parent Thread Link I really liked 10 Cloverfield Lane! So I'm happy to hear that lol Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I thought the book was just meh but I like Luke Evans so I'll check it out. Reply Thread Link I like these 2, and I loved the book, so definitely will check this out. Reply Thread Link luke evans <3 Reply Thread Link Sounds like it has potential Reply Thread Link This book had some good bits, like the setting and the investigation, but the killer was just so...unbelievable and contrived. Reply Thread Link She looks like Juliette Lewis Reply Thread Link She doesn't normally IMO but she definitely does in that pic! ETA: J/K I Googled for more pics and she definitely does. Edited at 2016-11-29 02:16 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link I thought the exact same thing when I saw her in Chronicle. Total spitting image. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh my god I thought it said Dane Dehaan is Dead :/ But anyway congrats :) Reply Thread Link Dane Dehaan is dad! Everybody is dad! Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link I miss being able to go back and read that thread... Reply Parent Thread Link I didn't know who he was so I looked him up, he does not look 30! I still don't know him, but congrats to them! Reply Thread Link Congrats to them. I always thought it was cute she got to play the girl he makes out with in Chronicle Reply Thread Link IA, tbh. (Except I thought his hotness was prime in Freaks & Geeks) Reply Parent Thread Link Esp. as Willem DaFoe's son... It just kinda worked. Reply Parent Thread Link Those damned e-mails. I wanted TASM 3 and wanted to see him fucking shit up with the Sinister Six. ;_; Reply Parent Thread Link SERIOUSLY IM STILL MAD Reply Parent Thread Link He was so amazing in that movie! Reply Parent Thread Link For real. He was the only good part of that movie, even with the sub-par writing. Reply Parent Thread Link I was so into this look ikr seriously Reply Parent Thread Link https://youtu.be/YVwQNDS-Zes A Cure for Wellness. That shit looks crazy. Reply Parent Thread Link wtf this trailer is beautiful Reply Parent Thread Link i honestly thought he was a LOT younger and was lowkey excited for some messy young parents wankery in the comments but congrats to them! Reply Thread Link i'm glad for them. they seem happy. Reply Thread Link I thought he was tbh. Or at least I hoped~. I'd still hit it Reply Parent Thread Link I read this post like "Chronicle man? Chronicle man!" and that's all I took from it, good for them. Reply Thread Link Congrats to the both of them! :D Reply Thread Link yay congrats to them!!! Reply Thread Link this picture is so bad and awkward lmao Reply Thread Link i find the awkwardness kinda cute Edited at 2016-11-29 02:36 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link my cats make that face if I bring home catnip toys Reply Parent Thread Link congrats...also didn't know he was 30. lol i hate that all i can think of when i see him is how much harry styles looks like him now. Reply Thread Link The music video I watched the most this year was work from home Good eye candy, dem men Reply Thread Link Shame this isn't on the list Reply Thread Link Probably my favorite Reply Parent Thread Link I wasn't a fan of the chorus (or the overall lyrics) at first but after I figured out what it meant, I started loving it tbh. But yeah I can see how it doesn't really do it for some people. Reply Parent Thread Link YES Reply Parent Thread Link yes!!! this is my fave of the year tbh Reply Parent Thread Link I love this song. Reply Parent Thread Link I like Sia but this whole series of vids annoy me for some reason. I like them and am annoyed by them in equal parts. Reply Parent Thread Link idk why but i find this little girl so entertaining to watch Reply Parent Thread Expand Link love this song Reply Parent Thread Link i love fade....minus the ending. total workout inspiration. Reply Thread Link Fergie's MILF $ was easily the greatest music video of the year, no contest. Reply Thread Link true that video saved pop music videos this year tbqmfh Reply Parent Thread Link yasssss Reply Parent Thread Link yes! i think so too. Reply Parent Thread Link the song is soooooooooo bad Reply Parent Thread Link My former fashion loving self lived for that Reply Parent Thread Link +1. i luv'd it. it's too bad about the song lol Reply Parent Thread Link lmao Fergie never even had a chance in 2016 poor thing Reply Parent Thread Link I still can't get over this look. Reply Parent Thread Link yesss ugh she looks amazing Reply Parent Thread Link she looked so perfect in all the videos but this one is my fave too Reply Parent Thread Link She looked so hot there. Reply Parent Thread Link Why does her top look digitally altered? Something about the shadows when she raises her arms don't look right. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm dying to hear this live Reply Parent Thread Expand Link these suck.. outside of fade maybe... Reply Thread Link this is cute and so is the one for My Trigger Reply Thread Link i loooooove miike snow's videos Reply Parent Thread Link i feel like if monster had come out BEFORE CMB i would've felt it more idk how anything can top CMB for me anymore, and i'm talking about all of kpop Reply Parent Thread Link call me baby is perfection. but i still love monster, too. that performance version is so good. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Exodus is one of the best Kpop albums ever released. Like idc if you're not a fan or an anti, but the boys really did that And I say this as someone who was just a casual fan until CMB snatched me so hard I had to look back through their whole discography and find out that they actually make good music. They can keep their latest album tho Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I can't even describe how much I love cmb lol I could listen to it all day every day idc Reply Parent Thread Link Call Me Baby snatched my soul after someone from ONTD turned me on to K-Pop. I don't actively follow EXO's stuff but everything I've seen from them has been awesome. Reply Parent Thread Link I was stepping out of the kpop fandom in general and was well on my way until CMB came and just ambushed me. Not only did I gain hope in kpop again, I found the first song I really went hard for in years. I still play it at least once a week ever since I heard it. Reply Parent Thread Link why so lonely is SO GOOD Reply Parent Thread Link Wonder Girls <3 Reply Parent Thread Link monster was a great song but the music video was lackluster imo. it had great styling though. Reply Parent Thread Link Why So Lonely is so amazing! Reply Parent Thread Link yaaas to genghis khan Reply Parent Thread Link the why so lonely video had such an aesthetic going on for it IT WAS PERFECT Reply Parent Thread Link The Genghis khan video was great Reply Parent Thread Link Why are mvs even a thing anymore. Reply Thread Link They excluded the #1 video though, so this list is invalid Reply Thread Link lmao i was just about to post this. Reply Parent Thread Link im glad u recognize greatness <3 Reply Parent Thread Link Excellent Reply Parent Thread Link lol yes Reply Parent Thread Link I actually had a dream about this fucking song. Reply Parent Thread Link OMG no we were trippin on acid real bad when that vid came on tv and i can't look at it the same way since Reply Parent Thread Link Every time I see anything of Fifth Harmony, I keep thinking of the video of that singer humping poor Ty Dolla $ign like a dog. Reply Thread Link I want the early 2010's back etcetc It's sad that this is the best the music industry has to offer nowadays.I want the early 2010's backetcetc Reply Thread Link as obnoxious as it was, I loved the countdown premiere to telephone. it made it into an ~event and not just sending out a vevo link on twitter. i wish there were deals in place to premiere stuff on tv similar to lemonade and fade. Reply Parent Thread Link pop died after 2011 Reply Parent Thread Link Oh man, the fucking good old days for SURE. Pop has never been the same :( now it's all d-rate EDM Reply Parent Thread Link Exactly. I like EDM but d-rate describes the stuff making it to mainstream radio Reply Parent Thread Link 2009-2010 was amazingggggg for pop. Reply Parent Thread Link RIP I wish we realized how good we had it then. Reply Parent Thread Link It's so depressing knowing that this was 6-7 years ago. Reply Parent Thread Link I wonder what kind of music video we'd get if Britney Spears released Liar as a single. Reply Thread Link Someone on here made it for me. Reply Parent Thread Link After two months of trying to convince its OPEC peers to get on board with a production cut, it could end up being Saudi Arabia that walks away from a deal, sending oil prices tumbling back down to the low $40s or worse. Saudi Arabia led the charge on the Algiers agreement in September, making big concessions and appearing to take on most of the burden of reducing oil production. After two years of pursuing market share in a world of low oil prices, the Saudis abruptly changed their approach, hoping to boost prices by getting OPEC members to agree to lower output. But they left the messy details to be completed at a later date, hoping to use the interim period between Algiers and the Nov. 30 meeting in Vienna to cajole and convince other OPEC members to agree to the necessary cuts that would create a credible deal that could turn the oil market around. Sensing Saudi Arabias desperation, Iraq and Iran drew harder lines on their own output over the past two months, and both demanded to be exempted from a final deal. Iraq also disputed the production data that OPEC was using, and it remains unclear if those disparities have been resolved. To the extent that either country is willing to make a sacrifice, it appears that they are only wiling to freeze rather than cut. With OPECs second and third largest members unwilling to make any real concessions to date, it is difficult to imagine any result from Vienna will be a game-changer for the oil markets. Other members such as Nigeria and Libya are not going to be subjected to any cuts. The remaining members outside of a few Gulf States were never going to be able to make any serious reductions either. Without Iraq and Iran, Saudi Arabia will have to do all the work cutting between 600,000 and 1.1 million barrels per day by itself, which might be too painful economically and embarrassing politically. Related: Is The Permian 20 Billion Barrel Oil Discovery Real The lesson from the 1980s for the Saudis is that cutting unilaterally may not rescue oil prices, and it could even offer an opportunity for rival producers to steal market share. They have kept that lesson in mind over the past two years, and if Iraq and Iran decline to participate, it is unclear if Saudi Arabia is ready to go it alone. If they are going to cut their production, the Saudis dont want others to replace them, an unnamed OPEC official told The Wall Street Journal. As a result, Saudi Arabia has tried to draw a line in the sand just a few days before the highly anticipated meeting in Vienna. OPECs top oil producer has suggested that it is prepared to walk away from a deal unless other members step up to the plate, the logic being that the resulting oil price meltdown will be more painful for Iraq and Iran than it would be for Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials cancelled a meeting with non-OPEC producers that was scheduled for Monday, a surprise move that casted doubt on the chances of a deal this week by highlighting the gulf that still exists between various OPEC members. Oil prices plunged at the end of last week. On Monday, the energy ministers from Algeria and Venezuela flew to Moscow to try to convince Russia to participate in output cuts. Meanwhile, OPEC members are locked in another round of negotiations at the start of this week. Related: No OPEC Cut Needed, Says Saudi Oil Minister By Sunday, Saudi Arabias oil minister Khalid al-Falih said that the oil markets will reach a balance in 2017 even if OPEC did not cut output, a remarkable statement that seems to be an attempt to lay the rhetorical groundwork to limit the fallout from a failed meeting this week. "We expect the level of demand to be encouraging in 2017, and the market will reach balance in 2017 even if there is no intervention by OPEC. But OPEC intervention aims to expedite this balance and the market recovery at a faster pace," al-Falih said to reporters. "I don't think that we have one path only in OPEC meetings, which is cutting production - I think maintaining production at current levels is justifiable, taking into consideration the recovery of consumption and growth in developing markets and the United States. Al-Falih might not be confident that OPEC members will reach a deal, so he is downplaying the significance of the meeting altogether. Or, viewed another way, he is stepping up the pressure on Iraq and Iran to play ball by conveying a sense of indifference if the deal falls apart. We will probably have to wait until later this week to see whether or not Iraq and Iran will give in or will call Saudi Arabias bluff. By Nick Cunningham, Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iran is now officially pre-qualifying E&Ps for an offering round of oil and gas projects. Putting fields up for bids to foreign operators for the first time in years. But theres a problem in pursuing this rich opportunity at least for one big group of people in the petroleum business. Americans. While most of the world has lifted business sanctions on Iran, the U.S. is still holding onto some significant restrictions. The major one being so-called secondary sanctions, which prohibit U.S. citizens from doing business on Iranian projects. Effectively, that means Irans oil and gas is still a no-go for anyone with a U.S. passport. Which is a big problem for one of the worlds largest oil companies, BP with the British major having an American CEO, Bob Dudley. Incredibly though, BP said this past week its not going to miss opportunities in Iran just because of its CEO. With the board of directors outlining a unique strategy that will allow it to get around sanctions and pursue new projects in the country. Remove CEO Dudley from the process. BPs board said it has created a special executive committee that will explore Iranian business opportunities. With CEO Dudley being excluded from this Iran working group which will instead be run by Chief Financial Officer Brian Gilvary, who is a British national. Related: Shell Considering Dumping Its Iraqi Oil Fields The committee also includes members from Ireland and India, as well as another British citizen. Such ringfencing of the companys top executive shows just how motivated big firms like BP are to get into the Iran oil sector. Especially given that any projects here will have to carefully monitored to ensure that no other U.S. employees or U.S. subsidiaries, contractors, bank accounts, etc. become involved with local projects. For its part, the American government has assured international firms they will not be penalized in the U.S. for doing business with Iran. This case could represent a critical test for the oil industry watch to see if BP pursues bidding on specific Iranian fields, and what the reaction will be from Washington. And then to see if this compartmentalization strategy gets used by more international oil and gas players. Heres to keeping em separated. By Dave Forest More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The gloves are off in Vienna and OPEC members are trading verbal blows about what they will or won't do in relation to production cuts. Finally the main event arrives tomorrow (finally!), while we also get the added bonus of a weekly inventory report to pique our interest. But for now, hark, here are five things to consider in energy today: 1) Asia, which accounts for a third of global oil consumption, receives over three-quarters of its waterborne imports from OPEC members. The cartel sends over 15 million barrels per day into Asia, over sixty percent of its exports, to the leading destinations of China, India, South Korea and Japan. As we discussed last week, only the U.S. breaks up this Asian group, coming in as the third leading recipient of OPEC crude at 3.2 million bpd. Given that Asia is the leading destination of OPEC flows, it will likely feel the biggest impact to any production cut should it occur - with non-OPEC producers such as Russia watching avidly from the sidelines. (Click to enlarge) 2) This article highlights how Iranian crude imports into South Korea have more than doubled through 2016 versus year-ago levels, and we can see this coming through in our ClipperData. South Korea is the third largest recipient of Iranian crude this year, behind China and India. As total Iranian exports continue to rise, so do South Korean receipts, now above 280,000 bpd so far this year. (Click to enlarge) 3) Strength in crude exports to Asia is a common theme across Middle East producers. United Arab Emirates, which has exported approximately 2.7mn bpd this year, has sent over 90 percent of its exports to the region. Interestingly, it is Japan that is the leading recipient of UAE crude, with India and China lagging for once. Related: Undeterred By Trump Threats, Schlumberger Signs Deal With Iran (Click to enlarge) 4) This is a nifty representation of something we have looked at before - oil demand growth expectations from the recent IEA World Energy Outlook. While demand from passenger vehicles barely increases - as a drop in passenger car demand of 600,000 bpd is offset by increasing demand from other vehicles such as motorbikes and buses - demand growth from aviation, trucks, trains and shipping is set to lead oil consumption higher. It is the petrochemical sector, however, which is set to see the most growth: (Click to enlarge) 5) Finally, U.S. natural gas exports have ramped up strongly this year, even though the start of LNG exports have only modestly boosted this volume. Almost all of the export growth has come through from pipeline flows to Mexico; exports are up 25 percent on year-ago levels, averaging 3.6 Bcf/d this year. In fact, according to Platts, November is set to be the first month that the U.S. is a net exporter of natural gas. It has exported an average of 7.4 Bcf/d, higher than the 7 Bcf/d imported. This situation is expected to continue in 2017, as both LNG exports and pipeline flows to Mexico continue to rise. (Click to enlarge) By Matt Smith More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Global markets, producers hope for production limit agreement The markets are waiting to see whether or not OPEC will be able to finalize a production agreement this Wednesday as potential spoilers begin to surface. The group agreed in principle to trim its production in September, reversing a decision made on Thanksgiving Day 2014 that saw the price of oil plummet as the members of OPEC opted to protect market share rather than the value of crude. Iran continues to be a concern, however, as the Islamic Republic drives towards its pre-sanction production levels. Iran has repeatedly said that it will join any action to cut production before reaching pre-sanction levels of production, and it has less incentive to cut than other members of OPEC. About 25 percent of Irans budget comes from oil revenues, compared to 70 percent for Saudi Arabia and 40 percent for Venezuela, leaving the country less exposed to another fall in oil prices if OPEC is unable to reach an agreement in Vienna Wednesday. The reluctance of Iran to join the agreement, coupled with Russia saying that it will freeze, but not cut, production has Saudi Arabia concerned, officials told The Wall Street Journal. On Sunday, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said the oil market will rebalance on its own and questioned the need for production cuts, potentially positioning for a failed meeting, according to John Kilduff, founding partner of Again Capital. The drop in prices appears to have brought Iraq back to the bargaining table, but Iran may not be ready to buckle just yet, Kilduff told CNBC. You saw the talks break down. The Iranians were accusing the Saudis of reneging on some big promises. I assume they were reneging on Iran being exempt from the cuts, he said. A former Iranian oil official, Manouchehr Takin, was more optimistic, saying the group will likely come to an agreement this week. What youre seeing now is horse-trading, Takin said. When there is a crisis, OPEC always comes together and takes action together. The potential effect of a deal on oil prices is binary, said Helima Croft, head of global commodities strategy at RBC. We think it tests $40 if theres no deal, $50 if there is a deal, she said. Oil prices seesawed after the talks looked doomed to fail this weekend, but futures rebounded after Iraqs oil minister said he was optimistic for an accord and that his country will cooperate with other members. A face-saving agreement There is a possibility that OPEC will reach a face-saving agreement to avoid a punitive response from markets that expect them to cut production without making major cuts. Any lost production is likely to fall on Saudi Arabia, a responsibility the de facto leader of OPEC looked to shed two years ago when it led the charge in the battle for market share over price. Related: Iran Wont Cut, Boldly Ask Saudis To Cut 1 Million Bpd Other than from Saudi Arabia, our supply/demand model assumes no meaningful cuts from other OPEC members after November 30, a note from Wells Fargo said. In our view, even Saudi Arabias cuts are more akin to seasonal adjustments related to domestic demand than physical reductions to the export markets. The history of the rest of OPEC making or sustaining cuts is checkered at best, and not one we wish to hang our hat on. Even if OPEC makes a cut to 32.5 MMBOPD, removing roughly 1.1 MMBOPD from markets, it would still take nearly 17 months to work inventories down to normal levels, points out Roger Read, senior analyst with Wells Fargo. Data from both the EIA and IEA suggest that some draws are already being made from global inventories, indicating that marks may be close to balance already, Read said. Oil and gas company executives have found some solace in sharpening their pencils and keeping their companies noses to the grindstone, lowering expenses and pushing the limits of technology to yield higher and higher efficiencies and cost savings in the drilling and completion process, particularly in the shale beds of North America. If no deal comes out of the Wednesday meeting, Kilduff told CNBC he thought the price of oil would crater into the $30s. I think the Saudis are trying to position themselves for a failed meeting with this talk that the market will rebalance anyway. If theres failure to come together, I think theres going to be a punishing outcome for some time. All the way back at the 2015 EnerCom conference in Denver, less than a year into what was then seen by most in the industry as a temporary downturn, Cimarex CEO Tom Jorden had already figured out the OPEC game. Jorden told Oil & Gas 360 in a video interview that the challenge to the industry is to figure out how to get your business sustainable [at the prices where oil is trading]. Dont be a shipwreck victim; the rescue ship is not coming. Today, January WTI opened under $45.50 per barrel, by mid-morning traded above $47.50, then moved to just under $47 by afternoon. By Oil & 360 More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: One day ahead of OPEC's much anticipated meeting in Vienna, oil has slid back under $46 on rising pessimism that an oil production cut deal, taken widely for granted as recently as last week, is going to take place. Here is the latest rundown of events heading into the Wednesday meeting. As Bloomberg highlights, Russias absence from discussions in Vienna is creating complications for OPEC members that insist on participation of non-members in supply cutbacks with one day to go before OPEC ministers meet to decide policy. Earlier today, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he has no plans to visit Vienna on Wednesday, but Russia is ready to talk with OPEC once the group reaches an internal consensus Meanwhile, as reported yesterday, Iran and Iraq continued to express objections to cutting their own supply during the lengthy meeting of OPEC officials Monday, as talks failed to bridge differences, one delegate said. In Mondays talks, Saudi Arabia offered a proposal for Iran to freeze its own output at 3.707m b/d; Iran offered to cap its output at 3.975m b/d. At the same time, mediator Algeria proposed that Iran freeze at 3.795m b/d, an amount which was greater than the 3.69m b/d Iran pumped in October according to secondary sources. Yesterday's unsuccessful talks also didnt reach an agreement on Iraq; Algeria proposed Iraq cut 240k b/d from its October level. That said, in keeping an appearance of optimism, Iraqs minister told reporters in Vienna on Tuesday that hes still very confident about the OPEC meeting. Surprisingly, today's dose of cold water came from an unexpected source, when Indonesian energy minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters in Vienna that he has no expectation ahead of the OPEC meeting, and that his country has mixed feelings about the meeting, but will listen to major players in group. He is expected to meet his Iranian counterpart tonight. There are growing thoughts that after much rhetoric and bullish chatter, OPEC wont be able to find an accord says Nick Williams, commodities futures broker at GF Financial Markets. The Indonesian ministers comments only added to that. And speaking of logistics, Saudi and Iran ministers are expected to arrive in Vienna on Tuesday afternoon along with other ministers. Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Boutarfa, who has been negotiating with Russia and Iran, told reporters in Moscow he will go to Vienna today. The delayed Saudi arrival comes after energy minister Al-Falih hinted on Sunday in Dhahran that OPEC doesnt necessarily need to cut output; a comment viewed by analysts as a bargaining position that could result in a price crash if no deal is reached. As a result of all the rising chaos, oil traders are understandably skeptical, and as Goldman calculated in a note overnight, the oil market is pricing in only a 30 percent chance of a deal to cut output emerging tomorrow. As Bloomberg reports, "Brent crude may swing $6 a barrel on Wednesday, based on implied volatility for options contracts, analysts including Damien Courvalin and Jeff Currie said in a report on Monday. Futures would rally into the low $50s a barrel and average $55 over the first half of next year if the group agrees to a cut, according to the bank. Failure to reach an accord would mean prices would average $45 a barrel through the summer." Related: No OPEC Cut Needed, Says Saudi Oil Minister As a reminder, just last week Goldman turned bullish on the OPEC agreement, saying on November 21 that it now expects OPEC to reach a production cut deal, in the process raising its Q1 and Q2 2017 oil price forecast; the contrarians in the audience will note by doing so it may have doomed the deal. Others have taken the other side of the bet, and overnight Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB, says that he thinks there is a "very low chance" of an OPEC oil-output cut tomorrow. The analyst expects more comments along the line of Saudi Arabias dont really need a cut assertion from Sunday. It becomes imperative to save face, Schieldrop said adding that OPEC may be kicking the can to the next OPEC meeting in half a years time. He also noted that Irans offer to cap output at 3.975m b/d means effectively no cut, given average 2000-2008 production was 3.78m b/d. It is unacceptable for Saudi Arabia that Iran does not pitch in with a cut and added that for Iraq, the important issue is what the country really produced in October, which is the baseline month for cuts. What happens if he is right? Oil is likely to trade to the downside of $45/bbl as a no-cut is actually communicated, then will return toward $48." For now, the market is agreeing with the SECB analyst, and WTI has tumbled below $46 in early trading. (Click to enlarge) Finally, here is a good take by Bloomberg energy analyst Julian Lee why tomorrow's deal is "looking trickier each day" Whatever your view on the inner workings of OPEC, achieving an unconditional deal on Wednesday is looking trickier by the day as the group pushes non-member producers to join the curbs. OPEC so far asked non-member producers to cut their combined output by about 500k b/d to 880k b/d, according to various officials including Russias and Azerbaijans energy ministers Failure to hold a meeting Monday between OPEC, non-OPEC -- after Saudi Arabia said it would skip the gathering -- took away an opportunity for both sides to negotiate the finer details of what they would accept in terms of supply restraints. Saudi Arabias reason for not attending was because kingdom wanted OPEC to do its own deal before talking to non-member producers, a delegate said Alexander Novak, Russias energy minister, has no plans to go to Vienna on Wednesday, meaning the leader of those non- OPEC suppliers being asked to curb wont be present These developments suggest a growing probability that, if anything is to come out of tomorrow, it will be an internal agreement from OPEC that would then be presented to non- members, requiring their participation While its possible OPEC will decide that non-members dont have to join curbs -- making an unconditional deal possible on Wednesday -- this would be a reversal for Saudi Arabia, which wants the widest possible participation in supply limits Related: Is The Permian 20 Billion Barrel Oil Discovery Real? An internal deal is by no means a certainty either: - There remain divides within OPEC that are not clearly resolved at this time, particularly around Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraqs positions - For Saudi Arabia, sharing the burden is more important than simply securing an agreement at any price - Despite its willingness to reduce output, it still insists that the cuts are shared equitably - At the same time, both Iran and Iraq must make sacrifices for Saudi Arabia to accept the deal, Iran takes opposite view, insisting Saudi should cut more, as it boosted output most in recent years: oil producers that raised output in past years while Iran was subject to sanctions will have to shoulder a bigger share of the output drop and accept more responsibility: oil minister Bijan Zanganeh Wider Saudi-Iranian conflicts make resolving differences even more difficult Iraqs favored position is to freeze, counter to a Saudi Arabian offer that it should cut Saudi Oil Minister Khalid Al-Falih has raised the possibility of the meeting ending without agreement By Zerohedge More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: We are hours away from the highly anticipated OPEC meeting and oil analysts are coalescing around two possible scenarios that leave very little middle ground: if OPEC reaches a deal, oil prices could be heading well over $50 per barrel. But if the negotiations fall apart, oil prices could be heading south of $40 per barrel. Those projections are creating a lot of volatility in the market. As of last week, oil prices were on the rise as officials from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and seemingly every other OPEC member voiced optimism and openness about reaching a deal. The mood darkened by last Friday and over the weekend as OPEC could not hammer out the stickiest of details and the key members retreated to familiar negotiating positions. Saudi Arabia cancelled the Monday meeting with non-OPEC producers and took a harder line in an effort to twist some arms. Oil prices jumped on Monday but fell by more than 3 percent by midday Tuesday as talks dragged on. That leaves us with a much more pessimistic view regarding the odds of a deal. By Monday, a more than 10-hour meeting between OPEC members adjourned without any concrete progress. One of the thorniest issues is what to do with Iran. Iran insists that it should not be subjected to limits until it gets up to its pre-sanctions production levels of at least 4 million barrels per day. "The revival of Irans lost share in the oil market is the national will and demand of Iranian people," Irans oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said, according to the state-run news agency Shana. Related: Is There Any Hope Left For OPEC? Even the Indonesian delegation did not sound optimistic, which is telling considering the fact that Indonesia is a net importer of oil. "The feeling today is mixed," Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters. "I don't know. Let's see." However, the FT reported that the top three producers struck a more flexible tone after Mondays meeting. Sources told the FT that Iran might be willing to freeze under the 4 mb/d target that it previously set out. Saudi Arabia demanded Iran freeze at current levels 3.7 mb/d but the FT said that it could be open to Iran freezing at 3.8 mb/d. The gap between Irans and Saudi Arabias negotiating positions does not appear to be that large, which suggests there is hope for a compromise. And another sign of small progress came from the other holdout, Iraq, which said that it would accept the secondary sources data that OPEC had been using but Iraqi officials had objected to. Its a small bit of positive news, but suggests that Iraq is still willing to participate in a freeze or a cut that could boost prices. Still, a much broader deal that would include cuts from non-OPEC producers seems to be off the table. Russia said that it would not attend the meeting on Wednesday, a sign that OPEC diplomats failed to bring the worlds largest oil producer on board with a much more comprehensive market intervention. The stakes are high as oil watchers see very little chance that the markets will react with a shrug of their shoulders. Having primed the markets over the past two months, hyping the Nov. 30 meeting in Vienna, OPEC has set oil prices up for a volatile move this week. "It's binary. If you get a deal done you affirm the case for 50 (dollars per barrel). Failure to launch, you're below 40," said Helima Croft, Global Head of Commodity Strategy at Canada's RBC Capital Markets, according to CNBC. The price forecasts vary depending on who you ask, but they all have some variation of a sharp movement in either direction. Goldman Sachs said in a research note on Monday that oil prices will quickly rise to the low-$50s per barrel if OPEC succeeds, and the investment bank assigned a 30 percent probability to such an outcome. However, if OPEC members cannot overcome their differences, oil prices could average just $45 per barrel through the summer of 2017. Others are much gloomier. If OPEC does not come up with a credible agreement to cut production on Wednesday oil prices will end the year below $40 a barrel and be chasing down $30 a barrel early next year," David Hufton, CEO of PVM Group Ltd., told Bloomberg. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Beijing is planning to open up its oil and gas production industry to private investment, according to state news agency Xinhua, eyeing the addition of between five and eight megafields to its oil pool over the next four years. These fields together hold around 733 million barrels of crude oil. Another 5-10 gas deposits to be brought online in the period would add reserves of at least 100 billion cubic meters to the hydrocarbon pool. China is the worlds top importer of crude oil and the second-largest consumer of the fuel and its domestic production has been declining since the start of the oil price crisis, with a lot of huge fields becoming uneconomical at the lower price levels, in addition to the fields nearing depletion. Uncertainty about when prices would recover has contributed to the production decline, with output falling to a seven-year low last month of 3.8 million bpd. Over the first ten months of the year, production fell 7 percent to 3.99 million bpd. Crude oil imports in the first ten months of the year rose by 13.6 percent from January-October 2015, with Russia emerging as the top exporter, overtaking Saudi Arabia and Angola. Apparently, oil consumption is still robust, despite the economic-model shift that is currently unfolding in China. The shift aims to make it less reliant on heavy industries and fossil fuels but this wont happen overnight. The country will continue to be dependent on volatile international markets for much of the oil and gas it consumes unless it overhauls its domestic production system. Related: Suckered Again: How Likely Is An OPEC Production Cut? The upstream oil and gas industry in China is currently dominated by huge state-owned companies such as CNOOC, CNPC, and Sinopec, all of which have suffered their share of profit drops thanks to the lower oil prices. The news about an opening-up of the upstream sector to private investors seems to indicate that China is dissatisfied with its place as the worlds number-two importer, and is also unhappy with how its state-owned giants are exploiting its domestic resources. The reform could see an influx of foreign energy investment in China, despite the low prices. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Castro leading fight against Bay of Pigs invasion, and as an old man (Image by ThisCantBeHappening!) Details DMCA "Yankees Go Home", "Out of Cuba", "Cuba Si, Yankee No". We sang and we wrote on placards that we carried back and forth before the US Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, California on April 19, 1961. It was here that I joined the Fair Play for Cuba Committee. This was the first time I had demonstrated, and here I was opposing "my" government, which I had "defended" between 1956 and 1960. I had recently been discharged from the United States Air Force, which I had joined at 17, in order to fight "communism". What I learned those years was that it was the US that was the aggressor. We constantly flew over and harassed Russian, Chinese and Cuban territory, yet we airmen and soldiers had orders that if "the enemy" did the same we were to shoot them down. They never did "trespass" however. It was Cuba's revolution that woke me up to the reality of US's murderous, domineering foreign policy, which had been true since the very beginning of its independence from Great Brittan. "Born in the USA: regimen of permanent wars" describes this history. http://www.ronridenour.com/articles/2012/1223--rr.htm At the top of my website are quotations, which explain why I became an activist against US Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine and for a socialist alternative, something Fidel stood for. "It is the function of the CIA to keep the world unstable, and to propagandize and teach the American people to hate, so we will let the Establishment spend any amount of money on arms," former CIA official John Stockwell, wrote. "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). A PRIMARY ARGUMENT MADE by opponents of impeaching Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff was that removing her would immediately empower the truly corrupt politicians in Braslia -- the ones who were the driving force behind her impeachment -- and they would then use that power to kill ongoing corruption investigations and shield themselves from consequences for their own law-breaking. In that regard, Dilma's impeachment was not designed to punish corruption but to protect it. The last two weeks have produced new corruption scandals that have vindicated that view beyond what even its proponents imagined was possible. In his short time in office, Temer has already lost five ministers to scandal, but these new controversies are the most serious yet. One major scandal involves an effort in Congress -- led by the very parties that impeached Dilma, with the support of some in Dilma's party -- to pass a law that vests themselves full legal amnesty for their crimes involving election financing. In late September, a bill appeared in Congress, seemingly out of nowhere, that would have retroactively protected any member of Congress from being punished for the use of so-called "caixa dois" (second box) monies in campaigns, whereby politicians receive under-the-table contributions from oligarchs and corporations that they do not declare. Many of Brazil's most powerful politicians -- including its Foreign Minister, a majority of members of the lower House, and installed President Michel Temer himself (pictured above) -- are implicated in this scheme and are thus threatened with the possibility of prosecution. "Caixa dois" has been a key tactic used to bribe politicians. The issue has taken on particular urgency because the imprisoned billionaire CEO of the nation's construction giant Odebrecht, Marcelo Odebrecht, is about to finalize his plea agreement, and it will identify numerous key figures as having received millions of dollars in such undeclared donations. It has already been reported that Temer's Foreign Minister, Jose' Serra, received R$ 23 million ($7 million) in such illegal funds from Odebrecht, much of which was deposited into a Swiss Bank account to avoid detection (those funds were for his losing 2010 presidential campaign against Dilma, showing how those who lost democratically and are mired in serious corruption are the ones who have now seized power due to Dilma's impeachment). Click Here to Read Whole Article From The National Israeli legislation ostensibly intended to tackle noise pollution from Muslim houses of worship has, paradoxically, served chiefly to provoke a cacophony of indignation across much of the Middle East. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his support this month for the so-called "muezzin bill," claiming it was urgently needed to stop the dawn call to prayer from mosques ruining the Israeli public's sleep. A vote in the parliament is due this week. The use of loudspeakers by muezzins was unnecessarily disruptive, Mr Netanyahu argued, in an age of alarm clocks and phone apps. But the one in five of Israel's population who are Palestinian, most of them Muslim, and a further 300,000 living under occupation in East Jerusalem, say the legislation is grossly discriminatory. The bill's environmental rationale is bogus, they note. Moti Yogev, a settler leader who drafted the bill, originally wanted the loudspeaker ban to curb the broadcasting of sermons supposedly full of "incitement" against Israel. And last week, after the Jewish ultra-Orthodox lobby began to fear the bill might also apply to sirens welcoming in the Sabbath, the government hurriedly introduced an exemption for synagogues. The "muezzin bill" does not arrive in a politically neutral context. The extremist wing of the settler movement championing it has been vandalizing and torching mosques in Israel and the occupied territories for years. The new bill follows hot on the heels of a government-sponsored expulsion law that allows Jewish legislators to oust from the parliament the Palestinian minority's representatives if they voice unpopular views. Palestinian leaders in Israel are rarely invited on TV, unless it is to defend themselves against accusations of treasonous behavior. And this month a branch of a major restaurant chain in the northern city of Haifa, where many Palestinian citizens live, banned staff from speaking Arabic to avoid Jewish customers' suspicions that they were being covertly derided. Incrementally, Israel's Palestinian minority has found itself squeezed out of the public sphere. The "muezzin bill" is just the latest step in making them inaudible as well as invisible. Notably, Basel Ghattas, a Palestinian Christian legislator from the Galilee, denounced the bill too. Churches in Nazareth, Jerusalem and Haifa, he vowed, would broadcast the muezzin's call to prayer if mosques were muzzled. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Articles Listed By Date List By Popularity Search Title Date Between Any 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Any 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 and Any 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Any 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Page 1 of 3 First Last Back Next 2 3 View All (7 comments) SHARE One fairly obvious and overlooked reason for the MAGA Chief's theft of classified national documents A plausible, somewhat overlooked explanation for DJT's theft of highly classified documents, and leaving them unprotected for 1-1/2 years. Tuesday, August 30, 2022A plausible, somewhat overlooked explanation for DJT's theft of highly classified documents, and leaving them unprotected for 1-1/2 years. (8 comments) SHARE To Mahatma-ji (Tribute poem by Sukanta Bhattacharya, early 1940s, to Mahatma Gandhi) Recalling a significant tribute poem written by Bengali poet-prodigy Sukanta Bhattacharya (1926-47) in honor of Mahatma Gandhi in the early 1940s, identifying him as the galvanizing figure central to the Indian freedom movement against 200 years of British imperial occupation of the sub-continent. Sukanta was a powerful leftist/progressive voice who had written momentous poems in a life taken much too soon, in 1947 at age 21. Friday, March 25, 2022Recalling a significant tribute poem written by Bengali poet-prodigy Sukanta Bhattacharya (1926-47) in honor of Mahatma Gandhi in the early 1940s, identifying him as the galvanizing figure central to the Indian freedom movement against 200 years of British imperial occupation of the sub-continent. Sukanta was a powerful leftist/progressive voice who had written momentous poems in a life taken much too soon, in 1947 at age 21. (1 comments) SHARE Divided Rivers: Twin Teardrops upon Mother's Face Since the disfiguring partition in 1947, with its great human toll at all levels, Bengali writing, and especially Bengali riverine music, has been a repository of partition nostalgia, represented frequently via the reality and metaphoric depiction of divided rivers across the artificial political divides. This sense of estrangement and dispossession plagues millions of refugees worldwide to this day. . Saturday, October 30, 2021Since the disfiguring partition in 1947, with its great human toll at all levels, Bengali writing, and especially Bengali riverine music, has been a repository of partition nostalgia, represented frequently via the reality and metaphoric depiction of divided rivers across the artificial political divides. This sense of estrangement and dispossession plagues millions of refugees worldwide to this day. . (1 comments) SHARE Vidyasagar and the Emergent Bengal Renaissance- Part II: This is part II of a 2-part article by me on the seminal work by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (ICV; 1820-1891) in founding, establishing and propagating education in Bengal and India, especially the education of women. ICV was a leading reformist figure at the front end of the 19th century Bengal Renaissance, and set an example of character, integrity, service and sacrifice unmatched to this day. Monday, August 9, 2021This is part II of a 2-part article by me on the seminal work by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (ICV; 1820-1891) in founding, establishing and propagating education in Bengal and India, especially the education of women. ICV was a leading reformist figure at the front end of the 19th century Bengal Renaissance, and set an example of character, integrity, service and sacrifice unmatched to this day. (1 comments) SHARE Vidyasagar and the Emergent Bengal Renaissance This is the first of a 2-part essay on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (ICV, 1820-1891), a leading educator/reformer in Bengal and India under British colonial rule. ICV's life provides a glimpse into a time of higher human ideals, and how those were venerated in society. These qualities have become increasingly diminished, and the lesser human impulses are now predominant, making study of ICV's life and works even more vital. Saturday, July 17, 2021This is the first of a 2-part essay on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (ICV, 1820-1891), a leading educator/reformer in Bengal and India under British colonial rule. ICV's life provides a glimpse into a time of higher human ideals, and how those were venerated in society. These qualities have become increasingly diminished, and the lesser human impulses are now predominant, making study of ICV's life and works even more vital. (1 comments) SHARE Poverty Porn Masquerading as Tribute for Humanist, Author, Filmmaker Satyajit Ray on His Centennial This critique of a Centennial commemoration essay which appeared at Counterpunch.org is self-explanatory, but has implications for those from the Eastern half of the East/West and Fist World/Third World divide. The point of discussion is legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's centennial celebrations. The essay being critiqued does disservice not only to the supremely erudite renaissance figure, but to his people and culture. Sunday, June 20, 2021This critique of a Centennial commemoration essay which appeared at Counterpunch.org is self-explanatory, but has implications for those from the Eastern half of the East/West and Fist World/Third World divide. The point of discussion is legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's centennial celebrations. The essay being critiqued does disservice not only to the supremely erudite renaissance figure, but to his people and culture. (1 comments) SHARE The Duopolic Dysfunction on Display in the Senate Verdict on Career Criminal Trump My immediate reaction to the Senate "verdict" on the mega criminal mob boss, 57-43, only minutes ago. Sunday, February 14, 2021My immediate reaction to the Senate "verdict" on the mega criminal mob boss, 57-43, only minutes ago. (1 comments) SHARE Rumblings of the Resurgent Confederacy and the Criminal Antics of the Mafia Don US democracy, while fragile and far from perfect, is currently in grave danger of a dictatorial takeover by a posse of subversives, headed by a mafioso Don with nothing but malice and self-promotion in his arsenal. It is upto all Americans with honor, and knowledge of the great sacrifices that stitch together the history of their democratic republic, must rise up now and put a stop to this 4-years-long, monstrous spectacle. Tuesday, January 5, 2021US democracy, while fragile and far from perfect, is currently in grave danger of a dictatorial takeover by a posse of subversives, headed by a mafioso Don with nothing but malice and self-promotion in his arsenal. It is upto all Americans with honor, and knowledge of the great sacrifices that stitch together the history of their democratic republic, must rise up now and put a stop to this 4-years-long, monstrous spectacle. (9 comments) SHARE Campaign to revive the Confederacy; watch the next few days I see the entire post-election sorry and ghastly drama played out day by day in this pathetic US exercise as an attempt, now with quite some momentum, to bring back the confederacy, even the score, and to establish white supremacy, segregation and make all those MAGA dreams come true. One hopes none of these will actually happen, but what has already happened definitely sets the drumroll. Sunday, January 3, 2021I see the entire post-election sorry and ghastly drama played out day by day in this pathetic US exercise as an attempt, now with quite some momentum, to bring back the confederacy, even the score, and to establish white supremacy, segregation and make all those MAGA dreams come true. One hopes none of these will actually happen, but what has already happened definitely sets the drumroll. (1 comments) SHARE Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka- (Tagore's unabridged original Anthem translated) Part II of a 2-part essay in defense of Rabindranath Tagore and Jana Gana Mana. The first appeared in Countercurrents in 2003. With the emerging fundamentalist intolerance and bigotry extending its ominious tentacles across India, the haven of diversity, tolerance (and, as Vivekananda said often, India was a land that went beyond tolerance, to acceptance) now vested in sectarian zealotry. Hence the urgency of this write-up. Series: (5 Articles, 22886 views) Monday, December 28, 2020Part II of a 2-part essay in defense of Rabindranath Tagore and Jana Gana Mana. The first appeared in Countercurrents in 2003. With the emerging fundamentalist intolerance and bigotry extending its ominious tentacles across India, the haven of diversity, tolerance (and, as Vivekananda said often, India was a land that went beyond tolerance, to acceptance) now vested in sectarian zealotry. Hence the urgency of this write-up. Tagore's worldview poems (5 Articles, 22886 views) (1 comments) SHARE A Bolivarian Soccer Rebel- Brief remembrance of Diego Maradona I was prompted to write these words in remembrance of the recently-departed soccer legend, Diego Maradona, primarily after reading more about his consistent role in defending human rights in South America. His steadfast support of human rights and solidarity with the Bolivarian and other progressive movements, well established by his continental associations, place him much higher even than his exalted stature in soccer. Series: (12 Articles, 34499 views), Sunday, December 6, 2020I was prompted to write these words in remembrance of the recently-departed soccer legend, Diego Maradona, primarily after reading more about his consistent role in defending human rights in South America. His steadfast support of human rights and solidarity with the Bolivarian and other progressive movements, well established by his continental associations, place him much higher even than his exalted stature in soccer. Cultural and civilizational (12 Articles, 34499 views), Socio-Political (11 Articles, 28030 views) (3 comments) SHARE Apu, Ekshan, Ikebana and being Bengali - Renaissance, uninterrupted - Remembering Soumitra Chatterjee About 3 weeks ago, Bengal lost to Covid-19 one of her greatest living cultural stalwarts, Soumitra Chattopadhyay, at age 85. To many of us from Bengal, he was virtually the last link to the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th and 20th centuries, beginning with Rammohun Roy (1773-1833) and reaching its pinnacle with Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). Here is a tribute poem/eulogy I out together in his remembrance. Series: (2 Articles, 2768 views), Sunday, November 29, 2020About 3 weeks ago, Bengal lost to Covid-19 one of her greatest living cultural stalwarts, Soumitra Chattopadhyay, at age 85. To many of us from Bengal, he was virtually the last link to the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th and 20th centuries, beginning with Rammohun Roy (1773-1833) and reaching its pinnacle with Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). Here is a tribute poem/eulogy I out together in his remembrance. Art and Ideals (2 Articles, 2768 views), Cultural and civilizational (12 Articles, 34499 views) (2 comments) SHARE Biden and Harris could have at least thanked Bernie Sanders, but it would be politically incorrect Despite the overwhelming relief and joy around the world that Drumpenfuhrer has been rejected, I personally have felt a relatively short-lasting euphoria that the duopoly is really back in business. And while existential disaster for the world has been averted, the duopoly's complete lack of acknowledging the promise of genuine change brought about by Senator Bernie Sanders, make me wistful for "what might have been." Series: (11 Articles, 28030 views) Sunday, November 8, 2020Despite the overwhelming relief and joy around the world that Drumpenfuhrer has been rejected, I personally have felt a relatively short-lasting euphoria that the duopoly is really back in business. And while existential disaster for the world has been averted, the duopoly's complete lack of acknowledging the promise of genuine change brought about by Senator Bernie Sanders, make me wistful for "what might have been." Socio-Political (11 Articles, 28030 views) (29 comments) SHARE In Lock-Step with the Reich: Devotees of the Orange Fuhrer The current neo-fascist regime in the US has steadfast devotees to whom this draconian administration can do no wrong. Their organized flag-waving requires these cautionary comments so that the spirit of democracy and pluralism may survive. Series: (11 Articles, 28030 views) Sunday, October 25, 2020The current neo-fascist regime in the US has steadfast devotees to whom this draconian administration can do no wrong. Their organized flag-waving requires these cautionary comments so that the spirit of democracy and pluralism may survive. Socio-Political (11 Articles, 28030 views) (7 comments) SHARE For Andre Vltchek: Imagining a Different World I wrote this tribute poem remembering Andre Vltchek, remarkable journalist, author, poet, philosopher, traveler, somewhere in Turkey on September 22, 2020. His sudden passing is at the moment shrouded in mystery. After all, a staunch anti-imperialist always treads a risky line. Series: (1 Articles, 993 views), Saturday, September 26, 2020I wrote this tribute poem remembering Andre Vltchek, remarkable journalist, author, poet, philosopher, traveler, somewhere in Turkey on September 22, 2020. His sudden passing is at the moment shrouded in mystery. After all, a staunch anti-imperialist always treads a risky line. Journalism-activism (1 Articles, 993 views), Socio-Political (11 Articles, 28030 views) (1 comments) SHARE The Caste Hooligans Part II by Kazi Nazrul Islam For completeness, I am adding Part II of the Kazi Nazrul Islam (renowned Bengali poet, 1899-1976) anti-casteism poem, Jaater Name Bajjati Shob (The Caste Hooligans, by this translator) which adds more pronouncements against the destructiveness of casteism and racism in human society. These stanzas do not appear in the portion which is composed into a song from the 1940s. Series: (7 Articles, 27641 views), Wednesday, June 17, 2020For completeness, I am adding Part II of the Kazi Nazrul Islam (renowned Bengali poet, 1899-1976) anti-casteism poem, Jaater Name Bajjati Shob (The Caste Hooligans, by this translator) which adds more pronouncements against the destructiveness of casteism and racism in human society. These stanzas do not appear in the portion which is composed into a song from the 1940s. Anti-bigotry, anti-racism, anti-imperialist poetry (7 Articles, 27641 views), Cultural and civilizational (12 Articles, 34499 views) Page 1 of 3 First Last Back Next 2 3 View All by NW Spotlight Yesterday, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a student of Somali descent, attacked students and faculty at Ohio State University using a car and a butcher knife. He was stopped within minutes by a campus police officer with a gun who fatally shot him. The attacker used his car to ram a crowd of people sending bodies flying into the air. He then went after people with a butcher knife, swinging and slashing wildly with the knife. Then, according to the Columbus Dispatch, OSU Police Officer Alan Horujko confronted the attacker and shot and killed him, just a minute after the start of the attack. 11 students and faculty members were injured and taken to the hospital. The attacker had been featured in the campus newspaper back in August, and was quoted as saying Im a Muslim, its not what the media portrays me to be. CNN reported The Ohio State University student who carried out a knife attack on campus Monday said in a Facebook post he was sick and tired of seeing fellow Muslims killed and tortured, according to federal law enforcement officials. BBC News is reporting The students motive is still not known, but terrorism is a possibility, police chief Kim Jacobs said, and that the attacker was said to be a Somali refugee. UPDATE 12/15/2016: Washington Post Ohio State attacker, a refugee, should have been more thoroughly vetted, Senate Judiciary chair alleges Welcome to 'OZ' - The 'Other' Side of the Rainbow!! Posting is at 10AM, Noon and 2PM CST daily. Up to 12 days of posts on the main page. The archives have more. You can forward posts by clicking on the envelope at the bottom of the post. Enjoy your stay! *** If you need to contact me, or have a copyright issue, please use the "Contact The Wizard" form on the left side of 'OZ'. Original source and author is cited and credited in each post where possible. *** A marine scientist is holding a hawksbill sea turtle. Researchers from WCS and the Belize Fisheries Department have uncovered a thriving population of juvenile hawksbill sea turtles living in the waters of Glover's Reef Atoll. Credit: K. Holmes/WCS. A new generation of threatened hawksbill sea turtles is thriving in the protected waters of Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize, evidence that efforts to protect these and other marine species in one of the world's great barrier reef systems are working, according to WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and the Belize Fisheries Department. In a recently published study in the journal Endangered Species Research, scientists have reported that the coral reefs surrounding the atoll are home to more than 1,000 juvenile hawksbill sea turtles- good news for a species. The authors of the study titled "In-water assessments of sea turtles at Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize" are: Samantha Strindberg, Virginia R. Burns Perez and Janet Gibson of WCS; Robin A. Coleman of WCS and Sawfish Consulting Ltd.; Cathi L. Campbell of WCS and the University of Florida, and Isaias Majil of the Belize Fisheries Department. "The findings of our research show that juvenile hawksbill turtles are thriving at Glover's Reef- extremely good news for this endangered species," said Virginia Burns Perez, WCS Technical Coordinator in Belize. "Strongholds for the species such as this one should become a model for other foraging and nesting areas that are important for the hawksbill turtle." Glover's Reef Atoll is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere. The Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, in particular, is important to both the fishing economy of Belize and the region's marine biodiversity. In order to safeguard this natural wonder, WCS worked with the Belize Fisheries Department and other local stakeholders to initiate a conservation plan for the site. The hawksbill sea turtle was selected as one of several target species for conserving the larger seascape. Researchers conducted a snorkel survey of sea turtles in and around Glover's Reef Atoll. Credit: WCS. "A healthy population of hawksbill turtles at Glover's Reef has positive implications for recovery of the species in Belize and the wider Caribbean region," said Nicole Auil Gomez, WCS Belize Country Director. "Once these young hawksbills mature they leave the Atoll and can travel incredible distances." Meanwhile, Fisheries Administrator Beverly Wade stated that "This study validates the importance of the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve for the survival of such an iconic species. The thriving Hawksbill turtles are a wonderful success story for the government and people of Belize and its partners in their efforts toward the sustained management and conservation of the Glover's Reef Atoll." The newly published study is the result of field research between 2007 and 2013, during which time 12 snorkel surveys on sea turtles were conducted in the coral reefs around Glover's Reef Atoll. Safe and tested methods were used to catch, examine, tag, and release sea turtles. From 2009 onward, for the first time ever for in-water assessments of turtles, a technique known as distance sampling (visually spotting sea turtles along a transect line and estimating distance between the turtle and the line) was used. Complementary monitoring methods provided a comprehensive assessment of turtle population status and dynamics, while accounting for the proportion of turtles that were not caught or seen. "Our turtle monitoring protocol is based on robust survey and analysis methods," said WCS Scientist & Wildlife Statistician Samantha Strindberg. "This allows us to more confidently assess the effectiveness of conservation management for this important population of hawksbill turtles now and in the future." In addition to snorkel surveys along underwater transects, the research used established methods to catch, examine, tag, and release sea turtles during the study, which lasted between 2007 and 2013. Credit: R. Coleman/WCS. Results of the study found that the abundance of juvenile hawksbill turtles was estimated to be more than 1,000 individual animals, with much smaller numbers of green and loggerhead sea turtles. The research team also determined that the probability of survival for the hawksbills was reassuringly high, another reason for optimism about the persistence of sea turtles at Glover's Reef Atoll. "The discovery that Glover's Reef Atoll is an important habitat for young sea turtles is an important find, one that will enable regulatory agencies to fine-tune already effective management policies to safeguard a highly threatened species and its biodiverse habitat," said Jason Patlis, WCS's Director for Marine Conservation. "This is great news on two levels: the discovery of a robust population of juvenile hawksbill sea turtles means a brighter future for this highly endangered species, and the protections afforded this population within the Glover's Reef Atoll once again demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of well-managed marine protected areas," added Patlis. Glover's Reef Atoll is also the focus of a 167,000-gallon tank located in the New Conservation Hall and Glover's Reef exhibit at WCS's New York Aquarium. The exhibit replicates its diverse coral reef namesake in Belize and is home to marine creatures including eels, rays, hogfish, and many other species. Through powerful graphics, visitors are introduced to WCS's Glover's Reef Marine Research Station along with WCS studies on coral diversity, bleaching, and other conservation topics. More information: S Strindberg et al, In-water assessments of sea turtles at Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize, Endangered Species Research (2016). DOI: 10.3354/esr00765 Credit: Fauna & Flora International Fauna & Flora International has acquired two quadcopter drones to help reduce incidents of conflict between humans and wild elephants in Sumatra, Indonesia. The acquisition of two quadcopter drones is helping Fauna & Flora International's (FFI) Aceh team to monitor the location of Sumatran elephants in Aceh, Indonesia, and respond quickly when elephants are approaching community farms to minimise potential conflicts. A quadcopter is a type of remotely controlled drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) that has four rotors each with its own motor and propeller. One of the main advantages of using drone technology is that it allows field staff to easily reach inaccessible areas. As well as monitoring elephants, FFI's Aceh team is also using the quadcopters to support forest patrols and produce detailed ground maps of community forest areas. Dewa Gumay, FFI's Aceh Programme Manager says, "We need to improve handling of human-elephant conflict by combining technology and conservation actions. Using drones will help to effectively and efficiently detect the location of elephants in conflict areas. For conservation to be successful conservationists need to consider using relevant technology to support their efforts." Sumatran elephants spotted using the quadcopter drone. Credit: FFI Aceh As humans encroach on the natural environment they often come into conflict with wildlife, leading to the deaths of both people and animals. Such is the case in Ulu Masen in Aceh Province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where farming communities are increasingly coming into contact with Sumatran elephants. FFI has been working to protect both elephants and local communities in Ulu Masen since 1998 including establishing three Conservation Response Units in conflict hotspots. These teams help respond to calls from community members and drive elephants away from community farms. The use of new drone technology will allow FFI to build on these efforts and make the response process more effective by monitoring where the elephants move to, to ensure they have not just transferred the problem to other community residences. Credit: Fauna & Flora International An increase in human-elephant conflict Human-elephant conflict is a major issue in Ulu Masen and incidents regularly occur in four out of five districts in the area. Conflict has increased in recent years as local communities have expanded their farms into elephant habitat and is now one of the major threats to Sumatran elephants. Illegal activities such as logging and hunting also disturb elephants, driving them into areas near the community residences. When humans and elephants interact there is a high risk of conflict due to elephant crop-raiding which is one of the greatest threats to the livelihood of farming communities on the Ulu Masen boundary. Wild elephants are therefore generally viewed negatively by local people and often killed. The introduction of quadcopter drones to reduce incidents of elephants coming into contact with people has already begun to improve attitudes. A microscopic image of 2.5 billion-year-old sulfur-oxidizing bacterium. Credit: Andrew Czaja, UC assistant professor of geology Somewhere between Earth's creation and where we are today, scientists have demonstrated that some early life forms existed just fine without any oxygen. While researchers proclaim the first half of our 4.5 billion-year-old planet's life as an important time for the development and evolution of early bacteria, evidence for these life forms remains sparse including how they survived at a time when oxygen levels in the atmosphere were less than one-thousandth of one percent of what they are today. Recent geology research from the University of Cincinnati presents new evidence for bacteria found fossilized in two separate locations in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. "These are the oldest reported fossil sulfur bacteria to date," says Andrew Czaja, UC assistant professor of geology. "And this discovery is helping us reveal a diversity of life and ecosystems that existed just prior to the Great Oxidation Event, a time of major atmospheric evolution." The 2.52 billion-year-old sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are described by Czaja as exceptionally large, spherical-shaped, smooth-walled microscopic structures much larger than most modern bacteria, but similar to some modern single-celled organisms that live in deepwater sulfur-rich ocean settings today, where even now there are almost no traces of oxygen. UC Professor Andrew Czaja indicates the layer of rock from which fossil bacteria were collected on a 2014 field excursion near the town of Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Credit: Aaron Satkoski, UWM postdoc on the excursion. In his research published in the December issue of the journal Geology of the Geological Society of America, Czaja and his colleagues Nicolas Beukes from the University of Johannesburg and Jeffrey Osterhout, a recently graduated master's student from UC's department of geology, reveal samples of bacteria that were abundant in deep water areas of the ocean in a geologic time known as the Neoarchean Eon (2.8 to 2.5 billion years ago). "These fossils represent the oldest known organisms that lived in a very dark, deep-water environment," says Czaja. "These bacteria existed two billion years before plants and trees, which evolved about 450 million years ago. We discovered these microfossils preserved in a layer of hard silica-rich rock called chert located within the Kaapvaal craton of South Africa." With an atmosphere of much less than one percent oxygen, scientists have presumed that there were things living in deep water in the mud that didn't need sunlight or oxygen, but Czaja says experts didn't have any direct evidence for them until now. Czaja argues that finding rocks this old is rare, so researchers' understanding of the Neoarchean Eon are based on samples from only a handful of geographic areas, such as this region of South Africa and another in Western Australia. 3-D image showing the wrinkled surface of the compressed fossil, originally round, the bacterial outer shell is now preserved in the shape of a deflated beach ball. Image created using confocal laser scanning microscopy in the Czaja Geology Lab at the University of Cincinnati. Video/Andrew Czaja According to Czaja, scientists through the years have theorized that South Africa and Western Australia were once part of an ancient supercontinent called Vaalbara, before a shifting and upending of tectonic plates split them during a major change in the Earth's surface. Based on radiometric dating and geochemical isotope analysis, Czaja characterizes his fossils as having formed in this early Vaalbara supercontinent in an ancient deep seabed containing sulfate from continental rock. According to this dating, Czaja's fossil bacteria were also thriving just before the era when other shallow-water bacteria began creating more and more oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. "We refer to this period as the Great Oxidation Event that took place 2.4 to 2.2 billion years ago," says Czaja. Microstructures here have physical characteristics consistent with the remains of compressed coccodial (round) bacteria microorganisms. Credit: Andrew Czaja, permission to publish by Geological Society of America Early recycling Czaja's fossils show the Neoarchean bacteria in plentiful numbers while living deep in the sediment. He contends that these early bacteria were busy ingesting volcanic hydrogen sulfidethe molecule known to give off a rotten egg smellthen emitting sulfate, a gas that has no smell. He says this is the same process that goes on today as modern bacteria recycle decaying organic matter into minerals and gases. "The waste product from one [bacteria] was food for the other," adds Czaja. "While I can't claim that these early bacteria are the same ones we have today, we surmise that they may have been doing the same thing as some of our current bacteria," says Czaja. "These early bacteria likely consumed the molecules dissolved from sulfur-rich minerals that came from land rocks that had eroded and washed out to sea, or from the volcanic remains on the ocean's floor. There is an ongoing debate about when sulfur-oxidizing bacteria arose and how that fits into the earth's evolution of life, Czaja adds. "But these fossils tell us that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were there 2.52 billion years ago, and they were doing something remarkable." More information: Andrew D. Czaja et al, Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria prior to the Great Oxidation Event from the 2.52 Ga Gamohaan Formation of South Africa, Geology (2016). DOI: 10.1130/G38150.1 Journal information: Geology Credit: CC0 Public Domain (Phys.org)A pair of researchers has found that word use popularity tends to oscillate over 14-year periods. In their paper published in the journal Palgrave Communications, Marcelo Montemurro, with The University of Manchester in the U.K. and Damian Zanette with the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research in Argentina describe how they analyzed data obtained from millions of books publicly available in a Google database and found a cyclical pattern of word popularity. Most people who live very long come to see that some words fall into popularity and then out again. While some that come into existence during certain periods of time, such as "rad" or "boogie" might disappear never to be heard from again, most common nouns, the researchers found, tend to have a cyclical popularity, and that for a reason they cannot explain, it happens in 14-year periods. To learn more about word use popularity, the researchers wrote scripts that were used to dig through almost 5 million books that have been digitized and stored in Google's Ngram database. The scripts counted every noun encountered, which allowed the users to rank them by popularity year by year. They then tracked how the rankings changed over time and that was when they found a pattern. English nouns rose in popularity and then sank again in 14-year cyclesthough they note that over the past couple of centuries, the cycles have been a year or two longer. They also found that some groups of nouns, such as those that referenced royalty, tended to rise and fall together in synced cycles. And other cycles, they found, tended to be connected with worldwide events such as wars or the Olympics. They noted, too, that the results were approximately the same when analyzing nouns in books written in other languages, which, they claim, suggests a universality to their findings. The researchers report that they are baffled regarding the cycle and its number of yearsafter conducting further searches, they acknowledge that they have no idea why the number 14 in particular is important, but suggest more research might be in order to find out. 2016 Phys.org Credit: Florida International University Bottlenose dolphins in the Florida Coastal Everglades have higher concentrations of mercury than any other populations in the world. FIU scientists examined dolphins from the lower Florida Keys, Everglades National Park and Florida Bay, looking for mercury and organic pollutants in their skin and blubber. Not only did they find high mercury levels in the coastal Everglades dolphins, but they found the highest levels of concentration ever recorded. Potential sources of mercury are both natural and from man-made sources. The finding raises concerns about potential impacts on the health of local populations. During the past several decades, a variety of marine mammal species from all across the world have experienced unusual die-offs, including bottlenose dolphins along the East coast of the United States. Some scientists believe toxic algae and toxic pollutants like mercury are the primary culprit. Mercury can disrupt the immune system and reproduction of dolphins, making the animals more vulnerable to infection and disease. Mangroves are thought to be the primary source of the mercury. When leaves are dropped into brackish swamp waters, the mercury from the mangroves interacts with bacteria and is converted to highly toxic methylmercury. "Understanding the impact of pollutants on marine ecosystems, including from natural sources, is critical for conservation and management. Results obtained on bottlenose dolphins from the Everglades were surprising, but we now need to assess the effect of mercury on the health of dolphins and other species from the Everglades," said FIU marine scientist Jeremy Kiszka, who co-authored the study. "This is a critical question for understanding the effects of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems, but also on humans, since we are also part of these ecosystems." Additional organic pollutants were examined as part of the study, including pesticides and other compounds. Some were found in the various populations of bottlenose dolphins throughout the southern tip of Florida, but mercury was found in much more alarming concentrations in the waters of the Everglades. The research team plans to expand the study to examine mercury contamination in other species including sharks, alligators, fish and more. In addition to FIU, the research team includes scientists from the University of Liege in Belgium, the University of Gronigen in the Netherlands and the Tropical Dolphin Research Foundation in the United States. The findings were published in Environmental Pollution. More information: France Damseaux et al, Spatial variation in the accumulation of POPs and mercury in bottlenose dolphins of the Lower Florida Keys and the coastal Everglades (South Florida), Environmental Pollution (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.005 Scientists in Greenland excavating rocks that may hold 3.8-billion-year-old evidence of life. Credit: Laure Gauthiez Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients of life on Earth, with some organisms, such as the kinds of microbes found within the roots of legume plants, capable of converting nitrogen gas into molecules that other species can use. Nitrogen fixation, as the process is called, involves breaking the powerful chemical bonds that hold nitrogen atoms in pairs in the atmosphere and using the resulting single nitrogen atoms to help create molecules such as ammonia, which is a building block of many complex organic molecules, such as proteins, DNA and RNA. With organisms playing such a crucial role in the chemistry of nitrogen on Earth, scientists are examining nitrogen in billion-year-old rocks to decipher its potential as a bio-signature of life on other planets. New findings in this area of research appeared recently in the paper, "Nitrogen in Ancient Mud: A Biosignature?" in the journal Astrobiology. "This study identifies nitrogen abundances as a potential tool to detect remnants of life on Mars," said one of the study's authors, Eva Stueken, an astrobiologist at the University of Washington at Seattle and the University of California at Riverside. However, there are mechanisms other than life that can fix nitrogen. These abiotic nitrogen fixation processes include lightning, volcanism, shockwaves from cosmic impacts and chemical reactions inside hydrothermal vents. As such, it is uncertain whether high nitrogen levels seen in certain ancient rocks on Earth are indeed biogenic (biological) in origin. Soil microbes known as rhizobia supply much-needed nitrogen to legumes such as clover (Trifolium species). In return, legumes shelter the rhizobia in nodules on their roots and provide them with carbon. Credit: Julie McMahon Stueken focused on 3.8 billion-year-old rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt in Greenland. Previous researchers interpreted organic carbon molecules in those rocks as biogenic, a controversial finding because the widely accepted scientific date for earliest life has been a younger 3.5 billion years. "It is possible to make organic carbon even in the absence of life," Stueken said. "So those studies have been viewed with skepticism by some researchers, and an independent biosignature was needed." Stueken set out to see if nitrogen could serve as a biosignature instead, focusing on the relatively high nitrogen levels found in the mineral biotite, present in the Isua rocks. "The nitrogen concentrations are close to what one would find in modern mud," Stueken said. "So I asked myself if this amount of nitrogen could possibly result from abiotic sources." In Earth's earliest history, abiotic processes may have been much more important to nitrogen fixation than biological ones, but nobody had tested the hypothesis, Stueken said. "I was determined to find out when life began to dominate the global nitrogen cycle," she added. Stueken developed a model of abiotic nitrogen processes that could have played a role in early Earth. The results showed that such abiotic processes alone could not explain the nitrogen levels seen in the Isua rocks. "Under abiotic conditions, it is impossible to accumulate so much nitrogen in sediments," Stueken said. "Life, on the other hand, can easily accumulate so much nitrogen." As such, "the results provide more evidence of an early origin of life on Earthbefore 3.8 billion years ago," Stueken said. This research suggests that analyzing nitrogen levels could help detect signs of life on Mars, Stueken said. "Nitrogen abundances are relatively easy to measure by a rover, making this a useful tool for upcoming Mars missions." More information: Eva E. Stueken. Nitrogen in Ancient Mud: A Biosignature?, Astrobiology (2016). DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1478 Journal information: Astrobiology This story is republished courtesy of NASA's Astrobiology Magazine. Explore the Earth and beyond at www.astrobio.net . This blog will focus on political images I have found all around the Internet, though I will intersperse some commentary and quotes that I find interesting. LAKE GEORGE A Christmas bazaar and Santas shop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Caldwell Presbyterian Church, 71 Montcalm St., and at the United Methodist Church, 78 Montcalm St., featuring Christmas gifts, childrens shopping tables, baked goods and odds and ends for sale. Caldwell Presbyterian will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Santas shop will include childrens games, snacks, visits with Santa, and parents can take pictures of children with Santa. Caldwell will also offer an alternative gift table at which donors may make a contribution to one of four church ministries: Haiti Mission School, North Country Ministries, Regional Food Bank and Heifer International. For each contribution, the donor will receive a card with which to honor someone at Christmas. QUEENSBURY Four local men were arrested in recent weeks as part of an international prostitution investigation that involved the FBI and Warren County Sheriffs Office, an inquiry that also ensnared another local man who police said had child pornography. Four of the five were charged with misdemeanor patronizing a prostitute, while the fifth was charged with federal felony counts of possession of child pornography and knowingly receiving child pornography. The bust was part of a federal undercover effort known as Operation Cross Country X, which targeted human traffickers and led to hundreds of arrests around the country last month. The Sheriffs Office is part of a regional task force that was part of the operation. The arrests stemmed from a sting in which an undercover female officer posed as a prostitute and men responded to an online advertisement for sex-for-hire. Police used a room at the Ramada Inn off Exit 19 of the Northway and arrested four men who responded to the ad, met with the woman posing as a prostitute and agreed to pay for a sexual act, court records show. According to court records, charged with third-degree patronizing a prostitute were: Haroon Khan, 52, of Lake George Joseph W. Loeb, 35, of Glens Falls Neil P. Butler, 48, of Corinth Shawn T. Fahy, 51, of Fort Plain All four have pleaded not guilty and are free, pending prosecution in Queensbury Town Court. Among those who police said also responded to the advertisement was Michael Bush, 48, of Fort Edward, and further investigation by the FBI led to his arrest eight days later on two federal felony counts of possession of child pornography and knowingly receiving child pornography. Court records show he was the focus of a child exploitation inquiry when dozens of images of child pornography were found on a cellphone he had. Bush has pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court and is free on bail. His case was adjourned to allow authorities and his defense lawyer to analyze evidence that includes an approximately 20-page text message and email correspondence with an unspecified witness, court records show. How the FBI came to focus on southern Warren County as part of the international prostitution investigation remained unclear Tuesday. Warren County sheriffs Lt. Steve Stockdale said the case was a joint investigation involving the FBI and Sheriffs Office, and that the Sheriffs Office was told the FBI was handling media calls about the matter. The Sheriffs Office is part of a regional child exploitation task force that involves the FBI. Eileen Cataldo, a spokeswoman for the FBI, said the agency had no comment on specific arrests, but said the investigation was part of the national crackdown. A press release issued about the international effort indicated 55 FBI field offices and 74 child exploitation task forces, representing more than 400 law enforcement organizations, took part in the operation. In addition, there were several dozen operations across Canada, and approximately 10 operations that took place in six cities across Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines. BALLSTON SPA A Gansevoort man who police said sold heroin on numerous occasions was sentenced Monday in Saratoga County Court to 4.5 years in state prison. Brian S. Munger, 52, of James Court, pleaded guilty in August to a felony charge of attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance for selling heroin this spring in Northumberland. Saratoga County Judge James Murphy imposed the prison term, to be followed by 3 years on parole. Munger also faces an unrelated felony grand larceny charge for allegedly defrauding a customer of his contracting business, Phoenix Renovation, during a roofing job at a Lake George home. HUDSON FALLS The committee re-establishing The Strand Theatre has been deliberate in its work, trying not to make any promises. The process of reconverting the Kingsbury Town Hall into a performance space has taken longer than expected, but if everything goes well with inspections this week, the Strand may show its first movie in more than 65 years on Dec. 23. Were checking with the code officer this week to see if we can have our sixth anniversary party in the lobby on Dec. 18 and show Its a Wonderful Life, in the lobby on Dec. 23, said Jonathan Newell, director of the Hudson River Music Hall, which is taking the lead in renovating the Strand. Each event would be special in its own way. The Hudson River Music Hall held its first event six years ago in the old Washington County courthouse in Hudson Falls, then moved to a nearby building. Showing Its a Wonderful Life, would allow the Strand to set a tone by starting with a classic, Frank Capras 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart, consistently ranked among the top 100 American films of all time and one of the best holiday movies ever. The theater has already had one public showing an open house the day after Thanksgiving. Open house was great. We took in almost $1,000 in donations, Newell said. We should be able to announce some donors in the next few weeks to restore the foyer and lobby. As they have been all along, the members of the Strand committee are working in stages to restore the theater. The lobby walls are up, Newell said. Well focus on that space first, ceiling plaster in lobby and balcony are being repaired, electrical and heating work are being done to start work on coffee shop and upstairs offices. Were hoping to get the New York City architects back on board soon to discuss the theater, stage and balcony, Newell said. Were all happy with the progress of the entry and lobby. A Granville lawyer found himself in the New York City studios of Fox News on Monday as he seeks a pardon for a U.S. Navy sailor who was convicted of mishandling classified materials. Lawyer Ronald Daigle, a former Granville police chief and town justice, has been hired by the family of Kristian Saucier to seek a presidential pardon. He accompanied Sauciers mother as she appeared on several Fox News television and radio shows on Monday. Sauciers case became an issue after the Oct. 4 vice presidential debate, as the candidates discussed former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clintons handling of classified materials. Some pointed out that Saucier was sent to prison for taking six photos of a classified area of a submarine, photos that werent believed to have been shared, while Clinton was accused of mishandling materials that were more highly classified and was not prosecuted. A few high level politicians have singled out Kris as an example of injustice, Daigle said. Saucier was a machinists mate aboard the USS Alexandria when he took the photos, which included control panels, a panoramic view of the nuclear reactor compartment and a panel that showed the condition and location of the submarine when the photo was taken. He was charged after a cellphone he lost was found in 2012 by someone who spotted the photos on it and recognized them as being from a Navy ship. The FBI investigated and Saucier ultimately pleaded guilty to a felony charge of unauthorized possession and retention of national defense information. He was sentenced to a year in federal prison, 6 months on house arrest, and faces a dishonorable discharge from the military. Saucier is a native of Arlington, Vermont, just east of the Washington County line. He was assigned to a naval base in Connecticut when the phone was discovered. Daigle served in the Navy as well, including three deployments in the Middle East during the Iraq War in the mid-2000s. He spent Monday with Sauciers mother, Kathleen Saucier, as she appeared on Varney and Company, Risk and Rewards and the CL Bryant radio show. They also hoped to appear on the Sean Hannity Radio Show, but were bumped Monday because of the Ohio State attack, and Fox and Friends on Tuesday. Being a fellow veteran, I am proud to represent Kristian Saucier in his pursuit of a presidential pardon as well as an honorable discharge from the Navy, Daigle said. GRANVILLE Everyone in the North Granville water district is boiling water today after a water main break that also left residents with brown water. The district brings water to about 800 people. It was built by the WPA in 1941, and the pipes are now deteriorating badly. They are well past their useful life, said town Supervisor Matt Hicks. Thats the root of the issue. But it was still startling when residents turned on their faucets Sunday night and got brown water. I didnt know if it was safe to shower this morning, said Danielle Shaw. I drank this water my whole life. And Im not drinking it anymore. Its scary. Shes researching bottled water, although the most recent water quality report for North Granville water found no problems. The discoloration is from minerals. The brown water and the boil-water alert pushed her over the edge, but shes been worried about the water for months. This has been a constant problem, she said. Now we have a film on our water. We have a foul smell. Thats not healthy. Something is clearly wrong. The immediate problem was two fires in North Granville. The volunteer fire department pulled from the water system to fill its tanker truck, Hicks said. The firemen drew quite a bit of water. When the fire department takes a pretty good draw off the water, it stirs things up, he said. In other words, the sudden drop in water pressure stirred up microscopic pieces of the deteriorating pipes, creating brown water. That drop in pressure also didnt help the old pipes hold together. Residents reported a leak on Route 12A, and the water crew found a piece of pipe with a hole in it Monday morning. They fixed the problem by midday and issued a boil water advisory, asking residents to boil their water before drinking it, because the pipe was open to the air. Another advisory will be sent out when the state Department of Health tests the water and finds it to be safe. That will be likely be Wednesday. Since the entire district must boil water, Granville used Washington Countys reverse 911 system to call every property owner. But that wont work for those who have a cellphone and have not given it to the countys emergency notification system. The county gets landline phone numbers from the phone companies, but cant get cellphone numbers without the owners help. Those who want to sign up should go to wccca.com/PublicAlert. Its not clear what caused the water break. Officials think the pipe was leaking for days, Hicks said, but the firefighters could have made it worse when they drew so much water out of the system. The pipes are just too old. All of them need to be replaced, at a cost of $3 million, he said. Thats far too much for a water district with 229 property owners. So the town has done an income survey to qualify for a zero-interest loan, applied for grants and created a three-year plan to redo the system. This year, town officials hope to get a $650,000 state grant to start the project. Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether Read more Welcome Guest! You Are Here: This was revealed by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah at the launch of OmniBank. He urged the BoG to give licenses to indigenous companies who meet the criteria to be a bank. Even though we have reached the thirty-second, let me use this opportunity to encourage the Bank of Ghana to license any Ghanaian entity that qualifies to run a commercial bank. Because if for nothing at all, they will create jobs and increase competition which will make the banks operate within their terms of the industry, he said. READ ALSO: BoG announces new foreign exchange rules He said such a move will create more jobs for Ghanaians thereby reducing the unemployment rate in the country. He said that Ghana is a safe business place for banks as well as many other businesses and asked that the industry takes advantage of all the available help the government has to offer. READ ALSO: Amended list of DKM customers to be out this week I believe sincerely that Ghana has come of age and because we want to expand our economy we should encourage our brothers and sisters who have the ability to support the banking industry the opportunity to do so. The Central Bank has approved five banks this year bringing the total number of banks in the country to 32. The approved banks this year include OmniBank, Premium bank and Ghana Home Loans. The Chief Operating Officer of GOIL, Alex Josiah Adzew, who spoke to the B&FT said the accusations must be disregarded since GOIL is a listed company and cannot be subsidized by the government. We have over 16,000 shareholders. So, this tag of being a state-owned enterprise should be discounted. We are operating as a fully commercial enterprise accountable to our board of directors who represent shareholders, including government. READ ALSO: Fuel prices expected to reduce And let me say that though all the OMCs hiked their prices in July 2015 when the deregulation started, we, as GOIL, did not and we were out there explaining to customers and the general public why we did not see the need to do so. He said this decision by GOIL increased the volumes they sold at their service stations from about 48 million metric tonnes to 67 million metric tonnes per month. That is what caused them [private OMCs] to reduce their prices in August last year because they saw the numbers go up for GOIL services stations across the country. and trust me, anytime that we have not been high profit-minded the volumes have catered for the margin we lose and we dont realise the margin slashed off. He mentioned that they are able to leverage because of the number of outlets they have in the country hence the bargain. He, therefore, asked the other OMCs and the BDCs to negotiate for better deals by using their numerical strength and presence in the places in the country. The Chamber of Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (CBOD) has accused that government of subsidising the state-owned oil companies to ensure prices remains unchanged even when there is supposed to be price hikes. The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber Senyo Hosi told B&FT that the government does this to help the state-owned oil company to outcompete the oil companies in the private sector. READ ALSO: Ghana Club 100 rates GOIL number one OMC in Ghana Hosi, said government manipulates the prices through GOIL and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) by staying the prices at the pump. He explained that this leads to a stay in prices at the pump for other Oil Marketing Companies and BDCs. I think the market would have to be a level playing field for all of us. Government has, a lot of the time, I think, cushioned its companies like BOST and GOIL with subsides which has resulted in GOIL, in particular, not increasing its prices at the pump when petroleum prices have gone up on the market. He described this move by government as unfair since other OMCs and BDCs who dont receive such subsidies are affected negatively. I thought subsides have been scrapped, he quizzed. Identified simply as Blessing, the suspect was apprehended on Sunday, November 27, in Akpachi community in the Otukpo area of the state, Daily Post reports. ALSO READ: Female kidnapper nabbed while attempting to abduct two siblings According to the reports, Blessing was offering some children canned drinks, biscuits and milk, meant to be used as bait when his luck ran out. A resident of the area reportedly spotted him and raised an alarm which quickly drew an angry mob who descended on him and beat him to a pulp. Daily Post reports that the suspect confessed to the crime during the beating. However, there are reports that during the interrogation, Blessing claimed to be a native of Akwa Ibom State who lost his way returning from Port Harcourt where he attended a teaching training. ALSO READ: Female kidnapper who pretended to be a mad woman escapes death in Osun The path to the election paved the way for the emergence of influencers like EC boss Charlotte Osei who has gone about revamping the institution on her own terms. Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia came full circle as a politician, becoming the face and voice of the opposition party. Arts and culture also hogged headlines as a young man emerged from being a local star to an icon of his age group. Pulse.com.gh covered these moments and will decide in conjunction with our readers who should be Person of the Year. We urge all our readers to join us in casting a vote. Mr. Mahama served as the Vice President from 2009 to 2012, and took office as President on 24 July, 2012 following the demise of his predecessor Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. As our Commander In Chief celebrates his birthday today, we have compiled a list of 10 quotes from him that may surprise you. 1. "You can only have money in your pocket if you work and earn. Nobody is going to come to your house and say put this in your pocket. You have to come out and take the opportunity that presents themselves. Learn a skill, go into the world of work and you will be able to put money in your pocket, speaking at the GBCs organized Presidential Encounter. 2. I don't think it can get worse. It is said that when you kill a goat and you frighten it with a knife, it doesn't fear the knife because it is dead already. I have a dead-goat syndrome". Ghana's President John Mahama, being dismissive in March of the protests against his government. Read more: Ghana Media 3. "Michael Jackson sang, 'heal the world. make the world a better place for you and for me... and the entire human race...What happened to that enthusiasm?" - he quizzed the worlds leaders while delivering an address at the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York. 4. I think that we must deal with this without creating panic amongst our people and that is why the stories we see in the papers today are most unfortunate. President John Mahama has urged Ghanaians not to panic over the terror alert released by the National Security. Read more: Central Regional tour 5. We must retool our nation to prepare for the challenge we already face to maintain our position in the global economy. And this much is certain: America will not have national security without economic security. 6. "Everybody recognises that Ghana is rising", he told Journalist on his arrival in Accra after meeting with with French President Francois Hollande in Elysee Palace in Paris, France. 7. "Times come when we have to squeeze ourselves a bit to do the precious things that we need in life. We cannot have money in our pockets when the roads are not good so when I win the second term then we will start putting money in your pockets", he revealed while commissioning the Fourth Community Day Senior High School at Nyanoa-Kwaobaah in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern region 8. The point is we are borrowing, but we are borrowing sensibly. Seriously, no country develops with its own resources alone especially countries in Africa". Read more: Woyome Money 9. Sometimes I feel sad when I see some of our northern brothers running and also doing this. They will use you and dump you. Let anything happen today and let our brother Bawumia say he is standing for president in NPP. They will never give it to him I can assure you". The deceased, Sergeant William Sowakpor was allegedly run over by the robber with a vehicle at Awaham Junction on the Asamankese-Kade main road when the policeman signalled him to stop. The Akwatia District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Francis Aboagye told The Daily Graphic that the police had a tip-off last Thursday afternoon that some robbers had snatched a car and were on their way to Kade. He said when the police arrived at the scene, they saw the stolen vehicle at Awaham Junction around 4:30 p.m. and Sgt Sowakpor signalled the driver to stop. The driver of the stolen vehicle, however, refused and instead run over Sgt Sowakpor, who died on the spot. The police, he said, however, chased the robbers and managed to arrest one of them. The driver, who is believed to be the ringleader, managed to escape. ASP Aboagye said when the vehicle was searched, the police retrieved armed robbery implements such as a hammer, machetes, as well as a quantity of stolen mobile phones. He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the St Dominics Hospital Akwatia awaiting an autopsy. Some party executives, including the Central Regional chairman of the party Allotey Jacobs, presented a cake designed with the party's colours - red,black and green to the president even before he could start his campaign activities in the Central region. READ ALSO: Ghanaians wish President Mahama well on his birthday He served as the Vice President from 2009 to 2012 and took office as President on 24 July 2012 following the demise of his predecessor Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills. Meanwhile, some sections of the public have wished him well as he celebrates the birthday. By turns alarming, sad and funny, his book provides a harrowing look, through the prism of Noahs family, at life in South Africa under apartheid and the countrys lurching entry into a postapartheid era in the 1990s. Some stories will be familiar to fans who have followed the authors stand-up act. But his accounts are less the polished anecdotes of a comedian underscoring the absurdities of life under apartheid, than raw, deeply personal reminiscences about being half-white, half-black in a country where his birth violated any number of laws, statutes and regulations. The son of a Xhosa mother and a Swiss-German father, Noah recalls that the only time I could be with my father was indoors: If we left the house, hed have to walk across the street from us. It was dangerous, as a light-skinned child, to be seen with his mother as well: She would hold my hand or carry me, but if the police showed up she would have to drop me and pretend I wasnt hers. He spent much of his time at home: I didnt have any friends. I didnt know any kids besides my cousins. I wasnt a lonely kid I was good at being alone. Id read books, play with the toy that I had, make up imaginary worlds. I lived inside my head. To this day you can leave me alone for hours and Im perfectly happy entertaining myself. I have to remember to be with people. Language, he discovered early on, was a way to camouflage his difference. His mother knew Xhosa, Zulu, German, Afrikaans and Sotho, and used her knowledge to cross boundaries, handle situations, navigate the world. She made sure that English was the first language her son spoke because if youre black in South Africa, speaking English is the one thing that can give you a leg up. English is the language of money, Noah continues. English comprehension is equated with intelligence. If youre looking for a job, English is the difference between getting the job or staying unemployed. A gifted mimic, Trevor learned to become a chameleon, using language to gain acceptance in school and on the streets. If you spoke to me in Zulu, I replied to you in Zulu, he writes. If you spoke to me in Tswana, I replied to you in Tswana. Maybe I didnt look like you, but if I spoke like you, I was you. Noah offers a series of sharp-edged snapshots of life in the township of Soweto, where his maternal grandmother lived, and where, he recalls, 99.9 percent of the residents were black, and his light skin made him a neighborhood curiosity. He remembers: The township was in a constant state of insurrection; someone was always marching or protesting somewhere and had to be suppressed. Playing in my grandmothers house, Id hear gunshots, screams, tear gas being fired into crowds. To save money, Noah recalls, his mother perfected the art of coasting their old, rusty Volkswagen downhill between work and school, between school and home, and enlisting her sons help in pushing the car when the gas ran out. One month, he says, money was so short that they were forced to subsist on bowls of wild spinach, cooked with mopane worms, the cheapest thing that only the poorest of poor people eat. By high school, Noah writes, he had become an enterprising businessman, copying and selling pirated CDs; he and his business partners would soon segue into the DJ business, throwing raucous dance parties in Alexandra, a tiny, dense pocket of a shantytown, known as Gomorrah because it had the wildest parties and the worst crimes. After Noahs father moved to Cape Town, his mother married an auto mechanic, whose English name, Abel, recalled the good brother in the Bible, but whose Tsonga name, Ngisaveni, says Noah, meant Be afraid. Those names would turn out to be a harbinger of his stepfathers dual personality charming and eager to be liked on the surface, but, as Noah recalls, highly controlling, and capable of violence. In the end, Born a Crime is not just an unnerving account of growing up in South Africa under apartheid, but a love letter to the authors remarkable mother, who grew up in a hut with 14 cousins, and determined that her son would not grow up paying what she called the black tax black families having to spend all of their time trying to fix the problems of the past, using their skills and education to bring their relatives back up to zero, because the generations who came before you have been pillaged. Its the story of a fiercely religious woman, who attributes her miraculous survival from a gunshot wound to the head (inflicted by Abel) to her faith; a woman who took her son to three churches on Sunday (as well as a prayer meeting on Tuesday, Bible study on Wednesday and youth church on Thursday), even when there were dangerous riots in the streets and few dared to venture out of their homes. The names chosen for Xhosa children traditionally have meanings, Noah observes: His mothers name, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, means She Who Gives Back; his cousins name, Mlungisi, means The Fixer. His mother, Noah writes, deliberately gave him a name, Trevor, with no meaning whatsoever in South Africa, no precedent in my family. Its not even a biblical name, he writes. Its just a name. My mother wanted her child beholden to no fate. She wanted me to be free to go anywhere, do anything, be anyone. Additional Information: Born a Crime Stories From a South African Childhood He said Gabby bribed the two executives with GHC15,000 to endorse Nana Addo. Angered by the decision of his executives to endorse Nana Addo of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Ayariga said he has suspended Mr Emmanuel Carl Bartels( vice Chairman) and Mr Razak Kojo Opoku(Gen secretary) from the party. Ayariga said the suspension is due to "indiscipline and gross disrespect to National Executive committee, and the general membership of APC nationwide" by the two executives. "Dr Hassan Ayariga and the National Executive Committee wish to inform all APC members nationwide and the general public to refrain from dealing with these two suspended individuals with matters concerning the party till further notice," said in a statement to Pulse.com.gh. In an interview with Accra-based Class FM, Ayariga said, "After a week to election, you go and sell your party for GHC 15,000. Are you kidding me? Look at the millions of dollars I have spent and you go and negotiate with NPP and take GHC 15,000 to sell APC and Ayariga... They gave them GHS 15,000...but the money was given out by Gabby Otchere-Darko. Gabby Otchere-Darko handed the money out to them." According to the ruling by Justice Gifty Adjei Addo, the plaintiffs failed to come through the right process in bringing their suit before the court. The court also awarded a cost of three thousand cedis against the Association. READ ALSO: Journalists drag EC to court over accreditation fee The International Standards Journalists Association (ISJA) dragged the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to court for demanding that journalists pay for their accreditation to cover the December 7 elections. The EC announced that media houses were to pay for the printout of the media accreditation to enable them cover the elections. Accreditation tags will be given to only those who have formally applied for them and for a fee to be determined by the Commission, a statement issued by the election management body said. Some media stakeholders however raised issues with the decision, with the ISJA subsequently dragging the EC to court over the matter. The President of the group, Dr. Nana Oppong had earlier said they will not pay for the accreditation but would cover the elections. He said we will cover the election but we will not pay the money that the EC is demanding and we are going to see what decision the EC is going to take against journalists who intend to cover free and fair and peaceful election in accordance with the constitution of the country. READ ALSO: Journalists threaten to sue EC over accreditation fee Most people have expressed shock especially after the EC disqualified some aspiring presidential hopefuls over similar anomalies on their nomination forms months ahead of the elections. Others have also expressed outrage arguing that the EC after charging GHC 20 for each journalist should not have made such mistakes that could disallow the journalists from reporting on the election day. For example, Sanda Amadu was spelt Sandra Amadu, Sammi Wiafe was spelt Samini Wiafe, Sixtus Don was spelt Sixtus Dont. Earlier Veteran journalist Kwami Sefa Kayi has sharply criticised various state institutions involved in Ghanas upcoming elections for not playing their part effectively. Sefa Kayiwas hugely critical of the and described the ECs decision to charge journalists an accreditation fee as shameful. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Sheik Mustapha Hamid, the spokesperson of Nana Addo said the incident happened on Friday, October 28, when the NDC led by Ibrahim Mahama called the NPP northern Regional chairman, Bugri Naabu for a meeting. He said the meeting took place in the house of Ibrahim Mahama, after 9 pm that Friday and in the meeting was Bugri Naabu, the president and his brother. He alleged that Ibrahim Mahama offered Bugri an amount of 500,000 Ghana cedis and a V8 vehicle to ensure that Nana Addo is tagged as anti-Northern. The presidents brother led the discussion. He said Bugri was supposed to resign from the NPP, and damage Akufo-Addo beyond electability. According to the president, Bugri should paint Akufo-Addo as an anti-Northern person who could never be trusted to advance the course of the people of the North. He was supposed to tell the world that it was Nana Akufo-Addo who got him to turn against Afoko and that he was now wiser...Bugri was supposed to say Akufo-Addo was running a one-man show in the NPP. He was supposed to label Akufo-Addo as a dictator, Mustapha added. He believes This country is in series trouble, we need to rescue this country from serious trouble. The presidency has been so depraved, so muddied, so dirty that I tell you in all sincerity as a Ghanaian that I feel terribly sad as a Ghanaian. He continued: And then they gave the money to Bugri Naabu and he took the money and left, it was a Friday, 28th of October 2016, so the very next day was a Saturday and Bugri Naabu found the one Prudential Bank that he knew would be opened at that time; that Abossey Okai branch of Prudential Bank and then he went and deposited the money in his account. His account number is 0090985590013, account name is Daniel Bugri Naabu. Mustapha added that We want the NDC to know that we shall not be intimidated by them and urged all party members to stand firm and not to allow themselves to be used by the NDC. I want to send a message to any party member who is taking money from the NDC to work against the NPP, please do not do it. If you do so, you work against yourself, your party, and your country, he entreated. Meanwhile, Koku Anyidoho, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC has told Pulse.com.gh that the claims by the NPP are false. Certainly, the NDC has not bribed Bugri Naabu. There is no evidence to that effect. If Bugri Naabu has accepted something from somewhere and has admitted that he is bribable and so accepted some bribe from somebody, let the police pick him up. According to CODEO, its observers saw NDC and NPP parliamentary candidates giving money to people and some women groups in some communities in the Tolon Constituency of the Northern Region. "Similarly, both the and were reported to be busing people to rally grounds, for instance in the Mampong and Kwabre East constituencies in the Ashanti region and constituency in the Western Region," the statement said. CODEO also "reported seeing politicians give money and other valuables to electorates in order to influence their vote. For instance, on October 14, 2016, an aspiring Member of Parliament in Sefwi Akontobra gave money to parents of some Senior High School (SHS) students and university students to settle their school fees." CODEOs observers said some chiefs have flouted the Constitution and elections rules by actively participating in partisan politics." "For instance, some chiefs in the Kasulyili traditional area and Nyankpala traditional area (all in the Northern region) actively engaged in partisan politics by attending functions of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and also canvassed for votes in their communities for the NDC," the statement added. Sometimes I feel sad when I see some of our northern brothers running and also doing this. They will use you and dump you. Let anything happen today and let our brother Bawumia say he is standing for president in NPP. They will never give it to him I can assure you, he added. According to him, "opinion polls for July 2016 gave President Mahama 42% and Nana Akufo-Addo 39%. The method we used for all the previous four opinion polls over the past 16 years was applied for this years work. In the preceding year before the elections, we did a general survey of 70 of the 275 constituencies which cannot be considered as the stronghold of any political party." He explained that President John Mahama will secure a first round victory in the 2016 elections with 52.4 percent. "The last two polls between October 16 and November 16, 2016 that virtually won the first round victory for the NDC and President John Mahama is that 9.4% began to doubt the promises of the New Patriotic Party," he said. In his analysis, he explained that "Many of the respondents, about 67% believed that the NPP would be able to fulfil the one district one factory promise. The additional promises of one village, one dam and US$1 million for all the 275 constituencies every year appears to have knocked hard at the belief that the NPP would fulfil all the promises." "In this election year, we dropped 30 and concentrated on 40 constituencies we considered swing in Greater Accra, Central, Western and Brong Ahafo regions. We had a total of 4,000 respondents over the 40 constituencies in the six polls. "Be proud of ur wife make her look beautiful in her next world she will look for . I confess that my wife is d most pretty woman I ever met I swear, Pls give ur wife d opportunity," he wrote alongside a sexy photo of his wife on Instagram. The actor who welcomed a son with his wife in February 2016 and has a daughter after losing his first son from his ex-wife years ago, seems quite taken with his wife as he always shares photos of her on social media. His son was born on February 5, 2016, his third child. He has a daughter named Chelsea and a son Jay Jay born in 2014. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! The Magistrate, Mrs M.C. Ojobo, sentenced Baba, to one-year imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a two-count-charge bordering on fraud. Ojobo held that the convict was sentenced to six months on each of the count but, however, gave him an option of a N100, 000 fine. She said the sentence should run concurrently. Earlier, the prosecutor, A.O. Enababor, told the Court that the accused committed the crime between Aug. 18 and 31, 2015. Enababor said that the accused impersonated a Nigerian Army officer and signed an army guarantor form with the intent to defraud the complainant. He said the accused unlawfully obtained the sum of N140, 000 from the complainant that he would help him secure employment in the Nigerian Army. The suspect identified as Ivan Bebeto was arrested in Uganda after several men filed reports that the woman he pretended to be, had robbed them on different occassions. The victims reportedly described him as a beautiful woman who wore short skirts and heavy makeup. Instablog9ja reports that Ivan, whose alter ego is called Queen, reportedly operates around East and Central Africa in countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania. According to the reports, Ivan was arrested after a man who was interested in Queen, paid for sexual favours but did not get it. Queen (Ivan) kept giving excuses as to why he could not sleep with the client despite the fact that he had received a down payment. ALSO READ: Cameroon man who disguised as woman to defraud men busted Finally, Ivan invited the client to a room so the transaction could be carried out but the client who suspected that something was off, called the police on him. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Obanikoro who was said to be the money linkman between the past PDP regime of Goodluck Jonathan and the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, is all ready to nail those he shared and 'ate' the money together in what is seen as a landmark plea bargain case where he will shift the blame for the stolen money to Fayose, and possibly Jonathan and everyone else but himself. For those who don't know, a plea bargain is any agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor. This may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to a less serious charge, or to one of the several charges, in return for the dismissal of other charges; or it may mean that the defendant will plead guilty to the original criminal charge in return for a more lenient sentence. According to a statement accredited to an EFCC source, Obanikoro has already agreed to testify against Governor Fayose and one of his aides, Abiodun Agbele. The statements reads in part: Senator Obanikoro came to the EFCC office on Monday morning as part of investigations into the N4.7bn. Since he has confessed that he was the one who collected the N4.7bn and distributed it, he is in the best position to testify in court. The EFCC wants him to testify against Agbele which will also build a strong case against Fayose who currently enjoys immunity. Obanikoro has agreed and will be listed as one of the EFCC witnesses. If Agbele is convicted, it automatically means that Fayose will also be convicted once he is charged in 2018. So let Fayose continue to play games. Omisore and Obanikoro are cooperating and returning the money. Their troubles will end soon while Fayoses own will keep getting worse. After coming back from his hiding, Obanikoro had allegedly told the EFCC in his statement of oath that he received N4.7 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki in June 2014 and handed over N1.3bn to the then governorship candidate of the PDP in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, while N1.219 billion was given to Fayose through his aide, Agbele, during the build-up to the Ekiti governorship election which Fayose won. The ex-Minister also said he kept the sum of about N785 million for himself and has agreed to return the money as part of the plea bargain. Honourable man, you would say; but does the plea bargain and return of the money exonerate him from the original crime? Will they atone for the lives of Nigerian soldiers and civilians who died at the hands ok the dreaded Boko Haram while they were fritting away the money meant to buy weapons for them to fight the insurgents? As the Minister of State for Defence at that time, would a plea bargain by Obanikoro absorb him of the blood of the innocent that watered the grounds of Maiduguri, Damaturu, Bama, Jos, Bauchi, Jalingo, Yola, Enugu, Benue, Kogi and other parts of Nigeria? Would a plea bargain by Obanikoro bring back fathers, mothers, children and loved ones lost to the insurgents while he and his family were ensconced in the comfort of their homes abroad? Would a plea bargain absorb him of complicity in the crime and how would he sleep at night knowing that his actions or inactions contributed to the loss of innocent lives? How would he feel when he remembers that innocent girls were kidnapped in their school while his children were in the best schools in Europe? In a new book he titled 'My Life and Nigerian Politics', Anenih tells us of how Buhari threw him in jail in the '80s, how he prevented Atiku from succeeding Obasanjo, how he advised late Chief MKO Abiola against declaring himself President and blah, blah, blah. Anenih also had a 'big' announcement to make--he'll be quitting partisan politics. Like we really care. I am persuaded that I have no more ambition nor any point to prove in politics. I am, therefore, glad to declare that, from today, I shall be withdrawing from active partisan politics. I shall, however, continue to avail the country of my experience, give suggestions and offer advice, as a statesman. The truth is that we don't care what Anenih does or doesn't do with his life hereafter. And no, we won't be needing his 'experience, suggestions and advice' as we seek a better nation. We can point him where to shove those. As for Anenih granting himself the title of a statesman, everyone wears that toga these days and the word has been so abused like we do everything else around here. Okay, let's even concede that Anenih is a statesman. But he isn't a very decent one. He isn't a role model kinda statesman. He's certainly no one you want the kids to take after. At 83 years of age, Anenih represents all that is wrong with Nigerian politics and governance. As Minister of Works, Anenih had nothing to show for the billions of Naira in budgetary allocation funneled to his office. The roads around the country were in such deplorable states soon after he left the Ministry, a certain Diezani Alison-Madueke who visited a stretch of the Lagos-Benin expressway dressed in overalls in 2007, devolved in a sea of crocodile tears. Anenih earned the 'Mr Fix it' moniker because he helped rig all sorts of elections for the PDP. He was an expert in turning the rules on their head. Only recently, Anenih was named as a beneficiary of the Dasuki loot--dispensing monies meant to procure arms, to political cronies and PDP faithful. Anenih was the archetypal greedy Nigerian politician--the one whose belly is his god. For a long spell, Anenih was the de facto Governor of Edo State--picking and sacking Governors in that State as he pleased, until a certain Adams Oshiomhole ended his rigging streak. He was the powerful godfather in Nigerian politics who threw the rule books out of the window time and again with reckless abandon. Anenih was the symbol of money and crude politics in Nigeria. He is only retiring from partisan politics because his party lost out at the center last year and because back in Edo where he once decided which Igbinedion looted the treasury per time, power has since changed hands. Anenih is all that is wrong with the brand of 'amala' politics the PDP became infamous for. It is the norm for politicians to pen hagiographies as books in a bid to rewrite their place in history in Nigeria, but we should always remind them of their rightful place in the annals when they do. Anenih shouldn't be anyone's idea of a statesman or political role model. I therefore want to urge all Nigerians to persevere and hope for a better tomorrow", Anenih said. It was the closest he came to admitting that his generation failed Nigerians and woefully so. Ogbeh said a report by the National Agency for Food and Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says foreign tomato pastes imported into Nigeria are not good. He stated this during the oversight visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, chaired by Rep Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno) to the ministry in Abuja on Monday, November 28. He said: "The Chinese are the ones messing us up on tomato paste. Each time Dangote tries to produce, they lower their prices. Theres a report by NAFDAC on the quality of foreign tomato pastes. The report is very bad. "We think we have every reason in that report to ban foreign tomato pastes into the country. If you dont ban it on health ground, you have to ban it on any other ground." Members of the committee asked the minister to explain the measures government is taking to avert food crisis next year in view of the influx of foreigners buying Nigerian grains. Responding, Ogbeh said: "Its time to fill our silos. "The export is huge now, but if you stop it, farmers will get very angry. When you go round, they tell you they get so rich now. But if you stop it and the prices fall, you discourage farmers. Were in the market now buying and storing." ALSO READ: Ogbeh says FG targets 5bn dollar cassava export annually Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that Nigerians can now buy a bag of local rice for as low as N8,000 as against N22,000 obtainable with foreign rice. Buratai disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while unveiling packs of bottle water provided through private initiative in appreciation of troops fighting the terrorists in the region. According to the Army Chief, the advancement is an onslaught to finally flush out remnants of insurgents from the forest and rescue all those abducted in that area. He added: This year (2016), the whole Army Headquarters will be moving into the North East to celebrate Christmas and New Year with our troops. Buratai described the bottle water initiative for free distribution to troops as quite historic and the first of its kind. He said: The scheme involves branding 50cl bottle water with the image of the Nigerian soldier. It has the Nigerian army logo and that of stakeholders and partners from the private sector with the words: Thank you for your service. According to him, the initiative seeks to appreciate the efforts of Nigerian troops actively engaged in the defence of our dear nation. This will no doubt go a long way in boosting the morale of the troops to show that their labour is being recognized and applauded by Nigerians. This initiative is quite timely, coming at a critical stage of the operations, when the troops have embarked on `Operation Rescue Finale. It will surely add vigour, impetus and stimulate the troops in this phase of the operation, Buratai said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several corporate and public sector organisations, as well as state governments graced the unveiling of the troops bottle water. Buhari said his administrations reforms would ensure that Nigerians who spent the productive years of their lives serving the nation would not suffer. A statement by the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said Buhari gave the assurance at a meeting with Sharon Ikeazor, the Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at the State House, Abuja. The statement said the President directed a speedy completion of the ongoing nationwide verification of pensioners. He said President Buhari stressed that the exercise was necessary because the success of the administrations goal of putting in place an efficient pension scheme hinged on the availability of a reliable database. In a presentation to the President, Ikeazor said the PTAD management was determined to restore dignity to pensioners by protecting their funds and paying their entitlements promptly. The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Col. Sagir Musa, told newsmen in Awka that the prevalent security challenges during yuletide had made the operation imperative. He said such crimes as armed robbery, kidnapping, abduction, herdsmen/farmers clashes, communal clashes and violent secessionist attacks, among others would be targeted during the operation from Nov. 27 to Dec. 27. Musa said that the army and other security agencies would synergise and collaborate extensively in the exercise nicknamed EX PYTHON DANCE in the five eastern states to achieve the desired objective. He said that the chief of army staff had appraised the huge security challenges and scenarios across the country. Consequently, he directed the conduct of both command post and field training exercises as a way of enhancing troops preparedness across the country, he said. Nigerian Army corps and services will conduct activities such as medical outreach, repair of roads, schools and other infrastructure across the South East region Musa said. Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi, denied media reports, claiming the Senate had made a U-turn on the confirmation of Obono-Obla. On the contrary, Sabi said the nominee was not confirmed as the votes and proceedings of the the day of his confirmation were not adopted. He said that the senate wrongly stated that Obla was confirmed in its votes and proceedings but that the error was pointed out and corrected before the votes were adopted. He said For the avoidance of doubt, the nomination of Mr. Obla was never confirmed or voted for since no decision of the Senate is said to be approved if not adopted during the consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate at the next legislative day. The Senate also wishes to note that the business of the Senate can only be binding when the votes and proceedings have been adopted and approved without any objection. The implication of the directive by the Senate President to the Secretariat is that Senator Garbais observation or correction was correct and therefore the votes and proceedings should be amended to reflect the true situation. On that fateful day, November 22, 2016, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, objected to the alleged confirmation of the nominee, saying, , My name is Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial District. Mr, President, what is actually reported in the votes and proceedings is not a true reflection of what transpired on Thursday with regards to the confirmation of one of the commissioners under NCC, Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla. "The decision then was a resounding Nay. So, because of that, it was a mistake. Responding to the observation made by Senator Garbai, the Senate President said, secretariat take note. The Senate hereby calls on those who are peddling these half truths to avail themselves of the proceedings of the Senate on the above stated dates to confirm if the nominee was rightly cleared by the Senate or not."Mr Obono-Obla had incurred the wrath of the Senate earlier in 2016 when he told a Senate Committee on Judiciary that it had no right to invite the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). The Senate had then invited the AGF over the case of alleged forgery of the Senate rules book. According to Punch, a source in the anti-graft agency, Obanikoro was at their Abuja office on Monday, November 28, 2016, and agreed to give testimony in court. The source said Senator Obanikoro came to the EFCC office on Monday morning as part of investigations into the N4.7bn. Since he has confessed that he was the one who collected the N4.7bn and distributed it, he is in the best position to testify in court. The EFCC wants him to testify against Agbele which will also build a strong case against Fayose who currently enjoys immunity. Obanikoro has agreed and will be listed as one of the EFCC witnesses. If Agbele is convicted, it automatically means that Fayose will also be convicted once he is charged in 2018. So let Fayose continue to play games. Omisore and Obanikoro are cooperating and returning money. Their troubles will end soon while Fayoses own will keep getting worse. Adding that Obanikoro has returned N104m and has pledged to return N480m in instalments every four months but if he cannot cooperate with the EFCC, then he and his sons may be charged along with the others. Plea bargain and negotiation are a standard practice in criminal justice across the world. The EFCC source also said the former minister can still be prosecuted if he refuses to cooperate. However, Obanikoros lawyer, James Onoja (SAN), denied knowledge of his clients deal with the anti-graft agency, saying I have been in court all day so I was not aware that he (Obanikoro) was with the EFCC. I will find out. THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER EFCC arraigns Justice Ajumogobia, Obla over alleged bribery The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, alongside Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), before the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja over alleged bribery. First new HIV vaccine trial begins in Africa Ahead of the World AIDS Day 2016 on Thursday, scientists have launched the first Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) vaccine efficacy study anywhere, for over seven years, in South Africa. Makarfis PDP seeks cancellation of Ondo poll, heads for tribunal The Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called for a total cancellation of the governorship election held in Ondo State at the weekend. VANGUARD NEWSPAPER Why Akeredolu shouldnt be governor PDP THE national hierarchy of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, rejected the outcome of Saturdays governorship election in Ondo State and directed its candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, to head for the tribunal to cancel the poll. Buhari, Tinubu not at loggerheads Presidency The Presidency last night denied any form of feud or rift between President Muhammadu Buhari and a national leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Army launches Operation Python Dance in S-East; Warns IPOB, MASSOB, herdsmen THE Nigerian Army, yesterday, began a security operation code-named Exercise Python Dance, in the five South-East states as part of efforts to ensure a hitch-free Yuletide period, with a warning to groups in the area that they would be the target if they foment trouble during the period. THE NATION NEWSPAPER MAN to Central Bank: reduce interest rate Manufacturers yesterday pleaded for a rate cut to revive the sector. EFCC arraigns judge, SAN for alleged corruption, forgery The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and a senior lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) for alleged bribery and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. PDP leaders renew assault after Ondo election loss Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have renewed their bitter rivalry no thanks to the partys loss of last Saturdays Ondo State governorship election. THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER FG may file charges against judges before CCT soon The Federal Government may soon start filing charges relating to breach of code of conduct for public officers against some judges, The PUNCH have learnt. Alleged N4.7bn fraud: Obanikoro to testify against Fayose A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was at the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday where he agreed to testify against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and his aide, Mr. Abiodun Agbele. I moved Justice Ofili-Ajumogobias cash from court Banker The Anchor Borrowers Programme of the CBN and the Presidential Committee on Rice Production launched in July has jointly set the target. The Acting Director of Corporate Communications of the apex bank, Mr Isaac Okorafor, said this on Tuesday, November 29, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, at a sensitisation workshop for farmers. The theme of the workshop is entitled: "Promoting Stability and Economic Development." According to him, farmers in Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Cross River states, among others, have already keyed into the programme, resulting in massive rice cultivation. He said the country will achieve self-sustenance in rice production if the momentum is sustained, adding that the country should commence exportation of locally produced rice by 2017. ALSO READ: Cost of commodities in Nigeria now and before recession Okorafor said Kebbi State has already harvested one million tonnes of rice, adding that Ebonyis harvest has outstripped the earmarked production for the year. He said: "The development is encouraging and by the end of 2017, we will not only meet our national demand which is between six and seven million tons but have surplus to export. "We must rid ourselves of eating foreign rice that has been stored for over nine years in Thailand, Vietnam and India. Nigerian rice is fresh and healthier. "We should eat Nigerian rice provided for by the CBN Anchor Programme; 50 Kg of local rice is now N8, 000 in Ebonyi. Already, the Abia Government has ordered rice from Ebonyi for Christmas." He further said: "What we have done with this programme so far is to create jobs through farming, especially for the unemployed youths. "Nigerian youths must wake up, dust themselves up and join this worthy campaign. "Remember that the status of our farmers is now better due to the support they are receiving as a result of governments policy. "Our currency is weak because we engaged in needless importation of all kinds of food stuffs, including tooth picks; the government is determined to stop this." The Branch Controller, CBN, Yenagoa, Mr. Oke Nwajah, said the state is blessed with rich wet soil that supported rice cultivation. Governor Nyesom Wike had earlier alleged that Odesanya was plotting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate election results. Wike also said he caught the Rivers police commissioner on camera while he was hatching the plot to deliver victory to the opposition. According to Punch, Odesanya said he is trying to ensure that the election holds peacefully, adding that the Governors allegation is a distraction. The Rivers CP also said My position is this: I am going to be neutral, I am going to be non-partisan, I am going to be neutral and everybody will have a level-playing field. I am planning how to make election free and fair, but he (governor) is distracting me with all these; The governor is saying he has a clip where I was discussing with the APC on how to rig the election. Election is barely two weeks; if he has a clip, why is he saying it? Let him release it now. I dont know whether a minister of the Federal Republic cannot be seen talking with me. If the minister representing the state is in town and he calls me, can I not see him? Is it an offence? ALSO READ: Wike vows to release video proof of plots to rig Rivers rerun The question begging to be answered is: What is the name of the minister of the federal republic that Odesanya held a meeting with? Speaking on his exposure to the Nigerian culture, the "Birth of a Nation" actor said, "One thing I have realized recently is that a Nigerian house is a Nigerian house. whether you're in Lagos or in a village in Onitsha where I am from, every home is the same." "They feel the same, they look the same, the food is the same, the pictures on the wall is the same. The answer is I grew up in Lagos even though I grew up in London," Okonkwo added. Advising upcoming actors, the filmmaker said, "a few things. First of all, perseverance is important. If I know anything about Nigerian people, it's that we persevere." "You're gonna find that they are many more Nos than yeses. You have to just keep going because you know in your heart that the yes is there." "The community is important. When I moved to Los Angeles, I had friends who were from the UK, who worked the same part as I did. And then I also had peers, people I looked up to, like , who is Nigerian and British like me. It was important that I was able to connect with those people." Okonkwo further encouraged upcoming actors to connect with him on social media, "So, I may be shooting myself in the foot by saying this, but if you're an actor or filmmaker and you want to connect, I will try and connect with you on Instagram," he said. "It's the only social media I have, I can't handle Twitter or anything. Chike1 is my handle." he shared. Okonkwo is popular for his role as Will in the 2016 Oscars contender, "Birth of a Nation." Check them out and their release dates below. 1. "Room 315" The short film follows Dr. Stone, in sessions with his clients as he discovers how life holds all four of them, including himself, in one intricate web. "Room 315" premieres on December 15, 2016. ALSO READ: undefined 2. "Assassin's Creed" When Callum Lynch explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar and gains the skills of a Master Assassin, he discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassins society. "Assassin's Creed" premieres December 23. 3. "The Wedding Party" Set in Lagos, Nigeria, The Wedding Party is the story of Dunni Coker (Adesua Etomi), a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie (Banky W). The couple took a vow of chastity and is looking forward to a ground-breaking first night together as a married couple. "The Wedding Party" premieres December 16, 2016. ALSO READ: undefined 4. "Ayamma" Set in a fictitious village somewhere in Ibibio land in beautiful Akwa Ibom state, Ayamma is the story of Ihuoma, (Adesua Etomi) the poor but beautiful village maiden with the voice of an angel. Her voice coming out of the forest, so haunts Prince Daraima (Wale Ojo) the handsome heir to the throne that he does all he can to reach her so as to claim her hand in marriage. The dance movie premieres on December 23, 2016. 5. "Rogue One: A Star Wars" "Rogue One" tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star. Following the foundation of the Galactic Empire, a wayward band of Rebel fighters comes together to carry out a desperate mission: to steal the plans for the Death Star before it can be used to enforce the Emperor's rule. "Rogue One" premieres December 16. 6. "Passengers" A spacecraft traveling to a distant colony planet and transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chambers. As a result, two passengers are awakened 90 years early. "Passengers" premieres on December 23. 7. "Skinny Girl in Transit" "Skinny Girl in Transit" is a web series which revolves around an OAP Tiwa, her weight loss journey, and journey to finding love. The series returns for a third season on December 2, 2016. ALSO READ: undefined 8. "Brother Jekwu" Mike Ezuruonye takes on the comical role as Brother Jekwu, the local village champion leaves his familiar village in Nigeria and is transported to Kenya to work for a no-nonsense female boss, in this comical role. The comedy movie premieres on December 2, 2016. 9. "Underworld 5" Vampire death dealer, Selene (Kate Beckinsale) fights to end the eternal war between the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. The movie which stars Kate Beckinsale, Theo James and Lara Pulver will premiere on December 2, 2016. ALSO READ: undefined 10. "Three Wise Men" After many years of service in different government parastatals, the three aged men are retired and they all settled in a suburb to enjoy their retirement benefits. How they decide to spend this retirement money remains highly humorous and dramatic. Sheriffs faction also said Mimikos acts of impunity gave room for the poor performance of the PDP in the Ondo governorship election. According to Punch, the Vice-Chairman of Sheriffs side, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh blamed some PDP Governors of imposing their candidates on the people. Ojougboh said In choosing a candidate to succeed him, Mimiko did not allow the PDP members to buy forms. He mainly anointed Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) who was returned unopposed. Party members cried to high heavens that Jegede is from the central zone where Mimiko hails from. Their cries fell on deaf ears. The Makarfi faction also said that Sheriff is not the Chairman of the PDP. The comments were contained in a statement released by Makarfi faction spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye on Monday, November 28. The statement reads in part: The National Caretaker Committee, which has been confirmed severally by the Courts as the authentic body saddled with the responsibility of providing leadership for the Party pending the hosting of an elective Convention, would have ignored the ranting of these men of dishonour but leaving them to continue deceiving Nigerians at this time would not be in the interest of democracy. First and foremost, we wish to state categorically that in consonance with judgments of various Courts, which Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team of confused travellers have not bothered to appeal, the former Borno State Governor is not the Chairman of our Party, the PDP. His consistent claim to the Office is a continuation of the plans to cause mayhem in our Party but nature and fair justice has taken care of his desperation. It is amusing that these musketeers could be accusing the National Caretaker Committee of being the reason why the Party is facing challenges in terms of unfavourable election results especially in Edo and Ondo States when its not a secret to all Nigerians that these group of non-PDP members were the ones who frustrated the Party on all fronts. It is common knowledge that Mr Jimoh Ibrahim whom they pushed as front at the Ondo Poll before the Appellate Courts reversed the anomaly, openly campaigned for their Party, the APC. We are also aware of the various claims made in the Statement wherein the agents of darkness, used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cause confusion and frustrate our campaign for the Ondo Election, accused the Caretaker Committee of impunity. The party placed Sani on indefinite suspension after his 11-month suspension elapsed on Tuesday, November 29. According to the APC secretary in ward 6, Tudun Wada area of the state, Sani's earlier suspension was to enable the senator defend himself against the allegations levelled against him, but he failed to do so. "As you are aware, your suspension from the party for a period of eleven months elapsed today, being Tuesday 29th November, 2016," a letter written to Sani by the party. "The suspension, which was in line with the constitution of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), was to enable you to defend yourself against illegalities committed by you against the party as well as breach of its constitution. "We expected the period of your suspension to give you the grace of being remorseful, but you rather choose to play otherwise, and this made our party to be vulnerable to disunity, disharmony and further shattering the existing peace mechanism within our ward and the state at large. "Therefore, in consideration of the constitutional provisions as contained in Article 21 (A) i, ii, iii, v, vi, and vii of the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC), you are hereby suspended indefinitely from active participation of APC activities. "This is in conformity with article 21 (D) i-(F) which provides punishment for any erring member of the party. "With this letter, you are hereby warned to abide by the partys decision," the party said. This was contained in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye on Tuesday, November 29, 2016. Recall that Justice Valentine Ashi of FCT High Court Apo, Abuja in a judgement on June 29, 2016, had said that Sheriff should leave the position of PDP chairman. Justice Nwamaka Ogbonnaya of the FCT High Court in Kubwa, Abuja upheld the judgement in a ruling on August 17, 2016. According to Adeyeye, Sheriff's decision to disobey the court may "land him in jail." The PDP spokesman further urged Sheriff and "his team of confused travellers" to follow legal procedures by filing an appeal against the previous judgement in a court of law. The statement reads; "Our attention has been drawn to another set of garbage and tissues of lies put together by the discredited loyalists of Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff in the name of a press statement on Monday, November 28, 2016, wherein, the group tried to sustain its illegal claim to the leadership of our Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The National Caretaker Committee which has been confirmed severally by the Court as the authentic body saddled with the task of providing leadership for the Party pending the hosting of an elective National Convention, would have ignored the ranting of these men of dishonour but leaving them to continue deceiving Nigerians at this time would not be in the interest of democracy. First and foremost, we wish to state categorically that in consonance with Judgment of various Courts, which Ali Modu-Sheriff and his team of confused travelers have not bothered to appeal, the former Borno State Governor is not the Chairman of our Party, the PDP. His consistent claim to the Office is a continuation of their plans to sustain mayhem in our Party, but nature and fair justice have taken care of his desperation. We wish to draw the attention of all Nigerians to the Judgment delivered by Justice Valentine Ashi of FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja on June 29, 2016, which states clearly that Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff was never and is not the PDP National Chairman; and equally, this Judgment was upheld by the Ruling of Justice Nwamaka Ogbonnaya also of the FCT High Court in Kubwa, Abuja on August 17, 2016. It is instructive to note that Senator Modu-Sheriff and his team of circus performers have not deemed it fit to appeal the Court Judgments. It is tripartite in law that a Judgment not appeal is binding on the defendant. The Courts have spoken, and their pronouncements are binding. However, those who wish to spend the rest of their lives behind prison bars may continue to utter heresy against the Court. We hope their children would be proud to bear the family names of convicts. It is also morally wrong to accuse the National Caretaker Committee of being the reason why the Party is facing challenges in terms of unfavourable election results especially in Edo and Ondo States. Everyone knows the real enemies of the PDP. We wont also forget in a hurry the ignoble role Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim played in scuttling our campaign for the Ondo Election. We also know those who pushed him forward for the hatchet job. We are amused that the agents of darkness used by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cause confusion and frustrate our campaign for the Ondo Election, can accuse the National Caretaker Committee of impunity. However, we simply want them to define what impunity is, using their acts of betrayal as a case study. What they are doing is the worst form of impunity, lawlessness, greed and avarice. Their call on the National Caretaker Committee to self disband is uncharitable and unconstitutional. If they have any shame, they are the ones that should quietly disband. But honours cant be expected from impostors. No matter what they say, we are determined as a political Party to forge ahead and put our house in order even without their inputs. The National Caretaker Committee has not called for their expulsion against the claims they are making, the time for that has not come. But the rain of vengeance will not hang forever in the clouds. The National Caretaker Committee wish to appreciate all loyal Party members, urging them to keep the faith as the Appellate Courts will do justice to the various appeals pending before it at the appropriate time; to put an end to the antics of these enemies of progress masquerading as members of our Party. The Rivers APC also said that Wikes claims that it is planning to rig the upcoming re-run elections are baseless and unfortunate. The party made its comments via a statement released by spokesman, Chris Finebone. The statement reads: Wike has resorted to cheap blackmail to try to continue to portray himself as an electoral strongman having been stripped of the false garment in recent times. Fact is that Governor Wike has never embarked on any election without buying over the police and the rest of the security agencies. He has also not engaged in any election without taking firm control of the election umpire and the judiciary. The height of this malfeasance was in the 2015 elections when he introduced another factor the use of ex-militants and hoodlums who killed and maimed for him while Gesila Khans INEC wrote election results with Wikes men across Rivers State. However, as the rerun elections approach, it seems to be dawning on the governor that times have changed as the security agencies including the Nigeria police are way beyond his corrupting reach. ALSO READ: Wike threatens to sack traditional rulers in politics According to Vanguard, Mbaka said this at a mass held to usher in the 2016/2017 legal year for members of the judiciary in Enugu state. The fiery priest also called on legal practitioners to shun corrupt practices and imbibe the fear of the Lord. Speaking on the clampdown on senior judicial officers by the Department of State Services (DSS), Mbaka said God is revolutionalising Nigeria. He said The arrest of the judges is a supernatural brand new revolution that is going on in all dimensions, in all the three arms of government. When a revolution starts, you cannot imagine where it would reach. I urge judges to remain incorruptible or be arrested and whoever arrests them should be praised. A Vatican statement said the two had held "cordial discussions" on a wide range of subjects, including the migrant crisis, "political and institutional" challenges in Europe and youth employment. Kenny told the Irish Times the meeting had been "completely relaxed and very friendly". It was a far cry from the animosity between Ireland and the Holy See in 2011 when Kenny slammed the Vatican for "dysfunction, disconnection and elitism" in its failure to tackle clerical child sex abuse. That came a week after a report in Ireland accused the Roman Catholic Church of failings in its handling of abuse allegations against 19 clerics in the diocese of Cloyne, southern Ireland. The Vatican responded by recalling its envoy to Ireland and closing its embassy in Dublin. It was only reopened in 2014. This time, though, Kenny was full of praise for Francis, who, on a US visit last year pledged "the zealous vigilance of the church to protect children and the promise of accountability for all." Kenny said: "I did refer him to his own comments in America when I think he was very clear about members of the clergy who abused children and his statement on that was quite clear and very strong. I agreed with him 100 percent." Kenny also said the pair had discussed the possibility of the pope visiting Northern Ireland. A statement issued on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the college, Danlami Aduwu, said the suspension of academic activities was informed by the need to safeguard the lives and properties of staffers and students. The statement directed staffers and students to vacate the campus. It further urged all staffers to report to the temporary site of the institution at Kafanchan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all staffers and students of the college have since deserted the Gidan Waya campus in fear of losing their lives. The plea was made while Kazaure addressed the 2016 Batch B Corps members deployed to Kebbi State, shortly following their swearing-in ceremony at the Permanent Orientation Camp in Dakingari. ALSO READ: Corps allays fears on mobilisation of next batch of corps members Daily Post reports that Kazaure encouraged the corp members to remain in the states they were deployed to and continue to contribute to the promotion of national unity. He stressed that postings were done deliberately, allowing graduates to leave their home states and geopolitical zones to forge new ties among Nigerians of diverse backgrounds. The Director-General also asked that the Corps members imbibe the spirit of patriotism, advising that they maximise the opportunity for self-employment, through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme. ALSO READ: Nationwide biometric exercise begins in October For the past few years, Tobechukwu was a student of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Odenigwe community woke up On Sunday, 27th of November with one life, less. Tobechukwu was found hanging by a rope in his room, neck contorted at an awkward angle, dead. According to a source close to the family, Tobechukwu left a note which read: "Father, mother, brother, I'm sorry. Ify, may your children never suffer. Uncle Mathias, you gave me all, I'm sorry. Death calls. Linguistic Department, I'm sorry. Okeke Tobechukwu 2012/185649" Why did he take his own life? One of his colleagues who would rather not be named, said Tobechukwu was famous for his incredible skill in electrical wiring. He had just been given a job to do at the Department of Linguistics at the University. I saw him this (Sunday) morning, he seemed to have a problem which he needed money to solve, the colleague added. His University's Dean of Student Affairs, Uju Umo, told Premium Times: I travelled for a burial last weekend and yesterday I got a text message saying a student had committed suicide. It happened at Odenigwe, one of the host communities outside the school and I was told he left a suicide note apologising to his fellow gamblers." Clearly, Tobechukwu had a gambling problem. Another one of his colleagues told Premium Times: The guy is an ardent gambler. He comes to British Lodge to gamble. He borrows money to gamble. And he has borrowed a lot of money just to gamble." His last post on Facebook was about MMM: The resumption date was confirmed by the Director of Public relations Unit of the institution, Dr Charles Obi, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. ALSO READ: Inferno engulfs hostel in college of technology Dr Obi told NAN that the second semester exam will also begin on the same day. Academic activities will resume on Tuesday, Nov. 29, while examination continues on Wednesday. As at Friday, when the representative of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, visited the college, only two students were still on admission at the Military Hospital, Yaba. The college did not completely close; normal work is going except the academic activities that were suspended. ALSO READ: Polytechnic suspends academic activities following fire outbreak British authorities took the sample from Assange in Ecuador's London embassy where he is taking refuge, the South American country's chief prosecutor Galo Chiriboga said. Assange, 45, has been in the embassy since 2012 to avoid being sent to Sweden where he faces the rape allegations, which he denies. He fears Sweden would extradite him to the United States to answer for the leaking of diplomatic cables by his whistleblowing website, which embarrassed Washington. An Ecuadoran state attorney questioned Assange at the embassy on November 14 on behalf of a Swedish prosecutor who was also present. On that occasion, "Mr. Assange presented a document stating that he had already handed over the DNA sample to the British police," Chiriboga told reporters in the Ecuadoran capital Quito. "Therefore Sweden will now have to request that DNA sample from the British police." One of the world's most-wanted men, the Algerian jihadist was dubbed "Mr Marlboro" for his past involvement in trans-Saharan cigarette smuggling and is easily recognisable by his scarred face. His Al-Murabitoun group claimed responsibility for several major attacks in sub-Saharan Africa, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and is also known for kidnapping Europeans for ransom. France and its allies have been a prime targets for west African jihadists since French forces intervened in Mali in 2013 to root out Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other extremist groups from the country's desert north. Past deaths denied Al-Murabitoun was born in 2013 from the fusion of one of those groups, MUJAO, and Belmokhtar's Al-Qaeda splinter group "Signatories in Blood". Earlier that year, Belmokhtar's group was blamed for the bloody siege of a remote Algerian gas plant in which at least 38 hostages, mainly Westerners, were killed. The one-eyed Belmokhtar, who reportedly lost his left eye fighting in Afghanistan in the 1990s, has been reported killed several times in counter-terrorism operations. Each time the death of the man who took up arms alongside the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) during Algeria's civil war of the 1990s has been denied. Al-Qaeda allegiance An audio recording attributed to another leading member of Al-Murabitoun pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group in May 2015. But Belmokhtar reportedly quickly distanced himself from the declaration, vowing allegiance to IS's jihadist rival Al-Qaeda in what was seen as a sign of a power struggle. Al-Qaeda confirmed the allegiance in December, 2015. Al-Murabitoun claimed an attack on the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako in November, 2015, in which 20 people were killed, including 14 foreigners. AQIM said that attack was a joint operation by its forces and those of Al-Murabitoun. The group was also behind a January 2016 attack on a hotel and restaurant popular with Westerners in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou in which 30, mostly westerners, were killed. Belmokhtar in Libya Reports that Belmokhtar had arrived in Libya fuelled concern that jihadists would take advantage of the political turmoil there to establish a base of operations. Instead of leaving messages in books of condolence, Cubans were invited to endorse the "concept of the revolution" defined by Castro in a speech in 2000, six years before illness forced him to hand power to his brother, Raul. "We will keep fighting for these ideas. We swear!" says the oath to which Cubans signed their names, three days after Castro died at age 90. "The signature shows the desire of Cubans to make this socialist revolution irreversible," said retired lieutenant colonel Rigoberto Cerolio, 80, at a school in Havana. While Cubans lined up to sign the oath across the island, hundreds of thousands flocked to Havana's Revolution Square to pay tribute to Castro at a memorial installed inside the monument to independence hero Jose Marti. Leonardo Guijarro used his iPad to record the memorial, which consisted of white roses flanking a picture of a young, black-bearded Fidel in military fatigues during the guerrilla war. Guijarro may have immortalized the moment with a modern gadget and worn Adidas sneakers, but the 22-year-old university history student shared the firm belief and desire of other Castro supporters that his revolution will live on after his death. "Fidel has died but he is still with us," he said after he filed past Castro's picture. "There's a Fidel in every Cuban citizen," said Guijarro, who like many recalled that Castro brought free education and health care to the island after ousting dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. 'Like a father' Several generations of Cubans streamed past the memorial: stylish university students, veterans in military fatigues, boys and girls in school uniforms, couples pushing strollers, retirees consoling each other. "He cared for Cubans like a father who cares for his children," said 52-year-old economist Norma Maria Diaz la Torre, whose husband wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she cried after viewing the portrait. "Everything he did was for the good of the people," she said. Her spouse, 58-year-old engineer Leonardo Sarria, said Castro's death will change nothing. "If we give up one iota, we will no longer be Cuba," he said. Luis Rene Allouis, a 22-year-old sociology student with a crow tattooed on his chest, said he was ready to defend the system against any coup attempt. "I would take an AK-47 and go to the mountains, like Fidel," Allouis said, recalling Castro's guerrilla war against Batista's regime. 'Just struggle' Some from the older generation said Castro liberated Cuba from a terrible era under Batista. "Abject poverty, lack of opportunities, prostitution: That was Cuba. It was a disastrous society," said Angel Ierselo, an 80-year-old writer. "We are convinced that Fidel's struggle was a just one, incredibly just, and we will follow the same path," Ierselo said. Augustin Fivale Hernandez, 80, and his wife, Elsy Vanela, held hands with teary eyes as they left the memorial. Fivale said they were blue-collar workers before the revolution but "everything changed" after 1959. He was a messenger in Cuban television and his salary went up. "I was nobody. I knew nothing. With Fidel I was able to study. I retired as a unit boss in television," Fivale said. Like the government, the couple blames the country's economic troubles on the decades-old US embargo. "(Fidel) made so many great promises and fulfilled them. If he didn't fulfill them it was the blockade's fault," Vanela said. No mistakes While President Raul Castro has implemented modest economic reforms, Fidelistas see them as an extension of the revolution and are confident that he will continue his older brother's legacy. jpegMpeg4-1280x720"Raul doesn't have the same stature but he has learned. The other one (Fidel) was more energetic, he is smoother, but deep down they're the same," said Alicia Rodriguez, 66, a retiree who worked in the distribution of medicine. Jose Carlos Perez, a 19-year-old studying to teach English, was disappointed that Castro did not lie in state or that the urn holding his ashes was not put on display. "I wanted to see him because he is the country's most important figure," he said. Among Fidelistas, nobody could name a single mistake by their icon. Rumors of Castro's sexual prowess abounded in Cuba even before his days as a black-bearded guerrilla leader hiding out in the mountains. And those tales lasted straight through his nearly five decades in power, even until his death on Friday at age 90. Some said he had thousands of women. The New York Post put the figure at a stunning 35,000 in a 2008 article, a figure that came from an unnamed former official. Journalist Ann Louise Bardach wrote in a 2009 book that Castro told her he had fathered "almost a tribe" of children. But it is difficult to separate truth from legend. Castro himself rarely talked about his personal life, despite his famous volubility. "Private life, in my opinion, should not be an instrument for publicity or politics," he said in 1992. He reportedly had a taste for blondes, seducing a string of American, German and Italian women in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1959, just after seizing power, Castro had an affair with a young German woman, Marita Lorenz, who says the CIA hired her to assassinate him. She lost her nerve, flushed her poison pills down the toilet, and ended up spending their rendez-vous at the Habana Hilton making love with him instead, she said in a 1993 interview in Vanity Fair. Castro had a mysterious power over her from the day she met him as a wide-eyed 19-year-old, she said. "When Fidel talks to you, he talks to you very close. He looks right in your eye," Lorenz said, recounting how he immediately swept her off her feet. "Nothing hit me as hard as this ever -- like a ton of bricks. He didn't let me completely undress. He was the sweetest, tenderest. I guess nobody ever forgets their first lover." Powerful women Historians say Castro had at least seven children by three women. Rumors of secret affairs and more children abound. Castro had little patience for the American-style political family. "Politically speaking as a revolutionary, I refuse to mix my family with politics. In truth the idea of first ladies seems to be ridiculous," he told US filmmaker Oliver Stone in a 2003 documentary. In the film, he revealed he was never in fact married to Dalia Soto del Valle, the green-eyed blonde, 15 years his junior, he shared his life with from the 1980s on. He met the former school teacher in 1961 during a massive literacy campaign launched by his new government, and had five sons with her: Alejandro, Alex, Antonio, Alexis and Angel. According to Castro, his only marriage was in 1948, to Mirta Diaz-Balart, a philosophy student from a wealthy family. They had a son together, Fidelito, who is today a 67-year-old nuclear physicist. The marriage unravelled when Castro was imprisoned after staging a failed attack on the Moncada army barracks in 1953 -- the start of his revolutionary career. Languishing in prison, he learned she had accepted a job at the interior ministry, where her brother was a high-ranking official. Outraged, he divorced her in 1954. He had meanwhile begun an affair in 1952 with Natalia "Naty" Revuelta, a pretty blonde who was also married. Together they had a daughter, Alina, in 1956. She fled Cuba in 1993 and now lives in Miami. Castro also reportedly had another son, Jorge Angel, from a 1955 affair with Maria Laborde, an activist in his movement. One of the most influential women in his life was Celia Sanchez, a fellow rebel who was his confidante and personal secretary -- and possibly more -- until her death of cancer in 1980. Voters enter a private area that is curtained off where they drop a marble into one of the three drums that are painted with the party colours and emblems, and a bell rings confirming a vote has been cast. "It's unique and we are very proud of it," said IEC vice-president Malleh Sallah, explaining how the Gambian Public Works department dreamt up the idea six decades ago. Electoral officials say the system all but eliminates spoilt ballots and allows illiterate Gambians to vote more easily, while ensuring only one vote is cast per person. Sawdust or sand is sprinkled on the bottom of the barrel so that no second sound is heard. On Thursday President Yahya Jammeh is hoping to return for a fifth term in power but is facing an unprecedented surge in support for the opposition. jpegMpeg4-1280x720Adama Barrow, representing a coalition of opposition parties, is posing the greatest challenge to Jammeh's rule, while Gambian Democratic Congress (GDC) candidate Mama Kandeh is standing as the third candidate. The attack comes at a time of heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours following a deadly assault on an Indian army base in September that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. "Three to four militants entered the Army Corps headquarters at Nagrota and fired towards the officers' mess," a senior police officer told AFP, referring to a town in northern India roughly 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border. "Two officers were killed and an exchange of fire is on," he told AFP by phone, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Early morning an encounter took place and terrorists have entered one of our military areas. The situation is under control, as soon as the operation is over we will be able to give details," he told reporters. "Terrorists are armed, they have weapons, and that is why firefight is taking place." Nagrota is in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which borders Pakistan and has seen repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing between Indian and Pakistani troops in recent weeks. The rise in violence follows the September attack, in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed, the deadliest such incident in a decade. New Delhi blamed Pakistan-based militants and responded by launching what it called "surgical strikes" on militants across the heavily militarised border, sparking fury from Islamabad, which denied they took place. Indian and Pakistani troops regularly exchange fire across their Kashmir border known as the Line of Control (LoC), but rarely send ground troops over the line. The UN agency, which is headquartered in Rome, said it had informed the Peruvian government of its decision on Monday. "FAO will continue monitoring the situations of Ms. Heredia, who will remain a FAO employee, with the aim of identifying appropriate measures to apply in the specific circumstance at hand," the statement said. The appointment had sparked outrage in Peru, where Heredia is accused along with her husband, former president Ollanta Humala, of laundering $1.5 million (1.4 million euros) allegedly given to fund his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns. Peru's foreign ministry said last week it had complained to the FAO's representative in Peru "against a decision that could be interpreted as interference in a judicial investigation in Peru". Heredia, who is believed to be in Rome, recently had a travel ban against her lifted, only to see a judge on Saturday order her back to the country within 10 days, and to quit her FAO job. Humala, who left office in July after his term ended, was ordered not to leave the country as of last week. Prosecutors believe the laundered funds came from the government of Venezuela's then-president Hugo Chavez and two large construction firms in Brazil. If found guilty, the couple face between eight and 10 years in prison. FAO stressed in its statement that at "no point did it intend to interfere in Peru's internal political or judical affairs, over which Peruvian authorities have the sole authority." It maintained meanwhile that Heredia had been hired on merit, and said it "considers that the basic principle that a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise must be maintained and followed." FAO did not say whether the immunity protections that come with all high-level UN postings would be lifted in Heredia's case. After long weeks of study, Western Illinois University had just begun putting into place a plan to deal with the Obama administration's new rule vastly expanding overtime eligibility. Then, two days before Thanksgiving, a federal judge put the brakes on the rule. That, in turn, brought to a screeching halt to the Macomb-based university's own carefully thought out plans for raising the salaries of some two-dozen workers and putting into place a comp time system for dozens of others. "We were in the middle of implementation, and now we have suspended that implementation and are going to wait until we get further instruction from the Department of Labor or the court system," Matt Bierman, the university's interim vice president of administrative services/budget director, said Tuesday. Across the Quad-Cities, employers are dealing with this last-minute curve ball on the overtime rule, which would have affected 44,000 workers in Iowa and 194,000 in Illinois. The rule was supposed to go into effect on Thursday. It would have entitled most salaried white-collar workers to overtime pay if they earned less than $913 per week, or $47,476 per year. That is about double the existing threshold. The Obama administration said the current threshold, $23,660, was out of date and hadn't been changed in decades. But congressional Republicans and business groups had criticized the plan. In the Quad-Cities, the Chamber of Commerce and others complained it was too steep an increase at one time and didn't allow for regional variations in pay scales. Now, the judge's ruling not to mention the election of Donald Trump, who has criticized the rule has cast even more uncertainty over the matter. "It's a mess," said Henry Marquard, who is the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce's director of government relations. The chamber has advised its members that the injunction only stopped the rule from taking effect Thursday, it did not kill it. Employers were in various stages of dealing with the new rule, according to the chamber and others. Some, including Western Illinois, had just began to put in place the changes. In fact, the university was meeting with workers Tuesday to explain the latest. Others, such as Victory Enterprises Inc. of Davenport were about to do so for the handful of their employees affected when the judge's ruling came down. "We were going to notify them the next day," said Steve Grubbs, the company's founder. Now, he says, the company is waiting. Companies that had not taken steps yet to implement the rule are best off waiting, said Doug Petersma, director of compliance and human resources consulting for Group Services, a Bettendorf company that provides HR and benefits consulting. "If they have not made any kind of changes yet, they should probably hold off and wait to see how this plays out," he said. If, however, an employee's classification already has been changed, Petersma said, it may not be a good idea to switch it back until there is some clarity on how this is resolved. To some extent, that is the approach being taken at St. Ambrose University. Mike Poster, the vice president for finance there, said it had made plans but hadn't implemented them to classify 30 to 40 employees as hourly and pay overtime as warranted. Others were to see their salaries raised to put them above the threshold. Those steps, Poster said, are on hold because of the judge's ruling. Other changes to reclassify employees as hourly but who were not likely to earn any overtime will go forward, he said. Poster said the fiscal impact of the changes would be about $200,000. Bierman said the changes at Western would have been less than $100,000. The Obama administration has not yet said whether it will appeal the Texas judge's ruling. Backers of the new overtime rule said the judge erred and that the administration had the right to change the salary threshold. They have urged an appeal. SPRINGFIELD Some of Illinois largest manufacturers remain staunch opponents of a proposed energy policy overhaul from Exelon Corp. that would keep open the companys financially struggling Quad-Cities and Clinton nuclear power plants. For the second time in two weeks, the House Energy Committee on Tuesday gave its initial OK to a proposal from Exelon, which says it will take official steps toward shutting down the Clinton plant if the General Assembly doesnt pass a bill before its fall veto session wraps up Thursday. The new version includes scaled-back subsidies for the nuclear plants in return for a 10-year guarantee that they would remain open, an increase from the six-year guarantee in a previous draft. The proposal also includes pared-down spending on renewable power and energy-efficiency programs. Those changes were an effort to lower the overall price tag of the package, said state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, the legislations sponsor. Also jettisoned to win support from environmental and consumer groups were some of the more controversial aspects of Exelons previous proposal, which the committee tentatively approved Nov. 16 after a marathon hearing. Those included subsidies for Dynegy-owned coal plants in southern Illinois and a proposal to change the way customers are charged for their power. Other changes to the bill also brought Ameren Illinois into the fold. Among the downstate utilitys concerns was what the package would cost its customers. But Craig Nelson, Amerens senior vice president of regulatory affairs and financial services, said the latest version would increase the average residential customers bill by only 12 cents per month. Exelon subsidiary Commonwealth Edison, meanwhile, estimates that the most recent proposal would cost its average customer less than 25 cents per month. But Mark Denzler, vice president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, said the cost will be much too high for his organizations members, including small manufacturers across the state. Low energy prices are a competitive advantage for Illinois, Denzler said. It is one of the only benefits you have of operating in Illinois right now when you look at other costs, he said. Chris Olsen, vice president of community and government affairs for agribusiness giant Tate & Lyle, said the company and other manufacturers are working hard to find a reasonable solution to keeping our electric rates affordable and maintaining the nuclear power plants. Olsen, whose company employs 1,000 people in Illinois, predominantly in Decatur, said manufacturers would like to see whether there are economic development tools other than subsidies from electricity customers that could help keep the plants open. Gov. Bruce Rauners office has expressed concerns about the impact Exelons proposal could have on manufacturers and is said to be in discussions about the issue, but a spokeswoman did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment. Denzler said his organization has not been involved in those talks. Exelon officials say they have tried to address some of the manufacturers concerns in the most recent revision. For example, the new draft would allow large industrial companies to set aside money for their own energy-efficiency programs rather than paying into programs run by the utilities, but that change wasnt enough to win their support. The Illinois Attorney Generals Office, which estimated that the previous version of the bill would have cost $10 billion through 2030, remains opposed, as does AARP Illinois. Meanwhile, the removal of subsidies for Dynegys coal plants won the support of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, whose members supported many of the previous provisions but opposed measures that would have supported continued burning of coal. Supporters, including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Citizens Utility Board, say the proposal would jump-start the states renewable power industry and produce long-term savings through increased energy efficiency. Lawmakers who represent the Clinton and Quad-Cities nuclear plants also praised the bill. Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, who represents the Clinton plant, said the 10-year guarantee would provide peace of mind for the community. That is a very good component of this bill, Mitchell said. Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, who represents the Quad-Cities plant, likewise praised the proposal for the steps it would take to prevent a closure. With everything thats been going on in the state without having a budget, this would even be more devastating to our communities and our economy, so I think its very important that we do something, Smiddy said. While negotiations continue over the final language of the bill, a Senate committee has scheduled a Wednesday morning hearing on the issue. The Institute of Noetic Sciences Quad-Cities will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in Bettendorf Library. The program will be the documentary Happy, a film about what makes people happy, with real-life stories about people from all over the world. The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend has awarded more than $120,000 to 11 local organizations to help them build their capacity. CFGRBs Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants provide funding to local organizations for staff training, board development, strategic planning, technology, and critical equipment needs to help them transform their ability to carry out their mission. At the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, we know that nonprofits can serve more people in our community if they are equipped with the right combination of technology, strategy and mission, said Kelly Thompson, director of programs at the Community Foundation. This grant program invests in organizations looking to invest in themselves so they can strengthen their work. CFGRB, which is dedicated to transforming the community through the generosity of its donors, awards Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants in the spring and fall each year. Online letters of interest for 2017 grants will be accepted from January 1, 2017 through March 15, 2017 at www.cfgrb.org/npcapacitybuildinggrants. This falls grantees span an array of organizations and missions, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Mississippi Valley, who will implement a nationally-recognized education program for parents, caregivers and teachers of children experiencing mental health challenges. The program, which will be offered free of charge, will help participants understand the impact mental health conditions have on one another and how people can work effectively as a team. The following organizations have been awarded Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants in fall 2016: Childrens Therapy Center of the Quad-Cities upgraded technology, $13,476; Iowa Legal Aid upgraded technology, $7,860; Junior Achievement of the Heartland upgraded technology, $15,000; Lydia Home upgraded technology, $4,483; National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Mississippi Valley mental health education training program, $15,000; Palomares Social Justice Center upgraded technology, $3,276; Putnam Museum and Science Center strategic planning; $15,000; Scott County Family Y mobile website enhancements; $15,000; The 180 Zone strategic planning, $15,000; Unity House of Davenport, Inc. upgraded technology, $6,177 YMCA of the Quad-Cities upgraded technology and board development, $10,564 Grants are made from the Community Impact Fund, a permanent endowment at the Community Foundation that enables CFGRB to respond to high-priority needs and opportunities in the community as they arise. For more information about starting a fund to support the region, or on how to apply for a grant, visit www.cfgrb.org. Dozens of people have been arrested today as they participated in protests nationwide for a $15 per hour minimum wage. Fast-food restaurant workers and home and child-care workers rallied in cities including Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York this morning. More protests were expected later today. About 500 workers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and ride hailing drivers in San Francisco are expected to demonstrate. Thousands plan to walk off the job at McDonald's restaurants. The efforts are part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. About 25 of the 350 protesters in New York City have been arrested. Detroit police say they arrested about 40 protesters who blocked traffic. And nearly three dozen protesters have been arrested in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Divorce can tear families apart, sending one or both partners and their children down destructive paths, littered with screaming matches. But Jason Platt of Davenport stands proud of the relationship and environment he and his ex-wife have provided for themselves and their son following their separation in 2007. In the following years, the single father, who remarried in 2013, discovered his true passion: cartooning. This year, the 43-year-old artist released two books of family-friendly comic strips loosely based on him, his son and their experiences. There were a lot of years when it was just him and me, said Platt, who now lives with his wife, Erin, and has primary custody of his 13-year-old son, Wyeth. In every comic, I think theres always a grain of truth thats really personal to the creator. Platt has published his comic strip, coined Mister & Me, online since 2009. He called his newest collection, Mister & Me: Of Kings & Castles, a cross between the 1960s-70s sitcom, The Courtship of Eddies Father, and the more modern series, How I Met Your Mother. Its good for parents of any gender who are going through day-to-day stuff with children, said Platt, who dedicated the book to friends of single parents who help them get through it all. While he produces three comic strips every week, Platt also earns a living as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. Involved in theater for several years, the Taylor Ridge, Illinois, native, who went to high school in North Carolina, graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in illustration. In 2015, Platt gained entry into the National Cartoonists Society, thanks to fellow Quad-City cartoonist Jim Allen, who nominated and voted his friend into the organization of established, professional artists. Allen, a former syndicated political cartoonist who lives in Moline, said Platts storytelling sets him apart from other cartoonists. Jasons very skilled in writing and drawing, said Allen, who praised Platts ability to generate unique shapes in black and white. Sitting at Java Java Cafe this week, Platt touched up one of his recent sketches on a 13-inch Wacom tablet, a device he uses to pen all his drawings. Platt, who works mostly from home and promotes most of his pieces on social media, said his catalog of "visual stories" remains a "diamond in the rough." You're not just seeing me throw words on the page. Im giving them something funny with years of experience of artwork behind it, he said, his phone blowing up with notifications from a recent Instagram post. I'm trying to make people laugh and inspire them at the same time its a wonderful job." The ongoing disagreement between the Scott County Sheriffs Department and the Board of Supervisors over management of the countys fleet of vehicles resurfaced at Tuesdays committee-of the-whole meeting. County Director of Budget and Administrative Services David Farmers budget amendment recommendation to purchase maintenance equipment for fleet management raised objections from outgoing Sheriff Dennis Conard and Sheriff-elect Tim Lane. Farmer told supervisors the $27,000 system to balance and align tires will reduce long-term fleet maintenance costs. Farmer projected county employee labor costs will be lower than outsourcing work to outside vendors. Supervisor Diane Holst questioned the timing of the request during the first year of the countys long-range centralized fleet maintenance program. Maybe we should throttle back an additional capital purchase until the data is gathered, Holst said. Farmer said industry standards requires alignment and balancing with each tire change. The sheriffs department changes tires on its vehicles every six months, Farmer said. Lane cited his years of experience as manager of the sheriffs departments fleet of patrol vehicles prior to supervisors approval of the new policy centralizing vehicle maintenance last spring. We change the tires as needed, and we dont do an alignment with every tire change, Lane said. Were not concerned with being over-billed. We disagree with the budget director taking over the whole budget and moving the maintenance budget out of the sheriffs office. This was supposed to be a cost savings, Conard said. Its another investment into a program thats built an addition to a facility, hired a fleet manager and a service technician and promoted a department head. This was sold as a $122,000 savings. Id like to see those savings. Board Chairman Jim Hancock defended the programs startup costs and the boards decision to hire Barbara Branscom, fleet manager. Barb has an understanding of the whole fleet, Hancock said. Is this about the county saving money or keeping everything under the sheriffs roof? Hancock asked Branscom to update supervisors on projected program cost savings. The fleet manager said county bidding for the lowest price on parts and reducing labor costs will bring down expenses over time. Our job is to maintain a safe, serviceable and economical fleet, Branscom said. The amendment to the fleet management budget will be considered by supervisors at Thursdays regular 5 p.m. board meeting. The Quad-Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with many others, conducted a Quad Cities Destination Assessment in 2007 and finalized a destination-wide wayfinding system in 2008 that may offer guidance to connect riverfront developments to the overall destination. The nearly decade-old assessment recommended an approach that looked at the needs of the Quad-Cities from its perimeter, as well as its downtown cores. While many of the suggestions tourism consultant Bill Geist made at the public announcement of his destination assessment have been achieved, he noted the Quad-Cities needs to consider the overall visitor experience, not just new infrastructure, but also ways to make new connections for deeper, more meaningful visitor experiences. Additional urban parks, docks, piers, marinas, public art, water features, public performance spaces, night lighting, and observation areas. He noted the Skybridge is already in place. These developments engage residents and visitors with the river to create memorable experiences that do not exist elsewhere. Having just returned from a visit to Fountain Hills, Arizona, I cant help but recall what a major attraction a man-made pump shooting water from a man-made lake a few hundred feet into the air every hour on the hour is for that community. Downtown diners crowd lake-facing windows to watch an artificial display for 15 minutes, while we have the real deal, the Mississippi River, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. A destination-wide wayfinding and signage system was developed by Corbin Design of Traverse City, Michigan. The system has been partially implemented but needs review, an update and full implementation, especially along the Quad-Cities riverfront routes. A partnership with the Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation will be needed to promote the Iowa and Illinois Great River Roads and secure signage along Interstates 80, 74 and 280. There is very little in the way of signage at the perimeter of the Quad-Cities to suggest to motorists they are in a true destination and need to stop. The assessment notes that the riverfront is still underutilized as a visitor attraction; hence, there is an important opportunity for riverfront development in all of our cities to increase tourism and our communities competitive edge. Davenport has the opportunity to package any new development with LeClaire Park, the Visitor Center at Union Station, River Heritage Park, the proposed First Bridge and other attractions and events. Geist noted that our extensive trail system offers a marvelous connection to the Mississippi River and a chance to showcase the community to major events and meetings such as the annual Quad City Times Bix 7, 2011 and 2015 Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), the 2006 National Trails Symposium, and the 2018 annual meeting of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI). The Quad-Cities is the intersection of two national trail systems -- the American Discovery Trail and the Mississippi River Trail. Dubuque has had success with its slogan Americas River, maybe we can be Americas Trail. The Visitor Center at Union Station can become an even larger outfitting center. In addition to its current seasonal bicycle rentals, the center can offer binoculars, telescopes, and viewing stations for boats and birds. Interpretation of the Mississippi River is a great opportunity for any river community. National Geographic is on board with its new Mississippi River geotourism project; the Iowa and Illinois Mississippi River Parkway Commissions have official interpretive centers and signage along the river; the US Army Corps of Engineers operates the Mississippi River Visitors Center on Arsenal Island; and RiverAction has its wonderful RiverWay kiosks and programs which all tell the story of the river. More no doubt can be done. Robert Sinkler of the Nature Conservancy notes the Quad-Cities would be the logical place to bring international visitors to see a wide range of water resources infrastructure, river science-based attractions and natural heritage. The Quad-Cities has sensational attractions, but location and sheer geographic size of our destination result in a lack of critical mass and a lack of sense of place. Riverfront developments that connect the destination will create the Quad-Cities sense of place to benefit the residents and visitors of the region. SPRINGFIELD Members of an Illinois House committee on Monday spent a portion of their hearing on a proposed workers compensation overhaul debating whether the hearing should have been held at all. Following a meeting earlier this month involving Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the four top leaders of the General Assembly, the House Labor and Commerce Committee scheduled a hearing on a long-dormant bill from House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs. With a stopgap spending plan thats funding most state operations set to expire after Dec. 31, Rauner has said he wants business-friendly changes to the states workers compensation laws to be part of a comprehensive compromise to end the ongoing budget stalemate. Durkins bill, which was introduced in July 2015 to reflect Rauners position at the time, would tighten the standards for what counts as an on-the-job injury and reduce the fees doctors and hospitals receive for treating injured workers, among other changes. But Republicans on the committee, including Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the bill doesnt reflect progress made last spring in negotiations among a bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers. I dont know what were going to accomplish today, Brady said, noting that Republicans did not ask for the hearing and that Durkin was in a meeting with Rauner and the other legislative leaders at the same time. In fact, Durkin sent a letter to House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, objecting to the hearing after it was scheduled more than a week ago. I believe it is premature to hold a hearing on the matter, Durkin wrote. Our goal should be to use the legislation as a starting point for discussion at our Leaders meeting that day. Durkin said workers compensation was part of Mondays discussion among the leaders behind closed doors. As for the hearing on his bill that was taking place at the same time, Durkin described it as political theater. If were going to solve work comp, its not going to be done in that committee; its going to be done in that room over there, he said, pointing to the governors Capitol office, between the four leaders and the governor. Without going into much detail, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said following the meeting that Democrats would come back to a scheduled Tuesday meeting with counterproposals on workers compensation and pension reform. Madigan, however, made no such commitment in his comments to reporters, saying only, Thats fine, in response to Cullertons remarks. Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, chairman of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, said the hearing was necessary to establish where the discussions stand. Hoffman said a working group of lawmakers hasnt talked about the issue since June, something he blamed on the governor. The hearing showed that little has changed in the interim. Republicans and their allies in business want stricter requirements for workers to prove that injuries occurred on the job, among other changes they say will reduce costs for employers and make Illinois more competitive. Democrats, meanwhile, argue that a 2011 workers compensation overhaul has been effective at cutting costs, but they say insurance companies have held on to those savings rather than passing them along to customers in the form of lower premiums. The 2011 law also cut the payments doctors and hospitals receive for treating patients with workers compensation claims. Representative for medical providers warned against further fee cuts like those proposed in Durkins bill. Additional cuts could drive providers to stop accepting new workers compensation patients, they said. The bottom line here is that access to care for injured work would suffer, said Patrick Gallagher, a vice president with the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. CEDAR RAPIDS Friends of former Gov. Chet Culver are hosting a holiday gathering in Cedar Rapids later this month. Its been 10 years since we won the 2006 election for governor, Culver said Monday. It will be fun to get friends and supporters together back in Cedar Rapids. Ive been looking forward to that. Its been a long time since we got people together. Typical of political events even those featuring former politicians the Dec. 10 Culver Holiday Celebration at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library will be a fundraiser. Culver isn't planning another campaign, but he wants to retire $24,000 in debt from his unsuccessful 2010 re-election campaign. He also wants to raise money for his official portrait that will hang at the State Historical Building. I really want to get that done in terms of checking it off the list of unfinished business, Culver, 50, said. Rather than use tax dollars to pay for his portrait, funds from the holiday gathering suggested donations are $250 per couple and $150 per individual will be used to pay for it, according to Ann Poe, a Cedar Rapids City Council member who worked in the Culver administrations Rebuild Iowa Office after the 2008 flood. It appears there is no legal prohibition to using tax dollars to commission portraits, but Leo Landis, curator of the State Historical Society of Iowa and State Historical Museum, said that has been the practice. For example, Gov. Terry Branstads 1998 portrait, after he left the governors office the first time, was completed through the support of the Iowa Utilities Association. The First Biennial Report of the Historical Department in 1894 lists 16 portraits of the leading men of Iowa (that) can scarcely be estimated as of less value that $10,000, but they have come as a free gift to the state. My understanding is that it has never had a formal process and thus never budgeted from general appropriations or as a special appropriation, Landis said. No one has been wanted to be known as the first governor to request tax dollars to cover the cost of his portrait. Poe, one of several event hosts, declined to say how much a portrait would cost. A three-foot by four-foot oil portrait of former governor and current U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack by Rose Frantzen of Maquoketa, who Culver would like to commission to paint his portrait, cost the USDA $22,500. Raising funds for his portrait is something he would have done had he served a second term, Culver said. We didnt plan on losing, so it wasnt something we did while were there, Culver said. But its OK. People have been very generous, and Im looking forward to a fun night, to look back on some good times and celebrate the recovery in Cedar Rapids. Its fantastic whats been done. The event was planned with the former Democratic governors ties to Cedar Rapids in mind, Poe said. Although a Washington, D.C., native, Culvers grandfather owned Culver Motors in Cedar Rapids and his maternal grandparents were public school teachers in Cedar Rapids. His father, John Culver, represented Cedar Rapids and eastern Iowa in the U.S. House from 1965-75 and served one term in the Senate from 1975-81. Also, his wife, the former Mari Thinnes, is from Marion. In the two years after the 2008 flood, Culver made more than 100 visits to Cedar Rapids, which benefited from several recovery projects funded through the states $830 million I-JOBS infrastructure program. Poe acknowledged this might not seem to be the best time to ask Democrats for money, but perhaps they will jump at the chance for a bit of holiday cheer or the opportunity to commiserate with others disheartened by the recent election results. This was planned long before the election, so we decided to go ahead, she said. The holiday bash will include a roast of the former Iowa Secretary of State, whose voicemail greeting identifies him as Gov. Chet Culver and president of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. Culver took the YMCA post earlier this year after working as a consultant since his 2010 defeat. Hes involved in community development governmental affairs and fundraising. Im enjoying getting back to service, he said. Its a nice way to re-engage in important public policy discussion. CEDAR RAPIDS On the heels of an avian influenza outbreak that resulted in the deaths of 34 million birds on 77 Iowa farms, the Iowa Department of Agriculture seeks an additional $500,000 to prepared to respond to any future animal-disease outbreak. The $500,000 request will fund additional staff and resources at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey said Monday after he presented his fiscal 2018 budget request to Gov. Terry Branstad. Its going to be a tough budget year, but $500,000 is a small investment to protect a $13 billion industry, Northey said. Overall, he requested $45 million, an increase of $7.8 million. In 2015, the avian-influenza outbreak that hit egg and turkey production mostly in northwest Iowa had a $1.2 billion economic impact in Iowa, according to a report commissioned by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. That includes the loss of laying hens and turkeys as well as the loss of more than 8,000 jobs in production, processing and allied industries such as feed suppliers. The study also noted an impact of $427 million in lost wages and $145 million in lost taxes. The funds Northey requested would provide a couple of staff members to help farmers with bio-security on their farms and planning for avian influenza as well as other animal emergencies. Livestock producers and their commodity groups spend some money on bio-security issues, but We have an industry that is hugely valuable, so it makes sense to have some state resources, Northey said. Northey also reiterated his support for the water quality funding proposal his department helped draft to provide nearly $500 million through 2029 for water quality efforts without raising taxes. It prioritized existing infrastructure funds for edge-of-field and in-field infrastructure, like wetlands, saturated buffers and bioreactors to improve water quality. It also directed fees Iowans already pay on their water bills to improve wastewater and drinking-water facilities. It was approved by the House earlier this year, but not the Senate. If approved, it would allow the ag department to expand current water-quality efforts. More than 5,000 farmers have signed up to try water-quality practices on their farms. There are currently 45 demonstration projects in both rural and urban settings, with more than 100 organizations are participating. Northey also requested $6.75 million for conservation-cost share again in fiscal 2018. Last year, the states $6.29 million investment generated $8.676 million in matching funds from Iowa farmers and land owners to support conservation practices. CEDAR RAPIDS Longtime Iowa political reporter and former Quad-City Times reporter David Yepsen, a regular panelist on Iowa Press for many years, will return to the Iowa Public Television public affairs program in January as program host. Yepsen, who earlier this year retired as director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will succeed Dean Borg of Mount Vernon, who will retire in mid-January after hosting the program since 1971. A native of Jefferson, Iowa, Yepsen covered government and politics for The Des Moines Register for 32 years. He graduated in general studies from the University of Iowa in 1972 and earned a masters degree in public administration at Drake University in 1985. He was a fellow at Harvards Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy in 1989 and at the Institute of Politics at Harvard in 2008. Since 2009, he has been at Southern Illinois. Knowledgeable about Iowa politics, especially the first-in-the-nation caucuses, Yepsen has appeared on numerous network news programs including PBS NewsHour, and CNN, Fox, MSNBC and CSPAN programs. Davids return to Iowa Public Television and specifically as host of Iowa Press continues the high level of professionalism that Iowans have come to expect from IPTV, said Molly Phillips, IPTV executive director and general manager. Yepsen called it a tremendous honor to return home to Iowa Press. I have great respect for Dean Borg and for the reputation he helped build for the program, he said. It is Iowas most trusted resource for public policy evaluation and political analysis, and the best platform for civic and civil discourse on the critical issues we face as a state and nation. He is seated right in front of you, his electric smile, gymnastic wit and spirited candor often tumbling into a generous laugh. Warren Sapp is clearly and enthusiastically here. But the mood is different when the conversation turns to his August visit to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, for the 2022 induction ceremonies, an annual tradition that reunites dozens of pro-football legends ... I never tire of Mount Rushmore. My family tries to visit Mount Rushmore a few times each year, and I host an annual gathering for business prospects at the monument. I couldnt tell you how many times Ive visited, but I can say the splendor of South Dakotas biggest tourist attraction hasnt worn thin for me. It is breathtaking in all seasons. Under blue skies, on cloudy days, or at night it always amazes. Oct. 31 marks the 75th anniversary of the completion of Mount Rushmore. The 14 years of work on the monument began in 1927. Gutzon Borglum and his men encountered a number of obstacles throughout those years. Being unlike anything that had been done before, its completion was not inevitable. During the years of the Great Depression, funding was an ever present concern. The project ran out of money on several occasions. Just as the economy began to recover, the nations highest priority shifted from economic recovery to national defense another costly endeavor. Opposition to the project existed at the federal and local levels. At the outset, officials from the Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture opposed the creation of a memorial in the Black Hills. Besides the financial and political hurdles, the work itself was extremely challenging and dangerous. Workers had to remove 800 million pounds of stone in precisely the right way. The job involved handling dynamite and hanging off the mountain on a cable. As one man new on the job described it: Somehow you never had any faith in that cable, and you could look down and see just where youd fall to . . . Perhaps the most devastating setback of all was the death of Gutzon Borglum, who passed away on March 6, 1941, before the project could be completed. With Borglums death, the naysayers voices seemed amplified. Commentators and editors doubted the future of the monument and their doubts were echoed by the public. Borglums son, Lincoln, took the helm when his father passed away. At just 29 years of age and with only $50,000 of funding left, Lincoln Borglum was left with a difficult task. Work on Washingtons lapels, Lincolns head and some of Roosevelts features remained, and it wouldnt be long until he would need to lay people off. Seven months later, on Friday, Oct. 31, 1941, at 4 p.m., the work on the worlds largest sculpture was completed. The industry and determination of the Borglums and the risks taken by the workmen had finally paid off. Seventy-five years have passed and this monument is still telling the American story. Each year millions of Americans visit the Shrine of Democracy and learn about the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of our country under the leadership of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore serves, as Gutzon Borlum had said, to show posterity what manner of men they were both the men enshrined on the mountain and those who carved it. The Rapid City chapter of Disabled American Veterans won't get the most money from the 2017 Vision Funds only $21,000 but in the view of the Vision Funds committee, the flagpole the group will buy with the money is a simple matter of respect. That's why the nine-member committee made the DAV chapter its top priority when deciding what to do with the $6.5 million being distributed. In our opinion, this is a small amount to pay to show our respect to nearly 21,000 veterans in Western South Dakota and over 72,000 in our state, a letter from the committee said. Nine other finalists also were named as recommended recipients last week out of 25 proposed projects. The three largest projects were $2 million for a community center for Rural America Initiatives, more than $1.12 million for an adolescent care center for Wellfully and $1.89 million for upgrades to South Dakota School of Mines & Technologys OHarra Stadium. The recommendations will now go on to the city council for a final decision at its Dec. 5 meeting. I believe you will find that the committee has performed admirably in their task of vetting each potential Vision Fund project, wrote Mayor Steve Allender in a Nov. 23 letter to members of the Rapid City Council. The committee was made aware of the citys Comprehensive Plan and used the plan as a filter for the proposed projects. The Vision Fund committee worked for a few months narrowing the list of funding requests. It pored over paperwork for the proposals and then heard presentations from each one before making its decision. Our mission is to enhance the lives of all residents of Rapid City, now and for future generations, by expanding and enhancing critical community resources and sustaining economic development, where opportunity and security are greater for all, the committee wrote in its report. The committee's No. 2 priority was $523,406 for a Mental Health Pod for Community Health Center of the Black Hills. Community Health is an inclusive mental health facility that provides critical mental health services to our community on a sliding scale fee. This organization has achieved significant progress on its own, providing various health services to our community, and the Mental Health Pod is the last piece of the project, the report said. No. 3 is the Premier Adolescent Care Center (LAB space) for Wellfully for $1.125 million. The committee praised Wellfully for filling a gap in the community. The Rural America Initiatives Community Center was listed fourth. The committee said it chose this project because the organization supports the most vulnerable individuals in our community and because it supports our youth and developmental education and is a need. The other finalists in order of priority are: Lighting project Rushmore Little League, for $25,000. SDSM&T field/turf and beautification of corridor project, for $1.89 million. The committee said the field's deteriorating condition and the number of organizations that use it warranted the award. Central States Fair stall barn expansion project, $550,000. Summer Nights stage project, $127,990. ASA Softball, $200,000 for a new concession stand and restrooms. Skin Institute shade structure installation project, $30,000. The Vision Fund is funded through a half-cent local sales tax. The amount available for projects in 2017 is approximately half of the expected yearly revenue. The revenue from another half-cent has been earmarked for Rushmore Plaza Civic Center projects. The Rapid City Council's Dec. 5 meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at the City/School Administration building. A Rapid City businessman has offered a free month's accommodation to two families who were evicted from their motel home over Thanksgiving Day weekend. Desiree Fresquez, 30, and her four boys are now staying at the Stardust Motel after motel owner John Ashley responded to her need for assistance. Fresquezs family, who had been living at the Colonial Motel, was given a three-day notice by management to leave by Friday for non-payment of rent. Her neighbor Amber Morin was still looking for temporary housing for her seven-member family since there was no room big enough for them at the Stardust. Meanwhile, the Medicine Horse Village Foundation is raising money to help the families find permanent housing and teach them life skills such as budgeting and credit repair, said foundation director Gwen Caldwell. Caldwell said she also has informed the state Attorney General's Office that the Colonial Motel tried to force the families to leave without a court-ordered eviction notice. The attorney general's office said it is mediating between the parties. CANNON BALL, N.D. | A 6-inch snowfall in the Dakota Access Pipeline encampment has caused Gov. Jack Dalrymple to issue a mandatory emergency evacuation of the area. Also, one legal group has sued, claiming excessive force by police last week. Dalrymples order said the Army Corps of Engineers' land is not safe for the arrangement of tents and tipis erected by protesters in Morton County. He also referenced Fridays order by the corps to vacate the land by Dec. 5. The order, issued late Monday afternoon, is effective immediately and will remain until the governor rescinds it. The general public is hereby notified that emergency services probably will not be available under current winter conditions, Dalrymple said in his order. Any person who chooses to enter, re-enter or stay in the evacuation area does so at their own risk and assumes any and all corresponding liabilities for their unlawful presence and occupation of the evacuation area. Dalrymple's order allows additional executive capabilities by the governor including not providing emergency services to those who insist on staying, such as ambulance services, said state Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong. Such services can be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Morton County Sheriffs Department or the superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The Water Protector Legal Collective filed suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Bismarck seeking an immediate injunction to prevent Kirchmeier and other agencies from using impact munitions, such as rubber bullets, lead-filled beanbags, water and sound cannons, directed energy devices, water hoses, explosive tear gas grenades and other chemical agents against the protesters as they did Nov. 20. The group wants the injunction while the court decides whether to issue a temporary restraining order against police, arguing their actions and munitions are illegal. In a news conference Monday night at Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, a tribal official said if lines of communication had been open earlier in the process, and if officials had been open to listening, perhaps the months of protesting might never have happened. These are voices, critically important voices, that arent being heard. We can have better understanding if we listen to each other, said Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Don Morrison. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault added that the protest is "not something I wanted to happen. This was something that evolved. Its impacted a lot of lives." Opponents of the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline project are concerned over the potential for water contamination if the pipeline were to leak after completion. The pipeline is nearly complete in North Dakota except for a portion to be bored under the Missouri River less than a mile from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes reservation boundary. Earlier Monday, Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier criticized the Corps for backing off Sunday from its warning to protesters issued Friday to vacate the land by Dec. 5. Kirchmeier said the Corps is "basically kicking the can down the road, and all it is doing is taking the liability from the Corps and putting it on" the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He said state and local officials lack jurisdiction to remove the protesters. "This is a federal problem and needs to be dealt with by (the Corps)," Kirchmeier said. On Sunday night, Col. John Henderson, the Corps' Omaha District Commander, tried to clarify a message sent Friday to Archambault that the Oceti Sakowin protest camp would be closed to the public after Dec. 5 and anyone remaining after that date would be subject to possible trespass charges. Henderson said Sunday that while there are no plans for a forcible removal of the estimated 5,000 people occupying the protest camp, people who stay do so at their own risk, subject to enforcement under federal, state or local laws. The Corps is encouraging people in the large encampment to move from Corps land on the north side of the Cannonball River to a free speech zone on the south side of the river inside the reservation boundary, reachable by emergency and other services. Also Monday, a Dakota Access Pipeline protester was charged with a felony in federal court, and attempted murder charges against her in state court in Morton County were dropped. Red Fawn Fallis, 37, of Denver, is charged in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Either the U.S. attorney will seek a grand jury indictment against her in the next two weeks, or she will have a preliminary hearing Dec. 12. The federal complaint alleges that because she was an accessory to a crime in Arapahoe County, Colo., it was illegal for her to have a gun. Her ex-boyfriend reported his gun had been stolen Oct. 28, the day after an incident on the northern "front line" camp in which Fallis is accused of having fired two shots toward officers while being arrested. She asked for and was given a public defender in the case. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A 27-year-old man has been charged in the July 20 shooting death of a teenage girl in Pine Ridge. James Robert Dowty, of Pine Ridge, was charged in federal court with second-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old TeCa Lynn Clifford. Authorities said Clifford was walking home with friends in the town of Pine Ridge in the early morning of July 20 when she was shot. The suspect fled the scene but was taken into custody later that day, according to the Department of the Interiors Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Dowty also faces a count of discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared in federal court in Rapid City on Nov. 22. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison, while Dowty's firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years. Dowty was transferred last week from the Pine Ridge Adult Offenders Facility to the Pennington County Jail, where he was being held without bail. The U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment on a motive for Cliffords shooting, saying the case remained under investigation. Oglala Sioux tribal officials said two suspects had been taken into custody after Cliffords death. No one else has been charged in the girls shooting. My wife first told me about General Romeo Dallaire, the Canadian officer who commanded United Nations Blue Berets in Rwanda during the horrors of the slaughter there in April 1994. "Shake Hands with the Devil" is his book about his experience. The general was helpless to stop what was probably the worst single period of genocide in any century. Over 800,000 Tutsi tribal members were systematically murdered that month by Hutu death squads. Its one of those books I have been trying to read for several years. Some things are too hard to do in the normal press of days, and the horror is just too oppressive. I feel I owe it to him to just read it. Its not like I would live it. But thats the trouble with books; the great ones drag you in to their own reality, and thats not a place I would willingly go. I have the same difficulty reading about the German extermination of the Jews (General Patton threw up when he entered Buchenwald, never really grasping the enormity of it all, and that was after the fact). While the numbers of dead were far greater in the Jewish Holocaust, the horror and violence of the Tutsi extermination matched or overwhelmed anything in history. Growing up to the Kingston Trio singing They're rioting in Africa, they're starving in Spain ... There's hurricanes in Florida, and Texas needs rain, probably set the tone for many of us. Thats the trouble with violence at a remove; its too easy to let it pass unless youre standing there watching, armed and cant do a thing about it. Dallaire left the Canadian Army in 2000, taking a medical leave for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It wasnt that he wasnt a fine officer, he just couldnt do it anymore. And he couldnt not do it anymore. Thats the trouble with PTSD its there all the time. Its Coleridges Life-in-Death, a living hell, the spirit trapped in the body forever with no release. In Dallaires case, he literally cant escape April in Rwanda in 1994. His new book, "Waiting for First Light: My Ongoing Battle with PTSD," is a handbook to understand why 22 veterans take their own lives every day (or kids at Pine Ridge or anyone living in deep trauma). There comes a point when the only escape is death. Death becomes so compelling as a form of relief that dying becomes preferable to living. In a recent interview, Dallaire said he cant go into a grocery store. The colors of vegetables and food stuffs are in such sharp contrast to the starvation and privation of Rwanda that it triggers his return to those terrible days in what he calls high definition, living color with surround sound. His dreams are short but intense, invariably ending as he awakens in a panic just before he is killed by something. Only the onset of first light brings any relief, a new day, an opportunity to throw himself into his work, his passion, his obsession to do something worthwhile to stop the mournful voices of the accusing shades of the unimaginable past. In this case, unimaginable is really the right word. We cannot imagine what he witnessed, and neither can he, not really. He works 20 hour days to keep the devil at bay. Not many people who have suffered those experiences are willing to go to such lengths to stay alive. All the medicine and all the counseling and all the support in the world cant stop the Life-in-Death, but we must try. First, we must understand. Dallaires book is the beginning of understanding. Rapid City middle and high school students will have an opportunity to contribute to a sexual violence prevention initiative that could prove to be a model for other communities nationwide. Thats what a team of researchers from the University of New Hampshire hopes to accomplish by partnering with the Rapid City School Board as well as local youth and victim service agencies. The program will be funded by a $1.8 million federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant, which the school board approved Monday night. The funds will pay for a team of local researchers to conduct six 20-minute surveys over three years in middle and high school classrooms beginning in 2017. Questions will focus on what experiences students have had with risky behavior or sexual abuse and will emphasize the importance of positive youth development and civic engagement. Parents will have a chance to exempt their kids from answering the survey questions, and students will be able to opt themselves out, as well. According to UNH professor Katie Edwards, the survey results will help guide research and lead to the creation of educational material that will be shared with schools and other community organizations across the country on how to create youth-led sexual violence prevention programs from the ground up. The school board unanimously approved the grant funds to pay for the program. There are a number of people in the community who are going to be detractors, said school board member Matt Stephens. You have my support. I tend to believe that more education or discussion on an issue is rarely a bad thing. ... This discussion is something that needs to happen. Some other members of the board raised concerns that the survey subject matter could prove upsetting or inappropriate for some students. Having done similar research in other schools, Edwards said, I can count on one hand the number of kids who became really upset. And all of them had really bad things happening to them, and this facilitated them getting help. Though she expressed some reservations, board member Amy Policky noted that an open discussion about the issue might have saved the life of a 15-year-old girl she knew who recently committed suicide after being sexually assaulted. This kind of violence is real, Policky said, and it is happening in Rapid City. The board also approved more than $77,000 in other grant funds: A Workforce Education Grant totaling $49,430 will help enhance vocational and technical education programs at Stevens High School, and more than $28,000 from the Rapid City Public School Foundation will go toward various innovative projects in schools across the district. Defendants in Culture Ministry embezzlement case plead guilty - report MOSCOW, November 29 (RAPSI) Defendants, including Deputy Culture Minister Grigory Pirumov, charged with embezzling 100 million rubles ($1.5 million) of public funds allocated for restoration of cultural heritage objects have pleaded guilty, Kommersant newspaper reported Tuesday. Earlier, Deputy Minister of Culture Pirumov, director of the Ministrys department of property management and investment policy Boris Mazo, head of the Center of restoration Oleg Ivanov, head of BaltStroy Dmitry Sergeyev and the companys manager Alexander Kochenov, businessman Nikita Kolesnikov, head of a state-owned Directorate for construction, reconstruction and restoration Boris Tsagarayev and project manager of companies Stroykomplekt and Baltstroy Vladimir Svanbek have been arrested and put in detention in the so-called case of restorers. Moreover, the court ordered seizure of assets belonging to Mazo and Pirumov. Later, Kochenov, Kolesnikov and Sergeyev were released from jail and placed under house arrest, according to the newspaper. The investigation has presumably started basing on a report by the Auditing Chamber on restoration of the Izborsk Fortress in the Pskov region presented yet in 2013; however, it may also involve such cultural heritage sites as the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, as well as works carried out at the Ivanovsky Convent in Moscow, and a theater in Pskov, as reported earlier. Ukrainian national sentenced in Russia for armed assault files claim to ECHR MOSCOW, November 29 (RAPSI) Ukrainian citizen Sergey Litvinov has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against an 8.5-year prison sentence given to him by a Russian court for armed assault, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday citing his attorney Victor Parshutkin. Litvinov was convicted in April. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine voiced a strong protest over this ruling claiming that the case had been framed up. In August, the Rostov Regional Court upheld the decision. Investigators claim that in 2014, Litvinov conspiring with two representatives of Ukrainian security agencies made an armed assault upon a Russian national in the Lugansk region in Ukraine. They stole two cars belonging to the victim and injured him. Earlier, Litvinov was suspected of killing two Donbass civilians but his implication in these crimes has not been confirmed. In November, Moscows Basmanny District Court ordered that Litvinov should be paid 1,000 rubles ($15) in compensation for unwarranted prosecution, according to Parshutkin. He said Russias Prosecutor Generals Office had submitted apologies to his client for prosecution on suspicion of killing two or more persons and using prohibited methods and means of warfare. Russias Supreme Court upholds sentence of ISIS trainee Yevloyev MOSCOW, November 29 (RAPSI) Russias Supreme Court had upheld the sentence of Rashid Yevloyev, who is to spend six years in prison for undergoing training by Islamic State (ISIS, banned in Russia) instructors, the courts press service told RAPSI on Tuesday. The Supreme Courts panel dealing with military personnel has dismissed an appeal against the sentence given by the Northern Caucasus District Military Court on August 31. Earlier, media outlets reported that Yevloyev had been apprehended in Germany, where he arrived from Syria via Turkey and was later extradited to Russia. Investigators and courts could later establish that the young man had undergone combat and terrorist training at a training facility of illegal armed group Imarat Kavkaz near Aleppo in September through December 2013. According to Russian law enforcers, Yevloyev was aware he was an object of interest on the part of Russias security service, what made him travel to Germany. Nevertheless, being on the international wanted list he was extradited to Russia. When tried by a first-instance court, the man pleaded not guilty. 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A politburo meeting of the party held on Tuesday made the decision to separate hill districts from Province 5 to join in the province number four and six. If the Maoist decision was implemented, Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi and some parts of Rolpa will be included in Province four and remaining part of Rolpa will be included in province number 6. CPN Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the Prime Minister of the country, informed to the meeting about the constitution amendment proposal that is being prepared to amend the constitution. According to him, the decision to split Terai from hill is being made to take into confidence to the agitating Madhes based parties. Though, the Maoist Center has made the decision from its Politburo meeting, most of the leaders represent from the districts including leader Top Bahadur Rayamajhi strongly objected to Dahals proposal to split Province number 5. It is said that Rayamajhi had challenged to oppose the party decision. Kathmandu, Nepal: The Nepali Congress (NC), a coalition partner of the incumbent government, has on Tuesday handed over the name list of 10 leaders of the party for their appointment as State Ministers in the government. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi handed over the name list to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday. Earlier, Nepali Congress President President Sher Bahadur Deuba had submitted the name list to the DPM Nidhi. It is said that new state ministers from the Nepali Congress and the CPN Maoist Center will also be included in the government on Wednesday. According to the Nepali Congress, the recommendation is made to appoint Deepak Khadka as the State Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Kanchan Chandra Bade as the State Minister for Industry, Surendra Acharya as the State Minister for Irrigation and Mithu Malla as the State Minister for Commerce. Similarly, Dilip Gachhadar has been recommended for the post of State Minister for Labor, Sitaram Mehta for the State Minister for Forest, Dirgha Raj Bhat for the State Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Subarna Jwarachan for the State Minister for Urban Development, Taraman Gurung for the State Minister for Health and Indra Baniya for the State Minister for Tourism. The recommendation was made on the basis of consensus among the senior leaders of the party. The names recommended from the senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, Khum Bahadur Khadka and Krsihna Sitaula are included in the list, claims a source close to the Nepali Congress. Kathmandu, Nepal: All the hospital service except emergency service will be halted from Wednesday in Nepal. National Resident Doctors Association (NRDA) has taken the unpleasant decision expressing solidarity to the hunger strike staged by TUTH senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC. An emergency meeting of the NRDA held on Tuesday made the decision with the conclusion that there is no another alternative rather than to halt the service to make responsible to the government to address the genuine demands raised by agitating Dr. KC. The unpleasant decision of the NRDA has come at the 17th day of the hunger strike of Dr. As health condition of Dr. KC is deteriorating he is being shifted to the ICU. Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa had met Dr. KC on Tuesday. During the meeting he had urged Dr. KC to halt the strike stating that he is not in position to fulfill the demands raised by him. Kathmandu, Nepal: The Supreme Court, the apex court of the country, has issued a show-cause notice against the Nepal government for its preparations to change the provincial boundaries through an amendment to the Constitution of 2072. Responding to the writ petition filed by advocate Tika Dhoj Khadka, a single bench of Chief Justice Sushila Karki issued such a show cause notice on Tuesday. The Court order has asked the defendants -- the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Parliament and the plaintiff, advocate Khadka to come up with their arguments over whether or not to issue a stay order over the issue. Advocate Khadka had moved to the court on Monday seeking a stay order against the governments preparation to revise the provincial boundaries through an amendment to the Constitution of Nepal 2072. The writ petitioner has challenged the government efforts arguing that the boundaries of provinces could not be changed without the consent of the concerned provinces. Since provinces had not been formed yet, the efforts to revise boundaries would be an unconstitutional act, Advocate Khadka has argued in the writ. The show-cause order from the Supreme Court has come in the mean time when the government is preparing to register the constitution amendment proposal in the parliament within few days. Though the Nepali Congress, a major ally of the incumbent government, has not made any official decision regarding the issue, the government head, CPN Maoist Center, has on Tuesday officially decided to split some Terai districts from the province number five. The decision is protested not only from the political level but also from the level of people as well. Local people of the province number five have been protesting the governments preparations to separate Terai from hills. An error occurred while processing your request. The page you are looking for on this website is unavailable, has moved, or does not exist. Please visit collinsaerospace.com to find the product or service you are looking for. Vietnam is responding to Chinas construction of military facilities in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea by modestly expanding its own capabilities in the disputed chain. New imagery published by the Asia Maritime Transparency Project shows that Hanoi is significantly upgrading its sole runway in the South China Sea at Spratly Islandand constructing new hangars at that location. This is a familiar pattern for Hanoi, said a report on the subject from AMTP. Even amid reduced diplomatic tensions, Vietnam continues to modernize its military and seek closer security ties with Japan, the United States, and India in preparation for future Chinese assertiveness in disputed waters. The South China Sea situation has implications for global shipping and trade, as thousands of ships transit those waters every day, connecting markets and goods in East Asia with the Middle East and Europe. An $5.3 trillion in annual trade transits those waters, $1.2 trillion of which begins or ends at U.S ports. A United Nations arbitration tribunal in July ruled in favor of the Philippines in a case that nation brought against China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. China claims exclusive territorial rights over most of the area. China boycotted the tribunal and refused to accept its deterimination. Reuters recently reported that Vietnam had deployed surface to air missile platforms to the Spratlys. Hanoi has not confirmed those reports, but, AMTP commented, such countermeasures should not be surprising in light of the significant air power that China will soon project over the Spratlys. Vietnam has lengthened the runway at Spratly Island from less than 2,500 feet to about 3,300 feet. Continued reclamation and construction will likely extend this to more than 4,000 feet. Vietnam is also constructing two large hangars and can accommodate the Vietnamese air forces PZL M28B maritime surveillance aircraft and CASA C-295 transport planes. Any of Vietnams combat aircraft could also make use of the new runway, but the islet would have limited use for fighter jets. By contrast, noted the report, Chinas three largest artificial islands now boast enough hangar space for 24 fighter jets each. Vietnam has now added about 57 acres of land at Spratly Island though its activities remains modest compared to Chinas. The AMTP report said Vietnam is likely to use of its enhanced runway and hangars to patrol the Spratlys. While Vietnams military capabilities are no match for China, Hanoi seems determined, the report concluded, to better monitor and, if the reported missile deployments are true, defend its claims. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close This week sees the American wide release of Pablo Larrain's, which follows the life of Jackie Kennedy in the week immediately following the murder of her husband John F. Kennedy. The film is reportedly very good, with scriptwriter Noah Oppenheim and actress Natalie Portman collecting accolades from all over the world.For me, biopics are not my favorite type of film though, as too many of them tend to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Trying to describe a person in just a few hours is hard, meaning shortcuts and exaggerations need to be made, and often you end up with an interesting viewpoint at best, or a vile caricature at worst.Still, some of them are indeed quite good, or allow creators and actors to shine like a diamond. So the question of the week is: what is your favorite biopic?Chime in, in the comments below, and HAVE YOUR SAY! I had a privilege to talk to Johnny Ma, a Chinese-Canadian filmmaker, whose gritty, urban thriller Old Stone is seeing a North American release after gathering much accolades at Toronto and Berlin Film Festival this year. Hearing Ma's insight on shooting a low budget film in China was very interesting and valuable in understanding Chinese film industry. But my main takeaway from our conversation is that the gripping morality tale Ma tells in the film -- where no good deed goes unpunished, can take place not just in China but any society. Johnny Ma is a real deal and one to watch out for in the furture. Screen Anarchy: Your last short film Grand Canal takes place in China, then you made your feature debut with OLD STONE, also set in China. What made you to decide to shoot in China again? Johnny Ma: I went to Columbia University for film. When I was making films there- Ive made one in Australia, Brazil, the US, I think that I was just starting to figure out how I like to make films. I guess in some way, I felt that process I thought worth doing was working with real people and from real stories. If I was gonna do this correctly, I should go back to where I was born and make one there to really understand. If I wanted to go on this path, I thought I can do it as honest as I can there. I also knew that if my short film Grand Canal was going to be successful, it would be a great opportunity to make a feature film in China as well. I was also looking forward to that challenge to shoot there. And actually the project that I ended up taking to China was called Ten Thousand Happiness. It was a Sundance Lab project. But we had a lot of trouble getting financing when we got to China. As a script we got all the accolades you can imagine - Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance, etc. But in China, the film industry works very strangely, where the support for arthouse independent films are just the worst. Obviously they can't make money from them so there are no interests. Investors start out by asking if your film is going to be commercial films or arthouse film. If its anything other than commercial, they are not interested in speaking to you. For me thats not a good place to start. So it was very very difficult. Old Stone was originally written as a US film with Micheal Shannon in mind in Detroit. And it was supposed to be my second feature film. I wanted to take premise of the film away from China that the conversation wouldnt be just about, it only happens in China. What drove me most was to show how a good person turns bad. I wanted the conversation to be about that than the actual environment, where the incident inspired the movie actually happened. So we had to change it to China again because we couldnt get the other film done. We didnt choose big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, but a small town which is my producers hometown. Thats how we got it made with a small budget. Thats a really interesting story. The moral dilemma of the main character is very dark. It reminded me of recent Lou Yes film MYSTERY. Then I found out that your producer Nai An is also the producer of Lou Yes films. She also plays the wife part in your film. Thats correct. Are there any other connections to Lou Ye and Chinese independent filmmaking scene? Yeah, just by Nai An came on board. When I went to China, because of the industry and the state of business there, they didnt give me much of a chance. Also I didnt feel that I trust them because in a way I didnt trust that they would put story first rather than business side of it. I had a list of names that I trusted and knew they would make great films, Nai An, Lou Ye, Jia Zhang-ke I went down the list. Nai An, I showed her Grand Canal, I felt distinct connection to her because I used Suzhou River as a reference when I was making Grand Canal. Also I didnt know about this, but the pop song in Grand Canal, she and Lou Ye did a music video for that particular song. There was almost serendipitous kind of conection there. So when she saw the film, she wanted to meet me right away. The way she approached working with me was like, ok what kind of filmmaker would you like to be?', 'what kind of film would you like to do? It wasnt like 'what kind of project do you have and which one can make money?' It was more like 'how do you want to build a career you want?' It was an amazing collaboration. I mean, in a way she helped us much more than what I possibly could ask her for. When we couldnt find an actress, because we had such a small budget, to be paired with the main actor, and she took time away from here work as she was getting ready for Lou Yes production and she came for 4-5 days to shoot the film. Thats an amazing story. I owe her everything. Even the money we got, which was super super small, because of her, we were able to get. Investors didnt trust us, but they trusted her. You can correct me if I am wrong but many of Lou Yes films were banned in China. Yes. I am wondering whether you had any problems going through the censorship with the film since I does portray some unflattering side of Chinese society. Unfortunately, I cant talk so much about it because its a sensitive issue. But I will try to be as honest with you as I can. Yes, the short answer to that is absolutely. We had a very very difficult time with that. And I think having Nai An as our executive producer, for the fact that Lou Ye was banned making films for 5 years after Summer Palace, she gave us a very good insight to how to deal with them. But essentially she never said, dont do the film like this, because it will never get made. but do the film you want and we will deal with the rest. We will try to work with it after it is done. But still we had a very very difficult time with the censorship. We were no one, having Nai An onboard, it made us even more of a target. In hindsight it was a disadvantage having her onboard but I would never have done anything differently. But I think just the fact that the film is not made by someone controversial but the first time filmmaker, the fact its by a filmmaker is from the west also helped alleviate some of the problems. Was it difficult shooting in China? Yes, definitely it was difficult. Shooting an indie film in China is about ten times harder than in any country Ive ever made a film in, including Brazil, Canada and US. I think the main thing about it is actually you feel so alone when you are doing it because especially in China these days, there are a lot of commercial prospects- you can do anything and you can make a lot more money there. So if you set out to do an small budget indie film with a sensitive subject, the reaction you get is, dont do that. why dont you do something that will take in profit? From most peoples point of view, its very easy to make money in media right now. 'So why dont you do something like that?' It takes a very stubborn and foolish mind to risk it all to do a film that nobody cares about and I think I give all the credits to my collaborators who went on this journey with me to believe that there is an important story to tell and it would make a good film. Anytime I get a chance to take my Chinese collaborators overseas, not just for them to experience it but also encourage others to support making bold films that when you make a bold film you will have a support. I think that was the biggest challenge to do something that was against the grain of how things are done up there. The main actor Chen Gang is incredible in this film. How did you find him? And did you base this Old Stone character on anyone you know? The biggest problem in Chinese film industry is the actors being treated like kings and queens, much more so than in US. We had a list of names on our plate, the actors we would like to approach. Even with Nai An, we couldnt get the script over there. I always felt that if you have a strong script, and if they are a true artist, they will give it a chance. They cant do it then they cant. But I think industry setup over there is where its really tough to get scripts to the people. We had an actor who is not really anybody, he was in a Jia zhang-ke movie and he quoted us the half of our budget. So its really difficult. I saw a couple of small things Chen Gang was in. He was always been a supporting actor. I think he mainly did TV. He was not a really well known actor at all. I always knew he was very good. But we couldnt find him. We heard rumors that he retired and he was living in a small town somewhere. I had about four different cell phone numbers and none of them worked. A week and a half before we were supposed to start the production, we found him and I talked with him on the phone. He has this thing about flying. So I couldnt have him to come over and meet me. So I had to tell him that he was going to be my main actor over skype. So we had conversations over Skype. I just had to go with my instinct and say you are the guy. I would say it was not an easy process working with him. Even though he is an unknown actor but he is part of that system so there were things that he was used to in other productions that we couldn't offer him. But having Nai An and Wang Hongwei (who plays the captain of the taxi company) who was in a lot of Jia Zhangke movies, having them on board and being supportive helped us to work with Chen Gang. I push my actors really hard. what you see on screen - half of it is acting and half of it is real. It was what really what Old Stone, Lao Shi was going through. He and I don't talk very much because he blames me for other things that went on the set. He hasnt seen the film with an audience yet. I think he is magnificent. He definitely has charisma. Its an amazing performance. Does the title OLD STONE mean something? Yeah. In Chinese, his name Lao Shi literally means Old Stone. But in Chinese, the double meaning of that, you call someone Lao Shi, it means too honest, too naive. Your last question about who this character was based on Right. Actually when I was writing the character, I wanted to create a character that was a good man, you know from traditional China, like what other Chinese literature says, what a good person should be. And I went far back as Confucius to look at his writing on how a man should be. When people first read the script, they were asking me, Does this person even exist in our society?' This is to Chen Gangs credit to bring the humanism back in to the film. He really believed it. But I think that it also is the point of the film that he does not exist. At any point of the film, he could just not do it and just protect himself and his family. To me, if you judge Lao Shi, if you judge him for what hes done, and you are angry at him, and when you look back one of two days later, I mean only thing he is guilty of is that he was trying to do a good thing, and if you judge him of that, then perhaps the way we are looking at the situation is wrong. So yes, creating a character like that was intentional. Gotcha. So whats next for you? The original project I went to China for. I revised that. Its a Sundance project and something very personal. Its an elite family in Beijing, it deals with the modern age where collusion of everything that is happening in China. Its about a family gathering of a Grandfathers 80s birthday where he announces that he is getting a divorce. And that sort of shakes up the whole family. And we look at the new generations of families and they look at their situations - the whole relationships, marriage and love. So its about the culture of Beijing and modern society but also, its a story about how people look for happiness in the 21st century in China. I see. Its a good subject for me to do. Because I am 34 now, not married and pretty cynical about the idea of marriage because of what Ive seen in my parents and my grandparents. So for me, the film is about finding out if the marriage is right for myself. So its called Ten Thousand Happiness. Yes. And it will be shot in Beijing? Yes, Beijing or Tenjing. I think we are still looking at it right now. But itll be a very different type of film than Old Stone. Old Stone we did very quickly. In many was Old Stone was a rough, raw film. I think Ten Thousand Happiness would be in between Wedding Banquet and Edward Yangs Yiyi. It would be a much slower paced and more selective kind of film. Old Stone opens November 30 at New York's IFC Center. National rollout will follow. Please enjoy an exclusive clip of Old Stone below. Nearly 40 years after Chor Yuen launched his acting career in the Shaw Brothers classic Death Duel, director Derek Yee returns to Gu Longs source novel for a ravishing new adaptation. With Tsui Hark producing and action choreography from Yuen Bun and Dion Lin, Sword Master is a shamelessly old-fashioned swordplay romance that pays homage to the legacy of studio-bound wuxia dramas, while simultaneously embracing cutting-edge new technology. CGI backdrops and immersive 3D photography combine seamlessly with balletic wirework and an age-old story of duty and heroism that should delight audiences around the world. Yee casts Kenny Lin Gengxin in the role that made him a star back in 1977, as Third Master Hsiao Feng, proclaimed throughout the land as the greatest living swordsman. But when word spreads that he has died, the entire kingdom is thrown into disarray. The Hsieh Clan, under the leadership of Hsiao Fengs father, hang up their swords and retreat from the martial world, while his betrothed, Chiu-ti (Jiang Yuyan), wants proof that the love of her life is dead. She also has desires to lead her Mu Yung Clan in a takeover, something encouraged by her adoring page, Chu. Hsiao Feng is not dead, however, but has gone into hiding. When first we meet our hero it is as Ah Chi, a drunken nobody working as errand boy for a brothel in Bitter Sea Town. There he catches the eye of prostitute Li (Jiang Mengjie), even taking a blade for her from a dissatisfied customer, but despite her advances, Ah Chi remains chaste, clearly preoccupied by weightier thoughts. Stealing the show, however, is Peter Ho as Yen, a rival swordsman who had vowed to defeat Hsiao Feng and become the best in the land. On hearing of the Third Masters death, he retreats into obscurity. Sporting skull-like facial tattoos and hauling his own tombstone on his back, Yen takes up residence in a graveyard outside Bitter Sea Town, vowing never to use his 13 Sword fighting style again. Meanwhile, Chiu-ti unleashes Chu and his Divine Might death cult, who rampage through the kingdom taking on all comers. When Li and her family is threatened, Ah Chi is finally forced to reveal his true identity, with events escalating towards a climactic showdown between Divine Might and the Hsieh Clan of Supreme Sword Manor. Tsui Hark has spent the past few years taking bold strides forward in the realm of 3D, working with some of the industrys best fight choreographers to utilise the depth of field to great effect in the likes of Flying Swords of Dragon Gate and Taking of Tiger Mountain. Serving as producer here for Derek Yee, Tsuis influence can be felt strongly in Sword Masters numerous action sequences, not least the climactic battle at Supreme Sword Manor, with poisoned grappling hooks appearing out of the fog to attack their victims. As acrobatic fighters perform impossible manouevers on invisible wires, Yee's swooping cameras create a dizzingly kinetic experience. Elsewhere, Yee conjures up gorgeous cinematic landscapes and settings as elaborate as they are self-consciously artificial. Yee is not aiming for realism here, but rather a heightened visual aesthetic in the same way the great studio pictures of yesteryear would embrace their sets so enthusiastically. From blossoming trees to mist-covered mountain tops, Sword Master exists in a magical realm of mythology and legend, a step outside our reality, yet fuelled and driven by the same heightened emotions. Hsiao Fengs own legend weighs heavy on his shoulders, as he must live with being revered and feared in equal measure. As the greatest swordsman, he faced constant challenge from warriors desperate to forge their own mythic identity, and for that reason, faked his own death and disappeared. In doing so, however, Hsiao Feng also spurned Chiu-ti, breaking off their arranged marriage that was set to unite the rival clans of Hsieh and Mu Yung. His decision has tragic repercussions, not least the bruising of Chiu-tis already fragile ego, who also proves to be an accomplished sword fighter in her own right. Despite Hsiao Fengs quiet humility and Lis naive yet ultimately good-natured efforts to provide for her family, it is Hos lone swordsman Yen who emerges as the film's most charismatic character. After a life spent in the shadow of his greatest rival - to the point he is even mistaken for the Third Master - Yen is devastated when robbed of the chance to test his skills against him. Initially, Yen proclaims that if he cannot be the hero he must become the villain, although later allies himself with Hsiao Feng when greater forces of evil emerge. Personal and reverent, yet pulsating with visual invention, Sword Master is a passionate love letter to Chinese cinemas most quintessential genre, but also a bold exploration into wuxias visual language. Sword Master is pioneering, experiential cinema, simultaneously steeped in decades of tradition and mythology, which must, as its hero learns, be embraced if it is ever to be overcome. Mapping out the Trumpian new world order with respect to federal sentencing reform | Main | "Why Trump needs to roll back criminal penalties for noncriminal conduct" I am pleased to be able to reprint this original commentary concerning today's SCOTUS oral argument from LawProf Carissa Hessick: Earlier today the Supreme Court heard argument in Beckles v. United States. Beckles raises two questions: (1) whether the now-advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines are subject to vagueness challenges under the Due Process Clause, and (2) whether, assuming the Guidelines are subject to vagueness challenge, a ruling that a Guideline is unconstitutionally vague is retroactive under the Teague framework. The Beckles case and todays argument illustrate how complicated federal sentencing has become since the Supreme Court decided to treat the Federal Sentencing Guidelines as advisory in Booker v. United States. In the decade since Booker was decided, the Supreme Court has clarified that, although the Federal Sentencing Guidelines are no longer mandatory, they are also not entirely voluntary. Deputy Solicitor General Michael Dreeben did a fantastic job in his argument explaining the middle path that the Court has carved for the Guidelines since Booker. He not only described the anchoring effect of the Guidelines, but he also noted that the Court has adopted procedural mechanisms designed to reinforce the primacy of the Guidelines. The current advisory system, according to Dreeben, injects law into the sentencing process. As the Beckles argument illustrates, the middle path that the Court has carved is complicated. The Court continues to struggle with how to regulate an advisory system in light of the fact that the purely discretionary system that the Federal Sentencing Guidelines replaced was essentially unregulated. Indeed, counsel for Beckles spent much of her argument fending off questions by various Justices about how a Guideline could be unconstitutionally vague if a purely discretionary system is permissible under the Constitution. Justices Alito, Breyer, Kennedy, and Chief Justice Roberts all asked questions to this effect. Notably, later questions by Justice Breyer and the Chief Justice appeared to accept that a purely discretionary system might be subject to different rules than an advisory system. The complexity of the middle path was on full display in todays argument in part because the United States relied on the complexity of that path to take what Justice Kennedy and a court-appointed amicus characterized as inconsistent positions. The United States argued that the advisory Guidelines are subject to vagueness challenges because of the important role that they continue to play in the post-Booker world. But the government argued that the advisory status of the Guidelines should prevent the Court from making any vagueness ruling retroactive. The government distinguished this case from a recent juvenile life-without-parole case, saying that juvenile LWOP cases require a particular finding in order for a defendant to be eligible for a life-without-parole sentence. In contrast, according to the government, the Guidelines affect only the likelihood that a defendant will receive a particular sentence. The government relied on the distinction between likelihood of a sentence and eligibility for a sentence as the reason it took different positions on the vagueness question and the retroactivity question. And while Justice Sotomayor pressed the government on this distinction, none of the attorneys or the Justices mentioned an important fact about this case: When Beckles was sentenced in a Florida district court, the prevailing law in the Eleventh Circuit actually required such a finding. (Because of the amount of time taken up by questions about vagueness, petitioners counsel addressed the likelihood/eligibility argument only in the single minute she had remaining for rebuttal. The argument was made in an amicus that Doug and I co-authored with Leah Litman, which is available here.) Other odd aspects of the Courts post-Booker jurisprudence were also on display during the Beckles argument. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito both raised the question whether the Courts recent decisions about the quasi-legal status of the advisory Guidelines should endure in the face of changing sentencing patterns in the district courts. And Justice Breyer, who has often served as a champion for the U.S. Sentencing Commission, raised the possibility that the courts should be more indulgent of vague sentencing guidelines than vague statutes because the Commission is in a better position than Congress to refine the law. Perhaps because this area of the law is so complex, both Justice Ginsburg and Justice Kennedy appeared to cast about for an easy way to dispose of this case. At one point Justice Ginsburg said as much: I thought . . . that if we decide the first issue, . . . the case is over. But -- so I was thinking, well, we could decide that issue and not reach either vagueness or retroactivity. Much to his credit, Deputy Solicitor General Dreeben discouraged the Court from taking that path, even though it would have meant a victory for the Government. Dreeben noted that there are many cases that raise the vagueness and the retroactivity questions that are currently pending in the lower courts. And he made an institutional appeal to the Justices to resolve the retroactivity issue even if they could decide this case based on some commentary in the Guidelines. I admire Dreeben for making this appeal to the Justices. But I dont think that his appeal went far enough. There are a number of defendants in the Eleventh Circuit who have viable vagueness claims that are not claiming retroactivity. Because the Eleventh Circuit refused to recognize any vagueness challenges to the Guidelines, the Court should also rule on the vagueness issue even if it determines that its ruling will not be retroactive. Although I was not at the argument this morning, it is hard to read the transcript of the Beckles argument and think that the defendant is likely to prevail. Only Justice Sotomayor seemed to be asking friendly questions of petitioners counsel, and only she seemed to resist the Governments likelihood/eligibility argument. But even if Beckles does not prevail, we may see another vagueness challenge to the Guidelines in the not-so-distant future. For one thing, Dreeben made clear in todays argument that the Government has not taken a position on retroactivity for pre-Booker mandatory sentences. So if Beckles loses on the retroactivity question, then the courts of appeals will have to decide retroactivity in those pre-Booker cases, and if the courts split on that question, the Supreme Court may need to take another case. For another, the Court has granted cert in another statutory vagueness case, Lynch v. Dimaya. The statute at issue in Dimaya, 18 U.S.C. 16(b), has been incorporated into a Guideline, U.S.S.G. 2L1.2(b)(1)(C). So if the Court decides that 16(b) is unconstitutionally vague in Dimaya, and if the Court does not answer the vagueness question in Beckles, then the Court may need to take another Guidelines vagueness case. Guest posting from Prof Carissa Hessick on SCOTUS argument: "Beckles and the Continued Complexity of Post-Booker Federal Sentencing" | Main | Making the case that the next Administration needs to demonstrate that "laws are not just for the little people" November 29, 2016 "Why Trump needs to roll back criminal penalties for noncriminal conduct" The title of this post is the headline of this notable commentary authored by Ronald Lampard, the director of the Criminal Justice Reform Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Here are excerpts: Unauthorized use of Smokey the Bear's image could land an offender in prison. So can unauthorized use of the slogan "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute." While one may think the government would never initiate a criminal prosecution for either of these two "criminal" acts, there have been numerous examples of individuals being prosecuted under federal law for conduct that should not be criminalized. For example, Eddie Anderson of Idaho took his son camping in the wilderness, searching for arrowheads. They didn't find any, but they were searching on federal land, which is prohibited by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979. They both faced a felony charge, punishable by up to two years' imprisonment before they pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and were fined $1,500 each and placed on probation for a year. Some of these criminal offenses are contained in federal statutes, which prescribe an estimated 4,500 crimes, according to a study by retired Louisiana State University law professor John Baker. To help put that number in perspective, the Constitution mentions three federal crimes by citizens: treason, piracy and counterfeiting. Around the turn of the 20th century, the number of federal criminal statutes was as low as dozens. Essentially, over the last hundred years, federal statutes carrying criminal penalties have grown at an exponential rate. The number of criminal statutes laws passed by both Houses of Congress and signed into law by the president is dwarfed by the number of regulations carrying criminal penalties. The total number of these regulations is difficult to count, however, it is estimated to number roughly 300,000. Perhaps most disturbingly, these "criminal regulations" are written by unelected bureaucrats, yet still carry the force of law. In order to stem the explosion of criminal regulations, President-elect Trump can begin the process of removing said regulations. Trump says in his first 100 days he wants to see two regulations removed for every one regulation created. Since these regulations were largely written by unelected bureaucrats who work for the executive branch, the Trump administration could start immediately.... Certainly, some of these regulations ought to deter certain conduct. However, this can be accomplished by making the penalty civil or administrative.... As John Malcolm at the Heritage Foundation said, "There is a unique stigma that goes with being branded a criminal. Not only can you lose your liberty and certain civil rights, but you lose your reputation an intangible yet invaluable commodity that once damaged can be nearly impossible to repair. In addition to standard penalties a series of burdensome collateral consequences that are often imposed by federal laws can follow an individual for life." The federal government should proscribe criminal penalties only for conduct that is inherently wrong in order to protect public safety. Criminal statutes serve a crucial purpose in preserving law and order and establishing the rule of law. However, preserving law and order need not come at the expense of criminalizing conduct such as nursing a woodpecker back to health or shipping undersized lobsters in plastic bags instead of cardboard boxes. Trump has a tremendous opportunity to reduce the number of actions criminalized by federal law. Such action would serve all Americans well and would be a great victory for both law and order and individual liberty. November 29, 2016 at 08:20 AM | Permalink Comments Criminal regs seem a great target to me, as well as men's tea reform. Posted by: Bryan | Nov 29, 2016 9:56:29 AM That would be *mens rea*. Thanks, Obamaphone! Posted by: Bryan | Nov 29, 2016 9:57:28 AM I can see about the Smokey the Bear and don't pollute examples but I fail to see how the archaeological bit is overreach (I see felony charges being too much under the described circumstances but not the mere fact that the conduct is criminal). It's that whole "if everyone did it" thing. And if you are going to be making this kind of pitch you need to make it with cases that are not nearly so marginal. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Nov 29, 2016 10:10:02 AM After him tweeting flag burning maybe should be grounds to lose your citizenship, good luck with that. Seriously, what the heck does "criminal penalties only for conduct that is inherently wrong in order to protect public safety" mean? Excessive penalties are bad, sure, but why shouldn't interfering with protected species or the like be a "crime" at all in all cases? And, what is the net difference really, since "civil" (ask sex offenders, a major concern of this blog) can entail significant burdens, down to loss of livelihood (e.g., not being allowed to have a license to fish or whatever). Anyway, "inherently wrong" and "protect public safety" really doesn't help me much. Posted by: Joe | Nov 29, 2016 10:31:01 AM The arrowhead story sounded odd to me so I googled. Turns out they were not just looking but were caught digging holes and had found some pieces of arrowheads. How many holes would there be on federal lands if this was allowed. $1500 seems fair. http://idahoreporter.com/9838/father-and-son-plead-guilty-to-illegally-digging-up-arrowheads/ Posted by: Andrew | Nov 29, 2016 11:52:09 AM Thanks Andrew. This is just one case of people who "dug several holes" and eventually they got charged with a misdemeanor. Protecting federal land and antiquities is a major cultural concern alone. I don't necessarily think something has to be "inherently wrong" or a threat to "public safety" to be subject to the criminal law. But, safeguarding land and culture is quite important to many people, and for some is seen as a basic "wrong." And, again, why would a civil fine be superior there especially if it came with special conditions? You can lose 'civil rights' that way too. And, if you want their record expunged after a their probation term is up etc.? Might very well be reasonable. Posted by: Joe | Nov 29, 2016 12:29:08 PM Post a comment Making the case that the next Administration needs to demonstrate that "laws are not just for the little people" | Main | Two new headlines from the same paper highlighting (inevitable?) sentencing disparities November 29, 2016 Will more than just a handful of condemned murderers be impacted by latest SCOTUS review of capital punishment disability limits? The question in the title of this post is my indirect effort to get a quantitative notion of the import and impact of the Texas case, Moore v. Texas, being heard by the US Supreme Court this morning. The folks at SCOTUSblog have this helpful round-up of some recent previews and commentaries on this case: Today, the court will hear oral argument in Moore v. Texas, which asks whether Texas can rely on an outdated standard in determining whether a defendants intellectual disability precludes him from being executed. Amy Howe previewed the case for this blog. Another preview comes from Karen Ojeda and Nicholas Halliburton for Cornell University Law Schools Legal Information Institute. Additional coverage of Moore comes from Nina Totenberg at NPR, who notes that the states test is based on what the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals called a consensus of Texas citizens, that not all those who meet the social services definition of retardation should be exempt from the death penalty, and from Steven Mazie in The Economist. In an op-ed in The Washington Post, Carol and Jordan Steiker argue that rather than relying on the same approach to intellectual disability that Texas uses in every other context (such as placement in special education or eligibility for disability benefits), the state appeals court sought to redefine the condition in the capital context so that only offenders who meet crude stereotypes about intellectual disability are shielded from execution. Efforts by Texas to execute intellectually disabled murderers strike very close to home for me because I was actively involved in representing and trying to prevent the execution of Terry Washington back in 1996-97 when there was not yet a constitutional restriction on application of the death penalty for those with certain intellectual disabilities. I got involved in the Washington case pro bono during my last few months as an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in NYC. I had the opportunity to help author a cert petition to SCOTUS and a clemency petition to then-Texas-Gov. George W. Bush in which we asserted on Terry's behalf that the ineffectiveness of trial counsel and his intellectually disabilities (which were then called mental retardation) justified sparing him from the ultimate punishment of death. Terry Washington was sentenced to death for the stabbing murder of a co-worker at a restaurant in College Station, Texas. As the case was litigated through the federal habeas courts in Texas, there was no real dispute over Terry's mental disabilities because considerable evidence from his childhood indicated diminished mental capacities and in two IQ tests after his initial sentencing to death Terry scored 58 and 69. But Terry's case was tried in the 1980s when it was not considered ineffective for counsel to fail to investigate and present mitigating mental health and family background evidence. In the words of the Fifth Circuit rejecting a final habeas appeal in 1996, counsel made "a reasonable strategic decision not to investigate Washington's mental health by retaining a mental health expert or to present evidence of Washington's mental health and family background at the punishment stage of trial." Washington v. Johnson, 90 F.3d 945 (5th Cir. July 25, 1996) (available here). I cannot help but think of Terry Washington today because I recall drafting sections of the cert petition and clemency petition making the case for a categorical ban on the execution of persons with (as called then) mental retardation. Unfortunately for Terry, the Supreme Court would not embrace the constitutional position we pushed on his behalf until 2002 when it ruled in Atkins v. Virginia that the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment bars the execution of individuals who are intellectually disabled. (According to this DPIC accounting, 44 persons with intellectual disabilities were executed between 1976 and the SCOTUS Atkins ruling in 2002.) Based on the medical records and supporting evidence, I now believe that Terry would have indisputably been shielded from execution by Atkins even though Texas has been trying its best since Atkins to limit the number of condemned murderers who get shielded from execution by its holding. Returning to the Moore case now before SCOTUS (with the Terry Washington case still on my mind), I sincerely wonder how many persons on death row in Texas or in other states are currently in the doctrinal/proof gray area that the Moore case occupies. My sense is that most defendants with obvious disabilities have had their sentences reduced based on Atkins, and this DPIC accounting hints that maybe as many as 100 condemned murderers have gotten off of death rows in many states thanks to Atkins. But in Moore it seems like evidence of disability is sufficiently equivocal and the legal standards sufficiently opaque that SCOTUS has to clean up some post-Atkins doctrinal mess. For Bobby James Moore, this is obviously now a matter of life and death. But can we know how many other of the roughly 2500 persons now under serious sentences of death nationwide will be potentially impacted by the Moore decision? November 29, 2016 at 09:18 AM | Permalink Comments In light of the way the administration of the DP works in Texas, I think you are wrong to assume that a win at SCOTUS will ultimately benefit Mr. Moore Posted by: John | Nov 29, 2016 1:03:07 PM He had 69 post-sentencing? Hmmmm. Yeah, let's take that test at face value. The 58 score likely indicates a bit of malingering. Sounds like Washington got what he deserved. Posted by: federalist | Nov 29, 2016 4:52:25 PM Atkins ran a drug business at age 9. He lured his victim, a competitor, into his car, and executed him. As a result of his spending time with learned counsel, his vocabulary and Verbal IQ shot up. He is no longer retarded. IQ testing has been validated for 100 years, to track and to predict school performance. It is not permissible to use this test result for the purpose of assessing culpability. It has no validity for that use. It use in an appellate decision is quackery, and pretextual. Given his superior level of function and success in life, the new definition of intellectual disability, and his change in level, Atkins now qualifies for the death penalty. A new cert should be submitted to have the Supreme Court review his death penalty again, and to execute him. Posted by: David Behar | Nov 30, 2016 3:38:41 AM I am not sure if anything useful will come out of Moore. I think it would be a constitutional stretch to say that the folks who work on editing and revising the DSM get to define the meaning of the Eighth Amendment, particular as the professional organizations of psychologists and psychiatrists tend to be opposed to the death penalty. While their professional opinions on who is mentally disabled are relevant to the discussion, I don't see any basis for giving non-governmental actors the power to re-write the meaning of the Constitution. The real issue in Moore is what test did the state courts actually use (and both sides are trying to spin the lower court opinion in ways that are questionable), whether that test allows the Texas courts and juries to consider all relevant evidence on the defendant's mental condition, and what minimal standards does the Constitution impose (separate from any revisions in the DSM). Posted by: tmm | Nov 30, 2016 10:26:34 AM "I don't see any basis for giving non-governmental actors the power to re-write the meaning of the Constitution." You might not, but such things influence the courts in various cases. For instance, non-governmental actors influence reasonable medical judgment respecting abortion rights. This is so even if someone would red flag doctors are biased toward abortion rights. What "re-write" here means also depends on what the "meaning" is in the first place. If current medical knowledge factors into the accepted test by SCOTUS, it's part of said meaning. And, the courts ultimately are the ones that "get to" here even if (see the affirmative action context) some degree of discretion is given (in that case educational authorities) to outside judgment. Posted by: Joe | Nov 30, 2016 12:05:13 PM Behar: Atkins did not get relief based on intellectual disability. It was the state's Brady violation that resulted in resentencing Posted by: John | Nov 30, 2016 12:06:17 PM John. From the decision: "Held: Executions of mentally retarded criminals are cruel and unusual punishments prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Pp. 517." Posted by: David Behar | Nov 30, 2016 6:08:09 PM David, That's true. Atkins v. Virginia bars execution of the intellectually disabled as a violation of the Eighth Amendment. But Mr. Atkins was not held to be intellectually disabled. To the contrary, a jury found that he was not intellectually disabled. Mr. Atkins did not receive Atkins relief. The long history of the case is recounted in In re Commonwealth of Virginia, 677 S.E.2d 236 (Va. 2009). Mr. Atkins is no longer under a death sentence because Virginia could not manage to comply with Brady v. Maryland, not because of the SCOTUS case bearing his name. Posted by: John | Dec 1, 2016 12:40:46 AM Thanks John. Supreme Court opinions are often not the end of the story. Posted by: Joe | Dec 2, 2016 9:46:49 AM Post a comment Guests paying out the wazoo for retreats at the Esalen Institute will have fewer complaints about rooms and food going forward, aspects of the spiritual center that have heretofore been secondary to majestic views of Big Sur and classes in Zen and meditation. Esalen, the historic 1962-founded institute structured on Aldous Huxley's Human Potential Movement, is completing a $20 million refresh, renewing itself and its mission to renew others. As Gordon Wheeler, Esalen President and Interim CEO, wrote, "Through our Campus Renewal Project the largest property development project in Esalens history we are ensuring that Esalen will be well positioned to not only serve the next generation of personal seekers and cultural change-makers but also expand our impact in a world that faces increasing environmental, social, and spiritual challenges." Though Esalen is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, that doesn't mean it's free to visit: Weekend workshops there start at $1,750. "Rooms do need to be updated," one Yelper wrote last year, but her message was to "get over it." After all, conditions at Esalen, spare though they may have always been, have sufficed for such luminaries as psychologist Abraham Maslow, architect and designer Buckminster Fuller, photographer Ansel Adams, and novelists Ray Bradbury and Ken Kesey all Esalen denizens. Covering the renewal project, the Chronicle reports that the main lodge renovations are complete: That structure, built as an inn in 1939, now includes a second story with a large deck, a new mosaic, and an expanded bookstore space. The kitchen and dining area have been expanded and a new cafe and bar has been added. A new six-room guesthouse offers more expansive accommodations for guests, and staff housing has been increased and renovated staff housing burned down in 2011, Esalen's website explains. Esalen Institute via Facebook Architectural firm Arkin Tilt Architects is behind the redesign, which will be fully completed next year. In 2012, on the eve of its 50th anniversary, the New York Times mused on Esalen's future. Would it become a museum to its past intellectual and spiritual glory, times when teachers like Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison graced the institute with their presence? Or might it lapse in its social mission, becoming a luxury resort? The redesign might be interpreted as a signal of either, neither, or both, but it's provided an occasion for Esalen's leadership to confront those questions. As Ian-Michael Hebert, director of Esalens campus renewal project, told the Chronicle, "Were making the shift from what was the human potential movement to the collective potential movement what can we accomplish together. That echoes Wheeler's thinking in 2012: The Esalen CEO, fittingly a Gestalt psychologist, told the Times that, Weve always said were about personal and social transformation... If anything, weve stepped up the social. The world is more demanding now. The call of the world is more urgent. And we looked at each other and said we have to step it up. Related: All About The Real Big Sur Retreat From The Mad Men Finale If it's the case that technology has divided rather than united the majority of people who rely on it the popular argument that we're all "Alone Together," hyperconnected but isolated the problem begins with the technology industry itself. Centered in Northern California, the tech elite resembles a small subset of the world that uses its products, and in an echo chamber of its own, it consistently fails to adequately imagine the plurality of its users and their experiences. The industry does so at our peril, longtime observer Om Malik, a technology writer and partner at Palo Alto venture capital fund TrueVentures, argues in a New Yorker article detailing what he calls Silicon Valley's "Empathy Vacuum." If that vacuum yawns wider, he fears, Silicon Valley could soon have and maybe deserve the infamy of big banks and Wall Street elites. Writes Malik: "We talk about the filter bubbles on social networksthose algorithms that keep us connected to the people we feel comfortable with and the world we want to seeand their negative impacts, but real-world filter bubbles, like the one in Silicon Valley, are perhaps more problematic. People become numbers, algorithms become the rules, and reality becomes what the data says." There are instances when technology companies work hard to represent and protect their users: The dating app Tinder, after consulting with trans activists and users, opened up its once binary gender options earlier this month to acknowledge the spectrum of genders represented by its users. But time and time again, major companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google, choose algorithms over human judgment or careful deliberation. They ignore bullying and harassment if they don't experience it themselves. That goes beyond, as Malik selects one example, sending Facebook users images of dead loved ones in their year-end highlight reel videos. It extends to companies like Uber, whose plan to automate everything from truck drivers to taxi cabs exalts displacing people from their jobs in the current economy without planning to provide alternate ones in their new world order. "The lack of empathy in technology design isnt because the people who write algorithms are heartless," Malik writes, "but perhaps because they lack the texture of reality outside the technology bubble. Facebooks blunders are a reminder that it is time for the company to think not just about fractional-attention addiction and growth but also to remember that the growth affects real people, for good and bad." That made me think of this Tweet: Not a crisis: not everybody can code. Actually a crisis: programmers don't know ethics, history, sociology, psychology, or the law. Brian Mastenbrook (@bmastenbrook) October 31, 2016 Not everyone can work in the tech industry, but if the tech industry wants everyone to use its products and services and it does then its workers need to consider everyone, and not just as potential customers, but as potential victims. While Malik stops short of making this argument, it seems to me that he might call (again, I know) for more diversity in the industry more women, more people of color. But at the current hiring rate, the technologists currently at the helm have to at least acknowledge the ways in which they might fail to empathize with users who aren't them. If that means fewer high-end meal delivery apps, so be it. Similarly, writer Max Read considers the industry's reliance on automated decisions in a piece for New York magazine called "Maybe the Internet Isnt a Fantastic Tool for Democracy After All" [The] recent panicked focus on fixing the fake news problem itself seems inadequate, reliant on the belief that merely by ensuring that hoaxes and lies are unable to circulate on social networks, we can return to civil public discourse. That misinformation plagues our politics is a symptom of a larger, more existential problem: The tech industry has disrupted the public sphere and has shown neither the interest nor the ability to reconstruct it. No matter what Facebook might believe, there is no turnkey algorithmic solution that will ensure a perfect civic network. It will always be possible for people who take advantage of networks dumb nature their inability to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate traffic to flood them with junk. That is, unless rational people a stronger public sphere, as Read imagines it stem the tide. For his part, Malik's hope is that "we in the technology industry will look up from our smartphones and try to understand the impact of whiplashing change on a generation of our fellow-citizens who feel hopeless and left behind." It is not just Facebook. It is time for our industry to pause and take a moment to think: as technology finds its way into our daily existence in new and previously unimagined ways, we need to learn about those who are threatened by it. Empathy is not a buzzword but something to be practiced. Lets start by not raging on our Facebook feeds but, instead, taking a trip to parts of America where five-dollar lattes and freshly pressed juices are not perks but a reminder of haves and have-nots. Otherwise, come 2020, Silicon Valley will have become an even bigger villain in the popular imagination, much like its East Coast counterpart, Wall Street. Does that mean Twitter is going to get a bailout? Related: Possibly Computer Illiterate President-Elect Eager To Kill Net Neutrality The first floor of the NEMA apartment complex has been vacant, its windows adorned with a variety of marketing slogans, since it opened. Originally intended to become a gigantic restaurant, that's off the table given a spate of closings in the neighborhood, and now the space at 1425 Market Street (at 10th Street) is going the events route. Hoodline reports that it's being rented out as Gantry, to be booked for shindigs like the recent Silicon Valley Fashion Week. Gantry CEO Hans Koch tells Hoodline that "We hope to become the place that the city and the neighborhood comes to explore, relax, meet up with friends, and walk away with an experience they want to share." Gantry, with its 8,800 square feet, will be an "urban center." Though corporate functions appear to be the focus, "Nonprofits and community organizations [will be] a big part [of Gantry]" Koch told Hoodline. "By supporting arts and local groups, we can help them gain awareness and new participants." It's possible that open-and-shut restaurants like Bon Marche and Cadence spooked potential food operations. Or maybe/also the proximity of tech companies in need of events space made the decision easier. In fact, the space was originally rented by Top Chef Masters competitor Suvir Saran, but his plans for the space fell through. That was lucky, he wrote on his blog in September: After a long search for the ideal location to build, my business partner Paresh Ghelani, a serial entrepreneur, global citizen and peerless visionary, took lease of what surely would have become a landmark restaurant in San Francisco. For 19 months we worked on the space - paying rent, designing, and planning what would have been a 400 seat restaurant and bar; this in a time when large brick and mortar restaurants were dwindling faster than dreams. In end though, bureaucratic hoops won over vision and opportunity. We pulled out of the building and from the apartment in the sky overseeing the Foggy Golden Bay. Much time lost, money too, but in end it seems we were being blessed by the powers of the universe. The space remains empty. The Mid-Market neighborhood not performing as well as was expected. Paresh had a gut feeling that the dramas we were having to endure were not worth fighting there and then, and it seems he was right again. As a dear friend in Pacific Heights said, "Honey, you got out just in time!" Well, it's not empty anymore or it won't always be, and this way, it'll make a little money too. Related: Nema Developer Already Looking To Sell? Emphasizing the scale of the problem facing developers and residents, scientists with the European Space Agency last week announced that the tilt and sink of San Francisco's Millennium Tower is visible from space. The Business Times picked up the report, and noted that the agency was monitoring the San Francisco area as part of a study on subtle ground shifts in urban areas. "The Sentinel-1 satellites have shown that the Millennium Tower skyscraper in the centre of San Francisco is sinking by a few centimetres a year," read the findings. "To probe these subtle shifts, scientists combined multiple radar scans from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 twin satellites of the same area to detect subtle surface changes - down to millimetres. The technique works well with buildings because they better reflect the radar beam." A decidedly more high-tech approach than rolling a marble across an apartment floor, the image above depicts areas of little to no movement in green, with the colors yellow and red representing spots with higher movement. Zooming in on the high resolution image does indeed show two red spots jumping out of a sea of green at what appears to be the tower's location. Originally named one of the world's top 10 residences, word of problems at Millennium Tower first came out earlier this past summer with reports that the building had sunk 16 inches leading to a flurry of threatened lawsuits and attempts to shift blame. Developers said construction on the nearby Transbay Transit Center was to blame, while others questioned the decision to not drill down into the bedrock. With the latest civil suit against developer Millennium Partners alleging that the city and the Transbay Joint Powers Authority conspired with the developer to hide information about the building's excessive settlement from potential buyers, the ongoing saga of the Leaning Tower of San Francisco is sure to drag out for some time. Thanks to the European Space Agency, we now can watch the entire thing unfold from space. All previous coverage of the Millennium Tower of SFist. San Francisco's liberal bubble is potentially facing serious strains under the looming presidency of Donald Trump. As we noted earlier, and as the Chronicle reports again, if the president-elect follows through on his promise to deny federal funding to Sanctuary Cities, then SF may lose up to $1 billion per year and would be forced to rethink some of its budget decisions. Items we now learn are potentially on the chopping block include the Twitter tax break, proposed free tuition for City College, and the city's newly voted obligation to maintain street trees. Making matters worse, a projected $5 billion shortfall in pension funds and the failure of voters to pass Proposition K mean that even if Trump doesn't pull federal funds we're still looking at some belt tightening. The city is in a strong financial position, and the mayor is committed to remaining disciplined when it comes to the budget, mayoral spokesperson Deirdre Hussey told the Chronicle. However, the citys revenue growth is slowing and pension costs have risen in recent years faster than projected. ... These things combined make it essential for policy makers to rebalance the budget. And that rebalancing might just manifest in a few surprising ways. First off, the promises of free tuition at City College may never come to pass. Remember Prop W? That measure increased the real estate transfer tax on both residential and commercial properties worth over $5 million, with supporters saying the tax revenue would go toward tuition. However, as we pointed out at the time, those revenues are slated to go into the General Fund and are not earmarked for City College. As such, the city can spend that money on whatever it wants political promises not withstanding. A non-binding resolution was passed by the Board of Supervisors in July saying that money would be used for City College, but officials are now considering directing those dollars elsewhere. And what about the sidewalk tree maintenance? Prop E, mandating that the city take back responsibility for street trees, passed in the November election with 79 percent of the vote so what gives? Well, the measure included a provision that allows the Mayor to suspend it before January 1 of this year meaning Mayor Lee can undo it with the stroke of a pen. In addition, revenue generated by the Soda Tax may not go to heath programs as original promised, but instead be used to fund homeless services such as Navigation Centers. As for the Twitter Tax break? Supervisor Aaron Peskin finally sees a chance to do away with that one. Having co-sponsored a failed payroll tax earlier this year that some called the "tech tax," it is perhaps no surprise that Peskin would see this expected budget shortfall as an opportunity to claw back the roughly $34 million annually in lost taxes. With a city budget of $9.6 billion, larger than that of 13 states, San Francisco is certainly better positioned than other cities to weather the coming Trump storm. What priorities are tossed overboard in the next few years will be revealing, however, and may just prove that our liberal bubble is not as thick as we all might have hoped. Related: Trump May Cut Off San Francisco's Federal Funding For Being A Sanctuary City City Attorney Dennis Herrera has refused to fight a class-action lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of San Francisco's bail system because he agrees it unfairly punishes the poor, but whether she agrees with Herrera or not, California Attorney General and Senator-Elect Kamala Harris will step in to defend San Francisco against the legal challenge. To do so, Harris will seek approval from a federal judge in Oakland, her spokesperson Kristin Ford said yesterday according to the Chronicle. The lawsuit, which was filed in October 2015 by a Washington, DC-based civil rights nonprofit called Equal Justice Under Law, claims that 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." Equal Justice Under Law has challenged cash-bail systems in several cities including Sacramento, arguing against state law that requires courts to set bail, by county, based on the severity of an alleged crime. The way the system works now, if bail isn't paid, criminal defendants remain in jail until they're charged and arraigned, usually for two days following their arrest. At that point, a judge sets conditions for their pretrial release, sometimes including bail and based on an assessment of the defendant's danger to the public and likelihood of fleeing town. In San Francisco, Equal Justice Under Law's class-action case argues on behalf of two local women and originally named the state and the city as defendants. Those claims against the city and state were dismissed, but later, Sheriff Vicki Hennessy was added as a defendant, with the City Attorney's office acting as her council. Then, in a court filing, City Attorney Herrera wrote that he wouldn't be. "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." Herrera could have appointed someone to defend the case in his stead, but it's possible he saw Kamala Harris coming. A spokesperson for his office told the Chronicle's token conservative Debra Saunders that "Its highly unlikely theres going to be nobody to defend the law." She was worried that would leave the bail bondsmen's lawyers to do what should be Herrera's job. Money bail can still have its place in a reformed bail system, Saunders seemed to argue, but "reform won't happen if no one defends San Francisco." Well, now someone will. In Sacramento, Harris's office has already defended the law in a separate suit. In that instance, a federal judge rejected claims that it was discriminatory. Previously: City Attorney Won't Fight Class-Action Suit Calling SF Bail System 'Unconstitutional' Because He Agrees While questions persist about how much and what kind of data was compromised in the hack of some 2,000 SFMTA computers last weekend, a network security researcher says that he successfully hacked the email account of the hacker and found some interesting clues about the hacker's location and identity which we're just going to assume from here on out is male and dispense with the pronoun vagaries. Also, it appears this hacker has been primarily motivated by ransoms, many of which hacked companies have quickly paid, amounting to a sum likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, as Krebs On Security reports. The message that appeared on SFMTA screens beginning on Friday, saying "You hacked!" contained an email address, [email protected], and which account Krebs's source claims to have successfully hacked into by guessing the answer to a security question and changing the account's password. The researcher, who asked to remain anonymous, found the account was linked to a backup email account [email protected], and found evidence suggesting the hacker could be based in Iran including server addresses based in Iran, and server names like "alireza," which is likely a reference to Ali Reza, a common name among Iranians and Turks, or the seventh descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Further, scanning through emails in the account it was clear that this hacker had primarily been attacking US-based construction and manufacturing firms, typically demanding a ransom of one bitcoin ($732) per infected server, which was often quickly paid such as in the hacking of China Construction of America Inc., which also occurred last weekend, in which the company paid 24 bitcoin (about $17,500), having negotiated down from 40 bitcoin, to unlock their data. Perhaps thinking the SFMTA could afford more, the demand here was 100 bitcoin, or about $73,000 USD. In one of the hacker's emails with journalists over the last 48 hours, he appeared to suggest that the SFMTA needed to better secure its servers, and this was meant as a lesson. Indeed it appears that he has offered advice on better securing outdated networks and some companies have even paid for this after paying him a ransom, if the email chains are to be believed. It seems that this hacker probably does not want to dig through the data itself or start stealing the identities of Muni employees, though it remains unclear what information he may have or whether he will make good on his pledge to leak 30GB of private information, possibly including SFMTA customer info. The SFMTA tried to assure the public in a statement on Sunday that "Neither customer privacy nor transaction information were compromised." The SFMTA says that it never considered paying the ransom, and spokesperson Paul Rose issued a statement saying, "We have an information technology team in place that can restore our systems and that is what they are doing. Existing backup systems allowed us to get most affected computers up and running [Sunday] morning, and our information technology team anticipates having the remaining computers functional in the next two days. Meanwhile, there are also questions about how long the hacking attempts have been going on with the SFMTA's machines. The Examiner reports that at least one local software engineer saw the "You hacked!" message appear on one Muni station screen as early as November 13. Rose says this is "not true," and their IT team is blaming one SFMTA employee for accidentally downloading some ransomware on Friday, November 25, which is when the attack began. But local experts tell the paper that there very well could have been a two-week ramp-up period in which the hacker did some reconnaissance in the SFMTA's network, in preparation for a broad, systemwide attack. The FBI is apparently "aware of the intrusion and in contact with Muni officials," per a statement to the Examiner. The new deadline for the SFMTA to pay the ransom is Friday, which was moved from Monday, and the hacker continues to lob threats pertaining to customer and "kiosk" data. Previously: Muni Hacked For 100 Bitcoin, Questions Arise About What Data Was Compromised The husband of a Northern California woman who disappeared while jogging on November 2, then was found alive on Thanksgiving day has gone on the offensive against those suggesting that his wife's alleged abduction was some sort of hoax. As previously reported, 34-year-old mother of two Sheri Papini disappeared during an early morning jog around her neighborhood of Mountain Gate, California. Using Find My iPhone, her husband, Keith, says he found her phone and headphones about a mile from their home, sparking an intensive search for the woman as well as a $50,000 reward for her return. According to the Associated Press, Papini "turned up on the side of a California interstate before dawn on Thanksgiving, badly beaten and chained to a 'heavy object,'" and told police that her captors were "two Hispanic women armed with a handgun and driving a dark-colored SUV." During an appearance on Good Morning America, Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said that they had "no reason to disbelieve the womans story," the AP reports, but also notes that before Papini was found, "police had filed at least 20 search warrants in court linked to the investigation...investigators were also looking through her computer records, probing past relationships and seeking surveillance footage that could offer clues." In the post-Gone Girl era in which we live, the tale of Papini's return has inspired a significant amount of speculation. For example, from our report on her return: Though neither Sheri nor Keith have spoken publicly about her ordeal, it appears that responses similar to that one struck a nerve, with Keith sending a statement to Good Morning America excoriating those who appear to doubt Sheri's story. "Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting," Keith wrote, saying that "some people have been sitting in angering, expectant, positions waiting for the gory details," but that "those people should be ashamed of their malicious, sub human behavior." He then goes on to provide his initial thoughts when Sheri was recovered, saying that his wife's "signature long, blonde hair had been chopped off." When he first saw her, he writes, "My reaction was one of extreme happiness and overwhelming nausea as my eyes and hands scanned her body. I was filled with so much relief and revulsion at once." According to Bosenko, police are working through hundreds of tips that might lead them to Sheri's captors, and "investigators have sensitive information that hasnt been discussed publicly because the incident is still a critical active investigation." Here's Keith Papinis full statement: The first thing I would like to address is the overwhelming amount of gratitude our entire family has for the thousands of people that have been on this torturous journey with us. I cannot possibly name each and every person, although their names are eternally etched in our hearts. Thank you to our strong family, devoted friends, the entire Redding community, and countless communities around the world. Specific thanks to the Shasta County Sheriffs department, FBI, NorCal Alliance for the Missing, The Lost Coast Trackers, Shasta Support Services, The Guardian Angels, my own personal A-Team, Cameron Gamble, Cody Salfen, Jim Linnan, Sean Ditty, Don Armstrong, Yolo County Sheriffs department and hospital, the medical personnel that helped our dear Sherri, social media, and many news outlets. Thank you to LRT Graphics and Signarama. Thank you to the extremely generous, anonymous as well as named donors all over the world whom selflessly gave to our family. Thank you to the many incredible humans that have never known Sherri that facilitated in sharing our heart break across the globe. Sherri has always captured my heart and it is no surprise that she has captured the hearts not only through the country, but throughout the world. Thank you, truly, immensely, sincerely, and with my entire heart. Secondly, we live in a nation of free speech, accompanied with an era of technology that provides immediate gratification. This is a double edged sword. I am grateful for this system as it is what spread my wifes face quickly throughout the world, gaining the attention of thousands. The unfortunate side is that some people have been sitting in angering, expectant, positions waiting for the gory details. Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting. Those people should be ashamed of their malicious, sub human behavior. We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs. I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to gain money, or some fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Instead, may I give you a glimpse of the mixture of horror and elation that was my experience of reuniting with the love of my life and mother of our children. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see upon my arrival at the hospital, nor the details of the true hell I was about to hear. The mental prison I was in over the past three weeks was shattered when my questions of my wifes reality became known. The officers warned me to brace myself. My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of repeated beatings, the bridge of her nose broken. Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multi colored bruises, severe burns, red rashes, and chain markings. Her signature long, blonde hair had been chopped off. She has been branded and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers. She was thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist, attached to her wrists and a bag over her head. The same bag she used to flag someone down once she was able to free one of her hands. Sherri was taken from us for 22 days, and suffered incredibly through both intense physical agony and severe mental torture. My reaction was one of extreme happiness and overwhelming nausea as my eyes and hands scanned her body. I was filled with so much relief and revulsion at once. My Sherri suffered tremendously and all the visions swirling in your heads of her appearance, I assure you, are not as graphic and gruesome as the reality. We are a very private family whom do not use social media outlets prior to this grotesque tragedy. My love for my wife took precedents and it was clear we had to be exposed in ways we never would have been comfortable with. So please have a heart and understand why we have asked for our privacy. This will be along road of healing for everyone. Ultimately, it was Sherris will to survive that brought her home. Thank you. Previously: NorCal Woman Found Safe After Three Weeks Missing In Suspected Kidnapping SIOUX CITY | More than a dozen parents, teachers and students voiced concerns Monday over a re-figured middle school reading program that would potentially eliminate standalone reading classes. West Middle School reading teacher Julie Fischer presented the board with a petition containing 560 signatures opposed to the change. With the petition, she spoke as a parent who has had children in the school system and as an employee concerned that the change in direction was not in the best interest of students. She added that removing standalone reading classes would negate strides the district has made in improving reading test scores throughout middle school. I remember being called into the office with our principal at West Middle and being congratulated on some of the highest readers in Sioux City, so you can imagine my surprise when after receiving those kind of accolades, that its just not important anymore, she said. Kathryn Fairchild, also a teacher at West Middle School, said she is both a teacher and a concerned parent. She said her daughter, who attends Perry Creek Elementary, has been able to achieve grade-level reading with tutoring and additional support outside of the school. She said if the reading program is merged with other programs, her daughter will still receive additional support, but added that not every parent has those resources. "But what about the parents that cant do that? she asked. What about the parents in this room who cant afford to supplement and help to keep their child right on grade level? The comments came in response to plans in the Focus 2022 strategic plan that would add time for reading onto each subject, instead of having standalone reading classes. Additionally, English Language Arts classes would unite reading and English lessons. Part of this, Superintendent Paul Gausman said, would help the district abide by the requirements of Iowa Common Core. He also said it, along with an adjusted early retirement plan discussed later in the meeting, would help address a funding issue, which requires about $2 million in budget cuts. However, West Middle seventh grader Savannah Brasch simply asked "why?" -- why reading was the program to be targeted. "Reading can be an amazing thing," she said. "It helps them (students) grow up into the people they are today." Due to the potential of violating the open meetings law, the school board members could not reply to comments, as the reading issue was not an agenda item, but spoken of in citizen input. No action was taken in regards to the reading program as it was an administrative decision. Board president Mike Krysl said the board could take up discussion of it at a later date. However, in his regular superintendents report, Gausman said he wanted to be clear that reading will still be a backbone of teaching in grades six through eight. Again, I want to state for the misinformation out there, that there is no intent to remove reading from the curriculum, there is no intent to remove Talented and Gifted (TAG) reading as a focus of what were doing here, he said. The change in reading plays hand in hand with the district's new, one-time early retirement plan, which the board approved Monday. The goal, Gausman said, is to have 45 teachers participate in early retirement. This would prevent layoffs should enough participate. Positions vacated by early retirement would not be filled or offered to teachers displaced by the reading change. Early retirement eligibility in Phase 1 of the program for teachers enrolled in the Iowa Public Employees Retirement plan, or IPERS, begins at age 58. A teacher must have served a minimum of 20 total years in the district. Phase II expands the criteria to include more people. Teachers now will be eligible for reimbursement for banked sick days. Broken down in four levels, Gausman said a teacher could earn a sick day stipend of up to $8,000 a year until a person reaches Medicare eligibility, based on how many sick days have been accumulated. The district will accept Phase I applications through Nov. 30 and Phase II applications through Dec. 21. Two amendments one to wait until the budget is set to decide on the early retirement plan and another to allow senior teachers to have priority instead of first come, first serve failed. The retirement plan was approved five votes in favor to two votes against. Board members Paul Gorski and David Gleiser voted no. PENDER, Neb. | As is the case in many small towns, Pender's Main Street is lined with older buildings that give hints of a time when downtown was a bustling commerce center. The Palace Hotel at the corner of Main Street and Nebraska Highway 9/16 in Pender is one of those aging giants, a grand building built in 1892 that once upon a time had the reputation of being the nicest hotel between Omaha, Lincoln and Sioux City. Older residents remember when the town's telephone switchboard was housed in the hotel lobby, and it was the place to go to buy train tickets. Over the years, the building served as the Thurston County Courthouse before the current courthouse was built. It's housed a bank and other businesses. But as time passed, the building's fortunes changed. In the 1980s, the second and third floors were remodeled into apartments, but they've been vacant for at least a decade after the roof began to leak. Four years ago, the building's owners decided that it was time to restore the Palace Hotel, and, in the process, hopefully bring back a little oomph to downtown Pender. "Over the years, Main Street has really died. That's our goal is to bring more action, more people down here," said Candice Darling, who is overseeing the restoration of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been in Darling's family for decades, currently owned by her parents, Scott and Katie Darling. Before them, by Scott's parents, Don and Valdine Darling. Valdine's father, Fred Heese, owned it before that. In 2012, the family hired an architect and began planning to restore the Palace. "We kind of had no choice whether to let it deteriorate or fix it up," Candice Darling said. Work began in April and is expected to be finished in March. Once renovations are done to the Palace and an adjacent building that served as the county's original courthouse, there will be more storefronts to go with three existing tenants, Northeast Nebraska Insurance Agency, Main Street Thriftique and Dregalla Family Dentistry. The big draw is 16 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms, under construction on the second and third floors, a needed addition to a community with many growing employers and a limited housing market. The apartments will give new employees somewhere to live, perhaps leading them to put down roots and frequent the businesses on Main Street. "My dad, before he passed away, had an ambition to develop (the Palace)," Scott Darling said. "It's going to be a showplace, plus it's going to have historic value. I think all in all, it's really going to benefit the whole community." Many in town have fond memories of the Palace. During the 20 or so years the previous apartments were open, many people, including Scott Darling, lived in one of those apartments before they could afford to buy their own home. "It's really a home for a lot of people in Pender," he said. Because of the building's historic status, renovations must return it to its original condition. The storefronts will soon feature large curved windows that recall the past. The second and third floors were gutted, and, in the process, workers uncovered many treasures long hidden by false ceilings, vinyl floor coverings and walls built when hotel rooms first were remodeled into apartments. Original wooden floors are mostly in good condition and will be refinished. Tin ceilings still in place in several rooms also will be refinished. Fireplaces in some of the old hotel rooms were discovered behind walls and will be restored as decorative pieces. Much of the antique wood trim has been saved and will be refinished and reinstalled. The grand staircase, currently closed off on the first floor, will be reopened all the way to the third floor, once again revealing a skylight through which natural light floods the hallways. All that work is likely to pay off quickly. Candice Darling said there are strong prospects to fill the new storefronts, and several people have shown interest in leasing an apartment. The Darlings eagerly await the restoration's completion, at which point the building will regain a prominent role in a town that currently has a lot of momentum with a new medical clinic, community center and county jail all under construction. Those expansions mean new people in town, and they need somewhere to live, eat and shop. The Darlings hope the Palace brings those people to Main Street. As in all small towns, Main Street will be happy to welcome the people back. SIOUX CITY -- KCAU-TV is leaving its longtime home in downtown Sioux City for a new state-of-the-art broadcast facility at 5993 Gordon Drive. The local ABC affiliate announced its plans Monday, saying it anticipates moving in the first quarter of 2017. For the past 63 years, KCAU has operated at 625 Douglas St., in a historic building across the street from the Woodbury County Courthouse. In 1953, then KVTV transformed the Tomba Ballroom into the first TV station in Sioux City. In 1967, the station joined the ABC network and changed its call letters to KCAU. The structure that housed the Tomba Ballroom at the southwest corner of Douglas and Seventh streets was built in 1909 as a municipal auditorium. It served as the city's auditorium until 1950 and the opening of a new municipal auditorium at 401 Gordon Drive, today known as the Long Lines Family Recreation Center. In 2014, Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. purchased KCAU from its longtime owners, Citadel Communications. Soon after the acquisition, the new station owners decided the current downtown location no longer met its needs, according to a news release. In April 2016, a new location was identified and on Oct. 1 construction began on a $2.5 million project in the Eastgate Plaza along Gordon Drive. KCAU will move into a commercial building that also houses a Planet Fitness franchise and United Rentals. The space was formerly occupied by a Bomgaars store. Our current facility has served us well for over six decades, but it is time for a change," said John Curry, vice president and general manager of KCAU. Broadcast industry pioneers have walked the halls of this building over the years. ... Now its time to start a new chapter of excellence in broadcasting..." Nexstar was founded in 1996 by broadcast industry veteran Perry A. Sook to own, operate and provide services to television stations in mid-size markets across the United States. SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man who was shot after a four-hour standoff with police has been sentenced to 10 days in jail for domestic abuse. Lee Fischer, 44, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court to intimidation with a dangerous weapon and domestic abuse assault. District Judge Duane Hoffmeyer gave Fischer the 10-day jail sentence for domestic abuse after suspending a five-year prison sentence on the intimidation charge. Fischer also was placed on probation for three years and must continue with substance abuse treatment. Sioux City police on March 5 responded to a call at a home in the 1300 block of St. Mary's Street, where, Fischer admitted Tuesday, he had fired a .45-caliber handgun inside the house and his ex-wife was present. Police attempted to talk Fischer out of the house, and SWAT was called to the scene. According to court documents, Fischer approached officers in a threatening manner and he was shot after refusing to obey several commands to drop his weapon. Fischer was hospitalized for several days with non-life-threatening injuries. A charge of assault on a peace officer was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. SOUTH SIOUX CITY | As South Sioux City Council members admitted they've made few gains six weeks into the quest of stemming the stench of rotten eggs -- or worse -- throughout many homes, Rob Baker came to the front of the council meeting room to hold forth again. The second time that Baker, of South Sioux City, spoke on Monday, his demeanor was different. He paused, attempted to collect himself, then began crying before council members and a few dozen other people. In another veer in his method of expression, Baker began yelling. "I've had it! You're killing my parents!" Baker asserted. He finished his comments, then walked out of the room, spiking a few papers of the council agenda with vigor onto the floor. South Sioux City Mayor Rod Koch watched Baker exit, then said, "Emotions are running high." The episode was near the end of more than an hour where angry residents told council members they were unhappy with insufficient answers to why odors still linger in a multi-block section of the city. City officials have tied the odors to sewer-line infrastructure that ties in with the Big Ox Energy's plant in the city. In early November, a decision was made to halt industrial wastewater from flowing to Big Ox, which converts organic waste into methane gas. That was seen as the first step toward helping stop the stink for good. But nearly a month later, the odor continues in an area of homes near the intersection of 39th and G streets, permeating clothes, mattresses, furniture and walls. That led people to vent again during a Monday council meeting. They said they've been tired of living in Marina Inn hotel rooms, where the city and Big Ox have combined to share expenses. "My sixth week in a hotel starts today," Mike Klassen said. "We underestimated a few weeks ago. It is getting worse," Councilman Dennis Nelson said. "We expected things to get done. They are not getting done." One month ago, the step to divert the wastewater was one of four agreed upon by the city and Big Ox Energy. Per the agreement, Big Ox has also opted to pay out-of-pocket costs for impacted residents and hire an engineering firm to develop a plan to ensure the problem does not occur in the future. The city agreed to address a variety of sewage issues. A new attempt to address the problem was approved Monday. New forcemain sewer lines will be built in the city, with Big Ox paying for the first section, which runs about one mile, said Michael Washburn, of the McClure Engineering consulting firm. Washburn said workers aim to finish that work by Dec. 10. Mayor Koch said that wasn't sufficient. "This is our number one priority....We want them working on this 24-7," Koch said. Koch said the first task is to ensure the odors stop, followed by making sure homes are safe to inhabit again. Baker said he was emotional because his parents are in their mid-70s and living in the hotel. He fears they will go into a nursing home instead of returning home. Rick Heuretz pleaded with council members. "Help the citizens. Big Ox don't care about us. They just want to get through this as cheap as they can," Heuretz said. "...The city has to help us. We are just peons." Near the end of the meeting, Big Ox CEO Doug Blough described coming from Boston, Massachusetts, to let South Sioux City people hear his concern. Blough said the city should not take "spastic action," but rather methodical steps to find the root of the problem and fix it. "Nobody is trying to exploit anybody....I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I apologize," Blough said. Donald Trump's election triumph is among the more astonishing in history. Yet if he wishes to become the father of a new "America First" majority party, he must make good on his solemn promise: To end the trade deficits that have bled our country of scores of thousands of factories, and to create millions of manufacturing jobs in the USA. Fail here, and those slim majorities in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin disappear. The president-elect takes credit for jawboning William Clay Ford to keep his Lincoln plant in Louisville. He is now jawboning Carrier air conditioning to stay in Indiana and not move to Mexico. Good for him. But these are baby steps toward ending the $800 billion trade deficits in goods America runs annually, or bringing back factories and creating millions of new manufacturing jobs in the USA. The NAFTA Republicans tell us the plants and jobs are never coming back, that we live in a globalized world, that production will now be done where it can be done cheapest -- in Mexico, China, Asia. Yet, on Nov. 8, Americans rejected this defeatism rooted in the tracts of 19th-century British scribblers and the ideology of 20th-century globalists like Woodrow Wilson and FDR. America responded to Trump's call for a new nationalism rooted in the economic principles and patriotism of Hamilton and the men of Mount Rushmore: Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. The president-elect has declared the TPP dead, and says he and his negotiators will walk away rather than accept another NAFTA. Again, good, but again, not good enough, not nearly. The New International Economic Order imposed upon us for decades has to be overthrown. For the root cause of the trade deficits bleeding us lies in U.S. tax laws and trade policies that punish companies that stay in America and reward companies that move production overseas. Executives move plants to Mexico, Asia and China for the same reason U.S. industrialists moved plants from the Frost Belt to the Sun Belt. Given the lower wages and lighter regulations, they can produce more cheaply there. In dealing with advanced economies like Japan, Germany, and the EU, another critical factor is at work against us. Since the Kennedy Round of trade negotiations, 50 years ago, international trade deals have reduced tariffs to insignificance. But our trade rivals have replaced the tariffs with value-added taxes on imports from the USA. Even to belong to the EU, a country must have a VAT of at least 15 percent. As Kevin Kearns of the U.S. Business and Industry Council writes, Europeans have replaced tariffs on U.S. goods with a VAT on U.S. goods, while rebating the VAT on Europe's exports to us. Some 160 countries impose VAT taxes. Along with currency manipulation, this is how European and Asian protectionists stick it to the Americans, whose armed forces have defended them for 60 years. We lose at trade negotiations, even before we sit down at the table, because our adversaries declare their VAT nonnegotiable. And we accept it. Trump has to persuade Congress to deal him and our trade negotiators our own high cards, without our having to go to the WTO and asking, "Mother, may I?" Like this writer, Kearns argues for an 18 percent VAT on all goods and services entering the United States. All tax revenue raised by the VAT -- hundreds of billions -- should be used to reduce U.S. taxes, beginning by ending the income tax on small business and reducing to the lowest rate in the advanced world the U.S. corporate income tax. The price of foreign-made goods in U.S. stores would rise, giving a competitive advantage to goods made in America. And with a border VAT of 18 percent, every U.S. corporate executive would have to consider the higher cost of leaving the United States to produce abroad. Every foreign manufacturer, to maintain free access to the U.S. market of $17 trillion, greatest on earth, would have to consider shifting production -- factories, technology, jobs -- to the USA. The incentive to produce abroad would diminish and disappear. The incentive to produce here would grow correspondingly. Inversions -- U.S. companies seeking lower tax rates by moving to places like Ireland -- would end. Foreign companies and banks would be clamoring to get into the United States. With a zero corporate tax, minority businesses would spring up. Existing businesses would have more cash to hire. America would shove China aside as the Enterprise Zone of the world. Most important, by having Americans buy more from each other, and rely more on each other for the necessities of life, U.S. trade and tax policies would work to create a greater interdependence among us, rather than pull us apart as they do today. Why not write new tax and trade laws that bring us together, recreating the one nation and people we once were -- and can be again? LA PLATA, Md. Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: 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. 28, 2016)The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.ATTEMPTED MURDER: On November 25 at 6:43 p.m., officers responded to the 10000 block of Bramley Court in Waldorf for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers interviewed the victim who advised that Antwan Jasper Thompson, who is known to the victim, lured him outside before shooting at him. After officers obtained the suspect's name, they ran a computer check which revealed the type of car the suspect might be in, as well as his address. Officers set up near Thompson's home and conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle as he passed their location. He was apprehended without incident. Officers recovered a stolen handgun and a mask which was worn during the shooting. Thompson, 29 of Lanham, was arrested and charged with attempted first degree murder. Pfc. A. Coulby, Cpl. S. Stanley, and Pfc. B. Virts investigated.POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: On November 25 at 5:05 p.m., Officer J. Brown initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with a headlight out in the 300 block of Smallwood Drive. Upon approaching the car, Brown smelled a strong odor of marijuana. Further investigation revealed the driver, Tyrell Lamar Sherman, 19 of Waldorf, was in possession of 128 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, U.S. currency, and a handgun, and was driving with tags registered to another vehicle. Sherman was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, concealing a dangerous weapon, and driving an uninsured vehicle.FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY: On November 25 at 12:57 p.m., officers responded to the 10000 block of Allens Fresh Road in Charlotte Hall for the report of a suspicious vehicle. The complainant reported she observed a white male driving a blue Nissan Quest in the driveway of her neighbor's home. When she drove by she saw the male walk off the front porch carrying a chainsaw, which he then placed in the back of his vehicle. A short time later, Pfc. M. Hancock located the vehicle traveling on Crain Hwy in the area of Crossover Road. He conducted a stop on the vehicle. When he exited his patrol car, the suspect vehicle took off. The vehicle was pursued for a short distance into a field, where the suspect bailed out. Pfc. Hancock apprehended the suspect after a foot chase. Officers responded to the residence on Allens Fresh Road and discovered the front door had been kicked in. The homeowner was notified and was able to positively identify his stolen property that was in the suspect's vehicle. The property included a chainsaw, three guitars, and other various power tools and property. Charges are pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.IMPAIRED DRIVER CHECKPOINTS: On November 23 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., members of the Patrol Division conducted a sobriety checkpoint on St. Charles Parkway at St. Thomas Drive in Waldorf. As a result of the checkpoint, 606 vehicles were contacted and 12 citations, 15 warnings, 10 SEROs (Safety Equipment Repair Orders), and 4 civil citations were issued for various traffic violations and drug offenses.On November 23 between 7:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., members of the Traffic Operations Unit conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Smallwood Drive West near St. Nicholas Dr. As a result of the checkpoint, 570 vehicles were contacted and 6 citations, 4 warnings, and one SERO were issued. This checkpoint was funded using a grant from the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Highway Safety Office. A Trooper from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack joined the Charles County Sheriff's Office in conducting the checkpoint. GREENBELT, Md. (Nov. 28, 2016)Joshua Francisco Miranda, age 29, of Waldorf, Maryland, admitted committing two bank robberies in March 2016.Today's guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George's County Police Department.According to his plea agreement, on March 23 and March 29, 2016, Miranda robbed banks in Accokeek and Fort Washington, Maryland, respectively. In each robbery Miranda entered the bank and gave the teller a note demanding $5,000. The note also threatened that Miranda had a bomb which he would detonate if the teller did not comply with his demand. Surveillance footage and witness testimony showed that in each robbery Miranda had a wire coming out of one of his shirt sleeves. Miranda stole a total of $7,800 from the two banks. According to his plea agreement, Miranda will be required to pay restitution in that amount.Miranda and the government have agreed that if the Court accepts the plea agreement Miranda will be sentenced to between seven and eight years in prison. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, and Prince George's County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan, who is prosecuting the case. LGBT organizations are finding common cause in opposition of President-elect Donald J. Trumps pick for Attorney General. The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund released a statement calling on Trump to withdraw his proposal of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) as Americas top lawyer. Senator Jeff Sessions long track record reveals a politician who is transparently and vehemently against LGBTQ people, immigrants (both documented and undocumented) and people of color. This is the person who said the KKK is OK. Well having someone like that as Attorney General isnt OK. President-elect Trumps notorious comments about Mexicans, Muslims and people of color during the election campaign emerge from a mindset that Mr. Sessions represents. He was rejected by the Senate for a federal judgeship in the past because of his bigoted views. He hasnt changed and he shouldnt be nominated nor confirmed, said Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund. According to the Alliance for Justice, Sessions is unfit in every way for U.S. Attorney General. An association of more than 100 progressive values organizations, the Alliance for Justice contends Sessions has demonstrated throughout his career that he is incapable of and unqualified for this important role. The Human Rights Campaign has given Sessions a 0 percent rating in six of its seven scorecards. As a U.S. Senator, Sessions voted against the repeal of the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy and voted for a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage. It is deeply disturbing that Jeff Sessions, who has such a clear animus against so many Americans including the LGBTQ community, women and people of color could be charged with running the very system of justice designed to protect them, said HRC President Chad Griffin. (EDGE) The number of hateful harassment incidents since Donald Trump was elected the 45th president earlier this month has been on the rise in the U.S., according to the Souther Poverty Law Center. EDGE has reported on several anti-LGBT attacks in the wake of Trump's presidential victory and it appears as though the former reality star's stunning win is even emboldening his supporters from across the globe. A gay couple told Australia's Star Observer a Trump supporter attacked them outside a McDonald's in Sydney last week. The men, who used the pseudonyms Sam and Andrew, were grabbing breakfast at the fast food chain on Nov. 21 when a young man was allegedly drunk and ranting about President-elect Trump. "He was saying things like how white men rule now that Trump has won," Sam told the newspaper. "I was horrified. Andrew was lovely and very protective of me-he tried to encourage me to stay away from him." Sam said he turned around and told the man: "I'm gay-do you have a problem with that?" His words apparently didn't sit well with the man, who reportedly started to shout, "Trump's won, straight white men rule" as his friends tried to restrain him and drag him out of the McDonald's. After getting their food, the couple left the restaurant but the man was allegedly waiting for them outside. "I couldn't believe it, he'd been waiting outside to pounce on me," Sam told the Star Observer. "He hit me on the head, and because I'm a pretty big guy, I went down hard - immediately there was blood everywhere. He kept mouthing off, but when he hit my head things went a bit blurry from that point." Andrew was requesting a ride while his partner was reportedly attacked. "I looked up and he was bleeding all over his face," he said, adding that when he was checking on Sam that's when the man punched him in the face. "I didn't fall over, but... he struck me again with a piece of glass, I think. It cut my skin and I was bleeding," he told the newspaper. Andrew fought back but the man's friends dragged him away. Police were eventually involved and said the attack was caught on CCTV. "Don't just assume it's 2016 and everything's okay, because clearly what's happening in the world is affecting people's judgement and mentality," Sam said, adding the LGBT community must "check in with each other and make sure we talk more about these things." Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. CaSSIS Image ESA/ROSCOSMOS The Mars Camera, CaSSIS on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter captured its first high resolution images of the Red Planet last week. The Bernese camera worked almost perfectly and has provided spectacular views of the surface. CaSSIS (Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System) has been developed by a team from the University of Bern led by Prof. Nicolas Thomas from the Center of Space and Habitability (CSH). It was launched with the European Space Agencys ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) on 14 March 2016. TGO entered orbit around Mars on 19 October. The onboard camera, CaSSIS, has returned its first images from orbit. The first images we received are absolutely spectacular and it was only meant to be a test, says Nicolas Thomas. Camera and Spacecraft Worked Well in Their First Real Test TGO is currently in a highly elliptical orbit of just over 4 days duration. The spacecraft comes within 250 km of the surface for a very short period but then goes out to over 100,000 km from the planet. CaSSIS has imaged during two of these close approaches to test its capabilities and functions. The first approach occurred on 22 November. A lot of public attention has been on the failed landing of Schiaparelli, but TGO has been working really well so we have been extremely busy in the past month, says Nicolas Thomas. The Bern team has spent much of the time planning the observation sequences for the two close approaches. A total of 11 images were returned during the first fly-by. The spacecraft passed over a region called Hebes Chasma at its closest approach. We saw Hebes Chasma at 2.8 metres per pixel, says Thomas. Thats a bit like flying over Bern at 15,000 kilometres per hour and simultaneously getting sharp pictures of cars in Zurich. Other data have been acquired to improve the quality of the data after post-processing. The resulting image quality has impressed the entire team. We were quite nervous but it looks as though almost everything functioned as we planned it. The resulting images are really sharp, says Antoine Pommerol, co-investigator of CaSSIS at Center of Space and Habitability (CSH) of the University of Bern. Its Only the Beginning The colour and stereo capabilities of CaSSIS were also successfully tested. The techniques for producing stereo from this type of data are still being developed but our Italian colleagues from the Astronomical Observatory of Padova (INAF), who are experts in this field, were able to produce a first result in just a couple of days in spite of it being very challenging, says Thomas. A 3D reconstruction of a region in Noctis Labyrinthus was produced from a stereo pair of images. This first analysis shows one of the steep-sided slopes characteristic of the region. The test of colour was also successful. However, the first pass was over the region with the big volcanoes. The surfaces are covered with dust so there are few colour changes evident. We will have to wait a little until something colourful passes under the spacecraft, says Thomas. Until then, the pictures will be black and white. In the next months, the team will be starting preparations for the prime mission. The test was very successful but we have identified a couple of things that need to be improved in the onboard software and in the ground post-processing, says Thomas. Its an incredibly exciting time. Eventually, TGO will use aerobraking (skimming into the atmosphere) to slow the spacecraft down and enter a roughly circular orbit 400 km above the surface. This process will start in March 2017 and take around 9-12 months. The primary science phase will start around the end of 2017. CaSSIS will then enter nominal operations acquiring 12-20 high resolution stereo and colour images of selected targets per day. High Precision Within Milliseconds The imaging technique used by CaSSIS is called push-frame. It takes short exposures (framelets) at a very rapid rate and these images are put together on ground to produce the final product. For Hebes Chasma, the framelets were acquired with 700 microseconds exposure time at a rate of one framelet every 150 milliseconds. The high resolution imaging system is designed to complement the data acquired by the other instruments on TGO and other Mars orbiters while also enhancing our knowledge of the surface of Mars. Dynamic Mars Surface It is now known that Mars is more dynamic than previously thought. Of particular interest to the 25-strong science team from 9 countries (incl. US and Russia) is the chance CaSSIS offers to study changes that occur over the day and over the Martian seasons. Further studies of possible liquid water on the surface will be one of the main aims. CaSSIS will also support the other instruments on TGO by trying to identify sources of trace gases, including methane which is a short-lived molecule seen in the Martian atmosphere first by ESAs Mars Express spacecraft. Video: Flying over Mars with CaSSIS: A video showing some of the best results acquired, including the spectacular fly-over of Hebes Chasma. It also illustrates how CaSSIS takes data by taking images in colour simultaneously. The sequence of Hebes Chasma was the highest resolution acquired by CaSSIS (2.8 m/pixel) during the closest approach and is shown at half the speed at which the data were acquired. These will be among the closest images that will ever be taken of the planet by TGO, given that the spacecrafts final orbit will be at around 400 km altitude. 2016 ESA / Roscosmos / ExoMars / CaSSIS / UniBE. The project is a cooperation between the University of Bern, the Astronomical Observatory of Padua, and the Space Research Center in Warsaw with the support of local industries and funded by the Swiss Space Office (SSO), the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA). The structure, onboard computer, and rotation mechanism were built by the University of Bern. The telescope was built in Zurich by RUAG Space AG. The detector and read-out electronics were developed by SELEX-ES in Campi Bisenzio, Italy. The power converter was produced by the Space Research Center in Warsaw. The flight software was developed by SGF Ltd. in Budapest, Hungary. More images Space Policies, Issues and Trends in 2015-16. ESPI The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) has released Space Policies, Issues and Trends in 2015-16 report, its annual report. The report provides their continued assessment of the space economy and global space policies. From ESPI: This years edition of the Space Policies, Issues and Trends report covering the period of mid-2015 to mid-2016 can now be downloaded! This report series provides an overview of global space activities, focusing on national and international developments related to space, the global space economy, space industry evolutions, the European institutional market, military space, and space policies and strategies around the world. Download Space Policies, Issues and Trends in 2015-16 report here (PDF). The past and present co-exist in New Orleans. On one side of the French Quarters Jackson Square sits Cafe Du Monde. Since 1862, the classic shop has been serving beignets and chicory coffee to those needing a caffeine boost and a mess of powdered sugar. Except for when iced coffee and soda were introduced in 1988, the cafe has hardly changed. If you want a completely different coffee, one rooted in the present day, its a mere five-minute walk away. Exit Cafe Du Monde, stroll across Jackson Square, avoid getting caught up in an impromptu jazz band or magician performance in front of the St. Louis Cathedral, and duck down St. Peters Street. Dont blink, or youll miss Spitfire Coffee. There isnt much room to maneuver when you walk inSpitfire has a grand total of four seats. The shop punches above its weight due to a strong multi-roaster program, as well as reimagined specialty drinks that involve cocktail bitters such as habanero and mole. In a way, co-owner Nicholas Christian backed into a barista role. He had been working as a chef and kitchen manager in his native Portland, Oregon, and was interested in the coffee-into-espresso processa curiosity that was stoked when he crossed paths with a Synesso tech. Christian recalls fixing an espresso machine via a Bluetooth earpiece, with the tech on the other line deciphering the machines different sounds. Before moving to New Orleans prior to Hurricane Isaac in 2012, he had stints with Boxcar Coffee Roasters in Boulder, Colorado as a roaster; as a chef back in Portland; and as photographer turned consultant and cafe manager for Dallis Brothers Coffee in New York. After landing in New Orleans, Christian turned back to the chef trade before meeting John Peters, the original owner of Spitfire Coffee, who offered him a consulting job. When I first got [to New Orleans], it was a [coffee] ghost town, Christian says. There was not much going on at all really [with coffee]. A lot of it was still really dark roast. Lots of bottom, lots of flavors, things like that. Thats one of the reasons I jumped at the consulting job because I thought I might have a chance to actually, slowly change coffee here. Peters family owned the French Quarter building, which dates back to the 1700s, and the cafe space used to be an art gallery. The cafes name comes from the WWII fighter plane; a Spitfire-themed banner hangs behind the register. Christian and his business partner Scott Burlington, who handles the back end of the business, bought Spitfire Coffee from Peters in 2015; an Olan Mills-esque portrait of the two owners hangs in the shop. Menus close to the register detail the espresso and filter drinks, plus a list of specialty drinks and craft chocolate bars. Brewed coffees are made via Hario V60, while iced coffee is available from a Toddy or a Yama. Due to the humidity in New Orleans, Christian found that redialing the espresso on the shops Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II had to be done many times every hour. To combat this, he sets the water-boiler temperature as low as 194 degrees F, looks for a five-to-six-second espresso drop, and ends the shot at between 27 and 29 seconds. The lower temperature and slower extraction help keep espressos round, balanced notes in the spotlight. According to Christian, the espresso shots are now more consistent and have a thicker, more stable crema, without as many high and low notes. Miamis Panther Coffee is the shops mainstay, while other roasters featured include Nashvilles Crema Coffee Roasters, Jackson, Mississippis BeanFruit, Chicagos Passion House, and PDXs Coava and Extracto Coffee Roasters. I want to try to find roasters from each section [of the country] because we get a huge international crowd here, Christian says. I love it when people come in and [say], Oh my god, this is the best cup of coffee Ive had in the States. Where did it come from? Im like, That one actually came from Chicago. When you are in Chicago, go check this out. Its great for the international market to also see that Americans dont just have Starbucks. Christian also had to win over locals, who were accustomed to the citys traditional dark-roast coffee and chicory. He said he would put chicory in the pour-overs at first, and slowly removed it over time. Moving forward, Spitfire aims to open in another neighborhood and try to become a part of the revitalization of a different section of townsomething of an extension of Christians desire to just change the coffee culture. The thing that I love about the coffee scene in this city is that this is the most welcoming, friendly coffee city Ive ever worked in, he says. Theres rivalry, but its all friendly. Its all fun. Everyone sends [customers] to each others shops. Being in a tourist city, thats one of my favorite things to do. Evan C. Jones is a Sprudge.com contributor based in St. Louis. Read more Evan C. Jones on Sprudge. Horse racing always tries its best to crack the mainstream news publications. Racetrack PR workers try to find angles, get great quotes, craft an interesting story, and pitch it to general media. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. Regardless of how it got there, a story about a backstretch cat sorry, handicatter on the Woodbine circuit has cracked the Toronto Star. An abandoned tabby cat from a Florida racetrack was taken in and relocated to the backstretch of Woodbine Racetrack and, yes, Gator Kitten was born. As the Toronto Star article explains, Gator Kittens saviour, Sarah Ritchie, has turned the two-year-old feline into a bit of a darling on social media. Given his clever handle due to the nature of his eyes, Gator Kitten has over 1,500 followers on Twitter. He dwells at Barn 28 in Woodbine Racetracks backstretch and is now laying claim to have trained stakes winners. Gator Kitten has taken the position that he would like to have more horses in his stable, but his true desire is, apparently, to become the spokesman for a national cat food brand. For now, the mice will have to suffice. To get to know Gator Kitten a bit better, check out the Toronto Star article or his Twitter account. (With files from the Toronto Star) Jay Hochstetler has been crowned the champion of the 2016 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge after having crossed the wire first in a dominating victory. His total of 3,631.13 points was 635.31 more than runner-up Matt Rose, who finished with 2,995.83. Sally Hinckley finished third with a tally of 2,900.88. The second-half champion, Rose, by virtue of his second half total of 1,893.78 points over Hochstetlers second half tally of 1,789.10, earned an additional $250 for his winning rescue, Starting Gaits Standardbred Transition Program. By virtue of his first-place finish, Hochstetlers rescue of choice, Central Virginia Horse Rescue, has earned the bulk of the prize fund, with a donation of $2,500. Roses rescue, Starting Gaits, will be a recipient of an additional $1,400 (excluding the $250 second half donation), while Rainhill Sanctuary, Hinckleys rescue, picks up the third place prize of $600. One thousand dollars will be donated to Canadian rescues on behalf of Hochstetler. HANA Harness, which has been providing scoring for the contest, would like to thank the sponsors of this years contest, which allowed HANA to have a record prize fund of $6,000 to benefit Standardbred horse rescues. Plans are underway for next years edition of the Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge. Any North American handicapper who would like to be considered as a contestant next year is welcome to inquire by contacting [email protected]. HANA Harness is looking for sponsors of next years event as well. Those interested in participating in this worthwhile effort to support American Standardbred rescues via sponsorship should contact HANA Harness at [email protected]. (With files from HANA) John Kopas career-changing moment happened 40 years ago, but the Ontario horseman remembers it vividly. It wasnt every day that a 22-year-old kid got the chance to drive an undefeated two-year-old pacing colt in a Grand Circuit race at Blue Bonnets for Hall of Famer Alan Leavitt. Nat Lobell, winning for Jack Kopas at Mohawk in 1977 Nat Lobell, winning for Jack Kopas at Mohawk in 1977 The year was 1976 and Kopas went to Montreal with his father, Hall of Famer Jack Kopas, to race Nat Lobell, Super Clint, Missile Almahurst and Jade Prince. As it turned out, Nat (Lobell) and Super Clint got in together. My father was the owner of Super Clint. The rule -- and I dont know if its still the same -- but if you owned the horse you had to drive him, John said. So, he was not going to be able to drive Nat Lobell because of that, so he called (Nat Lobells owner) Alan Leavitt, and explained to him what was going on and Alan said, Well, let John drive. Father said, Well, are you sure? Thats a lot of pressure for a kid his age and with that colt being undefeated. Alan said, Ill tell you what, have John call me. So, I called him later on that evening and he said, You go ahead and drive him. Win, lose or draw dont worry about it and good luck to the two of you. As it turned out, I won with him. Nat Lobell, a son of Nansemond out of the Duane Hanover mare Nardins Tempest, went on to earn over $415,000 in his career. What helped there with respect to my career is the other owners in our stable saw that Alan Leavitt had somewhat endorsed me and I was able to get the job done with the horse and that opened the door for me, at a very young age, to drive a lot of other great horses that my father trained, John said. The other thing that led to was the following spring, dad sent me down to New York with a stable of horses and it was related to that race and Nat Lobell. By this time, we had quite a few horses for Leavitt and his partners in the New York area and they were very comfortable with me coming down there and racing their horses. (Courtesy Ontario Racing) Marie Catherine Hill, a Canadian who fell in love with harness racing as a young girl and became an important author of books about participants in the sport, passed away on November 22 in Merlin, Oregon, near the residence of her daughter, Irene, after a brief illness. She was 85. Born August 12, 1931, in Blacks Harbor, New Brunswick, Hill attended her first harness race at the half-mile track at St. Stephen, New Brunswick when she was 11 years old. At 13 she wrote her first article for The Canadian Sportsman, a few paragraphs entitled Watchim on the Trot, which was about the trotting track record-holder at St. Stephen. The story led to other articles for the Sportsmans Christmas editions. She also wrote for The Horseman And Fair World, Hoof Beats, The Harness Horse, and TROT magazines. Hill became one of harness racings most prolific historians, writing six books: Single G: The Horse That Time Forgot, Adios: The Big Daddy of Harness Racing, Gentleman JoeThe Story of Harness Driver Joe OBrien, Mr. Harness Racing-the Story of Delvin Miller, and The Horseman from Alberton. In 1959, Hill moved to California, where she worked as an accountant and office manager for construction companies in the San Francisco Bay area. Her interest in harness racing, its horses and people, never waned. During the 1970s and early 1980s she bred, owned and raced horses in California, Kentucky and Indiana. Hill became acquainted with Delvin Miller by mail when he responded to an advertisement she had run in The Horseman And Fair World in which she had asked for historical information about Single G. Miller responded, as was his habit, and thus began a lifelong friendship. Miller subsequently asked Hill to write his biography and she delightedly agreed to the project. In 1992, when Adios was inducted into the Indiana Standardbred Hall of Fame, Hill accepted the award at Millers request. In 1984, Hill nominated B.C. Count to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The horses subsequent election, which came in 1998 following a 14-year campaign on her part, brought her great satisfaction. In 2005, Hill was honoured with the Harness Racing Museums Pinnacle Award. She was elected to the Communicators Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted in 2007. In addition to harness racing, Hills hobbies included the Civil War and watching the New York Yankees. She loved her family, friends, animals, her Catholic faith, and was a devoted mother and daughter. In addition to her daughter Irene (Stephen), Hill is survived by her cousin, Sheila Hurley, and friend Arlene Matheson, both of whom she called sisters; the Walker family, Hill and OConnor cousins; and many more cousins. A memorial service will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Burlingame, Calif., where Ms. Hill lived until she moved to Oregon to be near her daughter. Hill was an avid supporter and former board member of the Stable of Memories at the Red Mile and memorial contributions may be sent to Stable of Memories, P.O. Box 11073, Lexington, KY 40512-1073, or to Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus, P.O. Box 15368, San Francisco, CA 94115-0368, or to any animal shelter or rescue. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Marie Hill. The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie... Longview police Sunday arrested a suspect in seven crimes after he got into a fight with the victim of a vehicle prowl. Jonathan Orland Smith, 37, of Longview was arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal impersonation, second- and third-degree possession of stolen property, second-degree robbery, theft, and first- and second-degree vehicle prowling. Officers responded to a 911 call about a vehicle prowl at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of Lynnwood Drive. A woman said her vehicles had been broken into and that it seemed like several neighbors around the area also experienced vehicle prowls, according to police. While the complainant was on the phone with police, the suspect had returned and attempted to steal her GMC Acadia. The callers husband confronted the suspect, which led to a physical fight between the two, according to police and the 911 report. Longview police Sgt. Chris Blanchard said Smith appeared to have stolen the keys of the Acadia from another one of their cars during a previous vehicle prowl. Officers also found other stolen items from previous vehicle prowls either on Smith or in his backpack. When officers confronted him and asked his name, Smith gave a different name, leading to the impersonation charge, Blanchard said. Smith had been booked in the jail on suspicion of vehicle prowls and had just been released on Nov. 22, Blanchard said. Smith has a long history in Longview, Blanchard said. Sunday morning, the male victim of the vehicle prowl said Smith had kicked, punched and elbowed him and he had fought back. Smith suffered cuts on his head and was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released, Blanchard said. He was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail at about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies are searching for a woman wanted on animal cruelty charges after her horses emaciated figure and sore-ridden body took social media by storm last month. Suspect Tessita L. Duff, 42, is believed to be living in northern Cowlitz County. Duff, sometimes known as Tessi Woodard, also is wanted on a warrant for unrelated charges. The sheriffs office found probable cause to arrest her two weeks ago, but Duff hasnt turned herself in and deputies have been unable to find her, Handy said. Anyone with information about her whereabouts can contact Handy at (360) 577-3092 or provide an anonymous tip online. The horses health has improved since it was seized by Animal Control last month, said Keenan Harvey, executive director of Cowlitz County Humane Society and Animal Control. It still is emaciated but has gained some weight and a big sore is mostly healed. The horse, called Dust by its owner but known as Pilgrim on social media, will stay at an undisclosed rescue location during any legal proceedings against its owner. If Duff is found innocent, she could get the horse back, Harvey said; if found guilty, she must surrender all animals in her possession. The Humane Society had been monitoring Dust for quite some time. However, Duff claimed Dust was a 30-year old horse with a health condition that made it difficult to gain weight despite trying various foods. Her veterinarian corroborated this evaluation. It wasnt until Dust escaped and was found by Castle Rock resident Amy Applebury that a second vet contradicted the first and instead concluded that Dust was sick and under 10 years old. A third independent vet agreed with the second. Moon has become one of the hot favourite place to search for alien life these days. Alien hunters are constantly coming up with several mysterious objects and UFO sightings that hint towards the existence of extra terrestrial life. In a similar attempt, UFOlogist Scott C Waring that constantly posts about UFO sightings and alien findings has spotted two tall towers on the moon. These structures do not seem to made by natural process. Waring claims that alien life that lives on the moon has made these structures to protect themselves. These two tall towers are identical and are at least 3km tall; thrice taller than the tallest building on the Earth Burj Khalifa. The new find signifies that the aliens living on moon are intelligent and more capable than humans on Earth. While using Google Map I found something interesting. Several Tall towers sticking out the inner edge of Sosigenes crater. Sosigenes crater is 18 km in diameter and 1.7km deep according to Wiki. These towers have to over 3km to be that tall! This is really amazing to find not one, but two tall towers and some other odd shaped buildings near it, wrote Scott Waring on his blog UFO Sightings Daily. The UFOlogist believes in alien life and claims that aliens do exist and they visit Moon and Mars regularly. Previously, alien hunters have discovered alien face resting near alien base located on the Copernicus Crater, two missiles in military formation on Moon, Circular UFO on Moon, Alien missile or UFO on Moon during Apollo 11 mission, and several other mysterious objects that suggest aliens do live. More importantly, November 14, 2016. witnessed largest supermoon in 69 years which was a delight to watch for everyone as the moon appeared 15 percent brighter and bigger. Meanwhile, alien hunters spotted UFO flying in front of the supermoon. hidden Three of Australia's four biggest banks will be barred from collectively bargaining with Apple Inc over its mobile digital payments system, under a draft decision released by the antitrust regulator on Tuesday. Allowing banks to collectively offer their own digital wallets in Apple iPhones, in competition with Apple's Apple Pay system, would reduce each bank's ability to negotiate with the U.S. firm, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said. The decision is a setback for the banks' hopes to bypass Apple's in-house payments system and roll out their own versions free of competition from the Silicon Valley giant, which has the biggest smartphone market share in Australia. It also sets a precedent which may solidify Apple's dominance of the digital wallet system globally, since the Australian banks had mounted the first challenge to it. "While the ACCC accepts that the opportunity for the banks to collectively negotiate and boycott would place them in a better bargaining position with Apple, the benefits are currently uncertain and may be limited," commission Chairman Rod Sims said in a statement. Apple Pay could fuel competition by making it easier for customers to switch between card providers and limiting the "lock-in" effect of separate bank digital wallets, he added. Apple Pay allows users to register credit cards on devices such as iPhones, and pay for goods and services by swiping the devices over contactless payment terminals. Apple charges card providers for transactions via the service, which it introduced to Australia last year. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corp, National Australia Bank Ltd and smaller Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd, which jointly have two-thirds of the Australian credit card market, argued that letting Apple restrict use of mobile wallets was anti-competitive. Apple has argued that third-parties should not have access to its digital wallet technology because it would undermine customers' privacy and data security. The company's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. A representative for the banks behind the application, Lance Blockley, said there would be effectively no competition against Apple for mobile payments on the iPhone if the draft determination stood. The banks would continue to argue their case with the ACCC, he said. The ACCC said it would consult further and give a final decision in March. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd, Australia's third-biggest bank by market capitalisation, is the only one of Australia's "Big Four" banks to have a digital wallet agreement with Apple. Reuters hidden Faced with a barrage of lawsuits from workers demanding benefits and recognition as employees, some companies in the fast-growing 'gig economy' are looking to settle the issues through legislation. Joseph Morelle, the number two Democrat in the New York State Assembly, said he has been talking about portable benefits with such companies, which use occasional workers to provide rides, deliveries, house-cleaning and other services through websites and apps. He said he plans to introduce legislation early next year, which would be the first of its kind in the United States and is likely to draw scrutiny from organized labor. In advance of that effort, online home-cleaning company Handy has circulated a draft bill, seen by Reuters, that would establish guidelines for a portable benefits plan for New York workers at gig-economy companies. A key element of the draft bill is that it classifies workers at companies choosing to participate in the program as independent contractors rather than employees under state law, as long as the companies' dealings with their workers meet certain criteria. Morelle would not say whether his proposed law would be based on the draft bill circulated by Handy, only that he was focused on passing some form of legislation to address the issues it raises. "The gig economy is something more and more people will gravitate toward, and we clearly want to make sure they can get benefits," he said. Employees or Contractors? Handy, ride-hailing service Uber Technologies Inc and other companies in the vanguard of the gig economy - also known as the 'sharing' or 'on-demand' economy - have ignited a national debate about how to classify and provide benefits to people who work flexible schedules and irregular hours. Several labor unions and some of the workers themselves have argued they should be considered employees, and therefore entitled to guaranteed wages, employer-provided insurance and other benefits. The companies have maintained their workers are independent contractors. Court actions brought by workers at Handy, Uber and other similar firms hoping to establish themselves as employees have not been finally resolved. If New York lawmakers move forward, they would be the first in the nation to authorize industry-wide portable benefits, and could serve as a model for other states, particularly if a bill draws support from organized labor. The legislation could also make it more difficult for workers at gig-economy companies to convince courts they should be considered employees. The draft bill circulated by Handy requires participating companies to contribute at least 2.5 percent of the fee for each job to an individual account for the worker, which he or she could then use to buy health insurance or other benefits. Starting Point On its website, Handy says its "top professionals" make more than $1,000 per week. Under the terms of the draft bill, Handy would be required to contribute at least $1,300 per year for benefits for workers making $52,000 per year. Companies would be allowed to pass along the cost to their customers. Since workers at participating companies would be classified as independent contractors, they could not join unions to collectively bargain for better benefits. Larry Engelstein, executive vice president of 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents thousands of janitors, said under contracts the union negotiates employers contribute an annual average of $18,000 per employee for healthcare costs. "The amount of money that's supposed to be put into these portable benefit funds seems so meager," Engelstein said. "The actual benefit a worker is getting hardly warrants what the worker is giving up." The SEIU is a backer of the four-year-old "Fight for $15" campaign, which aims to raise pay and expand the right to join a union for low-wage workers including fast-food servers, home care aides, airport baggage handlers and others. For the first time on Tuesday, some Uber drivers plan to join the campaign's protests. A source familiar with the Handy proposal said it was meant to be a starting point for discussions, not a final bill. In a statement, Handy said "it's our view we need both regulatory change to clarify the law, and we are in favor of some form of portable benefits." Uber and Morelle declined to comment on the Handy proposal. Morelle said he plans to draft the bill next month and introduce it in January. Reuters tech2 News Staff Google celebrated the 184th Birthday of American author and poet Louisa May Alcott. The most famous work by Alcott is Little Women, a popular and timeless book about four sisters living in a hillside home in Massachusetts. Alcott documents some of her own real world experiences living with her sisters in Little Women, with the character Jo based on herself. The Doodle shows the sisters Beth, Jo, Amy and Meg March, with their neighbour and the best friend of Jo, Laurie at the door. Alcott was an activist as well, with a strong sense of civic duty. She was a feminist and took active steps towards abolishing the slave trade in the United States. Her home was a station on the underground railroad that helped smuggle escaped slaves to safety. She campaigned for the right to vote for women, and was the first woman to register a vote in Concord, Massachusetts. Alcott grew up with intellectuals Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau. Alcott served as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. She was a prolific writer, despite her activism, and wrote up to fourteen hours a day. Little Women has two sequels written by Alcott, Little Men and Jo's Boys. hidden At Lunyanywi village in Tanzania's southern highlands, local residents gather to welcome a new member of their community. Antonia Kisena and her husband Moses are celebrating the birth of a baby boy they have named Arnold with drumming, food and a specially prepared local brew. "My husband always wished for a baby boy, thank God it happened just like that," said 38-year-old Kisena. But unlike her three older children, who do not have birth certificates, Arnold got his soon after he was born. "It was a very quick process. Everything was captured by a mobile phone and the document was issued instantly," she said. Thanks to mBirth - a new birth registration system created by the Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA), a government agency tasked to register births and deaths, and mobile phone operator Tigo - Arnold is one of a growing number of Tanzanian babies to have their birth officially registered. Tanzania has one of the lowest rates of birth registration in sub-Saharan Africa, with only 16 percent of children under the age of five registered with civil authorities, according to the 2010 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, the most recent records available. Child's rights campaigners say ensuring every child's birth is registered is crucial to protecting their basic rights and access to healthcare, education and justice. Birth registration also helps to protect children from early marriage, child labor, trafficking and recruitment into the armed forces, campaigners say. Emmy Hudson, RITA's acting head, said the mBirth system marks a significant shift in accelerating birth registration in Tanzania after years of stagnation. "We have embarked on this initiative to speed up birth registration especially of newborn babies to ensure that each baby is captured and registered closest to home," she told reporters in Dar es Salaam. More than 200,000 children under five have been registered and issued with birth certificates in Njombe and Iringa regions in Tanzania's southern highlands since September, Hudson said. mBirth allows health workers to send the baby's name, sex, date of birth and family details by phone to a central database, and a birth certificate is issued the same day. The system, which works on the most basic mobile phone and doesn't require an internet connection, registers children under five for free. "I couldn't believe my eyes when a nurse handed over a pale green birth certificate for my son," Kisena said. Before the mBirth initiative was rolled out in Njombe and Iringa, only 8.5 and 11.7 percent of under fives had birth certificates in each region, according to Hudson. But the numbers have since leapt to more than 90 percent, she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Most parents in rural Tanzania found it hard to register their children, due to high costs, long distances to registry offices, and a lack of awareness of the benefits, Hudson said. Previously parents have had to pay 3,500 Tanzanian shillings ($1.60) if they request a birth certificate within 90 days of a child's birth, or 4,000 shillings after that, as well as travel costs, RITA officials said. Elizabeth Luhwago, a mother in Kidugala village, who failed to navigate bureaucratic hurdles to register her six-year-old twins, is banking on mBirth to get her daughters' documents. "I want to get my children to school so I need their birth certificates," she said. "And with this document my children can get access to better health services now the government wants to introduce health insurance to everyone." Reuters hidden Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to go for cashless transactions, his office on Monday conducted a training workshop for its staff in mobile banking, an official said. "Officers, including Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra and Additional Principal Secretary PK Mishra, conducted a workshop for the staff of the Prime Minister's Office, located at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg," an official release said. "The workshop aimed to train and initiate them in the process of mobile banking and conducting daily transactions through mobile applications such as UPI, e-wallets etc," it added. Officers demonstrated the process of cashless transactions and helped their staff members download the relevant mobile apps on their phones, it added. Prime Minister Modi on Sunday, in his monthly radio talk 'Mann ki Baat', made a strong pitch to turn India into a cashless economy and requested people to learn mobile and internet banking. Officials from the State Bank of India and MyGov were also present on the occasion. IANS hidden Drivers for ride service company Uber will join planned nationwide protests on Tuesday, when activists and low-wage workers renew their call for better pay and the right to join a union in the wake of Donald Trump's U.S. presidential election win, organizers said. Hundreds of Uber drivers in two dozen cities, including San Francisco, Miami and Boston, for the first time will add their voices to the union-backed "Fight for $15" campaign that has helped convince several cities and states to raise starting pay significantly above the U.S. minimum wage of $7.25. Justin Berisie, 34, drives for Uber in Denver and is joining Tuesday's protests. "Someone who lives in America and goes to work every day, that person deserves a decent living," said Berisie, who has a 5-year-old daughter and is struggling to make ends meet. He said he earns $500 or less, before expenses such as gasoline, during an average week where he is on duty for 50 to 60 hours. The four-year-old "Fight for $15" movement includes fast-food workers, home care aides, airport baggage handlers and other low-wage employees. Organizers from "Fight for $15," which is backed by the Service Employees International Union, say the campaign's Nov. 29 demonstrations will take place in 340 cities and nearly 20 of the nation's busiest airports. U.S. policy is expected to become less worker friendly following the election of Trump, a international businessman who will be president as fellow Republicans control both chambers of Congress as well as federal agencies that govern the formation of unions, overtime rules and more. Uber drivers have sued the company in several states, accusing it of depriving drivers of various employment protections by misclassifying them as independent contractors. The lawsuits are a test for companies such as Uber Technologies Inc, a high-profile player in the so-called "sharing economy," which say that their contractor model allows for flexibility that many see as important to their success. A legal finding that drivers are employees could raise Uber's costs and force it to pay Social Security, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance. Reuters Avaya Japan Ltd. today announced that it has partnered with LINE Corporation on Avayas contact center solution that will integrate with LINEs corporate customer service support service LINE Customer Connect. Businesses that operate a contact center will be able to add the LINE chat capability as a channel for customer inquiries and to centrally manage communications.Line is the most popular messaging app in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan. Line has about 218 million monthly active users With the wide penetration of smartphones, mobile devices, web, and the Internet in recent years, inquiries from customers to businesses use multiple channels including email, chat, and website interaction, as well as voice. While businesses pursue an omnichannel contact center strategy that provides a seamless experience regardless of the channels used, from a system perspective the reality is that real-time coordination is difficult because customer histories and agents are still typically separated by channel. Hideki Wachi, Country Managing Director, Avaya Japan, said, We are extremely pleased to be able to partner with LINE, which boasts overwhelming superiority in the communication app arena. I want this partnership to be the first step as Avaya moves forward in facilitating the coordination between various channels and Avayas contact center system. From the perspective of both increased customer satisfaction and contact center operational efficiency, we will continue to offer a contact center solution with true omnichannel support. To address this issue, Avaya Japan supports centralized management of the LINE app within its contact center solution. The two major features are described below: Integration of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System with LINE App When the IVR system responds to an incoming customer call via public telephone network to the contact center, it can inform the customer that support via the LINE app is available as one of the options. If the customer selects this option, a message is sent via the LINE app to the customers smartphone. After the customer approves the company as a friend, a chat can be started in the same way as a normal LINE chat. This is less than ideal. Colorado has been a surprise team this season, reaching the Pac-12 championship game at 10-2, and currently ranked 9th in the country. Theres probably even a remote scenario in which they could get playoff consideration, too, though that would require a lot of help. Theyll take on Washington this weekend for said PAC-12 title, but theyll do it without two contributing players after they were involved in a fight outside a Boulder bar on Saturday. Normally when you hear that, youre expecting to read that the teammates were involved in a scrap against a few locals or other people who hassled them while out. Thats certainly never ideal either, but being an athlete does put a bit of a target on the backs of players in public. This is not that story, though, as it turns out. They were fighting with each other. Via SB Nation: The Boulder Daily Camera cited a police report that said receiver Jaleel Awini and tight end Chris Hill, both seniors, got into a fight outside a Boulder bar, which ended with Awini facing the drug charge and Hill facing the assault charge. The Boulder County Jails booking report shows Awini was booked Sunday morning but doesnt mention Hill. According to police, the two players were drinking at Boulders Walrus Saloon, and bouncers kicked out Awini for being drunk, the Camera wrote. Awini reportedly blamed Hill for his removal from the bar. After an argument, they fought, the police said. Also from the police report, as described by the Camera: Hill knocked Awini unconscious by punching him in the jaw, then ran away before bar staffers caught up with him. He later told police he punched Awini because he was afraid Awini would punch him first, the Camera wrote. Awini is also apparently facing a drug possession charge. Theyre rotation players for the Buffaloes, but thats not nothing, and its also the sort of distraction that is not well-timed, considering what Colorado is playing for this weekend. Dacoity in expatriate's house in Sylhet Sylhet Correspondent : A daring dacoity has allegedly been committed at an expatriate & house at Shamaspur village, Jalalpur union, under Moglabazar Thana of South Surma Upazila in Sylhet district at small hours Sunday. It has been learnt from both locals and Moglabazar Thana a group of 13/14 armed dacoits raided Soudi Arabia expatriate Meheruzzaman Muhit and Rezwan Ahmed Nipu's house by breaking open collapsible gates. The dacoits broke open the inner bolt of the double unit quarters and kept all the inmates at gun point. The dacoits looted Tk. 1,70,000 in cash, gold ornaments worth Tk. over 16 lakh and other booties. The looted property is worth over 25 lakh taka both in cash and kind. A case has been lodged with Moglabazar Thana (Police Station) in this connection. Two criminals arrested in Natore Natore Correspondent : Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-5) arrested two murderers including the prime planner of Singra double murder. The criminals allegedly murdered former member Mozaffar alias Moza and his brother Hossein of village Borgram of the upazila on 5 August last. Rapid action battalion also recovered arms and ammo from the criminals' possession. The arrestees were identified as the main planner of the murder, the present member Eunus Ali,45, and his younger brother Easin,30, sons of late Dabir of Borgram village of the upazila. ASP Mizanur Rahman, Commander of Natore CPC-2 office of Rab-5 said, on secret information, a team of Natore Rab conducted a raid at Mohasorok area, the Northern part of Jamtoli bazar of the upazila at around 2.00am(last night). At this time, they arrested the criminals, also recovered two foreign made pistol(7.65mm), 2 magazine and 8 round bullets from their possession. A 8-10 member base miscreants group knocked at Moza's door at around 1.30am on 5 August night last. As soon as Moza opened the door, the miscreants attacked on him with sharp weapons. The miscreants also attacked on Moza's two brothers Hossein and Mohsin while they were trying to save Moza. Afterwards, they dragged Moza at the neighbor Asma Begum's yard and slaughtered him mercilessly. Hossein died on the way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on the early Friday. Construction of new land ports may be delayed Mohammed Badrul Ahsan : Planning Commission's (PC) delidally to approve construction work of three new land ports may cause failure to complete the ports in time, sources said. Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) sent development project proposals (DPPs) to the PC recently, seeking its approval for building the three land ports. "We have sent DPPs to the PC for its approval for building new land ports. But we are yet to get its clearance," chairman of BLPA Tapan Kumar Chakravorty told The New Nation. The PC may approve the proposals for building new land ports next year, although it was expected that approval would be given in the current year. Asked when they expect to start building new land ports, Chakravorty said, "We hope to start the construction work of new land ports by 2017." "We are considering the proposals put forward by the BLPA for building new land ports. We hope approval will be given soon," a high official of the PC told The New Nation. The new land ports will be built at Sheola in Bianibazar, Biloniya in Feni and Gobarakura-Karitoli in Mymensingh. Besides, the BLPA will revamp two existing land ports-Benapole and Bhomra. The new land ports will be set up under the project titled "Bangladesh Regional Connectivity Project-I" at an estimated cost of Tk 5.50 billion. Of the total amount, 75 per cent will be provided by the World Bank (WB). The new land ports will connect the north-eastern Indian states and other neighbouring countries, including landlocked Nepal and Bhutan. The land ports will facilitate export-import activities and strengthen connectivity in the South Asia region. These ports will be developed under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) initiative to boost regional trade. The BLPA chairman said, "We are expecting to get approval from the PC within next few months for setting up new land ports." He said 10 land ports are now in operation. The projects undertaken for building land ports at Tamabil in Sunamganj and Sonahat in Kurigram are underway. Mosuls poor struggling to get food: UN A displaced Iraqi father, who fled the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul, is hugged by his displaced daughter as they meet for the first time since they fled Mosul, upon the father\'s arrival at Khazer camp. Reuters, Baghdad : The United Nations said on Tuesday there were indications that poorer families in Mosul are struggling to feed themselves as food prices increase following the U.S.-backed offensive on the Islamic State-held city in northern Iraq. "Key informants are telling us that poor families are struggling to put sufficient food on their tables," U.N Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Lise Grande, told Reuters. "This is very worrying." Iraqi government and Kurdish forces surround the city from the north, east and south, while Popular Mobilisation forces - a coalition of Iranian-backed Shi'ite groups - are trying to close in from the west. Last week the Popular Mobilisation forces cut off the supply route to Mosul from Islamic State-held territory in Syria. "In a worst case, we envision that families who are already in trouble in Mosul will find themselves in even more acute need." Grande said. "The longer it takes to liberate Mosul, the harder conditions become for families." Six weeks after the launch of the offensive, Iraqi forces moving from the east have captured about a quarter of the city, trying to advance to the Tigris river that runs through its center. A U.S.-led coalition is providing air and ground support to the offensive that started on Oct. 17. Until three weeks ago, many of Abu Osama's customers were Islamic State militants who brought their wives and children to his pharmacy on the eastern edge of Mosul for injections and treatment. Now, most of them are Iraqi security forces who recaptured the Gogjali neighborhood earlier this month and are pushing further into the city, which has been under Islamic State control for more than two years. As the militants retreat, civilians are adjusting to a new reality in their wake and a clearer picture is emerging of what they did to survive the punishments and deprivation of Islamic State rule. "Whether Daesh (Islamic State) or army: my door is open to everyone," said Abu Osama, taking the blood pressure of an Iraqi policeman. "If my worst enemy comes here, I must treat him." Several Islamic State militants, both local and foreign, lived in Gogjali and it was mainly their families that visited the pharmacy because the militants themselves were often away, Abu Osama said. The front of his shop and those next door are marked with the Arabic letter "z" for zakat, meaning alms, and beside it an identification number Islamic State bureaucrats assigned to record donations made at the shop for their self-proclaimed caliphate. Advancing Iraqi forces have sprayed Shi'ite slogans over it. The 40-year old opened the pharmacy after Mosul fell to Islamic State and the salary he received as an employee of the Iraqi health ministry was cut by the government as it sought to choke off funding to the militants, who were skimming the pay of public sector workers in areas they controlled. The militants wanted Abu Osama to work for them in a hospital, but he refused because it would have meant pledging allegiance to the group, and he does not agree with their hardline ideology. According to that ideology, the depiction of living creatures is un-Islamic because it can lead to idolatry. After a militant upbraided him for displaying a poster with an image of a baby on the wall of his pharmacy, Abu Osama blotted out its eyes with a black marker pen and then did the same to every label featuring a human being. The 500 dinar note ($0.40), which bears an image of a statue, was banned for the same reason, according to several civilians. All medicine came from Syria-Mosul's only outlet to the world as an array of forces slowly closed in on the city in Iraq. Syrian traders imported cheap Chinese and Indian medicine via Turkey and paid Islamic State a tax to bring it to market in Mosul, Abu Osama said. By the time medicine reached his still sparsely stocked shelves, the price had tripled, and many of his customers could not afford to buy it, so he sold it to them on credit and is now owed 1.25 million Iraq dinars ($1,016). Since women were obliged by Islamic State to veil their faces completely, Abu Osama cannot be sure who owes him what, he said. Standing in the pharmacy, forty-three-year old Sohaib commented that if he became separated from his wife in a crowded marketplace, she would have to find him, as he could not distinguish her from all the other women shrouded from head to toe in black. Abu Osama could treat women only when they were accompanied by a male relative, and if a female patient lifted her veil before him and Islamic State's vice squad found out, he would be held accountable. It never happened to him, but the militants punish such infractions with fines and whipping. Residents of Gogjali said Islamic State's laws were less strictly enforced there because it is far from the city center. When Iraqi special forces took the neighborhood, two of the militants left their wives behind, locals said, identifying the women as Russian. The jihadi brides tried to flee Mosul among displaced civilians but were found out and detained by Iraqi security forces, according to a soldier sitting in the pharmacy. "They were unbelievably beautiful," he said. UGC book titled 'Universities of Bangladesh' UGC launched : The launching ceremony of a book 'Universities of Bangladesh' published by University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh was held at a local hotel in the city on Monday. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, MP, launched the book as Chief Guest. UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan Chaired the launching ceremony. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, Minister for Education, Bangladesh, Dr Abdulla Nazeer, State Minister for Education, Maldives, Prof Dr Baray Seddiqi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Higher Education, Afghanistan, Dr Kavita A Sharma, President, South Asian University, New Delhi, Prof Dr Parashar Prasad Koirala, Chairperson, Governing Board, South Asian University and Chairman, UGC, Nepal, Prof Dr Mohammad Yousuf Ali Mollah, Member, UGC, Prof Dr Dil Afroza Begum, Member, UGC, among others were present on the ceremony. The Chief Guest, in his speech appreciated the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh for publishing the book for projecting the overal scenario of higher education of Bangladesh. Education Minister observed that teachers, students and researchers will find the book useful in thier education and research. The book will also be helful for the policy makers in making decision for the development of higher education. UGC Chairman, in his Presidential speech said that the hand book will also be useful for foreign students, who would like to come to Bangladesh for higher education. He added that such type of book is published by UGC for the second time since its establishement in 1973. Professor Emeritus Dr Rafiqul Islam, Dr Mohammad Farashuddin, Prof Dr ATM Zahurul Huq, Ex-Chairman, UGC, Prof Nazrul Islam, Ex-Chairman, UGC, Prof Dr Md. Akhtar Hossain, Member, UGC, Prof Dr M Shah Nowaz Ali, Member, UGC, Prof Md. Saiful Islam, Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman, Vice-Chancellor, Jagannath University including foreign dignitaries were present on the occasion. They highly lauded the initiative of UGC for publishing such type of book of higher education. Holistic approach to ensure child protection emphasized Experts on Tuesday sought a holistic approach to protect children from physical and mental violence, exploitation, child marriage and gender-based discrimination. They also stressed the need for building mass awareness, specially among the media people, to help children to flourish their inner potentialities overcoming barriers in families, educational institutions and society. "We must change our mindset first to prevent child abuse. A holistic approach is needed to ensure child protection," Chief Editor of national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Abul Kalam Azad said while inaugurating the two-day workshop for the newsmen at Shilpakala Academy in the city on Tuesday. Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha in collaboration with Save the Children organised the workshop on "Reporting on Violence Against Children" which was joined by 23 journalists of different print and electronic media. Azad urged journalists to continue their campaign and highlight the actual facts in their respective reporting aimed at upholding the dignity of the children, future architect of the country. Chief Editor of Ekhushey Television and president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul told the workshop that journalists should be more active and objective in the field of investigative journalism to unearth the unknown-but-real causes of any incident. "Children are not responsible for being abused or tortured. Society as a whole is responsible for this," Bulbul observed. Director News of the Ekattor Television Syed Ishtiaq Reza, the moderator of the workshop, urged all to work unitedly to prevent the violence against children including the domestic maid. He stressed to enact a new law for the children prohibiting all sorts of corporal punishment. Professor Dr Shanaz Huda of Dhaka University Law Department, Laila Khondkar, director of Child Protection of the Save the Children, Chief Reporter of BSS Ashequn Nabi Chowdhury, Convener of Children Affairs Journalists Network (CAJN) Mahfuza Jasmine also took part in the workshop. Mobile Court can`t convict any detainee Staff Reporter : A mobile court cannot convict or sentence any arrested man for an offence, said the High Court (HC) in its full text of the verdict that declared the jail term of a Tangail schoolboy by a mobile court as illegal. The court remarked in its observation that cognizance of the offence has to be taken by the magistrate concerned instantly on the spot, while lodgment of written complaint with the magistrate is not at all required. The HC said, "There is no scope to convict a person under the [Mobile Court] Ain, 2009 who was apprehended or arrested or detained by the police prior to his trial that is before commencement of Mobile Court proceeding. And if anyone is convicted in the aforesaid manner, the whole proceeding of the mobile court will be vitiated and the order of conviction is illegal and without jurisdiction." "----the magistrate who is empowered for holding a mobile court under the Mobile Court Ain, 2009 must take cognizance of the alleged offence instantly on the spot provided the same has been committed or unfolded in his presence and the said magistrate is also empowered to convict the accused and award the prescribed sentence to him if he pleads guilty", said the HC Bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das. The judges also said, "It is true that Mobile Court Ain, 2009 provides for appeal against the judgment and order of conviction before the District Magistrate. But if sign of malafide is found in the face of the record in a mobile court proceeding and the conviction is 'no-est' in the eye of law, then this court [HC] has every jurisdiction to interfere with the matter exercising power under Article 102 of the constitution." Delivering verdict on a suo moto rule, the HC judges on October 18 declared illegal a mobile court verdict that sentenced Sabbir Sikder, a ninth-grader of Protima Bonki Public High School in Sakhipur, to two years' imprisonment for allegedly threatening a local ruling party lawmaker through Facebook. It also directed the secretaries of Public Administration and Home Ministries and the Inspector General of Police to withdraw UNO Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and OC Mohammad Maksudul Alam from Sakhipur and post them outside Dhaka Division "for a fair investigation". The HC acquitted Sabbir from the case and directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Tangail to launch a judicial enquiry based on Sabbir's statement before it on September 27. Following two separate petitions filed by Rafiqul and Maksudul, the Supreme Court chamber judge on October 26 stayed for four weeks a section of the HC verdict that ordered the government to transfer them. Sabbir was jailed for two years by the mobile court led by UNO Rafiqul reportedly under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act for threatening the lawmaker through Facebook. A leading daily published from Dhaka on September 20 printed a report under the headline "Boy jailed for FB comment about MP". Quoting the UNO and the OC, the report said UNO Rafiqul, also an executive magistrate, passed the order a day after police detained the boy following the filing of a general diary by Anupam, lawmaker from Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) constituency. No curb on free communication apps: BTRC Staff Reporter : Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on Tuesday clarified that it has no plan to restrict internet communication apps like Viber, WhatsApp, Imo and others. The country's telecom regulator came up with the clarification while issuing a press statement in the afternoon signed by its Secretary Sarwar Alam. On Friday, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said that the communication apps were responsible for decline in international call termination via the legal channel. He also said that BTRC was going to develop guidelines for them by two to three months. Shahjahan Mahmood said that Bangladesh was falling behind in revenues from international calls because of these over-the-top (OTT) apps. "The authorities would reach a decision about these apps in the next two to three months," he told this at a press briefing. The remark of BTRC chairman touched off a storm on social media websites, with many seeing the move as a contradiction to the government's promise of building a digital Bangladesh. Contradicting the BTRC chairman's statement, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim on Sunday said that the government does not have any plans to restrict these apps. "The government will not be shutting down free messaging and calling apps for smartphones," said the minister. She said, "Illegal VoIP activities have to be ended completely and the government has a zero tolerance policy toward this. But Imo, Viber, WhatsAppthese apps will not be prohibited. There is no question about it." Uploader of distorted picture arrested Placed on four-day remand Zahingir Alam Staff Reporter : Police arrested a youth named Zahangir Alam, 30, owner of a cyber-cafe, from Kalaishree Para area under Brahmanbaria Municipality in the small hours of Tuesday. The arrestee, Zahangir Alam, son of Benu Mia, resident of Harinber village of Haripur union under Nasirnagar upazila, is believed to be the uploader of a distorted picture of Ka'aba Sharif in a facebook page with an ill intention to instigate communal clash. According to the police, Zahangir Alam is the owner of Al-Amin Cyber Cafe at Harinber Bazar. Police believed that he uploaded the distorted picture hacking the facebook ID of local fisherman Rasraj. Additional Police Superintendent of Brahmanbaria Iqbal Hossain yesterday said that police produced the detainee before the judicial court and prayed for ten days remand for interrogation. "The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Md Shafiqul Islam granted four-day police remand after a hearing," the Addl SP said. Meanwhile, a senior police official said that the "distorted" picture was uploaded from a facebook page named Washim BD a few days before conducting synchronized attack on the Hindu community on October 30. Not only that, police have got enough evidences that the same distorted photo was also shared with the facebook IDs of some other persons in Comilla and Chandpur, two adjacent districts of Brahmanbaria, with an ill-motive to embarrass the government. Police have claimed that, the Washim BD page also contains several other distorted pictures relating to the Islam and Sanatan religions. Security officials feared that these distorted pictures may be used in the future for creating further communal unrest. Against this backdrop, the police are going to send a letter to the facebook authority through Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission [BTRC] to identify the admin of Washim BD page and take action in this regard. "The distorted picture which had instigated communal unrest at Nasirnagar was sent from a facebook page named Washim BD. The investigators have also found that there were several contents, particularly distorted photos, in that facebook page. We are apprehending that, these contents could be used in the future for creating social anarchy," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chittagong Range, Shafiqul Islam had said. Earlier, the Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, who was widely blamed for instigating the clash, quoting intelligence sources said that the picture was not uploaded from Nasirnagar by the accused fisherman Rasraj Das. Compensation now uncertain RCBC, BB question each others role in $81m heist Staff Reporter : The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) on Tuesday denied compensating Bangladesh Bank for the bank's $81 million heist fund saying that it could not be held liable for the incident. The bank also criticized Bangladesh's Ambassador to the Philippines, John Gomes, for "unfairly using media" to pressure government to recover the money, reports Reuters. John Gomes was quoted in a Philippines newspaper as saying his government would seek $50 million compensation from RCBC for laundering the Bangladesh Bank's heist fund. "Bangladesh Bank was the one who was negligent. We therefore urge Bangladesh Bank to be transparent to the Philippine government which has done so much to help them and show us who really stole from them," RCBC counsel Thea Daep said this in a statement. "Consequently, RCBC has no plans to pay Bangladesh Bank (BB) any amount," she added. Daep also urged Bangladesh Bank to be transparent and produce its own investigation report to the RCBC to determine the identities of the perpetrators saying it was the least Bangladesh Bank could do. Unidentified hackers shifted $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank's account with the New York Federal Reserve Bank to four accounts with the RCBC's Jupiter, Makati branch in Manila on February 5 this year. Most of the money was converted into pesos before it ended up in Manila casinos, where the trail went cold with only $18 million recovered by Philippine authorities. Monetary authorities of Philippines also imposed a record P1-billion ($20 million) fine on the bank for its failures to prevent the Bangladesh Bank money from being transferred through accounts at the bank. Five RCBC officials and a former treasurer have been charged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council for "willfully" ignoring suspicious activity that led to the heist. Thea Daep said RCBC received the funds after they went through three layers of highly protected financial institutions. "Numerous reports quoting high Bangladeshi officials and the initial findings of BB's own investigation indicated that the heist got help from BB insiders. Shortly after, BB decided to abort its investigation which raises a lot of questions, to say the least," Daep said. Subhankar Saha, a BB spokesman earlier said that Bangladesh central bank issued "halt payment" instructions sent to RCBC and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York but that RCBC did not comply with the instruction. "The payment in cash was also abnormal," he said. "The mechanism of transfer of money was also not transparent. So all these are questionable." Only about $15 million has been recovered and returned to Bangladesh, with a further $2.7 million frozen. A Bangladesh delegation is in Manila to meet with Philippine authorities and speed up the recovery of the rest of money. An anti-money laundering body last week filed charges against five officials of RCBC in connection with the heist. Monday, November 28, 2016 at 10:37PM Jose here. After a complicated, slightly controversial, submission process that saw several filmmakers remove their name from consideration, Brazil selected David Schurmanns Little Secret as the film that would represent them at the 2016 Academy Awards. The real life drama is based on the life of Schurmanns adoptive little sister, who went from anonymity to becoming one of the most notorious people in Brazil. Needless to say so this means that it takes an easy Google search to find out where the film goes and how some plot twists end (i.e. spoilers await). This is Schurmanns first feature film, but not the first time hes featured stories about his family in his work. The Schurmanns are famous in Brazil for their maritime adventures, as well as their books and documentaries. I spoke to David about working so close to his family, adding dramatic turns to reality and being part of the Oscar race. So, heres another less subtle spoiler warning before the full interview... JOSE: Why was it important to turn this story into a film? DAVID SCHURMANN: My sister Katherine wanted the world to know she was HIV positive, but that the disease didnt rule her life. We spoke about this a lot during the last year of her life, which we didnt know would be her last. My mother warned her she might lose friends, people might not want to hug her, because they were still very ignorant about how they could become infected. When you hear her story everything is so amazing, it spans so many countries and its ultimately about an act of love. I admired my parents before, but when they adopted Katherine I admired them even more. For a long time my family didnt want to tell the story in fear theyd be prejudiced towards Katherine, it was a secret for over 10 years until my mother wrote about it, first on advice of her therapist, and then when we suggested she published the manuscript. We thought the story could give people hope and strength. Eventually I decided it would be my first fiction film, but I didnt want to tell it through the mothers point of view, I wanted my sisters worldview to come through. People who have made other films about personal stories said it was important to tell something truth. JOSE: You dont see life as a series of scenes, so how do you turn moments from your life into drama? I admired how the film unfolds like a mystery for instance, was this hard to accomplish? DAVID SCHURMANN: We are kind of the Cousteaus of Brazil, so weve been telling stories for a very long time. I have learned to look at things like a director rather than a family member cause I dont want to make institutional films. When I got to Little Secret I was ready to see my family as characters, rather than mother and father. Due to the intimacy there were things only I could see for instance. I also told the screenwriter Marcos Bernstein that I wanted to play with the structure so it would be like Babel or Crash. We knew we werent re-inventing the wheel, but we wanted to have a huge surprise when the stories clashed. More than the Cousteaus I thought of your family as the Von Trapps because in the film it comes across how important performance was in your life. Can you talk about how art shaped you growing up? I fell in love with filmmaking between the ages of 10-13, we sailed around the world and spent a lot of time in the Caribbean Islands. In the 80s we didnt have video games or TVs or internet so we spent a lot of time reading books and going ashore to see movies. All the islands had movie theaters, so wed go to French Islands and we would see French movies for example, British Islands had British movies, so these were all like magic worlds, some people said our life was a movie. As you may have noticed I loved telling stories, so I would read National Geographic and loved the photographs, so when we were in Panama I convinced my parents to buy me an 8MM camera to be able to tell stories through images. From 13-15 I read books and experimented with the camera, I was self-taught and then decided I wanted to learn filmmaking. When we went back to Brazil we arrived at a time when they were investing in film schools and great things were happening, so I stayed in the country and studied film. Film school was a joy, but it was also frustrating at times because I had already spent so much time doing films that I didnt want to go through theory, I wanted to go out and shoot! In the boat I also listened to music my parents loved, which now sounds like old people music, but it was a truly magical world, we savored art in a different way. I became madly in love with Gauguins work because we spent time in the Marquesas Islands, so I fell in love with color as you can see in Little Secret. Families have photo albums, yours have documentaries and a feature. Is rescuing this legacy part of your mission? Not at all, people ask me are you always gonna tell family stories? and its not conscious, I feel like Ill have to do a story about something else! I tap into these stories about my family but they become something else. I think a lot of directors tap into their life experience and mine has been a lot about my family, its subconscious though, I wanna tell good stories, and show human connection. How some connections change your life forever. Im thinking about new movies now, and I will probably make 1 or 2 which arent about my family, but then I have another one about them (laughs). Brazil had over 16 films in contention for the Oscar submission which is a big number. Was it exciting to have yours selected in the end? We were amazed we were selected, many critics had their own picks. We knew the movie we had, wed screened the film for the market in Berlin, outside of competition, and people came out saying this is an Oscar film, we heard it from people from the US, England, Germany...in Brazil we always think our kids are the cutest in the world, but when you start hearing this from others you really start to believe it! We believed in our film, but it was a great surprise. Out of the 16 films there were two films people were talking about as the ones with a chance to be selected, they were two very different beasts, different cinematic languages. When we were selected we celebrated and started working on trying to make it to the final five. It sounds like its a very exciting time for cinema in Brazil! It is, I only wish our industry was more open, right now we usually have only artfilms or broad comedies, our film is somewhere in the middle. It has artistic and commercial merits, I love Inarritu because he does that, in Babel he has Brad Pitt in a moving movie, but it also has artistic value. I want to make films people connect to but that also have subtlety and artistry. I want to open the door in Brazil for that. Other Foreign Film Oscar Interviews Singapore - Boo Junfeng on the prison drama The Apprentice Colombia - Jose Luis Rugules on Alias Maria Italy - Gianfranco Rosi on the prize-winning Fire at Sea Israel - Elite Zexer on Sandstorm Foreign Film Contender Reviews Death in Sarajevo - Bosnia & Herzegovina | Neruda - Chile | Mother - Estonia | Elle - France | Toni Erdmann - Germany | The Salesman - Iran | Chevalier - Greece | Sand Storm - Israel | Fire at Sea - Italy | Desierto - Mexico | A Flickering Truth - New Zealand | Apprentice - Singapore | Age of Shadows - South Korea | Julieta - Spain | My Life as a Courgette - Switzerland | Under the Shadow - UK | From Afar - Venezuela Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 11:30AM by Glenn Dunks Two weeks ago (I had to take a week off to help put on an award show!) when discussing Zhang Zanbos The Road, I mentioned the rise of documentaries not just by Chinese filmmakers, but about China in general. A fascinating convergence in the rise of China as a global and controversial super-power with the rise of documentary filmmaking as a populist artform. It seems appropriate then to look at a recent trio of documentaries that focus on China and that each tackle a compelling and important subject: womens sexual rights, animal poaching, and the destruction of the Earth... The first is Hooligan Sparrow, a powerful cinema debut from filmmaker Wang Nanfu and a work of determined bravery on behalf of Wang and her collaborators the highest profile of whom is the one who gives the film its name. Ye Haiyan aka Hooligan Sparrow is a dedicated activist whose efforts to bring attention to the exploitation of women among China has made her not just an authoritarian target and a famous spokesperson, but even the focal point of one of Chinese artist provocateur Ai Weiweis most symbolic and moving works of installation art, Ya Haiwans Belongings (2013) which exhibited in, among elsewhere, Brooklyn in 2014. The film is, at least initially, about a case involving the prostitution and rape of a group of young female students who were sold for sex by their school principal, before organically evolving into a startling chronicle of the nations police state and the way its rebellious dissenters are hunted with even fiercer determination than the perpetrators of horrific crimes. Its a scrappy film, one made with significant use of hidden cameras, without title cards (lest they offer too many clues to the participants whereabouts) and told through Wangs narration that echoes with naive wonder as she discovers the enormity of her story as she records it. Even without the immediate urgency of the central storyline, a film capturing vision of Ye in action would be a fascinating one. Allowing audiences into the minor details about her life without turning into a full-blown Wikipedia-style documentary about her was a smart choice by Wang; her film leaves a lot unspoken about Yes past, instead preferring to focus on her present. The protest that kicks off Hooligan Sparrows action (so to speak) is a wonder to see on film, a part of modern Chinese life that is never seen. And consider the extraordinary sequence in which the director realizes her camera has been spotted and is subsequently hounded and harassed by plain-clothed police who proceed to intimidate and berate her. The guerrilla tactics lend the film a gravitas that mere biographical portrait would miss. If the film takes the name of just one of its radicals, it's really about all of the bubbling of political activism hidden from sight in China. The same cannot be said, however, for The Ivory Game, a new documentary streaming on Netflix that also uses hidden cameras to uncover crimes that are rarely spoken about in China. Where Wangs film found its subjects in moments of rage and also dignity when faced with great danger amid moments of solitude, The Ivory Game directors Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani oversell their material as its subjects fight evil poachers in Africa and illegal traders in China. The recurring concept of the documentary that is just like a Hollywood thriller is very much at play here with early sequences hinting at a slickly bombastic style similar to last years frustrating Cartel Land (and I say that knowing many thought Cartel Land was excellent - I did not). The Ivory Game never really settles down until its end when the sobering facts of elephant poaching are imposed across painterly images of rescued ivory being torched. I certainly learned stuff from the film and its entertaining in the way that many Hollywood thrillers are well put together enough as an acceptable way to spend two hours on a long-haul flight, and there are individual moments that definitely hold potential, but The Ivory Game all too often focuses on the most obvious elements. This may appeal to the broader audiences of Netflix, but as a film it is in a curious position of being more or less derailed by a slavish devotion to a cinematic format that it is not suited to. The best of the lot, however and sadly the only one of the three not on the Oscar documentary long-list, not that it would stand a chance of a nomination anyhow is Zhao Liangs Behemoth. A film as towering as its name suggests in demonstrating the destructive erosion of Chinas landscape that is being continuously plundered, torn into by bulldozers and loaders. Cities of skyscraper apartment complexes with nobody there to live in them among roads and highways with nobody to drive on them. Zhao lends his film a somewhat experimental tone, offering poetry in the place of traditional narration alongside manipulated imagery as he places bodies across the dying Earth of China. When his camera isnt focusing on the dirt and charcoal-covered faces of the miners, it is observing from above and below the procession of trucks that file in and out of the mines like worker ants. And in multiple awe-inspiring takes his camera pans from the blue skies and green grass occupied by goat herders to the bleak and brown canvas of the mining fields. In another strange sequence, local workers are shown earning what must be a pittance by shovelling dirt into their buggy-like automobiles they look like something concocted out of Mad Max: Fury Road unwilling participants in the destruction of their way of life. Like the other two films, much of Behemoth was filmed secretly, cameras and naked bodies placed on the edge of mines that shudder and shake with the destructive force of diggers and explosives. And yet its images are of a startling crystal clear quality that are a wonder to hold. Its a film that offers a unique and singular take on one of the planets most pressing issues and presents it in a way that makes for one of the most eye-popping and best looking films of the year as well as one of the best. Vermilionvilles free monthly cultural film series, Les Vues, returns the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Performance Center. November's screening will be curated by Monique Michelle Verdin, who will be showing her film, My Louisiana Love. Vermilionvilles free monthly cultural film series, Les Vues, returns the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Performance Center. November's screening will be curated by Monique Michelle Verdin, who will be showing her film, My Louisiana Love. My Louisiana Love follows a young Native American woman, Monique Verdin, as she returns to Southeast Louisiana to reunite with her Houma Indian family. But soon she sees that her peoples traditional way of life fishing, trapping, and hunting these fragile wetlands is threatened by a cycle of man-made environmental crises. As Louisiana is devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and then the BP oil leak, Monique finds herself turning to environmental activism. She documents her familys struggle to stay close to the land despite the cycle of disasters and the rapidly disappearing coastline. The film looks at the complex and uneven relationship between the oil industry and the indigenous community of the Mississippi Delta. In this intimate documentary portrait, Monique must overcome the loss of her house, her father, and her partner and redefine the meaning of home. Her story is both unique and frighteningly familiar. Monique Michelle Verdin is a native daughter of southeast Louisiana. Her intimate documentation of the Mississippi River Deltas indigenous Houma nation exposes the complex interconnectedness of the environment, economics, culture, climate and change. Her photography has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and is included in The Good Pirates of the Forgotten Bayous, Yale University Press (2008) and Nonesuch Records Habitat for Humanity benefit album Our New Orleans (2005). She received her bachelor's degree in Mass Communication at Loyola University in New Orleans. My Louisiana Love (2012) is her first documentary film. Les Vues is curated by filmmakers and enthusiasts, mostly from around the state. The films will range from features, documentaries, student film, shorts, animation, etc. that focus on the themes surrounding various aspects of culture. Following the screenings will be an open discussion between the audience and the curator about the themes of the movie and how they apply to that culture as well as our own. The Les Vues Film Series screens My Louisiana Love, this Monday, Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Performance Center in Vermilionville. Admission to the series is free, but a suggested $5 donation will go toward the cost of screening and curating costs for the series. For more details on the Les Vues Film Series, visit Vermilionville.org. President-elect Donald Trump still has some top jobs to fill and there are a few Louisiana politicians who are about to be jobless. So its only natural that the rumor mill is still churning out possibilities, starting with outgoing U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Would Vitter make a good fit for a gig in the treasury department? Thats the suggestion from Fortune journalist Chris Matthews, who wrote Vitter into one his stories a couple weeks ago. One avenue Trump might take to strike a balance would be to nominate a high-ranking Republican congressmen with a history of taking a skeptical stance toward Wall Street, wrote Matthews, like Louisiana Senator David Vitter, who has supported measures that would break up too-big to fail banks, and is planning to retire from the Senate this year. Not to be outdone, outgoing Congressman Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, is reportedly on a shortlist to possibly be Trumps chief U.S. trade negotiator, according to Politico. The insider D.C. publication noted that Boustany has long been a trade advocate in Congress and sits on the House Ways and Means Committee The lawmaker has had a keen interest in the issue, especially as it relates to the oil and gas interests of his south Louisiana district. There has likewise been speculation about former Gov. Bobby Jindal having a shot at becoming Trumps secretary of health and human services, which has ignited coverage of the unverified rumor back home in Louisiana. Plus, there are those who helped Trump on the ground in the Bayou State. Two of those top players were Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, chairman of the Louisiana for Trump campaign, and Louisiana for Trump executive director Ryan Lambert. Skrmetta said he sent Trumps transition team the names of highly qualified individuals from Louisiana who are interested in serving the nation and our 45th president. Then theres retired U.S. Navy commander John Wells, a Slidell-based attorney whose practice focuses on military and veterans issues. Following Trumps election, a grassroots efforts was launched to have Wells appointed as veterans affairs secretary. The executive director of the non-profit Military-Veterans Advocacy, Wells has the support of some members of Louisianas congressional delegation and his bid has been endorsed by the St. Tammany Republican Parish Executive Committee. Theres no doubt Cdr. Wells would represent the president-elects vision and help fulfill Mr. Trumps promises of reform in the V.A., said St. Tammany RPEC chairman Larry Frieman. Our servicemen and women and our veterans have given their best to the United States, and they need representation from someone like John to ensure we give our best back to them. As of Thanksgiving weekend, Trump had made several White House hires already and nominated a number of cabinet heads already, including philanthropist Betsy DeVos for education secretary. While not from Louisiana, DeVos does have firm political ties to the Bayou State. In addition to donating money to candidates in Louisiana, she heads the American Federation for Children, which is the parent organization for the Louisiana Federation for Children. Trump has also nominated the following individuals: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as ambassador to the United Nations Congressman Mike Pompeo of Kansas as CIA director Investor Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama for attorney general A judge could decide within days whether Gov. John Bel Edwards violated Louisiana's constitution in giving workplace protections to LGBT people through executive order. Gov. John Bel Edwards signs the executive order in April. Facebook A judge could decide within days whether Gov. John Bel Edwards violated Louisiana's constitution in giving workplace protections to LGBT people through executive order or whether Attorney General Jeff Landry has consistently exceeded his legal authority in refusing to acknowledge Edwards' mandate. The ever-escalating argument between the two statewide elected officials, potential rivals in the 2019 governor's race, has stalled legal services and health insurance contracts, irritated lawmakers and intensified partisan divides at the Louisiana Capitol. THE ARGUMENT Edwards issued an executive order in April prohibiting discrimination in government and state contracts based on sexual orientation and gender identity, with an exception for contractors that are religious organizations. Landry says the order is unconstitutional because it seeks to establish a new protected class of people that doesn't exist in law and that lawmakers have refused to add. Landry, a Republican, is seeking a court injunction blocking enforcement of the Democratic governor's LGBT-rights order. "Through the guise of 'prohibiting discrimination,' the order imposes a political agenda and ideology upon thousands of people in the public and private sphere," Landry's lawyer Elizabeth Murrill wrote in a court brief. Edwards defends his order as legal, and he accuses Landry of repeatedly outstripping his constitutional authority in trying to block compliance with the order. The governor wants the judge to uphold the anti-discrimination language while also "defining the role and authority" of the attorney general. "On several occasions since taking office in January, the attorney general has challenged the authority of the governor to direct legal proceedings of the state and has significantly interrupted the ability of the state and its agencies to properly manage legal matters," Edwards lawyer Matthew Block wrote in court documents. State district Judge Todd Hernandez hears the arguments Tuesday. CONTRACTS HELD UP Landry has invoked his role as attorney general to block dozens of contracts containing the anti-discrimination language that state agencies would use to hire outside lawyers. Medical malpractice cases are in limbo. Arrangements for legal work at the state elderly affairs office, the corrections department and other agencies are stalled. And House lawmakers allied with Landry recently refused to approve contracts to provide health insurance next year for 10,000 state employees, retirees and family members because the deals included the LGBT-protection clause. Without the deals, health plans that cover thousands of people could end Jan. 1. Edwards sued Landry over the attorney general's refusal to approve the legal contracts containing the LGBT-rights language, but the governor lost in court, with the judge ruling Landry has discretion in how his office reviews the legal contracts. The judge in that case wasn't asked about and didn't rule on whether Edwards' executive order is legal, the question Hernandez is now being asked to settle. NOT THE FIRST FIGHT Tensions have been escalating since Edwards and Landry each took office this year, with the attorney general asserting more authority than his recent predecessors provoking frequent clashes with the governor. Edwards calls it a power grab. Landry describes it as his constitutional charge as the state's top legal officer. Landry sought his own separate budget bill with more freedom from the governor's oversight, a move Edwards called unconstitutional. The Senate sided with the governor and killed the idea. The two elected officials have also disagreed over pending lawsuits, spending plans and the flow of oil spill recovery money. In a recent dispute over spending on Medicaid fraud investigations, Edwards and Landry negotiated a truce. But such instances are rare. WHERE LAWMAKERS STAND Fifteen House Republicans have filed a document with the court supporting Landry in his lawsuit against Edwards over the executive order. Several lawmakers have suggested they're tired of the repeated disagreements between the two statewide elected officials and hope a court ruling will help resolve some of the issues in the power struggle. Lawmakers are bristling at the possibility of yet another round of cuts to colleges, after taking a hatchet to higher education financing for years. But with Louisiana struggling through its 14th midyear budget gap in nine years, it seems unlikely campuses can escape unscathed. That number, a tally delivered to the joint House and Senate budget committee, is stunning: Louisiana has closed 13 midyear deficits since the 2008-09 fiscal year. With a $313 million gap facing the governor and lawmakers now, "this makes 14," Barry Dusse, director of the governor's Office of Planning and Budget, told the committee. "Time to stop, isn't it?" replied Sen. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi. Easier said than done. Louisiana's budget has been in tatters for years, nearly the entire eight years Republican former Gov. Bobby Jindal was in office. A Hurricane Katrina recovery boom dried up shortly after Jindal entered office, but only after large personal income tax breaks enacted by Jindal, Democratic former Gov. Kathleen Blanco and lawmakers kicked in right as the post-storm state tax bump disappeared. Rather than match Louisiana's spending to its tax collections, Jindal and lawmakers patched their way through budgets year after year, scraping money out of savings accounts, draining trust funds, selling property and using one-time fixes. Each year, a new gap appeared because the structural imbalance was never repaired. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards inherited the mess, and he and lawmakers have largely stopped relying on the one-time fixes Jindal used not that there are many savings accounts to raid anymore. After making his own round of cuts, Edwards sought tax and fee increases. At the governor's urging, lawmakers raised an estimated $1.6 billion earlier this year to fill holes in the current $28 billion state operating budget. That was short of what Edwards wanted. Republican legislators thought economists low-balled estimates of what the tax hikes could raise and more money would come in than projected. Instead, declines in private-sector Louisiana jobs are hammering personal income and business tax collections, and the amount of tax breaks paid to businesses continues to soar, despite legislative efforts to scale back the spending. The state faces a $313 million deficit from the budget year that ended June 30 and warnings that tax collections are coming in lower than expected this year, creating another gap whose price tag will be projected in December. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, Edwards' chief budget architect, said tax collections could be anywhere from $100 million to $500 million short of the forecast used to build this year's budget. Louisiana's unemployment rate is 6.4 percent, third-worst among states. The Legislature's chief economist, Greg Albrecht, has described Louisiana as in a recession. "We are losing jobs every month," he told lawmakers. "The revenue base is just not going to generate as much money." To close the $313 million gap, Edwards proposed to reshuffle financing, cut some agencies and delay $152 million in payments to health providers that care for Medicaid patients until next year. While some lawmakers criticized the Medicaid payment postponement as poor financial policy, the piece of Edwards' plan that drew the loudest complaints is an $18 million cut to colleges. The hit would come on top of $700 million in state cuts to higher education during the Jindal era and on top of a first-ever reduction to the TOPS free college tuition program. For some lawmakers, that's too much slashing. Edwards could make the higher education reduction without legislative support, but he agreed to postpone the entire budget-rebalancing plan until December to negotiate with lawmakers. To spare colleges, the governor could carve out money from the state's road repair budget, prison system or some other area similarly proposed to be left untouched. He could make a deeper cut to the health department than planned, as some lawmakers suggested. But with another budget gap already looming, it's questionable that higher education can dodge the chopping block permanently. Before the governor agreed to postpone his plan to close last year's deficit, Dardenne warned lawmakers: "Today's the easy day, relative to what you're going to be facing." Three weeks after this paper reported it and on the same day The Advertiser published a story, Festival International de Louisiane confirms that lagging corporate sponsorships have forced it to cancel the Heritage Stage for the 2017 FIL. Citing the economic downturn brought on by the slump in oil prices as well as the August floods, Festival International de Louisiana finally officially acknowledged today what many in Lafayette have known for weeks: There will be no Heritage Stage featuring local Cajun and zydeco bands at the 2017 Festival. Its ominous news for Lafayettes biggest annual tourism draw, necessitated by a precipitous drop in corporate sponsorships for the event, which relies on a paltry contribution from city government paired with robust corporate goodwill and a legion of volunteers over the course of its 30 years. The IND first reported the demise of the Heritage Stage on Nov. 9 after becoming privy to internal emails. The Advertiser published a report today, which evidently prompted FIL to issue a press release Tuesday afternoon: The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. 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. The Carbondale Police Department is searching for multiple suspects believed to be responsible for graffiti on two buildings located in west Carbondale. On Tuesday afternoon, the department released video surveillance photographs of the suspects sought in connection to the incident that occurred on Nov. 23 or Nov. 24. The Regions Bank, located at 500 W. Main St., was one of the buildings that was defaced, police said. The other building, located at 609 W. Main St., is privately owned and the city did not state who owned the building. Jackson County records show 2015 property taxes were paid this year on the 609 W. Main St. building by Thomas Publishing. Police discovered the graffiti around 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. During the course of their investigation, officers also learned of a window at the Regions Bank that had been damaged. The graffiti on the front of the Regions Bank includes the following statements: This is the apocalypse and We ask 4 life and No DAPL. The large words appear on the side of the building that faces West Main Street, and appear to be spray painted. DAPL stands for the Dakota Access pipeline, which is proposed to transport crude oil from the North Dakota Bakken region through South Dakota and Iowa and ending in Illinois. The pipeline is opposed by The Standing Rock Sioux and thousands have joined the tribe in protest. Police believe the incidents of vandalism occurred between noon on Nov. 23 and 7 a.m. on Nov. 24. William Attig, a community organizer in Carbondale, posted on Facebook over the weekend that he was organizing a community cleanup day in response to the graffiti. Attig said he canceled the event after he was told by a Regions representative that the cleanup needed to be put on hold while the investigation continues. But he said that he hopes to reorganize if given the green light. In addition to helping the businesses whose buildings were vandalized, Attig said he hopes to send a message. The idea is I want to get Carbondale residents out there to show as a community we do not stand for this stuff, Attig said. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the City of Carbondale Police Department at 618-457-3200; the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 618-549-2677; or to file a tip online by visiting the City of Carbondale Police Department's Crimestoppers link. SPRINGFIELD Illinois House Democrats advocating for a system of automatic voter registration failed Tuesday to overturn the measure's veto, losing the support of many Republicans who backed the bill before the governor rejected it. Democrats were four votes shy of the 71 needed to have the proposal become law despite Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto in August. Senate Democrats had already used their majority in the chamber to override Rauner. The governor told lawmakers he liked the bill's concept, but feared there weren't enough safeguards to prevent fraud. "The consequences could be injurious to our election system," Rauner wrote in his veto message to legislators. Many members of his own party sided with the governor and reversed their votes from May when the bill first passed with overwhelming support. "(The bill) was a good bill then, it is a good bill now," Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, a Chicago Democrat, said in an attempt to convince Republicans to stick to their prior votes in favor of the measure. "I think the fact that we're trying to increase voter participation and not suppress it is important, it's noble." The bill sought to allow visitors to a handful of state agencies, such as the Department of Human Services and the Secretary of State, to be automatically registered to vote unless they opted out. California, Oregon, and Vermont are among six states that have approved automatic voter registration, but Oregon is the only state that has implemented it, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Rauner said because automatic registration would occur unless someone opted out, the system failed to comply with federal requirements that people attest to their eligibility. He also said the legislation did not ensure that a person be told of his or her eligibility to vote before being signed up. Rep. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein, one of the Republicans who had supported the bill, said the legislation could be improved and attributed his change of heart to the fact that lawmakers approved the measure on the hectic last day of the spring session. "I think in the rush of the end of the session, we didn't get it right," he said. Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to be in session until Thursday to consider overriding other gubernatorial vetoes. They're also considering new legislation and trying to address a budget stalemate that dates back to July 1, 2015. Rauner met with legislative leaders Tuesday to discuss the budget, but House Speaker Michael Madigan did not attend, citing a scheduling conflict. The bill is SB250 The Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees is researching a proposal to integrate doctors more fully into the operational structure of the hospital. Trustees spent a little over an hour behind closed doors Monday looking into the possible formation of a Regional Medical Associates board. There was no public discussion on the subject Monday as trustees adjourned without any action being taken. The RMA board would give doctors more direct participation in the operation of the hospital, RMC President Tom Dandridge said following the meeting. Doctors currently come to Dandridge with questions. If the RMA is formed, doctors could go to the RMA board with their concerns and thoughts. The RMA board would consist of a number of doctors. Dandridge said the RMA board will take the doctors concerns to Dandridge. "I reserve the right to veto that, but I am not going to do that very often if this group of doctors comes to me," Dandridge said. Dandridge in turn will take the RMA's requests to the entire RMC Board. "The RMC board still always makes the final decision," he said. The proposal is being considered as a way to integrate all the sectors of health care, he said. "You wonder why no one ever coordinated care," Dandridge said. "The United States is very good at being the best provider of quality health care. What we are terrible at is how. That is why we are so wasteful." "How do we get the waste out?" Dandridge continued. "Let's get the docs and hospitals working together as a group. That is the idea of trying to get this thing together." Four years ago, RMC tried to find a way to better engage doctors with hospital officials. Various proposals were discussed, including the formation of two councils consisting of doctors and hospital executives that would provide guidance on policy and major decisions that affect all practices in the network. Some trustees expressed concerns at the time about the cost of implementation, the time line of implementation and the hiring and firing processes under the proposed structure. Fidel Castro is dead. To say those words is so strange. Ive never known a moment when he wasnt alive. Castro came to power seven years before I was born, and Im almost 50. Ive been lecturing on the man every fall semester for 20 years, spending two or three weeks on him, his ideology, and the beautiful country he destroyed. Its ironic that the day he died I finished two long chapters on him for a book manuscript, and a family friend (whose mother escaped Cuba) visiting for Thanksgiving just happened to ask how much longer I thought the 90-year-old despot might continue to live. The answer, it turned out, was a mere few hours more. What to say in a few hundred words about a man like Fidel Castro at his death? Where to start? Where to end? I think the answer is easy: The focus on Castro at his death must be just that: Castro and death. First, theres the death he was responsible for since seizing Cuba in January 1959, and then, second, there are the incalculable millions more who would have died not just in Cuba but in America and worldwide had he gotten his way in October 1962. So, for starters how many people were killed by Fidel and his communist dystopia? Unfortunately, no one truly knows, akin to how no one knows how many poor souls he tossed into his jails, from political dissidents to priests to homosexuals. Fidels prison-state has never permitted human-rights observers, reminiscent of how he never permitted the elections he repeatedly promised in the 1950s. That said, many sources have tried to pin down numbers and have generated some common estimates: The Black Book of Communism, the seminal Harvard University Press work, which specialized in trying to get accurate data on the enormous volume of deaths produced by communist tyrants, states that in the 1960s alone, when Fidel and his brother Raul (Cubas current leader) established their complete control, with the help of their murdering buddy Che Guevara, an estimated 30,000 people were arrested in Cuba for political reasons and 7,000 to 10,000 were believed to have been executed. Even then, that was merely the start. From the late 1950s to the late 1990s, its estimated that Castro killed between 15,000 to 18,000 people, whether victims of long-term imprisonment or outright execution by bullets. That is a lot of people for a small island. And it isnt all. Cuba is a surreal island of no boats, where boats are banned because people with boats flee. Thus, untold numbers of citizens have attempted the treacherous nearly 100-mile swim to Florida in shark-infested waters. An estimated 100,000 have risked the journey. Of those, perhaps as many as 30,000 to 40,000 died from drowning. As they bob for breath, the Castro government sends military helicopters to drop large bags of sand on them from high above. Yes, actually drop sandbags on them. So, Fidel Castro is responsible for a lot of death. But here, too, these numbers do not capture the level of Fidels brutal madness. Consider the actual millions he badly wanted to kill, especially here in America. If Fidel Castro had his way in October 1962, the United States would have been leveled by atomic bombs and so would little Cuba, which wouldve ceased to exist. The fact is that Fidel recommended to Nikita Khrushchev that Cuba and the USSR together launch an all-out nuclear attack upon the United States, literally igniting Armageddon. This is no secret. Castro admitted it. In an open forum discussing the Cuban Missile Crisis 30 years later, Castro told Robert McNamara, JFKs secretary of defense: Bob, I did recommend they [the nuclear missiles] were to be used. In total, said McNamara, there were 162 Soviet missiles on the island. The firing of those missiles alone would have led to (according to McNamara) at least 80 million dead Americans, which would have been half the population, plus added tens of millions of casualties. That, however, is a conservative estimate, given that 162 missiles was far the sum total that would have been subsequently launched. The United States in turn would have launched on Cuba, and also on the USSR. President John F. Kennedy made that commitment clear in his nationally televised speech on Oct. 22, 1962: It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union. In response, of course, the Soviets would have automatically launched on America from Soviet soil. Even then, the fireworks would just be starting: Under the terms of their NATO and Warsaw Pact charters, the territories of Western and Eastern Europe would also erupt. Once the smoke cleared, hundreds of millions to possibly over a billion people could have perished, with Western civilization in its death throes. If Fidel Castro had gotten his way, he would have precipitated the greatest slaughter in human history. (Che Guevara also wanted to launch the nukes.) The Soviets were horrified. Their ambassador to Cuba, Alexander Alekseyev, was so stunned at what Castro told him that he stood frozen, speechless, crushed. Without waiting for an answer from the numb ambassador, Castro started writing his feelings on paper, which Alekseyev saw as a kind of last testament, a farewell. Fidel was ready to go go up in a giant mushroom cloud for Marxism. As McNamara learned, this was Fidels big chance to die as a martyr for Marxism-Leninism. He was ready to pull the temple down on his head. A shocked Nikita Khrushchev realized he was dealing with madmen. Khrushchevs son Sergei, in his three-volume biography of his father, said that the Soviet general secretary huddled with top officials in the code room of the Foreign Ministry late on a Sunday night and repeatedly ordered, Remove them, and as quickly as possible. Khrushchev urged Andrei Gromyko to instantly get in touch with Washington in order to save the world from those pushing us toward war. As for Fidel, he was furious with Khrushchev. Castro was mortally offended, recorded Sergei. He had not managed to engage in a fight with the Americans. He had made up his mind to die a hero, and to have it end that way. He had been ready to die beautifully, as one Soviet official put it. Denied his glorious opportunity, he now considered Khrushchev a traitor. Thankfully, the world averted nuclear war, through the leadership of Khrushchev and Kennedy, and no thanks to bloodthirsty lunatics like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, who were ready to blow up the world in the name of their Marxist-Leninist nightmare. This, alas, was Fidel Castro. And for the record (and not surprisingly), not a word of it is found in the awful press release by President Barack Obama acknowledging Castros death, a statement that Marco Rubio rightly called pathetic, with no mention of [the] thousands he killed & imprisoned. Pathetic, indeed. Fidel Castro is dead. And death was Fidel Castro. Around the world for decades, the United States has worked with, and even supported, all types of governments. We negotiated with the Soviet Union and its dictators, we opened the door to Communist China, we made peace with Vietnam, and weve worked with absolute and de facto dictators from South America to Africa and Asia. Even so, we have carried the torch of freedom and anti-terrorism in the world with nearly non-stop war and ongoing efforts to encourage freedom everywhere. We can and should be proud. But 90 miles from Floridas shores is Cuba, a country that has been under the rule of communist dictator Fidel Castro and his family for five decades. While the United States has worked with nearly every country around the globe in some fashion, until President Barack Obama moved to normalize relations, we remained steadfast in our attempts to isolate and to have no substantive relationship with Cuba as long as Castro remained. Now the dictator whose 1959 revolution dramatically changed Cuba, pushing it into the communist orbit, is dead. Eleven U.S. presidents have served since the rise of Castro. But the one to take office in January holds the key to where relations between the two countries will go. Obama lifted restrictions on travel to Cuba and normalized relations as much as he could. But it will take Congress to make further substantive change tied to the long-standing U.S. embargo against Cuba. The death of Castro for decades has been seen as the key to changes in the U.S.-Cuba relationship. No longer. With the transfer of power to Castros brother Raul a decade ago and with the ruling communists firmly in place, there appears little likelihood of immediate change in Cuba. That will leave it to President Donald Trump and a Republican-dominated Congress to decide whether to backtrack on Obamas new approach to Cuba. Indications are they plan a tougher line. "Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades," Trump said in a statement. "Fidel Castro's legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights." Trump expressed hope that Castro's death would mark a "move away from the horrors" toward a future where Cubans live in freedom. But he said nothing about Obama's project to reset ties. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement Saturday: "Now that Fidel Castro is dead, the cruelty and oppression of his regime should die with him. Sadly, much work remains to secure the freedom of the Cuban people." Pushing for countries to change their internal policies is not new for the United States as the worlds superpower and promoter of democracy, but decades of hostility with Cuba have not achieved the objective. The U.S. policy made sense as long as Cuba was a direct surrogate for the Soviet Union, using its troops to fight in Cold War proxy wars in Africa and elsewhere. But continuing the embargo and returning to a no-relationship policy with Cuba do not make sense. Furthering a relationship with Cuba stands to do more to open the door to freedom for the Cuban people than five decades of an embargo have achieved. Through real communication, the people of Cuba are exposed to the United States in a way that most of them have never known and in a way far different than the old days of Cuban dictators who enjoyed public and private American backing. It is in the interest of both Cuba and the United States to have substantive ties without turning back the clock. Trump is a businessman who prides himself on making good deals. Heres a golden opportunity. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Baku Fashion Week 2006 put on display some of the most glittering jewels from the "Zinet-i-Zishan" brand last week. Held under the motto "Art meets Fashion" , fashion show brought together fashion experts from from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan and captivated attention of all fashionistas. Treasures including rings, necklaces and earrings were part of a collection presented during the Baku Fashion Week. Baku Fashion Week was included in the calendar schedule of world Fashion Week, making Azerbaijan more recognizable among international designers and fashion lovers. Local designers and models will gradually reach world podiums and attract the interest overseas. Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az and Azernews.az By Laman Ismayilova An exhibition called "Uzbekistan through the eyes of Azerbaijani children" has been opened at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center after Heydar Aliyev at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, Azertac reported. The exhibition was co-organized by the embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan Cultural Center at the Embassy of Azerbaijan, State Fine Arts Gallery, Azerbaijani "Regional Youth Development Contribution" PU and Uzbek "MUMTOZ" Public Union. Uzbekistan's culture, historical monuments, customs and traditions are reflected in the drawings of Azerbaijani children. It's surprising how children feel the art, its all the beauty. The marvelous exhibition featured Azerbaijani rugs, national musical instruments and Kelaghayi, traditional head cover of Azerbaijani women. Director of Azerbaijan Cultural Center Samir Abbasov said the main purpose of the exhibition improve relations between the two countries and exchange of experience. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan share historical, cultural, linguistic and religious roots, and are dynamically developing their political, economic and cultural relations. The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were established in October 1995. The two countries have signed over 100 bilateral documents. Azerbaijans first lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva has met with a delegation led by British Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan Baroness Nicholson. Mehriban Aliyeva said she is happy to see Baroness Nicholson at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, expressing her confidence that this visit will contribute to strengthening of the friendly bonds and cooperation between the two countries. The first lady said Azerbaijan has great respect for the activity of the British Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy, and also emphasized the political and public activity of Baroness Nicholson. Mehriban Aliyeva praised what Baroness Nicholson has done to protect womens rights, provide care for children, as well as in other areas, particularly culture. The first lady expressed hope that Baroness Nicholson will cooperate with Azerbaijan, especially with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Baroness Nicholson highlighted projects carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and proposed implementing several projects in the field of healthcare. The British trade envoy praised the activity of the Azerbaijani-British inter-parliamentary friendship group. She invited president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP Mehriban Aliyeva to visit the UK for holding meetings at the House of Lords. By Trend Azerbaijan is ready for active continuation of cooperation with Belarus in all directions, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev made the remarks Nov. 28 during the one-on-one meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, who is on an official visit to Baku. We hold regular meetings. It shows that the relations between our countries are close and friendly," said President Aliyev. We regularly meet in Minsk, in Baku, in other places, within the frameworks of international events, and an exchange of views with you is always very useful and pleasant, President Aliyev told Lukashenko during the meeting. Over the recent years, we have solved a lot of issues of bilateral format, and there are good results. And every time, during a new meeting, we summarize the outcomes and see that even in a short period, we still have results, said President Aliyev. We are ready for active continuation of cooperation with Belarus in all directions. Today the bilateral format covers almost all spheres of our life, said Ilham Aliyev. The president went on to add that the process of increasing cooperation in traditional spheres continues. President Aliyev said that new directions of cooperation are also being defined. We are friends and partners, we have always supported and support each other in all matters. I am very pleased to see you again in Baku as Azerbaijans good friend, a person who is much loved and respected in Azerbaijan, and I am sure that Your visit today will give new impetus to our cooperation, said Ilham Aliyev. Many documents will be signed that will determine the paths of development of relations in the future. And, we will surely talk about the bilateral issues, regional issues and the issues that currently are of concern to the entire world community. We are friends and partners, President Aliyev said. He once again welcomed President Lukashenko and thanked him for accepting an invitation and visiting Azerbaijan. I wish you a successful and pleasant visit," President Aliyev said. By Azertac President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has today visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. A guard of honor was lined up for the Belarus President here. President Alexander Lukashenko paid tribute to Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s independence and territorial integrity. He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. A military orchestra played the national anthems of Belarus and Azerbaijan. By Trend Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that he discussed the issues of development of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and South Africa during his meeting with Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South African minister of international relations and cooperation. The two countries are actively supporting each other on international arena, Mammadyarov said while addressing a press conference on November 29 in Baku. He added that the two sides discussed a number of issues related to the cooperation in the tax, financial, defense and energy spheres. Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is interested in cooperation with the Republic of South Africa, said the Azerbaijani minister. Trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $6.357 million in January-October 2016 that is twice more than in the same period of 2015, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. Meanwhile, the export of Azerbaijani products to South Africa increased by more than 140 times, and the import from South Africa by twofold. By Azernews By Gunay Hasanova A meeting between the Russian and Turkish Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is being prepared but will take place not earlier than 2017, Russian Presidents Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on November 28. Peskov said that there is understanding that it may take place very soon. "The volume of our bilateral relations is impressive and we have a lot to restore," he said. "There are expansion plans in many areas. Now, the intergovernmental commission is working on to uplift these plans to the interstate level, to the level of the two countries presidents, Peskov added. Earlier, the two presidents has a telephone conversation, during which they agreed to hold a meeting of Russia-Turkey High-Level Cooperation Council and continue the dialogue at the upcoming G-20 summit in St. Petersburg. Moreover, Turkeys Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will pay an official visit to Russia on December 6-7. The Turkish PM and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev are expected to discuss further steps on normalization of relations between the two countries. The agenda of negotiations reportedly will cover the issues of using national currencies in the trade between Russia and Turkey, creation of free trade zone, development of tourism, as well as the fight against the Islamic State (aka IS, ISIL, ISIS or Daesh) terrorist group in Syria and Iraq. The Turkish prime minister is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. 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. McCarthy expected to be fit for United clash Tuesday, 29 November, 2016 The Irish international has struggled for fitness after undergoing a groin operation at the start of September and he tore his hamstring last month after two games for his country and a substitute's appearance for Everton at Manchester City. McCarthy played against Swansea City the weekend before last in place of the suspended Gareth Barry but he missed two days of training last week. McCarthy stopped training after the first session this week, Koeman told the Liverpool Echo. He was tired and had a little problem in his hamstring again. He did not train Tuesday or Wednesday. He started training on Friday again and I didn't take the risk of putting him in the team because we need everybody fit and available for the busy time coming up. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer About these ads The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has received financial backing from Al Salam Bank for the development of an Islamic finance e-Learning platform, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. To read further, please visit GDNonline. Tanfeedh, Omans national programme for enhancing economic diversification, recently showcased investment opportunities worth RO 16.3 billion ($42.2 billion) in three sectors in the Sultanate at a recent exhibition. Of this, the private sector contribution is expected to be RO14 billion, while the public sector will provide between RO1.5 and 2.5 billion, reported Oman Observer. According to Tanfeedh, 10,000 jobs should be created for Omanis in the tourism sector alone by 2020 by developing projects and attracting private investments. Implementation of the projects will start in January 2017; Talal Sulaiman al Rahbi, deputy secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Planning was quoted as saying in the report. About 30 start-ups from the 15 different countries pitched their business concepts at the recently held fifth Mena Angel Investor Summit 2016 in Bahrain. Organised by Tenmou, Bahrains first Business Angels organization, in strategic partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) the event aims to build a strong supportive and sustainable start-up ecosystem in Bahrain and increasingly grow the angel investment community in the Mena region. The inaugural welcome note was presented by Hasan Haider, chief executive officer of Tenmou and the keynote address was presented by Dr Simon Galpin from EDB. This year, world renowned venture capitalist and global innovation advisor of 500 Start-ups from Silicon Valley, Kamran Elahian was in attendance along with the most prominent regional and local angel investors. More than 300 venture capitalists, angel investors and dynamic entrepreneurs from respected entrepreneurial programs, accelerators, angel investment organisations and local media attended the event. Over the past many years, Tenmou and EDB have been a major moving-force to strategically develop the start-up ecosystem in Bahrain. Since the start of the Mena Angel Investors Summit in 2010, more than 1,000 regional and international investors have been able to connect with around 150 high-potential innovative entrepreneurs from the region resulting in approximately US$ 6 million investments, said Haider. Today, we are proud to welcome world renowned venture capitalist, Kamran Elahian to this Summit. His in-depth knowledge in this industry and the valuable tips he has shared will help our start-ups. This year, we are confident that our line-up of promising start-ups will be able to collaborate with international and regional angel investors to further grow their businesses. Elahian said: It was a great opportunity to meet, interact and provide advice to more than 30 promising start-ups. There were two types of e-commerce products presented, the internet-based products and technology-driven products. Most of the start-up businesses had a competitive edge, with regional and global appeal. Vivian Jamal, executive director of Marketing and Communications at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) said: Our participation in the fifth Mena Angel Investor Summit organised by Tenmou emphasises Bahrains position and support of entrepreneurs. The event showcased the continuous efforts by the Kingdom to raise awareness and encourage the right environment for start-ups to grow and thrive. A significant factor contributing to the success of entrepreneurs is the abundance of support and guidance on offer and the ability to access the capital needed to develop their businesses. This summit provided an effective platform for Bahraini entrepreneurs to discuss their experiences, their skills and their innovative visions before investors, in turn helping them to take their plans and their ambitions to the next stage. As part of the summit this year, there were two lively panel discussion sessions. The first session focused on international angel investing and the panellists were Hasan Haider, Kamran Elahian and Audra Shallal. The second session focused on regional angel investor funding and the panellists were Chantalle Dumonceaux from WOMena and Faisal Hakki from Oasis 500. The discussions were based on the Way forward for the Mena Angel Investment scene on how to attract global investment to support and sustain start-ups in Bahrain and the Mena region. Launched in 2011, Tenmou aims to support entrepreneurs with valuable business assistance, including financial investment, mentorship, advice and guidance. Tenmou recognizes that for many entrepreneurs, mentorship programmes can be as valuable as financial investments. Each project receives practical advice and training from the companys board members, who bring with them a wealth of business experience. These training sessions expose the entrepreneurs to real business situations and are conducted in the form of workshops, on a regular basis. Established with a start-up capital of BD1 million ($2.7 million),Tenmou invests an average of BD20,000 BD30,000 for a stake of on average 20 per cent - 30 per cent in each project that meets its criteria, and will provide a three-month mentorship period, including support services, at no cost to the entrepreneurs. TradeArabia News Service German Linde Group is set to become the biggest contractor in Iran's LNG projects after receiving the green light from Euler Hermes, a credit insurance company, a report said. Iranian officials and Germany's Linde Group will discuss the LNG projects in a new round of talks, Iran Daily reported, citing Mehr News Agency. In the earlier talks, German side signed a deal to provide technical support to Kian Petrochemical Complex and signalled its readiness to participate in the country's biggest petrochemical projects in fresh round of talks with Imam Khomeini Petrochemical Complex. The discussions centered on new investments, technology transfer, training, and research and development projects. The German company's willingness is attributed to assurances by Euler Hermes Credit Insurance Co., which would provide insurance coverage to enterprises operating in Iran. Arabtec Holding, a leading construction company in the Middle East with nine principal subsidiary units, has appointed Hamish Tyrwhitt, an industry heavyweight and the chief executive officer of Depa Group, as its new CEO. Prior to this, Tyrwhitt had worked for 27 years at Leighton Holdings, one of the worlds leading international construction contractors and one of Australias largest listed companies. He held various positions in Australia and in Asia before being appointed as Leightons CEO from 2011 to 2014. Tyrwhitt became the CEO of Asia Resources Minerals, an Indonesian coal mining company listed in London, in March 2015, prior to being appointed CEO of Depa Group in April this year. Announcing the appointment, the Arabtec Holding board said Tyrwhitt will retain his existing responsibilities as the CEO of Depa Group in addition to his new role at Arabtec Holding. "Tyrwhitt has a distinguished career in the construction industry. He has the experience necessary for Arabtec to further strengthen the companys strategic and financial positioning and achieve its full growth potential," remarked Mohamed Al Rumaithi, the chairman of Arabtec. "We are confident that Tyrwhitt s leadership will allow Arabtec to move forward to a successful and sustainable future," he added. Al Rumaithi also lauded the services of the acting CEO Saeed Al Mehairbi for "guiding Arabtec successfully through the tough environment that has affected the construction industry." Al Mehairbi will continue to serve as a director of the Arabtec board, he added. On his appointment, Tyrwhitt said: "Fundamentally Arabtec is a strong company with a great track record of achievements stretching back over the past 40 years. I am looking forward to taking the company forward and capitalising on the many opportunities available to the Arabtec group." Arabtec group had earlier reported that it was implementing a series of restructuring and cost reduction initiatives.-TradeArabia News Service More than 15,000 participants representing over 100 countries, including a delegation from the UAE, will be participating at Slush 2016, an event dedicated to innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, to be held in Helsinki, Finland. The event will open tomorrow (November 30) and conclude on December 1, and will also include 2,000 practising and budding entrepreneurs and 800 investors from various funding institutions. The delegation from the UAE will be led by Abdullah Al Saleh, the Ministry of Economys undersecretary for Foreign Trade and Industry, and will also include several senior federal and local officials, entrepreneurs, owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and innovators. The ministry's participation in the event forms part of its efforts to support entrepreneurs and innovators as well as provide opportunities for promoting trade and investment partnerships between the businessmen and investors of the UAE and Finland. Additionally, included in the groups agenda are the holding of the UAE-Finland Business Forum and several bilateral meetings with senior officials of the Finnish Government. Al Saleh said that the UAE is eager to learn about outstanding international expertise in the areas of innovation and new technologies. He noted that the Republic of Finland is a prominent leader in these areas and is noted for the global prominence of the event which gathers experts and decision makers from around the world involved in innovation and entrepreneurship with specialisations in advanced industrial technology and international scientific research. The undersecretary noted that although foreign trade between the UAE and Finland has been developing remarkably, the current level is still below the capabilities and potentials of the two parties. He noted that their non-oil trade stood at $440 million in 2015 and amounted to $322 billion during the first half of the current year alone, reflecting sound growth which is expected to continue as both countries work on strengthening cooperation, specifically in innovation and research. For his part, Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, director of the Ministrys Trade Promotion and Investment Department, said that his organisations desire to join the event with an economic and trade delegation comprising many entrepreneurs is part of its objective of providing opportunities for gaining access to the best global and international practices in innovation as well as showcasing investment opportunities available in the UAE. Mohammed Al Yousfi, national programme director for SMEs, said: The UAE delegation's visit to Finland will enrich national expertise in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises through exposure to knowledge and new technologies that can be incorporated into broader efforts by the Ministry of Economy to support and promote these areas and develop priority sectors within the national economy. The delegates visiting the event include Dr Abdulrahman Mohammed Ali Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, director general of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development; Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi; Mohammed Al Yousfi; representatives from the Ajman Free Zone, Mubadala Development Company, Mubadala Renewable Energy Solutions, and Total Marine Services; and several entrepreneurs representing various economic activities, service sectors and businesses, it stated. TradeArabia News service While the market for luxury watches this year has taken a beating, German watchmaker A Lange & Sohne remains in a sweet spot thanks to the high desirability of the brand. I will quote my CEO, who always says that his job is to make sure that the brand always remains in a sweet spot, meaning being in a situation where the demand is higher than what you can supply, says Ramzi Nael, Brand Director of A Lange & Sohne Middle East & India. Our job is to maintain this high desirability of the brand and to make sure that the production is maintained at a level that the demand stays higher. Nael was speaking to Arabian Knight, our sister publication, on the sidelines of Jewellery Arabia in Bahrain, where the brand showcased its collection of exclusive timepieces. The legendary watchmaker, which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, was at the watch and jewellery show as part of the Bahrain Jewellery Centre (BJC) pavilion. For A Lange & Sohne, this is its third showing at Jewellery Arabia. The brand also brought an engraver especially for Jewellery Arabia to showcase the intricate work involved in fine watchmaking. Bahrain is a very important market for the brand since consumers in the kingdom are very refined when it comes to fine watchmaking. They know what they want and are exposed to brands and fine watching since a very long time. Its an added value to be in this exhibition, to be closer to our clients, Nael says. The Middle East has been a very important market for A Lange & Sohne, he continues, pointing out that it has only two stand-alone boutiques in the region Dubai and Beirut to maintain its exclusivity, in addition to being sold in 14 other outlets. It is a very sophisticated market and the consumers here are exposed to these kind of brands. I think one of the advantages of the region is that a big percentage of the population is young. So the market is definitely going to grow and it is going to explode. It is the region which has one of the highest growth rate in the number of millionaires and high-net worth individuals. I believe in the next 10 to 15 years, the size of the luxury industry will grow exponentially in this region and that is why we believe this region is good to be invested in in the long run. At Jewellery Arabia, A Lange & Sohne showcased some of the new watches launched this year such as the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, and the Grand Lange 1 Moonface Lumen. These watches showcase Langes determination to never stand still and to test the limits of mechanical horology, says Nael. The watchmaker is also displaying several prototypes for the benefit of collectors and watch enthusiasts. We are a very niche brand and our production is very limited. So to be able to have at a single place the entire collection of the novelties is difficult. Hence we produce a collection of prototypes that is not for sale, but are displayed in this kind of exhibitions for people to see and feel the products, says Nael. Some of the models may have been launched already, but they are not available in the market since the production is so limited. Buyers can see the prototypes and order them. Its very limited production where you need to commit to the piece before it comes to market because if you wait until the piece is ready, it wont be available anymore, he cautions watch enthusiasts. The brand launches its new watches once a year in January at the SIHH exhibition in Geneva. Following that throughout the year the creations are presented across the world and delivered. Speaking on the core strengths of the brand, Nael says: The motto of the brand is simple: to make the best watches in the world and to never stand still. Even if we reach the perfection that we want to achieve, we still will look at how to make it better. The brand is very classical, has a very clear strategy and a pre-defined DNA that we stick to. This makes the brand recognisable and stand out. On the German heritage of the brand, he says the Made in Germany is the stamp of highest quality possible and its an added value for the brand. The company produces all its movements and parts in-house. Its new factory in Glashutte has brought the production facilities and craftsmen under one roof. However, if you think you can order a watch and walk away with it, wait a minute. Here time doesnt move so fast. The delivery will depend on the complexity of the timepiece. Usually the first delivery of the complicated watches takes between 10 months and one year after the launch. Sometimes it takes up to four years to complete the production of a particular model, says Nael. For an example, the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon, launched last January, is a limited edition of 100 pieces. But it will be delivered over a span of four years, meaning 25 watches per year. Giving an example of the complicated process of its exclusive watches, Nael said the brand launched its Grand Complication in 2013. This is a development of seven years for a production of six pieces only. So far we have delivered just one piece. This shows how important is the research and development in our company because we believe that every complication that we launch has to be meaningful and there has to be a reason behind it. If you are thinking of buying one of these, set aside $2.11 million. A Lange & Sohne will be launching new watches in January at Geneva. I want consumers to be remain enthusiastic and curious, Nael says raising expectations. We are a brand that has not failed to surprise collectors every year. On the question of wearable devices vying for people's wrist space, Nael said: "It is a different product category aimed at another target audience. However, we are confident that fine mechanical timepieces will maintain their place on the wrist, simply because they fulfil the human desire for distinction, timeless beauty and lasting value. The current economic downturn in the region does not worry the brand. The sweet spot still remains and it is our job to ensure we remain there, concludes Nael. - TradeArabia News Service Schlumberger, the worlds largest oil driller by market value, has signed a preliminary deal to study an Iranian oilfield with the National Iranian Oil Company, a report said. Schlumberger said the deal does not involve the execution of oilfield services operations and it intends to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries where it operates, according to Iran Daily. Accordingly, the company would be required to study the formations of Shadegan, Parsi and Rag-e Sefid oil fields in Khuzestan, Shana news agency said. The projects would be carried out within the framework of Irans new generation of oil contracts. Over 2,000 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) Group employees, from across 18 operating companies, walked together to mark the 45th anniversary of the founding of Adnoc on November 28, 1971, a report said. They walked from Adnocs headquarters to the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations (ADCO) and back, reported WAM, the official Emirates News Agency. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Adnoc Group CEO and Adnocs senior leadership jointly led the 45 hundred metres walk, on Abu Dhabis Corniche, held to celebrate 45 years of contributing to the socio-economic development of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. Dr Al Jaber said: "This walk is a visible and tangible demonstration of the unity of purpose that exists across the organisation and everyones commitment to the growth path we have embarked upon, as together we build on the legacy of success of the past 45 years. "Our new strategy and five-year business plan will ensure Adnoc continues to deliver on its vision, as we drive efficiencies, create synergies and maximise the value of our resources, for the benefit of the UAE and the community. The Adnoc 45th Anniversary Walk not only celebrates the journey so far, but also signifies a new, exciting and positive future for Adnoc, as we work as one team to deliver the strategic objectives set for us by the countrys leadership," Dr Al Jaber added. As well as marking the founding of Adnoc, the walk also symbolizes the commitment of everyone at Adnoc to the organisations new corporate culture, which includes being innovative, agile, values driven, seeking excellence, delivering results and exceeding expectations. South Korea-based Samsung Electronics will consider splitting itself into two as proposed by activist hedge fund Elliott Management, Seoul Economic Daily reported on Monday citing an unnamed source. Samsungs board of directors would hold a meeting on Tuesday and formally respond to the proposals, the paper said. Meanwhile, the Korea Exchange has asked Samsung to comment on whether it planned a spinoff. The worlds largest smartphone maker said in late October it disclose plans for shareholder returns by the end of November. Samsung did not immediately comment on the report. The five-star Rosewood Jeddah, a leading luxury hotel in Saudi Arabia, has unveiled a stylish new Executive Lounge. Extensive business facilities within the hotel, including its nine meeting spaces and boardrooms and dedicated Business Center concierge, have been joined by a sophisticated new space catering to business travellers who require privacy and state-of-the-art facilities. The Executive Lounge will also be accessible to in-house guests who are looking for a more private space during their stay. Located on the 20th floor, the lounge can accommodate 20 to 30 guests at a time and will provide a peaceful area to relax, unwind and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Red Sea and the Jeddah skyline. Guests can enjoy a menu offering light breakfast, afternoon tea and evening snacks, hot and cold refreshments throughout the day. The dedicated waiting staff will ensure to answer to guests needs. The Executive Lounge Terrace on the 21st floor, accessed via the lounge, adds a unique perspective to enjoying winter evenings in Jeddah. Offered as an extension of the Executive Lounge, the terrace brings an outdoor element to the lounge experience, where guests can enjoy a variety of beverages, cocktails and a selection of premium cigars. The new Executive Lounge is available for guests at an additional supplement of SAR300 ($80) per person per night that will be applied to the room rate. In-house guests with access to the Executive Lounge are eligible to host up to two visitors in the lounge at an additional charge. Children under the age of 16 will not be allowed access to the Executive Lounge. The Executive Lounge opening hours are 6:30am till midnight. Breakfast will be served from opening till 10:30am, afternoon tea will be offered from 3pm to 5:30pm, evening snacks from 7pm to 9pm and soft drinks and coffee will be available from 6:30am till midnight. Room service menus are available outside these hours should guests wish to order food at an additional charge. - TradeArabia News Service Wednesdays 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; 5:09 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m, 328-1/2 E. A, closed; 8:23 p.m., 719 3rd St., Evansville. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back); 7:30 p.m,. 805 E. Richards, Ste. 1. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688. Al-Anon: 7-8 p.m.,500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200, 12-24 Club, for grades 6 and up. Info: 377-7260 or 258-1444; 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 302 E. 2nd. Use east entrance, meet downstairs in Room 12. Narcotics Anonymous: noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 302 E. 2nd St., Methodist Church, enter east side. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org. Nicotine Anonymous: noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club. Info: Pam M., 577-0518; Troy Y., 267-6326. OIF/OEF Support Group: 6:30-8 p.m., Casper Vet Center, 1030 N. Poplar St., Ste. B. All OIF/OEF Veterans are invited to attend. No need to pre-register. Info: 261-5355. Teen Addiction Anonymous: 7- 8 p.m., 12-24 Club Teton Room. Info: 258-7439. TOPS #35 Weight Loss: 6:45 a.m., First Christian Church, 520 CY Ave. Weight Loss Support Group, Weigh-in is from 6:30 a.m.-8 a.m. Info: 258-2603 or 234-5644. TOPS #162: 8:30 a.m., United Methodist Church, 1880 Poplar. Anyone interested is invited to join. Info: 472-4926. Learn Facebook The Natrona County Library will offer a Facebook class at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Learn the basics of Facebook, including how to create an account, adjust privacy settings, share photos, join groups, and message and add friends. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. The Table hosts Pause & Give Thanks We invite you to enjoy a calm place to practice gratitude Wednesday, Nov. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., free and open to the public, in the upper level of the Atrium Plaza, 201 E. Second St. (next to Eggingtons). This will be a self-guided time for peaceful reflection. The event includes a free warm meal, free 10-minute massage, stations for meditation and prayer, quiet rest and reflection, a gratitude wall, grief acknowledgement, and art engagement. You are welcome to join us at any point during lunch or dinner. P.E.O. hosts silent auction P.E.O. Chapter Ys Sisters, Soups, and Sweets Silent Auction is Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Shrine Club, 1501 W. 39th St. We will be serving soups, bread, and desserts for $5. Please join us for a festive afternoon filled with friendship and a chance to do a little Christmas shopping with funds going to support higher education for women. The auction preview of baskets will start at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon. Monthly veterans ceremony The Natrona County United Veterans Council and the staff of the Oregon Trail Wyoming State Veterans Cemetery conduct a monthly memorial service for those known Wyoming veterans who have died since our last memorial service which was held Oct. 31, when we honored 80 Wyoming veterans. This months service will be held at noon Wednesday in the Tom Walsh Chapel at The Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. All are welcome to attend. This memorial service is provided on behalf of a grateful state and nation as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by each of these veterans. The veterans name, Wyoming community, and branch of service is read at roll call. There is a rifle salute, taps, and the folding of a flag. Info meetings for kindergarten dual immersion It is time to begin thinking about Kindergarten Enrollment (enrollment window will not open until the first part January 2017). If you are interested in learning more about the districts two dual language immersion programs (Spanish at Park and Mandarin at Paradise Valley), please plan on attending one of the following informational meetings: All meetings are held at Central Services Facility, 970 North Glenn Road: noon Wednesday (please RSVP to Beth Millay, 253-5450, lunch provided). We encourage parents to visit all schools they are interested in their child attending (while class is in session) prior to completing the online enrollment process. If you make arrangements to visit a DLI school (Paradise Valley or Park), you can forego the DLI parent meeting and use the visit as your required meeting. Parents must attend a meeting or visit Paradise Valley or Park for their child to be considered for the program. If you are unable to attend one of the meetings, please contact Gib Ostheimer, principal at Park or Aaron Wilson, principal at Paradise Valley. Roast beef at the Elks Wednesday Night Special at Casper Elks Lodge is hot roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable and roll. All you can eat for $7, children 5 to 12 are $3. Serving from 6 to 7 p.m. or until gone. Members, significant other and guest accompanied by a member. For more information, call 234-4839. Christmas light show open The light show at 3148 Whispering Springs is up and will run nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., and until 11 p.m., on Friday and Saturday. We are collecting items for Joshuas Storehouse at the display. There are a total of approximately 50,000 lights all choreographed to popular Christmas music, and free to view and listen to. Just tune your radio to 98.1 FM and enjoy. Thank you and merry Christmas from the Wagners. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Gov. Matt Mead is expected Wednesday to unveil his budget recommendations ahead of Januarys legislative session. His document will show steep program cuts in Wyoming government, his policy director said. Meads budget plan will have to fill a $157 million shortfall through cuts, spending from savings or a combination of the two. The $157 million deficit is in addition to $248 million in cuts Mead announced over the summer. Ultimately, the Wyoming Legislature adopts the states budget, but the process starts with the governor submitting proposals. Lawmakers will see a budget document that will show over $400 million in suggested cuts and spending from savings. By law, Meads budget recommendations cannot anticipate tax increases. Revenue from oil, gas and coal has plummeted over the past year. In March, the Legislature adopted a $3 billion, two-year budget. But by June, Mead saw that he had to trim the budget by over 8 percent, since revenues continued sliding. In October, a new revenue report showed the state would be in the hole an additional $157 million. Next year will be the midpoint for Wyomings two-year budget cycle, when the Legislature adopts a supplemental budget to reflect changes in revenue. Meads budget recommendations will show large reductions, said Mary Kay Hill, his policy director. This is a little different in that the Legislature has had the opportunity to see the reductions of $248 million from Gov. Mead to agency budgets this summer, effective July 1, Hill said. We had a process we used to arrive at those cuts. He discussed this both with the public and with the Appropriations Committee at the time. Over 100 state positions have been eliminated. Theres a perception by some in Wyoming that state government hasnt been cut enough. Mead will argue Wednesday that Julys cuts were so severe they resulted in changes in how the state operates, Hill said. There are people in state government who are doing more, she said. So its important for everyone to understand indeed the reductions reflect a change in the way we provide services, a change in the way were able to contract and its a change in the way state employees are carrying out their duties because there has been a change in the number of people employed by the state of Wyoming. Mead will also talk about opportunities for Wyoming to move forward, in spite of the economy. Going forward the governor will be eager to establish that the state will also move forward in a time of reductions, Hill said. Thats been a consideration for him as we put final touches on this budget. For a week in mid-December, lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee will hold hearings in which agency heads will answer questions about Meads budget recommendations, said Rep. Steve Harshman, this years House Appropriations chairman and next years House speaker. The session starts Jan. 10. In the middle of January, lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee will begin whats known as markup accepting and rejecting Meads recommendations. From that work, the supplemental budget bill is formed. As the lawmakers mark up Meads budget document, a revenue projection report will come out that will give lawmakers more precise figures to work with. Harshman, a Republican from Casper, is optimistic that the new report wont show revenues dropping further. Hes been watching monthly revenue reports, he said, and he feels fairly confident that the state has bottomed out. We hope weve leveled off, he said. We look forward to the governors recommendations, and well go to work. Rep. Cathy Connolly, a member of the Appropriations Committee who will be the leader of the Democrats next year in the House, said she doesnt like how the governor cannot consider tax increases. Without them, Mead will just start a process of cuts that the Republican majority in the Legislature will continue. Connolly, from Laramie, said she wants the state to issue bonds to borrow for capital construction projects throughout Wyoming, such as the money that's been saved for a new state office building in Casper. Money that has been saved for the projects could keep the state operating, she said. I would very much resist us cutting programs where honestly in my mind we are penny wise and pound foolish, she said. When we do things like cutting substance abuse programs, were kicking the can down the road for other legislative sessions. Thats crazy to me. A 19-year-old Hudson woman was killed Sunday afternoon in a crash north of Medicine Bow, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Ryon Countryman was a passenger in a Kia Spectra car being driven by 18-year-old Sheridan resident Carson Holwell, a news release said. The car was headed south on Wyoming State Highway 487 in blizzard conditions that had covered the road with snow and ice. Several vehicles were braking and sliding off the highway. Holwell braked, attempting to avoid them, but lost control of her vehicle. The Kia crossed the center line and collided with a Ford F-250 pickup driven by Robert Bryant, 33, of Manville. Countryman, who was wearing her seat belt, was fatally injured in the crash. Holwell, who was also wearing her seat belt, was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins, where she was treated and released. Another passenger in the Kia, a 16-year-old girl who was not wearing her seat belt, was treated and released from the hospital as well. Bryant and his passenger, 27-year-old Denver resident Tiffanie McGee, were both wearing seat belts and were not hurt. Driver inexperience and weather-related road conditions are being investigated as contributing factors in the crash, which marked the 107th highway death in the state for the year. At this time last year, there had been 138 such fatalities. PHOENIX A California startup will build a $700 million plant in Casa Grande to manufacture luxury electric vehicles. The plan by Lucid Motors, being announced this afternoon, will involve hiring 2,000 workers for what would be the state's only car manufacturing operation. The first hires will take place next year, with training for the jobs through the community and technical colleges in Pinal and Maricopa counties. Plans are to have vehicles ready for sale by 2018. Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich Arellano was part of today's announcement. That is because the plan involves having the parts built in Mexico and shipped to Arizona for final construction. The 500-acre site is in an industrial area near Interstates 10 and 8. While most of the property already is within Casa Grande, some will need to be annexed. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said Lucid Motors selected Arizona after looking at 60 sites in 13 states. He said the supply chain from Mexico was one of the factors in the selection. "This project will create thousands of new direct jobs, support many more indirect jobs, and attract new suppliers to the Casa Grande region,'' Ducey said in a prepared statement. Forbes reported that the company is seeking to compete with Tesla for high-end electric vehicles. Gov. Doug Ducey heads to Mexico this Friday in hopes of improving trade even as the president-elect seeks to rewrite the rules. The governor on Monday acknowledged the campaign rhetoric of Donald Trump who was critical of the various trade agreements the United States has with other countries. During one debate with Hillary Clinton, Trump blasted her husband for approving the North American Free Trade Agreement when he was president. Trump called that the single worst trade deal ever approved in this country. And he has specifically said he would entirely renegotiate the 1994 pact or terminate it. Ducey, however, said he is not focusing on that but instead is concentrating on what he can do here. Mexicos our No. 1 trading partner, times four, for the state of Arizona, the governor said. Weve built that relationship. But much of that cross-border business could disappear if NAFTA and its free-trade principles go away. That could lead to new tariffs on Mexican goods being shipped to the United States and similar duties slapped on Arizona products headed south. It sounds like a hypothetical, Ducey said in brushing aside questions of the effect of scrapping NAFTA on Arizona businesses. And he said that the Donald Trump who ran for president may not be the same one who takes office on Jan. 20. I havent heard a lot of that talk since the election, he said. Still, Ducey conceded that Trumps contention that free trade has cost American jobs resonated with many voters. I think the idea of free and fair trade is a real issue, the governor said. The people have spoken on this, he continued. And if theres a way to improve on that, then we can look at those issues. But Ducey downplayed the idea that Trump will undo the entire agreement once he takes office. Thats not something thats done unilaterally or by one person, he said, while acknowledging the president-elect has a leadership position on that. The blame on Bill Clinton is somewhat misplaced. It was Republican George H.W. Bush who negotiated the treaty and signed in in December 1992 shortly before leaving office. Clinton, who inherited NAFTA, put in some side agreements on environmental and labor issues and pushed the issue through Congress, backed by about half the Democrats but most of the Republicans there. Ducey said that whatever happens with NAFTA, Trumps election could still be good for Arizona. I think we have an example of someone who understands that reducing regulations, that putting power back to the states, can help grow our economy, the governor said. So Im very hopeful for whats next. The Friday event in Hermosillo, Son., is the annual winter meeting of the Arizona-Mexico Commission which involves a series of meetings between government and business leaders from both states. Mexicos new ambassador to the U.S. says the country is prepared to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement and wants to restart a guest-worker system that could address concerns about illegal immigration. There is no need to fight each other, Carlos Manuel Sada said during a private meeting Monday with political and business leaders at Hacienda del Sol Resort. We are working together in order to compete with the rest of the world. In response to the U.S. president-elects criticism of NAFTA and calls for a renegotiation, Sada said Mexico realizes the benefits of the agreement have not been properly recognized in either country. The battle of public opinion, we have lost so far, he said, adding that both countries must educate their citizens about the agreement. Efforts such as renaming the agreement or a campaign to promote its benefits could ease tensions about NAFTA, he said. We need to emphasize the data, the job growth in the U.S. because of NAFTA, Sada said. We complement each other. An engineer, Sada previously served as consul general in Los Angeles and New York. The native of Oaxaca, capital of the state of Oaxaca, served as the citys mayor from 1993 to 1995. NAFTA was signed into law in 1994. At the time, relations with the U.S. were minimal, Sada said, noting only about 2.3 million jobs were created as a result of trade. Today, that number has grown to 60 million jobs in both countries. Mexico now has trade agreements with 46 countries and is negotiating with Turkey and Jordan. There is about 40 percent of U.S. content in Mexican exports. Auto production, for example, requires the movement of components across the border up to eight times during the manufacturing process, he said. We dont just buy and sell from each other, Sada said. We produce together and compete with the rest of the world. He said as part of modernizing NAFTA, the movement of workers across the border must be reinstated. He said many expatriates have expressed a desire to return to Mexico and maintain their homes and families there. The circular migration of the past was broken and thats when the problems began, Sada said. We need to re-establish the movement. Dennis Minano, chairman of the Sun Corridor Inc. Board of Directors, co-hosted the ambassador along with Mexicos Tucson consul, Ricardo Pineda. Minano called it a high honor that Sada chose Tucson as the first city to visit on his U.S. tour. The ambassador expressed his delight with the recent successes in Tucson recruiting and expanding businesses, such as Home Goods, Caterpillar and Raytheon, Minano said. He sees the potential in Tucsons new economic model, he said. A couple of cooled cats in the basement of a building off Speedway are simultaneously recording sea temperatures in the Antarctic and predicting the shape and size of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way among many other things. Ocelote and El Gato are the two most-recent components of a high-performance research-computing system at the University of Arizona that grows and shifts to meet demand and also allows researchers to accept donations of grant funds to buy more processors. Mike Bruck, assistant director for research computing at UA, prefers the term high-performance computing to describe what his arrays of processors do. He reserves the word supercomputer for the giant banks of processors put together by the National Science Foundation at eight university and institute sites across the country. Those truly supercomputers contain 200,000 to nearly 1 million processors. The research computers at the UA have about 10,000. Ours are pretty super, but theyre pretty small compared to the big NSF computers, Bruck said. When chemist Steve Schwartz moved his research group to the UA in 2012, he could have bought his own computers with the startup money he received, but he knew he would have to set up and maintain them. He instead bought into the universitys first foray into research computing. When that system was upgraded for a second time this year, he used $200,000 in leftover startup money from the Arizona Board of Regents Technology Research Initiative Fund and a $200,000 match from the National Institutes of Health to buy 1,500 processors on the UAs new Ocelote system. The Ocelote cluster adds nearly 10,000 cores and 60 terabytes of memory. I dont actually own anything, said Schwartz, but his group has first dibs on using his processors. Its needed, he said. His 13-member group, which does theoretical and computational studies of complex systems, has projects that require a good deal of computing power. Schwartz is trying to figure out the physical process that allows enzymes to speed up chemical reactions and is examining the physical properties of surfactants, the molecules that make detergents work and put the foam in beer. In partnership with his wife, UA medical researcher Jil Tardiff, he is also researching the physical mechanism that leads to heart failure in young athletes. Were studying how mutations in your heart cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, he said. Schwartz said his wife brought me kicking and screaming into this with very tiny pieces of cardiac thin-film filament. Now we study the entire cardiac thin filament all the atoms and all the water molecules, over 4 million atoms. Thats a very big system, and you need significant computing power for that. Schwartz said his group can now spend all its time on research, instead of maintaining and fixing computers or writing grants to get on the NSFs supercomputers. Schwartz had his own bank of processors when he and his wife were researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In New York, I owned my own cluster. If something broke, one of us had to go over and figure out what to do about it, he said. He arrived at the UA as the university was ramping up its research-computing facilities. Out of my startup money I bought a nice chunk of that first computer. It was getting turned on the day I walked in the door, he said. Bruck said the benefits of central research computing are many. A team of technicians keeps things running in the basement of the University Information Technology Services Building. The computers are cooled by radiators fed by the universitys chilled water supply. Redundant power feeds from Tucson Electric Power are backed by banks of batteries and a diesel generator on the buildings south side. You dont have to buy processors to use the research computers, said Bruck. The main funding for the UAs high-performance computers comes from the Office of the Chief Information Officer and the Office for Research and Discovery. They are available to anyone doing research on campus and used by more than 120 research groups, he said. When Schwartz isnt using his processors, they become windfall time for projects with lesser priority. Schwartz said he made use of that windfall time on the El Gato system, the 2012 upgrade made possible by grant money from the UAs Department of Astronomy. Schwatrtz said the heart muscle work required visualization, and El Gato was outfitted with 140 graphics-processing units (GPUs), the kind of computing needed for video games. The astronomers use them to simulate astrophysical phenomena. Feryal Ozel and Dimitrios Psaltis, the husband-wife team that is preparing the theoretical basis for an attempt to image the black hole at the center of our galaxy, have fed all of the data about black holes and all of Einsteins theories into El Gato to produce animations of what that image should look like if current theories of relativity are accurate. Oceanographer Joellen Russell was an early proponent of high-performance computing at the UA. The advances of the past few years have allowed her to make the UA the computing center of an international effort to sample the biogeochemical content of the Southern Ocean. Russell, an associate professor of geosciences, is a principal investigator for the NSFs Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling project. The project is run by Princeton University and the floats are deployed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Currently, the project has deployed 57 of 200 floats in the Antarctic. The floats are missile-shaped tanks that submerge to gather data at the 1,000- and 2,000-meter level. The data are available within eight hours, she said. Those data are combined with atmospheric observations to create a more complete picture of the effects of a warming world . The Southern Ocean absorbs half the worlds carbon production and most of its heat, Russell said. Measuring it is important but difficult. Research cruises are expensive and can only be undertaken during the southern summer. The Southern Ocean is the hardest to observe, because it is so far from ship-enriched countries. It has incredibly bad weather. The westerlies are 30 percent stronger and they beat you to death with icebergs, massive waves and wind. The floats deployed by Southern Ocean project provide data yearlong. Scientists will be able to see how much the ocean is warming and what affect that has. Were actually watching the acidification of the ocean in real time, Russell said. The data collected will also serve as a check on treaty promises to reduce carbon emissions and help predict our climate future, Russell said. We dont have any crystal ball except math and supercomputers, she said. This is the new picture of oceanography. Its a revolution. Were going to change the world. Russell said the work could not have been done at the UA 10 years ago, but the computing power and speed has grown exponentially in the past few years. Russell, who recently resigned as chair of the Research Computing Governance Committee, said the computing center generates $200 million a year in grants. Its shocking, really. This is one of those Stone Soup things where everyone brings their good stuff to the table. And this happened during the recession. Its the best thing about being here. We know were not Harvard. We know someone is not going to give us $200 million to buy a supercomputer. Were all basically chipping in to support the university, Russell said. A Guatemalan woman, who suffered seizures while in federal custody in Eloy, was pronounced dead at Banner-Casa Grande Medical Center Sunday, authorities said. The woman was identified as Raquel Calderon de Hildago, 36, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Her family was notified of her death through Guatemalan consular officials. Hospital staff were unable to revive her, states a news release. Medical staff at the Eloy Detention Center called paramedics after Calderon de Hildago suffered a seizure. The woman continued seizing in the ambulance while en route to the hospital, authorities said. The official cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner. Calderon de Hildago was transferred to ICE custody Nov. 23, six days after her arrest by Border Patrol agents near Robles Junction. At the time of her death, she was awaiting a removal process to Guatemala, states the release. Calderon de Hildago is the third person to die in ICE custody in fiscal year 2017, according to the release. As an elementary school teacher in Amado in the 1970s, Lisa DiGiacomo would push the desks to the edges of her classroom after the last bell, making space for impromptu dance lessons in a part of Pima County where artistic outlets were few and far between for many. I really felt like there was a need, she said of those years. The children didnt have a lot down there. DiGiacomo, now 62, started dancing as a young girl in Texas, and would eventually learn under some of the leading lights of classical ballet in the United States, including Frederic Franklin and George Zoritch. In Southern Arizona, she found a way to put those years of learning and practice back to work, an endeavor her husband, Guy DiGiacamo, has been a part of since its earliest days. From the informal setting of her classroom, what are now the Ballet Continental Dance Company and Young Artists Community Ballet Academy of Dance moved into the historic Continental School nearly four decades ago. Pima County owns the nearly century-old structure near Green Valley, where Lisa and Guy are the principal tenants. The school has grown to roughly 140 students and the company has around 20 members. With parents and other close family needing more of their time, and the physical demands of dance getting more challenging, Lisa and Guy, who serves as president of the companys board, have started handing over the reigns to the next generation. Nicholas McClain, a former student and Sahuarita native, took over the academy in the summer, and this Decembers production of The Nutcracker will be the first with performers taught by a new director. Lisa remains the creative director of the company, which puts on The Nutcracker and other productions, and likely will continue in that role for several more years. However, the plan is to eventually let McClain, 34, take over the entire operation with Lisa on hand as a mentor of course. Its been in my heart forever. I founded all this stuff, Lisa said of the school and company. Its my baby still, and I wanted it to go the right person. McClain, who started dancing at the school when he was 8 years old, said he hopes to carry on the heavy emphasis on classical ballet that was so important to him as a young dancer. Hes also juggling a full-time job in Tucson, as well as an online business program with the University of Phoenix. Its critical from the arts perspective, he said. Something that can expose people to a different side of the world that they might not otherwise have gotten a chance to experience or see. I do want to focus on clean technique and classical technique, and ensuring the dance company remains a classical ballet company, he said. That focus is what has kept longtime student Erika Schmidt coming back. Schmidt, 18, is now a University of Arizona freshman, but still involved in the company. She said Lisa, universally known to students and parents as Ms. Lisa, has become a second mother. Its kind of a dying art. So I feel that giving students the experience of classical ballet and being in a performing company is very important to keeping the art alive, she said, adding that she thinks McClain is a good candidate for maintaining that tradition. Parents Leslie Righetti, who has two daughters at the school, and Susanne McQuade, who has one, said the school has also been an invaluable resource, one that they didnt necessarily expect to find in a rural setting like Continental. Righetti praised the school for being committed to a small community to provide the arts, provide access to the arts. As to the transition underway, McQuade said she expects it to be seamless, though she said she does appreciate McClain transitioning to email newsletters and other evidence of his tech proficiency. The reason I think (Nicks) such a good person to lead is that he really sees the same vision, she added. Its a very classical, beautiful vision of ballet that I believe they share. The companys production of The Nutcracker will run from Dec. 2-4 at the Sahuarita Auditorium. More information can be found at balletcontinental.com An undercover Sierra Vista cop posed as a hired killer, leading to the arrest of a former Cochise County Sheriff's deputy in connection with a murder plot, officials said. Israel Burkholder was indicted Nov. 10 on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia, said Corporal Tim Wachtel, a Sierra Vista Police Department spokesman. Over the past several months, detectives had been conducting surveillance on Burkholder, who quit his job with the sheriff's department in March 2015 after he was discovered to have been using prescription painkillers while on duty. During their surveillance, detectives used an undercover officer, who Burkholder believed was a killer for hire who would end the life of a local man in exchange for money, Wachtel said. In his communications with the undercover officer, Burkholder made "overt acts to ensure payment" and provided information that the officer would need to know to carry out the murder, Wachtel said. Burkholder wanted to meet the person he was conspiring with at a local convenience store, and during the meeting provided the undercover officer with the rest of the information necessary to carry out the killing, Wachtel said. Sierra Vista police's special response team was at the convenience store during the meeting, and arrested Burkholder while he was getting ready to drive out of the parking lot. The man South Tucson police shot and killed early Friday was identified Monday as Carlos Valencia, 26. At about 3:45 a.m. Friday, South Tucson police officers responded to a call regarding a man behaving erratically at the Gospel Rescue Mission, 312 W. 28th St., said Police Chief Michael Ford. They located Valencia after he left the mission and attempted to arrest him when he became combative, Ford said. Officers pepper-sprayed Valencia and tried to subdue him with a taser, but he continued down 29th Street, after which he charged the officers and physically attacked them, police said. One of the officers discharged his firearm, striking Valencia, Ford said. Valencia was taken to Banner-University Medical Center, where he died several hours later, Ford said. Police had identified Valencia, but were waiting to notify next of kin before releasing his name. Shortly after, a sheriffs deputy on his way to assist with the investigation into the shooting collided with another vehicle on West 29th Street between South Ninth and 10th avenues, causing the deputys vehicle to flip over in front of the Valencia Market, Ford said. The deputy and the occupant of the other vehicle were treated for their injuries and taken to a hospital. The Pima County Sheriffs Department is handling the investigation into the shooting, said Deputy Ryan Inglett, a spokesman. PHOENIX State schools chief Diane Douglas wants an immediate boost in state aid to schools plus additional dollars to attract and retain teachers. In a plan unveiled Tuesday, Douglas also wants the state to once again pay to build new schools before they are needed and before students are spilling out of crowded buildings. And she said lawmakers and the governor should boost the money they are giving schools for maintenance. All that would be above and beyond the $3.5 billion voters approved for schools in the coming decade about $350 million a year or about $300 per student. Douglas acknowledged the $680 million price tag for what she wants. But she pointed out the state has about $450 million in it's "rainy day'' fund. And Douglas it is up to the governor and lawmakers to decide whether to keep that money there or spend it on education. "As a state, do we want Arizona to have the best education system in the nation and in the world for our children, or simply the cheapest system we can get by with politically,'' she said. In setting the aggressive goal, Douglas is putting pressure on Gov. Doug Ducey who spearheaded the campaign earlier this year for approval of Proposition 123. At the time the governor promised that the additional dollars, most of them coming from a land trust account already set aside for education, would be only a first step. But Ducey has yet to provide any specifics on what more he will propose when the legislature convenes in January. Ten F/A-18 Hornet jets from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, arrived at Davis-Monthan Air Force on Monday evening for two weeks of training. The aircraft, from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, are scheduled to train here until Dec. 15, D-M says. The twin-engine F/A-18 is generally louder than most of the aircraft that fly regularly at Davis-Monthan, including some versions of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, according to Air Force noise data. During the training visits, the aircrews will follow all D-M arrival and departure processes and adhere to noise-abatement procedures, D-M said. Snow on the Santa Catalina Mountains Ryan Simko, visiting from Portland, OR, gets a look at the mountain snow at San Pedro Vista in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, AZ. on Monday, November 28, 2016. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star. A raven found in a leg-hold trap east of Tucson had to be euthanized after it was brought to a wildlife rescue center. A person driving along Redington Road on Saturday afternoon found the bird in the trap and brought it to the Tucson Wildlife Center. The damage to the bird's leg was so severe the animal had to be euthanized, the center said in a news release. The rescuer told center officials that he found the unsecured trap in a sandy wash on public land. The trap is triggered when an animal steps on it. This trap was baited with meat and was likely designed to ensnare bobcats or coyotes, the center said. It is illegal to set a leg-hold trap on public lands and illegal to trap if you haven't paid a trapping fee to the Arizona Department of Game and Fish. It's illegal to trap birds, including ravens, that are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the wildlife center. When Tucson legislator Bruce Wheeler and his family left a Cuban jazz club last Friday they saw crowds of people milling around the streets of Havana, but nobody mentioned the enormous news of the night. Longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro, 90, had died a half-hour earlier. The news didnt reach Wheeler until Saturday morning when a relative in Nebraska contacted them to make sure they were OK. By that time, the normally bustling streets of Havana were eerily quiet, Wheeler said. Wheeler, a Democratic state legislator from Tucson whose grandfather was Cuban, spent a week in Cuba to celebrate his sons birthday and to take in the sights of a land frozen in time, with crumbling buildings and 1957 Chevys cruising the streets, he said. Upon learning of Castros death, Wheeler asked a woman cooking nearby what she thought. She responded nonchalantly, Oh, yeah. He died last night. The woman told him her family was split when it came to Castro. She and her husband didnt like Castro, but her mother-in-law was a Castro supporter, Wheeler said Tuesday from St. Petersburg, Florida, the final stop before returning to Tucson. One is in mourning, the others are not, he said of the cooks family. Officially, of course, everyone is in mourning. Castro led an armed revolution that overthrew the government of dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. Castro held power until 2006, when he ceded control to his brother Raul. Castros Cuba endured decades of a U.S. economic embargo and became a Cold War flashpoint in 1962 that nearly led to nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the process, Castro became a leading voice for leftist leaders in Latin America and elsewhere, as well as a dictator in his own right. In 2009, Human Rights Watch called the Castro brothers rule a system of abusive laws and institutions that led to the arrests of hundreds of political prisoners for staging peaceful marches, criticizing the government in news articles, and trying to create independent unions. Other activities deemed by the government to be dangerous included failing to join official party organizations or attend pro-government rallies. Like the cooks family, some older Cubans supported Castro until his death, while others opposed him, Wheeler said. As the country entered a national nine-day mourning period, students gathered on the steps of the University of Havana to honor Castro, Wheeler said. Many in the younger generation, which is made up of a well-educated workforce, want jobs. The mourning period also spurred a cab driver to grumble to Wheeler, Nine days. I cant make any money for nine days. Raul Castro is now 85 and pledged to step down in 2018 after his term as president expires. The question of the moment is whether post-Castro Cuba will resemble post-war Vietnam, which saw an influx of investment and economic growth, Wheeler said, or the chaotic days following the fall of the Soviet Union. Its like Trump; We dont know whats going to change, but its coming quickly, Wheeler said. President Obama opened relations with Cuba in recent years for the first time in decades. On Nov. 28, President-elect Donald Trump said via Twitter he could pull back from that opening if a better deal isnt worked out. A woman shot four times will get another chance to prove the University of Arizona police officer used excessive force. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday reinstated the lawsuit that Amy Hughes filed against Andrew Kisela following the 2010 incident. Judge William Sessions, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, said a trial judge was wrong to throw the case out before a trial, and before jurors get to decide whose version of events to believe. Sessions said that if jurors believe Hughes version, they could conclude that she had a constitutional right to walk down her driveway holding a knife without being shot. The judge also said that Kisela, as an officer, was not automatically entitled to qualified immunity. According to court records, three UA officers responded to an off-campus report of a person hacking a tree with a knife. When they arrived they saw Hughes emerge from her house carrying a large kitchen knife. When she began to walk toward a woman she lived with, Sharon Chadwick, police yelled for her to drop the knife. Sessions said Chadwick later submitted an affidavit saying Hughes was composed and not threatening. In talking with police afterwards, Chadwick said Hughes had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was taking medication, and that she did not understand what was happening when police yelled for her to drop the knife. Other witnesses, including other police officers, said Hughes never raised the knife. Chadwick said she believed Hughes would have given her the knife if asked and that police should have afforded her that opportunity. But unable to approach the women because of a chain fence, Kisela shot Hughes four times. Bullets hit her in the hip, leg, arm and groin area, said Hughes attorney, Vince Rabago. He said she suffered permanent injuries and has ongoing pain as well as emotional distress. Sessions said Kisela was undoubtedly concerned for Ms. Chadwicks safety. But the judge said that a simple statement by an officer that he fears for his own safety or that of others is not enough to justify use of deadly force. There must be objective factors to justify such a concern, Sessions wrote. The judge also pointed out that officers were called to the scene solely to check the welfare of someone. No crime was reported, he noted. Sessions said the evidence, taken together, is enough to raise questions of fact for a jury to decide after a trial of whether Kisela acted reasonably. One of those questions, he said, is whether there was a better way to deal with Hughes other than shooting her. Police are required to consider what other tactics if any were available, and whether there are clear, reasonable and less intrusive alternatives to the force being contemplated, the judge said. In this case, While the woman with the knife may have acted erratically, was approaching a third party, and did not immediately comply with orders to drop the knife, a jury, if accepting the facts in the light most favorable to Ms. Hughes could find that she had a constitutional right to walk down her driveway holding a knife without being shot. This was a victory for civil rights and common sense, Rabago said, calling the incident a classic case of shoot first, ask questions later. Kisela is being defended by the Attorney Generals Office as he is being sued in his official capacity, which likely would make the university liable for any damages awarded. Help India! By Prashant K. Nanda, IANS Hyderabad : Its breathtaking, majestic and historic but the 400-year-old Charminar, the iconic symbol of Hyderabad, is slowly becoming a victim of errant tourists and street vendors. Support TwoCircles Cement plasters are peeling, the intricate granite work on the Minar corners are chipping off, and the graffiti on the walls by tourists have marred its once splendid visage. The area around it has become a dumping ground, littered with food packets and used water bottles. And the Charminar, built of granite, lime and mortar, is increasingly becoming darker due to air pollution. As one climbs up the winding one-way staircase, one notices uncovered electrical wiring and live wire joints, which could prove dangerous to visitors. The place around Charminar is so dirty. Instead of beautifying the adjacent areas, authorities are allowing businesses to flourish, said S.K. Raju, a tourist from Orissas Berhampur district. We all know that the old city is known for its colour and thriving business but all these can happen at some distance from the monument. The road to Charminar is clogged and all sorts of hawkers have surrounded it, Raju told IANS. Emperor Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah built the over 150-foot-tall structure in 1591 soon after he shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is now known as Hyderabad. A tribute to aesthetics, the structure is an epitome of architectural marvel. Atop the great monument are 45 prayer spaces that have small and large arches. Said Mahesh Thappa, a security guard at the monument: Tourists are defacing the walls. We have complained to the local authorities about the writings on the wall. It can only stop if visitors refrain from such activities. He added: We have caught visitors defacing the walls, writing about their lady loves but were let off after being warned. We are private security guards and dont have the right to punish them. I think people defacing the structure should be fined. Some tourists complain that government negligence and the greed of shopkeepers are degrading the architectural beauty. It is in a very bad shape compared to what it was four years ago. The number of hawkers has grown manifold and they do not hesitate to throw waste around the iron railings of Charminar, said Aftab Ahemad, a resident of the city. Both shopkeepers and locals park their two-wheelers close to the monument and litter the surroundings. You will find litter even as you climb up the winding steps, he said. Everyone is busy making money, but no one bothers about Charminar. It is crying but no one listens to it, Ahemad, an IT professional, said with concern. Byomkesh, another tourist, said that although the area was highly sensitive and a bomb blast had occurred at the nearby Mecca Masjid, security arrangements were still not adequate. Police were least bothered about frisking visitors entering the Charminar boundary and the metal detector is not functioning, he said, while walking over a metal detector to prove his point. Asked about the state of Charminars preservation, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) official in New Delhi said: The state office is taking care of the monument. People have a habit of blaming officials, but why are they defacing the walls? They display their love by writing on monument walls. Shouldnt they be responsible as well? Help India! By TCN News Muslim Aarakshan Sangharsh Kruti Samiti, an umbrella organisation of various political and religious groups, organised a Million March in Nanded on Sunday for Muslim reservation and other social issues of Marathas, Dalits and farmers. Support TwoCircles The march was organised in a well-discipline manner, without any slogans and community flags. The only flag visible was the National flag mounted on an open-top Jeep, which was heading the protest. This is the first time in the history of Maharashtra that women took massive participation in the Muk Morcha. All stakeholders of the community, including religious scholars, lawyers, teachers, and students, medical practitioners, businessmen and engineers were at the forehead of successful conduction of this Morcha. The first and foremost demand was to offer 10% reservation for Muslims, followed by protection of Muslim Personal Law and an end to attacks on Muslims and Dalits in the name of Gaurakshaks. The Morcha also demanded that no innocent Muslim should be targeted in the name of terror charges. People also asked for death sentence to culprits of rape and murder Cases from Khairlanji to Kopardi. Implementation of Swaminathan Aayog was also raised. Interestingly, there was also the demand to give reservations to the Maratha community in the state without touching the quota of OBCs. Political leaders across the different political parties participated in the protest. Many SC/ST/OBC and Maratha organisations extended their full support in the favor demands of this protest. The speeches, delivered by students of the community, reflected the plight and sufferings of Muslim Community in recent times. Many student speakers highlighted how Muslim religious and political leaders sacrificed their lives for the freedom movement of this country. One of the students criticized the government for ineffectively handling the issues of Muslim reservation and biased way of targeting Muslims and Dalit community in the country. There was anger among many protesters against the government in power giving controversial statements about Muslim Personal Law and the rights of women in Islam. Help India! By TCN News A nine-member Fact Finding Team (FFT) from various civil society organisations and institutions visited Bhopal from November 4 to 6 to look into the encounter of 8 SIMI undertrials, as well as the alleged murder of a security guard. The team visited the encounter site, spoke to the officials, visited the family of the deceased, and interviewed some of the prime witnesses and investigating officers in the case. Support TwoCircles The following are the key points of the document: Non cooperation and hostility from the Madhya Pradesh administration: The team received zero co-operation from the police. The team wrote several letters seeking permission to visit the Jail as well as the senior officials of the prison. However, all permission was peremptorily denied. In fact, the police as well as other official tried all means to prevent the team from getting any information. The even tried to dissuade the team from speaking to different stakeholders in the issue. Members of the FFT also felt that they were being continuously followed. They were also intimidated by people who claimed to be from media. One of these media personnel later confessed to one of the member of FFT that he was from Crime Branch. FFT did not see any consistency in narratives of different stakeholders and witnesses of the incident. Hence, the FFT concluded that it was difficult to believe the popular state version of the murder, Jailbreak and encounter. Questions surrounding Ramshankar Yadavs Murder: There are several questions that raise serious doubts about official version of death of Ramashankar Yadav, (the security personnel in Prison) allegedly at the hands of the eight under-trial prisoners. FFT met his family and found that his family was extremely scared and totally unsatisfied by states version of the story. They shared about health issues of Ramshankar Yadav (he was a Heart Patient), his bad relationship with Prison officials, forcing him for night shifts against his wish, the strange and unexplained shift in his duty on the date of incident (He had a day shift on that particular day and not a night one), etc. Interaction with the family convinced the FFT that story shared by official sources could not be relied upon and there is a need of proper investigation. The most important finding at Ramshankars house was that his family is under serious threat from some unknown media sources. The family was not just in shock but also under tremendous amount of fear. They told the FFT that they wanted to raise many questions but couldnt do it and requested the FFT to do so. Questions regarding eyewitness to murder: Chandan Ahirwal (also a prison security personnel), who was supposedly very good friend of Ram Shankar Yadav is the only eyewitness to the official version of Ramshankars murder. FFT was informed through various sources that Chandan was being hidden from media and he is also under serious threat. FFT was informed by one of the officials that he only repeats the fact that he has a nine-year-old daughter and he fears for her security. FFT felt that threat on Chandan was not unrelated to threat faced by Ram Shankars family. FFT also interviewed Investigating officers at the site of encounter who reiterated the official version of the story. FFT found the story unbelievable. For instance, the details of how Chandan was tied down as hostage while his friend Ramshankar Yadav was killed and he didnt raise alarm for next one hour is difficult to believe by any stretch of imagination. Virtual impossibility of jailbreak: Despite repeated attempts, the FFT was denied permission to visit the Bhopal Central Prison. The FFT met an undertrial prisoner who was bailed a week before the incident. He shared details of security in Bhopal Central Prison (along with hand-drawn map of prison layout) and explained that the Jail could not be broken down. He demonstrated to the FFT how it was impossible for someone to escape from Bhopal Prison without anyone taking notice of it. He also told the FFT that there was no point in probing on encounter site as encounter story could be believed only if story of prison break could be proved, which according to him was next to impossible. Questions at the Encounter site: FFT found that the alleged encounter site was a hill cliff which had a dead end. The site of encounter was neither preserved nor cordoned off. Tampering of evidence could be done by anyone at that site. The marking where dead body was found suggested that all the encountered men were standing very close to each other and seems inconsistent with the official version(s) that they were firing. The FFT felt that if bodies were lying close to each other, there could be only three possibilities, (1) either they were collectively offering to surrender, or (2) they were collectively challenging to fire (prepared to die) or (3) they were not actually encountered there but were brought there after being encountered somewhere else. Inconsistencies in eyewitness accounts: b> FFT also interviewed some of the eye witnesses to the entire episode and there were number of inconsistencies with respect to eyewitness account of timing of the incident, weapons used in the incident, etc. FFT felt that there were certain tutored eye-witnesses whose accounts were similar but when details were asked contradictions became apparent. Also, account of tutored witnesses were not same as that of untutored witnesses. For instance, the account of Suraj Singh Meena (tutored witness) about timing of encounter (11:30 am) was very different from account of another eye-witness who said that he reached at 10:00 am sharp and the encounter process was already over. Some of the villagers shared that a small group of police had initially met the Sarpanch of village, Madan Meena. FFT felt that there was a possibility of connivance between the Sarpanch and the police personnel in planning and fabricating the encounter incident. Many of the videos made by eyewitnesses were deleted from their mobile by police. Some villagers also shared that they were promised a cash reward from the police. Injuries on the bodies of accused: The FFT looked at the videos of Dead bodies prepared by family members before their final rituals. The bullet marks suggest that all the bullets were fired from a very close range and above the waist. Proper investigation needs to be done regarding the same. Families of accused: FFT met families of five out of the eight encountered people. Family of the encountered people were extremely scared for their family and children. They feared that rest of their children could also be booked under terror case. Some of the family members have been severely harassed just before and after the encounter. All the eight accused were undertrial prisoners and no terror case was proved against any of them. Flouting of mandatory procedures by authorities: Many mandatory legal procedures have been bypassed by the authorities in the entire episode. For instance, post-mortem was done in great haste in the absence of Magistrate which is against the law. Prize money was declared without going through an official process. The guidelines provided for mandatory investigation of encounter killings provided by Supreme Court were totally breached. FFT strongly feels that there were efforts by the police to hide information and not to genuinely investigate it. Members of the Fact-Finding Team: Ashok Kumari: National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation Ansar Indori: National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation Hisham: Solidarity Youth Movement, Kerala M H Banna: Senior Journalist, Madhyamam Daily Salman Khan: TISS fellow (Rehabilitation of wrongly prosecuted/Innocents Swati Gupta: Bastar Solidarity Network Surya Ghildyal: Research Associate, Quill Foundation Timisha Dadhich: MA Criminology and Justice, TISS (Student, 2nd Year) Vipul Kumar: Researcher, Quill Foundation Help India! By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net Poorvanchal, the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh is referred as gateway to power at Lucknow. The reason being that it commands the highest number of seats-117-in nearly 28 districts. Support TwoCircles With poor result in 2012, this time BJP has thrown all its weight behind conquering the region. From inducting ministers in cabinet to rolling out projects and rallies by senior leaders, Poorvanchal now remains first priority of the saffron brigade. The importance of Poorvanchal region can be gauged from the fact that Prime Minister has addressed five rallies in the region during past seven months. In 2012 assembly polls, this Poorvanchal region has proved to be the weakest link for BJP as it got only 12 of the 117 seats. Ruling Samajwadi Party too has started his election campaign officially from Ghazipur district while BJP began its Parivartan Yatra from Ballia. The BJP had swept through the region in 2014, winning 18 Lok Sabha seats, with Mulayam Singhs triumph in Azamgarh the only exception. For 2017, BJP is not leaving anything to chance. It is focusing on Gorakhpur division which has 62 seats, and where they won only 8 seats in 2012. This time the BJP brigade is going full throttle. Firebrand leader and Yogi Adityanath has been given command of the region, and his outfit Hindu Yuva Vahini is active in the eastern region. The region also shares border both with Nepal internationally and Bihar within the country. BJP has already tied up with Bhartiya Samaj Party of Om Prakash Rajbhar, which has considerable clout among Rajbhar community. BJP is also trying the development agenda, with foundation stones for factories and hospitals being laid in the region by the central government. Already, four MPs from Poorvanchal have been given place in cabinetAnupriya Patel of Mirzapur, Mahendranath from Chandauli, Manoj Sinha of Ghazipur and Kalraj Mishra of Deoria. Going by the performance of BJP in 2012, it seems that it cannot go down any further and hence an aggressive campaigning is expected to yield good result for the Lotus. Help India! Patna : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived here on Tuesday evening to stage a protest here on Wednesday against demonetisation. I will stage a dharna and will say something on my next move to oppose demonetisation, the Trinamool Congress leader told the media soon after arriving from Lucknow. Support TwoCircles Help India! New Delhi : The Bihar government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it was not averse to the shifting of RJD strongman Mohammed Shahabuddin from Siwan district jail to Tihar Jail in Delhi or the transfer of trial in 45 cases he faces. Telling the bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy that there were 75 cases against the criminal turned politician, counsel for the Bihar governmentsaid that Shahabuddin was convicted in 10 cases Shahabuddin, acquitted in 20 and in remaining 45 cases, the trial is on hold at present. Support TwoCircles Counsel told the court that there were about 500 witnesses in 45 cases where trials were put on hold, as Bihar government has challenged a lower court order granting him legal assistance. Shahabuddin was granted legal assistance on his plea that he had no money to engage lawyers. This order of the lower court was challenged by the Bihar government which has contended that RJD strongman faced no paucity of resources to engage lawyers. Backing the position taken by Bihar government, senior counsel Dushyant Dave named the eminent lawyers who had appeared for Shahabuddin in the past. Dave appeared for Chandrakeshwar Prasad whose three sons were killed allegedly by the henchmen of Shahabuddin. However, the bench asked why the plea for legal assistance by Shahabuddin was being opposed by the state government. Senior counsel Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, told the court that his client was in jail for last 11 years and if trial in 45 cases was shifted to Delhi, then it would take 20 years for then to conclude. He cited the figure of 500 witnesses mentioned by the Bihar governments lawyers. Advocate Rohit Singh also appearing for Chandrakeshwar Prasad cited the earlier judgment of the top court in Pappu Yadav case in support of his plea for the shifting of Shahabuddin to Delhi including the trial in 45 cases. The court had on Monday said that this is the situation which is the test case of our criminal jurisprudence in context of witnesses protection and the concept of fair trial. The top court had on October 24 issued notice to Shahabuddin on the plea by Prasad and Asha Ranjan, widow of a journalist allegedly killed on Shahabuddins orders, seeking his transfer from Siwan jail to Tihar Jail in Delhi and holding of his trial through video-conferencing. Reversing the Patna High Courts September 7 order granting him bail, the top court had on September 30 had ordered Shahabuddin back to jail in the Rajiv Roshan murder case as it pointed to the need for balancing the consideration of individual liberty of the accused with that of societal interest. Hearing will continue on Wednesday. Brahmarakshas started its supernatural journey on Zee TV just a few months back and was touted to be the channels best offering till date in the supernatural arena. While the show picked up quite well initially due to positive word of mouth, the rating chart seems to have been showing a dipping picture lately. The show was seen as the channel's answer to Colors TV's most loved show "Naagin" and a way to explore the super natural genre. Produced by Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms Brahmarakshas- Jaag Utha Shaitaan is said to be a mix of old Bollywood movie "Jaani Dushman" and the Hollywood classic "Beauty and the Beast" 'Brahmarakshas' to be pulled off air in February 2017? Now online reports suggest that the curtains may be pulled down finally for Brahmarakshas very soon. On the other hand reports of the fact that the show was a finite series right from its very inception is also doing rounds. Whatever may be the reason, the fact is that Brahmarakshas will most probably be concluded very soon. Few online reports have suggested that it will go on till February 2017 while there is no confirmation on the same. Recently the cast of the show saw a major change which is now seen as an attempt to push up falling ratings. Kishwer Merchantt replaced the main character of the show who essayed the character of Brahmarakshas. Though she did justice to her character, the audience did not take the change so well and the original actor Parag Tyagi had to be brought back. Mohini enters the current plot to spice up things The upcoming episodes will also see a new entry on the show with the introduction of a new character named Mohini which will be essayed by Indian televisions well-known actress Rakshanda Khan. She will be shown as the main villain in the show, more cruel and more manipulative than even the Brahmarakshas himself. Mohini will be seen kidnapping the Bramharakshas and selling him off to scientists who will try to clone him and spread his terror across global at a massive scale. Brahmarakshas airs on Zee TV Saturday and Sunday 9 pm IST. The uncertainty of the post-Brexit vote hangs like a sword of Damocles over the future of the UK as Theresa May's government is facing a new legal challenge about the UK's single market membership. Yet pro-Brexit voters are unanimous about it: Let's Brexit build a better democracy and prosperity. (Get Britain out) But how is Brexit a democratic victory that ensures the UK's growth? The forgotten 4.2 million in the democratic vote However, the Brexit discussion ignores an essential point: There are currently around 3 million of perfectly legal EU citizens in the UK and the 1.2 million of British expats in the European Union.They have built a life for themselves. They have assimilated a different culture, they follow the regulations of the country they live in. For many, they For them, the dramatic result of the referendum was their worst nightmare becoming reality. It appears in the light of the post-Brexit vote that the UK has taken 4.2 million of individuals in hostage for the sake of popular democracy. For them, the uncertainty of a Brexit deal is a life-changing matter that Theresa Mays government has so far failed to address effectively. Brexit, or the death of democracy as we knew it For the expats on both sides of the English Channel, the message from the authorities has remained the same since the referendum: No change made to the EU situation. What changes are to come is another question and a question that is desperately in need of a clear answer. In the UK, the Home Office provides currently neither information nor advice for the EU citizens who wish to maintain their lives and families in the British society they now live in. Since the 23rd June, there has been little reassurance offered to them, even though there is still hope to stop the Brexit movement. One can't ignore that the fairness of the EU referendum in the UK is debatable as the vote deliberately ignored legal citizens who were not given the chance to have a say about their own future. Wouldnt we call it anti-democratic in any other country that many have the power of depriving legal citizens of their rights of movement, employment, and life? The UK needs immigration because native Britons are "bloody stupid," claimed Lord Kerr of Kinlochard at an event held by the Institute for Government. While this may be a little excessive, there is no denying that a country needs the "injection of intelligent people" to keep running and growing. In the light of the post-referendum movements, one can in all honesty wonder if the Brexit vote can be taken as seriously as politicians believe it is. People voted for a Brexit campaign built on lies One of the key arguments for keeping the UK to itself and safely out of the EU was the pledge that 350 million a week could be given to the NHS instead of the EU. Unfortunately, it rapidly appeared that the promise of a better, wealthier UK was a big, fat lie. Nigel Farage admitted that parts of the Brexit campaign were untrue. A legal case launched by Marcus Ball and entirely supported by crowd-funding is targeting the politicians who lied as part of their Eu referendum campaign. For the sake of fairness, Marcus Bell's legal team will be looking at the lies of both Brexit and Remain campaigns. Yet, this sets a dangerous situation in which it is difficult not to query the validity of the vote result. The Brexit vote leads to over 40% increase in hate crimes Racist and hate crimes have been on the rise following the Brexit victory. Abusive language, unfair dismissal, violence, you name it.The Police have confirmed the violent reactions that the Brexit campaign has wrongly justified. Many immigrants in the UK have faced terrible attacks in relation to the Brexit beliefs. The tragic killing of Jo Cox by a violent, nationalist Briton has been the culminant point of the Brexit madness as experienced by the great public. The violence that divided the UK was not caused by immigrants, as promised by Nigel Farage, but in greater parts by native Britons. Can we truly trust a nation that has shown its most bestial face to be in a legal position of deciding of the future to come? Can any vote that leads to such brutal behaviour be judged valid? Britons are changing their minds about Brexit vote Fully understanding the meaning of their decision in the light of the so far ineffectiveness of Theresa May's government, over a million of Britons now wish they voted Remain. It is still unclear whether there will be a second referendum based on more honest campaigns, or whether the Parliament will be able to stop Brexit from becoming a country of "bloody stupid" people as mentioned by Lord Kerr. Yet, other EU members in the past did no follow the democracy path: They have chosen to ignore the vote of their people to leave the union. In the light of the current indecision and social instability, we can only hope that Brexit can be toned down for the sake of an intelligent UK. The hastily scribbled notes (which made them difficult to decipher) were caught by a camera outside 10 Downing Street on Monday. They seem to suggest that the political powers handling Brexit have given up hope of a single market as was the original plan and are no longer looking to Norways trade deal for inspiration. There are also suggestions that the UK will leave the authority of the European Court of Justice (though this wont necessarily lead to a barren, lawless, Mad Max-style wasteland), which fits the Prime Ministers policy against immigration, and that a Canada-plus trade deal will be reached. The team at Downing Street have been quick to dismiss the notes, saying they dont represent government policy. However, they do represent the inside track on Theresa Mays Brexit negotiations. Notes reveal Theresa Mays Brexit plan The notes allude to a transitional agreement as the UK leaves the EU, stating that without transition, the negotiations would be problematic for EU, while the model they are going for with Brexit is simply referred to as have cake and eat it, which is apparently the best May can offer in terms of political strategy. This might be why she has continued to refuse to reveal her strategy, because it is so comically simplistic. Michael Barniers name is jotted down on the document next to a note that it is unlikely well be offered single market, and saying that the criteria if this is the case is clear, and that is the more open the better. Barnier is the chief negotiator for the EU and hell be instrumental during these Brexit dealings. Also, leaving the European Court of Justice comes up as ECJ and control of borders wont fit Mays leanings against immigration. French likely to be most difficult It was originally suggested that the UK would be taking a similar deal to Norway with Brexit, but it looks as though they have turned against that idea. The notes point out two elements as to why no Norway, being no ECJ intervention and unlikely to do internal market. They say they are looking now to a Canadian deal situation instead as the notes also add, French likely to be most difficult, and, Dont want instability in Europe...fearful of us as competitor. The notes were being carried by an aide to staunchly pro-Remain Tory MP Mark Field (the city he represents is only London, the capital city and business epicentre of the country), who had been in a department in 9 Downing Street, the building that houses Brexit Secretary David Davis office, and was headed to No. 10 for a quick pop-in when the footage was captured, before going back to the belly of the beast known as Parliament. Field has declined to comment. The death of Fidel Castro, the monster that has blighted Cuba for the past nearly six decades, may have another casualty. The collateral damage seems to be the reputation of Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose accolade for the fallen tyrant has made him the laughing stock of the world. When Trudeau assumed the leadership of Canada, replacing the stodgy Stephen Harper, the world press swooned over the handsome, cool politician, the son of another Canadian prime minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, who was also handsome and cool five decades ago. However, when he stated, It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cubas longest-serving president the world looked on in astonishment. When he went on to praise Castro as being well loved by his people, touting his alleged accomplishments in education and health care, with not a mention of firing squads, concentration camps, and torture chambers, the laughter began, as Macleans noted. Castro has always had a fan base of useful idiots in the West, loving the bearded, uniformed revolutionary for his standing up to the big, imperialist United States. None of these rubes have been, until now, in charge of a NATO country. Now Canadas prime minister is the butt of jokes throughout social media. The country that he was elected to lead is mortified that the younger Trudeau exists. No doubt the opposition Conservative Party, due to choose a new permanent leader next May, is going to not let Trudeau forget the mother of all gaffes. In any case, Canadas young, vacuous prime minister is going to be out of step in the coming new world order, with right-leaning adults taking power in Great Britain, France, and the United States. What the mercurial Donald Trump will do to Trudeau on the occasion when the two men first meet as leaders is something delicious to contemplate. If the Liberal Party wants to remain in power in Canada for any length of time, it might consider getting rid of Trudeau and replacing him with an adult. Then he can go somewhere quiet and isolated and think hard and long about what he has done. The United States Army wants to utilize the skills of those with advanced technical computer expertise. Those who can penetrate security systems are being asked to see if they can locate bugs, exploits or other security issues across United States' Army networks and servers. The new initiative is being labeled a bug bounty, a term coined by Netscape employee Jarrett Ridlinghafer in 1996. The concept which was an early approach to crowd based support will now seek to allow hackers access to U.S. Army materials to teach the organization how to better protect it's assets and secure its global digital communications. The U.S. Army is working with HackerOne, an initiative that was launched by Microsoft, Facebook and Google to pool resources and knowledge around how to defend against the on-going scope of cyber threats, to develop this new community outreach program. The new initiative is being modeled after the HackerOne program Hack the Pentagon was able to uncover 138 security vulnerabilities in less than 24 days. In reaching out to a vast crowd of interested participants crowd based efforts such as these have been utilized by individuals and industries around the world to better understand internal organizational processes, competitors and many other unique areas of interest. Save the Planet, Hack the Army HackerOne has already launched similar programs to improve cyber security at internationally renowned organizations such as Uber, Twitter, New Relic, General Motors, Github, CloudFlare, Kaspersky Labs, Panasonic Avionics, Snapchat, Zenefitsand the Department of Defense. The Department of Defense was quick laud the efforts of the private researchers who lent their technical expertise to previous projects. Rather than having top federal cyber security talent focused on locating threats, they are increasingly able to direct efforts towards addressing them. The full size and scope of the Hack the Army campaign have not yet been released. It has been suggested that similarly to the Hack the Pentagon initiative, all interested participants will need to pass a security and background screening to be able to access the U.S. Army materials. Hack the Army registration is now open! Register now for a chance to paticipate https://t.co/GHOKFCodc9 #hackthearmy pic.twitter.com/G7g2fOJpaz HackerOne (@Hacker0x01) November 21, 2016 Anyone interested in trying to Hack the Army is directed to check out the HackerOne Twitter account: @hacker0x01 or seek out the HackerOne website to learn more about how to get involved. There are 18 million people aged 60 and older who spend more than six months a year living away from their registered hometowns, according to a migrant population report released by China's National Health and Family Planning Commission last month. Unlike young migrants, who are quick-learners and have large social circles in big cities, the elderly have fewer friends and less access to healthcare, often finding it hard to adapt to an alien world. Zhang Zhenhui, 62, is a native of Hezhou city, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. His son works in real estate in the regional capital Nanning. In 2013, when Zhang's daughter-in-law was about to give birth, Zhang and his wife moved to Nanning to look after the baby. Now that his grandson is going to enter kindergarten, Zhang has told his son that they are leaving to take care of a second grandchild, to be delivered by his daughter back home. "Actually, it is just an excuse; we are tired of living here," Zhang said. He described babysitting as tiring and boring, adding that his son and daughter-in-law seldom talk to him after work, making Zhang and his wife feel even more lonely. In China, where most young women have jobs, children are usually looked after by their grandparents. While young people flow into the big cities to earn a living, their parents often join them to help out with the children. In the past two years, with China introducing a universal second-child policy, such arrangements are even more common. According to the family planning commission report, up to 43 percent of elderly migrants take care of their grandchildren. While many senior citizens leave their hometown to look after their grandchildren, others head to cities to have their family look after them. Xu Shouye, 71, is one of them. After his wife died two years ago, Xu moved from a rural area in Henan province to Chongqing Municipality in Southwest China, where his son works. "My son will not let me go outside, because he thinks I will get lost," Xusaid. "It is like a cage." Zou Shunkang, a public administration professor at Southwest University in Chongqing, called for young people to talk with their parents and address their emotions. He suggested volunteers and social organizations offer more services for seniors. "Local governments should step up efforts to address regional disparities in social benefits so that migrants of all ages can have their medical expenses covered," he said. [File photo] China's "24 solar terms" received attention at the 11th session of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages that opened in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa on Monday. During the meeting, it was announced that China's "24 solar terms" will apply to be added onto the world's intangible cultural heritage list. China's "24 solar terms" is a knowledge system and social practice formed through observation of the sun's annual motion, and cognition of the whole year's changes of season, climate and phenology. The 24 terms include Start of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox, Clear and Bright, Grain Rain, Start of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Major Heat, Start of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost's Descent, Start of Winter, Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, Minor Cold and Major Cold. It is among the 37 requests proposed for the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the requests will be examined during the meeting along with five nominations for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The meeting will last from Nov 28 to Dec 2. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages in its 10 years of service has inscribed 336 elements onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Related: 24 Solar Terms It remains the conventional wisdom among overseas companies that their success or failure in China will be largely determined by the effectiveness of their local strategies. There are approximately 77 million foreign companies that operate in China in some fashion, according to a report released by China's Administration for Industry and Commerce in January. It came as no surprise to me that during the recent Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Facebook, the social networking giant, was reported to have quietly created software to censor content on its website in China, an effort that signifies its willingness to abide by local laws on cyber content and security. Given China's massive potential as the world's largest mobile and internet market with more than 721 million users, no US brands can afford to lose an opportunity there. Facebook is under pressure for continuous growth and looking for its next billion users. It sells ads for many businesses from its Hong Kong office. Some Western observers suspect that Facebook is paying too high a price for entering the Chinese market; for example, a recent article on Forbes.com called Facebook's content censorship "a tough choice", and an analysis at The New York Times referred to the software as "suppression tools". All foreign companies operating in China need to follow local rules, and they should carefully construct their strategies to consider differences in ideology, cultural and social norms, and more importantly, the laws of China. To be effective in China, the management of a foreign company should nurture cultural sensitivity and display a willingness to adapt products, services and management styles to meet industry norms. Companies must build trust with local clients and industry administrators while adhering to international business standards and corporate ethics. I applaud the great efforts that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made over the years to cultivate a relationship with China. He, among several other CEOs at American high-tech companies such as Tim Cook at Apple, Virginia Rometty at IBM and Jeffrey Bezos at Amazon, was received by President Xi Jinping in Seattle during his US state visit in 2015. Zuckerberg has made himself a household name in China by visiting many times, giving a speech at Tsinghua University in Mandarin, jogging near the Forbidden City, and along with his wife and toddler daughter, sending Chinese New Year greetings in Mandarin. According to insiders, the new feature of Facebook's software will prevent certain content from appearing in feeds to comply with government requests. Instead of blocking the posts itself, Facebook would open-source the software to a third party, most likely a Chinese partner company, to monitor sensitive posts that might go viral. It would be the Chinese partner's responsibility to determine whether such content should be removed or not. In response to employees' questions about the tool, Zuckerberg said at a gathering in July at Facebook's Menlo Park, California headquarters: "It's better for Facebook to be a part of enabling conversation, even if it's not yet the full conversation (with China)." A Facebook spokesperson said "we have long said that we are interested in China, and are spending time understanding and learning more about the country". Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com SEOUL - South Korean President Park Geun-hye is expected to offer to relinquish some of her power when she addresses the nation on Tuesday but is not expected to announce her immediate resignation, Yonhap news agency quoted a presidential official as saying. "It looks like she will indicate a direction to let go (of some power) in the large scheme of things," Yonhap quoted an unidentified official at the presidential Blue House as saying. Migrants disembark from the rescue vessel Responder, a rescue boat run by the Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station and the Italian Red Cross, in the Italian harbor of Vibo Marina, Italy, October 22, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] GENEVA - This year has seen the largest number of asylum seekers that have crossed into Italy by boat in recent years on record, according to statistics released recently by the UN refugee agency and the Italian government. Since the start of the year, close to 171,000 people have arrived in the European country from North Africa, topping the previous record of 170,000 set in 2014. The flow of migration in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece has been greatly reduced after Ankara stepped up border policing and closed a humanitarian corridor between Greece and Germany. European countries are using navy frigates to arrest smugglers in international waters. Yet the effort has failed to cut migration in the central Mediterranean between Libya and Italy, while the Italian route has become the main migrant gateway into Europe. Libya's civil war has weakened the country's law enforcement agencies, thus leaving European governments alone in the fight against illegal migration. The majority of migrants bound for Italy are fleeing poverty, conflicts and wars in Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan and Gambia. The Syrian refugees no longer use the Libyan route. According to the International Organization for Migration and the UN refugee agency, at least 4,690 migrants are confirmed to have died or disappeared in the Mediterranean so far this year. HANOI -- As many as 20,000 domestic violence cases have been reported each year in Vietnam over the last five years with increasingly serious violence, according to Ministry of Health (MoH) on Tuesday. In every two or three days, one person is killed due to domestic violence, the majority of whom are women and children, Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA quoted the MoH as saying. To respond to the problem, along with providing health care services for victims, the MoH said it will coordinate with relevant agencies in handling domestic violation cases in line with law. From Nov 15 to Dec 15 this year, Vietnam is observing the National Action Month on Gender Equality and Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls for the first time, which calls on men to become pioneers in preventing violence against women. Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. Independence School District(INDEPENDENCE, Mo.) -- One girl who stumbled upon a discarded scratch-off selflessly used the $100 winnings to feed less fortunate families on Thanksgiving. "She was just so happy that she as able to do something like that," mom Audrey Brown of Independence, Missouri, told ABC News. "She wanted to show us that she's learned to give back. It's good to know that we've instilled that in our daughter." Phoebe Brown, 7, found a discarded scratch-off ticket while grocery shopping with her mom and sister Lexi, 2, on Nov. 9. "We were walking to the registers and I stepped over it," Brown said. "[Phoebe] said, 'Mom, mom! It's a winner!' I saw it was $100. I was surprised." Phoebe is a second-grade student at Sycamore Hills Elementary School in Independence. In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, the school was running a food drive for families in need. Rather than spending the ticket on herself, Phoebe chose to buy groceries with the $100 to add to her school's food donations, Brown said. "For a mother, it's more than you could possibly imagine," Brown said of her daughter's kind act. "You expect to wait to hear or see that when they grow up. It was a total blessing." The Sycamore Hills student body collected over 1,700 canned goods and household items. Brown hopes other kids can learn from Phoebe's good deed. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. HA NOI - Viettels Customer Insights software took a bronze medal in the Research and Development category at the ASEAN ICT Awards 2016 held in Brunei on November 25. This is the first time a Vietnamese product has won a big data international prize. The software surpassed more than 100 products from ASEAN countries and made it to the list of 18 finalists at the competitions final round in Yangon, Myanmar on August 22. This Viettel system, built in 2013 on the foundation of a Real-Time Big Data Analytics Platform (vRTAP), collects and analyses telecom customer needs, and to make decisions on telecommunications and e-commerce advertising, based on algorithm models. Viet Nam also won the gold prize for Monkey Junior of the Early Start Company in the start-up category. Nguyen Thanh Hung, deputy minister of information and communications, said he was very proud that Viet Nam had won awards this year, reflecting "the dedication of Viet Nam as an ASEAN member and the creative capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in the ICT sector". The ASEAN ICT Awards is an initiative adopted at the ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers (TELEMIN) Meeting in 2011. The award is designed to identify and honour creative and applicable ICT products and solutions; universalise ICT in the community and promote trade ties among ASEAN countries. - VNS HA NOI The deputy minister of finance urged the general departments of customs and taxation to further administrative reform efforts to facilitate businesses, which still have several questions about tax and customs procedures. The Ministry of Finance is committed to hasten reforms of tax and customs policies aimed at creating the best business environment, Vu Thi Mai said at the dialogue held by the ministry and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) yesterday in Ha Noi. The dialogue drew the participation of more than 400 companies and industry associations. Mai said the ministries welcomed all comments from businesses which would contribute significantly to improve policies. During the past five years, the finance ministry has broadened dialogues with businesses, aimed at providing them with updates to address their difficulties. According to VCCIs Deputy Chairman Hoang Quang Phong, slow tax settlement and slow customs clearance were among the problems that businesses faced. Phong said dialogue and training of the updates to policies must be promoted in addition to transparency in tax and customs procedures. Cao Anh Tuan, deputy director of the General Department of Taxation, said tax policies had been amended to ensure they were appropriate with the global integration trend and the countrys economic development, and would contribute to removing difficulties for taxpayers, coupled with efforts for simplifying tax procedures. Accordingly, tax procedures had already been reduced from 385 to 300. E-tax declaration and payment were applied nationwide, which helped cut tax payment time from 537 hours in 2013 to current 117 hours. In addition, online tax refund was under the pilot phase and would soon be applied widely. Vu Ngoc Anh, deputy director of the General Department of Customs, said customs reforms were made towards facilitating import and export, implementing a national single window and improving transparency. At the dialogue, tax and customs official answered questions of businesses, related to special consumption tax, tax policies on automobiles and regulations on temporary import. According to Mai, the Ministry of Finance will work closely with relevant ministries and organisations to implement measures to support businesses. VNS ROME An alert and chatty Italian woman, Emma Morano, on Tuesday celebrates her 117th birthday as the last known person alive who was born in the 19th century. Born November 29, 1899, she is the worlds oldest living person and the secret to her longevity appears to lie in eschewing usual medical wisdom. "I eat two eggs a day, and thats it. And cookies. But I do not eat much because I have no teeth," she told AFP in an interview last month in her room in Verbania, a town in northern Italy on Lake Maggiore. On a marble-topped chest of drawers stands proudly the Guinness World Records certificate declaring her to be the oldest person alive. The eldest of eight children who has outlived all her younger siblings, Morano knows that this landmark birthday will be an event to celebrate and that people are curious about her. "People come. I dont invite anybody but they come. From America, Switzerland, Austria, Turin, Milan... They come from all over to see me," she said with an amused smile. But shes not sure she will eat some birthday cake, saying "the last time I ate a little, but then I did not feel good." Birthdays aside, Morano is a solitary person. Having left her violent husband in 1938 shortly after the death in infancy of her only son, she lived alone, working in a factory producing jute sacks to support herself. She clung to her independence, only taking on a full-time carer last year, though she has not left her small two-room apartment for 20 years, and has been bed-bound for the last year. While her mind is alert, she is very deaf, speaks with difficulty and does not see well enough to watch television, spending her time instead either sleeping or snacking. Among the plans surrounding the birthday, she is expected to receive some relatives and journalists as well as Verbania Mayor Silvia Marchionini. And in the town at the local theatre there will be a performance of music over three centuries in Moranos honour and also a preview of a romanticised biography called "The woman who saw three centuries." AFP GIA LAI An exhibition featuring posters to commemorate 70 years of the national resistance (December 19, 1946 December 19, 2016) and encourage a civilised lifestyle during festivals has recently opened in ai oan Ket (Great Unity) Square in Pleiku City. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism and Gia Lai Provinces Peoples Committee, the art event displays 190 large paintings by various artists from across the nation, 60 of which are advertising panels promoting local tourism. Through the exhibited paintings, visitors will be able to understand more about the meaning, the heroic tradition, and strong determination to preserve national independence and unity. The event also confirms the leadership role of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh in the cause of national liberation, as well as to honour and pay tribute to the significant contribution of everyone in constructing and protecting the country. Simultaneously, it reflects the civilised lifestyle in festivals; supports improvements in festival management, the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values and customs; educates on the tradition of paying tribute to ancestors and creates a joyful atmosphere for local cultural life. In 2016, Gia Lai Province successfully hosted two poster exhibitions that encourage local people to abide by the Party and States policies and therefore contribute to the stable construction and development of the nation. The exhibition will run until December 20. VNS Tran Hoang Ngan Associate Professor Tran Hoang Ngan, a member of the National Assembly Economics Commission, tells the Giao duc Viet Nam (Viet Nam Education) e-newspaper that he is confident the Government will implement in full the Politburo Resolution on managing public assets and public investment. Can you explain the significance of the Politburos Resolution on the need to restructure the State Budget, including improved management of public debt? The Resolution is timely, responding to the peoples aspirations and the urgent need to restructure the State Budget. How to use public assets and public investments in an efficient way has been a burning issue in the country for many years now. At a full house meeting last October, National Assembly deputies spent a lot of time discussing the issues. Resolution No.07 is a reflection of the Partys resolve to bring public debt under control What will ministries and other agencies do to implement the Resolution? The document listed many things that must be done, but here, I just want to mention one very important task to evaluate correctly the weaknesses and limitations in the State Budget restructuring process; to find out what are the main reasons for the spikes in regular spending while capital expenditure is being reduced. The limitations and weaknesses have led to an increase in public debt and overspending, and are pushing it closer to the ceiling. Resolution No.07 also calls on all government agencies and offices to strictly implement the States fiscal policy and rules while practising thrift and fighting against wastage. The National Assembly has also set out strong requirements. For example, by 2020, the Government debt should be set to 54 per cent (of the GDP) one percent lower than the target set in the Partys Resolution. This is a demonstration of the National Assemblys resolve to put the Party Politburos document into practice. What steps should the Government take? The most important task is to develop quality human resources and utilise the larger societys capital resources. Public investment should only act as an opener. So the Government has to issue policies to tap all possible resources, including funds from different economic sectors. Even more important, the Government should utilize and make the best use of the countrys available resources, including land, other natural resources and public assets. Last but not least, the Government should force any State economic group and corporation that has been operating at a loss for many years to either dissolve or divest from non-core operations. Im sure that if all these actions are undertaken, well be able to protect and ensure a sound economy, State Budget and public debt. In his address before the NA, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reiterated several times that his Government was going to be one of constructive action. So Im confident that the Government will do all it can to turn the resolutions of the Party Poliburo and the National Assembly into reality, particularly in public debt management and restructuring the State Budget. Since the Resolution is also popular among the people, addressing their concerns, I am sure it will be carried out well, in the right spirit. VNS am Quang Thang am Quang Thang, a member of the Startup Executive Board, under the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, speaks to the Hai Quan (Customs) newspaper about why startups in Viet Nam need to be devoted to their work. What do you think of the startup environment in Viet Nam? The startup movement is popular in all corners of the country, particularly among young people. In response to the enthusiasm of people wishing to establish startups, government agencies and their staff are willing to offer them help with favourable credit policies, job orientations and more. Im confident that if this spirit keeps up, in the near future, Viet Nam will have many new enterprises. However, for startup founders, it is important for them to think positively and work hard two important factors to be successful. Of course, the road ahead is not always rosy. But Im confident that with determination and assistance from supporting agencies they will be successful. What advice would you give to founders of startups? Working in any job, we need love and devotion for it. Without these two factors I dont think people will be successful. Life is not as rosy as many people think, particularly for founders of startups. It is unlikely that in one or two years, startups will achieve all their set targets. There is a saying failure is the mother of success, so dont be pessimistic when you struggle at the beginning. Your will and aspiration are the two most important factors to begin a startup. In addition, you should look for support and register in a business incubator. Many startups have matured in business incubators. It is widely thought that startup enterprises face many risks. In your opinion, how can we help startups stand on their own feet? One of the biggest challenges facing startups is capital resources. They want to borrow money from the banks. But banks requirements are so high, as the banks are also enterprises. Safety is their top priority and lending money to startups poses a high risk for them. Thats why the State should call on other financial institutions, including big enterprises to support startups, not just banks. Whats more important is that the Government provides incentives for investors to support startups. What other support do startup enterprises need? I suggest that Vietnamese startup entrepreneurs should apply the crab principle from Thailand. According to that principle, there are many crabs in a bucket, if one crab successfully climbs out of the bucket, other crabs will try to do the same. It is the same with enterprises. A front runner enterprise should help others to advance. Of course, this will take time, particularly for Viet Nam. But Im confident if all Vietnamese enterprises are of one mind, we can apply the crab principle. For example, recently, the Ha Noi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises launched a campaign a successful enterprise should help a weak enterprise. If this campaign is successful, five years later, all enterprises in Ha Noi will be in good shape. Im confident that if startups receive support from mature and successful enterprises they will be able to cut short their time of growing up and become healthy and successful enterprises._VNS A medicine production line at the Tra Vinh Pharmaceutical Co. JSC. in Tra Vinh Province. The Government last month managed to divest its VND219.5 billion (US$9.74 million) worth of shares of the company. VNA/VNS Photo Vu Sinh HA NOI The Government should not let the long-break of Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays distract them from getting work done, the Prime Minister said yesterday. During the regular monthly cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Government to complete drafts on the guide to implement 2017 plans, which recently went under scrutiny at the National Assembly (NA). The second meeting session of the NA this year in late October discussed 14 draft laws presented by ministries and commented on the Governments draft plans on socio-economic development and estimated state budget spending in 2017. NA deputies also questioned other macroeconomic plans including those on the national economic restructure as well as state investment in the medium- and long-term. (The Government) must seriously get down to work from the first day of the New Year, and not let the relaxing attitude (of Tet) distract them, the PM said. Office work often slows down and stagnates during the one-month period before and after the Tet holiday. Regarding the recent VN/USD exchange rate fluctuation, PM Phuc said even though it is not worrying, a close watch must be kept so as to promptly deal with sudden changes. He asked ministries to thoroughly handle bad and public debt, poor-performing banks, and loss-making projects. They also have to make precise forecasts and assessment of the international situation that impacts the countrys development, he added. He also ordered ministers to hold to the promises they made while fielding NA deputies questions at the parliaments second session. As there are only two months left before Tet, the cabinet should discuss preparation work for the biggest and most important festival, particularly for the people living in remote and disaster-hit areas, the PM noted. At the meeting, the Government mulled over a draft law on measurements and maps, a draft plan on special economic zones, and a draft resolution on the implementation of some benefits for professional soldiers, defence workers, and public servants. They also listened to a report on the signing of a trade promotion and facilitation agreement in the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle Area. VNS HAVANA National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan laid a wreath at the Jose Marti Memorial in Havana yesterday, paying tribute to the recently departed Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. The NA Chairwoman and her entourage of senior Party and State officials headed to the memorial immediately on arrival in Cuba on November 28 (local time). Writing in the funeral guestbook, Kim Ngan expressed the deep sorrow of the Vietnamese Party, State and people at the passing of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolution, a great faithful friend, close comrade and brother of Viet Nam. She affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people would never forget Fidel Castros great contributions to establishing and continuously developing the special brotherhood, comprehensive co-operation and mutual trust between the two Parties, States and peoples for more than half a century. She also reiterated Viet Nams unwavering support for the Cuban peoples just revolutionary cause as well as its determination to continue strengthening and deepening the special bilateral relationship with Cuba. Kim Ngan praised Fidel Castros enormous contributions to global communist and workers movements for more than five decades, stressing that his name, career and humanitarian revolutionary thought would live forever in the revolutionary cause of Cuba as well as in the hearts of peace and justice loving progressive nations around the world. The same day, the NA leader visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community here. Also yesterday, Nguyen Thien Nhan, President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, paid homage to the revolutionary leader at the Cuban Embassy in Ha Noi. Writing in the funeral book, the VFF leader expressed deep sorrow at the death of the late leader. The Vietnamese people and I myself admire the great devotion of comrade Fidel Castro to the national liberation and development of Cuba as well as the struggle for national independence and progress in the world, he wrote. He affirmed that Vietnamese people always keep in their mind the warm sentiments and great support that comrade Fidel Castro had given the nation during its past struggles for national independence and reunification, as well as the task of building socialism. Nhan recalled Fidel Castros famous statement: For Viet Nam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood. On Monday afternoon and yesterday morning, about 60 delegations and thousands of people paid tribute to the late Cuban leader at the Cuban Consulate General in HCM City. Along with leaders from HCM City and a number of localities, including Ben Tre and Binh Duong, former President Nguyen Minh Triet, former Chairman of the HCM City Peoples Committee Le Hoang Quan and former Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Le Thanh Hai paid homage to the great Cuban leader. The Cuban Consulate General in HCM City will keep the funeral book for Fidel Castro Ruz open until December 4. VNS A NANG Viet Nam will face a huge budget deficit in health services for people with HIV/AIDS in the next five years, an official from the HIV/AIDS Prevention Agency, Duong Thuy Anh, said yesterday at a conference on insurance payments for ARV therapy. Anh said the State budget could only reserve VN100 billion (US$4.4 million) for antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in 2016-20, but the demand is for about VN600 billion ($27 million). She said most people with HIV/AIDS cannot afford prolonged use of ARV and other drugs for opportunistic infections. Anh said that was why Government and various agencies have been conducting discussions on implementation of the Prime Ministers decision on payment for ARV and support for ARV users through health insurance. Only 40 per cent of people with HIV/AIDS have enrolled in social health insurance, while 72 out of 385 (18.7 per cent) of health service centres provided payment for HIV/AIDS patients through insurance, Anh said. The decision will help people with HIV access health service and treatment, through different sources, including a fund for the poor, she said. In some places, AIDS patients had received support through flexible policies of the local administration. Tran Truong Minh, from Vinh Phuc Provinces insurance, said the northern province had allocated funds from donations and other sources to enable HIV/AIDS patients to get treatment free of charge. He said people with HIV/AIDS still hesitate to get treatment at health centres due to fear of discrimination. Le Thi L. (assumed name), a a Nang resident with HIV/AIDS, said she has been getting full treatment and ARV at a local health centre for years. I and other people with HIV/AIDS cannot pay for health services if we do not have insurance. The city also raises different funds to provide a zero fee for us, she said. Actually, earning a living is still hard for us, so a helpful hand from the city eases our daily burden, she said. Deputy Minister of Heath, Nguyen Thanh Long, said the Prime Ministers decision will make a big change for people with HIV/AIDS. Viet Nam has followed the target over past nine years, and committed to complete the Zero to HIV/AIDS campaign by 2030, Long said. The country has been seeking a flexible paying mechanism to ensure that 80 per cent of HIV/AIDS patients enroll in health insurance by the end of 2017 and 100 per cent in 2018, Long said. He said the Health Insurance Fund will cover full payment of health services and ARV for 90 per cent of people with HIV/AIDS in 2018. He said 90,000 have died and 230,000 live with the disease. Meanwhile, about 10,000 new cases of HIV/AIDS are diagnosed each year. Long also asked provincial health centres to provide drugs for HIV/AIDS patients from the Insurance Fund starting next July. The deputy minister also said the ministry plans to provide health insurance for prisoners with HIV/AIDS and offenders at rehabilitation centres. Last month, the city and the Viet Nam Health Improvement Project (VNHIP) inked a new agreement on health care for kids with HIV/AIDS in the city in 2017-21, with total funding of US$150,000. Viet Nam hopes to reduce the number of people with HIV to 0.3 per cent by 2020. The country has committed to the global goal of Zero new HIV infections Zero discrimination, Zero AIDS-related deaths, Long concluded. VNS HCM CITY The HCM City Department of Transport last Friday (Nov 25) signed a contract with a consortium of investors to build the Ring Road No.2 section stretching from Pham Van ong Street to Go Dua intersection on National Highway 1A in HCM City. The project, with a cost of more than VN2.7 trillion (US$119.4 million), will be developed under the Build-Transfer (BT) mode. More than VN944 billion (US$41.7 million) will be earmarked for road construction and the remaining VN1.82 trillion (US$80.5 million) will be used for land clearance. The consortium of investors includes Viet Nam Land Investment Corporation, Van Phu Invest JSC and Bac Ai Building and Construction Advisory JSC. The 2.7-km section, with a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour, will run through Linh ong, Tam Phu and Tam Binh wards in Thu uc District. In the first phase, two new roads with three lanes will be built parallel to the ring road. Three bridges, including Rach Lung, Rach Ong Viet and Rach Go Cat, with a length of 80 metres each, and water drainage and light systems will also be built in the first phase. The 64-km Ring Road No.2, with six to 10 lanes, will run from Go Dua intersection to Binh Phuoc intersection, An Suong intersection, An Lac road, Nguyen Van Linh Road and Phu My bridge to HCM City-Long Thanh- Dau Giay Expressway and Ha Noi Highway. Construction will begin next year on a 30.4-km-long overhead expressway connecting the intersection of National Road No.1 and Ha Noi Highway to Tan Tao-Cho em intersection in Binh Tan District, according to the Cuu Long Corporation for Investment, Development and Project Management of Infrastructure (CIPM Cuu Long). The project, with a cost of VN17.15 trillion (US$758.8 million), will be built under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode, with a consortium of investors including CIPM Cuu Long, the 620 Infrastructure Development and Investment Corporation, FECON and Vgroup. The expressway, with a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour, will have four lanes of 17.5 metres wide. VNS KGiao Bridge in Loc Thanh Commmune, Bao Lam District, Central Highland Lam ong Province. VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dung LAM ONG The Brui KMe Bridge is fragile and deteriorated, but we have no choice but to cross it to get to work everyday, said KBon, a resident of Di Linh District in the Central Highlands province of Lam ong. Many people and their vehicles fell from the bridge and were seriously injured, he told the Tin tuc (News) newspaper. The 60m-long bridge was made of wood by local residents 30 years ago and requires constant upgrades, he said The Brui KMe Bridge is one among tens of suspension bridges in the province that have deteriorated and need urgent repair or replacement. inh Trang Hoa commune alone has six wooden suspension bridges built a long time ago. They are falling apart but are an indispensable part of residents daily lives. Another resident in the commune, KBich, said: We knew it was dangerous to cross the bridge but we have no other choice. It would be tougher and take much more time to go if we use another road instead of the bridge. According to the provincial department of transport, the province has nearly 100 unsafe bridges. Many suspension bridges were built of wood. Their vertical piers are dilapidated while many parts of their decks are decayed, covered with rotten wood pieces, making them dangerous to cross. The chairman of the communes Peoples Committee, Nguyen Duy Hung, said local authorities asked provincial authorities to allocate capital to upgrade or build new bridges so residents could live and work. The provincial transport department proposed to the Ministry of Transport to invest in building 15 new suspension bridges and 100 other bridges in the province, which is home to a dense network of rivers and springs, to ensure traffic safety, particularly during flood season. In 2014, the transport ministry launched a project to build small-scale bridges in remote areas. The project requires VN12.6 trillion ($563 million) to build 7,800 small bridges across the country. During the first phase of the project, 186 suspension bridges were built to meet the urgent needs of local residents in 28 mountainous provinces in the north, the centre and Central Highland regions. The second phase of the programme, which aims to build nearly 4,000 bridges in remote areas, kicked off in August this year. A total of 3,959 bridges, including many suspension bridges, will be built in more than 5,200 communes in 450 districts of 50 provinces and cities. Priority will be given to 63 impoverished districts. VNS PHU THO Doctors of northern Phu Tho Provinces General Hospital successfully conducted a living-unrelated kidney transplant, said Hoang Cong Lam, the hospital deputy director. The recipient is Tran Thi Yen, 41, and the donor is her husband, Pham Quynh Tri, 41. Yen was diagnosed with last-stage kidney failure four months ago. She and her family were willing to undergo the transplant to help save her life. After medical testing, doctors decided Yens husband met enough conditions to donate his kidney. Preparation for the transplant was undertaken in a careful manner for several months. According to doctors, more than 10 days after the transplant, the patients blood chemical and biological indicators remained normal. She has been discharged from hospital. After several instances of receiving instruction from leading experts from the central-level hospital of Viet Nam-Germany, doctors of Phu Tho Provinces General Hospital say they can now independently conduct the operation. Associate Professor Nguyen Tien Quyet, former director of Viet Nam-Germany Hospital, said the successful transplant by Phu Tho Provinces General Hospital is a new achievement in health examination and treatment, contributing to the improvement of public healthcare of a province-level hospital. The purpose of the provincial General Hospital is to reduce overcrowding at central-level hospitals and offer state-of-the-art medical services and techniques to locals, especially those in remote and disadvantaged mountainous areas in the north. VNS SEOUL South Koreas scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said Tuesday she was willing to stand down early and would let parliament decide on her fate. "I will leave the issue of my departure, including the (possible) reduction of my term in office, to a decision by the National Assembly", she said in a speech carried live on television. "Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down", she said. The statement is seen as a desparate bid for Park to avoid the humiliation of being impeached by the opposition-controlled assembly over a scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power.AFP Researchers at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have identified a naturally occurring molecule that has the potential for preserving sites of communication between nerves and muscles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and over the course of aging as well as a molecule that interferes with this helpful process. The discovery in mice has implications for patients with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. ALS strikes approximately 6,000 people in the U.S. each year, according to the ALS Association. Publishing this week as an early release research article in The Journal of Neuroscience, the research team, led by Gregorio Valdez, an assistant professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and in the Department of Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, describes a growth factor called FGFBP1, which is secreted by muscle fibers and maintains neuromuscular junctions a critical type of synapse that allows the spinal cord to communicate with muscles, sending signals from the central nervous system to create movements. In mouse models of ALS, a growth factor associated with the immune system, called TGF-beta, emerges and prevents muscles from secreting factors needed to maintain their connections with neurons. TGF-beta is upregulated in ALS and in turn blocks expression of FGFBP1, which is released by muscle fibers to preserve the integrity of the neuromuscular junction, Valdez said. The body is trying to help itself by generating more TGF-beta. Unfortunately, TGF-beta accumulates at the synapse where it blocks expression of FGFBP1, accelerating degeneration of the neuromuscular junction. FGFBP1 also gradually decreases during aging, but more precipitously in ALS, because of TGF-beta accumulates at the synapse, according to Thomas Taetzsch, a postdoctoral fellow in the Valdez lab and a co-first author of the study. Milagros Tenga, a postdoctoral fellow in the Valdez lab contributed to this discovery and is also a co-first author in the paper. In people, ALS progresses rapidly, attacking nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. Eventually, all muscles under voluntary control are affected, and individuals lose their strength and the ability to move their arms, legs, and body, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within three to five years from the onset of symptoms. Our findings suggest that targeting these molecules may allow these important synapses to stay in place and slow the progression of ALS, Valdez said. The work was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute on Aging, and the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. Susan Gill has been named director of new media for Virginia Tech. In her new position, Gill will be responsible for aligning and advancing goals and priorities of the university by helping to create and implement a digital-first communications strategy. Gill will work with Advancement teams across campus to promote the university to diverse audiences by using digital platforms to boost engagement and increase opportunities for innovation. Among her priorities is building a network of digital ambassadors, creating social media guidelines, exploring new avenues of digital media communications, and implementing and measuring the impact of those communications. Most recently, Gill was the web project manager and analytics coordinator for the Office of Communications and Marketing in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In that role, she oversaw creation, maintenance, and best practices for websites used to advance the land-grant mission of the college and Virginia Cooperative Extension. She acted as support for website administrators in the units within the college, and she led the college and Extension website migration into the new university content management system. Other projects Gill led included website redesigns, new website creation, and social media campaigns and analysis. She worked with people throughout the commonwealth to keep digital platforms consistent with the Virginia Tech and Extension brands. Prior to this role, Gill came to Virginia Tech as the digital content specialist with the college and Extension, where she acted primarily as the social media manager and maintained multiple social media platforms for both units. Gill began her career as a newspaper designer in Riverside, California, before making the switch to marketing graphic designer at a travel company in Boston, Massachusetts. Gill received her bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Syrian troops gain in eastern Aleppo BEIRUT (AP) Syrian government forces captured more than a third of opposition-held eastern Aleppo on Monday, touching off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave as rebel defenses in the countrys largest city rapidly collapsed. The dramatic gains marked an inflection point in Syrias nearly 6-year-old conflict, threatening to dislodge armed opponents of President Bashar Assad from their last major urban stronghold. Reclaiming all of Aleppo, Syrias former commercial capital, would be the biggest prize of the war for Assad. Pipeline protest unlikely to end BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Government orders for protesters of the Dakota Access pipeline to leave federal land could have little immediate effect on the encampment where scores of people have been gathered for months to oppose the $3.8 billion project. A North Dakota sheriff Monday dismissed a deadline from the Army Corps of Engineers as a meaningless move aimed only at reducing the governments legal responsibility for hundreds of demonstrators. The Corps is basically kicking the can down the road, and putting liability on the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said. Texas reports first local case of Zika DALLAS (AP) Texas health officials reported the first case of the Zika virus that was likely transmitted within the state. The Texas Department of State Health Services said Monday the woman is a resident of Brownsville, located on the border the state shares with Mexico. But health officials said she reports no recent travel to Mexico or anywhere else with ongoing Zika transmission. The first cases of Zika transmission through mosquito bites on the U.S. mainland were reported in Miami. The woman is not pregnant. Word of the year is xenophobia NEW YORK (AP) Dictionary.coms word of the year is xenophobia. While its difficult to get at exactly why people look words up in dictionaries, its clear in contentious 2016, fear of otherness bruised the collective consciousness around the globe. The Brexit vote, Syrias refugee crisis and the U.S. presidential race were among developments that drove lookups of the word, said Jane Solomon, one of the dictionary sites lexicographers. The 21-year-old site defines xenophobia as fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers. Judge: Dylan Roof can defend himself CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) The white man accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners at a church was allowed Monday to act as his own attorney, opening the door to courtroom spectacles at his death penalty trial, including Dylann Roof questioning survivors of the attack and relatives of the dead. Roofs decision to represent himself comes months after he offered to plead guilty in exchange for the promise of life in prison. But federal prosecutors have refused to take the death penalty off the table in the slayings at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Until now, Roof has been represented by one of the nations most respected capital defenders. He joins a long line of high-profile defendants who acted as their own attorneys. Serial killer Ted Bundy, Beltway sniper John Allen Muhammed and Army Major Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas, ended up with death sentences. Because, equality, PetSmart sells tiny Santa and elf looks for Guinea pigs, complete with pointy hats. They've also got a Santa with snorkel and goggles for a fish tank, in place of fish attire. WATERLOO Authorities have dropped misdemeanor trespassing charges against a former Decorah man who was found with bombs and a flamethrower in Oran in February. The move came Nov. 10 after Trevor John Satrom, 34, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered destructive device in federal court. Satrom, who is disabled with a post traumatic stress disorder diagnosis after serving in Afghanistan in the Navy, will likely be sentenced to probation in the bomb case, court officials said. About a month before Fayette County sheriffs deputies and ATF agents found the explosives --- along with firearms, smoke grenades, body armor and napalm for the flamethrower --- during a raid of Satroms Oran home, he was arrested in a disturbance at the Isle Casino Hotel in Waterloo. On Jan. 22, security officials spotted Satrom entering the gaming floor wearing a Go-Pro video camera strapped to his head. Casino workers told him about the establishments policy against photography, and he pocketed the camera, according to court records. A short time later, casino staff noticed him in the poker room using a laptop computer, which is also against policy, court records state. Staff told police that it appeared Satrom was playing online casino games on the computer, and Satrom said he had been given permission to use the computer in the poker room. An argument followed, and casino employees asked Satrom to leave because he was causing a scene, and he was arrested for trespassing when he refused, court records state. WATERLOO A Missouri driver has been arrested on drunken driving charges following a collision with a Waterloo police squad car Tuesday morning. No serious injuries were reported in the crash, according the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office, which investigated the collision. Officer Mark Nissen was transported to a nearby hospital and was treated and released. Deputies arrested Erik James Anderson, 27, of Iberia, Mo., for second-offense operating while intoxicated, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, driving on the wrong side of the highway and failure to maintain control. He was later released from jail. Authorities received complaints of a Ford F-150 pickup truck heading east in the westbound lanes of Highway 20 starting in Grundy County and heading into Black Hawk around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Capt. Rick Abben with the Black Hawk Sheriffs Office. The Waterloo police officer went on westbound Highway 20 with flashing lights activated to investigate. The officer positioned his squad car to stop the pickup truck, and the truck crashed into it head on, according to deputies. Anderson and his passenger, who is his brother, werent injured. Authorities noticed an odor of alcohol and a breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .168, according to court records. CEDAR FALLS Jim Wohlpart is the second finalist in the search for the University of Northern Iowas new president. Wohlpart currently serves as UNIs interim president. He served as the universitys provost and executive vice president for academic affairs until UNIs 10th president, Bill Ruud, left for another job. Wohlpart, 52, came to UNI in May 2015 from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he served as a dean and professor. Wohlpart had worked at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1994. Wohlpart will meet today with the UNI presidential search committee, which conducted a previous interview with him. He will have a full day of events on campus, including a public forum at 2:30 p.m. in the Old Central Ballroom of Maucker Union. The forum will be streamed live on the UNI presidential search website, and a video of it will be posted there. The three candidates are visiting campus this week. The search committee initially looked at 46 applicants. The Iowa Board of Regents is expected to name UNIs next president Tuesday. More information about the candidates is available at http://www.iowaregents.edu/. CEDAR FALLS Shared governance the idea all interests have a say in the university as it moves forward was a central tenet of University of Northern Iowa presidential finalist Neil Theobalds public presentation Tuesday. Theobald, 59, told more 200 UNI faculty, staff, students and alumni it was his commitment to shared governance that cost him his job as president at Temple University in Philadelphia. Theobald said he was directed to hire someone without faculty input and with opposition from the provost. I chose not to break the covenant of shared governance, which as I mentioned earlier, I have found to be essential in operating a university, Theobald said. The consequence of standing up for that principle is I had to leave, and I am fine with that. He disputed reports he was forced to resign after he dismissed Temples provost following a large cost overrun in financial aid. Theobald said he thought it was in the universitys best interest not to hold a press conference following his resignation, and reports have been simply not factually accurate. Theobald acknowledged challenges at Temple, where he became president in 2012, but mostly focused on improvements under his leadership. He said under his presidency Temple saw an increase in enrollment, four-year graduation rates, fundraising and student diversity. Theobald shared five principles he is committed to should he get the job as UNIs 11th president. Among them was shared governance, but the other four also referenced his commitment to many of the entities that make up a campus community. The remaining principles are a rigorous faculty, a diverse student body, understanding and tackling budgetary issues and focusing on the universitys mission first. The role of the president is to take the mission as it exists and then within shared governance to develop meaningful and successful solutions to that mission, Theobald said. Theobald grew up in Peoria, Ill., and was the first in his family to attend college. He said hes passionate about education he also is a professor of education because it helps others achieve the same success he found in leaving his hometown for college. He stressed a college education should not be seen as a private good but a public one. Theobald also acknowledged his need to learn more about the Cedar Falls university and its surrounding community. He pledged to listen to the interests throughout the campus and community. He said he would not simply sit behind his desk. My fervent interest in being your president is not driven by the notion that Indiana (University) ideas or Temple (University) ideas can simply be transplanted here, said Theobald, who also had an administrative position at the Bloomington, Ind., university. No, we would have to look at the mission here, the context here, the realities here and develop UNI solutions to those problems. The public forum will also be available online at http://www.iowaregents.edu/. DES MOINES Gov. Terry Branstad said he is willing to consider changes to the states public employee pension program, including changing to a 401k-style retirement program. Branstad said a change from a defined benefits system to a defined contribution system would make the states retirement program for public employees more sustainable. Branstad said such a change would be significant and is unlikely to be addressed in the near future, but said he thinks the issue is worth studying. Im open to considering changes, but I want to ensure people were not eliminating anyones benefits, Branstad said. While other states have large unfunded liabilities in their public employees retirement programs, Iowa is well above the national average with an 81 percent funded ration, according to a 2015 study by Pew Charitable Trusts. Voting changes Saying the state needs to protect the integrity of elections, Branstad said he is willing to look at changes to state voting laws that make sense for the future. Branstad was asked by reporters whether he believes Iowas voting laws need changes. In recent days, President-elect Donald Trump has alleged, without supporting evidence, millions of illegal votes were cast in the Nov. 8 election he won, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein has started the process of requesting recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Branstad said he does not believe Trump is exaggerating concerns about illegal voting, and election integrity is something the state must be vigilant about. Branstad said he would defer to county auditors and the Iowa Secretary of States office on what changes need to be made to Iowas voting laws. Trump administration Branstad said he believes some Iowans could land jobs in Trumps administration. Many Iowa names have been floated as possible Trump hires, including Branstad himself and his son, Eric, who directed the Trump campaign in Iowa. Other possible Iowa hires include Tana Goertz, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, and Sam Clovis, who advised Trumps campaign in Iowa. I wouldnt be surprised if there would be Iowans chosen for key positions because Iowa played a very important role (in Trumps national victory), Branstad said. DES MOINES After nearly six years leading the Iowa Department of Transportation a government agency that affects drivers, farmers and merchants every day with its decisions Paul Trombino III is leaving. Trombino, 50, said it was time for a new chapter in his career, but that he didnt feel comfortable job hunting while still in the public position. His last day was Monday. Mark Lowe, 50, was named interim director of the department. Before he left, Trombino answered some questions from Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau, reflecting on the agencys past and offering thoughts on some issues important to the area. Q: What is the future of traffic cameras in Iowa? A: Theres been a lot of discussion on the subject. My perspective has always been that any time there is a safety issue on the system, we should do a proper analysis and thats what was not being done. There was no analysis. Typically there is never just one safety counter measure. Im not trying to say that traffic cameras can never be a safety counter measure. They can. We were saying do a proper safety analysis. I think unfortunately in the state there were a lot of decisions made based on revenue, not based on safety, and hence why we have an ongoing lawsuit in this regard. We didnt ask for all to be removed, but some because there was clearly no value being derived from them at all. The decision was revenue. Q: The Legislature enacted a 10-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase in March 2015, generating $215 million more for the road use tax fund. What has been the impact of the increase and of more federal resources? A: The condition improvement that people will see will be significant. They want the system preserved, maintained and modernized. They want us to be tactical. You cant have capacity everywhere, just where its needed. (Trombino also noted the five-year federal transportation bill increases Iowas share by up to 2 percent with an $800 million boost that takes Iowas program from $2.7 billion to $3.5 billion.) Thats a 30 percent increase in the program. Thats a phenomenal thing for us. Q: Iowa has embarked on a system of helping businesses and industries manage and handle freight. Is that unique? A: We started in late 2012, early 2013. It was an idea I pitched to the governor and lieutenant governor. We partnered with the Iowa Economic Development Authority to do a supply chain design and network optimization when moving the products with reliability, cost and type of load how they move what and those are the key ingredients. (Trombino said the focus was on what commodities are moved in Iowa and where they go either to domestic markets in other states or to international agriculture and manufacturing export markets via truck, rail, barge, air and ocean. The emphasis was to remove points of constraint by modeling the movement of all commodities using a three-digit Zip code in roughly 3,140 counties in the United States and almost 50 foreign countries where Iowa products go.) What that did is it allowed us to really visualize the system differently. We started to really get to see how products move and then what that helps for us is we can better understand product demand, much less production. The data that we were able to collect is very rich and robust. ... The reality is all of our products move from one mode to another they all require highway, rail and water, on the freight side those are the key ingredients for us. And the more we can understand that, the more we can make better improvements that are very cost effective and ultimately show a rate of return to businesses with the goal of reducing freight costs overall. Q: Has Iowas passenger rail window of opportunity closed? A: No, I dont really view that as closed. We will finish next year getting through 30 percent of the plan. Weve been working to get the project to Iowa City. Its an 80-20 split with the federal government. Illinois is moving ahead with plans to connect to the Quad Cities. If they dont get to Quad Cities, it doesnt ever give us a chance to get to Iowa City. They have work to do there, but it doesnt close the door. It leaves the opportunity open ultimately for the future to eventually connect to Iowa City. That would likely be under some future new program. The mechanics are in place if they get the agreements done. Q: What challenges did you face when you started as Iowa DOT director and where do you see things have improved during your tenure? A: Weve really focused on the customer, giving people convenience and choice and thats across all areas motor vehicle and drivers license services, commercial services and permits, we really opened up the doorway to allow people to get those services when they choose and at their convenience. Thats had a tremendous benefit. As President-elect Donald Trump made cabinet appointments following his victory, he also made news for his combative approach toward the media and free speech. Trump called the major broadcast media into an off-the-record meeting, which was thought to be a discussion about access to his administration. Instead, it was a dressing-down for its campaign coverage. The New York Times changed the ground rules with a far better result. Earlier, Trump castigated the cast of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton in a tweet after it read a relatively benign statement to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, although whether it was appropriate is debatable. Trumps disdain for the media was evident during the campaign as he lashed out at the failing New York Times, CNN and NBC, barred Washington Post and Des Moines Register reporters from events and mocked reporters. Post-truth, the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year, was widely used by the mainstream media to describe his assertions that had a kernel of validity but lacked total context. To be fair, Trump was not alone in loathing not loving the media. Hillary Clinton seemed like a deer in headlights, holding no news conferences and keeping the media at bay until allowing reporters on her campaign plane around Labor Day amid falling poll numbers. The broadcasters anchors and executives made a big mistake by going off the record, as the New York Post reported. The meeting was a total disaster. The TV execs and anchors went in there thinking they would be discussing the access they would get to the Trump administration, but instead they got a Trump-style dressing-down. Trump kept saying, Were in a room of liars, the deceitful, dishonest media who got it all wrong. The Times refused to go off the record, which led to Trump calling off a meeting he sought, then agreeing to it. He was conciliatory, seeking to reassure the Times about his commitment to the First Amendment despite his expressed intention to expand libel laws. I think youll be happy, I think youll be happy, he said, calling the Times a great, great American jewel, world jewel, although stating it was too tough on him during the campaign. He would be wise to take Pences approach toward the media, acknowledging its frequently adversarial role. Our founders did not put the freedom of the press in the First Amendment because they got good press quite the opposite was true, Pence has said. However, The public good that a free and independent press represents allows citizens to make informed decisions. As a congressman, Pence backed a federal shield law to protect journalists from being forced to reveal anonymous sources in court in response to a New York Times editorial about reporter Judith Miller who spent 85 days in jail for not naming a source. In the weeks prior to the election, Trumps prolific and often volatile Twitter proclamations ceased, but once elected he was back tweeting. One of his first targets was the cast of Hamilton. Pence had taken his daughter and her cousins to the play. As he was leaving, Brian Dixon (Aaron Burr) read a statement: We are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us. Trump was outraged, tweeting Pence was harassed with cameras blazing. This should not happen! A second tweet, ironically, reflected aggrieved college students obsessions with the need for safe spaces to avoid microaggressions and other affronts. He stated, The Theater must always be a safe and special place. The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize! Pence took the mini-lecture in stride. When we arrived, we heard a few boos and we heard some cheers and I nudged my kids and reminded them, thats what freedom sounds like, he said on Fox News, adding, I can tell you I wasnt offended by what was said. Ill leave to others whether that was the appropriate venue to say it. The recent election aroused deep passions we dont expect will soon abate and has found expression in various outlets, including social media and now the theater. Those of us in the mainstream media always have had to deal with it as part and parcel of the profession, although now it seems like politics on an extra dose of steroids. Pence, for one, seems to have a clear-eyed perspective, which is not defensive. It is very much welcomed. Traffic fatalities HERMAN LENZ SUMNER Someone send this letter to the governors seat belt bureau in regard to The Courier article Nov. 21. The bureaucrat mentioned everything except speed. Why isnt that an issue? Tell us: 1. What killed the victims who were seat belted? 3. What percent of the victims who were seat belted were crashed into by big rigs? 3. Why does seat belt Iowa always make the dirty top five states in the U.S. for having an above average of its fatal crashes where large trucks are involved? 4. Why wasnt there any sudden and significant drop in Iowa fatalities when the seat belt law was enacted in 1987? 5. During 1974 through 1986, fatalities of Iowa rural interstates were averaging 24.2 per year. Now with speed limits up to 70 mph and a seat belt law, fatalities on the same highways are averaging 35 per year from 2005 through 2014. Unions and schools ANNE MICHAEL TAMA Iowa school teachers need to be aware. Republican Rep. Walt Rogers, R-Cedar Falls, has expressed concern about collective bargaining, stating school administrators feel hampered by the current collective bargaining statute that results in inflated wages for teachers. I would argue first, collective bargaining has worked well for cost-conscious folks. The average pay for Iowa teachers is 39th lowest in the nation only 11 states pay teachers even less. To argue collective bargaining has resulted in inflated wages is only a valid argument if one wants Iowa teachers salaries to hit bottom. A better solution is Rogers might separate from his cohorts, realizing a way to relieve hampering is to fully fund schools. Instead of keeping our tax money in Des Moines to be doled out to corporations, our tax money could come back to us in the form of supporting our local schools. Final concern: Rogers knowledge and credibility to deal with collective bargaining is very questionable. He refers to the teachers union. He is unaware teachers do not have a union. The ISEA uses collective bargaining with binding arbitration with no power to strike. Freedom BOB KAISER CEDAR FALLS Lets make American great again the envy of the world, the city on a hill, the beacon of the world. Hopefully, Donald Trump will turn around many things that are not correct. We stand a chance at a new tax code now that Rep. Charlie Rangel will retire with President Obama. Progressivism will go away. Teddy Roosevelt said personal property is subject to the general right of the community to regulate its use to whatever degree the public welfare may require it. That is the credo of the Progressives. Karl Marx said it this way: Abolish private property. Eminent domain is an example. Do you think the government has a right to take your property so some company can build on it? We need people that are true public servants instead of looking how they can be re-elected next go-around. A true public servant puts those they represent ahead of themselves. The president has a term limit lets continue to elect people that have the same mindset. Individual responsibility must remain in the forefront. Its called freedom. WATERLOO A Waterloo teen was injured in a Sunday night shooting that led to the search of a home. Tyran Collins, 17, suffered gunshot wounds to the hand, side and behind and underwent surgery at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, according to Waterloo police. Officers said his injuries dont appear to be life threatening. Details werent available, but police said Collins arrived at the hospital by private vehicle shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday. Officers believe the shooting happened in the 700 block of Kern Street. Police found cash in the street. About an hour after the shooting, police surrounded a home at 749 Kern St. in what led to an hours-long siege. A woman with a toddler and an infant were evacuated early on. Officers believed someone was still inside, and the police departments tactical team was called. Police addressed the house with a loudspeaker several times and fired about half a dozen tear gas canisters into the home before finally entering around 12:15 a.m. Monday. No one was inside the house, police said. No arrests have been made in the shooting. Body found following search WAVERLY A search for a missing Bremer County man over the Thanksgiving holiday has ended with the discovery of his body. Douglas Bruns, 55, of rural Waverly, apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and no foul play is suspected, according to the Bremer County Sheriffs Office. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the official cause of death. Authorities were contacted Thursday about Brunss disappearance. On Friday, his vehicle was found near a public river access in the 2800 block of Road C-33, and the search that followed included dogs and an airplane, deputies said. Brunss remains were found at about 10:30 p.m. Friday. The Bremer County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Chickasaw and Fayette County sheriffs offices K-9 units, Iowa State Patrol, the Bremer County Medical Examiner and Bremer County Emergency Management Agency. Fire damages a dairy barn VINTON Fire crews from multiple departments battled a fire at a Benton County dairy farm Sunday evening about five miles west of Urbana on Highway 150. The owner of the Birker Inc. dairy farm, in the 5500 block of 27th Avenue Drive in rural Vinton, said the fire destroyed the milking parlor in his barn. Firefighters kept the fire from spreading to the area where the 300 dairy cows are kept, and none were injured. Its pretty bad because we need to milk them (Monday) morning. We have to figure out something. Where to go with them or somebody else to milk them, said Justin Birker. Flames could be seen for several miles until firefighters brought the fire under control. Authorities said no one was injured in the fire. Investigators have not yet determined what caused the fire. WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. Pagan-owned businesses face all the usual challenges of any small business: overhead costs, long hours by the owner, and maintaining a customer base. Yet they also face the additional challenge of being different than the mainstream, which can result in either an exchange of ideas and mutual respect with customers, or in confrontation. The Minnesota-based Enchanted Boutique often enjoys the former, but more recently experienced the latter. The Enchanted Boutique is a metaphysical store that has as much product and services about angels and the paranormal as it does items specifically for Pagans and Witches. On Nov. 18, Bonnie Gurney, owner of the Enchanted Boutique, was helping another customer when she noticed a woman hanging around the back of her store. As she later found out, the persons name is Kristine Burque. When Ms. Gurney finished with her customer, she approached Ms. Burque to ask if she could help her. Burque asked about another metaphysical shop. Gurney told her that this other shop was out of business, but the owner still did tarot reading. Gurney then handed Burque a flyer about some of the services offered at the Enchanted Boutique, and the woman left. Up to that point, the exchange was typical. What Gurney didnt know was that Burque is a devout Christian who feels a calling to witness in stores and places she feels are diabolical. Burque is known to the local Pagan community for her past activities at other business. In August, it is alleged Burque harassed the two owners of Collective Harmony Massage and Healing Arts. They hired an attorney to have Burques posts about them, one of which displayed their license plate number, removed from Facebook. Their attorney, Patrick Farley, told The Wild Hunt, We did issue a Cease and Desist letter to Ms. Burque and threatened further legal action if she did not comply. Mr. Farley said Burque was engaging in acts that damaged the reputation of the business, in addition to the harassment of one of its owners. Since Ms. Burque has complied with the terms of the letter, no further legal action is pending. At the Enchanted Boutique, Gurney received a second visit from Burque. This time, she was holding a bible. [Burque] stated that she wanted to introduce Jesus to me, said Gurney. In response, Gurney reportedly told Burque that she already knows Jesus, and that the store caters to many different religions and Gods. She seemed uninterested in that, and continued to talk about my meeting Jesus. I told her that I was not interested and asked her to leave. She continued, and I asked her to leave a couple more times before she actually walked out of the shop. Burque shared her visit to the Enchanted Boutique on Facebook. She posted a photo of the store with the comment: This had been a breakthrough for me. I can stand with Gods armor ON!! and confront my first witch in person. In a statement to The Wild Hunt, Burque said that shes done nothing wrong, I just wanted to share Jesus with her. No harm in that. There is nothing to report. I see you are not a Christian according to your timeline. I hope you seek Jesus. That is what all of this was about. To stir them up to pay attention because Jesus is be returning. Maranatha. Yet the question remains, when does proselytizing cross the line into trespassing? At what point does free speech and the ability to practice ones religion turn into harassment and stalking? Is it when the unwanted contact is repeated over months, as it is alleged to have happened to the partners of Collective Harmony? Is it when there are social media posts showing your flyer being burned, or when someone drops off wood in the driveway of your home to burn things? Farley has said that he has started paying closer attention to Burques Facebook page now that he knows that she is continuing her behavior toward another, I am, of course, concerned for my clients. Gurney says she appreciates the support of friends and customers, The support from friends and others on Facebook was incredible, which I really appreciate. Several people posted about it and all were very supportive. In a post on Facebook which has since been erased, Burque noted that she would not be going back to The Enchanted Boutique, but was glad to save one of its customers from Satan. Burque wrote, My mission is complete and did what I set out to do, even though some agreed and others didnt. I have no need to pursue this agenda any longer. But, who is to say it was my agenda only, anyway? She continued on to say, I heard a customer leaving from that shop say she is so glad she found herself and now she knows what her purpose is. She found a false god directing her into serving others through Satan. 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Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) Since 2001, the TaB alternative break program has worked to send groups of Willamette students to cities and regions around the nation with the goal of engaging them in community service and experiential learning. If ever there was a way to burst the campus bubble this has proved to be it spending spring break in a place outside students comfort zone, living and working in communities beset by poverty, racial inequity, illiteracy, food insecurity, marginalization of immigrant groups, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, environmental destruction and more. The program is coordinated by the universitys Office of Community Service Learning, but its been student-led from the start. Take a Break leadership teams propose their own trip topics, destinations, educational materials, learning outcomes and classroom agendas. They also create itineraries; set budgets; arrange transportation, food, and lodging; recruit participants and raise funds to help cover the costs of their trips. Leaders and participants take part in extensive volunteer events leading up to the one-week service trip in March, and about 30 hours of reflection per student during and after the trip. Its intense and demanding far from volunteer tourism. Along with other campus-based community engagement efforts, Take a Break has helped Willamette University be recognized with the 2009 Presidential Service Award (the highest federal award of its type) and included with distinction on the 2012 Presidential Honor Roll for Community Service. But most importantly, TaB has had an immeasurable impact on the lives and careers of those who embrace its motto of Community, Justice, Service, Simplicity. Here, four TaB alumni share how the program changed their careers and lives. Mikki Trowbridge 07, MBA 08 She finds it humorous now, but when Mikki Trowbridge started at Willamette in 2003, she had her life all planned out. She was going to major in economics, get a joint MBA and law degree, and then work as a corporate lawyer. A spring break trip to Philadelphia changed her life completely something Trowbridge also laughs about today. Take a Break changed my trajectory and purpose in life, she says. All because I was lured in with a $35 trip! Trowbridge and her group were sent into areas where poverty, homelessness and mental illness were stunning not only in scale but in lack of access to services. Her Aha moment came when she realized the same issues were taking place in the city of Salem and in the hometowns of every member of her service team. I didnt want to return to a life where I was turning a blind eye to hardship and not being active in my community, she says. My experience in Philadelphia made me realize a core piece of who I am and that my purpose in life revolves around helping others and by keeping that as a priority I could make a career out of it. The TaB program came to dominate Trowbridges experience at Willamette. She served as a trip leader to New York City in 2005 and was TaBs program director for three years, from 2006 to 2008. She spent eight years in the nonprofit field after graduation, launching HandsOn Mid-Willamette Valley, a Salem-area volunteer center; directing alternative break programs through United Way Worldwide; and fundraising for Boys & Girls Club. She credits TaB with providing a solid foundation for her lifelong calling: It was my first real service experience, my first venture into nonprofit work, my first time leading a team, and my first time running a business or organization, managing budgets and raising money. Trowbridge is now the owner of Mikki Trowbridge Yoga in Salem. When people think of service-centric professions, yoga instructor doesnt typically come to mind, yet Trowbridges love of yoga and helping others proved to be a perfect fit. I didnt feel good about becoming a full-time yoga instructor unless I could incorporate a service component, she says. While she taught at studios in the Salem area and hosted Yoga + Beer events at breweries around the state, Trowbridge didnt make her jump from nonprofit work to full-time yoga until landing a contract with Oregon State Hospital. Yoga can be a big help to people suffering from mental illness, she explains. One of my students worked at the state hospital, and she told me they wanted to bring in a contractor to focus specifically on yoga for patients. That was the final piece of the puzzle for me. The service component was there. Trowbridge now teaches morning yoga classes to patients. She emphasizes reconnecting mind and body through meditation, breathing techniques and finding the ability to sit quietly with oneself. For some patients thats really hard, so sometimes the classes just serve as a quiet, safe place, since the hospital setting and, quite often, their own bodies and minds dont provide this, she says. We give them a space to take some self-control back, and hopefully give them some skills for dealing with life: how to stay calm in anxious moments, or how to pull back when they can tell theyre about to get angry. In weaving together the importance of service as well as professional gratification, Trowbridge often remembers the Willamette motto, Not unto ourselves alone are we born. Its a beautiful motto for a university, but also a beautiful motto for life, she says. We made it a big part of TaB every year, a way to point out the importance of focusing on others, even when you have a mortgage and a job and a family after leaving Willamette. Not everyone needs to travel across the county to serve, not everyone needs to volunteer every week, but anyone can find personal ways to give back. Jill Summers 05 Jill Summers got in on the ground floor with the Take a Break program, spending a week volunteering at a Catholic Worker house in Tacoma, Washington, in 2002 TaBs inaugural trip. Summers second trip was to Chicago, to learn about service programs in urban areas. By the time Summers (who prefers gender-neutral pronouns) entered their junior year at Willamette in 2004, they were eager to serve as a team leader on a trip to Jonestown, Mississippi or so they thought. It was really, really hard, Summers says now, recalling an experience that often left them shaken, riddled with self-doubt, and struggling to deal with being thrust into an environment where they were no longer part of a racial or socioeconomic majority. I balked at first when I realized we were spending our week in a poor black community, Summers says. I went to an inner-city middle school in Tacoma, and as a white person I was more of a minority there. The thought of putting myself back into that situation triggered some feelings I thought I was finished with, so I was uneasy, uncomfortable. My feelings were, What if this is something inside that I cant help and it wont go away? What if I just suck as a person? Looking back now, Summers admits embarrassment about the ignorant, borderline-racist entries in the journal I kept during the program. But Ive learned so much in the last ten years and dont still think like that. Im proud of my growth. Summers uneasiness melted while working in the Jonestown community and attending church services, but the week was fraught with hardship and discord within the TaB group. The students questioned why they were just painting houses and building a fence when they were surrounded by grinding poverty and suffering. To make matters worse, a cousin of one of the Jonestown residents they were working with was injured in a shooting. The shooting hit everyone really hard, Summers says, and I just didnt know how to help people process that at the time. After the trip, Summers learned another difficult lesson when some of the students reflection evaluations criticized Summers preparedness and leadership. That was instructional to me, moving forward with my life. It was painful, but we really were unprepared, Summers recalls. That trip brought home to me how ineffective it could be to try to solve the problems of a group from the outside, without having an understanding of the problems, the culture or the part you play in the mess. Since graduating with a sociology degree, Summers has worked in various social service positions, first as an AmeriCorps patient advocate at a cancer resource center in Mendocino, California, and now as program coordinator for Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), working primarily with families who are experiencing homelessness. Summers is also entering the final term of a masters degree in social work at Portland State University. I think Ill probably be in social work my whole life, Summers says. Its near and dear to my heart. The past 12 years have provided time for reflection, and Summers sees the importance of what TaB does best: giving students a look at real-world problems, unfiltered by media or preconceived notions. The actual work that students do tends to be surface-level stuff, Summers explains. It helps, it does good, but thats not where long-term, sustainable change happens. To that end, Summers recently hosted six Willamette first-year students at IHN, teaching them about barriers many people face when they lose their homes and engaging the students directly with families served by the shelter. If I can instill a passion for social justice in Willamette students or anyone really thats where I can further the Take a Break spirit, Summers says. In Jonestown, we didnt talk about the big picture, and I didnt have the leadership skills or critical understanding to help others do that, let alone myself. So maybe now Im trying to make up for that. Erik Willis 10 Majoring in biology at Willamette, Erik Willis spent much of his time conducting medical research, a primarily solitary pursuit that extended into his post-graduation career at a biotechnology startup in San Francisco. He credits TaB with tempering the focus that easily leads to a separation from campus and other communities. You can get so insulated, and not interact with people in that type of environment, he says. I really missed the interpersonal communication that I discovered on Take a Break, so I decided being a doctor would be more in line with my values than the medical research business. Willis heard about TaB through word of mouth but didnt decide to sign up until his senior year in 2010. He chose a trip to New Orleans, where his skills would help with repairing homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hed never been to the South, and he thought New Orleans would be interesting and get him out of his comfort zone. What awaited Willis group in New Orleans was devastation and misery still apparent five years after Katrina uprooted more than one million people, who scattered to states across the U.S. and often never returned to the city. It was quite a shock, as there was still so much to be done, he says. Reading about it is one thing, but when youre there you see houses that havent been touched, you hear stories about wealthier homeowners buying out lots next to theirs and then building bigger houses. Id never seen anything like that before. And being in the South a new culture was pretty jarring. Willis group spent the week repairing a house for a couple who lost their home and had been living in a FEMA trailer since the storm. The husband had been diagnosed with cancer at the time Katrina hit. Willis says he felt humbled to hear that and many more stories. They just wouldnt give up, he recalls. They wanted to rebuild. While relaxing outside the house after work was completed one day, the volunteers were introduced to a couple next door who were also struggling. We asked them if we could do anything for them and they said they could use some help painting their apartment, he says. We hadnt planned on it but we went in and helped them paint, and they ended up making a huge dinner for us that night the whole group, people they didnt even know. On both sides, it was really a very positive experience. Most of Willis energies these past several years have been taken up by applying to medical schools. He quit his job in biotech to take science courses and study for the MCAT this past year, and he plans to take an EMT course and then work as an emergency medical technician before getting into medical school. He credits his TaB experiences for his desire to practice medicine in rural, underserved communities, something he may not have thought about if he had chosen to stay put on the Willamette campus. Knowing those peoples stories and struggles drives me to help as a physician in the community, he says. Visiting a place like New Orleans made me realize how much need there is right under our noses. R.E. Buckley 12 You could say R.E. Buckley was destined to a life of service. Proof can be seen in Buckleys four years at San Joses Notre Dame High School, founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (who were strong, focused on social justice and got things done, says Buckley). Next came stints at Willamette as a community service learning coordinator and Take a Break leader, followed by experience as a Teach for America Spanish teacher in Jackson, Mississippi. But such a simple statement would overlook a fundamental change that has taken place in Buckleys conception of service. I think about equity a lot more now, and power, says Buckley. At the time I worked with TaB I didnt fully understand the power I held as a Willamette University student the ability to say Hey, this trip sounds nice, Ill get to work with new people for a week and learn about their issues and then I can move on. To me now, the term service connotes Im doing you a favor, Im coming from a place from above and bringing something to you. Ive learned to think more about how to use the power I have to make change, and the spheres of influence I can access that others cant. That uneasy relationship between volunteers and people they serve wasnt lost on Buckleys TaB coordinators, who encouraged their group to work through the inevitable discomfort they felt on service trips to places like Sisters of the Road Cafe and Blanchet House of Hospitality in Portland, Oregon. When you first recognize the privilege youve grown up in and the things youve gotten based on your skin color and class status, its shocking because youve had the privilege of ignoring it for so long, says Buckley. Our TaB leaders constantly challenged us to take that discomfort and sit with it and think about it, to recognize that youve been on the receiving end of a system thats favored you in a lot of ways. It was uncomfortable but it was definitely something that has stuck with me since then. Buckley (who prefers gender-neutral pronouns) sees their time since graduation from Willamette as a constant growing process, trying to understand where they need to put their efforts in building equality. I believe in educational equity, says Buckley, but I question having done Teach America, going to Mississippi to teach Spanish. While I built relationships with my students, on a systemic level I think I was part of a revolving door of teachers who come and go. In addition, Buckley earned a masters degree in public administration at Syracuse University and completed a Hatfield Resident Fellowship with Clackamas County Emergency Management, where they developed a white paper on the Americans with Disabilities Acts impact on emergency planning and policy. All the while, they have been drawn to opportunities aligned with TaBs principles of equity and social justice. Buckley is now a research assistant at the Providence Center for Outcomes Research and Education in Portland, which focuses on improving the health of underserved populations. We do health care policy research with a focus on social determinants of health such as living environment, social structure and culture and how they impact specific communities disproportionately, says Buckley. Something as simple as filling out a form for a job or social services becomes an access barrier when you dont have stable housing. Buckleys advice to current Willamette students and TaB participants? Try not to be defensive about your position of power, and dont assume that we all have the same identities. We hold both privileged identities and oppressed identities simultaneously, and that doesnt make one greater than the other. Be open to hearing peoples stories and also think about how you can build relationships that go beyond just the week you spend in your communities. Marc Covert is a freelance writer in Portland. This article originally appeared in the fall 2016 issue of Willamette, the magazine of Willamette University. Published by University Communications, Willamette features stories and conversations that help alumni and friends stay meaningfully connected to the university. Does this article inspire your own TaB memories? Share them at magazine@willamette.edu. We hope our new insurance verification tool can help employees and the general public hold companies accountable when they fail to provide a financial safety net for workers who get hurt on the job. RALEIGH, NC, November 29, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Workers' compensation insurance is intended to provide benefits for people who get hurt on the job. Virtually all employers in North Carolina are required to carry coverage, but many do not. How are workers supposed to know whether they're covered in case they get hurt on the job? The Raleigh-based law firm of Younce & Vtipil, PA, has launched a new online tool for North Carolina workers to find out whether their employer has coverage - or whether they are working without a safety net. The free tool, which is available at https://www.attorneync.com/are-you-covered/, taps the North Carolina Industrial Commission's database on employers' insurance coverage. Users simply enter the name of an employer and the site returns information about the company's workers' compensation insurance - or lack of coverage. "With recent reports showing that thousands of employers in our state lack proper workers' compensation insurance, this tool serves a critical purpose of helping working people discover whether their employer carries the required coverage," said David E. Vtipil, a Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law. "Individuals who are considering taking a job with a company can also access this service to perform due diligence on their potential employer." The issue of uninsured employers in North Carolina entered the spotlight recently when the Raleigh News & Observer reported on a statewide crackdown earlier this year. "In the last year, the state Industrial Commission, responsible for enforcing workers' compensation laws, has cracked down on employers who fail to carry proper insurance," the newspaper reported. "While commission leaders are proud of their progress, they know the problem persists, with workers toiling daily in vulnerable situations." Vtipil emphasized the importance employers' legal obligation to carry proper workers' compensation insurance. "We hope our new insurance verification tool can help employees and the general public hold companies accountable when they fail to provide a financial safety net for workers who get hurt on the job," he said. About Younce & Vtipil, PA The law firm of Younce & Vtipil, PA, provides experienced, compassionate and effective legal representation to people who have been injured on the job or hurt in other types of accidents. The firm's attorneys have received honors including an AV Preeminent rating from the respected Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and the firm has been listed as the Best Law Firm in Raleigh for the Workers' Compensation Law by U.S. News & World Report. Younce & Vtipil serves clients from throughout the Triangle region and across North Carolina from its offices located at 3701 Lake Boone Trail, # 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. To contact the firm, call 919-661-9000 or fill out an online contact form. # # # Nov 29, 2016 | By Benedict The new RAMLAB additive manufacturing hub is almost ready to open its doors at the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. The lab will contain a Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) 3D printer that uses steel wire as feedstock and which is capable of welding metal parts up to 2 x 2 x 2 meters in size. Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, is probably best known for its giant port, which was established way back in the 14th century and which is still an incredibly important trade hub. Excitingly for us, representatives for the port of Rotterdam, Europes largest port and the worlds 10th largest, announced earlier this year that the massive riverside base would be getting a little larger (and more up-to-date), thanks to the addition of a new 3D printing field lab. Fast forward nine months, and the RAMLAB (Rotterdam Additive Manufacturing Lab) is almost ready to open its doors. Although the RAMLAB, which is currently comprised of 28 additive manufacturing companies from in and around the Netherlands, will be used for various additive manufacturing activities, its crown jewel is a new metal-welding 3D printing system capable of printing objects up to 2 x 2 x 2 meters in size. 3D printing enthusiasts have been hearing snippets of information about the giant 3D printer for several months, but the opening of the RAMLAB will allow participating companies and individuals to see the WAAM welding machine up close. The large-scale 3D printing machine, which is still covered in plastic wrap as engineers add the final touches, uses two large arms capable of manipulating an object while it is being welded, while the welding itself is carried out by a big red robotic welding arm that is attached to an assembly line. Its quite unique in the world to have such a system, commented RAMLAB managing director Vincent Wegener. We are probably the first and most ambitious lab in the world when it comes to large size additive manufacturing. Unlike most metal 3D printing systems, which fabricate objects from metal powders, the WAAM additive manufacturing machine uses steel wire as feedstock, heating the material with an electric arc and using shielding gas to protect the process from airborne contaminants. According to the operators of RAMLAB, the wire feedstock makes manufacturing faster and cheaper, since the steel is already partially formed as it is printed. This means that, when a propeller is made for example, the welding machine doesnt have to print the core of the object first, but only has to weld the blades, Wegener explained. That saves a lot of time. When the WAAM 3D printer is finally fired up, it will be protected by light-blocking blinds and fitted with an exhaust system, both of which are due to be delivered in the next few days. RAMLAB will also be expecting a delivery of 250 kilograms of steel wire, with which the metal 3D printer will be able to fabricate its first items. According to Wegener, one of the most exciting aspects of the WAAM is its ability to work on multiple objects at the same time, with its unique software providing the multitasking instructions to the advanced manufacturing machine. The WAAM additive manufacturing system has been installed by Valk Welding, a Dutch robotic welding specialist which also provided the RAMLAB with a slightly smaller machine that has been in use for around three months. And although Vak has provided the RAMLAB with its biggest pieces of hardware, a large number of Netherlands-based companies have also pitched in to contribute their own equipment and expertisesomething that Wegener and the RAMLAB team are incredibly proud of. Everybody is working together on this, Wegener said. And thats the true power of RAMLAB: we dont waste time talking, but we are working hard to get things done. Its the Rotterdam can do mentality. And thats what will ultimately make RAMLAB a success! Posted in 3D Printer Maybe you also like: Nick Caistor at the Times Literary Supplement: The first time I was arrested by the Cuban police was almost thirty years ago. I was at Los Cocos prison, a half-hour drive outside Havana, talking across a wall to AIDS patients locked up there by the authorities. At the time, Cubans were being tested for HIV at work, and those found to be suffering from symptoms were taken and put away in this prison hospital facility, denied visits from family or friends. At the time, soldiers returning from campaigns in Angola and Ethiopia were blamed for the outbreak of HIV-AIDS in Cuba. A few days after my attempt to interview the patients at Los Cocos, I found myself at a parade ground on the outskirts of Havana, where commander-in-chief Fidel Castro was to welcome the male and female troops back and bestow medals on them. This was the closest I ever came to El Comandante. He and his entourage brushed past me on their way towards the ranks of troops, and I could swear that the glare from the big man (and he was very big and burly, the son of an immigrant from Galicia in Spain) was meant just for me. Again, my attempts to interview any of the soldiers were cut short as I was bustled away from them. more here. James Hamblin at The Atlantic: Cuba has long had a nearly identical life expectancy to the United States, despite widespread poverty. The humanitarian-physician Paul Farmer notes in his bookPathologies of Power that theres a saying in Cuba: We live like poor people, but we die like rich people. Farmer also notes that the rate of infant mortality in Cuba has been lower than in the Boston neighborhood of his own prestigious hospital, Harvards Brigham and Womens. All of this despite Cuba spending just $813 per person annually on health care compared with Americas $9,403. The difference comes back to the basic fact that in Cuba, health care is protected under the constitution as a fundamental human right. The U.S. protects unlimited firearms and freedom from quartering soldiers but does not guarantee health care. Instead we compromise, taking inefficient and expensive half-measures to rescue people in serious peril. As a poor country, Cuba cant afford to equivocate and waste money on health care. Much advanced technology is unavailable. So the system is forced instead to keep people healthy. This pressure seems to have created efficiency. more here. Playa del Carmen, Mexico Destination weddings in Riviera Maya, Mexico, have always been a popular choice for couples hailing from all around the United States and Canada. Sunny, warm and welcoming, Riviera Maya is just the right place for those couples who love nature, travel and adventure. One of those couples is Marc and Gillian Andrew, who themselves were married in a destination wedding, and are now proud to help other couples make the most out of their Mexico destination wedding experience. Marc and Gillian have always loved to travel, but they were particularly attracted to the Caribbean. After traveling through Mexico, they decided to leave their native Vancouver, Canada, to pursue their dreams, and provide a better life for their young son Easton. They settled in beautiful Playa del Carmen, which is located in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. More than just husband and wife, Marc and Gillian are also the owners of Fun In The Sun Weddings, a premiere destination wedding photography business based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Marc is the creative genius and Fun In The Sun Weddings lead photographer, while Gillian is the business maven, who runs its day-to-day operations. Fun In The Sun Weddings specializes in professional wedding photography, providing its top-of-the-line services throughout the tropical beaches of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, as well as in all locations along the beautiful Riviera Maya. Marc has an incredible gift for making couples relax, laugh and have fun, and then capturing those precious moments in pictures that they will cherish for a lifetime. Of his work, Marc said I love meeting the new people our business brings in. Everyone always ends up feeling like friends, and its sad when I need to say goodbye at the end of the wedding day! In addition to photography, Fun In The Sun Weddings just launched additional services, such as Videography, Drone Aerial Videography & Photography, and Photobooth, expanding their line of services to better accommodate a growing demand and to enhance the couples experience with such an important moment in their lives. It comes as no surprise then that Marc and Gillian would collaborate with like-minded creatives, who also have a flair for business, in order to take their companys website to the next level. In their quest to find the best digital marketing agency, they came across Solocube Creative, a leading digital marketing and design agency located in Vancouver, BC. Boasting 14 years of experience in helping businesses strengthen their brand and make it more engaging, Solocube is known for its use of smart design and ingenious marketing strategies. Solocube and Fun In The Sun Weddings enjoyed a fruitful collaboration. After chatting with Marc and Gillian, in order to gain an understanding of their businesss mission and philosophy, Solocube worked on revamping their brand, from redesigning their companys logo, to establishing new marketing strategies and re-building their website. As the Fun In The Sun Weddings website was originally built on Squarespace, it limited the businesss online capabilities, and thus its ability to grow. Solocube, understanding the importance of a strong online presence to a businesss vitality, developed and designed a mobile-friendly WordPress website, which features Fun In The Sun Weddings professional destination wedding photography, as well as detailed descriptions of the services the company provides in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico. The final product is a future-friendly, dynamic website which not only helps showcase Fun In The Sun Weddings amazing photography, but also helps the company to effortlessly connect with their clients and serve them in the best way possible. But the companies collaboration is far from over. Solocube will launch a comprehensive marketing campaign, utilizing Facebook, Instagram and Google Adwords, in its quest to make Fun In The Sun Weddings the number one choice for all couples who are looking to wed in any location across Mexicos picturesque Riviera Maya. Of the collaboration with Fun In The Sun Weddings, Ivan Dancourt, Marketing director and owner of Solocube, stated From the beginning of this project, we were up to the challenge to raise the bar with their new site and brand. We knew that we were working with a very special kind of talent when it comes to wedding photography, so we had to make sure the new website was going to not only showcase their photography well, but to also invite new potential clients to contact them for photoshoots in the beautiful beaches of the Riviera Maya, Mexico. He added, Working with Gillian and Marc has been an absolute pleasure, theyve been very proactive in the creation of the new site. I am very proud of the final website and I am very confident they will be able to grow their business in a fast-changing Internet landscape. In addition to developing and designing mobile- and user-friendly, responsive websites, Solocube also provided marketing and consulting services, while it also installed secure SSL in the clients newly-designed website. Gillian Andrew, business manager of Fun In The Sun Weddings, said Our clients come from all over the world. We rarely get to meet them face to face before their destination wedding, so our website is our main connection to them. It is critically important to the growth of our business because it is how clients find us, learn about us, and decide they want to work with us. We are competing in an overly saturated industry, and we needed an outstanding website to give us that edge and make us shine. We now have a site we are so proud of. It really shows who we are, and why we are different. We are so excited for what will come of this. Solocube Creative nailed it!. To learn more about Fun In The Sun Weddings, please visit: https://funinthesunweddings.com/ To learn more about Solocube Creative, please visit: http://solocube.com/ Media Contact Company Name: Fun In The Sun Weddings Contact Person: Gillian Andrew Email: info@funinthesunweddings.com Phone: 52 1 984 166 6626 Country: Mexico Website: https://funinthesunweddings.com/ IndexBox has just published a new report World: Mica Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2020. This report has been designed to provide a detailed analysis of the global mica market. It covers the most recent data sets of quantitative medium-term projections, as well as developments in production, trade, consumption and prices. Global exports of mica fluctuated over the period under review. 2009 saw the largest drop of 29%, followed by a steep increase in 2010. Exports slightly declined the year after that, switching to a growth trend in 2012 and 2013. After a slight decline in 2014-2015, mica exports ended the period under review at 19.3 million USD. According to IndexBox estimates, India continued to dominate in global supplies of mica. In 2015, Indias mica exports totaled 7.7 million USD, which accounted for a 40% share in terms of global exports. Madagascar, China, Brazil, and Belgium were the other key global suppliers of mica in 2015, with a 45% combined share of global exports. Belgium (+38.9% per year) and Madagascar (+34.2% per year) were the fastest growing exporters from 2007 to 2015. Madagascar significantly strengthened its position in terms of global mica export structure, growing its share from 3% in 2007 to 16% in 2015. On the other hand, China (64%, based on value terms), Japan (10%), Germany (7%), USA (5%), and Belgium (2%) were the leading destinations of mica imports in 2015. Imports to Germany grew at a rapid pace of +68.0% per year from 2007 to 2015, while USA slightly contracted its imports of mica over the same period. Chinas share of global imports increased significantly (+27 percentage points), while the share of the USA illustrated negative dynamics (-12 percentage points). TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION 1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 KEY FINDINGS 2.2 MARKET TRENDS 3. MARKET OVERVIEW 3.1 MARKET VOLUME AND VALUE 3.2 CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY 3.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES BY COUNTRY 3.4 MARKET FORECAST TO 2020 4. PRODUCTION 4.1 PRODUCTION IN 2007-2015 4.2 PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY 5. IMPORTS 5.1 IMPORTS IN 2007-2015 5.2 IMPORTS BY COUNTRY 5.3 IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY 6. EXPORTS 6.1 EXPORTS IN 2007-2015 6.2 EXPORTS BY COUNTRY 6.3 EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY 7. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS 3 easy ways to order Follow the link below to review a free sample or to buy the report: http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-mica-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ Call us +44 20 3239 3063 to discuss your information needs and for special discounts on multi-report orders Email your order to info@indexbox.co.uk Price: 1490 EUR for Single License Source: http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-mica-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ Media Contact Company Name: IndexBox Marketing Contact Person: Inna Ivonina Email: info@indexbox.co.uk Phone: +44 20 3239 3063 Country: United Kingdom Website: www.indexbox.co.uk Kempfield Drilling Commences, Targeting Ag, Au, Pb and Zn Sydney, Nov 29, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Argent Minerals Limited ( ASX:ARD ) (Argent, or the Company) is pleased to report that diamond drilling has commenced at the Kempfield volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) project. Drilling of hole AKDD197 commenced on Friday 25 November 2016, and stepped up to 24/7 operations on the evening of 26 November. Highlights: - First diamond hole of the 8 hole programme commenced 25 November 2016 (AKDD197). - 24/7 operations commenced on 26 November 2016. - The remainder of the outstanding regulatory approvals in place for the 8 hole programme. - Drill site preparations continuing ahead of schedule - 5 drill pads completed to date. - 1,600 metres planned for this diamond drilling programme, targeting potential silver, gold, lead and zinc mineralisation extensions identified by recent drilling. The Company is pleased to report that the balance of the regulatory approvals have been received in a timely manner. All regulatory approvals and access agreements are now in place for the total eight-hole programme. Site preparation activities have been completed for the next four holes, well ahead of the scheduled drilling commencement date for each hole and site preparations are on track for the remaining holes. About hole AKDD197 Drill hole AKDD197 is designed to intersect a strong IP anomaly slightly offset from a strong magnetic anomaly that will be tested by AKDD198 and AKDD199. The coincident magnetic and induced polarisation (IP) anomalies imply the presence of concentrated sulphides. Figure 1 (in the link below) shows the AKDD197 drill camp with diamond drilling progress, and Figure 2 in the link below shows a plan view of the drillhole locations. AKDD197 is located on freehold land owned by Argent (beyond the fence in Figure 1 in the link below). Approximately 1,600 metres planned Each hole is planned to a depth of approximately 200 metres, for an approximate total of 1,600 metres for the eight-hole programme. Final hole depths and order of drilling are subject to actual drilling conditions encountered. These decisions are made by the Exploration Manager who is on site closely managing operations in order to optimise exploration progress and usage of the Company's budget for the drilling programme. Figure 2 (in the link below) follows, with a plan view of the Kempfield site and drillhole collar locations. Drill programme targets silver, gold, lead and zinc The drilling programme has been designed to test for potential silver, gold, lead and zinc VHMS mineralisation in the following target areas identified by recent drilling: - Southern magnetic anomaly - AKDD197, AKDD199 and AKDD198; - Southeast mineralisation extension - AKDD195 and AKDD196; - Northwest mineralisation extension - AKDD193 and AKDD194; and - Quarries - AKDD200. Next steps On completion of hole AKDD197, the drill rig will be relocated to the next scheduled site in the programme - hole AKDD199, the first of two holes designed to test the southern dual magnetic anomaly. To view tables and figures, please visit: http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/2K64DDD0 About Argent Minerals Limited Argent Minerals Limited ( ASX:ARD) is an Australian publicly listed company with a 100% interest in a silver/gold project at Kempfield NSW. Work is underway on the preparation of an EIS and a feasibility study for the first stage of the project which will involve heap leaching some 8.8 million tonnes of mainly oxide and transitional material to produce over 9.5 million ounces of silver and 15,000 ounces of gold over a 5 year mine life. Argent is also earning up to a 70% interest in two other NSW projects - gold at West Wyalong and base metals at Sunny Corner. Tin Mineral Resource Upgrade to JORC 2012 Melbourne, Nov 29, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Stellar Resources Limited ( ASX:SRZ ) ("Stellar" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that it has completed a review and upgrade from JORC 2004 to JORC 2012 of Mineral Resource estimates for its 100% owned Zeehan tin deposits. The Zeehan tin deposits lie within RL5/1997 and underpin the Heemskirk Tin Project - the highest grade undeveloped tin resource of significance listed on the ASX. - Mineral Resource of 6.35mt grading 1.13% tin or 72,000t of contained tin - 97% of contained tin is in the form of cassiterite - Cassiterite is the most readily recoverable tin mineral - 64% of Indicated Resource at Lower Queen Hill - first in development queue - LQH Indicated Resource grade is 1.42% or 26% above the resource average - Zeehan tin deposits are open and have significant exploration potential - Next step is infill drilling to convert resources to ore reserves - Infill drilling provides an opportunity to explore Severn for higher grade "The estimate is more robust than the JORC 2004 estimate and not materially different in tonnes and grade. Importantly, the JORC 2012 estimate identifies a high grade Indicated Resource at Lower Queen Hill that will be the target for initial underground mining studies" said Stellar's Managing Director, Mr Peter Blight. "The combination of a rising tin price and results from a planned infill drilling program that will target higher grade zones in Lower Queen Hill and Severn should underpin a positive outlook for Stellar shareholders as the company progresses Heemskirk Tin towards development" he added. Resource Statement The JORC 2012 Mineral Resource estimate is summarised in Table 1. The global Indicated and Inferred Resource estimate is 6.35mt grading 1.13% total Sn. Table 1 in link below also identifies cassiterite as the dominant Sn mineral and includes grades of associated base metals to demonstrate geochemical differences between deposits. As Table 2 in link below shows, the JORC 2012 estimate is not materially different from the JORC 2004 estimate. However, JORC 2012 is a more robust estimate as it includes some additional drill holes and the results from mining, metallurgy and environmental studies. Tenure The Zeehan Tin Deposits, Severn, Queen Hill and Montana, lie within RL5/1997 (retention licence) which is 100% owned by Stellar Resources Limited through its wholly owned subsidiary company Columbus Metals Limited. The RL is located on the western side of Zeehan, a historic mining town located in northwest Tasmania. Stellar Resources Limited has recently submitted a Mining Lease application over the RL to Mineral Resources Tasmania. The application is currently pending approval. Geology The Zeehan Tin Deposits are Devonian Granite related cassiterite-pyrite-pyrrhotite-basemetal stockwork and replacement style mineralisation hosted in Proterozoic sediments and volcaniclastics of the Zeehan Sub Basin, Western Tasmania. The stratabound mineralisation is structurally controlled on fold/fault dilation zones between lithologies of contrasting rheology. Three steeply dipping and moderately plunging tabular deposits have been delineated over an area of 600m by 500m to 500m depth, the Severn, Queen Hill and Montana deposits. The Severn and Queen Hill deposits strike mine grid north-south, dip steeply east and plunge moderately north. The Montana deposit strikes east-northeast and has a steeply south to vertical dip. Mineralisation in all deposits remains open down plunge. Tin occurs principally as cassiterite with minor stannite and base-metal sulphides located towards the top and periphery of the Queen Hill and Montana Deposits. Drilling Information The Zeehan Tin Deposit Mineral Resource estimation is based on 100 historic diamond drill holes for 25,538m and 45 recent diamond drill holes for 13,720m. Mineralised intercepts range in core diameter with 58% NQ 47.6mm, 26% BQ 36.4mm and the remaining 16% larger sizes. Diamond core recoveries over mineralised zones averaged 98% for the Severn deposit, 96% for Queen Hill and 82% for Montana. Most historical and all recent drill-hole collars were surveyed by qualified surveyors. The first 28 drill holes had downhole surveys completed using acid tube and Tropari. The remainder had downhole surveys completed by Eastman single shot camera. Historical and recent geological logging of drill core is of high quality and completed by experienced geologists and field personnel. Sampling/Assay Database Mineralised diamond drill core was halved and bagged on 1m sample intervals while respecting geological boundaries. Samples were ticketed and security ensured by delivery to ALS laboratories in Burnie by Stellar Resources staff. The database contains 6,905 assay records, 4,286 from previous explorers and 2,619 from Stellar Resources drilling programs. Summary statistics demonstrate good correlation between the two data sets. Drill core was analysed at several commercial and company laboratories for a range of elements over the various historical and recent drilling campaigns. Total Sn was analysed by fusion disc and pressed powder XRF techniques. Soluble Sn, Cu, Pb, Zn, S and Ag were analysed by AAS. Historical and recent SG determinations were made using a combination of pycnometer and the Archimedes method on non-porous drill core. QAQC procedures involved extensive independent laboratory check analyses. Correlation between laboratory analyses is generally excellent with the exception of some periodic systematic bias of up to 10%. Drilling, logging and analytical procedures are not considered to present any material risk to the estimation of Mineral Resources on a global level. Mining Method The Zeehan Tin Deposits are amenable to decline access, open stope mining methods with Drift and Fill and Avoca mining methods proposed where orebody dip requires. Rock fill, cemented rock fill and cemented aggregate fill were considered where appropriate. Mining studies were completed by MiningOne (2013 and 2016) and Polberro Consulting (2015). Metallurgical Test-Work Sn recovery and concentrate grade assumptions are based on test-work conducted by ALS Metallurgy at its Burnie facility with supervision and interpretation of results by WorleyParsons. The most comprehensive test-work program was completed for the Severn deposit with partial testing of the flow sheet for the Queen Hill deposit. Cut-off Grade A block cut-off grade of 0.6% was determined using industry standard mining recovery, metallurgical recovery determined from test work, independent cost studies and the prevailing LME spot tin price and exchange rate. Table 3 shows that an increase in cut-off grade to say 0.7%Sn has only a modest impact on contained Sn in the Mineral Resource. Estimation Wire-framed solid models of geological and mineralisation domains (based on a 0.4% Sn contour) were created from cross-sections, geological maps and drill-hole data. Mineralised domains are generally stratabound and demonstrate reasonable sectional continuity given the broad drill spacing and style of mineralisation. The mineralised domain models are considered appropriate in the context of the resource classifications applied to this estimate. A block modelled (10mx10mx10m) resource estimate was calculated using an ordinary kriged algorithm for Sn constrained by solid models in the Severn and Queen Hill deposits. An inverse distance squared algorithm was used to interpolate Sn grades into the Montana solid models and S, Cu, Pb, soluble Sn and SG into all mineralised solid models. Classification Inferred and Indicated Resources, reported above a 0.6% Sn cut-off, were classified according to the guidelines of the 2012 edition of the JORC Code. The classification included consideration of data quality and distribution, spatial continuity, confidence in the geological interpretation and estimation confidence. The Queen Hill deposit above 930mRL and south of 3770N is classified as Indicated Resource as it is reasonably well drilled and the geology model well supported. The remaining area of Queen Hill and the Severn and Montana deposits were classified as Inferred Resource largely due to the broad drill spacing (100m x 100m) and short range grade variability. To view tables and figures, please visit: http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/SQIU6I3S About Stellar Resources Limited Stellar Resources Ltd (ASX:SRZ) is a tin exploration and development company. Its flagship project, Heemskirk Tin, is the highest grade undeveloped tin deposit in Australia and has excellent potential for resource expansion. Located near the historic mining town of Zeehan in northwest Tasmania, Heemskirk benefits from ready access to transport infrastructure, power and water. Stellar's objective is to establish Heemskirk as Australias second largest tin producer. Small businesses in the U.S. on average pay an extra $5,128 in taxes to make up for revenue lost to the use of offshore tax havens by multinational corporations, according to a new study. The report, by U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, found the federal government loses $128.5 billion in corporate tax revenue due to tax haven abuse. Every small business would need to pay an additional $4,481 in federal taxes to account for the revenue lost. On top of that, offshore tax havens cost state governments an estimated $18.5 billion in lost tax revenue, according to the report. U.S. small businesses would need to pay an average of an extra $647 to make up for the lost state tax revenue. In addition, because state corporate tax rates vary so much, small businesses in some states would need to pay up to $2,520 to make up for state tax revenue lost to tax havens. The amount of cash corporations book to offshore tax havens is only growing, and its not because these businesses are conducting prolific amounts of business in the Cayman Islands, said U.S. PIRG tax and budget associate Alexandria Robins in a statement. Our tax code is balanced in favor of big multinational corporations, and that means here at home were losing out on lower tax rates, more funding for public programs, or cuts to our national debt. The report pointed to the use of foreign tax havens by some of the largest multinationals. General Electric, for example, maintained 20 tax haven subsidiaries and kept $104 billion offshore last year. GE was thus able to pay an effective federal tax rate of -1.6 percent over the past 10 years, a negative rate because it received net tax payments from the federal government. Microsoft, for its part, has five tax haven subsidiaries and keeps $124 billion offshore, on which it would otherwise owe $39.3 billion in extra U.S. taxes. Meanwhile, the drug maker Pfizer operates 181 subsidiaries in tax havens, holding $193.6 billion in profits abroad for tax purposes, the second highest amount among Fortune 500 companies. Clark Gascoigne, deputy director of the FACT Coalition, an advocacy group, noted the report comes at a time when the incoming administration and Congress are set to consider expansive tax reforms. For too long, lawmakers in Washington have used the tax code to pick winners and losers, he said in a statement. Sadly, the 'winners' have been multinational companies that shift jobs and profits overseas, while the losers are small businesses and middle-class Americans who are stuck with the bill. We are about to have a very public debate on corporate taxes. It's important to remember that fixing the problems should include changes that level the playing field between domestic businesses and multinational companies. Real change must not, as we have seen in some proposals, double down on a two-tiered system that favors multinational over wholly domestic companies. The report includes letters from Maurice Rahming, owner of ONeill Electric in Portland, Oregon and ReShonda Young, owner of Popcorn Heaven in Waterloo, Iowa. Both are members of the small business advocacy group, Main Street Alliance. It is extremely difficult to compete against larger corporations, said Rahming. Their ability to dodge their tax responsibility is a huge reason for that. For every dollar large corporations pay in taxes, I pay eight. We certainly cant call that a level playing field. Corporate tax dodging is a triple whammy for small business owners like me, said Young. First of all, along with all other taxpaying citizens, we have to fill the gaps when corporations avoid paying their fair share. That means paying more ourselves, suffering inferior services, watching the national debt climbor some unfortunate combination of those options. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancys new chairman, Telford A. Lodden, described his goals for the organization during his 2016-2017 term, urging members to maintain high standards for accountants during a recent NASBA conference. We live in a world that wants us to widen the plate and lower the quality, but we cantwe are regulators, Lodden said during NASBAs 109th Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. We are the umpire behind the plate calling the proper balls and strikes and we are protecting the batter, which is our public. Lodden, a CPA from West Des Moines, Iowa, summarized his four main goals for NASBA: be trusted, be a community, be relevant and be influential. The U.S. CPA is recognized as trusted and world-class by business professionals, he said. The U.S. CPAs training and examination standards are recognized as robust and top notch. We must never deviate from the path that delivers the gold standard of regulation. He wants NASBA to act as a community that remains relevant and influential. We must build a great and all-inclusive community, said Lodden. Diversity and leadership development will be kept in the front of our minds and on the top of our list. It is our future and will lead us to a better tomorrow. NASBA will continue to speak as the trusted, collective voice for the state boards on both the national and international levels while promoting ethics and integrity, he added. We will work to ensure there is a thorough, effective and transparent peer review process. We will continually monitor state and federal legislation and notify boards of pending legislation. NASBA will also seek input from outside the organization. We will work with other stakeholders realizing, that at times, we can politely agree to disagree while we pursue solutions that will protect the public and serve the needs of the Boards of Accountancy," said Lodden. G. Michael Crooch, a former member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and Arthur Andersen veteran, died on Nov. 24 at the age of 73. Crooch served on the board for two terms, from 2000 to 2008, after retiring from Big Five firm Arthur Andersen, where he had been a partner and director of its International Professional Standards Group. We are deeply saddened by the death of our friend and former colleague Mike Crooch, FASB Chairman Russell Golden said in a statement. During his tenure on the FASB, Mike provided invaluable perspective and insight as the board worked toward guidance on such major projects as stock-based compensation, business combinations, the conceptual framework, and numerous efforts to make standards more comparable across international borders. Personally, well never forget Mikes dedication, kindness, humor, and friendship. A true gentleman, he will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. We join with Mikes wife of 48 years, Janet, and their two sons, Joshua and Ben, in remembering and honoring the life of a remarkable man. Born in Oklahoma in 1943, Crooch earned a BS in Accounting from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D in Business Administration, with a concentration in accounting, from Michigan State University. He rose to full professor at OSU between 1970 and 1978, and joined Andersen in 1979. He was admitted as a partner in 1981. In addition, Crooch served as the American Institute of CPAs delegate to the International Accounting Standards Committee, and served on the IASCs Executive; he also served on the AICPAs Accounting Standards Executive Committee, including three years as chair. He received numerous professional awards and honors, and was also active in his local community. Funeral services will be held on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Malone Funeral Home, in Geneva, Ill. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, or Geneva Community chest. Small business employment growth dipped for the third month in a row, according to the payroll service provider Paychex. The Paychex | IHS Small Business Jobs Index, which Paychex compiles with the research firm IHS Markit, declined 0.02 percent in November to 100.38. Overall, small business employment growth levels stayed consistent with the same period a year ago. The overall index is down slightly from October, Paychex president and CEO Martin Mucci said Tuesday. It still shows job growth but it has flattened to what it was last year. The East South Central region of the U.S. showed the strongest growth, up 3.42 percent from last year. Georgia overtook Washington as the top-ranked state for small business employment growth. Seattle maintained its position as the top metropolitan area of the country in November, with Atlanta following closely in second place. The interesting thing is the tale of two coasts, said Mucci. The East Coast, particularly the Southeast, continues to be strong. The leaders from a small business growth standpoint are the Southeast regions and the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Small business job growth for leisure and hospitality increased 0.20 percent from October, while construction jobs declined 0.17 percent. Energy jobs also fell. The Other Services category, which includes discretionary services such as pet care and personal care, remained robust. In the Central part of the country, particularly in Texas, we have a big drop-off from last year as oil prices and the lack of fracking have really hurt places like Houston, said Mucci. Even Dallas is down pretty strongly from last year. There are not a lot of changes in the job types and industries. Other Services is still strong, far outpacing the other sectors, with growth rate up about 0.4 percent from last year, and 4 percent from our base year, so Other Services, or discretionary services, is still doing the best. Much of that can be part-time employment, which were seeing up pretty substantially over the last three years. The recent election is sure to have an impact on small business jobs. It will be interesting over the next few months to watch the index and see how small businesses react after the election to the changes, what we hope will be less regulation and possibly lower taxes on their businesses, said Mucci. We hope that will drive more jobs. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that the Consumer Confidence Index hit 107.1, the highest level since 2007. Thats the biggest jump weve seen in a long time in consumer confidence, said Mucci. Hopefully that equates to more buying and more jobs. Small businesses will need to rely on their accountants to keep an eye on future changes with regulations, such as the injunction last week by a federal judge on the Labor Departments plan to expand overtime pay to millions more workers. Before the overtime rule could take effect on December 1, the injunction stopped it. Accountants and their small business clients will also need to monitor future developments with the Affordable Care Act, which President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal. The good thing with all these changes for accountants and their clients is that its probably more dramatic than we expected before the election, said Mucci. Hopefully well see less regulation, but it will be very important for clients to stay tuned to their accountants, who will be close to all of the changes in filing requirements and tax rates that could have a big impact on their businesses from a profitability standpoint. ABC/Fred WatkinsJohn Legend actively campaigned for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and he says people are already feeling the difference between the outgoing president and President-elect Donald Trump. Particularly when you compare them, especially with Trump and how tawdry so much of the campaign has been, Legend tells Jocks & Nerds. I think people are appreciating how scandal-free his presidency has been. The ten-time Grammy Award winner says Obamas admirable style is one of his many great qualities. Combine that with the fact the economy is doing much better than it was before he came into office, he comments. Unemployments down, incomes are rising. I think all in all, people are realizing he did a pretty great job. Legend does acknowledge some African-Americans are disappointed with Obama, especially with his handling of the Black Lives Matter movement. Its been a challenge for Obama, because he represents the state, and he represents law enforcement, and he represents the Justice Department, so the folks that are protesting are protesting that apparatus, Legend says. But I think he understands where those protests are coming from. But he still has to represent the government. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Africa's pan-regional MNOs continue jockeying for market position Mobile telephony is by far the dominant telecom platform across Africa, accounting for more than 90% of all telephone lines in the region. As a consequence, mobile internet also accounts for a similar proportion of all internet connections. Given the size and range of markets on the continent, market penetration is varied between countries. By the end of 2016 the highest mobile penetration was found in countries including Libya (155%), Botswana (176%) and Gabon (190%), which reflects the popularity of consumers having multiple SIM cards. By contrast, a number of countries have a penetration rate less than half of this level. In many countries the recorded number of subscribers has fallen since 2015 as regulators step up efforts to compel mobile network operators to enforce provisions by which dormant SIM cards are taken off their books, and services are ended for non-registered SIM cards. The latter is intended to address fears that crime and civil disturbances can be facilitated or orchestrated via mobile phones. The introduction of prepaid services was a catalyst for strong mobile subscriber growth across Africa. By late 2016 the prepaid sector accounted for up to 99% of the overall subscriber base in many markets. The steady decline in tariffs, encouraged by competitive pressure, has meant that a greater proportion of the continent's estimated population of 1.34 billion can afford a mobile phone, and so make use of voice and data services which are in many areas cannot be accessed via fixed-line networks. Mobile services are also increasingly contributing to the growth of national economies, stimulated by productivity and efficiency gained brought about by the increased take-up of a range of services, as also by tax revenue. Although there are a large number of network operators across the continent, as also smaller niche MVNO players, there are also a small number of pan-regional network operators. These include Millicom, Orange Group, Vodacom and Bharti Airtel. Some rationalisation of their operations continues as these players adjust their strategies to fit in with market positions and expectations. Thus Orange Group in late 2015 sold its entire 70% stake in Telkom Kenya, having sold its local Ugandan unit in the previous year, when it became clear that it was unlikely to gain market share and become at least the number two player. Focussing on core markets was also the reason Millicom exited Botswana in mid-2016. Although ARPU remains relatively low for operators, considering the level of disposable income in the region, Africa remains a key area for investment among players. In coming years much investment will be geared towards securing licences and spectrum as well as to upgrading networks to take better advantage of the capabilities of LTE infrastructure as LTE coverage expands. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4364870/ 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: query@reportbuyer.com Tel: +44 208 816 85 48 Website: www.reportbuyer.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/africa---mobile-network-operators-and-mvnos-300369388.html SOURCE ReportBuyer Successful load operation benchmark for JBSA Whenever worldwide crises require a rapid, humanitarian response from the U.S. Air Force, the 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is ready to answer the call. The squadron successfully processed and loaded more than nine tons of medical cargo onto an aircraft at JBSA-Lackland Kelly Air Annex Field Nov. 12 bound for Honduras. The cargo is scheduled to be assembled into a mobile medical facility that will bring much-needed aid to more than 2,000 men, women and children in that country. The cargo was shipped as part of the Jeremiah Denton Amendment, a Department of Defense provision that allows the U.S. Air Force to ship privately donated humanitarian assistance cargo to foreign countries using military transportation on a space-available basis. This mission shows just how far we can reach, said Staff Sgt. Joseph Costancio, 502nd LRS senior controller of air terminal operation center. We dont just reach into the United States; we can get to places like Honduras on a couple days notice if its really needed. From Nov. 9-12, Costancio, along with Lt. Col. Thomas Miner, 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group commander, oversaw the loading operation for the Honduras project. The cargo arrived mid-week from Houston on a flatbed truck as a single 40-foot container at 16,800 pounds net weight. Costancios crew used a crane to lift the package off the flatbed and separated the cargo onto five separate pallets, all with a total weight of 18,000 pounds. By the end of their mission, Nov. 12, the squadron had inspected the transporting aircraft for air worthiness, marked and weighed the cargo, and established a load plan. Just after noon that day, the team then pushed the cargo onto the aircraft, manned by personnel from the 701st Airlift Squadron, and the plane departed for its destination. Everything went pretty smoothly, Costancio said. When it comes to humanitarian missions, we have to be constantly ready to send out aid, cargo or passengers, if need be. While Costancios team regularly ships military cargo, privately donated supplies can pose additional challenges for the 502nd LRS. This isnt a normal movement for us, Costancio explained. With private supplies, you are relying on a bunch of different, moving pieces and partners. We usually only get this type of assignment twice a year, and when we do, get it its almost always a humanitarian mission. These partners included volunteers from Texas A&M University, private cargo shippers from Houston and airlift coordinators from Charleston, S.C. Once we get word that were handling a shipment like this, were immediately coordinating with a bunch of different parties involved, Costancio explained. Weve got to stay coordinated. The squadrons ability to deliver aid on such a tight timeframe is also instrumental, Costancio noted. The fact that we turned this around on a short timetable speaks for itself, he explained. Working over a weekend wasnt a big deal for the crew, which worked until Nov. 12 to get the shipment out on time, according to 502nd LRS reports. We needed a couple extra bodies outside of normal work hours, but our people stepped up, Costancio said. It was cool to see us handle the project that quickly. Premature twin miracles refuse to accept medical odds It was the worst day of my life, said Capt. Matthew Douglas, the Air Force Space Command logistical and support officer. When Matthew and his wife, Mandy, were pregnant with their twin boys, Dean and Luke, she began to feel contractions at 23 weeks, which is significantly shorter than the average 40-week pregnancy. Mandy knew that was the day she would finally meet her sons, but nothing could prepare her for the journey ahead. There was no warning or insight into why they were born early, Matthew said. Sometimes tragedies strike when we least expect them to and when we are least prepared. That's what happened with the pregnancy. Mandys pregnancy was cut short without any notice, leaving her to wonder what a full-term pregnancy experience would be like. I wish I would have been able to experience the full range of what pregnancy was supposed to be like, she said. I always hear mothers complaining about their pregnancies and I wish I would have been granted that gift of being able to go to full-term even with the pain and emotions that I would have felt. It was ripped from me so I may or may not ever know what full-term pregnancy really means. Matthew and Mandy welcomed two little boys into the world Nov. 2, 2013. With Dean and Luke being born much earlier than planned and underdeveloped, many medical issues affected them, including chronic lung disease, multiple heart surgeries, gastrostomy tubes for feeding and Dean having numerous brain bleeds and ocular nerve atrophy, a rare form of blindness. Although they are twins, the boys have dealt with different issues. Dean has had aspiration pneumonia once before, he had to undergo surgery to stretch his esophagus, and an original Nissen fundoplication surgery to reduce the chance of acid reflux and vomiting, which had to be redone, that resulted in many more complications. Luke also had a Nissen fundoplication that has partially failed, however, due to the life-threatening complications Dean experienced, the Douglas are not willing to have it repaired. Luke did not suffer from brain bleeds, so his vision has not been affected and he is physically capable of running around like a normal toddler. It took time for Matthew and Mandy to figure out the line between parents and caretakers, especially for Mandy, since she stays home with the boys on a daily basis. We had 24/7 nursing care and we decided from the beginning that we would be the only ones to kiss our boys, so they had a clear understanding of who was daddy and mommy, Mandy said. We are their parents and we went to great lengths to ensure our role was clear between us and the nurses. Even through all of the medical issues, nurses, surgeries and internal family struggles, Matthew and Mandy both agreed that they would not be in the position they are now if it were not for the Air Force. The Air Force has provided the Douglas family with medical care, the opportunity for Matthew to spend as much time as possible with his family, especially when the boys needed extra medical attention, and a support system that is the Air Force family. The Air Force has not only taken care of my twins, but it has taken care of my family, Matthew said. I owe the Air Force everything. Raising twin boys is hard enough, but having to maneuver around medical personnel while making decisions on how to handle the boys made life much more complicated for the Douglas parents. I felt like a boss more often than being a new parent, Mandy said. We got rid of the nurses as quickly as we could, and now Matt and I are husband, wife, parent, nurse, doctor, friend, lover, caregiver, punisher and leader all in one. Another emotional challenge the Douglas said they experience is finding alone time. It is difficult for Matthew and Mandy due to their children needing more care and attention, and the lack of trained and capable people able to take care of them makes it even harder. Nobody else besides us and certified nurses can take care of our boys, Matthew said. However, the struggle of raising twin boys with numerous medical issues has brought the Douglas family closer and allowed them to grow as a unit, as well as individuals. Not only do the boys need us, but we need each other for sanity and love, Mandy said, Our situation just made this more challenging. The Douglas have fought through over three years of medical challenges, learning about being first-time parents and much more. They continue to work to provide Dean and Luke with the best life they can. Their situation changes every day and they work harder as each day passes to make life work and help the boys grow. I know they will become strong, independent, intelligent, mobile, gifted young men, Mandy said. With the help of the Air Force, Matthew and Mandy said they have learned how to navigate the struggles of being parents to Dean and Luke, while also maintaining a strong marriage with each other. This tragedy brought us to the brink of destruction, but it wasn't destruction in terms of divorce, Matthew said. It was destruction in terms of what we longed to have for each other with having kids. We take things day by day, but I wouldn't want anyone else doing this by my side. -- On this look around the Air Force the commander of Air Combat Command visits deployed Airmen, the Berlin Airlift Memorial is reopened, and a specialized stretcher for traumatic brain and spinal injury patients is being tested. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Jasmine Vanderheyden.For previous episodes, click here Related links: JAMMU: Heavily armed suicide bombers stormed an army camp in Nagrota a town near Jammu on Tuesday, triggering a fierce gunfight that left two attackers dead and six soldiers injured, officials said. Two more militants died in another shootout near the International Border. Police told IANS that an unknown number of militants barged into the military camp near the headquarters of the Indian Armys 16 Corps a massive military formation that acts as a nerve centre to fight militancy and defend the borders in the Jammu region. An officer said the militants carrying automatic weapons and explosives entered the field regiment camp around 5.30 a.m. They started firing indiscriminately at the Officers Mess inside the camp in Nagrota, some 15 km from Jammu. Two militants were believed to have been killed and six soldiers were injured. The exchange of fire is still on as other militants are still holed up inside, the police officer said. The body of one of the slain gunmen had been recovered. However, military spokesperson Lt. Col Manish Mehta refused to divulge details of the attack or the casualties. We will not confirm any casualty till the operation is over, said Mehta. The Jammu-Srinagar highway, which runs through Nagrota, has been closed for traffic near the town after the security forces cordoned off the area. As soldiers were battling the militants in Nagrota, another gunfight raged in Samba, some 40 km south of here. A police officer said security forces engaged a group of infiltrators from Pakistan in a shootout near the International Border. The militants have been surrounded at the BSF camp and the encounter is going on. A BSF trooper was injured and two militants have been gunned down, the officer told IANS. The firing sparked an explosion and a fire at an ammunition dump, leaving four BSF troopers critically injured, the officer said. Source: Agency Maharashtra government on Tuesday inducted the daughter of 26/11 martyr constable Shashank Shinde, into the Sales Tax Department as assistant commissioner. Nivedita Shashank Shinde has been appointed on the post of Assistant Sales Tax Commissioner in Sales Tax Department on compassionate ground, state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said, as he gave her the order of her appointment at a programme held in Mumbai. The programme held in Sahyadri Guest House was attended by Principal Secretary to Finance Department V Giriraj, Shashank Shindes wife Manasi Shashank Shinde, his another daughter Aditi Shinde and other officers and dignitaries. You will fulfil your fathers dream to serve the country. Today while giving this order for appointment in the government service there is a sad background to it, Mungantiwar said. But you are getting an opportunity to fulfil your fathers dream to serve the country, you can contribute in the development of the state by excellent tax collection, he said. As per the government resolution dated January 20, 2009, there is a provision to include one family member of the police personnel martyred in the dreaded Mumbai terrorist attack of November 26, 2008, into government service in group B or group A. Accordingly, the daughter of Kirti Chakra awardee Shashank Shinde has been appointed in the Sales Tax Department in group A service (after she completed 21 years of age). Government-run madrassas in Assam will not be allowed to keep their institutions closed on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan as it is against government rules, state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. However, the madrassas in the state will be allowed one-hour break on Friday for prayers. The minister said there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. Making it clear that there cannot be two holidays in a week for madrassas, the minister said that as the teachers get salary for working on Fridays from the government they cannot on their own give unrecognised and unscheduled holidays going against government sanctions. The state government would soon issue an order for the madrassas to remain open on Fridays as per rules, Sarma said. This Friday holiday is not officially recognized. We will not allow the closure of madrassas on Fridays. We will make provisions for one hour break for jumma namaz (Friday prayer) to be offered instead of a days holiday for it as there is no official sanction for this. If the madrassas want a holiday on Friday besides Sunday holiday, they could give a representation to the effect to the state government which will forward it to the Central government for action, Sarma said. Carrying out with its probe in the blasts outside court premises in South India since April this year, NIA on Tuesday arrested two more persons for allegedly being involved in the conspiracy to carry out bomb explosions by a group sympathising with terror outfit al-Qaeda. With Tuesdays arrest, the number of people arrested in the case has gone upto five. The NIA, along with police forces from Tamil Nadu and Telangana, had arrested three persons on Monday for the five bomb blast cases in court premises of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka since April. Among the arrests affected on Tuesday was Mohammed Ayub Ali, who had been detained last night. Ali (25) of Madurai, who works as a public liaison officer for a hearing aid company, was placed under arrest today, NIA spokesman said. The other person arrested was Shamsudeen, 25, a resident of Madurai after his name cropped up during interrogation of others arrested by the NIA. The cases relate to blasts inside a vehicle at a parking place at district court complex, in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh on April 7; in a parking area of CJM Court Complex at Kollam in Kerala on June 15; inside court complex at Mysuru on August 1, in Nellore of Andhra Pradesh on September 12 and inside a toilet complex of judicial court, Malappuram in Kerala on November 1. The NIA had arrested Abbas Ali, Suleiman and Samsum Karim Raja, all residents of Tamil Nadu. A young terrorist with Pakistan links launched an attack at a US university using his car and a butchers knife injuring 11 people before being shot dead by a police officer. The attack was carried out at the Ohio State University in Columbus by Abdul Razak Ali Artan. Artan had spent seven years in Pakistan after leaving his native Somalia before coming to the US as a refugee two years ago. The attack turns a spotlight on Republican President-elect Donald Trumps calls during his campaign for a temporary halt to Muslim immigration while screening procedures are tightened. Trump has since softened his stand, leaning towards heightened vigilance towards those coming from some countries linked to terrorism. While national leaders were reluctant to even call the incident terrorism, a Republican Indian American Ohio lawmaker, Niraj Antani, jumped into the fray with a challenge. Democrats see such acts as a result of the proliferation of weapons rather than the motivations. In line with this Tim Kaine, who was the Democratic Party`s candidate for vice president, reacting to first reports of the shooting, tweeted that he was deeply saddened by the senseless act of gun violence. State Representative Antani, who at 25 years is among the youngest elected officials in the US, tweeted back at Kaine, But not saddened by the senseless act of machete or car violence? The tweet was later removed. Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs told reporters that we have to consider that it is a terror attack. Artan, whose age was reported to be between 18 and 20, was a third year transfer student in logistics management. After leaving Somalia in 2007, he lived in Pakistan till 2014 before he came to the US. According media reports, Catholic Charities had helped with his family`s resettlement. Officials said that after a university building was evacuated on Monday morning because of reports of a gas leak, Artan drove a car into the crowd of people standing outside, charged out of his car wielding a knife and attacked. A police officer who was nearby reached the scene of the terror strike and shot Artan dead, officials said. Officials did not release the names of the injured, who have all survived. One of them was a faculty member and most of the others were students, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Often we hear about some people or political parties going on strikes. Sometimes, there is a strike of labourers in a factory, a strike called by students or teachers in colleges or universities, strikes by doctors and nurses in hospitals or bandh announced by various political parties on one pretext or another. But whatever it is, strikes surely have become the order of the day. They have become an inseparable part of our daily life. Today, if we look closely at the psychology of the workers, it can be safely concluded that hartals have become the sole means of getting ones demands accepted. It is not only the unskilled workers and labourers who resort to strikes but even qualified professionals like doctors, teachers, engineers and lawyers whenever their demands are not met. There are many causes of strikes. In some cases, workers stop work as they are unhappy with the policies of the company. But strikes vitally affect the life of the common man as it may disrupt electricity, water supply. It brings a host of problems for citizens who will be at the receiving end. People ask for their rights but are totally irresponsible in doing their duty. They do not hesitate to damage public property, burn buses and hurt innocent people. Students, professionals and unskilled labourers, all resort to this kind of arson and violence. But before they go into stopping honest hardworking people from earning a day or a few days wages, they ought to remember the words of the late American President, John F. Kennedys quote, Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country. The striking workers of an industry or a service maybe well within their right to use the weapon of strike because it is a recognized trade union right. They may be fully justified in their demands. But that does not mean that it is right to choose hartal as a means of imposing pressure on the concerned authorities. The workers on strike may benefit by forcing the employer to accept their demands but people suffer if a general strike is called for. The common man cannot go on a strike against such injustice done to him by the strike mongers. Sometimes strikes take a violent turn as many innocent people are killed or sustain injuries. Houses of innocent citizens, schools and religious places are set on fire. It creates a law and order problem. At times, police have to resort to tough measures and curfew needs to be clamped. The common man is unable to get food supplies and other essential commodities for daily use. So, in a way, strikes and bandhs are a curse to the society. But these cannot be banned or stopped. Instead, one should try to develop consciousness in people to be aware of their duties along with their rights. The need of the day isnt to impose a blanket ban on strikes, but to learn to behave responsibly in the larger interest of the nation and common good. Bandhs and strikes in India have become an integral feature of the mundane life of the Indian citizens. The history of bandhs, hartals, etc. is quite extensive and is associated with many political parties. Jubel DCruz (The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.) I called Langone Medical Center, and first spoke with a woman in the Office of Communications. She transferred me to the Director of Media Relations, Mr. James Devitt. I told Mr. Devitt my concerns about NYU hosting the lecture and speakers that it did last week, and asked whether a subsequent lecture would be offered to counter and correct what was shared with NYU's medical staff and students. He did not know anything about the lecture to which I was referring, so he took down my name and number, and said he would check into it and get back to me. Today, I called again, and spoke to Kyle for the second time. Again, she was polite and professional, and heard me out. I inquired as to whether or not NYU was going to host another lecture to counter and correct the information that was presented at NYU last week. She did not know, as the President's office had not been in contact with the Director of Langone Medical Center. She ended up giving me the number for Langone, and told me I could email Mr. Hamilton, as he was presently out of town. I followed through on both counts. Last week, on Monday, Nov. 21st, I called the Office of the President at NYU to express that I was both disappointed and disturbed by a lecture being presented at NYU, specifically, the lecture by Paul Offit, Richard Pan, and Dorit Reiss titled "Confronting Vaccine Resistance: Strategies for Success". I spoke to the woman who answered the phone in President Andrew Hamilton's office, Kyle, for 10-15 minutes. She was polite and professional, and heard me out, which I greatly appreciated. I gave her my contact information in hopes that Mr. Hamilton, or someone in his office, would call me back to discuss my concerns further. I did not hear back from anyone. By Laura Hayes I have contacted NYU regarding the lecture last week at its Langone Medical Center In the interim, I wrote the email below to NYU President, Andrew Hamilton. I will keep you posted regarding what, and if, I hear back from Mr. Devitt and from NYU President Hamilton. (I hope to share the presentation which I attached for him with AoA readers in the coming week.) Should you want to send your own email to NYU's President, his email is: president@nyu.edu Should you want to call the Office of the President, that number is: 212-998-2345. Should you want to call NYU's Langone Medical Center, that number is: 212-263-7300. From that main number, I was eventually transferred to NYU's Director of Media Relations. I may call again, after hearing back from Mr. Devitt, and ask for the Director's office. I was calm and courteous, as I want them to respond to the questions I asked, including why NYU hosted such a lecture, with such speakers, and what they intend to do, or not do, regarding countering and correcting the inaccurate, unethical, and dangerous information that was shared with their medical staff and students. If they choose to do nothing, similar to UC Berkeley's School of Public Health after I contacted them last year, after Richard Pan spoke to its students about water being the most dangerous ingredient in vaccines, that will speak volumes about NYU. Laura Dear President Hamilton, I am writing to express my grave disappointment at NYU's hosting a lecture for its medical staff and students last week titled Confronting Vaccine Resistance: Strategies for Success, with speakers Paul Offit, Richard Pan, and Dorit Reiss, and moderator Arthur Caplan. A summary of what was shared by these speakers can be listened to here, as lecture attendee, Dr. Suzanne Humphries, gave an interview immediately following the lecture: https://youtu.be/QuwUUqg74r8 Dr. Humphries opens her recap with: "It was more social engineering, brainwashing of medical students." Here, in this 45 second clip, you can see Paul Offit's response to a request to be interviewed regarding what he would be sharing during this lecture: https://youtu.be/cRAJdyPNWnA And here is a brief article I wrote about CA's Senator Richard Pan after he stated in a lecture to students at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health that water is the most dangerous ingredient in vaccines: "SB277 Sponsor Says Water More Toxic Than Mercury" by Laura Hayes I am wondering if you were aware of this lecture at NYU's Langone Medical Center? All of the speakers and the moderator are in favor of overriding parental rights when it comes to vaccination. This despite the fact that not one vaccine has ever been proven safe, efficacious, or necessary, and despite the fact that millions have now been injured or killed by vaccines, and despite the fact that the recommended and mandated lists for vaccines continue to grow, without any type of proper or ethical testing. And the definitive study, a comparison study between the vaccinated and the completely unvaccinated, continues to be refused to be done by those profiting from vaccines, which is a statement in and of itself. I recently gave a presentation at WAPF's Wise Traditions Conference in Alabama, on 11-13-16. I am attaching my presentation with the sincere hope that you will read it from start to finish. I am hoping it will compel you to contact the director of NYU's Langone Medical Center to discuss an immediate retraction, and correction, of what was shared with NYU's medical staff and students on 11-21-16. As a distinguished chemist, I hope you will be interested to utilize the link at the end of my presentation which will take you to a listing of all vaccine package inserts. Please look at the amounts of aluminum, mercury, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, and other ingredients. Please analyze the clinical testing methods, and note the lack of placebos and proper control groups, not to mention the incredibly short clinical observation periods. With a chemist's knowledge, do you deem it safe to be injecting these ingredients into pregnant women, fetuses, newborns, infants, toddlers, young children, right on up to the very elderly, with no pause? Please update me regarding any actions you take to address and refute the inaccurate, unethical, and dangerous information that was shared at NYU by Paul Offit, Richard Pan, and Dorit Reiss. Sincerely, Laura Hayes Stanford 1987 Granite Bay, CA Parent of Vaccine-Injured Children Aiken, SC (29801) Today A few showers this evening with mostly clear conditions overnight. Low 54F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few showers this evening with mostly clear conditions overnight. Low 54F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Their Town Now Liberated, Iraqi Assyrians Talk of Life Under ISIS Ismail Ibrahim Matti and his mother, Jandark Behnam Mansour Nasi, are Assyrian Christians who pretended to convert to Islam to escape execution by the so-called Islamic State, when their hometown of Bartalla, Iraq, was overtaken in 2014. They endured two years of beatings and captivity before finally escaping, under sniper fire, to the Iraqi Army in early November. ( Holly Pickett) ERBIL, IRAQ -- When Christians fled the small town of Bartalla in August 2014 as Islamic State militants swept toward them, then-14-year-old Ibrahim Matti and his elderly mother stayed behind. Without a car, they waited on a relative who promised to return for them after ferrying his own family to safety. But by then, it was too late. Matti and his mother, Jandark Nasi, both Assyrian Christians, spent more than two years living under IS control in and around Mosul. They endured physical violence, constant threats and intimidation, and forced conversion before finally escaping as the Iraqi Army pushed into Mosul in recent weeks. They are among just a handful of Christians who have so far emerged from territory controlled by the self-declared Islamic State amid the Iraqi offensive that has retaken parts of northern Iraq. The historic heartland of Assyrian Christians in Iraq was part of the territory seized by the militants in 2014, and nearly all fled in the face of IS requirements: convert, pay a tax, or die. The ordeal of Matti and Ms. Nasi offers a glimpse of what life was like for those unable to escape. Father Ammar Siman, priest of the St. George Syriac Catholic church in Bartalla, around 14 miles east of Mosul, says around 100 Christians were missing from the Christian villages around Mosul after August 2014. The relatives of many of the missing fear they did not survive. Fr. Siman fled to Erbil in 2014, and while he has been back to see the church, he says no one has moved back to the town yet. "We are very happy to receive them alive," he says of those who had recently managed to escape. "Of course they need too much help. They've suffered a lot." Stopped at a checkpoint Three days after IS took Bartalla, Matti and his mother also tried to flee to Erbil, the capital of the semiautonomous Kurdish region where many Christians had taken refuge. But militants stopped them at a checkpoint and sent them to a detention center in Mosul, and then to one in Bartalla. The prison was full of other Christians and Shiites, all of whom were being beaten, he says. There, militants told the teenager he must convert to Islam, urging him to say the Islamic profession of faith. "I said there is no God but Jesus," he recalled recently. The militants then went to the next cell, where they were holding Shiite Muslims, whom they consider heretics. Matti could hear as an IS member demanded a man convert to Islam. "He didn't accept, so they shot him in the head. Then they took me to his cell, showed me his body, and told me if you don't convert to Islam, you will have the same fate," he says. "I was frightened. I was scared." When the militants again demanded that the two recite the Islamic profession of faith, they complied. "We said it. But it wasn't coming from our hearts," he says. "I have strong faith, but with everything that happened, we were under threats and pressure. When you say something that's not from the bottom of your heart, it's not to be believed." Yet even that did not end their torment. Over the next two years, as they were living on the outskirts of Mosul and in the village of Bazwiya, IS militants regularly visited the two to test their commitment to Islam. "I didn't memorize their prayers, so they were beating me," says Matti. "They beat my mother with sticks because she didn't know how to pray." Militants would torture them with needles if they answered questions incorrectly, he says, and told him that if he missed three consecutive Fridays at the mosque they would kill him. Whenever he didn't go to the mosque, they found and beat him, he says. He was forced to wear the short trousers preferred by the militants, and to grow his beard. At the mosque, Matti listened to the imam proclaim the rest of the world infidels and urge residents to pledge obedience to the leader of IS and participate in jihad. Over the two years, he says he often saw members of IS who were not Iraqi. He also saw public executions, including the stoning of a woman accused of adultery, when he visited a central Mosul marketplace to buy food. But the two say that some Mosul residents secretly helped them, risking the ire of IS members by giving them food and supplies. "I was always praying in my heart to Mary and Jesus," says Nasi. "I was praying in the bottom of my heart, and crying. For the sake of my son, my gift from God." When the Iraqi Army offensive reached the area they were living on the eastern outskirts of Mosul, IS members gathered all the residents and forced them to retreat into the city. From there, Matti and Nasi were able to flee to territory taken by Iraqi forces. Asked how it felt to finally be free, Matti smiles for the first time in an hour and a half of talking. "I still don't believe it," he says. Receiving only love While Matti and Nasi lived in and near Mosul while under IS, two elderly Christian women stayed in the town of Qaraqosh. Zarifa Baqous Daddo didn't leave as all her neighbors fled the IS onslaught in August 2014 because her sick husband wasn't able. He died after 15 days, and Ms. Daddo went to stay with another elderly Christian couple who'd stayed behind. But one day, the man went out and never returned, she says, leaving the two frail women to spend the remainder of the two years alone. Militants briefly took them to Mosul before returning them to Qaraqosh and forcing them to recite the Islamic profession of faith under threats of violence. She said the militants didn't beat them, possibly showing some deference to their age, and regularly brought food and water to the house where the two women remained. But they terrorized them, including with false reports of territorial conquest. "They were always telling us, you have no relatives left, we have taken over Erbil, we have taken over everything," she says. Amid it all, she said she clung to her faith. "We didn't have anything but our prayers. This was the only thing we had to do." Security forces found the pair after they pushed IS from the village. Daddo, Matti, and Nasi say no one has blamed them for doing what they had to do to stay alive. "We were visited by two priests, they told us not to worry about that," says Nasi. "They said 'you don't have to fear anything now, we are your people, we are your family.' " Siman, the priest from Bartalla, said they would receive only love from God and the church. "I think they were obligated to accept something they didn't believe," he says."Do we blame them? No." Matti, a quiet and slight teenager, and his mother now live in a small room in a church-run center for displaced people in Erbil. Rosaries hang on the wall above the two simple beds, and the floor is covered by carpet scraps. A bare light bulb hangs from the wall. After more than two years without television, they enjoy a Bollywood film on a donated television -- the pair are partial to Indian and Egyptian films. Now out from under the caliphate, Matti says he wants to obtain medical care for his mother and to continue his studies, which stopped at 8th grade. But both see a future that lies outside of Iraq and their hometown. "We spent two years [under IS], two horrible years. We don't want to go back," says Nasi. "We want to leave Iraq, to leave this pain." ISIS Inciting Muslims to Betray Their Christian Neighbors, Bishop Says Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat of the Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle said that the Islamic State terror group pressured some Muslims in the Middle East to turn on their Christian neighbors, fueling the genocide against believers and destroying previously friendly relations. Catholic News Service reported that Kalabat was speaking last week at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., when he said that Chaldean Catholics, who are a minority in Iraq and Syria, are trying to maintain who they are despite the ongoing slaughter at the hands of IS and other elements of radical terror. "Christianity in the Middle East has had so much life, but it is now being destroyed in Iraq, Syria and the other countries of the 'Arab Spring,'" he said, referring to the major uprising in several Middle Eatern countries in 2011 that led to political power changes, but was also exploited by extremist groups such as IS. "If that is the spring, I'd hate to see the winter," Kalabat said, noting that Christians have suffered in various ways, most notably in IS-held territory where they are forced to choose between their faith, their lives, and ancestral homes their communities have lived in for thousands of years. The bishop argued that IS "not only destroyed buildings, but they destroyed relations between neighbors. Many (Iraqi Muslims intimidated by Islamic State) turned in their Christian neighbors and that has built up a lot of mistrust." Kalabat also noted that there are Muslims who are fighting for peace and to protect Christians, calling them "heroes" and "friends." He called the persecution of Christians in the Middle East a crime that constitutes "the purposeful destruction of a culture, a faith, a human history and a human person." There have been several stories reporting that some Muslims have helped their Christian neighbors escape IS from besieged towns in Iraq and Syria, only to be punished with death for their gesture. Muslims reportedly helped a number of Christians escape from the Syrian town of al-Qaryatain earlier this year, but were later killed by IS as a punishment, Fides News Agency said in April. "There were also Muslims killed in Qaryatayn while helping their fellow Christians flee the violence, in the hope of returning to live 'a quiet and peaceable life' in their land one day, as that provided for by St. Paul in the First Letter to Timothy," the report explained at the time. Kalabat said in his remarks last week that Catholic Iraqis are fighting hard to survive, as hopes are rising that an international coalition of allies backed by the U.S. will continue pushing IS out of Iraq and Syria, but he said that many other challenges remain, such as a lack of jobs and educational opportunities and harsh living conditions. "They (Iraqi Catholics) are survivors, but is it enough just to be in survival mode all the time?" the bishop asked. "Don't you want to live? Don't you want to thrive? Don't you want to be able to give?" Juliana Taimoorazy, a Chaldean Catholic and ethnic Assyrian, said in a separate interview back in April that Christians are "on the brink of extinction" in the region. "We gave a lot to Christianity as Eastern Christians, and we gave a lot to humanity as the Assyrian people: Our history is 6,700 years old, and we established the first library in the world, among other contributions," added Taimoorazy, who is also the executive director and founder of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council. UK-based freighter operator CargoLogicAir (CLA) and AirBridgeCargo (ABC) have ended their scheduled operation between Europe and Africa after less than seven months. Speaking to Russian Aviation Insider, ABC general director Sergey Lazarev said the airline had decided to end the operation it ran through a CLA Boeing 747 freighter because of weakness in the African market. The service was launched in February flying between London Stansted, Frankfurt, Libreville (Gabon) and to Johannesburg with further routing to Nairobi. The report said CLA is planning on opening new routes between China, Europe and America. CLAs aircraft B747-400F and B747-800F have largely been flying between Hong Kong and Moscow over the last week or so, although there have also been calls in Leipzig, Frankfurt and a single call in Heathrow. Lazarevs comments about weakness in the African market are certainly backed up by IATA statistics. Its figures show that airlines based in the region have the weakest cargo load factor of anywhere in the world because of rapid capacity expansion. Demand went into decline in the first part of the year before the market began to pick up in August and September. Air Cargo News has contacted CLA and ABC for comment. Click here or on chart below to access interactive dashboard Share this story In Mevo Horon, evacuation during Shabbat appeared imminent. The air was thick with smoke and a black swirl rose in the distance as Ruchama and Zvi Berkovitch arrived at their daughter, Leoras, and her husband, Davids home in Mevo Horon, a small gated community of a few hundred families. The local town committee had just warned its residents to remain inside for all of Shabbos due to the poor air quality. On a hilltop above Mevo Horon in a small village called Nataf, a fire was burning, the second one that week, and the towns one hundred families had already been evacuated. Now the residents of Mevo Horon wondered what their fate would be. Ruchama and Zvi Berkovitch With sealed windows, at 4:20 p.m., Ruchama and Leora lit candles to usher in the Shabbat. The flames they lit were controlled and spiritual in contrast to the destructive, wild flames ignited by terrorists in the neighboring town of Nataf. Ruchama and Zvi were not the only guests. A couple who had just made Aliyah came for dinner with their children who lived on the outskirts of Mevo Horon. When the guests arrived, they brought the heavy smell of smoke into the house. The fierce wind threatened them with its screeching and banging against the windows. One of the guests returned home in the middle of the Shabbos dinner to check on his house. When he returned, he spoke in Yiddish so the children wouldnt understand. The flames, he said, were now visible from his home. The couple and their family left the meal early and Leora decided to pack an emergency bag in the event of an evacuation. After all, earlier in the week, 75,000 people had to flee their homes in Haifa due to poor air quality and threat of fire. And early Thursday morning, arsonists had set fire to Beit Meir, a small village near Jerusalem, displacing many people and destroying much of the town. Ruchama even considered sleeping in her clothes, but decided in the end to change into pajamas. Though they tried to turn in early, sleep eluded them. At 9:15 p.m., a community representative arrived at the house to tell Leora and David to prepare for evacuation. While Leora was already packed, this new reality caused her to reconsider what she should and shouldnt pack. Leora and David Betesh and family What are the most important items to retrieve if fire threatens to burn your house down? Clothing, photo albums, important documents, toys to occupy the children, food? It all seems so necessary. Thank God, the call to evacuate never came. Just as the flames neared the invisible line, the wind suddenly shifted direction and the fire blew back up the hill. The next morning, they found out why. The fire was, in fact, racing down the hill from Nataf to Mevo Horon during the night. The local government committee studied the hill and drew an invisible line. If the flames would cross over that line, they would evacuate the town. The buses were on stand-by ready to transport the towns population. But around midnight, just as the flames neared the invisible line, with a Shabbat evacuation appearing imminent, the wind suddenly shifted direction and the fire blew back up the hill. Those who saw it happened considered it a miracle. By the morning, the air had cleared considerably and the wind had calmed down. Airplanes flew low, back and forth all Shabbos, in the direction of Nataf, and helicopters as well as special security patrols were visible in Mevo Horon. It was an unusual sight as on Shabbat, there are generally no moving vehicles in the area. It was a reminder of how close the Berkovitchs and their family were to danger, how narrowly they escaped, and how vulnerable they still were. But more than thatthey saw first-hand how many people were working behind the scenes to keep the people of Israel safe. And they were grateful. The view from our driveway No one can say why Mevo Horon was saved this past Shabbos and Nataf was not. Why places like Beit Meir and Haifa experienced such devastating blows. One can only pray for those that have been left homeless and bereft and be grateful to those who risk their lives and give up their time to help their fellow man. And grateful for the miracles that God performs. The Ministry of Oil: Shrinking Transparency and Comeback of Deplorable Secrecy Ahmad Mousa Jiyad Iraq/ Development Consultancy and Research, Norway Slowly but surely an environment of shrinking transparency at the Ministry of Oil is becoming increasingly visible, deepening and damaging; indicating to strongly coming back of deplorable secrecy and mentality of pre 2003 style of management and egoism. And while the country is facing two economic challenges: OPEC quota and 2017 Budget, the Ministry took a questionable U-turn by blocking all and every data and information on actual oil production, oil exports, oil revenues, oil prices and domestic oil and gas consumption. This evidence-based and reality-check contribution aims at attracting the attention of the highest government authorities, especially the Prime Minister; the Parliament, the "Transparency-defenders including civil society organization and all oil professional among others to confront fully strongly and effectively this very regrettable and alarming development at the Ministry and put an end to it before it gets worse and spreading. Those responsible for such reversal of transparency at the Ministry should be identified, held accountable and forced to change course. The following is a few examples pertaining to disappearance of data and information which used to be provided by the Ministry website: 1- Since October 2015 the Ministry ended the daily posting of oil prices for the Marker Crudes that are used in setting oil selling price by SOMO to the three market destinations: East Asia, Europe and Americas; only recently (27 November) the Ministry posted a brief on SOMOs "regular monthly meeting that was held on 10 November! But no such briefing was provides on monthly regular basis on this monthly regular price setting! 2- August 2016 is the last month for which the Ministry had posted the data on Current Domestic Consumption; 3- Until August 2016 the Archive for Monthly data on Domestic Consumption covers the period from that month back to 2008. Now the Archive ended at December 2012; meaning NO Archive is available from January 2013 to date!!; 4- Announcement used to be posted on the 1st or 2nd day of the month regarding "Preliminary oil exports, oil revenues and oil export price of the previous month; this has been terminated as from 1st November 2016; 5- "Final oil export, oil revenues and oil export price including the names and nationalities of the International Oil Buyers for the previous month used to be posted on the 25th of the following month; this has been suspended as from 25th October 2016; 6- The Archive for Final oil export, oil revenues and oil export price has been removed from the Ministry website as from 1st November 2016; 7- The first export of Condensed gas was on 20th March 2016 and first export of LPG was on 2nd July 2016; by mid-August 2016 total LPG exports reached 12 thousand tonnes and more than 100 thousand m3 of condensed gas. A recent announcement on the Ministry website (24 November) says the 12th shipment of 20633 m3 of condensed gas and 2743 thousand of LPG were exported. Unlike previous shipments, no values for these exports were announced! Moreover, no information was given on such exports between mid-August and 24 November. Finally, by mid-August there were four shipments of condensed gas and the number increased to 12 shipments on 24 November, the question then what has happened to these seven shipments (the fifth to and including the 11th)? 8- Neither the Ministry of Oil nor SOMO (which is legally responsible for imports and exports of petroleum refined products) does publish (on its website) the volumes and values of different imported petroleum products that are demanded domestically. Moreover, data I compiled (from international sources) over the years indicates that yearly quantities of these imports constitute significant portion of domestic demand and their values (reflecting international prices) are much more expensive compared with the same products produced domestically and sold at subsidized domestic prices. So why this blackout on imported petroleum products? It is worth mentioning that I have written repeatedly to the Ministry of Oil (the Office of the Minister, the Inspector General, the "information officer and the "Manager of IT and Website) on the above matters and asked for resumption of the publication/posting of these data. The above "factual examples for non-disclosure and "No-Transparency tendencies that are prevailing at the Ministry have been manifested further by the following: 1- The recently announced but ill-perceived offering of a new 12 oilfields through direct negotiation on a caseby-case base; such negotiations are usually held behind closed doors and highly susceptible for corruption. The Ministry, after noticeable opposition, postponed the matter until mid-next year; with possibly different camouflage!; 2- The recently reported "allegations, by the Chairman of Energy Committee at Karbala Provincial Council, on a "suggestion by the Minister of Oil to offer the three Middle-Euphrates oilfields on presumably productions sharing contract modality. Though the Ministry has refuted such allegations, it did not take any legal action despite the grave consequences of making such allegations; 3- The Ministry has kept silent regarding another allegation made again (on 13 October 2016) by the Chairman of Energy Committee, Ali Shadad AlFaris, of Basra Provincial Council. AlFaris claims that the Ministry of Oil has "accepted and now assessing a proposal of "Oil for Development-OfD ( ) by earmarking two oilfields (Tuba & Nihran Umer!) for Basra Province to enable the Province recovering its, alleged, ID18 trillion of entitlements from the federal government (presumably based on the contested Provincial Law and its second amendment). AlFaris asserts further that similar OfD for Missan and ThiQar provinces are also under consideration by the Ministry. ThiQar Governor, Yahya AlNassiry, warned recently (24 November) that the Province is determined to seek new ways and measures to overcome its fiscal deficit, hinting to, but not specifying the OfD; 4- There is an apparent link between these three issues: the new offering of 12 oilfields; the Karbala Middle-Euphrates oilfields and the OfDs for Basra, Missan and ThiQar. The Ministry was not clear and not transparent on these three very disturbing issues and it did not present any feasibility study justifying them. In fact I have, through many interventions and communications, questions the validity and rationale of these proposals and even condemned them as having serious consequences on the integrity and unity of the country. 5- The Minister of Oil said recently (21 November) he has "three proposals he will present before the forthcoming OPEC meeting on 30 November. However, instead of enlightening the public on what course of action is best for Iraq and OPEC, he adopted the old-fashioned mentality of "trust me- I know it all by saying nothing at all on his three proposals and thus it is not known how and to what extent could any of these "secret proposals serve (or disserve) Iraqi and OPEC interests! So we have to wait until the Minister disclose his three options by end November. On the other hand, international business and media sources report that Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi said Wednesday [23 November], "Iraq will shoulder part of the burden of oil-output cuts and thus he is reversing the countrys previous insistence for an exemption. Why this ambiguity and possible contradiction or dis-coordination? 6- The Parliament has been debating the draft for 2017 budget law. The government proposed initially a price of $36 a barrel but due to IMF intervention (or imposition) the price increased to $42/b and the draft budget revised accordingly. It is rather ironic that while the parliamentarians are debating the budget and concerned professionals analyzing the premises, allocations and consequences of the budget, the Ministry of Oil blocks all data and information on oil related issues. Why and who is behind this blockade of data and "No-Transparency of the most critical fiscal issues for the Iraqi economy. These developments represent very serious setback of transparency regrading data and information disclosure that has been available on the Ministry website since at least 2007. Instead of improving data coverage and enhancing accessibility, the Ministry is now doing exactly the revers! Moreover, this willful return to/of pre-2003 mentality of deplorable secrecy is unconstitutional, renegade on Iraq international obligations (IMF, OPEC, EITI, JODI) and above all this could indicate to a grave cover-up for corruption and financial and contractual irregularities and illegalities. The highest government authorities, especially the Prime Minister; the Parliament, the "Transparency-defenders including civil society organization and all oil professional among others are expected to confront fully strongly and effectively this very regrettable and alarming tendencies at the Ministry and put an end to it before it getting worse, spreading and damaging. Those responsible for such reversal of transparency at the Ministry should be identified, held accountable and forced to change course. PS! Before circulating this brief among my professional network I visited the Ministry website, but unfortunately no indication of any improvement. Please disseminate this inside Iraq as widely as possible. Best wishes and kindest regards, Ahmed Mousa Jiyad, Iraq/ Development Consultancy & Research, Norway. Mou-jiya@online.no 28 November 2016 November 29, 2016 While many aspects of President-elect Donald Trumps foreign policy beliefs were murky on the campaign trail, one overarching theme stood out: that the United States has done far too much to underwrite free-riding allies the world over. Our allies must contribute toward the financial, political and human costs of our tremendous security burden, Trump declared in April. They look at the United States as weak and forgiving and feel no obligation to honor their agreements with us. This problem, which has been echoed by President Barack Obama, is most acute in the Middle East, where US regional allies have overseen regional collapse and the rise of violent insurgent groups all the while doing little to share the burden of providing regional security. In the fight against the Islamic State (IS), for example, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have reportedly vanished from the campaign, even though they have supported Syrian rebels and, as Sunni monarchies, are more threatened by the Wahhabi-Salafi ideology of IS than other regional states. If Saudi Arabia was without the cloak of American protection I dont think it would be around, said Trump. Coupled with Trumps desire for regional allies to do more to provide for their security is an explicit understanding he has that US military intervention in the Middle East has achieved little and comes at far too great a cost. Weve been fighting this war for 15 years, he told "60 Minutes" Nov. 13. "Weve spent $6 trillion in the Middle East, $6 trillion, we could have rebuilt our country twice. Recently, I attended the Third Annual Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, where hundreds of regional Arab participants claimed that Iran is bent on regional hegemony and interferes in the affairs of Arab countries. Additionally, they blamed the United States for attacking Afghanistan and Iraq and handing the region to Iran. As the only Iranian at the conference, I reminded them that the US war on terror was triggered by the Sept. 11 attacks, which was carried out by 19 hijackers, 15 of whom were Saudis. Saddam Husseins Iraq was for years also a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ally, which supported him throughout the brutal eight-year Iran-Iraq War. Afterward, when Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990, the GCC called on the United States and its allies to come to their rescue and push back Saddam. In the case of two other Arab countries Libya and Yemen that have collapsed in recent years, the GCC was directly involved in military strikes that destroyed the state in these countries. Trumps line of thinking on these issues is in the right direction. To foster a more peaceful Persian Gulf, it is imperative for the United States and its allies to play a more assertive role in fostering regional stability and for America to abandon strategies centered on regime change and military intervention. Nurturing local buy-In: the Helsinki template The proxy wars between rival power centers that characterize the modern Middle East today are not too dissimilar from those of Europe of a few decades ago. During the Cold War, the United States and its NATO allies were locked in an ever-escalatory face-off with the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies. Europe was the front line, where tensions were frequently at the brink and seemed bound to spiral out of control. That is, until the 1975 Helsinki Accords and the formation of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). The Helsinki Accords started a process whereby the states of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, as well the neutral states of Europe, could sit down without preconditions and discuss their security concerns. Founded on the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-use of force, respect for borders and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes and noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries, the CSCE allowed for these states to come to the same table and air their security grievances and discuss nonviolent ways to resolve them. Over the course of two decades, CSCE meetings resulted in critical transparency measures, arms limits and information exchanges that palpably lowered tensions across the European continent. In 1994, the CSCE process was institutionalized into a proper security structure: the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). A CSCE-type process for the Persian Gulf one which includes Iran, Iraq and the six states of the GCC can be a way toward fostering a stable regional order. While much separates these states today, a gradual process that begins with their simply holding regular meetings where they can communicate their security grievances can result in more cooperative relationships' developing over time. The United States, Russia and the European Union have a critical role to play in order for a CSCE-type process to take hold in the Persian Gulf. The West must use its leverage with its GCC allies to encourage them to engage Iran. Only through such talks aimed at an established regional cooperation system akin to the OSCE where local powers take into consideration each others interests and cooperate against common threats can a durable peace be reached in the Persian Gulf. Such a peace would fulfill Trumps vision of a Middle East that sees less American involvement and US allies who assume a substantive role in preserving regional security. November 29, 2016 BAGHDAD The city of Fallujah is being hit by car bombs once again, five months after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced its liberation. Car bombs are not common in the northern and western cities of Iraq, as most attacks occur in Baghdad and the south of the country. The latest attack happened Nov. 17, when a car bomb struck a wedding party held in Amiriyah Al-Fallujah, in Anbar province. The city has been the scene of fighting between the government forces and the Islamic State for two years now. A video of the explosion quickly spread on social media. It showed dozens of guests dancing the traditional dabke at the wedding, celebrating the end of years of suffering under al-Qaeda and IS rule. But the bomb crushed the celebration and turned the wedding into a funeral, killing 17 people and wounding 30. IS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying it targeted what it calls Sahawat al-Radda, groups funded and sponsored by disbelievers and apostates. According to the statement, a booby-trapped car had been parked near the wedding party. The local Anbar government considers the attack a retaliation for the military operations led by the government forces against IS in Mosul. Rajee Barakat al-Issawi, a member of the security committee of the Anbar provincial council, told Alsumaria TV Nov. 15 that there are more unexploded devices and car bombs in the city of Fallujah. He added, There are locations that the security forces have yet to search. The day after the wedding attack in Amiriyah Al-Fallujah, the security forces in Anbar province arrested seven people in connection with the attack. The investigation is ongoing. IS had been expected to continue to use its cells in the liberated areas to destabilize the security situation there. Iraqi President Fuad Masum said in a Nov. 18 press statement that the attack will not go unpunished. But Massums statement is similar to those of Iraqi officials who promised to punish the perpetrators of other terrorist attacks and did not follow through. The security situation in Anbar province is deteriorating despite the security alert and intense surveillance on the provinces borders to prevent possible IS attacks. That the violence has not halted means that IS cells remain active inside the province and the area has not been completely cleansed. The wedding attack, a major and tragic incident, pushed Iraqis to vent on Facebook. Fallujah, where there is a heavy presence of security forces, had expected such attacks to end after its liberation from IS. However, the wedding attack in Amiriyah Al-Fallujah was not the first in the area since its liberation. On Nov. 14, two car bombs exploded near a government building in Al-Fallujah district, killing nine people and wounding 26. The wedding attack came two days after Issawi promised that the Nov. 14 attacks would not be repeated. Such unfulfilled promises are deepening the mistrust between Iraq's security officials and its citizens. Following the twin car bomb attacks in Fallujah, a state of alert was announced in other cities of Anbar province in anticipation of further attacks. According to the Anbar provincial council, the attacks in Fallujah are the result of the city's going easy on terrorists. The council stressed the need for a force from inside the province to impose the rule of law in a city where families of IS members are cooperating with the group. Before the Fallujah attacks, the city of Tikrit, in Salahuddin province, was struck multiple times. A car bomb killed seven citizens and wounded 15 others Nov. 6. An explosive device detonated in the nearby city of Samarra near a parking lot that is frequented by Shiites, killing 10 Iranians. The attacks targeting the areas liberated from IS are an attempt by the group, which still believes these areas are still under its control and considers the residents its followers, to destabilize the security situation there. Iraqi security officials expect new attacks in these cities, suggesting that the authorities may have information about potential IS military operations. They will need to establish a new security plan that can meet Iraq's changing security challenges. November 29, 2016 Iranian politicians reacted to the death of Fidel Castro, the longtime revolutionary leader of Cuba, by offering condolences and expressing their feelings about his demise. Meanwhile, an Iranian delegation is set to attend Castro's funeral Dec. 4. Iran and Cuba, despite deep dissimilarities in ideology, have developed close ties since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. During the past four decades, most high-ranking Iranian politicians have traveled to Cuba and held meetings with Castro. On May 9, 2001, the former Cuban leader visited Iran and met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On Nov. 26, President Hassan Rouhani, in a message to his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, expressed its sympathy for the Cuban government and nation over Castros death, saying it caused Rouhani to feel grief and sorrow. Rouhani had met Castro during an official visit to Cuba on Sept. 19. Rouhani hailed Castro as having been an example of free men and warriors who do not give up fighting until the last days of their lives in order to keep the flag of justice- and freedom-seeking waving in the hearts of people. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed Castro as a prominent figure in the fight against colonialism and a symbol of independence-seeking struggles of the oppressed nations. On Nov. 28, Zarif attended a commemoration ceremony held at the Cuban Embassy in Tehran, saying, Commandant Fidel Castros death is a great loss to all freedom-seeking movements, chiefly to such movements in Latin America. He also stressed that Iranian-Cuban political and economic relations will continue. Moreover, on Nov. 27, Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani sent a letter to Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez, the president of Cubas parliament, in which he called Castro one of the prominent and unforgettable figures in the political history of the 20th century. Despite the controversial resignation of a senior official and arrests over a deadly train accident in Iran, Iranian media paid special attention to Castros death. On Nov. 27, most Persian-language newspapers covered his death with admiration and sympathy. The Reformist Shargh daily on its front page published a black-and-white photo of Castro along with the headline Goodbye Commandant. Sharghs profile of the Cuban leader began with, There were 638 attempts made to kill Commandant-in-Chief Fidel Castro, but on Friday night he passed away in Cuba after he celebrated his 90th birthday last summer. The article continued, Fidel Castros death undoubtedly is the end of an era in the history of Cuba, Latin America, and the world at large. He was the icon of revolution and one of the most well-known and controversial leaders of the world. Castros death prompted mixed reactions among conservative Iranian dailies. Kayhan tucked the news in a corner of its Nov. 27 front page under a small, neutral headline, Fidel Castro, The Leader of The Cuban Revolution [is] Dead. Unlike Kayhan, the hard-line Vatan-e-Emrooz daily published an above-the-fold endorsement of the Cuban leader with the headline Farewell Comrade: Fidel Castro, the Great Revolutionary of the 20th Century Passed Away at Age 90. The Iranian state broadcasters newspaper Jam-e Jam on its front page carried an illustration of Castro in his famous green fatigues with the headline Cuba Without Castro. Shahrvand, another daily that is known for its strong anti-left stances, also chose an illustration of Castro for its front page. The illustration depicts a shadow of Castro standing in front of microphones on a red background. Shahrvands headline read The Old Man Left Judgment to History. November 21, 2016 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip After almost completely disappearing from Gaza Strip markets in the 1990s, Israeli SIM cards are once again available because of a demand for 3G services, an option not offered by Palestinian telecommunications companies, which only have 2G technology. The cards have swept across the Palestinian market after entering Gaza through unknown channels, while Palestinian officials and security agencies warn against using them because of the security risk they potentially pose. The Al-Majd website, which is close to Hamas, reported that the cards are being smuggled into Gaza either through the border crossings or through the border fence with Israel. The website added that the cards allow calls to be more easily tracked and phones tapped by Israeli companies and authorities. The pay-as-you-go SIM cards can be purchased for 50-70 shekels ($13-$18). After inserting the card into a phone, the user sends a short text message to the company providing service. The company then deducts a service fee from the card credit to activate 3G service. Compared to 2G technology, 3G technology is faster and has better bandwidth, making it more compatible with smartphone functions, including access to GPS (the Global Positioning System), mobile TV, video calls and video transfers. Ziad Dib, licensing director general at the Communications Ministry in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian Authority has prohibited the use of Israeli communication devices, including SIM cards, since the establishment of the Palestinian Telecommunication Company (Paltel) in 1997. He said that Israeli SIM cards almost disappeared from the market when Paltel began operations, but have recently reappeared despite his ministry's efforts to prevent the smuggling of any type of communication devices connected to Israel. Dib claims his ministry is in constant contact with the security apparatuses to stop companies, shops and individuals from selling the cards because they are illegal and compete with Paltel services. During a Nov. 13 press conference, Paltel executive director Ammar al-Aker estimated that some 370,000 Israeli SIM cards were already being used illegally by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza before the new cards arrived in the past few weeks. He claimed that their use costs the Palestinian telecommunications sector around $100 million in annual losses. Article 98 of the Palestinian Telecommunications Law No. 3 (1996) and Article 60 of the Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Act (2009) stipulate, Importation, illegal trade or holding of telecommunications devices violating the adopted standards and specifications or containing wrong information shall be punished by three months in prison at least, or one year at most, or fined 1,000 [Jordanian] dinars [$1,410] at least, or 2,000 dinars [$2,820] at most. Both penalties may apply together with confiscation of the seized devices. Hazem el-Baz, information security professor at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the new SIM cards are particularly sought after by the younger generation, which wants to take advantage of 3G services. He pointed out that there had been problems with coverage only working well near the Gaza-Israel border and in some highland areas of Gaza, but said the Israeli telecommunications companies had resolved the problem by increasing the signal strength from their communications towers near Gaza to cover a larger area. Baz said the Israeli companies basic goal in improving coverage was commercial, noting the competition among communications companies in Israel, including Cellcom, Orange, Pelephone and Hot Mobile. A street vendor in Gaza City said he finds the government's warning against the use and trade of the cards odd. Why are all these warnings being made? It is just a chip, similar to the Palestinian chips, but with 3G services, which are not available in the Gaza Strip. Also, they can be bought at a low price, and one can use them to make phone calls and have access to the internet, he told Al-Monitor. Palestinian SIM cards cost $2.50, but as noted, the Palestinian companies, Jawwal and Wataniya Mobile, do not offer 3G service. The vendor concluded, The reports about security risks are exaggerated. The Palestinian chips can be tapped by small businesses specializing in information security, let alone by powerful intelligence agencies like Israels. Islam Shahwan, an independent security expert and lecturer, told Al-Monitor, The chips pose various risks given the electronic [surveillance] by Israeli intelligence of Palestinians in Gaza in order to gather information about the Palestinian resistance by tapping the largest possible number of mobile phones. Shahwan believes that the Israeli intelligence services need for information has grown after campaigns in 2014 and 2015 by the Palestinian security services against collaborators resulted in dozens being arrested and executed. He noted that the hotspot for espionage is in the border region, where there are underground operations for tunnel digging and weapons storage. Shahwan believes the security services need to intensify warnings against the SIM cards through the media or by closing the holes through which they enter Gaza. The controversy over the SIM cards comes amid expectations that Palestinian companies will launch 3G services early next year. November 29, 2016 The research departments of Israel's Military Intelligence (MI) and the Shin Bet, the internal security organization, are keeping close tabs on the Fatah convention in Ramallah that starts Nov. 29 the anniversary of the day that the United Nations General Assembly approved the 1947 Partition Plan. Israeli interest is less directed at the political status of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas within his movement or the destructive power struggles between him and supporters of former Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan. Instead, keen Israel interest is directed at possible ramifications of a weakened Abbas on Israel. According to a report published in daily Haaretz, MI head Gen. Herzl Halevi issued a warning about the situation, in a closed-door conference at Tel Aviv University last week. Halevi said that power struggles in the Palestinian Authority (PA) may lead to a destabilization of the security situation in the West Bank in the coming year. In his estimation, power struggles between Fatahs rival sectors will give Hamas great achievements on the ground. The result will be a very challenging reality in Judea and Samaria, Halevi said. There is great dissatisfaction (kept under wraps) within Israels security system mainly in the MI at the fact that Israels political echelons did not exploit Abbas tenure to promote diplomatic processes. These could have pre-empted unknown threats that are now likely to appear after Abbas leaves the political stage. True, the Fatah convention may not make the picture entirely clear or give credence to all the scenarios probed in Israel regarding the Day after Abbas, but one thing is clear to everyone: The Palestinian president used great cunning to organize the convention as a stage for his own political and diplomatic legacy. On the political side, Abbas created a situation in which there is no room in the PA for his opponents, Dahlan's band. Concerning his diplomatic legacy, Abbas is making it clear that everything possible should be done to prevent a return to an armed Palestinian struggle. In his view, the objective is to use full strength to oppose the violation of civil order, a civil order that was built so laboriously after the conclusion of the second intifada in 2005. During this intifada, the operations of suicide terrorists against Israelis also threatened to take down the entire PA with them. According to Abbas associates, the president believes that the only thing justifying [political] suicidal acts is continuation of the diplomatic process that will bring about the end of the Israeli occupation in the territories in reference to Abbas approach, for which he is paying a steep price in the popularity polls. Abbas target year for accomplishing this is 2017, the jubilee of the Israeli occupation since the 1967 Six-Day War. In accordance with this vision, in 2017, Abbas plans to declare the establishment of a Palestinian state, after which he will resign from public life. From the internal Palestinian perspective, their great interest in the Fatah convention is connected to the cleansing campaign targeted at Dahlans supporters and the following question: Who were the blacklisted people, suspected of backing Dahlan, who were expelled from the movement? Another topic of Palestinian interest is the internal Fatah power struggles among the 1,400 existing delegates. High-level Fatah officials who spoke to Al-Monitor admitted that they cannot point to a single strong power group within Fatah that could continue to rule the PA while preserving the existing public order and maintaining opposition to the Dahlan group. And as we know, the latter is only waiting for Abbas, whom they call the Great Dictator, to exit the political stage. In a conversation with Al-Monitor, a Dahlan supporter, speaking on condition of anonymity, even claimed that none of Abbas people would be able to stop Dahlan from returning to the political scene. According to the source, this is true whether or not Abbas will try to transfer leadership in an organized way to one of his Fatah associates. In any case, he argued, Dahlan had already gained too much power to be undermined. Dahlans charisma, his experience and mainly the pan-Arab support he has garnered in the course of his years of forced exile are what will grant him the presidency. There is no one else who has a fraction of Dahlans proven abilities, no leader with his eminence in the whole PA who will garner the confidence of the Palestinian public like Dahlan will, he concluded. Of course, these boasts were uttered by one of the close associates of the exiled leader. As far as Israels security apparatus is concerned, the chances are great that power struggles within the PA and the Fatah movement will lead to chaos in the PA and violent confrontations between the rival political sectors of the organization. And the result will be that violence will be directed also at Israeli targets. This is a well-known phenomenon as far back as the years we sat in [Israeli] prison, a senior Fatah source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. When there were arguments between the Palestinian factions in Israeli prisons, ultimately we took out our anger on the prison wardens. According to him, if there will be skirmishes between the Palestinian factions within the Fatah movement or outside it, the violence will not stop at the West Bank Qalandia or Hawara checkpoints. All these statements closely connect to the words of Halevi at the Herzliya conference in June. At that time, Halevi addressed the recent terror wave and said that it represented a post-modern escalation in which the individual is at the center, not the organization. What we see is more like anti-ideology as opposed to ideology, he said. In this, Halevi insinuated that even the Israeli intelligence research departments have great difficulty in attempting to predict how Palestinian youths will translate into action their great loathing of the Palestinian political system. This system only becomes more and more labyrinthine and dysfunctional in front of their eyes, and no one knows how all this might affect their responses to Israel. Now, after more than a decade has passed since the conclusion of the second intifada and after almost 50 years of occupation, will the fury again be directed at the prison wardens, i.e., the Israelis? It does seem that by the end of the Fatah convention we will know the answer to only one enigma out of many that plagues the Palestinians as well as the senior members of Israels security system: the extent and the strength of the power pole created by Abbas in order to challenge the gloomy forecasts for Palestinian society in 2017. November 28, 2016 For a long time, Russian-Turkish relations were based on a certain formula: The economy is the economy. Politics is politics. And they shouldnt be mixed. This formula worked successfully until Nov. 24, 2015, when Turkey shot down a Russian jet. Relations between the two countries, which used to be friendly and were even described as a strategic partnership, were severely damaged in just one moment. A year later, on Dec. 5-6, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will visit Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin. The visit could help accelerate the ongoing normalization process between two countries. The main agenda of the Yildirim-Medvedev meeting will include economic cooperation between the two countries. But Russia seems to feel no urgency in the matter. Last year, Turkish authorities said they were well within their rights to protect the countrys borders when Moscow violated Turkish airspace. Russia had a different opinion. Putin described the incident as a "stab in the back" committed by "accomplices of terrorists. As a result, Moscow had to reconsider the never the twain shall meet formula. In retaliation for Turkey shooting down its plane, Russia imposed economic sanctions. The period of separating politics and the economy was officially over. Russia banned the import of certain Turkish products, and a number of Turkish organizations and businesses operating in Russia were restricted. The product ban included many fruits and vegetables as well as chicken, carnations and salt. In another round of sanctions, the government introduced a ban on charter flights to Turkey the most popular travel destination for Russians and advised Russian travel agencies to stop selling tours that went there. Moscow also introduced visa restrictions for Turkish citizens, who since 2011 had been able to enjoy visa-free stays of up to 30 days. Moreover, Russian companies were banned from hiring Turkish employees. Kirill Rodionov, an analyst at consulting company IndexBox Russia, told Al-Monitor that Russia isnt really suffering any rebound effects from its actions against Turkey. For Russia, the anti-Turkish embargo is less problematic than counter-sanctions against the EU countries, Rodionov said. Turkish goods have been replaced by either deliveries from other countries or re-export from the Eurasian Economic Community countries, mainly Belarus and Kazakhstan. On June 27, the Turkish president surprised many by sending an apology letter to Putin. Two days later they spoke by phone. The Russian leader promised to lift sanctions soon. In reality, only the ban on charter flights was lifted, and that wasnt done immediately it took two months. Thus, when the ban was lifted Aug. 28, most Russians had either already taken their vacations or made plans to take them elsewhere. More economic sanctions were lifted after Putins visit Oct. 9 to Istanbul. Some fruits were removed from the banned list, yet many others remained. Some sanctions also remain in place the restrictions on visas and on hiring Turkish nationals. Not only has Russia not fully lifted them, it doesnt appear Russia plans to do so anytime soon. On Nov. 18, Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev met with his Turkish counterpart, Faruk Celik, in Sochi on the sidelines of an international agriculture fair that drew large delegations from both countries. The parties discussed the process of lifting agricultural sanctions. But after the meeting, Russia said it would continue to ban Turkish tomatoes for the next two to three years. According to the ministry, this step will help Russian tomato producers become more competitive. For many years, Turkish tomatoes were dominant on Russian market. After the jet crisis and the economic sanctions against Turkey, Russian producers made huge investments in tomato production. Now it is essential that they dont lose their money, Georgy Petrov, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, told Al-Monitor. Turkish businessmen who spoke with Al-Monitor still hope that the other sanctions will be lifted soon and that their companies can return to work in Russia. We want to continue to work here [in Russia]. We have been here for more than 20 years. There have been ups and downs. However, we are still here. Russia is a huge market for us. The recent sanctions were politically motivated, said one of them. Petrov denied that the sanctions have been maintained for political reasons. The ban on charter flights has been lifted and Russian companies have started to sell tours to Turkish resorts. As for Turkish construction companies, here the situation depends on the recent economic crisis in Russia. Russian construction companies themselves are suffering from economic difficulties. There are not as many new construction projects as there used to be. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development confirmed that the Russian government isnt currently considering urgent plans to remove the sanctions. A source in the ministry told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity: We havent yet received any instructions regarding further lifting of restrictions and sanctions. The result of the meeting next month could show whether Turkey and Russia can resume their old approach to relations by not mixing economic and political issues. It seems unlikely that given the recent crisis that has hung over their relations for a year things will ever return to that status completely. But it also seems unlikely that the approach will never be used again. The reality is that during a seven-month absence of Turkish businesses on the Russian market, local and foreign producers have taken their place. Therefore, it seems that Russian-Turkish relations have found a new approach: sound pragmatism. The two countries will partner with one another on international issues where their interests coincide. But Moscow is in bad need of economic and investment opportunities, as the country is facing hard times over Western sanctions as well as low oil prices. In seeking a balance between economic needs and political interests, Russia needs a foreign policy of new pragmatism as never before. November 28, 2016 On Nov. 23, Turkish Religious Affairs Director Mehmet Gormez told a group of preachers that he was embarrassed by the July 15 coup attempt because it perhaps indicated he wasn't doing his official duty well. He told his audience to keep an eye on two groups while performing their duties. While he didn't name names, he was referring to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Gulenists. News had broken in late October that the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) would be firing hundreds more imams, particularly in eastern and southeastern towns where the majority of residents are Kurds, for their alleged support of the PKK. This follows the directorates previous wave of firing more than 2,500 personnel accused of being Gulenists. So how does the government plan to replace so many people? Clues can be found in the columns of pro-government writers and the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) previous handling of the region. For example, Huseyin Ozturk, a Yeni Akit columnist, wrote Nov. 16 that female preachers are needed in southeast Turkey. In a rather derogatory approach, Ozturk argued that the mothers and young girls in the region are superstitious and lack proper religious knowledge. He wrote that the local governors have urgently demanded that female preachers be dispatched to the region to educate the women on religious matters. Ozturk acknowledged that the Diyanet director is well-aware of the regions problems, but the columnist pointed out that the situation is urgent. After reading this, I contacted several local residents in Diyarbakir, Siirt, Sanliurfa and Bitlis. The residents were confident that there is no local demand for Diyanet to provide either male or female preachers. Several residents were indeed offended by Ozturks piece. They were reminded of the unsuccessful 1,000 mele" program of 2012, when the government sought to appease the Kurds. Mele is the name given to local imams, whom the government tried to put on its payroll. Sait Sahin, a spokesman for Huda-Par a Kurdish Sunni fundamentalist Islamist Party told Al-Monitor, We do not approve [of columns like Ozturks] that are offensive to the people of the region. If there really is a problem about women in the region lacking religious knowledge, what should be questioned is not the people, but the 90 years of Kemalist [secular] government policies, as well as the PKK. Sahin also advocated reform of Diyanet cadres and other government institutions. He said, In addition, this lack of proper religious education is not an issue exclusive to the east and southeast of the country. Other parts of the country are not any different. Indeed, there might be other regions that are more in need. One former mufti who is an Islamic scholar and jurist told Al-Monitor, For decades, the Turkish state struggled to 'Turkify' the Kurds. Finally, the Kurdish identity became more acceptable in Turkey with the peace process initiated by [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan." Since the process collapsed, however, "Erdogan and supporters in the ever-expanding Diyanet have found a new solution: 'Sunnifying' the Kurds. They claim that due to lack of development, Kurdish towns have been neglected and they forgot real Islam. They have nominated male imams and preachers, but it has not been effective, the scholar said. Instead, thousands of people in the southeast joined civilian resistance movements, which included local, unofficial Friday prayers. Civilian Friday prayers meant boycotting the government mosques and holding the prayers in the street, with an unofficial imam, in Kurdish. The problem is, Diyanet insists that it represents all Muslims. Different groups in Turkey resist this, such as Alevis, Shiites and Kurds. Nimetullah Erdogmus, a former mufti of Diyarbakir and a parliamentarian from the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), told Al-Monitor, Unfortunately, either the mele or the female preacher [vaize] plans of Diyanet are not in response to public demands, but rather planned in Ankara, because the directorate feels an urgency to play its part in managing the problem. So it generates programs like this, which do not produce any useful results. Indeed, locals due to years of unsuccessful assimilation policies approach Diyanet-nominated personnel with suspicion, asking them where they are from and why they are not trying to teach Islam to their own towns people instead of preaching here." The publics suspicions are not baseless. When we look at the official responsibilities of a vaize as prescribed by Diyanet, we see that one of the expectations is for them to conduct research about national, moral, social, cultural and religious values of the communities they are assigned to and report back to Ankara. Given decades of conflict with Ankara, locals view any offer of assistance with doubt, suspecting ulterior motives. In addition, Erdogmus explained that aside from Alevi Kurds, most Kurds belong to the Sunni school of Shafi, whereas most Turks are Sunni Hanefi. The Diyanet is a Hanefi institution as well. That is why the Turkish government has hoped to turn local mele imams into official imams with a paycheck and guidelines on how to conduct their sermons. However, Erdogmus told Al-Monitor, In the region, religious directives are important. There are centuries-old traditions. Just like with Alevis, [the government has] failed with most of the Kurds as well with regard to religious services. For example, people here want to listen to sermons in Kurdish. This is a basic right. Indeed, Diyanet assigns personnel from all over Turkey to mosques in the southeast and, like other government officials, these people receive a higher salary for serving in a hardship zone. But the southeast region is in need of an army of preachers, according to Diyanets reports. It is difficult to find personnel willing to serve in this region, particularly with increasing security risks. So now a supersized Diyanet may be dispatching an army of male and female preachers to Kurdish-majority towns. Would those imams dissuade the public from supporting the PKK, HDP or any other political movement? Would their purpose to re-teach Islam to the Sunni Kurds and "Sunnify" Alevi Kurds and others help establish peace? A lawyer from Sanliurfa speaking on condition of anonymity told Al-Monitor, AKP says they are pious and the PKK is a bunch of atheists, but Kurds say we are more pious than Turks. This is not a competition anyone can win. Government efforts to intensify religiosity only backfire. Moreover, he argued, The goal [of Diyanet] is not just to teach religion to the Kurds, but rather to have access through the female preachers into the homes of Kurds, as well as to help Syrian refugees settle and assimilate into the area. I mean, look at Diyanets webpage. They post photos of reconstruction of mosques in Cizre and Sirnak. Shouldnt they first reconstruct hospitals, schools or homes? These observations indicate Diyanets plans are not destined for success in the southeast. November 29, 2016 At first it was to clear Turkeys border of the Islamic State (IS). Then it was to roll back the Syrian Kurdish militants of the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Today brought a brand-new explanation for why Turkish troops entered northern Syria in August to team up with opposition Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels: Why did we enter? We do not covet Syrian soil, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Istanbul at the Inter-Parliamentary Jerusalem Platform Symposium. We entered there to end the rule of tyrant [Bashar] al-Assad. [We didnt enter] for any other reason. Coming as Syrian regime forces appeared poised to regain control of rebel-held neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo, Erdogans comments suggest that Turkey will not be pulling the plug on its Syrian rebel proxies anytime soon. In fact, if his words are to be taken at face value, they signal an even deeper Turkish military engagement in Syria, pitting Turkish forces simultaneously against IS, the YPG and the regime. This would leave Turkey at odds with the US-led coalition which considers the YPG its top ally against IS and with Russia, which wants Turkey to end its support for the FSA rebels. It would also inevitably raise the specter of more body bags coming home to Turkey. Added to all this, Erdogans statement belies recent speculation that Turkey was abandoning its long-running campaign to unseat Assad and was sending out feelers to Damascus, if only to join forces against the Kurds. Since entering Jarablus in August, Turkish troops have succeeded in clearing the border of IS and have pushed further south, capturing the IS stronghold of Dabiq. Over the past month, however, they have together with their rebel allies been unsuccessfully struggling to dislodge the YPG from areas around the hotly contested IS-held town of al-Bab. Apparently, Ankara believed it had won Russian backing for that plan. The Nov. 24 deaths of at least four Turkish soldiers near al-Bab, in what the Turkish General Staff initially described as an airstrike by Syrian jets, threw cold water on such notions amid speculation that Russia might have been behind the attack. Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced Nov. 28 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured Turkey that its planes had not carried out the attack. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will travel to Moscow on Dec. 5 to meet with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, and Putin, and Syria is certain to be a topic of discussion. Meanwhile, Turkish officials speaking on strict condition of anonymity told Al-Monitor on Nov. 28 that they had concluded that the Assad regime was not responsible for the soldiers' deaths either. This, therefore, points to IS, which actually claimed responsibility for the attack. In further alarming news, IS also claimed, on Nov. 29, to have captured two Turkish soldiers in the village of Dana, west of al-Bab. Coalition officials believe that an IS suicide bomb was the likely culprit for the Nov. 24 attack, but the waters have been further muddied by unconfirmed reports by local sources in northern Syria that an Iranian drone had been spotted in the skies above al-Bab when the attack occurred. Iran has armed drones, and there is video footage of Iranian drones purportedly hitting opposition rebels in Syria. Historical rivals Iran and Turkey are on opposite sides in the Syrian conflict, but have been at pains to avert a direct confrontation. On Nov. 26, Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, called for greater cooperation on Syria during a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Still, the possibility that an Iranian drone, intentionally or unintentionally, dropped the fatal munitions on the Turkish forces cannot be treated as a fantasy, said a YPG commander contacted by Al-Monitor in northern Syria by phone. The real fantasy, he contended, however, is that Turkey can overthrow Assad by military force. publix 20 midtown The signs for Publix has gone up in downtown Birmingham as the store prepares for opening. (Courtesy 20 Midtown) Here are the top stories in Alabama business for Monday, Nov. 28, 2016: What's Alabama's biggest private company? Ebsco. It's Ebsco Industries. It has revenue of about $2.7 billion and a healthy annual growth rate of 5.5 percent. -- More beer options for Alabama! Atlanta's Second Self Beer Company is selling its brews in the Birmingham, Montgomery and Auburn areas starting Dec. 1. -- Downtown Birmingham Publix update: It's not going to open on Wednesday after all. Not clear exactly when it will open, but it's likely going to be early January. You'll have to wait a bit longer for PubSubs, downtown Birmingham. -- Midtown Mobile Publix update: demolition is happening. Vertical construction will happen early 2017 at the intersection of Old Shell Road and Florida Street. -- In the next month, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District will offer a soft skills workforce development program to residents living in Southtown Court and Loveman Village. The job training will be available to hundreds of families through the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce. -- Billions of dollars in illegal subsidies paid by Washington State to Boeing have dealt as much as $50 billion of damage to its rival Airbus, claimed a press release from European-based aircraft manufacturer Monday. -- Follow all of Alabama's business news here anytime. The Alabama Career Center System will host a regional job fair Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested can pre-register online here. This will allow for faster entry. Those attending are encouraged to print their confirmation and bring it, or save confirmation e-mails on their phones. Among employers scheduled to attend are Hyundai, Koch Foods, Big Lots, Schneider Trucking, Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital and others. More than 1,800 available jobs will be represented. An earlier job fair in February had a record turnout, Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said. Applicants should come dressed professionally with multiple copies of their resumes, prepared to interview. Interview space will be provided. The Alabama Career Center System's mobile career center will be onsite to assist job seekers. dogs.PNG Dogs were called out to the scene of a bomb threat at Park Place Apartments in Jacksonville, Ala., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. (William Thornton / wthornton@al.com) Jacksonville police and Calhoun County authorities were called to the scene of a bomb threat at Park Place Apartments on Park Avenue this morning, but no evidence of any explosive device was found. Jacksonville State University police and the Jacksonville Fire Department assisted, as did Alabama State Troopers.. The apartments were briefly evacuated and searched, police said. The man who police say shot his stepdaughter's boyfriend during a Sunday-morning dispute is being released from jail without being charged with any crime. Instead, Hoover police officials said, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office in the Bessemer Cutoff will present the case to an upcoming grand jury to determine if criminal charges are appropriate, said Lt. Keith Czeskleba. Authorities have not released the man's name. Howard Hardy, 24, was killed in the shooting. Police were called to Ashby at Ross Bridge apartments just before 10:30 a.m. on a report of someone shot. They arrived to find Hardy dead, the 45-year-old shooter gone from his own home. Dispatchers issued a lookout bulletin for him, and he was taken into custody a short time later by Bessemer police and has been held in the Hoover City Jail since his arrest. Hardy, who is the grandson of retired Fairfield police Deputy Chief Beverly Hardy, was at the apartment visiting his girlfriend the altercation with her stepfather erupted. There were multiple other family members at the apartment, many of whom were interviewed. Czeskleba said those interviews, along with autopsy results and evidence from the scene, were all presented to prosecutors who made the decision to defer charges to a grand jury. "We realized from the beginning that this was not a clear-cut case,'' said Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector. "The victim and suspect were physically fighting before the shots were fired and the possibility of self-defense became a consideration." "This is a tragic set of circumstances but the bottom line is that we want to get this right,'' he said. "After lengthy discussions with the district attorney we respect their decision and believe the current course of action is the right way to go. This is a difficult case and we feel like a grand jury should decide if criminal charges are warranted." Earlier today, Hardy's family spoke about their loss. Hardy had two children - a 1-year-old son, and a 5-month-old daughter. He graduated from Fairfield High Preparatory School, and then attended Alabama State University for two years before leaving school to come back to the Birmingham area. His sister, Jacquise Hardy, said he worked at Walmart, and just recently had asked for extra shifts so that he could make Christmas extra special for his two children. "He was a great father, and he just wanted the best for his family,'' she said. "He had a good heart, and was just overall a good young man." She said last saw her brother on Saturday, less than 24 hours before he was killed, and never dreamed it would be for the last time. "We were all shocked when we received the news,'' she said. "We did not see this coming." Jacquise Hardy said she and her brother had their differences, as all siblings do, but said they were exceptionally close. "He always had my back and I always had his,'' she said. "I want people to know my brother was a special person. He died protecting his family." The death of the revolutionary leader is being mourned and celebrated in equal measure. When Fidel Castro and his barbudos (the bearded ones) entered Havana on January 2, 1959, having defeated the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, Latin America was in turmoil. In the Andean region of South America, a feudal system of land ownership prevailed. Indigenous people worked for very low wages and owed lifelong loyalty to their masters. In Central America, the United Fruit Company (UFC), an American multinational, owned much of the land and railroads. Any attempts to address such inequalities were crushed in their infancy. In 1954, President Jacobo Arbenz of Guatemala tried to implement a land reform. A coup detat promoted by the UFC and Washington put an end to Arbenzs reformist programme. The United States also actively supported dictatorial regimes in Paraguay, Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. READ MORE: In Cuba, a day without Fidel Castro By the end of the 1950s, according to the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre, life expectancy in the region was 47 years. Fidel Castro was aware of the impact that his movement had in Latin America. In one of his first addresses to the Cuban people after his victory in 1959, Castro said: Companeros, the revolution is not our exclusive property, nor is it only here on the island. Our brothers in Latin America cannot fail to join us. It was a call to arms that many middle-class intellectuals and activists took seriously. In the mid-1960s, Latin America saw the emergence of guerrilla groups, many of whose members were trained in Cuba. In Nicaragua, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Venezuela and Ecuador, units of badly armed guerrillas tried to repeat the Cuban experience, mainly in the countryside. They were mercilessly crushed by national armies, many of whose officers had been educated in the dubious art of counter-insurgency by the US at the School of the Americas in Panama. By 1967, when Che Guevara was executed in Bolivia after he failed in his efforts to form a guerrilla group to invade his native Argentina, armed struggle as an instrument of change had fizzled out. However, some governments in the region understood that the guerrillas were not a bunch of cattle rustlers; in fact, those rebels reflected a genuine anger at the levels of injustice that existed in their societies. In 1968, Perus military government led by General Juan Velasco implemented a land reform. If we dont carry out this reform, the Castroists will, and we dont want that, do we? quipped a minister in 1969. Ironically, Velasco re-established diplomatic relations with Castros Cuba. The General and the Comandante became good friends. In Panama, General Omar Torrijos also took power in 1968. In 1976, during a visit to Cuba, Torrijos said that Fidel was a symbol of the efforts for continental unity in the fight for its identity and its final integration and a consistent, loyal and dignified friend. Military governments in Ecuador and Bolivia followed the same pattern. In 1970, a socialist doctor, Salvador Allende, was elected president of Chile. Allende wanted to prove that it was possible to conduct a revolution within a multiparty system. Fidel Castro visited Chile in 1971. He spent three weeks in the South American country. INTERACTIVE: Castro The making of a legend This was Castros longest ever state visit. The coup detat on September 11, 1973, during which Allende died defending democracy, put an end to the pacific uprising that he thought was possible. In a tribute to Allende in the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana, on September 28, 1973, in the presence of Allendes widow, Castro expressed, in the kindest possible way, his reservations about the peaceful path to revolutionary changes. [Allendes victory] did not mean a victory of a revolution, said Castro, but access to important positions by legal and peaceful means. After a period of revolutionary stagnation in Latin America, Fidel Castros influence dwindled; but in 1979, his ideological standpoint got a new boost. In Nicaragua, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) defeated the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza. Although the Sandinista movement got its main inspiration from Augusto Cesar Sandino, a guerrilla general who fought against the US-sponsored dictatorship of Anastasios father in the 1930s, many of the FSLN comandantes had trained in Cuba. Unlike Cuba, the FSLN adhered to the concept of multi-party democracy. The Sandinista leader, Daniel Ortega, won a general election in 1984, at the height of revolutionary fervour. His government implemented a series of reforms modelled on the Cuban system: land redistribution, nationalisation of industries, popular participation. However, the proxy war executed by then US President Ronald Reagan against the Sandinistas had a demoralising effect on the population. A well-armed gang known as the contras conducted a violent campaign against the government. The US government openly supported, armed and trained the contras. In the 1990 elections, the FSLN lost power. People just wanted peace and voting the Sandinistas out of power was the best way to achieve that. And Cuba lost an ally. Hard times Cuba paid a heavy price for the collapse of the Soviet bloc. The island could no longer rely on the support of Moscow and by the early 1990s, the island experienced hardship and suffering. Many forecast the end of the Cuban Revolution. They were wrong. But by the mid-1990s, Cuba started to recover. In the rest of the continent, the traditional parties that had dominated the political landscape in Latin America for decades believed that their grip on power could not be challenged. Then, in Venezuela in 1999, Lieutenant-Colonel Hugo Chavez, who had unsuccessfully tried to depose the government of Carlos Andres Perez in 1992, was elected president. As a young officer, Chavez had two big influences: Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Venezuela during the anti-colonial wars in the 19th century, and Fidel Castro. Afterwards, a succession of left-wing governments was elected: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua (the return of Daniel Ortega), Uruguay. They all claimed to be inspired by the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castros leadership. The Cuban Revolution has endured and Latin America has learned to live with it. The same can be said about its leader because Fidel Castro personified the revolution, its accomplishments and also its shortcomings. In 2010, the countries of the region decided to create the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). They excluded the United States and Canada. Cuba was invited to join. For the first time since 1962, when Cuba was expelled from the Organisations of American States, the island became a member of a regional body. In January 2014, the island hosted the second CELAC summit. In December of the same year, Washington and Havana announced that they were going to re-establish diplomatic relations. Every single government in the region welcomed the decision. In March 2016, Barack Obama became the first American president to visit Cuba in almost 90 years. READ MORE: Memories of a young Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro helped to shape the history of Latin America since the second half of the 20th century. For his followers, he was a father figure who inspired the struggle for change. For his enemies, he was a communist tyrant. During his trial for the failed attack on the Moncada barracks in 1953, in his final plea before sentencing, Castro ended his speech saying: Condemn me, it does not matter, history will absolve me. His absolution may be, for some people, debatable. But the history of Latin America will have to include chapters with Fidel Castros name at the very top of the page. Athens, Greece From the outside, City Plaza Hotel might not look like much, just another shabby building in the Greek capital of Athens, neglected during the years of the economic crisis. Step inside its doors to find a unique space for hundreds of people from all over the world: refugees. Their plan was never to stay in Greece. They had hopes of reaching northern Europe. But, once the Balkan Route closed in March 2016, those who had made the dangerous trip in rubber dinghies from Turkey had nowhere else to go. Thats when activists in Athens intervened and occupied spaces such as City Plaza, a hotel that had been abandoned years earlier, to prevent the weary travellers from sleeping in overcrowded camps or, even worse, in the streets of Athens, as many who could not find shelter were forced to do. IN PICTURES: First school bell rings for refugee children in Greece Since it was occupied, City Plaza has become home to some 400 refugees and migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and elsewhere. Unlike most refugee accommodations in Europe, City Plaza affords its guests a level of dignity they wouldnt find elsewhere. People have private rooms and their own bathrooms. Its an unusual space where most asylum centres are hierarchical and segregated based on nationality, City Plaza functions collectively, with refugees and activists cooking, cleaning, living and making decisions together. In such a diverse space, things can easily get lost in translation. But people find a way to communicate, and when they cant there are people such as Rabea, himself a refugee from Damascus, to make sure that Greek and international activists can communicate with the refugees and migrants living in City Plaza. Filmmaker Matthew Cassel (@matthewcassel) Editors Matthew Cassel, Andrew Phillips (https://www.instagram.com/alphaphille/) Assistant producer Ziad Ramley (@ziadramley) Executive producer Yasir Khan (@khanundrum) Glasgow, Scotland He arrived like a political hurricane, but in the end, left a legacy of controversy that, in the eyes of many in his native Britain, has today reduced him to the status of pariah. Tony Blairs landslide victory as UK Labour leader in the 1997 general election saw the Scots-born Oxford graduate become, at just 43, the youngest person to secure the British premiership since Lord Liverpool in 1812. It would lead to 10 years at the helm of the UK government as Blairs rebranded New Labour party enjoyed three consecutive general election victories. But when Sir John Chilcot, author of the long-awaited and explosive report into Britains role in the Iraq war, told the House of Commons liaison committee earlier this year that Blair had caused long-term damage to the British peoples trust in politics by taking the country to war in the Arab state, it reinforced the uncompromising views of his many detractors. A plunge in fortune Harsher descriptions, including those of war criminal, have followed this former political titan ever since he left office in 2007, and were brutally reignited in July with the publication of Sir John Chilcots Report. This, Blairs critics say, mauled his reputation, but Blair said it cleared him of long-standing claims that he had lied to the British public. As Blairs reputation stands today several UK MPs are this week reportedly seeking a new investigation into Blairs role in the Iraq war his plunge in fortune remains unprecedented for a former British prime minister in modern times. The simple place to start is Iraq, of course, as that was a major turning point, English political writer Francis Beckett, co-author of Blair Inc: The Man Behind the Mask, told Al Jazeera. Its not just that every year that passes since the Iraq invasion we see more evil results from it, but also it was the way it was done The fact that he acquiesced in an invasion without any consideration for the future governance of the country began his descent to the point where his resignation as prime minister in 2007 became inevitable because it was very clear that he could not win another general election. READ MORE: Chilcot report Tony Blair in focus ahead of launch Shortly after Blair left office, he began work as a Middle East peace envoy with his appointment as special representative of the Quartet of world powers striving for a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. But right from the start, he was plagued by ongoing accusations that his role in Iraq made him an unfit person to seek Middle East peace. According to Beckett, most fatally of all, the difficulty was that when he went to meetings in the Middle East, nobody knew which Tony Blair they were seeing whether it was Tony Blair the Quartet envoy or Tony Blair the patron of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation or Tony Blair the principle of the consultancy firm Tony Blair Associates. Indeed, his post-prime ministerial business dealings, which have included advising Arab governments and consultancy work for the US investment bank JP Morgan, have reportedly netted him millions of pounds. It has also left him exposed to accusations of greed from many hardened critics, including those from within the party he led from 1994 to 2007. Theres a more general sense that he let himself, and therefore the country, down by what some see as his obsession with making money on the international speaking and consultancy circuit after he left No 10 [the prime ministers residence], Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, told Al Jazeera. In essence, the higher you fly, the further you have to fall. He flew higher than most politicians, so his crashing and burning has been all the more spectacular. A charismatic and talented politician Many have lamented the demonisation of Blair over his role in the Iraq war and its propensity to greatly overshadow his domestic policies, which, his advocates say, changed the face of modern Britain. Columnist Zoe Williams, writing in a British newspaper on April 8, 2014, opined that Blair left a blueprint for social democratic government But we cant even see it because it has been obliterated by the bloodshed of the Iraq war. In his first term in power, Blair negotiated the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. This brought an end to the 30-year sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland also known as The Troubles and, ratified by a popular referendum across both sides of the Irish border, gave birth to a power-sharing assembly based in the Northern Irish capital, Belfast. During this period, he also brought devolution to Wales and Scotland, again both endorsed by popular votes, and, in the latters case, by a hefty margin. Blairs decision to introduce the national minimum wage and his fight against child poverty are also flagged by Blair supporters, as is his role in Kosovo and Sierra Leone where he won genuine plaudits for his humanitarian interventionism. He was also, by common consent, a uniquely charismatic and talented politician who even managed to win a majority general election victory in 2005 two years after his controversial decision to send British troops into Iraq. I think he was probably the best communicator in British politics, said Simon Pia, a one-time media adviser to two Scottish Labour Party leaders at the Scottish parliament, speaking to Al Jazeera. He had a great knack of appealing to different parts of the electorate and what was unusual and unique for a Labour leader was that he connected with middle England and appealed to Conservative voters. OPINION: The story of Bush and Blairs great lie In October, Blair, who left his Quartet role in 2015, told Esquire magazine that his return to British politics was an open question. And he told the New Statesman magazine in November of his wish to support the politically homeless dismayed with both the opposition Labour Party and UK prime minister Theresa Mays Brexit-backing government. This led many on social media to utter phrases like Tony Blair is a shadow that grows in the dark and the Twitter account of the irreverent British political TV quiz Have I Got News For You to tweet: Tony Blair says his return to British politics is an open question, that question being How much does it pay?' Blair a battle-hardened statesman who has spent some years fending off accusations involving Iraq and his post-political business affairs has probably become used to his current role as public enemy No 1 in the eyes of his most ardent critics. So, does the passing of time hold any hope for a more objective analysis of Blair both as a politician and a man? A more balanced assessment would suggest that a premier who made profound changes to the UKs constitution and governance, said Bale, whose government presided over an unprecedentedly long period of economic growth, and also effectively rescued health and education from chronic decay and mounted a convincing attack on child poverty and a huge expansion of the university sector, couldnt be all bad. But the academic, who said that other than the fallout from Iraq, many Britons also hold him and his government responsible for supposedly opening the floodgates on immigration, also added: Whether that objective assessment will ever trump peoples wholly understandable emotions is a moot point and some would say that Blair doesnt help himself by refusing, as it were, to go quietly and allow time to heal the wounds. Follow Alasdair Soussi on Twitter: @ AlasdairSoussi I spent two weeks on Chios volunteering and working with refugees who languish in despair and often succumb to suicide. Nadia Barhoum is a researcher at the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley. In mid-November, more than 100 locals on the island of Chios descended on the Souda refugee camp in the middle of the night. Refugees were terrified; they had nowhere to go and no one to turn to for help. Not only did the police not protect them, but when the locals attacked and began beating refugees, the police officers went in and arrested dozens of men from the camp. Molotov cocktails were thrown at the refugees and dozens of tents, along with the few personal belongings inside, burned to the ground. Among the injured was Karim, a 19-year-old Syrian boy I met in September. He told me that while running away from the attackers, he fell and injured his hand. This was not the first time Karim had to run for his life. While he managed to get out of his hometown Raqqa alive, others were not so lucky. Sitting in a stuffy metal container in Souda camp in September, he told me about one of his friends who fled to Turkey, but was captured by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) members there. His head was returned in a bag to his family a week later. Karim had been on the island of Chios for more than three months when I met him, and he is still waiting now to hear from the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) about his case. He fears being deported back to Turkey, where his life could be in danger. Like Karim, many refugees on Chios worry they will be deported back to various warzones. But there are also others who wish to return to conflict-ridden countries where at least they could die in dignity rather than face a slow death in Greece, stripped of their humanity and will to live. During the two weeks I spent in Chios volunteering as a legal translator, I witnessed extraordinary despair. Each day, a refugee would attempt to violently end their own life and every person I spoke with had suicidal thoughts. This feeling of hopelessness has not receded since I left, and conditions seem to be getting worse as each day passes. The endless wait People from all over two continents arrive on Chios: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and other places. Once the refugees step off the rafts, they are bussed to the administrative processing centre, which is a converted warehouse in a desolate location. The building has one entrance: a locked metal gate that is constantly blocked with tens of desperate bodies, pushing, waiting to enter. People wait for hours in the heat or cold to get inside. Once they make it to the entrance, the Greek police, who man the door, thoroughly search each person. Inside the building, there is another section for the asylum services that is closed with another locked metal gate manned by officers from a private security company. There, refugees wait again to get thoroughly searched by the private security as well. The militarisation and securitisation of refugee camps are more than apparent here, and it is clear that private interests are profiting from the misery of others. By the end of this process, all refugees have been fingerprinted and registered to a European Union database. Once the refugees are registered with the asylum office, they get a number for their case, which is the only way they are identified, and then are assigned a tent or a metal container. After this, they must wait again, until their number is listed on a board in the camp to begin the interview process for asylum in Greece. For many, this is an endless wait; for a long time the EASO was prioritising only the files of Syrians and some other highly vulnerable cases, leaving non-Syrians in limbo. The wait in an overcrowded camp with deplorable conditions is especially unbearable. The refugee camps that have sprung up in the past year on Chios are meant to house 1,100 people, but currently 4,000 are housed there (PDF). Understandably, there is intense stress on the infrastructure and services available. The living conditions in the camps are beyond abysmal: from poor health services, if any, to scarce mental health services, to inedible food rations, to dysfunctional and highly problematic international NGOs. The makeshift tents and metal containers to which refugees are assigned are also not meant for long-term stay and are often overcrowded, unhygienic and provide little protection from weather and theft. It is only natural that, in such conditions, tensions among the refugees increase, resulting in regular fights, mostly along ethnic lines. Refugees are repeatedly put in a position to compete with one another for resources, as well as legal and political processes that have established quotas based on arbitrary definitions of vulnerability. Between death and despair Refugees are essentially imprisoned within the camps and are not allowed to travel beyond the city. If they find themselves outside, they risk not only arrest and detention by the authorities, but also aggression from the locals. I met a Palestinian-Syrian family who said that their two-year-old daughter was beaten by a Greek man in the small park by one of the camps. The girl was taken to the hospital seeking treatment for the bruises that covered her tiny body. The police, they say, did nothing to help her. The recent protests are only some of many that have taken place across Greece over the past several months. Many of the Greek anti-refugee protesters are associated with the countrys growing ultra-nationalist Golden Dawn party, which has been encouraging xenophobia all over Chios and surrounding islands. These dynamics between the local population and the refugees are not devoid of context. Greece is a periphery EU country, in the midst of one of the worst financial crises in its recent history. That it is expected to bear responsibility for one of the worst refugee crises in world history would be laughable if the situation were not so tragic. The borders to other European countries remain closed, thus putting great stress on Greece and creating a bottleneck for all migration to Europe. This endless uncertainty and fear of whats to come are the hardest to endure, especially when conditions within the camps continue to worsen. Many give up on waiting the endless wait and resort to human smugglers. People are so desperate that even stories of organ trafficking and deadly treks across militarised borders do not keep them from finding alternatives to the dismal conditions in Greece. This is our global heart of darkness. The lives of others continue to be relegated to the absolute margins of society, where they are left to languish in despair, where death is welcomed as the only alternative to the pain and misery of the daily conditions they face. The world is witnessing the greatest displacement of people since World War II, in addition to the complete destruction of some of the oldest and richest civilisations on earth. Has Europe failed in the preservation of human dignity and relapsed to a historical period it vowed would never be repeated? And to what end? To preserve a mirage of Fortress Europe? I fear the worst is yet to come. Nadia Barhoum is a researcher at the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley and a National Executive Board Member of the Palestinian Youth Movement. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Urgent action is needed by the UN and the international community to stop the violence in South Sudan. Kuoth Wiel is a South Sudanese model, actress, gender and women rights activist, and the founder of Nyaeden Foundation. We write this piece with a great sense of urgency. South Sudan sits on the brink of a catastrophic collapse that may lead to ethnic cleansing or even genocide. This is the grim warning the United Nations special adviser on the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, gave on November 11 after visiting our country. Since the conflict broke out in December 2013, the South Sudanese have been living in a nightmare with no apparent exit. A peace deal, brokered in August 2015 by the International-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African regional security organisation, was short-lived. In July, less than three months after forming a government of national unity, the leaders of South Sudan plunged the country back to war. The conflict has led to ethnically targeted mass killings, rapes, torture, forced displacement, destruction of property and intense suffering. Yet, we fear the worst is yet to come. In the recent months, extremely disturbing rhetoric has become commonplace. Leaders of South Sudan, from the various political divides, preach ethnic animosity, revenge and counter-revenge. Radical youth groups threaten to kill members of other ethnic groups, if they do not leave their regions. As Dieng reported, atrocities are already taking place. Armed elements on both sides are deliberately targeting civilians on ethnic grounds, and resorting to torture and rape as instruments of war. Civilians, including women and children, are being pulled out of buses and cars and killed across the country. The strategies employed by armed groups on both sides have deeply polarised our people, and are accelerating South Sudans descent into total anarchy. The United States government, in a draft UN Security Council resolution circulated earlier this week, has proposed arms embargo and targeted sanctions against those inciting ethnic violence. We urge the UN Security Council to adopt this resolution. The proposed measures will help reduce the attractiveness of violence as a strategy for achieving political objectives and push the warring factions, and all South Sudanese, to peaceful dialogue. We also call for the immediate deployment of the regional protection force already approved by the UN Security Council in resolution 2304. This force is necessary to create the political space for a dialogue that would lead to reconciliation. We suggest that the forces mandate be expanded to include monitoring, disarming and demobilising any armed group targeting civilians. As South Sudan edges ever closer to a total anarchy, we write to remind the world that it has a responsibility to protect our people and now is the time to exercise such responsibility. Although resolution 2304 was adopted several months ago, South Sudans government has dragged its feet and evaded compliance with it with no cost. At the same time, violence and famine have spread to the entire country and now threaten thousands of lives. As this experience has shown, ending the conflict will require more political courage than simply adopting a UN resolution. As such, we urge the African Union (AU), the UN, and the troika of the United States, UK, and Norway the group of countries that midwived the birth of South Sudan in 2011- to show political courage and stand with the people of South Sudan in their gravest hour. We ask them to adopt and vigorously implement this resolution and push for the implementation of the previous one. We further call on the new UN secretary-general to work with the AU and arrange a meeting of the heads of state to discuss the crisis and map out a political strategy to avert a humanitarian disaster and economic collapse of epic proportions. Finally, we urge the peace partners to work together and help the people of South Sudan embark on an inclusive political dialogue to discuss the myriad obstacles to peace in the country. As South Sudan edges ever closer to a total anarchy, we write to remind the world that it has a responsibility to protect our people and now is the time to exercise such responsibility. We must act now to avert ethnic cleansing, genocide and a total state collapse in South Sudan. Peter Biar Ajak is a senior adviser at International Growth Centre (IGC) on South Sudan and the director of the Centre for Strategic Analysis and Research (C-SAR) based in Juba. Kuoth Wiel is a South Sudanese model, actress, gender and women rights activist, and the founder of Nyaeden Foundation Geoffrey Duke, an activist and researcher with the South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms, and Nyamal Tudeal, community activist and executive director of Nyaeden Foundation also contributed to this article. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Rebels lose northern neighbourhoods in besieged east as army and allies advance in offensive to take entire city. Syrias rebels lost all of the northern neighbourhoods of their stronghold in east Aleppo on Monday, as the army made significant advances in its offensive to recapture the entire city. The government gains have prompted an exodus of thousands of desperate civilians, some fleeing to districts held by the government or Kurdish forces, others heading south into areas still under opposition control. The situation is disastrous, said Ibrahim Abu Al-Leith, a spokesman for the White Helmets rescue group in the Ansari neighbourhood. There is mass displacement and morale is in the gutter, he said, his voice cracking with emotion. People are sleeping in the streets. They dont have anything to eat or drink, but neither do we, he told AFP. UN humanitarian envoy Stephen OBrien said on Tuesday initial reports indicated that up to 16,000 people have been displaced by fighting in the city over the past few days. The parties to the conflict in Syria have shown time and again that they are willing to take action to secure military advantage even if it means killing, maiming or starving civilians into submission in the process. The loss of eastern Aleppo would be a potentially devastating blow to Syrias rebels, who seized the area in 2012. The opposition has steadily lost territory since Russia intervened to bolster President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015. READ MORE: Inside east Aleppos last hospital: No space to walk On Monday, government forces seized the Sakhour, Haydariya and Sheikh Khodr districts, and Kurdish fighters took the Sheikh Fares neighbourhood from rebels, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said. This is their (the rebels) worst defeat since they seized half the city in 2012, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. The advances left all of northeast Aleppo under government control. East Aleppo-based journalist Zouhir al-Shimale told Al Jazeera that there was a constant collapse, as rebel-held neighbourhoods continued to fall to government forces. Hungry civilians The Syrian Civil Defense group, know as the White Helmets, warned on Monday they had no more fuel reserves for rescue vehicles. In a video statement, the group urged all humanitarian, aid, and medical organisations to immediately intervene to put an end to the humanitarian disaster facing civilians in besieged Aleppo. Nearly 10,000 civilians have fled the east, the Observatory said late on Sunday, with about 6,000 moving to the Kurdish-held Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood and 4,000 to government-held west Aleppo. READ MORE: How much longer can east Aleppo hold out? Kurdish officials published a video they said showed civilians crossing a field to Sheikh Maqsoud, where local forces helped people cross a makeshift barrier. Syrias Kurds are officially aligned with neither the government nor the rebels, but the opposition views them as effectively allied with the regime in its efforts to recapture Aleppo. Hundreds of civilians were also fleeing south to the remaining rebel-held districts with little more than the clothes they were wearing. People in southern neighbourhoods were donating blankets and other items to the new arrivals, who had travelled on foot, exhausted, cold and hungry. The United Nations said it was deeply concerned about civilians in the east, where international aid is exhausted and food stocks are desperately low. The UN has appealed for access to the east many times, but has failed to secure the necessary guarantees to enable aid deliveries. In terms of east Aleppo, we just need the green light from the people who control the roads going in because, as you know, the east of Aleppo is besieged, said Ramesh Rajasingham, the UNs deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis. Turning point The government advances mean the regime now controls at least a third of eastern Aleppo, just under two weeks into its renewed bid to recapture the city. State television said the army had captured the key Suleiman al-Halabi pumping station, which controls water supplies to government-held west Aleppo and has periodically been shut by rebels. Three people were killed and 29 wounded in rebel fire on western Aleppo on Monday, state media said. Government bombardment of eastern districts killed 18 civilians, Abdel Rahman said. The government assault of heavy air strikes, barrel bomb attacks and artillery fire has killed at least 247 civilians in east Aleppo, according to the Observatory. READ MORE: Syria government forces split rebel-held Aleppo in two Rebel fire into the government-held west has also killed at least 27 civilians, among them 11 children, since November 15, it says. Syrias Al-Watan daily, which is close to the government, said the next stage would be to divide the remaining (rebel-held) area into districts that will be easily controlled and to capture them successively. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called for an immediate ceasefire in Aleppo, saying the assault is threatening a humanitarian catastrophe. More than 400,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. Syrias deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, on Monday, denounced accusations by western countries that it has used chemical weapons in the conflict as a campaign of lies. Mekdad was speaking at the annual conference in The Hague of countries belonging to the Chemical Weapons Convention. An investigation has found air strikes by the US-led coalition that reportedly killed dozens of troops fighting for the Syrian government did not violate international law, the US military said. The targets of the strikes near the Syrian city of Deir Az Zor were misidentified as ISIL fighters on September 17, but they turned out to be loyalists of the Syrian army, the US Air Forces Central Command said in a statement on Tuesday. Although air strikes likely hit forces aligned with the government of Syria, the strikes were conducted under a good faith belief that the strikes were targeting Daesh, in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement, it said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. It added that evidence showed there wasnt a deliberate disregard of targeting procedures or the rules of engagement. Russia said 62 Syrian soldiers were killed and at least 100 more wounded. The attack was the first known direct strike by the US-led coalition on forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Brigadier General Richard Coe, the investigating officer, said a number of human factors contributed to the misidentification. In my opinion, these were a number of people all doing their best to do a good job, Coe said. In many ways these forces looked and acted like the Daesh forces the coalition has been targeting for the last two years. Al Jazeeras Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Washington DC, said there was no information on whether anyone was being punished for the series of human errors that led to the deadly incident. She also noted prior to the attack the coalition tried to communicate information about the planned air raid with Russia to make sure Russian or Syrian fighter jets would not be in the area getting in their way. READ MORE: Inside Bashar al-Assads mind The Russians were not able to get back in touch with their coalition point of contact on time, she said. When the coalition found out that the targeted fighters were known to the Russians, the strikes stopped, said Jordan. The United States, Australia, Denmark and Britain participated in the attack. Syria denounced the air strike and said it was conclusive evidence of US support for ISIL, calling it dangerous and blatant aggression. Danilo Maldonado Machados girlfriend said he was arrested after he posted a video railing against the deceased leader. Cuban police have arrested dissident artist Danilo El Sexto Maldonado Machado, once declared a prisoner of conscience, after he made a video celebrating the death of Fidel Castro. Castro died on Friday at age 90, a decade after he retired because of poor health and ceded power to his brother, current President Raul Castro. A rights activist and graffiti artist, Maldonado posted a video on social media on Saturday, in which he rants against Castro and calls him a mare, a Cuban pejorative. Such a video could constitute the criminal offence of disrespect. Maldonado, 33, was previously jailed on that charge for painting the names Fidel and Raul on a pair of pigs. His most recent detention was reported on Monday by Maldonados American girlfriend, Alexandra Martinez, who said she spoke with him in jail, and by the dissident Cuban Commission of Human Rights and National Reconciliation, which said Maldonados mother reported the detention on South Florida radio. Cuban officials have not confirmed whether Maldonado was in custody, said Kimberley Motley, a human rights lawyer contacted by the Human Rights Foundation to handle Maldonados case. Cuba does not publicly report arrests and dismisses dissidents as US-paid mercenaries. Maldonado has used performance and graffiti art to criticise the Cuban government. After his arrest in December 2014, he spent 10 months in prison and was released after an Amnesty International statement saying he was considered Cubas only prisoner of conscience. Turkish president urges all Muslims to embrace the Palestinian cause and protect Jerusalem as a common duty. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged all Muslims to defend the Palestinian cause and said it is their obligation to protect Jerusalem. Speaking in Istanbul, at a parliamentary symposium on Jerusalem, Erdogan said it is the common duty of all Muslims to embrace the Palestinian cause and protect Jerusalem and that safeguarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be left to children, armed with nothing but stones. He also condemned a proposed Israeli bill on Tuesday that limits noise levels at places of worship in Jerusalem, a plan seen as an attempt to silence the Muslim call to prayer. Erdogan criticised the bill as irrational and conscienceless. Highlighting policies of repression and discrimination against our Palestinian brothers, Turkeys president also said safeguarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be left to children, armed with nothing but stones. Last month, UNESCO passed a resolution condemning Israel for restricting Muslim access to the mosque. Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967 and annexed it in 1980, a move never recognised by the international community. 1967 borders Erdogan also underscored the need for the two-state solution involving Palestine and Israel within pre-1967 borders. The only way for permanent peace in the Middle East is a free and independent Palestinian state with a capital in East Jerusalem, said Erdogan. He added: It is not possible to provide peace in the region without bandaging this wound in the Middle East. The presidents comments are unlikely to go down well with the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel and Turkey just restored broken relations after six years, which were severed after an Israeli commando raid killed Turkish activists on a flotilla seeking to deliver much-needed aid to besieged Gaza. Analysts say the meeting is unlikely to deliver the new strategies needed to unite Palestinians and challenge Israel. Ramallah, Occupied West Bank After a two-year delay, Fatah movements seventh congress is expected to open on Tuesday amid Internal wrangling over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas succession. Up to 1,400 invited members are expected to design the movements strategy for the next five years. The congress will also elect Fatahs 23-member Central Committee, presided by Abbas, and its 132-member Revolutionary Council. Abbas is said to be under pressure from Arab states to name a successor. Fatah officials, however, insist that the congress is not about succession. The congress will discuss and review the tools that have been used to achieve two goals: establishing a free and sovereign state and the right of return which remain our national goals, said Husam Zomlot, Abbas strategic adviser and newly appointed ambassador to the United States. A major review should be about bilateralism and successive Israeli governments insistence to use negotiations as a tool to expand and reinforce the occupation and colonisation, Zomlot told Al Jazeera. The congress, according to Zomlot, will also address strategic alternatives, including the issue of internationalisation of popular resistance, of boycott and sanctions as well as resorting to the International Criminal Court (ICC). READ MORE: Local Palestinian elections referendum on Abbas rule Formerly led by Yasser Arafat, Fatah remains the dominant party in both the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation), which led the Palestinians to the Oslo Accords with Israel in 1993 and 1995, and the PA (Palestinian Authority). The latter was created as a provisional government as part of the Oslo process, which envisaged a five-year interim period to pave the way to final status negotiations. But some analysts have expressed concern about the timing of the congress, with political tensions running high; while others have pointed to the need to forward-plan towards Abbas succession to avoid a power vacuum that could lead to serious destabilisation and the imposition of outside agendas. The 81-year-old Palestinian president was recently hospitalised with heart problems, and his term in office officially expired in 2009. Abbas is both limiting the number of people who can attend, including cutting out longtime Fatah members, and replacing them with people who will simply say 'yes' to Abbas and his failed policies. by Diana Buttu, lawyer and former PLO adviser But while Zomlot insists the congress is not about succession but rather about submitting each commissioners report and assessing their work, analysts have been worried about developments on the ground. Middle East peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov said during a rare visit to Balata refugee camp in the Nablus governorate earlier this month that he was worried the situation in the camp could explode, referring to the clashes between Palestinian security forces and alleged criminals operating in the camp. PA raids into Palestinian refugee camps, including Jenin and Al Amari, have intensified in the lead-up to the congress, as they did around the now-postponed municipal elections, originally planned for October 8. On October 22, PA security forces broke up a meeting organised by a group of Fatah leaders in Al Amari refugee camp near Ramallah, which resulted in a number of arrests and ousters from the movement. They are said to be supporters of senior Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan, who was expelled from the movement over criminal allegations in 2011. Dahlan, 55, was former head of the PAs security services in Gaza and has been living in exile in the United Arab Emirates since 2012. He is reported to be keen to make a comeback and challenge Abbas rule. Arrests reportedly also took place among Fatahs Shabiba youth movement, mostly based in universities. Fatah is in complete disarray, lawyer and former PLO adviser Diana Buttu told Al Jazeera. This congress should have taken place two years ago and would not have taken place at all were it not for Abbas attempts to further consolidate his power. Abbas is both limiting the number of people who can attend, including cutting out longtime Fatah members, and replacing them with people who will simply say yes to Abbas and his failed policies. Observers point out that the last congress was attended by about 2,000 people. Today, more than ever, we are in need of new strategies and a political programme that will both unite Palestinians and challenge Israels rule, Buttu said. Hugh Lovatt, Israel/Palestine project coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations, believes the rise in violence is to be seen through the lens of the power struggle in view of the post-Abbas era. One can already imagine a concerted effort by Israel and other Arab states to try to push Dahlan forward, Lovatt told Al Jazeera, adding that Dahlan remains the favoured candidate of Lieberman and the Arab Quartet (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE). The latter have been pressuring Abbas to let his arch rival return from exile and unify Fatah. If one wants to talk about a successor to Abbas, then it would be the moment for healing Fatah, and getting a candidate that would be acceptable to Abbas camp, and to Dahlans camp, Lovatt told Al Jazeera, adding that he didnt believe this was likely to happen. Hamas, meanwhile, has allowed Dahlan to get a foothold in Gaza, and in return Egypt has loosened some of the restrictions on access and movement it imposed on the Strip. When we talk about the EU, there has not yet been any serious thinking at policy level about the day after President Abbas, Lovatt said. And so the risk is that one day we find President Abbas is no longer president, and everyone is left scrambling. And this could see the EU and other states falling back on the usual reaction to support the strongman candidate at the expense of democratic representation. OPINION: The year of Palestinian leadership change has begun Neither Abbas nor Dahlan fare well in Palestinian public opinion polls. According to the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) and published at the end of September, 61 percent of Palestinians want Abbas to resign, down from 65 percent in the previous three months. Only 5 percent of respondents would want to see Dahlan replace Abbas following an election in which the current president does not nominate himself. Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti gets the highest consensus at 37 percent, followed by Hamas Ismail Haniyeh at 19 percent. For the Palestinians, Dahlan or Abbas there is no difference, at least for the majority, political analyst Hamada Jaber told Al Jazeera. Alaa Tartir, programme director at Al-Shabaka, highlighed six main issues he thinks the Fatah leadership should consider during the congress if the political will existed. These include creating a real distinction between Fatah and the PA; establishing clear accountability mechanisms to assess the performance of the leadership; caring about the cadre as much the elite care about themselves and their positions; bridging the trust and legitimacy gap as well as taking measures to reverse the damage that Fatah caused the Palestinian struggle, especially with its role in the intra-Palestinian divide and fragmentation; fighting the entrenched corruption from its root causes; and finally fighting authoritarianism instead of being complicit in sustaining it. These are doable policy prescriptions if the aim is to trigger genuine reform processes that yield to positive consequences on the Palestinian struggle for liberation and self-determination. More than 100,000 people from Ethiopia and Somalia risked deadly boat journey into war-torn Yemen seeking better lives. More than 100,000 refugees from the Horn of Africa have flocked to Yemen this year despite a raging conflict in the country, the United Nations said on Tuesday. As of mid-November, nearly 90,000 Ethiopians and more than 17,000 Somalis crossed the Gulf of Aden since January 1, according to the UNs refugee agency. Some are hoping to ultimately reach the oil-rich Gulf states and find work, while others are pursuing an indirect route to Europe, UNHCR spokesman William Spindler told reporters in Geneva. Renewed clashes kill at least 19 in Yemen Many may be deceived or ill-informed about the severity of the conflict in Yemen, he added. The fighting in Yemen intensified dramatically in March of last year when a Saudi-led coalition began an aerial offensive in support of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against the Houthi rebels and their allies, including Iran. The war has killed more than 7,000 people and displaced more than three million others. But Ethiopian and Somali migrants have continued to head there by a perilous sea crossing rather than stay in poverty or face persecution and insecurity at home, Spindler said. Yemeni foreign minister: There is no clean war UNHCR said it had reports that upon arriving in Yemen refugees have faced physical and sexual abuse as well as torture and forced labour. At least 79 people have died while attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden, the UN agency added. Despite the continuing violence, migration into Yemen rose this year compared with 2015, when 92,000 people from the Horn of Africa made the boat crossing. Police say four gunmen also killed during early morning raid on Nagrota army base in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Seven Indian soldiers, including two officers, were killed when armed men attacked an army base in Indian-occupied Kashmir. It was the most audacious attack on an Indian military base since the Uri attack in September, when 19 soldiers were killed in an assault that India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Police said the four gunmen who raided the base in Nagrota before dawn on Tuesday were killed in a standoff with security forces that lasted most of the day. Indias NDTV reported the attackers, dressed in police uniforms, fired indiscriminately at the officers mess before taking up positions inside the building. Helicopters and drones hovered over the building, according to the Hindustan Times. The hostage-like situation, said an Indian army statement, was very quickly contained and 14 people, including two women and two children, were rescued. Bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanistise the complete area, the statement added. The base, about 25km from the Pakistan border, is one of four command centres in the restive Himalayan region and home to more than 1,000 officers and their families. Three security officials were also wounded during the assault. India said that after the Uri attack in September it launched surgical strikes on insurgent bases across the heavily militarised de-facto border known as the Line of Control (LoC) in disputed Kashmir, a claim Islamabad vehemently denied. OPINION: Kashmir and the myth of indivisible India Tuesdays attack came as Pakistans hugely popular military chief General Raheel Sharif handed over the reins to his successor Qamar Javed Bajwa with a warning to India not to mistake his countrys restraint for weakness. It also comes days before a scheduled visit to India by Sartaj Aziz, Pakistans foreign affairs adviser, for a weekend conference on Afghanistan. It [the attack] clearly suggests there is an attempt by certain groups to sabotage the apparent peace outreach by Pakistans government, Mohan Guruswamy, head of the Centre for Policy Alternatives think-tank in New Delhi, said. Kashmir conflict The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since independence from Britain in 1947, but is claimed in full by both. Attacks against Indian security forces have increased in recent months, although raids in the Hindu-majority Jammu area of the state are less common. Indian and Pakistani cross-border firing along the heavily militarised LoC has intensified as tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours has risen. India accuses Pakistan of supporting armed groups based on its side of the border who cross over to launch attacks. Pakistan denies that, accusing India of abusing the rights of Muslim Kashmiris opposed to Indian rule. Kashmir has been gripped by protests since security forces killed a popular separatist leader in July. A crackdown in response to the protests has paralysed much of the region. At least four ministers from the ruling ANC party had bid to oust South Africas scandal-plagued president. South Africas scandal-plagued President Jacob Zuma has survived a move by several members of his party to hold a no-confidence motion against him. Zuma has been weakened by corruption scandals, but his supporters were taken by surprise at an attempt to oust him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress (ANC) Executive Committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zumas hold on power since he became president in 2009. Beeld, an Afrikaans-language daily, reported that Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom had proposed holding the vote to oust Zuma at the meeting. The proceedings also shook the ANC party, that has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the [Executive Committee] did not support the call for the president to step down, Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary-general, told reporters. All members had an opportunity to raise the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country. All these are very important. Local media reported the meeting which was extended into Monday was tense with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Al Jazeeras Tania Page, reporting from Johannesburg, said the closed-door meeting marked a difficult time for many members of the Executive Committee. READ MORE: I do not fear prison, says Zuma An open debate was held and although no voting took place, it became apparent that there was not enough support for the motion, she said. Theres been mounting pressure on Zumas leadership by the civil society, and many analysts said hes managed to dodge a bullet. Zumas presidency has been plagued by accusations of corruption. The nations anti-graft watchdog this month asked for a judge to investigate alleged influence-peddling by a wealthy family Zuma has called his friends. The report by the Public Protector watchdog, released on November 2, focused on allegations that businessman brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta had influenced the appointment of ministers. Zuma and the Gupta brothers have denied any wrongdoing. Since taking office in 2009, Zuma, 74, has survived several corruption scandals with the backing of top echelons of the ANC. North Dakotas governor has ordered the expulsion of thousands of Native American and solidarity activists camped on government property near an oil pipeline project they are trying to stop, citing hazards posed by harsh winter weather as a blizzard bore down on the area. The emergency evacuation order from Governor Jack Dalrymple came days after the US Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the site, said it would give the demonstrators until December 5 to vacate their encampment, about 45 miles (72 km) south of Bismarck, the state capital. Over the weekend, the US Army Corps of Engineers said in a statement that it was seeking a peaceful and orderly transition to a safer location, but had no plans for forcible removal of protesters. Dalrymples evacuation order came a week after local law enforcement sought to disperse the demonstrators, many of them members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, by spraying them with water in sub-freezing temperatures. A spokeswoman for the tribe, whose reservation lies about half a mile (0.8km) from the proposed route of the Dakota Access Pipeline, did not have an immediate comment. But activists who have spent months protesting against plans to route the oil pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock reservation have vowed to continue their resistance to a project they say poses a threat to water resources and sacred Native American sites. READ MORE: Life on the Pine Ridge Native American reservation The governor cited the protesters own wellbeing in ordering a mandatory evacuation, though he did not specify how he intended to enforce the measure, other than by directing state and local agencies to refuse emergency assistance and other services to those who remained at the site. He said the order was effective immediately and would remain in force until rescinded. Winter conditions have the potential to endanger human life, especially when they are exposed to these conditions without proper shelter, dwellings or sanitation for prolonged periods of time, the order said. It added that the area, just north of the Cannonball River, was not zoned for dwellings suitable for living in winter conditions. Forced removal is terrifying Many protest leaders rejected the order, arguing that a forced removal would put the activists in greater danger. Were in the heart of winter now. To even think of a forced removal is terrifying, said Dallas Goldtooth, an organiser with Indigenous Environmental Network, who estimated there were around 5,000 people in the camp. They dont need to be worried about us in the winter, said Kandi Mossett, also a member of the network. Were perfectly capable of being self-sufficient. So, using this as an excuse is insulting. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier added to the pressure on Monday by issuing a video statement urging protesters to avoid subjecting themselves to life-threatening conditions by remaining exposed to the elements with little shelter. READ MORE: Dakota pipeline Its our right to live unharmed The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm warning for most of western and central North Dakota, forecasting the possibility of heavy snow through Wednesday. The $3.8bn, 1,172-mile (1,885km) pipeline project is complete, except for a segment that is supposed to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River. The Obama administration in September postponed final approval of an Army Corps permit required to allow tunnelling beneath the lake, a move intended to give federal officials more time to consult with tribal leaders. The delay also led to escalating tensions over the project. The companies say the pipeline would carry Bakken shale oil more cheaply and safely from North Dakota to Illinois en route to US Gulf Coast refineries than it could be shipped by railroad or tanker trucks. More than 5.1 million people in the US identify as fully or partially Native American or Alaska Native, according to the US Census Bureau. Up to 2.5 million identify as fully indigenous Native American or Alaska Native. The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, a human rights organisation, said the US government had a lengthy history of criminalis[ing] indigenous rights defenders struggle for respect. We strongly appeal to the US government to immediately cease the use of violence against those protesting at the Dakota Access Pipeline, refrain from militarisation and other forcible actions against the Native American protesters, the group said in a statement. Qamar Javed Bajwa takes control of army as tensions escalate with arch-rival India and Afghanistan. The new head of Pakistans military took command of the countrys armed forces on Tuesday amid rising tensions with India over disputed Kashmir and as ties with Afghanistan remain rocky. General Qamar Javed Bajwa was installed at a ceremony in the garrison town of Rawalpindi, replacing General Raheel Sharif, who stepped down after completing his three-year term. In his first comments after assuming charge of the countrys army, Bajwa called for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute for the sake of regional stability. READ MORE: Pakistan gets new COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa But he also warned that any miscalculation on the part of India could be dangerous. I want to make it clear to India that taking our policy of constraint and patience as any sign of weakness will prove dangerous for itself, he said. Al Jazeeras Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said General Bajwa has inherited a complex set of problems with intensified ceasefire violations along the LoC, the de facto border dividing Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, and tensions with Kabul. He is going to be very focused on what is happening on the LoC, and that he also has to deal with what is happening on the countrys western frontier with Afghanistan, our correspondent said. Bajwa was fourth in seniority on a list of five army generals sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and had been little discussed before he was selected. According to the constitution, the prime minister can pick any officer from the list forwarded to him by the Defense Ministry. OPINION: India and Pakistan must compromise over Kashmir Observers believe Bajwa will offer further support to Sharifs efforts to improve ties with Pakistans neighbours, including Afghanistan and India. Pakistans relations with Kabul have soured amid allegations from Afghan officials that Islamabad is sheltering the Taliban, who have intensified attacks against the government of President Ashraf Ghani. Bajwa, who was commissioned in the 16 Baloch Regiment in October 1980, is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Canada, and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Any solidarity with the Palestinian people that deviates from their current aspirations is not a true solidarity. Although November 29 has galvanised pro-Palestinian communities around the world for decades, a few facts and problems about this day must be acknowledged and redressed. To start with, the history behind that specific date is quite an ominous one. Palestine was partitioned, unjustly, on November 29, 1947. There was no moral or legal basis for that partition, as communicated in UN resolution 181 (II), into a Jewish State and an Arab State. Jewish immigrants were granted 55 percent of the total size of historic Palestine and the Arab State, which never actualised, was accorded the rest. Jerusalem was to be given a special legal and political status, known in Latin as corpus separatum, and was to be governed through an international regime. A few months after that unwarranted partition, well-trained Zionist militias moved from several fronts to secure the borders of their promised state, only to take over half of what was designated for the future of the Palestinian state, leaving the indigenous Palestinian Arab population of that land with 22 percent of historic Palestine. READ MORE: How Britain destroyed the Palestinian homeland In June 1967, the Israeli army conquered whatever remained of Palestine. As a direct result of both military campaigns, millions of Palestinians became refugees. The Arab State granted by UN Resolution 181 was a mere pretext to create a Jewish State, and there were no earnest attempts to bring about an independent Palestine. A Jewish one was established upon the ruins of historic Palestine. That date can only be remembered in infamy, not as a fond memory worthy of commemoration. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was designated to be a day of solidarity almost exactly 30 years after the partition plan took place. It was announced in successive resolutions, firstly in December 1977 (Res. 32/40 B) and, secondly, more substance to that resolution was added in December 1979 (Res. 34/65 D). These resolutions crowned 30 years of unmitigated failure on the part of the international community to aid in the establishment of a Palestinian state, which was even unsuccessful in imposing any form of punishment on the 30-year-old Jewish State for repeatedly violating international law and every legal principle upon which it was established. Since the original partition resolution passed in 1947, and to this day, the Palestinian cause has been feeding on symbolism symbolic solidarity, symbolic victories and so on. One cannot deny the role of the numerous friendly nations, mostly from the South, that stood by Palestines side at every turn and, at times, faced the wrath of the US and Western governments for their unfaltering solidarity. However, the nature and the timing of these resolutions were seen as mere tokens, symbolic gestures at best, to show solidarity in words only and not action. According to a UN document relevant to the day of solidarity, the purpose of November 29 is to provide the opportunity for the international community to focus its attention on the fact that the question of Palestine remained unresolved and that the Palestinian people are yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly, namely, the right to self-determination without external interference, the right to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to return to their homes and property from which they had been displaced. While the rights of the Palestinians highlighted above are poignant and unmistakable, little has been done in the past 39 years to implement any one of them, either partially or wholly. No practical mechanism has been set forth. No legal apparatus has been introduced to aid Palestinians in their efforts to achieve meaningful independence, or to reprimand those who deny the Palestinian people their legal rights and political aspirations. Any such recommendations for meaningful interference on behalf of occupied, oppressed Palestinians were thwarted, repeatedly: obstructed by the United States vetoes at the UN, hindered in myriad ways by Israel and its Western allies. Such valiant efforts as those by UN human rights envoys, the likes of Richard Falk and John Dugard, or recommendations to investigate suspected Israeli war criminals put forth by Richard Goldstone were brazenly defeated. Since the original partition resolution passed in 1947, and to this day, the Palestinian cause has been feeding on symbolism symbolic solidarity, symbolic victories and so on. For example, the additional resolution of December 1979 regarding the International Day of Solidarity agreed to the issuance of commemorative postage stamps. As appreciated as the stamps might have been, it made no decipherable difference in the life of a single Palestinian refugee. Countless resolutions followed the same logic. Indeed, since Palestine was first partitioned, then conquered, ethnically cleansed and militarily occupied, international solidarity has remained largely symbolic. Little has changed in nearly 70 years of this horrific and recurring tragedy, which remains in need of urgent and decisive action, not symbolic motions and resolutions. While the day is meant as a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, it has served, at an official UN level, as a day of validating the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank, which has neither a popular nor legal democratic mandate to represent the Palestinian people. There are nearly 12 million Palestinians worldwide, divided as such: 4.5 million in occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza; 1.5 living as second-class citizens in Israel; and the rest are scattered around the world. Nearly half of all Palestinians are refugees, and a large number of them still live in refugee camps. The current Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, has been ruling with an expired mandate since 2009. Duly, his government was neither elected through proper elections nor a referendum. However, every November 29 of every year, PA officials and diplomats fan out around the globe to speak about Palestinian victimisation, imploring international solidarity, while the PA is practically taking part in denying Palestinians their aspirations. It behoves these officials to spend the time, energy and resources to unify the political rank of their own people and to formulate a working strategy to attain their peoples freedom. This is not meant to undermine the significance of that day. However, to live up to the meaning of its designated title, the day must be repossessed, taken away from guarded diplomats with carefully worded language, and given back to the people. In fact, Palestinian solidarity is now a global phenomenon: This is the perfect opportunity to make November 29 a day of strategy and global action, led by civil societies across the world. So, what can be done? a) Civil society around the world can lead the mobilisation to use the day of solidarity as an opportunity to place pressure on their governments to move beyond symbolic gestures into meaningful action. This effort is most important in Western societies, especially in the United States, which has served as a shield and benefactor for Israel for too many years. In the South, civil society organisations can further reach out and educate people on the rights of the Palestinian people and ensure that their governments do not succumb to Western and corporate pressure. b) The United Nations, and all relevant platforms within the worlds largest international institution, must be persuaded to produce a workable mechanism no more cultural events and postal stamps to bring an end to Israeli occupation and offer Palestinians a true political horizon. c) It is utterly unreasonable, if not altogether impractical, that the day of solidarity with Palestinians is predicated on the premise of a two-state solution, which has already become obsolete. Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews are now living in the same space, sharing the same land and water, except that they are governed by two different sets of rules. Moreover, in the year 2020, it is projected that there will be more Palestinian Arabs than Israeli Jews in the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Some estimates argue that the change in demographics has already taken place, which means that both practically and legally, Israel is now an apartheid State. A day of solidarity that is based upon the political reality of nearly four decades ago and shaped by an understanding of the conflict from nearly seven decades ago, while admirable in principle, would have to be revised. A new narrative must take hold, in which the question of Palestine is not framed as if a refugee problem or a humanitarian crisis to be remedied with verbal solidarity and food aid, but as a pressing political crisis in which the injured party must be unconditionally supported. By adopting a popular Palestinian narrative (not an official one), in which all Palestinians Muslims or Christians, in occupied Palestine or in shattat (diaspora) are the centre of the story, a better understanding of Palestine and its people can be established, and true solidarity can be offered. Palestinians come from various political, ideological and religious backgrounds but are united by two main factors: their perpetuated suffering and their continuing resolve and resistance. One major platform for their resistance, which strongly bonds Palestinians at home with those in shattat, is the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which pushes for accountability from those who make the Israeli domination over Palestine possible, advocates the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees, end of occupation and equal rights for Palestinians who live in Israel. Any solidarity that deviates from the current aspirations of Palestinians as articulated by their fighting women and men, by their prisoners on hunger strikes, by their students fighting for the right to education, by these resilient, but often neglected voices is not true solidarity. For the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to be truly meaningful, it must be reclaimed by Palestinians and their friends all across the globe. Dr Ramzy Baroud has been writing about the Middle East for more than 20 years. He is an internationally syndicated columnist, a media consultant, an author of several books and the founder of PalestineChronicle.com. His books include Searching Jenin, The Second Palestinian Intifada and his latest, My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gazas Untold Story. His website is www.ramzybaroud.net. The embattled South Korean president has said she will allow the countrys parliament to decide how long she stays in office and plan for a successor amid calls for her impeachment. I will leave to parliament everything about my future including shortening of my term, she said. I will step down from my position according to the law once a way is formed to pass on the administration in a stable manner that will also minimise political unrest and vacuum after ruling and opposition parties discussion. The main opposition Democratic Party rejected Parks offer, calling it a ploy to escape being impeached, Yonhap news agency said. Park Kwang-on, a Democratic Party politician, said it looked like she was trying to delay proceedings. She is handing the ball to parliament, when she could simply step down, he said. She is asking the parliament to pick a date for her to resign, which she knows would lead to a discussion on when to hold the presidential election and delay everything. OPINION: South Koreas political morass Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from Seoul, said that while Park had stopped short of resigning, her remarks effectively paved the way for her to be replaced. She has said she would delegate the opinion of how long her term would last a potential shortening of her term to the national assembly. Then she would delegate her political authority to an incoming candidate, Fawcett said. She isnt officially resigning, but she is giving the national assembly, which has a majority of opposition MPs the authority this week to decide whether to shorten her presidential term. Park had previously rejected calls to resign and dismissed prosecutors claims that she colluded with a confidante who allegedly manipulated power from the shadows and extorted companies to amass an illicit fortune. Her speech came as opposition parties closed in on an impeachment motion against her. They planned to put that motion to the vote on Friday. The countrys two largest opposition parties were also planning on Tuesday to determine a special prosecutor to investigate the scandal independently. Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans rallied on Saturday for the fifth weekend in a row calling for Parks resignation. Organisers said the crowd totalled 1.5 million, while the police estimated the crowd at 260,000. No South Korean president has failed to complete a term since the current democratic system was implemented in 1987. If Park is impeached or resigns, an election would be held in 60 days to nominate a president to serve a five-year term. Parks approval rating fell to just 4 percent in a weekly survey released on Friday by Gallup Korea, an all-time low for a democratically elected South Korean president. Parks friend, Choi Soon-sil, and a former aide have been indicted in the case. Prosecutors named Park as an accomplice in an investigation into whether big business was inappropriately pressured to contribute money to foundations set up to back Parks initiatives. The presidential office and Parks lawyer have denied the accusations. Park has acknowledged carelessness in her ties with Choi, who Park has said had helped her through difficult times. Their friendship dates to an era when Park served as acting first lady after her mother was killed by an assassins bullet intended for her father, then-president Park Chung-hee. Five years later, in 1979, Parks father was murdered by his disgruntled spy chief. Armed group behind much of the violence over the past 15 years, frightening off investors despite its vast resources. The Taliban have offered to protect major government projects such as the mining of a big copper deposit and an international natural gas pipeline project to assist the development and prosperity of war-torn Afghanistan. The insurgents have been behind much of the violence over the last 15 years that has frightened off investors, leaving Afghanistan unable to tap its vast natural resources and build the infrastructure necessary to wean itself off foreign aid. Afghan civilians killed in NATO air strike in Kunduz The armed group, which calls itself the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, maintains its fight is against foreign military forces and the foreign-backed government, not ordinary Afghans. The Islamic Emirate not only backs all national projects which are in the interest of the people and result in the development and prosperity of the nation but are also committed to safeguarding them, the Taliban said in a statement. The Islamic Emirate directs all its mujahideen to help in the security of all national projects that are in the higher interest of Islam and the country. The fighters identified the $3bn Mes Aynak copper deposit in Logar province, near Kabul, as one project they would protect. A Chinese company was awarded the mining contract nine years ago, but has yet to start production because of poor security and a lack of transport infrastructure. The Taliban also mentioned the $10bn Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, and a regional electricity-generation effort linking Central Asia and South Asia, known as CASA-1000. The Taliban statement came a day after the official launch of a railway link with neighbouring Turkmenistan. Afghanistan: Explosion hits US airbase in Bagram The armed group has been responsible for damaging millions of dollars worth of bridges and other infrastructure in just the last three months, however, the presidential palace noted. We are waiting to see the Taliban turn their statements into practice, said palace spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi. The vulnerability of Afghanistans infrastructure was underlined this year when power lines supplying the capital, Kabul, were cut, causing weeks of blackouts. The Taliban denied responsibility. A total of 87 bodies recovered after fighting between police and a militia loyal to a tribal king over the weekend. Ugandan police said another 25 bodies had been recovered after weekend fighting in a western kingdom whose tribal monarch is accused of stoking a separatist rebellion, bringing the death toll to 87. Officials said at least 46 guards and 16 police died when the security forces stormed the palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, king of the Rwenzururu kingdom, near Ugandas border with Congo. Mumbere was arrested and has now been charged with murder. Uganda, however, rejected charges by rights group Amnesty International who called the killings a massacre that its security forces carried out the extra-judicial killings during the clashes. Security forces were being attacked. They had to defend themselves, they had to protect themselves, Jeje Odongo, Ugandas internal minister, told a press conference in the capital, Kampala. Security agencies do not have a shoot-to-kill policy. What happened is a situation of self-defence. Odongo added that weapons, including automatic guns and a cache of crude weapons such as spears and machetes, had been seized following the incident. At least 149 people were also arrested. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye also described the killings as a massacre and posted a photo on Twitter purporting to show bodies of victims outside Mumberes palace. Amnesty International said that many victims seem to have been summarily shot dead. The full picture of the weekends events is yet to emerge, but there appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests, Abdullahi Halakhe, Amnesty Internationals East Africa researcher, said in a statement published on Tuesday. In a shocking display of heavy-handedness, many people appear to have been summarily shot dead and their bodies dumped. Video footage broadcast by Ugandan TV stations showed bodies of young men apparently dumped on river banks and in bushes, and men writhing in pain as they are tossed off pick-up trucks with their hands tied behind their backs. The security forces have continued to search for the rebels linked to the tribal king. Influential tribal rulers The killings underscore tensions between longtime President Yoweri Museveni and influential tribal rulers who are constitutionally recognised but have no real authority or armies of their own. Before presidential polls in February, which were won by Museveni, Mumbere came out in support of the opposition, a move that appeared to violate the traditional leaders code of conduct. Museveni lost the popular vote in Kasese, and a month later clashes erupted between the security forces and militiamen who were believed to be loyal to Mumbere. In March, amid clashes between Mumberes supporters and security officials, Museveni vowed to defeat the separatists, who complain of marginalisation by the central government 340km away in the capital. Almost 650,000 people in Mosul left without water after pipeline was hit during fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL. Fighting between Iraqi forces and ISIL fighters has cut water supplies across a large part of Mosul, affecting 40 percent of residents in the city where poorer families are already struggling to feed themselves. Water was cut to 650,000 people when a pipeline was hit during fighting between ISIL and the Iraqi government forces trying to crush them in their northern Iraq stronghold. We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe, said Hussam al-Abar, member of Mosuls Nineveh provincial council, adding that 1.5 million people were still inside Mosul. Basic services such as water, electricity, health, food are non-existent. Barely more than a third of the 200,000 displaced that the UN had expected in the first few weeks of the Mosul offensive have fled their homes so far. The lack of clean drinking water could now make it difficult for residents to remain, however. There is no water, we drink water from the well. Its very salty and we have to boil it before we drink it, Umm Ahraf, a 45-year-old woman, told AFP news agency in the Khadraa neighbourhood on Tuesday. The battle for Mosul has already raged for six weeks. Iraqi commanders said around 40 percent of the eastern half of Mosul has been retaken from ISIL since the huge offensive began on October 17. The forces have told civilians to stay at home to avoid massive displacement from the city, which was believed to have a population of a million-plus before the operation started. Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from eastern Mosul, said the city was becoming one big urban battlefield. The large presence of civilians is slowing the military operations down, she said. But among those who managed to get out of the city, there is a feeling that this offensive should have started much earlier. READ MORE: Battle for Mosul ISILs innocent victims Aid workers say a full siege is developing and fear that the longer the conflict drags on, the more civilians will suffer. Key informants are telling us that poor families are struggling to put sufficient food on their tables, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq, Lise Grande, told Reuters news agency. This is very worrying. In a worst case, we envision that families who are already in trouble in Mosul will find themselves in even more acute need. The longer it takes to liberate Mosul, the harder conditions become for families. The capture of Mosul, ISILs last major urban stronghold in Iraq, is seen as crucial towards dismantling the caliphate which the group declared in Iraq and Syria. A spokesman of the coalition, US Airforce Colonel John Dorrian, said there was a sense of urgency to capture the city, without giving a target timeframe. A fleeing seven-year-old child was among dozens more civilians allegedly executed by ISIL in Mosul in recent weeks, the UN said on Tuesday. Since the battle to retake Mosul began, the UN rights office has reported hundreds of alleged execution-style killings by ISIL. The most recent allegations include a November 22 killing of a seven-year-old child who was running towards the Iraqi Security Forces in Adan neighbourhood in eastern Mosul. In a November 25 incident, 27 civilians were reportedly shot dead in Mosuls northern Muhandiseen Park, possibly for leaking information to the Iraqi Security Forces, the UN added. On Tuesday, Iraqi forces assaulted villages far south of Mosul in the Nineveh province, attempting to clear rural areas of ISIL fighters who stayed behind to hinder their advance. Some 74,000 civilians have fled Mosul so far, and the UN is preparing for a worst-case scenario which foresees more than a million people made homeless as winter descends and food shortages set in. A $75,000 sculpture purchased by the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art was taken by Homeland Security Investigations officials last week. The museum purchased the 12th century sculpture The Stele of Vishnu Trivikrama, originally from India, in 1999 from Subhash Kapoor, a New York-based art dealer. Kapoor is currently on trial for allegedly running a $100 million international art-smuggling operation. In addition to the sculpture, the museum purchased three other items from Kapoor, who also gave the museum 12 figurines as gifts, UF spokesman John Hines said. The museum is doing everything it can to work with the government agency through investigations, Hines said. Homeland Security probably had a lengthy list of charges against Kapoor, and obviously, the Harn Museum did diligence to return the giant sculpture, he said. Homeland Security Investigations contacted the Harn in June 2014, notifying them that any art purchased by Kapoor may have been stolen, Hines said. When the Harn was recently shown evidence the sculpture was stolen, a decision was made to return it. The three other pieces purchased from Kapoor totaled $31,500, all of which were purchased with private funds. Hines said the museum is waiting to hear back from Homeland Security Investigations to decide what to do with all of the items. They are currently in storage, Hines said. Hines said he did not know if the museum would be refunded for the art pieces. In October 2011, Indian officials issued an arrest warrant for Kapoor, and he was jailed in Germany while visiting Frankfurt for an art exhibition. In July 2012, he was sent back to India, where he currently waits on trial, according to The New York Times. According to the article, Kapoor is suspected of smuggling as many as 2,622 items, most of which come from India. Guolong Lai, a UF Asian art history professor, said art smuggling is common in Asia because of a lack of restrictions on art theft, but it rarely happens in the U.S. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now In the past, American curators have been prosecuted for art smuggling, but the Harn is doing the right thing by returning the statue, he said. When a museum is caught in an art smuggling deal, Lai said it can create a bad reputation for the museum. Some museums have made an unprovenanced policy, which prevents a museum from purchasing a piece unless the source is known, Lai said. Its an ethical thing, Lai said. The museum needs to be more open. Update 12:30 p.m. 11/30/16: The Harn's collection management policy follows the guidelines set by the Association of Art Museum Directors for their collections. This policy states that objects should have documentable provenance of its origin that dates before 1970, Hines wrote in an email. Hines said the museum has turned down several donations in the past due to lack of proper documentations. The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art paid $75,000 to Subhash Kapoor, an art dealer currently on trial for an international art smuggling racket, for The Stele of Vishnu Trivikrama in 1999. Homeland Security Investigations took the statue from the Harn last week to return it back to its origin in India after evidence of it being stolen. Courtesy to the Alligator Forest land near Hume Residence Hall is being cleared for Greek housing. Three acres of land are being cleared to accommodate the addition of three Greek chapter houses, said UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes. No contractor is currently lined up to start building on the property, but the site preparation is scheduled to be done by the end of this year. UF began clearing the land in September. In the area, three lots will be available for purchase that are one acre each, Sikes said. It is in anticipation that up to three Greek chapters will build houses, she said. UF has seen a 150-percent increase in its Greek community in the past 10 years, resulting in a demand for more housing, Sikes said. The Greek chapters that purchase the land will have to comply with UFs construction codes, Sikes said. The university will not be funding the construction of any of the houses. Alpha Phi Sorority announced on its website that it will be opening a chapter at UF in Fall 2017. It is unknown whether the sorority will purchase one of the lots. Jack Causseaux, the director of sorority and fraternity affairs, said the lots will be available for purchase by current UF fraternity chapters, sorority chapters or potential chapters. Theres no telling what will be on the lots, he said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now UF students might have more parking options by late 2018. A new parking garage is being planned for Museum Road, across from the Reitz Union Welcome Center, said Fred Rowe, the project manager. The eight-level garage needs approval from UFs Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors before its finalized, said UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes. Everythings contingent on approval by the Board of Trustees, she said. The trustees will meet Friday to discuss the garage, while the Board of Governors will meet in January at the earliest. If approved, construction on the garage would begin by May, Rowe said. It would add about 1,500 spaces and have student, faculty and staff parking. Construction would take about 18 months. The garage would cost a maximum of $37.2 million, although the final cost would be determined after the boards approval, Sikes said. It would be paid for through parking fees and decal sales. Thats a maximum, she said. That doesnt mean that the garage will cost that much. For UF students like Logan Abbott, 21, additional parking at the Reitz would make attending meetings and studying in the building easier. If you cant get here, its kind of a wasted space, the international studies and French senior said. Abbott said she attends meetings in the student union at least once a week. Because she lives in Murphree Hall, her car is always parked on campus, but driving to the Reitz before restrictions are lifted is difficult. Its basically impossible, she said. Its really difficult to get in and out. Krystie Nguyen, the director of UFs Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs, located in the Reitz, said its difficult for her to find parking during the day. Although Nguyen said she usually gets to campus early enough to find a spot, she knows not to drive somewhere and attempt to return in the middle of the day. Shes learned this after spending about an hour looking for parking around 11 a.m., she said. Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now Zach Nimmons, a UF statistics sophomore, spent up to $15 a week to leave his car in the Retiz parking garage for work during Summer, he said. Hes worked at the Reitz Union Hotel reception desk for more than a year. If its during the day, I do have to pay for parking if I can find a spot, the 20-year-old said, adding that spaces in the garage are hard to find if an event is happening in the building. He hopes the Board of Trustees approves the project. Its basically impossible to find a spot in that garage, he said. Another garage would be appreciated. In an effort to bridge the gap between author and reader, the Alachua County Library District will host a series of author appearances beginning in January. Last week, the district announced this years lineup, which includes a Pulitzer Prize winner and a UF assistant professor. At individual sessions between January and May, the authors will speak to attendees and sign copies of their books at the districts Headquarters Library, located at 401 E. University Ave. The event was organized in partnership with publishers, Friends of the Library and Books-A-Million, said Nickie Kortus, the marketing and public relations manager for the library district. Kortus said the authors should appeal to a diverse variety of readers throughout the county. It really does make a connection with people, she said. The authors include Robert Olen Butler, who won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for a collection of short stories narrated by Vietnamese immigrants, and Ibram X. Kendi, a UF assistant professor who won the 2016 National Book Award in November for his telling of racism in America. The other authors include Victor McGlothin, Ann Hood, Ted Geltner, Ace Atkins and Bronwen Dickey. Patrick Goodrich, a 20-year-old UF economics junior, said he thinks the event will give his peers a chance to learn outside of the classroom. I think its a great opportunity for UF students to get connected in our own city, he said. This years election has been the spotlight of many conversations, and we want to make sure the new leaders are aware of the issues facing their people. President-elect Donald Trump will be taking office during a crucial time for foreign aid investment, and it is vital that the U.S. Agency for International Development continues to administer global humanitarian assistance. UF Results recently went to Washington D.C. to lobby on Capitol Hill in support of the Reach Every Mother and Child Act. This life-changing act aims to save the lives of mothers and children around the world from preventable diseases. With over 200 signatures, Congress has shown immense support for the bill, but our work isnt over yet. If the bill doesnt get enough support from Congress, it will not be passed. We need your help to push this necessary piece of legislation forward, because it is the impetus for Congress to take the helm and save millions of mothers and childrens' lives. Gabriella Insabella is a UF health education and behavior junior. English News Castro spirit inspires world to pursue equity, justice Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Novembre 2016 Over the past half century, Castro has been regarded as a symbol that represented the pursuit of justice. He has devoted all his life to the Cuban people's great cause of struggling for national liberation, safeguarding state sovereignty and building socialism, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his message of condolence to his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. By Zhong Sheng from Peoples Daily Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro passed away on November 25. People from around the world offered condolences for his loss, paying tribute to his legendary life and immortal spirit. Over the past half century, Castro has been regarded as a symbol that represented the pursuit of justice. He has devoted all his life to the Cuban people's great cause of struggling for national liberation, safeguarding state sovereignty and building socialism, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his message of condolence to his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. He has made immortal historic contributions to the Cuban people and to the world socialism development, Xi added. Calling Castro "a great figure of our times," he said that Comrade Castro will be remembered by history and by the people as well. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, lauded Castros contribution, saying that he was a strong voice for social justice in global discussions at the UN General Assembly and international and regional forums. Over the past 60 years, Castro has fought for revolution, socialism development, national independence, as well as world justice both in Cuba and the world arena. Speaking of Cubas attitude toward the US, Castro said that Cuba will never kneel down to the US with its people unified together. Cuba is not opposed to finding a solution to its historical differences with the US, but no one should expect Cuba to change its position or yield to its principles. Cuba is and will continue to be socialist, he stressed. The loss of such a legend also drives the world to review history and explore the future. Since equity and justice are always required to realize human development, each nation should strive for these two goals for the sake of civilization of the mankind in each era. However, people have to admit that not all humans are enjoying equity and justice so far. It's natural for every country to seek for sovereign equality and its own independent development, but challenges and obstacles still hinder this process. As some countries never give up the ambition and attempt to monopolize international affairs in the global system, there is still a long way to go before the final democratization of international relations. In terms of human development, the widening gap between the rich and the poor tests the world. About 800 million people are living in extreme poverty, 6 million children under the age of 5 die every year, and nearly 60 million children are left uneducated. Against those harsh facts, people have to reconsider the global development vision and approach, lay more focus on equity and justice and pursue a more inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization process. The world should never stop its exploration of the development path. Let us remember Castro's call at the closing of the 7th Cuban Communist Party National Congress several months ago. "We will change what needs to be reformed in the country while maintaining our loyalty and unity just like our independence heroes Marti, Maceo and Gomez," the veteran leader declared his resolution. The spirit of Fidel Castro lives for eternity. Today, the world is also learning from his wisdom for a better future while mourning over the death of this great fighter. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Trunk market springs up in Chinese cities Communist of China always maintains vitality More robots entering people's daily life Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News EU should observe WTO rules without reservations: Peoples Daily Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Novembre 2016 As one of the largest economies in the world and an important WTO member, the EU should be a forerunner in obeying the WTO rules, fulfilling international obligations, and taking trade remedy measures in accordance with standards. By Zhong Sheng from Peoples Daily The EU recently drew global attention for its reluctance to fulfill its obligations under Article 15 of the Protocol on China's Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It reveals that the EUs insincere attitude toward international treaties and the WTO rules, but it must keep in mind that observing international obligations without attached strings is the only right choice. Earlier this month, the European Commission officially presented a long-waited proposal to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to amend its legislation on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures. But in the proposed new model, the EU, instead of fundamentally ending the surrogate country system, uses "market distortion" as a substitute for "non-market economy." Such a proposal appears to indicate that the EU wants to fulfill its obligations, but is actually extending the surrogate country system it previously adopted. However, it cannot muddle through by obscuring facts of international rules. After China joined the WTO in 2001, some WTO members considered China as a non-market economy, insisting that Chinese exports had an unfair price advantage against other market economies. As a result, they have been adopting a surrogate country system allowing the use of "international" prices as a cost reference in their anti-dumping investigations against China. But according to the Article 15 of the Protocol on China's accession to the WTO in 2001, China will automatically gain market economy status when the surrogate country approach expires on December 11, which means that WTO members should stop using the surrogate country system in their anti-dumping investigations against China. In other words, a timely implementation of this article is the obligation of the EU and other WTO members, rather than a favorable policy for China. However, since the beginning of this year, the EU has been taking China's steel overcapacity and market economy status as an excuse to dodge the obligations written in the protocol. If it does that, it will run counter to the requirements of the treaty. As a sunset provision, Article 15 of Chinas WTO accession protocol automatically comes to an end on December 11, 2016 no matter what happens. It cannot be subjected to decisions of each EU member, or influenced by any other agendas. But someone from the EU is still bargaining about the implementation. So does it suggest that China's accession to the WTO needs another round of negotiation? The EU is hesitant to fulfill its obligation because it needs to satisfy the demands of a small number of interest groups by leaving the door open for trade protectionism. In the new proposal, the European Commission not only takes "market distortion" as a premise of whether to take the costs and prices of the products from investigated countries as the benchmark for anti-dumping comparison, but also cites national policy, proportion of State-owned enterprises, discrimination caused by the support to domestic enterprises, and the independence of financial institutions as indicators to measure "market distortion". Without any legal basis in the WTO rules, these new concepts may turn into a new tool of trade protectionism. Such tendency has been proved after the WTO ruled in favor of Argentina in a dispute concerning the anti-dumping duties imposed by the EU on biodiesel imported from the South American country. The UK-based newspaper Financial Times also commented previously that the new proposals of the EU are an indication of another step toward protectionism. As one of the largest economies in the world and an important WTO member, the EU should be a forerunner in obeying the WTO rules, fulfilling international obligations, and taking trade remedy measures in accordance with standards. In addition, an effective implementation of Article 15 not only serves the long-term interests of the EU, but will also bring China-EU economic and trade cooperation to a stable track by sending a positive signal to the market, enterprises and society. Currently, the main theme of China-EU win-win cooperation has not changed, nor have the fundamentals of mutual economic complementarities. However, if the EU use such an issue to undermine the bigger economic and trade cooperation with China, its losses will certainly outweigh the gains. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Trunk market springs up in Chinese cities Communist of China always maintains vitality More robots entering people's daily life Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) It is understood and accepted that, if someone is investigated for tax evasion, a bank or brokerage may be required to turn over private financial records to the government. However, Americans would be shocked if the IRS asked a financial institution in good regulatory standing to turn over the names, addresses and shopping histories of millions of customers just because the IRS thought there might be some tax cheats among them. But that's exactly what the IRS did in a recent court filing against the bitcoin exchange Coinbase. The IRS has petitioned a court to let it serve what is known as a "John Doe" summons, which requires a business to turn over information about any of its customers that match specific criteria. The summons applies as long as the government can't get the information elsewhere and has "a reasonable basis for believing that such person or group or class of persons may fail or may have failed to comply with any provision of the tax laws." In this case, the specific criteria are not very specific at all. The government is seeking the information on every U.S. customer who used the exchange between 2013 and 2015 a class so broad that it encompasses millions. And what is the "reasonable" basis? In its filing, the IRS notes the fact that some people have indeed used bitcoin to evade taxes, as well as "a public perception that tax evasion is possible with virtual currency." But all the IRS cites to back up that point is a Huffington Post article. This is an incredibly weak foundation to support breaching the privacy of millions of Americans. It's possible to use cash to evade taxes, so by this standard the IRS should be able to access the private records of everyone who uses cash with a single court order. The IRS is embarking on a fishing expedition, and this overreach should concern Americans whether they use bitcoin or not. The Fourth Amendment to our Constitution protects "the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures[.]" It aims to accomplish that, in part, by prohibiting general warrants that give government agents broad authority to search unspecified places or persons. While the courts have weakened Fourth Amendment protections when a third party like a bank or business keeps your information, the tide has begun to turn back. Courts have begun to recognize that there must be some limits as more and more of our private data is stored not in our homes, but in "the cloud." If the IRS can get a summons to search all users of bitcoin, it may only be a matter of time before it can get one targeting all video gamers or all eBay shoppers and sellers. The move by the IRS also undermines our country's image as the home of innovation. If we set a precedent that merely dealing in bitcoin could result in a firm's customers easily losing their financial privacy, it would have severe consequences for bitcoin and the related blockchain ecosystem cutting-edge technologies that promise to revolutionize business. By creating an environment in which developers and entrepreneurs think twice before using such technologies for fear of being labeled a potential tax evader, we risk driving that innovation into the arms of foreign competitors. Finally, it is shortsighted of the government to be so aggressive toward firms like Coinbase that so diligently comply with regulation and routinely cooperate with law enforcement requests. Respected companies like Coinbase and its millions of law-abiding customers are the government's best bet to find bad guys using bitcoin. If the government's actions drive away legitimate actors from the bitcoin ecosystem, it will only have succeeded in reducing transparency and helping criminals. The government should reconsider its petition. If it doesn't, Coinbase has stated that it will fight vigorously in court, and it will doubtlessly have the support of technologists, privacy advocates and Americans who know government overreach when they see it. Jerry Brito is the executive director of Coin Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on the public policy issues related to cryptocurrencies. The impact of the global financial crisis on our collective consciousness was so significant that political rhetoric, in the U.S. and in Europe, is yet to escape from its shadow. As the world struggles through a period of anemic growth, banks are still being criticized as if the housing crisis and subsequent economic collapse happened yesterday. During the election campaign, now-President-elect Donald Trump even broke with many in the Republican Party by calling for a reintroduction of the Glass-Steagall Act. On the other hand, there is a growing recognition that regulatory costs are too high. That recognition has been underlined by the election of the new GOP president, which has raised expectations among U.S. financial institutions that regulations will ease up in the coming years. That shift is not limited to the U.S. Global regulators too appear to have lost their appetite for toughening rules. Minouche Shafik, deputy governor of the Bank of England, commented recently that legal expenses are stifling the banks' lending capacity to the tune of over $5 trillion. This and other signs point to the possibility that international regulatory reform has passed its peak. For instance, European regulators have delayed their schedule for implementing key rules. At the beginning of this year, the European Commission instituted a one-year delay in the timetable for the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (known as MiFID II), a massive array of new regulations with the common theme of improved market transparency and investor protection. The timetable for the implementation of margin requirements for noncleared derivatives has also started to slip back, by different amounts in different jurisdictions. Meanwhile, EU officials are agitating against further reform under Basel III, arguing that European banks will be unfairly weighed down by additional capital increases when compared with U.S. competitors. The financial crisis reforms, conceived under G-20 initiatives, demanded cooperation from various nations for the international regulatory reforms to work. The immediacy and seriousness of the crisis created a necessary common purpose to bind varied jurisdictions together to implement reforms. Now it seems that the sense of immediacy has faded. The growth in populist rhetoric clamoring for economic headway to benefit workers has also appeared to blunt support for global regulatory policies. The pendulum swing from post-crisis cooperation with the rest of the world to anti-globalism messaging was visible in the U.S. election campaign. Both Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton distanced themselves from global trade agreements, suggesting protectionist policies may be considered as the way forward for a modern economy. Trump has broken with Republican tradition expressing support for high tariffs, and he has attacked free-trade agreements including the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership under negotiation between the U.S. and the EU. In the U.K., rhetoric from the government appears to suggest that the country is heading for a "hard" Brexit. Under this option, the U.K. would withdraw from Europe's single market in which harmonized regulation is a key characteristic in exchange for being able to determine the nation's own affairs, particularly immigration reform. Hardliners concerned about British sovereignty are demanding that the regulation associated with free trade with Europe be thrown on the bonfire disregarding the fact that much of this regulation is permissive rather than restrictive. This populist, isolationist rhetoric, both in Europe and the United States, is perhaps the strongest indicator that programs of international regulatory reform are coming to an end. While it is true that this rhetoric includes standard anti-bank pandering, it is also true that for regulation to work, it has to be harmonized. And it can't be in a divided world. Meanwhile, all the drama of the election and Brexit has occurred against the backdrop of anemic global economic growth. The International Monetary Fund recently described the world economy as "moving sideways" with growth subpar in 2016. It warned that continued stagnation may fuel anti-trade sentiment and protectionism which in turn could further stifle growth. Weak figures released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis suggest this may be happening already. It may be well timed that Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England and chair of the Financial Stability Board, an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system, wrote in July that the "overall international regulatory and resolution framework for banks is now largely settled." All that said, the prospect for a quick reversal of regulatory standards isn't likely either. The collective will that drives international regulatory reform is weakening, but popular sentiment is such that there is no strong political will for a significant regulatory scale-back. Instead, the more probable outcome is that the lack of international regulatory coordination will lead to more parochial regulatory regimes. From a strategic perspective, banks will need to maintain a jurisdictional focus to ensure international compliance, while being prepared for the dilution of certain regulatory programs. Charles Hastie is the regulatory head at Clutch Group. He formerly worked for the U.K.-based Financial Conduct Authority, where he was the supervisor of a large investment bank and enforcement investigator. The largest shareholder at HopFed Bancorp in Hopkinsville, Ky., is calling on the company's president and chief executive to resign. Stilwell Group in New York, in a strongly worded letter to John Peck, pressed the executive to relinquish his posts, while taking exception to his compensation and the $871 million-asset company's "paltry" dividend. "It seems to me you have little regard, value or respect for shareholders," Megan Parisi, Stilwell Group's director of communications, wrote in the Nov. 21 letter. "You have utterly failed to earn our trust. Maybe your next letter should be a resignation then we'd be the ones with something to smile about." Peck, who gave no indication that he would resign, said in an interview that the letter represents "repeated rhetoric" from the activist investor. Stilwell Group, which owns 9.5% of HopFed's stock, has locked horns with the company in the past. In 2013, the firm sent a letter of HopFed's shareholders complaining that Peck's base salary had more than doubled since 2001 and that he had accepted directors' fees, club dues and other perks. Stilwell also objected to HopFed's plan to buy Sumner Bank & Trust; that deal ultimately fell through. Stilwell was able to get a representative, Robert Bolton, appointed to HopFed's board. Bolton's term expired in May and Stilwell "did not nominate or support him for reelection," Peck said. WASHINGTON Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg said he would not offer his resignation to President-elect Donald Trump. "My term as chairman runs through November of next year," Gruenberg said during a briefing on the health of the banking industry. "It will be my intention to serve my term." Gruenberg has a separate term that allows him to serve on the board of the FDIC until December 2018. Asked about the prospects for deregulation efforts including the repeal of parts of the Dodd-Frank Act by a Congress that will be held by Republicans in both chambers Gruenberg declined to comment. "I think my inclination would not be to speculate," said the chairman. "Let's see how events play." This is your destination to reach an audience of industry-leading executives and innovators. Align your brand with critical conversations surrounding new tech, the latest trends, adoptable best practices and so much more. From big banks and credit unions, to fintechs and challenger banks, your audience will feature high-level decision-makers and other senior executives that are key figures in the community. In the last week, as the magnitude of the Trump and Republican victory has started to sink into the group mind of the ruling class, various thoughtful people have stepped in to help our Democratic friends to get back on track. For instance, Ted Van Dyk in the Wall Street Journal proposed that the Dems should appoint a committee. Yay! That should do it. But I have a different approach. I think mental health professionals call it intervention. Dear Democratic friends: your tribalist identity politics stinks. Politics is division, and a very dangerous thing that we all need to keep in its box. So when you terrify blacks and Hispanics and single women and LGBTs into tribalism with your identity politics you are setting up a monster; you are teaching the white deplorable majority to adopt identity politics too. Instead, you should be teaching the victims to grow out of their identity ghettos and just become hyphenless responsible American citizens. Dear Democratic friends: your dominatory big government philosophy stinks. First of all, its the Science! Big government cannot work because it cant compute prices, and bureaucrats just dont have the bandwidth to rule the world, as in the real life test of Obamacare. It leads, in this video (1:30), to Herbert Marcuse waving his hands in the air about the lack of human progress in the modern era, with its dehumanization and brutalization. So why do you chaps insist on big government, Herbie? Dehumanization and brutalization go with with big government like ham and eggs. Lets stipulate that the poor need big government help. But what about the basket of responsibles? Shouldnt the non-poor be stepping out to take on ourselves the responsibility for our health care and pensions and education themselves instead of leaving it up to big government? Dear Democratic friends: your hegemonic elite culture stinks. When Hillary Clinton let slip her Deplorables stink bomb she was speaking to an LGBT fundraiser and she told the LGBTs what they wanted to hear, that anyone not 100% behind the gay agenda was beyond the pale. Look, I get that LGBTs are what we might call sexual People of the Creative Self; they are getting creative about sex. But I think that the Number One thing that People of the Creative Self must understand is that they owe the rest of society an attitude of tolerance and forbearance. If you want to do wild and crazy things, go ahead. But it is your responsibility not to frighten the horses. Joseph Campbell in his Heros Journey confirmed the wisdom of his namesake. He said that the creative Hero in myth is always required to go down into the underworld (i.e. for an out-of-town tryout) to learn his creative chops, and only after becoming sadder and wiser can he return to society and become a Really Useful Engine (as in Thomas the Tank Engine, the book). I dont suppose that any Democrat out there will pay the least attention to this sage advice. But I would at least ask a question, from the central finding in Charles Murrays Coming Apart: The State of White America 1960-2010. Murray writes that among the bottom 30 percent of whites that live in Fishtown the men dont work much and the women dont marry much. Read more here. I ask my Democratic friends to think long and hard about what this means, and what we in America should do about it. How can it be after a century of progressive politics that the folks in Fishtown live lives so dehumanized and brutalized. Something has gone wrong with the progressive movement. Really, there is no help for our Democratic friends until they start to believe in a healthy and enlightened world view like my reductive Three Peoples theory. Here is what Three Peoples philosophy would recommend for the Democratic Party. Democrats should encourage the People of the Subordinate Self, the workers and peasants, to grow out of their victimhood and join the responsible middle class. Democrats should encourage the People of the Responsible Self, the Deplorables of which weve heard tell, to strike out a bit and get a little creative every now and again. Make it easier for them to start businesses and step away from the safety of the big corporation. Democrats should encourage the People of the Creative Self -- the evolved, the educated, the artists and writers -- to understand that not everyone wants to be an artist or writer or activist, and creatives should stop forcing the Deplorables to kow-tow to their creative plans in sex, in politics, and in culture, and practice the tolerance they preach. The whole idea of the left was to liberate the working class from the hegemony of the bourgeois ruling class. How come that our modern educated ruling class wants to dominate everything in sight? Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also see his American Manifesto and get his Road to the Middle Class. As President Obama winds down his final term, his defenders are in a goal line stand defending his accomplishments to an increasingly critical audience. Obama failed to fundamentally transform the nation, resuscitate the economy, improve American standing abroad, slow the rise of the oceans, heal the planet, or even establish a convincing moral justification for trying. Whats left? One old standby, less in use now than a couple of years ago, is Obamas ability to hand over to his successor a supposedly scandal-free administration. The other, more newly minted, is Obamas supposedly similar ability to hand over a crisis-free America. If these claims are illegitimate, then Obamas meaningful legacy will be reduced to his glibness and complexion. In April 2015 Slates chief political correspondent, a fellow named Jamelle Bouie, penned Obamas Gift to Hillary Clinton, a howler of an article that anticipated the president handing off a remarkably scandal-free administration to his chosen successor. Bouie completely ignored the then just festering State Department email scandal and rationalized away Obamas other problems, from Fast and Furious to the IRS to Benghazi. From there Bouie opined Put simply, theres nothing Clinton can do to escape Obamas legacy. But she doesnt need to. Unlike with McCain and Bush or Gore and Bill Clinton, there is no Obama scandal fatigue or general exhaustion with the Democrats. Everybody makes mistakes now and again, and at least the first sentence was correct. Almost a year later, the New York Times' David Brooks, with the State Department email scandal in full bloom, made a similar claim. The Obama administration has been remarkably scandal-free. Think of the way Iran-contra or the Lewinsky scandals swallowed years from Reagan and Clinton. Weve had very little of that from Obama. He and his staff have generally behaved with basic rectitude. Hillary Clinton is constantly having to hold these defensive press conferences when shes trying to explain away some vaguely shady shortcut shes taken, or decision she has made, but Obama has not had to do that. That Clinton worked for Obama while she took these shady shortcuts, with his connivance, evidently mattered not to Brooks. Why, in Brooks words has Obama not had to defend himself from scandal? The answer is that Brooks and his colleagues in the dominant mainstream media never required it of him. Crimes or moral indiscretions themselves are not scandals. Thats why prominent people who commit wrongs try to hide them, lest they become scandals. Obamas alleged scandal free administration is purely a creature of the media, which by and large has simply refused to scandalize him, regardless of the fact that his administrations crimes and indiscretions dwarf those of his predecessors of the past half-century, including Richard Nixons. Brooks and Bouie made their scandal-free claims some time ago, and you dont see quite so much of it now. Thats not to say that the media by and large continue to ignore the scandalous nature of Obamas governance, including his intimate involvement with Hillarys email criminality, which if pursued properly would have directly implicated the president in serious national security violations. History should not treat Obama so kindly, but given the ideological makeup of university history departments that is not a great bet. A second last-ditch defense recently appeared in the Atlantic, proposing that Obama will leave office relatively crisis-free. In Leaving a Clean Desk (What Obama Got Right online) Jonathan Rauch favorably compares Obama with such presidents as Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton for leaving his successor no crisis. Of course, this depends, as the last member of this presidential list might say, on the meaning of is as in what is a crisis? Here again, the fix is easily put in, since crises, like scandals, are mostly creations of the media. Is climate change a crisis? Usually for those on left it very much is, and Rauch must say so, thus admitting however subtly, that Obama has not stopped the oceans rise. But Rauch concludes that it is not for most Americans a political crisis, and so Obama has no crisis to pass on. The circular reasoning is remarkable. Obama himself says climate change is a crisis, and flails about attempting to bind the country to useless treaties while savaging valuable American energy industries. But because the American people mostly ignore him on the issue, its not really a crisis at all, and so Obama gets credit for leaving Trump a clean desk on that issue. Its the same illogic with Obamas other non-crises. Rauch reports that After years of slow recovery, the economy is chugging along whatever that means. Tell that to an unemployed factory worker in Ohio, or reconcile it with the exploded national debt. We learn that the security situation is astonishingly non-critical though America finds itself internationally weaker both diplomatically and militarily than at any time since the 1930s. And that there have been zero major [terror] attacks within the United States during Obamas presidency. This, of course, would be news to the victims of Islamist terror in Massachusetts, Fort Hood, San Bernardino, and Orlando. But again, depends on what is a major attack. Rauchs theory would benefit from an independent variable, other than his own opinion as to what constitutes a crisis-free turnover of power. For example, a crisis-free president like Reagan might turn over the presidency to his vice-president, which happened. Except that it didnt happen with Eisenhower and Clinton. Or vice-versa, that the country free of crisis is more willing to change parties, except that Rauchs own theory -- that Reagan and Kennedy had crisis-free presidencies -- eliminates this standard. So we just have to rely on Rauchs say so, and that of other Obama apologists, that he is handing Donald Trump an uncluttered desk. And that points up really whats really wrong here, in that Obamas apologists are missing the forest for the trees. The real crisis in this country is Obamas presidency itself, both in terms of the real -- if largely ignored -- scandals during his term (which threatened the heart of republican democracy) and his foreign and domestic policies which promised utter disaster if continued under a second Clinton presidency. That theory was proven pretty conclusively on November 8. Obama himself made the election a referendum on his supposedly scandal-free, crisis-free presidency. As Mr. Bouie put it, Clinton had no choice but to run on Obamas legacy, including his scandals and crises, however unreported or under-reported in the mainstream media. The people answered. The familiar whining about the popular vote in presidential elections and the implicit anachronism of the Electoral College ought to be turned on its head by constitutional conservatives. The greatest problem of politics and government in our country today is Washington, and the only answer to that problem is the restoration of true federalism, making state governments a vital player in national elections. The Constitution conferred three special powers on state legislatures to make sure that the federal government was held in check: enacting constitutional amendments, choosing members of the Senate, and choosing the method of selecting presidential electors. Until 1824, in every state of the union, it was the state legislatures who directly chose all presidential electors, which is the reason electoral histories show no "popular vote" at all until 1824, and even then, some states had voters choose electors, and some state legislatures chose the electors directly. Gradually state legislatures changed the method of choosing electors so that these individuals were directly elected by voters. As with the "reform" of having senators elected directly, the "reform" of having voters choose electors has removed the vital check states had on an overbearing federal government. Any state can change its laws and return to the state legislature the power to choose the state's presidential electors. Republicans next year could make that change in 26 of the 50 states, which collectively have 249 electoral votes, and that is a minimal level. Alaska has an independent governor who would probably support that change, and if Republicans ultimately win the North Carolina gubernatorial race, those two states would raise the total electoral votes chosen by state legislatures to 267, or three fewer than needed to decide the election. Depending upon how midterm elections go, even more states Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Colorado, and New Mexico could be added to that list, which would mean that 33 states would have the legislatures pick the electors, and those states would have 326 electoral votes. What would be the impact of placing back in the hands of state legislatures the power to elect the president? Consider the problems that plague presidential elections today: rampant voter fraud, hyper-partisanship, wildly expensive presidential campaigns, pernicious influence of the corruption of the establishment national media, and the need for presidential candidates to propose a single solution for the problems of the myriad states. If state legislatures reclaimed and exercised their power to choose presidential electors and used that power, then these problems would be solved by the structural change in politics. The pox of voter fraud in presidential elections is cured if electors are chosen in public votes by state legislatures. True nonpartisan candidates could effectively campaign for president by going to the legislatures of each state in public testimony before bipartisan legislative committees and persuading legislators by the intelligence and coherence of their answers. This sort of campaigning would also require a great deal of time but almost no money at all. The need to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to run for president would be unnecessary. State and local media would suddenly become important in persuading legislators to support a particular candidate, while the corrupt establishment media of the Beltway would have almost no influence in presidential elections at all. Perhaps most importantly, diverse states with different ideological inclinations might find in the genuine restoration of the sort of federalism the Founders intended a common cause in rallying behind a presidential candidate willing to allow Hawaii to be Hawaii, Mississippi to be Mississippi, Vermont to be Vermont, Alaska to be Alaskaand so on. The natural complement to this reform would to convene a constitutional convention, which would require resolutions by 34 of the legislatures of the several states. Republicans will control at the beginning of 2017 both houses of the legislature in 33 states, and if 2018 is a Republican year, then Republicans could easily capture control of Maine, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Washington enough to convene and also to ratify amendments. The state legislature was intended to be the primary check on rogue national government. If state legislators have the gumption to use their residual powers they can regain that vital check. The best place to start, while dumb leftists are groaning about that nonexistent thing, the "popular vote" in presidential elections, is to strip that silly term of any meaning at all by having states again choose presidents. A fourth branch of government was created by Article V of the Constitution, superior to the other three. It consists of 7,382 voting members, distributed in the 50 States. In order to act, this fourth branch, which I call the Federal Assembly, must organize itself into a two-thirds supermajority of the States in order to make a proposal. Majorities in both houses of a state legislature in 34 states must agree on the subject matter to be addressed by an Amendment Convention. And then, once the Amendment Convention agrees on the language of the proposed Amendment, an even more challenging three-fourths supermajority of states is required to adopt it. It's hard, and it's never been done in the 229 years we've had the Constitution not until now. By using their Article V power, in 2017, the states, and the people, will, for the very first time, exercise their sovereignty. And it is full sovereignty, plenary, unlimited. Aside from not reducing the equal suffrage of the states in the Senate, the Federal Assembly can do anything the people want it to do. It's popular sovereignty. It's the people showing the federal government who's in charge. Two of the other three branches of government, the president and the Supreme Court, have no role to play in any of this. The federal courts do not have jurisdiction over the states when they are exercising their Article V powers, and the president has no involvement whatsoever. The third branch, Congress, has only a ministerial role to play. The only discretion Congress has is in selecting the time and place of the Amendment Convention, and of choosing the method of ratification by the state legislatures or by state conventions. In order to organize a two-thirds supermajority, the States may choose to meet in a preliminary Convention of States. This was last done in 1861, in Washington. State delegations assembled to try to avert the Civil War, but they didn't have enough time, and they failed. The previous Convention of States, held in Nashville in 1850, was more successful. It helped form the Compromise of 1850, which stopped the movement toward secession. But the Dred Scott decision overturned the Compromise of 1850, and the Civil War soon followed. There will be a Convention of States dealing with the Balanced Budget Amendment this summer. It will be the first in 156 years. We have been so conditioned into thinking of ourselves as a nation that we've forgotten that we have another political identity. I live in California, so I'm a Californian. And California has rights under Article V, and I am going to personally ask my assemblyman, Frank Bigelow, and my state senator, Tom Berryhill, to introduce an Article V Resolution calling for an Amendment Convention for the purpose of proposing a Congressional Term Limits Amendment. You should do the same with your state legislators. We're going to get a Balanced Budget Amendment, so what's next? It is obviously Term Limits. The campaign for congressional term limits is completely bipartisan. Every Bernie Sanders voter would be for it. They all hate Congress. Everybody hates Congress. The only people who don't like term limits are politicians, because it interferes with their careers at the public trough. U.S. Term Limits, founded by Howard Rich in 1991, and the U.S. Term Limits Foundation, headed by John Aglialoro, have only one state, Florida, of the 34 needed for a Term Limits Amendment Convention, but that's going to change in a hurry. Once state legislators become aware of the power of the Federal Assembly, they'll want to use it again and again. The Balanced Budget Amendment comes first, followed by Term Limits. The third priority of the states will be discussed, informally, at this summer's Convention of States. I suspect that it will be another of the Liberty Amendments, popularized by Mark Levin. Levin has played no role in the Balanced Budget campaign or in the campaign for term limits. He supports a competing proposal, called, misleadingly, "The Convention of States." It calls for a wide open Amendment Convention, with the authority to propose a series of amendments, in an all-out assault on the federal government. But this approach has a fatal flaw, and despite spending millions of dollars, it has only eight of the needed 34 states. What Levin doesn't understand is that there are different political coalitions that support different amendments. The coalition that is succeeding with the Balanced Budget Amendment is different from the coalition supporting term limits. Including both, within one Article V Amendment Convention, doubles your opposition. Some state legislators want a Balanced Budget Amendment but not term limits, and vice versa. It's Politics 101, but Levin is a lawyer, not a politician, and he doesn't understand politics. The entire Article V movement is opposed by President-Elect Trump. He was the only Republican candidate in opposition. His base includes the alt right, and these misguided souls think Article V is a threat to the Constitution and the work of the devil. Article V will happen despite Trump and the fringe groups that support him. In fact, a president, no matter who he is, has no role to play under Article V. The states, if they so choose, can use it as a weapon against a tyrannical president. As a matter of law, Article V could be used to impeach a president, or any federal official. Trump wants to centralize power and control it. Article V is about the dispersal of power to the states and the people. The great value of this summer's Convention of States is educational. People will wonder: what is a Convention of States? And some of them will even read Article V of the Constitution to figure out what all this means. While they're at it, they might want to look at the Bill of Rights and read it all of it, including the 9th and 10th Amendments. What do those words mean? The Convention of States of 2017 will happen in a historic location, one that played a central role in our history. It's a place identified with our greatest president, excepting Washington himself. It will be on the 250th anniversary of his birth. And it will be in his honor, and that of his mother, the mother of her country. She, not U.S. Grant, should have her likeness on the $50 bill. This too may happen. Fritz Pettyjohn was the chairman of Reagan for President, Alaska, in 1979-80 and is currently working with Lew Uhler's National Tax Limitation Committee and Bill Fruth's Balanced Budget Inc. He blogs at Reagan Project.com. Theres been a lot of focus about whether California can secede. The better question, perhaps, is, why should it? Think about it. If you live in California, you already live with silly taxes that you dont have to live with in other parts of the country, beyond the infamous, highly-progressive state income tax. For instance, do you want to bag your groceries when you check out at the grocery store? In California, you have to either bring your own bags, or declare how many the store provides for you, because youre charged $0.10 for each one. Its a state-sponsored sin tax for your wicked destruction of the planet (or the state is saving you and the planet from your own non-biodegradable plastic gluttony, however you wish to frame it). Want to buy a 2-liter container of soda? Well, that will also be another $0.10 tax per unit. Consider it the sin tax for your wanton desire for sugary drinks. Fill the coffers, Californians. The highest, most progressive state income tax and oppressive business taxes are not enough to satiate the California governments need for your money, collected to absolve you of your sins, but practically applied in the states redistributionist endeavors. And guess what? All of that is absolutely fine in the context of our constitutional republic. You have the right to live in any other state in this country, and you might find all of that to be stupid and ridiculous. I live here in California, and also find it utterly ridiculous. But Californias people chose to enact these aforementioned taxes by recent popular ballot initiatives. If the highly-progressive income tax, all the silly social and environmental regulations, and the insanely high cost of living become intolerable, Californians can move to another state. And millions have done so in the past decade, moving to lower-cost, lower-tax, lower-regulated havens across the country. But California, and Californians, do not have to change simply because other states find their policies disagreeable. This is the beauty of federalism -- it works, both for Californians who want their heavy taxes and silly regulations, and it also works for those who dont (because they can move). And here is the most intense irony of it all. California, in spite of Donald Trumps presidency, can still institute all the freedom-smothering, production-killing laws it wants -- like minimum wage increases, more steeply progressive income taxes, taxes on sugar and fast food, etc. It can do all of these things because our constitutional republic allows them to do so. Our Constitution allows this because it was always meant to be Californias decision on these matters, not the federal governments. Im quite sure that a great number of Americans would welcome Californias secession. And personally, I think that California should have the right to secede, should it wish to do so. But the simple fact is that it is unnecessary for California to do it. What is it, exactly, that Californians wish to do that they cannot do within their own state? Another recent popular ballot initiative also banned the sale of high-capacity firearm magazines within the state! I believe that this initiative does indeed run afoul of the Second Amendment, but thats not the issue here. The real issue these Californians have is not in what theyre unable to do amongst themselves, but what they are currently unable to impose upon the rest of the country with Donald Trump as president, a Republican Congress, and a Supreme Court which is likely to lean conservative. American governance demands that California is free to be California, and do all the silly, leftist things it wants to do, should that be what its people desire. Its free to do that without secession. They are just not free to impose their will upon the rest of these United States that clearly doesnt want those silly leftist policies. They cannot demand expansive federal social programs, federal exoneration of criminal aliens across the board, federal minimum wage increases, etc. And theyre unhappy that they and their politics have been so firmly rebuked by their countrymen in the recent election years. So some among them are throwing a childish fit about it, calling for secession. And ultimately, thats why these calls for secession are most curious to me. Most Californians likely hate the fact that Texas can outlaw late term abortion, or that Arizona can have laws to identify and deport illegal aliens, or that North Carolina can have laws regarding transgenders usage of bathrooms. They hate all of that so incredibly much, and wish the federal government would enact Californias unique desires across the United States by federal fiat. Yet neither Republican leadership nor the existing form of our federal government is inhibiting California from instituting their unique laws that the rest of the country might find silly or offensive. And California has the American Founders, however much Californians might currently hate them, and the government they formed, to thank for that. William Sullivan blogs at Political Palaver and can be followed on Twitter. The protest over the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock has taken a bizarre turn. The Native American tribes who originally protested against the pipeline have been displaced by thousands of college students, environmental activists, and outside agitators who have no respect for the land nor its inhabitants. Apparently, the hippies have taken over. Washington Times: Need to get something off my chest that I witnessed and found very disturbing in my brief time there that I believe many others have started to speak up about as well. White people colonizing the camps, Alicia Smith said in a Facebook post. They are coming in, taking food, clothing etc and occupying space without any desire to participate in camp maintenance and without respect of tribal protocols, she wrote. These people are treating it like it is Burning Man or The Rainbow Gathering and I even witnessed several wandering in and out of camps comparing it to those festivals. Her Nov. 14 post, now making the rounds on social media, said outsiders are literally subsisting entirely off the generosity of native people (AND YOUR DONATIONS if you have been donating) who are fighting to protect their water just because they can. A local deputy who asked to remain anonymous told WDAY AMs Rob Port that most of the protesters are white, and that some have used racial slurs against black, Hispanic and American Indian officers. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman David Archambault II, who is leading the protest, raised concerns about sanitation in a Nov. 23 interview with Vice, saying activists are digging pits out there for their human waste. The spoiled white kids are expecting others to feed them, clothe them, and clean up after their mess without lifting a finger to help. Before this entire movement started, that was some of the most beautiful land around, Mr. Archambault said. There was a place down there where eagles, over 100 eagles, would come and land. There were game down there deer, pheasants, elk, geese. Now its occupied by people. And when masses of people come to one place, we dont take care of it. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given protesters on federal land north of the Cannonball River until Dec. 5 to clear the area, but leaders of the large Sacred Stone, or Oceti Sakowin, camp have said they will fight eviction. We are a coalition of grassroots groups living and working at the encampments, and we will not be moved, the camp said on its website. We stand united in defiance of the black snake and are committed to defense of water, our Mother Earth, and our rights as Indigenous people. We call on all people of conscience, from all Nations, to join the encampments and stand with us as we put our bodies on the line. A Nov. 3 post on Facebook by Jon Petronzio told would-be protesters to leave drugs and alcohol at home, warning: This is not burning man or a festival. Do not bring your party at the expense of these people fighting for life and death. He said later that he had made the post in a bout of anger and frustration at non-natives. The myths about the idyllic life lived by Native Americans before the white man arrived to destroy that paradise has persisted since the 1960s and has attracted middle-class and rich white young people for generations. But the irony is that none of these kids could have survived how Native Americans lived 500 years ago at sea without flush toilets and electric lights. The reality is that most Native Americans lived a brutal existence a daily fight for survival by men and women. They may have infused the natural world with spiritualism, but that didn't make their lives any less perilous. Backbreaking work, dangers from animals and tribal enemies, short life spans, sky-high infant mortality life was a constant battle. (There were some tribes and confederations that tilled the soil and established towns as sophisticated and advanced as any in Europe.) Imagine some of these snowflakes transported back in time to that era. They'd be reduced to a quivering mass of Jell-O in less than a day. The hippies haven't a clue about the stewardship of the land. That makes you wonder what the heck they're doing protesting with Native Americans about land use. Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted on Sunday night his intention to ban sanctuary cities in Texas and move to cut funding to them. This is welcome news, considering that many Democratic governors and mayors have pledged to continue to protect illegal aliens from the law. The Hill: Abbott was responding to a Twitter user who questioned whether the Texas governor could do anything to reverse Austin's pledge to remain a sanctuary city. During his presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trumppledged to deport millions of immigrants. He said during an interview shortly after his victory he would prioritize deporting or jailing any undocumented immigrants who were members of gangs or had criminal records. He also vowed during the campaign to block federal dollars from cities that give sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. Democratic governors and mayors signaled earlier this month that they will not go along with the Trump administration's plans. Not quite a withering broadside more like a shot across the bow. Sanctuary cities are going to fight tooth and nail in the courts to maintain their status as a safe haven for illegals. The problem for Abbott and Trump is that local and state authorities are under no legal obligation to enforce federal immigration statutes. The courts have said if the feds want to enforce strict immigration policies, they must do it themselves. In the past, the federal government, citing insufficient resources, allowed states and cities to determine their own policies toward illegals. That may change, as Donald Trump has promised to expand immigration enforcement resources. But non-cooperation might still throw a monkey wrench into Trump's and Abbott's plans. If the feds were to capture some illegal aliens in a sanctuary city, where would they detain them? The city can't be forced to make space in their jails for federal prisoners. Nor can the cops be required to assist federal efforts in any way. Actions of this sort are what sanctuary cities and states will use to thwart Donald Trump. The whole mess is going to end up going to the Supreme Court, where it is hoped that a conservative majority will finally put an end to this defiance. Somali Islamic terrorist Abdul Razak Ali Artan seriously wounded 11 people at Ohio State university. He might have injured even more if a police officer hadn't been nearby and shot and killed him. But what if the police officer hadn't been nearby? Don't worry: Ohio State is prepared! It has taught students to "Run, Hide, and Fight"! Here's the tweet the university sent out to students: Buckeye Alert: Active Shooter on campus. Run Hide Fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College. But what does that mean? That basically is an emergency alert to let the campus know there is potential danger and if you can run, run, and if you can hide, hide ... The fight part is never explained, but I'm guessing that's the last resort. But fight with what paper clips? Imagine if just one of those students at the scene of the attack had been armed. He could have defended himself. He could have defended the other students. Maybe fewer students would have been injured. Maybe if Artan knew that some students were armed, he never would have carried out his attack. But we'll never know, because the university prevents students from defending themselves. They are given confusing messages about running, hiding, and fighting but given no way to do the last one. Their only line of defense is to follow the university on Twitter. Ohio State students are given the same level of security as zebra being stalked by lions on the Serengeti. College campuses would be much safer if there were more guns on campus and fewer unvettable Muslims. And yet we have a situation where the complete opposite is in effect, where Muslims are imported by the thousands and Americans are disarmed in many cities, states, and college campuses. We would never have come to this situation if Middle Eastern Muslims weren't reliable Democratic votes. And we would never have come to this situation if firearms, like abortion skull drills, were claimed by feminists as a right of empowerment. Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. Fidel Castros death has stirred the memories of many Cuban-Americans. The following share their experiences in leaving Castros Cuba: My mother and I alternated eight-hour shifts in line to apply for my visa in 1960, keeping a place 24/7 for days. Castros militiamen would pelt us with rotten eggs and fruit and curse us through a megaphone. Sixteen years old, I stood with the stench and mess of smashed eggs on me until my mother would arrive. Abe Presser, Santa Barbara, Calif. Presser, who received a bachelors in engineering from the University of Illinois and a master of business administration from the University of Southern California, was a principal in a computer software company. I had obtained an American green card in 1957, after a New York friend of my mother heard how Batista was targeting even nonpolitical students and helped me get to America. I returned to Cuba in 1959 to find life a worse horror under Castro. Resisting my classmates pressure to join the militia, I left Cuba forever in 1960. Dr. Joseph Shuman, North Miami Beach, Fla. Shuman became a U.S. citizen, raised a family in America, and now resides in North Miami Beach, Fla., where he is an endocrinologist. What comes to mind whenever I hear the word revolution is Fidels men taking over the best houses in Havana, enjoying the lifestyle of the elites they displaced. That image is inseparable from another: my brother and I stripped down to our underwear at the airport, being searched by militiamen to make sure we could not take anything with us as we left our home and parents. Carlos Eire, Guilford, Conn. Eire is a historian at Yale University, where he received a doctorate in 1979. When Castro confiscated my store and my uncles factory, we thought the situation would be temporary, that Castro wouldnt succeed. I moved into my uncles house, and my wife, children and aunt went to Miami. Then Castro started persecuting perceived opponents. In the middle of the night, after hearing my uncle would be arrested, we fled. We lost everything. Hyman Klocman, Miami Beach, Fla. Klocman became an independent businessman in Miami Beach, Fla., where together with his wife, Mary, he owned and operated a general merchandise store and raised two children. When the revolution against Batista won, I wanted to place a flag in the window, but my mother said to wait until it was certain he had fled. The next day, I, then 15, was among the boy scouts called to direct traffic in downtown Havana. Everyone was exuberant, believing Cuba finally would have decent government. Then everything changed. Castro closed newspapers and began executing people. When my teachers were replaced, I fled to Miami, where I waited for my family to join me. Frank Calzon, Arlington, Va. Calzon is executive director of the Center for a Free Cuba, a human rights and pro-democracy organization. The military took inventory at our home, putting us on notice that our possessions belonged to the state and not even to give anything away. Within two weeks, we were on a plane to America. Ten years old at the time, in 1967, I still remember that until the last second, my parents feared they would not be allowed to leave with all six children. Silverio A. Vega, West New York, N.J. Vega was mayor of West New York, N.J., from November 2006 until May 2011. The case of Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the Somali-born Islamic terrorist who ran over and stabbed 11 people with a butcher knife at Ohio State may be what President Obama calls a "teachable moment." We can feel great sympathy for the victims, but it is also fair to point out that some of the policies advocated by said victims helped contribute to this tragedy. And the fact is that a large number of Ohio State faculty and students are strongly pro-Islamic immigration. Hollie Nyseth Brehm, an assistant professor of criminology (ironically), and student Abd Al-Rahman Traboulsi created an organization at Ohio State called "Refuge," bringing in putatively victimized foreigners to get a free education in America. Refuge seeks to fill a unique niche geared toward addressing the extensive gap of resources available to adolescent refugees. Refuge's annual program then will culminate in an immersion experience here at Ohio State where refugee students will attend classes, speak with faculty and stay in residence halls ultimately transforming higher education from a far-off aspiration to a feasible reality that adolescent refugees can take steps toward achieving. We hope that you will consider working with us here at Ohio State or with the many other local Columbus organizations that aid with the refugee resettlement process. It doesn't take a great leap to conclude that "refugees" are not from Norway and Sweden; they are largely Muslims from the Middle East. And Refuge is not the only Ohio State student group involved in this effort. From clothing drives to tutoring sessions and mentorship programs, Ohio State student organizations such as the Syrian Student Union, Students for Refugees and Refuge: Empowering Adolescent Refugees are working to help those affected by the Syrian Civil War. ... the club hopes to expand its current program to offer more services, including a mentorship program, English as a Second Language classes, and move-in assistance for refugees arriving in Columbus. The organization Refuge is a recent addition to OSU that sheds light on the Syrian conflict. A club in the making, Abd Al-Rahman Traboulsi, a third-year in biomedical engineering, said he is launching Refuge as a mentorship program to connect students at OSU with refugee students in the Midwest over an online interface, with the ultimate goal of introducing refugees to the possibility of higher education. In other words, to bring them on campus. Events are regularly held to propagandize the cause of bringing Islamic refugees to America. No Lost Generation OSU & Syrian Student Union at The Ohio State University are hosting an #IStandWithRefugees event on the Oval. We'll have a wheel of fortune testing your knowledge on refugee crises around the world. Additionally, prizes may be rewarded And yet one of these refugees tried to kill many of the same people who advocated bringing them to America. I think it's appropriate to point out that the cause these people advocate is directly connected to the terrorist attack on 11 students. This was perhaps best explained in the "poisoned skittles" theory by Donald Trump, Jr. "If I had a bowl of Skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful? That's our Syrian refugee problem," explained Junior's tweet, which was illustrated with a small bowl of the multi-coloured sweets. He's right. We don't know which Muslim refugee is radicalized or will become radicalized and try to kill us. That's why we shouldn't let any of them in. It's a lesson that even after this tragedy I'm afraid many of these advocates won't get, especially those members of the "Syrian Student Union." The fact that there even is a "Syrian Student Union" at Ohio State shows the wrongheadedness of our refugee policy; Syria is in chaos, and refugees from there, like Somalia, are unvettable. Just look at what a failed presidential contender had to say about the terrorist attack: "At the end of the day we will find out what happened," Gov. John Kasich (R), who graduated from Ohio State in 1974, said at a briefing. "We may never totally find out why this person did what they did or why they snapped. We may never find out." It's violent Islam, Governor Kasich. And it appeals to a certain number of Muslims, and we have no idea who they are, and this will keep happening as long as we admit them to our country. People who advocate for more Islamic immigration are like people who hit themselves over the head repeatedly with a hammer and then wonder why they have a headache. Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. During the campaign, Donald Trump employed a tactic of labeling several of his opponents with titles he believed would identify them in the most negative light. Some of his favorites were Lyin Ted, Little Marco, Low-Energy Jeb, Crazy Bernie, Goofy Elizabeth Warren (aka Faux-cahontas) and a Trumpers all-time favorite: Crooked Hillary. Donald Trump won the presidential primary and the presidential election for one reason and one reason alone: millions and millions of people believed he was a true outsider who would bring real change to Washington. People gathered by the thousands at Trump campaign rallies and heard him say believe me over and over again about his intentions regarding every major issue he based his campaign on. And when Donald Trump said believe me, the people believed him! Donald Trump told his loyal supporters at almost every rally that he would be the peoples champion on these important issues. But in light of Trumps campaign message of any change the people could actually believe in, since he won the election, theres been a growing concern among many Trump supporters that he might be morphing into a Washington establishment politician who promises one thing to get elected and delivers something completely different. Trump supporters are troubled after hearing what seems to be a change of position on Hillarys alleged illegal server and the Clinton Foundation, building the wall, immigration, and global warming. Trump supporters are also troubled that he so quickly embraced GOP establishment leaders like Speaker Ryan and Senate Majority Leader McConnell and appointed Gov. Nikki Haley as U.N. ambassador despite the fact that she slammed him personally during the campaign. Trump supporters are also very upset that Trump would even consider Mitt Romney as a cabinet member after what he said to derail Trumps campaign. Trump supporters are very serious about the stances he took and the changes he promised to make if elected president. It would be a slap in the face of every Trump supporter who helped put him in the White House if he caves on any issue. Here is a partial list of believe me promises made by candidate Donald Trump that his supporters will never forget: I will build a wall on the border BELIEVE ME! Mexico will pay for the wall BELIEVE ME! I will repeal and replace Obamacare BELIEVE ME! I will not allow TPP to happen BELIEVE ME! I will renegotiate the Iran nuke deal BELIEVE ME! I am not beholden to political Washington insiders or special interest groups BELIEVE ME! I will drain the swamp BELIEVE ME! I will be your champion BELIEVE ME! If candidate Donald Trump said believe me once on the campaign stump, he said it a thousand times. And there are many more believe me statements candidate Donald Trump made on a wide range of foreign and domestic issues not listed here. What remains to be seen is if President Elect Donald Trump is really changing his position on some of his believe me promises, or is this all just a part of the liberal media spin to twist Trumps words to make him look like another run-of-the-mill politician, demoralize his supporters, and encourage his opponents? Based on Trump supporters understanding of liberal media bias, for now, they may give President-Elect Trump the benefit of the doubt. But believe us: if it turns out that President Trump is not the same person as candidate Trump, then we the people, who took Donald Trump at his word, will have a catchy label for him to wear all the way to the 2020 presidential Election. Turncoat Trump! All the brouhaha over the alleged rifts within the Trump transition over Mitt Romney misses the point. I think it is theatre, a distraction by the same man who was able to direct media attention where he wanted it all throughout the campaign. Donald Trump has a plan that eludes his critics, who cant help thinking about politics the way it has always been played and still do not grasp his thinking nor the range of new tools he brings to the presidency. The Department of State is badly broken and desperately needs to be fixed. State requires fundamental restructuring as well as the departure of many entrenched figures whose goals and beliefs are antagonistic to realistic confrontation with Islamic jihad and the generations-long efforts of Muslim states to "wipe Israel off the map." The State Department is full of people called "Arabists," who instinctively blame Israel when it is attacked and defends itself and who presume that the U.S. should attend to the prejudices of hundreds of millions of Arab Muslims because they are so populous, and because they have oil and have funded an amazing number of sinecures for retired bureaucrats with generous compensation and few demands (other than reflexive support whenever an issue arises). This is just a start on enumerating the problems, for the Middle East is not the only problem ahead, merely the oldest. There are serious issues with Russia, China, North Korea, and Venezuela, among major problems for U.S. diplomacy. Arnold Cusmariu today makes the case that John Bolton is the man to reform the State Department while implementing President-Elect Trump's policies. I am a great admirer of Bolton and would be happy if he were to get the job. But even though I am much closer to Bolton's politics than Mitt Romney's, the former governor's skill set seems ideal for the job ahead. First of all, my assumption is that when he assumes the presidency, Donald Trump will largely make foreign policy from the White House, a move with much precedent. He would do this by using the National Security Council staff, who do not require Senate confirmation, and who can operate quicker and more flexibly than the barnacle-encrusted State Department protocols allow. Mitt Romney as secretary of state would focus not on policy, but on doing to the State Department what he has done to poorly performing companies: close down entire segments of the organization and reorganize what the survivors do around re-thought goals and procedures. This is a formidable art, and one that Romney is an acknowledged master of, thanks to his many years at Bain Capital, buying companies and turning them around. He has deep experience in refocusing on what matters most and the most effective ways to accomplish the redefined priorities. It helps a lot to be a total stranger if you are making ruthless cuts. Bolton's experience at the State Department could be a plus in many ways, but also his human relationships could be an obstacle for sweeping change. He would be only a phone call away from Romney, were the latter to need his advice. The portrait of Romney painted by the Obama campaign in 2012 could be turned to advantage if State Department employees started sending out their resumes in anticipation of Mitt the Knife forcing them out. Donald Trump has endured a certain amount of mockery for saying that Romney "looks like" a secretary of state, but I take the remark as an indication that he intends to make unprecedented use of the media in his foreign policy (and everywhere else in his administration). Remember that he understands reality television's appeal better than anyone else in politics. And for better or worse, a sizable chunk probably a majority of the public apprehends politics at the level of TV drama, with heroes and villains, and especially with victims. Donald Trump is spending a lot of time with Mitt Romney, and the two are to dine together. I think this suggests that the president-elect is using his formidable persuasion powers to explain to Mitt what the job he has in mind will look like and solicit Romney's formidable intelligence and experience in the task ahead. The master showman is also a master persuader (hat tip: Scott Adams). I think he has big plans for big changes at State, and he thinks Romney is the guy to do it. Located off the coast of Espirito Santo, an island belonging to the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, is a vast undersea junkyard of military trucks, jeeps, bulldozers, tractors, unopened boxes of clothing and cases of Coca-Cola create. Its called the Million Dollar Point, so named for the millions of dollars worth of US military equipment that was dumped in the ocean at the end of the second world war. The island of Espirutu Santo was used by the Americans during WWII as their primary military supply and support base, and the headquarters for major navy and army units operating in the Pacific. It was the second largest US base in the Pacific after Hawaii and had over 40,000 troops stationed permanently on base. There were two bomber and two fighter airbases and massive aircraft and ship repair facilities. Being a supply base meant that it had everything that was required to sustain troops fighting the war including furniture, clothing, plenty of good food and warm beer. Photo credit: www.airvanuatu.com Once the war ended, the Americans were faced with the problem with what to do with all the military equipment that had accumulated on the island. The high cost of shipping made it too expensive to send these back to the United States. Above all, there was the pressure to bring the troops back home as quickly as possible. So the Americans offered to sell much of the equipment to the French and British who held joint sovereignty over the island. But the colonial authorities thought that if they refused to buy, the Americans would have to leave everything behind, and then the British and French would get everything for free. The Americans saw through the bluff, and in retaliation decided to dump everything into the ocean. The locals watched in disbelief as hundreds of vehicles were rolled off the barges into the water. While the military had dumped leftover equipment and some ammunition in the past, but nothing on the scale of Million Dollar Point. Travel writer Thurston Clarke describes the scene: The Seabees built a ramp running into the sea and every day Americans drove trucks, jeeps, ambulances, bulldozers, and tractors into the channel, locking the wheels and jumping free at the last second. Engine blocks cracked and hissed. Some Seabees wept. Ni-Vanuatu witnessing the destruction of wealth their island would never see again, at least in their lifetimes, thought the Americans had gone mad. Ironically, the islanders held the British colonial government, and not the American military, accountable for this destruction. According to witness testimonies, the Americans tried to leave behind civilian items such as pots, pans, as well as guns, and timber to the locals, but the booty was confiscated by the British and were either burnt or thrown into the sea. Islanders who took anything, even scrap slated for destruction, were severely punished. We used to hide and wait for them to throw away this foodlike new tins of bacon and sausage. New ones, new clothes. Then his police would report us. Sometimes the Americans would just put things outside their tents meaning for us to take them, told one islander. Million Dollar Point is now Espirutu Santos biggest attraction offering opportunities to dive or snorkel among the rusted and coral-encrusted vehicles. Sources: Cabinet Magazine / BBC / Santo Today Samsung had released several Galaxy C smartphones this year, including the Galaxy C5, Galaxy C7 and Galaxy C9 Pro. That being said, the Galaxy C9 Pro is the most powerful handset listed here, and the first Samsung-branded smartphone to ship with 6GB of RAM. Samsungs Galaxy C lineup of smartphones is actually made mainly for the Chinese market, as the company is trying to regain some of the market share they lost over the last couple of years. Well, it seems like yet another Galaxy C smartphone is coming, the Galaxy C7 Pro. The Galaxy C7 Pro will be a slightly more powerful variant of the Galaxy C7 it seems, at least according to the AnTuTu listing that just surfaced. According to this listing, the Galaxy C7 Pro (SM-C7010) will be fueled by the Snapdragon 626, which is Qualcomms octa-core SoC clocked at 2.2GHz, that comes with the Adreno 506 GPU. This is a slightly more powerful SoC than the Snapdragon 625 that is included in the Galaxy C7, its essentially the same chip, but the Snapdragon 626 comes with a higher clock frequency. In any case, this smartphone will also pack in a fullHD (1920 x 1080) display, though we still dont know how big will it be, Galaxy C7s display is already quite big at 5.7 inches, so it is possible Samsung will utilize that very same panel in the Galaxy C7 Pro as well. The 16-megapixel camera snapper will be placed on both the back and front side of the Galaxy C7 Pro, though the front-facing camera will probably be inferior to the rear-facing snapper on the Galaxy C7 Pro. The device will also pack in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. While Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow will come pre-installed on this smartphone, along with Samsungs TouchWiz UI. This is more or less all the info we have when it comes to the Galaxy C7 Pro. We still dont know when will Samsung pull the trigger and launch this smartphone, but it will probably happen in the next couple of weeks, and it is possible that the company will market this phone as the selfie phablet, or something of the sort, as it has quite a capable front-facing camera. As technology and consumer electronics continue to enrich the lives of an increasing number of tech users across the globe, the IT jobs market is expected to keep growing and reach a new high before the end of the decade. According to reports, the European parliament expects 90% of jobs across the European Union to require digital skills before the year 2020. At the same time, due to lack of digital skills among employees, the EU predicts that roughly one million IT jobs will remain vacant by the end of the decade. In light of these predictions, Google together with Udacity and media and education company Bertelsmann have recently come together to offer 10,000 scholarships for Android developers in the European Union. Although smartphones and other consumer electronics are becoming more accessible in an increasing number of regions across the world, there is a so-called digital separation between individuals who have quick access to the Internet and computers, and those who may find it more difficult to take advantage of these modern tools. According to estimates, this divide costs the UK a whopping 63 Billion in lost economic revenue every year, and numerous companies around the world are now attempting to close the gap and make technology more accessible to consumers worldwide through various means, either by bringing access to the Internet in remote regions or creating increasingly powerful and affordable hardware. As for Google, Udacity, and Bertelsmann, these three companies revealed their plans earlier this week to fund 10,000 Android developer scholarships in the European Union, in order to prepare the IT market for an increasing demand in tech-savvy employees. Out of all 10,000 scholarships, Google will fund 9,000 scholarships covering the basics of Android application development, and 1,000 Associate Android Developer Fast Track scholarships for experienced programmers, who will have an opportunity to earn an Android developer certification. Meanwhile, Bertelsmann revealed that it will improve its IT training budgets and skill-building for employees at roughly 1,000 businesses owned by the company. EU residents who are over 18 years old can apply for a scholarship online on Udacitys landing page (source link below) by December 18, 2016, regardless if they have prior experience in programming. Scholarships will be awarded on January 5, 2017. This year has been a year of many things, and in the technology sector, it might be known as the year of mobile payments. Apple Pay has been around for some time now, and Android Pay has launched in more countries and added countless more card issuers and banks to the ever-growing list of those that are supported. For Samsung, however, progress has been somewhat slower, with some key markets still not allowed access to the payment platform. One of those key markets has been the United Kingdom, a market in which Samsung promised the service would launch before 2016 was over, and now that the year is coming to a close, this no longer seems feasible, and a new report is all but confirming the delay of Samsung Pays launch across the pond into 2017. UK newspaper, The Telegraph, is running an article on Samsung Pay that quotes a spokesperson for the company as saying that following successful launches of Samsung Pay around the world, we are planning to launch the service in the UK in 2017. This year saw the service launch in parts of Asia, such as China and Singapore, as well as in Australia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain and most recently, Canada. Our friends across the pond, however, will now have to wait until 2017, and considering that the launch of the Galaxy S8 is to be held towards the end of February, they might have to wait until the Spring to see the service launch. When Samsung Pay first launched, it was thought of as little more than a me too service to compete with Apple Pay and Android Pay, but with its Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) feature, allowing it to simulate the swipe of a card at older pay stations, it offered consumers extra value. It has, however, taken a long time to reach other regions after launching in South Korea and the United States last year. Exactly when the service is to launch in the UK is unclear, but as the UK has transitioned to mostly contactless payments which work fine with Android Pay as well as credit cards with the right chip the market has been ready for Samsung Pay for some time, and kits clear that Samsung will be late to the party whenever it does finally launch there. Samsung is one of the largest companies in the world, and the number one smartphone manufacturer on the planet. The company has been facing some issues recently, mainly due to the Galaxy Note 7, but it seems like things have calmed down and people are waiting to see what will the company bring to the table next, many people are waiting for the Galaxy S8 to land. That being said, some of you might recall that a US hedge fund, Elliott Associates, suggested that Samsung should split into two companies. This suggestion arrived a couple of weeks ago, and Samsung said that theyll think about it, essentially. We havent really spotted any news regarding this for a couple of weeks, and then a report surfaced yesterday, saying that the company is about to have a meeting in order to discuss Elliott Associates suggestion. Well, it seems like Samsung opted to split after all, at least according to the latest report from Korea. According to the report, Samsung has decided to partially accept Elliot Associates suggestion, and will make the decision official later today, after the board meeting. Samsung Electronics decided to hold a board meeting on November 29. The will clarify their position that we will consider a split-up, a core item on corporate governance restructuring, said a high-ranking representative of the business world who is quite familiar with Samsung, at least according to the source. So, what does this mean for the company? Well, splitting the company into two will probably strengthen the rule of Lee Jae-yong, an heir to the company. Samsung will almost certainly discuss their long-term roadmap at todays meeting, even though they probably wont share the details with the public, but we should at least get some info out of it. Lee Jae-yongs equities stand at 18.2% at Samsung, while foreign shareholders equities exceed 50%, which means Lee Jae-yong could face the dispute over the managerial right to Samsung Electronics at any time basically. If Samsung splits up, however, the company will get divided into an investment company (holding company) and a business company. Vice President Lee will be able to increase his stake in the holding company through in-kind investment, and would benefit from it, of course. In any case, were waiting to get more info, so stay tuned. Highlight A big screen and features without the big price. Meizu is no stranger to the world of smartphones, releasing new phones what feels like once per month. Meizus catalog in 2016 is certainly more full than most OEMs, and being added to it is essentially a giant version of a phone they released just a few months ago. Todays review is all about the Meizu M3 Max, a phone that retails for a rather affordable $250, yet features some great specs and that quality metal build Meizu is famous for. Is a 6-inch screen really something you need on a device like this though, or is it worth the extra cash over the Meizu M3 Note with similar specs? Lets find out. Specs Meizus M3 Max is a mid-range phone by most measurement standards, and that includes the price. At 1,699 Yuan (~$250 USD) the Meizu M3 Max is quite affordable, especially considering the price of other phones with this large of a screen. The 6-inch 1080p IPS LCD display on the front is powered by the MediaTek Helio P10 64-bit octa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, paired with a Mali-T860 MP2 GPU. 3GB of RAM powers the multi-tasking experience and 64GB of internal storage comes standard with a microSD card slot for expandable storage. This microSD card tray doubles as a dual-SIM card tray, supporting one nano SIM and a tray that functions as either the microSD card or nano SIM tray alongside. Underneath the all-metal body is a non-removable 4,100mAh battery with 24W mCharge fast charging via the wall charger included in the box. Surprisingly it only uses a microUSB port, not a USB Type-C, and also features a 3.5mm audio jack. Advertisement On the front youll find a 5-megapixel camera with f/2.0 lens, while the back holds a 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 sensor with f/2.2 lens and Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) capability, as well as dual-color LED flash. Meizus unique multi-function home button and fingerprint scanner sits below the screen, and the whole experience is powered by Meizus own Flyme OS 5.2 running atop Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Meizu is shipping the M3 Max in an array of colors including Gray, Silver, Rose Gold and Champagne Gold. The M3 Max measures 163.4mm high, 81.6mm wide, 7.94mm thin and weighs a slightly above average 189 grams. In The Box Inside the box you wont find a whole lot of extras, in fact whats included here is more or less the bare minimum youll need to get up and running with any smartphone. Underneath the phone sits a box containing the warranty and informational pamphlets, as well as a SIM tray ejector tool. Below that is another box containing a USB Type-A to MicroUSB cable, as well as a 24W wall charger for ultra fast charging. Advertisement Display Meizus displays are almost always pretty run-of-the-mill IPS LCD panels, and the larger 6-inch display on the M3 Max isnt too much different. White balance is fantastic and is quite accurate, with only a very slight warm hue out of the box. Color temperature of the display can be adjusted easily in settings via a slider that moves from warm to cool, so any inconsistencies can mostly be fixed via this setting. Meizu has also included a new eye protective mode that can remove blue light from the display when viewing the panel at night before bed. This can be invoked on a schedule or on demand, and is part of a software trend over the last 2 years or so to help users brains be less stimulated at night. Its also easy to adjust the font size in display properties, but theres no display density changes, so on-screen elements are still the same, rather large size due to the physical screen size. Colors on the panel are nice and punchy without being over saturated, and brightness levels are nothing short of fantastic, with the ability to get super dim in dark conditions, as well as upping the brightness to torch-like levels in direct sunlight. Advertisement At 1080p and 6 inches this is still a very sharp display, with a density thats still above retina quality, meaning youll never see pixels on the screen with the naked eye. Viewing angles are mostly excellent, displaying no color changing at any angle, and only a little bit of dimming once you past the 30-degree mark or so. Black levels are pretty poor, as is the case with many IPS LCS panels on the market, and these only get worse as you look from an angle, where the lighting on the panel can be easily seen across its face. Refresh rate is generally excellent, and you shouldnt notice any real ghosting or trailing of pixels while moving quickly between high contrasting objects, such as dark icons on a light background. In general this is a pretty good display, with little to complain about other than black levels. Hardware and Build Meizus design has remained largely the same no matter which of their phones you look at. Its often extremely difficult to tell the difference between one Meizu handset and another, but the M3 Max does have a few differentiating factors, namely the trim around the edges of the phone. Most Meizu handsets feature a smooth unibody design with curved edges and no lines or chamfers between the back or side edges of the phone. The M3 Max actually features chamfers on the back and front edges of the metal unibody, with curved sides all around. The overall shape is similar to the rest of Meizus lineup, but these chamfered edges help make it look a little more unique, and really help to give it a more premium feel even though its not a premium phone per say. Build quality is super solid, and with an ever-so-slightly above average weight of 189 grams, this one feels weighty and solid without actually feeling heavy or bulky. Its also quite slim and doesnt feel massive regardless of the 6-inch screen, thanks in part to some relatively small top and bottom bezels around the screen. Advertisement Meizu places its power button on the right placed just above the mid-point of the phone, with the metal volume rocker right above it. These buttons all have a satisfying click and feel high quality without a doubt. The dual-SIM tray is on the right, and most of the ports are found on the bottom, with the 3.5mm audio jack, microUSB port and the single speaker all residing at the bottom. On back youll find the horizontally-centered camera lens and dual-LED flash above the Meizu logo, while the front holds Meizus unique multi-function home button and fingerprint scanner combo. Performance and Memory MediaTeks processors have come a long way over the past few years, and now its becoming impossible to tell the difference in daily performance between this and a more expensive component in many ways. Apps launch quickly, work without lag or slowdown, and generally perform as you would expect on a significantly more expensive flagship device. Every 3D game tested ran well, with silky smooth graphics and short loading times. Most of the time the phone woke up lightning fast, with near instant recognition of fingerprints via the fingerprint scanner residing in the home button, but there seems to be a significant sleep bug that causes the phone to hang every now and then. During this period the phone stays asleep and wont wake up for seemingly anything, however spamming the home and power buttons for a couple of seconds would eventually queue up enough instances of the wake up call to get it going again. Its not fully clear where this issue resides, but its likely that a future Flyme OS update will fix it. This isnt a complete deal breaker since it doesnt happen all the time, but when it does happen its incredibly frustrating to say the least. Advertisement Benchmarks Benchmark results are pretty low for a modern smartphone, and are about level with Spring 2014 flagship phone levels of performance on average. Two and a half years is difficult to go back to for performance levels, but regardless of the raw numbers you probably wont notice these much in daily performance. Check out all the benchmarks ran on the Meizu M3 Max below. Wireless Connectivity Advertisement As is common with a smartphone sold primarily in China and/or Europe, LTE simply will not work in the US. 3G data and calls were superb on T-Mobile, and I found that the signal quality was stronger on T-Mobiles 3G HSPA network than many phones out there, delivering a quality data signal inside of tough to reach buildings where others failed or had inconsistent signal quality. Be sure to check with your carrier to see if the Meizu M3 Max is compatible with its network, particularly if youre concerned about 4G LTE connectivity. Meizu does offer built in PPPoE and VPN connectivity though, so folks who commonly use these protocols to access other networks, or work remotely will be happy with the built-in functionality without having to download an extra app. Theres no NFC on this phone, just like many out of China dont have, so no mobile payments will be coming from the M3 Max. Bluetooth 4.0 is also supported here, but no aptX means just regular Bluetooth audio quality. Battery Life Advertisement With a 4,100mAh battery and such a low power chipset, youd imagine the battery on the M3 Max would last well over a day and possibly encroaching on 2 full days. During the review period, however, this does not seem to be the case, and although I never found the phone even getting close to dying after a full day, I wasnt blown away by the numbers either. On its best day at around 14 hours off the charger and just over 4 hours of screen on time, the battery hovered around the 20% mark at the end of the day. This is good but not amazing, again especially considering the size of the battery, much less taking the low power SoC into account. Meizus odd battery stats dont allow tracking longer than 12 hour blocks, but its likely that light to moderate users will be able to get to the end of the day with closer to 40% or so. Folks that need a quick top-up should bring the included charger with them at all times, as this proprietary 24W charging solution is a whopping 6 watts higher than the ultra fast Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 solution thats popular among flagships, and will easily give you a full days battery top up in around 30 minutes. Sound Sound hasnt been a particular focus for Meizu in the past, but they generally include good quality DACs that deliver balanced, clear sound for headphone and other audio playback. The Meizu M3 Max definitely fits this bill, as the overall sound was great on my cars sound system, and also sounded full and clear through a number of different high quality headphones. Theres no built-in equalizer to adjust audio properties with, so if the default sound output doesnt do your music justice, youd better have some sort of external equalizer or software solution to deal with it. Likewise Bluetooth audio will also sound pretty standard, as theres no aptX support here for higher bit rate audio when devices support it. Sound coming from the bottom-facing speaker is equally as average, and essentially just gets the job done and nothing more. Music wont sound great coming from this speaker, both because of its location and overall quality, but games and videos should be just fine when needing to use it. The speaker is at least nice and loud and only distorts slightly at the maximum volume. Software Flyme 5.2 based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow launches with the Meizu M3 Max, which is great to see considering there have been quite a few phones launched by Meizu this year that are still on Android 5.1 Lollipop. Android 6.0 Marshmallow brought about a number of back-end improvements as well as native fingerprint reading libraries for app support, which means that apps like Paypal or maybe even your banks app can authenticate with your fingerprint instead of a username and password. Meizu also offers ways to lock individual apps behind a fingerprint or password. Aside from this youre getting essentially the same Flyme OS that youll find on the rest of Meizus lineup that has been updated with Flyme 5. This includes even the ability to gain root access out of the box, although youll need to accept Meizus disclaimer of waving the warranty on software issues if you trigger root access. Some pretty robust theme engine support has been added too, and while Meizu has supported themes for a long time now with its OS, it hasnt always had a marketplace with this many themes that are easy to find and install. On top of this Meizu has a number of dedicated folks who create new themes on a regular basis. Whats not always regular, however, are Android security updates that Google releases each month. Our review unit, for instance, shipped in October, yet its security patch is still April 2016s update from Google. This multi-month gap in security updates could spell issues with users, and this was one of the reasons Google decoupled security updates from main OS updates in the first place. Camera Software Meizus camera software has remained largely unchanged for a long time now, for better or worse, and in general offers a fairly sub-standard set of features compared to most phones. The interface at first seems similar to other phones, with a giant white shutter button in the middle of the bottom section of the screen, flanked by a mode change button and a last picture taken thumbnail. The top/far side of the screen features a few quick toggles including flash, timer, live filters, swapping front/rear cameras, and settings. The most obvious missing pieces when compared to other phones camera software is a lack of dedicated record button to quickly record a video upon camera launch, and no easy way to toggle HDR without going into settings and toggling it there. Manual mode is at least quite full featured and offers options to manually adjust shutter speed, ISO, manual focus, exposure compensation, saturation, contrast and white balance. This mode has considerably more options than most phones on the market offer by far, much less in this price range. Camera Performance and Results Launching the camera is fairly below average at this point, although its still quicker than less expensive new phones out of China without a custom interface. Meizus software in general isnt the fastest thing in the world, but it offers some decent point and shoot speeds thatll get the job done most of the time. Theres no super quick way to launch the camera outside of turning the screen on first and swiping out from the camera icon, so no double clicking the power or home button to immediately take a shot. One thing that is incredibly fast, even when compared to many flagships, is the speed of the burst mode. Pressing and holding on the shutter button will take as many as 30 shots in a single second, a staggering number of photos that will all but guarantee you get a good enough shot when the action is fast, such as a sporting event or other activity. Focus time is fairly slow though, so youll want to make sure the phone is focused and ready before taking a shot, burst or not, or else youll probably end up with an out of focus photo. Quality overall isnt anything to write home about, but in general is good for the price range and offers some solid shots depending on lighting conditions. As is almost always the case nowadays, day time shots look good and offer good zoom detail, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. HDR mode is too slow for most settings and will leave double images on all but the most still scenes, so use this sparingly. This might also be the reason Meizu continues to hide the setting instead of making it automatically toggle, or even bringing it more out in the open. Low light shots are pretty good but fall short of some other phones in this price range, namely Xiaomis best cameras in this price range. The amount of light let into the sensor is pretty good, but the high amounts of noise in general coupled with the heavy denoise filter means most night time photos will be pretty devoid of rich detail, but dont come out looking terrible. The colors and light balance are at least accurate, which does a lot for night time or low light shots as a whole. The front-facing camera is pretty decent and offers average capture in the best lighting scenarios. In darker areas youll find it often tries to hold the shutter open a little too long, resulting in blurry photos. Its not terrible, but its not fantastic either. Video wise things are pretty standard fare now for a more budget minded phone, and youll find support for video recording up to 1080p/30FPS. This will get the job done and help catalog those family memories, just dont expect award winning video quality here and youll be happy enough. Check out all the pictures and video we took with the Meizu M3 Max below. The Good Metal build Ability to grant root access without firmware modification Large screen Great themes All ports on the bottom Fast charging Some very nice software features in Flyme UI The Bad Underpowered for the price No NFC Conclusion Meizu has once again delivered a phone thats priced well and delivers quite above expectations in some areas, while falling short in only a few. Its hard to come by phones with a 6-inch or larger screen nowadays, so the pickings are certainly slim for the most part, but if youre looking for a good performer with a slightly above average camera and some great features, this is a great device to look for. Folks in need of a high performance phone definitely need to look elsewhere though, as the SoC used here is pretty underpowered compared to other devices in the $250 range. This ones a winner in some cases and not so much in others, but overall its a pretty good entry into a niche market that doesnt have a ton of competition. Earlier this year, way back during Mobile World Congress back in February, Sony announced something that was a little different to their usual array of smartphones. The Xperia Ear, a wireless Bluetooth headset that fits in just the one ear and designed to be much more than just a Bluetooth headset for taking calls. Instead, Sony is positioning the Xperia Ear as something of a virtual assistant in your ear. Its naming might not be perfect, but the whole concept is fairly similar to the Moto Hint, but is a little more advanced than Motorolas attempt a couple years ago. Now, Sony have added the Xperia Ear app to the Play Store, so that those with one on their way can go ahead and download the app to control all of its features, and in general learn more about what the Xperia Ear is capable of. The Xperia Ear app is available to download in the Play Store for all Android smartphones, provided theyre running Android 4.4 and up. As we can see in the images from the Play Store down below, the Xperia Ear has a number of tricks up its sleeve, such as the ability to record whether or not youre shaking your head to say no or nodding yes to a command, and the app also allows control over this as well as other key commands, too. In a nutshell, this is the app you need to download if you want to configure the Xperia Ear at all on your device, and the Play Store link down below will take you there. As for the piece of hardware itself, the Xperia Ear is a fairly small piece of equipment, but the $200 price tag might not appear all that small to some, which is why the Xperia Ear is unlikely to capture much of the Golden Quarter sales before the end of the year, but theres always next year, and with new smartphones coming from Sony as well, anything is possible. As we mentioned before, users can take a closer look at the app down below as well as download it from the Play Store, too. When SoftBank bought a controlling stake in Sprint back in 2013, the original plan was to then purchase T-Mobile USA and merge the two companies. SoftBank CEO, Masayoshi Son believed that this was going to allow the two companies (as a combined company) to better compete with AT&T and Verizon, whom both have more than double the subscribers of T-Mobile and Sprint. However, regulators did not agree. And through many meetings, the FCC and US Department of Justice told Sprint and SoftBank executives that they would block such a merger. They then decided that they would wait for the new FCC to take office in January 2017, when the new president takes office, which we now know is going to be Donald Trump, and that raises quite a few questions. Analysts at Cowen and Company Equity Research dont believe that a merger between the two is certain, under a Trump administration. Trump, even before he won the election, had vowed to block AT&Ts acquisition of Time Warner. But he hasnt said much, during the campaign season or since winning the election, about wireless consolidation. The two FCC advisors he has already named, seem to be in favor of less regulation, as far as the wireless carriers are concerned. Stating that the FCC should really only regulate spectrum. In a note to investors, Paul Gallant a Policy Analyst for Cowen TMT (technology, media and telecommunications) noted that early signs during the Trump transition indicate benefits to cable/telcos, ISPs and media companies via less regulation. Gallant continued by stating that it is also possible Trumps previous lack of TMT policy positions, populism and lack of Department of Justice clarity inject a degree of uncertainty including M&A as we think about AT&T/Time Warner and Sprint/T-Mobile. Additionally, Gallant is saying the likeliness of a Sprint acquisition of T-Mobile under the Trump administration is around 50%. Analysts can debate all they want about Sprint purchasing T-Mobile and the two merging into one company, but before that happens, SoftBank and Deutsche Telekom will need to come together to ink a deal. Back in late 2013 when Sprint was looking to purchase the carrier, T-Mobile was a very different company. They were just beginning their turnaround under CEO John Legere who had only been running the company, at that point, for about a year. Deutsche Telekom was still wanting to get out of the US and quick. However now, three years later, its a much different story. T-Mobile US is actually the subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom that is making the most money for them. Which means their sale price will be much higher, and possibly higher than SoftBank can afford, or want to spend. So there are still plenty of factors in play in a potential Sprint and T-Mobile merger here, even under a new president and administration. With over 1.3 billion people in China, the populous Far Eastern country is the largest smartphone market on the planet. Interestingly enough, while most phone manufacturers are running production operations in China, it wasnt until recently that smaller Chinese smartphone makers started capturing larger market share volumes on their home turf. Two years ago, Samsung and Apple accounted for almost a third of the Chinese phone market. These days, Apple is struggling to catch a double-digits percentage, while Samsung is nowhere to be seen. On the one hand, its understandable how the rise of local phone makers made a huge dent in Samsungs economic foothold in China. After all, the Seoul-based conglomerate is the largest smartphone maker on the planet, which means that among other things, its portfolio consists of a broad range of low-end and mid-range devices; devices which are easy to compete with when youre running a local phone manufacturing business in China. However, even though Apples decline was less severe regarding market share, the Cupertino-based tech giant lost a lot more money than Samsung ever could. Lets not forget that these two companies are the only phone makers in the world generating any reliable earnings, with Apple accounting for almost all profits in the smartphone industry. More specifically, while Samsungs phone division can only dream of achieving $4 billion in operating income in China, thats how big Apples decline was last year. Both companies recently experienced diminishing phone business results in China due to local competition upping its game. The likes of Oppo and Vivo may have only been entering the phone industry half a decade ago, but these days, theyre holding over a third of the Chinese smartphone market, more than Samsung and Apple ever did. In fact, the rise of local phone makers in China at the expense of established names like Samsung and Apple has been one of the few consistent Chinese industry trends in recent years. Interestingly enough, the likes of Oppo, Vivo, and Huawei are now generating more profits in the smartphone industry than Samsung is. Of course, that fact has probably been influenced by the issues with the Galaxy Note 7 which reportedly cost the company over $3 billion. However, its still an incredible turn of events given how these Chinese OEMs were nowhere near making money from consumer smartphones half a decade ago. In addition to delivering low-end and mid-range Android devices which offer fantastic value for money, these phone manufacturers managed to take customers from larger brands like Samsung and even Xiaomi by doing something nobody else was rural marketing. Advertisement According to a recent investigation conducted by Bloomberg, not only have smaller Chinese brands started undercutting their better-funded competition, but theyve also realized they can accomplish great things by appealing to rural communities. These regions have traditionally been one of Samsung and Apples weakest points given how people living there are more easily turned away by high prices, not to mention the fact that they arent accustomed to online shopping. These days, devices made by Oppo and Vivo are available in hundreds of thousands of consumer electronics stores throughout China while one would struggle to find a few Xiaomi or Apple stores outside of large urban areas in the country. In other words, major phone makers in China misunderstood the rural community. Sure, they were aware of the fact that people outside of large cities are statistically poorer, but theyve neglected to account for their buying habits. More specifically, they seemingly havent realized how much different consumer habits in rural regions of China are in comparison to those in urban areas. Given how the former host approximately a billion people, thats a lot of potential market share to attack with offline marketing, which is what Oppo and Vivo realized and acted upon. Not only are local Chinese phone makers now investing in rural marketing, but theyre also offering additional financial incentives to small vendors for selling their devices. Additionally, this strategy facilitates customer support given how consumers can physically visit their retailers if theres a problem with their phone. In comparison to these hundreds of thousands of locations throughout the country, there are currently only 36 Apple stores and several hundreds of Xiaomi stores in China. Rural customers apparently still care a great deal about local support, and the likes of Oppo and Vivo adapted their business strategy to that fact with great success. So, until major phone makers realize and act upon the fact that not everyone is ready and willing to conduct all their shopping online, this trend is likely to continue even if no other smartphone manufacturers in China start implementing similar strategies. The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) has been around for a long time, but its popularity doesnt seem to be waning. Quite the contrary, GIFs became an integral part of how we communicate through social networks and instant messaging (IM) apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Messenger. Due to that trend, its not surprising that software developers are constantly looking to facilitate the process of sending animated shorts to our friends, acquaintances, and followers online. Googles Android division is no exception to that rule, which is why the Google Keyboard featured in Android 7.1 Nougat adds an extra level of convenience to the process of sending GIFs. More specifically, everyone whos running the latest version of the Android OS can now share GIFs in just a couple of taps. To do that, simply bring up the Google Keyboard in any communications app and proceed to tap on the emoji icon which is located to the left of the spacebar by default. On the next keyboard screen, tap on the GIF button that should be located immediately to the right of the space bar. This action will bring up a GIPHY-powered interface with a plethora of animated shorts to choose from. By default, the screen will show the latest GIFs uploaded to the GIPHY database, but youre also able to search for any kind of content by using the search field immediately above the GIF selection bar. In other words, this GIPHY integration works exactly like it does on Twitter, so sending GIFs is as easy as tapping on a button and entering a relevant query. Note that this Google Keyboard feature is exclusive to Android 7.1 Nougat and is currently only available in selected apps. Of course, Googles developers are working to expand support to as many apps as possible in the near future, but for now, dont expect your GIF-sending practices to be significantly facilitated if youre using niche messaging apps. If sharing GIFs is something you do on a regular basis and you really want to use this feature, its best to stick to mainstream social media apps and Googles own services for the time being. Regarding Android 7.1 Nougat itself, this software is currently only available on the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL, though more devices should be getting it shortly. iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- The presidential election was called for Donald Trump nearly three weeks ago but that has not stopped a potential recount of three important swing states that experts say will likely not change the outcome of the election. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has raised enough money for a vote recount in Wisconsin and is targeting Pennsylvania and Michigan as well. Hillary Clinton's team said it will join the recount effort, which President-elect Trump has called "sad." Here's what you need to know about the Wisconsin recount and other potential recounts. What is happening in Wisconsin? Stein and Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente, who ran as part of the American Delta Party, filed petitions on Nov. 25 in Wisconsin to hold a recount in that state. Wisconsin election officials met Monday to confirm details about the cost and timeline for the recount. If approved, the states elections commission has said the recount will commence on Dec. 1 and conclude no later than 8 p.m. on Dec. 12. Why are they asking for a recount? According to Stein's statement announcing the recount filing, "the three states were recommended for scrutiny by election integrity experts and advocates because of the vulnerability of their voting systems and various indicators of concern - including unexplained high numbers of undervotes." Stein's campaign manager David Cobb said in the statement that "the recount was not filed in order to change the election outcome, which is unlikely, nor to favor any one candidate. We are pursuing this recount to verify the integrity of the election result." Will the outcome of the election change because of the recount? It's impossible to say for certain, but no one involved in the recount efforts so far has said that Trump's presidential rival Hillary Clinton could emerge victorious. "I fully expect, given the history of how elections are conducted in Wisconsin ... that the outcome is not going to be different" than the current unofficial results, Mark Thomsen, chair of Wisconsin's elections commission, said at a news conference Monday. Trump's lead over Clinton in Wisconsin Trumps win in Wisconsin was one of a series of surprises on election night; the Badger state had not voted for a Republican president since the 1984 election. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, there were a total of 2,975,313 votes cast in the state, and Trump beat Clinton by more than 27,000. Stein had 31,006 votes in the state; De La Fuente earned 1,514. When will we have answers? The Wisconsin Elections Commission held a meeting to determine the timeline of the recount, though a tentative outline was released earlier. The cost estimates of the vote re-tabulation are expected to be determined Monday, and then Stein and De La Fuente will have to submit those payments by Nov. 29 for the recount order to formally be submitted. The recount would then begin on Dec. 1 and needs to be completed by Dec. 13, which officials have already warned may be a tight turnaround. It will be a significant challenge to complete a statewide recount of nearly 3 million votes in less than two weeks, the elections commission memo read. The chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission denied Steins request for hand-counted ballots; a recount will instead be done by machine. Who is paying for this? More than $6 million has been raised for the legal and recount costs, according to Stein's official fundraising recount site. The money will go toward funding recounts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. According to a member of Stein's press team, that money has come from more than 137,000 donors and the average donation has been $45. If there are any excess funds, Stein's press team said the campaign will consult with the Federal Election Commission guidelines on how best to proceed. The Wisconsin Election Commission notified Stein and De La Fuente Monday that either one or both of them will have to pay just under $3.5 million to the commission by Tuesday afternoon for the recount to take place. According to the fundraising page set up by Stein, they had expected the filing fee in Wisconsin to be $1.1 million, along with $600,000 in Michigan and $500,000 in Pennsylvania. Attorney fees are expected to cost millions of dollars more. The money raised will also pay for the recruitment of recount observers. Are other states taking similar action? Clinton campaign General Counsel Marc Elias wrote a post on Medium alluding to calls for similar recounts elsewhere. "Over the last few days, officials in the Clinton campaign have received hundreds of messages, emails, and calls urging us to do something, anything, to investigate claims that the election results were hacked and altered in a way to disadvantage Secretary Clinton. The concerns have arisen, in particular, with respect to Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania -- three states that together proved decisive in this presidential election and where the combined margin of victory for Donald Trump was merely 107,000 votes," he wrote. Pennsylvania may be following Wisconsin in doing a recount as well. However, in Pennsylvania, recount petitions need to be filed by groups of residents in individual precincts unlike Wisconsin, where candidates can file once with the states elections commission. Supporters of Stein have filed at least one petition for a recount in at least one Pennsylvania precinct, but the states Board of Elections has not publicly said if multiple petitions were filed. The deadline to file in Pennsylvania was Monday; Michigan's deadline is on Wednesday. Two of the three states in question -- Wisconsin and Pennsylvania -- have already begun required audits of their elections, which is done by checking the results of a random sample of voting machines to make sure the technology actually works. Michigan has 16 Electoral College votes, Wisconsin has 10 and Pennsylvania has 20. The final Electoral College count is Trump with 306 votes, Clinton with 232. How Trump has responded Trump tweeted that the recount was a scam on behalf of the Green Party and he used a portion of Clintons concession speech in which she said the election results must be accepted in an effort to diminish the efforts. According to Elias, Clinton campaign's legal team will follow Stein's lead in participating in the recount process in Wisconsin and will also join her if she moves forward in Pennsylvania and Michigan, as promised. Elias said that the Clinton team takes concerns over potential hacking or altering of results "extremely seriously" but also made it clear that they were not the ones who started this process. We are getting attacked for participating in a recount that we didn't ask for by the man who won election but thinks there was massive fraud, Elias tweeted on Sunday. On Sunday, Trump made what others say is a baseless claim that millions of people voted illegally, and I won the popular vote if you deduct those allegedly fraudulent votes. Kay Stimson, spokeswoman for the National Association of Secretaries of State, told ABC News that the organization has "no information that can help to explain what sources or information are behind the basis of the tweets," referring to Trump's comments about the "millions" of illegal votes and alleged fraud in Virginia, California, and New Hampshire. On the state level, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla released a statement slamming Trump. "It appears that Mr. Trump is troubled by the fact that a growing majority of Americans did not vote for him. His unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in California and elsewhere are absurd. His reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a President-elect," Padilla said in the statement. Recount deadlines Federal law mandates that any recounts need to be completed 35 days after the election, or by Dec. 13. The electors who make up the votes in the Electoral College are slated to meet in their respective states on Dec. 19 and then send their decisions to Washington. The National Archives states that the electoral votes need to be received by the president of the Senate, which is Vice President Joe Biden, and the archivist by Dec. 28. Copyright 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. (ANSA) - Beirut, November 29 - An Italian national, Sergio Zanotti, has been held captive by an unidentified armed group in Syria for seven months, the Russian site Newsfront reported on Tuesday. The site showed a video in which the hostage, a native of Brescia, appears to call on the Italian government to intervene to prevent him being executed. Sources at the Italian foreign ministry's crisis unit said that the Italian authorities had been aware of the video for several days and were following the case. A man appears in the video with a long beard and dressed in a white tunic, kneeling out in the open amid olive trees. Behind him another man is standing, dressed in black and with his face covered, aiming a machine gun at him. The kneeling man is holding a placard with a date on it, apparently November 15 2016. In another photo posted on the same site the alleged hostage is standing, barefoot, holding the same placard. Below his image is that of his passport, made out to Sergio Zanotti, born in 1960 at Marone near Brescia. "My name is Sergio Zanotti," says the man, speaking with a Brescian accent, "and for seven months I have been imprisoned here in Syria. I appeal to the Italian government to intervene for me before I am executed". Italian investigators say the video has been circulating on the Web for about a week and the Italian does not appear to have suffered a lot from his alleged seven months of imprisonment. Investigators are reconstructing the man's movements and have established that Zanotti did indeed leave Italy several months ago for Turkey, where he disappeared. ROME/BEIRUT - There has been no ransom request for Sergio Zanotti, a Brescia native who was kidnapped in Syria, informed sources told ANSA on Tuesday. The abduction is being considered "anomalous" because "nobody reported him missing and there has been no ransom request so far", investigative sources told ANSA. Zanotti, has been held captive by an unidentified armed group in Syria for seven months, the Russian site Newsfront reported on Tuesday. The site showed a video in which the hostage appears to call on the Italian government to intervene to prevent him being executed. Sources at the Italian foreign ministry's crisis unit said that the Italian authorities had been aware of the video for several days and were following the case. A man appears in the video with a long beard and dressed in a white tunic, kneeling out in the open amid olive trees. Behind him another man is standing, dressed in black and with his face covered, aiming a machine gun at him. The kneeling man is holding a placard with a date on it, apparently November 15 2016. In another photo posted on the same site the alleged hostage is standing, barefoot, holding the same placard. Below his image is that of his passport, made out to Sergio Zanotti, born in 1960 at Marone near Brescia. "My name is Sergio Zanotti," says the man, speaking with a Brescian accent, "and for seven months I have been imprisoned here in Syria. I appeal to the Italian government to intervene for me before I am executed". Italian investigators say the video has been circulating on the Web for about a week and the Italian does not appear to have suffered a lot from his alleged seven months of imprisonment. Investigators are reconstructing the man's movements and have established that Zanotti did indeed leave Italy several months ago for Turkey, where he disappeared. The site showed a video in which the hostage, a native of Brescia, appears to call on the Italian government to intervene to prevent him being executed. Sources at the Italian foreign ministry's crisis unit said that the Italian authorities had been aware of the video for several days and were following the case. Turkey to reverse adoptions in event of coup plot link-media 5,000 adoptive families placed under investigation since Aug (ANSAmed) - Istanbul, November 29 - Turkey could reverse legal adoptions if the adoptive parents are found to have links with the presumed coup plotters led by self-exiled imam and politician Fethullah Gulen, the pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak reported Tuesday. Roughly 5,000 adoptive families and intermediary institutions have been placed under investigation since the end of August in light of the failed putsch the month before, the source added. Further, the ministry for the family and social policies has suspended cooperation with at least four children's NGOs on gounds of alleged links with the coup plotters. (ANSAmed). (by Shelly Kittleson). ROME - Investigative and intelligence sources on Tuesday confirmed to ANSA that Italian national Sergio Zanotti has been kidnapped in Syria. They said there was other evidence to support this aside from a video posted on the Web. It has not yet been established whether Zanotti, 60, was abducted by terrorists or common criminals out to make money, they said. Zanotti left Italy months ago for Turkey where he disappeared, the sources said. The abduction is being considered "anomalous" because "nobody reported (Zanetti) missing and there has been no ransom demand so far", investigative sources told ANSA. Also on Tuesday, the Italian foreign ministry's crisis unit said it was following the Zanotti case and that it is in close contact with his ex-wife and daughters. Meanwhile, Rome prosecutors have opened a case against unknowns for kidnapping for purposes of terrorism. Zanotti left Italy for southern Turkey for unspecified work reasons but disappeared around mid-April, when he was expected back in Italy, family members say. Earlier today, Russian site Newsfront posted a video in which Zanotti appears to call on the Italian government to intervene to prevent his execution. The video features a man with a long beard and dressed in a white tunic, kneeling out in the open amid olive trees. Behind him another man is standing, dressed in black and with his face covered, aiming a machine gun at him. The kneeling man holds a sign with a date on it, apparently November 15, 2016. In another photo posted on the same site, the alleged hostage stands barefoot, holding the same placard. Below his image is that of Zanotti's passport. "My name is Sergio Zanotti," says the man, speaking with a Brescian accent. "I have been imprisoned here in Syria for seven months. I appeal to the Italian government to intervene on my behalf before I am executed". Italian investigators say the video has been circulating on the Web for about a week and the Italian does not appear to have suffered a lot from his alleged seven months of imprisonment. Alarm over 75,000 Syrian refugees on Jordan border, MSF 2nd winter trapped there ahead, children may freeze to death (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, NOVEMBER 29 - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned of dire conditions some 75,000 Syrian refugees including many women and children are experiencing due to being stranded at Jordan's north-eastern border. The desert area is known as the 'Berm', and conditions are expected to further deteriorate in the coming months as the refugees face a second, harsh winter. An MSF statement notes that despite the fact that the UN last week resumed providing aid to the 'Berm' after over three months without doing so, there are problems with the mechanisms to be used and expresses the hope that health check-ups will be carried out in the presence of qualified medical professionals. Over five months have passed since Jordan closed its border with Syria. However, even prior to this, MSF said, humanitarian aid organizations were unable to provide proper assistance and now the situation has worsened. MSF doctor and head of the Berm project, Natalie Thurtle, noted that temperatures are dropping and that the group is afraid it will soon be seeing children die of hypothermia, as was happened last year. (ANSAmed). Italian being held hostage in Syria Video shows Sergio Zanotti, 60, making appeal (by Shelly Kittleson). (ANSAmed) - ROME, NOVEMBER 29 - Investigative and intelligence sources on Tuesday confirmed to ANSA that Italian national Sergio Zanotti has been kidnapped in Syria. They said there was other evidence to support this aside from a video posted on the Web. It has not yet been established whether Zanotti, 60, was abducted by terrorists or common criminals out to make money, they said. Zanotti left Italy months ago for Turkey where he disappeared, the sources said. The abduction is being considered "anomalous" because "nobody reported (Zanetti) missing and there has been no ransom demand so far", investigative sources told ANSA. Also on Tuesday, the Italian foreign ministry's crisis unit said it was following the Zanotti case and that it is in close contact with his ex-wife and daughters. Meanwhile, Rome prosecutors have opened a case against unknowns for kidnapping for purposes of terrorism. Zanotti left Italy for southern Turkey for unspecified work reasons but disappeared around mid-April, when he was expected back in Italy, family members say. Earlier today, Russian site Newsfront posted a video in which Zanotti appears to call on the Italian government to intervene to prevent his execution. The video features a man with a long beard and dressed in a white tunic, kneeling out in the open amid olive trees. Behind him another man is standing, dressed in black and with his face covered, aiming a machine gun at him. The kneeling man holds a sign with a date on it, apparently November 15, 2016. In another photo posted on the same site, the alleged hostage stands barefoot, holding the same placard. Below his image is that of Zanotti's passport. "My name is Sergio Zanotti," says the man, speaking with a Brescian accent. "I have been imprisoned here in Syria for seven months. I appeal to the Italian government to intervene on my behalf before I am executed". Italian investigators say the video has been circulating on the Web for about a week and the Italian does not appear to have suffered a lot from his alleged seven months of imprisonment. (ANSAmed). Italian held captive in Syria for 7 months- Russian site Italian authorities on the case - sources (ANSAmed) - Beirut, November 29 - An Italian national, Sergio Zanotti, has been held captive by an unidentified armed group in Syria for seven months, the Russian site Newsfront reported on Tuesday. The site showed a video in which the hostage, a native of Brescia, appears to call on the Italian government to intervene to prevent him being executed. Sources at the Italian foreign ministry's crisis unit said that the Italian authorities had been aware of the video for several days and were following the case. (ANSAmed). MOSCOW - Russia, which is bombing opposition-held areas in Syria alongside the Syrian regime under President Bashar Al-Assad, said Tuesday that half the areas held by rebels in Aleppo had been''liberated''. General Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian defense ministry, noted that ''the situation has changed dramatically in the past day, thanks to well-prepared and careful action by Syrian troops''. The Russian defense ministry said that the territory of eastern Aleppo taken has about 90,000 inhabitants and 310,000 homes. Moscow also claimed that 507 rebels had laid down their arms in recent days and that 484 rebels who were local residents had immediately been pardoned in line with an earlier order by Assad. Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian defense and emergency ministers to send mobile and field hospitals to Syria and to provide assistance to civilians in Aleppo and the surrounding area, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said. He added that the defense ministry would be sending a medical team with a 100-patient-capacity multifunctional hospital with a pediatric ward, news agency TASS reported. The EU alongside the UN is working to provide aid across all of Syria, foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted on Tuesday. Abbas unanimously re-elected Fatah party chief Seventh party conference, 5-year term (ANSAmed) - JERUSALEM, NOVEMBER 29 - Eighty-one-year-old Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was unanimously re-elected head of Fatah on Tuesday during the seventh party congress at the presidential palace in Ramallah. About 1,400 Fatah delegates took part in the congress. The term is five years long and Abbas is expected to give a speech in the afternoon that Palestinian media say will discuss the political situation in the Palestinian Territories. Representatives of other Palestinian political parties also attended the congress. (ANSAmed). (ANSAmed) - ROME, NOVEMBER 29 - These are some of the main events scheduled for tomorrow in the Euro-Mediterranean area: ROME - Pre-Med meetings at the foreign ministry ahead of the international Med Dialogues conference. TUNIS - International conference on economic investments (until November 30). ROME - seminar entitled 'Deep Maghreb: (In)Security and Stability. North Africa and its Sahel Dimension', organized by the NATO Defense College Foundation. VIENNA - OPEC meeting to seek an agreement on production cuts. BRUSSELS - European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker will be receiving Mladen Ivanic, head of the Bosnia-Herzegovina presidency. BRUSSELS - visit by Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi. BRUSSELS - visit to EU institutions by Turkey's Minister for European Union Affairs Omer Celik. (ANSAmed). Israeli president to help block mosque loudspeaker law Meets with Muslims and Jews (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, NOVEMBER 29 - Concerned about the future of relations between Jews and Muslims in Israel, Head of State Reuven Rivlin (Likud) on Tuesday spoke to leaders from the two communities about a controversial law which would ban mosque loudspeakers. The law will be presented on Wednesday at the Israeli parliament. On Monday, Rivlin pledged to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone conversation to intervene as much as legally possible to stop the law from being passed, or at least to redraft it in agreement with Muslim leaders. In Tuesday's meeting with religious representatives, Rivlin noted that one of Jerusalem's characteristics is the ''superimposition of Jewish prayers with the muezzin's call to prayer and church bells''. He also noted that his father had translated the Quran into Hebrew. Freedom of religion should not be damaged, he said, and agreements can be made as concerns loudspeakers. Chief rabbi of Jerusalem (Ashkenazi) Aryeh Stern agreed and said that the parliamentary proceedings of the law can still be halted. The Muslim community is willing to lower the volume of the calls to prayers from the minarets, said Sheikh Abdel al-Hakim Samara, president of the Islamic Sharia Court, and Sheikh Mohammed Ciooan. Rabbi Yosef Yashar of Akko added that even in his area - which is densely populated by both Jews and Muslims - coexistence is possible through dialogue and reciprocal understanding. (ANSAmed). Syrian forces continue advance on eastern Aleppo France urges Security Council meeting on humanitarian disaster (ANSAmed) - Moscow, November 29 - Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad continued their advance on eastern Aleppo on Monday night, Russian defence ministry sources report. The number of city neighbourhoods that have been 'liberated' from rebel forces has risen to 14 from the 12 reported by Moscow on Monday. "Over 8,500 civilians including approximately 4,000 children have left the rebel-held areas," the ministry said. "In the last 24 hours over 140 rebels have abandoned their resistance and left via the corridors," it added. Meanwhile, France has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the "humanitarian catastrophe" underway in Syria's second city. "There is an urgent need to end hostilities and allow unobstructed access to humanitarian aid," French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said. (ANSAmed). Embraer to showcase Legacy business jets at MEBA 2016 Embraer Executive Jets will display the Legacy 500 and Legacy 650 business jets at MEBA 2016, which takes place December 6-8 in Dubai. These newly-announced destinations join the already-announced list of new destinations to start in 2017: Auckland, New Zealand will start 5 February 2017, and will be the worlds longest commercial flight; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Skopje, Macedonia; Libreville, Gabon; Nice, France; Chiang Mai, the airlines fourth destination in Thailand; and Douala, Cameroon. Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker said: Qatar Airways offers the world the best network, the best on board experience and the best connecting experience at Hamad International Airport. We operate the worlds youngest fleet, averaging just five years old, and we fly the most technologically advanced aircraft that provide our passengers with an award-winning experience while also ensuring the most efficient and environmentally friendly operations. Our intention is to ensure our passengers can choose Qatar Airways for all of their travel needs whether they are flying on business, for pleasure, or a combination of both. With todays network announcement, we will be able to connect more people to more places than any other Gulf airline, and we will ensure our passengers will delight in the journey. At Qatar Airways, we are going places together with our passengers, and we look forward to welcoming these new destinations in 2017-18. To officially kick off the celebrations, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group commemorated UAE National Day with a cake-cutting ceremony at the Groups Headquarters, viewed an Emirati local dance performance, and strolled through the heritage house. His Highness also unveiled a special collage consisting of 1,400 aircraft during the UAE National Day celebrations at EGHQ. Sheikh Ahmed said: UAE National Day is a time for people from all backgrounds to experience a glimpse of UAE culture. I am proud to see our Emirati and expat colleagues come together to celebrate the UAEs spirit of patriotism and unity together on our 45th UAE National Day. Aiming to spread the spirit of national pride through community driven initiatives, the heritage house aims to showcase the UAEs rich traditions and history. Employees and their families at Emirates Group Headquarters participated in the Emirati heritage bazaar that included henna art, Arabic calligraphy, handicrafts and local cuisine in addition to a special selfie wall. An area for children for face painting and other activities helped keep children entertained throughout the celebration. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The official website of Golden Globe Awards has made a reference to the Earthquake movie by Sarik Andreasyan, reports Armenpress. The website says the movie is based on a real story telling about the disastrous earthquake that hit Armenia in 1988, claiming over 25.000 lives. For director Sarik Andreasyan it was a very special project, in which he wanted, after almost 30 years, to tell the story not only of death and destruction but also to show the hope and community spirit in the face of the nightmare, the website writes. The movie is about the 1988 December 7 devastating earthquake in Armenia. The story is built around a Russian family living in the Armenian city of Leninankan. Anna Berezhnaya (Maria Mironova) with her son Vanya (Daniil Izotov) and daughter Katya (Anastasia Savkina) awaits the return from prison of her husband (Konstantin Lavronenko) who eight years prior was sentenced to prison for the death of two people in a car accident. Robert, who was in the car, survived and was given a shelter by his relatives. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian man Sisak Khudaverdyan whose actions forced the Los Angeles Moscow flight to land in Canadas Iqaluit, is facing four different charges. According to CBC, the 36 year old is accused of endangering the safety of an aircraft, mischief, causing a disturbance, and endangering the safety of people on board an aircraft under the Aeronautics Act. Khudaverdyan was arrested by law enforcement agents immediately after landing. On November 28, the man appeared in court. The judge ordered Khudaverdyan to undergo a 60-day psychiatric assessment to determine if he's fit to stand trial, and whether he suffers from a mental illness that would render him not criminally responsible for what happened on the Aeroflot flight, CBC reports. Khudaverdyan is due back in court on Jan. 31, 2017. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. While on an official visit to Russia, Defense Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan on November 28 attended the reception organized in Armenias Embassy in Russia, press service of the Defense Ministry told Armenpress. Representatives of Russias legislative and executive powers, prominent political analysts and experts, head of Armenian community structures, as well as public and political figures who have a great contribution on deepening and strengthening the Armenian-Russian relations participated in the reception. During the meeting Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan spoke about the ongoing reforms in the armed forces, the cooperation projects with a number of Diaspora structures within the frames of army-society ties. Opinions were exchanged on strengthening the Armenian-Russian strategic relations, deepening the friendly relations of the two people, as well as the necessity on taking respective measures in line with the regional development trends. Best News & Society Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the News & Society category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. Best Marketing Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Marketing category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. Best Travel Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Travel category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. I admit its also hard for me to advance the idea of an overunity generator without sounding ridiculous, even if the object exists, says Nicolae Diaconescu, engineer and director of the museum. They had mentioned that unlike the lessons they teach you in the 7th grade physics class, the Karpen Pile has one of its electrodes made of gold, the other of platinum, and the electrolyte (the liquid that the two electrodes are immersed in), is high-purity sulfuric acid. Nicolae Vasilescu-Karpen The French showed themselves very interested by this patrimonial object in the 70s, and wanted to take it. Our museum has been able to keep it, though. As time passed, the fact that the battery doesnt stop producing energy is more and more clear, giving birth to the legend of a perpetual motion machine. The Dimitrie Leonida National Technical Museum from Romania hosts a weird kind of battery. Built by Nicolae Vasilescu-Karpen , the pile has been working uninterrupted for 60 years.The invention cannot be exposed because the museum doesnt have enough money to buy the security system necessary for such an exhibit.Half a century ago, the piles inventor had said it will work forever, and so far it looks like he was right. Karpens perpetual motion machine now sits secured right in the directors office.It has been called the uniform-temperature thermoelectric pile, and the first prototype has been built in the 1950s. Although it should have stopped working decades ago, it didnt. The scientists cant explain how the contraption, patented in 1922, works. The fact that still puzzles them is how a man of such a scientific stature such as Vasile Karpen could have started building something that crazy.The Karpen pile prototype has been assembled in 1950 and consists of two series-connected electric piles moving a small galvanometric motor.The motor moves a blade that is connected to a switch. With every half rotation, the blade opens the circuit and closes it at the the start of the second half.The blades rotation time had been calculated so that the piles have time to recharge and that they can rebuild their polarity during the time that the circuit is open.The purpose of the motor and the blades was to show that the piles actually generate electricity, but theyre not needed anymore, since current technology allows us to measure all the parameters and outline all of them in a more proper way.A Romanian newspaper, ZIUA (The Day), went to the museum for an interview with Nicolae Diaconescu.He took the Karpen pile out of its secured shelf and allowed the specialists to measure its output with a digital multimeter. This happened on Feb. 27, 2006, and the batteries had indicated the same 1 Volt as back in 1950.Karpens device could be scaled up to harvest more power, adds Diaconescu.The Karpen pile had been exhibited in several scientific conferences in Paris, Bucharest and Bologna, Italy, where its construction had been explained widely.Researchers from the University of Brasov and the Polytechnic University of Bucharest in Romania have even performed special studies on the battery, but didnt come to a clear conclusion.Some scientists say the device works by transforming thermal energy into mechanical work, but Diaconescu doesnt subscribe to this theory.According to some who studied Karpens theoretical work, the pile he invented defies the second principle of thermodynamics (referring to the transformation of thermal energy into mechanical work), and this makes it a second-degree perpetual motion machine.Others say it doesnt, being merely a generalization to the law, and an application of zero point energy.If Karpen was right, and the principle is 100% correct, his pile would revolutionize all of the physics theories from the bottom up, with hard to imagine consequences.Though I guess this isnt going to happen very soon, the museum still needs proper private funding to acquire the necessary security equipment required by the police to exhibit the device. By:There is already an information overload on here, so I am going to try and keep this as short as possible. The Hampstead abuse scandal is basically the UK's version of #pizzagate but with testimonials from children and hard evidence (medical reports) that they had been a abused.The overlapping themes until now were satanism and a blatant cover ups by the media & legal system.There's a current thread about the Podesta's being possibly linked to MadeleineMcCann ,so I was asking myself if Hampstead was linked to #pizzagate, what the hell would be the link? Simple google search for 'Haiti & Ricky Dearman' brought up this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZSnFmbWScg YouTube ( can also be found on his vimeo) NB:( download and any other stuff on the guy before it goes down) NB2: Research the organizations mentionedRicky Dearman is the guy accused of abusing the children. It's pretty clear he is as creepy as fuck. But what I want to know is why the hell is he doing a voice over for orphanages in Haiti, was he there???. So digging a little more , I found this very comprehensive blog ,documenting the link between Hampstead , Dearman and the Clintons ,over a year ago! I say link but i mean how this stuff seems bizarrely connected somehow,"Ricky Dearman is involved in the film industry as an actor and has affiliations with Supreme Master Television, a television station airing from 14 satellite platforms and reaching hundreds of millions of households around the world. The beneficiary and focal point of this self-created spiritual hierarchy, Ching Hai is worshipped by followers the world over. Actively involved with child orphanages and schools in third world countries, she also has elite connections, including well-documented links to the Clintons (who themselves are alleged to have been involved in high level criminal activity" "In the research community, there have long been suspicions that Ching Hai works for the CIA. Supreme Master Ching Hai is also connected with the United Nations and, under the impunity afforded to Peacekeepers, is involved in many of the same activities as DynCorps contractors in particular, crisis and disaster intervention, a role that places her among the worlds most vulnerable children. Former members of the sect say involvement with Ching Hai has proven to be disturbing and dangerous, while insider allegations against the sect include institutionalize child rape, child pornography, child trafficking, prostitution, mind control, ritual torture and murder involving children and animals. (source)"another interesting quote from the blog it has been alleged by many researchers and activists following the release of the Hampstead tapes that disinformation agents have been strategically placed within circles working to validate Ms. Drapers allegations, in a campaign of confusion and chaos designed to protect the guilty. I am not alone in suspecting this tactic was employed at recent public protests held outside the Hampstead Church, which resulted in two arrests. Where confusion and chaos inevitably reigns, so too does disinformation. This tactic is not new; it has been used against truth-seekers by governments, media and intelligence agencies for the past half-century or more." So far what have we seen 1- Twitter shadow banning 2- Google manipulating it's search algorithms to make sure links debunking pizza gate come first, while other content with more hits is being sent to the 2nd,3rd,4th pages. 3- Even Youtube are engaging in this behaviour, clips with more than a 100k arent even seen on first page searches, why? 4- Reddit deleted an entire threadI know this last part is not directly relevant to the lead but it is part of the bigger picture, I don't get the impression we are getting the message out there/ The Hampstead Cover Up has been my main focus for 2 years, I started researching it instantly the moment I first saw the video the day they came out. I have been in secret groups, started fb pages twitter accounts and a website . I have tons of screen shots of Dearman using stupid sock accounts he used to troll us, slip ups he made, important evidence, hidden links and so much more. I know where to find all of our hidden research because we were watched by him and the other abusers. There are DEFINITLY links between these cases. All of the activists in the UK have been silenced and CANNOT communicate about this case. I have been working my ASS off to get this out into the pizzagate arena. There are only 6 of us original researchers not in the UK that can tell you EVERYTHING about this case. This piece explains very clearly the connections between CF, Supreme Master Ching Hai and Dearman. Dearman did 16 voice-overs for Ching Hai, helped build one of her "centers" and even wrote a poem for her . If you need anything, just ask...I have it or know where to find it. Peace Sebi informed the court that of the 60 properties put up for auction, a list of 47 properties had been attached by I-T. New Delhi: In a relief to Sahara group chief Subrata Roy, the Supreme Court on Monday extended his parole till February 6, 2017 on a condition that he deposits of Rs 600 crores with Sebi towards the total dues of about Rs 25,000 crores. The court warned that Mr Roy, who came out on parole in May this year after his mothers death, will have to go back to jail if the payment is not made within the time limit. A bench of Chief justice T.S. Thakur and Justices Ranjan Gogoi and A.K. Sikri passed this order after senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mr Roy informed the court that as per the latest order passed on October 21, a total of Rs 1000 cr had been deposited with Sebi and that Sahara had furnished a road map for payment of remaining amounts in two and half years till 2019. He said Sahara will pay Rs 200 crores till April 2017 and then Rs 1,000 crores every three months. Mr Sibal said though Sahara is disputing the figure of Rs 24,000 crores, yet it was giving the road map. He drew the courts attention that Sahara had so far deposited more than Rs 12,000 crores with Sebi. He said the road map was being furnished in consultation with Sebi. Senior counsel Arvind P. Datar for Sebi, however, said Sebi had not given its consent for the scheme and would leave it to the court for its acceptance. Sebi informed the court that of the 60 properties put up for auction, a list of 47 properties had been attached by I-T and wanted that the auction conducted in respect of five properties be ratified so that the sale could be completed. Mr Sibal told the court that since the properties were being sold by Sebi, Sahara was not getting the market price and as a result properties are sold for a lesser value. Rao's relative lodged a complaint, following which an FIR was registered under section 453 of the IPC. Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan had got married in 2005. Mumbai: A ring and a diamond necklace, with a combined value of Rs. 80 lakh, was found missing from filmmaker and Aamir Khans wife Kiran Raos house in Mumbai. Rao's relative lodged a complaint at the Khar police station, following which an FIR was registered under section 453 of the Indian Penal Code, reported Mid-Day. The police are currently investigating the case, with the domestic helps suspected to have committed the crime. The police have been grilling the helps over the past five days at the Khar police station. They have also made rounds of their residences to see if the jewellery was kept there. Kiran has directed the film Dhobi Ghat starring Aamir a few years back. The film is all set to release on August 11, 2017 now. The film, also starring Anushka Sharma, had tentatively been titled 'The Ring'. Mumbai: Fans can seldom get enough of Bollywood's Khan triumvirate, and when they come together, it's always a time to rejoice. While it's become mundane to promote each other's films, Salman Khan has gone a step further, and actually decided the release date of Shah Rukh Khan's Imtiaz Ali helmed untitled film. The film, also starring Anushka Sharma, will be releasing on Ausgust 11, 2017. Salman took to Twitter to announce the news in grand style, and fans have been going berserk ever since. While the film had been tentatively titled 'The Ring,' it's now been revealed that the film as yet untitled, and Salman also urged his followers to go ahead and suggest a suitable name. What followed was an adorable banter involving all leading stars as well as SRK's 'patient' Alia. While Shah Rukh is basking in the immense critical and commercial success of his recent Gauri Shinde helmed 'Dear Zindagi,' Salman has been canning his Kabir Khan helmed 'Tubelight'. With such beautiful bonhomie going on, when can we see the two re-unite on the big-screen? In another encounter in Samba sector, the BSF troops gunned down three militants who had attacked a patrol unit in the morning. Srinagar: Two Army officers including a major and five soldiers were killed and half a dozen others wounded in a fierce gun battle with a group of heavily armed militants which stormed an Army camp at Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmirs winter capital Jammu shortly before dawn on Tuesday. At least, three militants were also killed by the members of Armys Para commandos. The area was being sanitised as reports last came in and during the mopping-up operation sounds of gun fire and occasional blasts could be heard at a distance. The bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area, a defence spokesman said. The heavily armed militants wearing police uniforms after forcing their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries occupied two buildings leading to a hostage like situation as besides officers and men their families were present there, the spokesman said. Separately, the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border (IB) in the States Samba sector after killing three militants on Tuesday, officials said. The Army and police officials in Jammu said that the militants attacked the Armys 166 Field Regiment at Nagrota in their attempt to enter the camp at about 5.30 am. The heavily armed terrorists first lobbed grenades and then opened indiscriminate fire with their AK assault rifles in their attempt to enter the camp, said a defence spokesman. The sentry returned the fire and was joined by other soldiers in fighting the militants. Army troops took their positions and retaliated to the fire and gun-fight started, the officials said. About a dozen soldiers were injured in the initial militant attack and the subsequent fire fight and three of them including Major Kunal Gossain of 166 Medium Regiment succumbed at Nagrotas Army-base hospital soon, the officials said. Nagrota, located at 13 kilometres north of Jammu along the Jammu-Srinagar highway is the headquarters of the Armys 16 Corps, a massive military formation that defends the borders and fights militants and terrorists in the greater Jammu region. The Army cordoned off the area immediately and all schools were shut down. Traffic was stopped on the Jammu-Udhampur stretch of the 294-km highway. Senior officers from Armys Northern Command also arrived at Nagrota from their headquarters located just 49-km away at Udhampur, the sources said. The old (Jammu-Udhamour) route has been closed for the traffic while vehicles are allowed on the new route only depending on the prevailing situation, the officials had. Jammus Deputy Commissioner said that he ordered the closure of all the schools in the Nagrota tehsil as a precautionary measure. Colonel N.N. Joshi, the spokesman of the Northern Command said. The heavily armed terrorists disguised in police uniforms and targeted the Army unit located 3 km from the 16 Corps headquarters at Nagrota. They forced their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. He said that in the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers of the Army laid down their lives. He also said that the militants entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men which led to a hostage like situation. The spokesman said that the situation was, however, very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children. However, in this rescue attempt one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives. Bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanities the complete area. Meanwhile, the BSF said that it foiled an infiltration bid in Chamliyal area of Ramgarh Sector along the IB in Samba district on Tuesday morning. A group of five to six terrorists fired at the forward BSF posts in Ramgarh sector in a bid to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir but the alert jawans retaliated by opening fire, killing three of them. One jawan Sanjay Kumar was seriously injured in the encounter, said the BSF. The police added that the injured BSF jawan was admitted to Jammus Government Medical College and Hospital. The police and BSF sources said that the militants had holed up in a tube well pump- house but the BSF fired heavily resulting into the death of three of them. Officials said that the remaining militants fled back to the Pakistani territory. According to these reports a search operation was soon started to ensure no more militants are hiding in the area. The police confirmed that the firing was over and the area was being sanitised. Later during the day, BSF DIG B.S. Kasana, Inspector Paramjeet and Constable Vikas and a jawan of J&K Polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) Sarabjeet Singh were injured in a blast while carrying out mopping-up operation in the area, Sambas Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda said. The BSF sources said that a improvised explosive device went off when the jawans were removing the corpse of one of the slain militants. Their condition is stated to be critical. A report said that in all six BSF and J&K policemen received grievous injuries in the blast. The BSF alleged that its men were fired upon from across the IB while anti-infiltration operations were being summed up. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the twin terror attacks and said that Jammu and Kashmir has suffered heavily due to the unending cycle of violence. While appealing for an end to it, she expressed sympathies with the families of slain soldiers and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. Governor N.N. Vohra spoke to Lt. Gen D. S. Hooda, Northern Army Commander who incidentally hangs his uniform this week, K. Rajendra, DGP J&K police, Lt. Gen A. K. Sharma, GOC XVI Corps and other and other Army, BSF and J&K police officers to convey his grief and sincere sympathy. During his conversation with Lt. Gen. Hooda, the Governor expressed serious concern about repeated terror attacks on security forces establishments and Pakistans continuing attempts to exacerbate the situation while India was seeking to restore peace and normalcy. The Governor urged all the security forces commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and, in the absence of Chief Minister from station, has asked the Chief Secretary to direct the districts and divisional civil and police administration to immediately review the security of all important installations and establishments. J&K Deputy Chief Minister, Nirmal Singh, termed the terror attack at Nagrorta as a desperate bid to push the State into chaos and confusion. He said terror elements will be dealt with strongly and given a proper and strong response. In Delhi, former Union Home Secretary and BJP MP, R.K. Singh. said the attack at Nagrota is a "message" sent by Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India. We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said adding "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted." he said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will head a committee of Chief Ministers. New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has invited Chief Ministers to suggest measures to reduce hardships caused by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and also suggest ways to move towards a cashless economy. According to a report in NDTV, Jaitley has invited several Chief Ministers, including Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, to be part of the panel. Kumar is one of the few Opposition CMs who have supported the Centres demonetisation move. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will head a committee of Chief Ministers. The panel is also expected to work on ways to move towards a cashless economy. Another CM reportedly tapped for the committee is Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has not joined the Oppositions protests against the note ban and has offered issue-based support to the BJP government. Arun Jaitley called Chandrababu Naidu on the phone on Monday afternoon to ask him to head the panel, said PTI. Chandrababu Naidu, an ally of the BJP, had been seeking a ban on high value notes as a way to combat black money, much before the Centre came out with the move. He has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision on November 8 to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, but questioned the introduction of a Rs 2000 note. The government is also trying to convince Tripura CM Manik Sarkar and some Congress CMs to join the panel, said reports. Meanwhile, Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao also welcomed Modis demonetisation move on Monday, but called for a total revolution against black money including state funding of elections, a move proposed by the PM himself recently. Sources said the MLAs and MPs from Bharatpur, Udaipur and Kota divisions, from which the CM also comes, had minimal presence. Jaipur: A furious Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje issued an indirect threat to party MLAs and MPs that they might not get another chance to contest election after a large number of legislators and MPs were found absent from a workshop on her ambitious Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan. The poor attendance of public representatives from her party made Ms Raje so angry that she not only took area-wise attendance of those present but also instructed to make a list of the absentees. It was learnt that out of 164 BJP MLAs, only 70 were present that included ministers in her government, while only 15 out of 34 MPs attended the meet on Sunday. The CM asked them to raise hands when she announced the name of the division and the MPs, MLAs and other public representatives like zilla pramukhs and local bodies representatives from that division raised their hands. Sources said the MLAs and MPs from Bharatpur, Udaipur and Kota divisions, from which the CM also comes, had minimal presence. Sources added the CM also gave political hint about the absentees. Aisa Lagta hai in logo ko dubara toh aana hi nahi hai. (It seems they dont want another term), she reportedly said. The scheme is an ambitious programme of the Raje government. She has also appointed engineer-tur-ned politician and national convenor of BJPs water management cell, Shriram Vedire, as chairperson of Rajasthan River Basin and Water Resources Planning Authority, which is overlooking the project. Nitish Kumar had openly supported Modi govt's note ban move, sparking speculations of his proximity with the BJP. Patna: RJD leader and Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Tuesday lost her cool over BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modis statement that Nitish Kumar review his ties with her party, after reports emerged that he was growing close to the Modi camp. If Modiji (Sushil Kumar Modi) is so worried about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar then he should get his sister married to him, Rabri Devi said. Reacting to the statement made by Rabri Devi, senior BJP leader, and former deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said, It would be better if Nitish Kumar reacts to this unconstitutional statement. The harsh comment by Rabri Devi comes a day after Nitish Kumar said that efforts are being made to politically kill me by spreading rumors regarding my growing association with the BJP. Realising that her statement may send wrong signals in the political circle, Rabri Devi later said, It was a joke and nothing else I dont know why people made it an issue. RJD sources said that Rabri Devi had lost her cool when she was informed about Sushil Kumar Modi urging Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to review his ties with the Grand Secular Alliance. Modi had said that Nitish Kumars campaign against black money is not possible in the company of his alliance partners. His political death was possible if he remains with them. Nitish Kumars political death statement has sent ripples in the political circles of Bihar. While reacting to his Monday evenings statement senior congress leader Sadanand Singh said that the BJP is trying to pollute the political scenario by spreading rumors. The MPs and MLAs have been asked to submit details of the transactions between November 8 and December 31 to BJP President Amit Shah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP MPs and MLAs to submit details of their bank transactions made after demonetisation. (Photo: PTI/File) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP parliamentarians and MLAs to submit the details of their bank account transactions made after Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination notes were declared illegal tender, to BJP President Amit Shah. Modi gave the instructions at a Parliamentary Party meeting held ahead of Winter Session of Parliament. The MPs and MLAs have been asked to submit details of the transactions between November 8 and December 31. The Income Tax Amendment Bill proposed on Monday is meant not to turn black money into white but to use money looted from poor for welfare, the PM added in the meeting. Amit Shah on the other hand asked BJP MPs to motivate traders falling in their constituencies to move to cashless transactions. Meanwhile, ruckus over demonetisation continued in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday with Congress leader Ahmed Patel lashing out at the Modi government over the move. There is no relief for farmers, traders and others, but for black money hoarders the government is repeatedly providing amnesty. This is the reality of Modi sarkar Patel alleged. Countering him, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that income tax amendments proposed on Monday were for the benefit of the common man. The Minister called on the Opposition to support the PMs move to create a cashless society. Soon after, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon and the Lok Sabha till 11:30 am. With the Centre agreeing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would speak on demonetisation in Parliament "if there is a proper debate", leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the former would not do any 'favour' as "it is his duty to answer to questions" of opposition parties. Speaking to ANI Congress leader Kharge said, "Prime Minister Modi is not doing any favour to us by intervening in Parliament. It is his duty. He should come and listen to our debate and answer to our questions." Earlier, Kharge had said that demonetisation had harmed the economic system, the farmers, the youth, labourers and women among others and they are in distress. Seeking to break the deadlock, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had yesterday told the Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Modi would speak on demonetisation, but the opposition's demand for a debate with a provision for voting remained unimpressed, forcing another adjournment. With opposition parties firm on their stand, Singh said nobody is questioning the government's intentions over demonetisation. He said the government was willing to listen to the complaints and suggestions of different parties over the execution of the demonetisation move. Mr Swamy said the Madras and Delhi high courts had approved the security clearance to a company. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday decided to examine the validity of the national security clearance granted to Sun TV network to enable it to participate in the public auction for obtaining FM Radio licence. A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud issued a notice to the Centre, seeking its response to a public interest writ petition filed by BJP Member of Parliament Subramanian Swamy challenging the security clearance and licence granted by Sun TV network after it participated in the FM radio auction. Mr Swamy submitted to the court that the Centre had framed guidelines in the nature of Standard Operating Procedure for national security clearance. He said the Sun TV network was the granted national security clearance to participate in the e-auction process of private FM radio channels and airways held by the Central government. He said the Madras and Delhi high courts had approved the security clearance to a company that is facing criminal proceedings for the serious economic offences arising from Aircel-maxis scam. He said initially, the home ministry had refused security clearance to Sun network but the finance ministry sought the opinion of the AG, who said refusal to permit Sun network to participate in the auction will be unconstitutional as the firm was only chargsheeted and there is no conviction. The effect of this opinion was that the clearance was granted and Sun network participated in the auction and obtained licence for FM radio channels. Mr Rao also announced the introduction of a TS-Wallet scheme soon to encourage cashless transactions in the state. Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday said if Telangana state was to survive demonetisation, it should become a cashless transaction state as soon as possible and the government would come up with measures to achieve this task faster. Mr Rao said he would make the Siddipet Assembly constituency a 100 per cent cashless transaction constituency in a month or two to gain first-hand experience on what measures were required to make the state switch to cashless transactions. As part of this, cash transactions of only up to Rs 500 would be allowed and anything over this would have to be made through bank transactions like cheques, debit / credit cards etc. Addressing a press conference in Secretariat to brief the details of the Cabinet meeting, Mr Rao said that only the abolition of high value currency notes would not check black money and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dismantle black money in all forms like jewellery, foreign currency, shares etc., else the demonetisation exercise would be futile. Mr Rao also announced the introduction of a TS-Wallet scheme soon to encourage cashless transactions in the state. He also predicted abolition of the new Rs 2,000 notes anytime. The CM said that Mr Modi should scrap income tax after India became a cashless transaction country because the Centres income would increase manifold after this and there would be no need to impose I-T on people. He, however, welcomed the PMs decision on demonetisation saying that it was for a noble cause of curbing black money and should not be opposed blindly. Mr Rao said a five-member task force to recommend measures on making TS a cashless transaction state had already been constituted and it had started its exercise from day one of demonetisation. Based on the committees suggestions, he said the government had decided to allow high-value transactions in departments only through banks and no cash will be accepted. Mr Rao admitted that people were going through severe hardships on account of currency crisis. Telangana has around Rs 75,000 crore of cash in circulation. After demonetisation, Rs 35,000 crore was deposited in banks, while banks supplied only Rs 12,500 cash. Even this comprised Rs 2000 notes, which served no purpose due to the change problem. This huge demand-supply gap in currency resulted in sufferings for people, Mr Rao added. He said the state had suffered revenue losses of up to Rs 1,500 crore this month and was expected to lose up to Rs 7,500 crore in the remaining four months of this fiscal. As of now there is no problem to pay salaries and pensions for staff. The real impact of demonetisation will be felt in December, Mr Rao said. The CM hoped that the tax devolution to states from the Centre would increase manifold after achieving the cashless transaction nation tag. Now, TS is getting nearly Rs 13,000 crore from the Centre towards tax devolution. This is expected to witness a five-six fold increase later, Mr Rao predicted. He said he was also in favour of extending government funding for political parties to fight elections. The move, which is effective from November 29, aims at increasing currency circulation in system. RBI on Monday said bank customers would be able to withdraw deposits made in current legal tender notes beyond the current limits. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: To encourage people to deposit valid currency notes in banks, RBI on Monday said bank customers would be able to withdraw deposits made in current legal tender notes beyond the current limits, a move aimed at increasing currency circulation in system. For example, if someone deposits valid legal tenders (Rs 2,000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20, Rs 10, Rs 5) of Rs 4,000, the withdrawal limit for that person would rise by Rs 4,000 over and above weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000. For current accounts, the withdrawal limit is Rs 50,000 a week for small traders. In a late evening circular, the Reserve Bank said that it has been reported that certain depositors are hesitating to deposit their monies into bank accounts in view of the current limits on cash withdrawals from accounts. As it is impeding active circulation of currency notes, it has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29, 2016 beyond the current limits; Preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 are to be issued for such withdrawals, the Reserve Bank said. After the withdrawal of legal tender character of old Rs 500/1000 notes from November 9, a Rs 24,000 per week limit (including from ATM) on withdrawal has been put in place. Additionally, RBI has also allowed banks operating currency chests to operate Chest Guarantee Scheme for Specified Bank Notes (SBNs)CGSS if they have additional space. However, they can do so if the additional space in their existing currency chest or additional storage space at the same centre which is nearly as safe and secure as that of a currency chest. Requisite approval for operating CGSS will be granted by RBI Regional Office concerned, on receipt of request from any bank, it said. On Sunday, RBI had allowed banks to park such currencies at currency chests at the district level so as to decongest the storage facility. A currency chest operating at the point to be called Designated Chest (DC) will be required to operate a separate vault to be named Chest Guarantee Vault (CGV) as an extended arm of it, it had said. Fellow South Korean ocean carrier Hyundai Merchant Marine expects to finalize the purchase of a 100 percent stake in Total Terminal International Algeciras in late December, subject to due diligence, the company said in a statement. South Korean shipping conglomerate Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has been selected as the preferred bidder for now insolvent Hanjin Shippings port terminal operation in Algeciras, Spain, HMM said in a statement. The company expects to finalize the purchase of a 100 percent stake in Total Terminal International (TTI) Algeciras in late December, subject to due diligence. The 357,750-square-meter TTI Algeciras terminal is capable of handling containerships with over 10,000 TEUs of capacity and has an annual capacity of 1.86 million TEUs. HMM said the terminal is one of the lucrative assets of Hanjin. The port of Algeciras location at the southern tip of Spain, just across the straight of Gibraltar from Morroco, has made it a popular hub for Asia-North Europe services, Asia-U.S. East Coast routes transiting the Suez Canal, as well as transshipments to West Africa. For HMM, the facility will serve as the intersection for key loops between Europe and South America and Asia and North America, the company said. Under a lease agreement with the Algeciras Port Authority, HMM will be allowed to use the terminal until July 2040. Other TTI Algeciras customers include container carriers CMA CGM, the recently merged China COSCO Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, UASC, NileDutch, Arkas, Marfret and X-Press, as well as a host of others via slot sharing agreements, according to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting. Of the 38 total direct region-to-region liner services that call at Algeciras, 14 utilize the TTI facility. HMM officials said the company will look to expand its terminal business with an eye toward long-term growth, and is planning to boost the competitiveness of the company by taking over additional Hanjin Shippings lucrative assets and constructing new vessels. The firm owns three port terminals in the United States and Taiwan, as well as a 20 percent stake in the RWG container terminal in the Netherlands. In other Hanjin liquidation news, the Korea Herald reported earlier this week Woori Bank has sold four of Hanjins liquid bulk tanker vessels to an unnamed buyer based in Hong Kong for $58.6 million. The bank said the sale of the ships, all between eight and nine years old, would help it to recover 36.8 billion won (U.S. $31.4 million) in uncollected ship financing debt. The vessels were the first of 44 ships Hanjin had purchased on credit and was forced to surrender to creditors as part of the beleaguered companys bankruptcy proceedings in Korea, according to Woori Bank. With the signing of the deal late last week, the bank expects to close the transaction and hand over the tankers, which were initially put up for sale in September, before the end of the year. Woori Banks successful sale of the vessels is expected to positively affect ship sales of other financial institutions, it said in a statement. 3 Pak-backed militants killed in deadliest attack since Uri. Security personnel after an encounter with millitants at Army camp in Nagrota area of Jammu. (Photo: PTI) Srinagar: Seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed and six others wounded as heavily-armed terrorists stormed an Army camp in Jammus Nagrota shortly before dawn on Tuesday, triggering a fierce gunbattle that raged through the day. At least, three terrorists were killed, and sounds of gunfire and occasional blasts could be heard from a distance when reports last came in. This is the most audacious attack in J&K since terrorists killed 19 soldiers in Kashmirs Uri in September. The terrorists disguised as policemen attacked the Armys 166 Field Regiment on Jammus outskirts at 5.30 am, throwing grenades and firing at sentries. They first forced their entry into the Officers Mess complex and then occupied two buildings leading to a hostage like situation. Even as the gunfight continued, 12 soldiers, two women and two children were rescued. The Army immediately cordoned off the area and all schools in the area were shut. Traffic was stopped on the Jammu-Udhampur stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar highway. The regiment is located 3 km from the 16 Corps headquarters, a massive military formation that defends the borders and fights militants and terrorists in the greater Jammu region. The Uri attack had led to Indias anti-terror strikes across the LoC and continued border casualties. About 20 Indian soldiers were killed in border skirmishes and terror attacks in the past one month. The attack came as Pakistans new Army Chief Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa took charge, and his predecessor Raheel Sharif warned India not to mistake his countrys restraint for weakness. It also came days before a scheduled visit to India by Pakistans foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz for a weekend conference on Afghanistan. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the terror attack and said that the state has suffered heavily due to an unending cycle of violence. She expressed sympathies with the families of the slain soldiers and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. In New Delhi, former home secretary and BJP MP R.K. Singh said the attack was a message sent by Pakistans new Army Chief to India. BSF sources said that an improvised explosive device went off when the jawans were removing the corpse of one of the militants. Security personnel take positions during a gun battle with suspected militants at Army camp at Nagrota near Jammu. (Photo: PTI) Srinagar: The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an infiltration bid by killing three terrorists in Jammus Samba district along the International Border on Tuesday. A BSF official and five others were hurt in the operation. The site is 70km from Nagrota where a major terror attack took place at an Army base. A group of five to six terrorists fired at a BSF posts at Chamliyal in Ramgarh sector to sneak into J&K but alert jawans retaliated by opening fire, killing three of them, said an official. Officials said that the remaining militants fled back to the Pakistani territory. One jawan Sanjay Kumar was injured in the encounter. Later during the day, BSF DIG B.S. Kasana, inspector Paramjeet, constable Vikas and a jawan of J&K police, Sarabjeet Singh, were injured in a blast while carrying out a mopping-up operation in the area. BSF sources said that an improvised explosive device went off when the jawans were removing the corpse of one of the militants. Their condition is stated to be critical. Accuses Modi govt of infringing on constitutional rights of people. Lucknow: West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee on Tuesday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrest her and put her in jail, but said that she would continue her war against demonetisation. With tacit support from UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, Ms Banerjee addressed a meeting in Lucknow in which she termed demonetisation black Emergency. Though the UP chief minister did not join the Trinamul Congress meeting, he did send his message which was read out by senior UP minister Arvind Singh Gope. A sizeable presence of Samajwadi ministers and MP Kironmoy Nanda and party workers at the meeting indicated SPs support to Ms Banerjee. In her speech, Ms Banerjee remained fiery as ever when she accused the Modi government of infringing upon the constitutional rights of the people. It is your money in your account but you cannot use it. You have earned this money, paid income tax on it, but you are being made to feel like a thief. It seems we are all thieves and the BJP leaders are the only honest ones in the country, she said. She said that the Modi government had already taken away cash from the people and would not take away stree dhan, then the future of the youth and also their houses. Migrant workers are being forced to return to their homes because there is no cash with their employers, she added. Referring to the Prime Ministers instructions to his party MPs and MLAs to disclose their bank statements to the party president Amit Shah, the West Bengal chief minister said that the Prime Minister should first seek the statement of account from his party president who had bought land in several states just before demonetisation. Demonetisation is a scandal that must be probed. If Modiji wanted to bring back black money, why did he not go to Swiss Bank? What kind of policy is this that you can get notes from Big Bazaar but not from cooperatives? she asked. Ms Banerjee said that the situation would worsen when people get their salaries this week but will not have cash to buy food because of the ban on withdrawals from banks. Taking a dig at cashless economy concept, Ms Banerjee said that 63 per cent of villages in India did not have banking facilities and people cannot survive on plastic cards. Quoting Mr Modi, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the bill was part of his governments battle against black money. New Delhi: Asking BJP legislators in Parliament and state Assemblies to submit details of their bank transactions between November 8 and December 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday declared that the money looted from the poor would be used for their welfare. This direction came amid allegations that the BJP had tipped off those close to it about the impending exercise beforehand. Mr Modi also sought support in his effort to usher in a digital economy and creating a cashless society. Terming Mr Modis direction to BJP MPs and MLAs as a farce, the Aam Aadmi Party said the disclosures should be made public and that transactions six months prior to the demonetisation announcement need to be examined. The Congress also demanded that the PM provide details of bank transactions by the BJP and its MPs and MLAs that were made before November 8 if he was really serious about the issue. Addressing a BJP parliamentary party meeting, Mr Modi said the transaction details should be submitted to party president Amit Shah by the MPs and MLAs by January 1, 2017. This direction follows allegations by the Opposition parties that the BJP had tipped off some of its own leaders ahead of the demonetisation announcement. It may be recalled that veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani had at the end of his 38-day yatra against black money in 2011 asked NDA MPs to submit affidavits declaring that they did not hold undisclosed bank account abroad. Asserting he would not allow the nation to be weighed down by the burden of black money, the PM, at the meeting, also rejected the criticism that the bill to amend the Income-Tax Act would help turn black money into white and said the new provisions will channel the money looted from the poor for their welfare. The bill was later passed by the Lok Sabha. The amended law, he said, was a programme for the welfare of the poor from Lok Kalyan Marg, the new name of Race Course Road, where the Prime Ministers residence is located. The amendment is not for turning black money into white but to spend the money looted from the poor on their welfare, he said, adding: I will not allow the country to be weighed down by wads of currency notes (black money). Quoting Mr Modi, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the bill was part of his governments battle against black money. A part of the tax collected on the money deposited under this scheme would be spent on electricity, roads, toilets and education, among other welfare measures, he said. Mr Modi also sought the support of all people in ushering in a digital and mobile economy, and pushing society to adopt cashless transactions. At the meeting, Mr Shah told party MPs to motivate traders in panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies in their constituency to shift to cashless transactions. Mr Shah said the party was not in power to enjoy its fruits but to solve problems facing the country, and asked leaders to counter the Oppositions disinformation over the demonetisation move. He said such disinformation will not last, but cautioned that it would linger longer in rural areas, and stressed on the need to counter it. Minister of state for power Piyush Goyal also made a presentation on mobile and Internet money transactions. He was also planning escape to Germany to revive KLF activities in India. NEW DELHI: The Delhi police special cell on Tuesday claimed that a diary, which has been seized from the possession of Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, has several Pakistani numbers of his handlers based in the country. He was also planning escape to Germany to revive KLF activities in India. They added that Mintoo was regularly in touch with the users of these numbers during his stay in Punjabs Nabha jail from where he escaped along with five others on Sunday. The diary has scribbled phone numbers and he told us that he was in touch with those using them and based in Lahore and other cities. We are further questioning him if he had any specific instructions from across the border and whether the jailbreak was also a move in that direction, said a senior police officer. Asked if these alleged handlers were from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the officer said Mintoo has told them thar he was in touch with several persons and the exact profiles of each one of them was yet to be ascertained. He added that all these claims were also being verified. Gandhis daughter Priyanka was with her in the hospital while her son and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also visited her. New Delhi: The Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been once again admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital on Monday night. Mrs Gandhi was suffering from viral fever and is recovering. A statement from the hospitals Board of Management chairman D.S. Rana said, Sonia Gandhi has been admitted under the care of Dr Arun Kumar Basu, senior consultant in department of chest and pulmonology medicine, and his team of consultants. Mrs Gandhis routine tests are being conducted and is better today. She is likely to be discharged in a day or two. Earlier this year, the Congress president was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital when she had fallen ill during campaigning in Varanasi. She had to be airlifted to Delhi and was out of action for almost two months. She was operated upon for a shoulder injury also. Mrs Gandhis daughter Priyanka was with her in the hospital while her son and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also visited her on Tuesday. Congress Chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that there is no need to worry. The Congress president has been admitted to a hospital following viral fever. She will be discharged within two days. She will resume her Parliament duty soon. There is no cause for worry, he added. As din continues in Lok Sabha, govt adopts belligerent stance, takes Opposition parties by surprise. New Delhi: Faced with nearly two weeks of logjam in Parliament, the government on Tuesday adopted a belligerent stance and got the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, the new amnesty scheme for black money, passed in the Lok Sabha without any discussion amid vociferous protests by Opposition members. While the Opposition termed it as a black day, the government said it had to get the bill passed in view of the urgency of the situation. It was apparent that the back channel talks to break the standoff had failed. The Opposition MPs, who were shouting slogans demanding a discussion on the demonetisation drive under a rule which entails voting, were in for a shock when finance minister Arun Jaitely got up to make his opening remarks on taking up the bill for consideration and passage. Amid slogan-shouting and protests, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan ruled that the bill be passed without discussion and without pressing for amendments that needed presidential assent in view of the urgency of the bill, Many Opposition MPs who had moved amendments to the bill then raised points of order, which were again overruled by the Speaker and the bill was passed within minutes. Under the proposed Taxation and Investment Regime for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana 2016 (PMGKY), people who voluntarily declare their black money in cash and bank deposits will have to pay 50 per cent in taxes (tax, surcharge and penalty) and 25 per cent of the total income declared will be locked in for four years. The money will be locked in an interest-free deposit scheme for four years, which will be notified by the RBI under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme 2016. The Opposition was up in arms against what it called the strong-arm tactics of the government. The government used its brute majority in the Lower House to push the bill through, Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said. The Opposition members in the Upper House claimed that the NDA government was pushing the laws as money bills in order to bypass the Rajya Sabha, which does not have the power to block such laws. Congress Lok Sabha leader Mallikarjun Kharge said: We want that the Income-Tax Amendment Act should come through the rules. The amendments proposed by the Opposition MPs and leaders should also be kept in mind before taking the assent from the President. The Revolutionary Socialist Party said it was planning to take up the issue with President Pranab Mukherjee. Trinamul Congress leader Saugata Roy said: The government has been totally undemocratic, dictatorial, authoritarian in passing such an important bill without discussion amid din. It has taken advantage of its superior numbers to avoid a discussion. It is unfortunate that we did not get any relief from the Chair. I had written to the Speaker (Lok Sabha) in the morning that this bill should not be allowed to be passed in the din. But what we apprehended happened. In spite of all of our protests, this bill was passed. The very purpose of the bill was sort of defeated. CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim said it was a black day in the history of the Lok Sabha and that it was like an undeclared emergency. The government, on its part, stuck to its stand that it was ready for a discussion on the demonetisation of currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 but under a rule that does not entail voting. Sources indicated there had been efforts by the Opposition to make the government agree to a discussion under at least Rule 184, which though entails voting is not an adjournment motion. Parliament was convened on November 16, and since then there has been no discussion. The discussion in the Lok Sabha should begin on Wednesday, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said. Mr Kumar said the government was in touch with the Opposition parties and that except for four or five parties, the others were ready to talk in the Lok Sabha. It is unfortunate. The entire country wants to hear what the parties have to say on the issue. We request all parties to come for the discussion. The Prime Minister will intervene and the finance minister will reply, he said. There should be no division in the House. In the Rajya Sabha, the discussion had been taken up under a rule that does not entail voting. Six hours of discussion have already been held. Alleging the government was determined to undermine the Upper House, the Opposition parties demanded that a committee be set up to look into issues affecting the prestige of the House. Raising the issue through a point of order after the House reassembled at 2 pm, the Samajwadi Partys Naresh Agarwal said there was an effort to undermine the authority of the Upper House, and arguing that the government had brought the Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill 2016 in the Lok Sabha on Monday to amend the Income-Tax Act. He said the aim was to convert it into a money bill after which the Rajya Sabha would be forced to pass it. His charge was backed by other Opposition parties, including the Congress, SP and TMC. Supporting the SP members demand for a committee to examine all issues affecting the Upper Houses prestige, Congress MPs Rajiv Shukla and Jairam Ramesh and members of other parties said it was a serious matter that many laws were being introduced as money bills by the government which undermined the Rajya Sabha. Giving his ruling, deputy chairman P.J. Kurien said the Constitution was very clear on what was a money bill and what was not, and asked Mr Agarwal to give proper notice for setting up of a committee. As the Chair tried to resume the debate on demonetisation, Opposition parties members, including from the Congress and TMC, trooped into the Well shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House for the day. The conclave will be attended among others by the Pakistan PMs adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz. New Delhi: Exploring effective ways to combat terrorism, particularly that emanating from Pakistan, and helping Afghanistan achieve peace and stability will be the focus of the two-day Heart of Asia (HoA) conclave in Amritsar beginning Saturday. The conclave will be attended among others by the Pakistan PMs adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz. Speculation is mounting on whether a bilateral meeting between Mr Aziz and the top Indian political leadership will eventually take place at Amritsar, with Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit nudging India to propose talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sartaj Aziz, foreign affairs advisor to Pak PM Nawaz Sharif are among leaders who will attend the annual conference. The previous such conclave was held in Islamabad in 2015. India has been non-committal on a bilateral meeting between Aziz and its representative at the conclave. With Afghanistan still facing regular attacks from Pakistan-based terror groups, the war-ravaged country is likely to press for an effective counter-terror strategy to deal with the menace. India will also articulate its position to contain terrorism and extremism at the conference. Definitely, combating terror will be a major focus area, sources said. Ms Mahajan said she has been trying to conduct the Question Hour despite the noise and MPs right to speak should not be taken away. New Delhi: With the logjam in Parliament over demonetisation continuing for the eighth straight day without much business being transacted, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Monday expressed hope that the House will resume functioning smoothly in a day or two as the government as well as the Opposition parties want discussions to take place. I am trying. I am repeatedly requesting as well. I hope that it (Parliament) will function. When both the parties, the ruling party and the opposition, are ready for discussion, both want discussion, under which rule it has to be done, that has to be discussed. I think in the next one or two days, it will start (functioning), she said. Both Houses of Parliament have witnessed minimal work after the winter session began on November 16 after a united opposition continued to disrupt proceedings over hardships caused to the people due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Asked whether repeated adjournments amounted to snatching away of the rights of MPs who want to speak on important topics, Ms Mahajan said she has been trying to conduct the Question Hour despite the noise and MPs right to speak should not be taken away. That is why I am trying. Whichever MP wants to speak, their right should not be snatched away from them. That is why you might have seen that I try to run the Question Hour session. I also do not like that there is so much noise in the House and I am trying to continue with it, she said. Today also I tried as some people had requested me that they want to speak on important issues in the Zero Hour. I have been trying for the last two days. Those members who come to Parliament, their rights should not be snatched away, she told reporters outside Parliament. She said it is an ongoing process to reach out to the government and the opposition parties as they too want discussion and asserted that she is also willing to take the initiative to bring everybody together and talk to them. Results across India show people wont tolerate corruption, says PM. New Delhi: Demonetisation seemed to have had no adverse impact on the BJP as the party maintained its winning streak in civic polls. After winning maximum number of posts in Maharashtra, the BJP swept local bodies elections in Gujarat by capturing 107 seats out of total 123 seats which went for polls. After the Gujarat result, the BJP said, wisdom should now dawn on the opposition parties stalling Parliament (on demonetisation) and impasse should be resolved. BJP won one Lok Sabha seat each in Assam and Madhya Pradesh besides bagging a number of assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP said its performance in Maharashtra and Gujarat civic polls should be an eye-opener for the opposition as people have indicated their support for demonetisation and dislike for those protesting against it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said BJPs performance in parliamentary, assembly and local elections across India over the last few days illustrates that people want all-round progress and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance. Over the last few days we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, Assembly and local polls across India. Be it the Northeast, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, or Gujarat, BJP has performed well everywhere. I thank the people, tweeted Mr Modi. He said these results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance. Referring to his home state Gujarat, the Prime Minister said, I salute the people of Gujarat for continued trust in BJP. BJPs great win in local polls shows peoples strong faith in development politics. He congratulated party cadres of the state along with chief minister Vijay Rupani and state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani for their hard work across the state. Mr Modi had on Monday hailed the partys performance in local bodies polls in Maharashtra. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said BJPs gain in Maharashtra is proof that people are with BJP. It is clear that people did not like the oppositions protest against the Modi governments action against black money and supported the (demonetisation) decision...The result is an eye-opener for the opposition and an indication of which way the wind is blowing, Mr Javadekar said. Concerns that not all of the unions will agree to ratify their labor agreements have caused rail shippers and other transportation industry stakeholders to push President Joe Biden to act. People who do not know they are infected cannot benefit from life-saving treatment, and can continue to transmit the virus to others. Stockholm: One in seven people with HIV in Europe is unaware of their infection, the EU and World Health Organization reported today as 2015 marked another record year for new HIV cases in the region. "HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious problem in Europe... The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's (ECDC) estimate that one in seven people living with HIV are unaware of their status is particularly worrying," EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said in the report released ahead of World AIDS Day on Thursday. "People who do not know they are infected cannot benefit from life-saving treatment, and can continue to transmit the virus to others," he noted. The ECDC figure is based on data from the 28 EU nations plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Almost half of cases in those countries -- 47 percent -- are diagnosed at a late stage of infection, the ECDC said, estimating that on average it takes almost four years before an HIV infection is diagnosed and reported. Sex between men remains the main reported HIV transmission mode in those 31 countries, accounting for 42 percent of diagnoses. Men who have sex with men is the only group that has seen a steady increase in infections over the years, the report said. Heterosexual sex accounts for 32 percent of diagnoses, followed by drug use at four percent. Meanwhile, Europe registered its highest number of new HIV cases in a single year in 2015, at 153,407 cases, up from 142,000 in 2014, the WHO said. The 2014 figures were also a record number, driven by cases in Russia and immigrants who acquired the virus after arrival. The WHO regional office for Europe has a different definition of Europe and compiles data from 53 countries. Almost 80 per cent of the 2015 cases it tallied were reported in eastern Europe, 18 percent in western Europe and three percent in central Europe. Russia, where HIV remains a largely taboo subject, accounted for 64 percent of all newly diagnosed infections in the WHO's European region, and 81 percent of cases in eastern Europe. There, heterosexual sex is the main route of transmission of the virus which is spread through contact with contaminated body fluids. Other countries with high rates of new infections last year were Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Moldova, Latvia and Georgia. "Despite significant efforts, HIV remains among the main public health concerns in the WHO European region, in particular in its eastern part," the WHO regional director for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab, said. She urged member countries to implement a new action plan they endorsed in September, including improving access to HIV testing and prevention methods, to reverse the HIV epidemic. Police refused to disclose the names given by Mintoo, saying they were yet to verify them. New Delhi: Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who was arrested from Delhis Nizammuddin railway station on Sunday after escaping from Nabha prison, has revealed to the Delhi Police that was receiving instructions from Pakistans spy agency the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to a report in Hindustan Times, Mintoo disclosed the names of his two alleged ISI handlers to the police. He said that one was based in Lahore in Pakistan while the other was in a European country, probably Germany, which was to be the KLF militants final destination. Police refused to disclose the names given by Mintoo, saying they were yet to verify them. Mintoo told police that he learnt about the jailbreak plan a fortnight ago, the report said. As his handlers were looking for an opportunity to get him out of the jail, Mintoo alerted them about the plan through a common contact. Police said Mintoo was provided Rs 25,000 to manage everything in the jail. The police are now probing the role of jail staff, said the report. Mintoo had escaped Nabha prison in Punjab along with 5 others in a daring jailbreak late on Saturday. Police have so far tracked down 2 of the escapees including Mintoo. Locals in Burdwan caught woman who sold a newborn for Rs 10,000. In the latest incident, police arrested three persons, two of whom are women. (Photo: PTI) Kolkata: Police in Burdwan unearthed a child trafficking racket late Sunday night, days after a similar racket was busted and several children, including newborn, rescued in North In the latest incident, police arrested three persons, two of whom are women. The police learnt about the racket after locals caught one Roshanara Khatun, a resident of Bahir Sarbamangalapara, upon learning that she had allegedly smuggled a newborn from Life Nursing Home at J.B. Mitra Lane, where she worked as a maid, and sold the baby to a couple for Rs 10,000. Neighbours of the childless couple who bought the baby heard the cries of the newborn and went in to enquire, police said, adding the husband, Khokan Sheikh, confessed to having bought the newborn from Roshanara in exchange for Rs 10,000. Furious locals barged into Roshanaras house and handed her over to the officers at Burdwan police station who arrested her. The police later arrested the owner of the nursing home, Sadhan Kumar Ghatak, and Roshanaras colleague Sandhya. As per preliminary investigations, Roshanara had made an offer to Mr Sheikhs wife a few days ago. She told her she could arrange a child but it would cost money. A deal was made when the wife agreed to the offer. Roshanara allegedly stole the baby girl from the nursing home the day she was born and delivered her to the couple that same evening. The police later rescued the newborn and also sealed the nursing home. On Monday, the police produced the three accused, Roshanara, Sadhan and Sandhya, before the court, which has remanded them to five days police custody. The district police has also informed the criminal investigation department, which is probing the child trafficking racket it busted earlier in North 24 Parganas Baduria, in which children were rescued from an old age home. The family is set to hand over the phone set on which the call came to the police for a probe into the nature and origin of the call. Mumbai: The Kalyan-based family of Aman Tandel who was part of a group of four youths who went to Iraq in May 2014 to fight for trans-national terror outfit Islamic State said on Monday that they had received a call on Saturday night, from what appeared to be a satellite phone, informing them about his death in an accident. It is suspected that Tandel died in an air strike. The family is set to hand over the phone set on which the call came to the police for a probe into the nature and origin of the call. The unidentified caller, who the family suspects to be a Turkish male, had spoken to Naeem, Tandels father, who spoke to The Asian Age. The state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) have asked the local police to submit a report to them. Areeb Majeed, another youth among the four who went to Iraq, had returned the same year and was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act provisions. In Tandels case, the police are now verifying the authenticity of the information that the caller gave about him. Tandel is a class XII pass-out and an IT diploma holder whose family resides at Govindwadi in Kalyan. He had left home in 2014 along with the three other youths (Majeed, Fahad Tanveer Shaikh and Shaheem Tanki) to join the ISIS. His family is in trauma and cannot believe that their son is dead. Many of his relatives and friends came to his house on Monday to console his parents. Confirming the call, Naeem said, We were sleeping when I got a call on my number very late on Saturday night. I couldnt see the number, but I took the call and some man said, Your son Aman died in an air strike. Before I could ask anything, the phone was disconnected. I havent spoken to my son for the past two years. Whatever information we get about him is from the news. He added, I think the phone call came from Turkey. An officer from Kalyans Bajarpeth police station, under whose jurisdiction Govindwadi is located, went to Naeems house on Sunday evening to investigate the call after the National Investigation Agency and Anti-Terrorism Squad officials had told them to look into the matter and submit a report in the next two days. Senior police inspector D Suryavamshi of the Bajarpeth police station said, We have received instructions from senior officials asking us to inquire about the call that Naeem received. We went to Naeems house, but he was so tense that we could not ask him too many questions We have called him tomorrow (Tuesday) in order to record his detailed statement since we have to submit the report concerned to the NIA. For the first time since 2012, the trust allowed women to enter the shrine, following orders from the Supreme Court. After five years, a series of legal battles and protests, a group of 80 women entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon. The Supreme Court had upheld womens right to pray at the dargah. (Photo: Asian Age) Mumbai: The Haji Ali Dargah Trust on Tuesday allowed women access to the iconic mausoleums sanctum sanctorum, but new rules bar everyone from touching the shrine of saint Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. For the first time since 2012, the trust allowed women to enter the shrine, following orders from the Supreme Court. The move is considered a massive victory for equality by Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) who moved the court in August 2014 petitioning against the ban that was brought in place in 2012. Till 2012, women were allowed to enter the dargah, but suddenly access was restricted, citing religious laws. But, we decided to raise our voice and moved court, said Zakia Soman, the co-founder of the BMMA. Ms Soman is one of the 200 women from BMMA who walked the ramp leading to the dargah around 2 pm and entered the shrine. Till 2012, women were allowed entry till the sanctum sanctorum including the grave of the saint, but then access was discontinued. Many women were surprised to see the doors that earlier barred their entry were open. I thought it must be a mistake or that they were cleaning the area, but then I saw a woman entering and looking around and no one stopped her so I too entered the shrine, said Munaira Shaikh. Her daughter, 19, said this was the first time she was entering the shrine. My mother used to tell me that earlier we were allowed to enter, but since I came here as a child, we have never been inside. It feels different, she said. Oscar-winner Kate Winslet said she agreed to do the calender because she knew Lindbergh does not touch up his photos. Paris: Pirelli unveiled its feminist-friendly 2017 calendar on Tuesday with a galaxy of Hollywood stars daring to show their wrinkles and crows feet to the camera. The arty black and white compilation is a world away from the glossy airbrushed images of naked women that traditionally graced garages and mens locker rooms. Fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh roped in veteran stars Helen Mirren and Charlotte Rampling aged 71 and 70 declaring that his calendar was a cry against the terror of perfection and youth. Even his shots of Nicole Kidman and glamorous Bond star Lea Seydoux embraced their imperfections. Talent is sexy, said the German-born filmmaker, who shot some of the actresses, including Julianne Moore, without makeup. We dont do naked any more, he added as the calender was launched in Paris. What is much more important than naked body parts is when you really show yourself as you are. Pirelli stopped using nude shots for its calendar three years ago. Lindbergh said he wanted to strip away all the airbrushing that has come with the age of celebrity. There is no beauty without truth. All this fake making up of a person into something that is not them cannot be beautiful. It is just ridiculous, he said. Oscar-winner Kate Winslet said she agreed to do the calender because she knew Lindbergh does not touch up his photos. I wanted him to photograph my age at 40, as I am, Winslet said in a video filmed after her shoot in London. He wants to see women as they are, their lines, their little crows feet, their veins... I asked him to photograph the backs of my hands, because they are different than when I was 30. People are always making us a softer version of 40 or a more youthful version of 50. But isnt it just OK to be 40 or 50 or 60? she added. The 15 women featured in the calendar range in age from 28 to 71, with most in their 40s including Penelope Cruz and Uma Thurman. Rather than concentrate on their bodies as Pirelli calendars did in the past Lindbergh focused mostly on the faces of his subjects, with a series of tender and revealing portraits. Kidman said she wasnt afraid of nudity but if it is exploitative it is not interesting. She was happier, however, that the photographer had allowed the women to be their age. There is a considerable irony in this, given how often we have wistfully asked when Pakistani democracy will become like US democracy. It seems that America has exported so much democracy over the past decades that its now faced with a domestic shortage. And since political systems, much like nature itself, abhor a vacuum a variety of morbid symptoms more commonly associated with Third World democracy are filling the void. There is a considerable irony in this, given how often we have wistfully asked when Pakistani democracy will become like US democracy, with its safeguarding traditions checks and balances. While that day may never come, it does increasingly seem like America is taking a page out of our playbook. Take nepotism. Questions are raised as to why the prime ministers daughter is spotted meeting foreign dignitaries and heading projects like the youth loan scheme. And lo and behold, we now see the US President-elects daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner (neither of whom have national security clearance) sitting in on the Trump administrations meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Adding salt to the wounds of political ethicists, Ivankas jewellery company promptly used the meeting as a promotional tool, sending emails to inform customers they could purchase the bracelet she wore at the meeting for a bargain $10,800. Kushner is also being tipped to have a part in the Trump administration itself, something that could run afoul of a 1967 law against nepotism and which Trump lawyers are trying to find ways to circumvent with some legal gymnastics. Admittedly, these are minor infringements in the larger scheme of things so lets talk about another Pakistani bane: conflict of interest. To be specific, how does one avoid a situation where the leadership of a country uses its power for personal gain or the gain of those close to it? Here, this is common practice but in the US there are checks and balances, laws and traditions to prevent that sort of thing a system to keep the worst excesses in check. For instance, when a person becomes president, their assets and business interests are placed in a blind trust to be administered by persons unknown to the president himself. Trumps okay with that so long as the blind trust is administered by his children (who are also serving on Trumps transition team), which makes it neither blind nor a trust. Trust, after all, is something Trump reserves for family members and close associates he relies on to run his businesses, and who will now be relied upon to run his administration in much the same manner. Even more desi are the reasons being given by his allies to justify this: Rudy Giuliani said that Trumps stance is legitimate because his children would otherwise become unemployed. Another Trump spokesperson said that media should stop concentrating on non-issues like these and instead focus on the sacrifice Trump has made by going from billionaire businessman to president of the United States. But theres no reason the two cant go hand in hand, as the reported conversation between Trump and Argentine President Mauricio Macri shows. Argentine media reported that when Macri called Trump to congratulate him, the president-elect reportedly used the opportunity to ask Macri to help with permit issues that have delayed the construction of a Buenos Aires office by Trump and his partners. Soon after his election victory, Trump with his children in tow held a meeting with three Indian business partners in New Yorks Trump Tower after which one of the partners said that Trump had shown interest in expanding his business in India. Business looks good for Trump properties as well, and in an astounding display of self-promotion Washingtons Trump International Hotel held an event for diplomatic staff one week after the election in which eager diplomats were shown around the hotels $20,000 per night town house suites. One Middle Eastern diplomat at the event told the reporters that all the delegations will go to Trump Hotels and an Asian diplomat was even more forthcoming, saying, Why wouldnt I stay at his hotel so I can tell the new president, I love your new hotel! Isnt it rude to come to his city and say, I am staying at your competitor? Consider also, that all this has taken place within a few weeks of the election results, and in the presence of a media too shell-shocked and bullied by Trump to figure out exactly what has hit them. The best is yet to come, and it isnt yet clear if the US system will survive his presidency. Certainly, long-standing political systems do have certain resilience, and are capable of adapting and evolving like a biological entity. But evolution is also known for dead ends and extinctions, and it is possible that Donald Trump may be for American democracy what the asteroid was for the dinosaurs. Yes, what doesnt destroy can make you stronger but it can also leave you permanently crippled. By arrangement with Dawn The Asus Zenfone 3 Max turns your smartphone into a power bank. Gone are the days when you needed batteries with capacities larger than 5,000 mAh for your devices to last long. The recently launched Asus Zenfone Max lets you do all this with just a 4,100 mAh battery, thanks to its innovative battery technology. Asus has included an OTG cable with the Max devices, ensuring that you can use its battery as a power bank if you need to. You can choose from five different battery modes depending on usage and how much charge remains on your phone. The 5.5 inch Zenfone 3 Max (ZC553KL) is powered by a Snapdragon 430 64-bit processor, in addition with an Adreno 505 graphics processor aimed at hardcore gamers. The device comes with a 16 MP rear and 8 MP front camera, along with an electronic image stabilisation (EIS) feature that counteracts hand movements while shooting videos. However, the 5.2 inch Zenfone 3 Max (ZC520TL) comes with a quad core processor and a Mali T720 graphics processor. The rear and front camera configurations are 13 MP and 5 MP respectively. Both the variants are 4G LTE dual-sim devices with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB memory. While the 5.5 inch variant is expandable upto 128 GB, the 5.2 inch variant is expandable upto 32 GB. Priced at Rs 17,999 and Rs 12,999 respectively for the two sizes, the 5.2 inch Zenfone 3 Max is currently available online and at offline outlets, and the 5.5 inch variant is expected any day. PhotoScan automatically senses the edge of the photo and crops it clean and straightens crooked images too. A line in the 1862 work of Russian author Ivan Turgenev reads The drawing shows me at a glance, what would be spread over ten pages in a book. By the 1920s, an American writer, Frederick Barnard, had paraphrased this as, A picture is worth a thousand words a phrase much loved by photographers in the newspaper business, who use it to tease reporters about the relative impact of words and image. The fact remains that a photograph is still the greatest way to preserve cherished memories and even in this digital age, many of us lovingly preserve old family albums from our younger days. But for how long? Those sepia-tinted stills become dull and brittle with age and may eventually fade away in time. Which is why a new Google app may come as a blessing for those of us with piles of deteriorating, old photos. PhotoScan uses the camera as a scanner and since most such cameras are multi-megapixel, the end result is almost as good as that offered by a costly flatbed scanner. This is not like taking a photo of an old photo never a good idea. PhotoScan automatically senses the edge of the photo and crops it clean; straightens crooked images, corrects for perspective and saves the image the right way up, no matter which way you scan. The app is available as a free Android and iOS app in the respective stores. Having digitised your old photos, it makes sense to download another app Google Photo which offers unlimited cloud storage to preserve them; some cool tools to enhance them by adjusting lighting, contrast, colour; a simple visual search tool that helps you locate a particular image and a way to share them quickly with friends and contacts. Artify your photos If sharing photos is something you do all the time, an Indian app will make it even easier. Vebbler is the brainchild of Sahil Bhagat who promises to make the process of sharing the photos you take with your phone, a cinch. Recently, Vebbler has added a range of image art filters which allow you to artify your photos to give them a vintage, monochrome or sepia tone. Heres the irony! You digitise and enhance your old sepia photos to preserve them. Then you give todays photos a sepia tint for that vintage look. You can even add your reaction to a photo in quirky ways. More importantly, the app works with both portrait and landscape mode pictures, without cropping. The business of shooting, scanning, saving and sharing photos was never this easy! She also wore a full-body outfit called a burkini during the swimsuit competition. Halima Aden wears a hijab and gown while competing in the preliminary round of the Miss Minnesota USA pageant at the Ames Center in Burnsville on Saturday. (Photo: AP) Burnsville (Minnesota): A Muslim woman has become the first to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant while fully clothed. Halima Aden made the semifinals of the competition over the weekend while wearing a hijab, but did not advance to the finals. She also wore a full-body outfit called a burkini during the swimsuit competition. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Ms Adens swim outfit stood in contrast to those of the other 44 contestants, most of whom wore bikinis. Before the competition, the 19-year-old Somali-American woman told Minnesota Public Radio News that the pageant was a great platform to show the world who I am. For a really long time I thought being different was a negative thing. But as I grew older, I started to realize we are all born to stand out, nobody is born to blend in, Ms Aden told the CBS Minnesota. How boring would this world be if everyone was the same? Meridith Gould of Minneapolis was crowned Miss Minnesota. She will go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant in 2017. Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, Ms Aden moved to Minnesota home to one of the largest Somali communities in America when she was just six years old. Growing up, she said she saw very few positive representations of Muslim women. As long as I could remember, the media portrays Muslim women as oppressed and in a very negative light, she said. But you never see the beauty and the good things that come from Muslim women, Ms Aden had told reporters earlier. 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It was the first time in more than 50 years a US airline provided regular commercial service to Havana. (Photo: AFP) Havana: US airlines resumed direct flights to Havana on Monday, a sign of the changing times just as the Cuban capital held a tearful memorial for late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. After setting off from Miami with a water cannon salute, an American Airlines flight touched down at Jose Marti international airport at 8:45 am (1345 GMT). It was the first time in more than 50 years a US airline provided regular commercial service to Havana. "It's something historic. We were expecting this for a long time here," said American passenger Edgar Salveani on arrival. The first JetBlue Airways flight from New York to Havana arrived shortly after. Commercial flights between Cuba and the US had already resumed in August under the historic rapprochement the old Cold War foes announced in December 2014. But these are the first to Havana. In an added dose of symbolism, they come just three days after Castro's death at age 90 turned a page on the revolutionary leader's divisive legacy. As the planes touched down, hundreds of thousands of Cubans were streaming onto Havana's iconic Revolution Square to pay their last respects to Castro, who ruled the island with an iron fist from 1959 to 2006. "It's a once in a lifetime experience, it will be interesting to see how people are responding to his passing," passenger Priva Rhat told reporters on the American Airlines flight. Air travel between the United States and Cuba had been restricted to charter flights from 1979 until earlier this year. Direct commercial flights began on August 31, linking several US airports with nine Cuban cities, many of them in or near tourism hotspots. There are now 110 scheduled daily flights from the United States to Cuba, 20 of them to Havana. The direct flights were one of several watershed changes initiated after US President Barack Obama and Castro's successor, his younger brother Raul, announced a thaw after more than 50 years of hostility. Diplomatic relations were restored in July 2015. Washington still bans Americans from visiting Cuba as tourists, but travel is permitted for 12 other categories, including cultural and educational exchange. Rumours of Castros sexual prowess abounded in Cuba even before his days as a black-bearded guerrilla leader hiding out in the mountains. Havana: With his rugged rebel look and seductive charisma, Fidel Castro was known not only as a giant of 20th-century history, but also as quite the ladies man. Rumours of Castros sexual prowess abounded in Cuba even before his days as a black-bearded guerrilla leader hiding out in the mountains. And those tales lasted straight through his nearly five decades in power, even until his death on Friday at age 90. Some said he had thousands of women. The New York Post put the figure at a stunning 35,000 in a 2008 article, a figure that came from an unnamed former official. Journalist Ann Louise Bardach wrote in a 2009 book that Castro told her he had fathered almost a tribe of children. But it is difficult to separate truth from legend. Castro himself rarely ta-lked about his personal life despite his famous volubility. Private life, in my opinion, should not be an instrument for publicity or politics, he said in 1992. He reportedly had a taste for blondes, seducing a string of American, Ger-man and Italian women in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1959, just after seizing power, Castro had an affa-ir with a young German woman, Marita Lorenz, who says the CIA hired her to assassinate him. She lost her nerve, flus-hed her poison pills down the toilet, and ended up spending their rendezvous at the Habana Hilton making love with him instead, she said in a 1993 interview in Vanity Fair. Castro had a mysterious power over her from the day she met him as a wide-eyed 19-year-old, she said. When Fidel talks to you, he talks to you very close. He looks right in your eye, Lorenz said, recounting how he immediately swept her off her feet. Nothing hit me as hard as this ever like a ton of bricks. He didnt let me completely undress. He was the sweetest, tenderest. I guess nobody ever forgets their first lover. Historians say Castro had at least seven children by three women. Rumours of secret affairs and more children abound. Castro had little patience for the American-style political family. Politically speaking as a revolutionary, I refuse to mix my family with politics. In truth the idea of first ladies seems to be ridiculous, he told US filmmaker Oliver Stone in a 2003 documentary. Investigators probing whether attack was act of terror. TheLantern.com shows Abdul Razak Ali Artan in Columbus, Ohio. Authorities identified Artan as the Somali-born Ohio State University student who plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus and then got out and began stabbing people with a knife. (Photo: AP) Washington: The Somali-born student, who injured 11 people in a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University before being shot and killed, had lived in Pakistan along with his family for about seven years. The 18-year-old attacker, identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident, NBC News quoted law enforcement officials as saying. He temporarily lived in Dallas before settling in Ohio. He rammed his car into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday and attacked them with a butcher knife injuring 11 before the police fatally shot him. Investigators are investigating whether the attack was an act of terror by Artan, who had once criticised the media for its portrayal of Muslims. In a magazine in August, he was quoted as saying that he is scared to pray in the public because of media coverage of the religion. Im a Muslim, its not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. But, I dont blame them. Its the media that put that picture in their heads, Artan had said. He also appears to have made an anti-US posting on Facebook minutes before the attack on a page that was quickly disabled or taken down by authorities, US media said. I cant take it any more. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that, the post quoted by ABC television said. If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace, the post reads. We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. Artan also referred to Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born Al Qaeda cleric, as a hero in the posting. Officials said 11 people were being treated at local hospitals for stabbing wounds and injuries from the motor vehicle. None of their injuries were life-threatening. Fatemah posted a Tweet telling her followers that her home has been bombed in Aleppo as govt forces advance on rebel-held parts of the city. Bana Alabed has amassed some 137,000 followers since joining the social media site in September, sharing videos and pictures of life in the conflict zone. (Photo: Twitter)) London: A seven-year-old Syrian girl, whose depictions of daily life in Aleppo have gained a large Twitter following, has sent harrowing messages describing the bombardment of her house as government forces advance on rebel-held parts of the city. Bana Alabed has amassed some 137,000 followers since joining the social media site in September, sharing videos and pictures of life during the year conflict from her @AlabedBana account managed by her mother, Fatemah. Overnight Sunday to Monday, Fatemah posted a Tweet telling her followers: "Last message under heavy bombardments now, can't be alive anymore. When we die, keep talking for 200,000 still inside. BYE.- Fatemah". Several hours later, a picture of the young girl covered in dust was uploaded with the text: A following tweet posted later on Monday read: Reuters could not immediately verify the events described by Bana and her mother. The Syrian army and its allies on Monday announced the capture of a swathe of eastern Aleppo from rebels in an accelerating attack that threatens to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold. Contacted by Reuters, Fatemah said the family were staying with neighbours while they looked for another house. "We wait & see because right now we are fighting for life," she said in English via Twitter. Bana's past tweets have gained responses from various users including "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling, who has sent the young girl eBooks of the best-selling series. Rowling has re-tweeted Bana's latest messages. I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her, Raheel Sharif said. Islamabad: Pakistan's outgoing military chief warned India on Tuesday it would be dangerous to mistake his country's "restraint" over recent tensions in Kashmir for weakness, as he handed over power to his successor. The hugely popular General Raheel Sharif spoke at a colourful ceremony welcoming the incoming chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a stadium at army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. "Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in (Indian) occupied Kashmir, and India's aggressive steps have put the region's peace in danger," Sharif said. "I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her," he said to applause. "This is reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international community's special attention is necessary," he continued. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have spiralled following a deadly assault on an Indian army base in September that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it had responded to the September attack by carrying out "surgical strikes" across the heavily militarised border, sparking fury from Islamabad, which denied the strikes took place. There have been repeated incidents of cross-border shellings and gunfire from both sides since, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Sharif spoke on Tuesday as J&K police said armed militants had launched a fresh attack near the border with Pakistan, killing two soldiers. Officials said the attack took place in Nagrota in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which borders Pakistan and has seen repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing in recent weeks, and blamed it on "terrorists". Pakistan on Saturday named Bajwa as its new military chief as Sharif stepped down from a three-year tenure, winning praise for respecting democracy even as many Pakistanis called for him to extend his term. Military bands played as uniformed soldiers marched at the ceremony Tuesday, where the outgoing chief gives his wooden cane to his successor, symbolising the handover of power. In the last 24 hours, at least 4 thousand people have fled the eastern sector. Used as human shields, they tell stories of destruction, rubble and hunger under the Islamic fundamentalists. Aleppo city is the "martyr par excellence" of the conflict. Turkish troops on Syrian territory targeted for the first time. Aleppo (AsiaNews) - In the last 24 hours, at least 4 thousand civilians have fled from Aleppo east to the west, which is under government control. And they all tell the same stories, stories that no human ear would ever want to hear. They are stories of destruction, rubble, hunger, lack of medicines, terror and absolute prohibition on the part of Islamic fundamentalists to get out, to escape or even just take cover. Through the microphones of Syrian state television, all of the fugitives speak of being used as "human shields". In the eastern sector of Aleppo, the second largest city of the country, once an economic and commercial hub, controlled by the rebels (and jihadi groups) has become an open air prison for civilians. And there are only 20 doctors for a population of about 250 thousand people. A lady in tears said that children are among the most affected and that "childhood is dead in east Aleppo." She added that people have no more tears to shed, and "now I should return to live, but do not know where to start to do so." Aleppo city is the martyr par excellence, never no city in modern history has known a period as long of endless suffering, encirclement, cross-bombing, in the context of absolute global indifference, apart from a few (and timid) exceptions. A reality of rubble, people robbed of their humanity, of the minimum requirements for dignity and rights. The blame game among world powers is of little interest to the victims who just want this to end as soon as possible. They cannot understand how some of the world can support the terrorists, who have segregated them and forced to stay under falling bombs, using them as human shields. At the same time, they fail to understand how another part of the world can support those who bombard them to free them from their captors. Surely they alone are paying the highest price in terms of human lives and destruction, in injuries and deprivation, misery, cold, hunger and pain. One Facebook user recently wrote on a page created to support internally displaced people in the city: "Aleppo and its martyrdom will remain forever as an indelible stain on the conscience of humanity. As the place where solidarity has been buried, where humanity is dead, where all the slogans of freedom and human rights have lost their meaning, and where they have emerged for what they have become: empty words, mirage, illusion. " In West Aleppo solidarity is at its highest among ordinary people, civil society organizations and charities; Christians and Muslims, everyone without distinction, collaborate with the government to welcome their brothers and sisters who have been able to escape from hell. In Hananu, in the eastern sector, the fighting was fierce; Islamic militants in the area have turned to the south. The Syrian state TV has broadcast recordings of conversations that took place between the fundamentalists on the run, who betray their state of "collapse." Audio files reveal accusations and insults traded between the various jihadist factions, with tones particularly aimed at pro-Turkish factions. One recording reveals harsh accusations against "those who have retreated to northern hinterland, in exchange for $ 250 each". However, anyone who looks at a map can see that Aleppo east is completely surrounded and that there is no escape for any fighter. Unless, if it is true what was said in the recordings, there was an undeclared escape route encouraged by the government. What is happening in Aleppo east is not a defeat, not a retreat but a real collapse of the fundamentalist resistance forces, who now no longer have a way out. A situation that has worsened especially after the fall of the Hay el Sekhour district, now under the control of the Syrian army as confirmed by the official news agency Sana. According to reliable sources the Turkmen fighters had left the city to join and fight alongside the Turkish army operation "Shield of the Euphrates," which has allowed Ankara to invade the Aleppo hinterland. The Turkish army seeks to occupy Bab, and then launch the attack on Membej; the Syrian air force has stopped this advance however, last week bombing the Turkish occupying forces on Syrian territory for the first time. Three soldiers were killed in the raid, in a clear warning from Damascus, and consequently also from Moscow, beyond which the advancement of the Turks could lead to an open war between Damascus, Tehran, Moscow and Ankara. ( PB) The virus was found on farms in two prefectures, but other cases might still be discovered elsewhere. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately gave orders to implement health provisions as required in such circumstances. Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) More than 330,000 chickens and ducks have been culled in Japan, following the discovery of a number of avian flu cases. Japanese authorities announced today that they found the virus on two farms in different prefectures; however, they did not confirm whether it was the H5N6 strain or the less dangerous H5N8 strain. Still, they decided to cull between 310,000 and 320,000 chickens on a farm in Niigata Prefecture and 16,500 ducks on another in Aomori. At a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga did not rule out other cases in other areas. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately gave orders to implement health provisions as required in such circumstances. Farmers were ordered not to move any birds should they find suspicious deaths on their farm. Bangkok (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Thai government has started the formal process of succession to the throne after the death of King Bhumibol Adulaydej. The government will ask the President of Parliament to invite the Prince Vajiralongkorn to become the next king. The heir to the throne must accept the invitation before being proclaimed king. Prawit Wongsuwan, defense minister, told the press: "Now we have begun the parliamentary process. We expect an audience [with Prince] within the next day or two". King Bhumibol died on 13 October. He was the longest-serving ruler in the world, on the throne of Thailand for 70 years. A few hours after the death, the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared a year of national mourning, saying that this period was in response to a request put forward by the Prince. Vajiralongkorn cannot be crowned before the cremation of the body of his father, which will take place next autumn. The government said that the construction of the pyre will begin in 2017 and that 8 thousand people will be involved in the cremation ceremony. The Crown Prince who is not loved by the people as was his father - is currently in Germany (where he spent much of his adult life) and is expected to return to Bangkok for a meeting with the speaker of parliament soon. Throughout the transition period, the duties are officiated Prem Tinsulanonda, 96 year-old army general, former Prime Minister (1980-1988) and former president of the Privy Council of King Bhumibol. According to AsiaNews sources, the long national mourning is actually of benefit to the military junta in power to postpone democratic elections. Bangladesh border guards send back boats full of Muslim women and children fleeing Myanmar army violence. The death toll in Rakhine State reaches 90 deaths and 30,000 displaced people. Myanmar and UN clash. Naypyiadaw (AsiaNews) The situation of Myanmars Rohingya Muslims is getting worse. In the past two months, Myanmar soldiers have been driving them towards the border with Bangladesh, where thousands are seeking refuge. In the last two weeks, Bangladeshi border guards have prevented more than 1,000 Rohingya, including many women and children, from entering the country by boat, officials said. Boats full of refugees have also been forced back to Myanmar territorial waters. Clashes between Myanmar soldiers and what the authorities call Rohingya Muslim militants have occurred in the past few weeks in the south-western state of Rakhine. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority (just over a million) originally from Bangladesh living in refugee camps in several parts of the Myanmar where they have been denied citizenship. As a result of the violence, at least 90 people have died and about 30,000 have been displaced since the beginning of October. At present, soldiers continue to go from village to village clearing the area of rebel elements. Appeals for peace by Card Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon, have fallen on deaf ears. Bangladeshs main opposition leader Khaleda Zia joined other political parties and Muslim groups calling for the Rohingya to be given shelter. Some displaced people managed to reach an unofficial refugee camp in Bangladesh. At least 1,338 have arrived in the community since mid-October. Samira Akhter is one of them. The military killed my husband and torched our home. I fled to a hill along with my three children and neighbours. We hid there for a week, she said. Meanwhile, Myanmar and the United Nations are at loggerheads. Last Thursday (24 November), John McKissick, head of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) on the Bangladeshi border, accused Myanmar of conducting a genocide campaign on stateless Rohingya Muslims. Specifically, he accused Myanmar army soldiers and border police of killing villagers, raping women and girls, and burning down homes in Rohingya communities for no reason. Now its very difficult for the Bangladeshi government to say the border is open because this would further encourage the government of Myanmar to continue the atrocities and push them out until they have achieved their ultimate goal of ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority in Myanmar, McKissick said. Htin Linn, Myanmars permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, lodged a protest against John McKissick. At the same time, a statement was posted on Sunday on the Facebook page of Myanmars State Counsellors Office Aung San Suu Kyi. If such allegations were indeed made by the UNHCR, the post said, then Myanmar lodges strong objection against the UNHCR for unjust allegations made without substantiating evidence [against] the Myanmar government. Suu Kyi, who is Myanmars de facto leader, had to delay a three-day visit to Indonesia because of protests in the Muslim majority country against Myanmars repression against the Rohingya. Antonio Guterrez spoke yesterday about respecting human rights. Petitioners wanted to file complaints against the Party. Interceptors escort petitioners back home, but also abuse them. Two petitioners died suspiciously in the past few months whilst being escorted home. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) Hundreds of activists gathered yesterday outside the National Police Complaints Department during the visit of Antonio Guterrez, the new secretary general of the United Nations, to protest against human rights violations in China. As Mr Guterrez talked about respect for human, civil and economic rights, police and security guards beat up and arrested dozens of protesters who tried to file complaints against the hegemonic control of the Chinese Communist Party. "There were so many police there, about 1,000, with maybe 400 interceptors," Sichuan petitioner Yuan Ying told Radio Free Asia, referring to security personnel hired by regional governments to prevent petitioners from presenting their grievances and escort them home. "They were all standing over by the alley leading to the Dongtangzi Church and around there," Yuan noted. "The petitioners were being locked up and kidnapped for complaining about the government." "Some interceptors snatched away one petitioner from right under the noses of the police," she added. Out on the streets, Gansu petitioner Qiao Hua reported similar crowds outside the State Council's land bureau, where some 200 petitioners had gathered, and outside the Ministry of Public Security. "Things were very bad here on the ground today," Qiao said. "When I went to swipe my ID card at the Ministry of Public Security, the interceptors were out in force, watching everybody." Some of the complaints were linked to two suspicious deaths of petitioners detained by interceptors and officially escorted home. Last August, Tianzhi Yang, 68, was found dead, his mutilated, headless body lying at the side of a road in Sichuan's Yuechi county. Police detained nine suspects at the time, but there have been no developments on the case since, activists said. On 20 November, Chen Shenqun died in a car accident as police escorted her home. She had been arrested for speaking out against the abuses she suffered inside the police-run Masanjia labour camp. Police refused to allow relatives to see her body before cremation, prompting widespread suspicion that she had been murdered. 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. The project seeks to link Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. With a US$ 2 billion price tag, it is expected to increase international economic cooperation. Ashgabat (AsiaNews) Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his Afghan counterpart, President Ashraf Ghani, officially inaugurated the first section of the TAT railway that is set to connect Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. This is the first railway link between Turkmenistan (Atamyrat) and Afghanistan (Aqina). Construction of the first part (85 kilometres) began in June 2013 in the 400-kilometre line. The second part (36 km) is now under construction; it will link the Afghan cities of Aqina and Andkhoy before going east towards the Tajik border. During the opening ceremony, the Afghan president thanked his Turkmen counterpart for investing in the future of his country. He also described the railway as an important step in strengthening relations between the two nations, and in promoting regional economic co-operation in Asia. The project, whose cost is estimated to be around US$ 2 billion, will facilitate and boost international economic co-operation. Afghanistan and Tajikistan have not contributed financially to the railway. Afghanistan is still caught up in the growing Taliban insurgency, which could hinder the project. The Tajik government announced that it would not invest in the railway until Afghanistans internal stability is not restored. If the link is completed, both Kyrgyzstan and China have expressed interest in connecting to the railway, which could bring economic benefits to more isolated regions. The Korean president says she is ready to leave power "once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance." December 2, the opposition will present the motion for impeachment in parliament. Park would be the first president to step down since 1960. Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - "I will leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly. If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will resign from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law". said South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, today during a speech to the nation broadcast live on TV. The head of states address, fueled by a lingering political scandal, come just a few days from December 2, when the opposition parties will present a motion in parliament asking for her impeachment. The motion should pass with a two-thirds majority as even members of Saenuri party, linked to the president, are in favor of it. Park is at the center of a corruption scandal involving her friend Choi Soon-sil. The latter - the daughter of a religious personality (almost a "guru") a friend of the Park family - is accused of having interfered in internal and foreign policies, procuring funding for some of her foundation, illegally benefiting from it. Today is the third televised speech by Park since the beginning of the scandal. Two days ago yet another demonstration in Seoul gathered nearly a million and a half demonstrators. In recent weeks there have been other popular demonstrations. Park would be the first South Korean president to resign since Syngman Rhee, who left power and fled to Hawaii after a popular protest in 1960. The next government was brought down by Parks father, Park Chung-hee, the military dictator who ruled until his assassination in 1979. Only the little ones "are capable of understanding" fully "the sense of humility", the "sense of fear of the Lord" because "they walk before the Lord," watched over and shielded. This is not the humility of the one who said: 'I am humble, but proud of it'." Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis celebrated Mass this morning at Santa Marta House. Taking his cue from Praise of the Father in todays Gospel of Luke, the Holy Father said that God reveals his mystery to the humble, not the learned and the scholarly, to those who "walk before the Lord," watched over and shielded. This is "not the humility of the one who said: 'I am humble, but proud of it'." The pontiff stressed Gods preference for those who can understand his mysteries, not the learned and the scholarly, but the "heart of the little ones." Even the First Reading, full "of little details" Francis noted, "goes in that direction". The prophet Isaiah speaks of "a small shoot" that "starts from the stump of Jesse," and not of "an army" that will bring liberation. The little ones play a central role Christmas. "Then at Christmas, we see this smallness, this little thing: a baby, a stable, a mother, a father. . . Small things. Big hearts but the attitude of a child. And the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to rest on this shoot and this small shoot will have the virtue of children and the fear of the Lord. He will walk in the fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord is not dread: no, it is putting into practice the commandment God gave to our father Abraham: Walk in my presence and be blameless, Humble. This is humility. Fear of the Lord is humility. Only the little ones "are capable of understanding" fully "the sense of humility," the Lords sense of fear" because those who "walk before the Lord" watched over and shielded" feel that the Lord gives them the strength to go on." This is true humility. Living our humility, Christian humility means having this fear of the Lord that, I repeat, is not dread but is: You are God, I am a person, I go forward this way with the little things of life but walking in Your presence and trying to be blameless. Humility is the virtue of the little ones. This is true humility, not a theatrical humility: no, not that. [That is] the humility of the one who said: I am humble but proud of it. No, that is not true humility. The humility of the little ones is that which walks in the presence of the Lord, that does not speak badly about others, that looks only at serving, that feels as the smallest . . . That is where strength lies. The girl upon whom God looks to send His Son is also humble, very humble. Right away, she goes to her cousin Elisabeth and says nothing of what has happened. This is how humility is, said Francis, of those who walk in the presence of the Lord, happy, joyful because they are watched over by Him, [. . .] full of joy because they are humble, just as todays Gospel reading says. As we look at Jesus rejoicing because God reveals his mystery to the humble, we can ask for the grace of humility for all of us, the grace of fear of God, of walking in his presence seeking to be blameless. Thus, with this humility, we can be vigilant in prayer, diligent in brotherly charity and full of joy in giving praise. Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - An Israeli court has sentenced a young Palestinian to life imprisonment for killing two Israelis and wounding a third person in a knife attack in 2015. The assault, in the context of the Third intifada (or "intifada of the knives"), took place in Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial and financial capital. According to reports from the Israeli Ministry of Justice, the Tel Aviv District Court ruled that 37 year-old Palestinian, Rayed Khalil (pictured), will have to serve life imprisonment for each of the two murders. He also received an additional sentence of 20 years in prison for attempted murder. A ministerial source also clarified that life imprisonment "is valid for 25 years," and that is not expected to parole for this case. Khalil, originally from Hebron in the southern West Bank, will not be eligible for a reduced sentence. Judges have ruled that the attack took place in "aggravating circumstances" of was of "exceptional gravity." And, in the future, the assailant may not even be included in any early release program in the context of possible (and future) agreements between Israel and Palestine regarding pardons. Also yesterday, separately, the court of Lod, not far from Tel Aviv, sentenced another Palestinian to 16 years and six months in prison: Tamer Weridat, 30 years old, who stabbed - wounding - an Israeli citizen in one of the first episodes of the "intifada of knives" in October 2015. Recently the sentence to 12 years in prison for a 14 year old Palestinian, found guilty of attempted murder, caused deep indignation. Starting in October 2015, a series of provocations by ultra-Orthodox Jews who went to pray on the Temple Mount after Yom Kippur and Sukkot sparked violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. A year into the knife intifada has resulted in the death of 238 Palestinians, 36 Israelis, two Americans, a Jordanian, a Sudanese, and an Eritrean. Free newsletter Subscribe to our FREE newsletter service and well keep you up-to-date with the latest breaking news, cutting edge opinion, and expert analysis affecting both your business and the industry as whole. Please enter your email address below and click on Sign Up for daily newsletters from Australasian Lawyer. By Felix Georg Marx, Post doctoral research fellow in evolutionary biology, Monash University Carl Buell. Baleen whales, such as the gigantic 30m-long blue whale, are the largest animals that have ever lived on this planet. They even beat the largest of the dinosaurs. But, ironically, the secret to their success lies in their taste for tiny prey. Living whales feed by filtering vast numbers of small fish and krill directly from seawater. This is a rather clever strategy that allows them to cut out predatory middle men and feast directly on the abundance at the bottom of the food chain. Modern whales are toothless and so capture their prey using their hallmark adaptation: baleen, a series of horny filtering combs that line the upper jaw. Baleen is the key feature that allowed whales to grow big. Flickr/PRONOAA Photo Library, CC BY From the time baleen first appeared, most whales grew to body lengths of four to eight metres and, ultimately, became the ocean giants we know today. The baleen mystery How and why baleen evolved is one of the greatest mysteries of marine mammal evolution, with even Charles Darwin himself speculating upon its beginnings in his On the Origin of Species. Like all mammals, whales originally had teeth, which they used to capture and cut up large prey. Previously, it had been thought that baleen evolved alongside teeth in a transitional group of fossil whales known as aetiocetids. But this idea presents a major problem. How could hard, slicing teeth and comparatively soft baleen occupy the same space in the jaw, and yet not get in each others way? Why did the teeth not damage the baleen every time an early whale closed its mouth? A 25 million year old fossil whale seems to provide the answer, according to research published in the Memoirs of Museum Victoria this week by a team of palaeontologists at Museums Victoria and Monash University (including Erich Fitzgerald, Alistair Evans, Tim Ziegler and ourselves). The new specimen has not yet been scientifically named, and so for now we simply called him Alfred. Alfred is an aetiocetid and thus lived during the pivotal time when baleen is thought to have first appeared. But, unlike other aetiocetids, Alfred preserves something incredibly rare: direct, clear evidence of behaviour. Alfreds teeth The inner surfaces of Alfreds teeth are carved out and bear numerous polished horizontal scratches. These marks could only have been made by food and abrasive particles, such as sediment, rushing past the teeth and slowly grinding them down from the inside. Crucially, the degree of abrasion is so pronounced that the teeth could not have been shielded by adjacent baleen. Contrary to what had been thought, it seems that baleen simply had not yet evolved in aetiocetids. The horizontal orientation of the scratches suggests that prey was not captured by biting with the teeth, as in the ancestors of whales, but rather sucked into the mouth via a sudden retraction of the tongue. Suction feeding is common among living marine mammals, including seals, dolphins and toothed whales, who use it either to capture prey or to prevent it from floating away while they swallow. But, so far, suction had rarely been directly implicated in whale evolution. Suction profoundly affected the way whales fed. Living suction feeders, such as sperm whales, beaked whales and the narwhal, no longer use their teeth to capture prey, and generally have either reduced them or even lost them altogether. We think that something similar happened in early whales, along the lineage that gave rise to the living species. At the same time, suction freed whales from the need to grasp individual fish and allowed them to target smaller prey. In turn, this meant that for the first time whales were able to capture more than one prey item at once. This was the beginning of modern whale bulk feeding. The baleen filter But there was one last problem that whales had to solve: how best to get rid of the water sucked in along with the prey? Swallowing all of it is obviously unfeasible, so an efficient way of expelling water, but not prey, from the mouth had to be found. An elaboration of the (by now largely toothless) gums into hair-like baleen provided the answer. In the whales that followed Alfred and other aetiocetids, baleen evolved directly from the gums and voila, modern whales were born. By this stage, Alfred and his fellow aetiocetids were no longer part of the grand story of whale evolution. Their lineage had been reduced to a mere sideline, doomed to eventual extinction. Nevertheless, it is exceptional fossils like Alfred that provide real insights into what early whales were like, where they came from and where they would be going. Felix Marx receives funding from a Marie Skodowska-Curie Global Postdoctoral fellowship (656010/ MYSTICETI). He is affiliated with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; and Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. David Hocking receives funding from an Australian Research Council Linkage Project (LP150100403). He is affiliated with Monash University and Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Travis Park receives funding from an Australian Postgraduate Award. He is affiliated with Museums Victoria, Melbourne Australia. Originally published in The Conversation. By David Glance, Director of UWA Centre for Software Practice, University of Western Australia Author Three of Australias major banks have been prevented from collectively negotiating with Apple over the use of Apple Pay. The National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corporation, and the regional Bendigo and Adelaide bank, who collectively control 70% of Australias card payments had asked the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) to be allowed to challenge Apple collectively, arguing that Apple was stifling innovation by preventing the banks from offering their own digital payment apps through Apples mobile devices. The real sticking point however was likely to have been the insistence that Apples fees for Apple Pay could not be passed on to customers. The ACCC ultimately disagreed with the banks that their action would be in the publics interest. In a draft ruling, the ACCC declared that there was not sufficient evidence for this possible harm given that there were alternatives to Apples devices and to Apple Pay itself. Of more relevance, if the banks were allowed to collude and collectively negotiate, there would be the danger of reduced competition between them. The ACCC argued that this would definitely be against the publics interests. In summary, the ACCC found that: Apple was not a monopoly supplier of mobile phones, accounting for only 36% of smart phones in Australia Australians are already used to using cards for tap and go payments and so it is not clear how popular using the phone instead will be Whilst Apple had an advantage in controlling the mobile phone hardware and software, the banks controlled most aspects of the payment chain Whilst there may be benefits to the banks getting direct access to the NFC chip, it was not clear how much of an advantage that was over workarounds such as; incorporating Apple Pay in their digital wallet, using an external NFC tag, or simply just supporting Android There was unclear benefits from being able to pass fees onto the public Finally, and most interestingly, the ACCC argued that forcing Apple to be more like Android would actually distort the competition between mobile phone operating systems. Essentially they argued that people use Apple phones because of the very features the banks were trying to force them to change. At the time of the original application to the ACCC, only ANZ and American Express were offering Apple Pay. This situation changed during the course of the adjudication process with payments provider Cuscal announcing that a further 31 financial institutions would be offering Apple Pay to their customers. This move further isolated the banks holding out and highlighted that their delay in offering not only Apple Pay, but Samsung Pay and Android Pay was harming nobody other than their own customers. This move by the banks was always motivated by their reluctance to give up any of the AU $1.4 billion of annual revenue that they currently make from credit card fees. Consumers already pay multiple times for their credit card use. There are the annual costs of the cards depending on the type and then there are the optional charges that retailers add when cards are used. If these costs are not explicitly added to transactions they are often added to the product cost. The idea that customers would need to pay additionally to use a phone rather than their card would have guaranteed that phones wold not be used for payments. It would have also meant extra charges for using Apple Pay on the web as Apple users can now do instead of using other payment systems like PayPal. The argument that Apple Pay represents a barrier to innovation in the mobile space is a weak one. The missing functionality in the consumer finance app space is not the actual payment system but the use of the data that is generated through these payments. Banks in other countries have understood this. Finlands OP-Pohjola bank for example has released a digital wallet app called Pivo which provides data about spending, balances and analysis of the customers financial situation. Nearly 5 million people use the Swedish payment app Swish to transfer cash instantly and to make payments in stores. Swish succeeds because of the instantaneous transfer of money from one account to another rather than anything to do with technology associated with the payments. Australian banks at best provide next day payment to other financial institutions. Credit card transactions can take up to 3 days to appear in apps. It is this type of functionality that customers want from their banks, not for them to replace what already works well through a native interface. The decision by the ACCC doesnt necessarily mean that the 3 banks are going to now support Apple Pay but at least it removes a very large reason for them not to. At least with the decision by Cuscal, there are many more options in terms of other banks that now support payments through Apple Pay and more options for customers to switch accounts to. Disclosure David Glance owns shares in Apple and has made a submission to the ACCC on this matter arguing against the granting of collective boycott by the banks. Originally published in The Conversation. It is often said that Australia is a nation of migrants but not all of them have the same experience with new research suggesting those who have a job arranged before arriving are more satisfied.Overall, the people moving to Australia from abroad where the most satisfied with their new life if they were 457 visa holders. This visa stream allows people from overseas to work in Australia for up to four years and have their job sorted before arriving. Some 90% of those arriving in Australia on a 457 business visa were satisfied with life in the country, according to the Scanlon Foundation report produced with Monash University and the Australian Multicultural Foundation.In contrast, many arriving on an independent skill visa struggled to find work and nearly half indicated that they were 'just getting along' or struggling to pay bills.According to Professor Andrew Markus, author of the report, the difference in satisfaction levels between 457 visa holders and those on independent skill visas is significant. 'The proportion of independent visa holders indicating a measure of difficulty is more than double that of 457 visa holders. A likely explanation is that 457 visa holders have work arranged before they come to Australia,' he explained.The research found that among those least satisfied were New Zealand Special Category Visa holders, with some 50% indicating that they have experienced racism or discrimination in Australia, the highest level among the visa categories analysed.'New Zealanders are not considered migrants and are not accepted as permanent residents, even though large numbers base their lives in Australia. These visa conditions also contribute to a low sense of belonging in Australia,' Markus said.He pointed out that more than a quarter indicated they had no sense of belonging in Australia, compared to 5% of people from the UK and 1% from India.The report, which is the largest ever survey of people born in Australia and recent migrants on their experience of Australian life questioned more than 10,000 people, also found that the majority of Australians support the immigration programme.Some 56% are supportive of the current intake or consider that it could be increased. However, when asked what they least like about Australia, 18% of people born in Australia indicated there was too much immigration.Focus group findings also provided evidence of segmentation in major cities. 'Many Australians live in the context of cultural diversity, for them, diversity is the normal way of life. But for others, little has changed since the days of the monocultural society of their parents,' said Markus.He also pointed out that overall discrimination remains a serious issue, with highest levels reported by indigenous Australians and some African national groups while 77% of South Sudanese migrants, a relatively new immigrant group in Australia, arriving largely via the Humanitarian program, say they have experienced discrimination.Negativity toward Muslims is also relatively high in Australia, with Muslim women reporting 50% more experiences of discrimination than Muslim men. Markus said the research highlighted the level of polarisation on immigration and cultural diversity. Hi everybody. I want to know if someone is experiencing any delays in their Visitor Visas application. My parents and grandmother submitted their applications only in October 12, intending to travel to Australia on December 3rd. The processing standard time was 1 month, then they informed my relatives that it has increased to 6 weeks because is a busy season. And now after 7 weeks, they have told my parents that maybe in 2 more weeks they will give them an answer. Does someone has any advice how to manage this or comment? Thanks!!! CCMS said: Every state has its own specific settlement requirements. You should be able to find the details on the relevant state's sponsored immigration website. Which state are you considering? Click to expand... Hi Nick,Thanks for your reply. I'm keeping an open slate at the moment as I'm new to this forum and considered Aus as my next stop only recently.I scored about 50 points in my skill assessment test, with my work exp and qualifications, excluding IELTS. If I score around 7 and pass the "Proficient English" criteria and I'll easily surpass the min. requirement 60 points, more if my STEM career path is considered.So I'm unsure about the visa type itself, is 189/190 right for me. I read through the official immigration site and it seems the fund requirement is for 189 but for NSW and Victoria it is true for 190 as well. I did a similar assessment on an agent's site ("visabureau") who asked me to get a job offer first and they could help me with 457 visa but I'm confident I could get a 190 (as most jobs in my field i.e. Bioinformatics are in Universities). So a job offer is anyway state sponsored.Any suggestions, most welcome.Thanks.Bw 1. can he also apply for the ETA tourist visa and enter Australia while we wait for the partner visa to be granted? We have read in other places that the tourist/ETA visa can cancel the partner visa application but I can't find anything on IMMI website to confirm this? 2. if this is possible, how will he know when to leave Australia to ensure he is outside Australia at time the visa is granted? G'day folks!I am starting to become a regular here. Sorry if this question has been answered before but I can't find a straight forward the answer (probably because it doesn't exist but hey, if you don't ask you won't know)My partner (Dutch) and I (Australian) are preparing to apply for the 309 Temporary Partner Visa (offshore - currently in the Netherlands for the next 10 months) but wondering:Thank you in advance The company's smart fuel-saving system will make its debut on the Creta and next-gen Verna. Hyundai is all set to jump on to the hybrid bandwagon in India with its version of mild-hybrid tech. While the information available is limited, company sources tell us that the system will be similar to the ones used on select Maruti and Mahindra models sold in India. This means that the electrical system will provide drive assistance in certain instances, like accelerating, but will not be able to power the car independently. It will also have automatic start/stop technology and brake-energy regeneration. Minor fuel efficiency gains of around 2-5 percent can be expected too. Hyundai will introduce the mild-hybrid tech on the next-gen Verna, which is set to arrive late 2017. The other model to get this system will be the updated Creta SUV, also due late next year. It is expected to get styling tweaks similar to those seen on the car shown in South America recently. The Korean carmaker is hoping to tap into the rising acceptance for hybrid cars among Indian buyers, with the recent uncertainty surrounding diesel vehicles, as well as take advantage of the benefits extended to hybrids under the governments FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme. The scheme covers hybrid and electric technologies like mild-hybrid, strong-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles and offers benefits of up to Rs 1.38 lakh. As an added advantage, mild hybrids were also exempt from the governments radical odd-even scheme that was implemented earlier this year in New Delhi to curb air pollution. The waiting period for the new Fortuner has crossed two months in certain cities; demand for automatic variants on the rise. The second-generation Toyota Fortuner diesel was launched recently at a starting price of Rs 27.52 lakh, making it around Rs 2.3 lakh costlier than its predecessor. It is also positioned at a premium over the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (Rs 27.12 lakh) and the new Ford Endeavour (Rs 23.78 lakh), its direct rivals. Order books for the new Fortuner were opened on November 7, and within no time, the SUV saw the waiting period cross two months in many cities. Toyota announced it received over 5,400 bookings and 16,000 enquiries for the new SUV in just two weeks of its launch. The automaker also stated that it was the automatic variants that garnered most interest. The Fortuner comes with a 2.8-litre diesel engine with optional 4WD and, for the first time, a 2.7-litre petrol with only 2WD (priced from Rs 25.92 lakh), with both engines available in manual as well as automatic gearboxes. Dealers in major cities also told us that it is the auto box-equipped diesel models (2WD and 4WD) that are in high demand. Deliveries for these models are expected to take place sometime late December or early January. Market buzz is that dealers are asking customers to buy the 2017-manufactured SUV to reduce this backlog. The 2017 Fortuner will be available for delivery from late February. The petrol model, however, is readily delivered at most locations where stock is available. Just like its predecessor, the Fortuners Pearl White shade has recorded most orders. A new Phantom Brown is the next in-demand colour. Toyota is also looking to lower this waiting period, with N Raja, director and senior VP (Sales and Marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motors, saying that the automaker was trying its best to deliver the products to customers at the earliest. (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi) Also read 2016 Toyota Fortuner review Answers Africa is one of a kind platform created for Africans both locally and in the diaspora and those seeking for more in-depth information about Africa. We have always focused on creating the highest quality informational contents right from the beginning. We share the most relevant information on the latest and trending news, events, people, and places in Africa. We produce contents across various categories including Politics, People, Love and Romance, Nature, Entertainment, Technology and pretty much everything else that Africans may find relevant. We aim to answer the most relevant questions about Africa in areas of entertainment, famous people, emerging technologies while we also engage with various distribution capabilities to connect with Africans in need of information who rely on our website to keep in touch with the world that is changing so fast. These are some of the articles you may be interested in reading: 10 Famous TV Personalities Born In Ethiopia Ethiopia is a country best known for its fast athletes like Dibaba and Bekele, breathtaking models like Liya Kebede and of course Haile Selassie but there are also famous TV personalities who are doing a great job in entertainment and pushing the country to civilization. The following is a list of ten most famous TV ... Top 10 African Authors of All Time The pace of present African literature is moving at a high-speed; more defiant in both style and tone than those of the great independence writers generation. Here, the subjects of taboo are widely explored. The emerging African authors of this generation are not afraid to go further afield for the literary fodder. Meanwhile, since the birth ... Maina Kageni Biography Daughter, Salary and Gay Rumors Maina Kageni is one of those Kenyans who has remained as interesting as ever in the eyes of the public. A strong Red devil fan and lover of football, the man is currently a Breakfast Show presenter with Mwalimu Kingangi on Nairobis Classic 105 Radio Station. Many questions have always emerged on the man in serious ... Kalekye Mumo Biography, Boyfriend and Salary Kalekye Mumo has been described as someone who is as vibrant as she is beautiful, a Kenyan radio queen, TV host and media personality, movie actress, Musician, businesswoman, and fashionista but what else is there to know about this Kenyan icon, Kalekye Mumo and her co-host Shaffie Weru have been among the most listened to radio presenters ... Julie Gichuru Bio Age, Husband & Children In Africa, women have a long history of bringing under control obstacles to keep their heads above the water. So, it comes as no surprise whenever African women are recognized and decorated across the continent and globe for performing brilliantly well in their various fields of endeavor. In Kenya for instance, a list of national ... Jeff Koinange Biography All About His Age, Wife Shaila Koinange & Family Jeff Koinange is a well-known Kenyan journalist. He currently hosts Jeff Koinange Live on KTN. Koinange has served as a journalist in the United States and has also worked for a few U.S. broadcasters. He was born in Kenya but attended college in the United States, which may explain his accent. There are several interesting ... Caroline Mutoko Biography Age, Daughter & House Caroline Mutoko is a Kenyan radio presenter, famously known for hosting a morning breakfast show on Kiss 100 FM. The station is based in Nairobi and ranks among the highly-rated radio stations in Kenya with online streaming services as well. Learn more about the Kenyan-born journalist. Caroline Mutokos Age and Bio Born on January 4, 1973, Caroline is ... The Most Stunning News Presenter In Kenya Discloses Her Real Age You Would Not Believe It In modern African societies, it is often regarded as impolite or outright lack of disrespect to ask a woman of her age. We also have seen celebrities lie about how old they are when asked their age. 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Tracing Isha Sesays Career Until CNN, Her Worth And Why She Divorce Her Husband As far as journalists of African origin go, Isha Sesay is one of the most famous on the continent and by extension, the world. The Sierra Leonean and British journalist has had a successful career since she joined the industry in 1998. In that time, she has worked for a host of major media ... Open Secrets of How Joanna Gaines Balances Her Career With Being a Wife and Mother Joanna Gaines is the co-founder of Magnolia Homes, a business she runs with one goal: converting houses to homes. She doubles as the lead designer of the company which she co-owns with her husband, Chip Gaines. Lady Gaines gained massive popularity when she became a co-star with her husband on the HGTVs show, Fixer Upper. ... Juicy Details of Ayesha Currys Love Story With Stephen, Her Family Members and Recent Pursuits When your husband is one of the greatest basketballers that the NBA has ever seen, then it bestows on you the status of a celebrity wife and may not even demand that you do anything extra to maintain that status. However, Ayesha Curry, the wife of multiple NBA champion, Steph Curry, is not one ... What Is Tarek el Moussas Ethnicity, Why Did He Divorce His Wife and Who Is He Dating? Tarek El Moussa has made himself one of the most recognizable men on reality television, especially to fans of HGTV. Thanks to his expertise in the world of real estate, Tarek has become a national star. But even to his hardcore followers, there are questions about Tarek El Moussa that remain unanswered, such as his ... Fun Facts About Natalie Beckers Lonely Childhood and Eventual Career Success Natalie Becker is an actress of South African descent who became famous for her appearance in films like The World Unseen and The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior. A multitalented individual, Natalie is also a television/radio presenter. She is also a co-founder of the Thought Leader Global Media which she runs together with ... Top 3 Female CNN News Anchors You Didnt Know Were Africans CNN is one of the leading news agencies in the world. The satellite and cable news network was founded in 1980 by Ted Turner and has been one of the best sources of news for a number of years. It also boasts of the best journalists and presenters all around in media broadcasting. The company is a ... Channels That Aided Katie Pavlichs Growth as a Journalist and All About Her Marriage To Friedson If you have ever come across any Fast and Furious featuring Barack Obama, it is the handiwork of Katie Pavlich. 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How Wendy Williams Went From Being a College DJ to Having Her Own Talk Show and More About Her Divorce Wendy Williams is a former radio personality, now talk show host, who is known for her outspokenness and brash no-nonsense attitude. She gained fame and notoriety for her on-air clashes with celebrities before moving on to host her own talk show. Since 2008, Williams has hosted the nationally syndicated television talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. ... Who is Sunny Hostin? Her Husband, Family & Net Worth Sunny Hostin is no ordinary Latina American lawyer but also a successful columnist, multi-platform journalist, and social commentator. A happily married woman and mother of two, Hostin is the Senior Legal Correspondent and Analyst for ABC News and co-host of ABCs popular morning talk show, The View. She is a legal expert popularly known as a former ... Who Is Robert Costa and Is He Married, Who Is His Wife? Robert Costa is a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC who is regarded as being part of Americas next generation of journalists. The University of Notre Dame graduate, who is of Italian/Portuguese descent, has been lauded for his fresh political perspectives in an industry full of old heads. In addition to his work listed above, Costa ... Team Valor Pokemon Go 7 Key Facts You Need To Know Team Valor Pokemon Go The craze of the new game Pokemon Go is one that took the gaming world by storm sending teenagers and adults alike into a frenzy and one of its teams Team Valor, has proven to be instrumental in making it so. Before the game was created, Pokemon was a cartoon ... Sheryl Underwood Husband, Family & Net Worth She is known for her trademark smile which can be described as the brightest and broadest smile ever seen on planet earth. She is none other than Sheryl Underwood the comedian, actress, and TV host whose funny wits has left America in great awe. 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Critical Facts About Lee Ann McAdoo The Infowars Anchor Lee Ann Mcadoo is a conservative journalist and television host whose interests in conspiracies and astrology has established her as a famous American reporter. Often referred to as Wonder Woman, McAdoo is a reporter who works for InfoWars.com, a controversial right-wing website run by radio show host, Alex Jones. Who Is Lee Ann McAdoo? Lee Ann McAdoo was born on 7 ... Millie Weaver Age, Husband & Infowars Career Millie Weaver is an American model, journalist, political activist, and social commentator. The young and beautiful journalist rose to fame working as a reporter for a controversial right-wing website InfoWars.com. Also known as Millennial Millie, Weaver is a social media influencer with over 100,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel and over 35,000 followers on Twitter. Who Is Millie Weaver and What Is ... Is Jessica Tarlov Married? What Are Her Height & Weight? 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Is Cesar Millan Dead, Who Is The Wife & What Is His Net Worth? Cesar Millan is the famous dog whisperer who often stirs up mixed emotions. The Mexican-American is precisely speaking, a dog behaviorist; he has been in the game for over 25 years. His Emmy-nominated television series, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan further pushed his method and tactics into the limelight. The series was produced from 2004 ... Is Thomas Sanders Gay and Does He Have A Boyfriend? By the time Vine was shut down in January 2017, Thomas Sanders was already popular within and beyond the internet community for his heavy involvements on the online video hosting platform. After the tragic shutdown of Vine impacted on the growing career of the multi-talented personality, he immediately switched over to YouTube where he continued to upload ... Is Shepard Smith Gay, Who Is The Boyfriend & What Is His Net Worth? There are only a few media personalities who are as bold and confident as Shepard Smith. 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Joel Osteen Divorce Rumors, Net Worth & Family Members Joel Osteen is an American Televangelist, Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church based in Houston, Texas, a husband and a father of two. He is an author of many books, seven of which are New York Times Best Sellers and his televised sermons capture more than 7 million viewers per week and 20 million every month ... Who Is Todd Chrisley? What To Know About His Children, Gay Rumors & Net Worth Premiered on the USA network in 2014, Chrisley Knows Best is one of the most watched family reality TV shows in the U.S. The series which is currently in its sixth season is centered around U.S real estate mogul Todd Chrisley and his family. The show reveals Todd the patriarch of the Chrisley family as a strict dad who rules ... Who Is Shannon Bream Of Fox News? Her Husband, Children & Net Worth Shannon Bream who hosts the iconic primetime program started her journalism career in the late 1990s debuting as the evening and late-night news reporter for the CBS affiliate, WBTV. The beauty from America currently works for the Fox News Channel and she is best known for anchoring the primetime program. She also hosts Americas News ... Is Troye Sivan Gay, Who Is His Boyfriend and What Is His Net Worth? Troye Sivan is an Australian singer and songwriter best known for songs like Happy Little Pill, Youth, Heaven (with Betty Who) and The Boyfriend Tag (with Tyler Oakley) which have all garnered him different awards and ranked on the Billboard Charts. Sivan, who was born in South Africa but now resides in the United States, is ... Did iDubbbz Have Cancer, Is He Gay and Who Is His Girlfriend Now? iDubbbz is one YouTuber who has made a career out of courting controversy. 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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. 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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. 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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. 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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. 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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 ... 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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 ... 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He is also an actor a SUV Launch the Bentayga configurator (some of us engage in such adventures before going to bed, for the sheer fun of it) and you'll discover the Whites & Beiges paint section includes no less than 13 different hues.However, in today's ever-changing automotive realm, one should never underestimate the power of an aftermarket job like the one we have here. And while we're not big fans of Beige-dressed cars, we have to admit that a Bentayga with such a wrap seems to fit the Dubai traffic perfectly.In our book, this second skin job is a development that almost makes the high-riding Crewe model, which comes with a starting price of $230,000, seem normal, which is why we had to share it with you.Notice that we've steered clear of calling the wrapping operation simple and the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, which shows the lavish's wrapping process, will easily explain why.Since we mentioned Bentley colors, one might wonder why the carmaker had to use 160,000 LEDs (no typo here) in the facade of its Dubai showroom. And the fact that the 75,000 sq ft is the largest Bentley showroom in the world isn't the only explanation for that.You should also now that the facility, which allows customers to explores six floors, can, thanks to the said facade, showcase the full range of Bentley standard colors, as well as showcase Bentley's wood veneer line-up.And if you happen to be a regular customer, the number plate recognition feature means you'll automatically be welcomed into the showroom each time you arive, even before you get to step out of your Flying B machine. I'm pretty sure you are baffled at this point. How could something made of paper protect your head in case of an impact ? Well, have you tried that little experiment with accordion-folded paper that can hold a tall glass of water? It's almost the same with the EcoHelmet.The helmet is made out of recycled paper arranged in a radial honeycomb pattern. Its creator, Isis Shiffer, says it absorbs impacts as effective as a Styrofoam helmet. It also folds around your head and is said to fit all sizes.I was lucky enough to be studying at Royal College of Art and the Imperial College of London for a semester, and was granted access to Imperials crash lab, says Isis. They had a European standard helmet crash setup that allowed me to gather enough data on Ecohelmets proprietary honeycomb configuration to know it was viable and worth developing.Getting caught in the rain? No problem, the EcoHelmet is coated with a water-resistant layer that will hold the helmet's composure for a few hours. When you are done riding, the thing folds back into a compact half-circle shape which you can put in your bag and use it next time.The fact that it's made from recycled paper makes the EcoHelmet very cheap, following to be sold at around $5. It won't last you forever, but at that price, it's convenient to replace it after a week or two of use. Shiffer envisions a reactive band on the side that will notify you when the helmet is not protective anymore.The idea seems so good it won the 2016 International James Dyson Award and received a $45,000 cash infusion to turn it into a production model. If all goes well, expect the EcoHelmet to be on sale next year. Fleet management provider Fleet Logistics is celebrating 20 years on the international fleet management scene with a series of updates to its operating structure, logo, and website. The company, which is headquartered at Oberhaching, Munich, alongside parent company, TUV SUD AG, is combining with Germanys Fleet Company GmbH, to create the Fleet Logistics Group. The new enlarged Group will sit alongside sister companies, FleetVision and TCOPlus, within the TUV SUD Business Unit Fleet, to provide a unified, joined-up, and holistic approach to global fleet management, according to the company. Fleet Logistics said it currently has around 180,000 vehicles under contract for around 200 customers in 50 countries throughout the world, with a workforce of 380 employees. It recently went live in a number of different countries in Latin and Central America from a hub operation in Sao Paulo, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, Guatemala and Mexico. This latest expansion will join the hub operation Fleet Logistics set up in Singapore in July 2015 to be able to service 12 countries in the Asia Pacific region, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Loffler Fleet Logistics Jorg Loffler, chief executive officer of the Fleet Logistics Group, said the new developments marked the continued progression of the company towards becoming one truly global brand. The year 2016 represents an important landmark in the history of Fleet Logistics as it celebrates its 20th anniversary, he said. To mark this very special occasion, we have taken this opportunity to combine two market leading brands: Germanys leading independent fleet solutions expert, Fleet Company, with Europes largest and longest established independent fleet management provider, Fleet Logistics International. Loffler said that the new enlarged Group of companies, including fleet consultancy FleetVision, and whole life cost expert, TCOPlus, is now capable of providing international fleet customers with a one-stop shop for all their international fleet management requirements. You may be looking for global consulting, industry-leading reporting, forecasting dashboards that can create complete transparency of your fleet, or you may need help in meeting your green sustainability goals in time for the important deadline of 2020, he said. Or you may simply want to streamline, harmonize or professionalize your fleet and focus on your core business, making it more productive, in which case you need look no further. The TUV SUD Business Unit Fleet, comprising of Fleet Logistics Group, FleetVision and TCOPlus, now has the expertise and tools, including the award winning GreenCube solution, to service your fleet from its own offices anywhere around the globe. At the same time, Fleet Logistics is also transforming its corporate website to reflect the enlarged operation with a vibrant design to give a new look and feel to the site. The new-look, newly-designed multilingual site, which features very prominently the mission statement: we drive our industry also boasts the companys new corporate logo. Our emphasis over the coming months will be on continued process improvement, greater harmonization of some of our IT systems, and a deeper management focus on developing our relationships with our many international fleet customers, as we continue in our quest to drive our industry on a truly global basis, Loffler added. ATrack Technology Inc. was recently awarded the National Award of Outstanding SMEs, the highest honor given to small and medium enterprises in Taiwan. Established in 2010, the telematics company has customers in more than 140 countries. The 2016 National Award of Outstanding SMEs had 47 small and medium enterprises competing for the honor with 9 recognized with an award. Earlier in the year, ATrack was a finalist for a TU-Automotive Award in the Best Aftermarket Product/Service. Through its technical and R&D capabilities, ATrack said it is able to satisfy its customers by providing a versatile monitoring mechanism, customized OEM/ODM products, and prompt technical support. ATracks CEO, Frank Tang, credited the reason for ATracks fast track success was due to the managing concept on internal entrepreneurial culture and sustainable managing environment. Image via Elainelchao.com. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 29 that he will nominate Elaine Chao to serve as Secretary of Transportation. No stranger to the Executive Branch, Chao served as secretary of labor throughout President George W. Bushs two terms and as deputy secretary of transportation under President George H.W. Bush. Born in Taiwan, Secretary Chao arrived in the U.S, with her family in 1961 at age 8. She was the first Asian American woman and the first Taiwanese American in history to be appointed to a Cabinet post. Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear was quick to praise Trumps selection to head the Department of Transportation. I had the privilege of serving with and working closely with Secretary Chao during my time at the Department of Labor, [where he served as assistant secretary of policy from 2001-2004] and I am extremely pleased that she will be taking on this new challenge, Spear said. President-elect Trump could not have picked a more qualified, experienced and dedicated individual to serve in this important role," he added. "Secretary Chao understands the issues we face as we try to keep Americas freight moving safely and efficiently." Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) also applauded the selection of Chao to head DOT. America faces a number of important challenges when it comes to our transportation networks that will require strong leadership from the executive branch, Shuster said. I am committed to working with Secretary Chao and President Trump to make responsible investments in our infrastructure, streamline transportation improvements, reduce regulatory burdens, encourage private-public partnerships, and encourage innovation to preserve and strengthen Americas economic competitiveness. Chaos prior government service also included stints as director of the Peace Corps, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, deputy maritime administrator, and White House Fellow. Prior to her government service, she was a vice president at BankAmerica Capital Markets Group and a banker with Citicorp. In addition, she has served as president and CEO of the United Way of America charity. Chao holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an economics degree from Mount Holyoke College. Car rental company Selfdrive.In has announced it plans to launch in the UAE in early January 2017. Based in Pune, India, Selfdrive.In will expand its operations to Dubai with a fleet of 1,500 cars. Founder Soham Shah told the Press Trust of India, he hopes to grow Selfdrive.In to be the third largest car rental company in the UAE following Avis and Hertz. After launching with 1,500 cars, Selfdrive.In plans to double its fleet within two years. Shah is investing approximately $1.4 million in the operation and is expecting a revenue of $5.4 million. Selfdrive.In first launched in 2010 and is set to expand to Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad by the first quarter of 2017. Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations created ten customized Land Rover Discovery Defender SVX for an event in the Australian Alps during the winter. This Defender SVX is one badass car, it can bury the Jeep Wrangler in snow. The Land Rover Defender SVX is one of the most exclusive interpretations of the SUV. The number of units of this version is sparse and one of its owners wanted to share with all the benefits of this great SUV. Watch the video below and take a good look at the SVX. Land Rover Defender SVX Revealed The Land Rover Defender SVX was built to conquer any terrain as reported by AutoOMobile. This is one of the most capable cars with which one can come up and one of the most adventurous to see. But finding one for sale is virtually impossible, because the units were built or are stored safely in garages of collectors. One of the owners of the Land Rover Defender SVX is a journalist and as such wanted to share with all the benefits of this great SUV. The owner is Harry Metcalfe, Evo magazine reporter who is passionate about SUVs, so proudly displaying the Land Rover Defender SVX. It is one badass machine, with capacities of madness created to be able to conquer any terrain. The Discovery SVX can be a monstrous but family-friendly SUV, much like the future Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk as reported by NSEAVoice The special division of the English brand was responsible for assembling this fantastic model. Like all special departments, either McLaren Special Operations, as Q by Aston Martin, the work presented is really unique. Generously sized tires, body protections, alternative lighting system, etc. As it is built for the snow, it features tires that are bolted to the rim, allowing them to function with unconventionally low air pressures stashed inside. In addition, this creation has a review of its mechanics as well as various settings that get the Defender SVX can accomplish what we see in the video below. Land Rover Defender Demands Increased The Land Rover Defender is one of the most in demand and missed car. The way it is, this model always attracts attention. Although the brand has finally ceased to produce last December 2015 after a continuous run of 67 years, and plans to bring it back to life have been canceled, the demand for the Defender does not stop and its farewell leaves a void difficult to fill and might be best for Land Rover Jaguar to revive it. The Tesla vs. Virginia Auto Dealers feud shows what happens when business meddles with personal interests. The feud began when Tesla wanted to directly contact and deal with consumers. The Virginia Auto Dealers see this as Tesla's desire to kill the franchise system in their state. Tesla's decision prompted the auto dealers from Virginia to launch a campaign against Tesla's plans. Recently, Don Hall, the president of Virginia Auto Dealers Association, sent out a video message to his followers to fight Tesla. Hall has been in the business for 29 years. According to Fortune, he has been fighting for the rights of the Virginia Auto Dealers and their franchise system. In his video, he said that Tesla is attacking the franchise system. Tesla seemingly believes that the franchise system no longer works. Don Hall is persuading his social media followers to fight against Tesla's attack in shutting off the franchise system. On the other hand, Tesla has been fighting for them to sell their own manufactured cars directly to consumers. However, Hall believes that if Tesla pursues this venture, it will kill the franchising system of the Virginia Auto Dealers. Even in the United States, direct selling of cars from manufacturers is illegal. In Hall's video, he showed his undying determination to protect the franchise system in Virginia. He stands on his own ground believing that many of the franchise system in other places was attacked by Tesla which has drastically changed the system. CNBC reported that Hall is adamant on fighting Tesla by all means necessary to protect the auto franchise system in Virginia. Hall called the attention of his followers to join him on a serious meeting and plan on how they will negate Tesla's plans. He is also encouraging everyone to ensure that the public knows the importance of the franchise system. Concept by SolarStratos As the SolarImpulse team retires their successful earth-rounding solar-powered electric airplane, another team has stepped up to take the technology to the stratosphere, with a project to fly a solar-powered aircraft to 75,000 feet. The SolarStratos team, based in Switzerland, is led by Raphael Domjan, who in 2012 circumnavigated the Earth aboard PlanetSolar, a solar-powered boat. He said he intends to push SolarStratos to its utter limits in an effort to prove that renewable energy has incredible capacities and will enable us to preserve our planet. The group plans to build a two-seat solar airplane with a wingspan of 78 feet and weighing under 1,000 pounds. Calin Gologan, of the German company PC-Aero, will design the airplane. The cockpit will not be pressurized, requiring Domjan, who plans to pilot the record-breaking flight, to wear a pressure suit, which also will be solar-powered. The record flight will take about five hours, the team says. The project already has raised $5 million and work is underway on the aircraft, according to Wired. The team hopes to fly before the end of 2018. Eventually, according to the project website, they hope to fly routine high-altitude solar flights to provide adventure tourism or a scientific platform. The FAA says safety and not media suppression was behind temporary flight restrictions that were imposed on drone flights over the site of a massive pipeline protest in North Dakota. In a statement released Monday, the agency said its just trying to keep drones from hitting law enforcement helicopters patrolling the Standing Rock protest and to protect people on the ground. The FAA statement follows in its entirety. The Federal Aviation Administration carefully considers requests from law enforcement and other entities before establishing Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) in U.S. airspace. The TFR currently over the pipeline protest was approved to ensure the safety of aircraft in support of law enforcement and the safety of people on the ground. The TFR includes provisions for media to operate aircraft both traditional and unmanned inside the TFR, provided that operators comply with the language of the Notice to Airmen. In the case of unmanned aircraft, operators must also comply with the requirements of Part 107 and coordinate beforehand with the FAA. Weve had no requests from media who meet those requirements. Although the FAA is aware of anecdotal reports of drones being shot down, the agency has received only one official report. On Oct. 23, a drone was shot down with bean bags after allegedly being flown in a threatening manner near a law enforcement helicopter. That incident is still under investigation. The agency also is investigating several incidents in which protestors have allegedly flown their drones in violation of the provisions of the TFR. The agency took issue with an AVweb report based on a Forbes column concerning the Standing Rock TFR. The original story contained an error. It said The Associated Press had transcripts of controller conversations indicating the TFRs were intended for media suppression. In fact, the transcripts referred to were made in regard to a TFR over the Ferguson, Missouri, riots in 2014. AVweb regrets the error. 29 November 2016 10:42 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijans National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has discovered fragments of an exploded Grad rocket (922U) in the Marzili village of Azerbaijans Agdam region. The fragments were removed from the territory, ANAMA told Trend on November 28. The Agency reported that a total area of 3,000 square meters was examined and checked. Overall from April 7 to November 28, the ANAMA experts viewed 649 houses and infields, three military units, two cemeteries, five rural schools, 30 farms, a medical center, a warehouse of scrap metal, a gravel pit, a reserve, territory of a winery, a train station, and acreages in Zardab, Tartar, Agjabadi, Agdam, Khojavand, Barda, Fizuli, Beylagan, Goranboy, Tovuz, Gazakh, Agstafa, Samukh, Goygol, Shamkir, Jalilabad, Ujar, Astara, Salyan regions, and in cities of Mingachevir, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Shirvan, Ganja and Baku. Mobile groups of ANAMA continue their operations on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops and in other regions. Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 10:23 (UTC+04:00) By Mario Margiocco In the last 68 years, Italy has held 17 general elections and a few referenda. But only three times has an Italian vote claimed center stage internationally: in 1948, when the choice was between the West and communism; in 1976, when voters faced a similar choice, between the Christian Democrats and Enrico Berlinguers Eurocommunism; and now, with the upcoming referendum on constitutional reforms. The implications of the upcoming vote are enormous. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has staked his political future on the vote, pledging to step down (though not immediately) if the reforms are rejected. Such an outcome that would irreparably weaken the center-left government coalition as well: Renzis Democratic Party (PD) is already roiled by infighting over the reforms. In fact, the PD may not be able to avoid a split even if the vote goes the prime ministers way. A defeat for Renzi will be read as a victory for Italys two major populist parties: the Lega Nord and the larger Five Star Movement, led by the comedian Beppe Grillo. The two parties are not allied, but both are nurtured by anti-establishment sentiment and favor national solutions to Italys problems beginning with a return to the Italian lira. If Renzi is defeated, Lega Nord and the Five Star Movement could join forces to support a new government and hold a new referendum this time on the euro. If Italy one of the worlds largest public debtors decided to go it alone, the entire European project could be dealt a mortal blow. In the age of Donald Trump and Brexit, that outcome is far from unthinkable. The issue at stake in the referendum is not inconsequential, but it should not decide the fate of Europe. Italians will vote on whether to strip the Senate (the parliaments upper house) of two-thirds of its members and much of its legislative authority, making it merely a talking shop akin to the second chamber of Germanys Bundesrat, and return some of the regions powers to the central government. Changes like these have been discussed for 30 years. The lack of movement could benefit Renzi, if voters conclude that they should not waste such a rare opportunity to do something to reform their sclerotic system. President Sergio Mattarella is impartial, but he would prefer that the reforms go forward. His predecessor, Giorgio Napolitano, is also strongly in favor of the reforms, which he says would be great news for Italy. But the reforms have also faced stiff opposition. Some state institutions dislike the idea of delivering more powers to the executive branch; magistrates, for example, fear a loss of judges extensive and unchecked powers. Then there are the new populists, several PD old-timers, and plenty of other establishment figures, including several former members of the constitutional court, who generally fear change. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, ever the opportunist, is also opposing the reforms. The opposition, as usual, benefits considerably from its simple message. To vote no is to vote against the system and all of its corruption. Who is not against corruption? Add to that rising Euroskepticism, and the result is an intoxicating political brew. Opinion polls now indicate a 5-6-point majority for No, with 20% of voters still undecided. If a general election follows the referendum, Grillo will be running neck and neck with Renzis PD. Given the huge premium accorded to the winner by Italys new electoral law (Renzi was sure he would be the one to benefit), such a prospect is truly frightening. Grillo much like Lega Nords Matteo Salvini has scant political experience, little knowledge of European history, few refined arguments, and no credible vision for the future. He blames Europe for Italys mistakes, such as piling up massive public debt, which now amounts to 132% of GDP. And he makes unfeasible promises, such as a guaranteed income for all citizens without other means. Juan Peron, the consummate populist, proved just how flawed such giveaways can be when he took a similar tack in Argentina. And that is not even the only Argentinian mistake Grillo may be set to make. He also supports the Argentinian model of dealing with the debt by defaulting on it. It is such an absurd proposition Italy has never defaulted, though it did, under Mussolini, try to go its own way, with disastrous results that one wonders whether Grillo is capable of distinguishing between policy and comedy. As in the United Kingdom and the United States, change is the magic word in Italy today. Nobody wants to be against change. Instead, opposition to reform is framed as support for better reforms. Dont just change the constitution, the No campaign implores voters: change everything! As in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusas great novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard), changing everything could be just the way to keep it all the same. That is the last thing Italy needs. Copyright: Project Syndicate:The Stakes of Italys Referendum --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 12:00 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Falling oil prices have set new challenges for Azerbaijan and now the country is looking for additional opportunities to restore and develop its economy. And now Azerbaijan is keen to penetrate widely in the international commodity markets with its products branded 'Made in Azerbaijan'. In order to bring the economy to a new level Azerbaijan started promoting the Made in Azerbaijan brand in foreign markets. The presidential decree, dated October 5, approves the form of the report On the work carried out to encourage the export of non-oil products of Azerbaijani origin and helps promoting Made in Azerbaijan brand in foreign markets. In order to finance the support of these measures, some 3 million manats (about $1.7 million) were allocated from the Azerbaijani Presidents Reserve Fund in the 2016 State Budget. Currently, Azerbaijan's export mission is in Dubai, the UAE, to promote the national brands in this country. The delegation includes representatives of 20 companies engaged in natural juices, mineral beverages, agricultural products, meat and meat products, honey, milk and dairy produce, Trend reported. During the visit the national companies by organization of AZPROMO and "Dubai Exports" met with representatives of about 20 companies of the UAE. The sides discussed issues such as expansion of relations between the companies of the two countries, opportunities of export to the UAE and more. Within the visit Azerbaijani businessmen visited gigantic markets of Dubai such as Carrefour, Spinneys and Union Co-op. This is the second export mission organized by the Economy Ministry in order to promote 'Made in Azerbaijan' brand in foreign markets. The mission will last until November 30. Today Azerbaijan outputs more than 250 kinds of home-made products in food, light, heavy and construction industries. Wine produced in France is considered one of the best in the world. However, many wine lovers will agree that Azerbaijani wine is no way inferior to French one -- if not even superior in taste. Currently, there are nearly 10 wineries and vineyards that produce wine in the country, which are exported to Russia, Ukraine, Baltic States, Poland, Belarus, the UAE and China. More and more countries such as France are taking interest in the national brandy. Another important sector of industry is metallurgy with an import rate of $1.2 billion. Recently the Azerbaijan Steel Production Complex open joint-stock company was created to orient the industry to exports. In the near future, the Mingachevir High Tech Park will start production of various high-tech products under the brand 'Made in Azerbaijan'. National cosmetics Gazelli is a unique and innovative brand, surrounded by a world of education, diagnostics and realistic advice. Today Gazelli is focused on building exclusive partnerships around the world. In addition, Azerbaijan can also be famous in the world for its skilled craftsmen. Grand Bazaar, Resm Jewellery, Faig Ahmadovs carpets, Chelebi Furniture&Decor and many others can serve as an example. Thus, the country possesses significant potential to establish local production of goods under Made in Azerbaijan brand. But this requires hard work, which is well thought-out marketing campaign to promote Azerbaijani goods, as well as in the training of highly qualified personnel. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 11:41 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and India have agreed to use the North-South international transport corridor beginning from December for multimodal transportation of cargo from India to Russia. Shipments from India will be delivered to the southern port of Iran, and then will be delivered to Russia through Azerbaijan by trains and trucks, Vice-President of the Iranian Railways Hossein Ashoori told Trend. A test container train on the route was sent two months ago. Ashoori said that at present the time of delivery is 22 days, but in the future, the timing of freight can be reduced to 19 days. Speaking of the North-South corridor, Ashoori noted that Iran plans to build two lines of the railway in the country Qazvin-Rasht (165 kilometers) and Rasht-Astara (164 kilometers). In its turn, Azerbaijan will extend the railway to Iran through the border city of Astara. Ashoori said the construction of this section is at the final stage and it will be completed in the near future. The construction of the Gazvin-Rasht railway is scheduled for completion within seven months, he said, adding that the construction of another section of the railway Rasht-Astara will take roughly five years to complete. Ashoori stressed that Iran is ready to transport goods by any available transport routes until these sections of the railway are constructed. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) will connect Northern Europe with Southeastern Asia, as well as link railways of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia. The corridor is planned to transport 6 million tons of cargo per year at the initial stage and 15-20 million tons of cargo in the future. The corridor is expected to bring huge benefits to the Azerbaijani budget. The route enjoys several advantages compared to other transport corridors, as it is considered to be more profitable for each parameter than other alternative routes, including reduction of the distance and delivery time two or threefold. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 13:57 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Bakutel 2016, the 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies opened at Baku Expo Centre on November 29 with participation of 200 companies from 18 countries. Over the last 20 years, Bakutel, the largest exhibition in the region, has been bringing together leading players of the communications market once a year. As the main arena for presenting IT products and services, Bakutel has acquired status as the main business platform where contacts are made and new businesses are created. President Ilham Aliyev sent a message to the participants of the Exhibition, wishing each of them success in their future activities. "This traditional exhibition and conference, turning into the most prestigious event in the field of telecommunications and information technologies in the Caspian region, as a rule, is an area for the presentation of the latest achievements in the sphere of high technologies in our country, as well as a number of states and the world's leading companies," he said. Head of state noted that Azerbaijan, experiencing today a period of sustained progress, has defined the development of high technologies as a priority. "The country has created favorable conditions for the adequate use of modern technology, provide high-speed access to the Internet, which is an integral part of everyday society, and the possibility of free use. At the moment we are engaged in transition to digital broadcasting. Thanks to modern techniques and the use of technological innovations, "e-government system" has been extended in the government," President Aliyev said. Launch of technological parks, use of advanced technologies in all spheres, state support of industrial and innovative oriented projects, including concessional financial support, are leading to the development of start-ups and this forms the growth of initiative of young people and, ultimately, the dynamic growth of the economy, the president noted. "Azerspace-1 and Azersky satellites secured their rightful place of our country in the global space family, while at the same time they play an important role in ensuring the region's satellite communications services. I hope that the orbiting of another telecommunications satellite 'Azerspace-2' will lay the foundation for a new stage in the development of space industry in Azerbaijan. I believe that the fruitful meetings that will be held during the exhibition and the conferences will contribute to the emergence and implementation of new initiatives to further deepen mutual relations," he said. The exhibition features national stands from a number of countries, actively supported by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Communications and High Technologies. Thus, the pavilion of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Communication will present the innovations in post, communication and e-government. Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ramin Guluzade visited the exhibition. Some 40 percent of the total number of participants includes permanent exhibitors of Bakutel including leading ICT companies, mobile operators, telecom operators, internet service providers, system integrators and distributors of famous brands. Presentations of such projects as Audio library for visually impaired children and Digitalization of museums Google Art Project and also start-up projects will be made at the event. At the same time, a number of conferences and forums will be held on the side-lines of the exhibition. Thirty percent of the total number of participants is new exhibitors. This year, nine countries such as Austria, Belarus, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia and France present their national stands of leading companies in ICT sphere. Debutant among the national pavilions is the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bakutel 2016 will last until December 2. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 14:41 (UTC+04:00) AZAL, the biggest Azerbaijani airline and national flag carrier, plans to establish air service with the Russian Volgograd and Astrakhan cities, as well as with the cities of Russias Far East. AZAL Vice President Eldar Hajiyev announced about this while addressing a press conference in Moscow on November 29. Hajiyev said these plans are reflected in the companys program that covers the period of up to 2021. AZAL is not planning to open new flights in 2017, he added. On the other hand, the situation may change due to the sharp increase in the number of tourists coming to Azerbaijan from the Gulf countries, Azerbaijan Airlines almost doubled the number of flights from this region to meet the demand, according to AZAL vice president. The Baku-based Azerbaijan Airlines operates flights to destinations across Asia, the CIS, Europe and the USA. He further said that AZAL intends to transport two million passengers till late 2016. "AZAL transported 1.7 million passengers in 2014, 1.8 million in 2015, he said, mentioning that AZAL fleet consists of 23 aircrafts and the number of aircraft is expected to be increased by 12 in the next four years. "AZAL intends to write off three aircraft during that period and thus, the fleet will consist of 32 aircraft within four years," he added. Moreover, AZAL will increase the number of regular flights from Baku to Moscow. Two flights will be made daily from the Heydar Aliyev International Airport to Moscow Vnukovo airport from March 2017. The corresponding agreement was signed by AZAL Vice-President Eldar Hajiyev and Vnukovo airport Director General Vasily Alexandrov in Moscow November 29. Vugar Imamaliyev, advisor to the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia, stressed that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia in the field of air travel has a long history. "Azerbaijan and Russia cooperate in many areas, Imamaliyev said. The development of tourism is one of the main areas to which the countries are paying attention." Flights to Moscow are made under the AZALJET budget brand by Airbus A319 aircraft. Currently, AZAL makes regular flights to four Russian cities. Besides Vnukovo airport, AZALJET makes flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport, St. Petersburg (Pulkovo airport), Kazan and Mineralnye Vody. Air tickets can be booked on the website of the company www.azal.az and purchased at AZAL sales offices and official agencies. AZAL Miles bonus program can be used as part of the flight. Detailed information about AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program is available at: https://www.azal.az/en/azal-miles/miles-programme To purchase tickets and for more information, please contact: --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 16:23 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Azerbaijanis can now easily get Mexican visa in Baku as the Mexican Consulate opened in the country. Mexican Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Rodrigo Labardini said that from now on, there is no need to apply to the Mexican embassies in Moscow and Istanbul for getting a visa to Mexico. The envoy, addressing a press conference on November 29, mentioned that the consulate was opened in September, but technical procedures took some time. A multiple entry visa costs $36 and a visa is issued for six months. Upon arrival in Mexico, the visa holder is permitted to stay in the country for a certain number of days within the visa validity period. Labardini further added that tourism cooperation between Azerbaijan and Mexico is growing. Some 148 Azerbaijani citizens visited Mexico in 2015 and the number of tourists is expected to increase to 500 in 2016, he said, adding the number of Mexican tourists willing to visit Azerbaijan also increased. The envoy mentioned that Mexico is among nine most popular tourist destinations in the world, with 32 million tourists visiting Mexico annually. Speaking about the possibility of launching the Baku-Mexico direct flight, the ambassador stressed that it has not been planned yet. Labardini said that Mexico is far away from Baku and there are some difficulties for launching a direct flight. Moreover, the Mexican airports are very busy today, he said. However, a new airport is being built now, and after its commissioning, Mexico will rank third in the world for the number of airports. Labardini clarified that it is possible to get from Baku to Mexico through Frankfurt, Paris, London or New York. The ambassador said negotiations are underway to launch the Mexico-Istanbul direct flight. If the talks are successful, Azerbaijanis will be able to fly to Mexico through Istanbul, he said. The trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and Mexico is developing successfully, Labardini further noted. The opening of diplomatic missions contributed to increasing of the trade turnover between the two countries, reaching its peak after the opening of the embassies, trade volume remains at a high level, according to him. He pointed out that Mexico is a major producer of electrical appliances, pipes and various equipments for the oil industry. Moreover, it is one of the biggest exporters of beer and other products of the food industry and is ready to offer these products to Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Mexico amounted to $19.03 million in January-September 2016, as compared to $20.76 million in the same period of 2015. Azerbaijans export to Mexico amounted to $188,100 and import amounted to $18.84 million in the first nine months of 2016. Mexico recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991 and the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Mexico was opened in 2007 while the Mexican Embassy in Azerbaijan was opened in 2014. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 17:40 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijans Ministry of Communications and High Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkeys Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications. The memorandum was undersigned after the first meeting of ICT ministers of member-countries of the Turkic Speaking States Cooperation Council, held as part of BakuTel 2016, the 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies. Under the memorandum, the sides agreed on cooperation in the postal service. The meeting participants also agreed on holding the second ICT meeting of the Turkic Council member countries next year in Turkey. The 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies Bakutel 2016 kicked off on November 29 in Baku. More than 200 companies from Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Russia, Turkey and other countries have been brought together. There are leading ICT companies, mobile operators, communications operators, internet providers, system integrators, and distributors of well-known brands among exhibitors. The exhibition will wrap up on December 2. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 18:17 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli Azerbaijan and Czech Republic will sign a memorandum on mutual understanding in the energy sector in January 2017, the country's Energy Ministry reported. The signing of the document was discussed at the meeting between Natig Abbasov, Azerbaijani Deputy Energy Minister, and the Czech delegation, consisting of Martin Pospisil, Director of the Department of Foreign Economic Policy of the Czech Republics Industry and Trade Ministry, Olga Kalinova, Secretary of the Azerbaijan-Czech joint commission on economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation and Vitezslav Pivonka, Czech ambassador to Azerbaijan. The document has been prepared for signing in Baku on January 17-19, 2017 within the meeting of the Azerbaijan-Czech Joint Commission at the ministerial level. Currently, the Czech Republic mainly imports Azerbaijani oil, while industrial equipment and consumer goods are exported to Azerbaijan. The country is a reliable partner for Azerbaijan in several fields. The Czech Republic recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on January 8, 1992. Two countries established diplomatic relations on January 29, 1993. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 14:47 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova An exhibition called "Uzbekistan through the eyes of Azerbaijani children" has been opened at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center after Heydar Aliyev at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, Azertac reported. The exhibition was co-organized by the embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan Cultural Center at the Embassy of Azerbaijan, State Fine Arts Gallery, Azerbaijani "Regional Youth Development Contribution" PU and Uzbek "MUMTOZ" Public Union. Uzbekistan's culture, historical monuments, customs and traditions are reflected in the drawings of Azerbaijani children. It's surprising how children feel the art, its all the beauty. The marvelous exhibition featured Azerbaijani rugs, national musical instruments and Kelaghayi, traditional head cover of Azerbaijani women. Director of Azerbaijan Cultural Center Samir Abbasov said the main purpose of the exhibition improve relations between the two countries and exchange of experience. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan share historical, cultural, linguistic and religious roots, and are dynamically developing their political, economic and cultural relations. The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were established in October 1995. The two countries have signed over 100 bilateral documents. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 15:10 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Baku Fashion Week 2006 put on display some of the most glittering jewels from the "Zinet-i-Zishan" brand last week. Held under the motto "Art meets Fashion" , fashion show brought together fashion experts from from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan and captivated attention of all fashionistas. Treasures including rings, necklaces and earrings were part of a collection presented during the Baku Fashion Week. Baku Fashion Week was included in the calendar schedule of world Fashion Week, making Azerbaijan more recognizable among international designers and fashion lovers. Local designers and models will gradually reach world podiums and attract the interest overseas. Media partners of the event are Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az and Azernews.az --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 15:33 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The so-called France-Karabakh friendship circle is an unrecognized organization that does not have any official status, Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesman for Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry, told APA on November 29. He made remarks on the visit of the circles members to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Hajiyev said the circle consists of the members of Armenian lobby in France and persons who are under the full influence of the Armenian lobby. The spokesman noted that Jacques Remiller, who took part in the visit to the occupied territories, now is added to the list of "persona-non-grata" of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Since France will hold parliamentary and presidential elections next year, some parliamentarians resort to such provocative and biased acts in order to get financial and political support from the Armenian lobby in France, Hajiyev said. He added that they also promote the criminal regime created in Azerbaijans occupied lands as a result of the military aggression and bloody ethnic cleansing. Hajiyev noted that the Armenian lobby is making a political tool out of such persons by blackmailing and threatening them. The position of the French government in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is unambiguous and clear," the spokesman said. As OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, France supports Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and is working to find a solution to the conflict through negotiations. Partnership and friendly relations between Azerbaijan and France are developing in all spheres, including at the level of legislative bodies, Hajiyev concluded. Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly one million were displaced as a result of the war. Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions are temporarily out of the control of Azerbaijan as a result of Armenias aggression. Unauthorized visits to Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied regions of Azerbaijan are considered illegal and individuals who pay such visits are included in the ministrys black list. The list of persona non grata banned from visiting Azerbaijan includes MPs, media persons, businessmen, entertainers, and others, who violated Azerbaijans borders and showed disrespect to the sovereignty and territorial unity of the country. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 17:05 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijan doesnt expect any significant changes in the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from the replacement of the French, the U.S. co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (MG). Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov announced about this while talking to reporters in Baku on November 29. He further said that Baku supports Frances proposal to hold an expected meeting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in Hamburg in the 3+2 format (foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and OSCE MG co-chairs). James Warlick of the U.S. earlier said he will step down as the OSCE MG co-chair on December 31. France also stated that Stephane Visconti will take the position of its OSCE MG co-chair soon. The new French co-chair of the OSCE MG is quite an experienced diplomat, Azerbaijani foreign minister said, adding that they had already met during his visit to Paris. Mammadyarov noted that the new French co-chair of the OSCE MG is well informed about the process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years. Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 10:08 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijan is ready for active continuation of cooperation with Belarus in all directions, said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev made the remarks on November 28 during the one-on-one meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, who is on an official visit to Baku. We hold regular meetings. It shows that the relations between our countries are close and friendly, said President Aliyev. We regularly meet in Minsk, in Baku, in other places, within the frameworks of international events, and an exchange of views with you is always very useful and pleasant, President Aliyev told Lukashenko during the meeting. Over the recent years, we have solved a lot of issues of bilateral format, and there are good results. And every time, during a new meeting, we summarize the outcomes and see that even in a short period, we still have results, said President Aliyev. We are ready for active continuation of cooperation with Belarus in all directions. Today the bilateral format covers almost all spheres of our life, said Ilham Aliyev. The president went on to add that the process of increasing cooperation in traditional spheres continues. President Aliyev said that new directions of cooperation are also being defined. We are friends and partners, we have always supported and support each other in all matters. I am very pleased to see you again in Baku as Azerbaijans good friend, a person who is much loved and respected in Azerbaijan, and I am sure that Your visit today will give new impetus to our cooperation, said Ilham Aliyev. Many documents will be signed that will determine the paths of development of relations in the future. And, we will surely talk about the bilateral issues, regional issues and the issues that currently are of concern to the entire world community. We are friends and partners, President Aliyev said. He once again welcomed President Lukashenko and thanked him for accepting an invitation and visiting Azerbaijan. I wish you a successful and pleasant visit," President Aliyev said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 10:14 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan`s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva met with a delegation led by British Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan Baroness Nicholson in Baku on November 28, Azertac reported. Mrs.Aliyeva said she is happy to see Baroness Nicholson at the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, expressing her confidence that this visit will contribute to strengthening the friendly bonds and cooperation between the two countries. The first lady said Azerbaijan has great respect for the activity of the British Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy, and also emphasized the political and public activity of Baroness Nicholson. Mrs.Aliyeva praised what Baroness Nicholson has done to protect women`s rights, provide care for children, as well as in other areas, particularly culture. The first lady expressed hope that Baroness Nicholson will cooperate with Azerbaijan, especially with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Baroness Nicholson highlighted projects carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and proposed implementing several projects in the field of healthcare. The British trade envoy praised the activity of the Azerbaijani-British inter-parliamentary friendship group. She invited president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP Mehriban Aliyeva to visit the UK for holding meetings at the House of Lords. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 12:13 (UTC+04:00) Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has today visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of the national leader, founder and architect of modern Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev, Azertac reported. The Belarus President also put flowers at the graves of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, state figure Aziz Aliyev and Professor Tamerlan Aliyev. Later, the President visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. A guard of honor was lined up for the Belarus President here. President Alexander Lukashenko paid tribute to Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s independence and territorial integrity. He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. A military orchestra played the national anthems of Belarus and Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 13:47 (UTC+04:00) There is a great interest in the products of the petrochemical enterprises of Azerbaijan in Belarus, said President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at the joint press conference with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. We talked a lot today about the petrochemical industry. This is a new direction. You build many petrochemical plants. We have a great interest in the products of these enterprises. It is because we have the factories, plants and we modernize them today. New direction for cooperation is petrochemicals. Id really like if we, by diversifying the procurement of raw materials, would work with our friends from Azerbaijani partners, Alexander Lukashenko added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army: T I P S 1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army 29 November 2016 15:59 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has visited the Heydar Aliyev Center, Azertac reported. He was informed that the center is a cultural complex designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. The center houses a conference hall with three auditoriums, a library and a museum. The project is intended to play an integral role in the intellectual life of the city. Located close to the city center, the site plays a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Baku. The center is engaged in studying and promoting the statehood policy and heritage of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The Belarus President was told that the center implements projects to popularize history and culture of Azerbaijan all over the world. An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design. The building was nominated for awards in 2013 at both the World Architecture Festival and the biennial Inside Festival. Alexander Lukashenko signed the guest book of the center. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 18:11 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli The next plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament started its work on November 29, addressing several important issues. The session was focused on 36 topics, including amendments to Code of Administrative Offences, Criminal and Criminal Procedural Code, Tax Code and more. The Parliament approved the ban on advertising tobacco and tobacco products. In addition, manufacturers and sellers of tobacco and tobacco products will not be able to be a sponsor of various events. The changes in Law "On Medicine and Medical Equipment" envisages ban on advertising of medicines. Moreover, the Parliament prohibited free distribution of drugs, as well as advertising campaign accompanied by the provision of free or paid medical services. The amendments were approved at the meeting. The parliamentarians also considered the amendments to the law "On human body and (or) tissues transplantation", which prohibited display of advertisement on transplantation via media, TV or other meanings which have no medical specialization. The Parliament also approved amendments to the law "On a state policy regarding the Azerbaijanis living abroad". Henceforth Azerbaijani businessmen, who live abroad and want to invest in Azerbaijan, will get special privileges in customs and tax procedures. The Parliament also established an Order "Labor" to be given to Azerbaijani citizens, foreigners and persons without citizenship for outstanding labor achievements in the way of welfare and development of Azerbaijan in all spheres of activity. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 11:23 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is ready to consider obtaining shares of the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC), if the share for sale is officially announced, a source in SOCAR told Trend on November 28. The newly appointed Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said earlier at a meeting of the parliament that the Georgian parliament is ready to sell 25 percent per each the assets of the state-owned companies Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and Georgian Railways. GOGC is the operator of the North-South gas pipeline, via which Russian gas is delivered to Georgia and Armenia. SOCAR is keen to activate its commercial operations and strengthen prestige of Azerbaijan worldwide. The company is involved in exploring oil and gas fields, producing, processing, and transporting oil, gas, and gas condensate, as well as oil and chemical products in domestic and international markets, and supplying natural gas to the industry and the public in Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 12:22 (UTC+04:00) By Gulgiz Muradova Oil prices swung between gains and losses during the past two months as investors digested whether OPEC will be able to hammer out a meaningful output cut at the upcoming Vienna meeting aimed at reining in a global supply overhang and propping up prices. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were trading at $47.80 per barrel at 0546 GMT, down 44 cents, or 0.9 percent on November 29, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 were down 42 cents, or 0.9 percent, at $46.66 a barrel, Reuters reported. OPEC, the cartel of 14 oil producing countries, will meet officially in Vienna on November 30 to consider previously planned output cut in an effort to curb glut that has dogged markets and more than halved prices since mid 2014. The intense negotiations would be needed to cement a preliminary September deal reached in Algiers. Then, the cartel agreed the outline of its first production curbs since the global financial crisis in 2008. Since then, the group has spent two months trying to agree how to share the cuts. Although recent statements from the OPEC and non-OPEC countries suggest that there is a broad agreement on the rationale for a cut, quota negotiations are very stressful. If OPEC agreed a production cut to 32.5 million barrels per day (bpd), down from 33.82 million bpd in October, crude prices would likely rise to the low $50s per barrel, Goldman told Reuters. "If no deal is reached, our expectation of rising (crude) inventories through 1H2017 would warrant prices averaging $45 per barrel through next summer," the bank said. The November 30 meeting will be the most important cartel meeting in over than 40 years, believes Spencer Welch, the director of Downstream Consulting at IHS Markit. Welch noted that, a deal will be extremely challenging to deliver, given the political differences between members, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran, and several OPEC nations actively trying to increase production Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Libya. However, the expert believes that OPEC will reach some deal this week. OPEC officials were scheduled to meet with non-members including Russia on November 28 before a ministerial meeting in Vienna. However, Saudi Arabia pulled out of planned talks with non-OPEC nations including Russia as disagreements about how to share the burden of supply cuts stood in the way of a deal. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on October 27 that the oil market would balance itself in 2017 even if producers did not intervene, and that keeping output at current levels could therefore be justified. Instead, the group called another internal meeting to try to resolve its own differences, particularly the question of whether Iran and Iraq are willing to cut production. Arthur Berman, an independent U.S. geological consultant is sure there are still chances for the OPEC agreement on oil production cut, but its impact on oil prices will depend on the volume of cut. I think that OPEC will reach some kind of agreement this week. There is considerable economic pressure on Saudi Arabia for higher margins to meet its fiscal budget requirements, Berman told Trend by email. Berman noted that in the past, Iran has been an obstacle to the OPEC agreement, but realistically, it cannot increase its production much more than it already has, without considerable investment in infrastructure and new drilling. As for Iraq, it critically needs prices at or higher than current levels to maintain their fight against ISIS and to satisfy their budget needs, said Berman, stressing the importance of Russias joining any agreement on oil production. Without the deal, the International Energy Agency predicted that 2017 will be the fourth consecutive year in which supply runs ahead of demand, potentially causing lower prices. The November forecast of OPEC shows that the world oil demand in 2016 will reach 94.4 million barrels per day. The world oil production in October, according to OPEC data, was 96.32 million barrels per day. Some 35 percent of the world liquids production comes from OPEC countries. So, if the OPEC cut approaches 1 million bpd, prices will stay higher longer but if the cut is only a few hundred thousand barrels per day, higher prices will be less durable. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 13:08 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijans Energy Ministry and EU Working Party have discussed the issue of Central Asian countries joining the Southern Gas Corridor, the Ministry said on November 28. Thus, Azerbaijans Deputy Energy Minister Natig Abbasov met with representatives of EU Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia and mulled the prospects of energy cooperation. EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Malena Mard said the Southern Gas Corridor project will further strengthen the energy relations between the EU and Azerbaijan. She reminded that a mandate was issued to commence talks on a new EU-Azerbaijan agreement. Mard also highlighted the significance of defining and discussing the energy issues. Natig Abbasov, in turn, said that every signed document must secure cooperation development if the interests of the two sides are maintained. The parties also discussed the possible impact of the Turkish Stream project on the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, energy cooperation with Iran, as well as energy efficiency issues. It was also noted that Azerbaijan creates technology parks and applies seven-year tax breaks for their development. European companies were invited to participate in the process. 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 Sea 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. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 13:14 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Camal Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) has once again requested from Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR to extend the term of a letter of guarantee on a tender on SOCARs acquiring a 66-percent stake in the Greek national gas transmission system operator DESFA until December 23. The Greek media reported on November 29 that the HRADF appealed to SOCAR with the aim of proper execution of the DESFA privatization contract. Simultaneously, the Greek Energy Ministry is in constant contact with SOCAR and aims to close the deal in the next two days, as the current letter of guarantee expires on November 30, the report reads. The Azerbaijani company twice extended the term of the letter of guarantee, in September and October, each time for one month. SOCAR agreed to buy a 66 percent stake in the crisis-hit gas supply grid operator for 400 million in 2013. But the acquisition stalled after the energy giant of Azerbaijan faced EU concerns about a potential breach of its competition law. SOCAR 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. The deal was further marred by more uncertainty when Greece passed a law, which raised DESFA's gas tariffs by a much lower amount than expected. Given the new conditions, the Azerbaijani side reportedly assesses the purchase of the share at 260 million, saying that DESFA's price should be now half of its initial value, as the new rules restricted profitability of the deal. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 11:12 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The Iranian Foreign Ministry has denied reports that Tehran and Moscow have mutually lifted the visa requirements. The ministrys spokesman Bahram Qassemi told IRNA news agency on November 28 that the final agreement for the visa waiver has not been signed yet. It has been decided that tourist group visa requirement to be cancelled under special circumstances, something that has not become operational yet, he said. His statement came after Sputnik news agency reported that Iran and Russia had [torn] down the visa wall. The news agency quoted Yevgeny Ivanov, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Consular Department, as having said that per the new agreement, tour groups of 5 to 50 people heading to Russia from Iran or vice versa will be granted a visa-free stay of up to 15 days. Qassemi, however, said much remains to be done to remove the visa requirement for citizens on both sides. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 12:32 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Following the draft Decree of the President of Uzbekistan developed by the Central Bank and promulgated for discussion on a single portal of interactive public services (EPIGU), Uzbekistan plans to begin a large-scale liberalization of the monetary policy in 2017. "The establishment of the national currency som (UZS) against foreign currencies solely for the use of market mechanisms is proclaimed as one of the main directions of the new monetary policy. It is supposed to abolish the practice of granting privileges and preferences to individual companies or industries during their foreign exchange operations and create equal conditions for all participants of foreign economic activity of the country. It is planned to develop a simplified procedure for the purchase and sale of foreign currency by economic agents in the domestic foreign exchange market, providing the foreign currency to commercial banks for making payments on current international transactions. The export of foreign currency outside the country without restrictions is allowed up to an amount equivalent to $10,000, including canceling the declaration of foreign currency in the amount of $2,000 during imports and exports, which is currently obligatory for citizens of the Republic and non-residents. In addition, it is proposed to ban payments in foreign currency for goods and services in the country. Based on the analysis of the impact of proposed changes in the first half of 2017 a new draft law "On Currency Regulation" will be developed. The bill will, in particular, specify a definition of the Cabinet currency regulation authority, along with the Central Bank with a clear definition of their powers. Discussion of the document will finalized on December 14, 2016. There are restrictions on access to foreign currency of legal entities and individuals in Uzbekistan The country continues to use two exchange rates - the official rate and the "black" market, which today is higher by more than twice. The problem of currency conversion is one of the main obstacles for foreign investors in Uzbekistan. Last year, the International Monetary Fund urged Uzbekistan to "gradually move towards the liberalization of the currency system and the elimination of foreign exchange restrictions." They stressed the importance of a greater exchange rate flexibility to reduce the pressure on the current transaction operations. The official exchange rate of Uzbek currency as of November 29 is 3176.16 UZS per $1. Uzbekistan, with the goal of becoming an industrialized, upper-middle-income country by 2030, is continuing to make transition steps towards a more market-oriented economy. The Uzbek economy experienced a mild deceleration in the year to September compared to the same period of 2015 but still grew at a healthy pace, according to official data. Growth was propelled primarily by construction works, retail sales, and services, while industrial and agricultural production lagged somewhat behind. The Government of Uzbekistan reported GDP growth at 7.8 percent in the first half of 2016, down from the 8.1 percent recorded in the same period of 2015, reflecting a weaker external environment and slower growth in the industry. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 12:24 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed in a telephone conversation to coordinate steps in the hydrocarbon markets, including in the framework of the energy dialogue between Russia and OPEC, RIA Novosti reported with the reference to the Kremlin Press Service. "The presidents agreed to continue to coordinate the steps in the global hydrocarbon markets, including in the framework of the energy dialogue between Russia and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. It is noted the fundamental importance of OPEC measures taken to restrict the production of raw materials as a key factor in stabilizing the global oil market, said the message. In addition to their trade and cooperation in hydrocarbons, Iran and Russia have also expanded trade ties in many non-energy sectors of the economy, including a large agriculture agreement in January 2009 and a telecommunications contract in December 2008 In July 2010, Iran and Russia signed an agreement to increase their cooperation in developing their energy sectors. Features of the agreement include the establishment of a joint oil exchange, which with a combined production of up to 15 million barrels of oil per day has the potential to become a leading market globally. The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $1.5 billion in July, while the figure is expected to double by March 2017. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 29 November 2016 14:53 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Chief Executive Officer of Kazakh National Atomic Company Kazatomprom Askar Zhumagaliev discussed cooperation with Chinese atomic companies during his visit to China, the Kazakh company reported on November 29. In particular Kazatomproms CEO held negotiations with Director General of China General Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC) Zhang Shanming and President of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Qian Zhimin. The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to nuclear power development and underlined a good progress in cooperation between the companies and successful efforts on joint uranium mining projects. They also shared their opinions on the supplies of Kazakhstans high value added uranium products to China and uranium transit through China. Kazatomprom is the national operator of Kazakhstan for export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special purpose equipment, technologies and double-use materials. Kazakhstan is the biggest uranium producer in the world. In 2015 the country produced 23,800 tons of uranium. Meanwhile there is no nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan and it sends all the produced uranium for export. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The re-construction of Vardenis-Martakert highway is about to be completed. Hasmik Grigoryan, head of the PR department of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund, told ARMENPRESS the reconstruction will be finalized in the half of 2017. After commissioning the highway, the economic and social contacts between the 35 nearby communities will be boosted. Currently, the 110km part out of the 114km is ready, 88km of which with double asphalt layer. Works are underway at the 4th km of the Sotk highway part. The construction works will be completed mid 2017. In spring, during favorable weather conditions, the asphalt laying works will continue, she said. The new highway will enable travelling from Yerevan to Stepanavan in about 1 hour shorter period of time than before, and from Yerevan to Martakert the highway is more appropriate. Officials have supervised the construction of this strategically important highway and have focused on the quality of asphalt. Hasmik Grigoryan says asphalt samples were sent for laboratory analysis during the entire process to ensure the quality of the highway. During the entire process of construction, the highway was open for both passenger and cargo vehicles. Traffic was never put on halt. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have already had the chance to travel on the highway. They returned from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia via that highway. The 5km road which leads to Chapar from the Vardenis-Martakert main highway has also been paved. The fund has built the school of the village. Currently, three houses are under constructed for the local large families. The road leading to Dadivank has also been improved. The road has been widened up to 10 meters, becoming safer, she said. Funds raised at the Telethon 2013, 2014 were directed for the project. The governments of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh also provided financial assistance for completion of the project. The fund also carries out several programs aimed at infrastructure development in various communities, simultaneously with the reconstruction of the highway. 29 November 2016 17:31 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Hasanova Turkmenistan and South Korea are showing willingness to reinforce the economic relations between the two countries. The two countries have exchanged letters on the ratification of the intergovernmental convention on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, the "Oil and Gas Complex" of the country reported. Some big South Korean companies are successfully operating in Turkmenistan. In particular, LG International and Hyundai Engineering Co.LTD implemented a big project on Galkynysh hydrocarbon deposit development in Turkmenistan upon the service conditions in the amount of $1.2 billion. This field has the biggest natural gas reserves in the country. In addition, this consortium has received a project at the refinery in Turkmenbashi. The bilateral relations cover trade, economic, scientific, and technological cooperation. The total volume of trade turnover of Turkmenistan and South Korea in recent years has increased from $200 million up to $1.9 billion. Two countries pay special attention to cooperation in the transport sector in the context of transit and logistics infrastructure along the East-West and North-South with access to the European and Middle Eastern markets. Turkmenistan raises its influence in the region, successfully using its energy resources to pave the way for progress. The growing interest of such huge players as the EU, Russia, and Iran in retaining an impact in Central Asia has pushed South Korea to look for cooperation with Turkmenistan, the regions most promising country, and best strategic position. It is no wonder, that South Korea considers future relations development with Turkmenistan favorably. --- Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 60F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 47F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. GAVAR, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Marat Sinanyan, engineer and photographer from Gavar city, presented a photograph to ARMENPRESS, which depicts leader of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro, with several USSR party and state officials. According to Marat Sinanyan, he took the photo back in 1963 in Leningrad. At that time I was studying in Leningrad. Since I loved photographing and was engaged with several newspapers and agencies, I was acquainted with Abraham Mazelev, correspondent of LENTASS. He asked me to photograph Castro instead of him during a reception in Smolny, because he had serious problems with his vision. I photographed Fidel and the accompanying USSR officials with his camera. At Mazelevs request, I gave the photo to the central newspapers and news agencies, however with his signature. I couldnt reject his request. I was taken to Smolny accompanied by security services. I still have the photo, as respect to the leader of the Cuban revolution, Sinanyan said. At the same day, due to Marat Sinanyan, the request letter of Cuban students of Leningrad is passed on to Fidel Castro in Smolny. The students requested to increase their pension, which is granted. When my student friend Jorje found out that I have to photograph Fidel Castros visit and reception in Smolny, he asked me to pass on the request-letter of him and his student friends to the Cuban leader. Jorje and his friends were requesting the Cuban government to increase their scholarships, because the 60 ruble sum was not enough for living. Through one of our security agents, I passed on the letter to Fidel Castros bodyguard. Fidel respected the students request, and after just one month the scholarships were doubled. The Cubans were very happy, they were giving me gifts, they were honoring me. I maintained contact with Jorje until 2000, Sinanyan said. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Houses Without Doors movie by Syrian-Armenian filmmaker Avo Kaprealian was one of the two wins for the Best International Documentary award in the 34th Torino Film Festival, reports Asbarez. Out of an impossible situation, he shows what is impossible to show from the balcony of his familys home he looks at the whole world. He makes us feel that Syrian and Armenian people are all humanity and makes us trust in the tools of cinema to help humanity to exist and resist in all times, the jury saying as quoted by Asbarez. The movie tells about the story of an Armenian family amid clashes in Aleppo's Armenian-populated Nor Gyugh (New Village) district. The movie was shot from the balcony of Kaprealian's home and shows the hardships of the civil war. Parallels were drawn between the Armenian Genocide and the current sufferings of the Syrian people. President Xi Jinping meets with United Nations secretarygeneral designate Antonio Guterres in Beijing on Monday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY China will continue to participate in and support United Nations affairs, President Xi Jinping told UN secretarygeneral designate Antonio Guterres on Monday. The UN should also carry out the 2030 sustainable development agenda and Paris climate agreement, and look after the interests of developing countries while helping them voice their opinions and assisting them, Xi said. The president noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the restoration of China's rightful seat at the UN. Guterres praised China for supporting the UN. The UN is willing to cooperate closely with China and promote world peace, security and prosperity, he said. Premier Li Keqiang, who had a separate meeting with Guterres, said China is willing to increase cooperation with other nations to maintain the authority of the UN, improve its ability to tackle emergencies, and facilitate sustainable and inclusive development. Guterres, 67, was prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002. He served as UN high commissioner for refugees from 2005 to 2015 before being elected as Ban Kimoon's successor as UN secretarygeneral. He will take up that post at the start of 2017. Guterres visited Russia and Kazakhstan before making his first visit to China since becoming the secretarygeneral designate last month. In another meeting on Monday, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Guterres said that China also led the building of new global instruments such as the Asian InfrastructureInvestmentBankandthe Belt and Road Initiative to help other nations achieve sustainable development through cooperation. At the same time, Guterres said, China has been bringing together nations in conflict to resolve issues through dialogue. "China is a solid pillar for multilateralism," he said, adding that China could become the peace broker that "the world badly needs today". No country can succeed in solving global issues alone, said Shen Yongxin, a researcher in world history studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Shen said the UN is an effective platform for collective response to global challenges, through which China can exercise its leadership and bring nations together to tackle global issues. Contact the writers at zhangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Marat Ueldanov-Galustyan a Russian citizen with Armenian origin who is jailed in Baku for over 6 months, had a phone conversation for the first time with his sister Mariana Mirzoyan. Mariana Mirzoyan told ARMENPRESS that she received the opportunity to call her brother, and he notified her that his attorney hasnt visited him for already two months, because he is standing by for the Russian embassys actions. And the attorney has assured during each conversation that he is visiting my brother. He says that Marat feels good there. And how can someone adapt to jail conditions, if he has never been in such situations. Everyone lies. Marat told me he doesnt know what to do, this is his first time in such situation. He doesnt know the laws of Azerbaijan and his rights as a Russian citizen. Everyone has abandoned him. Marat also notified me that the embassy staff didnt pass on my letter to him during their only visit. Marat also said theres no need to send anything, because he isnt allowed to go outside meaning my brother hasnt seen the light of day for half a year. I really dont know what to do. Its already half a year that the Azerbaijani side are unable to present any evidence against my brother, she said. You dont have to be a scholar to understand that college is only becoming even more expensive. 6 min read YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. 969.010 foreign tourists arrived in Armenia in January-September 2016, interim chairman of the State Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments Zarmine Zeytuntsyan told Armenpress, stating that this number has increased by 3.6% compared to the same period of 2015. In January-September 2016, the growth of the number of incoming tour visits is mainly related with the number of visits from Iran, US, Belarus, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, as well as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark and Germany. The existing statistics gives hope of optimism over the development prospects in Armenias tourism field, including also the fact that the geography of the visits has been expanded, Zeytuntsyan said, adding that currently the Persian Gulf, the Far East, as well as Latin American countries started to show an interest towards Armenia. Zeytuntsyan said taking into account the growth dynamics of tourism visits in the recent years, and as a a result of the implementation of the 2017 tourism support project, it can be supposed that the annual growth for 2017 will be 5%. At the same time, if we compare with the previous year, according to the statistical data, we can say that in the same period of 2015 the tourism visits to Armenia have been decreased by 0.2%. The reduction of the number of incoming tour visits is mainly due to the reduction of visits from Russia and Georgia by 6% and 11% respectively (totally, by over 60.000). According to the data on January-September 2015, the number of outgoing tourists from Russia has been decreased by 31% compared to the same period of 2014, which is mainly linked with regional economic issues, she said. Zeytuntsyan said Armenias historical and cultural heritage, the rich nature are attractive especially for tourists who visit the country for the first time. Tourists visiting Armenia are attracted by the hospitality of the people, the rich historical-cultural heritage, and the fact of being a safe country. The tourists are also offered different services, such as cultural events, festivals, which make them to be more interested in Armenia, she said, adding that the foreign tourists are interested also in Armenian traditions, cuisine, villagers life. The word hope isnt on any of the signs at the Casa Cuba in Tampa. Its not on the Cuban flag people were waving out front with pride. But it is a common thread among all of the people celebrating after the death of Fidel Castro. Tampa residents still celebrating Local Cuban community shares their stories, hopes for the future Its a celebration, Tampa resident, Mario Quevedo didnt think he would live to experience. He left Cuba when he was 14. One day before the Bay of Pigs. The hope is a little bit nearer now today that the monster is gone," Quevedo said. "Thats why we celebrate." The Bay of Pigs was the United States attempt to support a coup to remove the Cuban dictator. When it failed, Luis Campuzano was there right in the middle of it all as a member of the U.S. Navy, fighting to oust the leader in a country he once called home. See, the difference is we had 1,500 men landing in Cuba," Campuzano said. "Castro had thousands against us. The difference is we were there because our heart told us to be there. We were there to fight." Its a fight they lost, but hes hopeful for a win now. Even if the regime still seems to be in control. That shared optimism is what Francesca Mary says kept her holding out hope for so many years. She fled Cuba at 12 years old. I think most people, its not that theyre happy that somebody died," said Mary. "At least I dont look at it from that point of view. But they need to understand what he has done to thousands and thousands of people. I was lucky I saw my parents again. I can tell you numbers of children that never saw their parents again." Its those stories and possibilities that Quevedo, Campuzano and Mary said gives them hope that theyll get to see change soon in the country they once knew. When democracy is established in Cuba I will set foot in," said Mary. "I will visit my country again." YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. With the assistance of Armenia Development Fund and the Armenian Embassy in Netherlands, the BNN public TV aired two films about Armenia after the filming crew of 3 op Reis travel program visited Armenia. The first film of the travel reporters depicts Yerevans Vernissage, the Cascade, Republic Square, the Chess House, Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, the Genocide Museum-Institute, and other locations. Asked why are Armenians so good at chess, Olympic Champion Tigran Petrosyan responds by saying Armenians play chess for leisure and one can notice men playing chess in many neighborhoods of Yerevan, trying to teach the younger generation. Asked why chess is being taught in schools, Petrosyan says : We believe that children who learn to play chess from an early age develop unique ways of thinking, they are more creative in finding solutions for problems. The ADF told ARMENPRESS the second film depicts Armenia, outside Yerevan. The reporters from Netherlands head to Sevan on train, engaging in frank conversations with passengers. They present the charm of Sevan, visit the Noratus complex of cross-stones, and reach Noravank by hitchhiking. The reporters are also being hosted by an Armenian family, they learn a few Armenian words, they closely follow the distillation process of vodka, taste and try to resist the effect of 60% mulberry vodka. Presenting Armenias tourism attractions, they look at the magnificent view of the Armenian nature from the worlds longest cableway, and the film ends with the mesmerizing Tatev Monastery. The films are available at 3opreis.bnn.nl, 3opreis.bnn.nl. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Deputy speaker of the Armenian Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov held a meeting on November 29 with lawmakers of the Syrian Peoples Council (parliament) Omar Al-Arabi and Alan Bakeri. Issam Nayal, interim Charges d'Affaires of Syria in Armenia was also present at the meeting, the Press Service of the Parliament told ARMENPRESS. Sharmazanov welcomed the Syrian lawmakers visit to Armenia and said the Armenian-Syrian friendship has ages long history, which was even more strengthened due to Syrias sheltering and giving a second fatherland to the Armenian refugees who survived the Armenian Genocide. Eduard Sharmazanov highlighted the cooperation between the two countries and paid special attention to strengthening of inter-parliamentary ties in that context. He expressed gratitude to Syrias Parliament for the steps aimed at discussing the Armenian Genocide issue during the previous year. The denial of Genocides is full of the threat of repetition of the crime: The Turkish denial and impunity gave birth to new terrorists, like the Islamic State, Sharmazanov said. The Syrian Crisis was also discussed at the meeting. Sharmazanov wished endurance to the people of Syria and expressed hope that soon peace and law will be established in the country. Eduard Sharmazanov underscored the stance of Armenia regarding the fight against terrorism, and assured that Armenian lawmakers are ready to raise their voices in various international platforms for the peaceful settlement of the Syrian issue. The Syrian members of Parliament thanked Eduard Sharmazanov for the warm reception and passed on the gratitude of the Syrian leadership and people to the Armenian people, for supporting and assisting during difficult times. The Syrian lawmakers also highlighted the deepening of inter-parliamentary ties and said discussions are underway in committees of the Syrian Parliament regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The lawmakers invited Eduard Sharmazanov to pay an official visit to Syria. A Hardin-Jefferson ISD bus veered off a roadway and struck a telephone pole Tuesday morning as the driver turned at an unsafe speed, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a press release. The crash happened at about 7:15 a.m., at the intersection of Patna Drive and Old Sour Lake Road, Sgt. Stephanie Davis said. The driver was trying to turn right onto Patna Drive. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Culture Minister of Armenia Armen Amiryan on November 29 reported President Serzh Sargsyan on one of the priorities of the Ministrys activity, the Ministrys new initiatives aimed at contributing to the recognition and development of the Armenian culture in Armenia and abroad, as well as activating the cultural life in provinces as well, press service of the Presidential administration told Armenpress. The Culture Minister discussed with President Sargsyan the opportunities for conducting such initiatives, as well as presenting at best Armenia in the international platforms through culture. The Minister also conveyed the request of the cultural figures to meet with the President. Serzh Sargsyan kindly agreed to meet and talk with them, stating that he also needs such meeting, he also has a lot of questions to ask and asked to be prepared for a frank conversation. Minister Amiryan proposed to create a pan-Armenian symphony orchestra which will include our talented compatriots performing in different parts of the world. According to him, it is proposed to hold the first concert on April 24, 2017 in Yerevan, and then the orchestra will hold concerts in a number of Armenian-populated cities of abroad within a year. The President welcomed the idea stating that it almost completely corresponds to his views and convictions on Armenia-Diaspora cooperation and it is somehow a symbolic idea: first of all, it means harmony, ability to work together, and perhaps, the orchestra can serve as an example of harmonious and united work to other sectors. A Little Cypress-Mauriceville school bus carrying high school students was involved in a one-vehicle accident Monday afternoon, according to a press release from Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD spokesperson Sherry Combs. Combs said the bus was on Bilbo Road, and the driver moved toward the shoulder as a truck approached from the opposite direction. Because of wet conditions, the bus slid on the muddy street and ended up "straddling the road." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Almost four months after the West Orange-Cove school district appealed its high school's state rating, the Texas Education Agency this month said that a coding error caused hundreds of standardized test scores to go uncounted and awarded the campus its highest ranking. West Orange-Stark High School was rated by the state in August as "improvement required," a designation that mandates correctional plans and increased state monitoring. The campus is now rated as "met standard," and the school's students earned a designation for Academic Achievement in Social Studies, according to the TEA. Superintendent Rickie Harris said in August that the state's testing vendor, ETS, mistakenly coded half of the high school's tests as middle school tests, which the district did not realize in time to notify TEA. The TEA rating in August was based on 336 End-of-Course assessments, the district said, though records showed that more than twice that number of tests were administered during the spring testing window. More for you West Orange-Cove will appeal TEA test results "As expected, West Orange-Cove CISD's accountability appeal with the Texas Education Agency was approved for West Orange-Stark High School," the district said in a statement on its website. "Our District and all of our campuses have achieved the highest possible rating of Met Standard. We are proud of our students and staff!" TEA's annual district and campus ratings are based on overall test scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR tests), student progress and graduation rates, according to the state agency. More than 100 districts appealed 2016 ratings, according to TEA data. Of those, 29 appeals - including the one from West Orange Cove CISD and another from Orangefield ISD - were accepted. Orangefield ISD Superintendent Stephen Patterson said in August that "a technical issue" caused student data from the 2015 graduating class to be miscounted, which hurt the district's score on the TEA's postsecondary readiness index. In a letter earlier this month to the Orangefield school district, Commissioner Mike Morath said that a software problem with the state's reporting system miscounted students' Career and Technical Education credits, which was corrected during the appeal. Districts across the state this past spring reported problems with the STAAR test, including coding errors, insufficient testing materials and lost online test responses. Last year was ETS's first as the state's testing vendor. Since the spring, ETS has been fined $20.7 million, including $15 million to be spent on preventing future computer problems. ETS will administer the 2017 STAAR tests. LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/LizTeitz When the Texas state legislature meets early next year, some Lamar University students will be closely watching a bill that would improve and expand services for veterans on college campuses. Student veterans and staff members at the school's Office of Veteran Affairs, which is focused on financial aid and benefits, are hoping to develop a full-fledged Veterans Center to serve LU and LIT. The center would improve access to veteran-specific counseling and academic advising, according to Eric Matthews, who works at the office. "We don't have all that in one place, we have to refer students to community resources" or other campus offices, he said. The office conducted a needs-assessment survey, which has not yet been published, that found many of the school's 900 veterans wanted increased and centralized resources, he said. That survey will eventually be presented to university administration to help make the case for a center. Lamar's Student Government Association recently passed a resolution supporting the center. That was led by student senator William Hill, whose veteran friends told him how they struggle to find accessible and convenient resources on campus. Hill turned to a bill from the 2015 legislative session that never made it out of committee as a possible solution. "We found HB 450 from the 84th legislature, and it talks about how it would establish a Texas Veterans Commission, which would operate veterans resource centers in different regions of the state" on college campuses, Hill said. That bill, introduced by Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, has not yet been re-filed for this spring's session. The bill would fund program managers and resource counselors on college campuses throughout Texas, which is what Matthews says the center would need. "There's been studies done at various universities that having a Veterans Center makes a big difference in helping transition from military life to academia," he said, including academic advising by people trained to understand veterans' financial benefits and to offer veteran-specific counseling. Levi Smith, a student worker at Lamar's Veterans Office, said that the center would promote community among veterans on campus. "We're pretty disconnected, we don't always have the same college experience as other students," said Smith, who served in the Marine Corps for five years before coming to Lamar, where he plans to major in engineering. "If we had one center, I think it would help with having more of a sense of community." Tim Winberg, Veteran Coordinator for Beaumont's Military Veteran Peer Network, said that his organization currently offers support groups on Lamar's campus, and that creating a community of veterans is important for moving smoothly into civilian life. "We do support groups, which really is what we found to be the most effective to help people with PTSD, you've got to be around people that understand," he said. "When a veteran gets out of the military, they come back to the community, they lose that camaraderie of other veterans, they feel isolated, they feel different." Being back in the classroom, often after several years, "is definitely a change of pace, it's strange at first," Smith said. When veterans come into the office looking for guidance, "they're asking, 'How do I do college?' and 'Where do I go?,'" he said. While the office formally focuses only on financial support, staff members try to make the transition as easy as possible, especially because most are veterans themselves. "Having veterans in our positions, we know what they're going through and the questions they ask," said Joel Lanningham, a veteran who works at the office. But they also know "being told to go to one place, then getting sent to the next place" is particularly frustrating, which they hope the Veterans Center would remedy, he said. While the office finishes up the survey, and a grant-writing committee looks into funding, Hill and others in Student Government are discussing the project with administrators in the Texas State University System and are hoping to help make progress statewide, which would also help pay for the center at Lamar. "The idea of expanding the current level of support services for LU veteran students by establishing a veteran center would require resources from the state for its creation, staffing and operations," said university spokesman Brian Sattler. "If state funding is not attached to future legislation there will not be sufficient resources to create a veteran center at Lamar University." "It wouldn't be easy to push, but it's possible if there's enough attention on it," Hill said. "It's one of those things the House put on the back burner, but it's a main concern for our veteran students." "Some schools just have financial aid for vets, other schools have the whole thing," Lanningham said, "and we're trying to move toward that end of the spectrum." UPDATE: This article has been updated to include comment from Lamar administration. LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/LizTeitz This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Gary Sanderson had been judge of the 60th District Court for just four years - a relative rookie - when a lawsuit involving mass deaths from a pesticide gas leak in India was filed in his court at the beginning of 1985. It was a case that would try the most seasoned judge, and he will retire at the end of the year with nothing like it ever landing on his bench again. Sanderson, 71, was elected to the bench in 1980 at 35, after eight years in the district attorney's office that saw him rise to first assistant. Nothing in his experience could prepare him for what happened on the night of Dec. 2-3, 1984, in Bhopal, India. A massive and deadly pesticide gas cloud leaked from what was then a Union Carbide plant, killing more than 2,700 people and seriously injuring at least 8,000 more. A month later, a lawsuit filed on behalf of some of the victims landed on Sanderson's trial docket in the 60th District Court. GOODBYE, GARY: Photos: Retiring Judge Sanderson celebrated at courthouse party In those days, Texas law provided a "long-arm statute," allowing for legal action against companies and individuals outside the state. An attorney for some of the Bhopal plaintiffs said he filed the lawsuit in Beaumont because local juries were knowledgeable about chemical exposure and the potential for injuries and could be fair. Union Carbine, headquartered in Connecticut, tried to shift the case to federal court. A federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas sent it back to Sanderson, blocking an attempt to consolidate the case with others filed in federal court in New York. Sanderson ultimately dismissed the case. "I didn't think it was the proper forum," he said. "Logistically, I don't know how you'd try the case." The Bhopal case against Union Carbide was settled out of court in 1989 with a payment of $470 million by the company to the gas victims. India and the Bhopal case, half a world away and more than 30 years ago, isn't the 60th District Court's regular fare. The court continued to do its quiet business with the same judge, unopposed in every election year since 1984. Sanderson will hang up his black robe at the end of December - the one with the Kool cigarette burns in it - and hand the gavel over to the winner of the 2016 election to replace him, a 43-year-old private practice attorney named Justin Gary Sanderson, his son. Next generation Sanderson, the younger, was unopposed in the March primary and in the November general election. Just like his dad from 1980 onward. "Someone asked him whether he could put up my signs because we have the same name. He's Justin Gary and I'm James Gary. I never had a sign in my life," Sanderson said. In those days, after Judge Melvin Combs died in the final year of his term and Republican Gov. Bill Clements appointed Bob Wortham to the 60th Court bench to serve out the final 10 months, candidate selection was done by the Jefferson County Democratic Party's executive committee. Sanderson said he thinks there were 72 members of the executive committee and six candidates. He got 52 on the first ballot and that was it. He was the candidate, otherwise unopposed in the primary and in the general election and it's been that way ever since. "Justin has a lot more civil experience than I did when I took the bench," Sanderson said. He said he remembers his first trial as judge. "I remember how nervous I was. I thought I had the flu," he said. "It was nerves." Sanderson had plenty of trial experience in the district attorney's office, but the view from the bench is different. One day, during a break in a trial, Sanderson said he was walking down the marble-clad hallway outside the courtroom and a juror called out to him, "I thought you were taller." Good jurors here, mostly Far and away, most jurors are good, solid people who get things right, Sanderson said. Just four times in 36 years, Sanderson said he granted a new trial, meaning he didn't agree with jurors that the evidence supported their verdict. The biggest verdict he ever saw in his court was for $98 million, but the Ninth Court of Appeals threw it out, declaring that the evidence did not support it. Two large construction companies, one of them multi-national, were involved, but later settled, he said. Over the years, a couple of jurors provided comedy and drama. During the course of one case, one juror was arrested in a park for smoking marijuana. He was tossed. In another case, a juror disappeared on Valentine's Day and eventually turned up two or three days later and couldn't understand why he couldn't resume his seat. Sanderson said he waited a month before finally telling the wayfarer he wasn't going to be arrested. This time. During his tenure, Jefferson County was saddled with the reputation of being a "judicial hellhole," an insult created by tort reformers who wanted to rein in "giveaway" juries. "I think it's bull," Sanderson said of the tag. "It's not true and it's not fair." He said big jury awards always are noticed. "You don't read about it when plaintiffs lose. I've seen widows with small children lose and their husbands are dead," he said. Presiding judge to change Sanderson's retirement will bring another change in the courthouse lineup. For years, Sanderson has served, by election of his peers, as the county's presiding judge, which means he can transfer cases from court to court and ask for visiting judges, if necessary. "He's been presiding judge for as far back as I can remember," said Larry Gist, who is judge of the Drug Impact Court after serving 20 years as judge of Criminal District Court. "He's done an exceptional job," Gist said. "I don't remember any conflicts, and it's in everybody's interest to have a peacemaker." The presiding judge also appoints the county appraisal district's review board. "It's a Class A misdemeanor to try and influence me," he said of the appointments he makes. The sitting district court judges meet on Dec. 6 to decide whether to retain the county auditor, Patrick Swain, who is appointed by the judges to keep that position independent from Commissioners Court. The purchasing committee, which includes the county judge and some of the district judges, will decide whether to retain the purchasing agent. Then there's the vote for presiding judge, which will include votes from 58th Court Judge Kent Walston; 136th Court Judge Milton Gunn "Mickey" Shuffield, who also is retiring; 172nd District Court Judge Donald Floyd; 279th Court Judge Randy Shelton; and 317th Court Judge Larry Thorne. Sanderson won't say who he supports. "This time, there's more interest in it," he said. DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO Roughly 3,000 gathered at Community Bible Church near Loop 1604 on Monday morning to honor San Antonio Police Det. Benjamin Marconi, who was shot and killed in the line of duty eight days ago. Several public officials attended the funeral service, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus and state Sens. Carlos Uresti, Donna Campbell, and Jose Menendez, as did law enforcement officers from across the country. We are forever grateful for his watch over us, said Betsy Buhle, Community Bible Church Media Minister and a San Antonio Police Department Chaplain. He was a friendly dear brother, and he was a friend for so many. MORE: 10 things to know about slain SAPD Det. Benjamin Marconi Marconis children, Jacy Marconi and Dane Marconi, also spoke, recalling fond memories of their father and thanking the community for its support during the difficult time. He made everyone around you feel lighter and safer, Jacy Marconi said. He relaxed people. He was the kind of person we should all strive to be like. Marconi, 50, was a 20-year veteran of the department who worked in the Special Victims Unit. He was working overtime Nov. 20 when a man approached his patrol car as he conducted a traffic stop and shot him twice in the head. The days commemorations started with a private procession from the Porter Loring Mortuary, located on McCullough Avenue just north of downtown. The procession included around 100 vehicles, including the hearse, the Marconi family and patrol cars and motorcycles from many law enforcement departments. About a dozen people watched on the corner of McCullough Avenue as the procession left, including Efrain Garza, who lives across the street from the funeral home. Its a bad thing that happened to that officer, Garza said. I wanted to give my condolences. From the funeral home, the procession traveled on McCullough Avenue to Interstate 35 North, along U.S. 281 North to eastbound Loop 1604 and exited at Gold Canyon Road. San Antonio Fire Department trucks parked on the overpasses along U.S. 281 to allow onlookers to watch the procession and pay their respects safely. RELATED: Slain SAPD officer Benjamin Marconi once saved a drowning boy Once the procession arrived at the Community Bible Church, officers transferred Marconis coffin into a horse-drawn hearse and an honor guard performed a 21-gun salute, played Taps and a helicopter flew over. The funeral service began at 11:30 a.m. and ended roughly two hours later. Marconis colleagues in the Special Victims Unit also attended. Their shifts are being covered by SAPDs homicide unit. A public reception directly followed the service. There will not be a procession after the funeral and reception, as Marconi wished to be cremated. On Sunday, a public viewing ran from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Porter Loring. The viewing was directly followed by a rosary service. RELATED: Mourners gather to pay tribute to slain SAPD Detective Benjamin Marconi at a public viewing Friends and family have described Marconi as a loving and caring person who would pray for everyone. He was also a doting grandfather, they say. I always knew he was going to be something very special, his aunt Elsie McGuire said last week. He had this beauty about him that was always with people working with people, talking to people. He was always being there. I knew when he became a policeman, it was like thats his calling. To protect others. And thats what he loved. Thats the biggest thing he loved, doing his job. He was also a decorated officer, according to a department list of Marconis merits and commendations. Visit ExpressNews.com later in the day for an updated story. Staff writers Silvia Foster-Frau, Alia Malik and Kelsey Bradshaw contributed to this report. eeaton@express-news.net Twitter: @emilieeaton YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. A working discussion was held in the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments led by Minister Suren Karayan, press service of the Ministry told Armenpress. Representatives of various Ministries were present at the meeting. During the meeting issues related to the organization of the upcoming forum in Dubai dedicated to Armenias investment environment were discussed. The participants of the discussion agreed to complete the preparation works and the investment projects based on sectors such as communication and transportation, energy, manufacturing, agricultural food, education, urban development, nature protection, research and healthcare, high technologies and mining industry. Respective presentations and business-projects will be prepared ahead of the forum. The prospect on establishing a joint investment fund with the United Arab Emirates was also discussed at the meeting. President-elect Donald Trump selected Seema Verma to head CMS as administrator, according to Politico. Here are four key points: 1. An Indiana resident, Ms. Verma played an active role in vice president-elect Mike Pence's ACA Medicaid expansion model, Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0. 2. Ms. Verma is the founder and CEO of Indianapolis-based SVC, a health policy consulting firm. As head of SVC, Ms. Verma has been charged with helping other leading Republican legislators on Medicaid expansion proposals. 3. She is equipped with more than two decades of experience in policy and strategic projects involving Medicaid, insurance and public health. 4. Previously, she was the vice president of planning for the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County in Indianapolis as well as director with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials in Washington, D.C. "I am pleased to nominate Seema Verma to serve as administrator of the CMS," said President-elect Trump in a statement. "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans." Moving forward into 2017, President-elect Donald Trump chose Rep. Tom Price, MD, (R-Ga.), to lead the HHS, according to Medscape. Here are six things to know: 1. An orthopedic surgeon by training, Dr. Price has advocated for the government playing a smaller role in healthcare. 2. Pending Senate confirmation, Dr. Price will be the second physician to lead HHS, following Louis Sullivan, MD, during the George H. W. Bush administration. 3. As head of the HHS, Dr. Price would play an integral role in determining how Medicare and Medicaid would reimburse physicians. 4. In 2014, the House Budget Committee elected Dr. Price chair. He is a member of the GOP Doctors Caucus, a group that has taken an avid stance against the ACA. Dr. Price and the GOP Doctors Caucasus opposed the launch of Medicare's first mandatory demonstration project for an alternative payment model for total joint replacements. The group believed providers should have the right to choose whether to participate. 5. President-elect Trump is expected to select health policy consultant Seema Verma as administrator for CMS, Reuters reported. 6. Patrice A. Harris, MD, chair of the American Medical Association's board of trustees, said the organization supports President-elect Trump's nomination of Dr. Price. Dr. Harris said, "His service as a physician, state legislator and member of the U.S. Congress provides a depth of experience to lead HHS. Dr. Price has been a leader in the development of health policies to advance patient choice and market-based solutions as well as reduce excessive regulatory burdens that diminish time devoted to patient care and increase costs. We urge the Senate to promptly consider and confirm Dr. Price for this important role." Cleveland-based MetroHealth System plans to borrow $1.25 billion to build a new hospital on its main campus, Cleveland.com reported. In 2022, the health system will relocate patients from its iconic round towers into the new facility, which will be connected to the recently opened Critical Care Pavilion, according to the report. The towers, built in the 1960s and 1970s, will likely be demolished. Physicians, nurses and patients provided input for the design of the new patient rooms, which will include larger bathrooms and showers. The rooms will also be fitted to serve a wider variety of patient conditions. The new building will be slightly taller than the current 12-story towers, but will have less square footage, at 650,000 square feet, compared with the current hospital's 1 million square feet. Dr. Boutros said MetroHealth and County Council officials are discussing three options for funding the new hospital, according to the report: 1. Whether the county will raise a portion of the money. 2. Whether the county would give MetroHealth a credit enhancement to allow it to borrow at a lower rate. 3. Whether the county will help with the debt reserve fund. The Metro Council, the legislative authority of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, Tenn., approved a $10 million infusion of emergency funds for Nashville (Tenn.) General Hospital at Meharry in February, and the safety-net hospital now needs additional funds, according to The Tennessean. The Nashville Hospital Authority, which operates Nashville General, receives a subsidy of $35 million each year. However, hospital CEO Joseph Webb, DSc, requested and was granted an additional $10 million earlier this year to stabilize operations and address deficiencies identified in a 2015 Joint Commission report. With collections falling $5 million below projections, Nashville Hospital Authority staff have recommended the city give an additional $10 million to stabilize the hospital's operations for the 2016-17 fiscal year, according to the report. The hospital authority's board of directors is expected to consider the supplemental request in December. More articles on healthcare finance: Moody's: NJ hospitals face credit pressure from M&A, reduced subsidies Northwell releases 37-point rescue plan for Brooklyn hospitals 15 must-reads for hospital CFOs Healthcare in Massachusetts is cheaper than in many other states when the costs are adjusted for incomes, David Torchiana, MD, president and CEO of Boston-based Partners HealthCare, recently told The Boston Globe. Healthcare costs in Massachusetts are often cited as some of the highest in the nation. However, when adjusted for the relatively high family incomes in Massachusetts, Dr. Torchiana said healthcare costs are affordable. "Although healthcare costs are a big challenge for everybody, I think that Massachusetts has a pretty good healthcare system at a relatively affordable cost," he told The Boston Globe. Dr. Torchiana's remarks come as a state commission is studying price variation at Massachusetts hospitals. After a several month-long investigation, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association issued a report in October that acknowledged the problem of "unwarranted price variation among providers" in the commonwealth. More articles on healthcare finance: Moody's: NJ hospitals face credit pressure from M&A, reduced subsidies Northwell releases 37-point rescue plan for Brooklyn hospitals 15 must-reads for hospital CFOs Palo Alto, Calif.-based Theranos has experienced major setbacks recently, and the blood-testing startup's regulatory and technological troubles threaten the $900 million in capital invested in the company, according to The Wall Street Journal. When its valuation was soaring, Theranos received funding from many high-profile investors, including Walgreens and Rupert Murdoch, who poured about $100 million into the company, according to the report. Those investments are threatened by Theranos' recent troubles. Over the past year, the company lost partnerships with Walgreens and Safeway, recalled tens of thousands of blood tests and was slapped with an investigation by the Department of Justice and another by the Securities and Exchange Commision. In July, CMS banned Theranos Founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes from owning and operating medical laboratories for at least two years. In October, the company closed its blood-testing facilities, according to The Wall Street Journal. Theranos also faces multiple lawsuits, including one that alleges a faulty blood test led to patient harm. Theranos investors have filed three lawsuits against the company since Oct. 10, the most recent of which was filed Monday in federal court in San Francisco. Theranos investors, many of whom claim they were provided with few details about how Theranos spent their money, may see their stakes wiped out as the company's troubles deepen, according to the report. More articles on healthcare finance: Moody's: NJ hospitals face credit pressure from M&A, reduced subsidies Northwell releases 37-point rescue plan for Brooklyn hospitals 15 must-reads for hospital CFOs The Southern Coos Health District's board of directors named JoDee Tittle CEO of Bandon, Ore.-based Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center, following a period of upheaval with the facility's leadership, according to a Brandon Western World report. In October, the hospital terminated Jim Wathen as interim CEO. The board members did not give a reason for Mr. Wathen's sudden departure, but they publicly thanked him for his service. The board named Mr. Wathen interim CEO in August, after the hospital dismissed former CEO Charles Johnston. The hospital terminated Mr. Johnston "without cause," according to a previous report. Ms. Tittle most recently served as interim president of Bend, Ore.-based St. Charles Health system's Madras (Ore.) and Prineville (Ore.) campuses. Prior to that, she was the director of ancillary and support services for the Madras and Prineville hospitals. She earned her master's degree in business administration from La Grande-based Eastern Oregon University. Ms. Tittle will assume her new role on Jan. 23, 2017, according to the report. President-elect Donald Trump is nominating a "dream team" to lead the top federal healthcare agencies. Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee, is Mr. Trump's official pick for secretary of HHS, and Seema Verma, president, CEO and founder of health policy consultancy SVC, is his nomination for CMS administrator. "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," Mr. Trump said in a statement. Here are nine things to know about Mr. Trump's healthcare nominations. 1. Rep. Price, 62, has 20 years of experience in private practice as an orthopedic surgeon. He would be the first physician to head HHS since Louis Sullivan, MD, who led the department under President George H. W. Bush between 1989 and 1993. Rep. Price served as an assistant professor at Atlanta-based Emory University School of Medicine and medical director of the Orthopedic Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Rep. Price earned his medical degree from Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan and completed his residency at Emory University. 2. Rep. Price got his start in Washington in 2004 after serving in the Georgia State Senate. He now serves as chair of the House Budget Committee, with past experience as chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and chairman of the Republican Study Committee. As a member of the Tea Party Caucus, Rep. Price is politically conservative on most issues. He is a "fierce opponent of government waste" who is "devoted to limited government and lower spending," according to a statement from the Trump-Pence transition team. 3. Rep. Price has a clear vision for the repeal and replacement of the ACA. "The problem that I have with Obamacare is that its premise is that Washington knows best," he said in an interview this past summer, according to the Wall Street Journal. He does not feel Washington should be in charge of healthcare. In 2015, he introduced the Empowering Patients First Act, which would fully repeal the ACA and replace it with a detailed plan that includes individual health pools and expanded health savings accounts. Many of his ideas are also present in the House Republicans' "A Better Way" agenda. Rep. Price has also previously called on President Barack Obama to stop the mandatory demonstration projects under the ACA, according to The New York Times. "I am humbled by the incredible challenges that lay ahead and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people," Rep. Price said in a statement on his nomination as head of HHS. "There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit." "This is the absolute perfect choice," House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a statement. "Tom Price has made health care his life's work." 4. The healthcare industry has reacted favorably to Rep. Price's nomination. Urging the Senate to confirm Rep. Price's nomination, American Medical Association Board Chair Patrice Harris, MD, said in a statement, "The AMA strongly supports the nomination of Dr. Tom Price to become the next Secretary of HHS. His service as a physician, state legislator and member of the U.S. Congress provides a depth of experience to lead HHS." AMGA President and CEO Donald Fisher, PhD, also congratulated Rep. Price on his nomination. "We are excited to work with his new team to continue to transition the financing of our healthcare system from volume-based to value-based payment," Dr. Fisher said in an emailed statement. "Tom Price is an exceptional person and leader who has worked in government and in the private sector," said Scott Becker, publisher of Becker's Healthcare. "He is truly a high-class, wonderful person." 5. However, many Democrats remain skeptical. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told The New York Times choosing Rep. Price to oversee healthcare "is akin to asking the fox to guard the henhouse." In a statement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards said the pick "poses a grave threat to women's health" citing several issues and noting that repeal of the ACA could void no-copay birth control for 55 million women. 6. Seema Verma, 46, was chosen as CMS administrator for her experience in advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy. Ms. Verma is credited with designing the Healthy Indiana Plan, Indiana's consumer-directed Medicaid program under Gov. Mitch Daniels, and for updating it under Mr. Pence's governorship. She has helped other conservative states roll out similar models, according to The Wall Street Journal. After the ACA passed in 2010, she led health reform in Indiana, working with state agencies to interpret regulatory changes. "I am honored to be nominated by President-elect Trump today," Ms. Verma said in a statement. "I look forward to helping him tackle our nation's daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way." 7. Ms. Verma has experience in consulting and public health strategy. Prior to founding SVC, Ms. Verma was vice president of planning for the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County in Indiana. Before then, she served as director for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials in Washington, D.C. Ms. Verma holds a master's degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. 8. Ms. Verma's nomination has also been met with support. Bruce Siegel, MD, President and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals said in a statement that Ms. Verma "offers a deep understanding of healthcare delivery and policymaking and can contribute an important state-level perspective on Medicaid, insurance, and public health. We are especially proud of her accomplishments as a graduate of the association's Fellows Program." Ms. Verma is also a graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Services Series and was chosen to join the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network. 9. Both picks still need to be confirmed by the Senate. Once the nominations move to the full Senate, a simple majority vote is required to secure their spots. Hearings will likely begin in early January, according to ABC News. The picks will be confirmed once Mr. Trump takes office. More articles leadership and management: 3 Columbus hospitals treat victims of OSU attack Study: Younger bosses can increase negative emotions on the job Governors want active role in developing ACA replacement Students who graduated from medical school and failed to match with a residency program are turning to nursing school to fulfill their medical aspirations, reports Stat News. This year, about 29,000 medical school graduates matched with residency programs but roughly 8,640 applicants failed to receive an offer. These individuals have the option to reapply for residency after spending a year doing research or completing a fifth year in medical school, or leave the medical field entirely. Some states, like Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, have passed laws allowing unmatched medical school graduates to work with a collaborating physician in medically underserved areas. However, physician advocacy groups have largely objected to these laws due to safety concerns. Now a growing number of unmatched MDs are contemplating nursing school to pursue their goal of treating patients, Stat News reports. The cost and time-requirement to complete their nursing degree has caused students to advocate for a more straight-forward track from a MD to a master's in nursing. To access the article in full, click here. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Elmar Mammadyarov, minister of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan, announced that the Hamburg meeting with the co-chairing sides may be held in a 2+3 format, that is the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the three foreign ministers of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries will take part in the meeting, APA reports. When I was in France, a proposal was made for the meeting to be held in a 2+3 format, meaning, the two sides and ministers of co-chairing countries, Mammadyarov said, confirming the proposal. Speaking about substitution of the US and French co-chairs, he said in his opinion it wont change the situation. The new French co-chair knows the region, is an experienced diplomat. For instance, the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Munich was held in the Consulate General of France, when this person was the Consul. Perhaps, he will seriously deal with that issue, Mammadyarov said. He also said the Hamburg meeting will be the last meeting with US co-chair James Warlick. In terms of who will work instead of him, depends on the State Department. The new co-chair will be known after the formation of a new administration, he said. El Segundo, Calif.-based Radiology Partners will add 16 sites through newly created and expanded partnerships with various hospital and health systems in the Midwest and Texas. The organization will expand and establish new relationships with providers in Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Texas. Here are the organization's ventures by state. Indiana : RP will expand its relationship with Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Health, a 14-hospital system with locations in Indiana and Illinois. RP will begin providing services at the health system's Crawfordsville, Lafayette East, Lafayette Central and Rensselaer locations, all in Indiana. RP will expand its relationship with Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Health, a 14-hospital system with locations in Indiana and Illinois. RP will begin providing services at the health system's Crawfordsville, Lafayette East, Lafayette Central and Rensselaer locations, all in Indiana. Iowa : The organization will begin offering its services at Ottumwa (Iowa) Regional Health Center through its relationship with the hospital's parent company, Brentwood, Tenn.-based RCCH HealthCare Partners. The organization will begin offering its services at Ottumwa (Iowa) Regional Health Center through its relationship with the hospital's parent company, Brentwood, Tenn.-based RCCH HealthCare Partners. Ohio : RP will begin providing services at five new locations, including Aultman Orrville (Ohio) Hospital. RP now services 61 sites in the state. RP will begin providing services at five new locations, including Aultman Orrville (Ohio) Hospital. RP now services 61 sites in the state. Texas: The organization will add sites in Sunnyvale and Dallas, and at Brownwood (Texas) Regional Medical Center. It will also establish a relationship with Plano, Texas-based LifeCare Hospitals and provide services at LifeCare Hospitals locations in Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano. "It has been an exceptional year of growth for our practice, and we are excited to be closing out the year with some expansions and new key partnerships," said Rich Whitney, chairman and CEO of RP. "The continued development of our relationships with some of the nation's largest health systems is an indication of the success and promise of RP's model of local physician governance supported by the resources of a national practice. Our talented physicians and support teams are delivering outstanding clinical value and service through innovative clinical programs, the latest technology and impressive teamwork." The trend of hospital and health system consolidation will continue to mount in the coming years, but it is unclear if this changing healthcare landscape will improve value for consumers, according to a new report published by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. The report, Health Care 2020: Consolidation, explores the potential influence consolidation will have on healthcare over the next several years, including the outlook for hospitals and health systems, physician practices and health plans. The report also examines antitrust enforcement and whether mergers and acquisitions can translate into value for the consumer instead of merely for the consolidating entities. Eleven healthcare policy experts were interviewed for the report. "Consolidation is a trend that's here to stay," HFMA President and CEO Joseph J. Fifer said in a news release. "But controversy about the impact is ongoing. In many cases, consolidated entities have not demonstrated value to the communities served. Across the industry, the challenge going forward is to achieve and demonstrate higher value from consolidation by lowering the total cost of care and improving quality." Here are six things to know from the report. 1. Continued hospital and health system consolidation is poised to remake the delivery system landscape over the next 10 years. 2. Small, independent physician practices are becoming less prevalent as healthcare's transition from fee-for-service to value-based care gains steam. 3. The health insurance sector is expected to remain highly consolidated for the foreseeable future, no matter the decision on proposed mergers between four of the five largest health insurers. 4. Post-acute facilities are consolidating. However, hospitals and health systems are generally not the buyers in the foreseeable future. "We're not seeing hospitals buy up post-acute centers, good, bad, or indifferent," Paul Liistro, managing partner of Manchester Manor Health Care Center and Vernon Manor Health Center in Connecticut, said in the report. "What we are seeing is ACOs, especially those that are involved in shared savings programs, partnering with high-performing facilities, setting objectives, and working with the facilities diligently to improve clinical pathways for certain conditions." 5. Although rulings at the district court level earlier this year dealt the Federal Trade Commission some temporary setbacks, reversals by appellate courts mean the federal agency is likely to keep a close eye on proposed health system mergers. 6. While hospital consolidation has not historically increased value for consumers, emerging value-based payment systems and an increased emphasis on price transparency may motivate merging organizations to pass along their savings. Democratic Senator of Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren contends the $6.3 billion bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act has been "hijacked" by the pharmaceutical industry and has vowed to fight against it, according to STAT. The legislation, which would increase funding for medical research and expand mental health services in the states, would also ease standards for new drugs and medical devices, according to STAT. It is heading for a possible vote in the house this week. Sen. Warren accused Republican legislators of trying to extort Democrats by tying additional funds for medical research to the bill. "I cannot vote for this bill," she said on the Senate floor, according to STAT. "I will fight it because I know the difference between compromise and extortion." Republicans say the bill will support healthcare innovation. Numerous patient advocacy groups have campaigned for the passage of the Cures Act, while other public health groups have raised questions about whether it was constructed to support patients or drug and device companies, which have bemoaned the burdensome regulatory requirements imposed by the FDA. More than 1,300 lobbyists have pushed for the bill's passage, according to the report. Among Sen. Warren's criticisms of the bill, she called the proposed plan to provide the National Institutes of Health $4.8 billion over 10 years a "fig leaf." "And most of that fig leaf isn't even real," she said, according to the report. "Most of the money won't really be there unless future Congresses pass future bills in future years to spend those dollars." While Sen. Warren supported some of the Cures Act's provision, she called others "huge giveaways" to the pharmaceutical industry, such as one that would roll back requirements to report payments from drug companies under the Sunshine Act. She described another measure that would allow drug companies to market drugs for unapproved uses as legalized fraud. After years of social conservatives' attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, Congressional Republicans aim to cut off federal funding for the healthcare group in early 2017, Politico reported. President Barack Obama in early January vetoed a budget bill passed by the Senate that eliminated money for Planned Parenthood and repealed the ACA. However, with Donald Trump at the helm next year, conservatives say it is only a matter of time before a defunding bill is signed into law, according to Politico. "The entire movement is poised for a victory," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, an advocacy group that opposes abortion. "We have every assurance [from congressional leaders] that it's going to happen. Nobody is saying 'whether,' the question is 'when.'" Federal law already prohibits Planned Parenthood from using taxpayer money for abortions. The organization uses federal money for family planning and other health services. However, anti-abortion groups argue funding the facilities enables the organization to provide abortions by freeing up funds for other services, according to the report. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: CEO of medical supply company guilty of extortion, fraud Lawmakers push to finalize 21st Century Cures Act ahead of New Year CMS and TJC scrutiny focuses on behavioral health and psychiatric hospitals An outbreak of a newly detected strain of group A Streptococcus bacteria has hospitalized at least 28 people in Alaska since the strain was first detected in early 2016. Three of those infected have died due to other invasive disease. According to Alaska Dispatch News, the new strain was first detected in Fairbanks in early 2016. Ten people were hospitalized with the infection there, one of whom died. No new infections have been reported in Fairbanks for several months. The strain was then identified in Anchorage in July, and an outbreak started in October. Eighteen people there have been hospitalized with the bacteria, two have died and two suspected cases are awaiting laboratory confirmation. Strep bacteria can cause a number of infections ranging from less-severe strep throat to toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-spreading bacterial skin infection that kills the body's soft tissue. Among the 18 people infected with this strain of the bacteria in Anchorage, six have developed necrotizing fasciitis, two have developed toxic shock syndrome and one developed cellulitis, a bacterial infection. That person lost an arm. Joe McLaughlin, MD, state epidemiologist and chief of the Alaska section of epidemiology with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, told the Dispatch News the outbreak is largest of its kind since 2000, the year public health officials began tracking group A Streptococcus bacterial infections. According to Dr. McLaughlin, there are approximately 220 strains of group A strep. While new strains are not commonly identified, when they are, they are often associated with outbreaks due to low immunity. "This outbreak is a new strain that we've never seen before. So having this increased number of cases of group A strep is not atypical," Dr. McLaughlin told the Dispatch News. The elderly, very young and those with compromised immune systems tend to be more susceptible to group A strep infections. Additionally, Native Americans tend to be at higher risk for such infections. "From data that have been published nationally, there can be a higher risk in certain racial demographic groups," Dr. McLaughlin told Dispatch News. "It's unclear why that is." All three of the dead were Alaska Natives. More articles on infection control: Infectious disease death trends in the US: 8 key points Survey shows poor adherence to CLABSI prevention guidelines worldwide Top 10 infection control stories, Nov. 21-25 Here are nine key notes on orthopedic and spine device companies over the past week. Dublin, Ireland-based Medtronic reported worldwide revenue of $7.3 billion in the second quarter of 2017, ended Oct. 28, 2016. The FDA cleared Belgrade, Mont.-based Xtant Medical's Xsert Lumbar Expandable Interbody System. Salt Lake City-based Amedica Corp. named Dana Lyons its new vice president of sales and marketing. Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Stryker beat industry analysts and reported $1.39 earnings per share in the third quarter, an 11.2 percent year-over-year improvement. Warsaw, Ind.-based Zimmer Biomet introduced its Comprehensive Vault Reconstruction System. Atlanta-based Vertera Spine received an award for its COHERE Cervical Interbody Fusion Device. Lyon-Ecully, France-based Spineway's capital increased nearly $1.49 million on Nov. 18, 2016. EIT Emerging Implant Technologies received an investment from SHS Gesellschaft fur Beteiligungsmanagement, both based in Germany. Headquartered in Melsungen, Germany, B. Braun Medical joined forces with Israel-based Trendlines Group on an investment in ApiFix, a Trendlines portfolio company. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, addressed the need for medical professionals to be more involved in healthcare policy-making decisions during a John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum event on Nov. 28 at Harvard Institute of Politics in Cambridge, Mass., according to The Harvard Crimson. Here are four things to know: 1. Dr. Murthy is the 19th Surgeon General of the United States and has previously been an instructor at Boston-based Harvard Medical School. 2. During the forum, Dr. Murphy discussed the need to address our nation's opioid crisis, an issue Dr. Murphy deems as one of the most pressing health issues today. In August, Dr. Murphy drafted a letter to providers seeking their help in fighting the opioid crisis. 3. He also urged providers to take on a role in public life so they can actively advocate for their patients' well-being. He said, "It's no longer enough for us to sit in our hospitals and clinics and hope that the healthcare system gets fixed, hope that social determinants [of health] get addressed and when in fact we need to step up and be that voice that calls for some of that change." 4. When the forum's moderator asked Dr. Murphy how he thinks President-elect Trump's administration will impact public health policies, Dr. Murphy said the administration will likely make progress on issues such as substance abuse as the issue has been bipartisan for many years. Tupelo, Miss.-based neurosurgeon Walter Eckman, MD, retired after more than 40 years in neurosurgery, according to a Daily Journal report. Here are five things to know about Dr. Eckman: 1. He performed 1,100 outpatient spine surgeries during his career with minimally invasive procedures. 2. In 1995, Dr. Eckman embarked on a journey to create a less invasive technique for spine surgery and eventually was able to show 90 percent of his first 1,000 patients reported improvement in pain and function. 3. Dr. Eckman practiced in Iowa and Indiana before joining the Aurora Spine Center in Tupelo in 1985. For a time in his career, he was the only neurosurgeon in the city taking calls. 4. Dr. Eckman is planning to close his office in mid-December and travel with his wife in retirement. His wife helped manage his practice in Tupelo. 5. Dr. Eckman earned his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below A Belfast orphan who campaigned for the rights of the working class and changed the social fabric of Great Britain has been dubbed the forgotten hero of the early 20th century. Robert 'Bob' Smillie became a pioneering trade unionist who defended the rights of over one million miners, co-founded the Save The Children Fund and battled against prime ministers including Winston Churchill. Now Mr Smillie's great-grandson, Blair, has helped write a book that charts the life and work of his great-grandfather. "He had courage which started in Belfast, as he had to grow up with no parents, work from a young age and came from nothing," he said. Mr Smillie, from Chester, said that Robert's campaigns for social justice should not be erased from the history books. "He became a miner in Larkhall in Scotland where he worked as a hand-pumper and every second week he would work two days in the pit for 12 hours with no human contact," he said. "His fellow workers began to recognise he was someone who could represent them. "People who were much older than Robert looked up to him in the mines." The leading socialist was born into a penniless family in Belfast in 1857, left orphaned by the age of three and worked from the age of nine. He grew up in a tall terrace near the Crumlin Road with his brother, James. The pair were raised by their maternal grandmother, who taught them to read and write. After moving to Scotland in his teenage years, he became a miner aged 17. But after seeing the living and working conditions of the workers, it galvanised him to enter the political and industrial world. He went on to become a giant of the Labour movement and leader of the miners, helping improve the working conditions and wages of fellow workers. It recalls how Robert's political journey brought him into contact with prime ministers David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill and Stanley Baldwin, and renowned philosopher Bertrand Russell. Blair (62) continued: "Robert had to learn from a young age that he had to work for a living and to look after his grandmother with his brother - they were like a team. He was never an extravagant man, he had to fend for himself and look after his family. "Miners would often die at a young age because of their working conditions. "He was forever negotiating to get better working conditions. "He was a very straight, honest and socialist man who was feared by the people in parliament." He organised some of the earliest miners' federations and went from being a union secretary to branch secretary and then formed the Scottish Miners' Federation. By the age of 30, he became a school governor and fought to get free books for schoolchildren. He soon became president of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain and held significant power by the First World War. He was a controversial and popular miners' leader. "He battled with Lloyd George to improve the conditions of the mines," Blair said. After being elected as the first Labour government was formed, he turned down two government positions. "He dealt with seven prime ministers and he knew them all," Blair added. "For a man from Belfast to achieve all of this with his background is remarkable. "All these powerful people knew him and appreciated he was an honest socialist. It was that bringing up he had until he was 15 helped him fight honestly to allow people to have a decent life. "He had a great passion for education. One of the major things he did was fight to get children out of the mines. "He was also the main person to launch Save The Children in the Royal Albert Hall in May 1919. He also gave 30,000 from the miners of Great Britain to set up the Save the Children Fund. "The interesting thing is that in 1920, it grew into an international organisation and there were 20 people who were honorary committee members - five from Britain and one of whom was Robert." The Robert Smillie Memorial Primary School was named in his honour and a scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford, was also created. Due to an intense workload, his health failed and in 1929 he resigned as an MP. He then suffered from a degenerative mental illness and spent much time in the Crichton Royal Hospital in Dumfries, where he died in 1940 at the age of 83. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan on November 29 received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Armenia George Saganelidze, press service of the Government told Armenpress. PM Karapetyan highly appreciated the political dialogue between Armenia and Georgia and said active work must be done on reaching the trade-economic cooperation to that level and fully utilizing the existing potential. In his turn the Georgian Ambassador stated that the Armenian-Georgian relations are based on the centuries-old friendship of the two people, and Georgia attaches importance to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with Armenia. The PM and the Georgian Ambassador also discussed issues related to the bilateral cooperation agenda. They exchanged views on the process of joint projects in energy, transportation sectors, as well as on the further actions. Chancellor Philip Hammond has looked to create stability with his Autumn Statement Preparing our economy to be resilient as we exit the EU, was Chancellor Philip Hammonds aim for his first (and last) Autumn Statement the main fiscal event will move to the autumn with a Spring Statement from 2018. Certainty and stability were key factors noted as highly valued by business and the Chancellor has looked to create these by confirming the governments commitment to their existing business tax road map. His statement focused on investment in infrastructure and innovation, with monies allocated for research and development, homebuilding and transport. Welcome news for Northern Ireland was the announcement of an additional 250m (over four years) to the NI Executives budget enabling key infrastructure projects aimed at boosting productivity and promoting growth. Sharing in the 4.7bn increased funding for research and innovation and the 0.7bn further investment to support full-fibre connections and future 5G communications will directly benefit Northern Ireland, ensuring that businesses here are best placed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by such investments. Whilst families and ordinary working individuals will benefit from a rise in the National Living Wage and freeze on fuel duty, employers are impacted further by the alignment of the employer and employee national insurance costs. Whilst this is expected to raise revenues for the Treasury, employers will be less likely to offer perks such as mobile phone contracts and gym membership. No reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax is to be welcomed locally, as the introduction of a 12.5% rate of NI corporation tax in April 2018 may still be seen by many to be a differentiator which could drive additional investment. It was also announced that the NI Corporation Tax regime is to be amended in the Finance Bill 2017, to give all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) trading in Northern Ireland the potential to benefit. Some of the key tax announcements are listed below. Businesses Corporation tax rate reduction to 17% by 2020 remains, but changes to interest deductibility and loss relief provisions to be implemented. Tax and National Insurance advantages of certain salary sacrifice schemes to be removed from April 2017. Alignment of employees and employers NIC from April 2017. Individuals Personal allowance increases to 11,500 (currently 11,000) next year and the higher rate threshold to 45,000 (currently 43,000). The ISA limit will increase from 15,240 to 20,000 from April 2017. A new income tax allowance was announced for trading and property income whereby individuals with trading or property income below 1,000 will no longer need to declare or pay tax on that income. Reforms to the taxation of individuals domiciled outside the UK will go ahead as planned from April 2017. Government support for savers will be provided through a new three year savings bond. in spring 2017. *For further information Peter Legge can be contacted at peter.legge@ie.gt.com or visit http://www.grantthorntonni.com Grant Thornton (NI) LLP specialises in audit, tax and advisory services. The FTSE 100 Index was down 50.5 points at 6749.02 The London market sank deeper into the red as commodity stocks came under fire over fears that major oil producers will fail to secure a deal to curb production. The FTSE 100 Index closed down 27.47 points at 6,772, as energy and mining stocks bore the brunt of the investor jitters following reports that Opec members were at loggerheads ahead of Wednesday's meeting in Vienna. Copper mining giant Antofagasta was the biggest faller on the top flight, down nearly 4% or 28.5p to 700p, after it emerged that Iran and Iraq had failed to reach an agreement with Saudi Arabia over how best to cut production. Oil majors were also taking a hit, with Royal Dutch Shell B and BP falling 40.5p to 2,031.5p and 9.7p to 442.6p respectively. Brent crude sank two dollars and 23 cents - or 4.6% - to 46.01 US dollars a barrel. Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said Wednesday's meeting in Vienna "may well be pointless". He said: "It was comments from the Iranian oil minister that first sparked Brent Crude's 3.5% fall, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh claiming that his country will not accept a cap on its output, with Bloomberg reporting that in turn Saudi Arabia would refuse to sign any deal. "Reuters then claimed that Iran and Iraq have effectively told the Saudis to absorb the output cut on their own; an aggressive stance that surely means that the Wednesday Viennese get-together is over before it has even begun." European banking stocks were enjoying a reprieve after the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would step up its purchase of Italian government bonds to rein in any market turbulence following Sunday's referendum. A Yes vote from the Italian public on December 4 would hand powers back to Italy's regions, making parliament's lower house - the Chamber of Deputies - more powerful than the Senate. However, a No vote could be enough to topple Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government, creating a potential wave of economic uncertainty. Germany's Dax was up 0.4%, while the Cac 40 in France rose 0.9%. UK lenders were subdued ahead of Wednesday's results from the Bank of England's stress tests, with the Royal Bank of Scotland closing up 0.8p to 197p and Lloyds Banking Group edging down 0.2p to 57.7p. On the currency markets, the pound raced ahead after the Bank's money and credit report showed the number of mortgages being approved for homebuyers had hit a seven-month high in October. Some 67,518 home loans for house purchase got the go-ahead, marking the highest figure since March. Sterling was up 0.7% against the US dollar at 1.250 and rose 0.6% versus the euro at 1.176. In UK stocks, the housebuilding sector was riding high following the mortgage market update from the Bank, with Barratt Developments rising more than 2% or 10.6p to 476.1p. BT was up more than 1%, or 4.1p to 354.4p, despite being ordered to legally separate its Openreach network arm after failing to address competition concerns voluntarily. Telecoms watchdog Ofcom said it was "disappointed" with BT's proposals since it outlined plans in July to make Openreach a "distinct company" within the BT Group. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 Index were ITV up 4.5p to 171.2p, Next up 119p to 4,939p, Barratt Developments up 10.6p to 476.1p, Micro Focus International up 43p to 2,124p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 Index were Antofagasta down 28.5p to 700p, Fresnillo down 44p to 1,234p, BHP Billiton down 41p to 1,313.5p, Mediclinic International down 20p to 702.5p. HM Revenue and Customs bosses investigating suspected tax evasion were "gleeful" ahead of raids on the homes of four former partners at Belfast accountancy firm KPMG, the High Court heard today. Counsel for the executives claimed there was no justification for taking the "nuclear option" of an intrusive operation that also involved trawling through children's school bags. Details emerged during a challenge to the legality of the process to obtain warrants to search the accountants homes and offices. Eamonn Donaghy, Jon D'Arcy, Paul Hollway and Arthur O'Brien claim HMRC misled judges into authorising the raids as part of a criminal probe. All four men were arrested last November, but have not been charged with any wrongdoing. At the time KPMG said it was cooperating with the inquiry and had placed them on "administrative leave". In February this year the company announced the partners in its Belfast office subject to the HMRC probe had retired. KPMG stressed the investigation related solely to the executives' personal affairs and was unrelated to the company's business or its clients. It emerged in court today that Revenue concerns involved the formation of a separate business partnership and when it was registered. Loans being issued and written off as bad debt also featured in inquiries. Mr Donaghy, Mr D'Arcy, Mr Hollway and Mr O'Brien are now seeking to judicially review the steps taken to search their homes and business premises. Opening their case, barrister Barry Macdonald QC acknowledged the decisions to launch a criminal investigation or arrest his clients was not being challenged - although neither action was accepted as reasonable or justified. "The applicants are making this challenge with their hands tied in relation to the grounds for suspicion, but they completely reject the allegation they were involved in any tax evasion or wrongdoing," he said. "Even if the suspicion entertained by HMRC is taken at its height, there was no justification for seeking or being granted a warrant to search their homes and offices." A panel of three judges was told the tax authority should have considered less intrusive steps in an attempt to quell any suspicions. No attempt was made to put direct questions to the accountants about issues of concern to HMRC. Instead, it allegedly saw the case as a chance to detain four high-profile men. "They were (motivated) by an improper collateral purpose... on the night before the warrants were executed senior (HMRC) managers were gleefully exchanging emails to the effect that this had the makings of a great story for them," Mr Macdonald contended. He claimed judges who granted the warrants were given misleading information about the extent of the four accountants' co-operation with inquiries. Adverse inferences were wrongly drawn from their alleged failure to get back to HMRC during correspondence in 2014, the court heard. Their barrister argued the truth had been withheld - that HMRC had written thanking for "comprehensive and detailed replies" and pledging to get back to them. It was claimed that officers arrived in numbers at the executives' private homes. At one house they searched through children's school bags, while documents in the case also allege officers waited for one of the men outside his bathroom. "This is a nuclear option, it has to be a last resort and it has to be properly justified," Mr Macdonald insisted. Lord Justice Gillen, Lord Justice Weir and Mr Justice Treacy were also taken through a statement of complaint relied on by HMRC in its applications for the warrants. It claimed: "This case provides an opportunity to arrest and prosecute four high-profile individuals who are involved in (an)... attack on the revenue system." According to Mr Macdonald this further demonstrated a failure to consider steps other than interfering with his clients' privacy rights. He also questioned the timing of the raids, which coincided with the British Chancellor's announcement of a crackdown on tax evasion in his Autumn statement. Later, the court heard the four accountants set up a finance partnership in 2009. But it was claimed that it took nearly a year for a partnership document to be created, with no bank account until August 2011. Judges were told the initiative was aimed at providing short-term financing to businesses. It was also said to have lent sums of up to 800,000 and 2.2m euros to another property investment company, JEAP, the four men set up previously. Counsel for HMRC said that within 24 months the loans to JEAP had been wiped out. That was said to be a ground for concern that unlawful activity may have occurred - that the partnership could have been used as a vehicle to reclaim bad debt. The case continues. The Black Friday weekend saw shopper numbers surging by almost 20% at one of Belfast's leading shopping centres. Retailers across Northern Ireland offered customers a host of reductions - some up to 70%. And some shops here reported up to a 30% boost in sales. Michelle Greeves, centre manager at Victoria Square, told the Belfast Telegraph footfall was up significantly on last year. "Black Friday weekend was a fabulous start to the Christmas shopping period as footfall in Victoria Square over the three days was 19% higher than in 2015," she said. "Many of the retailers offered great deals and bargains meaning Supermarket giant Tesco has said it has contributed 5.7bn to the Northern Ireland economy since it set up in the province 20 years ago. The company, which is marking 20 years in Northern Ireland, today said it had generated 1.5bn in wages during its two decades here and had made capital investments of 650m, building new stores and upgrading existing properties. Tesco arrived in Northern Ireland in 1996 when it bought over 34 Stewarts and Crazy Prices supermarkets. At the time the stores were owned by Associated British Foods (ABF). A Stewarts supermarket in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, was the first to be converted into Tesco. It has since built a further 20 stores from scratch though expansion plans UK-wide have slowed down. According to the latest figures on industry share from Kantar Worldpanel, Tesco is Northern Ireland's most popular supermarket, with a market share of 34.8%. Tesco said it had commissioned an economic impact report into its operations in Northern Ireland, which also revealed that it has bought 5.5bn in food and drink from Northern Ireland suppliers and farmers over its 20 years here. The company has 9,600 employees - making it the second-largest private sector employer here. The firm said it had made a direct contribution of 3bn through wages and capital investment - with a further 2.7bn in indirect spending. That indirect expenditure relates to the impact of its spending on Northern Ireland suppliers, along with the further spending generated by Tesco staff and suppliers in the economy. In addition, the company said it works with 90 suppliers and 6,000 farmers in Northern Ireland, which produce 1,200 homegrown product lines in Tesco stores in the province. Brendan Guidera, store director for Tesco Northern Ireland, said: "As the first grocery retailer to arrive in Northern Ireland after the Troubles, we could never have predicted how important a region it would be for the business. "Northern Ireland has been the test bed for many Tesco initiatives - including setting up the business' first regional buying team. We strongly believe that the unique regional food and drink focus created by Tesco in this province informs the positive findings in this report. "Listening to our customers' needs back in 1996, we have always tried to help make shopping better, putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, and continuing to grow our local product portfolio, which has resulted in an ever-growing footfall to store. Consequently, there has been the need for more stores, more staff and more investment - which ultimately has led us to the very significant added value figure estimated in this report." Two years ago Tesco announced cost-cutting and store closures across the UK, closing a Tesco Express Ballymena and stores on the Cregagh Road and at Connswater in east Belfast. It also cancelled new stores planned for Armagh and Carryduff. But its turnaround has paid off, with Tesco announcing its third quarter of like for like sales growth last month. Tesco was followed in Northern Ireland by Sainsbury's in December 1996, and Asda in 2005. Premium Margaret Canning Opinion Conservatives have gone back to traditional territory with a mini-budget that just might cost the party the next election Many of the measures in Kwasi Kwartengs first big statement as Chancellor had been trailed in advance changes to stamp duty, the cancellation of both the rise in National Insurance and the rise in corporation tax, and bringing forward a cut in the basic rate of income tax to 19 pence. American rock band Green Day are coming to Belfast for an open air concert at Ormeau Park next summer. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Grammy Award-winning rock band will return to Belfast on June 28 with special guests Rancid. This year saw Green Day release their 12th studio album entitled Revolution Radio which is also the title of their tour. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Age Restriction: 16+ Show Green Day is an American punk rock band composed of vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool. Formed in 1986, Green Day was originally part of the punk scene at the DIY 924 Gilman Street club in Berkeley, California. The band's early releases were with the independent record label Lookout! Records. In 1994, its major label debut Dookie (released through Reprise Records) became a breakout success and eventually sold over 10 million copies in the United States. Green Day is one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. The group has won five Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Album for Dookie, Best Rock Album for American Idiot, Record of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", Best Rock Album for the second time for 21st Century Breakdown and Best Musical Show Album for American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording. In 2010, a stage adaptation of American Idiot debuted on Broadway. On April 18, 2015, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a part of the 2015 class in what was their first year of eligibility for induction. Bernie Mullan and Sinead Farry, both from Belfast lost their husbands to cancer. They tell Marie Foy how Cancer Focus supported them and their children at the worst possible time. When a mum, dad or grandparent has cancer it affects everyone, and for children and young people it can be especially isolating, confusing and frightening. Leading local charity Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has launched its Spirit of Christmas appeal to help raise awareness of and funds for its family support service to help children when an adult in the family has cancer. Ollie Govett, of Cancer Focus NI, says: "The funds you donate will help us continue this valuable service so that children across Northern Ireland will have the help they need at this critical time in their lives, particularly at Christmas. "We help families cope with the disruption to ordinary life and try to minimise the long-term impact on the children's emotional well-being. "Our staff also support parents, helping them communicate with their children and, when the prognosis is not good, helping them to write books and letters and make recordings for the family they are leaving behind." Cancer Focus NI offers one to one support for children and holds family bereavement groups. There is also a six-week project called CLIMB (Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery) to help children understand cancer through art, craft and play. This group helps them talk about their fears and gives them the chance to meet other children in the same situation. It also gives parents and carers time out to meet. Ollie adds: "Family support is one of our most used services but we can only provide this essential care thanks to you, so please help us help the children who will be left without a parent this Christmas." We talk to two families here about how they coped after losing someone to cancer. Liam put together messages the twins can read when they are older Bernie Murray (38), from west Belfast, lost her husband Liam on New Years Day 2010 when their twins Amy and Liam were three years old. The twins have benefited from Cancer Focus NIs family support service. Bernie says: Liam had been diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was 19 but was able to live a normal life for years. He had his first surgery when he was 24 and over the years had two surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. But it was only when he was 31 that the cancer became aggressive. Even though he was very sick I didnt really think he would die, I thought he would get better, he always had every other time, and it was very difficult for everyone to accept. He was nursed at home because he wanted to keep everything as normal as possible for me and the children. Hed come to the park in his wheelchair with us or shopping, and the children would sit on his knee. Everything was as day-to-day as it could be. If I needed to go out to pick the children up from nursery school his mum or another family member would sit with him. It was a very emotional time but you have to hold it together. He got really sick on Christmas Day and went to the hospice a couple of days later where he died. Liam always had a very positive attitude around the children and we were very honest with them about what was happening. When we were told the cancer was terminal in September 2009 we were put in touch with Rachel Smith, the family support co-ordinator at Cancer Focus NI. She helped us prepare what we were going to tell the kids. She helped their dad put together messages that they will be able to read when they are older along with mementos for them to keep. Rachel told us about stories that we could read to Amy and Liam to prepare them for what was coming. After their daddy died Rachel came to the house and, through play, explained and answered their questions in a way three-year-olds would understand. The twins also joined the Cancer Focus NI family support group where they met other children in the same situation and they could see that they were not the only ones going through such a sad time. They have so much fun at the group and can forget for a while they learn that it is still all right to have fun. The group also gave me the chance to talk to other parents whod lost a partner and I got bereavement counselling with Cancer Focus NI which really helps too. I wasnt talking to anyone at home so having someone outside the family helped me to open up and express all that emotion. It was a huge release. Amy and Liam decided they wanted to do something to help other children so theyve done a voiceover for a local radio station for Cancer Focus NIs Spirit of Christmas Appeal, which they are so excited about. The money raised will go to the charitys family support service, which helps children who are spending Christmas without a mum or dad this year because of cancer. The ad will run from Saturday until December 17. There isnt a day goes by that we dont think and talk about Liam, and Im so proud that Amy and Liam have taken part in this appeal to help keep his memory alive and to help other children whove lost an important adult in their lives. Id encourage everyone to help support this wonderful family support service and anyone affected by cancer should definitely give Cancer Focus NI a call or look up their website there is so much free support available and the staff are warm and friendly. Its a real lifeline. We went into shock as the news was incredibly hard to deal with Sinead Farry (45), from Belfast, has four children, John (12), James (10), Una (7) and Henry (4). Her family would have struggled to get through the past three years after she lost her husband Gareth to cancer without Cancer Focus Northern Irelands family support service. She says: My husband Gareth died in August 2013, 13 months after being diagnosed with salivary gland cancer. He was only 40. Gareth had a lump on his neck for many years but when it started to get bigger he went to the doctor. He was diagnosed with cancer, which rocked our world. We had just been blessed with our fourth child, Henry, and we tried to keep things at home as normal as we could for him and our other three children. Gareth had surgery in September 2012 to remove the tumour but the following February he started getting bad headaches. By April, scans showed that the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and brain. We went into shock as the news was incredibly hard to deal with the floor fell from under us. Four months later, Gareth sadly died. Cancer Focus NIs family support service has supported my family through the worst of times. My children and I have found it invaluable. Rachel Smith, the charitys family support co-ordinator, came out to our home to speak with the children to help them understand why their daddy had cancer in a way they could understand. She helped take the fear away and spent time with each one so they knew they were not alone. I found that one of the most beneficial parts of the service for my children was CLIMB (Childrens Lives Include Moments of Bravery). My son John, who is now 12, benefited greatly from the six-week programme that helps children understand cancer through art, craft and play. The various activities helped John talk informally about his fears and to ask questions about his daddys illness. And he was able to meet other children in similar situations all the children saw that there were other kids going through the same thing. When my world was falling apart, Rachel gave me the strength to say I can do this with the kids. Well carry on going to the family support evenings. They give me a feeling of steadiness and a belief that everything is going to be okay. Its such a wonderful service. Christmas is always a tough time for us, and its at the toughest times that this amazing service helps our children the most. Please make a donation of whatever you can afford this Christmas to Cancer Focus NIs appeal because other children in this terrible situation should never be left to deal with cancer alone. Arlene Foster has said "of course" she would meet the Pope if he comes to Northern Ireland. The leader of the once-staunchly anti-papist Democratic Unionists, said she understood the significance of such a visit but cautioned against premature excitement. She said: "I note the Vatican did indicate that they don't confirm visits until six months before any such visit were to take place. "I think there has been a lot of excitement by some people but we will have to wait and see if that occurs. "If it does occur, and if he comes as a guest of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the head of state, of course I will meet him as the head of the Northern Ireland Executive along with the Deputy First Minister." Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed Pope Francis would travel to Ireland in August 2018 after a 23-minute meeting with him in the Vatican on Monday morning. Pope John Paul II was unable to cross the border into Northern Ireland, where he wanted to visit Armagh, during the last papal visit to Ireland in 1979. Instead, amid a welter of security fears and cross-community tensions, he travelled as far as Drogheda, just south of the border, where he addressed hundreds of thousands, including many from Northern Ireland. Several years later, former DUP leader Ian Paisley was thrown out of the Strasbourg Parliament for heckling the pontiff while unfolding a poster declaring the Pope to be the anti-Christ. When asked about sprucing up towns and cities in anticipation of the visit, Mrs Foster said: "I think we better get a visit confirmed first before we start to plan spending money. "We will have a very difficult budget coming towards us in the next while and we need to very much look at what our priorities will be over the next couple of years. "Of course, if such a visit is to go ahead and is planned then we will make sure that Northern Ireland looks its best as we try to do for all of the visitors to Northern Ireland." YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. According to Prime Minister Karen Karapetyans decision, Aram Badalyan was dismissed from the post of Deputy Minister of Urban Development and was appointed First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Urban Development under the Government, reports Armenpress. The PMs decision is posted in e-gov.am. As a result of the structural changes, the Urban Development Ministry was renamed as State Committee of Urban Development under the Government. David McCrum and friend Richard Lamont, located the injured woman and instigated the rescue operation on Cavehill David McCrum (pictured), who along with friend Richard Lamont, located the injured woman and instigated the rescue operation on Cavehill It was an emotional reunion as two men met with their "hero" - the 20-year-old student who survived a horrific overnight ordeal in the freezing cold after falling from Cavehill. The Queen's University student, who is German, is recovering in hospital after her trauma. She was airlifted to hospital after being found by the duo, who were out jogging last Wednesday. She told her rescuers that she had been lying there since about 3pm the day before. It's understood the student was swept off well-known landmark Napoleon's Nose by a sudden gust of wind while taking photographs. The alarm was raised after Richard Lamont and David McCrum found a handbag in the area. Richard took the bag home so he could find out who it belonged to and return it. After finding a QUB student card he contacted the university. It quickly got back with its concerns about her, as she hadn't turned up for classes. David then went back up Cavehill to the area they found the bag and located a coat and hat. When he called out he heard a voice, and the rescue operation was launched. The three were reunited on Saturday night in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. An emotional David said she now had "a brother for life". He said: "I did not sleep well for two nights until I saw her in hospital and found out she would make a full recovery - I went home and I slept like a baby. "She is a true warrior with mental strength that is a credit to her. "She survived 28 hours of hell. She is my hero." David added that it was the woman's incredible mental resolve that got her through the night. "Looking into the eyes of someone fighting for their life touches you," he said. "I could not get that image out of my head until I saw her safe and well in the hospital." Richard said it was a great relief to see her at the weekend following her ordeal. He said: "She seems to be improving every day. I don't think people grasp the distance she travelled after she fell. She fell about 75-80ft and was knocked out, because she was almost about 100ft away from where she fell. That's what saved her in a way - that's what the doctors were saying." Reflecting on her experience, Richard said it could have been "so much worse". "There were so many different aspects that just went for her, I definitely think that day was sort of miraculous," he added. "There was too much stuff to be all linked together, and we were definitely meant to find that girl that day." The pair say that it's the student who is the real hero. "I honestly believe she should have the credit surviving in harsh conditions for roughly 28 hours," David said. Stormont will consider plans for a new 450m hospital in Craigavon A Northern Ireland town could be set to get a new 450m hospital - if Stormont can find the cash for it - it can be revealed. The Southern Trust has presented a business case to the Department of Health for a new hospital built on the site of the current Craigavon Area Hospital. Speaking in response to an Assembly question, Health Minister Michelle O'Neill said the capital costs for phase one of the new build project are estimated to be in the region of 450m. "The business case will require Department of Health and Department of Finance approval," she said in response to a question asked by SDLP MLA Richie McPhillips. "Decisions on this project will be considered alongside other capital investment priorities and will be dependent on future budget availability, value for money and affordability." The current Craigavon Area Hospital opened in 1972, replacing Carleton House, Lurgan Hospital and Banbridge Hospital amongst others as the main acute centre in the region. It serves an estimated 241,000 people across the Craigavon, Banbridge, Armagh, Dungannon and South Tyrone areas. Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson, who is also a member of the Stormont Health Committee, welcomed the proposal. "Craigavon Hospital has changed radically since it was opened in 1972 and presents a unique opportunity for a new-build hospital," the Ulster Unionist representative said. "I welcome the Strategic Outline Case and Outline Business Case being brought forward by the Southern Trust and encourage the Health Minister to represent the Trust at the discussions she is having with the Finance Minister." Ms Dobson said running a hospital out of old buildings is challenging and has urged the Stormont Executive to approve the proposal. "The Trust's plans are rightly ambitious as I know the considerable challenges presented by an older building for patients and healthcare professionals alike when it comes to the delivery of modern healthcare," she said. "I appreciate the response provided to me following my question to the Health Minister confirming that we will have a clearer picture when the discussions around the 2017 budget process have been completed. "I am hopeful that the proposals for Craigavon Hospital will be met favourably by the Executive." The South West Acute Hospital on Wolf Lough just north of Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh was the first new hospital to be built in Northern Ireland for more than a decade when it opened its doors in 2012. The 276m hospital was the first facility of its kind in the province to have single en-suite rooms for every patient. More than 20m was been spent on equipment, including a 800,000 MRI scanner from Germany - the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. That hospital was funded through a Private Finance Initiative. Lurgan teen Justine McConville spent five weeks in a coma after being hit by a car in July, but following numerous brain surgeries and a remarkable recovery she's returning to school. A Lurgan teenager who was given little hope of survival after being hit by a car in July has made a miraculous recovery and is now looking forward to getting back to school in January. Justine McConville (16) suffered serious head injuries and spent five weeks in a coma after the horrific accident when she was flung into the air and landed on her head on July 29. The youngest of nine children and twin to Justin, her entire family including parents Barbara (63) and Michael (67) spent an agonising few weeks praying by her hospital bedside as Justine fought for her life. Last night her grateful mum said her daughter was alive thanks to the power of prayer and she thanked everyone in the local community for their support, as well as the medical team at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. It will take the teenager - who had to learn to speak again - up to a year to recover fully from her injuries. But the incredible strength that has seen her beat the odds was again obvious last night as she voiced her determination to return to St Ronan's College to do her A-levels next year despite missing the first two terms at school. Justine says: "I am feeling good and I am just grateful to be here. This is my A-level year and I'm going to do them so I hope to go back to school in January. I want to work with children so I will do my exams even though I have missed a lot of school. "I don't remember anything about what happened. I was in my brother's house and I remember leaving to go home but I don't remember anything after that. I'm just glad that I am better. "My friends and everybody have been great, and I am really grateful for the support." Justine came through numerous brain surgeries as medical teams battled to save her life. She also spent weeks in a medically induced coma as her anxious family prayed for her recovery. Determined to be home by Halloween, she has astonished doctors by how quickly she has got back on her feet. She had been visiting her brother's house to do her niece's hair and had just left to go home a short distance away when the accident happened. Police appealed for witnesses and it is understood that a teenager is now under investigation. Justine's mum recalls the phone call telling her that her youngest child had been hit by a car. "It was about 20 minutes to 10 o'clock and I was expecting her home when I got the call from my daughter saying there had been an accident and it might be Justine," she says. "I actually ran with the phone still in my hand and when I got there it was terrible. There were a lot of people about. Thankfully the ambulance was there very quickly and they were fantastic." Justine was taken to Craigavon Hospital, where her family anxiously waited for news. It was in the early hours of the next morning when they were told the extent of the damage. Justine had sustained serious head injuries and had a broken jaw and pelvis. She was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital for neuro treatment. Barbara explains: "It was about 3am in the morning and we all followed the ambulance to Belfast. She had her first surgery to relieve pressure on her brain when she arrived at the Royal but it didn't work and they had to go in again. She was critically ill and there was nothing we could do but pray, and we just waited in the hospital all day Saturday and Sunday for news." There was devastation on the Monday when Justine suffered a brain haemorrhage and had to again be rushed into theatre. During the operation neuro surgeons removed two parts of her skull and put them in her stomach to keep them sterile and nourished. Her distraught family were told that her life was in the balance. Barbara says: "The surgeon came in about five to two in the morning and he was fantastic, but he said he had done everything he could and that Justine was very seriously ill and they weren't sure if she would make it. He said it was every hour now and not every day, but that she was young and strong. "It was terrible. I just prayed because there was nothing else I could do. I got in to see her and she looked awful, she had lost a lot of blood and she was a terrible colour. I never slept and I couldn't eat and I couldn't do anything but wait and pray. "A lot of people were praying, and we are really grateful for that." To everyone's relief the surgery was a success, but Justine was still critically ill. She was placed in an induced coma for five-and-a-half weeks. Barbara was by her side when it was decided to take her out of the coma. She says: "She didn't know where she was, she was in an awful state and very frightened, but thankfully every day after that she got a wee bit stronger." There was another frightening setback when Justine developed a chest infection, and she also faced further complicated brain surgery to put the parts removed from her skull back in. Says Barbara: "It was a really tricky operation and it can lead to seizures or epilepsy and we were really lucky that it worked." Justine had to receive intensive phsyio and speech therapy as she had lost the ability to speak and was communicating by writing what she wanted to say on paper. But just two weeks after surgery she was well enough to be moved to Musgrave Park Hospital, where she spent another three-a-half weeks in rehabilitation before finally getting home in October. She continues to receive speech therapy and phsyio and both Justine and her family are now overwhelmed with gratitude that she is making such remarkable progress. Barbara describes her daughter as a loving, kind and affectionate young lady who loves all her family, especially her nieces and nephews. A girly girl who adores fashion, make-up, hair and music, she is also studious and determined to have a career working with children and hopes to study to be a pediatrician. She is currently doing A-levels in media studies, health and social care and applied information technology. Barbara says: "At the minute she is sleeping a lot and just taking it very easy, she has a long road of recovery ahead of her but she is doing very well. "The doctors in the Royal are miracle workers and I don't know how we will ever thank them enough. Justine is a good wee child. She goes to school and comes home and does her homework and doesn't run about, just maybe goes to the cinema at the weekend. "She has never given us any bother. "I can't say enough how grateful I am that she is all right, that's all that matters now. I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through what we have been through in the past few months." The one-day strike is being held in around 100 schools in Belfast and Newtownabbey Stormont's education minister has issued a last-ditch plea to teachers to call off what he branded a "futile" strike. Peter Weir made clear no more money would be on the table and the negotiations over a long-running pay dispute were over. The one-day strike on Wednesday is being held by members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) in around 100 schools in Belfast and Newtownabbey. Other teaching unions are currently taking industrial action stopping short of a walkout, however they plan to ballot members on escalating their protest to a strike. Unions have rejected an offer of a 1% pay rise this year. Mr Weir has claimed a bigger increase could only be afforded by making redundancies. He has said he is prepared to discuss "realistic" pay proposals for 2017/18 onward but said there would be no movement on the 2016/17 salaries. The education minister said while the majority of impacted schools would remain open on Wednesday, some would only be open for staff. "I have made it clear that the education budget is under severe pressure and my top priority must be the children's education and protecting school budgets," said Mr Weir. "I recognise the enormous contribution made by teachers but it is essential that I balance the demand for increased wages against protecting frontline educational services." The minister said the strike would "severely harm the education of the children that we all seek to serve". He added: "Whilst I recognise most schools will remain open, some will be open to staff only. "It will cause major disruption to parents and put further pressure on other teachers and leaders that are already struggling to cope, in addition to damaging the reputation of teachers. "The negotiations are over." Mr Weir continued: "A day of strike will only result in the loss of a day's pay, effectively much of the 1% the unions are saying they are fighting for. "I am therefore forced to conclude that union leaders are letting down their members by leading them into a cul-de-sac of industrial action which is futile rather than focusing on future negotiations." NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "It is with deep regret that we have been forced to move to this position, but we have been left with no choice by the blatant disregard of the minister for education for the pay and conditions of service of teachers who provide such a vital public service. "Despite written reasonable requests to the minister, he has refused to accept that the situation teachers find themselves in has become untenable. "As NASUWT members take the first day of strike action, the responsibility for the dispute rests entirely with the minister." Justin McCamphill, NASUWT national official for Northern Ireland, said: "Teachers are committed and dedicated public service workers. They do not take strike action lightly. "No teacher has any wish to inconvenience parents or disrupt pupils' education, but this action is not the fault of teachers." Ending the stigma around HIV in Northern Ireland would increase testing and reduce the number of late diagnoses, campaigners say More than 900 people are living with HIV in Northern Ireland, the Stormont Assembly has been told. During 2015, some 103 people were diagnosed with the virus - the highest recorded in a single year. The figures emerged as MLAs debated a motion calling for increased action to promote awareness and reduce stigma associated with HIV. DUP representative Gary Middleton, who tabled the motion, said: "It is difficult enough for those living with this condition to seek diagnosis and treatment but it is unacceptable this is made even more difficult by the lack of understanding of the condition and its effects." Just over 40% of HIV cases in Northern Ireland were as a result of heterosexual contact, it emerged. It was also claimed that 61% of those diagnosed with HIV in the region felt ashamed, while a further 69% had a negative self image - significantly higher than those living in other parts of the UK. Mr Middleton, who sits on the all party group for sexual health at Stormont, added: "There is a clear need for a new campaign to promote awareness through outreach, counselling, harm reduction and education. "We need to challenge the old perception and old stigmas and ensure that people living in Northern Ireland understand what it means to live with HIV." Meanwhile, in an amendment, the Alliance Party urged support for the introduction of the drug Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Paula Bradshaw said: "One hundred and three people last year were diagnosed with HIV in Northern Ireland. "One hundred and three people and their families not knowing how their lives were to be affected in terms of relationships, friendships, employment prospects and life chances. "The truth is we can reduce this number. One way is through this medication designed for people who do not have HIV but who are at a very high risk of getting it. "This is PrEP, a daily pill that has a very high efficacy at preventing infection." The South Belfast MLA highlighted that the lifetime cost of treating an HIV patient was estimated at 300,000 and said it made economic sense to make it available. "Even in people don't like the thought of this in moralistic terms, I would ask them to look at this in economic terms and the cost to the public purse," she said. The debate is the first substantive discussion around HIV to reach the floor of the Assembly. Jacquie Richardson, chief executive of Positive Life, the region's only dedicated charity supporting those with HIV, said it was encouraging. She said: "It is an issue that is often swept under the carpet due to the stigma that is attached to it and we are encouraged to see it discussed publicly." "HIV in Northern Ireland is widely stigmatised and those living with the condition are often disparaged or devalued. Positive Life believes that if stereotypes around HIV were curtailed, HIV testing would increase, reducing undiagnosed and late diagnosis of HIV in Northern Ireland. "We warmly welcome this debate today and the support from the MLAs. We now need to see this translated into financial support, awareness raising to reduce the high level of stigma, increasing levels of testing and the development of a sexual health strategy for Northern Ireland." Hundreds of women in Northern Ireland claim their career opportunities have been hampered because of pregnancy or maternity leave Hundreds of women in Northern Ireland claim their career opportunities have been hampered because of pregnancy or maternity leave. An investigation by the Equality Commission, which monitors compliance with equality legislation in the region, reported unfair treatment such as the termination of employment; a change of role and losing out on pay increases. Equality Commission chief executive Dr Evelyn Collins said the situation was unacceptable. She said: "Over one third of the women who talked to the Commission about their experiences said that they had been treated unfairly or disadvantaged because of their pregnancy or because they took maternity leave. "They believe this affected their finances, their career opportunities, their status at work and their health. "This is not acceptable, 40 years after the introduction of legislation in Northern Ireland to provide protection from sex discrimination in employment." More than 900 mothers working in the private and public sector, with children aged under five, took part in the research. A significant percentage, 36%, said they believed they had been treated unfairly or disadvantaged as a result of their pregnancy or maternity leave. They believed that as a female employee they were expected to make a choice between parenthood and a rewarding career path. Some women reported firms' failure to consider the risks to health and safety of pregnant employees. Others said they were overlooked for promotion; a dilution of work responsibilities; were denied training; had changes to working hours; experienced a reduction in bonus payments and were subjected to negative comments. The findings of the report, Expecting Equality: a Formal Investigation under the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, will be presented at a conference in the Titanic Belfast on Tuesday. Employers were also invited to share their experiences. Of those surveyed, most said that they provide support for pregnant employees and new mothers. They referred to policies and practices they had in place including flexible working arrangements, childcare vouchers and return to work incentives such as phased return and bonus payments. Some employers also identified challenges associated with managing pregnancy, maternity leave and return to work. Difficulties in providing for staff absences were a concern to small businesses in particular. Dr Collins said: "It is encouraging that almost half the women who responded to this investigation thought their employer had been supportive during their pregnancy, and on their return to work, and we know that there are many employers who want to do their best for their employees, who follow good practice, and have effective policies in place for pregnant members of staff. "The results of this investigation highlight the need for an increased focus on ensuring that workplaces are fairer for, and more supportive, of pregnant employees and new mothers. "We have made a number of recommendations in the report, to improve access to advice and information for employers and for employees, to improve employers' practices and to highlight the economic benefits of utilising and retaining the skills and experience of pregnant workers and new mothers. "We also want to encourage employers across all sectors to show leadership at a senior level to gender equality and to building an organisational culture that promotes gender equality in the workplace." Children under ten are among a huge hike in the numbers of people being diagnosed with an eating disorder in Northern Ireland in the past five years. More than 2,000 new patients have been treated for an eating disorder here since 2011 but this is a conservative estimate according to the charity Eating Disorder NI (EDNI). The figure, released to SDLP Health Spokesman Mark H Durkan MLA, shows an alarming annual increase in the number of people seeking help with an eating disorder - last year alone the number was over 500. Philip Anderson from EDNI said while these figures are shocking the breakdown could be even more alarming - his organisation has had parents with children under the age of ten seeking help. The figures provided to Mr Durkan represent only the people who are treated in one of the health trusts and do not take into account the many more who never report their illness to their GP. He is calling for a dedicated centre to provide in-patient treatment to people in Northern Ireland suffering from an eating disorder who currently have to leave their families for treatment elsewhere in the UK. Mr Anderson supported Mr Durkan's call for a Northern Ireland based in-patient centre. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Anderson said recognition of men with eating disorders is a relatively new issue. He explained: "We would estimated that the number of males coming to us would account for around 20% of our clients. "I developed an eating disorder in the 1980s, at a time when no one believed men could have an eating disorder. I was 16 when I first had an issue with food, but I can't recall having any specific trigger. I was probably anorexic for the first three years but then I developed bulimia, but I was 28 before I got help, simply because no one connected eating disorders to men at the time. "An eating disorder isn't fixed in a week or two, or even a year or two. It can take six or seven years or more to recover if you are lucky - which I was. "Thankfully, I don't have an issue with food now at all, but that isn't the case with a lot of people. "Having a dedicated centre to offer in-patient treatment for eating disorders would be a huge factor in helping people here, instead of having to travel to St George's hospital in London, where most people go to at the minute." Mr Durkan said that behind the shocking statistics was a person and their family in need of more help. "A strategy to roll back this sad increase must form part of the Minister's overarching mental health strategy. A specialist unit for more severe cases should be on the table," he said. The men were released by police. Six men arrested by police investigating paramilitary shootings in October in Belfast have been released unconditionally. The men aged between the ages of 39 and 50 were detained by detectives from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch after a series of raids. Belfast man Joe Reilly (43) was gunned down in Poleglass in October. A 56-year-old man was shot six times in the legs after being abducted in the Ligoniel area the same month. And a man was badly injured in a paramilitary-style shooting just yards from St Peter's Cathedral in the Divis area at the very end of September. Dissident republicans are suspected of being behind the spate of shootings. Thousands of teachers could be walking out of the classroom next month as Ireland's largest teachers' trade union has announced its intention to ballot its members for strike action. The news comes on the eve of the biggest teachers' strikes in recent years, which is expected to go ahead tomorrow despite pleas from the Education Minister to call it off. A number of schools are expected to close either partially or fully when members of the largest teachers' union in Northern Ireland - the NASUWT - take part in the industrial action. Only the Belfast and Newtownabbey areas will be affected tomorrow, and striking teachers will take part in a rally at the Europa Hotel in Belfast city centre this morning. Education Minister Peter Weir has repeatedly urged the NASUWT to call the action off, saying it will be "detrimental" to pupils and union members. The action comes after negotiations between the five teachers' unions and employers collapsed without agreement earlier this year. The unions rejected an offer that would have seen their pay frozen last year and a rise of 1% for 2016-17. Tomorrow is set to be the first wave in a series of strikes across Northern Ireland over the coming months. Last night, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said it had sent letters to its 7,000 members after an "insulting" pay offer from Stormont after 13 months of talks failed. The union said it is seeking a mandate to embark on a series of strikes in December and also said it will withdraw its co-operation with school inspectors to further escalate its campaign for a fair wage increase for teachers. Gerry Murphy, INTO's Northern Secretary, said prolonged negotiations with the Department of Education, and the Employing Authorities, have been a genuine attempt to resolve the pay issue. But he claimed the employers and the Department of Education have been negotiating in bad faith. "The Minister for Education, Mr Peter Weir, wrote to schools during Halloween to break the news, echoing an announcement at the DUP conference that he was putting an additional 14m into school budgets," Mr Murphy said. "He neglected to share with his DUP colleagues, and indeed the public, that half of that money was being taken from the pockets of teachers." Mr Murphy said INTO has not taken this step towards strike action lightly. He added: "We are cognisant of the potential disruption further industrial action will cause for pupils and their parents but we are left with no option. "The Department and the Employing Authorities have been exploiting teachers' goodwill for too long and we have reached a crisis point. "We cannot stress enough how much of a crisis this is. "The minister and the employers can still avert what will be a significant and prolonged period of industrial unrest by paying teachers what they are due for 2015/16 and engaging in genuine talks to reach a multi-year pay settlement with teachers for the remainder of this Assembly term." YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Territorial Administration and Development of Armenia Davit Lokyan on November 29 held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia Jean-Francois Charpentier, press service of the Ministry told Armenpress. Welcoming the guest, the Minister highly appreciated the viability of the Armenian-French decentralized cooperation, in particular, the involvement of communities in various partnerships and the importance of the ongoing programs. In this context Davit Lokyan attached importance to the upcoming 3rd forum on the Armenian-French decentralized cooperation on December 1-2. The Minister said the forum will become a good chance for the Armenian and French local authorities to share their professional experience and jointly provide solutions to the issues of cooperation development. In his turn the French Ambassador also emphasized the importance of the Armenian-French decentralized cooperation forums. From the perspective of strengthening the Armenian-French bilateral relations, the Ambassador attached importance to the frequent mutual visits between the delegations of the two countries. The sides also exchanged views on key topics of the forum, on issues related to tourism, agriculture, local economic development, education, culture and etc. At the end of the meeting they reaffirmed their readiness to find innovative solutions for the productive cooperation directed towards the territorial economic development and the expansion of citizens more participation in the local life. Gerry Adams has named a number of senior Sinn Fein figures who may have information surrounding the 1983 murder of prison officer Brian Stack in a sensational email sent to Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan. Three of those named by the Sinn Fein President are well-known politicians, while a fourth man is a suspected former IRA boss, the Irish Independent said. In the email to Commissioner O'Sullivan, Mr Adams claimed he was given the names by the victim's son, Austin Stack, and was passing them on "in order to remove any uncertainty". However, Mr Adams is facing serious questions after Mr Stack last night insisted he never gave names to the Sinn Fein President. The email was sent three days before the General Election - and has now been passed to detectives investigating the brutal killing. The three serving politicians are household names. The fourth man is suspected of having held a very senior role in the IRA, and is currently facing charges unrelated to IRA membership. The decision by Mr Adams to name party colleagues in connection with a serious crime is highly unusual. It is understood gardai are set to interview a number of those included. Austin Stack, who is the deputy governor at Portlaoise Prison, gave a fresh statement to gardai on Wednesday. He said that by naming senior Sinn Fein figures who may have knowledge about the killing, Mr Adams and his party have "very serious questions to answer in relation to a live murder inquiry". He said that in any other organisation, the individuals named by Mr Adams would have been suspended pending the investigation's outcome. Mr Stack met Mr Adams prior to the General Election - but insists at no point did he supply any names. In the email, sent on February 23, Mr Adams says that in "recent days elements of the media and other politicians claim that I am withholding information relevant to the case". "I have no information," he adds. "He (Austin Stack) told me that he had been given these names by Garda and journalistic sources," Mr Adams wrote. He added: "Austin asked me if I would ask these individuals if they would meet with him to ascertain if they had any information that might assist the family. "I am sending these names to you in order to remove any uncertainty about this" Following a series of queries, Mr Adams released a statement to the Irish Independent. "I responded extensively to this issue when it was raised during the election campaign," the Louth TD said. "I expressed my sympathy to the Stack family; I did my utmost to assist them, and I said that the killing was wrong. That remains my position," he added. Brian Stack, who was the chief prison officer at Portlaoise, was shot in the back of the neck by the IRA in Dublin in 1983. He died from brain injuries 18 months later. In 2013, the IRA admitted to the murder during a meeting with the Stack family at an undisclosed location close to the border. The meeting was arranged by Mr Adams. The controversy resurfaced in the election campaign after Austin Stack claimed to have been given credible information that two senior members of Sinn Fein were involved in the murder. The victim's widow, Sheila Stack, has called on Mr Adams to come clean with the truth. During Sinn Fein's final press conference before polling day, Mr Adams claimed to have spoken to two individuals whose names he said were given to him by Austin Stack. At that time, Mr Stack denied he gave the names to Mr Adams - and stands over this position. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has encouraged closer business ties between her country, the Republic and Northern Ireland during a visit to Dublin. She added that she passionately believes historic ties between Scotland and Ireland will be strengthened "to our mutual benefit in the years ahead", as sge backed calls for a "Celtic corridor" of closer business dealings. During a historic address to the Seanad, Ms Sturgeon said she will publish a blueprint on Scotland's Brexit options within weeks. She said the document, to be unveiled before the end of the year, will set out in detail ways in which the Scottish vote on the EU in/out referendum can be respected. "It will focus on options for Scotland within the UK. O f course, there is also the option of Scotland considering again the question of becoming an independent country. "That option remains firmly on the table." Ms Sturgeon, the first serving head of government to address the Seanad in Dublin, received a sustained standing ovation from the house after her speech. It was the culmination of a two-day visit to Dublin, which included talks with political and business leaders, aimed at strengthening ties between Scotland and Ireland in the wake of the June vote for Britain to pull out of the EU. Earlier, the First Minister met 130 business leaders at a breakfast gathering organised by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation. Ms Sturgeon also warned of a "hardening of opinion" against the UK by other EU countries. "I guess that's because the UK is still not being clear as to what it wants," she said. " In addition to that, other member states are hearing comments that suggest the UK can have its cake and eat it." Scotland voted to stay - by 62% to 38% - with every single council area backing the Remain camp. The SNP leader said how the UK responds to the referendum result will define Scotland for generations to come. "If the path that the UK takes turns out to be deeply damaging to Scotand's interests - to our economic, social, cultural and interactional interests - then the people of Scotland must have the right to choose a different future," she told senators. "We understand - acutely understand - none of what lies ahead is easy, but nothing about Brexit is going to be easy." Ms Sturgeon also warned Theresa May she has no mandate to pull the UK out of the European Single Market. One of Scotland's "guiding principles" on Brexit is that the UK must remain within the trading bloc as well as the EU Customs Union, she said. She is exploring options to "guard against the real possibility" that London plans to do otherwise. "I don't accept there is a mandate to take any part of the UK out of the European Single Market, especially when we consider the economic consequences of such a step," she said. The Orange Order would be formally recognised in a new united Ireland and any dominance by the Catholic Church ended, Sinn Fein has insisted. Launching a new discussion paper, the republican party paper said that in a united Ireland there would be "constitutional recognition of the unique identity of Northern unionists". It said there would be "recognition of the place of the loyal institutions (including the Orange Order) in the cultural life of the nation" along with "changes to the Irish Constitution to remove the overt influence of any one church or faith. "Currently, unionists in Ireland remain isolated on the margins of the British political system, where they make up less than 2% of the population," the paper states. "In a united Ireland, unionists would make up 20% of the population and exercise real authority, power and influence - as opposed to being a tiny minority largely ignored within the British parliamentary system." In a new push to initiate an island-wide debate, party president Gerry Adams said Brexit provides a new impetus for reunification - because it would be "incomprehensible" to have one part of Ireland within the EU and another outside it. Mr Adams, who did not attend the event as he is on his way to Cuba for the funeral of Fidel Castro, argued: "The Brexit referendum result has swept away many of the previous political assumptions about the constitutional, political and economic status quo in Ireland. "For English and Welsh votes to drag the north of Ireland out of the EU against the will of its people would, like partition itself, be yet another travesty of democracy and would undermine the Good Friday Agreement." But DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: "It is perfectly possible for nationalists and republicans to have the debate about a united Ireland, but that can take place without a border poll. "It apparently only requires persuasion for unionists to support a united Ireland, but there is never any discussion as to why this persuasion hasn't taken place up until now." A settlement of the differences dividing the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus is being urged by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as he visits the island. Mr Johnson will use his trip on Wednesday to meet P resident Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, as well as British UN peacekeepers working in the buffer zone. The Foreign Secretary said: "The UK has a strong and important relationship with Cyprus, one that I believe will only go from strength to strength in years to come. This is a significant time in the settlement negotiations and I look forward to meeting with both leaders. "I welcome the progress made in the negotiations in recent months. I applaud the dedication of both negotiating teams, and the continued determination, and courageous leadership from President Anastasiades and Mr Akinci. With further flexibility and creativity by all sides involved, we believe a solution is within reach. "The UK fully supports the current settlement process and stands ready to help in any way it can in order to bring lasting peace to Cyprus". One of the fur hats now removed from shelves at House of Fraser The Belfast branch of House of Fraser has come under fire for selling a hat made with raccoon fur - contrary to the department store's own strict no-fur policy. The store yesterday removed the product from the shop floor. A photo of the offending grey hat - which has a pompom made from animal fur - was posted by an outraged shopper on House of Fraser's Facebook page. It was designed by the Irish fashion designer Helen McAlinden as part of her collection for the store. In the post, the shopper wrote: "Real fur on sale at House of Fraser Belfast - aren't you supposed to be fur-free?" Commenting on the post, another Facebook user wrote: "That's a disgrace! "That raccoon suffered a grim death for that piece of fluff." Another wrote: "It's not like that pompom is even going to keep you warm - so why not just use bloody fake fur, especially seeing as it's just for decoration!?!?!" A third wrote: "Disgusting. That's HoF off my list. I'll not be near it." Others demanded that the store take it off their shelves at once. When contacted by the Belfast Telegraph, House of Fraser said it did not knowingly mislead customers. "At House of Fraser, we have a strict no real-animal-fur policy and we ensure all of our suppliers and brand partners are aware of this," a spokesperson for the department store said. "It has been brought to our attention that Helen McAlinden, one of our brand partners, is selling a product which does not comply with our Responsible Sourcing Policy and Code of Conduct. "House of Fraser is committed to its Responsible Sourcing policy and works closely with its suppliers to ensure the policy is adhered to. "We would never knowingly mislead our customers, and we were and are very disappointed by the behaviour of the brand. "Therefore, with immediate effect, House of Fraser has withdrawn the Helen McAlinden item from the shop floor." The animal rights group PETA UK also waded into the controversy. "Real fur is so unpopular with consumers that unscrupulous designers who still use it have to resort to putting it on hats or key chains or dyeing it bright colours in order to sneak it past unsuspecting buyers," Elisa Allen, the director of the organisation said. "We're sure this was an unfortunate oversight, as House of Fraser has a proud long-standing no-fur policy - and rightly so, since every scrap of fur comes from animals who probably spent their short lives confined to wire cages before being painfully electrocuted." Helen McAlinden was not available for comment. UN ambassadors from Britain and France have said they will seek to punish members of the Syrian regime implicated in the use of chemical weapons during the country's civil war. However, Russia's envoy said his country would not support any such action. Ambassadors Matthew Rycroft of Britain and Francois Delattre of France said they are drafting a Security Council resolution aimed at ensuring regime members involved in the use of chemical weapons in Syria will face consequences, and that they hope to have it voted on in the coming days. Mr Delattre said the credibility of the Security Council was on the line after inspectors determined the Syrian regime had used the banned weapons on at least three occasions and that the Islamic State group (IS) had used them at least once. "If the Security Council is not able to react strongly and unanimously when, not only the proliferation, but the use of weapons of mass destruction is at stake against civilian populations then, frankly, there is a big question mark about the credibility of the UN," Mr Delattre said. While Russia supports sanctions against IS and other extremists, it has repeatedly rejected sanctions for the government of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, its close ally. Russia's ambassador Vitaly Churkin said that inspectors - known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism, or JIM - had failed to turn up "enough information to accuse anybody of anything", aside from the single allegation against IS. "We believe first of all that JIM has been working very hard in a very professional way but they've been given a task and put in a situation that won't allow them to produce credible evidence," Mr Churkin said. Earlier this month, the Security Council approved a one-year extension to the JIM's mandate but Mr Churkin said that Russia supported that measure for the inspectors' deterrent effect and because they were able to expand the mandate to look more closely at terrorists' use of chemical weapons. On the subject of eastern Aleppo where some 275,000 people are under siege, Mr Churkin said Syrian and Russian forces had retaken the vital Castello road so it can now be "freely used for humanitarian supplies". Commenting on a proposed Security Council resolution calling for a 10-day pause to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city, he said he believed it had been overtaken by events. Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Defence said that "half" of eastern Aleppo had been "liberated". Opposition groups reported that renewed airstrikes killed at least 10 civilians in the opposition held-enclave as they were fleeing Syrian government advances. AP Police investigate the scene where an individual used a car to crash into a group of students outside of Watts Hall on the Ohio State University campus A man ploughed his car into a group of pedestrians at Ohio State University and then began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot and killed by an officer, campus police said. Nine people were injured, one critically, and Columbus Police chief Kim Jacobs said police were looking into whether it was a terrorist attack. Numerous police vehicles and ambulances converged on the 60,000-student campus, and authorities blocked off roads. Ohio State Police chief Craig Stone said the attacker drove over a kerb outside a classroom building and an officer who was nearby shot the driver. A 'shelter-in-place' warning was lifted about an hour-and-a-half later and the campus was declared secure after police concluded there was no second attacker, as rumoured. At least two people were being treated for stab wounds, four were injured by the car and two others were being treated for cuts, university officials said. The brother of a Bangor man murdered in South East Asia earlier this month has said his peace loving brother had dreamed of moving back to Northern Ireland with his wife and young son. English teacher Gary Ferguson (47) was living in Myanmar (formerly Burma) with his wife Supatchaya Sichompor and four-year-old son Jeremy. On Sunday, November 5, he was discovered dead with chest and head injuries in the city of Yangon (formerly Rangoon) at the flat of his work colleague - now murder suspect - Harris Binotti (25) from Dumfries. His older brother Martin Ferguson told the Belfast Telegraph his family can't grieve until his killer is caught. "We're still in a lot of pain and shock. For us, we want to get to a place where we can start mourning the loss. But with this guy still on the run and still enjoying his freedom, that for us is just too hard to handle." The night before Gary's death he had been out for an evening at a hotel in Yangon with his wife. They were joined by Binotti and his girlfriend, Elsie Devolder. Mr Ferguson went back to Binotti's flat that night, where it's believed the two had an argument. Neighbours said they had heard the two shouting, while the police report said that Ms Devolder had called Mr Ferguson's wife to say the two men were fighting. One newspaper reported that when Ms Sichompor, originally from Thailand, called her husband's phone the next morning Binotti had answered, claiming that her husband was asleep. Hours later he had fled the country, on a 4.30pm flight to Thailand. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Authorities want to speak to Peter's colleague Harris Binotti Gary Ferguson who was beaten to death in Burma / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Authorities want to speak to Peter's colleague Harris Binotti Martin Ferguson, who now lives in Holland, said the family don't believe police in Myanmar are doing enough. "Our main objective is to catch Harris Binotti, the guy suspected of this. We want Interpol to get involved because it's going very slow in Burma and we haven't had much information from the foreign office or British embassy," he said. "We want justice for Gary and to make sure he's not forgotten about. The way it's going there's just no information coming out about the suspect, like has his passport been blocked?" "All we know is that he left on a flight to Thailand - where he went from there, it seems like nobody knows." Martin also called on the British foreign office to put more pressure on Myanmar authorities. Gary had spoken to his older brother on the phone a number of times about Binotti, describing him as "a bit of a funny character, but not dangerous". Martin said: "Two weeks before the murder, Gary was at a party in the apartment where the murder took place and the guy (Binotti) all of a sudden told everyone to leave. "I can remember my brother telling me that 'out of the blue he just went a little bit crazy'." The Ferguson family had left Bangor for Holland in 1977 to escape the Troubles. Gary was eight at the time but always kept a strong connection with Northern Ireland. "It's so long ago, but I remember Bangor with Gary at the sea, swimming and playing about," said Martin. "He was thinking of moving back to Northern Ireland eventually. When he had enough money, that was his future plan." After finishing school Gary developed a love of travel. "He loved packing the gear up and going to Australia and China," his brother said. "Gary was a peace loving person, he was a pacifist. He hated injustice in the world, war and things like that. I could have talked with him for hours on end about world affairs. He was very concerned about how the world was going, a humanitarian." Gary's wife and son have now moved back to Thailand, while Martin, his mother and two sisters - Donna and Rosemary - wait anxiously for any developments. "We can't really mourn like we would like to because this guy is on our mind 24/7. Everyone keeps asking, have you heard anything, has he been caught?" A joint family statement added that Gary would be remembered for his love of music. "Van Morrison was his guru, he would often say." They also appealed for any information about Binotti, saying: "We as a family are asking the public to be vigilant and help find and get justice for our beloved Gary. His son of four will have to grow up without his dad, and his wife without the love and financial support that Gary provided." Eslam Gad first fled to Egypt after the August 2012 shooting and is now awaiting extradition to New Jersey after his arrest in Manchester A man who fled from the US after a fatal drive-by shooting in New Jersey has been arrested in England. Eslam Gad, 27, first fled to Egypt after the August 2012 shooting and is now awaiting extradition to New Jersey after his arrest in Manchester, Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said. Prosecutors say Anthony Holmes, of Pemberton Township, was not the intended target of the shooting in Elizabethport, near New York City. Gad was charged in August 2012 after he had already fled. Investigators say they filed a notice with Interpol seeking their help in tracking Gad down. AP Martin Jacques(left), author of the book When China rules the world, discusses with students at Harrow International School in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily] What will China be like in 2030? Martin Jacques, a renowned British scholar of China studies, shared his views on various aspects with students in Beijing last month. "By then China will be twice of the size of the US economy," said Jacques during his talk "China in 2030" at Harrow International School in Beijing. Jacques believes that with the growing economic influence, China will be shaping a global governance with more voices from developing countries in the near future. "The Belt and Road Initiative is a classic example. Every country in that region is developing country," said Jacques. "Another aspects to this the idea of inclusivity If you look at Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, China wants the US to join there is no prohibitions." Being a longtime optimist about China, Jacques wrote When China Rules the World, which has been sold more than 350,000 copies and translated into 15 languages since it was first published in 2009. The Chinese translation of the second edition of the book was published in March. Asked about the recent slow down of China's economic growth, Jacques said that he had predicted the decline of the fast growth rate, because of its bad effects on environment and economic bubbles. Jacques' analysis for the difficulty lying ahead for China is whether the country could make the internal economic transition smoothly. In the end of the talk, Jacques encouraged the students to think about their role in 2030, as he believes that with bigger share of the world economy, the young people with knowledge of China will have more opportunities in global leadership. "Some of these kids are going to be very important in the world, not only in China," said Jacques. Related: China publishes ancient medical books lost in overseas A villa-cum-bookstore on a far-flung island YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador to Latvia (residence in Vilnius) Tigran Mkrtchyan presented his credentials to President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis on November 29, press service of the Armenian MFA told Armenpress. At the meeting issues related to Armenia-Latvia relations and their further development were discussed. Ambassador Mkrtchyan presented the upcoming projects. President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis attached importance to the development of economic component in the bilateral relations, in this context emphasizing the importance of the Armenian-Latvian inter-governmental commission format. The sides also talked about the ongoing talks on EU-Armenia new framework agreement, expressing hope that it will be signed soon. Latvias President and Armenias Ambassador exchanged views on a number of urgent regional and international issues. Speaking about the Karabakh conflict, Ambassador Mkrtchyan expressed gratitude for Latvias balanced approach towards the conflict and stressed the importance of the international communitys assistance to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship format. President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis reaffirmed Latvias stance on solving the conflict through peaceful negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship format. The call at the weekend by Rev John Dunlop for the invitation to Pope Francis to visit Ireland in 2018 to be extended to Northern Ireland and for Protestant Churches here to engage positively with that visit, without caution, should it occur, will be met with the customary variety of responses in meeting house, hall, tent and church in Ulster. That the attitude of this former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church hasn't yet been picked up by his brethren has perhaps as much to do with his own reputation as a liberal as it has to do with the forum where he aired his views - Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence. Neither Dr Dunlop nor the BBC would be expected to give the Pope a roasting on a Sunday morning. But few in fact nowadays could doubt the wisdom of the cleric's advice, if not always for obvious reasons. First Minister Arlene Foster has stated she would meet the Pontiff were he to visit Northern Ireland and, in general terms, there is a societal consensus that Pope Francis is "a good thing". There was plenty of rejoicing that this gentle elderly man succeeded to the chair of St Peter from the embattled poverty of Argentina, bringing an at times astonishing humility to what could often be a remote and forbidding role. There was, for a time, the widespread belief that the Pope, or this one in particular, might not in fact be Catholic; or not as much a one as his two immediate predecessors, Benedict XVI and St John Paul II. For that reason, this Pope might be welcomed to Northern Ireland as a new broom to clean out the stables of a church still stained with the scandals of the last 10 years. Couple that with wider society's exhaustion with decades and generations of doctrinal nit-picking and ear-splitting hollering at best, and nasty and murderous sectarian hatred at worst, and the appeal to wilder versions of Protestant feeling and belief to welcome something for a change would always expect to be received warmly in self-styled progressive quarters. Of course, all that is to mask one of the most noticeable cultural shifts of the last 10 years - the simple fact that our society has become more anti-Catholic, not less. Neither of the two main parties which would have been seen as representing the votes of the Catholic population can be said to represent the views of the Catholic Church, or even of mainstream Catholicism. That is a very important difference between, for instance, how the SDLP would have positioned itself, say, even 15 years ago, and how it sees itself now. On a whole raft of social and moral issues, that party has shifted far to the Left of Church teaching. Sinn Fein, of course, always had a more vexed relationship with the Catholic Church and its leaders, and that hasn't been cured by the party's distancing itself from militant republicanism, or its entry into government. If anything, Sinn Fein and the Catholic Church are farther apart on almost every issue than they have ever been. Same-sex marriage, abortion, integrated education - on those fronts alone, Catholics have felt a general hostility from wider society, a disdain in the media, a sense of "open season" on those who hold beliefs contrary to accepted opinion. It is hardly shocking to state that the moral teaching of the Catholic Church represents a position far removed from what our mainstream culture would regard as wholesome and good, by which we mean progressive, liberal and tolerant. What is really surprising is just how much common ground over recent years the Christian Churches in Ireland have found with each other. Mostly, of course, this has developed quietly and without fanfare - it hasn't been in anyone's interest, it seems, to explore the impacts that real persecution of Christian populations in the Middle East, perceived attacks on Christian iconography and symbolism in the Western media and a sense of erasure of Christian presence in the culture, from "Happy Holidays" to wearing crosses at work, have had on the sense of common good experienced by a new ecumenism built on shared adversity. Force of circumstance has forged strange alliances in the Christian community in Northern Ireland over recent years. There was much solidarity in display over the Ashers bakery court case and cross-denominational positions on abortion in the cases of fatal foetal abnormality seem to have aligned in response to what many there see as a hostile and increasingly aggressive secular agenda being played out in the media and in Stormont. The fact is that the old sectarian opposition of the traditional Churches has long given way to a sense of solidarity on the ground. In practically every town and village, there are strong links between the pastors of various denominations. If you know anyone who is a church-goer, ask them about the visible presences that occur at Christmas and Easter, for example, between the ministers of one church and another. Inter-denominational food banks, volunteer kitchens, prayer groups, choral sharing - yes, even parish buses to the Waterfront to support the Ashers campaign ... These initiatives are widespread and, this time, aren't prompted by a need to disarm ruthless paramilitary gangs at their business under the cover of religious faith, but rather by an acknowledgement that Christian groups per se are under siege from a non-believing, non-sympathetic wider culture. This isn't about making the liberal classes feel better about our society. Or about cuddling up to the cultural Christians who like trudging through the snow to Christmas services, but don't credit the Virgin Birth, the Star and the Magi, who can believe in Calvary, but not the Empty Tomb, and all the other tales they are happy to tell their children ... Nor is it about atoning for some long-held prejudice that Christian religious belief, somehow, was to blame for the IRA, discrimination, knee-capping, the Shankill Butchers, the border and the sinking of the Titanic. No. It is about the beginnings of fighting back against widespread cultural and social discrimination. Moreover, there are very clear signs now, even in Northern Ireland, that non-Christian faiths are finding strange alliances forming as well between Muslims scandalised by secular attitudes and offensive talk, and Christian believers who find themselves becoming a minority in their own communities. Interesting times, Dr Dunlop. One imagines Pope Francis will have plenty to say about the social relevance of the Gospel in Northern Ireland. And it's unlikely to be what many opinion-formers of our day will want to hear. From left, Brian Keenan, Terry Anderson and John McCarthy speaking to the audience about their captivity in Beirut They sat together on stage in Kilbroney Integrated School, three men whose linked histories would launch Rostrevor's first Literary Festival, men from widely different backgrounds who had first come to know each other in a much darker place, in the depths of prison cells in Lebanon, where they were held for years as hostages in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Brian Keenan is Belfast-born and raised, John McCarthy is from the English Home Counties, Terry Anderson is from the United States. Each of them has written a bestselling account of their hostage years - Brian Keenan's An Evil Cradling, John McCarthy's Some Other Rainbow, co-written with Jill Morrell, Terry Anderson's Den of Lions. They were in Rostrevor at a sell-out event, reunited after 20 years, to remember and reflect on what had happened to them, prompted by musician and writer Tommy Sands and myself, a television reporter who covered events in the Middle East during the years when they were being held. Brian Keenan was asked how growing up in east Belfast might have prepared him for what was to come. He talked of meeting a friend at a bus-stop and telling him he was going to buy some shirts for a trip he was about to make. "Where are ye goin' to?" "Beirut." "Beirut? Sure, what you'll need for that place is a couple o' body bags." John McCarthy, by contrast, had spent a comfortable English middle-class childhood, including years as a boarder at Haileybury. However, he told us at the festival of his father's comment on his eventual release from captivity. "I'm sure public school must have prepared you for being locked up." Brian Keenan, who had been teaching in Beirut, was kidnapped by Islamic Jihad on April 11, 1986. John McCarthy, who as a journalist was working there on a story about Keenan, was himself kidnapped a week later. In his research he had come across a photo of Keenan and agreed with a colleague that "this hairy, wild-eyed fellow would probably be best avoided on a dark night, or in a small room". When eventually they did meet up in grim circumstances, after a spell in solitary, there were adjustments that needed to be made in the cause of vital comradeship. "At the start," said McCarthy, "I couldn't understand a word he said. Eventually, I asked if he could stop sounding like Gerry Adams, or Ian Paisley. Okay, he said, as long as you stop sounding like effing Prince Charles." Tommy Sands reminded them and the audience of the concern for their well-being back in Belfast and of concerts to demonstrate support. Dee McElroy came on stage to sing the song he'd written at the time, including the lines: "When I dream, I'm free ... My body's bound, but my soul is free." Keenan told the audience he knew nothing of this support, living in what they called "limbo land", cut off from outside news. In their shared cell, they had to learn to respect different ways in which each of them chose to deal with the their fears, their depression, their resentment at being held. Brian Keenan displayed anger and defiance which risked and often resulted in physical beatings. As he put it, "we were not going to disappear from the world in a whisper, not for that bunch". In the words of the American hostage Terry Anderson, "Brian's message was 'I hate you', which of course got him special treatment from time to time. Still, my approach was to try and negotiate conditions - and that got me nowhere at all." There was much talk about the captors, who were their only contacts with the system which was depriving them of their freedom. They gave them nicknames, names which offer clues as to their attitudes and behaviour. "The Grim Reaper, Joker, Jeeves, the Brothers Kalashnikov." They described them to us as young men of limited education, whose worldview was conditioned by religious and political leaders. "They had been suddenly empowered in that dark hole in the ground and they could get very nasty." And yet, as months and years went by, "they began," said John McCarthy, "to identify with us. Our refusal to be humiliated began to penetrate them." There was an extraordinary story of their response to the hostages' request to be unshackled from the chains that linked them to their cell's wall. They told the hostages that the chains were "for their security". "For our security. How?" "Because without chains you would try to escape. Then we would have to shoot you. But if you are chained, you are safe, you are secure." Terry Anderson spoke of having to deal with a kind of fatalism, "an inability to effect any kind of change", which he compared with that of a powerless three-year-old child. But none of them was alone. John McCarthy spoke of being awake once watching his fellow prisoners sleep, thinking, as cockroaches crawled around him, "of each one's utter frailty and how we needed to face it together". They were not to be released together. Brian Keenan was first, in 1990, John McCarthy and Terry Anderson the following year. But they were reunited last weekend by the creator of Rostrevor's first Literary Festival, William Graham, a former political correspondent. An absorbed audience laughed at their jokes, many of them black humour, listened in concentrated silence to some of the grimmer details of their suffering, applauded their accounts of how they refused to give in. At the end, 200 people rose as one for a standing ovation. On stage, the three former hostages, who had been reliving the darkest years of their lives, and had done so together for the first time in decades, turned to each other and locked themselves in an embrace. It looked like confirmation of something Brian Keenan had said earlier. "I came home with more than they took from me." In February of 1891, a peculiar advertisement began to appear in the papers. Ouija, the Wonderful Talking Board, exclaimed dark ink, and the ad advised readers to Come and see this wonderful game. The origin of this ad was a Pittsburgh novelty shop called Danziger & Company, and it promised that this mysterious talking board could answer questions concerning the past, present, and future with marvelous accuracy. The small ad goes on to say that the board forms the link which unites the known with the unknown, the material with the immaterial. And that was itthe first emergence of the Ouija board, materializing right out of the 19th century American obsession with spiritualism. In the 1800s, spiritualism took hold in America, offering solace in a time when the average life was no longer than 50 years, when men died in war, women in childbirth, children, by diseaseit was a time marked by a an incredible feeling of unpredictability and vulnerability. It is no wonder, then, that Americans turned to spiritualism, engaging in numerous activities which promised continued contact with the dead, and the revelation of truths. Dinner parties featuring such activities as automatic writing, table turning, and seances were common, socially acceptable, and even seen as wholesome. These aforementioned methods of contacting the spirits of the dead proved to be fairly boring affairs, and after the invention of the telegraph, which made human communication easy and fast, Americans began to crave an easier and faster way of communicating with spirits. The Kennard Novelty Company sated this craving with the invention and patenting of the Ouija board. Based on the new idea of the talking boarda flat surface, etched with numbers and letters which were selected by guiding a pointing device on small castersthat was sweeping through spiritualist gatherings, the Ouija board gave Americans a new way of contacting the dead that was both fast and entertaining. The inventors of the Ouija board needed a name for their own invention, and so, naturally, they consulted the board, itself, laying hands on the planchhettethe pointing device. The planchhette began to move, slowly spelling out the word Ouija. When the group asked what the board meant, it spelled out Good luck. And that was it. The board had named itself. But there was still yet one more obstacle. A patent had to be filed, which meant the inventors had to demonstrate that the board worked. When the inventors traveled to the patent office in Washington, the chief patent officer demanded a demonstration of the boards abilities. The deal with this: if the board could spell out the patent officers name, which was unknown to the inventors, he would clear the patent. Together, they sat, consulting the board. Soon after, a visibly shaken chief patent officer emerged from the room on February of 1891, and gave the go-ahead for the Ouija patent to proceed. The board had spelled out his name. Fast forward over a hundred years, and the Ouija board retains its popularitythe only remaining artifact from an era marked by all manner of spiritual communication methods. Today, the Ouija board is sought after not so much for family fun, but out of a sense of danger. The film, The Exorcist, changed the way America saw the supernatural, and became the turning point for how the Ouija board was perceived. Suddenly, users were no longer contacting the deadthey were contending with unknown, potentially dangerous forces. A more modern example of the contemporary view of the Ouija board is the film Ouija: Origin of Evil, which opened on October 21st, 2016 to rave reviews. In the film, use of the board invites an evil spirit into a familys home, which possesses their young daughter. This is the official stance of the Catholic Church, which classifies the Ouija board as a form of divinationseeking information from supernatural forces. From a Christian perspective, human spirits do not reside on earth, and cannot be contacted. In fact, according to the Church, the thing on the other side of the wooden board is a wholly different sort of entity altogether. It is a demon. While the Ouija board works as a psychological trick the majority of the time, relying on subtle and automatic muscle movementsor blatant deceptionthe Church outlines the very real spiritual dangers involved in its use. To return to the example of Ouija: Origin of Evil, the afflicted family began using the Ouija board for what they felt was a good purposecontacting the spirit of a deceased family member. Thrilled when the board answers a question to which only this family member would know the answer, the family continues contact. But the plot darkens when something creeps from the immaterial to the material, possessing the familys young daughter, who goes on to terrorize them all. While this is a sensationalized account, made theatrical to terrify audience everywhere, it contains a grain of truth. Scripture forbids occultic practicesin Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Moses proclaims, Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. Why? Because to do so is to entreat a power other than God, to ask something else for favor. And that something else does not have your good in mind. It holds, in fact, your corruption, imprisonment, and ultimate destruction, in its heart. Few who touch the demonic realized what dark pit theyve reached a trembling hand into. But the Church, through scripture, defines a boundary which must not be crossed, even in jest, lest our lives be touched by subtle horrors. Rather, turn to God in your need. That is where truth lies. wlablack/Shutterstock.com The pope is the leader of the 1.2 billion worldwide Catholics, holding what is likely the most powerful religious post on the planet, one that is steeped in the doctrine and tradition of 2,000 years. And now, Pope Francis is breaking these traditions at an unprecedented rate. The Catholic Church teaches that Christ appointed Peter as head of the Church, as evidenced in Matthew 16:18, where Christ proclaims that You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Each successive pope inherits this position. Just as Peter was head of the apostles, the pope is head of the Catholic Churchs leaders. The word pope, in fact, comes from the word for Father in the original Greek. Since the time of early Christianity, the papacy has had a massive effect on the course of human historyan unrivaled effect, in fact. Such huge and powerful organizations are often slow to change, and especially so when such an organization is as steeped in religious tradition as the papacy. But Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected Pope on March 13th, 2013, is an agent of change, and hes shaking up the Catholic Church from the inside. A man of firsts, Pope Francis is the first contemporary non-European pope, the Jesuit pope, and the first from the Americas to be elected to the position. Upon gaining the papacy, newly elected popes traditionally bless the crowd that gathers in St. Peters Square to recognize the new popePope Francis didnt do this. He broke the formula. Rather, he asked the crowd to pray for him. This was interpreted by many as a sign that he would go on to make the papacy his own, but the most obvious clue to Pope Franciss intentions lies in his choice of papal namethe symbolic name that new popes take that shows the world who they will emulate. Upon election the new pope is asked, in Latin, By what name shall you be called? For Jorge Mario Bergoglio, it was Francis. The name is taken from St. Francis of Assisi, and carries with it notions of simplicity, poverty, and the rebuilding of the Church. Three times, Christ spoke to him at the Church of St. Damian, telling him, Go, Francis, and repair my church in ruins. No pope has ever taken this name. Pope Franciss reputation for extreme humility is well-documented. He often chooses to pay his bills personally, rather than to send an assistant, and chooses to live in a simple apartment in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the more luxurious accommodations in the Vaticans Apostolic Palacethe official residence of the popes. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, speaking with the Catholic Telegraph, says that He is experimenting with this type of living arrangement, which is simple, but allows him to live in community with others, both the permanent residents, as well as guests coming to the Vatican for meetings and conferences. Pope Franciss desire to be one with his community, rather than rising above it, was made manifest when he was introduced as the new popehe made a point of refusing to use a platform to elevate himself above the cardinals surrounding him, and instead faced the world from the same vantage point as everyone else. In addition to this, the Pope refuses to use the bulletproof Popemobile, calling it a sardine can that separates him from other peoplethe last thing that he wants. This attitude bodes well for the current state of the Catholic Church. With distrust of the Church at a low because of sex abuse scandals, skepticism of theology, and claims of corruption within the Church, Pope Francis truly is faced with repairing the church in ruins. Indeed, Pope Francis has shifted the public view concerning the Catholic Church with his more progressive and inclusive proclamations. For instance, the pope has said that the church must not interfere spiritually in the lives of homosexuals, and that they have gifts to offer the Christian community. Further, the pope has also said that women must play a key role in the decisions of the church, saying that The feminine genius is needed whenever we make important decisions. These comments dont deviate from Catholic doctrine, but show Pope Franciss fresh, new approach of merciful inclusion. Pope Francis has preached that law which does not lead people to Jesus is dead, and that Jesus did such strange things as spending time with lepers and sinners and tax collectors. More than any pope before, Pope Francis seeks to engage with the world, and eagerly enters into interfaith dialogue, race relations, and political talks in order to better the world and grow the Church. Indeed, Pope Francis seems to be taking the Catholic Church back to its founding principlesthe life and teachings of Christopening the windows and doors of the Vatican to let in some much-needed theologically fresh air. In what is, perhaps, the most telling of all Pope Franciss words, in December of 2013, he addressed his vision of the Church, saying, I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the center and then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures. That same year, Pope Francis was named Person of the Year by Time magazinean award shared by only two other popes. The article showed that the factor that put Pope Francis at the top of the list was his ability to draw in so many who had previously given up on the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has also worked to root out corruption in the Church, excommunicating members of the Mafia and cracking down on financial mismanagement and sexual abuse within the Churchs ranks. His reforms dont stop there. Pope Francis is also the first pope to speak out about the dangers of climate change, asking the world to pay attention to how it treats the Earth and calling for world leaders to address environmental concerns. The Catholic Church, despite some protestations from a few corners of the religious world, is better off today because of Pope Franciss efforts. And because of the Churchs potential to be a force for good, charity, and the alleviation of human suffering, the world may be a better place, as well, for his service. Wesley Baines is a graduate student at Regent University's School of Divinity, and a freelance writer working in the fields of spirituality, self-help, and religion. He is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com. You can catch more of his work at www.wesleybaines.com. Do you realize how much power resides in your mouth? In life it is vital that we understand the power of our words. Our words create our own inner and outer world. Everyday when we wake up, we have the power to use the Word of God to become whole. Many people in life often think that another person can make them complete, but only God can give us a peace of mind and the ultimate happiness. How do we get this gift? We can do this by speaking up! Author Kristi Watts wrote that speaking Scripture over our lives is more than a pep talkit rekindles and fans the flame of faith. It is Gods view of us that only matters. The Lord gives us a reason to be happy because of Christ, but we need to train our emotions to line up with that especially during hard times. Sometimes our desire is to lay down and throw in the towel, but by nothing less than the strength, courage and sheer will of walking in the presence of the Holy Spirit can we find our hope in the midst of the battle, Watts wrote. It is the Lord who gives us what we need to cast the mountains into the sea. You need to believe the power of His Word--then you will find happiness. A reminder is that we are not conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of our minds. What we say, think or do reflects what is going on with us spiritually. Here are 6 ways to cultivate Gods Word and to find true happiness. Trust Him. If we are going to speak Gods truth we need trust Him. Trust can be built by studying the Bible and knowing who Jesus is. Watts wrote in her book Talk Yourself Happy that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. God will lead us to the promises as we pray. He will guide us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to be reminded that God is trustworthy and His Word is truth. If we dont trust God, how can we speak His promises in our lives? When we begin to invest in Scripture and pay attention to the pain in our own lives, we recognize that God is closer and more at work than we know or realize. Build your faith. We need to water our faith as well. Just like a plant needs to be watered to grow and flourish so does your spiritual life. Make the effort to learn more about your Creator. Sometimes we become so focused on what we see that we neglect to embrace the greatness not seen or understood Watts shared. Being a believer does not make you privy to everything. There are some things we will never know while on earth. Our job is to become strong by reading and confessing the Word. You can say something like God I believe that you have a great plan for me and believe it! The more you exercise this, the more your faith will grow. However, just like a plant it takes a lot of time for faith to grow. Watch your conversations. Stop talking about the failures you have experienced and move towards what you have learned. Turn the conversation to how God is faithful and how He delivered you out of situations that seemed hopeless. By talking yourself happy here, you wont wallow in self-pity. When we just focus on problems and chat about them, we become more depressed. It doesnt mean we are not acknowledging these issues, but we are redirecting the conversation towards God. Use your weapons. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to prepare for battle Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. How do we do this? It is simply by speaking the Word of God! Understand that Christians are under spiritual assault all the time. To fight these strongholds we are aware that the battle is not people based, but spiritual based. Pastor and author Joel Osteen reminded us that battle was already won when Jesus died for humanity. Allow the revelation of His victory permeate your faith and cause you to operate from a winning stance. Confess that you are moving forward by leaps and bounds and shout that victory is yours. Start worshiping Him. Start worshiping God and find a Scripture. Make sure you study and confess it. By singing or using a preferred Scripture you become happier in that moment. I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name, for Your loving kindness and Your truth, for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. Doesnt this make you feel better? Worship also transforms our thoughts to look towards Him, and this gets our minds off ourselves. When we do this we can take a breather from our own problems to embrace healthier thoughts. Find trusted friends. Find people who you can pray with you and who can confess the power of God over your life. Share Gods promises together when you meet or make it a point to just connect to encourage each other. We are who we hang out with. If you keep company with people who complain and gossip, the soul will be contaminated. You might find yourself always complaining and being depressed. Make it a point to find time with people who will uplift you and where you can uplift them. You will notice more happiness in your communication. Your words really dictate whether you will be feeling good or bad. It can impact whether you grow or become stagnant as well in life. Relying on God to tame our tongue is a key in becoming happier in the Lord and during our own journey. We need to take Gods promises and stand on them through trust, praise and finding people who can affirm His presence in our lives. Remind yourself of what God has promised you. If you are struggling in any given area ask God to grant you wisdom. Corine Gatti-Santillo is a freelance digital journalist, editor, and content producer. She is also the The Christian Post Voices Editor. She is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com. Shutterstock.com The presidential election has divided the country, and with that division comes disagreement and misinformation. As Christians, we may not all agree with each other, but we can still seek truth each day as we also pray for the country to work toward healing and unity. Now we must also work harder to seek truth in an age where truth is easy to fake and also easy to spread. Its a problem that even Google has acknowledged. In mid-November, just after the election, Google announced it would shut down websites with fake news generated from its ad services. "Moving forward, we will restrict ad serving on pages that misrepresent, misstate, or conceal information about the publisher, the publisher's content, or the primary purpose of the web property," a Google spokesperson said in a statement. Facebook has also been popular as a space for pushing fake news stories, particularly from right-wing conspiracy sites, with headlines such as Pope Francis Shocks World, Endorses Donald Trump for President, Releases Statement. And while these sites are trying to limit those fake news articles, its our job to make sure were not helping spread the misinformation. Before we click Share or Like, we need to be vigilant and sure that the information is true. As Christians, we are messengers of truth. 2 Timonthy 2:15 says, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Heres are some tips to help filter out the fake from the truth. Read Last year, two Christian news stories made the rounds on the Internet and kept making the rounds on the Internet as people kept sharing and sharing the false stories. One was an untrue story about a pastor being arrested for refusing to officiate a same-sex marriage. The link, if people had bothered to read, wasnt from a credible site such as ChristianityToday.com or WORLD, but from NBC.com.co. Notice the extra .co? We need to be careful about what were reading and where were getting our information. The most important thing in a functional society is a well-informed public, Matt Masur, activist and contributor to The Huffington Post said in a column. What we have now is not only uninformed but misinformed masses. Take the time to read the content of the story before clicking to share or like. Too many times we share or spread misinformation based on a headline, but its important that we dig deeper for the truth. Fact Check In an article for Christianity Today, Ed Stetzer writes about Christians sharing fake news. He says theres an importance to making sure the article is verified before we share it with our friends or family. If you have not, will not, or cannot confirm a story, do not share it, he says. As Christians, we have a higher standard than even the journalist. We arent protecting the reputation of an organization or a website, we bear the name of our King. If our friends and families cannot trust us with this type of news, many will not listen when we seek to share the good news of the gospel. Our job is to glorify God and share his message, and when we share false information, were not sharing truth. Our social media accounts are places to be witnesses for God, and we need to be careful that what were sharing is truthful. As Proverbs 16:16 says, we need to Get wisdom. Keep Praying The nation is in a divided place right now. In a recent survey, 15 percent of those surveyed said that they are no longer speaking with a family member or close friend because of disagreements over the presidential election. Lets not make that worse by spreading misinformation. Now is the time for prayer and healing and truth. "When God's people will pray with a humble heart repenting of our sins then God promises He will hear our prayer, said evangelist Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham. He will forgive our sin. And the third element is that He will heal our land. "God is the one who will bring healing, she added. It's not a political party or one particular person. Our faith has to be in God." In New York, there have been interfaith prayer and song services, where healing and reconciliation can occur following the bitterness of the election. No matter what the racial and ethnic divisions in America, we can be churches that demonstrate and embody the reconciliation of the kingdom of God, Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission said in a statement. The most important lesson we should learn is that the church must stand against the way politics has become a religion, and religion has become politics. Stay in the Word The best way to seek truth in todays world is to stay in the truth: Gods word. James 1:5 says, Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. If we surround ourselves in Gods word, we are less likely to fall victim to the falsehoods of this world. Stay grounded in the bible and youll find discernment easier. Seek Truth Always Now is the time to seek truth in what we share with others. We are called to be messengers of truth for God. We are called to share his good news. We want non-believers and skeptics to trust us. We want them to see God in everything we do, and that starts with truth. Charles Spurgeon once said, We entertain God's Truth not as a guest but as master of the house. Theres a lot of misinformation out there, and its easy to share it, but lets be cautious. Lets read and verify that information first. Let us also guard our hearts and minds with biblical truth and continue to pray for our nation toward healing. Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has contributed pieces for Boundless, iBelieve.com and HeartSupport. She also blogs at http://tx.ag/casanova. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. New history lessons adopted by the California Board of Education this year may especially resonate with Fresno students and families. Schools are now required to teach about the Armenian genocide an important history in the Fresno area, which has a large Armenian American community, Armenpress reports, FresnoBee informs. The teachers are expected to link the Armenian Genocide with the Holocaust and are to provide information on the unprecedented American humanitarian response to the genocide: relief efforts raised more than $117 million in the aftermath, saving more than 1 million refugees. The new content, which is more inclusive and aims to teach students to think critically about historical events, is expected to show up in textbooks by 2018. The Armenian genocide was the Ottoman Turkish governments extermination of 1.5 million Armenians that started in 1915, during World War I. The genocide came as the Ottoman Empire was declining and its Islamic leaders saw the Christian Armenians as a threat. Turkish authorities first arrested hundreds of Armenian intellectuals who eventually were killed. The remaining Armenians were ordered onto death marches into the Syrian desert, during which they were subjected to rape, torture, mutilation, starvation, holocausts in desert caves, kidnapping and forced Turkification and Islamization, reads the curriculum framework for Californias 10th-graders. Ultimately, the Armenian population was reduced by 75 percent. But unlike the Holocaust, the history of the Armenian genocide was overlooked, with leaders of Turkey still refusing to label what happened as genocide after years of denying that it happened at all. While the U.S. government has condemned the killings, no U.S. president has ever actually used the word genocide in any commemoration ceremony. In addition to California, only 10 states are required to teach about the Armenian genocide, according to the Genocide Education Project. The Armenian genocide has been ignored in history textbooks, said Barlow Der Mugrdechian, director of Fresno States Center for Armenian Studies. I know several local teachers who have already been providing materials on it, but its absolutely essential for all teachers. It brings to light an example of how government can choose to go down a path toward genocide and what conditions allow that to happen. Der Mugrdechian pointed to Adolf Hitlers quote before invading Poland, in which he asked who remembered the annihilation of the Armenians leading many to believe that it encouraged him to proceed with plans to kill millions of Jews. That alone is a clear statement about the necessity to remember history, Mugrdechian said. A man in Amritsar, India reads a newspaper displaying front-page headlines about the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by U.S. special forces, May 3, 2011. Indias National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested three suspected al-Qaeda operatives who were allegedly plotting to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 21 other top Indian officials, police said. The three men identified as N. Abbas Ali, T. Ayub Khan and Abdul Kareem were picked up during raids at several locations in Madurai, a city in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, on Sunday night and placed under arrest after questioning on Monday, police sources there told BenarNews. The NIA, the countrys top counter-terror unit, also took in a fourth suspect, Mohammad Ayub Ali, for questioning but he had yet to be formally arrested, sources said late Monday, adding that the agency was hunting for two more suspects, who had been identified as Hakeem and Dawood Sulaiman. Mondays arrests were the first involving suspected al-Qaeda members in India since December 2015, when local authorities took three suspected members of the groups regional wing, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), into custody. Those arrests were the first since al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahari announced the affiliates formation in 2014. But police had yet to say whether the men arrested on Monday belonged to AQIS. The entire operation was carried out by the NIA. Our role was limited to providing assistance and logistics, Sailesh Yadav, Madurais Commissioner of Police, told BenarNews. The suspects are currently being interrogated by the NIA, he said. None of the NIA officials contacted by BenarNews agreed to comment on the arrests, but police sources said that a cache of arms and bomb-making material were recovered from the suspects. A pen drive, which contained a list of names of 22 top Indian leaders, including Modi, was also recovered. It seems there was a ploy to assassinate these political figures, a police official, who assisted in the raids, told BenarNews on condition of anonymity. Involved in explosions Police said the trio was involved in several explosions that took place in court premises in the country but declined to elaborate. They had also made threatening calls to several embassies operating in India, the official said. Commissioner Yadav, however, confirmed that the three suspects had no police record in Madurai. We have checked records of their past involvement in terror-related activities but havent found anything in Madurai city. But they may be involved in such activities elsewhere, Yadav said. India ranks seventh in the world among countries most affected by terrorism, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. In 2015, India had the highest number of terrorist attacks since 2000, whilst paradoxically, it had the second lowest number of deaths for a single year since 2000, said the report, which was published earlier this month. There were 797 terror attacks in India last year, resulting in 289 deaths, compared to 764 attacks with 418 deaths in 2014, the report said. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. A regular session of Russian inter-agency working group over CSTO issues was held at the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation. Armenpress reports, citing the official website of the RF MFA, the meeting was attended by the representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Ministries of Interior, Finance, Trade and Industry, Emergency Situations, Federal Security Service and Security Council. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya briefed on the results of the CSTO Collective Council meeting that took place in Yerevan on October 14. He particularly referred to the CSTO Collective Security Strategy 2025 adopted during the Yerevan session. Members of the inter-agency working group discussed a number of issues of Russian priorities in the CSTO, as well as other issues over the cooperation with state agencies of the member states. A senior official with Bangladeshs ruling party has defended his public comments that Islam should lose its constitutional standing as the state religion and the country should restore its original approach to government including secularism. Abdur Razzak, a member of the Awami League (AL) Presidium Council, its top policy-making body, told a public forum earlier this month that the religion practiced by a majority of Bangladeshis would eventually lose its official status in the constitution, and that Islam was being kept as the state religion for strategic reasons. I have said it abroad and now I am saying it again that Islam will be dropped from Bangladeshs Constitution when the time comes, Razzak said during a roundtable at the National Press Club in Dhaka. The force of secularism is in the people of Bangladesh. There is nothing called minority in our country, BDNews24 quoted him as saying. His remarks have drawn criticism from members of his own party. Those words came as the multi-religious South Asian nation of 169 million people has been contending with growing conservative Islamic sentiment, and a spate of recent murders targeting members of religious minorities as well as writers and intellectuals associated with a grassroots movement that has called for Bangladesh to preserve its tradition of secular rule. I have told what I believe. I have clearly [said] that the original 1972 constitution adopted secularism as one of the four fundamental principles of the state. But the autocrats and the military rulers who usurped power cut it from the charter, branding secularism as anti-religion, Razzak told BenarNews during an interview in which he stood by his controversial comments. Detractors from the party were quick to point out that Razzaks comments were his own and did not represent the Awami League. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader told a press conference on Nov. 13 a day after Razzaks remarks at the press club that the party had no plans to drop Islam as the state religion. Constitutional history After Bangladesh was born in 1971, following its war of independence from Pakistan, secularism was included as one of the four core values in the countrys first constitution. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman adopted secularism, promising all faiths that Bangladesh as a state must not be party to any religion. This is the spirit according to which Bangladesh seceded from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Razzak said, referring to the father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Following the 1975 assassination of Rahman and members of his family, military leader Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman seized power. He removed secularism from the constitution and replaced it with the phrase trust in Allah by all means. The next military ruler, H.M. Ershad, who took power in a coup in 1982, six years later enshrined Islam as the state religion through the eighth amendment to the constitution. In 2011, the Awami League recaptured four core values as outlined in the original constitution nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism through the 15th amendment, but allowed Islam to remain as the state religion. The constitution allows other religions to be practiced in peace and harmony. In March 2016, a three-member panel of the High Court scrapped a petition to remove the 1988 amendment that had made Islam the state religion, but without offering an explanation. Leaders of the conservative Hefazat-e-Islam group had attended the proceeding after threatening to cripple the country with protests if the court stripped Islam of its standing as the state religion. Political reality Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, an AL organizing secretary, told BenarNews that Razzak should not have made a sensitive comment without the partys approval. Where did he get it? If he was a mature politician, he would not talk like this. Making Islam as the state religion does not ideally fit with the Awami Leagues party policy of secularism, but we have to do it for political reality, he said. Explaining what he meant by political reality, he said the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) along with Jamaat-e-Islami and other conservative Islamic parties would brand AL as anti-Islam and pro-atheist party if it changed Islams official status. AL platform stresses secularism Razzak is the second top-ranking AL member to face criticism from his party for talking against Islam. In September 2014, former Telecom Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui went to jail for criticizing Islam and the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. He resigned from the party and gave up his seat in parliament after the AL suspended him for his comments. The suspension occurred even though the ALs charter stipulated secularism, Professor Ataur Rahman, a former president of the Political Science Alumni Association of Bangladesh, told BenarNews. But the Awami League is not working to uphold secularism at all. They are trying to brand themselves as more Islamic than the Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP, the Dhaka University political science teacher said. And what I can assert is that the Awami League will be using Islam to get maximum political mileage out of Islam. This policy is nothing but a political expediency. They are well aware that the people may take to the street in case they talk against Islam, Rahman added. Shahriar Sharif in Dhaka contributed to this report. Thailands Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn takes part in a ceremony to pay respects to his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Oct. 16, 2016. Updated at 2 p.m. ET on 2016-11-29 The Thai parliament announced Tuesday that it would formally invite Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become king of Thailands 68 million people and occupy the throne vacated by the death of his father last month. The announcement marked the first official step in Thailands royal succession and in the princes expected accession to the throne as King Rama X, the tenth ruler in the Chakri Dynasty. The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) convened a special session to discuss the matter after receiving an urgent letter earlier in the day from the cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha. The throne is vacant and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn was appointed heir-apparent in line with the royal succession charter of 1924. The cabinet informed the chairman of the National Legislative Assembly to convene a meeting and to further invite the heir-apparent to the throne, NLA Chairman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai announced on the parliaments TV channel. Long live the king, members of the assembly proclaimed after Pornpetch read out the statement, according to news reports. The nation has been in mourning since King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on Oct. 13 of health-related complications at age 88. At the time, the crown prince the kings only son declined to ascend to the throne immediately, saying he wanted to grieve with the Thai people for his father who had ruled over his subjects for 70 years, officials said. Prime Minister Prayuth addressed the nation later on Tuesday, saying the announcement was the first formal step in the royal succession. Now it is up to the prince to have a royal audience to accept the invitation from the National Legislative Assembly, and this will happen soon, Prayuth said in a nationally televised broadcast. In line with the constitution, today, the cabinet has convened to acknowledge the procedure. We sent a letter to the National Legislation Assembly to inform it, and it will invite the heir-apparent to be crowned King Rama X, he added. The chairman of the assembly is to extend the invitation during the audience with the prince, and Maha Vajiralongkorn will ascend to the throne after accepting the formal invitation, according to Thai media. He will take over a kingdom divided by bitter rivalries among Thailands influential parties and governed by a junta. The military has twice since 2006 overthrown democratically elected governments led by members of the Shinawatra family. But while the prince may soon ascend to the throne, the 64-year-old will not be crowned king until late 2017 at the earliest. That will follow a year of mourning for King Bhumibol, which will culminate in his state funeral, officials said in October. That was when they appointed Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old ex-general and chairman of the Privy Council, to serve as regent of Thailand until the new monarchs ascension. The crown prince issued no statements on Tuesday. He was expected to fly home later this week from Germany, where he has another residence, Reuters reported. Life of a prince Born in Bangkok on July 28, 1952, Vajiralongkorn is the second of four children and only male born to King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. On Tuesday, his 84-year-old mother was released from a local hospital where she was being treated for a lung infection and fever, the Associated Press reported. The prince was educated in Thailand, England and Australia, where he attended the prestigious Kings School, near Sydney. In 1972, at age 20, Vajiralongkorn was elevated to Crown Prince, officially putting him in line to inherit the throne. Three years later, he graduated from the Royal Military College near Melbourne. He returned to Thailand when neighboring nations in Southeast Asia were falling to communist insurgencies and the kingdom was facing its own communist scare. The prince joined in the anti-communist fight. In 1976, he took part in military operations in northern and northeastern Thailand, where the threat was most entrenched. In the late 1970s, the prince started a new career, learning how to fly helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, and logged more than 2,000 hours in the cockpit. In 2012, he became a certified flight instructor for pilots training to fly Boeing 737s. Besides being an avid pilot, the prince oversees the command of the Royal Guards, a unit whose roots date back to his great, great-grandfather, King Rama IV. The prince has been married three times and has eight children from four women. ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. Mit den gewonnenen Informationen mochten wir verstehen, wie unsere Dienste verwendet werden, und die Qualitat dieser Dienste verbessern. neue Dienste zu entwickeln und zu verbessern Werbung auszuliefern und ihre Wirkung zu messen personalisierte Inhalte anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fur diese zusatzlichen Zwecke. Nicht personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung werden u. a. von Inhalten, die Sie sich gerade ansehen, und Ihrem Standort beeinflusst (welche Werbung Sie sehen, basiert auf Ihrem ungefahren Standort). Personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung konnen auch Videoempfehlungen, eine individuelle YouTube-Startseite und individuelle Werbung enthalten, die auf fruheren Aktivitaten wie auf YouTube angesehenen Videos und Suchanfragen auf YouTube beruhen. Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten. Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen. A delegation of Belarusian military officials on Monday morning arrived in Yerevan on a three-day official visit. November 28, 2016, 17:33 Delegation of Belarusian military officials start trip to Armenia STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 28, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to a press release by the Ministry of Defense, the delegation led by Major-General Genady Kazlovsky, the head of the Belarusian Armed Forces Rocket Troops and Artillery Division, is set to attend a working meeting on mechanisms of automatic management in the armed forces. The parliament of Egypt, the first Islamist country to practically raise the Armenian Genocide issue, is now preparing a draft resolution to condemn the tragedy. STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: When completed, the document will be submitted to the parliament speaker for further processes, Armen Mazlumian, the chairman of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Egypt told Tert.am. Egypt is the first country to raise the Armenian Genocide recognition issue. It is a very delicate matter, and they may encounter obstacles as it deals with political interests and policies across the region, he told Tert.am, ruling out the possibility of the initiatives failure. It comes after Mostafa Bakri, an independent member of the Egyptian parliament, proposed a measure calling upon the legislative and government to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. In a speech in parliament in July, he said historical records expose the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1922. He urged the legislative to call a special session to consider the matter. Some 337 signed below the draft resolution. Mazlumian said the Armenians in Egypt raised a wave of protest in the run-up to the Genocide centennial in an attempt to call attention to the problem. The Egyptian TV channels, and books raised awareness of the Armenian Genocide; a lot of work was carried out also in universities. That increased interest in the topic among the Egyptians. When Egypts relations with Turkey deteriorated, and Turkey began intervening in the countrys domestic policies, Egypt embarked on efforts towards countering the Turkish policies, he added. Meantime, Mazlumyan described the move as a humanistic rather than a political initiative. They say dispossessed Armenians must stand by their rights. They say they have always offered support to the dispossessed, he added. It is really notable that an Islamist state is vocal about the Armenian Genocide. There is an opinion that it [the Genocide] was not religiously motivated but was rather aimed at realizing the pan-Turkism program. After the recognition of [the Genocide] by Egypt, Turkey will be facing increasing pressure by the international community. Mazlumyan said he believes that such processes in different part across the globe will eventually make Turkey come to terms with its defeat and pay reparations to the Armenians. He added they intend to continue the dialogue with Egyptian lawmakers to finally achieve the adoption of the resolution. It is important to put matters right, and to rule out external interventions. This is an internal issue for Egypt; they have initiated the process, so the decision lies with them. Also, Armenia must establish closer relations with the Arab world, especially Egypt. We must always stand by Egypt, he added. For Immediate Release, November 29, 2016 Contact: Kelsey Kopec, (971) 717-6410, kkopec@biologicaldiversity.org New Landmark Study: Tighter Pesticide Regulations Key to Reversing Pollinator Declines PORTLAND, Ore. Tighter regulation of pesticides is the top recommendation issued by leading pollinator researchers to reverse dramatic declines in populations of bees, butterflies and other pollinators, according to a new paper just published in the journal Science.The researchers urgent recommendations for protecting pollinators come on the heels of last weeks release of the largest and most comprehensive global assessment ever of pollinators, which found that 40 percent of pollinating insects are threatened with extinction. Photo by Ano Lobb. This photo is available for media use. The science is becoming clearer by the day: To save our butterflies and bees from extinction we must overcome our dangerous and totally unsustainable addiction to pesticides, said Kelsey Kopec, a native pollinator researcher at the Center for Biological Diversity. Seventy-five percent of food crops and nearly 90 percent of wild flowering plants are dependent on animal pollination, according to the global pollinator assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The study also found that pesticides specifically a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids are a significant driver of wild pollinator declines. In January 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency admitted that a neonicotinoid called imidacloprid poses a significant risk to bees. But almost a year later, the agency still has not taken any steps to substantively reduce use of the highly toxic pesticide. Europe has banned neonicotinoid use and Canada has proposed a ban on imidacloprid because of the treat it poses to pollinator populations. The EPA has to stop ignoring scientific recommendations and the mountains of evidence supporting them and take action to ban the use of bee-toxic pesticides, said Kopec. We all need healthy pollinator populations to thrive, and we know that reining in the use of bee-toxic pesticides is key to turning around the steep declines in these populations. Now we need the EPA to step up and take action to save our bees. In addition to urging that pesticide regulatory standards be raised as its top recommendation, the Science paper issues nine more policy recommendations, including a call for integrated pest management to be promoted and for indirect and sublethal effects to be included in genetically engineered crop risk assessments. 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. For Immediate Release, November 29, 2016 Contacts: Kimiko Martinez, Natural Resources Defense Council, (310) 434-2344, kmartinez@nrdc.org Sarah Uhlemann, Center for Biological Diversity, (206) 327-2344, suhlemann@biologicaldiversity.org Stephanie Twining, The Humane Society of the United States, (301) 258-1491, stwining@humanesociety.org John Delaney, Wildlife Conservation Society, (718) 220-3275, jdelaney@wcs.org Matt Sutton, International Fund for Animal Welfare, (212) 255-8478, matt@rosengrouppr.com California Court Upholds Ban on State Ivory and Rhino Horn Trade LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Superior Court has upheld Californias ban on trade in ivory and rhino horn, rejecting claims that the ban was unconstitutional. The Ivory Education Institute a group promoting ivory use challenged the law in 2016. The Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation Society intervened in the lawsuit on behalf of the state of California to help defend the law, which many of these groups sponsored in 2015. If we want to stop elephants from being slaughtered for their tusks, we must cut off the markets that cause the demand, said Elly Pepper, deputy director of wildlife trade for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Californias ivory ban ensures that illegal elephant ivory is not sold under the guise of legal ivory. Paired with the ivory ban laws in New York, Hawaii and other states, and with the funding Californias Governor Jerry Brown recently dedicated towards enforcing this law were confident its going to make a big difference in U.S. demand for elephant ivory and, ultimately, poaching of elephants in Africa. At current poaching levels, elephants could disappear from Africa in roughly 20 years, said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. This decision paves the way for other states to follow Californias lead to aggressively restrict ivory trade, giving elephants a fighting chance for a future. Said Rebecca Cary, staff attorney for The Humane Society of the United States: We are thrilled that the court unequivocally upheld the constitutionality of A.B. 96 and California's right to legislate for the elimination of the illegal ivory trade and the preservation of wildlife Californians care very deeply about. Said Peter LaFontaine, campaigns manager for the International Fund for Animal Welfare: We all have a stake in elephants future on this planet, and states can and should be involved in the fight against poaching and trafficking. Ivory is worth far less than a living, breathing animal, and by upholding A.B. 96, California is helping to change the mindset that biodiversity is a secondary consideration. Said John Calvelli, executive vice president for public affairs and director of the 96 Elephants campaign for the Wildlife Conservation Society: Today, elephants throughout Africa are trumpeting the decision by the Los Angeles Superior Court to uphold A.B. 96, which effectively bans the sale of ivory in the state of California. We know that the only way to effectively end the ivory trade that is fueling the systematic destruction of elephants throughout Africa is to stop the killing, stop the trafficking and stop the demand. This means closing all domestic ivory markets whether it is in Nairobi, Beijing, New York City, Los Angeles or San Francisco. This court victory is pivotal and we must continue with the fight to ensure momentum is on the side of the elephants and all wildlife. WCS and our partners ask all to join a movement for wildlife. Background Demand for elephant ivory has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to the poaching of approximately 35,000 elephants per year for their tusks. African savanna elephants have declined by 30 percent in the past seven years and, if current poaching rates continue African forest elephants could be extinct in less than a decade. The United States contributes to elephant poaching as a significant consumer of ivory. California is home to the second largest ivory market in the nation, behind New York. Up to 90 percent of the ivory for sale in Los Angeles and approximately 80 percent of the ivory for sale in San Francisco likely came from relatively recently killed elephants, according to a 2015 NRDC-commissioned undercover investigation of Californias ivory markets. To stop elephant poaching, we must reduce demand by banning the trade in ivory products, thus reducing poachers incentive to kill elephants in Africa. Fortunately, Californias new law (California Fish and Game Code Section 2022; formerly Assembly Bill 96), which became effective July 2016, will help eliminate Californias illegal ivory trade by banning the sale, offer for sale, possession with intent to sell, and importation with intent to sell of elephant ivory and rhino horn, and increasing penalties to up to $50,000 or twice the value of the goods (whichever is greater) and/or one year in prison. The law includes limited exemptions for activities, including transfers of ivory to legal heirs and beneficiaries, antiques containing less than 5 percent ivory or rhino horn, and musical instruments that were manufactured in 1975 or earlier and which contain less than 20 percent of ivory or rhino horn. In addition to California, state ivory bans have been enacted in New York, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. 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. The Humane Society of the United States is the nations largest animal protection organization, rated most effective by our peers. For 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. We are the nations largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 100,000 animals each year, and we prevent cruelty to millions more through our advocacy campaigns. Read more about our 60 years of transformational change for animals and people, and visit us online at humanesociety.org Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC. WCS is leading global efforts to save Africas elephants and end the current poaching and ivory trafficking crisis. In 2013, WCS launched its 96 Elephants campaign aimed at stopping the killing, stopping the trafficking, and stopping the demand. The WCS campaign focuses on: securing effective moratoria on sales of ivory; bolstering elephant protection; and educating the public about the link between ivory consumption and the elephant poaching crisis.www.96elephants.org For Immediate Release, November 29, 2016 Contacts: Sarah Uhlemann, (206) 327-2344, suhlemann@biologicaldiversity.org Stephanie Twining, (301) 258-1491, stwining@humanesociety.org Raul Arce-Contreras, (240) 620-3263, rcontreras@humanesociety.org Abby Cohen, (646) 695-7044, abby@rosengrouppr.com African Leopards One Step Closer to Endangered Species List, Protection From Trophy Hunters WASHINGTON The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that all leopards may qualify for endangered status under the Endangered Species Act. The decision comes in response to a legal petition submitted in July 2016 by The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Center for Biological Diversity and The Fund for Animals. Leopards are at risk of extinction across their African and Asian range, having suffered a population decline in sub-Saharan Africa of more than 30 percent in the past 25 years, in part due to unsustainable trophy hunting by Americans. Yet due to a loophole in place since 1982, hundreds of leopard trophies per year have been imported into the United States without proper scrutiny by the federal government or scientific experts. In 2014 hunters imported 311 leopard trophies into the United States. In making its decision, the agency found that the groups petition presented substantial scientific evidence that endangered protections may be warranted. The decision kicks off a comprehensive review of the status of the species. African leopard numbers are plummeting and as the largest leopard trophy importer in the world, the United States has taken a critical step toward ensuring that our consumption does not threaten the survival of this species, said Teresa M. Telecky, director of the wildlife department at HSI. This is a crucial step forward in saving these imperiled animals, said Jeff Flocken, IFAWs North America regional director. We thank the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for recognizing that enhanced protections under U.S. law may be warranted. Initiating a status review of the species is long overdue, said Anna Frostic, senior wildlife attorney for The HSUS, and it is imperative that FWS expeditiously conclude this process and take action to increase oversight of African leopard trophy imports, as required by law. Leopards in Asia and northern Africa have long been recognized as endangered, said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. And the United States must extend this same level of protection to all leopards to reverse their disturbing decline. Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the leopard population has declined by more than 30 percent in the past 25 years, and the species has lost 48 to 67 percent of its historic range in Africa. Between 2005 and 2014, at least 10,191 individual leopards were traded internationally as hunting trophies, with the United States as the top importer (accounting for 45 percent of this trade). The number of leopard trophy imports has remained over 300 per year since 1999, despite commitments from the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1982 to only allow very few leopard trophies into the country. Panthera pardus is listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits international trade for commercial purposes, but this international agreement does not prohibit trade in hunting trophies. is listed on CITES Appendix I, which prohibits international trade for commercial purposes, but this international agreement does not prohibit trade in hunting trophies. Competition for records and prizes, such as Safari Club Internationals Grand Slam Cats of the World and others, drive wealthy trophy hunters to seek out the worlds rarest animals and encourage trophy hunting at a time when the long-held belief that such killing aided conservation efforts is crumbling under increasing evidence that ecotourism boosts economies more than hunting expeditions. Trophy hunting is under increased scrutiny following the 2015 killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. The Humane Society of the United States is the most effective animal protection organization, as rated by our peers. For more than 60 years, we have celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. We and our affiliates are the nations largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 150,000 animals each year, and we prevent cruelty to millions more through our advocacy campaigns. Read more about our more than 60 years of transformational change for animals and people. HumaneSociety.org. Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the worlds largest animal protection organizations. For more than 25 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide on the Web at hsi.org. Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. It can be tough to be a vegetarian. You have to work harder than everyone else to make sure youre getting all the nutrients your body needs. So, when its time to take a NAIROBI, Kenya - Safaricom has announced plans to recruit 62 interns by January 2017 as it progresses its agenda to woo more women to the technology field. The internships will target 40 female university students under its Women In Technology initiative, with a further 18 internships open to all university applicants and an additional four internships that will be filled through the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya. Safaricom Women in Technology team Our technology internship program is built on the knowledge that in order to continue Transforming Lives, we must continue to invest in building capacity to manage cutting edge technologies, said Thibaud Rerolle, director technology, Safaricom. Started in 2013, Safaricoms Women In Technology initiative has contributed to more female engineers joining Safaricom, lifting the ratio of female to male engineers in the company from 9% in 2013 to 20% today. To date, more than 320 students have undergone the technology Internships, with Safaricom absorbing 22 former interns to full-time positions with more than 30 others employed by other industry players. Internships are open to Kenyan applicants, preferably those in their 3rd to 5th year of study in ICT related fields including Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering or Telecommunications Engineering. Applicants must not have graduated. Successful applicants will job shadow Safaricom engineers in their roles, before being assigned practical projects and duties. Applications for all internships are open on the Safaricom Careers portal. LAGOS, Nigeria - General Electric (GE) has officially launched the permanent installation of the Lagos 'Garage', a hub for advanced manufacturing-based innovation, strategy development, idea generation and collaboration. The GE Lagos garage supports Governments localisation, skills development and job creation efforts in Nigeria The Lagos Garages space features advanced manufacturing innovations like 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC mills, encouraging entrepreneurial growth and building a skilled workforce for the future Co-located with the GE Lagos offices in Victoria Island, the Lagos Garage will offer a year-round series of skills training programs focused on building the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs. Participants will be trained to use the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies; 3D printers, CNC mills, and laser cutters in the first-ever fabrication lab in Nigeria, driving innovation in the country. They will also learn how to apply the core principles of design thinking, product development, finance, marketing, sales, and customer acquisition in real-time to their ventures. Innovation and technology are fundamental for Africa to better compete in a global frame work said president and CEO, GE Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo. Innovation needs to be tailored to the specificities of local needs. GE is pleased to encourage innovation in Nigeria and support SME development through skills-building initiatives such as these. GE created the Garages experience in March 2012 to reinvigorate interest in invention, innovation, and manufacturing in America. Programs have included custom projects, curated speaker sessions and workshops amidst a fully equipped advanced manufacturing space. This program went global with two workshops in Lagos in 2014 and has since grown to include several countries in Europe and the Middle-East. The popularity of the program led to GEs decision to commission a permanent space for the training of young Nigerians in advanced manufacturing and business development. By assisting with the development of the advanced manufacturing ecosystem in Nigeria, GE hopes to create jobs, build local knowledge and capability, and encourage technology-based innovation in the manufacturing sector. GE is proud to launch the Lagos Garage, a hub that is dedicated to accelerating the impact of some of Nigerias most promising entrepreneurs. We have set up a learning environment that is different from the traditional. We are combining both the classroom and the real-world providing hands-on training in advanced manufacturing, said Patricia Obozuwa, director of communications and public affairs for GE Africa. Were looking forward to seeing great ideas that come to the GE Lagos Garage being transformed into practical business models that ultimately create more jobs in Nigeria. While on the program and upon graduation, The Lagos Garage will provide the participants access to a robust mentorship network, supporting entrepreneurship with the aim of driving growth across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. On 23 November, the AdFocus Awards crowned her Student of the Year for 2016, becoming the second R&Y Graphic Design & Art Direction student in three years to achieve this, after 2014 graduate Tarryn Chudleigh. The Award, sponsored by Nedbank, is open to nominations from all South African advertising and branding colleges (from all creative disciplines), and the winner is chosen from the top three finalists whose portfolios are assessed by a specialist panel of judges. While Carina's college career has been littered with award nominations and wins, she wasn't always convinced that the advertising world was for her. Before beginning her studies at Red & Yellow, Carina ran a popular bar in Cape Town, and it was there that she got her first taste of what it really meant to be a part of the creative crowd. After hearing the stories of agency life and work from the bar's clientele (most of whom were from local advertising agencies), she decided to pursue a career in advertising. And thank goodness she did. "Perhaps it's her maturity (Carina is older than her classmates), but she is one of the most hard working and committed students we have ever encountered, right from the first project in first year," said senior lecturer Carmen Schaefer. While most Loerie finalists and winners are typically in their final year of study, Carina's packaging design project, "The Drill Sergeant", a 2015 Bronze Loerie winner, was actually completed in her first year at Red & Yellow. In the same year, she won a second Bronze Loerie with fellow Copywriting student Simon Hyslop for newspaper and magazine advertising, "See The World The Garmin Way" - proof of a consistently high standard of work throughout her three years. It seems Carina was destined to be a Loeries regular. This year, she took home another Bronze award with Copywriting student [https://www.behance.net/gabivanniekerk Gabi van Niekerk]] for their integrated cause campaign, "Sii - Swimming in it". Living up to her wizardly status, Carina and Gabi took their campaign a step further by translating it into Afrikaans - quite an accomplishment for non-native Afrikaans speakers. Their hard work and insightful concept hit home with the Pendoring judges, earning them the only student Gold Award as well as the Overall Student Award in 2016. I think this course has been one of the hardest things I've done, but also the most rewarding. I went into it thinking I've got to give it my all or not do it at all. Ive worked with the most incredible group of talented people, and had fantastic lecturers at Red & Yellow, with a great support system at home that I couldnt have done without! said Carina of her achievements. Currently, Carina is preparing to graduate and "find a job and do awesome work, with a few side projects too!" even after what she describes as "three years of hard work and late nights, with lots of laughter a one or two tears" in the mix. Armed with an incredible portfolio and the logic and magic we've seen in her, Carina is set to have an extraordinary career. Watch this space! About Red & Yellow School The Red & Yellow School has been producing industry leaders and game-changers in the fields of marketing, graphic design, art direction and copywriting for 22 years. Applications for 2017 are closing on 30 November 2016. Find out more and apply online (www.redandyellow.co.za) or contact Red & Yellow on 021 462 1946 / 011 067 3400 / az.oc.wolleydnader@ofni. South Africa should be proud: of the more than 6m people living with HIV in the country today, 3,4m are on antiretroviral treatment, according to the department of health. But millions more will need treatment unless we stop new infections. One tiny protein may be the world's best hope of halting HIV in its tracks. South Africa continues to bear the brunt of the HIV pandemic and increasing numbers of people living with the virus are in need of treatment. Meeting this need has its costs: by 2033, about R40bn a year will be required to finance the HIV programme, according to the countrys investment case study report by the South African National Aids Council. High costs are just one reason that, in the long-term, continued large-scale HIV treatment is unrealistic. An HIV vaccine is the best hope for ending the pandemic, but creating one has been a daunting challenge for more than three decades. Closer to creating a vaccine Now, two large clinical trials in South Africa and recent ground-breaking scientific advances are taking us closer to this goal. One strategy builds on a 2009 Thai clinical trial in which an HIV vaccine reduced HIV infection rates among participants by about 31%. The vaccine worked much like the common polio vaccine does, tricking the body into thinking that HIV was present in participants bloodstreams. The body then reacted by producing antibodies, or proteins used by the immune system to fight off bacteria or viruses like HIV. Although the Thai vaccine trial did not prevent enough infections to allow it to be marketed, it was the first trial to indicate that an HIV vaccine was possible. An improved version of this vaccine, tailor-made for the HIV strain found in South Africa, is being tested among 5,400 men and women. Researchers are hoping it will halve new HIV infections among participants by 2021. Broadly neutralising antibodies But a different approach to an HIV vaccine relies on unusual super-antibodies called broadly neutralising antibodies. These antibodies can kill variants of HIV from across the world. Many scientists believe these types of proteins might provide even better protection against HIV infection than those found in the Thai trial. South African studies have been able to identify some people who produce these superantibodies naturally. Recent scientific breakthroughs at several United States laboratories now suggest that in the future we may be able to make smart vaccines that will trigger our bodies ability to make broadly neutralising antibodies. In the meantime we can replicate and mass-produce these antibodies in ultraclean factories. These laboratory-made super-antibodies could then be administered to people via intravenous drips in an approach being tested out now in six African countries including South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique. Clinical trial This approach, called passive immunisation, has been used for more than 100 years to treat viruses such as rabies, but has only recently become an option for HIV. As part of the six-country clinical trial, 1,500 HIV-negative women at high risk of contracting the virus will receive an antibody infusion every two months for 20 months. Participants also receive counselling on how to prevent HIV infection generally, including how to practice safer sex and the benefits of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). As part of PrEP, high-risk HIV-negative people take a daily combination of antiretrovirals to avoid contracting the virus. Changing the landscape of HIV research The trial is unprecedented in HIV prevention research and involves an enormous multidisciplinary team of committed researchers from across the globe. If the study can show that the antibody infusions led to fewer infections among women, it will provide the first evidence that these types of antibodies can protect humans from HIV infection. If passive immunisation works, as it has in monkeys, it will change the landscape of HIV prevention research. It may also change treatment, enabling HIV doctors to follow in the footsteps of cancer researchers and rheumatologists, who routinely use antibodies to treat cancer and autoimmune conditions. It is an enormously hopeful time for HIV vaccine development and South Africa is playing a leading role in not only vaccine trials but also in the basic laboratory research that underpins them. But the results of these trials will take years. Now, we must continue to use other HIV prevention tools to reduce the number of new HIV infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young women, who continue to be most heavily affected. #EntrepreneurMonth: Umhlanga-based founders buff up their business portfolio With Buff, they've taken an owner-client approach in all their decisions. "Having supported these businesses over the years definitely helped us decide what we liked and didnt like, so we approached Buff as the client rather than the owner, creating the type of experience we would like," explains Tracy. Weve been referred to as game changers, which is an enormous compliment, but we just follow our intuition. We are all very discerning and know that value-for-money is important at any price point, so we simply seek to provide people with the type of experience we would like to receive. In the same way, they only sell products theyve tried, tested and would buy themselves. Besides Durban's Wicked Donuts, Buff has exclusivity in KwaZulu-Natal for stocking local retail lines, Skoon (a natural skin care range for women), Bonafide Beards (a male grooming range) and Alila (a professional make-up range). What's more, Buff is Essies first flagship salon in South Africa, fitted with the brand's manicure stations that have a built-in extractor system to minimise the dust and strong odours associated with acrylic and gel. Essie is a market leader and has been in existence for 30 years... We approached Essie about creating a more formal, recognised affiliation," says Tracy. "They had just introduced their flagship programme and loved our concept, so it was a good fit. Here, they share their familial entrepreneurial journey and more about this new venture... Picture: Supplied You own and run three Umhlanga-based businesses. The first was a theatre in Gateway which opened in 2001, followed by a five-star hotel and spa on Durbans Marine Drive two years later, and now a beauty parlour in Umhlanga. Comment on your individual journeys and how you've influenced each other. You own and run three Umhlanga-based businesses. The first was a theatre in Gateway which opened in 2001, followed by a five-star hotel and spa on Durbans Marine Drive two years later, and now a beauty parlour in Umhlanga. Comment on your individual journeys and how you've influenced each other. Debbie: It started 15 years ago with the theatre quickly followed by Teremok and, in both instances, it was the excitement of the challenge that ignited the passion to create something truly unique. I have always used myself as the yardstick when determining what the definitive end result should be, firstly as a theatre patron, then as a hotel guest and lastly as a client looking for the best grooming parlour. Buff is the pinnacle in terms of what went into creating a brand and it has been rewarding beyond belief. Kim: Mine certainly began and continues with the same inspiration - my mom and business partner, Debbie. Until I got to high school, my mom was a housewife, but probably took it as seriously as she does her businesses nowadays. People who know her now cannot believe that she fetched, carried, voluteered (tuckshops, PTA and charities), baked, cooked, entertained, sewed, knitted and crocheted! She then slowly forged her career path with strength, courage, determination and vision, all of which she passed on to Tracy and I. We used to work with my mom from the time we were in school, learning her strong work ethic. I then studied public relations and, after five years of carving out my name locally at The Sharks (rugby), I was ready to join my mom again. I have been with her every step of the way for over 15 years now, and the businesses are a collaboration of our (her, Tracy's and my) joint vision and talents. I think we often forget how far we've come in 15 years, establishing three truly amazing businesses. Teremok is my baby, and as any entrepreneur would know, it takes guts, determination, self-belief and hard work to make your mark and to make your business a continued success. Tracy: I am a qualified journalist and still love writing. My mom always involved us in her work and, from when I was a teenager, I helped her with the eventing she did. We are all very close and it was inevitable that we would all be involved in any businesses that opened. When the theatre opened, I helped with developing the booking system, doing costumes for shows and even now I am happy to be in the kitchen taking orders for pizza. We all worked together in creating the Teremok brand and the actual hotel, and being a foodie, I stepped in to overseeing the kitchen and menus. Also being more creative than logical, I had no idea I had an entrepreneurial brain until I took over the spa which was then being managed by the therapists. I loved building the business and learning about a new industry. Now I am relishing the challenge of having to set up Buff and running it on a day-to-day basis. I had limited knowledge of this aspect of the beauty industry, but it's good to look at things with fresh eyes and I love being able to learn new things. We spent three years developing this brand and its been the most amazing, rewarding journey. Being so actively involved in these businesses, how do you maintain a work-life balance? Being so actively involved in these businesses, how do you maintain a work-life balance? Tracy: I was listening to the founder of Dermalogica, Jane Wurwund give a talk and she said there is no such thing as balance. That was epiphany! You need to aim for overall balance instead of constantly trying to attain it in everything, especially when you're a working mom. Debie: I've been extremely lucky that my two daughters have walked every step of this journey with me. I've taken on the role of brand custodian as this allows me to indulge my overactive creative mind. I am not a believer in balance but rather in resilience, and find what I do so exciting and rewarding that the blurred lines between the two don't bother me. Kim: I do the publicity and marketing for The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway, I run Teremok, and I've stepped back at Buff due to my other commitments, but have overseen the launch and media, as well as getting involved in the brand and marketing - we need to play to our strengths. I've learnt that work-life balance is ever-elusive and striving for it often puts more pressure on you. I can never truly switch off (my phone is on 24/7 for Teremok), but I've learnt to try 'check-out' as far as possible when I'm away from work, and gym is also crucial in managing stress and a healthy lifestyle. Working with family probably also makes it trickier as I can't meet my mom and sister for coffee without work coming up, and our family chat group is often more consumed by 'shop talk'. The fact that I've only just got married (at the age of 41) and have no kids of my own probably makes the juggling less demanding. Picture: Supplied Why the beauty industry? Why the beauty industry? Tracy: We have a spa that specialises in anti-ageing, but there became more of a market for nails with the advent of the gel/nail polish hybrid. My mom and I have had acrylic done on our nails for a very long time and eventually we decided we would rather be supporting our own business rather than paying someone else. We realised a stand-alone, specialised nail business was needed, as the business model would not work within our existing spa. Being clients ourselves, we are painfully aware of how hard it is to find a good nail technician and felt the industry could do with a blast of fresh air in terms of pairing world-class treatments with a design-orientated space. The same applied to waxing, so we decided these two aspects would be the focus of the business. There are also good profit margins in these two areas. If you look at businesses and industries that continue to grow despite the recession, health and beauty continues to go from strength to strength. We spent time researching the local market and realised there was a gap, while similar businesses overseas flourished. Which treatments and products are your current bestsellers? Which treatments and products are your current bestsellers? Tracy: At the moment we're doing a lot of pedicures and there's a huge demand for acrylic nails. In terms of bestselling products, Skoon cleansers have been very popular, and with men, the Bonafide Beards' beard oil, cleansing bars and beard comb key rings have all sold consistently well. The name, Buff emphasises the nail aspect of the salon. With the focus on nails, how do you market your complete offering? The name, Buff emphasises the nail aspect of the salon. With the focus on nails, how do you market your complete offering? Tracy: The name worked for us on three levels. The nail reference was the obvious one, but it also alluded to being in the buff (being happy with yourself and your body) and also a person being buff, a term used to refer to in-shape men, and the male market was very definitely one we wanted to cater to. We coined the slogan Little Shop of Miracles and it's not hard to market as a whole as everything falls under beauty and grooming solutions. We're using social media for our marketing and we accounted for this when we planned the interior. There is a life size Betty Boop standing on a red carpet which is for selfies, plus there are plenty of other selfie and Instagramable opportunities within the space. We have created certain hashtags for people to hopefully use when posting about us. Also, anyone wanting to access our free W-Fi needs to check in on Facebook to gain access. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? Debbie: Never be afraid to dream big, to use those dreams to motivate you, and your fear of failure to rule you. Tracy: Of course its scary, but nothing is ever achieved by staying in your comfort zone. Dont be afraid to do something because you don't have a qualification in that field. Passion and hard work surpasses that. UN chief Ban Ki-moon was deeply concerned over renewed violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) last week and urged the armed groups to immediate put an end to violence in the war-torn country, Xinhua reported. November 29, 2016, 14:28 UN chief urges to stop CAR violence STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: The UN Secretary-General noted in a statement that two armed groups, both factions of the ex-Seleka clashed in Haute Kotto prefecture as a result of which dozens were killed and wounded, over 11,000 displaced, most of them civilians. The UN chief expressed his deep concern about the wave of violence in the African country. Ban Ki-moon urged these armed groups to immediately stop the violence and genuinely commit to ongoing efforts to address the root causes of the conflict including through the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme recently approved in Bangui. The statement noted that the special summit of the extraordinary meeting of Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States will take place on November 30 in the capital of Gabon, Libreville and Ban Ki-moon hoped that the summit will reinforce the efforts to consolidate peace and place the country on a path of recovery and stability. Bonnievale Wines' 10th anniversary, celebrated earlier this month, serves a reminder of the challenges and benefits that come with the choice to strike out on a new path. Bonnievale Wines was formally established on 1 November 2006 through the three-way merger of the Bonnievale, Merwespont, and Nordale co-operative wineries, and its achievements over the last decade have seen Bonnievale Wines become one of the country's largest producers. Bonnievale Wines The decision was not taken lightly, especially in the light of the merger quite possibly being a first of its kind for South African agriculture. In fact, it was 10 years in the making the instigators had already read the writing that had been on the wall for the industry for some time. The only route to long-term sustainability In January of 2006, some 400 wine growers attending the VinPro information day were told that consolidation and brand-building was the only route for long-term sustainability. Powerful companies and powerful brands are needed to keep pace with powerful retailers, the late Tim Rands, then MD of wine distributor Vinimark, was quoted as saying. Economies of scale are vital to long-term, profitable survival in the FMCG environment. By then, plans were already well advanced in Bonnievale. We realised we werent big enough each on our own to make an impression on the market by supplying the required volumes of wine at the right quality, long-serving board member and veteran producer Hannes Beukman said at the time. We also knew that a focus on one brand by all three cellars would make for a very effective operation. The man appointed to lead the new phase as chief executive officer was John Barnardt, a financier from the banking sector whose reputation preceded him. Speaking with hindsight, current Bonnievale Wines board chairman Anton Smuts said Barnardt proved to be the ideal captain for the steering of the amalgamated ship. He was appointed to lead and supply the necessary glue between parties with different viewpoints and expectations. He not only did this but also enhanced and improved the financial sustainability of the entity positively. John was not scared to add to the new Boards strategy directives and in so doing added to the well-being of the Bonnievale group as a whole. A decade later and Bonnievale Wines is stronger than ever, backed by some 100 grape producers. A next level wine collective In a recent review, influential wine writer Neil Pendock said Bonnievale Winery is a prime example of Next Level wine collectives transforming the South African wine scene by delivering quality consistently above expectations. Its an enterprise which makes relationship wine: wine made by real people for real people, wrote Pendock, adding that wine competition judges were increasingly conceding that Bonnievale is up with the Big Boys from the more fashionable side of the mountain when it comes to quality. The benefits of merging From an operational perspective, the merger brought about numerous benefits. Barnardt says farmers were suddenly able to deliver grapes to the cellar closest to the farm rather than to a specific contracting winery, irrespective of its location. All assets and liabilities of the previous three businesses were consolidated making the winery a sizeable business that has all three premises in full use. Furthermore, healthy competition has been established between the winemakers at the different premises. In its wake, the new enterprise gained access to diverse grape growing area across a large region, allowing for a greater pool of excellent quality grapes and wine styles, and a larger selection and volume of wine available for the market. Our bigger business was now able to attract talented management and staff, which enhanced competencies and thereby attracted sound alliance partners too, says Barnardt. All wines were consolidated as Bonnievale Wines label and put the winery in a position to invest in building the Bonnievale Wines brand. Key success factors In marking the 10th anniversary, Rico Basson related a few key success factors to Bonnievale Wines. He noted that the wine industry was changing to meet challenges through innovation in marketing and management. He said while plans are good, sentiment, ego, and fear were some of their largest obstacles. As Bonnievale Wines has demonstrated, experts are a key to success. Very often, a valuable contribution can be made by staff and producer members whove gained applicable experience in previous occupations outside the business. He encouraged producers to engage staff. Start by drawing a younger generation into boards. Basson said Bonnievale Wines showed how performance management should be a cornerstone of every business from the vineyard to the markets. A culture of excellence has been created. In this way, it established what is measured and how to evaluate it constantly. The nucleus should be the performance-driven, customer-centred development of staff while board members should be assigned portfolios and held accountable. Collaboration in pursuit of opportunity Joint ventures are important for the future of the industry, Basson said, adding that collaboration need not only occur in times of crisis, but also in pursuit of opportunity. Choose partners that bring something else to the table than what you have, as Bonnievale Wines did with its strategic partnerships in other grape producing areas. He further highlighted the importance of these relationships. Bonnievale Wines built relationships with potential buyers and role-players in the value chain. It may take time, but thats how trust is achieved. Deals are closed in and with the market, which can convert to contracts prior to harvest. This, in turn, allows every producer to know when and how much theyll receive, as an incentive for what is delivered to the cellar. There are no surprises. Basson said Bonnievale Wines had successfully benchmarked with other wineries and regions while still playing to its own handicap. Quality is very important. He said thought leadership allows a business to stay in touch with the national and international marketplace while participation at industry events allow you the opportunity to follow up and dig deeper. Bonnievale Wines has shown how valuable it is for a company to constantly interrogate its own way of thinking, he said. Janna Strang, director and founder of PRomote Communication, shares why 'wanting it all' is a good thing, what it means to be a successful female entrepreneur and why there's no better sense of achievement than getting it right. Its a familiar story to some. After graduating from UCT with a BA double major in Media and Writing and English, Strang started out in advertising as a copywriter, convinced that it was her calling. Thats because she loved the creativity and actual writing involved. Unfortunately, she felt she wasnt drawing on her strengths as a peoples person, so after working in agencies in Cape Town and Dublin, Ireland for six years, she did a year as a copywriter for Modern Museum and other agencies on returning to Durban before exploring PR as a possible career path. Creativity and interaction as a personal passion Strang Strang went on to work in a public relations agency for over two years, thoroughly enjoying the interaction with media and clients, but now felt she was missing the creative aspect she had so loved while working in the advertising industry. Strang realised she wanted the best of both worlds, but there didnt seem to be an agency or position that offered this. She had also realised that there was a gap in the market for companies wanting to deal with a single person or agency that handled all their communication needs. And so, following a brainwave followed by an excessive amount of smoke, in 2012 Strangs PRomote Communication was open for business. Its a colourful and dynamic public relations and communications agency that offers intriguing and effective communication solutions to profile and promote brands and product offerings or services to the public; a one-stop communications agency that offers everything from a wide variety of internal and external communication service offerings, depending on clients needs. Those clients range from Transnet Port Terminals to Kriya Gangiah, Illovo Sugar SA and Bidvest Insurance, and Strangs current role as director and founder includes being part-time tea lady, business admin and accounts manager, account director for clients, as well as copywriter, media liaison, marketing and brand strategist, HR, events coordinator and office clown, to name a few. Sacrifice and support systems Thats what entrepreneurships all about, and Strang says with the alarming numbers for unemployment in South Africa, it is more crucial than ever to encourage entrepreneurship as a means of job creation. But thats easier said than done. Strang says youll need the following qualities for your entrepreneurial drive to succeed: Self-starter Unwavering self-belief Awareness of your strengths and weaknesses Willingness to learn and adapt Passionate about what you are doing Disciplined and good work ethic That doesnt mean you have to do it all yourself though. The lesson entrepreneurial Strang has learned, and the one she finds most helpful for budding entrepreneurs, is that you shouldnt expect yourself to be great at all aspects of business. Recognise your strengths and weaknesses and, when the time comes, surround yourself with the right people to compliment the areas you are weak in. Elaborating on the double-edged sword or starting a business as a female in SA, Strang says: Starting a business in SA is tough period. I was fortunate enough to not need a lot of capital start-up and my family was very supportive along the way, because there are a lot of highs and lows to navigate through, especially in the first two to three years. Its particularly tough being compared to men when starting a business, as we also feel the pressure of societys high expectations to be equally as dedicated in our roles as wife, mother and more. Trying to balance the long hours that go into starting a business is already tough but add to that trying to be a devoted mom and fulfilling all your duties as a wife on the domestic front is nearly impossible, she explains. But the good news is that with the right support system in place and enough dogged determination and belief, it can be done. There are many inspiring women who are living proof of that. Strang ends with a word of warning that youll need to make sacrifices along the way and be prepared to live with those choices. But if you love what you do and always try to give of your best, theres no better sense of achievement. Follow more of Strangs entrepreneurial success on LinkedIn and draw inspiration from her motivational Pinterest pins. The increase in the total number of mining fatalities during 2016, compared to this date in 2015, is extremely disappointing, especially given the industry's serious commitment towards achieving Zero Harm. Source: Centre for Sustainability in Mining & Industry The campaign has seen a continued improvement of overall safety trends over the past two decades as a direct result of the various tripartite health and safety initiatives adopted by the industry. The increase in fatalities this year is the first reversal in nine years. It is intended for the tripartite leaders and their stakeholders in the South African mining industry to reflect on the current occupational health and safety (OHS) performance and the achievement towards implementation of 2014 agreed mine health and safety milestones, says Chamber of Mines CEO, Roger Baxter, called for major safety improvements at the recent Mine Occupational Health and Safety Tripartite Summit. Prior to this summit we heeded the call to address concerns that were being raised by stakeholders and held a Tripartite Leadership Workshop to reflect on this performance convened by the Mine Health and Safety Council. At the end of the workshop, there was consensus amongst all the partners in that things had to be done differently if the sector wanted to achieve the milestone targets and ultimate goal of Zero Harm. The outcome was that a declaration of actions to be taken collectively was urgently needed and five key priorities and related actions (the pledge) were agreed upon which are as follows: 1. Tripartite visible felt leadership and relationship building Action: Principals and leaders of all stakeholder groups commits to meeting at least on two facilitated sessions on health and safety matters per annum. 2. Trust deficit Action: All stakeholders will address the issue of trust deficit amongst the stakeholders moving from a transactional to transformative approach on OHS matters. 3. Communication Action: All stakeholders - the MHSC, organised labour, state and employers - will commit to improving communication across all levels to ensure that the message of Zero Harm reaches all mine employees and contractors, and in so doing support and permeate actions intended to improve OHS throughout the industry. 4. Empowerment of supervisors and employee empowerment Action:Stakeholders will collectively and collaboratively empower supervisors, health and safety representatives and employees through extended visible felt leadership and empowering conversations. This will not only be implemented by employers but also other stakeholders from organised tripartite stakeholders will also strive to empower women in mining on safety and security challenges, personal protective equipment and hygiene issues that impact on them. 5. Annual company health and safety days Action: Each mining company will commit to hosting an annual health and safety day tailored to their respective needs as part of their overall health and safety campaigns. South Africans must become digitally enabled or they will be left behind economically, thus exacerbating inequality in the country. This is the view of Dr Miriam Altman, commissioner of the National Planning Commission in the SA Presidency. Peter Wollinga via 123RF According to Altman the negative implications of digital exclusion are far reaching and require urgent action. [Digital inclusion] has to be delivered urgently. Either it can help us drive a new source of competitive advantage for industrial development and job creation, or Africa can be consumers of foreign technology and foreign capability, said Altman. Speaking at AfricaCom 2016, Altman and other industry leaders highlighted the necessity for all levels of the population to be able to access, utilise, communicate and transact over the internet to fully partake in the new economy. Though efforts are still hamstrung by smartphone penetration, data costs and internet accessibility. Digital skills development Skills development and education are some of the key drivers. Nurturing the skills that can enable Africans to develop African-specific solutions must be a priority. Charles Murito, Google country manager for Kenya, added that, Education is a critical component for us. What holds Africans back is the lack of digital skills. Earlier this year we announced a commitment to train 1 million Africans in digital skills. As of two weeks ago we struck the half a million mark of people trained and weve also launched portals in three different languages, which are accessible for people all across Africa to receive these basic digital skills. Simple, inclusive transactions Mckinsey last year reported that by 2020 Africa could benefit to the tune of $340 billion of GDP value, due to the growth of the eCommerce and digital ecosystem and the equivalent of an additional $340 billion in productivity gains. For this to happen, online and mobile transactions must be secure, simple and inclusive. Karen Nadasen, CEO of PayU South Africa, an online payment provider, believes that accessing digital platforms to buy and sell goods and services offers the biggest opportunity in SA and across the continent. Real grassroots upliftment can occur once people are able to transact easily and securely. As long as companies are making it easy for users to buy and sell online we will see the ecosystem grow and communities flourish. This will lead to higher levels of innovation and real utility that will lead to improved living standards in all areas, maintains Nadasen. Roadmap for digital roll-out Altman asserts that we need a firmer push towards broadening the scope of digital uptake, something likened to a roadmap to digital roll-out. Government is going to have to step in, not on the back of universal service obligations, but to roll it out the way they roll out other infrastructure. Government is going to have to drive demand. The countries that have successfully embraced digital have done it that way, Altman said. Altman proposes implementing measures to compel people to get online and get familiar with the digital world. Enforcing the use of digital material in, for example, schools, at home affairs and health services registration will drive the transition at the required levels. What is clear among industry experts is that the current situation could give rise to global centres of excellence on African problems, just as South Africas industrialisation developed off the back of solving problems for the mining industry. The ultimate goal being to solve local problems that offer niche capabilities that can be exported. We dont hear enough of this in the digital world. Altman says the idea of using procurement to achieve this is something her team is driving from a policy perspective in South Africa. Nadasen concludes, As we move into the cloud, new and unique models of doing business will emerge in the region. In order for this to benefit the majority of people with the most impact, we must ensure that there is a shared vision. Many South Africans spend a large part of December and January on leave celebrating the holidays with friends and family. Four public holidays fall during December and January each year: 16 December is the day of Reconciliation, 25 December is Christmas Day, 26 December is the day of Goodwill and 1 January is New Years Day. These are four out of 12 public holidays provided for by the Public Holidays Act, No 36 of 1994 (Act). The Act provides that whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday. The court has confirmed that where a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it does not cease to be a public holiday on the Sunday, the Monday following the public holiday is an additional public holiday. This year 25 December 2016 falls on a Sunday. This means that the following Monday, 26 December 2016 shall also be a public holiday. However, 26 December 2016 is already a public holiday in terms of the Act. The 2016 calendar gives rises to a situation where the additional public holiday on the Monday falls on a day already scheduled as a public holiday. President Zuma has, however, declared an additional day a public holiday in 2016, that being Tuesday, 27 December 2016. Questions arise as to whether an employer is obliged to pay an employee for the Sunday and Monday or only one of these days. The legal position in this regard is as follows: If an employee works on a public holiday, the employer must consider the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No 75 of 1997 (BCEA) when determining the amount to pay the employee. In particular, the employer must consider whether the public holiday falls on a day on which the employee would ordinarily work. If the public holiday falls on a day on which the employee would ordinarily work and the employee works on that public holiday, the employee is entitled to double his/her ordinary wage for the day or, if greater, the employees ordinary wage for the day plus the amount earned by the employee for the time worked on that day. However, if the employee does not work on the public holiday which falls on a day the employee would ordinarily work, the employee is entitled to his/her ordinary wage for the day. If the public holiday falls on a day on which the employee would not ordinarily work and the employee works on that public holiday, the employee is entitled to his/her ordinary wage for the day and the amount earned by the employee for the work performed that day, whether calculated by reference to time worked or any other method. Importantly, the Labour Appeal Court has held that based on an interpretation of the Act, if the public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Sunday remains a public holiday in addition to the following Monday. In other words, an employer is required to treat both days as a public holiday and to remunerate an employee accordingly with reference to the abovementioned provisions of the BCEA depending on whether the employee works on such public holidays. It follows that in those instances where the public holiday falls on a Sunday, employees shall enjoy an additional public holiday for the year in question. The same applies in respect of Sunday, 1 January 2017 where both that day together with the following Monday are deemed to be public holidays. The doors to the Buffalo City Metro council chambers have been legally prised open for EFF councillors who may enter wearing their red overalls, hard hats, berets and boots. East London High Court judge Selby Mbenenge ruled last week that EFF members were not allowed to be removed from chambers on the basis of their dress. The party welcomed the ruling which found that the removal of its representatives from the council chambers was unconstitutional. The order to leave was given by council speaker Alfred Mtsi. The EFF has only taken part in a full session of council once, which was the inaugural meeting. The party has battled to have their trademark red uniforms accepted as part of the dress code in most councils around the country. The party also had to get a court order for its uniformed MPs to be allowed to take up their elected seats in parliament. Source: Herald Breedezicht Estate is a development situated in the small town of Witsand - but it's not your regular development. The location, attractions, and architecture makes a unique destination for visitors and holiday home buyers. We spoke to Hugo La Grange, the project manager at Breedezicht Estate, to find out more about this little, unspoiled haven. Hugo La Grange Tell us about Breedezicht Estate Hugo La Grange: In the heart of the Overberg in the Western Cape, with white sand dunes and unspoiled beaches, is the small coastal town of Witsand. Situated at the mouth of the Breede River, Witsand is known as one of the last unexploited places on the South African coastline. Nestled in this hidden gem is Breedezicht Estate, offering a quality development to weekend guests or even homeowners, looking for a lifestyle investment. 300 kilometers from Cape Town CBD, Witsand was once a bustling little town with a port where steamboats loaded goods destined for the Cape Town market. Today, Witsand boasts a variety of offerings, from its famous landmark of the Barry Memorial Church, built in 1849, to ruptured remains of steamships and the well-preserved little harbour. Home to the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra and Cape Vulture, Witsand presents a rich diversity of fauna and flora. With over 260 bird species, the largest concentration of the endangered southern right whale and 3,000 hectares of undisturbed fynbos right on its doorstep, this old fishing village is an investors aspiration. The Breede River is widely known as a fishermans retreat, supporting an abundance of fish from spotted grunter, steenbras, white and red stumpnose, "leervis", and red roman to cob that weighs up to an impressive 50kg. Looking for something with a bit more adrenalin? Kitesurfing in Witsand is rated as one of the top kitesurfing destinations in South Africa due to the perfectly flat lagoon, spaciousness and, of course, the onshore South Easter in the summer and the Westerly wind in the winter months. Established in 2008, Breedezicht Estate offers fully serviced prime stands. 60% of phase one has sold out with 13 houses having been successfully completed. Once a stand has been selected, a choice of five architectural styles unique to the towns character is available to choose from. Cape Heritage boasts architectural features dated back to the old Cape Dutch farmsteads, Modern Beach is best suited for those looking for beach chic architecture, Vermont offers classic beach house features, New England architecture is ideal for nostalgic historians and Fishermans Cottage possesses charming features associated with simplicity and warmth. Limited infrastructure restricts further development in the beautiful haven of Witsand, adding to the exclusivity and investment value that this little piece of heaven has to offer. What was the vision for Breedezicht Estate and has this vision been achieved? La Grange: Breedezichts vision is a development that will complement the very unique town of Witsand and to serve as the ultimate holiday destination along the coast in the Overberg district. Witsand has got a rich history and lends itself to being the perfect early retirement option for permanent residents that prefer safety and natural surroundings over the busy city life. The goal has been achieved and we still make an afford to include the entire Witsand and all its business as part of our vision. What were the biggest challenges faced in building and developing the estate? La Grange: The local infrastructure and especially the available labour force is an ongoing challenge for the construction. The availability of machinery, tool hire and building materials is also an issue that needs to be managed very carefully in order to prevent costly and unnecessary delays. Thanks to our local contractor Roos from Klopper construction, we have managed to minimise costly mistakes and learning curves. What are the benefits of developing an estate like this in such a small town with limited infrastructure? La Grange: Each one of the 5 building styles include unique features and finishes with a variety of different floorplans and sizes. The benefit and advantage of our approach is clearly visible in the estate - we dont mass deliver and every house has its own character. How does the estate complement and support its surroundings and surrounding community? La Grange: Breedezicht is situated at the entrance of the town and on the river front. The estate is surrounded by the local businesses like Kersmark, Sand shopping centre, Breederiver lodge, Breederiver boat charters, etc. We try and support the local businesses as much as we can and we maintain good relationships with business owners to ensure that our successes also benefit them. In such a small town its important to work together as a community. What makes Breedezicht Estate a success in your opinion? What does it offer guests that make it unique? La Grange: To a big extent, the estates success is owed to the local involvement and the fact that this estate is not a mass production of housing - its more of a boutique estate with attention to detail and sensitivity to the community and the environment. The estate and its surroundings are unique, the town and its setting is unmatched in terms of safety, character and especially its people. The location is perfect for fishermen that want to be close to the jetty and river and the holiday visitors that wants to walk to local shops, markets and restaurants. Breedezicht What are some of the top things guests can look forward to in a visit to Breedezicht Estate? La Grange: The estate offers parks and open spaces with jungle gyms and volleyball nets for the kids, it is access controlled and off the main road which makes it extremely quiet and peaceful. The estate offers endless activities, businesses, attractions and scenic routes within a comfortable walking or driving distance. Breedezicht is a place where you can entertain yourself but ultimately its a place where you can relax with family and friends. Educators around the world are invited to participate in Microsoft's annual two-day Skype-a-Thon, where thousands of students will attempt to travel around 4.8 million virtual kilometers. Starting today, 29 November and going through 30 November, the event connects classrooms in more than 47 countries to showcase how technology can be used to enhance the learning experience and promote global citizenship. Wavebreak Media Ltd 123RF.com In order for todays students to become the successful innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow, theyll need to be adequately prepared today to employ technology to solve problems and create opportunities for themselves, their future workplace and their communities. This event provides an opportunity to demonstrate the possibilities that technology in the classroom provides on particular topics or subjects in collaboration with other parents, educators and experts around the world, says Keshma Patel, a Grade 6 teacher at Micklefield Primary School for Girls in Cape Town, who herself is a very innovative educator. Patel uses Minecraft in her class to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem solving. For this years global Skype-a-Thon, educators can choose from thousands of activities including speaking with an expert guest speaker on a topic their class is studying. They can also choose to take their class on a virtual field trip. Educators also connected with classrooms in other countries with #MysterySkype, a global guessing game that teaches kids geography, promotes cultural understanding and broadens perspectives. This Skype-a-Thon event is a major opportunity for our local educators and students to present their innovative ideas on a global stage and exchange learnings and practices with teachers and education experts from all over the world, says Angela Schaerer, Teacher Engagement Manager at Microsoft South Africa. Innovative solutions play a big part in boosting a country like South Africas capabilities beyond abundant natural resources and a youthful population. This event will empower teachers to better prepare their students for the workplace or to start their own businesses that will push the countrys economy and innovativeness forward, Schaerer added. For more information and to register for this years global Skype-a-Thon, visit Skypeathon.com WASHINGTON: After disbelief, anger and grief, the US tech sector is looking to come to grips with the presidency of a man described by many of its leading lights as a "disaster" for innovation. MIH83 via Pixabay The major US technology companies, almost uniformly opposed to Donald Trump's candidacy, saw huge stock declines in the wake of November 8, but most have now rebounded to near their pre-election levels. Some observers are saying it makes little difference who is in the White House, and others argue Trump is unlikely to carry out the promises and threats he made during a bitter campaign. Trump sent shivers through Silicon Valley during his election bid by pledging to squeeze trade from China, clamp down on immigration which is critical to many tech firms, and even warning that online giant Amazon could have "a huge antitrust problem" if he were elected. Close to 150 tech icons including founders of Apple, Wikipedia and Reddit penned an open letter in July warning the Republican nominee would be an "disaster for innovation". Gene Munster, analyst on the tech sector at Piper Jaffray, said the initial beating in tech shares had created a "rare opportunity to buy the fear". But in a research note last week Munster argued that "the tech industry is in more control of its own destiny than Donald Trump and will work through these problems." The analyst said an antitrust probe of Amazon was unlikely, nor does he expect major changes on skilled immigration under Trump. Any tariffs on electronics or components could potentially impact firms like Apple, but would be spread equally over manufacturers because they all rely on imports, Munster noted. In the meantime, any negative impact could be offset by Trump's pledge to lower taxes on capital repatriated from overseas, which could be a boon for Apple, Google and others and encourage investment in the US, analysts noted. The tech sector holds the lion's share of an estimated $2.5 trillion held by US firms overseas. "There could be a lot of money that is repatriated by tech companies," said Bob O'Donnell, analyst and consultant at Technalysis Research in Silicon Valley. "If they could use it for job creation, that could be interesting." More broadly, O'Donnell said the tech sector may get "a fresh look at the kinds of services and technologies that people want to invest in" under Trump. For example, a major push on infrastructure investment "could be a big opportunity" to integrate "smart" technology for services such as transportation. While tech leaders "did a lot of soul searching" after the election, O'Donnell said that "they are smart business people and they realise they have to work in this new environment." Although Trump has said little about his agenda for the sector, O'Donnell noted that "tech is a huge part of the economy and you can't ignore it; but things that might be viewed as special privileges might be taken away." Some are concerned that a Republican administration may seek to roll back so-called "net neutrality" that prohibits broadband firms from playing favorites, which could mean difficulties for online video operators like Netflix and Amazon. Many tech leaders have had to take a new tack after an emotional campaign that featured ugly rhetoric on both sides. Tech leaders clashed with Trump during the campaign on issues ranging from law enforcement surveillance to immigration to gay rights. Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a memo to staff that the company's "North Star hasn't changed" and that "the only way to move forward is to move forward together," according to the Wall Street Journal. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg brushed off the vote by telling a tech conference that "most progress... is made by private citizens," and that "it would not be right to say (the election of Trump) changes the fundamental arc of technology or progress over time." Others were less diplomatic. Box founder Aaron Levie tweeted after the election, "You know those times where we watch other countries and are like "oh man you guys are crazy." "Shit that's us now." Tech investor Anil Dash wrote on Twitter: "I am not moving to Canada, not surprised by white supremacists and misogynists, and not afraid of Donald Trump. We have got to get to work." Charlie O'Donnell at the investment firm Brooklyn Bridge Ventures said it's not time to panic. "If you felt good about what you were doing at your company yesterday, you should feel good about it today," he said in a blog. But he also said the election offers a lesson that "we need to start caring about a much wider tent of people than we have been." Meanwhile Dex Torricke-Barton, a former Facebook and Google executive, quit his job at SpaceX to work for social causes after news of the Trump election. "As an immigrant and the son of a refugee, and as someone dedicated to advancing the interests of humanity, I don't want to watch while the world slips backwards," Torricke-Barton said on Facebook. "So I'm choosing to go and make whatever contribution I can -- no matter how small -- toward making the change we need: standing up for openness, compassion and sound global leadership." Source: AFP OTTAWA: A Lincoln MKZ sedan dubbed Autonomoose and two other self-driving vehicles hit the road in Canada on Monday in the country's first test of the technology on public roads. Ontario is one of the top jurisdictions in North America for auto assembly and the province is hoping to grab some of the billions of dollars being spent to develop vehicles that can travel without a driver touching the steering wheel, accelerator or brakes. Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca said Ontario wants to be a "world leader in automated technology". The first three 10-year pilot projects will be led by the University of Waterloo, auto manufacturer Erwin Hymer Group and software developer BlackBerry QNX. But officials told AFP they hope more groups will follow. They noted that Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota, as well as truck manufacturer Hino already have assembly plants in Ontario. The province predicts autonomous cars will eventually lead to fewer collisions, reduced traffic congestion, increased fuel efficiency and less air pollution (35 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario are emitted from cars and trucks). Autonomous vehicles are being tested around the world, but in North America there are few places where regulations permit it. Those that do, such as California, have put restrictions on driving the vehicles on public roads. Ontario regulations announced in January note that a driver must sit behind the wheel ready to take over at all times during testing. Each of the three Ontario pioneers have proposed testing different autonomous vehicle technologies, which combine visual sensors, radar and sonar to detect road conditions and obstacles. Some of the tests may include driving on icy roads or in snow storms. Source: AFP After a one-week visit, the 3 op Reis travel program on BNN Dutch public broadcasting association, which is supported by the Netherlands Public Broadcasting, has aired two travel documentaries on Armenia, NEWS.am reports. November 29, 2016, 15:12 Dutch TV airs travel documentaries about Armenia STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: In their first documentary, the Dutch travel journalists presented several most renowned places in capital city Yerevan. And in the second documentary, the Dutch TV journalists traveled outside Yerevan, and presented the tourist attractions and natural world of the rest of Armenia. These travel documentaries about Armenia a can be viewed by following these two links: http://3opreis.bnn.nl/afleveringen/366950 and http://3opreis.bnn.nl/afleveringen/366789. Businesswomen at the forefront of South African retail will join Standard bank and Topco Media for the exclusive Top Women in Retail Breakfast on 9 December, at the Maslow hotel in Johannesburg. This inspiring event, featuring an all-women speakers' programme, will echo the spirit of the 13th annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards, which took place in August 2016. Like many industries, retail remains traditionally male-dominated. However, South African retail has seen remarkable growth in female leadership and entrepreneurship in recent years, making this three-hour event both a celebration of success and a strategic workshop for women leaders seeking to access new markets and accelerate growth. Guests will hear from several respected thought leaders who have overcome retail challenges and achieved their goals in an enduringly tough industry and a currently tough economy. Speakers will cover topics such as "Simplifying retail", "Buying local", "The commercial advantage of more women in the retail boardroom", and more. Topco Media Director Karla Fletcher says, "The breakfast will empower, inspire, encourage leadership and open up the industry to more women in key decision roles. It will also honour those who have paved the way for emerging women leaders and provide a prestigious yet relaxed networking opportunity." To reserve your seat for the Top Women in Retail breakfast contact az.oc.nemowssenisub@inebokm.awlabab. For media enquiries contact az.oc.aidemocpot@uynum.adnasa. Click here to watch the highlights of the Standard Bank Top Women Awards. Carrying on from its successful Prosper films that Absa launched in 2014, the group has released a new film, The Pensioners, which has found favour with viewers across Africa, as more than 115,000 views have been recorded since its recent launch earlier in November 2016. With the films demonstrating Absas proficient use of social media, the brand is now exploring this channel further in an effort to reach a younger target audience. This is not only evident in its recent ReadytoWork and MegaU campaigns, but also in The Pensioners, which pursues the banks new light-hearted communication approach. Entertaining with a fun script, whimsical voiceover and visuals that promise to leave viewers smiling from ear to ear, The Pensioners highlights three Barclays Nairobi retirees who, instead of putting their feet up, are still actively contributing to society. John Bonzo, a retired Barclays Kenya telephone exchange operator, Ann Mwai, a retired Barclays Kenya secretary and Dave Mwangi, a retired Barclays Kenya project manager, continue to do meaningful work in their communities, ensuring their legacies live on long after they have retired. This is Prosper as viewers have never seen it before, says Colleen Jackson, GM: Brand at Barclays Africa. The Pensioners is quirky and somewhat retro in style and reflects our 2016 Prosper film strategy of creating content that is different to other films, that appeals to fresh new audiences and that elicits different emotional responses. Its a delight, but you have to see it for yourself. Like The girl who rewrote her future and Building a better life, The Pensioners is aligned to the banks shared growth commitment. Through shared growth, Absa endeavours to grow the communities in which it operates, while growing its business as well. The key focus areas are those that will hopefully alleviate some of the most pressing societal challenges our continent faces, including education and skills, enterprise development and financial inclusion. Heart-warming stories Fuelled by its Prosper philosophy, Absa launched a series of compelling films in 2014, authentic and honest in their narrative, depicting the power of people to realise their dreams and prosper when enabled by partners, such as Absa and Barclays Africa, with the means to make this happen. In just over two years, there have been over four million views of 11 films. These heart-warming stories of real peoples lives struck a chord with the public: more than 732,566 views of 10-year-old Afiyas story alone, followed by 444,706 and 418,718 views respectively of the uplifting personal stories of Gaynor Young and English Premier League player, Victor Wanyama. Since being posted on 19 July 2016, the remarkable story of Sinanziwe Ndlovu, The girl who rewrote her future, has already garnered more than 785,921 views while the inspiring story of single mom, Deliwe Tibane, has netted 818,155 views since the beginning of July 2016. The films have resonated with people from across the African continent with online users as far afield as Botswana, Ghana, Zambia and Kenya responding to the pieces. The content is real; it is unscripted and undirected. Every film is a beautifully crafted true story that brings our Prosper ideology to life. The films are not about our products they are simply aspirational stories that we can all relate to in some way, concludes Jackson. Watch The Pensioners below: 2016 has been a challenging year and South Africa's construction industry was not immune, with ongoing pressure on margins, lower revenue and lower order books. The tough economic conditions in 2016 did not spare the construction industry, with lower revenue, decreased spend on projects, and a long term industry settlement," said Andries Rossouw, PwC Assurance Partner. However, there has been some improvement in companies performance as the year draws to an end, with signs of an increase in profitability and market performance. PwCs fourth edition of SA Construction, 2016 highlights some of the trends in the South African construction industry. The studys findings are based on the financial results of the leading construction companies listed on the JSE for financial year ends to June 2016. The South African construction industry The 2016 financial year saw a decline in market capitalisation and financial performance. Seven of the nine companies reflected a decrease in market capitalisation. In aggregate for the nine companies analysed, market capitalisation decreased by 3% to R25bn as at 30 June 2016 (R25.9bn as at 30 June 2015). After 30 June, there was a market capitalization recovery of 11%. Actual government construction expenditure increased by 5% in 2015, with total expenditure amounting to R258bn. A promising development for the industry is the Governments infrastructure plan, which aims to address South Africas needs over the next few years. However, this will require input from and co-ordination with the construction sector for it be successful. The private sector is also a significant contributor to capital expenditure in the construction sector, with the mining sector being one of the biggest players. Due to severe pressure in the sector, however, with shrinking margins attributed to volatile commodity prices, exchange rate fluctuations and labour unrest, there has been a decline in demand from this sector. The secured order book has shown a declining trend since 2014. A decrease in order books was observed across six of the nine construction companies analysed. The secured order book cover of 1.5 times current-year-revenue, showed a marginal increase on 1.24 in the prior year. The increase was as a result of an even bigger decrease in revenue. Financial performance of the industry Total revenue decreased by 9% to R117.4bn on the prior year mainly as a result of a decrease of R9bn from Aveng, a R3.9bn decrease from Murray & Roberts and a R0.9bn from Stefanutti Stocks, partially offset by a R1.9bn increase from WBHO and a R0.5bn at Raubex. These decreases were largely as a result of the weaker economy, in particular for commodity markets with a notable decrease in revenue from energy, oil and gas projects. Disposal of non-core businesses also contributed. Total operating costs decreased considerably by 12% in response to lower revenue. Staff costs continue to represent a significant component of operating costs constituting 29% of total operating costs (2015:30%). A number of retrenchments took place in the industry in 2016 as construction companies could no longer maintain their staff investment. Cash generated from operations decreased by 23% on last year from R4.4bn to R3.4bn. It is positive to note that solvency and liquidity ratio continue to remain reasonably strong and in line with those of the prior year at 1.8 and 1.3 respectively. Integrating risk for performance Risk management continues to be a vital component of effective management for the construction industry having regard to the recent economic climate and more harsh operating conditions. The common risks identified by construction companies include monitoring and compliance with the B-BBEE codes; health, safety and environmental sustainability; industrial action; liquidity risk; talent management and staff retention; growth expansion and operational performance; the macro-economic environment; tender risk; and compliance with legislation and regulation. Tax developments Key players in the construction industry have taken steps to review their group structures with a view to streamline their operations into a more consolidated group. However, this requires careful consideration of tax planning. The Income Tax Act contains a number of group roll-over provisions which may assist corporates to restructure and simplify their operations and structures in a tax neutral manner. It should also be noted that the legislation does not prohibit the use of tax loss companies as part of restructuring. Improving value to stakeholders The construction industry adds significant value to South Africa and its people. The monetary value received by various stakeholders is often summarised by companies in their value-added statements. Seven of the nine companies included in the construction industry analysis, representing 72% of the revenue for all companies considered, provided readily available value-added statements. The value received by heavy construction employees represented 77% (2015:83%) of the value created. This is a significant contribution to the labour market. According to Stats SA, more than 1.38 million people are employed by the construction industry, either on a contract or permanently. The state received 11% (2015:9%) of value created in the form of direct taxes. However, the reality is that the state receives significantly more if one takes into account the tax on employee income deducted from employees salaries and net indirect taxes like VAT. Rossouw concludes: While several years of weak performance have resulted in weaker construction companies, we nevertheless believe that the industry is well positioned to support the countrys development goals. According to a new paper produced by UCT's Department of Construction Economics and Management, both realistic economic factors and policy changes have a part to play in increasing the viability of affordable housing. The need for affordable housing in Cape Towns inner city is hard to overstate. Right now, the citys lowest income group spends roughly two hours a day and at least 15% of their monthly salary on getting to and from work. In other words, the people who can least afford it are the same ones who have to travel the furthest and pay the most to get to their workplaces. The paper identifies the challenges presented by the lack of affordable housing in Cape Towns city centre and some possible solutions. Right now, theres a significant backlog in the supply of units, explains researcher and land economist Robert McGaffin. Apartheid planning resulted in fragmented and sprawling cities, and in Cape Town this is exacerbated by the fact that land close to the city centre is particularly expensive. So what can be done to encourage the development of more affordable housing in the inner city? McGaffin, along with co-authors Francois Viruly, Mark William Massyn and Nicole Hopkins, argue in their 2015 paper that development costs such as land acquisition, construction costs, financing and marketing must be balanced by the need to create a product that is truly affordable to a lower- to mid-income market. According to the paper, both realistic economic factors and policy changes have a part to play in increasing the viability of affordable housing. Greater density Increasing the height of buildings and dividing developments into smaller units can help improve the ratio between development costs and profitability for property developers, while still keeping housing affordable. There is a perception that South Africans are unwilling to consider smaller living spaces; but I think the phenomenon of backyard dwellings, in which people are willing to pay for cramped accommodation because it is well located, shows that is not the case, McGaffin says. In places like inner-city Joburg, the private sector is renting out 15m2 spaces, at a rate of 98% occupancy. Less onerous buildings standards According to McGaffin, the cumulative effect of very stringent building standards has been underestimated as a stumbling block to affordable development. Obviously its very important for standards to be in place when it comes to human habitation; but a balance has to be struck between making buildings safe to live in and making them affordable. Otherwise, a few will get to live in safe spaces, while those who cant afford it will be forced to live in dangerous buildings. If its just a case of red tape, then simplifying these standards could have a positive effective on the viability of affordable developments, he says. Use of existing building stock Repurposing existing stock into low-cost housing would allow significant savings to be passed on to lower-income households. We have a habit, locally, of using the most expensive type of development method, namely new builds, to try and cater for the lowest income segment of the market, McGaffin says. As the paper puts it, Not only are existing buildings cheaper, but they also make up the bulk of the built stock in the city, and therefore represent the best opportunity to deliver affordable housing at scale. How does McGaffin see the situation changing in the future? Im quite positive, he says. I think a lot of the suggestions in the paper are things that are already starting to happen. Also, the good news about a slowing economy is the fact that it can put the brakes on property prices. I think in the next several years we will see a slowing of the commercial market, and this may free up some already existing stock to be repurposed into affordable housing. For more information about a similar project, read here. Branding is very important for the success of any business. Companies such as Nike, Adidas, McDonalds and Google have continued to stand out due to their well thought-out branding strategies. Therefore, how you go about branding has the potential to either make or break your business. Here are some of the common mistakes you need to avoid at all costs: 1. Being inconsistent Successful branding requires using the same name, brand colours, logo, taglines, fonts and imagery at all times. For example, the brand colours that appear on your business cards should match what is seen on your website and social media channels. This way, people will always recognise your brand wherever they see it. Consistency should also involve using the same voice in all your content, whether online or offline. 2. Not monitoring branding campaigns Wavebreak Media Ltd via 123RF It would be advisable for every business to keep track of its branding efforts. Every time people get in touch with your company via email, phone call or social media, they should be asked how they heard about your company. While some might have come across your business online, others might have known about it offline via business cards, posters, radio or newspaper ads. Such data can come in handy for future marketing campaigns. 3. Having a weak tagline A great tagline is one that is related to your core services and is appealing enough to grab the attention of your audience. For example, Walmarts tagline Save Money. Live Better lets customers know that they will save money whenever they buy from the store. Coca Colas recent tagline Taste the feeling gives consumers an idea of what they will experience when they drink the beverage. However, dont make the mistake of having a tagline that promises something which you cant deliver. 4. Choosing an inappropriate domain name A website domain name is a very important element of any companys branding. It would be advisable to have a domain name that matches your business name. For example, if your company is Trendy Builders, your domain should be www.trendybuilders.com. This will not only be more recognsable to customers, but will also make it easier for people searching online to find you. Other things you need to consider when choosing a domain name include availability, memorability, length and the domain name extension. 5. Failing to track your brands usage by others It is very important to constantly monitor how other people and companies are using your branded elements. In the process, you might notice that someone placed your logo in an ad, but used the wrong tagline or colors. Worse still, you might realise that another company has created a logo that closely resembles yours. In such cases, you need to take action to remedy the situation. This could even mean filing a lawsuit to protect your brand from infringement. Which platform should I be on? It's the question that haunts almost every brand and marketing manager, and like all heavy existential questions, there's no easy answer. The wrong platform can drag great content into the hazy nothingness of content purgatory, never to be seen by mortal eyes. And even those prophets of great marketing, the prestige agencies that have stood proud for decades, seem to have trouble getting it right. Tom Manners Just why is it that the great platform pilgrimage is tripping up so many brands? And how is it that they can get it right with their strategy and choice of agency? In the beginning Back when there were only a few media platforms, specialist agencies made sense. You generally had the guys that were good at broadcast media, the ones who nailed the PR side, and the OOH experts. Lets call it the Holy Trinity of marketing. But then something happened. The internet slowly inched its way into every aspect of our lives and we all got smartphones. And suddenly, there was a lot more media out there, and as many ways of consuming it, as there were Hindu gods. Sure, you can still watch your favourite show (and accompanying ads) on TV. But maybe you prefer to watch it on a streaming service like Netflix or ShowMax. Or you just catch the best moments on YouTube. Theres no one standard way of engaging with media anymore. Whats more, consuming a piece of content is a living process that reaches across other platforms, whether you want it or not. You want to be able to discuss it, praise or slam it on social media, share it with your friends, or even create your own content responding to it. In a landscape where content simply cant be contained by a single platform, it makes no sense to take a segregated approach to production. Theres no such thing as a TV or radio, or even a Facebook or Twitter campaign anymore. Every campaign is digital, and needs to take into account multiple platforms. Renounce thy faith in specialist agencies So how do you create campaigns that resonate with your audience in a world where theyre all scattered across hundreds of different platforms, each engaging with content in their own way? You need to stop worshipping at the altar of a few platforms and get agnostic. A platform agnostic strategy is one that takes content and figures out how best to distribute it across a variety of different channels and devices. Its output-driven, using whatever digital tools and media available to meet its objectives. To execute a platform agnostic strategy, your goals need to inform the platforms you use, not the other way around. At Clockwork, we always start with the story our clients want to create, and think about what content and platforms are best-suited to delivering it to your audience. With the sheer number of platforms and content types out there, its not easy to be platform agnostic. You have to work with full-service agencies that understand which platforms suit the brand story youre trying to tell and the audience you want to reach. An integrated agency understands the platform ecosystem thats out there which audiences lurk where, which content types naturally fit what platforms, and where your campaign goals fit into the picture. Just as importantly, it has the in-house expertise to be able to guide and execute the strategy to perfection. Forget the differences between ATL and BTL, or digital and traditional platform agnostic is the only way to go. If your agency is not integrated, the only way youre going to get your message heard is through a wing and a prayer. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has sounded the alarm over the fact that two journalists in Gambia have been held for more than two weeks without access to lawyers or their family members. Image by 123RF The National Intelligence Agency has arbitrarily detained Momodou Sabally, head of Gambias Radio and Television Services, and Bakary Fatty, one of its reporters, since 8 November with no charges. The country arrested another journalist on 10 November who was freed six days later without charges. Others are also currently being detained incommunicado, including a magistrate, an opposition supporter, and a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said a press release from OHCHR. OHCHR is calling on the Government of Gambia to release all those who are being detained for simply exercising their rights Earlier this year, 30 members of Gambias main opposition party were sentenced to three-year prison terms after they participated in peaceful protests in April. According to Rupert Colville, spokesperson for OHCHR, incommunicado detention without charge is a violation of the Gambian constitution, which requires detainees to be brought before a court within 72 hours. It also violates the countrys human rights obligations. Gambias presidential elections are to be held on 1 December. In the run up to the presidential elections, said Colville, it is particularly crucial that the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are fully respected. Moreover, he noted that detaining journalists is likely to intimidate the media in general, which is particularly damaging in an electoral context. OHCHR is calling on the Government of Gambia to release all those who are being detained for simply exercising their rights; and expressed concern over the continued failure of authorities to investigate the deaths of Embrima Solo Krummah, a member of the opposition, and Solo Sandeng, the opposition leader, that occurred while they were held in custody earlier this year. We entertain, inform and empower African communities that inspire and build us in return. The Armenian Defense Minister met with the representatives of the Armenian Diaspora in Moscow during his official visit to Russia. November 29, 2016, 16:25 Armenias defense minister participates in reception at Armenias embassy in Russia STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: The reception at the Armenian Embassy was attended by Russian officials and lawmakers, as well as politicians, experts, heads of Armenian community organizations who have made a great contribution to the development of Armenia-Russia relations. During the meeting, the Minister spoke about army reforms, strengthening of ties between the army ad the society, as well as cooperation with the Diaspora. Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com. STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: When I was in France, a proposal was made for the meeting to be held in a 2+3 format, meaning, the two sides and ministers of co-chairing countries, Mammadyarov said, confirming the proposal. Speaking about substitution of the US and French co-chairs, he said in his opinion it wont change the situation. The new French co-chair knows the region, is an experienced diplomat. For instance, the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Munich was held in the Consulate General of France, when this person was the Consul. Perhaps, he will seriously deal with that issue, Mammadyarov said. He also said the Hamburg meeting will be the last meeting with US co-chair James Warlick. In terms of who will work instead of him, depends on the State Department. The new co-chair will be known after the formation of a new administration, he said. The mine fatalities happened after months of intense fighting between the breakaway Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army (DKBA) and a combined force of Burma Army and BGF soldiers. Ironically the deaths happened as the fighting had stopped and preparations were underway to re-open the popular Kyone Htaw Waterfall that closed for months during the fighting that started in early September, 2016. A BGF officer said that the mine incident that killed the three soldiers took place near a former DKBA camp at Wah Boe Mountain, west of the waterfall. The BGF officer said that the areas was a battle ground during the intense fighting and the mine might be a result of the conflict. Speaking to Karen News, the BGF officer, who asked not to be named, said. The area around Kyone Htaw Waterfall, had already been cleared. This took place in the west part of Kyone Htaw. The place used to be a [DKBA] camp and they would have planted it as they retreated from the camp for their security. If it was buried mine it would have not caused such casualties, but it was a blast mine made from artillery shells so the impact is bigger. The soldiers killed by the mine were a Captain and private soldiers from Infantry Division 44 and a soldier from the BGF Battalion 1021. A village chief from Ahtet Kyone Htaw village had also stepped on a landmine and later died as he ran from the fighting on September, 15. As the conflict in the areas eases, mine clearance activities have been carried out around the Kyone Htaw Waterfall as the waterfall management committee, led by Abbot U Kaymi, are preparing to re-open the waterfall from November 25 for the holiday season. Visits to the Kyone Htaw Waterfall had been banned for public safety when the fighting started between the DKBA and BGF in early September, 2016. Although preparation to re-open the waterfall is underway, the areas is still a danger from landmines and pathways or road sides have displayed signposts warning of landmine danger. A survey on security concerns conducted in 222 villages in southeastern Burma 2014 found that 53% of villagers said they were affected by landmines. The survey was conducted by the aid delivery organization, The Border Consortium. Mined areas are located in areas of Myanmar adjacent to its borders with Bangladesh, China, and Thailand, but are a particular threat in northern and eastern parts of the country as a result of decades of post-independence struggles for autonomy by ethnic minorities. Surveys conducted by the Royal Thai Army estimate that the Thai Burma border is the regions most heavily landmined. More than 5,000 villagers that had been displaced due to the recent conflict in Mae Tha Wor areas of Hlaingbwe Township have not been able to return to their homes. There were reports of more new landmines being used in the armed conflict and this is one of the reasons that preventing displaced villagers from going back to their villages. On November 18, 2016, National League for Democracy (NLD) member Myo Yan Naung Thein was charged with defamation for a Facebook post criticizing the military for failing to defend the country against attacks in Rakhine State and calling for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to resign. He is being held without bail, and faces up to three years in prison under Burmas Telecommunications Law. No one seems safe from prosecution under Burmas overly broad laws criminalizing free speech, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Its crucial that the NLD, many of whose members spent long years in prison for their political views, act to end these prosecutions and amend the law. Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law is a vaguely worded provision that criminalizes extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening any person by using any telecommunications network. A member of parliament who serves on the Parliamentary Commission for the Assessment of Legal Affairs and Special Issues recently announced that the commission was preparing to review the law in light of criticism of its continued use. In recent months, the authorities have used section 66(d) to arrest individuals who allegedly insulted or defamed NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Htin Kyaw, or the military. In September, Aung Win Hlaing was sentenced to nine months in prison for calling the president an idiot and crazy on Facebook. On November 11, Ko Hla Phone was sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly posting digitally altered images of former president Thein Sein and Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing on social media. Section 66(d) is also now being used to prosecute the chief executive officer and chief editor of Eleven Media, Than Htut Aung and Wai Phyo, for an article that suggested that Rangoon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein had accepted an expensive watch from a prominent businessman. Human Rights Watch takes the position that defamation a false statement of fact that harms someones reputation should not be a criminal offense, as criminal penalties are always a disproportionate punishment for harm to someones reputation. Defamation cases involving public figures are particularly problematic, allowing those in power to penalize their critics or those who seek to expose official wrongdoing. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has made clear that speech that is considered insulting, even speech that insults those in a position of power, should never be the basis of a criminal prosecution. Exposure of corruption and criticism of the government, however crudely worded, are essential elements of a rights-respecting democracy, and should not be the basis of criminal prosecutions, Robertson said. The Burmese parliament should move quickly to amend section 66(d) to bring it in line with international standards for the protection of free expression. Three members of a Rakhine family along with their four cows were killed and three houses also got damaged by the shelling of Junta forces last night... Sai Bee, a resident in Muse Township who fled across the border to the Chinese town of Shweli to escape the recent fighting, told Shan Herald that he saw tanks and more than 200 military trucks full of soldiers arriving at the China-Burma border on Saturday. More than 200 military trucks, tanks and heavy weapons, including machine guns, came in with the troops and they are now positioned near the border, he said. It has been reported that they have been sent in to protect the border area, but we do not know what is going to happen next. According to Ko Aung Aung who is also a resident in Muse, at least ten Burmese military trucks with troops and weapons from Lashio were on Friday heading to the volatile areas of 105-Mile, Parng Zai and Mong Koe in Muse District. During these past few days, we have not heard any gunfire in the area, he said. However, in the city [Muse], there are barely any people only security guards remain there. Also on the Chinese border, in Namkham, some 30 kilometres southwest of Muse, security is reported to be very tight. Any travelers or traders going in and out the town are searched carefully, and the local bridge linking Shan and Kachin states has been closed since November 23. Last Thursday, Chinese and Burmese delegations met in Burmas capital to discuss the ongoing conflict in northern Shan State, according to the Presidents Office in Naypyidaw. Meanwhile, last Sunday, November 20, a coalition of ethnic militias the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a joint military operation against Burmese government outposts and police stations in the Muse Township villages of 105-Mile, Mong Koe and Parng Zai, as well as in Namkham and Kutkai townships. Fighting has left at least ten civilians dead and 30 injured, and has compelled tens of thousands, including women and children, to flee their homes. By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) PR Newswire NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2016 NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Increasing need for building thermal management is driving the roofing chemicals market" The global roofing chemicals market is projected to reach USD 106.83 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2016 to 2021. The growing need for building thermal management is the major driver in the global roofing chemicals market. Roofing chemicals which are used for roofs help to reduce the absorption of heat and keep them cool. Cool roofs save a huge amount of money by reducing the power consumption which is required for cooling buildings. Also, the high growth in the construction sector is expected to stimulate the demand for roofing chemicals, but the high installation costs and the high manufacturing costs may restrain growth in future. "Bituminous roofing, the largest and membrane roofing is the fastest growing application for roofing chemicals" Roofing chemicals are majorly used in bituminous roofing. Bituminous roofing has a long lifespan and is economical as compared to others. Bituminous roofs are durable, can withstand all kinds of weather, and are watertight. The bituminous mix can also be used as Stress Absorbing Membranes (SAM) for sealing cracks and interim overlays for preventative maintenance or Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayers (SAMI). Due to its high creep resistance property, it can also be used at busy intersections, bridge decks, and roundabouts to increase their life. The different types of membranes used in roofing are synthetic rubber, thermoplastic, and modified bitumen. Maintenance of membrane roofing is easy, it is highly resistant to damage, and exhibits temperature flexibility. "Asia-Pacific, the largest and fastest-growing market for roofing chemicals"The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for roofing chemicals globally. There is tremendous scope for roofing chemicals in the Asia-Pacific market due to the high growth in the Chinese economy and rapid industrialization. China is the key consumer of roofing chemicals in the Asia-Pacific region as well as globally. Further, the resulting rapid developments in the construction industry is driving the demand for roofing chemicals for residential buildings in the region. This study has been validated through primary interviews conducted with various industry experts globally. These primary sources have been divided into three categories: by company; by designation; and by region.- By Company Type- Tier 1- 60%, Tier 2- 30% and Tier 3- 10%- By Designation- C Level- 40%, Director Level- 30%, Others- 30%- By Region- North America- 10%, Asia-Pacific- 50%, Western Europe- 20%, and Middle East & Africa- 20%The report also includes company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the major market players such as BASF SE (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S), Saint-Gobain S.A. (France), 3M Company (U.S), Akzo Nobel N.V (The Netherlands), Sika AG (Switzerland), Owens Corning (U.S), Carlisle Companies Incorporated (U.S), Johns Manville (U.S), GAF Materials Corporation (U.S), and Firestone Building Products (U.S.).Research Coverage: This report covers the global roofing chemicals market across different applications and regions. It aims at estimating the market size and future growth potential of this market across different segments such as type, application, and region. Furthermore, the report also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market along with their company profiles, SWOT analysis, recent developments, and key market strategies. The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them the closest approximations of the revenues for the overall roofing chemicals market. Reasons to buy this report:From an insight perspective, this research report has focused upon various levels of analyses This fall, when you see signs reading get your flu vaccine, you might ask: Isnt it too late to get vaccinated? No, its not too late! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cayuga County Health Department recommend that flu vaccination efforts continue throughout the flu season. It's true that the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely you are to be protected against the flu when activity picks up in your community. But vaccination into December and beyond can still be beneficial during most flu seasons. If you traveled for Thanksgiving and plan to be out and about shopping and spending time with friends and family over the next month, make sure you get vaccinated! It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, so its best to get vaccinated early. Flu season most often peaks between December and March, but activity can occur as late as May. For millions of people every season, the flu means a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue and miserable days spent in bed. Millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu each year. There is a vaccine that can help prevent flu. While the vaccine varies in how well it works, there are many studies that show that flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctor visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flurelated hospitalizations. CDC estimates that last season, flu vaccine prevented 5.1 million cases of flu, 2.5 million flurelated medical visits and 71,000 fluassociated hospitalizations. However, only about half of the people in the United States reported getting a flu vaccine last season, leaving millions of people unprotected. If just 5 percent more of the population had gotten vaccinated last season, an additional 504,000 illnesses, 233,000 doctors visits and 6,000 hospitalizations would have been prevented. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu viruses. This season, CDC recommends the use of injectable flu vaccines (flu shots) and not the nasal spray flu vaccine. The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine, or LAIV) is not recommended for use this season because of concerns about effectiveness. Getting the flu vaccine is simple, and its the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from the flu. The 20162017 U.S. flu vaccines have been updated for this season. For more information, visit cdc.gov/flu. Some people are at high risk for serious flurelated complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death. People at high risk include pregnant women, children younger than 5 but especially children younger than 2 years old, people 65 years of age and older, and people who have certain medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. For those at high risk of serious flu complications, getting a flu vaccine is especially important. Its also important to get the vaccine if you care for anyone at high risk, including children younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctors offices, health departments, pharmacies, health centers and travel clinics, as well as by many employers and schools. If you are in need of a flu shot, call the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1560 for an appointment or visit cayugacounty.us/immunization. The vision of hospitality business, Travel Lodge, is to have a footprint in parts of the country that tourists and business travellers will want to visit, the companys Director, Gaurang Mooney said at the launch of their conference facility on Tuesday. Mooney said that Kasane Travel lodge will be open for business in December while construction of Travel Lodge Gantsi will commence in the first quarter of 2017 and Palapye branch is currently on the drawing boards. These developments are a demonstration of the groups commitment to promote economic activity and provide a range of employment opportunities for locals in their communities. He said it is common knowledge that the backbone of the travel industry is customer service and its success depends on listening to customers and providing thoughtful treatment and value for money. In March 2012, they were the first to provide WIFI for their guests, a practice that has since become a norm in the industry.We believe that hospitality is the relationship between the guest and the host, it is also the practice of being hospitable, these values are not foreign impositions but part of Botswana traditions, for us its not an optional extra but rather a standard feature said Mooney ravel Lodge General Manager Cameron Thompson said that the business landscape in Botswana has very high demand for conference facilities and they believe that they will not only fill the gap in the market but will help strengthen Gaborone as an established conference destination. Thompson said that they understand the longevity and sustainability of business travel and that the new conference centre and the refurbished hotel is generating interest. They are also experiencing significant number of inquiries and bookings on a daily basis. Ba Isago, a leading private tertiary institution in the country, is upbeat at prospects of offloading half of its issued shares to a South African education group, saying it will help the company expands its student base and presence in Botswana and beyond the borders. This week, it emerged that, Ba Isago has invited Curro Holdings as a 50 percent shareholder and strategic partner, marking the first biggest trans-boundary acquisition in the education industry to date. The Gaborone-headquartered university said the deal will offer additional expansion opportunities. The growth will also be visible in the enrollment base at the 13-year old institution. With Curro on board, the university will be in a better position to increase its current enrollment from 3100 to 8800 in the next five years. Like other local private universities and colleges, the institution has been hard hit by governments decision to cut spending on tertiary students this year. The two companies have not disclosed any financial figures to the deal. The deal is yet to be completed and we are not at liberty to disclose any financial information, Ba Isago Business Development officer Anamika Singh told BG Business on Wednesday. A press conference to clarify any burning issues regarding the deal will be held today (Friday), announced Singh. The founder of the school, Odirile Gabasiane is confident that the historic deal will come in handy for the company and indeed for the countrys broader objective of becoming a knowledge economy. The Ba Isago boss has thanked the education ministrys support over the years. Ba Isago offers various courses, starting with certificates to degrees. Fields of study include among others, finance, education, real estate and built environment. On the other side, Curro is a Johannesburg Stock Exchange company which runs more than 100 schools in South Africa, the regions biggest economy. The company plans to have 200 schools including those in Botswana by 2020. The deal to acquire part of Ba Isago will be done through Curro subsidiary, Embury Institute for Higher Education. Botswana has made steady progress in developing its communications sector amid revelation that the mobile penetration has surpassed the 170 percent mark, an official has said. Speaking during the official opening of the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium held in Gaborone, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) Chief Executive, Thari Pheko said the countrys communications sector is steadily developing, particularly the mobile communication sector. While this achievement is worth noting, we are acutely aware that we remain way down the world packing order of those countries that are role models in ICT development. We therefore continue to welcome opportunities such as this one that allow us to exchange notes and benefit from the success stories of others, said the BOCRA boss. The International Telecommunication Unions (ITU) Measuring Information Society Global ICT Development Index is helpful in providing Botswana with a yardstick for measuring where she stands as a country relative to the world. The CEO stated that the Index inspired BOCRA to aim higher and to stake its claim in global ICT village. When developing our Strategic Plan for the period 2014-19 we espoused the desire to grow Botswanas ICT Access to six points and Usage to three points by the year 2019, said Pheko. He added when the strategy was developed in 2014, Botswana was ranked third in terms of Access and one in terms of Usage. Therefore a target of 6:3 for Access and Usage respectively was considered a stretch target or in strategy development nomenclature, a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). During the Mid-term review of the Strategy this year, we were motivated to move the target higher to seven for Access and five for Usage, revealed Pheko. He said in September 2015, Botswana began the implementation of a new and converged ICT licensing framework designed to create a more conducive environment for ICT development. Pheko said the framework is intended to meet demand for real-time high quality affordable services; accommodate emerging players for increased market competition and enhance value proposition for consumers. Somewhere in the Holy Bible (Matthew 24:11), believers are warned that many false prophets will rise-up and they shall deceive people, including the very elect. Currently, the international scene is reeling in shock and anger following a South African prophet who sprays Doom (an insecticide) on his congregants. Prophet (Detective) Lethebo Rabalago from the Mount Zion General Assembly in Limpopo uses Doom insect-killer to heal people and to cast out demons. A congregant in the church Facebook page, told the prophet that she suffers from an ulcer. He sprayed Doom on her and she says she received healing and deliverance. Rabalago commands demons to enter into peoples bodies so that they can manifest, for demons need flesh in order for them to operate. The church Facebook page states that Rabalago begins to speak to demons in order to address problems people face each day. He then drives them out of their bodies to free the people. In photos circulating on Facebook and Twitter, Rabalago, is seen spraying the insecticide directly into the eyes and various body parts of his congregants. He recently told BBCs Nomsa Maseko in Johannesburg that he had sprayed the face of one woman because she had an eye infection and claimed the woman was just fine because she believed in the power of God. He also claims the spray can heal cancer and HIV. Doom is just a name, but when you speak to it to become a healing product, it does. People get healed and delivered through Doom, a post on the churchs Facebook account reads. Testimonies of people who have supposedly been healed by Doom have also been posted on the Facebook page. Those that believe in his powers say he is a true man of God with a rare gift. No one has gone blind or died after the use of this product. When in the hands of a man of God, it becomes an anointed product that only people of high faith can understand. It doesnt make sense to the natural man, said Kgomotso Baipoledi, who says she is a congregant at Rabalagos church. Another person said things of the spirit were never meant to be understood by carnal minds and eyes. Blasted The company that produces Doom warned of the risks of spraying the substance, while a government commission in South Africa urged anyone affected to lodge complaints. Tiger Brands, the company that makes the product, says it finds the practice alarming. We want to make very clear that it is unsafe to spray Doom or any aerosol onto peoples faces, the company said in a statement. Doom has been formulated to kill specific insects which are detailed on the cans, and the packaging has very clear warnings which must be adhered to, the statement added. The company said it was trying to contact the pastor to ask him to stop the practice. South Africas Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities has also condemned the practice, saying it is detrimental to the well-being of people. The CRL Rights Commission encourages everyone whose rights and beliefs have been violated to report such to the Commission, it said in a statement. Local clergymen speak Pastor Mmusi Kewagamang of Ebenezer ministries in Gaborone feels what Ramalago is doing is an act of deception. He says the young prophet should stop it before he attracts the wrath of God. This man is out of order and he must be jailed. What kind of healing and deliverance is this that deprives human beings of their dignity? he fumed. For Prophetess Esther Motshabi of The Word Based church, people, especially, women, will continue to be deceived and taken advantage of because of their gullibility and desperation. This is also about people who agreed to be sprayed. They entertain false prophets, she said. Elder David Sithabile of Arise Ministries opines that we should leave the prophet and his people and let God handle the matter. He says false prophets are after making a name for themselves. Its no longer about God but themselves. Competition in the body of Christ is behind all this deception, he states. More recent strange things Lesego Daniel, Rabboni Ministries The self-styled prophet in Pretoria instructed members of his congregation to drink petrol In 2014, Facebook images on the churchs website also showed his followers eating grass and flowers on his orders. Penuel Mnguni, End Times Disciples Ministries Dubbed snake pastor by local media, the 25-year-old prophet reportedly started his church in 2014 after training under Lesego Daniel. In 2015, Facebook images showed the self-proclaimed prophet feeding his members stones which he claimed to have turned into bread. That same year, other images emerged of him feeding his followers snakes, which they claimed tasted like chocolate. Sources from South Africa say he has since been chased out of Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, where his church was located. Lethebo Rabalago, Mount Zion General Assembly Posted a photo on Facebook which showed what looked like a large speaker on top of a person lying face-up on the ground. In another photo, he is seen sitting on the speaker while a person remains underneath. In 2016, he is photographed spraying insecticide into the faces of his followers, saying it will heal them. Government has failed to rescue BCL from its deadlock with Norilsk over the stagnant P3 billion Nkomati deal. Minster of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Advocate Sadique Kebonang has revealed that Minerals Development Company Botswana (MDCB) executives met with Norilsk Executive in London recently to speak about the Norilsk deal. Unfortunately, the negotiations were not fruitful, Advocate Kebonang stated without giving details. The minister explained that MDCB executives told him that Norilsk insisted on the terms of the agreement. They insisted on the deal which led to it collapsing. That is what I was advised on. Anything else is speculative, the minister said. BCL find itself between a rock and a hard place as the acquisition of Nkomati Mine has not been finalised as BCL could not pay the P3 billion worth of the 50 percent stake. BCL Mine, through its Polaris II strategy aimed at diversification agreed with Norilsk Nickel to purchase a 50 percent stake in Nkomati Mine, BCL had agreed to pay US337 million in cash to Norilsk Nickel to acquire both Tati Nickel Mining Company and a 50-percent stake in Nkomati Mine. While Tati Nickel has been acquired, Nkomati is still owned 50 percent by African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Norilsk Nickel. Minister Advocate Kebonang who was responding to a question by Selibe Phikwe West MP Dithapelo Keoraptse dismissed claims that MDCB executives have messed up the deal with Norilsk. Keorapetse had argued that according to information from BCL, Norilsk never asked for P3 billion as once off payment and BCL management had negotiated an easy and achievable payment terms but MDCB executives messed up the deal when they insisted on the less than P3 billion. Part of the plan was obviously to pay Norilsk the P3 billion from the Nkomati concentrates and part of the profit from smelting of the Nkomati concentrates, said Keorapetse. The minister however argued that government was never misled by MDCB. He said BCL was not profitable and there is no how it could have managed to pay the P3 billion. BCL sought P1 billion loan guarantee from the Government and the Government did that through Barclays Bank. A few months later, they sought another billion Pula which they said, give us a billion Pula in September and give us another billion Pula in March. In a space of less than a year, the total amount that was sought by the BCL was P3 billion. BCL as a company has never made P3 billion. At the time when the commodity prices were very high, it never even reached P3 billion, Advocate Kebonang said. BCL has been placed under provisional liquidation for four moths after which the liquidator would report back to the High Court on the way forward about BCL Mine in Selibe-Phikwe and its subsidiary Tati Nickel Mining Company in Francistown. BCL mine had around 4300 employees while TNMC had close to 700 employees. BCL Board Chairman Dr Khaulani Fichani last month told a press conference in Gaborone that the acquisition of Nkomati is in principle. He stated that even though the shares have been signed off, the actual transaction has not taken place. Where we are now is that we have to pay and we are given the shares. We are unable to go ahead with conclusion of the deal because of what we find ourselves in today. When we engaged Norilsk Nickel to purchase a 50 percent stake in Nkomati Mine we had a clean balance sheet. It is only that the process took long because this was not a one mans deal- a lot of experts were involved. At the time when the deal was being sealed things were not looking good for BCL, explained Dr Fichani adding that the Minister of Minerals in South Africa signed off the shares in August this year. Botswana Democratic Partys massive recruitment drive launched on the opposition and led by party Chairman and Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi has completely infiltrated its breakaway party, Botswana Movement for Democracy. Botswana Guardian has observed that all the BDPs new recruits come from the BMD. However, the over 50 rank and file BMD members that have defected to the BDP all came from one faction sympathetic to Advocate Sidney Pilane. Since his arrival the party has been deeply divided especially after the Mochudi West Branch admitted him back into the party he founded in 2010. Sources at BMD have revealed that the anti Pilane faction led by party President Ndaba Gaolathe and his vice, Wynter Mmolotsi is having a field day as the BDP continues to recruit members who are deemed to be pro- Pilane led by BMD Chairman Nehemiah Modubule and Secretary General Gilbert Mangole. What the BDP is doing is making it easy for Gaolathe who has declared his position against Pilane joining the party. That is one other reason why you would never hear the party leadership position on the exodus and defections of members to the ruling party. This is because those people are the ones who were sympathetic to Pilane, said a BMD National Executive Committee member. It is understood that after the BDP started making inroads on the pro- Pilane camp (Modubule- Mangole led faction) the Gaolathe-Mmolotsi led camp decided to come to the table to negotiate a compromise. Prior to the defections they insisted on a Special Congress as opposed to a compromise, which was suggested by the Modubule-Mangole faction. The rank and file members who are joining the party en-masse have been associated with the pro Pilane camp. These are the people according to sources who were ready to fight tooth and nail for Pilane and were holding various positions in the party structures. After he was admitted back into the BMD, Pilane is said to have assisted in resurrecting the collapsed structures across the country. The rank and file members who were on various party structures were ready to ensure that come the Special Congress they would ensure Advocate Pilanes admission into the BMD is voted for. BMD Youth League President Phenyo Segokgo is said to be among the party leadership who are against Pilanes admission. Segokgo even though most of the members who are leaving the BMD are youth has been mum on the matter raising suspicions that he could be among those who are celebrating the dismantling of the pro Pilane camp. Segokgo has since stated that they are worried about losing members but they cannot be commenting on the same issue each week as the BDP parades the new recruits. Most of the people who have been paraded by the BDP as new recruits from the BMD, have indicated that they left because the leadership is at loggerheads. They have also stated they were being victimised because they supported a certain individual who the party leadership did not want. If what the new recruits said is anything to go by then more BMD members especially those in leadership positions are expected to join the BDP. Yesterday BDP was scheduled to welcome yet another prominent figure from BMD. BDP Secretary General Botsalo Ntuane said their focus is on recruitment and they care less about the BMD factions. He wondered how if politics is a game of numbers- then losing members could stabilise the BMD. Ntuane stated that those who join the BDM do so voluntarily while others are recruited. We have three categories of recruits- those who volunteer those that we recruit who promise to join only to back track and those who promise and eventually join the BDP. We do not recruit along factional lines and those that we recruit we make it clear to them that as BDP we do not condone factions, explained Ntuane. For his part Mmolotsi declined to comment saying the Secretary General is best placed to comment as the custodian of the party secretariat. Mangole could not be reached as his phone was off. Pilane despite having been followed by this publication to respond to a questionnaire delivered to him regarding his return and influence in the BMD has not responded even though he promised to do so. United Nations has pledged its commitment in ensuring that Botswana starts realising the results for its key three development frameworks. UN Resident Coordinator, Anders Pedersen has said that the UN through its assistance wants Botswana and her people to achieve the three frameworks; National Development Plan 11, Vision 2036 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said the UN would be unlocking the potential of Botswana by supporting the frameworks. Pedersen was speaking in Gaborone Wednesday during the launch and signing of United Nations Development Framework (UNSDF) between the UN and Botswana Government. The signing was done by Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Kenneth Matambo on behalf of the Government of Botswana while Pedersen, supported by United Nations Heads of Agencies signed for the United Nations.Pedersen stated that over the past 18 months, the UN and Botswana Government have jointly developed the UNSDF, a joint framework that will guide the UNs work in Botswana over the next five years from 2017 to 2021. UN Agencies have developed their individual Agency Country Documents to translate the joint UNSDF goals into programmes and projects. The UNSDF has been developed through a highly consultative process between the Government, development sector stakeholders including academia, civil society, and development partners. The Framework outlines how the UN with an unconventional and innovative approach will support broad-based partnerships towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2036 and the National Development Plans goal of Prosperity for All said Pedersen adding that the focus would be inclusive growth. For his part Minister Matambo stated that Botswana has endeavoured to align the three developmental frameworks being the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Vision 2036 and NDP11. He said at the centre of these is the ideal of leaving no one behind. He expressed hope that through the UNSDF, the UN agencies will go a long way in supporting Botswana meet her development priorities. Matambo indicated that through the consultative process that was carried out during the development of the UNSDF three strategic priority areas were identified as needing UN support. These areas are strengthening the policy environment in order to make them more inclusive. This area will include promoting more targeted social protection, economic opportunity and to increase resilience of societies to withstand shocks and uncertainties. The second area is eliminating implementation bottlenecks where the UN and Botswana will work together to strengthen systems to effectively implement the existing programmes, said the minister. He explained that the third area is that of high quality data and statistics because it is important to inform planning, monitoring and evaluation in decision making and cannot be overemphasised. Cooperation talks between Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) are said to have been completed following a meeting of the constituency allocation Task Team this week Wednesday. Botswana Guardian can safely reveal that the Task Team which was deliberating on Mmopane-Lentsweletau and Kanye North Constituencies which were the only ones outstanding, met on Wednesday morning in Gaborone at BOFEPUSU offices. BOFEPUSU has been one of the instrumental institutions that have called for cooperation between opposition parties since 2011, which calls culminated in the formation of UDC. Leaders from BCP and UDC contracting members- Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) convened a meeting, which lasted until lunchtime to resolve the issue. Indications are that the committee will brief the leadership of both parties and the final decision will be made by the party leaders Dumelang Saleshando (BCP) and Duma Boko (UDC) after which an announcement on the outcome of the talks is likely to be made before end of next week. The Wednesday meeting was attended by among others BNF Vice President Prince Dibeela, BMD chairman Nehemiah Modubule and Vice President Wynter Mmolotsi, BCP Vice President Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, Secretary General Kentse Rammidi and Akanyang Magama and BPP Secretary General Botho Seboko. Sources close to the talks have revealed that other committees being that of the Constitution, Policy and Governance have wrapped up their negotiations as mandated and only the Constitution committee was left behind due to the outstanding two constituencies -Mmopane/Lentsweletau and Kanye North. He said that everything would be in place next week Wednesday, which was set for conclusion of the talks. Both BCP and BMD under the Umbrella wanted Mmopane-Lentsweletau. BCP also wanted Kanye North which BNF also expressed interest in. The negotiating parties were sent back to return on Wednesday this week to motivate their argument for demanding the constituencies. Both constituencies were won by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The BCP has argued that it was a runner-up in the 2014 general elections after BDP. Contention by the UDC contracting members is that when added up with those of their members who contested the elections as independent candidates, their numbers surpass those of the BCP thus giving them an upper hand to be given the constituencies. It is not yet clear what the negotiation parties agreed on Wednesday. Resolution to this matter is regarded as a milestone since the two parties could not agree on constituencies prior to the 2014 elections which resulted in BCP going all alone in the elections. Constituency allocation has been the stumbling block preventing the duo from working together. BCP and UDC have through their Publicity Secretaries indicated in media statements that any issue regarding the talks would be communicated at the right time. After the announcement of the completion of the talks the parties are expected to notify their various structures and start their campaigns for 2019 and sell their policies to the populace. New York State's Water Quality Rapid Response Team has formally replied to the Cayuga County Board of Health's request for assistance regarding blue-green algae toxins in the treated drinking water of more than 45,000 residents. Board members were mostly disappointed with the reply, said county Environmental Health Director Eileen O'Connor. The written state response highlights $600,000 in state funding promised in 2015 toward research and projects around understanding and preventing cyanobacteria blooms, commonly referred to as blue-green algae. "To me, that's not news for us," said Kathleen Cuddy, director of the county's Health Department. "We're certainly glad to have it, but my understanding is that this funding was earmarked prior to our drinking water becoming an issue, and certainly it will go to help towards combating some of the issues that are contributing to the algae blooms. "I imagine we will need more assistance moving down the line," she added. "It may be financial, and it may be other assistance." The Rapid Response Team's letter signed by Roger Sokol, director of the state's Bureau of Water Supply Protection, said the department is "providing technical guidance and analytical services to monitor those systems during the recent Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). ... We are coordinating efforts and sharing information on HABs and your concerns relating to erosion and the implementation of nutrient management plans. "You can be assured that Owasco Lake and the public water systems that use this source are a priority of the Governor's WQRRT, and we look forward to working with the community to address this problem," the letter stated. In a statement to The Citizen on Monday, the state's Department of Health highlighted similar efforts, including daily water testing done by the state's laboratory in Albany. It also mentioned the Finger Lakes Water Hub, a newly created entity that DOH said will have an initial focus on water quality in the Owasco Lake watershed. "As this important work continues, the state and county will identify any necessary upgrades at water treatment plants to ensure drinking water quality is protected and jointly pursue funding to implement any needed solutions," the department added. Cuddy said the board would like to see some definitive actions from the state, in addition to assistance in the short-term so treatment plants are ready for bloom season next year. While toxin levels in treated water never reached the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's health advisory guidelines and thus the department did not need to issue a "do not drink" order, one day the treated water tested 0.22 micrograms per liter of microycstin, a toxin that can cause liver failure. The health advisory level for children under 6 is 0.3 micrograms per liter. "We're all working towards the same goal, and that's a good thing," Cuddy said. "Certainly everyone wants to see the health of our lake improve for all sorts of reasons, drinking water certainly being the most important and time sensitive issue." The threat of toxins has likely passed this season as algae blooms do not typically survive in cold weather, but in the meantime, the city of Auburn is funding a preliminary engineering study on its treatment plant. The town of Owasco hopes to have one, too, so that both systems can implement recommended upgrades that would keep toxins out of the treated drinking water next year. How much those recommendations may cost, and how long they may take to install, remains to be seen. County Legislature Chairman Keith Batman said the state Department of Environmental Conservation has been working with local leaders to find grant funding opportunities for those treatment plant studies, but he did not feel the state health department was doing enough. Sean Mahar, director of communications for the DEC, told The Citizen in a phone interview Monday that DOH is working with the DEC, and his department may appear more accessible due to the set up of regional offices. Kenneth Lynch, executive deputy commissioner of the DEC, also told The Citizen that the department has been working since the day of the request, but it will take time to find funds. "The short answer is that we don't have an immediate pot of money specific for planning grants for drinking water issues," Lynch said. Lynch also pointed out that many of the state's grant processes are competitive, so the two municipalities would have to work through the current system. He said the department has not identified a specific funding opportunity yet, but it is looking. Cuddy said the board will send an acknowledgement letter to the Rapid Response Team for now, and will reconvene in January and decide if it wishes to send a more detailed letter. The Rapid Response Team was formed earlier this year, part of the state's reaction to a public health crisis in Hoosick Falls where a chemical linked to cancer and thyroid disease was found at high levels in the drinking water. According to a release from the state in February, the team is "charged with identifying and developing plans to swiftly address critical drinking water contamination concerns, as well as related groundwater and surface water contamination problems." City Brandon A. Church, 21, 62 Walnut St., Auburn, was charged Nov. 28 with a sex registry violation. Austin R. Quinn, 19, 7 Auburn Ave., Auburn, was charged Nov. 28 with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Ryan C.J. Blair, 33, 1705 First Ave., New York City, was charged Nov. 27 with driving while intoxicated first offense. Hector O. Cabrera, 34, 28 Florence St., Auburn, was charged Nov. 25 with first-degree criminal contempt. Kathryn E. Conley, 33, 19 Barber St., Auburn, was charged Nov. 24 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. James B. Yon, 48, 33 Chase St., Auburn, was charged Nov. 23 with tampering with physical evidence and endangering the welfare of a child. Justin T. Gervais, 21, 151 Cayuga St., Union Springs, was picked up Nov. 23 on a bench warrant. Teresa M. Harris, 38, 101 Quill Ave. Apt. X136, Auburn, was picked up Nov. 25 on a bench warrant. Christopher M. Leader, 32, 35 Mary St. Apt. 4, Auburn, was picked up Nov. 26 on a bench warrant. County Dale R. Gamba, 51, Victory was charged Nov. 25 with driving while intoxicated first offense. State Marques P. Milligan, 33, Auburn, was charged Nov. 25 with fourth-degree grand larceny and two counts of third-degree grand larceny. Leighann Royston, 29, Syracuse, was charged Nov. 26 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated first offense. Edward J. Zajac, 59, Camillus, was charged Nov. 27 with aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated first offense, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest and two counts of first-degree harassment. An internet imagery. NEW DELHI (PTI): Days ahead of a key conference it hosts on Afghanistan, India has given the last of the four military helicopters to the war-ravaged country which has been trying to strengthen its air power after significant cut in presence of NATO forces. India will host the sixth conference of 'Heart of Asia -- Istanbul Process', an annual gathering of major Asian and some other countries, which is aimed at encouraging security, political and economic cooperation among Afghanistan and its neighbours. The challenge of terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan is likely to figure in the conference. The Mi-24 attack helicopter was handed over to Afghan authorities on Saturday, diplomatic sources said. Afghanistan has also been seeking India's assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition. The country has been struggling to get spare parts for the aircraft and helicopters due to Western sanctions against Moscow. Earlier, there were reports that there was an issue with the spares of the fourth helicopter. India had delivered three helicopters to Afghanistan ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kabul in December last year, giving Afghan Air Force the much-needed lethal teeth against various militant groups like the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to attend the two-day Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar from December 3 and is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the meet during which issues relating to defence and security cooperation are expected to figure prominently. The Heart of Asia conference is also likely to review the security situation in the region, besides deliberating on ways to combat threat of terrorism. "India and Afghanistan as well as other members of HoA share a common concern about insecurity that emanates from safe sanctuaries in our neighbourhood. "Unless we work together and with others through a robust mechanism of regional security cooperation, we will be unable to realise our shared economic interests and address our common challenges," Afghan Envoy Shaida Abdali said. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates. A number of key issues relating to trade and connectivity are likely to figure in the conference which is also being attended by Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. An internet imagery. NEW DELHI (PTI): Lt Gen A K Bhatt has been appointed as the country's new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and will be in charge of all army operations including on the LoC which has seen heightened tension. Bhatt, a Gorkha officer, replaces Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, who has been appointed as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Mathura-based Strike 1 Corps -- one of the three assault forces of the army -- which is mandated to cross into Pakistan in a short notice. It was during the tenure of Lt Gen Singh that India carried out surgical strikes at five separate locations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to target terrorist launch pads. Bhatt is at present posted in the Army Headquarters as the Additional Director General of CAB (Complaint and Advisory Board). The appointment was cleared by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan, who headed the Strike 1 Corps, has been appointed as the new chief of the Assam Rifles. NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will on Wednsday embark on a two-day visit to Bangladesh during which he will call on the top leadership there and firm up defence cooperation initiatives ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's trip here next month. Parrikar, who will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Bangladesh, will call on President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka on Wednesday and hold talks with the Security Advisor to Prime Minister, officials said. On December 1, the Minister, who will be accompanied by the Vice Chiefs of the Army and Air Force, Deputy Chief of Navy besides Coast Guard chief, will visit the military academy in Chittagong and meet Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio. Top Defence Ministry officials said the focus of the trip was to deepen security ties and firm up a defence cooperation agreement that is likely to be signed when Hasina visits here around December 17. They said that Parrikar was originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh much earlier this month but the visit was delayed. They also ruled out any link between the visit and the sale of two submarines by China to Bangladesh. Hasina announced the plan to purchase two submarines in 2013 as part of her government's move to build a modern navy. When Bangladesh Navy chief Muhammad Farid Habib had visited India in November last year, he had said Bangladesh is going to buy two used submarines from China for "training" its surface crew and Sonar crew in anti-submarine warfare. "Since the delimitation of maritime border problem has been solved, we are now trying to cooperate. We are trying to patrol in our areas. So in our sea, we also expect lot of gas and oil," Habib had said then. He also said Bangladesh wants to work with the Indian Navy as there are many "non-traditional threats" in sea, a reference to piracy, floating armouries among others. "We cannot tackle those threats alone. It requires cooperation so that we can together fight non-traditional threats and make the area peaceful," the visiting Navy chief had said. Areas of naval cooperation that are proposed include option of coordinated patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line(IMBL), bilateral exercises between both navies, joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone and cooperation in hydrography. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Theres a growing economic optimism among small business owners in Manitoba, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses. Optimism jumped to an index of 63.2 in November, up 7.6 points from where the province was in October, the organizations latest report noted, clarifying that this is slightly above the national index of 59.4. This statistic wont surprise those who found enough optimism in the local economy to take the financial risk of small business ownership in recent months. Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Brett Kennedy started her first retail storefront business, Well Dressed Cakes by Brett, on Richmond Avenue earlier this month. Kennedy says the risk has paid off for the specialty bakery, which has four full-time workers and one part-time employee. Well Dressed Cakes by Brett owner Brett Kennedy opened her businesss storefront at 1250 Richmond Ave. on Nov. 16 as a soft open in advance of this Saturdays grand opening. The specialty bakery employs four full-timers, including herself, and one part-time employee. While Kennedy is among those with an optimistic outlook when it comes to the areas economic viability, she clarified that building a small business is not an overnight mission. Well Dressed Cakes by Brett started out as a smaller operation without a storefront about four years ago, which she slowly built up to a point where it necessitated its recent expansion. The risk has paid off thus far, she reflected on Monday, citing incredible support from customers. This is the same slow but steady economic growth The Sun reported on last week in an article related to a housing subdivision planned for Brandons south side called The Woods. Where some markets are boom and bust, Brandon carries a stable market that is able to attract longer-term investors, City of Brandon economic development director Sandy Trudel said. If youre looking at making an investment into development and being comfortable that youre going to have a steady, safe return on investment, that storys ours, she said last week. Sharing an optimism similar to that of Kennedy, Wendy Enns Laluk introduced her business, A Familiar Face, to Brandons economy in June. Youve got to be optimistic but also realistic, she said, adding that she went in knowing her effort wasnt going to be an overnight success and that it would take hard work and perseverance to finally pay off. A Familiar Face is something of an odd job-style business wherein Enns Laluk runs errands, helps clients with pets or goes grocery shopping for them. She first thought up this business idea about a year ago and enlisted the help of Community Futures Westman to help make it a reality. The organization helps prospective entrepreneurs start up small to mid-sized businesses. The organization helped her develop a business plan and point her in the right direction, she said, stressing how important they were in her businesss development. She has grown a small group of regular clients and hopes to ease her business effort from part-time to full-time as needed. I see a great opportunity for folks in Brandon, Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson said on Monday in the midst of a busy day at the Manitoba legislature, reflecting on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports latest findings. The New West Partnership, which Manitoba signed onto earlier this month, will help local entrepreneurs access markets to the west, he said. Were certainly committed as a government to making Manitoba businesses more competitive. Theres still more to do, he said, pointing to the Progressive Conservatives campaign promise of rolling the PST back to seven per cent within their first mandate as an ongoing and central goal. That, he said, should help free up some funds for business investment. This circles back to the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses report, which notes that 61 per cent of Manitoban small business respondents cite tax/regulatory costs as a major cost pressure. tclarke@brandonsun.com Twitter: @TylerClarkePA Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Judge John Menzies said he is sympathetic to people who encounter financial hardship, but it is no excuse to break into somebodys home. Ive talked to a lot of people who are going through money problems and I never ever said, Maybe you should break into a house and steal a gun, Menzies asserted in court on Monday To me theres only one of two options here: Youre a person who has a criminal tendency or you are a complete idiot. However, the accuseds defence lawyer painted a compassionate portrait of Taylor Burnett, a 22-year-old from Souris who has since turned his life around, which won over the judge. The Brandon Court of Queens Bench Justice followed the defences recommendation of a 90-day intermittent sentence behind bars, instead of the Crowns proposal of two years less a day in jail. Though Menzies would choose the lesser sentence, he lectured Burnett on how he risked the life he created for himself, which includes a good job in the drilling industry and a girlfriend of four years. Everything that you worked for could have been gone, just because you were a little short of cash on the day you went fishing, Menzies said. However, I fail to see what sending you to jail for two years less a day would accomplish for society. The court heard it was not Burnetts idea to barge through the front door of a home on 22nd Street in Brandon on May 29, 2015, and rifle through closets before taking a restricted firearm from a locked safe in the basement. Burnett was fishing that day, complaining of money troubles, when a man who was once his friend proposed the crime, suggested defence attorney Todd Bourcier. Mr. Burnett was basically talked into it, he said. The lawyer said his client claims the other man broke into the home with Burnett. The only evidence implicating Burnett are his fingerprints lifted from the handgun case, Bourcier said. It was not expressed in court if the other man has been charged. The handgun has not been recovered. Crown attorney Kaley Tschetter proposed two years less a day as an appropriate jail term, since the going rate for a simple break and enter into a dwelling house is two years, the provinces Court of Appeal has suggested. During sentencing, the judge recalled the last time he convicted a person of stealing a firearm during a break and enter, the handgun was found at a Edmonton murder scene. Thats what happens when you steal a handgun, Menzies said. Its a very serious offence. Burnett told the judge he understands the error he made. I hope that you can see that was truly the biggest mistake of my life, said an emotional Burnett. I was raised better than this. A number of letters of support were submitted to the judge, which, according to Bourcier, demonstrated how much Burnett has grown up. The letters expressed that the young man, now sober, has committed himself to his work and family. ifroese@brandonsun.com Twitter: @ianfroese Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Justin Trudeaus statement following the death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro has been met with international backlash, with one Westman MP concerned the comments could place unnecessary strain between Canada and the United States. I think Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus statement was a complete disgrace. The record shows that Castro was a murderous dictator his crimes were truly horrific, said Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa Conservative MP Robert Sopuck. For Justin Trudeau to fawn all over Fidel Castro is particularly disgraceful. In the statement, Trudeau expressed his deep sorrow about the death of Castro, referring to the former president as a legendary revolutionary and orator who made significant improvements to the education and health-care systems of Cuba. He vaguely referred to Castro as a controversial figure, sidestepping any mention of the human rights violations of his regime. The prime ministers words caught the attention of U.S. senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who took aim at Trudeaus comments on Twitter. Is this a real statement or a parody? Because if this is a real statement from the PM of Canada it is shameful (and) embarrassing, Rubio tweeted on Friday. This has the potential to really affect Canada and U.S. relations, especially with the incoming Trump administration, Sopuck said. Were embarking on some very sensitive trade negotiations with the U.S. So here the prime minister goes, deliberately poking the Americans in the eye, especially a senator like Marco Rubio, who has thousands of Cuban-American constituents and is very involved with trade negotiations. Sopuck said he fears what these comments could mean for Manitoba, especially in terms of beef and softwood lumber exporters in the region. Im afraid the damage from these comments goes far beyond just Fidel Castro. They have the potential to make Canada-U.S. relations even cooler and have significant negative consequences for our rural communities, Sopuck said. The conversation surrounding Castros death made its way into the Manitoba legislative assembly on Monday, where party leaders expressed varying views on the late president. Without directly referring to Trudeaus statement, Premier Brian Pallister made it clear he held different views. While some have praised him a great leader and a gifted orator, my thoughts are for those who suffered horribly from his oppression throughout his long tenure. My thoughts and the thoughts of this government are with the thousands of Cubans who were punished, tortured, imprisoned and in far too many instances killed because of their religious beliefs, because of their sexual preference, because of their support for workers rights, because they yearned for freedom and democracy, Pallister said. Manitoba NDP interim leader Flor Marcelino and Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard erred on Trudeaus side, but both referenced Castros failures of human rights. (Castro) was a polarizing figure, neither all good nor all bad, Gerrard said. Although there were very serious and major issues of human rights while Fidel Castro governed Cuba, it was at the same time a major effort to achieve universal literacy and he spoke out against racism. For Jaime Chinchilla, who is part of Brandons Latin community and a member of the Son Latino Band, Trudeaus statement was not something to condemn, but to be proud of. Its interesting that both Obama and Trudeau make a more balanced statement I personally felt very proud that our prime minister was able to do that, and not just condemn a guy following what U.S. foreign policy says about anyone who doesnt agree with them, The Brandon Sun columnist said. I never like the fact that people stick to power for so long, but its really hard not to see what he did for his country he did a lot of things with health and education that have not been equalled by anyone in Latin America. Chinchilla said its important to see both sides of the situation. Interestingly enough, most of my Cuban friends in Brandon also have this balanced view they didnt like that he was in power for so long, and also that he couldnt fulfil all the promises he made after the revolution, but he wasnt as bad as the mass media usually paints him, Chinchilla said. But I also have Cuban friends here who hate him and are so glad that hes dead now. Trudeau has since defended his statement, saying that it highlighted the deep connection between the people of Canada and the people of Cuba. He certainly was a polarizing figure and there certainly were significant concerns around human rights, Trudeau said in a news conference on Sunday in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where he was leading the Canadian delegation to the summit of la Francophonie. edebooy@brandonsun.com, with files from The Canadian Press Twitter: @erindebooy Clean energy and environmental interests usually go hand in hand. But in western New York, they are battling over plans to build dozens of wind turbines that could be among the nation's tallest, rising 600 feet above the scenic shores of Lake Ontario. Apex's proposal to plant 70 propeller turbines amid the farms and towns east of Niagara Falls is still in its early stages, but it has already generated thousands of pages of comments, studies and legal documents considered by state regulators. Wildlife groups are concerned the turbines could disrupt a major flyway for migrating birds. Local lawmakers worry about flight operations being compromised at a nearby military base. Residents fret about potential health threats from noise, which are still being studied, and say views could be dominated by structures taller than any skyscraper in upstate New York. "There's nothing this size on land," opponent Pam Atwater said of the turbine towers proposed by Apex Clean Energy. "We're not even really talking about aesthetics or anything like that. But of course it's going to have an impact. The terrain here is flat. You can see for miles." It's a debate playing out as rapidly improving technology for towers and turbines allow the wind industry to move on to increasingly taller structures. Federal Aviation Administration records show that the vast majority of the hundreds of proposed turbines the agency is reviewing for air safety would stand at or just below 500 feet. But two other projects in New York one in central New York, one in the northeast corner have submitted plans for a combined 70 turbines from 640 to 656 feet tall, and there are several projects with towers topping 600 feet in the works in Texas and Kansas. The tallest towers in the world now top 700 feet and operate offshore in Europe. Charlottesville, Virginia-based Apex, a major national wind farm developer, said it hasn't settled precisely on the turbine size for the project named Lighthouse Wind, but noted that taller machines offer greater yield. "Currently in New York the tallest wind turbine is just under 500 feet," Apex development manager Taylor Quarles told The Associated Press. "But certainly the trend in the industry is to go higher as the consistency and wind speed, essentially the quality of the wind, does tend to increase with elevation." Seventy turbines is the high end of its proposal, he said, and it may require only 50 or 60 of the larger machines to achieve the project's goal of generating 201 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 50,000 average New York homes. "There is this phase where what used to be the offshore type of size is now migrating onshore for more wind resources," said Yates Town Supervisor James Simon, a wind farm opponent. He said that makes people in his community and the neighboring town of Somerset, essentially, "guinea pigs." Atwater notes that "they're designed for offshore use, so there is no place you can go and no one who can tell you what the impact's going to be." Retired truck driver Howard Pierce, whose home in Yates is across a street from one boundary of the project, said he isn't worried about environmental issues as much as the payments landowners will get for leasing to Apex. "The No. 1 industry in our town is farming, and the wind farm would give these farmers a steady income every year," Pierce said. "This would not depend on the commodity prices." The project is one of the first tests of a new state regulatory regime, known as "Article 10" for the 2011 law that took the power to approve major energy projects out of the hands of a mix of local and state authorities and gave it to a single state authority, the Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. There is not yet a timetable for when the panel will make a decision. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has set a goal of meeting half the state's energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. One of the challenges to that goal has been a lull in wind projects since 2013. Installed capacity grew in leaps from 2000 to 2012 and then stalled, with almost no new capacity added in recent years, according to federal Department of Energy statistics. That has opponents worried the process will be biased toward approving the project. Republican Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who opposed Article 10 and Lighthouse Wind, is giving the process a chance. "I'm going to trust that they're going to take, not with a grain of salt, not in one ear and out the other, but seriously take the locals' concerns into consideration," he said. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Im writing in response to the editorial position of the Brandon Sun which echoes the views of many Canadians: the Liberal party should end their shady cash-for-access fundraising events. No Canadian would have ever thought that one year into the new Trudeau administration, the House of Commons would be debating the dubious fundraising practices of the Liberal party. It was just last year that Prime Minister Trudeau gave every cabinet minister clear instructions in their mandate letters to go as far as guaranteeing that even a perceived conflict of interest should be avoided at all costs. A recent Globe and Mail investigation uncovered details of the Liberal party holding fundraisers held in Bay Street law offices or corporate boardrooms. It has been revealed that numerous Liberal cabinet ministers have been charging $1,500 a ticket in order to attend these elite fundraisers. Moreover, it has been revealed that Prime Minister Trudeau is attending Liberal fundraisers with billionaires who are also members of the Chinese communist party. Mary Dawson, the ethics commissioner, said Canadians should be concerned about the Liberal governments pay to play fundraisers. She even said that these sorts of fundraisers are, and I quote, unsavoury and she questioned whether people were getting unfair access. Furthermore, the lobbyist commissioner said these fundraisers, and I quote, create real or apparent conflicts of interest. Our democracy belongs to every Canadian and in that includes access to members of Parliament, parliamentary secretaries, and yes, even ministers of the Crown. As an example of why the issue of special access to ministers should be a concern for all Canadians, we find out that those with deep pockets, vested interests, and needing to bend the ear of a Liberal cabinet minister seem to get special access that those willing to write a large cheque get to cut the line. These pay to play fundraisers reveal a much deeper issue of how this Liberal government uses the power entrusted in them by the electorate and misuses their positions to fill the coffers of the Liberal party. There is no wonder why some Canadians distrust politicians. Its when they say one thing, and even in this specific case, where the prime minister put it in a mandate letter to his ministers, then go out and do the complete opposite. And according to a recent news report, theyre well on their way to doing a hundred of these special pay-to-play Liberal fundraisers in 2016 alone. This is exactly why Canadians notoriously rank politicians low on the issue of trust. Almost every single day these past few weeks, weve learned of another Liberal fundraising event either being hosted in a Bay Street law office or a corporate board room where writing a cheque hopefully with a couple zeros attached, will pave the way to an intimate conversation with a minister of the Crown. Now Im not suggesting that members of Parliament and ministers should completely remove themselves from raising funds for their own individual campaigns. Im simply suggesting that this Liberal government stop holding high-priced fundraisers in corporate boardrooms and Bay Street law offices, where there is a very perceived conflict of interest. In our neck of the woods, it is very common for constituents to write small donations to the political party of their choice. Or in some circumstances, there will be a very large gathering, where people from all walks and backgrounds gather to raise the funds for a local campaign. The Conservative party is known for being funded by small donations and by hundreds of thousands of Canadians annually. These Canadians dont want to land a government contract or hope that their company will receive government largesse. They believe in our party because we stand up for those who work hard, pay their taxes and play by the rules. And it is these Canadians who are deeply committed to upholding the values and principles of our democracy. This issue is not that complex. In fact, this issue is not even ideological or partisan in nature. Misusing the offices and power of those offices should be above any political disagreement. I would like to believe that we live in a country where no matter where you are from, or the amount of change you have in your pocket, will limit your ability to make your voice heard in this government. Every day that Liberal ministers continue to organize and collect fundraising cheques in this manner, it only further erodes the confidence of Canadians in our political system. While dubious Liberal fundraising practices using taxpayers dollars brought down a previous administration and caused a judicial commission, it is only in the Liberals best interest to stop what theyre currently doing and admit that its wrong, before the inevitable outcome of a political scandal. While the Liberal government continues to stand up and spend their political capital on defending these practices, I can ensure them it will not pay off in the long run. We have heard this story before and we know how it ends. And trust me; a Liberal usually ends up in some form of political purgatory or even convicted of a crime. It has been said before that we cannot legislate common sense, but I certainly hope that by shining light on these sketchy fundraising practices, the government will call off their Liberal party bagmen. Larry Maguire, MP, Brandon-Souris Gasgoo.com: Please briefly describe the latest technologies that Delphi has in Active Safety area. Among those technologies, how many have been transferred into the China market? What kind of vehicles is using Active Safety Technologies in China? Jungian Shen :Delphi is a leading supplier of Active Safety Technologies globally. Its customers include OEMs in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Delphi is the worlds first company to commercially introduce the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system into vehicle platforms. Up until now, Delphi has been providing more than 100K ACC systems, and more than 670K Radar systems. Delphis ACC system has been applied to more than 20 vehicle platforms. Besides ACC, Delphis Active Safety products also include: Lane Departure Warning LDW Active Night Vision (ANV), Side Blind Zone Detection and Warning, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), PreCrash Sensing (PCS), ESR Radar and RVC Parking Guidance System. Since 2005, Delphi has been promoting the Active Safety products in China market. The China Technical Center in Shanghai has been providing strong technical supports and application services to China market. All the technologies and products mentioned above have been introduced into the China market. The team responsible for Active Safety technology development and application in China Technical Center has been working with the China OEMs and developing productions of ACC, LDW, ANV, FCW, PCS, ESR Radar and RVC systems. In the near future, Chinese consumers will be able to drive a vehicle equipped with Delphis Active Safety technology. One of the hot topics for Active Safety these days is the cost. Currently, most Active Safety technologies apply to C-class and some B-class vehicles. With more and more consumers realizing the importance of vehicle safety, Active Safety products will become more and more popular in China. The cost of Active Safety will drop as the volume goes up. It is expected that in the near future, Active Safety products will be installed on all-class vehicles. Gasgoo.com: What is the technology trend for vehicle Active Safety? Is it an integration safety system? Jungian Shen :The technology trend for Active Safety is the function integration. First, multiple Active Safety functions will be integrated into the same hardware platform. For example, Delphis Electronically Scanning Radar (ESR) integrates the long range and mid-range scanning functions. One ESR is equivalent to two single radars providing different range and angle coverage. System functions such as ACC, FCW and PCS can also be integrated into the ESR hardware platform. The OEMs can choose part or all of the system functions based on their needs. Function integration greatly reduces the cost of each function. It also reduces the space needed in the vehicle for installing each single function onto the vehicle. The second trend is the integration of Passive and Active Safety. Through data fusion, Active Safety and Passive Safety can be effectively integrated to provide much better safety performance for seatbelts and airbags. Gasgoo.com: We know that TRW has a dedicated innovation group to develop cost optimized products for China market. Delphi is also developing affordable technologies in Technical Center India. Delphi has developed the first of its kind in the automotive industry of Electronically Scanning Radar ESR with very reasonable price. What kind of additional development does Delphi do before those world leading-edge technologies are applied to China market in order to adapt to road/traffic conditions, consumer requirements in China and the cost demands from local OEMs? Please give an example. Jungian Shen :Delphi has always been working on optimizing the cost of Active Safety technologies and products to provide China market with high quality and affordable products. Delphi has done the following to promote the Active Safety technologies in China: 1. Develop products that adapt to China market needs. Delphi has done a lot of Active Safety market investigation and surveys in China. Based on the investigation, Delphi has reconfigured some existing products to fit the China market needs. Delphi has also developed several new Active Safety products to make sure that the function and cost configurations are optimized. 2. Delphi has invested a lot to develop the local R&D capabilities in China. There are currently more than 700 local engineers in China Technical Center working on product development and technical support. Those local Delphi engineers provide the local OEMs with products that fit local needs, fast and cost effective technical supports. 3. Engineers in China Technical Center have conducted a lot of vehicle level tests and data logging. Based on the analysis of the test results, engineers have adjusted the performance and parameter settings on several Active Safety products in China. For example, engineers have adjusted the algorithm and parameter settings for ACC Stop&Go system in order to make the system work comfortably for drivers in China, who have significantly different driving habits as compared to drivers in other countries. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I offer our sincere condolences to the family of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and the people of Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah was recognized as a strong proponent of peace in the Middle East. He also undertook a range of important economic, social, education, health and infrastructure initiatives in his country. I had the pleasure of meeting King Abdullah in Toronto when Canada hosted the G-20 and found him to be passionate about his country, development and the global economy. We join the people of Saudi Arabia in mourning his passing. Former prime minister Stephen Harper, in a Jan. 22, 2015 statement The statement above was issued by our former prime minister upon the death of Saudi Arabias King Abdullah last year. In light of the questionable and fawning remarks that current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made about Cuban dictator Fidel Castro upon news of his death over the weekend and the rightful public backlash that followed them its worth reminding the public that Canadian officials are hardly the champions of human rights they make themselves out to be. As The Canadian Press reported, Trudeau expressed deep sorrow about Castros death on Saturday, without mentioning the human rights violations of his regime beyond referring vaguely to him as a controversial figure. Trudeau also described Castro as a legendary revolutionary and orator who made significant improvements to the education and health-care systems of Cuba. The politics of Trudeaus father Pierre Trudeau obviously weigh heavy in this debate. In 1976, the elder Trudeau travelled to Cuba to visit Castro, even though tensions remained high between the United States and the island nation. Castro even attended Pierre Trudeaus funeral and served as an honorary pallbearer. So of course Justin Trudeau would speak kindly of a man who showed every sign of a shared mutual respect with his father. But that shouldnt let him off the hook from whitewashing the Cuban dictators poor human rights record. While its true that Castro did give his people improved access to public services, Amnesty International has a large file on the Castro regime that documents a systemic repression of basic rights and freedoms of his own people. Over more than five decades documenting the state of human rights in Cuba, Amnesty International has recorded a relentless campaign against those who dare to speak out against the Cuban governments policies and practices, reads AIs website. Unlike Trudeaus family ties with Castro, however, Harper didnt have any familial ties to the Saudi monarch, at least none that we know of. He instead spoke as many other statesmen did of the Saudi dictator with glowing affection. U.S. President Barack Obama called him a man of steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron issued a statement saying that Abdullah would be remembered for his commitment to peace and for strengthening understanding between faiths. This despite the fact that King Abdullah, like Castro, was condemned by Amnesty International and other human rights groups, for the kingdoms unceasing crackdown on any form of protest. The International Business Times reported early last year that Saudi Arabia has one of the worst human rights records in the world, as the country routinely imprisons and executes dozens of people labelled as enemies of the kingdom. Under Abdullah, Saudi Arabia has been accused of torturing prisoners, many of whom were not even charged with a crime. Freedom of expression was curtailed in 2014 when the kingdom introduced a new law expanding the concept of terrorism. The laws meant that anyone could be imprisoned simply for speaking their mind. Saudi Arabia remains under the rule of a strict form of Sharia Law, which allows the death penalty including public beheadings for a large variety of crimes, including atheism, blasphemy, carjacking, rape, murder, sorcery, treason, fornication and burglary. Was it right and proper for then-prime minister Stephen Harper not to bring up the severe human rights abuses under Abdullahs regime abuses that continue to this day? Of course not. But it was certainly more politically expedient to avoid vilifying the memory of a world leader whose country was about to purchase billions of dollars of Canadian-built light armoured vehicles. The Opposition Conservatives took Trudeau to task Monday in the House of Commons and urged him to amend his written statement after agreeing in a news conference Sunday that Castro was a dictator. That Trudeau fully agreed Castro was a dictator, will do little to assuage his critics. But we suggest the Tories be wary of appearing hypocritical by comparison. Whether Liberal or Conservative, Canadas leadership cannot claim the moral high ground when it comes to human rights. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/11/2016 (2164 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Hello, the provincial election is over! Perhaps Coun. Jan Chaboyer needs to come to grips with the fact the last provincial election is over and that Manitoba is moving forward with its new government. Her provincial favourites on Broadway had many years to build new schools and create jobs, seniors housing, university housing and child-care spaces. Instead of doing enough of those things, the NDP raised our taxes, squandered our money and left us in serious debt. The new government has to pick up the pieces and do what it can. Tory slash and grab Brian Pallisters new Tory government is on the slashing trail again; the first thing they slashed after taking office was the school tax rebate for seniors. I am sure the ink was not even dry on their signing-up papers when they did this. I think most seniors have paid their fair share for many, many years and when they might have been getting a bit of break, it was taken away by Pallister. I guess they needed the money for their big raise. There is a lot of grey power in this province and I hope they remember this the next time they enter the voting booth. Worry about something other than SNL, Trump Proud Donald Trump was elected! Really? An American woman just told Sound Off she is proud that Donald Trump was elected and not Hillary Clinton. These two people were the best the U.S. could come up with out of a population of 319 million citizens? How sad! One commentator summed it up best when he said, The sad part about this election is that one of these two people will be elected president! Donalds latest outcry Alec Baldwin does a comedy skit on the show Saturday Night Live mimicking Donald Trump, and it is so life-like that Baldwin could be Trumps twin brother! Mr. Trump then tweets a message, I watched parts of Saturday Night Live last night. It is a totally one-sided, biased show nothing funny at all. Now what has he accomplished? He has shown us how little things can upset him, and encouraged millions of viewers who never watched SNL to now tune in to see what he is so upset about! If Mr. Trump, the soon-to-be president, has nothing more on his mind as he prepares for the transition to the Oval Office, and has to lash out at a funny comedy routine, what will he do if Kim Jong-un, or Xi Jinping (Koreas and Chinas unstable communist dictators) say something about him that he does not like? Drop a nuclear bomb on them? You are not doing your blood pressure any good To the man who tailgated me because I was not going fast enough on Richmond Avenue between McDonalds and 26th Street. Must I speed just because you want me to? As I remember, the speed limit is 50 km/h, not 50 miles per hour. You appeared old enough to know that. And thank you for holding the horn for those few minutes and showing me what your fingers look like too. Road rage will not get you far in life, will only raise your blood pressure and get you into an accident. Moral of this story please slow down! Seven hundred new jobs have been announced for Dublin. Customer solutions company Voxpro is creating 400 new positions, as it sets up a new office in Silicon Docks at the Point Village. Meanwhile, West Pharmaceutical Services is expanding its Mulhuddart facility and hiring 100 people for it and LinkedIn is taking on another 200 as it works to complete its office at Wilton Place in the coming months. The company is to create new roles in sales and sales support, customer operations, and engineering. The growing engineering team in Ireland will focused on natural language processing and machine learning, in which Dublin is increasingly a centre of expertise. The announcement comes ahead of the completion of LinkedIns EMEA HQ at Wilton Place, with construction set to finish in 2017. The new office space will feature a range of amenities such as an in-house gym, 300 bicycle parking spots, barista stations and a music room. LinkedIn's senior director of international operations Sharon McCooey said the company needed about 25 different skillsets across a variety of roles. Arlene Foster has said "of course" she would meet the Pope if he goes to Northern Ireland. The leader of the once-staunchly anti-papist Democratic Unionists, said she understood the significance of such a visit but cautioned against premature excitement. She said: "I note the Vatican did indicate that they don't confirm visits until six months before any such visit were to take place. "I think there has been a lot of excitement by some people but we will have to wait and see if that occurs. "If it does occur, and if he comes as a guest of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the head of state, of course I will meet him as the head of the Northern Ireland Executive along with the Deputy First Minister." Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed Pope Francis would travel to Ireland in August 2018 after a 23-minute meeting with him in the Vatican on Monday morning. Pope John Paul II was unable to cross the border into Northern Ireland, where he wanted to visit Armagh, during the last papal visit to Ireland in 1979. Instead, amid a welter of security fears and cross-community tensions, he travelled as far as Drogheda where he addressed hundreds of thousands, including many from the North. Several years later, former DUP leader Ian Paisley was thrown out of the Strasbourg Parliament for heckling the pontiff while unfolding a poster declaring the Pope to be the anti-Christ. When asked about sprucing up towns and cities in anticipation of the visit, Mrs Foster said: "I think we better get a visit confirmed first before we start to plan spending money. "We will have a very difficult budget coming towards us in the next while and we need to very much look at what our priorities will be over the next couple of years. "Of course, if such a visit is to go ahead and is planned then we will make sure that Northern Ireland looks its best as we try to do for all of the visitors to Northern Ireland." PHOENIX -- Gov. Doug Ducey heads to Mexico this Friday in hopes of improving trade even as the president-elect seeks to rewrite the rules. The governor on Monday acknowledged the campaign rhetoric of Donald Trump who was critical of the various trade agreements the United States has with other countries. During one debate with Hillary Clinton, Trump blasted her husband for approving the North American Free Trade Agreement when he was president. Trump called that "the single worst trade deal ever approved in this country.'' And he has specifically said he would "entirely renegotiate'' the 1994 pact -- or "terminate it.'' Ducey, however, said he is not focusing on that but instead is concentrating on what he can do here. "Mexico's our No. 1 trading partner, times four, for the state of Arizona,'' the governor said. "We've built that relationship.'' But much of that cross-border business could disappear if NAFTA and its free-trade principles go away. That could lead to new tariffs on Mexican goods being shipped to the United States and similar duties slapped on Arizona products headed south. "It sounds like a hypothetical,'' Ducey said in brushing aside questions of the effect of scrapping NAFTA on Arizona businesses. And he said that the Donald Trump who ran for president may not be the same one who takes office on Jan. 20. "I haven't heard a lot of that talk since the election,'' he said. Still, Ducey conceded that Trump's contention that free trade has cost American jobs resonated with many voters. "I think the idea of free and fair trade is a real issue,'' the governor said. "The people have spoken on this,'' he continued. "And if there's a way to improve on that, then we can look at those issues.'' But Ducey downplayed the idea that Trump will undo the entire agreement once he takes office. "That's not something that's done unilaterally or by one person,'' he said, while acknowledging "the president-elect has a leadership position on that.'' The blame on Bill Clinton is somewhat misplaced. It was Republican George H.W. Bush who negotiated the treaty and signed in in December 1992 shortly before leaving office. Clinton, who inherited NAFTA, put in some side agreements on environmental and labor issues and pushed the issue through Congress, backed by about half the Democrats but most of the Republican there. Ducey said that whatever happens with NAFTA, Trump's election could still be good for Arizona. "I think we have an example of someone who understands that reducing regulations, that putting power back to the states, can help grow our economy,'' the governor said. "So I'm very hopeful for what's next.'' The Friday event in Hermosillo, Son., is the annual winter meeting of the Arizona-Mexico Commission which involves a series of meetings between government and business leaders from both states. The commission has been focused on creating a "megaregion'' to market the opportunities in both Arizona and Sonora, including available labor, to companies seeking to relocate. And that can involve selling firms on the ability to move raw materials and finished products across the border. Independent ministers could vote against Fine Gael during a medicinal cannabis bill next week, writes Fiachra O Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner. It comes as they insisted they will "exercise" their right to a free vote on the issue. The decision was made by Independent Alliance TDs at today's Cabinet meeting. As part of an opposition bill put down by the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit group, the Dail will on Thursday hold a two-hour debate on whether to allow cannabis use for specific medical reasons in order to help people in need. The debate on the bill, which will undergo a Dail vote next week, has been sought by AAA-PBP TDs Gino Kenny and Brid Smith in response to concerns patients with certain conditions are needlessly living with chronic pain. The most high-profile of these cases is that of Ava Twomey, a six-year-old from Cork who has a rare condition called Dravets syndrome which can cause her to have up to 20 seizures a day. Her mother Vera has campaigned for the right to give her daughter cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a form of medicinal marijuana, which relaxes her muscles and reduces the risk of seizures, saying without the law change her daughter's life is at risk. At a post-cabinet briefing, an Independent Alliance spokesperson confirmed the five-strong Government group will "exercise" its right to a free vote in next week's Dail ballot. She said the Alliance is allowed to do this on issues outside the programme for Government, and that it did not seek permission from Fine Gael for the move. While the Alliance will not decide on how it will vote next week until after Thursday's Dail debate, it is likely the group will support the opposition bill. Fine Gael has yet to decide on how it will vote, but a spokesperson last night made it clear Health Minister Simon Harris has "concerns about the bill". While the coalition parties are likely to take different positions, sources have confirmed that it is unlikely to cause a rift between them. The situation emerged during a Cabinet meeting which also agreed to publish the heads of bill on the new Judicial Appointments legislation next week before the potential law change is published in January. The move is designed to change the way in which judges are appointed after concerns were raised by Transport Minister Shane Ross. However, before the bill is published, three judges will be moved from the insolvency court to the circuit court to fill existing gaps in the system. Separately, Government will oppose Sinn Fein's upcoming bill on rent certainty and Independents4Change TD Clare Daly's bill on Thursday to reform solitary confinement in prisons. Despite a public war of words over President Michael D Higgins' statement in response to the late former Cuban leader Fidel Castro's death, Cabinet did not officially discuss the situation. A UKIP member of the Welsh Assembly has suggested that Ireland could pay for Welsh motorway works through EU funds. David Rowlands asked if part of the cost of an M-4 upgrade could be borne by the Irish Government. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that there is a "special and unbreakable" bond between Ireland and her country, writes Juno McEnroe, Political Correspondent. Ms Sturgeon arrived to a near full house in the upper chamber this morning, receiving an applause from senators as she entered the room. A new report by the expert commission looking at the future funding of water has recommended that the vast majority of people will not pay for water, write Daniel McConnell and Juno McEnroe for the Irish Examiner. Among the main recommendations are the funding of water services for normal domestic and personal use should be out of taxation. The report recommends that special provision should be made for those with special medical or other needs. It also states that the volume of water necessary to meet the normal domestic and personal needs of citizens should be independently assessed through an open and transparent process. Under the proposed arrangement, the national water utility will provide sufficient water to all citizens to cover their domestic and personal needs, and the cost of that water will be recovered from the State, which will be a customer of the utility, based on tariffs approved by CER following consultation. What is proposed does not therefore amount to the provision of a free allowance of water, the report states. As revealed in the Irish Examiner on Monday, excessive or wasteful use of water should be paid for directly by the user at tariffs determined by CER. Excessive or wasteful use of water will be discouraged by charging for such use and therefore is consistent with the polluter pays principle', the report adds. Water report recommends funding for normal usage should come from taxation. Method must be decided though. Exemptions proposed. #iestaff pic.twitter.com/uM6GCx6pey Juno McEnroe (@Junomaco) November 29, 2016 The report also states that through directly billing the Exchequer for the cost of the agreed allowance for normal domestic and personal use, funds for covering the costs of water production and for further investment in infrastructure will be provided. Additional mechanisms should be considered to ensure that the necessary finance is guaranteed, he added. In respect of metering, if it is decided to proceed with the metering programme, consideration should be given to an approach that is more aligned with the proposals in this report, with a focus on metering of buildings in the case of multi-occupancy or metering of households on request. The report states that Irish Water should complete a comprehensive programme of district metering to identify system-wide leakage and manage the network. The Expert Commission has recommended that Irish Water renew its efforts to develop a positive engagement with consumers and put in place further initiatives to engage consumers in a positive and proactive way at the national, regional, and local level. Irish Water should also commit to the provision of extensive open-access data, for research purposes and so that consumers can easily monitor and manage consumption. An EPA administered research budget on water management and conservation is necessary and should be put in place, the report states. It is recommended that a much more proactive approach be taken to promoting domestic water conservation measures in Ireland. The report states that Irish Water can play a key role in this regard not only through educational and information campaigns but also through providing advice and access to water conserving devices. Further measures should also be considered, such as a requirement that new domestic buildings incorporate water conserving fittings and an extension of the Building Energy Rating (BER) Scheme to incorporate water conservation, it adds. The Expert Commission recommended that this be reviewed when the allowances for consumers on public supplies are determined and that equity for group schemes and private wells be maintained through additional subsidy or other means. The necessary measures should be put in place to give effect to the commitment that those who have paid their water bills to date will be treated no less favourably than those who have not. Although the current set of charges were introduced by Labour's Alan Kelly, the party says the findings are exactly what it hoped for. Its housing spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan said: "I put in submission to the Commission on behalf of the Labour party, and I clearly said there should be an allocation for households and that only those who waste water should have to pay extra." Sinn Fein said it is disappointed details of the report have been leaked before TDs have got sight of it. The party's housing spokesman Eoin O Broin says the job of the group was very narrow. "It didn't include anything about water poverty, it didn't include anything about the management and delivery mechanisms of water and sanitation services - and it had a very light line around information about conservation", he said. Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dail that because of the leaks, the report will be released this evening. "Because of the situation that applies here, the minister for housing has informed me that this report will be published early this evening - and it will go straight directly to the specific committee set up in the Oireachtas to deal with it". Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called on Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to clarify who gave him the names of four senior provisional IRA members who may have been involved in the 1983 murder of prison officer Brian Stack. Fiachra O Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner reports that the Fine Gael leader urged the clarification to be given after Mr Adams' claim he received the names from Mr Stack's son, Austin, were denied and contradicted by the murdered prison officer's son. Reports this morning said that in an e-mail to Garda Commissioner Noirin O Sullivan in recent months, Mr Adams provided the names of four senior IRA members who may have information about the 1983 murder of Mr Stack. Mr Stack - who is the only prison officer to have been murdered in the Republic during the Troubles - was shot in 1983 while working as a prison officer at Portlaoise prison, but did not die until the following year. While the provisional IRA denied its involvement for 30 years, senior members admitted responsibility for the shooting during a meeting with Austin Stack in 2003 which was organised by Mr Adams. In the e-mail to Ms O Sullivan, Mr Adams claimed Austin Stack had given him the names of individuals who may have been involved in the murder, a position staunchly denied by Mr Stack today. Asked to clarify on the controversy during the latest Dail leaders questions debate this afternoon, Mr Kenny said Mr Adams - who is currently in Cuba for the funeral of Fidel Castro - must explain how he came into possession of the names. The Taoiseach told the Dail: "It seems to be an extraordinary development given the contradictory statements here. Austin Stack says he gave no names to Deputy Adams. "Deputy Adams is not here today, but I do think it appropriate that if names were furnished to the garda commissioner which were not given to him by Austin Stack, that needs to be answered. "Sinn Fein needs to address this. They will know who murdered him, know who gave the orders to execute him. They will know these things. That family deserve to know the truth," he said. Mr Kenny was responding to a question from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who urged immediate action on the issue and demanded the Taoiseach seeks a meeting on the matter with Mr Adams. Mr Martin said: "In March 1983 they shot Brian Stack in the back of the neck. He was the only prison officer to be murdered by the provisional IRA. It took 30 years for them to accept they murdered him, despite many denials. "The names of four individuals were given to the garda commissioner, but Austin Stack says at no stage did he mention the names to Gerry Adams. "It seems to me to be a very serious situation, Deputy Adams can pass on the names to the Garda Commissioner and we are all meant to go off into the night. "The IRA know who did it, they know who committed the murder and they should come clean on it. You should meet with Deputy Adams. This was an atrocity. There was no excuse for what they did. It was cold blooded," he said. Politicians in the lower house of the Dutch parliament have approved a limited ban on "face-covering clothing" including Islamic veils and robes such as the burqa and niqab. The legislation, approved by a large majority in the 150-seat lower house, must now be approved by the upper house of parliament before it can be signed into law. Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders called the limited ban, "a step in the right direction" and said he will push for a full burqa ban if his Freedom Party wins elections in March. Studies suggest that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear niqabs or full-face burqas, but successive governments have attempted to ban the garments - following the example of European countries such as France and Belgium. The Dutch proposal, described by the government as "religion-neutral", does not go as far as the complete bans in those countries. It applies on public transport and in education institutions, health institutions such as hospitals, and government buildings. In a debate last week that paved the way for Tuesday's swift vote, Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk acknowledged that debate about the burqa had played a major role in the ban. But Mr Plasterk, who is from the centre-left Labour Party, said that in a free country like the Netherlands people should be allowed to appear in public with their faces covered, if they want to - but that in government buildings, schools and hospitals people need to be able to look each other in the face. The maximum fine for breaching the ban, which also covers ski masks and full-face helmets, is just over 400. NAIROBI - Kenya and Uganda on Monday launched the Northern Economic Corridor Master Plan that provides the blueprint for the development of infrastructure that interconnects the East African region. Kenya's Ministry of Transport Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Infrastructure Secretary Francis Gitau told a forum in Nairobi that the corridor will link Kenya's sea port of Mombasa to Uganda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. "The Northern Economic Corridor has several large bottlenecks in logistics which cause inefficiency of logistics and therefore hinders growth in the region," Gitau said. "The aim of the master plan is to ensure that landlocked countries that depend on Kenya's sea port can easily and conveniently access the rest of the world," Gitau said during the International Seminar on the Northern Economic Corridor. "When fully implemented, the master plan will reduce the cost and time of travel between the East African countries," he said. The transport corridor will have multimodal options including road, rail, waterway and a pipeline. The master plan also includes development of infrastructure to link agricultural and industrial production zones with key domestic and external markets. Government data indicate that total import and export freight from the Mombasa port will hit 61 million tons in 2030, which is 2.3 times the current amount. "We therefore need to upgrade the Northern Economic Corridor because it will handle most of the cargo," he said. The Kenyan official said that intra-Africa trade remains low compared to that of the rest of the world due to poor infrastructure links. PHOENIX -- A woman shot four times will get another chance to prove the University of Arizona police officer used excessive force. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday reinstated the lawsuit that Amy Hughes had filed against Andrew Kisela following the 2010 incident. Judge William Sessions, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, said it was wrong of a trial judge to have thrown the case out before a trial -- and before jurors get to decide whose version of events to believe. And Sessions said that if jurors believe Hughes' version they could simply conclude that she "had a constitutional right to talk down her driveway holding a knife without being shot.'' Sessions also said that Kisela was not automatically entitled to qualified immunity. According to court records, three UA officers responded to an off-campus report of a person hacking a tree with a knife. When they arrived they saw Amy Hughes emerge from her house carrying a large kitchen knife. When she began to walk toward Sharon Chadwick, police yelled for her to drop the knife. Sessions said Chadwick, who lived with Hughes, submitted an affidavit saying Hughes was composed and not threatening. And in talking with police afterwards, Chadwick said Hughes had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was taking medication, and that she did not understand what was happening when police yelled for her to drop the knife. Other witnesses, including other police officers, said Hughes never raised the knife. And Chadwick said she believes that Hughes would have given her the knife if asked -- and that police should have afforded her that opportunity. But unable to approach the women because of a chain-like fence, Kisela shot Hughes four times. Attorney Vince Rabago said bullets hit her in the hip, leg, arm and groin area. He said she suffered permanent injuries and has ongoing pain as well as emotional distress. Sessions said Kisela "was undoubtedly concerned for Ms. Chadwick's safety.'' But the judge said that a simple statement by an officer that he fears for his own safety or that of others is not enough to justify use of deadly force. "There must be objective factors to justify such a concern,'' Sessions wrote. The judge also pointed out that officers were called to the scene solely to check the welfare of someone. "No crime was reported,'' he noted. Sessions said all the evidence, taken together is enough to raise questions of fact of whether Kisela acted reasonably. And those, the judge said, have to be decided by a jury after a trial. One of those questions, he said, is whether there was a better way to deal with Hughes other than shooting her four times. "Police are required to consider what other tactics if any were available, and whether there are clear, reasonable and less intrusive alternatives to the force being contemplated,'' the judge said. And he said that Hughes' version of the events could cause jurors to conclude that Kisela acted improperly. "The fact, viewed in Ms. Hughes' favor, present the police shooting a woman who was committing no crime and holding a kitchen knife,'' Sessions wrote. "While the woman with the knife may have been acted erratically, was approaching a third party, and did not immediately comply with orders to drop the knife, a rational jury -- again accepting the facts in the light most favorable to Ms. Hughes -- could find that she had a constitutional right to talk down her driveway holding a knife without being shot.'' "This was a victory for civil rights and common sense,'' Rabago said, calling the incident "a classic case of shoot first, ask questions later.'' Kisela is being defended by the attorney general's office as he is being sued in his official capacity, which likely would make the university liable for any damages awarded. LAHORE: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industrys Businessmen Panel (BMP) has stressed the... VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis will become the first pontiff in history to visit Bahrain, in a trip this week that is... The ACT Government has demanded the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission assess the potential human rights implications of a proposal to hike Canberrans' water supply fees by $500 over the next decade. A government submission into the commission's water tariff review has hit out at the proposal outlined in a draft report released in September this year. Under the proposed changes, the annual water supply bill charged to all users could rise from $101 to at least $600. Credit:John Dymke The commission proposed two options for changing the current two-tier water tariff system, both of which would replace it with a higher annual supply charge and a single lower per kilolitre charge. Under the proposed changes, the annual water supply bill charged to all users could rise from $101 to at least $600, a move to help recover the costs of delivering water to all Canberrans. As any police officer knows, the first snowfall of the year isnt about the depth of the snow but the shallowness of drivers memories since the last time they drove on snow and ice. And the Sunday/Monday storm in the Flagstaff region proved the point. Although barely five inches of snow wound up on the ground, the vehicle collisions and slideoffs numbered in the hundreds. Sunday afternoon and evening alone saw state highway troopers respond to 70 collisions and 85 slide-offs. Flagstaff Unified School District started classes two hours late Monday, then decided to cancel school altogether Tuesday because of the icy roads. Both the city of Flagstaff and Coconino County will delay the start of business two hours Tuesday, as will NAU and CCC. By midafternoon Monday, Flagstaff had received between 3 and 5 inches of snow Monday and at least another inch was expected overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Reports from the region had 6 inches on the ground in Forest Lakes, 5 inches just west of Flagstaff and 4 inches in Williams. Arizona Snowbowl received 9 inches from the storm, allowing it to open four new runs Tuesday on top of the seven that were open over the weekend, according to General Manager J.R. Murray. Sunday evening proved to be dangerous on roads near Flagstaff. Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Quentin Mehr said there were five collisions with injuries reported between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday. In that same time period, DPS responded to 65 collisions without injuries and 85 vehicles that slid off the road. Mehr said between 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, the department responded to two collisions with injuries, seven collisions without injuries and 13 slide-offs in the Flagstaff area related to the snow. Flagstaff Police Department had 14 reports of winter weather-related accidents between 9 a.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday. FPD spokesperson Sgt. Cory Runge said that most of the reported accidents occurred when the snow started to pick up around 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Mehr said drivers should expect to slow down while driving in snowy conditions, and said it is not reasonable to drive 75 mph on an icy interstate. He also cautioned drivers to leave plenty of room between their vehicles and the vehicle ahead while driving in case it takes longer to stop. Mehr said drivers should apply brakes slowly and be aware of traffic conditions around them. Drivers should also keep a blanket and some food and water in the car in case of an emergency. FUSD spokeswoman Karin Eberhard said two school buses did get stuck in snow near Kachina Village briefly Monday morning while picking up students after the two-hour delay. Eberhard said the buses were able to get out and the drivers went on their way with no further problems. The National Weather Service predicts a 10 percent chance of snow before 11 a.m. on Tuesday with a high temperature of 33 degrees and north, northwest winds of up to 10 mph. The Weather Service doesn't expect any additional accumulation of snow Tuesday. The skies will clear overnight Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will be sunny with high temperatures around 37 degrees. Theres a slight chance of snow showers on Friday. Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. Written by Tom Mula, based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Directed by Michelle Higgs. Produced by Craig Alexander and Michelle Higgs. The Street Theatre. December 9-11. thestreet.org.au or 6247 1223. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, telling the story of how miserly Ebenezer Scrooge has his soul saved one Christmas Eve, is one of the best known of Christmas stories. Chicago Tribune writer Tom Mula gives the story a twist in his play Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. which he wrote first as a book, published in 1995, then as a play after playing Scrooge in a stage adaptation of the original story and thinking that Marley had been given a raw deal: why was Scrooge the one seemingly given a second chance at saving his soul when his former business partner, who provided the means by which he gets it, apparently was not? Craig Alexander in Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. Credit:Michelle Higgs In this retelling of the story, Marley, who is deceased at the start of A Christmas Carol "Marley was dead: to begin with" is how Dickens opens the tale is the central character and this version focuses on how in bringing about the redemption of Scrooge's soul, he also saves his own. Husband and wife Craig Alexander and Michelle Higgs are bringing Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol to Canberra for the second time she is directing, he is acting in a version of the show for one performer. Alexander narrates and plays more than a dozen characters in this "Show in a Suitcase" bringing the story to life with the help of a suitcase (or two) full of everything necessary including lights, sound effects, props and costumes. "I wrote to Claire," he explained on Tuesday, "saying 'I know this letter exists or once existed. Do you know if it still exists and if so do you know who has it?' Well, about half an hour later an email arrives from Claire saying 'O boy! This is your lucky day. Not only do I know where it is, I have it!' " Canberra researcher Keith Blackburn has been painstakingly researching, since 1999, his great grandfather William Charleson's life in Australia. Charleson left Scotland for the Antipodes in 1823 and spent the rest of his life in Tasmania. Earlier this year, Blackburn, after endlessly searching for the original of the 1824 letter and finding a copy of it in Tasmanian archives, used the miracle of the internet to write to Claire Henson in Normandy. A letter written by William Charleson from Van Diemen's Land on 25 March, 1824, to his mother in Caithness, Scotland donated to the National Library of Australia. Left to right: researcher Keith Blackburn, family donor of letter Claire Henson and (in gloves) curator Kylie Scroope. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The letter, handled gently on Tuesday in cotton-gloved hands, was written on 25 March, 1824 by William Charleson of Hobart Town and sent to his mother in Caithness, Scotland. One of Charleson's descendants, Claire Henson, came especially from France to donate the letter to the NLA. Claire Henson marvels that she has just flown to Canberra from Europe, taking just 27 hours, to present the National Library of Australia with a letter that took 201 days to dawdle across the seas from Van Diemen's Land to Scotland. On Tuesday, gingerly taking it out of its original envelope and then unfolding the old letter (although it is wonderfully robust for a paper object almost 200 years old) curator of manuscripts Kylie Scroope explained why it is such a treasure. "It's a small thing in some ways but provides a great snapshot of what life was like for a new arrival in Van Diemen's Land as it was then ... the issues that were on his mind and probably on the minds of lots of those in the colony. It enriches the story of what was happening in Van Diemen's land at the time. He was an ordinary man [writing from the point of view of the man in the street] whereas a lot of the records we have relating to that time are [by officials] much more about administrative issues and government arrangements." Charleson's letter, immaculately and stylishly written (with metal-nibbed pen and ink), and flawlessly spelled even though he was a working man, a house carpenter, ranges across matters of Hobart Town society. He reports to his mother the amazing social and economic mobility of former convicts who are doing well since "soberly and industriously" staying on the straight and narrow. It emerged on Tuesday that the much-travelled letter having arrived in Thurso, Caithness on 11 October 1824, was so treasured that it was kept in the careful possession of family members first for 30 or 40 years in Orkney, then in Liverpool and then in Kent. More recently it has been with Claire Henson in Normandy but from Tuesday, at last, the wandering letter has in a sense come home. "This is where it belongs," Claire Henson insisted on Tuesday, happy to donate it to an institution that will so treasure it that it seems destined (Tuesday discussions seemed to hint) to grace the Library's vaunted Treasures Gallery. Police are investigating an incident where a group of four teens on bicycles allegedly assaulted and robbed two teenage boys. Police allege two boys were walking near the Drakeford Drive underpass at about 2pm on Sunday November 27 when they were approached by group four young people, three male, and one female, on bicycles. The group of teens on bicycles dismounted and assaulted the pair, stole a mobile phone and wallet and then fled on their bikes. The first male, described as Caucasian in appearance and aged in his mid-teens, was wearing a white shirt, dark pants, Nike shoes, a black Adidas bum-bag and riding an orange Giant mountain bike. The second male involved was described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance and aged in his mid-teens. He was wearing a black and white shirt, black pants and riding a blue bike. AMP has shaken up its executive team in the wake of escalating losses in its life insurance division. The bank announced the shake-up on Tuesday, which will see three senior executives, including the head of its insurance division, leave the company. AMP's shares tumbled more than 10 per cent last month after it wrote down the value of its life insurance business by $668 million and warned conditions in the industry had worsened. The sell-off took the wealth manager's share price to its lowest level since early 2014. It attributed the dive partly to the CommInsure scandal that erupted in the wake of a joint Fairfax Media-Four Corners investigation. AMP said Pauline Blight-Johnston, its group executive of insurance, super and risk management, would leave the company, to be replaced by Megan Beer. Ms Beer joined AMP in 2014 as a director of retail and group risk insurance. The recent violence at the Parkville youth detention centre has quite rightly put the public spotlight on youth justice. Unfortunately, this has resulted in some kneejerk commentary and responses, including the government's disappointing move to incarcerate children in an adult facility and hysterical and ill-informed debate about the "need" to get tougher on crime. Ironically, by seeking to placate a concerned public, the government risks making our community less safe, rather than more so. The government's announcement yesterday that indigenous children will not be detained at Barwon Prison is welcome, but only partially addresses concerns about the prevailing policy-on-the-run, as the research is clear that NO children should ever be incarcerated in a correctional environment designed for adults. Contrary to the current rhetoric, Victoria's overall crime rate is going down. Youth offending has been on a downward trend for at least the past five years, and in recent years this state has led the nation with successful youth justice programs. Victoria's youth offender rate in 2014-15 was 21.8 for every 1000 children, compared with 29.7 for every 1000 children nationally (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Illustration: Andrew Dyson It is true that we have a serious problem with a relatively small group of troubled young people committing violent crimes some of these young people don't seem remorseful, are frightening the community and having a profound impact on victims. We have to invest in changing the behaviour of these problematic children and prevent others following the same path. Crime statistics show us that young offenders can be divided into four groups. The first two groups offer the best chances of rehabilitation those who are first-time offenders, and those who offend for a short time as they push boundaries during teenage years before settling down. The third group tend to have been dealing with complex disadvantage from a young age. Early contact with child protection, a parent in prison, exposure to family violence, community disengagement and poor education are common with this group. These children are well known to those of us who work in the community sector, as well as to the police and justice authorities. Two countries hold the key to our security. One is America; the other Indonesia. The relationship with Jakarta's gone nowhere under Turnbull. While it's unfair to expect him to have much to say about our main alliance (particularly while Donald Trump is changing his mind and flipping policies on what appears to be a daily basis), nevertheless, and particularly given the fact that there are no clear signals emanating from Washington, there's an urgent need to add some wholesome flesh to the thin rhetorical bones of our recent Defence White Paper. Ambiguity is an important diplomatic tool. All we have at the moment is confusion. The problem doesn't lie with the service chiefs. They're doing the best they can in a confused situation with what appears to be minimal guidance. The problem comes from the top, so let's start with the PM. Innovation needs to be much more than just a word. Things are changing and we'll be rapidly left way behind unless we evolve. Dynamism is vital for our future prosperity. Let's agree on that and award the point to Malcolm Turnbull. So what do we need to do now? How should we shift? What will the future look like once we arrive? Just what, for example, is our attitude to overseas investment in critical elements of our infrastructure? There are many reasons why we might not be concerned about, for example, Chinese companies owning the port of Darwin. But why can a Chinese company own a South Australian electricity generator but not one in NSW? Why can former senior Liberal Cabinet ministers be employed by electronic companies that are prevented, apparently for security reasons, from operating our communications network? What is the rule? I suspect there is none for the simple and obvious reason that Turnbull's not engaged. An excellent recent compendium of all the issues is encompassed in a recent volume from Melbourne University Press, Australia's American Alliance. Brendan Taylor's chapter emphasises keenly that the formula of the past US ally, Chinese friend is under increasing strain. In contrast to such cutting-edge analysis, Turnbull's own signalling is leaving us becalmed in international waters, our course drifting with the tide. Policy is decided on an ad hoc basis in response to crises, instead of in advance and based on carefully chosen principles. While there's no requirement to return to the hairy-chested foreign and defence leadership of Tony Abbott there are other spaces where there's ample opportunity for Turnbull to establish a set of "Australian values"; the things we'll fight for. How long, for example, will we remain in the Middle East? What are our troops doing there? If the deployment is so worthwhile why isn't he bothering to visit them this Christmas? Next to our invisible Defence Minister, Marise Payne. A wonderful woman with absolutely no public presence. It's not good enough. Everyone knows Turnbull must reshuffle his cabinet; sacking Payne, Attorney-General George Brandis and Justice Minister Michael Keenan is just the start. He needs to act the minute Parliament rises next week. If Turnbull balks and refuses to act decisively, you'll know he's given up. The only reason he won't act is because he's afraid the party will dump him. Finally, procurement. Christopher Pyne is rushing to marginal electorates across the country to announce the opening of envelopes. He's ensuring we'll spend $200 billion over the next decade supporting tired old industries like shipbuilding and welders. What he's not doing is meshing the expenditure with an intelligent future strategy. Libertarian senator David Leyonhjelm says he will consider appealing a Human Rights Commission decision to reject his racial discrimination claim against a journalist who labelled him an "angry white male". The Liberal Democrat senator from NSW complained about an article by Fairfax Media's Mark Kenny in which he was also described as a "boorish, supercilious know-all with the empathy of a besser block". Senator Leyonhjelm is opposed to section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes it unlawful to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate on the basis of race, and said the point of the complaint was to demonstrate the absurdity of the law. But that has been turned on its head by the commission's decision to rebuff the claim at the first hurdle, declaring Senator Leyonhjelm's public remarks showed he was not truly aggrieved, and that the terms "white" and "male" were not considered terms of denigration. Fearless politicians have baulked at dramatic plans to expand security at Parliament House, insisting they are already safe and arguing the push to keep people away from the historic building will alienate the public. Fairfax Media on Tuesday revealed the proposal would likely restrict public access to the lush grass covering the Parliament that was designed for visitors to walk across. "That big sweep of green symbolises the building," Victorian senator Derryn Hinch said on 3AW radio. "It would be like putting a barbed wire fence over the Opera House sails." Labor MPs were understood to be divided on the issue, while an angry Greens leader Richard Di Natale said his party would fight any attempt to "further alienate" the public. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has acknowledged there is a limit to the number of refugees who will go to the US as part of a resettlement deal with Australia, but said it is "not in our best interests" to reveal the figure. He emphatically denied a Sky News report that claimed Washington may take just 300 or 400 of the 1600 refugees eligible to apply for resettlement in the US. "That is completely false," Mr Dutton said. The Turnbull government has repeatedly refused to reveal how many refugees from Manus Island and Nauru the Obama Administration has agreed to take, or whether there is a cap. But Mr Dutton on Tuesday admitted there was such a limit, when asked directly if he had discussed it with the US. "Yes and I'm not going to detail that, and there are very good reasons for that," he told Sky News. The piles were a product of previous tree thinning projects and the burns will happen in two locations. One is about two miles south of Little America near Pine Canyon subdivision and the Heckethorn community. The other is north of Flagstaff near Schultz Pass. The burns will begin around 9 a.m. and continue through the afternoon, with smoke predicted to move toward the northeast. Public servants have pleaded for their right to free speech on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms as part of the review into rules governing federal bureaucrats' online behaviour. Most of the Commonwealth workers who responded to a call for submissions from the Public Service Commissioner said they wanted the same level of free-speech available to all citizens. Public servants say they are denied freedom of speech on Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms. Credit:Getty Images The Public Service Commission is revisiting its past advice to public servants in the wake of ongoing confusion over what type of public comments are acceptable, especially on Facebook and Twitter. Several high-profile cases in recent years have failed to clarify the conflict between public servants' duty to be impartial and their freedom of political communication, an implied right in the constitution. The public service saw a sharp spike in bureaucrats behaving badly in 2015-2016 with official investigations for breaches of the APS code-of-conduct soaring by nearly 30 per cent, the federal workplace authority has revealed. The latest State of the Service report from the Australian Public Service Commission also reveals a lack of future opportunities was most commonly cited as the reason for leaving public service jobs in the past year. "Profound changes": Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd. Credit:Jay Cronan This year's SOTS shows confidence in APS senior leadership is less than glowing, with fewer than half of workers believing their departments had "high quality" senior executives. The public service made progress in its war on sickies during the reporting period, managing to reduce the average rate of "unscheduled leave" by a small margin of 45 minutes per year per worker. The young ice addict sat in the dock listening to the judge, tears running down her face. The judge looked directly at her: "She's got youth on her side - she should treasure that. "She's got the support of her family. If only she remembers that when she's tempted to step off the tracks. "If only she remembers that when she has a blue with her family. "I shouldn't have to remind young people of this as a judge from the bench." A senior Rebels gang member arrested over the murder of a Sydney underworld figure had also been on the police radar as a suspect in the fatal shooting of a fellow bikie. In a series of co-ordinated raids on Tuesday, homicide and gangs squad detectives arrested up to five people, including Abuzar Sultani at Sydney's Olympic Park. Mr Sultani was spotted wearing handcuffs with blood on his face, surrounded by police at lunchtime on Australia Avenue. He was arrested in connection to the murder of crime figure Pasquale Barbaro, 35, who was killed while getting into his Mercedes in Earlwood two weeks ago. Doctors were under "political pressure" not to bring critically ill asylum seekers from Manus Island to Australia for medical treatment, an inquest has heard. A Brisbane inquest into the death of Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei has heard evidence there are "levels of bureaucracy" surrounding urgent hospital transfers. Hamid Kehazaei was evacuated from Manus Island. Mr Kehazaei, 24, died in Brisbane's Mater Hospital in September 2014, two weeks after his leg became infected at the Manus Island processing centre. He was treated at the facility before being taken to a hospital in Port Moresby and then flown to Brisbane after developing severe septicaemia from an infected cut. A man has been charged with a string of armed robberies north of Brisbane. Police arrested an 18-year-old man on Monday night after a bottle shop was robbed at gunpoint on Belleville Road at Petrie about 6pm. Police have charged the man after a number of robberies across Brisbane's northside. Credit:Glenn Hunt Police have alleged they found a loaded firearm inside the Kallangur man's vehicle and charged him with one count of armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of a shortened firearm. He was also charged in relation to an armed robbery of a liquor store at Albany Creek last Sunday as well as the armed robbery of a North Lakes convenience store last Friday. Police are searching for a group of men after a man was stabbed and robbed at the Gold Coast overnight. A man, 35, was walking down Frank Street at Labrador when three men jumped out of a vehicle and began attacking him at 12.45am. Police are searching for three men after a stabbing attack on the Gold Coast. Credit:Glenn Hunt The man was stabbed in the leg and knocked to the ground where he was stomped on by the trio before they stole his mobile phone, wallet and shoes. The group fled the scene and the man went to a nearby hotel for help. Next year is likely to be a big one for the iPhone. It's the 10th anniversary of the smartphone introducing the touchscreen era, so Apple should have surprises in store. One of those could be a curved touchscreen. According to The Wall Street Journal, the curved screen is among several prototypes Apple requested from suppliers for the next iPhone. Apple could unveil an iPhone with curved screen as soon as next year. The report says Apple could ditch the curved screen because it's among several prototypes being considered for the next iPhone. The curved smartphone screen is nothing new. Samsung introduced the feature on both its Galaxy Note and S lines, where a portion of the screen bends over the side of the device. Other smartphone makers including LG also boast devices with a curved display. The following editorial appeared in The Dallas Morning News on Friday, Nov. 18: The shaggy-haired 28-year-old calmly finishes his big lunch at the tourist-filled cafe. He pushes away from the table and slides a semi-automatic rifle from his bag. Indiscriminately, he guns down everyone around him. Video captures rapid fire and chaos. Parents wrap themselves around their mortally wounded children. Others, trapped and terrified, play dead in hopes of escaping the gunmans next barrage. Dazed survivors talk about seeing bodies everywhere. Political leaders express their condolences and convey the federal governments full concerns. Authorities are baffled by what they describe as Martin Bryants mission of death. But folks throughout the country do know this much: 35 people are dead, 23 wounded. And they dont want it to happen again. This sounds like a gut-wrenchingly familiar chapter in Americas story. Only this time the narrative doesnt fade out into a resumption of the status quo. This massacre 20 years ago, in April 1996 led to real change. You see, Bryant inflicted his horror not in the U.S. but on the island of Tasmania, off the southern coast of Australia. The countrys criminal justice system held Bryant responsible he remains in prison on a life sentence. Beyond that, just-elected Prime Minister John Howard, a conservative, led the country in doing something remarkable. Those in charge forged a bipartisan deal with state and local governments to enact far-reaching gun laws. Polls showed overwhelming public support for the measures. The specific strategies Howards government put into place arent the right ones for America. But what makes the Australia model worthy of attention is that it stands in sharp defiance of hopelessness. A conservative-led governments constructive actions contradict those who maintain that the gun problem is unconquerable, that smart laws cant make a difference. Australia put its National Firearms Agreement into action within two months of Bryants rampage. The law prohibits automatic and semi-automatic assault rifles and pump-action weapons; it also required residents who already owned high-powered long guns to sell them back to the government. More than 650,000 firearms were handed in at a cost of $350 million, funded by a temporary federal tax. The law also made buying other guns more difficult. People must pass a safety test, show good moral character and wait at least 28 days to make their purchase. And they must qualify under carefully defined genuine needs to own a gun. Private sales are prohibited, and all weapons must be individually registered to their owners. The result? In the two decades prior to the reforms, Australia saw 13 fatal mass shootings, defined as those with five or more victims. In the two decades after, not another mass killing has occurred. The law also appeared to accelerate a reduction in firearm-related homicide and suicides, without prompting a rise in alternative means of death. Thats two wins: An intervention designed to stop mass shootings also has limited other gun-related deaths. Daniel Webster, a Johns Hopkins University researcher specializing in gun violence, agrees that the Australia model isnt the right solution for the U.S. But that doesnt diminish its power in Americas own conversations. The significance, he notes, is that the Australia experience provides a useful example of how a nation can come together to forge life-saving policies despite political and cultural divides. The daunting size of Americas gun violence doesnt have to paralyze us. Large-scale change is possible. Its not coddling to prepare inmates for freedom The following editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, Nov. 23: A new study highlights U.S. prisoners lack of education, and the secretary of education has taken the opportunity to issue a Dear Colleague letter arguing for educating them. Its a good idea. According to the study from the U.S. Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, 29 percent of inmates fell below a fairly simple level of literacy. That level, set out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, required an individual to perform tasks such as find the contact us link on a website if asked to locate the organizations phone number. Education Secretary John King Jr. points out that most inmates will return to society. He says that once theyre released, inmates who are educated in prison are 58 percent more likely to find a job and 43 percent less likely to return to crime than those who are not. Inmates are interested. Among those in the study, 70 percent said theyd like to take a class or program. A quarter of those who wanted to enroll were on waiting lists to do so. Meanwhile, just 21 percent of inmates in the study were working on a degree or certificate. The report does not make clear why all the inmates who want more education arent pursuing degrees or certificates. One reason, however, is clear from the waiting lists: There arent enough opportunities available, or the opportunities available dont meet the inmates needs. So more seats should be opened in prison educational programs. But considering that many of the inmates lacked a fairly basic level of ability to understand written information, which is fundamental to gaining knowledge, these basic skills should be emphasized. Prison systems should mandate that inmates who lack basic skills learn them, whether they want to or not. Its better to give a convict education while he or she is in prison than to provide a prison cell again later. Its better for their lives. Its better for the taxpayer. And its better for the person who would have been the victim of his next crime. Donald Trump should think through Russian policy The editorial appeared in The Orange County Register on Friday, Nov. 25: One of Donald Trumps most important, dramatic and concrete promises is to build a partnership with Russia. Under president Obama, relations with Moscow plummeted to depths lower than those that brought on his administrations attempt at a so-called reset. Now, Trump hopes to capitalize on the increasingly vocal sentiments of Americans on the unorthodox right and left who worried that Hillary Clinton and other globalists wanted continued conflict or outright war with the former superpower. As well-intentioned as the push for a better relationship may be, however, it ignores one huge obstacle: the fate of Europe. Russian and American interests in Europe do not align. Although both powers do share the general goal of preventing Islamic terror networks from spiraling out of control, Russias tacit support for some acts of terrorism, through its close relationship with state sponsors of militant jihad, is well known. The truth is that Putins regime wants instability in Europe, by hook or by crook, so as to replace U.S. dominance on the continent. And the reality is that Putin is well on his way to getting it. NATO allies like Turkey, Bulgaria and Hungary have joined in a clear pendulum swing away from Western liberalism. At the same time, reactionary parties on the ascent aim to shake off the political bonds economically forged by the international institutions that give the U.S. its influential stake in European affairs. Few in Europe wish to become satellites of Moscow. But few realize that, absent a robust American role in Europe, there is no European force powerful enough to keep its patchwork of small states from slipping into Russias shadow. Making matters even more unfavorable to the U.S., longstanding pro-Russian sentiments that long predate the modern far-right have returned to the fore. Francois Fillon, the nominee of Frances mainstream center-right party, has campaigned on a promise to use an allegiance with Russia to beat back what he sees as the two main threats to his country Islamic jihad and American imperialism. Its an approach reminiscent of centuries past, when French leaders looked to Russia to balance against British or German pressure. Were the U.S. capable of defending a persuasive liberal agenda abroad, friendlier European relations toward Russia wouldnt necessarily be cause for such profound alarm. But today, Americas leadership like public opinion is divided and unsure about just how much support free trade and international agreements deserve. Without clarity and confidence on these and related matters, even a little resurgence in traditionally pro-Russian sentiment in Europe could trigger a stampede away from the kind of American influence that has helped build and maintain security and order on the continent for generations. Is that a price Americas pro-Russian right and left are willing to bear? Even if they are unwilling to think through their answer to that question, the American people at large need to take the opportunity to do so before its too late. Whatever Trumps actual preference around Russian relations may be, he is well advised to take that into account. Nothing can ruin a presidential legacy like losing Europe. Quantum leap in forecasting will pay off The following editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, Nov. 23: Bob Dylan once sang, You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. Maybe not, but you do need a good weather satellite to track tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, volcanic ash clouds, lightning storms, wildfires, solar flares and all sorts of weather-related data that could save lives. Last weekend, the new GOES-R spacecraft, described by many as the most advanced weather satellite ever built, was launched from Cape Canaveral into a 22,300-mile-high equatorial orbit. GOES-R now shares the sky with three aging satellites that will be replaced by three more advanced satellites soon. Fifty of the nations top TV meteorologists were on hand to witness the launch of the spacecraft that has been described by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a quantum leap beyond the generation it is replacing. The technological upgrade will result in more accurate weather forecasts and storm warnings for the American public. In the case of hurricanes and tornadoes, being 15 minutes ahead of the curve will save countless lives. The data gathered by the new weather satellite will also prevent one of the biggest inconveniences airline passengers encounter, especially in winter: sitting on the tarmac for hours in planes not cleared for takeoff because of bad weather. This improvement alone will make the $1 billion satellite upgrade one of our best national investments ever. Some sixty years ago, when cities were still mostly flat, American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed a skyscraper that would touch the clouds. At more than one-mile high, or 1600 metres, the tower was to have boasted 76 lifts and 528 floors. The building was never constructed, but decades later, that crazy dream is within grasp. Humans now have the technical capability to build skyscrapers many kilometres high. While experts disagree exactly what this will mean for Melbourne, Australian cities could eventually see mega buildings anywhere between 350 metres and a kilometre high. A killer who fatally bashed a stranger on the request of another man he had not met and then dumped his victim's body near a Melbourne beach has been jailed for 21 years. Supreme Court Justice James Elliott said he had no explanation for why Timothy Bennison agreed to attack Jason Stone at a Frankston North unit in the early hours of November 8, 2014, before he and another man dumped Mr Stone's body at the Ricketts Point foreshore in Beaumaris. The court heard there was no explanation for why Timothy Bennison agreed to attack Jason Stone before he and another man dumped Mr Stone's body. Credit:Penny Stephens "You voluntarily chose to violently assault a basically defenceless man who you didn't know, at the instructions of another man you didn't know. You caused a very grisly death," Justice Elliott told Bennison on Tuesday in jailing him for a minimum 18 years. Bennison joined Terry Mitchell and a man who cannot be named in waiting for Mr Stone to arrive at his girlfriend's home after being told Mr Stone owed Mitchell money over drugs. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our daily newsletter for the latest local and breaking news in Bristol. Bristol University has unveiled the site of its new campus and it will replace one of the city's worst eyesores. Earlier this month, the university revealed it was looking to building a new 300 million campus in city centre and it has now found a home. It will take over the former Royal Mail sorting office site next to Temple Meads railway station, right in the heart of the city's enterprise zone. The plan is to knock it down the former sorting office building, which has been derelict for nearly 20 years, and redevelop the site. The university hopes the new campus will open in time for the 2021/22 academic year and provide capacity for more than 5,000 students. But that is just phase one of the expansion plans, which stretch out over the next 40 years. Called the Temple Quarter Campus, the site is intended to secure the university's future growth. In time, the new campus will also have a student village. Where is the old sorting office? You will know this building when you see it. Sitting by Bristol Temple Meads, it has provided an unwelcoming sight for travellers on trains pulling in to Temple Meads station for a generation. It has been left empty since the Royal Mail left the site and moved to Filton in 1997. The huge building fell into disrepair, attracting squatters and vandals. It became the site of a serious accident in 2005, when Bedminster teenager Daniel Jones fell 20ft through a glass roof while playing in the building. In 2000, Shepherdess Holdings' sister company Media Office bought the site for 2 million, outbidding the former South West Regional Development Agency, which wanted it for the first Bristol Arena project. Five years later, Media Office won planning permission to convert the site into 107 flats, seven studio workspaces, walkways and offices. But that plan never came to fruition, and three years later, it was bought by Malaysian investors the Kian Gwan Group. In 2011, there were plans to encourage independent tenants to take leases on the property after the building was given a makeover by the owners but this project never materialised. For years it stood empty, until Bristol City Council, under former Mayor George Ferguson, bought the site for 6million, using a 5.4 million grant from the Government. By taking it on, the university hopes to kill two birds with one stone having the space for a huge city centre campus, while solving a long-term headache for the council. So what's going to happen there? The Bristol Post revealed earlier this month that the new campus would have a digital innovation hub, a new business school and a student 'residential village'. It will also be used to develop Engine Shed Two, an expansion of the successful Engine Shed enterprise hub which houses the SETsquared business incubator. The new degree programmes are also set aimed at research and teaching, by combining traditional courses in business with technology. University vice-chancellor and president Professor Hugh Brady said: "This is an historic moment for the University of Bristol and for the city-region. "This new initiative is, I believe, truly unique a dynamic partnership between the university, industry and the city, located in an enterprise zone and major transport hub, and offering the opportunity to position Bristol as a global leader in digital and educational innovation. "We now have the opportunity to re-imagine our University as an organisation that is completely porous with our partners, enabling students, researchers and people from all walks of life to move seamlessly between the city, the academy and the workplace, feeding the talent pipeline and creating opportunities." Why the Enterprise Zone? Once fully developed, the 70-hectare Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone has the potential to attract over 17,000 jobs over its 25-year lifetime and add a further 100 million a year to the city's economy. A new 12,000 capacity arena is planned for the former Diesel Depot site close to the station which, coupled with the proposed university campus on the former sorting office site, will aim to transform the Temple Meads East area, which has lain derelict for decades. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: "This news confirms our place as the UK's most technologically advanced city-region and one of the world's leading digital cities. "The future of UK industry relies on an ability to innovate and lead in the digital and technological sectors, but of course this must be built on the foundations of a stronger, fairer society which provides equal opportunity to everyone. "With this partnership we are seizing an opportunity, bringing partners together in new ways and connecting local people, businesses, academics and students both to each other and to a vast range of future opportunities. "This will also attract more investment to the city, strengthen our global reputation and create a welcoming and inclusive new part of the thriving Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. "As a UNESCO Learning City, we can also be proud to expand our educational offer in this way. "The deal also gives us renewed hope of a solution to the eyesore of the former Sorting Office. "In future, visitors will no longer be welcomed to Bristol by a derelict building, but by a flourishing and inclusive home of digital excellence, innovation, education and industry." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our daily newsletter for the latest local and breaking news in Bristol. Bristol mum-of-two Heidi Loughlin, 34, was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 2015 whilst pregnant. She bravely chose to delay treatment to save her baby but tragically, her daughter Ally died as a result of complications following her premature birth. Heidi was recently given the devastating news that the cancer has spread to both her lungs and skin. Despite this, she is determined to live life to the full. She talks to Holly Thatcher. Heidi Loughlin is a difficult woman to pin down these days. It's little wonder she's far too busy living. When I finally catch up with the former police officer, she sounds exhausted. "I got in at 2am," she laughs. She's been in London, cavorting with the likes of Jamie Dornan, at the premiere of new film Mumslist. (The week before, she attended another premiere: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . "I was within licking distance of JK Rowling. I wanted to shout that I'd named my cancer VolderTit but I thought she might think I was weird, which I am. Anyway, it was an amazing night. The after party had an entire room full of sweets.") Starring Emilia Fox, Mumslist tells the story of mum-of-two Kate Greene from Clevedon, who left 79 dying wishes for her husband Singe and her two sons, Reef and Finn, before she lost her battle with breast cancer in 2010 aged 37. For Heidi, who has an aggressive form of breast cancer, the film has many parallels with her own situation. "I cried from literally start to finish.," she said. "The film has captured Kate's story in all its rawness nothing has been added in the way of artistic licence. "It's just very, very close to home." Heidi was invited to the premiere by Singe, whom she has become friends with since starting her blog, Storm in a Tit Cup. "Getting to know Singe and his two boys, and seeing the way they have picked themselves up and carried on with life after losing Kate has been very reassuring for me in my situation," she says. She has recently spoken about preparing her two sons for life without her in a poignant interview. After being told earlier this year that her cancer is incurable, Heidi sought advice from cancer counsellor Gwen Rodgerson about how she can tell her children,Noah, 3 and Tait, 2 that she is dying. "I'm not scared to die I'm not scared of the process." she said. "But I'm massively worried about saying goodbye. Maybe they'll think that I've abandoned them or something. "I just want them to know how much I love them." Heidi's boys are still too young to fully understand that she has an incurable illness, but she wants them to be prepared for when she's gone. "Experts recommend that it is important to avoid using phrases such as 'going to sleep' when talking to young children about dying," Heidi explained. "That can be very confusing for them." "Using words like death and dying helps them to understand that it's not like I wanted this to happen that I don't want to leave them." Although her cancer is stage four and so technically 'terminal', Heidi has been given a prognosis of two to three years. As far as she's concerned, though, this is a meaningless number. "This whole 'terminal' thing is pretty inaccurate," she said. "The 2.5 years is a guideline based on the how long someone will live, on average, when taking the drugs I'm currently on," she explains. "But advances are happening all the time a new cancer drug becomes available nearly every three weeks, in fact. So I'll defo be pissing you all off for a lot longer than that!" Heidi's hugely successful blog Storm in a Tit Cup through which she aims to 'raise awareness of inflammatory breast cancer through humour most dark and sweary' has been her coping mechanism throughout the last year. "You believe that every day I'm 100% positive. I'm sorry to break it to you. It's not true," she admits in her latest post. "I mask everything with humour. Why am I doing this? Because it works. Plain and simple. Writing helps me. Humour helps me. Positivity really helps me. It works. I feel bloody fantastic!!! Not only that, I'm convinced that I will outlive my statistics by a country mile." Heidi has recently learned that the cancer has spread to both her lungs and skin, and is embarking on a new course of drugs in a bid to halt its spread. Although highly effective, the drugs have side effects which mean she is having to spend more time in hospital. "Although I know it's necessary, I hate spending time in hospital because its only then that I really feel like an 'ill person'. The rest of the time I feel fine and am just cracking on with life," she said. "As I've said in my blog in my past, I refuse to live in fear I choose to live in happiness. My bucket list isn't a finite list of things I need to complete so I can sit back and say, "OK, I can die now." "It's simply a change in mindset. I'll keep on and on adding to it because the important thing is to just live a life of happiness, whether it be one year or ten years. "Because actually, we all die. The difference for me is that cancer has focused my mind. I no longer sweat the small stuff." Rebrand designed to align with non-bank's parent company 10 questions brokers should ask to select the right one Latest News MKM Capital becomes MA Money Rebrand designed to align with non-bank's parent company How to find a good private lender 10 questions brokers should ask to select the right one Identifying financial goals and advice needs; Tips on choosing an adviser; Preparing to meet a financial adviser; Understanding your Statement of Advice; Reviewing your financial situation To help Australians understand financial advice and make better decisions, ASIC has come up with a free tool called MoneySmart Financial Advice Toolkit, which is designed to help consumers break down and process researched information and financial advice received.Australians face major financial decisions throughout their lifetime, many of which can be complex and confusing. Yet only about one in five Australians obtain financial advice. ASIC recognises the value that quality advice can deliver and wants to see this increase, said Peter Kell , ASIC Deputy Chairman.Apart from giving an overview of the financial advice process, the toolkit provides information on the following topics:The toolkit can be accessed on ASICs MoneySmart website.The digital tool was developed to support ASICs regulatory and enforcement work in the financial advice sector and reinforce the Commissions capability in handling demands during crucial financial events. Patisserie Holdings has been fined 60k after inspectors found mouse droppings at a bakery. The business was also ordered to pay 5,690 in costs at Birmingham magistrates court after earlier pleading guilty to four offences under the Food Hygiene and Safety Regulations 2013. Magistrates were told that the bakery in Hall Green, which makes products for Patisserie Holdings Druckers brand, was closed for four days in June last year following a routine food hygiene inspection by the Environmental Health Team from Birmingham City council. Patisserie Holdings said it was disappointed the council found a shortfall in hygiene standards during their inspection. We take seriously its responsibilities to ensure the highest standards of food hygiene are maintained at its bakery at all times, it added. The business said it had now brought in a number of improvements to ensure the bakery maintained the highest standards of food hygiene. Councillor Barbara Dring, chair of the city councils Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: People should be able to have confidence in the safety of the food served and cleanliness of any food business in Birmingham regardless of whether its a factory, retailer or restaurant. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams It was just in the nick of pine! Park Slope pulled the rug out from Manhattans Rockefeller Center by holding the citys first Christmas-tree lighting event this year on Fifth Avenue Saturday, according to a local business leader. Im fairly confident that were the first one, said Mark Caserta, executive director of the Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District. But lighting up the citys first tree in this case a 22-foot Douglas Fir was merely a coincidence of scheduling the event for Small Business Saturday a now six-year-old holiday created by bankers at American Express to promote shopping at local mom and pop retailers for the holidays, according to Caserta. It is a big deal in Park Slopes Fifth Avenue, which boasts one of the largest concentrations of small, independently owned businesses in the borough, Caserta claims. Were the poster child for Small Business Saturday, he said. And he is not kidding American Expresss small business team was on hand for the event with a film crew to record the event for promotional material, Caserta said. Local residents say they also had a fine time at the holiday event, which featured free treats from avenue businesses the Chocolate Room, Du Jour Bakery, Bagel World, and Buttermilk Bakeshop, along with carolers, puppet theater, and Santa Claus, who cruised there in a vintage, top-down Cadillac. We had a good time, said Bensonhurst resident Harry Mollano, who brought daughter Camila and son Dominick to the event. It was a great vibe, a fun time, and we look forward to doing it every year. Fresh prepared food manufacturer Bakkavor has announced that it is aiming to recruit more than 300 new employees across its UK sites, due to an increased demand from its customers. The manufacturer is looking to fill vacancies in its factory production and management roles in its Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Wigan sites. Bakkavor Desserts Newark will be aiming to recruit 100 new members of staff, while Bakkavor Freshcook is looking for 60 new employees and Bakkavor Pizza Holbeach has 150 vacancies available. Pippa Greenslade, group HR director, said it was a really exciting time for Bakkavor as it continues to go from strength to strength. The diverse range of roles we have available provides people all around the country with a great opportunity to work in the fast-moving and exciting fresh prepared foods industry, she said. We have a wide variety of roles on offer and we look forward to welcoming new people to our team. Bakkavor currently employs over 18,000 people globally, producing more than 5,000 products in 18 different categories, and has a desserts range that is stocked in major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. This month, Bakkavors focus on innovation helped the manufacturers revenue grow in its third-quarter results. latest news October 31, 2022 Buddy TV In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options... Telescopic walls could rise on demand to stop flood waters The invention, under development by a PhD candidate, would sit underground to not block water views Now with this NSF grant, Professor Aref and I became consultants on his company, so we are working for him now. BUFFALO, N.Y. Jorge Cueto was running a successful consulting and construction company in Bogota, Colombia, and teaching civil engineering in a university five years ago, but he felt the need to do more. He wanted something new. I wrote on the application for the Fulbright scholarship what I was trying to do. I was looking for something new, but I didnt know what it was, he said. He won the scholarship, and by a fortunate coincidence one of his favorite professors in Bogota had graduated from the University at Buffalo he came to UB. After finishing his masters degree and writing his PhD thesis, Cueto recently won UBs Engineering & Applied Sciences Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. The award is a recognition of outstanding contributions to his career field and comes after a long struggle to win support for his invention, which is also the subject of his thesis: a telescoping structural system. Cueto devised a patent-pending system of telescoping rectangular fiber-reinforced concrete boxes that he hopes will be the basis for rise on demand flood walls. The walls can be installed below ground level, so as not to block any water views, and can be raised when the threat of flooding occurs. NSF grant winner His invention, called Smart Walls, won a $225,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation. He had earlier won $8,000 in seed funding from the Entrepreneurial Lab, a joint effort of the universitys School of Management; Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach; and the undergraduate Entrepreneurship Academy to get the project going. The inspiration for the telescoping walls came in an emerging technologies class. The assignment was to identify a problem and then design a solution. I was literally sitting at my desk in my apartment. I am usually very efficient with space, to optimize its use. When I started thinking of the hollow space inside massive columns. Youre not using that space, and I was playing with an umbrella, he recalled. The idea clicked, and he started designing a telescopic structure. Cueto, 34, entered numerous business contests in search of money for his fledgling company, Smart Walls Construction LLC. But success eluded him until he received the NSF award. The NSF grant was the last straw for me. It allows the company to have a real prototype to be tested and shown to potential clients and investors, Cueto said. Now his company is occupying space in the UB business incubator on Sweet Home Road in Amherst, New York, and he will continue his research and his fight to launch the company. He is devising a system of gaskets to keep water from entering the walls, which are built of a highly fibrous concrete for extra strength. Expandable flaps that will cover the space between the walls are also being designed. Thesis idea become a business Andre Filiatrault, PhD, and Amjad Aref, PhD, both professors in the Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Department, have been Cuetos thesis advisors. Both professors knew Cueto was looking to commercialize his idea, but they insisted he not go light on scientific aspects of his thesis. We insisted on that, Filiatrault said. What I admire about Jorge is that he did not shortchange the scientific aspect of his PhD dissertation. Aref concurred. Jorge is very industrious, and importantly, possesses very positive attitude toward his work, Aref said. I hold him in high regard, and wish him all the success in running his company. In addition to winning the NSF grant, which Filiatrault called almost unprecedented for a student, Cueto is a rare as a civil engineer seeking to develop a business. In civil engineering its much harder to start companies, because the structures we are using are often public structures, Filiatrault said. Most of our PhD graduates become faculty members or consulting engineers. Student becomes the boss Cueto has presented the walls at a meeting of the American Concrete Institutes Strategic Development Council, and had interest from seafront towns. The walls could be useful to protect private property and hospitals, which cannot have access permanently blocked. Cueto said his professors were supportive of his business plans, but held him to very strict academic standards in his thesis. They were very strict on the scientific and technical aspects, and they were right. Innovative structural systems have to be based on strong science, he said. And Filiatrault notes one bit of irony in Cuetos success. Now with this NSF grant, Professor Aref and I became consultants on his company, so we are working for him now. New Jersey rates of STDs on the rise, especially in young adults As rates of sexually transmitted diseases are increasing across New Jersey, doctors are calling for more screening. Britains biggest crisp brand Walkers has rolled out its new Crinkles packaging, which will be available in major retailers from next month. The new six-pack format, which will be priced at 1, will feature a larger Walkers logo, alongside an updated Crinkles logo. Thomas Barkholt, Walkers marketing director, said that the company was looking forward to seeing these new packs on-shelf. The new packaging retains Crinkles key brand values with a more contemporary design, which will give it greater stand-out on-shelf, he said. Crinkles is already an incredibly popular brand and we felt the time was right to refresh the packaging, ensuring that it respects the brands value proposition in the Walkers portfolio. Were confident that, with an already strong consumer resonance and brand love, the new-look packaging will be a hit with shoppers. This month, Walkers increased prices of its products by 5p as a result of the pound weakening. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Cyrus Mistry, who was ousted as the chairman of on October 24, is likely to have an edge at the Tata Power board meeting on Tuesday. As the last of the big six Tata Group companies heads for a board meeting, the buzz is that there wouldnt be any move to replace Mistry as the chairman of Tata Power. A source said that the numbers are not there on the board of Tata Power to remove Mistry. In fact, the attempt of the Tata camp could possibly be to block a vote of confidence for Mistry. Software lobby National Association of Software and Services (Nasscom), after revising its growth forecast for the information technology (IT) sector downwards to 8-10 per cent for this year, is hopeful that the growth rate will rebound in next three quarters. craigslist: thailand jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events US-based mutual fund Morgan Stanley's exercise of marking down the value of to $5.58 billion will put pressure on the company to raise funds in order to compete with Amazon at a lower valuation. Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) recent technological innovation for its Only Vimal textile brand, DEO2 process technology has been granted a patent by the US government's United States Patent & Trademark Office. The technology enables the fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. In July 2015, the Indian government had granted a patent to the DEO2 technology, stated in an official communique on Tuesday. The Group on Monday presented in the Supreme Court a roadmap for repayment of an outstanding amount of over Rs 11,136 crore to SEBI and proposed to clear its liability in 21 instalments in two-and-a-half years to ensure "absolute" release of its chief Subrata Roy. The group submitted the application, along with a payment plan, seeking approval of the apex court and for "absolute" release of Roy and two directors Ashok Roy Chaudhary and Ravi Shankar Dubey once the amount is paid. The proposed plan was placed before a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices Ranjan Gogoi and A K Sikri, which asked SEBI and senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, who is assisting as amicus curiae in the matter, to respond to it. The application also said that Roy and the two directors would give personal undertakings regarding the roadmap and "in the event of three defaults" of payment they would surrender and be taken into custody. Giving the details, the application filed by India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIRECL) and Housing Investment Corporation Ltd (SHICL) through senior advocate Kapil Sibal, proposed to pay Rs 1,000 crore in equal instalments of Rs 200 crore by March 2017. It proposed to repay Rs 2,700 crore by December next year in equal instalments of Rs 300 crore each month April onwards. It would repay Rs 6,000 crore in six equal instalments between January 2018 and April 2019, and the remaining amount of Rs 1,436.68 crore would be cleared by July 2019. On the SEBI Sahara Refund Account, the application said that pursuant to an apex court order, Rs 11,001.40 crore has been credited to it from time to time while the liability was Rs 24,029.73 crore. "By deducting Rs 11,001.40 crore from Rs 24,029.73 crore, the alleged liability according to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) would be Rs 13,028.33 crore," it said while calculating the outstanding amount to be paid to SEBI at Rs 11,136.68 crore. It said that it does not take into account the repayments made by the group to investors by cheques to the tune of Rs 1,165.68 crore and TDS deducted and deposited with Income Tax department at Rs 725.97 crore. Tata Power has convened an extraordinary general meeting on December 26 to remove Cyrus P. Mistry as director of the company. The decision for the EGM was taken at the companys board meeting on Tuesday. The boards decision followed a request from Tata Sons, which owns a 31.05 per cent stake in the company. Tuesdays board meeting was chaired by Mistry without any contest either from the independent directors or from the companys executive directors. The companys independent directors did not issue any separate statement reaffirming the leadership of Mistry as it was done by the independent directors of Indian Hotels, Tata Chemicals and Tata Motors. These companies came out with statements to affirm their confidence in their boards, chairman Mistry, and the managements in the conduct of the companys business. In Tata Steels board meeting, the independent directors were split in half to come out with a statement to support Mistrys decisions, and did not make any statement. Mistry was, however, ousted as chairman from the board of Tata Global Beverages (TGBL) after the board removed him from the position in the board meeting held on November 15. After Mistry termed TGBL boards move as illegal, Tata Global initiated a circular resolution on November 25 among its directors for abundant caution to remove Mistry from the chairmans post and appoint Harish Bhat in his place. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had earlier removed Mistry and appointed Ishaat Hussain as its interim chairman. Since the ouster of Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons on October 24, Tata Power has lost ~3,083 crore of its market capitalisation. Its shares were trading at ~72 a share, down 13.6 per cent since Mistry was ousted and 78-year-old Ratan Tata was appointed as interim chairman of Tata Sons. A legal battle is also in the offing with Nusli Wadia serving a legal notice to Tata Sons for defamation. In its special notice to remove Wadia from the boards of Tata Chemicals, Tata Motors and Tata Steel, Tata Sons had said Wadia was galvanising other independent directors and working against the interests of the Tata Group. Wadia has sought proof from the Tatas on these allegations and is seeking legal recourse against the Tatas. The Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested four suspected activists - three from Tamil Nadu's Madurai and one from here, said police. Police alleged that the four suspects had plans to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 21 other leaders. The arrested men -- identified as M. Khareem, Asif Sultan Mohammed and Abbas Ali (all of Madurai) and Dawood Sulaiman from here -- also allegedly issued threats to several embassies in India, police said. Temple town Madurai is around 420 km from here. According to police, Sulaiman, who works in an IT company here, was picked up based on the information given by the three men picked up from Madurai. Government-run madrassas in will not be allowed to keep their institutions closed on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan as it is against government rules, state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. However, the madrassas in the state will be allowed one-hour break on Friday for prayers. The minister said there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. Making it clear that there cannot be two holidays in a week for madrassas, the minister said that as the teachers get salary for working on Fridays from the government, they cannot, on their own, give unrecognised and unscheduled holidays going against government sanctions. The state government would soon issue an order for the madrassas to remain open on Fridays as per rules, Sarma said. "This Friday holiday is not officially recognized. We will not allow the closure of madrassas on Fridays. We will make provisions for one hour break for jumma namaz' (Friday prayer) to be offered instead of a day's holiday for it as there is no official sanction for this". "If the madrassas want a holiday on Friday besides Sunday holiday, they could give a representation to the effect to the state government, which will forward it to the Central government for action," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting on Tuesday. Observing that this trend was being observed especially in Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Morigaon districts, he said, "Friday is neither an officially recognised holiday nor is it a government-scheduled holiday. Sunday is the government-scheduled holiday." At a press meet in Guwahati on Monday, the minister had said, "As far as I know, there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. No circular was also issued by the government about a Friday holiday. We are not against any religion. We are only enforcing the law". The government has approved six proposals from four developers to set up new special economic zones (SEZs) across three states in areas such as IT and biotechnology. The decision was taken by the Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, at its November 9 meeting, an official said. The developers who got nod for new zones include Vaxenic India, EON Kharadi Infrastructure and KRC Infrastructure. GAR Corporation has proposed to set up two IT/ITeS zones in Telangana, while Vaxenic India wants to set up biotechnology and bio pharmaceuticals SEZ in the state. EON Kharadi Infrastructure and KRC Infrastructure too have planned to set up separate IT/ITeS special economic zones in Pune. Information Technology Park has got the approval to set up IT zone in Karnataka. The board has also given additional time to six developers and units to implement their projects. G P Realtors had sought further extension of the validity period of formal approval granted for setting up electronic hardware and IT/ITeS zone in Haryana. "The board, after deliberations, extended the validity up to November 13, 2017," the official added. are export hubs, which contribute about 23 per cent in the country's total outbound shipments. Exports from special economic zones logged a marginal growth of 0.77 per cent to Rs 4.67 lakh crore in 2015-16. The exports from such 204 zones were Rs 4.63 lakh crore in 2014-15. As per the Commerce Ministry's data, as on March 31, these zones had attracted investments worth Rs 3.76 lakh crore and generated employment for 15.91 lakh people. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh left for Cuban capital Havana this morning to pay last respects to the country's former president and revolutionary leader who passed away on Friday. Singh is among the various world leaders who will attend the mass commemorative event at Revolution Square in the city. An Indian delegation is accompanying the Home Minister. The week-long commemoration began yesterday at the Square where thousands of people are paying their respects to the departed leader. Simultaneous 21-gun salutes were fired to mark the beginning of the commemoration in Havana and the south-eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, from where Castro launched the revolution in 1953. The mourning period will end after his ashes are laid to rest on Sunday. The communist leader, who led a revolution in 1959 and ruled the Caribbean island for half a century died a decade after stepping down because of poor health and relinquishing power to his brother Raul Castro. He was cremated on Saturday. The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear the plea regarding shifting RJD strongman from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the capital. Shahabuddin was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 and was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10. He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him. Slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's widow Asha Ranjan had filed a plea in the apex court seeking to shift Shahabuddin from the Siwan to the Tihar jail so that witnesses in her husband's murder case are not influenced. Hearing Asha Ranjan's plea earlier on October 17, an apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Mishra had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete the murder probe within three months. The apex court also issued notices and sought responses from Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav. During the last hearing, Tej Pratap had admitted that he had accepted a bouquet from one of the murder accused, but denied his involvement in the murder. Forty-two-year-old Ranjan, the bureau chief of The Hindustan, was shot dead in July this year at Phal Mandi near the Siwan railway station, barely half-a-kilometer from the police station. The Bihar Government has recommended the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) probe into the case. The case came into the limelight again after a photograph appeared in the media showing murder suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with gangster-politician Mohammed Shahabuddin after his release from jail. Kaif, however, later rubbished all accusations against him and said he has no involvement in Rajdeo's murder case. Meanwhile a separate petition filed by Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons had been murdered at the behest of the RJD leader. Shahabuddin, who had been in jail for more than 10 years in connection with multiple cases, was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 in connection with the murder of a man who witnessed the killing of two brothers in Siwan. Two major terrorist attacks rocked Jammu region on Tuesday in which seven army personnel, including a major, were killed and eight other security men were injured before six heavily-armed terrorists were eliminated in the separate fierce encounters. At least two army jawans were injured on Tuesday in firing in Jammu and Kashmir's . The firing started at around 5:30 am this morning when the terrorists attacked the Army unit. Meanwhile, the state administration has ordered shutting down of schools in . The Border Security Force (BSF) said in general area of the border out post Chamliyal, Samba, a suspicious movement was noticed and immediately the area was cordoned off. When challenged, the BSF patrol was fired upon by miscreants holed up in a tube well pump house. The BSF said that firing has been retaliated. The Narendra Modi government has pulled off one of the most significant and bold reform measures in recent times. While it aims to counter the black money menace, the move has had negative repercussions too. With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposing an incremental cash reserve ratio (CRR) of 100 per cent on all deposits between September 16 and November 11, 2016, banks may have to potentially bear additional costs to the tune of Rs 18,110 crore annually, according to CARE Ratings. Despite the jute sectors attempt at paying wages to 250,000-odd workers through electronic transfer to their bank accounts, a section of the workers are likely to face hardship as they dont have bank accounts. Even those with bank accounts insist on receiving payment through cash as they dont want to go through the trouble of queuing up at bank ATMs to withdraw money. Prime Minister Narendra Modis ambitious scheme that promised lowest premiums for farmers seems to have started on a slow note during the kharif season this year, partly due to delayed notification by states. in Uttar Pradesh have accelerated their cane crushing operations, notching up production volumes that are already seven times the output achieved during the previous 2015-16 crushing season. http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2015/11/justice-antonin-scalia-rails-again-about-flag-burning-weirdoes/ ANTONIN SCALIA:If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag, Scalia said. But I am not king. ------------------------------- 2015Antonin Scalia198954 Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was in Philadelphia last night, making remarks about the Court, a controversial flag-burning ruling from 1989, and diversity among his fellow Justices. Scalia appeared at a Union League in an event moderated by Princeton Universitys Robert George, and as usual, the Justice made comments about the original meaning of the Constitution. And according to reports from the event, Scalia also talked the historic Texas v. Johnson flag-burning decision, which is still debated to this day. Scalia said as a jurist who believes in a pure texualist reading of the Constitution, he has made some tough calls in his career, especially in free-speech cases where his vote went against his personal principles. If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag, Scalia said. But I am not king. Related Story: Inside the Supreme Courts 1989 flag burning decision Scalia made similar comments at a March 2014 appearance in Brooklyn, where he called Gregory Lee Johnson, who brought the 1989 flag-burning lawsuit, a bearded weirdo. (He made similar comments at a 2012 appearance in Wyoming, a 2005 appearance at the University of Michigan event and in 2004 at a William and Mary event.) Back in 1989, Scalia was the fifth and deciding vote in the Texas v. Johnson decision that upheld flag burning in Texas, and a year later, he voted against a federal law that banned flag burning in United States v. Eichman. In protest of President Ronald Reagans administrative policies, Gregory Lee Johnson burned a flag outside the City Hall building in Dallas, Texas, in 1984. Many onlookers said the scene was deeply offensive, a sentiment that represented the popular majoritys view on the matter. Texas arrested Johnson and convicted him of breaking a state law that prohibited desecration of the flag of the United States. Johnson was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine. Johnson won an appeal in Texas, and the Supreme Court took the case. In a very unusual majority, the Court voted 5-4 in favor of Johnson. Johnsons actions, the majority argued, were symbolic speech political in nature and could be expressed even at the affront of those who disagreed with him. Justices Scalia and Anthony Kennedy upheld flag burning. Scalia, who is well-known for writing opinions, concurrences and dissents, did not write on his own in the Johnson and Eichman decisions. At Wednesdays Philadelphia event, Scalia also took a shot at a public impression that the current Court is diverse, noting that the nine current Justices studied either at Harvard or Yale, and questioning if they represent the deeply felt principles of the country. And as usual, Scalia took some shots at jurists who believe in the idea of a living Constitution. There are some wonderful decisions that have been made by an overreaching Supreme Court. That doesnt mean theyre right, Scalia said. It was the evening of November 8 and Surat-based diamantaire Arjanbhai Ambaliya's family was just back in their Gandhinagar hotel after a day of touristy travel through the city. They were already discussing the next vacation in Udaipur. But the following day, they were heading back to Surat, rather depressed. had struck. That is not the only change in plan in his family. Ambaliya, 46, is now having second thoughts about going ahead with his son's wedding that was planned for February 1, 2017. "We might have to postpone it," says Ambaliya, whose diamond polishing unit near Katargam is lying virtually defunct.. After it shut down for days at a stretch, the diamond polishing unit opened to only five employees recently against the usual strength of 150. Along with his two brothers, Ambaliya is busy doing rounds of the banks to withdraw cash and pay his workers. He needs to send money home to his farmer father in Amreli as well. Rinkesh Shekhawala, 36, too has been helping his father, Pravinbhai (62), in the textile business. Everyday my son stands in the queue to withdraw cash to pay our workers. We have not been able to pay enough wages to them since November 9, the father says. Not only have the orders dried up completely, orders prior to November 8 have also been cancelled. Their powerloom unit in Patel Industrial Society on Ved Road in Surat has been inactive for weeks. The current account withdrawal limit has meant that as against a daily requirement of Rs 3 lakh worth working capital, textile unit owners like Shekhawala have to suffice with Rs 50,000. Surat polishes 95 per cent of all diamonds processed in the world. While size of the industry is estimated at around Rs 90,000 crore, the city houses close to 4,000 units of diamond cutting and polishing. The textile industry is big too in the city, pegged at over Rs 60,000 crore. Diamond and textile industry together employ more than 2 million people in this southern city of Gujarat bordering Mumbai. The number number assumes significance if one were to compare with the IT industry, which employs around 3 million. Besides textile and diamond, agriculture too has been hit. For instance, sugarcane farmers with decent land holding like Pinakin Patel of Sadlav village in Navsari, 40 km from Surat, are still able to carry through since their farm expenses are incurred by the sugar factories to whom they supply. November is the harvesting month for kharif sugarcane and sowing month for rabi crops. However, the situation may get tough for us if the cash crunch continues," says Patel. However, Naseeruddin Dabhi (50), who has to travel 15 km daily from his village Mohni to the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Surat to sell vegetables, it has been a nightmare since November 8. Dabhi, who mostly deals in brinjal, ladies finger and string beans, has seen prices fall by over 50%. This is because while sugarcane and rice are sold mostly in large quantities of quintals and tonnes, thereby facilitating cheque payments, vegetables and fruits are sold in smaller quantity of 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg, making cash payments imperative. Then there are others like Rajni Dudhat, a textile processing unit worker, who has been asked to stay at home for at least two months by his employer for want of work. "As against a monthly requirement of Rs 10000, we have reduced our consumption severely and are managing our house with Rs 3000," said Dudhat, 40, who had to put off shopping for a wedding in the family. To make the ends meet, Dudhat plans to borrow some from family and friends. While workers like Dudhat have been sent home, employers like Shekhawala fear that the rest of the workers who were supposed to return from Diwali holidays may now extend their stay for at least two months. "This could lead to mass exodus of workers who hail from other states like Bihar and Odisha, says Shekhawala. Situation could only ease if cash could be mobilised at the earliest, according to Surat APMC chairman Raman Jani. Till then, farmers, traders and buyers are transacting mostly in credit. are bracing for higher pressure in early December, as people will queue at their branches and ATMs to withdraw salaries and pensions in cash, amid the currency note crunch. Action against pilots for faking documents During the year 2011-12, 17 pilots were found having obtained licenses on the basis of fake mark sheets/certificates and 19 pilots were found having obtained licenses on the basis of fake flying hours. In recent past two cases were noticed where pilots obtained license on the basis of fake mark sheets/certificates. On the basis of preliminary investigation in the year 2011-12 Crime Branch Delhi had found involvement of three officials of DGCA against whom cases were initiated by Crime Branch. In cases related to fake mark sheets, licenses of 15 pilots were suspended. In the remaining 2 cases, the trainee pilots were debarred from obtaining Indian license. These cases were handed over to Crime Branch, Delhi. Cases related to fake flying hours of trainee pilots by Chief Flying Instructor of Rajasthan State Flying School, Jaipur are being investigated by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Rajasthan. Licenses of 19 pilots have been suspended and thereafter suspension of 5 licenses was revoked based on the investigations of ACB, Rajasthan. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) laid the Foundation Stone for MSME Technology Centre at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh today in the presence of Shri Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Shri Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture and other dignitaries. A National Vendor Development Programme (NVDP) Exhibition was also organized during this event. . . Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kalraj Mishra said that this Technology Centre will focus on technological & skilled manpower support to Electronics Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), automotive electronics sectors of the region. The Technology Centre will also ensure competitiveness of the MSMEs in the Electronics Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) eco-system by strengthening their linkages to the mainstream manufacturing sector across the globe. The Technology Centre, apart from technological support to the industries, would train nearly 3000 trainees annually on becoming fully operational. He also highlighted that the National Vendor Development Programme (NVDP) would facilitate matchmaking between large scale Public Sector Undertakings & MSMEs by bringing them together at a common platform for mutual benefit of both. . . This Technology Centre is one of the 15 new Technology Centres that are being established in the country by Ministry of MSME. This Centre will provide support to Electronics Systems Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) and automotive electronics sector particularly Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises towards their technological and skilled manpower requirements. The Programme would be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,200 crore including World Bank loan assistance of US $ 200 million. . . For the Technology Centre, Greater Noida, Government of Uttar Pradesh has provided 15 acres of land free of cost, whereas Government of India would be investing more than Rs.145 crore for creating facilities towards plant & machinery, development of civil and associate infrastructure. . . Shri Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises said that Technology Centre at Greater Noida will focus on ESDM (Electronics Systems Design & Manufacturing) sector and will address the requirement of the catchment area, as the Noida and Greater Noida have been at the epicentre of the development of the ESDM industry in North India. This Technology Centre will play an important role in enhancing the competitiveness of the MSME units in ESDM sector and entrepreneurs of the region. . . Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said that Technology Centre at Greater Noida will focus to cater to ESDM sector development, Innovation & design services, prototyping, testing & calibration, incubation and training in Electronic Repair & Maintenance and Computer Hardware & software would be the prominent activities to be undertaken by the Technology Centre. . . Shri Ram Naik, Governor, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion said that timely completion of the Technology Centre is very important for the development of the State. He also said that Uttar Pradesh as a big state deserves one more Technology Centre in addition to the ones sanctioned at Kanpur and Greater Noida and he requested the Union Government to do the necessary for opening one more at the earliest. . . Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/c), Ministry of Tourism & Culture said that these Technology Centre will go a long way in developing the skills of the people in this region. It will also help in increasing the odds of getting skilled jobs for the people. . . Shri Surendra Nath Tripathi, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner (MSME) while welcoming the dignitaries conveyed thanks to State Government of Uttar Pradesh for allotment 15 acres of land free of cost for the Project and assured that all efforts would be made to complete the project in a time bound manner. . . Framework to regulate and oversee co-operative banks and deposits Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates and supervises the banking functions of State Cooperative Banks (StCBs)/District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs)/Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) under the various provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As applicable to Cooperative Societies) and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the matters related to incorporation, registration, management, audit, liquidation, etc. in respect of these banks fall under the jurisdiction of the concerned Registrar of co-operative societies. Under Section 35(6) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As applicable to Cooperative Societies), National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) has concurrent powers to inspect StCBs and DCCBs. NABARD has reported that as on 31.3.2015, the total deposits with 33 StCBs and 371 DCCBs were Rs. 356467 crore. Out of these cooperative banks, 12 banks were having negative net worth as on 31.3.2015. NABARD has informed that these banks are servicing their depositors. RBI has informed that it has prescribed uniform Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for all commercial and cooperative banks and its Master Directions on KYC guidelines are uniformly applicable to all banks in India. RBI has further informed that it does not have any information on whether extant KYC norms are causing many cooperative banks to be used for money laundering and tax evasion. However, some instances of violations of KYC/Anti Money Laundering (AML) guidelines in UCBs have been observed by RBI and 32 UCBs have been imposed an aggregate penalty of ?119.50 lakh by RBI for KYC/AML violations from 1st July, 2015 to 30th June, 2016. NABARD has reported that the compliance to KYC/ AML is monitored during inspection of StCBs and DCCBs and these banks are required to submit Cash Transaction Report, Suspicious Transaction Report, Counterfeit Currency Report and Non-Profit Organization Report, etc. to Financial Intelligence Unit-India regularly. This was stated by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. Present Status of Centre and State funding policy Presently, as per the rationalized Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) approved by the Government of India, the Centre and State funding pattern to different States of our country will be as given below. For the Core of the Core Schemes which are legislatively backed or are designed to subserve the vulnerable sections of our population, the existing funding pattern will continue. For Core Schemes, the funding pattern for the 8 Northern Eastern States and Himalayan States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir shall be Centre: 90% and State: 10%, whereas for the rest of the States this ratio shall be Centre: 60% and State: 40%. For Optional Schemes, the funding pattern for the 8 Northern Eastern States and Himalayan States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir shall be Centre: 80% and State: 20%, whereas for the rest of the States this ratio shall be Centre: 50% and State: 50%. However, all the sharing patterns indicated above shall be subject to the proviso that if the Central share is already below that indicated in the sharing pattern, then the Centres share would remain capped at their present level. All Core and Optional Schemes would be funded 100% by Centre in all Union Territories (without legislature). For Union Territories (with legislature), existing funding pattern would be followed for all Core of the Core and Core Schemes. For Optional Schemes, the funding pattern of 80% by Centre and 20% by Union Territories (with legislature) would be followed. All schemes of the Government of India are funded as per the above ratios and there is no special scheme" under implementation. This was stated by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. Protest by Ex-Servicemen Over OROP United Front Movement of Ex-Servicemen is continuing their protest action since 14th June 2015 for their demands on OROP. Government has accepted the demands of Ex-Servicemen associations to implement OROP, payment of arrears w.e.f. 01.07.2014 and coverage of Premature Retirees (PMR) cases under the scheme upto 07.11.2015. Some Ex-Servicemen Associations have been demanding changes in methodology for fixation of pension, periodicity of its revision, coverage of future PMR cases, etc. The Government appointed a Judicial Committee on OROP to look into the anomalies, if any arising out of implementation of OROP on 14.12.2015. The Committee has submitted its report on 26.10.2016. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri D Raja in Rajya Sabha today. DM/NAMPI/RAJ ? Reforms in Police Force The Supreme Court of India has passed seven directives on 22nd September, 2006 on police reforms in a writ petition (civil) No. 310 of 1996 filed by Prakash Singh and others. Out of the seven directives, the first six were meant for the States/Union Territories (UTs) while the seventh directive related solely to the Central Government. The directives of the Supreme Court had been forwarded to all the States/UTs on 26th September, 2006 for implementation. In the year 2007, the Union Government had set up a Committee on National Security and Central Police Personnel Welfare and on 12.02.2007, filed an application before the Supreme Court, stating difficulties in implementation of the seventh directive. With regard to other six directives on model police reform measures, so far 20 States/UTs have implemented whereas 16 have partly implemented. Police reform measures are also supported through grants-in-aid released to the State Governments under the Scheme for Modernisation of State Police Force (MPF) by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Major items of Police infrastructure covered are mobility, modern weaponry, training infrastructure facilities, forensic science equipment, security equipment, traffic equipment etc. Further, the Central Government had constituted a Committee to draft a new Model Police Act, which was published in 2006. A copy of the draft Model Police Act, 2006 as framed by the Committee was sent to States for consideration and appropriate action. So far, 17 States have enacted a new Police Act or amended their existing Act. The Model Police Act, 2006 was reviewed again, in line with the changing realities and making Police more responsive, efficient and citizen friendly. Accordingly, a revised Model Police Bill, 2015 has been prepared and uploaded on BPR&Ds website for public comments and feedback. This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply to question by Dr. Prabhas Kumar Singh, Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram and Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy in the Lok Sabha today. Uma Bharti Expresses Concern over Falling Ground Water Level National Seminar on Aquifer Mapping and Ground Water Management held Expressing concern over the fast depletion of ground water level in the country Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has called for serious efforts towards better ground water management. Inaugurating Bhujal Manthan-II, a National Seminar on Aquifer Mapping and Ground Water Management in New Delhi today the Minister sought close cooperation of Union Ministries of Rural Development, Agriculture and Environment towards this task. The Minister also announced setting up of a committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary of Water Resources to suggest ways to conserve fast depleting ground water levels through aquifer recharge. The committee will also have Secretaries of Union Ministries of Rural Development, Environment and Agriculture as members. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a month. Sushri Bharti said the Government plans to complete aquifer mapping across the country in the next three years. She said Government plans to recharge ground water on priority basis in dark blocks of the country where ground water has been over exploited. Referring to the success achieved by Israel in water management the Minister said, 62 per cent of water used by Israel is treated water. Why cant we follow it? We too can do it." Quoting the example of Hiware Bazar of Maharashtra and Seenchewal of Punjab, Sushri Bharti said a beginning has been made in our country also towards better water conservation. But she stressed the need for making water conservation a national movement with large scale public participation. She said, It will not be possible to make this movement a success without large scale participation of every section of the society". Expressing concern over inter state water disputes, the Minister urged for a National prospective. She said, It should be the endeavour of every concerned state to think more about the other side. Odisha should think more about Chhattisgarh and similarly Chhattisgarh about Odisha. Similarly Tamil Nadu should be more concerned about Karnataka and vice-versa. By this way only we would be able to promote national integration and unity. Earlier speaking on the occasion, Union Rural Development, Panchayatiraj, Drinking Water & Sanitation Minsiter Shri Narendra Singh Tomar expressed concern over the unhindered exploitation of natural resources in the country. He said time has come when we should realize our mistake and think of conserving water for future generations. About 1,000 experts in various fields related to ground water development, management and governance, academicians, NGOs and other stakeholders attended the seminar. The inaugural session was followed by five technical sessions on various issues related to ground water resources management. The first Bhujal Manthan was held in Kurukshetra in Haryana last year. Samir/jk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid uncertainty of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Cuba policy, a transition team spokesman said Trump wants to see freedom for the Cubans and is aware of the "nuances and complexities" in Cuba, media reports said. "To be clear, the president-elect wants to see freedom in Cuba for the Cubans and a good deal for Americans where we aren't played for fools," Trump's communications director, Jason Miller said . He added that Trump is "aware of the nuances and complexities" in Cuba, but he will address the situation on the island once he takes office, Efe news agency reported. Former Cuban President Fidel Castro's death at age 90 last Friday has not changed the billionaire New York real estate developer's stance on policy toward Havana, Miller said. "Our priorities are the release of political prisoners, return of fugitives from American law, and also political and religious freedoms for all Cubans living in oppression," he said. The White House weighed in on Trump's comments, warning that disengagement with Cuba would be difficult and carry a high cost at this point. "It's just not as simple as one tweet would make it seem," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. "There are significant diplomatic, economic (and) cultural costs that will have to be accounted for if this policy is rolled back," Earnest said. Earnest said reversing course on relations with Havana would have an economic impact on Cubans. "There will be an economic impact in the US and Cuba of unwinding that policy," the White House spokesman said. --IANS vgu/ Paloma Duarte, 18, a dancer, poses for a photograph in front of the Cuban and US flags in Havana, March 23, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] WASHINGTON -- The first scheduled commercial flight from the United States to the Cuban capital Havana in more than half a century landed on Monday amid uncertainty about US President-elect Donald Trump's Cuba policy. The American Airlines launched the flight from Miami, Florida, and it has more business plans to fly to Havana including a flight from Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday. Earlier this year, several US airlines started flying routes to other cities of Cuba, which is some 145 km away from Key West, Florida. Before the airliner landed in Havana, Trump tweeted that he might "terminate" the thaw in US-Cuba relations initiated by President Barack Obama. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the US as a whole, I will terminate deal," he said. The tough comment requesting more concessions from Cuba is suggestive of a hard-line stance and is expected to raise more speculation and uncertainties about Trump's Cuba policy after the death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Friday. Washington resumed diplomatic relations with Cuba in July 2015, with its 55-year-long trade embargo against the Caribbean island nation still in place. In 1961, Fidel Castro declared Cuba a socialist country. Before that, large-scale reforms he led, including nationalization of industries and banks, prompted Washington to sever ties. Negotiations to normalize US-Cuba ties began since two years ago between Obama and Fidel Castro's brother Raul Castro, who succeeded him in 2006. British police have received a genetic sample from Wikileaks founder for Swedish prosecutors to use in their rape investigation against him, an official said today. British authorities took the sample from Assange in Ecuador's London embassy where he is taking refuge, the South American country's chief prosecutor Galo Chiriboga said. Assange, 45, has been in the embassy since 2012 to avoid being sent to Sweden where he faces the rape allegations, which he denies. He fears Sweden would extradite him to the United States to answer for the leaking of diplomatic cables by his whistleblowing website, which embarrassed Washington. An Ecuadoran state attorney questioned Assange at the embassy on November 14 on behalf of a Swedish prosecutor who was also present. On that occasion, "Mr. Assange presented a document stating that he had already handed over the DNA sample to the British police," Chiriboga told reporters in the Ecuadoran capital Quito. "Therefore Sweden will now have to request that DNA sample from the British police." He said Ecuadoran prosecutors would send the official transcript of Assange's evidence from the November 14 hearing to Swedish authorities "in mid-December. The assailant who car-rammed and stabbed pedestrians at State University today, injuring nine before he was shot dead by police, was a young man of Somali descent, US media reported. CBS News quoted a federal law enforcement official as saying the suspect "has been tentatively identified as a young man of Somali descent," aged around 20. Law enforcement officials quoted by NBC News said he was an 18-year-old student at State, a Somali refugee who was a legal permanent resident of the United States. Oil fell below $45 in New York as an Opec deal to curb output appeared in jeopardy after Iran and Saudi Arabia failed to bridge differences. Futures tumbled as much as 4.8 per cent after Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told reporters in Vienna his nation wont reduce production. A 10-hour technical meeting focusing on how to share the burden of cuts failed to resolve differences. Saudi Arabia is ready to reject an agreement unless all Opec members, excluding Libya and Nigeria, participate, said people familiar with the kingdoms current position at the ... Financial shares mainly non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), micro-finance institutions (MFIs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) were in focus, trading higher by up to 9% on the BSE. The benchmark indices trimmed initial gains to settle the day flat a day ahead of the release of key economic data that include GDP growth for the September quarter and the fiscal deficit data for October scheduled for Wednesday. The Punjab Election Commission has shot off a letter to the state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), raising its objection over the party's Dalit manifesto and has asked for two copies of the same. Sources told ANI that this move was taken after the Election Commission of India raised objections to the AAP manifesto. The AAP's Dalit manifesto was unveiled in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister and party's convener Arvind Kejriwal earlier on November 25. Kejriwal had later tweeted that if AAP wins the Punjab assembly elections then his party will the Deputy Chief Minister's post to a Dalit. The AAP's 19-point agenda promises among others houses for Dalits, a special cell for implementation of Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and a hike in the Shagun amount given for the wedding of a daughter to Rs. 51,000. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Beatrice City Council is moving forward with a grant application aimed at restoring the facades of downtown buildings. The council took another step toward implementing the program Monday night, when it unanimously approved applying for the second of two phases to receive a downtown revitalization grant. If awarded, Beatrice would receive $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the second phase. City Attorney Greg Butcher said the grant does require a 25 percent match on the citys end, and its likely that match will be paid by business owners at the same rate. For example, if a facade improvement to a building costs $20,000 the building owner would have to pay $5,000. The grant application requires a 25 percent match... That 25 percent match can come from the contribution of the property owner, Butcher said. When we set up our program, well have a minimum 25 percent match. Whatever we put in for facade improvements, that will count as our match for the grant. Butcher added that 25 percent is the minimum match, but the council could increase that if it wants to make the grant funds stretch further. It was previously discussed that the match could come in the form of other infrastructure projects, though the city opted to include the match in the facade program itself to avoid additional studies. The reason we decided not to include infrastructure projects as a portion of the match was an additional environmental review process, Butcher said. How long those took, we didnt want to do additional environmental reviews. Its also anticipated that property owners will be required to maintain the facade improvement for a period of five years, preventing major changes from occurring. It was previously estimated that the cost for facade improvement project was $95 to $110 per square foot. The city used the same type of grant to renovate North Fifth Street in the downtown area, a project that was completed three years ago. The block was chosen as the focal point for a Community Development Block Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development dating back to 2010 to rejuvenate the downtown area. Adda52.com, India's largest poker site, is rolling out 'Your Ticket to World Poker Tour- Cambodia edition', thanks to the remarkable success of World Poker Tour events in the U.K., Las Vegas, Rozvadov and China Edition. Launched in April 2016 with an inaugural 'satellite' promotion - 'Your Gateway to World Poker Tour - U.K.', the poker site is once again presenting Indian poker players an opportunity to compete at a World Poker Tour event. WPT National Cambodia, which starts from Jan 2 at the Queenco Hotel and Casino, culminates with the USD 1,485 main event that starts on Jan 6. Players at Adda52 can win their way into the main event by playing online satellites. The online satellites will run daily at Adda52.com, starting at a very low buy-in of Rs. 300, from Nov 27 to Dec 25. Indian poker players can qualify for WPT National Cambodia by participating in three levels of satellite events running on Adda52.com. Package Satellites (Buy-in: Rs. 7500) will run every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 PM from Dec 03 to Dec 25 and bring a Rs. 1.7 lakh package all inclusive of Entry Ticket to WPT National Cambodia Main Event, to and fro flight tickets up to Rs. 40,000 and hotel accommodation up to Rs. 30,000. One can play the step satellites with a nominal buy-in of Rs 300 starting Nov 27 at 11 PM to win a ticket to Package Satellite. Furthermore, players can also play the Rs. 750 buy-in deadline satellites at 7 PM and 9 PM on the same day of package satellites to win their seat for it. "With our maturing relationship with the World Poker Tour, we look forward to host more satellite events providing Indian players an opportunity to showcase their poker skills in the international arena," said Anuj Gupta, Founder and CEO of Adda52.com. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood heartthrob Arjun Kapoor recently welcomed Neha Sharma to the 'Mubarakan' crew! The 'Ki & Ka' actor took to Instagram to share a video of him greeting Neha. He captioned it as "Guess who's joined us & just see how happy she is !!! Welcome to the crew @nehasharmaofficial #Mubarakan #setmadness." The brief video shows the Youngistan' actress screaming with excitement, while Arjun is heard saying "Arey itni khushi." The 29-year-old actress also posted a quirky selfie of herself along with the 31-year-old actor and captioned it as "Are my teeth brighter than yours? going nuts with the mad,fun and brilliant @arjunkapoor#setlife." Interestingly, the actress will play a cameo in the film that revolves around a big Punjabi family attending a destination wedding in Europe. Along with Arjun and Neha, actor Anil Kapoor will also be seen playing an important role in this Anees Bazmee's directorial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a dig at the opposition after their call for 'Aakrosh Diwas' evoked a lukewarm response across the nation, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that the reason their call had failed was because they were intimidated by the aakrosh (anguish) of people who have backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation decision. "The opposition, who were calling for Bandh on Aakrosh Diwas, witnessed the aakrosh of the people. They were intimidated by the people's Aakrosh that is why it was difficult to trace Bharat Bandh today. I think they are realising that their stand was wrong," Rudy told ANI here. Nationwide protests were held yesterday against the central government's "mishandling" of their decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000. Only the Left Front in West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala had called a 'Bahrat Bandh' and carried out protest. The Congress Party said that their protest is against the Centre's attack on white money and for creating hardship for the common people and would only resort to protest as the 'bandh' would cause inconvenience to people. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during her rally in Kolkata, vowed to evict Prime Minster Narendra Modi from Indian politics. "Whether I die or live I will remove Prime Minister Modi from politics," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following their Aakrosh Diwas, which did not seem to have any major impact on the Centre in regards with demonetisation, the opposition is set to go into a huddle yet again ahead of Tuesday's parliament session. The opposition parties will meet around 9:40 a.m. in parliament to discuss their strategy. Yesterday as well, leaders of opposition parties met to discuss their strategy in view of continued impasse in both houses of parliament because of demonetisation. The leaders decided to continue their demand for seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence during a discussion on the matter in the Rajya Sabha to ensure smooth functioning of the House. They also sought the Prime Minister's apology for his alleged remarks against the opposition for its criticism on the implementation of demonetisation. The demand of setting up of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the alleged selective leakage of the decision to demonetise high value currency notes is to be continued by the opposition. Meanwhile, the BJP has branded the nation-wide shutdown and protests by the opposition against demonetisation as a flop show. Party Secretary Shrikant Sharma claimed that the people have rejected it as they have no faith in the parties who are supporting black money and corruption, adding that the common people have appreciated the efforts of the Prime Minister. In Himachal Pradesh, the Bharat Bandh call by the CPI-M evoked no response as essential services, shops and commercial establishments remained open. Life also remained normal throughout in the state and buses as well as private vehicles plied on roads as usual. As part of Congress Party's Akrosh Diwas, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh accompanied by his cabinet colleagues and HPCC president Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu submitted a memorandum against the Centre's decision to demonetise to Governor Acharya Devvrat at the Raj Bhawan in Shimla. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's former president and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is likely to arrive in the country before December 27 to attend the ninth death anniversary of his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Sindh. However, according to the Dawn, his arrival is being linked to the superannuation of General Raheel Sharif by some in political circles. It is being said that with General Sharif's exit from office, the environment is being considered conducive for Zardari to return. The former president had left for Dubai in mid-2015 soon after accusing the military establishment of overstepping its domain. "Army chiefs come and go every three years but the political leadership is here to stay. We know the country better and we know how to run its affairs. If you do not stop, I will come out with a list of accused generals since Pakistan's creation," he had said then. The PPP does not agree with this,, terming it "mere propaganda" by Zardari's opponents. The PPP plans to give their leader a warm welcome on his return. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two military troops were injured in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Marawi City on Tuesday, which has been seen by experts as a "possible diversionary tactic by the Maute group", an Islamist terrorist group in Mindanao. Confirming the information military's Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said among these victims, one PSG member and one soldier are critically injured, reported CNN. The critically injured victims were airlifted to the Fourth Infantry Division headquarters in Cagayan De Oro City, while three others were shifted to a hospital. Deputy Brigade Commander of the 103rd Brigade Col. Gene Ponio said the personnel were part of a convoy of the President's advance party in Marawi. At least 50 people were part of the convoy, including personnel from Presidential Broadcast Staff Radio-Television Malacanang (RTVM) and military escorts, said Ponio. Ponio said the incident may be a diversionary tactic by the Maute group, an Islamist terrorist group in Mindanao. The Maute group is facing an intense military offensive after it laid siege to Butig town in Lanao Del Sur last week. The advance party was preparing for the scheduled visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in the province on Wednesday. However, there is no word yet if the President's visit will still push through. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Google Doodle pays tribute to one of the best-known female authors of the 19th century, Louisa May Alcott, who was born in New England 184 years ago today, with some of the most well-known characters from her semi-autobiographical book 'Little Women'. Alcott became a famous feminist and campaigned for the abolition of slavery but is best known for writing the iconic children's book. It's a semi-autobiographical account of her life growing up with her sisters. The book traces the lives of four sisters through to adulthood, dealing with the various strains of growing up and then finding themselves in different adulthood situations. It set a mark for female individualism in the 1860s as the women were at the centre of the book and fully formed characters who grappled with their own choices, even within traditional domestic roles. "I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead," wrote Alcott, as Jo, in the book. "I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all someday." She grew up alongside other famous Americans like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, who all share her final resting place in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Massachusetts, the burial site for some of the United States' most renowned writers and thinkers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday described 'Jan Aakrosh Diwas', an opposition protest rally against the Centre's move, as a 'complete flop'. Naidu told the media, "I have experience of 20 years of Parliament and I am unable to understand the demands of the opposition parties. Our opposition had given us a notice for debate on the issue of black money and . Congress leaders participated in the debate and all of a sudden they are no more part of debate and are creating ruckus and are not letting parliament function." "Their protest on was complete flop and people made fun of them. They declared bandh, and then, the Aakrosh rally was also flop and nobody except their party workers participated in the rally, this protest was a flop because people are happy," Naidu added. Naidu further said, "The decision taken by Modiji is historic and revolutionary. That is why people are happy and not participating in such rallies, there are some difficulties, but people are ready to face them, as demonetisation would help people grow." The nation-wide shutdown called by Left parties on Monday to protest against demonetisation evoked a lukewarm response in the capital, with major political parties such as the Congress and the AAP holding separate protest rallies and marches. The 12-hour shutdown called by six Left parties, including the CPI and the CPM, was aimed at staging demonstrations outside the RBI buildings and SBI branches. But it ended in a march from Mandi House to Parliament Street police station. Trade unions, too, held rallies, but most markets remained open. Aamir Khan's upcoming flick 'Dangal' will not only be a treat to his fans, but will also work as an inspiration, with his drastic physical transformation, for people who want to achieve something in life. But the drastic change in weight to portray the character of wrestler Mahavir Singh worried his wife and mother as losing extreme weight is a short period of time takes a toll on one's health. "Kiran (Rao) and my mother were worried about my health (which underwent extreme transformation in a short period of time). I was only worried about my character in the movie. I was not thinking about my health," he told media here, when asked on the same. This morning, the makers of the film UTV Motion Pictures posted a five-minute video on their Facebook profile, which documented the 51-year-old actor's change from 97 kilos to his six packs. "Watch the full video of Aamir Khan's body transformation from 97 kgs to six packs for #Dangal here. #AamirKhanFatToFit," the makers captioned the video. The video, along with his rigorous work-out, showed Aamir sharing his thoughts on the same. He said, "Putting on the weight was fun. I could eat and drink whatever I wanted and have a great time. I have to say I had a ball. But it was also most uncomfortable. Even my wrestling training was affected. I was carrying so much weight that I could not really move faster." Further in the video, while giving reasons to why he did not wear bodysuit instead of undergoing such transformation, the actor proved himself Mr. Perfectionist yet again, "Bodysuit would not have been that fun. I would have looked fat but would not have that feeling of being one. I would not have had fun as an actor with a body suit." "Your breathing changes when you put on weight. The whole body language changes- the way you walk, move, sit and stand up," he continued. The 'PK' star added, "Initially I felt it was impossible for me to lose weight as I was 97 kilo with 38 percent body fat. I felt I had taken up an impossible challenge." Aamir, while speaking to media, also shared that he would keep a special screening of Mahavir Singh's family and two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar, adding that Sushil's physique was the goal he targeted to achieve while losing weight. "We will keep a special screening for Geeta, Babita and Mahavir Ji's family. As soon as the film is ready, we will invite them to Mumbai to watch the film. I also want to invite Sushil (Kumar) Ji. He once came to our shooting where I told him that I want to build a body like him. I kept him as a bench mark." Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film also stars Sakshi Tanwar, Rajkummar Rao, Fatima Sana Shaikh and is slated to release on December 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 43-year-old NRI woman from Navsari district of Gujarat has successfully completed her solo car journey of 32,000 kilometres from the United Kingdom to India. Prior to her arrival in Navsari, the woman Bharulata Kamble made a halt at Vadodara where she was facilitated at the Mayfair Atrium Art gallery. During her journey, she traversed across 32 countries in 57 days from the United Kingdom to India to spread the message of 'Save girls, educate girls'. "My mission is to work for the girl child. I wanted to show the world that there is nothing which we women can't do. I always wanted to come to India with a change that I wanted to see. Education is the key to lead a respectful life. Girls should be educated for betterment of the society," she told ANI. Sharing her experience, she said, "I was treated with high respect in the foreign countries. China was challenging and the most chilling experience for me was the high altitude." Kamble drove through nine mountain ranges, three major deserts and two continents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A conversation at the Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education meeting Monday night about potentially transforming Cedar Elementary School into a preschool-only facility led to suggestions that the district instead get rid of preschool for 3-year-olds. It seems mind boggling that we would uproot the children whove been at Cedar and put them in portables in another school and (bus them) across town when the whole reason were looking at this is because of the preschool, said Jason Moore, a Cedar parent. Because if we didnt have the preschool, we wouldnt have the numbers problem. It was the first school board meeting following the Nov. 8 election, when district voters denied a ballot proposal to build a consolidated elementary facility for the districts roughly 1,000 preschoolers through fifth graders. The single-site school would have been funded through $34 million in bond payments. Voters turned down the same measure in Sept. 2015. BPS Superintendent Pat Nauroth opened the discussion with background information. Facilities were a focus in the districts first five-year strategic plan of 2010. As part of that process, a Facilities Action Committee made up of community members and BPS staff members, parents and at least one administrator conducted research and recommended to the board of education a single-site elementary school. The districts preschool program has been expanding in recent years as such expansion was also a focus of the strategic plan, Nauroth said. In February, the BPS Board of Education declared preschool availability to all 3- and 4-year-olds in the district as one of its priority goals for this year. The program expanded again in August to the current enrollment of 203, up from 182 in February. Preschoolers are taught at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Cedar Elementary School and Paddock Lane Elementary School. Another major goal of the Board of Education is to group all of the preschoolers under one roof. After 60.79 percent of voters turned down the idea of the consolidated school last year, administrators started looking in the community for a building that could work as a preschool. "The only viable option we found for using an existing building was Cedar," Nauroth said. Cedar is the only one section elementary school, meaning it has one classroom of kindergartners, one classroom of first graders and so on. Nauroth said the biggest issue with transforming Cedar would be remodeling and adding bathrooms so they accommodate regulations and enrollment. At the meeting on Monday, Nauroth gave a cost estimate of $70,000 to $100,000 to remodel Cedar into a preschool. Cedar students would be moved to Paddock Lane Elementary school, which would be converted from a two-section to a three-section building. Paddock Lane is the designated school for students with special needs as well as food allergies. The move would require two more portable classrooms at Paddock Lane, which currently has two portables that are nearing the end of their life expectancy, Nauroth said. Board members, administrators, staff and parents have all voiced at meetings their opposition to portable classrooms. Nauroth estimated a price tag of $200,000 for each new portable, including land preparation and installation of plumbing and electricity. That scenario, including the high-end estimate to changes at Cedar, could total $500,000. If the existing two portables would need to be replaced, that would be another $400,000. Another scenario involving a renovation to Paddock Lane instead of new portables could cost $1.1 million, plus the renovations to Cedar. Fourth and fifth graders would be taught in the portables at Paddock Lane. Parent Jason Moore, who was one of three to speak at the meeting, asked the district to consider adding portables for preschoolers rather than at Paddock Lane. When discussion opened up further about funding, some questioned whether the district can justify offering preschool to 3-year-olds. BPS does not get state funding for its 3-year-old preschool programming, while it does for its 4-year-olds. Budget cuts from the state are also a possibility, due to a projected $900 million Nebraska state budget deficit for the next two years. That deficit is not final, however, and no budget cuts have been announced. The warning came from state legislators in November, who will pick the issue up formally in January, when the next legislative session begins. If that projected deficit becomes a reality, it could take away 10 percent of state funding to BPS or about $600,000 the next two years. I was just giving the board what Im hearing coming from the state, Nauroth said. Its a very preliminary figure. I dont know if theyll even do that. As a district, we need to be prepared for how we would deal with a loss of $600,000. Moore asked the board, If we dont have state aid for 3-year-olds, why would you add it? He also asked the board why they would consider the changes to Cedar and Paddock Lane that would cost as much as the possible state funding cuts. The BPS Board of Education agreed to wait until early spring to move forward with making a decision on whether it will change the use of elementary buildings and move students. Nobody wants to move backwards, but we dont want to take away from K through 12, either, said board member Andy Maschmann, stating that the board needs to look seriously at whether it can afford preschool for 3-year-olds. Another important piece of information is that the district is responsible for providing services to kids in the district from birth to age 21, according to BPS Early Childhood Coordinator Missy Timmerman. The district serves several 3-year-olds in special education. Timmerman said if the district got rid of preschool classrooms for those children, the district would still have to have a certified teacher serve them somehow, whether it be going into the home or day care. One preschool teacher said she was surprised by how many 3-year-olds were in need of special education and were not potty trained. She said of her class of 17 last year, eight were in potty training. Board member Janet Byars said services for 3-year-olds were added because BPS was losing children to other districts who were not returning. Board member Doris Martin said that research shows preschool services help children better succeed in the following school years. Cedar parents expressed at the meeting the importance of neighborhood schools and keeping children in the environment they are already in. BPS administrators confirmed at the meeting that if they cut all 3-year-old classrooms, they would not have to move kindergartners through fifth graders out of Cedar. A day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that the Centre is ready to debate on demonetisation and Narendra Modi will speak on the matter if needed, the opposition parties on Tuesday escalated their attack on the ruling dispensation and reiterated their demand for an apology from the Prime Minister over his unwarranted barb post the decision to scrap high-value currency notes. A united opposition is also adamant on its demand for discussion under Rule 56 in the Lok Sabha. Sources said this was decided by the opposition in the meeting held this morning in Parliament. Justifying his decision, the Prime Minister had earlier on Friday in an event to mark Constitution Day said the people questioning his move were those who didn't get time to make any preparation. "I think the pain of such people is that the government did not give a chance (to them) to make any preparation. These same people would have lavished praise on him if they had got 72 hours to make their preparations," he said. The Prime Minister's comments provoked protests from the opposition in Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting the Centre must up the ante against Pakistan and stop gloating over the one lone surgical strike, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to launch an all out attack against the hostile neighbor. Shiv Sena's fiery statement came in the wake of the three army men being killed today as three-four terrorists stormed into an Army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu city. "Ever since the Uri attack happened, Pakistan has turned the heat and unleashed a string of attacks on us, while we are still beating the drum about one, lone surgical strike. Yes, we did carry out a surgical strike but clearly that has not silenced Pakistan. One mere surgical strike does not amount to teaching Pakistan a lesson," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI here. Talking about Indian Government's mission to isolate Pakistan on a global level, Raut further said that such an action much begin at the grassroot level in the capital, where the Pakistan High Commission is located. "The Pakistan High Commission is standing tall in Delhi on our land. From our soil they are strengthening Kashmiri terrorists. We must stop gloating over one surgical strike and the Prime Minister must instruct the Defence Minister to gouge out Pakistan's eyes," Raut said. Earlier today, heavily armed militants stormed an army camp in a town near Jammu, triggering a fierce gunfight that left four attackers and three army men dead and as many soldiers injured. Police said that an unknown number of terrorists barged into the military camp near the headquarters of the Indian Army's 16 Corps. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is facing all-out criticism from the opposition post the government's drive, on Tuesday urged all to support this endeavour to make India a digital economy and a cashless society. Attending a BJP parliamentary meet in Parliament, Prime Minister Modi said the fight against black money and the amendments in the income-tax law is an initiative aimed at benefitting the poor. "Addressing the BJP parliamentary meet on Monday, the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji said that our fight against black money and the amendments in the income-tax law is an initiative aimed at benefitting the poor," said Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar after the meeting. "He urged all to support the government's endeavour to make India a digital economy and a cashless society. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana will aim at ensuring that water, toilet, healthcare and education reach the poor," he added. Commenting the opposition's demand for an apology from the Prime Minister over his barb directed at them for questioning the drive, Kumar said the former will definitely intervene in both houses and put forth his stand. "We were ready for debate in both the houses from the 16th. The opposition parties left the debate in the middle in Rajya Sabha and have not yet started it in the Lok Sabha. We are ready for debate but we don't understand what problems they have," he said. Earlier in the day, the opposition parties escalated their attack on the ruling dispensation and reiterated their demand for an apology from the Prime Minister over his unwarranted barb post the decision to scrap high-value currency notes. A united opposition is also adamant on its demand for discussion under Rule 56 in the Lok Sabha. Sources said this was decided by the opposition in the meeting held this morning in Parliament. Justifying his decision, the Prime Minister had earlier on Friday in an event to mark Constitution Day said the people questioning his move were those who didn't get time to make any preparation. "I think the pain of such people is that the government did not give a chance (to them) to make any preparation. These same people would have lavished praise on him if they had got 72 hours to make their preparations," he said. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress Party on Tuesday alleged that the former who stepped into the shoes of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor with the demonetisation decision must now respond to the concerns of the opposition in both the Houses of Parliament. "This is not any favour. This is the right of the opposition in a democracy. Taking the role of the RBI Governor, the Prime Minister sent the message to the nation that Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes will be illegal after November 8. But Rs. 500 and 1,000 currency notes are being used and the Central Government is accepting it," Congress leader Digvijaya Singh told ANI. Asserting that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has no role to play in answering the questions on demonetisation, Singh asserted that the Prime Minister must come in both the Houses of Parliament and respond on the matter. "There are many questions rising and to answer those, the Prime Minister has to come in both the Houses of Parliament. The Finance Minister has no role to play in this," he added. Meanwhile, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned till 2 p.m. following uproar from the opposition demanding Prime Minister Modi's presence and discussion on demonetisation. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati demanded the Prime Minister's presence in the House for the discussion. Responding to this, Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu asked the agitating members to start the discussion assuring that Prime Minister Modi would come to the House and intervene. Naidu yesterday said the opposition's nation-wide protest was a flop. Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien repeatedly asked the members to cooperate the Chair. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members also countered the slogans raised by the opposition. The Lok Sabha also witnessed two adjournments before noon. As soon as the House met for the day, Congress, TMC, NCP members trooped into the well of the House demanding suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the demonetisation issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 11.30. As the House met after the first adjournment, there was no change in the situation. She adjourned the House till noon, after which it was again adjourned till 2 p.m. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday announced that people can withdraw the amount over and above a weekly limit of Rs. 24,000 if the deposits had been made in legal tender. The move is supposed to allow comfort to individuals, who were earlier hesitant to deposit legal tender following the withdrawal of high-value currency notes from November 8. "It has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29, 2016, beyond the current limits," it said in a statement. While deposits of the demonetised notes in banks since November 9 has kicked a total of Rs. 8.11 lakh crore (57 percent of the total value of demonetized notes), notes worth Rs. 33,498 crore (three percent) have been exchanged. "It has been reported that certain depositors are hesitating to deposit their monies into bank accounts in view of the current limits on cash withdrawals from accounts," added the RBI. Even as deposits surge, there have been reports that the printing of Rs. 2,000 notes has been stalled, which is said to have resulted in a drop in the legal tender being released by banks. Also, the RBI had reported a total withdrawal of Rs. 2.16 lakh crore as cash. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that he has repeatedly offered his cooperation to Central agencies in their investigations, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) chief has justified his decision to steer clear of India saying that he was an NRI and that his work kept him away mostly. Speaking exclusively to ANI about the current controversy over his NGO which has been banned by the Indian government, Naik said, "I've repeatedly offered my cooperation to governmental agencies in their investigations. Till a few days ago, no agency bothered to contact me, ask me questions, send me any notice or even lodge a FIR against me. Till date, there's been no contact and the only FIR lodged against me was done after the ban." Rubbishing reports of him being granted Malaysian citizenship, the Islamic preacher said he has neither been banned in Malaysia nor does he have its citizenship. "The Indian media has repeated hundreds of times in the last four months that I was banned in Malaysia. Now it takes a somersault and says that I have been given the citizenship of Malaysia. How can a person, who is banned in a country, be given a passport of that country? Both these reports are absolutely false without any proof. I'm neither banned in Malaysia nor do I have its citizenship," he said. Naik also dubbed the ban on his NGO as 'unfortunate' and alleged that this move of the 'anti-Muslim' BJP-led NDA Government is politically motivated. Naik said that the ban would be challenged as soon as possible, adding that his legal team in Delhi and Mumbai are considering all options possible. Responding to a poser as to why he blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for the ban and not British Prime Minister Theresa May, Naik said, "I am not banned in the UK, I have been 'excluded', which means I cannot enter the UK. A ban would have meant banning my speeches on television, my NGO as well as my books, audio and video CDs. None of that has happened. My organisation and my published materials are very much in circulation in the UK and doing some commendable work in spreading the message of peace in Islam. The Russian foreign ministry has denied Pakistani media reports about it having 'secret negotiations' with Pakistan for the creation of the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). A statement issued by Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said Moscow is not discussing the possibility of joining this project with Islamabad. "Russia-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation has its own inherent value, and we intend to strengthen it. Russian companies are implementing business projects in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, including the planned construction of the North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, on a bilateral basis," the statement said. The proposed CPEC is about 3,000-kilometre long and will consist of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China's Xinjiang province to the rest of the through the Gwadar port in Pakistan. Considered to be a part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, the USD 46 billion project covers Balochistan and Sindh provinces and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear the plea regarding shifting RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the capital. Shahabuddin was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 and was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10. He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him. Slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's widow Asha Ranjan had filed a plea in the apex court seeking to shift Shahabuddin from the Siwan to the Tihar jail so that witnesses in her husband's murder case are not influenced. Hearing Asha Ranjan's plea earlier on October 17, an apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Mishra had directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete the murder probe within three months. The apex court also issued notices and sought responses from Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav. During the last hearing, Tej Pratap had admitted that he had accepted a bouquet from one of the murder accused, but denied his involvement in the murder. Forty-two-year-old Ranjan, the bureau chief of The Hindustan, was shot dead in July this year at Phal Mandi near the Siwan railway station, barely half-a-kilometer from the police station. The Bihar Government has recommended the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) probe into the case. The case came into limelight again after a photograph appeared in the media showing murder suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with gangster-politician Mohammed Shahabuddin after his release from jail. Kaif, however, later rubbished all accusations against him and said he has no involvement in Rajdeo's murder case. Meanwhile a separate petition filed by Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons had been murdered at the behest of the RJD leader. Shahabuddin, who had been in jail for more than 10 years in connection with multiple cases, was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 in connection with the murder of a man who witnessed the killing of two brothers in Siwan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking up the plea regarding shifting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the capital, the Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing till 2 p.m. tomorrow. The plea, filed by the victims' families, stated that free and fair trial against Shahabuddin was not possible if he remained in the Bihar jail as witnesses would not be able to depose against the controversial leader with his goons threatening them. Shahabuddin is facing trial in 45 criminal cases. The counsel of Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were murdered at the behest of the RJD leader, today told the apex court that how influential the accused was that he committed offenses even when he was in the jail. Another petitioner, slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's widow Asha Ranjan, had filed a plea in the apex court seeking to shift Shahabuddin from the Siwan to the Tihar jail so that witnesses in her husband's murder case could not be influenced and also sought the safety and security of her family members. A division bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra and also comprising Justice Amitava Roy will take up the matter at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Forty-two-year-old Ranjan, the bureau chief of The Hindustan, was shot dead in July this year at Phal Mandi near the Siwan railway station, barely half-a-kilometer from the police station. The Bihar Government had recommended the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) to probe the case. The case came into limelight again after a photograph appeared in the media showing murder suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with gangster-politician Mohammed Shahabuddin after his release from jail. Kaif, however, later rubbished all accusations against him and said he has no involvement in Rajdeo's murder case. Meanwhile a separate petition filed by Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons had been murdered at the behest of the RJD leader. Shahabuddin, who had been in jail for more than 10 years in connection with multiple cases, was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 in connection with the murder of a man who witnessed the killing of two brothers in Siwan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean President, Park Geun-hye, has offered to step down and asked the national assembly to set a new deadline for the end of her turbulent presidency which will not be officially over until early 2018. She was speaking in her third nationally televised address on Tuesday since the scandal broke out. "I will leave to parliament everything about my future including shortening of my term," the Guardian quoted Park, as saying in her public address. Park said that she would step down once the lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance. This move comes at a time when she is struggling with a massive political scandal and huge protests asking for her immediate resignation over letting her confidante Choi Soon-sil, who does not hold an official government post, view confidential documents and presidential speeches. Describing it as a last-ditch attempt to avoid the humiliation of impeachment, Opposition lawmakers immediately rejected the offer. The country's major opposition parties have claimed that they have support of enough lawmakers including those from Park's own Saenuri party to go ahead with impeachment. "Park is handing the ball to parliament when she could simply step down," said Park Kwang-on, a lawmaker with the main opposition Democratic Party. "She is asking the parliament to pick a date for her to resign, which she knows would lead to a discussion on when to hold the presidential election and delay everything," he added. Local media and opposition parties have accused Choi of using her relationship with Park to accumulate millions of dollars in donations for her foundations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If President Joe Biden ever wanted to, he could easily blame all of his odd habits on senility. Nobody would bat an eye. His vice president, on the other hand, is more than twenty years his junior and such a claim would never be believable. Congress president Sonia Gandhi who is down with viral fever has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here on Tuesday. Congress media in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI on Tuesday, "Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to a hospital on account of viral fever." He further said, "Gandhi would be admitted for two days after which she would return to resume her duty in Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs and MLAs to furnish details of their bank accounts from November 8 to December 31 to party president Amit Shah, the Congress on Tuesday asked the former to stop theatrics and hiding behind 'jumlas' and start facing the mirror of truth. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop theatrics; should stop hiding behind rhetoric and should stop hiding behind 'jumlas' because the truth is if accounts have to be made public, then accounts for six months prior to demonetisation have to be made public," Congress media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI. Surjewala sought to know from the Prime Minister and Shah whether they would dare the BJP leaders to make public their respective accounts from April 1, 2016, up to the date of demonetisation i.e November 8 to the general public. He also trained guns on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders while asking them to follow the suit. "The truth will come out as how much money was actually being changed from black to white; who had prior information of the demonetisation policy and how was the BJP using or misusing that prior information? So, stop pulling wools over people's eyes and start facing the mirror of truth Modiji," Surjewala added. Sources said the Prime Minister also instructed all lawmakers and legislators to submit their financial details by January 1. Prime Minister Modi, earlier in the day attended a BJP Parliamentary Party meeting to discuss the strategies to counter the opposition on the Centre's demonetisation move. Opposition parties have accused the Prime Minister of plunging the country into financial anarchy by announcing demonetisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SRM University, Chennai, India in association with Shizuoka University, Japan, is organizing "Inter-Academia Asia (IAA) 2016", the 3rd conference, between November 28 and 30, 2016. IAA serves as a platform for the creation of International scientific network comprising students and researchers of Asian universities. IAA also provides a forum for the dissemination of original research results, new ideas, research and development, practical experiments focused on both theory and practices. This conference concentrates on the elevation of quality of Post Graduate education in Asian universities. Academic administrators, faculty members, PG students and research scholars from Dhaka University, Bangladesh, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Kasetsart University, Thailand, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, University Technology Malaysia, Malaysia, Vietnam National University-University of Languages & International Studies (VNU-ULIS), Hanoi, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Anna University, India and Shizuoka University, Japan will be participating in this conference. Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Director, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM University delivers the welcome address at the inaugural session. Prof. Shigehiko Suzuki, Vice President, International Strategy, Shizuoka University and Prof. Takeshi Sako, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University will speak. Prof. Prabir K. Bagchi, Vice Chancellor, SRM University inaugurates the conference. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh on Tuesday described the killing of three Army men and five terrorists in two separate attacks in the state as "desperation" and "frustration" of Pakistan. Singh told ANI, "In Nagrota, few terrorists entered in an army unit in which two army soldiers were injured. Damage has been caused and this shows the desperation and frustration of Pakistan." "They will not get success through such acts. India is not a weak nation and we are ready to reply in a befitting manner, the way Pakistan is behaving with us," he added. The first attack took place in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu city where terrorists, carrying guns and grenades stormed into an Army camp. Although all two terrorists were eliminated by the security forces, three of the army men lost their lives in the gun battle. The second incident took place in Samba Sector near the Pakistan border where the forces gunned down three militants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has been making significant diplomatic inroads into degrading American influence in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with the Philippines and Malaysia. However, there are reasons why countries should be cautious about spurning erstwhile supporters like the U.S.A. and moving into the "loving" embrace of China. On 5 November, Malaysia surprised many by signing on the dotted line for four Littoral Mission Ships for the Royal Malaysian Navy. Cost was touted as a major factor in the decision to buy from China, but it also reflected geopolitical realities. Besieged Prime Minister Najib Razak, under fire at home and abroad for implication in the 1MDB funding scandal, boasted of a "comprehensive strategic partnership" between the two countries. This was Malaysia's largest ever military acquisition from China, and such a move is not taken lightly considering, the difficulty in integrating Chinese and Western sensors and weapons onto naval platforms. China routinely uses arms exports as a form of soft diplomacy, as it makes countries reliant on its technology and spare parts, so, it will be pleased to scoop this Malaysian naval contract. Likewise, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was wooed by China during his visit to Beijing from 18-21 October, where he proudly announced, "America has lost." He continued, "I've realigned myself in your ideological flow..." He even went so far as to announce a trilateral alliance between China, Russia and the Philippines as a counter balance to the U.S.A. Yet, can China be trusted? It has only been a matter of months since China and its innumerable proxies lambasted Manila for taking its case against Beijing's South China Sea territorial claims to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Extremely acerbic and biting accusations were made against the Philippines, but how quickly Duterte has forgotten these in a major surrender to Chinese influence-peddling. Yet another incident has highlighted the machinations of China against those who dare to disagree with it. In this instance, it was Taiwan and Singapore. The saga commenced when nine Singapore Army Terrex 8x8 infantry carrier vehicles (ICV) - built by ST Kinetics in Singapore - were impounded in Hong Kong on 23 November. They were being transported from Kaohsiung in Taiwan to Singapore aboard the commercial ship APL Qatar 041, and were confiscated for allegedly being undeclared military equipment without the appropriate documentation when the ship berthed in Hong Kong. As well as the interdiction itself, what is interesting are the circumstances that led to the APL Qatar 04 being searched far more thoroughly than usual? Indeed, instead of the normal two or three customs officers, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department dispatched a whole team to search the ship's cargo. Hong Kong Customs originally stated it was a "routine inspection", but this did not turn out to be the case at all. Instead, the Chinese authorities were responsible for this tipoff, for the container ship had stopped in Xiamen in China on 21 November before reaching Hong Kong two days later. Law enforcement in China had noted the presence of the Singaporean vehicles aboard the ship, but did nothing to apprehend them. Rather, they passed word to Hong Kong for it to do the dirty deed. The question needs to be asked why China acted in this way. There were a number of factors involved, but at its heart there appears to be a Chinese ploy to both reprimand Singapore and to further isolate Taiwan. This was implicit in Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang's statement that China "has long been resolutely opposed to official exchanges, including military exchange and cooperation, between Taiwan and any countries that have diplomatic ties with China". At the center of the issue is that Singapore conducts military training in Taiwan. Singapore's secretive Starlight training program was instituted following a 1975 agreement, and it has continued unabated over the years. These Terrex ICVs were returning to Singapore after a round of training, and they even featured Taiwanese number plates to disguise the vehicles' origins. This training is unilateral rather than bilateral and, while China dislikes the idea of any country training in or with Taiwan, it has maintained a stony silence over the years regarding Singapore's sensitive mission in Taiwan. But no more, it seems! Why this change of heart? It relates to Singapore's more vocal disagreement with China's assertive claims in the South China Sea, and its resistance to China's narrative about the regional security architecture. Of course, Singapore hosts U.S. Navy warships - currently one Littoral Combat Ship but building up to four - as well as P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that have operated from Singaporean runways, which is cause for further Chinese angst. Clearly a tipping point was reached, and Beijing has decided to remind Singapore of its place in the hierarchy. An editorial in China's often inflammatory Global Times newspaper reveals the annoyance China has been accruing against a pesky Singapore. The editorial claimed, "For quite some time, Singapore has been pretending to seek a balance between China and the U.S., yet has been taking Washington's side in reality." The complaint continued, "Singapore claimed it was not picking sides in the South China Sea disputes, but its remarks about the issue are far from neutral; instead, it has actually complicated and expanded the scale of the case." It went so far as to say Singapore was a puppet, "a platform for Washington to contain and deter Beijing". In the latest twist, on 28 November, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang revealed that China had lodged a formal protest with Singapore over the incident. Among his comments, he said, "We call on Singapore to act in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in handling the matter," and that Singapore needed to "abide by the one China principle". At the same time, perhaps China feels that now is a good time to isolate Taiwan. Relations with Taipei soured after the election of Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, with the incoming leader not bowing to Chinese pressure the way the preceding Kuomintang party did. China perhaps saw and seized an opportunity to both slap Singapore over the wrist and to marginalize Taiwan even further. It was notable that China used Hong Kong as a proxy to execute the detention of the Singaporean military vehicles. Such a move helps deflect responsibility from Beijing itself and onto another party. Of course, the Hong Kong government simply does Beijing's bidding nowadays, but it is less inflammatory for Hong Kong to do it than China. Questions remain over whether representatives or associates of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will gain or have gained access to the nine vehicles. The Terrex as a design has been around for about a decade, so it is not new. However, Singapore Army examples are typically fitted with an advanced indigenous battlefield management system. Such digital technology would be of infinite interest to the PLA. In a statement, Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said "no sensitive equipment" was on board the Terrex ICVs. However, Singapore was concerned enough to send a team to Hong Kong to help secure the vehicles, although the damage would likely have been done long before they arrived. Another aspect worth considering is that the Terrex has participated in international competitions. ST Kinetics entered the Terrex 3 in the Australian Army's Land 400 Phase 2 competition to find a new 8x8 armored vehicle, although it was later rejected. Elsewhere, the Terrex 2 is currently one of two contenders in the U.S. Marine Corps ACV1.1 requirement for a new amphibious combat vehicle. China now has ample opportunity to keep Singapore on tenterhooks and to drag out this saga. On 24 November, MINDEF said in a press release that it expected "the shipment to return to Singapore expeditiously". However, this could be a rather premature and naive sentiment. The future of these nine vehicles hangs in the balance, and their final fate will depend on how negotiations with China's Foreign Ministry proceed. Another consideration for Singapore from this debacle is the vulnerability of its military logistics network. Many of its assets are distributed around the - since it conducts training in places as diverse as Australia, France, Taiwan and the U.S.A. - so it would need to return them home if the island ever comes under threat. The ease with which China interdicted this cargo ship -legally too, it must be stressed - illustrates that a hostile power could relatively easily exert political pressure or block supply routes. This lesson should be particularly pertinent for China's protagonists such as Japan and South Korea, who are reliant on sea lines of communication. Beijing is becoming more vociferous in its criticism of Seoul due to the latter's approval for an American THAAD missile defense battery to deploy to the Korean Peninsula. Yet, just over 12 months ago, President Park Geun-hye was a guest of honor at President Xi Jinping's spectacular military parade in Beijing. How quickly one can fall out of China's favor! Minnows like the Philippines and Malaysia should also take note too of Chinese machinations too. As soon as either country deviated from the script book or disagreed with China on some matter, how easy it would be for Beijing to show its displeasure and to exert undue pressure. While the country might now offer a hand of friendship, that could very quickly clench into an angry fist. Singapore had already publicly announced a major pivot in its strategic and military relations. In May, it revealed it would invest USD 1.66 billion to upgrade military training facilities in Australia and at the same time enjoy greater access to them. The removal of nine armored vehicles, while it may have been a regular rotation of equipment, could have been part of an associated draw down from Taiwan. Certainly, utilizing Australia instead of Taiwan for military training is strategically and militarily more sensible for the lion city. Certainly, the chance of Sydney seizing Singaporean military assets is far less than China doing so. Therein is a lesson - countries should exercise caution in their dealings with China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday congratulated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its splendid victory in Maharashtra local body elections. The BJP has emerged as the single largest party winning 851 seats in the Maharashtra municipal council polls conducted in 164 civic bodies which includes 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats. The Shiv Sena stood fourth in the tally winning 514 seats, behind the Congress which won 643 seats followed by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) which won 638 seats. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) bagged 16 seats, CPM won 12 seats, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 9 seats and others won 708 seats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sales decline 9.94% to Rs 44.31 crore Net profit of Hindustan Composites declined 31.96% to Rs 10.88 crore in the quarter ended September 2016 as against Rs 15.99 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2015. Sales declined 9.94% to Rs 44.31 crore in the quarter ended September 2016 as against Rs 49.20 crore during the previous quarter ended September 2015.44.3149.2037.9847.3816.8823.3814.9721.7810.8815.99 Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To challenge arbitration awards Nagarjuna Fertilizers & Chemicals announced that Arbitration Awards have been passed against the Company for the following amounts: 1. Payment of USD 18,40,000 + interest at 5% pa w.e.f 12 September 2013 2. (a) Cost for Interim Final Award - GBP 465,630 + US$ 43,187.79 with interest at 1% above Bank Rate with 3 monthly rests wef 07 January 2016 + GBP 15,000 (b) Cost ordered by the Court at London - GBP 100,000 (c) Second Interim Final Award for a sum of USD 1,43,55,000 The Company is taking necessary steps to contest in relation to the Awards. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Steel was up 2.22% to Rs 416.15 at 9:19 IST on BSE after Tata Steel UK announced the signing of a letter of intent with Liberty House Group to enter into exclusive negotiations for the potential sale of its Speciality Steels business. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 113.68 points or 0.43% at 26,463.85. On BSE, so far 87,000 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 9.01 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 417.35 and a low of Rs 414 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 440.90 on 11 November 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 211.30 on 12 February 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 28 November 2016, gaining 0.66% compared with the Sensex's 5.7% fall. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, advancing 10.07% as against the Sensex's 5.15% fall. The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 971.22 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10. Tata Steel UK announced the signing of a letter of intent with Liberty House Group to enter into exclusive negotiations for the potential sale of its Speciality Steels business for an enterprise value of 100 million subject to due diligence and corporate approvals. The letter of intent covers several South Yorkshire-based assets including the Rotherham electric arc steelworks, the steel purifying facility in Stocksbridge and a mill in Brinsworth as well as service centres in Bolton and Wednesbury, UK, and in Suzhou and Xi'an, China. Speciality Steels employs about 1,700 people making steels for the aerospace, automotive and the oil & gas industries. Tata Steel UK has invested 1.5 billion of capital over the last nine years. The company's boards consider the technical feasibility and economic returns of investments when taking decisions, as well as their affordability. The company is pursuing a transformation plan to create a sustainable future for its UK strip products business. The success of this plan is likely to influence decisions on future investments. In the current year, the company is pursuing 85 million worth of capital investments covering a range of sustenance and improvement schemes. On a consolidated basis, Tata Steel reported net loss of Rs 49.38 crore in Q2 September 2016, compared with net profit of Rs 5609.43 crore in Q2 September 2015. Net sales rose 0.1% to Rs 26291.86 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015. Tata Steel is Europe's second largest steel producer, with steelmaking in the UK and Netherlands, and manufacturing plants across Europe. The combined Tata Steel group is one of the world's largest steel producers. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Steel will be in focus. Tata Steel UK announced the signing of a letter of intent with Liberty House Group to enter into exclusive negotiations for the potential sale of its Speciality Steels business for an enterprise value of 100 million subject to due diligence and corporate approvals. The letter of intent covers several South Yorkshire-based assets including the Rotherham electric arc steelworks, the steel purifying facility in Stocksbridge and a mill in Brinsworth as well as service centres in Bolton and Wednesbury, UK, and in Suzhou and Xi'an, China. Speciality Steels employs about 1,700 people making steels for the aerospace, automotive and the oil & gas industries. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Tata Steel UK has invested 1.5 billion of capital over the last nine years. The company's boards consider the technical feasibility and economic returns of investments when taking decisions, as well as their affordability. The company is pursuing a transformation plan to create a sustainable future for its UK strip products business. The success of this plan is likely to influence decisions on future investments. In the current year, the company is pursuing 85m worth of capital investments covering a range of sustenance and improvement schemes. Tata Steel has recently approved schemes focused on improving manufacturing capability to enable the production of premium steels in Shotton, Llanwern, Trostre, Orb in Newport, and other downstream operations as well as environmental schemes for Port Talbot's power plant. Investments in packaging steels, electrical steels, an automotive finishing line, laser welding and next-generation coated products are in line with company's strategy to enhance premium product focus for UK strip products supply chain. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) announced the launch of BromSite (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.075% in the US market. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and prevention of ocular pain in patients undergoing cataract surgery, BromSite will be marketed by Sun Ophthalmics, the company's branded ophthalmic business solution. BromSite is the first branded product launched by the company in the US, following its focus on Specialty business. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Tata Power Company will be in spotlight. With regard to news article in media titled "Fire breaks out at Tata Power Delhi Distribution's Badli power house", the company after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016, issued a clarification to the exchanges. Tata Power said that on 27 November 2016, there was a fire incident in the area next to the boundary wall of the Tata Power Delhi Distribution (TPDDL) Badli grid. There were nearly 76 drums of 66 KV cables which were stored by a vendor/contractor for project work. 46 cable drums were damaged while 30 cable drums were quickly shifted and saved. The cable belonged to the vendor who had stored/kept it in the grid till it was installed. The cables are insured by the vendor and there is no impact on TPDDL. TPDDL senior officials were there at the site. There was no impact on the grid and grid is safe and supply to TPDDL's consumers was not impacted. The reason for the fire is being investigated and suitable corrective action will be taken based on the fact finding report, Tata Power said. Timken India's net profit rose 41.11% to Rs 29.86 crore on 7.26% rise in net total income from operations to Rs 296.75 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Triveni Engineering & Industries' consolidated net profit jumped 205.53% to Rs 67.92 crore on 49.69% rise in total income from operations to Rs 675.51 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Mahanagar Gas' net profit rose 40.88% to Rs 102.24 crore on 3.11% decline in total income from operations to Rs 574.18 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Board says it has not received formal offer from McCrory to withdraw recount request; hearing on Durham appeal likely by end of week For the second consecutive Sunday, the North Carolina State Board of Elections held an emergency meeting by conference call to take up challenges to the handling of the Nov. 8 election at the county level. Challenges and protests will delay the state's certification of the election, which had been scheduled for Tuesday.The hearing focused on Durham County, where 94,000 ballots allegedly were mishandled by voting machines on election night. The re-election campaign of Gov. Pat McCrory said in a press release if the state board recounts those ballots, it might drop a requested statewide recount, but the board said it needs a formal request to move forward on that offer.The most recent count on the state board's website shows incumbent McCrory trailing Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper in the governor's race by roughly 7,400 votes, within the 10,000-ballot threshold that would allow the trailing candidate to request a recount. The governor and GOP state auditor candidate Chuck Stuber (who trails incumbent Auditor Beth Wood by about 4,300 votes) have made those requests.This week, the board discussed a request by Republican attorney Thomas Stark for an expedited hearing on his appeal of the Nov. 18 decision by the Durham County Board of Elections rejecting his protest of the election. Stark alleged that the county mishandled 94,000 ballots that were not counted initially by voting machines but tabulated and submitted later in the evening. At the Durham hearing , witnesses from the voting machine manufacturer testified that the machines were outdated and could not handle the amount of ballots submitted, and a technical expert from the state board testified that when the ballots were run after election night, the tallies for governor matched the ones taken Nov. 8. The board rejected Stark's protest by a 3-0 vote.State board attorney Josh Lawson told board members that, in a telephone conversation, Stark told him he filed his request for an expedited hearing because the Durham County board had not submitted an official order reporting its findings or provided other documentation for review. Stark asked the state board to assume full jurisdiction over the Durham protest, which could include a series of other challenges filed by John Posthill, a McCrory campaign volunteer, who claimed a number of invalid ballots were cast in Durham.Board Chairman Grant Whitney said he wanted to move forward as quickly as possible but was hesitant to take any action until the board had all the relevant documents. Whitney, a Republican, and board member Joshua Malcolm, a Democrat, expressed reluctance to take full jurisdiction over the Durham County protest, because, Malcolm said, the state board would have to begin the investigation anew, including calls for witnesses, documents, responses, and orders. They suggested limiting the investigation to the disputed ballots handled by the voting machines.During the meeting Katelyn Love, another board attorney, contacted Durham County Attorney Lowell Siler to ask if the county had issued an order and when a transcript of the proceedings and other evidence or documents would be available. Love said Siler confirmed that there was no order, but it probably would be completed Monday or Tuesday. He also gave no timetable for delivering transcripts or other evidence.Stark filed his request with the state board a day before the McCrory campaign issued a press release saying the governor would withdraw his request for a recount of the election results if the state board held a recount of the contested ballots and the results were the same as on election night. At Sunday's hearing, Lawson said Stark was not representing McCrory in the recount request.Malcolm said the 94,000 ballots were "ripe for consideration," and that a "hand-to-eye" recount of the disputed ballots by the state board would end any other request by McCrory for a recount.Lawson noted that a press release did not amount to a formal request and that he was not aware of any official contact from the McCrory Committee with a conditional offer to withdraw.The board informally agreed to "prod" Durham to turn over a record of its hearing within 48 hours, if possible, and if so, the state board probably would hold a formal hearing 48 hours after that - sometime Thursday afternoon.The board then went into closed session and after returning voted unanimously to hire outside attorneys from the Brooks Pierce law firm in Raleigh to help its defense of a federal lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by the Civiitas Institute, challenges the methods used to verify addresses of voters who use same-day registration at early-voting sites. The initial hearing for that lawsuit is scheduled Friday at 11 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Raleigh. Hindustan Composites lost 4.13% to Rs 1,649 at 10:50 IST on BSE after net profit fell 32% to Rs 10.88 crore on 9.9% decline in net sales to Rs 44.31 crore in Q2 September 2016 over Q2 September 2015. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 28 November 2016. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 194.91 points or 0.74% at 26,545.08. On BSE, so far 350 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 1,326 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 1,701 and a low of Rs 1,599 so far during the day. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 2,119 on 20 September 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 750 on 8 April 2016. The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 28 November 2016, sliding 12.24% compared with the Sensex's 5.7% fall. The scrip had, however, outperformed the market in past one quarter, advancing 37.05% as against the Sensex's 5.15% fall. The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 4.92 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10. Hindustan Composites is a pioneer in the development, manufacture & marketing of industrial products and friction materials in India. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ankara, Nov 29 (IANS/MAP) At least 11 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in Turkish airstrikes in Syria's Aleppo city, authorities said on Tuesday. The airstrikes targeted the Baratah, Dana and Zarzur regions in western Aleppo as part of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield that began in late August to clear Syria's northern border area of terrorists, the MAP news agency reported citing a government statement. Two IS vehicles were also targeted by armed drones in the region. --IANS/MAP sm/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Geneva, Nov 29 (IANS/MAP) Around 16,000 civilians have fled strife-torn parts of Syria's Aleppo as the rebels lost all of the northern neighbourhoods of their stronghold, UN official said on Tuesday, describing the situation as "chilling". "The intensity of attacks on eastern Aleppo neighbourhoods over the past few days has forced thousands of civilians to flee to other parts of the city," UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said in a statement, MAP news agency reported. He pointed to reports from the UN's humanitarian partners on the ground indicating that "up to 16,000 people have been displaced, many into uncertain and precarious situations". O'Brien voiced concern over the "deeply alarming and chilling situation unfolding" across all of Aleppo. The situation in eastern Aleppo is dire, with intensified ground fighting and indiscriminate aerial bombardment reportedly killing and injuring many civilians, he said. "There are no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished". At the same time, indiscriminate shelling on government-held western Aleppo has killed and injured civilians and has displaced more than 20,000 people in recent weeks, he said. "The parties to the conflict in Syria have shown time and again that they are willing to take any action to secure military advantage even if it means killing, maiming or starving civilians into submission in the process," he said. O'Brien also pointed to the some 700,000 people living in other besieged areas across war-ravaged Syria. O'Brien urged all parties to the conflict "to restore basic humanity in Syria," insisting that "the people of Syria have suffered far too much and for far too long". --IANS/MAP sm/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After five years and a series of legal battles and agitations, around 250 women entered the famous Haji Ali dargah here on Tuesday afternoon and solemnly offered prayers, an activist said. The group comprised women from all over India, including office-bearers of NGO Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) and their supporters. They arrived at the shrine located on the rocks in the Arabian Sea off Worli, were warmly welcomed by a couple of trustees of Haji Ali Dargah Trust and officials and guided them to mazaar (grave) of revered Muslim saint, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. "They came in a very dignified manner, adhering to the rules of the Trust, silently offered prayers, flowers and 'chadars' at the shrine," trustee Suhail Khandwani told IANS. Many women who made their maiden visit went around the tiny rocky islet, the small mosque and clicked selfies galore. BMMA co-founder Noorjehan S. Niaz said all the women activists came away pleased with the unique experience at the dargah on Tuesday. "The trustees and officials were extremely courteous and helpful. Very thoughtfully, they offered us tea and refreshments and showed us around the place," Niaz said after returning from the dargah. "In fact, women's entry had been allowed from November 7 onwards, but from today it has become official. It will be routine now," she said. Till June 2012, women were allowed entry upto the mazaar but suddenly it was stopped. In 2014, the BMMA and others challenged the move of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust in the Bombay High Court. On August 26, Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Revathi Mohite-Dhere had ruled in favour of the petitioners and directed the trust to allow equal access to women, which the trust challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on October 24 delivered its verdict on grounds of equal access to men and women, even as the trust expressed readiness to allow women into the mazaar. "It was a fight for equality, ending gender bias and our Constitutional rights. We are happy that it has resulted in women and men getting equal unrestricted access right till the sanctum sanctorum," said Niaz. Khandwani said that as before (2012) there would be separate entry for men and women, but henceforth nobody would be allowed to touch the peer's tomb. Under the new arrangements, all devotees would wait and pray nearly two metres away from the tomb with rights of equal access to all. The Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of Bukhari, a wealthy Muslim merchant from Bukhara (in Uzbekistan now). At one time, he renounced all his worldly possessions, travelled all around the world, made a pilgrimage to Makkah and finally settled in what would become Bombay. According to local legends, once he saw a poor woman crying over oil spilt from her vessel, afraid that her husband would thrash her. He took the woman to the spot where the oil had spilt and jabbed his finger in the earth and oil gushed out. The happy woman filled up her vessel and went home. Later, the saint had tormenting dreams of how he had injured the earth by his action. He fell ill and instructed his followers to throw his coffin into the Arabian Sea in the event of his death. He died during his pilgrimage to Makkah and the casket carrying his body miraculously was swept back to the shore of Worli and got stuck in the rocks there. His Dargah was constructed at the same spot and on Thursdays-Fridays, it is visited by large number of pilgrims of all religions from India and abroad to seek his blessings. --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As nearly 500,000 children are living under siege amid escalating violence across Syria, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for lifting sieges and allowing immediate humanitarian access. The number of children living under siege has doubled in less than one year, Xinhua news agency quoted as saying in a press release. "Nearly 500,000 children now live in 16 besieged areas across the country, almost completely cut off from sustained humanitarian aid and basic services," it added. "For millions of human beings in Syria, life has become an endless nightmare -- in particular for the hundreds of thousands of children living under siege," said Executive Director Anthony Lake. He added that children are being killed and injured and are too afraid "to go to school or even play". They are "surviving with little food and hardly any medicine". In the absence of safe spaces, children are turning to basement playgrounds, schools and hospitals to continue playing, learning and seeking medical care when necessary. In one besieged area, a group of volunteers built a playground and a park by linking a series of basements. On average, around 200 children come to this playground every day. In another besieged area, an underground school provides 250 girls with the chance to keep learning. As the conflict nears six years, renews its call on all parties to lift the sieges across Syria, and to allow and facilitate immediate and sustained humanitarian access to all areas across the war-torn country. The Bihar government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it was not averse to the shifting of RJD strongman Mohammed Shahabuddin from Siwan district jail to Tihar Jail in Delhi or the transfer of trial in 45 cases he faces. Telling the bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy that there were 75 cases against the criminal turned politician, counsel for the Bihar governmentsaid that Shahabuddin was convicted in 10 cases Shahabuddin, acquitted in 20 and in remaining 45 cases, the trial is on hold at present. Counsel told the court that there were about 500 witnesses in 45 cases where trials were put on hold, as Bihar government has challenged a lower court order granting him legal assistance. Shahabuddin was granted legal assistance on his plea that he had no money to engage lawyers. This order of the lower court was challenged by the Bihar government which has contended that RJD strongman faced no paucity of resources to engage lawyers. Backing the position taken by Bihar government, senior counsel Dushyant Dave named the eminent lawyers who had appeared for Shahabuddin in the past. Dave appeared for Chandrakeshwar Prasad whose three sons were killed allegedly by the henchmen of Shahabuddin. However, the bench asked why the plea for legal assistance by Shahabuddin was being opposed by the state government. Senior counsel Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, told the court that his client was in jail for last 11 years and if trial in 45 cases was shifted to Delhi, then it would take 20 years for then to conclude. He cited the figure of 500 witnesses mentioned by the Bihar government's lawyers. Advocate Rohit Singh also appearing for Chandrakeshwar Prasad cited the earlier judgment of the top court in Pappu Yadav case in support of his plea for the shifting of Shahabuddin to Delhi including the trial in 45 cases. The court had on Monday said that "this is the situation which is the test case of our criminal jurisprudence in context of witnesses protection and the concept of fair trial". The top court had on October 24 issued notice to Shahabuddin on the plea by Prasad and Asha Ranjan, widow of a journalist allegedly killed on Shahabuddin's orders, seeking his transfer from Siwan jail to Tihar Jail in Delhi and holding of his trial through video-conferencing. Reversing the Patna High Court's September 7 order granting him bail, the top court had on September 30 had ordered Shahabuddin back to jail in the Rajiv Roshan murder case as it pointed to the need for balancing the consideration of individual liberty of the accused with that of societal interest. Hearing will continue on Wednesday. --IANS pk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in Maharashtra municipal polls as a "mandate for demonetisation", Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said the opposition parties should now understand the mood of the country. "The BJP has registered a massive victory in the municipal council polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The results have shown mirror to those opposing the Prime Minister's demonetisation move," the Minister for Human Resource Development told reporters at the BJP headquarters here. "This is response of the people despite the opposition provocating them against demonetisation. People have understood...when will opposition parties understand?" Javadekar said. The BJP has emerged as the single largest party, winning 980 seats in the Maharashtra civic polls conducted in 147 municipal councils. Out of the 147 posts of municipal council presidents, the BJP has won 52. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated people of these states. "These results suggest that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance." Javadekar said people are supporting Prime Minister Modi for his decisive move against black money and corruption. He said on Tuesday morning, the BJP Parliamentary Party also hailed its Maharashtra unit for the "impressive victory". --IANS bns/nir/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least seven members of the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) were injured on Tuesday after a homemade bomb exploded in the city of Marawi, a day ahead of the President's visit. PSG spokesman Lt. Colonel Michael Aquino said the explosion took place around 10.45 a.m. (local time), and seriously wounded one person, Efe news reported. Aquino added the blast was being probed but said it was yet to be ascertained if the attack was directed at President Rodrigo Duterte or was linked with clashes between the military and Maute Group Islamist rebels. The seven injured PSG personnel were part of a delegation of 50 persons who were visiting Lanao del Sur to organise Duterte's visit. Duterte's visit on Wednesday was meant to show support to the personnel fighting the jihadists. The Philippine Armed Forces since November 26 were clashing with the Maute Group that laid siege to Butig. The clash left 35 rebels dead and 13 soldiers injured. Authorities suspect the same insurgent group was also responsible for the bomb recovered from near the US embassy in Manila on Monday. Maute Group is an armed Muslim organisation based in Lanao del Sur, which emerged on the national stage in 2012 with the name Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM). According to the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, KIM is currently led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute Romato. --IANS in/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flaying the Centre for shunting out Delhi Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma, the AAP on Tuesday accused it of creating circumstances which don't let the AAP government to work in the capital. Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh told the media that ever since the AAP came to power in Delhi, officers who worked well had been removed by the Centre and replaced by those who do not even want to work. "They (Centre) are creating circumstances which do not allow the elected government to work for the people but the AAP would continue its good work despite all these obstacles," Ashutosh said. Reports say IAS officer M.M. Kutty will be the new Chief Secretary in the . He served as a Principal Secretary to former Chief M Minister Sheila Dikshit. Ashutosh said the AAP government was not consulted regarding Kutty's appointment. "We hope that whoever is appointed works according to rules and regulations and remains answerable to the public and the Constitution," the AAP leader said. The employees of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) held a silent protest outside the DCW office here on Tuesday as they have not been paid salaries for the last three months. The protesting contractual employees gave a memorandum to DCW Member Secretary Alka Diwan, requesting her to release their salaries. DCW Chief Swati Maliwal said the entire contractual workforce of the women's body have been denied their salaries for the last three months. "Over 90 per cent of them earn less than Rs 25,000 (per month). They are on verge of leaving their jobs," Maliwal said. "I believe they are continuing only because they understand that the programmes of the Commission -- 181 helpline, Rape Crisis Cell and others -- will close down if they do so," she added. She urged Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung to "immediately intervene" and ensure salaries are paid to the DCW staff. "I have worked sleepless nights to build the present DCW. It is really painful to see its work sabotaged in this manner by the present Member Secretary," she said. According to Maliwal, Member Secretary Alka Diwan, appointed by Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, had refused to release salary of the contractual staff. Maliwal had dubbed Diwan's appointment as illegal, saying she was the VAT Commissioner and doing part-time work in DCW. She said many of those who work on contract at DCW are women who have been victims of acid attacks and even orphans. --IANS vv/pgh/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Contact: McCrory Communications McCrory Communications govpress@nc.gov Asheville, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory will celebrate the 2016 Christmas and holiday season by hosting the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor's Western Residence in Asheville. The Open House will be held from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 and on Sunday, December 4. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.Brinda Caldwell-Ramsey, Director of the Community Enrichment Programs at A-B Tech Community College, Savannah and Samantha Ferguson, Taylor's Greenhouse, Yellow Branch Pottery, Bee Global, The Buncombe County Farm Bureau Women's Committee and others helped to decorate the residence with trees and rooms representing themes of western North Carolina.Attendees will be able to enjoy specially-prepared holiday treats, and arts and crafts.The 6,000 square foot home and open pavilion on 18 acres of wooded grounds serves as a retreat for North Carolina governors and their families. It is also a meeting venue for various local, civic and cultural groups.Shuttle service to the Residence will be provided from the parking lot of First Baptist Church, located at 5 Oak Street. In the event of inclement weather, the Holiday Open House will be cancelled. Please call (828) 747-9962 for weather updates. For detailed information on the Open House or rental of the Governor's Western Residence, please contact Trish Smothers at (828) 225-0122.Directions to First Baptist Church parking lotTake I-240 East to the Charlotte Street exit, go straight to the stoplight, and turn right onto Charlotte Street. The First Baptist Church is on the right.Take I-240 West to the Charlotte Street Exit, go straight to the stoplight, and turn left onto Charlotte Street, cross over I-240. The First Baptist Church is on the right.*Please note the last shuttle to the Residence will depart First Baptist Church at 4:30 p.m. The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged scam of changing of old denomination notes by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Transport Minister Satyendar Jain said on Tuesday. Talking to reporters here, Jain said fare collected worth over Rs 8 crore was deposited by some DTC depots in banks between November 10 and November 20 in old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. "Since it was not allowed to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes during this period, it appears that some officials either exchanged their old notes with lower denomination notes collected as fare or they exchanged someone else's old notes on commission," he said. Jain said he wrote to Transport Commissioner to get the matter investigated by the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) and suspend all DTC officials involved in the scam. "As per the preliminary report, irregularities have been found in around half the DTC depots where 98 to 99 per cent of the money deposited in banks was in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes," he added. Jain said he received complaints of irregularities during a "public hearing" on November 19 after which he had ordered DTC Managing Director to submit a report. Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP alleged that the money came from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and not DTC employees. Demanding a probe into the matter, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Satish Upadhyay said: "Jain's statement that Rs 8.5 crore belonged to DTC officials sounds to be a hilarious effort to mislead people." "The matter definitely needs a high level probe by ACB as the people of Delhi believe these scrapped notes came from AAP coffers, and have no connection with the DTC officials," Upadhyay told reporters here. Last week, he had written to Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung about the alleged scam. --IANS vv-aks/pgh/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first meeting of Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Tuesday, an official said. The meeting discussed ways to clear bottlenecks in various India-funded projects in Nepal. The meeting was jointly led by Nepal Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and the Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae. The Nepali delegation for the meeting included officials of the agencies responsible for implementation of respective projects while the Indian delegation comprised of officials of Indian Embassy and project implementing agencies. The decision to form an oversight mechanism was agreed during the India visit of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' in September 2016 in order to review the ongoing economic and development projects on regular basis and take necessary steps to expedite their implementation. Tuesday's meeting, according to the statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a comprehensive review of the progress made in cross-border rail projects, Integrated Check Posts, cross border transmission lines, Arun III and Upper Karnali Hydropower Projects, Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Postal roads, projects under various Lines of Credit including Mahakali Bridge and reconstruction projects in India's cooperation. The meeting identified measures to be taken by the respective governments to ensure timely and successful implementation of the projects, said the statement. In their respective opening remarks, leaders of both delegations emphasised on the early completion of all bilateral economic and development cooperation projects. The leaders also stressed on addressing any difficulty that might surface in the process of project implementation, said the statement, adding the next meeting of the Oversight Mechanism would be held in the last week of January, 2017. --IANS giri/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar on Tuesday said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was focussing all efforts to bridge the shortfall of the new Rs 500 currency notes. "There is a shortfall of Rs 500 notes. But RBI is making all efforts and printing is on in full force. The focus is now on printing Rs 500 notes," Gangwar told CNBC TV18 in an interview. He said it takes about 25 days for one lot of notes to be printed but still anywhere between 20,000-35,000 notes are being printed daily. Gangwar however refused to divulge the exact number. "(As many as) 20,000-35,000 notes are being printed daily. I cannot tell you the exact figure. It takes 25 days for one note to be printed," he said. The government had on November 8 announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes with the aim of curbing black money and corruption. The makers of the upcoming Telugu historic drama "Gauthamiputra Satakarni", starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, have shot four epic war sequences, which, according to a source, will be the biggest highlight of the film. "The war sequences will stun audiences. Two war episodes were shot in Georgia, and the makers spent a fortune on it. Rest of the war sequences were shot in India. The raw footage itself looks amazing and with the visual effects it will be epic," a source from the film's unit told IANS. Over the weekend, the principal shooting of the project was wrapped up. "Except for some patch work, which will be shot on Wednesday, the rest of the film has been completed. They have planned to complete the film in 80 days but with great planning it was completed in 79 days only," he said. The audio and trailer of the film will be launched on December 16 in Tirupathi. The film is about the unsung ruler from the Satavahana dynasty. It also stars Shriya Saran, Hema Malini and Kabir Bedi. --IANS hp/nn/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) grouping seems to have got a fresh lease of life with the launch of a fellowship programme by an Indian think-tank with support from the Ministry of External Affairs. Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries, chaired by former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, launched the IBSA Visiting Fellowship Programme here on Monday that will have two scholars each from Brazil and South Africa conducting research in India for three-to-six months. But at the same time, RIS has received a host of applications from Indian scholars as well. A committee that has been set up by RIS will select the scholars. The IBSA Dialogue Forum brings together three large pluralistic, multicultural and multiracial societies from three continents as a purely South-South grouping of like-minded countries. IBSA was formalised and launched through the adoption of the "Brasilia Declaration" in June 2003. Though five IBSA summits have been held till date, the last one was held way back in 2011 in South Africa. Now, India is set to host the next summit in 2017. At the launch of the fellowship programme, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said IBSA brings together three like-minded countries that were committed to inclusive and sustainable development in pursuit of well-being for their people and other developing economies. "The IBSA Facility Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger, which was established in March 2004 and became operational in 2006, is funded by a contribution of $1 million annually by each of the three countries," she stated, adding that the fund was operated by the UNDP. She said the fund has contributed to development interventions and capacity building in several countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. "It has been widely recognised as a successful experiment of South-South cooperation," Preeti Saran said. As an example, she said that a rice research programme in Vietnam, where she served as Ambassador, has greatly benefited from the IBSA Fund. "I can tell you that the amount of goodwill and appreciation that Vietnam has expressed to us for something they received as funds from South-South cooperation... from developing partners was deeply appreciated." Speaking on the occasion, Shyam Saran said that IBSA comprised three emerging countries which were all democracies. "IBSA is not competing against any grouping," he stressed. Shyam Saran said the new fellowship programme would allow scholars from the member countries to study new challenges like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris climate agreement signed at the end of 2015. Ben Joubert, Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa, said the fellowship programme was a good initiative that would give scholars adequate funding for their studies. "IBSA is a value-driven initiative between working democracies," Joubert said. Claudia Vieira Santos, Deputy Chief of Mission of Mexico, said: "India, Brazil and South Africa can contribute substantially to the implementation of the SDGs." --IANS ab/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German automotive small and medium enterprises are interested in partnering with Indian companies, said a German diplomat on Tuesday. "German small and medium enterprises are interested to partner with Indian companies in the automotive space. They are keeping a close eye on the Indian market," Consul General Achim Fabig told reporters on the sidelines of the roadshow organised by the German National Tourist Office, India. He said Germany is interested in working in roof top solar power solution with India. According to Fabig, there were no complaints from visiting German tourists about paucity of Indian currency following the demonetisation of 500/1,000 rupee notes by the Indian government. Speaking about tourism, Romit Theophilus, Director, Marketing and Sales, German National Tourist Office said the Germany has recorded over 500,000 overnights from India for the period January-August 2016, logging a growth of 4.4 per cent. --IANS vj/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first HIV vaccine efficacy study in seven years has begun in South Africa to test whether a modified vaccine candidate can provide effective protection against the AIDS virus, the US National Institutes of Health said. The study -- called HVTN 702 -- aims to enroll 5,400 sexually active men and women aged 18 to 35 years, making it the largest and most advanced HIV vaccine clinical trial to take place in South Africa, Xinhua news agency reported. "If deployed alongside our current armoury of proven HIV prevention tools, a safe and effective vaccine could be the final nail in the coffin for HIV," said Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci in a statement. The experimental vaccine regimen being tested in HVTN 702 is based on the one investigated in the RV144 clinical trial in Thailand that was found to be 31.2 per cent effective at preventing HIV infection over the 3.5-year follow-up after vaccination. The new trial, to be conducted at 15 sites across South Africa, where more than 1,000 people become infected with HIV every day, aims to test whether it will provide greater and more sustained protection than the RV144 regimen. Volunteers will been randomly assigned to receive either the investigational vaccine regimen or a placebo. All participants will receive a total of five injections over one year, and results are expected in late 2020. "If an HIV vaccine were found to work in South Africa, it could dramatically alter the course of the pandemic," said HVTN 702 Protocol Chair and President of the South African Medical Research Council Glenda Gray. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian expatriate in Dubai walked a total of over 1,000 km over two years to attend court proceedings in a bid to return home, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. Jagannathan Selvaraj, 48, who hails from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, told the Khaleej Times that he braved traffic, heat, sandstorm and exhaustion to attend the labour court proceedings. Selvaraj began his court journeys after his mother died in Tamil Nadu and he was denied permission to go and attend her funeral. His case went on for almost two years. Selvaraj said he must have walked at least 20 times to Karama district in Dubai from Sonapur and back, every time covering a distance of over 50 km in four hours. He said he could not afford a bus journey from his Sonapur accommodation on the outskirts of Dubai to the labour court. Selvaraj told the Khaleej Times that he had been living in a public park for several months and was desperate to return to India. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will not allow a new "front of terror" in the Golan Heights, a day after Islamic State (IS) militants clashed with Israeli soldiers. "There have been attempts to attack our forces," Netanyahu said on Monday, referring to the shooting and mortar attack launched by IS militants near the Israeli-Syrian border on Sunday. "We will not allow radical Islam to open a front against us in the Golan Heights. Israel will not allow any drizzle of assaults, and will attack if necessary," Xinhua news agency quoted Netanyahu as saying. On Sunday, IS militants fired at Israeli soldiers from a machine gun-mounted truck. Israel quickly responded with an airstrike, killing four gunmen in the vehicle. In addition, Israel's Air Force struck a compound used by IS militants in the southern Syrian Golan Heights on Sunday night. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Michelle Williams says it will "just never be right" bringing up her daughter without late actor Heath Ledger. The "Manchester by the Sea" actress has 11-year-old Matilda with the late actor, who died of an accidental overdose eight years ago. Williams has opened up about raising her only child by herself and how she still can't accept that he is gone, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "In all honesty, for pretty much everything else, I feel like I'm a believer in not fighting circumstances, accepting where you are and where you've been," Williams told Porter magazine. "In pretty much all senses but one, I would be able to go totally down that line of thinking were it not for Matilda not have her dad. You know, that's just that something doesn't ... I mean, it just won't ever be right," she added. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old actress admits she is finding it "really sensitive" learning how to date again and trying to explain her situation as she didn't anticipate she would still be dating in her 30s. --IANS ks/nn/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Appeal requests the State Board expeditiously call for a recount of the Durham County early vote data tabulated on election night Contact: The Pat McCrory Committee The Pat McCrory Committee media@patmccrory.com Raleigh, N.C. Today, attorney and registered Durham County voter Thomas Stark filed a formal appeal with the State Board of Elections in relation to the 'malfeasance' in tabulating approximately 90,000 ballots that were reported just before midnight on Election Day. The original complaint reasonably demands the County Board of Elections conduct a recount of the original paper ballots before the county's canvass date. The county denied this request and the Pat McCrory Committee concurs in a call for an expedited appeal of the protest for a full recount of the Durham county early vote ballots. This reasonable request will provide confidence and clarity in the Durham results for the voters of North Carolina. Upon completion of this recount, we can better asses next steps.said Russell Peck, campaign manager for the Pat McCrory Committee.As earlier reported by ABC11, their has been a long history of voting problems in Durham County. In the 2016 general election, electronic errors, glitches and untrained staff caused major problems that received bipartisan scorn. Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens even stated in a recent hearing on the problems,During the March 15 primary election, the Durham County Board of Elections mishandled roughly 1,900 provisional ballots forcing the state to allow eligible voters to recast their ballots months later. It was also recently reported that the state board of elections turned over their completed investigation to investigators who are now looking into whether crimes were committed in this case, as election officials said the wrong vote count was accurate and some votes may have been counted twice.If a Durham recount provides the same results as earlier posted, the McCrory Committee will be prepared to withdraw its statewide recount request in the Governors race.To read the appeal, click here The US state of Michigan, where the vote count after the November 8 election took nearly three weeks officially proclaimed Republican Donald Trump the winner over Democrat Hillary Clinton by slightly more than 10,000 votes. The state awards its 16 electoral votes to Trump, giving him a total of 306 of the 538 available, well above the 270 threshold a candidate needs to win the presidency, Efe news agency reported. In raw votes, Trump garnered 2,279,543 valid votes, to Clinton's 2,268,839. This gives the Republican an edge of just 10,704 votes and one of the tightest percentage margins -- just 0.2 per cent -- for a state in a presidential election in the past 75 years. With his victory in Michigan, Trump appears to have convincingly won the White House in the Electoral College, although an official vote by the electors remains to be taken on December 19 and Clinton has a lead of more than two million in the nationwide popular vote. Trump is also the first Republican to win the state of Michigan in a presidential contest since 1988, confirming his historic dominance in the Midwest, where he also won in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The magnate also won in Iowa and Ohio, two Midwestern swing states which are typically crucial in determining which party will win the White House. The official result in the Michigan balloting comes after the Green Party, headed by its presidential candidate Jill Stein, managed to force a vote recount in Wisconsin and has promised to do the same in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The recount request was motivated by doubts expressed by several scientists regarding the vote tallies after detecting coincidences in Trump's lead in counties where electronic voting machines were used. According to them, this suggests election fraud or hacking of the voting machines, although the recounts will not change the overall election results. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actors Taapsee Pannu and Akshay Kumar starrer "Naam Shabana" will hit the screens on March 31 next year. Akshay announced the release date of the film on Twitter and shared the film's first look, in which Taapsee is seen donning an Indian attire and Akshay's reflection can be seen in the backdrop. "Get ready to see the awesomeness of Taapsee in 'Naam Shabana' on 31st March, 2017," Akshay captioned the first look. "This film belongs to you Baby!" he said on Monday evening, referring to Taapsee, who also has action sequences in the upcoming film. The film has been shot here and in Malaysia. The pair shot across famous locations of Kuala Lumpur, including the City Centre and close to the Petronas Towers. "Naam Shabana" also features critically acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee and southern star Prithviraj in pivotal roles. --IANS dc/nn/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Refugees held in Australia's detention centre on Nauru do not want to be transferred to the US under Donald Trump's administration, reports said on Tuesday. Although many refugees agreed to the resettlement plan agreed upon earlier by the US and Australian authorities, several other expressed their unwillingness, Xinhua news reported. According to this plan some refugees held in Australia's remote offshore detention facilities on Nauru and Manus Island would be resettled in the US. Several held on Nauru, especially Muslim men, told a news channel crew that they had no interest in going to the US. "The President-elect Donald Trump doesn't like Muslims in his country as a migrant," Aziz Khan, a member of the persecuted Rohingya minority group from Myanmar, said. Authorities on Nauru have expressed concern about a possible outbreak of violence and acts of self-harm among the asylum seekers when the agreement would be implemented. As of October 31, there were 872 migrants in the centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, and 390 on Nauru, in the Pacific Ocean, including men, women and children from conflict zones of Iraq, Syria and Somalia. Australia was negotiating with Nauru for a 20-year visa in the Pacific for those who may not be accepted by the US or decide not to apply. Australia was using the Manus and Nauru centers since 2012 to process applications for asylum from migrants intercepted at sea while trying to reach its coasts. However, instead of accepting them, they resettle them to the third countries. In mid-2013, Australia passed a law whereby asylum seekers and refugees would not be relocated to its territory. It was currently considering radicalising the measure by attempting to ban them from entering for life. In 2014, Australia signed an agreement with Cambodia to resettle these refugees to the Southeast Asian country under a controversial multimillion dollar deal. However, just six refugees took up the resettlement offer. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a year's hiatus and political standoff, the Nepal government on Tuesday tabled a constitutional amendment bill in the Legislative Parliament to address the demands and grievances of agitating Madhes-based political parties. Before registering the proposal, a Cabinet meeting endorsed the four-point proposal regarding the addressing the row over federal boundaries, citizenship, language, inclusive representation of all marginalised communities in various state entities, including the Upper House on the basis of population ratio. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Shankar Nayak registered the amendment proposal at the Parliament Secretariat on Tuesday evening. Besides the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, the proposal was supported by most major political parties of Nepal. This will be the second amendment, if endorsed by Parliament with two third majority. The first amendment was made on January 23, four months after the promulgation of the new Constitution. According to the Bill, the demarcation of provinces 4 and 5 will be changed by swapping some districts. As per the Language Commission recommendations, new languages will be given the national language status and included in the Constitution's schedule. Likewise, any foreign woman married to a Nepalese citizen can obtain naturalised citizenship after she relinquished her citizenship of the country of her birth. To make the Upper House more inclusive, the proposal seeks representation of one member each from Dalit (untouchable), woman and marginalised community categories and the remaining five to be elected on the basis of population of each province. The composition of the Upper House is eight members from each of the proposed seven provinces. "We are very much hopeful that the bill will be approved by Parliament to end the current political standoff soon, said Chakra Pani Khanal, Chief Political Adviser to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'. --IANS giri/tsb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A new chapter was heralded in Pakistan's history on November 29 when, for the first time in two decades, the incumbent Chief of Army Staff relinquished office on the appointed date. Despite best efforts by ousted dictator Pervez Musharraf and an appeal by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif refused to succumb to pressure and exercised his constitutional power to appoint a new Chief of Army Staff. It would have been a very difficult decision to make for Nawaz Sharif because he has not been very lucky in his earlier choices for the same post. While Musharraf overthrew him in a military coup and exiled him, the civil-military balance remained tilted in favour of the latter during the tenure of outgoing COAS, Gen Raheel Sharif. Raheel Sharif almost made Nawaz Sharif a lame duck Prime Minister as far as foreign relations and matters military were concerned. Nawaz Sharif's authority was confined to routine domestic affairs and social development projects. While Nawaz must be heaving a temporary sigh of relief and keeping his fingers crossed, the exit of Raheel Sharif and appointment of Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as his successor has aroused keen interest in India at a time when relations between the two countries are in their worst phase. Though in Pakistan the constitutional executive head is the Prime Minister, de-facto control of the nation's defence and security policies, domestic security, strategic assets and the all-powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) rests with the army -- meaning the COAS. Raheel Sharif not only exercised all these powers but also remained in a state of constant conflict with the Nawaz Sharif government leading some to believe that he harboured post-retirement political ambitions. This only time will tell. Despite Nawaz Sharif's attempts to improve relations with India, Raheel Sharif maintained a strong anti-India posture and scuttled all his efforts. After the Panama Gate leaks, Nawaz was forced to toe the army line and give up any hopes he had of improved subcontinental relations. While Raheel Sharif launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb for eliminating terrorism within Pakistan, he continued to support "terrorism" as a low-cost war-fighting doctrine against India. Most of the terror attacks during the tenure of Raheel Sharif were aimed at the Indian Armed Forces or the police, thereby signalling the Pakistan Army's intent to avenge the humiliating defeat suffered by it during 1971. Will Gen Bajwa be able to backtrack from this? After the surgical strikes by the Indian Army, Raheel Sharif's professional reputation was badly hit and in order to restore his self-pride he brought India-Pakistan relations under severe stress through repeated ceasefire violations amounting to nearly 200 and barbaric acts of their Border Action Teams (BAT). He earned the distinction of being India's bete noire. Gen Bajwa will inherit this legacy of his predecessor. Will he alter it? It is believed that Gen Bajwa is a thorough professional with an image of being apolitical and one who believes in not interfering much in matters of the civilian government. He has been appointed by Nawaz Sharif superseding three other contenders. It is believed that Nawaz rejected the candidature of Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Multan Corps Commander and a favourite for the job, for being overbearing. The reputation of being humble and rooted to the ground has tilted the balance in favour of Bajwa. By appointing Gen Bajwa as COAS, Nawaz Sharif is trying to restore the delicate civil-military balance in Pakistan. We, in India, hope that he succeeds this time around because it is near-mandatory for restoring peace and normalcy in the subcontinent. This is the reason the appointment of the new COAS has evoked lot of interest and debate in India. Gen Bajwa is reported to believe that internal extremism is more dangerous for Pakistan than India. Therefore, it is certain that he will go hammer and tongs after the extremist elements at home. He will also need to address the menace of growing radicalism within the army that is affecting its professional elan. He will definitely carry forward his predecessor's fight against domestic extremism and terrorism forcefully. One hopes that he would no longer consider the India-specific terror groups as "strategic assets" and "force multipliers" but treat them as "liabilities" Pakistan can ill-afford to support. Given India's firm stance and denouncement of the policy of "strategic restraint", Pakistan will not be able to bear the consequences of another attempt like 26/11 or Uri. Gen Bajwa will, therefore, not only have to cut the wings of Hafiz Sayeed or Azhar Masood and their terrorist groups but also rein in the ISI. Indian policymakers will keenly watch this critical issue. Given his vast experience of serving as Commander FCNA (Force Command Northern Areas) of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Chief of Staff as well as GOC 10 Corps (the Pakistani Corps responsible for operations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir), he would be well versed with affairs and the nuances of the management of the LOC. It is hoped that he would bat for a fresh ceasefire agreement between the two neighbours to bring an end to cross-border/LOC firing which has continued unabated since September this year. But true to his professional reputation, he will fight back with full force in case he feels that India is unrelenting and is threatening to dismember Pakistan. As far as is concerned, it appears that there will be no change in the policy of the Pakistan Army under Gen Bajwa. But he is likely to permit the civil government to put the issue on the back-burner so that talks with India can be resumed. India seized the initiative from Pakistan after the successful surgical strikes on the terror launch pads and put the latter on the back foot. India rightly feels that the onus now lies with Pakistan to stop using terror as an instrument of state policy. Pakistan's offer of Army DGMO-level talks should be welcomed and used to turn the tide. The proposed visit of Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz to attend the Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar on December 3-4, may also be utilised provided it is backed by certain assurances from Pakistan. The intent of Pakistan has always been in doubt and now is an opportunity for Nawaz Sharif to change the narrative if he is really interested in development and prosperity of his country, which is well-nigh impossible without peace and stability in the region. (Brig Anil Gupta (Retd) is a Jammu-based political commentator, columnist, security and strategic analyst. The article is in special arrangement with South Asia Monitor/www.southasiamonitor.org) --IANS anilg/vm /sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The logjam in both houses of Parliament continued for the ninth consecutive day on Tuesday over demonetisation, as the Lok Sabha passed amid opposition protest an income tax amendment bill to facilitate levy of 60 per cent tax on undisclosed income. While opposition members in the Rajya Sabha insisted on Prime Minister Narendra Mod's presence, the opposition in the Lok Sabha stuck to its demand for a discussion under the rule governing an adjournment motion which entails voting. In the Lok Sabha, the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, was passed as the opposition protested and raised slogans against the government. According to the Bill, the declarant will have to pay a tax of 60 per cent and an additional surcharge of 25 per cent of the tax (i.e. 15 per cent of income), resulting in a total tax component of 75 per cent. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while moving the bill for consideration and passing, called it one of the steps by the Centre to curb black money. However, the opposition members insisted that the lower house first take up a debate on demonetisation under the rule pertaining to an adjournment motion, and the bill be taken up thereafter. Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was disrupted repeatedly as opposition members created ruckus over the fiscal chaos following the November 8 demonetisation. The first adjournment came soon after the house met at 11 a.m. when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's attempts to run the Question Hour failed. The house was first adjourned till 11.30 a.m, then till noon followed by another adjournment till 2 p.m. The scene was no different post lunch and the house was adjourned till 2.30 p.m. At 2.30 p.m., as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the Income Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 for consideration and passing, opposition members objected. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the debate on demonetisation should be taken up first. Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay suggested clubbing debate on the bill and demonetisation together, which the Speaker denied. Members also complained that they were not able to move amendments as certain amendments needed President Pranab Mukherjee's assent. Amendments to a bill that may relate to drawing money from the Consolidated Fund of India need President's approval. As opposition members protested, Mahajan said the bill should have been debated but since the house was not in order it could not be. Amid the ruckus, the bill was passed by a voice vote, and the house was adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha too saw quick adjournments as the opposition insisted on the presence of Modi, alleging the upper house was sought to be bypassed. As the upper house met at 11 a.m., Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati demanded Modi's presence. Amid the ruckus and loud protests, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon. When the house met at noon, Chairman Hamid Ansari called for the Question Hour but one of the opposition members tried to raise a point of order which the Chair disallowed. Thereafter, the opposition started raising slogans such as 'Pradhan Mantri sadan mein aao (Prime Minister come to the house)". The treasury benches countered it with slogans in Modi's favour. The opposition members trooped near the Chairman's podium, raising slogans against Modi. Amid the ruckus, the Chairman adjourned the house till 2 p.m. When the House reassembled at 2 p.m., Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal said the Rajya Sabha's importance was being undermined by the government as it was changing the nature of bills to avoid the need for the upper house's nod. "An MP has commented on the social media, asking people if there is need for the Rajya Sabha," he said, adding it was a major disregard to the upper house. "The government has turned many bills into money bills, which is not a good practice," Agrawal said. Agrawal demanded the formation of a committee to explore the possibility of amending the Constitution's Article 110 "to ensure honour of the house". His party colleague Ram Gopal Yadav and some Congress members supported him as Yadav said that "rights of the Rajya Sabha cannot be given to the Lok Sabha". "Importance of the Rajya Sabha must not be undermined," he said. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said the Constitution is very clear on what the money bill is and what is not. But this did not satisfy the opposition members and they commenced shouting slogans against Modi. Amid the ruckus, the house was adjourned for the day. --IANS mak/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up an independent panel to probe the bank details of the last five years of all political parties and their MPs and MLAs. "Why just BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)? Probe the bank account details of all political parties, MPs and MLAs including AAP. But do it for the last five years. We are ready to be probed," Kejriwal said in a video message. He added that Modi's move earlier in the day asking Bharatiya Janata Party MPs and MLAs to submit their bank transaction details from November 8 to December 31 to BJP President Amit Shah was an "ugly joke". "There are reports that the BJP bought land worth crores just before demonetisation. It should also be probed," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said in his message on Facebook. Kejriwal added that bank accounts of those whose bank loans were waived off should also be investigated. "Not only that, the account details of companies like Paytm and Big Bazaar for whom you (Modi) do advertising should also be probed," he added. --IANS vv-am/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least six border troopers, including a Deputy Inspector General, were injured in a gunfight with a group of infiltrators from Pakistan near the International Border in Jammu on Tuesday, the state police said. A police officer said the six men from the Border Security Force were injured when an ammunition dump caught fire and exploded during the gunfight. The six severely wounded troopers included DIG B.S. Kasana and Special Operation Group Inspector Sarabjit Singh, a police officer said. The gunfight raged on in Samba, some 40 km south of here, after the infiltrators attacked a BSF post near the International Border. Two militants have been killed in the shootout that was still under way. --IANS sq/ahm/sar/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As a court here on Tuesday ordered for preservation till December 5 of the bodies of two alleged Maoists killed in a gunfight, the kin of one of them said he will move the court for fresh post-mortems. P.A. Powran, counsel of alleged Maoist Koppam Devarajan's brother Sreedharan, said he will move the court on Wednesday for fresh post-mortems. Powran claimed there were procedural errors in the earlier inquest and wondered why post-mortems were conducted at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, when they could have been held here. "We will seek the presence of experts when the fresh post-mortems are done," he said. The Manjeri court, which earlier ordered for preserving the two bodies till Tuesday evening, extended the time till December 5. Kerala Thunderbolts -- an elite commando force of Kerala Police -- allegedly shot dead Koppam Devarajan and Ajitha alias Kaveri in the deep forests of Nilambur on November 24. However, their kith and kin as well as human rights activists claimed the two were killed in a "fake gun battle", a contention supported by the Communist Party of India -- the second biggest ally in the ruling Left Democratic Front government in Kerala. Police said they retaliated only after the Maoists opened fire and shot the two dead. The Kerala Police Officers Association reiterated the stand on Tuesday. The Kerala government has since announced a Crime Branch probe where the opposition Congress demanded a judicial probe. "I will never say anything which will affect their (police) morale. My stand always has been that if there is any violation of law, it should be established first," said former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. --IANS sg/tsb/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abu Dhabi, Nov 29 (IANS/WAM) UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday ordered the release of over 1,100 prisoners on the occasion of the country's 45th National Day. The move of the release of 1,102 prisoners comes as part of the President's keenness to give pardoned inmates an opportunity to start a new life and ease the suffering of their families. Attorney-General of Abu Dhabi, Ali Mohammed Al Balushi, said the public prosecution department in the UAE has begun the release process, and expressed gratitude to the President for his decision. --IANS/WAM py/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thala 57 is in its final schedule in Bulgaria where most of the cast members are said to be taking part in the shoot. The lead villain in the film, Vivek Oberoi took to his Twitter page to update what is happening in Bulgaria. He tweeted, Vannakam Bulgaria! Not a sight we would see in Mumbai or Chennai...loving this beautiful snow! #Thala57. The tweet was accompanied by a video from apparently his hotel room window. The sight looks magnificent, to say the least. There is snow everywhere, snow capped houses, driveways and whiteness all over. Vivek informs through the video that it is the first day for him for Thala 57 and ends with romba nalla irukku'. Indian actor-comedian Vir Das recently shot here for a Netflix special show. Vir shot for the second part of the show in the US earlier this month. The first part was shot in Delhi. The actor said in a statement: "New York is a landmark destination for a comedian. This was not the first time in the US but the fact that it is a Netflix special, it's an extremely rewarding feeling." The show will premiere in March 2017 on Netflix -- a streaming media and video on demand online platform . --IANS nn/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The administration of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here has informed the Kerala High Court that it had decided to let women wearing 'churidar' enter it. Speaking to IANS, its Executive Officer K.N. Satish said the high court had asked him to take the decision based on a petition. "I informed the court yesterday (on Monday) that women can enter the temple in churidar," he said. The famed temple that shot into international fame since 2011 after it was found to have a treasure estimated to be in excess of one lakh crores, stacked in five vaults. The customary dress code for women entering the temple is they should cover their dress using a dhoti or a saree and this was challenged by woman advocate Riya Raji. A few years back, the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor also allowed entry of churidar-wearing women. --IANS sg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After five years and a series of legal battles and agitations, a group of women activists will enter the famous Haji Ali dargah here on Tuesday afternoon, an activist said. A group of around 75-80 women from all over India would visit the mausoleum of the saint for prayers around 3 p.m., said the activist, keen to enter the dargah on the rocks off Worli in the Arabian Sea. "It will be routine now, we have not informed the police or the dargah trust. We shall pay our respects and come out," Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) co-founder Noorjehan S. Niaz told IANS. Till June 2012, women were allowed entry up to the sanctum sanctorum comprising the mazaar (grave) of the revered Muslim saint, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, but suddenly the entry rto women was barred. In 2014, the BMMA and others challenged the move of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust in the courts. On August 26, Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Revathi Mohite-Dhere ruled in favour of the petitioners and directed the trust to allow equal access to women, which the trust challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on October 24 delivered its verdict upholding equal access to men and women, and the trust expressed readiness to allow women inside till the sanctum sanctorum. The trust authorities sought four weeks time to make certain infrastructural changes and alterations to accommodate the women devotees, who would now throng the shrine. Niaz said the women would offer floral tributes, 'chadars' and pray for peace at the dargah on Tuesday. "It was a fight for equality, ending gender bias and our constitutional rights. We are happy that it has resulted in women and men getting equal unrestricted access right till the sanctum sanctorum," Niaz said. A trustee of the dargah, Suhail Khandwani, said that there would be separate entries to the shrine for men and women and henceforth nobody would be allowed to touch the peer's tomb. Under the new arrangements, all devotees would wait and pray nearly two metres away from the tomb with rights of equal access to all. The dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari of Bukhara in modern Uzbekistan. At one time, he renounced all his worldly possessions, travelled all around the world, made a pilgrimage to Mecca and finally settled in the then Mumbai in the 15th century. According to local legends, once he saw a poor woman crying over oil spilt from her vessel, afraid that her husband would thrash her. He took the woman to the spot where the oil had spilt and jabbed his finger in the earth and oil gushed out. The happy woman filled up her vessel and went home. Later, the saint had tormenting dreams of how he had injured the earth by his action. He fell ill and asked his followers to throw his coffin into the Arabian Sea. He died during his pilgrimage to Mecca and the casket carrying his body miraculously was swept back to the shore of Worli and got stuck in the rocks there. His dargah was constructed at the same spot and on Thursdays-Fridays, it is visited by large number of pilgrims of all religions from India and abroad for the saint's blessings. --IANS qn/in/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharat Financial Inclusion (BFIL) or erstwhile SKS Microfinance and other micro finance institutions (MFIs) scrips have corrected sharply post note ban announced on November 8. Given that a large part of their business is conducted in cash, investors feared that these companies' performance will take a knock in the on-going quarter, and possibly in the next as well. The BFIL stock had fallen 17.5 per cent till November 28, versus Sensex's fall of 4.5 per cent on these worries. However, with the company updating investors about the likely impact of the note ban on its operations, sentiment is improving. The stock recovered some lost ground on Tuesday and closed with gains of eight per cent. Leading foreign brokerage Credit Suisse also upgraded the rating on the stock from underweight to neutral on Tuesday citing inexpensive valuations and limited impact from demonetisation. So, does this mean that the stock has factored in the pain from note ban? Analysts are cautiously positive. Should the Chief Justice of India (CJI) go to a private party hosted by former law and justice minister Ashwani Kumar, who had to quit because of the coal scam? Also present at the event was Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the chief guest, who sat next to former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who in turn sat next to the CJI, and was often seen holding his hand. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also attended the event. With the failure of the regular media and pollsters to predict the outcomes of the Brexit referendum and the US presidential election, the word populism is being widely used to describe what is seen as the upending of the usual political expectations. But what is populism? In 1967 the London School of Economic held a conference To define populism. The participants included some of the leading political scientists and philosophers, including Isaiah Berlin, Richard Hofstadter, Kenneth Minogue, Ernest Gellner, et al. (The discussion was summarised in To define Populism, Government and Opposition, 1968). Their general conclusion was that everyone agreed that the subject was too vast not merely to be contained in one definition, but to be exhausted in one discussion! West Bengal chief minister and All Indian Trinamool Congress (AITC) president Mamata Bannerjee, who is at the forefront of the anti-demonetisation protests, on Tuesday decried the centre's demonetisation move as being worse than the emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The passage of the Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Lok Sabha amid din on Tuesday gave a divided Opposition another chance to close ranks against demonetisation. A day after chinks appeared in the Opposition-sponsored nationwide protests against banning of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, with Janata Dal (United) and the Biju Janata Dal choosing to stay away, these parties will meet on Wednesday morning to decide if the passage of the Bill violated parliamentary procedures and should be taken to President Pranab Mukherjee. Bihar Chief Minister has supported Narendra Modi government's 'note ban'. He not only kept his party, the Janata Dal (United), away from Opposition's protests on Monday, but also advised his ally Lalu Prasad's two sons and ministers in his Cabinet, to do likewise. Twelve people, most of them children, were killed today when a fire broke out at a school dormitory in the southern Turkish city of Adana, local officials said. "12 bodies were recovered, 22 wounded people were taken to hospitals," Adana governor Mahmut Demirtas was quoted as saying by the official agency Anadolu. Adana Mayor Huseyin Sozlu said 11 of the dead were school children and the other was a female caretaker. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two youths were today arrested for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old to death as he had asked for the phone number of the girlfriend of one of the accused in west Delhi's Nihal Vihar area, police said. Shamshad (20) allegedly stabbed Salauddin with a knife "more than 25 times" on November 26, while Sunil Pal (19) was an accomplice in the crime, said DCP (West) Vijay Kumar. Salauddin's friend Monu, who had rushed him to the hospital, told the police that on the fateful day, they were consuming alcohol when the deceased got a call from Pal who told him that he had got into a brawl with the local boys at DDA Park and called him for help, said the officer. "Four of them reached DDA Park where Pal took Monu and the two other friends to one side, while Shamshad asked Salauddin why did he want his girlfriend's mobile number. He did not wait for Salauddin's reply and attacked him with a knife. Monu and the other friends tried to intervene but were threatened by Pal," said Kumar. The friends rushed Salauddin to the hospital but he was declared "brought dead". A police team was formed to nab the accused and raids were conducted at their houses and other probable places but in vain, the officer said. Acting on a tip-off, the police today arrested Shamshad and Pal from near the Chander Vihar cremation ground, he added. "During interrogation, Shamshad confessed that he and Salauddin were close friends. Last year, the two had gone to Mubarakpur village in Kirari where Shamshad had befriended a girl. The deceased knew about their friendship and after getting the girl's mobile number from Shamshad's phone, he had started calling and harassing her," Kumar said. The girl told about this to Shamshad who helped her change her phone number and warned Salauddin against calling or meeting her, he added. "On November 25, Shamshad met Pal at a wedding ceremony where the latter told him that Salauddin was asking for his girlfriend's mobile number. Subsequently, Shamshad arranged for a knife and hatched a plan to kill Salauddin," said Kumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 24 agents have been arrested for spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency so far this year, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. "In addition to these 24 agents, one Pakistani spy agent detected in October 2016 was Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi based intelligence officer Mehmood Akhtar," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying a written question. Of those, who were arrested so far this year, nine were detected in Rajasthan, six in Punjab, two in Gujarat, two in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Uttar Pradesh and four in Delhi. Ahir said some of the staff posted in Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi is suspected to be involved in running espionage network. The official who was apprehended by the Delhi Police for spying was consequently declared persona-non-grata by the Indian authorities. "The Government is taking adequate steps to counter such incidents in future. The Government is resolutely committed to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the nation and the safety of our citizens," he said. Manipulation of 2D materials such as graphene could make modern day electronic and photonic devices faster, smaller and efficient, a new study suggests. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a class of nanomaterials that are only a few atoms in thickness. Electrons in these materials are free to move in the two-dimensional plane, but their restricted motion in the third direction is governed by quantum mechanics. The 2D materials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides and black phosphorus have garnered tremendous attention from scientists for their amazing properties and potential to improve electronic and photonic devices. Researchers, including those from the University of Minnesota and Stanford University in the US, examined the optical properties of several dozens of 2D materials. They analysed how polaritons, a class of quasiparticles formed through the coupling of photons with electric charge dipoles in solid, allow researchers to marry the speed of photon light particles and the small size of electrons. "With our devices, we want speed, efficiency and we want small. Polaritons could offer the answer," said Tony Low, a University of Minnesota electrical and computer engineering assistant professor and lead author of the study. By exciting the polaritons in 2D materials, electromagnetic energy can be focused down to a volume a million times smaller compared to when its propagating in free space. "Layered two-dimensional materials have emerged as a fantastic toolbox for nano-photonics and nano-optoelectronics, providing tailored design and tunability for properties that are not possible to realise with conventional materials," said Frank Koppens, group leader at the Institute of Photonic Sciences at Barcelona, Spain, and co-author of the study. "This will offer tremendous opportunities for applications," said Koppens. "The study of the plasmon-polaritons in two-dimensions is not only a fascinating research subject, but also offers possibilities for important technological applications," said Phaedon Avoruris, IBM Fellow at the IBM T J Watson Research Center. "For example, an atomic layer material like graphene extends the field of plasmonics to the infrared and terahertz regions of the electromagnetic spectrum allowing unique applications ranging from sensing and fingerprinting minute amounts of biomolecules, to applications in optical communications, energy harvesting and security imaging," said Avoruris. The study also examined the possibilities of combining 2D materials. Researchers point out that every 2D material has advantages and disadvantages. Combining these materials create new materials that may have the best qualities of both. The findings were published in the journal Nature Materials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Militants in police uniform on Tuesday attacked an army artillery unit in Nagrota on the outskirts of the city, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured. There were unconfirmed reports that four militants were killed in the ensuing gunfight. A senior Army officer said that heavily-armed militants in police uniform stormed the 166 artillery unit, opening indiscriminate fire. An army officer and two other personnel were killed while several others were injured in the attack, the senior officer said. A fierce gunbattle is underway at the site, a senior police officer said. Nagrota is the headquarters of the Army's 16 corps. In view of the attack, the Jammu-Srinagar Highway has been closed for traffic in the area.The district administration has closed all schools in Nagorta tehsil as a precautionary measure. Militants in police uniform on Tuesday attacked an army artillery unit in Nagrota on the outskirts of the city, killing three Army personnel, including an officer. Photo: PTI "We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack", Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. An alert has been sounded in Jammu city. Seven Maoists were arrested in Jharkhand and Bihar in separate operations, including one in which around Rs 31.53 lakh largely in the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes were also recovered, police said today. One of those arrested in Bihar was a 'zonal commander', who had been absconding for the past 11 years and was carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his head. Five Maoists were arrested from different areas of Jharkhand's Dumka district yesterday, Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar told reporters here. One of the arrested Maoists, Mithilesh Mandal, had escaped during transit while returning from a court in Giridih in 2012. He faced several naxal-related cases under different police stations and was the self-styled area commander of the banned outfit, Kumar said. Two country-made pistols, two four wheelers, five ATM cards, five cheque books, seven mobiles, naxal literature, five passbooks of different banks were recovered from the possession of those arrested. The seized Rs 31.53 lakh in cash included four new Rs 2,000 notes while the rest are the defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, the SP said. In another operation, two armed Maoists were arrested from the jungles of Chalho in Bihar's Aurangabad district today. Superintendent of Police Satya Prakash said a rifle was also seized from the two, who were identified as Ram Pravesh Yadav, a 'zonal commander' of Chalho jungle, and 'sub-zonal commander' Sunny Mistry alias Brahmdeo. Yadav, who has been absconding for the past 11 years, carried a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, the SP said, adding that around two dozens of criminals cases have been lodged against the two rebels in various police stations of the district. On the basis of information given by them, police are conducting raids at various places to nab their accomplices. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven military bodyguards of President Rodrigo Duterte and two other soldiers were wounded today in an ambush by suspected Islamic militants on the eve of his planned visit to the southern Philippines, the military and president said. Military spokesmen said a bomb hit the soldiers' convoy as it drove on a road in a southern region where an armed group which had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group operated, wounding nine. "My advance party was ambushed a while ago. The Presidential Security Group was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device)," Duterte said in a speech during a visit to a northern Philippines military camp. "But I'm going there. The advice was to postpone it (the trip), but I said no. We are taking the same route if possible," Duterte added without explaining the purpose of his trip. The convoy that was attacked in Marawi city also included local troops as well as staff members of the presidential communications office, though no civilians were hurt, military officials said. The planned Duterte visit came days after the military began operations against dozens of armed members of the Maute group holed up in an abandoned government building in the mainly Muslim rural town of Butig on Mindanao island. Butig is about 800 kilometres south of Manila, and an hour-long drive from Marawi. Fifteen soldiers were injured in the fighting while 35 militants were killed, military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla told AFP. The ambush came a day after the police said the Maute group left a bomb near the US embassy in Manila which authorities later safely exploded. The Maute gang was also blamed for a bombing in Duterte's home town in the southern city of Davao in September that killed 15 people. Padilla said it was likely the Maute group was behind the ambush. "We know their supporters are surrounding the area and possibly planted bombs on the side of the roads to disrupt the movement of troop reinforcements," Padilla said. Muslim groups have waged a decades-long armed independence struggle in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that is believed to have claimed more than 120,000 lives. Yesterday, Duterte said IS, which controlled vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, had linked up with the Maute gang, a departure from previous military denials of formal links between IS and local extremist groups. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air India Express (AIE) board today granted its approval to a proposal, seeking a one-way codeshare pact with the parent Air India for some select destinations. The board, which met here today, also accorded its permission to the airline to launch air services to Iranian capital Tehran from early next fiscal, sources said. AIE is the international budget arm of the national carrier Air India. "Air India Express Board has given its green signal to the airline to operate codeshare flights with Air India. It has also given its approval to the proposed air services between New Delhi and Tehran from early next fiscal," sources privy to the information told PTI here. The pact would allow AIE to sell tickets and book passengers from the cities from where it does not fly, they said, adding, "Codeshare flights with Air India will be operated from 5-6 tier-II cities to begin with." Code sharing allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carriers and provide seamless transport to destinations where it has no presence. At present, Air India Express flies to 14 international destinations across Gulf and South-east Asia from 15 domestic airports with a fleet of 23 Boeing 737 planes. Sources also said that with the approval for Tehran flight in place, Air India Express may launch the service to the Iranian capital city as soon as by April next year. Earlier Air India used to fly to Tehran before it opted out of the route in the 1990s due to the political instability in the region at that time. AIE Chief Executive Officer K Shyamsundar had also month said that most of the issues pertaining to the launch have been sorted out and the airline was in the process of finalising a General Sales Agent (GSA) and cargo handling firm for this purpose. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dad's desperate search to replace his 13-year-old autistic son's beloved "little blue cup" has ended after the manufacturer stepped in to make a lifetime's supply. Marc Carter's plea to find a replacement sippy cup for son Ben was retweeted more than 12,000 times. The boy has only drunk from the double-handled vessels, which are no longer produced, since the age of two. Tommee Tippee said it will produce 500 cups after it searched factories worldwide and found the original mould. The firm's attention was drawn to the family's plight when Carter launched the Twitter appeal to find a replacement. His original plea prompted offers of help from as far away as Australia. Carter said the response from well-wishers had been "incredible", and said it was a "huge surprise" to be contacted by the manufacturer. Tommee Tippee does not normally keep the moulds but had been searching factories around the world in the hope of finding the original plans. A spokesman said: "We are delighted to confirm that we are able to start production on a run of the original cup. "This will ensure that Ben has a lifetime supply and that his family won't ever have to worry about finding another cup for Ben," he said. Carter said his son has had his current blue cup for three years, but it is now falling apart and may only last a few more weeks. He said: "This tiny blue cup dictates our life. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BISMARCK, N.D. Gov. Jack Dalrymple on Monday ordered an emergency evacuation of the Dakota Access Pipeline protest camps on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, citing safety concerns due to harsh winter weather. Dalrymples order states that people camping in the area near the Cannonball River are ordered to leave immediately and take all their possessions with them. The order comes three days after the Corps told the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe it would be closing the Corps-managed land north of the Cannonball River on Dec. 5. The governors order, which takes effect immediately, applies to Corps lands where the agency has not permitted camping, said governor spokesman Jeff Zent. However, the state does not have plans to remove people from the site, Zent said. Were not going to go in and make arrests and forcibly remove everybody thats on that site, Zent said. We fully expect the federal government to take the lead on the management of their property. The governors office did not coordinate the emergency evacuation order with the Corps, Zent said. On Sunday, the Corps said it would not forcibly remove people who continue camping north of the Cannonball River after Dec. 5. But Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said the Corps' deadline is a meaningless move aimed only at reducing the government's legal responsibility for hundreds of demonstrators. The Army Corps of Engineers "is basically kicking the can down the road, and all it is doing is taking the liability from the Corps and putting it on" the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Kirchmeier said. The 1,172-mile pipeline is nearly complete except for a small section beneath a Missouri River reservoir near the encampment, which is about 50 miles south of Bismarck. Opponents, who call themselves "water protectors," worry about potential effects on drinking water on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation and farther downstream on the Missouri River, as well as destruction of cultural artifacts, including burial sites. They also believe the land near the confluence of the Missouri and Cannonball rivers is still rightfully owned by the Standing Rock Sioux under a nearly 150-year-old treaty. County and state officials have been seeking federal law enforcement help for months and were initially buoyed by the Corps' order for protesters to move off the land. The agency's later announcement that it would not forcibly evict any demonstrators dampened hopes that the issue would soon be resolved, Morton County Commission Chairman Cody Schulz said. "It's useless for local and state law enforcement, and the order from the Corps is self-serving and amounts to them limiting their liability," Schulz said. The sheriff said state and local officials lack jurisdiction to remove the protesters. "This is a federal problem and needs to be dealt with by them," Kirchmeier said. During a news conference Saturday at the camp, protest organizers said they will not leave or stop their acts of civil disobedience. Standing Rock Sioux tribal leader Dave Archambault did not immediately return telephone calls on Monday. North Dakota's notoriously brutal winters may help empty the camp of protesters, many of them who are from out of state, Kirchmeier said. "That's what I'm hoping, or at least cut the number of them," he added. Much of the state, including the encampment, was getting hit with the first big winter storm of the year Monday, as heavy snow and strong winds pounded the area. The sheriff said snowplow crews were working to clear roads throughout the county, but about a mile of a state highway leading to the encampment was being left unplowed. "Workers do not feel safe there," he said. Ugandan police said today that another 25 bodies had been recovered after weekend fighting in a western kingdom whose tribal monarch is accused of stoking a separatist rebellion, bringing the death toll to 87. "We recovered 25 bodies from two sub-counties yesterday and a postmortem is being done to establish the facts," Kasese district police commander Sam Odong told AFP. Police had earlier reported 16 police officers and 46 royal guards were killed in the fighting that broke out in the Rwenzururu kingdom and saw security forces storm the palace to arrest King Charles Wesley Mumbere on Sunday. Mumbere is accused of backing a militia, allegedly including members of his royal guard, which had launched attacks against Ugandan security forces while agitating for the creation of their own state called the Yiira Republic. He was charged with murder today and remanded in prison, Uganda's judiciary spokesman, Solomon Muyita, told AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A BSF DIG and four other security personnel were today injured in a blast while carrying out mopping-up operations in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. Four BSF personnel and a policeman were injured in the blast at the site, DC Samba Sheetal Nanda said. In Delhi, a BSF spokesman said BSF men faced fire from across the IB when anti-infiltration operations were being summed up. The BSF DIG on the spot supervising operations and two other constables sustained injuries, the spokesman said. (REOPENS DEL19) The blast took place at the encounter site after elimination of three infiltrating militants in Chamliyal forward area along IB in Samba district, Nanda told The van driver of a logistics agency who had allegedly fled with Rs 1.37 crore collected from banks here was today apprehended but police are yet to trace the remaining Rs 12.92 lakh. "The driver, Dominic Selvaraj Roy, who had fled with the cash van, was arrested by Upparpet Police this morning near tin factory situated at K R Puram, but we are trying to trace the remaining Rs 12.92 lakh," DCP West Anucheth told reporters here. Police yesterday had nabbed his wife Evlin and recovered Rs 79.80 lakh from her possession. On November 24, a day after the heist, the van was found abandoned at Vasant Nagar and police recovered Rs 45 lakh of the Rs 1.37 crore, the police official said. Replying to a query, Anucheth said the accused had spent some part of the money on buying clothes, lodging, boarding and also to repay loans. Anucheth said after carrying out the heist between 12 noon to 1 pm on November 23, Dominic drove the van to Vasant Nagar. Since the other two trunks were large, he picked up a small trunk with Rs 92 lakh and abandoned the van at Vasant Nagar, Anucheth said. Dominic broke open the small trunk near Krishna Floor Mills at Banaswadi and stuffed Rs 92 lakh in a gunny bag and walked to his house, a km away, Anucheth said. After getting the money, Evlin and her son travelled to Vellore and proceeded to Chennai to visit her relative's house, the police official said. From Chennai, Evlin and her son went to Coimbatore and from there to Chalakudy, a place near Thrissur, and travelled to Vijaywada, Anucheth said. From Vijaywada, they returned to Bengaluru on November 27, the official added. Anucheth said it was a planned heist. In a daring daylight heist on November 23, Dominic, who was hired by Logicash, an outsourcing agency, had driven away the van carrying the cash when two other employees had gone to a bank at the heart of the city to collect money. The accompanying security personnel had told police that they gone to attend to the nature's call when the driver fled the spot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Delhi reeling under pollution, the government today told Lok Sabha that enforcement of ban on paddy stubble burning in farmlands of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh has not been fully implemented. However, there is no conclusive study which says that burning of paddy straw crop residue "would always" impact quality of air in states like Delhi and Rajasthan, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply. "Available satellite images indicate that the enforcement of ban on stubble burning in farmlands of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh has not been fully implemented and there has been significant level of stubble burning. "The incidents of stubble burning increase during the post harvesting period as farmers prepare their fields for next sowing season," he said. Dave said as per the report of IIT Kanpur, the back trajectory analyses suggest that the Crop Residue Burning and other biomass emissions may be transported to Delhi from the sources upwind of Delhi. "There is no conclusive study available that burning of paddy straw crop residue in the states like Punjab and Haryana would always impact quality of air in the states/UT like Rajasthan, Delhi etc," MoS for Environment, Forest & Climate Change said. The Minister said burning of stubble has been banned in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. He said Delhi High Court has assigned the responsibility of prevention of stubble burning and biomass on the chief secretaries of the concerned state governments and the states have initiated steps for compliance. The union government has been monitoring various preventive measures to curb the burning of paddy stubble or crops residue and check the pollution level in Delhi and NCR at regular intervals, Dave said. While meetings of Environment Minister Dave with state environment ministers were held on many occasions, four secretary-level meetings have also been organised. Noting that implementation of air pollution control measures is an on-going process, he said violations relating to stubble burning have been reported from states and they have been asked to enforce the ban relating to burning of stubble during various review meetings. CPCB has issued comprehensive directions including control of stubble burning under Section 18(1)(b) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to NCR states for prohibiting or restricting the open burning of straw. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party today termed as "farce" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direction to BJP lawmakers to submit details of bank transactions made between November 8 and December 31 to Amit Shah, even as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal he gave him a "proposal" to probe bank details of MP/MLAs of all parties by an independent committee. Alleging that the BJP leaders knew about demonetisation much before Modi announced the move on November 8, Kejriwal said bank details, spanning over five years, across all party MP/MLAs should be probed by a committee of eminent people. He said his party lawmakers were willing to face such a probe. In a video posted on social networking site, Kejriwal claimed that vast tracts of land were bought by the BJP leaders, some 3-4 months prior to the demonetisation decision and this should also be investigated. "Accounts of your friends, whose bank loans amounting Rs 1 lakh crore you have waived off and those whose bank loans amounting Rs 8 lakh crore you are going to waive off should also be probed. Also check bank accounts of companies for whom you advertise," Kejriwal said. Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader Ashutosh also questioned Shah's authority in this regard, saying the details should rather be given to the Income Tax department. He said that Modi's direction to BJP MPs and MLAs to submit their bank account statements of transaction to Shah was "another drama" meant to "hoodwink" the public, who are in "distress" due to demonetisation. He also dared the BJP to disclose the source of "80 per cent of its funding", which he claimed was unknown. "He (Modi) is a very good event manager. It is a farce. What authority does Amit Shah hold? IT department should be given the details. The disclosures should be made public," Ashutosh said. The AAP's national convener, who has been a strong critic of demonetisation move, also claimed that the government has brought down the penalty on those with black money. "At first, the government announced that there would be 30 per cent tax and 200 per cent penalty. Now under the new scheme, there would be 30 per cent tax and 10 per cent penalty and there would be 33 per cent surcharge, which comes to around 10 per cent," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Demonetised notes worth Rs 8.15 crore were deposited in banks by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) officials between November 8 and 20, an inquiry panel has said in its preliminary report, prompting the Delhi government to refer the matter to ACB for probe. Transport Minister Satyendar Jain said some senior officials maybe involved in the matter, indicating that either they deposited their "bribe money" in DTC's bank accounts or they did this for earning "commission". On November 19, Jain had ordered the DTC's CMD to conduct a detailed inquiry into allegations that some officers in the are interchanging notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 against the smaller-value notes collected from the passengers as fare. "The CMD has submitted his preliminary report. It shows that from November 8 to 20, Rs 8,14,85,500 was deposited in banks in the form of demonetised notes. 33,647 notes in the denomination of Rs 1000 and 95,677 notes in the denomination of Rs 500 were deposited. "I have asked the Transport Commissioner to refer the matter to the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government for further probe and suspend the officials who are suspected to be involved in the matter, immediately," Jain told reporters here. The Minister said he was made aware of the issue in a public hearing on November 19. Scrapped Rs 500 and 1,000 notes were deposited by officials in banks despite the state bus agency issuing an order on November 9, asking the conductors not to accept demonetised notes. Jain sought to know how high-value currency notes were deposited in banks by DTC officials if bus conductors did not accept them from passengers. "The probe showed that most of the cash deposited was in the form demonetised notes. For instance, Rs 11.65 lakh was deposited in a bank by a bus depot staff of which, surprisingly, 98% was in the form of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. "At depots of West Zone, 16,593 notes of Rs 1,000 and 43,636 notes of Rs 500 were deposited in banks," he said. Maharashtra cabinet today approved a policy under which instead of benefits in kind, the cash component will be deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries of different government schemes. The decision was taken today at the cabinet meeting chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. "Instead of benefits in kind, the cash component will be deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. A decision to prepare a policy to this effect was taken during the meeting," an official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. "At present, under various welfare schemes for different sections of the society, various things and goods, including fodder, agriculture equipment, insecticides, seeds, electric pumps, text books, are given to beneficiaries. Now, in order to boost the direct benefit transfer (DBT) policy, instead of these things, cash will be transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries," the official said. Currently, cash in the form of scholarships, wages under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS), pension, LPG cylinder subsidy, etc, is transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts, the official added. The cabinet also gave its nod to bring a notification, which will make the Aadhaar number as the only criterion for establishing the identity of the beneficiary to avail subsidies and financial benefits of government schemes. "Aadhaar number will be the only criterion to establish the identity of a beneficiary to avail financial benefits, subsidies and services under various government schemes. It was decided that a comprehensive notification will be prepared in this regard," the official said. A policy regarding terms and conditions for appointment of government officers and employees on deputation was also approved by the cabinet. In another decision, state roads and bridges will be repaired under hybrid annuity model to attract more investment in the sector, the Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 990 crore project to make Mula and Mutha rivers in Pune pollution-free. The state government will also avail loan from NABARD through the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to complete 26 large and medium irrigation projects. The CMO official said loan worth Rs 12,773 crore would be availed from NABARD under the PMKSY. Due to this decision, the pending irrigation projects will be completed and additional 5.30 lakh hectares irrigation potential will be created. On the policy regarding appointment of government officers and employees on deputation, the official said it is aimed at bringing transparency in the process. "Only 15 per cent of the sanctioned posts of the particular category will be eligible for deputation for a period of five years," the official said. Those who have not served on probation, can avail facility of deputation only after completing seven years in service. If there are more than ten per cent vacancies in a particular department, the official interested in deputation will not be allowed. Officials on deputation will have to return to the parent department two years prior to the retirement. BJP today here held protests against National Conference president Farooq Abdullah for his remarks on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Led by President, BJP Jammu and Kashmir Displaced District, the protestors, which included activists of displaced Kashmiri pandits, took out a rally from Prem Nath Dogra Bhawn in Kachi Chawni here and were demanding an apology from the former chief minister of the state for his remarks. Bhat expressed surprise over the "immature statement by Farooq that PoK is not an ancestral property of India and leaders in New Delhi should leave claim on it." Before giving such irrelevant statement, Farooq must have gone through the topography of Jammu and Kashmir before its accession with India, he said. "Everybody knows that during the rule of Dogra King Mahraja Hari Singh, POK was an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir. The statement of Farooq is shocking as it came from a person who has been the chief minister of the state and served in the Centre as Union Minister," Bhat told reporters here. He alleged that Farooq's statement seems to "please separatists in Kashmir and finding out the lost foothold." The protestors later burnt an effigy of the NC president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP's victory in the first phase of the civic polls in Maharashtra has come as a shot in the arm for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who can now more tenaciously take on the Opposition as well as ally Shiv Sena. The polls are being considered a litmus test for Fadnavis, who led the BJP campaign to make inroads in the rural areas where Congress and NCP hold sway, and have been keenly watched as they are being held post demonetisation. The results of 164 civic bodies, declared yesterday, are also seen by political observers as a sign of the ruling party firming its grip on the semi-urban and rural parts of the state. It belied hopes of the Congress and NCP to cash in on the fallout of note scrapping on the rural economy and small trade as well as the campaign by the Maratha community for quota in jobs and education. The Congress and NCP leaders however have sought to put up a brave face holding that this was "just the first round" of the multi-phased elections and hundreds of civic bodies across the state are yet to go to polls. Some of them also put the blame on failure to work out a coherent alliance at the grassroots against the saffron party, which launched a spirited campaign led by Fadnavis. As the results started pouring in BJP's favour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi last evening termed the outcome as a "win for pro-poor and development politics of BJP." Modi also lauded Fadnavis and state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve for the party's performance in the grass-roots level electoral exercise, held in the backdrop of the demonetisation move. In response to Modi's tweet, Fadnavis said, "Thanks Sir! You inspired confidence in people that our Nation is transforming. Mandate shows Maharashtra is with your vision of transparency." Significantly, the results could also have an impact on the crucial Mumbai Municipal polls slated in early next year. The BMC, as the largest and the richest urban civic body is known in local parlance, has been controlled by Shiv Sena for quiet a long time and there is speculation on whether the two saffron parties would forge an alliance this time as well. Mumbai BJP leaders voiced confidence of repeating the success in upcoming rounds of polls not only in other parts of the state but in the megapolis as well. Amarjeet Mishra, General Secretary of the Mumbai BJP, said, "BJP has swept the first phase of municipal council polls and undoubtedly we are going to repeat the same in Mumbai." "Our party has done immense work at grass-roots level such as pushing forward coastal road, Metro corridors which are directly being monitored by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has emerged as Vikas Purush of Maharashtra," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A top advisor to Burundi's president and the most public face of the government, Willy Nyamitwe, has escaped an assassination attempt in the capital Bujumbura which left one of his bodyguards dead, officials said today. "Thank God, Willy Nyamitwe narrowly escaped an attack..." tweeted Burundi's UN ambassador Albert Shingiro. A presidential official told AFP on condition of anonymity that Nyamitwe was slightly wounded on his arm and that another bodyguard was injured in the attack Monday night. The online website Ikiriho, which is close to government, said Nyamitwe was attacked while returning to his home in the western suburb of Kajaga. "I thank those who wish me a speedy recovery. I am doing well but (am) saddened by the death of a best friend, the policeman Gasongo," Nyamitwe tweeted. His brother Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Burundi's foreign minister, slammed the attempt as "a new, pointless effort to disturb republican institutions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Algeria have signed an agreement for a 900-million loan to support the countrys industrial and energy competitiveness. This budget support loan provides the Government with the resources needed to offset the drop in its revenue due to the sharp fall in oil prices. The decline in the price of oil has created a lot of difficulties for many oil exporting countries, and has had an impact on their balances of payment and budgets, says AfDB Acting Vice-President for Agriculture, Water, Human Development, Governance and Natural Resources Kapil Kapoor. Although the countrys trade balance shows a structural surplus, it recorded a deficit of about US $13 billion for the first time in 20 years owing to a substantial drop in oil export earnings, which slumped by almost 43% between 2013 and 2014. The overall balance of payments which replenishes official foreign exchange reserves that has remained positive for many years, also recorded its first deficit in 2014. Although official foreign exchange reserves are still at a comfortable level (more than two years of imports), they (excluding gold reserves) declined by 24.3% between December 2014 (US $179 billion) and December 2015 (US $144 billion). Algerias Ambassador to Cote dIvoire, Mohamed Abdelaziz Bouguetaia, commended the Bank for quickly designing, approving and signing the programme. The visit by AfDB President to Algiers in April 2016 was instrumental in promoting dialogue. During this visit, the meetings held with Algerian officials helped to identify the most pressing needs in terms of reforms and to define the focus areas of this budget support operation, he said. This general budget support will foster inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth through a series of initiatives. These include strengthening fiscal consolidation through increased revenue collection, redefinition of expenditure priorities and streamlining of expenditure. The programme will improve the business environment and promote investments through the enactment of laws governing investment and access to financing, promotion of industrial parks, as well as boosting external trade. It will also improve the energy sector governance and promote renewable energy by diversifying electric power generation sub-sectors. Among other outcomes, the programme will improve domestic resource mobilization, with an increase in non-oil tax revenue from 17.1% of GDP in 2015 to 17.7% of GDP in 2017. It will also help control current expenditure which will decline from 34.6% of GDP to 30.6% of GDP in 2017. It will help establish an improved business climate that is conducive to SME development and promotion of entrepreneurship. The greater energy sector contribution to the countrys real economy should lead to job creation and private sector development by capitalizing on the energy sector supply chain. The programme will particularly benefit Algerian SMEs through the removal of many constraints on the development of their activities, especially the provision of collaterals for public procurement and additional incentives for the recruitment of skilled labour. Investors with major projects will have a more transparent and more investment incentives and negotiation framework. Other economic actors, mostly women, will also benefit from the new incentives for sole proprietor status. This budget support is among the biggest loans that the Bank has provided to its Regional Member Countries, and the first to Algeria in 12 years. www.afdb.org Despite mild weather throughout November, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will not extend the 2016 big game general season, but there are 41 hunting districts with shoulder seasons that allow antlerless elk hunting largely on private land through December, and in several instances, into the new year. Not all shoulder seasons are open to general license holders, and hunters need to know what licenses are valid and when and where they can hunt. Be sure to read the regulations. A shoulder season is a firearms season that occurs outside the general firearms and archery seasons. Shoulder seasons focus on antlerless elk harvest mostly on private land and are not intended to replace or reduce harvest during the existing archery or general firearms seasons. Shoulder seasons have specific objectives and as such, the commission and department will monitor the success of shoulder seasons in each hunting district to ensure they are meeting the fundamental objectives outlined in the plan. Game damage and management hunts may also be going on around the state. Hunters must have signed up for game damage rosters by July 15 to participate. Here is a list of the active shoulder seasons and valid licenses required: Region 2: HDs 210, 212, 213 & 291 B Licenses obtained in the July drawing. HD 215 Over-the-Counter B License bought before Oct. 22; HDs 290 & 298 Over-the-Counter B Licenses still available; HD 217 Over-the-Counter B License bought before Oct. 22, B License obtained in the June 1 drawing, General Elk License for youth and PTHFV only. Region 3: HD 312 Over-the-Counter B Licenses still available HDs 390 & 393 Over-the-Counter B Licenses still available, General Elk License. Region 4: HDs 421, 422 & 423 B Licenses obtained in the June 1 drawing. HDs 411, 412, 445, 446, 449, 451 & 452 B Licenses obtained in the June 1 drawing, General Elk License. Region 5: All HDs except HD 500 B Licenses obtained in the June 1 drawing, General Elk License Region 6: HDs 620, 621, 622, 630, 631, 632, 680 & 690 Only shoulder-season specific B Licenses acquired through the June 1 drawing. Its important for hunters to know the specific shoulder season regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt in. This includes not only the dates the shoulder seasons extend to, but the necessary licenses as well as the type of land that is allowable to hunt. Both season timing and license type varies from district to district. Information for hunters Each region with active shoulder seasons has resources for hunters looking for information where to hunt. However, its incumbent on hunters to make sure to ask first before they hunt on private land. Additionally, shoulder seasons offer hunting opportunities, which are often challenging despite the late season. Region 2 contacts: Zac Norris North Flint Range HD 217, 406-210-2260 Cannon Colegrove John Long Range & East Garnet Range HDs 210 & 291, 406-210-2328 Gail Duncan Deer Lodge East & West, HDs 212, 213 & 215, 406-210-5497 Aletheia Bouknight Deer Lodge East & East Garnet Range, HDs 215 & 291 406-210-5502 General questions can also be directed to the FWP R2 office at 406-542-5500. Region 3 contacts You may direct any questions on Region 3 elk shoulder seasons to FWP at 406-994-4042. Region 4 contacts Dalton Schaller Great Falls Office, 406-548-1019 Kim Billadeau Lewistown Office, 406-538-4658 Abby Vaughan Lewistown Office, 406-366-9191 White Sulphur Springs Hunting Information Coordinator, 406-403-2361 General questions can also be directed to the FWP R4 office at 406-454-5840. Region 5 contacts Christine Decausin Billings Office, 406-598-0090 Sean Flynn Billings Office, 406-598-0090 General questions can also be directed to the FWP R5 office at 406-247-2940. Region 6 contacts Marc Kloker Region 6 Information Officer, 406-228-3704 Scott Thompson Region 6 Wildlife Manager, 406-228-3710 General questions can also be directed to the FWP R6 office at 406-228-3700. About Rs 1,147 crore is due to farmers across the country for sugarcane sold to millers in last two seasons, government said today. The state governments have issued necessary directions to the sugar mills to clear the pending dues and in some cases they have initiated proceedings for its recovery as arrears of land revenue, it said. "As on November 22, a total of Rs 1,147 crore is outstanding against sugar mills as sugarcane dues of farmers for the sugar season 2014-15 and 2015-16 on FRP (fair and remunerative price) basis," Minister of State for Food C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to Lok Sabha. The central government from time to time is advising state governments at appropriate level to take "strict action" against defaulting mills, he said. "State governments have informed that they have issued necessary notices/directions to the sugar mills to clear pending cane dues and in some cases they have initiated proceedings for its recovery as arrears of land revenue," he added. The Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 stipulates payment of cane price within 14 days of supply, failing which interest at the rate of 15 per cent per annum on amount due for the delayed period beyond 14 days is payable. The powers for enforcing this provision are delegated and vested with the state governments, the Minister said. Responding to a query on sugar stock lying in state-run FCI, the Minister said that the FCI has stopped dealing in sugar since May 2013 after deregulation of sugar sector and introduction of a new system for distribution of sugar through the public distribution system. Sugar production is estimated to have been lower at 25.1 million tonnes in the 2015-16 season (October-September) from 28.3 million tonnes in the previous year. The crushing operation in the current season has begun. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As it brazens out political opposition to demonetisation in Parliament, the Centre is reaching out to states by forming a committee of chief ministers with a mandate to suggest ways to make India a cashless economy. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to head the chief ministers' panel, for which Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik are also being co-opted. Sources said Jaitley had spoken to all the three chief ministers. Incidentally, the three were among the first to back Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of junking old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The panel is to review the ground-level situation following the decision to demonetise high-value currency and suggest possible ways to ease hardships and inconvenience. Besides assessing the public impact, it is also to come up with a road map towards a cashless economy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would also be part of the committee. However, there is no decision on who will be picked from Congress and Left-ruled states. The sources said names of chief ministers of Puducherry and Himachal Pradesh, V Narayanasamy and Harish Rawat, respectively, have been mooted from among the Congress fold. The final call on the issue will have to be taken by the party, they said, adding that Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar is also believed to be in the reckoning from among Left states. In Parliament, the Congress has joined ranks with other opposition parties - the TMC of West Bengal, the SP and the BSP of Uttar Pradesh as well as the Left to oppose the demonetisation drive. Their combined show of strength has led to stalling of proceedings for the eighth day today. According to the sources, the chief minister's committee is being discussed at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) level and an announcement is likely once all the names have been agreed upon. It is not immediately clear if the Congress and the CPM will join the committee, given their bitter opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's November 8 announcement to withdraw old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. However, there seems to be no problem with Naidu whose party TDP is an NDA ally. Also, Patnaik's BJD is backing the government. While Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) has opposed the demonetisation in the Rajya Sabha, Nitish Kumar has supported the move as he is convinced that the move would help fight the menace of black money. The constitution of the panel is meant to counter the Opposition charge that the government did not take them into confidence while announcing the sweeping measure. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu remained non-committal on whether or not he would head the five-member committee of chief ministers proposed by the Centre to look into post- related issues. "I told (Union Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley there are constraints. But there is no communication (from the Centre) thereafter," he said in reply to a question at a press conference. Chandrababu, however, did not elaborate on what the constraints were and also what exactly transpired between him and Jaitley. Jaitley called Chandrababu over phone and informed him about the Centre's decision to constitute a five-member committee of chief ministers to address issues arising out of the of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes announced on November 8. The Chief Minister's Office immediately announced that Jaitley asked Chandrababu to head the committee. It, however, did not give any other details even as there was speculation that the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister "declined" to take up the job. Asked about this, Chandrababu remained non-committal and merely said there has been no further communication (from the Centre) on the issue. He, sources said, was "unhappy" that the Centre never consulted him on the issue though Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally invited Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to New Delhi to address the "concerns" raised by the latter. In fact, it was Rao who suggested that a Chief Ministers' committee be constituted to look into the problems being faced by people in the aftermath of scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. A USD 200 million swap and a stake sale in the southern Hambantota port to China will serve as a much wanted boost to Sri Lanka's foreign reserves, the governor of the Central Bank said here today. Indrajith Coomaraswamy said that Sri Lanka was expecting payments from China for the sale of Hambantota port to realise in January, 2017. The first payment of USD 108 million is expected in January, another USD 300 million in March and the balance around June, he said. Sri Lanka has decided to sell an 80 per cent stake in Hambantota port to China for USD 1 billion. The Central Bank is also close to finalizing a USD 200 million swap with China Development Bank. Both inflows will help boost forex reserves, Coomaraswamy said. The announcement came as Sri Lanka's foreign exchange reserves fell to USD 6.1 billion in October. The Sri Lankan rupee suffered over 2 per cent depreciation to the US dollar so far this year, the Central Bank said. The reserves will also be boosted by the International Monetary Fund's approval of a second tranche earlier this month. Last week, the IMF said it was releasing USD 162 million, part of the USD 1.4 billion three-year arrangement approved in June this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese paper-making technology is about 2250 years old, 250 years older than previously thought, according to a new research. Archaeologist Li Xiaocen has claimed that a new finding about an ancient scrap of paper is likely to be an evidence of the earliest on record, dating 250 years before Cai Lun invented paper-making technology in China. The piece, about five centimetres long and two centimetres wide, was unearthed as early as 1986 in Fangmatan, an archaeological site near Tianshui City in northwest China's Gansu Province. However, it did not garner attention until 2012, when Li, an archaeologist at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, found the piece had uneven fibre distribution when put under the microscope. "The surface of the fragment is yellow and quite rough, and the fibres are randomly yet densely interlaced," Li said. "These are the traits of an ancient paper-making technology, very different from Cai Lun's, that ethnic minorities in Tibet, Yunnan and Xinjiang still use to make Kongming lanterns and transcribe scriptures," he was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua agency. Li said the piece, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty, is about 250 years older than Cai Lun's invention. But controversy remains over whether the strip should be identified as real paper. Paper is one of the four reputed inventions of ancient China. Besides paper making, Chinese were credited to have discovered,compass, gunpowder and printing. A crude type of paper was used as early as the Western Han Dynasty, or about 2,000 years ago. However, Cai Lun, a Chinese eunuch in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), greatly reformed the art of paper-making and has been regarded as the inventor of ancient paper and the paper-making process. Li disclosed his findings at a recent seminar, attended by over 160 archaeologists from China, Germany, Greece and Peru. "Further research should be conducted on, for example, the beating degree of the pulp, the entire production process as well as the paper's whiteness," Chen Gang, professor with the department of cultural heritage and museology at Fudan University said. "But Li's research is helpful for us to understand the full picture of ancient paper-making technology in China", he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Citing its win in civic elections in Maharashtra and Gujarat, BJP today said it should be an "eye-opener" for the opposition as people have indicated their support for demonetization and dislike for those protesting against it. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said BJP's big gain in Maharashtra is an indication of which way the wind is blowing. "It is clear that people did not like the opposition's protest against the Modi government's action against black money and supported the (demonetization) decision. "The result is an eye-opener for the opposition and an indication of which way the wind is blowing," the leader from Maharashtra told a press conference. Wisdom should now dawn on the opposition parties stalling Parliament and impasse should be resolved, he said. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya projected the BJP's win in Gujarat, the state he hails from, as a reflection of people's support to Modi and policies of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who had taken over in August this year. Asked if BJP sees the results as a referendum on demonetization, Javadekar said, "These were small but immediate elections after demonetization. So it was significant." In the polls to 147 municipalities in Maharashtra, BJP won 52 chairpersons' posts against eight it did in 2011 and its members won 980 seats against 298 earlier. "These areas were a bastion of Congress and NCP. The picture has changed now," he said, adding that "BJP, which was the number four party, is now number one. In Gujarat, Mandaviya said the party won 109 out of 125 seats against 64 earlier while the Congress' tally dropped to 17 from 52. In Tripura bye-elections, BJP's vote share jumped to 35 per cent from 1.5 and it emerged as the second biggest party, replacing Congress, he said. BJP's Parliamentary Party in its meeting held earlier in the day hailed the Maharashtra unit for its win, Javadekar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Comparing yourself with Facebook friends is more likely to lead to feelings of depression than making social comparisons offline, a new research has claimed. Researchers from Lancaster University in the UK examined studies from 14 countries with 35,000 participants aged between 15 and 88. They found that the relationship between online social networking and depression may be very complex and associated with factors like age and gender. In cases where there is a significant association with depression, this is because comparing yourself with others can lead to "rumination" or overthinking. Negative comparison with others when using Facebook was found to predict depression via increased rumination, researchers said. They also added that frequent posting on Facebook was found to be associated with depression via rumination. However, the frequency, quality and type of online social networking is also important. Facebook users were more at risk of depression when they felt envy triggered by observing others or accepted former partners as Facebook friends. The risks are also high if the users make negative social comparisons or make frequent negative status updates. Gender and personality also influenced the risk, with women and people with neurotic personalities more likely to become depressed. However, the researchers stressed that online activity could also help people with depression who use it as a mental health resource and to enhance social support. The study appears in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behaviour and Social Networking. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) His Holiness, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, today exhorted people to practise compassion which is the essence of Buddhist religion. Seated among religious scholars, monks, nuns and high profile dignitaries at Yid-Gha-Choezin Gompa at Tawang monastery, His Holiness, who arrived at Tawang yesterday, referred to philosopher Nagarjuna and advised that maintaining good health was equally important. His Holiness further spoke on the relationship between the Karmapa and the Monpas referring to the visit of first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa during the early 12th century. He also mentioned the visit of 3rd, 4th and 9th Karmapa to the Mon region. Earlier welcoming the Karmapa, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the people of Monyul were long aspiring to seek the blessings of His Holiness. He hoped that with his spiritual blessings and guidance, it would help all to become better human beings. Khandu informed His Holiness that the people of Mon region were eager to learn Bhoti script which had been introduced in schools as third language. He hoped that proficiency in Bhoti script would help people understand the ancient Buddhist scriptures and take them to higher level of perfection. Earlier, the programme began with a plantation drive in the Gompa compound by the Karmapa and Khandu. It was followed by the offerings of Mande-Ten-Tsum by the Abbot of Tawang Monastery, an official release said. Over 20,000 people from all over Tawang district gathered at the high altitude stadium to get a glimpse of the Karmapa, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to evolve a mechanism to ensure that investigation of offences, particularly pertaining to complaints against and developers, should get over within 90 days as stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code. A division bench of the high court headed by VM Kanade also directed the police commissioner to call for explanation from the investigation officer in cases where the chargesheet is not filed within the stipulated 90 days. "An explanation should be called from the investigation officer as to why the investigation is not completed within a reasonable period of time and why chargesheet had not been filed in the stipulated period," said the bench. The judges also opined that if the explanation in this regard is not found to be satisfactory, then adverse remarks should be made in Confidential Records of such officers. The high court was hearing a petition filed by a city developer and other respondents seeking to quash a complaint filed by a resident of a building who was promised a flat after its reconstruction but was sold to another person. "In the present case, we are informed by the instructing officers that hand writing expert's opinion was not obtained in time and, therefore, the chargesheet was not filed." The bench expressed that this explanation is not satisfactory and opined that directions should be issued to the Police Commissioner to make an enquiry in this case. However, it refrained from passing any orders because it did want the complainant and her husband to be harassed further and also because if such investigation is made again, they may have to run from pillar to post and visit the office of Police Chief. "On this ground alone, we do not propose to give such directions," the judges said in a recent order. One of the petitioners and builder Rajendra Jain, who was present in the court, voluntarily agreed to donate an amount of Rs 1 lakh to Tata Cancer Research Institute of Mumbai. The court accepted his offer but directed that the amount should not be paid in currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination as these have been forfeited by the government in the recent demonetisation move. In this case, the developer had promised to give a flat to the complainant lady after reconstruction of the building. However, after the building was re-constructed, the flat in question was not handed over to the complainant but transferred to another person. Being aggrieved, the lady lodged a complaint with Tardeo police. Later, the developer had a compromise with the complainant and paid her Rs 16 lakh by demand draft on settlement. The high court noted, "The parties have now amicably settled the dispute. They have entered into a memorandum of understanding dated October 14, 2016. The petitioners have also paid her Rs 16 lakh by pay order dated October 13, 2016." "We are satisfied that dispute between the parties is a personal one and as such there is no impediment in quashing the said complaint by the consent of the parties," said the bench. The judges further noted that they had interviewed the complainant and she had told them that there is no objection if the complaint is quashed. She also informed the judges that she had received Rs 16 lakh from the respondents by a demand draft and does not wish that she and her husband should go to court every month. Also, she said, there was no guarantee that the matter would be disposed of within a reasonable time. She also told the court that if this amount is deposited by her in a bank, it would be doubled in 5 years. She also stated that she is now residing in Dadar area of Central Mumbai. "Taking into consideration all these aspects, we are of the view that the ratio of Supreme Court judgement in Gian Singh case applies to the facts of this case and hence we allow the complaint to be quashed," said the bench. The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to evolve a mechanism to ensure that investigation of offences, particularly pertaining to complaints against builders and developers, should get over within 90 days as stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code. A division bench of the High Courtheaded by Justice V M Kanade alsodirected the Police Commissioner to call for explanation from the investigation officer in cases where the chargesheet is not filed within the stipulated 90 days. "An explanation should be called from the investigation officer as to why the investigation is not completed within a reasonable period of time and why chargesheet had not been filed in the stipulated period," said the bench. The Judges also opined that if the explanation in this regard is not found to be satisfactory,then adverseremarks shouldbemadeinConfidentialRecordsofsuchofficers. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by a city developer and other respondents seeking to quash a complaint filed by a resident of a building who was promised a flat after its reconstruction but was sold to another person. "In the present case, we are informed by the instructing officers that hand writing expert's opinion was not obtained in time and, therefore, the chargesheet was not filed." The bench expressed that this explanation is not satisfactory and opined that directions should be issued to the Police Commissioner to make an enquiry in this case. However, it refrained from passing any orders because it did want the complainant and her husband to be harassed further and also because if such investigation is made again, they may have to run from pillar to post and visit the office of Police Chief. "On this ground alone, we do not propose to give such directions," the Judges said in a recent order. One of the petitioners and builder Rajendra Jain, who was present in the court, voluntarily agreed to donate an amount of Rs one lakh to Tata Cancer Research Institute of Mumbai. The court accepted his offer but directed that the amount should not be paid in currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination as these have been forfeited by the government in the recent demonetisation move. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LIVINGSTON Justin Souza said he didn't even know the big beast was there that is, not until he saw a cloud of warm breath rising from a seemingly anonymous mound of earth. The 29-year-old Livingston man was on an elk hunt early on Nov. 17 when the moment many Montana hunters dread became reality. Souza said he was following a game trail in the mountains surrounding Emigrant when he came upon a sleeping grizzly in the dirt in the middle of the trail, all but concealed by foggy conditions and the animal's muddy brown fur. In the dim morning light, Souza had come within 10 yards of the bear. The hunter's presence did not go undetected, however. The grizzly stirred, lifting its head a little, then putting its head back down. Meanwhile, Souza backpedaled, putting distance and a tree between him and the grizzly. He flipped the safety off his rifle, just in case. The bear jumped up, but began heading away from the hunter, up the hillside. Souza relaxed. Figuring this was the final phase of the encounter, he took out his phone to capture a video clip of the retreating grizzly. But the bear spun around and barreled back down the hill, making a beeline toward Souza. "He was maybe maybe 30 yards away. But he was at a dead run," said Souza. In the video, the bear can be seen charging at Souza for a second before Souza drops his phone to raise his .300 Winchester rifle. The phone, its camera facing down on the ground, continued to record as Souza took a knee and aimed. "In the back of my head, I can still hear my dad's voice: 'Take your time, but hurry up,'" he said. The tense couple seconds of silence that follow in the recording are shattered by a blast from the rifle. Followed by another, and another and another. Souza said the bear huffed violently and lunged, blood pouring from its mouth in its final moments, still heaving as its inertia brought it sliding down the hill toward him until after the fourth and final shot. Souza was hunting with friends Darryl Windorski and his adult son Eric Windorski, of the Glastonbury neighborhood, but the Windorskis were searching other parts of the hillside for elk and did not see Souza's encounter with the bear. Both came running when they heard the shots. "When I came to Justin, I was almost in tears," Darryl Windorski said when he saw what had happened. "I'm just glad my friend Justin is alive." Souza, a guide for Montana Elk and Trout, reported the incident to the authorities. On Friday Nov. 18, Special Agent Shawn Conrad of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana, Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 3 bear specialist Jeremiah Smith visited the site to investigate with Souza and Darryl Windorski leading the way. The party was also accompanied by a reporter from The Livingston Enterprise and Abram Boise, another Glastonbury landowner and friend of Souza. The initial investigation revealed the bear was a male grizzly. The officials took measurements and photos of the bear and the surrounding scene before cutting off and packing out all four of the bear's paws and head. Montana FWP Region 3 spokeswoman Andrea Jones said the body parts are "collected biological materials that help identify the bear," adding that any and all grizzly mortalities are meticulously tracked. The rest of the carcass will be left to decay. The investigating officials ordered all bystanders to remain a significant distance from the scene as they collected evidence. Smith said the bear's teeth will be used to determine its age, adding he could not provide an accurate estimate on the weight of the bear, due to postmortem bloating. Souza said he left the shells from his fired rounds where they fell and retraced his footsteps out of the area, conscious not to disturb the scene. Conrad questioned both Souza and Windorski and watched Souza's smartphone video. When reached by phone Monday morning, Conrad said the investigation is ongoing. He said his report will be filed with the U.S. Attorney's Office, which will make a determination on the case. He said there's not a specific timeline as to when he needs to file his report. Despite the oncoming winter and snowfall in the mountains, Jones cautioned anyone heading into the woods that bears can still be active. "Don't be complacent because it's November," she said. The grizzly bear is categorized as a threatened species under the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. In a March 2016 news release, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed delisting the grizzly bear, citing "the successful recovery of one of the nation's most iconic animals." Delisting opens the possibility of states to implement a grizzly bear hunting season. Nepalese participants in an international conference here today sought a more "caring and sharing" approach from India towards the Himalayan country for further promoting cordial bilateral relations. This view was expressed at the two-day international conference on India and Nepal relations, organised by B P Koirala centre for Nepal studies at Gandhi Sangrahalay, which began here today. B P Koirala, who served as Nepal's Prime Minister from 1959 to 1960 and headed Nepali Congress, had made Patna the centre of his political activities in Nepal, with much of his planning for November Revolution in 1950 done in Bank Road here where he stayed for many years. Speaking at the conference, former Nepal education minister and sitting MP Chandralekha Devi, urged India to show "more caring and sharing approach towards Nepal being an elder brother." Devi, who was Education minister in the Sushil Koirala government and also served as Deputy Speaker of Nepal Parliament from 1999 to 2008, emphasised on further promoting people-to-people contact of the two neighbours. She sought start of direct flight from Patna to Kathmandu to this effect. Former MP Jitendra Sonal said viewing India and Nepal ties with "spectacle of 1950" should be stopped as he sought helpful approach of New Delhi towards Kathmandu particularly in the field of electricity. Nepal MPs Laxman Lal Karna and Lal Babu Rawat also spoke at the conference. Nawal Kishore Choudhary, former Principal of Patna College and Director of B P Koirala Centre for Nepal Studies, emphasised on a give-and-take approach, particularly in the field of education, between the two countries. Gandhian and Director of Gandhi Sangrahlaya Patna Razi Ahmad, Vice Chairman of State Disaster Response Force Vyasji and former MP Ramji Singh also shared their views about stronger ties between India and Nepal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking to end the year-long political crisis over the new statute, Nepal government today tabled the Constitution amendment bill in Parliament to address the grievances of the agitating Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups. After the Council of Ministers passed its draft, the Constitution amendment bill was registered at the Parliament Secretariat, according to Parliament sources. The Cabinet meeting was held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar in the afternoon. Re-demarcation of the provincial boundary and citizenship issue are the two major demands put forth by the agitating Madhesi parties. The minority, mostly of Indian-origin, has led months- long violent protest seeking better representation in the Parliament and the federal structure of the Constitution that divides their ancestral homeland. The bill tabled today proposes to amend provisions related to redrawing provincial boundaries, recognition of various languages, citizenship and representation in the National Assembly. The bill brought as per the Article 296 of Nepal's Constitution would mature after five days of registration, said an official at the Parliament Secretariat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here today directed police to preserve the bodies of two Maoists killed in an alleged encounter in the Nilambur forests till December 5. The Principal District and Sessions court at Manjeri passed the order on a PIL by the brother of slain Maoist leader Kuppuswamy Devaraj and some human rights activists, Public Prosecutor P Suresh said. The authorities had no objection to the order to keep the bodies intact for seven days, he added. In his interim order yesterday, Judge S S Vasan restrained police authorities from disposing of the bodies of Kuppuswamy Devaraj and Ajitha till today. The court also accepted the oral assurance of the police that they will provide the copies of the inquest and post-mortem report as sought by the petitioners. While the petitioners had claimed that the duo were killed in a "fake" encounter in the forests in Nilambur, the police had said they were killed in a retaliatory firing after the Maoists fired at them. Devaraj, a central committee member of the outlawed outfit, and Ajitha were killed in an alleged encounter in the Nilambur forests in the district on November 24 during search operations by a 60-member elite team of the Thunderbolt Force, based on a tip-off that some Maoists were camping in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court today extended by three days the CBI custody of Samajwadi Party leader Aman Mani Tripathi, son of jailed politician Amar Mani Tripathi, in connection with the alleged murder of his wife. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satish Kumar Arora sent the accused to CBI custody till December 2 after the probe agency claimed that he was required for further interrogation with regard to a forensic report released in the matter. The court, however, turned down CBI's plea seeking seven days custody of Aman, who was produced before the magistrate on expiry of the previous custody, and allowed it for three days instead. The agency's plea was opposed by Aman's counsel Khalil Ansari, who said his client was not needed for any further interrogation and should be sent to judicial custody. A magisterial court had on November 26 granted CBI the custody of Aman for three days after the agency claimed that he was required for custodial interrogation to unearth the entire conspiracy behind the crime. Aman was arrested on November 25 for the alleged murder of his 27-year-old wife Sara, who had reportedly died in a car accident in Firozabad on National Highway 2 in July last year. However, he had escaped unhurt. Based on a complaint by Sara's mother Seema Singh an FIR was registered against Aman Mani in Firozabad district. Singh had alleged that her daughter, who had married Aman Mani at an Arya Samaj temple in Lucknow in July 2013, was murdered. Aman Mani's parents, Amar Mani and Madhu Mani, were against the marriage, Singh had said. Aman Mani, however, had claimed that Sara died in the road accident when they were on their way to New Delhi for a holiday. After Singh had demanded that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav order a CBI investigation into the incident, the matter was referred to the central agency, which took over the probe from UP Police a few days later. Aman Mani was recently given a ticket by the Samajwadi Party to contest Assembly election in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A criminal, suspected to be involved in the murders of an RTI activist and a BJP leader, and his associate were killed allegedly in a gunbattle with police on the outskirts of the city this morning. The criminal, Shyam Dabhade, was a suspect in RTI activist Satish Shetty murder case of 2010 and also a prime suspect in the murder of 38-year-old local BJP leader Sachin Shelke. Shelke was hacked to death last month in broad daylight in Talegaon Dabhade, about 35 kms from here. "Our local crime branch officials received a tip-off that Dabhade and his aide Dhananjay Shinde were hiding in the forest near Chakan," Superintendent of Police Jay Jadhav said. "After conducting combing operation for the whole night, Dabhade and his aide were located near windmills close to Varsai and they were asked to surrender by our four teams headed by senior police inspector Ram Jadhav," he said. However, instead of surrendering, the duo fired eight rounds at the police teams and in retaliation, the policemen too fired five rounds. "In the retaliatory fire, both were injured seriously and taken to Chakan rural hospital where they were declared brought dead," the SP said. Dabhade, against whom several cases of extortion, murder and attempt to murder were lodged in the district, was the prime suspect in Shelke murder case as he and his men were spotted in one of the CCTV footages near the murder site, police said. Subsequently, a manhunt was launched to trace Dabhade and his accomplices, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Exploring effective ways to combat terrorism, particularly that emanating from Pakistan, and helping Afghanistan achieve peace and stability will be the focus of the two-day Heart of Asia (HoA) conclave in Amritsar beginning Saturday which will be attended among others by Islamabad's representative Sartaj Aziz. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are among leaders who will attend the annual conference. The previous such conclave was held in Islamabad last year. India has been non-committal on a bilateral meeting between Aziz and its representative at the conclave. With Afghanistan still facing regular attacks from Pakistan-based terror groups, the war-ravaged country is likely to press for an effective counter-terror strategy to deal with the menace. India will also articulate its position to contain terrorism and extremism at the conference. "Definitely, combating terror will be a major focus area," diplomatic sources said. India is also likely to ask contries in the region to show strong resolve to contain terrorism. As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is not keeping well, the government is likely depute a senior Cabinet Minister to represent India at the key deliberations. MoS in Ministry of External Affairs V K Singh and M J Akbar are also attending the meet. Afghanistan, the chair of HoA, had circulated a draft among member countries for dealing with major challenges like terror. The participating countries will deliberate on it. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates. Swaraj had attended last year's conference in Islamabad. The platform was floated with an aim to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours. The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US. During the deliberations, the leaders are also expected to discuss the need to speed up support to Afghanistan so that peace and stability returns to the war-ravaged country. The Afghan President will also have a bilateral meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the conference. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Appreciating the demonetisation move, Dean of African Missions Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam today said there were some problems but government responded very quickly and missions have been allowed to withdraw Rs 50,000 per week from banks. "I appreciate it much... I like the way they did it. I welcome the move if it benefits people at large," Alem told PTI. Replying to question on difficulties faced by mission, he said, "As far as missions are concerned what can I say personally is I have no issues. The government has allowed withdrawal of cash up to Rs 24000 per week for an individual and Rs 50,000 for a mission per week." He added that earlier there were some problems but government responded very quickly. Earlier, there were reports that dean of diplomatic corps had sought the External Affairs Ministry's help following the currency recall move as many diplomats were running short of cash and missions were also receiving calls from tourists and delegates visiting the country. The matter was referred to Department of Economic Affairs which in turn constituted an inter-ministerial team to look into it. Nepal and Bhutan, two major recipients of developmental aid from India, had also taken up the issue of demonetisation of high-value currency bills and the impact it could have on financial assistance to them. Both Nepal Rashtra Bank and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan were in touch with the RBI regarding facilitation of collection and deposit of old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000. Bhutan and Nepal are the only two countries which allow Indian travellers to carry up to Rs 25,000 in Indian currency. According to an estimate, Indian rupees account for 30 per cent of Bhutan's international exchange reserves, amounting to about Rs 2,700 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi government has asked the private schools in the national capital to implement the national deworming programme and administer medicines to the students. The Delhi Health Department has been implementing the central programme in all government, aided and schools of local bodies in the past. "In the programme, Albendazole chewable tablets will be distributed to all the schools for use as a single dose on February 10, 2017 for the students of Class VI to XII, which shall be provided in the school itself under the supervision of the class teachers," a communication by Directorate of Education (DoE) to private schools said. National deworming programme targets children of school age, which the WHO defines as being between 5 and 14 years. The tablet prevents growth of hook worms, whip worms and round worms in the body whose growth results in anaemia and malnutrition. The schools have been asked to share data of the students enrolled in the said classes. The health department will organise training sessions in schools, establish supply chain management and set up Emergency Response System (ERS) to deal with minor side effects of medication, if any. While the Health Minister has directed that the programme must be implemented, DoE has made it voluntary for now. "Heads of private schools who desire to voluntarily implement national deworming programme can provide the data of enrollment of students of class VI to XII to the health department and make necessary arrangements for the training session in consultation with the authorities," the DoE letter said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yoga guru Ramdev today described the Centre's demonetisation as a "bitter pill" but said it will have a "healthy impact" on the Indian economy. "Demonetisation is posing some problems to commoners. It is an issue which will wither in a few more days. It is like a bitter pill for the Indian economy but it is going to have a good impact," he told reporters here. "The opposition had called a 'Bharat bandh' yesterday to protest against demonetisation but the people stood by the decision of scrapping high-value currency notes. This shows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a bold step to demonetise the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. He has also won the people's confidence with this move," Ramdev added. He congratulated Shivraj Singh Chouhan for completing 11 years in office as the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister today. Ramdev said Chouhan, as chief minister, had worked for the welfare of farmers, labourers, Dalits and the oppressed, adding that Madhya Pradesh had "excelled" in agriculture, industry, health, education and other sectors under his leadership. The prime minister, on November 8, had announced his government's decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Members of the Parliamentary panel investigating AAP MP Bhagwant Mann's controversial video of the Parliament House complex today failed to adopt a draft report following differences over quantum of punishment, with some opposing any punitive action as he had not been attending the House on the orders of the Speaker. The committee, headed by BJP's Kirit Somaiya, met on Tuesday to finalise a draft report after Mann tendered an unconditional apology and withdrew his remarks that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be also summoned for inviting ISI officials to Pathankot airbase after a terror attack there. While there was unanimity on security aspects recommended by the panel, there were differences on the punishment to be handed down to him. Though he has been found guilty, some suggested that he be suspended for a day, a few others said the suspension should be be for a day. Others said since he has not been attending the House on the directions of the Speaker for a long time, he should not be punished. The nine-member panel will meet again tomorrow. "The report will be submitted on Wednesday," Somaiya told PTI, refusing to elaborate. Mann has been accused of filming "critical" areas of Parliament House building. Mann, AAP MP from Sangrur, had triggered a controversy in July by live-streaming the security arrangements at the Parliament House complex on social media. After facing flak for his act, the AAP MP had defended his move saying he was only showing people how Parliament functioned. He had later appeared before the committee and demanded Prime Minister Modi's suspension from the Lok Sabha for "compromising security" by allowing Pakistan's spy agency ISI inside the Pathankot airbase after the terror attack. He had also sought that Modi too is summoned by the committee. The man who tried to run after crashing his car into a power pole last Friday was charged Monday with criminal endangerment. Emmette Bruce Medicinetop Jr., 19, appeared in Yellowstone County Justice Court to be charged with felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Medicinetop was held on a $5,000 bond. In addition, he pleaded not guilty in a separate misdemeanor case for obstructing a peace officer and drinking under age. Bystanders stopped Medicinetop when he tried to run from a car crash at about 10:45 a.m. Friday. He is the alleged driver of a white Chrysler sedan, which crashed through a transmission line pole near the intersection of Laurel Road and Moore Lane according to court documents. The crash dislodged the pole and left it dangling from the power lines. After the crash, Medicinetop tried to run away because he was wanted on "a couple of warrants." A bystander parked his car on the median of the road to block Medicinetop while other witnesses "tackled him," according to court documents. Police had received reports of a drunk driver matching the description of the white Chrysler earlier that morning, according to court documents. A can of Maxwell Blast Away dust remover was found near the scene, and officers suspected Medicinetop had used the can to get high, according to court documents. The apex consumer commission has directed a doctor, who runs a private hospital in Rajasthan, to pay Rs 4.5 lakh to a minor boy for amputating his two fingers without seeking consent from his parents. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) also took note that the doctor, a West Bengal native, had been convicted by a trial court in a criminal case registered in this regard. "The criminal court did not find truth in the statement of the witnesses of the opposite party and convicted him. Even the conviction has been confirmed by the appellate court," the bench, headed by Ajit Bharihoke, said. The Commission also said that Rs 4.5 lakh for loss of limb cannot be termed as disproportionate and dismissed the appeal filed by accused doctor A K Sarkar against a state commission order which had upheld the district forum's decision. According to the complaint, in 2004, the fingers of Sampath Kumar, son of an Udaipur-resident Narayan Lal, came under the blades of a domestic flour mill after which he was taken to a hospital run by Sarkar. The doctor assured the parents that Sampath would be fine but allegedly amputated his two fingers without seeking consent from his parents. A criminal complaint was also registered in this regard under relevant sections of IPC. The doctor denied that he amputated the fingers Sampath. He also said that on seeing the condition of the child, he refused to treat him but on the insistence of his father, he gave first aid and bandaged him. The district forum ordered the doctor to pay the amount along with Rs 5,000 as litigation cost to Sampath after dismissing the doctor's contention that his fingers were detached from his hand when he was brought to the hospital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi government today directed the civic authorities not to unnecessary evict or harass genuine street vendors in the national capital as following demonetisation they were finding it hard to earn their livelihood. During a meeting of officials of various department today, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain directed authorities concerned not to "harass" genuine street vendors. "In the meeting, the Deputy CM and Urban Development Minister said that in the light of demonetisation, street vendors are finding it hard to earn their livelihood and if they face the unnecessary eviction/harassment by the police or the local authorities then it will further aggravate their livelihood earning," said a senior government official. Where the eviction has already been done, all eligible prospective vendor (according to 2014 Act) should be allowed to start their livelihood and the evictee should be relocated to nearest possible vending zone, he added. The Deputy CM sought the status of file for Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules and directed the officials concerned to immediately send the file to the LG Najeeb Jung for re-notification of the rules, and said he would personally request him to renotify it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission has asked the AAP to submit its manifestos for Punjab, including the ones it released on dalits and farmers, as it is mandatory for parties. The matter was raised by the Election Commission recently in a meeting with representatives of the political parties in poll-bound Punjab. "It is mandatory to submit the manifestos to the Election Commission once they are released. Since the Aam Aadmi Party was the first one to release the manifesto, we have asked them to furnish two copies of each of their manifestos," a senior EC official said. Last week, the AAP had come up with a dalit manifesto in Punjab, a state that has over 25 per cent of the population from the community. AAP Convenor Arind Kejriwal had also announced that the deputy chief minister of the state would be a dalit. Apart from dalits, the party has until now released manifestos on farmers, traders and youth. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today opposed the Habeaus Corpus petition filed by former Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal terming his arrest in an alleged money laundering case as "illegal." Bhujbal is currently held in judicial custody on charges of money laundering. N K Kaul, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of the Union Government, appearing for ED, also opposed bail plea of Bhujbal who said that his arrest was illegal and made without following due procedure in law. He said Bhujbal was arrested under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) eight months back. Why is he moving the high court for bail by filing a Habeaus Corpus petition so late? the ASG sought to know. The ASG, however, made a statement that ED would allow Bhujbal to continue to undergo treatment at Bombay Hospital where he has been admitted for last few days for multiple health problems. A division bench of the high court headed by Justice Ranjit More then extended its earlier order, asking the authorities to allow Bhujbal to remain in Bombay Hospital for medical help till December 5. The high court would review its order about treatment in Bombay Hospital next week after considering Bhujbal's health condition. Bhujbal was arrested by ED on March 14 in connection with Maharashtra Sadan scam and Kalina land case in which he and his relatives were alleged to have received kickbacks. His lawyer argued that he should be given bail, as the ED did not follow the correct procedure while arresting him. Additional Solicitor General denied that procedures were not followed during the arrest and justified the action against the former Minister. He also said that Bhujbal's Habeaus Corpus petition was an abuse of process of law. The court deferred the hearing on Bhujbal's petition till December 5. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is no evidence that Jai, dubbed as Maharashtra's biggest and most-famous tiger who has been missing since April from a wildlife sanctuary near Nagpur, is dead and search is on to trace him, government said today. "Till now, there is no evidence that the tiger is dead... The tiger could be alive, we have not declared it dead," Environment Minister Anil Dave said in Lok Sabha in reply to questions, adding that all efforts are being made to find him. Seven-year old Jai had gone missing from Umred Karhandla wildlife sanctuary in Gondia-Bhandara district and apprehensions have been expressed by several quarters including the local MP that he could have fallen to poachers. Named after Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan's character in the hit 1975 film 'Sholay', Jai came into limelight after embarking on an epic hike of nearly 150 kms from Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve and entering Umred forest in September 2013, crossing several villages, rivers and even the Mumbai-Kolkata national highway in pursuit of a mate. The tiger's electronic collar stopped transmitting his location in April. Noting that there is a lot of demand for tiger parts in South East Asia and China, Dave said a close watch is kept to ensure that no trade in tiger parts takes place and at times the help of Interpol is also sought, the Minister added. Efforts are being made to minimise man-animal conflicts as well as those between animals and also to sensitise people about it, Dave said against the backdrop of rise in such incidents, adding that efforts are being made to ensure that the animals remain within their habitat in the forests. "Efforts are being made to minimise man-animal and animal-animal conflicts," he said during Question Hour, adding people should also be sensitised so that the factors that result in such conflicts are taken care of. However, Dave also said there are limitations and Interpol is roped in to plug the loopholes. In a written reply, the Minister said Rs 233.57 crore have been released under Project Tiger to the tiger range states till November 23 of this fiscal. Project Tiger, which is implemented in 50 tiger reserves spread across 18 tiger range states, is one of the most successful conservation programme in the world that has brought the "endangered tiger on assured path of recovery", he said. "Adequate funds have been provided to the tiger range states for various activities prescribed under the Tiger Conservation Plan of respective tiger reserves. "Funding assistance is provided to the tiger range states/tiger reserves under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger and is based on Annual Plan of Operations received from the concerned states," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Subhash Bhamre today said the government is making all efforts for the safe return of 22-year-old soldier Chandu Chavan, who is in Pakistan's custody after inadvertently crossing the LoC. "We are in contact with the neighbouring country (Pakistan) through DGMO and diplomatic channels and one good thing is that Pakistan has acknowledged that Chavan is in their custody. Today or tomorrow, they will have to return Chavan to us," the MoS for Defence told reporters on the sidelines of the passing-out parade (POP) of the 131st course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) held here. He assured that as soon as the situation (at border) gets back to normalcy, Chavan will be brought back. "I am in touch with the family of Chavan as he is from my constituency," said the MP from Dhule in Maharashtra. On September 30 after the surgical strikes, Chavan from 37 Rashtriya Rifles had inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the LoC following which Pakistan had been informed by the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) on the hotline. He has been in Pakistan's custody since then. Soon after the broke, Chavan's aged grandmother Lila Chindha Patil had died of shock. To another query, the minister said OROP was pending for 40 years. However, since Modiji (PM Narendra Modi) assumed office, he gave priority to OROP. "There are a section of people who are spreading lies about it (OROP). However, 90 to 95 per cent ex-servicemen are happy. Yes, there are some anomalies. But efforts are on to get rid of them as the government is studying the report submitted by one-member committee," he said. The Centre had appointed a committee under the Chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court L Narasimha Reddy to look into the anomalies. He said the government thrust is on indigenisation of products in the Defence sector. "(under Modi government) Indigenisation has increased and India is one step towards self reliance," Bhamre added. Talking about the terrorist attack on an army camp at Nagrota near Jammu, he said, "We expect peace from our neighbouring country. But our forces are alert and we are proud of them. We are ready for any kind of challenge, be it military or any other kind of aggression. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An alert and chatty Italian woman, Emma Morano, today celebrates her 117th birthday as the last known person alive who was born in the 19th century. Born November 29, 1899, she is the world's oldest living person and the secret to her longevity appears to lie in eschewing usual medical wisdom. "I eat two eggs a day, and that's it. And cookies. But I do not eat much because I have no teeth," she told AFP in an interview last month in her room in Verbania, a town in northern Italy on Lake Maggiore. On a marble-topped chest of drawers stands proudly the Guinness World Records certificate declaring her to be the oldest person alive. The eldest of eight children who has outlived all her younger siblings, Morano knows that this landmark birthday will be an event to celebrate and that people are curious about her. "People come. I don't invite anybody but they come. From America, Switzerland, Austria, Turin, Milan... They come from all over to see me," she said with an amused smile. But she's not sure she will eat some birthday cake, saying "the last time I ate a little, but then I did not feel good". Birthdays aside, Morano is a solitary person. Having left her violent husband in 1938 shortly after the death in infancy of her only son, she lived alone, working in a factory producing jute sacks to support herself. She clung to her independence, only taking on a full-time carer last year, though she has not left her small two-room apartment for 20 years, and has been bed-bound for the last year. While her mind is alert, she is very deaf, speaks with difficulty and does not see well enough to watch television, spending her time instead either sleeping or snacking. Among the plans surrounding the birthday, she is expected to receive some relatives and journalists as well as Verbania Mayor Silvia Marchionini. And in the town at the local theatre there will be a performance of music over three centuries in Morano's honour and also a preview of a romanticised biography called "The woman who saw three centuries". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The economic offences wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has arrested 31 accused, including defaulting borrowers and brokers, in the Rs 5,600 crore NSEL scam, the Centre informed Parliament today. Capital markets regulator SEBI has completed audit of books of accounts of five commodity brokers whose names appeared in the interim report of the EOW. Thereafter, the show cause notice was issued on October 28, it said. Asked if the government has taken action against all the defaulters and brokers, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said in the Rajya Sabha: "EOW, Mumbai Police has arrested 31 accused including 22 defaulting borrowers, six NSEL key management personnel and three brokers." The charge sheets have been filed against the accused in the court under the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999, he said in a written reply to the Upper House. Various agencies including the EOW and Enforcement Directorate enquiring into the National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) related payment and settlement crisis case, he added. On action taken to recover money from NSEL defaulters, the minister said that the EOW has are ported that they have attached assets worth Rs 8,583.05 crores, approximately under various provisions of MPID Act. "Rs 527.19 crores have been distributed to investors, 608 investors having invested less than Rs 2 lakhs have been fully paid, 50 per cent of the invested amount has been distributed to investors who invested between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakhs and 6 per cent amount distributed to investors who invested between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 crore and above," he said. Besides, 19 provisional attachment orders involving assets worth Rs 8,37.01 crores against 12 NSEL defaulters have been issued by the Directorate of Enforcement. "All these attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. A prosecution complaint has also been filed before the Special Court against NSEL and 67 other accused persons," Meghwal said. That apart, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has completed audit of books of accounts of five commodity derivative brokers whose names appeared in the interim report of EOW, Mumbai Police. "Thereafter, the designated authority, appointed by SEBI for conducting enquiry into the matter, issued show cause notice on October 28, 2016," he said. Replying to another query that if certain banks are providing payment and settlement system (PSS) service to NSEL without RBI and government approval, the minister said: "At present, NSEL is not authorised to undertake activity for which payment and settlement system service of banks may be required. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pentagon said today that intelligence errors resulted in a US-led coalition air strike in Syria in September that reportedly killed around 90 Syrian government forces. There were "errors in the development of intelligence, as well as missed opportunities for coalition members on duty to recognise and voice contrary evidence to decision-makers," the US military's Central Command said in a statement following a six-week probe into the September 17 attack near Deir Azzor. Australian, Danish, British and American planes all took part in the air strike, which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group has said killed at least 90 regime troops. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Experts and elected officials on both sides of the political aisle dismissed Donald Trump's claim that "millions" of Americans voted illegally on election day, as efforts expanded to organise recounts in swing states. The Republican billionaire's victory on November 8 saw him clinch the crucial electoral college count, which determines the presidency, but lost the popular vote to rival Hillary Clinton by more than two million ballots. Cloistered in his Florida resort for the long Thanksgiving weekend, the 70-year-old tycoon, who has never previously held elected office, took to Twitter to indulge in one of his customary tweet storms. On Sunday, before returning by private jet to New York to resume interviews with potential cabinet appointees, he claimed he would have won the popular vote if it were not for "the millions of people who voted illegally." "Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California- so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias- big problem!" he followed up later. Trump, who spent the campaign warning that the result might be "rigged," is now pushing back hard as the Green Party works to secure recounts in three states which Trump won: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The campaign of Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who won a tiny fraction of the vote in each state and where Trump beat Clinton by thousands of votes, said voters had filed recount requests in more than 100 (out of 9,163) precincts in Pennsylvania, while promising that more would follow. The party requested a statewide recount in Wisconsin on Friday and plans to request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday, the campaign said. But observers deny any evidence of widespread fraud. And few expect any change in the outcome of the vote, which former secretary of state Clinton conceded to Trump in an early-hours phone call on November 9. Meanwhile, Trump increased his electoral college vote count to 306, compared to 232 for Clinton, after Michigan certified its election results and his victory there. Republican, Democratic and independent lawmakers dismissed Trump's claims as totally unsubstantiated. Some experts warned they set a dangerous precedent by potentially undermining trust in democracy or confidence in his leadership. "I have not seen anything in the millions, I don't know what he was talking about," Republican Senator James Lankford told CNN. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said "there has been no evidence produced to substantiate a claim like that." Brian Doyle's body was found in January 2012 by state employees picking up debris along Highway 2 between Bainville and Culbertson. Doyle's sister Erin Groom said her brother was left there like a forgotten piece of trash. "That was the hardest part, imagining that lonely death," said Groom, who lives in Michigan. The man who killed Doyle, Charles Boman Bowen, will make his first appearance before the Montana State Board of Pardons and Parole on Nov. 30. And Groom will be there. The Montana Department of Corrections has systems in place to notify victims and their families of upcoming parole hearings. But the new constitutional amendment, Marsy's Law, was not written with the knowledge of Montana's existing notification systems. DOC will make changes to comply with the new law, DOC Spokesperson Judy Beck said. Montana voters approved the constitutional amendment this past election. Groom, along with her younger brother, plan to testify against Bowen's release. "I want to be physically there to say 'We're watching this,'" Groom said. Bowen had known Doyle for almost 25 years, Groom said. He invited Doyle up from Florida to work in Montana as a plumber. Bowen was the last to see Doyle alive on the night of Jan. 11, 2012. Bowen said he left Doyle on the side of the highway after the two got into a fight. Doyle's body was found more than a week later. Forensic Pathologist Thomas Bennett, who conducted the autopsy, said Doyle was lying on the side of the highway when a vehicle ran over him at a slow speed. He had multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, a torn liver and internal bleeding, and his entire right arm was useless due to the injuries. Doyle was in extreme pain and would have died from hypothermia within three hours. But, if someone had taken Doyle to a hospital, he could have survived, Bennett said. After a four-day trial in June 2012, a jury convicted Bowen of negligent homicide. "I remember the judge told Charles he was as close to deliberate homicide as you could get," Groom said. About a year ago, the Montana Supreme Court denied Bowen's appeal. The denial was the first time Groom said the family felt confident Bowen would serve a substantial sentence. Until Groom was given 30 days notice that Bowen would appear before the parole board on Nov. 30., Bowen had served a quarter of his sentence, qualifying him to request parole. Being present at the hearing is important to Groom. Beyond opposing Bowen's release, Groom planned to ask the parole board to restrict him from requesting parole for a period of years. "Trying to remember everything, run through it all again, it is emotionally draining," Groom said. "I didn't know what grief was before this happened." Interim Executive Director of Probation and Parole Greg Budd said it is possible for the board to defer parole appearances for up to six years, and victims have the right to make that request. Victims often give the same reason as Groom for seeking the restriction, Budd said. They are tired of reliving the trauma. The Victim Information and Notification Every Day network, which was how Groom was notified about Bowen's upcoming appearance, was set up prior to the approval of Marsy's Law. VINE was established as a notification system for people interested in custody status information about adult felony offenders under DOC supervision. VINE was made to be a voluntary service, meaning victims, and any member of the public or criminal justice system can sign up for the notifications. In addition to VINE, the DOC offers notification through Montana State Prison Records Department and the Montana Womens prison for direct victims of crime. There are 3,126 victims registered with the DOC, according to the department's annual report. Victim Programs Manager Jamie Rogers said the DOC was progressive when it put these notifications systems in place. With the passage of Marsy's Law, however, VINE won't be enough to ensure compliance. VINE costs about $6,200 a month to run, and if multiple systems are implemented to meet the requirements of Marsy's Law, that could cost the taxpayer a lot of money, Rogers said. Victim statements, whether by letter, on the phone, or in person are a major factor for determining release, Budd said. The parole board notifies the victims through the victim registry and encourages victims to speak at the hearings. If victims can't face the offender, they can give their testimony in a separate room. At the same time, victims can attend the entire parole hearing if they wish. Members of the parole board are appointed by the governor. The board comprises seven members, but has six members this month because of an unfilled seat. Six members are allowed, but make things more difficult, Budd said. The six members included a mental health professional, an enrolled tribal member, a former legislator and a couple of attorneys, Budd said. Since January, the board reviewed 1,994 cases. The board granted parole for 680 inmates. About 31 committed a new crime after being released, according to Board of Pardons and Parole's statistical data. This shows the board has done a good job determining if an offender was prepared to rejoin society, Budd said. Many of the new crimes Budd has seen are failures to register and drunken driving offenses. For the board to grant parole the first time a violent offender appeared would be rare, Budd said. "To me it is obvious he will not be released at this time," Groom said. "But we need to show up to tell the board we still want him to pay the price for what he did." The Montana Board of Crime Control is studying what the DOC, local law enforcement offices and county attorneys must do to ensure they are in compliance with the law. There are many issues in play, including confidentiality. Information about victims right now can be shared between places like the Montana State Prison and Board of Pardons and Parole, but that might need to change, Rogers said. Marsy's Law was written with strict confidentiality requirements for victims of crime. Mandatory notification will also be difficult, as Rogers said about one third of the victims registered with the DOC will later request to be removed from the notification system because they don't want to keep reliving the trauma of the crime. Different interpretations of Marsy's Law have given the DOC different deadlines for compliance, with July 2017 being the farthest out. The DOC's Beck said the department will not have implemented all the requirements of Marsy's Law by then. BJP's victory in the first phase of the civic polls in Maharashtra has come as a shot in the arm for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who can now more tenaciously take on the Opposition as well as ally Shiv Sena. The polls are being considered a litmus test for Fadnavis, who led the BJP campaign to make inroads in the rural areas where Congress and NCP hold sway, and have been keenly watched as they are being held post demonetisation. The results of 164 civic bodies, declared yesterday, are also seen by political observers as a sign of the ruling party firming its grip on the semi-urban and rural parts of the state. It belied hopes of the Congress and NCP to cash in on the fallout of note scrapping on the rural economy and small trade as well as the campaign by the Maratha community for quota in jobs and education. The Congress and NCP leaders however have sought to put up a brave face holding that this was "just the first round" of the multi-phased elections and hundreds of civic bodies across the state are yet to go to polls. Some of them also put the blame on failure to work out a coherent alliance at the grassroots against the saffron party, which launched a spirited campaign led by Fadnavis. As the results started pouring in BJP's favour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi last evening termed the outcome as a "win for pro-poor and development politics of BJP." Modi also lauded Fadnavis and state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve for the party's performance in the grass-roots level electoral exercise, held in the backdrop of the demonetisation move. In response to Modi's tweet, Fadnavis said, "Thanks Sir! You inspired confidence in people that our Nation is transforming. Mandate shows Maharashtra is with your vision of transparency." Significantly, the results could also have an impact on the crucial Mumbai Municipal polls slated in early next year. The BMC, as the largest and the richest urban civic body is known in local parlance, has been controlled by Shiv Sena for quiet a long time and there is speculation on whether the two saffron parties would forge an alliance this time as well. Mumbai BJP leaders voiced confidence of repeating the success in upcoming rounds of polls not only in other parts of the state but in the megapolis as well. Amarjeet Mishra, General Secretary of the Mumbai BJP, said, "BJP has swept the first phase of municipal council polls and undoubtedly we are going to repeat the same in Mumbai." "Our party has done immense work at grass-roots level such as pushing forward coastal road, Metro corridors which are directly being monitored by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has emerged as Vikas Purush of Maharashtra," he added. The ties between Shiv Sena and BJP have been strained since the two parted ways ahead of 2014 Assembly elections. Though Sena is part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, it has often been critical of the BJP, both in the state as well as the Centre. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has also been vocal against the implementation of the demonetisation move. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Steel today said the recent fall in steel demand following demonetisation of high-value currency notes is a temporary phenomenon, and is expected to become normal in next two quarters. "The recent fall in steel demand post-demonetisation is a temporary phenomenon and is expected to become normal in next two quarters. It is a postponement of demand rather than vanishing of demand," Tata Steel MD T V Narendran told reporters on the sidelines of CII event here. "The demonetisation move is good for the government and good for the country," he said. Narendran added that in the long run the demand in parallel economy will flow back into the mainstream, benefiting organised steel producing companies. The industry expects that the steel demand will be 5-6 per cent higher, while production will be 8-10 per cent as imports have come down, Narendran said. However, he refused to give steel price outlook. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SHO of Fatehpur Beri police station in south district has been sent to district police lines for "being negligent" in controlling illegal construction. A senior police officer said there were complaints about the SHO following which the action was taken. "He did not intimate the authorities concerned about unauthorised construction at Aaya Nagar despite a ban by the High Court. He has been sent to district police lines," the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fire broke out for the second time today in a building of the state-run SSKM hospital here within a span of 10 days, though it was doused in a few minutes. The fire broke out at the Woodburn Ward of the SSKM Hospital, the main referral hospital of the state, at around 5.58 pm, caused by a minor electrical fault, a senior Kolkata Police officer said. The flames were put out at 6.02 pm by a combined team of fire brigade, local police and officials of the CESC, the officer said. "There was no report of any human injury or casualty," he said. On November 21, a fire had broken out inside a library on the sixth floor of Ronald Ross Building within the hospital complex which was doused after 19 fire tenders battled for an hour. Soon after the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that since SSKM was a big hospital, a permanent fire station would be set up within the complex with two fire tenders and a ladder to boot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was not a routine morning for the residents of this tehsil, situated barely 25 km from Jammu city on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, as they woke up to loud thuds when heavily armed militants managed to barge into an army camp situated three kms away from the headquarters of the 16 Corps. When the locals heard the initial gun shots they thought it was a "routine" practice session by the Army. However, when the firing intensified and was followed by blasts, they knew it was a terrorist attack in their area. Today's incident was a first such major terrorist attack in Nagrota, with the local residents saying they never saw or heard about an attack of such a magnitude in the past. "The entire Nagrota town is dotted with army cantonments as it is the headquarter of the 16 Corps of the Army, we are used to hearing firing sound as a firing range is nearby, but today it was unusual as the firing started at between 5 AM to 5:20 AM which was followed by heavy blasts," Manjit Singh, a local resident, said. He said as soon as the intensity of the firing and blasts increased the residents came to know that it was a terrorist attack in any of the several army camps located in the area. "Soon we started seeing the movement of the army vehicles as the firing continued, when we came to know that terrorists had succeeded in entering the army camp here we left our houses and fled to safer locations," Girdhari Lal, another local resident, said. He said the residents were worried about the militants making any attempts of entering installations of strategic importance. The entire market in the Nagrota township was closed whereas the administration also ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the area. "We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack," Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. The local MLA of the area Devender Singh Rana also remained there since morning. "They are my people and hence it is my responsibility as their local MLA to look after them in their hour of crisis," Rana said. Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta also visited the spot and said Pakistan has been aiding and abetting terrorism in India and with the change of guard of the Army chief in that country would not change its policy against India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP and Congress today withdrew their respective appeals from the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court verdict holding them prima facie guilty of violating the law on foreign funding. The counsel representing the political parties informed the apex court that in view of the 2010 amendment made in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), they cannot be held liable for receiving alleged foreign funds in violation of the law. "The petitions are dismissed as withdrawn," a bench comprising Justices J S Khehar, Arun Mishra and A M Khanwilkar said when senior advocates Shyam Divan and Kapil Sibal, representing BJP and Congress respectively, sought to withdrew the petitions. Divan said that the 2010 amendment in the FCRA provides that a contribution to a political party is not a foreign contribution if an Indian holds 50 per cent or more shares in that firm. He further said that the Indian subsidiary of a company, registered in foreign country can donate funds and those donations cannot be regarded as foreign contribution in view of the changed law. Earlier, on November 22, Congress, which had challenged the Delhi HC verdict, sought time from the apex court to clarify the effect of the amendment brought this year to the FCRA in their matter. Congress had told the bench that amendment introduced in February this year has retrospective effect and their appeal against the Delhi High Court judgement has become infructuous. The amendment brought in the 2010 Act is aimed at easing the flow of donations from foreign companies in the name of corporate social responsibility. The high court, in its judgement pronounced on March 28, 2014, had said that by receiving donations from UK-based Vedanta Resources' subsidiaries, the two mainstream political parties had violated the law concerned. It had also directed the Centre and Election Commission to take appropriate action against them within six months. Challenging the judgement, Congress had contended that the high court had erred in interpreting the law and "there is no concealment or suppression of such contribution which were duly reflected in the returns submitted to the Election Commission". It had contended that Vedanta was owned by an Indian citizen, Anil Aggarwal, and its subsidiaries were incorporated here. Hence, they were not foreign sources. The high court had held that Vedanta was a foreign company as per the Companies Act and therefore, the Anil Aggarwal-owned firm and its subsidiaries, Sterlite and Sesa, were foreign sources as per the FCRA. The verdict was delivered on a PIL by a NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms and E A S Sarma, a former Secretary in the government, who had alleged that the two parties had violated the Representation of the People Act and FCRA by taking donations from government companies and foreign sources. France today called for an "immediate" UN Security Council meeting on Aleppo to tackle the "humanitarian disaster" in the besieged Syrian city. "More than ever, there is an urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance", Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement on Aleppo, where tens of thousands of civilians are trapped in the fighting between government troops and rebels. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A sixty-member French business delegation will visit Andhra Pradesh tomorrow to hold discussions with the state government on smart cities, infrastructure and industry. The team, headed by Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler, will hold discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on "infrastructures and smart cities, investment and industry, transportation, IT and communication, energy, water and waste management and environment," a release said. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Vijayawada, said a release from the French Embassy, Delhi. A copy of the release was issued to the media here by the office of Consul General of France in Puducherry. Officials of the French Embassy and the French Development Agency (Agence Francaise De Developpement) would highlight French expertise in the areas of urban development, renewable energy and infrastructures, among others, it said. "Amaravati, the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is the biggest and latest smart city development project in India," it stated. "France, being one of the top most investors in India, is committed to deepening its ever increasing economic ties with the country and bringing in the best possible technology and solutions needed for successful implementation of the Amaravati capital city project," it said. The release further said that "with its industrial experience, wide sectoral expertise and cutting edge technologies in sustainable urban development, transport and energy, France is building a partnership for the future with India. France invests, makes and innovates in India..." With the launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Smart City Mission', France has made urban development a top priority for investment in India, it said. The Embassy of France founded the French Smart Cities Club in India in July this year which brings together more than 50 French companies established in India from across the smart cities' sectors such as urban planning and consultancy. The French Development Agency has signed three MoUs with Indian authorities for providing technical assistance to the cities of Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry "which is an illustration of concrete French support towards the implementation of the Smart cities' mission in India," The agency is a public financial institution implementing the policy defined by the French government and working to fight poverty and promoting sustainable development it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gen Raheel Sharif, who retired as Pakistan's army chief today, was an important partner of the US in the war against terror, said a top Republican Senator. Sharif has been an important partner for the US in battle against terrorism, Senator John McCain, Chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee said. Since taking office in November 2013, Sharif has made a concerted effort to target terrorists operating within the borders of Pakistan and has carried the fight to the northwest frontier provinces of Pakistan, McCain said. Sharif has demonstrated that taking action against extremist groups is firmly in the national security interests of Pakistan, he said. "I wish General Sharif well as he enters a well-earned retirement. I know he will continue to serve the cause of Pakistan," he said. McCain said Pakistan must demonstrate that the commitment to fighting domestic terrorism is not dependent on a single individual. "I look forward to working with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's selection to be the next Chief of Army Staff," he said. "I congratulate Pakistan on carrying out a second consecutive transition of power in the military according to the processes established by the civilian government," McCain said. Bajwa took over Raheel as Pakistan's new army chief today. Raheel in January had declared that he would not seek an extension. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German Chancellor Angela Merkel has moved a young Afghan boy to tears, shaking his hand after he publicly thanked her at a party meeting. The boy, identified only as Edris, and his father attended a congress in Heidelberg Monday evening of Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats. Edris said: "Thank you, Mrs. Merkel!" The chancellor replied: "You've learned German well" and added "keep practising." He did, telling the chancellor: "And I wanted to touch your hands once." Merkel stepped down from the podium to meet the boy and pose for photos. Video footage showed the youngster wiping away tears. Germany took in hundreds of thousands of migrants last year, earning Merkel both praise and criticism. Earlier in yesterday's meeting, a disgruntled party member urged her to resign, earning boos. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GE Capital officials said Tuesday in Billings they will pull out of their West End operation and lay off 60 workers by the end of next year. The remaining 90 or so workers in other departments in Billings are heading next year to Wells Fargo and Bank of Montreal, which bought operations contained within the companys Center of Excellence in Billings. GE will continue making lease payments on the building through January 2021. Executives with GE Capital from Chicago and Connecticut met with representatives of Big Sky Economic Development and other local leaders of all levels of government at the Northern Hotel on Tuesday. Sixty jobs isnt a lot to a lot of places, but its a lot to Montana and a lot to Billings. Were going to continue to be engaged, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said during the meeting on a conference call from Washington, D.C. Big Sky Economic Development owns the $9.3 million, 40,000-square-foot building on Hesper Road that was built specifically in 2009 for GE. The company also received about $1.75 million in incentives, mostly funded by taxpayers, to expand in Billings. Steve Arveschoug, director of Big Sky Economic Development, said the agency must continue to make debt payments on the building through 2034. Big Sky doesnt have a new tenant in place and would like to find a company with a strong commitment to its workforce, he said. Anyone that is in expansion mode. That facility is perfect for back office space, Arveschoug said. Tester, fellow U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, Gov. Steve Bullock and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke had lobbied GE since October 2015 to keep at least part of its operations in Billings. Thats when the Connecticut-based company announced it was selling its commercial lending and leasing businesses to Wells Fargo for $30 billion. The GE Center employed 200 workers at its peak and generated about $95 million in economic activity through direct operations and spin-off jobs. BSED officials had hoped they could save some of the jobs. About 150 workers are at the facility now, said Chris Favilla, GEs Chicago-based manager of the Billings facility. Favilla and Greg Cameron, chief financial officer of GE Capital Americas, met with employees Tuesday afternoon about the transition. The laid-off employees mostly worked in GEs fleet management insurance division, which was consolidated with other GE operations, Favilla said. Several people leaving the GE Capital building in Billings on Tuesday afternoon either declined to comment or referred questions to management. Wells Fargo took over GEs vendor financing services, and Bank of Montreal bought other services related to transportation financing, she said. Wells Fargo has a large presence in Billings and could roll the GE properties into its existing services, according to Big Sky EDA. Bank of Montreal has not indicated whether it will remain in Billings. Bank officials could not be reached Tuesday. The closure of the GE Capital operations traces back to April 2015, when the company announced plans to separate from its financing business and focus more on its core business of energy and technology. Cameron said the company had a good experience in Billings. From a GE standpoint, the relationship and our fondness for Billings couldnt be greater, he said. Airports Authority of India (AAI) will come out with a global competitive bidding process for selecting partners to carry out operation and maintenance works at some airports, the government said today. "AAI has decided for selection of O&M (Operation & Maintenance) partners through a global competitive bidding after obtaining approval of the competent authority," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Rajya Sabha. The transaction documents for O&M process are in place, he added. He was responding to a question on whether the government is considering international bidding process for choosing entities to operate and maintain some of the domestic airports. To a query, Sinha said the proposed partnership with Singapore's Changi Airports International for O&M contracts for Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports "could not materialise as the fee demanded by them was not found financially viable to AAI". The national airports' operator has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise for cooperation in various areas of the civil aviation sector. One of the areas of cooperation under the MoU includes implementation of O&M at Indian airports. "In terms of the MoU, the Singapore government nominated Changi Airports International as an O&M contract partner for the Ahmedabad and Jaipur airport projects," the Minister said. However, the partnership could not materialise due to financial viability issues. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government will hold auction to identify strategic buyers for SAIL subsidiaries -- Bhadrawati, Salem and Durgapur. SAIL, the state-owned steel giant, today said the government has in-principle approved strategic disinvestment of Bhadrawati, Salem and Durgapur (alloy steel plants). "Government of India, Ministry of Steel, has communicated the 'in-principle' approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Government of India for strategic disinvestment of the Bhadrawati, Salem and Durgapur (alloy steel plant)," SAIL said in a regulatory filing. It further said: "Disinvestment of these units shall be to strategic buyer(s) to be identified through two-stage auction process as recommended by the Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior European Union official says Greece could reach by the end of the year a key agreement to ease its bailout debt repayments. EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Tuesday that the two sides were close to overcoming differences on labor reforms and dealing with huge amounts of soured loans to businesses and home owners. He described a deal on debt relief as "doable." Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem made similar remarks, speaking at the European parliament in Strasbourg, France. Dijsselbloem chairs the meetings of eurozone finance ministers, who next gather yesterday. Lead bailout lender Germany has been reluctant to commit to debt relief measures for Greece, arguing that the country still needs to make fundamental changes to its economy and public administration to avoid overspending. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gujarat High Court today sought replies from the Centre and RBI on a petition challenging the legality of their notifications banning district central co-operative banks (DCCBs) from exchanging defunct notes and disbursing short-term loans to farmers. A division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi today asked the government pleader to seek instructions from the two defendants and posted the matter for further hearing on December 5. The petitioners, Bhavnagar District Co-operative Bank (BDCB) and its chairman Nanubhai Vanani, also sought quashing of the notification dated November 8 declaring demonetisation of currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. It said RBI notification barring DBBCs from exchanging defunct currency notes and restricting account holders, mainly farmers, from withdrawing cash beyond Rs 10,000 was "without any authority of law." Restriction on dispensing short-term loans to farmers has broken their line of finance for raising crops because of which "farmers would be ruined and they would not be able to purchase their seeds, fertilisers, pesticides etc," it said, claiming that DCCBs should be treated at par with any other banks as per the RBI guidelines. Petitioner's lawyer B M Mangukiya also told the court that a close look at sub-section (2) of section 26 of the RBI Act shows that only a certain number of notes of certain series can be demonetised in one go and not the entire stock. BDCB currently has about 2,55,000 account holders and caters to 825 villages of Bhavnagar, Amreli and Botad districts, with 625 primary cooperative societies dispensing agricultural credits through the bank, it said. The court, in an oral direction, asked RBI and government counsel to ensure there was enough cash in all banks by December 5 to help people withdraw their salaries. "The action of the respondents is ex-facie illegal, arbitrary and ultravires in view of the fact that no power has been conferred on the Centre under the provisions of RBI Act. The said actions are illegal, arbitrary, ultravires and violative of articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India," the petitioner's lawyer said. The petitioner has also sought high court's direction to RBI to accept Rs 113 crore in demonetised notes lying in the bank's chest and replace it immediately with new bills. Farmers in Gujarat are protesting the RBI ban on DCCBs exchanging or depositing demonetised notes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hallmarking of gold and silver jewellery in India is voluntary and there are 409 Bureau of Indian Standards recognised Assaying and Hallmarking (A&H) centres in the country, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. "Presently the hallmarking of gold and silver jewellery is voluntary," Minister of State for Consumer Affairs CR Chaudhary said during Question Hour, amid vociferous Opposition protest. The Minister said as on October 25, there were 409 BIS recognised A&H centres in the country. The setting up of A&H centres is a market driven activity which depends on the commercial viability as assessed by the entrepreneurs. To provide impetus to the hallmarking activity, government provides financial assistance to the A&H centres in deficient locations, he said. Chaudhary said to protect consumer interest with respect to purity of hallmarked jewellery, surveillance audit of the A&H centres is carried out. "Besides, market samples are drawn from licensed jewellers to ensure compliance to relevant standards. Further, in the BIS Act 2016, enabling provisions have been made to make hallmarking of precious metals articles mandatory," he said. The Minister said in 2001, out of the 120 samples taken in 8 cities, 89 samples had no hallmaking, 11% recorded average shortage in purity and 38.6% recorded highest purity shortage. In 2006, a total of 162 samples were collected in 16 cities of which 90% samples had no hallmarking, 13.5% recorded average shortage in purity and 44.6% recorded highest purity shortage. Sudhir Mehta, brother of the "Big Bull" Harshad Mehta, and 5 others, including senior bank officials and stock brokers, were convicted by a special court here in connection with defrauding of National Housing Bank to the tune of over Rs 700 crore. The Judgement comes 24 years after the securities scam rocked BSE and other stock exchanges in 1992. Harshad Mehta was also an accused in this case but the case against him was abated after he passed away in 2002. Justice Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi, on November 25, convicted Harshad's brother Sudhir Mehta, Harshad's cousin and stock brother Deepak Mehta, the then NHB officials C RaviKumar and Suresh Babu, former SBI officer R Sitaraman and stock brother Atul Parekh. The convicts were sentenced to jail terms ranging from six months to four years and fined collectively Rs 11.95 lakh after they were found guilty under the Indian Penal Code for cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust. They were also found guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, the court acquitted three others, including Harshad's cousin Hiten Mehta. The other two are stock brothers Pankaj Shah and Virendra Damani. They were given the benefit of doubt on all the charges faced by them. The court suspended the sentence and fine for eight weeks to enable them approach the Supreme court as the convicts pleaded that the apex Court was already on a winter vacation and in view of the demonetisation situation it would be difficult for them to pay the fines. In this case, the prosecuting agency, CBI, argued that the accused had entered into conspiracy with an object to commit a criminal breach of trust by misappropriating funds of National Housing Bank with an intention to obtain valuables, securities and pecuniary advantage to accused Harshad Mehta without any public interest. The CBI alleged that the bank officers had transferred the funds to Mehta's account by showing fake transactions of purchase of securities from SBI by preparing forged documents with the help of stock brokers. Ten cheques amounting to Rs 700 crore were issued for these transactions, it said. The accused, however, had pleaded that they were following market practise and had not committed any criminal offence. Between November 1991 and April 1992, C Ravikumar and Suresh Babu issued 10 cheques for above Rs 700 crore in favour of State Bank of India in respect of ready-forward transactions, the CBI told the court. "This was done without obtaining the sale memos, securities or bank receipts from the kingpin of scam Harshad Mehta who had acted as a broker of SBI," CBI argued. Convicting the accused, the Judge said, "it is true that in this case the offence has taken place, way back in 1992. It is also true that during this period of 24 years, the accused have undergone both physical and mental suffering." "However, the gravity of the offence would also have to be considered. (The offence) is of grave and serious nature (and) it is siphoning of crores of rupees of a nationalised bank to the account of some third person who was not entitled to it, like the accused Harshad Mehta," said the Judge. "The country has witnessed the repercussions of the said offence in the sense that the economy was totally shattered on account of this scam," Justice Joshi said in her Judgement. A housewife died of stab wounds while her husband and daughter were in a serious condition following an alleged domestic tiff at Baranagar in North 24 Parganas district today. A senior officer of Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, under which the area falls, said Reshmi Kapoor, the homemaker was declared dead at a state-run hospital after being rushed there by neighbours. Reshmi's husband Vikash was taken to Baranagore State Genneral Hospital with serious stab wounds while their daughter, whose name was withheld, was shifted to state-run R G Kar Hospital in the city, the officer said. The officer said neighbours were alerted after hearing shouts and screams from the house on Fatik Ghosh Lane this morning and on rushing inside found the three members of the family lying in a pool of blood in different parts of the room. The neighbours told the police that they heard loud arguments from the household in the morning hours, the officer said, adding the cause of death and circumstances would be known only after the post-mortem report. A section of neighbours, however, claimed before the media that following arguments the husband-wife were involved in a scuffle with someone picking up the kitchen knife and as the teenaged daughter tried to intervene she also suffered sharp cuts. The officer, however, did not corroborate the turn of events preceding the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) plans to expand their programming schedule from next year by including more master-classes and 'in-conversation' series with acclaimed filmmakers from around the world. The recently concluded 47th edition of the festival in Goa saw a host of national and international directors interact with audience and share their filmmaking experience. "We see IFFI not just as a festival which screens films but also as a place from where aspiring filmmakers can learn from the masters. So we would be expanding our master classes and 'in-conversation' series from next year," C Senthil Ranjan, director, IFFI, told PTI. The festival also plans to invite technicians, apart from the filmmakers, so that cinephiles can have a wholesome experience of the event. "We are also very keen to have technicians on board from next year on a huge scale. We will expand our programming that way so that people who love cinema can have a wholesome experience," he added. The country focus this year at IFFI was the Republic of Korea, which also held co-production workshops at the festival. Senthil feels such collaborative efforts between two nations can be of huge help to come up with films. "We had several co-production workshops this year which I think will sow the seeds for new international production between India and other countries, including Korea." Iranian film "Daughter" helmed by Reza Mirkarimi won the coveted Golden Peacock Award at IFFI while the Korean film "The Throne" bagged the special jury award, at the closing ceremony last night. This year at the festival, Indian films no longer needed a censor certificate to be showcased in the 'Indian Panorama Section'. Senthil says the decision will be permanent and won't be changed. "Our idea is to reach out to as many new films made in India as possible. Our condition is that the un-censored films should not be taken to any other film festival before IFFI. This clause will be continued. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At a time when Sri Lanka is involved in the process of drafting a new Constitution, India's envoy here has said issues deliberated by Indian statute makers like the relationship between the centre and states and separation of powers have a resonance in the current Lankan context. IndianHigh Commissioner Y K Sinha highlighted the importance of India's Constitution Day while drawing parallels between India's Constitution drafting process and the Lankan process current ly underway. Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India on November 26 every year to commemorate the adoption of Constitution of India. On this day in 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950. The envoy elaborated on the task given to India's Constituent Assembly to deliberate upon and come out with a document which would shape the future of India, an Indian High Commission statement said today. Sinha said itincluded issues such as the relationship between the centre and states, sharing of resources and separation of powers between the legislature, judiciary and executive. These issues have much resonance in the current Sri Lankan context of Constitution-making, Sinha said. The process to replace the existing 1978 Constitution got underway in January this year when parliament was converted into a Constitutional Assembly. The Constitutional Assembly is to meet in December again to consider the reports of six sub committees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking greater economic cooperation with the US, Commerce Minister has said India would look at the "earliest opportunity" to brief the new administration about all outstanding issues which are of concern to the domestic industry. "I would look at the earliest opportunity for our officials to talk with the new team and clearly brief them on all the outstanding issues which are of concern for India," Sitharaman told PTI. US President-elect Donald Trump would assume charge on January 20. Issues which India has repeatedly raised with the US include high visa fees in America, increase in customs cooperation, greater market access for domestic goods and early conclusion of social security agreement. Asked about Trump's statement that he would scrap the mega trade deal Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the minister said, "We have to wait as in what first step he takes on trade and with regard to TPP." She had earlier said that TPP would certainly have an impact on India's exports in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles and chemicals. The TPP is a trade agreement among 12 countries Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam. The agreement has been concluded but is not yet ratified for implementation by the participating countries. India too is negotiating a similar mega deal - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with 15 countries. The 16-member RCEP bloc comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six free trade agreement partners India, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. To a question on the view of some RCEP members who want to include certain provisions of TPP in the trade pact, Sitharaman said, "I think that RCEP would go on with vigour and we will have to wait and see what decision the new US government takes on TPP." Trade ministers of RCEP group met recently in the Philippines. "The meeting went very well. We have shifted from the three-tier to single-tier (tax structure) and here in the Philippines, the discussions went further to say what would you (RCEP members) offer if you are moving away from three- tier and you are going to only one. "We want different staging periods (for phasing out tariffs) and that this staggering will definitely be helpful and also that we want differential treatment for some countries," she added. A 48-year-old Indian man in Dubai, who has been living in a public park and has no money for even a bus ticket, has walked more than 1,000 kilometres over two years to attend court proceedings to obtain a flight ticket to return home. Jagannathan Selvaraj, who hails from Tiruchirappalli, braved traffic, heat, sandstorms and exhaustion as he made his way through the busy highways of Dubai, travelling a distance of 22 kilometre one way from his Sonapur accommodation to attend the labour court proceedings. A bus trip from Sonapur to Karama costs a few dirhams, but Selvaraj did not have money to travel by bus and was forced to spend two hours for a one-way trip and another two hours for the return journey after every court hearing. In the four hours, he covered a distance of 54 kilometres and had to undertake that journey every couple of weeks until a verdict on his case was delivered. "My case number was 826 and I had to walk 2 hours in the morning to reach the court in Dubai. I used to get up early morning at 4 am on the days the court was to hear my case. Every 15 days, I had to walk all the way to the court because I did not have the money to pay for bus or taxi," he said. "Nobody helped me, but I must have attended the court at least 20 times during the two years. After every court hearing, I would hang around until evening to start the return trip. The walk was tough in summer but I did not have any other options. I wanted to escape from these problems," he told 'Khaleej Times'. Selvaraj began his court journeys after his mother died back home in an accident and he was denied permission to go and attend her funeral. His case went on for almost two years and Selvaraj recollects that he must have walked at least 20 times to Karama from Sonapur and back, every time covering a distance of 50-plus kilometres in four hours. He has been living in a public park in Sonapur for several months and says he is sick and tired and just wants to return home, the report said. "He wants a ticket to go home. All his friends who were living in the park have gone home. He cannot walk all the way to India, and needs just a plane ticket to go home," said a social worker who is trying to help Selvaraj. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Ocean should be used for peaceful purposes and not become a "theatre of great power competition", a noted diplomat and lawyer said today while asserting that countries should emulate India's example to settle their maritime disputes. "We should act in accordance with the principles of the United NationsCharter. The sea should be used for peaceful purposes," said Tommy Koh, who has served as president of the third UN Conference on Law of Sea. Koh, also Singapore'sambassador at large at a workshop on 'the Maritime Governance In South Asia: The Potential For Trade, Security and Sustainable Development', said that countries should refrain from using the sea to launch attacks on their neighbours. "If disputes arise between states, they should be settled peacefully, in accordance with international law," he said at the workshop organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies, aSingapore think tank. "We want relations between states to be based on the rule of law and not on might is right. We do not want the Indian Ocean to become a theatre of great power competition. States should cooperate with one another to suppress piracy and other threats to international shipping," he added. The law governing the Indian Ocean is international law including UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Koh said while regretting the fact that not all Indian Ocean Rim countries were parties to the convention. While noting disputes on territorial claims, Koh said that several countries have settled their disputes over maritime boundaries peacefully and in accordance with the law. He cited the example of Bangladesh and India having referred to their dispute to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, as well as Bangladesh and Myanmar having referred their dispute to arbitration. "I hope that other states, with outstanding maritime boundary disputes, will emulate the examples of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar," said Koh in a veiled reference to China at the opening of the two-day workshop. China claims the whole of disputed South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first meeting of Nepal-India oversight mechanism was held here today with both sides reviewing the progress of economic and developmental projects and discussing ways to expedite them. The Indian side was led by Ambassador Ranjit Rae while the Nepalese delegation was headed by Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi. The meeting reviewed progress of bilateral cooperation projects and discussed bottlenecks in the ongoing Nepal-India economic and development projects being implemented in the country, according Nepalese Foreign Ministry sources. Joint secretaries from concerned ministries including finance, commerce, physical infrastructure and transport, planning, home affairs, energy and irrigation took part in the meeting from the Nepalese side. From the Indian side, deputy chief of mission, economic cooperation counselor and reconstruction counselor attended the meeting. Nepal and India had agreed to set up the oversight mechanism to review the progress of economic and development projects on a regular basis during Prime Minister Prachanda's visit to India in mid-September in the wake of delay in the execution of projects funded or pledged by the Indian government in Nepal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fleeing seven-year-old child was amongst dozens more civilians allegedly executed by the Islamic State group in Mosul in recent weeks, the UN said today. Since the battle to retake the last jihadist bastion in Iraq began six weeks ago, the United Nations rights office has reported hundreds of alleged execution-style killings by IS, stressing that some of the purported atrocities have not been definitively confirmed. The most recent allegations include a November 22 killing of "a seven-year-old child who was running towards the Iraqi Security Forces in Adan neighbourhood in eastern Mosul", rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva. That shooting was part of a reported trend of IS gunmen spraying fire on those trying to escape the strife-torn city, according to the rights office. The UN has also received reports about a November 11 massacre in Mosul's eastern Bakir neighbourhood that saw 12 people reportedly shot dead for "refusing to allow (IS) to install and launch rockets from the rooftops of their houses", said Shamdasani. She added that IS has apparently "been installing rocket launchers and placing snipers on the rooftops of civilian houses", in multiple locations, with consequences for residents who refuse to cooperate. In a November 25 incident, 27 civilians were reportedly shot dead in Mosul's northern Muhandiseen Park, possibly for "leaking information" to the Iraqi Security Forces, Shamdasani said. The rights office has said that its standard practice of verifying alleged atrocities through multiple sources has not always been possible amid the chaos in Mosul, but that its information has come from a range of reliable sources on the ground. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AllegedISISoperative Jamil Ahemad, who was arrested from Sikar by Anti-Terrorist Squad, was today sent to judicial custody by a court here. Ahemad was produced before the magisterial court which remanded him in judicial custody. He was arrested on November 16 from Sikar district. "Ahemad had transferred funds to ISIS in middle east countries," ATS SP Vikas Kumar today said. The ATS has seized laptop, pendrive, mobile handset, SIM cards and other items which have been sent to Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) for technical investigation, New Delhi, he said. "The accused was in touch with ISIS operatives through social media and other means and collected funds and transferred to them," he said. "During the interrogation, he justified the brutal killings of people. He was planning to be fully associated with the banned terror organisation," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A "soldier" of the group carried out the car and knife attack on an Ohio campus that left 11 people wounded, a jihadist-linked news agency said today. "The executor of the attack in the American state of Ohio is a soldier of the and he carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of coalition countries," the Amaq agency quoted an insider source as saying, according to a translation by the SITE monitoring group. Identified as a Somali student at the university named Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the assailant was shot dead by police moments after the attack yesterday. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin spoke out today against a controversial bill that would prohibit mosques from using loudspeakers to summon believers to prayers early in the morning. The draft law, which sparked outrage around the Arab and wider Muslim world, is set to be submitted to its first reading in parliament tomorrow. Its original form was amended last week to not affect the sirens that announce the start of the Jewish day of rest at sundown each Friday. Rivlin today hosted in his Jerusalem residence a meeting of religious leaders "seeking to bridge gaps over the issue of the muezzins," the Muslim lay officials charged with calling the faithful to prayer across the country, a statement from his office read. "I thought that perhaps such a meeting could have an impact on the whole public, and that it would be a shame that a law should be born which touches on the issue of freedom of faith of a specific group among us," the president was quoted as telling participants. Rivlin, whose post is mainly ceremonial, considers the new legislation - supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - unnecessary. "The president believes that the existing legislation on noise levels is able to answer problems arising from this issue, along side dialogue between the different faith communities in Israel," Rivlin's spokesperson Naomi Toledano Kandel said. Israeli government watchdogs have baulked at the proposed legislation, describing it as a threat to religious freedom and an unnecessary provocation. Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi has vowed to appeal to the High Court of Justice if the Shabbat siren is excluded from the scope of the bill on the grounds that it discriminates between Jewish and Muslim citizens. The law would apply to mosques in annexed Arab east Jerusalem as well as Israel, although the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound - Islam's third holiest site - will be exempted, according to an Israeli official. The bill's sponsor, Motti Yogev, of the far-right Jewish Home party, says the legislation is necessary to avoid daily disturbance to the lives of hundreds of thousands of non-Muslim Israelis. He also charges that some muezzins abuse their function to incite hatred of Israel. On Sunday, Rivlin had told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israeli legislative initiatives pertaining to prayers would be "considered with sensitivity, as any matter of freedom of speech and religion should be. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jakson Group today said it has secured a contract to install a rooftop solar plant of 508 kWp capacity at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The company will design installs, commission and maintain this plant, Jakson Group said in a statement, adding that the project is expected to be commissioned by this year end. The project will generate approximately 7.41 lakh units per year, it added. Jakson is among top 2 players in India Solar Rooftop market and has a portfolio of 30 MW Rooftop project so far, Jakson Group VC and MD Sundeep Gupta said in the statement. * * * * * * Upstox launches E-Aadhaar account opening service * Online brokerage firm Upstox today launched E-Aadhaar account opening service, aimed at delivering convenience and quick paperless facility to its traders. Through the fast account opening using E-Aadhaar technology, traders can save their precious time and prevent the hassle of filling and printing paper forms, the brokerage firm said in a statement. * * * * * * Caterpillar India bags Golden Peacock Award * Caterpillar India, manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, has won 'Golden Peacock Award' for Sustainability for 2016. The company has been selected for this award for many sustainable and innovative initiatives and programs at its manufacturing facilities located at Hosur, Tamil Nadu, Caterpillar India said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following a steep 80 per cent jump in its codeshare passengers so far this year, private carrier Jet Airways today said it will spend more energies to increase its interline and codeshaing model to build business as well as the brand in the global markets. The country's largest international airline, which has nine codeshare partners, claims that adding more codeshare partners has worked well for the airline as it has the second largest network from the country after the national carrier Air India. Apart from the codeshare and equity partnership with Etihad, Jet has codeshare with the Dutch carrier KLM which connects 12 North American cities and 26 European cities, and similar arrangement with Air France also links similar number of destination on these two sectors, while the codeshare with the largest American carrier Delta offers connectivity to 14 American cities. "What we are looking at is not building more hubs but more gateways. We will focus more on this model as creating a hub is more costly and time-consuming. Going forward, we will focus more on our five gateways of Abu Dhabi, London, Paris, Singapore and Amsterdam (which is its European hub)," Gaurang Shetty, whole-time director of the Naresh Goel-run airline said here today. Its domestic hubs are Mumbai and New Delhi. "Key focus will market will be Singapore, which will be our gateway to Far East and Southeast Asia as well as the key market of Australia, for which we are actively working with Quantas Airline now," Shetty said. On the importance on codesharing and interline partnerships, he said, "over 80 per cent of our interline sales are on codeshare partner airlines. One in 10 passengers on our flights connects from or to a partner airline now." Reeling out its own internal numbers, Shetty said Jet's codeshare traffic has surged from 6,50,000 passengers in 2013-15 to 1.22 million in 2014-15. Further, in 2015-16, the volume touched 2.1 million. "Our interline volumes have grown 121 per cent since 2013-14 and so far this year it has clipped past 80 percent," said Shetty. While Jet's traffic grew to 4.7 million in the January-September 2016 from 4.2 million in the entire 2015, a growth of 11.8 per cent, Jet-Etihad combine saw volumes jump 17.8 per cent to 7 million from 6 million in the same period. With 29.3 per cent market share in Indo-British sector and 22.6 per cent in India-Gulf sector, Jet-Etihad is by far the largest international carrier from the country, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said in Prime Minister Narendra Modi the country got a leader after several years that heralded the beginning of economic revolution. The prime minister has begun work to make the country economic super power, Das said and called upon everyone to contribute in this endeavour, an official release said here. Stating that the need of the hour was a cashless economy, Das called upon the department officials, the police officials, the media and the bank employees to take part pro-actively and ensure to connect people in Digital India and select cashless model so that the country could progress and strengthen economically. Das asked the registered traders to give fillip to cashless business and called upon people connected with small scale industries, chamber of commerce and deputy commissioners to ensure giving shape to a cashless system, the release said. If cashless system was ensured in Jharkhand before December 28, it would be a big achievement, Das said and called upon to adopt complete cashless system in the future. He called upon the district deputy commissioners to make efforts in making at least one block having adopted cashless system before December 28. This could be possible if the youth residing in villages/cities, officials, panchayats and bank employees work in a team spirit and adopt the cashless system and assist others to adopt the same. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special court has given final opportunity to Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Abu Jundal to advance his arguments on framing of charges in a case of alleged conspiracy to commit terror attacks in India after the 2008 Mumbai strike. Jundal, who is lodged in a Mumbai jail, has been insisting for his production before the court here but in view of the prohibitory orders passed by Mumbai government, which was later upheld by the Bombay High Court, the court had rejected his plea last year. District Judge Amar Nath asked the accused to start his arguments, by himself or through his advocate, on the next hearing on December 8. Advocate M S Khan, appearing for Jundal, meanwhile, told the court that his client did not want him to argue in the matter without his physical presence here. National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already concluded its arguments on the point of framing of charges against the accused, in which it claimed that "sometime in 2010, Jundal, along with his associates, entered into a conspiracy to commit terror attacks in the country." "He used Facebook accounts with the use of fake IDs and sent emails to contact several persons. Three among them were examined by the NIA. The confession given by Jundal in 26 November, 2008 Mumbai blasts case also corroborates this case," the NIA said. The NIA had chargesheeted Jundal alias Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari for allegedly conspiring to carry out terror activities in India after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala government today asked the Centre to urgently provideRs 1,200 crore to the state treasury to disburse salary and pension as there is a "drastic reduction" in the state's revenue following demonetisation. Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said the state was struggling hard to manage the disbursement of salary and pension in the current month and an amount of Rs 1,200 crore was required on an urgent basis to deal with the situation. The State Finance Secretary has sent a letter seeking Rs 1,200 crore to the Union Government, he told reporters here. "The non-availability of currency has put the government in a crisis. There is drastic reduction in the state's revenue in the aftermath of demonetisation drive," Issac said, adding, government made the demand as there was shortage of currency in the state treasury to disburse pension and salary. He said the state's unorganised labour sector was facing big financial crisis due to the demonetisation drive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Organised sector is also heading towards in this direction," he said. "Concerned over the situation prevailing in the country, Non-Resident Indian community is reluctant to send money to India," he said. Flaying Modi's initiative to shift India to a cashless economy, Issac said countries, which introduced plastic money, had not undertaken demonetisation of existing currency to introduce the new system of financial transaction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dawood Suleiman, the key leader of Al Qaeda-inspired "Base Movement" module who was arrested in connection with his alleged role over a series of blasts in court complexes in South India, wanted to wage jihad against the country, an NIA special public prosecutor said today. "This was jihad... He (Suleiman) wanted to wage jihad. Several sections under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Explosives Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act have been invoked against him," Special Public Prosecutor, NIA C S S Pillai told PTI after moving a plea in a court here today for the accused's transit remand. After the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court here granted transit remand for Suleiman, who was produced before it, he was taken by NIA sleuths to Bengaluru by a 7.30 pm flight. 23-year-old Suleiman had done B Tech in an engineering college in Erode, an NIA official said, adding he had allegedly confessed to planting a bomb in the Mysuru court. He had also allegedly participated in other illegal activities of the group and will be produced before the 49th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru, the official said. According to an NIA release yesterday, Suleiman, a native of Madurai who was residing and working in a software firm here, was the main leader of the terrorist gang. He was arrested by a team of NIA officials led by Superintendent of Police, NIA L R Kumar yesterday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gearing up for its third edition next month, the Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB) continues to bank on generosity of locals and patrons to keep the wheels moving for what is touted to be the biggest showcase of contemporary art in South Asia. Beginning December 12 in Kochi, India's only biennale will this year see 97 artists from 36 countries creating artworks spread over 12 venues. It is being brought together by Sudarshan Shetty, whose curatorial vision extends beyond visual art to include poets, writers, theatre artistes and musicians. "It is amazing to see how the locals have adopted the biennale. The other day in Kochi a rickshaw guy offered to assist me in case I needed any help with reaching out to South American artists. "He claimed to have knowledge about them. This kind of thing is quite unthinkable in other parts of the country," Shetty said. Accompanied by Bose Krishnamachari who had co-founded the biennale in December 2012, Shetty was recently in the city to participate in a programme to talk about the upcoming festival that is scheduled to run its course for 108 days till March 29, 2017. The discussion organised by the Young Ficci Ladies Organisation was hosted by Saffronart Gallery here. "In the first edition, 63 per cent of the funding to KMB was given by the state government and the rest by patrons. Initially, there were many questions but once the biennale began people opened up their wallets," said Krishnamachari, who is an accomplished painter. The current demonetisation and withdrawal of most circulated currency notes have made it difficult to pay carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers and other support staff but work continues to go on, according to Krishnamachari. "We have had some issues with the schedule of the artists and support staff who are working to get things ready before the biennale begins, but work has not come to a complete halt. We are working on paying them through cheques and online payments. "We also have to look into returning the works when the biennale closes but the state government has promised to extend support," he said. The biennale initially encountered funding and space problems but the artist says once it began, the local people took over with a sense of ownership with even autorickshaw and cab drivers taking people to see art in galleries instead of the usual tourist attractions. "The wife of an artist offered her gold chain to tide over a crunch, we have had artists like Vivan Sundaram putting in their own money and coming forward to help us. "A couple offered their choir factory as space. Patronage is not coming only from the artist community but also from local people," said the co-founder. The Kerala state government had pledged Rs 7.5 crore for the artists-run biennale and the organisers have been touring the country over the past few months to raise funds. According to Krishnamachari, the biennale has provided people with cultural spaces where they can go and see art. Incidentally, the artist had also curated the inaugural edition of the Yinchuan Biennale in China that started on September 9 this year. "We did not have any cultural space where we could go and see art, after Kochi people have started realising that there are many other biennales happening," he said. For the upcoming edition, Shetty has brought together a medley of people, cutting across disciplines - poet Raul Zurita from Chile, filmmaker and theatre person Anamika Haksar filmmaker Erik Van Lieshout from Rotterdam among others. "There is also dancer and choreographer Chandralekha's unfinished piece we are showing to the event. She died before it could be staged," said Shetty. India saw an inflow of USD 685 million from listed foreign funds in October, primarily driven by strong capital infusion in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to a report. With this, the total inflow from listed foreign funds has reached USD 1.09 billion this year. "Listed fund flows to India remained positive in October. India has seen USD 685 million of flows, driven by ETF flows of USD 406 million," said a Kotak Institutional Equities report. The listed funds -- passive exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and active non-ETFs -- generally account for a large part of foreign portfolio investor (FPI) activity in India. ETFs saw higher inflows compared with non-ETFs during the month under review. Indian market witnessed inflow worth USD 406 million and USD 280 million in ETFs and non-ETFs segments, respectively. The report, which offers a comprehensive view on fund flows of listed funds into India and other emerging markets, said that China saw inflows of USD 704 million from listed foreign funds during the same period. Allocations to India and China constitute more than one-third of the average Asia (excluding Japan) fund's portfolio. "Allocation to India by Asia (excluding-Japan) funds have increased to 13.9 per cent in October from 13.4 per cent in the previous month. Fund allocation to India by emerging market funds remained around 11 per cent in October," the report noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local by-election for parliament in the posh London suburb of Richmond on Thursday is threatening to turn into a mini-referendum on Brexit, with the defending MP a Brexiteer in a pro-EU heartland. Liberal Democrat challenger Sarah Olney, whose party wants a second referendum on Brexit, is hoping the result will shock Downing Street, as the government ploughs on towards the EU exit door. Olney is running against Zac Goldsmith, who held the seat for Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party but quit in protest after the government backed expanding the nearby Heathrow Airport. He is now standing as an independent candidate. "Speaking to voters, what was becoming increasingly clear was that while some people feel very strongly about Heathrow expansion, lots more people feel much more strongly about Brexit," Olney told AFP. "That's really alarmed and upset people and they want to use this opportunity to send a message." In the June referendum on Britain's membership in the European Union, 52 percent nationwide voted to leave. But in the well-heeled borough of Richmond in southwest London, 69 percent voted to remain in the bloc, the 19th highest of 326 voting areas. The 82 per cent turnout, one of the highest in the UK, showed it was an issue locals felt passionate about. The centrist and unambiguously pro-EU Lib Dems, reduced to a rump in the 2015 general election, are eyeing a comeback by filling the void for disgruntled 'Remain' voters. "The things people want to talk about in this campaign are things we've had a very clear position on," said Olney, meeting commuters outside Richmond railway station. The 39-year-old accountant only joined the Lib Dems last year and was rapidly selected as their next Richmond Park candidate for the House of Commons. Former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown, 75, said Thursday's vote could "send a message right to the heart of Downing Street". "Richmond can speak for the people of Britain, the millions who want the government to change course and don't want a hard Brexit. If they vote Liberal Democrat, that's a message Downing Street will hear," he told AFP on the campaign trail. However, the Lib Dems face a tough task in overturning Goldsmith's majority. Both the Conservative and Brexit-cheerleading UKIP parties are giving him a clear run. Goldsmith won Richmond from the Lib Dems in 2010 and retained it in the May 2015 general election with 58 percent of the vote. Bookmakers have Goldsmith as the 1/3 favourite, with Olney 5/2, and then the main opposition Labour candidate at 200/1. Five others are also standing. Wealthy, suave, affable and soft-spoken, 41-year-old Goldsmith is Brexit royalty. He is the son of the late tycoon financier Jimmy Goldsmith, whose high-spending Referendum Party, calling for a vote on UK-EU relations, got the anti-EU bandwagon rolling. Zac Goldsmith made a bid for London mayor in May but he was beaten by Labour's Sadiq Khan and was criticised for the tone of his campaign, often focusing on Khan's Muslim faith. AFP sought an interview with Goldsmith but he is focusing on private grassroots campaigning. And his understated, local approach seems to have won him support around Richmond. "There's a lot of loyalty to Zac round here," said Jane McCready, 52, who sat enjoying a hot drink overlooking the River Thames. But she added that Brexit was an issue: "I do have friends who are using this as another vote for 'Remain' (in the EU) by voting Lib Dem. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst din and without debate, Lok Sabha today passed within minutes a major bill that provides a window to legalise black money post-demonetisation and a tax on that amount, triggering a controversy with the Opposition calling it a "black day" and accusing it of being "undemocratic and dictatorial". Marking transaction of the first legislative business in the two-week-old Winter Session, the Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2016, was passed by the Lok Sabha after days of total washout due to paralysis on the demonetisation issue. With the Opposition continuing to disrupt proceedings, the government suddenly brought the bill under the revised list of business showing its eagerness to get it passed immediately. Even as the slogan-shouting by Opposition members continued, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the bill will give means to the Government of India to run schemes like Garib Kalyan Kosh. "I urge the House to accept the amendments," he said while moving the bill for consideration and passing. Immediately, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan declared, "There will be no discussion". However, later she lamented that an important bill like this was being discussed without any discussion. Jaitley said the bill was brought after it came to the government's notice that some people were trying to illegally exchange the demonetised Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes. He said as per the amendment proposed, those caught illegally converting money will have to cough up 60 peer cent tax plus penalties, which will come to 85 per cent. Those who disclose black money to banks will have to pay 50 per cent tax, including surcharge and penalty. While they will get back 25 per cent immediately, the rest 25 per cent will be returned after 4 years. Some amendments moved by opposition members were rejected as those required approval of the President, which could not be obtained. Two amendments by N K Premchandran (RSP) and B Mahtab (BJD) were allowed. While Premchandran refused to move the amendment as he was part of the protest, Mahtab's amendment was negated by a voice vote. Earlier, opposition members said the bill could not be discussed before the debate on demonetisation as the measure was a follow up of the note ban decision. Mahajan said since the bill is of urgent public importance, it has to be passed immediately. Though she wanted a debate, she said "it is impossible" because of the behaviour of the opposition members. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and TMC's Sudip Bandhopadhyay said the two issues--Adjournment Motion on demonetisation and the Income Tax Amendment Bill-- can be discussed together as the issues were similar. Saugata Roy (TMC) said since Jaitley yesterday introduced the Bill "surreptitiously" and "stealthily" amid din, the opposition did not get a chance to oppose its introduction as per rules. B Mahtab said discussion on demonetisation was also necessary along with a debate on the bill as it had serious repercussions on the Income Tax laws. He said a way should be found. After the passage of the bill, the opposition termed as "black day" in Lok Sabha the passage of taxation bill amidst din without debate and accused the government of being "undemocratic and dictatorial. The government, however, blamed the opposition for not participating in the debate and said it was "tragic" that the Bill had to be passed in the din. It asserted that the measure had to be passed for the "welfare of the poor and country" and cannot wait for those who are unable to "digest" the action against black money and corruption. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We want that Income Tax Amendment Act should come through the rules. The amendments proposed by the Opposition MPs and leaders should also be kept in mind before taking the assent from the President." He said the bill was introduced yesterday and even the ruling party MPs had not studied it thoroughly. And today the bill has been passed in a tearing hurry which was not right. Amid a din, a bill which seeks to tax money deposited in banks post demonetisation was passed in the Lok Sabha today within minutes without any debate. Amid fierce slogan shouting by the opposition, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2016 was brought after it came to the government's notice that some people were trying to illegally exchange the demonetised Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes. He said as per the amendment proposed, those caught illegally converting money will have to cough up 60 peer cent tax plus penalties, which will come to 85 per cent. Those who disclose black money to banks will have to pay 50 per cent tax, including surcharge and penalty. While they will get back 25 per cent immediately, the rest 25 per cent will be returned after 4 years. "It will give means to the Government of India to run schemes like Garib Kalyan Kosh...I urge the House to accept the amendments," he said. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said since the bill is of urgent public importance, it has to be passed immediately. Though she wanted a debate, she said "it is impossible" because of the behaviour of the opposition members. She also disallowed some amendments moved by opposition members as they required approval of the President which could not be obtained. Two amendments by N K Premchandran (RSP) and B Mahtab (BJD) were allowed. While Premchandran refused to move the amendment as he was shouting slogans, Mahtab's was negated by a voice vote. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote amid din. Earlier, several opposition members said the bill could not be discussed before the debate on demonetisation as the measure was a follow up of the note ban decision. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and TMC's Sudip Bandhopadhyay said the two -- Adjournment Motion on demonetisation and the Income Tax Amendment Bill can be discussed together as the issues were similar. Saugat Roy (TMC) said since Jaitley yesterday introduced the Bill "surreptiously" and "stealthily" amid din, the opposition did not get a chance to oppose its introduction as per rules. B Mahtab said discussion on demonetisation was also necessary along with a debate on the bill as it had serious repercussions on the Income Tax laws. He said a way should be found. When opposition members questioned bringing the bill for consideration and passage today at a short notice, Jaitley and Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said they were casting aspersions on the Chair. Soon members rushed to the Well and kept shouting slogans till the bill was passed. Soon the House was adjourned for the day. BJP leads the pack in the municipal council president's elections to 147 bodies, winning 51 posts in . BJP was followed by Shiv Sena with 25, Congress 23 and NCP with 18 posts, according to the final poll results declared this evening, by the State Election Commission. As many as 19 other candidates and 11 independents have also been elected as municipal council presidents. Following is the party-wise breakup of 3,727 seats in 164 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, including 3,705 seats for which polling was held on Sunday: BSP 9, BJP 893, CPI 0, CPM 12, Congress 727, NCP 615, Shiv Sena 529, MNS 7, other registered parties 91, unrecognised but registered parties 305, Independents 510, Alliances/Fronts 29. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has termed the BJP's victory in the municipal council polls in the state as not just a wave but a "tsunami". "This (victory) is not merely a wave. This is a tsunami," Fadnavis, who joined in the celebrations at the state BJP office in south Mumbai, told reporters. The BJP government is one which thinks of the common man," Fadnavis said, adding people have reposed their trust in the BJP-led regime. In the last two years, North Dakota has lost almost half its jobs in the oil and coal industries. The losses arent the fault of pesky environmentalists worried about groundwater contamination and global warming. Theyre the result of collapsing world energy prices. The story of the North Dakota oil and gas industry captures the absurdity of President-elect Donald Trumps plans to remove environmental restrictions on fossil fuel production. Apparently, he wants us to believe a boom in production would lead to massive job growth and plunging energy prices and no negative consequences. But the story of an energy boom just around the corner is an illusion. As in North Dakota, its not environmental restrictions that are holding back the U.S. fossil fuel industry. Its the market. Oil is readily available on world markets for $45 a barrel, less than half its price of three years ago. At this price, it is not profitable to drill for more oil or gas in most of the areas Trump wants to open up to the fossil fuel industry. And removing such restrictions would have an unnecessary, negative impact on some of Americas most scenic sites. The industry will always want to drill where its cheapest. This means that if Trump allows drilling in picturesque, historic areas that are now protected, and such operations prove slightly cheaper than already blighted sites in Texas or North Dakota, then Exxon-Mobil, Shell and the rest will shift their operations to the lowest-cost area. If we follow Trump and put a cheap price on preserving nature, then we can be assured there will be less nature to preserve. That will in no way make America great again. The same goes for our drinking water. Fracking has been restricted in many parts of the country because of the risk to drinking water and the local environment. If Trump is able to reverse state and local bans on fracking, he will in effect be giving oil and gas companies the right to pollute peoples farms and drinking water. Apparently, Trump and his followers dont care about peoples property rights. But the biggest tragedy in this story is damage done to the planet through increased emissions of greenhouse gases. We all know Trump has said global warming is a hoax invented by China. Who knows or cares whether he actually believes that rising Arctic temperatures, rising ocean waters, growing deserts in Africa, droughts in California and other climate disruptions are all inventions of the Chinese. These are the problems that those of us who live in the real world have to confront. And the problems facing our children will be much larger if we dont take serious steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This damage is in many ways irreversible. The carbon we put into the atmosphere today will stay there for hundreds of years. Perhaps the most painful part of this story is that we are not even getting anything in return for causing this damage. Trump is not going to create millions of new jobs with his drill-everywhere policy. He is not going to put West Virginia coal miners back to work. In fact, his policy will probably hasten the destruction of the coal industry as it makes natural gas even cheaper. What we are talking about is a policy with potentially enormous environmental costs with virtually no economic benefits unless you happen to own lots of stock in oil and gas companies. Perhaps that makes it a sound like good policy for a Trump administration, but the rest of us probably care more about our kids and the planet. Congress today dubbed as yet another 'jumla' (gimmick) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to party legislators to submit bank account details after demonetisation and dared him to make public all financial and land dealings of BJP and RSS in the last six months. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Modi's move is also an attempt by him to deflect public attention from the alleged leakage of demonetisation decision, which he termed as the "biggest scam" in the country so far. Surjewala along with party leader Sushmita Dev, accused BJP of buying properties in 18 districts of Odisha on the lines of those purchased from in Bihar. "The manner in which revelations are coming out whereby BJP and its leaders are buying land in Odisha and Bihar, Modiji fears that all this will come out. "All these things point out that there is need to hold a detailed probe into the alleged scam. There is need to hold a detail and thorough JPC probe into the matter," he said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop doing theatrics and should stop hiding behind rhetoric. He should stop hiding behind 'jumlas'. Modiji your real face stands exposed and time has come that you remove the 'mask of jumlas' and follow 'Raj Dharma'. "If you have nothing to hide, you should make public accounts of BJP and RSS and affiliate organisations six months prior to demonetisation," he told reporters at AICC briefing. The Congress media in-charge alleged that this is being done by Modi to divert the attention of public so that they do not ask details of accounts of his partymen before demonetisation. Dev said, "Modi government has time and again deflected the attention of public from real issues. It is nothing but a sham and a hoax." Attacking Modi for bringing yet another scheme to "help black money hoarders legally convert their money", he said, "The truth is that Narendra Modi is trying to give protection to black money holders and is devising new ways and means in doing so." "He is the new 50:50 PM who shares and grants concessions to black money holders," he alleged. Surjewala said, "the truth will come out as how much money was actually being changed from black to white, who had prior information of the demonetisation decision?". The Congress leader said Modi first brought out a fair and lovely scheme from June 1 to September 30, 2016 and then announced the 'Tughlaqi decision of demonetisation'. "When that did not work, now another new scheme under the name of 'black money holder welfare scheme' has been brought now. This is Modiji's and his government's pledge in fighting black money. "To avoid any questions being raised, he brought this new bill in the form of a Money Bill which was passed amid din in Lok Sabha without holding a discussion," he said. Surjewala said by bringing the money bill in Lok Sabha and getting it passed today, amounted to "trampling of democracy" and was a "complete affront" on authority of country's Parliament and Constitution. (REOPENS DEL 89) Surjewala said the narrative of BJP Government in reality is that the "tax penalty of 132 per cent has been brought down to 50 per cent" and BJP is hiding behind the "smokescreen" that it will provide this black money belonging to the rich for the welfare of the poor. "Modiji said he will impose penal tax and 200 per cent penalty along with prosecution of those depositing black money. Now, there is change of heart by imposing 49.9 per cent tax only," he said. He also questioned the legal sanctity of the Chief Minister's committee constituted by government to look into issue of demonetisation. "Constitution of a committee of Chief Ministers 20 days after the decision of demonetisation is putting wool over eyes of people of this country. I will decide first and I will think later and will listen to no one. And if anybody questions me, I will brand him or her as anti-national. This is the usual style of Narendra Modi. "May I ask Narendra Modi today, is a Chief Minister's committee higher than the combined cumulative wisdom of India's parliament. Is Prime Minister now accountable to Parliament of India, elected by people of India, or will he be accountable to people in rock concerts or a selective band of a Chief Ministers committee," he asked. Surjewala wondered what the legal or constitutional authority of such a Chief Ministers committee to dictate to government to either reverse or course corrected its unwitting decision of demonetisation. "Modiji stop hiding behind smokescreen and start addressing the problems," he said. Dev said, "I believe it flies in the face of the Prime Minister's statements that the Finance Ministry in future is going to take many more steps to look at the huge surge in the Bank Accounts of the Jan Dhan accounts. "If the Finance Ministry is any way going to look in to why this surge has happened, the question is why does the President of BJP need to look into the Bank Accounts of the his MPs and MLAs," she said. "Prime Minister Modi has today had a sell out and he has actually led the corrupt and black money hoarders walk away. Why there is need for this deflection - the reason is very clear - that he is not willing to disclose what is in the Bank Accounts and what the transactions of the RSS and BJP are," she said. "There is need to hold a detailed and thorough JPC probe into the matter. If they have not done any wrong, they should tell the country as to how much property they have purchased and what is the source of their money. The head of Malaysian electoral reform group Bersih, which led a mass anti-government rally this month, has been freed after being held for 10 days without trial under a security law meant for terrorists. Maria Chin was detained on November 18 for "activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy," just a day before thousands of protesters took to Kuala Lumpur's streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a financial scandal. Police said 15,500 people protested, but Bersih estimated the crowd at 120,000. Chin's release Monday came a day before a court hearing to challenge her detention under the Security Offences Act. Amnesty International hailed Chin's release from what it called a "farcical detention" and said Tuesday that the government must drop any charges against her. "They should also stop using national security or other repressive laws against government critics for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly," it said in a statement. Shortly after her release, Chin met with hundreds of supporters in Kuala Lumpur and thanked them for holding nightly candlelight vigils to demand her release. Wearing the trademark yellow Bersih T-shirt, she vowed to fight for the abolition of the security law and to press for political reforms. Bersih means clean in the Malay language. "My detention is illegal and a violation of my rights," she said. Najib has kept an iron grip since graft allegations emerged two years ago involving the indebted 1MDB state fund. He founded the fund in 2009 to promote economic development, but it accumulated billions in debts. The investigations into 1MDB in the US and several other countries are centered on allegations of a global embezzlement and money-laundering scheme. The US Justice Department said that at least USD 3.5 billion had been stolen from 1MDB by people close to Najib and initiated action in July to seize USD 1.3 billion it said was taken from the fund to buy assets in the US. The US government complaints also said that more than USD 700 million had landed in the accounts of "Malaysian Official 1." They did not name the official, but appear to be referring to Najib. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several Indian Americans are being considered for positions in the Trump administration as they all qualify on merit and ethnicity is not an issue, the highest ranking Indian-origin politician in the Republican party has said. "I know of several Indian Americans in consideration for positions. I am not at liberty to mention their names, but there are many people under consideration for positions in a Trump administration," Harmeet Dhillon, a member of the Republican National Committee, told PTI. President-elect has already created history by nominating Nikki Haley, Republican governor of South Carolina, for the Cabinet-level position of US Ambassador to the UN. If confirmed by the Senate, Haley would be the first Indian-American to serve in the cabinet of a presidential administration. Chandigarh-born Dhillon, who opened the second night of the Republican Convention in Cleveland in July by delivering a Sikh prayer, said unlike the Democrats, the Republican party recognises people based on merit and not ethnicity. "The new administration is going to place people according to merit. I do not think they have any particular goal of placing Indian Americans versus other ethnic groups. I think they would be looking to put the best people in the position. I am sure in that process many qualified Indian Americans would become part of the administration," she said. San Francisco-based Dhillon, 47, an experienced lawyer of repute, said she would also be willing to consider a senior position in the administration. "If I am asked to serve in a senior capacity, I will certainly consider it. Of course, the focus right now is on Cabinet-level appointment at this time," she said. Dhillon said she is encouraged by the top picks so far by president-elect Trump. "(The RNC Chairman) Reince Priebus (who has been picked as White House Chief of Staff) is certainly somebody who I know personally and respect. He is going to be the president's right-hand man. His choices are solid. Many of the people who I have seen coming in and out with the president-elect are really outstanding people," she said. "I think, his main challenge is out of many, many great qualified Americans going to help, which one does he pick," Dhillon said. On the view that the Democratic party believes in "politics of racial identity...Women, black or Indian," Dhillon asserted that this is not the case with Republicans. "We do not do that in our party. We focus on things that are common to all Americans: employment, taxes, national security, liberty, regulations, running a business. This is how we approach the electorate," she said. Dhillon said Indian Americans have become Democratic over time when there is a Democratic administration and less so when there is a Republican one, responding to a question on latest polls according to which majority of Indian-Americans vote for the Democratic party. "Frankly people are opportunistic generally and they go where there is interest. So automatically, I can tell you that a day after the election all of a sudden many more Indian Americans voted for who I had not heard of before the election," she said. "I think a lot of people would be saying that they are supporting and give him a chance. There are still a lot of Indian Americans who are concerned, I still hope they will give him a chance and suspend judgement till they see what actual policies are," Dhillon said. Publishing house MBD Group is lining up Rs 50 crore for the next five years towards development and expansion of its augmented and virtual realty educational content portfolio. The MBD Group will provide low-cost branded VR devices to learners and plans to enter big-ticket markets of the US, the UK, Singapore and China as part of global expansion, a company release said. "Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are the new frontiers of education and present an exciting opportunity for the sector," MBD Group MD Monica Malhotra Kandhari said. "We will be investing upwards of Rs 50 crore in the next three to five years towards development and expansion of our AR and VR educational contents portfolio." Kandhari further said: "We will also be looking at the overseas market like the US, the UK, Singapore and China, where the market for such products has already been developed." MBD's 3D virtual reality simulations will be made available for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Additionally, the group plans to deliver VR content for vocational / skill courses in the informal education sector as well. Apart from the group's own VR device, MBD's VR content will be compatible with all other VR devices like Samsung Gear, Oculus Rift and the like for wider accessibility. Meanwhile, MBD's augmented reality app 'Nytra', which was launched in 2014, provides content for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 of the formal education system. It has received 44,759 online downloads and offline, the figure stands at over 1,00,000 till date. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Naraian Singh today issued a directive to members not to stage dharna, protest and interaction with media persons in the Council's portico. "All the members of the House have been informed through a letter in this regard," Singh told PTI. Media persons have also been informed about this during a meeting with Press Advisory Committee. 'Lakshman Rekha' in the form of 'red' and 'white' strips already exist in the portico where members cannot give interview to media persons, stage dharna or protest, the Chairman said. If any member violates the directive, the matter would be referred to the 'ethics committee' of the House, he said while cautioning them that members can be disqualified if they were found violating the rule. On the lines of the Assembly, a separate temporary media enclosure would be made at the Council premises where members can talk to media persons. Like the Assembly, the Bihar Legislative Council could not transact any business in both pre-and post-lunch session with ruling as well opposition members trooping into well in support of their varied demands. Members of both ruling and opposition parties also staged dharna, protest and shouted slogans at the Council's portico and talked to media persons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Desktop PC continues to be most popular corporate device among businesses, a reflection that mobile device adoption in the workplace is not yet mature, according to Gartner. "Although 80 per cent of workers surveyed received one or more corporate-issued devices, desktops are still the most popular corporate device among businesses, with more than half of workers receiving corporate-issued desktop PCs," the survey said. The findings are based on the '2016 Gartner Personal Technologies Study' conducted from June-August in the US, the UK and Australia. "Thirty-six per cent workers received laptops, including convertible laptops. Adoption of convertible laptops as a corporate-issued device is still very low, but has been gradually increasing. Gartner analysts expect that more employees will receive convertible laptops in the next three years, driven by the Windows 10 refresh that can enhance the user experience with touch-based input," Gartner said. Adding desktops and laptops (including convertible laptops) together, 75 per cent of workers will receive at least one PC-type device in mature countries, it added. In contrast to the high numbers of corporate-issued PCs in the workplace, relatively few workers receive mobile devices, it said adding that majority of smartphones used in the workplace are personally-owned devices. Only 23 per cent of employees surveyed were given corporate-issued smartphones. "The low adoption of corporate-issued mobile devices underlines the fact that large numbers of personally-owned mobile devices are used in the workplace," Mikako Kitagawa, principal research analyst at Gartner said. In fact, more than half of employees who used smartphones at work rely solely on their personally owned smartphones, Kitagawa added. The usage rate of personally-owned tablets lags behind that of personally-owned smartphones. Only 21 per cent of employees use tablets regardless of whether they are corporate-issued or personally-owned, Gartner said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Mock, Stalk & Quarrel', a collection of 29 tales each representing various facets of contemporary India and it's people as seen by the respective writer, has been launched here. Indrani Ganguly, a well-known manuscript editor and Resident Editor cum Content Manager at Readomania.Com, the publisher of the anthology, said 'Mock, Stalk & Quarrel' contains stories of professionals from different fields and all the stories have satirical elements which is the binding factor. The tales ranging from indulgent, tolerant, amusing and witty were selected from a nationwide contest. "Satire is an enjoyable compensation for being forced to think and Mock, Stalk & Quarrel has no vitrolic content. We had hundreds of entries from which we chose some," Indrani said. "We will shortly be moving the Limca Book of Records authorities to be registered as the first satirical anthology of English stories in the country which we are already," Indrani said at the launch of the book on Friday evening. The contributing authors in this book included - PR professioal of a state-run steel plant Ramendra Kumar, former journalist of a national daily and writer Amrita Mukherjee, Major Akhill Pratap, Tanushree Ghosh Dhall and Aparajita Dutta and journalist-art curator-writer Kounteya Sinha among others who consist some of whom first timers and very young. "There is no attempt to sermonise the reader as satire goes against any such practice," they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government will soon come out with a draft model law to conserve ground, surface and rain water and increase use of treated water for non-potable purposes, Union Minister Uma Bharti said today. Water being a state subject, the act will, however, not be binding on states for implementation. Addressing the inaugural session of 'Bhujal Manthan- 2' here, Bharti said a committee will also be formed to suggest ways to conserve fast depleting groundwater levels through aquifer recharge, particularly in drought-hit areas such as Marathwada and Bundelkhand. Secretaries of Water Resources, Rural Development, Environment and Agriculture will be part of the committee, which is expected to submit its report in a month, she said. "We are going to come out with the draft model act aimed at conserving ground, surface and rain water and one which stresses on using treated water optimally. 62 per cent of water used by Israel is treated water. Why can't we too do that? We too can do it," Water Resources Minister Bharti said. The Minister said the act will focus on using waste water for infrastructural and industrial activities, while recycled sewage water will be used for irrigation purpose. Special secretary in the Water Resources Ministry, Amarjit Singh, seconded the Minister and stated that 80 per cent to 85 per cent drinking water is sourced from underground across the country. Around 60 per cent to 65 per cent of water used for irrigation is fetched from underground, he added. "Countries like China use less ground water than us, only to the extent of 30 per cent of what can be recharged in that country annually. So, we need to make sure the withdrawal is sustainable (through the proposed act)," he said. Bharti said the government also plans to complete aquifer mapping across the country over the next three years. At the same time, she said, the government plans to recharge groundwater on priority basis across 1066 blocks (which could either be a district/taluka/mandals) where groundwater is "hugely exploited." "The Marathwada, Bundelkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and now even the Uttarakhand...The trees atop mountains in Uttarkhand which used to hold water have been cut. Hence, we will have to give priorities to these areas and recharge ground water," she said. Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who too addressed the event, said his ministry will contribute to the purpose by creating recharge structures through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. "The purpose is to see village water is stopped in the village itself," he added. Secretaries of Ministries of Water Resources and Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shashi Shekhar and Parameswaran Iyer respectively, also addressed the event. (REOPENS DES-8) Meanwhile, a senior official informed that the Water Resources Ministry spent Rs 3991.28 crore last fiscal on water conservation works including, that on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. During the on-going fiscal, the ministry has spent Rs 5082.27 crore as on November 25 for the same purpose, he added. Prime Minister is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. Punjab Police is coordinating with security agencies of Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, to arrest the remaining five prisoners who escaped from Nabha prison in a sensational jailbreak case, officials said today. "We are on our job to nab them as soon as possible," an officer said, adding raids were being conducted at the possible hideouts of the escapees. The security has been tightened in and around prisons of the state and surveillance enhanced, police said. Security agencies yesterday arrested chief of Khalistan Liberation Front militant outfit Harminder Singh Mintoo from Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi while Parminder Singh Pinda was arrested on November 27 in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, few hours after the daring act. Two close aides of Pinda were arrested in Uttarakhand yesterday. On Sunday, Mintoo along with Kashmir Singh, two terrorists, and gangsters - Amandeep Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol - were freed by a group of armed men, believed to be 10-12 in number, who stormed the high security jail at Nabha in Patiala district. Investigations by the Punjab police revealed that gangster Gurpeet Sekhon, who also escaped on Sunday, was the alleged mastermind behind the daring act. Pinda and gangster Prema Lahoria executed the plan to give shape to the Nabha jailbreak, officials said. "Harminder Mintoo was not the mastermind behind the jailbreak," an official said. However, police claimed that Mintoo was in touch with terror groups in Pakistan. Punjab police also suspects the involvement of jail officials in the act, officials said. Police had booked 29 people, including nine jail officials under relevant sections of IPC, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About Rs five crore worth Pseudoephedrine, a narcotic substance, meant to be smuggled to Malaysia, has been seized and a four-member gang arrested in connection with the seizure near here, DRI said today. On receiving information, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials examined a container loaded with cotton legging material meant to be exported to Malaysia and found Pseudoephedrine, a "controlled substance covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985." A total of 23.9 kg of pseudoephedrine, valued at Rs 4.78 crore, was found concealed in bales of cotton dyed fabric, ie. the legging material, the DRI said in a release. Following another tip-off regarding operations of the gang suspected to be involved in the smuggling, DRI officials recovered about 10000 Alprazolam tablets, a scheduled H1 drug covered under the NDPS Act, packed in 33 packets, after intercepting a speed post consignment, it said. Meanwhile, officers who were keeping surveillance on the gang, came to know that the mastermind and others behind the two incidents planned to escape from Chennai and "chased them and intercepted them" on a national highway at Chengalpattu near here today. DRI identified the arrested as Syed Musafar Sadiq, allegedly the mastermind, SM Sirajudeen, Sathish and V Packiakumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior official of the BJP-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation has written to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung requesting him to "direct" the city government to release the outstanding funds to the civic body as per the recommendations of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission. In the letter, Standing Committee Chairman of NDMC Pravesh Wahi said that due to the ongoing financial crunch, the corporation is not in a position to pay salaries to its staff well in time. Wahi requested Jung to "direct the Urban Development Department of Delhi government to release the outstanding fund to the civic body as per the recommendations of the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission", the NDMC said in a statement today. He said the "NDMC has been facing difficulty in making these payments with its existing resources and demanded that an amount of Rs 92,813.86 lakh be released to the corporation by the city government as recommended by the fourth DFC." The official said that in addition to salaries, arrears, pension, medical reimbursement etc are to be paid to the serving as well as the retired staff. Wahi said the release of the due funds would ensure smooth functioning of the corporation and speedy development work. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha today stressed the need for overcoming various challenges faced by the IAF while undergoing capability enhancement with modernisation and new acquisitions. Raha, who is the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), also emphasised on strengthening base security to preserve the expensive assets of IAF, both equipment and human. He said this during his interaction with Command Staff and Station commanders during his two-day visit to Kerala along with his wife Lily Raha. While complimenting the Air Warriors of SAC on their diligence, he exhorted them to be good professionals and operationalise the new equipment in a systematic manner, a Defence press release said. While presiding over the Commanders' Conclave of Station Commanders of all the Air Force units in the Southern region, he emphasised on the optimisation of resources and operational capability. The Air Chief Marshal also laid stress on the requirement of focusing on key result areas and training and professional competency to achieve high levels of aerospace safety. The Air Chief Marshal had arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Carrying out with its probe in the blasts outside court premises in South India since April this year, on Tuesday arrested two more persons for allegedly being involved in the conspiracy to carry out bomb explosions by a group sympathising with terror outfit al-Qaeda. With today's arrest, the number of people arrested in the case has gone up to five. The NIA, along with police forces from Tamil Nadu and Telangana, had arrested three persons yesterday for the five bomb blast cases in court premises of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka since April. Among the arrests effected today was Mohammed Ayub Ali, who had been detained last night. Ali (25) of Madurai, who works as a public liaison officer for a hearing aid company, was placed under arrest today, spokesman said. The other person arrested was Shamsudeen, 25, a resident of Madurai after his name cropped up during interrogation of others arrested by the . The cases relate to blasts inside a vehicle at a parking place at district court complex, in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh on April 7; in a parking area of CJM Court Complex at Kollam in Kerala on June 15; inside court complex at Mysuru on August 1, in Nellore of Andhra Pradesh on September 12 and inside a toilet complex of judicial court, Malappuram in Kerala on November 1. The NIA had arrested Abbas Ali, Suleiman and Samsum Karim Raja, all residents of Tamil Nadu. The NIA spokesman had claimed that the arrested accused "during sustained interrogation confessed to their involvement in these blasts." Ali, a school dropout, was working as a painter and also ran a library in the name 'Darul Ilm' at Madurai. Raja is a Commerce graduate and runs a chicken broiler shop at Kannimara Koil street in Madurai. Suleiman was working in a software firm. He was the main leader of the terrorist group which was influenced by the ideology of Osama bin Laden. The group had claimed responsibility for these blasts and circulated pamphlets, pen drives and CDs in the name of "The Base Movement", translation of the word al Qaeda. Claiming that all was not well between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said the coalition government in Bihar will not run for long. Paswan, who thanked Kumar for welcoming the Centre's demonetisation, said that the government in Bihar was "under pressure". "Any party, be it NDA or UPA, if someone joins, it strengthens the party. Whatever Nitish Kumar wants, it is his prerogative. To take him or not, it is up to the BJP. "We are allies. I had said Nitish Kumar has welcomed the revolutionary step and I had thanked him. I had also said that he (Kumar) is under pressure in Bihar. And whoever, Lalu Yadav has gone with, has not been spared. That is why, this government (Bihar) will not run for long," Paswan said. Paswan had yesterday said he will welcome Kumar into the NDA and claimed that the JD(U) chief was apprehensive that his ally Lalu Prasad of the RJD would weaken his party. The Union minister had also lauded Kumar for his support to the Centre's demonetisation step, saying he had taken a "bold decision". Paswan's Lok Jantantrik Party is part of the ruling NDA coalition at the Centre. Paswan had claimed that Kumar, whose party JD(U) was a former BJP ally and now a bitter rival, was working "under the pressure of Prasad" who had a "history of weakening his allies". Earlier, BJP chief Amit Shah had also praised Kumar, setting tongues wagging in the political circles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar government today told the Supreme Court that it is not "averse" to shifting of controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to Tihar prison here. The state government, in which RJD is a coalition partner, concurred with stand of CBI which has already agreed to suggestion of the apex court that alleged history sheeter be shifted to Delhi as his continous presence in Bihar may adversely impact the trials in various pending criminal cases against him. The government told the bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy that Shahabuddin has been facing trial in 45 cases including one in Jharkhand. "We are not averse to shifting of the accused (Shahabuddin) to Tihar jail but the court should also decide the mode of trial of pending cases against him," the counsel representing the Bihar government said. During the hearing, the bench said, "You (the Bihar government) file the list of all the cases against him including in which he has been convicted or acquitted". The counsel said that the list has already been filed and is on the apex court records. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Siwan-based Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons have been killed in two separate incidents, said that all these incidents have taken place when Shahabuddin was in Siwan jail. He also informed the bench that Shahabuddin had alleged that lack of means while seeking legal aid counsel to defend him in various cases. The plea was allowed by the trial court. Dave further said that interestingly, the state government challenged the order in the Patna High Court which in turn stayed the trial court order leading to stalling of proceedings in all criminal cases against Shahabuddin. "Since the legal aid counsel was looking all his 45 cases, the trial eventually got stayed after the Patna High Court order," Dave said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, said that he is in jail for past 11 years, how can he hire a private lawyer to defend himself. The hearing, however, remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. The apex court had yesterday mulled shifting the RJD leader from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the national capital, saying it is test case for the "concept of fair trial and witness protection". (Reopens LGD14) The bench had yesterday asked the lawyers appearing for different parties to come prepared on the point of transfer of cases and Shahabuddin to Delhi from Siwan. CBI had filed status report in the murder case of scribe Rajdeo Ranjan and had that it will welcome if the cases are transfered to Delhi. On October 17, the apex court had granted three months time to CBI to conclude probe in the sensational scribe murder case, and directed that six accused, including Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed who were seen alongside the RJD leaders, cannot seek statutory bail on the ground of non-filing of charge sheet in the matter. Ranjan, 42, a senior journalist working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of July 22 in Siwan town. The apex court, on September 23, had directed CBI to proceed with its probe into the murder of the journalist and asked Bihar Police to provide protection to the family members of the slain scribe. It had also issued notices to Shahabuddin, Tej Pratap Yadav and the Bihar government on a petition by Ranjan's wife who also sought transfer of the case from Siwan to Delhi. The RJD chief's son was seen in a photograph published in newspapers with one of the two sharp shooters of alleged gangster Shahabuddin. Asha, the wife of the deceased scribe, had moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the probe and trial in the case to Delhi alleging that media photos had shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of Shahabuddin and Tej Pratap Yadav. Putting to end speculation about the number of terrorists involved in Pathankot attack, the government today made it clear that only four militants had entered the airforce station to carry out the strike that left eight people dead. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said "four Pakistan-based terrorists" had carried out the January 2 attack. "Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village - Akalgarh and attacked airforce station in Pathankot," he said in a written reply to a question by Congress MP Ravneet Singh, grandson of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The Congress MP had asked about the number of terrorists who entered Punjab for Pathankot attack and the route used by them as well as the details of terrorists killed and arrested along with the weapons recovered from them. Ahir said all these terrorists were neutralised by the security forces. The security forces recovered 4 AK rifles, 32 AK magazines, 3 pistols, 7 pistol magazines, one under barrel grenade launcher, 40 hand grenades and one dagger from them, he said. The answer is contrary to a statement made by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 4 when he had said that charred remains, apart from four bodies of terrorists, were found at the debris after security forces searched the Pathankot airforce station when the operation ended. "Charred remains were found and sent for forensic examination. We are awaiting for reports," had said. There was speculation that the Home Minister had made this statement on a presentation made by the elite NSG, which was not corroborated either by defence personnel or central security agencies. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too had said that six terrorists were involved in the attack. The National Investigation Agency, which was probing the case, has been maintaining that the investigators had found only four bodies. The Home Ministry has recently given NIA the sanction to file a charge sheet against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and three others in the Pathankot terror attack. The Home Ministry has in the past been left red faced over answers to Parliament questions including another Pakistan related controversy where it informed the House that they do not know about whereabouts of most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, forcing the government to retract and clarify that Dawood is in Pakistan. (Reopens DES12) Meanwhile, a senior Home Ministry officer expressed surprise over the statement in Lok Sabha that only four militants had entered the Pathankot airforce station and not six to carry out the strike, saying a clarification will be issued in the House tomorrow. "Multiple clues suggested that there were more than four terrorists in Pathankot. Investigators were yet to come to the conclusion whether there were four terrorists or more. "Rectification of today's answer given to Parliament question is necessary. So, the Minister will make a statement in Lok Sabha tomorrow to to give the correct position," the officer said. Buoyed by BJP's win in civic elections and bypolls, party chief Amit Shah today said it showed people's support for Prime Minister's demonetization move and claimed some opposition leaders were upset as their money "looted" in scams has turned into trash. "While opposition is organising Bharat bandh and Akrosh Divas,... Every where BJP posted unprecedented victory. People are with the government's decision on demonetization," he said at party's parivartan rally here, referring to victories in bypolls in Assam and Madhya Pradesh and civic polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat. "Poor do not have black money...Rahul baba, Akhilesh babu, behen Mayawati...It is the one that was lying with you all that has been lost...What will happen now...Those who are caught with black money will lose 50 per cent and this money will be put in the treasury of the country," Shah said at the election rally. The polls result favouring BJP showed that people of the country support demonetization, he said and promised that any illgotten money deposited in banks will go into government treasury so that it can be used for the welfare of the poor. Stepping up attack on parties opposing demonetization, Shah said certain leaders were angry with demonetization as all the wealth accumulated by them is gone due to a single stroke of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "SP, BSP, Congress, Mamata (Banerjee), (Arvind) Kejriwal are all angry with Narendra Modi today. Do you know why this is so...What was amassed through loot has been turned into 'raddi' (trash) by Modiji on November 8," he said "Modiji has announced that those depositing large amounts in their accounts like Rs 5 crore or Rs 10 crore ... The looted money will be used for welfare of the poor," he said. His remarks came in the wake of passage of a bill in Lok Sabha to amend Income Tax Act to impose tax on deposits made post-demonetization. The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, provides for paying 50 per cent tax on unaccounted deposits, or 85 per cent if caught. "For ten years those amassing trillions of rupees in their homes through scams are today angry with Modi," Shah alleged said. "Till the morning of November 8, they all used to ask Modiji, what have you done against black money and today they are asking why have you done this," he said. "The country is with Modiji... It is in favour of the decision of demonetization," he stressed. Striking a dialogue with the audience, he asked whether they supported the decision of demonetization or 'bua-bhatija', a reference to BSP chief Mayawati and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Over the last few days, BJP won one Lok Sabha seat each in Assam and Madhya Pradesh besides bagging a number of assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. The saffron party also emerged victorious in local bodies polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Shah alleged that fake notes had made their way into India during 10 years of UPA rule. Hitting out at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his 'khoon ki dalali' remark on surgical strikes across the LoC, Shah said Modi government took action within ten days of the Uri attack unlike the previous Congress-led government "but Congress shehzada (prince) says Modiji indulges in 'khoon ki dalali'". "Rahul baba how will you know the value of army jawans' bravery...How will you know the value of their sacrifice...It is invaluable," he said, claiming that no one can dare touch the boundaries of the country under the BJP government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The unity among the Congress, Left Front and TMC over demonetisation in Parliament is not likely be reflected in the upcoming session of the state Assembly as the Congress today declined to go with ruling party's proposal to bring a joint resolution on the issue. State Parliamentary Affairs minister and senior TMC leader Partha Chatterjee had called up Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan of the Congress and CPI-M legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty mooting the proposal to bring an all-party resolution. "I spoke to both Chakraborty and Mannan... They said they will discuss and let me know. If they agree we will bring it together and if they don't agree we will bring it on our own," Chatterjee told PTI. Mannan said the Congress was not willing to bring in a resolution along with the TMC, rather they would prefer to bring their own resolution. "Why will we bring the resolution with TMC? They (TMC) are demanding roll-back of the decision. The roll-back of the decision is not possible, it will create a major crisis. We will bring our own resolution proposing unearthing of black money involved in chit fund scam," he said. Chakraborty, however, said unless they received the draft, it was impossible to say whether they would support the resolution or oppose it. The TMC, along with Congress, Left and other opposition parties have come together on the floor of Parliament to oppose the decision of demonetisation. They have even jointly protested outside Parliament opposing the decision. Continuing her tirade against Modi, Mamata Banerjee vowed to fight till the end against the "anti-people" decision which, she claimed, had imposed an "undeclared financial emergency" in the country. Banerjee had staged a sit-in in Delhi on November 23 and also met President Pranab Mukherjee on the issue. She addressed a meeting in Lucknow today and is scheduled to address a meeting in Patna tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a setback to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a Pakistani court today stopped his government from deporting about 400 Turkish expatriates, mostly schoolteachers and their families, which was aimed at appeasing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Lahore High Court Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza passed an interim order on a writ petition filed by Turkish principal Mehmet Ali Seker and other teachers of the Pak-Turk Educational Foundation. Since the Pak-Turk schools and colleges has alleged links with the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed by Turkish President Erdogan for July's coup attempt, the Pakistani government had ordered 450 Turkish teachers and their family members to leave the country by November 20. Some of the Turkish families left for other countries (not Turkey) while other filed a petition in different high courts of the country. Mirza stopped the federal government from deporting the Turkish citizens or taking any other action against them. The court also sought a reply from interior ministry on the issue. Known rights activist and advocate Asma Jahangir, a counsel for Turkish teachers, argued before the court that the petitioners had been lawfully residing in Pakistan. "They have legal visas and are abiding by the laws of the country having clean and unblemished record," she said, adding the interior ministry had refused to extend visas of the petitioners without disclosing any reason. Jehangir said the interior ministry's order to deport the petitioners and other Turkish nationals of the foundation is illegal. "Even some of the petitioners and their families are possessing valid visas till Jan 2017," she said and further argued that the ministry was planning a smooth takeover of the foundation in favour of a different organisation owing to domestic politics in Turkey. She said the acts of the federal government amounted to indirectly winding up the Pak-Turk Foundation without any legal course and consent of its directors. She pointed out that Peshawar High Court had already granted a stay against any punitive action against the members of the foundation in Pakistan. The petitioners pleaded that they and their families could not be deported until they were not given the opportunity of hearing. The judge sought a detailed reply from the interior ministry on the matter by January 17. The Turkish teachers say they have reports that they will be arrested on arrival in Turkey. "We have reports that the Turkish authorities will arrest us on arrival in Istanbul," said a Turkish teacher. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani man has been sentenced to six months in jail for sexually abusing and threatening to kill an 8-year-old Indian girl here. The Court of First Instance found the 21-year-old man guilty of groping and kissing the minor and ordered his deportation. The Pakistani perpetrator, who is a site supervisor, sexually abused the girl from India and then threatened to kill her if she informed anyone, Khaleej Times reported. The incident took place on August 29. The court sentenced him to 6 months in jail yesterday and ordered his deportation, it said. The victim said the man had lured her and her little brother to play hide and seek outside their apartment in Al Rafa. "When my brother hid, that man asked me to sit on the stairs. He then came close to me," she told the investigator. She said that she became upset and slapped the man after he kissed her and bit her neck, prompting the perpetrator to threaten to kill her. "She looked afraid of something. She told me what happened and how she was threatened," The girl's father, a 40-year-old accountant, said. The forensic report showed a mark that looked like a bruise, on the girl's neck. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today briefed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the deadly attack by terrorists on an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir which left seven soldiers dead. Earlier, army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag briefed Parrikar about the attack. The Ministry is also likely to seek a formal report from the army about the assault which came just two months after the deadly Uri terror strike. Sources said the Prime Minister was briefed in the morning and again after the operation was over. A group of heavily-armed terrorists in police uniform stormed an army unit in Nagrota, about three kms from the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city this morning, triggering an intense gunbattle that lasted for several hours. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in the attack before three terrorists were eliminated in an armed face-off which also involved a hostage-like situation with 12 soldiers, two women and as many children being held captive. All were later rescued, army spokesman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister will embark on a two-day visit to Bangladesh on Wednesday during which he will call on the top leadership there and firm up defence cooperation initiatives ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's trip here next month. Parrikar, who will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Bangladesh, will call on President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka on Wednesday and hold talks with the Security Advisor to Prime Minister, officials said. On December 1, the minister, who will be accompanied by the Vice Chiefs of the Army and Air Force, Deputy Chief of Navy besides Coast Guard chief, will visit the military academy in Chittagong and meet Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio. Top Defence Ministry officials said the focus of the trip was to deepen security ties and firm up a defence cooperation agreement that is likely to be signed when Hasina visits here around December 17. They said that Parrikar was originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh much earlier this month but the visit was delayed. They also ruled out any link between the visit and the sale of two submarines by China to Bangladesh. Hasina announced the plan to purchase two submarines in 2013 as part of her government's move to build a modern navy. When Bangladesh Navy chief Muhammad Farid Habib had visited India in November last year, he had said Bangladesh is going to buy two used submarines from China for "training" its surface crew and Sonar crew in anti-submarine warfare. "Since the delimitation of maritime border problem has been solved, we are now trying to cooperate. We are trying to patrol in our areas. So in our sea, we also expect lot of gas and oil," Habib had said then. He also said Bangladesh wants to work with the Indian Navy as there are many "non-traditional threats" in sea, a reference to piracy, floating armouries among others. "We cannot tackle those threats alone. It requires cooperation so that we can together fight non-traditional threats and make the area peaceful," the visiting Navy chief had said. Areas of naval cooperation that are proposed include option of coordinated patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line(IMBL), bilateral exercises between both navies, joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone and cooperation in hydrography. More than 1,300 Chinese citizens have been arrested in the Philippines for working illegally at an unlicensed online gaming business, the immigration bureau said today. China has expressed concern over the raid at a casino-hotel complex in the northern Philippines and said Manila must guarantee "humanitarian treatment" of those being held. Some 1,318 people were detained during the raid on November 24 in Angeles city, immigration bureau spokeswoman Maria Antoinette Mangrobang told AFP. "A number of them have been charged for immigration offences, for engaging in gainful activity at an unlicensed online gaming business," she said. Those found guilty are likely to be deported, she said, adding that sorting through the documents of all of those being held would take time. China is "highly concerned about the detention by the Philippine side of such large number(s) of Chinese citizens," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing yesterday. China has called on Manila to handle the case "with impartiality" and demanded the immediate release of those who are legally in the Philippines. Philippine authorities must "ensure the safety and humanitarian treatment of all the involved," they added. Some of the people detained had arrived recently on tourist visas and others had working visas, Mangrobang said, adding that they could still be found guilty if their permit was unrelated to their actual line of work. "We're just enforcing Philippine immigration law," Mangrobang said. The arrests come after President Rodrigo Duterte made a state visit to China in October in a bid to repair bilateral ties damaged by rival claims over South China Sea islands and waters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A PIL has been filed in the Gujarat High Court, seeking a ban on flying of kites during the festival of Uttarayan and prohibition on use of crushed glass to sharpen kite strings, saying it is a threat to the lives of humans, birds and animals. The public interest litigation (PIL) filed yesterday by Siddhrajsinh Chudasama, said that ban on flying kites is required to ensure safety and security of human lives. The PIL is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow. The petitioner has urged the court to direct the authorities to restrict kite flying either through complete ban or through ban on particular days and time, in order to minimise accidents and casualties caused due to the activity. "Not only innocent birds and animals, even pedestrians and two-wheeler riders are injured and killed due to the kite string coated with crushed glass (manja)," the petition said. "To make matters worse, Chinese manja has joined the list, making kite flying extremely hazardous to human life as well as other living species on earth," the petitioner said. It is the duty of every state to protect the life and property of its citizen. Kite flyers are clearly committing offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, the petition said. Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti is one of the major kite flying festivals celebrated in Gujarat. The PIL also said use of flying lanterns, locally known as tukkal, should also be banned during Uttarayan as they may lead to fire mishaps. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter jet has crashed near Cold Lake Alberta, killing the pilot in what was described as a training accident. A rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene at an air weapons range yesterday. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, who was in the House of Commons when the broke and appeared shaken, told reporters: "Regrettably the pilot has been lost and a next of kin has been notified." "I just got off the phone with (the chief of the defence staff) General Jonathan Vance and our prayers go out to the families," he added. Cold Lake is home to a tactical fighter squadron and training units. The accident comes less than a week after Canada announced plans to order 18 Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets while seeking offers to update the rest of its ageing combat fleet. Canada's current fleet of fighter jets is more than three decades old and was scheduled to be retired in 2020, but could now see a decade more of service. The 18 new Super Hornets will help fill a "capability gap" and allow Canada to meet its NATO and NORAD security obligations, Sajjan said last Tuesday. They are to be deployed from 2018 as the government awaits offers on a longer-term fleet replacement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons, including an assistant superintendent and head warden of Nabha jail were today arrested for criminal conspiracy in Sunday's jailbreak incident even as a joint team of Punjab and Delhi police interrogated KLA chief Harminder Mintoo, who was among the escapees. Assistant jail superintendent Bhim Singh, head warden Jagmeet Singh and a sweet shop owner Tejinder Sharma have been arrested on the charges of abetment and criminal conspiracy in the jailbreak case, police said. Singh had allegedly met the accused a day before their daring escape and his mobile phone was claimed to have been used for plotting the jailbreak. Police have booked 29 people, including nine jail officials, under relevant sections of IPC in connection with the incident, officials said. Meanwhile, a joint team of Delhi and Punjab police quizzed Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) militant Mintoo, who was apprehended at the Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi on Monday. It has emerged during the interrogation that Mintoo had access to mobile phone in the Nabha jail, sources said. "He is claiming it was a common cell phone used by other inmates also," the source said. Mintoo said he used the phone to "call only his family members" but sources said police will examine through the Call Data Records if he was in contact with ISI. "Also we will be examining if he had access to social media and Skype as one of the escapees was a regular on Facebook from inside the jail," sources said. Sources said Mintoo will be questioned about whether he was planning to revive the activities of his outfit and shift to Malaysia or Germany. "Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He told us many things but maintained silence on many. Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case and how it was planned. We will also be questioning him about where the others (escapees) could be hiding," said a senior police officer privy to the probe. Meanwhile, several teams of Delhi Police, including Special Cell and Crime Branch, are looking for leads with regard to the whereabouts of Kashmir Singh, another escapee, who had accompanied Mintoo to Delhi and separated from him at Kashmere Gate bus stop, said a senior police officer. Two close aides of alleged mastermind of the jailbreak Parminder Singh alias Penda have been arrested in Dehradun with police suspecting that the incident may have been plotted at their hideout in the city. Parminder was arrested with a cache of firearms near Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district on Sunday evening itself. Geeta Arora, wife of Penda's friend Sunil Arora with whom the jailbreak mastermind was staying in a rented accommodation in the city's Raipur area and an aide Aditya Mehra were arrested from their hideout yesterday, SSP, Dehradun Sadanand Date said. However, Sunil Arora along with another accomplice managed to escape, he said. Sunil is a close friend of Penda who was staying with the Aroras for six months till he left the city five days before the jailbreak. Date said the jailbreak in all likelihood was plotted at their hideout in the city. Several fake vehicle number plates, voter IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, bullets, material used for making bomb and Rs two lakh cash have been recovered from the house where the duo was arrested, the SSP said. Meanwhile, Parminder, who was lodged in a jail in Muzaffarnagar, was sent to Punjab following a production warrant from an Ambala court. On Sunday, Mintoo, another militant Kashmir Singh, besides gangsters Amandeep Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol were freed by a group of armed men in police uniform amid a fusillade of gunfire. A unique postal label from a parcel addressed to the wireless operator on the Titanic, the ill fated British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean during its maiden voyage in April 1912, is expected to be sold for 12,000 pounds at an auction. The label has a blurry postmark on its six-penny stamp recording the date 11 April 1912. It is addressed to the Jack Phillips, the operator of the Marconi wireless aboard Titanic, and was never delivered because three nights later the ship struck the iceberg. About 1,503 lives were lost in the disaster, including that of the 25-year-old wireless operator Phillips who stayed at his post sending SOS messages until the sinking ship had lost almost all power. The label was posted from Chelmsford and addressed 'c/o the White Star Line in Southampton'. The package, now lost, is believed to have been a bundle of blank telegram forms for use on board. It was given to the first officer of the Titanic's sister ship Olympic to take to New York. It would then have been handed on to Phillips when the Titanic reached the port at the end of its maiden voyage, 'The Guardian' reported. On the night of April 14, 1912, Phillips is believed to have delayed passing on a message to the bridge from another ship, warning that the Titanic was steaming straight towards an ice field, because he was working through a pile of such telegrams, relaying messages from passengers to Newfoundland. Gary Watson, an expert at Mossgreen auctioneers which will sell the label in a postal history auction in Australia, regards it as one as the most evocative postal items associated with the ship. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress today demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi provide details of bank transactions of BJP and its MPs made before November 8 when the demonetisation move was announced if he was "really serious" on the issue. The Congress' demand came after Modi, earlier in the day, asked BJP MPs, Ministers and MLAs to submit their bank account statements between November 8, the day he announced the demonetisation, and December 31 to party chief Amit Shah on January 1, 2017. "I was impressed with the prime minister for his move, because he knows if he asks the financial details of before November 8, then it will be a problem. That is the reason, he has asked the financial details after November 8. "First tell us, payments to Shakhayee (RSS units) made through which cheques? Tell us how much money was deposited by MPs and the party before November 8? Tell us what happened in West Bengal and Bihar? If he tell us these, then I would feel that the prime minister is really serious on the issue," the party spokesperson said. Stressing that he was "not levelling any charges" on BJP, Sibal said "I am only saying that if you need transparency, then you should tell how much money was deposited in MPs and party account before November 8." On the issue of disruptions in Parliament, he said in a lighter vein, "this is what (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley has taught us. Please ask him. He has said disruption is part of parliamentary strategy otherwise the message does not go home. So, we are learning from the great parliamentarian." He, however, clarified that the Opposition party was raising the people's issue. "Eighty people have died due to this demonetisation and we should sit quitely? This is not some alleged coal scam or alleged other scam, it is a scam where 80 lives have been lost and we should keep quiet? We should make an open statement, according to BJP, that prime minister need not come to the Parliament?," he asked. Terming as "thoughtless, mindless" the demonetisation exercise, Sibal said the prime minister is shying away from giving a reply on the issue because he cannot answer the concerns raised by the Opposition. "We are seeing the results on other ground, that is why he does not want to come. We want prime minister to participate in the debate and the House must be assured that PM will come. That is our demand," he said. On amendments to Income Tax Act, he said the "mind of the BJP is exceptionally flexible because everyday it changes its mind. We are extremely delighted by the fact that they are so flexible that they don't know what to do. "When they see a difficulty coming, they change their mind. Prime Minister and this government should have thought these things thorough and had a policy framework in place before they took these adhoc decisions," he said. Claiming that since November 8, the RBI and other authorities have changed the directions atleast 175 times he said, this does "not augur well" for the ocuntry. On the terror strikes in Jammu, the Congress leader said when the "surgical strike" be a success, as about 18 defence personnel have lost their lives since the surgical strike was carried out and 300 border violations have occured. Meawnhile, BJP MP Babu Supriyo hailed the Modi's direction to his functionaries to disclose the financial details, saying the move proves that "charity begins at home and honesty should start from your own backyard" "Agay agay dekhiye sarkar kis tarah ke kadam uthati hai (Let's see what measures the government takes). Directions to MPs and MLAs proves that charity begins at home and honesty should start from your own backyard," he said. (REOPENS DEL73) SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav also asked the Prime Minister to direct BJP MPs and MLAs to make public the transanctions made from October 1 till now instead of after the demonetisaton decision. "I would like to request the Prime Minister to change the dates and make it from Oct 1 till now, instead of from November 8. You make public the transactions from October 1 till now," he said. The Puducherry unit of BJP today sought the Centre's intervention to prevent conversion of fertile farm lands in the Union Territory into residential plots. A delegation of BJP functionaries from Puducherry, led by its President, V Saminathan today presented a memorandum containing a charter of demands, to the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh in New Delhi, release said today. The delegation sought the Minister's intervention to prevent the conversion of fertile farm lands in Puducherry into residential plots and for non-agricultural projects. Saminathan stated that the memorandum apprised of the alleged fast conversion of farm lands into plots, that has led to shortage of rice and also hit the farmers and farm labourers in the Union Territory. It also appealed to the Centre to ensure that the sugarcane farmers, who are now facing a crisis due to non-payment for their product by the sugar mills, were relieved of their hardships. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cameroon, Morocco trade hits record $88 million this year Commercial exchanges between Cameroon and Morocco have risen to a record $98 million this year in what is being attributed to cordial relations between the two countries according to statistics from the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mine and Arts (CCIMA) of Cameroon. The information was revealed during a meeting between the management of CCIMA and Moroccan economic operators, gathered at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morocco (CFCIM), undertaking a prospection mission in Cameroon. Moroccans want to establish partnerships with Cameroonian companies and in the long term set up in Cameroon () The sectors we are targeting among others are the food industry, civil engineering (BTP in French), electricity, mining, etc., assured Amal Belkhemmar, head of the delegation. For the moment, Cameroonian exports to Morocco mainly comprise products such as wood, cotton, fresh bananas, coffee and cocoa; while Morocco exports to Cameroon carton, electrical equipment or fertilisers. www.mincommerce.gov.cm Proposals to tax Montana's 12-year-old medical marijuana program could hit patients dealing with serious medical conditions, but the move is hardly without precedent. A budget proposal released by Gov. Steve Bullock this month includes a 6-percent tax on medical marijuana sales to help boost the revenue picture. Tim Crowe, a spokesman for Bullock, said this would be a "consumption tax" similar to tobacco or alcohol and could bring $2.6 million in revenue over two years. In addition, one state legislator is drafting a bill that would take it a step further, adding taxes to fund programs for low-income patients and drug rehabilitation. Rep. Bradley Hamlett, D-Great Falls, is working on a marijuana taxation bill that he said should focus not only on the state general fund but also on providing aid for those who can't afford it. A lot of people that would use medical marijuana dont have the means to necessarily pay for it," he said, "because if they've got chronic pain, they might be dealing with illnesses. They might be out of work." Hamlett said he is also considering a separate tax that would help fund counseling and rehabilitation for addicts of any drug something he said is a big problem in Montana. The proposed rates for Hamlett's bill are 3 percent for medical marijuana subsidies and 21 percent for drug programs. They would be in addition to the governor's general 6-percent proposal. Though still a draft, the total tax of 30 percent rivals Washington's 37-percent excise tax on recreational marijuana. Recreational marijuana is typically taxed at a higher rate than its medicinal-use counterpart. "Some may be like, 'whoa, that's a big number.' But it's a big problem," Hamlett said of drug addiction. He said he will bring forth the bill to spur a debate about what, if any, the tax should be. The rates are subject to review. The Montana Cannabis Industry Association said in a statement that it was open to discussion, especially as the figures are now preliminary. Fresh off a long legal battle and ballot initiative campaign to save the program, the group is focused on patient access. Kate Cholewa, who runs government relations for the MTCIA, said that it's worth considering both sides of the tax issue. "Theres a long road ahead and it might be premature to react. That said, medications are not taxed in Montana so objections to singling out cannabis for taxation make sense," she said. "The average patient spending $200 per month would be looking at a $12 per month increase in cost." Should this be picked up in the Montana Legislature after it convenes in January, it will add to a patchwork of policy in states where medical marijuana is legal. In the absence of guidance from the federal government, for which all marijuana is illegal, states have tailored their own programs nearly from scratch. The ambiguity with federal drug policy also opens up medical marijuana for taxation at the state level. "Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, medical marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance regulated by federal law," said Tim Crowe, a spokesman for Bullock. "The requirements associated with medical marijuana are substantially different than any other product due to the conflict between state and federal law." More than half of states have now approved some form of medical marijuana program. Many of those states, even those that have legalized recreational marijuana, tax the medical form. New York and Nevada tax medical marijuana at 7 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Other states with medical marijuana taxes on the books have exempted it from sales tax. Some simply impose the normal state sales tax like any other retail item. Medical marijuana isn't always taxed at the point of sale, however. Pennsylvania, for example, doesn't charge a sales tax for medical marijuana but taxes 5 percent on gross proceeds when its sold from a grower to a dispensary. Minnesota, Oregon and Massachusetts are among states that have exempted medical marijuana from sales taxes. Like Montana, Oregon has no state sales tax. Montana already has consumption taxes for specific items like lodging, gasoline, car rentals, alcohol and tobacco. And without a general sales tax, it would take a special tax to extract more state revenue from medical marijuana sales. There are local taxes in the state, too. Whitefish has a local resort tax of 3 percent that has exemptions for medicine, whether or not it's obtained by prescription. City Manager Chuck Stearns said on Monday that medical marijuana falls under that exemption. Legal and medical marijuana have provided cash infusions for states that have loosened laws on the drug. Washington recorded more than $5.2 million from sales taxes alone on medical use. While the MTCIA voiced concern about singling out medical marijuana patients, it hasn't taken an official stance. Cholewa said that putting a tax on the books could further cement the program, meaning medical marijuana is here to stay. "Being integrated into governmental systems also protects the program from federal interference," said Cholewa, the organization's spokeswoman. "When the program is protected, patient access is protected. So, there are different angles to consider." Nearly 20 days after the Centre's demonetisation move, the queues outside the ATMs have eased but customers have been crowding the banks in large numbers to withdraw and deposit money. Providing a window to black money holders, the government had yesterday proposed to levy a total tax, penalty and surcharge of 50 per cent on the amount deposited post demonetisation while higher taxes and stiffer penalty of up to 85 per cent await those who don't disclose but are caught. "The queues before banks started today in afternoon only, almost at all the bank branches here. But few people came here to enquire about the government's announcement yesterday... whether they should first to go to Income-Tax authorities or approach the banks first," an executive of a leading private sector lender at Fort in South Mumbai said. People are not well aware of what to do to follow the government's announcement, he said. Many people, specially who run businesses, stood in queues to withdraw money for distribution among their workers since it is almost month-end. "I need some money to give salary to my workers and this is why I am here," said a man standing in a queue outside a bank in Lower Parel area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia on Tuesday dismissed as not "corresponding to the realities" the reports in Pakistani media about it holding "secret talks" with Pakistan on the creation of China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement also said that the possibility of Russia joining this (CPEC) initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad. "Reports appearing in Pakistan's media about some 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of do not correspond to the realities. The possibility of Russia joining this initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad. "Our trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan has its own value. We aim for its further strengthening. The implementation by Russian companies of business projects in IRP, including the construction of North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, are implemented on bilateral basis," as per the statement, which was circulated by the Russian Embassy here. According to a Pakistani media report earlier this week, apart from deciding to use the Gwadar Port for trade to have access to warm waters, Russia also wants to join the $46 billion to reap maximum dividends. "In addition, Russia aspires to develop strategic defence ties with Pakistan," the media report had said. South Africa begins a major clinical trial of an experimental vaccine against AIDS, which scientists hope could be the "final nail in the coffin" for the disease. More than 30 years of efforts to develop an effective vaccine for HIV have not borne fruit, but for the first time since the virus was identified in 1983, scientists think they have found a promising candidate. The new study, known as HVTN 702, will involve more than 5,400 sexually active men and women aged 18-35 in 15 areas around South Africa over four years. It is one of the biggest clinical trials involving the disease ever undertaken and has revived hopes in the scientific community of a breakthrough in the battle against AIDS. "If deployed alongside our current armoury of proven HIV prevention tools, a safe and effective vaccine could be the final nail in the coffin for HIV," said Anthony Fauci, director of the US National institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is taking part in the study. "Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly decrease the burden of HIV disease over time in countries and populations with high rates of HIV infection, such as South Africa." South Africa was not chosen by accident for the trial. The country has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world -- 19.2 per cent according to the UN AIDS agency, or more than seven million people living with the virus. Each year some two and a half million people around the world are infected with HIV, which has killed more than 30 million people since the 1980s, according to a study presented at a conference in South Africa in July. The vaccine has been adapted for the HIV strain prevalent in southern Africa from one used in a trial of 16,000 people in Thailand in 2009, which reduced the risk of infection by over 30 percent three and a half years after the first vaccination. The safety of the "South African" vaccine has already been tested successfully over 18 months on 252 volunteers. The new study aims to test its effectiveness. "The results obtained in Thailand are not good enough for a roll-out (...) we have set the minimum bar at 50 percent," Lynn Morris, head of the HIV virology section at South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), told AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday looked to have survived an attempted ousting after days of fierce debate within the ruling ANC party as several ministers called on him to resign. Zuma has been weakened by a series of scandals but the manoeuvre to oust him took many by surprise in the African National Congress, which has held power since 1994. A weekend meeting of the party's executive was extended late on Monday after a rebellion led by senior government figures, including at least four ministers. Local media said the meeting was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. But the president headed off the most serious threat to his hold on power since he came to office in 2009. He left early today to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. "The president told us that he will never step down, as it would be like handing himself over to the enemy, and that there are people who want to see him in jail," an unnamed source at the closed-door meeting told the News24 website. It said Zuma's loyalists had rallied strongly to his defence during yesterday's sessions. The ANC announced it would hold a press conference at 2:00 pm (local time) on the meeting's outcome. The president has been hit by multiple corruption allegations and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC suffered a serious setback in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high. Zuma has been under renewed pressure since a corruption probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country's top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence. However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in parliament on November 10. "Zuma will only leave when the patronage faction around him decide it is time. I think that is still true," Peter Montalto, analyst from Nomura bank, said in a briefing note. "The ANC may well be tired of Zuma but it's not clear it is ready to conclude anything on succession yet." Zuma is due to stand down in 2019 after serving the maximum two terms. Among his possible successors are his ex-wife, African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize. Many of Zuma's supporters reportedly rushed back by plane to the ANC meeting at a hotel outside Pretoria after missing proceedings to attend a wedding near Cape Town on Saturday. Superstar Salman Khan today announced the release date of good friend Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming film with director Imtiaz Ali. Also starring Anushka Sharma the movie is scheduled to release on August 11 next year. The film's working title is "The Ring" and Salman asked his fans to suggest the official title for the project. "Shah Rukh ki film aa Rahi hai. Date Maine decide kar di hai. Title tum log decide kardo. (Shah Rukh's film is coming. I have decided the release date and now you all decide the title) Best of luck #anushkasharma & #ImtiazAli," Salman captioned the first still from the movie. The picture has Anushka and Shah Rukh, 51, dressed in white, walking in fields with a smile on their face. "What you seek is seeking you" it reads. The movie is a love story shot in the stunning locales of Prague. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samsung Electronics said today it was considering splitting the company into two as it faces growing pressure to overhaul its governance during a crucial power transfer in top management. The announcement came as the South Korean electronics giant is seeking to ensure a smooth succession to Lee Jae- Yong, the firm's vice chairman and scion of the parent Samsung group's founding Lee family. It is also struggling to contain the fallout from a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone caused by exploding batteries as well as a snowballing political scandal in South Korea. The firm said in a statement it would consider breaking into a holding firm and a producing and operating unit, and would take at least six months to study the option. It also said it would increase its dividend payout to shareholders to more than 4 trillion won (USD 3.4 billion) this year, up more than 30 per cent from a year ago. Other options on the table include plans to nominate at least one new independent board member with "global corporate experience" for approval at an annual shareholders' meeting next March. The plans suggest the firm is listening to calls for change after US hedge fund Elliott last month urged it to divide into listed holding and operating firms to streamline a byzantine ownership structure. The US firm also called for an increase in share dividends, the addition of new independent board members and a listing in New York. The Lee family controls the vast Samsung group - the South's top business group - through a web of complicated cross shareholdings among its units including the flagship Samsung Electronics. "Samsung addressed a strong determination to overhaul its governance structure," said Lee Sang-Hun, analyst at Hi Investment & Securities. The latest announcement implies that the firm would eventually split to set up a holding company "in May or June next year", he added. However, he warned that the growing political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-Hye that has engulfed the company could delay the overhaul. Park and her confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, are accused of coercing the major firms into donating tens of millions of dollars to non-profit foundations Choi used as her personal ATMs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Elior Group today announced the appointment of Sanjay Kumar as Elior India Chief Executive Officer. Kumar will report directly to Philippe Salle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elior Group, a company release here said. He is also a member of the Group Management Committee. Prior to joining Elior Group, Kumar worked with Royal Dutch Shell Group for over 18 years, where he held various positions in Europe and Asia. In March 2012, he was appointed CEO of Altran India and member of the Management Committee. Kumar will leave this position in February 2017 to join Elior Group, it said. Founded in 1991, Elior Group has grown into one of the world's leading operators in the catering and support services industry, and is now a benchmark player in the business & industry, education, healthcare, and travel markets, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi King Salman is to visit Kuwait next week as hopes rise in the emirate of a resumption of production from a jointly run oilfield after a two-year shutdown. The king will travel to Kuwait on December 8 after a Gulf summit in Bahrain and stay for three days, Al-Jarida newspaper reported today. His visit comes as the state-owned Kuwait Gulf Oil Co. (KGOC) readies for a long hoped-for resumption of production from the offshore Khafji field, jointly run with Saudi Aramco Gulf Operations. In an internal memo seen by AFP, KGOC asked staff to make the necessary preparations. It ordered implementation of a Startup Readiness Plan to put "facilities in operational ready state within least possible period in order to achieve the resumption of Khafji crude oil production." Output from the Khafji field was halted in October 2014. Saudi Arabia cited environmental concerns but the move came amid a slump in prices that put pressure on producers around the world. The halt to the field's production of 300,000 barrels per day -- shared equally between the two countries -- hit Kuwait far harder than Saudi Arabia. The emirate lacks the spare production capacity its giant neighbour enjoys. Saudi Arabia halted output from a second shared field in the former neutral zone between the two countries a few months later. The Wafra field, which had been pumping 200,000 bpd, was run jointly with Saudi Arabian Chevron. In response, Kuwait stopped granting visas to the firm's expatriate staff. Kuwaiti authorities were unhappy they had not been consulted about Riyadh's 2009 decision to renew Saudi Arabian Chevron's operating licence for 30 years, industry sources said at the time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A secret memo photographed in the hands of a political aide by a long lens camera outside Downing Street after a Brexit meeting caused a stir in UK political circles today. The handwritten notes, carried by an aide to Conservative party MP Mark Field, the vice-chairman of the party, included phrases like "what's the model? Have your cake and eat it" and "unlikely" in reference to the European Union single market. "I was interested and amused to see it because it doesn't reflect any of the conversations that I've been part of in Downing Street," said UK business secretary Greg Clark, forced to react to the media storm around the notes. "I don't know what the provenance of that note is. All I can say is that it is going to be a negotiation which has to be serious, we have to get our negotiating mandate in place but this is being done soberly and meticulously. It would be nice to have (cake and eat it) but it's not the policy," he told BBC. Downing Street said the notes were not written by a government official and do not reflect its official position. "These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the government's position in relation to Brexit negotiations," a spokesperson for 10, Downing Street said. The note also said the "French are likely to be most difficult" in reference to Britain's impending negotiations over the terms of its withdrawal from the 28-nation economic bloc after the country voted in favour of an exit from the EU in a referendum in June. The document also says the triggering of Article 50, which formally starts Brexit negotiations, could be "difficult". It reveals that the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, "wanted to see what the deal looks like first" but the government does not want to provide details. It says Britain wanted to have a "Canada plus" trade deal rather than remaining a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) but negotiating over services, especially the financial sector, is likely to be "difficult". The memo comes a day after pro-EU think tank British Influence said it was writing to Brexit Secretary David Davis to seek clarification on the government's position regarding the UK's status in the wider EEA when it quits the EU. A spokesperson for British Influence said, "It is likely there will be a legal action because, in our view, the government has taken a stance that leaving the EU means leaving the single market". The latest memo, scribblings on an A4 sheet of paper, will come as an embarrassment for British Prime Minister Theresa May, who has repeatedly refused to give any details of her strategy, insisting she won't give a "running commentary" on the process of leaving the EU amid concerns that it would give away Britain's hand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has ordered producers like Reliance Industries to supply all the cooking gas (LPG) they produce locally to state-owned oil companies only, and private retailers have been asked to source their requirements through imports. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in an order issued this month, stated that "sale of indigenously produced is not permitted to the entities other than government oil companies." All domestically produced liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) should necessarily be sold to PSUs for subsidised sale to consumers. While India is surplus in refining capacity, it does not produce enough to meet all of its demand. It imported 8.7 million tonnes of LPG in 2015-16 and 4.66 million tonnes in first half of current fiscal. LPG is produced by both public sector firms like Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOC) as well as private firms like Reliance Industries Ltd. The ministry said instances have been noticed of all locally produced LPG not being sold to oil marketing companies - IOC, Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL). "...Some domestic LPG is also being sold to parallel marketeers in violation of Ministry's order," it said. "All domestic producers of LPG need to ensure compliance with provisions of LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 and LPG (Regulation of Use of Motor Vehicles) Order, 2001 and sell domestically produced LPG only to government oil companies." Ministry held that sale of LPG by domestic producers to anyone other than state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) is not permissible under LPG control order. Non-state LPG sellers, called parallel marketeers, cannot source the fuel from domestic refiners. They have to import LPG if they intend to sell the cooking fuel in domestic market. It asked all LPG producers including Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), GAIL India Ltd and RIL as well as parallel marketeers to comply with the order. RIL, the largest single location LPG producer in the country, had in 2013 contested the ministry view, saying rules do not mandate that all domestic LPG must be sold only to state firms. However, the government's top law officer, Solicitor General of India (SGI) backed the ministry's view. The LPG control order of 2000 defines parallel marketeer as someone who is carrying on business of importing, storing, transporting, marketing and distributing of LPG. It does not prohibit the parallel marketeer from producing LPG but it cannot sell such production directly to consumers. Last year, the ministry had permitted RIL to sell up to 10,000 tonnes of LPG per month for one year to parallel LPG marketers on condition that it will import an equivalent quality and deliver to state-owned firms. There are a total of 183 parallel LPG marketers in the country. North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Alan Anderson will retire Dec. 31. Anderson has been with the agency for five years. It was a great honor to serve the governor and people of North Dakota, Anderson said. I will certainly miss the staff at Commerce and a great number of other dedicated state employees, but I also look forward to spending more time with family, including our grandchildren. Prior to being named to head the department, Anderson worked 30 years in the oil and gas industry, serving on the management team for the Tesoro Corp. A native of Underwood, Anderson graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in geological engineering, followed by a master's degree in business administration from the University of Utah. Al has been a great leader for our state during a period of unprecedented economic growth in North Dakota, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said in a statement. His extensive background in the oil and gas industry served the state well, as the Department of Commerce played a major role in helping address rapid growth impacts in western North Dakota. I want to thank him for his time and dedication to the state. A day after the BJP emerged as the biggest gainer in the municipal councils elections in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today took a dig at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying the Sena scored a victory on its own strength and despite his absence during the campaigning. While Fadnavis had led BJP's poll campaign for the elections to the 164 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, the results of which were declared yesterday, Thackeray had delegated the responsibility of electioneering to Sena leaders and had not campaigned personally. "The credit of Sena's victory goes to all the Shiv Sainiks. I did not even campaign once because I wanted to prove what a true Sainik could do. I also thank the people for the mandate because even though we had not given any false assurances, they gave us a landslide verdict," Thackeray told reporters here. Out of the 3,727 seats in the 164 municipal councils and nagar panchayats for which, polling was held on Sunday, BJP won 893 seats, Congress 727, Sena 529, NCP 615, CPM 12, BSP 9, MNS 7, other registered parties 91, unrecognised but registered parties 305, Independents 510, and Alliances/Fronts 29. Thackeray said unlike the BJP, the Sena did not ally with any party in the first phase of the polls, which was held on Sunday. "We might have allied with the units of local parties under exceptional circumstances. But other than that, we did not ally with any other party. (But) BJP, in every local council, allied with different parties which resulted in them securing the number one position," he said. The Sena chief said the BJP had done "exceptionally well" in the Vidarbha region whereas, the Sena's performance needed to be improved. "We are not very strong in the Vidarbha region. I will have to give the region more attention now. The Sainiks there need my support," he said. In the direct elections for the posts of presidents across 147 municipal councils, the BJP has won 52 seats, Sena 23, Congress 19, NCP 16 and others 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With growing number of Indians preferring to plan their honeymoon overseas, picturesque Seychelles and Mexican city Cancun have emerged as the top destinations being explored by honeymooners this season, according to a report. "A honeymoon is one of the most anticipated and indulgent holidays one ever takes. Nowadays, couples spend a lot of time searching about the destinations and the activities they offer. Seychelles and Cancun are the top destinations being explored by Indian newlyweds for their honeymoon," Hotels.Com said in a report here. Both the spots are home to numerous beaches. While has been 68 per cent growth in search for Seychelles from last year, Cancun saw 59 per cent growth in searches, said the report, which is based on actual searches on Hotels.Com from October, 2016 for the travel period November, 2016-March, 2017. Other destinations on the top five list are Maldives, with 44 per cent growth in searches from last year, followed by Bali in Indonesia, with 34 per cent growth in searches. Santorini (one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea) saw the searches by Indians going up by 20 per cent, said the report by Hotels.Com, a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP and its rivals today traded barbs over demonetisation with party chief Amit Shah claiming only opposition leaders whose "looted" money had turned into rubbish were opposing the action and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee likening the Prime Minister to "Hitler" who violated the rights of people. Lead opposition Congress also took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his directive to BJP MPs and MLAs to submit their bank account statements for period between November 8, the day he announced demonetisation of high-value currency notes, and December 31 to Shah. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal demanded that Modi provide details of bank transactions of BJP MPs and MLAs also for period preceding the announcement of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency bills. Buoyed by BJP's win in the recent civic elections in Maharashtra and Gujarat and some Lok Sabha and assembly bypolls, Shah said it showed people's support for Modi's demonetization move and claimed some opposition leaders were upset as their money "looted" in scams had turned into trash. "SP, BSP, Congress, Mamata (Banerjee), (Arvind) Kejriwal are all angry with Narendra Modi today. Do you know why this is so...What was amassed through loot has been turned into 'raddi' (trash) by Modiji on November 8," he told a party rally in UP's Maharajganj. "While opposition is organising Bharat bandh and Akrosh Divas,... Everywhere BJP posted unprecedented victory. People are with the government's decision on demonetisation. "Poor do not have black money...Rahul baba, Akhilesh babu, behen Mayawati...It is the one that was lying with you all that has been lost...What will happen now...Those who are caught with black money will lose 50 per cent and this money will be put in the treasury of the country," Shah said. Mamata Banerjee, who took her battle against demonetisation to poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, hit back, equating Modi with German dictator Adolf Hitler and Delhi's autocrat ruler Muhamman bin Tuglaq. "Modiji has surpassed (Muhammad bin) Tuglaq and Hitler...He has flouted the constitutional rights of common people," the Trinamool Congress chief said at a rally against demonetisation organised jointly with the ruling Samajwadi Party here. Vowing to fight till demonetisation is rolled back, Banerjee said, "The fight against note ban will continue till this decision is revoked as note culling has shut shops, markets and agricultural operations." She dared the Prime Minister to first declare his own and Shah's bank account details. "Just before demonetisation, a large number of properties have been bought in the name of BJP and its president," she alleged referring to media reports claiming that BJP bought several pieces of land, worth crores of rupees, in Bihar weeks ahead of the demonetisation declaration on November 8. She termed demonetisation a "big scam" and "black emergency". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indrani Mukerjea was a "schemer and a lady of dominant nature" who used to interfere in the affairs of a media group through her husband Peter who was the CEO, though not being on payroll, a 'secret witness' in the Sheena Bora murder case has claimed. Peter was arrested in November last year on the charge of murder conspiracy. A special court today opened the statement of 'secret witness' Ravina Raj Kohli, former president of Star News, from a sealed cover and handed it over to the defence lawyers. On November 21, the CBI had told the Bombay High Court that it will give a copy of the secret witness's statement, withheld so far by the agency, to Peter and other accused after deleting a portion of it. "To my understanding, Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and a lady of dominant nature," Kohli said in a four-page statement recorded on February 10. Sheena, daughter of Indrani from her previous relationship, was killed in a car on April 24, 2012, and her body was later dumped and set afire in neighbouring Raigad district. Police had last year arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai for murder and destruction of evidence. Rai later turned approver. Peter and Indrani were said to be against Sheena's relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, Peter's son from his former wife. Kohli stated that before Indrani's marriage with Peter, she had received a message from her saying that the latter had settled everything with Khanna. "In my view it (the message) was sent by her (Indrani) to avoid any problem in her marriage with Peter," Kohli told CBI. Peter was the chief executive officer of Star India network from 1999-2007. He and Indrani got married in 2002. After leaving Star in 2007, Indrani established channel INX News, and Peter managed its two channels, 9X and 9XM. Peter and Indrani exited the company in 2009. Kohli stated that Indrani had told her she was running a recruitment agency in Kolkata before shifting to Mumbai. Indrani later opened branch offices of the agency in Delhi and Bengaluru. "In due course, she (Indrani) started providing HR support to Star and at the time of her marriage with Peter, she was providing maximum human resources to Star. "I came to know from my sources that Indrani had manipulated this contract of recruitment with Star through Peter by throwing the threat of poaching to the media company," Kohli said. Kohli claimed Peter was allowing Indrani to 'interfere' in the affairs of the company (Star) so much that she used to influence all major decisions of his, despite being not on the payroll. "Once I had an occasion to interact with Peter about Indrani and during the discussion Peter mentioned about Indrani as his retirement plan. It was the reason that she was being promoted by Peter in media business circle," she said in her statement. She claimed Peter had 'controlled' all activities of Star and used to 'manipulate' things according to his choice and in a manner which used to be beneficial to him. "Indrani was taking advantage of his power on her personal benefit," according to Kohli. She said Peter resigned from Star in 2006-07 and floated INX media along with Indrani. "In fact, Peter and Indrani had planned to create this media company (INX Media) with he was still with Star. Before floating the company, he also did management diploma from Chicago," Kohli stated. She further said that since Peter was a British national and there was a non-compete clause in the agreement with Star Channel, Peter made Indrani as CEO of INX Media. According to Kohli, though the planning and execution of concept of launching the firm was conceived by Peter, he kept Indrani as the face of the company but himself used to run the day to day functioning. "The company did not succeed mainly because of funds problem but Indrani's inexperienced background of this profession also played a major role," she stated. In her statement, Kohli also said Peter contacted her to join the company but she refused because they were giving her a "low profile job". "But I came to know from sources that my name was shown by them in their media company records. Moreover, Indrani was not interested in keeping me in their company," she claimed. Kohli told the CBI that she had learnt through her sources in media that Indrani and Peter had siphoned off money of their media company "through kickbacks" and parked the amount in some unknown bank accounts abroad, which she said "may be HSBC Singapore or Hong Kong." "I came to know that Indrani and Peter used the company money to receive kickback from the dummy production companies (sic)," Kohli said. In 2009, Peter and Indrani both left India and settled in UK, although they kept coming to India. "I heard that Peter and Indani were planning to again start their media business in India and in this regard, they had arranged New Year Party in 2013-2014," she stated. Residents of the city's Sukhdev Vihar area today told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that Okhla waste-to-energy plant in South Delhi should be immediately shut down as it violates Delhi Master Plan 2021. The counsel for the residents told a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar that the plant is situated in the midst of the habitation and residential area which is strictly impermissible under the Delhi Master Plan. Senior advocate Amit Chadha, appearing for Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association, alleged that large number of trucks carry thousands of metric tonnes waste to the plant cause traffic and pollution problems in the area which has hospitals also. "A petition challenging construction of waste-to-energy plant was filed way back in 2008 prior to commencement of the project. We have been fighting the legal battle in the Delhi High Court since all these years. The project cannot be allowed on the ground of 'fait accompli' (leaving with no option but to accept it) as it violates all the rules and regulations," the senior lawyer said. Referring to solid waste management manual prepared by the urban development ministry, he said incineration plants should be located at least 300 to 500 metres away from residential areas. The area was marked to be a district or city park in the master plan and not as a landfill site or a site for waste processing, he added. "Schedule III (of municipal solid waste rules 2000) provides that waste processing facilities should be integral part of landfill sites and have to be away from habitation. This is because, the environmental safeguards required for a landfill site would also have to be ensured by a waste processing plant as they are likely to cause the same environmental hazards," he said. The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. The tribunal had earlier rapped the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over "inaccurate" data on various kinds of waste generated in the national capital daily. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association praying for closure of waste-to- energy plant alleging that it uses illegal mass burning technology, causing air pollution. In its application, the association had also told NGT that as per observations of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, mass burning technology should be stopped immediately. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shree Somnath Trust, which manages the historic Somnath temple in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat, will confer 'Somnath Suvarnchandrak' award on three Sanskrit scholars at a function here on December 1. The award ceremony is being organised in Ahmedabad for the first time in order to give it wider audience and popularise Sanskrit language, a member of the organising committee said. The award is conferred on scholars for their contribution to Sanskrit language to mark the 'Shree Somnath Mandir Sankalp Siddhi Diwas'. "This year, we will confer awards on scholars Padmavibhushan Dahyabhai Shastri, Vijay Pandya, and Jivan Parmar, for years 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively, at a function that will be organised at Sardar Patel Bhavan in Ahmedabad on December 1," Somnath Trust secretary P K Laheri told reporters here. He said former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel, who is the Chairman of the trust, and prominent Gujarati litterateur Gunwant Shah will be chief guests on the occasion. "The names of winning scholars have been selected by a three-member panel" Laheri said. A play on Sardar Patel will also be staged during the function, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the trustees of the Somnath Trust. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government's 'Make-in-India' initiative and structural reforms will allow the manufacturing sector to accelerate growth over the next few years, according to a CII-BCG report. Also, the government needs to specifically look at Industry 4.0 adoption by creating supportive ecosystem and policies that promote technology adoption, it said here. Industry 4.0 is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. "Make-in-India initiative and structural reforms will enable Indian manufacturing sector to accelerate growth over the next few years. "However, we cannot afford to ignore global trends in terms of rise of globally competitive manufacturing nations and profound impact of Industry 4.0 on global manufacturing," Arun Bruce, Partner, BCG said at the CII Manufacturing Summit here. "Apart from existing structural reforms and infrastructure push, the government needs to specifically look at Industry 4.0 adoption by creating supportive ecosystem and policies that promote technology adoption," he said. At the summit, CII and BCG released a report titled 'Next Generation Manufacturing: Winning through Technology & Innovation'. The report assesses current state of Indian manufacturing sector, looks at the country's rise as global manufacturing hubs, analyses the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on global as well as Indian manufacturing, and lays down imperatives for the industry as well as government. CII-BCG also conducted a survey among leaders of the manufacturing industry for developing key themes in this report. The report takes stock of the recent progress of the manufacturing sector and the Make-in-India initiative. It also takes notes of the efforts on reforms related to GST, FDI relaxation and infrastructure development. Such steps are making Indian manufacturers more optimistic. Nevertheless, 45 per cent of the executives feel that the Make-in-India initiate has become closer to reality as compared to the last year, it said. The report highlighted two structural shifts shaping global manufacturing. First, rise of global manufacturing superstars such as Mexico and Vietnam. These countries have built upon their natural advantages to create competitive advantage and promote growth in the manufacturing sector. Jamshyd N Godrej, Chairman, CII Manufacturing Summit said, "Globally, manufacturing is entering into a new era with the advent of next generation manufacturing technologies. India needs to proactively invest in building capabilities and become globally competitive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today expressed concern over lack of courtrooms and infrastructure across the country and directed the government to submit state-wise break-up of money allotted for setting up of court infrastructure. The apex court asked the Centre to apprise it about the total amount of funds which the 14th Finance Commission has allocated for the judiciary in the country over the next five years starting from April 1, 2015. A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh to specify the manner in which the Centre proposes to monitor the utilisation of the amount earmarked for judiciary by the states and directed him to file an affidavit in this regard within 10 days. "Whether any break-up of the said allocation has been provided for by the Finance Commission and/or government of India or any guidelines as to the areas in which the said amount will be expanded. "In case such a break-up is prescribed, a copy of the communication/order under which the same has been provided be placed on record. What is the manner by which the government of India proposes to monitor the utilisation of the amount set apart for judiciary by the states. State-wise allocation be also indicated," the bench, also comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao, said while reserving its order on the plea. The court was hearing the petition relating to arrears and vacancies in several courts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the political pot on the boil in Bihar since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar supported the Centre's demonetisation move despite protests by allies, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today asked him to review ties with RJD and Congress and said his party would consider any proposal of realignment from JD(U). Reacting to Kumar's comment yesterday that efforts were on for a long time to end his political career, Modi said it would "definitely" happen if he continued to stay with RJD and Congress. "If you (Kumar) stay with Lalu Prasad and Congress you will definitely be killed politically," he told reporters. Hailing the JD(U) National President for supporting demonetisation, he said, "Any campaign against black money and corruption is not possible in the company of RJD and Congress." "RJD is known for its corrupt practices while the Congress rule was marred with scams," said Modi, the Parliamentary board chief of Bihar unit of BJP. He alleged that due to the alliance with RJD and Congress, Kumar's effective step against corruption through Special Court Act which has provision for confiscation of property of a guilty has "slowed down". Asked if there is any chance of reunion of JD(U) and BJP, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council was quick to say: "If a proposal comes from JD(U), the party would consider." "After all Nitish Kumar stayed with BJP for 17 years and this was 'golden period' for Bihar," Modi, who was the deputy chief minister during the NDA rule in the state, said and added Kumar's image got a boost during the time. "Politics is a game of possibilities ... You never know when one comes with whom in politics," he added. He, however, feigned ignorance about media reports of Kumar meeting BJP President Amit Shah and talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his support for demonetisation. "These are high level issues to which I have no access," he said. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi took a swipe at Sushil Modi for his comments. "If (Sushil) Modi wants he can take Kumar home on his lap," she told reporters emerging from the Legislative Council after it adjourned for the day. Kumar had led JD(U) to severe ties with BJP in June 2013 after 17 years over elevation of Narendra Modi as PM candidate. He joined hands with RJD and Congress before the Bihar polls last year and romped back to power. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Renewed airstrikes killed at least 10 civilians today in Syria's besieged eastern part of Aleppo as they were fleeing government advances in the opposition held-enclave, opposition groups reported. The United Nations said up to 16,000 people have already been displaced in recent days of fighting. France called for an urgent Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in Aleppo, where fighting continued as government forces seek to break down rebel defenses in the deeply divided city, once Syria's commercial centre. The opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said new airstrikes left at least 10 civilians killed, while a rescue group in eastern Aleppo put the figure at 25. The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders, said the airstrikes hit a group of civilians fleeing to Bab al-Nairab district from government advances in the north. In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition held eastern Aleppo in the last couple of days, touching off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Many of the fleeing civilians headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held zones. The UN Humanitarian Chief Stephen O'Brien said he was "extremely concerned" about the fate of civilians, calling the situation of Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." "There are no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished in eastern Aleppo," O'Brien said in a statement. "It is likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue to spread and intensify over the coming days." Residents of the besieged, eastern part of Aleppo reached by telephone reported thousands of civilians have moved to its southern district, cramming into alleyways and empty or deserted buildings. "They are not safer from airstrikes, but are at least seeking refuge from the government gangs," said Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who has remained in rebel-held Aleppo. Alhamdo said many of the fleeing civilians fear revenge attacks from the advancing government, amid reports of arrests from people living in government-held areas. Alhamdo said 11 empty apartments in his building were already occupied by the newly displaced, many of them women. "Those have escaped death miraculously," he told The Associated Press from Aleppo, where airstrikes and shelling continued. "They called it a death trip." Amnesty International said it has received reports of Syrian security forces detaining men in Aleppo areas that have returned to government control. The London-based human rights group warned of the potential for revenge attacks, arbitrary detention, torture, harassment and kidnappings against people formerly living under opposition control. The reports could not be independently confirmed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three men were charged Monday in connection with the shooting death of a 34-year-old Mandan man at a party near the Colonial Lounge on Saturday night. Jiqueal Simmons, Kelvin Simmons and Quentin Felton have been charged with attempted murder and reckless endangerment. Felton and Kelvin Simmons are in custody, and police are still seeking Jiqueal Simmons, the son of Kelvin Simmons. Police believe a fourth, as yet unidentified person, was also involved. According to an affidavit signed by Mandan Police Lt. Pat Haug, the shooting occurred around 1:45 a.m. Saturday during a party in a warehouse at 2010 46th Ave. S.E. in Mandan. The victim, Kevin White, was transported to a Bismarck hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He had multiple injuries consistent with gunshot wounds to his torso, side and arm, according to the affidavit. Police spoke with White's girlfriend, who said they were renting the warehouse where the shooting took place. She told police they held a party there that night and, later on, four men with guns shot at White. The girlfriend told police the incident took place following a "heated argument" between White and three of the shooters, according to the affidavit. White's girlfriend told police that while shots were being fired, an unknown person drove up and handed White a gun, which was still in his hand when investigators arrived. The girlfriend helped identify suspects based on photos provided by police, according to the affidavit. Kelvin Simmons, 43, of Swainsboro, Ga., who was arrested, told police that he and his son Jiqueal Simmons, 24, of Mandan, were at the party, but ran when the shooting started and drove away. He said White grabbed him around the neck earlier in the night to talk about some "paperwork" related to White's criminal history. Felton, 30, of Bismarck, who was also arrested, denied being on scene, but a vehicle authorities say belongs to him was captured on camera leaving the party at the time of the shooting, according to the affidavit. There was also a hole consistent with a bullet in the car door. Kelvin Simmons and Felton are being held at the Morton County Detention Center on $100,000 bond set Monday afternoon by Judge Bruce Haskell. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations processed the crime scene and is assisting with the case. The size of domestic textile machinery industry is poised to hit Rs 32,000-35,000 crore in the next five years from the present Rs 22,000 crore on the back of government initiatives like 'Make in India', an industry member said today. "The textile machinery manufacturing section is one of the important segments of the industry in India," India International Textile Machinery Exhibitions Society Chairman Sanjiv Lathia told reporters here. "With the Government's initiatives like 'Make in India' and incentives for manufacturing sector, we expect the size of India's textile machinery industry to touch Rs 32,000-35,000 crore in the next five years from the present Rs 22,000 crore," he added. The textile sector is one of the largest contributors to India's exports, accounting for approximately 11 per cent of the total outbound shipments. India's overall textile exports during FY16 stood at USD 40 billion and is expected to reach USD 223 billion by 2021, the chairman said. The textile industry is the second largest employer in India after agriculture and hence it is utmost necessary that the machine manufacturing industry strengthen its base for quality output and efficiency through innovations, he said. Meanwhile, the society is organising the 10th edition of its exhibition, 'India ITME 2016', in Mumbai from December 3 to 8. The event is expected to attract over 1,050 exhibitors from 38 nations, 13 delegations and nearly 1.50 lakh visitors. Through the event, India ITME Society provides a global platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and disseminate information on innovative technologies. Foreign and domestic businessmen, academicians, research scholars, government officials from countries such as the Philippines, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia, Poland, Malaysia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt will visit India ITME 2016. The idea of 'Make in India' in textile engineering will be promoted to the visiting foreign business visitors. The exhibition also provides an opportunity to propagate government schemes and incentives for the textile industry in India, Lathia said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) today appealed to the Centre not to impose "Good Governance Day" on December 25, which coincides with Christmas as the day is most revered by the Christian community. The appeal was made through a resolution of the NPF Central Executive Council Meeting held at its Party Headquarter here in presence of representatives from NPF leaders from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The NPF CEC also extended support to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) resolution adopted during its November 22 to 24 winter session revoking the restriction on 33 pc women reservation in urban local bodies passed on September 22, 2012 by NLA. The NPF CEC also asserted to continue to extend its support to the ongoing peace process between the NSCN(IM) and the Centre while also reiterating the stand that "integration is and must be an integral part of the dialogue". Further, the NPF CEC has urged the state government to take stringent step in protecting the flora and fauna of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons from Tamil Nadu were today arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of attempting to smuggle 60 kgs of ganja in a boat, police said. The three men from Nambuthulai, about 60 km from here, in Ramanathapuram District were arrested after Sri Lankan Naval personnel intercepted their boat and found the narcotic, police said quoting information received by them. The ganja, worth lakhs of rupees, was grown in Kerala and allegedly being smuggled to Sri Lanka from here, they added. In September last, six people, including an Indian, had been arrested by Sri Lankan Navy with over two kgs of heroin in their possession. Following this, the Lankan Navy had stepped up vigil in its northern seas to prevent smuggling of drug mainly from Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Navy's northern Commander Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva had then said 612 kg of Kerala ganja coming to Lanka from India had been detected during the last 18 months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "The Impossible" star Tom Holland is in talks to join actress Daisy Ridley in Lionsgate's post-apocalyptic thriller "Chaos Walking". The 20-year-old actor might play the male lead of Todd Hewlitt, a boy who discovers a girl named Viola (Ridley) in a world, where a germ has supposedly killed all women, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Doug Liman is on board to direct the adaptation of the best-selling YA novel by Patrick Ness. Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind') worked on the script, while Doug Davison, who produced Tom Cruise-starrer "Mena", is producing alongside Allison Shearmur. Holland is also looking forward to the release of his film "Spider-Man: Homecoming," which stars him in the lead role of the webslinger . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghanistan's army said one of its top commanders was killed today when a military helicopter crashed in the western Afghan province of Badghis. General Mohayedin Ghori commanded the 207th Corps and was one of the six regional commanders of the Afghan army, responsible for the country's western zone, defence ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish said. "General Ghori was martyred and a number of officers injured in the crash," Radmanish said. He said a "technical fault" caused the Russian-made Mi-17 aircraft to go down in the Murichan area of the Bala Murghab district. Ghori was on a mission to visit a newly established army base in the volatile district, where the Afghan army has recently pushed back a major Taliban offensive. Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the crash in a statement but Radmanish denied this, saying there were no insurgents operating in the area at the time of the accident. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani described the death of General Mohayedin as a "big loss" for the Afghan security forces and people, according to a statement. The US-led NATO coalition also issued a statement expressing condolence over the death of the top Afghan general. A local official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the provincial head of the country's spy agency was among those wounded in the crash. He could not give details of exactly how many other people had been injured in the accident. Once a strong flying power thanks to Soviet Union support, Afghanistan's air force was decimated by the civil war of the 1990s and the turbulent period of Taliban-rule. The Afghan air force (AAF) now has around 100 aircraft, including 27 MD-530 attack helicopters, and about 20 small support aircraft, such as the Brazilian built A-29 Super Tucanos -- used against drug traffickers in Latin America. It also has approximately 50 Russian Mi-17 transport choppers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Traffic police nabbed a 29-year-old man when he was escaping allegedly after snatching a bag of DU girl containing cash and important documents near DDU hospital in west Delhi. Nikki allegedly snatched the bag from DU student, Bharti, near DDU hospital around 6.30 pm yesterday, police said. The girl raised an alarm alerting the Traffic personnel including ASI Dinesh Kumar, and constables Ram Singh and Sandeep, who caught the man after a short chase, said Rajendra Singh Sagar, DCP Traffic(western range). A crowd gathered on the spot also tried to thrash the snatcher but the cops saved him and handed him over to police at Hari Nagar police station. The bag containing cash and important documents was restored to the girl. The accused has a past criminal record. He occasionally works as driver of Gramin Sewa and was not working presently, added the officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has refused an offer to be a member of a committee on digitisation and cashless transactions as proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in view of his opposition to the Centre's demonetisation move. "Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely called me up yesterday and told me that the Prime Minister wanted me to be a member of a proposed committee on digitisation and cash less transaction. I told him modestly that the subject is highly technical and I have no experience with it," Sarkar told reporters. But Jaitely insisted, according to Sarkar, that the committee would have chief ministers of other states, many of whom might have no experience of it either and that technical experts would be there to help. Sarkar, however, refused the offer and argued: "My being in that committee would create a lot of confusion since people in our country were facing unprecedented inconveniences due to demonetisation. I opposed the decision because it created a disorder in our economy and also 75 to 77 people have committed suicide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stepping up his search for a new US secretary of state, President-elect Donald Trump has met highly-decorated but scandal-scarred former CIA chief David Petraeus amid open infighting among Trump's advisers over who to pick for the coveted post. Petraeus, one of America's most celebrated generals credited with turning the tide in Iraq, spent an hour with Trump at his office in Trump Tower in Manhattan yesterday. Trump tweeted about the meeting immediately afterwards, saying he "was very impressed" with the retired general. "Just met with General Petraeus--was very impressed!" Trump said in a tweet after his meeting with the former decorated general of the US armed forces and the top spy master. In his brief interaction with reporters after the meeting, Petraeus said it was a "very good conversation," and added that, "We'll see where it goes from here." He said Trump showed a great grasp of a variety of global challenges. "I was with him for about an hour. He basically walked us around the world," he said. "(Trump) showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well. Very good conversation and we'll see where it goes from here. We'll see where it goes from here," Petraeus said amidst reports that the former CIA director is among the new names for his Secretary of State. The presidential transition team has not said anything except that the search for a new US secretary of state continues. Trump is scheduled to have another round of meeting with his former bitter opponent and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney. "The search process or the interview process as the president-elect works to come to a final decision on the secretary of state of front, he'll complete that and announce his decision when he's ready," the transition communication director Jason Miller told reporters during a conference call. "He has met with a number of very well-qualified individuals and obviously through this week met with a number of well-qualified individuals and he's going to pick the person who he thinks will do the absolute best job," Miller said. On Sunday a top advisor to the President-elect had voiced her concern over tapping Romney for this position given that he had criticized Trump during the primaries and had called him phony. According to reports, Petraeus's appointment could allow for a compromise amid reports of divisions within the Trump team, with some backing Romney and others supporting Rudy Giuliani. Petraeus resigned as CIA direct in November 2012, was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2015, and is currently on probation for sharing classified information with his biographer and mistress, former Army intelligence officer Paula Broadwell. Petraeus agreed to a plea deal that saw him sentenced to two years' probation and forced him to pay a USD 100,000 fine for sharing classified information. Before becoming the CIA Director, Petraeus was commander of the US Central Command and also headed the US and NATO troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. CNN's top counter terrorism expert Peter Bergan in an op-ed argued that Petraeus would be a smart choice for Trump's Secretary of State. "Indeed, Petraeus would be an outstanding first diplomat of the United States, although Trump is reportedly also considering candidates such as former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, among others," Bergan wrote. US President-elect Donald Trump today nominated Republican Congressman Tom Price, a fierce opponent to President Barack Obama's health care law, as his Health and Human Services Secretary. A former orthopaedic surgeon, 62-year-old Price is currently chairman of the House Budget Committee. "ChairmanPrice, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on healthcare policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity," Trump said. "He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American. I am proud to nominate him as Secretary of Health and Human Services," said the president-elect. If confirmed by the Senate, Price would play a key role in Republican efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare. Also, Indian-American Seema Verna was picked to become administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Price said he is humbled by the "incredible challenges that lay ahead" and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people. "There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit," Price said. First elected to the US House of Representative in November 2004, Price previously served four terms in the Georgia State Senate - two as Minority Whip. In 2002, he was a leader in the Republican renaissance in Georgia as the party took control of the State Senate, with Price rising to become the first Republican Senate Majority Leader in the history of Georgia. In Congress, Price is a proven leader, tireless problem solver and go-to Republican on quality healthcare policy, the Trump Transition Team said in a statement. He also serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. In the 114th Congress, Price was named Chair of the House Committee on the Budget. In previous Congresses, he has served as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and Chairman of the Republican Study Committee. Committed to advancing positive solutions under principled leadership, Price has been a fierce opponent of government waste and devoted to limited government and lower spending. For nearly 20 years, Price worked in private practice as an orthopaedic surgeon. Before coming to Washington he returned to Emory University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, teaching resident doctors in training. He received his Bachelor and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of Michigan and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Emory University. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country has not given up yet on the idea of EU accession but is actively pursuing alternatives. In televised remarks today, the Turkish president lamented that the "EU has insisted on hampering full membership negotiations" and insulted Turkey. "Despite this, we have not, for the time being, closed the EU book," he said. Erdogan, who has previously suggested Turkey could join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization instead, stressed his country was not without alternatives and had already entered talks with them. Turkey-EU ties are increasingly strained in the wake of a non-binding vote by European Union legislators to suspend Turkey's accession talks over rights abuses following a failed military coup in July. The EU needs Turkey to stem the flow of refugees from its shores to Europe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish prosecutors have demanded multiple life sentences for almost 50 alleged plotters in the failed July coup charged with conspiring to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at an Aegean holiday resort, state media said today. Erdogan, who was staying at a hotel in the upmarket Marmaris resort with his family on the night of the July 15 coup, rushed to Istanbul and famously declared that he came within 15 minutes of being killed. Forty-seven suspects -- 44 of whom are under arrest while three are on the run -- have been charged in the indictment with 17 different crimes including "attempt to assassinate the president", the state-run Anadolu agency said. Prosecutors have asked for six life sentences for each of the suspects, among whom is an alleged "assassination team" of 37 soldiers suspected of seeking to execute the plan. It said that the trial of the suspects will take place in Mugla, the capital of the southwestern province where Marmaris is located. Owing to a lack of space in the town's court, the trial will take place in the conference centre of the local chamber of commerce. No date has yet been given for the start of the trial. Turkish officials say the plot to kill Erdogan was a key part of the plan to seize control, a plot they say was masterminded by the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. Two Turkish policemen who were helping to guard Erdogan at the hotel were killed, according to the indictment. Accompanied by close family members including son-in-law and Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, Erdogan managed to flee Marmaris and fly by plane to Istanbul where he oversaw the suppression of the coup. "If I had stayed 10 or 15 additional minutes there, I would have been killed or I would have been taken," Erdogan told CNN in an interview on July 18. Turkey has hit out at claims that the coup plotters' failure to eliminate Erdogan raises questions about the authenticity of the plot, insisting that the president was targeted by a potentially lethal conspiracy. Some 37,000 people have been arrested following the coup attempt in a massive crackdown on followers of Gulen that has raised international concerns. Gulen vehemently denies being behind the plot. Trials are expected to get underway at the end of this year or early 2017 in the biggest legal process in the country's modern history. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukraine today unveiled the world's largest moveable metal structure over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's doomed fourth reactor to ensure the safety of Europeans for future generations. At a height of 108 metres, it is taller than New York's Statue of Liberty -- while its weight of 36,000 tons is three times heavier than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The 2.1-billion-euro (USD 2.2-billion) structure sponsored by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been edged into place over an existing crumbling dome that the Soviets built in haste when disaster struck three decades ago. "We welcome this milestone in the process of the transformation of Chernobyl as a symbol of what we can achieve jointly with strong, determined and long-term commitment," EBRD president Suma Chakrabarti said in a statement. Radioactive fallout from the site of the world's worst civil nuclear accident spread across three-quarters of Europe and prompted a global rethink about the safety of atomic fuel. Work on the previous dome began after a 10-day fire caused by the explosion was contained but radiation still spewed out of the stricken reactor. "It was done through the super-human efforts of thousands of ordinary people," the Chernobyl museum's deputy chief Anna Korolevska told AFP. "What kind of protective gear could they have possibly had? They worked in regular construction clothes." About 30 of the cleanup workers known as liquidators were killed on site or died from overwhelming radiation poisoning in the following weeks. The Soviets sought to try to cover up the accident that was caused by errors during an experimental safety check and its eventual toll is still hotly disputed. The United Nations estimated in 2005 that around 4,000 people had either been killed or were left dying from cancer and other related diseases. But the Greenpeace environmental protection group believes the figure may be closer to 100,000. Authorities maintain a 30-kilometre-wide (19-mile) exclusion zone around the plant in which only a few dozen elderly people live. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The demolition of Palestinian houses by Israeli forces have doubled this year as compared to 2015, UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon said today, terming the on-going situation in Gaza "a humanitarian emergency," which is fuelling tension and conflict throughout the Middle East. Expressing concern over the deteriorating situation, the UN chief regretted that conflict in other parts of the world was also diverting the attention of international community from the Israel-Palestine issue, which is making "matters worse" with prospects of a two-nation solution slipping away out of reach. He said the international community must make it clear that it remains committed to helping the two sides to rebuild trust and create conditions for meaningful negotiations. The UN Secretary General's message was read by Rajiv Chandran, national information officer at the UN information centre here, on the occasion of 'International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People'. The day is observed by the United Nations on or around November 29 each year, in accordance with General Assembly mandates contained in resolutions adopted under agenda item "Question of Palestine." "Gaza remains a humanitarian emergency, with 2 million Palestinians struggling with crumbling infrastructure and a paralysed economy, and tens of thousands still displaced, awaiting reconstruction of homes destroyed by conflict," Ban said. Adnan Abu Haija, Ambassador of the State of Palestinian, said the incumbent Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not serious about the peace process. B Bala Bhaskar , Joint Secretary (West Asia and North Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said India's empathy with the Palestinian cause and its friendship with the people of Palestine have become an integral part of our time tested foreign policy. Bhaskar said India was the first non-Arab state to recognise PLO as a sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974. India was the first country to recognise the state Palestine in 1988 and in 1996 India opened its representative office in Gaza which later shifted to Ramallah in 2003. "India has always played a pro-active role for garnering support for the Palestine cause in multilateral fora," Bhaskar said. "India also voted in favour of Palestine as a full-member of UNESCO at the United Nations on November 29, 2012," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN said today that its food agency had postponed the start date for a controversial post handed to a former Peruvian first lady who is facing money-laundering charges at home. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization "postponed the assumption of functions by Ms. Nadine Heredia Alarcon as Director of the FAO Liason Office in Geneva, in view of current procedural developments in Peru," it said in a statement. The UN agency, which is headquartered in Rome, said it had informed the Peruvian government of its decision on yesterday. "FAO will continue monitoring the situations of Ms. Heredia, who will remain a FAO employee, with the aim of identifying appropriate measures to apply in the specific circumstance at hand," the statement said. The appointment had sparked outrage in Peru, where Heredia is accused along with her husband, former president Ollanta Humala, of laundering USD 1.5 million (1.4 million euros) allegedly given to fund his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns. Peru's foreign ministry said last week it had complained to the FAO's representative in Peru "against a decision that could be interpreted as interference in a judicial investigation in Peru". Heredia, who is believed to be in Rome, recently had a travel ban against her lifted, only to see a judge on Saturday order her back to the country within 10 days, and to quit her FAO job. Humala, who left office in July after his term ended, was ordered not to leave the country as of last week. Prosecutors believe the laundered funds came from the government of Venezuela's then-president Hugo Chavez and two large construction firms in Brazil. If found guilty, the couple face between eight and 10 years in prison. FAO stressed in its statement that at "no point did it intend to interfere in Peru's internal political or judical affairs, over which Peruvian authorities have the sole authority." It maintained meanwhile that Heredia had been hired on merit, and said it "considers that the basic principle that a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise must be maintained and followed." FAO did not say whether the immunity protections that come with all high-level UN postings would be lifted in Heredia's case. Last week, Swiss authorities told AFP that such protections shield holders from arrest, detention and any form of prosecution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US authorities are investigating to identify the person who sent a series of threatening letters to several mosques in California and Georgia even as the FBI said the "awful" messages did not contain a specific threat and as such did not constitute a hate crime. While the handwritten letter contained "awful language," the messages did not contain a specific threat and as such did not constitute a hate crime, said Stephen Woolery, head of the FBI's counterterrorism division in Los Angeles. "The letters don't specifically contain a threat. The letters don't speak directly about a threat of violence, and that's what the FBI looks for when we investigate," Woolery, told reporters at a conference, which was attended by officials from other law enforcement agencies and leaders of the Muslim community. All of them condemned the threatening letter received by three mosques in California and one in Georgia last week. The letters - all similar in nature - told the Muslims that their "day of reckoning" has arrived, while praising President-elect Donald Trump. "There's a new sheriff in town - President Donald Trump. He's going to cleanse America and make it shine again. And he's going to start with you Muslims," said the letter signed by "Americans for a Better Way". It said that Trump "was going to do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews." The Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr Horace Frank said they hope to close in on the sender of the letter. "We know where they sent the letters from. We feel we're confident we'll be able to identify the person," he said at a conference held at a local mosque which has received one of these threatening letters. "A hate crime is as serious as a homicide to us...The real message here is we are all Americans. This is our home, whether you're Christian, Muslim or Jew," said Michael Downing, Deputy Chief of Los Angeles Police Department. "If he thinks he is emboldened by this because of the political environment that's in place right now, that's not true," he added. "In these types of cases it's important (for) us to learn who sent them and are there other crimes that he or she committed. If not maybe it's an opportunity for us to provide education, inspiration, maybe even if there's consent, intervention," Downing said. During the conference Muslim Public Affairs Council president Salam Al-Marayati called for the person behind the threatening letters to come forward and talk with Muslims face to face. "I was offended for Muslims and offended for the Jewish community," said Hedab Tarifi, chairperson of the Islamic Center of Southern California. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar legislature today transacted very little business with ruling as well as opposition legislators trooping into well at both the houses in support of their demands. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was not present in either of the house. He had gone to his native place Kalyan Bigha to pay respect to his departed father on his death anniversary. In state Legislative Assembly, as the House sat for the day, JD(U), RJD and Congress members came into the well and started raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP members too rushed to the well in support of its adjournment notice on law and order situation. Unruly scenes were witnessed with members pushing and shoving each other. In the midst of intense protest, Congress MLA Ramdeo Rai and some from BJP and RJD were seen standing on reporters' table. The Speaker first adjourned the House till 12 O'clock. Earlier, even before Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary came in the House, MLAs of ruling as well as opposition parties had gathered around reporters' table and raised slogans against each other. The scene was no better after the house reassembled and the Speaker was forced to adjourned it again till 2 PM. Pandemonium prevailed when the house resumed. Though grand alliance legislators were together in the well but they had their different agendas. Senior JD(U) leader and deputy leader of the house Shyam Rajak told reporters outside the Assembly that they were protesting purchase of land by BJP for opening their offices in districts allegedly out of black money in higher denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes. He demanded CBI probe into the land purchase by BJP in Bihar. Lalu Prasad's RJD members demanded the PM to fulfill his "poll promise of providing Rs 15 lakh each in the bank accounts of people by bringing black money from outside." Congress members vented their anger against BJP members for their alleged uncharitable remarks against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi yesterday in Legislative Council. BJP and its NDA allies RLSP, LJP and HAM protested alleged deterioration in law and order situation in the state. The same political drama was enacted in Legislative Council by rival parties in the well against. Amid din, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi was heard seeking apology from BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and state party chief and MLC Mangal Pandey for "uncharitable comment" of BJP members on Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi ,failing which they would not allow the house to function. The council was first adjourned till 1 PM and latter till lunch recess due to pandemonium. After the adjournment of the Assembly, the agitating members of ruling as well opposition parties continued with their protest outside the house. Grand alliance parties gathered at the main gate of the Assembly and shouted slogans against BJP in support of their issues. BJP members led by leader of opposition Prem Kumar sat on dharna in the Assembly lawn and shouted "Modi Modi". Women legislators of RJD also sat separately in the lawn adjoining BJP members. Later, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav accompanied by senior party leader and Finance minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui and others criticized the PM on demonetisation. Tejaswi told reporters that Lalu Prasad and RJD is not against drive against black money. "We are protesting deaths of 70 people due to mismanagement in implementation of demonetisation," he said. Tejaswi, who is also RJD Legislature party leader, criticised IT Amendment Bill brought in Parliament with provision of hefty tax penalty on disclosure of unaccounted money. "This is an effort to convert black money into white," he alleged. Senior BJP leader Prem Kumar told reporters that law and order situation has "deteriorated in Bihar due to presence of RJD in the alliance." Congress MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan said that the party legislators are protesting against uncharitable remarks by BJP members. They have called Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as "dalal" (agents of black money), Khan said. When the members gathered back in Assembly post-lunch, the same scene continued. Ruling as well opposition legislators raised slogans against each other at top of their voice. Amid the din, the House passed two Bills including one on amendment in taxation in Motor Vehicle Act and another concerning street vendors. Later, Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary adjourned the House till tomorrow. The Council was also adjourned for the day after it reassembled at 2 pm. Wheat prices fell further by 0.39 per cent to Rs 2,045 per quintal in futures trading today as traders engaged in reducing their positions, triggered by ample stocks on improved supplies at spot market. At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, wheat for delivery in December declined by Rs 8, or 0.39 per cent, to Rs 2,045 per quintal, with an open interest of 10,460 lots. Analysts said offloading of positions by participants, triggered by sufficient stocks position on improved supplies in the physical market against subdued demand kept wheat prices lower at futures trade. Meanwhile, Indian flour mills have imported 17.2 lakh tonnes of wheat from Ukraine, Australia and France so far this crop year to meet domestic shortages. Additional 6-7 lakh tonnes of wheat shipments are expected to arrive in the coming months of the 2015-16 crop year (July-June), taking the country's overall imports to 24 lakh tonnes this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Marking a victory for campaign for gender equality in places of worship, a group of women activists today entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali dargah here and offered prayers. The entry by members of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) into the mausoleum came more than a month after the Haji Ali Dargah Trust told the Supreme Court it will allow women inside the inner sanctum of the shrine. Women devotees' entry into it was banned a few years ago. "Around 400 women from BMMA today went to the dargah. We also offered a 'chaadar' (shawl) there and paid our respects to the saint," Zakia Soman, co-founder of BMMA, told PTI. She said the trustees were very courteous and did not resist their entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the dargah, one of the famous landmarks of Mumbai. "On the contrary, they offered us tea and spoke to us for some time. Their welcoming stand towards women is a great moral victory for us," she said. The Bombay High Court had in August lifted the ban on women from entering the inner area of the dargah, saying it contravenes Articles 14, 15 and 25 (dealing with fundamental rights) of the Constitution. BMMA, an NGO, was one of the petitioners which had challenged the ban, imposed by the Haji Ali Trust in 2012, in the High Court. The 2012 ban was based on the trust's notion that it is a "grievous sin" to let women into the inner area. In early October, the trust moved the Supreme Court challenging the HC order. However in late October, the trust climbed down from its earlier stand and told the apex court it will grant access to women in the prohibited area. The dargah, said to date back 600 years, is a popular religious place located on an island off South Mumbai. It houses a mosque and the tomb of Muslim saint Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and is visited by people of all faiths. Women's rights activist Trupti Desai had led a well publicised campaign seeking equal access to female devotees in places of worship, including the dargah. After the HC order in August, she offered prayers at the shrine, but did not enter its core area. Women and men look at faces and absorb visual information in different ways, according to a new study which suggests that there is a gender difference in understanding visual cues. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in the UK used an eye tracking device on almost 500 participants over a five-week period to monitor and judge how much eye contact they felt comfortable with while looking at a face on a computer screen. They found that women looked more at the left-hand side of faces and had a strong left eye bias, but that they also explored the face much more than men. They observed that it was possible to tell the gender of the participant based on the scanning pattern of how they looked at the face with nearly 80 per cent accuracy. Given the very large sample size the researchers suggest this is not due to chance. "This study is the first demonstration of a clear gender difference in how men and women look at faces," said lead author Antoine Coutrot from QMUL. We are able to establish the gender of the participant based on how they scan the actor's face, and can eliminate that it is not based on the culture of the participant as nearly 60 nationalities have been tested," said Coutrot. "We can also eliminate any other observable characteristics like perceived attractiveness or trustworthiness," Coutrot added. The participants were asked to judge how comfortable the amount of eye contact they made was with the actor in a Skype-like scenario. Each participant saw the same actor (there were eight in total) during the testing period, which was around 15 minutes. At the end of the session the researchers collected personality information about the participants through questionnaires. "There are numerous claims in popular culture that women and men look at things differently - this is the first demonstration, using eye tracking, to support this claim that they take in visual information in different ways," said Isabelle Mareschal from QMUL. Researchers also suggest that the gender difference in scanning visual information might impact many research fields, such as autism diagnosis or even everyday behaviours like watching a movie or looking at the road while driving. The study appears in the Journal of Vision. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Status or wealth of any person won't come in the way of providing justice to photojournalists who were attacked here recently, the Press Council chairman Justice C K Prasad said today in an obvious reference to the Bombay House incident. "There was attack in Mumbai...Where few photojournalists were assaulted (in front of Bombay House). It came to my notice and we have taken a suo motu cognisance of the matter," he said. The incident had taken place earlier this month when three shutterbugs were allegedly beaten up by the security guards following a scuffle outside Bombay House, which serves as the head office of Tata Group, in South Mumbai, when ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry had arrived to chair a meeting. Police had made five arrests, including the security guards, in connection with the assault. Justice Prasad said, "As the matter is sub-judice, I won't be talking in details about it, but one thing I can assure on the behalf of Press Council is that any person found guilty, however mighty he may be, will be brought to justice. Status or wealth of any person will not come in our way." The PCI chairman was in the city to attend a conclave on 'Defending Freedom of Journalists in Digital Age' at Press Club in South Mumbai here. On a spate of attacks on journalists across the country, he said the Press Council takes cognisance of the incidents once they are brought to its notice. "As far as safety of journalists is concerned, whenever it comes to our notice from any source we take cognisance of that. In many cases, we form a fact-finding committee. As in the case of journalist (Rajdev Ranjan) killed in Siwam (Bihar) we had constituted a committee which has submitted its report. We asked the matter to be investigated by CBI," he said. Pitching for financial security of scribes, Justice Prasad has proposed setting up of a welfare fund for them. "My idea is to have a fund (for journalists) run by their peers, and Press Council of India will also contribute to that. Every working journalists shall be entitled for becoming member of that fund. "I have written to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) about setting up of the welfare fund (for journalists). There is advocates' welfare fund, run very nicely for last 30 years by the Bar Council of India. Similarly, the Press council of India is talking about that (journalists' welfare fund) and can help you (government) in constituting it," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gov. Jack Dalrymple issued a mandatory emergency evacuation order Monday directed at the hundreds of Dakota Access Pipeline protesters camping on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. The edict was issued as a winter storm has dumped at least a half foot of snow throughout the central part of the state. No law enforcement resources have yet been dedicated to enforcement of the order. Dalrymples order said that the corps land is not safe for the arrangement of tents and teepees erected by protesters in Morton County. He also referenced last Fridays order by the corps to vacate the land by Dec. 5. The order, issued late Monday afternoon, is effective immediately and will remain until the governor rescinds it. Tribal leaders and others at the camp have indicated they wont leave by the corps deadline. The general public is hereby notified that emergency services probably will not be available under current winter conditions, Dalrymple said in his order. Any person who chooses to enter, re-enter or stay in the evacuation does so at their own risk and assumes any and all corresponding liabilities for their unlawful presence and occupation of the evacuation area. A winter storm moved into the region Sunday night and is expected to last into Wednesday. Weve never had a situation like this before, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong said. The order allows additional executive capabilities by the governor including not providing emergency services to those who insist on staying, such as ambulance services, according to Fong. Such services can be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Morton County Sheriffs Department or the superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. She said there have already been reports of some people leaving the camps as the years first major winter storm arrived. Theyve gotten a taste of it, Fong said of North Dakota winter weather, adding that the order may be a way to capitalize on an opportunity to persuade more people to leave. Fong said the executive order is a sort of line in the sand and leaves it up to individuals camping in the area to get out. She said the harsh North Dakota winter weather can be a serious, life-threatening risk for people camping in tents and teepees. Hundreds of protesters have been staying at multiple camps just north of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes reservation boundary. Opponents of the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline project are concerned over the potential for water contamination if the pipeline were to leak after completion. The pipeline is nearly complete in North Dakota except for a portion to be bored under the Missouri River less than a mile from the reservation. The protesters have held numerous demonstrations at construction sites as well as in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Protest actions have led to more than 500 arrests since August as well as millions in law enforcement costs. A phone message left with the governors spokesman for comment wasnt immediately returned Monday evening. BJP's win in local body polls in Gujarat and Maharashtra "clearly shows the writing is on the wall" for opposition parties, Union minister Ananth Kumar today said and urged them to allow Parliament to function and start a debate on demonetisation tomorrow. The results of the local body polls in Gujarat and Maharashtra "clearly show the writing is on the wall. The message is loud and clear that public approves of the Modi government's policies and rejects the Opposition's tactics and stand on this issue," he told reporters here. "I again request Congress and other opposition parties to allow both houses to function and start a debate tomorrow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will intervene in both the houses...It is clear that we have walked halfway and they have not yet started," he said. Barring four-five political parties, the rest are ready for discussion, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said. "The public wants debate. It does not favour such tactics of the Opposition. No party is opposing action against black money. They only have issues regarding its implementation which we are ready to listen and consider," Kumar said. He said that voting on the issue of demonetisation is unlikely as it will suggest that the House is divided. Replying to a question about amendment in the Income Tax Act which was passed by Lok Sabha today, Kumar said all "appropriate" procedures were followed for the Bill and the government had an informal discussion with the Opposition on it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Impact investment fund, Lok Capital, has led an investment of Rs 45 crore ($6.7 million) in Ranchi-based HR Food Processing firm, which manufactures and markets dairy products under the brand 'Osam'. The Series B round of funding was led by Lok Capital-advised Growth Catalyst Partners (GCP), the third fund from the India-focused VC firm, with co-investment from existing investor, Aavishkaar India II Company. The funds will be used to expand HR Foods' production capacity and extend its distribution outreach into neighbouring districts in Jharkhand and Bihar. Commercial Feature is a Business Standard Digital Marketing Initiative. The Editorial/Content team at Business Standard has not contributed to writing or editing these articles. For further information, please write to assist@bsmail.in Digital payment providers in India have mobilized hundreds of extra workers to enrol small merchants and offered their services for free, betting that severe cash shortages will prove to be the opportunity of a lifetime. Signing people up, however, may be the easy part. Getting shops and customers to change their reliance on cash permanently will involve convincing people like Mohammad Javed, a 36-year-old meat shop owner in New Delhi. Working out of a bustling market in the capital, he is surrounded by banks and ATM machines, but says he does not know how to use a credit card machine, let alone a mobile wallet. He says business has dropped since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock move on November 8 to ditch higher value banknotes, but Javed does not believe mobile app providers offer a solution to his problem - or to his customers. "We don't have knowledge or resources to open a mobile wallet or card-swipe machine, and our customers who pay 100-200 rupees ($1.46-$2.92) are not interested either," he said. Javed's reluctance is a reality check for the likes of Paytm and smaller rival MobiKwik, which have gone into promotional overdrive since Modi's announcement. The prime minister, whose government supports digital payments, brought in demonetization to crack down on the shadow economy and improve tax collection. "Why should India not make a beginning in creating a 'less-cash society?'," he said on Sunday, "Once we embark on our journey to create a 'less-cash society', the goal of 'cashless society' will not remain very far." PROMISING SIGNS The companies say results have been promising so far. Paytm, backed by Chinese Internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has added 700 sales representatives since Nov. 8, taking its number of agents to 5,000. The company, which has 4,500 full-time employees, plans to double the number of agents to more than 10,000, as it aggressively expands its network. It says it has nearly doubled the number of small merchants signed up to its services to 1.5 million in the last few weeks and added eight million clients to the 150 million it had before the banknote ban. MobiKwik, whose backers include U.S. venture capital firm Sequoia Capital and American Express, said it had increased its agent base to more than 10,000 from about 1,000 before the Modi move. Merchants on its platform have risen to 250,000 from 150,000 previously, and chief executive Bipin Preet Singh said they were aiming for a million in up to two months. It has added 5 million accounts since Nov. 8, bringing the total to 40 million. But challenges loom. Credit Suisse estimates more than 90 percent of consumer purchases are made in cash, as millions still do not have bank accounts. Those who do have bank cards mainly use them to withdraw from cash machines. Sales of cheap smartphones have boomed in recent years, but internet networks remain patchy, especially in rural India. Financial literacy and technology usage also remain low. Dillip Kumar Agrahari, a vegetable seller in a Mumbai suburb, recently signed up to Paytm but does not know how to operate a smartphone. He hopes switching to digital payments will improve his business as the cash crunch drags on, but says he will have to depend on a cousin to help with accounts. Many businesses have traditionally opted for cash transactions because they are hard for the tax man to trace, given sales taxes are typically at least 10 percent. Mangal Singh, a furniture store owner, said nearly 80 percent of his business was transacted in cash, even though he accepts credit card payments. "We are working on wafer-thin margins," he said. "If we are asked to pay 12.5 percent tax and other charges, we will have to close down our shops." Concerns also remain about the infrastructure for mobile payments, as customers or merchants from one platform cannot transfer payments to another. MobiKwik said it had started offering wallet-to-wallet transfers, though not all rivals were on board. WHEN WILL PROFITS COME? The challenges raise questions about whether the business models of mobile payments providers are sustainable. Paytm recently slashed fees until Dec. 31, from a system of fees that ranged from 1 to 4 percent, with the most lucrative coming from telephone and utility bill payments. MobiKwik is not charging fees until March 2017. The closely-held companies are loss-making. Paytm Chief Executive Vijay Shekhar Sharma said the company expected to reach profitability in two years, without giving details. MobiKwik's co-founder Upasana Taku said they hoped to become profitable in mid-2018. Fitch Ratings believes that once the cash crunch subsides, some merchants and customers will go back to business as usual, using notes to pay for transactions. "I would expect some amount of behavioral changes," said Fitch analyst Saswata Guha. "We're still not sure if this shock per se is incentive enough for them to completely change the way they do things." Escalating the fight, Reliance Jio Infocomm has filed a complaint against some telecom operators with fair trade regulator CCI alleging violation of competition norms. Newcomer Reliance Jio, part of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance group, has been crossing swords with incumbent operators including Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular over call connectivity issue. Sources in the know said that Reliance Jio has filed complaint against some telecom operators with the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The complaint was filed earlier this month for alleged violation of competition norms and CCI is yet to take a decision on it, sources said. The complaint also come against the backdrop of continuing fight between Reliance Jio and incumbent telecom operators. Sources said there is also a complaint that has been filed against Reliance Jio. Queries sent to Reliance Jio did not elicit any response while message sent to CCI Chairman D K Sikri remained unanswered. If CCI finds any prima-facie evidence of violation of competition regulations then the matter is referred for a detailed probe that would be done by its investigation arm -- Director General. Reliance Jio, which commercially launched its services on September 5 and offers free voice call, had accused that incumbent players such as Airtel, Vodafone and Idea of not providing enough connectivity for completing calls even as the allegation has been vehemently denied by them. Last month, telecom regulator Trai had recommended a total penalty of Rs 3,050 crore on Airtel, Vodafone and Idea for allegedly denying interconnectivity to Reliance Jio. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. The Bharat Financial Inclusion stock closed higher on Tuesday after the firm released a presentation on the impact of demonetisation on its collections. The stock rose 7.86 percent at Rs 734.00 on the BSE. The firm said it has recorded a complete recovery in collections post demonetisation on November 8. The collections which fell to 10 percent on November 11, the first day of operations since demonetisation, they rose to 159 percent on November 18, the firm said. Tribal members said Monday if lines of communication had been open earlier in the process, and if officials had been open to listening, perhaps the crowd gathered in the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library wouldnt be there and the months of protesting might never have happened. These are voices, critically important voices, that arent being heard. We can have better understanding if we listen to each other, said Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Don Morrison. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II joined with tribal youth before a standing-room-only crowd Monday evening to share their side of the months-long opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline project, which has drawn international attention. Its not something I wanted to happen. This was something that evolved. Its impacted a lot of lives, he said. The tribes opposition to the four-state, $3.8 billion pipeline that is planned to be drilled under the Missouri River less than a mile upstream from the reservation boundary stems mainly from a lack of listening to tribal concerns, Archambault said. This is nothing new. This is history repeating itself, he said after providing a lengthy history of tribal relations with the federal government and various treaties. He said tribal concerns were expressed early in the process, but they werent heeded by the company or regulators. The protests have drawn supporters from across the country, where theyve set up at multiple camps in Morton County just north of the reservation. A series of demonstrations since August have led to more than 500 arrests as well as millions of dollars in law enforcement costs. Law enforcement agencies have disputed claims by the tribe and other pipeline opponents of an overly militarized response, saying theyre simply enforcing the law. Officers on occasion have used pepper spray and rubber bullets in response to protesters, who in some instances have thrown objects at police during a series of clashes in recent weeks. Archambault praised Standing Rock youth such as Gracey Claymore for getting people informed early on about the potential threat of the pipeline through social media and youth runs, including one from North Dakota to the nation's capital to deliver a petition against the project. They picked up celebrity attention. They picked up world attention, Claymore said, adding she was proud of the involvement of her fellow youth. She said its unfortunate that there have been some clashes between law enforcement and some of the protesters. It was meant to be prayerful and peaceful, Claymore said, adding she hopes the divisions among the public over the protests can be repaired. Morrison said the DRCs hope is that Mondays event would be the first of several such public discussions. A fifth generation family butcher is celebrating a partnership with Dunnes Stores which is the first significant collaboration of its type between an artisan producer and a retailer of this size. The collaboration between James Whelan Butchers (JWB) and Dunnes Stores is said to be the future of Irish businesses whereby the specialist craft and skill of artisan producers is shared with and promoted in large retailers. The collaboration, which now sees JWB as a large concession within two major Dublin Dunnes Stores - Cornelscourt and the Swan Centre, Rathmines, is a unique and significant innovation in the retail market. More than 20 new jobs have been immediately created as a result of the collaboration. Dunnes Stores claim they will invest heavily in JWBs business and its people and plans to expand their JWB outlets to other locations around Ireland in the future. As part of the deal, customers can enjoy a greater choice within a supermarket environment and an intimate and authentic artisan shopping experience within a dedicated James Whelan butcher shop where they can watch, discuss, sample and choose produce from JWBs highly-skilled butchers. Commenting on the deal, Pat Whelan said, "This is business as its never been done before. Its a celebration of opportunity that now sees a major retailer giving a main stage to an artisan producer. We can now share our passion for the art of butchery and our wide range of produce with a much wider audience." He added, "Of pivotal importance to us is that Dunnes Stores is as passionate as we are in fostering the identity and craft weve built over the decades. It is the stuff of dreams and also a win-win for customers who have access to the highest quality produce made with passion and craft. For Dunnes Stores, this collaboration is also about building on the future of Irish food." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and FEXCO Asset Finance today announce a new funding package of 70 million that will allow Irish SMEs to borrow at a lower cost for specialist equipment and vehicles. The 70 million fund will be available to SMEs for the finance of business assets which can support growth while facilitating improved cash flow management. During 2016, SBCI has provided funding to four new lenders, Ulster Bank, First Citizen, Bibby Financial Services and FEXCO and in July announced it had facilitated more than 8,600 loans since being established in early 2015. SBCI lenders offer lower cost loans across a range of products including working capital, investment, agri-finance, invoice finance, fleet finance and leasing. On average, SMEs receive a discount of 1.5% on market rates for these loans. Welcoming the news, Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan said, "FEXCOs partnership with the SBCI shows how Government can work together with domestic business to support Irish SMEs. Todays announcement is another example of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to increase the availability of credit for SMEs and the provision of supplementary sources of finance." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us It was announced today that Linkedin will be creating 200 new jobs at the companys EMEA headquarters in Dublin. The announcement comes ahead of the completion of LinkedIns EMEA HQ at Wilton Place with construction set to finish in 2017. The new office space has been designed anticipating the needs of a changing workforce with a range of innovative amenities such as an in-house gym, 300 bicycle parking spots, barista stations and a music room. CEO of Linkedin, Jeff Weiner today visited the companys EMEA headquarters and met with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD. Established in Ireland in 2010 with just three employees, LinkedIn has since grown to become one of Irelands leading technology employers. Today 1,000 employees work across all product lines and support over 50 markets from the UK to as far as Poland, Turkey and South Africa. With this announcement 200 additional roles will be created, expanding the team to support ongoing growth in the region with new roles in sales & sales support, customer operations and engineering. The growing engineering team in Ireland is focused on natural language processing and machine learning, in which Dublin is increasingly a centre of expertise. Welcoming the announcement, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD said, "I welcome LinkedIn's continued growth in Ireland with the addition of these 200 new jobs. Todays announcement is further demonstration that our skilled people are highly attractive to the worlds leading technology firms. We have worked hard to create a positive business environment for companies like LinkedIn who are investing here because of our open economy, skilled people, and our strong relationship with Europe and progressive society which makes Ireland an attractive place for people to work and live." CEO at LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner added, "At LinkedIn, were continuing to invest in the people and infrastructure required to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. Ireland has proven to be a very strategic location for us to headquarter our EMEA operations, and we look forward to growing our footprint in Ireland by expanding our already 1000-person team with another 200 employees." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us A survey on behalf of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association (ICTGA) has revealed that 44% of consumers are likely to opt for the real deal this festive season with an average spend per tree of 43. Almost half of Irish households say they will be buying a real Irish Christmas tree this year, with between 350,000 and 400,000 trees expected to be sold throughout the country in the run up to the big day. Forty three per cent say Christmas is not the same without a real tree and 34% say its family tradition to buy a real tree. The ICTGA is this year expanding its tree labelling system to help guide consumers on buying a home-grown product of the highest quality. Families are being encouraged to choose an Irish-grown tree by looking for the Love A Real Tree label which will prove the tree was grown by an ICTGA member. According to Dermot Page of the ICTGA, "Over 80 of our member growers across the country have been busy harvesting their crop. More than 550,000 trees will be cut, 350,000 plus for the domestic market with the balance being exported to European markets including the UK, Germany and France." Source: www.businessworld.ie About us The Esquires Coffee chain have been celebrating a busy year with the opening of four new Dublin-based stores in the past eight months and a fifth store planned for the capital on Talbot Street in first quarter of 2017. The latest store opening at Findlater House, 28-32 OConnell Street, in October marked the second city centre location, with 16a OConnell Street, next door to the Savoy Cinema, having opened earlier this year in March. Dublins Southside welcomed an Esquires Coffee store in Blackrock Shopping Centre in August, shortly after the opening of a Kilbarrack store on the Northside in July. Esquires Coffee is part of New Zealand-based Cooks Global Foods, a publicly listed company on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. Esquires Coffee cafes operate on a global business and can be found as far apart as China, Indonesia, Middle East, Canada and Britain with exciting plans to enter the US market in 2017. Managing Dirtector of Esquires Coffee in Ireland, Tony McVerry said, "Were obviously delighted with our growth to date and we anticipate a very exciting 2017 for the chain which is testament to the Esquires brand strength." He added, "Each store is unique and designed accordingly; we are not into the cookie cutter approach. Franchisees and customers alike love our cutting edge design and this coupled with our philosophy of only promoting 100% organic Fairtrade coffee and artisan wholesome, healthy, hearty natural food keeps us very much ahead of our opposition. Source: www.businessworld.ie About us Britain's top share index fell on Tuesday, underperforming other European markets as energy and mining stocks were hit by weaker oil and metals prices. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index, which is more heavily weighted towards commodity-related stocks than continental European indexes, was down 0.6% in morning trading. Signs that leading oil exporters were struggling to agree a deal to cut production to reduce global oversupply ahead of a meeting on Wednesday pushed Brent crude down 1.6%, while copper, gold, iron ore and steel also fell. That pushed the FTSE mining stocks index and the oil and gas index down 1.9% and 1.5% respectively. "(With) continued production cut brinkmanship from both OPEC and Russia, skepticism is still rife about whether tomorrow's official OPEC meeting in Vienna will be a success," said Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets. Mining companies Fresnillo, Antofagasta and Randgold Resources were the biggest fallers, down by between 2.3% and 3%. Shares in BP dropped 1.6% while Royal Dutch Shell slipped 1.4%. Aberdeen Asset Management fell 4.4%, after losing nearly 4% on Monday after its results, as RBC cut its target price on the stock. Other stocks with emerging markets exposure also came under pressure. But banks stabilized after Monday's fall, with Barclays rising 1.4%, even though Asia-exposed HSBC and Standard Chartered were flat. Homebuilders Barratt Development, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey also rose, gaining between 1.4% and 2.8% after Bank of England data showed mortgage approvals were stronger than expected in October. Mid-cap stocks, which are less exposed to swings in commodity prices, rose. The FTSE 250 was up 0.1%. Shares in broadband company TalkTalk rebounded 4.3% after touching a four-year low on Monday, as Britain's telecoms regulator said it would try to force BT to legally separate its Openreach network infrastructure division into a legally separate entity. This move would benefit smaller broadband firms such as TalkTalk as it would "allow them to see whether they have been paying over the odds for access to the UK's copper and fiber optic network," van Dulken said. TalkTalk shares had fallen by a quarter over eight straight sessions after results earlier in the month, but have been up for the last three days. BT fell in early deals, but was last flat. Mid-cap food service company SSP Group jumped 6.7% after reporting stronger revenues and profits. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie About us SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Utah state officials say final election results show this years voter turnout was the highest in nearly three decades. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said Monday at the canvass that 82 percent of active registered voters cast ballots in the November election, in which Utah selected Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with 45.5 percent of the vote. That mark barely surpasses the 82 percent turnout in the 1988 election. Turnout was 80 percent in 2012, when Mitt Romney was the Republican presidential nominee. Cox says Utahs surprise position as a toss-up state, due to perceived widespread dislike for Trump, likely fueled the increased interest. He says mail-in voting in 21 of the states 29 states counties also probably helped. Fewer people cast straight party ballots, a controversial practice still allowed by Utah and nine other states Heidi Rutchey, 42, arrested in connection with the death of her 2-year-old son, Eli Rutchey. LOGAN A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Heidi Marie Rutchey. The 45-year-old River Heights mother charged in the death of her two-year-old son, more than three-years ago. Court records show, Rutchey appeared in 1st District Court Monday morning with defense attorney David Perry. He asked the court for a preliminary hearing, where state attorneys will present evidence in the case and a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to show the crime was committed. Judge Thomsas Willmore scheduled the hearing for January 18 at 1:30 p.m. Two-weeks ago, Rutchey was found competent to stand trial after receiving treatment in the State Mental Hospital since January 2014. Rutchey was arrested on a first-degree murder charge in October 2013. A month earlier, on September 4, she was driven to Logan Regional Hospital for an undisclosed medical issue. After being checked into the hospital, questions arose concerning her son Elis condition. Medical staff called police dispatch and requested a welfare check for the child at a River Heights apartment near 400 S. 400 E. When Cache County Sheriffs deputies arrived at the location, they found the toddler dead inside. Rutchey has been ordered to remain in the State Mental Hospital so that she can continue receiving treatment, while the case against her proceeds.

will@cvradio.com LOGAN A 38-year-old Richmond man accused of sexually abusing two girls appeared in court, after asking a judge for a new public defender. Dustin James Mangum was in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. His public defender, Bryan Galloway told the court he had met with the defendant, who had since changed his mind after writing the court a letter, making the request. Outside the courtroom, Galloway said, during the last few months he had been relaying plea deal offers to the defendant from prosecutors. Mangum wasnt pleased with them and had thought that with another attorney, a more favorable deal could be negotiated. Mangum has been charged with 10 counts of sodomy of a child and 15 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Each charge carries a penalty of five-years-to-life in prison. State attorneys allege that Mangum sexually abused a girl in May 2003. The victim, who is a teenager now, claims the abuse occurred when she was around four-years-old. A second victim is an 11-year-old girl who claims she was sexually abused over the course of several years, before the defendant was arrested August 19. Galloway said he is going to continue to work with prosecutors, looking at other options. Judge Kevin Allen also ordered the defendant to have no contact, either directly or indirectly, with the victims or their mother. Mangum remains in the Cache County Jail, being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear again in court January 23.

will@cvradio.com Montana's 2017 Legislature will convene with an unusual degree of agreement on one critical budget number: How much revenue the state can expect to collect from now until July 2019. It's not easy to accurately project future revenues, but the calculations are essential for setting the state's biennial budget. Between January and April, lawmakers and Gov. Steve Bullock must hammer out the budget for two fiscal years beginning July 1 of next summer. They rely on revenue estimates from the Legislative Fiscal Division and the governor's budget office. The LFD projects that the state general fund will receive $2.21 billion this fiscal year and that the annual amount will increase slightly in each of the next two fiscal years. The governor's budget office estimates that general fund revenue will be $2.194 billion this year and will increase by a small percentage in the coming two fiscal years. The difference between the LFD and the governor' office is 0.6 percent; thats the smallest difference in more than a decade. The Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee recently adopted the governor's office general fund estimate. It is important that the Republican majority Legislature and the Democratic governor agree on this starting point, because they disagree on many other points about how to spend the money. House Speaker Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson, and Senate President-elect Scott Sales, R- Bozeman, panned Bullock's budget the day it was released, telling the Associated Press that they won't support tax increases in the governor's proposal. Bullock is calling for new tax credits for businesses that create jobs and a reduction in property taxes for business investment in new or expanded facilities. To pay for those tax incentives and other priorities, like education, child protection and senior services, he proposes to tax medical marijuana, to tax vaping liquids and to increase taxes on tobacco and wine. Bullock also proposes raising the income tax rate to 7.9 percent on personal income over $500,000. Presently, all personal income over $15,000 a year is taxed at 6.9 percent. Montana law taxes capital gains at a lower rate than other personal income. Bullock proposes to change the law so the lower rate only applies to the first $1 million in a persons capital gains. The governor's budget includes spending cuts to most agencies. The biggest cuts would be in transportation and justice where state fuel tax revenues are expected to fall short of what the state needs to draw down matching federal dollars. A whopping 87 percent of the money spent on Montana road construction comes from the U.S. government, with Montana covering the remainder from the state fuel tax of 27 cents per gallon of gas. Montana funds its highways and partially funds the Montana Highway Patrol with state fuel tax revenues. There is no proposed fuel tax increase in Bullock's budget. Neither did the interim revenue committee address the fuel tax funding gap. But other lawmakers have discussed a fuel tax hike to maintain the states transportation system and keep construction crews working. Look for the fuel tax to be debated in the upcoming session. As our elected leaders hash out Montanas biennial budget, beware of arguments about declining revenues. The general fund outlook is modest growth. Revenue for the current fiscal year has been less than projected in early 2015. However, because Bullock insisted on a budget estimated to leave $300 million in the state bank account at the end of the fiscal year next June 30, Montana is still expected to finish the biennium in the black. With moderate economic growth, Montana leaders must balance the state budget to avoid drastic cuts and unnecessary spending. Lets set a course for compromise on middle ground. -- Billings (Mont.) Gazette Its completely ready, and ready to rock and roll. Cory Gardiner is the regional president of Zions Bank for Northern Utah. That means she oversees all Zions Bank operations from North Salt Lake to the Idaho border. Gardiner is especially excited about the new Zions Bank building that was recently constructed on the corner of 500 North Main in Logan. It looks great. Its fully operational, Gardner exclaims. If you havent had an opportunity to come inside to look at it I would encourage you to do so. Its a beautiful building. Zions Bank was able to construct the new building in the parking lot to the north while still operating out of the existing Pioneer Branch. Once the new building was completed, the old one was torn down and a new parking lot and teller windows were put in to the south. While that old building had a unique design, Gardner says it was limited in size and efficiencies. It has improved our capacity from the teller standpoint, Gardner continues. The interior is much more functional with the teller windows having what we call drop down desks that allow the clients to transition conversations if they need to with clients, to address their needs on demand. The old building had just under 4,000 square feet and was built in two phases: the first floor was built in 1968 and the second floor was built in 1974. A few years ago the bank decided to begin exploring its options to be more functional in that space. The new building now has over three times as much capacity, with 12,600 square feet over two floors. The new location really represents a significant commitment to the community, says Gardiner, that we want to reaffirm that we have a tremendous commitment in meeting the financial needs of this market, both for businesses and individuals, in addition to the agriculture operations in the valley. Because of the new buildings size, it is allowing Zions Bank to bring multiple divisions under one roof. It also leaves room for growth on the second floor. However, Gardiner says the mortgage division has seen so much growth that it will maintain a separate office space nearby. We are seeing a lot of growth opportunity here. It is an incredibly vibrant market. The competition is alive and well, Gardiner exclaims with a chuckle. Zions Bank in Northern Utah, specifically Cache Valley, is doing very well and is competing very strongly in the market. We are having successes each and every day. An official grand opening for the new building will be announced soon. Here we go again, it seems, history repeating itself, maybe even heading toward another Indian massacre. It could go further in that direction unless cooler heads prevail and unless we no longer put profits ahead of people, instead put people ahead of profits. We are letting one man in Texas stir up huge trouble here because we are, without apparent forethought and reflection, putting profits before people. But that has been the climate here since the oil boom started: less focus by companies on safety and peoples lives and limbs than on full speed ahead. As a result, North Dakotas oilfield has become by far the most dangerous and deadly in the country, with a death and injury rate six times the national average. Over half these fatalities have occurred on our roads that are inadequate for the heavy oil-related traffic. And, ironically, Texas has a much lower oilfield death and injury rate than we do. They apparently have learned how to better control oil companies. We are still learning, the hard way. Or are we learning at all? The figures listed above come from a May 15, 2014, article by Josh Wood in the Claims Journal, reporting that 40 of 65 North Dakota oilfield-related deaths in 2012 involved transportation incidents. Yes, 65 deaths. That is clearly a case of profits before people. Its time for Texan Kelcy Warren, CEO of pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners, to call off work for however long it takes to negotiate a settlement with the protesters. We do need to put people and safety first for the oilfield workers, for the protesters, and for law enforcement people whose tough job would be much safer and easier if everyone had a break from the constant push push push of profit. A National Lawyers Guild group has filed a class action lawsuit against Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, Morton County and other law enforcement agencies for bringing excessive force against Dakota Access Pipeline protesters earlier this month. The Water Protector Legal Collective filed suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Bismarck seeking an immediate injunction to prevent Kirchmeier and other agencies from using impact munitions, such as rubber bullets, lead-filled beanbags, water and sound cannons, directed energy devices, water hoses, explosive tear gas grenades and other chemical agents against the protesters. The group wants the injunction while the court decides whether to issue a temporary restraining order against police, arguing the police actions and munitions fall outside legal parameters. The complaint lists nine individuals who were injured Nov. 20, when protesters and police clashed at the barricaded Backwater Bridge near the protest encampment and says they sustained facial burns, broken bones, genital injury, lost consciousness, wounds and that one may be blind from impact to her eye. The civil rights violations that night were deliberate and punitive," said attorney Rachel Lederman. "Illegal use of force against the water protectors has been escalating. It is only a matter of luck that no one has been killed. This must stop. Kirchmeier said he hadnt been served notice of the lawsuit, but the impact munitions described in the lawsuit are used for the protection of the officers. When were put in the position of protected areas being overrun by numbers of people, these are lawful tools to quell the advancement. These are standing orders. When decisions have to be made by the field commander, he has the necessary authority to make the call, the sheriff said. | BY Ricki Green | IPG Mediabrands has appointed Harry Preston as managing director of the groups brand experience agency Ensemble. He is currently general manager of Ensemble and his new leadership role follows the appointment of Melissa Fein to a wider IPG Mediabrands group role as CEO of Initiative Australia and Ensemble. Says Danny Bass, CEO, IPG Mediabrands: Harry has been central to the successful reengineering of Ensemble since the beginning of this year. He has led by example in the creation of breakthrough brand and experiential campaigns for clients. I have no doubt that he will continue to sharpen Ensembles skills in this highly engaging area for brands. Fein said Prestons appointment was a natural step in Ensembles progress: Harry is a highly creative client and team leader and I am looking forward to working with him in this next phase for Ensemble. Preston has 16 years of multinational agency experience including stints in Europe, the USA and Australia covering media and technologies across multiple marketing categories. Prior to Ensemble he worked for creative agency Airborne and before that worked in a number of senior roles for FCB in London, Chicago and Sydney. | BY Ricki Green | The Royals headed to far-north NSW to find out what real honest people had to say about REAL Wholesome Blend in the agencys first campaign for the premium fruit juice brand. From the genuine responses of Carinda locals, viewers learn that REAL Wholesome Blend tastes nothing like beer, but one of the flavour combinations does taste like carrots. Carinda is in the far north region of NSW with a population of fewer than 200 people. With five great tasting healthy flavours, blending fruits, vegetables, exotic herbs and spices, REAL juices are a perfect dose of real goodness. REAL Wholesome Blend is a new, premium fruit juice by Lion Dairy & Drinks thats just landed in supermarkets across Australia. The campaign includes five 15-second online videos, print, POS, social and a brand spanking new website. Says Darryn Wallace, marketing and innovations director, Lion Dairy & Drinks: The launch of REAL Wholesome Blend is an important milestone for our business as we endeavour to contemporise our branded juice portfolio. We set out to create a new premium specialty juice brand that would answer the increasing demand for exotic and different ingredients across fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. We also wanted to bring a new and exciting approach to advertising the brand. We are excited about the launch campaign we have created with The Royals. We both strongly believed in the idea of letting people share their experience as they saw it, in a real and authentic manner. I think we have captured this in the campaign. He said he was very pleased with the results and looked forward to seeing how consumers responded. Says Steve OFarrell, managing partner, The Royals: The most challenging part of the brief was how to move the needle on sales quickly. Research told us that early adopters tastes were constantly shifting theyre looking for authentic product experiences in a category awash with social influencers pushing falsified realities. He said the campaign creative aligned beautifully with the products promise: delivering a refreshing dose of realness among all the posturing. Says Nick Cummins, ECD, The Royals: Whos not tired of being told they could be more healthy? The juice category traditionally glamorises an aspirational, but expected lifestyle image, using over-polished stock shots of fruit salads, perfectly condensing bottles and yoga mats. Carindas a long way away and were proud of the effort weve gone to in making this campaign feel as real as possible. Client: Lion Dairy & Drinks Product: REAL Wholesome Blend Marketing Director: Darryn Wallace Marketing Manager: Pauline Mercier Assistant Brand Manager: Fiona Tolliday Agency: The Royals Executive Creative Director: Nick Cummins Creative Director: Stuart Nightingale Snr. Art Director: Alberto Talegon Snr. Copywriter: Gareth Sweet Filmmaker: Qiao Li Communications Director: Andrew Reeves Strategist: Chrissie Malloch Account Managers: Navin Arunasalam & Hugh Simpson Designer: Kenneth Sum Creative Technologist: Paul Broomfield Producer: Jess OFarrell | BY Ricki Green | Vinomofo, Australias E-Retailer of the year has this month launched its first global brand campaign in collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne, Robbers Dog and Match Media. Says Mark Cochrane, managing director, Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne: As Australias most progressive wine curation company, everything comes back to Vinomofos taste and the insight that its our decisions in life that define us. The idea titled Decide gives Vinomofo a platform to further disrupt the category and connect with new markets. Its an exciting time for the brand. Were humbled to be part of the journey and look forward to further activating the Decide idea now it has launched. Says Andre Eikmeier and Justin Dry, founders and joint-CEOs, Vinomofo: The campaign was never designed just to sell more wine. More so, to help people meet the brand and join a global tribe of like-minded individuals with a shared way of living life; being a bit adventurous, not afraid to step up, care more and do some good. We think the result is epic and are already super pleased with the feedback from the 6.5M+ online views. The brand idea launched in Australia through a robust screen led strategy including TV, cinema, performance social, programmatic content, (supported by national outdoor) and is now being used to spearhead the brands launch into new markets including New Zealand, Singapore, the US and the UK. Production Company: Robbers Dog Director: Adam Stevens Producer: Mark Foster DOP: John Toon Editor: Tom Eagles, The Butchery Colorist: Edel Rafferty, Method Studios Online: The Refinery Sound Design: Colin Simkins, Gusto Studios Music composition: Sean Peter, Autopilot Productions Creative Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne Group Creative Director: Leon Wilson Associate Creative Director: Tom Wenborn Copywriter: Sam Harris Senior Account Director: Milly Scott Client Services Director: Rebecca Robertson Senior TV Producer: Jo Alach Executive TV Producer: Kate Gooden Director of Strategy: Alex Speakman Digital/OOH Senior Art Director: Tim Yates Senior Designer: Lillian Cuts Senior Digital Designer: Scott Thomsen Vinomofo Co-founders & Joint CEOs: Andre Eikmeier & Justin Dry Art Director: Adam Trovarelli Head of Marketing: Kip McMillan Digital Marketing Manager: Kate Burley Media Planner: April McAloney Media Agency: Match Media Client Partner: Garth Moring Felony charges against pipeline protesters arrested during the October raid of the northern "front line" camp were dismissed last week by a state judge. In an order entered in the cases of 124 protesters last week, South Central District Judge Cynthia Feland said Morton County failed to show probable cause that any of the individuals conspired to endanger people or property by fire or explosion during the hours-long confrontation on Oct. 27. An identical order was first entered on Nov. 17 in the 15 cases assigned to Feland and subsequently applied to the rest of the people charged with conspiracy from that day, according to court records. "As far as the court can tell from the facts alleged in the affidavit, these fires were set sporadically, at different locations, by different individuals, seemingly at random. The state has not alleged facts sufficient to show an explicit or implicit agreement between the 139 defendants to commit the offense charged," Feland wrote. Feland has also ordered that reckless endangerment charges against three protesters from that day be dropped. Two people were accused of locking themselves to a car during the raid, and a third was accused of locking herself into concrete in a wooden structure within the camp. Six people are accused of reckless endangerment on the complaint, but three of them do not have the charge listed in their court records nor do they have felony preliminary hearings scheduled. The Morton County State's Attorney could not be reached for clarification Tuesday, as the courthouse was closed due to weather. The affidavit filed with the complaint against the 139 protesters explains that the six people were locked onto cars and structures, necessitating help of law enforcement, since they would not unlock themselves, and endangering the lives of officers. However, Feland said the affidavit failed to connect the dots between the protesters' action and the danger. Nothing in the affidavit explains how the defendant in this case created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death to another, other than the officers conclusory statement Feland wrote in an order dismissing the felony reckless endangerment charge against Sydney Johnson, of Ohio. The court is left to guess exactly what the risk was and to whom the potential for harm was posed. Feland dismissed the charge without prejudice, meaning the Morton County State's Attorney could recharge Johnson and the other protester if he can provide probable cause. In several cases, judges have found probable cause for reckless endangerment charges against pipeline protesters accused of locking themselves to construction equipment, following testimony from officers charged with cutting off the protesters. Judge John Grinsteiner, for example, found probable cause on Oct. 17 that Corey Maxa recklessly endangered the lives of law enforcement and first responders by attaching himself to construction equipment. Grinsteiners decision came after Mandan Police Lt. Scott Stromstodt testified that in sawing Maxas arms free from the equipment, he was in danger of slipping and falling off a ladder, flying sparks from and shards from the grinding tool and electrocution due to water used to protect Maxa from being burned due to the electric saw. Stealing a march on your competitors in the highly regulated international aviation industry is no easy thing, but Qatar Airways has done just that by announcing a regular service to Canberra beginning by 2018. Except for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester's office and the Canberra Airport Group, few people seem to have been aware the state-owned flag carrier was on Canberra's horizon, with most predictions being that Air New Zealand or Cathay Pacific would become the second airline (behind Singapore Airlines) to start scheduled services into and out of Canberra. It was, he says, particularly prevalent in Australia, in the US and in Britain. In southern Europe, it is much more normal for young people to live at home with their parents until they marry. OECD research shows that 59 per cent of those aged 15-29 still live with their parents and in Italy, Slovenia and Greece more than 75 per cent still live at home. Australia, at 54 per cent, isn't at the OECD average of 59 per cent yet but as Matt Wade wrote earlier this year: "In the 1970s only about one in five under-30s in Australia lived with their parents but now it's one in two. The rate of increase has been especially rapid since the early 2000s." Canada, Sweden and Denmark are at the bottom, with around one third of young people still at home. "With any new administration, there are a lot of issues which need clarification within the context of the alliance. That would have been the case if Hillary Clinton had been elected and it is clearly the case in terms of the incoming Trump administration," he said. Mustafa Abdul Wahid, acting executive president of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), told Daily News Egypt that operators face having their licences revoked in some circumstances. Etisalat, Orange and Vodafone are the three operators that can now provide 4G services in Egypt after a hard-fought negotiation with the NTRA in competition with Telecom Egypt, which has had a licence for some time. The 4G service licence obliges companies to provide good 3G service in the areas where 4G signals may be weak to ensure that all clients have access to decent communication services, Abdul Wahid told the newspaper. He said the list of sanctions contained in the 4G licence agreement includes terms about the quality of service that companies are obliged to provide. They include deterrent penalties for companies if they go below a stipulated quality. He said sanctions also include a fine of up to 25% of the insurance value paid by the company, amounting to 100 million Egyptian pounds ($5.6 million) each time. This fine will be payable if companies delay payment for the service or break any of the contract terms, reported the newspaper. In theory the new licences are for unified services, allowing the three companies to provide fixed services in competition with Telecom Egypt. However, Abdul Wahid told the newspaper that the companies had not yet submitted requests to begin fixed services. Etisalat and Orange each have 10MHz of spectrum for 4G services and Vodafone which has a complex relationship with Telecom Egypt has 5MHz. Not all of the spectrum is immediately available, as NTRA has to evict current users. CEO Remi Galasso told local media that its survey ship has been in the area and is talking to potential partners. We are progressing well and have already been contacted by several parties, he told the Fiji Sun. The Hawaiki Cable will link New Zealand and Australia with the US states of Hawaii in mid-Pacific and Oregon on the mainland with provision for a branch to connect with Fiji as well as other Pacific islands, including New Caledonia. The company already has contracts to connect American Samoa and Tonga. Galasso said that Hawaiki will pass within 220km of Suva, the Fiji capacity, and is looking for a partnership to build a connecting cable, working with a local operator or a joint venture. Digicel and Vodafone are the two mobile operators on Fiji, while state-owned Telecom Fiji is the monopoly fixed-line operator. He told the newspaper: Cable manufacturing has begun in September and 1,500 km of cable have already been manufactured so far in the factory of our supplier TE SubCom. Cable laying will start around mid-2017 and last for about six months depending on weather conditions. We expect Hawaiki Cable system to be in service by June 2018, so Fiji could potentially be connected to Hawaiki at the same time. GRAND FORKS -- John Olsons email inbox has been inundated lately with messages about the election. The details vary, but the overriding message is clear: Dont vote for Donald Trump on Dec. 19. As one of North Dakotas three electors, Olson is tasked with representing his state in the Electoral College by casting a vote for one of the presidential candidates. And even though Trump won North Dakota with 63 percent of the vote, Olson said Monday hes received hundreds of messages asking him to vote against the Republican president-elect. Im not conflicted. Ill be voting for Trump, said Olson, a former Republican state lawmaker. That appears to be the case with the other two electors, Duane Mutch and Bev Clayburgh. Both said theyve received a few letters making similar requests. I wouldnt even consider making a change because a large percentage of my fellow citizens voted for Trump, said Clayburgh, who lives in Grand Forks and has received letters from both coasts. Id probably have to leave the state if I voted otherwise. The messages to North Dakotas electors appear to be part of a larger effort across the country. A Change.org petition asking electors to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton had garnered more than 4.6 million supporters as of late Monday morning. Its unclear how organized the effort is, although two of the letters sent to Clayburgh and one of the emails Olson received are almost identical. That message, posted online as a sample letter to electors, argues that Trump is not qualified to be president. It also points to an unprecedented level of interference during the election, including the hacking of private emails, allegations of voter suppression in swing states, FBI Director James Comeys actions over the investigation of Clintons use of a private email server, and incidents of voter intimidation. Another email Olson received Monday morning argued Trump is unqualified and has no regard for the office, for the Constitution, or for the dignity and greatness of our dear country. It also points out Clinton won the national popular vote, with her lead growing to more than 2 million, according to Reuters. Of course faithless electors are incredibly rare, which is as it should be -- this is a unique circumstance, which requires emergency measures, the email to Olson states. Not voting for Trump (or choosing to vote for another candidate) would be patriotic. Twenty-one states do not require members of the Electoral College to vote for their partys designated candidate, according to the nonprofit organization FairVote. The most recent case of the so-called faithless elector came in 2004, when an unknown person from Minnesota who had pledged to vote for Democrat John Kerry voted instead for his running mate, John Edwards, according to FairVote. Jim Silrum, North Dakotas deputy secretary of state, said most people contacting his office ask for contact information for the electors. But some do not understand the process and think that we have some authority to make the electors change their vote, or that we are the electors, he said in an email. The electors will meet at 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the governors office -- the public could attend the event -- to cast secret and separate ballots for president and vice president, Silrum said. The Electoral College push also comes as Clintons campaign announced over the weekend it would join Green Party candidate Jill Steins efforts to seek a recount in several states where Trump won by slim margins. Marc Elias, the Clinton campaigns counsel, said they intend to participate in order to ensure the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides, but he noted they had not found any actionable evidence of hacking or outside attempts to alter the voting technology. Olson said everyone is looking with some curiosity as to how Trump will perform as president, but he doesnt want to relitigate things that were said during the campaign. I think now is the time to move forward, he said. Altice, which bought the operation from Orange three years ago for $1.4 billion, will spend $435 million a year, CEO Martin Roos told the president of the Dominican Republic. Roos told the Dominican Today newspaper that Altice had been increasing its investment by 20% a year since acquiring the operation and would continue to do so. We have grown and increased our position in the country, Roos said, according to the newspaper. The move seems to forecast more spending than suggested in February, when Altice was expected to increase spending in the country by 1.6%. Altice is the second biggest operator in the Dominican Republic, behind Claro. Anyone delivering supplies to the main protest camp in Morton County could be subject to a $1,000 fine for violating the emergency evacuation order, but a local minister said this will not deter her church from providing support. "It's cold out, really cold, and people need our help. Solidarity doesn't stop when the warm weather stops," minister Karen Van Fossen, of the Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Congregation, wrote in an email Tuesday. "As people of faith and conviction, we are committed to peaceful, prayerful solidarity with Standing Rock. If supplies are needed to survive the long winter, we will do our best to provide them," she said. Van Fossen has delivered supplies to the Oceti Sakowin camp and hosted prayers and informational sessions over the past several months. The church is raising funds to put a winterized yurt there, according to an online fundraiser. "We have been a Bismarck-Mandan drop off site for supplies for many months. Local folks have donated everything from diapers to sleeping bags to winterized tents to snack crackers. It has been our honor to carry these items to Standing Rock," she said. Maxine Herr, spokeswoman for the Morton County Sheriff's Department, said law enforcement is "being observant" of vehicles heading down county roads near the camp and could potentially pull over vehicles suspected of delivering supplies to the camp, which Gov. Jack Dalrymple ordered to be evacuated on Monday. Herr said officers will warn people carrying goods to camp that they could be subject to an infraction with a maximum penalty of $1,000. "The spirit of it is public safety," Herr said. "It's not safe for them to be down there in those conditions." A spokesman for the governor said the evacuation order was made with "no intention to block supplies going to the camp." "The governor signed this evacuation order out of concern for the safety of those that are down there at that camp," said Jeff Zent, spokesman for Dalrymple. "(He) had no intention to create some sort of supply blockade." Herr said there had not been reports of law enforcement stopping such vehicles as of Tuesday afternoon. There are no plans for a roadblock on Highway 6, the main road to the camp since the Backwater Bridge on Highway 1806 was closed in October, she said. Herr indicated that prohibited supplies include "anything that goes to sustain living there," including wood, food and blankets. She said the rule applies equally to individuals and businesses ferrying supplies to the camp. "They need to evacuate," Herr said. "The executive order is clear that its public safety. If they ignore it, they have to live with the consequences of potentially freezing to death." A representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota objected Tuesday to the governors evacuation order and said the organization is considering litigation. Jennifer Cook, policy director, said while the governor says safety is the reason for the evacuation order, its contradictory to order the evacuation during a winter storm and to restrict peoples access to food and supplies. Its a broad order and the enforcement of it is a major concern for the safety and the well-being of the people in the area, said Cook, adding she has concerns about peoples rights being violated if motorists are cited for delivering supplies to the camp. There are a lot of constitutional concerns, Cook said. Dalrymple issued the mandatory emergency evacuation order Monday to the hundreds of Dakota Access Pipeline protesters camping on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' land near the Missouri River. The edict was given as a winter storm has dumped at least a half foot of snow throughout the central part of the state. It followed an order by the corps that the land will be closed to the public on Monday. The governor's order means that emergency services will not be made available to people at the camp except on a case-by-case basis. The order is effective since Monday and will remain until he rescinds it. In a statement Monday night, Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II called the order "a menacing action meant to cause fear and is a blatant attempt by the state and local officials to usurp and circumvent federal authority." "The governor cites harsh weather conditions and the threat to human life. As I have stated previously, the most dangerous thing we can do is force well-situated campers from their shelters and into the cold," Archambault said. Forum News Service Reporter Amy Dalrymple contributed to this report. Last year, the deepest the snow ever got in Bismarck was six inches. The storm that began swirling through North Dakota Sunday night already has left about 8 inches on the ground by 4:30 p.m. Monday. After two mild winters both the winters of 2015-2016 and 2014-2015 came with only 24.1 inches of snow each this seasons late start has arrived with some big snow totals. By 4:30 p.m. Monday, the highest snow total reported was 13 inches in Hannover. New Town had gotten at least 12.5 inches, Stanton had 11, Dickinson reported 10 and Beulah had 9 inches. The Jamestown area had reported only rain by Monday afternoon, and National Weather Service meteorologist Janine Vining said the line between rain and snow seemed to be somewhere west of the James River Valley and the Devils Lake Basin. So far, all indications are that the heaviest snow has been falling in central North Dakota, and it appears that will continue, Vining said. The storm system is supposed to remain pretty much stationary, said Vining, who indicted the low is near the Wahpeton area and the system will swirl around that point for a little longer. By Wednesday, we think it should be moving east toward the Great Lakes. Central North Dakota could see four to six more inches of snow, while areas farther west could see four to eight more inches. The James River Valley could see three to five inches. The snow caused some travel problems. The Department of Transportation issued a travel alert for northwest and central North Dakota due to snow, blowing snow and snow or ice on roadways. A travel alert means motorists can travel but should be advised of rapidly changing conditions. While schools held classes, the Mandan Public School District announced several postponed or canceled events. Bismarck Public Schools announced it would keep schools open for parents arriving late to pick up students and warned that students riding the bus may be late to arrive. Decisions on whether to cancel school are made by 5 a.m. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe announced via Facebook that tribal offices were closed due to the weather. The United Blood Services asks blood donors to come in to donate if they are able as the storm has kept some donors from giving blood. For more information, go to www.UnitedBloodServices.org or call 877-827-4376. Vining said travel difficulties could continue throughout the storm, as temperatures are expected to fluctuate around the freezing point. Any area of slush could turn to ice, and drivers should slow down and carry winter survival kits. Areas with rainy conditions should be prepared for a switch to freezing rain as temperatures drop. Vining advises leaving early and checking in advance to make sure events are not canceled before leaving home. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Its only been two weeks since Mazda revealed its new CX-5 at the LA Auto Show, but already it has started production of the new crossover. The first examples of the CX-5 rolled off the assembly line yesterday at Mazdas Ujina Plant No. 2 near the companys headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan. The first units were evidently painted in the models signature shade of metallic red, and are destined for the Japanese Domestic Market, where the new model will go on sale in February before being exported around the world. Its a monumentally important milestone for Mazda, whose CX-5 by now accounts for one in every four vehicles it sells. The first-generation CX-5 was introduced five years ago and reached the million-made mark in April 2015 making it the second-fastest-selling model after the Mazda3. The Ujina plant is Mazdas principal manufacturing facility, also handling production of the smaller CX-3 and larger CX-9 crossovers, the MX-5 and Fiat 124 roadsters, and a slew of vans we dont get in America. A second plant in Hofu builds the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6. Photo Gallery At the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Lamborghini Huracan welcomed its fourth member in the form of the rear-wheel drive Spyder and to celebrate the expanded range, the Italian company has released an epic commercial. The 2-minute clip features all four Huracans the regular model, the Huracan Spyder, Huracan LP580-2 and rear-wheel drive Spyder converging on a racetrack having travelled from four different countries, namely Portugal, Spain, Italy and France. The cinematography and landscapes shot in the commercial are amazing. What is less amazing is that the wondrous sound of the Huracans 5.2-liter V10 has been dubbed in after filming meaning the sounds often dont match up with what the Huracan is doing, such as screaming at high revs even though the car is barely moving. That small gripe aside, its certainly an interesting way of showcasing to the world one of the very finest supercars currently available. Of the four Huracans available, which is your favorite? VIDEO Part of Hondas commitment to have two thirds of its global sales covered by vehicles with an electric powertrain by 2030, the new Clarity FCV has now arrived in Europe. On sale in Japan since March this year, the fuel cell-powered Honda is taking baby steps across the Atlantic, with the first six vehicles arriving in customer hands in London, UK, and Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of the Hydrogen for Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE) demonstration project, partly funded by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU). Aiming to promote the awareness and adoption of fuel cell vehicle technology, the program will eventually see the arrival of 185 fuel cell cars, from five automakers, which will be deployed to private and corporate customers across the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Honda has always been one of the leaders in the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, with over 30 years of research and development behind us. The arrival of these vehicles in Europe and Hondas participation in HyFIVE is the next step towards Hondas vision of the full commercialization of this technology, said the brands Chief Project Engineer and leader of the Clarity Fuel Cell program in Europe, Thomas Brachmann. The Honda Clarity uses a fuel cell and integrated powertrain, which is almost the same size as a V6, fitted under the hood. With a full tank of hydrogen, it was estimated by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to be able to drive for 366 miles (589 km). PHOTO GALLERY Ever since the Evantra Millecavallis unveiling in late spring, we hadnt heard anything new about Mazzanti. Until now, that is, as the Italian carmaker has pulled the covers off yet another version of the Evantra, known as 771, in time for this weekends Bologna Motor Show. On the visual front, it adds some aerodynamic features on top of the standard supercar, including a tweaked front splitter, a different rear wing, adorned with a new two-tone blue and gold livery, together with a mildly improved cabin, although the carmaker has yet to release any images of it. Unlike the Millecavalli, which stole the Ferrari LaFerraris crown by becoming the most powerful Italian supercar, the Evantra 771 is more modest, but that doesnt make it underpowered by any means. In fact, the exotic machine brings an additional 20 HP on top of the standard Evantra, for a total of 771 HP. Details on the torque number, or how fast it covers the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint remain unknown for now, but it definitely slashes something off something off the Evantras sub 3 seconds for the 100 km/h (62 mph) run. Luca Mazzanti, the companys founder, says that owners of existing Evantras can update their supercars to the 771 specification, from 2017. PHOTO GALLERY After reaching its goal of 50,000 units in the United States in 2015, three years ahead of schedule, Porsche is set for its seventh straight year of record sales. Thats despite the luxury class being in decline, as well as all its nameplates, bar the Macan and Cayman, falling, too, mainly due to them being replaced or redesigned. Still, Porsche Cars North America CEO Klaus Zellner told Autonews that, with the new line-up, he is confident the company will achieve even better results in 2017. The Porsche executive expects the Panamera, which in contrast to its predecessors has received raving reviews, revamped 911 and 718 Boxster and Cayman to improve significantly next year. We are fortunate to have the right product and the right sales organization to detach from the overall decline, Zellmer said. Our plan, incorporating the new Panamera that will be out in January in our dealerships, suggests we can have another year of record sales. Additionally, the company has already started reducing the the number of Cayennes that are allocated to the U.S. market, as the aging SUV is close to ending its life-cycle and will be replaced in late 2017/early 2018. Photo Gallery Japanese automakers Subaru, Mazda and Toyota are all ramping up the development of electric vehicles despite their previous hesitations about such models. As recently announced, Toyota, which has long pursued hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, is turning its attention towards electric models, already preparing to launch an in-house venture company to develop them. Mazda meanwhile plans to launch its first EV in 2019 while Subaru will do the same in 2021. Speaking with Automotive News, the chief executive of Subarus parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said the industry is shifting to become more focused on EVs than ever before. The overall industry is now shifting its electrification focus toward EVs. We are in the age where we cannot just go on launching EVs only as regulation compliance cars, he said. Compared to rival firms, Toyota, Subaru and Mazda have been either resistant or slow to introduce electrified models. Up until recently, Subaru only offered one hybrid model, based around the XV Crossover, but dumped it for the 2017 model year. Similarly, Mazda only sells a hybrid Mazda3 in Japan. As Toyota owns a stake in Fuji Heavy Industries and has an alliance with Mazda, Subaru and Mazda are expected to collaborate with the worlds largest automaker to accelerate the development of their respective EVs. PHOTO GALLERY Following its launch in the UK market, the Renault Twingo GT has been subjected to a new photo shoot in Paris, alongside some local street art. Painted in vibrant orange with black stripes, which add up to the beefed up body kit and 17-inch alloy wheels, the sportiest member of the new Twingo family feels right at home in the French capital. Using the same underpinnings as the Smart ForFour Brabus means that power comes from a small three-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is capable of pushing out 110 PS (108 HP) and 170 Nm (125 lb-ft) of torque. The unit is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and sprinting from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.6 seconds. The Twingo GT comes with part-leather upholstery, special Renaultsport-badged door sills, satellite navigation system and automatic climate control as standard, and can also be specified with the brands R-Link infotainment system, electric panoramic folding sunroof and a variety of driver assist systems. PHOTO GALLERY Photo: RCMP UPDATE: 9:35 a.m. Kelowna RCMP say Shawn Vibert has been found safe. "The RCMP is pleased to confirm that the 40-year-old man reported missing was located last night safe and sound. Kelowna RCMP would like to thank those that assisted with the investigation," say police in a statement. ORIGINAL: Nov. 28 The West Kelowna RCMP is turning to the public for help finding a missing man. Shawn Vibert was last seen by his family on Nov. 25, 2016. Investigators say there is nothing to indicate foul play at this point and think he is still within the Central Okanagan area. However, police are concerned for his well-being, as a disappearance like this this is out of character. He is a Caucasian male, 40 years old, 181 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. He may be driving a 2007 Hyundai Tucson with B.C. plates 484 VBT. Anyone with information on Viberts whereabouts is urged to contact the RCMP. Photo: File photo A former city councillor who was convicted on two counts of sexual assault has been granted some concessions in his probation. Gary Leaman was sentenced two years ago to 21 months in jail, followed by 27 months of probation for two counts of sexual assault, stemming from incidents between 2009 and 2011. The affected parties and other details of the case are under tight wraps due to a publication ban on identifying the victims. Leaman applied for more leniency in various aspects of his probation order. Leaman's lawyer argued he had been making efforts to rehabilitate himself, noting his time with the sex offenders program, counselling and his practice of Buddhism. In a statement in court, Leaman claimed his own life has been affected by the incidents. "It's my experience that sex offenders never pay their debts to society," Leaman said. "We are viewed as not only having done something wrong, but that there is something wrong with us." He added that press coverage of his case has exacerbated the issue for himself and other parties. "There are no longer any secrets, as the details of my offences are widely known in the community," he said. "Each round of press coverage has caused further anguish." Leaman was a councillor from 2002 to 2005 and ran for mayor in 2008 and council, again, in 2011, with those campaigns unsuccessful. He was also general manager of the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre until October 2013. Photo: The Canadian Press CBC/Radio-Canada wants all its services to broadcast ad-free but would need $318 million in new annual funding to do so, the public broadcaster said Monday in a proposal to the federal government. The recommendation was one of several the CBC made in a submission to Canadian Heritage's public consultation on homegrown content in a digital world. "In order to exit advertising, CBC/Radio-Canada would require $318 million in replacement funding," states the filing. "This figure takes into account the lost advertising revenue ($253 million), the cost to produce and procure additional Canadian content ($105 million) that is required to replace the advertising programming and the cost savings associated with the reduced cost of sales ($40 million)." In order to go ad-free and achieve other goals in its proposal, CBC/Radio-Canada said it would need the government to boost its per-person funding to $46 a year an increase of $12 per Canadian. That hike in per-person funding would include $100 million annually for "new investments to face consumer and technology disruption." "The business model and cultural policy framework in which CBC/Radio-Canada operates and carries out its public mandate is profoundly and irrevocably broken," reads the proposal. "Advertising revenues for conventional television are down as audiences become more fragmented, ad-free content becomes more available, and alternate content providers such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and, Apple TV/iTunes continue to make inroads." CBC/Radio-Canada noted the $46 per-person figure it is seeking is "still well below comparable public broadcasters around the world, like the BBC, which receives $114 per person." Photo: Wikipedia The Trudeau government is facing accusations that it's taking a defeatist approach to electoral reform even before it hears from an all-party committee that's been exploring alternative voting systems. NDP democratic reform critic Nathan Cullen says he fears the Liberals are using a supposed lack of consensus among Canadians as an excuse to do nothing. But he says the government is putting the cart before the horse, insisting on a consensus before a specific voting model has been proposed for Canadians to consider. The committee, which is to table its report Thursday, is expected to acknowledge that the vast majority of witnesses it heard from favour a proportional voting system, in which a party's share of seats in the House of Commons reflects its share of the popular vote. It is also expected to recommend that a national referendum be held to measure Canadians' views on the matter. However, even as Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef says she's eagerly awaiting the report, she continues to say she's seen no consensus thus far on how the voting system should be changed and to warn that there'll be no change without broad support from Canadians. Cullen charged Monday that Monsef has thrown the committee "under a bus" with her mantra about the need for consensus. "Why is the minister undercutting the committee's work?" he demanded in the House of Commons. Monsef denied the charge and promised to give the committee's report "the respect it deserves and present this House with a thoughtful plan forward." But Cullen said later that "many, many" electoral reform advocates are very concerned that the government "seems to be admitting defeat before we've even really begun the work." "We haven't even submitted our report and we have the minister out on the weekend suggesting that progress is impossible." He noted that Monsef, who has conducted her own town halls and public hearings, has deliberately avoided asking Canadians directly what voting model they'd prefer, asking instead about the values and principles that underpin the democratic system. She's essentially saying that "because Canadians haven't en masse come forward with a very specific system, therefore consensus doesn't exist," Cullen said. The Washington Post Gets CAIR-Less, Again | Main | Let Him Who Is Sinless Throw The First Stone November 29, 2016 Wheres the Coverage? Palestinians Attack Palestinian Security Forces A group of Palestinians shot at and bombed Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces in a little reported incident on Nov. 17, 2016. According to Palestinian Maan News Agency, a group of Palestinian youthshot live fire and locally made bombs at Palestinian security forces near the al-Faraa refugee camp? Al-Faraa is located in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). The incident began when Palestinians closed a main street in the camp. Maan stated that the street was closed in protest of Palestinian security forces continuing to detain youth from the camp without charge or trial.? PA security forces that arrived on scene were attacked with explosives and responded with gunfire. A Lexis-Nexis search of U.S. print news outlets, including The Washington Post, The Washington Times and USA Today, showed not a single mention of the clash. As CAMERA has frequently highlighted (see, for example The Washington Post Evicts Context on Palestinian Village Without Electricity,? Nov. 2, 2016) many in the Western media fail to provide coverage of internal Palestinian conflicts or events. In a recent Op-Ed in The Wall Street Journal, two analysts of Palestinian politics, Jonathan Schanzer and Grant Rumley, noted the tenuous nature of Palestinian politics (The Fragile State of the Palestinian Authority,? Sept. 8, 2016). Schanzer and Rumley, both of the Washington D.C.-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, emphasized that riots, protests, governmental corruption, and canceled elections are all factors in creating an atmosphere ripe for instability in areas ruled by the authority. The Posts priorities are demonstrated by what it devotes more space on its pages to cover. For example, the newspaper ran a lengthy piece on Chinese tourists purportedly being overcharged at an Israeli restaurant. However, the PAs decision to postpone municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 8, was apparently deemed not sufficiently important to warrant coverage in the print version of the paper. In failing to report internal Palestinian events and politicsand by often viewing them solely through the lens of the Israeli-Palestinian conflictThe Washington Post and other media that cover Israel and the Palestinians in a similar manner fail to inform their readers about some very important trends and developments. Posted by SD at November 29, 2016 02:06 PM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment Kelowna's mayor says a new bylaw cracking down on people sitting, lying or sleeping on city sidewalks is not a crackdown on the homeless. City council gave initial approval Monday to the bylaw, which extends the hours in which such activity is forbidden. Previously, the practice was only enforceable during business hours. Now, under the new bylaw, it's 24/7. "Yes, in isolation, it might look like, boy that cruel city council is kicking a person while they're down," says Mayor Colin Basran. "Not recognizing we have hired a social issues manager to come up with a strategy, in partnership with social agencies and committed organizations in our community. Enforcement is one aspect of a multi-faceted strategy to deal with homeless issues." Basran says the bylaw, which updates a 20 or 30-year-old statute, gives bylaw officers more tools to work with. When they do get a complaint, he said, they have the tools to deal with it throughout the day and night. In explaining the change, bylaw manager Greg Wise says, since the original bylaw was written, the city has grown from a small orchard community to a larger mid-sized city. "With revitalization of the downtown core, and busy evening cabaret and restaurant district, we recommend removing the time restriction for sitting and lying on sidewalks from the old definition allowing individuals to do so in a commercial or industrial one outside of regular business hours," said Wise. "This will help us address incidents we are having and some of the concerns in the downtown core around the restaurant and cabaret district." Coun. Brad Sieben says the overarching issue is one that's on council's mind consistently "This isn't council working without a heart," he says. They also changed the definition of chattel. It now excludes soiled clothing, bedding, perishable food and personal hygiene items, among other things. Wise says it's a change to what will, and will not, be impounded under chattel. The length of impoundment was also changed from 60 days to 30 days for vehicles and trailers and 14 days for items of chattel. "We have had a significant increase in the impoundment of encampments in and around back alleyways and laneways. Approximately one per cent is being reclaimed." Several other parking and traffic bylaws were also amended or changed. Photo: Castanet Staff A Kelowna high school student has been diagnosed with meningitis. A letter emailed to parents last Friday states Interior Health has confirmed the case of Meningococcal Disease, a bacteria infection of the brain, and or, blood. It is rare in Canada. "The risk of transmission to the general school population related to this case is considered extremely low. Even though the risk is low, Interior Health and Central Okanagan Public Schools want parents to have information on the disease," the letter says. The Communicable Disease Unit is following up with the student and their "close contacts," to reduce the risk of it spreading to others. "Close contacts are people who have been in contact with the saliva (spit) of a person who is sick through things like kissing or sharing items like water bottles, cigarettes, joints, straws, eacigarettes, toothbrushes or any activity that involves swapping spit. You cannot catch this disease by being in the same room as a person with this illness and talking with them. The close contacts of this case have been contacted." Some of the symptoms include, sudden fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, purplish rash, drowsiness, confusion or seizures. Anyone with these symptoms should consult a doctor immediately. Neither the school or student have been identified. Photo: CTV Premier Christy Clark says British Columbians are getting more opportunities to experience the great outdoors. Clark says the province is adding 1,900 new campsites at provincial parks and recreational sites as part of a five-year, $22.9 million strategy. She says the funding will also help hire more park rangers, create a foundation that manages private donations to parks, and provide motorists the option to purchase dedicated B.C. Parks vehicle licence plates with proceeds going to the parks system. The government recently revamped its campsite reservation system after widespread concerns last summer about reports of spots being overbooked and resold. George Heyman, environment critic for the Opposition New Democrats, says the Liberals have cut 3,000 campsites since they were first elected 15 years ago, and now with an election months away they are pledging to return about two-thirds of the sites they slashed. The province says B.C.'s parks system is the third largest in North America with about 10,700 vehicle-accessible sites for campers and 21 million visits annually. Photo: The Canadian Press The Monday after Thanksgiving is still a time when millions of Americans pause to check out online deals and check off items from their gift list but a one-day Cyber Monday frenzy appears to be going the way of the dial-up modem. Shoppers who have high-speed connections at home and on their phones are pouncing on deals that stores are spreading out over several days, leaving the so-called Cyber Monday online shopping bonanza in danger of losing its title as the top online sales day. "Because Cyber Monday is no longer about the connection, it's just another sales day that I can plan for, like a Labor Day sale or Fourth of July sale," said Gartner analyst Gene Alvarez. "I know it's coming: Does it fit into my schedule, and will I do my holiday shopping that day, Black Friday or wait to see what comes up later?" So instead of door-buster markdowns on a select few products, retailers are shifting to a stream of discounts and alerts during the entire week via email and social media. Cartwheel, Target's digital app, started offering holiday deals including 50 per cent off one toy per day on Nov. 1. Amazon started offering 35 days of Black Friday deals on Nov. 16. And Walmart kicked off its Cyber Monday deals on Friday for the first time as it aimed to grab customers ahead of its competitors. "It's really this weeklong flow of deals," said Shawn DuBravac, chief economist at the Consumer Technology Association. Lea Bishop from Carmel, Indiana, picked up tickets to the Texas Tenors at her local performing arts centre because they had a rare buy-two-get-two-free deal. "It's those once-a-year deals that I'm looking for today," she said. Otherwise, she noticed retailers have been spreading out deals. "It seems like they should rename Black Friday to Black Friday Week and rename Cyber Monday to Cyber Monday weekend," she said. The Monday after Thanksgiving has been the busiest day of the year for online shopping since 2010, and "Cyber Monday" referred to the day when people returned after the holiday weekend to offices where they had high-speed internet connections. Photo: Twitter Some passengers on San Francisco's public railway enjoyed free rides during part of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend after hackers infiltrated hundreds of its workers' computers and email accounts. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says it decided to open the gates at underground stations of its light rail system Friday and Saturday after detecting a "ransomware" attack aimed at stealing sensitive information in an attempt to be paid for the data's return. Regular fares were still charged for bus rides. Agency spokesman Paul Rose says an investigation determined that the hackers didn't get any financial records or other potentially damaging information about the system's customers or employees. As of late Monday afternoon, the agency was still trying to determine how much revenue it lost while giving free rides. Photo: Canadian Forces Opposition critics accused the Liberal government of trying to manufacture a crisis Monday after the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force pulled back the curtain on Canada's apparent fighter-jet shortage. Lt.-Gen. Michael Hood told the Senate defence committee the Liberals recently changed the number of jet fighters he is required to have ready at any given time for NATO missions and to defend North America. The change was made after he testified in April that he was "comfortable" with the air force's current fleet of CF-18s, Hood said. As a result, the current number of CF-18s available is now insufficient, Hood said, while Canada will also need to buy more new planes than originally expected. The previous Conservative government had planned to purchase 65 F-35 stealth fighters. "Certainly the policy of the government of Canada would mean that 65 is not sufficient," Hood said, later adding: "They've changed the policy of the number of aircraft I have to have." Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan pointed to the policy change on aircraft numbers when he announced last week that Canada planned to buy 18 Super Hornet jets as an "interim" solution to the air force's "capability gap" until a competition to replace the CF-18s could be held. Hood shed some more light on it on Monday, saying the change implemented by the government since April relates to Canada's relationship with NATO. Until recently, Canada committed a certain number of fighter jets as well as ships, troops and other military equipment on a voluntary basis each year. Any fighter jets committed were drawn from the stock providing defence of North America, Hood said. But under the new policy, Canada will have what Hood described as a "firm" commitment to NATO in terms of the number of aircraft that it must provide. While he did not reveal specifics, Hood said the result is that he can't draw upon those defending the continent. Photo: Vancouver Aquarium All possible explanations from food sickness to intentional poisoning are being investigated for the deaths of two of the Vancouver Aquarium's beluga whales after examinations failed to pinpoint why they died, an official said Monday. Aquarium CEO John Nightingale described the deaths of the two animals in such quick succession as unprecedented, not only at the aquarium, which has operated for six decades, but also at other such institutions. "I don't have to tell you it's perplexing," Nightingale told a room of reporters, three days after the death of Aurora the beluga. Fewer than two weeks ago, Aurora was put under round-the-clock supervision and veterinary care after she began to exhibit the same symptoms that preceded the recent death of her 21-year-old calf Qila. Aurora died on Friday, nine days after Qila. "The pledge from myself, from our board, from our entire staff and volunteers, is: we're going to get to the bottom of it," Nightingale added. "The guiding principle is: absolutely no stone unturned." Opponents of keeping cetaceans in captivity are calling on the marine institution to abandon its beluga program and cancel its plans to expand the animals' tank. None of the aquarium's five other belugas housed at facilities across the United States will return to Vancouver, nor will construction begin on the tank enlargement, until the belugas' deaths are understood, Nightingale said. "We will not make any decisions about going forward until we know what happened," he said. "To do otherwise would be irresponsible." Martin Haulena, chief veterinarian at the aquarium, said the similarities in behaviour and symptoms suggest Qila and Aurora's illnesses were linked. The most likely culprit is either a virus or a toxin, and tissue samples have been sent to various universities for analysis, he added. "This does not happen on my watch," Haulena said. "This is not what I do. "I will not rest until we find some answers. That's a promise. And neither will anyone else around here. We loved those whales." Sara Dubois of the British Columbia SPCA extended condolences to the aquarium but emphasized her society's opposition to keeping whales in artificial enclosures. "Any time you care for an animal for so long you can imagine how heartbreaking it is to lose them, especially in such an unexpected way," Dubois said. "At the same time, I think it's a really good time to take a reflection on what the future will be." Photo: The Canadian Press Schools and government offices were closed Tuesday for a second day of homage to Fidel Castro, with the day ending in a rally on the wide plaza where the Cuban leader delivered fiery speeches to mammoth crowds in the years after he seized power. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans have been bidding farewell to Castro, pledging allegiance to his socialist ideology and paying tribute before images of the leader as a young guerrilla gazing out over the country he would come to rule for nearly a half century. On Tuesday they were joined by two of Castro's firmest ideological allies, presidents Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and Evo Morales of Bolivia, who spent several moments paying their respects before a picture of Castro as a young, bearded rebel. "Cuba is going through a moment of profound shock," Morales said when he arrived the previous evening. "I came to be present during a moment of pain from the loss of my brother, my friend." Cuban state media reported that an urn containing Castro's ashes was being kept in a room at the Defence Ministry where his younger brother and successor, Raul Castro, and top Communist Party officials paid tribute the previous evening. Lines stretched for hours outside Havana's Plaza of the Revolution, the heart of government power. In Havana and across the island, people signed condolence books and an oath of loyalty to Castro's sweeping May 2000 proclamation of the Cuban revolution as an unending battle for socialism, nationalism and an outsize role for the island on the world stage. "I feel a deep sadness, but immense pride in having had him near," said Ana Beatriz Perez, a 50-year-old medical researcher who was advancing in the slow-moving line with the help of crutches. "His physical departure gives us strength to continue advancing in his ideology. This isn't going away, because we are millions." "His death is another revolution," said her husband, Fidel Diaz, who predicted that it will prompt many to "rediscover the ideas of the commander for the new generations." Tribute sites were set up in hundreds of places across the island as the government urged Cubans to reaffirm their belief in a socialist, single-party system that in recent years has struggled to maintain the fervour that was widespread at the triumph of the 1959 revolution. Photo: The Canadian Press Police say a 19-year-old Missouri woman allowed her intoxicated boyfriend to drink her blood then stabbed the wannabe vampire during a subsequent argument. Victoria Vanatter of Springfield pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action in the Nov. 23 incident. Police say Vanatter told them she agreed her boyfriend could slice her arm with a box cutter and drink her blood. But then the two argued and Vanatter stabbed her boyfriend in the shoulder. When police arrived at their home, they discovered the bloodied couple and "I'm sorry" inside a heart scrawled in blood on the wall. Vanatter warned an investigator that she has the potential to become a serial killer. Both were treated at a hospital. Vanatter is jailed on $150,000 bond. Photo: Contributed A 15-year effort to protect land in a section of the Tatlayoko Valley has ended successfully with the donation of a 29-hectare property. The Nature Conservancy of Canada says Joerg and Hannelore Fischer have donated the land on the northeast edge of Tatlayoko Lake, about 165 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake. Donation of the last piece of unprotected private property along the north end of the lake ends the organization's work to preserve 1,100 hectares of the Tatlayoko Valley. The Nature Conservancy says the region is home to grizzly bears, mule deer, cougars and fishers, a carnivorous mammal related to marten, as well as northern red-legged frogs and Lewis's woodpeckers, which are listed as species at risk of becoming extinct or lost from the wild. The land conservation group describes the valley as a critical link between Pacific coast rainforest and central Interior grasslands. Preservation efforts began in 2000, when the Fischers sold their ranch to the nature conservancy, launching the project to protect the valley they first saw in the 1980s when they visited from Germany. "Hannelore and I are really proud of what we have done here in Tatlayoko," Joerg Fischer says in a news release. "We promised ourselves we would conserve this beautiful place, and now, thanks to our partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we have fulfilled this dream." Creation of the conservation network in the Tatlayoko Valley offered a unique opportunity to secure a large and fully functioning natural landscape before it became significantly altered by human activities, says Tanya Wahbe, director of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Photo: The Canadian Press UPDATED: 3 p.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is effectively killing the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline across northern British Columbia, but giving a green light to Enbridge's lesser-known $7.5-billion Line 3 pipeline expansion from Alberta to Wisconsin. "The Great Bear Rainforest is no place for a pipeline and the Douglas Channel is no place for tankers," he said. The Liberals had promised a decision on Kinder Morgan by Dec. 19 but decided to announce all the pipeline decisions at once ahead of a Dec. 9 meeting between Trudeau and the provincial and territorial premiers. "Voters rejected the old thinking that what is good for the environment is bad for the economy," said Trudeau. "Climate change is real, is here and we cannot wish it did not exist or vote for climate change to disappear." The stalled Northern Gateway oil pipeline from Alberta through the Great Bear Rain Forest to Kitimat, B.C., had so far been thwarted in the courts for lack of proper indigenous consultation. ORIGINAL: 11:40 a.m. The federal government says a news conference will take place today in Ottawa after markets close in order to announce the fate of at least two major pipeline proposals. The news conference is scheduled to take place at 4:30 p.m. ET with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau's Liberal government had promised decisions on two Enbridge projects by last Friday, but delayed the announcement until after cabinet met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the capital this morning. The stalled Northern Gateway oil pipeline from Alberta through the Great Bear Rain Forest to Kitimat has so far been thwarted in the courts for lack of proper indigenous consultation. A less prominent Enbridge project would see the half-century-old Line 3 pipeline from Alberta through southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the United States replaced by an entirely new line about twice the current pipeline's capacity. The Liberals are also mulling over Kinder Morgan's controversial bid to triple the capacity of its Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta to the port in Burnaby, B.C., a ruling that must come no later than Dec. 19. Trudeau also confirmed today that he'll be holding a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers as well as indigenous leaders on Dec. 9 in Ottawa, where climate policy will be the main focus of the agenda. Photo: VPD The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called to North Vancouver after a burned body was found in a shelter along Lynn Creek. RCMP were called to the scene near Keith Road just before 10 a.m. Tuesday and quickly determined the individual was the victim of a homicide. The victim has yet to be identified, and there remain many unanswered questions. Once the identity is known, our priority will be to notify and support the family, and attempt to piece together the events leading up to this tragic death, Cpl. Meghan Foster of IHIT said in a release. Forensics will be required to determine whether the homicide happened where the body was found or elsewhere. The shelter is situated in a densely wooded area along the Bridgman North Trail, and IHIT is asking anyone who was in the area last weekend, to contact police. Photo: Contributed For the first time, police in Vancouver have linked a fatal overdose to the highly toxic drug carfentanil. Officials say a drug sample was seized from an East Vancouver home, where a 39-year-old man died on Nov. 17, and sent to Health Canada for analysis. Police and the BC Coroners Service say the sample has tested positive for carfentanil, a manufactured drug that is much more potent than the opioid fentanyl and is used commercially as general anaesthetic for large animals, like elephants. Last month, a nine-month-old boy in Manitoba was rushed to hospital after being exposed to carfentanil, which is so powerful that just a few grains can be fatal for adults. The coroner's service says post-mortem testing for carfentanil will not be available in the province until next month, so it can't say whether the drug led to the man's death. But police are warning drug users not to use alone and to watch for signs of opioid overdose, including severe sleepiness, slow heartbeat and trouble breathing. "This is the first confirmed death linked to carfentanil in Vancouver," Sgt. Randy Fincham says in a statement. "Unfortunately, we suspect this death won't be the last." There were 622 illicit drug deaths in B.C. between January and October this year and fentanyl was involved in more than 60 per cent of those overdoses. The province declared a public health emergency in April and has since taken measures to address the opioid crisis, including increasing the availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. Photo: The Canadian Press Dawn Bellefeuille with her son Sean, 13, who has Dravet syndrome. Researchers at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children are poised to begin a clinical trial using cannabis extracts to treat children with severe epilepsy whose seizures can't be controlled with existing medications. The trial is believed to be the first in Canada to test an oral preparation that contains both CBD and THC, compounds in marijuana that have been shown in the lab and through anecdotal reports to have anticonvulsant properties in children with treatment-resistant epilepsy. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of hundreds of active chemicals in the marijuana plant, many of them touted to have medicinal properties. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient that produces the "high" associated with pot. While research has found CBD to be effective in reducing seizures, there has been no rigorous study that's looked at the combination of CBD and THC, said pediatric neurologist Dr. Blathnaid McCoy, who will lead the clinical trial that begins early next year. But finding a new therapy is critical: despite doctors having an arsenal of more than 40 anticonvulsant medications, 30 per cent of their patients with severe epilepsy are unable to get their seizures under control with any of the drugs. "There are severe developmental, cognitive, behavioural, and motor delays that happen when children have uncontrolled epilepsy," said Catherine Jacobson, director of clinical research at Tilray, a B.C.-based medicinal marijuana producer that will be providing the oral CBD-THC preparation for the clinical trial. "It's an absolutely devastating disease to live with," said Jacobson, whose seven-year-old son has intractable epilepsy. "So the need to develop new medications that will control seizures in these children is very high." The Sick Kids study will enrol 20 children aged one to 18 with Dravet syndrome, a rare and debilitating form of epilepsy that begins in infancy. The condition, which is caused by a genetic mutation, accounts for about one per cent of all cases of epilepsy. "It varies massively, but (children with) Dravet syndrome often have multiple seizures every day and they can have quite prolonged seizures," said McCoy. "And in line with that, they also have a significant disruption in normal development, so they can have challenges with their mobility, with feeding difficulty, with interactions. "Certainly when the epilepsy is difficult to control and very treatment-resistant from early on, they can have catastrophic outcomes in terms of their development," she said. Dawn Bellefeuille's youngest son Sean is one of those children. He suffered his first seizure at two months old, and they grew worse and more frequent over time, said Bellefeuille, who has three older children who aren't affected by the condition. Sean's seizures, which sometimes number 40 a day, have severely delayed his development. At 13, he is virtually non-verbal and can't dress, feed or toilet himself. He attends a special-needs school, but needs round-the-clock care. "He's been on umpteen different drugs since he was born," Bellefeuille said from Ottawa. "He didn't take his first steps until be was four years old; he didn't sit up on his own until he was 18 months old." While Sean is still taking a couple of standard anticonvulsant medications, it wasn't until his parents started giving him a high-CBD, low-THC cannabis oil that the number of their son's daily seizures dropped dramatically, allowing him to cognitively advance. Bellefeuille purchases the cannabis oil on prescription from Cannimed, a licensed medicinal marijuana producer in Saskatoon, for about $600 a month. But she said it's trial and error for parents to decide what dose is safe and most effective for their child because research to guide both doctors and families hasn't been conducted on CBD-THC combinations. "This is the hard part with Dravet," she said. "No two children are the same. No two children respond to the same medications the same way." Photo: Google Street View RCMP in southern Alberta have arrested a suspect after someone tried to break into a bank by driving a large tanker truck into it. Mounties from the Airdrie rural detachment were called to Crossfield, north of Calgary, about an attempted robbery. They met the suspect tanker truck on the highway, but it failed to stop for them. A police pursuit went through two towns before the truck continued northbound in the southbound lanes of the main highway between Edmonton and Calgary. The vehicle, which turned out to be stolen, eventually crashed into a field and the driver was nabbed after a brief foot chase. Charges are pending and RCMP say they believe the man may be a suspect in other crimes. Photo: The Canadian Press A massive lobster taller than a toddler was caught in the Bay of Fundy and then bought by a vegan activist so it could be returned, alive, to its chilly home. Catherine MacDonald, co-owner of the Alma Lobster Shop in southern New Brunswick, said the 23-pound lobster, dubbed "King Louie," was possibly a century old. "It's beautiful," said MacDonald in a phone interview Tuesday. "For a lobster to be 23 pounds and to be that large, there was nothing else that was going to be a predator except man." The lobster is very healthy, and about four feet long, said MacDonald. It was caught by a fisherman in St. Martins, N.B. "This is a big, big lobster," said MacDonald. "My daughter put it next to a three pound lobster, which is large and most people have never seen a three pound lobster, and it was as big as his claw." MacDonald said the crustacean was sold for $230 to a Nova Scotia vegan who requested it be released back into the ocean. And so King Louie returned home on Tuesday, she said. "It went full circle," said MacDonald with a laugh. "It was released on a vessel out in the Bay of Fundy in front of the village." Photo: CTV Alfredo Bonaldi, 92, is suffering from kidney failure and an infection after being left in his room for days at the Summerville Seniors Village. Nov. 29, 2012. A BC senior is clinging to life after being left unattended for days at a care home in Summerland, and his outraged family wants to know what went wrong. Alfredo Bonaldis daughters said the 92-year-old stopped showing up for meals last week at his assisted-living residence, the Summerland Seniors Village, but nobody bothered to check up on him. Staff even failed to investigate after Bonaldis fellow patients noticed his absence. The dementia people were asking why he wasnt at the table, and no inquiries were made, daughter Edi Inglis told CTV News. On Sunday, the family took it upon themselves to visit his room. When my husband opened the door, he said that he thought he was gone already, Inglis said. Bonaldi was found suffering from kidney failure and an infection. He was taken to Penticton Regional Hospital for treatment, but remains close to death. The care home, which is operated by Retirement Concepts, has recently been subject to two surprise inspections. In both cases, it was found to be out of compliance on its standards of care. Photo: retirementconcepts.com Summerland Retirement Villiage Tony Baena, a Retirement Concepts spokesman in Toronto, told CTV News the company is working to determine how Bonaldi fell through the cracks. In this particular case there appears to have been a breakdown, theres no doubt about it. We want to complete our investigation and take whatever action is needed, Baena said. Its unclear what initially left him incapacitated in his room, but his family said hes also suffering from the effects of salmonella poisoning. Investigations have also been launched by the local health authority and the Ministry of Health, which said Bonaldis case demands immediate attention. There are other people that are in this facility, and we need to get as much information as possible and then take the action thats necessary, Health Minister Margaret McDiarmid said. With a report from CTV British Columbias Kent Molgat If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,... (TNS) Robert Jessen, the principal at Monte del Sol Charter School, felt as if something was missing from a math class at school he visited last year in Oakland, Calif., to gauge the impact of the Khan Academy math program. But he couldn't quite figure out what it was.Then he got it: There were no cellphones in sight at Oakland Unity High School."The difference was remarkable," Jessen said, "especially during lunch and passing periods. The students were all talking to each other." They paid attention to their teachers, took notes, asked questions and were not distracted during the math lesson."Oakland Unity administrators put a strict ban on students' electronic devices. The penalty for a first violation: Teachers seize the student's device and the school keeps the device until the end of the school year.With the backing of the Monte del Sol Governing Board and staff, Jessen initiated a similar ban on electronic devices at the charter school this year. The staff prepared parents and students for the rule last spring. And during registration ahead of the new school year, students signed a technology-use agreement showing they understood the terms of the cellphone ban.Jessen bought a safe for storing any confiscated items. On Tuesday, the last day of school at Monte del Sol before the Thanksgiving break, he counted 25 devices in the safe. All were for first-time offenses. No one has violated the policy a second time, he said.Teachers, parents and students say that since the ban went into effect, students are more focused in the classroom. They talk to one another -- and not to their iPhones -- during lunchtime.Monte del Sol teacher Amy Schroth has noticed the difference. "It's such a relief to have them not be on their phones," she said. "Their faces are looking at you. They are not so consumed at what is happening on their phones. ... We have them back."Schroth has a son at the school whose phone was confiscated early in the semester. Still, she's a supporter of the ban.Gabriel Alarcon, who has two ninth-graders at Monte del Sol, said his kids "put more focus on their classes."His daughter, Victoria, agrees. Most students are adapting, she said. "We get to bond more over lunch and in between class periods. We talk to each other more than we did last year during the day."Photography teacher Mike Webb gets credit for being the first person to take away a student's cellphone. The boy, a straight-A student, had just pulled out his phone to send a text. "He wasn't even thinking about it," Webb said. "It was automatic, just something we all do."Webb has mixed feelings about the rule. On one hand, he wants to see educators embrace technology and use it to teach. "That's the world we live in, so we should show them how to use technology and digital devices properly," he said. "We can't pretend it doesn't exist."But, Webb added, "I like the fact that they can't have a cellphone in class because it is one less distraction."Not all students like the ban. Arianna Gonzales, a junior, said she finds it "pointless." Since she can't use her cellphone during the school day to check phone messages, texts and emails, she said, she has to do all that when she gets home, and that distracts her from doing homework.Cellphones and other technology are part of a teen's life, Gonzales said, and students have to learn how to manage them. "If you want to do well in school, you should find your own light, your own motivation," she said. "We should be teaching ourselves self-control, and this is not a way to do that."Over the past few years, a number of schools and school districts have initiated cellphone bans, arguing that they hamper student learning. A 2015 survey on cellphone policies and their impacts on students, conducted by the University of Texas and Louisiana State University, found that exam scores rose by up to 6 percent in schools that implemented strict bans on cellphones. The ban led to an extra hour a week in instructional time, as well, the study said.An NEA Today article in 2015 reported that 70 percent of the schools and districts that put bans on cellphones later repealed them for two reasons: They were hard to enforce and many educators, like Webb, felt cellphones and other digital devices could be used to enhance instruction.Jessen says the ban is permanent at Monte del Sol, and he won't back down.Cellphone rules at other schools in the city vary.Santa Fe Preparatory School, for example, only allows high school students to use cellphones during breaks and lunch -- and only to text, not to talk. Jim Leonard, head of the school at Santa Fe Prep, said if a student is using a cellphone in an improper way, a teacher will confiscate it for the day. He estimates his staff collects about five devices a day."It's almost like taking an appendage from kids today -- and even adults," Leonard said.Within Santa Fe Public Schools, each school has different practices, spokesman Jeff Gephart said. "Some secondary schools allow students with cellphones as long as they are off during instruction," he said. "Others allow students to use them during lunch or before and after school. Some elementary schools allow students with fragile needs to use as needed."It's too early to tell if the ban at Monte del Sol will pay off in test score improvements or extra time-on-task in the classroom, but Jessen believes it will be successful if everyone supports it. "Because we are a smaller school and we know all of our students pretty well," he said, "it's doable. It would be tricky at a larger institution. You'd have to have a huge buildup to it and have complete buy-in by staff." DIAMONDHEAD, Mississippi -- Hancock County sheriff's deputies have arrested an employee of the Diamondhead Fire Protection District, accusing her of embezzling more than $25,000 from taxpayers. The Sun Herald reports 55-year-old Sandra Zitterkopf, of Kiln, faces a charge of embezzlement. Sheriff Ricky Adam said his deputies took Zitterkopf into custody just before noon on Monday. Adam said the sheriff's office began investigating Zitterkopf about two months ago after financial discrepancies were discovered in an audit of the district's accounting records. Online jail records do not list an attorney for her. GAUTIER, Mississippi -- For years, the City of Gautier has hosted a Christmas tree lighting on the grounds of City Hall, with the Gautier Rotary Club hosting a Christmas parade down U.S. 90 This year, the City is expanding those two events into a day-long Christmas festival, "Lights and Lagniappe on the Bayou", set for this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on and around City Hall property. The event will feature live performances, arts & crafts, vendors, food from the Gautier Fire Union, a children's play area, a pet parade, the Christmas parade and a visit from Santa. "We've worked hard to ensure there's something fun for everyone to do, whether it's shopping for handmade gifts, watching a parade of cute pets, listening to music from local artists, or keeping the kids entertained with games and activities throughout the day," City Manager Paula Yancey said. "We wanted to introduce a Christmas event that our residents could get excited about and look forward to every year," Yancey said. "We wanted an event that would help build upon our identity as 'Nature's Playground' and a spot for music, and we think this is just the event to do that." The day's events begin with Breakfast with Elf on the Bayou at 9 a.m., followed by the Gautier Rotary Club Christmas Parade down U.S. 90 and around the former Singing River Mall property at 11 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., a pet Christmas parade will be held, with the Best Dressed Pet Award to be announced at 2:30 p.m. Pre-registered pet parade participants should line up at 1 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of Belk. Those who have not preregistered can register until noon at the information booth in front of City Hall. At 2 p.m., kids of all ages can enjoy Story Time with Mrs. Claus. Throughout the day, kids can stroll down Candy Cane Lane to the children's area which will include face painting, inflatables, letters to Santa and more. Festival-goers can visit vendor booths at the Kris Kringle Market. Other activities and events during the festival include: The Jackson County Animal Shelter will be on hand with furry friends looking for a home for Christmas. Adoption fees will be cut in half to $25 during the festival. Festival guests can also have their pet's photo taken with Christmas characters at the JCAS booth from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in exchange for a $10 donation to the shelter. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Mississippi Songwriters will take to the festival stage, with performances by Eddie Miller, Reggie Bates, Daniel Thomas, Dana Woods and Robert Ragno, among others. In a separate performance area, shows by the Robin Adams Performing Arts Center, Creative Dance, Gautier Middle School band and choir, First Baptist Church Youth Choir and the Gautier Gator Chorale will take place. The City Christmas Tree will be lit promptly at 6 p.m., followed by a visit from Santa Claus, who will arrive at City Hall via fire truck. In conjunction with the festival, the City began posting photos of its own "Elf on the Bayou" on the City of Gautier and Gautier Cultural Services Facebook pages. The photos depict the Elf at various sites around the city. Children are encouraged to track the Elf's whereabouts and, during the festival, can fill out a form detailing where and when the Elf was sighted. Forms should be submitted during Breakfast with the Elf on the Bayou at 9 a.m., with a winner's name (must be present) being drawn at 4:15 p.m. for a special prize. Blair Vineyards The vineyard at Blair Vineyards in Kutztown, one of several that will supply the producer with all the grapes it will need this year. While Blair hasn't had issues with the Spotted Lanternfly here, it has found them in its vineyard in Rockland Township, site of the original winery. (Facebook) Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture on Monday issued what it called an update on the Spotted Lanternfly, an insect that could pose a serious threat to the state's grape-growing and wine industry if it continues to multiply. A release from the office of Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding noted that the discovery of the insect in 25 additional municipalities across southeastern Pennsylvania "is cause for vigilance, but not alarm," and that the importance here is spreading the awareness needed to contain and eradicate this invasive species. "Many of these latest discoveries are the result of citizens reporting their findings," Redding was quoted as saying in the release. "If they had simply ignored what they found, that would have allowed the pest to spread, potentially reaching more areas and creating an even larger problem. If we're going to be successful in eradicating this pest, it's going to take a collaborative effort. It's going to take us all working together and sharing information." The Spotted Lanternfly is an inch-long black, red and white spotted pest and is native to China, India, Japan and Vietnam. It is an invasive species in Korea, where it has attacked 25 plant species that also grow in Pennsylvania. The insect had not been found in the United States before its initial detection in Berks County in the fall of 2014, the Department of Ag's release said. According to the Penn State extension website (you can access it at this link), the Spotted Lanternfly attacks grapes, apples, stone fruits, and pines, and is a threat not only around the state but nationwide. It lays egg masses of 30 to 50 eggs wherever there's a flat surface - meaning that many home items easily transported can pack this pest and help it spread quickly, the site says. That's why more areas across largely southcentral Pennsylvania have been placed under a quarantine, prohibiting that any material or object that can spread the insect cannot be moved. Not only will the Spotted Lanternfly feed on grapevines, but it excretes large amounts of a fluid called honeydew on the leaves, beginning a process that causes them to wilt and die. If this falls on the fruit, it will make it unmarketable. For anyone with a deeper interest, here's a video produced by Penn State Extension that provides more detail on the insect and the havoc it can create. The heart of the infestation seems to be occurring in parts of Berks County, although the area covered by the quarantine covers additional counties in that vicinity, all of which is home to a number of vineyards that supply numerous eastern Pa. wineries. Per the release, here's a list of the newly quarantined municipalities, by county, are as follows: Berks County: Centre, Maiden Creek, Richmond, Robeson, Ruscombmanor and Union townships, and the boroughs of Birdsboro, Centreport and Fleetwood. Bucks County: Richland Township and Richlandtown and Quakertown boroughs. Chester County: East Vincent, East Coventry and North Coventry townships and Spring City Borough. Lehigh County: Bethlehem City. Montgomery County: Upper Providence, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Salford, Limerick and Lower Frederick townships, and the boroughs of Pottstown and Royersford. Northampton County: Bethlehem City. Department of Agriculture William R. Nichols said Monday that while the problem seems to be worsening, "we're simply finding the furthest reaches of the Spotted Lanternfly infestation. Each of these municipalities has been quarantined because Spotted Lanternfly has been found there. That said, many of those findings have been of only a few Spotted Lanternfly - not a high rate of infestation like you would find in the 'core zone' in eastern Berks County." Missy Blair, of Blair Vineyards outside Kutztown in Berks County, said last week in an overview of the 2016 growing season that the insect continues to be an issue in its original vineyard in Rockland Township. "We haven't really seen them here in Kutztown yet, but even just like taking grapes and bringing them over and things like that [we're being careful not to contaminate]," she said. Manatawny Creek Winery is also in Berks County, located about 20 miles south of Blair's home vineyard. Darv Levengood, one of the owners of winery who spends his share of the growing season in the vineyard, said Monday they're aware of the presence of the Spotted Lanternfly in the area, particularly to the northeast of their location. "You mentioned Blair, and yes, they have them," he said. "At our site, we saw a few, scattered, during harvest time. We know some of our close neighbors have them. We had no effect on grape quality or quantity due those bugs in 2016, but we are expecting considerably more of an issue in 2017." Added his daughter, Joanne, one of the region's most respected winemakers: "We killed any that we found during harvest, but have not diligently looked for egg masses on the grapevines. We really have no idea how large of a problem this is going to turn out to be!" Nichols, from the Department of Agriculture, noted in an email that "we're getting around the outer edges of the infestation, and we have techniques that have proven extremely effective at breaking the life cycle. Our staff are doing exceptional work on a tight budget and getting a handle on the infestation. "What matters most is that we secure the cooperation of the public in ensuring that they don't accidentally transport Spotted Lanternflies, and that they keep an eye out for signs of an infestation and destroy any nymphs, adults, and egg masses," he added. "By eliminating the Spotted Lanternflies that they see and not spreading them across more of the state, Pennsylvanians can perform a vital service for us." The press release noted that if you see eggs on trees or other smooth outdoor surfaces, scrape them off, double bag them and throw them in the garbage, or place the eggs in alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them. "In this season when many sportsmen are enjoying Penn's Woods, treestands, tarps, ATVs and other equipment can make an inviting location for Spotted Lanternfly females to lay their egg masses," Redding, the Ag Secretary, said. "Make sure that you aren't packing a pest when you enter, and look before you leave the woods, too. These precautions, like burning firewood where you buy or harvest it, are important no matter the invasive species: Spotted Lanternfly, Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Walnut Twig Beetle, or others that threaten our ecosystems. Help us to keep these hitchhikers at bay." Redding stressed that residents inside the quarantine zone should simply destroy any specimens they find. There is no need to report the insect. The general quarantine of these infested areas restricts movement of any material or object that can spread the pest. This includes firewood or wood products, brush or yard waste, remodeling or construction materials and waste, packing material like boxes, grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock, and any outdoor household articles like lawnmowers, grills, tarps and other equipment, as well as trucks and vehicles not typically stored indoors. Photos of adults or egg masses found outside of the quarantined areas can be submitted to badbug@pa.gov. To report a site, call the Invasive Species Report Line at 1-866-253-7189 and provide details of the sighting and your contact information. Additional information is located on the Department of Agriculture website, where visitors can access the "Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Checklist." The full quarantine now covers the following areas: Berks County: Alsace, Amity, Centre, Colebrookdale, Douglass, District, Douglass, Earl, Exeter, Hereford, Longswamp, Maiden Creek Maxatawny, Oley, Pike, Richmond, Robeson, Rockland, Ruscombmanor, Union and Washington townships, and the boroughs of Bally, Bechtelsville, Birdsboro, Boyertown, Centreport, Fleetwood, Kutztown, Lyons, St. Lawrence and Topton. Bucks County: Milford and Richland townships and Richlandtown, Quakertown and Trumbauersville boroughs. Chester County: East Vincent, East Coventry, North Coventry and South Coventry townships and Spring City Borough. Lehigh County: Upper Saucon, Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Lower Milford, Whitehall, and South Whitehall townships; the boroughs of Alburtis, Emmaus and Macungie; and the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. Montgomery County: Douglass, Marlborough, New Hanover, Upper Hanover, Upper Providence, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Salford, Upper Frederick, Limerick, Lower Frederick, Lower Pottsgrove and West Pottsgrove townships, and the boroughs of East Greenville, Pennsburg, Pottstown, Red Hill and Royersford. Northampton County: Bethlehem City. Weve known ransomware costs for a small- to medium-sized business can be $99,000, per Kapersky Labs. This includes lost business data, productivity and perhaps trade secrets or proprietary information, as well as increased spending on IT security. A new Vanson Bourne survey, sponsored by SentinelOne of 500 cybersecurity decision makers reveals that recovery from a ransomware infection takes 33 employee hours. Suffering this potential consequence were the 48% of organizations that reported being subjected to at least one ransomware attack during the last 12 months. Ouch More than one a year? The latest high-profile victim which was made public (often a company will do its best to hide such a breach) is San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The hacker using a Russian email address demanded $73,000 and due to infections on the machines processing payments, riders were able to ride trains without paying. Obviously this was a very expensive attack it is unknown how much revenue was lost as a result. To learn more, we reached out to Paul Rose of the SFMTA who was not immediately available for comment. For more, the SFMTA has a blog post from Kristen Holland which has minor details of interest. In addition, reports of hackers threatening to release data have recently surfaced perhaps 30 GB of personal tracking data. Bottom line make sure you have a disaster recovery strategy as getting hit by ransomware is a matter of when, not if and you need to know how to respond quickly when your computers become unusable. If you just coughed up your turkey dinner from all the way last week at that headline, man, you were not alone. That price tag gave me sticker shock so hard I think it might have had a taser. So what do you get for a virtual reality (VR) rig that's priced about the same as some entire used cars? A slice of innovation so impressive that it might well change the way we game in VR.Known as the Kat Walk from KatVR, it's a complete setup that wraps around a player's waist, and uses special shoes backed up by a plastic pad underneath said shoes that basically turn your feet into a walking controller, allowing your movements to translate perfectly within a game. Want to run through the Outlast house or actually walk from Riften to Markarth in Skyrim? All possible with the Kat Walk. It's used with a Vive headset and a special controller for actions not controlled by the feet.Reports suggest that $9,000 Kat Walk system is already catching on in Chinese video arcades, where they're selling like hotcakes thanks to the fact that these still-missed anachronisms are putting a lot of investment--and when's the last time you heard the phrase "large numbers of arcades are investing heavily" in a sentence without bursting into laughter?--into VR operations.I don't know what's more unusual here: the high-priced VR controller or the fact that apparently there's some kind of renaissance for arcades going on in China right now. Because frankly, the last place I ever expected to hear about video arcades is in a place known for its staggering levels of Internet censorship . It's actually a safe bet that no one in China is reading this right now, based on what I've heard about the Great Firewall so far. Yet at the same time, this is exciting news. We're talking about a VR controller that's sufficiently immersive to be powered by actual physical movement. Of course, that only goes so far; we've had such controllers come out before like the Virtuix Omni gaming treadmill, and Virtual Reality Times actually went so far back in 2015 as to offer a list of similar controllers currently in development. There were several such entries.It's not a bad idea to improve VR control schemes; we're getting to a point where such operations will be necessary down the line and being ready for such a position is important. The $9,000 controller may not get a lot of life outside of big operations, but it's certainly not out of line to look for a scaled-down consumer version to come. We may well be replacing our hand-based pads with larger treadmill-based rigs, so clean up your living rooms, folks, we may be needing some more room therein soon. The nations largest charter advocacy group has launched a legal action and defense fund. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools describes its new Charter School Legal Defense Fund as a watchdog and resource that will help defend charters in lawsuits and further charter causes through litigation. Although charter schools have made significant inroads across the country in the last 25 years through legislation43 states and the District of Columbia now allow for charter schools to operatethe alliance said in a statement released earlier this month that it now needs to focus more attention on the judicial branch. One recent high-profile loss for advocates happened last year when Washington states supreme court ruled the states charter law was unconstitutional based largely on how charter schools were funded. The lawsuit was backed by a coalition of groups including the Washington Education Association, the states largest teachers union. Charter advocates, including NAPCS, helped revive the law through new legislation , which lawmakers passed earlier this year, to address some of the issues raised by the supreme court. But the rewritten law was promptly challenged by a group of parents backed by several organizations including the WEA. The legal fight over the constitutionality of charter school funding in Washington state may have inspired a separate lawsuit in Mississippi led by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Like Washington state, Mississippi is another recent comer to the charter sector. As its first action, the Charter School Legal Defense Fund filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court last week backing the petitioner, a child with autism, in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District a case that will have significant impact on federal special education law . It jointly filed the brief with the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools. Related stories: This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions By Lesli A. Maxwell and Arianna Prothero Many school choice advocates are ecstatic that President-elect Donald Trump has tapped billionaire Betsy DeVos to be the next U.S. Secretary of Education their visions for expanding voucher programs and charter schools on a grander scale seeming more likely than ever. On the flip side, opponents of charters and other taxpayer-supported forms of school choice are predicting the destruction of traditional public schools under DeVos leadership. Heres a reality check for both sides. Most of the nations 50 million K-12 schoolchildren will stay where they already arein neighborhood public schools. Theres every reason to believe that DeVoswho has a robust track record when it comes to supporting (with her own money) an array of school choice issues, especially in her home state of Michiganwill embrace and push for Trumps campaign proposal to spend $20 billion in federal money on school vouchers for poor kids. That plan calls for allowing low-income families to choose a school for their children, be it private, magnet, charter, or traditional public. Even though vouchers have much slimmer political support than charter schools, there are members of Congress whove attempted this before, and are ready to go to battle again, perhaps none more so than Republican Rep. Luke Messer of Indiana, who last year made a push to make federal Title I funds portable for poor students to use at both public and private schools. As Messer told our colleague Andrew Ujifusa right after Trumps election : There are billions and billions of dollars spent by the federal government on education. We can certainly find the money to spend on that program, Messer said, adding then when it comes to how such a program could work, There are many options. I dont think anyone has decided if Title I is the best option. But even if Trump is able to make good on his campaign promise to create federal school vouchers for low-income students, the vast majority of the nations 50 million public school students will remain in district-run, neighborhood schools. The full contours of Trumps proposal are still largely unknown, but presumably not all of the $20 billion would be, or could be, set aside for private-school vouchers . A large share of eligible families would likely choose to send their kids to other traditional public schools, or charters, which are public. A $20 billion voucher program would present major logistical challenges. Even if the political challenges to such a program could be overcomeand thats a huge questionthe practical and logistical challenges to accommodating such a mass expansion of school choice for voucher students are enormous. Right now, there are 2.7 million students in charters, less than six percent of the overall K-12 enrollment. The private-school-choice sector is even smaller at fewer than 400,000 students. (see our graphic below, which reflects data from 2015). Just 15 states and the District of Columbia have voucher programs, and in many of those, Roman Catholic schools make up the bulk of private schools that participate . Catholic schools offer tuition rates to make vouchers, which typically range in value from $4,000 to $7,000, the most viable option for poor families. But that particular sector has shrunk dramatically over the decades, dropping to 1.9 million students in the 2014-15 school year from its peak of 5.2 million in the 1960s, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. Elsewhere in the private school sector, about 730,000 students were enrolled in private, independent schools that were members of the National Association of Independent Schools in the 2015-16 school year, according to the membership organization. Enrollment in private schools that are not members of NAIS stood at nearly 122,000 students in the same year, according to the data on the associations website. The organization reported that the median tuition at its members day schools was just under $20,000 for students in 6th grade. Given such obstacles, even the most stalwart supporters of school choice seem to think Trumps vision for vouchers is not a foregone conclusion, but an unprecedented opportunity to put the issue at the center of conversations about improving education. As Robert Enlow, the president and chief executive officer of EdChoice, a major school choice advocacy group, told Arianna Prothero recently: One of the reasons Im excited about the next four years, in terms of school choice, there is going to be a chance to advocate and educate about this issue, said Enlow. There are many flavors of school choicevouchers, education savings accounts, tax-credit scholarships, and charters, to name a few. Voucher is the word on everyones mind at the moment and its a politically loaded term. To many the other types of choice they hear abouteducation savings accounts and tax-credit scholarshipsare just variations. But the differences between private school choice programs such as traditional vouchers, tax-credit scholarships, and education savings accounts are still very important, and can even explain why one kind is legal in a given state, but another isnt. So, what are the differences? School Vouchers: This type of program allows parents to use public funding allocated for their child toward tuition at a private school of their choice, including religiously affiliated private schools. Most voucher programs typically start out targeted toward certain groups of students such as those with disabilities, those zoned to a failing school, or those from low-income families. Some states, such as Indiana, have expanded their programs to include more middle-income families . (Vice President-elect, Mike Pence, is the former Governor of Indiana and oversaw significant expansion of the voucher program during his time in office.) Tax-credit scholarships: Through this type of program, the state uses tax-credits to incentivize businesses or individuals to donate money to a scholarship granting organization, which then gives money to students to use toward tuition at a private school. To qualify, students usually have to be from a low-income family, a failing school, or have other special needs. Some states offer another variation, such as individual tax-credits or deductions. Florida pioneered this version of choice. Education savings accounts: In an ESA program, the state sets aside money usually based on its per-pupil funding formulas in individual accounts for participating students. Their parents or guardians can then withdraw that money to spend on approved educational expenses. That may be private school tuition, but it may also be used for tutoring, online courses, transportation, or even some types of therapy. In addition to helping families send their children to private school, an ESA program can also allow them to home school or cobble together a hybrid public-private education. ESAs were initially aimed at students with disabilities, but Arizona, where the idea originated, has been steadily expanding eligibility to its program to include other groups of students, such as those from failing schools, military families, and students who live on American Indian reservations. Nevada blew the lid off that last year when it passed a universal ESA program open to all students in public schools. Why the Differences? To answer that question, we have to go back to 2002 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a small voucher program in Cleveland did not violate the Establishment Clause in the U.S. Constitution. The Justices ruled the voucher program was constitutional because it served a valid secular purpose and it was neutral to religionin other words, parents pick what schools the money goes to, not the state government. However, many state constitutions have specific amendments expressly prohibiting taxpayer money from going to religious organizations. These are generally called Blaine Amendments. (For a short history on Blaine amendments, heres an informative Q&A with a George Washington University law scholar ). So, if a states constitution has a Blaine Amendment, tax-credit scholarships and ESAs can offer workarounds. A story Education Weeks Arianna Prothero wrote on education savings accounts offers a good example : Created in 2011, Arizona's ESA program was, in many ways, the outcome of a protracted legal battle over the state's original voucher program, which was ruled unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court in 2009 because it provided public dollars directly to private schools, and to private schools only. In that decision, the court left open the possibility that a voucher-like program could be structured to remove that conflict. 'They left us a trail of breadcrumbs to follow,' said Matthew Ladner, who worked at the Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, a conservative public policy and advocacy organization whose legal arm also helped defend the ESA program. 'I took the hint from that, and we published a new paper at the Goldwater Institute basically calling for an account-based choice program for special needs kids that would have multiple uses including private schools,' he said." But that doesnt mean those programs cant be challenged. State teachers unions have led the legal charge against tax-credit and ESA programs in several states. They generally argue that no matter how circuitous the route, state governments are still directing money toward private and sometimes religious institutions and away from public schools. Here are some examples of recent lawsuits: Nevadas education savings account program is currently suspended after the states Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutionally funded . A lawsuit challenging Floridas tax-credit scholarship program has been winding through the states courts for a while now. Research assistance was provided by Librarian Holly Peele. Related stories: For a deep-dive on ESAs and the first two states, Arizona and Florida, to implement them, click here . And finally, heres an in-depth look at the countrys most expansive voucher program, Indianas . More girls are taking the Advanced Placement exam in computer science, but there are still several states where girls lag far behind boys when it comes to this subject. Thats one of the chief findings of a state-by-state analysis of the newly released data from the College Board by Barbara Ericson, the director of computing outreach and a senior research scientist at the College of Computing at Georgia Tech . Ericson compiled the data from the College Board for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Her numbers differ slightly from the College Boards because she does not take Canadian test-takers into account. This year 54,379 students took the AP Computer Science A exam in the United States, a 17 percent increase over 2015. Through an email, Zach Goldberg, the senior director of media relations for the College Board, noted that AP Computer Science A is the fastest-growing AP exam. We see a positive trend of females and underrepresented minorities taking on the challenging course work that will help prepare them for college and career success in critical STEM fields, wrote Goldberg. Of the U.S test-takers, 23 percent were girls. Thats up from 22 percent last year. But in eight states, fewer than 10 girls took the exam, and Mississippi and Montana didnt have a single female take the exam. Among other states: In Alaska, nine out of 60 test-takers were girls. In Nebraska, eight out of 88 were girls. In North Dakota, six out of 35 were girls. In Kansas, four out of 57 were girls. In Wyoming, two out of six were girls. In South Dakota, one out of 26 was a girl. Ericson pointed to studies that show girls are often discouraged from going into the field by their teachers and their parents. The girls certainly get that message that computer science is not necessarily for you. Its for the guys, said Ericson. When it comes to states with the highest percentage of girls taking the exam, West Virginia leads the way with 36 percent. The pass rate for girls held steady this year over last at 61 percent. But thats still a few percentage points lower than the overall pass rate for this year at 64 percent. Ericsons analysis found four states where girls performed better than the overall pass rate. In New Jersey, girls had a passing rate of 69 percent. In California and Illinois, girls passing rate was 67 percent. In Massachusetts, the passing rate for girls was 66 percent. Results by Race and Ethnicity Ericson also analyzed the state-by-state data by race and ethnicity. This year 2,027 black students took the exam compared to 1,784 last year. Hispanic students also saw growth in the number of test-takers. This year 6,256 Latino students took the exam up from 4, 272 last year. (The College Board has warned against reading too much into comparisons with previous years when it comes to students racial and ethnic identities because of changes in the way this data is collected and reported .) But African-American and Hispanic students continue to pass the exam well below the overall pass rate of 64 percent at 33 percent and 42 percent, respectively. For black students, that was a drop from 2015s pass rate of 38 percent, while Latino students made a slight gain over last years pass rate of 41 percent. Ericson said this performance gap can be partly attributed to a lack of exposure to computer science. In general, theres some privilege going on here, said Ericson. The white and Asian males are more likely to have had computer science in their schools, are more likely to have had exposure earlier. She also pointed to a recent report by Google that found black students are less likely to see media portrayals of African-Americans in the computer science field, and that sends a negative message about whats possible for them. So these underrepresented students dont know of anybody like them in the media thats in computing, said Ericson. So theres social restrictions to say, Hey, thats not really for you. Thats for white and Asian males. Twenty-four states had fewer than 10 African-American students take the AP Computer Science Exam A, while nine states had no African-American students take the exam. States without a single black student taking the exam include: Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming. African-American and Hispanic students didnt reach the overall pass rate in any state, but black students came closest in New Jersey where their pass rate was 52 percent. Maryland is where Hispanic students came closest to the overall pass rate at 52 percent. Fifteen states had fewer than 10 Hispanics take the exam. In Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, no Latino students took the exam. New AP Course This year the College Board introduced a new AP computer science course that doesnt require previous coding experience. Ericson said she believes the AP Computer Science Principles course may eventually pave the way for more girls and black and Hispanic students to take and pass the AP Computer Science A exam. Goldberg echoed that sentiment in an email. As part of our efforts to engage more young women and underrepresented minorities in STEM, the College Board this year launched AP Computer Science Principles, wrote Goldberg. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. Related stories: The nomination of billionaire charter and voucher advocate Betsy DeVos to be U.S. Secretary of Education has set off alarm bells in the education establishment. It should. DeVos sole experience with public education has been opposing it and attempting to deprive public schools of funds while supporting both vouchers and unregulated charter schools. She will be heading the department that distributes $15-billion in Title I funds to schools of poor children. Donald J. Trump, the president-elect who appointed her, has advocated raiding these funds in order to establish a $20-billion federal voucher fund, thus creating a direct transfer from public to private. While Trumps plan is unlikely to pass muster with Congress, which will probably be reluctant to undo its just completed bipartisan effort to enact the long overdue revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, DeVos is still a clear and present danger to public education. (See Aaron Pallas scenarios in The Hechinger Report.) As a Wall Street Journal editorial illustrates, her nomination is part of a larger agenda to privatize schooling. It gleefully points to public school and union drubbing throughout the country. The American Federation for Children, which DeVos chairs, says it was successful in 108 of the 121 races where it supported candidates. It then noted, One of Mrs. DeVoss tasks will be leveraging her bully pulpit and federal dollars to extend this progress to the states, where most education money is spent. DeVos nomination will fuel the growing charter school war in California. In response to a local backlash against charters, particularly in Los Angeles, pro-charter groups spent $17-million in independent expenditures on 2016 state legislative races, a KPCC public radio analysis showed. Backed by donors like L.A. philanthropist Eli Broad, Netflix founder Reed Hastings, and Gap founder Doris Fisher, these pro-charter groups outside spending has even surpassed traditional heavyweights in California politics: groups backed by the energy industry, real estate developers or organized labor, the KPPC report said. Charter backers have heavily supported Tim Grayson who defeated Mae Torlakson, wife of the state school superintendent, for an East Bay seat in the Assembly. They also helped elect Anna Caballero and Raul Bocanegra. DeVos selection will heighten the public schools suck rhetoric. Traditional public schools are not succeeding. In fact, lets be clear, in many cases, they are failing. Thats helped people become more open to what were once considered really radical reformsreforms like vouchers, tax credits, and education savings accounts, DeVos said several years ago. Predictably, union leaders have viewed DeVos nomination with alarm. The California Federation of Teachers said in an email, We are deeply disappointed but not surprised by the selection of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. The Trump administration is making clear from the outset that it wants to privatize public schools, with less transparency and little accountability. Randi Weingarten , the president of the American Federation of Teachers, called Ms. DeVos the most ideological, anti-public education nominee since the secretary of education was elevated to the cabinet level four decades ago. Lily Eskelsen Garcia , president of the National Education Association, issued a statement saying, by nominating Betsy DeVos, the Trump administration has demonstrated just how out of touch it is with what works best for students, parents, educators and communities. More surprising is a scathing denunciation by Douglas Harris , an economist at Tulane University and head of a research institute tracking New Orleans reforms. He supports charters and has become the interpreter-in-chief of that citys experiment with a virtually all-charter system. The operative word is system. A decade of experience has shown that what Harris calls wild west unregulated charters fail to perform. Both a system that coordinates them and state regulation that disciplines them are key to what Harris considers a successful use of the charter concept. But DeVos and her husbandtheir wealth estimated at $5.1-billion are power brokers in Michigan, heavy donors to the Republican Party, and opponents of charter regulation . As one of the architects of Detroits charter school system, she is partly responsible for what even charter advocates acknowledge is the biggest school reform disaster in the country, Harris said in a New York Times opinion piece. On national tests, Detroits charters come in among the worst of the worst. The Louisiana experience also repudiates DeVos advocacy for vouchers. Where students in the New Orleans charters improved on state test scores and other measures, those in the states unregulated voucher program did worse. Harris concludes, The DeVos nomination is a triumph of ideology over evidence that should worry anyone who wants to improve results for children. Californias senators should lobby their colleagues not to confirm DeVos appointment. The eight years of the Obama administration have been a time of great change for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as a whole, and that transformation extended beyond high-profile fights for marriage rights into the realm of student issues. LGBT student advocates have noted that federal agencies under Obama have been particularly active in interpreting and applying civil rights laws to gender identity and sexual orientation issues, collecting data on the experiences of LGBT students in schools, and pushing for inclusive school climates for all students. So what will these issues look like during the presidency of Donald Trump? Some civil rights organizations fear that the efforts theyve fought for will languish in the currently forming administration, which has set a tone for less federal involvement in education issues, including civil rights. Here are some issues to watch. How Would LGBT Students Fare Under a Federal School-Voucher Program? Trump seemingly doubled down on his commitment to school vouchers last week when he named Republican mega-donor and school choice advocate Betsy DeVos as his choice for education secretary. DeVos husband, the son of the founder of Amway, helped finance a campaign to change the Michigan Constitution to allow tuition vouchers at private schools , Politics K-12 reports. Her appointment follows a plan Trump unveiled during the campaign to redirect $20 billion in federal funding to a voucher program that would send low-income students to public and private schools of their choice. Those plans alarmed civil rights groups, which argued that the federal government may have less authority to enforce civil rights laws and oversee their application in private schools, putting some students at risk for discrimination. LGBT student group GLSEN, released this statement from Executive Director Eliza Byard after DeVos appointment: We are deeply concerned by the nomination of Betsy DeVos for U.S. Secretary of Education. GLSEN is committed to the principle that all students have a right to high-quality public education free from discrimination. DeVos's record of advocacy for vouchers and tuition tax credits represents a rejection of that principle. We have seen time and time again that so-called "school choice" undercuts civil-rights enforcement and drains public education systems of desperately needed funds. True educational equity requires schools that serve the most at-risk students, including students of color; students with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) students; and English-language learners. Vouchers and tuition tax credits do not advance this cause. As we have seen over the past eight years, federal civil rights oversight of education is essential to ensure that all students in this country have real access to opportunity. There is so much to be celebrated in the civil rights gains made during the Obama Administration. As a nation, we must build on that legacy. Over the years, people of good will across the political spectrum have been able to come together to promote the success of all students, and we call upon DeVos to join us in moving forward." How Will the Trump Administration Interpret Title IX? Transgender student rights have been a flashpoint under the Obama administration. But Trump could undo guidance to schools from the U.S. departments of Justice and Education by appointing officials with a different view of Title IX, which would affect issues like which restrooms transgender students are allowed to use at school. The Obama administrations interpretation of Title IX is currently at issue in a Supreme Court case . And, if trends continue, Trump will likely appoint a justice to fill conservative justice Antonin Scalias seat. From a story by Education Weeks Mark Walsh about education civil rights under Trump: Under Obama, the [Education Department's office for civil rights] has taken the view that under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination "based on sex" in federally funded educational programs, schools and colleges must allow transgender students to use the restrooms or locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity. A broad guidance document on the issue from the Education and Justice departments is being challenged in a lawsuit by 21 states, which contend that the interpretation is incorrect and that such guidance may not be imposed on the states without going through a notice-and-comment rulemaking procedure, which the May 16 "Dear Colleague" letter did not. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court has accepted a case that arose before the "Dear Colleague" letter was issued that involves a Virginia transgender student who was denied the use of the boys' restroom in his high school. A federal appeals court ruled for the student by giving deference to an informal interpretation of Title IX provided by an OCR official. Some observers have suggested that the Trump administration could quickly reverse course by withdrawing such guidance. Last spring, candidate Trump gave mixed signals on the issue. He said on one occasion that he thought transgender people should be able to "use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate." He later said it should be a matter for states to decide." How Would Less Aggressive Civil Rights Enforcement Affect LGBT Students? Even if a Trump administration doesnt introduce new interpretations of civil rights laws, it may be less aggressive about enforcing them. As I wrote in May, civil rights complaints and investigations have spiked under Obamas education department. Trumps advisers have talked about scaling back or even eliminating many of the functions of the office for civil rights , the wing of the federal agency responsible for this enforcement. And civil rights groups fear a similar scaling back at the Justice Department, which also enforces these laws in schools. A less aggressive approach could mean fewer investigations of violations of rules affecting LGBT students. The Obama administration, for example, asserted that schools may violate civil rights laws if they dont adequately respond to reports of bullying, including bullying on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. School Climate Research and LGBT Students The effects of a new administration on sometimes marginalized student groups could come not only from its approach to marquee issues, like interpretation of laws. Among the more wonky issues that could make a big difference for LGBT students: How much the new administration prioritizes collecting and tracking data on the experience of all students in public schools. As I wrote in 2014, many federal data sources include few questions about sexual orientation and gender identity , leaving a dearth of reliable, longitudinal information about LGBT students experiences, and making it difficult to track the effectiveness of school climate efforts for these students. Several agencies have worked to expand the data they collect on LGBT students in recent years, but researchers have said there is even more work to be done in this area. These issues could be affected by the priorities of folks much lower in the department than the education secretary, and they will be a good thing to keep an eye on as the Trump administration kicks into gear. Tone at the Top After Trump announced DeVos appointment, advocacy organizations were quick to point out her familys ties to socially conservative causes. GLSEN, for example, noted a family history of funding right-wing Christian advocacy groups, including Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom. The Alliance Defending Freedom has been involved in several lawsuits targeting the federal transgender student guidance. This may mean DeVos takes a conservative viewpoint on these issues with her to the department. Or it may signal that the department will at least take less vocal positions on issues affecting LGBT students. As LGBT student groups have said, the work of the Obama administration has extended beyond its policy positions to its use of the federal megaphone to bring awareness to their causes. Related reading on Donald Trump, Betsy DeVos, and LGBT students: Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox. Tom Chomiak, left, CTO of LCP 360, plays ping pong against Shoaib Abbasi, president of Strategic Systems International, right, at the third annual T4Youth pingpong tournament. (Kristen Norman / Blue Sky) A Chicago charity brought tech community members to the table to give back earlier this month. The pingpong table, that is. Advertisement More than 250 people from the Chicago tech community partook in the third annual T4Youth pingpong tournament, held at AceBounce in the Loop. All of the proceeds from the competition benefited Chicago Tech Academy, a high school located in University Village whose mission is to address racial, gender and socioeconomic inequality in the tech industry. Advertisement This year, T4Youth raised over $100,000 for the Academy, the most raised since the competition started in 2014. That year, the competition brought in $50,000 for the school; in 2015, it brought in $80,000. The pingpong tournament was a double-elimination competition for singles and doubles players. There was also a "C" league for tech executives to compete in. Each team made a donation of $1,000 to play. Forty-three teams each made up of each with five or six players participated in the main tournament. Teams included Google, Reverb, Gogo and United Airlines. There were 22 "C" league participants, including Joseph de Castelnau, CTO of Nielsen; David Kalt , CEO of Reverb; Francois Toubol, CTO of SIM Partners; and Ash ElDifrawi, CCO of Gogo. The team league's winner was Enova; the "C" league's winner was Nimesh Patel, CTO of Emmi Solutions. Ryan Pollock, founder of IT recruitment firm Objective Paradigm and co-founder of T4Youth, first started the competition in 2014 with hopes of further connecting and helping the Chicago tech community. Table tennis seemed like an obvious choice. "We wanted to make something that would both give back to the community and make people feel good for being involved," he said. "If there's one thing that's consistent in tech organizations, it's that most of them enjoy playing pingpong." Pollock chose Chicago Tech Academy as the beneficiary of T4Youth because it could benefit the Chicago tech community in the long run. Advertisement "We were trying to find a group we could make the biggest impact with," he said. "We chose Chicago Tech Academy because it would maintain a back-and-forth between the tech community and those who want to be a part of it in the future." Kelly Jones, executive director of community engagement at Chicago Tech Academy, said the money raised from T4Youth helps the school immensely. "We're very focused on project-based learning," she said. "The whole school almost feels like a startup. The money we receive from T4Youth helps us move the needle quite a bit, since we have a lot of supplies that are necessary to sustaining this project-based learning." Jones said the money from T4Youth also helps support the Academy's professional development program, which includes providing professional attire to students interviewing for tech positions at Chicago companies. The cash also supports the school's "Power Lunch" speaker series, which brings Chicago tech community members in to tell their stories to students. Chicago Tech Academy, founded in 2009, has 300 students from 38 different Chicago ZIP codes currently enrolled. Last year, about 65 percent of graduating students went on to post-secondary education, with 40 percent of them interested in pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Drew Mauck, co-founder of T4Youth and founder of 3Points Communication, said Chicago Tech Academy students had an active role in creating excitement for the tournament. Advertisement "We had pre-tournament kits assembled for each of the teams participating," he said. "The kids went out to the companies to deliver them as a way to get them out in the city and meeting different tech companies." Jones expects T4Youth to be a continued success for the Chicago Tech Academy and its students going forward. "It's a pretty unique partnership," she said. "There's a pathway to success here that the kids recognize from the people in the tech community they're interacting with." epanken@chicagotribune.com Twitter @EliPanken Rick Ring, left, and Corinne Schmitt-Bries attach a panel to a John Deere 1050K Crawler Dozer at John Deere Dubuque Works in Dubuque, Iowa, on Feb. 11, 2015. The stocks of Deere & Co. and fellow Illinois company Caterpillar are near 52-week highs as the market senses opportunity in infrastructure improvements. (Jessica Reilly / AP) President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to rebuild the country's multitude of highways, roads, bridges and dams is resonating with major Illinois business interests, which are mapping out their own infrastructure dreams. Trump's vow to invest $1 trillion over 10 years is placing infrastructure improvements on the front burner of national priorities. Any infrastructure rehab would have to include Illinois, a transportation hub. Advertisement "Trump is bringing the conversation to the table. But we'll want to look at the fine print," says Mike Sturino, CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, an advocacy group representing over 350 members of design and construction firms. Even while waiting on the specifics of a Trump plan, Illinois' multibillion-dollar infrastructure bandwagon is starting to roll. Just how far and fast it goes next year is uncertain, but there are signs of forward motion after years of being stuck in neutral. Advertisement Already, the stock market is sensing new investment opportunities by backing Illinois-based heavy equipment and construction firms Caterpillar, of Peoria, and Deere & Co., of Moline. Since Trump's election, both companies' stock prices have flirted with their 52-week highs. Meanwhile, recent passage of the controversial Safe Roads Amendment, which will prevent the state government from tapping designated transportation funds for other uses such as social services, means more money will stay in the pipeline for state road building and repairs. Because most of that construction work is assured, small and midsize road-building firms now are gearing up by buying more equipment and supplies, say road builders. New hiring is expected to follow. There is even some cautious, if overly hopeful, talk that sometime next year Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan could put aside their differences and craft a multiyear capital spending bill. Don't laugh. Yes, that's a pretty tall order since both men have failed to reach a budget deal for over two years. Still, others say a rapprochement is possible. Jim Reilly, an experienced political hand who's now a senior fellow at the Metropolitan Planning Council, envisions a capital bill emerging if and when a state budget accord is reached. That's particularly true if the budget deal calls for higher taxes and lawmakers are scrambling to explain a rate hike to their tax-averse constituents, he adds. "Historically, the legislature has also done a capital bill so legislators can say they voted for an increase but, 'look, I also got you a new highway or a bus route or whatever,'" said Reilly. Advertisement Illinois' last capital construction bill was passed in 2009, which called for $31 billion investment over six years. It was the first such bill to pass in more than a decade. The Metropolitan Planning Council says its research shows that at least $43 billion, over a 10-year span, now is required to shore up Illinois' roads, rails, bridges and other transportation avenues. Backers say these upgrades likely would be financed through higher motor fuel taxes or other transportation-related licensing and user fees. Nationally, it's murkier. Trump is floating an idea to lure private investment with tax credits for the first $137 billion worth of projects. Just how that will work is still to be determined and it's unclear where the rest of that $1 trillion comes from too. There's been discussion of opening the gates to Wall Street-type financing of public-private partnerships, where private investors bankroll construction of a tollway or bridge and then keep the revenues generated from the project. Advertisement Will such private-public partnerships find their way to Illinois? Don't rule out that possibility, despite the fact that privatization still carries the stigma of Chicago's noxious parking meter deal. There's a long way to go and a lot to talk about. But maybe after all this discussion, we'll actually get somewhere possibly on a freshly paved road. roreed@chicagotribune.com Twitter @reedtribbiz Kimberly Franklin, a Chicago Department of Public Health sanitarian, inspects soft drink nozzles at a Subway restaurant in the South Loop in 2013. An audit by the city's Office of Inspector General shows fewer than half of city food establishments classified as "high risk" are being inspected as often as the state requires. (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune) Last year, more than half of Chicago's high-risk food establishments including restaurants, school and hospital kitchens, and day care centers weren't inspected twice, as required by the state, putting at risk both public safety and continued state funding, according to an audit released Tuesday by the city's Office of Inspector General. In response, officials with the city Department of Public Health said they're doing what they can with insufficient resources and have made strides in recent years prioritizing businesses considered to be most at risk for food safety violations. Advertisement The city's health department and inspector general agree on this much: More money and help are needed. "We take food safety very seriously and do everything in our power to prioritize establishments that pose the greatest risks to ensure safety for residents and visitors alike. We can do even better work if and when this (state) mandate is fully funded," said Brian Richardson, spokesman for the health department. Despite having inadequate resources, Richardson said, the department has increased the number of inspections from 19,854 in 2012 to 21,612 so far this year. Advertisement Currently, the city employs 38 sanitarians to inspect about 15,000 businesses including restaurants, grocery stores and bars as a matter of routine, and in response to complaints and violations. The inspector general's audit estimated the city would need to hire another 56 inspectors to meet the minimum requirements laid out by the state, which are based on recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Though the city's been out of compliance with state law for years, according to the audit, the state has agreed to "corrective action plans" that allow Chicago to continue receiving grant funds to help pay for inspections. Last year, the city health department received $2.5 million in local health protection grant money from the Illinois Department of Public Health. About $970,000 of that money was allocated for the food inspection program, with the rest going toward communicable disease prevention and immunizations, Richardson said. But city and state funding hasn't been sufficient for Chicago to hit the state targets for inspections. And continued noncompliance could put in jeopardy the city's state grant money, said Inspector General Joe Ferguson, who called the situation a "curious and troubling landscape." "By presenting one rule on the books, but allowing a lower standard in practice, city and state regulators are knowingly signaling to the public that Chicago's food establishments are subject to a far more rigorous inspection regime than is the case, undermining public trust and confidence," Ferguson said in a news release issued Tuesday. Though more money is needed to increase staffing, it's unclear where that funding will come from. In his statement, Ferguson called for the city to fully fund current and future food inspection mandates. At present, the city funds 27 of the Chicago health department's 38 sanitarian positions. The state finances eight of the positions and the remaining three are funded through other grants, according to the audit. Richardson said more help was needed from the state. "It is clear that additional resources are required if we are to meet the state's requirements," he said. Advertisement Last year, only 3,566, or about 44 percent, of Chicago's establishments considered "high-risk," including restaurants, were inspected the minimum of two times required by the state, the audit found. All high-risk businesses were inspected at least once last year, Richardson said. In recent years, the health department has used predictive analytics to focus its limited resources in the highest-risk establishments. And tools like the city's 311 hotline for public safety complaints have allowed the inspectors to respond quicker, he said. Businesses considered to be medium risk, including grocery stores, are only required by the state to be inspected once a year. Last year, Chicago's sanitarians inspected 2,478 medium-risk establishments, which represents about 80 percent, at least once. City inspectors canvassed 1,078, or 24.8 percent, of low-risk establishments, such as bars, the required minimum of one time in 2014 or 2015, the audit found. gtrotter@chicagotribune.com Twitter @GregTrotterTrib A rendering shows the 22,000-square-foot Target store planned to be part of the 20-story, 271-unit Elevate Oak Park luxury apartment development at the corner of Lake Street and Maple Avenue in Oak Park. (Target) Target's latest small, urban store is headed to a new Oak Park high-rise building expected to open next year. The 22,000-square-foot Target store will be part of the 20-story, 271-unit Elevate Oak Park luxury apartment development at the corner of Lake Street and Maple Avenue, Target said Tuesday. Advertisement "We're thrilled to welcome Target as the anchor tenant to the Elevate Oak Park development," Andy Stein, principal at Clark Street Real Estate, said in a news release. Clark Street is developing the building with Lennar Multifamily Communities. "Target will be a great addition for the residents of Oak Park by providing a convenient shopping experience and great neighbor to the community." A rendering shows the small-format Target store planned to be the anchor tenant at the Elevate Oak Park luxury apartment development at Lake Street and Maple Avenue in Oak Park. The store is set to open in October. (Target) Target has been bullish on flexible-format stores like the one headed to Oak Park. The stores are typically in urban areas and smaller than typical Target stores, with a selection of products Target thinks will be particularly relevant to local shoppers. Advertisement The Oak Park store, expected to open in October, will have a grocery section, cosmetics, apparel, home products, electronics and family-oriented items such as toys and sporting goods, Target said. Target has 30 of the small-format stores today, including four in Chicago, and has announced plans for 25 more opening in the next three years, including three opening next year in the Chicago area. lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @laurenzumbach The executive in charge of marketing the new electric Chevrolet Bolt keeps coming back to one word. "Driving an electric vehicle is just now practical," Darin Gesse says of the Bolt. He repeats "practical" with the same fervor that Elon Musk might say "compelling." Advertisement Gesse isn't plugging style or promising to awe your neighbors like Musk and Tesla Motors. In fact, the styling of the Bolt is so ordinary the people next door may not even notice the hatchback in your driveway. What Gesse and General Motors want consumers to see is a car that will cater to their everyday needs commuting, shopping, transporting children and gear all on one charge of the battery. It's the first electric to get more than 200 miles per charge (238 to be exact) and fit most buyers' budgets (around $30,000, after a government tax credit). There are other things to like: gobs of interior space, a near-silent ride, no tailpipe emissions, and a 6.5-second zero-to-60 time that can beat a lot of old V-8 muscle cars. Advertisement The Bolt hits showrooms in California and Oregon in days and rolls out nationwide next year. The highly-anticipated Model 3, Tesla's first mass-market car, won't be ready until at least the end of next year. While GM is proud of its head start, the company didn't even take pre-orders for the Bolt. Meanwhile, more than 300,000 people have already plunked down $1,000 to reserve the $35,000 Model 3. For the practical Chevy buyer weighing an electric versus a comparable gas-powered vehicle, the electric's higher price is a major consideration. Right now, with gasoline around $2 per gallon nationwide, the numbers don't necessarily work in the Bolt's favor. A rough calculation of operating costs shows it will take more than 24 years for a Bolt owner to recoup the extra cost over a comparable gas-powered Chevrolet Cruze. Including a $7,500 tax credit, a base-model Bolt costs $29,995 including shipping. Add roughly $1,200 for a 240-volt home charging station, and that takes it to $31,195. A comparably equipped Cruze compact hatchback with automatic transmission costs $23,670 with shipping, or a difference of $7,525. The Bolt will save a buyer $450 per year on fuel at the current average gas price of $2.13 per gallon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Also, a Cruze owner would have to change oil at least twice per year for a total of $60. But insurance is generally 15 percent to 25 percent higher for electric cars, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That erases about $200 of annual savings. So the Bolt owner is saving only about $310 per year. Yet cost isn't the whole equation for the Bolt's target buyer, highly educated people in their 40s with disposable income who are technology leaders among peers, says Gesse. The cost difference doesn't include time wasted standing at a gas pump, nor does it reflect that electric cars are better for the environment, he says. The environment is important to Josh Liss, 30, a security analyst from near Princeton, N.J., who doesn't care so much about operating costs. He's got solar panels on his house to generate electricity and would be willing to trade his Ford C-Max plug-in hybrid in for a Bolt with the right deal. But Liss personifies a major challenge for GM. The Bolt's pedestrian looks give him pause. If he gets one, he says, it only would be a stopgap car until he can buy a Model 3. Advertisement "I think they have enough of the technical bells and whistles and the cool factor to hold me over a couple of years," Liss said of the Bolt. If GM can give the Bolt a sportier, sexier look with more luxury, the company "would have far better chances of attracting the (waiting) lines that Tesla has." While the Bolt won't have advanced features such as Telsa's Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system an extra charge in the Model 3 it's no tech slouch. It comes with a 10.2-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate smartphones. And automatic emergency braking, lane centering and front pedestrian detection and braking are available. Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports' director of automotive testing, says the Bolt is great to drive and has lots of space, but he agrees with Liss that it lacks the Model 3's sleek appeal. Fisher says there's a tug-of-war between designers and pragmatic engineers at every automaker. "The Bolt strikes me as a car where the engineers won every battle," he says. Fisher expects GM to build a sportier-looking model on Bolt underpinnings before the Model 3 debuts. Gesse wouldn't confirm that but says electric vehicles in general are likely to have more body styles to match competitors. Throughout GM, the company is proud to have beaten Tesla to the long-range, affordable electric car. Battery engineers tout years of electric car experience dating to the EV1 of the 1990s. And the company says that unlike Tesla, there's a nationwide dealer network should something go wrong. The Bolt's range more than covers the average daily round-trip commute of about 40 miles in the U.S. But the 9.5 hours it takes to fully charge from empty will be an adjustment for those who have a late night at work or forget to plug cars in, said Stephanie Brinley, an auto analyst for IHS Markit. Advertisement Charging time aside, Gesse doesn't care if only a few people are waiting for the Bolt. He's selling a brand that's made cars for over 100 years, something Tesla can't say. "We don't need to take reservations and deposits to fund the development and engineering of our vehicles," he says in a kind-of-snarky shot at Tesla, which recently posted its first quarterly profit in three years. "We've been generating revenue, cash flow." To attract new board members and build a sense of community among residents, community associations should consider hosting annual social gatherings. (Sam Edwards / Getty Images) As another new year approaches, community associations face lengthy agendas. Some issues they will grapple with are ongoing, while others are first-time challenges. What's ahead in 2017? Several industry veterans offered their insights: Advertisement Aging condos need expensive updates. Condo conversions and new construction from before the market crash are facing roof replacements, exterior projects and interior updates, said Mark Durakovic, vice president at Kass Management Services in Chicago. "With all this happening for the first time, we are recommending associations have reserve studies done in an effort to plan accordingly and avoid unexpected expenses," he said. Advertisement Many owners are apathetic about association affairs. It's hard to attract new board members or build a sense of community when residents don't know each other, said Salvatore Sciacca, president at Chicago Property Services in Chicago. "Associations should promote annual social gatherings and promote some sort of incentive program to get homeowners more involved in board meetings," he said. Sciacca also suggested soliciting owners' opinions via surveys. Condo mortgages remain tough to get. Before anyone buys a condo with a Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgage, the entire building must be certified not just the unit for sale. Without it, buyers need more cash, or they have to keep looking. Recent revisions to certification guidelines by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which oversees FHA, did little to improve the situation, said Beth Lloyd, president at the Association of Condominium, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations, and a real estate broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Schaumburg. "To date, buyers using FHA mortgages find there are many associations they can't consider in their home search," she said. "All efforts should continue to keep the pressure on HUD to relax the current guidelines to actually produce the desired results." Renters are unwelcome again. During the recessionary years, many associations loosened controls on the number and duration of rentals. They figured a rented unit is better than one tied up in foreclosure. No more, said Jim Stoller, president at The Building Group, a property management company in Chicago. "Now that the economy is better, we have been seeing a tightening on rental caps in buildings, and we believe that trend will continue," he said. Chicago recently passed a short-term rental ordinance that establishes a registry of buildings that ban such activity. Many managers, including Stoller and Durakovic, are urging their client associations to do so. Advertisement Putting off maintenance catches up with higher price tags. Associations that deferred preventive maintenance tasks to avoid assessment increases soon will confront expensive repairs, Stoller said. "Pushing things farther into the future causes bigger problems," he said. "If you're not putting chemicals in the boiler system, you can ruin the boiler. If you're not rodding the pipes, you can cause extensive backups in people's units." Money woes force boards to think long-term. Many associations are short on reserve funds when a big project comes up, Sciacca said. "Assessments must take into account realistic operating expenses and at least 10 percent to 20 percent of the annual income to the reserves," he said. "The use of a reserve study that looks over the next 25 years is preferred." Technology commands greater board transparency. Chicago attorney Michael Kim observes two intersecting trends: One is owners who expect more information from their boards, and the other is technology, which allows speedier transmission of data. These trends are bolstered by such electronic capabilities as recorded and real-time meetings, posting of documents, and online reviews. "Hopefully, more people who have information about the reality of condominium issues might be more appreciative of the challenges the board has to deal with," he said. Advertisement pmckuen@aol.com RELATED STORIES: First-time condo buyers: Compare assessments, count reserves, expect maintenance When will Fannie and Freddie switch to a new credit-scoring model? Mortgage rates keep rising after Trump's election win Watch our latest Real Estate videos. With a little more than half its students passing its standardized test, Indiana is again considering sparing schools from its sweeping accountability penalties this year, according to the Associated Press . Incoming state Superintendent Jennifer McCormick, a Republican who ousted union-backed Superintendent Glenda Ritz in the recent election, said that because schools dealt with computer glitches and didnt have sufficient time to adjust to new statewide standards, they should be sheltered from any repercussions from failing grades. Just 52 percent of students in the state passed the English and math sections of the states test, ISTEP, exam last year. Indiana has been on a collision course for some time now. Over the last decade, the states legislature ramped up its accountability system. It switched to an A-F grading system, and, for the schools that fell into the academic bottom 5 percent, took over failing schools and either closed them or handed them over to charter operators, fired entire staffs, and replaced its principals and reorganized central offices. At the same time, the state adopted and then got rid of the Common Core State Standards before revamping its new written standards several times over. The changes in standards resulted in changes to the states standardized test. Indiana changed test vendors and then attempted to conduct the exam online, a process that led to teachers and principals to complain about technical glitches. An investigation by the Indianapolis Star last December revealed that vendor CTB/McGraw-Hill may have botched the 2015 exams scores. Most of the turnaround efforts have been concentrated in the states urban mostly minority and impoverished areas. But those efforts have now spread into the states suburbs and rural areas, areas where rapid turnaround is much more expensive and politically challenging. Thats resulted in a backlash among the states politically powerful superintendents and local school board members. Indiana does not yet have permission from the U.S. Department of Education to place a moratorium on its accountability system, placing millions of federal dollars at risk, according to the AP. Indiana isnt alone. Across the country, educators and parents have begun to question the validity of state accountability systems and pressed for moratoriums or entire rewrites under the Every Student Succeeds Act. In Ohio, a state with a similar history of tough accountability and wavering standards, Norm Glismann, the superintendent of Tecumseh, Ohio, told the Dayton Daily News last week that receiving a D on the states report card meant little. Every school in his district, except one, received a D on the states report card this year and the district received an overall F on its ability to close its achievement gaps between white students and students of color. I had that feeling, so when I looked I wish they were better but I was not shocked or surprised, he told the newspaper, adding that hes spoken to graduates who are very pleased with the education the district has provided. I just dont think the results portray an accurate picture of the education that students are receiving in our district and in other districts. The federal department of education released last week its new accountability regulations. Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics. Christopher Lloyd (left) and Michael J. Fox star in "Back to the Future." (Handout / TNS) "Back to the Future" fans shouldn't expect future reboots of the trilogy. "Yeah (we won't reboot 'Back To The Future'), as long as I have my say," executive producer Frank Marshall told Yahoo Movies in a story posted online Tuesday. "No, that one exists just like 'E.T.' we're never touching those. I love watching it. But how about we almost got the Chicago Cubs victory right?!" Advertisement "Back to the Future Part II," released in 1989, predicted the Cubs would win the World Series in 2015. The Cubs won the series earlier this month, after a 108-year drought. "Back to the Future III," the final film in the series, was released in 1990. Franchise stars Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd reunited in August at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con in Rosemont. Advertisement RELATED STORIES: Watch Coldplay and Michael J. Fox go 'Back to the Future' at concert In 'Back to the Future' parody, Cubs wins revoked Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox) Vic Mensa performs at AAHH! Fest by hosted by Chicago local rapper, Common, which celebrated the city, music, and culture in Union Park on Sept. 25, 2016. (Brittany Sowacke / Chicago Tribune) Rapper Vic Mensa spent Thanksgiving weekend at the Standing Rock Native American Reservation, joining the protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Mensa filmed his journey on Facebook Live and posted various photos on Instagram, urging his fans and viewers to stand with the indigenous people's fight against the $3.7 billion, 1,172 mile pipeline. Advertisement If completed, the pipeline will run over 470,000 barrels of crude oil per day through the sacred lands. An independent report also suggests the U.S. government has underestimated the risk of a leak in the pipeline, which would contaminate the area's water supply. Mensa wrote, "if you believe in the inalienable rights of people; the right to clean drinking water, the right to food & shelter and the right to freedom then you have to support standing rock. Get on a plane, drive, take a bus do whatever you have to do. December 5th the Army Corps has set an ultimatum for the people camped at standing rock, saying that they will forcibly remove the water protectors. When one of our freedom is on the line all of our freedom is on the line. Fight for freedom." Advertisement Taking to Twitter Monday, the rapper added "standing rock is BLM. standing rock is LGBTQ rights. standing rock is the latino struggle." Vic Mensa isn't new to speaking out against injustice. He continues to be a vocal supporter of Black Lives Matter and marched in various protests after the death of Laquan McDonald and others whose lives were lost at the hands of the police. He also teamed up with artists Halsey, Lil B and Le1f for "Free Love," a six-minute track depicting the struggles of the LGBTQ communities after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, FL. According to webzine Variance, Mensa will return to Standing Rock on December 4, the day before the federal officials say they will close the protesters' campsite. RELATED STORIES: Vic Mensa releases '16 Shots' video inspired by Laquan McDonald shooting Vic Mensa kicked off United Airlines flight on his birthday Watch the latest movie trailers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP) An attorney for a former Playboy playmate pleaded not guilty on her behalf Monday to charges that she secretly photographed a 70-year-old woman in the nude in the shower area of a Los Angeles fitness center. Dani Mathers, 29, faces a misdemeanor count of invasion of privacy, having been accused of posting an image of the woman on her Snapchat social media account in early July. In addition to the photo, Mathers included the comment, "If I can't unsee this then you can't either." Advertisement Mather's posting sparked public outrage as well as a national discussion about "body shaming." Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer said he hoped the case sent a message to others about such behavior. Prosecutors often use invasion of privacy charges against peeping Toms and people who conceal cameras to take sexually suggestive photos of women. But legal experts said this marks a rare instance in which authorities have brought charges against someone over photos making fun of someone's weight. Advertisement Outside of court Monday, defense lawyer Thomas Mesereau said Mathers regrets the events and apologizes for her behavior and he expects the matter to be resolved in a fair manner. Shortly after she posted the image and comments, Mathers issued a statement saying it was absolutely wrong and not what she meant to do. "I know that body-shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am," she wrote. Mathers said the photo was meant to be sent as a private message, but was posted publicly. Mesereau has said his client did nothing illegal. "She never tried to invade anyone's privacy and never tried to violate any laws," he said. Last month, Feuer condemned Mathers' actions saying, "body-shaming is humiliating, with often painful, long-term consequences." "It mocks and stigmatizes its victims, tearing down self-respect and perpetuating the harmful idea that our unique physical appearances should be compared to airbrushed notions of 'perfect.' What really matters is our character and humanity. While body-shaming, in itself, is not a crime, there are circumstances in which invading one's privacy to accomplish it can be. And we shouldn't tolerate that," Feuer said. Los Angeles police began an investigation in July after receiving a report of "illegal distribution" of the image. L.A. Fitness officials reported the posting to police as well, officials said. Digital technology has made it easier to secretly capture others in their most private moments. Last year, a prominent Washington rabbi was sentenced to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to secretly recording 52 women as they prepared for a religious bathing ritual. Advertisement In California, a U.S. Border Patrol supervisor admitted in federal court that he secretly recorded seven female co-workers in the bathroom of the Chula Vista office. Some states have increased the penalties for taking secret images, making it a felony. In New York, offenders can receive up to four years in prison for a first offense. richard.winton@latimes.com Follow @lacrimes on Twitter ALSO Suspect at Ohio State is killed after wounding 9 in knife and car attack LAPD, FBI to address threatening letters sent to California mosques Advertisement Sheriff says 'no reason to disbelieve' Sherri Papini was kidnapped It's not just your imagination: 2016 really is the year of xenophobia. Dictionary.com declared "xenophobia" its word of the year, based on search data and in-house discussions among editors and lexicographers. Advertisement "Xenophobia and other words tied to global news and political rhetoric reflected the worldwide interest in the unfortunate rise of fear of otherness in 2016, making it the clear choice for word of the year," Liz McMillan, CEO of Dictionary.com, said in a statement. "While we can never know the exact reasons why xenophobia trended in our lookups this year, this reflects a desire in our users to understand the significant discourse surrounding global events." Xenophobia, defined as "fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers," entered the English language in the late 1800s, according to Dictionary.com. It comes from the Greek words "xenos," meaning "stranger, guest," and "phobos," meaning "fear, panic." Advertisement It wasn't the most-searched word of the year, but it did see several look-up spikes throughout 2016. The biggest spike occurred June 24 the day after the Brexit vote, when the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. President Barack Obama dropped xenophobia into a speech in June, when he challenged the notion that then-candidate Donald Trump was running on a populist message. "That's nativism," Obama said at the time. "Or xenophobia. Or worse." (Dictionary.com also experienced a spike in searches for "populism" the following day.) Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, now a professor at the University of California at Berkeley's Goodman School of Public Policy, made a video to accompany the word-of-the-year announcement, and it's rather beautiful. "Xenophobia is increasing around the world," he says in the video. "Just look at the reaction to the Syrian refugee crisis, South African unrest and Brexit. This screen image released by Dictionary.com shows the definition of xenophobia, named as word of the year. Searches for xenophobia on the site increased by 938 percent from June 22 to June 24, according to Dictionary.com. Searches spiked again after President Barack Obama's June 29 speech, in which he said Donald Trump's campaign rhetoric was not a measure of "populism," but rather "nativism. Or xenophobia. Or worse." (Dictionary.com) "Xenophobia is also seeping into our own country, despite the fact that America has always been a nation of people from different places, different cultures, different races, different creeds," he continues. "We've been the world's melting pot. A phrase engraved on our national monuments and even our money is E pluribus unum: Out of many, come one." Assimilation into the United States hasn't always been easy or mutual, he acknowledges, pointing to our treatment of Native Americans, our enslavement of Africans and our discrimination, particularly in the workplace, against immigrants from Ireland, Italy and China. Advertisement On the other hand, we've enacted voting rights laws, civil rights laws and anti-discrimination legislation and have striven, he says, toward tolerance and equal opportunity. "But in recent years, as wages stagnated and economic forces began to make many Americans afraid, some politicians used that fear," he says. "They channeled it into xenophobia: fear of the other, fear of African-Americans, fear of Mexicans, fear of Muslims." Such scapegoating is not new in the history of the world, Reich says, but it is dangerous. "It divides us," he says. "It invites harassment or bullying, or worse it turns us from tolerance and empathy to disrespect and hate." Last year's Dictionary.com word of the year was "identity," reflecting an increase in searches and discussions around racial and gender identity. A year later, xenophobia has captured the zeitgeist. Let's hope our efforts to better understand the term are not the same as a rush to embrace it. Advertisement As Reich says in his video: "It is not a word to be celebrated. It is a sentiment to be fought." hstevens@chicagotribune.com Twitter @heidistevens13 RELATED STORIES: 'Identity' and '-ism' take home word-of-the-year honors Shopping at Target to support LGBTQ rights? Go a step further Non-Muslims vow to add their names to a Muslim registry. Would that help or harm? A view of the skyline from the rooftop lounge in The Robey hotel. (Kristen Norman / Chicago Tribune) For all of The Robey's elegant touches and urbane cool, the power of the hotel that opens Wednesday lies in a feature no modern-day designer could concoct: the location of the 87-year-old building. Perched at one of the city's most notable intersections Damen, North and Milwaukee avenues The Robey vaults to immediate prominence if for no other reason than where it sits, at the center of the action in the bustling Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood. Advertisement The Robey's developers felt the weight of the historic art deco skyscraper and its location during a four-year renovation but also tried to embrace it. "We did not want to impose anything on a building so emblematic to the neighborhood," said Carlos Couturier, co-founder of Mexico City-based Grupo Habita, which operates the hotel. "The challenge was to maintain its identity and spirit through our work." Advertisement Where it could, Couturier said, Grupo Habita kept original touches and aesthetics in the handsome, wedge-shaped Northwest Tower flatiron building, whose new name pays homage to Robey Street, the predecessor of what's now called Damen Avenue. The lobby's dominant feature remains the building's original dark green marble and brass. A revolving wood door facing Milwaukee Avenue was restored by its Indiana manufacturer. Even the directory from the former office building was kept. Elsewhere, the hotel nods to the building's history like the frosted glass on guest-room doors, which evokes the old offices. But The Robey mostly aims to create something new in a neighborhood rife with shopping, restaurants and pedestrians. Inspired by what Couturier described as Edward Hopper's art and Frank Lloyd Wright's design, the hotel has an early-to-mid-20th-century motif of clean lines and elegant simplicity. The first-floor restaurant, Cafe Robey, evokes European cafes with both its design and menu (steak frites, Spanish grilled octopus). The space directly above, on the second floor, does something similar with a lounge-meets-Euro-style cafe where wine, espresso and spritzes will be served. In a bid to integrate into the neighborhood, both are open to the public. The hotel's 69 rooms are composed of wood, marble, frosted glass and terrazzo floors with lights that operate on dimmer switches. However, the property's biggest asset arguably is its views, especially from the rooms overlooking the six-corner intersection. The show stopper is the roof deck, which offers the rare vantage of the Chicago skyline looking east from the John Hancock Center to Willis Tower, and the lake just beyond. The roof deck also features a bar and seating for a few dozen people. The space will be open only in the evening; it's accessible to the public with a reservation. "I'm amazed by people from Chicago coming up here and saying, 'Oh wow,'" Couturier said. Who, exactly, will be drawn to the hotel is a bit of a mystery. Leisure travelers wanting to embrace Chicago's neighborhoods and culture couldn't do any better than The Robey. Ditto for locals and suburbanites wanting a getaway in their hometown. But business travelers, who are the engine of downtown travel, are the bigger question. Presuming that most work and meetings happen downtown, will they want to stay 3 miles from the Loop? Advertisement Couturier is betting yes at least, the most adventurous business travelers who see staying in a vibrant neighborhood as an advantage. As he notes, the Blue Line rumbles just outside the hotel and is only a handful of stops from downtown. A taxi ride is all of 15 minutes. While Couturier calls The Robey "the past meets the present," he thinks of his company's neighboring property, The Hollander, as "the present meets the future." A hostel with 65 beds in 20 rooms, The Hollander is housed in the old Hollander Fireproof Warehouse, a six-story building dating to 1905 that's immediately west of The Robey. Couturier shies from calling The Hollander a hostel, preferring to describe it as a "universe of people." Emphasizing the social aspect of a stay, The Hollander encourages guests to link their reservation to their Instagram account so fellow guests can check out one another in advance of their visit. "It's about a social experience," he said. A triangular pool on the roof of The Hollander more for taking a dip with a view of downtown than a swim will open in spring, along with a bar featuring a small kitchen serving Mediterranean food. Advertisement The average starting rate at The Robey, 2018 W. North Ave., is $175 a night (www.therobey.com). Rates at The Hollander, 2022 W. North Ave., typically begin at $45 a bed per night or $165 for a private room (www.thehollander.com). jbnoel@chicagotribune.com Twitter @joshbnoel RELATED STORIES: Developers divulge details about Wrigley Field hotel project 13 holiday light displays worth visiting around the U.S. Advertisement Poetry in motion: Tracing Bob Dylan's Minnesota roots Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, from left, Amanda Jane Long and Amanda Drenth listen as the Illinois chapter of the Women's March on Washington meets for the first time on Nov. 19, 2016, at Kopi Travelers Cafe in Chicago. (Annie Grossinger / Chicago Tribune) "Choose kindness." With her children by her side, Abigayle Shay penciled the simple message onto a poster board the morning after Donald Trump was elected president and hung it on the front door of her Evanston home. Advertisement A few days later, a friend told her about a group of women organizing a march in Washington, D.C., the day after Trump's inauguration. Shay booked a flight for herself and her 10-year-old daughter. "I try to live my values," said Shay, 46, who is a Quaker. "I believe you can't just sit back and not take action." Advertisement The idea for the Women's March on Washington took hold in the hours and days after the election, mainly among women who were unhappy with its result. It seemingly grew from a single post on Facebook to a mobilized, nationwide effort, with more than 100,000 people pledging online to attend the gathering that calls for unity, equality and justice. Organizers opened the event to anyone, regardless of gender or gender identity, who supports women's rights. Some of the women who plan to make the journey from Illinois said they did not support Trump and see the march as a way to move beyond despair they felt following the election. Their backgrounds are diverse: seasoned activists, retired professionals who have never attended a march in their lives, college students, and mothers who want their daughters to witness history, even if it's not the historical moment they'd hoped for. Nell Shay, 10, of Evanston, wears her Hillary Clinton pin. In January 2017, Nell and her mother, Abigayle, will participate in the Women's March on Washington. (Annie Grossinger / Chicago Tribune) Amanda Drenth, a 39-year-old teacher from Berwyn, said the election results left her with a feeling of hopelessness. "When you have something like this, it's a catalyst to make sure our voices are heard," said Drenth, who voted for Hillary Clinton. "For me, it's putting (Washington) on notice that we are going to be vocal in the next four years." Organizers for the Illinois arm of the march expect a few thousand women, men and children to make the journey to the nation's capital Jan. 21. Drenth is among a handful of Chicago-area volunteers who answered the call of state coordinator Mrinalini Chakraborty. Chakraborty, a 26-year-old doctoral student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and other volunteers spent hours talking to one another from behind laptops and smartphones before they met in person at a cafe in Andersonville last week. Securing transportation to Washington quickly became a top priority. The group is working with a bus company and has confirmed routes from about a dozen locations including the Loop, Oak Park, Schaumburg, Peoria and Carbondale, Chakraborty said. Additional buses will be added as needed, she said. The speed at which the event is being organized appears to be matched by growing interest. At first, the volunteers slept a few hours a night, if that, and made sure they always had a phone charger nearby. They ate during conference calls and monitored their social media accounts constantly. They sent out surveys, answered questions and spread the word, even when it meant juggling full-time jobs. Advertisement Their passion for the cause, they said, eclipsed the inconveniences. "It was a lot of hope (the morning of Election Day), then an incredible amount of sadness," said Chakraborty, of Chicago. "I am an immigrant and a woman of color from India. I have lived only in Obama's America." But Chakraborty said it was what she sees as Trump's disregard for the truth that led her to raise her hand to become a march coordinator. "As a scientist, when I see facts being put on the same platform as blatant untruths, that really bothers me," she said. "I sincerely believe that there is no democracy without a well-informed electorate." Amber Hummel, a paralegal in Chicago, said she signed on to help with the march after working as an election judge in a Humboldt Park church Nov. 8. She had hoped that if she ever had kids, she could tell them that she was there the day America elected its first woman president. "This march is about letting Trump know that we expect him to be a president for all the people, not just the people who voted for him," said Hummel, 35. Advertisement As the only Democrat in her family (except maybe a cousin whom Hummel described as a "closeted Democrat"), Hummel said her position has put her at odds with the people closest to her. Many in her family don't know she enlisted as a volunteer for the march. "I'm not ashamed of it. It's just not anything I care to debate. I'm doing this," Hummel said. "And it's just the first step." Planning the march so soon after the election has been challenging, said Tamika Mallory, a march national co-chairwoman from New York. She was convinced to help when she heard that the march aimed to draw attention to women's rights, as well as social justice, racial equality, religious freedom and civil rights. "You have people making threats to put Muslim people in a particular registry," Mallory said. "You have people being appointed throughout this administration who have clearly stated anti-Muslim rhetoric. You have women of color, particularly black women, who are coming to this march not just for ourselves, but for our sons." The march isn't anti-Trump, Mallory was quick to note, but is about women understanding their collective power to send a message to elected officials that women will not allow them to roll back hard-fought rights. More than 10,000 people have expressed interest in attending a parallel Women's March on Chicago on Jan. 21, but organizers are still finalizing details, including obtaining a permit, for the local event, said organizer Gretchen Kalwinski. Advertisement A spokesman for the National Park Service said officials have received a permit application for the Washington, D.C., event and are working with organizers. Like many others who are checking their schedules and exploring transportation options, Susan Benjamin said she has never before attended a march. Now, the retired sales manager from the western suburbs is planning to ride a bus with strangers halfway across the country. After Trump's election, Benjamin, who said she grew up in a house where politics was rarely discussed, said she felt she could no longer watch from the sidelines. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "In my 57 years, I've never felt this fearful," she said. She worries about an eradication of women's health care and reproductive rights under a Trump administration. She said she has found herself thinking about children getting bullied at school because they look different or have a different set of beliefs. "I think of the bigotry and racism and hate that has come out with this campaign, and I am very sad," she said. It's a feeling echoed by Shay, the mother from Evanston, which is why she said she has no plans to take down her sign any time soon. Advertisement "It's a volatile time," she said. "Your words and your actions matter." deldeib@chicagotribune.com Twitter @deldeib Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock appears March 6, 2019 after his scheduled hearing at the U.S. Dirksen Courthouse in Chicago. Federal prosecutors have agreed to drop all charges against him if he pays back money he owes to the Internal Revenue Service and his campaign fund. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune) Former Congressman Aaron Schock , indicted earlier this month on 24 felony counts, wants his case moved from federal court in Springfield to his longtime home of Peoria, his lawyers said in a motion on Monday. WASHINGTON In a motion asking for the venue change, Schock's attorneys said the case "has virtually no connection to Springfield" and called Peoria more convenient and appropriate. "Not only has Peoria been Mr. Schock's home for more than 25 years, including the entire period covered by the indictment and his three-plus terms in office, but he maintained both his principal district office and his campaign headquarters there," the lawyers said. Advertisement Schock, 35, a Republican who quit Congress in disgrace in 2015, is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court on Dec. 12 before U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough in Springfield. A grand jury returned a 52-page indictment on Nov. 10 that alleged Schock used money from his campaign accounts and $1 million-plus U.S. House office budget to bankroll a lavish lifestyle. Former Rep. Aaron Schock at a joint session of Congress on June 8, 2016. (Anadolu Agency / Getty Images) Defense lawyers said in their motion that while some of Schock's alleged misconduct occurred in Chicago and Washington, D.C., the government's case will rest on the testimony of up to 24 witnesses from Peoria. Advertisement Witnesses "in four crucial categories Mr. Schock's close friends and family, his major donors, staff members of (his campaign treasury) Schock for Congress and members of Mr. Schock's district staff overwhelmingly call Peoria home," the lawyers said. The lawyers said it appeared Springfield was chosen only for the convenience of federal prosecutors. The defense lawyers also said: "If a trial were to occur in Springfield, many witnesses would be forced to travel more than two hours round trip to testify many, in all likelihood, on multiple days. This travel time will only compound significant interruptions to the daily lives of these witnesses, and will trigger further costs associated with taking the necessary time off work, arranging for child care and other consequences." The U.S. attorney's office in Springfield had no comment, spokeswoman Sharon Paul said. Schock faces nine counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of theft of government funds, two counts of making false statements, five counts of filing false reports with federal election officials and six counts of filing false tax returns. kskiba@chicagotribune.com Twitter @KatherineSkiba Kara Raye, 15, cries for her brother while attorney Michael Oppenheimer speaks Nov. 29, 2016, about a lawsuit filed after Chicago police shot and killed 19-year-old Kajuan Raye on Nov. 23, 2016, in West Englewood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) A Chicago police sergeant who fatally shot a teen last week killed another man while off-duty three years ago in a shooting that bore striking similarities. In both incidents, the white officer fatally shot African-Americans who he thought were armed, but no weapon was found. Both shootings took place after the alleged offenders took off running a common element found in a Tribune investigation of recent shootings by Chicago police. Advertisement By policy, Chicago police have not named the officer, but a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the mother of the teen slain last week identified him as Sgt. John Poulos and alleged an "unjustified and excessive use of force." According to police, the sergeant said he opened fire after 19-year-old Kajuan Raye twice pointed a gun at him during a foot chase last Wednesday night in the West Englewood neighborhood. But police never found a weapon, despite a thorough search of the area. Advertisement Raye was shot in the back, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. On Saturday, three days after the shooting, police Superintendent Eddie Johnson stripped the sergeant of his police powers, saying, "I have concerns about this incident." In the shooting over the summer of 2013, Poulos was returning home at night from his family's bar when he spotted a suspected burglar on the rear porch of a neighboring second-floor apartment being rehabbed, officials said. Poulos alleged he hit 28-year-old Rickey Rozelle on the head with the butt of his revolver after the convicted felon threatened to kill him and lunged at him while refusing to show his hands, officials said. Rozelle tried to flee on foot, but a brick wall blocked his escape. Poulos told investigators he saw Rozelle holding a shiny object near his waist. Thinking it was a weapon, Poulos fired two shots, fatally wounding Rozelle in the chest, officials said. No weapon was recovered, only a chrome-colored watch, according to the Independent Police Review Authority, much maligned in recent years for its investigations of shootings by police. IPRA cleared Poulos of wrongdoing. Rozelle's family has a pending lawsuit against Poulos. After speaking Tuesday morning at the Union League Club on proposed changes to the department's use-of-force policy, Johnson, without identifying Poulos by name, said the sergeant's involvement in two shootings did not factor into his decision to relieve him of his police powers. "Each incident has to stand on its own individual merit," Johnson said. Later Tuesday, at a news conference outside Chicago police headquarters, Michael Oppenheimer, the lawyer representing Raye's mother, Karonisha Ramsey, called the sergeant's claim that Raye was armed "simply ridiculous." Advertisement "It is another attempt to cover up another fatal shooting by the Chicago Police Department," said Oppenheimer, flanked by Raye's relatives and supporters. Reached by telephone, Poulos, 44, a veteran of nearly 16 years with the department, declined to comment, referring inquiries to the Police Department. Records show that at least nine complaints had been filed against Poulos over his career. He was issued a written reprimand after he tripped and accidentally discharged his gun during a foot pursuit in May 2012, according to the nonprofit journalistic organization Invisible Institute. Records also show that he violated department policy in one other case, but no details were available. While shootings by Chicago police have generally been on the decline in recent years, a rash of four shootings took place in a recent 10-day period, all fatal. That brings the total so far this year to 24, compared with 28 for all of last year. Mia Sissac, the IPRA spokeswoman, could not give a breakdown on how many of the shootings were fatal. Shootings by Chicago police have especially been under the microscope since the release a year ago of the video showing Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times as he appeared to walk away from police with a knife in his hand. The fallout has rocked the Police Department, led to an ongoing investigation of police practices by the U.S. Justice Department and prompted Mayor Rahm Emanuel to enact reforms to try to stay ahead of the crisis. Van Dyke is fighting first-degree murder charges. Advertisement Last week's shooting of Raye marks at least the third controversial one since the release of the McDonald video. The day after Christmas last year, Officer Robert Rialmo fatally shot Quintonio Legrier, a black college student on break, after he allegedly swung a baseball bat at the officer, but a neighbor, Bettie Jones, 55, also African-American, was also fatally wounded by mistake as she stood behind Legrier. In an unusual countersuit, Rialmo, who had just three years on the job at the time of the incident, has alleged he was not adequately trained by the Police Department to handle people suffering a mental health disturbance. In July, police video captured two officers shooting at a Jaguar as it sped down a residential South Side street after striking two police SUVs. Paul O'Neal, the 18-year-old driver of the reportedly stolen sports car, fled on foot to a nearby backyard, where a third officer fatally shot him without legal justification, a lawsuit alleged. Johnson stripped the three officers of their police powers; IPRA continues to investigate. The shooting of Raye appears to have quickly escalated after Poulos responded to a call of a battery in progress in the 1400 block of West 65th Street after 11 p.m. last Wednesday. According to police, Poulos saw a male who matched the description of the offender, approached him and announced his office. Raye took off running, and Poulos gave chase. Poulos told investigators he opened fire after the second time that Raye pointed his gun at him. Advertisement An unprecedented analysis by the Tribune of every police shooting from 2010 through 2015 found that foot chases played a role in more than a third of the 235 cases that ended with someone wounded or killed. As in Raye's case, about half of the pursuits began routinely as police attempted to stop or question people for curfew violations, public drinking, thefts, disturbance calls or other minor offenses, the Tribune reported in September. On Tuesday, Emanuel tried to draw a distinction between Raye's death and another recent police shooting of Richard Grimes after an officer had witnessed him shoot and wound his pregnant fiancee. "I would not lump that, which is what Eddie Johnson's not doing, with what happened (in) the preceding one," Emanuel said while talking to reporters at an event in the East Garfield Park neighborhood to promote the sale of city-owned vacant lots. The shootings illustrate the tightrope that both Emanuel and Johnson must walk. With Chicago drawing national attention for its surge in homicides this year, the mayor and police superintendent need to convince rank-and-file officers they have their backs as they try to stop the violence. But both also must rebuild trust with the many Chicagoans, especially African-Americans, who believe police officers have been able to shoot people for years without justification or fear of being disciplined. Earlier in the day, Johnson criticized the decision by activist Ja'Mal Green to post Poulos' photo on his Facebook page. Much to the chagrin of many officers, Johnson has worked to bridge the gap between the police and minority communities by forming relationships with activists such as Green, but in this case, the superintendent called his actions "divisive" and "inappropriate." Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > On Tuesday afternoon, Green, a spokesman for the Raye family, tried to turn the tables on the Police Department. Advertisement "They don't want to put out the name and background of this sergeant, but yet as soon as they killed Kajuan Raye, they automatically called him a thug," Green said at the Raye family's news conference. "They automatically said he had a gun. They automatically put out their narrative. Why can't we put out ours?" Green, who is free on bail on charges he assaulted a police commander at a protest earlier this year over officer-involved shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota, grew defensive when a reporter asked about a photo on the internet that appeared to show Raye holding a gun. "Kajuan was shot in the back. Was there a gun on the scene? Tell me that," Green said. "Did anybody find a gun? No, so I don't care about what you see on his Facebook page." Chicago Tribune's Jennifer Smith Richards and John Byrne contributed. jgorner@chicagotribune.com Twitter @JeremyGorner First-degree murder and predatory criminal sexual assault charges have been filed against a southern Illinois man accused in the death of an 8-year-old Olney girl whose body was found within about a block of her home the night before Thanksgiving. The charges were filed Monday in Richland County Circuit Court against Glenn R. Ramey, 53, of Olney. A judge ordered Ramey held in lieu of $10 million bond. Advertisement Ramey was arrested Sunday in connection with the death of Sabrina Stauffenberg. The child's body was found Wednesday behind a vinegar plant on the south side of Olney, a town in southeastern Illinois of about 9,000 people. According to prosecutors, Ramey suffocated Sabrina on or around last Wednesday. They also accused the man of raping the girl, causing "great bodily harm to the girl that was life threatening." It wasn't immediately known if Ramey has legal representation. Advertisement Sabrina's grandmother spoke to the girl on her cell phone less than two hours before her body was found, neighbor Denise Haley said in an interview. Only about a minute passed between the time Sabrina Stauffenberg's grandmother hung up the phone with her 8-year-old granddaughter to when she called the girl back. Sabrina, a third grader, didn't answer her cellphone the second time, neighbor Denise Haley said in an interview Sunday. Less than two hours later, Sabrina was found dead about a block from her home, Haley said. During that single minute, the outgoing little girl who loved nature and all types of animals was lured from her home by a man she recognized, Haley said. "I don't understand how any person could do this to a child," Haley said. Sabrina loved being outdoors and had just learned to ride a bicycle. Her family had more dogs and cats than Haley could count, with a miniature pinscher was Sabrina's favorite. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > After her body was found Wednesday night, Olney Police launched an investigation along with several other agencies, including the Southern Illinois Child Death Task Force. Illinois State Police early Sunday arrested Ramey on suspicion of murder and predatory sexual assault. Advertisement Sabrina, who attended Calvary Baptist Church, was standing on a front step of her home on Whittle Avenue waiting on a church bus to pick her up and take her to a service before she disappeared, Haley said. When the bus didn't arrive, she contacted her grandmother by phone. Her grandmother called the church and found out there would be no service that evening because Thanksgiving was the following day, Haley said. But by the time the girl's grandmother got that information and called Sabrina back, she had already left the front stoop, Haley said. Her family is having a hard time coping with the girl's death. "They're trying to hold up. It's been pretty rough on them, of course," she said. Richland County Court records online show at least one previous order of protection filed by a woman against Ramey in an unrelated incident in May of this year. Haley, who is helping make funeral arrangements for the girl, has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for burial expenses for Sabrina's family. The Associated Press contributed. Out of 21 teacher preparation programs from 14 states that were seeking accreditation under tougher new standards, 17 have met all expectations and gained accreditation, while four programs have failed to meet all the required standards, according to an inaugural report released on Monday by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). A program is put on probation if it fails any of the five standards on which each program is judged. The standards place a strong emphasis on outcomes, including the academic achievement of students taught by each programs teachers. Among the 17 programs that have earned accreditation are teacher prep programs at Boise State University, the University of Houston, and Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C. The accreditation must be renewed in seven years. The programs at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City; Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., and Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant each received probationary accreditation for failing to meet one of the five standards on which programs are judged. The University of Utah, for instance, failed to meet standard 4, which requires the program to provide student test scores, along with other evidence, as a measure of its graduates effectiveness. Standard 4 also requires programs to provide evidence that its graduates and their employers are satisfied with the preparation the teachers received. The graduates satisfaction might be shown through surveys they complete about how prepared they were for the realities of teaching, while employer satisfaction might be shown through retention data. These three programs have two years to demonstrate through a site visit by the CAEP committee that the failed standard has been met. The program at the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota received accreditation with stipulation because it failed to meet one or more components of standard 4, which governs program impact. The program must submit documentation within two years showing that it has addressed the problem. CAEP was conceived in 2010 with the goal of uniting the teacher-preparation programs, which have long been criticized for churning out candidates who are ill-prepared to lead their own classrooms, behind new, tougher expectations. The group unveiled its new, more ambitious, standards for program accreditation in 2013. You can read more about CAEPs effort to perfect its accreditation process here . In many states, national accreditation of teacher preparation programs is not mandatory. So far, 29 states plan to use CAEP to evaluate the quality of their teacher prep programs. Stay tuned for more reporting on why the four teacher prep programs did not gain accreditation and what they have to do to improve. A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit can go forward accusing former Mayor Richard Daley of ignoring evidence that white Chicago police detectives working under disgraced former police Cmdr. Jon Burge tortured dozens of black suspects into murder confessions. U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve's ruling sets the stage once again for Daley to potentially be forced to give sworn testimony about what he knew of the painful legacy of police torture that first came to light when Daley was Cook County state's attorney and later exploded during his more than two decades as mayor. Advertisement Twice before, Daley has been ordered to give a sworn deposition in other lawsuits over torture claims, but the city settled those cases before he was questioned under oath. The latest lawsuit alleges Alonzo Smith was beaten by Area 2 detectives Peter Dignan and John Byrne with a rubber nightstick, kicked in the groin and had a plastic bag put over his head to force him to confess to the 1983 slaying of James Fullilove. He filed the lawsuit in March after a Cook County judge found enough credible evidence of torture to grant him a new trial, prompting prosecutors to dismiss the conviction. Advertisement Smith's attorney, Flint Taylor, said Tuesday that he and co-counsel Joey Mogul hope to take Daley's deposition in the Smith case "as soon as possible." "This ruling means Daley remains as a defendant right along with Burge if this case goes to trial and he could be liable for compensatory and punitive damages," said Taylor, of the People's Law Office. The city's Law Department declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. A spokeswoman for Daley, now of counsel with the law firm of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, had no immediate comment. According to his lawsuit, Smith has alleged the torture all along testifying about it at his bond hearing and later at a motion to suppress his confession. But both times judges sided with the detectives, who claimed it never happened. Smith spent nearly 20 years in prison before being granted the new trial last year. Smith's lawsuit alleged that for years Daley failed to do anything about the burgeoning torture scandal even after he'd learned from police brass as far back as 1982 when he was state's attorney that serious allegations had been raised about Burge and detectives under his command. In denying a motion by lawyers for the city to dismiss Smith's lawsuit, St. Eve wrote that Smith's attorneys "sufficiently allege that Daley, as Chicago's mayor, participated in a conspiracy to conceal evidence of police torture." The judge did, however, dismiss on technical grounds allegations over Daley's actions as state's attorney, saying by law he was immune from exposure to damages stemming from a criminal prosecution. Advertisement St. Eve's decision closely mirrored a ruling in a separate case involving Michael Tillman, who claimed he confessed to a 1986 rape and murder only because detectives under Burge's command punched him, beat him with a phone book, threatened to kill him and held a plastic bag over his head. In 2012, Daley was set to give a video-recorded deposition in Tillman's case after a judge allowed the suit against him to proceed. But before he testified, the case was settled for $5.375 million. At the time, Daley spokeswoman Jacquelyn Heard issued a statement denying any wrongdoing on the mayor's part. "As for the claims that he knowingly allowed police torture to occur some 30 years ago, his response remains the same: It is simply not true," Heard said. Daley had also been ordered in 2007 to testify in the case brought by alleged torture victim Madison Hobley, but after the mayor initially said he was open to talking under oath, city lawyers fought vigorously to prevent it from happening. The case settled a year later for $7.5 million, records show. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > After Daley left office in 2011, lawyers for another victim, Ronald Kitchen, again tried to get Daley to testify, but as both sides were wrangling over the parameters of the deposition, the case was settled for $6.15 million in 2013, records show. Advertisement Burge was fired from the department in 1993 and convicted in 2010 of lying about the torture and abuse of suspects. He was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in federal prison and is currently on supervised release in Florida, court records show. The Burge torture scandal remains a black mark for Chicago's global reputation despite recent efforts to finally put the controversy to rest. In 2013, Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a public apology for the scandal, and last year the City Council approved a $5.5 million reparations fund for Burge victims and their families that Emanuel said would finally "close the book" on a sad chapter in the city's history. But even as officials have finally acknowledged that torture occurred, the city is still paying to defend Daley and numerous other defendants against pending Burge-related lawsuits, including Smith's. Taylor said his open records requests show that the city has paid out at least $100 million in Burge-related cases, including more than $21 million in legal fees alone. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Twitter @jmetr22b Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders met again Tuesday to reach a budget agreement. But Michael Madigan did not show up. Nov. 29, 2016. (CBS Chicago) (CBS Chicago) SPRINGFIELD A series of events Tuesday at the Capitol illustrated that Democrats and Republicans are digging in deeper amid the state's historic budget impasse, with the focus quickly turning to the 2018 election even as a temporary spending plan is set to expire at year's end. First, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan didn't show up for a meeting called by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Little more than an hour later, the Illinois Republican Party unveiled a new website attacking Madigan and rank-and-file Democrats who have supported him. Talks of rescheduling the meeting for the afternoon soon were scuttled. Advertisement Later, efforts to override Rauner's veto of a bill to automatically register people to vote failed as all House Republicans backed their governor. Democrats argued Rauner was trying to suppress minority turnout as he seeks another term in office in two years. The action unfolded as lawmakers returned to Springfield for the final scheduled week of the fall session. No session dates have been planned yet for the new year, so Rauner has pushed for daily gatherings with legislative leaders to reach a budget deal before the state can no longer send money to universities, social service providers and others come January. Advertisement But the meetings have done little to move either side. Rauner continues to insist that portions of his economic agenda be enacted before he will sign off on a larger budget deal with major cuts and tax increases. Madigan-led Democrats maintain the governor's wish list would hurt working families and should be considered separately from the state's spending plan. Publicly, Rauner has tried to strike a positive tone, saying he remains flexible on how to get there. But his aides also have tried to paint Madigan as the problem, noting when the speaker no-shows a meeting or suggests a change in time. On Tuesday, the Illinois Republican Party, which is funded by Rauner and his wealthy allies, resumed their pre-election criticism of Madigan by launching a website. BossMadigan.com calls out three Democratic lawmakers who have supported the longtime speaker and warns them from backing Madigan for another term as speaker in January. The strategy is a continuation of the GOP's summerlong effort to link Democratic House and Senate candidates to Madigan. The party has spent tens of millions of dollars labeling the Democrat as the source of Illinois' financial woes. It also represents an about-face after Rauner previously called for Democrats and Republicans "to put the election behind us" to end the budget impasse. "Illinoisans are fed up with Mike Madigan and the old, failed tactics of the past," Illinois Republican Party spokesman Steven Yaffe said in a statement. "Now is the time for rank-and-file Democrats to show they care more about the people of Illinois than Mike Madigan." Madigan spokesman Steve Brown dismissed the effort as more of the same failed tactics that Republicans have employed for years. "I don't know that it really makes any difference, this is the kind of thing we have seen from the Republicans for decades," Brown said. "It's not terribly effective, and it's certainly not persuasive in getting people to embrace some of the issues." Of the three Democrats singled out by the state GOP, one, state Rep. Jerry Costello, of Smithton, near St. Louis, faced no Republican opposition in the Nov. 8 election. Another, state Rep. Brandon Phelps, of Harrisburg in southeastern Illinois, had only token GOP opposition. Advertisement The state GOP also singled out Democratic Rep. Sam Yingling, of Grayslake, who edged out Republican challenger Rod Drobinski, of Wauconda, by about 5 percentage points in a race in which both sides spent heavily. Yingling raised nearly $2.6 million during the 2016 election cycle, State Board of Elections records showed, with nearly $1.1 million coming from Madigan-controlled funds. Drobinski raised nearly $2.1 million, all but $44,000 coming from the House Republican Organization, the campaign arm of the House GOP, and the Illinois Republican Party. The state GOP raised more than $30 million in the 2016 campaign cycle with nearly $21 million coming from Rauner and his campaign fund. Much of the money that went to the state Republican Party was funneled to the House Republican Organization to oppose Madigan. Madigan on Monday predicted he has "overwhelming support to be re-elected speaker," and his members are expected to gather privately Wednesday to discuss the matter. The House election for speaker will not be held until Jan. 11, when new lawmakers are sworn in, meaning Republicans still have several weeks to raise the pressure. Indeed, neither Phelps or Yingling would say if they plan to vote for the speaker again, noting they may not have much choice either way should he be the only name Democrats put forth. "I will be supporting whoever the Democratic candidate is," said Yingling, who added that the attempt to divide Democrats is only "strengthening the Democratic Party." Advertisement "This shows a complete incompetence on the part of the governor and his total lack of understanding of what it means to govern and work with the legislative branch," Yingling said. "It also underscores the notion that the governor thinks that he can just buy whatever he wants, and in reality our democracy doesn't work like that." Meanwhile, House Democrats were unable to override Rauner's veto of a bill aimed at making voter registration automatic in Illinois. Under the legislation, those seeking a new or updated driver's license would automatically be registered to vote or have their registration updated unless they opted out. Currently, motorists seeking services at secretary of state driver's facilities are asked if they want to register to vote or update their registration an opt-in form of voter registration. Rauner argued the bill opened the state to potential voting fraud and conflicted with federal law. That put Republicans who supported the bill in the spring in a tight spot, and they floated an alternative proposal to provide some political cover for switching their votes. That did little to appease Democrats, who contended Rauner's opposition was "because he is concerned about his own re-election." "It really sends the message that the support of voter suppression in Illinois will be upheld by certain members of this House," said Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana. Rick Pearson contributed from Chicago. Advertisement mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com rap30@aol.com Sophia King, the insider Mayor Rahm Emanuel picked earlier this year to be 4th Ward alderman, faces five challengers in next February's special election. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Five people filed paperwork by Monday's deadline to take on Ald. Sophia King, the well-connected insider whom Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed this year, in February's special election. Will Burns gave up the 4th Ward City Council seat to take a job with Airbnb. In April, Emanuel appointed King, a former teacher and Chicago Public Schools administrator who is a friend of Barack and Michelle Obama's, to serve until after the special election. The winner of that contest will serve until May 2019. Advertisement In addition to King, activist Gregory Seal Livingston, real estate lawyer Ebony Lucas, attorney Gerald Scott McCarthy, attorney Marcellus Moore Jr. and disabled customer service manager Jack Taylor all filed to run for the post. King has a strong early lead in campaign fundraising. She had more than $74,000 on hand to start October and has reported raising nearly $18,000 in large contributions since then. Advertisement Lucas had about $7,300 to start the last quarter of the year and has raised about $17,000 since. She has a complaint pending before the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission involving the finances of a Kenwood condominium association. Her attorney is asking for it to be dismissed. In addition to his legal work, Moore is on the board of directors at several nonprofit groups and is a local school council member. He was among 18 people who applied for the post when Emanuel appointed King. He had raised nearly $9,000 by October. McCarthy is a lawyer in private practice who has about $6,500 available in his campaign fund at the end of the last reporting period. Livingston reported just $27.32 on hand. But as president of Coalition for a New Chicago which has been in the news over the last year protesting alleged police abuse Livingston has something of an established public profile. He also was campaign manager for Willie Wilson in 2015, when the wealthy business owner staged his unsuccessful run for mayor. Without even so much as a campaign fund reported to the state is Taylor, who said he has volunteered for local groups. He has set up a GoFundMe campaign, the website for which indicates he has raised a small fraction of his $30,000 goal. "The people who are voting for me won't donate money to me because they ain't got it," he said Monday. hdardick@chicagotribune.com Twitter @ReporterHal Mayor Rahm Emanuel cautioned Tuesday against trying to generalize about the recent spate of police shootings, saying "they're not all the same" and lauding Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson for his handling of the situations. Chicago police went through a period ending Sunday night where officers fatally shot four people in the past 10 days, a cluster of shootings that has drawn even more attention to the department as federal investigators continue their probe into its training and tactics prompted by the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video a year ago. Advertisement Emanuel pointed to the fatal police shooting of Richard Grimes, who authorities said allegedly shot his pregnant fiancee. The mayor made a distinction between that shooting and the Nov. 23 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Kajuan Raye. In that case, the sergeant who shot said Raye pointed a weapon at him, but no gun has been recovered. Johnson relieved the sergeant who fatally shot Raye in the back of his police powers, the most serious action the department can take during an open investigation. "There is an element of violence in our neighborhoods and communities that police are confronting, very difficult situations," Emanuel said. "And we're asking for a lot of change on them. That said I don't want to, information will change. The most recent one, that was involved with the shooting with a pregnant woman. At least that's what, and when the investigation's done we will know all the information. I would not lump that, which is what Eddie Johnson's not doing, with what happened the preceding one." Advertisement "I would differentiate, which is why (Johnson's) looking at each of these individually," Emanuel added while talking to reporters at an event in the East Garfield Park neighborhood to promote the sale of city-owned vacant lots. Investigations into the circumstances of all four shootings are ongoing. The shootings illustrate the difficulty of Emanuel's situation. Chicago is drawing national attention for its spike in homicides this year, and the mayor wants to convince rank-and-file officers they should have confidence the city will support them as they try to stop violence. But Emanuel also needs to rebuild trust with the many Chicagoans, especially African Americans, who believe police officers have for years been able to shoot people without justification or fear of being disciplined. jebyrne@chicagotribune.com Twitter @_johnbyrne In this Oct. 27, 2016, file photo, supporters of then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hold signs during a campaign rally in Springfield, Ohio. (Evan Vucci / AP) McLEAN, Va. Melissa Baumann lives some 850 miles from the nation's capital, but when she hears President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters say they will "drain the swamp," she worries she will be sucked down into the muck. Baumann, a chemist with the Forest Service, is one of the nation's 4 million or so federal workers and is watching anxiously as Trump looks to set his agenda in motion. Advertisement In terms of policy, Trump has suggested a federal hiring freeze and hinted at eliminating or sharply curtailing an entire Cabinet agency, the Department of Education. In terms of rhetoric, he targeted the federal bureaucracy and regulations. And then there's his "drain the swamp" catchphrase. Advertisement Trump's allies say that was directed at lobbyists, donors and political cronies. Some federal workers fear he means a broader group. "I believe that is directed at us. And it's misdirected," said Baumann, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where she also serves as a union officer for the Forest Service. The problems in Washington "have nothing to do with the people outside the Beltway" who are doing honorable work under difficult circumstances, she said. Like most federal workers, Baumann works far from D.C., where less than 10 percent of the federal workforce is stationed, government data show. Maryland and Virginia are large federal employment centers, but so are California, Florida, Texas and Georgia. Greg Guthrie, an information specialist with the National Technical Information Service in Alexandria, Virginia, said that after the initial shock of Trump's win, he has adopted a "cautiously optimistic" stance. Trump won as a champion of the working class, he reasoned, and he hopes Trump will advocate for the federal working class as well as the private sector. Guthrie's co-workers are sympathetic to technology's disruption of the labor force, he said. The NTIS provides reports and research to a variety of customers. Internet search engines now fill some of that role, prompting senators to introduce the "Let Me Google That For You Act" in 2014 to kill the NTIS. But Guthrie said his agency has reinvented itself and now helps government agencies use big data. Guthrie said federal workers can adapt when given the opportunity. "I don't like some of the terms I'm hearing, like 'drain the swamp,'" said Guthrie, also an officer in his union. "Sometimes it's couched as we're these lazy, unnecessary relics. That's not true. We're people who work hard." Corey Stewart who chaired Trump's Virginia campaign and serves as Board of Supervisors chairman in Prince William County, home to many federal workers said "drain the swamp," was directed at the lobbying corps and Washington insiders who infiltrate the political system. Advertisement The average federal worker doesn't have much to worry about, he said, though he does expect reductions at the Department of Education, IRS and EPA, because Trump is skeptical of those agencies. Stewart said Trump's promises to bolster defense will result in a net benefit for the capital region and the federal workforce. He said Trump won't find much savings in the federal labor force because it has already been squeezed by budget cuts. The number of executive branch employees hasn't been this low since 1965, government data show. Bill Dougan, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said that after the initial shock of Trump's victory, many federal workers are adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Dougan suspects federal workers' fate will depend largely on whether Trump's inner circle is populated by establishment Republicans even though they've been hostile to federal workers or wild cards like Newt Gingrich, who engineered a government shutdown as speaker of the House, and Steve Bannon, the Trump adviser Dougan says embodies an ethos to "do everything he can to blow things up." Dougan said he expects Republican attacks on federal salaries and pension benefits to continue, but he's "hopeful that we're going to see some appointments with some experience in government and how government works, or it's going to be a real problem." Still, he said, there's some optimism that federal workers connected to defense and the Veterans Administration could see improvements, given campaign promises to increase spending there. Advertisement But Kim Valavez, a social worker at a VA clinic in Santa Rosa, California, said the prevailing mood among workers there is fear. They worry a Trump administration may favor privatization over investing in the VA itself. "People are scared," she said. "It feels like a great unknown." Rep. Gerry Connolly, the ranking Democrat on a subcommittee overseeing the federal civil service, said he doesn't expect the GOP-controlled Congress to oppose any Trump efforts to downsize the federal workforce. "I think if anything they will be more emboldened to scapegoat federal workers than before," said Connolly, whose northern Virginia district is home to large numbers of federal workers and contractors. Needle-sharing by opiate addicts is fueling an alarming rise in new HIV infections among injection drug users, and the United States doesn't have enough syringe programs in place to reduce that risk, according to a report released Tuesday. Although needle exchange programs have been politically controversial for decades, studies have demonstrated their public health benefits in dramatically reducing the rate of HIV transmission and risk of hepatitis infections among injection drug users without increasing the rate of illegal drug use. The new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that use of these programs has increased substantially during the past decade, but most people who inject drugs still don't always use sterile needles. Sharing needles and syringes is a direct route of transmission for HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses. As a result, decades of progress in reducing HIV spread by dirty needles is being threatened. People who would not have been considered at risks for these infections are now vulnerable, especially white people living in predominantly rural areas of the country, including Appalachia, rural parts of New England, and the Ozarks. "The big picture here is that we've had a lot of progress reducing HIV infections spread by needles and we're at risk of stalling or reversing that progress," said CDC Director Tom Frieden in an interview. As a result of the opioid epidemic, he said, "more people appear to be injecting drugs, more people are sharing needles, and there are more places not covered by syringe service programs." For the first time, in 2014, whites who inject drugs had more HIV diagnoses than any other racial or ethnic population in the country, the report said. Needle exchanges not only provide sterile needles and syringes, they can also help people get counseling, disease testing for HIV and hepatitis C, and referrals to places where patients can get treatment. The services are particularly important because people addicted to drugs often may not seek or get medical care. Officials said a 2015 HIV outbreak in Indiana, while Vice President-elect Mike Pence was governor, was a wake-up call that public health's worst fears could be realized. About 200 people in a county of 24,000 people were diagnosed with HIV infections, making it the worst outbreak in state history, fueled by opioid addiction and needle sharing. Scott County, the epicenter of the outbreak, ranked last out of the state's 92 counties for poverty, unemployment, and percentage of people who were uninsured. At the time, syringe exchanges were illegal in the state, and Pence was against them. After federal officials warned of the growing epidemic, Pence signed emergency legislation allowing syringe exchanges in the county. He eventually signed statewide legislation that allows needle exchanges, but only if counties ask for permission in light of a public health emergency. Indiana's outbreak was a "sentinel event," an indicator of what could happen in more than 200 other communities in 26 states that are at risk for similar outbreaks, Frieden said. Although decisions for syringe service programs are made at state and local levels, there has been intermittent federal funding in recent years. Asked whether the incoming Trump-Pence administration could put that federal funding in jeopardy, Frieden said: "When people look at the data and are faced with the real challenges, they see that these are programs that save lives and save money." CDC researchers have identified 220 counties most vulnerable to an outbreak of HIV or hepatitis C by analyzing factors including overdose deaths, pharmacy sales of prescription painkillers and unemployment and poverty rates. At an infectious disease conference in New Orleans in October, CDC researchers presented a U.S. map showing those vulnerable counties and the locations of syringe service programs. "There's a striking mismatch," said John Brooks, a senior medical adviser at CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. The vulnerability assessment "demonstrates what parts of the county we're very concerned could have an event like Scott County," he said. In states like Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, more than 40 percent of each state's counties are considered vulnerable to rapid spread of HIV and new or continuing high numbers of hepatitis C infections among injection drug users. The North American Syringe Exchange Network estimates there were 228 syringe service programs in 35 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Native American lands. Only 17 states and Washington, D.C. authorize needle-exchange programs. Congress first prohibited the use of federal funds for syringe service programs in 1998, when Sen. Jesse Helms, R.-N.C., persuaded Congress to issue the ban. Before becoming governor of Indiana in 2013, Pence supported the ban during his six terms in Congress. Congress lifted the ban in 2009 and reinstated it in 2011. In December 2015, following the HIV outbreak in Indiana and rapidly rising rates of injection drug use across the country, Congress modified the restriction. Federal funds are still prohibited from paying for sterile syringes, but funds can be used for other parts of the program if there is an HIV outbreak or risk for a significant increase in hepatitis infections. CDC has approved requests from 15 states and select counties to use federal HIV funds for syringe programs. The CDC report shows that among African American and Latino drug users, the syringe programs have helped reduce HIV diagnoses, but the decreases in HIV diagnoses among whites who use drugs is much smaller. That decrease also stalls after 2012, and officials attribute that to the steadily expanding opioid epidemic. Robert E. Wahlgren was a banking executive who in midcareer became an affordable housing advocate in DuPage County and worked to expand housing options for the homeless and low- and moderate-income families. "Bob was always thinking of better ways to do things and he was always driven to help someone and asked, 'Is this a good way we can help our clients,' to make their lives better," said Mark Milligan, a longtime collaborator. "He really was not afraid to take on or do anything." Advertisement Wahlgren, 73, died of complications from pancreatic cancer on Oct. 23 at his home, said his daughter, Christine Edison. A longtime Glen Ellyn resident, Wahlgren also had been battling lymphoma, his daughter said. Wahlgren graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago and then earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965. He went on to work for Continental Bank for more than 20 years before taking an early retirement at age 45 in 1988. Advertisement Wahlgren and Milligan were both volunteering on the overnight shift at a DuPage homeless shelter when they noticed that there were a lot of families there with young children, his daughter said. "They thought it was terrible that any child should have to grow up in a homeless shelter," she said. Wahlgren and Milligan co-founded Bridge Communities, a Glen Ellyn-based nonprofit group aimed at helping the homeless get back on their feet. Starting with managing one apartment for a formerly homeless family, Bridge has gone on to now oversee 13 buildings that house 150 people each night. Wahlgren was chairman of Bridge Communities for two decades. "Bob could solve problems by creating avenues for affordable housing that others couldn't or didn't think of," said former Bridge Communities Executive Director Joyce Hothan. "And he took his business background into his not-for-profit work and was able to develop sustainable models." Mary Ellen Durbin, the retired executive director of the People's Resource Center in Wheaton, recalled being inspired by Wahlgren and Milligan as Bridge Communities was launched. Within two months of meeting with them, Durbin and her late husband, Ron, resolved to do something similar in their hometown of Lisle. So they formed Daybreak of Lisle Transitional Housing, a group aimed at moving homeless families toward greater self-sufficiency by providing them with temporary housing. "Bob had an absolute compulsion to give back. I don't know that I've ever met anyone who had more intensity about giving back," Durbin said. "He had been blessed in his life, and he was so selfless that it meant he would be schlepping furniture and cleaning up floors and doing the hard, hard work that it takes." In 1997, Wahlgren became the executive director of the Wheaton-based nonprofit group Community Housing Advocacy and Development, which seeks to place low- and moderate-income families in affordable rental housing. Over the next 13 years, Wahlgren increased the group's housing portfolio from 100 units to 400. "The people graduating from the Bridge program oftentimes were going into the CHAD housing, so it was kind of a natural progression for him to move into that role," his daughter said. Advertisement Hothan said Wahlgren was comfortable with making moves like buying apartment buildings outright. "He was a can-do kind of person, and when he saw the opportunity, he just went for it," she said. Through his work at CHAD, Wahlgren in 2003 started a community land trust program called Just Homes, as a way to help first-time buyers. The Just Homes program, which resulted in the construction of eight town homes in Glendale Heights and the purchase of 22 other homes all for low-income residential use was part of a concept where the price of the home is separated from the cost of the land. The program, which was the first of its kind in Illinois, makes mortgages far more affordable. "That was an opportunity that people would not have (otherwise) had to buy housing," Hothan said. DuPage County community development specialist Carrol Roark praised Wahlgren for his impact on the homeless and others in low-income brackets. "Thousands of parents have kissed their children good night in a safe and cozy home because Bob Wahlgren pursued new ways of thinking about housing, built new housing, rehabilitated old housing and advocated for families in need of housing," Roark said. Advertisement "He was a man of both big ideas and boots on the ground, as we spent hours in freezing temperatures touring foreclosed houses during the housing crisis trying to figure out how to stop this blight on the hardest-hit neighborhoods." In addition to his daughter, Wahlgren also is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kay; a son, Bill; four grandchildren; and a brother, David. Services were held. Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter. Donald Trump has chosen Republican Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, a longtime critic of the Affordable Care Act, as his secretary for Health and Human Services. This likely means that, at best, the health law will be repealed and replaced by something that covers far fewer people, or that, at worst, it will get repealed outright, leaving even more people without coverage. So what does this mean for poor and working-class white Trump voters who are currently benefiting from the law, some no doubt enjoying health coverage for the first time in their lives? Jonathan Cohn has a good piece in The Huffington Post explaining what the choice of Rep. Price means in policy terms. Unlike many Republicans, Price has at least given a lot of thought to how to replace the ACA. But Price's own replacement proposal would roll back the Medicaid expansion, a substantial portion of financial assistance for others getting coverage, and a fair amount of regulation of the individual market. And so, the likely end result (again, at best) is that a lot of the 20 million people who would lose coverage due to repeal will remain without coverage, and protections for those with bad medical conditions will be eroded. The core philosophical difference here is that conservatives want far less in government spending and regulations designed to cover poor and sick people, protect consumers and enforce a minimum standard for coverage. As a result, they are willing to tolerate far lower standards in those areas, though some also want conservative reforms to strive to make very cheap bare-bones catastrophic coverage widely available. Liberals think we should spend and regulate to the degree necessary to move toward universal health care and see expanded and improved coverage as part of a broader effort to progress towards a higher societally guaranteed minimum standard of living. Conservatives won the election, and apparently, we are now going to do it their way. Elections have consequences. Indeed, all this should immediately cast doubt on the notion that Trump will clash with congressional Republicans over the future of the safety net. During the primaries, Trump famously said he would not allow people to "die on the street," which, along with his vows not to touch entitlements, led many to see him as an unorthodox Republican when it comes to the proper scope of government protections for the poor and unhealthy. But now Trump appears prepared to go along with the most conservative congressional Republicans on these matters. I have obtained new numbers from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index that suggest that a lot of poor and working-class whites who voted for Trump in disproportionate numbers have benefited from Obamacare, meaning they likely stand to lose out from its repeal (and even its replacement with something that covers far fewer people). Gallup-Healthways numbers from earlier this fall showed that overall, the national uninsured rate has plummeted to a new low of 10 percent, a drop of over six percentage points since the law went into effect which alone is a major achievement. But that drop, it turns out, is even more pronounced among poor whites. Gallup-Healthways tells me that among whites without a college degree who have household incomes of under $36,000, the uninsured rate has dropped from 25 percent in 2013 to 15 percent now a drop of 10 percentage points. It's often noted that the law has disproportionately expanded coverage among African Americans and Latinos. That is correct, but it has also disproportionately expanded coverage among poor white people. Now, it's hard to know how many people we're talking about here. But other evidence supports the idea that a lot of red state voters have gained coverage from the law. In some parts of rural Kentucky, the Medicaid expansion has greatly expanded coverage. And CBS News recently reported that even some Republican officials in the GOP-led states that expanded Medicaid are not prepared to see that evaporate. Gallup-Healthways numbers also show that the drop in the uninsured rate has outpaced the national average in some red states that have expanded Medicaid, like Kentucky, Arkansas and West Virginia. Did people benefiting from Obamacare who voted for Trump really expect repeal to happen? I think we need more reporting on this question. Yes, Trump did repeatedly say he would repeal Obamacare. But he also said he would replace it with "something terrific." And he explicitly went out of his way to create the impression that he does not agree ideologically with Republicans who are hostile to government efforts to supply health care to those who can't afford it. Now, it's always possible that many voters backed Trump in the full knowledge that their Obamacare might be repealed, for other reasons because, for instance, he'll supposedly bring manufacturing and coal jobs roaring back. Before long, those voters will learn whether their bet was a well-placed one. It's also possible that Trump will surprise us all and insist on some kind of replacement that somehow preserves much of Obamacare's coverage expansion. And a kick-the-can-down-the-road scenario which keeps deferring the harshest fallout from repeal is also a possibility. But it now looks more likely that we'll see a substantial rollback of the progress toward universal health coverage we've seen in the past few years. News organizations love to venture into Trump's America to hear voters explain that Trump spoke far more directly to their economic struggles than Democrats did. Maybe now we'll get more coverage of those inhabitants of Trump's America who are set to lose their health care, too. Washington Post The president-elect woke up Tuesday morning with a clear agenda before him. Poised to announce his pick of Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and with a day of meetings slated including one with one-time foe Mitt Romney Donald Trump hopped on Twitter to talk about where his attention was focused. Disparaging CNN and more unexpectedly reigniting the once-virulent debate over flag-burning. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" he tweeted. Where this came from is anybody's guess. There's an operating theory among some that Trump throws out tweets like this to distract attention from something else, as though 140-character messages demand our total (100 percent) brain capacity. On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," host Joe Scarborough speculated that maybe Trump was tossing a bit of red meat to the angry social media lions before announcing that he would pick Romney as secretary of state. The suggestions of this tweet and the context in which it was issued, though, make it far from just a simple distraction. Flag-burning is not an issue that has occupied a central position in the American political consciousness of late. It's absolutely the sort of fight that Trump would relish, mind you, pitting egghead supporters of "free speech" and "the First Amendment" against the patriotism of people who find flag-burning unacceptable. Some quick history is in order. Fights over how the flag is depicted have been fought at the Supreme Court for more than a century, including the 1989 decision Texas v. Johnson which established that burning the flag was a constitutionally protected act. One of the justices who supported that 5-4 decision was Antonin Scalia, the jurist whose death earlier this year created the vacancy that it seems Trump will get to fill with someone, he has said, he hopes will be "in the mold" of Scalia. Scalia also voted to protect flag-burning when Congress passed a national law hoping to avoid the problems of Texas v. Johnson even though he found the practice to be repugnant. "If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag," he said last year, adding an important disclaimer: "But I am not king." In an interview with CNN, he explained the distinction simply: Flag-burning is a form of expression, and therefore is protected by the First Amendment. Congress has tried to work around the decision. Shortly afterward, it passed a law banning flag-burning, which was again thrown out (with Scalia's agreement). A decade ago, the Senate narrowly failed to approve a constitutional amendment banning flag-burning, with now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voting in opposition. "If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment," Justice William Brennan wrote in response to the decision to strike down the 1989 federal law, "it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable." Trump doesn't seem to adhere to this idea. He has railed against the oppositional media repeatedly, suggesting at one point that he might "open up" libel laws to make it easier to sue the media. He disparaged protests earlier this month as being incited by the press and being illegitimate because the protesters were paid (a claim for which there's no evidence). When protesters in Chicago disrupted one of his rallies, he suggested that they should be thrown in jail. His proposals to address the threat of terrorism often seem to tiptoe beyond the free expression of religion boundaries established in the Bill of Rights. When Trump finds free expression offensive or disagreeable, he seeks to curtail it and, in some cases, impose harsh penalties. The suggestion that those who burn flags should lose their citizenship is remarkable in part because it's such a drastic response one that would itself rescind any number of legal protections to which the culprit would otherwise be entitled. Incidentally, this suggested punishment is barred as a result of a 1958 decision from the Supreme Court, as Louis Nelson notes at Politico. We've often seen Trump dash off a Twitter opinion that goes no further. There's a fair argument to be made that, in the absence of any broader debate or proposed policy, this tweet about the flag should be treated as a curiosity. But it comes on the heels of Trump tweeting about how the results of the election should be questioned because of fraud (something that, again, lacks evidence). It's a pattern of pushing back against fundamental pillars of our democracy: elections, free speech, Supreme Court decisions. He has every right to do so, of course. If nothing else, that's important context. And it reinforces a desire to treat those who oppose him or his values harshly, even when he lacks the power to do so. Why now? Who knows. Given the attention he has paid of late to casting his opponents in a negative light (like those claims about "voter fraud" that were the subject of his tweets Monday), perhaps he wants to force them to defend an unpopular position. Perhaps he even hopes that protesters will appear outside Trump Tower and burn flags. That certainly wouldn't hurt his efforts to rally support from otherwise indifferent Americans. Anyway. Time for Trump to tick off the next items on his to-do list. Something about putting together a government? With the important stuff done, might as well move on to that. Washington Post Dylann Roof Represents Himself as Jury Selection Begins Dylann Roof, against the advice of the judge in his own hate crime murder case, has elected to represent himself. The motion surprised many on Monday morning as jury selection was set to begin. The experienced attorneys that were representing Roof on the multiple hate crime murder charges are now required to serve in an advisory/standby capacity. While the statistics are grim for defendants that represent themselves, most that choose to do so are exploiting the process either to have a forum to justify their crime or expound on some other delusional agenda. Critics are concerned that Roof will use the opportunity to harass his victims' families and survivors. While the judge cautioned Roof about representing himself, he had previously determined that Roof was competent to stand trial, over his attorneys' objections. Roof Hate Crime Murder Case Dylann Roof was attending a Bible study group in Charleston, South Carolina, when he pulled a gun out of his fanny pack and opened fire. He killed nine people. Prior to the shooting, he made statements while praying with the group that made his motivation for the shooting clear: racial hatred. When a crime is motivated by race or other protected status, a criminal charge can be enhanced as a hate crime. Hate crimes are punished more severely, and in Roof's case, he is facing the death penalty. Jury Selection The trial should be starting soon as jury selection started Monday and seven jurors have already been selected. So far, one man and six women have been selected. It was reported that Roof did not do much during the process. Since Roof is representing himself, the jury selection process and trial may move along swifter than anticipated, as pro se litigants are less able than attorneys to control the pace of a trial. Related Resources: You get an electric bill every month. Springfield lawmakers seem to be handed a different kind of electricity bill nearly as often. We refer to ongoing efforts by ComEd and its parent, Exelon, to win support for sweeping and expensive energy legislation. The power delivery utility and its parent, which operates six nuclear power stations in Illinois, say they need financial help in the form of rate increases to save nuke plants in downstate Clinton and the Quad Cities. The plants are efficient and provide lots of jobs, but they are money-losers. The reason: a combination of low natural gas prices and government subsidies for wind and solar power. Advertisement For the last two years or so, Exelon and ComEd have been trying to fix the problem with Springfield's help. There have been different bills, with different iterations, to grant ComEd and Exelon ratepayer help to save the plants. With the clock running on Springfield's veto session, a semifinal version of the current legislation toppled over last week like a Christmas tree hung with too many ornaments. There were lots of goodies, lots of promises, lots of complex parts. The top-line cost that is, what businesses and other consumers would pay would run into the billions. We can't imagine members of the General Assembly figuring out on deadline what it all would mean to the companies and citizens of this state. As of Monday afternoon, with just three scheduled days to go in the veto session, the bill appeared to be pared back to a more reasonable size. But that still doesn't make it, in our eyes, a great piece of lawmaking. We have concerns about throwing more financial incentives at the energy industry, especially when national energy policy is about to be scrutinized, and probably overhauled, by a new president. Why rush to sign off on a deal that's been evolving for so long when President-elect Donald Trump could dramatically change the energy landscape beginning Jan. 20? Advertisement ComEd and Exelon executives who met with the Tribune Editorial Board on Monday made a cogent argument in favor of the current bill. Then again, they stood just as solidly behind previous versions that were junked up with help for downstate coal plants and a proposed new billing formula for customers that looked like a rate hike in disguise. In recent days, some of that stuff disappeared. We were told that this latest version of the bill which wasn't filed until, yes, Monday is the one to back. As sold by supporters, the Future Energy Jobs Bill would save the two plants and their jobs, and would keep Illinois' air cleaner because nuclear plants, unlike fossil-fueled plants, don't emit carbons. Opponents counter that if the bill becomes law, higher electricity costs would discourage employers, especially manufacturers, from locating, expanding or staying in Illinois. Another component of the bill calls for a heavy investment in energy efficiency programs, which would save customers money over the long run. In fact, while the bill will cost billions of dollars over a decadelong period, ComEd claims the overall cost to residential customers will be about 25 cents per month. David Kolata, the state's consumer watchdog on utility issues, backs the bill. He says it would end up revenue-neutral. He also points out that if the two nuke plants close, electricity bills will climb as coal-fired plants pick up the slack, and so will carbon emissions. No one suggests that closing the plants would crimp the availability of electricity: Exelon says Illinois is a net exporter, with some 40 percent of the power generated here being shipped to consumers in other states. As we said, the proponents made a cogent argument. But that doesn't make this bill the right one. Exelon and ComEd say it's only fair to give them ratepayer help to allow them to better compete with solar and wind, which get hefty taxpayer subsidies. Our view is that repeatedly putting the thumb of government on the scale to determine which energy industries win and lose is no way to run an economy. It distorts the marketplace, creates safe spaces where rivals should wrestle and tramples urgency. The best way to encourage innovation and efficiencies is to permit to encourage competition. Trump appears to embrace this notion, taking special note of the energy industry as a target for encouraging market forces. And he's about to take office, creating who-knows-what impact on energy generation in Illinois and elsewhere. Given the changes afoot in Washington, and the fact that the details of this bill have been in flux, Springfield should try again this winter when there is more time for vetting and a clear view of the future of federal energy policies. Friendly advice to the proponents: The next time you approach the people of Illinois with a package this elaborate, skip the hurry-up routine. Negotiate with your friends and foes before you get to Springfield and then settle on your bill's components. Stick to them. Give the rest of us a couple of weeks to absorb them. Advertisement Rushing to pass this very complex legislation, with its additional government distortion of the robust energy supply market, is the wrong way for Springfield to expend energy. Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. In July, 1998, I engaged in an e-mail debate with Stephen B Presser, the Raoul Berger Professor of Legal History at Northwestern University School of Law, over the proposed Constitutional amendment to ban "desecration "of the American flag. Presser and I had expressed opposing views on this topic in print--I had, in fact, quoted him invidiously in my column against thge amendment--and our disagreement spilled over into the following e-mail exchange. To Eric Zorn: A question for you to ponder: Why was it that Earl Warren and Hugo Black both believed that protecting the flag did not run afoul of the First Amendment? Black was the strongest defender of the First Amendment who ever lived. What is it that you and the opponents of the Flag Protection Amendment know that he did not? To Stephen Presser: I'll see your Earl Warren and Hugo Black with Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy and observe that, although the Supreme Court does have the last word, neither it nor its members are exactly infallible. The justices both left and right have all at one time or another seemed more than willing to justify their notions or preconceptions with astonishingly thin constitutional claims. In that, they are human. Your statement that we cannot long endure as a society without a law to protect U.S. flags reminds me of Bill Kunkle's thundering declaration in a debate with me (and others) recently that, without the death penalty, civilization itself is impossible. Where is the evidence for it? What have we seen in the 9 years since Texas v. Johnson that indicates the existence of a problem of sufficient magnitude--or a problem of *any* magnitude--that would justify amending the constitution? I would hope that one who makes his living studying and teaching the constitution would have enough respect for it that he would not want it amended every time some vast, inchoate and, upon examination, not particularly logical notion swelled in the breast of more than 2/3 of the public. I actually believe that the polling on this question, while accurate to a point, suggests a level of passion or interest in this subject that does not truly exist. To put it another way, when you put the poll question to people, yea or nay, they will support flag protection, but it's not an issue that very many people spend much time thinking about or worrying about. And the failure so far of Congress to enact the amendment has not disillusioned and enraged the public to any measurable degree. The public, by and large, has other things on its mind. I think you would also agree that it wouldn't be too hard to create a series of poll questions that would show the majority of Americans favoring a number of positions and laws that you and I would agree are unconstitutional. To Eric Zorn: I liked the poker play of countering with Reagan appointees. But I do think that neither Scalia nor Kennedy is correct on this one. We don't have a separate concurrence from Scalia so we can't be sure exactly what his reasoning is, so he's not going to help refute Warren and Black. Advertisement Kennedy's opinion is not exactly a model of clarity, and seems to be the same sort of "on the one hand on the other hand" balancing that he and Justice O'Connor often go in for. I don't find it very helpful. This is not, I think, a balancing-type issue -- it's a question of defining what the First Amendment is supposed to cover. You made light of Dianne Feinstein, but Black and Warren did believe that you could make a speech/act distinction and flag desecration fell on the act side of the ledger. I think so too, so does Feinstein. That's what I meant in the piece on the CFA's website, where I suggested other acts - spray-painting the Washington monument, taking potshots at the President, that might have an expressive component, but are acts regulable by law none the less. It's not balancing, but it's where you draw the line, and even if you see defacing monuments as different from desecrating the flag, it's a matter of degree rather than quality, in my opinion. Another point along those lines I've made in several pieces is that if this is about drawing a line between acts and speech, and if this an issue of great national interest (and it must be if forty-nine state legislatures have actually requested Congress to send on the Amendments -- by the way that's never happened in the history of the republic), why not let the American people draw the line by passing the Amendment? That brings us to what a believe would be your strongest argument, if I subscribed to it. That is the notion that if one punishes a flag desecrator one punishes him because of his particular political sentiments, and that a country that wants to remain free shouldn't punish on the basis of political sentiments. Advertisement The problem I have with the argument is that it confuses "political sentiments" with the requisite motive to punish anyone under a criminal statute. When we're punishing prohibited acts - murder say, or arson - we don't ask if the perpetrator did it for particular political sentiments, we ask if he or she intended to perform the prohibited act with the requisite statutory intent. If flag desecration is an act designed to cause outrage and possible breaches of the peace on the part of viewers, than you punish the motive to cause outrage and possible breaches of the peace, not the political sentiments. You don't punish the American Legionnaire who respectfully burns the soiled or rent flag to dispose of it in the traditional manner because his act will not cause outrage, and it's not desecration. Motive is everything in the criminal law - we punish premeditated murder, but not acts of self-defense - the state of mind is crucial. A desecration statute would be no different. None of the proponents of the Flag Protection Amendment I know wants to abridge freedom of speech in any way. The Amendment is not an attempt to amend the First Amendment or the Bill of Rights, it's an attempt to bring Constitutional law back to what it was in 1989 before the Supreme Court misread it. We weren't a repressive society before 1989, and we won't be if the Amendment ever passes. I agree completely that the Constitution should only be amended for momentous issues, but I do see this as one, and that brings me to your charge that rankles a bit, that I believe the republic will crumble if this Amendment doesn't pass. That's not exactly what I said, first of all, but perhaps you could make the point with journalistic license. In any event, what I said was that the republic will be endangered if we fail to understand that with rights come responsibilities, and that there is a baseline of order, civility, and shared commitment to values that makes the First Amendment work. When that baseline erodes, when that foundation crumbles, we are left with license, not liberty, and we're in a place similar to Rome in its decline. We're not there yet, but I do think one can make a strong case that we're on the way. When the President of the United States has people prepared to defend him for dallying with an intern nearly his daughter's age, I think we've got real problems, and that our culture of self-indulgence has gone too far (perhaps you agree). The Supreme Court's opinions in Johnson and Eichman are symptoms of a view of law that self-indulgence is all the Constitution is about -- a problem in many other opinions as well. If that view continues to be the dominant view in Constitutional law we are, I submit, in real trouble, and eventually the underpinnings of the Republic will erode to a very dangerous point. The Flag Amendment alone won't stem the tide, but it will represent a step in the right direction, I think. To Stephen Presser: The court has long held in other matters that conduct may constitute a form or speech (or expression)-- to wit the case back in the 30s about flying a red flag. I don't think it's honest to toss into the mix that "taking potshots at the President... might have an expressive component." Such conduct is rightly prohibited no matter what the motives of the shooter; similarly it's rightly against the law to spray paint "God Bless America" on the Lincoln Memorial. The fact that 49 states have passed measures favoring flag protection simply demonstrates that legislators in 49 states have their fingers to the wind on this issue. Some legislator puts up a bill and the other legislators, reading their polling data, see no percentage in voting against it. I don't think this is an issue in which passions run particularly deep outside the Citizen's Flag Alliance, and so to say that "this an issue of great national interest" overstates the case dramatically and purely for effect. What was the great national reaction last time this amendment died the death it so richly deserved? You toss murder and arson into the discussion, tempting me to do my best Reagan chuckle and say "There you go again...." The death of a human being, the burning of the private property of another or of public property... these are results that the assumption is are, prima facie, bad or negative results. Let's take this argument from you: "If flag desecration is an act designed to cause outrage and possible breaches of the peace on the part of viewers, than you punish the motive to cause outrage and possible breaches of the peace, not the political sentiments." Explain to me why this very idea would not apply to someone standing on the corner of State and Madison with a bullhorn shouting, "I hate the flag of the United States! It is a terrible flag and stands for rotten things. I would spit on the flag if I had one here! I would defecate upon it. I would tear it to shreds and dance a Russian jig upon it!" Should *that* be prohibited on the grounds that it would "cause outrage and possible breaches of the peace?" What if one were to go to a convention of Young Communists and, as they left their hall en masse for a people's lunch, waved the American flag in their face or sang the Star Spangled Banner in an attempt to "cause outrage and possible breaches of the peace?" Or what if, inside this Young Communists convention, a speaker, to the delight of all in attendance, burned an American flag in an attempt to get the biggest round of applause of the day? He would not be trying to cause outrage or a breach of the peace, after all. I actually do agree with you that the connection between rights and responsibilities is important and society needs that. But even though "civility" is desirable, the First Amendment doesn't limit us to civil expressions that cause, perhaps, a bit of upset for the listener but no real outrage. To Eric Zorn: We may have reached the point at which we start talking past each other. I agree that the First Amendment means that we don't forbid speech even if it outrages people (although, as you know, we do make limited exceptions for "fighting words" or deliberately yelling fire in a crowded theatre when you want to cause panic and distress), but I do believe that you can draw distinctions between outrageous acts which are not protected and outrageous speech which is. It's true that the Supreme Court has held that some acts constitute speech, and I'd go even further and say that at some level all speech is acts. Still, you can draw lines, until 1989 flag desecration was on the "act" side of the line, and I think that's where it belongs. I completely disagree that it's wrong to make an analogy to shooting at the president or spray painting slogans. We prohibit those acts because we believe they do harm -- and the point of the proponents of the Flag Protection Amendment is that if we allow flag desecration we harm something precious as well. I have to admit that I don't find it easy to persuade anyone hostile to the amendment on this point, and I've come to the conclusion that one takes a position on this issue as a matter of the heart rather than the head (on both sides), but let me try again. If you listen to the testimony of most of the medal of honor winners and the gold star widows and the veterans, you understand that the flag, for them, symbolizes not only everything that's good and liberty-loving about the society, but most specifically the reverence that we have for the self-sacrifice of the men and women who've given their lives or limbs for their country, so that the rest of us might enjoy our precious freedoms. They believe that something that's precious about the America they grew up in is that the law protects the flag from those who would destroy it in a manner calculated to enrage and insult them and the sacrifice of their loved ones. If their laws cannot condemn and punish those who set out to do evil in this manner, they have trouble understanding what the sacrifice was for, and trouble understanding why they should ever want to sacrifice again. Advertisement Try convincing a World War II or Korean War veteran that he or she should fight in order to protect the right of a Wisconsin teen-ager to defecate on the flag. (And don't tell me that public health laws are enough to protect against that, because the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Texas v. Johnson means the act is protected by the First Amendment). Not all veterans or widows feel this way, of course, but the vast majority of the veterans and widows I've talked to do, and I get letters from them telling me I'm crazy to think that the Supreme court would ever hold that flag burning was protected by the First Amendment. They simply can't believe the Supreme Court did what it did. People of our generation find this hard to grasp, and so does Justice Brennan and his majority of five, apparently. Brennan says the flag stands for the right to burn it, and the proponents of the amendment think it does not. You are absolutely right that the First Amendment doesn't limit us to civil expressions. The speech that's protected by the amendment can be downright uncivil, but even then reasonable time place and manner restrictions apply. Even if I thought that Flag desecration was speech, and I don't, I would see the Flag Protection Amendment as in the nature of an appropriate time, place, and manner restriction, and would hope that if you became convinced that the vast majority of your fellow citizens saw it the same way, it would be appropriate to defer to them when they had a Constitutionally-prescribed majority to overturn Texas v. Johnson. Or, I would hope that your view that responsibilities are as important as rights would eventually lead you in my direction on this issue. This is not simply an issue for politicians. In fact, my experience is that politicians actually prefer to shy away from the Flag Amendment, because every time one comes out in favor he's pilloried by a press unanimous against it. It's very much a people's issue. It's true that the Citizens Flag Alliance has been leading the way, but their support comes very much from the grass roots. Are we getting any closer to agreement? To Stephen Presser: It doesn't surprise me that your contention "if we allow flag desecration we harm something precious as well" fails to stir those of us who are "hostile to the amendment." It's because you are trafficking here solely in the realm of thoughts and ideas, and the very notion that the expression of John Smith's political idea in a way that causes no physical harm to anyone and otherwise breaks no laws can cause such harm to Stephen Presser's political idea that we must amend the constitution to prevent Mr. Smith from making his expression is pretty horrifying. It has no logical--reasonable--underpinning. It is no step at all from that premise to the one that says my hypothetical lunatic on the streetcorner saying bad things about the flag ought to be muzzled as well. And not too far from that to the idea that, say, the Ayatolla was right to issue the fatwah against Salman Rushdie.... some ideas must be suppressed! You--or rather Dan Polsby, for this is his formulation--seem very comfortable with the idea that we can draw a neat little line around the American Flag and that will be that. I see it as the thin end of a bad wedge, the nose in the camels tent and all other relevant cliches precisely because there is only emotion, not logic behind it. It is "a matter of the heart," but only on your side. I love the flag too. Fly it on many occasions. Your stories about gold star widows and veterans are moving to me--but so is the story of the Vietnam Vet POW who testified against the amendment by saying that when his captors tried to torment him by showing him pictures of hippies burning the US Flag and saying "look what kind of country you live in," responded, "Yes, look what kind of country I live in....a free one." (I paraphrase; exact column on this subject available upon request.) Reasonable time place and manner restrictions on burning of symbolic objects or any objects could easily exist if they were content neutral. There is an old cold war era joke about the Soviet and the American arguing about whose country is better. "In my country," says the American, "I am allowed to stand on the steps of the seat of my nation's government and scream `The President is an idiot!" "Ah," says the Soviet. "In my country it is very much the same. I, too, am allowed to stand on the steps of the seat of my nation's government and scream, `The American president is an idiot!" Your support for the apparent super-majority interests me. Is there no amendment that might be supported by 70 percent of the public that you would raise your voice against, or is this the standard by which you judge appropriate political action worthy of your support? And lastly, on a practical level, what is "the flag?" The Citizen's Alliance ducked this question big-time when last I posed it to them and the idea seems to be that we will be able to work it all out when the time comes. Advertisement But there are American flags in all forms everywhere--on your Tribune masthead, for instance. Can a person burn his Tribune in a home incinerator? What if he does so while chanting or just thinking, "Burn, you no good flag!!!"? Photographs of the flag? Flags with 49 stars and 12 stripes? Drawings of a flag? And what language would we use to define desecration? And, lastly, the question still outstanding from my last post--where is the urgency here? To Eric Zorn: 'm delighted you want to continue the dialogue. Perhaps we're not as far apart as I thought. On the other hand, maybe we are. Polsby (I'm inferring this from what you say) and I can draw a line between First Amendment speech ("pure speech," whatever that is) and actions taken to destroy the flag in a manner calculated to cause outrage to others (the definition of desecration). It all comes down to whether you think burning, defecating, urinating, or otherwise defacing the flag is speech. If you do, you take your position, and that's that. And you're certainly not alone in that. But if you take speech as something with a clear content and something more than, as Rehnquist called it, an inarticulate grunt, you might be closer to the view of the proponents of the Amendment. You believe that befouling, desecrating, burning or otherwise tormenting the flag is "the expression of John Smith's political idea in a way that causes no physical harm to anyone and otherwise breaks no laws..." but you assume the very point at issue -- granted the heartbroken veterans, widows, and orphans who are the backbone of the Citizens Flag Alliance are not physically damaged in the same way that victims of assault and battery are," but that doesn't mean they are not hurt in a manner that the law now recognizes on a number of fronts, including intentional infliction of mental distress, sexual harassment, and lots of other torts existing and still to be born. To assume that such action "breaks no laws," is to assume the very point at issue. Until 1989 it certainly did break some laws, and had for at least a century. The Supreme Court got it wrong in 1989, and it breaks no laws now, but this Amendment effort is about putting us back to where such conduct "does break laws." What you call "Stephen Presser's political idea," is both yours and mine -- it is the idea of the founders that "we the people" are bound together by certain ideals and that we owe each other consideration and respect -- enforceable by law which is ultimately the only way we can bind each other. We have decided that in our society one can say whatever he likes, but we draw lines between acts and offensive actions, always have, and always will. Let's address your slippery slope argument head-on, as, I suspect, Polsby does (mind you he and I have only discussed this issue once, and then only to exchange about four words). If this Amendment passes it will have absolutely no - zero - effect on any speech protected by the First Amendment. We will simply be returned to 1989. There will be no Amendments actually affecting speech, because you will never get 49 state legislatures much less 2/3 of the House and Senate to request them. As you know there have been about 11,000 Amendment proposals brought before Congress and only 27 of them have passed. It won't get any easier if this one does. That's why your "nose in the camel's tent" (I think you mean camel's nose in the tent) or your thin end of a bad wedge arguments make no sense. No one is setting out to contain real speech, no Amendment attacks the First Amendment. You can do better than that "scare tactic" of the Flag Amendment's opponents. If you really believe this, than I'm right that your side is arguing from the "heart" rather than the head, because there's no logic in the slippery slope argument. Now let's take the "urgency" argument. Edmund Burke said (as you undoubtedly know) that all that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing -- if we all agree that desecrating the flag is an evil act (and I know of no one who contests this) -- than if our legal system permits it, and if, as I believe, we're undermining important elements of our political tradition to let it go unchallenged, than every day we fail to act further erodes the foundation of order that I really do believe undergirds the Republic. (You might want to take a look at the recent testimony before the Senate of Harvard Law Professor Richard Parker who makes the same point). Since 1989 there have been approximately 50 cases of flag desecration, most of which go unreported in the national media, which, since it's perfectly legal, doesn't treat it as a big deal. As my friends in the Citizen's Flag Alliance say, each time that happens the respect for what the flag stands for is, in their eyes at least, further diminished. Advertisement Perhaps it's not diminished in the eyes of those such as Justice Brennan who simply suggest that it shows what terrific people we are because we're so tolerant. But tolerance has limits, we shouldn't tolerate everything that betrays what we stand for, and I draw the line in a place that permits legislation against flag desecration. Perhaps I shouldn't have said what I said about this being an issue of the heart -- I think there's at least as much logic on my side as yours, but if you can't see that there's a difference between First Amendment speech as traditionally considered and flag desecration, perhaps nothing I say will seem logical. If 98% of the American people were for something I was against I would still speak out against it, but when that percentage of legislatures speaks I do think it's worth listening too. I used to think the issue was trivial (just like you), but I don't any more. I do think that the popular sovereignty argument is a pretty powerful one to make, and while the people make mistakes, the collective people is more often right than the law professors or perhaps even the pundits. On this last point, I was recently reminded by my wife (who, by the way, urged me to make contact with you -- I was just going to let your column lie, being an easy-going sort) that Tommy LaSorda -- that great Federalist Constitutional Scholar who recently testified at the Senate Hearings -- was asked why Flag Desecration shouldn't be protected by the First Amendment. He said, "Free speech is when you talk." He had a point. Finally the "what's a flag question." This one, too, is beneath somebody as clever as you. A flag is that thing we run up the flag pole to see if anybody salutes. It's not the emblem of the Tribune, nor is it the flag bunny slippers or even the flag boxer shorts. We can quibble about definitions if and when the Constitutional Amendment passes, but I suspect we could agree on "what's a flag" pretty quickly. (7-28-98) To Stephen Presser Rehnquist was absolutely wrong when he equated flag burning to an "inarticulate grunt." An inarticulate statement would be, in the words of my thesaurus, "unclear, unintelligible, indecipherable." It would prompt confusion on the part of the observer, as would an anti-American speaker chivvying passers by at State and Madison in Dutch. The point of view communicated may not be subtle; it may not be wholesome, and it may not have "clear content," but I daresay half of what passes for commentary in the media would fail that test.. But it is exceedingly comprehensible to those who observe it. Too much so, indeed, would be your argument. On what grounds would you ban an action whose sole purpose and result is "to cause outrage to others" but not speech with the identical purpose? Because the action is a stronger, more provocative way of communication, and we must limit the strength of expressed points of view? You imply that you believe the contention that "burning, defecating, urinating, or otherwise defacing the flag is speech" is somehow at odds with reality. Substitute "speech" for "expression" and I ask you what else it could be aside from that? Why is it of the least interest to anyone if it is not an expression? The string music swells at the invocation of "heartbroken veterans, widows, and orphans," but this is exactly what I meant in my column by "emotional appeals to low jingoistic impulses that have put this amendment closer than ever to passage by Congress." The price of free expression is that sometimes it offends people--good people, decent people. I know you would agree with that. And to equate the inner disturbance that a person might feel at another's expression of a contrary political sentiment with sexual harassment or to lump it in with intentional infliction of mental distress.....my! I thought you conservatives frothed at the mouth over the "victim mentality." When you contend that "We have decided that in our society one can say whatever he likes, but we draw lines between acts and offensive actions, always have, and always will." I would like a few examples--one even--of neutral or positive acts at which we "draw the line" and say they are illegal based solely on the intended message conveyed by the action. My slippery slope argument works this way---once an amendment to the bill of rights enshrines, in effect, the right of the state to curtail the purely symbolic act of flag desecration, there is plenty of likelihood that the courts could uphold local laws passed preventing other sorts of symbolic desecration. Say the Flint City Council in cahoots with GM during a strike passes a law against desecration of the GM logo. Tangential? I don't think so. Because here's what's going to happen if you get your amendment passed: You will see a spate of protest flag burnings in this country like you haven't seen before, most of them directed at the amendment itself. Ultimately you'll have a case prosecuted in which a protester burned an "I Can't Believe It's Not Old Glory!" flag facsimile with, say, lavender stars, not white stars. He will try to quote Stephen Presser: "This one, too, is beneath somebody as clever as you. A flag is that thing we run up the flag pole to see if anybody salutes." But then, as he reads further into your work, he'll discover that it's not the cloth Presser wants to protect, it's the people who are upset by symbolic contempt shown to that piece of cloth. And if *they* don't know it's not a flag, then protester is guilty (Stevens used a different form of logic in his dissent to Texas v. Johnson, I believe, saying someone could be guilty of flag desecration even if he were attempting to destroy it respectfully if his action were misunderstood by viewers.....an astonishing assertion, I thought). And if we use the "cause outrage to others" standard, the application starts to go across the board. What you fail to acknowledge is that "The Flag" is an abstraction. A wonderful one, but an abstraction. The symbols for it--decals, logos, pennants of bikes in parades--can be destroyed and desecrated or celebrated and honored. The Citizen's Flag Alliance and others try every evasion to get around the fact that a flag is not The Flag, and that definitions here *are* important. Your tactic was to be patronizing "...beneath someone as clever as you.... I suspect we could agree on "what's a flag" pretty quickly" but it is a real issue. Advertisement Kids were arrested in 1960s for wearing flag patches on their clothes and flag designs on their shirts. Patches, mind you. Not things that were raised up a flagpole. So I re-issue you the challenge since you think you can do it so quickly. What do you think a protected flag ought to be? I don't think that desecrating the flag is an evil act. I think it's an ignorant act and politically bizarre. I reserve a term like "evil" for stronger matters. When you write "every day we fail to act further erodes the foundation of order that I really do believe undergirds the Republic" you are simply giving me more ammunition for when I next quote you. By your count we have about 10 cases of flag desecration a year in a country of 260 million people. To the extent that anyone notices, I'd agree with Brennan that it shows not what a tolerant people we are, but what a free people we are. Any skanky old dictatorship run by any tin-pot despot can ban flag burning. It takes a great country to permit it. When you write "Tolerance has limits, we shouldn't tolerate everything that betrays what we stand for," what else might fall into this rubric for you? Limit yourself to legal acts only, please. State legislators, FYI, are generally *more* stupid than the average person, not less. So you might want to re-think your wonderment at 49 out of 50 state legislatures passing a piece of feel-good legislation. And lastly, I too, was struck with Tommy LaSorda's testimony---most notably that they had to go back to the mid 1970s to find an incident of flag desecration high profile enough that a witness to it might have something to offer. Alas, LaSorda didn't. Even you have acknowledged that speech is more than "when you talk." To Eric Zorn Thanks for your last post. It will take some time to reply to all your contentions, but I thought I'd clear away some of the underbrush first. Your last post was mostly about "expression." Have you shifted your ground now so that it's no longer important to your argument that flag desecration be "speech?" If so, then there's not too much we have to argue about, because it's only expression that can be construed as "speech" that comes within the First Amendment. Or is it your position that all "expression" is speech? How seriously should I take your suggestion that "State legislators, FYI, are generally more stupid than the average person, not less?" Do you have IQ tests for state legislators? My anecdotal data apparently differs from yours. My model state legislator is closer to my colleague, Dawn Netsch, who is one of the smartest people I know. You seem to want to label arguments you don't agree with as "emotional appeals to low jingoistic impulses" or, as you did in your column, simply irrational. But my basic notion, that American society is as much about responsibility as rights, and that liberty is undergirded by duty and civility, which informs all of the arguments I've tried to make to you, is not, I think, particularly emotional or jingoistic, though you seem to construe evidence of others sharing that view as such. I don't believe that you simply label everything you disagree with as "irrational," but that seems to be the thrust of your column and some of our discussion. Help me out here, please. Do you still adhere to the view that no rational person could be in favor of the Flag Amendment? Let's make it easier on you, do you adhere to the view that no rational person could have dissented in Texas v. Johnson? If your answer to that one is no, and you're prepared to concede rationality to Rehnquist, O'Connor, Stevens, and White (and Black and Warren, who took the same view), then all we have to do is ask, is it rational to want to amend the Constitution to bring the law of flag desecration back to where it was before the majority decided Texas v. Johnson -- again (because all we're doing is exploring the assertion in your column) not whether it is right, but rather whether it is rational. Then we can go on to debate wisdom, once we've got rationality established. And I'll try to give you my flag definition again. (7-21-98) To Stephen Presser: All my writings on this topic have favored the word "expression" over the word "speech" because I am sick to death of the Tommy LaSorda argument. "Speech" is not just the words that comes out of one's mouth. It would be my contention not that all expression is Constitutionally protected speech, but that the intent of the Constitution is that restrictions on expression be content neutral or free of ideological or religious bias. To trot out my old example, it should be equally against the law for me to spray paint "The USA stinks" of "The USA forever" on the Lincoln Memorial. Don't take me too seriously about state legislators. There are some bright ones (whose side is your colleague Dawn Clark Netsch on in the flag issue?). Many, however, are craven, invertebrate political hacks with no recognizable principles. Let me try to be more surgical in my critique of the pro-amendment position. I do not quarrel with your contention that "American society is (or ought to be) as much about responsibility as rights, and that liberty is undergirded by duty and civility," though I think my political definition of civility is different from yours. When I speak of emotional appeals I speak of your invocation of "heartbroken veterans, widows, and orphans," your recitations of all the wonderful things for which the flag stands and how much it means to people and your apocalyptic visions. I acknowledged yahoos are free to desecrate a flag in protest every year. I believe that a rational person can hold the contrary view, but I don't believe that his or her rationality has yet found a voice in the expression of that view. Advertisement So that while Rehnquist, O'Connor, Stevens, White, Black, Warren and Presser are all obviously learned and clever folk, I do not feel, with all due respect, that one can find much evidence of this in their pro-amendment arguments. I feel that the arguments make a huge and utterly unjustified leap to draw a line that makes no logical sense around a particular kind of political expression in order to forbid that expression. And when I poke and prod at these arguments, as a medium such as this allows me to do, I find the whole idea ill defined. Which is why I await eagerly your definition of "flag." Pretend you are a state legislator, one of the smart ones, and are writing a statute now that the amendment as passed the Congress and the states. Before you define what desecrative acts are forbidden, how do you define "flag?" To Eric Zorn: Perhaps we're nearly at the end of our exchange. I think we're coming close to the point where we agree on where we disagree. Perhaps I can't persuade you that the proponents of the Amendment have a rational argument on their side, but it won't be for lack of trying. Let's take a look at the points in your last E-mail. Your final point (which I now understand better) is that the issue is just too squishy. You believe that one can't even define "flag," so that there can be no logical anchor to the proponents of the Amendment. I tried to suggest that a flag was what you run up a flagpole, but that apparently wasn't satisfactory to you (although I'm not sure why not). If you won't accept that, would you accept "the term ' flag of the United States' means any cloth flag of the United States, in a size fabric and form that is commonly displayed?" That's about as precise as I can get, and I think at least shows that a rational (not necessarily a perfect) definition is possible. Now let's assume that we can define flag, as I believe we can (or we can agree to disagree). I'm sure there's more that makes you think the proponents of the Amendment have no rational argument, to wit your statement that " the arguments [of the proponents of the Amendment] make a huge and utterly unjustified leap to draw a line that makes no logical sense around a particular kind of political expression in order to forbid that expression." First of all, the line (and I agree that this is all about drawing lines) is not to forbid the expression of a political point, but to forbid an act (which you believe expresses a political point). It is the act (the form of expression) rather than the content of expression that is prohibited. Other forms of that expression -- notably verbal or written speech -- are still left completely permitted. Second (and this is Polsby and Rehnquist's argument) there is no "huge and utterly unjustified leap that makes no logical sense" --- there is simply an attempt to return Constitutional law to where it was for a century -- a position it occupied because of the unique and historical character of the flag as the national symbol. We can disagree about precisely what it meant, but we can't disagree that for a century to desecrate it was regarded as an act criminally punishable. To rely on a century of practice is not to guarantee reliance on truth, I'm willing to concede, but to rely on practice is not irrational either. Finally your last (actually your first in the E-mail point): "It would be my contention not that all expression is Constitutionally protected speech, but that the intent of the Constitution is that restrictions on expression be content neutral or free of ideological or religious bias." This means that we're agreed that not all expression is First Amendment speech, and that the trick is to draw the line to say what is and what is not, but then you make an interesting turn away from that issue to say, in effect, that whatever speech is, the Constitution is about expression and that only content neutral etc. restrictions on expression are permitted. I'm willing to agree that the test is Constitutional intention (I'd describe it as "original understanding," and perhaps we can agree on that as well). But I know of nothing in the history of the First Amendment as conceived by its framers that states that "restrictions on expression be content neutral or free of ideological or religious bias." Granted this is the view of some Senators (Joseph Biden is one) and perhaps some Justices (e.g. Brennan), but I don't think a convincing case can be made that this was the intent of the First Amendment. Again, it dealt with speech, not expression -- expression was a term available to be used, and it was not --and the notion of "content neutrality" is very much a modern one, at least as applied to restrict the government. Remember again, our argument (if I understand you now) is not necessarily about the wisdom of the proponents of the Amendment, but their rationality. They have history, practice, and, I believe, justice on their side. I think that amounts to "rationality," but if you disagree than we can agree on what separates us. To Stephen Presser: I'm left a little unclear now about what you consider the justification for laws considering this particular act. On the one hand you seem to justify it by saying we must forbid acts that cause outrage in others, then you veer back to defining a flag in fairly narrow terms--terms that, if I recall my youth in Ann Arbor correctly, were far broader when the sheriff of Washtenaw county was arresting "hippies" for wearing shirts with flag designs on them or flags with peace symbols where the field of stars usually is--that would not very neatly control this sense of outrage. I return again to the question that you dismiss as unworthy of me, which is what do we do about a protester who sews a flag with 49 stars and twelve bars and then burns it in the town square while screaming "America sucks!" You seem to think this is a trivial question, but I wonder which Presser standard would apply-- the flag as that which is of a form commonly displayed (not guilty!) or the public outrage standard (guilty!). It's interesting to consider intent when examining Constitutional questions, as I need not tell you, and the question of intent...the precise question...still eludes me here. It's an important question because, as you also well know, in future generation justices yet unborn will be confronted with semi-analogous situations and asked to apply the Constitution to them, to look for the gist or the essence or the philosophy behind the principle elucidated in the document and its amendments. So in 100 years when a state passes a law against burning the presidential seal or a copy of the constitution or its own state flag, the justices will look not just at the cold words of the document, but will attempt to apply them to the new situation. Certainly one need look no further than the First Amendment, which applies not just to "speech" and "the press" (which we would now translate at "the media") but to a variety of communicative forms, some of them unforeseen, and not to other forms. They had crowded theaters in the 1790s and could easily have stuck in the prohibition against shouting "fire" in them. The language was available. So, please: Intent. You suggest that content neutrality is not implicit in the First Amendment in your view. I'm intrigued by this assertion because I wonder at its implications. Do you mean to say that it's your view that both the original intent (or understanding, as you prefer) of the Constitution and its proper application today would have us granting various degrees of freedom of speech depending on whether the point of view expressed is popular or mainstream or coherent enough to pass a certain muster? Or am I missing your point there? I'm not exactly persuaded by the argument that flag desecration was forbidden for many years therefore it must be rational and the intent of the Constitution, just as you are not persuaded by the argument that respect for the USA has not internally eroded since 1989 on account of 10 flag defilements a year. I don't think segregation was rational, either, and that seemed OK to a lot of people for many years, too. Finally, are you at all ill at ease with the term "desecration?" One can technically only desecrate that which is sacred. Is a flag, the object itself, sacred? Advertisement Do we worship or revere a flag? This would seem to me to be at odds with the Judeo Christian commandment concerning graven imagery---not that I am one for applying scriptural passages to constitutional arguments, but in some ways the whole idea of what I call flag fetishism is at odds with our dominant religious traditions. To Eric Zorn: Your last E-mail gives me an opportunity to summarize my arguments. Let's remember what we're debating - it's your assertion that there are no rational arguments in support of the Flag Preservation Amendment. That was the thrust of your column, my job is to get you to to ameliorate your position. I'm also assuming (as I have in previous posts) that rational doesn't necessarily mean correct, and lawyers use rational to mean merely something not irrational, that is something supported by reasons. We distinguish rational from reasonable, by the way, as is true for example, with the business judgement rule, so that a rational argument (one supported by reasons, and thus not arbitrary) might not necessarily be a reasonable one. My feeling, though, is that the arguments in support of the Flag Protection Amendment are both rational and reasonable, so if you want to move to the higher standard, I'll live with it. Let's try to make the rational (or even reasonable) case for the Amendment. Let's begin with your last point, the one about "desecration." The text of the Amendment is "The Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the Flag of the United States." If it passes desecration is part of Constitutional law, as you quite properly suggest. I'm not at all uncomfortable with this. As you suggest desecration implies that the object defiled is one that is held sacred, but this is precisely how the flag ought to be regarded. Over the last 200 years it has been, I believe, our one secular sacred symbol. The notion of something sacred in American society is not as strange as it may appear to some people (e.g. you) these days. After all, the last line of the declaration of independence is "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." You might be tempted to point out to me that the Framers of the Declaration said nothing about flags, but my point is that the flag is a literal embodiment of that sacred honor, and, until recently was recognized as such. Thus, one reason (e.g. a rational argument) for the Amendment is to re-affirm that there are some things that ought to be sacred in American society. The arguments that you have described as jingoistic rhetoric, or hearts and flowers stuff, that I have made in prior E-mails, about how the flag, especially to widows and veterans, embodies the self-sacrifice of the fallen brave in the service of their country, is really simply another way of stating the sacred honor point. We hold the sacrifice of those who fought to preserve freedom for all of us to be something sacred, and the flag embodies that (just ask the majority of veterans who support the Amendment). That's what the flag means to most of the supporters of the Amendment. The flag does not, then, as the Supreme court majority wrongly believed, stand merely for the freedom to desecrate it. O.K., then, point one, the Amendment is good because it reaffirms the need to hold some things sacred in society, particularly the sacrifice of men and women who have given life or limb in the service of our liberties. Now we come to a subsidiary point. You have asked, what's this Amendment all about - is it about preventing outrage, or is it about protecting the flag? It is manifestly only limited to the latter. We are after a recognition of the unique status of the flag as national symbol deserving of reverence and respect. This doesn't mean that all outrageous acts involving representations or similes of the flag should be subject to punishment, however. Indeed, in the interests of maximizing liberty (something you and I are both concerned with) I'd favor a narrow definition of the flag, which is why I crafted one for you. I'm not interested in preventing all outrageous acts, I'm interested in a carefully crafted approach to protecting the flag. Outrage is an element of the crime of desecration, as you understand (Black's law dictionary states that the offense of desecration "consists of defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover his action.") But I'm after a particular act causing outrage, and not all such acts. Narrowing the definition of flag to its precise and clear meaning is just fine with me. This means that I think your sheriff of Washtenaw county was wrong, and that a new Amendment wouldn't give him license to do the wrong things he did before. Point two, then, it's possible to craft a statute, once the amendment passes, that is limited in scope and doesn't infringe on traditional First Amendment freedoms. Point three is a repeat of my earlier rejection of your slippery slope argument. The Flag Protection Amendment will not do anything that would justify prohibitions on burning the presidential seal, or a copy of the constitution, or a state flag. As you are, I think, I'm a strict constructionist -- the Amendment is limited to the one unique historic symbol of the nation. It will provide no precedent for any future Amendments, and will make none easier, because they all have to go through the same procedures. This is the Polsby and Rehnquist -- the flag is unique -- argument. It is a wholly rational, I believe even a reasonable one. Point Four is one I haven't exactly made clear to you in the past, but I hope it was implicit in some of my E-mails. That is that for popular sovereignty to flourish in the country, and I think we both agree that it is the basis of American government, it is the people who have the ultimate responsibility for shaping their constitution. When the Supreme Court wrongly construes the document it is the right, I'd even say the duty of the people -- at least where the matter is an important one - to set things straight. That's what happened with the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments (slavery and equal protection), and what also happened with the income tax (sixteenth? amendment) and a few others. We can argue about whether this is an important issue, but I do believe that many Americans feel that it is -- that is that there ought to be some things sacred in society, and the flag is one of them. That's why you get forty-nine state legislatures asking for it (and apparently you're now prepared to concede that there's a possibility that not all the legislators are hopeless bozos). Thus this argument is grounded on principles of popular sovereignty and on a desire to send a message to the Supreme Court. As you may know, by the way, the sending a message to the Supreme Court argument persuaded the Wall Street Journal (alone among major newspapers) to endorse the Amendment. A fifth reason (not, I believe, as important as the others), related to the Fourth is to remind the court and society that even the First Amendment has limits. This is the point about it being possible to draw distinctions between speech and acts. You don't believe that such a distinction can be drawn in this case, but I do, and so did Black, Warren, Rehnquist, and Fortas, of all people. This is related to a key point made by Richard Parker, that acts that destroy the essential community among citizens (he views flag desecration as such an Act) make First Amendment communication more difficult if not impossible. I'm not articulating this as clearly as I might, perhaps, but his point is that true friends of the First Amendment, like you, ought to support this Flag Protection Amendment because it helps build the essential basis for communication, a shared understanding of community. That's five reasons I find which at least show rationality, and I find them quite reasonable. Are you ready to agree that one can be rational and still support the Amendment? Again, the point we've addressed is not "But aren't there still things a clever citizen (e.g. Zorn) can come up with that suggest problems with the Amendment or its implications for First Amendment doctrine (e.g. its effect on notions of content neutrality)," the point is "Can one advance a rational argument in support of the Amendment?" I think one can, and the Amendment's advocates have. Forgive me for going on at such length, and I look forward to hearing from you further. (7-24-98) Advertisement To Stephen Presser: I am at last ready to agree with you that we have about reached the point where the only thing left to do is repeat ourselves in hopes that *this* time the lightbulb will go off over the head of the other and we will make plans to link arms and lead the WOOGMS parade together next year. I agree that you have reasons for your point of view, and if having reasons for one's point of view is the definition of a rational argument, then I concede the point. Generally, when I disagree with someone on a controversial policy issue and we poke and prod away at what the source of the disagreement is, we come to find that we simply give different weight to different factors and evidence, but that both positions can hold up and even flow rather naturally from the differing premises (and ultimate aims) which tend to have coherence all their own. In this case, however, as frustrating as you may find this given the effort you have put into explaining your point of view, I see the only thing driving your point of view is an emotional reaction to a United States flag--that everything you throw up after that is a transparent, unworkable and unnecessary attempt to codify that emotional reaction into law. Those are reasons, but they don't pass muster with me as an argument. Maybe that's why so many newspaper editorialists--including from many conservative and mainstream publications such as this one--and so many commentators don't agree with you (giving your side the opportunity to label your opposition as "elite" -- always a tasty hunk of red meat to throw into a debate when the intellectual tide is against you). Here's a point I wish you'd address. You claim that there is or ought to be secular sacred things in our society. Something that conveys "the self-sacrifice of the fallen brave in the service of their country.... the sacrifice of those who fought to preserve freedom for all of us." This concept, then, to you, falls outside the protections of the First Amendment. Why would you stop at the banning of a mere symbol? Why would not use the same argument to support the criminalization of the dissemination in any medium of the sentiment "Phooey on the self-sacrifice of the fallen brave in the service of their country and the sacrifice of those who fought to preserve freedom for all of us. Those people suck!"? Why *not* push for an amendment to allow states to forbid that kind of speech too? It wouldn't be a slippery slope, would it? What would the problem be with it, aside from a self-referential problem dealing with amendable document itself? A point: You say this amendment is all about protecting "the flag." No. It is about protecting "flags." The Flag is a concept. A Flag is a physical object. And so we'll forget about the justification you adduced earlier that we must stop the defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise physically mistreating U.S. flags because it causes outrage. If it didn't cause outrage--if it were done in secret and discovered only by law enforcement officers with a search warrant--it would still be a crime in Presser's ideal world. You mistake my slippery slope argument. I'm not saying this will lead to more amendments. I'm saying that the court in the future might easily say, "Well, since the `reasoning' behind this Amendment was purely emotional and protesters have switched over to burning copies of the Constitution and now that provokes an emotional reaction, then the law in Pippa Passes Ky. forbidding the burning of a copy of the Constitution is constitutional." You know as well as I that the court looks beyond the cold words on the page for the ideas behind them (thus we didn't need new Amendments to redefine "press" to include electronic media that do not use printing presses, etc. etc. ) Slavery and equal protection were urgent issues impacting the daily lives of millions. To compare them to this trifle, which is really all it is, is highly silly. You and I both know that, the polls notwithstanding, there is no big groundswell in this nation about this amendment. It's not on people's minds much except when the provocateurs like thee and me put out our arguments. Ask people to make a list of the top 25 problems in this nation and I promise you that if you survey 1,000 people, flag desecration will not be on it. It probably wouldn't make the top 100. I'll bet if you were to ask these same people today for 10 laws they'd pass if they could (and you didn't remind them of this flag stuff) they wouldn't come up with it. A difficult experiment to do, but do you doubt me? You might be able to get a similar vote or poll result from people asking them to make the pledge of a belief in God mandatory to holding public office. In fact, I'll bet you could. There would be some popular sovereignty for you! Any problem with that? If Parker says "Acts that destroy the essential community among citizens (he views flag desecration as such an Act) make First Amendment communication more difficult if not impossible," and you believe him, then why would this same logic not apply to speech that destroys the essential community among citizens? It would. And your distinction becomes arbitrary. Based on emotion, not logic. Your assertion that "the Flag Protection Amendment....helps build the essential basis for communication, a shared understanding of community" makes absolutely no sense to me. Again, it's the liberals who are always charged with wanting to use the big hand of government to do social engineering, and now along comes the conservative law professor to impose a "shared understanding of community" because he believes it builds the essential basis for communication. But, again, I get back to my opening assertion , which is that we have probably reached the point where this debate will always end up---standing across a chasm lobbing points at each other that fall short of their mark. I'm willing to go on if you are if it will clear up some of the minor points and challenges. To Eric Zorn: Time to try to bridge the chasm again (I like your metaphor). I agree that it's probably wasted effort, but I admire your spunk and your willingness to keep at it, so I'll try once more. By the way, I don't see a chasm completely dividing you from you to me, I think I understand your point of view pretty clearly -- it is (correct me if I'm wrong): 1. This is a trivial issue 2. It's based on emotion, not logic 3. anyone who wants to oppose flag desecration acts, to be consistent, ought to oppose speech critical of the flag. 4. If the flag amendment passes it will serve as ammunition for some judge down the line who wants to restrict acts of speech unrelated to the flag. So here are my yells across the canyon to explain my position, and even try to suggest my views are reasonable, as well as rational (I'm glad to have the rational point conceded now). 1. Zorn: This is a trivial issue. Presser: If you mean by "trivial," that it's not one that the American people (without appropriate prompting) put on their top ten list of the country's problems; I'll concede that to you. But I do believe that what the debate over the Amendment really involves, namely the question of whether self-indulgence ought to be the complete basis for Constitutional Law (as Brennan seems to think); whether responsibilities are as important as rights; and whether the American people have an obligation to correct a Supreme Court that has dangerously strayed from the original understanding is far from trivial. For me the debate is an important struggle in the current cultural war that is going on for the hearts and minds of this and future generations. I see Brennan's opinions in Johnson and Eichman as of a piece with Bill Clinton's dalliance with an intern near his daughter's age. Both are facets of a world view that seems to lose sight of the importance of virtue and character in a republic. This is my perennial point about the danger to the republic. I understand you don't buy it; but I think reasonable people could. These include me, Parker, and, if you're willing to call them reasonable, Orrin Hatch, Henry Hyde, Charles Canady, and a host of other supporters in the House and Senate. 2. Zorn: This is based on Emotion, not logic. Presser: There is an emotional component to this -- all I've said about widows and the wounded, the frisson people get when they see the flag, the tears they shed in reverence over liberty - you bet that's emotion. But it doesn't necessarily mean it's not reasonable. An emotional attachment to values is an inevitable part of holding those values -- it's as true of your libertarian defense of free speech as it is of my defense of responsibilities over rights. I don't see how you expect to score any rationality or reasonableness points by denigrating an argument as emotional. Both of us can also rely on logic and history to support our points of view (I can point to Burke and a host of social conservatives in the nineteeth and twentieth centuries; you can point to Mill, Holmes and lots of other folks of that ilk), but neither of our views is free of an emotional attachment; both are passionately held; at bottom both are built on the emotion of hope, as are all human endeavors. 3. Zorn: Anyone who wants to oppose flag desecration acts, to be consistent, ought to oppose speech critical of the flag. Presser: I think this is a more developed version of the "emotion" point. I believe you believe that anybody in favor of the Flag Protection Amendment is too blinded by emotion to see that they really oppose speech they don't like, and they are enemies of the First Amendment. I find this argument completely illogical. Why can't someone reasonably believe (I do, Earl Warren did, Hugo Black did, Abe Fortas did, Rehnquist did) that you can be in favor of the Amendment and still be in favor of real first Amendment speech. Why can't I defend to the death your right to say anything you want, even if it's "The Flag sucks," but say when you defecate on it you've gone beyond the bounds of speech into something else. Maybe there is a chasm between us here. We agree that speech is always an act of some kind, but I think we also agree that not all acts are speech. We can draw a line on a continuum and relegate some to the criminal law and some to the First Amendment, can't we? At this point you usually invoke your argument about content neutrality, but that misses the point -- content neutrality (whatever it's coherence or validity as a doctrine, and we can argue about that too, but we don't have to for my purposes) only applies when we're talking about speech, not acts. Even the Supreme Court has conceded this by allowing hate crimes to be more severely punished, as it did with the Wisconsin statute. More to the point, the search for motive in the criminal law generally (as I've tried to convince you) means that the notion of content neutrality in non-speech acts has no validity. This isn't emotion, it's an objective report about what's happening in the law. 4. Zorn: If the flag amendment passes it will serve as ammunition for some judge down the line who wants to restrict acts of speech unrelated to the flag. Presser: I don't see it; maybe it's the chasm again. Why can't you concede the point Polsby (and Rehnquist) want you to concede -- that the flag does occupy a unique position in American society and symbolism, and that what happens with the Flag Amendment should have nothing to do with what happens to anything else. No one sheds a tear when the Constitution is flown up the flag pole, the marines didn't hoist a copy of the Declaration of Independence on Iwo Jima. Any judge that tried to use the Flag Amendment to restrict real free speech acts would be shot down not only by conservatives like me, but by libertarians like you. Your invocation of bad uses by judges or prosecutors strikes me as the kind of emotional argument you accuse me of. Maybe that means we're back on the chasm. To Stephen Presser: I do finally agree that we are yelling across the chasm and propose to have this missive be the penultimate posting. The last word will be yours (though I do reserve the right to refer witheringly to your Cassandra-like cries about the destruction of the republic at any time). Regarding your point one. You write that "For me the debate is an important struggle in the current cultural war that is going on for the hearts and minds of this and future generations," (another piece of inflated rhetoric if you ask me, but I'll let it slide) and it's puzzling to me that you feel the Constitution is the proper forum to draw this curious little line around one little act. I agree that virtue and character are important in a society--though I think that sexual activity is but one measure of these qualities, and that it is quite possible to be suffused with virtue and endowed with admirable character without being or feeling particularly "patriotic." On the one hand you ask me to consider this amendment in its narrowest context---it's just American flags we want to protect, not forms of speech, not other forms of flags or other symbols..really...it's just this one thing----and on the other you yourself attach to this proposed amendment a rather sweeping significance. It is a bulwark for the notion of responsibilities over rights, for civility, for limits etc. And then you ask me to believe that neither you nor any of the other advocates would ever even THINK of using this same pattern of thought to control ANYTHING else. I can't decide if you're lying to me or to yourself. Your point two, that my point is based on emotion just like yours, stretches the meaning of "emotion" out of shape. Laws against murder are, I suppose, based on "emotion" as well--the sentimental attachment have to our own lives and the lives of others. I suppose to be clearer I should say the flag amendment advocates' position is incoherent--and yes, I attach that term to the protectionist views of all the great men and women you want to name. I will explain yet again in the form of a mock Socratic dialogue between you and me: Zorn: Why should it be against the law to desecrate a piece of cloth? Presser: Because it's not just a piece of cloth, it's a symbol for our great country.....etc. etc...grieving widows, heartbroken veterans....etc etc. It insults such people and most others and causes them great distress and anguish. Zorn: I went to a 4th of July picnic where there were little flags on toothpicks in the cake. If I throw those into a bonfire or just into the garbage, would you consider that desecration? Presser: No. The flag we want to protect is any cloth flag of the United States, in a size fabric and form that is commonly displayed. Zorn: So paper flags wouldn't count? Presser: No. Zorn: So you don't think it should be a crime (arson laws notwithstanding) to create, with high quality paper, a reproduction of the American flag and then burn it while chanting anti-American slogans? Presser: No. Zorn: .....or to do the same thing with a special "protest flag" that has been artfully constructed with, say 14 stripes or 52 stars, such that passers by think it's a cloth flag of the United States, in a size fabric and form that is commonly displayed.? Presser: No Zorn: Even if such an act were calculated to offend and insult the very same people now offended by the burning of actual flags, and to the very same degree? Presser: That's right. Zorn: So you really aren't trying to prevent acts that outrage, per se? Presser: Right. Zorn: And you aren't even trying to prevent acts that outrage flag-loving patriots as a general category? Presser: Right. Zorn: You are simply trying to protect a narrow class of yard goods from "desecration?" Presser: Yes. Zorn: And the reason you are doing so is because that act is dangerous? Presser: No. Zorn: .....common? Presser: No. Zorn: ....pornographic? Presser: No, not in the conventional sense. Zorn: .....a hateful statement directed at a narrow class of individuals with an attempt to threaten or intimidate? Presser: No. Zorn: The reason you wish to ban flag desecration is because that act sends a message, isn't it? Presser: Yes. Zorn: And that message is repugnant to you, isn't it? Presser: Yes. Zorn: Me, too. And it not simply the message, but the strength of that message that makes it all the more repugnant, right? Presser: Right. Zorn: And that message is fundamentally a socio-political message, isn't it? It says "I have contempt for the United States of America," doesn't it? Presser: Yes. Zorn: But it's not the expression you object to, it's the act. Presser: Right. Zorn: Because you would fight to the death to defend the right of someone to *say* those words, wouldn't you?" Presser: Well.... Zorn: Metaphorically. Presser: Yes. Zorn: In fact, that's one of the things the First Amendment is all about, isn't it? Presser: Yes Zorn: It's not there to protect just popular speech, is it? Presser: No. Zorn: In fact popular, comfortable speech rarely needs the protection of the First Amendment, at least in legal cases, isn't that right? Presser: Roughly. Zorn: It's freedom for speech that you can't stand, isn't that right? Presser: yes. Zorn: But it's not a freedom to commit any old expressive act, is it? Presser: No. Zorn: In fact, generally speaking, one's actions have to be within the law no matter what socio-political thought motivates them, right? Presser: Right. Zorn: So, for example, I am subject to the identical arrest, prosecution and fine if I spray paint "I love the USA" "I hate the USA" or "Go Northwestern!" on the Picasso downtown? Presser: Right. Zorn: And I am equally free to fly a Chinese, American, Swedish, Confederate or Tribune Co. flag from my porch on Flag Day? Presser: Right. Zorn: And if I own a Chinese flag and I burn it on my front lawn with all my neighbors watching, that's OK? Presser: As long as you file the proper environmental impact report and conform with local fire laws. Zorn: Which I would do. Yet if I own an American flag and do the same thing, you would have that be illegal? Presser: Yes. Zorn: Unless it were somehow ersatz? Presser: Yes, a fake-flag burning would be OK Zorn: So you're not punishing my thoughts? Presser: Not at all. Wouldn't dream of it. Zorn: You're punishing my action. Presser: Yes. Zorn: I'm burning a flag. We are in Presser's America and you are the Top Cop and you are walking down the street and you see me burning a bona-fide American flag on my front yard. You have me arrested? Presser: Yes. Zorn: What if as you are having the cuffs put on me I explain that I was burning the flag in order to dispose of it properly, in accordance with the flag code? Presser: Well then that would not be a crime. I would release you. Zorn: Because what was in my mind was not contempt but respect? Presser: Yes. Zorn: So you are punishing me or not punishing me based strictly upon my thoughts? Presser: Intent is a common concept in the law. Zorn: Really? But isn't it true that lack of intent is actually a defense in the law, a factor that mitigates or excuses the commission of an act that had results that were on their face undesirable? Presser: Yes. Zorn: I was speeding (undesirable), but I was trying to get this wounded child in the back of my car to the hospital (intent that mitigates the offense.) I shot him (undesirable) but he was charging at me with a knife screaming he was going to kill me (intent, etc.)? Presser: Yes. Zorn: Is a burned flag a desirable or undesirable thing? Presser: It depends. Zorn: So if you see a burned flag out of context you don't know if that result is a good thing or a bad thing? Presser: Right. Zorn: Or just one of those things...like a flag that burned during a house fire. Presser: Right. Zorn: The result--the burned flag--is therefore a neutral result, right? Presser: Right. Zorn: It turns into an undesirable result once you glean the thoughts in the in mind of the person who burned it? Presser: Right. Zorn: Political thoughts? Presser: You could put it that way. Zorn: And can you name me another set of circumstances in jurisprudence where the political thoughts in the mind of the committer of an act is a determinate that changes a neutral result into a crime? Presser: ___________________________________ Zorn: So it's not the act, it's the expression? Presser: Right. Zorn: Just as earlier you said it's not the expression, it's the act? Presser: Right. Zorn: And this needs to be forbidden because it upset a lot of people? Presser: Right. Zorn: Even though you would have no intention of ever abridging anyone's right to commit an act calculated to give equal offense--such as burning something that looks like but isn't a cloth flag of the United States, in a size fabric and form that is commonly displayed? Presser: Right. Zorn: And you find this position logical and coherent? Presser: I do. Zorn: Well I find it to be neither. I further find the idea itself an unworkable one that in the short term would be counterproductive---it would result in the burning of thousands of flags by people would never have dreamed of burning a flag until a grassroots movement worked up enough lawmakers to amend the First Amendment. I find it offensive to the ideals that make this country the best one on Earth. An America that feels it must ban the defiling of its flag in its Constitution will be a lesser place. But, in accordance with custom, the last word to you. To Eric Zorn: That's very kind of you to offer me the last word. I haven't been involved in the flag debate for several months, and am swamped with many beginning of year tasks at this point. I think we both got our points across in a reasonable manner, and while I thought that some of the things in your last dialogue were not exactly the way I would have put it, I thought our previous exchanges did a reasonable job of portraying our views. I'm comfortable leaving things as they were, unfinished though they may have been. ( 8-28-2000) The decision was reached at a meeting between the three Karen ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) in Lay Kaw Myothit in Myawaddy Township, Karen State on 21 November. The Karen Youth Organisation (KYO), and other Karen social organisations also attended the meeting. Leading the EAO representatives were General Mutu Say Poe, the KNU chairman; Dr Naw Ka Paw Htoo, the KNU/KNLA-PC Secretary; and Major-General Saw Muu Kho (a.k.a. Phoo Naw Way), the DKBA Chief of Staff. They discussed issues surrounding the nationwide ceasefire agreements (NCA) national-level political dialogue. These included the programme for the dialogue, the venue, working programmes and the responsibilities of organisations involved in the dialogue. KNU Central Committee member Pado Saw Hla Tun said to KIC News: The KNU and the other two Karen groups have the right to lead the national-level political dialogue. But this issue concerns all the Karen people so we reached a decision to unite instead of working separately. The DKBA and the KNU/KNLA-PC separated from the KNU in 1994 and 2007 respectively. Though the three groups signed the NCA separately in 2015, they have since agreed to follow the KNUs political leadership. The DKBA Deputy Chief of Staff, Saw Steel, said to KIC News: Concerning political issues, the KNU is our mother organisation so we depend on it and will follow its leadership. We were once from the KNU. The KNUs view is our view and our view is the KNUs view. The national-level political dialogue is one of the working programmes that were set up as part of the NCA. Proposals and suggestions that arise from the political dialogue will be submitted to the Union Peace Conference through the relevant committees. According to the KNU political dialogue meetings covering politics, social issues, economics, security, land and the environment will be held in Rangoon and Hpa-an, with the final Karen national-level political dialogue meeting to be held in Lay Wah (Law Khee Lar). The Karen political parties and social organisations will hold another meeting to discuss the national-level political dialogue in Hpa-an during the first week of December. Reporting by SPhan Shaung for KIC News Translated by Thida Linn Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI A plan to build a 24-hour gas station in Prospect Heights is prompting concerns among some Arlington Heights residents, including Kimberley Hemminger, pictured here. (Karen Cullotta/Chicago Tribune) A plan to build a 24-hour gas station in Prospect Heights has resulted in some Arlington Heights residents who live nearby complaining the business will endanger children who walk past the site on the way to school. The project includes a plan to redevelop the roughly 1.5-acre site at 1600 Rand Road, at the corner of Rand and Thomas Street, and open a 24-hour Thorntons service station, featuring a 10-pump fueling station and a 4,400-square-foot convenience store, Prospect Heights officials said. Advertisement The pie-shaped property, which was for years a Peep's restaurant and an auto body shop, is located in Prospect Heights but sits adjacent to a residential neighborhood across Thomas Street in Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights resident Kimberley Hemminger has joined forces with some of her neighbors in opposing the project. The group has posted concerns on a Facebook page named "Arlington Heights Safety First" and has put up signs on neighborhood parkways. Advertisement A plan to build a 24-hour gas station in Prospect Heights is prompting concerns among some Arlington Heights residents in the adjacent neighborhood. But Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas Helmer, pictured here, said the vacant site is in need of re-development. (Karen Ann Cullotta / Pioneer Press) Of particular concern to the group has been a proposal to build two driveways that will allow Thorntons' customers and vendors to exit and enter the business from Thomas Street. Hemminger said that road is frequented by students heading to and from Thomas Middle School and John Hersey High School each day. "We would love to see the property developed, and we don't expect it to be vacant," said Hemminger, one of several to express concerns about the gas station project at a Monday night Prospect Heights City Council meeting. "But we would like to see something go in there that is in the spirit of the neighborhood, and with the thousands of kids who are within a quarter of a mile from the high school, and in the other direction, the middle school, (the gas station) is going to cause a safety concern, in my opinion," Hemminger said. Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas Helmer began the comment portion of the meeting by asking the Arlington Heights residents to appoint a representative to speak for the rest of those present, saying, "There's no use repeating everything." Helmer also expressed frustration about the Arlington Heights residents' objections to the Thorntons' proposal considering the site now sits vacant. He described the property as "a downright travesty." "What would you want there?" Helmer asked. "They've spent the last year working on the program." Helmer also chided Arlington Heights officials, alleging they refused to let the developer of the Thorntons' project tap into a village water main in front of the property. "Arlington Heights has not been very friendly when it comes to supplying us water I'm incensed over the whole thing," Helmer said. Advertisement Arlington Heights Village Manager Randall Recklaus said Tuesday that officials were approached months ago by Prospect Heights about whether the village would be willing to provide water to the Thorntons' site, with reimbursement from the business. But after discussions among village staff members and elected officials, Recklaus said officials decided against entering into an agreement to provide water. "We have a long-standing policy of not supplying water to commercial businesses outside of the village boundaries," Recklaus said. Recklaus said that while village officials have tried to advocate on behalf of the Arlington Heights residents who live near the Thorntons' project, the proposal is out of their jurisdiction. "(Prospect Heights) did provide us with a copy of the Thorntons' plans, and we provided input," Recklaus said. "We wrote a letter with our requests, but it's up to them, and that's how it is." Thorntons officials presented a modified plan for the site on Monday night that reflected some of the changes suggested by the village to address the residents' concerns. Those alterations included additional landscaping, a taller fence and adjustments to the site's lighting. Advertisement The Thorntons' proposal, which was unanimously supported by the Prospect Heights Plan Commission Zoning Board of Appeals, is expected to be voted on by the City Council later this month. As the meeting concluded, Arlington Heights resident Adam Eichorn said he was disheartened by what he had heard there. "I feel it's a done deal," he said. "If I were a resident of Prospect Heights, I feel they would have listened to me." kcullotta@tribpub.com Twitter: @kcullotta Jack Dalrymple, the Republican governor of North Dakota, has ordered an "emergency evacuation" on the unceded treaty lands owned by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, where protesters have endured potentially lethal, unconstitutional violence from law enforcement, including the use of water cannons as antipersonnel weapons in subzero temperatures and the use of tear-gas cannisters as projectiles fired into crowds of protesters. Protesters have filed a class-action suit against Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, Mandan Police Chief Jason Ziegler, and Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Keiser, seeking relief for the brutal treatment they've received at the hands of inadequately trained, unprofessional law enforcement officers. As part of the suit, they're seeking an emergency injunction and restraining order that would ban law enforcement from using water canons, sound canons, tear gas, and other "less lethal" weapons against the protesters. Governor Dalrymple will not be able to call upon the Army to enforce his order, as the Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it will not participate in the forcible removal of protesters. The most serious injury of the evening was sustained by 21-year-old Sophia Wilansky, whose arm was hit by what her father, Wayne Wilansky, described as a "grenade type device." He said in a statement, "Sophia's arm will never work normally again. Indeed, her use of the arm will be minimal. Amputation may be required to give her a more functional capacity." The Morton County sheriff's department declared that the injury is inconsistent with department tactics and suggested it was the result of an explosion caused by protesters. On Monday, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple ordered an emergency evacuation of pipeline opponents camped on Army Corps land, citing recent snowfall and harsh conditions in the months ahead. He declared that emergency services to the area, which proved essential little more than a week before, would be reduced. "I direct state agencies, emergency service officials, and nongovernmental organizations to reduce threats to public safety by not guaranteeing the provision of emergency and other governmental and nongovernmental services in the evacuation area, unless otherwise approved on a case by case basis by the Morton County Sheriff or Superintendent of the Highway Patrol," he stated. "The general public is hereby notified that emergency services probably will not be available under current winter conditions." STANDING ROCK DEMONSTRATORS FILE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT OVER POLICE VIOLENCE [Alleen Brown/The Intercept] Corps won't forcibly remove protesters from federal land [AP] Governor orders emergency evacuation of Standing Rock camp citing harsh weather [Rich McCormick/The Verge] (Image: Unicorn Riot) The Internet Archive is augmenting its existing mirrors one in San Francisco, one in Amsterdam, one at the Library of Alexandria (that is: San Andreas fault, below sea level, military dictatorship) with a copy in Canada, on the premise that "lots of copies keep stuff safe." Canada is hardly a paragon of freedom. The new guy looks great with his shirt off (so does Putin), but he also rescued the old Prime Minister's "Patroit Act fanfic" surveillance bill and broke his promise to fix it after the election. But Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle is right: lots of copies are better. If Canada tries to censor the Internet Archive, it probably won't go after the same stuff as Trump, nor at the same time. More copies are better. The Archive is a tax-deductible charity, and I send them money every year. So this year, we have set a new goal: to create a copy of Internet Archive's digital collections in another country. We are building the Internet Archive of Canada because, to quote our friends at LOCKSS, "lots of copies keep stuff safe." This project will cost millions. So this is the one time of the year I will ask you: please make a tax-deductible donation to help make sure the Internet Archive lasts forever. On November 9th in America, we woke up to a new administration promising radical change. It was a firm reminder that institutions like ours, built for the long-term, need to design for change. For us, it means keeping our cultural materials safe, private and perpetually accessible. It means preparing for a Web that may face greater restrictions. It means serving patrons in a world in which government surveillance is not going away; indeed it looks like it will increase. Throughout history, libraries have fought against terrible violations of privacywhere people have been rounded up simply for what they read. At the Internet Archive, we are fighting to protect our readers' privacy in the digital world. Help Us Keep the Archive Free, Accessible, and Private [Brewster Kahle/Archive.org] The Internet Archive is building a Canadian copy to protect itself from Trump [Adi Robertson/The Verge] Honduras intl Najar returns from knee injury for Anderlecht After being out of action for seven months with a knee injury, Honduras international Andy Najar (pictured) returned to action for Belgium's Anderlecht on November 27, 2016. (Photo courtesy of RSC Anderlecht) CONCACAF: BRUSSELS, Belgium November 28, 2016 - After a long injury layoff, Honduras international Andy Najar returned to first-team action for Anderlecht, coming on as a 56th-minute substitute for Kara Mbodji in a 7-0 Belgian league win over visiting Mouscron on Sunday. The 23-year-old midfielder suffered an ACL tear early in a match against Club Brugge on April 17, 2016, and has been out since. "I feel good, feel great, feel amazing after seven months from injury to come and play a few minutes tonight. Thats amazing, Najar said after the match. When you hear the stadium saying your name, its a great, great feeling. It gives you confidence and I was so happy for that. I hope to continue getting minutes and hope I can get to my level again. Najar has earned 33 caps for Honduras and scored the last of his four goals in a 1-1 draw against Panama in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Anderlecht currently sits sixth in the domestic table, five points behind first-place Zulte-Waregem. post comments Featured Post Minnesota: Line 3 Charges Dismissed Against Five of 'Shell River Seven' Water Protectors Shell River Seven stand their ground in a confrontation with law enforcement, the Shell River behind them, July 2021 (Photo credit: Citizen ... White Mesa Ute Spiritual March to Shut Down Uranium Mill Mohawk Warrior Society Book Launch Lakota Jean Roach: The True Story of Leonard Peltier Justice for Dad: Taylor Dewey Shares the Harsh Road to Justice Justice Dept Files Lawsuit Against Rapid City Hotel Western Shoshone Ian Zabarte Speaks on Radiation Archive Search This Blog About Censored News Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell. Since 2006, Censored News has received more than 20 million pageviews. As a collective of writers, photographers and broadcasters, we publish news of Indigenous Peoples and human rights. Contact publisher Brenda Norrell: brendanorrell@gmail.com From the publisher Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell, a journalist in Indian country for 40 years. Norrell created Censored News after she was censored and terminated as a staff reporter at Indian Country Today in 2006. She began as a reporter at Navajo Times during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. She was a stringer for AP and USA Today and later traveled with the Zapatistas through Mexico. She has been blacklisted by all the mainstream media for 14 years. Contact brendanorrell@gmail.com Translate The Dezan Shira & Associates equity partners have been holding their annual partners meetings in Sri Lanka these past few days, focusing on their planning, strategy, and budgeting sessions for the year ahead. The firm is one of the largest consulting practices in Asia, providing legal, tax, and related advice to foreign SMEs and MNCs investing in China, India, and Southeast Asia. With the Dezan Shira Asian Alliance, the practice includes some 28 offices across 10 countries and about 600 staff. The practice was founded in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China in 1992, and was one of the earliest professional services firms in the China market. In China, its offices now include offices in Beijing, Dalian, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Suzhou, Tianjin, and Zhongshan. The practice has also been operating in India since 2005, Vietnam since 2006, and Singapore since 2007, with additional full service alliance offices in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The firm is unique both due to its size, private ownership, and the fact that it is one of the few remaining professional services firms to have retained its independence, and remains self-financed and managed. Next year is the 25th anniversary of the practice. We have enjoyed a productive and profitable 2016 under difficult trading conditions comments Chris Devonshire-Ellis, the Founding Partner and Chairman, and we have an aggressive 2017 plan to develop our business interests in India and the China-India and China-ASEAN trade corridors in particular. We are also branching out into the Silk Road arena and will be launching Silk Road Briefing as an investment intelligence platform dealing with Chinas ODI into the One Belt One Road project at the end of Q1 next year, as well as boosting our marketing presence in the United States and EU during 2017. We continue to expand further into Asia including Central Asia, and are one of the very few firms who have the capability to offer pan-Asian, multi-jurisdictional services. Dezan Shira is also well known for its wholly owned publishing and regional intelligence division, Asia Briefing, which includes China Briefing, as well as similar platforms for ASEAN, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Vietnam. We continue to enjoy running and developing the practice says Devonshire-Ellis and are looking forward to our 25th anniversary next year and further adventures to come. About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email china@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight. China Investment Roadmap: the Food & Beverage Industry In this edition of China Briefing, we examine two areas of Chinese food regulations most pertinent for foreign investors today licensing and certification, and food safety standards. Both have undergone significant change in recent years, altering the way in which foreign companies must engage with the food & beverage industry, and must be thoroughly understood prior to market entry. An Introduction to Foreign Investment in Indonesia Indonesia stands out in the ASEAN region for its competitive wages, large labor pool, and burgeoning domestic market. With a population exceeding 250 million, the country is poised to become an immensely lucrative market as it develops further and the urban consumption class continues to grow. In this inaugural issue of Indonesia Briefing magazine, we examine these trends, and highlight how Indonesia has made enormous strides in streamlining and liberalizing its business environment in order to capture larger inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). Russia Investment Road Map The e-Commerce Industry This issue of Russia Briefing shows how you set up your e-commerce business in Russia. E-Commerce in Russia has been posting double digit growth rates for several years, and this trend is set to continue for cross-border e-commerce. This grants good opportunities for Western manufacturers seeking a simple and fast market entry into Russia and its neighboring countries. You are here: Home A new China Cultural Center, co-built by China's Ministry of Culture and Jiangsu provincial government, inaugurated in Den Haag, the Netherlands, on Thursday. Ding Wei (middle), China's vice cultural minister, attends the launch of the China Cultural Center in Den Haag, the Netherlands, Nov 24, 2016. [Photo/Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands] At the opening ceremony, artists from Jiangsu province brought to citizens of Den Haag Chinese traditional art performance including folk music, bamboo flute solo, erhu solo and Kunqu. The audience greatly appreciated the adaptation of Paloma Blanca, a classic Dutch song introduced to China in 1982, with many of them humming to the rhythm. "Culture is a bridge that connects people's heart and soul and abound that enhances understanding and trust between states and peoples," Ding Wei, vice minister of the Chinese Ministry of Culture, said. He emphasized that China Cultural Center in Den Haag provides new bridge for deeper understanding of the two countries. Wu Ken, Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands, said the establishment of China Cultural Center in Den Haag reflects and conforms to the favorable situation and trend of Sino-Dutch cultural exchanges, which consolidates a new platform for future cooperation. In March 2014, the two governments signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a China Cultural Center in the Netherlands. Compared with the state sector, China's private businesses are vulnerable in terms of property rights, but that may change as new policy expands the safety net. On Sunday, a guideline on property rights was issued, the first by the central authorities. It seeks to ensure uniform, legal protection for all kinds of property rights for all individuals and entities. Securing property rights will raise people's sense of wealth security, foster positive expectations and confidence and raise the impetus for entrepreneurship and innovation, according to the guideline. Although China has been gradually improving its property rights protection system, incidences of state power infringing on private assets and illegal seizure of non-public assets still occur. The flawed system has, to some extent, undermined the confidence of private investors. The problem has been aggravated by the slowing economy, and, as the private sector regularly contributes more than 60 percent of China's GDP growth and provides over 80 percent of jobs, the time is ripe for change. Chang Xiuze, a macroeconomic researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission, blames the drop in private capital investment on a lack of confidence in the business community, especially among private businesses. Although fixed asset investment by private companies increased 2.9 percent from January-October, the rate was much lower than the 8.3-percent growth of overall fixed asset investment. Historically, these two indicators usually moved in tandem. In contrast, state-sector investment was up by 20.5 percent. Sunday's guideline should help restore confidence. It promises that open cases that remain unresolved for historical reasons will be dealt with appropriately, and an accountability system shall protect against questionable court rulings. The decision to see irregular actions in the past in a historical and dialectical perspective would set entrepreneurs' minds at rest and encourage investment, according to Chang Peng'ao of Peking University law school. China is moving closer to its goal of building an all-round moderately prosperous society by 2020, inspired by the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of the Chinese dream concept, and remarkable progress has been made in state governance, reform and development, as well as domestic and foreign affairs, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core. NEW ECONOMIC MOMENTUM The Chinese economy has demonstrated great stability and resilience, providing a solid foundation for the country's drive to complete the building of an all-round moderately prosperous society by 2020. Figures speak for themselves. China's GDP grew 6.7 percent year on year in the first three quarters this year; China's producer price index, which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, ended a 54-month straight decline in September; the country has also seen rising figures in investment, industrial output and corporate revenue. Over the past years, the Chinese economy has gained new momentum, and growth in emerging and high-tech industries has accelerated. The country has seen nearly 15,000 new enterprises registered on average each day. Quality economic growth has been boosted by China's economic restructuring. Statistics show that the added value of the tertiary sector accounted for 52.8 percent of the country's GDP in the first nine months of this year, up 1.6 percentage points year on year, while energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 5.2 percent. The Chinese dream goes hand in hand with the Chinese people leading happy and satisfying lives, and China has strived to enable more people to benefit from the country's development. China has carried out various measures to improve people's livelihoods, such as household registration reform, investments in rural education and subsidies for the disabled. This year the central and provincial governments earmarked a record high of over 100 billion yuan (around 14.5 billion U.S. dollars) for poverty relief. At the same time China, amid stagnant global growth and a rise in trade protectionism, has embraced the world with more confidence and an open mind. From the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to the Hangzhou G20 summit and Lima APEC meeting, Chinese wisdom has pointed the direction for world development. ROADMAP FOR CHINESE DREAM To pursue its dream, the country must ensure it is on the right track. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in late 2012, new concepts, ideas and strategies for state governance have been formulated, with an overall approach that emphasizes development in several areas: economy, politics, culture, society, and ecology; the strategic layout of the "Four Comprehensives"; the "five development concepts" as engines of growth; and improving peoples' well-being. "These new concepts, ideas and strategies have become increasingly well-developed, practical and widely supported; they offer fundamental guidance, a clear direction and strength for us to pursue the Chinese dream," said Xin Ming, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. Among these new concepts, ideas and strategies, the "Four Comprehensives" creates pathways to realize the Chinese dream. To build an all-round moderately prosperous society, the country has to maintain steady economic growth and fight a tough battle in poverty relief. Comprehensively deepening reform is a driving force to achieve the objectives of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and beyond. Completely implementing the rule of law will bring equality and justice to the people. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has strived to forge over 80 million Party members into role models and pioneers. Governing the Party strictly provides a fundamental guarantee for realizing the Chinese dream. At the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee held last year, the central authorities proposed five development concepts: innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and sharing. One year on, these concepts have become voluntary practices for central departments, localities, enterprises and individuals. According to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, 546 companies on the exchange with innovation at their core increased net profits 44.3 percent year on year in the first nine months of 2016, significantly higher than the average profit growth in other Chinese enterprises. Under the five development concepts, the Chinese economy is moving from a "black economy" to a "green economy," and from an industrial heavy economy to the "new economy." INNOVATION-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT In certain landlocked villages in northwest China, it has been difficult for fruit farmers to sell their produce due to a lack of highways, but the situation has changed at Xinhe village in Gansu Province thanks to an online sales platform launched one year ago by former soldier Kang Weiqi. "It feels like dreaming, and I can not believe it," Kang said. His trade volume has reached 8.7 million yuan, something he never thought possible. Innovation has gained momentum in China. Kang is the epitome of the young Chinese who have started up businesses over the past few years. In a town in western Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, a part-time recruitment platform created by a group of young people in May 2015 has brought great changes. The platform has over 20 million student users and an estimated value over 100 million yuan. Currently more than 4,000 young entrepreneurs have started their businesses using the platform, and the town has over 780 startups. Such changes could not be made without people's aspiration for a better life and support from the government. As China gets closer to achieving national rejuvenation than ever, unprecedented difficulties and challenges remain. There are over 50 million people living in poverty; people expect more fairness and justice; and the anti-corruption drive continues unabated. You are here: Home Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Chen Zhenggao on Monday urged an "immediate and comprehensive" safety overhaul in the construction industry, after a deadly construction site disaster at a power plant in eastern China. There will be "zero tolerance" to major potential safety hazards and irregularities, Chen said at a specially convened meeting on work safety at construction sites. Tight deadlines, inadequate labor and building materials, as well as poor management cause hidden dangers, Chen said. While demanding that enterprises put their house in order, he urged the ministry's local branches to set up leading groups for work safety to strengthen supervision and inspection. Coal mines, traffic, dangerous chemicals, fireworks, power and heating supply sectors were also cited as areas in need of more attention, China's top work safety watchdog said Sunday. A platform being constructed for a cooling tower at a power plant collapsed in Fengcheng, Jiangxi Province, on Thursday morning, killing 74 people. The cover of China Integrated City Index 2016. [Photo/China.org.cn] Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen top the city rankings based on economic, social and environmental dimensions, followed by Guangzhou, Tianjin, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Nanjing and Wuhan, according to China Integrated City Index 2016, issued by the People's Publishing House on Nov. 28. Specifically, Beijing surpasses Shanghai in the social dimension -- inheritance and exchanges in particular, while Shanghai is superior to Beijing in the economic and environmental dimensions. From the environmental point of view, Shenzhen ranks first and Guangzhou outperforms Tianjin. The five cities of Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Nanjing and Wuhan receive relatively lower environmental rankings, although they account for five of the top 10 cities in the social and economic rankings. Suzhou, despite the best environmental performance among the five cities, ranks only twentieth. According to the report, cities with higher overall rankings often perform badly in the environmental dimension. Zhou Muzhi, a professor at Tokyo Keizai University and head of the expert panel for China Integrated City Index, explained that the Index included the environment as one of the three dimensions in line with the implementation of the National New-Type Urbanization Plan (2014-2020) and put into practice the idea of integrating ecological civilization into the process of urbanization. Evaluating a city from the "green" perspective in an all-around way is a guide for value orientation, he said. China Integrated City Index, the first authoritative, comprehensive and practical study of its kind, aims to analyze and evaluate the sustainable development of Chinese cities with indicators. Based on an advanced idea, it uses quantitative and visual means to set indicators, collect data, analyze it and make an evaluation. Firstly, the index system is composed of three dimensions, namely society, economy and the environment. Each dimension has three second-level indicators, and each second-level indicator includes three third-level indicators. All together, these 27 indicators are supported by 133 specific ones, hence forming a simple and clear pyramid structure. Based on this structure, quantitative and visual analysis is carried out to make clear complex urban conditions. Secondly, the data used in this study encompasses statistics from governments at various levels, big data from the internet and satellite remote sensing data. The study covers all 295 Chinese mainland cities at the prefecture level and above. Thirdly, the evaluation method introduces the concept of "deviation value," which is a common international practice. Huge, complex data were converted to comparable index data, and evaluation was made according to indicators at each level, giving a faithful and informative description of a city's development. China Integrated City Index will be published annually, Zhou said. This year's report was jointly compiled by the Cloud River Urban Research Institute and the Department of Development Planning of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). It will provide an advanced cognitive orientation for values, a scientific index evaluation system and a digital tool for policy management, hence pushing forward transformation during China's urbanization. "It provides a scientific benchmark and frame of reference for China's urbanization," Zhou emphasized. "At the macro level, it can be used as the tool to help formulate policies for urbanization; at the micro level, it can be taken as an element of urban planning. Moreover, it offers criteria for evaluation of a city's policies and planning." Led by Zhou and Xu Lin, director of the Department of Development Planning of the NDRC, the research involved the full participation of many experts including Yang Weimin, deputy director of the General Office of the Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs of China, Zhou Qiren, professor of Peking University, Du Ping, executive vice director of the State Information Center of China, and Yoshinori Yokoyama, specially appointed professor of the University of Tokyo. You are here: Home Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao will attend memorial activities in Cuba for late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castrol. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a routine press briefing here on Tuesday that Li will attend as President Xi Jinping's special envoy. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, paid a visit to the Cuban Embassy in Beijing on Tuesday morning to pay his respects to Castro. Castro passed away on Nov. 25, aged 90. Asia risks losing its competitiveness on the world stage if it continues to neglect the development of its own business talent, a major new study has shown. For the second year in a row, the region has just one representative in the top 10 of the World Talent Ranking, produced by leading global business school IMD. The prestigious annual report assesses how dozens of countries develop, attract and retain the talent pool necessary for businesses to maximize their performance. It draws on more than two decades' worth of competitiveness-related data from the IMD World Competitiveness Center and includes an in-depth survey of thousands of executives in the 61 countries studied. Hong Kong (China) claimed the 10th spot in this year's ranking, gaining two positions since 2015, but every other Asian economy has lost ground during the past 12 months. Singapore the region's only top-10 entry last year has fallen five places to 15th, Malaysia from 15th to 19th, and Thailand from 34th to 37th. Despite its standing as one of the world's most powerful economies, China's mainland is down in 43rd a fall of three positions with Indonesia a further place behind. Professor Arturo Bris, Director of IMD's World Competitiveness Center, which publishes the report, identified lack of investment in local talent as a crucial failing. He said: "There's no doubt that many Asian countries, Singapore arguably chief among them, remain among the very best attractors of talent from abroad. "There's no doubt, too, that they're able to improve their overall competitiveness as a result of the knowledge and experience this foreign talent brings. "But this isn't enough to compensate for the lack of development of local talent, particularly with regard to the paucity of public sector investment in education. "This and related issues mean Asian countries perform poorly in some of the most important measures that we use to gauge an economy's overall competitiveness." Rankings are aggregated from performance in three overarching categories investment/development, appeal and readiness compiled from a wide range of factors. These include education, apprenticeship, employee training, worker motivation, language skills, cost of living, quality of life, pay, tax rates and brain-drain. Each country's evolution in the various aspects is also assessed over the course of the past decade during which Switzerland has placed first every year. Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg and Hong Kong (China) just ahead of Germany make up the 2016 top 10. Professor Bris said Singapore's slide out of the elite over the past year was driven mainly by its failure to invest sufficiently in both primary and secondary education. Explaining Chinese mainland's consistently poor ranking, he added: "Despite increasing business opportunities, China still isn't a big attractor of foreign talent when compared with talent competitiveness countries." "All in all, it still relies on local talent and at present local employees still lack international experience, financial knowledge and language and business skills." The report is released by IMD's World Competitiveness Center. Flash Syrian army captured on Monday Slaiman al-Halabi water station, the main station for feeding the northern city of Aleppo with drinking water, state news agency SANA reported. Maintenance workers have already started repairing the station in eastern Aleppo and it will become operational as soon as possible, according to the report. The station was under rebels' control, and they have repeatedly cut off the water from the government-controlled parts west of Aleppo, before it was damaged by the battles. This comes as the Syrian army and allied fighters continued to advance Monday in rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of a major military campaign that has resulted in capturing nearly half of the rebel controlled areas in the city. SANA said the Syrian forces recaptured the housing units of the Scientific Research area as well as the Sakan al-Shababi residential neighborhood in eastern Aleppo on Monday. Meanwhile, an audio recording of one of the rebel commanders in Aleppo went online Monday, in which the unnamed man was accusing other commanders of abandoning their positions in eastern Aleppo. Thousands of civilians have fled to government-controlled areas in western Aleppo, following the advance of the Syrian army. Syrian national TV has aired several interviews with civilians who have reached government-controlled areas in western Aleppo, with people blaming rebels for the dire humanitarian situation there. The interviewees accused rebels of previously preventing them from leaving Aleppo. They also spoke of hunger they have been suffering from over the past four months. Government forces have intensified shelling on rebel positions in eastern Aleppo over the past 10 days to break their defense lines and prepare for a ground incursion. The firepower has led to the destruction of rebel defenses, mainly the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, the Turkey-backed Ahrar al-Sham, and the Nour Addien Alzinki Movement. Military sources said the rebels in eastern Aleppo are in a state of confusion as a result of government military advances. The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. Flash Syrian government forces are now in control of nearly half of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo city in northern Syria, a military source told Xinhua on Monday. Government forces and allied fighters have so far captured 20 out of 45 sq. km of rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, the source said on condition of anonymity. He added that all of the northern section of eastern Aleppo has come under government control, after the northern part of eastern Aleppo was isolated from its south. As a result of a broad offensive launched recently, Syrian government forces have recaptured the neighborhoods of Sakhour, Sheikh Khuder, Sheikh Fares, Bustan al-Basha, Baibdien, Slaiman al-Halabi, Halak, Inzarat, Ayn Tal Jabal Badro, and Masaken Hanano in eastern Aleppo. Thousands of civilians have fled to government-controlled areas in western Aleppo, following the advance of the Syrian army. Meanwhile, Syrian national TV has aired several interviews with civilians who have reached government-controlled areas in western Aleppo, with people blaming rebels for the dire humanitarian situation there. The interviewees accused rebels of previously preventing them from leaving Aleppo. They also spoke of hunger they have been suffering from over the past four months. Government forces have intensified shelling on rebel positions in eastern Aleppo over the past 10 days to break their defense lines and prepare for a ground incursion. The firepower has led to the destruction of rebel defenses, mainly the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, the Turkey-backed Ahrar al-Sham, and the Nour Addien Alzinki Movement. The capture of Masaken Hanano, the largest rebel-held neighborhood in eastern Aleppo, and the Sakhour neighborhood, has enabled the Syrian army to isolate neighborhoods in northeastern Aleppo from the central and southern ones. Military sources said the rebels in eastern Aleppo are in a state of confusion as a result of government military advances. The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. Flash Kenya's security officers have recovered deadly arsenal weapons buried outside a commercial residential house in Bula Sagare in the outskirts of Garissa town near the Somali border. Northeastern Regional Coordinator Mohamud Saleh said on Monday that the weapons which included an AK 47 riffle, 210 rounds of ammunitions, improvised explosive devices, a hand grenade, and a fully loaded suicide bomber jacket were recovered on Sunday night. Saleh said a member of the public stumbled on the weapons that were buried underground in a plastic container following heavy rains that have been pounding the area. Saleh said that informant later reported the matter at the Garissa police station where officers moved swiftly and on arrival discovered the deadly weapons. Saleh said no arrest has been made so far but added that the police are following leads that will lead to arrest. "With the help of members of the public we have been able to preempt several attacks and recovered weapons that could have caused mass destruction," said Saleh. He added that this is the third time in Garissa town that the security apparatus have recovered such huge arsenal thanks to intelligence that involved members of the public volunteering information to security agencies. Salel who was flanked by top regional and county security officers said that some of the weapons were so deadly and could bring down a storey building or destroy the Tana Bridge. "We are not yet out of the woods yet. With the current rains pounding many parts of the region, the terror groups are able to cross the border and travel long distances to perpetuate their heinous crimes," he added. The East African nation blames Al-Shabaab terror group for a string of attacks and kidnappings in Kenya. The Kenyan government says the kidnappings threaten tourism, a key source of revenue for the country. Flash Thousands of Cubans on Monday paid heartfelt tribute to the legendary revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in a solemn and tearful ceremony at Havana's Revolution Square. A woman holds a photograph of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro before entering the Jose Marti Memorial to pay her tributes, in Havana, capital of Cuba, on Nov. 28, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] The tribute is part of a national period of mourning for the leader who ruled Cuba for nearly half a century, and is considered to have continued the legacy of national hero Jose Marti, whose memorial stands in the square. Average Cubans, as well as government and communist party officials, filed past photographs of Castro dating from the late 1950s, when the young commander led the overthrow of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Mourners were silent, tearful or weeping as they paid tribute to Castro on a sunny morning in Havana. Many children, men and women cried, while others acknowledged the late leader with a military salute. "I have been here since 3 a.m. because I want to salute Fidel one last time. We must continue with great conviction what he did for the Cuban people," retiree Cila Miret told Xinhua. Miret met Castro in 1960, during a rally the former president held at the same square where today thousands bid him farewell. "Fidel always wanted to be with the people, and I remember he hugged me and kissed me as he did to hundreds of people that were there that day," she added. People of all ages were lined up around the square to pay their respects to the man who so influenced the lives of millions in this Caribbean nation. "The best tribute to Fidel is to carry on his ideas. He gave his life so that all Cubans could have basic rights, like education and health," said high school student Carlos Martinez, who was standing in line along with a large number of his friends. Many of those in line held pictures of Castro, while others brought flowers or simply a Cuban flag as a way to show their affection for the late leader. "I will defend Fidel's ideas and legacy until my last breath, because he was a man that gave our nation and people back their dignity," said Teresita Gonzalez, a public-sector employee. Others underscored Castro's unique personality, and his impact on global politics and international affairs during the Cold War era of hostile relations with the United States. "He stood out from the rest of the leaders around the world and turned Cuba into a model of solidarity, social justice and international cooperation," said Sofia Rodriguez. While Castro passed away at the age of 90 late Friday night, his ideas will endure for many years to come, many of those paying tribute indicated. "I decided to bring my two-year-old daughter, because they (the children) are the future of Cuba. I want her to see and understand who Fidel was and what she can do to help the revolution continue," said Yanet Ricardo, as she was about to enter the memorial, with her child in her arms. The tribute will continue through 10 p.m. Monday, and on Tuesday. Leaders across the globe have expressed their condolences and admiration for one of the great figures of the 20th century, whose leadership brought unprecedented development to this corner of the Caribbean. Flash The first U.S. commercial flight from the United States to Cuba's capital city of Havana landed in Cuba on Monday amid uncertainty of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Cuba policy. American Airlines, one of the world's largest airlines, launched its first commercial flight to Havana from Miami, Florida on Monday and reportedly planed to launch another flight from Charlotte, North Carolina to Havana on Wednesday. Apart from American Airlines, JetBlue Airways also launched its first flights to Havana from New York, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.com. In August, a JetBlue Airways flight with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on board landed in Santa Clara, Cuba, making it the first U.S. airliner to land in Cuba in 50 years. The new U.S. flights to Cuba came as Trump threatened to "terminate" the agreement made by American and Cuban governments to normalize relations. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal," said Trump in a Twitter post on Monday. December 2014, in the most sweeping change in U.S.-Cuban relations in five decades, U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans to normalize ties with Cuba in a move that has sparked much controversy in the United States. From then on, the Obama administration announced new amendments to sanctions on Cuba, further easing travel and business restrictions on the island country. The U.S. Transportation Department in June approved six domestic airlines to begin scheduled flights between U.S. cities and Cuban cities other than Havana. In August, final approval was granted to eight U.S. airlines to fly to Havana. You are here: Home Flash Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Israel will not allow a new "front of terror" in the Golan Heights, a day after Islamic State (IS) militants clashed with Israeli soldiers. "There have been attempts to attack our forces," Netanyahu informed a meeting of his Likud faction, referring to the shooting and mortar attack launched by IS militants near the Israeli-Syrian border on Sunday. "We will not allow radical Islam to open a front against us in the Golan Heights," said Netanyahu, adding that Israel "will not allow any drizzle (of assaults), and if necessary, we will attack the enemy." On Sunday, IS militants fired at Israeli soldiers from a machine gun-mounted truck. Israel quickly responded with an airstrike, killing four gunmen in the vehicle. In addition, Israel's Air Force struck a compound used by IS militants in the southern Syrian Golan Heights overnight between Sunday and Monday. Reportedly, it is the first confrontation between Israeli soldiers and IS militants. Flash Yemen's Shiite Houthi group and its ally of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's party declared on Monday the formation of "national salvation government," according to an official statement posted on Houthi-controlled state Saba news agency. A Yemeni man inspects the damage on a street following clashes between pro-government militants, loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, and Shiite Huthi rebels on November 22, 2016 in the country's third-city Taez. [Photo/Xinhua] The move was taken unilaterally away from their foes of Saudi-backed Yemeni exiled, but internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The decision was approved in an official decree released by the Houthi-Saleh join governing council, known as the Supreme Political Council, which ordered the decree to be published on the official gazette. The new government is headed by Abdulaziz Saleh bin Habtour and 42 ministers, including the information ministry, foreign ministry, defense ministry and interior ministry. The move came the same day the United Nations envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed arrived at the Yemeni southern port city of Aden to meet President Hadi to push ahead the peace process between Hadi's camp and its rival Houthis-Saleh camp. The UN roadmap, which was largely rejected by Hadi for not being based on the UNSCR 2216, called for naming a new vice president after the withdrawal of the Shiite Houthi rebels from the capital Sanaa and other northern provinces and handing over all heavy weapons to a third party. The UN plan also suggested forming a new government that will include the two-warring sides and will not be led by Hadi who would transfer his power to the new vice president. But in the 2216 resolution, the Security Council demands that the Houthis withdraw from all areas seized during the latest conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Yemeni government and fully implement previous Council resolutions before moving ahead to form a new joint national unity government between the two warring sides. The situation in Yemen has deteriorated economically and politically since March 2015, when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. Houthis and Saleh's forces hold most of Yemen's northern regions while government forces backed by Saudi-led military coalition share control of the rest of the country including seven southern provinces. The civil war, ground battles and airstrikes have already killed more than 10,000 people, half of them civilians, injured more than 35,000 others and displaced over three millions, according to humanitarian agencies. Flash China expressed concern Monday over the detention of a large number of Chinese citizens in the Philippines during a crackdown on online gambling, and urged the Philippine government to handle the matter fairly and in accordance with the law. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a report that the Philippine Immigration Bureau detained a large number of Chinese nationals last week suspected of being involved in online gambling at a casino complex north of Manila. "Some of the detainees have already been released, and the rest are waiting further investigation," Geng said. The Chinese embassy demanded the Philippines properly settle the issue, accelerate identity verification, release those with legal identities as soon as possible, and guarantee the safe, humanitarian treatment of the detainees, Geng said. He said that China always requires Chinese overseas to abide by the laws and regulations of local countries and not to become involved in such activities as illegal gambling that may endanger them. Flash One suspect attacker was killed by police Monday after he plowed his car into pedestrians on the Ohio State University (OSU) campus and swung knife to stab them, leaving 11 people injured. At least nine people injured in a shooting incident at the Ohio State University (OSU), and one suspect of the shooting killed . [Photo/Xinhua] The injured people, most of whom were in stable condition, were being treated in local hospitals. The suspect drove a car into a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk and then stepped out of the car and began stabbing people with a butcher knife, police reports said. An OSU student who witnessed the incident said that he initially thought it was a car accident when a vehicle rammed into passersby, until the driver came out with a knife in hand. The attacker was shot in less than a minute by university police officer Alan Horujko, who was nearby investigating an earlier report of gas leak, OSU Police Chief Craig Stone said. OSU Department of Public Safety Director Monica Moll identified the attacker as OSU student Abdul Artan, who was born in Somalia and living in the United States as a legal permanent resident. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said they were considering the possibility of a terrorist attack. At least two people were wounded by knife and four others were injured by the car, university officials said, while Ohio Governor John Kasich said full recovery is expected for all those injured. Earlier, OSU's official twitter account sent out a warning message, reading "active shooter on campus. Run hide fight. Watts Hall. 19th and College." It was later clarified that the gun shots were fired by the police. "Run, hide, fight" is a standard protocol for active shooter situations. It means: Run, evacuate if possible; hide, get silently out of view; or fight, as a last resort, take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter if your life is in imminent danger. The school also put out a shelter-in-place warning, asking students to seek safety within buildings they have already occupied. The warning was retracted later after about an hour and half when the police determined the sole attacker was killed. OSU later announced that all classes were canceled for the rest of the day. OSU, one of the largest U.S. universities, has nearly 60,000 students on its Columbus campus. Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani discussed over phone on Monday efforts of world main oil producers to cap output ahead of a upcoming OPEC meeting this week, the Kremlin said. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin hold a press conference after their meeting following the third summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Tehran, Iran, on Nov. 23, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] Both sides noted fundamental importance of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) taking measures to restrict oil production as a key factor in stabilizing the global market, the Kremlin said in a statement. OPEC reached a preliminary agreement to curb oil production in September and will meet in Vienna, Austria on Nov. 30 to formalize the deal. However, disagreements have reportedly persisted among producers on details of the plan. Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Saturday that OPEC countries should first reach a consensus within the organization before non-OPEC producers join the agreement. According to the minister, Moscow is in talks about a crude oil output freeze with other non-OPEC countries, in particular with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mexico. Flash The Jill Stein campaign of U.S. Green Party has filed a legal petition in the Pennsylvania state court Monday as voters filed recount requests in more than 100 precincts, according to a statement. "The campaign expects recount requests to be filed in many more precincts in the Keystone State in the coming days," the campaign said in the online statement. The recounts in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which the Stein campaign has applied for on Friday, will start as soon as this week. Stein's team is also expected to request a recount in Wisconsin no later than Wednesday. The push for recounts in the three key battleground states that ultimately decided the outcome of the presidential election has won the backing of the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, but was bashed by the Republican President-elect Donald Trump. Trump twitted earlier that Stein's bid was a "scam." According to Stein's website, she intends to raise seven million U.S. dollars for recount costs, and any surplus will be used to "promote voting system reform." She has raised 6.3 million dollars as of Monday. Pennsylvania state law requires three voters in each precinct must submit an affidavit requesting a recount for that precinct. As Michigan is expected to officially certify Trump's victory in the state Monday, recount needs to overturn results in all three states in order for Clinton to win the presidency. Trump's total vote lead over Clinton in the three states is about 100,000. Business / Economy by Stephen Jakes A Zanu PF legislator Terence Mukupe has praised Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya for introducing the new currency saying he has shamed the prophets of doom who do not understand economics."Congratulations to Dr John Mangudya, you have made history as the first and only country to ever reintroduce either a currency or pseudo currency after full dollarisation," Mukupe said."You have shamed the prophets of doom who do not fully understand economic theory in an African setting where cultural and emotional economics carry the day."The new bond notes comprising the two dollar note and five dollar note hit the streets on Monday amid indications there was a start of black market trading of the currency against the United State s dollar signifying that the black market has already devalued it. Also some supermarkets were reportedly rejecting it. Flash Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has passed away, but his spirit and ideals will live on in Cuba, Rene Gonzalez, one of the Cuban Five, said on Monday. In an interview aired on state TV in the wake of the legendary leader's death late Friday, Gonzalez compared Castro to national independence hero Jose Marti, whose legacy endures more than 120 years after his death. "Men of the stature of Jose Marti and Fidel will always live on on this island," said Gonzalez. Amid a more than weeklong period of mourning, thousands on Monday lined up around Havana's Revolution Square to pay tribute to the revolutionary and visionary Castro. "We must always return to Fidel, an inexhaustible source of wisdom," said Gonzalez. "We have the duty and obligation to ensure our children study his legacy." In 2001, Rene Gonzalez, along with Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez and Antonio Guerrero, known as the Cuban Five, were convicted by a U.S. court on charges of espionage and given long prison terms. Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez were freed in 2011 and 2014 after serving about 13 years and more than 15 years behind bars, respectively. The remaining three were released in late 2014 after Havana and Washington agreed to restore diplomatic relations. Castro had always campaigned for their release. You are here: Home Flash Myanmar authorities have arrested 15 suspects for involvement in Oct. 9 attacks on three border posts in Maungtaw, Myanmar's western Rakhine state, official media reported Tuesday. They were arrested when the government troops were conducting area clearance operation in the area. A body was also found between Wapeik and Kathkelpyin villages in Maungtaw. The authorities are taking action on the captured. Meanwhile, a house belonging to a local administration in charge of some 100 households in Kyaukpantu village in Maungtaw was set on fire by an unidentified group attackers in the weekend, according to the Information Committee of the State Counselor's Office. The group threw a bottle of petrol with a flaming fuse onto the roof of the house. The authorities are in pursuit of the perpetrators of the arson. The authorities claimed earlier that dozens of suspects involved in Oct. 9 attacks had also been arrested. Interrogation were underway on the captured suspects. A series of fightings followed after nine policemen and five soldiers were killed in a violent attack by armed men on Oct. 9 on three border posts in Kyikanpyin of Maungtaw, Kotankauk of Rathedaung and Ngakhuya Office. Islamic extremists were exposed as being involved in the attacks, which were supported financially by foreign terrorist organizations, the government said. A dusk-to-dawn curfew is still being imposed on Maungtaw since Oct. 10. Flash Syrian government forces are now controling all of northeast Aleppo in northern Syria, as rebel defenses in the war-torn country's largest city have collapsed. Experts believe that with the biggest loss in Aleppo since the war started in 2012, the rebels' last major urban stronghold is expected to be reclaimed by the government forces only as a matter of time. Significant advances Government forces and allied fighters have so far captured 20 out of 45 square km of rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, a source told Xinhua Monday on condition of anonymity. He added that all of the northern section of eastern Aleppo, which used to be isolated from its south, has come under government control. As a result of a broad offensive launched recently, Syrian government forces have recaptured the neighborhoods of Sakhour, Sheikh Khuder, Sheikh Fares, Bustan al-Basha, Baibdien, Slaiman al-Halabi, Halak, Inzarat, Ayn Tal Jabal Badro, and Masaken Hanano in eastern Aleppo. Government forces have intensified shelling on rebel positions in eastern Aleppo over the past 10 days to break their defense lines and prepare for a ground incursion. The firepower has destroyed rebel defenses, mainly the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, the Turkey-backed Awphrar al-Sham, and the Nour Addien Alzinki Movement. The capture of Masaken Hanano, the largest rebel-held neighborhood in eastern Aleppo, and the Sakhour neighborhood, has enabled the Syrian army to isolate neighborhoods in northeastern Aleppo from the central and southern ones. Political analysts said with an effective strategy, the government forces will keep the offensive momentum and reclaim more lands from the rebels' hands until fully controling entire Aleppo. The advances will bolster Syrian President Bashar Assad's position and control of his country. They also mark a devastating blow to the morales of rebels and terrorists in other parts of Syria. Military sources said the rebels in eastern Aleppo are in a state of confusion as a result of government military advances. The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. Desperate civilians Thousands of civilians have fled to government-controlled areas in western Aleppo, following the advance of the Syrian army. Over 8,500 Syrian civilians, including some 4,000 children, left the areas controlled by the militants in the city of Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. "During the night, the government troops continued offensive operations in the occupied areas of eastern Aleppo. In the past 24 hours, 14 districts in eastern Aleppo were completely liberated from the terrorists (about 300,000 residential buildings)," the Russian reconciliation center for Syria said in a statement. Meanwhile, Syrian National TV has aired several interviews with civilians who have reached government-controlled areas in western Aleppo and blamed rebels for the dire humanitarian situation there. The interviewees accused rebels of preventing them from leaving Aleppo earlier. They also spoke of the hunger they had suffered from over the past four months. News / Africa by Stephen Jakes Mthwakazi nationals met in Gaborone on over the weekend and formed the MRP provincial structure.This was revealed by the party' spokesperson Mbonisi Gumbo through a statement.In attendance was MRP national executive member Foreign Affairs Secretary of the revolutionary party Ackim Mhlanga Gasela."In his address Cde Gasela narrated the history of Mthwakazi nation and the pains the nation is going through. He took the members down the memory lane as far as Mthwakazi history is concerned," he said."Mthwakazi has suffered three consecutive genocides and nobody seem to be caring. Our oppressor doesn't see us as people at all , instead we have been in the past labelled as dogs."He said Gasela gave a lecture on the party's background and after he had explained the functions of portfolios in a structure he congratulated those who had made it for the leadership positions."The MRP Botswana Main Structure stands as follows:Chairman Mlindeli NdlovuSecretary - Sinothabo SibandaTreasure - Bongani GumboOrganizer - Samukeliso SibandaInfor &Pub - Tobias FuyaneCulture - Bongani GumedeSecurity - Peter NethaCommittee - Thabani NgwenyaCommittee - Makesure Ngwenya," he said."The newly elected committee vowed to work very hard in building the party. They promised that they will in short time recruit new members and fill in the structures of youth and women executive committees respectively."Gumbo said this comes to the party as good news considering that it has always been the party's strategic plan to setup structures in all countries where there are many of our people especially South Africa, Botswana and UK.Meanwhile MRP President Mr Mqondisi Moyo is currently in South Africa with the secretary for Information and publicity Mr Mbonisi Gumbo and secretary for security Mr Manqoba Sistha where they went to meet party structures as well as other political parties with a view to find a way to work together."This calls for celebration after a good year for the party, we have managed to reach out to our people as far as in Canada, USA, and as well as other countries and we expect to have setup party structures soon. Party Secretary General led the party's other NEC members to Lupane who include the party's Treasurer Mr Sibanda and Organising Secretary Mr C Khanye over the weekend to Lupane to help organise an end of year party to be held on the 14th of December 2016 in Lupane where hundreds are expected to attend," he said. News / Africa by huffingtonpost Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan was one of the members of President Jacob Zuma's Cabinet that rose in support of Tourism Minister Derik Hanekom's call for Zuma to be recalled, sources told The HuffPost SA on Tuesday.According to senior members of the African National Congress (ANC) with direct access to Monday's proceedings at the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Gordhan concurred with Hanekom's proposal that Zuma step down.When efforts by Zuma's opponents failed, Gordhan and his fellow ministers apparently threatened to resign from Cabinet, and the last part of the meeting was spent persuading them not to follow through on their threat. It is unclear whether they succeeded, or exactly what the discussions entailed.Besides Gordhan, Hanekom also had the support of ministers Aaron Motsoaledi (health), Thulas Nxesi (public works) and Naledi Pandor (science and technology), as well as Jackson Mthembu, chief whip in Parliament.Hanekom's motion of no-confidence was not put to a vote, and NEC members were instead called on to put forward their own arguments in support or opposition of the motion. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Cabinet minister, chair of the African Union Commission and Zuma's rumoured choice to succeed him, "spoke strongly in favour of Zuma", according to one of The HuffPost SA's sources. When it became clear the Zuma faction had the numbers, Gordhan and some of his Cabinet colleagues said they would be forced to resign if Zuma was not recalled.News24's Mahlatse Gallens reported on Tuesday that Zuma told the NEC he won't resign because there are people that want to see him in jail and that he will basically be handing himself over if he does so. He added Nkandla, allegations of corruption and the so-called spy tapes "were created by the enemy".Ralph Mathekga, political analyst, says he doesn't believe any minster will resign even though it is the only principled option left to them."They have now said they don't have any confidence in the president to lead. It follows therefore that they can't remain in Cabinet. It however goes much further than that: MP's like Jackson Mthembu should also now resign, if they are really serious about opposing Zuma."Mathekga says he is unsure which principles ministers such as Gordhan would be defending by remaining in Cabinet. "Are they worried about national stability or about the unity of the ANC? They have put their cards on the table and they should call a press conference where they say 'we cannot in good conscience serve in Cabinet.' It won't happen, though."The ANC will be holding a press conference on Tuesday at 2pm. Customers walk by cosmetics products from Shanghai Jahwa United Co Ltd at an industry fair in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo provided to China Daily] A leading company with famous consumer brands, Shanghai Jahwa United Co Ltd said it had replaced its top leader for the second time in only three years. The company announced late Friday night that Xie Wenjian, the company's chairman and chief executive officer since 2013, had resigned from all his positions "due to personal reasons". Liu Dong, currently vice president of Ping An Trust Co Ltd, will become Jahwa's new chairman. Zhang Dongfang, formerly CEO of Vinda International Holdings Ltd, has been appointed as the new CEO. Jahwa's share price fell 0.84 percent to close at 28.33 yuan ($4.1) on Monday. Although the company's announcement attributed Xie's resignation to personal reasons, industry analysts pointed out that its recent sales decline is closely related to changes in senior staff. Public accounts show that Shanghai Jahwa made a total operating income of 4.28 billion yuan in the first three quarters of this year, down 7.14 percent. Net profit slumped 45.17 percent to 433 million yuan. Xie boasted at the beginning of his tenure that Jahwa's sales income would exceed 12 billion yuan by the end of 2018, which implied that the company would grow by a minimum of 23 percent every year. However, the sales growth rate during the three fiscal years from 2013 to 2015 was only 11.74 percent, 19.38 percent and 9.58 percent respectively, which means that the 12-billion-yuan target is now unreachable. The 118-year-old company has been a well-established brand among Chinese households for its signature product, Six Gods Floral Water. Its Herborist brand was the first Chinese domestic skin care product to enter overseas markets in 2008. Jahwa became a role model for State-owned enterprise reform in 2011 by introducing a major investor, Ping An Trust. Frequent changes in the top management team have been regarded as one major reason of Jahwa's sales decline. Ge Wenyao, who had served the company for nearly three decades, had to resign from the chairman position in 2013 due to dissent from Ping An Trust. Ironically, Ge wrote in his personal Weibo account in late October that Ping An chose the wrong person to be his successor. On Monday, he urged Ping An and administrative bodies to conduct an audit and investigate on Xie. The recent sales decline can also be attributed to the increased cost in the expansion of distribution channels, brand building, new product research and investment, as well as the recruitment of more staff, according to Wang Liping, senior analyst with Shenwan Hongyuan Securities. An investor looks at stock information at a securities brokerage house in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, Nov 28, 2016. [Photo/IC] Small cap stocks are expected to benefit most, but rise is limited by global uncertainties Both the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong stock markets saw a rally on Monday after the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) confirmed that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect will be launched next Monday, but global market uncertainties still held down performance, according to experts. On Monday, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 15.05 points, 0.46 percent, to 3,277 and the Shenzhen Component Index increased 32.34, 0.29 percent, to 11,068.87. Hong Kong's Heng Seng Composite Index went up 107.12, 0.47, percent to 22,830.57 and the small-cap based Heng Seng China Enterprise Index jumped 85.31, 0.87 percent, to 9,875.54. Hannah Li Wai-han, a strategist at UOB Kay Hian (Hong Kong) Ltd, said that since the news of the second stock connect was digested by the market four months ago, the increase in markets today is within expectation, with global uncertainties suppressing the overall rise. She predicts the Hong Kong benchmark index will fluctuate around 24,000, in the best scenario. Small cap stocks in healthcare, new energy and internet sectors in the Hong Kong market should especially benefit from the second stock connect. According to Jerry Xie Weiyu, senior strategist at SWS Research Co Ltd, the impact of the stock connect in the medium and long term is definitely profound. He affirms the asset allocation of large insurance institutions and publicly-offered funds in the mainland will support the Hong Kong market due to southbound fund flows. And, due to the relatively low valuation of the Hong Kong market, it will finally outperform the Chinese mainland equity markets next year. However, Xie elaborated, in the short run northbound fund flows will exceed the southbound after the second stock connect officially opens up, because the marginal increment in a relatively closed market like A-shares will initially be larger than in an open market. The newly included medium and small-cap stocks in Shenzhen are attractive and are different from the large company stocks made available earlier by the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock connect. According to Steven Sun, an equity strategist at HSBC Holdings Plc, northbound fund flows could reach $500 billion in five to ten years. So, the connect significantly strengthens the case for the MSCI index to include A-shares. With the 100 percent inclusion of A-shares in the MSCI Index, which is likely to happen in the next five to ten years, it is estimated that foreign fund inflows could reach $500 billion, around 3.5 trillion yuan, which is roughly 10 percent of the existing A-share free float. Jensen Liang Jinxin, assistant analyst at the overseas research department of SWS Research Co Ltd, said the impact of the second stock connect on the Hong Kong stock market and the revenue of brokerages is limited in the short term, but, in the medium and long term, it will improve the quality and liquidity of small-cap stocks, as Chinese mainland investors favor small-caps. Pascal Soriot, CEO of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Defying sporadic withdrawals of foreign companies and a perceived economic slowdown, AstraZeneca is adopting a "lean in" strategy in China with more locally developed drugs and wider outreach, Pascal Soriot, CEO of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals giant, told China Daily. Tagrisso, the company's latest drug for treating lung cancer with the EFGR-mutation, is expected to receive approval in China soon. The drug has been under fast-track review, because nearly half of Chinese lung cancer patients have this mutation. "By offering a treatment package and fr ee products, we will market Tagrisso at the lowest possible price," Soriot said in an interview at the company's global research center in the university city of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The commitment comes after AstraZeneca announced a 50-percent price cut in China on Iressa, another lung-cancer medicine, to step up its outreach in the country. "For all new medicines, we are trying to register them in China quickly, with local manufacturing and local development. Our goal is to reach as many patients as possible," said Soriot. Last year, the company bought two manufacturing plants for small-molecule and biologic medicines in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, since the country offers favorable policies to drugs first discovered and marketed at home. In addition, AstraZeneca says it has injected $50 million into its Wuxi headquarters to expand development facilities. The FTSE 100 company reported 15 percent growth in China in the first nine months, following last year's 20 percent increase in sales to $2.5 billion. "We are expanding from coastal cities into inland cities, reaching more patients. Not every company is doing that," said the CEO. "As the economy grows, China is a market as important as the US is to us." The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals giant has set up around 12,000 nebulizer centers throughout China, while citing findings that the country has 80 million people suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While asthma tends to be only treated on an acute basis, especially among children, only 31 percent of COPD patients are diagnosed in China, said Tom Roach, vice president in respiratory of AstraZeneca. "COPD and lung cancer are two major problems in China today." He added that the company also aims to improve inhalers with bluetooth-connected functions to help physicians track vitals and prevent catastrophic lung attacks. Last month, AstraZeneca signed an agreement with Wuxi National Hi-Tech District to establish a business innovation center and integrate global resources to develop an Internet of Things health system. "We are excited about the huge market. The government is very committed to expanding the healthcare system for citizens," said Mark Mallon, executive vice president of AstraZeneca. Although pharmaceuticals companies can remain lucrative without necessarily going global, AstraZeneca said its goal to address needs "everywhere" hasn't changed. "Being global has the advantage of widening the reach of research and development and tapping the most advanced science," said Menelas Pangalos, the company's executive vice president. The key in a post-Brexit world is to keep a simple process so that companies can tap into the global workforce without any "delay or impediment", he added. Despite the so-called patent cliff, which means the company lost exclusivity for two-thirds of its best selling drugs five years ago, a new AstraZeneca is emerging, said the CEO, referring to the 12 new medicines now under third phase clinical trial. "We are investing as much as we can in the pipeline, and in China," said Soriot. "Because of the expiration of the patents, there are times when we feel we are going uphill, but we will feel good when you get to the top of the hill," said the 57-year-old CEO, using his favorite sport of cycling as an analogy. An employee works in the Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd's production plant in Wuhan, Hubei province. Xu Congjun / For China Daily Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd, the largest supplier of optical preform and fiber in the world, has seen its production efficiency rise sharply thanks to its intelligent manufacturing program. The speed of fiber drawing has reached 3,000 meters per minute, up 38.9 percent compared with 2012, when the company launched its first advanced manufacturing program. It is one of the fastest fiber drawing techniques in the world, said Yan Changkun, vice-president of YOFC. Yan said that China's cloud computing, big data, 4G network and the national broadband system are developing very fast, generating large demand for optical fiber and cable. However, companies that are able to offer whole-package solutions in the industry are mostly from overseas at the moment. "YOFC aims to grow into one of the major solution providers in the industry," said Yan. "Our focus in the next three to five years will be offering sophisticated solutions for the interconnection of fiber and cable in data centers." The next challenge for YOFC is to increase the interconnection of different fiber drawing towers through an intelligent networking system. "Ten years ago, one person managed one tower. Now it is one person for two towers. With an intelligent system, one person will be able to manage four towers," said Zhuang Dan, president of YOFC. "In the past 30 years, the optical fiber and cable industry in China has followed the path of 'exchanging the market for technology'. After this learning process, YOFC has made a lot of innovations that will be exported in the international market," said Zhuang. YOFC has established an optical fiber and cable industrial park based in Wuhan along with companies including Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd from Japan, and China Air Liquide (China) Holding Co Ltd. Covering an area of 466 square kilometers, the park will become the biggest preform manufacturing center in the world when completed, with annual output of 3,000 metric tons of preform and 25 million kilometers of optical fiber. The annual output value is estimated at 5 billion yuan ($723 million). The project broke ground last October. The first phase, with an investment of 1.33 billion yuan, will go into operation by the end of this year. It is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1,000 tons of preform and 10 million kilometers' optical fiber. In 2015, YOFC achieved revenue of 6.7 billion yuan, up 18.6 percent year-on-year. Its net profit stood at 570 million yuan, up 22.4 percent from the same period in the previous year. Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology [Photo/Asianewsphoto] The platforms will alter modes of output as well as management China will encourage crowd innovation, crowd funding, crowd outsourcing and other innovative forms to further support the "Made in China 2025" initiative, especially in its mature and fast-growing sectors, said the country's top official for industrial businesses. Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, said these platforms will change production and management. They will be able to attract both small and micro businesses, as well as big companies. "It allows employees within the company to get rewards in addition to their salary by sharing their creative ideas online. It will also offer opportunities to manufacturers outside the company to take part in innovation and share the benefits," he said. The "Made in China 2025" initiative is a 10-year national plan designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a global high-tech manufacturing power. Robots and high-end numerically controlled machine tools are among the 10 key fields of the initiative. With more capital and technology supporting models, the minister said, a large group of micro businesses will be incubated, and cooperation among research institutions through internet technologies will upgrade their innovations in a more efficient manner, in particular in industries such as e-commerce, telecommunication and other types of service businesses. Eager to upgrade the country's manufacturing ability, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology launched 46 intelligent manufacturing pilot projects in 2015 and started 63 projects, in industries such as bullet trains, 3D printing, construction machineries and electric vehicles this year. The central government will allocate 5.2 billion yuan ($780 million) to promote 133 key projects in 25 provinces and autonomous regions regarding intelligent manufacturing this year, which is nearly 1.5 times the capital invested in the projects in 2015. "China is experiencing a new type of industrialization, IT application, urbanization and agricultural modernization which can generate strong domestic demand," said Miao. Shenyang-based Siasun Robot and Automation Co, the country's biggest robot maker by market value, has set goals to continue improving its innovative system to compete with those established foreign rivals including Switzerland's ABB Group or Fanuc Ltd of Japan over the next decade. Qu Daokui, president of Siasun, said the company would make more efforts to train workers to manufacture and operate robots, as the national manufacturing initiative "Made in China 2025" gains momentum. An estimated 560,000 people were engaged in the industry in first six months of the year China has experienced an increase in cases of online data leaks in the past few years due to the development of the "cyber black market", according to a report by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Information. The Annual Report on Development of Cyberspace Security in China, which the institute released on Monday, says that cases relating to information leaks have become more frequent since last year, such as the high-profile case involving Gfanthe country's largest online platform for Android systemsin which data of the platform's more than 23 million users, including their names, passwords and email addresses, were published on the internet. It said that economic losses from June last year to June this year resulting from text message spam, online scams and information leaks totaled 91.5 billion yuan ($13.3 billion). Such losses were attributed to the cyber black market, a commercial chain where participants such as hackers and network operators gain profits illegally, it said, adding that the industry is a growing multi-billion-US dollar economy. "In the past, hackers conducted cyberattacks for fun, or to show off their hacking skills, but now they operate as businesses, gaining money through utilizing their techniques, such as stealing personal information and selling it," said Zhang Huaping, an associate professor specializing in cybersecurity at Beijing Institute of Technology. "Cybersecurity issues used to relate to the actions of individuals, but in recent years, hackers have started making deals with network businessmen, earning a percentage of the profits," Zhang said. On Thursday, a report on cybersecurity by Chinese internet giant Tencent said that online social platforms with an abundance of personal information have become the most popular space for those working on the cyber black market to gain illicit profits. A policewoman explains how to prevent information from being stolen in a shopping mall in Shenyang, Liaoning province, in September. HUANG JINKUN / FOR CHINA DAILY It estimated that at least 560,000 people engaged in the industry in the first six months this year, involving more than 148.2 billion yuan. Qihoo 360, China's largest security software provider, said in November last year that at least 1.6 million people are engaged in the cyber fraud, with their annual output value surpassing 110 billion yuan. Pei Zhiyong, a cybersecurity specialist at Qihoo 360, said: "A simple fraud operation needs a team of at least 10 people, while a fraud chain has more than 15 links. The work of each participant is clear. Some take charge of sending text message scams, while others are responsible for designing fraud programs, for example." Experts said sometimes such fraud results is more than just financial losses. In August, Xu Yuyu, an 18-year-old from Linyi, Shandong province, died of a heart attack after losing 9,900 yuan ($1,500) in a phone scam. The money had been saved to cover her college tuition fees. Peng Yang, a professor specializing in big data and information security at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, said that the cyber black market has disturbed normal market order as well as network competition. "The fight against the cyber black market is not hard, as we can trace how data is released online," Peng said. "The problem is that there are no laws defining the industry as illegal." Experts said the most effective way of addressing the problem is to pass legislation on protecting information and clarify governmental departments' obligations on law enforcement and supervision. A Chinese visitor buys Santa Claus gifts in Rovaniemi, Finland. Baidu Map is expanding into Nordic countries to help Chinese travelers. ZHAO CHANGCHUN / XINHUA Baidu Map, a desktop and mobile map service provided by China's online search giant Baidu Inc, is set to become a world mapping service provider covering more than 150 countries and regions. On Wednesday, the company will launch its map services for more countries and regions. The new map services will cover countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, and provide services for 99 percent of the world population. "This signals that we will finally transform from a Chinese map provider to a world map provider and become the Chinese brand that provides global services for mobile travel applications," said Li Dongmin, general manager of Baidu Map. Currently, Baidu Map claims that it accounts for about 70 percent of domestic market share, with more than 300 million active monthly users and about 100 million car owners using its mapping service, according to the company. At the beginning of the year, Baidu Map initiated its internationalization strategies and has been expanding rapidly globally. On Monday, Baidu Map started strategic cooperation with the tourist administrations of four northern European countriesDenmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The two sides will exchange data, share resources, and jointly develop more events to improve the traveling experiences of Chinese visitors. "The cooperation signals a further step forward in the localization of Baidu Map in the course of its internationalization, following our cooperation with the tourist administrations of South Korea and Thailand," Li said. In the first half of 2016, Chinese people made 59.03 million trips abroad, up 4.3 percent year-on-year, according to the China National Tourism Administration. Baidu Map said it has covered 25 percent of Chinese outbound tourists, and, by 2020, it aims that overseas users will account for half of its total users. "We will strengthen in-depth cooperation with overseas governments and leading enterprises and choose some key countries to provide mapping services in local languages and increase our local impact," Li said. A mother tends to her baby in a nursing room at a shopping mall in Shanghai. YANG SHICHAO/XINHUA All major public places in China, such as transportation hubs, big shopping malls and hospitals, should be equipped with mother-and-child facilities by the end of 2020, according to a top authority guideline to support the implementation of the universal two-child policy. All major airports and train stations in provincial capitals in China should offer such facilities before the end of this year, and more than 80 percent of major public places in the country should be equipped with such services by the end of 2018, according to the guideline, released by the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Such facilities, used for breast-feeding or diaper changing, should be at least 10 square meters with slip-proof floors, and include diaper-changing pads, hand-wash basins with hot water, cribs and chairs for mothers to sit in while breast-feeding, the guideline said. Workplaces should also set up nursing homes for breast-feeding staff, it added. The commission called on other government departments, such as the Ministry of Transport and National Tourism Administration, for financial support and effective supervision to ensure the targets are achieved. China adopted a universal two-child policy at the beginning of the year, which made 90 million more couples eligible to have a second child. The number of babies born in the first half of the year reached 8.3 million, up 6.9 percent over the same period last year, and the number of births is expected to continue increasing over the next few years, according to the commission. However, mother-and-child facilities in many public places are absent or underequipped, often drawing criticism from the public. In February, Ma Yili, a famous Chinese actress, posted her experience when using an ill-equipped facility for breast-feeding and diaper changing at an airport in China, sparking public debate on the issue. Her baby's pants and her hands were soiled when she changed her daughter's diaper and she had to throw away the pants, she said. Although the government has been encouraging companies to set up breast-feeding rooms, only 30 percent of companies in China with such facilities, according to a report by China Women's News. "Breast-feeding and attending babies involves privacy and can be embarrassing in public. All public places should be equipped with such facilities, if possible," said Yuan Xin, a professor of population studies at Tianjin-based Nankai University. "The establishment of such facilities also reflects the development of a society." The National Health and Family Planning Commission will establish standards on such mother-and-baby facilities and encourage incorporating the establishment of such facilities into urban planning to address the lack of such facilities, Wang Guoqiang, vice-minister in charge of the commission, said in August at an event to promote breast-feeding in Beijing. Yang Faming, chairman of the Islamic Association of China, talks to journalists after the association's 10th national congress in Beijing on Monday. ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY Top political adviser Yu Zhengsheng has urged the Islamic Association of China to step up the development and resolutely resist the infiltration of extremism, as the association elected its new leadership at the closing of its national congress on Monday. Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said in a meeting with delegates to the congress that the IAC should also strengthen its self-building and improve its work style. He said that the IAC's newly elected leadership should inherit and expand the patriotic, law-abiding and tolerant traditions of the religion in China. The closing of the IAC's national congress, which is held once every five years, saw members of its clergy convening in Beijing to elect its new leadership. Yang Faming, vice-president of the Islamic Association of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, was elected president of the IAC. Yang, 51, is also a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC. The IAC also passed a newly amended constitution, which highlighted the importance of opposing extremism. Wang Zuo'an, head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, also urged the IAC to step up the training of clergy and develop more talents that can take up teaching positions at Islamic institutes. The IAC should attach importance to developing Islamic institutes, improving the quality of teaching and making institutes the front line in opposing religious extremism, Wang said at the congress. Yang said the IAC will try to curb a trend seeking to expand the Islamic concept of "halal" and better protect the legitimate interests of Muslims. At the opening of the congress, Wang urged the IAC to lead Muslims to a right understanding on the concept of halal, while adding that the abuse of halal signs must stop. In China, halal food producers must have their products certified by local ethnic affairs commissions under regulations passed by provincial and regional lawmakers. If they meet the standards, producers are allowed to display a halal logo, designated by their province or region, on their packaging and products. Ten victims of a construction accident last week all came from a small village of about 600 families in Hebei province, Beijing News reported on Monday. The collapse of a construction platform on Thursday inside an unfinished cooling tower killed 74 people and injured two others at the Fengcheng Power Plant project in Yichun, Jiangxi province. The news struck Baifantuan village hard. "I could never work at a cooling tower again after this. Even thinking of it scares me," a Baifantuan resident surnamed Bai, who lost seven relatives in the accident, told Beijing News. He has worked on cooling towers for more than 18 years, and had returned home a month ago from the site to help his family build a new house. He has canceled plans to return to Yichun. By Sunday afternoon, police had completed DNA matches with family members for 55 of the victims. Police are holding nine people under criminal detention, including the chairman of Hebei Yineng Tower Engineering Co, and the project's chief engineer, police said on Monday. After the accident, many households in the village called fathers, husbands and sonsanyone who was working as a migrant worker in urban areas. "I was calling my son continuously, but his cellphone was disconnected. I was so desperate," said a 66-year-old whose son, Bai Huiguang, died in the collapse. Villager Bai Shuping recruits villagers to work at construction sites every year. He lost four family members: his brother, two nephews and a niece's new husband. His neighboring household lost a father, son and two nephews. More than 70 family members from the village went to Yichun to identify the bodies. Compensation of 1.2 million yuan ($173,500) will be paid to families for each of the workers killed, Hebei Yineng Yanta Construction Co said on Sunday. Some families had signed the compensation agreement by the afternoon. Authorities on Sunday told safety watchdogs nationwide to launch thorough work-safety checks to prevent accidents and plug holes in safety standards. News / National by Staff reporter Hell indeed has no fury than a woman scorned.After waiting patiently expecting marriage only to be spurned, a self-acclaimed socialite Vimbai Tanyanyiwa is now suing her former lover, a lawyer whom she claims misled her and ended up marrying another woman.The 25-year-old confessed she had even tried to stop Stephen Chikotora's wedding but in vain. When she made a demand for $5 000 in compensation, her ex-lover only gave her $1 500.However, Chikotora's lawyers Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal practitioners claim the woman is a gold digger, who is seeking to extort money from the lawyer as no marriage promise was made.The lawyers said Tanyanyiwa needs to be examined by two doctors as her actions are proof that "she is not mentally stable.""That woman is seeking relevance over nothing. She is an attention seeker who is trying to extort money from our client. She needs to be examined ... because this is not done by a proper lady who is stable upstairs," the lawyers said."Our client never had the alleged relationship with that woman in the manner she alleges at all. There was no way he could promise to marry someone he never dated at all. She should place evidence of all these allegations if she believes that she has a cause to claim those alleged damages. She is simply a gold digger who is raising false and malicious allegations meant to try and tarnish our client's reputation."Despite receiving the $1 500, Tanyanyiwa claims she is not satisfied with the way the payment was handled, adding that she was not given a copy of the agreement documents.In several correspondences to Chikotora's lawyers, Tanyanyiwa's attorneys from Gill, Godlonton & Gerrans Legal Practitioners claimed that the lawyer broke the marriage promise."Our client is naturally aggrieved by your conduct and has suffered damages for contumelia injuria and breach of promise to marry in $5 000. Accordingly our client's instructions are to demand as we hereby do, payment of $5 000 by 4pm September 30, failure of which we will issue summons against you without further reference to you."The parties later entered into a non-disclosure agreement when the $1 500 was paid, which Tanyanyiwa's lawyers demanded.Chikotora's lawyers, however, responded, "We have been instructed to write to you concerning your client's demand for an alleged non-disclosure agreement. For the record the document in question was only signed by your client and never by ours.It looks like the document signed by your client has been misplaced once found, we shall deliver a copy to you."Kindly take note of the fact that any claim for any damages will be defended. We are further instructed that you advise your client to desist from coming to our client's work place without any invitation at all. Kindly advise that she is not welcome and she should leave him in peace."This is not the first time Tanyanyiwa has made news concerning her "relationships" as she was earlier this year in a court battle with another ex-boyfriend Clive Mudzengerere, who was suing her for smashing his phone after allegedly finding out he had been cheating. Editor's note: This is the second of a series of special reports China Daily is publishing on efforts to eradicate poverty and raise living standards in rural areas, especially among the nation's ethnic groups. Farmers plow before sowing their crops near a wild peach wood in Nyingchi, a prefecture-level city in the Tibet autonomous region, in April. Every spring, thousands of tourists descend on the city to view the blossoms, providing job opportunities for local residents.[Photo by Zhang Rufeng/Xinhua] Sonam Tenzin has a clear understanding of what modern material wealth would mean to him: treatment and medication for his elderly, disabled mother, and his aunt and uncle; money to pay his mortgage; and a decent education for his two sons. However, Sonam lives in Nyingchi, a prefecture-level city in the poverty-stricken area around the Yarlung Zangbo River basin, where making a living has never been easy. Most residents of this impoverished area in the southeast of the Tibet autonomous region live on the meager crops they grow on the sparse farmland and earnings from selling matsutake mushrooms they pick in nearby forests. The 27-year-old Tibetan is separated from his wife, so he single-handedly supports his sons and his three aging relatives. "We are just getting by. After all, I have to manage all the financial ins and outs myself," he said. Last year, the family's situation went from bad to worse when their house was severely damaged by fire. Despite help from a support fund established by the regional government, Sonam had to take out a bank loan of 60,000 yuan ($8,690) to repair the building. Authorities estimate that 590,000 peopleabout 20 percent of Tibet's populationstill live below the government's designated annual poverty threshold of 2,300 yuan in disposable income. Like Sonam Tenzin, most of those badly affected by poverty live in the region's margins, challenged by the harsh natural environment and an underdeveloped transportation infrastructure that makes traveling difficult. Nyima, deputy head of the Nyingchi office for poverty alleviation, said isolation is one of the main problems for the region's poorest inhabitants. "Some people live on high mountains and others in deep valleys that are too harsh to provide a decent life. Many have long been troubled by illness or disability," he said, adding that much of the remaining poverty in Nyingchi, which has a population of about 250,000, centers on households that lack able-bodied workers. However, there are many cases in which villagers don't try hard enough to change their lives, according to Nyima, who like many Tibetans uses just one name. More online writers joining the forefront of the literary mainstream and the increasing global appeal of Chinese writers will be featured topics during the upcoming ninth National Congress of the China Writers Association. Nearly 1,000 writers, including overseas Chinese writers, will gather in Beijing for the four-day meeting beginning on Wednesday. The congress meets every five years. He Jianming, vice-president of the association, said on Monday that he feels the meeting will be a vigorous reflection of the Chinese writing scene. The eldest participant will be 101-year-old Ma Shitu, whose novel has been turned into the hit movie Let the Bullets Fly. Tangjia Sanshao, an online writer known for his persistent updates of 8,000 to 10,000 words daily for 12 years, was among the first online writers given membership, joining in 2006. "I have many expectations for the future development of online literature, as I'm honored to be the first online writer elected as a member of the national committee of the ninth congress," he said. "Younger writers bring fresh blood to the urban literature. We'll see more support for them," he added. Vice-President He said that in the five years since the eighth national congress, 2,253 writers have joined the association, bringing the total number of members to more than 10,000. Among the new members, 40 percent are under age 45, 27 percent are female and 13 percent are online or freelance writers. He added that the association is conducting research on newly arising literary forms, reinforcing its basic function of "being an important social force that enables literature to prosper, and promoting efforts to build a culturally advanced society". In recent years, the association brought 367 writers to live among villagers and to write about their grassroots experiences, and it has sent 150 writers to re-experience the route of the Long March. Each year, about 100 titles of contemporary Chinese works are translated for the global market, and more Chinese writers are winning international awards, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award for children's book authors and illustrators and the Hugo Award for science fiction or fantasy works, He said. Writer and literary critic Cao Wenxuan said, "The China story is an endless resource to write about, but it should be told from the perspective of, and for the sake of, all human beings." At the meeting, Cao will also join the other writers in discussion of President Xi Jinping's speeches on literature and culture. meijia@chinadaily.com.cn China urged Japan on Monday to "act prudently" and play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability, as Japan reportedly considers deployment of a US missile defense system, following the Republic of Korea. Japan's Defense Ministry will set up a committee to begin deliberations on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system amid the growing nuclear threat of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada is likely to visit Guam next month to inspect the ground-based THAAD system at the base, Japanese media reported. "We are concerned by related reports. China's stance on the deployment of THAAD is very clear and remains unchanged," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news conference in Beijing. In September, the ROK chose a site for deployment of the advanced missile defense system by the end of next year, despite China's strong opposition. The system's radar has a potential radius of 2,000 kilometers and could cover parts of China. According to Geng, Japan's movements in the field of military security are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community, due to historical concerns. "We hope the Japanese side will play a constructive role in facilitating peace and stability in the region, instead of the opposite," he said. Noting the complex and sensitive situation on the Korean Peninsula, the spokesman also called for parties involved to solve issues through political and diplomatic means, instead of using the peninsula situation as an excuse to harm other countries' security and regional stability. On Wednesday, Japan and the ROK signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement, under which they will directly share information about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Jiang Xinfeng, an expert on Japanese studies at the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science, said Tokyo has long been interested in deploying the THAAD system, and Japan already has a ballistic missile defense system after years of cooperation with the United States. Lyu Yaodong, an expert on Japanese foreign policy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Once the anti-missile alliance takes shape among Japan, the ROK and the US after Japan's deployment of THAAD, the regional security situation in the Asia-Pacific will deteriorate, given its already weak condition." mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn Move is set to cut emissions, but problems in implementation remain a bottleneck A revamped pollutant discharge policy has been released that requires all stationary sources of pollution in China to be licensed by 2020, to further curb emissions, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said. It comes as China's environmental management policies have not been fully implemented, and are failing to curb pollution efficiently, thus requiring the action plan, according to a statement from the State Council, which released the plan on Nov 21. "The pollutants discharged from companies have become one of the major sources of pollution, thus it's vital to reduce the total emissions by cutting their discharge," said Chen Jining, minister of environmental protection. Some companies have discharged pollutants excessively or through illegal pipelines, leading to environment deterioration in some regions, Chen said. The revised discharging policy will give companies a pollutant discharge permit, which covers specifics such as the variety of pollutants, concentration, and amounts allowed. Those which violate the restrictions will face stricter penalties ranging from suspension of operations to criminal charges, according to the plan. All companies should apply for the license before undertaking industrial production, allowing the authorities to monitor pollution in advance. "The new license will be the only administrative permission for companies to discharge pollutants," said Wang Jian, deputy head of the department in charge of air pollution control under the ministry, adding without the license, the companies are forbidden to discharge pollutants. The policy will come into force by the end of 2016 in thermal power plants and papermaking companies, and then expand to cover 15 major industries which discharge air and water pollutants by 2017. By 2020, all companies discharging pollutants will be covered, according to the schedule. Wang, the deputy head, said the discharge permit had proven effective in reducing pollution in the United States, adding that the US has seen sulfur dioxide emissions reduced to 4.69 million metric tons in 2013, from 28.32 million tons in 1970. "But currently, we face some problems in implementing the policies, lowering the performance in fighting pollution," he said. Since the 1980s, 27 provinces have released policies concerning pollutant discharge licenses, covering over 240,000 companies, Wang said. But they have not adopted a unified standard for emissions, and the pollutants included in these licenses are not wide-ranging enough, rendering them ineffective in reducing air pollution, the ministry said. The revised policy will set unified standards on emissions for the targeted industries across the country and cover as many pollutants as necessary. Moreover, the environmental inspection force can focus on reviewing the license since it will cover more aspects about pollution instead of checking many documents in various fields, Wang said. Environmental protection agencies will verify and issue the licenses, which will cover three years at first and then five years after renewal, and stricter sanctions will be enforced should businesses exceed their limits. In addition, an information platform to be established by 2017 will manage licenses, applications, verification and supervision, which will be made public and enable enterprises and law enforcers to share information. "The license will become the core policy for a series of efforts in controlling pollution from companies," Wang said. zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The fourth conference of the China-UK high-level people-to-people mechanism will be held in Shanghai on Dec 6, the Ministry of Education announced during a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday. Both countries will deepen cooperation and work together to realize goals set by both sides in the fields of people-to-people exchanges through the upcoming conference, said Xu Tao, director of the ministry's Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, at the conference. According to Xu, the upcoming conference will consist of a plenary session and six events in five fields of people-to-people exchanges. About 600 participants from China and UK are expected to attend to event. The conference will include a Sino-British forum on basic education, a bilateral dialogue on think tanks, a roundtable young leaders and a symposium in memory of two prominent figures of China and the UK who died in the same year of 1616: Tang Xianzu, a playwright in the Ming Dynasty (AD1368-1644), and William Shakespeare. More than 10 agreements of cooperation are expected to be signed during the conference, Xu said. As birds start to migrate in early autumn, Meng Derong, a teacher of biology at the normal college in Cangzhou, north China's Hebei province, starts to take action too, treating sick or injured birds trying to make their migration. Given the seaside city of Cangzhou is an important transfer spot for birds migrating northward, Meng has treated 17 birds in the past month, including swans, upland buzzards and wild ducks, at his voluntary wildlife rescue center. When these birds recover, they will be released to re-embark on their migratory route. President Xi Jinping visited the Cuban embassy in Beijing on Tuesday to mourn the passing of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, whom he called a "great friend of the Chinese people". It's the first time that Xi went to a foreign embassy to express condolences for the passing of a foreign leader since he became president in 2013. "We mourned with deep grief for the Cuban people's excellent leader and the Chinese people's great friend, Comrade Fidel Castro," Xi wrote on the book of condolences. Xi also dispatched Vice-President Li Yuanchao as his special envoy to Cuba for the funeral of Castro, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. Xi had previously sent a message of condolence on Saturday to Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba. "The great comrade Fidel Castro will be forever remembered," Xi said in the message. Castro led Cuba for nearly half a century before stepping down for health reasons in 2006, when he passed the baton to his brother, Raul. Event offers an opportunity for enterprises to better connect with international market Domestic and overseas enterprises and organizations in the marine industries that strive to expand their market and customer base were looking to the 2016 China Marine Economy Expo for opportunities, believing the event would help them to better connect with international markets. At the Thailand Pavilion, Kornpreeyanut Kanphatcharakan, managing director of Chiangmai-based Prempracha Transport Co Ltd, was promoting her company's products to visitors. "We extended our business from mainly transportation to tourism last year. However, we are facing difficulties in stepping into the Chinese market because of language and market barriers," she said. A foreign business rep introduces items to a visitor at the 2016 China Marine Economy Expo. Qin Danyan / For China Daily More than 2,300 exhibitors from 53 countries and regions attend this year's event. Qin Danyan / For China Daily "The expo offers an opportunity. Through our exhibition at the expo, tourists from Zhanjiang and other parts of China will gain more knowledge of our company and services, facilitating our expansion in the market." The expo was held in the coastal city of Zhanjiang in Guangdong province from Nov 24 to 27. The annual event, with its first session held in 2012, is a platform for enterprises, organizations and industry insiders from all over the world to showcase their latest achievements, make exchanges and seek cooperation opportunities. More than 2,300 exhibitors from 53 countries and regions attended this year's event, including 329 overseas enterprises and organizations. Thailand, as the guest of honor of this year's expo, brought a delegation of over 40 enterprises and associations. More than 20 enterprises from Malaysia also took part in the event. Zhanjiang Mayor Wang Zhongbing said the expo plays an important role in promoting marine economic trade, marine science and technology, marine equipment, marine culture and tourism. He said the city will further increase investment in Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries and promote economic cooperation in industries such as fishing, aquaculture and architecture. Ruzlisham Bin Mat Diah, investment consul of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, a government body with the aim of promoting investment between Malaysia and China, said there are great business opportunities that can be explored between Zhanjiang and Malaysia. For example, Zhanjiang is known for its marine products and Malaysia has a number of food processing enterprises. "We hope to take advantage of the expo to attract more Chinese marine businesses, hoping to invest in Malaysia in the aquaculture sector. We can offer a lot of land for Chinese enterprises to do business there," he said. He added that two local enterprises in Zhanjiang have shown interest in investing in Malaysia, and that they are in the process of negotiations. Economic cooperation between Zhanjiang and other countries has seen considerable growth over recent years, especially with ASEAN countries. According to official statistics, bilateral trade between Zhanjiang and ASEAN countries reached nearly $800 million in 2015, almost doubling the figure for 2011. Apart from foreign enterprises, a number of domestic firms also placed high expectations on the expo, saying the event could facilitate the implementation of their "going out" strategy. One of them is the Metallurgical Corp of China Ltd, or MCC, a large State-owned enterprise focusing on iron and steel construction. The company is the contractor for Singapore's Universal Studios and Shanghai's Disneyland Resort. Hao Tingyu, an official at MCC's central research institute of building and construction, said MCC's growth strategy centers around developing overseas markets. "Attending the expo would help us to better know market demand while making our company better known to the public," he said. According to organizers, 2,033 domestic firms and organizations took part in the expo this year, a 32 percent increase from last year. Among them, 22 are in the Fortune Global 500 or are large SOEs, and 52 are listed companies, including Baosteel Group, China National Petroleum Corp and China Southern Airlines. With an exhibition area of more than 100,000 square meters, the expo has a number of pavilions, including those for domestic and international exhibitors and others for equipment manufacturers. In addition to the exhibition, the four-day event also featured several forums on maritime economies, a project roadshow for maritime equipment makers and the debut of the new China Ocean Economic Development Index. sally@chinadailyhk.com (China Daily 11/29/2016 page22) News / National by Staff reporter TSHOLOTSHO North MP, Professor Jonathan Moyo said he has faith in government processes to deal with various families' request to rebury their relatives who died during Gukurahundi.In October 2016, Prof Moyo's family sought permission from the Tsholotsho District Administrator to allow them to rebury his father, Melusi Job Mlevu, who was allegedly killed during Gukurahundi.Responding to questions at the Bulawayo Press Club, last Friday evening on whether his family's request to rebury his father had led to allegations of him misappropriating public funds, Prof Moyo dismissed such assertions."I don't have evidence that this is the case tying me to the allegations," he said.The minister also played down that the request would open a floodgate of similar requests from people wishing to do the same."The idea that there is an unlimited number of people who will then come up with requests for reburials is not true we need empirical evidence for that.There will never be a shortage of crazy, mad people and I am not responsible for their madness. In this, I am carrying my own cross, let them carry theirs as well."Prof Moyo said Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko who was in charge of the National Peace and Reconciliation portfolio in government had clearly indicated this issue will "not only be addressed but will be addressed."The cabinet minister said it was ideal for the government to listen to people's wishes in so far as this matter was concerned."It is unreasonable and it is not sustainable that they should not bury they loved ones. By asking you they are showing respect so the same reciprocation should be done. If you say, you can't or won't that will be disrespectful."VP Mphoko said they are working on the process and it will be done orderly. As an affected Zimbabwean, I am satisfied with that position and hope that what the VP said will happen as soon as possible," he noted.The Tsholotsho North MP said in some communities, shallow graves were visible as they are not hidden."It is not like a place you don't know, therefore he right thing has to be done."Meanwhile Prof Moyo said those alleging he was corrupt would fail as he was committed to his job."Successionists never win," he said. "Against the successionists, the loyalists are a formidable people.The people will always govern. Anybody who thinks they can rule without the people are jokes. I don't see any confusion around this, but desperation. History and the archives have no examples of victorious successionists."The cabinet minister said he and his staff in the Mnistry of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development worked very hard which irked some corrupt elements."We have no time for corruption. We work 24 hours and we have been doing it for long time. Fighting corruption is important. Corruption is a cancer. However, nobody should make Zimbabweans seem stupid as if they don't know who is corrupt."Some of them (those alleging he had abused ZimDef funds) have 30 million British Pounds, and not $400 000, stashed in offshore accounts but I am said to be corrupt because I gave our traditional leaders bicycles to interact with their communities" Zhanjiang-based Guangdong Yuehai Feed Group, one of the largest aquatic feed producers in the country, plans to invest in Vietnam and India to tap into those markets. Preliminary work is under way for a plant in Vietnam designed to produce 50,000 to 80,000 tons of shrimp and fish feed annually, said Han Shulin, vice-president of the group. The group will invest more than $10 million in the wholly-owned project. For the plant in India, the group intends to work with a local partner. The first phase is expected to support an annual capacity of up to 60,000 tons of shrimp feed, Han said. As the largest fish feed producer and one of the top three shrimp feed producers in the country, Guangdong Yuehai has positioned its marketing, research and development systems well for expansion beyond the border, he said. The company's current plants produce about 400,000 tons of fish feed and 300,000 tons of shrimp feed per year. As the country pursues a more sustainable development path, the domestic feed industry is investing massively in R&D, making such changes as lifting the proportions of vegetable protein versus animal protein in their feed products. Another major Zhanjiang-based aquaculture firm, Evergreen Group, has also invested in feed plants in Vietnam. Earlier this year, it invested in a feed company in Indonesia, pledging an investment of $654,500. Dubbed China's "capital of shrimps," Zhanjiang supplies about 15 percent of the world's shrimp market and 67 percent of the domestic market, also taking a significant position in tilapia production and offering a wide range of other aquatic products. (China Daily 11/29/2016 page22) The United Kingdom denied on Tuesday that a document photographed in the hands of a Conservative Party official which said the strategy for Brexit talks was to "Have cake and eat it" accurately reflected its plans for forthcoming EU divorce negotiations. The handwritten note, which also said the kingdom would be unlikely to stay in the EU's single market, was pictured being carried by an aide to Mark Field, vice-chairman of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party, after a meeting with Brexit officials in Downing Street. The photograph was printed in newspapers on Tuesday and showed the memo contained the lines: "What's the model? Have cake and eat it" and "It's unlikely we'll be offered single market". A scene from Autobahn. [Photo provided to China Daily] Autobahn, Hollywood action film with a full British cast, is to hit China's big screen on Dec 2. The film follows the protagonist (played by Nicolas Hoult)'s adventure to save his lover (Felicity Jones) amid a conspiracy of a drug dealing gang. There are many road chasing scenes on highways of Germany. Oscar-winners Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley also join the cast. DMG Yinji, the Chinese component of global media company DMG Entertainmentparticipated in the production and global distribution of the film. Last year, the company hooked the industry's attention via its Sino-US coproduction Point Break as a rare example among Hollywood blockbusters to have its global premiere in China. Cooperating with director James Cameron, a 3D-converted version of Terminator 2: Judgment Day is also being made by the company and will disembark on Chinese market next year. This cinematic classic has never been publicly released in Chinese theaters. The show at KWM Art Center in Beijing is a tribute to late US artist Robert Rauschenberg. [Photo provided to China Daily] In June, Beijing-based artist Qiu Zhijie and his students of experimental art from the Central Academy of Fine Arts staged a live performance at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Arts. The show at the gallery, located in the city's 798 art district, was a tribute to the late American artist Robert Rauschenberg whose works were then on display there. The performers used many props made of traditional rice paper from Jing county in East China's Anhui province that he had visited in the 1980s. That show, Somewhere Only We Know, is the inspiration for an ongoing exhibition of contemporary art at a Beijing mall. The exhibition has artists showing their paintings, sculptures, installations and other mixed-media works to further explore the idea of Taohua Yuan Ji. Taohua Yuan Ji (The Records of Peach Blossom), is a 5th-century fable from which the title of the earlier performance and the current exhibition emerged. The story describes a fisherman's chance discovery of Taohua Yuan, a village where people live in harmony with nature and are secluded from the outside world. The June performance recalled Rauschenberg's visit to the countyan inspiring trip leading to his later creations just like the fable's central character. Qiu, who is a curator of the present exhibition and whose works are also on display here, says the exhibition celebrates the short history of Black Mountain College in the United States that Rauschenberg attended in the late 1940s. The college opened in 1933 at a relatively quiet countryside site in North California and operated for 24 years. Its experimental nature helped to launch the careers of many of its students like Rauschenberg who had a lasting influence on the US contemporary art since the end of World War II. The college was closed at its prime, because of financial constraints but it is also said to have been a victim of McCarthyism, Qiu says. "At the end of Taohua Yuan Ji, the fisherman revealed the existence of the village to other people but they couldn't find it anymore," he adds. The display of 32 artworks on another level reviews the trends of thoughts since the avant-garde 1985 art movement of China, among whose driving forces was Rauschenberg's exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in 1985. It was the origin from which a diverse art landscape evolved in the country. At the start of the present exhibition on Oct 20, a new art center, sponsored by the international law firm King & Wood Mallesons and the KWM art fund, was inaugurated at the World Financial Center in Beijing's commercial CBD area, in a bid to promote contemporary art among office workers. The exhibition is being held here. Handel Lee, the law firm's international partner, says people today live and work under huge pressures and an art space in the heart of the city will help ease things up. The exhibition will inspire viewers, many of whom work for more than eight hours a day, to reconsider their circumstances. It may also lead them to purchase art, he says. If you go Through Dec 8. 2F, World Financial Center, 1 East Third Ring Middle Road, Beijing. The 15th-century stem bowl is up for sale. [Photo provided to China Daily] A 15th-century qinghua (blue-and-white) stem bowl that was meant for the sacrificial rituals of Chinese emperors will go under the hammer at Christie's sale in Hong Kong on Nov 30. The bowl from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) features two five-clawed dragonssymbol of imperial power. One dragon charges ahead and the other looks back, above cresting waves and mountains. The bowl's inside features a six-character mark in the center circled by double ringswhich indicates that it was "produced in the reign of Xuande (1426-35)", the title of Emperor Zhu Zhanji during whose reign the production of blue-and-white ware reached its peak. Further, the mark is surrounded by shadow patterns of striding dragons that are hard to spot at first sight. Typically, the blue-and-white ceramics were coated with cobalt-blue pigment from Persia and made at high temperatures. And the final result still amazes connoisseurs of Chinese porcelain, both at home and abroad. The stem bowl celebrates the technical and aesthetic achievements of the Xuande reign, not only with its refined technique of penciling the dragons, the waves and other decorative patterns, according to Ruben Lien from the Christie's department of Chinese ceramics and works of art, but also because it exhibits well-balanced and varying tones of blue. The dragons and the peaks are painted in a rich blue, while the rolling waves are in a soft, pale blue. He says the contrast in the coloring marks a "breakthrough" for the period, exemplifying the artisans' control over the cobalt pigments. The bowl is owned by a collector from the United States. It fetched HK$35 million ($4.51 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong in 2007. Including this bowl, no more than six examples of bowls of a similar design and size are in existence, Lien says. Some of them are in the collections of Paris-based Musee Guimet and the Palace museums in Beijing and Taipei. Of the bowls in private hands, one from the noted Meiyintang Collection was sold for HK$112.7 million in Hong Kong in 2012. Lien says Ming Dynasty porcelain, especially that produced in the early stages of the empire, such as the Xuande and the Yongle periods, have recently attracted increased attention from collectors who previously eyed only Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) royal objects. Speaking about the bowl, he says: "As Xuande and Yongle ceramics available in the market are not as numerous as Qing objects from the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong (the porcelain-making peaks of the Qing Dynasty), a fine, rare specimen (like the bowl) is bound to draw people's attention." "Rising interest has also brought in new buyers," he says. A blue-and-white jar also from the Xuande period and bearing a five-clawed dragon grossed HK$158 million at a Christie's sale in Hong Kong in May. It was owned by a Swiss family and was used to store walking sticks. In April, Sotheby's staged in Hong Kong an auction of British collector Roger Pilkington's ceramics and works of art from the Song (960-1279), Ming and early Qing dynasties. Ming cobalt-blue ware comprised the top five lots at the sale that yielded nearly HK$503 million in total. Besides the Xuande stem bowl, Christie's will also auction two ceramic pieces made in the official kilns of Qing emperor Yongzheng. Both feature common subjects such as flowers and birds. One is a falangcai (enameled) cup on which plum blossoms and trees and bamboos are painted in yellow, green and brown against a ruby-red ground. The depiction of a pair of hovering bees over the flowering plum branch makes it a rarity among such ware, says Lien. The subjects signify longevity, wealth and happiness, and the vivid, souffle-like texture of the ruby ground enhances its elegance. The cup belonged to the late Hu Huichun, a porcelain connoisseur whose Zandelou collection is hailed one of the best private collections of Chinese art from the 20th century. Hu moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in the 1950s and co-founded the prominent collectors' group Min Chui Society. He donated a large part of his collection to the Shanghai Museum. Lien says after Hu's death, his family sold the Yongzheng cup to the current owner, meaning that the item has come to auction for the first time, or as "fresh goods" as described in the trade. The other piece is a moon-shaped blue-and-white flask. One side has two magpies resting on a blossoming plum branch, and the other has two bulbuls on an apricot tree. The exquisitely balanced composition can be traced to Northern Song paintings. The motif was a favorite of Emperor Yongzheng during whose reign similar designs were produced. A student studies at Istituto Secoli's Guangzhou branch in Guangdong province.Provided To China Daily Milan-based fashion school Istituto Secoli has opened a new branch in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to help fill the need for more pattern-making talent in China's fashion industry. "China is not lacking fashion designers, but patternmaking talent," said Sam Lau, director and vice-dean of the school, which is well known for training patternmakers as well as teaching designing, sewing and production management. In China, patternmaking knowledge and experience has traditionally been passed down from generation to generation. In the past, patternmakers have had a relatively low level of education, making it inefficient for them to communicate with designers, Lau said. Some fashion companies buy patterns from European counterparts, but European and Chinese people often have different measurements, he said. Istituto Secoli, which also provides training to big-name European fashion houses, has taught more than 80,000 students since it was founded in 1934. It is a champion of the belief, typical to the Italian fashion industry, that creative ideas must be translated into perfectly thought-through well-crafted products. As the only overseas campus of the school, the Guangzhou branch houses 10 students aged 18 to 26, with capacity for 30 more. Classes started in October. The Chinese partners of the campus include the Guangdong Association of Garment and Garment Article Industry, Guangdong Fashion Designers Association and Guangzhou Textile Exchange Park. Guangzhou is a prime location for the campus because the surrounding province hosts much of China's garment industry, the most fashion brands, the largest apparel industrial chain and the most fashion designers, Lau said. As the provincial capital, the city also accommodates a full garment and raw materials supply chain, he said. French fashion design school Esmod launched its Guangzhou campus in 2014. With the Chinese government placing greater emphasis on vocational education and training, more quality foreign educational resources are expected to open branches in the country, Lau said. Istituto Secoli's Milan campus has 400 students, many of whom come from China, said Simona Borghesan, a patternmaking teacher working at the Guangzhou campus. Students at the new campus will spend two years in Guangzhou learning both fashion and the Italian language, with a third year in Milan. Candidates do not need fashion skills or experience, but must have a passion for fashion if they are to get the most out of the packed schedules, Lau said. Song Xunan, who completed a four-year university program in engineering budgeting earlier this year, is studying at the Guangzhou campus to pursue her dream of working in fashion. "I wanted to learn fashion when I was at high school, but did not have the drawing skills necessary to attend fashion programs at Chinese universities," she said. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The city of Yantai in eastern Shandong province signed a series of agreements to expand economic ties with Canada's Alberta province at a special seminar in Yantai on Nov 26. Sponsored by the commerce bureau of Yantai and Alberta's ministry of economic development and trade, the two-day seminar on economic and trade cooperation was attended by some 320 government officials and business leaders from the two sides. Eighteen protocols of intent were signed between Yantai and the wealthy Canadian province during the seminar, covering areas including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy, environmental protection and food, among others. Deron Bilous, Alberta's minister of economic development and trade, said his region considers Yantai to be a very important market. "Alberta and Shandong province have a good record of investment and trade, and Alberta is particularly expecting to expand cooperation with Yantai in the industries of oil, gas and the development of renewable energy resources," Bilous said at the opening ceremony of the seminar on Nov 26. According to one official from Yantai's commerce bureau, the city has already established close economic relations with Canada, and Yantai is expecting to further advance its cooperation with Alberta in particular. "The cooperation with Alberta is of mutual benefit," said the commerce official. Canada has invested in 289 projects in Yantai as of the end of October, with the combined value of these contracts amounting to 7.38 billion yuan ($1.08 billion), according to the commerce bureau of Yantai. From January to October, Yantai's imports and exports to Canada reached 5.23 billion yuan, up 28.6 percent year on year. Representatives from Canada's Alberta province and Yantai government sign a series of cooperative agreements to expand economic ties on Nov 26 in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Zhang Yongxia, mayor of Yantai, holds cordial talks with Deron Bilous, Alberta's minister of economic development and trade, on Nov 26 in Yantai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Deron Bilous, Alberta's minister of economic development and trade, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the seminar on economic and trade cooperation on Nov 26. [Photo/dzwww.com] A girl plays with her newborn brother at a hospital in Nanjing, Jiangsu province,on Oct 24. 2014. [Photo/VCG] Wang Ping'an , vice minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said on Nov 26 that the number of newborns in 2016 will exceed 17.5 million, which meets the expectations of the change to the family planning policy that, in principle, allows each couple to have two children. Beijing Youth Daily comments: It is November, one month before the end of the year, yet the NHFPC has hurried to report the data. Obviously, they hope to rally support for the "two children" policy that came into effect at the end of 2015. The number 17.5 million of 2016 is, of course, larger than the 16.5 million newborns of 2015.However, it is too early to attribute that increase to the change in the family planning policy introduced at the end of 2015 that allows all couples to have two children in principle, as the number of newborns was 16.9 million in 2014. Therefore, it is reasonable to suppose that the policy change at the end of 2013, which allowed a couple to have two children if either of them is a single child of the family, might have played a major role in the increase of newborns. If we take a look back, we can see that both officials and scholars placed high hopes on these new family planning policies, but the latter has failed to meet these expectations. As early as 2015, a senior official of the NHFPC predicted the number of newborns would increase by 2 million every year, and the China Population Association expected the number of newborns to reach 18 million in 2015 and 2016. Neither goal was reached in reality. On the contrary, the policy change has met with a cold response from women of child-bearing age, with many saying it it too expensive to raise two children. If China wants to raise the birth rate, which is currently quite low, it must constantly improve not only the family planning policy, but also other supporting policies such as those concerning social welfare, so that the couples of child-bearing age become more willing to have children. That's the only way to curb China's aging society. Students from the University of Havana gather outside their school to pay tribute to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, in Havana, Cuba, Nov 26, 2016. Aged 90, Castro passed away late Friday night. [Photo/Xinhua] The death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, the founder of the Cuban Communist Party and Cuban socialist cause, is a great loss to the Cuban and Latin American people as well as to the world socialist development. Castro, who died late Friday at the age of 90, deserved to be called a shining figure of the times. Castro was born on Aug 13, 1926 in Biran, a village in Holguin province, as the son of Spanish immigrant Angel Castro and Cuban farmer Lina Ruz. He became well-known worldwide after he led the 1959 Cuban revolution that overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Almost immediately, the United States moved to topple Castro, fearing the socialist revolution would inspire the rest of Latin America. Washington attacked Cuba on many fronts, including economically and financially, by imposing a trade embargo in February 1962 that continues to this day. Castro's courage and wisdom are believed to have inspired a new generation of political leaders in Latin America, such as in Bolivia, Venezuela and Ecuador. His legacy and vision can also be seen in Cuba's universal healthcare and education system, as well as its cutting-edge biotechnology and a pharmaceutical industry that rivals that of developed countries. As a great leader of the Cuban people, he established the first socialist country in the Western hemisphere, led the Cuban people in struggling for national liberation and made immortal contributions to the world socialist development. He led the Cuban people in safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity against the long-time US isolation and embargo. He supported his brother Raul Castro in promoting reform, opening-up and development transformation in Cuba. Today's Cuba has witnessed steady economic and social development. Its education and medical services are among the best in Latin America. Such fruits of socialist construction can be shared among the Cuban people thanks to Castro's idea and faith to realize fairness and justice, a goal that every modern society strives to reach. Under Castro's leadership, the Caribbean island's spirit of safeguarding sovereignty and independence and choosing a path of development that suits its national conditions inspired many other developing countries. On the global stage, Castro made relentless efforts to safeguard the interests of developing countries, call for the establishment of a new international order and promote the Non-Aligned Movement. With the spirit of internationalism promoted by Castro, Cuba sent doctors and teachers to other Latin American countries to help them improve the people's livelihood. The death of Fidel Castro marks the end of an epoch, but Cuba's socialist cause will continue. The new Cuban leadership led by Raul Castro has made progress in promoting reform and spurring the economy crippled by US sanctions. Fidel Castro's glorious image and great achievements will go down in history and his spirit will be remembered forever. Xinhua News Agency News / National by Stephen Jakes National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has called for more blood donation to the blood reserves ahead of the festive season as accidents which always escalate the blood demand are always rampant during this period.Through a notice, the NBSZ spokesperson Esther Massundah invited citizens to the launch of the 2016 Festive Season Campaign to be held on Wednesday 30 November 2016, at the NBSZ Head Office, 53 Mazoe Street; 1000hrs 1200hrs."As part of the campaign launch, a blood drive will be held and we are extending an open invitation to your media house to come through on the day to donate. A similar activity will also take place at all branches on the same day," she said."The campaign theme is "Blood Connects Us All" and the Youth Donor Month theme is "Give a pulse of life, donate blood". We look forward to your coverage of this event and the whole campaign." The possibility of a policy U-turn by Washington to embrace the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank following Donald Trump's win in the US presidential election is to be welcomed, since it would be in the interests of the United States and Asia at large.[Photo/IC] China's Vice-Minister for Public Security Meng Hongwei was elected president of the International Criminal Police Organization earlier this month, becoming first the Chinese official to hold the post. Meng is one among the increasing number of Chinese officials holding offices in international agencies, such as Margaret Chan, director-general of World Health Organization. China, as President Xi Jinping said in his New Year address, cannot be absent from international affairs, and the international community expects to know about Chinese plans and voices. From a participator in global governance to a staunch reformer, Beijing now has more than just intention to provide quality public goods. On the material front, China has become a major economic engine contributing to about 30 percent of the global growth in the post-global financial crisis era. The United Nations, which wants to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, should welcome Beijing's effort to invest in developing countries and exempt the least developed ones from repaying the interest-free debts due at the end of 2015. China is also making preparations to establish an international development knowledge center to facilitate studies and exchanges among countries on development theories and practices suited to their national conditions, as well as an assistance fund for South-South cooperation. The Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (or the Belt and Road Initiative), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRICS New Development Bank epitomize China's institutional efforts to improve global governance. The AIIB is bringing welcoming changes to the global financial order, as are the Belt and Road projects to improve regional connectivity and cooperative mechanisms. The BRICS New Development Bank, on the other hand, is already pressing ahead with five investment projects with a focus on clean energy and transportation. By lifting more than 600 million people out of poverty and making notable progress in promoting fair education, public health and women's welfare, China has realized most of its Millennium Development Goals. Its success has not only improved the lives and livelihoods of the more than 1.3 billion Chinese people, but also served as an apt example of poverty alleviation for other countries. The exemplary effects of China's development have gone beyond that. China's inclusive, cooperative and sustainable views on Asian security is a silver lining against the backdrop of rising anti-globalization sentiments and zero-sum mentality. And its increasing contribution to the fight against climate change and domestic corruption are in the interests of the entire international community. Once stigmatized as a "free rider" of globalization, China has fulfilled most of its commitments to global governance and is working harder than ever to discharge its responsibilities as an emerging major power. That more Chinese people take high positions in international agencies is evidence of Beijing's reputation as a leading reformer of the world order. Their participation in international affairs would in turn improve China's national image and agenda-setting capability, as well as help modernize its domestic governance. The author is a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China. A 'New Generation' robotic technology is on display in Hefei, capital city of Anhui province, Nov 17, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by Bruce Connolly] It was symbolic traveling to a centre for China's rapidly developing high-tech innovation that the journey would be by a 'state-of-the-art' CRH train. Introduced progressively since 2008, this domestically produced advanced rail system has transformed travel nationwide. Moving at over 300 km/hr south from Beijing to Hefei, capital of Anhui Province, what previously took more than half a day was completed after only four hours! China's new stations are big, vast, and modern and Hefei South was no exception. Situated well south of the historic older city within Luyang District, watered by the Nanfei River, this recently completed terminus sits in Baohe District relatively close to Chaohu, one of China's six large freshwater lakes. Growth is increasingly focused on this area with its progressive infrastructure, one of several such nodes in today's Hefei. An impression of Hefei, located at a crossroads of China, is of waterways and lakes that served as 'highways' in historic times. Water routes, while still important, have been increasingly surpassed by a system of inter-city expressways and high-speed rails alongside convenient domestic and international air corridors. Economically intertwined with Changjiang (Yangzi) river cities such as Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai, Hefei was identified by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2010 as one of 20 emerging cities in China and in December 2012 as the world's No1 fastest growing metropolitan economy. In the earlier days of 'Opening Up', China's growth was driven by mass-production of cheap goods. Known as the 'World's Factory', the country was in a developing stage with education, not yet geared up for creative innovation. Design generally originated from overseas. Over a relatively short period both domestic school and university education has advanced considerably to a point where China is now comfortable with both designing and manufacturing products not just for every day use but for issues such as high-speed rail travel, aviation technology, space flight and much more. Hefei has had a long association with technology, producing for example the world's first DVD player! Could it become the 'Silicon Valley' of China, and maybe Asia? There is certainly considerable investment in physical infrastructure, particularly around the northwest of the city where Hefei High-Tech Industry Development Zone is located. Hefei's newer zones generally are sprouting on 'greenfield' sites beyond the more congested downtown areas. Leading centers of advanced research have set up shop there, some associated with top Chinese universities. From the upper floor windows of the zone's administrative offices the view is of building construction, expanding road layout and essential physical projects. Hefei is developing a metro system serving both this locale and much of its greater metropolitan area. It was a treasured opportunity to visit several centers within this Development Zone to see first hand what is currently being achieved. The atrium of USTC Institute of Advanced Technology displayed the latest in scientific innovative creativity - everything from robots, drones and giant HD television screens to electric cars - much that only a few years ago could not have been produced in China at such levels of sophistication. Nearby iFLYTEK provided examples of voice recognition and appliance control that could potentially make everyday domestic chores redundant. They even had technology for on-screen auto-correction of student hand-written essays! Tourism bureaus of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden recently announced their strategic cooperation with Baidu Map in a press conference in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily] Tourism bureaus of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden recently announced their strategic cooperation with Baidu Map in a news conference in Beijing. During their trips in the four countries, Chinese tourists can use the Chinese language mapping services by online search giant Baidu Inc. Not only can users download the offline maps on their mobiles in advance, but also search for scenic spots or restaurants. Baidu Map also offers some simple phrases in Chinese and the local language, in case one needs to ask the locals for directions. Heads of the tourism bureaus introduce their tourism resources. Tourists can visit Hans Christian Andersen's hometown, Odense, in Denmark to meet characters of his fairy tales. They can see the rare auroras and chat with Santa Clause in Finland. They can see the midnight sun and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Norway. They can also enjoy the picturesque natural views and stay in an ice hotel in Sweden. The cooperation lasts until the end of 2017. The tourism bureaus and Baidu Map will work with each other in terms of social media promotions, data integration and exchange and news conferences. Li Dongmin, manager of Baidu Map, said at the event that thanks to the success of their internationalization plan this year, Baidu Map's service would cover globally in 209 countries and regions. US President-elect Donald Trump, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and many Chinese may have one thing in common. None of them is fond of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, but for vastly different reasons. Clinton, when secretary of state, called TPP the "gold standard", but she opposed it during the campaign in order to win more union voters. Trump seems more consistent. He announced on Nov 21 that a top priority for his administration is to withdraw from the 12-nation TPP, which he has repeatedly called "a potential disaster for our country". For many Chinese, the death knell sounded by Trump is welcome news because they finally don't have to listen to President Barack Obama say: "The United States, not countries like China, should write trade rules." Such words sound not only humiliating to many Chinese, but also ridiculous and hypocritical. Why on earth would anyone think China, with a fifth of the world's population, should not be represented in writing global trade rules or any global rules? For Obama to think like that is akin to wishing that all the red states in the US should be banned from voting in the Nov 8 election. Excluding China from making global rules and norms reveals a zero-sum and anti-democratic mindset, not to mention that China, rather than the US, is now the world's largest trading nation. The fact that Obama has constantly used TPP as a US foreign policy tool in its rebalance-to-Asia strategy altered the true meaning of the free trade agreement. The TPP before the Obama administration was never meant to be a geopolitical game. TPP's economic benefits are controversial to say the least. Some US economists who studied the documents carefully concluded that the economic benefits to the US are quite limited, in contrast to the praise heaped on it by US officials in lobbying Congress and the US public in the past year. Some multinational corporations may be the winners from TPP, but many US workers and communities vulnerable to free trade agreements are likely to suffer. Over the years, the US government has done a poor job to help them, and Obama has not successfully assured them this time. The opposition to TPP among Americans is so strong that at a rally on Nov 17 by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and his supporters near Capitol Hill, many held anti-TPP plaques and claimed that it was Sanders' movement that brought an end to TPP. In the past week, some in the US have made a last-ditch effort for TPP by arguing that the death of the treaty will give China an opportunity to advance its influence, and more specifically the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), reflecting the same zero-sum approach Obama had in selling TPP. At the 27th China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Washington last week, Vice-Premier Wang Yang, US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, US Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other officials all talked about the rapid growth of bilateral trade and investment relations and more importantly, the huge potential ahead. With such a prospect, there is no reason for China and the US not to pursue a win-win game that will benefit their peoples, but instead try to exclude the other in pushing forward their own multilateral trade deal as the Obama administration exhibited in TPP. People close to Trump, such as former CIA director James Woolsey Jr, have indicated that the next US administration might join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and even the One Belt One Road initiative. Though nothing is sure, this is an encouraging signal, suggesting that the Trump administration may pursue more win-win cooperation with China instead of politicizing a trade agreement, a regional infrastructure investment bank and efforts to build connectivity whenever they are initiated by China. Indeed, ditching the zero-sum mentality and pursuing win-win cooperation is the only right choice for both China and the US. Contact the writer at chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com A student drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians at Ohio State University on Monday morning and then jumped out and stabbed several people with a butcher knife, injuring 11 people, before a police officer shot and killed the attacker, officials said. Abdul Razak Ali Artan was shot and killed within minutes after plowing into the group by a police officer with less than two years on the force, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University. "It frankly took a piece out of everybody here at our beautiful Ohio State University that this could have happened here," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at a news conference. A US government official confirmed the assailant was from Somalia, 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A second government source said investigators had reason to believe the attacker at the campus in Columbus was a Somali refugee. Columbus, the state capital, has a large Somali population. US Congressman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation. "It bears the all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized," Schiff said in a statement. Another US official told Reuters US agencies are investigating the Columbus attacker's background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups. The attack at the Columbus campus, which was initially reported by the university on Twitter as involving an "active shooter," drew a massive response of heavily armed police. The suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall, Moll said. The suspect left the vehicle armed with the knife and stabbed several others, Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said. "This was done on purpose," Stone said. Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. local time and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said. The incident follows a stabbing attack in September at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where a man whose family came to the United States from Somalia wounded 10 people with a knife before he was shot to death by an off-duty police officer. Authorities last month indicated the Minnesota attacker showed signs of radicalization and a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent said his actions appeared to be "consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups." One person was critically injured in Monday's incident, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer. They included two with stab wounds and three others who had injuries from being hit with the vehicle. Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said. With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university. CNN aired an image from a room at the university where students had barricaded a door with stacked chairs. Columbus and university police continued their investigation with assistance from the FBI. The attack prompted university officials to warn students on Twitter to shelter in place. Ohio State lifted the order shortly before noon EST (1700 GMT). The university campus remained open, although classes were canceled for the day. President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. Police and students stand near the intersection of Woodruff and College on Ohio State's campus during an active shooter situation on Nov 28, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. [Photo/IC] Student from China reports fleeing chaos A student from China witnessed the violent rampage on the Ohio State University campus on Monday in which 11 people were injured before the suspect was shot dead. "The whole thing was really terrifying!" Cai Dawei posted on Chinese online messaging app WeChat. Cai said the incident started when someone pulled a fire alarm in Watts Hall, "and then all the people were evacuated, waiting at the end of the 19th Street on campus". "The fire department left after nothing was found in the building. About 20 or 30 seconds (after they left), a car rammed into a group of people; someone may have tipped the suspect off, since all the people who were in the building were waiting outside, including professors, a few of whom were too old to run," Cai said. After plowing into pedestrians, witnesses said the suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, got out of his vehicle and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot dead by police. Police said they are investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. A US government official confirmed the assailant was from Somalia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A second government source said investigators believed Artan was a Somali refugee. Columbus, the state capital, has a large Somali population. "The car knocked down many people then the suspect chased after a wave of people," Cai said. "Luckily, I was running toward another direction. Then, I hid inside a house nearby. Then many ambulances came in to hospitalize the injured victims. "Now I'm OK, but getting cold feet," he said. "I haven't told my family yet because I don't want them to be worried." An honor guard fires blank shots honoring the late Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Nov 28, 2016. [Photo/IC] HAVANA - Thousands of Cubans on Monday paid heartfelt tribute to the legendary revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in a solemn and tearful ceremony at Havana's Revolution Square. The tribute is part of a national period of mourning for the leader who ruled Cuba for nearly half a century, and is considered to have continued the legacy of national hero Jose Marti, whose memorial stands in the square. Average Cubans, as well as government and communist party officials, filed past photographs of Castro dating from the late 1950s, when the young commander led the overthrow of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Mourners were silent, tearful or weeping as they paid tribute to Castro on a sunny morning in Havana. Many children, men and women cried, while others acknowledged the late leader with a military salute. "I have been here since 3 am because I want to salute Fidel one last time. We must continue with great conviction what he did for the Cuban people," retiree Cila Miret told Xinhua. Miret met Castro in 1960, during a rally the former president held at the same square where today thousands bid him farewell. "Fidel always wanted to be with the people, and I remember he hugged me and kissed me as he did to hundreds of people that were there that day," she added. It was the first time Lucas Liganga, a journalist for The Guardian in Tanzania, got involved in a joint interview with Chinese and African media outlets for Chinese companies in Africa. After interviewing three Chinese companies in Tanzania, Liganga had new ideas about Chinese companies in Africa. "Chinese companies are doing serious businesses here, bringing us new technologies and creating jobs. My impression on Chinese and Chinese companies is very positive now," he said. Liganga used to have the opposite opinion. He said he tried to interview some Chinese companies in Tanzanian before but never got any chances. "I knew Chinese companies are doing business here, but they should be more open to foreign media." Liganga is among the more than 40 reporters from about 30 media outlets from China, Tanzania and Kenya that joined a 7-day interview tour of Chinese companies in Africa. Organized by China's State Council Information Office, event participants will visit Chinese enterprises and academic institutions in the two African countries, including CRJE East Africa and Sunshine Group in Tanzania and the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center in Kenya. During the opening ceremony on Nov 28 in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, Sun Zhijun, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said, "Media cooperation is an important bridge for China and Africa to enhance mutual understanding and promote friendship. At the same time, stories of Chinese enterprises in Africa will bring more Chinese investment to Africa, which will promote and strengthen economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa." He noted that over the years, under frameworks like the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, media houses from China and Africa have had rich and fruitful exchanges and cooperation. He also put forward a three-point proposal to deepen media cooperation between China and Africa, namely China and Africa should make efforts to compose a new chapter of China-Africa friendship, to expand space for media cooperation and to carve out a new realm of China-Africa media development. Nape Nnauye, Tanzania's Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, said, "The media is playing an important role in bridging the gaps between the people of Africa and China. Besides media also has an important role to play in publicizing and promoting the investment opportunities in both China and Africa." Chinese media can work with African counterparts to consolidate the basis for cooperation and broaden areas of cooperation to take China-Africa media ties to a new level, he added. During the ceremony, CCTV French also inaugurated a documentary program "China and Africa: Rowing the same boat for 60 years 60 portraits for the 60 years of Sino-African Friendship" to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa in 2016. China and Japan agreed to maintain communication and cooperation in defense and security, appropriately manage differences and improve bilateral relations, diplomats and defense officials said. Chinese and Japanese officials from the foreign and defense ministries attended the 14th China-Japan Security Dialogue in Beijing on Monday, according to Xinhua, the first of its kind in nearly two years. Co-chaired by Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba, the two sides exchanged views on the international and regional security situation, each nation's defense policies and China-Japan security cooperation. The Chinese raised concerns about Japan's developments in military and security areas in recent years, urging Japan to adhere to peaceful development and maintain regional stability, development and prosperity through peaceful means, according to a press release. The Japanese said they would continue their path of peaceful development, and follow an "exclusively defense-oriented policy". Japan will also build mutual trust with China through dialogue, they added. A Moroccan Show Teaches Women How To Cover Domestic Violence, And Moroccan Women Are Outraged There is outrage in Morocco after a local television program ran a segment instructing women on how to cover up evidence of domestic violence using makeup. The show, Sabahiyat, brought on a woman with fake bruises on her face and had a makeup artist explain the best cover-up plan as if it were any other YouTube tutorial. From what face powder to use so that bruises don't show later in the day, to the best application to a sore face, the artist feeds right into the notion that domestic abuse should not be talked about or condemned, all with a smile on her face. ADVERTISEMENT Sabahiyat's host Lilia Mouline even says during the segment, Its a subject we shouldnt talk about, but unfortunately thats what it is, concluding with the hope that the "beauty tips" help viewers "carry on with [their] normal life." People in Morocco responded immediately and were, understandably, furious with the show. A petition was started shortly after the airing demanding action be taken against the station; so far it has over 2,800 signatures. As Moroccan women and as feminist activists in Morocco, and in the name of all Moroccan people, we denounce the message of normalization with violence against women, the petition said, according to the Washington Post. We demand severe sanctions against this show, Sabahiyat, and the channel 2M. The video was deleted by the station but was recovered by creators of the petition. ADVERTISEMENT We don't know what's more concerning here the indifferent attitude towards domestic violence from the show, or that violence against women is apparently so common and accepted that the segment was considered relevant to the show's audience. Photo via Sabahiyat More From BUST Amber Heard, Johnny Depp, And An Abuse Survivors Perspective Make All The Men In Your Life Watch This Video, Right Now 'What Happens When Your Home, When Your Body, Is Attacked?' Park Geun-hye bows during her third televised address to the nation, Nov 29, 2016. [Photo/IC] SEOUL - South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday asked parliament to find a way for her to give up power and decide when she should step down amid an influence-peddling scandal, but the opposition said she was just trying to avoid impeachment. Park, 64, had apologised twice previously but until now resisted mounting public calls to quit, even as lawmakers readied to mount impeachment proceedings. "I will leave to parliament everything about my future including shortening of my term," she said in a brief televised speech. "I will step down from my position according to the law once a way is formed to pass on the administration in a stable manner that will also minimise political unrest and vacuum after ruling and opposition parties' discussion." The main opposition Democratic Party rejected Park's offer, calling it a ploy to escape being impeached, Yonhap news agency said. Park Kwang-on, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said it looked like she was trying to delay proceedings. "She is handing the ball to parliament, when she could simply step down," he said. "She is asking the parliament to pick a date for her to resign, which she knows would lead to a discussion on when to hold the presidential election and delay everything." Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University, agreed. "She doesn't want the parliament to impeach her and she doesn't think that the parliament can soon reach an agreement, so she is making things complicated and trying to shift some of her blame to the parliament," he told Reuters. Some lawmakers from Park's own conservative Saenuri party had asked her to resign under an agreement that would allow her to leave office with some dignity. On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of South Koreans rallied for the fifth weekend in a row, calling for Park's resignation. Organisers said the crowd totalled 1.5 million, while the police estimated the crowd at 260,000. No South Korean president has failed to complete a term since the current democratic system was implemented in 1987. If Park is impeached or resigns, an election would be held in 60 days to nominate a president to serve a five-year term. Park's approval rating fell to just 4 percent in a weekly survey released on Friday by Gallup Korea, an all time-low for a democratically elected South Korean president. Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, and a former aide have been indicted in the case. Prosecutors named Park as an accomplice in an investigation into whether big business was inappropriately pressured to contribute money to foundations set up to back Park's initiatives. The presidential office and Park's lawyer have denied the accusations. Park has acknowledged carelessness in her ties with Choi, who Park has said had helped her through difficult times. Their friendship dates to an era when Park served as acting first lady after her mother was killed by an assassin's bullet intended for her father, then-president Park Chung-hee. Five years later, in 1979, Park's father was murdered by his disgruntled spy chief. Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un visits the Cuban embassy in Pyongyang to express condolences over the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. [Photo/IC] PYONGYANG -- Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has visited the Cuban embassy in Pyongyang to express condolences over the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, the official news agency KCNA reported Tuesday. Kim sent a wreath there and paid silent tribute to Castro. He left a message in the book for mourners, which reads: "Though the outstanding leader passed away, his name and feats will always be remembered by all of us." Kim then sent his condolences to Cuban Ambassador to the DPRK Jesus De Los Angeles Aise Sotolongo and other embassy officials. "The demise of Fidel Castro Ruz is a great loss for the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries," the state media quoted his words. Kim said he believed that the Cuban people would overcome the grief over the loss of their distinguished leader, certainly build a prospering ideal society and win the victory of the socialist cause under the wise guidance of President Raul Castro. On Sunday, Kim sent a message of condolence to Raul Castro, who is also first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, over the passing of Fidel Castro. Fidel Castro died late Friday at the age of 90. The organizing committee of Fidel Castro's funeral said his ashes will be interred on Sunday after Cubans from all over the island pay their tributes to him. MANILA -- Seven members of the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two soldiers were injured in an ambush Tuesday morning in Marawi City which is due to be visited by President Duterte on Wednesday. Armed Forces public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the PSG men were on a convoy of military trucks with local troop escorts when they were hit by the improvised explosive device (IED) explosion at around 10:45 am in Barangay Matampay. PSG spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said it was still too early to say if the attack specifically targeted the president, or was a result of ongoing security-related operations in the area including the campaign against the Maute group. Duterte announced Monday that he would be going to Marawi to meet with the troops amidst the ongoing campaign of the government against the Maute group that occupied parts of Butig town in Lanao del Sur over the weekend. He was set to visit Marawi City on Nov. 30. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Maute Group may have mistaken the PSG personnel as government reinforcements in the ongoing military operations against the Maute group. "We do not have reasons to believe that they (PSG personnel) were the targets. Its just that they were onboard a military vehicle and probably the perpetrators, whoever they were, took advantage" he said. SYDNEY -- Seven people have been transferred to an Australian hospital after a China Eastern Airlines flight struck turbulence en-route to Sydney. China Eastern on Tuesday confirmed five passengers and two crew members were injured when flight MU777 encountered high altitude turbulence prior to the plane's descent to Sydney. "The safety of our passengers is our primary concern and we have confirmed that all of the affected passengers are in a stable condition, having received treatment for their injuries," China Eastern general manager for Oceania Kathy Zhang said in a statement. The airline said it is attempting to contact the families of those injured, and has set up a hotline - +61 416 791 968 - for any concerned family members of passengers on board. A spokesman for Australia's Transport Safety Bureau told Xinhua that inquiries are ongoing as to the circumstances of the incident, but there is no restrictions on the aircraft or its crew returning to China. "If anything abnormal, we will do a further detailed investigation," the spokesperson said. China Eastern will cooperate with the relevant investigatory authorities, the airline said. Philippine president unveils 'mega' drug rehab center funded by Chinese philanthropist Xinhua | Updated: 2016-11-29 20:43 MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday thanked and heaped praises on a Chinese philanthropist who helped build a 10,000-bed drug rehabilitation center inside a military camp in Nueva Ecija, a province north of Manila. Duterte attended the inauguration ceremony Tuesday and said that unlike others who criticized his anti-narcotics campaign, Chinese businessman Huang Rulun "came out of nowhere and came to my office and said he would help me solve the drug problem." Huang, an overseas Chinese in the Philippines who donated 1.4 billion pesos (28.11 million US dollars) to build two drug rehabilitation centers with a total land area of 100,000 square meters, expressed support for Duterte's war against drugs, saying "this is our modest efforts to make the Philippines peaceful, stable and harmonious." Huang said the Philippines and China are close neighbors. "The people of the two countries have maintained a deep, friendly and long-lasting relationship. Especially since President Duterte took office (on June 30), he exerted efforts in strengthening the ties between China and the Philippines, promoting world peace, and opening a new page in the China-Philippines relations," he said. Huang, 65, migrated to the Philippines in the 1980s and later went back to China to invest and expanded his business empire. In the speech, Duterte again lambasted the West for openly criticizing his war on drugs. "When you are a friend, you do not treat him badly before the public. You don't humiliate an ally, and at all cost you must save the friendship as an ally and friend so that you can help each other in the world of geopolitics." he said. Unlike his previous speeches, Duterte did not mention any country this time. The United States, the European Union, the United Nations and international human rights groups have criticized Duterte's anti-narcotics war that police and media reports said has killed more than 4,000. Duterte said that he would continue with his campaign in spite of the criticisms hurled against him. "Let me warn you, drug is a very virulent agent in any society. The campaign against drug will continue until the last day of my term," he said, vowing, "I will not stop until the last drug pusher is out of the street and last drug lord or king killed." SYDNEY - Fourteen people including two children were injured when a gas explosion blew out a shutter door from the loading dock of a food court in Sydney's Chinatown at about 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday. The blast, caused by a leak from a gas main, occurred at Dixon House on the corner of Little Hay Street and Sussex Street, Fire and Rescue New South Wales Superintendent Paul Johnstone told Xinhua. Ambulance at the scene treated the injured for lacerations and seven of them were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Johnstone said. The fire was contained by sprinklers and 200 people were evacuated from the area, he said. Eight fire trucks and 40 firefighters were also on site to assist those affected. There was no damage to surrounding buildings and a Hazmat crew was deployed to ensure there was no further leak nearby. NSW police told Xinhua that its officers also remained on scene to assist with perimeter management and traffic control. A witness at the scene told Xinhua that the explosion might have been caused by pressure on worn out gas pipes but no flames were detected and no one seemed to have suffered any serious injuries. Investigations into the ignition source of the blast are ongoing, Johnstone said. Former US Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao arrives at Trump Tower on another day of meetings scheduled with President-elect Donald Trump on November 21, 2016 in New York.[Photo/CFP] President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Elaine Chao, the former labor secretary and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to be transportation secretary, according to media reports on Tuesday. She would become the first female cabinet-level appointment by Trump. Born in Taiwan, she moved to the United States as a child. Chao, 63, served as secretary of labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2009, the first Asian-American woman to serve in a cabinet position. As secretary of labor, she was the only official in Bush's cabinet to serve with him for all eight years. She also served as the deputy secretary of transportation under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991. Since leaving government service, Chao has held a position as a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation. She has been married to McConnell since 1993. Working hours for most China employees are usually determined under Chinas standard working hours system, and in most places in China, that means a 40-hour work week 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. This system does not allow for a lot of flexibility since work done outside the normal working hours is considered overtime that obligates the employer to pay overtime. I am finding that foreign employers are often (virtually always, actually) confused about Chinas working hours and they often believe (and repeat to me) the following six myths regarding working hours and overtime in China, all of which are daily costing foreign companies extra money in China. Myth 1: Chinas overtime rules are similar to the exempt employee rules in the United States. Wrong. For example, it does not matter how much your China employee gets paid. Your China employee might be making three times the average salary in the city where you are located (this amount is a common threshold for a number of things under Chinese employment law). Generally speaking, you must pay all overtime. Myth 2: Managerial employees are exempt from overtime pay. If a manager works under the standard working hours system overtime incurred must be paid. If your manager(s) have been approved to work under an alternate working hours system (usually the flexible working hours system) you can avoid paying overtime on most occasions, except for (and this depends on the locale!) time worked on a legal holiday such as New Years day, Chinese New Year, National Day, etc. Myth 3: An employer and employee can contractually agree to have the employee work under an alternate working hours. Nope. Most places in China require prior government approval for an employee to work under a non-standard working hours system. The employees written consent alone is usually not sufficient. Myth 4: Comp time can negate overtime obligations. Not necessarily. This depends on the employees situation and the locale in China. If an employee working under the standard working hours system stays beyond the normal 8 hour work day, you must pay overtime, which is usually 150% of that employees normal wage. But in most locales in China, an employee who works during a weekend can be compensated with comp time. However, if you are unable to give the employee comp time (perhaps because you mistakenly failed to do so or because you simply were too busy), most locales in China will require you pay 200% of the employees normal wage or 300% if the work was on a legal holiday. Myth 5: An employee on an alternate working hours system needs never be paid overtime. Be careful. Again, this like pretty much everything else employment related in China, depends largely on the locale. Most places in China require the employer pay even alternate hour employees overtime for time worked during a Chinese legal holiday. Also, we cannot even count the number of times a foreign employee has insisted that such and such employee is under the alternate working hours system and one of our China labor lawyers has discovered that was never the case or is no longer the case due to a failure to timely renew. Myth 6: The employee (not the employer) is required to keep track of time for overtime pay. Tell this to the many foreign employers who thought this was the case and then ended up having to pay all sorts of back overtime pay when the employee has left, to avoid getting sued for having done so. You as the employer need to document what is going on with your employees on overtime and just because an employee has not yet hit you up for it, does not mean you dont owe it. Your rules and regulations should contain a section setting out your companys overtime policy, including your internal procedures your employees must follow for securing approval before incurring overtime and your procedures for reporting such overtime. Bottom line: Make sure you understand the national, the regional, and the local laws that apply to overtime in the city in which you are located. For more China employment myths, check out Six Myths About China Employee Probation. Messages You have no messages Ottawa School Board Wants To Ban Bikini Pics For Teachers Trending News: This School Board Wants To Ban Bikini Pics For Teachers Long Story Short New social media guidelines provided to teachers in Ottawa, Ontario suggest that should they post "scantily clad photos on the beach" to social media, they could face disciplinary action. Many have claimed that the language presents a gender double standard. Long Story As a teacher, there's a well-known and reasonable expectation that your profession is a public one, and that you're still a teacher whether or not you're on the clock. Those rules work well when, say, it's discovered that your teacher has a secret porn career on the side. But less clear is where the line's drawn for obviously nonsexual behavior and according to new social media guidelines provided to teachers in Ottawa, Ontario, the line is drawn at "vacationing somewhere warm." According to the National Post, last week Ottawa's school board posted guidelines for teachers discouraging the posting of pictures "involving drugs, alcohol or 'scantily clad photos on the beach.'" The drugs and alcohol, that makes sense. But it's the "scantily clad" bit that has people a little weary, as it's a phrase almost exclusively used to describe women. That there are guidelines for teacher conduct isn't surprising, and not seen as a negative by most. Canada's Supreme Court ruled in 1996 that teachers could be held to higher standards than other professions. Even the local teachers unions accept and support the concept. Id be telling them, as a union representative, that, for your own personal protection, we would agree with that. Whether its reasonable or not, I dont know. Could (beach photos) come back to become a problem for them? Yes, it could," said Michele Giroux, a spokeswoman for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board If one of my teachers asked me, Is it a good idea to post picture of me in a bikini on a beach? Id probably say no. Id probably say, Err on the side of caution. But in 2016, it's social media that muddies the waters. Many teachers, those in their 20s and 30s, grew up using social media and treat it as an extension of their lives, all but a God-given right at this point. Without clearer guidelines for what denotes "scantily clad" attire, many a vacationing teacher will think twice before posting an otherwise innocuous photo (which is maybe the point). On the one hand, it's pretty simple to chronicle a tropical vacation even time spent at the beach without including gratuitous bikini photos. On the other, the rule raises a lot of questions. If bathing suits (and not just bikinis) are considered inherently sexual, what are they supposed to wear? Even if teachers are reasonably expected to be above reproach both in and out of the classroom, at what point is it on the students (and their parents) to understand that Ms. Math Teacher is also a person who sometimes goes to the beach? Most importantly, to what degree (if any) does "scantily clad" apply to male teachers? Because people like talking about sex in ways that allow them to take the moral high road while still titillating themselves, teacher attire criticism is unfortunately limited to neither swimwear nor social media. There's Atlanta-based #teacherbae who was reprimanded for the crime of having too curvy a body, and of course the private school teacher in Mexico who didn't post anything to social media at all but she was, unfortunately for her, recorded participating in a "twerking" contest while on vacation. And they wonder why it's so hard to find new teachers. Own The Conversation Ask The Big Question Is it that hard to clarify the guidelines so teachers know exactly where the line is? Drop This Fact Teacher retention is higher than an oft-cited statistic would suggest. According to a more recent study, over 80% of new teachers remained in the profession after five years. If you've been in the sports arena for a while, you know that some aspects of these arenas are beginning to show their age- a (Photo : Getty Images) A United Airlines flight heading for Japan was forced to make a stop in Hong Kong due to the behavior of a passenger. Advertisement United Airlines has said that the behavior of an "unruly passenger" caused the sudden diversion of a Hong Kong-bound flight from Chicago on Sunday. The incident occurred after the flight was in the air for nearly 12 hours. Chicago-based United Airlines spokesman Charles Hobart said that the flight no 895 took off from O'Hare International Airport for Hong Kong after 2 p.m. The flight, however, made an urgent landing at Narita, one of Tokyo's busiest airports. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Hobart said no injuries have been reported. He revealed added that there are 241 passengers and 15 crew members aboard the flight. He confirmed that the flight has departed from Tokyo and is expected to land at Hong Kong airport anytime soon. Advertisement TagsUnited Airlines, Chicago, Chicago Flight to Hong Kong, injuries (Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan ) An out of service sign is posted on a pay gate at the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Millbrae station in Millbrae, California. Advertisement Commuters of the San Francisco Municipal Railway got a surprise this weekend when the system's computerized fare system was breached and held hostage by hackers. The operator of the public railway system said that the hack took place on Friday afternoon. Riders of the municipal railway system received a "Metro Free" and "Out of Service" signs on ticket machines, according to The Verge. The hack went on until Saturday. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Reports indicate that some computer screens at some MUNI stations showed a message that reads "You Hacked, ALL Data Encrypted. Contact for Key(cryptom27@yandex.com)ID:681 ,Enter." It was later reported that the perpetrator of the hack was looking for a deal with MUNI to fix the damage. No confirmations were made whether the San Francisco Municipal Railway paid that required ransom to free their systems from the hack. The San Francisco municipal transportation agency is yet to release the details of the hack. There are reports that the hack will also affect employees with some workers not sure whether they will be paid this week since their computer systems are down, according to Kotaku. This is not the first time that an institution's computer system has been hacked and was held hostage by hackers. Earlier this year, the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center was attacked by hackers who encrypted the hospital's files. The hack was reversed after the hospital reportedly paid $3.6 million in ransom. Advertisement Tagstrain, hackers, ransomware, San Francisco, san francisco train, train system, San Francisco Municipal Railway (Photo : Getty images) A past tourist mingles with the monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand Advertisement An annual feast held in Thailand, India, known as the Monkey Buffet Festival, to celebrate the monkey community was held on Sunday. The monkeys were fed and treated as the real VIPs' of the occasion in the one-day celebration, which is not only a tradition but also a tourist attraction. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The annual event occurred at Lopburi, a town in the central part of Thai. Fruits and cashew nuts are among the items the guests (monkeys) for the day were served. A special treat known as thong yod, an egg yolk dessert, was not spared by the monkeys present. According to the India Times, the event, which dates back to over three decades, is a big tourist booster for the state as many people flock to the region to mingle with the animals. The Buddhist region of Thailand considers the monkeys to be part of the community. People in the Lopburi region, however, take the love a notch higher in their annual festival. The monkeys are fed at the historical temple of the Khmer-era. The ruins, which date back to 800 years, is arguably the region's most striking feature. The love for these monkeys can be attributed to veneration for the heroic Hindu monkey god, Hanuman. According to the Hindu, Fang Xi, 36, a tourist and a manager at a farm in China, describes his experience with the monkeys. "One of the monkeys wants to steal my hair clip and doesn't want to get off my should," said Xi. "Two other girls were afraid and run away." Residents in the region, however, consider this as a normality. Amanda, a US-based citizen, said that it was amazing seeing the monkeys. "They were eating over there and lots of food to choose from," she said. "They were attacking each other and running around, jumping on people." Advertisement TagsIndia, Monkey Buffet Festival, Temple of Khemr-era, Thailand, Buddhism (Photo : Facebook) CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles is a one of the best train manufacturers in China. Advertisement CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles officially announced on Saturday, November 26 that it will take part in the largest railway project in Australian history with a contract worth AU$2 billion ($1.5 billion). What is the Project? This project is a 65 High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) public-private partnership (PPP) is to be completed by Victorian government and the Evolution Rail Consortium. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement This 65 trains will be used on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines in Melbourne. The Evolution Rail will maintain the fleet for 30 years at purpose-built depots in Pakenham East and Calder Park. The trains will be assembled at Downer's facility in Newport, Victoria, which will undergo a AU$16 million ($11 million) upgrade. This will be the largest railway project in the history of Australia. It is privately financed by Evolution Rail's debt partners include Bank of China, Westpac, Bank of Communications, HSBC, ISBC, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mizuho Bank, and UOB. Equity financing will come from the Evolution Rail Consortium, and funds managed and advised by Partners Group. Evolution Rail Consortium According to the International Railway Journal, the Evolution Rail Consortium comprises Downer Rail, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, and Plenary Group. On November 22, Jacinta Allan, Victoria state minister for public transport, announced that the consortium had signed a contract. CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles is one of the best train manufacturers in China. It is a subsidiary of the Beijing-based CRRC Corporation. CRCC will design the HCMT project and establish new regional headquarters in Melbourne. The train manufacturer contributed about 45 percent of the value of the project. The first of the new trains will be delivered for testing by November 2018, ready to enter service on the Cranbourne-Pakenham Line from 2019. All 65 metro trains will be ready in 2026 when Melbourne's metro tunnel opens. This project is expected to produce at least 1,100 jobs. Advertisement Tags65 HCMT EMUs, CRCC, Austrialian History, Largest Project, CRCC Changchun Railway Vehicles (Photo : Getty Images) UN officials are hopeful that with impending tougher financial sanctions, North Korea would be hard pressed to fund its nuclear program. Advertisement High-ranking US diplomats on Monday said new and tougher sanctions against North Korea are being prepared in a resolution that would be put to a vote by the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday. The resolution, which includes slashing the North's coal exports to China by up to 60 percent, comes in response to Pyongyang's latest nuclear test in September, the fifth largest test conducted by the country so far. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The diplomats, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the resolution was negotiated between the US and China for months. It aims to cut North Korea's earnings from its coal exports to Beijing by roughly $700 million. Money flow More than 60 percent of the North Korea's coal exports to China would be slashed in a bid to cut money flow to its nuclear weapons program, the diplomat said. Through the imposition of financial sanctions in the resolution, North's leader Kim Jong-un would have a hard time getting his hands on hard currency to strengthen Pyongyang's nuclear program. "We do not claim that this resolution is going to cause North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program but this resolution would make it significantly more difficult," the diplomat emphasized. Draft text While the draft text said that the Security Council condemns the latest North Korea nuclear test on September 9, it pointed out that the sanctions are not meant to harm the ordinary citizens of the North. US President Obama has reportedly told incoming President Donald Trump that the North Korea threat remains the top national security priority of the US. Obama urged China to strictly enforce international sanctions and implement new embargoes against North Korea during his meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Lima, Peru last week. Obama made the request to President Xi after the two sides agreed that Washington and Beijing would immediately act on future North Korean provocations including ballistic missile and nuclear tests. Advertisement TagsUnited Nations, North Korea, china, US, coal exports, Nuclear program, UN Security Council (Photo : Getty Images) China and Singapore have reportedly talked about the communist party's seizure of nine Singaporean military vehicles by Hong Kong authorities. Advertisement Chinese and Singapore officials have spoken out in regard to the forceful acquisition of the nine military vehicles from Singapore, which were seized last week on Wednesday as they passed through Hong Kong from Taiwan. In a news segment by the Strait times, Minister of Defense Dr. Ng Eng Hen announced that officials who were mandated to ship the armed vehicles are to meet with Hong Kong customs on Tuesday. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement He added that the team was also given the mandate to check and ensure that the machinery was okay and still fit to operate. In a different interview, Singapore's Minister for Foreign affairs Vivian Balakrishan said that there was no hidden agenda behind the impound. He urged that the incident is handled low-key so as to safeguard the relationship between Singapore and Beijing. "We expect commercial providers of services to strictly comply with the law. It will be a footnote on how to do things strictly, carefully and by the law," Balakrishan said. On their side, Chinese officials said that they were strongly against any military co-existence among Taiwan or any other country that enjoys diplomatic ties with China, according to a report by state media house CCTV. Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Geng Shuang, is quoted saying that the Chinese government expects the Singaporean government to work diligently in accordance with the One-China principle. Cheng adds that talks were ongoing in regard to the law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. With the ongoing South China Sea Dispute, China is seeking to ensure that all its allies remain loyal. Advertisement Tagschina, Singapore, Singapore Ministry of Defense, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China ministry of foreign affairs (Photo : Getty Images. ) Indias Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman disclosed in Indian parliament that Indias trade deficit with China grew to $52.69 billion in 2015-16 from $48.48 billion in the previous financial year. Advertisement India's trade deficit with China continues to grow, increasing to $52.69 billion in 2015-2016 from $48.48 billion in the previous financial year, starkly reminding that the Indian economy still has lot of catching to do with its Asian neighbor. The report was disclosed by India's Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her written reply to the Indian Parliament on Monday. She cited China's overreliance on export of "manufacturing items" as the main reason for the growing trade deficit. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "Increasing trade deficit with China can be attributed primarily to the fact that Chinese exports to India rely strongly on manufactured items to meet the demand of fast expanding sectors like telecom and power," the minister said. The Indian commerce minister added that efforts are already underway to lower the trade deficit by diversifying India's trade basket with special focus on manufactured goods and services, while seeking resolution of greater market access and other non-tariff barriers. She claimed that no ban or trade restriction can be imposed in China under the current WTO framework and any restriction implemented will have to be WTO compliant. Indian Economy vs Chinese economy Over the years, there has been intense debate among Indian intellectuals as to why Indian economy fares so poorly as compared with the Chinese economy. China's economy witnessed an impressive double digit growth for most part of the last two decades, while Indian economy had to remain contend with single digit growth. A large majority of Indians believe that the country's corrupt bureaucracy and lethargic democracy, which starkly stands to China's efficient single party system, is to be blame for the poor economic performance. Advertisement TagsIndia Trade Deficit, Trade Deficit, Indian Economy vs Chinese Economy, China and India, china The latest flashpoint between Israeli Jews and their Arab neighbors highlights the extent to which the conflict between them touches every aspect of daily life. Earlier this month, Israeli lawmakers proposed a bill that would require all houses of worship to lower the volume of their public address systems. While the vaguely worded proposal made no outright accusation, the bills sponsor, a lawmaker from a nationalist Jewish religious party, admitted the legislation is aimed at Muslim mosque loudspeakers. Dubbed the Muezzin Law, after the man in the minaret who chants the call to prayer, the bill has grabbed international headlines and sparked an uproar among the countrys Muslim minority. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the proposal is not about religionits just about the noise. The Muslim call to prayer sounds five times daily, with the pre-dawn prayer sometimes blasting as early as 4 a.m. I cannot count the times that citizens have turned to me from all parts of Israeli society, from all religions, with complaints about the noise, Netanyahu told his Cabinet this week. He affirmed his commitment to defend all people of all faiths from the loudness of the excessive noise. But the country already has laws against noise pollution, and critics say the loudspeaker initiative is an example of flagrant racism. The real aim is not to prevent noise, but rather to create noise that will hurt all of society and the efforts to establish a sane reality between Jews and Arabs, wrote Nasreen Hadad Haj-Yahya, a scholar with Israel Democracy. Of Israels 8.4 million people, 17 percent are Arab Muslims. Arabs often are poorer and less educated than the Jewish majority and sometimes are accused of disloyalty to the government. This bill is the ugly product of Islamophobia that has come to dominate Israel, Thabet Abu Ras of the Abraham Fund, an organization promoting peaceful Israeli-Palestinian alliances, told Al Jazeera. On Sunday, the Palestinian National and Islamic Forces, which includes Hamas and Islamic jihadists, threatened to unleash war on Israel if the bill passed. But analysts say its important to remember the bill hasnt passed. Even if it does, it likely will be struck down by courts as unconstitutional. Parliamentary pushback already has delayed its progress. Last week, ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers backtracked support for the bill, voicing concern it could affect the use of synagogue sirens announcing the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. Neri Zilber, a Tel Aviv-based journalist and researcher on Middle East politics and culture, believes the bill is a diversion tactic floated by the Israeli government to deflect tension from weightier issues in the country. Its a controversy du jour, Zilber said. With Netanyahu embroiled in legal scandals, and the West Bank due for more demolitions in December, its useful to get people talking about something else. On the international stage, Zilber believes media outlets are focused on the bill because it fits into their narrative about Arab oppression: Its a clear-cut example of potential discrimination that supports pre-conceived notions about Israel. There is much more freedom in Israel than people realize. Courtesy: WORLD News Service Publication date: November 29, 2016 A Cuban pastor has been sentenced to one year of house arrest for hosting a loud worship service by a civil court in Las Tunas last month, according to Morning Star News. Pastor Juan Carlos Nunez is a house church leader of Apostolic House of the King of Glory which has about 550 members. He was accused of "disturbing the peace" by violating Cuba's environmental protection laws, and was permitted no time to prepare for defense. "Our mission is to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we are suffering for that cause," Nunez told Morning Star News. "We were treated as criminals and enemies of the government. We are children of God unjustly accused and convicted." The worship service was being held at the courtyard of pastor's apartment complex, and some of the neighbors complained of the noise. Nunez heeded to the neighbors' advice and switched to 150-watt units. Yet, the pastor said the case went to court. Nunez said the issue arose because government does not give building permits to churches to cope with increasing church membership. "The government will not issue us a building permit," he said. "We could avoid this whole problem entirely if they would let us have our own meeting place." An annual report released by Christian Solidarity Worldwide in 2015 said that men and women are arrested every Sunday and detained to keep them from attending Mass. In March, a religious freedom activist and pastor Rev Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso was arrested, and his wife and two daughters were put under house arrest just prior to President Barack Obama's historic visit to the country. Around the same time, 50 other human rights activists were arrested when they were on their way to attend Mass in capital city Havana. The communist regime in the country is reported to have launched a campaign to crack down on Christianity by imprisoning pastors and activists, and confiscating and demolishing churches. About 1,000 churches were confiscated in the first seven months of this year, and some 100 of them may be demolished. "CSW is alarmed by the escalation of freedom of religion or belief violations throughout Cuba, but humbled by the courage and perseverance of the many religious communities who continue to peacefully resist government pressure," said CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas. As they say, evangelizing to the Muslim community is as difficult as trying to break a stone with an egg. It is not as though the Gospel is particularly difficult or inhumane. However, there is a widely held prejudice of hostility leading to the ostracizing and persecution of Christians. Even family members are ostracized for being Christian, so the outlook seems bleak when considering evangelism towards the Muslim community. Amidst these sentiments, the global community would regard the Syrian refugee crisis as a headache. Even as the United Nations and the European Union got involved, the solution seemed far and remote. However, this refugee crisis that man cannot solve is actually a God given route for evangelism within that community. As God scatters the Syrian refugees, the previously blocked walls are slowly being torn down. They are feeling thanksgiving and respect to those going out of their way to help them and you can see the beginning of the softening of their hearts. The opening of hearts is breaking certain prejudices and further opening up the doors for the Gospel message. Last week I had the privilege of being able to hear of such incidences. As you well know, Afghanistan, being infamous for the terrorist attack on the missions team from Saem-Mul Church in Korea, is a tourism restricted zone for Korea. However, there is one Korean that holds an American citizenship that continues to visit the country. Afghanistan is well known to lack in the basic nutritional supplies, leading to improper physical growth from malnutrition. With a holy burden to help, this nutritionist continues to enter this barren land. It is the story of a missionary that visited this country 90 times in the past 10 years to become the very first to successfully cultivate beans to help a community and a nation that has a problem with malnutrition. It isn't the type of conventional ministry to just throw out loaves of bread to a starving nation, but it is the revolutionary tale of the reviving of Afghan citizens with thorough research over what type of production is best for the area, by having 80% of the nation educate the farming community regarding bean cultivation, by allowing the women to begin a side business of poultry farming and by creating jobs in many factories for making bean products. Presently, they are in development for bean-based food products with tofu being their most ambitious venture. It is a given that the Afghan community does not know what tofu tastes like since they were not a bean-cultivating culture. However, I assert that the day they are able to eat tofu will be the day that they will accept the Gospel message. I have faith that for a nation that ostracized the Gospel message, they will be able to accept this never before heard truth as they are able to accept this never before tasted tofu product. My heart reaches out to the Afghan in prayer as I partake in tofu stew today. Rev. Bryan Kim is the lead pastor of Bethel Korean Church, located in Irvine, CA. Houses of worship, like churches and synagogues, are now opening their doors as sanctuaries for immigrants seeking refuge from deportation. According to Church World Services national grassroots coordinator Rev Noel Andersen, 13 churches in nine cities have provided refuge to 15 people who were at risk of deportation since 2014, Religion News Service reports. Andersen estimates that about 400 congregations across the country have expressed support and their willingness to be sanctuaries. There has been a tremendous increase in interest since the election, Rev. Donna Schaper, minister of Judson Memorial Church told Fox News. The newly elected president is threatening to deport many of them and they want to be safechurches have a moral mandate to help people in a way that is different than cities in general. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection considers places like houses of worship, schools, and health facilities to be sensitive locations. This means that immigration officials will generally avoid arresting someone in these locations to ensure that people seeking to participate in activities or utilize services provided at any sensitive location are free to do so, without fear or hesitation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection writes on its website. In order for the police or for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter a church against the will of a priest or minister who is running the church, they need an arrest warrant for a specific human being short of that, theyre not going to go in there, Fox News Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano told Fox news. Across the country, mayors of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seattle have declared themselves sanctuary cities in light of President-elect Donald Trumps vow to deport 11 million immigrants. This was followed by universities making the same move as students, professors, and alumni of universities like Yale, Harvard, and Brown petitioned for their schools to be declared sanctuary campuses that will protect students, professors, and their families from deportation should immigration officials contact the universities. Donald Trump picked Christian philanthropist and activist Betsy DeVos to head the education department, but Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. said he was also approached for the post. Falwell said that he could not take up the offer because he was not ready for four-to-eight years of commitment and could only promise two years of engagement in the cabinet. According to Religion News Service, he agreed to an advisory position, which is "a role that allows [him] to influence education policy but remain at Liberty." Falwell did not divulge further details of his responsibilities. He has been a staunch supporter of Trump throughout the campaign and began endorsing Trump since January. Not only did Falwell continue to support him in spite of controversies and opposition from university students, he also campaigned for Trump. The Liberty University students wrote a letter expressing their opposition to the school's apparent association with Trump because of Falwell's position on him, which ran contrary to many of the students' perspective. Falwell also cited some personal reasons for being reluctant to head the education department. "My wife and 16-year-old daughter also had concerns about the disruption to our lives that might result," he said. "In all candor, we could've worked something out on the term for the secretary post, but the family really didn't want me to go." Falwell said that DeVos is an "excellent choice" for the position of Secretary of Education. "For the record," he said, "I believe Betsy DeVos is an excellent choice to be the Secretary of Education." Mark Teasdale began life in a maverick United Methodist church that emphasized evangelism more than most mainline brethren. When he grew up and moved away, he was shocked to find that many fellow Methodists thought of verbally sharing their faith as a foreign experience. Now, as a professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (a Methodist school on the campus of Northwestern University), Teasdale teaches a required evangelism course to students who are often wary, if not opposed outright, to the very idea that evangelism is valuable. Pastor and author Joshua Ryan Butler spoke with Teasdale about his book Evangelism for Non-Evangelists: Sharing the Gospel Authentically (IVP Academic). What are some key stereotypes about evangelism that make some Christians uncomfortable sharing their faith? Stephen Gunter, who teaches at Duke Divinity School, likes to joke that for most Methodists, evangelism is that which we did not like having done unto us, which we feel obliged to do unto others. I start all my classes asking, What was your worst experience with evangelism? Ive never had anyone say, Its always been great! The negative experience has almost always been somebody preaching at them with a set of propositions, causing an awkward situation where they have to accept or reject the message. We give the impression that evangelism is only about verbal proclamation in monologue form. You write that evangelism trades in stories more than propositions. What do you mean? Im not against truth propositions. But stories are important for a couple reasons. First, Christian faith is a story: the work of God through creation, the fall of humanity, ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. 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. Only a few Christian leaders in South America have won as much unanimity in life as Russell Phillip Shedd. The esteemed pastor, theologian, missionary, teacher, writer, and lecturer died last weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he lived and served for more than 50 years. Shedd died of complications from cancer. He was 87. Missionary work ran deep in his veins his entire life. Shedd was born in Bolivia to American crosscultural missionary workers, and took interest in evangelism at an early age. After completing his studies and becoming an ordained Baptist minister, Shedd spent three years in Portugal with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society (CBFMS) before moving to Brazil, where he began a notable ministerial and academic career. Shedd collaborated for the growth of the evangelical church in Brazil not only as a preacher and a speaker, but also as a writer. He founded Edicoes Vida Nova (New Life Publishing House), one of the best-known Brazilian publishers ... 1 Last week, Pakistan sentenced five men to death for the murder of a Christian couple who were burned alive in November 2014 for setting fire to some pages from a Quran. A mob of about 600 people beat to near-death Shahzad Masih, 26, and his five-months-pregnant wife Shama Bibi, 24, for their unintentionally blasphemous act two years ago. The couple was then thrown into the large kiln where they worked as bonded laborers. National outrage over their deaths saw the case moved to the anti-terrorism court. Judge Chaudhry Muhammad Azam imposed a fine of equivalent to US $2,000 to each of the five killers who were convicted of inciting violence and of throwing the couple into the kiln. Another eight men were jailed for two years and fined. More than 50 people were originally charged under Pakistans anti-terrorism act for the use or threat of action to coerce and intimidate or overawe the Government or the public or create a sense of fear or insecurity ... 1 Last Friday, Fidel Castro passed away. World leaders have responded with a variety of statements. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement about Castros death that praised Castros love for the Cuban people. President Obamas statement was somewhat neutral and, instead of condemning Castros actions, focused on restoring the relationship between Cuba and the United States. President-elect Donald Trump issued the most scathingand dare I say most truthfulstatement, saying, Fidel Castros legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty, and the denial of fundamental human rights. As a first-generation Cuban American and a Christian, my response has come in the form of a question: How do I respond to the death of a man whom I was taught to hate for so long? When I was a kid, every night before bed, my dad would tell my little sister and me dramatic stories from his lifehow he was blacklisted; how he escaped the island; how he settled as a political refugee in the United States. What every story had in common was Castro, the villainous dictator. He was the man who turned their island paradise into a totalitarian hell where personal freedom was hard to come by and everyone but the politically powerful struggled to have enough to eat. We abhorred Castro and joked about how someone with such a lovely nameFidel means faithful in Spanishcould betray his country and kill thousands. Our bedtime ritual was like the Jewish custom at Purim: During the reading of the story of Esther, the mention of Hamans name brings boos and hisses. There was no room in my heart for Castros redemption, so much ... 1 Evangelical Ministers Speak Out and Call on President-elect Trump to Protect and Safeguard Religious Freedom Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Ministers ask that Mr. Trump clarify his position on a Muslim Database and ensure that no one is targeted or forced to register because of their religious beliefs. Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of the American experience and everyone should have the right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience without government intimidation or harassment. Establishing a Muslim Database or targeting Muslims is a clear violation of these hallowed and sacred principles and a crushing of the values shared in the First Amendment. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and pastor of Church on the Hill both based in Washington, D.C., states; "President-elect Trump's past comments about a Muslim Database along with statements on tracking Muslims are extremely troubling. We would prayerfully ask that Mr. Trump clarify his positions on these issues and ensure that no one is targeted or forced to register in a database because of their religious beliefs or convictions. "Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of the American experience and everyone should have the right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience without government intimidation or harassment. "Establishing a Muslim Database or targeting Muslims is a clear violation of these hallowed and sacred principles and a crushing of the values shared in the First Amendment." Rev. Kris Keating, International Director of Hillside Missions Organization based in Richmond, Virginia, adds; "Christianity in the United States has thrived because of the protection of religious freedom and civil liberties. Christians around the world pray and work to attain similar liberties. Our nation is a model of prosperity achieved as a result of the safeguarding of every person's rights. "Any move on the part of our government to hinder the religious liberties of people residing in our nation would be counter to the example Christ gives us in scripture. I believe that it would also be destructive to the well-being of all faith communities in this country. "Creating a system for registering Muslim people in the United States because of their religion would be an affront to religious freedom. A registry of that nature would be counter to the gospel and to the important freedoms enshrined in our system of laws. In our nation, Liberty must be the first guiding principle. In the church, love must be the first guiding principle. "Today, there is a fervor against Islam and Muslim people among a subset of American people. One day, there may very well be a similar fervor against Christian people. The systems we establish in government should protect religious freedom for everyone. "Because of the example and instruction of Christ, I love my neighbors. Because of Christ, I love my Muslim neighbors." Rev. Mahoney and Keating have traveled extensively in Muslim nations and worked with the Muslim community here in America. Rev. Mahoney also flew down to Gainesville, Florida and talked Rev. Terry Jones out of burning over 200 Qurans. For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741 Share Tweet Criminal Charges Filed Against Anglican Priest Arrested at San Bernardino Planned Parenthood Contact: Contact: Allison Aranda, SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 / When he was arrested, Fr. Linton, an Anglican pastor, was standing on a public easement offering incoming mothers and fathers alternatives to abortion and praying for them to change their minds. "The arrest of Fr. Linton is outrageous," stated Allison Aranda, Senior Staff Counsel for the Life Legal Defense Foundation and a former prosecutor for Riverside County. "Fr. Linton certainly did not intend to interfere with Planned Parenthood's ability to conduct its business. Rather, he simply offered assistance and alternatives to its patrons that could save the lives of their precious babies." Last year, the Center for Medical Progress released the videos of its undercover investigation of Planned Parenthood. At the time, Fr. Linton's wife was pregnant with their third child. "The combination of seeing abortion victims sorted through for parts and my wife being pregnant destroyed me," he said. "She organized a protest and I've been in front of the clinic every Friday since." Every Friday, starting at 6 a.m., the San Bernardino Planned Parenthood performs abortions up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Due in part to Fr. Linton's faithful presence and success at saving babies, the abortion facility recently built a wall in an attempt to hinder sidewalk counselors and prevent them from speaking to mothers and fathers in the parking lot. Fr. Linton and the other sidewalk counselors outside the San Bernardino Planned Parenthood are doing nothing more than exercising their Constitutional right to speak freely on the public sidewalk and rights of way in their community. They are not violating the law. "In fact, the code section under which Fr. Linton was charged, specifically exempts from criminal liability, those who are engaging in activities that are protected by the California and United States Constitution," Ms. Aranda noted. Life Legal will vigorously defend Fr. Linton from these false charges and we will fight to preserve and protect the rights of all sidewalk counselors to share life saving information with mothers entering the San Bernardino abortion clinic. About Life Legal Defense Foundation Life Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit Share Tweet Contact: Contact: Allison Aranda, Life Legal Defense Foundation , 707-227-6675SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Last month, Father James Linton was arrested outside the San Bernardino Planned Parenthood for offering to pray with women entering the abortion facility. Police held him for six hours and cited him for interfering with and obstructing access to a business. On November 2, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office formally charged Linton, accusing him of violating Penal Code section 602.1 (a) (Interference with a Business). If convicted, Fr. Linton could be sentenced to up to 90 days in jail and a $400 fine.When he was arrested, Fr. Linton, an Anglican pastor, was standing on a public easement offering incoming mothers and fathers alternatives to abortion and praying for them to change their minds. "The arrest of Fr. Linton is outrageous," stated Allison Aranda, Senior Staff Counsel for the Life Legal Defense Foundation and a former prosecutor for Riverside County. "Fr. Linton certainly did not intend to interfere with Planned Parenthood's ability to conduct its business. Rather, he simply offered assistance and alternatives to its patrons that could save the lives of their precious babies."Last year, the Center for Medical Progress released the videos of its undercover investigation of Planned Parenthood. At the time, Fr. Linton's wife was pregnant with their third child. "The combination of seeing abortion victims sorted through for parts and my wife being pregnant destroyed me," he said. "She organized a protest and I've been in front of the clinic every Friday since."Every Friday, starting at 6 a.m., the San Bernardino Planned Parenthood performs abortions up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Due in part to Fr. Linton's faithful presence and success at saving babies, the abortion facility recently built a wall in an attempt to hinder sidewalk counselors and prevent them from speaking to mothers and fathers in the parking lot.Fr. Linton and the other sidewalk counselors outside the San Bernardino Planned Parenthood are doing nothing more than exercising their Constitutional right to speak freely on the public sidewalk and rights of way in their community. They are not violating the law. "In fact, the code section under which Fr. Linton was charged, specifically exempts from criminal liability, those who are engaging in activities that are protected by the California and United States Constitution," Ms. Aranda noted.Life Legal will vigorously defend Fr. Linton from these false charges and we will fight to preserve and protect the rights of all sidewalk counselors to share life saving information with mothers entering the San Bernardino abortion clinic.About Life Legal Defense FoundationLife Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit www.lldf.org home US Atheist sues Kentucky for being denied use of 'IM GOD' car license plate An atheist has filed a lawsuit against the Transportation Cabinet of Kentucky after his application for the use of a personalized license plate with the letters "IM GOD" was turned down. The lawsuit was filed last week by the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) and the Kentucky chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Bennie Hart. Hart filed his application for the license plate in February after moving to Kentucky. In March, he received a letter of rejection stating that the plate was in violation of laws against "vulgar or obscene" license plate messages. Senior Counsel J. Todd Ship of the Kentucky's Office of Legal Services stated in the letter that "the use of 'IM GOD' is not in good taste and would create the potential for distraction to other drivers and possibly confrontations." Hart's lawsuit argued that the rejection of his application is an infringement on his right to free speech. "The Defendant's acts, practices, and policies constitute an impermissible infringement of Plaintiff's right to free speech, as-applied to Plaintiff's intended future speech in the form of a personalized license plate stating 'IM GOD,'" the lawsuit stated. The ACLU argued that the Kentucky DMV officials do not have the authority to suppress the license plate message based on vague standards or viewpoints. "Under the First Amendment, government officials do not have the authority to censor messages simply because they dislike them," said ACLU Kentucky Legal Director William Sharp. "And in this instance, personalized license plates are a form of individual speech equally deserving of First Amendment protection," he added. Hart, who has been an atheist since he was 15 years old, has used a license plate with the same message for 12 years when he was still living in Ohio. "I simply want the same opportunity to select a personal message for my license plate just as any other driver. There is nothing 'obscene or vulgar' about my view that religious beliefs are subject to individual interpretation," he said. UNC excavation crew in Galilee region of Israel uncover first known depictions of biblical heroines An excavation team in Israel has discovered the first known depiction of two biblical heroines from the Old Testament. World to reach 8 billion people in November, India to unseat China as most populous in 2023: UN By Nov. 15, the worlds population is projected to reach 8 billion, and by 2023, India is projected to surpass China as the worlds most populous country, according to a new report from the United Nations. Single, non-religious young adults are most unhappy Americans post-COVID-19: report Young adults under 35 who are single and non-religious report the highest levels of unhappiness since the COVID-19 pandemic began and since 1972, when the General Social Survey began measuring levels of happiness among Americans, a new analysis from the Institute of Family Studies suggests. home US Families of Charleston church shooting victims choose to forgive suspect Dylann Roof The federal government is seeking the death penalty for Charleston church shooting suspect Dylann Roof but the victims' families have chosen to forgive him. Roof is facing 33 federal charges for killing nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015. He has offered to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence but the government refused the deal. Rev. Sharon Risher, who lost her mother in the tragic incident, believes that her Christian faith has called her to forgive Roof. "My humanness is being broken, my humanness of wanting this man to be broken beyond punishment," she told The New York Times. "You can't do that if you really say that you believe in the Bible and you believe in Jesus Christ. You can't just waver," she continued. Other families have made statements declaring their forgiveness for Roof at the bond hearing in June last year. "You took something very precious away from me. I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you. And have mercy on your soul," said Nadine Collier, daughter of a 70-year old victim named Ethel Lance. "Tywanza was my hero. But as we say in Bible study, we enjoyed you. But may God have mercy on you," said Felicia Sanders, mother of Tywanza Sanders, who was killed in the incident along with his aunt. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced her decision to seek the death penalty against Roof last May. She said that the nature of the crime and its resulting casualties were the main factors that influenced her decision. A federal judge ruled last week that Roof is mentally fit to stand trial after his lawyers questioned his mental capacity to participate in the court proceedings. Earlier this week, the Judge Richard Gergel granted Roof's request to represent himself in his hate crimes trial. The judge considered the move to be unwise but he said that Roof had the right to make the decision and he said that the defendant had the capacity to represent himself. home World ISIS says 'If You Love Jesus, You Will Die Like Jesus' as they force Christian family to watch crucifixion Many Iraqi Christians were able to escape to Erbil when ISIS took over Northern Iraq in 2014 but some who were not able to flee the city had to suffer brutal torture at the hands of the terror group. Esam, who hails from Qaraqosh, said that his relatives were among those who suffered persecution under ISIS. "My wife's brother was crucified by Daesh," Esam told World Watch Monitor, referring to the Arabic acronym for ISIS. "He was crucified and tortured in front of his wife and children, who were forced to watch. They told him that if he loved Jesus that much, he would die like Jesus," he added. He said that his brother-in-law was tortured for five hours until the terrorists cut his stomach open and shot him. Esam said that the surviving members of the family are now living in Sweden with the help of a Swedish aid organization. He revealed that one of his wife's relatives was also abducted by the terror group and is currently living with an ISIS amir or leader. There have been reports that ISIS is targeting Yazidi women as sex slaves but Christians may have been included as well. "We heard of 12 Christian girls who are with Daesh. They may be more. Our bishop told people not to tell if they lose their girls: it is a shame on the family," said Esam. Karlus, a 29-year-old cook, was looking after his disabled father in the village of Batnaya, just outside Mosul, when ISIS took over the region. The terror group raided his house and destroyed a cross and a picture of Jesus. "They even destroyed a piece from the Quran that was given to me by a friend," he said. When Karlus tried to fight back, one of the jihadists hit him in the face. He endured seven weeks of persecution at the hands of the terror group but he eventually escaped to Kurdistan. His father was able to go to Baghdad but he died there in August 2015. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International is documenting the testimonies of ISIS victims who are now in Jordan. Although Jordan allowed the Iraqi Christians into the country, they are treated as visitors, not refugees. Iraqis have to pay for their own food and shelter but they are not allowed to earn money. "We are all hoping to be granted refugee status soon to leave the Middle East and continue on to Canada or Australia," said Salam, a young Christian from Qaraqosh. The Iraqi Christians want to leave Jordan but they do not want to go back to Iraq because they no longer trust their neighbors. One Christian said that he witnessed some of his friends welcome ISIS into Mosul. home World ISIS turns historic church into military base Iraqi Christians who are now returning to the village of Karamles have found that their church has been turned into a military base by Islamic State militants. "They are the grandsons of Satan," said Basma al-Saoor after she saw the damage done to Santa Barbara church. The militants have piled up rubble and soil inside the chapel and dug a network of tunnels under the historic building, the BBC reported. A few people volunteered to clean up the mess under the supervision of Father Paul Thabet. Before the town was captured by ISIS, he used to hold regular services at Saint Addai church, which is the main church in the village. The Saint Addai church was also left in ruins by the militant group. The statues were decapitated, the priest's tomb was split open and the altar was riddled with bullets. Thabet told the BBC that true forgiveness can only come after the perpetrators are brought to justice. He has some suspicions that some Sunni Muslims supported or joined ISIS and he is concerned that there are still gunmen hiding among the residents of the village. The churches at Karamles were not the only ones destroyed by the terror group. The Christian militia known as the Babylon Brigades discovered that ISIS has burnt the sacred texts and destroyed the statues at the Mar Behnam monastery, a 14th-century monastery located near Mosul. The monastery had been converted into a headquarters for the Hisba, the morality police that enforces the strict Islamic rules as interpreted by ISIS, according to a report from Reuters. The jihadists also tried to remove any mention of Behnam, the son of the Assyrian king who built the monastery, according to popular legend. Some of the walls have been covered with ISIS graffiti. "Their fundamental goal was to destroy Christian history and civilization in the Nineveh plains," said Duraid Elias, the commander of the militia. In the ancient city of Nimrud, it was discovered that ISIS has destroyed a 2,900-year-old ziggurat pyramid. Afram Yakoub, a spokesperson for the Assyrian Confederation, decried the destruction of the site as "a failure for the world community which hasn't been able to protect world heritage sites in war zones." "The Assyrian nation has survived countless attacks, massacres and genocides throughout history, this recent destruction saddens us but it also makes us more determined to fight for our survival as a nation," he told Christian Today. home World South African churches denounce pastor who sprayed congregants with pesticide A faith-healing pastor was denounced by several South African churches after he allegedly sprayed pesticide to his followers in one of his healing services. Lethebo Rabalago, a pastor of Mount Zion General Assembly (MZGA) in the Limpopo province, sprayed a pesticide called "Doom" on his congregants claiming that it could heal people who are suffering from cancer, HIV and other illnesses, Newsweek reported. "God can do anything, God can use anything. If God can use oil, God can use water, God can use anything," the pastor exclaimed. The South African Council of Churches, which represents 36 churches and religious organizations released a statement on Thursday to condemn Rabalago's action. "There is rampant abuse of the religiosity of poor communities by unscrupulous Doomsday prophets that emerge either as poison practitioners or money-sucking extortionists, who prey on the faith of the desperate and the ignorant," the statement read. The group known as Freedom of Religion South Africa, which claims to represent 99 denominations and churches, also issued a statement denouncing Rabalago. "While we believe that the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ healed people of all manner of diseases and ailments...He always did so in a way that protected their dignity as human beings made in the image of God," the group stated. Tiger Brands, the manufacturer of Doom, has described Rabalago's actions as "alarming and extremely concerning." The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) urged the people who were sprayed by Rabalago to report their experiences. The CRL stated that there should be a complaint against the pastor before they could initiate an investigation about his unconventional religious practices. The commission said that they have spoken to some of Rabalago's followers but they refused to file a complaint. In response to the outrage, The MZGA posted photos of Rabalago spraying himself with the insecticide on Facebook. The incident involving Rabalago is just one of many reported cases of South African pastors using unconventional methods in their ministries. Lesego Daniel, the self-proclaimed prophet of Rabboni Ministries, he told his congregation to drink petrol. He also instructed his followers to eat grass and flowers, according to a report from the BBC. Penuel Mnguni, pastor of End Times Disciples Ministries, was dubbed as the "snake pastor" after he fed snakes to his followers while claiming that they have been turned to chocolate. 'By God, we will break your cross': ISIS' Harrowing Vow To Christians In Iraq As Christians begin to return home after liberation from ISIS in Northern Iraq, the harrowing reality of ISIS occupation is beginning to emerge. Scrawled in red on the walls of one shop in Qaraqosh a majority Christian town not far from Mosul are the words: "By God, we will break your cross", Reuters reports. In one church visited by the news agency, a statue of Jesus had been decapitated, while Bibles had been ripped apart and scattered across the floor. Though ISIS has now been pushed out of a number of towns in the Nineveh Plain as part of the offensive to take back Mosul, the militants' last stronghold in Iraq, the past two years have left Iraq's Christians uncertain about their future. "I am 64 years old," one Christian man said. "If I were young I could start again, but at this age what can I do? We [Christians] have no future in Iraq." Qaraqosh once had the largest Christian population in the country and was home to at least a quarter of Iraq's Christian community. However, Kurdish troops stationed to protect the town withdrew on August 6, 2014, leaving ISIS free to move in overnight and take it along with a number of other Christian-majority towns in the region. Tens of thousands of people were then forced to flee after ISIS issued an ultimatum to Christians: leave, convert to Islam, pay a heavy tax or be killed. Though in many of the liberated towns are not yet safe enough for civilians to return home, priests have begun visiting their churches in the wake of the devastation. On 30 October, dozens of Iraqi Christians celebrated mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh. "Today Qaraqosh is free of Daesh (Islamic State)," Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Butrus Moshe who was born in the town told worshippers. "Our role today is to remove all the remnants of Daesh," he added. "This includes erasing sedition, separation and conflicts, which victimised us. "Political and sectarian strife, separating between one man and another, between ruler and follower, these mentalities must be changed." Fear And Exhaustion In Aleppo As Brutal Siege Continues Christians in Aleppo are praying for peace as the brutal bombardment of the Syrian city continues. Father Ibrahim Alsabagh, priest of the Latin parish of Aleppo, told Asia News that "uncertainty and suffering prevail". "A secondary school has just been evacuated in the western sector," he said, "and last night a missile hit another school. Fortunately, the building was empty and there were no casualties." Civilians are "exhausted" by war, he added, and the city has become "powerless and fearful". "We are all waiting to see what will happen in the coming days. Families, west and east, are exhausted; they only want peace in the face of an increasingly difficult life. So we decided to intensify prayers for peace during Advent." The church is launching various "initiatives for peace" and is urging Christians around the world to pray for Aleppo and its people. "Every first Sunday of the month, starting on 4 December, we shall conduct a procession with songs and prayers for peace," Father Ibrahim said. "We hear the news about the governmental offensive but they are distant voices," he added. "What we experience every day are bombs, missiles, explosions in both sectors of the city." Many families are now concerned only with surviving, and are living on tiny food rations provided by the church. "We continue to pray for peace," said Father Ibrahim, "and also for those who drop bombs on our houses, and churches." The priest's words come as the UN humanitarian chief and relief coordinator Stephen O'Brien warned on Tuesday that up to 16,000 people have been displaced in Aleppo. The rebel-held eastern area of the city had no functioning hospitals left and food supplies were almost completely exhausted, he said. Thousands more people are expected to flee Aleppo in the coming days. Government Ministers See Religion As 'Essentially A Problem' - Labour Faith Envoy Government ministers see religion primarily as a problem, Labour's faith envoy Stephen Timms has told Christian Today. The former cabinet minister and MP for East Ham said he was concerned by the government's attitude towards faith. He called on officials to see religion as a solution to problems rather than a problem itself. "I am worried that sometimes listening to ministers you get the impression they see religious faith as essentially a problem," he said. "I think that is particularly well illustrated by the announcement a few months ago they want to send Ofsted inspectors into Sunday schoos to check up on what is going on presumably because they there might be some bad things going on and people might be incited to do things they ought not to. "This is absurd." He called on ministers to "acknowledge much more concretely that actually religious faith Christian faith but also Islamic, Hindu and Jewish faith are much more the source of solutions to our problems than they are problems themselves." Timms' comments come after the Archbishop of Canterbury said he would count as an "extremist" under the government's definition. He said officials have such a poor understanding of religion they assume everyone of faith is a bit "bonkers". Justin Welby condemned a lack of "religious literacy" in government ministers and civil servants. "The Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence, our Government generally, is desperately trying to catch up, to understand a world in which they have no grip on what it is to be religious at all; where religious illiteracy is prevalent and extremely destructive of understanding and where they can't see really the difference between an extremist Muslim group like the Muslim Brotherhood and a sort of conservative evangelical group in a Church of England church." Timms was speaking at the launch of a report into faith-based charities. Think tank NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) found although a quarter of charities in England and Wales have religious links, they are "viewed with suspicion" and "under-appreciated" due to fears they will use their work to proselytise. What a difference a faith makes said "low religious literacy" exacerbates the problems for faith-based charities and poor perceptions were "generally unfounded". It added: "Although some faith-based charities may want to share their faith, they do not see this as a means to convert," said the report. "However, proselytising is still a concern. Faith-based charities should be aware of this and, if necessary, should spend time considering and clarifying their position on this issue." Timms defended charities right and "perhaps even their duty" to preach their faith but said they must ensure government money given for public services are not used for proselytism. Life 'An Endless Nightmare' For 500,000 Syrian Children Living Under Siege Nearly 500,000 children live in besieged areas across Syria, the UN has warned, a figure that has doubled in less than a year. "For millions of human beings in Syria, life has become an endless nightmare in particular for the hundreds of thousands of children living under siege. Children are being killed and injured, too afraid to go to school or even play, surviving with little food and hardly any medicine," said Anthony Lake, UNICEF executive director. "This is no way to live and too many are dying." UNICEF warned that around 100,000 children are living under siege in Aleppo alone, where thousands are attempting to flee increased violence. Across 16 besieged areas in Syria, hundreds of thousands of children are almost completely cut off from sustained humanitarian aid and basic services. Volunteers have been forced to build basement playgrounds, schools and hospitals to try to cope with the crisis. UNICEF renewed its call to lift the sieges across Syria, and to facilitate immediate humanitarian access to all areas. The call comes as a priest in Aleppo urged Christians around the world to join Syrians in praying for peace. Father Ibrahim Alsabagh, priest of the Latin parish of Aleppo, told Asia News that civilians are "exhausted" by war and the city has become "powerless and fearful". "We are all waiting to see what will happen in the coming days. Families, west and east, are exhausted; they only want peace in the face of an increasingly difficult life," he said. Scotland Could Offer Free Abortions To Northern Irish Women Nicola Sturgeon will look at how to offer Northern Irish women free abortions on the Scottish NHS. The First Minister confirmed Edinburgh's devolved government would explore the offer in a visit to Dublin on Tuesday. Northern Ireland currently bans abortions unless there is a danger to the mother's life. The NHS across the UK has so far refused to pay for terminations for Northern Irish women which can cost between 400 and 2,000 in a private clinic. But Christian charity CARE said the proposals set a "very disturbing constitutional precedent". Chief executive Nola Leach said: "Offering free abortions for women from Northern Ireland completely undermines Northern Ireland's current laws on abortion. "If Nicola Sturgeon really does believe in devolution, she should respect the will of the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly rather than working to undermine it. "Women and girls in a crisis pregnancy need support. Sturgeon's offer of a free abortion in another country is short-sighted and neglects to mention any offer of counselling or support for the woman." Sturgeon said: "I was asked a question specifically in parliament about the scenario where a woman from Northern Ireland chooses to access an abortion in Scotland and whether they should be charged for that or not. "Now I said that we would explore that, so we are looking in terms of the process and will discuss with the NHS what would happen now routinely, and whether there are options to change that, to make the process safer for the women concerned. "My view is that if a woman is going to access an abortion then the important thing is that it is as safe as possible... I am not putting a timescale on it but I will report back to parliament in due course." Signs Of Hope: Ancient Relics Found In Monastery Destroyed By ISIS A Syrian priest who escaped after being held captive by Islamic State has spoken of his great relief that relics from his monastery survived the militants' insurgency. Father Jacques Mourad told Catholic News Agency (CNA) that although his Mar Elian monastery was desecrated by ISIS, the relics of its fourth-century namesake remain intact. "Mar Elian was a hermit who lived in the fourth century, and his relics were kept in the monastery dedicated to him," he said. "After the destruction of the monastery, we thought his relics were lost, but instead we were able to find them. This gave us great consolation." ISIS attacked the tomb of Mar Elian because "they cannot accept that the cities they seize have places where tombs or relics of saints are kept. They believe that there is no need for a tomb, as once a person passes away, his existence is over on earth," the priest added. Fr Mourad was abducted last year and held captive for almost three months in Raqqa, ISIS' capital in Syria. After his release, he told members of Rome's Foreign Press Association: "During these 84 days that I was a prisoner in this bathroom in Raqqa, it could be said that it was one of the most difficult experiences that a person can go through; that of losing one's liberty. For me it was also a very intense experience, from the spiritual point of view." He said that there were very dark moments when he was threatened with execution. "It was very difficult above all when they said, 'Become Muslim or we'll cut your head off,'" he said. "This is the miracle the Good Lord gave me while I was a prisoner I was waiting for the day I would die, but with a great inner peace," the priest told Italian TV 2000 in a separate interview. "I had no problem dying for the name of Our Lord; I wouldn't be the first or the last, just one of the thousands of the martyrs for Christ," he added. Fr Mourad said he was repeatedly asked to declare his faith and was threatened with death if he did not convert. "Almost every day there was someone who came to my prison and asked me 'what are you?' I would answer: 'I'm a Nazarene, in other words, a Christian.' 'So you're an infidel,' they shouted. 'Since you're a Christian, if you don't convert we'll slit your throat with a knife.'" Despite the threats, the priest said he refused to renounce Christ. He credits a Muslim friend and the Virgin Mary for his escape. "I want to thank all those who prayed for my liberation," he said. "It's truly a miracle that a priest has been freed from the hands of the Islamic State. A miracle that the Virgin Mary worked for me." Looking to the future, Fr Mourad told CNA that at his monastery, "we have always hoped to welcome everyone. Mar Elian was really a sign of hope for the Syrian people." "Everything changed when I was taken hostage. But we can still build something," he said. "We must, however, await the end of this war." 'Symbol Of Hope': Church Destroyed On 9/11 Raises Cross On New Building More than 15 years after the terror attacks of 9/11, a cross has been raised on the roof of the only church destroyed when the two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in 2001. The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine held a "topping out" ceremony on Monday, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America reports. The traditional ceremony marks the raising of the highest structural element during a project in this case, a temporary cross that will be replaced with a permanent one when the building work to replace the church is complete. Archbishop Demetrios of America blessed the cross using holy water in addition to water taken from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum pools. He said: "We look around today we see the triumph of human spirit and human mind that can overcome any tragedy. Saint Nicholas will offer us the presence of God in our lives and in our city. Here, at this spot, we raise the Cross, which is a symbol of sacrifice and victory, and we offer prayers for the continued construction process." "Many people walk around the World Trade Centre and wonder about the structure being built and many don't know how it was the only religious site destroyed on 9/11," Jerry Dimitriou, executive director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, told the New York Post. The cross is a "symbol of hope", he added, "it's a symbol of resurrection that we are rebuilding. And we hope that the when the church opens, it will be that same symbol of hope and reconciliation and understanding." President Obama gave a major address in Athens earlier this month where he echoed the sentiment that the church was a symbol of hope for America. "And if anyone seeks an example of our shared spirit, our resilience, they need look no further than New York City, near Ground Zero, where the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas, once in ruins, is now rising again," he said. Work began to rebuild the church in 2014, when Archbishop Demetrios recalled walking through the church after it was destroyed by rubble from the fallen towers. "We remember this very place filled with ruins, hiding under piles of debris, the pulverised remains of 3,000 innocent victims," he said during the ground-breaking ceremony, according to the Huffington Post. "Breathing a very heavy air, saturated with the dust of storm, wood, iron and with tiny particles of human bodies, we remember walking with heavy hearts to the specific place where our St. Nicholas stood as a building... The church was not there. We stood there frozen, paralysed, and cried." Going to see holiday lights is a fond tradition for families gathering together over the month of December. Though, knowing where to go without sacrificing an entire tank of gas is key. There isn't a need to drive around aimlessly trying to find the neighborhood with the most lights because we've done that for you. Houston is such a big city and with its grandness, there are a lot of options for Houstonians and visitors to venture out to see. Submitted Representative Dan Huberty filed House Bill (HB) 424 relating to municipal annexation. Huberty filed similar legislation during the 84th Legislative Session, requiring municipalities to receive voter approval before annexation. That bill failed to pass. In 1996, the residents of House District 127 in Kingwood, Texas were forcibly annexed by the city of Houston. Just over 20 years later, Texans continue to see municipalities expand their boundaries by annexing smaller communities that are then required to pay city taxes, but rarely see the services promised by these tax hikes. Huberty understands the importance of this bill. "Subjecting Texans to increased taxation without representation is against everything we stand for as a legislative body. Under the current system, communities can be annexed without having a vote in any election prior, including mayor, comptroller, and other important offices. This is absolutely unacceptable." HB 424 ensures that property rights are protected by allowing areas under the threat of municipal annexation to either approve or deny said annexation. This allows property owners to have more control over their tax rates and community services. Last session, municipalities fought tooth-and-nail against the legislation, crying that their need to annex was essential to the successes of their cities. However, if approved, HB 424 would in fact expedite the process of annexation if approved by voters. Under the system municipal annexations can take up to two years, but this legislation would allow annexations to be completed within months after voter approval. This legislation as written will benefit both growing municipalities and communities under the threat of annexation. The West Houston Church of Christ is presenting its 11th annual Celebrate Jesus, a Christmas season drive-through drama performance on Dec. 9-10 on the West Houston parking lot. Families will have the opportunity to watch live scenes from their vehicle or on a hayride. "Christmas is a special time of the year, and it gives us the opportunity to share the story of Jesus with our community. We do this by creating live scenes with actors to give people a glimpse of the life that Jesus lived while he was here on earth," said Brian Offutt, preaching minister. "We believe that it is important for our community to experience Celebrate Jesus because it reminds us what Christmas is really all about - that God gave us the greatest gift of all time in the form of his Son, Jesus Christ." According to the church, those who serve and worship at West Houston Church of Christ believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death on the cross, bodily resurrection, bodily ascension into heaven, and Jesus's personal return once again in power and glory. The church believes that Jesus died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice, paying the penalty for sins of others on earth, and that three days later he was raised from the dead demonstrating victory over sin and death. West Houston Church of Christ encourages those who attend the free event to bring a canned good/non-perishable item food item to donate to Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM). The church is a member of CAM's "Council of Congregations," which is a group that meets every other month to discuss the needs of the community. "CAM relies on support from the community to carry out our mission of helping people who are struggling get back on their feet. Churches are a great source of support for us and without them, we would not be capable of providing the amount of assistance that we currently offer," said Janet Knott, CAM director of development. "Over half of our financial support comes from churches, allowing all of us - the churches and CAM - to meet the needs of individuals and families in crisis." CAM is a faith-based organization that serves individuals and families dealing with financial crisis, homelessness, unemployment, and elderly in need. CAM also offers assistance through their client services such as rent or mortgage, utilities, food, clothing, household goods/furniture, special delivery, Operation Jobs, and GED/ESL Classes. "We love partnering together with CAM in this unique way as they are an organization that does so much for our community by providing assistance to those in need," Offutt said. Those who attend the event will find themselves being taken through a journey of the life of Jesus Christ, which includes Christ's birth, miracles, death, and resurrection. The church will offer food, hot cocoa, pony rides, prizes, and fellowship to everyone who joins together for the Christmas event. "The most unique aspect of our event is that it's a drive-through experience. It allows the community to come when it's convenient and experience about 12 scenes from the life of Jesus," said Kyle Turney, Celebrate Jesus event organizer. "It takes about 30 minutes to drive through the whole thing. We invite our guests to stay around, enjoy some hot chocolate, take a pony ride, and get to know us. We also have hayrides that go through the scenes which makes for a fun family memory." The conception of the West Houston Church of Christ began in the fall of 1981 when a group of Christians in the area felt there was a need for a church in Harris County. By January of 1982, the church met for the first time as a body on at Bear Creek Elementary School. Now, the church's home is located on West Road. The main goal of the West Houston Church of Christ is to please, encounter and be changed by God in every service. The ultimate desire of the church is that God is worshipped, and that he gets most of the attention. Those who represent the West Houston Church of Christ hope that the church can be a catalyst to guide everyone to experience the joy of meeting and getting to know the Lord more intimately. "Celebrate Jesus has become a part of the Christmas tradition for many in our community," Turney said. "For us it represents a great opportunity to tell the story of Jesus in a unique and fun way." Celebrate Jesus: http://www.westhoustonchurch.org/celebrate-jesus-2016 Dec. 9 -10 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. West Houston Church of Christ (281) 856-0001 17100 West Road Houston, TX 77095 Cypress Assistance Ministries www.cypressassistance.org/ 281-955-7684 It is the time of year where joy is spread throughout many communities all in the spirit for the holiday season. One particular organization, Faithful Paws, a pet therapy program, is offering joy and comfort to many people in Houston communities year-round. "So many people face stress or sadness in their lives and feel isolated and alone and could benefit greatly from a little contact from another person once in a while. Family is often far away and visitors are few and far between, so many, especially elderly, feel abandoned and forgotten," said Kathy Bilnoski, manager of Faithful Paws. "Many people are generally kind, but just going out to visit strangers is not a normal activity. People with friendly pets love to share them, so putting these groups together works wonders for both sides." Faithful Paws was founded in 1997 and is sponsored by Bellaire United Methodist Church. The pet therapy group that makes scheduled monthly visits to various facilities in Houston and surrounding areas. The group also offers one-time visits to schools and community groups every year. "Faithful Paws crosses all religious boundaries, and we accept all religious denominations. We all love our animals and want to share their unconditional love," Connie Richards said, founder of Faithful Paws. "We have millions of stories of our animals making a connection with hospital patients or nursing home residents. I love to have our members share the meaningful stories of our animals. We do make a difference in many people every day." More Information More information Visit: www.faithfulpawshouston.com See More Collapse The pet therapy organization currently has 440 active human members and 433 active pets, which includes mostly dogs and about a half dozen cats. Faithful Paws visits approximately 150 facilities each month. Facilities that Faithful Paws visits includes nursing homes, rehabs, assisted living facilities, hospitals, hospices, schools, and libraries. "I decided to join Faithful Paws because as someone who was new to pet therapy, I wanted to have mentors to visit with me. Faithful Paws has organized visits with pre-approved facilities. We have team leads that keep the group on track during visits," said Brenda Chan, a Faithful Paws volunteer. "Some of the other therapy groups in the area will train you and your dog, then you are pretty much on your own to find places to visit. I joined April 2012, and in the first week of December 2016, Andie will have made 1,000 visits. A milestone I never considered when I started." The group serves 34 Houston ZIP Codes and 29 non-Houston ZIP codes which includes Bellaire, Katy, Kingwood, Clear Lake, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugarland, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg, Friendswood, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Brenham, Spring, Cypress, Humble, Klein, Baytown, Tomball, Wimberly, and Greenville. Faithful Paws requires that dogs must pass the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test and/or a temperament test to be certified. Also, cats, rabbits, and birds must pass a temperament test to be certified. Faithful Paws also believes in educating the community about the difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs. According to the Therapy Dog Information website, service dogs perform tasks to assist a person with a disability, and in most cases the person has the right to be accompanied by their service dog anywhere in the general public. Types of service dogs include guide, hearing, mobility, medical alert, and psychiatric service. Emotional Support Dogs (ESD) provide therapeutic support to a person with a mental health disability, and may be kept in housing with pet restrictions and travel with their owner on airplanes. Therapy Dogs provide therapeutic support to people other than its handler. "Unfortunately, it has become popular recently to illegally present a pet as a service animal. Our therapy pets are not service animals and get no special considerations," Bilnoski said. "Service animals and emotional support animals are two other categories of certified pets, each with very different training and very different purposes." According to the American Humane Association, animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is incorporated as an integral part of the clinical health-care treatment process. Animal Assisted Therapy is delivered or directed by a professional health or human service provider who demonstrates skill and expertise regarding the clinical applications of human-animal interactions. Various scientific reports show that pet therapy can be recognized as therapeutic and recreational. Some benefits of pet therapy include lessening depression, developing social skills, increasing verbal communication, and reducing anxiety because of its calming effects. "Our pets and our people love what we do. We are all 100 percent volunteers," Bilnoski said. "We do have a long "hopeful" list of places requesting our visits, so we never recruit facilities, but fill requests as there are leaders and members available to take on new visits." The purpose of Faithful Paws team is to be an organized volunteer group that involves the incorporation of trained animals specifically designed to administer therapy to adults and children in senior living homes or hospitals. The organization also strives to share the joy and furry love of their pets with the people they visit. "I enjoy sharing my dog with people. She came from rescue, and she has the perfect temperament for therapy. I like being able to take people's mind from whatever might be going on and give them time to think about something else," Chan said. "Petting an animal can be very comforting. Anytime you can be of service to another person you are fulfilling Gods calling to take care of one another." Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL December is still a day and some hours away, which means year-end lists are on the way. Houston native Beyonce will likely be on many thanks to her "Lemonade," a brilliant visual album released back in April. And the first out of the gate is the warhorse Rolling Stone, which put "Lemonade" at No. 1 on its best albums of 2016. She also topped the list at Consequence of Sound, whose tastes run far more eclectic. In other Beyonce news, when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. When life gives you "Lemonade" you squeeze it for everything it's worth. Which might explain her new line of holiday-themed merch including underwear, sweatshirts, sweat pants and wrapping paper. Because nothing says happy holidays like a concept album about the cycle of disbelief, anger, sadness and forgiveness that follows adultery. Chris McKay/Contributor Dave Matthews and longtime collaborator Tim Reynolds will play just two shows together in the U.S. on their early 2017 tour, both in Texas. The run of dates begins Jan. 25 at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. Matthews and guitarist Reynolds will then play in Grand Prairie before heading to Mexico and then Europe. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Rental rates among Class A apartments have slipped in some Houston areas. That's according to Transwestern's 2016 TrendLines publication, which was sourced from Apartment Data Services. As of the third quarter of this year, Houston's average apartment rent is $981 per month. That's up by just slightly more than 1 percent year-over-year. WHERE HOMES ARE SELLING THE MOST: HAR's Hotness Index shows where Houston-area homes are selling the most, and for how much The reason for the slow growth might be tied to the oil industry's downturn, as well as to the oversupply of luxury complexes. High-end housing developers have offered renters discounts and incentives as a way of luring in more residents in a highly competitive market. (Story continues below.) The majority of Houston-area markets saw some increases, albeit modest gains. Greenspoint/Northborough/Aldine showed considerable growth, by 4.9 percent, to $0.86 per square foot. Dickinson/Galveston also saw a slight increase to $1 per square foot in 2016, up from $0.96 per square foot. Clear Lake/Webster/League City saw another small increase, from $1.14 to $1.16 per square foot. BUDGET: What $300,000 buys in the Houston area Katy/Cinco Ranch/Waterside remained the same year-over-year at $1.18 per square foot. Med Center/Braes Bayou showed a decline to $1.43 per square foot, down from 2015's $1.47 per square foot. Highland Village/Upper Kirby/West U also saw declines, from $1.77 to $1.73. The Woodlands/South Conroe saw another slight decline, from $1.22 to $1.18 from 2015 to 2016. The same can be said for the Galleria/Uptown, which went from $1.43 to $1.39 per square foot. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On Monday the organizers behind the Texas Renaissance Festival released their final statistics for the 42nd season that wrapped up on Sunday night, and it was a record breaking year. According to festival organizers, this seasons attendance was 678,550, which the festival says is a new record for the annual event in Todd Mission, Texas an hour north of Houston. The festival reported a total attendance of 474,623 for 2015. THROWBACK: A brief early history of the Texas Renaissance Festival Mother Nature played ball this year, offering up mostly clear weather and above-average temperatures, which was good for attendance numbers, but probably made some attendees rethink their costume choices. Many people were still complaining about unusually slow traffic in and out of the festival area, an annual gripe. With increased attendance, that seems to be the trade-off. Many of those nifty Google Maps and Waze shortcuts were all for naught (a personal experience), as local law enforcement officials did a good job of keeping festival traffic on the main, major thoroughfares with traffic control measures. "We realize traffic was a challenge and appreciate people's patience in all of it," said Travis Bryant, director of marketing and public relations on Monday. "We are limited by road design and infrastructure constraints, specifically we currently have one, 2-lane road leading into the festival." HACK-A-THON: Life hacks every Texan (native or not) needs to know Population growth in the area has also complicated matters for attendees who all seem to remember breezing in and out of the festival grounds in previous years. Some folks say they spent an hour just trying to get off the property this year, which is probably no fun with a fussy family in tow. We do everything we can to try to keep traffic moving and minimize wait times. We coordinate with law enforcement and municipal and county coordinators across three different counties, Bryant says. LEAVE THE HOUSE: Houstonians have an epic lineup of 2016 fall festivals to choose from The festival has installed traffic cameras along the routes in and out of the area so that they can see the volume of traffic coming and going. The festival tries to keep attendees up to date on social media when it comes to any construction and road work in the area. Even one patch of road work can cause significant delays. According to Bryant, a meeting was held between festival management and representatives of the Montgomery, Waller, and Grimes County Sheriffs Departments early last week to look into future traffic plans, so there is some hope. A tip from a fellow festival fan: Show up early and leave before the sundown rush. You will save yourself some time in the car. 2015 STATS: RenFest releases a breakdown of its 2015 season Next years RenFest kicks off a weekend earlier on Sept. 30 to accommodate new, ninth themed weekend, the cosplay-celebrating Heroes and Villains, which will debut Nov. 18 and Nov. 19. According to organizers, it will be a celebration of classic heroes and villains in history and literature, as well as re-inventions of modern pop culture icons. Fans can also expect an expansion of the festivals 55-acre village, with details on construction coming within a few weeks, organizers say. EDM PARTY: Organizers behind Middlelands EDM festival release new promo video While we are extremely pleased to break an all-time attendance record this year, we are in no way taking this as a signal to kick back and relax, General Manager Terre Albert said Monday. This coming May the area will host the first-ever Middlelands music festival, which will be RenFest-themed and cater to the electronic dance music crowd. This will be the sites first foray into the music festival realm. With extensive camping areas and the Renaissance backdrop were surprised it took so long for a festival promoters to come calling. There's no doubt some Houston schools are among the best in Texas and it's understandable the leadership of those top high schools is awarded. Both Memorial High School and Cinco Ranch High School are ranked 23 and 15, respectively, in the top Texas high schools for 2016. The principals of these two schools are among the highest-paid in the Houston area, as well. Houston Independent School District is the largest district in Texas with over 211,500 students enrolled for the 2016-2017 school year, according to Niche. Educating so many children is a tough task, but the district manages the task partially because of the individual leadership found at each school campus. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Seven Houston protesters were arrested early Tuesday morning when they tried to block a Loop 610 access road during a rally in support of a $15 minimum wage. The Texas branch of Service Employees International Union backed the Houston event, which was part of a nationwide day of action. The Fight for $15 supporters gathered at Meyerland Plaza before 6 a.m. and marched over to the fast food chain on the other side of the freeway, according to an SEIU spokesperson.. "It's dark outside, but we are bringing light to the world," one fiery speaker shouted into a megaphone during the pre-dawn protest. When some demonstrators expressed their exuberance by trying to block the freeway entrance, police intervened and charged them with blocking a roadway, a Class B misdemeanor, according to Houston Police Department spokeswoman Jodi Silva. "We're willing to risk arrest for our families and a better life!" SEIU Texas wrote on the group's Facebook page. Fast food workers across the country took to the streets Tuesday morning as part of a nationwide rally for higher wages. Dozens of protesters were arrested in Detroit and Massachusetts, while San Francisco workers shut down an Oakland intersection. Outside Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, hundreds of protesters chanted and planned a strike, according to The Associated Press. "What do we want? $15! When do we want it? Now," workers shouted outside the airport terminals. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, although some states - but not Texas - have higher minimum wages statewide. It's unclear what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for minimum wage policies nationwide. He has both opposed raising the minimum wage and been open to considering it. In May, he told Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press" that he'd rather leave that decision to the states instead of the federal government. Two months later, he said he'd support raising it to at least $10. To help area families in need this holiday season, local nonprofits have begun collecting food and toys. Northwest Assistance Ministries is holding its annual toy drive, with a goal of collecting 2,000 toys. In addition, the nonprofit will deliver at least 800 holiday meals in December. "This drive fulfills part of the need that we have in our community," said Tatiana Shams, Media Specialist at NAM. "These are difficult times for families in the (Northwest) Houston area and this is part of our mission of neighbors helping neighbors. Corporations, congregations, individual donors, schools, and even NAM staff have all helped in making this annual giveaway happen." NAM asks that the toys be unwrapped and donated by Dec. 11. The biggest needs are toys for boys and girls ages 8 to 12. Toys suggestions from NAM for that age group includes art and jewelry sets, games such as Uno and Life, Legos, science sets, anything Minecraft related and books including "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Dork Diaries." Many of the families helped during the drive are on the poverty level, said Debbie Peterson, director of NAM's assistance program. This drive provides them with a nice meal and toys to celebrate the holidays. The number of financially unstable households in northwest Harris County continues to grow along with the population. At NAM, the biggest demand is for food. Last year, the number of families seeking holiday assistance increased, Peterson said. NAM provided 1,175 meals to families last December and 2,005 toys. NAM receives much of its donations from its member churches and area businesses. In addition, the nonprofit receives donations from area school drives, including schools in Spring, Klein and Tomball, along with area organizations such as the Boy Scouts. NAM will distribute the December toys and meals on Dec. 17, Dec. 19-20. NAM seeks volunteers to help distribute the toys and meals. In addition, the Houston Food Bank is gearing up for its 36th annual Share Your Holidays food drive, which continues through Dec. 12. The nonprofit, in partnership with KTRK (Channel 13) is seeking non-perishable food donations. The agency will place donation containers at grocery stores and all fire stations throughout the region. The food need is increasing in Northwest Houston due in part to job layoffs, said Amy Ragan, chief development officer with the Houston Food Bank. The food collected through the Houston Food Bank's drive is sorted into boxes and distributed to nonprofit agencies throughout the region, including NAM, Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministry and Cypress Assistance Ministry. The nonprofits then donate the food to families. The Houston Food Bank's goal is to distribute 24,000 boxes of food to area families this holiday season, Ragan said. The food box includes canned soups, pastas, cereals, protein and some perishable items including produce. It will help feed a family of four for a two to three days. The Houston Food Bank is also seeking to raise money during the holidays, through donations sent in by mail or donated through the nonprofit's website. The nonprofit's hopes to increase donations by $100,000 this year. The goal for this year is $339,000, an increase from $240,000 raised during the holiday drive last year. Each dollar provides three meals for a child, adult and senior, Ragan said. December drive: At least 800 families will receive meals At least 2,000 toys will be given to area children Biggest need: toys for boys and girls ages 8 to 12 Dates to be distributed: Dec. 17, 19 and 20 For more information or to donate or volunteer for the holiday drives, call 281-885-3914 or visit holiday@namonline.org or http://namonline.org. Food or toys can be dropped off at NAM at 15555 Kuykendahl Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Conroe ISD Board of Directors is encouraging public input regarding three calendar options for the 2017-18 school year. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Chris Null said the proposals, discussed and narrowed down by the District-Level Planning and Decision-Making Committee, maintain some of the traditional features of the district's prior calendar. Calendar Similarities 178 days for students 187 days for teachers Days Off: Labor Day (Sept. 4) Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 20-24) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 15) Presidents Day (Feb. 19) Spring Break (March 12-16) Holiday: March 30 However, the options do have their differences: Draft A Highlights First day of school: Aug. 28 Winter Break: Dec. 22 to Jan. 8 Last day of school: June 8 Draft B Highlights First day of school: Aug. 16 Holiday: Oct. 9 Winter Break: Dec. 21 to Jan. 3 Last day of school: May 25 Draft C Highlights First day of school: Aug. 16 Holiday: Oct. 9 Winter Break: Dec. 21 to Jan. 8 Last day of school: May 31 Community members can view the options and give input through Jan. 9 on the district's website at www.conroeisd.net. Scroll down once on the home page. "We also considered feedback that we've received in previous years while keeping the instructional impact of the calendar a priority," Null said. Board member Melanie Bush said the district previously has received feedback on calendars specifically to start and end the school year earlier. However, there were limitations because of having only four Mondays to start school on the August 2017 calendar. "Right now we are in the feedback stage," Bush said. "We welcome everyone to view Drafts A, B and C. I appreciate the work the (committee) put in on the draft calendars and all the feedback we have gotten from the community." Null said the committee will review the feedback and recommend one of the options to the board for consideration for approval after Winter Break. The move is part of the district's plan to become a District of Innovation set forth through House Bill 1842 during the 84th Texas Legislature. Currently, there are 44 Districts of Innovation in Texas, including Humble ISD. The board decided to include only the flexibility of adjusting the calendar instead of several other local control actions, such as hiring instructors who are not certified teachers, by being a District of Innovation. "There are benefits to each of the calendars and we look forward to receiving feedback online through our website," Null said. "We are confident that with each of the three calendars the 17-18 school year will be successful." Big Pharma takes over medicineTo the editor: Years ago, the big pharma companies decided that they would hire sales reps to go to doctor offices to peddle their product. Doctors at that time had time to read their medical journals and educate themselves on new techniques and effective drugs. So what happened? As the years passed, particularly in the past 20 years, doctors became insanely busy and their time to study became limited to practically nonexistent. Meanwhile the drug companies became more focused on their marketing. Drug reps began to give more and more free product, began to take the doctor and then the doctor's staff to lunch and dinner. Many doctors were offered and accepted kickbacks for prescribing the drug company's drugs. Free stuff became the main ingredient for prescriptions, not necessarily the effectiveness of the meds. And now, big pharma markets directly to the consumer (you and me) via written publications, online and on television. Now we, the consumer, are supposed to go to our physician and demand that he or she give us the goodies that we want, not necessarily what we need. We as viewers have become so used to seeing these ads that we don't even register them anymore. In one week during my TV-watching time, the following drugs have been advertised: Victoza - diabetes Cosentex - Psoriasis Pristiq - depression Entyvio - Crohns disease Rexulti - ? Xeljanz - ? OpDivo - cancer Humira - arthritis Invokana - Diabetes Lyrica - diabetes nerve pain Trintellix - depression Embril - Psoriatic arthritis Trulicity - Diabetes Xiidra - opthalmic solution Dulcolax - Constipation Advil - muscle strain Viagra - Erectile Dysfunction Cialis - Erectile Dysfunction Sinex - Sinus Prevenar - pneumonia Zostavax - Shingles Tresiba - diabetes Entresto - heart Senekot - laxative Prolia - osteoporiasis Lenova - ? Otezla - Psoriasis Breo - asthma Eliquis - A Fib And these are just the ones that I saw. I'm sure I missed a lot more. Meanwhile, the cost of drugs creeps higher and higher. I mean it costs big bucks to run these advertisements all day, every day. So why do we even need doctors anymore? Why don't we just diagnose our disease ourselves and buy directly from big pharma? Is this the direction we are heading? Is this how we want our medical system to treat us? Sharon Howerton Prosecution of RUD 7 unconstitutional To the editor: The citizens of this county should be outraged at the prosecution of the RUD 7 defendants (including Adrian Heath and Jim Jenkins) for Voter Fraud -- see Courier article "High Court refuses to hear latest Woodlands RUD case." All of these defendents, including Heath and Jenkins, by virtue of law (Mills v. Bartlett, Tex. 1964), are innocent. And further, in an opinion rendered last week (Nov. 23rd), on another case, by Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) Judge Elsa Alcala, an opinion which affects both men having their 14th ammendment violated (both "Due Proess" and "Equal Protection" clauses), she indicates that even the CCA is not following the Texas Constitution legally regarding fair "appeals hearings." Which may explain why the CCA refused to hear Heath's case. In follow-up commentary by Bill O'Sullivan a few days later, it was pointed out that this was a waste of taxpayer time and money, and he also agreed that this prosecution was for political revenge by "powerful people in this county". But it's much more than just about the waste of time and money. It's about at least one innocent man that may go to prison because of this vengeance and this misapplication of "justice" that's unevenly applied. As alluded to in Mills v. Bartlett, residence is not necessarily where you live for any extended period of time where voting in concerned. That's never been more evident than the Rent-A-Voters (RAV), whom developers "compensate"(which actually is breaking Federal law 18 U.S.C. 597 ) to live in cheap temporary housing (called MUD Housing/trailers) while the RAV's vote for developers' multi-million bonds (i.e. "public loans"). That way, the developers can build infrastructure for their new developments, which they don't have to pay for up-front but that we in the county could be on the hook for if the development defaults! Except in this RAV situation, while it appears that developers are blatantly breaking federal law by providing that "compensation" (cheaper rent than normal) to the few voters they move into the cheap rental MUD trainlers, Heath and Jenkins have not broken any law - state or federal! It clearly appears to be some sort of double-standard at the Attorney Generals' office. That's really the issue with this whole circus. Developers compensating RAV's, while their political friends who receive their political contributions, vengefully pursuing those (Heath and Jenkins) who're trying to expose their ruse/gravy train. Heath and Jenkins even consulted with the Texas Secretary of State in the months prior to the 2010 RUD election and were directed to Election law Opinion GSC-1. That, along with decades of case law that upholds "the right of the voter to decide where their residence is for voting purposes", is why they selected the Residence Inn for voting purposes. They were determined to vote from there, ONLY if the law allowed them to do so. This was their way to not only shine a light on this unethical practice of RAVs, but to also dissolve the WRUD and make the developers pay for their own pet projects and put the risk back on them, where it should be, if their project/s go south! This RUD/MUD current day scheme is "taxation without representation"(taxing of businesses and residents, respectively, without their approval via votes). As has been well documented, Attorney James Stillwell and former Senator Tommy Williams, representing the developers, took exception to what the RUD 7 did when all of this came to light. First they went to Brett Ligon who rightfully would NOT touch the case with a 10 foot pole. Why not? Because Ligon knew the RUD7 was innocent. Then Williams hand-carried it to (at the time) Attorney General Greg Abbott to pursue. Except that Abbott missed the boat on this. Or maybe he didn't. Seems as if an incestuous relationship exists between the developers, their attorney's and politicians, whereby all seem to make a living off of these Special Purpose District RUDS/MUDs. The Montgomery County Tea Party Board of Directors wrote a 3-1/2-page well-researched and referenced letter earlier this year to Abbotts' replacement, AG Ken Paxton, asking him to intervene in and to drop this case, since it was the AG (Abbott's) office that initiated this. We have yet to hear back from General Paxton. In conclusion, when the powers-that-be in this county (and even at the state level) don't like "We-The-People" meddling in "their" business(using our money to their benefit), it appears they'll have us thrown in jail - constitution/s be damned. And we should all be outraged because of this. John Wertz Vetting Committee Chair Montgomery County Tea Party This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Woodlands doctor arrested in connection with a crash that killed a family of four in Conroe is facing additional felony charges. Montgomery County prosecutors claim Dr. Rezik Saqer, 62, committed fraud and theft by submitting false claims to insurance companies for almost five years. Saqer also unlawfully distributed and delivered drugs "in a manner inconsistent with public health," according to an indictment. Montgomery County grand jurors indicted Saqer on the first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity charge Nov. 22, more than a year after a fatal car crash took the lives of the Sedlmeier family on Texas 105. Investigators believe Saqer supplied a controlled substance to then-68-year-old Ronald Cooper, who allegedly crashed into and killed Roland Sedlmeier, 49, wife Melinda, 42, and their children, Harley, 6, and Sofie Sedlmeier, 4, while high on the drugs. Two other teenagers in another car were injured in the Sept. 20, 2015, crash. Saqer faces up to life in prison for the first-degree felony charge. And although the allegation Saqer engaged in organized criminal activity is moving forward, he still has to answer for a slew of other felony charges already filed against him. Those include three second-degree felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, three state-jail felony counts of diversion of controlled substances and four state-jail felony counts of fraudulent possession of a controlled substance or prescription form. "Nothing's been dropped at this point," said Assistant District Attorney Joel Daniels, adding that the most recent engaging charges will be the "operative indictment." Saqer's other felony charges stem from a search of Integra Medical Clinic and Integra Pharmacy in The Woodlands. According to documents obtained by The Courier in September 2015, investigators found 211 hydromorphone pills, 61 oxycodone pills and 46 morphine pills in Saqer's personal desk drawer at the clinic. "A doctor cannot possess a controlled substance without a prescription just like anyone else," Montgomery County District Attorney's Office Chief Prosecutor Tyler Dunman said during a press conference in 2015. "Because of his employment as a doctor, he's committing what we call fraud, basically diverting the prescription medication for either his own personal use or for some other use without a prescription." Diversion of a controlled substance is a state jail felony if it is for personal use and a third-degree felony if the drugs are distributed to another person. Saqer was charged with the lesser felony. During the execution of a search warrant, investigators said they found blank prescription pads with Saqer's signature on them. The Texas Medical Board has since suspended Saqer's practitioner license. He will be in Judge Kathleen Hamilton's 359th state District Court in the next few days to be arraigned on the new charge, Daniels said. Daniels declined to comment on whether anyone else will be charged in the case. Saqer's attorney George Secrest was unable to be reached Monday. Cooper is facing four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault, all second-degree felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison each. He will be in Hamilton's court Dec. 6 for a status conference before his Jan. 23, 2017, trial date. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A body was found Tuesday after flames swept through a condominium complex in south Houston. Family later identified the victim as Shirley Cherian, according to local reports. Cherian's friends and family started gathering at the complex after the 31-year-old didn't show up for work on Tuesday, according to KTRK. Her cause of death has not been officially determined, according to KHOU. The 2-alarm fire broke out about 3:20 a.m. on Holly Hall near El Mundo, according to the Houston Fire Department. About seven hours after the flames were doused, investigators discovered a body in the burned rubble, police said. When firefighters arrived at the complex they saw flames shooting through the roof of the building. One man reportedly jumped from the roof of the condominiums to escape the flames while firefighters rescued a woman from the roof. Firefighters eventually extinguished the flames. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On Saturday, a white-bearded man in a cowboy hat held a sign outside of a Texas mosque. His sign read "You belong. Stay strong. Be blessed. We are one America" and he - as well as his message - quickly went viral. While the man in the photo remained unnamed for the days following, he has finally stepped forward on social media. ORIGINAL STORY: Texan stands up against Islamophobia outside Irving mosque America, meet Justin Normand. "I'M THE TEXAN WHO HELDTHE 'YOU BELONG' SIGN IN FRONT OF THE MOSQUE IN IRVING [sic]," his Facebook post reads. He explains why he did what he did and the response he received in the days following. He reveals that he had the sign made in the sign shop he manages and stood outside of the mosque as a practice of his own Presbyterian religion. "This was about binding up the wounded. About showing compassion and empathy for the hurting and fearful among us," Normand writes. "Or, in some Christian traditions, this was about washing my brother's feet." AMERICAN TENSIONS: Man charged with using Muslim slurs in restaurant attack He continues to write, while citing scriptures from the Bible, about the human call to be generous and kind to our neighbors - no matter their background. "Lastly, it worked. I felt better for the impact it had on my neighbors. They genuinely needed this encouragement," Normand concludes his Facebook post. "They need us. They need all of us. They need you. We ARE one America." Normand's actions come at a crucial time as hate crimes against Muslims have spiked in America by 67 percent from 2014 to 2015 and 6 percent from 2015 to 2016, according to the New York Times. The Islamic Center of Irving is where a group of armed protesters gathered outside last year in order to "Stop the Islamization of America," according to the Dallas Morning News. Their protest came after the November 2015 ISIS attacks in Paris. The coordinator of the protest, David Wright, said, "It would be ridiculous to protest Islam without defending ourselves." This event is among the many racially and religiously charged attacks in response to America's current political climate. To learn of other examples of hate crimes in America, click through the gallery above. AROUND THE NATION: Student tries to rip hijab from Muslim woman's head, implies she's a terrorist The push for more security at the border has led to at least one definitive result: more traffic tickets for drivers in two Texas counties that border Mexico. Traffic stops in Starr and Hidalgo counties make up 8 percent of all traffic tickets issued in Texas for the month of September, according to the Dallas Morning News. The finding comes as the Texas Department of Public Safety reportedly asks for $1.1 billion in border security funding. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that burning the American flag is protected speech under the First Amendment. The 5-4 decision, which has since been re-affirmed in other cases though it remains unpopular with many, came after Texas prosecutors appealed a ruling by the state's Court of Criminal Appeals. David Cole, now a Georgetown Law professor, wrote the U.S. Supreme Court legal briefs for Gregory "Joey" Johnson, who was arrested for burning an American flag outside the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas. This is a condensed transcript of Cole's comments during a phone interview: Was the court's decision a major shift from previous rulings? "The court had previously invalidated, I think, three flag-burning convictions. But in each case it had avoided deciding the central question of whether it's constitutional to make flag-burning a crime. In the previous cases, they found some other ground to invalidate the convictions (such as finding a statute was too vague)." Was the ruling controversial? "It was very controversial when it was decided. The decision was issued right before the Fourth of July holiday." Cole said Congress extended its session just so legislators could speak out to condemn the ruling. Within the year, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in 1990. "Since then, the decision has become one of the central bedrock decisions in First Amendment jurisprudence. It has been cited with approval by every justice now sitting on the (Supreme Court). It is a broadly accepted principle. And there's reason for it the government can't punish people for expressing their opinions simply because the government, or even a majority of Americans, find their opinions offensive." Was Texas' law different from statutes in other states? "Most states had flag-burning statutes, and indeed the federal government had a flag-burning statute. So Texas wasn't an outlier." However, Cole said Texas' version was "especially vulnerable to constitutional attack" because it outlawed mistreating the flag in a way that "seriously offended" witnesses. At trial, prosecutors had witnesses who said Johnson's actions seriously offended them; the defense produced witnesses who said they were offended, but not "seriously." "There were particular problems with the Texas statute, but the Supreme Court did not focus on (them). In this case it decided to take on the core question: Is it constitutional for the government to make it a crime to express oneself by burning the flag. And they said no, it's not" Would a law to punish flag-burners be unconstitutional? "Without question." Twitter How do you respond to President-elect Donald Trump's comments that flag-burners should be jailed or should lose their citizenship? "Donald Trump woke up this morning and recommended not one but two unconstitutional actspunishing dissent, and stripping American citizens of their citizenship. ... I think it's deeply troubling that the person who's about to assume the most powerful office in the country has so little understanding of or respect for our most fundamental constitutional values." In the 1960s, Cole added, the Supreme Court ruled that citizenship is the foundational constitutional right and cannot be revoked. "The easy thing to do ... is to do exactly what Donald Trump did to engage in populist demagoguery. ... The easy thing to do is to condemn flag-burning. The hard thing to do is to stand up for the principles that founded our nation and are reflected in our Constitution." Image Works/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images Hillary Clinton co-sponsored a 2005 proposal to outlaw flag-burning that incites violence. Does that mean such proposals are popular across the political spectrum? "I do think that people across the spectrum have given into the pressure," Cole said, adding that the Supreme Court does allow governments to ban the incitement of violence. It's also constitutional to prohibit public burning for safety or environmental reasons, he said. "What's not permissible is to single out flag-burning because it expresses a view." There was an effort to overrule with a constitutional amendment, Cole said, with every state legislature except Vermont approving resolutions in favor. The amendment got more than the needed two-thirds vote in the U.S. House but failed two or three times in Senate, by just a couple of votes each time. How do you respond to people who find flag-burning offensive? "I acknowledge that is deeply offensive to many people. I wouldn't deny that for a second. But I think it's extremely dangerous to give the government the power to single out forms of expression and penalize them by throwing people in jail. ... The court has long said that (offensiveness is) not a basis for prohibiting speech. If it were, we wouldn't really have free speech." WASHINGTON The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in the case of a Texas death row inmate challenging the state's standards for determining whether he is too intellectually disabled to kill. Bobby James Moore, 57, remains on death row in the 1980 shotgun killing of James "Jim" McCarble, an elderly convenience store clerk in Houston. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected Moore's claim of intellectual disability in 2015, saying Moore didn't meet Texas' "Briseno factors," a non-clinical, seven-pronged test which a judge based on the character of Lennie Smalls from John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." Attorneys for Moore argued Tuesday that Texas is a "conspicuous outlier" in rejecting modern medical standards in favor of a subjective test of mental retardation based in part on the views of a "consensus of Texas citizens." Several justices expressed misgivings Tuesday about the Lone Star State's system for evaluating borderline cases of mental disability. In what could be Moore's last chance to avoid execution, the decision of the eight Supreme Court justices could have a lasting impact on how Texas decides whether someone is too intellectually disabled to face execution. The high court ruled 14 years ago that mentally disabled people could not be put to death, but allowed states to decide how to delineate whether a person convicted of a death penalty crime was of sound mind. A psychologist testifying for the state testified at his trial that Moore likely "suffers from borderline intellectual functioning." But Texas officials contend that even if conventional medical standards suggest Moore is disabled, state law required that he be evaluated under the Lennie Standard that the state codified in 2004. By that standard, they argued, Moore is eligible to be put to death. AUSTIN -- Attorney General Ken Paxton and his lawyers want another day in court to contest the latest round of complaints from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charging him of fraud. Paxton's legal team requested oral arguments with the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas Monday, contending the SEC's revised complaint fails to offer new facts and is trying to re-litigate established legal issues. Even though he won the electoral college, President-elect Donald Trump is still claiming the election was rigged and millions of people voted illegally. The root of that claim? A tweet by a member of a Houston-based group that describes itself as a guardian of voter integrity. TWITTER FIRESTORM: In defending American Nazis, Ann Coulter sets off social media Gregg Phillips sent out a note on Nov. 11 saying: "Completed analysis of database of 180 million voter registrations. Number of non-citizen votes exceeds 3 million. Consulting legal team." Twitter Phillips is a board member of True the Vote, which is an offshoot of Houston-based King Street Patriots. You can read more about the group and its role in this election in Dane Schiller's report on HoustonChronicle.com. Phillips, whose Twitter feed is filled with anti-Barack Obama tweets, rumors and fake news, sent out a similar claim two days later. Then Trump got in on the act, echoing the unsubstantiated claim made by Phillips. Trump wrote: "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." Twitter From there, the Houston-based group True The Vote, which claims a mandate to uncover voter fraud (a practice that has been shown to be more myth than reality), on Sunday applauded Trump and pledged assistance to him if needed. FLYING HIGH: Trump fan disrupts flight, sets off social media storm "We are still collecting data and will be for several months, but our intent is to publish a comprehensive study on the significant impact of illegal voting in all of its many forms and begin a national discussion on how voters, states, and the Trump Administration can best address this growing problem," wrote Catherine Engelbrecht, the president of True The Vote. So, while this has taken on a life of it's own, no one pushing the theory has come through with any evidence of widespread voter fraud or illegal votes being cast. All the while, Trump and his allies are decrying an effort by the Green Party (and backed by Democrats) to recount votes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. If complaining about illegal voters while simultaneously saying there shouldn't be a recount seems contradictory, it probably is. Take a look at the gallery above to see some of the most notable conspiracy theories espoused by President-elect Trump before and during the campaign. Saturn is the farthest planet from Earth that humans can gaze at without a telescope, but from such a distance it's hard to appreciate the size and beauty of the sixth planet. Luckily, NASA's latest image from the Cassini spacecraft shows the mind-boggling complexity of Saturn's rings, which are made up of mostly water ice. 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. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. In her instantly notorious basket of deplorables speech, Hillary Clinton characterized half of Donald Trumps supporters as racist, sexist, xenophobic, Islamaphobicyou name it. That statement got all the press. Nearly unreported on, however, was Clintons expression of sympathy for the other basket. These Trump voters, she said, feel the government has let them down, the economy has let them down, nobody cares about them, nobody worries about what happens to their lives and their futures. This basket, she went on, contains people we have to understand and empathize with as well. George Orwell would have recognized Clintons combination of concern for, and discomfort with, the working class. The British novelist and critic captured it memorably in 1937s The Road to Wigan Pier, a short book that should be required reading for the Democratic Party in 2017. The genesis of the The Road to Wigan Pier was a commission Orwell received from the Left Book Club, a publishing group founded by the prominent British socialist Victor Gollancz. As part of the Left Book Clubs mission to use literature and popular culture to build a case for socialism, Gollancz asked Orwell to live amongand write aboutthe coal miners, millworkers, and unemployed laborers of the greater Manchester area. (Wigan Pier itself was a wharf on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal). The first half of the resulting book did exactly what the Left Book Club wanted. In the powerful prose style he had honed previously in Burmese Days and Down and Out in Paris and London, Orwell detailed the physical tolls of working in a coal mine: Every miner has blue scars on his nose and forehead and will carry them to his death. The coal dust of which the air underground is full enters every cut, and then the skin grows over it and forms a blue stain like tattooing, which in fact it is. Orwell also managed to capture the misery of older men, who, unable to do the physical work of mining, were reduced to selling newspapers on the streets: The newspapers engage poor desperate wretches, out-of-work clerks and commercial travelers and the like who for a while make frantic efforts and keep their sales up to the minimum; then, as the deadly work wears them down they are sacked and fresh men taken on. Housing conditions in Wigan reminded him of the filthy kennels in which I have seen Indian coolies living in Burma. Orwell was at the time an avowed socialist, hardly an apologist for capitalism and free markets. Yet, in the second half of The Road to Wigan Pierthe part Democrats should readOrwell abandoned the Left Book Clubs script, outlining with candor and originality the awkward dilemma of the contemporary Left. That is, how to advocate on behalf of a working class that you find deplorable? Orwell described the lower-upper-middle class socialist thusly: He idealizes the proletariat, but it is remarkable how little his habits resemble theirs . . . he still habitually associates with his own class; he is vastly more at home with a member of his own class, who thinks him a dangerous Bolshie, than with a member of the working class who supposedly agrees with him; his tastes in food, wine, clothes, books, pictures, music, ballet are still recognizably bourgeois tastes; most significant of all, he invariably marries into his own class. The bourgeois Left not only has different cultural tastes than the working classes; it disapproves of blue-collar tastes as well: It is summed up in four frightful words which people nowadays are chary of uttering, but which were bandied about quite freely in my childhood. The words were: The lower classes smell. We see such disdain for blue-collar taste in our own modern American culture. Indeed, to many on the left, Donald Trump symbolizes bad taste. Snobbishness about food, country music, clothing, NASCAR, or guns and religion is as casual as it is accepted in the better ZIP codes of New York and Los Angeles. Orwell, to say the least, had the Lefts number, in ways we still recognize today: One sometimes gets the impression that the mere words Socialism and Communism draw towards them with magnetic force every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, Nature Cure quack, pacifist and feminist in England. Orwells advice for the Left was to begin by acknowledging its snobbery. He also felt strongly that redistributionthe dolewas an insufficient response to unemployment, or to the mechanization of work that he presciently saw coming to Wigan. Orwell had expected to see poverty as something affecting tramps, beggars, criminals, prostitutes. The poverty he found was more widespreadand more significant. I knew nothing about working-class conditions, he confessed. I had read the unemployment figures but I had no notion of what they implied; above all, I did not know the essential fact that respectable poverty is always the worst. The frightful doom of a decent working man suddenly thrown on the streets after a lifetime of steady work, his agonized struggles against economic laws he does not understand, the disintegration of families, the corroding sense of shameall this was outside the range of my experience. Life, he wrote, has to be lived in terms of effort. The working class, in other words, needs to work. No party that claims to represent the interests of the working class can afford to forget that. Fundatia de Binefacere Caritas Moldova solicita oferte de pret de la companii /furnizori de cozonaci de Craciun We began work on this issue with the belief that the conventional wisdom about journalism is almost certainly wrong. You know the litany: Newspapers are dying; young people are abandoning mainstream news sources for Snapchat and Twitter; talented college students are choosing different professions; journalism, at least as it has been practiced for the last century, is done. The result of all of these factssome of which are actually trueis deemed to be stagnation and decline, a scary spiral into an unfriendly future. At CJR, that is not the world we see. For the last six months, weve gone on the hunt for dispatches from a different future of journalism, and the results are here, in what were calling our Innovation Issue. This future is dynamic, promising, and rife with opportunity. We found it in places like the global news giant Reuters, which is using robots to scan social media and gain a millisecond jump over its competitors; the newsroom of The Washington Post, which Jeff Bezos has helped revive, in part by introducing the kind of data analytics that turned Amazon into a goliath; and Indias Wild West startup world, where news entrepreneurs are using digital and mobile technology to push the limits of freedom of expression. We met Jessica Lessin, a 33-year-old former Wall Street Journal reporter whos upending Silicon Valleys tech reporting culture, and heard from Emily Bell, our social-media guru, about the persistent culture chasm between journalists and engineers and what it means for newsrooms in the age of Facebook. All of these storiesas well as our drone photo essay, our infographic on medias innovation buying spree, and our interview about storytelling with Mark Boal, the magazine writer who penned the screenplays for The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirtypaint a picture that is the opposite of what you may have expected: This is an industry vibrant with change, not one running away from it. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Clearly, journalism faces daunting, even epic, challenges in the way it is financed and distributed and in the expectations and habits of a new generation of readers. But we see this moment as a pivotal transition between the journalism that was and the one that will be. It is a leap forward were living firsthand at CJR. Because were primarily digital now, weve been able to respond more quickly to industry news as it has happened, and our stories already have been read by many more peoplein more parts of the globethan we could have reached in print. Traffic to CJR.org is at near-record levels, our social-media audience is growing, and were experimenting with new platforms like podcasts to further extend our reach. Our future and journalisms future are interwoven. If the stories in this issue are any guide, we couldnt be living in more exciting times. How to possibly keep up with the firehose of stories you want to read every day? For a time, I tried going old school, printing out pieces as I stumbled across them, then pulling out a sheaf of paper for reading at home or on the subway. The problem, of course, is that I often came across these pieces when I was nowhere near a printer (and even if I was, let it be said that the printer tends not to be mankinds most reliable piece of technology). Into this morass came Pocket, an app that lets you easily save entire stories on your phone or desktop. It has changed my reading life. Simply by pressing the Pocket button when I land on something I want to save for later, my digital library is stored in one place, and its readable in places like New York City subway tunnels, where theres no Web access. No more printers. No more cascading browser pages. And now, no excuse for missing stories that everyone else seems to have already read. Kyle Pope, Editor in Chief and Publisher Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Kyle Pope is the editor in chief and publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review. XL Catlin Appoints New Multinational Casualty Insurance Leader XL Catlin has appointed James Barbuti to lead its Multinational Casualty Insurance Segment, part of XL Catlins Global Risk Management Division. Based in New York, James will report to Ken Riegler, president of Global Risk Management. Since joining XL Catlin in 2012, Barbuti served as senior vice president, zonal manager for XL Catlins Risk Management business in the Eastern US. He also developed the Divisions guidelines and standards for general Business Development and Target Account Marketing. Prior to joining XL Catlin, he managed the New York operations for ACE Risk Management (now Chubb). He brings nearly 30 years of risk management experience to his new position having worked for both insurance carriers and brokers. The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. Names Keim Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy Mass.-based The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. appointed Mark L. Keim executive vice president, corporate development and strategy, effective Monday, November 21. Keim is an accomplished insurance and financial services executive with extensive experience in finance, strategy and corporate development roles at Fortune 50 companies. He will work closely with members of The Hanovers senior team to identify strategic business opportunities and to develop and implement the companys long-term business plan. Prior to joining The Hanover, Keim co-founded HealthReveal, a pioneering big data analytics company. Previously, he held key leadership roles at Aetna, from 2008 to 2014, serving as global head of strategy and corporate development, as well as president of the organizations venture capital business. Before joining Aetna, he was senior vice president, strategy and business development at GE Capital, and held financial leadership roles at PepsiCo and Salomon Brothers. Specialty Markets Plus Names Rowe to Lead Cyber Risk Platform Specialty Markets Plus (SMP), an affiliate of SMP Consulting Group, a national premium audit consulting firm, announced the appointment of David Rowe to lead cyber risk business development. SMPs new bundled cyber risk platform will include analytics and assessment together with insurance products and other risk transfer capabilities. He has extensive experience in the Property/Casualty insurance marketplace. In addition, he has a Masters in Internet Business Systems and Technology with a unique blend of expertise and background to help lead the development of a quickly developing cyber insurance market. Rowe will report to Ed Ragan, EVP. SMP Consulting Group specializes in auditing workers compensation policies and recovering overpayments made by its clients. For more info, visit SMPConsultingGroup.com Specialty Markets Plus is an affiliated wholesale insurance broker and risk advisor founded in 2008 by Ed Kelly. Ed Ragan, former executive of Praetorian Financial Group leads the Wholesale practice. SMP provides clients services and specialty markets products. For more information on Specialty Markets Plus, visit SpecialtyMarketsPlus.com For decades, California insurers have been told they have a duty to accept reasonable settlement demands within their policys limits. As the California Supreme Court emphasized in Johansen v. Cal. State Auto. Assn. Inter-Ins. Bureau, 15 Cal.3d 9, 16 (1975), the only permissible consideration in evaluating the reasonableness of the settlement offer becomes whether, in light of the victims injuries and the probable liability of the insured, the ultimate judgment is likely to exceed the amount of the settlement offer. Any other factor, such as a belief that the policy does not provide coverage, should not affect a decision as to whether the settlement offer in question is a reasonable one. Often, a policy limits settlement demand puts carriers who believed they were defending a claim or suit that was not covered between a rock and a hard place. They could refuse to settle and risk liability for the entire adverse judgment if their coverage assessment turns out to be wrong. Or, despite the apparent absence of coverage, they could pay the settlement demand and close the file. But California liability insurers have a way out a way to avoid bad faith failure to settle exposure for amounts above policy limits while simultaneously securing the right to pursue reimbursement of an uncovered settlement payment from the insured. Since Blue Ridge Ins. Co. v. Jacobsen, 25 Cal.4th 489 (2001), was decided, California liability insurers have been able to accept reasonable settlement demands within limits, subject to right of reimbursement, if the carrier can subsequently establish that the settled claims were not actually covered under the policy. It sounds simple. But even well-intentioned insurers armed with experienced claims attorneys can have difficulty perfecting the Blue Ridge style reservation of rights. Unlike other types of insurer reservations, so-called Blue Ridge reservations are more complex, multi-faceted, and easier to botch. The standard reservation of rights that works so well for most purposes is not enough to reserve Blue Ridge rights. When an insurer receives a defense tender, all it generally needs to do to reserve rights is to prepare and send a simple letter that points out some of the reasons why the claims against the insured may not be covered and indicate in some general way that it is reserving the right to decline coverage. As cases such as State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Jioras, 24 Cal.App.4th 1619, 1627 (1994) confirm, a reasonably timely letter that generally (or even globally) alerts the insured to the fact that the insurer believes there may not be coverage is more than enough to adequately reserve the right to challenge coverage at some later point in time. Reserving the right to seek reimbursement of defense fees and expenses that are solely attributable to claims or causes of action that are not even potentially covered is also relatively easy. Since the California Supreme Court decided Buss v. Superior Court, 16 Cal.4th 35, 61, fn. 27 (1997), California liability insurers have been able to seek reimbursement of defense fees and expenses if they defend the entire suit and can subsequently establish that specific defense fees and expenses were solely allocatable to claims that were never potentially covered. To properly reserve Buss reimbursement rights, an insurer merely sends a letter telling the insured that when the case is over the insurer may seek reimbursement of defense fees and expenses that were incurred solely to defend claims that were not even potentially covered. But an adequate Blue Ridge reservation of rights is a different, or at least more complicated, animal. When the insurer plans to pay the third partys settlement demand and sue its own insured to get the money back, things get more complex. There are several ways liability insurers can end up losing their right to seek reimbursement of uncovered settlement amounts (or perhaps even worse, forfeiting an opportunity to settle a serious claim within limits). Sticking with a standard reservation of rights approach is not enough to properly reserve rights under Blue Ridge. And demanding too much from the insured may also jeopardize the attempt to implement a Blue Ridge reservation. To understand the unique aspects of a Blue Ridge reservation of rights addresses, it helps to re-visit Blue Ridges facts. A very serious personal injury took place (due to a dog mauling). The insured defendants had been involved in the plaintiffs acquisition of the dog, and they thought liability was fairly thin. But if the plaintiff prevailed at trial, the damages were likely to be very big. Coverage was debatable. The insured defendants had been in the dog business for many years before the incident. And the pertinent policies excluded business pursuits. When the injured plaintiff made a settlement demand within policy limits (for the express purpose of opening the limits if the demand was not accepted), the insurer faced a dilemma. It could avoid excess liability by accepting the settlement demand. But unless there was a way to establish the absence of coverage and seek reimbursement, the insurer might be paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle an uncovered claim. So the insurer asked its insureds what they wanted to do. Naturally, the insureds wanted their insurer to settle the claim and close the file. However, the insureds did not want to settle the lawsuit only to find themselves defending their insurers settlement recovery lawsuit. Could the insurer unilaterally reserve rights and settle the case over the insureds objection? Could it pay the settlement demand to eliminate possible exposure above policy limits while unilaterally reserving the right to establish non-coverage and get reimbursed by the insureds, even though the insureds objected to that approach? The California Supreme Court decided that the insurer could unilaterally reserve rights, settle with the third party, and sue its own insured for reimbursement. The Blue Ridge Court articulated a three-part reservation process a process that typically requires the insurer to take different actions at different points in time. These three prerequisites for seeking reimbursement for noncovered claims are: (1) a timely and express reservation of rights; (2) an express notification to the insureds of the insurers intent to accept a proposed settlement offer; and (3) an express offer to the insureds that they may assume their own defense when the insurer and insureds disagree whether to accept the proposed settlement. Generally speaking, insurers will be better able to properly reserve and exercise their reimbursement rights under Blue Ridge if they stick to a simple formula that faithfully adheres to Blue Ridges mandate, without adding frills or extras. The first step to a proper Blue Ridge reservation of rights is the initial, somewhat standard, reservation of rights most liability insurers would send out early in the claims process, as soon as they see that a lawsuit includes claims the policy may not cover. This standard reservation of rights letter is likely to tell the policyholder that a certain coverage requirement does not appear to be satisfied or that a particular exclusion appears to bar coverage. In this standard reservation of rights letter, the insurer typically alerts the insured to the fact that it is reserving a right to decline indemnity coverage. And since Blue Ridge was decided in 2001, insurers have frequently added that the insurer may also seek reimbursement of settlement payments. This initial letter is one of three steps that have to be taken to perfect a Blue Ridge reservation of rights. In Golden Eagle Ins. Co. v. Foremost Ins. Co., 20 Cal.App.4th 1372, 1391-92 (1993), a pre-Blue Ridge case, the court held that reserving rights just two months before trial was too late and not enough to enable the insurer to seek reimbursement of a settlement payment it made on a claim it saw as uncovered. On the other hand, any liability insurer that assumes this type of initial reservation of rights letter alone will adequately protect the carriers right to fund an uncovered settlement and then seek reimbursement from the insured, is in for a rude awakening. End of Part 1. Part 2 of this article will be published on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. akron-the-bowery2.jpg A proposal to redevelop Akron's Lock 4 block in the central business district into downtown retail and residential housing was presented to Akron's Planning Commission on Monday. (The Bowery Development group) AKRON, Ohio - The city of Akron is partnering with local developers to move forward on the Lock 4 redevelopment in Akron's central business district, a project that has been stalled for more than eight years. Representatives from the city, Canton-based DeHoff Development Co. and Geis Construction, which restored The 9 in Cleveland, presented a plan on Monday to Akron City Council's Planning Committee. The project, called the Bowery, includes redevelopment of the historic 12-story Landmark building and five smaller retail buildings from 164 S. Main St. to 184 S. Main St. The $33 million project, funded primarily through state and historic tax credits, and private funding, would transform Main Street between Bowery and the Akron Civic Theatre into a block of ground-floor commercial space with residential housing above. The developers, the Bowery Development Group, also would bring commercial business to the canal side at Lock 4 Park for the first time in more than 100 years, said Dave Lieberth, a partner in the development group. If approved, the Bowery project would add downtown housing for about 175 people and create 120 permanent jobs. Under the deal, the developers will pay $1 each for the retail buildings and about $1.3 million in tax increment financing for the Landmark. The project will be designed to blend all Akron demographics, including the residential component. The housing will be geared for all ages. City Chief of Staff James Hardy told the planning committee that the Lock 4 block is considered the crown jewel in the city's Downtown Vision & Redevelopment Plan led by Downtown Akron Partnership, which identified the block as critical to the future of downtown Akron. He also said the buildings need to be redeveloped soon before they are lost, because they've been exposed to water intrusion over the past several years and are in immediate need of repair. Akron Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Sam DeShazior said his office receives calls almost daily from residents interested in downtown housing, who want to know when the project will move forward. A previous developer under contract to redevelop the block since 2008 still holds deeds to two of the buildings. The city recently filed a complaint in Summit County Common Pleas Court to have the titles returned. City officials believe they are in a strong position to regain those titles, Hardy said. Here are highlights from the Bowery project proposal: It encompasses about 130,000 square feet. About 35,000 square feet will be boutique office, retail, restaurant, bar and/or entertainment About 120 apartments, some two-bedroom, will house about 175 residents. About 20 percent of the apartments will be affordable housing with the rest priced at market value. The project will create about 120 permanent new jobs. About 300 construction workers will be employed. As for a timeline, DeHoff President Dan DeHoff told the committee the development agreement is expected to be signed in December. Developers expect to close on financing in August 2017, with construction to begin immediately after that. The project is expected to be complete by September 2018. The planning commission will vote on the project on Monday, Dec. 5. Save Save Save AKRON, Ohio - An Akron woman was found guilty Monday in her boyfriend's fatal shooting in January. Kerieda Beavers, 22, was found guilty of one count of murder and one count of felonious assault by a Summit County jury, a news release from the Summit County Prosecutor's Office says. She was convicted of fatally shooting her boyfriend, 22-year-old Tevael Parker, during an argument on Jan. 9. The two were arguing about 1 a.m. when Beavers shot at Parker three times, officials said. Two shots missed, but a third hit Parker in the face and the bullet lodged in his brain, court records show. Parker died about 15 hours after the shooting. Beavers is scheduled for sentencing at 9 a.m. Dec. 16, the news release states. She faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 18 years. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. AKRON, Ohio - A Cleveland man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison Monday in connection with the February shooting death of an Akron man at a house party. Antoine Bennett, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter, with a gun specification, and one count of having a weapon under disability, a news release from the Summit County Prosecutor's Office states. He was immediately sentenced to nine years in prison, the release says. Bennett was at a birthday party on the 500 block of North Howard Street on Feb. 14 when a large fight broke out, police said. Bennett shot Gabriel Rios, 25, in the chest, killing him. Bennett left the house before officers arrived on scene, police said. He was arrested in March and held in Summit County Jail on $1 million bond. Bennett was released from prison in late 2014 after serving a nine-month prison sentence in connection with a Cleveland shooting. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2011 for shooting into a Cleveland house. If you'd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. Screen Shot 2016-11-28 at 6.00.22 PM.png CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County has created a "Scam Squad" to help senior citizens report incidents of fraud and to enhance coordination between agencies that investigate and stop shams that hurt residents of all ages. Essentially, the new squad is a partnership of existing agencies, including police, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, various county offices and nonprofit agencies. The goal is to make sure those organizations talk to each other about scams affecting elderly people, in particular, so that everyone knows how to get help for victims and so that every office is aware of current scams and able to warn consumers quickly. In many cases now, a senior citizen might report to the local police department that she was ripped off. An officer might take a report, and then nothing else will happen. Or a social worker might find out that an elderly person lost money in a scam, but that worker won't report the incident to any other agency. The scam squad aims to bring those parties together so that information about incidents gets shared, leading to alerts that help people spot and avoid scams. "Seniors tend to underreport scams," said Sheryl Harris, director of the county's department of consumer affairs and the squad's chairwoman. "We want people to think about and be aware of scams." The county wants to make sure that if a senior mentions an incident -- even informally -- to a social worker or an agency that helps seniors, then that incident gets reported to an authority who can investigate the problem. "We can act as kind of a clearinghouse for these complaints," said Harris, a former Plain Dealer reporter who wrote about consumer affairs, including scams, for the newspaper until last year. Want to report a scam or learn more about Scam Squad? Consumers who want want to report a possible scam can call 216-443-7035. Law enforcement officials and senior-focused organizations that want to learn more about the Scam Squad should contact the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs by phone 216-443-7035 or by email at consumeraffairs@cuyahogacounty.us or via its web site: www.consumeraffairs.cuyahogacounty.us ______________________ If a senior reports an incident to an agency that can't help or doesn't know what to do, Harris wants the victim to get a "warm hand-off" to an authority that can help. Government and nonprofit offices also will have an agreement to share information with each other so that everyone has the latest and best information to help seniors. And the partners want to do more to get the word out about potential scams to senior groups, community groups and other organizations that have frequent contact with elderly county residents. "We want to tap into these networks that surround seniors," Harris said. Obviously, older folks aren't the only victims of scams, said Sue McConnell, president and chief executive officer of the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau, which is part of the scam squad. "This group is aimed at really educating and helping seniors," she said, "but a lot of the scams that target seniors target other people as well." The squad also could organize public-education events and will try to reduce the stigma that sometimes is associated with being the victim of a scam. "It is difficult for a senior, or anyone, to admit they got bamboozled," McConnell said. Senior citizens often don't want to risk losing their financial independence or having their relatives think they're not as sharp as they used to be. Harris noted that the people committing fraud often are professionals who are part of an organized network. They know how to lure in people who normally would be skeptical. "We all have vulnerable moments," she said. And elderly fraud victims often are hit harder financially than their younger counterparts and can take longer to recover from the loss, Harris said. In some cases, McConnell said, seniors lose their life savings or even their homes to scams. The scam squad also includes the Federal Trade Commission; the Ohio attorney general's office; the county's division of senior and adult services; the city of Cleveland's department of aging; the county sheriff's department; Cleveland's police department; AARP; Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging; ESOP, a nonprofit housing and financial-counseling agency; Legal Aid Society of Cleveland; and Cleveland's office of fair housing and consumer affairs. ELYRIA, Ohio -- Convicted child molester Heather Koon was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without parole for sexually assaulting six children at an Elyria daycare where she worked. The 28-year-old was convicted of assaulting the children in 2013 at ABC Kidz Day Care, including a then 1-year-old and then 2-year-old. She was also accused of taking naked photographs of the children she abused. The prosecutor's office also charged her with sexual assault of a toddler at Country Day School Inc. in Amherst. Koon videotaped the acts and sent them to her fiancee, James Osborne, 37, according to court records. Osborne was sentenced in October to life in prison without parole. Two families sued Koon in connection to the assaults. A civil lawsuit filed by one of the victim's families was settled, and another is scheduled to go to trial August 2017, according to court documents. One of the lawsuits said that Koon took children from their assigned rooms and took them to an employee bathroom where the abuse took place. Three of the six parents spoke during Koon's sentencing hearing and Koon also spoke, the prosecutor's office said. To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section. quarry.jpg Logan Marshall-Green stars in the Cinemax action drama, 'Quarry,' about a Vietnam vet forced to become a killer of corrupt individuals in 1970s Memphis. (Cinemax) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the Cinemax drama "Quarry," all Mac Conway wants is to ease back into civilian living after two tours of duty in Vietnam. Easier said than done. The first season of "Quarry," which is now available on digital HD, takes place in the early 1970s and centers around the lives of two marines - Mac Conway (Logan Marshall-Green) and Arthur Solomon (Jamie Hector) - who just returned from their second tour of duty in Vietnam. Their welcome back to Memphis was less than celebratory, and the mid-level jobs they were promised fell through - and after risking their lives and emotional well-being for their country, they are struggling to find stable employment. Enter The Broker, a mystery man in need of Mac and Arthur's 'survival skills,' and willing to pay them a hefty sum if they help him "do the world a service." Loosely based on the novels by Max Alan Collins, "Quarry" is Cinemax' newest high-action drama, in the vein of "Banshee." Select retailers are offering Season 1 downloads with nearly 30 deleted scenes. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center saved Jackie Pfadt's life - twice. The first was years ago, when Pfadt, then a teenager was dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse by a boy in her neighborhood. "I initially went to the center in the late '90s for about three years, and it was a very important foundation for me to get survival skills to deal with the initial onset of the trauma," says Pfadt, who has just written a book about her experiences. The second time was a decade later, after an unrelated tragedy unearthed issues from the past. Though the trigger this time wasn't sexual abuse, Pfadt was welcomed by the center with open arms - in the form of one-on-one counseling, art therapy, group therapy and more. She even joined an "alumni group" with monthly meetings for survivors. "I took several years off, and my mom was diagnosed with ALS and I ended up going back to the center a second time," says Pfadt. "It has been huge in my progress." "The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center's mission is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention, and advocate for social change," says Sondra Miller, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center president and CEO. "The center is serving survivors at our Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula offices, and building strong partnerships with law enforcement, prosecutors, nurses and mental health professionals, increasing the entire region's ability to respond compassionately to each and every survivor." Pfadt says without the compassion of CRCC she would not have been able to deal with the trauma of her abuse, which manifested in her high school years. "When I went at first it was horrible because I felt so exposed, with my parents knowing what was going on with me. But with time, it became a safe place when everything else was falling apart. Those first few years of going to the center saved my life." She says the center especially helped her deal with the shame that many survivors of sexual abuse experience. "Being with other survivors is critical. My life is so much better now that I can be open," says Pfadt. "I used my actual name because it's so important to me that it not be secret anymore." Says Miller, "We know that many survivors of rape and sexual abuse are still waiting for the right opportunity to come forward and seek help. Still waiting to see if there is a place where they will be believed, not blamed for something that wasn't their fault." The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is one of 20 local non-profits benefiting from the Advance Ohio Good News Giving holiday campaign featured in The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com. Charities included receive free advertising in The Plain Dealer. Readers can also donate directly to the charities at cleveland.com/goodnewsgiving. WomenSafe is another local non-profit that benefits local women and is included in this year's Good News Giving campaign. Located in Chardon, WomenSafe has provided shelter and support to victims of domestic abuse since 1980. "Our mission is to provide emergency shelter to survivors of domestic abuse throughout Northeast Ohio," says Marissa Vanio, operations and grants coordinator. "When we started, we were originally focused on women in abusive relationships, but over 36 years we have grown, and so has our mission. We now help all survivors: women, men, children, members of the LGBTQ community." One of those survivors helped by WomenSafe is Mary (not her real name), a mother of four who is currently in the process of divorcing her abusive husband. Like Jackie at the Rape Crisis Center, she has been helped more than once by this nonprofit. "A year ago I was at WomenSafe, and I had to go back to him, and exactly a year later I ended up leaving the house again (and) there was yelling and hollering and the kids were really being affected by it." Mary ended up moving into WomenSafe with three of her youngest children, where they not only received food and shelter but also parenting advice, legal assistance and therapy. The nonprofit is currently helping Mary obtain her divorce. "I moved in the summer, and I was lucky I didn't have to deal with school and stuff -but if you do move there in the school year, they even help with that, driving the kids to school, helping with homework. "They offer amazing support. There are living quarters and offices in the back and the counseling is amazing, all these classes they offer through the week for parents and children." Mary says without WomenSafe's help, she would not be back on her own with her children today. "They helped with housing, school and divorce proceedings, and an order or protection. .... They help stop the cycle of violence." Cleveland Rape Crisis Center: 1228 Euclid Ave #200, Cleveland Phone: 216-619-6194 Website: clevelandrapecrisis.org Services for women, children and men who are survivors of sexual abuse. WomenSafe: 12041 Ravenna Road, Chardon Phone: 440-286-7154 Website: womensafe.org Shelter and support for all survivors of domestic abuse. ECOT sign.JPG The Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) online charter school lost its bid to have a state appeals court block the state from trying to recover as much as $65 million in state funding it received last school year. (Patrick O'Donnell/The Plain Dealer) COLUMBUS, Ohio - ECOT, Ohio's largest online school, has lost a court appeal that would have blocked the state from trying to "claw back" as much as $65 million the school received last year, while e-schools across Ohio are asking state legislators to protect their funding. The schools are asking state legislators to add a "hold harmless" provision to another bill in the next few weeks to stop the state from using attendance reviews of the schools to take millions of dollars of state funding away from them. Nine other online charter schools could also have to return portions of their state funding after they could not meet new state expectations for documenting how many students they have taking classes. House Education Committee Chairman Andrew Brenner said schools have asked to be excused from penalties while legislators debate a better way to fund online schools next year. "There's been a couple of discussions, but nothing is concrete," said Brenner, a Powell Republican.. "This is an issue that's more widespread than just ECOT," he added. "This impacts a ton of schools. It something we've got to have a good conversation on." The e-schools are also appealing the attendance reviews to the state school board. ECOT, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, will start hearings Monday for that administrative appeal before a hearing officer, who will present his findings to the full state school board. At issue is how the state funds online charter schools - schools in which students take classes entirely online and usually from home. In the past, the state has required schools to show only that they provide students a computer and that they offer classes to students. So long as a student logs on periodically to avoid being declared truant, the state paid the schools more than $6,000 per student each year without tracking how long students spent online or what lessons they completed. That changed this year when the Ohio Department of Education started demanding data showing how much time students spend online. That meant that students could no longer just be offered classes, but had to take them. For ECOT, the state found that it had documentation of online time for just 6,300 of its 15,300 students. That left 9,000 students without proper documentation and put more than $60 million of ECOT's state funding for 2015-16 at risk. The state also ordered Provost Academy in Columbus to repay $800,000 after finding that it had the equivalent of just 35 full-time students, not the 160 it had claimed. And it found that Akron Digital Academy could not document 80% of its students and that the Buckeye Online School for Success could not document any of its 900 students. ECOT challenged the new expectations in Franklin County Common Pleas Court as unfair and retroactive, but Judge Jennifer French disagreed. She denied ECOT's request to stop the state's attendance review and any attempts to recover money. ECOT then appealed French's ruling to the 10th Ohio district appeals court, which rejected ECOT's appeal on Nov. 22. Judges Susan Brown and Lisa Adler dismissed the appeal, saying they did not have the power to overturn French's ruling because it's a temporary one. Because the state has not issued an order for ECOT to return any money and ECOT is still free to challenge any such order before French, French's ruling is not a final one. That makes French's ruling out of the appeals court's jurisdiction to decide, the judges found. Judge Jennifer Brunner dissented with no comment. Orders to return money would come from the state school board, who will have to decide what to do after receiving reports from hearing officers. Ohio Department of Education spokesperson Brittany Halpin did not have dates for all appeal hearings, but said several of the affected schools have applied. ECOT spokesman Neil Clark said the school still believes that the Ohio Department of Education "created new rules for e-schools and then applied the new rules retroactively." He added: "No targeted e-school was able to meet ODE's new demands because no school was prepared to comply with rules that didn't exist. Meanwhile, ODE continues to hold e-schools to more stringent attendance standards than bricks-and-mortar schools." Judge French had ruled, however, that the state has had authority since at least 2010 to request data on how long students spent online. "The Court finds that ECOT cannot claim to have been unfairly surprised when ODE requested such data," French ruled in September. Whether any attempt in the legislature to prevent any harm from the audits will gain support is unclear. The "hold harmless" request has not been discussed widely in the state Senate, said the spokesmen for both Republican and Democratic leadership. John Fortney, spokesman for Republican Senate leadership, said members expect to discuss e-school funding next year but he doubts there would be strong support for throwing out the attendance audits. And Mike Rowe, spokesman for Democratic leaders in the Senate, said his members would be against giving ECOT and others a pass. "I don't think our members would be very receptive to that at all," he said. "Would they be allowed to escape with $60 million that doesn't belong to them?" He added: "We know these kids weren't being educated. I can't imagine just letting them off the hook." The most concerning thing revealed so far about the cybercriminal attack on the San Francisco light rail system at the Thanksgiving weekend was that the virus was able to infect so much of the system, said cybersecurity experts. Earlier reports said ransomware traveled from San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency PC computers through the network to ticketing booths and forced the agency to temporarily run its service for free. But according to an update from the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Authority said late on Monday, ticketing was not affected. "The SFMTA network was not breached from the outside, nor did hackers gain entry through our firewalls," the authority said in a statement. "Muni operations and safety were not affected. Our customer payment systems were not hacked. Also, despite media reports - no data was accessed from any of our servers." Speaking before the SFMTA statement, which gave more detail than previous statements on the nature of the attack, cybersecurity experts said the nature of the attack could possibly be a warning sign for other transport networks. "There should be controls in place to segregate networks in such a way that these machines aren't connected with those that could infect them," said Tim Erlin, senior director, product management at cybersecurity company Tripwire. Many other transportation networks are likely be vulnerable the same sort of attack, since the ransomware used attacks Microsoft Windows-based computers with outdated software, said Ed Cabrera, chief cybersecurity officer at TrendMicro. The use of this strain of ransomware has spiked in recent weeks, security researchers said. Standard Chartered will cut one in every 10 of its global headcount in corporate and institutional banking, according to media reports, as the lender makes a new effort to reduce overheads to restore its profitability. The job cuts will be announced this week, according to Reuters, citing people with knowledge of the matter, and will take place in all of the bank's major business centers including Hong Kong. Corporate and Institutional banking together form one of the bank's biggest business units, contributing just under half of the group's total operating income in the third quarter, which rose to US$153 million. "We are making our corporate and institutional banking division more efficient, better able to serve our clients and ultimately to increase returns in line with the commitments made to shareholders in November 2015," Standard Chartered said in an emailed statement, without giving the scale of the cutbacks. At that time, the bank said that it would cut 15,000 jobs in the following three years, as it announced a loss of US$139 million for the third quarter of 2015. Group chief executive Bill Winters said that the bank had made progress executing the strategic actions it had announced the year before, but that income and profit levels were not yet acceptable. Banks are increasingly cutting back on positions to preserve their margins, analysts said. More from the South China Morning Post Hanjin Shipping collapse may be the beginning of the end for profitable global trade Hong Kong's richest man vows to elect a leader who can bring hope to the city Chinese man buys luxury four-wheel drive car with huge piles of small change "This is the worst environment I've seen since the global financial crisis" for recruitment, said John Mullally, director of financial services at recruitment agency Robert Walters in Hong Kong. "Banks have been holding off on making redundancies, perhaps for longer than they should have done. I expect more job losses in the future, as banks withdraw from markets or sectors where they are not major players." The statement from Standard Chartered said that the bank would "continue to move investment to where it can generate the greatest returns and focus on the markets which offer the greatest opportunity." But Zeleny appeared unfazed, asking Trump in a tweet to forward examples of fraud. Trump also attacked CNN directly, tweeting ".@CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do." Trump responded with a series of retweets of others' comments condemning CNN, including one which was tweeted by a user whose profile indicted he was a 16-year-old boy. In a televised report, Jeff Zeleny, CNN's chief Washington correspondent, reported that Trump was showing signs of being a "sore winner," adding the president-elect had "zero evidence" to back his claim he won the popular vote or that he was a victim of widespread voter fraud. Donald Trump fired off another tweet storm on Monday night, attacking a CNN reporter who said the U.S. president-elect "falsely" claimed extensive voter fraud. There has been no evidence uncovered so far of widespread voter fraud in the U.S. election. Politico reported that the claim that millions of people voted illegally appeared to have come from an "ultra-right-wing conspiracy website" called Infowars, which Politico said also claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was faked and that Hillary Clinton was a "demon from hell." In September, voting turnout specialist Michael McDonald, an associate professor of political science at the University of Florida and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told CNBC that voter fraud was "extremely rare." NBC reported in August that a study of 2,068 alleged election fraud cases in 50 states between 2000 and 2012 found the level of fraud was "infinitesimal" compared with the 146 million voters registered over that period. While Trump won a relatively narrow Electoral College victory by historical terms in order to win the U.S. election, his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, won the popular vote by more than 2.3 million votes, according to the latest count. Green Party nominee Jill Stein has crowd-funded around $6.4 million to begin a recount in Wisconsin, where Trump beat Clinton by 27,257 votes, with Stein also likely to initiate recounts in Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Clinton campaign had not pushed for a recount, but said it would participate to ensure fairness. None of the recount efforts appeared likely to alter the result of the election. But the president-elect has attacked the recount effort, which he said on Sunday was a "scam," before ramping up his criticism on Monday, when he claimed in a tweet that "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." Trump also claimed via Twitter that there was "serious voter fraud" in Virginia, New Hampshire and California, but offered no evidence. Link California's Secretary of State Alex Padilla tweeted at the weekend to say there was no evidence of the fraud claim. "His unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in California and elsewhere are absurd. His reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a President-elect," Padilla said of Trump. David Scanlan, New Hampshire's deputy director of state, told Politico on Monday that the state had "been provided no evidence that suggests that there is voter fraud on a widespread scale." And in a tweet, Clinton's campaign counsel Mark Elias said, "We are getting attacked for participating in a recount that we didn't ask for by the man who won election but thinks there was massive fraud." Marc E. Elias: We are getting attacked for participating in a recount that we didn't ask for by the man who won election but thinks there was massive fraud Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. Texas reported its first home-grown case of Zika virus infection Monday making it the second U.S. state with mosquitoes spreading the virus. It's a long-feared development but not a surprising one. Like Florida, South Texas is home to the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread Zika and also hosts many travelers to and from countries where the virus has been spreading. "The patient is a Cameron County resident who is not pregnant and who was confirmed last week by lab test to have been infected. She reported no recent travel to Mexico or anywhere else with ongoing Zika virus transmission and no other risk factors," the Texas Department of State Health Services said in a statement. More from NBC News: Who should worry about Zika? NBC's full coverage of the Zika virus epidemic Could Texas become a Zika hotspot? "Laboratory testing found genetic material from the Zika virus in the patient's urine, but a blood test was negative, indicating that the virus can no longer be spread from her by a mosquito. There are no other cases of suspected local transmission at this time, but health officials continue to conduct disease surveillance activities as part of the state's ongoing Zika response." Zika has spread far and wide across Central and South America and the Caribbean. Florida has reported more than 200 locally acquired cases. It causes a mild infection in most people but can cause severe birth defects if a pregnant woman gets it. "We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas," Texas State Health Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt said in a statement. "We still don't believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in parts of the state that stay relatively warm in the fall and winter." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is helping the state investigate. The Brownsville area has had outbreaks of dengue, a virus closely related to Zika and carried by the same mosquitoes. "Residents, especially pregnant women, should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites," the CDC advised. "They should use an insect repellent registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) containing one of the following ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, use or repair screens on windows and doors, use air conditioning when available, and remove standing water inside and outside where mosquitoes can lay eggs." The CDC says it's got reports of more than 4,400 cases of Zika in the U.S., including more than 1,000 among pregnant women. All, with the exception of the local cases in Florida and now the single case in texas, have been related to a traveler bringing the virus back. Because Zika doesn't usually cause severe symptoms, the CDC says many more cases are unreported. Now Texas state health officials, local officials and the CDC will be testing people and mosquitoes near where the woman lives and works to see if any other people may have had Zika and not been diagnosed. The CDC advises pregnant women to stay away from places where Zika is actively spreading if at all possible. That included parts of Miami as well as Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory heavily hit by Zika. If you want to earn the big bucks, you may want to consider practicing medicine or law. According to a report by Glassdoor in March, doctors and lawyers are still the nation's top-earning professionals. To compile its list of the highest-paying jobs in America in 2016, the job search site analyzed anonymous salary reports from its users. For a job to make the list, there had to be at least 75 reports on that job submitted over the past year. C-level jobs were excluded from the report. Here are the 25 best-paying jobs, according to Glassdoor: 1. Physician Median base salary: $180,000 Not only is this the top-paying job in the U.S., but employment for medical doctors is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, twice as fast as the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A doctor at Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center reviews radiology images. Brooks Kraft / Getty Images 2. Lawyer Median base salary: $144,500 While pay can vary depending on what type of law you practice, the median salary is high enough to make lawyer the second best-paying job in America. What's more, Glassdoor's job listing page shows more than 9,000 openings. An attorney teaches a high school class about the legal system. Kathryn Scott Osler/The Denver Post via Getty Images 3. R&D manager Median base salary: $142,120 Research and development managers have a variety of roles that depend on the employer, from improving product design and leading new partnerships to overseeing staff. Morsa Images | Getty Images 4. Software development manager Median base salary: $132,000 Software development managers develop and oversee the systems behind computer programs. The outlook for this job is bright; it's expected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024. Programmer, code writer Getty Images 5. Pharmacy manager Median base salary: $130,000 This managerial position usually requires years of experience in addition to a doctoral degree, which all pharmacists are required to have. Getty Images 6. Strategy manager Median base salary: $130,000 Strategy managers often oversee a company's plans to develop partnerships, encourage growth and launch new profit-driving initiatives. A bachelor's degree is required, and some employers also require a master's, Glassdoor's listings show. Hero Images | Getty Images 7. Software architect Median base salary: $128,250 Software architects create computer programs and communicate technical plans to company leaders. A bachelor of science degree is usually required. Getty Images 8. Integrated circuit designer engineer Median base salary: $127,500 Integrated circuit designer engineers provide electrical design and development support and solve technical hardware problems. Most have a B.S. or Master's of Science degree in electrical engineering. Getty Images 9. IT Manager Median base salary: $120,000 Information technology managers make sure that all of their company's equipment, software and networks operate smoothly, and they execute the IT goals of the organization. IT managers usually have a bachelor's degree in the field along with various technical skills. Erik Isakson | Getty Images 10. Solutions architect Median base salary: $120,000 Solutions architects lead or help in the design of products and projects, and are also heavily involved in the technical side of creating them. Education requirements vary, ranging from a bachelor's degree in computer systems or information systems to a master's in engineering or marketing. Kelvin Murray | Getty Images 11. Engagement manager Median base salary: $120,000 Engagement managers are responsible for client relationships. The role requires skills in marketing and project management. Software or technical skills can be useful. Thomas Barwick | Getty Images 12. Applications development manager Median base salary: $120,000 These managers oversee and improve internal systems and software. A bachelor's degree and several years of experience in the field is required. Getty Images 13. Pharmacist Median base salary: $118,000 Pharmacists are well-paid but can have long hours and may have to work weekend shifts. They must have a doctoral degree to practice. John Moore | Getty Images 14. Systems architect Median base salary: $116,920 These architects build and maintain a company's databases, software and system coding. A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science or a related field is required. Hero Images | Getty Images 15. Finance manager Median base salary: $115,000 Finance managers "produce financial reports, direct investment activities and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization," according to the BLS. They usually have five or more years of experience in finance, accounting or a related field, in addition to a bachelor's degree. Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images 16. Data scientist Median base salary: $115,000 Computer and data research scientists solve complex problems in computing. Demand is projected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than average. Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images 17. Risk manager Median base salary: $115,000 Risk managers deal with insurance, liability and legal compliance. The job's function and education requirements vary greatly, depending on the industry. Hero Images via Getty Images 18. Creative director Median base salary: $115,000 Creative directors execute new marketing initiatives for a company, leading branding and design. The job requirements vary, but a track record in leadership helps. Morsa Images | Getty Images 19. Actuary Median base salary: $115,000 Actuaries analyze financial risk and uncertainty. Employment of actuaries is expected to grow a whopping 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, BLS says. Steve Weinrebe | Getty Images 20. Data architect Median base salary: $113,000 Data architects create information and technology road maps for a company. The position typically requires technical skills and/or a B.S. in computer science or information systems. Getty Images 21. Tax manager Median base salary: $110,000 Tax managers prepare federal and state income tax returns for individuals and businesses. An undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting is required. Ann Hermes/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images 22. Product manager Median base salary: $107,000 These managers are key to an organization's product development team, helping to ensure new products are delivered on time. Glassdoor reports that there are more than 7,000 open positions. Daniel Ingoid | Getty Images 23. Design manager Median base salary: $106,500 Design managers are in charge of envisioning and executing a customer or client's experience with a company. The duties vary widely across industries. Reggie Casagrande | Getty Images 24. Analytics manager Median base salary: $106,000 This job requires strengths in statistics and data analysis. Glassdoor reports thousands of job openings for this position. Monty Rakusen | Getty Images 25. Information systems manager Median base salary: $106,000 This role, while similar to that of an information technology manager, is broader in terms of responsibilities. Information systems managers oversee information however it's organized. Martin Barraud | Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump's frequently unleashed Twitter rants could be a hazard for the markets, CNBC's Jim Cramer said Tuesday. "I'm telling you this is going to create lots of problems for the market," Cramer said on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "Do you think that Trump could ... slow growth?" Cramer asked. "What if he says right now he comes out and says that Carrier plant, it's not going anywhere in Indiana." In a cost-cutting measure, United Technologies CEO Greg Hayes said earlier this year that the company would move its Carrier unit to Mexico. The announcement, however, drew the attention of then-candidate Trump. During his campaign, he vowed to save thousands of jobs at the Carrier Plant. Tweet 1 Cramer suggested that companies' financial performance could be affected if they feel constrained from making the adjustments they want to make on the production side. "Do people start thinking, 'You know what, you can't cut employees or move factories? And when you move a factory, (you) raise earnings per share?'" Cramer said. Trump has continued to hit Twitter regularly, even since being elected. He said Tuesday that he doesn't think people should be allowed to burn the American flag though the act is protected under the First Amendment. Trump has also alleged in recent tweets earlier that there were "millions" of fraudulent votes in the Nov. 8 election without providing evidence to support that assertion. watch now The death of Fidel Castro unleashed an explosion of emotion in Miami's Little Havana, where thousands of Cuban-Americans poured out into the streets to celebrate the 90-year-old former dictator's passing. But if many first-generation exiles once thought Castro's death would bring about the end of his regime, they're not so sure now. Because Castro ceded the presidency to his younger brother Raul eight years ago,"Fidel's death is paradoxical, ... it means nothing," said Pedro Freyre, who heads the international law practice at the Akerman law firm in Miami. "But it means everything, because Fidel Castro was the essence, the icon that held that revolution together," said the 67-year old Cuban-born lawyer, who advises companies on doing business on the island and was part of the delegation that accompanied President Barack Obama to Havana last March for the re-establishment of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations. Freyre said for Cuba's next generation of leaders, Castro's death could be the turning point that frees them to accelerate the opening of Cuba's economy, much the way Mao Zedong's death allowed a new generation of China's leaders to transform that nation's economy. "Sometimes ... they flash their frustration at the process that things aren't going quicker," Freyre added. "(Fidel) will no longer be the shadow looking over their shoulder." But second-generation Cuban-Americans in Miami's Little Havana are more skeptical about the possibility of economic opportunity expanding in Cuba in the wake of Castro's death. "Cubans need to get together to get a strategy to change the Cuban system. But now, I don't think it's going to change," said Elio Esteban Mena, the owner of Old's Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina, who came to the U.S. from Cuba 12 years ago. He worries that President-elect Donald Trump will reverse the return of American flights and cruises to Cuba, ushered in this year by the Obama administration. Trump warned on Monday that he may take a harder line with Havana and may roll back some of President Barack Obama's initiatives unless the Cuban people can get "a better deal." "I think all the progress that we got from Obama, we're going to go back and it's going to be hard for the Cuban community," Mena said. Cuban-Americans on the streets of Miami's Little Havana celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, Nov. 27, 2016. Rhona Wise | AFP | Getty Images watch now The word from Vienna is that things are not going well for OPEC. In fact, they are going surprisingly poorly. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets Wednesday, and it was expected that the cartel could reach an agreement to cut back oil production. But the efforts appear to have hit a wall, even as talks continue. Analysts say a deal is still possible, but the odds have fallen with the appearance of disagreement between the major players. The outcome of this meeting is being watched across financial markets because it could set the course for oil prices over the next year. If it fails, the market sees oil in the $30s per barrel in the near future, but if it succeeds, oil could stay above $50 and move higher. Oil was off about 3.5 percent in Tuesday trading, with West Texas Intermediate futures at $45.43 per barrel, and analysts say it could keep falling to around $42 unless a deal emerges. "We're going to need somebody to go in and rescue it. This could end early tomorrow unless Khalid" Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih "can come in and restore order, but there's not a lot of time to get it done," said Helima Croft, head of global commodities strategy at RBC. Croft, who is in Vienna, said the delegates are now awaiting the arrival of Al-Falih, and the outcome of the meeting is heavily dependent on whether Iran and Saudi Arabia can agree. "What I hear is kind of crazy. The fear in town is it's Doha redux. Everybody's worst nightmare," she said. In April, OPEC ministers met in Doha, Qatar, amid high expectations they would agree to freeze production, but there was friction between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and there was no deal. Saudi Arabia insisted its rival join the freeze, but Iran held firm to its goal of regaining the market share it lost under economic sanctions on its nuclear program. Saudi Arabia quashed what had looked like a possible deal in Doha in the final hour, and it was believed that Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made the call himself. But many analysts have said the Saudis are now more intent on a deal because of their planned public offering of Saudi Aramco next year, and the massive remake of the economy, led by the young deputy crown prince. "Once again, it seems (Mohammed bin Salman) has decided Iranian participation in a cut is mandated. If he sticks to that position, it doesn't lift off tomorrow. I think a cut was never on the table for Iran. Is this just a hard-line tactic? Are they trying to get the maximum concession?" said Croft. Now I'm wondering how ugly it's going to get. They're like a dysfunctional family. They tried to cover up their discord as long as they could. John Kilduff founder, Again Capital Iran's energy minister arrived in Vienna, warning that his country was not going to make any cuts in production. "We will leave the level of production (where) we decided in Algeria," Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told reporters as he arrived in Vienna on Monday. In fact, Iran upped the ante by demanding that Saudi Arabia take even deeper cuts. Reuters reported that Iran now has written to OPEC saying that Saudi Arabia needs to cut back its output to 9.5 million barrels, a million-barrel-a-day cut. Saudi Arabia had indicated it would cut only half that amount. "Now I'm wondering how ugly it's going to get," said John Kilduff, founder of investment management firm Again Capital. "They're like a dysfunctional family. They tried to cover up their discord as long as they could." Kilduff said oil could quickly touch $40 per barrel if there's no deal, before falling into the $30s. The official posture of Saudi Arabia until this past weekend was that it was hopeful that a deal would get done, and that it was willing to do what it would take to make it happen. But over the weekend, Al-Falih signaled that he believed the oil market could rebalance without a deal, raising flags that the Saudi delegation might change its tone. We're potentially going to fall apart over 200,000 barrels. This is what it comes down to. We're in the realm of ego This is kind of lunacy. They're not fighting over a million barrels. Helima Croft head of global commodities strategy, RBC Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh arrives at his hotel ahead of a meeting of OPEC oil ministers in Vienna, Austria, November 29, 2016. Heinz-Peter Bader | Reuters European stocks closed higher Tuesday as investors focused on talks between OPEC members and political uncertainty ahead of a key referendum in Italy. The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended Tuesday up 0.25 percent with all the major bourses, apart from the FTSE100, showing gains. Basic resources stocks, down 1.47 percent, were the worst performers with a slide in metal prices. Banking stocks were up by more than 0.6 percent following news that the European Central Bank stands ready to increase its purchase of Italian government bonds to control any market turbulence following Sunday's referendum. Shares of oil and gas firms fell almost 1 percent as OPEC producers prepared for a crucial meeting on Wednesday where they aim to agree on a production cut. On Monday, OPEC technical teams reportedly failed to agree on any details for the proposed cuts and on Tuesday Russian officials decided not to attend the OPEC meeting, according to a new agency. Meanwhile in the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average was trading fractionally higher after a mixed start to the trading day for U.S. equities. In 2013, Scott Keyes found a nonstop, round-trip plane ticket from New York City to Milan for $130. He knew the deal was a massive score. What he didn't know at the time was that his cyber bargain-hunting would turn into almost seven figures, a five-employee start-up and an email newsletter with almost 250,000 subscribers. When Keyes, now 29 years old, returned from Milan, his friends were desperate to know how they, too, could secure such jaw-dropping deals. Some of his most brag-worthy finds include round-trip tickets to Kenya for $310, Rio for $363, the Azores for $271, Copenhagen or Oslo for $279, and Bali for $348. (Azores, in case you are wondering, are a group of islands that are a Portuguese archipelago in the mid-Atlantic.) Scott Keyes in Milan. His $130 round trip plane ticket was the catalyst for his business. Courtesy of Scott Keyes Keyes agreed to share the deals with his buddies. To streamline the notification process, he set up a newsletter to which his friends could subscribe. Just a couple of years later, the newsletter was a thriving business. In April 2015, a reporter at Business Insider heard about Keyes' cheap plane ticket email list through Facebook and wrote a story about Keyes' flight searching prowess. "Things just really lucked out on my end," says Keyes. "I never pitched [the piece] or honestly even thought of it as a newsworthy matter. Sometimes serendipity just falls into your lap," he wrote in a response to a reader question in the first of four "ask me anything" reddit sessions he has hosted over the past year. Indeed. Nearly overnight, his email list of 300 jumped to 3,000. Scott Keyes in Milan. His $130 round trip plane ticket was the catalyst for his business. Courtesy of Scott Keyes Because his email list ballooned above the Mailchimp threshold for free services, Keyes had to start paying to send out his newsletter. "I'd never thought about charging to be on the list, but the hosting fees made it a necessity, so I wallowingly broke the news to the list," says Keyes, in a post he wrote about his journey for reddit. He opted to continue to send out a portion of his deals for free but to charge $2 a month for access to all of his deals. The flight path from zero to a million The premium list launched on Aug. 23, 2015, and after three and a half months, Keyes had 646 premium subscribers. He generated more than $6,000 with the newsletter, almost by accident. At the time he was still a freelance journalist, writing for the likes of The Guardian, ThinkProgress and The Nation. The growth of his newsletter, aptly named Scott's Cheap Flights, hasn't slowed down. By February, Keyes had generated $24,376 in revenue with 1,687 premium subscribers and 7,847 free subscribers, according to his second reddit forum. By this time, he had also stopped working as a freelance journalist in order to devote all of his energy to growing his business, and he had hired his first part-time employee. By May of this year, Keyes was up to 6,230 premium subscribers, 53,547 free subscribers and $120,013 total revenue. Currently, Keyes has 29,639 premium subscribers and 204,021 free subscribers (233,660 total) and, thanks to a Black Friday promotion, has now generated $963,234.48 in sales. Frankfurt, Germany. Scott Keyes and his fiancee flew to Germany and Belarus for 60,000 United miles and $88 per person. Courtesy of Scott Keyes In total, Keyes has spent less than $500 in marketing, according to an email he sent CNBC. His growth has been driven by word-of-mouth, press coverage, flight giveaways and, of course, his four AMAs. "This business would seriously be a fraction of what it currently is without reddit," says Keyes, in a forum on the website. "A sizable percentage of the current subscribership (is that a word?) is due to posting on reddit." Google Flights is my life. Keyes has built his mini empire by searching for the accidental cracks in the airplane booking system. Many of the deals Keyes offers are a result of what he calls "fat-finger discounts (someone priced it at $59 instead of $590)" or because of translation mistakes between airline partners. Thus far, all the searching is manual labor. "Kinda crazy when I say it out loud, but Google Flights is my life," he says in one of his reddit posts. Life on the road. Scott Keyes paused on his tour of the British Museum in London to analyze a great ticket deal. Courtesy of Scott Keyes He gets recommendations regularly to try automating the search process. But robots won't catch diamonds in the rough. Outsourcing the searching isn't feasible either, "because it's more of an art than a science. If it were easy to find cheap flights, this business wouldn't exist," says Keyes, in a reddit AMA on his start-up growth. It feels super weird to be the boss. As Scott's Cheap Flights newsletter has grown, he has had to staff up to keep up. Currently, he has four part-timers helping him out with the logistics of the newsletter, as well as the actual searching. The growth of the start-up has been a bit of a whirlwind. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a businessman and never really had entrepreneurial aspirations, so it feels super weird to be the 'boss,'" says Keyes, who adds that he "shudders just saying the word out loud." He is still shocked at his own journey. Scott Keyes in Hierve el Agua, Mexico, on a round-the-world trip he took with his fiancee last spring. They flew 20,000 miles to 13 countries for 136,500 frequent flyer miles and $20 per flight in taxes and fees. Courtesy of Scott Keyes "I am completely blown away by how successful it's been. I started out in August 2015 charging $2/month for the premium list, and wasn't even sure I'd hit the 30 subscribers necessary to cover my costs. That there are now nearly 25,000 people who are willing to pay for this service is still hard for me to fathom," says Keyes in an email with CNBC. Even as he marvels at his own success, he has ambitious global growth goals. Currently Scott's Cheap Flights is available for would-be travelers searching for flights departing from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and every country in Europe. "We'd like to eventually be able to send out deals to people departing anywhere in the world," says Keyes. Scott Keyes in Athens, Greece, on a round-the-world trip he took with his fiancee last spring. They flew 20,000 miles to 13 countries for 136,500 frequent flyer miles and $20 per flight in taxes and fees. Courtesy of Scott Keyes Keyes wants to convert more people to the joy of traveling. Working remotely from the road, from coffee shops, or from his home office in Fort Collins, Colorado, gives Keyes the opportunity to benefit from his own searching. "Oh man, it feels like I am always up in the air," says Keyes in an email with CNBC. In 2016 alone, Keyes has logged 81,866 miles. He's been to Mexico, England, Spain, Hong Kong, Borneo, Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, Belarus, Japan, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, NYC, Chicago, DC, and Portland, Oregon (twice). And he's interested in helping others do the same. "We'd like to keep unearthing mistake fares and super cheap international flights so even more people who thought they couldn't afford to take that honeymoon or visit that overseas relative will actually be able to do it," says Keyes in an email with CNBC. watch now watch now watch now watch now In 2005, New Orleans native Kirk Coco watched the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina unfold with horror from afar in Seattle. The then 37-year-old was serving in the Navy but felt a gravitational pull toward home as the levees broke. He was on his 11th year of duty and ready for a change. "I promised myself I would get out of the Navy and get back home, where there was absolutely nothing," Coco, now 48, recalls. "All the old restaurants and businesses were shut down; very few places were open. I really wanted to open a business to help create jobs." So he got to thinking, and after a few beers, he recalled all of the great brewing cities he'd lived while serving, including San Diego. New Orleans' local brewery had relocated to Wisconsin after the storm, and it dawned on Coco that starting a new brewery might be the answer. He went to 29 different banks before securing an $800,000 loan to open NOLA Brewing Company in 2009, in addition to raising $200,000 from private investors by selling shares of the company 1 percent at a time. Today he's since expanded into a second location, NOLA Distilling Company, creating some 50 local jobs along the way, with $4 million in revenue last year. "New Orleans is like a family; it was like seeing your mom or dad in distress," he said. "I feel like I am part of a really wonderful group of entrepreneurs who have rebuilt the city." After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans native Kirk Coco left the Navy and moved back to the city to open a local brewery to create jobs. Kate Rogers | CNBC Since the storm, start-ups like Coco's are cropping up throughout the Big Easy, some out of sheer necessity, as the area was decimated. But locals attest, the boom is about more than just rebuilding; it's about bettering the community, with start-ups from the tech and education space to new retail businesses launching. According to the Data Center, a local community data aggregator, as of 2012 New Orleans led the nation in start-ups per capita at 471 businesses per population of 100,000, compared to the national average of 288. Before Katrina, the city trailed the national average, at 25 percent, according to data from the Kauffman Foundation. Part of that influx is because the city is one of the least expensive business markets in the nation, according to KPMG, making it appealing to young people. Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, an economic development alliance, attributes this to the "low-cost and high-culture" environment of the area, including low cost of living, labor and available office space. The state also offers a 35 percent tax credit for qualified digital media expenditures and a 25 percent tax credit for qualified angel investments. "Pre-Katrina, New Orleans was a very conservative business environment," Hecht said. "Now, with necessity being the mother of invention and Hurricane Katrina being the biggest and baddest mama of them all, we have been forced to become more inventive." The social entrepreneur movement Tippy Tippens represents both reinvention and the migration of younger people moving to New Orleans that Hecht is referring to. The now-42-year-old was living in Brooklyn when the Deepwater Horizon Gulf Oil spill took place in 2010, and wanted to find a way to help raise cash to fund the recovery. She took a research trip to New Orleans for ideas and first learned about the concept of social entrepreneurship. "I wanted to start a design company of my own but hadn't found a niche yet," Tippens recalls. "When I heard the term social entrepreneurship, it really clicked for me. Designing for good, creating projects to give back made of eco-friendly materials felt like home." More from iCONIC: Baltimore's billion-dollar business bet Money is flowing to start-ups in a city far from Silicon Valley This Midwestern city is a rising star for entrepreneurs As it turns out, New Orleans felt like home as well. Her idea turned into Bird Project Soap, selling handcrafted soaps made by local artisans. To launch it, she turned to Kickstarter in 2010 and raised $6,000, with portions of her proceeds going to the Gulf Restoration Network and International Bird Rescue. She moved to the city permanently that same year and launched Goods That Matter, a business that now sells eco-friendly local products from soaps to stationery. Tippens operates out of a local store with three additional social entrepreneurs, donating 10 percent of her profits to varying causes. To date she's raised more than $25,000 for projects involving wetlands restoration, animal rescue, literacy and more in and around the New Orleans area. "There's a phrase I hear a lot downtown, which is, 'A rising tide floats all boats,'" she said. As she explained, New Orleans is a community-based city, and it's very much about everyone doing well, not just individual entrepreneurs. A community network Crystal McDonald relied on local resources and the community network Tippens found in New Orleans when launching her business, Acrew, in 2013. McDonald, a former franchisee who attended college in New Orleans, realized she struggled to find employees for her business. She and her co-founder would post opportunities online and in the paper, but found that when it came time for the interview, many wouldn't show. "I thought there had to be a better way to handle this process," she said. "There really wasn't a lot of innovation in the hourly wage space. What we focus on is targeting employers that are traditionally high turnover the hourly-wage job market which is about 70 percent of the American workforce." She launched Acrew in 2013, a screening platform that connects employers and job-seekers using brief first-impression videos. Users don't need to take time off work or find child care, for example, to get their foot in the door, helping to narrow the no-show rate that McDonald herself experienced as a business owner. Over the past three years they've worked with 10,000 job seekers, raising close to $500,000 in funding. The goal is to scale nationally in the coming year. Over the past 10 years, New Orleans has set a great example for entrepreneurship. Crystal McDonald founder of Acrew watch now Skepticism is mounting that OPEC will succeed in hammering out a deal on Wednesday to cut oil production thanks to a recent flurry of statements and communications that hint at the waning enthusiasm among some key members of the oil-producing cartel. Jamie Webster, a fellow at the Columbia Centre for Global Energy Policy told CNBC that Wednesday's meeting in Vienna is "kind of our last chance" for OPEC to act. Yet while he says conditions are mostly in place to support an agreement such as a slowdown in U.S. shale production, a return of demand and Iran and Iraq giving signs of reaching current capacity limits - his optimism is contained. According to Webster, "A lot of the pieces are there, it's just a question of whether they can all come together." "Right now it's not looking that great," he added. His hesitation is shared by Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at Nordic bank SEB, who told CNBC via email that he saw a very low chance of a cut being agreed on Wednesday. Developments in recent days include the Russian news agency RIA reporting on Tuesday that the country's energy minister, Alexander Novak, has said he would not travel to Vienna for the OPEC meeting on Wednesday but would consider collaboration with the cartel afterwards if they managed to deliver a proposal. Iran and Indonesia were among the countries reported by Reuters on Tuesday morning to also be wavering on giving a commitment. Meantime, Reuters cited a source avowing that, following Monday's meeting of OPEC experts, no "concrete details" had been agreed regarding levels of production cuts to be proposed on an individual country basis. However, Barclays' oil market analyst, Miswin Mahesh, told CNBC on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia's market-spooking comments over the weekend that no production cuts were needed were just "classic game theory". According to Mahesh, "You're telling your opponents that even if there isn't a deal we're not going to be as hurt as originally stated. It's all about the negotiation tactics at this stage every country is doing it." Yet ultimately, Mahesh posits, all of the countries including those such as Iran that have been very vocally downplaying their need for a deal of late know the high consequences of not getting a deal done. watch now Although exact figures are difficult to discern, OPEC's dwindling dominance is reflected in its share of global production dropping from 54 percent in 1973, according to the Middle East Research and Information Project, to 42 percent today, according to Statista. Of today's top five global producers, only Saudi Arabia and Iraq are part of the cartel. Webster says this dynamic signals an important change for the industry. "This is no longer a unipolar market, this is a multi-polar market. It matters what OPEC does, it matters what the U.S. does, Russia, China. These all matter much more than in the past," he explained. Emphasizing the greater extent of coordination needed in today's world, he added, "It isn't just one meeting that you can go to figure out what's going to happen on the supply side." Late Tuesday morning oil was trading just shy of 2 percent lower for the session, at around $47 per barrel. A note from Barclays on Tuesday cited the potential for price fluctuations depending on Wednesday's outcome, saying, "says "If no (OPEC) deal is implemented, further downward pressure is likely. If a deal is secured then oil prices could well move above $50 per barrel relatively quickly." However, referring to an improvement in market dynamics since meetings were held in the Qatari capital last April, Mahesh says that while the oil price will certainly fall in the case of no deal, "a very, very sharp fall in the very immediate term might be ruled out just because the fundamentals aren't as weak as they were at Doha." This Sunday's referendum in Italy could kick off another banking crisis in Europe, according to one economist. "In my view the biggest risk is actually for the banking sector, even more so than political risk, and there will be some political instability," Megan Greene, chief economist at Manulife Asset Management, told CNBC on Tuesday. Italian voters have been asked to approve reforms to the country's constitution, but most voters see the upcoming referendum as a vote on the prime minister and the current government. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has previously stated that he would resign if the reforms are rejected. Expectations are that voters will say "no" to the reforms and bring political and financial instability back to the third largest euro zone economy. "If you have a crisis in the Italian banking sector kicking off again, not only that could spread across Europe but also the solution that Renzi may come up with to just break the rules and bailout the banks, in which case he would be massively undermining (the) banking union, which is actually the only area where they made progress in Europe since the beginning of the crisis," Greene added. The biggest hurdle against OPEC reaching an agreement in Vienna is that not all member states appear ready to participate in production cuts, Suhail al Mazroui, United Arab Emirates oil minister, told CNBC on Tuesday. "OPEC is a consolidated organization, and it needs to be unanimous. The expectation is that if we agree on something, it needs to be sustainable and that benefits everyone. Everyone needs to be participating," said Mazroui. "Don't ask me how, who or when before we meet." OPEC will meet in Vienna on Wednesday in an attempt to implement a deal outlined in September which proposed cutting oil production by around 1 million barrels per day. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak will not attend an OPEC meeting on Wednesday, but stands ready to discuss potential co-operation with OPEC if the group of oil-producing countries strikes an output deal, the RIA news agency said on Tuesday. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meets in Vienna at ministerial level on Wednesday to try to hammer out a deal to prop up prices that have halved since 2014. Russia is not an OPEC member. OPEC experts ended a meeting on Monday without agreeing on concrete details of a cap in oil output. watch now South Korean President Park Geun-hye relinquished her powers in a public announcement on Tuesday but stopped short of outright resignation in a move that's set to leave the country in political paralysis. "I will leave to parliament everything about my future, including shortening of my term," she said in a televised speech that followed five straight weekends of large-scale protests over her involvement in an influence-peddling scandal. Ahead of the speech, Yonhap News reported that Park was likely to give up some of her powers but refrain from resignation. Park, 64, has been facing calls to resign or face impeachment for allowing a close friend, Choi Soon-Sil, to interfere in state affairs without security clearance. Choi, 60, has been charged with numerous offences, including abuse of authority, coercion, attempted coercion and attempted fraud. People watching a televised speech of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye at a railway station in Seoul on November 29, 2016. JUNG YEON-JE / AFP / Getty Images Tuesday's announcement only exacerbated the nation's heightened level of political uncertainty, James Sullivan, head of equity research Asia ex-Japan at JP Morgan, said. "Now, we have a leader that has not stepped down and yet has effectively devolved power to other parties so it's unclear where we go from here. Indeed, her speech did not provide much clarity, Jonathan Berkshire Miller, international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, agreed. "Now that she's effectively ceded all her power to parliament, who will be in charge? This ambiguity won't be good for markets and it won't quash protests." It's expected that Prime Minister (PM) Hwang Kyo-ahn would take charge but political infighting has complicated the matter. Park installed Hwang as PM on Nov. 2 as part of a cabinet reshuffle but because the opposition coalition does not like Hwang, Park is willing to withdraw her nominee. "If parliament recommends a good person with an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, I will appoint that person as prime minister and allow him to essentially take control over the cabinet," Park told parliament on Nov. 8. The Blue House, Korea's equivalent of America's White House, has asked parliament to propose a new prime-ministerial candidate but the opposition coalition has yet to form a consensus. The fact that the Park did not formally step down was likely a legal manoeuvre to avoid prosecution; prosecutors labelled the head of state a co-conspirator with Choi on Nov. 20. "Park has immunity from prosecution while in office but would lose that protection if she quits, increasing incentives for her to cling to power in the hopes that her fortunes improve," Scott Seaman, senior Asia analyst at Eurasia, said in a recent note. Moreover, an outright resignation would have put her ruling Saenuri Party in danger. "It would have forced elections to happen in 60 days and Saenuri just doesn't have a suitable candidate to replace her. So this move buys her and Saenuri time," Miller explained. watch now watch now watch now Impeachment still on the table TiVo shares jumped more than 3 percent after the company signed a licensing agreement with Netflix. TiVo will integrate the streaming giant into its set-top boxes. It will include searches across the content catalog and a Netflix button on remote controls. A separate agreement between the two companies gives Netflix a license to TiVo's patent portfolios. Wednesday's OPEC meeting isn't the only thing investors need to worry about, as the oil charts could be hinting that the oil run may be done. With oil plunging about 4 percent on Tuesday on news that OPEC talks were in a deadlock, Todd Gordon of TradingAnalysis.com says that oil-tracking ETF USO 's sideways "consolidation" and a rising U.S. dollar do not bode well for the commodity. Since oil is priced in dollars, a stronger U.S. currency typically means that it takes fewer dollars to buy the same amount of crude. This leads Gordon to bet against the USO ETF by buying the January 10-strike put and selling the January 9-strike put for $0.37 per share, or $37 per options spread. This is the most he could lose on the trade. If the USO closes below $9 upon January expiration, this options spread will be worth $104, for a profit of $67. "This is a little bit of a gamble here, but we have a positive reward-to-risk ratio," Gordon said Tuesday on CNBC's "Trading Nation." "I like the setup, so I'm going to take it through the OPEC meeting." Oil bulls are hoping that OPEC announces a production cut to tamp down on the global oil glut, but as of Tuesday, that prospect is looking less likely. Crude itself has risen more than 20 percent so far this year, but the USO is down more than 8 percent. The ETF is generally best utilized for short-term trades and avoided for longer-term bets, due to the way the product's price interacts with oil prices. U.S. government debt prices were mostly flat on Tuesday as investors digested the latest release of U.S. economic data and comments from Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell. The case for a rate hike has clearly strengthened since the central bank's last meeting, Powell said in prepared remarks at an event in Washington, D.C. While Powell said he thinks that the Fed's patience in raising rates has paid dividends, he warned that moving too slowly could eventually mean that the Federal Open Market Committee would have to abruptly tighten policy to avoid overshooting its goals. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury notes , which moves inversely to price, was roughly flat near 2.306 percent, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was slightly lower at 2.951 percent. Donald Trump's baseless claim that he lost the popular vote because of "millions" of illegal ballots could give Democrats another reason to target his attorney general pick during his confirmation process. Some Senate Democrats have already signaled their concerns with Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama serving as attorney general based on his hardline immigration views and decades-old racially inflammatory statements that surfaced during a judiciary confirmation process in the 1980s. The president-elect's unfounded accusations of rampant illegal voting could only put more heat on Sessions if Democrats decide to grill him on whether the administration plans to investigate Trump's claims or support tougher voting restrictions. Sessions' Republican majority Senate colleagues will likely confirm him as attorney general, and a hearing could come before Trump is sworn in as president, according to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley. After meeting with Sessions on Tuesday, the Iowa Republican said members of his committee "know Sessions to be an honorable man" who "cares deeply about the even-handed application of the law." However, he hinted that he expected some Democratic attacks on Sessions' character. "Democratic members of the committee have pledged a fair process. Based on those commitments, I trust the other side will resist what some liberal interest groups are clearly hoping for an attack on his character," Grassley said in a statement. Trump's comments this week certainly do not make it easier for Democrats to hold back on Sessions regarding voting rights issues. While Trump himself has not said much about voter ID laws, his baseless fraud accusations beg the question of whether his White House will put its weight behind Republican efforts to make stricter identification requirements. Tweet: In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally Tweet: Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem! Voter fraud is exceedingly rare but has prompted GOP-backed voter identification laws and pushes to limit early voting in some states. Some advocacy groups and Democrats argue that those laws disproportionately affect people of color. It's not often that the payoff comes so quickly for even the best laid political trap. But that happened Tuesday morning after another one of President-elect Donald Trump's tweets produced just the kind of response he and his team must have hoped for all along. It was so easy and quick, it was kind of like watching a Washington version of the old practical joke show "Punked." Here's how it went down. At about 7am Eastern Time, the following message appeared on Trump's Twitter feed: It's likely the tweet was in response to some flag burning incidents that have been reported across the country in protest of Trump's election. The most famous of which occurred at Hampshire College in Massachusetts and resulted in the school's administration taking the drastic step of removing the flag from the campus flagpole. But right on cue, an army of sanctimonious Trump critics took to social media and even newspaper web sites to attack the President-elect's tweet and use it as proof that he is a reckless and scary fascist. Almost uniformly, the critical comments pointed out that flag burning was a protected form of Free Speech protected by the U.S. Supreme Court in a decision joined even by the late Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. The Washington Post's political writer Philip Bump perhaps bit the hardest and fastest on the bait as he quickly attacked Trump for flouting existing law but also for supposedly letting this flag burning comment distract him from the more important work he should be doing assembling his cabinet. Well, the joke's on you folks. As Trump and his team must have certainly known, the last nationally prominent American politician to propose making flag burning illegal and affixing a hefty fine of as much as $100,000 for doing so was... then-Senator Hillary Clinton in 2005. She and the late Republican Senator Bob Bennett introduced and co-authored the Flag Protection Act of 2005 and it came to the floor in October of that year but was never passed. The New York Times, to its credit, saw through the Clinton ploy at the time, and criticized her for what they called, "Clinton in full pandering mode." But almost no one else did, and unlike her former position against gay marriage, it was not an issue where liberal political pressure forced Clinton to reverse herself. In other words, the Left didn't care all that much about anti-flag burning laws when Hillary Clinton was proposing them. And the Times and the other Trump bashers today all failed to mention Hillary Clinton's eerily similar position in their attacks on Trump today. And in so doing, they were basically the victims of a sneaky practical joke that Trump is likely to use again to continue to embarrass and delegitimize his opponents. If Trump can make it appear that his opponents don't actually believe in any political philosophy and only attack and defend policies based on who's proposing them, then he makes all that supposed principled opposition quite moot. But even without the delicious Clinton connection, the tweet served to get Trump's opponents to very loudly defend the right to burn the flag. Legal or not, that's simply not a very politically popular position. Every politician of course holds a few unpopular positions, but the trick is to get him or her to go public with them. This ploy Tuesday morning from Trump did that too. And social media platforms like Twitter help Trump achieve that delegitimizing goal instantly and publicly. After today's quite gratifying exercise, we can all forget about getting Trump to stop tweeting. As long as so many people are going to be gullible enough to give him exactly what he wants every time he tweets, this will continue. Tune in tomorrow or the next day, when he does it again. For Trump, Twitter isn't a problem. It's a gift that keeps on giving. Foundation adds another $25M to Kinder Institute The Kinder Foundation is giving the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy another $25 million, bringing its total to $60 million. 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. Former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will introduce legislation to discourage companies from relocating jobs offshore. The legislation would punish offshore decisions with loss of tax breaks and government contracts and impose an "outsourcing tax" on firms that proceed nonetheless. The proposal, announced this weekend, singles out United Technologies for its decision to close its Carrier Corp. manufacturing plant in Indianapolis and relocate operations to Mexico. [To comment on this story, go to Computerworld's Facebook page.] Sander's proposal is ostensibly aimed at manufacturing relocations, but his proposal is broad enough that it may affect IT offshoring decisions as well. Most affected will likely be those firms that do both, namely large IT companies that receive government contracts and also run manufacturing and software development operations here and abroad. As of 2015, tech manufacturing employment accounted for about 9 percent of the total base of manufacturing employment or about 351,000 employees, said CompTIA, an industry group. Sanders made offshore outsourcing a high-profile issue in the presidential campaign, and was one of 10 senators who signed a letter in 2015 asking for an investigation into Southern California Edison's decision to move IT jobs offshore. While Sander's proposal does not mention IT jobs specifically, "IT jobs would go to Mexico along with everyone else," said Russ Harrison, the director of government relations at the IEEE-USA. About 1,400 people are employed at Carrier's Indianapolis plant, according to the United Steelworkers local that represents many of the workers. (A video captured the moment in February when the employees were informed.) The union did not have an estimate on the number of people employed in IT at the facility. The first phase of the plant relocation is expected to begin in the middle of 2017. President-elect Donald Trump said he has been talking to Carrier about its decision, and that he was working to get the company to reverse course, in a tweet on Thanksgiving: "I am working hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier A.C. Company to stay in the U.S. (Indiana). MAKING PROGRESS - Will know soon!" Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2016 Sanders, in his statement about offshore outsourcing, said that Trump "made a 100 percent commitment to prevent United Technologies from shipping" the jobs to Mexico. "All of us need to hold Mr. Trump accountable to make sure that he keeps this promise" the Vermont senator said. Sanders' "Outsourcing Prevention Act," would bar companies that outsource jobs offshore from receiving future federal contracts, tax breaks and grants of loans from the U.S. government. It would also impose a tax "equal to the amount of savings achieved by outsourcing jobs or 35 percent of its profits, whichever is higher." It would put "stiff tax penalties" on executives of these firms, attacking their golden parachutes, stock options and bonuses. It's not clear when Sanders will submit this legislation to Congress. Trump has proposed financial penalties, through higher tariffs, on companies that relocate manufacturing operations overseas. Trump also plans to attack the H-1B visa program, which is used by IT services firms to help move technology work overseas. The proposal could "definitely" affect IT services outsourcing, said David Rutchik, executive managing director for business transformation and outsourcing advisory firm Pace Harmon. But he said the proposal is "quite extreme, impractical and could make American industry noncompetitive." Rutchik said he doesn't expected the legislation to pass. "This looks more like an imposition of criminal sanctions, not legislation addressing what is and has been permissible and lawful activity," Rutchik said. The proposal is "so sweeping that certainly IT would be included," said Rutchik. "If an American job is moved offshore, then it appears it would be covered by the proposal." Samsung, a company so massive it accounts for 20% of South Korea's gross domestic product, is in the midst of a struggle that could see it split into two companies and ditch its PC business. The International Business Times reports that Samsung is in negotiations with China's Lenovo Group to sell the PC division for approximately 1 trillion won, or $850 million. How much Samsung makes from its PC business is unknown. Samsung is already in retreat in the PC space. It stopped selling PCs in the European market in 2014, citing competition from HP and Lenovo. It also cut back in the U.S. for a time but has recently revamped its efforts. As it is, it never registers a blip on the quarterly sales figures from IDC and Gartner. That doesn't mean it doesn't have some nice hardware. The Galaxy TabPro S is a beautiful Windows 10 2-in-1 with numerous awards and accolades, including a Best of CES award. It also has a decent array of laptops and desktops, but they don't seem to be catching on. Lenovo, on the other hand, has risen to dominate the PC market with stylish designs and a little help from IBM, which sold its PC division to Lenovo in 2005 and continued to sell ThinkPads to corporate customers. According to third quarter numbers, Lenovo was the number one PC vendor with 20.9% market share, with HP right behind it at 20.4% market share. Grabbing Samsung should inch it further along, but not by much. The PC business sale news comes amidst a bigger news item, that Samsung is being pressured to split itself into two companies. The company is under pressure from U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management, which owns 0.6% of the company, to split the company in two and provide more in payouts. In doing so, it would pay out a special dividend of 30 trillion won ($26 billion). With that kind of dividend it's not hard to see why Elliott wants the split, but such a move would also allow the Lee family which founded the firm to increase their control over the company. Jay Y. Lee (aka Lee Jae-yong) took over control of the company from his father Lee Kun-hee in 2015 and has been refocusing on its core assets while dumping underperforming divisions. Samsung sold its printer division to HP earlier this year, and now the PC group is on the block. Obviously the company wants to get rid of dead weight ahead of such a split. They are also not in the strongest of positions to resist the push. Samsung has been reeling from some PR disasters as of late, most notably the exploding batteries in the Galaxy Note 7. Then there was the exploding washing machines, which got less coverage but still left the company red-faced none the less. The offices of Samsung were raided earlier this month as part of an investigation involving a political scandal involving South Korean President Park Geun-hye and her friend, who is alleged to have exerted improper influence in state affairs. The search was related to whether Samsung may have improperly provided financial assistance to a daughter of the president's friend, Choi Soon-sil, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap. What Lenovo would do with the Samsung division is unclear. Lenovo has a tremendous product line for business users (ThinkPad) and consumers (Yoga). Picking up Samsung would give it a little more consumer business, and that's about it. Samsung is not a player in enterprise IT, which is a shame because the TabPro S is a fine piece of hardware. Christopher Howarth is a senior researcher working in the House of Commons. Prior to this he worked for Open Europe, as a Conservative Foreign Affairs Adviser and senior researcher to a Shadow Europe Minister. In answer to a question at the CBI conference, the Prime Minister acknowledged that some in the audience feared a cliff edge on Brexit. The Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney has now talked of a transitional agreement as a Brexit buffer. Is this an idea worth exploring? The idea of a transitional agreement to tide things over on Brexit would be to give business certainty and avoid a gap between the expiration of our current EU membership and the beginning of a new UK/EU free trade agreement. This immediately begs a number of questions; would a transitional agreement be any quicker to negotiate than a final agreement? What would it cover? What would it transition to? How long would it take to negotiate? How long would it last? And in the absence of these how would it really create certainty? The precedents are not good. The EU has negotiated a number of interim arrangements. There is the 1994 EEA agreement with Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland which for Norway at least was seen a transitional agreement pending full EU membership. There is the EUs 1995 customs union with Turkey which was again seen as temporary pending Turkish accession. These temporary arrangements all show the signs of permanence. The UK should be wary of following this precedent. The unpleasantness of being trapped in a temporary/permanent agreement of indeterminate length was not lost on the medieval Church. It remains a real one. The second drawback, from the UKs point of view, in negotiating a complex EEA-type agreement (if indeed the EU wishes to expand the EEA) would be it would take time. Under the Article 50 process we have a maximum of two years to negotiate a deal with the EU. We could do it in less, and we could also if everyone agrees extend it. The idea of a transitional agreement to give City firms certainty would be negated if the transitional deal was announced so far into the two year period that firms would have already made their plans. In any case a temporary deal would be unlikely to create certainty. There is no good reason to believe that negotiating a complex interim agreement would be easier than negotiating a final agreement. The UK and EU at present have exactly matching regulations and zero tariffs, there should, if they are able to at all, be little to negotiate an agreement in two years. If it is thought a little more time is needed, the more obvious solution would not be to launch into a new separate agreement but to extend the UKs exit by a few months and therefore save the time wasted negotiating another agreement? It is also unclear how a transitional agreement would fit into and aid the existing negotiations. The UK will need to negotiate on several issues concurrently as it is: The Article 50 withdrawal agreement itself, including contentious issues such as apportioning the budget; A potential free trade agreement; Other separate important areas, such a data sharing agreements and aviation which might be concluded on their own or in any of the other two agreements. While the UK would wish the free trade agreement should come into force immediately on exit, there may be those in the European Commission who would risk their own citizens livelihoods by insisting that the free trade agreement cannot come into force until the issue of the UKs final budget contribution is agreed. There may even be some who wish to refuse any discussion of trade until the actual withdrawal is agreed. This would guarantee the talks go for the full two year period. Under this scenario the EU might force the UK to consider a last minute transitional agreement, or the UK may decide that the certainty of WTO trading terms were preferable to launching another set of talks. Having discarded a complex EEA-style agreement difficult to agree and requiring EU unanimity we are left with a more modest stop-gap proposal. If we are nearing the end of the two year period with no agreement in sight, the EU could act quickly to grant a deal that involved the continuation of zero tariffs between the EU and UK. This would not require unanimity as it is an exclusive EU competence. This could be supplemented by agreement on a wide range of current financial and other regulations if the Commission agreed to mutual recognition and deemed equivalence (see the Legatum Institutes recent Brexit brief on financial services here). While there may be utility in agreeing some form of transitional agreement of this type, the key here is to only agree something that we would not object to allowing into a permanent EU/UK agreement as these agreements have a danger of becoming permanent. A form of UK/EU-minus that can be built on, rather than an EU-minus we than have to expend energy escaping from, might work. Theresa May is correct to say that the Government cannot give a running commentary on interim deals of which we know no details. It is also true that in a negotiation we cannot account for the attitude of the other party. The UKs main effort should be on negotiating the real and permanent agreement with the EU that in the Prime Ministers words lets us become, once more, a fully sovereign and independent country free from the European Court and free to control our borders. With good will on both sides, we should be able to achieve that in two years and have no need for any transitional agreement. Climate change action NOW! Mitigating climate change requires changing global energy production from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources as rapidly as possible. And the world is reacting. The demand for coal is falling heavily, and many new renewable energy power generation plants are under construction. China has introduced a ban on construction of new coal-fired power plants until 2018. The ban will probably remain indefinitely. In sharp contrast, the Turnbull government has supported the fossil fuel industries while paying lip service to environmental considerations. It has approved construction of vast new coal mines and ports for the export of coal, most of which will be shipped perilously across the already-threatened Great Barrier Reef. The coalition government is promoting gas, including coal seam gas, to replace coal as an energy source. It wants to strip the Australian Renewable Energy Agency of $1 billion funding, which would devastate the renewable energy industry. It has stripped the CSIRO of funding, resulting in a loss of 300 scientific positions. Its proposed energy security review wont consider the impact of climate change, and it still promotes the hopelessly ineffective Direct Action program which pays polluting corporations, in the vain hope theyll cut their carbon emissions. State governments have also failed the test. Some state governments have sold off their publicly-owned electricity generation, pricing and/or distribution networks, and have left it to the private sector to construct new power stations. Electrical power installations are crucial for our national security. They should not be sold off to private interests, and the South Australian power crisis demonstrated the importance of having government control over energy supply, rather than relying on greedy, self-interested private power providers. A new report describes the condition of the Great Barrier Reef as much more serious than three years ago, and states unequivocally that the primary cause of its deterioration is a rise in the global ocean temperature owing to climate change. The Turnbull coalition government has failed to take effective steps to mitigate climate change. In order to achieve the coalitions primary objectives, including its anti union legislation, Turnbull has sought the support of key opposition Senators like One Nations Pauline Hanson, and the still bitterly-resentful pro-Abbott faction, which opposes any action that would undermine the dominant position of the fossil fuel industries. Hanson and Abbott are notorious climate change deniers, Abbott remarking Climate change is crap. The coalition is arguing for the slowest possible replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy sources. It also took full propaganda advantage of two power failures in South Australia, which now derives 41 percent of its energy from renewable sources, mostly wind farms. Under the current national energy arrangements, the eastern states can purchase extra electricity from another state through energy interconnectors near the state borders. In May this year an energy shortage occurred in South Australia, and problems with the Victorian interconnector forced some SA heavy industry consumers who had spot price market contracts to purchase energy from privately-owned gas-fired power generators. However, demand from local and overseas purchasers was extremely high, and the industry consumers were desperate, so suppliers stung them with power rates up to $1,400 per kilowatt hour, more than 100 times the yearly average rate. The primary problem was obviously the ruthless charge whatever you can get away with market approach of the private energy suppliers, but the Turnbull government launched a phoney scare campaign against renewable energy. The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association joined in, predicting that reliance on renewables rather than gas would doom the state to repeated crises. Dow Chemicals managing director described the South Australian energy policy as a train wreck. On August 28 in South Australia a violent storm wrecked 23 energy transmission towers, the states wind power stations automatically shut down to prevent their overheating, and the Victorian interconnector failed to provide supplementary power. Some areas of the state were without power for several days. The crisis would have occurred even if the state had been powered solely by coal or gas generators. Nevertheless, the wind stations again got the blame. The energy problems demonstrated in South Australia in May did not originate in inadequate supply. There was enough gas to meet the demands of industry when extra power was needed, and the price surge was caused by the private energy suppliers wringing as much profit as possible from their customers. Nor did the problem lie in unsolvable technical difficulties associated with renewable energy. The SA crisis was triggered by the structural collapse of the transmission towers, a problem easily solved by more robust construction. Extra interconnectors could also be built at state borders. The Turnbull government blamed the SA energy crises on the intermittent nature of wind and sunlight. However, with careful planning these energy sources can meet normally anticipated demands. Moreover, during emergencies grid-scale energy storage technology, which already exists, could provide power much more quickly than gas generators during periods of low wind or inadequate sunshine, or during fierce weather like the July storm in SA. But installing energy storage systems initially involves substantial extra cost, and private companies that contribute to the SA grid regard energy storage as commercially unviable. The problem with energy storage doesnt lie in technical feasibility but in the profit motive. What must be done? The state governments have committed to ambitious renewable energy targets, eg 50 percent by 2020 in South Australia. In contrast, the Turnbull government now wants all the states to accept its feeble goal of a mere 26 to 28 percent carbon emission reduction by 2030, and its pathetic renewable energy target of 23.5 percent by 2020, which Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg described as set in stone ... because it drives investment in the market .... The origin of Australias energy problems clearly lies in the corrupt motivation of the federal government, and the solution lies in removing the government from power at the earliest opportunity. Viva Fidel! Message of condolence on the passing of Fidel Castro The Communist Party of Australia expresses its heart-felt condolences to the family, the Communist Party of Cuba and to the people of Cuba on the passing of the father of their revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz. While Fidel was identified with the revolutionary transformation of his country from a backwater and semi-colony of the US into an outstanding example of socialist construction, his legacy belongs to the world. The volume of tributes made since his death on Friday night demonstrates the influence he had on generations of people all over the world who keep struggling for a better, socialist world. The list of the achievements of the revolution inspired and guided by Fidel is very long. It touches millions around the world in the form of medical aid, literacy campaigns and other assistance. It played a crucial role in the defeat of Apartheid and the end of colonialism in Africa. This mighty effort has been maintained despite the illegal economic blockade imposed on Cuba by the US and its imperialist allies. Our region benefited massively from this generous outpouring of practical internationalism. In Australia, Aboriginal communities have embraced assistance in the form of the Yi Si Puedo (Yes I Can) adult literacy program. The personal commitment of Fidel to his dream of a socialist Cuba and a socialist world is an example to all Communists. It was sometimes possible to forget that he was a simple human being with a family. His wife, Dalia, was a mighty support to this man of destiny whose entire adult life was sacrificed to the cause of the poor and oppressed of the world. His energy, patience and judgement endured to the very end of his life and his absence will be felt by all progressive people. All over the world, Communists and other progressive people are united in loss and in their understanding of Fidels great contribution to the struggle for a better world. It is the wish of the Communist Party of Australia that this unity can be extended to the many struggles ahead as the workers and other exploited people of the world fight back against capitalism and imperialism, the enemies of humanity. This is the way we can give life to his inspiration. This is the way we will honour the memory of Fidel Castro Ruz. Viva Fidel! Viva Cuba! Deportee Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (also known as Deportee) is a protest song written by Woody Guthrie detailing the January 28, 1948 crash of a plane near Los Gatos Canyon. A US government chartered plane deporting 28 Mexican nationals went down, killing all on board. They were wetback workers who had entered the United States illegally induced by the promise of good-paying jobs from agents of the big fruit orchards in California. Newspaper articles at the time called the workers deportees no names were given. Woody Guthries song is still relevant today. As to the deportees they were finally given names in a ceremony in 2013 when thanks to the local community a memorial ceremony was held and the names of all the people killed in the plane crash were inscribed on a headstone. Deportee The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting The oranges are piled in their creosote dumps, Youre flying them back to the Mexico border To pay all their money to wade back again. Chorus: Goodbye to my Juan, goodbye Rosalita Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maria You wont have a name when you ride the big plane All they will call you will be DEPORTEES. My fathers own father he waded that river They took all the money he made in his life. Six hundred miles to the Mexico border They chase us like outlaws, like rustlers, like thieves. We died in your hills, we died in your deserts We died in your valleys and died in your plains We died neath your trees and we died in your bushes Both sides of the border, we died just the same. The sky plane caught fire over Los Gatos Canyon A fire ball of lightening it shook all our hills Who are all these friends, all scattered like dry leaves? The radio tells us theyre just DEPORTEES. Is this the best way we can grow our big orchards? Is this the best way we can grow our good fruit? To be scattered like dry leaves and to rot on the topsoil And be called by no name except DEPORTEES. Wounded Knee III in the making? As darkness does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances theres twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. The struggle at Standing Rock, North Dakota, between the Sioux people and their supporters and the oil corporations and banks trying to run a dangerous pipeline for filthy Bakkan crude oil through their sacred lands and underneath the Missouri River was cranked up to a new level of violence last week and in ensuing days as National Guard troops and the Morton County Sheriffs Department, bolstered by volunteers from various other police departments conducted an all-night attack using maximum violence, including flash-bang concussion grenades, rubber bullets, mace, tear gas and three water cannons this at a time the temperature on the prairie had fallen to a low of 22 degrees Fahrenheit (5 Celsius). The casualties of this one-sided battle against peaceful protesters on a bridge were enormous, with some 300 of the estimated 400 protesting water protectors, both native people and non-native supporters, injured, 26 of them seriously. There was evidence that police were aiming rubber bullets at protesters heads and groins to inflict maximum pain and damage, with eight of the injured hospitalised, including a 13-year-old girl shot in the face, whose eye was reportedly damaged. The gravest injuries were a tribal elder who suffered a cardiac arrest, and Sophia Wolansky, a 21-year-old New York City resident who had come to back the Standing Rock Sioux in their struggle to halt construction of the pipeline. She was hit in the arm by a flash-bang grenade thrown at her by a Morton County Sheriffs deputy, which blew up on impact, blowing away the flesh and muscle and some of the nerves the length of her forearm and some bone of the elbow joint. She has been evacuated to a hospital in Minneapolis where physicians and nurses are fighting to save her arm and hand from an amputation. Wolanskys father Wayne, a 61-year old lawyer in New York, angrily called on the government to put a halt to the violent repression at Standing Rock. He said of his daughters injury, which was the result of a flash-bang concussion grenade being thrown directly at her, This is the wound of someone whos a warrior, who was sent to fight in a war, Wayne said. Its not supposed to be a war. Shes peacefully trying to get people to not destroy the water supply. And theyre trying to kill her. Concussion grenades are not supposed to be used to target people. The latest attack, which has been rightly condemned by UN human rights observers as an atrocity, harks back to the simultaneous country-wide crushing of the Occupy movement occupations in cities across the US during early November, 2011, when local police aided in some cases by armed federal parks police, assaulted occupiers with maximum violence, almost always at night, barring the media from witnessing their deliberate and coordinated over-the-top violence. In that case, an aggressive campaign of legal discovery by the Partnership for Civil Justice using the Freedom of Information Act resulted in the unearthing of documents from both the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI proving there had been a concerted campaign by those federal agencies to coordinate the crushing of the Occupy Movement. That campaign urged police to use maximum violence, to operate at night, and to share the results of their attacks with other city police departments so that tactics of repression that worked, could be replicated. It would appear that the repressive lessons learned by police agencies in 2011 are now being used as a kind of repression handbook by Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier and his deputies against the protesting Sioux water protectors and their Anglo supporters. There is no indication that such vicious repression is working though. Even as the brutal assault on the Sunday night and Monday morning sent dozens of people to area hospitals, more brave people continued to pour into Standing Rock to support the struggle of the Standing Rock Sioux and the many representatives of some 300 US tribes around the country, and the representatives of indigenous peoples from around the world fighting this battle. The decision to run the so-called Dakota Access Pipeline through Sioux sacred lands, some of it formerly awarded to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe by US treaty, but later stolen from them, stands in stark contrast to an earlier decision to reroute it from a planned Missouri River crossing point near the North Dakotas capital city of Bismarck. There, protests by the local (white, middle-class) public forced a rethink by the companies behind the pipeline, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. They decided to alter the planned route to run it through Indian territory instead. The Standing Rock Tribal Council called on President Obama to put a halt to this dangerous and obscene project, suggesting that as president he has the power to declare the crossing location a National Historic Site, thus protecting it from such defilement. The president, of course, could also look at the local Sheriffs repressive and violent tactics against an Indian people, and simply federalise local National Guard troops, ordering them to force local police to stand down instead of following the Republican governors orders to participate in the repression as they are now doing under his trumped-up state emergency declaration. That the president hasnt already acted to stop the attacks on peaceful protesters speaks volumes about Obamas lack of courage and of principle and of his hypocrisy. In 2014, President Obama visited the Standing Rock Sioux, and acknowledged their centuries of abuse by the US government. Now, however, that abuse has occurred on this presidents watch, and incredibly, despite the extent of the violence, he has done nothing to stop it. Its time for all decent Americans to take a stand in support of the Sioux People of Standing Rock. Contact the White House at 202-456-1414 and demand that the president send troops to stand between Sioux water protectors and their local law-enforcement assailants, and to have Federal Marshals arrest those who commit acts of brutality. The militarised response to peaceful protest at Standing Rock should stand as a warning to all who would protest Americas slide into totalitarianism. What the government will do to Native Americans and their Anglo supporters today is what we can probably expect them to do to any of us who protest in this new Trumpian America. On the bright side, the growing violence against the Standing Rock Sioux and their implacable struggle to defend their sacred lands has mobilised some 1,000 or more American military veterans of Americas past imperialist wars to plan a deployment to stand in unarmed defence of the Sioux Nation against the military and police forces of the State of North Dakota and the Dakota Access Pipeline consortium and its private military contractors arrayed against them. Organised by Veterans for Standing Rock. Information Clearing House Dark days for Ukraines left Last week, the United Nations overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the glorification of Nazism and practices encouraging racism and intolerance. The UN was established on the back of the defeat of Nazism. As World War II drew to a close, a declaration of war on the axis powers of Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and imperial Japan was a precondition of joining the fledgling UN. The vision of its founders that cooperation rather than competition between countries could work, and that disputes need not be resolved by violent confrontation was an emphatic rejection of the fascist creed, where the strongest dominate and the weak are exterminated. So for members of the UN to back that resolution was a no-brainer. Just three countries saw fit to vote against it: the United States, Ukraine, and the tiny Pacific archipelago of Palau. Washington cast its vote in order to shield its Ukrainian ally. Over 40 countries mostly EU members and Britain abstained, again because they saw the resolution as an attack on Ukraine. But why? An account of events in Ukraine since 2014s Western-backed coup is chilling. The Maidan protests that brought down the Viktor Yanukovych government were portrayed in Britain, the US, and much of Europe as a popular uprising against a corrupt regime. The truth is rather more complicated. Yanukovych, while corrupt, was elected, and the street movement that forced him from power was dominated by fascist and neo-Nazi gangs. Many people, however, went to protest at Maidan because they were sick of corruption, wanted higher wages and living conditions, and thought things could change. But even then, support was almost entirely from the western parts of the country. Ukraine never an independent country before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 has been sharply divided between east and west ever since. As explained in The Empire and Ukraine by Andrew Murray, governments have changed hands through elections, but the victor has always been either a western or eastern oligarch, and the vote almost always split down the middle geographically. Yanukovych was an oligarch whose Party of Regions had its power base in the east. His predecessor, Viktor Yuschenko, was backed by the west. And Yanukovychs downfall was perceived across Ukraine as a reversal of the electoral victory of the Russophile east and a reassertion of the dominance of the more EU-inclined west. Many in western Ukraine supported the EU association agreement pursued by the coup government but Ukraines communists say the results have been disastrous. Since signing the agreement, Ukraines economy has been in freefall. When Yanukovych fell, there were eight Ukrainian hryvnia to the US dollar; now there are 27. Prices have soared and agriculture and industry have suffered as the country struggles to accord with EU and IMF prescriptions. Seven million are now unemployed; half the population can no longer afford to pay their rent. The countrys communists denounce the social genocide ushered in by the new rulers. If Maidan brought economic disaster to Ukraine, its political consequences have been even more sinister. Paramilitary battalions unleashed by the government to crush resistance in the east openly use Nazi symbols and call for war on Russians, communists, and Jews in a manner instantly recognisable from Third Reich propaganda. These shock troops of the Ukrainian right have been guilty of war crimes, including the torture and murder of civilians, in eastern Ukraine, as documented by charities including Amnesty International. Yet they have received training and money from the militaries of NATO states. But they have also taken up key posts in the state security apparatus, most recently when the former deputy commander of the fascist Azov Battalion Vadim Troyan became head of the national police force this month. Collaborators with Hitler are now hailed as fighters for independence. Streets are being renamed after ultra-nationalists. These are not fringe elements of the new Ukraine. They are key to the rewriting of history now underway which aims to shore up an invented national identity in the image of the right. This warped narrative slipped out when former prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk claimed the Soviet Union had invaded Nazi Germany in the second world war. Ukraines lurch to the far right has included a drive to outlaw the Communist Party. A de-communisation law has banned the use of communist symbols and criminalised any positive reference to the Soviet Union. Monuments to Red Army veterans who fought the Nazi invaders and Soviet-era statues have been torn down across the country. The Communist Party of Ukraine is not an insignificant force: it was the countrys third-largest party before Maidan, winning 13 percent of the electorate and nearly three million votes in 2012. Ukraines new masters are not prepared to risk taking it on democratically it is now barred from participating in elections by decree of the minister of justice. The party is not yet illegal; a government lawsuit banning it was approved by Kiev courts, but it remains active pending an appeal. Still, it operates under serious restrictions. Its voice is excluded from the media. When mentioned, communists are portrayed as separatists and Russian stooges. The inability to use communist imagery, distribute communist literature, or say anything positive about Ukraines socialist and communist traditions is crippling. And state harassment and persecution has been relentless. Criminal prosecutions have been opened up against more than 400 communists. Members of the party can be disappeared, without any semblance of due process. One member vanished for over a year before the party was able to discover what had happened to him. Only an exhaustive scouring of the lists of prison inmates around the country yielded his location. Kharkiv party leader Alla Alexandrovskaya, a 67-year-old woman in poor health, was detained without trial for months. Premises have been looted, property destroyed. And in the public narrative, the communists are already banned. Communists are not the only victims of the new Ukraine. Politicians linked to Yanukovychs old party have died in suspicious circumstances: the list includes Oleg Kalashnikov, Oles Bunya, Mikhail Chechetov, Stanislav Melnik and many more. The government shows no interest in pursuing justice for the victims of far-right violence and murder, whether those are civilians in the eastern war zones or the 48 people burned to death by far-right arsonists in Odessas House of Trade Unions on May 2, 2014. But the communists have received the most consistent, determined, and targeted repression by the Ukrainian regime. Partly this is because the Party of Regions dissolved itself; the next biggest party opposed to the coup was the Communist Party. But more than that, the communists represent a class politics which the ultra-right forces dominating Ukraine must crush if their goal of attaching the country to US imperialism via the EU and NATO is to succeed. Communists have fought against the militarisation of eastern Europe and oppose the current build-up of NATO troops in Ukraine. They also campaign for peace in eastern Ukraine, where the far-right governments war on the local population has killed thousands and displaced two million, on the basis of the Minsk II agreements. Ukraines future looks bleak unless the Communist Party can succeed in its push for truly free elections in which the left is able to organise and participate. Ukraines communists need solidarity and the support of the labour movement everywhere against the tide of state repression engulfing their country. Morning Star Israel tightens grip on Golan Listen, Salman Fakherldeen said. Do you hear? Below the drone of a farmers tractor, the distant clatter of automatic gunfire steadily increased in volume and intensity. Fakherldeen is an activist in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights and a researcher with the Golan-based human rights centre al-Marsad. Martial beret screwed down over his head, he paused for thought as he smoked a cigarette, watching shells explode on the Syrian plains beyond the demilitarised zone. The only winners now are [Bashar] Assad and the Israelis, he said. And in the end, Assad will lose as well. The equation leaves only one victor and the Golan Heights are the spoils of war. As fighting tears its once stable if hostile northern neighbour apart, Israel is using the spectre of the Islamic State group and Islamist militancy to seek international recognition for its annexation of the area, occupied since 1967. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, thus chose last year to declare that the Golan Heights will forever remain in Israeli hands, taking full advantage of the chaos in Syria to openly challenge international law. The time has come, after 40 years, for the international community to finally recognise that the Golan Heights will remain forever under Israeli sovereignty, he said. Naftali Bennett, Israels education minister, also made a play for the annexation of the Golan to be internationally recognised, specifically citing the threat of Islamic State. The Golan, he said, was the only thing preventing Islamic State fighters from swimming in the Galilee. Consolidating the occupation Such words have been followed by specific policies to consolidate Israels grip on the territory: a planned five-fold increase in the number of settlers, a US$108 million cash injection into 750 new Israeli agricultural projects, and a significant military expansion along the boundary between Syria and the territory under Israeli control. As recently as October 26, the Israeli government gave the go-ahead for the construction of 1,600 new homes in the settlement of Katzrin. The towns 8,000 settlers live on ground once home to Syrian villagers, their property razed during the 1967 war. To Faisal, a farmer in the Golan whose vineyard adjoins the United Nations-patrolled demilitarised zone and who spoke on condition that his full name would not be used, the issue is not the border. These days, he observed, everybody lives near a border. Faisal is more concerned with Israeli policies allowing settlers access to up to five times more water than the Golans indigenous Syrian Druze, a minority religious group, and harsh restrictions on building projects. Its been 40 years and were still not allowed to build, he said. We are farming with love, not money: its impossible. How can you continue to live on this land? In September, for the first time in decades, Israel implemented a home demolition policy in the Golan, more commonly associated with its practices in the occupied West Bank. A candy-coloured Druze flag now flaps over the remains of Bassan Ibrahims home on a promontory overlooking Majdal Shams, the largest Syrian town in the occupied Golan. Bulldozed by Israeli police, it is now just a heap of rubble and twisted metal. And al-Marsad reports that there are now more than 80 homes scheduled to be destroyed, as native Syrians find it difficult or impossible to secure building permits. My son lives with me, hes 28, Faisal said. And I thank God that he hasnt found a wife yet. Where would they go? Where would they live? Something like Islamic State Israeli designs on the Golan are no secret, but are often wrapped in seemingly innocuous language. Last year, Israel presented itself as a concerned protector of the Druze on the Syrian side of the 1967 boundary from the threat of Islamist militants. Reuven Rivlin, Israels President, aired these concerns after Druze citizens of the state had voiced fears for their co-religionists in Syria. But Faisal said he did not believe Israel cares about protecting him from Islamic State fighters or anyone else. The Israeli state takes care of Jews, not Arabs, he said. He pointed out that Israeli landmines around his home force him to work a scrap of poor-quality land beside the boundary. A massive land grab around Majdal Shams is marketed as an apolitical act of ecological largess. But Naftali Bennetts remarks that the Syrian war is a rare opportunity for Israel to stake its claim on the big mountain of the Golan suggest a different motivation behind the Hermon National Park project. Across the demilitarised zone, meanwhile, al-Marsads Fakherldeen pointed out border gates he alleged are used by Israel to systematically provided cover for fighters from an Al-Qaida offshoot group, smuggling them across the UN-patrolled boundary under cover of darkness. Though Fakherldeen opposes the Assad government in Syria, he was emphatic in his condemnation of Israels touted humanitarian efforts in the region: I do not thank them for it, he said. If they truly cared they would take some refugees. Instead they push them back. Syria will collapse, and Israel will demand to keep control over the Golan and maybe even more than that, Fakherldeen argued. Israels posture as a politically exceptional actor in the region, moreover, mirrors the exclusivist theology of Islamic State, Fakherldeen said. Israel says its the only democracy, its the only liberal state in the Middle East. But really its something like Daesh, he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State. The Electronic Intifada Culture & Life Fascism in the White House? From the shadowy confines of the alt-rights internet redoubt, one of the icons of the white nationalist movement has emerged to serve as the Trump White Houses strategy guru and propagandist-in-chief. Steve Bannon, the chairman of Breitbart Media, who headed up Trumps campaign in its closing months, has been picked as chief strategist and senior counsel to the incoming president. Hell serve as an equal to Republican chairman Reince Priebus, whos been slotted into the chief of staff position. Steve Bannon may play an even more outsized ideological role under Trump. With Bannons appointment, it is even clearer that fears about the whiffs of neo-fascism and authoritarianism surrounding Trumps candidacy were not unfounded. The elevation of Bannon to the West Wing confirms that the problem is not just Donald Trump its all of the unsavoury elements being normalised and brought into the seat of power along with him. When Trump announced Bannons new job, neo-Nazis and white supremacists celebrated. Tony Hovater of the Traditionalist Workers Party (one of whose members became notorious for shoving a young black woman at a Trump rally this summer) could barely contain his excitement, posting to Facebook, What timeline are we even on anymore? Were like one or two degrees of separation away from the fucking President. When Andrew Anglin of the online Nazi newspaper Daily Stormer posted news of Bannons appointment, one supporter commented, Bannon is our man in the White House. Platform for the alt-right Its not necessary to smear Bannon through guilt-by-association tactics though. His own words are enough to indict him and his Breitbart news (sic) machine as avatars of extremist ideology. In an interview with David Corn of Mother Jones magazine during the Republican convention this summer, Bannon proudly proclaimed, Were the platform for the alt-right. And just what is this nebulous alt-right that is so in fashion among commentators these days? The hate group watchdog Southern Poverty Law Centre has defined the alt-right as a set of far-right ideologies, groups and individuals whose core belief is that white identity is under attack by multicultural forces using political correctness and social justice to undermine white people and their civilization. Those who identify with it abhor establishment conservatives as much as they do feminism, the left, African-American groups, and other progressive movements. In a self-explanatory guide to alt-right beliefs published on Breitbart in March 2016, Allum Bokhari and Milo Yiannopoulos said the movement sees culture and race as inseparable and believes full integration of races is impossible. [S]ome degree of separation between peoples, alt-righters believe, is necessary for a culture to be preserved. The article references, without criticism, Richard Spencer as one of the founders of the alt-right trend. The same Richard Spencer who coined the term alternative Right back in 2008 and recently said he envisions Americas future along the lines of a renewed Roman empire, complete with dictatorship and racial requirements for citizenship. A former Breitbart editor who had a falling out with Bannon, Ben Shapiro, says that while its tough to say what Bannon may believe personally, hes happy to pander to the people that believe Western culture is inseparable from European ethnicity. For Bannon, Shapiro says the goal is to transform conservatism into European far-right nationalist populism. Thats what Breitbart is. A platform for the alt-right and all of its racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, and anti-LGBTQ ideology. And their biggest public figure just became the new chief strategist to the next President of the United States. Extreme right advances The announcement of Bannon as chief strategist and senior counsel to Trump came on the same day as the move of Priebus from the Republican chairmanship to White House chief of staff. But Bannon was named first, and in a city where hierarchy is still an indicator of influence, that matters. Despite the rallying of many Republicans to the President-elects side after his surprise victory over Hillary Clinton, the fact remains that the party is divided between its neo-liberal establishment wing and the populist base that joined Trump in crushing the other mainline Republican nominees in the primaries. The Republican Party of course maintains great institutional and electoral strength, as evidenced by its hold over both houses of Congress and the majority of state legislatures and governorships. But the future direction of the partys development is still an open question. The victory in the 2016 elections in enforcing a temporary ceasefire in that fight, but it will certainly return. The fact that Bannon received top billing in the pecking order over Priebus is a sign that the most reactionary and neo-fascist segment of the far right is still in the ascendance. Economics and the spoils of power are holding the family together for now. Priebus, Paul Ryan, and others are not criticising Bannons appointment, but neither are they eagerly embracing it. They surely remember his promise to bitch-slap the Republican Party back in 2010, as well as his pledge that the alt-right would hammer both the progressive left and the institutional Republican Party. These fissures are being tamped down for now, but their strategic importance for resisting the Republican onslaught to come should not be discounted or forgotten. Propagandist-in-Chief Bannons non-descript job title of chief strategist and senior counsel leaves wide open the question of how extensive his influence and power may be in the Trump administration. Previous holders of such a position have included backroom political operatives like Karl Rove and Dick Morris. Bannons background as head of his own propaganda empire, however, suggests he may play an even more outsized ideological role under Trump. The importance of free and independent media (such as this publication) is likely to become even more crucial as Breitbart transitions from being the voice of the alt-right opposition into a pseudo-state-run propaganda organ. One of Breitbarts own former spokespersons, Kurt Bardella, has said that the entire outlet is void of reality and facts. Breitbart, he argues, has gone from being the propaganda arm of the Trump campaign to being the propaganda arm of the federal government and the Trump White House. That should be concerning to all Americans. Indeed it should. As another propagandist-in-chief, Joseph Goebbels, said in the 1930s, We enter parliament in order to supply ourselves, in the arsenal of democracy, with its own weapons. If democracy is so stupid as to give us free tickets and salaries for this bears work, that is its affair. We do not come as friends, nor even as neutrals. We come as enemies. As the wolf bursts into the flock, so we come. With the Trump victory, it appears the wolves have burst into the flock. Peoples World Even Jones himself was acting like a dictator, becoming more disciplinary and authoritarian by the hour. But he couldn't stop, because both he and the students had gotten in too deep. If he abruptly ended it with "April Fools!" then young minds and spirits would likely be crushed, and perhaps they'd even revolt against Jones or fellow students. Remember that the next time you ask why Trump never dropped out. knowledge.ca Continue Reading Below Advertisement He wanted to be involved, you guys. Jones' solution, after five days of increasingly scary incidents (including one of the students' fathers, a former POW of the Nazis, destroying the classroom in a fit of rage), was to double-trick the students. He told The Wave they were part of a nationwide effort to find students willing to create change -- in schools, colleges, the working world, politics -- until they'd ultimately change "the destiny of this nation." They were now the Third Wave Youth Program, because "YOU ARE ALL ACTING LIKE NAZIS" didn't roll off the tongue as well. After exiling the handful of students who still questioned The Wave (leaving only dutiful, obedient Wavers), Jones held a Wavers-only rally. What they got wasn't a rally, but rather footage of the worst shit the Nazis did, starting with Nuremberg Rallies, followed by families being violently torn apart and hoarded into vans and trains on the way to the death camps. It ended with Nazis on trial insisting they only did what they were told, followed by the quote, "Everyone must accept the blame. No one can claim that they didn't in some way take part." sites.google.com Continue Reading Below Advertisement "Uh, some more than others ..." With that, Jones explained The Wave was a hoax, and how it exposed the children as fully capable of the evil they were taught about the week before. "You have been used, manipulated," he told them. "Shoved by your own desires into the place you now find yourself. You are no better or worse than the German Nazis we have been studying. You thought that you were the elect. That you were better than those outside this room. You bargained your freedom for the comfort of discipline and superiority. You chose to accept that group's will and the big lie over your own conviction." Continue Reading Below Advertisement The kids learned their lesson. They learned their lesson so hard that many of them waited decades to tell anyone about the time they were fake Nazis. Instead, they grew up to never talk about politics or engage in government again. Jason is on Facebook and Twitter, doling out lessons to all who listen. Now if only someone would listen. Also check out 5 Feel-Good School Programs With Horrifying Consequences and The 6 Most Horrific Lessons Ever Taught In Elementary School. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out 5 Classic Movie High Schools That Would Suck to Attend and other videos you won't see on the site! Follow us on Facebook, and we'll follow you everywhere. You don't even want to know the kinky shit that goes on in there. The Problem: Superman and Batman eventually team up to take on the most dangerous "man" of all: MANKIND. Oh wait, no. They fight a huge glowing-eyed monster named Doomsday. Which shouldn't have been much of a surprise to anybody. When you name your kid Doomsday, he's not going to grow up to be an accountant. Warner Bros. Though if you name him Doomsdai, he might turn out to be a stripper instead. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Doomsday is nearly invincible, but he does have one weakness -- an Achilles Heel, a chink in the armor, a metaphorical Kryptonite ... actual Kryptonite. Warner Bros. A danger to both Kryptonians and lazy screenwriters. So Superman knows what HE and ONLY HE ALONE has to do: take one of Batman's Kryptonite spears and fly it right into CPA Doomsday's chest hole, even though it might kill Superman too! Continue Reading Below Advertisement The Obvious Solution: Wait ... couldn't Superman have done anything else with the spear? The dude can throw objects into space, and it never dawned on him to try tossing the spear at Doomsday? United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. PATRICK A. BOCKARI, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. CALIFORNIA VICTIM COMPENSATION AND GOVERNMENT CLAIMS BOARD, Defendant-Appellee. No. 14-17043 Decided: November 28, 2016 Before: KLEINFELD and M. SMITH, Circuit Judges, and KRONSTADT, ** District Judge. MEMORANDUM* Plaintiff-Appellant Patrick A. Bockari (Plaintiff) appeals from the dismissal of this action with prejudice by the district court. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1291, and we affirm. In this action, Plaintiff challenges Defendant-Appellee California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board's (Defendant) award to him of crime victim compensation pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code 13950 et seq. He claims that the award was insufficient. On appeal, Plaintiff argues that the district court erred in dismissing the action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. He contends that the complaint presented claims for which there is federal question jurisdiction. We review de novo dismissals for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, favorably viewing the facts alleged to support jurisdiction. McNatt v. Apfel, 201 F.3d 1084, 1087 (9th Cir. 2000). A district court has subject matter jurisdiction over all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. 1331. A case arises under federal law either where federal law creates the cause of action or where the vindication of a right under state law necessarily turn[s] on some construction of federal law. Republican Party of Guam v. Gutierrez, 277 F.3d 1086, 1088 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Franchise Tax Bd. v. Construction Laborers Vacation Trust, 463 U.S. 1, 8-9 (1983)). [A] federal court may dismiss a federal question claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction only if: (1) the alleged claim under the Constitution or federal statutes clearly appears to be immaterial and made solely for the purpose of obtaining jurisdiction; or (2) such a claim is wholly insubstantial and frivolous. Leeson v. Transamerica Disability Income Plan, 671 F.3d 969, 975 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting Bell v. Hood, 327 U.S. 678, 682-83 (1946)). Dismissal for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction because of the inadequacy of the federal claim is proper only when the claim is so insubstantial, implausible, foreclosed by prior decisions of th[e Supreme] Court, or otherwise completely devoid of merit as not to involve a federal controversy. Steel Co. v. Citizens for a Better Env't, 523 U.S. 83, 89 (1998) (quoting Oneida Indian Nation of N.Y. v. County of Oneida, 414 U.S. 661, 666 (1974)). The complaint in this action did not expressly cite any federal statutes or the Constitution in connection with the claims it advanced. However, a complaint need not identify the statutory or constitutional source of the claim raised in order to survive a motion to dismiss. Alvarez v. Hill, 518 F.3d 1152, 1157 (9th Cir. 2008). The allegations of the complaint were sufficient to suggest the nature of the claimed federal rights. Specifically, they referred to potential violations of federal regulations related to Americans With Disabilities. This permitted the reasonable inference that Plaintiff was seeking to assert claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. 12101. Furthermore, Plaintiff's claim that Defendant violated the ADA by awarding to him less compensation than he would have received but for his disability, is neither wholly frivolous nor completely devoid of merit. Therefore, the claims cannot be deemed ones that fail to raise a controversy under federal law. Steel Co., 523 U.S. at 89. For these reasons, we conclude that the district court erred in deciding that no subject matter jurisdiction exists over this action. Plaintiff next contends that the district court erred in dismissing the complaint because it sought to advance claims barred under the doctrine of res judicata. He argues that under California law, which controls that issue, his claim is not barred. We review de novo a district court's dismissal based on res judicata. Stewart v. U.S. Bancorp, 297 F.3d 953, 956 (9th Cir. 2002). Pursuant to the Federal Full Faith and Credit Statute, 28 U.S.C. 1738, a federal court must give to a state-court judgment the same preclusive effect as would be given that judgment under the law of the State in which the judgment was rendered. Migra v. Warren City Sch. Dist. Bd. of Educ., 465 U.S. 75, 81 (1984). Therefore, California law controls this issue. Maldonado v. Harris, 370 F.3d 945, 951 (9th Cir. 2004) (We must therefore look to California law to determine the preclusive effect of the state court judgment ). The doctrine of res judicata, which under California law is also referred to as claim preclusion, requires that all claims based on the same cause of action must be decided in a single suit; if not brought initially, they may not be raised at a later date. Mycogen Corp. v. Monsanto Co., 28 Cal. 4th 888, 897 (Cal. 2002). Under California law, [a] valid final judgment on the merits in favor of a defendant serves as a complete bar to further litigation on the same cause of action. Slater v. Blackwood, 543 P.2d 593, 594 (Cal. 1975) (citations omitted). Claim preclusion arises if a second suit involves: (1) the same cause of action (2) between the same parties (3) after a final judgment on the merits in the first suit. DKN Holdings LLC v. Faerber, 352 P.3d 378, 386 (Cal. 2015), reh'g denied (Aug. 12, 2015). To determine whether a later complaint presents the same cause of action that was previously adjudicated, California has consistently applied the primary rights' theory, under which the invasion of one primary right gives rise to a single cause of action. Slater, 543 P.2d at 594 (citations omitted). In applying this rule, a cause of action is (1) a primary right possessed by the plaintiff, (2) a corresponding primary duty devolving upon the defendant, and (3) a harm done by the defendant which consists in a breach of such primary right and duty. City of Martinez v. Texaco Trading & Transp., Inc., 353 F.3d 758, 762 (9th Cir. 2003) (citing Citizens for Open Access to Sand and Tide, Inc. v. Seadrift Ass'n, 60 Cal. App. 4th 1053, 1067 (Cal. Ct. App. 1998)). Further, the cause of action is based upon the harm suffered, as opposed to the particular theory asserted by the litigant. Even where there are multiple legal theories upon which recovery might be predicated, one injury gives rise to only one claim for relief. Hence a judgment for the defendant is a bar to a subsequent action by the plaintiff based on the same injury to the same right, even though he presents a different legal ground for relief. Slater, 543 P.2d at 594-95 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Six years before commencing this action against Defendant, Plaintiff sued Defendant in the Sacramento County Superior Court seeking redress for the same alleged injury that underlies the claims in this action. In the prior action, Plaintiff claimed that the crime victim award made to him pursuant to Cal. Gov. Code 13957.5 was in error. The basis for that claim was twofold. First, the award did not calculate his lost income assuming that he would attain a position as a full-time teacher. Second, the claim improperly deducted Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability payments that he was receiving pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq. The Superior Court dismissed that action with prejudice and entered a judgment from which Plaintiff did not appeal. The federal claims under the ADA, which Plaintiff has advanced in this action, seek redress for the same primary rights that were pursued in the prior state court action. Plaintiff challenges the same award on the same grounds. Therefore, the present claims are barred. L.A. Branch NAACP v. L.A. Unified Sch. Dist., 750 F.2d 731, 737 (9th Cir. 1984) (California's rule, however, does not mean that different causes of action are involved just because relief may be obtained under either state or federal law, or under either of two legal theories.). The authorities cited by Plaintiff in support of a different outcome are distinguishable. See Agarwal v. Johnson, 603 P.2d 58, 72 (Cal. 1979) (employment discrimination claim gave rise to a different primary right than those for intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation, each of which involved distinct damages); Fujifilm Corp. v. Yang, 223 Cal. App. 4th 326, 332 (Cal. Ct. App. 2014) (because breaching a contract inflicts harm on a legally protected interest different from tortious conduct that renders uncollectable a judgment arising from the breach of contract, two different primary rights arise.). Nor do the fairness and public interest exceptions to res judicata apply. Each is extremely narrow. Arcadia Unified Sch. Dist. v. State Dep't of Educ., 825 P.2d 438, 442 (Cal. 1992); see also, e.g., In re Di Carlo's Estate, 44 P.2d 562, 567 (Cal. 1935) (minor permitted to challenge guardian's accounting of funds, approved in a prior probate order, under public interest exception, because the ward is a person under legal disability and ordinarily unable to protect himself against overreaching or other improper conduct of the guardian); San Diego Police Officers' Assn. v. City of San Diego Civil Serv. Com., 104 Cal. App. 4th 275, 279 (Cal. Ct. App. 2002) (Under the public interest exception, courts may permit relitigation of an issue of law concerning a public entity's ongoing statutory obligations that affect individuals and members of the public not specifically before the court in the first litigation.). Finally, Plaintiff argues that it was an abuse of discretion by the district court to deny leave to amend the Complaint. In support of this position, Plaintiff notes that he was a pro se litigant at that time. We review the denial of an opportunity to amend for abuse of discretion. Sharkey v. O'Neal, 778 F.3d 767, 774 (9th Cir. 2015). Pro se complaints are held to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers. Jackson v. Carey, 353 F.3d 750, 757 (9th Cir. 2003). A district court, however, does not abuse its discretion in denying leave to amend where amendment would be futile. Flowers v. First Hawaiian Bank, 295 F.3d 966, 976 (9th Cir. 2002). In this action, there was no abuse of discretion by the district court because leave to amend would have been futile. An amended complaint could not have overcome the bar of res judicata. AFFIRMED. FOOTNOTES . We take judicial notice of the prior judgment of the Superior Court. See U.S. ex rel. Robinson Rancheria Citizens Council v. Borneo, Inc., 971 F.2d 244, 248 (9th Cir. 1992) ([W]e may take notice of proceedings in other courts, both within and without the federal judicial system, if those proceedings have a direct relation to matters at issue. ) (citation omitted). Channel programs News CRN Exclusive: Ingram Micro Adds Aruba Wireless Equipment Sales and Tech Training For HPE Partners Michael Novinson Share this Ingram Micro has been authorized to offer technical and sales training on Aruba's wireless products for HPE partners. The Irvine, Calif.-based distributor said HPE now includes Aruba as part of its networking certification requirements. This means the thousands of HPE resellers sourcing through Ingram Micro will need to take some different Aruba-focused classes to get caught up on things like ClearPath network access control, according to Jeff McHenry, Ingram Micro's global vendor business manager. "The new program is driving activity from legacy HPE folks and legacy Aruba folks and requiring both to come together," McHenry told CRN exclusively. [RELATED: Nearing the Finish Line: Blockbuster Ingram Micro-Tianjin Tianhai Deal Receives Critical U.S. Antitrust Approval] McHenry says both legacy Aruba and HPE networking partners will see changes as HPE moves to a single Partner Ready networking program. There will be some credit given based on experience, depending on the reseller, but the new, comprehensive training should help traditional HPE resellers move into the wireless space, Richey said. Ingram Micro is one of just two North American distributors to offer Aruba training, according to Greg Richey, Ingram Micro's director of training and professional services. Aruba has been part of Ingram Micro's line card since 2013 two years before the vendor was acquired by Hewlett-Packard and recognized Ingram as its North American distributor of the year in August. "Aruba creates a new buzz for HPE because they have some terrific wireless network tools that they didn't have in the past," Richey told CRN exclusively. "It fills a void within the HPE business that's on fire." Solution providers are seeing quick adoption of Aruba products thanks to a greater need for businesses to provide connectivity and manage security within a bring-your-own-device environment, Richey said. Partners can also use Aruba's wireless network assessments and security tools to help identify problems within their own customer base, he said. A five-day training course typically retails for between $3,000 and $3,500, McHenry said, but Ingram Micro has different ways to attempt to make the coursework more affordable for partners. Richey said some of the ways Ingram Micro can lower the time or cost burden is by doing symposiums where resellers can get certified en masse, presenting classes virtually whenever possible, and performing physical classes either early in the morning, late in the afternoon or on weekends to minimize disruptions for business owners and their staff. The volume of Ingram Micro's training business has grown in the mid-double digits over the past year as the distributor has evolved from offering education almost exclusively around IBM to adding training offerings from HP, HPE, Cisco, Acronis and now Aruba, Richey said. Thanks to the new vendors, the total number of student training days through Ingram Micro has grown exponentially, Richey said. Ingram Micro is capable of taking various vendor certifications offered by OEMs and managing them programmatically so that solution providers can be more organized in training their employees, Richey said. For instance, Richey said Ingram Micro provides an overview of a reseller's entire certification history using a single dashboard that compiles information from a multitude of OEMs. And as hyper-converged infrastructure gains traction in the channel, Richey said Ingram Micro is focused on providing education around the individual components so that partners can become certified across the entire hyper-converged stack. Ingram Micro plans to review the certifications held by all existing HPE and Aruba resellers, conduct 1:1 meetings with business owners, and work in tandem with HPE's field team to help partners better understanding Ingram Micro's education and training capabilities, Richey said. Ingram Micro's investment in training has provided value to partners such as Baroan Technologies by providing the solution providers with additional capabilities that it can resell to clients, said Guy Baroan, founder and president of the Elmwood Park, N.J.-based Ingram Micro partner. End users have approached Baroan requesting training resources around new products, and Baroan said he has been able to fulfill that need via Ingram Micro. Although Baroan primarily fulfills its wireless network needs through Ruckus, he's glad to see that Ingram Micro is continuing to expand its education and training offerings. "This means that we'll have additional resources available to support us," Baroan said. "It's always a benefit." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Three survivors who suffered life-changing injuries in the Croydon tram crash have been discharged from hospital. Now that they have been allowed home it means that nobody remains in hospital being treated for injuries suffered in the disaster. Twenty people were taken to St George's Hospital, the major trauma centre for south west London, in Tooting, including four who were suffering more serious injuries, when the tram derailed on November 9. One of the four was discharged on the same day while the remaining three underwent surgery in the hours after the tram crash. The three patients have all been discharged within the last week but continue to receive care and support from the hospital. Police leading the criminal investigation revealed last week that "a couple" of those that remained in hospital had undergone amputations. The 16 other patients taken to St George's, who were discharged on the same day as the crash, mainly suffered injuries from the smashed glass windows of the tram, according to the senior doctors who were working at the hospital on the day. Dr Phil Moss, a consultant in emergency medicine and clinical lead for the emergency department, said the mood was "pensive" in the hospital on that Wednesday morning as the action plan for dealing with a major incident was initiated and a bus full of patients arrived to be treated. (Image: Samantha Booth) Dr Moss said: "The atmosphere at the beginning is always slightly pensive, you think you know what's coming, but you don't really know what's coming. At the beginning you have to assume the worst-case scenario. "Once the patients start to come in, staff just hit the auto-pilot button in terms of how they behave and how they manage a sick patient in front of them and they just get on with it. "Once things have settled down, people reflect a bit on probably two things. One, the individual patients and the injuries they sustained but also how they got them in the first place. "We were all seeing the images on television of the tram on its side and I think that has a real impact on people." While the hospital couldn't comment specifically on the patients' injuries, Dr Heather Jarman, a consultant nurse and clinical director for major trauma, confirmed the glass inside the tram caused most of the injuries the staff treated at St George's. The investigation into the tram crash will consider whether the type of glass used in the vehicle's windows exacerbated the injuries suffered. She said: "There are a small group of patients with life-changing injuries but, similar to [at] Croydon [University Hospital], the majority of the patients discharged had injuries largely due to glass, like cuts. And some had bruising." Being a major trauma centre, this means St George's is well prepared and rehearsed for major incidents as it deals with several each year. For many of the 40 staff working on the tram crash victims, this was their first occasion dealing with a major incident. However, Dr Moss and Dr Jarman said that each incident, including the 7/7 London bombings which Dr Moss worked on, is different because of the circumstances in which victims sustained their injuries. Dr Jarman, who has worked on seven major incidents, said: "People were saying 'oh my god look at that' [when they saw the media coverage of the tram] and it puts into very sharp focus what's happened to the people before they get here because quite often you don't see that in the emergency department. "You'll have a history around this patient that they were trapped in a car or this patient fell out of a building but you don't really have a sense of what happened before they get through to us and some of the patients in this case were relaying their stories." (Image: Rail Accident Investigation Branch) Dr Moss added: "In some way they are different, but in some ways major incidents are very similar in the ways staff respond. I think the actual circumstances is what makes it different. "I was involved at 7/7 at Whitechapel and I think the main difference was the reason people got injured. "That was a malicious pre-meditated act which puts a whole other layer of psychology on top of stuff I think as opposed to this. "I was incredibly proud of how this organisation and department specifically responded to this, a significant major incident on our patch. For sure, the work we did did help save lives." It is expected that many of the survivors from the tram crash will require psychological help to aid them with their recovery. Both Dr Moss and Dr Jarman emphasised that any patients who were on the tram who want to receive psychological help should contact their GP in the first instance to be referred to the correct service. A dedicated direct dial hotline (020 8760 5441) also provides help and advice on financial and housing issues. It is operational Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Out of hours, the line will divert to TfL's Sarah Hope Line which provides specialist support to people affected by fatal or serious injuries on London's transport network. Their contact details are 0343 222 5678, or incidentsupport@tfl.gov.uk *Are you a survivor of the tram crash and wish to speak out about your experience? If so, email samantha.booth@croydonadvertiser.co.uk or call 01737 305562. Any contact with be treated with the utmost sensitivity. It was an especially happy Thanksgiving for security researchers, thanks to what they have called long-overdue exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Those exemptions, which took effect Oct. 28, provide a two-year window allowing good-faith researchers to break into the software that controls most consumer and commercial Internet of Things (IoT) devices those used in everything from smart homes to smartphones, cars, medical devices, voting machines and more without violating copyright laws. It protects researchers from penalties that could be imposed under Section 1201 of the DCMA, which forbids unlocking software without the consent of the manufacturer and the copyright owner. Exactly how happy they, and government regulators, will be two years from now remains to be seen, however. It is not as if it is now open season on IoT software. There are exemptions to the exemptions they dont include things like critical infrastructure, airplanes and major hospital equipment and they come with tight restrictions. Among them: The research has to be for security or repair purposes only; The product being investigated must have been lawfully acquired; The research has to be done in a safe environment, so techniques used to hack or otherwise compromise a product are not released into the wild; The research cannot violate other laws. And the two-year window amounts to two-thirds of a loaf, in the view of the Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF). In a blog post on the day the exemptions took effect, EFF staff attorney Kit Walsh noted that they would have begun a year earlier and run for three years, had not the US Copyright Office and Librarian of Congress, unlawfully and pointlessly delayed their implementation. The delay, she wrote, was due to opponents claims that lifting the restrictions even temporarily would lead to, a host of unlawful and undesirable activity, from auto theft, to spying, to safety violations and destruction of the environment. Walsh contended that those complaints were not credible and werent even under the purview of the librarian or head of the Copyright Office. The one-year delay, then, was not only a violation of law, not only pointless, but actively counterproductive, she wrote. The exemptions do not permit trafficking in any technology. Kit Walsh, staff attorney, Electronic Freedom Foundation While she didnt name the officials, she noted they had both recently departed. The most recent Acting Librarian of Congress was David S. Mao, who left this past Sept. 14 when the new librarian, Carla Hayden, took office. The former register of copyrights was Maria Pallante, who left on Oct. 21. Despite the delay and the restrictions, there is some optimism that the two-year window will be good for all interested parties researchers, developers, manufacturers and especially consumers. More security testing of products, ideally will lead to enhanced cooperation between researchers and vendors that ultimately protects individual and business users, said Harley Geiger, director of public policy at Rapid7. Sam Curry, chief product officer at Cybereason, said the exemptions are especially important and overdue when it comes to auto safety. One of the founding tenets of security is that secret methodologies dont work, he said. The more open and transparent the mechanics of what we do, the better from a security perspective. Microsoft learned this lesson. Oracle learned this lesson. EMC learned this lesson. Why not Ford, BMW and Toyota? Sam Curry, chief product officer, Cybereason With modern cars having become, a massively complex connection of computers and networks and protocols that is assembled extremely quickly and with potentially massive implications and potential to do harm, Curry argued that it will take, a community of experts who by default will have more people and more depth than any individual company can bring to bear, to find and fix software flaws and vulnerabilities that could threaten the physical safety as well as convenience of drivers. He said auto manufacturers should encourage, rather than try to block, such research. Microsoft learned this lesson. Oracle learned this lesson. EMC learned this lesson. Why not Ford, BMW and Toyota? he asked. Walsh, while she saw no excuse for the implementation delay, told CSO that one of the most positive things about the new exemptions is that, in the case of vehicles, they cover both research into software security flaws and, diagnosis, repair or lawful modification." That, she added, doesnt mean that a researcher can create modifications to vehicle software and then sell it on the open market. The exemptions do not permit trafficking in any technology, she said. They do not allow the sharing of security research tools for circumventing access controls, they do not allow sharing of a tool for jailbreaking your car to make modifications. But, she said, owners will now be able to tweak elements of their vehicles that, for example, would allow them to run efficiently in extreme climates such as northern Alaska. [ ALSO ON CSO: Security and the Internet of Things are we repeating history? ] For the exemptions to work and to possibly become permanent experts agree that there will have to be cooperation between researchers and those on the developer/manufacturer side. If researchers, in effect, play gotcha with manufacturers and publicize flaws without giving manufacturers time to correct them, that obviously could create opposition to continuing the exemptions. Geiger said he believes most researchers would act in good faith, but agreed, there will always be outliers. We encourage the security research community as a whole to represent itself in the best light, in part because irresponsible actions could invoke backlash, he said. We encourage the security research community as whole to represent itself in the best light, in part because irresponsible actions could invoke backlash. Harley Geiger, director of public policy, Rapid7 Geiger said his firms policy is first to notify the vendor of a vulnerability, wait 15 days before notifying US CERT (Computer Emergency Readiness Team) and then a minimum of another 45 days before making it public. Curry said even if there are a few rogues, the overall benefit to the IoT industry especially auto manufacturers will be positive. Car companies should leap at the opportunity to be safer and more usable, he said. Their IP (intellectual property) is not in danger from security researchers. The people who will reverse engineer for IP theft are already going to do that, and they arent security researchers. Whatever the results of the next two years, Walsh said EFF is prepared to fight to maintain the exemptions. She said the rulemaking cycle for Section 1201 is three years, so the next deliberation on it will be conducted from 2017 to 2018, with a final rule issued at the end. There is no presumption that existing exemptions will be renewed, she said. Proponents must fight for them and prove the need afresh each cycle. Geiger said he is hopeful that the exemptions will become permanent. Even if there are some abuses, we dont think that a broad circumvention ban under copyright law is the right mechanism to restrain questionable behavior, he said. As trust in cloud services continues to grow, enterprise usage will go up, inevitably attracting the attention of cybercriminals. Although an increasing array of sensitive and confidential data is moving to cloud storage and processing, we expect that most businesses will continue to keep the crown jewels in their own data centers. This may actually increase risk. We believe that with deeper and broader security resources, public clouds are arguably more secure than private clouds. We discuss the future of cloud threats, regulations, and likely vendor responses in the McAfee Labs 2017 Threats Predictions report. Some of the top threats include continued risk from antiquated authentication systems, insufficient visibility into and control of cloud workloads, and ongoing regulatory challenges. Continued risk from antiquated authentication systems People and their passwords continue to be the most frequent vulnerability exploited in data breaches. Stealing credentials gives criminals seemingly legitimate access to systems, often undetected by security defenses. Stealing credentials for cloud systems, especially those of administrators, can enable access to hundreds or thousands of customer databases and workloads. We expect targeted attacks against cloud administration accounts to increase, whether through brute force, phishing, or other social engineering vectors. Security vendors will respond with new types of multifactor and biometric identification systems, expanding from fingerprints to other unique factors such as irises, faces, and heartbeats. Insufficient visibility into and control of cloud workloads The ability to move data and workloads around is an important cloud benefit, but it also increases risk. Not knowing where data is going or not being able to control where workloads run can affect regulatory compliance or expose data to theft. Capabilities that restrict data movement or workloads lag well behind the need. We expect that increasing cloud awareness will be built into data loss prevention and policy orchestration tools, enabling better coordination of security controls and policies across internal and external clouds. Ongoing regulatory challenges Perhaps the biggest uncertainty in cloud services is the growing gap between usage and regulation, and the legal disparity between jurisdictions. Lawmakers cannot keep up with the rate of technological change in this area, and so will use phrases such as due diligence and reasonable efforts in cloud privacy and security legislation. As a result, cloud service providers, cyber insurance providers, and their customers will face years of litigation. We expect some jurisdictions to impose minimum operating or auditing requirements for cloud service providers, while others will restrict data movement. These conflicting and sometimes even contradictory regulations will be a significant challenge for multinational corporations, and may even restrict cloud adoption in some markets. To read the full details about these and other cloud predictions, download the McAfee Labs 2017 Threats Predictions report. In the early part of the 20th century, telephone use grew so rapidly that some industry executives fretted that the world would soon run short of telephone operators. The solution was to make everyone a telephone operator, and thats why direct dialing was invented. A century later, we face the same conundrum. Demand for IT services is growing so quickly and business users are so sophisticated that the traditional model of an all-powerful central IT organization is becoming a relic. Many organizations are now adopting a hybrid model using a combination of on-premise and cloud services spiked with a healthy dose of self-service provisioning to improve responsiveness and customer satisfaction. Conceptually, hybrid cloud and hybrid IT arent all that different. In both cases, the idea is to put computing resources and applications where they make the most sense. Translating that model to an organizational model requires discarding some old assumptions about what IT should do, however. In a hybrid IT model, applications are exposed as services and users can mix and match resources as they wish. That doesnt mean letting a hundred flowers bloom. IT must define governance standards and data controls depending on such factors as cost, security, regulatory requirements and policies. Some applications may be impractical to move to the cloud, but many decision-support and end-user productivity needs can now be satisfied through cloud infrastructure or software-as-a-service. There are several good reasons to consider hybrid IT for your business. The most important is agility. Freeing up users to make more of their own choices gets applications into production more quickly, and users who own their decisions have more invested in success. Security and flexibility are also enhanced by spreading resources around among different service providers. As noted in the AT&T Cybersecurity Insights report, the volume of attacks on corporate data centers is growing faster than most businesses can respond. Having all your IT eggs in a single basket is a bad idea at a time when a single distributed denial of service attack can bring your company down for days. A third benefit is liberating IT organizations from the drudgery of provisioning and operations to focus on applications that benefit the business. This imperative has never been more important. Adopting a hybrid IT model requires culture change. It means discarding not-invented-here thinking in favor of enabling others to make smart choices. It means realizing that the IT department doesnt always have the best answer, and thats okay as long as the job gets done. Skills must change as well. The most important role of a hybrid IT organization is data governance, or making sure that data is accessible and protected regardless of where it lives. IT professionals need to develop negotiation skills and deep knowledge of cloud services to broker various options. Profiles must be clearly defined and carefully managed to ensure that users dont get in over their head or that use of external services spirals out of control. Not all IT professionals will make this transition successfully, but for the majority who do, their work becomes more fulfilling and their skills more marketable. Hybrid IT in no way diminishes the importance of the IT organization. On the contrary, it recognizes that all companies are becoming technology companies. Paul Gillin writes, speaks and trains marketers and corporate executives to think like publishers. Gillin specializes in social media for B2B companies. He is a veteran technology journalist with more than 25 years of editorial leadership experience. All opinions expressed are his own. AT&T has sponsored this blog post. Neat, a favorite coffee cafe in Westport and Darien and Festivities, the award winning special event catering and event design company have joined together to offer Pop Up Parties." With craft cocktails by Neat and foods by Festivities, party givers can select from several party ideas. From cocktail parties, interactive foods stations or plated dinners and with global traditions to home traditions, Festivities has created offerings that are delicious and fun! (two very important words). Rachel Haughey, the founder of Neat, commented, We are so excited to be partnering with Festivities to offer our hosts a wider selection of services. Craft is a very important word here at Neat. We are a Connecticut-based artisan coffee bar and roasting company, and our coffees are hand selected through our farm partners around the world. Neat serves only seasonal single-origin coffees that are distinctive and exceptional, offering the finest in Connecticut in a comfortable, approachable setting. We do this so that our customers might simply enjoy the rare pleasure of quality coffee and have their expectations about it forever transformed. Roe and Bill and their team at Festivities share those values, and that makes them a perfect partner for us. And Roe Chlala, partner at Festivities, added to Rachels comments. We are honored to be partnering with Neat! The Neat Cafe in Westport lends itself so well to gatherings of all kinds. And it is so much fun to create foods and party styles and themes that make a gathering remarkable. Roe continued, The cafe can be configured in so many different ways; Restaurant style dining with table wine service, cocktail stations offering Festivities signature art glass chip and crudite bars, artisanal salumis and Mediterranean tapas to interactive cooking class parties and interactive chef stations. Add live music or a dj and room for dancing, and I would call that a party!! The Details: Pop Up Parties December 1 February 28 Days Available: Sunday- Wednesday Capacity: Sit Down Dinner: 35/ Cocktails and Stations: 50 Times: Post 6:00pm For Details and Inquiries: 203 847 7774 Neat@Festivitiesevents.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Shoppers have an alternative place to find their holiday gifts this weekend. Every year, the Womens Fellowship of the Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich host a Christmas tea and boutique, where all proceeds are donated. To help lure community members in to enjoy the afternoon of shopping and catching up with friends, the fellowship provides complimentary tea, coffee, tea sandwiches and homemade cookies served on china. Additionally, a live piano player will entertain visitors with Christmas songs while they browse the boutique that will include holiday decorations, hostess gifts, childrens gifts, jewelry, scarves and apparel. It will offer a lot of things like what you would find at a Greenwich Avenue boutique, Committee member Patricia Ceraso said. Theres something for everyone. The boutique is stocked by donations from local stores and items purchased by women involved with organizing the event. Some of the best sellers at the boutique are items on the gourmet food table, Ceraso said. Oftentimes the table filled with casseroles, quiches, cakes, pies, jams and pickles is the first emptied. Presbyterian Church has been hosting the Christmas tea and boutique for more than 30 years, Ceraso said, and all proceeds are donated to missions locally and internationally. A few include Abilis, International Justice Mission and Neighbor to Neighbor. The event will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church located at 38 West End Ave. Call the church with any questions at 203-637-3669. MBennett@hearstmediact.com, 203-625-4411; Twitter @Macaela_ BRIDGEPORT A physician at Bridgeport Hospital has been charged with sexually assaulting a patient who went to him to see if he was healthy enough to have a tooth pulled. Police said Dr. Louie Gangcuangco, instead of listening to the mans heart, grabbed hold of his genitals and pinched his nipples. The doctor then asked the patient if he wanted to go out to Red Lobster, police. Gangcuangco, 29, was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault. He was released after posting $75,000 bond pending arraignment in Superior Court on Jan. 5. Upon being made aware of this issue by the police we immediately placed the resident on administrative leave, said Bridgeport Hospital Spokesman John Cappiello. Protecting patients is our primary mission. This accusation, if true, is inexcusable and absolutely inconsistent with all of our values. We continue to cooperate fully with local law enforcement officials in their investigation of the matter. Gangcuangco is a third-year resident at the hospital. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines and previously worked at the Hawaii Center for AIDS. He is also a best-selling author, according to several online biographies. His novel, Orosa-Nakpil, Malate, is described as the story of a young medical student who meets men who entangle him in a web of love, vengeance and sex. Police said the 53-year-old alleged victim, who previously had open-heart surgery at the hospital, told them he had gone to the Bridgeport Hospital Clinic to be examined prior to having his wisdom tooth pulled. The man related that Gangcuangco first asked him a series of health-related questions and then escorted him to an examining room, where the doctor asked the man to pull up his shirt so he could listen to his heart, police said. The doctor then unbuttoned his jeans and unzipped his zipper and (the alleged victim) just figured the doctor wasnt done with the examination, the police report states. But when the doctor went further, police said, the man protested and Gangcuangco smiled at him and he walked away. Dr. Gangcuangco opened up the curtain, washed his hands and walked out. Police said the victim told them Gangcuangco later called him to find out how the tooth extraction went. He then offered to take the man out to a 99 Restaurant, police said. When the victim to Gangcuangco he wasnt interested, police said the doctor responded: How about Red Lobster? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate If theres a political lesson to be learned from 2016, its that there are no locks even when youre the only candidate on the ballot. State Rep. Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, was assured of re-election earlier this month in an uncontested race in the 107th House District. Or so he thought. But Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman apparently didnt get the memo, sending a signed letter Nov. 16 to fellow Democrat Thomas Burke, of Bethel, congratulating him on his election to the Legislature. Burke suspended his candidacy in July. The letter went viral on social media. Oops. I am delighted that your constituents have recognized your abilities and achievements, the letter read. Your hard work has paid off, and you are truly deserving of this honor and opportunity to serve the people of your community. I look forward to seeing you around the Capitol. Wymans office attributed the gaffe to a clerical error, saying it had been working off an antiquated candidate list. The lieutenant governor apologizes, said Juliet Manalan, a spokeswoman for Wyman. Harding shrugged off the episode, but said it was somewhat symbolic of the dysfunctional state of affairs at the Capitol. No skin off of my back, Harding said. Im more than happy to move on and get onto real business. Scarborough on grudges Count Joe Scarborough in the forgive and forget camp when it comes to the Cabinet prospects of Mitt Romney. The Morning Joe co-host and New Canaan resident admonished Donald Trumps campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, Monday for her recent spate of public criticism of the secretary of state contender Romney. Scarborough termed Conways anti-Romney commentary on Meet the Press and Twitter as an act of sabotage and said it stemmed from sour grapes that Conway had yet to be offered to job in Trumps administration. This is extraordinarily undisciplined, Scarborough said on his MSNBC show. Donald Trump will make the decision. Nobody else will make the decision. Conway, the first woman to lead a victorious presidential campaign, has given a voice to Trumps grassroots supporters who hold a grudge against Romney for his indictment of Trump earlier this year. People feel betrayed to think that Governor Romney, who went out of his way to question the character and the intellect and the integrity of Donald Trump, now our president-elect, would be given the most significant Cabinet post of all, secretary of state, Conway said on Meet the Press Sunday. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, called Trump a phony and a fraud in March and became the public face of the stop Trump movement in the GOP. Scarborough said Monday that presidents from Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama have found places in their administrations for former rivals. Its showing that hes much bigger than his critics have said, he said of a potential Trump pick of Romney. Let it go On the Trump big board of stocks: Mark Boughton seems to be going from a sell to a buy. The longtime Republican Danbury mayor and potential 2018 gubernatorial contender panned a multi-state recount effort by Hillary Clinton and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. This recount effort by Clinton-Stein is absurd, Boughton Tweeted Sunday. If it would matter then by all means. Now? Its the height of hypocrisy. Flame away. Boughtons dismissive post of the longshot effort to deny Trump the presidency stands in contrast to the arms length mantra he took toward Trump during the campaign. The twice-unsuccessful gubernatorial hopeful caught flak from some of Trumps supporters first for not making a presidential endorsement and then for joking that he wrote in his rescue dogs name on his ballot for the highest office in the land. neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Kids medicines pulled for possible elevated belladonna Raritan Pharmaceuticals, a contract manufacturer for Homeolab USA, is recalling homeopathic products containing belladonna extract, because they may contain more belladonna extract than is on the label. The recalled products are: the CVS Homeopathic Infants Teething Tablet, 135 tablet-package; Kids Relief Homeopathic Ear Relief Oral Liquid, 0.85 fluid ounce package; and the CVS Homeopathic Kids Ear Relief Liquid, 0.85 fluid ounce package. The homeopathic products have a very small amount of belladonna, a substance that can cause harm at larger doses. These products were distributed nationwide. Consumers who purchased the products should stop using them. Consumers with questions can contact Raritan Pharmaceuticals 866-467-2748 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Candies sold in CT may have undeclared wheat JFC International Inc. is recalling its You-ka Fresh Ramune and You-ka Punch Ramune candies because they may contain undeclared wheat. People who have allergies to wheat run the risk of a serious allergic reaction if they consume the products. The products were distributed in five states, including Connecticut. A full description of the recalled products is available at http://bit.ly/2gCjniR. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 800-633-1004 from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday or via e-mail at consserv@jfc.com. Crab cakes recalled for mislabeling Handy Seafood Incorporated is voluntarily recalling approximately 71 cases of Blue Crab Mini Crab Cakes for undeclared milk byproducts and anchovies, which can cause severe reactions in those with allergies. The offending crab cakes were distributed to Whole Foods stores in five states, including Connecticut, between Nov. 11 and Nov. 23. Whole Foods has confirmed that less than 60 individual trays of the product have been sold to the public. There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses or reaction due to the consumption of this product. The product should be returned for a refund or contact Handy directly for refund if the product is thrown away. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Brendan Sweeny at 410-912-2000. TRUMBULL Its been a little over a year since former town councilman-elect Robert McGowan was indicted for a 2011 fatal crash in Westfield, N.J. Last week, McGowan, 30, was sentenced to four years in prison in the accident that killed 69-year-old Peter Tyliczka. The situation was difficult for some town Republicans, particularly because McGowan was vetted by members of the party and then elected to a council seat in District 1. The first thing I did get from him when he first resigned was that he had a lot of regret. I just feel very sorry for him, Trumbull Republican committee Chairman Jack Testani said. McGovern was a resident of Stamford when the accident happened, and resigned one day after the indictment in November, 2015. Republicans have since discussed mandatory criminal background checks for potential candidates who theyre unfamiliar with, Testani said. We havent had that yet, he said. But weve discussed it. I would say the majority of people weve known have had history with the town of Trumbull. McGowan pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in August 2016. Authorities said that he was driving drunk and speeding when he ran a stop sign and crashed into a car being driven by Tyliczka. The experience changed the kind of person McGowan is, and he will look to be a productive member of society once his sentence has been finished, Attorney Michael Pappa said. I thought Rob handled himself very responsibly, Pappa said. He understood that he was facing imprisonment and he understood that he had to be punished for his wrongdoing. Dozens of character letters from friends and family in both New Jersey and Connecticut pointed out the good in McGowan and his personal quest to improve himself following the tragedy, Pappa said. Once he gets out and has paid his debt to society, I have no doubt he will be a contributing member to the community, he said. Based on McGowans remorse and the character letters, it was disappointing, Pappa said, that the judge was not more lenient. Trumbull Republicans did not have any knowledge of the situation prior to the indictment a year ago. But the tone in town has changed from frustration to empathy, Testani said. I was a little disappointed when he didnt offer us the information, Testani said. He had not told us. Its just a very tragic situation. Testani said he felt sympathy for McGowan and his family and the family of the victim. AJohnson@hearstmediact.com; In the past few years, employee advocacy has become the new buzzword in human resources. Now, it's also taking corporate communications by storm. Encouraging your employees to be your champions could be the perfect answer as journalists increasingly seek out real stories on social media. Companies like Cisco and Danske Bank are already experimenting with social media takeovers by their employees. While it may be a bit soon to sack your spokesperson, it is definitely time to give your employees the forum they deserve. Related: You Can't Achieve Big-League Success With a Minor-League Social Media Strategy A source for journalists. A national survey of reporters at all large and midsize U.S. newspapers has revealed how reporters use social media to source stories. More than 20 percent say that Facebook is either an "important" or a "very important" tool for their reporting. And Twitter is held in the same high value by one in two journalists. They use it to find story-relevant information, conduct background research and find sources. Of course, we could just keep on using our corporate social media accounts to send out boring press releases. But that's not what the media wants. For journalists, employees are more authentic and more powerful sources of information than a spokesperson or even the CEO. More trusted, more effective and more reach. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer report, your employees and peers are considered to be more credible than your CEO or board of directors. They are obviously viewed as trustworthy sources for topics such as the treatment of employees or customers, but, surprisingly, also for information about financial earning and operational performance, business practices and crisis handling. Keep this in mind when you have a press story, whether it is on television, online or in print -- nothing is more effective than the voice of your employees. Collectively, their voice is also louder. Employees typically have a social media following that is ten times larger than that of their employer. Research by LinkedIn reveals that every six pieces of content shared by a LinkedIn member influences six profile views, two new connections, three company page views, six company job views and one company page follower. Trust your employees. The fact that your employees have become powerful communicators connected to your brand also carries risks. Some employee stories created a buzz online and in the media that was less than positive for their company. From a Yelp employee who complained about her low paycheck on the story sharing website Medium, to a Taco Bell worker who tweeted pictures of himself urinating on food, to a cop who posted Vines while he stole cocaine from the evidence room. This is the kind of negative attention companies could do without. Some companies, however, understand how to use their employees' communication power to their advantage. As Rachel Miller revealed in a post on the Influence website, even an organization that handles sensitive matters, Great Britain's National Health Service, has taken the initiative. In her blog, Miller highlights a pertinent quote from Dean Royles, ex-chief executive of NHS Employers -- "We trust our employees with patients' lives. Why wouldn't we trust them with social media?" The NHS encourages its employees, and even patients, to communicate on all social media. But it has also been smart enough to provide employees with a comprehensive guide and videos on how to do it. Related: Employees Are Your Biggest Brand Advocates Social media takeover. Other companies take it one step further by letting their employees take care of the corporate social media account. Just as we have seen big brands experimenting with giving celebrities access to the corporate Instagram account, companies are giving the same accessibility to their employees. For example, IT company Cisco recently launched a snapchat takeover by their employees. Employees got the chance to post their story on the official Cisco account, wearecisco. "We've had a 600 percent follower increase week-over-week since the launch. We've seen 70-80 percent rate of story completion (clicking through from start to finish on each story) and our reach continues to grow," says Carmen Shirkey Collins, the social media manager at Cisco on her blog post about the takeover. Danske Bank, the largest bank in Denmark, uses employee takeovers of its Instagram account, @danske_bank_careers, so that customers and prospective employees can learn more about the bank's culture. Is it time to fire the spokesperson? With journalists always on the lookout for real stories, and employees being increasingly trusted to share their stories, it is only a matter of time until employees become the main spokespersons for their companies in more traditional media. Does this mean you have to fire your official spokesperson, or even the entire communications department? Probably not. Related: Managing a Crisis to Avert #Majorfail In crisis situations, you will still need a single point of contact who has the correct and most up-to-date information. As you've seen, employees do go off the rails at times. They need guidance more than ever. The NHS Twitter education is a perfect example of how it should be done. External and internal communication guidelines and strategies are becoming more aligned. The company spokesperson is an in-house communication hero who educates employees on how to communicate to the press, organizes external communication strategy and develops social media newsrooms with shareable media assets. Often, your communication hero will share corporate stories and messages with the employees before sharing them with the press. What it comes down to is that journalists are looking for genuine stories, and they are increasingly seeking these from social media rather than from traditional communication channels. It can only be a good thing for companies to embrace this change and encourage employee advocacy. Related: Employees Are Your Company's Voice 7 Email Etiquette Strategies That Will Win You Clients for Life Giving and Receiving the Gift of Feedback Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Funeral rites for Fidel Castro begin in Havana Submitted by: Juana Havana Politics and Government 11 / 28 / 2016 The funeral rites for the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro began at 9 AM this Monday in Havana at the Jose Marti Memorial, where the Cuban people gathered to pay their homage. Twenty-one-gun salute from the Cabana fortress on Havana Bay mark the beginning of the activities, while at the same time a similar ceremony is happening in Santiago de Cuba. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flock to the Revolution Square, and all over the country, thousands of places have been prepared for people to sign a document to show their commitment to carry out the legacy of Fidel Castro. The ashes of the Commander in Chief will be laid at the Memorial for people to show their respects till 10 PM, while tomorrow the same activity will last till noon, while at 7 PM there will be a mass gathering in the Revolution Square. World leaders send condolences after Fidel Castro's death Barely a few hours after the announcement of the Cuban President Raul Castro of the death of Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro, tens of world leaders have sent their condolences. Among the first heads of State to express his view on the death of Fidel was India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wrote in his twitter account "I extend my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend". Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto said the Cuban Revolution leader was a friend of his country and that he had promoted bilateral relations based on respect, dialogue and solidarity. The Salvadorian President Salvador Sanchez posted in twitter "with great sorrow we received the news of the death of the dear friend and eternal comrade, Commander Fidel Castro". France's president Francois Hollande said that Fidel was a great figure in the 20th century and that he had embodied the Cuban revolution. Messages from the Spanish and South African governments were in the same tune. Leaders like Ecuador's Rafael Correa, Evo Morales and others also expressed their condolences. Chinese VP arrives in Cuba for the funeral rites of Fidel Castro The Vice-President of the Peoples Republic of China Li Yuanchao arrived Monday night at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana to participate in the funeral rites of Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro. The Chinese leader will attend the mass gathering at the Havanas Revolution Square to be held as part of the posthumous tribute to Fidel, who died last Friday at 90. Vice-President Li said he is here to express their heartfelt condolences to the Cuban people. He said Fidel was a great revolutionary and a friend o the Chinese people, which will always remember his contributions to boost the relations between the two countries. He also forward condolences from the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President Xi Jinping. Somerset County Treasurer will 'do what it takes' for best returns It has also lost its one politician of stature, Nigel Farage, who almost single-handedly turned it into an electoral force and without whom there would never have been a referendum at all Since the EU referendum, Ukip has at times less resembled a political party than a bar-room brawl. Riven by bitterness, factionalism and fisticuffs, it is short of money and losing donors fast. It has also lost its one politician of stature, Nigel Farage, who almost single-handedly turned it into an electoral force and without whom there would never have been a referendum at all. And of course, the party has lost its distinctive offering to voters leaving the EU. Just 15,370 votes were cast in the leadership election to replace Mr Farage's successor, Diane James who lasted just 18 days with Paul Nuttall, a Merseyside-born former history lecturer. The new leader's task will not be easy. He faces a resurgent Tory party under Theresa May which is rightly determined to help voters of modest means who feel left behind and who might in the past have been tempted by Ukip. Instead, Mr Nuttall intends to replace Labour, with its 'dinner party politics', and make Ukip the 'patriotic voice of working people'. In this, he may fare better. Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour long ago disappeared into la-la land. Over the weekend he was further securing the Left-wing student union activist vote by praising Fidel Castro as a 'champion of social justice'. His determination to keep unlimited immigration is more likely to have been noticed by Labour voters, who backed Brexit in droves to restore Britain's borders. At last year's election, Ukip finished second in 44 Labour seats, including places such as Doncaster, Hartlepool and Rotherham which voted firmly to Leave. How will they vote next time, when offered a choice between Mr Nuttall and Comrade Corbyn? Remain's latest plot Recent history appeared to be repeating itself on the BBC yesterday, as copious airtime was given to another attempt to tie the Government's hands on Brexit. An organisation called British Influence which was set up in 2012 to try to keep Britain in the EU is launching a legal bid to force a vote in Parliament on our membership of the European Economic Area, which extends the single market to countries such as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. With EEA membership which ministers argue will end automatically with Brexit comes adherence to EU court rulings, huge budget contributions and the continued free movement of migrants almost everything 17.4million people voted against on June 23. Among the figures behind this little-known 'think-tank' is the unelected and unaccountable Labour peer Peter Mandelson It is transparently a backdoor attempt to thwart the referendum result. If they fail to keep us in the EU by blocking Article 50, Labour and Lib Dem MPs could instead use a vote on the EEA to keep Britain in the single market. You wouldn't know it from the BBC coverage, but among the figures behind this little-known 'think-tank' is the unelected and unaccountable Labour peer Peter Mandelson. Having failed to convince the public of their arguments, he and the rest of the embittered Remoaners will clearly try any trick they can to thwart the will of the people. Every day we are told the British Government is entering Brexit negotiations with little idea of what it wants. The Labour Party grows hysterical about the alleged lack of any plan. Some claim that even if we had a plan we would be crushed by the combined weight of 27 EU members, which are supposed to be infinitely more powerful than us, and determined to drive a hard and unpleasant bargain. When the prime minister of minuscule Malta suggested a few days ago that the EU was immovable, his comments were gleefully reported by the BBC and other anti-Brexit media outlets. Joseph Muscat effectively said there wasn't a cat's chance in Hell of our having access to the single market while restricting free movement of labour. Sometimes it seems intransigent Remainers actually want negotiations to founder so that Brexit can be universally recognised as a total disaster. They fail to grasp that, whether stayers or leavers, we are now all in this together, and it is in our common interest that the Government obtains the best possible deal. Whitehall's most senior official, Sir Jeremy Heywood (pictured), is said to have gathered his top team together in the aftermath of the vote and asked pathetically, 'What is our leverage?', only to be met by blank faces And, in fact, I believe there are good reasons for thinking that Britain holds many more cards than is generally accepted. We are in several respects much more indispensable than is usually assumed, while the EU is probably in no state to hang this country out to dry. Oddly enough, these two insights surfaced in yesterday's Financial Times, which has shed more tears over the referendum result, and incubated more gloom, than any other newspaper. It ran a piece reporting that British negotiators believe they have a strong hand to play, and it suggested they had good reason for doing so. To be sure, the Civil Service was ill-prepared for the outcome of the referendum, having taken for granted, like nearly the entire political class, a Remain victory. Whitehall's most senior official, Sir Jeremy Heywood, is said to have gathered his top team together in the aftermath of the vote and asked pathetically, 'What is our leverage?', only to be met by blank faces. But five months have passed, and much work has been done. Senior civil servants who neither expected nor wanted Brexit have had its inevitability drummed into their skulls by ministers. As the FT points out, it is dawning on them that Britain has a lot of leverage. Look at the economic and political mood of Europe. As Philip Hammond mentioned in last week's Autumn Statement, this year the British economy (whose immediate collapse was confidently predicted by his predecessor, George Osborne) will grow more quickly than the EU's three other large economies Germany, France and Italy. Even taking into account the doggedly pessimistic cast of mind of the Office for Budget Responsibility, next year the UK is expected to grow more than either Italy or France. All this means that an economically enfeebled European Union is in no position to attempt to strangle the British economy, since such a misguided act of vandalism would only make its own predicament more precarious. About a fifth of all German car production comes to the UK. Will Berlin really risk damaging this by imposing import tariffs on us? That much was appreciated during the referendum. What has changed since then is the increasing political uncertainty in several European countries, which is likely to further undermine any appetite the EU might have for a fight to the death with Britain. Next Sunday, Italy will vote on various constitutional issues. Its prime minister, Matteo Renzi, has said he will resign if he loses, which appears likely. Italy's near-bankrupt banks would then be scrutinised even further by the markets. Meanwhile, polls suggest the next prime minister would come from the Five Star Movement, which is committed to a referendum on Italy's membership of the euro. If Italy is entering a period of political turbulence, so too is France, which will have presidential elections next spring. Its next president could be the far-Right Marine Le Pen, who might take France out of the EU. Or it may be the centre-Right Francois Fillon, whose Thatcherite economics, reputed Anglophilia and anti-EU sentiments could work to Britain's advantage. Political turmoil may also ensue in Austria, where presidential elections take place on Sunday. In a contest considered too close to call, the far-Right candidate Norbert Hofer has said he may agitate for a referendum on EU membership. In these and other European countries, there is a potent combination of shaky economic performance and populist movements. Is it likely that an EU in such a weak and confused condition will come together with the specific intention of punishing Britain? I don't believe so. Of course, some European politicians especially in Brussels like to talk tough. Last week, arch-federalist Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's chief negotiator for forthcoming talks, tried to put Brexit Secretary David Davis in his place by saying: 'Welcome to Hell.' Like many generals on the eve of battle, these politicians will strive to demoralise us and insist that Britain should expect a poor deal. These are classic negotiating tactics. We should simply ask how many aces they have up their sleeves. The answer is: many fewer than they like to pretend. And it should be stressed that for every Guy Verhofstadt or Maltese prime minister putting on war paint, there are just as many, if not more, EU leaders who like and admire this country and have no wish to make us suffer. A month ago, Sweden's finance minister, Magdalena Andersson, declared it would be a serious mistake to chastise Britain for voting to leave the EU, and appealed for an amicable settlement to minimise damage to both sides. Yesterday, Theresa May held talks with the Polish prime minister, Beata Szydlo, who had earlier written in a newspaper that the EU must be prepared to compromise to secure a Brexit deal that works for everyone. Ms Szydlo promised Poland would be a 'constructive' partner. Such sentiments are based on common sense and a remembered shared solidarity against Nazi Germany and also, crucially, on an awareness of Britain's vital security and defence contribution to the EU even after it leaves. Yesterday, Theresa May held talks with the Polish prime minister, Beata Szydlo, who had earlier written in a newspaper that the EU must be prepared to compromise to secure a Brexit deal that works for everyone Mrs May confirmed we will be sending 150 troops and a number of armoured vehicles to patrol in north-east Poland, close to the border with Kaliningrad, which houses Russia's Baltic fleet. A gesture, perhaps, but a significant one. The perception of an increasing Russian threat to Eastern Europe has already led to four RAF Typhoon aircraft being sent to Romania, and some 800 British personnel with armoured support being dispatched to Estonia. In a way he could not have predicted, the bellicosity of President Vladimir Putin is aiding Brexit, for members of the EU (nearly all of whom spend less on their defence than they should) regard Britain as an indispensable ally. They know, too and even the competitive French are forced in private to admit it that in GCHQ at Cheltenham, Britain has an intelligence facility which helps protect the whole of Europe and is unmatched anywhere on the Continent. Moreover, with President-elect Donald Trump opining that Nato is 'obsolete', the role of Britain as the leading European military power becomes ever-more important in the minds of our EU friends. Are they really going to try to grab us by the throat? Political peacocks such as Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, might like to, but sensible political leaders who are grounded in the real world, and answerable to voters, will act like grown-ups. A Chinese woman who noticed two sizable lumps growing on her stomach was shocked to find out that they were her 'breasts.' The middle-aged woman was hospitalised after noticing that, as her breasts shrunk, two similar-sized mounds were growing on her stomach. Doctors discovered that a toxic hydrogel previously injected in the woman's breasts was slowly pooling in her abdomen, the Shanghaiist reported. Strange: A Chinese doctor assesses the breast-sized lumps growing on the woman's stomach Under the knife: Doctors removed the toxic hydrogel from the woman's stomach The woman told doctors that she had a substance called 'Amazing Gel' injected into her chest years earlier as part of a breast augmentation surgery. Amazing Gel is a semi-permanent cosmetic filler - once popular in China - that has been linked to severe and long-lasting health complications over the past decade. Studies have documented how, in other patients, injections of the gel have migrated to the stomach, the armpits and even the back. Toxic: The yellow substance turned out to be 'Amazing Gel', a toxic substance linked to severe health complications in other patients Serious: Doctors consult the woman before she undergoes her surgery Doctors made an incision in the stomach to remove the lumps, which drained out as a yellow gel. It is understood that the woman has made a full recovery. In 2005 doctors told the South China Morning Post that Amazing Gel could cause women to lose their breasts or even develop cancer. 'We see the urgency to give a health warning to those who plan to have the injection across the border before more patients return with the side effects,' Dr Ho Chiu-ming said at the time. THE TOXIC HISTORY OF 'AMAZING GEL' INJECTIONS Amazing gel is a form of cosmetic filler also known as polyacrylamide hydrogel, which is injected into the body. It was developed in the 1980s as an easy way to alter or enlarge the breasts. It became a common substance for breast augmentation surgery due to its cheap price in China during the 1990s. In the following years a huge number of women who had the hydrogel injections began noticing infections and other health complications, such as the gel moving into the stomach, armpit or even the back. Doctors have warned that the substance could also cause cancer. 'The majority of women receiving this operation have local symptoms and adverse effects to different extents,' a 2012 study found. 'The complete removal of this material is very difficult and may cause severe adverse effects,' researchers said. Source: Medical Science Monitor Advertisement It's a sight that fans of The Great British Bake Off may find hard to digest; Mary Berry appearing as a judge on the US version of their favourite television series. A new crop of bakers are expressing joy that Mary, 81, has hopped across the Atlantic to judge their culinary efforts in The Great American Baking Show. A previous version of the programme starring Mary's former co-judge Paul Hollywood, aired by ABC, flopped in 2013 - but producers are hoping that Berry - and her very plummy British accent - will provide the recipe for success. Scroll down for video The rise and rise of Mary: Berry, 80, appears on a new series of US cookery show The Great American Baking Show, which airs on ABC on December 1st Same tent, different country: Mary appears alongside New York pastry chef Johnny Luzzini, pictured right, on the US version of the show Bakers from the show and baking fans appearing on the new series of The Great American Baking Show have expressed their delight that the 81-year-old baker is back on US screens Mary hung up her apron on the British version of the show in September, after it was announced that the popular baking show had been sold by Love Productions to Channel Four. However, the bright lights of Los Angeles have managed to woo Mary across the pond. And with her sage observations and colourful outfits, Berry appears set to succeed where former co-judge Paul Hollywood faltered. Contestants who will try and bake their way to the top have already tweeted their excitement, with one, Ashlyn Morgan, posting a gif of a winking Mary, saying 'all of my dreams have come true.' Hollywood starred on The American Baking Competition in 2013 but the programme proved a baking fail, not least because Hollywood embarked upon an affair with co-host Marcela Valladolid. Hollywood, but not with Paul: Mary and her co-judge on the show Johnny Luzzini Technical challenge: Mary, wearing a pink woollen biker jacket offers her verdict on the bakers' efforts The Great American Baking Show is ABC's second attempt to make the US audience fall in love with a format that has proved a huge hit worldwide. Re-runs of the UK version proved more successful in the US than The American Baking Competition and producers are hoping that Mary Berry will be vital to helping viewers finally get on board with a US version of the show. Mel Geidroyc and Sue Perkins are replaced by husband and wife team Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez. And Mary teams up with celebrated New York pastry chef Johnny Luzzini to judge the contestants who, just like in the UK version, try and cook up a storm in a tent. It was announced in September that the latest series of the Bake Off on the BBC, won by Candice Brown, would be the last. The corporation lost the rights to the show following seven series after programme-maker Love Productions struck a three-year deal with Channel 4 worth a reported 75million. Mary's accent has been credited with re-energising the US version of the show, which had fallen flat with viewers She's our secret ingredient! The bakers, judges and hosts on the latest series of The Great American Baking Show Feast your eyes: Mary's last Bake Off appearance in the UK, with GBBO 2016 winner Candice Brown Crumbled: Mel and Sue announced they would not be joining Channel 4 is September; Mary followed suit shortly afterwards while Paul Hollywood announced he will judge on the new incarnation of Bake Off Presenters Mel and Sue dealt a blow to the show's future by announcing they would not be moving from the BBC, or as they put it, they would not be 'following the dough.' Mary, who was paid 500,000 to be on the show, also quickly stated that she would be leaving too. She said she would not move to Channel 4 because of her 'loyalty to the BBC' and is thought to have turned down a 7million offer to continue as a judge. Twitter mercilessly teased the presenter for non- He's known for airing his frustration with University Challenge contestants whom dare to proffer incorrect answers, but last night it was Jeremy Paxman's turn to be mocked. The veteran presenter of the academic quiz show felt a collective snort of derision from Twitter, after he apparently mispronounced the name of one of literature's most famous characters. When putting a question to SOAS - University of London and the Emmanuel College Cambridge team, he clearly pronounced Don Quixote as 'Don Quicks Oats.' Scroll down for video Oh Jeremy! Viewers were less than happy with Paxman's pronunciation According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word should be pronounced 'Key-Hote-ee'. Unsurprisingly, Twitter didn't waste any time in picking up Paxman on his pronunciation fail. An aggrieved @rhyswynne wrote: 'So Jeremy Paxman just pronounced Don Quixote as "Don Quicks Oat"'. @EllieCamm despaired, saying: 'Oh dear @JeremyPaxman pronouncing Don Quixote as "quicks-oat". It's "key-oaty" you wally. Or I've been lied to and am about to be slaughtered.' @carnivorvegan quipped: 'When did Don Quixote become Don Quicksote?' There was some ribbing too over the way he pronounced Don Juan in the same sentence, with apparently no attempt to use the Spanish pronunciation of the word. Chewing up one of Spanish literature's most prominent figures... From the mocker to the mocked: Paxman took a roasting on Twitter for his misguided pronunciation @rlrichar wrote: 'How do you pronounce Don Quixote and Don Juan, Paxo? At least that's what we think you were trying to say.' @dgcarrick was stunned: 'Amazing pronunciation of Don Quixote and Don Juan by Paxman on University Challenge...' Que? The contestants from Emmanuel College, Cambridge looked a little perplexed by the quiz master's question ...but viewers soon moved on to praising Cambridge captain Bobby Seagull, for both his intellect and his fabulous name @MargoJMilne: 'Wait, HOW did Paxo just pronounce Don Quixote and Don Juan?' Meanwhile, fans were also besotted with the team captain of Emmanuel College Cambridge - or at least his name. Later visited the Hague where they met the Prime It was a fashion face-off of epic proportions on Tuesday as two of the most stylish European royals showed off their style credentials during a day of engagements in Amsterdam and The Hague. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands stunned in a strapless emerald green gown, while Queen Mathilde of Belgium sparkled in a glitzy burgundy number while attending a concert in Amsterdam. Mathilde, 43, is halfway through a three-day state visit to the country with her husband King Philippe. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, second from left, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, left, attended a concert in Amsterdam with King Willem-Alexander and King Philippe Maxima stunned in a strapless emerald green gown, while Mathilde sparkled in a glitzy burgundy number The Dutch queen accessorised her gown with matching pearl drop earrings and a statement necklace. The pair greeted each other warmly as they arrived at the concert Earlier in the day, Mathilde and Maxima, 45, were both looking their elegant best as they paid a visit to a welfare organisation in the Dutch capital, before moving onto The Hague. Mathilde opted for a bold scarlet ensemble made up of a tailored coat dress and a broad-rimmed hat. She offset the bold colour palette with neutral accessories, wearing a pair of cream Mary Janes and a matching clutch. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, left, and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, right, were both looking their elegant best as they paid a visit to The Hague After making a typically stylish entrance, the pair spent time talking to youngsters inside and enjoyed a spot of lunch. Staff had laid out a special spread in their national colours Meanwhile Maxima, 45, went for a preppy look with a purple velvet long-sleeved top and a tartan skirt, throwing on a camel coat to ward off the winter chill. The royal duo were paying a visit to Rooms with Opportunities, part of a welfare organisation called Combiwel. It prepares young people who have left school early for independent living, by offering them a job or to earn a diploma. They also visited Vitalis, which matches young people with adult volunteers to help them with self-confidence and social skills. Mathilde, who is halfway through a three-day state visit to the country with her husband King Philippe, opted for a scarlet ensemble of a tailored coat dress and a broad-rimmed hat Maxima, left, went for a preppy look with a purple velvet long-sleeved top and a tartan skirt, throwing on a camel coat to ward off the winter chill After making a stylish entrance, the pair spent time talking to youngsters inside and enjoyed a spot of lunch. Staff had put on an extensive spread including plates of sweets in the national colours of their respective countries. Once outside, they posed for more photographs alongside their husbands, King Philippe of Belgium, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. The foursome then visited the Hall of Knights in The Hague, where they met with Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and local business leaders. The royal duo were paying a visit to Vitalis, which matches young people with adult volunteers to help them with self-confidence and social skills King Philippe said in a speech: 'Queen Mathilde and I are very grateful for the warm welcome here in the Great Hall, a very special place which has witnessed a lot of national and international history. 'The unique tapestries in this room tell us a timeless story of convergence, growth and democratic values. They express the importance we always in the Low Countries have attached to local roots and consensus. 'They embody our shared belief that openness and joint action our welfare benefit. Once outside, the pair posed for more photographs alongside their husbands, King Philippe of Belgium and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (right) (L-R) Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, King Willem-Alexander The foursome later visited the Hall of Knights in The Hague 'Without these qualities would the Netherlands in the 17th century, never the first trading nation and Belgium, at the beginning of the 20th century, never have become the world one of the major industrial powers.' Princess Sofia of Sweden looked stunning as she stepped out and about in Sweden on Tuesday. The royal look fresh-faced as she kept her make-up natural with just a touch of eyeliner to make her eyes pop for her lunch appointment. Keeping things casual Sofia, who married Prince Carl Philip of Sweden on June 13th last year, wore a black pea coat adorned with gold buttons. Princess Sofia was all smiles as she arrived at the Hotel Diplomat wearing minimal make up and silver earrings The royal kept things casual for the lunch time event as she wore a black pea coat with gold buttons, grey trousers and black boots The mum to Prince Alexander attended a lunch on the theme of social entrepreneurship and sustainability at Hotel Diplomat in Stockholm, Sweden. Smiling as she arrived to the venue, Sofia had her hair slicked back in a centre parting with a neat bun to accentuate her cheekbones. Sofia, 31, wore black velvet boots with grey fitted trousers and carried a bamboo handled black bag. She paired her simple look with silver disc earrings and her wedding ring. She arrived in a blacked out car clutching a bamboo handled handbag. Her hair was neatly slicked back in a low bun The mum to Prince Alexander stopped to pose for photos outside the hotel before entering for the lunch meeting She has a busy day ahead of her as she will be attending the a dinner at the Royal Palace in Sweden with the King and Queen and Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Daniel The princess smiled away for the cameras ahead of her day which also includes a board meeting with Mentor Sweden. Sofia is also set to attend an audience with honorary consuls working in Italy, Greece, Malta, Spain and Turkey at the Royal Palace in Stockholm with the King and Queen of Sweden and Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Daniel. As she arrived at the hotel in a black vehicle she was welcomed by fellow guests who posed outside for pictures before heading inside. Queen Letizia of Spain turned once again to one of her favourite designers during a visit to Portugal on Tuesday. The glamorous royal picked a 530 Hugo Boss coat and matching 159 skirt as she stepped out in the coastal city of Porto with her husband King Felipe VI. Evidently keen to ward off the winter chill, she picked the wool blend cashmere ensemble with a grey and red colour block pattern, adding a pair of berry court shoes and hoop earrings. Queen Letizia of Spain wore a 530 Hugo Boss coat and matching 159 skirt as she stepped out in the coastal city of Porto with her husband King Felipe VI on Tuesday Letizia, 44, picked the wool blend cashmere ensemble with a grey and red colour block pattern, adding a pair of berry court shoes and hoop earrings The pair, who are on a three-day state tour of their neighbouring country in a bid to 'reinforce historical ties' between their two nations, paid a visit the science and technology division of the University of Porto. They later met with Porto's mayor and local business leaders for a formal lunch. On Wednesday, alongside Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Alfonso Dastis Quecedo they will travel to Lisbon, where Felipe VI, 48, will address to the Assembly of the Republic. Letizia, 44, and Felipe, 48, kicked their tour off in style last night at a glittering state dinner at Paco dos Duques de Braganca (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza) in Guimaraes, after being welcomed to the country by the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The pair, who are on a three-day state tour of their neighbouring country in a bid to 'reinforce historical ties' between their two nations, paid a visit to the University of Porto Letizia added a pair of diamond earrings to her otherwise simple outfit on Tuesday The pair spent time chatting to staff on the second day of their three-day tour of Portugal The glamorous royal stunned in a $5,990 (4,792) tiered lace evening gown by Caroline Herrera, adding a dramatic slick of berry lipstick and a diamond bracelet. In his toast, which he delivered in Spanish and Portuguese, King Felipe VI expressed his enthusiasm for being in Portugal and thanked the kind welcome they have received. He described the relationship between the two 'sister nations' as 'unique' and 'incomparable', and spoke of the many ties in all areas that unite them. The couple later moved on to Lisbon, where they attended a Gala dinner at Palacio de las Necesidades. Letizia upped the glam factor for the occasion, changing from her Hugo Boss ensemble into a festive green dress wit a flared skirt, as she joined Fernanda Tadeu, wife of Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, for an impromptu photo shoot outside the venue. The couple later moved on to Lisbon, where they attended a Gala dinner at Palacio de las Necesidades Letizia shows off her trim waist in the fitted green dress on the penultimate day of their three-day tour of Portugal Letizia changed from her Hugo Boss ensemble into a festive green midi dress wit a flared skirt, as she joined Fernanda Tadeu, wife of Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa The stylish royal is welcomed by a dignitary as she arrives at a Gala dinner at Palacio de las Necesidades The busy couple, who are never far from their next formal engagement, made their last official family outing just last week. Stepping out alongside Leonor, Princess of Asturias, ten, and Infanta Sofia of Spain, nine, the couple attended a ceremony to inaugurate the XII Legislature in Madrid. The family-of-four were also joined by Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, as they arrived to the Opening ceremony of the term of office held at the Lower House in Madrid. The Halt Action Group is asking Ivanka to be 'the voice of reason' and denounce her father's controversial rhetoric and political policies The new Instagram account features glamorous photos of Ivanka alongside captions that address fears associated with a Trump presidency vigil was organized by the Halt Action Group, which is behind the 'Dear Ivanka' Instagram page Ivanka Trump was all smiles when she stepped out of her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday morning following a New York protest in which participants begged her to stand up to her father Donald and denounce his controversial policy positions as the President-elect. Despite being the target of last night's candlelight vigil, the 35-year-old mom looked like she didn't have a care in the world as she flashed a grin to the photographers waiting outside her building the next day. Ivanka dressed for the rainy weather in an elegant navy coat, a cozy grey scarf, and ankle-grazing dress pants, which she paired with a black handbag and gray suede heels from her eponymous collection. Rise and shine: Ivanka Trump flashed a smile as she stepped out of her Park Avenue apartment on Tuesday morning Rainy day woman: The 35-year-old kept warm in a navy coat, a cozy grey scarf, and ankle-grazing dress pants Happy as can be: Ivanka looked chipper despite last night's New York protest against her unwavering support of her father Donald Before she stepped outside, her husband Jared Kushner, 35, was photographed leaving the building with their three-year-old son Joseph and their eight-month-old baby boy, Theodore. Jared, who is taking credit for Donald's shocking win, also seemed to be in good spirits as he walked Joseph to the car and carried Theodore out in his car seat. Over the past week, the new Instagram page, Dear Ivanka, has been targeting Donald's eldest daughter by sharing glamorous pictures of her alongside harrowing captions that address the fears associated with a Trump presidency. Mommy style: Ivanka accessorized her look with a black handbag and gray suede heels from her eponymous collection Doting dad: Ivanka's husband Jared Kushner, 35, was photographed leaving the building with their three-year-old son Joseph Daddy's got you! Jared was also pictured carrying their eight-month-old son Theodore 'Where do you draw the line? We all know you don't choose your parents, but you can rebel against your dad at some point? It would help all of us...' reads one caption for a picture of her father giving her kiss on the cheek. Another photo of her posing at an event asks: 'Dear Ivanka will you keep another Jew like me safe from Steve Bannon and the KKK?' Ivanka converted to Judaism in 2009 when she wed Jared, and they are raising their three children to follow the religion as well. However, critics of Donald's campaign chief executive Steve Bannon has accused him of being closet racist and anti-Semite. Taking a stand: More than 150 artists, curators, and gallery workers attended the protest at the Puck Building in downtown Manhattan on Monday night 'I've seen the future and I'm not going!' Artist Peter McGough and actress Stella Schnabel are pictured at the Dear Ivanka: Call To Political Action Protest Spreading the word: The candlelight vigil was organized by the Halt Action Group, which is behind the 'Dear Ivanka' Instagram page The Instagram page was started by numerous people involved in the art world, including art dealer Bill Powers, artist Jonathan Horowitz, and curator Alison Gingeras. The Halt Action Group, as they are calling themselves, also has a website explaining their mission. 'Racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and homophobia are not acceptable anywhere least of all in the White House,' reads message at dearivanka.info. 'It's not okay': The Halt Action Group is asking Ivanka to be 'the voice of reason' and denounce her father's controversial rhetoric and political policies Protest: 'Racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and homophobia are not acceptable anywhere least of all in the White House,' reads the message on the group's website 'Steve Bannon has no place in the White House. Jeff Sessions has no place in the White House. Talk of a Muslim registry has no place in the White House. 'Hate has no place in the White House. We refuse to "wait and see". We look to you as the voice of reason.' Despite being only a week old, the Dear Ivanka Instagram page already has more than 7,000 followers. 'it would help all of us': The 'Dear Ivanka' Instagram account features glamorous photos of Ivanka alongside captions that address fears associated with a Trump presidency Concerns: A photo of Ivanka posing at an event asks: 'Dear Ivanka will you keep another Jew like me safe from Steve Bannon and the KKK?' The group used Instagram to help organize last night's protest outside of the Puck Building, which is owned by the Kushner family. The New York Times reports that it is believed that Ivanka and Jared store certain pieces from their contemporary art collection in their residence in the building in downtown Manhattan. More than 150 artists, curators, and gallery workers attended the protest on Monday night, including notable artists such as Cecily Brown and Marilyn Minter. Looking for answers: The group used this photo of Ivanka taking a pregnancy selfie to broach the President-elect's views on abortion Coming together: The group used Instagram to help organize last night's protest outside of the Puck Building, which is owned by the Kushner family Causing a stir: Numerous pictures of the protesters and their posters were shared on the Dear Ivanka Instagram page 'The culture changes, and fascism rears its ugly head every so often and thats whats happening now,' Minter told the New York Times. 'We wanted to do something to start to the ball rolling, to grow a protest, and were artists, so we know how to make posters.' A baby products company is launching a special run of 'little blue cups' for a 13-year-old boy with autism following a global appeal by his father. Ben Carter, from Devon, will only drink from a blue Tommee Tippee cup, prompting father Marc to put out an appeal on social media after becoming concerned the cup was wearing out. Ben would refuse drinks that were not in the cup and had been to hospital with severe dehydration. Ben Carter, who suffers from autism, was left severely dehydrated when his favourite Tommee Tippee cup broke and he refused to drink from anything else His father, tweeting as @GrumpyCarer, prompted people across the world to look through their cupboards for identical cups or to spread the #cupforben message. His request was retweeted more than 12,000 times. Tommee Tippee, based in Northumberland, said it was nearly 20 years since it had manufactured that product, but has now rediscovered the design and found the mould used to make the two-handled originals, stored in a usable condition in China. It has said it will make a run of 500 cups to ensure 'that Ben has a lifetime supply and that his family won't ever have to worry about finding another cup'. Concerned, his father, Marc launched a Twitter campaign in the hope of finding Ben a new cup Marc regularly shared photos of the cups online claiming that the replacement had to be identical in every way The company tweeted: 'Big news. We're going to manufacture a batch of little blue cups for Ben!' In a follow-up YouTube video, Mr Carter said: 'I had a phone call from Tommee Tippee today. They told me they've managed to find the mould that makes Ben's little blue cup and they want to make Ben as many cups as he needs. 'They said they didn't have it, and that's because they don't keep them, but they've been looking in China, scouring factories and warehouses, and they found it.' Ben's Gofundme page But after his campaign went viral the manufacturers agreed to make Ben a lifetime's supply of blue cups The company tweeted: 'Big news. We're going to manufacture a batch of little blue cups for Ben!' He told the BBC: 'I would not be happier if I won the lottery. We've moved down to the middle of nowhere and don't want much. 'Just knowing he has got these cups gives us peace of mind.' A Tommee Tippee spokesman said: 'Starting the production of a cup that hasn't been manufactured for almost two decades isn't a straightforward process, but we're thrilled to confirm that we're able to do it. 'We're confident that this production run, combined with the cups that have been sent by truly amazing people from across the world, will make a real difference to Ben, and give him enough cups for the rest of his life.' Manufacturing is expected to start in China this week, with the cups handed over to Mr Carter in the new year. The rest of Mr Carter's post, that he shared on Twitter, can be read here A delighted Mr Carter said about the plans to make new cups: 'It's a shock and a surprise and it is a bit bizarre really that they have managed to do this. 'Tommee Tippee, you guys are incredible.' Mr Carter said he was equally grateful to those who joined the global search for the cups and he now hoped to harness the campaign to do more for other people with autism and their families. Marc put out his original plea on Twitter at the beginning of the month writing: 'Ben is 14 and has severe autism, he's non-verbal and has very limited understanding. 'Since the age of 2 he has drunk exclusively from a little blue Tommee Tippee two handled cup,' Mr Carter wrote. 'Fortunately about 3 years ago we managed to replace this very old and disintegrating cup with a newer one - cup part at first, lid a few weeks later. 'He was suspicious but we survived.' Mr Carter explained that his son hadn't drunk anything at school since he was five. 'He doesn't drink outside of the house so we can't go anywhere. People say he will drink when he's thirsty, but two emergency trips to A&E with severe dehydration say otherwise,' he continued. 'These cups are not made anymore, the replacements are all new and fancy, we've tried them, Ben throws them at us. Maybe you have one stuck at the back of a cupboard? It can be used, that's fine, the one he has doesn't have long left. Tommee Tippee UK also jumped on board and had a 'dedicated team searching the cupboards for Ben's cup' They shared pictures of staff rummaging through boxes (pictured) in search of the cup and discovered that the cup was made for Boots UK more than 10 years ago 'In all honesty we are really worried what will happen if it falls apart completely.' Mr Carter concluded his post by saying he would happily pay for the cup and postage and welcomed more than one cup. Since posting, the Tweet has been retweeted more than 20,000 times and hundreds have shared pictures of the cup on their social media pages. Many more reached out to Mr Carter with similar cups and advice on where he could go to get one. Tommee Tippee UK also jumped on board and had a 'dedicated team searching the cupboards for Ben's cup.' Since posting, the Tweet has been retweeted more than 700 times and hundreds have shared pictures of the cup on their social media pages - many more praised the dad for his efforts They shared pictures of staff rummaging through boxes in search of the cup and discovered that the cup was made for Boots UK more than 10 years ago. Despite being sent many cups, a touched Mr Carter explained that the cup cannot be different in any way. 'PLEASE double check it is the same cup, not just similar, it has to be identical. If it's transparent, a different shape or colour or in any other way not the same Ben won't accept it,' he wrote on Wednesday morning. 'I'm so incredibly grateful for everyone's kindness and love, you are all amazing. The rest of Mr Carter's post can be found here 'Thank you to everyone for trying so hard to help my little man - it has genuinely moved me to tears, it's incredible that you all want to help.' After less than 24 hours, Mr Carter announced that he had some cups on the way. 'I've got some coming, some as in enough to last us a few years, so if that's all I get then that's great. No, it's amazing. Thank you,' he said. 'The reality is Ben is unlikely to change, so I will need these for the rest of his life. That's a lot of cups. It's got to be easier to collect them now than try in 10 years, less will be around then. Mr Carter stressed that he wasn't being greedy but instead, was simply being realistic and had even looked into 3D printing. Modelling is not all glitz and glamour, just ask Steph Claire Smith. The blonde beauty recently gave a behind-the-scenes insight in to the modelling industry, from battling jet-lag to spending time away from family and friends. But the 22-year-old showed the fun side of her job in a shoot with Bras N Things, where she starred alongside former Australia's Next Top Model winner Tahnee Atkinson. The pair flaunted their curves and showed their cheeky side for the festive shoot, that saw them don racy lingerie and sleepwear. Scroll down for video Double trouble: Tahnee Atkinson (left) and Steph Claire Smith (right) featured in a sizzling lingerie shoot Fun and festive: The models posed in red-hot lingerie and sultry sleepwear for the Christmas-themed campaign for Bras N Things Steph, who is based in Melbourne, recently took to her Keep It Cleaner blog to share her thoughts on the modelling industry. And while some shoots are tough, she said one of her favourite things about the job was building relationships other models and photographers. This was evident in her shoot with Tahnee, where the girls modelled pieces from the Christmas collection. Ladies in lace: The collection featured lace bodysuits with plunging necklines and lingerie with daring cut-outs and strap detailing Sultry: Steph posed in a red two piece that featured strap detailing over the bust (left), while Tahnee wore black thigh-high stockings and a bra with a cross-overneckline In one photo Steph sizzled in a red hot bra and underwear. The pieces featured red ribbon detailing and on-trend straps that crossed over her bust. She also wore a lace body-suit with a choker-neckline. In another look, Tahnee wore thigh-high stockings and black lingerie, the bra featuring ribbon detailing that crossed over the chest and tied behind the neck. Red hot: The women posed in racy red lace lingerie that featured choker necklines and suspenders Flaunting her curves: Pops of green were added to the collection, adding to the festive feel Sultry sleepwear: The collection included sleepwear, with Tahnee posing in black-and-white striped pyjama pants The Christmas collection featured bold reds and pop of green, and was given a sultry look with heavy lace and pieces with a high neck. Some pieces added a touch of sparkle with Swarovski crystals. The women also posed in sleepwear, Tahnee pairing black-and-white striped pyjama pants with a white lace bustier bra. The lingerie featured cheeky cut-outs that exposed the models' toned stomachs. Costing just 4p a day, the drug has been shown to slash the risk of breast cancer by 53 per cent if taken for five years At least 600,000 healthy women should be offered cheap pills that halve the risk of breast cancer, the NHS watchdog says today. New guidelines from Nice instruct doctors to consider anastrozole for anyone over 50 with a high or medium chance of the disease. Costing just 4p a day, the drug has been shown to slash the risk of breast cancer by 53 per cent if taken for five years. Experts at Nice believe their recommendation could save 39,000 over-50s from the killer disease. Trials have shown that anastrozole is even more effective than the wonder drug tamoxifen and has far fewer side effects. The watchdog hopes to prompt women to have their risk of breast cancer assessed at family history clinics. It estimates that about 622,970 women would be eligible for anastrozole. Nice already urges doctors to consider offering 6p-a-day tamoxifen to higher risk patients. But research earlier this month found that four in ten GPs were reluctant to prescribe it mainly due to its side effects and many were unaware of its benefits. Nicola Smith, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: 'Taking a pill to reduce the risk of breast cancer is an encouraging new option for post-menopausal women at high risk of the disease. 'For most women the side effects of anastrozole are likely to be less severe than those experienced with tamoxifen which also reduces breast cancer risk. 'It's important for women to consult their doctor if they think they might be at high risk of breast cancer.' In its draft guidelines today, Nice calculates that if 1,000 high risk women took anastrozole for five years, 35 breast cancer cases would be prevented. The comparable figure for tamoxifen is 21. Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at Nice, said: 'The evidence examined by the committee suggests anastrozole will not only reduce the number of breast cancer cases in these women compared with tamoxifen, but it is also a more cost-effective option.' The drug works by stopping the action of an enzyme called aromatase. Found in fatty tissue, it makes the cancer-triggering hormone oestrogen. But anastrozole is only effective after the menopause because younger women produce large amounts of oestrogen from their ovaries, which the drug does not block. Women taking it are far less likely to suffer the side effects found with tamoxifen, including hot flushes, blood clots and thinning of the bones. Charities fear GPs will be reluctant to prescribe anastrozole because, like tamoxifen, it has not been licensed for preventative use. This means GPs could be sued by women who suffer severe side effects. Baroness Delyth Morgan of Breast Cancer Now said: 'That the most effective preventive drug for post-menopausal women at high risk of breast cancer has now been recommended for routine use is fantastic news. 'Studies have shown anastrozole cuts the risk of the disease in post-menopausal women by more than 50 per cent in the first five years, and, crucially, it has fewer side effects than other preventive options such as tamoxifen and raloxifene. 'However like tamoxifen anastrozole is not licensed for this purpose, and we are concerned that patients will therefore not be able to access this treatment, despite this recommendation.' Statistically about one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point, with faulty genes the key factor Professor Tony Howell, scientific director of the charity Prevent Breast Cancer, said: 'Anastrozole is a proven method of preventing breast cancer in post-menopausal women and it's essential that GPs are given the appropriate tools and guidance so that they can offer patients the best course of preventative therapy. 'It's important that women at high and moderate risk are educated on the options available to them and are given the correct support at the right time.' More than 53,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year with 11,000 deaths. Women are advised to see their GP if their mother or sister develops the illness under 40 or if two or more relatives have it at any age. Nice guidelines state that anyone with a medium or high probability of developing breast cancer should be offered more frequent screening or in some cases pre-emptive surgery. Mothers who have skin-to-skin contact with their baby within an hour of delivery are 50 per cent more likely to be breastfeeding six months later, say researchers. Experts believe that there is a golden hour after birth in which a baby placed on their mothers stomach instinctively moves up her body to latch on to the breast. This makes feeding easier from the start, while also helping a mother bond with her child. A review of studies on skin-to-skin contact found women whose babies are put naked on their chest in their first hour breastfeed on average for 64 days longer than infants separated from their mothers in a cot or incubator. Experts believe there is a golden hour after birth where skin-to-skin contact for mother and baby is key for breastfeeding Babies who experience this are also less stressed, with more stable heart and breathing rates. Lead author Elizabeth Moore, from Vanderbilt University in the US, said a newborn baby uses their sense of smell to latch on to breastfeed after being born. She said: After the first hour or two, stress hormones in the baby from being born recede and the baby gets really, really sleepy. You want to catch them in the first hour when they are wide awake, moving around and interested in latching on and sucking, because after that they crash. So that hour is what they call the golden hour. British breastfeeding rates are the worst in the world, with just one in every 200 babies breastfed until they are a year old. The Cochrane review of 46 trials including 3,850 women and their babies, across 21 countries, found women with skin-to-skin contact were more likely to exclusively breastfeed from hospital discharge to one month post-birth. They were 50 per cent more likely to stick with it until their child was six months old. Experts say this is because a child placed on their mothers chest quickly learns how to latch on to feed, following odour cues from their mothers body. Many women give up on breastfeeding because they cannot get their baby to take the breast. The review states: The evidence from this updated review supports using immediate or early skin-to-skin contact to promote breastfeeding. This is important because we know breastfeeding helps babies avoid illness and stay healthy. Skin-to-Skin contact also reduced the baby's stress and heart and breathing rate The studies also found that babies held naked by their mothers on their naked chest under a hospital gown or blanket had higher blood sugar, which can fall dangerously low in newborn infants. Their heart rate and breathing rate were more stable, showing babies lying on their mothers were less stressed following the traumatic experience of moving from the womb into the outside world. The experts said more research was needed to determine whether women giving birth by caesarean benefit from skin-to-skin contact. Previous studies have found babies held against their mothers skin in a kangaroo mother care position recover more quickly from medical procedures. Kangaroo mother care involves infants being carried by their mother with skin-to-skin contact for as long as possible every day and is often used with premature babies. Jose, 19, is a college student in Puerto Princesa City, Philippines. On a regular school day, after he wakes up, he takes a shower, scrubbing his body using soap made of papaya (Carica papaya), a fruit that's said to have skin-whitening properties. Afterwards, he applies a facial whitening lotion, and before finally going to school he uses SPF 30 sunscreen, again with whitening properties, on his face and arms. Jose was one of many young people I met in my ethnographic work as part of the Chemical Youth Project, a research programme that sought to document and make sense of the different chemicals that young people use in their everyday lives, from cosmetics to cigarettes. Skin whitening among women has long been commonplace in the Philippines and other parts of Asia and the world but, while working on this project, I was struck by the fact that young men too, are using a plethora of whitening products. In research, Gideon Lasco has investigated rising numbers of men whitening their skin with cosmetic products, particular in countries like India and the Philippines (file image) And that these products have proliferated in various retail outlets, from shopping malls to small sari-sari, or neighbourhood, stores. But this development is not unique to the Philippines either. A 2015 study found that the prevalence of skin-whitening product use among male university students in 26 low and middle-income countries was 16.7 percent. The figure was higher in many Asian countries: 17.4 percent in India, 25.4 percent in the Philippines, and 69.5 percent in Thailand. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, the male cosmetics industry was estimated at $2.1 billion in 2016. Whiteners are likely to be a significant component of this figure; a 2010 studyreported that 61 percent of all cosmetics in India had a whitening effect. Views of whiteness How do we make sense of this phenomenon? First, it must be pointed that the preference for white skin, even among men, has existed in many parts of Asia since ancient times. In Heian Japan (794 to 1185 AD) and Ming China (13681644), handsome men were described as having white or pale skin. In one undated Philippine epic, the hero covers his face with a shield so that the sun's rays will not 'lessen his handsome looks'. In South Korea, K-pop superstars promote homegrown brands such as The Face Shop and Etude House, and serve as ambassadors of a Korean male aesthetic: slim, youthful-looking, and fair-skinned Researchers have suggested that, in many societies, fair skin was a mark of class distinction. In her 2012 book Living Color, American anthropologist Nina Jablonski explains: Untanned skin was a symbol of the privileged class that was spared from outdoor labor Dark-skinned people were deprecated because they were of the labouring class that worked out in the sun. Others have suggested that the association of whiteness with purity became conflated with the idea that white skin signifies spiritual and physical superiority. Arguably, the colonial encounter lent another meaning to white skin, making it a marker of racial - not just class - distinction. Filipinos, for instance, were commonly referred to by the Americans as their 'little brown brothers', signifying an unequal fraternity based on height and skin colour. But some scholars have also pointed out that many Asian people don't necessarily aspire for a 'Caucasian whiteness', but a 'cosmopolitan whiteness' that transcends race and signifies mobility across national borders. Like the emergence of the 'metrosexual' (urban men who enjoy interests traditionally associated with women and homosexual men), the rise of male-specific whitening products may be explained by the demographic and social changes that have given rise to the view of the body as, in the words of UK sociologist Chris Shilling, 'a project that should be worked at and accomplished as part of an individual's self-identity.' It can also be attributed to changing notions of masculinity that are no longer incompatible with the use of cosmetics or beauty products. Promises with side effects Today, cosmetics companies, through mass-mediated, star-studded advertising, build on these conditions. In India, Bollywood superstar Sharukh Khan made headlines by endorsing 'Fair and Handsome' skin whitening cream in 2008. In South Korea, K-pop superstars promote homegrown brands such as The Face Shop and Etude House, and serve as ambassadors of a Korean male aesthetic: slim, youthful-looking, and fair-skinned. While it is insightful to look at these historical and global trends, it's also important to look at the individual users themselves, and the role whitening products play in their lives. In my fieldwork, I met many young men who were motivated by perceived social and economic gain: 20-year-old call centre agent Edwin wanted to be more attractive to girls. From a public health perspective, the proliferation of whitening products raises questions of efficacy and safety Jose, for his part, wanted to someday be a flight attendant. He told me, 'If you're fair-skinned, you're noticeable, and that gives you a advantage.' Their assumptions find empirical support in studies that suggest men with lighter skin are more likely to get higher paying jobs. In environments where young people only have their bodies as 'capital', resorting to modification is understandable. But from a public health perspective, the proliferation of whitening products raises questions of efficacy and safety, particularly in Asian countries without strong regulation. For all their promised effects, there's actually no proof that many products actually work, and many of them have potentially grave side effects. Mercury, for instance, is a known toxin but it's still found in skin whitening products in India, even when it has long been banned in many other countries. Is it right? Alongside these health concerns, the moral debate continues. By shaping the way people people view their skin and that of others will its colour, which is determined by genes, occupation and lifestyle, become another layer of inequality? And as with any other social issue, there has been dissent. Across Asia, a growing number of voices challenging the 'colourism' they have to live with. Blogger Aswasthi Thomas, for instance, recently declared: I'm Indian, I'm dark, and I don't care. But what these campaigns sometimes forget is that the quest for distinction through physical appearance is probably as old as humanity itself. And it's unlikely to go away, especially when it is useful for people in their everyday lives. Even so, as desires for dermatological perfection become increasingly commodified and as skin becomes subjected to a host of chemicals the point about restraint and reflection is well taken. Indeed, as more and more men and women embrace the idea that 'fair is handsome', we need a deeper conversation about the motivations that underwrite the phenomenon of skin whitening, and the meaning of (un)fair skin. A few drinks a week does nothing to increase - or lower - your risk of heart disease, a new study declares. The research by the Radiological Society of North America dismisses fears that moderate alcohol consumption could be dangerous for one's health. However, it also questions claims that the occasional tipple could improve heart health. Moderate drinking does not damage your heart health (but it doesn't help it either) The researchers studied 1,925 consecutive patients referred for heart scans with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). They asked each patient about their alcohol consumption habits using questionnaires. On average, the patients consumed around 6.7 units of alcohol a week - equivalent to three and a half large glasses of wine. Finally, they compared the survey results with each patient's clinical history and scans. The results showed that the amount of weekly alcohol consumption, whether light or moderate, was not associated with the presence of CAD. In addition, when researchers looked at different types of alcohol and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis, no associations were found. 'When we compared consumption between patients who had coronary artery plaques and those who had none, no difference was detected,' said study author Dr. Julia Karady from the Heart and Vascular Center at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. 'Evaluating the relationship between light alcohol intake (maximum of 14 units per week) and presence of CAD, we again found no association. 'Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of different types of alcohol (beer, wine and hard liquor) on the presence of CAD, but no relationship was found.' Dr. Karady added that while no protective effect was detected among light drinkers, as previously thought, no harmful effects were detected either. She said she was confident that the methods used provided the most accurate results in this field of study to date. For the new study, the researchers used coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), a highly accurate form of scanning. 'CCTA is an excellent diagnostic modality to noninvasively depict the coronary wall and identify atherosclerotic lesions,' said Dr Karady. 'Furthermore, we're able to characterize plaques and differentiate between several types. 'Prior studies used cardiovascular risk factors - like high cholesterol levels--and cardiovascular outcomes to study the effects of alcohol. 'But our study is unique in that we analyzed both drinkers and non-drinkers using CCTA, which may shed some light on how alcohol may or may not contribute to the development of fatty plaques in the arteries of the heart.' The researchers are in the process of expanding the study to include more patients and perform further analyses. Tucker Roussin was never expected to make it. Diagnosed with a heart tumor before he was born, the son-to-be of Katie Rice and Mike Roussin seemed to be beyond the scope of modern medicine. But desperate to save their baby, the Vermont couple went looking for help and found the fetal heart team at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - who offered to try the unprecedented. And so, at 24 weeks of gestation, the team operated the world's first in-utero fetal surgery to remove the tumor. Now, three years and four months later, Tucker is a healthy and thriving preschooler. Scroll down for video Incredible: Tucker Roussin (left aged three) was diagnosed with a rare heart tumor when he was in the womb. He was operated on and born healthy in May 2013 (right with his mom Katie) Katie Rice, her partner Mike Roussin, and their sons: Tucker, three, and Gavin, six Their study was chronicled anonymously in a study for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the family and surgical team have now spoken out about their experience. 'Things are going beautifully,' lead surgeon Dr Jack Rychik told CBS News. 'There's an emotional aspect of changing nature and where nature intends a poor outcome and reversing it 180 degrees and giving a normal outcome to this child. 'To give this child, this fetus, a normal quality and duration of life as a unique human being.' Tucker was diagnosed with intrapericardial teratoma. It is an extremely rare, rapidly growing tumor in the sac surrounding the heart that can be detected during the fetal period. It is lethal if untreated. The current prenatal strategy is to drain pericardial fluid to buy time for the fetus to grow to a viable gestational age, followed by surgery to remove the teratoma shortly after delivery. This is a pericardial teratoma (left), a type of fetal heart tumor that has grown to more than three times the size of the fetal heart. This photo is not from Tucker Roussin, the boy described in the article, but from another patient at the hospital who was unable to undergo surgery Doctors at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recognized that Tucker would not have made it without surgery. He was at 24 weeks gestation when they operated. He is pictured here shortly after his birth After the operation, Rice was forced to take a leave of absence from her job and move to the Philadelphia area to see out the last four months of her pregnancy However, rapid prenatal growth of the tumor, along with fluid around the heart, which inflicts dangerous pressure on the heart, lead to disruption of normal fetal circulation and fetal death. Therefore, an ideal treatment is to perform surgery prenatally, before cardiac dysfunction occurs. Rice and Roussin, from St Albans in Vermont, were told their best bet was to contact the expert team of fetal heart surgeons at CHOP. Aware of the delicate nature the procedure would involve, Dr Rychik performed two scans a couple of weeks apart to get a sense of the tumor's growth rate. By the second scan, Tucker's tumor had swelled dramatically. The family is now thriving at home in Vermont The case happened to reach Dr Rychik on the heels of a few similar cases, as his team was assessing how to handle them. Once he realized Tucker's only chance of life was surgery, they unanimously agreed to attempt the operation. Afterwards, Rice was forced to take a leave of absence from her job and move to the Philadelphia area to see out the last four months of her pregnancy. Rice's father brought their older son Gavin, then three years old, and dogs to Philadelphia to live with her while Mike had to continue working in Vermont. 'The last half of the pregnancy we were on edge the whole time,' Rice told CBS. Tucker's case was one of eight fetal cases evaluated for suspected intrapericardial teratoma at CHOP between 2009 and 2015. Two turned out to have other heart-related conditions. Of the six cases with intrapericardial teratoma, two survived, both following surgery. Tucker was the only one to undergo open fetal surgery at 24 weeks gestation, while the other underwent successful EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) procedure at 31 weeks gestation. In the EXIT procedure, surgeons partially deliver the baby through an incision made in the mother's uterus and perform surgery while the baby remains connected to the placenta. Of the four cases of intrapericardial teratoma who died, none underwent fetal surgery, in some cases because referral was late and the fetuses were too sick to benefit from intervention. WHAT WAS TUCKER'S HEART CONDITION? Tucker was diagnosed with intrapericardial teratoma. It is an extremely rare, rapidly growing tumor in the sac surrounding the heart that can be detected during the fetal period. It is lethal if untreated. The current prenatal strategy is to drain pericardial fluid to buy time for the fetus to grow to a viable gestational age, followed by surgery to remove the teratoma shortly after delivery. However, rapid prenatal growth of the tumor, along with fluid around the heart, which inflicts dangerous pressure on the heart, lead to disruption of normal fetal circulation and fetal death. Therefore, an ideal treatment is to perform surgery prenatally, before cardiac dysfunction occurs. Advertisement 'Managing this type of teratoma presenting before birth is a challenge, but we show that survival with good outcome may be possible in some patients,' said Dr Rychik. 'It was the ability to bring so many different disciplines to the table that made us confident enough to take the leap to offer in-utero surgery on a fetal heart as a viable option.' 'Removing a tumor from a baby's heart in-utero present significant risks for both the mother and the baby. Timing and coordination early in the illness is vitally important,' added co-author Holly L. Hedrick, MD, attending pediatric and fetal surgeon in the CFDT. CHOP's fetal surgeons, who have performed more than 1,350 in utero surgeries, are highly experienced in reducing those risks. Their work has helped make complex prenatal surgery an option for a growing number of fetuses diagnosed with birth defects. 'The pioneering fetal surgery to remove a tumor from a baby's heart is an incredible breakthrough and an innovation in the care that can be provided to a family who receives this devastating diagnosis,' said co-author J. William Gaynor, MD, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at CHOP. E-cigarettes drastically increase the risk of complications after plastic surgery, a new report warns. Patients are already advised to stop smoking normal cigarettes for at least a month before any cosmetic procedure. Beyond the thousands of added chemicals, the nicotine that users inhale restricts blood flow and prohibits the skin flaps from healing. Now, in an industry first, researchers backed by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have issued an identical warning against vaporized nicotine. Nicotine is known to restrict blood flow and raise risk of post-surgery complications for cigarette smokers. Now plastic surgery researchers warn e-cigarettes carry the same risk 'Based on our current best knowledge, it seems reasonable to advise plastic surgery candidates to cease e-cigarette use in a manner similar to what is advised for [cigarettes],' write ASPS member surgeons Dr Peter Taub and Dr Alan Matarasso. They explain that patients who smoke cigarettes tend to have failure of the skin flaps used for many types of plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures. Wounds require a healthy blood flow to heal. However, nicotine has been shown to shrink the capillaries, resulting in reductions in blood flow (or, vasoconstriction). It means a nip-and-tuck could go disastrously wrong, since the skin struggles to reattach. Surgeons urge patients to quit smoking full-stop, for general health reasons. However, studies have shown that a month without smoking makes enough of a difference to prevent major complications. Indeed, in one study of general surgery patients, quitting smoking for three or four weeks before surgery reduced the complication rate from about 40 to 20 percent. Based on this and other high-quality evidence, cigarette smokers are strongly advised to stop smoking at least four weeks before plastic surgery procedures. Now, with the rising rate of e-cigarette use in the population, Drs Matarasso and Taub warn surgeons should be aware of the possible increase in risk with e-cigarette users, and advise their patients accordingly. Many 'vapers' use e-cigarette solutions that contain nicotine, which might lead to similar adverse effects. The risk isn't necessarily the same, as cigarette smoke also contains other compounds that might affect blood flow, they concede. There are also questions about other potentially toxic substances in e-cigarette vapor. They note that the US Food and Drug Administration has published a 'cautious blueprint' for the regulation of e-cigarettes. A similar guideline should apply to the use of e-cigarettes before plastic surgery, Drs. Taub and Matarasso believe. The authors acknowledge the lack of direct evidence showing that the nicotine in e-cigarette vapor increases the risk of blood flow-related complications. They conclude: 'More definitive research might elucidate the effects of vaporized nicotine on the survival of skin and soft tissue flaps, as they most intimately relate to the safe practice of plastic surgery.' A probe into a suspected international human trafficking ring in West Bengal has been widened after 10 more babies were rescued and the skeletons of two infants were discovered. Police found the infants, all under one year old, lying on a sheet on the ground on Friday in a home for the mentally disabled run by a charity in Behala, in the impoverished district of South 24 Parganas. The babies showed signs of malnourishment and some had chest and skin infections, police said. Early investigations indicate that unmarried women and girls were talked into selling their children after going to a private clinic to have an abortion (photo for representation only) Meanwhile, in a swoop on the offices of an adoption centre run by a charity in the neighbouring district of North 24 Parganas on the same day, led police to find the skeletons of two infants, who are suspected to have died there while awaiting sale. The raids come after the discovery of three newborn babies on Monday last week in a nursing home in Baduria, 80 km (50 miles) from Kolkata. The babies had been hidden inside cardboard biscuit boxes in a locked storeroom in the home, where women would come to deliver or have an abortion. Early investigations indicated that unmarried women and girls had been talked into selling their children after going to the private clinic to terminate their pregnancies. Police have arrested 18 people in connection with the case since 'three babies were found hidden in a medical storeroom' on Monday last week (photo for representation only) Interrogation of clinic staff then led investigators to conduct 20 more raids in what police say appears to be a highly organised human trafficking racket Rajesh Kumar of West Bengal's Crime Investigation Department (CID), said 18 people had so far been arrested for taking the newborn babies and trafficking them for adoption in India and overseas. 'It is a huge network of NGOs, nursing homes, doctors and middlemen dealing in illegal adoption and baby trafficking that the police have busted. 'Our men are now building on the huge leads they have already got in this case,' Kumar, CID's Additional Director General said on Monday. The babies found on Monday last week were allegedly taken in biscuit boxes to an adoption centre in Machlandapur (photo for representation only) The police did not give a price, but local news reports said the mothers were given 300,000 rupees ($4,380) for a boy and 100,000 rupees ($1,460) for a girl. Babies were also stolen from women who delivered at the clinics, but who were told by staff their children were stillborn. Some were even given the bodies of stillborn babies preserved by the clinics to dupe parents, police said. The babies were then smuggled in biscuit containers to adoption centres, homes for the mentally disabled and elderly people, where they were kept until their adoption was organised. Those arrested included the owners of the clinics, midwives, doctors, owners of the charities, as well as court clerks who are accused of forging documentation for the babies. South Asia, with India at its centre, is one of the fastest-growing regions for human trafficking in the world. Gangs sell thousands of victims into bonded labour every year or hire them out to exploitative bosses as domestic servants, or sectors such as farming and manufacturing. Many women and girls are sold into brothels. The seizure of this foreign currency is a definite indication that the racket may have its tentacles spread into foreign countries and foreign couples who were interested in baby adoption. Rajesh Kumar of West Bengal's Crime Investigation Department (CID) Kumar said one of the doctors arrested on suspicion of involvement in the baby smuggling racket had over $3,200 in US dollars, euros and Hong Kong dollars in his possession, suggesting the infants were being sold overseas. 'The seizure of this foreign currency is a definite indication that the racket may have its tentacles spread into foreign countries and foreign couples who were interested in baby adoption,' he said. One of rescued infants has been reunited with its parents, who had been told by clinic staff that their baby was stillborn, he said, adding that police were trying to locate other parents as well as those who had adopted the children. Senior government officials said the rescued babies were being treated at a government hospital. 'I have asked the South 24 Parganas district child welfare officer to look into the case and arrange for proper care and upkeep of the babies,' Sashi Panja, West Bengal's Minister for women and child welfare told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. CISF rescues infant from coal rake A two-year-old baby girl has survived being abandoned in a coal rake. Wrapped in warm blanket and a head gear, the infant was spotted on a train by CISF personnel deployed at NTPC, Farakka, on Sunday, from a tower. When the train wagon was checked, the baby was discovered and was breathing. A CISF official said: 'CISF personnel on guard saved the life of a newborn baby girl. It appears that the girl child was thrown in the moving coal rake by her parents.' The BJP has bagged 51 of the 147 municipal councils in the first phase of municipal council polls in Maharashtra dealing a blow to both Congress and the NCP. In the elections, where opposition parties went in strong on the demonetisation issue, trends and results from around the state show BJP making inroads into these typically Congress and NCP strongholds. Polls were also held for 17 nagar panchayats on Sunday. There are 3,705 seat spanning the 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats. BJP workers wear mask of Maharashtra BJP president Devendra Fadnavis while celebrating the party's victory in Assembly polls in Nagpur As per the latest trends available, for the 2,501 seats, BJP is leading with 610 seats with its ally Shiv Sena bagging 402, NCP 482, Congress 408, MNS 12, BSP 4 and others 583. In the last elections, BJP tally was 298, Sena 264, Congress 771 and NCP 916. The elections for 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats across 25 districts in Maharashtra were seen as mini Assembly polls and a test of popularity of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who led BJPs campaign to extend his partys influence in the rural areas, where Congress and NCP has held sway for a long time. Fadnavis, who entered third year in office heading the first BJP-led government in the state, had addressed around 50 poll rallies. As many as 15,826 candidates were in the fray for 3,705 seats spread over the municipal councils and nagar panchayats, where voting was held on Sunday in the first phase with around 70 per cent of the electorate exercising its franchise. Polling was also held for municipal council presidents post in 147 places for which 1,013 candidates were in the race. In all, 212 civic bodies, comprising municipal councils and nagar panchayats, are going to polls in four phases. The next rounds of voting are scheduled on December 14, December 18, and January 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed BJPs victory in Maharashtras local body polls as a win for pro-poor and development politics and thanked people of the state for placing their faith in the party. In what seems to be yet another major security lapse, heavily armed terrorists barged into an artillery unit next to the heavily fortified 16 Corps headquarters near Jammu, killing seven Army personnel, including two officers, merely two months after the Uri attack. Sources in the security establishment said the Multi Agency Centre had warned security forces in Jammu and Kashmir that there was a possibility of an attack at the end of the month. Security personnel were involved in a gun battle with terrorists at the Army camp in Nagrota in Jammu on Tuesday. Several women and children were also taken hostage 'Despite the alert, the terrorists wearing police uniform forced themselves into the unit's officers' mess when troops were busy performing their daily physical training drill at around 5.30 am. 'Three soldiers, along with Major Kunal of 166 Medium Regiment, were killed,' sources told Mail Today. An injured jawan being treated at the GMC Hospital in Jammu. The attack in a fortifed zone has baffled the security establishment. The initial firelight took place at the entry counter which is supposed to be the most secure place in any unit. After the initial encounter, the terrorists went into two buildings which housed families of officers and jawans, leading to a hostage-like situation on the premises. Later, the security forces began operations to free the hostages, but in the process, another young officer, along with three more jawans, lost their lives. However, the Army managed to eliminate the three terrorists there. The terrorists were dressed in police clothes and raided housing quarters 'After several hours, a dozen soldiers, two women and two children were rescued from the hostage situation, but a few more lives were lost in the process,' an Army spokesperson from the 16 Corps said. Senior Army sources said that though the force had intelligence warnings, the input was general in nature and had warned against a possible strike on installations spread across the state. 'No specific warning was issued by the agencies against any specific target,' the officer said. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told Mail Today that the government would investigate the security lapse issue once the encounter is officially over and facts surface. He clarified that the priority was the safety and security of people at the site of the incident. Vaani Kapoor and Ranveer Singh must be used to fans asking them for selfies, but the tables turned when they joined forces with a British prankster. The co-stars of Aditya Chopra's upcoming release Befikre were recently in London to promote their latest film, but squeezed in time to unleash some amusing antics on unsuspecting members of the public. Alongside internet joker Jack Jones, they danced in the street, hugged strangers and asked clueless members of the public for selfies. Scroll down for video Befikre stars Vaani Kapoor and Ranveer Singh joined forces with British prankster Jack Jones Turning the tables, Ranveer, who must be used for people asking for photos with him, was instead approaching members of the public for selfies In the two minute video, Jack introduces the Bollywood actors, whose new film tells the story of two Indian youths in Paris, and promises to rope them into some of his pranks, which have made him a social media star. Firstly, Ranveer can be seen creeping up on a woman on her phone alongside Jack and then demanding a selfie with her. Then both Ranveer, who is holding a portable soundsystem, and Vaani can be seen dancing to Bollywood music with Jack, circling a shocked member of the public holding a suitcase. This lady appeared to decline a request to give Ranveer a kiss on the cheek, so he went in with a peck instead Ranveer, who has a soundsystem in one hand, and Vaani can be seen dancing in the street with a bewildered man holding a suitcase But their antics clearly had people entertained, with many joining their dance in the rain Next up is another selfie trick with Ranveer and Jack - but while Jack's additional request for a peck on the cheek was fulfilled, the woman appears to turn down Ranveer and he steals a quick kiss himself. Later in the video, Vaani can be seen running up behind a man holding an umbrella as he walks through Leicester Square. She throws her arms around him, leaving him initially shocked, but amused, and then he leans in for another hug. The pair also played a similar joke on another man, with Jack reaching out to hold his hand and Vaani grabbing his arm. In one clip, Vaani can be seen running up behind a man holding an umbrella In another, Jack approaches a man to hold his hand while Vaani grabs his arm - he's confused at first, but can later be seen running down the street arm-in-arm with the actress Ranveer and Jack also decided to shimmy alongside this man wearing a blue coat Confused at first, the man is then seen running down the street arm-in-arm with the glamorous Bollywood star, whose previous films include Aaha Kalyanam. Then, Ranveer and Jack can be seen in hysterics as they shimmy along the street either side of a baffled man wearing a blue coat. The video has amassed thousands of views since being uploaded to Jack Jones's Facebook channel on Monday. Ranveer is used to posing for selfies, but left this girl baffled when he asked her to strike a pose The man pictured here in the grey suit was clearly entertained by the playful trio, who filmed the video in and around London's Leicester Square Since shooting the prank, Ranveer has flown to Dubai to attend the Esquire's Man at His Best awards on Tuesday, picking up the gong for International Man of the Year. In an equally playful fashion, he said in his acceptance speech: 'I can assure you I am merely a work-in-progress as a man. I promise you that the best of this man is yet to come. 'But, for the moment, if you truly want to see a man at his best, meet me five shots down on the dancefloor of the after party.' Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' 2016. The prestigious award is voted for by readers but the editors of the magazine have the final say and other contenders include US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one 'who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill.' The prestigious award is voted for by readers but the editors of the magazine have the final say and other contenders include US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin Time Person of the Year 2015 Angela Merkel 2014 Ebola Fighters 2013 Pope Francis 2012 Barack Obama (2) 2011 The Protester 2010 Mark Zuckerberg Advertisement In 2015 German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the winner. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and technology disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an 'important window' into who they think most shaped 2016. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the 'yes' votes cast by participants According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the 'yes' votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Man of the year? WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leaves Belmarsh Magistrates Court in south east London after his extradition hearing to Sweden to be prosecuted over claims of sexual assault Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the 'mothership' for terrorism. Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo A joint team of Punjab and Delhi Police on Tuesday interrogated Khalistan Liberation Front chief Harminder Singh Mintoo. Mintoo was arrested at Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi after escaping from Nabha Central jail. During the interrogation, Delhi Police's Special Cell sleuths and Punjab Police officer cross-verified the facts about the daring jailbreak case on November 27. 'Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He had told us many things but maintained silence on many. 'Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case. 'We will also be questioning him about where the others could be hiding,' said a senior police officer privy to the probe. The alleged mastermind of the Nabha jailbreak, Parminder Singh, who was lodged in a district jail in Muzaffarnagar, was sent to Punjab on Tuesday on a production warrant from an Ambala court. RAF personnel deployed at the Nabha Jail after six inmates including Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Mintoo escaped Security personnel and media outside Nabha Central Jail, which was stormed by armed men who helped the six terrorists escape Two close aides of the mastermind have also been arrested in Dehradun, with police suspecting that the incident may have been plotted at their hideout in the city. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif began improving ties with Russia in 2013 The ice is melting between Pakistan and Russia, two Cold War era foes. Islamabad is likely to give Moscow access to its deep sea water port, Gwadar, for import and export of goods. The decision was taken following the secret visit of Alexander Bortnikov, chief of Russian Intelligence Federal Security Services and former chief of KGB, to Islamabad a week ago. It was the first time in 14 years that any senior official from Russia visited Pakistan. During his visit, Bortnikov held several meetings with top officials of Pakistan's intelligence and defence, including Pakistan's spy master - ISI chief Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhter. Officials in Islamabad revealed that the Russian had expressed the desire to be part of CPEC and use Gwadar Port for import and export. 'Pakistan has welcomed Russia's request to be a part of the multi-billion dollar project of CPEC,' a senior Pakistani official told Mail Today. Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) sits next to chief of Russian Intelligence Federal Security Services and former chief of KGB Alexander Bortnikov, right (file photo) Putin earlier this year at the Kremlin He added that a formal announcement will be made in a couple of months. According to many experts in Pakistan, the latest development shows that Pakistan and Russia are laying foundations of improving bilateral ties after decades of sour ties during and after the Cold War era. It is believed that geostrategic relations are rapidly changing in South Asia. Meanwhile former Cold War rivals - India and the US - are bolstering their defence and trade ties amid concerns about China's assertiveness in the region, particularly in the disputed South China Sea. Likewise, Islamabad and Washington, which were allies against the erstwhile Soviet Union and collaborated in the 1980s Afghan War, are drifting away. The development comes in the wake of Pakistan's deteriorating relations with the US following the American forces' raid in Abbottabad that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in May 2011. Russian has expressed the desire to use Gwadar Port (above) for import and export Osama bin Laden was killed in May 2011 The relationship was dealt a further blow recently when US lawmakers blocked funds for the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. Interestingly, Islamabad and Moscow are reviving their ties and bolstering cooperation in defence and trade. Earlier this year, 200 soldiers of the Russian army participated in the first ever Pakistan-Russia military drill held in Pakistan from September 24 to October 10. The exercise was seen as a demonstration of closer defence ties between Pakistan and Russia after they signed a military cooperation pact in 2014. This correspondent's background interviews and off the record conversation with well informed officials of the Pakistan government and diplomats revealed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took personal interest in improving ties with Russia soon after becoming PM for the third time. US lawmakers blocked funds for the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan 'His efforts are yielding fruit,' said a close aid of PM Sharif. During his visit to Turkmenistan, Sharif confirmed to a group of journalists that Pakistan has welcomed Russia to become a part of CPEC. The revival in the bilateral relationship began in 2014 when the Kremlin removed its arms embargo against Islamabad followed by a series of meeting between top officials of the two countries. Earlier this year, 200 soldiers of the Russian army participated in the first ever Pakistan-Russia military drill held in Pakistan (file photo) In 2015, Moscow agreed to sell four Mi-35M helicopters to Pakistan and welcomed Islamabad to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). While Russia's desire to be a part of CPEC has surprised many in Pakistan, experts believe the two countries will have to go a long way to remove mistrust. 'Moscow and Islamabad had a proxy conflict during the Cold War. The geopolitical vector did not change after the USSR's collapse,' said defence analyst Mohammad Shahbaz. People who ditch struggling small energy firms could be left 400 out of pocket Households could lose hundreds of pounds if their energy supplier goes bust because of a hidden loophole in the safety net for customers. Money Mail can reveal that people who ditch struggling small firms or fail to give up-to-date meter readings could be left as much as 400 out of pocket. The catch has emerged as dozens of small energy suppliers battle to stay afloat. Last weekend, GB Energy became the first UK power firm to go bust since 2008, blaming soaring wholesale costs. Its 160,000 customers will be passed to Co-operative Energy, which earlier this month was fined 1.8 million by the regulator for customer service failings. Small providers are struggling because they sold cheap deals earlier this year to attract customers, only for the cost of supplying gas and electricity to homes to soar by as much as 50 per cent. Unlike the Big Six energy giants British Gas, nPower, Eon, Scottish Power, SSE and EDF these small firms don't have big pots of cash to fall back on when wholesale prices rise. GB Energy's website says: 'Due to swift and significant increases in energy prices over recent months and as a small supplier, our inability to forward buy energy to allow us to access the best possible wholesale prices means the position of the business has become untenable.' With experts warning a 'handful' of other firms could fail this winter, householders may be tempted to ditch small suppliers. But that could be a huge mistake. Four weeks ago, energy regulator Ofgem introduced a safety net to protect credit on customers' accounts if a firm goes bust. But a catch buried in its rules means anyone who asks to leave an energy firm whether before or after it goes out of business is excluded. Safer: Unlike the Big Six energy giants British Gas, nPower, Eon, Scottish Power, SSE and EDF these small firms don't have big pots of cash to fall back on when wholesale prices rise Customers who sit tight will have better protection, but they must give an up-to-date meter reading as soon as possible, so you don't lose any credit you've built up. That's because if their firm does go bust, any refund will be calculated on the last available figure for energy usage. Anyone thinking of switching to a cheaper energy tariff may want to stick with the Big Six this winter or at least larger firms such as Ovo or First Utility. They will be missing out on only 34 a year the difference between the top deals from small suppliers and the Big Six. 'GB Energy is likely to be the first of many small energy firms to go bust this winter. I wouldn't be surprised to see a handful more go under,' says Mark Todd, director of the price comparison website Energyhelpline. 'Small suppliers that locked thousands of customers into cheap fixed deals when wholesale prices were low and didn't buy the power in advance to supply these households which is unlikely as that would be hugely expensive may soon be facing disaster.' You will not be cut off if your energy provider goes bust because Ofgem will step in to ensure no household is left without power. Under supplier of last resort rules, the regulator chooses another firm typically one of the bigger suppliers to take over accounts. Ofgem chose to protect customers' balances as well because more than half of households pay by monthly direct debit. This means instead of billing you quarterly for the gas and electricity you use, suppliers estimate how much power you'll use over the course of the year and split this into 12 equal payments. Over the summer, you build up a surplus because the heating is off. This covers higher bills in winter, but also means energy firms are sitting on piles of your cash. According to Energyhelpline, this can be as much as 400. Many small suppliers also bill you in advance, which means you are almost always in credit. In fact, GB Energy customers are owed 24 million in credit, it emerged this week. Under Ofgem's new rules, cash will be refunded by the supplier that takes over your account, but this is guaranteed only if you're classed as an existing customer. If you've asked to switch to a new supplier, Ofgem deems you to be a former customer, so you may never get a refund or be forced to wrangle over getting your cash back. In the case of GB Energy, Co-operative Energy and Ofgem have agreed to cover the cost of current and former customers. However, in other cases, you may have to wait months for the firm to be wound up. You can demand an immediate refund of your credit if you stay put, but that may increase pressure on the firm's balance sheet. It's better to update your usage figures. Pledge: You will not be cut off if your energy provider goes bust because Ofgem will step in to ensure no household is left without power If your firm goes out of business, the supplier that takes over your account will use the most up-to-date information on your file to work out your refund. So, if you haven't given a meter reading for months, you're likely to be short-changed. Ofgem is urging GB Energy customers to take a meter reading immediately and keep a note of it in case of problems. Comparison websites have been inundated with hundreds of calls from GB Energy customers since Saturday, with many looking to switch away. Energyhelpline saw a ten-fold increase in GB Energy customers trying to leave. Typically, if your energy firm has gone bust, it takes between two and 14 days to choose a new supplier for you, at which point your gas and electricity accounts will move over. Households are likely to be dumped on a new firm's standard tariff, which is usually their most expensive. In this case, Co-operative Energy has pledged to honour the price customers were paying previously. Of the 43 energy firms in Britain, 31 are small suppliers launched in the past few years. They have become popular because they offer cheaper deals than the Big Six. Npower's Online Price Fix December 2017 deal costs an average 897 a year 34 a year more expensive than the cheapest tariff from Places For People Energy's one-year fixed Together tariff at 863 a year. Joe Malinowski, founder of comparison site The Energy Shop, says: 'Stay clear of suppliers that take payments in advance. 'Many larger suppliers offer competitive tariffs, so if you choose a new firm, make sure any savings are worth the risk.' v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk If you are running up hundreds of pounds in overdraft fees every month, the best option may be to go cold turkey and sign up to a bank account that does not allow you to get overdrawn in the first place. Ba sic bank accounts, the simplest type of bank account, offer just that. While even the most basic current accounts may offer a 'no formal overdraft' option, you will probably still be allowed to go overdrawn by mistake - when you will be slapped with hefty fees. But, as well being useful for people who dont want an overdraft, basic bank accounts are also a good option if you have a low credit score or just want to control your spending. Overdrawn? Basic bank account holders can avoid hefty fees Banking exclusion has become a serious problem in the UK, with many unable to get accepted for a bank account because of their poor credit history. Basic accounts have been available for a while but they are not openly advertised meaning many people miss out. This is because they are less profitable for the banks themselves so they would rather potential customers choose one of their standard range of accounts. Although accounts protected against falling into overdraft debt, they could still make life more difficult to those in financial difficulty. Accountholders could often find themselves stacking up charges of up to 35 a time should a direct debit or a standing order fail due to a lack of funds in the account. However thanks to an agreement made between the big banks - including Barclays, Santander, NatWest, RBS, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, TSB, the Co-operative Bank and Nationwide Building Society - and the Treasury, since the start of 2016 basic bank accounts have been made fee-free. Remember, although the banks won't apply fees for unpaid items if you hold one of these accounts you still need to monitor your balance to avoid failed payments as the company collecting the money may apply its own fee. HOW DO I APPLY? Most banks will allow anyone to apply. However, they may require you to open an account in branch or by post. Remember they would prefer you to open an account that is more profitable to them, as they will not make any money in overdraft fees with a basic account so make sure you explain why you need the account. Watch out because some providers such as Halifax, Bank of Scotland, RBS and NatWest won't offer an account to everyone - stating that you must first be rejected for one its range of standard accounts before it suggests a basic account. You may be best off looking elsewhere as each application will leave a mark on your credit rating, which is particularly inadvisable if you are struggling already with a poor score. What do you get? A basic account will allow you to receive and make payments as normal, withdraw cash and pay with a debit card online or in shops. However, you won't be given a cheque book or overdraft facility. Make sure you check the small print as some only offer some services online or by mobile app and some don't offer contactless cards. You may also find there are restrictions on who can apply (see below). Although you won't be charged fees for failed payments and you avoid overdraft charges, the bank may still charge you for other services such as using your card to withdraw cash or make payments abroad. Where can I open an account? Here is a list of all of the banks and building societies that signed up to offer a fee-free basic bank account at the start of this year. Which are the best? As a basic account is a no-frills option, there are few areas to make them stand out from one another. However, This is Money has picked out a couple that offer added perks or are easier to apply for. Barclays Basic Account is probably one of the most accessible basic accounts currently available as it will accept you if you are an undischarged bankrupt, meaning you are probably within the first year of a bankruptcy order. What else do you get: You must apply in branch and it requires two pieces of evidence to confirm your identity and address such as a passport and a utility bill showing your address. You can manage you account online, by phone or in branch and payments can be made by direct debit or standing order. You can withdraw up to 300 a day. Watch out for: Barclays may decide to permanently cancel some, or all, of your direct debits or standing orders if you don't ensure that there is enough money in your account when they are due to be paid. If it decides to do so, you will be informed by letter. Virgin Money Essential Account: The biggest draw of the account is that it pays interest on your balance. Although the return doesnt come close to the up to 5 per cent you can get with a standard interest-paying current account, 0.75 per cent is not to be sniffed at particularly as most basic accounts come with no added perks at all. What else do you get: You can access your account in a Virgin Money Store or at any Post Office Branch. Some services are offered online or you can bank by phone or post. As a Virgin Money customer it offers access to Virgin Lounges. It allows cash withdrawals of up to 250 a day. Watch out: You have to be over 18 to open an account, but it accepts applications from those who are currently bankrupt. You can use online banking to check direct debits and standing orders, your recent transactions and your account balance but you can not use it to set up or change payment details. It will run a credit check but only to confirm your identity. Jam jars: Budgeting accounts can be a good option for those looking to separate their cash for different uses Alternatives You could also consider a credit union or looking into the Post Office Card Account. It is worth checking whether your local credit union offers current accounts. Although these charge a small fee - this will typically only be around 5 a year - they often accept applications from undischarged bankrupts. The Post Office simply offers an account for your pension, benefits or tax credits to be paid into. You can withdraw the cash at an ATM but the card cannot be used to make payments with and you cannot set up direct debits. There are also some alternative current account providers, such as Think Money or the U Account that offer paid-for options with added budgeting benefits. Watch out these do come with hefty monthly fees but they offer the ability to separate an accountholder's cash into different online jam jars to keep for different uses such as to pay bills or save for a special occasion. You can pay in their earnings into the account as normal or transfer funds from another account. Kim Jong-un has signed a book of condolences for his 'close friend' Fidel Castro as North Korea enters three days of mourning. Flags flew at half-mast at official buildings across the country as a mark of respect for the former Cuban leader, despite a relationship that was often warmer in rhetoric than reality. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a condolence message on Castro's death, calling him a 'close friend and comrade' of the Korean people. Scroll down for video North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un sent a condolence message on Castro's death, calling him a 'close friend and comrade' of the Korean people Kim Jong-un has signed a book of condolences for his 'close friend' Fidel Castro as North Korea enters three days of mourning North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Cuban embassy to express condolences over late Cuban leader Fidel Castro North Koreans learn of the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro as the country begins three days of mournng on November 28, 2016 In the Pyongyang subway, commuters in one station crowded around a glass case containing a Castro obituary published by the ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun. Alongside a picture framed with a black border and showing a head-and-shoulder shot of a bearded Castro in full military dress, the obit recalled his visit to North Korea in 1986 when he met founder-leader Kim Il-Sung. It noted that the Cuban leader was awarded the title of 'DPRK (North Korea) Hero' for his efforts to strengthen relations between two countries 'fighting in the outposts of the anti-US, anti-imperialist struggle.' Kim Hong-Chol, 76, a retired literary researcher in Pyongyang, said he clearly remembered Kim's visit. Cuban President Fidel Castro salutes the public during a rally in front of the US Interest Section in Havana in 2004 'He was a great revolutionary. 'Until the last minute he supported and defended our revolution, and fought intensely for anti-imperialist independence and against America,' Kim said. Asked about the historic restoration of Cuba-US diplomatic relations last year, Kim said Havana had acted 'tactically for Cuba's revolutionary benefit'. Ordinary North Koreans usually express only officially-sanctioned views when questioned by foreign news organisations. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un sent a condolence message on Castro's death, calling him a 'close friend and comrade' of the Korean people. An official delegation led by senior Kim aide and vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party Central Committee, Choe Ryong-Hae, left for Havana on Monday to attend memorial events. Castro only made the one visit to the North. The fact that it came decades after the Cuban revolution and Kim's ascent to power was partly a reflection of a geographical, cultural and often ideological divide that a shared hatred of the 'US enemy' could never fully bridge. Neither Kim Il-Sung nor his son and successor Kim Jong-Il - who had a profound fear of flying - ever made the trip to Havana. Flags flew at half-mast at official buildings across the country as a mark of respect for the former Cuban leader, despite a relationship that was often warmer in rhetoric than reality During the 1970s they were rivals in the Non-Aligned Movement, with Castro favouring the Soviet Union while Kim Il-Sung kept an equal distance from Moscow and Beijing in a bid to play the communist giants off each other. When Castro attended a NAM summit in Malaysia in 2003, he stopped off in China, Japan and Vietnam - but not North Korea. But if personal chemistry was lacking, the two countries remained allies, with Cuba one of the few countries willing to flout the international sanctions imposed on the North over its nuclear weapons programme. In 2013 Panama seized a North Korean ship carrying an undeclared Cuban arms shipment of Soviet-era weapons and fighter jets hidden under sacks of sugar. At the age of just 11, Jessica* was already a veteran of a number of foster care homes. With her mother a drug addict and criminal, the young girl was moved from place to place and never given the opportunity to know life in a 'normal' family. And so the opportunity to play a classic childhood game of 'truth or dare' one night at her foster home a decade ago was one she wanted to enjoy. That was until Jessica was dared to 'have sex' with her foster brother. Not knowing what to expect, she lay on the floor of her bedroom, only to allegedly be raped by her foster parents' son - a moment that has traumatised her for life. Jessica (pictured) was allegedly raped by her foster brother at one of her foster homes 'We were all sitting on the floor in the bedroom that another little foster girl and I were sharing,' Jessica, from Queensland, told Daily Mail Australia. 'I can't remember whose idea it was to play truth or dare. 'We all sat down and I don't exactly remember who went first, but we all had a turn and when it was another girl's turn she said 'I dare you to have sex with her'. 'I had no idea what sex was.' The woman, now in her early twenties, said she reluctantly went along with the dare. However she quickly felt she was being taken advantage of and began trying to push her foster brother off her. 'Once I realised what was going on I tried pushing him off me and said "I don't want to do this, I don't want to do this... stop it",' she said. 'It went on for a little bit longer, maybe a few seconds, and then he eventually got off me, got up and left the room.' Jessica had been forced into the foster system because of her mum's severe drug problems Traumatised, the schoolgirl woke up the next morning and discretely packed all her belongings into her school bag. Jessica said as she left for school that morning, she was scared for her life. She worried about what may happen if her foster parents found out, thinking she may have been locked away inside the house - or even worse. 'I had to hide as much as I could in my bag,' she said. 'I was scared they'd find my clothes or belongings in my bag before I got to school and they stop me before I got a chance to leave.' After bravely raising the incident with her teacher and principal once at school, Jessica was interviewed by police. However instead of being cared for and looked after by the officers, the young girl was forced to make a decision about whether she wanted to press charges. 'The police weren't all that supportive to be frank, they recorded my interview and stuff like that but at the end of it asked me if I wanted to pursue pressing charges,' she said. 'They said if I did that would mean going to court and seeing him [the foster brother] again, which scared the absolute c**p out of me.' Today, she still feels the daily affects of that incident as she battles depression, anxiety attacks and nightmares. But while the pain of being allegedly being raped by her foster brother will never leave her, she hopes she can use her terrible experience to help others. A Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse is currently holding public hearings and comes in the wake of the death of foster girl Tiahleigh Palmer, 12, allegedly at the hands of her foster dad after allegedly being raped by her foster brother at their home on the Gold Coast, Queensland A Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is currently holding public sessions, aiming to help vulnerable youngsters in similar positions to Jessica. It comes in the wake of foster girl Tiahleigh Palmer's shocking death, allegedly at the hands of her foster father, after she too was allegedly raped by her foster brother. Set to 'examine evidence about child sexual abuse and how institutions responded to allegations of abuse', legal professionals told Daily Mail Australia they are hopeful the Royal Commission will lead to sustained change. 'There's a really long way to go in terms of making that system something that will always work, but there have been some improvements in recent years,' Kathryn Millist-Spendlove, senior solicitor at Shine lawyers said. Tiahleigh's foster father Rick (left) is charged with her murder. Foster brother, Josh (middle left), and foster mother Julene (middle right) are charged with perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Foster brother, Trent (right), is charged with incest and attempting to pervert the course of justice 'I certainly think the Royal Commission is going to help people who have suffered sexual abuse, with legislative and procedural changes, to create a better experience for sufferers so it doesn't re-traumatise them.' Kathryn Millist-Spendlove, senior solicitor at Shine lawyers Having rekindled her relationship with her reformed mother, Jessica's life is slowly getting back on track. She said she hopes the Royal Commission will help provide a safe future for other foster kids. 'I hope that once they finish with all their enquiries it will help a lot of other foster kids who need it, really really need it,' she said. 'Hopefully it can save them.' George Harrison's sister has revealed her heartbreak over not being told the Beatles star was dying and in terrible pain until two weeks before he lost his battle with lung cancer. In an exclusive interview on the 15th anniversary of the music legend's death, Louise Harrison tells DailyMail.com of her anguish and shock over the loss and reveals how a bitter family fall-out marred her relationship with the music legend in his final years. Louise, 85, claims that she and other siblings were left in the dark by George's wife, Olivia, who had kept many of her husband's medical issues from his family for years. Louise is also angry that since George's passing she has had no contact with her nephew Dhani. In an exclusive interview on the 15th anniversary of George Harrison's death, his sister Louise Harrison (left,with George in 1964, and right, in a recent photo) tells of her anguish and shock over the loss She also reveals how a bitter family fall-out marred her relationship with the music legend in his final years Louise, 85, claims that she and other siblings were left in the dark by George's wife, Olivia (right with George in 1979), who she says kept George's illness from the family And she claims that her superstar brother would be 'horrified' that she was cut off by the estate from a $2,000-a-month pension. Representatives of Olivia Harrison did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. George was worth more than $300 million when he died on November 29, 2001, but Louise now struggles to get by - living in a modest home in small-town Branson, Missouri. While George, who was 58 when he died, left his widow Olivia and son Dhani the lavish Friar Park, a 120-room Victorian mansion in Henley-On-Thames just outside London, England, Louise still has to work to make ends meet - managing a touring Beatles tribute band. Louise was born 12 years before her brother George Louise reflects on how a decade and half ago, she said her farewells to her beloved brother by his bedside at a hospital in Staten Island, New York. But she remembers how the famed guitarist refused to wallow in his deteriorating state, preferring to laugh and reminisce about their childhood together. Louise spoke at length about her support and bond with her much-younger sibling, Speaking from her home in Branson she remembers how she heard the heartbreaking news that George's health had deteriorated after a long-battle with lung cancer. She said: 'I was in Toronto two weeks before he died when I finally heard that he was ill. I drove through New York, so I could try and get a chance to see him. 'As luck would have it, I was able to get in touch with his doctor who gave me the information to go to see him and I was able to see him for a couple hours. 'But the person who was in charge of him did not let his brothers or me know that he was sick.' Nevertheless, Louise was given the opportunity to say goodbye to her brother, who just 14 days later would pass away at Paul McCartney's Beverly Hills mansion. To say a final goodbye Louise was led into her brother's hospital room where she found a familiar, though diminished figure propped up in a reclining chair, clinging to life. The only other people present were Olivia and her sister Linda, and nephew Dhani. They left Louise and George to hold hands and reconcile for almost two hours. In October of 1962, The Beatles (pictured in 1964) released Love Me Do in the UK and the nation became gripped by the four mop-tops and their sensational style 'George was pretty frail, yet he was also still vibrant,' she recalls. 'His eyes were still bright. He was very happy. We hugged. We talked about the fun things that made us laugh when we were kids. All the family jokes we laughed over for years. It was a very emotional moment. 'He was still George. He must have been in pain, but he didn't show it. We reminisced about our childhood, and his sense of humor was the same as ever. 'People always teased him about his sticky-out ears; now his oxygen tubes were hanging over them. He laughed and said: "My ears finally came in useful for something."' As their time together drew to a close, George apologized to his sister. 'You know, I could have been a lot more help to you; I'm sorry,' he told her. Louise, who has opened up the family album showing previously unseen photographs of her and George, recalls: 'He was pretty weak at that moment but he could still laugh. 'One of our family jokes and sayings was, "Let's see what's round this next corner". 'When we used to go on vacation, our dad would always book us in a cottage somewhere, either in Wales or some other part of England. 'We would take these walks and mum would see an interesting pathway, and the first time she said, "Let's see what's round this corner", we had to keep going for four miles before we could get back to the road again. 'So, the next time, we would say, "No, no, no", because we had to keep going around these corners. It took us ages.' Louise remembers giving her brother a final hug and George said poignantly: 'Let's see what's round this next corner.' Raising a smile Louise added: 'It was typical George.' Louise, who lived in the United States when The Beatles hit the big time in the UK in the 1960s, helped the band make a name for itself in the United States by trying to get their songs on the radio. She got their hit From Me To You played on Chicago's WLS radio on February 25, 1963 Dick James wrote Louise a letter giving her permission to distribute Beatles records in the United States When the music legend died many questions were left unanswered as to where exactly did he die and where were his ashes scattered. An official LA County Coroner's death certificate said that he died at 1971 Coldwater Canyon in Beverly Hills, 90210 - a fake address. But it was later changed to Paul McCartney's home. Then, reports claimed that he was cremated at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and his ashes were scattered in the Ganges and Yamuna River in India, in a private ceremony, according to his chosen religion Hindi tradition. But Louise says she too was left in the dark by her sister-in-law. 'I know nothing about that. I mean if someone was so secretive that his siblings did not even know he was ill,' she said. 'Someone is being secretive for reasons that have nothing to do with me. 'Poor George did not even get any peace when he died. If someone is trying to keep a secret, then everyone has to try and figure out what was true. Just be open about it. 'I was not involved in the scattering of the ashes. I have heard so many crazy stories about the Beatles in general, so nothing would surprise me.' In his latter years, George made sure his sister was looked after financially. He set up a pension for Louise for tax reasons in 1980 and paid $2,000 into her account every month. However, almost a year to the day after the guitarist died, Louise was inexplicably cut off by George's estate. She was not given a reason why the money stopped and several attempts to reach out to Olivia and Dhani were greeted with silence. Since that day, Louise has not spoken with her nephew and she believes George would be devastated to learn of her estrangement. Pictured above, George holding his niece, Leslie with Louise, brother Pete in 1963 in Benton, Illinois Harrison's mother, pictured right with George, helped him pack his bags before going on tour 'My second husband was an alcoholic. Both of my husbands were alcoholics. I had been beaten up a few times. George said to me, "Don't go get married again. You don't seem to choose the right people very well. Let me fix you something to live on". 'It was supposed to be a lifelong pension. It was a small amount. That was fine. That was okay. 'But when he died, it was cut off. But that's okay. I am still capable of earning my living at 85.' She added: 'George would've been horrified knowing I was cut off. It was such a small amount. And I think he left something like $300 million. Let's put it this way, some people were more into money than I was.' She continued, displaying much of the quiet stoicism her family is famous for: 'Money is not the most important. I learned that from George.' While Louise admits many of her close friends are appalled by her plight, she refuses to let it upset her. 'I made sure life moved on for me, and I have happily supported myself ever since,' she explained. 'I live modestly, I don't hold anyone responsible for me and I'm happy to live like that.' The loss of her pension isn't the only gripe Louise has with George's widow. The grandmother, who wrote the book, My Kid Brother's Band A.K.A. The Beatles, before withdrawing it from the shelves, isn't happy that she was excluded from Martin Scorsese's HBO documentary about his life. She believes she was written out of his history. She says: 'All my friends asked, "Did he get in touch with you?" I had to admit, "No". 'My friend Mary Kellogg, who is a friend of Martin Scorsese, got in touch with his office, she said, "Hey George's sister lives right here, she is a friend of mine". But no one bothered getting in touch.' Louise briefly spent time traveling with The Beatles. She's pictured above with the band after they appeared on the Ed Sullivan show But Louise refuses to mention Olivia by name in her rant. 'A certain person, I am not mentioning any names, who was financing it, didn't want me to exist,' she says. 'People are doing underhanded things for money. I am not even selling my book because I cannot be bothered going through all the hassle. 'I would rather have half a dozen good friends than a million dollars.' Louise also shies away from discussing why, how and when she and Olivia ever fell out. 'There is nothing to say,' she said. While spending the '60s and the '70s very close to her brother, George reportedly distanced himself from Louise in the mid-'90s She says he disapproved of the conversion of her old Illinois home into a 'Beatles bed-and-breakfast' inn, called A Hard Day's Night. Louise didn't own the establishment, but did use her name to help promote it But while many Beatles fans will feel that the rift was likely prompted by Louise, she is quick to point out she remains emotionless about her sister-in-law. 'I don't want to come across as harsh or bitter in any way, which is why I won't mention or say her name,' she said. 'Life moves on, I'm happy with where I am and what I'm doing and we don't have any contact.' She added that even losing touch with her nephew is something that she no longer gets upset about. Louise said: 'I knew Dhani when he was a small boy, but haven't had any contact with him since George passed away. 'But that's just how it is, that's life. I'm not bitter about it, it's just an unfortunate thing.' Despite the family drama, Louise is proud of her efforts to try to turn four fresh-faced young Scousers [from Liverpool] into the biggest band America and the world had ever seen. Almost a year to the day after George died, Louise was inexplicably cut off by George's estate. Several attempts to reach out to Olivia and Dhani were greeted with silence. George and Olivia are pictured above in 1976 (left) and the 1990s (right) She moved to Illinois in the late 1950s with her Scottish mining engineer husband, Gordon Caldwell, and had two children, years before the Beatles themselves would launch a British 'invasion' in 1964. Back in England in the late '50s, George had already met Paul McCartney on a bus in Liverpool and in 1958 aged 15 he joined Paul and John Lennon's band The Quarrymen. Ringo Starr joined the band, now named the Beatles, in August 1962. In October that year the band released Love Me Do in the UK and the nation became gripped by the four mop-tops and their sensational style. However, at that moment, the Beatles were unknown in America - a situation that their manager Brian Epstein hoped to change. Louise stepped up to the task and, incredibly, she got their hit From Me To You played on Chicago's WLS radio on February 25, 1963 - the first known example of The Beatles getting airplay in the United States. Louise recalls: 'I started running around all radio stations in the States saying quite innocently, "This is my kid brother's band in England, they're number one, maybe you would like to be playing their records". 'They were really looking down their noses at me like what on earth is this woman doing. 'I used to get the records sent to me by our mum in Liverpool, so I had all the singles before anyone in America had them.' Louise said that she liaised with the Fab Four's manager Brian Epstein telling him that she was pushing out records to stations to help John, Paul, Ringo and George succeed. She still has letters from Epstein, expressing gratitude for how she helped them break America. 'I did all I could to help my kid brother,' she says. Louise also claims to have been instrumental in getting the Beatles signed to mega-label Capitol Records, who had initially turned down the band. In 1963, George spent two weeks at Louise's home. Since being cut from the estate, Louise has not spoken with her nephew, Dhani (pictured with his parents, George and Olivia, in 1988) and she believes George would be devastated to learn of her estrangement. She recalls how he was able to walk the streets unrecognized, he went camping and played with a local band in front of a small crowd of 150. Five months later he returned to the United States with The Beatles to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show watched by 73 million people - and the history of popular music changed forever. Louise traveled to New York to see her now world-famous brother and met John, Ringo and Paul and eventually George's then girlfriend, Patti Boyd - for whom he would end up writing the ballad Something. She recalls how she witnessed 'Beatlemania' take off. 'It was chaotic,' she recalls. 'I had worked all year writing to Brian's secretary Diane Vero, passing along all the information about the music business, including Capitol Records, which was one of the top three in the country. 'I was passing those details on to them. When they came here Capitol Records themselves sent me my itinerary to be with them when they were in New York because they knew what I had done. 'The funny thing was I remember Brian saying how grateful he was. 'But what I didn't realize was that Brian was also setting up interviews.' Louise recalls how the two clashed over media opportunities with the band. Louise says that tensions grew further when George fell ill during the important trip. 'George had come down with a 104-degree fever,' she remembers. 'Brian refused to let George go to the hospital, so I had to be the nurse. 'Every hour I gave him medication and do things like put ice around his neck. 'He was at New York's Plaza Hotel, and outside his room all these DJs from other radio stations were waiting in the hallway upset at not having an interview. 'George told me, "I am never going to be able to get to sleep with all of this noise. These big DJ voice guys with their deep rumbling voices". 'So I went outside and to say he was ill, they were all upset as all had played the Beatles records all week and were selling millions.' During her time with The Beatles, Louise says one of her favorite memories was getting to know John, Paul and Ringo's personalities intimately. Pictured above, she smiles with Paul McCartney and two unidentified people Louise recalls how she then agreed to travel to the radio stations with the DJs and gave them an interview. 'At the station I went on air, was having a lot of fun and I suddenly realized it was time for George to have his medication, so I said I needed to call the hotel and talk to my brother for a minute. 'The guy at the radio station said, "Hey, can we speak to George for a minute?" So he gets on the phone with these guys, plays a few chords, talks to them, and unbeknownst to me, they record this conversation with George. 'It was only about five minutes. Then they took me back to the hotel and dropped me off. 'Straight away every hour they played the interview. 'Brian was furious at me because I had messed up an exclusive deal he had with another station and after that Brian wanted nothing to do with me anymore. 'And that was it with the Beatles' team - so much for being grateful for getting them into the United States.' Louise continues: 'But I started to be mad at myself too as George was so ill, and hardly able to speak because his throat was so sore. 'He was rushed around press conferences and photoshoots - they were treating him like he was a prop. Today Louise is still linked to The Fab Four, managing a successful Beatles tribute act called the Liverpool Legends 'If I had any idea that this was how they were going to be treating him, I would never have ever wanted him to be on the radio. I was so hurt by the way they were treating him. 'As sick as he was, the fact he could even stand on that stage because they had to do a show Sunday afternoon as well as Sunday evening. 'But George was not going to let anyone down.' One of Louise's favorite memories was getting to know John, Paul and Ringo's personalities intimately. She fondly thinks back to those good times as if she'd found three new siblings. She says: 'It was like getting three more brothers. They were really nice, down-to-earth. They never acted like they were big shots. They were just real, normal people. 'John has this kind of caustic sarcasm, I told my mum: "I don't think John likes me very much. He is kind of a bit snippy towards me." 'My mom said,"'No, no, that is just his protective wall that he has. He has been so badly hurt since he was a little child. His father abandoned them. His mother took off and then finally when he was in his teenage years was killed in front of his eyes, so that devil may care attitude of being snippy and everything is just his shield that he wears". 'Once she told me that, and I understood it, I was able to get along with him fine. 'Paul was always the one, like if there was a crowd of people wanting autographs or pictures, would stay the longest. He would go to the most trouble to accommodate the fans. 'Ringo was just a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. He just fit in with whatever everyone else was doing. 'When it was the four of them, he was the one they would joke about. Someone once said to them, "With all of the adulation, don't you sometimes think of yourselves as Gods?" John replied: "Whenever we feel like that we just look at Ringo!" 'He was always the one they would make fun of, and he accepted that was his role. To be the butt of the joke. He didn't mind that either. It was not meant unkindly, but with love and affection.' As the Beatles became a global phenomenon and the number-one records piled up, so the band members' bank accounts swelled. Louise saw a change in George's life, one that he talked about with her. 'As he became wealthy all of the predators came out of the woodwork and some of them actually became wives,' she said. 'That soured him a little bit. Louise manages the cover band out of Branson, Missouri, where the band often plays at Caravelle Theatre 'As he said to me, "Initially when people make a lot of money they are regarded as tycoons, we are just regarded as targets". 'We talked for years and years. He knew I was one person he could talk to because I taught him how to talk and how to walk. 'As a big sister, he had total trust in me. I had always been there to put my hand out to help him.' Fans all around the world were devastated when the Beatles officially broke up in 1970. 'It was just time, Louise says. 'It had become such a burden for them to try to be together and do things together. They lived in their own houses and were no longer close to each other. They were married, had kids and wanted their own lives. 'Paul once made the comment, "Those wedding bells are breaking up the old gang of mine", and in a way he was right. It evolved, it went its course, and went out again. It had a beginning, middle and end.' Today Louise is still linked to The Fab Four, managing a successful Beatles tribute act called the Liverpool Legends in Branson, Missouri. Should George have not died from lung cancer on November 29, 2001, he would've been 73 years old. 'For me, I do not think of the end of November as a sad day. In fact, that was the day that my first grandson was born. A painting sold by a Jewish couple to secure their escape from Germany to America in 1938 has been presented their granddaughter. Henrietta Schubert initially thought she was being targeted by scammers when lawyers told her a 16th century Flemish painting hanging in a French museum belonged to her grandparents. But when France's government returned 'Portrait of a Man' to Schubert's family on Monday, her tears could not have been more genuine. Henrietta Schubert, left, and her cousin Christopher Bromberg pose next to a 16th century painting that belonged to her grandparents Henrietta Schubert, left, and her cousin Christopher Bromberg pictured at the handover ceremony 'You never expect something like this,' Schubert, 67, a Vienna resident born in the same Austrian town as Adolf Hitler, said. 'The Nazis are dead, and this can help our wounds heal.' The oil on wood painting returned to Schubert's family during a handover ceremony Monday at the French Ministry of Culture had been earmarked by the Nazis for Adolf Hitler's 'Fuhrermuseum.' The Nazi leader, a failed artist, wanted to build a museum in his hometown of Linz, Austria, to house thousands of stolen works that he ordered be placed at his personal disposal. Christopher Bromberg, Henrietta Schubert's cousin from Philadelphia, came with her to Paris to collect their grandparents' painting, attributed to an unnamed artist from the school of Joos van Cleve and which they had not known existed until recently. 'The painting doesn't even have to have any monetary value,' Bromberg said. 'It's about connecting us to our past and the story of our family that was lost.' Aware that time is stealing chances to identify the owners of lost or looted WWII treasures, France has dialed up efforts to find them or their heirs. The government, which in the past relied on claimants to come forward, now is actively seeking them out. The groundbreaking initiative relies, in part, on painstaking detective work by dozens of genealogists scouring death records and other public and private archives to piece together the family trees of people persecuted or killed by the Nazis. That's how an Edgar Degas sketch that Nazi occupiers in Paris stole from Maurice Dreyfus in 1940 came to be reunited this year with his daughter, Viviane. Her family was the first beneficiary of the government's proactive search program, launched in 2015. 'We just got back a small, little piece of my father that I never knew about, which is a beautiful, beautiful miracle,' Viviane Dreyfus said at the handover ceremony in May of Degas' 'Trois Danseuses en Buste.' Maurice Dreyfus died in 1957, unaware that the charcoal sketch of three ballerinas had been found six years earlier in a cupboard of the Nazi-era German Embassy in Paris. Dreyfus never had mentioned the 19th century artwork to his family. 'It's wonderful that France is taking responsibility to find out who this all belongs to, as it's so much more than art,' Viviane Dreyfus said. France's museums still have and display some 2,000 pieces of unclaimed art and other treasures recovered after the Allies defeated Nazi Germany in 1945. At least 145 of the items are known to have been stolen from Jews. Others are thought to have been bought or commissioned by Nazi occupiers, often forcibly. The histories of many of the pieces are unknown. In museums, works with such a painful provenance are identified with a discrete label 'MNR,' French initials for National Museums Recovery . So discrete, in fact, that most museum visitors have no idea that they are appreciating art with a multi-layered history. Henrietta Schubert seated with French Culture Minister Audrey Azoulay, right, listens to her cousin Christopher Bromberg, left, addressing the media Unclaimed MNR art includes works by Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, Gustave Courbet and others less well-known. 'Many Holocaust survivors and Jews who fled the Germans didn't talk about their often painful wartime experiences, including that they had art works spoliated. So many families don't know,' Marie-Christine Labourdette, France's director of museums, told The Associated Press. Now, genealogists are close to identifying several families as the rightful owners of recovered works. Their searches have led them beyond France to Britain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Japan, Antoine Djikpa, president of the Genealogists of France, said. 'Our goal is to establish all legal certainty,' Djikpa said. Yet in some cases, families have rebuffed the overtures for reasons that remain mysterious, he said. The social media posts of Australia's most wanted terrorist could have revealed his location, counter-terrorism experts say. Melbourne-born Islamic State fighter Neil Prakash, 25, played a key role in ISIL's social media propaganda machine and avidly used social media to communicate with foreign fighters and possible recruits, Fairfax Media reported. Prakash was earlier reported as being killed in a drone strike earlier this year but is being detained in Turkey after being arrested trying to leave Syria using false identity papers. Scroll down for video Neil Prakash was burned and disfigured by the targeted drone strike at his hide-out in Iraq, but was not killed as initially reported Prakash was headed across Iraq to the Turkish border using a fake passport after recovering from his injuries, Daily Telegraph reported. He was unaware Australian spies and U.S. intelligence agencies were on the case, and tracked him through his social media posts for seven months before his arrest. Authorities may have known he was alive since June, but kept quiet so they could effectively track his social media activity. Australian and Turkish officials were waiting for him at the border and captured him at gunpoint earlier this month. In June, online 'chatter' alerted spies that Prakash was still alive. Prakash - who used the name Abu Khaled Al-Cambodi - is not believed to have been travelling alone, and may have been with his Indonesian-born wife. Most high-profile terrorists are killed in targeted drone strikes, like the one that struck his hide-out in April. It is extremely rare to be captured alive. And many countries want a piece of Prakash's arrest. The U.S., Australia, UK, Turkey and Israel are all seeking to interrogate the former Buddhist. The European Union may also want to interrogate him. Australia has put in a formal extradition request for the man, a spokesperson for the Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, said on Saturday. 'An individual we believe to be Neil Prakash has been arrested and detained in Turkey,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'The arrest of the person we believe is Prakash is the result of close collaboration between Australian and Turkish authorities.' Jacinta Carroll, director of the Counter Terrorism Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, believes it likely Australia will be given priority to prosecute the militant, given his influence and links to attacks here. He was unaware Australian spies and U.S. intelligence agencies were on the case, and tracked him for seven months before his arrest Prakash is linked to several failed Australian terror plots to kill innocent people. He was linked to a failed Melbourne plot to behead a police officer on Anzac Day last year and to Numan Haider, an 18-year-old who was killed after stabbing two police officers in Melbourne in 2014. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in May named Prakash the most senior Australian operative in Islamic State. Prakash was a chief recruiter and plotter for Islamic State. He was arrested by Turkish authorities several weeks ago after being contacted by Australian officials who believed they had intelligence he was planning to enter the country. Prakash, who left Melbourne in 2013, had also appeared in IS propaganda videos and magazines. Many countries want a piece of Prakash's arrest. The U.S., Australia, UK, Turkey and Israel are all seeking to interrogate the former Buddhist Prakash could inspire and radicalise inmates if he is extradited to Australia, counter-terrorism experts say. If he returns to Australia, he will most likely be kept in maximum security at the Goulburn Supermax or a new anti-terror facility in Sydney's Long Bay Correctional Centre, ABC News reported. Dr Clarke Jones, an expert on prison radicalisation at the Australian National University, told the ABC that Prakash would be able to influence other inmates as prisons breed extremism. 'It could be more of a risk bringing him back and putting him into our facility. Trying to manage someone like that is going to be extremely problematic,' Dr Jones said. Counter-terrorism expert Dr Leah Farrell told ABC that Prakesh would have valuable information on local and international terrorist networks. 'The western jihadis' tended to coalesce together, and the particular 'working group' that he associated with was involved in some efforts to incite people to carry out attacks in a number of countries,' Dr Farrall said. A small Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard vessel pointed its weapon at a U.S. military helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, two U.S. defense officials said on Monday, an action they described as 'unsafe and unprofessional.' The incident is the latest in a series of similar actions by Iranian vessels this year, but the first reported since Republican Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election on November 8. During his campaign, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessel that harassed the U.S. Navy in the Gulf would be 'shot out of the water,' if he was elected. Trump is due to take office on January 20. While in international waters, a small Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard vessel pointed its weapon at a U.S. military helicopter (stock image) The heated meeting happened in the Strait of Homuz (pictured) near the Persian Gulf There was no immediate Iranian comment on the incident. Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident took place when a Navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters. One of the vessels pointed a weapon at the helicopter, the U.S. officials said. 'The behavior by our standards is provocative and could be seen as an escalation,' the officials said. 'At no point did the crew of the helicopter feel threatened,' they added. It was not immediately clear what type of weapon was pointed at the U.S. aircraft. Years of mutual animosity eased when Washington lifted sanctions on Tehran in January after a deal to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident took place when a Navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters (stock image of Iranian vessel) But serious differences still remain over Iran's ballistic missile program, and over conflicts in Syria and Iraq. A number of similar incidents have taken place this year. In September, a U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship changed course after an Iranian fast-attack craft came within 100 yards of it. Shocking footage has emerged of a hospitality worker unleashing a racist tirade against two Aboriginal women at a motel in a dispute over the price of a room. A woman filmed his tirade after she returned to the motel to confront the worker after being told he was racially abusing her Aboriginal friend and her three-year-old daughter at a motel on the east coast of NSW. The Aboriginal woman had left the motel early because of the alleged racial abuse - and had gone back with her friend to collect the money she was owed. 'We're not going anywhere until we get our money back,' one of the women said in the video. Scroll down for video Shocking footage has emerged of a hospitality worker (pictured) unleashing a racist tirade against two Aboriginal women at a motel in a dispute over the price of a room The man refused to hand over the money, telling the women to return to the motel the next day because their room was 'left untidy'. However, the dispute then escalated, with the worker yelling: 'Bye bye, Abo, go [back] to the f*****g bush. The woman's friend responded: 'This is Aboriginal land you're standing on. You built your foundation on Aboriginal land.' The woman, who had been the guest at the motel, then fired up, saying: 'How racist, how unprofessional.' But the man responded: 'None of your business mole, just f*** off.' Refusing to back down, the woman's friend said: 'You're telling Aboriginal people to f*** off to the bush because they come and ask for their money they're entitled to.' A woman filmed his tirade after she returned to the motel to confront the worker after being told he was racially abusing her Aboriginal friend and her three-year-old daughter at a motel The woman intervened: 'We got told to come back, in which the man responded: 'Yeah, but the room has to be cleaned. 'You're supposed to be a professional business person, is this how you speak? You're calling us black Abo trash,' the woman's friend said. The man then accuses the women of not having a job, by saying: 'Do you work mole? Of course you don't. Of course you f*****g don't.' The woman's friend warns the man by telling him: 'You'll be charged for racial discrimination buddy.' The video was uploaded onto Facebook on Monday night and has since attracted hundreds of comments and more than 10,000 views. When a French farmer stumbled across an American World War II dog tag as he cleared a building, he assumed it was evidence of another sorry casualty of war. In fact it was to unravel a much more intriguing - but also tragic - war story when the military ID was finally reunited with the family of the man who wore it in one of World War II's most bitter engagements: Army Staff Sergeant Isaac Crowder. The Ranger, an NCO in the 5th Ranger Battalion, had gone from the D-Day beaches to the Battle for Brest, a more than month-long street-by-street battle to dislodge Nazi forces from the strategically crucial - and fortified - French port. Sixty-one years later, in 2005, Gilbert Mellaza discovered S/Sgt Crowder's dog tag as he prepared to sell the family farm in Plouzane, on the outskirts of the French city. He started a search for its owner, assuming that he had been one the American casualties of the Battle for Brest. But the search went nowhere, until 11 years later, when Mellaza shared the dog tag with Tracey Williams, the runner of the Facebook group Lost at Sea, where members share lost items found on beaches and elsewhere. In less than 24 hours, the group discovered Crowder's grave site, the name of his wife, and found that he still had a living daughter - Pat Machacek. Crowder died in 1950 after suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma. Machecek said her mother was heartbroken after his death and never remarried French national Gilbert Mellaza discovered the military ID of US Army Staff Sergeant Isaac Crowder (left, and right with his wife and daughter) 11 years ago in Plouzane, France Crowder's military ID had been lost in 1944, when his battalion fought during the Battle for Brest Sadly, Machecek doesn't know much about her father's military career other than the fact that was awarded a Purple Heart medal after being injured when he was struck by shrapnel during the war. What is clear, however, is that Crowder was part of an astonishing group of Rangers who fought their way through several battles during World War II. The courage of the Rangers was to become part of the legend of D Day. An elite group, they had undergone months of training, including commando training in Scotland and cliff-warfare preparations before assembling in landing craft and being part of the attack on Omaha Beach. There the 5th Battalion led a breakout by US forces pinned down by German mortar and machine gun fire after an order from General Norman D. Cota: 'Rangers, lead the way!' Mellaza is in contact with Crowder's daughter, Pat Machecek (pictured with her husband Gary), and says he plans to return the ID by Christmas It was a decisive move which allowed part of Omaha Beach to be secured and started a long campaign across north-western France. it is unclear if S/Sgt Crowder was part of the action. The Battle for Brest was its next major engagement, ordered so that the port could be used to resupply the massive Allied landing force. Commanded by General Omar Bradley, VIII Corps was sent to take control of it with the Rangers among those in support, but what had seemed an easy objective became a street-by-street battle. The Rangers were in the thick of it, tasked with taking German forts as infantry pushed into fortified territory. Three of the forts were just south of Plouzane. In the course of it, somehow S/Sgt Crowder lost his military tag. The battle raged on from August 7, 1944, to September 19, 1944, when the few remaining Germans surrendered. It was in some ways a Pyrrhic victory - the port had been rendered useless by the Germans, but Bradley took the good news out of it that the Nazi U-boats based there were no longer a danger to Allied shipping. The Rangers received two commendations for their service in Brest - which was the only fortified city to be attacked directly. After their experience in Brittany, Allied high command decided to go around such targets and sit their garrisons out. Crowder's ID had been lost in 1944, when his battalion fought during the Battle for Brest. Pictured above, US army medics search through the wreckage of Brest for survivors The Battle for Brest came after the Invasion of Normandy. While some Allied troops headed east toward Paris and Germany, others traveled west to secure the ports in Brittany, where Brest is located The war for the Rangers went on from there to the Battle of the Bulge and further distinguished combat. For S/Sgt Crowder, his movements are less certain - he received a Purple Heart when he was wounded by shrapnel during the war, although where and when are not known. The 5th Ranger Battalion was deactivated on October 22, 1945, at Camp Myles Standish in Massachusetts. Upon returning to the United States, Crowder married Meredith Lucille Halstead, who he had met in Los Angeles before being deployed, in 1946. Machecek was their only child. 'He had written her several love letters during the war, and I tried reading them so many times, but it's been so painful,' Machacek told DailyMail.com. 'But I think now I'm going to get them back out and read them again.' Crowder died on September 28, 1950, after suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma and was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. His death came just eight days before his 31st birthday. His wife, who Machecek says was heartbroken following Crowder's death, died 23 years later in 1973 having never remarried. Men of US Army 2nd Infantry Division advancing into Brest under German machine gun fire in September 1944. The city had been almost entirely destroyed during the Battle for Brest In the meantime his military ID was on a farm in France, and found in 2005 when its owner cleared out buildings as he prepared to sell. But it had precious few clues on it - it showed Issac A. Crowder's name, an A for his blood group and a P for his declared Protestant religion. His military serial number started with 37, showing that he was a draftee and not an officer, and that he had been drafted from one of the states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. But with such little information, Mellaza got nowhere in his search - until he stumbled on the Lost at Sea Facebook group. It took just hours for Crowder's daughter to learn about his dog tag being found - thanks to a member of the Facebook group contacting her cousin, Melody Pryor. The member of the group who helped find information about Crowder was Phil Ellery, of Cornwall, England, an amateur genealogist. He told DailyMail.com: 'I've done a bit of genealogy in the past and unusual names are generally fairly easier to find, especially with the internet now. A quick search showed that he was on a couple of online trees. Men of Company I, 23rd Infantry Regiment, US Army 2nd Infantry Division are advancing near Brest in August 1944 'It was a simple case of messaging the person who posted the tree. As luck would have it the person I messaged was a cousin of Isaac Crowder. 'She was able to pass my email to Pat. Within hours I had an email from Pat confirming that she was the only daughter of Isaac.' It was a huge surprise for Machecek who splits her time between Boise, Idaho, and Seattle, Washington with her husband Gary. 'I was just in shock,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I had no idea it was even anywhere. 'My cousin contacted me and said people had contacted her, and said a man in France contacted them... your head is just spinning!' Machecek said that sadly, she doesn't have much memory of her father. 'As that young of a child, you don't have that much of a memory,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I wish I had known him better. 'He lived for only a few years after the war, and I was a small child when he died. Three German officers have been taken prisoner and are being led back after talks with American officers near Brest, France, on September 20, 1944 'I was never able to learn the full details of his service, though I still have his Purple Heart and other medals.' Mellaza told DailyMail.com that he was 'very happy' that Crowder's daughter had been found by the users of Lost at Sea, who he says did 'fantastic work' to find the Army Ranger's family. In the days after discovering Crowder's family, Mellaza said he 'felt very emotional' and was 'happy to give the ID back to his daughter'. Ellery said he was was happy to be part of connecting Machacek to her father's military tag. Machecek said that she 'loves' that the Lost at Sea group is helping people reunite with their family's items. 'It's like this little connection is being made and people are doing some pretty wonderful things,' she said. Mellaza said he plans on sending the ID to Crowder's family before Christmas. Suspected serial killer Todd Kohlhepp has been formally charged with three more murders - bringing the total to seven A South Carolina real estate agent who is suspected of being a serial killer has been formally charged with three more murders, including the slaying of a woman he kept prisoner for a week. Todd Kohlhepp is now facing seven murder raps after he was arrested earlier this month when a woman was found chained inside a metal storage container on his Woodruff, South Carolina, farm. The 45-year-old was taken into custody after police rescued 30-year-old Kala Brown from his property, two months after she went missing. Cops then discovered the body of Brown's boyfriend, 32-year-old Charles Carver, buried in a shallow grave nearby. Just two days after he was detained, Kohlhepp led investigators to the remains of 25-year-old Megan McCraw-Coxie and her 29-year-old husband Johnny Coxie. He allegedly shot Coxie, and then kept his wife against her will for a week, before killing her on Christmas Day, 2015. On Monday, Kohlhepp was formally charged with killing Carver and the Coxie couple. It adds to the four other murder charges he is facing for allegedly killing four people at a motorcycle shop in Spartanburg in 2003. He has also been charged with kidnapping Brown. The Coxies were reported missing last December and Coxie was killed a day after his wife was released from jail. McCraw-Coxie had told her mother she needed to be bonded out so she could go to a job, but then her mother lost contact, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Lieutenant Kevin Bobo said. Kohlhepp was formerly arrested on Saturday and Sheriff Chuck Wright said that the suspect then confessed to gunning down four people at a motorcycle shop elsewhere in Spartanburg County in 200 Kohlhepp showed investigators two grave sites when he was taken back to the property last Saturday. Authorities identified the people buried there as McCraw-Coxie and her husband, Coxie, of Spartanburg. McCraw-Coxie was shot once in the head, while her husband suffered several bullet wounds to the torso. Her mother had reported the couple missing on December 22 last year, four months after they had posted pictures of a new baby on social media. Latest victims: Meagan and Johnny Joe Coxie vanished last December and their bodies were found and identified this week Charlie Carver, right, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds on Friday on South Carolina realtor Todd Kohlhepp's property after his girlfriend Kala Brown, left, was rescued from captivity in a shipping container Spartanburg coroner Rusty Clavenger said that he believed the victims had been buried around eleven months ago, shortly after they disappeared. Kohlhepp was formerly arrested on Saturday and Sheriff Chuck Wright said that the suspect then confessed to gunning down four people at a motorcycle shop elsewhere in Spartanburg County in 2003. Kohlhepp now faces four additional murder charges for the killings of Brian Lucas, Scott Ponder, Beverly Guy and Chris Sherbert at a motorcycle shop. A police dig site on Kohlhepp's property. It was at one of these digs that police found the shallow graves with the couple's bodies. Their tattoos and dental records were used to identify them He waived a bond hearing on Monday night, according to media reports. The formal charges come after it was revealed earlier this month that at age 15, he was sentenced to 15 years in an Arizona prison for binding and raping a 14-year-old neighbor at gunpoint. His mother asked for leniency, according to court records obtained by WHNS-TV in South Carolina. An Arizona judge wrote in 1987 that he was 'very bright' but also 'emotionally dangerous' and preoccupied with sex. A memo detailing a psychiatric evaluation notes that he grew up in South Carolina and Georgia and had counseling from around age nine. Scott Ponder (right) and his mother Beverly (left) were found dead at the bike shop in 2003 Service manager Brian Lucas (left) and mechanic Chris Sherbert (right) also died in the 2003 massacre The memo, with a Phoenix hospital's letterhead, states that as a juvenile he threatened suicide, destroyed his bedroom with a hammer, hit other children and killed goldfish with bleach. A 1987 presentencing report says a neighbor described Kohlhepp as a 'devil on a chain.' But his mother Regina Tague has insisted that her son is not a monster and is merely just 'misunderstood'. She told CBS: ''I know that's what they say. He was very misunderstood. Two brothers involved in the theft of three pygmy marmosets have been charged after the rare monkeys were found alive and well. Bizarre text messages sent by Jackson George, 23, have been tended in court after he and his brother Jessie, 26, were caught with two of the monkeys in New South Wales. The pair did not steal the monkeys but bought them, and planned to sell them on for profit, reports Sydney Morning Herald. Gomez - the third and final marmoset stolen from a zoo over the weekend was reunited with his family on Tuesday after being stolen along with two other monkeys from Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburg, south of Sydney, late last week. Scroll down for video Text messages sent by Jackson George, 23, (left) have been tended in court after he and his brother Jessie, 26, (right) were caught with two stolen monkeys The text messages between Jackson and another man revealed they bought the critically endangered animals from an unnamed man and planned to sell them on. 'Thats mad bro wanna sell it bruh ahah? Bruh wanna sell that monkey thing ahah [sic],' Jackson responded to a message showing the stolen monkey. When Jackson asked how much he paid for the rare marmosets, the man admitted to pulling off the heist. 'Paid nothing got it from the zoo last night haha 3 of em and a baby joey [sic],' he wrote. Jackson then told him he would buy it and asked when he was available to sell them. The park's managing director, John Radnidge, told the publication it was an 'enormous relief' to have Gomez reunited with his marmoset family. He thanked the media and police for helping to recover the tiny monkeys, which are about than the size of a finger. The pair did not steal the monkeys but bought them from an unnamed man, and planned to sell them on for profit The pair were found in possession of a four-week-old pygmy marmoset monkey (center) before leading police to his ten-month-old sister Sophia and father Gomez Gomez was discovered inside a box that had been dumped in front of a vet on York Street, in Tahmoor, about 8.30pm. Police first tracked down the Georges after receiving a tip-off on Sunday, leading them to the Appin Hotel, about 30 miles from the wildlife park. There they discovered a four-week old baby boy, which is so young it has not yet been named, and arrested the pair. Later that night another monkey, 10-month-old Sophia, was discovered in Campbelltown. The four-week-old was stolen on Saturday from Symbio Wildlife Park south of Sydney, along with its father Gomez, 10, and its younger sister named Sophia, 10 Symbio managing director, John Radnidge, celebrates after Gomez is reunited with his marmoset family But the brothers refused to tell police the location of Gomez, as officers revealed at a bail hearing, saying the pair had laughed and told them to 'work it out.' Jessie was sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond and fined $1500 for being an accomplice to the crime. Jackson was granted bail until his sentencing on January 10. It's one of Australia's most talked about animals, but new footage has emerged claiming that the Tasmanian Tiger is not extinct after all. Also known as a thylacine, the last one of the species is said to have died in 1936, however sightings of the so-called extinct animal have allegedly been made across Australia in recent years. The latest is a motion sensor camera image captured by Brad Mitchell in Sawyers Valley, Western Australia, which he posted on The Thylacine Awareness Group of Australia Facebook. Scroll down for videos motion sensor camera image captured by Brad Mitchell in Sawyers Valley, Western Australia, showed this animal that closely resembled a Tasmanian Tiger 'Recorded this on a motion sensored camera mounted onto a tree on our driveway on our five acre property east of Perth,' he wrote. 'Not long after this photo was taken one day I noticed a couple of people looking around the bottom gate here. Went and asked what they were doing and they said that they noticed an animal run across the road last night and it looked like a Tassie Tiger. 'We have foxes here now and then and you can tell they are foxes by the bushy tails and slender legs etc... but this looks totally different.' Mr Mitchell also posted a picture of a mangey fox that he also caught on motion sensor camera before this to show the difference between the two animals. On November 25 amateur investigators from Victorian Wildlife Research/Rescue suggest this footage shows a Tasmanian Tiger, thought to have gone extinct in 1936 Also known as a thylacine, the last one of the species is said to have died in 1936 (stock image) Claims of another Tasmanian Tiger sighting surfaced in September, this time in Adelaide Hills, after this amateur footage was posted online The Thylacine was a large carnivorous marsupial (stock image) It got plenty of positive comments from other members of the Facebook group with the likes of Rebecca Braham saying 'that one really is something unusual'. 'I don't see stripes, but apparently there have been plenty of sightings of an animal in Western Australia that looks like a thylacine in every way but lacks stripes. Some of these animals have even been black all over,' she wrote. On November 25 a sighting was made in the Victoria bush by a group of explorers who spent weeks recording wildlife. Members of Victorian Wildlife Research/Rescue said they left a camera on a bush trail for three weeks before returning to collect the tape. Mr Mitchell also posted a picture of a mangey fox that he also caught on motion sensor camera to show the difference between the two animals After going through hundreds of hours of footage, the team discovered a few grainy seconds of a large dog-like animal moving through the undergrowth. The Australian Museum described the Thylacine as a large carnivorous marsupial that was sandy yellowish-brown to grey in colour and had 15 to 20 distinct dark stripes across the back from shoulders to tail. The woman fled and later after confronting the man, she She also found she had been stripped naked sometime during the night Woke up at 3.30am and claims she found 24-year-old man on top of her A female student on the Gold Coast was sick at a party and was put to bed A woman who was put to bed by her friends at a house party woke to find herself stripped naked with a man on top of her. The international student was attending a party at a 24-year-old foreign man's home in Surfers Paradise when she became sick twice and was put to bed at the unit by her friends. Earlier her friends put her to bed fully clothed and placed a blanket on top of her, the court heard. Defence barrister Christoper Rosser told the courts, 'This is a situation were its an issue of consent and whether that is given or not' (Stock Image) It is alleged the woman woke up at 3.30am stripped naked and with the foreign man, 24, on top of her, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported (Stock Image) She allegedly woke up at 3.30am stripped naked and with the foreign man, 24, on top of her, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. The man, a carpet cleaner, had his legs in between hers and was getting off her, the court heard. The terrified woman fled the house and told friends what had happened. After a couple of days, the woman and friends approached the man to attempt to work out what had transpired before reporting the incident to the police. The foreign man's passport was confiscated, and he consented to disease and forensic samples to be taken. Defence barrister Christoper Rosser did not enter a plea for the 24-year-old and told the courts: 'This is a situation were it's an issue of consent and whether that is given or not.' The man was granted bail and will appear in court on December 22. had called 911 after she saw Sherri in a blue pick-up truck with two men - one of them Hispanic In an emotional statement Sherri Papinis husband blasted fabricated talk that her disappearance was part of a race war. Keith Papini said the 'rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate' had been both 'exhausting and disgusting' for the family to bear. But DailyMail.com can reveal that the Shasta County Sherrifs Department IS investigating race as part of its probe. Detectives are examining a bizarre racially charged blog post in which someone purporting to be the kidnapped California mom-of-two spews hatred towards Latinos and say shes proud to be white. The 2003 post was written by an individual claiming to be Sherri Graeff, Papinis maiden name, and has been circulated online since her disappearance. The post was uncovered by web sleuths in archived material from the pro-white website skinheadz.com which is no longer active. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko told DailyMail.com that the blog post came to light in the last few days and they are investigating whether it has any links to the abduction. Police are investigating a racially charged blog post in which someone purporting to be kidnapped California mom-of-two Sherri Papini spews hatred towards Latinos and say shes proud to be white The disturbing blog post detailed racial abuse that claimed Sherri and her dad (above with her mom) had apparently received from Latinos at a homecoming volleyball game in which they called her dad Hitler and a Nazi Papini, 34, was found battered but alive on Thanksgiving morning after a three-week absence and police are hunting for two Hispanic females driving a dark colored SUV and believed to be armed. The Sheriff said: There was a post under her maiden name of Graeff and that was posted, kind of like a little bit of history of her growing up and then some cruelty that may have occurred to her father and that she was basically proud to be white. It was on some sort of skinheads website. We will be investigating that (racial) aspect of the post but we do not have any information that that post was related to her abduction, one way or the other. While the Sheriff said his officers did not have any other evidence of any racial motive in the kidnapping, he added: Well definitely look in to it to see if it will have a nexus in the case, but it is very early on. This is an open and ongoing investigation. The post, that use's Sherri's maiden name, was uncovered by web sleuths in archived material from the pro-white website skinheadz.com which is no longer active DailyMail.com has learned that the post was not written by Sherri Papini, but, according to her ex-husband, was in fact a malicious prank against her by a high school enemy. Papinis ex-husband David Dreyfus, who divorced Papini in 2007, told DailyMail.com: That post isnt true, it was a prank by someone at high school, she never found out who did it. Sherri isnt racist. David said he met Sherri when they were both working on a Youth to Youth project, a community-based drug prevention and youth leadership program. He said: The crowd couldnt have been more diverse. Thats not who Sherri is. David, 32, who has since moved from the area, said he and Sherri parted amicably and stayed friends until she started dating her current husband Keith Papini. DailyMail.com has passed this information to Shasta County Sheriffs Department. The disturbing blog post detailed racial abuse that Sherri and her dad had apparently received from Latinos at a homecoming volleyball game in which they called her dad Hitler and a Nazi. Papinis ex-husband David Dreyfus, who divorced Papini in 2007, told DailyMail.com: That post isnt true, it was a prank by someone at high school, she never found out who did it' The married mother went missing on November 2 while out for a jog near her home in Redding The confrontation ended in violence and it claimed Sherri who it says has German heritage - broke the nose of a Latino girl. The author of the blog then claims Sherri was attacked by a group of Latinos, it stated: Three Latino guys and five girls rushed in and jumped me. They kept hollering about how they hated Skinheads, how all Skinheads should be "burned alive" and how I and my ancestors were supposedly all "KKK. The author says she was knocked to the ground and kicked in the face. The post read: Then, I thought, "Is it worth it?" "Is being white and standing up for myself and my beliefs worth all this pain I'm having to put up with?" The blog post concluded: Being white is more than just being aware of my skin, but of standing behind Skinheads -- who are always around, in spirit, as well -- and having pride for my country. Being white is my family, my roots, my way of life. It's always there. There's no denying it. It's nobility. It's strength. It will be there to lift me up when I really need my pride, when I need to "keep walking. Sheriff Bosenko says the kidnapping is among the most unusual cases he has encountered. The Sheriff said: There was a post under her maiden name of Graeff and that was posted, kind of like a little bit of history of her growing up and then some cruelty that may have occurred to her father' Absolutely in recent times, he said. He added: Obviously this was a very traumatic incident for the victim, she was abducted, held captive for three weeks and then was released by her captors and then a very emotional part of being released and being reunited with her husband. We did obtain a little information from her,' he said on Saturday, 'but wanted to allow her time to decompress, a lot of time people in very traumatic incidents, given a little bit of time, they recall more particulars and detail of the incident. DailyMail.com has learned that detectives have now had a more extensive interview with Sherri. The Sheriff ruled out any financial motive in the case because he says a $50,000 reward was not claimed. The husband of the California supermom who was discovered chained up on the side of the road on Thanksgiving morning after three weeks in captivity is broke his silence Tuesday to discuss his wife's condition. In a statement released to ABC News, Keith Papini recounted the heartbreaking moment he was reunited with his wife Sherri, and saw firsthand the horrific injuries she had suffered after being kidnapped while out for a jog on November 2. 'My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of the repeated beatings, the bridge of her nose broken,' said Keith. 'Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multi colored bruises, severe burns, red rashes, and chain markings. Her signature long, blonde hair had been chopped off.' He then added: 'She has been branded and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers.' Police are looking for the two Hispanic women who released Sherri on Thanksgiving, saying they could be driving a dark-colored SUV (map of Sherri's disappearance and discovery) Details about the case remain scarce, and police are still searching for the two Hispanic women in a dark-colored SUV who released Sherri, 34, the morning she was found. The pair are reported to be armed and dangerous. Also on Tuesday, DailyMail.com revealed that a good Samaritan spotted haggard and scared blonde woman she believed to be Sherri inside a blue pick-up with two men at a truck stop just days earier. Witness Christine Everson feared for the womans safety after seeing her at the Travel Center stop on the outskirts of Redding, California at around 7pm on Tuesday last week. Everson attempted to communicate with the woman, who was sitting in the truck and seemed subdued, extremely hesitant and scared, and called 911 to report the sighting. Its not clear whether police acted on her tip and Christine concedes she cant be 100% certain it was Sherri. On Sunday, the Sheriff confirmed that Papini was assaulted and suffered injuries that required medical treatment. We currently have no reason to disbelieve Sherri Papini's story,' he told ABC News. Keith and Sherri Papini on their wedding day in August, 2012 Bosenko added that his investigators are now looking into Papini's past, including her first marriage and divorce, as well as any online activity. Authorities have put out 20 warrants requesting access to footage from surveillance cameras in Yolo County and Redding overlooking homes, motels, a church and a business. They also will be reviewing video captured by traffic cameras and sifting through data from cell towers in an effort to piece together what had happened. Officials said they were looking for a dark SUV and two Hispanic women who were believed to be armed. Bosenko also noted to the station KTLA that there is sensitive information related to the case that has yet to be released to the public. Papini's family have been most upset by the hurtful comments and conspiracy theories that have been circulating online in web forums, comment boards and chat rooms. In Keith Papinis statement, released to Good Morning America, he gave thanks for all the support, but addressed the increasing scrutiny brought on by all the attention his wife's kidnapping has received. Calling it a double edged sword, he said he is grateful that his wife's story spread quickly throughout the world, but added that, Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting. We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs, Keith added. I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to gain money, or some fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Sherri Papini was found at around 4.30am last Thursday, bound and left on a rural road near Interstate 5. The married mother went missing on November 2 while out for a jog near her home in Redding, setting off a massive search and a well-publicized social media campaign, which her family have credited with helping bring her back alive. KEITH PAPINI STATEMENT ABOUT SHERRI'S ORDEAL Keith Papini gave a statement to Good Morning America on Tuesday: The first thing I would like to address is the overwhelming amount of gratitude our entire family has for the thousands of people that have been on this torturous journey with us. I cannot possibly name each and every person, although their names are eternally etched in our hearts. Thank you to our strong family, devoted friends, the entire Redding community, and countless communities around the world. Specific thanks to the Shasta County Sheriffs department, FBI, NorCal Alliance for the Missing, The Lost Coast Trackers, Shasta Support Services, The Guardian Angels, my own personal A-Team, Cameron Gamble, Cody Salfen, Jim Linnan, Sean Ditty, Don Armstrong, Yolo County Sheriff's department and hospital, the medical personnel that helped our dear Sherri, social media, and many news outlets. Thank you to LRT Graphics and Signarama. Thank you to the extremely generous, anonymous as well as named donors all over the world whom selflessly gave to our family. Thank you to the many incredible humans that have never known Sherri that facilitated in sharing our heart break across the globe. Sherri has always captured my heart and it is no surprise that she has captured the hearts not only through the country, but throughout the world. Thank you, truly, immensely, sincerely, and with my entire heart. Secondly, we live in a nation of free speech, accompanied with an era of technology that provides immediate gratification. This is a double edged sword. I am grateful for this system as it is what spread my wife's face quickly throughout the world, gaining the attention of thousands. The unfortunate side is that some people have been sitting in angering, expectant, positions waiting for the gory details Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting. Those people should be ashamed of their malicious, sub human behavior. We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs. I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to gain money, or some fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Instead, may I give you a glimpse of the mixture of horror and elation that was my experience of reuniting with the love of my life and mother of our children. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see upon my arrival at the hospital, nor the details of the true hell I was about to hear. The mental prison I was in over the past three weeks was shattered when my questions of my wife's reality became known. The officers warned me to brace myself. My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of repeated beatings, the bridge of her nose broken. Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multi colored bruises, severe burns, red rashes, and chain markings. Her signature long, blonde hair had been chopped off. She has been branded and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers. She was thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist, attached to her wrists and a bag over her head. The same bag she used to flag someone down once she was able to free one of her hands. Sherri was taken from us for 22 days, and suffered incredibly through both intense physical agony and severe mental torture. My reaction was one of extreme happiness and overwhelming nausea as my eyes and hands scanned her body. I was filled with so much relief and revulsion at once. My Sherri suffered tremendously and all the visions swirling in your heads of her appearance, I assure you, are not as graphic and gruesome as the reality. We are a very private family whom do not use social media outlets prior to this grotesque tragedy. My love for my wife took precedents and it was clear we had to be exposed in ways we never would have been comfortable with. So please have a heart and understand why we have asked for our privacy. This will be along road of healing for everyone. Ultimately, it was Sherri's will to survive that brought her home. Thank you. Advertisement The wealthiest member of Congress is keeping his job. Republican Darrell Issa, the car-alarm magnate behind the talking Viper security systems, narrowly defeated Marine-turned-lawyer Doug Applegate after a bitter contest in the 49th District north of San Diego. Unofficial returns Monday showed Issa holding a 2,348-vote edge, with only a small number of votes left to tally. Vote-counting extended for weeks after the election as officials tallied late-arriving mail ballots and those filled out at polling places. Issa, an eight-term congressman, faced little competition for years in the Republican-leaning district. But Donald Trump's presence on the top of the ticket opened the way for a tight contest this year in the diverse district. Representative Darrell Issa (pictured) narrowly got to keep his seat in the 49th District north of San Diego, after a bitter contest against Marine-turned-lawyer Doug Applegate Issa's wealth came to an estimated $254.65 million, according to the most recent estimate. He built his fortune selling car alarms, with his own voice warning thieves to stand back from the vehicle on the popular Viper system. He initially supported Marco Rubio in the presidential race, before rallying to Trump in May. He got on stage with the then-GOP nominee and compared him to Ronald Reagan. Issa, meanwhile, faced a tougher reelection than usual, leading some to believe that his pro-Trump had driven away some of his supporters. California went to Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, with 62 per cent of voters picking the Democratic candidate. 'It's a mystifyingly bad campaign that Issa's run,' nonpartisan Cook Political Report editor David Wasserman told the New York Times as the race for Congress grew tighter. 'And he is in grave danger.' Republicans are now on track to hold at least 240 seats in the House next year. With Issa keeping his seat, the only unresolved races left in the country are in Louisiana. 'I am eager to continue working to advance the best interests of the American people and restoring the focus of Washington where it belongs: economic prosperity, national security and government accountability,' Issa said in a statement. 'With our newly unified government, we have the opportunity to lead the country in a new and better direction.' Voters saw Issa (pictured with Donald Trump during the presidential campaign) as being 'his own guy', according to a former staffer, although Democrats sought to link him to Trump Democrats, who hoped for significant gains in the election, picked up just six seats on Election Day and remain in the minority with 194 seats. Applegate, a political newcomer, sought to portray Issa as an extremist and Trump foot soldier. Issa meanwhile framed his rival as a fringe liberal who would raise taxes and snatch guns from legal owners. WHO ARE THE RICHEST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS? Rep Darrell Issa - $254.65M Rep Michael McCaul - $107.61M Rep John Delaney - $91.68M Sen Mark Warner - $90.85M Rep Jared Polis - $90.11M Rep Dave Trott - $73.52M Sen Richard Blumenthal - $66.99M Sen Dianne Feinstein - $52.78M Rep Vern Buchanan - $49.86M Rep Diane Black - $45.95M Source: Roll Call, most recent estimate dated 2015 Advertisement Democrats sought to link Issa to Trump, but 'people saw him as his own guy', former Issa staffer Kurt Bardella said. Issa, according to Bardella, is so well known in the district that 'it's a lot harder to tie him to anybody'. Preliminary returns show Clinton crushed Trump in the nation's most populous state by nearly 30 points. The race between Issa and Applegate became a surprise after the Democrat came within a handful of points of topping the veteran congressman in the June primary. Francine Busby, chairwoman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, said no one in the party expressed interest in running because they saw no chance of winning. Applegate (pictured) turned the race into a surprise when he came within a handful of points of topping veteran congressman Issa in the June primary 'We were all astounded, including Applegate,' Busby said. 'He barely had run a campaign. It's just hard to run in a district where people don't see a viable race.' A decade ago, Republicans held a 20-point registration advantage over Democrats in the coastal district. The region includes wealthy seaside enclaves north of San Diego but also densely packed, diverse suburban communities. But that double-digit margin has dwindled to single digits, while the number of independents soared by 60 per cent over that time. Issa, the former chairman of the House Oversight And Government Reform Committee, had coasted to re-election seven times. His fortune from car-alarm manufacturing was estimated at $254.65 million by Roll Call last year. Issa's wealth was more than twice that of the second-richest member of Congress, Republican Representative Michael McCaul, who was worth an estimated $107.61 million. President-elect Donald Trump met with Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke on Monday as he continued to consider appointments to his cabinet. The Wisconsin law enforcement official and outspoken opponent of the Black Lives Matter movement is under consideration to run the Department of Homeland Security. Trump also saw George W. Bush homeland security official Fran Townsend, today and plans to sit down with House Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul on Tuesday. Scroll down for video President-elect Donald Trump met with Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke on Monday as he continued to consider appointments to his cabinet Senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway jams with 'Naked Cowboy' performers in Trump Tower today The cowboys, entertaining Donald Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway in the lobby of Trump Tower, wore hats similar to Wisconsin native Clarke's Clarke did not speak to reporters gathered in the lobby of Trump Tower when he entered. He passed by nearly two hours later without offering a comment when he exited. A frequent guest on Fox News, the Democrat has aligned himself with Trump and spoke on his behalf at the Republican National Convention. The elected official, who voters affirmed for the position four times after his initial appointment, is known for taking on the Black Lives Matter, which he has described as a 'domestic hate group' and 'black slime.' 'Before long, Black Lies Matter will join forces with ISIS to bring down our legal constituted republic. You heard it first here,' he said in an October 2015 tweet. That same month Clarke claimed on Fox 'there is no police brutality in America.' 'We ended that back in the 60s,' he said. 'You look at the data and the research, and theres a new Harvard study out that shows that there is no racism in the hearts of police officers. They go about their daily duty, if you will, to keep communities safe.' In July he declared a long-running 'war' on police after five Dallas officers were gunned down as they kept watch during a Black Lives Matter protest. Several months later, in October, with the national election just weeks away, Clarke echoed Trump's claims that the system and the fourth estate are rigged. He said on Twitter: ' It's incredible that our institutions of gov, WH, Congress, DOJ, and big media are corrupt & all we do is b****. Pitchforks and torches time.' Clarke has more recently taken on anti-Trump protesters, calling them 'goon anarchists.' He said in a Nov. 11 tweet that officials could put an end to rioting by declaring a state of emergency and and imposing a curfew. They should also 'authorize ALL non lethal force' he said, including 'tear gas.' As DHS secretary, Clarke would be in charge of overseeing the nation's immigration system and implementing the president-elect's deportation policy. He'd also be in charge of the Transportation Security Administration. His forthcoming memoir lays out how he would overhaul the country's homeland security program. Americans suspected of being terrorists should be treated as 'enemy combatants' Clarke writes in a draft of 'Cop Under Fire,' in which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel received an early copy. These 'enemy combatants,' he wrote, could be arrested, questioned without the presence of an attorney and detained indefinitely, with their cases handled by military tribunals instead of the traditional courts. 'We are at war,' Clarke wrote. 'Homegrown radicalization has the enemy inside our borders.' 'Islamist radicalized Americans are not criminals; they are enemy combatants,' he pronounced. A year earlier, Clarke called for a rounding up of Americans who sympathize with terrorists and putting them in an offshore prison, like Guantanamo Bay. On a December 2015 episode of 'The People's Sheriff,' which aired on Glenn Beck's The Blaze network, Clarke suggested this proposal could put one million people behind bars. 'I suggest that our commander in chief ought to utilize Article I, Section 9 and take all of these individuals that are suspected, these ones on the internet spewing jihadi rhetoricto scoop them up, charge them with treason and, under habeas corpus, detain them indefinitely at Gitmo,' Clarke said, according to reporting from Mother Jones. Normal jails wouldn't work, Clarke said, because they would turn into 'terrorist recruitment camps.' In his book, which comes out in March, while not calling for a new federal agency to track down terrorists inside U.S. borders, he did argue that he favored a 'wholly independent structure entity, which reports directly to the White House.' 'This organization does not exist here as of yet, but it needs to and quick,' Clarke wrote, according to the Journal Sentinel's excerpts from the book. 'A new entity focused on protection, not prosecution, is the only way to protect Americans.' Proactively From the Sea; an agent of change leveraging the littoral best practices for a paradigm breaking six-sigma best business case to synergize a consistent design in the global commons, rightsizing the core values supporting our mission statement via the 5-vector model through cultural diversity. 'It's disrespectful to the victims,' said union spokesman Herve Segaud Four sex offenders were employed by Easy Love packaging dildos Prison officers have cried foul after inmates in a French jail, including rapists and paedophiles, were employed packing sex toys. Prisoners at the jail in Grasse, in the south of France, have been hired out to private companies. The FO-Penitentiaire union, which represents prison officers in France, rang the alarm after finding out four sex offenders were working for a company called Easy Love, packing up dildos for customers. The prison at Grasse (pictured) hit the headlines in 2007 when a convicted killer, Pascal Payet, escaped by helicopter for a second time The Local newspaper reported that FO-Penitentiaire spokesman Herve Segaud told a French newspaper: 'Can you imagine how the victims would feel if they learned what these prisoners are doing?' He said: 'It's disrespectful to the victims.' French prisons have been ordered to find work for inmates as part of their rehabilitation. Mr Segaud told Le Parisien newspaper he accepted French prisons had to 'get with the times' but he said the sex toys job was beyond the pale and he described it as 'disturbing'. The prison officers' union said the management should have been more 'vigilant' and should never have allowed sex offenders work with sex toys STOCK PHOTO 'I'm not sure that this is good for the rehabilitation of these kind of people with these kinds of sicknesses,' he said. Australia's capital city joins the list of new destinations Qatar Airlines will be directly flying to and from. The Gulf carrier announced 15 new destination for 2017-18, and Canberra will be the fifth Australian destination. Canberra joins the already-announced list of destinations to start in 2017, including Auckland which will start on February 5 next year. Scroll down for video Qatar Airlines announced 15 new gateways for 2017-18 The direct flights from Australia's capital to Doha mean Canberrans won't have to endure an extra stopover at Sydney Airport to get to Europe. Qatar Airways offers a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 150 international destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America and Oceania from its base at Hamad International Airport, using a fleet of more than 180 aircraft. Qatar's group chief executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said in a statement that Qatar Airways operates the world's youngest fleet and the most technologically advanced aircraft ensuring environmentally friendly operations. 'With today's network announcement, we will be able to connect more people to more places than any other Gulf airline, and we will ensure our passengers will delight in the journey,' he said. 'At Qatar Airways, we are going places together with our passengers, and we look forward to welcoming these new destinations in 2017-18.' Qatar Airways currently service flights between Qatar and Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The airline has not yet announced when they will begin flying to the newly announced destinations. These include Las Vegas, Rio de Janeiro, Dublin, Santiago, Nice and Chiang Mai. Singapore Airlines announced at the start of 2016 it would be the first international airline to operate regularly scheduled international flights from Canberra. Australia's capital city Canberra joins the list of new destinations Qatar Airlines will be directly flying to and from With a very manicured beard and a menacing glint in his eye, the likeness might not have been immediately obvious. But as Prince Harry spotted the drawing of himself, he immediately did a double take. When handed the framed picture, by artist Richie Modeste, 18, he was ever tactful and told him it was amazing. As Prince Harry spotted the illustration of him by artist Richie Modeste, 18, he immediately did a double take Of the image, which shows the prince in a dinner jacket and bow tie, he added: You have serious talent. Mr Modeste told the fifth in line to the throne that he had been drawing for around six years, when they met during a showcasing of the work done by local charity the New Life Organisation on the island of Grenada. During a brief conversation, the teenager added: It (art) helps to keep me calm. The charity provides skills and training to young people, some of who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Harry, 32, was also shown computer cases made of wood as well as other arts and crafts and spices from the island during his trip to the charity tent. Earlier in the day, he had docked in Grenada after spending the night on a mystery island when the navy ship he is travelling on, RFA Wave Knight, was unable to leave Saint Vincent. Pictured: The illustrated portrait of Prince Harry by Grenadian artist Richie Modeste After experiencing a technical fault on Saturday night, when the royal party was due to set off, Harry was forced to make other arrangements. On Sunday, a designated travel day on the tour, Harry instead used a rib to reach a secret location where he had lunch. When the issue on Wave Knight could still not be resolved, Harry enjoyed the night on an unknown island before being picked up by helicopter. He was then flown back to the vessel which had by then been fixed and reached Grenada. Pictured: Harry takes a closer look at his portrait after being presented it by artist Richie It is understood that the location is not the exclusive island of Mustique where the royal family has holidayed in the past. Mustique is known for its stringent privacy policy and is a favourite amongst celebrities and the elite. It is not known if Harry was put up by acquaintances in the Caribbean or checked into a hotel. His girlfriend Meghan Markle, 35, yesterday (Mon) uploaded pictures taken in Los Angeles suggesting she could not have joined him. Pictured: Prince Harry visits the coral reef off Grand Anse Beach during his trip to Grenada Pictured: Prince Harry learns about a restoration project that is helping protect the coral reef off Grand Anse Beach in Grenada Kensington Palace last night refused to say where the fifth in line to the throne had stayed, describing it as a private matter. A spokesman added: Prince Harry and the tour party remained on Wave Knight until midday. The ship was still not able to leave St Vincent so the party travelled by rib to a nearby island where they arrived after 1pm for lunch. The 'old school' rave scene is in mourning following the shock death of a 43-year-old partygoer at a music festival at the weekend. Robyn Deans died at the Earthcore 'bush doof' in country Victoria about 4.30pm on Saturday. ''Til we meet again on the dancefloor of eternity,' said one friend who posted a tribute on social media. The family of the partygoer from Bayswater, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, said they were still searching for answers following her death at the days-long festival. Scroll down for video Robyn Deans, 43, died at the Earthcore music festival at the weekend. The cause of her death was unknown and police said the circumstances were not suspicious Ms Deans is pictured during a happy moment at a nightclub recently The 43-year-old woman was found dead at the Earthcore festival on Saturday afternoon Her mother Shirley would not confirm suggestions from festival organisers that Ms Deans had a pre-existing medical condition. 'We haven't got any definitive answers at this point,' she told Daily Mail Australia, adding police and the coroner were continuing their inquiries. Heartbroken friends described Ms Deans as 'the kindest, loving, big hearted soul I have ever known' on social media. Another described her as an 'amazing woman with the most positive outlook on life and the biggest heart' with an 'unmatched' capacity for loyalty and kindness. 'Let's hope wherever she is, she's stompin on the dancefloor' (sic) said a fellow partygoer. Another said he had sold her DJ turnstiles recently and said she had 'went out being apart of a scene she loved'. Some other festival goers are pictured taking some time out from the four-day event The clothing choices of people at the dance festival in Pyalong, Victoria over the weekend varied greatly More revellers hang out at the popular 'bush doof' in regional Victoria The so-called 'bush doof' was frequented by thousands of young people This woman opted for a bright-coloured cape at the event Two girls are seen dancing in the open field where the event was held in central Victoria In a statement on Monday, Earthcore's organisers said: 'We are aware of an exisitng medical condition and are waiting for the coroners inquest' (sic). Organisers said paramedics had rushed to treat the woman within two minutes of her collapse but could not revive her. Initial reports incorrectly described the woman as a 25-year-old. Police said the cause of her death was not suspicious. The music festival made headlines after video emerged of a young man being waterboarded at the weekend. Police said officers spoke to 53 people at the festival over the five days, with 32 people detected drug driving. However, police said they were pleased with the crowd's general behaviour. It is not suggested that anyone pictured in this story took drugs or was under the influence of drugs. A teenager collapsed in the dock after he was cleared of killing a man whose girlfriend he had slept with at a party. Callum Hackett, 18, had sex with Donna Hawthorn at a house party in Newcastle. He was asked to leave the property after her long-term partner David Savage, 42, saw him embrace his girlfriend downstairs after the pair had romped. Hackett collapsed in the dock when jurors found him not guilty of murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter The court heard Hackett left but came back to the property, looking for his gloves, which led to an angry stand-off where punches were thrown. Hackett left again, but this time prosecutors claimed he picked up a knife from a pal which he used to stab Mr Savage, who died as a result of blood loss. The teen, from Kingston Park, Newcastle, denied murder andhas been tried and cleared by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court. He admitted being there where Mr Savage was killed but claimed it was another man who used the knife. Hackett collapsed in the dock when jurors found him not guilty of murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter. Hackett told police when he was arrested he had been at the house, where he had alcohol and cocaine, for the first time, followed by sex with a stranger and that Mr Savage accused him of 'messing with his girl' but denied being present at the time of the murder. The court heard Hackett later accepted being present at the time of the killing but denied involvement in it and said another man was responsible. Prosecutor Sam Green QC told the court Mr Savage and Miss Hawthorn had been drinking with friends at their home and Hackett turned up after being invited in by a female guest. Callum Hackett (left), 18, had sex with Donna Hawthorn (right) at a house party in Newcastle Mr Green said: 'At some point, the defendant followed Mr Savage's partner upstairs where he and she had sex. 'When they had finished and gone back downstairs, Mr Savage saw the defendant and Miss Hawthorn in some kind of embrace. 'Perhaps unsurprisingly, that caused a change in Mr Savage's mood towards the defendant. Mr Savage asked the defendant to leave.' Mr Green said Hackett left the house but came back to collect his gloves, which could not be found, it was claimed there was a violent confrontation, involving punches between him and Mr Savage before he left again and then returned with another man. Hackett was asked to leave the property after her long-term partner David Savage, 42, saw him embrace his girlfriend downstairs after the pair had romped The court heard Hackett and Miss Hawthorn had been caught having sex on her bed by Corrina Crossling, who was at the house, who 'suggested they get back downstairs'. Ms Crossling told the court: 'Donna was covered, underneath the blanket, so I didn't know what state of undress she was in. 'I could see that she was touching his neck, from behind, he was behind her, spooning her.' Ms Crossling said when she realised what was happening, she asked the pair: 'What the f*** are you two doing?' She added: 'Callum said 'can you give us two minutes'. Donna said something, 'come on Corrina, you know you can keep him talking, give us five minutes please'.' Ms Crossling said she warned the pair to, 'get your a****s downstairs now', before leaving the room. She added: 'When I walked out of the bedroom I didn't wait for a response.' The pair finished having sex before they followed her advice. Ms Crossling said when she got downstairs she 'lied' to Mr Savage and told him Miss Hawthorn had just been talking with the youth upstairs. She said Hackett appeared to want to 'move away' from Miss Hawthorn when they got back downstairs and that he went into the living room but she followed. Ms Crossling added: 'She sat on his knee and put her leg over the top of him, put her arm around him.' She said Mr Savage told the teenager, 'I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to leave now', when he saw what was going on. A culture of hardcore pornography and sexual pestering of girls is prevalent in schools, the Government admits today. Primary school children are learning about sex through porn while some headteachers are allowing the sexual harassment and abuse of girls to become 'accepted as part of daily life'. In an official response to a report by MPs, ministers paint a bleak picture of a prevailing culture in schools which seemingly condones sexual harassment as being 'just banter'. This is leading to 'very disturbing evidence about the sheer volume of sexually predatory and abusive behaviour experienced by young girls'. A culture of hardcore pornography and sexual pestering of girls is prevalent in schools, the Government has said (stock picture) And teenage boys are 'beset with social and cultural messages that encourage them to act in sexually dominant ways and to collude with other males who do so'. The hard-hitting warnings are contained in the Government's response to the Women and Equalities Select Committee report on sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools. Last night it was revealed that Ofsted inspectors have now been asked to check for evidence of sexist abuse in primary and secondary schools. But the Government resisted demands to make sex and relationship education compulsory in all schools, stating that the issue was already 'actively under review'. The MPs' report, published in September, said primary school children were learning about sex through exposure to hardcore porn, with some even becoming addicts by the age of nine. And it said that many girls faced the regular torment of pestering and cat-calling amid shocking levels of abuse in corridors and classrooms. The Government's response says: 'Sexual harassment and sexual violence is unacceptable. 'The scale and impact of sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools set out by the inquiry shines a light on a worrying picture: sexual harassment and abuse of girls being accepted as part of daily life; primary school-aged children learning about sex and relationships through exposure to hardcore pornography; and a prevailing culture in schools which seemingly condones sexual harassment as being 'just banter'. 'It is clear that action is needed to make sure that all schools are equipped to...tackle these issues.' The Government stresses that young people are 'influenced by the behaviours and attitudes they experience in all aspects of their lives, including in school'. An MPs' report, said children were getting exposed to porn and becoming addicts by the age of nine Its response says: 'Prevailing stereotypes about traditional gender roles where men are expected to be powerful and sexually assertive, while women are judged on their physical appearance and sexual availability to men form the basis of unhealthy relationships. 'In a school environment, where young people often seek social status through the assertion of more 'adult' identities, where peer pressure and group norms can be felt intensely, and where many have yet to develop maturity and resilience, this can result in group norms and individual behaviours that are disrespectful at best and abusive at worst.' Girls 'may also collude with or contribute to negative social norms, but they are far more likely than boys to experience sexual harassment'. Other forms of harassment such as cyber-bullying as well as antisemitic, Islamophobic and other hate crimes also 'appear to be on the rise' and contribute to a 'cultural context in schools where intolerance feels more prevalent'. The response reveals that, since September, Ofsted has amended its school inspection handbook to 'explicitly' address sexual harassment. It says: 'As part of the inspection, inspectors will request that the following information is available at the start of the inspection: records and analysis of bullying, discriminatory and prejudicial behaviour, either directly or indirectly, including racist, sexist, disability and homophobic bullying, use of derogatory language and racist incidents.' Previous handbooks simply referred to racist, disability and homophobic bullying. The Government will also set up an advisory group to review existing Department for Education guidance and consider what 'further advice' should be issued to headteachers to tackle 'sexual violence'. It will help schools to produce new codes of practice to combat bullying of any kind. Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, accused Ofsted of 'intruding into childhood' by looking for evidence of sexist abuse. The report explained that some young children were learning about sex through hardcore porn (stock image) He said: 'The re's a danger, particularly in primary schools, that perfectly innocent comments can be taken out of context or can be taken as sexist or racist or homophobic when the intention is not there. If a five-year-old girl says 'I'm Tinkerbell and you're Peter Pan' that could be seen as sexist.' But the MPs who produced the original report claimed the Government is not doing enough 'to ensure schools tackle this serious problem'. And the Girlguiding charity's advocate panel said: 'We are among the girls and young women across the country who have been severely let down by the Government's response.' A Government spokesman said last night: 'Schools should be safe places and fortunately crime is rare, but no young person should suffer harassment or violence.' Three police dogs were exposed to a lethal opioid after assisting police in a federal drug raid last month. Primus, a sniffer dog in Broward County, Florida, was one of the dogs who participated in the drug raid and suffered a near-fatal drug overdose. His handlers say he's normally vivacious and spirited, but after the raid, they noticed he had become lethargic. 'He wouldn't drink water. He would release his toy very easily. And he was looking lethargic, almost sedated. We knew something was wrong,' Detective Andy Weiman, who heads up the dog training program for Broward Sheriff's Office, told NBC News. The German short-haired pointer was rushed to a nearby animal hospital ten minutes later and when he arrived he was in the deep stages of a drug overdose. Primus (pictured), a sniffer dog in Broward County, Florida, was exposed to the lethal opioid fentanyl after assisting police in a federal drug raid last month Detective Andy Weiman (pictured), who heads up the dog training program for Broward Sheriff's Office, said after the raid, handlers noticed Primus had become lethargic Primus's tongue was hanging out of his mouth as his breathing slowed and his eyes were staring off into the distance. Weiman said the dog had to be carried into the hospital because he was so weak by that point. The veterinarian recognized that Primus was displaying the signs of a drug overdose. 'Usually when a person dies of an opioid overdose, they stop breathing. Same with animals. And the treatment for dogs is the same as it is for people,' Coral Springs Animal Hospital veterinarian Christopher McLaughlin told NBC News. Primus, and his fellow sniffer dogs Packer and Finn, were given shots of Narcan, which is metabolized at the same rate as fentanyl and will reverse a drug overdose if given in time. 'By 4 p.m. that afternoon he was fine and we went back to work the next day,' Weiman said. 'He wouldn't drink water. He would release his toy very easily. And he was looking lethargic, almost sedated. We knew something was wrong,' Weiman said Primus, and his fellow sniffer dogs Packer and Finn, were given shots of Narcan, which is metabolized at the same rate as fentanyl and will reverse a drug overdose if given in time But the question remained: How did fentanyl get into Primus's body? During a raid in Broward County, Primus was used to sweep a house after police determined there was no physical danger to the dogs. But fentanyl is so potent, even a few grains absorbed by the pads of Primus's feet or inhaled by his nose as he sniffed through the house, could have a critically adverse effect on the dog. Fentanyl, the drug that killed the singer Prince, is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and it can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested for the full effect to be realized. 'If fentanyl is loose in an environment, it can spread out where a dog can absorb it through his pads. He could sniff it up through his jowls. 'And fentanyl is so toxic, so strong that the very smallest amount of it that you couldn't even see could affect the dog. You wouldn't know they've even ingested it,' Weiman said. Fentanyl, the drug that killed Prince, is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and it can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested for the full effect to be realized (stock image) It is believed Primus likely inhaled the drug through his nose and jowls while sniffing the ground during the drug raid (stock image) Deaths from the drug, which comes from Mexico and China, have killed hundreds since the presence of fentanyl spiked in 2013. The DEA has also classified the drug as a 'grave threat' to first responders and law enforcement officers, which includes K-9 units. Because some drug dealers cut other drugs with fentanyl, it can be an unanticipated hazard for sniffer dogs and humans. After the near-death experience with Primus, Broward County officers have been trained on how to spot signs of fentanyl exposure and have begun carrying Narcan to treat a dog who shows signs of an overdose. The incident from last month is the first time a dog became ill from fentanyl in Broward, according to Weiman. Polish should be taught in Britains schools, the countrys Prime Minister declared yesterday. Beata Szydlo used a televised Downing Street press conference to make the surprise request of her counterpart Theresa May. She spoke of the option of teaching Polish as a language in British schools after the topic was also raised in a meeting of senior politicians from the two countries. Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo (left) suddenly made the surprise request of Theresa May (right) during a televised Downing Street press conference The suggestion comes as Downing Street is keen to make an ally of the Polish leader in advance of Brexit talks formally opening. Neither Number Ten nor Mrs May gave any response to the request, which did not contain any detail and which follows a huge influx of children into UK schools from Poland. Last week, Polands Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski made a similar request of the government in Ireland, where large numbers of Polish children also live. Theresa May (right) and Polish prime minister Beata Szydlo (left) laid wreaths yesterday during a visit to the Polish War Memorial near RAF Northolt in north west London Almost 700,000 pupils in Britain one in 15 nationally have a parent who is a citizen of another European country. The number has more than doubled since 2007. JUNCKER'S FEARS OF MORE 'BREXITS' Jean-Claude Juncker has urged EU leaders not to hold referendums because he fears their voters will choose to leave like Britain. The European Commission presidents comment came as Austrias far-right presidential hopeful Norbert Hofer promised to hold an EU vote if elected on Sunday. Asked about the Freedom Party candidates referendum pledge, Mr Juncker told Euronews: I think it is not wise to organise this kind of debate, not only because I might be concerned about the final result but because this will pile more controversy on to the huge number already present at the heart of the EU. Mr Juncker, who has faced blame for the Brexit vote, insisted the existence of the EU is not in doubt. He also dismissed far-right leader Marine Le Pens chances of being elected French president, saying: This is a hypothesis that I do not think will come to pass. And asked if Britain would be punished over Brexit, Mr Juncker said: I am not looking for revenge. Advertisement Of those school-aged children who arrive in Britain from EU countries, the highest number come from Poland, followed by Germany and Lithuania. The two Prime Ministers said they had enjoyed excellent talks at the special summit in London. Mrs May added that she was seeking an early deal to allow Polish citizens and those from the remainder of the EU to stay in this country following Brexit. But she said that, until the rest of the EU had agreed to protect the rights of Britons living abroad, the deal could not be signed off. Mrs May declared: We are two leaders determined to make the most of the relationship between our countries. I firmly believe that if we all approach Brexit in the same constructive and positive manner, then we can secure the right outcome for the United Kingdom and for our European neighbours too. She confirmed plans to send 150 British troops to Poland to help deter Russian aggression in Europe. They will be deployed in April close to the Polish border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Mrs Szydlo stressed that there had been no negotiations over Brexit during the Downing Street talks. Theresa May is hoping the fate of the large Polish community in Britain weighs heavily on Beata Szydlo and she might support Britain's position during the Brexit talks These would be a matter for the UK and the EU, and would be initiated only when Article 50 was tabled, she said. But the Polish leader said that Warsaw would insist on reciprocity in the rights and privileges accorded to UK citizens in Europe and EU citizens in Britain. Mrs Szydlo added that she hoped Brexit would result in new relations between Britain and its former EU partners based on mutual trust. She also thanked the UK for its response to very sad alleged hate crimes against Poles after the Brexit vote, including the killing of Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow, Essex. The Polish PM said: I would also like to thank you for the support given by the British Government to those members of the Polish community who have suffered after the very sad incident in hate crimes in the United Kingdom. You reacted immediately and we continue working together in order to make sure that the Polish community is safe. The wife of convicted murderer and rapist Gary Reginald Dubois has refused to believe her husband was responsible for the deaths of the McCulkin family. On Monday, Dubois, 69, was found guilty of raping and murdering sisters Vicki, 13, and Leanne McCulkin, 11, and of the manslaughter of their mother, Barbara, 34. He was also found guilty of deprivation of liberty after a two-week-long trial in Brisbane's Supreme Court. But his wife Jan Dubois has cast out claims her husband was held accountable over the 1974 cold case that rocked Queensland for more than four decades. Scroll down for video The wife (pictured Jan Dubois) of convicted killer Gary Reginald Dubois has refused to believe her husband was responsible over the brutal murders of the McCulkin family Barbara McCulkin (far left) and her two daughters Leanne (centre) and Vicki (far right) 'I'd know after all these years,' Mrs Dubious told 9NEWS. 'Some of the things he's been accused of doing, with this crime, I'd know if he was capable of it. 'He's not capable of that.' When asked if she believed her husband of more than 40 years was a killer, she simply said: 'No, not a chance. [I] wouldn't be with him.' Convicted killer Gary Reginald Dubois (pictured) has pleaded guilty of raping and murdering the two young girls and the manslaughter of their mother The McCulkin family home in Highgate Hill in Brisbane where the three women were last seen Jan Dubois, wife of Garry Dubois, leaving the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday The married couple have been in a relationship since the day Ms McCulkin and her two daughters vanished from their Highgate Hill home. Earlier this week, a jury found Dubious guilty of murdering the McCulkin family and raping the two young girls. Their bodies were never found. The grieving family of the McCulkins broke down in tears after the verdict was read out as Dubois' wife, Jan, shook her head 'no' in disbelief. Ministers faced an angry backlash today after publishing a watered down version of their crackdown on corporate governance rules that are designed to prevent a repeat of the BHS pensions scandal. Business secretary Greg Clark launched a series of boardroom reforms aimed at 'better protecting employees, customers and pension fund recipients from mismanagement in large private companies'. Government sources said the move would strengthen 'the voice and role of pension fund beneficiaries' during takeover talks but details of how any new regime might work remain vague. Workers' representatives accused Theresa May of backing away from employer representation in the boardroom and dismissed today's proposals as 'disappointing'. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'This is not what Theresa May promised... and will not do enough to shake up corporate Britain'. The Government also faced criticism from businesses, which expressed concern over plans to force firms to publish the ratio between the pay of chief executives and ordinary workers. Workers' representatives accused Theresa May, pictured leaving No. 10, left, of backing away from worker representation in the boardroom after Business Secretary Greg Clark, pictured in Whitehall, right, unveiled the plans today and dismissed them as 'disappointing' BHS stores, like this one in Harrow, north west London, closed down all over the country this year. Sir Philip sold BHS to serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell for 1 in March last year The move is designed to curb fat cat pay and Mrs May said the measures set out in the Green Paper published today are designed to restore the reputation of British business, which has been damaged by 'the behaviour of a limited few' in recent years. She said the role of business in the economy should be 'celebrated and supported'. But she added: 'We have, however, seen an irresponsible minority of privately-held companies acting carelessly leaving employees, customers and pension fund beneficiaries to suffer when things go wrong. 'So we will explore ways to improve and extend good governance across big business so that everybody plays by the same rules and we create an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.' AT A GLANCE: FOUR PLANS TO IMPROVE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Among the options for change set out by Business Secretary Greg Clark in the House of Commons today were: Transparency on top pay, with companies required to publish the scale of disparity between chief executive pay and that of average staff members; Binding votes on executive pay by shareholders; The establishment of advisory panels or the appointment of designated non-executive directors to speak for workers and consumers on boards; The extension of governance rules covering publicly-listed companies to include the largest privately-owned firms. Advertisement But Labour's shadow business secretary Clive Lewis said the Government's plan to improve corporate governance would not have stopped the scandals that took place at BHS and Sports Direct. He said he was not wholly convinced the package outlined by ministers would have prevented 'the corporate governance scandals that have plagued the last summer'. Mr Clark replied by insisting that BHS and Sports Direct were two bad examples of an area where British businesses have a strong record overall. The move on pensions will be seen as a response to the situation at BHS, which went bust in June with a pensions deficit of 571 million, just a year after it was sold by Sir Philip Green for 1. Sir Philip, who has been dubbed 'Sir Shifty', is now under mounting pressure to make good the deficit from his private fortune. MPs have even called for Sir Philip's 100 million superyacht Lionheart to be seized to help plug the black hole. Sir Philip sold BHS to serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell for 1 in March last year. Sir Philip Green (left) chats with Boris Johnson (right) at a party in London in 2010. Sir Philip has since been dubbed Sir Shifty MPs heard evidence the pension fund's trustees opposed the sale, warning it would be 'materially detrimental', but were unable to halt the deal. Sir Philip insists he did not foresee the problems that led to the collapse of the firm just over a year later with the loss of 11,000 jobs, and has offered to fill part of the black hole. Today's move is part of long-awaited government proposals designed to improve public confidence in big business. Ministers have watered down plans to require firms to put workers on boards. But Mrs May will press ahead with the idea of forcing companies to put employees on pay scrutiny committees. Greg Clark (pictured) will launch a series of boardroom reforms today Business leaders would also have to publish pay ratios between executives and ordinary staff in a bid to curb excessive salaries and bonuses at the top. Number Ten said the aim was to address public concern with 'corporate greed'. However, ministers have had to spend recent days fending off suggestions that the ideas had been borrowed from ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband, who unveiled similar policies ahead of the last election. At the time, Mr Miliband was savaged by Chancellor George Osborne who accused him of creating an 'anti-business culture'. Mrs May promised action to curb excess pay during her Tory leadership campaign. Earlier this month, she hit out at company bosses who 'game the system' and warned the 'reputation of business as a whole is being undermined'. Today's package also includes giving shareholders the power to veto the pay deals of business leaders in an annual binding vote. Large private companies would for the first time be subject to a formal code overseen by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). This would mean they are subject to the same regime that applies to publicly listed businesses. The morning-after pill should be sold in shops for no more than 10, according to Britains largest abortion clinic. And the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) also wants the law changed so women can buy the contraceptive without having a consultation beforehand. Currently, the morning-after pill can only be bought from chemists after women have been taken aside by a pharmacist and have answered a series of sensitive questions. The morning-after pill should be sold in shops for no more than 10, according to Britains largest abortion clinic Many find this judgmental and embarrassing as they are quizzed about their sex life and health sometimes within earshot of other customers. Then, even if they are offered the pill, it costs 30 five times more than in other European countries. The charity describes this as the ultimate sexist surcharge and is calling for it to be widely available for no more than 10. Although it can be obtained for free from GP surgeries and family planning clinics, many women cannot get an appointment quickly enough. An investigation by the Mail earlier this year exposed how the morning-after pill was being sold on eBay by foreign touts for as little as 5. An investigation by the Mail earlier this year exposed how the morning-after pill was being sold on eBay by foreign touts for as little as 5 However, critics say making it cheaply available in shops will encourage casual sex and lead to it being overused. There is little research on its long-term harms if used repeatedly and it offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. It can cause sickness, abdominal pain, headaches and dizziness and may also react with other medications, rendering it ineffective at preventing pregnancy. In rare cases the pill can lead to an ectopic pregnancy which can be fatal for the woman and the unborn child. The pill works in two ways by preventing the release of the egg and by irritating the lining of the womb, so the foetus cannot implant itself. Pro-life campaigners claim it is a form of abortion especially as some pills now work five days after unprotected sex. But BPAS wants to bring the UK in line with the USA and other European countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden and Norway. It is particularly concerned about women in their thirties and forties who are avoiding the pill on the assumption they are far less fertile than in their twenties. Ann Furedi, chief executive, said: It is utterly stupid that we have made a medication which gives women a second chance of avoiding an unwanted pregnancy so hard to obtain. There is no financial justification for the high price of this pill, nor clinical reason for a consultation before it can be sold. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) also wants the law changed so women can buy the contraceptive without having a consultation beforehand Its time to ditch what is the ultimate sexist surcharge and put emergency contraception where it belongs on the shelf, at a price women can afford. But Patricia Morgan, a family policy researcher said: It will just encourage casual sex and a general lack of responsibility. Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust charity, said: With no questions asked about previous medical history or previous use of the drug, there is a very real danger that it could be misused or overused. The health risks to women who use the morning-after pill repeatedly over a period of time are not known. A Department of Health spokesman said: Emergency contraception is available free of charge from GPs, sexual health clinics and from some community pharmacies. We are clear it is only for use in emergencies and we have no plans to change the system. Research has shown that 30 per cent of women aged 16 to 46 have had unprotected sex in the past 12 months and only a third used the morning-after pill. Holiday goers suffering from a debilitating hangover in Bali after a wild night of partying can now have nurses visit their hotels directly to hook them up to vitamin drips. The Dose Bali is one of a number of businesses that have recently popped up on the party island to offer tourists a vitamin concoction labelled as a 'Hangover Cure'. Registered Balinese nurses and doctors bring their own equipment and travel to the customer's hotel to administer the intravenous injection as they lounge by a pool. Treatments range in cost from $90 up to $200, and can take anywhere from 30-70 minutes depending on the how quickly your veins can suck up the saline solution. Hangover Cure: Holiday goers in Bali feeling rough after a night out on the town are turning to IV therapy to clear their heavy heads A number of businesses on the holiday island offer the service - sending out registered nurses to administer the intravenous injection while patients recline inside the comfort of their hotel Naomi Slater, from The Dose Bali, told Daily Mail Australia that 'The Ultimate' hangover cure was filled with countless vitamins and nutrients. 'That one has 1 litre of fluid to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes, Vitamin B (this is especially helpful for people who experience anxiety with their hangovers), vitamin C, and glutathione, an antioxidant which helps detoxify and support the liver, along with a host of other benefits,' she explained. She said her business typically experienced a surge in customers the day after a festival or party in Seminyak, and had started taking bookings for groups recovering from wedding receptions or hens and bucks party. IV Therapy is not just limited to miracle hangover cures either. The Dose Bali also offers an anti-aging detox and active fitness recovery package - along with dengue fever and food poisoning recovery drips. '(The anti-aging) is popular with people on retreats and looking for an extra wellness boost while in Bali, and also with local expats who like the energy pick me up,' Ms Slater said. These four women show off their arms after receiving a vitamin fix from The Dose Bali Registered Balinese nurses and doctors bring their own equipment and do a thorough health check prior to administering the saline solution Simone Rogers, a regular at The Dose Bali who owns a medical spa in Nusa Dua, told Daily Mail Australia she had used the service to fix hangovers in the past. 'They are a really good, safe and effective way to get hydrated and some of the B and C vitamins, electrolytes and other things you need straight into your body.' She said she was organising a major New Year's Eve event and had arranged for the entire crew including international DJs to have IV treatment the day before the party. 'Like getting your hair and makeup done before an event why not get your body hydrated and revitalised,' she said. When the intravenous therapy burst onto the scene in Australia at the end of 2015, the Australian Medical Association were quick to warn of its medical dangers. The AMA's vice president Dr Stephen Parnis told news.com.au that vitamin drips were a 'total waste of time and money' and had potential to cause serious damage. 'The harm most commonly caused would be from the unnecessary injection of a cannula into someone's vein,' Dr Parnis said. 'They can cause clots, infections and can potentially damage adjacent structures like an artery or a nerve. But mostly this is just giving people vitamins they don't need and you excrete most of them through urine anyway.' Tourists in Bali can select from a number of treatments, including a hangover cure, anti-aging detox or with dengue fever and food poisoning recovery drips Naomi Slater, from The Dose Bali, said the hangover cure was filled with countless vitamins and nutrients But the Australian Medical Association warned that IV therapy was not backed by research In February, iv.me Hydration Clinics' centre in Sydney was temporarily shut down by NSW Health after a patient reportedly ended up in hospital with abdominal pains. Dr Harvey said there was 'no good evidence that taking things like vitamin C orally or intravenously is going to do anything for your hangover'. But Ms Slater firmly disagreed, stressing that one of the original IVs her business used had a body of research behind it and has been in use for almost 50 years. 'If someone has food poisoning or Dengue, what we deliver to them in their home would likely be similar to the treatment they'd receive in hospital,' she said. 'IV therapy is an emerging field and one we believe will become more accepted by the medical critics as more studies proving the benefits emerge.' Ms Rogers agreed, saying: 'A doctor and nurse do a thorough check up prior and all is done hygienically and there is nothing in the solution that is harmful.' North Dakota's Governor Jack Dalrymple has ordered Dakota Access pipeline protesters to evacuate North Dakota's Governor Jack Dalrymple has ordered an emergency evacuation of Dakota Access pipeline protesters, citing harsh winter conditions. The Republican governor signed the order on Monday commanding protesters to leave the US Army Corps of Engineers land in Morton County. Just three days ago, Colonel John Henderson said anyone found north of the Cannonball River after December 5 could be prosecuted with trespassing. The governor's order didn't say what action would be taken for protesters who don't comply, and a spokesman for Dalrymple didn't immediately respond. The executive order cited winter conditions, 'unsuitable dwellings', and lack of permanent sanitation as several reasons for the emergency evacuation. Dalrymple also reiterated the Corps' inability to provide emergency, medical, and fire personnel, in addition to law enforcement services. He wrote: 'It is the responsibility of the state to assist citizens and visitors to North Dakota in addressing the emergencies, disasters, and other hardships...in the best interest of public safety.' While authorities have 'no plans to forcibly remove' Dakota Access oil pipeline protesters near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier's said he wouldn't 'allow people to become unlawful.' The executive order cited winter conditions, 'unsuitable dwellings' and safety concerns as several reasons for the emergency evacuation (pictured, the Oceti Sakowin camp on Monday) The Republican governor signed the order on Monday commanding protesters to leave the US Army Corps of Engineers land in Morton County Kirchmeier, who has been leading the response to the protests has taken what has been controversial - and some say overly aggressive - action against demonstrators. 'We are just not going to allow people to become unlawful,' said Kirchmeier, a veteran of the North Dakota Highway Patrol and National Guard who was elected to his first term as sheriff about two years ago. 'It's just not going to happen.' The Corp took a softer tone, saying it was 'seeking a peaceful and orderly transition to a safer location,' the statement said. 'This will reduce the risk of harm to people in the encampments caused (by) the harsh North Dakota winter conditions.' Hundreds of people have been gathered at the Oceti Sakowin camp (pictured) for months to oppose the four-state, $3.8 billion project Pictured, protesters against the pipeline stand on a burned-out truck that they removed from a long-closed bridge last Sunday Organizers said they had to right to remain on the land after the Corp of Engineers said they would close off land above the Cannonball River after December 5 Last month, the Corps said it would not evict the encampment, which started as overflow from smaller private and permitted protest sites nearby and began growing in August. The letter, dated on Friday, however, states the closure is necessary to protect the general public from violent confrontations between protesters and authorities. It also says that the area does not have necessary first responder services or facilities to protect people from illness, injury or death during North Dakota's harsh winter months. The letter said 'no member of the general public' will be allowed on the land without the possibility of being prosecuted for trespassing. A free speech zone will be set up south of the river. One protest organizer Dallas Goldtooth said it was unlikely that people will follow Friday's government directive, since protesters have been building shelters and teepees to prepare for the winter. Goldtooth also said the government's request will escalate already rocky tensions, calling the directive 'an atrocious example that colonization has not ended for us here as indigenous people.' Hundreds of people have been gathered at the Oceti Sakowin camp for months to oppose the four-state, $3.8 billion project. The final segment of the pipeline, which is supposed to pass under a Missouri River reservoir, has been delayed while the Corps consults with the tribe, who believe the project could harm drinking water and Native American cultural sites. Above the Cannonball River is the Oceti Sakowin camp, where hundreds have gathered for months. Protest organizer Dallas Goldtooth said people were preparing to face the winter Ice users will have their children taken away from them if they fail new mandatory drug tests in Queensland. Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman announced the new testing regime on Tuesday after the shocking death of Caboolture toddler Mason Jet Lee. Under the plan, parents who enter into an Intervention with Parental Agreement (IPA) order with child safety authorities must submit to being drug tested by GPs. Scroll down for video Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman announced the new testing regime on Tuesday after the shocking death of Caboolture toddler Mason Jet Lee (pictured) Under the plan, parents who enter into an Intervention with Parental Agreement (IPA) order with child safety authorities must submit to being drug tested by GPs (stock photo) If parents fail those tests or miss them, at-risk kids will be removed and put in foster care. The tests won't be limited to ice but the drug is central to the policy with the minister saying it presents a major challenge for child safety officers. Mason was the subject of an IPA before the 21-month-old boy died at the home of his stepfather, William Andrew O'Sullivan, who is facing a manslaughter charge. O'Sullivan is accused of inflicting a fatal blow to the boy's abdomen that ruptured his small intestine and a court has been told the child died in agony over several days. Mason was found cold and stiff at O'Sullivan's Caboolture home, where nappies full of blood were also located. Mason's mother, Ann Maree Lee, and O'Sullivan's housemate Ryan Hodson are also accused of manslaughter for failing to seek treatment for the boy. Ms Fentiman did not mention Mason's case in announcing the drug testing regime, it is reportedly part of the government's response to the case. His mother Anne-Maree Lee, 27, (left) and her former partner William Andrew O'Sullivan, 37, (right) have been charged with manslaughter along with Ryan Robert Barry Hodson, 17 Mason Jet Lee (pictured) who suffered 'head to toe' injuries including a ruptured intestine was taken to McDonald's for burgers instead of the hospital at 3am just days before he died The minister said the testing regime would give child safety officers another tool to help keep at-risk kids safe. 'If the information suggests that there is ice use, and the children are unsafe, we will remove the children,' Ms Fentiman told ABC radio. 'It will be up to the discretion of the child safety officer and it will depend on whether or not there is a history of drug use, or what sort of suspicions we hold.' On Monday, a fourth child safety worker was stood down pending an ethical standards investigation over Mason's death. Ms Fentiman has admitted a 300-page internal report into the child safety department's handling of the case exposed 'serious errors of judgment' on behalf of staff. In addition to the four staff who've been stood down, another nine face disciplinary proceedings. In July, shortly after the toddler's death, government data showed almost two-thirds of child abuse investigations and assessments in Queensland had not taken place within recommended time frames. Michael Howard (pictured), now a peer, lambasted the judiciary for launching an unprecedented 'grab for power' Michael Howard delivered a heartfelt defence of the freedom of the Press saying it would be 'monstrous' for democracy if newspapers were not allowed to criticise judges. The former Tory leader, now a peer, lambasted the judiciary for launching an unprecedented 'grab for power' in which they are increasingly taking legislative decision-making away from Parliament. And he criticised judicial criticism of newspaper coverage of the High Court's controversial Brexit judgment last month, saying: 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.' Three members of the High Court had faced opprobrium for ruling that Theresa May had to hold a vote in Parliament before invoking Article 50, which begins the formal process of leaving the EU. The Mail published a front page headlined: 'Enemies of the People'. Lord Howard also criticised the deputy president of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, for casting further doubt on the Government's plans for Brexit. However, Lady Hale's predecessor Lord Hope rounded on the Press saying its 'vicious personal attacks' could be 'wounding' for judges. The former Supreme Court deputy, whose 2011 judgment that prisoners should be able to vote in elections made David Cameron 'physically sick', insisted that such criticism was 'bad for democracy'. The pair were speaking at an event hosted by the Policy Exchange think-tank. Lord Howard said the independence of the judiciary was paramount, but added that this meant that unlike the Government or the Press, it was accountable to no one. He said: 'The fact that the judiciary is not in any conventional sense accountable to anyone makes it all the more important that it should not in any sense be immune from criticism, however robust. Three members of the High Court had faced opprobrium for ruling that Theresa May (pictured) had to hold a vote in Parliament before invoking Article 50 'I don't often quote with approval the president of the European Court of Justice, but he said in an interview 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen'. I think that is a maxim that we should all take to heart.' The peer criticised Lord Hope's successor as Supreme Court deputy president, Lady Hale, for going public about potential Article 50 legal hitches, saying it was a 'wholly undesirable thing for her to have done'. Inspectors have condemned a prison where it is easier for inmates to obtain drugs than clean clothes or books, saying it is one of the worst they had seen. A scathing report found very high levels of violence at HMP Hindley, near Wigan, with prisoners often locked in their cells 24 hours a day. A survey of prisoners indicated it was far easier to get hold of drugs than clean clothes, bed sheets or books. A scathing report found very high levels of violence at HMP Hindley, near Wigan, with prisoners often locked in their cells 24 hours a day Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said: The regime at Hindley was one of the worst, and possibly the very worst, that inspectors had ever seen in this type of prison. The length of time for which young adults and adults alike were locked up was, in our considered view, unnecessary, unjustifiable and counterproductive. Almost every aspect of prison life for the prisoners was adversely affected by the regime. The Government is facing a furious revolt over dire conditions and overcrowding in the nations prisons. The Government has pledged 2,500 extra prison officers and special measures for vulnerable or mentally ill inmates. File photo Earlier this month up to 10,000 prison officers stopped working in protest at soaring levels of violence and self-harm. They were only forced to call off their walkout after Justice Secretary Liz Truss secured a High Court injunction. Campaigners have also highlighted that a record number of inmates 102 have taken their own lives in prisons in England and Wales so far this year. The warnings came after a string of other high-profile incidents, including the escape of two inmates and the publication of photos of inmates partying behind bars. Officials were shocked by conditions at Hindley Prison, which houses just over 500 category C, low-risk offenders and was built in the 1960s. Residential wings and landings were dirty, with inspectors finding mould and fungus, while prisoners struggled to get access to basic facilities such as showers. The inspectors said locking inmates up for wholly unreasonable lengths of time had not altered the fact that nearly half of prisoners said it was easy to get hold of illegal drugs. New psychoactive substances previously known as legal highs were also found to be a major issue for prison officers trying to maintain order. Mr Clarke said: To make progress, there needs to be a very clear recognition of what is good at Hindley, and also where there needs to be fundamental change. Earlier this month up to 10,000 prison officers stopped working. They were only forced to call off their protest after Justice Secretary Liz Truss, seen with Greg Clark - secured an injunction There is no good reason why Hindley should not become a safe, decent and respectful prison. The Government has pledged 2,500 extra prison officers and special measures for vulnerable or mentally ill inmates. Ministers have also unveiled measures to stop drones dropping drugs into jails and to block the illegal use of mobile phones. Earlier this month the Mail revealed shocking jailfie pictures posted on Facebook by prisoners at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset showing them bragging about steak dinners, downing booze and taking drugs. Raising the national living wage could cause further pain for Britains beleaguered social care sector, a major report warns today. The Low Pay Commission, the official advisory body for ministers, warned that the rise in the living wage presents challenges for employers across the country. But it warned that the social care sector, where workers in care homes are often paid the minimum wage, would be particularly hit. Workers in care homes are often paid the minimum wage and a hike might make the business unprofitable STOCK PHOTO Many care homes are struggling financial and there was considerable anger in the wake of the autumn statement over the Chancellors failure to supply any extra funding. The warning came just as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said ministers should carefully assess the impact of the living wage on jobs before pressing ahead with further rise . The living wage was introduced by former Chancellor George Osborne last year and Philip Hammond, his successor, last week said it would rise from 7.20 an hour to 7.50 an hour in April next year. It is due to head towards 9 an hour by the end of the decade covering around three million workers compared with 1.6 million now. In todays report, the Low Pay Commission, which advises the government on the level of the living wage, says the policy is delivering substantial gains in pay to workers but also presenting challenges for employers. Women, part-timers and younger workers particularly benefited, says commission chairman Sir David Norgrove in the report. This is very welcome, albeit we do not yet know the wider effects. Early data do not so far suggest negative consequences for employment though employers in specific sectors highlight significant pressures. The report warns that care homes are at risk as a result of increased costs at a time when social care budgets are stretched. Pressure is mounting on ministers to find more money for social care some of which could be used to pay higher wages to staff. The living wage was brought in by former Chancellor George Osborne, pictured, but critics say it is unsustainable At the weekend, the ex-Tory Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell said Chancellor Philip Hammond had made a mistake by failing to find extra funds in last weeks autumn statement. The leaders of the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and independent groups of the Local Government Association also warned that the Government could not persist in ignoring the crisis. The OECD also called for caution yesterday before the living wage is increased any further. Caution is needed with the implementation of the policy to raise the national living wage, it said. The effects on employment need to be carefully assessed before any further increases are adopted, especially as growth slows and labour markets weaken. Meanwhile, the Paris-based OECD was also accused of resurrecting Project Fear yesterday after it issued fresh warnings about the havoc Brexit will wreak on the British economy. The group which receives funding from Brussels and backed the Remain camp before the referendum said the UK would be one of the worst performing economies in the G20 by 2018. Critics accused the OECD of being perpetually wrong about the UK economy and said Britain will boom once it has left the European Union. The OECD said it expects output in Britain to rise by just 1.2 per cent in 2017 and 1 per cent in 2018 the weakest two years since 2008 and 2009 when the country was in recession. It seems that the economists at the OECD have learned nothing from their failed predictions of the outcome of the referendum John Longworth, Leave Means Leave Japan is the only G20 economy expected to do worse than the UK in 2018. The forecasts are even more gloomy than those published by the Office for Budget Responsibility in last weeks Autumn Statement. Tory MP John Redwood, a former Cabinet minister, said: They are wrong again. The love getting it wrong. They are perpetually wrong about the UK. 'Everything is up, up, up. Consumer spending, business investment, property prices all up. This is the long shadow of Project Fear. They still havent got over it. They are so out of date. It is embarrassing to watch. The 75-year-old man has been airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne was bitten on the hand and is in a serious A man has been attacked by a shark after catching the 'aggressive' marine predator off a beach in Victoria. Paramedics were called to Queenscliff Marina, on the south western side of Port Phillip Bay, just before 11am following reports of a lone fisherman in his 70s being mauled by a shark. The man drove himself back to shore with serious hand injuries after the one-and-a-half metre sevengill shark latched on to him when he tried to pull it in to his boat, according to Ambulance Victoria. A man has been attacked by a shark after catching the 'aggressive' marine predator off a beach in Victoria He was bitten on the hand by a sevengill shark he caught on Tuesday 'The man was bitten on the hand by a shark which he described as being about five feet (1.5 metres) long,' Ambulance Victoria Senior Paramedic Team Manager Brad Pole said. 'He drove his boat two kilometres back to the marina where paramedics were waiting for him,' he added. The elderly man has been airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition. Sevengill sharks can grow up to three metres and are considered dangerous as they are known to be aggressive when provoked, according to Sharksider. A man was rushed back to Queenscliff Marina (pictured) after being mauled by a shark on Tuesday 'This shark thrashes and snaps when caught, and is often shot to avoid human injury,' the website claimed. However, executive director of Fisheries Victoria Travis Dowling said it is quite rare for fishers to be attacked, particularly in Port Phillip Bay as larger sharks stay off shore. 'We have almost a million Victorians fishing and almost zero reports of shark attacks,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Fishermen are generally very cautious when dealing with sharks and do take precautions to make sure they are released safely or kept in a safe manner.' He did warn that 'any shark can be dangerous' and should be treated with the utmost respect. 'Fishermen need to remember they are large predators and can be quite dangerous if put in the wrong situation.' Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell declared he was unworthy yesterday after receiving an award previously bestowed upon statesmen and scientists who changed the world. The Albert Medal is awarded annually by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) to an individual or organisation for innovation in the fields of creativity, commerce and social improvement. Previous winners have included Winston Churchill, former U.S. president Franklin D Roosevelt, Marie Curie, who discovered polonium and radium through her pioneering study of radiation, and Louis Pasteur, renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination. Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was awarded the Albert Medal for 'tireless campaigning on human rights and social equality' The RSAs official citation for Mr Tatchell says he was awarded it this year for tireless campaigning on human rights and social equality. The 64-year-old has spent decades fighting homophobia and discrimination, often enduring physical attacks for his campaign for equality and free speech. Yesterday Mr Tatchell said: I am honoured but unworthy, given the awesome global achievements of previous winners. I dedicate my acceptance of the Albert Medal 2016 to Southall Black Sisters who have, for 37 years, defended black and ethnic minority women against forced marriage, domestic violence, marital rape, honour killing, slavery, trafficking, female genital mutilation, patriarchy and religious fundamentalism. Tatchell (right) was chosen as a Labour candidate in 1983 but he lost a by-election at Bermondsey, despite the support from Harriet Harman (left) and others These women are heroines of human rights - inspiring role models of courageous feminism and humanitarianism. I salute them. First awarded in 1864, the Albert Medal was created as a memorial to Queen Victorias husband Prince Albert, who had been president of the RSA for 18 years. It was originally given for distinguished merit in promoting arts, manufactures and commerce. Today it acknowledges individuals who contribute to social innovation. Other previous winners include cosmologist Stephen Hawking; Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone; Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the internet; and former Irish President Mary Robinson. From the world of the arts, it has also been awarded to the actor Laurence Olivier, poet John Betjeman, conductor Simon Rattle and violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Several members of the Royal Family have won the Albert Medal, including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the late Queen Mother, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Peter Tatchell (left) with Sir Ian McKellen, unveiling a blue plaque to Tatchell near his home in Elephant & Castle in 2010 Mr Tatchell, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, has been campaigning since he was aged 15 in 1967. He moved to London in 1971. He is the director of his own foundation speaking out for human rights. He is due to be presented with the Albert Medal in a ceremony at the RSA headquarters in central London today. He will then deliver a lecture, titled From the margin to the mainstream, setting out how he has, over the last five decades, helped make the once unpopular cause of LGBT human rights a majority viewpoint. In selecting the winner of the Albert Medal, each year the RSA identifies topical issues that confront modern society by asking the Societys Fellowship to suggest problems or subjects linked to the societys programme. Authorities are looking into Papini's past, including her first marriage Police said they have no reason to doubt the mother-of-two's story Anonymous donor may donate some of the money to help with recovery Ransom money offered for her safe return may now go to the Papini family Police are hunting for two Hispanic women over the kidnapping The ransom money offered for the safe release of a Californian woman who went missing three weeks ago may now go to her family after she was found battered but alive on Thanksgiving Day. Sherri Papini, 34, was discovered badly beaten, restrained and dumped by the side of the road in northern Yolo County, more than 150 miles away from where she last seen in Redding, California, last week. An anonymous donor, operating outside the family and without police help, had offered a $50,000 ransom to her captor for her safe return. It was withdrawn and turned into a $100,000 reward for information on her whereabouts almost 24 hours before she reappeared. Scroll down for video Sherri Papini, 34, was discovered badly beaten and dumped by the side of the road in Yolo County, more than 150 miles away from where she last seen in Redding, California, last week Seeing as the money went unclaimed, part of it may now be given to the Papini family to help support them, the Sacramento Bee reports. Cameron Gamble, a defense contractor who helps with overseas hostage situations, was hired by the anonymous donor to help negotiate. He said the donor still wanted to 'support the family in any way he can to ensure they receive the necessary treatment for their recovery.' Gamble said the amount that could potentially go to Papini and her family was 'really up to him (the donor) at this point.' Papini's family said they had no involvement in the ransom but shared information about it on social media. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said last week he did not believe the ransom played a role in her release. 'There's only one hero in this. It's Sherri Papini. She found the key to stay alive,' Gamble told the Sacremento Bee. The married mother-of-two told investigators she had been abducted by two armed Hispanic women traveling in a dark SUV. Police investigating the kidnapping said they have no reason to doubt her story. She went missing on November 2 while out for a jog near her home, setting off a massive search and a well-publicized social media campaign, which her family have credited with helping bring her back alive. Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko confirmed on Sunday that Papini had been assaulted and suffered injuries that required medical treatment. An anonymous donor who put up ransom money to help find Sherri may now be given to the Papini family to help with their recovery Negotiator Cameron Gamble (pictured) posted a video online saying an anonymous donor had offered ransom money for the safe return of Sherri Papini Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko (left) said on Sunday police have no reason to disbelieve the story of kidnapping victim Sherri Papini, 34 (right), who was found battered and dumped by the side of the road on Thanksgiving Sherri's sister Sheila Koester (left) said her return was the 'most amazing Thanksgiving that our family could ever ask for 'We currently have no reason to disbelieve Sherri Papini's story,' he told ABC News. Bosenko added that his investigators are now looking into Papini's past, including her first marriage and divorce, as well as any online activity. TIMELINE OF SHERRI PAPINI'S KIDNAPPING November 2: Sherri Papini fails to pick up her two children from daycare and is reported missing by her husband Keith November 10: Keith Papini is ruled out as a suspect after passing a lie detector test November 18: The FBI joins the search for Sherri as an anonymous donor offers $50,000 for her return November 23: Cameron Gamble, a local 'negotiator', appears in a video on behalf of the anonymous donor to inform Sherri's captors the ransom was now 'off the table'. Instead it was turned into a $100,000 reward for information November 24: Sherri flags down a passing motorist at the intersection of I-5 and County Road 17 and is taken to hospital Advertisement Authorities have put out 20 warrants requesting access to footage from surveillance cameras in Yolo County and Redding overlooking homes, motels, a church and a business. They also will be reviewing video captured by traffic cameras and sifting through data from cell towers in an effort to piece together what had happened. Officials are still looking for the dark SUV and two Hispanic women. Sheriff Bosenko said that the description was based on 'voice recognition' - suggesting that Papini wasn't able to see her captors. Papini was found at around 4.30am on Thanksgiving Day, bound and left on a rural road near Interstate 5. 'CHP is on scene and advised that she is chained to something,' a radio dispatcher told a responding officer, according to audio obtained by The Sacramento Bee. 'CHP is advising that she is heavily battered.' 'This has been the most amazing Thanksgiving that our family could ever ask for,' Papini's sister, Sheila Koester, said after the woman's return. 'We're all very, very, very excited, very, very relieved and just very thankful for getting our Sherri back.' Sherri Papini (pictured with her husband Keith and their two children) had mysteriously vanished while out jogging near her home in Redding, California, on November 2 Sherri Papini (pictured on her wedding day to Keith in 2012) was found on Thursday at 4.30am 150 miles from her home. Her hands were bound Koester said the huge social media campaign and national news coverage of Sherri's disappearance 'was an intricate part in bringing her home to us'. 'As many of you know Sherri has been returned to our family safely,' she said Friday at a press conference. 'She and Keith have been reunited. 'We appreciate the tremendous support that everyone has given us over the past few weeks and appreciate how respectful people are being to their privacy in allowing all of us to recover from this situation.' She said that the past few weeks had been extremely difficult for the entire family. 'It's been a range of emotions; sadness , anger, right now its just joy, lots and lots of joy.' Koester also read a prepared statement from Keith and Sherri thanking everyone for their support. 'We are overwhelmed with joy over how supportive everyone has been to help bring us together as a family again. Everyone's tireless efforts has made our family whole again this Thanksgiving. 'Your help in keeping this alive in social media and national news was an intricate part in bringing her home to us. We can not thank you enough.' When asked about the 'intricate part' social media played, she would only say that , 'getting her face out there was the best thing anyone could do.' She declined to comment about whether a ransom had been paid or involved in the release of her sister. She also refused to comment on whether they had discussed the traumatic events her sister had faced. Keith and Sherri Papini with children Tyler four and Violet, two, on Halloween this year Koester also thanked the motorist who stopped to help Papini on the side of the road. 'We appreciate that person stopping and helping her,' she said. One motorist posted on a Facebook page dedicated to finding Papini saying that she had seen her at the side of the road but didn't stop. She did call 911. 'I couldn't stop in time to help you this morning but I did pull over and report to police that I saw you by the road and was certain you needed help,' said Alison Sutton. 'I am thankful that someone else was able to pull over safely to help you and that you are safe. God bless you and your family.' 'I don't know that my call helped her,' she wrote in a follow-up post. 'I am very thankful she is safe and back with her family. This is truly a Thanksgiving to remember.' Keith Papini reported his wife missing on November 2 when she failed to pick up their children from daycare. He traced her discarded iPhone to the side of the road about a mile from their home where he found it tossed on the ground with her running 'ear buds'. Keith was later named as a potential person of interest in the case but ruled out when he passed a lie detector test. Ken Papini (with his daughter-in-law Sherri Papini) said the family is 'blown away' by the discovery, but always had 'hope' Sherri would make it back home She went missing on November 2 while out for a jog near her home, setting off a massive search and a well-publicized social media campaign Ken Papini told the DailyMail.com it was a 'miracle' that his daughter-in-law had been safely returned to them Father-in-law Ken Papini said the family was 'blown away' when she was found, but always had 'hope' Sherri would make it back home. 'The whole family came together, then the whole town came together, then the whole of the United States,' he told DailyMail.com in an interview after she was found. 'When that happens miracles happen and something like this, I'm still trying to explain it to myself. It's amazing, crazy, but we never lost hope.' Ken said his son had always believed he'd bring his family back together. Last week, he promised their two children, Tyler four and Violet, two, that 'mommy' would be home by Thanksgiving. 'Of course we all hoped it would come true, you have to have faith,' said Ken. 'But we had planned to have a nice family Thanksgiving and none of us were allowed to mention it, we would only talk about forgiving and thanks. None of us imagined it might actually come true.' Ken added that celebrating the holiday safe in the knowledge that Sherri is safe was 'amazing'. He explained: 'It is amazing and I've got a pretty good trust in that good beats evil and if you keep on and you keep on you get the answers.' Sherri Papini's two children Tyler, 4, and Violet, 2, smile in a photo posted by Keith Papini on Thursday Father-in-law Ken Papini said the family is 'blown away' by the discovery, but always had 'hope' Sherri would make it back home (Keith and Sherri Papini on their wedding day) The 34-year-old resurfaced three weeks after she vanished some 150 miles from her home in Redding (above) Sherri flagged down a passing motorist at the intersection of County Road 17 and I-5 in Woodland near Sacramento (above) Ken shared a photo with DailyMail.com of the loving family at Halloween, taken two days before Sherri vanished. The family, all dressed as cowboys and cowgirls, beamed with happiness. He also shared wedding photos of Sherri and Keith when they were married in August 2012. In the end, the children spent Thanksgiving at Keith's mother Pam's house Pam and Ken are separated. Before the news broke that Sherri, 34, had been found, the family had planned a balloon release on Thanksgiving morning as a symbol of hope for her return. The event was held at an annual Turkey Trot 10km run in Redding. But as dozens of family and friends gathered Ken said everyone was worried because Keith, who had been due to give a speech and read a poem at the event, didn't show. He recalls: 'It wasn't until right after we let the balloons go when we started realizing what was happening, Keith wasn't there and we were all like, "uh oh", maybe the emotions got to him, we all didn't know what to think. The Chattanooga Hamilton County Branch of the NAACP will hold its election for new officers on Tuesday. Guidelines for becoming an officer include: 1. The April 1st rule will apply for anyone wishes to run for office - they must be a member as of April 1, 2016 and affiliated with the branch. 2. Members are encouraged to bring a photo ID and verification of current membership (membership card, receipt, etc.). 3. The nomination process will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Candidates must provide signed consent forms/nominating petition signed by at least three members in good standing, membership effective Tuesday. Members signing the petition should also bring verification of membership and prepared to show ID. 4. No nomination will be accepted after the nomination process is completed, so everyone should be encourage to arrive on time. 5. Voting will take place immediately after the nomination process and conclude at 6:30 p.m. The election will be held at 756 E. MLK, next door to Good Neighbors and Across from Live and Let Live Barber Shop. Members needing a ride to vote should contact President Dr. Elenora Woods at 280-0083 or 316-5727. He was not required to take the stand during his trial and did not 'I suffer brain damage every time I read a dumb comment' he said The 30-year-old had sassy responses to often vitriolic questions All smiles: Gable Tostee with the monster shake he successfully downed earlier this month He didn't take the stand during his trial, but Gable Tostee has begun answering questions from members of the public. The architecture student - cleared of the murder and the manslaughter of his Tinder date - joined a popular Facebook discussion group about his case on Tuesday. Some of the questions posed to Mr Tostee were vitriolic and his replies were often cutting. 'Did your mummy drop you on your head as a baby?' asked one woman. 'No but I suffer brain damage every time I read a dumb comment', Mr Tostee replied. Another punter, referring to Warriena Wright's death, asked: 'You seem to be acting like a smug as*****, soaking in the fame. 'Do you feel bad at all for what happened?' Scroll down for video Tostee, 30, did a tell-all interview over the death of Warriena Wright (right) 'I suffer brain damage every time I read a dumb comment,' Tostee told one punter 'Is it a deal breaker if I don't?' Tostee light-heartedly responds to a question about a balcony 'His mum said he didn't do anything wrong though,' a second person added. Replying to the both of them, Tostee said: 'Hmm so did the Supreme Court..' In another instance, he was asked: 'Do you still have a balcony?' 'Is it a deal breaker if I don't?' he responded. His girlfriend, Lizzi Evans, also joined the discussion - saying she wasn't a Tinder date. 'I am human as are we all and I can be impulsive and quick to jump to the defense of those I care about who can't have a voice either because it upsets me,' she said. Tostee - using his other identity Eric Thomas - answers questions about his recorded conversation with Warriena Wright, who died after plummeting from his 14th floor balcony Some of his replies directly answered questions about the case Members of the Facebook discussion group have long studied every aspect of the Gold Coast man's life. His girlfriend has also copped online abuse. In the weeks since the trial, Tostee has since appeared on 60 Minutes for a reported six-figure fee. He has also been seen getting back into the rhythm of everyday life. That includes winning a competition for downing a cafe's monster milkshake. A Utah repossession agent has pleaded guilty to killing a mother-of-three by forcing her off the road in a high speed pursuit while he was trying to take back her car. Kenneth Drew, 49, pleaded guilty in a Utah court on Monday to the manslaughter of 35-year-old Ashleigh Best back in May. He will likely serve only a year in prison after the prosecution and Mrs Best's family offered a plea agreement to suspend jail time if he pleaded guilty, the Daily Herald reports. Scroll down for video Utah repossession agent Kenneth Drew (left) pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Monday after Ashleigh Best (right) was forced off the road and crashed into a tree in May The prosecution recommended that Drew serve 60 months of probation and then subsequently have his second-degree felony charge downgraded to class A misdemeanor. Mrs Best was killed after crashing into a tree at speeds of at least 70mph in Pleasant Grove, south of Salt Lake City, on May 17. The repo man went to her house after midnight to take her Lincoln Navigator on behalf of a bank because she had fallen behind on title loan payments. Her husband Brennen stepped between Drew's tow truck and the SUV and argued until the repo man agreed to leave the vehicle to allow the couple time to make a payment and return with proof, according to police documents. A short time later, Best got in her SUV and drove away. Her husband told police he had instructed her to drive the SUV to her mother's house. Kenneth Drew, 49, had gone to Mrs Best's house on May 17 to take her SUV on behalf of a bank. Following an argument, the pair engaged in a high speed pursuit Mrs Best was killed after crashing into a tree at speeds of at least 70mph in Pleasant Grove, south of Salt Lake City, on May 17 Drew went to her house but her husband Brennen stood between the tow truck and SUV and argued until the repo man agreed to leave the car to allow the couple time to make a payment Drew later told police he was angry about the deception and sped after her in his tow truck with his girlfriend in the passenger's seat. A neighbor's security camera shows Drew trying to force Best against a curb as both cars accelerated. Prosecutors said Drew drove alongside Mrs Best's SUV, grinding his rear right tire into her door. She jumped the curb and slammed into a tree. Mrs Best died a short time later. Drew claimed he was just following Best to keep an eye on the SUV but investigators said evidence, including pictures and GPS data, showed that wasn't the case. The terms of Drew's sentence will be determined at his next hearing on January 10. A third student has applied to be added to lawsuits filed against Kansas State University that claim the school did not do enough to protect women from rape and sexual assault. The latest accusations allege the school's failure to investigate a rape accusation against a student in 2014 allowed the same alleged assailant to attack a woman in 2015. The accusations were levied in court documents seeking to add the new woman, Crystal Stroup, to a lawsuit filed against the university by Sara Weckhorst in April this year, citing the university's 'deliberate indifference' to reports of student sexual violence off campus. The alleged approach from the school enables potential serial rapists to freely prey on unsuspecting students, the lawsuit alleges. Scroll down for video A third student has applied to join lawsuits filed by Sara Weckhorst (left) and Tessa Farmer (right) against Kansas State University earlier this year, alleging the school did not do enough to protect women from rape and sexual assault The attorney representing the women said they both wanted to be named publicly. 'This case is precisely why a school's responsibility to investigate rape reports is so important - giving an assailant a free pass leaves other students like Crystal at risk,' said Cari Simon, the lawyer representing the women. Jared Ralph Gihring is charged with rape and sodomy in connection with the alleged sexual assault against Stroup, and with rape in the alleged assault of Weckhorst, court documents show. Weckhorst, 21, claims she was attacked on April 26, 2014. She said she was taken by a fraternity member to his truck and attacked, while other students watched the assault take place and filmed it, according to the New York Times. The two lawsuits filed against the school (pictured) claim the students' Title IX rights were violated by the university's refusal to investigate accusations of rapes that occurred off-campus Sara Weckhorst (pictured) filed her lawsuit against the school in April. This week, fellow student Crystal Stroup (not pictured) applied to be added to the suit. Stroup claims she was raped by the same student who allegedly attacked Weckhorst, almost a year after the original claims were made against him She also alleged she was attacked a second time by the same person in a 'sleep room' inside the frat house. The 21-year-old said she was told about the alleged attacks after she woke up several hours later as another fraternity member was raping her. The second unidentified alleged attacker told her she had been 'penetrated by two fraternity brothers on the same day,' the Times reports. Stroup alleges she was raped on October 6, 2015, at an apartment across the street from the K-State campus. She was reportedly with a group of friends when she became intoxicated after inviting Gihring, who lived in the same apartment building, to a party - unaware of the allegations leveled against him. Stroup's roommates left Gihring in charge to watch over her when they went to get food, according to the Kansas City Star. Once the other women had left the apartment, Gihring allegedly attacked Stroup in her bedroom. 'Im devastated that before I was raped, K-State knew this same student had raped Sara but refused to investigate or kick him off campus,' Stroup said in an email to the Star. Kansas State University (left) spokesman Jeff Morris (right) said the university is reviewing the documents to determine its response, adding that it expects 'these issues will be resolved within the legal system' 'Its the ultimate betrayal for a university that is supposed to care about its students and educate the next generation.' Brenda Jordan, Gihring's attorney, declined on Monday to comment about either case while the criminal charges are pending. Gihring posted $25,000 bond in August. His next court appearance in the criminal case is scheduled for Dec. 19 in Riley County District Court. After Gihring's arrest, Kansas State University conducted a 'threat assessment' and expelled him from the university, according to a court filing in the civil case. University spokesman Jeff Morris said the university is reviewing the documents to determine its response, adding that it expects 'these issues will be resolved within the legal system.' A second Title IX lawsuit has also been lodged against the university, with another student claiming she was raped at an off-campus student building. Tessa Farmer, a junior at K-State, alleges she was raped by an unknown student at a frat house on March 6, 2015. Farmer claims she blacked out from drinking too much at a fraternity party and woke up on a bed, as an unknown man was raping her, according to the Times. She became depressed and fearful that, because she did not know the identity of the person who allegedly attacked her, she could be sitting beside him in class. Her complaint against the school states that she slit her wrist as a result, the Times reports. The Somali refugee who unleashed a brutal slashing rampage at the Ohio State University that left 11 injured on Monday, is just 18 years old according to NBC. But with his balding hair, mustache and goatee, Abdul Razak Ali Artan has the appearance of someone who could be much older. Authorities have not yet verified the terror suspect's age - but it is possible pretending to be younger could have helped Artan's immigration status in the US. Artan entered the U.S. in 2014 - when he was around 16, based on current reports of his age. Scroll down for video Abdul Razak Ali Artan has been identified as the Ohio State student who went on a stabbing rampage at the school on Monday, injuring eleven. The student newspaper shared this photo of Artan today. It is from an interview with him earlier this year As a minor, he would have been eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status - if he could persuade a court he was under 18 and abused, neglected, or abandoned by his parents. The Status, one of the faster routes to a green card, and allows for extra benefits, such as having the card application fee waived. On the other hand, as a minor, if his parents had already been granted asylum, they could apply for him to join them as he was unmarried and under the age of 21. However, it could be difficult to verify his true age as he entered the United States as a refugee. Many fleeing persecution in their country are unable to provide legal documentation, which can be seized, withheld or simply never issued in their country of birth. But others can withhold their details for another reason altogether. Unlike the UK, which pledged to resettle thousands of refugee children in the face of the growing crisis in Europe, the U.S. is not bound to accept displaced young people. Across the pond, that pledge has come under fire from critics who say it is being abused by adult refugees pretending to be minors to enter the country. The Somalia refugee mowed down a crowd of innocent bystanders at the university before slashing at them with a knife (pictured is the scene) A knife-wielding man, named as Artan, was killed on Monday after going on a rampage at the Ohio State University. Above, a body is seen on the campus The situation started outside Watts Hall on the school's Columbus campus, just before 10am on Monday Yet it can still pay off to be considered a minor when seeking asylum in the United States. If a family member has been granted asylum, they are allowed up to two years to apply for asylum for their spouse and children - as long as their kids are unmarried and under the age of 21. Anyone over that age would have to apply independently for asylum. That means the applicant would not only have to prove a 'well-founded fear of persecution in his own country based... on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.' They would also have to fall under the strict refugee cap imposed by Congress every year. Alan Harujko, 28, (pictured) is the officer that shot the knife-wielding attacker dead In the face of the international refugee crisis last year, President Obama announced he was increasing the cap from 70,000 in 2015, to 85,000 this year, and up to 100,000 by 2017. But in 2014, the cap had remained at just 70,000 - with almost the exact same amount of refugees admitted as the cap number - suggesting that at least some who applied were not granted asylum. Another benefit of entering the U.S. as a 'young' refugee means that someone entering without family could be eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. The status, which is declared in court by state - so typically classes a minor as someone under the age of 18 - is open to minors who were abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. Juvenile Status is one of the faster routes to a green card and allows for extra benefits, such as having the card application fee waived, according to NOLO. Typical grounds for inadmissibility, such as not having entered the U.S. legally, do not matter for Special Immigrant Juveniles. Once granted, a Special Immigrant Juvenile can apply for their siblings to come to the United States, but has one drawback is that they can never apply for their parents. There are currently estimated to be more than 100,000 Somalian refugees living in the United States. There has been a small trickle of Somalia immigrants into the United States since the 1920s. But numbers exploded during the 1990s when a bloody civil way broke out after rival factions toppled Siad Barre's regime in 1991. The United States had a tight cap on the numbers of refugees until President Obama announced he was increasing the numbers incrementally to 100,000 by 2017 Since then, news agencies report there have been half a million casualties and more than 1.1 million people have been displaced by the brutal war which has raged for more than two decades. Between 2013 and 2015 alone, the United States has accepted more than 25,000 Somalian refugees. It appears Artan entered the country in 2014 as one of 9,000 Somalian refugees - the highest Somalian influx in the past three years. He'd originally left Somalia with his family for Pakistan . He later came to America in 2014 where he gained legal permanent status. Refugees must apply for asylum within their first year in the United States. Following a year in the U.S. they are offered the opportunity to apply for a Green Card. After five years, they can apply for citizenship. Somalians were the third most commonly accepted refugees by America in 2014, making up 12.9 per cent of overall refugees, after Iraq and Burma. That same year was in the midst of the international refugee crisis, as the number of people displaced or fleeing persecution in their own countries hit an unprecedented 59.5 million, according to estimates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. There were also more than 1.2 million asylum seekers worldwide. Australia's most wanted terrorist Neil Prakash apparently fled Iraq because he was a 'coward' who couldn't handle bomb attacks led by the Iraqi army. Amarnath Amarasingam, who co-directs a study of western foreign fighters at Canada's University of Waterloo, says the claim was made by an Islamic State fighter to him during a recent online chat. Melbourne-born Islamic State fighter Prakash, 25, was believed to have been killed during a bomb attack on Mosul, an ISIS stronghold in Iraq's north, in April. Scroll down for video Australia's most wanted terrorist Neil Prakash apparently fled Iraq because he was a 'coward' who couldn't handle bomb attacks led by the Iraqi army But the IS recruiter was recently arrested in Turkey after having crossed the border using fake identity documents. Amarasingam used Twitter to post a transcript of his conversation with the unnamed IS fighter, who said Prakash 'couldn't handle war anymore' and had left ISIS. 'He is a westerner after all,' the IS fighter wrote. The IS fighter said he had heard speculation that part of Prakash's decision to flee was because he was part of the extreme hazimi sect within ISIS that is made up of followers of Saudi cleric Ahmed al-Hazimi. 'But the main thing is cowardice... facing airstrikes is not easy,' he said. Prakash has been linked to a failed Melbourne plot to behead a police officer on Anzac Day last year and Numan Haider, an 18-year-old who was killed after stabbing two police officers a year earlier. Australian authorities are hoping to have him extradited from Turkey to face court on home soil. But Australia may have to wait in line as intelligence agencies in the European Union, United States and Israel make their case to question Prakash. Amarnath Amarasingam, who co-directs a study of western foreign fighters at Canada's University of Waterloo, says the claim was made by an Islamic State fighter to him during a recent online chat Neil Prakash was burned and disfigured by the targeted drone strike at his hide-out in Iraq, but was not killed as initially reported Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has previously described Prakash as the most senior Australian operator in IS. He had been an effective propagandist and recruiter for ISIS, having been a regular at the Al-Furqan centre in Melbourne's south before leaving for Syria in 2013. Fairfax Media reported Prakash's use of social media to communicate with other foreign fighters in recent months could have led to his arrest in Turkey. He was unaware Australian spies and U.S. intelligence agencies were on the case, and tracked him through his social media posts for seven months before his arrest. Authorities may have known he was alive since June, but kept quiet so they could effectively track his social media activity. Australian and Turkish officials were waiting for him at the border and captured him at gunpoint earlier this month. In June, online 'chatter' alerted spies that Prakash was still alive. Prakash - who used the name Abu Khaled Al-Cambodi - is not believed to have been travelling alone, and may have been with his Indonesian-born wife. He was unaware Australian spies and U.S. intelligence agencies were on the case, and tracked him for seven months before his arrest Most high-profile terrorists are killed in targeted drone strikes, like the one that struck his hide-out in April. It is extremely rare to be captured alive. Australia has put in a formal extradition request for the man, a spokesperson for the Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, said on Saturday. 'An individual we believe to be Neil Prakash has been arrested and detained in Turkey,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'The arrest of the person we believe is Prakash is the result of close collaboration between Australian and Turkish authorities.' Jacinta Carroll, director of the Counter Terrorism Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, believes it likely Australia will be given priority to prosecute the militant, given his influence and links to attacks here. He was arrested by Turkish authorities several weeks ago after being contacted by Australian officials who believed they had intelligence he was planning to enter the country. Prakash, who left Melbourne in 2013, had also appeared in IS propaganda videos and magazines. Many countries want a piece of Prakash's arrest. The U.S., Australia, UK, Turkey and Israel are all seeking to interrogate the former Buddhist Prakash could inspire and radicalise inmates if he is extradited to Australia, counter-terrorism experts say. If he returns to Australia, he will most likely be kept in maximum security at the Goulburn Supermax or a new anti-terror facility in Sydney's Long Bay Correctional Centre, ABC News reported. Dr Clarke Jones, an expert on prison radicalisation at the Australian National University, told the ABC that Prakash would be able to influence other inmates as prisons breed extremism. 'It could be more of a risk bringing him back and putting him into our facility. Trying to manage someone like that is going to be extremely problematic,' Dr Jones said. Counter-terrorism expert Dr Leah Farrell told ABC that Prakesh would have valuable information on local and international terrorist networks. 'The western jihadis' tended to coalesce together, and the particular 'working group' that he associated with was involved in some efforts to incite people to carry out attacks in a number of countries,' Dr Farrall said. Their arrival on brisk icy winds typically heralds the start of the first cold snap of winter. But hundreds of the Russian Bewicks swan have arrived in Britain much later than normal, suggesting we could be in for a shorter and milder winter. Every year flocks of Bewicks swans make the 2,500-mile migration from their breeding grounds in north-west Siberia to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. Hundreds of the Russian Bewicks swan have arrived in Britain much later than normal, suggesting we could be in for a shorter and milder winter. Pictured one with a transmitter on its back Thanks to an unusually mild autumn, the first swan touched down on 3 November a couple of weeks later than normal and around 60 have trickled in since then, with 10 arriving this weekend. November arrivals have only been recorded six times in the 50 years that the graceful birds have been studied. The last time they arrived this early was in 2014 an unseasonably mild winter and before then in 1981. Last year the swans made their earliest ever arrival in early October. November arrivals have only been recorded six times in the 50 years with last time in 2014 Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust spokeswoman Melanie Jones said: The mild weather across northern Europe so far this year has seen a steady influx of arrivals. But this weekend has seen the highest influx. We are expecting some 30,000 migrating winter birds here this year. The swans arrival came as forecasters warned of a cold snap that could last until the weekend. Yesterday the Met Office said temperatures could drop as low as -6C (21F) in rural areas overnight. Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: Theres an area of high pressure that has developed across most of the UK over the weekend and that is due to stick around for the rest of the week... Most places will stay dry until the weekend when there will be a slight risk of rain. But the swans arrival came as forecasters warned of a cold snap that could last until the weekend The Bewicks, the smallest and rarest members of the swan family, live on remote Siberian marshlands and estuaries during the summer. They migrate West in the winter on cold, easterly winters to flee freezing temperatures. They normally arrive at Slimbridge in a steady stream between October and January and have been migrating there every winter for 60 years. Adult birds teach their cygnets the route. As well as Slimbridge, the birds can be spotted around the Severn estuary. The Ouse and Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire, and Martin Mere, Lancashire, are also good places to see them. Thousands of stroke patients are at risk due to poor care in NHS hospitals, a series of reports reveal today. An alarming shortage of specialist consultants and registered nurses, insufficient staffing at weekends and unacceptable delays in treatment are leaving patients at risk of permanent injury or even death. Meanwhile, nearly 9,000 patients a year are missing out on the latest lifesaving treatment, experts have calculated. Around half of all hospitals have the recommended number of nurses on stroke wards STOCK PHOTO Stroke care has dramatically improved over the last decade, with the creation of a network of specialist units across the country. But health campaigners last night said these advances could be reversed if health ministers do not take control. Three major reports into stroke care reveal today: Only 51 percent of hospitals have the recommended number of nurses on stroke wards, a figure that drops to 20 per cent at weekends; 40 percent of stroke services have at least one unfilled stroke consultant post - up from 26 percent in 2014; In 28 percent of services patients go for days at a time without seeing a consultant, despite guidelines that say each ward should have a daily specialist round seven days a week; 53 percent of patients wait more than an hour to receive vital scans after they arrive at hospital - and 10 per cent wait more than 12 hours; Only 600 patients each year in Britain receive a mechanical thrombectomy - a cutting edge procedure which clears clots in the brain. Up to 9,750 could benefit from the treatment. The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme - an official audit of stroke services commissioned by the NHS - warned that staffing issues were a concern. Today it publishes two annual reports - one into staffing levels and one into patient outcomes. A third report - a study of mechanical thrombectomy led by Oxford University and presented at the UK Stroke Forum Conference in Liverpool - reveals that the best treatments are not being made available to enough patients. An estimated 150,000 people have a stroke each year in Britain. A quarter die within a year, and of the survivors, half are left with long-lasting disability, which can include paralysis, speech problems and personality changes. Professor Pippa Tyrrell, who runs the audit programme at the Royal College of Physicians on behalf of the NHS, said: Stroke care has improved beyond recognition in the last 20 years. Patients are almost routinely being admitted to specialist stroke units where, in general, they receive high quality care, they stay in hospital for a very much shorter period of time, and are often discharged to early supported discharge services where rehabilitation continues at home. But she added: There is still a great deal to be done to ensure that everyone with acute stroke gets the evidence-based care that they need, and that they and their carers feel well supported. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, welcomed the progress made in recent years. But she added: These latest figures reveal a worrying postcode lottery of stroke care. In some areas, stroke patients still wait over 12 hours for a vital brain scan. When people are denied swift treatment, such as brain scans, their recoveries are put at risk. The figures also lay bare an alarming shortage of stroke consultants and specialist nurses. This shortage must be urgently addressed. She called on the Government to draw up a major new strategy for stroke care, on the same model of the Cancer Taskforce published to deal with poor survival for cancer patients in the UK last year. Without a stroke strategy in place, the progress weve made in stroke care will be lost, Mrs Bouverie said. As a minimum, there should be 2.4 higher grade nurses for every 10 stroke beds - but only 51 per cent of hospitals currently meet this target. On weekends, there should be at least three registered nurses on duty per 10 stroke beds, but only 20 per cent hit this target. Thrombectomy - where surgeons use a stent on the end of a wire to carefully remove blockages from the brain - is only available in a limited number of units and only on weekdays. It is proven to save lives, especially in major strokes where clot-busting drugs cannot remove the blockage. A new study published today suggests up to 9,750 could benefit from the procedure - yet only 600 currently receive it. We are committed to improving support for stroke survivors to ensure the same access to care, seven days a week Department of Health Professor Tony Rudd, national clinical director for stroke at NHS England, said: These latest findings acknowledge the continued improvements in NHS stroke care which is now at record levels, along with survival rates. Stroke mortality has fallen by 46 per cent since 1990 and we will continue to work closely with hospitals and others to further build on this success. A Department of Health spokesman said: We are committed to improving support for stroke survivors to ensure the same access to care, seven days a week. Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled it was not in the public's interest His licence was denied in February by tribunal The Bachelorette winner Sasha Mielczarek's father has lost his appeal against a tribunal's decision earlier this year to deny his tattoo licence because of his connections to the Rebels bikie club. Aleksander Gustav Mielczarek, also known as Sasha Snr, was denied a licence during a Civil and Administrative Tribunal for NSW hearing in February, preventing him from working in his two tattoo parlours. Mr Mielczarek, 53, was thrown into the spotlight when his son Sasha became a national celebrity last year after winning Sam Frost's heart on The Bachelorette, beating out 14 other would-be suitors. The Bachelorette winner Sasha Mielczarek's father (pictured) lost his appeal this week against a tribunal's decision to deny his tattoo licence because of his connections to the Rebel bikie club Mr Mielczarek, 53, was thrown into the spotlight when his son Sasha (pictured) became a national celebrity last year after winning Sam Frost's (pictured) heart on The Bachelorette The tribunal's decision was made after NSW Police said Mr Mielczarek's links to outlaw motorcycle gangs meant it was not in the public's interest to grant him a licence. The tribunal upheld the ruling this week, saying it is 'contrary to the public interest' for Mr Mielczarek to have a licence. The 53-year-old has two tattoo parlours in New South Wales - one in Picton, south-west of Sydney, and another in Bowral in the Southern Highlands. 'The Tribunal found that although [Mr Mielczarek] had joined the Rebels in 1999 at the age of 36 years and he knew that the Rebels members had been involved in serious crimes of violence, [he] no longer had a strong association with the Rebels,' the appeal panel ruled. ' The Tribunal considered the continuing association was "fragmentary". However, he had been acquainted with the founder of the Rebels.' Aleksander Mielczarek (centre), pictured with his son Sasha (left) and son Jay (right), was denied a licence during a Civil and Administrative Tribunal for NSW hearing in February, preventing him from working in his two tattoo parlours The tribunal upheld the ruling this week, saying it is 'contrary to the public interest' for Mr Mielczarek (pictured with his sons when they were younger) to have a licence Sam Frost and Sasha Mielczarek arrive at the 58th Annual Logie Awards at Crown Palladium in May (pictured) The appeal panel pointed to a drive-by shooting in November 2015, during which Mr Mielczarek's Picton shop and the 'Such is Leather' shop next door, which was also operated by a member of the Rebels, were sprayed with bullets. The man who ran a business next door was killed shortly after. Mr Mielczarek admitted his links to the Rebels bikie club when he spoke before the tribunal hearing in February. He said he was member because it fit with his passion for 'custom car building and motorcycles' and not because of any criminal links. Mr Mielczarek has a number of colourful tattoos, including one that reads 'trust no one' on his face Sasha Snr posing with a friend wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a Confederate flag, which makes up part of the Rebels Motorcycle Club's emblem When announcing Mr Mielczarek had been banned, the tribunal acknowledged the 53-year-old's charitable works and the way he maintained and operated his business. He is also an advocate for helping men get more help with fighting prostate cancer, and recently signed on as a counsellor with the Cancer Council of Australia. However, tribunal member Professor Emeritus Geoffrey deQuincy Walker said it could not ignore the group's 'long history of involvement in violent crime'. 'The public would expect that a person with the applicant's connections would not be granted such a licence,' he said. Mr Mielczarek's celebrity son spoke about his father's connection to bikie gangs last year, revealing to OK! Magazine it was 'a fact' Sasha Snr was involved with the Rebels. Mr Mielczarek also has 'trust no one' tattooed on his face. If the tattoo parlours are forced to shut, it is believed about 20 people will lose their jobs. This is the moment that the Ohio state knifeman drove onto campus before mowing down his fellow students. Abdul Razak Ali Artan left at least 11 injured - one critically - after he drove onto the sidewalk at the university on Monday, mowing down crowds of innocent bystanders, witnesses say. He then jumped out of the car and began slashing victims with a butcher knife, according to police. Surveillance footage stills from Ohio State University shows the moment Artan, a Somali refugee majoring in Logistics Management, drove his silver Honda onto campus. This is the moment that the Ohio state knifeman drove onto campus before mowing down his classmates In one shot, a student could be seen standing by the roadside waiting to cross - mere feet away from Artan In one shot, revealed during a press conference at the university this afternoon, a student could be seen standing by the roadside waiting to cross - mere feet away from Artan. A short time later he would use that same vehicle to plow into the group of staff and students. Later scene shots reveal the severe damage caused to the silver Honda. Local shop manager Jack Ouham, 33, said he was stunned that his happy-go-lucky customer was capable 'of doing something so terrible'. 'He was always smiling, he's not a hater, it just doesn't fit his profile at all,' he told DailyMail.com. 'It's completely out of character and happened out of nowhere.' 'I never expected him to do anything like that. He and his family come here all the time, and that was never any indication that he was thinking radically, or was even capable of doing something so terrible. Abdul Razak Ali Artan has been identified as the Ohio State student who went on a stabbing rampage at the school on Monday, injuring eleven Artan's vehicle was later seen parked with severe damage to the hood of the car The car which police say was used by an attacker to plow into a group of students is seen outside Watts Hall on Ohio State University's campus Ouham, 33, who owns Hometown Market grocery store near Abdul's family home in a Muslim neighborhood in Columbus, said Artan had never expressed anger towards America or any signs he'd been radicalized. 'He never spoke about terrorism, or anything going on in the world. He never mentioned other countries or regimes, or showed any hatred to Americans. We'd have harmless conversations about things he was doing that day, or about the weather. As I said, I am completely shocked.' He added that Artan's siblings were 'always very polite, very nice and very unassuming' while he described Artan as 'an intelligent guy, that loved his school and worked hard.' Every conversation I ever had with him was about school because he loved being educated.' 'I'd never seen Abdul do anything bad, or talk bad to anybody or about anyone.' Local shop manager Jack Ouham, 33, (pictured in his Hometown Market grocery store) said he was stunned that his happy-go-lucky customer was capable 'of doing something so terrible' The chaos started just before 10am, when a fire alarm was pulled at Watts Hall, home to the chemical engineering department. As people were evacuating the building, Artan 'swerved and ran into a whole group of people,' witness Nicole Kreinbrink told NBC. 'All these people were running and screaming and yelling.' Witnesses say that Artan had then exited the car and began running around campus, slashing at people with the knife. A witness told CNN that Artan remained silent throughout the attack but had a 'crazed' look on his face. OSU sophomore Jacob Bowers says he heard someone yell 'he's got a knife'. 'I saw a guy with a big-a** knife just chasing people around. When I saw that, I grabbed all my stuff and started running,' Bowers told NBC. When he looked back, he saw an officer - identified as 28-year-old Alan Harujko - at the scene approaching the suspect and yelling 'Drop it and get down or I'll shoot'. Artan was killed on Monday after going on a rampage at the Ohio State University. Above, his body is seen on the campus During the rampage, Columbus swat team members worked to clear the Lane Avenue parking garage Ohio State student Gilles Munezero stayed in place while police closed off the Lane Avenue parking garage as Artan roamed the campus Soon after, the officer followed through on his threat and shot Artan, who was pronounced dead at the scene. While the motive for the attack is still under investigation, but there are questions about whether Artan, who was Muslim, may have carried it out in jihad. Alan Harujko, 28, (pictured) is the officer that shot the knife-wielding attacker dead Shortly before the attack, Artan posted on Facebook that he was 'sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers being killed and tortured'. Artan is reportedly a Somali refugee who fled his home country in 2007, moving first to Pakistan with his family before coming to America in 2014 and gaining legal permanent resident status. His age has not been confirmed, but it has been reported by various outlets as 18 and 20. Pasquale Barbaro was the fourth underworld figure to be killed this year The raids are believed to be in relation to a spate of gangland shootings Five people have been taken into police custody during in the raids Police have arrested at least five people in relation a string of gangland shootings following a series of coordinated raids across Sydney. Heavily armed officers were seen sweeping an an area near the Olympic Park Ibis Hotel, in Sydney's west, just after midday on Tuesday. Witnesses said they saw a man and a woman arrested, while dramatic footage of the raids show a man face down on the ground with his hands bound behind his back. The raids are believed involve Strike Force Osprey which was formed two weeks ago to target a recent spate of underworld shootings, including the death of notorious gangster Pasquale Barbaro. Scroll down for video Heavily armed officers were seen sweeping an an area near the Olympic Park Ibis Hotel, in Sydney's west, just after midday on Tuesday The raids are believed involve Strike Force Osprey which was formed two weeks ago to target a recent spate of gangland shootings The 35-year-old crime kingpin was gunned down in a targeted attack outside the home of underworld figure George Alex in Earlwood, south west of Sydney's CBD, on November 15 - marking the fourth gang related shooting this year. A police source told Daily Mail Australia that Barbaro was the key suspect in the murder of underworld stand-over man Hamad Assaad, 29, who was shot dead in front of a 12-year-old boy in Sydney's south-west, on October 25. In April gangland kingpin and convicted killer Walid Ahmad, 40, was also slain in a spray of bullets on the rooftop car park of Bankstown Central shopping centre. His murder is believed to be in retaliation for the fatal shooting of Safwan Charbaji outside a Condell Park panel beater several weeks earlier. Police confirmed on Tuesday an operation was underway involving multiple search warrants across the city, but could not give any more details. Police have arrested at least five people in relation to the shooting of gangland shootings across Sydney Pasquale Barbaro (pictured) was gunned down in a targeted attack outside the home of underworld figure George Alex in Earlwood, south west of Sydney's CBD, on November 15 Barbaro was the key suspect in the murder of underworld stand-over man Hamad Assaad (pictured) who was shot dead in front of a 12-year-old in Sydney's south-west, on October 25 In April gangland kingpin and convicted killer Walid Ahmad (pictured), 40, was also killed in a spray of bullets on the rooftop car park of Bankstown Central shopping centre His murder is believed to be in retaliation for the fatal shooting of Safwan Charbaji (pictured) outside a Condell Park panel beater several weeks earlier Police confirmed on Tuesday an operation is underway involving multiple search warrants across the city, but could not give any more details 'As the operation is ongoing no further information is available,' a police spokesperson said. Witnesses on Tuesday say SWAT teams and Federal Police stormed an area around the Ibis Hotel in Sydney Olympic Park just after midday. 'Swst team and Fed Police at Olympic Park Ibis hotel not getting to my car anytime soon' Dashel Jamison tweeted. Heavily armed tactical response units were seen on Herb Elliott Avenue and Showground Rd in the Olympic precinct Witnesses on Tuesday say SWAT teams and Federal Police stormed an area around the Ibis Hotel in Sydney Olympic Park just after midday 'Whatever was going on, the police had it really locked down. They were calm and in control,' a witness said Brian Clark told the Sydney Morning Herald the Australian Federal Police appeared to be involved with the arrest of a man and a woman. 'Whatever was going on, the police had it really locked down. They were calm and in control,' Mr Clark said. It's simple to regard myself a weighed-but-wanting father with embarrassing regularity. Nothing Ive done has been more chock full of vulnerable and exposing moments of uncertainty as being a dad.But I had a fresh glimpse yesterday that maybe one of the best parenting acts we ever do is something we dont really think about as exceptional. Its just something we decided a long time ago.The practice? The exceedingly revolutionary act of making Sunday morning participation in our congregation as regular as eating breakfast, brushing our teeth, and locking the door when we leave.This past Sunday, as I have done before, I took a risk.If you were a presbyterian it would have seemed quite a gamble for you too!I left the pulpit, sat down and opened up the microphone at both of our worship sitesThe invitation?Tell us where you've noticed God's fingerprints in your life; in rescue, provision, healing or help.I've done this many times before, but each time there is a slight fear that no one will speak, well all be crushed by the suffocating embarrassment in the air, and everyone will think me a bumbling fool.And of course, once you relinquish the mic, you also surrender quality control of whats said!But always, these people I adore feel stirred to publicly acclaim the ways theyve inventoried gifts from Christ at the addresses where they park their cars and eat their suppers.So after a brief introduction and a prayer for God to defrost frozen hearts and the windshields of our sometimes non-noticing eyes, I sat down.The wooden podium sheepishly stood there, isolated and abandoned before a sea of watching eyes.Suddenly, a 27 year-oldish millennial with a beard like a blazing red bush stepped forward.I sometimes see myself, he began, frozen in time as a irresponsible 17 year old...when suddenly Im stunned to realize Im actually married to an adult woman!....(congregation cracks up) ---with a son who grows in astonishment of the created world daily...You ought to hear him mimic the bird in our yard...Im so grateful for a wife who reads Scripture more than Ive ever dreamed, and always goes to the Bible with questions, and comes away with even bigger ones that drive her more deeply to worship.A retired woman in her sixth decade, newly released from a frightening couple of weeks in the hospital, cautiously climbed the stage-steps and could not remain silent about Gods personal visitation while her health was uncooperative and her confidence was spooked.I was scared, and praying and praying, and one day, as I pleaded, I looked out the window, and dont know how else to say it, but I saw the face of God.We do not hear or talk of things like this often.The clouds, which cannot form themselves, then gathered in the shape of a heart, she continued. I was overwhelmed with an experience of Gods affection for me, and began to see everything differently... I just want to say to all of you, that I love you all. And God truly does too.This testament of the reassuring gift of Gods nearness and healing was followed by a bold little brunette, aged 4, who briskly bound to the stage to face the crowd.Her sweet face was obscured by a podium that dwarfed her, and we strained with care to listen to the melodic little squeak of a voice that was instantly melting:I am thankful, she whispered, that we got to go to the Dominican Republic, and got to swim in the ocean...When her litany of spontaneous gratitude had ended and hearts were already near bursting, a young, soon-to-be father, took her place.This week, he stammered, would have been the due date of our baby well never get to know. A miscarriage had brought unwanted grief. With tender eyes moistening, he continued, but our Lord has turned our mourning into laughter, for we are now expecting twins!These were not pollyannaish, pain-ignoring, flip expressions of God-appreciation. Most were gratitude on the opposite side of devastation, loss, or life not turning out any way similar to their wanting. It was instructive thanksgiving for, as Joe Novenson would describe, the grace to endure as well as the grace to overcome.Some do not receive both types of grace but are assigned a chronic difficulty to steward.A tough and tender such woman who broke her back some 30 years ago in a car accident that killed her husband, left her crippled, and a single mother of 4---all while serving the Lord as a missionary in Africa, stood with her omni-present crutches assisting her. She acknowledged the fidelity and guidance of God, even in ways not expected through moments not wanted.As she thanked Christ for a sweet man hed brought her as a husband in recent years, she insisted on the veracity of the never-leaving presence of God who, as the Psalmist might say, keeps our lamps burning and turns our darkness into light.I havent the space to mention the sermons in shoes, prepared through frightening, disheartening moments, and stained with tears--sons moved by God-orchestrated reconciliation with estranged fathers, grand-dads delighted in their newly adopted grand-children with special needs, an about to graduate young woman in college leaning on Isaiah 43s fear-dissolving words that have become a lodestone in her life.Theres just no way to fully capture the stunning privilege of a mother with grown kids, tearful-but-thankful, though newly through a fall full of funerals, for Gods alteration of her family tree many moons back, through those who meddled adoringly in the lives of her now heaven-dwelling parents, when they were but young college students.Teenagers on the cusp of college, and mourning parents meeting God in new ways after the violently unnatural feeling of dropping heir oldest child off at college all gave expression to the surprising and persistent action of an attentive God in the particulars of their own vulnerability in this loss-riddled world.And for what must have been the first time in the history of compulsory education, a 6 year old boy thanked God for his teachers and his school!When else do 70-year-old widowers/grandfathers and four-year-old little girls listen and learn from one another?Where else may grandmothers and high school seniors hear of the redeemed anguish in one anothers lives, and realize afresh they dwell beneath the gaze of the same involved Savior?What other occasions are there for freshly graduated 20-somethings and parents of teenagers to be altered and emboldened by the belief of one another?I realized anew yesterday, that our whole family gets to experience such oddities regularly by our privileged involvement in what Martin Luther called the infirmary for the sick and an inn for the convalescing.Our children, and we with them, get to be happily situated in a community of folks who are actively rebelling against cultural orthodoxy by taking God at a level of seriousness that would appall many of the culture-makers, legislators, and deciders in our world.And they were doing so publicly, again yesterday, ignoring their heart language of grumbletonian in which all of them, like me, are so fluent, and practicing and teaching instead, gratitudenese.As our friends and fellow church family members practiced attributing honor to God for his thoughtful intervention in their lives, they were engaging in a nourishing form of subversiveness we want our kids to adopt.The late David Foster Wallace, in A Supposedly Fun Thing Ill Never Do Again perceptively realized that:Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The old postmodern insurgents risked the gasp and squeal: shock, disgust, outrage, censorship, accusations of socialism, anarchism, nihilism.In an age of extreme cynicism, we rebel against our world for the sake of the world by publicly praising, noticing, depending on, and responding to Christ and learning to ignore the eye rolls we fear.I am not a fella whose faith would be considered radical by anyones standard. I wear a lot of khaki pants and white shirts, after all.But I was touched to realize yesterday that we were and are involved in deeply subversive, radical and counter-cultural practices as parents each time we come together with the folks weve tethered ourselves to with membership vows----those, who like us, have been acted on by Christ.Through no great wisdom of our own, our children and a host of other children as well, dwell among those who refuse to slouch toward the prevailing thoughtless view of the universe which insists that everything came from nothing, all desires must be blindly obeyed, suffering is irredeemable, and that death must be avoided at all costs, because this life is all there is.Im floored with gratitude that our brood get to rub shoulders with and be within earshot of all sorts of folks who have endured the most stinging sorts of heartache and haven't been destroyed by it, because they count on a death-defying Savior who comes in the middle of their personal droughts with as much nourishing reality as the rain thats finally falling just outside my window.----- Could name Ben Carson secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Trump is rumored to name other cabinet position nominations Tuesday Also tapped health consultant firm CEO Seema Verma as administrator of centers for Medicare and Medicaid He will likely be pivotal in helping Trump 'repeal and replace' the law President-elect Donald Trump has named Georgia representative Tom Price, a leading critic of Obamacare, as his head of the Department of Health and Human Services. The announcement came as rumors suggested he could nominate General James Mattis for secretary of defense and Dr Ben Carson for secretary of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday. Trump also tapped Seema Verma, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc., a national health policy consulting company, as his administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. Scroll down for video President-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia representative Tom Price (pictured in Trump Tower on November 16) to head the Department of Health and Human Services Price, a 62-year-old six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, has chaired the House Budget Committee for the past two years (pictured in Trump Tower) If confirmed by the Senate, Price (pictured entering Trump Tower) could play a pivotal role in Trump keeping his promise to 'repeal and replace' Obamacare Along with Price, Indiana health policy consultant Verma will play a key role in Trump's 'dream team' of transforming the U.S. healthcare system, officials said. Earlier this year, vice president-elect Mike Pence, who was at the time governor of Indiana, named Verma the 'Sagamore of the Wabash', an award presented to a person who has helped contribute to the state. Trump said in a Tuesday morning statement that Price is a 'renowned physician' and 'the go-to expert on healthcare policy.' 'He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American,' the incoming president said. Pence confirmed that 'there will be a number of very important announcements (Tuesday)'. The cabinet appointments of Carson, Mattis and Verma have been rumored as Trump's picks by John Gizzi of Newsmax and Jon Passantino of Buzzfeed News. Trump spokesman Jason Miller said not to expect his nomination for secretary of state just yet. The president-elect met with ex-CIA Director David Petraeus yesterday at Trump Tower. He's dining with Mitt Romney tonight. Both men are seen as finalists for the diplomatic post. Price - if confirmed by the Senate - would play a pivotal role in Trump keeping his promise to 'repeal and replace' Obamacare. Trump has pledged to move quickly on overhauling the landmark measure, but has been vague about what he hopes to see in a replacement bill. The president-elect has said he favors keeping provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents' health insurance and that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Rumors also suggest that Trump will name General James Mattis (center) as secretary of defense After Mattis left a meeting with Trump earlier this month, they shook hands and when asked about how the meeting went, Trump said: 'All I can say is he is the real deal' Price, a 62-year-old six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, has chaired the House Budget Committee for the past two years. He is also on the House's taxation committee, Ways and Means. A bookish conservative from the Atlanta suburbs, Price has worked closely with House Speaker Ryan - who said today that he's the 'absolute perfect choice' for HHS - to assemble GOP budgets aimed at reducing the annual deficit. Last week, Price said whatever Republicans do to replace Obama's health care law will bear a 'significant resemblance' to a 2015 measure that was vetoed by the president. That bill would have gutted some of the health care law's main features: Medicaid expansion, subsidies to help middle-class Americans buy private policies, the tax penalties for individuals who refused to get coverage and several taxes to support coverage expansion. The bill would have delayed implementation for two years. Price insisted that Republicans can keep the protections for those with existing medical conditions without mandating that all individuals carry coverage or pay a penalty to support an expanded insurance pool. It is also believed he will name Dr Ben Carson (pictured in Trump Tower) as secretary of housing and urban development Earlier this month, however, Carson took himself out of the running for a position in Trump's White House, but said if Trump really needed him, he'd reconsider Price said Republicans want to address 'the real cost drivers' of health care price spikes, which he said were not necessarily sicker patients, but a heavy regulatory burden, taxes and lawsuits against medical professionals. 'There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit,' Price said in a Tuesday statement. Ryan lauded Price's selection in a statement that said, 'This is the absolute perfect choice....We could not ask for a better partner to work with Congress to fix our nation's health care challenges.' Incoming Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer signaled his party's displeasure with Trump's plans to repeal the healthcare law in a statement blasting Price as 'far out of the mainstream' when it comes to health care. 'Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house,' Schumer declared. Seema Verma (pictured in Trump Tower), CEO and founder of SVC, Inc, a national health policy consulting company is on tap for administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services Trump has been teetering back and forth on his appointment for the Secretary of Defense position, but it appears he has finally decided on Mattis. Mattis is a controversial figure who will need a congressional waiver in order to serve as the secretary of defense. The four-star Marine Corps general, who once said 'its fun to shoot some people', according to the Daily Beast, has only been retired for four years. But in order to obtain the position, secretaries of defense must be out of the military for seven. Arizona Senator and Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain said that Congress has waived this requirement in the past and that it shouldn't hinder Trump's choice. A team of lawyers is reportedly working on Capitol Hill to figure out how to make the waiver work for Mattis. After Mattis left a meeting with Trump earlier this month, they shook hands and Trump told the press: 'All I can say is he is the real deal. The real deal.' Trump added of Mattis that 'he's just a brilliant, wonderful man. What a career. We are going to see what happens but he is the real deal.' Mattis led Central Command from 2010 to 2013 before retiring. He managed conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia during that time. He often butted heads with the Obama administrations, which he saw as weak and too hasty to remove troops from Afghanistan. Mattis has made many comments criticizing the Obama administration from innocuous details to things as dire as failing to prepare to battle an expansionist Iran, according to the Daily Beast. 'The international order is not self sustaining. It demands tending by an America that leads wisely, standing unapologetically in defense of our values,' Mattis said. His fellow Marines have lauded him as a 'warrior monk' and at one point he was poised to run against Trump as the nominee for president. Trump is believed to announce the four appointments to his cabinet on Tuesday, sources say Dr Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate, has been a loyal Trump supporter since ending his own bid for the White House during the primaries. Earlier this month, however, he took himself out of the running for a position in Trump's White House, saying that he has 'no government experience,' even though he ran for the presidency. 'The way I'm leaning is to work from the outside and not from the inside,' Carson told The Washington Post. 'I want to have the freedom to work on many issues and not be pigeonholed into one particular area.' Carson's longtime adviser Armstrong Williams told The Hill, 'Dr. Carson feels he has no government experience, he's never run a federal agency. The last thing he would want to do was take a position that could cripple the presidency.' Williams told RealClearPolitics: 'Dr. Carson does not think he is prepared to run a federal agency ... it's just not good for him or the country right now.' But Carson didn't rule out serving Trump completely. 'I've said that if it came to a point where he absolutely needs me, I'd reconsider. But I don't think that's the situation with these positions,' Carson continued in his interview with the Post. One of the lawyers who helped Casey Anthony walk free after she was accused of killing her daughter in 2011 has been arrested for an alleged scheme to smuggle drugs from Central America into the United States. Todd Macaluso, 54, was arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn earlier this month after being caught in Haiti. His plan was allegedly to fly cocaine from Ecuador to Honduras before smuggling that into the United States. Todd Macaluso (pictured, left), a lawyer who helped Casey Anthony (right) walk free after she was accused of killing her daughter in 2011 has been arrested for an alleged drug smuggling scheme Authorities noticed Macaluso in October while they investigated drug traffickers who were trying to use a plane registered in the U.S.. Macaluso would fly from Haiti to Ecuador to pick up nearly two tons of cocaine - nearly two tons, according to the New York Daily News. He would then transport that to Honduras and later to the United States, NYPD Detective Alexander Sosa of the DEA task force said. One of Macaluso's alleged accomplices told investigators he planned to fly a Falcon 10 aircraft, according to Sosa. Carlos Almonte Vasquez and Humberto Osuna Contreras, who are co-defendants with the former lawyer, said they met Macaluso in Port au-Prince early this month to plot out how to pull of the drug smuggle. 'Macaluso described, in the presence of both Almonte Vasquez and Osuna Contreras, the structure of the subject aircraft, stating that it could hold 1,500 kilograms of cocaine,' Sosa said. All three men were flown to MacArthur Airport in Long Island to be arraigned. His plan was allegedly to fly cocaine from Ecuador to Honduras before smuggling that into the United States (pictured in 2015) He would then transport that to Honduras and later to the United States, NYPD Detective Alexander Sosa of the DEA task force said (Macaluso pictured in 2015) They were ordered to be held without bail after it was determined they were flight risks. Before Macaluso got caught up in the scheme, he represented Anthony, who was charged with killing her daughter Caylee in 2008. Anthony was acquitted in 2011 and Macaluso reportedly flew her out of Orlando on his plane, the Daily News reported. But this incident isn't Macaluso's only time getting in trouble with the law. Before Macaluso got caught up in the scheme, he represented Anthony, who was charged with killing her daughter Caylee in 2008 (pictured in 2015) He was sentenced to five months in prison last year after he was convicted of defrauding clients in California. Macaluso was on a supervised release when he was arrested again this month. A Gold Coast mother accused of helping her friends rape her nine-year-old daughter by tying her up and dressing her in a 'Playboy outfit' has been granted bail. The 37-year-old woman who spent almost three months in Brisbane Womens Correction Centre after being arrested in September was granted bail at the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday and will be released on Friday. On one occasion, the girl allegedly woke up wearing a short black dress and bunny ears and was then made to give a man oral sex, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. A Gold Coast mother accused of helping her friends rape her nine-year-old daughter by tying her up and dressing her in a 'Playboy outfit' has been granted bail The mother has been charged with 17 offences, including rape, torture and indecent treatment of a child under 16. Allegations also emerged that the woman had sex with two men in front of her daughter and later helped a man rape her by restraining her and making her drink something that made her fall asleep. The woman's lawyer Deanne Nicoloso, told the court she would be fighting the charges. The woman while on bail will not be allowed any contact with her daughter and must report to a parole officer twice a week. Kevin Rudd has hit out at Malcolm Turnbull's office over a report he has been asked to move out of his taxpayer-funded office to make way for the prime minister. In a string of angry Donald Trump-style tweets, the former prime minister lashed out at the Courier Mail, accusing the publication of being leaked 'lies' by Mr Turnbull. 'If Turnbull now wants to evict my staff, he should write saying he's changed his mind, not have lies leaked to the Courier Fail,' Mr Rudd wrote on Tuesday. 'Are Courier Fail and unnamed govt sources advocating taxpayer dollars now be spent on new office for my staff?' Kevin Rudd has hit out at Malcolm Turnbull's office over a report he has been asked to move out of his taxpayer-funded office to make way for his successor when he visits In a string of angry Donald Trump-style tweets, the former prime minister lashed out at the Courier Mail He claimed Mr Turnbull leaked lies to the publication and said that he had been told he could stay in his lush taxpayer-funded apartment overlooking Brisbane's CBD According to the publication, Mr Rudd was first asked to relocate from his plush high-rise Queensland office by the Finance Department last year, who said that Mr Turnbull would then use the office while visiting. Mr Rudd reportedly took issue with the request and asked if he could stay until an appropriate alternative became available - offering to vacate the office when Mr Turnbull was in town. And on Tuesday he insisted that he had reached an agreement with Mr Turnbull's chief-of-staff earlier this year that he would remain in the building. His luxurious office space at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices at Waterfront Place overlooks Brisbane's city and costs $130,000 a year to rent and operate. But government sources told The Courier Mail that office space in the building needed to be freed up for 'current and new members of Parliament.' Mr Turnbull and Mr Rudd have had a strained relationship in recent months. In July, Mr Rudd referred to Mr Turnbull as a 'great brick wall' after the government blocked his bid for UN secretary-general at the last minute. He said the decision was proof career plans can 'turn to s**t'. Donald Trump has been criticised heavily in the media for his off-the-cuff style of tweeting, most recently suggesting that 'millions of people voted illegally' in the US election. Mr Turnbull and Mr Rudd have had a strained relationship in recent months Schools in Green, McMinn and Sevier counties will are closed, and more than 12,000 people in Sevier County were without power as of early Tuesday morning 16-story hotel and every cabin at Black Bear Falls is believed to have been as no deaths have been reported Four people suffered severe burns trying to evacuate and are Advertisement Grim photos show the burned out remains of small town Gatlinburg as thousands were forced to flee the resort town after a massive wildfire destroyed homes, hotels and had threatened to burn down the Dollywood theme park. Thousands of residents and visitors in the Gatlinburg area were evacuated from the Great Smoky Mountains, and hundreds of structures have been damaged and destroyed by the fire which is the worse to hit the area in decades as of Tuesday. 'The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now,' Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding told the Knoxville News Sentinel on Tuesday. 'It's the apocalypse on both sides (of downtown).' Gatlinburg mayor Mike Werner said Tuesday that half of the city was impacted by the blaze, but the downtown area is intact and that they will rebuild the city. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller says 12 people have been injured in the wildfires in the Gatlinburg area, most with non-life-threatening injuries. Three people who suffered burns while trying to flee have been transferred from a Knoxville hospital to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, which has a burn unit. A fourth person is being treated for facial burns in Knoxville. There have been no missing people or deaths reported associated with the fire. Miller said the fire spread Monday night by winds that at times exceeded 87 miles per hour. 'This is one for the history books,' Miller said at a morning news conference. 'The likes of this has never been seen. But the worst is definitely over with.' He added that about 14 buildings remain ablaze in the city, as most of them are smoldering. Firefighters are going door to door in the city to make sure no one has been overlooked. Officials say about 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, and portions of Dollywood have been evacuated as wind speeds top 70 miles per hour in some parts of Tennessee, which has been hit by the worst drought in nearly a decade. More than a dozen cabins operated by the park have been damaged or destroyed in the blaze. Resort staff evacuated families staying in 50 rooms at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and in 19 of Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Cabins. In a statement released Tuesday by her publicists, Parton said she's been watching the 'terrible fires' in the Great Smoky Mountains. Scroll down for video Destroyed: Two of the dormitories at Arrowmont School are damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg on Tuesday after the wildfire ripped through the area. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennesse A building structure at the Arrowmont School in Gatlinburg is pictured above on Tuesday still burning A structure and a car are pictured above on Tuesday completely damaged from the wildfires around Gatlinburg A separate burned out car and building is pictured above on Tuesday in Gatlinburg after the blaze ripped through the area Above a forestry crew from South Dakota cleans up on Tuesday after wildfires burned multiple business and homes in Gatlinburg The crew is working to clear trees and branches while trying to prevent the flames from spreading on Tuesday Empty foundations are pictured above on Tuesday destroyed from the wildfires around Gatlinburg The mayor of Gatlinburg said Tuesday that half of the city was impacted by the blaze, but the downtown area is intact. Pictured above is a home and car destroyed from the fire on Tuesday Officials estimate that more than 100 structures have been destroyed or damaged from the blaze. Above multiple burned business and vehicles along Cherokee Orchard Road in Gatlinburg are pictured Tuesday Hotel and customers vehicles were completely burned in the out of control wild fire. Pictured above is destroyed multiple business and homes in Gatlinburg on Tuesday Out of control wild fires have burned part of The Riverhouse Motor Lodge (above on Tuesday) in Gatlinburg Downtown Gatlinburg is pictured above looking like a ghost town on Tuesday after people were evacuated The mayor of the town said on Tuesday that the downtown area (above on Tuesday) was not damaged by the fire 'I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe,' she said. 'It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared.' Dollywood has suspended park operations at least through Wednesday, but DreamMore will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests. Parton is scheduled to appear on NBC's 'The Voice' on Tuesday night, her representatives had previously announced. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) says hundreds of firefighters as well as local and state personnel and National Guard troops have been sent in to help fight the blaze and check on people. TEMA estimates that more than 150 homes and structures have also been destroyed or damaged by flames, as they say there is 'little hope' for relief anytime soon. Gatlinburg is a small mountain town where people can enter the 520,000 acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Structures in Gaitlenburg are pictured above still burning on Tuesday as the wildfire has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes The massive blaze caused more than 14,000 people to evacuate, as firefighters have worked through the night trying to control the fire. An official said on Tuesday about 14 buildings remain ablaze in the city Officials say more than 100 homes and structures have been destroyed or damaged in the wildfire. Firefighters are going door to door in the city to make sure no one has been overlooked The spreading Tennessee wildfires in the resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is the worst to hit the areas in decades. Above the wildfire is pictured on The Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Tuesday Officials say the blaze has caused the area in Gaitlinburg to resemble the 'apocalypse.' Above Tennessee State Troopers walk into areas surrounded by fire on Tuesday to remove those residents who were trapped The Dollywood theme park, created by renowned singer Dolly Parton, evacuated on Monday due to the wildfire. Above she is pictured above alongside Smokey the Bear for a video released on Sunday urging people to prevent forest fires Storms approaching the the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire burning on both sides of the Georgia-North Carolina line have signaled some hope for firefighters who are trying to put them out on Tuesday Officials say about 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, and the popular Dollywood theme park has also closed due to the dangerous blaze had spread near the area from Pigeon Forge TEMA reported that the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area is fine after the agency previously received reports that the facility was likely destroyed. Preliminary surveys indicate that the fires have wiped out the more than 100 buildings of the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa, as well as a 16-story hotel. In addition, Black Bear Falls was believed to have lost every cabin. Officials with the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies say they have a team of biologists inside the facility and that all of the 10,000 fish and other animals are safe. Aquarium officials say police escorted an 'emergency team' back into the facility to check on the animals Tuesday. The aquarium will remain closed until the evacuation orders are lifted. Officials say more than 2 million people visit the aquarium each year. TEMA said schools in Green, McMinn and Sevier counties will be closed Tuesday, and more than 12,000 people in Sevier County were without power as of early Tuesday morning. Storms approaching the the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire burning on both sides of the Georgia-North Carolina line have signaled some hope for firefighters who are trying to put the blaze out Tuesday. Many trees have fallen in the area blocking roads which has prevented some residents from being able to evacuate safely on their own from the wildfire. Above troopers help people leave safely Tuesday morning Above Tennessee State Troopers troopers help people and their pets leave safely Tuesday morning as the dangerous fire is just feet away from them Due to trees falling and blocking roads, Tennessee State Troopers still in their uniform used their personal chainsaws to clear those trees on Tuesday morning Above the orange sky from the flames is pictured on Tuesday as many structures in Gatlinburg have been damaged or destroyed from the blaze Officials say thousands of residents and visitors in the Gatlinburg area were evacuated from the Great Smoky Mountains on Tuesday. Above fire officials walk along a road as an SUV evacuates the area on Tuesday morning However, high winds coming with the storms could cause many dead trees and branches to fall in the burning forests, which could pose a threat to firefighters. DROUGHT AND WIND: THE CAUSES OF THE TENNESSEE WILDFIRE It is believed that a small fire started on purpose in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the weekend may have been the trigger for the huge blazes. The fire easily spread due to weeks of punishing drought in the South along with unseasonably warm temperatures. Rainfall has also been between 10 to 15 inches below normal over the past three months, leading to a dry and arid landscape. Meanwhile gusting winds have also allowed the fire to spread rapidly from the national park and into built up towns such as Gatlinburg. But firefighters trying to tackle the flames hope a change in weather conditions will help their cause. Forecasters say the area is due to be hit by a strong storm system, bringing with it much needed rain. Advertisement Blackhawk helicopters from the McGhee-Tyson airbase have flown to Gatlinburg to conduct water airdrops on Tuesday. Officials say there are about 1,200 people sheltering at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park. Several other shelters have opened to house those forced from their homes. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. On Monday just after 6pm, motorists clogged the roads after the Gatlinburg Fire Department ordered the mandatory evacuation of the town. Strong wind conditions fanned the flames and embers across long distances, which started smaller fires that quickly spread through the drought-stricken trees. The winds also caused power lines to fall, which started new fires, authorities said. 'Everything was like a perfect storm,' said Cassius Cash, superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to CNN affiliate WATE. Terrifying video shot from the Gatlinburg Park Vista Hilton Hotel on Monday appeared to show flames just outside the windows, as guests huddled together inside. Witnesses reported that dozens of people were trapped inside the hotel which was surrounded by flames, but it's unclear if people are still trapped inside as of Tuesday morning. Hotel guest Logan Baker, who is staying at the Hilton with his family, said that the 16-story building began filling with smoke as fire came up and into the parking lot on Monday. Gatlinburg Area Fire Update Sevier County, City of Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have reported widespread fire damage and continued fire activity throughout the area. Flames are pictured above on Monday night Flames are see through the window of Gatlinburg Park Vista Hilton Hotel as terrified guests gathered inside on Monday Thousands have been evacuated and tourists fled the area as wildfires rip through Eastern Tennessee on Monday 'The only road to get down from the hotel, trees had fallen down in the road and were just engulfed in flames,' he told WATE, in a phone call from the hotel on Monday. 'Then the flames came up into the parking lot and then told us we all had stay inside.' Baker said it was difficult to breathe as smoke and embers came into the hotel through faulty emergency doors. Eventually firefighters were able to barricade the doors as guests opened out the top floor windows to let the smoke escape. It's unclear if guests have been able to leave the hotel as of Tuesday. A nearby apartment complex was also completely engulfed by flames, authorities report. The Gatlinburg building inspector also told Local News 8 that an elementary school and a college were also destroyed by the fire. Pi Beta Phi Elementary School has not been destroyed, despite earlier reports from officials. The Gatlinburg Fire Department ordered the mandatory evacuation of the town as wind conditions made the fires increasingly unpredictable and dangerous on Monday Multiple fires began after the strong winds sent fallen trees into power lines, authorities said on Monday The wildfire also set 30 buildings ablaze there and was at the edge of Dollywood, Dolly Parton's theme park, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spokesman Dean Flener said in a news release on Monday. Staff at the park, based in the neighboring mountain town Pigeon Forge, had pitched in to help firefighters keep flames from threatening Dollywood. Parton released a public service announcement on Sunday urging visitors and residents of the region to exercise caution when handling fire, even as the blaze was nearing her iconic theme park. 'I love these Smoky Mountains that I call home, and I know you do too. Help protect their beauty and prevent human-caused wild fires,' Parton, 70, says in the ad. Her 295-acre amusement resort is one of the region's most popular draws with rides and musical events that sometimes include appearances by Parton and her family. Parton is a native of Sevier County, Tennessee, which includes both Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, according to historical documents on the park's website. Video shot on Monday evening and posted on Facebook reveals how close the flames are to the hotel which guests say was filled with smoke and embers until firefighters were able to barricade the doors In the mid-1980s, Parton partnered with the Herschend family who ran the park, then known as Silver Dollar City. It opened under the new name of Dollywood in 1986. Residents who were forced to evacuate have shared how scary it was fleeing their homes as the fire quickly spread due to high winds. '(The sky) was brown,' Pigeon Forge resident Katie Brittian told Knox News. 'Ash has been falling from the sky since 3am.' Sharon Pinyan said she was evacuated from Gatlinburg when, 'a car behind us caught on fire due to the flames jumping the road.' Sara Gentry, of Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, said that her four children and she, were able to go to her sister's home in Dandridge after they were evacuated. But she said friends of hers have watched their own homes get destroyed by the fire. Witnesses report that dozens of people were trapped inside the Hilton Hotel which was surrounded by flames on Monday (pictured before the wildfire) Hotel guest Logan Baker, who is staying at the Hilton (pictured before the blaze) with his family, said that the 16-story building began filling with smoke as fire came up and into the parking lot on Monday Flames are seen on the mountainside from the window of a passing car as wildfires rip through the Smoky Mountains on Monday The wildfire ripped through the trees and up the mountainside until it was at the doors of the Gatlinburg residents on Monday 'This one girl was driving down Ski Mountain (Road) and watching her home burn,' Gentry said. 'My kids' friends have lost their homes. It's just awful.' Others report wooden cabins ablaze and some properties literally exploded in flames, witnesses say. As the wildfires continue to burn, thousands of tourists and residents alike spent the night in shelters located in the Pigeon Forge area. 'Three county school buses are available for emergency transport and are being dispatched as needed to transport those who need to evacuate,' fire spokeswoman Trish McGee told USA Today on Monday. Phil Campbell, facilities manager at the LeConte Event Center in Pigeon Forge, said his center had already taken in around 400 people. Two Gatlinburg residents donned masks to protect themselves against the thick smoke from the forest fires around Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday Thick smoke obscured the roads in Gatlinburg on Monday afternoon as the wildfires grew closer 'We knew we had power here and some places were losing power. We knew we had restrooms and water and a safe place to house people and give them a place to go that's why we opened up,' he said. Multiple fires began after the strong winds sent fallen trees into power lines, authorities said. The Division of Forestry had reported on Sunday that the majority of wildfires in the area were completely contained as authorities were expecting a reprieve from the tinderbox conditions on Monday and Tuesday where more than two inches of rain were predicted to fall. Unfortunately, the rain failed to fall, and strong winds have the flames to private property. 'The wind is not helping, and the rain is not here yet,' Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said. 'These are the worst possible conditions imaginable.' The National Park Service has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the area due to the smoke. Smoke engulfs the Smoky Mountains while the National Park Service issued an Air Quality Advisory for the area Strong winds blew the smoke and fire towards the mountain towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on Monday Tourists stop at the roadside to watch the thick white smoke billowing up from the mountains on Monday Helicopter crews joined the fire fighting effort as they attempted to extinguish the blaze from their air on Monday Local schools have now cancelled tomorrow's classes while park employees were evacuated from the area. Popular tourist routes have also been shutdown amidst the wildfires. This is the second fire reported at Great Smoky Mountains National Park within a week. The first began at the Chimney Tops area and has spread across 500 acres. Miller asked for patience and prayers for the communities involved during a press conference. 'We urge the public to pray,' Miller told reporters. 'We urge the public to stay off the highways. The traffic that is on the roads is emergency equipment. If (the public) could just stay home and stay tuned to their local media outlet.' But forecasters are hoping the Tuesday storm will provide a new hope for firefighters trying to extinguish the flames. Early on Tuesday, the storms appeared to be taking aim at the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire that began in Georgia and then spread deep into North Carolina. Staff at Dollywood - the theme park owned by country music star Dolly Parton - pitched in to help firefighters keep flames from threatening the park The park released a statementstating that so far, no damage has been reported at the park, although some hotel guests were evacuated (the park's namesake on a Dollywood ride in 1993) The rain forecast 'puts the bull's-eye of the greatest amounts right at the bull's-eye of where we've been having our greatest activity,' said Dave Martin, deputy director of operations for fire and aviation management with the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service. The projected rainfall amounts 'really lines up with where we need it,' Martin said Monday. 'We're all knocking on wood.' After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but won't end the drought - or the fire threat, they said. More rain was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The item will go under the A tiny postage label addressed to the wireless operator on board the Titanic is expected to sell for a staggering $20,000 at an auction in Melbourne. The rare postage label addressed to the operator on the ship survived the tragedy because it never actually made it on board before the ship embarked from Southhampton in 1912. The label, believed to have been attached to a package containing blank telegram forms, reads: 'Marconi Operator, R.M.S. Titanic, c/o The White Star Line, Southhampton.' 'The aged label reads 'Marconi Operator, R.M.S. Titanic, c/o The White Star Line, Southhampton' It was sent from Chelmsford on April 11, 1912. The label is due to go under the hammer at Mossgreen Auctions in Melbourne on Tuesday night. Mossgreen Auctions specialist Torsten Weller said the postage label was expected to fetch the exorbitant price because of 'the romance of the story'. About 1,500 people died when the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912 'The romance of the whole story and the tragedy and loss of life,' he said. Mr Weller also said no other mail survived the ship's sinking 'so this particular item mailed out to the Titanic is all there is'. He hoped the item would go to a private collector who would cherish it rather than an institution. 'It would be wonderful if it sold to someone who wants to display it rather than lock it away from the public,' Mr Weller told Daily Mail Australia. The violin (left) belonged to Wallace Hartley, who with his orchestra, famously played on as the ship sank in April 1912 and the life preserver (right) is one of only six remaining from the tragedy The postage label was addressed to Marconi Operator Jack Phillips, 25, who tragically died along with 1,500 others when the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912. Mr Phillips has been remembered for working and sending SOS messages right up until the ship lost power and went under. He was survived by Harold Bride, the only other operator. Bride told The New York Times Mr Phillips had been a 'brave man' who continued working 'while everybody else was raging about'. A pocket watch from the RMS Titanic is on display during a news conference by Guernsey's Auction House January 5, 2012 Part of the Ocean liners Furnishings and Art sale at the auction house, the name boards, which survived the 1912 sinking of the ship 'I will never live to forget the work of Phillips for the last awful fifteen minutes,' he said just days after the tragedy. Director of Stamps and Postal History Gary Watson said the postage label was 'the most evocative and most important postal item associated with the most famous of maritime disasters'. The package travelled with the Olympic, the Titanic's sister ship, and was due to be delivered to the Titanic once it reached New York which never happened. A motorist has been caught on camera tucking into a bowl of cereal while hurtling down a busy freeway. The motorist was pictured driving 100km/h on the Eastern Freeway in Melbourne's east with a bowl of breakfast cereal in her lap on Tuesday. The image has emerged in the wake of the latest shocking Victorian road toll figures, which show the state in the grips of a spate of road fatalities. Cereal offender: A woman has been caught tucking into a bowl of cereal on a busy freeway A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it was not an offence in itself to be driving while eating, however it may lead to the driver being nabbed for irresponsible driving. 'While the act of eating while driving is not an offence in itself, you can be deemed to have improper control of a motor vehicle and received an infringement notice or be charged on summons,' the spokesperson said. They said if you caused a collision while eating at the wheel you could be slapped with tougher penalties. 'This can include receiving an infringement/penalty notice or being charged for failing to have proper control of a motor vehicle, however the more serious the collision the more serious the penalty.' It comes after a string of hazardous driving images, with one driver zooming down a busy highway with his feet dangling out the window The shocking images come in line with the latest figures that reveal the road toll in the state is at 213 - compared with 180 at the same time last year Pictured is a car that somehow managed to merge into a semi-trailer truck It comes after a string of hazardous driving images, with one driver zooming down a busy highway with his feet dangling out the window and another showed a car merging between the trailers of a truck. The state road toll figures showed there was a staggering 213 deaths for 2016, compared to 180 at the same time last year. This is the horrifying moment a young mother was paralysed in a hit and run outside a nightclub. Chanelle Higgins, 30, is now in a wheelchair after being knocked down by a dark grey BMW 3 series that sped along the pavement close to Scandals Night Club, on Norwood High Street in south London. She was carried along the road on its bonnet before being thrown to the ground and left for dead at around 4.40am on May 29. The crash has cost her the use of her legs and police have released CCTV footage of the hit and run as they appeal for witnesses to catch the driver, who is still at large. 'Fit and bubbly' Miss Higgins spent five months of 'hell' in hospital, lost the use of her legs and cannot care for her children on her own any more. Shocking: This is the moment a young mother (circled in red) was knocked down in a hit and run Left for dead: Chanelle Higgins, 30, is now in a wheelchair and is shown here on the right stricken on the pavement on Norwood High Street in south London. Tragedy: Chanelle Higgins, 30 who was paralysed after being hit by a car in in Norwood, south London says her life has been made 'hell' Speaking for the first time today the mother of two said: 'I spend hours and hours thinking about who did this to me. What type of person could run someone over and leave them for dead? What kind of evil person could do that? I just can't believe that the person is just living their life while I'm going through hell. It's just not right. Brave: Chanelle Higgins, who was 29 at the time, has spoken for the first time in the hope the public can help catch the driver who nearly killed her 'This incident has had a massive impact upon my life. I'm now in a wheelchair. I can't move my legs and I only have limited usage of my hands. 'I have spent five whole months lying in a hospital bed, missing my children and wondering what type of future I will be able to have. As a single mother, I was devastated to miss my son's birthday. 'That night has changed me in just about every way. I'm not the person that I used to be and I'm just so unhappy. I used to be active, fit and bubbly. And so independent, I didn't have to rely on anyone. 'Now I need care 24 hours a day and due to my disability, I can't look after my children by myself and they have to stay with my family. 'This is what hurts the most. It has been so painful being away from them yet they are the only thing that keeps me going now. Sequence: Chanelle was walking along the street with her friend when the grey BMW sped along the pavement Violent: Miss Higgins was carried along the street by the car travelling at high speed Aftermath: The young mother was thrown sideways into bins at around 4.40am on May 29 Struggle: Chanelle tried to get to her feet - today she is paralysed and is confined to a wheelchair Police are urgently appealing for witnesses to the incident, The BMW 3 series collided with two women after it drove along the pavement on Norwood High Street, SE27, near Scandals Night Club. Following the collision, the car did not stop at the scene and continued to drive along the pavement for some distance before rejoining the road. As well as hitting Miss Higgins, the car also injured her friend, who was also 29 at the time. She was also treated in hospital but was discharged following treatment for a minor injury. Police and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene of the collision and found the two injured women. Officers investigating the collision believe the driver the car was attempting to flee the scene of an altercation further along Norwood High Street immediately prior to the collision. Victim: Chanelle revealed to friends that she was the victim of a hit and run to friends a month after the incident - she spent five months in hospital Crime scene: It happened close to Scandals Night Club, on Norwood High Street in south London The car was dumped in a residential street in South London on June 16. Officers are releasing the CCTV of the collision as they continue to appeal for witnesses and for information regarding the driver of the car that night. Police Constable Laura Travers, who is leading the investigation for Lambeth CID, said: 'This was a shocking incident. These two women were simply on a night out to see friends and now their lives have changed completely. 'From looking at the CCTV footage, there are clearly many people in the street who would have witnessed this incident and could provide vital information about what happened. 'I would urge anyone who can assist to have the confidence to come forward and speak to police.' Anyone with information is asked to call PC Travers on 020 8649 2135. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. President-elect Donald Trump has lashed out on Twitter, criticizing CNN as he faces questions about his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. Trump retweeted a string of messages on Monday night from supporters over voter fraud allegations. The tweets were critical of a CNN reporter who dismissed the accusations calling them 'blatant and baseless'. 'CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do,' he wrote. Trump was still upset about the report that he continued the Twitter tirade Tuesday morning, writing: 'I thought that CNN would get better after they failed so badly in their support of Hillary Clinton however, since the election, they are worse!' Scroll down for video President-elect Donald Trump has lashed out on Twitter criticizing CNN as he faces questions about his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud Trump continued his Twitter tirade Tuesday morning, writing that CNN's reporting has only gotten 'worse' since the election Trump has responded to a recount effort by arguing that illegal voting happened in the November election, but he has offered no proof. He has singled out Virginia, California and New Hampshire, but there has been no indication of widespread election tampering or voter fraud in those states or any others. There has however been no form of official investigation into the allegations. The President-elect claimed on Twitter on Sunday that he would have won the popular vote if it were not for 'the millions of people who voted illegally.' 'In addition to winning the Electoral College by a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally,' he said. Trump retweeted a string of messages on Monday night that were critical of a CNN reporter who called the accusations of voter fraud 'blatant and baseless' Donald Trump (above on Sunday leaving Palm Beach, Florida) claimed millions of people 'illegally voted' for Hillary Clinton and tweeted that he could have won the popular vote 'Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem!' he followed up later. It was the latest in a string of outbursts since Clinton's camp joined Green Party candidate Jill Stein in her efforts for a recount in three major electoral college states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Trump, who spent the campaign warning that the result might be 'rigged,' is now pushing back hard as Stein works to secure recounts in three states he won. The Green Party were granted a statewide recount in Wisconsin on Friday and plans to formally request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday. He boarded his personal plane with wife Melania and 10-year-old son Barron after a four-day break in Florida where he spent Thanksgiving An al Qaeda operative told a parole board at Guantanamo Bay that a Saudi reform program for terrorists is actually a front for recruiting jihadists, according to declassified documents. Ghassan Abdullah al-Sharbi said the program at the Prince Mohammed bin Naif Counseling and Care Center, which was thought to have played a key role in Saudi Arabia's counter-terrorism strategy, is not what it appears to be. Dozens of Guantanamo detainees, including Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard, have been sent through to the program as a condition of their release as President Obama hopes to close the prison before he leaves office. The center, which includes activities like swimming, ping-pong, and art therapy, has been compared to a holiday resort, and those who complete the 12-step program are rewarded with young brides and new cars, the New York Post reported. Ghassan Abdullah al-Sharbi told a parole board at Guantanamo Bay that a Saudi reform program for terrorists (pictured in 2009) is actually a front for recruiting jihadists Dozens of Guantanamo detainees have been sent through to the program as a condition for their release. Programs include art therapy According to the Post, 134 Saudi detainees have been sent to the rehab centers in Riyadh and Jeddah. The facilities are meant to help former jihadists integrate into society, with psychologists on hand to determine problematic social factors while religious officials are there to clarify ideologies, the New York Times reported. Those who are sent to the center also have access to a PlayStation, gourmet meals, and private apartments for conjugal visits, the Post reported. But Al-Sharbi told the parole board: 'You guys want to send me back to Saudi Arabia because you believe there is a de-radicalization program on the surface, true. 'You are 100 per cent right, there is a strong...de-radicalization program, but make no mistake, underneath there is a hidden radicalization program.' Al-Sharbi, who faced the Periodic Review Board after 14 years, said he did not want to enroll in the 12-step rehab program fearing he would be 'used' to 'fight under the Saudi royal cloak.' He said: 'When they release you they wanna make sure that you're still under that cloak and they got you to fight their jihad in their regions and in the States.' The facilities are meant to help former jihadists integrate into society, with psychologists and religious officials on hand (pictured released Gitmo detainees listening to a Muslim cleric) Those who are sent to the center also have access to a PlayStation, gourmet meals, and private apartments for conjugal visits, although about 20 per cent return to terrorism He added: 'They will proudly tell you they will fight terrorism. That means they will support it.' He also added that fighters are being recruited and trained to face off against Iranians in Yemen and Syria. Earlier this year, the Periodic Review Board, created under Obama's administration in 2011, agreed to release Muhammed Al Shumrani after his lawyers argued that enrolling him in the rehab program would help. U.S. Senator David Perdue on Monday issued the following statement on media reports that President-elect Donald J. Trump has chosen U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA-06) to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Tom is a fellow Georgian who understands that we need to stop Washington's takeover of our health care system. As a doctor, he is seen as a leading voice on health care policy and has a common-sense plan to replace Obamacare that will lower costs and put patients in charge of their health care choices. Ive had the opportunity to work closely with Tom, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will do a fantastic job improving our nations health care system and the lives of all Americans. Senator Lamar Alexander said, Dr. Price has a thorough understanding of health care policy and the damage that Obamacare has caused he can see the view from the doctor's office as well as from the lawmaker's office. I look forward to working with him to find a responsible way to replace and then repeal Obamacare so we can move most health care decisions out of Washington, D.C., and back to states and patients." Representative Tom Graves said, I cant think of anyone better than Dr. Price to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As a practicing physician for more than 20 years, Tom knows the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and understands better than most why we need to keep the federal government out of that relationship. As a congressman, Tom led the charge to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a free-market system that increases choice, drives down premiums and puts patients first. He will do a great job implementing President-elect Trumps vision of restoring health care freedom and reversing the Obama administrations one-size-fits-all health care policies." A Planet Earth II camera crew was 'emotionally devastated' after they witnessed 150,000 antelope drop dead in just three days, a producer revealed. The team was filming the Saiga antelope in a remote region of Kazakhstan for the upcoming 'grasslands' episode, which follows the animals of the world's plains. After days of searching, the crew tracked down a calving herd and watched as thousands of antelopes gave birth to their calves together. Natural wonder: The Planet Earth II crew was filming the Saiga antelope (seen above in a file image taken in Russia) in a remote region of Kazakhstan for the upcoming 'grasslands' episode Devastated: As thousands of females gathered to give birth at the same time, a disease swept across the herd and killed some 150,000 in three days. File image of dead Saiga antelope However at the same time, a disease swept across the herd and killed some 150,000 in three days, the Daily Mirror reported. Producer Chadden Hunter told the newspaper: 'At the time we thought we were watching the greatest natural catastrophe that Id ever heard of. 'We watched 150,000 of these magnificent animals die in front of us. 'At the time we didnt know if it was the final extinction of the species, which was devastating, emotionally, for the crew.' Deadly disease: File image showing a herd of dead Saiga antelope struck by the same disease The episode, which airs this Sunday night, also features dramatic footage of a Cape buffalo facing off against a pride of lions. In another scene, viewers will see how intelligent bee-eater birds use herds of elephants to help them find their next meal. Planet Earth II: Grasslands is on BBC1 at 8pm on Sunday They say kids these days don't get outdoors enough and spend all their time glued to computer screens. But whoever said that obviously hasn't met 18-year-old Jackson Lidgard, who lives 25 km north of Kaikoura on New Zealand's south island. After getting cut off during the earthquake two weeks ago, the environmental management student cycled and hiked 25km over badly damaged roads and through railway tunnels all to catch a flight. Jackson Lidgard, 18, was stranded on his family farm on New Zealand's south island after the earthquake there two weeks ago, forcing him to cycle and hike in order to catch a flight Incredible footage captured his journey to the airport on cracked roads, over landslides, around huge boulders and through tunnels filled with broken cables. Lidgard was alone for most of the journey, with roads, train tracks and pavements abandoned, making it appear as if he was traveling through a post-apocalyptic wasteland Lidgard, an environmental management student, was due in Christchurch on Sunday and wasn't about to miss his plane He told Newshub: 'I'd booked the flight and it was all paid for. It's the only way out and you've got to do what you've got to do.' The teen was due to be in Christchurch, which was also hit by the earthquake, on Sunday to judge an electric vehicle contest. With his flight booked and paid for, he said he was determined to make check-in despite the area around the family home being devastated. Lidgard said he regularly hikes and cycles further than 25km, so had no doubt that he could make it to the airport. While his parents were understandably nervous about his trip and initially opposed it, they eventually gave in. Mother Anne-Marie told the New Zealand Herald: ' I felt sick for two hours [but] I thought this is a massive adventure and I had to let him do it. We are very proud.' Lidgard's route took him around landslides, over badly cracked roads and through railway tunnels strewn with broken cables The teen barely encountered another person on his route, passing down railways tracks and deserted highways which had all been cut off The Lidgard family were cut off from the rest of the country for 11 days following the earthquake before finally being evacuated on Friday last week. The family have their own power source, sewer system and a nearby creek for fresh water, and so were able to survive quite comfortably until help arrived. A One Nation senator has made bizarre chicken noises during a parliamentary debate about reviving the building industry watchdog. Malcolm Roberts theatrically clucked like a chicken to accuse the Labor opposition of being characters in a 2005 Walt Disney animation. 'We heard all about the Chicken Littles, bock, bock, bock, bock, beggart,' he said on Tuesday. 'All the scratching and the running around in this House last night, all the little pecking, pecking, pecking, pecking, all the Chicken Littles.' One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts (pictured) touches a microphone to emulate the sound of chickens pecking The Queenslander made chicken noises during debate on plans to revive the Australian Building and Construction Commission The Queenslander's parliamentary theatrics are reminiscent of former Labor prime minister Paul Keating using his right index finger to make a bird call sound at his Liberal Party opponent John Hewson in 1992. 'I mean ... he's going troppo,' he told the House of Representatives. A quarter of a century later, Senator Roberts was speaking in support of the Turnbull Government's Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) Bill. In May, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull played a political game of chicken by calling a double dissolution election for July, after the old Senate rejected his government's plan to reinstate the Howard government's building industry watchdog. On Tuesday afternoon, embattled One Nation senator Rod Culleton issued his own media release about the ABCC without mentioning his colleagues from Pauline Hanson's right-wing party. Vladimir Putin's culture minister has condemned anyone who does not believe a fabricated World War Two story as 'filthy scum' despite proof it was exaggerated. The legend of Panfilov's 28, which tells the story of Russian soldiers who fought and destroyed 18 German tanks to defeat a Nazi advance, is one of folklore in the country. But when a memo was unearthed in the process of turning it into a film, it revealed the details were skewed. However, Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's culture minister, has said anyone who doesn't stand by the original 'sacred legend' is 'filthy scum'. The legend of Panfilov's 28 tells the story of Russian soldiers who fought destroyed 18 German tanks to fight off a Nazi advance during the Battke of Moscow, reinacted here in 2004, is one of folklore in the country Vladimir Putin's culture minister has condemned anyone who does not believe a fabricated World War Two story 'filthy scum' despite proof it was exaggerated The story supposedly goes that during the 1941 Battle of Moscow and under siege from Nazi soldiers, the 28 men's leader delivered the line: 'Russia is vast, but there's nowhere to retreat - behind us Moscow.' Armed with little more than handheld firebombs and rifles, the soldiers attacked on the command of the Red Army officer and sacrificed themselves to stop the advance. All 28 men died, but every tank was destroyed. Putin has been at the forefront of a drive to embrace the country's legacy and even created a commission preventing the 'distortion of Russian history', according to the Washington Post. The tone of the message is that the Red Army saved the world from the Nazis in the greatest achievement by any country in the 20th century. Vladimir Medinsky (pictured), Russia's culture minister, has said anyone who doesn't stand by the original 'sacred legend' is 'filthy scum' But last year as the story of Panfilov's 28 men was being turned into a feature film, a top secret memo from 1948 written by Stalin's senior prosecutor was unveiled. It stated the story had been fabricated by journalists who were after a propaganda coup. There had been a battle, but there were more than 28 men, not everyone died and some Russian soldiers even surrendered. It has split opinion in Russia, with military historian Mikhail Myagkov telling the Washington Post: 'It's no secret that the West has opened up a frontal attack on the results of the Second World War. The movie makers were quick to point out that other cultures overplay the role of soldiers in films, namedropping Saving Private Ryan. But commentator Anton Orekh said on Echo Moskvy radio: 'They've decided that we don't need the truth - we need a myth. We all know the frustrating feeling of being stuck in traffic, but one man took his anger too far after getting involved in a brutal road rage brawl. Shocked motorists in Sydney captured the moment a driver tailgated through a two-lane tunnel on the M5 around 8.30pm on Saturday night. The women behind started filming as a joke after being amused by the man's antics, but comedy quickly turned to drama after the vehicles left the tunnel. Shocked drivers in Sydney captured the moment a Suzuki driver (right) tailgated another motorist through a tunnel despite a queue of traffic The driver of the tailgating Suzuki can be seen pulling off-road, accelerating around the cars in front, cutting back across both lanes and then slamming on the brakes. A man sitting inside a Honda HRV is left trapped on the outside lane as the Suzuki driver leaves his vehicle and comes charging over to the driver's side. Before the Honda driver can lock the door, the Suzuki driver rips it open and starts raining kicks and punches down on him. As the women in the car behind call the police, the attacker's friend comes over to join in, throwing yet more blows at the defenceless Honda driver. The Suzuki driver drives ahead of the Honda motorist, cuts him up and then stops before jumping out, tearing open the driver door and raining punches down on him The attacker is soon joined by his friend who helps in the attack and menaces other motorists before jumping in his car and driving away Apparently not content with just attacking the man behind the wheel of the Honda, the attacker's friend even menaces the driver of another vehicle after he stops to have a look. Fortunately the women managed to get the attacker's numberplate and have passed it on to police, who say they will be giving him a visit. However, officers are appealing for the man to contact them first to avoid a harsher penalty. The wife of an oil executive jumped to her death from a hotel balcony on a Greek holiday as her husband begged: 'Please baby don't do this - don't let go of me'. Denniel Higginson, 38, clambered over a rail and plunged from the fourth floor despite desperate attempts to save her by her father and engineer husband Steve. In the moments before she fell, Mr Higginson went to grab his Australian wife's hands but she slipped out of his grasp and fell to the ground below. Mrs Higginson - known to friends as Dee - was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead after suffering multiple injuries. Tragedy: Denniel Higginson (pictured right), 38, plunged to her death from a hotel balcony despite the desperate attempts of her father and engineer husband Steve (right) to save her British police were asked to investigate the 1am tragedy in Athens after the parents of Mrs Higginson filed a statement claiming her husband was 'controlling' and had 'driven her' to her death. They are said to have been involved in an argument with Mr and Mrs Higginson while on a family holiday in Greece. Officers from the UK flew out to speak to Greek police and the hotel manager but concluded that Mrs Higginson had killed herself. No criminal charges were brought. The hearing was told Mr Higginson, originally from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, had met his wife through a dating website in 2014 after he went to work in Perth, Australia. They married in November 2014 and moved to Dubai in January 2015 when he got a job offer working as an oil and gas quality manager before the couple moved again to an apartment in Dohar, Qatar, the following May. But housewife Mrs Higginson was said to be unhappy at her new life and later suffered a miscarriage. Tragedy struck on July 19 this year when the Higginsons went on holiday with her parents Jennifer and Dennis. Tragic: In the moments before she fell, Mr Higginson went to grab his Australian wife's hands but she slipped out of his grasp and fell Inspector Roger Edwards of Greater Manchester Police told the Stockport hearing: 'The holiday had been fraught and on the day of her death there was tension within the group. That evening, they went for dinner in the centre of Athens. 'Denniel and her mother went for a walk and went missing for over 90 minutes. This was worrying to the two men and when they caught up with the two ladies there were words between Mr Higginson and Denniel's father. 'Mr Higginson and his wife went back to their hotel room and were sitting on the balcony as he explained why he was upset. Mr Higginson then left Denniel on the balcony as he went to the toilet. As he left the toilet he could see her in the process of climbing over the balcony. 'She brought her left leg and then her right leg over the balcony. By the time Mr Higginson got there she was hanging off the balcony. 'He tried to stop her and there was shouting between the pair which alerted Denniel's father who was in the room adjacent. Mr Higginson shouted "please baby don't do this - don't let go of me". 'Mr Higginson said he didn't know what was going through her mind, it just came from nowhere. He and Denniel's father both had her arms and were trying to hold her. 'Other people were watching from below but nobody came to help. Mr Higginson was tired and his hands were hot and sweaty.' The hearing was told Mrs Higginson's body was flown to the UK for a post mortem and police questioned her husband over the tragedy. Insp Edwards added: 'I received two statements from Denniel's parents as they believed Denniel had been driven to her death by her husband. UK police were asked to investigate the tragedy after the parents of Mrs Higginson (left) filed a statement claiming her husband (right) was 'controlling' and had 'driven her' to her death 'They claimed he was a controlling individual. We made contact with the Greek authorities to see if our investigations paralleled, flew to Athens and spoke to the hotel's general manager and the Greek police. 'We visited the room where Denniel and her husband were staying and found that Mr Higginson's account was consistent with the way the room was laid out. 'He would have had a clear view of the balcony from the toilet. We visited the Greek police at their offices and their investigation was broadly similar to what Mr Higginson told us. 'The Greek Police believe this was suicide and no criminal charges are present against anyone.' Acting Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley said a post mortem examination by pathologist Charles Wilson said Mrs Higginson had been drinking on the evening of her death which 'may have affected her normal behaviour.' Recording a conclusion of suicide she added: 'I cannot find any evidence of any third party involvement in this case. I believe Denniel's actions were spontaneous and despite the efforts of her husband and father she fell to her death which was caused by multiple injuries. 'I am satisfied that she has taken her own life. She climbed over the balcony and despite efforts from her family, she fell over the balcony. I hope this verdict may give some closure to the family and I offer my condolences.' Mr Higginson attended the hearing but left without comment. A man is seriously injured in hospital after he was stabbed in the neck on a high street busy with Christmas shoppers. The 33-year-old was wounded in a fight outside Primark in Romford, east London yesterday afternoon. Police say his condition is not life threatening but that his injuries are 'potentially life changing'. Two men, both in their early 40s, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are being questioned. This was the scene outside Primark in Romford yesterday after a man was stabbed in the neck Shoppers inside the store had to be escorted out of another exit as paramedics and police arrived to help the injured man. Witness Jill Hartwell posted on Facebook: 'In Romford doing Christmas shopping and police everywhere someone has got stabbed just been airlifted by helicopter.' Jackie Matthew added: 'A woman said she was walking in the door and two guys were arguing the next thing he pulled a knife out and stabbed him in the neck.' A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'Officers were called at 14:15hrs on Monday, 28 November to reports of two men fighting in Exchange Road, Romford. 'London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended the scene. A man, aged 33, was found at the location with a stab wound to his neck. 'He was taken to an east London hospital for treatment where he remains. His injuries are described as non-life threatening but potentially life changing.' Witnesses went on Facebook to tell of the shocking scenes in the east London high street The spokesman added: 'Two men, aged 41 and 40 were arrested on Tuesday, 29 November at an address in Romford on suspicion of attempted murder. 'They are currently in custody at an east London police station.' A little boy has been filmed standing completely naked in the snow as a group of adults stand around laughing at the shivering youngster. The shocking mobile phone video was posted on Kazakhstan video sharing sites, showing a naked and somewhat chubby little boy, no older than three, standing outside in sub-zero temperatures as the adults mock him rather than cover him up. The boy came out of a house all of a sudden and instead of taking him back inside, the adults decided to film him standing naked. The shocking footage shows a naked and somewhat chubby little boy, no older than three, standing outside in sub-zero temperatures as the adults mock him rather than cover him up A man's voice can be heard in the background at one point in the video saying: 'The boy should run home.' The youngster seems to take no notice, and sets off running down the road. On either side of the icy road are piles of snow and some puddles. The video ends with the boy still standing outside waving at the camera. Netizen 'Samira' said: 'This is quite shocking, he could end up with frostbite and pneumonia. Children's health is very fragile, looks to me like a case of the boy needing to be taken into care.' Another, 'Rakhmet', said: 'It is definitely not ok if you see a naked boy in the street and you laugh about it and take a video instead of taking him into the warm. I guess they probably knew him and his parents and therefore felt it is okay.' The youngster sets off running down the road. On either side of the icy road are piles of snow and some puddles. Karl Stefanovic and Channel 9's threats to sue New Idea magazine is way of getting back at rivals Channel 7, which is owned by New Idea's parent company, Waleed Aly has said. The Nine Network has confirmed it had hired Sydney-based Stefanovic a defamation lawyer following a series of stories in tabloid magazines about the breakdown of the Today Show host's marriage. On Tuesday's episode of The Project, host Waleed Aly referenced an article written about the issue and said it raised interesting issues about the situation. 'The magazine that's been writing about Karl that's owned by the same company that owns Channel 7, right. Scroll down for videos The Project host Waleeed Aly discussed the potential legal action by Channel 9 on Tuesday New Idea covers with Karl Stefanovic on each (top left of left and bottom right on right) 'And so when they write about Karl, actually there's a kind of subtext there because they're writing about a rival person. 'So when Karl sues there's an element of Channel 9 wanting to... get their own back on Channel 7.' Stefanovic and Cassandra Thorburn - his wife of 21 years - were involved in a much publicised split in September, with widespread speculation about his other potential love interests. On Monday, women's magazine New Idea published a story saying the Today Show co-host was set to quit breakfast television to do some 'soul-searching'. However late on Monday afternoon Channel Nine rubbished the rumours, defending Stefanovic and threatening to take legal action against what they called 'lazy' and 'fictitious lies', 9 Honey reports. 'This very personal campaign is being prosecuted by weekly women's magazines running fictitious and damaging articles about Karl Stefanovic that are without any foundation of fact,' Darren Wick, Channel Nine's head of news said. Channel Nine has threatened to sue a number of tabloid magazines over a series of stories about the marriage breakdown of Today Show co-host Karl Stefanovic and Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) 'At best, this is lazy and reckless reporting. 'At worst, there is a case that this campaign is designed to damage not only his reputation but our business as well and we no longer intend to tolerate these lies. 'Nine has instructed Mark O'Brien, one of Australia's most experienced media and defamation lawyers, to act on Karl and Nine's behalf in this matter and take the necessary steps to defend his reputation against the endless fabrications.' At worst, there is a case that this campaign is designed to damage not only his reputation but our business as well and we no longer intend to tolerate these lies. Daniel Wick, Channel 9 head of news Earlier on Monday a spokesperson for Channel Nine told Daily Mail Australia that any suggestions he would be quitting his position were wrong. 'Karl is definitely on Today in 2017, alongside the team who have had such a successful year in 2016,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. The statement also followed an article published in Woman's Day on Monday, which speculated at a potential romance between Stefanovic and food blogger Sofia Levin. The statement followed articles published in Woman's Day and New Idea on Monday In recent weeks Stefanovic's breakfast co-host Lisa Wilkinson has also come to his defence, similarly slamming the 'lies' published about him. The 56-year-old told Mamamia she was 'angry' and 'disgusted' about the reports of his marriage breakdown, saying there were 'human beings involved'. 'There's a lot of rubbish out there, a lot of lies,' she said. 'I am disgusted with some sections of the media at the moment and some of the comments sections. ' 'The fact they have no moderators at all and the complete, well again, lies that are published without any regards to the fact that there are human beings involved here and there's children involved.' South Korean President Park Geun-hye has said she would quit following public outrage over a Rasputin-type confidante who wielded government power. The leader's longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who, despite having no official role in government, allegedly had a say in policy decisions and exploited her presidential ties to bully companies into giving large sums of money to her businesses and foundations. Choi has been indicted with extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges, but the President cannot face prosecution while still in office. It has sparked mass public outrage in South Korea, prompting Park to say if parliament can come up with a plan for a 'safe transfer of governments', she would step down. South Korean President Park Geun-hye has said she would quit following public outrage over a Rasputin-type confidante who wielded government power The leader's longtime friend Choi Soon-sil (pictured, centre), who, despite having no official role in government, allegedly had a say in policy decisions and exploited her presidential ties to bully companies into giving large sums of money to her businesses and foundations It has sparked mass public outrage in South Korea, prompting Park to say if parliament can come up with a plan for a 'safe transfer of governments', she would step down South Korean protesters hold up candles during a rally calling for South Korean President Park Geun-hye to step down in Seoul, South Korea South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she'll resign in her latest attempt to fend off impeachment efforts and massive street protests amid prosecution claims that a corrupt confidante wielded government power from the shadows. Opponents immediately called Park's conditional resignation offer a stalling tactic, and analysts said her steadfast denial that she has done anything wrong could embolden her enemies. The country's largest opposition party, the Minjoo Party, said it would not let Park's 'ploy to avoid impeachment' interfere with a planned vote on impeachment on Friday. Park, who did not take questions from reporters after her live address to the nation, said she will 'leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly,' referring to parliament. 'If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will step down from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law,' she said. But some saw Park's speech as a clear effort to avoid leaving office, despite the resignation language. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she'll resign in her latest attempt to fend off impeachment efforts and massive street protests amid prosecution claims that a corrupt confidante wielded government power from the shadows For the fifth-straight weekend, masses of protesters are expected to occupy major avenues in downtown Seoul on Saturday demanding Park is ousted One clue that she was trying to buy time, said Yul Shin, a politics professor at Seoul's Myongji University, was her comment on 'shortening' the presidential term, which he said would require a time-consuming constitutional amendment. Park is to end her single five-year term in early 2018. 'There is no possibility that the opposition parties will accept her offer - not when the public is this angry,' Shin said. 'She apparently wanted to buy more time, but in the end she might have hastened the end of her presidency.' Park's speech came as opposition parties were closing in on an impeachment motion. Even some of her allies have called on her to 'honorably' step down rather than face impeachment. hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Seoul each Saturday to demand Park's ouster Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Seoul each Saturday to demand Park is ousted. The country's two largest opposition parties said they will propose to the presidential office two former senior prosecutors as candidates for a special prosecutor to independently investigate the scandal. Under a law passed by parliament earlier this month, Park has three days to pick a special prosecutor among the two candidates. Park, in her speech, continued to deny accusations by prosecutors that she colluded in the criminal activities of her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who, despite having no official role in government, allegedly had a say in policy decisions and exploited her presidential ties to bully companies into giving large sums of money to businesses and foundations that Choi controlled. 'Not for one moment did I pursue my private gains, and I have so far lived without ever harboring the smallest selfish motive,' Park said. 'The problems that have emerged are from projects that I thought were serving the public interest and benefiting the country. But since I failed to properly manage those around me, (everything that happened) is my large wrongdoing.' At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil (pictured in hat), the daughter of a late cult leader and mentor who became close to Park after her mother's assassination in 1974 Instead of buying her more time, Park's conditional resignation offer may embolden street protesters and further fan the anger of her critics because she continues to deny wrongdoing over the scandal, said Choi Chang Ryul, a politics professor at South Korea's Yongin University. Chung Jinsuk, floor leader of Park's Saenuri Party, defended her speech as showing a 'determination to avoid confusion in state affairs,' and said that parliament should 'overcome factions' to agree on the process and timeline for Park's exit. South Korea's first president, Syngman Rhee, quit and fled to Hawaii amid a popular uprising in 1960. The succeeding government was overthrown by a coup by Park's late father, the military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose rule also abruptly ended after he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. Choi Kyu-hah then became acting president, but was forced out of office eight months later after a military coup led by Chun Doo-hwan, who would eventually become president. At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil, the daughter of a late cult leader and mentor who became close to Park after her mother's assassination in 1974. Prosecutors have so far indicted Choi, two ex-presidential officials and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges. Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet with prosecutors. FourBridges Capital Advisors announced that Southeastern Tool & Design received a significant investment from Alderman Holdings LLC. FourBridges an investment banking firm that helps business owners sell their companies, refinance debt or access growth capital acted as exclusive advisor to Southeastern Tool. Based in Chattanooga, Southeastern Tool provides machining, engineering and automation solutions to top-tier manufacturers in the automotive, flooring, power generation and metal stamping industries. Originally established as a one-customer outsourced machine shop in 1980, the company was purchased by CEO and owner Lou Ziebold in 2010. Mr. Ziebold repositioned it as a client-focused, technology-driven provider of solutions that help companies maximize production and enhance manufacturing processes. After investing in people and technology over the last six years and acquiring a diversified customer base, I felt the company was at an inflection point. I wanted to find an investor that could help me take the company to the next level, Mr. Ziebold said. I also wanted partial liquidity for myself and for the buyout of a partner who was retiring. When I contacted FourBridges, they suggested a strategy of finding a value-added investor that would share my vision for Southeastern Tool. FourBridges helped us position our company in the best light, identified quality parties to approach and ultimately, negotiated a deal with Alderman Holdings." FourBridges analyzed Southeastern Tool's financial statements, developed a forecast and compiled a Confidential Information Memorandum that told the company's "story" to potential partners. A diverse universe of private equity groups, strategic investors and family offices were contacted, and eventually, Alderman Holdings was identified as the best fit. A Chattanooga-based partnership, Alderman Holdings acquires or invests in companies facing an ownership transition. The group targets mostly mature, traditional companies with quality leadership teams and a proven product or service. Alderman holds its investments for the long term and takes a proactive operational approach to growing companies and creating value. Geographically, they focus on Chattanooga and the surrounding region. Lou Ziebold and his company represent the true 'sweet spot' that FourBridges serves, said Andy Stockett, managing director of FourBridges. We enjoy working with business owners and entrepreneurs who have built quality businesses and are now looking to sell the company or, as in Lous case, find a partner that can bring capital and operating expertise to the table." Chief Inspector Timothy Frohwein (pictured) who froze to death on deserted moorland may have died when a fake suicide attempt went 'tragically wrong', an inquest has heard A married policeman who froze to death on deserted moorland may have died when a fake suicide attempt went 'tragically wrong', an inquest has heard. Chief Inspector Timothy Frohwein's half-dressed body was found in the Peak District National Park - next to a half empty bottle of whisky and painkillers - nearly one week after he had set off for a hill walk. Before he was found, the 48-year-old - whose disappearance was described by friends at the time as being 'totally out of character' - had sent text messages to his wife and son which made them fear for his safety. But an inquest into his death heard how, when he was found, there was told no trace of alcohol in the policeman's body. The level of drugs in his system was well below 'toxic' and nowhere near the level considered 'fatal', the hearing heard. Derbyshire Senior Coroner Dr Robert Hunter said he could not be certain that the father-of-three had intended to kill himself. He said one potential scenario was that the policeman had arranged the scene to look as though he intended to take his own life. Dr Hunter added that Mr Frohwein might have believed he would be rescued, only for freezing weather and darkness to descend before anyone could help. 'On the balance of the evidence I can't be sure that Mr Frohwein necessarily had the intention to take his own life or that it was a direct result of his own actions. 'It is possible, that while a suicide was stage managed to get the desired effect, things took a turn for the worst,' he told the hearing. Chesterfield Coroner's Court head how Mr Frohwein was last seen alive as he left his home in Buxton, Derbyshire, in November 2013. The hearing heard he was spotted walking in the direction of the hills near his home wearing a three-quarter length dark coat, pale blue shirt and brown jeans. Six days later, the married father-of-three was found near a stone butt on Grouse Moor in the Goyt Valley by a friend who had joined the widespread search party . Pathologist Dr Andrew Hitchcock told the inquest Mr Frohwein died of hypothermia but it was not possible to say exactly when he had died. Toxicologist Dr Paul Smith added that Mr Frohwein was found next to a half-empty bottle of whisky, but that there was no alcohol found in his blood or urine. He said the alcohol could have been broken down in the hours and days after death, but also could mean that he did not have the drink. Blister packs of amitriptyline - which Mr Frohwein took to cope with neuralgia, but which can also used as an anti-depressant - were found stuffed into the stone walls of the 'butt' which is used by grouse hunters, the hearing was told. Police Chief Inspector Tim Frohwein is captured on CCTV as he sets off from his hometown of Buxton, Derbyshire for a hill walk in the Peak District six days before his body was found Before he was found, the 48-year-old had walked out of the family home and sent text messages to his wife and son which made them fear for his safety. The body was found in the Goyt Valley in the Peak District However toxicology tests showed levels only consistent with 'therapeutic use'. A pre-inquest review had heard the officer had been overlooked for promotion on two separate occasions. There were also marital issues and he had recently undergone knee surgery which may have 'contributed to his mental state'. But Briony Ballard, representing Derbyshire Police, told the inquest there was nothing to support a conclusion 'beyond reasonable doubt' that he had committed suicide. Paul Clark, for the Frohwein family, argued that it was important to look at all the events that took place before the tragedy and consider it as a possibility. But Derbyshire's Senior Coroner Dr Robert Hunter replied, saying the evidence pointed to Mr Frohwein dying as a result of 'exposure to the elements'. 'We know that he left the house on Sunday lunchtime and we also know he sent text to his wife and son about intimate issues,' he said. Derbyshire Police appealed for help to find their missing chief inspector 'These texts in themselves might be evidence to suggest intent, but they are not proof of intent. 'One can envisage a scenario were he has voluntarily left the house, gone up into the High Peak, sent texts to put people in a state of panic or fear. 'He may have poured half a bottle of whisky onto the ground or drunk it. He also placed a number of blister packs of the drugs in crevices of the stone butt. He may have taken some, but that contradicts the toxicology reports.' He said the whole thing could have been 'staged' by Mr Frohwein 'in the hope that people would come looking for him and he would be rescued'. 'What he did not account for was the weather,' he added. 'With the visibility affected by fog and darkness falling he may have thought it prudent to stay where he was and that people would come to the rescue. 'However things went tragically wrong because of the weather and that took its toll before he was found.' The coroner added he may have had a row and simply gone for a walk to calm down, but he said 'there is certainly not enough evidence to suggest suicide'. The chief inspector, a member of the Christian Police Association, was last seen on the Sunday afternoon hours after attending a church service with his wife Lesley, 57. She sat in court and listened to the evidence along with their three grown up sons Sam, Chris, 24 and 22 year-old Joel. With 20 years' service in the police, Mr Frohwein had worked as a chief executive of an overseas charity during a career break. He had served widely across Derbyshire, headed up roads policing and was the operations chief inspector at Chesterfield at the time of his death. After attending Kingham Hill boarding school in Oxfordshire, Mr Frohwein, studied physical education and economic geography at University College, Chester. He joined the police force in 1987 aged 22, and had worked for the Kent, Cheshire and Derbyshire police forces in roles as uniform, sergeant and inspector. He was also a trained hostage negotiator, and spent five years working as international development director for MxM, an NGO with offices in the US, UK, Cyprus and the Middle East. After Mr Frohwein's death Derbyshire Chief Constable Mick Creedon said: 'We have lost a valued member of the police service and his friends and colleagues will mourn his passing.' Police in Cologne are already putting plans in place to deal with any violence on New Year's Eve after hundreds of women reported being sexually assaulted by groups of men in the city last year. A group of experts from state and federal police have come together in an operation called 'Silvester' - meaning New Year's Eve in German - to analyse last year's events and decide how best to minimise the risks of a repeat this year. Most of the victims of last year's assaults described the attackers as as being of North African appearance and the BKA newspaper reported that most suspects came from either Algeria, Morocco, or Iraq. Police came under fire after a huge 600 sexual assaults were reported in Cologne in one night. Police came under fire after a huge 600 sexual assaults were reported in Cologne last New Year's Eve The women who were attacked in Cologne represented roughly half of the 1,231 victims who were assaulted by groups of men in German cities on New Year's Eve. Henriette Reker, the Mayor of Cologne, said she had been fully informed about the attacks Almost all of the victims were young women between the ages of 18 and 24. Of the sexual crimes committed, 239 also involved another offense such as theft. The large number of crimes in Cologne saw the competence of police called into question, with officers accused of failing to provide adequate security. Accusations were also leveled that police had covered up details of the attacks, as well as the refugee background of attackers. Cologne police chief Wolfgang Albers was suspended after the city's mayor Henriette Reker said police had failed to inform her fully about sexual assaults. Cologne's Express newspaper has obtained a copy of the latest police recommendations, produced by the committee of specialists. Their final report is set to be discussed at a conference of interior ministries, which begins today. A group of experts from state and federal police have come together to look at how the attacks could have been prevented The new report details how experts believe last year's events could have been prevented, with recommendations including limiting the number of people in certain areas at large events, as well as use helicopters and horse-mounted police to monitor crowds. Experts also said video surveillance supported by better lighting was needed, as one of the problems police faced when identifying suspects was that the security cameras around the train station where most crimes were reported were poor quality. Michelle, 18, pictured left, was one of the victims. She and her friends were surround by a group of 30 men. Protests were held in the city, pictured right, following the attacks, by German people expressing their disgust and horror at the events of the night The experts also said that more work needs to be done with refugees, both in terms of registering them in the country on arrival, and also working to integrate them into society. Work needs to be done with refugees to 'improve the basic conditions which result in social-structure disadvantages and frustrations as a result of lack of personal exchange, financial participation, recognition and barriers to getting to know women', the report says. Advertisement 'A 'have cake and eat it' model for Brexit would be 'nice,' Business Secretary Greg Clark said today as he responded to a document mistakenly revealed by a Tory aide leaving Downing Street yesterday that gave a rare glimpse into the Government's stance on EU exit talks. The notes suggest the Government has already given up on staying in the European single market and will not go for a Norway-style deal. Instead they indicate the UK is looking at a 'Canada-plus' trade arrangement, and will leave the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice as it does not 'fit' with the PM's determination to curb immigration. Mr Clark attempted to play down the significance of the notes as the Cabinet arrived for today's Cabinet meeting in No. 10, insisting the notes do not represent government policy. But the document suggest ministers are hostile towards the civil service as the notes appear to have been taken from a meeting with a minister in the Brexit department, with one note critical of the idea of a transitional deal with the EU because it would allow Whitehall to effectively keep Britain in the bloc for years after. Luxembourg ridiculed Britain over the leaked information. The country's prime minister Xavier Bettell said this morning: 'They [the British government] want to have their cake, eat it, and get a smile from the baker, but not the other things. There are European values which cannot be separated. No cherry picking.' The notes were being carried by an advisor to Mark Field, an influential pro-Remain Conservative MP who represents the City of London An aide to Tory MP Mark Field was photographed carrying notes apparently from a briefing The note reads: 'Transitional [agreement] loath to do it. Whitehall will hold on to it. We need to bring an end to the expectation.' The latest humiliating document gaffe gives a fascinating glimpse into the shape of Theresa May's plan for Brexit negotiations. Referring to the ideal 'model' for Brexit, it says: 'Have cake and eat it.' The notes were being carried by an advisor to Mark Field, an influential pro-Remain Conservative MP who represents the City of London and could play an important role in negotiations. The senior MP and his chief of staff, Julia Dockerill, were believed to have been inside No 9 Downing Street - where Brexit Secretary David Davis has an office - for a briefing, before visiting No 10 and then returning to Parliament. The document also backs up speculation that the government will seek a transitional agreement after we formally quit the EU, but signals ministers involved in Brexit discussions are hostile to the idea. Photographers captured a close up of what appears to be a record of what Mr Field was told while in No 9 - the latest instance of careless wielding of sensitive notes in Downing Street. Labour said the Government must now 'come clean' and publish its plan for Brexit. But today Mr Clark said he did not 'recognise' the contents of the note. 'I was interested and amused to see it because it doesn't reflect any of the conversations that I've been part of in Downing Street,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. The senior MP and his chief of staff, Julia Dockerill, pictured left, were believed to have been inside No 9 Downing Street - where Brexit Secretary David Davis, (pictured right, this morning) has an office - for a briefing, before visiting No 10 and then returning to Parliament Theresa May, pictured left leaving the China Tang restaurant in central London yesterday with her husband Philip and right, leaving Downing Street today, is aiming to trigger Article 50 - the formal two-year mechanism for leaving the EU - by the end of March 2017 Greg Clark, pictured left, attempted to play down the significance of the notes as the Cabinet arrived for today's Cabinet meeting in No. 10 today, including Home Secretary Amber Rudd, right International Trade Secretary Liam Fox (pictured left arriving for Cabinet in No. 10 this morning) and Boris Johnson (pictured right arriving for today's meeting) are understood to be among those who are calling for a 'hard' form of Brexit Cabinet ministers Priti Patel, left, and Justice Secretary Liz Truss, right, arrive for today's Cabinet meeting in No. 10 'I don't know what the provenance of that note is. All I can say is this is going to be a negotiation that has to be serious. We have to get our negotiating mandate in place but this is being done soberly and meticulously. Asked if the Government's policy was to have its cake and eat it, he replied: 'It would be nice to have but it's not the policy.' He declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline last night, instead referring the issue to No10. The handwritten notes say it is 'p roblematic for EU if we move decisively with no transition'. Alongside a reference to the EU's chief negotiator Michael Barnier, the notes say: 'We think it's unlikely we'll be offered single market. Our criteria are clear more open the better.' The document suggests the government regards a deal on the manufacturing sector as 'relatively straightforward', but indicates that the financial services sector could be the sticking point. 'Services harder because French hoping for business,' it says. TORY AIDE JULIA DOCKERILL PARTIES ON DESPITE HUMILIATING GAFFE Julia Dockerill, the Tory councillor for the St Katharine's & Wapping ward in east London, says she enjoys photography, exploring London and 'travelling to unusual places' in an online profile Julia Dockerill, the Tory aide whose notes gave a glimpse into the Government's Brexit strategy yesterday, appeared to be unaware of her humiliating gaffe as she tweeted from a Christmas party tonight. She posted pictures at the Wapping Christmas tree party in east London this evening, writing: 'Party starting before party started'. Ms Dockerill, a self-described 'Essex girl', has served as the Conservative councillor for the St Katharine's & Wapping ward in the Tower Hamlets borough of London since May 2014. She has worked as chief of staff to Mark Field, the Tory MP for Cities of London and Westminster, for more than five years. In an online profile the young Tory says she enjoys photography, exploring London and 'travelling to unusual places'. She and Mr Field has co-written books together and she is currently working on another book, titled 'London in the Noughties, which explores the economic, social and political change in the capital from 2000-2010. Advertisement In a significant line, the notes state: 'ECJ (European Court of Justice) and control of borders won't fit.' The document continues: 'Why no Norway two elements. No ECJ intervention. We've a (obscured) beyond our trade with Europe. Unlikely to do internal market.' The paper suggests ministers are 'looking at Canadian deal and add to it'. 'French likely to be most difficult. We want successful' it adds. 'Don't want instability in Europe. Fearful of us as competitor' Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said: 'The case for Government to come clean, to end this unnecessary uncertainty and publish a clear plan for Brexit is now overwhelming. 'Two weeks ago Boris Johnson told a Czech newspaper that the Government is not planning for the UK to stay in the Customs Union, yesterday we learn from leaked notes that the Government does not intend to stay in the single market either.' He added: 'These disclosures are significant because they suggest that the Government is not even going to fight for the single market or customs union in the negotiations. If that is the case, there are huge implications for the economy, for businesses and for jobs in the UK.' The notes appear to finally shed some light on what ministers want to achieve in the upcoming Brexit negotiations. So far, the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to give any details of her strategy, insisting she won't give a 'running commentary' on the process of leaving the EU. Cabinet ministers, including Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, left, and Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, right, made sure their folders were slammed shut as they arrived for today's Cabinet meeting in No 10 Mr Field, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, had been in the Brexit Department and then went into Downing Street before heading back towards parliament Julia Dockerill, the Tory aide whose notes gave a glimpse into the Government's Brexit strategy yesterday, appeared to be unaware of her humiliating gaffe as she tweeted pictures from a Christmas party tonight Julia Dockerill, a self-described 'Essex girl,' has served as the Conservative councillor for the St Katharine's & Wapping ward in the Tower Hamlets borough of London since May 2014. Tonight she posted pictures from the Wapping Christmas tree party, seemingly unaware of the gaffe she made earlier in the day Mrs May and other key ministers fear that revealing their negotiating hand will hand the EU an advantage ahead of the start of talks. She is aiming to trigger Article 50 - the two-year formal mechanism for leaving the EU - by the end of March next year. If she sticks to the timetable, Britain will start life outside the EU in April 2019. A spokesman for the Prime Minister dismissed the notes today and insisted Mrs May is 'focused on is the detailed work of preparing for the negotiations for the UK to leave the European Union'. The spokesman added: The Prime Minister has been very clear on what she wants: that an arrangement delivers on the vote of the British people, that gives British businesses the maximum access to and freedom to operate within the single market but also allows us to control the number of people coming here from the European Union. Shes pointed out and others have pointed out that what is a good deal for the UK will be a good deal for the EU as well. Asked if the PM is concerned that the EU's negotiating team is 'very French,' the spokesman replied: 'No.' Ms Dockerill, the Tory aide whose notes gave a glimpse into the Government's Brexit strategy yesterday, appeared to be unaware of her humiliating gaffe as she tweeted pictures from a Christmas party last night. She posted pictures from the Wapping Christmas tree party in east London, writing: 'Party starting before party started'. Ms Dockerill, a self-described 'Essex girl,' has served as the Conservative councillor for the St Katharine's & Wapping ward in the Tower Hamlets borough of London since May 2014. She has worked as chief of staff to Mark Field, the Tory MP for Cities of London and Westminster, for more than five years. In an online profile the young Tory says she enjoys photography, exploring London and 'travelling to unusual places'. Advertisement Australian soldiers downed whiskey and smiled for the cameras holding Nazi flags during the first half of World War II. Images released to the public show Diggers in good spirits, drinking spirits, after shooting down enemy planes in Libya during the end of 1941. A young flight lieutenant Wilfred Stanley Arthur is pictured holding a bottle and a Nazi flag after his Royal Australian Air Force No. 3 Squadron shot down 12 enemy aircraft. The 21-year-old Queenslander joined the Air Force on the day war was declared in September 1939 and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down four aircraft. Young Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Stanley Arthur (pictured) holding a bottle of whiskey after his No.3 Squadron shot down 12 enemy aircraft in December 1941 No.3 Squadron leader Allen Rawlinson and Wing Commander Peter Jeffrey hold bottles of spirits to celebrate the shooting down of the 100th enemy plane in December 1941 The No. 3 Squadron was presented with a Nazi flag in December 1941 after shooting down the 100th enemy plane. Squadron leader Allen Rawlinson and Wing Commander Peter Jeffrey hold bottles of alcohol and cigarettes to celebrate the occasion. In the Western Desert, New Zealand troops wrap a Nazi flag around the turret of a British Matilda tank which the Germans had used. The crew declared the retaking of an Allied tank as 'the most exciting time that we had ever had'. The Australian War Memorial in Canberra has released to the public pictures of Australian and New Zealand troops, who fought in North Africa to halt General Erwin Rommel's Italian-German fascist forces. New Zealand gun crew with the Nazi flag wrapped around the turret of a British Matilda tank they had retaken from the Germans. Date unknown Airmen from the No.3 squadron display a captured Nazi swastika flag on the train that will take them from Cairo to Port Tewfik in September 1945 Members of the 2/2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, in Sydney during 1943, display a Nazi flag they had captured at the Battalion at El Alamein Two fisherman have rescued four Schoolies they found floating off the coast of a island in Victoria on colourful blow-up animals. Alex King and his friend Tristen Northmore said they were fishing off Cowes beach on Phillip Island on Tuesday when they spotted the girls floating in the ocean, reported the Herald Sun. The group of girls had reportedly been planning a leisurely float off the beach, when they ended up further out to sea than expected. Two fisherman have rescued four female Schoolies (pictured) they found floating off the coast of Phillip Island in Victoria on colourful blow-up animals In a Facebook post, accompanied by a photo with the girls, Mr King said: 'Whilst squid fishing off Cowes we observed two pink flamingos, a dinosaur and a unicorn floating helplessly into the western entrance current.' 'Pulling in our lines and moving in for a closer inspection we found it to be four young ladies in need of a rescue. 'Be safe on the water. No matter the vessel you are in.' Mr King told the Herald Sun they regularly caught bronze whalers and gummy sharks in the 30-metre deep water where they found the girls. In a Facebook post Mr King said: 'Whilst squid fishing off Cowes (on Phillip Island) we observed two pink flamingos, a dinosaur and a unicorn (pictured) floating helplessly into the western entrance current' 'When told them how deep they got, they were a bit stressed,' he said. 'We didnt tell them until they got in the boat. 'We dont even swim here and were locals we know what we pull out of the water.' The fishermen tied the blow up animals to the back of the boat and gave the girls a lift back to the jetty on shore. Passengers at Chicago's O'Hare Airport can expect delays and disruption Tuesday as hundreds walk out demanding a $15 minimum hourly wage and union rights, organizers promised. About 600 workers have committed to the strike - termed a 'Day of Disruption' and part of the nationwide 'Fight for $15' movement - including cabin cleaners, janitors, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers. Despite the planned action, officials from both United and American told NBC Chicago that they were planning ahead to ensure there would be no effect on service. Scroll down for video Strike: Workers at Chicago O'Hare Airport will strike Tuesday, demanding $15 per hour. Pictured: workers with union reps at the strike announcement on Nov 21 Contracted: The workers are all contracted, rather than unionized, but are being supported by unions. They say United and American Airlines are most likely to be affected The workers are all employed by private contractors to the airport and so are not union members - but they trying to organize with the help of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1. They're also expected to be joined by around up to 2,000 supporters in a picket outside the airport. This will be the first strike since Donald Trump won the presidency. Tom Balanoff, president of the SEIU Local 1, said the strike was necessary for the workers. 'They provide vital services. They're adults trying to support their family,' he said. 'The airport needs to be an economic engine for the entire city.' Some of those at O'Hare currently work for $10.50 per hour - the minimum hourly wage in Chicago, according to CNN Money. And that makes it tough to survive, according to Kisha Rivera, a cabin cleaner at O'Hare who says some of her colleagues sleep in the airport because they can't afford apartments. 'We work so hard and we hardly even get breaks,' she said. 'When we go from plane to plane, we can't even go to the bathroom.' Employees took the strike vote around two weeks ago, and announced it on November 21. They deliberately delayed the strike until after Thanksgiving because they 'care about their passengers,' Balanoff said. 'The workers aren't necessarily striking to shut the airport down,' he said - just 'to elevate their message and their concern.' Vote: The strike was voted for two weeks ago, but workers waited until after Thanksgiving because they didn't want to alienate the public. Pictured: The strike announcement, Nov 21 Solutions: Both American and United said they don't expect the strikes to affect service. An expert said flights would be okay but there might be cleaning and baggage handling issues He added that the employees are hoping the public will support the action and demands for higher wages. Both United and American airlines have said they are working to manage and negate possible disruption to their services. 'We are working closely with our vendors to ensure there is no disruption to our operation,' said American Airlines spokesperson Leslie Scott. 'American supports better pay for workers across the board, but does not believe initiatives should target a specific group or industry,' Scott added. And United spokesperson Charles Hobart said in a statement: 'We are taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe and on-time operation for our customers.' Chicago Department of Aviation officials also say they don't anticipate disruptions. Joseph Schwieterman, a transportation expert and professor at DePaul University in Chicago, told CNN Money said the walk out probably wouldn't leave passengers stranded, but might cause issues in the smooth running of the airport. 'Some planes may not get fully cleaned, and bag handling may have some snafus,' he suggested. The contracted workers are employed by Prospect Airport Services, AirScrub Inc. and the city of Chicago. The strike is part of a nationwide campaign by 'Fight for $15', which advocates higher hourly wages across the board. The O'Hare employees will be joined in their strike by protesters at 20 airports around the country. In the city and nationally, fast food workers - including those at McDonald's franchises - will also walk out, as will Uber drivers and home care workers, CNN Money said. Former glamour model Katie Price came out in support of her stepfather today as he stood on trial for rape. Paul Price, 53, is accused of raping a woman after a drunken night out with a group of friends at the seaside. The woman claims she was violently attacked twice by the fencing erector in the early hours of the morning. But today in a statement read out to the court, Katie Price said her father was a 'loving' and 'fun' man who had been a model father to her. Paul Price, pictured left arriving at court today with wife Amy, is accused of raping a woman twice during a visit to the seaside in March 2015. Stepdaughter Katie, right, has come out in support of him and called him a 'model father' Price, ringed left, is pictured with Katie, ringed right, on holiday when she was a teenager, alongside his daughter Sophie, wife Amy and stepson Daniel She said: 'My dad has always been so loving and such a fun person to be around. 'Although he is not my biological dad he took me and my brother on at a young age and I know that he is there for me for everything. He is amazing with his grandchildren.' Katie said she had wanted to come to Chichester Crown Court to support her stepfather during his week-long trial but had chosen to stay away because she was worried about the media attention it would attract. Earlier her sister Sophie Price, 27, broke down in tears as she praised her father in the witness box. She said her father was 'fun' and 'nice' and she had attended every day in court to support him. Fighting back tears she said: 'I love my dad.' Price set upon the woman in a 'sordid alcohol-fuelled' attack, the court was told. Gabrielle Henty, prosecuting, said: 'This was a sordid saga of middle-aged, alcohol-fuelled sex on a cold, bleak night in the early hours on Worthing seafront.' She said the alleged victim was 'terrified' that Price would kill her by hitting her over the head. The court heard she was desperate to get back to her husband where she would be safe. In her closing speech Miss Henty said the victim felt unable to resist the 'forceful and aggressive' Price. She told jurors: 'Her fear is the key to understanding her behaviour. She was alone, she couldn't get anyone on the phone and she was desperate to get back to (Price's) house where her husband was.' Ms Henty added: 'A state of panic, a state of trauma can have a strange effect on people. They can do things that in the cold light of day is an illogical thing.' Sophie Price (left) told the court she 'loved her father' (right) and praised his character She said Price 'knew full well what he wanted and what he was doing' and that he used force to sexually attack her. She said: 'Perhaps the reality of the situation was that his inhibitions were lost and he simply ignored the feelings and wishes of (the alleged victim) who at that particular moment in time was the object of his attentions.' Ms Henty spoke of suggestions that the alleged victim had 'commercial' reasons for bringing the rape claims, and pointed to evidence that she was initially reluctant to report the incident to police in case it harmed her livelihood. 'She is right when she tells you that she did not consent to what went on,' Ms Henty told jurors. The jury heard the events occurred on March 21, 2015, after Price and his wife, Amy - model Katie Price's mother - had gone out with some friends. The group had gone out for drinks in Worthing and had later dined at the Imperial Chinese Restaurant. Afterwards the group hailed a taxi but after just a few hundred metres the woman began to feel unwell. She stopped the taxi and got out and Price went to look after her, with the pair left alone on the beach. The woman told the court she was sick on the beach, and then Price began kissing her and pushing his hand up her clothes. She alleged he then twisted her arm behind her back and led her to a darkened area where he raped her. However Price said the woman had consented to sex but they were unable to have intercourse so had abandoned their efforts. He said they were still laughing, joking and holding hands and managed to hail a Hackney cab further down the road. Katie, pictured with son Harvey, said in a statement that Price is a 'wonderful grandfather' The court heard Price told the woman that if she wanted to attempt sex again they would have to stop the taxi before their destination. When they got out of the taxi Price said: 'If you want to continue this is our last chance here.' He said the pair got out of the taxi and walked over to some bushes where they began kissing again. The woman claims he grabbed her by the neck and led her into a wooded area where he raped her again. But Price told police: 'If she had said: "I don't want this" I'm not the sort of person for saying: "You are". 'If she did not want it she just had to say: "No",' he said. 'She wanted it as much as I wanted it.' But he told the court they were unable to have successful intercourse so they once again gave up. Under cross examination Price denied he was a 'sex addict' said he had not forced the woman. He accused her of telling 'lies' and said the sex between them was totally consensual. Price's daughter Sophie, left, with stepsister Katie and stepbrother Daniel, broke down in tears at the court and said her father was 'fun and nice' Earlier the court was told after the attack the alleged victim was worried about reporting the attack to police. The jury was told she was concerned about the repercussions it would cause for the glamour model's family. Gabrielle Henty, prosecuting, said: 'She was not sure she wanted to report it to the police but she decided to because she did not want it to happen to anyone else.' Earlier the woman, who gave evidence from behind a screen, broke down in tears and said: 'I thought I wouldn't get out of the woods alive.' Relatives of the woman told the jury said the alleged victim had been terrified by the attack and had been left a 'broken' woman. Dressed in a smart dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, Price denies both charges of rape. He is being supported by his wife, who arrived with friends to watch the proceedings from the public gallery. Katie took her stepfather's name after he married her mother in 1988. A Good Samaritan was shot dead after he tried to stop a man beating his wife outside a Texas Walmart on Black Friday. Father-of-four Isidro Zarate, 39, approached Teles Juarez, 21, in the parking lot outside the store in San Antonio to try and calm him down. But when Zarate confronted Juarez, he turned around and shot him in the neck, police say. Scroll down for video Good Samaritan Isidro Zarate, 39, (pictured right with his family) was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Walmart in San Antonio, Texas, after he tried to stop a man beating his wife Video courtesy of KSAT 12: Zarate's wife Lisa Benavides was inside the store when her husband was murdered. She told KSAT.com: 'He didn't like for a man to beat up on a woman. I don't know why this happened. I miss him so much.' Teles Juarez, pictured, is accused of murdering Zarate in the parking lot on Black Friday Juarez was arrested a short while later and charged with murder and aggravated assault. Members of Zarate's family have launched a GoFundMe page so people can donate to cover the costs of his funeral. Within days, the fund more than doubled its initial $20,000 target. The fundraising drive was launched by Melanie Marie on behalf of Zarete's wife. She wrote: 'Today, my uncle Isidro's life was taken. My family and I have come together to make this GoFundMe page, asking for help in this time of need. 'Yesterday a day of giving thanks, spending time with our loved ones, and today we are heartbroken to find out the horrible news. 'He was waiting in the parking lot for his spouse at Walmart on Vance Jackson and IH-10. Isidro was being a Good Samaritan trying to help someone and an assailant fired a weapon causing him to die instantly. He leaves behind a wife and four children. Juarez pulled out his gun and shot dead the father-of-four outside the San Antonio Walmart Zarata's wife was shopping inside the store when he was attacked by the suspect 'My uncle didn't have life insurance, and covering the funeral expenses is an extra worry on our shoulders, on top of the grief we are experiencing. This is the terrifying moment passengers saw SPARKS pouring mid-air out of a plane's engine mid-flight. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was flying from Sydney to Singapore when travellers said they heard a loud bang from the aircraft's right wing. Horrified passengers looked out of the window when the plane was 30 minutes from landing just before 6pm on Saturday, and saw a trail of bright orange sparks coming from the engine. The flight was operated by Scoot, Singapore's low cost airline. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was flying from Sydney to Singapore when travellers said they heard a loud bang from the aircraft's right wing People on the plane said they only became aware of the sparks after hearing the loud noise, which caused them to realise something may be wrong, as the plane was on its decent into Singapore. A ten-second clip posted on Chinese social media shows the hair-raising view from the window of the budget airline. One passenger, named only as 'Benetton' said his friend had been travelling on the plane and recorded the drama. Horrified passengers looked out of the window and saw a trail of bright orange sparks coming from the engine He said that he had heard a loud noise about 30 to 40 minutes before landing and looked out of the cabin window and saw the engine on fire. Fellow passengers in the clip can be heard suggesting that a bird had been sucked into the engine. In response to media queries, Scoot told The Straits Times that the incident led to the plane's engine being shut down. In a statement the airline said the aircraft landed as scheduled but the sparks 'necessitated a shut-down of the right engine'. Flight crew on board the plane contacted the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre and requested fire services to be on stand-by as the plane landed, and firefighters subsequently confirmed that there was no engine fire. A spokesman for the airline said: 'The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. The son of drug lord Pablo Escobar has said his father committed suicide so he would not have to hand himself in rather than being shot by Colombian police. Ahead of the launch of his new book, Sebastian Marroquin said he talked to his infamous father 10 minutes before he died, and is convinced he took his own life so that he wouldn't have to hand himself over to officers and to save his family from being taken hostage. The 39-year-old, who was only 17 when his father died in Medellin in 1993, is 'absolutely certain' coroners who did the autopsy were threatened and forced to change the official report. Juan Pablo Escobar (left), the son of Colombian drug boss Pablo Escobar (right) says he loves his father despite his reign of crime and terror through the South American nation Mr Marroquin, who changed his name from Juan Pablo Escobar, told SunOnline his father shot himself in the head on the rooftop 23 years ago, something he had apparently always planned to do. 'My father always told me the shot that would take his life would stick,' he said. From a poor family in the town of Medellin, in Colombia's north-east, Escobar grew up to become the world's most wanted man. At the height of his drug cartel's trafficking of cocaine to Miami, Escobar was raking in close to $420 million a week. Initially, while operating out of the depths of his home country's jungles, his large operations flew under the radar. While later he would become famous for starting wars, ordering thousands of murders and even bombing an airplane, he was called Colombia's 'Robin Hood' early on for giving away money to the poor. It wasn't until the ambitious crime lord made a run for the country's parliament that he came to the national attention, a decision his son thinks led to his downfall. Having escaped many attempts on his life, Pablo Escobar finally died at what was though to be the hands of the Colombian National Police on December 2, 1993. Mr Escobar (pictured) says he grew up living a life so luxurious it was as if he was living in 'Disneyland' A lover of new gadgets and machinery, Pable often bought the latest motorcycles or fast cars for his property In the interview ahead of the launch of his book, he also told SunOnline the US government was in on the drug smuggling. Mr Marroquin said US officials were buying cocaine from Escobar to fund the country's fight against communism. The book, 'Pablo Escobar, In Fraganti', which means 'Red Handed', is his second and will unveil the new revelations. 'It is clear that at some point the US decided to buy cocaine from Pablo Escobar and use their services to fund the anti-communist struggle in Central America,' he told SunOnline'. The eldest Escobar son has previously said living with the drug kingpin meant his childhood was like 'Disneyland'. He grew up living in lavish homes with animals such as elephants and zebras roaming his backyard . Despite having to change his name and flee Colombia when his famous father died and his cocaine empire collapsed in 1993, Mr Marroquin says he loves and admires his dad. 'It was like living in Disneyland. Giraffe's, elephants, motorcycles, a lot of things to do and a lot of money to spend,' Juan Pablo told 60 Minutes. 'I was willing to give my life for him. 'There's no chance I could hate my father... because I did not know exactly what he did.' At the height of his drug cartel's trafficking of cocaine to Miami, Escobar was raking in close to $420 million a week and was spending much of it on the latest technology and toys From a poor family in the town of Medellin, in Colombia's north-east, Escobar grew up to become the world's most wanted man. He was initially called 'Robin Hood' for giving money and homes to the poor but he soon became one of the world's most terrifying criminals Escobar's Hacienda Napoles homestead on the outskirts of Meddelling contained swimming pools, tennis courts and African animals. In 1991, when he handed himself over to Colombian authorities, Escobar went to a luxury jail he built and designed himself In a fit of rage following the announcement of his father's death, Mr Escobar told the media he would continue his father's crime rink and work. But he quickly changed his tune and instead of a life of crime chose a life of 'peace'. 'In the ten first minutes yes [I was angry], but in the ten minutes after that I called the press to tell them that I would never do anything to continue my fathers steps,' he said. 'Peace [is] what Ive been living everyday since.' Over recent years Escobar's story has reached a new audience through the popular Netflix series Narcos. Mr Escobar says he spoke to his father just 10 minutes before he was killed by the Colombian National Police in 1993 In addition to his international drug smuggling rink, Pablo Escobar also ordered many wars, assassinations and even the bombing of a passenger jet with more than 100 people onboard 'He did some things that make you love him and some things that make you hate him. Thats my father,' Mr Escobar said Only in recent years has Mr Marroquin, who is an architect living in Argentina, spoken out about his father. He says even though he doesn't agree with his father's life of crime, he will always defend him as a bad parent. 'I am not hiding because I dont want to hide, I didnt kill anybody I didnt do any harm to anybody,' Mr Escobar said. 'I am not proud of his violence but I am proud of his love for me, to me and to my mother and sister. 'He did some things that make you love him and some things that make you hate him. Thats my father.' Chattanooga Gas Company will partner with local NBC affiliate WRCB-TV3 to provide natural gas customers with information about available energy assistance programs. Originally scheduled for Thursday, the phone-a-thon has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for a later date. A millionaire businessman who feared his 10,000-a-month escort would end their affair strangled her to death because he believed it was the 'only option', a court has heard. Property tycoon Peter Morgan, 54, allegedly killed Georgina Symonds after becoming 'enraged' over her plans to 'fleece him', leave him and work for other men. He allegedly eavesdropped on more than 500 of her phone calls before he meticulously killed his lover. Hours after carrying out the killing, the 'smitten' father-of-two confessed to police, telling them he loved her but that killing her was the only option. A millionaire killed his personal escort Georgina Symonds (left and right) before telling police where he had hidden her body, a court has heard Peter Morgan (pictured) is accused of strangling the former burlesque dancer at the bungalow where she lived on the grounds of his castle in Llanmartin, South Wales He told officers: 'I really didn't want to kill her - I don't know perhaps I did. Premeditating a murder isn't something you do lightly, I can tell you.' He also added that Ms Symonds - who had a five-year-old daughter - was his 'soul mate', adding: 'I wish she was still here'. The property mogul - who is estranged from his wife Helen - denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He suffers from Asperger's Syndrome on the autistic spectrum and says the condition affects his 'judgement, rationale and self-control'. Today, during the second day of the trial, the jury was told how Morgan was paying her up to 10,000-a-month to be his 'exclusive' escort. Describing himself as her 'sugar daddy', he treated the former burlesque dancer to spa days, put her up in plush hotels, took her on a helicopter ride and paid for expensive liposuction. But, hours before she died, the father-of-two, from Llanellen, near Abergavenny, overhead Ms Symonds tell her new boyfriend that she wanted to 'fleece' Morgan for his money. The conversation was heard through a listening device which he planted in her home - disguised as a plug adapter - and listened to more than 500 times, the jury heard. Georgina was recorded saying she wanted Morgan to sign over the property to her and then planned to 'fleece him', the court heard Prosecutor William Hughes QC told the court: 'Peter Morgan said he overheard her talking to an unknown person. 'He had heard Georgina say how much she could earn as an escort in London. He said that, once he had signed the bungalow over to her, she was going to leave him and go to London to work as an escort and continue to fleece him. 'This enraged Morgan and he began to think about ending this problem.' He added that Morgan - who met his alleged victim through a site called Adult Work - feared being blackmailed by Ms Symonds because she had a photograph of him with another escort. 'Georgina said on WhatsApp that she would make sure his family knew how he had met her,' Mr Hughes told the court. 'Georgina had a photograph of him that could cause grief. The photo was taken sometime during the summer of 2014.' The court heard how, after hearing that conversation, Morgan compiled a 'shopping list' of items reading: 'SIM, gloves, snip, handle, tape, adapter.' Prosecutor Mr Hughes said it was a document of 'real significance'. He told jurors: 'It mirrors the items found by the police that had been used to kill, conceal and transport Georginas body. 'It is highly probative of Peter Morgans planning and pre-meditation in the killing of Georgina.' Morgan purchased a SIM card on January 11, later telling police it was to call a taxi for him after he had dumped Miss Symonds' body, Mr Hughes added. He arrived at the bungalow in which he allowed Miss Symonds to live rent free, in Llanmartin, Newport, on the morning of January 12. Mr Hughes said Morgan brought tape, twine, a metal pole and plastic sheeting to the rural two-bedroomed property. After strangling the mother-of-one with twine, he wrapped her body, bound it with rope and tape and loaded it into the boot of his 52,000 Porsche Cayenne, the court heard. The jury of eight men and four women was told Morgan's fear that Ms Symonds (left and right) would leave him was the 'catalyst' to the killing CCTV footage shows Morgan arriving at an outbuilding yards from his estranged wife Helen's home - Beech Hill Farm in Usk, Gwent - at 12pm. There, he hid the corpse under plastic sheeting, the court heard. Mr Hughes said: 'Mr Morgan drives off. He then goes about his normal business. He goes to work in his office. He then pops in to the Lloyds Bank in Abergavenny.' Miss Symonds was reported missing to police after she failed to collect her five-year-old daughter from school later that afternoon. Morgan met her concerned friends and police at the bungalow, initially telling officers he had taken her phone to prevent her from buying drugs. They discovered the white Samsung phone under the driver's seat of Morgan's Porsche 911, parked near his estranged wife's home. Morgan attended a police station and was spoken to by two female police officers at 4.45am on January 13. GRISLY 'SHOPPING LIST' OF ITEMS 'MORGAN USED TO GET RID OF BODY' FOUND ON ALLEGED KILLER'S PHONE Prosecutor William Hughes QC told Newport Crown Court police came to search for Ms Symonds at the castle where Morgan (pictured) told them he had hidden the body By Tom Payne, for The Daily Mail Peter Morgan wrote a chilling shopping list of items he needed to carefully dispose of his escort lovers body, his murder trial heard yesterday. The millionaire businessman typed the list into his iPhone at 3.20am five hours after he tapped Georgina Symondss phone and learned of her plot to fleece him. Written in the early hours after he became enraged by her plans, the macabre list, entitled String, read: O2, poly, glove, snip, handle, tape, Special K, starter, rag, adapter. Newport Crown Court heard poly was likely a reference to polythene, snip could mean scissors and the adapter referred to the listening device he used to eavesdrop on Miss Symondss phone calls. Prosecutor William Hughes QC told the jury yesterday: It mirrors the items found by the police that had been used to kill, conceal and transport Georginas body. Hours earlier Morgan had overheard Miss Symonds tell her new love interest Thomas Ballinger that she intended to leave the millionaire and go back to escorting in London, where she would continue to fleece him. Mr Hughes said that on January 12 last year a day after he wrote the list Morgan took tape, twine, a metal pole and plastic sheeting to Miss Symondss rural bungalow in Llanmartin, near Newport. He had also bought a mobile phone SIM card a day earlier, the jury heard, and told police officers that it was to call a taxi after dumping Miss Symondss body. After strangling the mother of one with the twine, Morgan wrapped her body in sheeting and bound it with rope and tape. He had meticulously positioned her body so it would neatly fit inside the boot of his 52,000 Porsche Cayenne, the court heard. CCTV footage taken two hours later showed Morgan driving to an outbuilding at the farmhouse he had previously shared with his wife, before taking Miss Symondss body wrapped in sheeting and attached to a bar out of the car. Mr Hughes said: He is carrying Georginas bound and trussed-up body using the metal bar. He carries it from the Porsche Cayenne into the barn, where he stores it and leaves the premises. Mr Morgan drives off. He then goes about his normal business. Advertisement Mr Hughes told Newport Crown Court how Morgan then told them where he had hidden the body. 'He was searched and a number of keys were found in his pockets,' he told the court. 'He said "you will need those keys - she's locked in the outhouse".' Mr Hughes said Morgan then confessed to officers what he done, telling them: 'I need to tell you - I strangled her this morning.' Officers them went to the farm where they found Ms Symonds's body hidden behind a large saw in the corner of the workshop, the court heard. Mr Hughes said: 'The body of Georgina had been wrapped in black plastic which had been tied with rope and secured with duct tape. 'The plastic packaging had been also secured to a metal pole and had been covered in additional plastic sheeting in an attempt to conceal it. 'The officers were unable to see what was inside the sheeting so a small incision was made and once this had been undertaken the officers saw the feet of a human body.' He said Ms Symonds's legs had been tied together with black duct tape. 'This was done to ensure Georgina's body would comfortably fit within the dimensions of the Porsche Cayenne's boot,' he added. Morgan hid Ms Symonds's body in an outbuilding (pictured) near his estranged wife's farm in Usk, South Wales At the time of her death, Ms Symonds lived in a two-bed bungalow on Morgan's land. On the same piece of land was a castle he owned (pictured) The court heard how, on police interviews, Morgan accepted responsibility for Miss Symonds's death, adding: 'I don't know why I did it'. 'He stated that he loved her and he gave up everything for her,' Mr Hughes told the jury. 'He stated that Georgina was drinking and taking cocaine but on the comedowns from this she would get angry and was difficult to reason with. He said "I just done it" and then stated "When I'd done it I felt no remorse". 'He told officers he expected nothing in return for his money and stated: "She is my soul mate".' The court heard that at first he planned to frighten her but later said: 'I really didn't want to kill her - I don't know perhaps I did.' He took her on their first date together to a windmill he owned as part of his property portfolio. Pictured is Lancayo Windmill near Usk, which is owned by Morgan and where he took Ms Symonds on their first date The court heard how Morgan and Ms Symonds began dating three years before her death. The court was told how Morgan - who was going through a 'midlife crisis' and was 'looking for excitement' - took Ms Symonds to a windmill that he owns on their first date. But he soon found out she had been working as an escort and was not happy with her continuing the job. Messages between Morgan and Miss Symonds often discuss him giving her large amounts of money or gifts. 'This was a much older man completely besotted and infatuated with a younger woman,' Mr Hughes told the jury. 'When you consider how it is she came to meet her death, and the meticulous planning and execution of those plans by Peter Morgan, you will conclude that the reality of the sad situation with which we are now dealing is that a man who was obsessed, smitten and perhaps in love, decided in the most cold-blooded way that if he was not to have Georgina, then no-one else would.' The court also heard from Ms Symonds's mother Deborah, who said her daughter had undergone two boob jobs and full 8,000 body liposuction, which Morgan had paid for. Her mum added: 'She had it done in one of the clinics in London. Liposuction cost about 8,000 - Georgina mentioned that it cost a lot of money. Peter Morgan paid for it. I think he paid for everything.' Morgan, of Llanellen, near Abergavenny, South Wales, denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Doctors saved a man's life by temporarily removing his heart after he shot himself twice in the chest with a crossbow. Cardiac surgeons in Russia performed the incredible life-saving operation, which involved taking the man's heart out of his body, repairing the damage and then replacing the organ in his chest. The 53-year-old, whose name has not been released, was rushed to hospital in Russia's second city of St Petersburg with two arrows stuck in his heart. He was still conscious and told medics that he had tried to commit suicide because he did not want to live anymore. The man shot himself twice in the heart, firing the second arrow after the first shot failed to kill him, medics said He had shot himself a second time after he did not succeeded in killing himself on his first attempt. The arrows were so long that doctors had to cut off the ends of the shafts so that he could be x-rayed for a tomography scan. One of the arrows had passed through the man's left ventricle, mitral valve and left atrium, while the second one had entered from the side of his abdominal aorta. The man was first taken to St Petersburg's GBUZ Elizabethan Hospital but it did not have the facilities or expert staff needed to treat him, so he was transferred to the Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Centre. The pioneering operation was carried out at the Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Centre Cardiac surgeons there carried out the high-tech surgery to temporarily remove the heart in a cardiopulmonary bypass. Medics kept the man alive with a heart-lung machine while they removed the arrows, and then sewed up the wounds using the patient's own heart tissue. Doctors described the man's condition as 'stable but serious'. He is believed to have shot himself with the crossbow at his flat in the Primorsky district of the city. Police are looking into the incident, but have declined to comment further pending the outcome of their investigation. While local media reported that the projectiles were arrows, it is unclear if they were indeed arrows or bolts, and it is also not clear exactly how long they were. A crime scene was declared and officers boarded ship to collect evidence Police were waiting at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay A woman has allegedly been sexually assaulted by a fellow passenger while on a cruise ship that travelled to Vanuatu. The Explorer of the Seas cruise ship arrived back in Sydney on Tuesday morning after a nine-day trip to the South Pacific island nation, reported 7 News. Police and detectives were reportedly waiting for the ship at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay when it docked. Scroll down for video A woman has allegedly been sexually assaulted by a fellow passenger while on the Explorer of the Seas cruise ship (pictured) that travelled to Vanuatu The ship docked in Sydney on Tuesday morning after a nine-day trip to the South Pacific island nation. Pictured is Port Vila on Efate Island, Vanuatu (stock image) A woman on board the ship is said to have told staff she was sexually assaulted by another passenger during the trip. According to 7 News detectives spent several hours speaking with witnesses and taking statements, before a crime scene was declared. Forensic officers reportedly boarded the ship to collect evidence. A NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that officers from Marine Area Command were investigating reports of a sexual assault on a cruise ship. Police, detectives and forensics (pictured) met the ship at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay 'The incident is alleged to have occurred this month on a recent cruise,' he said. 'The investigation is in its early stages so it's inappropriate to comment any further.' Cruise organisers Royal Caribbean International are assisting police with inquiries. After questioning passengers on board the ship (pictured) during the trip, forensic officers reportedly boarded to collect evidence Fred Walden is suing an events company after he was told he could not dance because his wheelchair was marking the floor A disabled dancer is suing an events company after he was barred from the dancefloor in a row over his wheelchair. Fred Walden has developed a love of dancing in his wheelchair since he was left paraplegic by an accident in 1984. But he was told to stop dancing at a 'Jive Addiction' event in London last year after it was claimed his wheels were marking the floor. The 54-year-old, from Oxford, is now taking the company to court claiming their actions discriminate against disabled people. He denies the claims his wheels had damaged the floor, insisting the mark spotted by organisers was easily wiped off. He told the Victoria Derbyshire show said: 'If I had thought I had damaged the floor in any way, I would have been mortified, but that wasn't the case. 'It was an embarrassment for me. I was there with people I wanted to dance with and I was told I couldn't. I was also being accused of vandalism.' Mr Walden said the row stopped him dancing until his friends encouraged him to continue and he is now worried every time he visits a new venue. Mr Walden, pictured at a dance event, says the activity has kept him alive since an accident He is bringing a discrimination case against the company's actions, which he fears will have consequences for other disabled people He says the issue is of importance to other wheelchair users as companies should consider the consequences of their policies on the disabled. He says dancing allows him to keep fit and fight off lung and kidney infections he was susceptible to after his accident. A trial in a civil court is planned for next year. Jive Addiction is understood to be disputing the case on the grounds that its policy prevents anyone damaging its dancefloors, not only those in wheelchairs. A defence statement filed by the company states that its representative showed Mr Walden 'an area of the floor which had been damaged by the wheelchair whilst he was dancing on it'. It states: 'The [company's] bespoke sprung portable dancefloor is highly susceptible to damage caused by contact with inappropriate objects.' The company has been contacted for comment. This is the shocking moment workers at a Chinese zoo brutally handled a bear during a circus show. The video, believed to be shot by one of the spectators at the Qingdao Wildlife Park, has sparked an outcry among Chinese web users, who demanded immediate actions towards animal shows. The park told a local reporter that the circus bear was in heat which prompted the animal trainers to remove it from the stage using leash and baton. Workers at the Qingdao Wildlife Park have been accused of mal-treating a bear They were caught forcefully dragged on a bear during a circus show in front of an audience The video was first posted onto Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter, by an account holder named 'Qingdao Brief News'. According to the account holder, who has more than 83,000 followers, wrote in the post that the video had been filmed at the Qingdao Wildlife Park. The clip showed that a bear, which was put on a leash, was trying to stay away from two animal trainers. The bear appeared to be distressed and struggling. One of the trainers, who was holding the leash, can be seen violently tugging the leash, forcing the bear out of the cage; while his colleague tried to hit the bear with what appeared to be a rod. The video was believed to be filmed on October 1 during the Chinese National Day Holiday when many Chinese citizens take leisure trips. It quickly gathered more than 100,000 clicks and was later shared by Chinese-language media, such as on.cc, and animal groups, such as Animal Asia. The video has sparked an outcry among Chinese web users, who demanded immediate actions towards animal shows Hundreds of viewers expressed their anger under on social media, with many of them requesting animals circus shows to be stopped immediately. Such as one user named 'sweet season' who wrote on Weibo: 'The happiness from watching animals being tortured is not real happiness.' Another user 'LI miss ya' said: 'I boycott animal shows.' A third user 'yamazia' commented: 'Why doesn't the trainer try to beat himself with the iron rod. It must hurt a lot!' To attract more attention to the news, some users tagged their comments to animal welfare groups such as PETA Asia. The park told a local reporter that the circus bear was in heat during the circus performance After the video became viral, the Qingdao Wildlife Park apologised for the trainers' behaviour. In an interview with Qingdao News, a spokesman from the zoo claimed that the bear, which was male, was in heat during the circus performance. The spokesman also said that the bear had been struggling as a trainer tried to lead it back to the enclosure, prompting another trainer to assist the process with a baton. The spokesman also said the zoo would stop any animals in heat from having contact with tourists. Located in south-west Qingdao, the Qingdao Wildlife Park is home to more than 5,000 animals of 263 species. It's a 4A tourist attraction, the second to the best in China's five-tier system to rank the quality of a travel destination. In a statement, the Qingdao Wildlife Park claimed to be a national base for popularising science education. The park said the bear wouldn't leave the stage, which prompted trainers to hit it with batons Animal groups have condemned the workers' cruel behaviour shown in the video. Dave Neale from Animals Asia's Animal commented on the video on the organisation's website that 'Animals Asia is extremely concerned about what is seen in this footage'. However, Mr Neale said the Chinese social media reaction towards the video also showed' how far advanced concepts of animal welfare have spread'. Mr Neale added: 'Most importantly this outpouring of public opinion has a very real chance of resulting in tangible change. As animal exploitation becomes more vocally opposed, it will become increasingly socially unacceptable. Hundreds of viewers expressed their anger under the social media post, with many of them requesting animals circus shows to be stopped immediately Wendy Higgins from Humane Society International agreed. Mr Higgins told MailOnline: 'It's always so desperately sad to see magnificent wild animals degraded and reduced to performing tricks.' She also said it was 'extremely heartening' to see the outpourings of sympathy for the bear on Chinese social media. She added: 'In the absence of any animal protection laws in the country, it is the Chinese people themselves who are demanding change, and that's a real sea-change in societal attitudes towards animals and their capacity to suffer.' An Afghanistan veteran filmed himself asking fundraisers for a controversial military charity what percentage of donations going to their wage - and suggesting they are 'making money off my mates getting blown up.' The 1st Knight Military Charity is currently being investigated by fundraising watchdogs after staff were filmed selling merchandise with the words 'pork-eating, beer drinking, womanising infidels' and badges referring to suicide bombers in their Blackpool-based shop. And ex-serviceman Colin Eastaway drove more than two hours from his Liverpool home after he heard the charity was fundraising at Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate, Yorkshire. Mr Eastaway, 36, filmed himself questioning two supporters - only one of whom had official charity ID - and repeatedly asking them how much they were being paid and what percentage of his donation would go to the Armed Forces. He first hit the headlines earlier this month when footage of him confronting a man selling Remembrance Day poppies without a charity badge in Liverpool went viral. And he wants laws to be tightened on who can set up charities and said he hopes fundraisers will be cautious before joining any organisation. Mr Eastaway said: 'Members of the public should be able to ask the guys in the streets how much the charity gets. 'I want to clean the whole sector up, there's no grey area - it's black and white. Either you're a charity and you're helping the charity or you're a business using a charity name to make maximum profit. The female fundraiser who was confronted by Mr Eastaway 'People who going to fundraise with this type of charity need to do the research and be careful. If they're offering high wages and it sounds too good to be true, it's probably not right. As I keep seeing them and coming across them I won't stop.' 1st Knight, which raises money for wounded soldiers and those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has admitted selling the offensive merchandise and has sacked one of their trustees - who they said ordered the stock mistakenly due to having dyslexia. Mr Eastaway, who served in the army for 10 years and completed three tours of Afghanistan, said: 'There's a long list of wrongs with this charity, in Blackpool they were selling anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic merchandise. 'I've got friends that are Muslims, you can't just tar all Muslims with the same with the same brush because they're not all extremists. 'We don't want that as soldiers - that's not what we stand for. 'I've lost friends along the way, and friends have been seriously injured along the way so it's close to my heart. 'That's why I'm willing to jump in a car, drive to Harrogate and stick a camera in these lads' faces and say "what are you doing?"' Mr Eastaway, who now works in security consultancy, joined the Parachute Regiment in 2001 and served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. In the video, filmed last Tuesday, he approaches the two 1st Knight fundraisers - who are wearing t-shirts reading 'supporting British forces' - before asking them to show him their ID. The former paratrooper also asks the pair if they are aware of the current investigation into the organisation and if they know what percentage of donations goes directly to charity. 1st Knight workers were revealed selling the anti-Islamic goods in BBC Scotland programme The Great Military Charity Scandal, which aired earlier this month. A spokesman blamed charity trustee Andy Linihan's dyslexia for the error and said his appointment with the organisation had been terminated. The 1st Knight said: 'One of our trustees, Mr Linihan, purchased a number of t-shirts and other associated clothing which caused offence to members of public. 'This merchandise includes clothing that is aimed at Islamic terrorism and could have been perceived as a direct attack on Muslims; however this was never our intention. 'In checking our sales ledger we have sold 30 t-Shirts and 50 badges of this nature. 'As a result of the BBC's intervention we have withdrawn the products from the shop and removed them from the internet. This man was unable to produce a valid ID because he said it was only his second day 'Small charities are run on a voluntary basis and inevitably mistakes are made from time to time. 'Mr Linihan suffers from dyslexia and has made a number of mistakes that we accept may have caused offence to members of the public. 'We apologise for any upset this may have caused and please rest assured that corrective action has been taken in order to resolve matters. 'This includes the termination of Mr Linihan's appointment with the charity as his mistakes have brought the charity's name into disrepute. 'He cannot formally terminate until the Charity Commission has concluded their investigation - it is standard procedure the Charity Commission open up a statutory inquiry so they can make recommendations going forwar..' The spokesman said 1st Knight uses middle man company SpaceandPeople to rent an area of the Harrogate shopping centre and said this meant the percentage of funds raised which went directly back to the charity depended on the costs of each fundraising site. The spokesman added: 'In regards to percentages, it is down to how much the site makes less the expenses. 'When this is all calculated at the end, only then we can work out the amounts.' A spokesman for SpaceandPeople said: 'We cannot comment on individual clients, however we only accept bookings from charity organisations registered with the Charity Commission. 'It is our policy to suspend bookings for any charity under investigation by the Charity Commission until such time that any investigation is completed.' A spokesman for the Charity Commission said 'serious concerns' were identified from the BBC's undercover footage which they said showed charity representatives and trustees making 'wholly inappropriate and offensive comments'. The spokesman added: 'The Commission considered the concerns identified warranted investigation as part of a statutory inquiry. A badly malnourished chef weighed just five stone when he died after months in hospital following a suicide attempt, a coroner heard today. Sean Paul Carnahan, 22, weighed 11st 9lbs when he was admitted to Belfast City Hospital with a severe brain injury. But five months later the weight of the chef from Belfast had fallen to just five stone when he died in July 2013 amid allegations he starved to death. Badly malnourished chef: Sean Paul Carnahan, 22, from Belfast is pictured with his mother Tracey Carnahan, who has fronted a campaign for justice for her late son A nutritional expert told a resumed inquest in Belfast that, while it was not a direct cause of death, the lack of food was among the underlying reasons he died. Dr Jon Shaffer said: I do think that malnutrition was a contributory factor. Mr Carnahan was taken into hospital in March 2013 after a failed suicide attempt. He spent a month in intensive care before being transferred to a respiratory ward. The inquest opened in September but was adjourned after just one day when coroner Joe McCrisken requested more information from a nutritional expert. Dr Shaffer, who provided a report, said the case was among the most complex he had ever seen. When asked if he had encountered patients with similar needs, Dr Shaffer said: Not as complicated as this, to be honest. The nature of Mr Carnahan's brain injury meant he could not swallow and was very agitated at times, thrashing about wildly. Hence, tube feeding was extremely tough. Alternative feeding options were not fully explored and neurological specialists should have been contacted earlier, the court was told. Hearing: The family's solicitor Aiden Carlin is pictured with Tracey Carnahan outside Laganside Court in Belfast today, where the inquest into the death of her son has resumed Dr Shaffer added: I have no problem with the things they were doing but there were other things they could have done. It was also claimed a specialist rehabilitation unit would have been better equipped to deal with Mr Carnahan's needs. In an ideal world, if he could have been transferred to the rehab ward it would have given him the best chance, Dr Shaffer said. However, the expert conceded it was impossible to know if the outcome would have been any different. Meanwhile, a barrister representing the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, questioned whether Dr Shaffer had consulted all the medical notes in the case before compiling his report Mark Robinson QC suggested he had made sweeping generalisations without the detail. Dr Shaffer said he had not been asked to provide a blow by blow account of everything that happened during Mr Carnahan's hospital stay. According to medical documents presented during the opening day of the inquest, Mr Carnahan's weight dropped from 74kg (11st 9lb) on admission to just 32kg (5st) at the time of the post-mortem examination. Throughout the hearing his mother, Tracey, who has fronted a campaign for justice for her son, sat in the body of the court supported by close friends and family members. A number of others sat in the public gallery wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan Justice for Sean Paul. In a statement ahead of the resumption of the inquest, Carnahan family solicitor Aiden Carlin said: Our client's grief and sense of loss is very raw. 'She engaged with the hospital, police, politicians and the media at the material time and continues to campaign for justice for her son. One of Britain's most senior policewomen drunkenly bared her breasts at a junior colleague while yelling 'look at these' as she shamed her for having a boob job, a misconduct hearing was told today. Greater Manchester Assistant Chief Constable Rebekah Sutcliffe was suspended on full pay in May after she allegedly 'flashed' Superintendent Sarah Jackson and said: 'You're judged by the size of your t*ts. I don't feel the need to pump myself full of silicone'. Today Ms Sutcliffe's disciplinary hearing started and she could be sacked if the panel finds she is guilty of gross misconduct. The senior officer is said to have had up to four glasses of wine over dinner at a 'women in policing' event before losing her temper with Supt Jackson over her breast enhancement surgery. Row: ACC Rebekah Sutcliffe, left, of Greater Manchester Police allegedly flashed colleague Supt Sarah Jackson, right, who says she was shamed for having breast enhancement surgery Baring her breasts in a mezzanine bar at the Hilton in Manchester Sutcliffe allegedly said: 'Look at these. Look at these. These are the breasts of someone who has had three children. They are ugly but I don't feel the need to pump myself full of silicone to get self-esteem'. ACC Sutcliffe, who earns 109,000-a-year, is said to have shamed Supt Jackson in front of her colleagues, who felt 'mortified, embarrassed and ashamed'. ACC Sutcliffe is said to have told Supt Jackson she was 'a laughing stock on the fourth floor' - where the force's senior command team is based in its Manchester headquarters. Outburst: ASS Sutcliffe drank up to four glasses of wine and says she can't remember what happened She said: 'They have all openly discussed that you have had a boob job', adding: 'Your credibility is zero' and 'nobody takes you seriously'. Supt Jackson was 'mortified' because it was in front of colleagues and when she tried to protest her boss 'would not listen', the hearing was told. She claims she even tried to 'help' her boss away from the bar but the abuse continued. Ruling out any promotion ACC Sutcliffe allegedly said: 'Sarah, it does not matter how hard you work now because you will always be known as the girl who had the t*t job.' But Sutcliffe was later reported for 'inappropriate behaviour' and subsequently suspended. Supt Jackson who has since transferred to another force later said she felt obliged to listen to Sutcliffe's lecturing as she was senior to her. In a statement Supt Jackson said: 'She said that she would no longer be supporting me, that further promotion was unlikely and that closed the matter - but it wasn't a boob job.' She added: 'I felt I had the right to defend myself to her what she said was completely utterly out of order. I do as I'm told. I'm just like that and it's completely in character for me to stay. I'm meant to be looking after this woman but the circumstances are such that I thought I should stay because of the rank and that's why I did stay.' Night out: Supt Jackson (centre) tweeted this photograph from the event designed to enhance the 'profile and perception' of female officers in May. Her friends, pictured, were not involved in the alleged incident Supt Jackson, pictured left with friends and right in her uniform, said the abuse she suffered in front of her colleagues left her 'mortified, embarrassed and ashamed' Today a disciplinary hearing at Greater Manchester Police headquarters heard the incident occurred in May whilst the two officers were at Manchester's Hilton Hotel for a three-day Senior Women in Policing Conference where 300 guests included senior female police officers from around the UK plus former MI5 chief, Baroness Eliza Manningham-Bull. Sutcliffe - who had been standing in for another senior woman police officer - did an opening speech at the event and also gave a welcome speech the gala dinner. But during the meal Sutcliffe drank up to four glasses of wine and trouble broke out when members of the party moved to the public mezzanine bar on the first floor. A dispute broke out when Sutcliffe believed Supt Jackson had undergone breast enhancement surgery. In her statement read to the hearing, Supt Jackson said: 'She said I was a laughing stock on the fourth floor and no one took me seriously. She said I was silly, frivolous was thought of as vain and nobody took me seriously. Look at these. Look at these. These are the breasts of someone who has had three children. They are ugly but I don't feel the need to pump myself full of silicone to get self-esteem What ACC Sutcliffe allegedly said to a junior colleague with breast enhancement 'She had dark red dress crossed at the front, maybe even wrapped. It was in two pieces and can come open quite easily She exposed her left breast completely at me and was shouting at me saying: 'look at these, look at these!' She said: 'These are the breasts of someone who has had three children. I know they're ugly but I don't feel the need to pump myself with silicone to get self esteem'. 'She repeated her view that as I had had a boob job I was silly, vain and frivolous. She said: 'Sarah it doesn't matter how hard you work now because now you'll always be known as the girl that had the t*t job'. She said that she would no longer be supporting me, that further promotion was unlikely and that closed the matter. ' Counsel for the hearing Fiona Barton QC said: 'ACC Sutcliffe gratuitously introduced into the conversation, wholly inappropriate and hurtful remarks linked to the fact that Supt Jackson had recently had breast enhancement surgery. 'She started by saying she used to have respect for her but no longer did since she had "the boob job". 'Understandably shocked, Supt Jackson asked her what she meant and ACC Sutcliffe told her that the way she looked affected the way she was perceived and that she was now judges on 'size of her t*ts'. 'She alleged Supt Jackson was a laughing stock and that they had all openly discussed the fact she had a 'boob job' and as a result thought her silly and frivolous, that she was thought of as vain and nobody took her seriously. 'Supt Jackson was mortified embarassed and ashamed but as she became more and more visibly upset and tried to defend herself, ACC Sutcliffe took hold of the front of her dress pulled it down and exposed her left breast. 'She opened up the police service and Greater Manchester Police to ridicule. She was a critical role model and was supposed to lead by example. These circumstances arose at the national Senior Women in Policing event - where she was the senior face of GMP.' ACC Sutcliffe, above, is said to have told Supt Jackson she was 'a laughing stock on the fourth floor' - where the force's senior command team is based in its Manchester headquarters Supt Jackson helped accompany Sutcliffe away from the bar due to her drunken condition, but the senior officer continued insulting her and going on about 'no longer being her backer' as they walked through the lobby. The following day Sutcliffe made repeated attempts to apologise to Supt Jackson by email and text. Stand off: The alleged incident is said to have taken place at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester (pictured) Supt Jackson said she told her roommate about the incident and then at 2.52am received a direct message via Twitter from the assistant chief constable asking her to let him know when she was back at her hotel as she was 'a little worse for wear'. The following morning Supt Jackson said she 'felt embarrassed facing the other delegates' and that when colleagues noticed she was quiet she started to cry again. Later she received an email from ACC Sutcliffe to which she did not reply and then a direct message from her via Twitter saying she had tried to apologise and that 'I think you are a fab and brilliant professional. Hope you are OK'. Supt Jackson said she discussed the incident with her brother and other colleagues who 'agreed this needed to be brought to the chief constable'. Another message from ACC Sutcliffe said the senior officer was embarrassed by the amount she had drunk and that she was 'completely out of order'. The ACC is said to have added: 'I hope you can find it within yourself to forgive me. Take care. I'm really sorry. Rebekah.' Later in interview with senior colleagues, she admitted drinking three or four glasses of wine with dinner and added: 'I can't remember exactly how much I drank but what I do know is that I drank enough to be drunk'. She said she didn't recall the night 'very clearly'. She said: 'I deeply regret what happened and in particular the upset I caused to someone I hold in very high regard. I am determined to learn from my mistakes and I am committed to serving the public as a police officer. I hope I may be able to return to duty as soon as possible.' Sutcliffe faces charges of failing to treat Supt Jackson with respect or courtesy and disreputable conduct. She claims she had been using alcohol as an 'unhelpful coping mechanism' due to being under 'intense stress due to prodigious hours at work'. Assistant Chief Constable Rebekah Sutcliffe, 47, faces claims that she exposed her bosom during a late-night row and could be sacked if found guilty of gross misconduct. But the evening ended in disgrace for ACC Sutcliffe as she argued with her junior colleague Superintendent Sarah Jackson at the Hilton hotel bar. Social media photos show ACC Sutcliffe 'opened the gala event' at one night of the conference, standing near Supt Jackson at a party where wine flowed freely. Supt Jackson has been told she is in the clear. It is the third investigation she has faced. Two years ago she was investigated for failing to declare her relationship with Detective Superintendent Paul Rumney, then in charge of the force's Professional Standards Branch, when she sat on a disciplinary panel. And in 2010 she was given 'suitable advice' by a senior officer after reportedly trying to gatecrash a Labour Party conference event. Vanatter told police she is a threat to society and could become a serial killer in the future The victim was uncooperative and claimed his stab wounds were self-inflicted Police found the words 'I'm sorry' and a heart scrawled in blood on wall in couple's Jailed: Police in Missouri say Victoria Vanatter, 19, allowed her drunk boyfriend to suck her blood then stabbed the wannabe vampire during a subsequent argument A conversation about vampires between a Missouri couple resulted in a 19-year-old woman stabbing her intoxicated boyfriend after allowing him to drink her blood, according to police. Victoria Vanatter, 19, of Springfield, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action in connection to the bizarre incident that took place on Thanksgiving Eve. Police say Vanatter told them she agreed her boyfriend, who has not been named, could slice her arm open with a box cutter and drink some of her blood in the kitchen. But then the pair got into a heated dispute, which quickly turned physical and culminated with Vanatter repeatedly stabbing her boyfriend in the shoulder, according to court documents. When the 19-year-old 'came to,' she dialed 911 to summon medical help, crying on the phone that someone was bleeding, reported the Springfield News-Leader. Police arrived at the couple's home on South Fort Avenue at around 1pm and were met at the door by Vanatter's bloodied boyfriend, who told them he did not need any help and slammed the door shut. Scroll down for video Bloody scene: Police found the words 'I'm sorry' and a heart scrawled in blood on a wall in the couple's Springfield home (pictured) As the officers were about to force their way inside the house, Vanatter opened the door, also covered in blood, according to the station KY3. Inside, police discovered the words 'I'm sorry' inside a heart scrawled in blood on the living room wall, the documents stated. The teenage stabbing suspect acknowledged to police that she drew the gory message. Vanatter also said that initially she tried to keep her wounded boyfriend from leaving for fear that she would end up in jail, but in the end she decided to call 911 after realizing that the man was 'hurt bad' and she was going to jail anyway. According to the probable cause statement, the boyfriend had an open wound on the front and back of his left shoulder, a cut on his lower back, and a cross drawn in blood on his chest. Vanatter had a cut on her forearm, which she said was caused by her boyfriend but was 'consensual.' Macabre hobby: Vanatter (pictured left and right) told police she was a 'cutter' and enjoyed drinking her own blood Stabbing frenzy: The teen told police she used two knives to stab her boyfriend after he struck her in the face during an incoherent dispute The teenage girl admitted to be a 'cutter' who enjoyed sucking her own blood, the statement read. During questioning, the 19-year-old told police her boyfriend struck her several times to the point her ears started ringing, and she punched him in the face with an open hand to get him to stop beating her during an incoherent argument. Ominous statement: Vanatter warned an investigator that she was a threat to society and has the potential to become a serial killer She then grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the man in the back, according to the statement. After losing that knife, Vanatter said she picked up another one and plunged it into the front of his shoulder. According to the court filing, the victim was uncooperative and claimed to police that his injuries were self-inflicted. Unprompted, Vanatter warned an investigator that she was a threat to society and has the potential to become a serial killer. Both Vanatter and her boyfriend were treated at a hospital for their cuts. Vanetter is being held at the Greene County Jail on $150,000 bond. Advertisement Abdul Artan was pictured smiling broadly at his community college graduation in May, just months before he became radicalized and bitter about the mistreatment of Muslims and attacked his classmates at Ohio State mowing them down with a car and slashing them with a butchers knife. Artan described how he was at boiling point and just couldnt take it anymore in a Facebook rant, minutes before launching his brutal attack which is now being investigated as terrorism. 'I am sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters being killed and tortured EVERYWHERE. 'By Allah, I am willing to kill a billion infidels in retribution for a single disabled Muslim,' the chilling message warned. In the post, Artan also praised American-born Al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in a CIA drone strike in 2011 and has been cited as the inspiration for many terror attacks on American soil. On Tuesday, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, calling Artan one of their 'soldiers'. But there has been no evidence thus far that Artan praised the group. Scroll down for video Abdul Razak Ali Artan seemed a happy student in May, when he graduated from Columbus State Community College The 18-year-old did a jump in mid-air as he accepted his diploma last May Artan is seen shaking Columbus State Community College President David Harrison's hand at the graduation ceremony On Monday, the 18-year-old Somali refugee wrote a message on Facebook, saying how he couldn't take the mistreatment of Muslims worldwide anymore. He's pictured on the right in a photo taken by OSU's student newspaper in August Artan was killed on Monday after going on a rampage at the Ohio State University, using his car to mow down bystanders and then slashing victims with a butcher knife. Above, his body is seen on the campus after an OSU police officer shot him dead What authorities will have to do now is rectify this radicalized Artan with the smiling honor student seen graduating from community college just six months ago, to see what caused him to snap and whether anyone helped him down his dark path. In video released by Columbus State Community College, Artan beamed and danced as he received his Associate's Degree diploma in May. His carefree smile is quite a contrast to the 'crazed' look witnesses said he had in his eyes on Monday, as he mowed down students with his car and then started slashing bystanders with a butcher knife on the Ohio State campus - injuring 11 faculty, students and staff. It's unclear what exactly triggered Artan's anger to boil over, but he hinted at his discomfort being a Muslim man in America's heartland when he was interviewed by the school's student newspaper on his first day of classes in August. In an interview with The Lantern, Artan complained about the media's allegedly negative view of Muslims and said that he felt scared to pray on campus. 'I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. I'm a Muslim, it's not what media portrays me to be,' he told the newspaper. 'If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. But I don't blame them. It's the media that put that picture in their heads.' Artan drove a relatives car to campus on Tuesday and mowed down innocent bystanders outside of Watts Hall (above) before getting out of his car and slashing people with a butcher knife The above still from surveillance footage shows the moment that the Ohio state knifeman drove onto campus before mowing down his classmates In one shot, a student could be seen standing by the roadside waiting to cross - mere feet away from Artan Late Monday, authorities carried out a search warrant on Artan's Columbus apartment, and they will be combing his electronic devices to see if he had contact with foreign terrorists or if he became radicalized after reading terror propaganda. From what we know of Artan's background so far, his immigrant story seemed like many other Somali refugees, who have been coming to the U.S. in the tens of thousands since civil war broke out in the African nation in the 1990s. Artan was born in Somalia but moved to a refugee camp in Pakistan in 2007 with his mother and siblings, after their father was abducted in their home country. After seven years in the refugee camp, the family-of-seven was granted entry to the U.S. as refugees, arriving through New York's JFK Airport in June 2014. Initially, the family lived at a shelter in Dallas, Texas, run by Catholic Charities, before relocating to Columbus - which has one of the largest Somali expat-communities in the country. The United States had a tight cap on the numbers of refugees until President Obama announced he was increasing the numbers incrementally to 100,000 by 2017. Tens of thousands of Somali refugees have moved to the U.S. since civil war broke out in the African country in the 1990s Those that knew him in Columbus were surprised by the attack on Monday, saying that he seemed to be a happy and smart young man. They also described him as faithful, praying daily at a mosque on the city's west side. A neighbor who lives next door to Artan told CBS News that the teen 'smiled a lot'. However, she says she had seen him hanging around people she did not recognize from the neighborhood in the past week or so. The owner of a market on the corner of Artan's block, says he would come in every day and that he last saw Artan on Sunday - the day before the attack. The owner described Artan as a 'nice and smart guy'. Alan Harujko, 28, (pictured) is the officer that shot Artan dead The details of the attack that have been released so far suggest that Artan may have been inspired by ISIS. In recent months, as the terror group has been crippled by air strikes in Syria, the group has been telling sympathizers not to join them in the Middle East but to carry out attacks in their home countries, especially if they are from the West. On Monday, Artan used his car to mow down innocent bystanders who were evacuating from a building at Ohio State, after the fire alarm was pulled. He then got out of his car and used a butcher knife to slash students, faculty and staff members. Angshuman Kapil, a graduate student, was outside Watts Hall when the car barreled onto the sidewalk. 'It just hit everybody who was in front,' he said. 'After that everybody was shouting, "Run! Run! Run!"' Artan was killed within a minute, when an OSU police officer showed up on the scene and shot him dead. The fact that he used a car to target his victims echoes instructions in a recent issue of ISIS's propaganda magazine Rumiyah, which instructed followers to mirror the July Nice, France terrorist attack. In that attack, a terrorist used a garbage truck to plow through revelers celebrating Bastille Day. Artan was not known to the FBI prior to Monday's attack, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Several prayer vigils were held Monday night to support the victims and the community. Classes at OSU were canceled after the attack, but were scheduled to resume Tuesday. Students said they were nervous about returning and planned to take precautions such as not walking alone. 'It's kind of nerve-wracking going back to class right after it,' said Kaitlin Conner, 18, of Cleveland, who said she had a midterm exam to take Tuesday. Leaders of Muslim organizations and mosques in the Columbus area condemned the attacks while cautioning people against jumping to conclusions or blaming a religion or an ethnicity. The Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute announces the hiring of Dr. Larry Shears II to its network of cardiologists."Dr. Shears is a nationally renowned board certified robotic cardiothoracic surgeon. He is recognized as one of the two most experienced robotic heart surgeons in the world. Through three small incisions, Dr. Shears is capable of performing bypasses and other major surgeries without opening the chest. This technique allows the patient to recover faster and with fewer complications and pain than traditional heart surgery," officials said.Dr.Shears expertise in robotic surgery techniques is invaluable to our Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute, said Kevin M. Spiegel, FACHE, president and CEO of Erlanger Health System. We are extremely fortunate to have him here in Chattanooga and providing world class care to our cardiology patients.To make an appointment at the Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute, call 423-778-5661. Parramatta Eels star Semi Radradra has flown into Sydney after saying goodbye to a mystery woman at the airport in Fiji. The 24-year-old rugby league winger arrived to face a media scrum on Tuesday night, a day after failing to front Parramatta Local Court on domestic violence charges linked to his former girlfriend. The arrival also coincided with French rugby club Toulon announcing the embattled league star would be playing for them next year. Semi Radradra (pictured) hugs a mystery woman at Nadi, in Fiji, before boarding a flight to Sydney Semi Radradra, 24, seen here at Nadi airport in Fiji shortly before boarding a late afternoon flight to Sydney on Tuesday His arrival in Sydney came a day after a magistrate threatened to issue an arrest warrant for the elite athlete, who was in Fiji visiting his gravely sick father. Shortly before boarding a late afternoon flight at Nadi, Radradra was seen hugging a mystery woman in the airport departure lounge. Toulon, meanwhile, issued a media statement on Tuesday afternoon hailing the signing of Radradra. 'Another big blow realised on the transfer market by your favourite team: the nugget of rugby league Semi Radradra will join the Toulon Rugby Club next season,' it said in a statement. Radradra declined to answer questions as journalists followed him to a car park, where a chaffeur driver was waiting for him, The Daily Telegraph reports. Australian Rugby League administrators denied the move to a new code, Seven News reported. Radradra's ex-girlfriend Perina Ting (pictured) has accused the NRL star of domestic violence offences, alleged to have been committed in 2014 and 2015 The Parramatta Eels winger fronting Parramatta Local Court in July on domestic violence charges Semi Radradra fronted Parramatta Local Court in July but failed to appear before a magistrate on Monday as he visited his sick father in Fiji 'Semi had a contract, I believe you've got to live up to your contacts,' ARL chairman John Grant said. 'He's made a decision, as I understand it, to move out of rugby league. 'It will be hard for him to come back if he ever chooses to.' On Monday, magistrate Greg Grogin criticised the athlete for failing to turn up to court. He is charged with assaulting his former girlfriend Perina Ting, in a series of violent incidents spanning several months. His lawyer told Parramatta Local Court Radradra flew to Fiji last week because his father was ill. French rugby union club Toulon issued a statement announcing Semi Radradra would be playing for them next year Magistrate Grogin said he was unsatisfied with a medical certificate showing Radradra's father was suffering from asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis. He threatened to issue an arrest warrant unless a more compelling reason was given by Wednesday. Police interviewed the Parramatta Eels winger after he flew in from Fiji in July and during a subsequent court hearing he pleaded not guilty to assault causing domestic violence-related actual bodily harm and two counts of domestic violence-related common assault. Ms Ting, his former girlfriend, has alleged Radradra assaulted her in their Parramatta home, in Sydney's west, several times between September 2014 and April 2015. She claimed he kicked her in the stomach when she was nine months pregnant with their daughter, Louisa, who now 18-months-old. A 24-year-old woman who smashed a pint glass into a man's face after he told her to butt out of a conversation and 'stop being nosy' has been jailed for four years. Bethany Cox left Mark Cook, 29, with permanent scarring after she threw a drink in his face and then smashed the glass into his left cheek in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Mr Cook needed 24 stitches in hospital following the attack with the half-filled pint glass of a Black Russian cocktail - and was left with a huge scar on his face. Attack: Bethany Cox (left) left Mark Cook (right) with permanent scarring after she threw a drink in his face and then smashed the glass into his left cheek in Grimsby, Lincolnshire Cox, who handed herself into police, admitted assault but denied wounding with intent. However she was found guilty of this charge after a trial and imprisoned. Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Cox launched the unprovoked attack after Mr Cook did not allow her into a conversation. He had been speaking with a woman at The Matrix bar in Grimsby about the breakdown of a relationship between his friend and the woman's friend. Cox, who was holding the pint glass, threw the liquid in Mr Cook's face - leaving him blind to her pulling her hand back and smashing the glass in his face. She then walked out of the bar, placing the base of the smashed glass down as she left in the early hours of March 30. Mr Cook, who was bleeding heavily, alerted bouncers and was taken to Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital then later transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary. Attack location: Mr Cook had been speaking with a woman at The Matrix bar (pictured) in Grimsby about the breakdown of a relationship between his friend and the woman's friend Cox later handed herself into police after hearing from a friend officers were investigating the attack. Mr Evans told the court Mr Cook was recovering well from his injuries and had no ill feelings towards Cox since the incident. The court heard Matrix bar had introduced a new policy of serving drinks in plastic cups after 9pm following the attack. Jailing Cox for four years, Judge David Tremberg said she had lost control and intended to cause Mr Cook serious harm. Detective Constable Robert Laking, who led the investigation for Humberside Police, said after the hearing: 'The jury has considered the case and found Bethany Cox guilty of wounding. 'This was a serious incident in which alcohol was considered to be a factor. Bethany Cox must now face the stark consequences of her violent actions that evening, which caused serious lasting injuries to another person. Tara Lenich, who works for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, was reportedly detained at her office yesterday morning acused of using an illegal wiretap to spy on an alleged love interest A New York prosecutor has been arrested, accused of using an illegal wiretap to spy on a love interest she thought was having an affair with her colleague. Tara Lenich, who works for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, was reportedly detained at her office yesterday morning by the same investigators she had worked with. According to the criminal complaint the 41-year-old, who was part of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, forged the signatures of judges in order to tap the phone of her lover, who was an NYPD detective, and another woman. It is claimed she forged the signatures of two separate judges on 20 court orders to wiretap two cellphone numbers, as orders expire after 30 days. She is then alleged to have tried to avoid suspicion for requesting the wiretaps by telling her colleagues she was on a secret mission on behalf of the Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau. However, a source told the New York Times that over the Thanksgiving weekend, Lenich and the detective became involved in a 'personal entanglement', which led to her alleged scheme being uncovered. A spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said as soon as the allegations were uncovered, a swift investigation took place. They added that Lenich was 'immediately terminated' and that the office had 'ordered a comprehensive review of our protocols and procedures to make sure that this abuse of authority never happens again.' Lenich, circled, at a press conference last year with the late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, center Late last night, she appeared at Brooklyn Criminal Court where she was arraigned and charged with eavesdropping and criminal possession of a forged instrument for allegedly using forged warrants to tap two cellphones. According to the New York Daily News, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis told the court: 'We take no pleasure in this appearance. This is a stunning betrayal of her oath of office and the justice system that we uphold.' Lenich's defense lawyer told the hearing she has an 'unblemished record', is known for her 'superior work' and enjoys the 'presumption of innocence'. Judge Curtis Farber set bail at $25,000 bond, with a $10,000 cash option. Three care home residents died after eating a Thanksgiving meal at a Californian American Legion center. Five other people were hospitalized between Friday and Saturday as health chiefs attempt to determine the cause of the outbreak. Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch said they received eight patients who had 'probable food-borne symptoms' after they ate a charity meal prepared by a church. Three people died after dining at an American Legion center in Antioch, California, pictured, where they ate a Thanksgiving meal made by a local church Three patients died, four have been released and one remains under medical care. Dr Louise McNitt, deputy health officer for Contra Costa County said: 'We do not believe there is any risk to the general public.' All eight lived at the same assisted living facility and ate a free Thanksgiving dinner at the American Legion Hall in Antioch along with other residents and staff members who did not get sick, Dr McNitt said. The traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, mash potatoes, stuffing, green beans, bread and pies was served by the Golden Hills Community Church, which has held the event for several years, said Dr Marilyn Underwood, environmental health director for Contra Costa Health Services. The meal was intended for the elderly, homeless people and others who do not have a family to spend the holidays with. Volunteers prepared the mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffing on site, at a commercial-grade facility. The rest of the meal, including the turkey, was donated by other food facilities, Dr Underwood said. They served 835 people who included homeless people, residents of assisted living facilities, and anyone who wanted to have a good holiday meal, she added. Health experts are investigating whether the dinner was responsible for the deaths (file photo) Dr McNitt said that no other reports of illness related to the dinner have been received and that officials were trying to determine if there were other people who got sick but didn't seek medical care. Contra Costa County coroner's officials said they could not release the names of those who died pending notification of next of kin. A statement on the Golden Hills Community Church website said: 'We recently were informed that several people from the same care facility in Antioch, who were at our Antioch Thanksgiving Dinner, became sick and it is reported that three of them have died. 'County Health officials have informed us that the source of the illness is not known and could have come from any of a number of sources. 'Our dinner in Antioch is only one of a number of possibilities that County Health is investigating. 'We are fully cooperating with health officials and are praying fervently for the families who lost loved ones and for others who are sick. We will try to post updates from County Health as we are made aware.' According to the San Francisco Chronicle, one of those who got sick was Jim Carrillo Jnr. The 41-year-old is 'very mentally handicapped' according to his father Jim Carillo, 69. He said his son became ill after attending the Thanksgiving dinner. He said: ' I saw him that evening, and he doesnt speak, but he signed that he was still hungry, so we stopped at Dennys. Everything seemed fine until the next morning.' He said the following day his son became 'severely, violently sick'. He said doctors told him his son's relative youth and strength saved his life. President-elect Donald Trump believes burning the American flag should be a crime, a move that suggests he supports efforts to override a series of Supreme Court decisions with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 'Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!' Trump said Tuesday morning on Twitter. Hillary Clinton once co-sponsored a bill in the U.S. Senate that would have done much the same thing, making it a crime to burn the U.S. flag in order to 'incite or produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace.' The law, which languished in Congress, would have provided for a 1-year jail term and a $100,000 fine as penalties. America's highest court ruled in 1969 that denigrating the U.S. flag with words is protected by the First Amendment, and in 1989 by a slim 5-4 majority that desecrating it is also a form of free speech. But the Clinton-sponsored bill argued that 'destruction of the flag of the United States can be intended to incite a violent response rather than make a political statement and such conduct is outside the protections afforded by the first amendment.' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Donald Trump said Tuesday on Twitter that burning the U.S. flag should be a crime Giving Congress the power to outlaw burning Old Glory would require a Constitutional amendment since the Supreme Court said in 1989 that torching it is protected by the First Amendment and Trump's tweet hints that he would back such a move Burning the flag has increasingly become a form of protest by liberal activists, including this instance outside the Republican national Convention in July by members and supporters of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA A long-stalled movement among congressional Republicans to trump the Supreme Court could gather new steam with Trump's support. The 'Flag Desecration Amendment' has passed several times in the House of Representatives, but has stalled in the Senate, most recently failing to pass in 2006 by a single vote. Both chambers in the U.S. Capitol are required to pass Constitutional amendments by two-thirds majorities. The proposed amendment reads simply: 'The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.' Republicans will have new hope of amending the Constitution in 2017 something that is typically seen as a pipe dream since a larger majority of state legislatures are now controlled by Republicans. Constitutional amendments can only be adopted with the support of three-quarters of those lawmaking bodies. The GOP has outright majorities in 37 state capitols. If a flag-burning amendment were to pass in both houses of Congress and the 2018 elections produced just one more Republican-controlled state legislature, it could become the 34th Amendment. Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic rival in the Nov. 8 presidential election, sponsored a U.S. Senate bill that would have criminalized flag burning when the action was intended to intimidate people, cause a riot or harm someone Trump himself has entered flag-burners' crosshairs in protests like this one in new York City the day after his election Republicans could also try to pass amendments requiring the federal government to balance its budget every year, and establishing term limits for members of Congress. Less than an hour after Trump posted his tweet about flag-burning, presidential transition spokesman Jason Miller defended his position on CNN. He said Trump is a strong First Amendment advocate, but burning Old Glory goes too far. 'Flag burning is completely ridiculous ... and I think the vast majority of Americans would agree,' he said. 'It's completely ridiculous, and I don't think there's a big universe of people out there who support flag-burning. It's terrible and it's despicable.' Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller defended the president-elect's position on flag-burning Tuesday on CNN, and gamely tried to change to subject to the appointment of a new secretary of Health and Human Services Miller did his best to change the subject to the president-elect's appointment of Rep. Tom Price to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. But CNN's Chris Cuomo kept the pressure on. 'We've got to listen when he says something should be illegal that's a protected constitutional right. I'm not saying I like it, but that's a big part of the First Amendment in this country,' he said. 'A frustrating, maddening part of it is that you've got to respect people's ability to say what you don't like to hear. The president just said burning the flag is illegal. It's a protected constitutional right. Can we agree on that?' 'No, we would completely disagree on this issue,' Miller replied. 'The president-elect is a very strong supporter of the First Amendment,' he added later, 'but I also think there's a very big difference between that and burning the American flag, which has absolutely no place in our society.' A co-host of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' put House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy on the spot an hour later. McCarthy said that in Trump's America, people who burn the U.S. flag could be in danger themselves but they still have the legal right to do it. 'In my neck of the woods, people don't burn their flags. They actually honor their flags. I don't see why they would want to burn it,' McCarthy said. 'But we have a First Amendment right. ... If someone wanted to show their First Amendment right, I'd be afraid for their own safety.' 'But we'll protect our First Amendment. ... That's what the court upheld,' he said. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Tuesday that 'this is not the first thing that he president-elect has said or tweeteed that President Obama disagrees with.' Nine men have been arrested and are being questioned by police over gangland slayings including the death of assassin Pasquale Barbaro. Abuzar Sultani, a senior member of the Rebels bikie gang, was arrested around midday on Tuesday in Sydney by heavily armed police. Another eight men, believed to be connected to a 'guns for hire' squad known as 'the Afghanis' were also rounded up, including two arrested in broad daylight in Sydney Olympic Park. Nine men were arrested by heavily armed police on the streets of Sydney on Tuesday in connection with a string of gangland slayings stretching back to last year Among those arrested was Abuzar Sultani, a well-educated man and senior Rebels bikie figure (it is not known if Sultani is the one pictured here) The other nine men arrested are believed to have connections to a hit squad known as 'the Afghanis' based in Sydney Sultani is now expected to be charged in connection to Barbaro's death, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, though it is not thought he carried out the killing himself. Investigators from Task Force Osprey are also reported to be questioning him over the shooting of another underworld figure, Mark Easter. The arrests were carried out by Task Force Osprey, a unit charged with investigating eight underworld slayings in recent months Sultani, a well-educated man who goes by the nickname 'Abs', was also recently mentioned during trial of two men charged with the murder of enforcer Joe Antoun. During the judge-only hearing an unsubstantiated claim was made that Sultani pulled the trigger on Antoun, the Daily Telegraph reports. Task Force Osprey was established weeks ago to investigate eight violent deaths that began with Easter's shooting in June last year. Tuesday marks the first arrests by the new unit. Among those killed are Walid 'Wally' Ahmed, who was cut down in a shopping mall in April, and Hamad Assaad, shot on the driveway of his home in October. Pasquale Barbaro, another hitman, was the most recent death - gunned down on the street earlier this month. Sultani, the only of the arrested men to be identified so far, was seen handcuffed and with blood on his face in front of shocked diners on Australia Avenue. Officers from Osprey investigating the death of Pasquale are also probing the execution of Walid 'Wally' Ahmed and Hamad Assaad (pictured, a man is arrested) Two men were filmed being arrested in Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday The nine arrests mark the first action by Task Force Osprey, set up just weeks earlier to investigate Sydney's network of guns for hire Around half a kilometre away two other men were bundled to the floor and handcuffed near to the Boomerang apartments in Sydney Olympic Park. Officers were seen searching a number of luxury vehicles including an Audi Quattro. A Mercedes and a Holden were also seized from properties in the area, though police have released limited information on the raids. Also being investigated by Task Force Osprey are the deaths of Rebels member Michael Davey, Safwan Chabaji, and Nomad bikie Adrian Buxton. Mehmet Yilmaz, killed in front of his fiancee outside a known Comanchero gang handout, is the eighth killing in the unit's case file. Pasquale Barbaro, who was shot dead in October, is among those being investigated by Osprey officers, along with Hamad Assaad, who was also shot dead In the dock: Oxford-educated Simon Ball, 42, was jailed for 12 years for having sex with four girls from two top schools Victims of an ex-boarding school teacher who sexually abused four pupils and had sex with one girl on his wife's wedding dress have spoken of their ordeal - with one describing how she was 'robbed of her childhood'. Oxford-educated Simon Ball, 42, was jailed for 12 years after admitting sexually abusing one girl while he was director of music at Kimbolton School near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. He was also found guilty of sexually abusing three girls at his former school, Giggleswick School in Settle, North Yorkshire, following a nine-day trial. One of the victims, who went to Kimbolton, said her teacher 'was meant to protect' her and questioned how he was able to commit a similar crime again. In her personal victim statement, she said: 'It's not like he's moved schools and tried a different method. It's almost the same and it bothers me. 'I want to find out why he was allowed to commit such a similar crime again. He was my teacher. He was meant to protect me.' One Giggleswick pupil told of her 'guilt' that in the time it took her to speak to authorities, another girl had fallen victim to Ball. Reading her statement, prosecutor Charles Falk said the girl 'feels guilt and sadness that it took her 12 years to tell the truth and in those 12 years someone else got hurt'. He added that a second Giggleswick pupil felt 'robbed of her childhood' and 'angry' at the school. Judge Sean Enright, sentencing at Peterborough Crown Court, jailed Ball for five years for the Kimbolton offences and seven years for the Giggleswick offences, with the jail terms to run consecutively. He told Ball: 'These offences were all about satisfying your fantasies. There was never anything in it for the girls.' He added that Ball, whom he described as a 'talented musician', would never work in a school again as a result of the 'great harm' he caused to his victims. Packed: Ball covered his face when he arrived at court for his sentencing today and was pulling a suitcase as he prepared for a jail term STATEMENT FROM ONE OF BALL'S VICTIMS 'It's not like he's moved schools and tried a different method. It's almost the same and it bothers me. 'I want to find out why he was allowed to commit such a similar crime again. 'He was my teacher, he was supposed to identify that I was vulnerable. He was meant to protect me. He completely abused that relationship. 'He spotted my vulnerabilities and exploited them. I thought that was a heartless thing to do.' Advertisement Ball was banned from working with any girl aged under 18, or having one-on-one contact, without permission from the relevant public protection unit. He was ordered to show police any device capable of taking a digital image on request, and barred from contacting any of his victims for life. An investigation into Ball's conduct at Giggleswick School in the early 2000s was reopened following the allegations at his new school and the offending was discovered. Ball had sex with one of the three girls from Giggleswick on his wife's wedding dress, jurors were told. Charles Falk, prosecuting, said Ball liked the Kimbolton pupil to dress up in her 'schoolgirl outfit and fishnets', and police seized 678 indecent images that Ball had taken. Ball proposed to his victim and bought her a ring, had sex with her in a cupboard in the school's music department and in the headmaster's guest lavatory, and asked her to go on the Pill following a pregnancy scare, the court heard. School one: Ball, 42, admitted sexually abusing one girl while he was director of music at Kimbolton School near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (pictured) School two: Ball was also found guilty of sexually abusing three girls at his former school, Giggleswick School in Settle, North Yorkshire (pictured) Claire Matthews, mitigating, said Ball was in a 'serious relationship' with the pupil from the Kimbolton School, was a 'talented musician' and an 'intelligent, dedicated, well-educated' individual. Ball, formerly of Greenwich, south-east London, and currently of Newent, Gloucestershire, admitted five counts of engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust at Kimbolton School, and was found guilty of four counts of engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust and one count of indecent assault at Giggleswick School. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on four further counts relating to Ball's time at Giggleswick School, and the Crown Prosecution Service did not wish to proceed to a retrial. An NSPCC spokesman said: 'The fact it has taken so long to bring him to justice raises serious questions about how he was able to continually commit these crimes over more than 10 years, and why these allegations were not thoroughly investigated at the time.' Police are still trying to hunt down two men accused of taking part in the murder of a young black man in the San Francisco Bay Area, who investigators say was killed because of his race. The possible hate crime comes amid growing concern over racially motivated incidents and attacks nationwide. Will Sims, 28, was leaving a local pool hall near his home in El Sobrante - about 15 miles north of Oakland - in the early hours of November 12 when he was robbed, beaten and shot to death on the street. One white man, Daniel Porter-Kelly, 31, has been arrested and charged with murder with a hate crime enhancement, while police are seeking two other male suspects, both also white. On the run: Police are trying to track down Daniel Ortega, 31 (left), and Ray Simmons, 32 (right), who are accused of being involved in a hate crime killing in Richmond, California Murdered because of his race: Will Sims, 28, was leaving a local pool hall near his home in El Sobrante in the early hours of November 12 when he was robbed, beaten and shot to death Investigators say Sims worked as a retail clerk, had no gang ties and a clean criminal record. In custody: Daniel Porter-Kelly, 31, is charged with murder with a hate crime enhancement Authorities are still searching for 32-year-old Ray Simons and 31-year-old Daniel Ortega and didn't elaborate on the hate crime allegations or the details of the homicide. Porter-Kelly remains jailed without bail. Porter-Kelly's attorney Colin Cooper says his client denies involvement in the killing and that prosecutors have not yet provided any evidence or details supporting the hate crime accusation. He was arraigned on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, Porter-Kelly could face the death penalty if he is found guilty of committing a hate crime. Contra Costa County homicide prosecutor Derek Butts declined to discuss details of the case or the evidence supporting the hate crime allegation, noting that investigators were still searching for two murder suspects. The Southern Poverty Law Center says it has documented 701 'reports of hateful incidents of harassment around the country' since the presidential election. Contra Costa County investigators believe the three men set upon Sims near a local pool hall, the Capri Club Since then, the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it has documented about 100 'anti-Muslim' incidents, including an anonymous letter mailed to several California mosques and one in Georgia saying President-elect Donald Trump will exterminate Muslims. The population of Richmond is 36 percent black, making it the largest ethnic group in the city. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said Sims' slaying appeared to be a hate crime and urged community restraint. 'I urge Richmond residents to maintain our city's values of respect and care for one another, especially during a time when we are experiencing a nationwide surge in hate-filled hostility and threats to public safety,' Butt said Saturday in a statement. William Sims, 28, was found beaten and shot on the side of a road in El Sobrante - about 15 miles north of Oakland, California - on November 12 Scene: Will Sims was said to be a regular at the Capri Club, the pool hall he was leaving when he was murdered Sims was a talented musician and performer who played the piano, guitar, saxophone and violin, and his death has has shattered many members of the San Francisco music scene, the SF Gate reports. 'Will was an amazing human being,' his friend, Brett Murphy, told the newspaper. 'He cared for and helped others any chance he got. He always wanted others to be as happy and have as much fun as he was. He made friends with everyone. He was very charismatic.' County jail guard Scott Blume (pictured) is accused of pepper-spraying an inmate's genitals at Lackawanna County jail A Pennsylvania county jail guard has been charged with simple assault after being accused of pepper-spraying an inmate's genitals. Sergeant Scott Blume, who is now on paid leave from Scranton's Lackawanna County jail, was taking the inmate to the restricted housing unit after disciplining him for having homemade alcohol made with leftover fruit, according to an arrest affidavit. Blume placed the inmate in a holding cell and told him to change into a different prison uniform, made for those in restricted housing, the Times-Tribune reported, saying the scene was caught on camera. The inmate, named as Damian Kellogg by the newspaper, refused to change, at which point Blume grabbed him by the throat and pulled his hair, the affidavit states. The argument escalated until Blume, who had stepped out of the cell, twice sprayed the inmate through an opening in the door, according to the document. The inmate was then taken to the restricted unit in handcuffs. The inmate wrote to a judge to complain on October 18, saying the incident had happened on September 24. The arrest affidavit doesn't specify which part of the inmate's body was sprayed, but the inmate wrote in his letter, seen by the Times-Tribune, that the pepper-spray hit him in the groin area while he was naked. District Attorney Shane Scanlon said he filed the charges because force wasn't necessary. Blume, who has been released, faces a disciplinary hearing in December and could be fired. His attorney declined comment Tuesday. Jodrell Bank telescope used by Prof Brian Cox in his BBC science shows Government has now turned down an appeal developer firm Gladman It was initially rejected by council to protect nearby space observatory Development was planned for 119 homes in Goostrey in Cheshire A housing development has been scrapped over fears residents' wifi connections, microwaves and lawnmowers could cripple TV star Prof Brian Cox's space observatory. Developers argued the use of everyday household appliances at the proposed 120-home site in Goostrey, Cheshire, would not affect nearby Jodrell Bank's ability to receive radio signals from space. It is two miles away from the University of Manchester's famous observatory, used by Prof Cox, 48, on his popular shows. Now Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid has quashed the proposed development, ruling it would 'impair the efficiency' of this 'world-class facility'. Scroll down for video Gladman Developments had wanted to build 119 homes at a site in Goostrey, Cheshire (pictured in red) but had it turned down by the Government Opponents argued the site posed a danger to Jodrell Bank Observatory, pictured, with household items likely to interfere with signals received by its telescope Established in 1945 by Sir Bernard Lovell, it researches meteors, quasars, pulsars, masers and gravitational lenses, and boasts Britain's iconic Lovell Telescope. But scientists feared a new influx of houses would mean residents' mobile phones, wifi transmitters, TVs, washing machines, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, microwaves could all interfere with space signals. It is already claimed nearby electricity lines have already stopped scientists from finding new pulsars, dense stars that send out radio waves. Jodrell Bank stated the housing development would raise signal pollution by 10 per cent, exceeding agreed thresholds for 'detrimental interference' to radio astronomy observations. The Government's ruling backs up the decision already made last year by Cheshire East councillors - who also rejected the housing plans. Jodrell Bank regularly features on TV science shows featuring Brian Cox - the University of Manchester's Advanced Fellow of particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy. Jodrell Bank regularly features on Prof Brian Cox's BBC science programmes Prof Cox is best known to the public as the presenter of science programmes, especially the 'Wonders of...' series and for science books, such as Why Does E=MC2? and The Quantum Universe. The former keyboardist with pop group D:Ream, he has been the author or co-author of over 950 scientific publications. Housing firm Gladman Developments had appealed the local council's decision against their proposal, claiming there was 'no evidence' their plan would cause a significant increase in radio interference. But a later public inquiry disagreed, saying the observatory, 'as an established world class facility, should be afforded reasonable protection'. The statement on behalf of Mr Javid explains: 'The secretary of state agrees with the inspector that Jodrell Bank Observatory as an established world-class facility should be afforded reasonable protection. 'It considers that this proposal could damage the world-class work being carried out by the observatory. 'In his view, the harm to the efficiency of the radio telescope carries substantial weight against the proposal.' It added that 'the reasonable protection of Jodrell Bank Observatory is a matter of global significance'. The statement added that 'the protection of Jodrell Bank as a facility of international importance transcends the housing land supply circumstances of the case'. Cheshire East Councillor Ainsley Arnold said he was 'delighted' at the decision. The proposed building site is just two miles away from the observatory which means electronic waves from household goods could interfere with its technology Mr Arnold said: 'Jodrell Bank observatory is a vital asset to this borough, the nation and the international scientific community. 'The protective zone around the telescope has been in place since 1973 and we are very pleased that its importance has been recognised and reinforced. 'As a council, we are doing everything possible to meet the housing needs of our area. 'However, this was simply the wrong development in the wrong place. 'It is very good to see that the long-term protection of vital scientific work has prevailed over the short-term high demand in housing supply. 'This further underlines the importance of the ongoing collaboration between the council and Manchester University over operations at the site.' Gladman Developments has so far declined to comment. The second annual Holiday Market in Miller Plaza will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This free shopping event which features a unique lineup of vendors and a shopping environment unlike any other market in town, said officials. Vendors include Good Fortune Soap & Spa, Fischer Evans Jewelers, Tangerinas, Locals Only Gifts, elea blake Cosmetic Studio, Dish TPass Cooking School and Catering Company, Lost Art Design, alkohaulers and Center MedSpa. In addition to gifts and treats, shoppers can purchase fresh wreaths which help support Family Promise of Greater Chattanoogas mission to help low-income families achieve lasting independence. To keep adults and children entertained during the market, The Chattery will have free holiday craft projects available. Musical performances will occur throughout the evening by the Center for Creative Arts Jazz Band and the Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences choirs accompanied by a grand piano thanks to Summitt Pianos. The Daily Ration will also be on hand to serve wine, beer and hot chocolate as people shop. For more information and to RSVP visit the Facebook event here. Eddie Izzard declared 36,000 of campaign spending during the referendum Eddie Izzard blew more than 36,000 in a failed bid to stop the country voting for Brexit. The comedian laid out large sums on travel, food and literature as he toured the country during the frenetic EU referendum campaign. The details emerged as the Electoral Commission released the first information about 4.5 million of spending by 48 individuals and groups in the run-up to the June 23 vote. Darren Grimes, a fashion student who ran the social media-driven BeLeave campaign with the backing of the official Vote Leave campaign, declared a 676,016 outlay. On the Remain side, the biggest spenders were the We Are Europe group - described as a 'collective of friends, artists, campaigners, creatives and doers' - who spent 326,445 trying to mobilise young people. Izzard - a long-standing Labour supporter who has hinted at standing for London Mayor in 2020 - racked up 36,229.22, including 22,000 on transport and food, 12,699 on referendum material and 715 on media. Other declarations ranged between 10,000 and 250,000, with Remain campaigners splashing out 2,917,667 to 1,901,815 by Leave supporters. On the Leave side, the Grassroots Out umbrella group declared 219,215, Global Britain Ltd 209,302, Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers 96,898, brewers JD Wetherspoon 94,586, Economists for Brexit 54,000, and the RMT union 45,083. Other prominent spenders on the Remain side included the DDB UK advertising agency with 249,715, the telecoms company Lebara Ltd with 220,573, as well as a number of trade unions led by Unite with 140,173, Usdaw with 104,190 and the TUC with 97,909. Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, waded back into the EU row today by lashing out at the 'cabal' of politicians fighting to overturn the referendum result. He said most people had accepted the result and promises from leaders of the Remain side to implement the outcome. Writing in his company's magazine, Mr Martin complained that some people were trying to overturn the referendum decision, or water it down. The comedian, pictured addressing a crowd in London's Covent Garden, toured the country urging people to support Britain's membership of the EU He wrote: 'The fascinating question is why these highly educated people are so intent on remaining part of an undemocratic and economically chaotic organisation. 'The sad reality is that the current battle for democracy has echoes of similar battles in previous centuries. 'Certain sections of society today feel strongly that it's better for power to reside in highly educated elites, closely connected to big business, major universities and influential politicians. 'The evidence of history is that undemocratic organisations, like the EU, eventually make a hash of it, as we're now seeing in southern Europe.' Bob Posner, the Electoral Commission's director of political finance, said: 'The information we have published today provides a first chance to see the amounts of spending by many of the campaigners at the referendum. The Royal Navy is being depleted by a 'vicious cycle' of old ships being retained beyond their sell-by-date, a damning independent report warned today. The review also found that new ships are being ordered too late and the procurement process takes too long compared with other industries. Sir John Parker, author of the report, called for a 'sea change' in the Government's strategy and said the Ministry of Defence should take advantage of Britain's 'vibrant' shipbuilding and marine industry. He concluded that fewer ships than planned are ordered too late, saying: 'Old ships are retained in service well beyond their sell-by date with all the attendant high costs of so doing. 'This vicious cycle is depleting the RN fleet and unnecessarily costing the taxpayer. It needs to be broken.' The review found that new ships are being ordered too late and the procurement process takes too long compared with other industries. Pictured, HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier floats in the river Clyde Sir John, chairman of mining giant Anglo American, told the Government to increase its 'pace and grip' so that shipyards across the UK can win work and create jobs. He said the Government must drive cultural change in defence to inject 'genuine pace' into the procurement process and get a clear grip over cost and time. The MoD should lay out its plans for naval ships over the next 30 years, the report recommended. Sir John suggested that work on warships should be shared among companies across the UK. He said BAE Systems should build the Type 26 series, describing the defence giant as having the breadth of technical and engineering talent and the most recent experience of building sophisticated warships. But he added that a new fleet of Type 31 naval frigates was urgently needed to maintain the Royal Navy's fleet numbers and to establish a UK exportable light frigate. 'There is no precedent for building two 'first class' RN frigates in one location,' he said. A separate lead shipyard or alliance would appear to be the best way forward for the new frigate to minimise risk, the report said. SNP defence spokesman Brendan O'Hara said the UK Government must now end 'unnecessary and worrying delays' in bringing forward a national shipbuilding strategy. Sir John Parker, pictured, called for a 'sea change' in the Government's strategy and said the Ministry of Defence should take advantage of Britain's 'vibrant' shipbuilding and marine industry 'The MoD told us the strategy - vital to our shipbuilding industry - would be complete by the Autumn Statement last week at the latest. 'We are now told it will be spring next year before we can see any firm plans and that means more unnecessary and worrying delays for the workers, families and communities that depend on shipbuilding. 'These concerns about another Westminster muddle will only be heightened by some of the recommendations in this report, with clear implications for yards on the Clyde in particular. The MoD said the report will inform the Government's shipbuilding strategy, to be published next spring. A statement said: 'Sir John recognises the skill and experience Scottish shipyards possess. He argues that Scotland's cutting-edge technology presents an opportunity to implement modular construction more widely, a process in which ship components are produced across the UK before being assembled at a central hub. 'The build of the Royal Navy's largest ever warships - the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers - has already demonstrated the success of such an approach, with multiple shipyards and hundreds of companies across the UK working together and benefiting from the aircraft carrier build and final assembly taking place at Rosyth.' Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: 'I would like to thank Sir John for providing an ambitious vision of naval shipbuilding in the UK based on a new era of co-operation as part of our modern industrial strategy. 'This report will inform our national shipbuilding strategy to match the needs of the Royal Navy with the ability to design and build efficiently, maintain skills, and maximise export opportunities. 'This will ensure a strong naval shipbuilding sector and help deliver an economy that works for everyone.' Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, pictured in Downing Street today, said Sir John's report will inform the Government's shipbuilding strategy going forward Scottish Labour's Westminster spokesman Ian Murray said: 'The confirmation that construction of the new Type 26 frigates will begin on the Clyde next summer secured the future of the yard for the next 20 years, but we want to see the future of the Clyde and its workers safeguarded for much longer than that. 'The Clyde shipyard is a historic centre of UK shipbuilding and its world-class workforce must be protected and maintained. 'The UK and Scottish Governments need an industrial strategy that invests in defence and commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde to increase opportunities for shipbuilding. Promises were made to the workers on the Clyde and we will not allow the Government to go back on them.' A Downing Street spokesman said: 'Sir John has put together a very thorough analysis of Navy shipbuilding and recommendations around that. 'It is only right that we now take that report and give it the careful consideration it needs before we produce a national shipbuilding strategy that reflects the needs of the Royal Navy. 'We will respond in due course to the recommendations that Sir John has made.' The spokesman said he did not recognise suggestions that the Navy was the victim of a vicious cycle of underinvestment in ships. 'I don't agree with that in principle,' said the Number 10 spokesman. 'There's been a lot of investment in shipbuilding from the MoD - an estimate is 1.4 billion in 2014/15 on shipbuilding and repair in the UK alone. That resulted in 15,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs. 'So the investment in shipbuilding is going in. Do you know any of the drivers involved? If so, email stephanie.linning@mailonline.co.uk Detective says: 'No one could have anticipated the level of violence' When van driver was asked for his details, he viciously attacked trucker Astonishing footage has emerged of a van driver grappling with a trucker, reversing his van into him and then smashing his victim's window with a shovel. The road rage attack happened when two men in a lorry were set upon by a man in a smaller pick-up truck on the M62 near Eccles, Greater Manchester earlier this month. Police have released CCTV of the attack as they attempt to track down the man who carried out the sustained attack beside the busy road. Shocking footage has captured the moment a van driver attacked two truckers on the M62 The sustained attack involved the man punching one of his victims, driving into them with his van and then smashing their window and threatening them with a shovel The footage shows the attacker arguing with the two men after a collision as they both drove onto the M62 motorway from the M60 at midday on November 9. Police say the row started when the two lorry drivers asked the man for his insurance details and he became abusive and starting punching one of them. After the two men returned to their cab, the van driver jumped into his vehicle and reversed at speed at their lorry, smashing into the radiator and causing huge damage. He then ran at the lorry and tried to get into the cab, where the drivers had locked themselves in. When he failed, he got a shovel from his van and smashed the window, while the driver sat just inches away. The row broke out after a collision between the van and the drivers' lorry earlier this month When the men tried to get the driver's details, he attacked and punched one of them PC John Cavanagh from GMP's Roads Policing Unit said: 'This attack was unbelievable, and has been clearly captured on CCTV. DO YOU KNOW ANY OF THE DRIVERS INVOLVED? If so, email stephanie.linning@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement 'Luckily neither of the men were seriously injured however they have been left terrified by the incident. 'The driver and passenger in the lorry were just trying to get on with their day's work when they collided with the man in the pick-up truck, accidents happen and they were attempting to deal with the situation in an appropriate manner. 'No one could have anticipated the level of violence they would then fall victim to. 'I am appealing for anyone who may recognise the driver of the pick-up truck to get in touch as soon as possible. It was broad daylight and the man can be clearly seen, someone must know who he is.' A farmer was fined for beating two swans to death and critically injuring a third by battering them with his shepherd's crook. David Thompson, 80, was caught on a helicopter's video camera chasing the birds across his fields of rapeseed - and attacking them with the big stick. Thompson was fined 7,970 at Canterbury Magistrates' Court after an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter team spotted the brutal assault on the swans. The RSPCA and the police were called on April 23 after a coastguard helicopter crew flying near Lydd airport on a training exercise reported seeing the man hit several swans repeatedly with a 'long blue pole'. Scroll down for video David Thompson, pictured, was caught on camera by the coastguard beating two swans to death and injuring a third He used his shepherd's crook to carry out the brutal attack which left two swans dead, pictured Officers attended the scene and found two injured swans and one dead one - all with blood around their heads. The second swan died before arriving at the vets, but the third was treated and cared for at the RSPCA's Mallydams Wildlife Centre, and eventually made a good recovery and was released back into the wild. Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Dave Grant said: 'There is no doubt these poor swans would have suffered - they were bashed about the head brutally and repeatedly. 'It would not have been a quick death. 'The witnesses said they saw the man hit several swans with a long blue stick, which we think was probably a shepherd's crook. 'They also saw him strike another swan, yanking him by the neck several times, and threw the bird forward twice before lifting him by the left wing and dumping him in a ditch. 'When we arrived one of the swans was already dead, and a second barely alive - just raising his head weakly. It was so sad. 'Thankfully there was a happy ending for a third swan, who was treated by a vet and nursed back to health in our care, before being released back to the wild. 'We are incredibly grateful to the coastguard crew - who not only spotted and reported this incident, but even managed to capture part of the attack on camera.' The coastguard footage shows Thompson trying to force the swans away from his rapeseed crop but ends before the beating begins The coastguard obtained the footage, pictured, on a 'routine training exercise' and immediately reported it to the police and RSPCA A coastguard spokesperson added: 'Whilst out on a routine training exercise, our UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter crew from Lydd observed a member of the public behaving irrationally in a field in rural Kent. 'The crew were concerned for his safety and thought that he might have been in some type of difficulty. 'As they flew closer they saw the man attacking a number of swans. 'The crew immediately informed the police of the man's actions.' The court heard Thompson claimed he was killing the swans because they were eating his crops. Defending, Matthew Knight said: 'When the defendant is around the farm he always carries a crook so when a sheep is in trouble he can handle it. 'He admits if you are foolish enough to strike a swan you are going to cause it harm. 'But he didn't intend to kill or injure but accepts in hindsight that it could be very likely to do them serious injury, and that is what happened.' During an earlier court appearance, Mr Knight said his client had been left upset at the damage previous swans had caused to a crop of rapeseed. He had also earlier found a ewe 'lacerated by a badger' believed to have come from a nearby nature reserve he had 'a long-standing dispute' with. Thompson, who runs a farm, pictured, in Romney Marsh, Kent, admitted violating the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in killing the birds Mr Knight added: 'He went back and discovered the swans in the oil seed rape where he had seen some the previous day. 'He tried to chase them off but they put up a fight and because he had a crook he struck them. 'It refused to move so he pulled it toward and discarded it in a ditch. 'He says now it would be better to have put his hands in his pockets and walked away. 'None of that is an excuse but an explanation for what occurred. 'He simply couldn't face being here. He's very upset by it. He accepts he will lose his good name.' Transition sources now say she has turned down the role and will assist President-elect Trump from outside As a constant presence on TV, she has been mentioned for a possible role inside the White House as communications director Kellyanne Conway came in to manage Trump's campaign and is a senior advisor to his transition Trump transition advisor Kellyanne Conway says she spoke this weekend with president-elect Trump about how to be a 'face' of the new administration but sources say she has ruled out taking a top White House communications job. Conway spoke with Trump a number of times over the weekend, and discussed how to be 'a face of the administration,' Conway told the New York Times. But she has rejected the offer of serving as the White House communications director, and isn't expected to take a formal post on the government payroll inside the White House. 'Kellyanne is more likely to be working on the outside and she knows that,' a top Trump transition aide told Politico. 'So I think she feels a little more liberated about opining,' the aide continued. Scroll down for video Senior transition advisor Kellyanne Conway has taken herself out of the running for a top White House communications job, and may be a 'face' of the Trump administration from outside The 49 year old pollster who helped steady and focus Trump's campaign has been at the center of Trump transition drama since she spoke openly on three Sunday shows about former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's deficiencies as a potential secretary of state. She said it would be a betrayal of the 'grassroots' of Romney, who lambasted Trump during the campaign, got the post although Conway said she had communicated her views to Trump in private. 'The president-elect would never need to turn on a TV station to find out how I feel about anything or anyone he would already know it,' Conway told the Times. 'It would be a mistake to think that I communicate with him through the TV.' Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks released a statement from the president-elect Monday night that absolved Conway of going Rogue on the Romney matter, amid intrigue as he battles former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the post in a debate that has gone public. Conway publicly blasted the idea of Trump picking Mitt Romney as his secretary of state but says she also has shared her views in private SOLO ACT? Trump released a statement saying he 'encouraged' Conway to go public with her concerns about Romney. She is pictured here with the 'Naked Cowbody' inside Trump Tower Monday Conway defended her statements about Mitt Romney in a tweet responding to MSNBC host Joe Scarborough Conway said President-elect Trump has her 'private counsel' MSNBC host Joe Scarborough blasted Conway's 'lack of discretion' prompting a response from Conway on Twitter 'Kellyanne came to me and asked whether or not she could go public with her thoughts on the matter,' Trump said in the statement. 'I encouraged her to do so. Most importantly she fully acknowledged there is only one person that makes the decision. She has always been a tremendous asset and that will continue.' Conway tangled with MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, who tweeted Sunday that 'Giuliani and Conway are trying to intimidate the President Elect. How weak do they think he is? Their lack of discretion is embarrassing.' He was joining other observers who argued Conway's extraordinary attacks on Romney might make it impossible for Trump to go ahead and select him for the plum post, or otherwise humiliate Trump's former rival. Conway responded on Twitter: 'repeating 100th time decision is his & I'll respect it. Whatever your feud w/ Rudy, no need to lump us. I already have the job I want.' Conway, 49, has four children and is married to George Conway. Romney during the campaign thoroughly denounced Trump. 'Heres what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University,' Romney said. 'Hes playing the members of the American public for suckers. He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat.' 'His domestic policies would lead to recession,' Romney continued. 'His foreign policies would make America and the world less safe. He has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president and his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill.' Trump is set to have dinner with Romney today for what amounts to a second interview. Conway told CNN on Sunday: 'I'm all for party unity, but I'm not sure we have to pay for that with the secretary of state position. Then Conway went so far as to question if Romney, had done anything in the past four years to earn the nomination. A nine-year-old girl has died from a stress-induced heart attack just two days before she was due to give evidence against a grandfather accused of sexually abusing her. The girl, known by her initials of YK, was rushed to hospital after collapsing at her home in the Bornova district of Izmir Province in Turkey. Doctors, who were unable to save her, believe the worry of the alleged sexual assault and the prospect of going to court was too much for her heart to cope with. The girl, known by her initials of YK, was rushed to hospital after collapsing at her home in the Bornova district of Izmir Province in Turkey YK had been so traumatised by what happened to her that she had been unable to go to school since the incident four months ago and had been seeing a child psychologist. She was allegedly attacked by her friend's grandfather, named only as 56-year-old TC, while playing on the balcony of the second girl's home. The two girls fell out and YK was left alone with TC, who reportedly said he was going to give her a doll to cheer her up. Instead, the man allegedly sexually assaulted her. YK ran home to her parents who called the police and the grandfather was arrested before being bailed pending trial. YK never appeared to recover and remained traumatised. She stopped going to school, was too afraid to be left on her own at home and started wetting the bed at night. As the trial grew nearer, she grew more and more anxious about giving evidence and having to face her alleged attacker in court. Two days before the trial, she collapsed and fainted at home before being rushed to a nearby hospital where she later died. Her father, named as TK, said: 'My daughter was extremely scared after the harassment. Now she has lost her life. The hunt continues for a man after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a beach. The girl was attacked by a shirtless man, at Floreat Beach in Western Australia, at around 10pm on Friday. Police have released a composite image of the teenager's attacker, who is described as being aged between 35 and 40 with a tanned complexion and a solid, muscular build. The hunt continues for a man after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a WA beach (Pictured: Composite image) He is about 185cm tall with scruffy, shoulder-length hair and was clean shaven. The man was wearing jeans but no top during the attack at the beach off the West Coast Highway in City Beach. The victim ran past two males who were near the Floreat Beach Kiosk at the time of the assault. Sex Assault Squad detectives would also like to to speak with them as they may be able to provide further information. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The man was wearing jeans but no top during the attack at the beach off the West Coast Highway in City Beach Advertisement Many people turned to exploring local nature paths for their daily exercise when lockdown closed gyms and group sports took a hiatus amid the pandemic. Amateur photographers who captured stunning images of animals in their natural habitat were quick to submit their snaps to Weekend magazine's annual Wildlife Photography Challenge in the hopes of winning a package worth over 1,000. The entrants were split into five categories - Birds; Mammals; Insects; Under-18s; and Reptiles, Fish, Amphibians & Molluscs. While each category winner received a Nikon mirrorless digital camera kit and a year's subscription to Nikon Owner magazine, the overall winner also received a trip to the Camargue with wildlife photographer Simon Stafford, courtesy of Create Away, for a four-night masterclass in photographing the region's wild horses, flamingos and bulls. Judges David Suchet, Clare Balding, Lucy Cooke, Steve Brown, Kelly Brook and Michael Eleftheriades were impressed with Lee O'dwyer, 67, a retired engineer from Lancashire, who was awarded the overall winner for his shot of a long-tailed tit. These runner-up snaps taken by talented amateur photographers prove choosing an overall winner was a tough decision... BIRDS PUFFIN: Taken by Joseph Bristow, 23, a retail supervisor from Llantwit Major. 'Arriving at 3am and queueing for the 6am ticket office to open. First in line I caught the boat over to Skomer Island. With only a few hours permitted on the island I had no time to waste. Surrounded by the Puffins was an amazing spectacle and allowed me to capture some amazing photos. I found this one puffin who seemed very tame and loved posing for the camera. As he stared down the barrel of my lens I took my shot and was pleased with the result. I found the black background really provides a provocative and striking image highlight the vibrant colour of the Puffins.' KESTREL CHICKS: Taken by Jayne Kirkby, 20, from Braintree, Essex. 'Beautiful pair of Kestrel chicks, taken at Wrabness on 20th June 2020.' KINGFISHER: Tim Clifton, a 59-year-old from, St Leonards on Sea, snapped this captivating photo of a kingfisher hunting for small fish MALLARD: William Watson, 64, a semi retired HGV driver from East Dunbartonshire. 'Taken on the Forth & Clyde canal (December '19') Bishopbriggs, As I went to take this photo of this female Mallard it stretched creating a nice reflection....' INSECTS BUTTERFLY: Adam Lane, a 27-year-old host at Legoland, from Slough, captured a butterfly perched on a purple flower in specular detail WASP: Shelia Moth took this captivating photo of a wasp on a thistle, capturing the insect and plant in immense detail SPIDER: Taken by Geoffrey Wells, 67, a maintenance caretaker from North Yorkshire. 'This picture was taken in my back garden during the recent lockdown.' REPTILES MATING FROGS: Taken by Steve Jellett, 64, from Essex, who is retired. 'Taken in small garden pond when 21 frogs descended to mate.' MAMMALS ROE DEER: Tim Cliffton, a 75-year-old from St Leonards on sea, took a photograph of two roe deer spotted in a field MOUSE: Taken by Cameron Parfitt, 20, a student at the University of Brighton, from Worthing. 'I would love to highlight that even in your back garden there are images to be had. This image is of a cheeky wood mouse that keeps stealing food from what we have now dubbed the mouse feeder. It's not unheard of for this little guy to be found inside the feeder without a care in the world stuffing himself with the bird seed.' JUNIORS FOX CUB: Billy Evans-Freke, 15, a secondary school student from East Sussex. 'It wasn't a long wait in the hide before the first fox cub woke up from its nap and came out into the open. It was soon followed by another cub. At first they stayed in the shadows of the bushes near the den. But once they gained their confidence they started coming closer. This cub in particular was very curious and came very close to the hide.' The Dutch parliament has voted to ban the burka on public transport and in public buildings. The limited ban on 'face-covering clothing', including Islamic veils and robes, was approved by a large majority in the 150-seat lower house. The legislation must be approved by the upper house to be passed into law. The Dutch parliament has voted to ban the burka and niqab on public transport and in public buildings. Pictured are women wearing the niqab in the Senate The Dutch proposal, which is described by the government as 'religion-neutral,' does not go as far as the complete bans in countries such as France and Belgium. It applies on public transport and in educational institutions, hospitals and doctors surgeries, and government buildings. Studies suggest that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear niqabs or full-face burkas. However, successive governments have attempted to ban the Islamic veils, following the example of countries such as France and Belgium. In a debate last week, Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk, from the center-left Labor Party, acknowledged that debate about the burka had played a major role in the vote on the ban. He said that in a free country like the Netherlands people should be allowed to appear in public with their faces covered, if they want to. The limited ban on 'face-covering clothing' was approved by a large majority in the 150-seat lower house. The legislation must be approved by the upper house to be passed into law However, Plasterk said that in government buildings, schools and hospitals people need to be able to look each other in the face. Geert Wilders, leader of the far right Party For Freedom, called the limited ban, 'a step in the right direction'. He said said he will push for a full burka ban if his party wins elections in March. The maximum fine for breaching the ban, which also covers ski masks and full-face helmets, will be just over 400 euros ($425). Poland needs Britain to stay as a paying member of the EU for as long as possible, the country's foreign minister has said. Witold Waszczykowski, who joined his prime minister Beata Szydlo for talks at No 10 yesterday, said Brexit would take at least two or three years - if it happened at all. In comments to Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, Mr Waszczykowski said 'in the next three years there is no need to treat Britain as a child with special needs, which is stigmatized and marginalized'. The idea of a delay to Brexit is another blow to Theresa May's negotiating strategy, which already faces being bogged down in the courts and hampered by elections in France and Germany next year. Witold Waszczykowski, pictured second right alongside PM Beata Szydo in the Downing Street Cabinet Room yesterday, said Poland wanted Britain to stay as a paying member until 2020 Mrs May has insisted she still plans to invoke Article 50 and start Brexit talks before the end of March. The process is supposed to take no more than two years. An apparent glimpse at the current state of play was revealed in Downing Street yesterday when a Tory MP's aide walked to No 10 with scribbled notes detailing how a Canada-style for post-Brexit Britain was on the cards. In the latest intervention, Mr Waszczykowski told Rzeczpospolita: 'It is in our interest that Britain remain an EU state as long as possible and pay contributions as long as possible.' He added: 'Brexit will not take place earlier than in 2-3 years. If it takes place at all. 'In the next three years there is no need to treat Britain as a child with special needs, which is stigmatized and marginalized.' The talks between Mrs May and Mrs Szydlo yesterday did not directly target Brexit but covered a series of bilateral issues. Some 150 British troops from the Catterick-based Light Dragoons, as well as a number of armoured vehicles, will be sent to north-east Poland from April 2017, as London and Warsaw reconfirm their firm commitment to Nato's role in ensuring security in Europe, said the Prime Minister. Theresa May said that she wanted the UK and Poland to become 'even closer allies' after Britain leaves the EU and welcomed Warsaw's 'constructive and positive' response to Brexit in a press conference alongside Mrs Szydlo yesterday, pictured Mrs May said that she wanted the UK and Poland to become 'even closer allies' after Britain leaves the EU and welcomed Warsaw's 'constructive and positive' response to Brexit. She announced a series of new UK-Polish collaborations across the fields of business, security, defence and academic research. Thanks to a program announced Tuesday by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tennessee employers can now make it easier for workers to pursue their education. The new TN Chamber/GEDWorks program aims to create a better-educated and prepared Tennessee workforce as part of the Chambers Workforce Development Initiative. Data shows that more than 300,000 Tennesseans who did not complete their high school education are currently in the workforce. Launched nationally last year, GEDWorks helps adult learners attain their GED credentials with the support of their employers. Just as importantly, it gives these employees momentum to pursue advanced education and training, said officials. The Tennessee Chamber is partnering with GED Testing Services to offer employers access to the program. The TN Chamber/GEDWorks program includes everything an employee needs to prepare for and pass the GED. Participants are provided access to all the traditional benefits of the GED program, as well as online study material, connections to local adult education programs, and practice tests. The new program connects each participant with a GED Advisor specially trained to guide, engage, and motivate students a successful model used by the TN Promise Mentors program at state community colleges. An educated workforce is a top priority for the Tennessee Chamber and critical for us to address in order to continue to attract business to Tennessee, said Bradley Jackson, president and CEO of the Tennessee Chamber. High school credentialing is the most basic building block of a sound education, and that is why we are so excited about bringing GEDWorks to Tennessee. Our members know that having a properly educated, well-trained workforce is key to their own success, just as it helps us recruit new employers. We are encouraging members to take advantage of TN Chamber/GEDWorks as part of our goal to help more adults earn high school credentialing. The Tennessee-tailored initiative represents the first state-level, business-endorsed promotion of the GEDWorks program, which currently serves some of the nation's largest employers and most recognizable brands including Walmart, KFC, Taco Bell and Southeastern Grocers. "Employers are attracted to GEDWorks because, unlike other employment-related costs, each dollar invested in an employee's education increases the competitiveness and value of their workforce," said Randy Trask, president of GED Testing Service. Employers embrace GEDWorks because it enables employees to improve their career prospects, increase their earning potential, and hopefully find inspiration to continue their education and training." The Tennessee Chamber was particularly attracted by the recent transformation of the GED program establishing a pathway for postsecondary education. The newly redesigned GED credential now includes a college ready score indicator endorsed by the American Council on Education, which allows colleges to place qualifying students in college-level courses saving students time and money. In addition, the program provides graduates with resources and motivation to continue their education by connecting them with college and career pathway tools on GED.com, as well as postsecondary programs and scholarships offered by their employers. Key Facts and Data About GEDWorks Two of the top 10 companies listed on the Forbes Fortune 500 rankings for largest corporations participate in the GEDWorks program: #1 Walmart and #8 Yum Brands (Taco Bell and KFC). Southeastern Grocers has enlisted in the program as well ranked by Forbes as the 26th largest private employer in the U.S. GED Testing Service expects to announce up to four more major employers by the end of year. More than 2,000 employees are currently enrolled in and working at various stages of the program, which typically requires 4-6 months to complete. To date, more than 425 employees have successfully earned their GED credential through the program. Forty percent believe that Trump will be successful in building a wall between the United States and Mexico A majority of Americans believe President-elect Donald Trump will make good on some of his biggest campaign promises including repealing Obamacare and deporting immigrants. According to the survey, a joint effort by Harvard University's Center for American Political Studies and the National Research Group, 64 percent of registered voters said they believed Trump will be very or somewhat effective in fulfilling his campaign promises on immigration, infrastructure, taxes and healthcare. A smaller group, 40 percent, believe he'll be successful in building a border wall between the United States and Mexico, an oft-repeated campaign promise with Trump telling his large crowds that America's southern neighbor would foot the bill. Scroll down for video Sixty-four percent of registered voters believe that President-elect Donald Trump will be somewhat or very effective in fulfilling some of his top campaign promises President-elect Donald Trump, leaving Florida for New York Sunday, has support for infrastructure spending, though less support for building the border wall Less than half of Americans approve of the wall, the survey which was first published today in the Hill newspaper found. A similar number were against Trump's plan to have police use stop-and-frisk, a controversial policy that has seen constitutional trouble in court. Additionally, Americans don't want to see their newly-elected leader meddle with the Iran nuclear deal or stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership, even though both major Democratic contenders, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, had also come out against the trade deal. Americans are more on board with Trump's promise to rebuild the country's bridges and roads with 78 percent approving of the president-elect's infrastructure promise and 53 percent saying that he'll keep that campaign pledge. A majority, 54 percent, also believe that Trump will uphold his promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. That move is a lot less popular than infrastructure spending with only 46 percent of those surveyed on board with Trump's plan. Donald Trump, photographed Sunday leaving his Mar-a-Lago resort, has the backing of 90 percent of Americans when it comes to deporting illegal immigrants who've committed crimes Trump, himself, has waffled on Obamacare, saying to the Wall Street just days after the election that the law would be 'amended, or repealed and replaced,' noting the popularity of two of the law's key provisions: allowing young people to stay on their parents health plan until age 26 and barring insurance companies from not covering people with pre-existing conditions. The poll took a deep dive on Americans' views on Trump's various immigration plans, as his hard-line stance was the first policy proposal to make the former reality TV star stand out in a crowded field of Republican contenders. Trump, in announcing his White House bid, called Mexican immigrants 'rapists,' suggesting that 'they're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime,' as well. When it comes to immigrants who are criminals, the survey found strong support that Americans wanted them gone. About 90 percent were on board Trump's plan to deport illegal immigrants with criminal records. From there, Americans' views are a bit more mixed. Overall, 54 percent of voters believed Trump would keep his campaign promise to deport undocumented immigrants. Seventy-two percent were on board with comprehensive immigration reform, with 65 percent saying they would like to see immigrants who have been in the country illegally for five years to pay their back taxes and then apply for citizenship or residency. Donald Trump, seen at the U.S.-Mexico border in July 2015, promised that he would construct a wall - though just 40 percent of registered voters believe that will happen Less than half, 46 percent, said they believed that immigrants make the country less safe, with 54 percent somewhat or strongly disagreeing with that sentiment. Fifty-three percent of voters said they believed, strongly or somewhat, that Trump would uphold his promise to stop immigration from Syria and other countries that could bring terrorism to U.S. shores with 57 percent approving of Trump's plan. Though while Trump controversially called for a non-American Muslim ban last December on the heels of the San Bernardino terror attack, just 21 percent of American voters believed the U.S. should impose a Christian religious test on immigrants. An English-language test saw far more support, with 65 percent voter approval. A majority of Americans were also supportive of Trump's plan to enact new lobbying restrictions. They liked that Trump wanted to make NATO members pay more for U.S. protection. Voters were also keen on Trump's plan pushed by his daughter Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention to expand family leave. However, with all three of these, less than half of respondents believed Trump would get them done. On taxes, half of the poll's respondents believed the longtime businessman and real estate investor would cut taxes on corporations, though just 35 percent liked this plan. A more popular route would be for Trump to cut taxes on individuals, which three-quarters of respondents liked, though less than half, 47 percent, believed he's fulfill that pledge. Finally, the poll found that Trump remains unpopular with the American people, with his favorability below 50 percent. 'Donald Trump has a big task of consolidating his support to get above 50 percent support,' said Mark Penn, Clinton's former pollster, whose Stagwell Group oversees the National Research Group. 'It's very difficult to be a president and have below 50 percent favorability,' Penn told the Hill. California congressman Dana Rohrabacher has emerged as a dark-horse candidate for secretary of state, two aides to the Trump transition team told DailyMail.com as infighting and controversy grow over who will emerge as the new administration's top diplomat. And he openly advocated a military alliance with Russia to fight terrorists in the Middle East, a policy that would dramatically change the balance of power between Washington and a strategic rival. President Vladimir Putin's military has been aggressively bombing anti-government rebels in Syria in some cases, the same insurgents the U.S. has been arming. Rohrabacher, who is likely the longest of long-shots, said in an interview Monday that he is confident he's the best-suited contestant in the State Department sweepstakes. He also showed his raw, laugh-out-loud and Trump-like zeal for mocking his adversaries, telling DailyMail.com that the Obama administration should dispatch disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner to represent the U.S. at the funeral of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro as a show of disrespect. 'He could basically go down there and he can show off and do whatever he can do,' Rohrabacher said. 'Maybe they'll keep him.' California Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is under consideration to be secretary of state, two Trump transition aides say, but he's still considered a dark horse Rohrabacher, seen in 2013 with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Rorhabacher (right) and a small bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2014, one of many meetings Rohrabacher touted on Monday A group of transition advisers including Blackwater Worldwide founder Erik Prince a Rohrabacher intern more than a quarter-century ago is pushing for the Trump team to consider the congressman alongside reported front-runners including Gen. David Petraeus, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John Bolton and Sen. Bob Corker. 'I really think I could do the best job for him,' he told DailyMail.com confidently after listening to a list of their names. Trump pronounced himself 'very impressed' by Petraeus on Monday afternoon. And billionaire Spencer Zwick has pressed transition insiders and the president-elect himself to hand the diplomatic reins over to Romney. Rohrabacher backed the president-elect in the general election but was critical of him early on, saying after Nancy Reagan's death in March that the former first lady would have been 'horrified' to hear some of Trump's rhetoric. 'Every time there's a debate he's insulting his opponents in the debate. Reagan would never have dreamed of that. And Nancy more than anything else was someone who demanded a sense of propriety,' Rohrabacher said on MSNBC. But that was then. The Trump transition's press office did not respond Tuesday for a request to confirm that Rohrabacher is in the mix. Still, he said he likes his chances. 'Of the people who we've talked about so far as secretary of state, I know that I would do a much better job of promoting a Trump foreign policy, because I believe in it,' Rohrabacher said. He compared himself to 'the other people that are being looked at who may be very well-loved people, but at the same time may think that they are big enough to try to push Trump in their direction, rather than trying to work with Trump to ensure he succeeds in what he wants to do.' 'A lot of these bigwigs that everybody knows,' Rohrabacher added, 'they've got an ego so big that they think they should be able to push the president around.' The lawmaker said he has support for the job 'just below the top level' of the Trump transition, but he hasn't yet received an invitation him to interview with the president-elect. DailyMail.com could not find any transition insiders who suggested he'll get the call. 'There are people who are working inside but I've received no call from the major players,' Rohrabacher said. There's been no official outreach.' Those insiders, according to a transition aide, include Prince who spoke to DailyMail.com on Monday while he was 'just a block away from Trump Tower,' on his way into the building after hours. Prince said he's 'all-in. I am an unabashed supporter of Dana Rohrabacher.' 'He's a very hands-on guy,' he said of his former boss. Rohrabacher was a Trump backer late in the presidential campaign, but criticized his harsh rhetoric early on Rohrabacher met in 2012 with Afghan Chairman of National Front Ahmed Zia Massoud. The Congressman once fought the Soviet Union's army to help push it out of Afghanistan Rohrabacher 'would be a different kind of secretary of state because he's not the typical diplomatic conference attending kind of guy. He's a practical guy who sits across from people and learns what they want and see how it jives with what's good for America and Western civilization,' he added. Last week Trump named Prince's sister, Betsy DeVos, to lead the Department of Education. It's unclear whether she is supportive of Rohrabacher, but Prince said she isn't 'actively lobbying' the transition team on his behalf. Rohrabacher, a 13-term Republican, is a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and chairs the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats. He has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of international relationships on trade and national security. And he pulls no punches when he talks about the upcoming pressure, especially from conservative Republican members of Congress, to roll back much of what the Obama administration has wrought overseas. 'We've got to turn the direction of the country. ... And no matter what department of agency we're in, we've had radical liberal leftists in charge of our government and setting policy for America for the last eight years,' he said. 'And that is going to be a horrific process.' Rohrabacher said Russia's Vladimir Putin (left), Japan's Shinzo Abe (center) and India's Narendra Modi (right) are the world leaders he would visit first as secretary of state Erik Prince, the founder of military security contractor Blackwater Worldwide, is a former Rohrabacher intern and said he's 'all-in' trying to persuade Trump insiders to give his old boss a serious look The congressman said Monday that the U.S. military should be actively cooperating with Vladimir Putin's Russia on missions to push back the ISIS terror army in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. 'Absolutely,' Rohrabacher said. 'Military cooperation with Russia.' 'Right now our primary enemy is radical Islam!' he exclaimed. 'And we need to work with the Russians to eradicate radical Islam! Syria, he said, is 'where I think we can have the most impact, and that's where we can be very productive with Russia, in fighting radical Islam.' Rohrabacher has a history with Putin. Politico reported last week that he did a symbolic but much-desired favor for the Russian leader by removing the name of a martyred Russian lawyer from a U.S. law that fights global corruption. Sergei Magnitsky died in jail at the hands of Russian officials, and a U.S. law prohibits those blamed for the murder from visiting America or moving money through its banks. Magnitsky's name on the law has been an embarrassment to Moscow. and now Congress wants to expand the 'Magnitsky Act' to cover human-rights crimes in other countries. Politico called Rohrabacher ' Putins top congressional ally,' an odd position for a former Cold Warrior who once fought the Soviet Union to expel it from Afghanistan. But Trump, too has advocated a thaw between Washington and Moscow, an attitude that could put the Californian in his foreign-policy sweet spot. Rohrabacher has already been trying to generate buzz about making him secretary of state, sending a plea to his constituents for votes on a Breitbart.com poll. Rohrabacher told DailyMail.com that Russia, Japan and India are the three countries he would visit first as secretary of state, with both trade and military cooperation in mind. 'I would immediately take a plane and land in Tokyo and talk to ... Abe. I'd go to Moscow and talk to Putin. And I'd go to New Delhi and talk to Modi. And talk about how we're going to have a much higher level of cooperation in the years ahead,' he projected. 'We should be cooperating with them economically, militarily just across the board we should try to make sure that there's a bond between our governments and our people,' Rohrabacher explained. Russia, he said, should be discouraged from forming strategic alliances with China, especially when the U.S. is trying to thwart Beijing's new territorial claims in international waters. 'Perhaps we can make sure that they don't in some way get themselves aligned in China, and these South China Sea islands and some of the other territorial claims that China has made. So yeah, we would be working with Russia,' he said. 'Russian ships should be joining us in transiting through what the Chinese are calling their territorial waters because they built some island.' On the phone Monday, Rohrabacher underscored five separate times that he would promote Trump's foreign policy objectives not his own if he were to lead the State Department. One of the prerequisites is that I've worked in the White House. You have to accept the president's decisions and work for that goal,' he said. He also sent an email to his constituents last week in a bid to drum up public support for the idea. 'I have been told that I am under consideration to join President Trumps team as Secretary of State. While my present intention, of course, is to continue to fight for liberty and freedom as a member of the House of Representatives, as a strong supporter of President-Elect Trumps vision for America, it would be a privilege and an honor to serve as his Secretary of State,' the message read. The LAPD are now investigating an epic fight between two women that started in a South Los Angeles parking lot and quickly escalated to the pair smashing into each other with their cars. The brawl broke out at the parking space in the 8400 block of South Western Avenue on Sunday, with numerous videos emerging online showing the viciousness of what happened. The footage shows at least four women punching and kicking each other, before one breaks away from the ruckus and jumps behind the wheel of her white SUV. Vehicular violence: Incredible footage shows two women smashing into each other with their cars after a fight broke out in a parking lot in South Los Angeles on Sunday Smash and run: At the end of the video, the white SUV delivers one last blow to the BMW (left) before both cars drive off in opposite directions (right) Oops: As the woman in the white SUV takes off down the street, she knocks over a fire hydrant (left), spewing water all over the sidewalk and road (right) Geyser: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was called to the scene to fix the broken fire hydrant The video shows the woman reverse and then smash into a silver BMW SUV, driven by the woman she was seen fighting moments earlier. It's not long before the Beamer retaliates, and rams with the white SUV as well. The cars collide several more times as they maneuver back and forth in the small parking lot. As soon as they appear to be trying to leave the parking space, they run back into each other, causing more damage to their cars. Finally the SUVs head into the street, where the white SUV is seen delivering one more crunching blow to the silver SUV, ABC 7 reported. The white SUV then rips past the silver car, severely crushing the passenger door, before knocking out a fire hydrant as the female driver tries to take off down the street. Brawl: The fight started between a group of women in the parking. The woman on the left is believed to be the driver of the white SUV, while the woman on the right was in the BMW This is the driver of the white SUV on the ground, being kicked by another woman The fire hydrant is seen spewing water all over the road and sidewalk as the two cars leave the scene, with the person filming heard commenting: 'Stupid b******.' A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said a report of the incident is now being completed after the video surfaced on GrindfaceTV. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was notified about the broken fire hydrant and crews quickly responded to fix the geyser, ABC reported. A Florida man is suing the store that sold him an e-cigarette that exploded in his pants and sent him to the emergency room with severe burns. James Dardini says he was driving to work last December, three days after Christmas, when his KangerTech Subox Mini spontaneously combusted in his right front jean pocket. The burns to his right leg and hand were so serious that Dardini had to be rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery in the emergency room's burn unit. Scroll down for video: WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGES A Florida man is suing the smoke shop that sold him a e-cigarette that exploded in his pants last year James Dardini (pictured) was driving to work three days after Christmas when his e-cigarette exploded in his right front jean pocket The burns to his right leg and right hand were so severe that he had to be rushed to a burn unit for surgery Now he's suing the store that sold the device to him, and the e-cigarette's distributor. In a lawsuit filed by his attorney, Mike Morgan of ClassAction.com, Dardini claims that Deltona, Florida store Sunshine Vapor and Georgia-based distributor KangerTech were negligent in selling him the faulty device. Dardini says he bought the device at Sunshine Vapor in September 2015, when he went to the store looking for a solution that would help him quit smoking. Photos of his injured right hand show that the device took off a layer of his skin around his right pointer finger Dardini is suing the store and the distributor for an unknown amount of damages A store worker guided him to buy the KangerTech device, and three months later it exploded. Above, the KangerTech Subox Mini model that Dardini bought KangerTech is seeking to get the lawsuit thrown out because they say they warn users against using the e-cigarette while driving long distances. Dardini says he was smoking the device during his commute to work from DeLand the day it exploded - a 60 mile distance to his work in Ocoee. Dardini's lawyer says that the device uses cheap batteries and lacks proper ventilation, which allows heat to dangerously build up inside of the device. The lawsuit does not specify how much Dardini is seeking from both companies. A shocking video has emerged of a woman vandalizing a car for at least six hours on Friday using a pipe, windshield wiper and a piece of wood. Stacy Omelinoff was brought to tears after she came home from a Thanksgiving trip to find that her car was destroyed. Omelinoff told CBS Los Angeles that she had left her Buick Lucerne in front of a friend's home Thursday night in Koreatown. Even more upsetting to Omelinoff, was the fact that several people walked by the woman and saw the damage she was doing to the car, CBS reported. A shocking video has emerged of a woman (pictured) vandalizing a car for at least six hours on Friday using a pipe, windshield wiper and a piece of wood But none of them tried to stop the situation by calling 911, instead, they took photos and recorded videos. 'I just broke down and just cried, like it can't be true. And now I'm out of a car period,' she told the station. Not long after discovering her damaged vehicle, she watched surveillance video from her friend's security camera that showed the woman vandalizing the car. In the video, the woman can be seen around 3am on Friday approaching the car and breaking off the windshield wiper, according to KTLA 5. Stacy Omelinoff (pictured) was brought to tears after she came home from a Thanksgiving trip to find that her car was destroyed The Buick Lucerne (pictured) was left in front of a friend's home Thursday night in Koreatown. Not long after discovering her damaged vehicle, she watched surveillance video from her friend's security camera that showed the woman vandalizing the car The video shows her using the wiper to carve letters all over the body of the car. She then climbed on top of the car, jumped a few times and caused a huge dent in the roof. And she only stopped to take a break by lying on the hood. She then tore off the gas cap and the grill. The unidentified woman also flattened a tire with a piece of wood that had nails in it. A tearful Omelinoff said that she was 'angry, hurt, frustrated' but at the same time she understands that the woman 'has a mental problem'. In the video, the woman (pictured) can be seen around 3am on Friday approaching the car and breaking off the windshield wiper. The video shows her using the wiper to carve letters all over the body of the car. She also jumped on top of the car and caused a huge dent in the roof The suspect carved letters along the entire body of the car after she broke off the windshield wiper The woman (pictured) stopped to take a break and at one point was seen lying on the hood of the car before damaging it even more A business owner called police around 9am and the woman was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Omelinoff told KTLA that the situation made her life even harder as she lost her job on Nov 5 and only had liability insurance on the vehicle. But to help offset the cost, a GoFundMe account was set up and as of Tuesday morning, it has raised more than $4,000 toward the $5,000 goal. Police said the vandal is being held for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation. She also flattened a tire with a piece of wood that had nails in it. Pieces of the grill (right) of the car were thrown on the ground a few feet in front of the vehicle When Vivienne Hepburn-Hunt moved to Florida with her husband Tony, they noticed that children were often lacking in manners. And now the British couple have began offering traditional etiquette lessons to youngsters of all ages so they know exactly how to act in each social situation. The couple, who are originally from Lancashire and have also lived in South Africa, have been running etiquette courses at The Holy Family Catholic School in Orlando. British woman Vivienne Hepburn-Hunt, who now lives in Florida and runs British etiquette classes for children as young as four There, children learn what the couple perceive to be vital skills such as how to behave at dinner, maintaining the correct posture, how to set a table and learning how to politely respond to questions and look people in the eye. The classes are taught to small numbers of children, some as young as four, and there are plans for their 'British Manners' courses to move into other schools in the area. Mrs Hepburn Hunt told MailOnline: 'We teach the children the real basics from saying please and thank you and asking proper questions using eye contact rather than just saying "I want". 'A lot of children can be babied and they don't learn to pick up their dirty linen or learn how to make their own beds. 'They don't always have the social skills you would expect and at first it shocked me. 'But once they learn these skills it stays with them their whole lives.' Even though Mrs Hepburn-Hunt, pictured, says she can be very strict with her students, she says it is important they know the value of good manners Among the courses the couple run is a six-week programme, which culminates in an afternoon tea at an upmarket hotel. And Mr Hunt said it is then that they see the progress in their students. He said: 'When they come to us, they know very little or nothing at all. They can barely hold a cup in their hands, and they certainly don't know where the cutlery goes. It's a different culture here it's much more casual.' Parents who have sent their children to the etiquette classes say they have noticed a change in their behaviour, especially at home and in public places. Mrs Hepburn Hunt said: 'The parents are always delighted. But I have to keep telling them to continue maintaining manners at home. It is an ongoing thing. 'Quite often when boys come to us, they are the most apprehensive but they become so excited. Trooper with Kansas Highway Patrol found mustard in his drink at the same An unsuspecting police officer in Kansas has been served a soda at a local McDonald's spiked with mustard, and now the employee responsible for the cruel prank could be looking at criminal charges. The stomach-turning incident took place on Black Friday at the McDonald's eatery at 2001 Northwest Topeka Boulevard in Topeka, Kansas. An on-duty officer with the Topeka Police Department said he ordered a Dr. Pepper at the drive-thru window, but when he took a sip from the cup he thought the drink tasted funny. He then lifted the lid to find what appeared to be yellow mustard mixed in with the soda. Condiment crime: A police officer in Topeka, Kansas, says he found mustard in his Dr Pepper cup (pictured), which he ordered at a local McDonald's restaurant on Black Friday On Sunday, a photo of the contaminated beverage was shared on the pro-law enforcement Facebook page titled Kansas GOING Blue. A caption accompanying the image decried the unpalatable mustard stunt as being extremely unacceptable. As of Tuesday morning, the Facebook post has been shared more than 4,000 times. After the police department complained about the treatment of the officer, Tom Dobski, the owner of the Topeka Boulevard McDonalds franchise, announced that the company immediately launched an internal investigation, which resulted in the termination of the worker who served up the foul concoction, reported the station 13News. The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that Tom and Marilyn Dobski, who own eight McDonalds eateries in the area, said they were 'shocked by the isolated actions of a single employee. All customers, including local law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities, are always welcome at our restaurants, Dobski said in a statement released on Monday. We proudly support police officers and all divisions of first responders at our restaurants across northeast Kansas. Sacked: The unnamed worker responsible for the unpalatable stunt at this fast-food eatery in Topeka has been fired from his job But the matter did not end with the rogue employees firing. Police said that after discussing the incident with the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office, the agency has decided to open a criminal infestation into the incident. MSNBC 'Morning Joe' co-host Mika Brzezinski strode into Trump Tower on Tuesday morning for what could be the latest attempt at a truce with President-elect Donald Trump. The move comes a day after she read a scathing report on-air about infighting between Trump and top communications aide KellyAnne Conway - and after a long public series of attacks by the president on the co-host he called among other things 'crazy' and 'wild with hate'. Photographers captured Brzezinski waiting for an elevator in the iconic building. She said only that she was there for a 'meeting.' Later, transition communications aide Jason Miller told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower that Brzezinsky was to discuss 'an interview opportunity.' Brzezinski and co-host Joe Scarborough had a sit-down with Trump two weeks ago, CNN reported on Nov. 19. They reportedly discussed the possibility of the president-elect coming back on their show for an interview. The latest round of tensions between the president-elect and MSNBC's morning hosts came Monday when Brzezinski reported that Trump was 'furious' with Conway for clobbering secretary of state candidate Mitt Romney in a series of Sunday political talk show appearances. 'Morning Joe' co-host Mika Brzezinski visited Trump Tower on Tuesday for her latest attempt at a truce with the president-elect Trump (left) and Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski (right) have carried on a public feud 'Two sources at the top of the Trump transition team confirm to MSNBC that they spoke to the president elect today, and that Donald Trump was "furious" at Kellyanne Conway's comments on Sunday suggesting that Trump betrayed his supporters by even considering Mitt Romney for a position in his cabinet,' Brzezinski said Monday. Trump communications aide Jason Miller shot back Monday night on the Fox News Channel, telling evening host Megyn Kelly that 'the president-elect gave her permission to go out and do that, and she did.' And Scarborough seemed to extend an olive branch on Twitter after his Monday broadcast, tweeting that Conway 'did a fantastic job managing media relations in a turbulent campaign season.' The campaign story of Trump and 'Morning Joe,' however, is the tale of a very public friendship souring before viewers' eyes. Brzezinski (left) reported Monday that Trump transition sources said the president-elect was 'furious' at Kellyanne Conway for criticizing Mitt Romney on TV As Scarborough and Brzezinski became more and more critical of Trump's behavior in the presidential spotlight, the Republican candidate returned fire by calling the hosts, mainly Brzezinski, a number of insults on Twitter. For example, opening up the show on Monday, August 22, Brzezinski suggested that at a campaign stop over the weekend Trump, a teetotaller, had appeared drunk. 'Let me just say, he belts it out like, honestly, like he's had a lot to drink,' she noted. Trump then fumed on Twitter. 'Tried watching low-rated @Morning_Joe this morning, unwatchable! @morningmika is off the wall, a neurotic and not very bright mess!' the billionaire wrote. Scarborough jumped in and came to his co-host's defense. 'Neurotic and not very bright?' he wrote. 'Look in the mirror.' Donald Trump has sent out a number of tweets attacking the 'Morning Joe' hosts, people particularly critical of Mika Brzezinski calling her 'crazy' and 'very dumb' among other insult Trump also threatened to expose a rumored relationship between the two co-hosts, who are now both divorced After Mika Brzezinski suggested during one broadcast that Trump was acting drunk, he called her 'neurotic' and a 'not very bright mess' The billionaire also suggested that the two co-hosts, who are both divorced, were dating each other, threatening to expose their relationship. 'Some day, when things calm down, I'll tell the real story of [Scarborough] and his very insecure long-time girlfriend [Brzezinski]. Two clowns!' Trump said. The beef started several months earlier in the cycle, with Trump claiming May saying the show had gone 'really hostile' ever since he stopped doing regular appearances, the billionaire said. In June, Trump remarked that Brzezinski had 'gone wild with hate.' 'Joe is Joe,' he also pointed out. 'They lost their way!' In August, Trump noted 'Morning Joe's' 'weakness is its low ratings,' adding that he heard that Scarborough 'went wild' against former New York City Mayor Giuliani and the Second Amendment. 'Just heard that crazy and very dumb @MorningMika had a mental breakdown while talking about me on the low ratings Morning Joe. Joe a mess!' Trump tweeted in September. Meanwhile Scarborough has continued to criticize the GOP nominee's campaign and penned multiple op-eds for the Washington Post critical of it. Huffman said he intended the swap as a joke meant to last only for an hour His edits made it seem like Trump supporters, not him, were being blamed Admitted on Reddit last week he had modified posts on pro-Trump board Steve Huffman said in an interview Friday the editing was 'not a good idea' Reddit's CEO regrets secretly editing Trump supporters' comments on his own website, in a backfiring bid to give them a taste of the abuse he receives every day. Steve Huffman, who admitted on Reddit that he had changed the posts, told the Washington Post Friday that the swap was 'not a good idea' and that he had 'abused his power to give bullies a hard time'. The 33-year-old CEO infuriated Reddit users last week when he confessed to editing comments left on r/the_donald, a popular forum for supporters of President-elect Donald Trump. Huffman tweaked negative comments directed towards himself and replaced his handle, Spez, with the usernames of moderators from the forum. The manipulation made it look as if users were attacking the pro-Trump moderators instead of Huffman. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman (pictured) said in an interview Friday that editing Trump supporters' posts was a bad idea. He meant it as a joke that would last only an hour The move, according to Huffman, was intended as a joke that would only last one hour. He was hoping to turn the tables on some of the users, who regularly post accusations against him on Reddit's forums. Huffman's admission came after Reddit banned another discussion board, a conspiracy forum called pizzagate, on which users spread the several-times-debunked claim that some affluent Democrats ran a secret child sex-trafficking ring. Reddit got rid of the discussion board after users revealed private information of people they believed were linked to the theory, leading to real-life harassment and death threats for some. Huffman posted on his own website in the wake of the pizzagate ban and faced up to editing the pro-Trump posts on the r/the_donald board. Huffman admitted on Reddit he had changed comments on a popular pro-Trump board. He made it seem as if attacks against himself were in fact directed at pro-Trump moderators STEVE HUFFMAN'S POST ADMITTING HE EDITED COMMENTS 'Hey Everyone, 'Yep. I messed with the 'f**k u/spez' comments, replacing 'spez' with r/the_donald mods for about an hour. It's been a long week here trying to unwind the r/pizzagate stuff. As much as we try to maintain a good relationship with you all, it does get old getting called a pedophile constantly. As the CEO, I shouldn't play such games, and it's all fixed now. Our community team is pretty pissed at me, so I most assuredly won't do this again.' Source: Reddit Advertisement 'Yep. I messed with the 'f**k u/spez comments, replacing 'spez' with r/the_donald mods for about an hour. It's been a long week here trying to unwind the r/pizzagate stuff,' Huffman wrote. 'As much as we try to maintain a good relationship with you all, it does get old getting called a pedophile constantly. As the CEO, I shouldn't play such games, and it's all fixed now. Our community team is pretty pissed at me, so I most assuredly won't do this again.' Users didn't take kindly to his admission. Several called for Huffman's resignation, which he hasn't commented on so far. 'This is a horrendous violation of ethics for a CEO. Fire yourself,' one wrote. 'Spez must resign immediately if this website wants to save any shred of dignity it has left,' another message stated. Several users called for Huffman's resignation after his admission, referring to him by his Reddit username, Spez, in furious responses to the CEO's post One user opposed Huffman and late computer programmer Aaron Swartz, who was involved in the early stages of Reddit's development. Swartz committed suicide in 2013, while facing federal charges after being accused of fraudulently downloading academic articles through MIT's network. 'DRAIN THE REDDIT SWAMP!!! Aaron Swartz would be disgusted by u/spez 's actions, u/spez should be fired immediately for destroying the integrity of this site,' a Reddit user wrote in response to Huffman's admission. Another user replied that Swartz was 'a legitimate proponent of free speech', who got 'in trouble for trying to download and release massive academic journal databases as he believed it should be accessible to all.' 'What this current CEO is doing is unprofessional,' the user continued. 'If he can't conduct himself with impartiality then he needs to resign.' Huffman told the Washington Post that his actions might hurt Reddit users' trust in his website. He now intends to fight harder against harassment on the website, having experienced it himself. 'I had my fun with them, they had their fun with me,' Huffman said. 'But we are not going to tolerate harassment for any others.' Advertisement A massive shelter has finally been installed over the exploded reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, one of the most ambitious engineering projects in the world. The half-cylinder-shaped shelter began being moved toward the reactor on a system of hydraulic jacks two weeks ago and reached its destination Tuesday, a significant step toward liquidating the remains of the world's worst nuclear accident, 30 years ago in what is now Ukraine. Workers will now begin dismantling unstable parts of the original cover, the so-called sarcophagus, which was built over the reactor shortly after the explosion to contain radiation. The shield, pictured, was for a short period of time, the world's largest land-based moving structure during its installation In total, more than 450,000 people were forced to abandon their homes due to the threat posed by radiation Engineers spent two weeks moving the shield on jacks to its final location covering the doomed reactive building Despite the massive structure, an area of 1,000 square miles around the disaster zone remain uninhabitable The new shield, was the world's largest land-based moving structure and should protect the surrounding countryside for 100 years. On April 26, 1986, a botched test at the Soviet nuclear plant sent clouds of smouldering nuclear material across large swathes of Europe, forced over 50,000 people to evacuate and poisoned unknown numbers of workers involved in its clean-up. A concrete sarcophagus was hastily built over the site of the stricken reactor to contain the worst of the radiation, but a more permanent solution has been in the works since 2001. Easily visible from kilometres away, the 36,000 tonne 'New Safe Confinement' arch has been slowly pulled over the site over the past four days to create a casement to block radiation and allow the remains of the reactor to be dismantled safely. It took four days for engineers to move the new 36,000 tonne 'Safe Containment' arch over the remains of the reactor Despite the new safety shield, only designated personnel will be allowed into the zone surrounding the destroyed facility The nuclear reactor at Chernobyl was destroyed during a botched test at the facility on April 26, 1986 Officials have spent the past 30 years developing a plan to clean up the area and begin the job of removing the reactor Despite the creation of the new shield, an area of 1,000 square miles around the plant will remain uninhabited On Tuesday, a ceremony was held at Chernobyl to mark this major milestone in the decades of work to secure the site that has been funded by donations amounting to over 2 billion from over 40 countries and organisations. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said: 'Let the whole world see today what Ukraine and the world can do when they unite, how we are able to protect the world from nuclear contamination and nuclear threats.' The structure, which resembles a vast aircraft hangar, has been designed to withstand extreme temperatures, corrosion and tornadoes. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development which has managed the funding for the clean-up said the programme to transform Chernobyl into an environmentally safe and secure condition by November 2017 was on track. Even with the new arch, the surrounding zone, which at 1,000 square miles is roughly the size of Luxembourg, will remain largely uninhabitable and closed to unsanctioned visitors. A ceremony was held today just yards from the disaster scene to officially unveil the new shield covering the reactor The nuclear reactor in Chernobyl has been covered by a large arch which will contain the radioactivity inside metal shell The massive project has cost more than 2 billion and has received funding from some 40 countries and organisations The construction of the shield, which is part of a $2.5 billion clean up project funded by the European Development Bank More than 40 countries and organisations have come together to fund the mass clean-up project at the Chernobyl site Over thirty years on from the disaster, nature has reclaimed much of the area's abandoned infrastructure. Trees sprout from the rusted roofs of apartment blocks in the ghost town of Prypyat, while some animal populations are booming in the absence of humans. At the time of the accident, more than half a million civilian and military personnel were drafted in from across the former Soviet Union as so-called liquidators to clean-up and contain the nuclear fallout, according to the World Health Organization. Thirty-one plant workers and firemen died in the immediate aftermath of the accident, most from acute radiation sickness. Armed police continue to patrol the area surrounding the disaster zone to deter unauthorised people from the scene Some 31 workers and fire men died in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, mostly from acute radiation poisoning Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko told guests at today's ceremony: 'Let the whole world see today what Ukraine and the world can do when they unite, how we are able to protect the world from nuclear contamination and nuclear threats' Soviet authorities had to evacuate the nearby town of Pripyat which once housed some 30,000 people before the disaster Over the past three decades, thousands more have succumbed to radiation-related illnesses such as cancer, although the total death toll and long-term health effects remain a subject of intense debate. Nikolay Chernyavskiy, 65, who worked at Chernobyl and later volunteered as a liquidator, recalls climbing to the roof of his apartment block in the nearby town of Prypyat to get a look at the plant after the accident. He said: 'My son said "Papa, Papa, I want to look too". He's got to wear glasses now and I feel like it's my fault for letting him look.' The disaster and the government's reaction highlighted the flaws of the Soviet system with its unaccountable bureaucrats and entrenched culture of secrecy. For example, the evacuation order only came 36 hours after the accident. Nature has been slowly been reclaiming the city of Pripyat which was evacuated in the hours after the disaster The new structure encases he existing sarcophagus which was hastily installed over the reactor following the disaster Entry into the disaster zone is closely controlled because of the high levels of radiation still found in the surrounding area The plant exploded on April 26, 1986 during a test in the reactor which led the world's worst nuclear disaster Soviet authorities ordered the town of Pripyat's 45,000 residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere Soviet authorities tried to hide the disaster but two days later Swedish researchers noticed high radiation levels Some 600,000 'liquidators' went into the disaster zone following the explosion to deal with the worst of the contamination As a result of the absence of people, the area has become very overgrown as nature takes over the abandoned zone According to experts, wildlife in the abandoned zone is thriving despite the radiation because of the lack of hunters Soviet authorities tried to keep details of the disaster secret following the melt down in April 1986 Ald. Ameya Pawar Might Be Running For Governor In 2018 By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 29, 2016 5:12PM Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th Ward) / Facebook Were still two years away, but speculation is nonetheless running rampant over who the Democrats will put forth as candidate for governor in 2018. Now comes word that a Chicago-based dark-horse candidatewith a history of dark-horse upsetscould be making a move for Springfield: Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th Ward). The North Side alderman told Politico he is considering a run, despite, for the moment anyway, a sizable gap in funds compared to Gov. Bruce Rauner, who, of course, spent huge and earned huger this past campaign cycle. (Politico notes that Pawar right now has $58,000 in the coffers.) He does have a history of upset victories: he steamrolled the heavily favored Tommy ODonnell in 2011 to win his aldermanic seat. And hed certainly need some of that unlikely outsider pull to win over voters downstatewho tend to look upon Chicago, shall we say, unfavorablyin a general gubernatorial race. Pawar told Poltiico hed focus on bridging the divisiveness that has become second nature in the states super-high-dollar campaigns. We've had a set of politics pitting one group of people against another. I don't think that's productive, he said. I think it's time we have a progressive campaign for governor. Pawar didnt give a date or specific timetable, but it sounds like hell be letting us know sooner than later. I'm not ready to say I'm in, but I'm close. I feel I have to do my part and I have to stand up to the politics that are driving people apart, he said. I think that what we're missing is statesmanship. Ever since Sen. Dick Durbin announced hed remain minority whip, roughly a week after the election, effectively putting the kibosh on a run for governor, speculation has tended to circle around familiar names like Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Treasurer Michael Ferichs, and businessman Christopher Kennedy. Whether or not Pawar actually jumps in, its exciting to see fresh blood as potential. Pritesh Ladwa, 29, was handed a grant to beautify the former Orgreave colliery site A self-styled 'traveller and bon vivant' has been jailed for fraud after taking 98,000 to start a community forest and not planting a single tree. Pritesh Ladwa, 29, of Yardley, Birmingham, was handed the grant to beautify the former Orgreave colliery site at Waverley in South Yorkshire. But no forest was ever built and his Champagne lifestyle was ended when he was imprisoned for 27 months over the scam after being found guilty of fraud. Daniel Oscroft, prosecuting, told Birmingham Crown Court: There was no forest where a forest should have been. The fraudster described himself on Facebook as a CEO/director of several companies, adding that he was an acerbic aesthete with architectural hair. Ladwa, who also described himself as an entrepreneur, traveller and bon vivant, was also pictured enjoying Champagne and holding a sign saying: 'Wine o'clock'. On tour: Ladwa's Champagne lifestyle was ended when he was imprisoned for 27 months over the scam after being found guilty of fraud Other images showed him wearing sunglasses and smiling on a yacht in Hawaii, swimming with a dolphin and posing in front of a waterfall in Iceland. Jurors heard that Ladwa won the grant from the English Woodland Grant Scheme, run by the Forestry Commission to create new woods for the public to enjoy. He told the commission that all the work had been done in March 2014 but later claimed the site had been targeted by vandals. Ladwa was rumbled when two officers from the Commission visited the land. They found no evidence that trees had ever been planted or any evidence that vandalism had taken place, said Mr Oscroft. No forest: Ladwa told the Forestry Commission that all the work had been done in March 2014 but later claimed the site had been targeted by vandals He said the area had not been weeded and went on: The place had not even been cleared for the planting of trees. There was no forest where a forest should have been. This was the fraud. Ladwa had lied to the Forestry Commission by saying he had completed the work. Mr Oscroft said Ladwa had other sites and there was evidence he had ordered and stored trees - but he had not used them at Waverley. Ladwa claimed he and a friend planted some trees and migrant workers had been paid cash-in-hand to plant the rest, the court heard. An RAF sergeant has become the first amputee to solo pilot a Spitfire since just after the Second World War thanks to a training programme backed by Prince Harry. Sergeant Alan Robinson, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, said he achieved a 'childhood dream' after the 'utterly overwhelming' experience of flying the famous fighter aircraft at the Boultbee Flight Academy in Goodwood, West Sussex. He is the first person to complete the academy's Spitfire Scholarship by successfully piloting the original Supermarine Spitfire solo. RAF Sergeant Alan Robinson (pictured) has become the first amputee to pilot a Spitfire solo since just after the Second World War thanks to a training programme backed by Prince Harry Sgt Robinson (pictured second left along with Prince Harry, top right) said he achieved a 'childhood dream' after the 'utterly overwhelming' experience of flying the famous fighter Harry, currently on a tour of the Caribbean, has already sent his congratulations to Sgt Robinson, whom he met at the launch of the scheme. The two-year scholarship draws inspiration from Battle of Britain pilot Douglas Bader, who, despite losing both his legs in a crash in 1931, claimed 20 individual aerial victories in the Second World War. He made his last flight in 1946. The scheme is supported by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry's Endeavour Fund - which donates money and offers practical help to sporting and adventure challenges for wounded ex-service personnel. Sgt Robinson's hopes of becoming a pilot were shattered in 2011 when his right leg was amputated below the knee after his accident. 'A little over five years ago l woke up in a hospital bed to find my leg gone. The simple things previously taken for granted were to become the greatest challenge, such as walking,' he said. Sgt Robinson is the first person to complete the academy's Spitfire Scholarship by successfully solo piloting the original Supermarine Spitfire Sgt Robinson's hopes of becoming a pilot were shattered in 2011 when his right leg was amputated below the knee after a motorcycle accident. But he didn't let that deter him Kensington Palace tweeted congratulations to Alan Robinson earlier this evening The Twitter account for the palace, which posts updates for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and their Royal Foundation, called Sgt Robinson's achievement 'incredible' 'I was sure I wouldn't be able to ride a bike again and thought that gaining a pilot's licence would be out of the question. I thought being unable to achieve my dream would probably be a regret that would haunt me for the rest of my life.' He said for the last month he has thought about nothing else other than Spitfires as prepared to finish his training and take the solo flight. The scholarship uses wartime aircraft and techniques to train pilots as they would have been 75 years ago and Sgt Robinson achieved his ambition with fewer than 150 flying hours in his logbook. INSPIRATIONAL: WORLD WAR TWO HERO SIR DOUGLAS BADER From the moment Sir Douglas Bader's plane crashed in 1931, it appeared he would be lucky to live, let alone fly again. While trying low-flying aerobatics his aircraft crashed when the tip of the left wing touched the ground and both his legs were amputated one above and one below the knee. But he wouldn't be deterred and managed to rejoin the RAF in 1939 when war broke out, flying Spitfires with 19 Squadron. A hero to most of his men, Bader flew with 222 Squadron ahead of the Dunkirk evacuation. He was then sent to command 242 Squadron, a Hurricane unit that had suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of France. Fearless fighter: Sir Douglas Bader fought in the Battle of Britain despite losing both legs In 1941 he was shot down and captured in France. German forces treated Bader with great respect. He lost his prosthetic leg when he bailed out and the Germans allowed a new one to be dropped in by the British. From then came his series of escapes. He tried so many the Germans threatened to take away his legs. Bader escaped from a hospital by tying together a number of sheets but was betrayed by a hospital worker. After the war, the French authorities sentenced the woman informer to 20 years in prison. In 1942 he escaped with three others from Stalag Luft III only to be found a few days later - the Germans were so concerned by his attempts they produced a poster describing him and how he walked so the public could spot him if he fled again. Finally he was sent to Colditz, staying there until the end of the war - but he had tried his best to get out before then. Advertisement He said: 'When the moment came, the emotion of five years of highs, lows, frustrations, successes, doubts, fears, the desire to make my family proud and honour the memory of my father, was all compressed into ten minutes of flying. 'It was utterly overwhelming and once the final switch had been turned off the tears came. It's impossible to put the experience of this achievement into words how it feels and what it means. 'Put simply I have achieved a childhood dream, but as a boy I could not have known a devastating accident would be the catalyst to that dream becoming a reality.' Sgt Robinson, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, plans to become an ambassador for disabled aviation. A baby who survived being thrown 30 feet out of a car in a crash last week has been identified as eight-month-old Bryce Hale of Hope, Arkansas. Baby Bryce was riding in a car with her mother and three other women on Friday when they were hit head on by the driver of a tractor-trailer. The collision sent the car spinning out of control and into a guardrail - ejecting the little girl about 30 feet from the car into a storm drain in the median. Scroll down for video Bryce Hale of Hope, Arkansas has been identified as the eight-month-old baby who survived being ejected from a car last week in Texarkana Bryce's mother Jakesia Colson calls her daughter her 'miracle baby' now. The mother and daughter pictured above Baby Bryce was found in a storm drain by emergency responders who came to the scene Her mother and the other women in the car spent half an hour searching for the girl but couldn't find her. 'I started running up and down the highway looking everywhere for her, calling her name,' Bryce's mom, Jaskesia Colson, told KSLA. 'I didn't hear a baby crying, no baby screaming, nothing. I panicked. I thought she was gone. It was the worst 15 minutes of my life trying to look for her.' When emergency officials arrived at the scene, they found baby Bryce uninjured - except for a scratch on her forehead - down in the storm drain. 'She shouldve been gone, but shes still alive with no injuries,' Colson told CBS. The baby girl was so hard to find because she was down in this storm drain, not making any noise The baby's car seat was found outside of the car. It was determined that the seat wasn't properly installed but no one has been cited for the error She added: 'I feel like God took her out of the car and placed her there. Shes still alive. Shes my miracle baby.' Capt. Charlie Smith and firefighter Josh More were the emergency responders who found baby Bryce in the drain. They said the brave little girl wasn't even crying. 'She more or less had her hands up, ready for somebody to pick her up,' Smith said. Having her only baby back in her arms is a moment Colson will always be thankful for. 'I was just overwhelmed with joy,' she said. 'I started crying and thanking God for sparing my baby, for sparing us, for not taking my angel away from me. She is my miracle baby.' Baby Bryce wasn't the only lucky one that night. The other four women in the car all escaped the crash with only minor injuries. Since the accident, police have revealed that baby Bryce was in her car seat but was not properly restrained. However, no one has been charged for the improper car seat situation. The driver of the tractor trailer however has been cited for an improper and unsafe lane change. Those women are Justice Lawson, the driver of the vehicle; her mother Trina, Jakesia and baby Bryce and the baby's aunt Shameerah Colson. British and US National Security Advisers will meet in US before Christmas May made the call to work on establishing a 'regular dialogue' with Trump Theresa May called Donald Trump to discuss security and Nato today as she scrambles to build a 'regular dialogue' with the next President. After weeks of furious speculation about ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage's links to the President-elect, Downing Street said there was an agreement for Mrs May and Mr Trump to stay in 'close touch'. The call concluded with an agreement to 'meet at the earliest opportunity' but it remains unclear when the pair will meet face-to face. Theresa May, pictured today leaving No 10, called President-elect Donald Trump today to discuss security and Nato National Security Advisers from both administrations will meet in the United States before Christmas. Mr Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on January 20 and Mrs May is highly unlikely to see him beforehand. But the inauguration will prompt a scramble among European leaders to be the first into the White House. Following today's call, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister called the US President-elect this afternoon as part of establishing a regular dialogue between both of them. 'They discussed how the President-elect's transition plans were progressing and agreed that their teams should continue to build close relationships through this period, including with a meeting of their National Security Advisers in the United States before Christmas. 'They discussed NATO, agreeing on the importance of the Alliance, the need for more NATO members to meet the target of spending 2 per cent of GDP and the role that NATO can play in addressing diverse threats. 'They agreed to stay in close touch and to meet at the earliest possible opportunity.' Donald Trump and Theresa May have agreed to stay in regular contact following their second telephone conversation today Mr Farage famously became the first British politician to meet the President-elect within days of his shock election earlier this month. He posed with the next leader of the free world in the gold plated elevator of Trump Tower in New York - and Mr Trump even endorsed him to be Britain's next ambassador to Washington DC. Mr Farage, who was relieved of the leadership for the second time in as many months yesterday, is expected to build on his links with Mr Trump. Today, Mr Farage predicted the anti-establishment wave which carried him to the White House would continue. He told the AP it was spreading to France and may soon splinter the EU. Mr Farage looked to Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Front, as the next possible beneficiary as France holds a presidential election next spring. Nigel Farage, pictured today during a newswire interview, famously became the first British politician to meet the President-elect within days of his shock election earlier this month 'If she did win, it would be the end of the European project,' said Farage. He said the polls now showing Le Pen unlikely to triumph may be just as flawed as the polls that indicated British voters would reject Brexit and those that said U.S. voters would not elect Trump. Mr Farage credited his passionate pursuit of Brexit with bringing him into close contact with Trump's inner circle, particularly senior advisers Stephen Bannon and Kellyanne Conway. 'They saw Brexit as a source of potential inspiration to Trump's activists and Trump's potential voters,' Farage said. Alexandru Dorobantu, 24, was jailed for 15 months after admitting three exploitation offences The pair, from Liverpool, were each sentenced to three years in jail A vice gang that lured Romanian women - and a 17-year-old girl - to the UK to work in the sex trade have been jailed for a total of seven years. Prostitutes Anda Berki, 27, and Loredana Timos, 22, along with Alexandru Dorobantu, 24, told their victims they would get restaurant jobs if they came to Merseyside. However, when they arrived at the airport they were told by Berki and Timos that they would in fact work in the sex industry. Prostitutes Anda Berki, 27, (left) and Loredana Timos, 22, (right) lured Romanian women - and a 17-year-old girl - to the UK to work in the sex trade When the victims were taken back to a property in Liverpool, two of them created an escape plan, managing to leave the house at 5am the next day. The pair 'roamed' the streets until they found help and alerted police. However, the youngest victim, who did not manage to escape, described how men were brought to her. Describing what happened, she told police: 'The strange man arrived and Berki left me with him in the room. I stood near the bedroom door, crying and trying to explain to the man that I didn't want to do anything with him. 'Then he called Berki into the room and told her I had refused him. The man asked Berki for his money back but she told him she will bring another female.' More men were brought to the victim, but she refused to have sex each time. Later that day, police arrived at the property and rescued the girl. Dorobantu, from Widnes, was jailed for 15 months after admitting three exploitation offences Judge Elizabeth Nicholls sentenced all three defendants to jail after hearing how they had travelled to Romania in the summer to lure their victims. Berki and Timos, who were said to have 'tragic personal backgrounds' that had led them to sex work in the UK, spun a web of lies to con others into prostitution. Judge Nicholls said that while Dorobantu had a far more 'peripheral' role in the operation, she said she had no choice other than jail all three. Delivering her sentences, she said: 'I'm told all three defendants are distressed by these life choices and that is a tragedy. 'But it makes it all the more implausible, chilling even, that they were willing to dupe others and recruit not only women of a similar age and maturity as themselves but to exploit the naivety of a 17-year-old girl.' Berki and Timos were each handed three years behind bars for three counts of exploitation, three counts of controlling prostitution for gain and a single charge of inciting child prostitution. Dorobantu, from Widnes, was jailed for 15 months after admitting three exploitation offences. Detective Chief Inspector John Webster, of Merseyside Police, praised the bravery of the women. He said: 'The sentencing of these three offenders today will hopefully bring them some closure and comfort. 'Modern slavery is a despicable offence and those sentenced today targeted vulnerable young women who were looking to make a better lives for themselves in the UK. 'The girls dreamt of new beginnings, in a new country, but as soon as they landed in the UK their dream quickly turned in to a nightmare. 'I can't begin to comprehend how frightening it must have been for them, but thankfully two of the young women had the courage to escape from their captors and raise the alarm and as a result we were able to take prompt and positive action which has resulted in the sentencing of these three people today.' How far would you go to impress someone you admire? A man has recently undergone expensive plastic surgery so that he could look like one of the world's richest men, according to Chinese media. Huang Jian, a salesman from Shenzhen, China, reportedly spent one million yuan (116,000) on the operations in order to resemble Jack Ma, a tech tycoon who is worth $27 billion. Life-changing operation: Huang Jian, a salesman from Shenzhen, China, reportedly spent one million yuan (116,000) to look like billionaire Jack Ma. Pictures were believed to be Huang after the operations Jack Ma, worth $27 billion, is the founder of Alibaba, the world's largest e-commerce company Huang underwent the operations in South Korea, a country famous for its plastic surgery industry, reported the People's Daily Online. Jack Ma is a self-made billionaire and China's second richest man, according to Forbes. The tycoon founded Alibaba, the world's largest e-commerce platform. Huang, who claimed to be a big fan of Ma, hoped his new appearance could help change his fortune. He said he wished to meet Ma in person one day, according to People's Daily Online. Many Chinese web users regarded Huang's surgery as 'ridiculous'; while others said he did not look like Ma at all. Some thought it was a waste of money. Fan Xiaoqin (left) is now an internet star in China because he looks like tycoon Jack Ma (right) Some media, such as Chongqing Morning Post, suggested that Huang decided to go under the knife after seeing how the fortune of a poverty-stricken child had been changed because of his appearance. Eight-year-old Fan Xiaoqin, from a rural village in south-east China, became famous after people thought he looked like Jack Ma. Little Fan's parents were too poor to send him to school. However, after a video of him emerged online, the child is now an internet star, with people calling him 'mini Ma'. The local officials have visited Fan's family and given them subsidies and free food. Jack Ma has allegedly offered to fund the boy's education, according to Chinese media. On the other hand, Huang Jian hoped that the plastic surgery could gain him the nickname of 'medium Ma'. A farm boy's life has been changed after people pointed out his incredible resemblance to Jack Ma (pictured) worth $27 billion Ex-Mexican President Vicente Fox was unapologetic about comparing the newly-elected American President Donald Trump to the newly-deceased Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Speaking to Dagen McDowell on Fox Business Network's 'Mornings with Maria,' Fox noted that Trump was 'very similar' to totalitarian leaders like Castro. 'Cuba is going to be a great Latin American nation as soon as they get rid of the Castros,' Fox said, according to the Hill. 'So nobody needs dictators.' Scroll down for video Former Mexican President Vicente Fox wouldn't take it back after comparing American President-elect Donald Trump to the late Fidel Castro Mexican ex-President Vicente Fox said Donald Trump (left) was like Fidel Castro (right) because 'they lie, they cheat, they are false prophets' 'By the way, that kind of dictatorship, that kind of totalitarian leaders, is very similar to Trump,' Fox continued. 'They lie, they cheat, they are false prophets, they promise many things, but they are not going to be able to comply,' Fox added. The television host pushed back on that assessment, as Castro was a Communist, who imprisoned and killed many of his own people. 'Comparing Donald Trump to Fidel Castro is beyond the pale,' McDowell shot back. 'Fidel Castro was a murdering thug who tortured people, who imprisoned people.' 'Quite frankly, Mr. President, I ask you to take that back, comparing Fidel Castro to Donald Trump,' the broadcaster ordered. Fox refused. 'No, I don't take it back, I insist,' he said. 'They are similar authoritarian. They impose their wills, they only think that they have the right and the reason.' 'He only won, in the case of Trump, with 25 percent of American citizens' support,' Fox continued, pointing out how Trump lost the popular vote to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and that only about half those eligible to vote did so. 'That doesn't give him enough of a mandate to impose his own ideas over a nation and over the world,' Fox concluded. Throughout the presidential campaign, Fox had plenty of negative things to say about Trump, who kicked off his bid for the White House by labeling Mexican illegal immigrants 'rapists.' The most profane exchange came in February when Fox simply said: 'I'm not going to pay for that f***ing wall.' A 24-year-old Maryland father has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing and killing his 10-week-old baby daughter last year. Robert Davidson appeared in court on Monday to answer the charges of sex abuse of a minor and first-degree child abuse resulting in death in connection to the June 2015 slaying of Aleah Thompson. Davidson is scheduled to be sentenced in February. He faces up to 50 years in prison. Horror abuse: Robert Davidson, 24 (left) has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing and killing his 10-week-old baby daughter, Aleah Thompson (right), in June 2015 Mom's plea: Aleah's mother, 22-year-old Lorena Thompson, pleaded guilty to neglect of a minor in July and was sentenced to five years of probation The baby girl's mother, 22-year-old Lorena Thompson, pleaded guilty to neglect of a minor in July and was sentenced to five years of probation, reported the Washington Post. Prosecutors said that Thompson had seen bruises on her daughter's body and suspected that her boyfriend had been hurting Aleah but failed to protect the girl or alert the authorities. Aleah's parents were arrested in late August 2015, nearly two months after the baby's death. According to a press release from the Montgomery County Police Department, at 7.18pm on June 23, 2015, Robert Davidson called 911 to report that his baby daughter was unresponsive and not breathing. Paramedics arrived at Davidson and Thompson's home on East Argyle Street in Rockville, Maryland, and rushed the infant to a nearby hospital. Aleah Thompson was alter airlifted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC, where she succumbed to her injuries three days later. Bad judgement: Police said Thompson (left) had seen bruises on her baby's body and suspected Davidson of harming Aleah (right) but did nothing to stop him The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently ruled Aleah's death a homicide caused by multiple blunt force injuries. An autopsy of the baby showed that the 10-week-old had suffered a broken collarbone and had 34 rib fractures in various stages of healing. The injuries were the result of what has been described as at least three 'severely traumatic events.' Aleah had injuries to her head, eyes and spine. A forensic anthropologists has concluded that the abuse started during the first two weeks of the baby's life, and the last of the incidents took place just before her death. Battered: An autopsy of the baby showed that the 10-week-old had suffered a broken collarbone and had 34 rib fractures in various stages of healing During his initial interview with police, Robert Davidson said that on the evening of June 23, he was looking after Aleah while his girlfriend was at work. The 24-year-old said he was playing video games when he heard sounds of labored breathing coming from the bedroom. He went to check up on Aleah and found her unresponsive and limp. He then tried to revive her by performing CPR before calling 911 for help. During subsequent interviews, Davidson admitted to 'committing acts that constitute sexual abuse of a child. He also revealed that he had dropped Aleah several times in the past and 'aggressively' shook the baby at least once on the day of the incident. When Lorena Thompson was questioned by investigators, she admitted that she had seen bruises on Aleah on more than one occasion, and that those injuries occurred while the baby was in her boyfriends care, but at no time did the mother seek medical attention for the new-born. She also did not take the baby to her two-month medical checkup. Thompson, who is a chef by trade, also has a 5-year-old son from a previous relationship. Parent: Thompson, who is a chef by trade, also has a 5-year-old son from a previous relationship Davidson was originally charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, neglect of a minor, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree sex offense. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop the second-degree murder count against Davidson. the rampage, Artan posted a message on Facebook , saying he could no longer stand the mistreatment of Muslims They say that all evidence points towards a lone wolf style attack sources say there was no evidence he had been in direct contact with ISIS and say he was radicalized online by The Islamic State has called Abdul Artan a 'soldier' for their cause. The Somali refugee was shot dead after going on a slashing rampage at Ohio State University on Monday Ohio State knifeman Abdual Artan was inspired by ISIS, authorities say. Law enforcement sources believe the student's radical Facebook posts, made shortly before he went on the slashing rampage on Monday, reveal his motivations. The Somali refugee ranted about how he was 'sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers being killed and tortured' on social media before wounding 11 in the knife and car attack. Despite claims from the terror group that Artan was an 'ISIS soldier', sources told CNN there is no evidence that he ever communicated with them directly. Instead, they say all evidence points to a lone wolf attack. They believe he was radicalized online through terrorist propaganda from ISIS and deceased Yemeni-American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. Investigators are inspecting his computer and cell phone and talking to family and associates, as they try to determine what led him to act. Artan, who transferred to the school from community college in August, mowed down a group of people evacuating Watts Hall after a fire drill Monday morning. He proceeded to get out of his car and attack innocents bystanders with a butcher knife - sending eleven faculty, students and staff members to the hospital. Three of the 11 injured remained hospitalized today. 'The executor of the attack in the American state of Ohio is a soldier of the Islamic State,' an ISIS official is quoted as saying. Above, ISIS fighters in Raqqa, Syria Just minutes before the attack, Artan posted a long diatribe on Facebook about how he couldn't take the mistreatment of Muslims and accusing America of 'interfering' with other nations. Since then, ISIS has come forward to claim responsibility for the knife-wielding attack, with an insider telling a jihadist-linked news agency on Tuesday that Artan was a 'soldier' of their cause. 'The executor of the attack in the American state of Ohio is a soldier of the Islamic State and he carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of international coalition countries,' the Amaq agency quoted an insider source as saying, according to a translation by the SITE monitoring group. Artan's style of attack also fits with ISIS' instructions to sympathizers online to strike out alone with any weapons available to them. But the group has reinvigorated that message in recent weeks in its new propaganda magazine and a video. Minutes before his rampage, Artan posted a long diatribe on Facebook about how he couldn't stand the mistreatment of Muslims any longer. His body is pictured above on Monday Just before 10am, the fire alarm was pulled at Watts Hall and Artan mowed down the evacuating students, faculty and staff with a relative's car (top left) Dozens of FBI agents began searching Artan's apartment Monday night for clues to what set off the rampage. Artan was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent U.S. resident, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on condition of anonymity. A law enforcement official said Artan came to the United States in 2014 as the child of a refugee. He had been living in Pakistan from 2007 to 2014. It is not uncommon for refugees to go to a third-party country before being permanently resettled. In addition to the post right before the rampage, Artan published other negative opinions about America on this social media profile. The student railed against U.S. interference in Muslim lands and warned, 'If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace' with the Islamic State group, a law enforcement official said Tuesday. OSU police officer Alan Harujko, 28, (pictured) shot Artan dead just a minute into the student's attack 'America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that,' he wrote in another post, using the Arabic term for the world's Muslim community. The posts were recounted by a law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation but wasn't authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. 'Every single Muslim who disapproves of my actions is a sleeper cell, waiting for a signal. I am warning you Oh America!' Artan also said. On his first day of school at OSU in August, he also expressed a fear of praying in public at the school in an interview with the student newspaper. European Court of Justice has 28 judges, one from each member nation The Supreme Court could decide to refer the whole matter to Luxembourg High Court said Parliament had to have its say before Article 50 enacted Eleanor Sharpston QC (pictured) has been Britain's judge on the European Court of Justice since 2006 A top judge has stoked the increasingly bitter row over Brexit by warning that the European Court of Justice will have the final say over the process. In comments that will cause fury, Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston QC said the Luxembourg court was in charge of the 'rules of the club' and would be responsible for settling any disputes. Tensions are reaching fever pitch amid a series of legal challenges to Theresa May's powers to trigger Brexit. The government suffered an humiliating defeat in the High Court earlier this month, when it decided Parliament has to approve invoking Article 50 - the formal two-year mechanism for leaving the Brussels club. The Supreme Court is due to consider an appeal next week in what could be a pivotal moment in the Brexit process. A separate legal challenge is being threatened over whether leaving the EU automatically means quitting the single market - potentially requiring a distinct approval by parliament. Ms Sharpston, who is the British judge on the ECJ, raised the prospect that the key decisions over how Article 50 proceeds will be taken by that court. 'If you join the club and you wish to leave the club, you leave in accordance with the rules when you join the clubthe rules of this club are the ones contained in Article 50, and the interpretation of those rules is a matter for this Court (the ECJ),' she told Sky News. Ms Sharpston told Sky News the ECJ would not interfere with the Supreme Court appeal and was 'fully aware of the sensitivity and delicacy and constitutional importance of the issue'. The Supreme Court does have the power to refer the decision to the ECJ, which sits in Luxembourg. The ECJ has 28 judges, one from each EU country. EU council president Donald Tusk, pictured with Mrs May in Downing Street in September, angered British MPs by blaming UK voters for 'creating uncertainty' by opting for Brexit Asked how quickly the ECJ could give a ruling if it was required, Ms Sharpston, 61, said: 'If you look at what has happened in the past when we've had an accelerated procedure, the answer is probably given within four to eight months.' Earlier EU president Donald Tusk blamed the millions of Britons who voted for Brexit for creating uncertainty and dismissed calls from UK MPs for a quick deal over British expats in Europe as 'nothing to do with reality'. Prime Minister Theresa May has said she is eager to confirm EU nationals living and working in Britain can stay after Brexit but has insisted there must be a matching deal for Britons abroad. Mrs May proposed a deal that could have been completed by the EU summit in two weeks' time but German Chancellor Angela Merkel refused. Last night Mr Tusk, the EU Council president, heightened tensions as he dismissed a call from more than 80 MPs to facilitate talks on a reciprocal deal for foreign workers in order to reassure them of their rights to stay after Brexit - insisting June's Leave vote is the only cause of uncertainty. (Left to right) Chuka Umunna, Nick Clegg and Anna Soubry have formed a cross-party pressure group, Open Britain, in a bid to influence the Brexit negotiations The future of Poles in Britain was discussed at No 10 yesterday as Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo visited Downing Street for talks with Mrs May He said it would amount to starting talks on Brexit and insisted this can only be done by Britain triggering Article 50 of the EU treaties. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that if the vote were to go before Parliament he would not seek to overturn the Brexit decision. Police Officer Who Killed Teen Last Week Also Fatally Shot Man In 2013 By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 29, 2016 3:50PM Crime scene tape (Photo by LukaTDB via Shutterstock) The police officer who fatally shot a black teenager on Wednesday night had previously shot and killed another black man, three years prior, CBS Chicago reports. In both cases, police did not recover a weapon from the scene, even though the sergeant who fatally shot both men claimed each victim was armed. Sgt. John Poulos said that Kajuan Raye, 19, twice turned and pointed a gun during a foot chase on Wednesday night in West Englewood. Chicago Medical Examiner's Office ruled on Friday that Raye was killed by a gunshot to the back; and authorities still have not located Rayes reported weapon. In 2013, Poulos fatally shot Rickey Rozelle, 28, in Lincoln Park. According to police, Poulos, while off duty, spotted Rozelle attempting to break into an apartment. Poulos said he fired after Rozelle threatened him and turned toward [him] with a shiny, metallic object in or near his hand, according to police records cited by Better Government Association. Again, crews never found a weapon. An Independent Police Review Authority investigation cleared Poulos, but Rozelles family is suing the sergeant and the city of Chicago. The BGA reports that Poulos told an emergency dispatcher he pulled the trigger because Rozelle wouldnt show him his hands, possibly contradicting accounts by IPRA and police that quoted Poulos about the shiny object. Also, the gun Poulos used in the shooting wasnt his service weaponit belonged to his brotherand an investigation that cleared Poulos in the 2013 shooting was spearheaded by Dt. Timothy McDermott, who was fired from the force after posing in a photo with rifles next to a black man who had deer antlers forced to his head, BGA noted. Poulos was stripped of police powers pending an investigation following last week's fatal shooting. Raye's family is expected to file a lawsuit. What started out as a birthday celebration for a married mother-of-two from Nebraska on Saturday ended with the woman in the intensive care unit, having been beaten bloody, stomped on, choked, assaulted and robbed by a trio of strangers. Savannah Haight was out with her family and friends at the Pheasant Tavern Bar and Grill in Omaha Saturday night on the occasion of her 25th birthday when she says she was viciously attacked by two men and a woman. According to a GoFundMe page launched by Haight's friend, the assailants 'kicked, punched, choked, slammed her head into the pavement.' Beaten bloody: Savannah Haight, 25, is seen here on the night she was attacked by a trio of strangers after her birthday party in Omaha Unrecognizable: The mother-of-two suffered bruised ribs, abrasions to her face and possibly a broken nose. She said the assailants stomped on her head, pummeled and choked her Special occasion: The attack took place near the Pheasant Tavern Bar and Grill in Omaha at the conclusion of Haight's 25th birthday celebration Video courtesy of WOWT Before the suspects took off, they allegedly stole Haight's purse containing cash, her identification card, bank cards and other personal possessions. Speaking from her home Monday, where she has been recovering after being released from the hospital the day before, a severely bruised Haight, wearing a neck brace, recounted in disturbing detail the violent attack. Bottoms up: Haights admitted she had drunk too much at the restaurant and got into a scuffle with another woman Haight, her husband Joe and several friends had gone to the Pheasant Tavern at 13909 S Plaza, where the birthday girl admitted she had drunk too much and gotten into an altercation with another female patron. Joe Haight pulled his inebriated wife out of the establishment at around 2am and the couple got in their car to drive home, but they quickly got into an argument, with Savannah reportedly accusing her husband of not being supportive enough, reported Omaha Word-Herald. Savannah then began to feel sick and got out the car while Joe drove back to the restaurant to pick up some of their friends. While her husband was away, Savannah said she possibly threw up on another vehicle outside a pizza parlor, and a woman who was inside that car confronted her. Savannah and her husband, Joe Haight (left) left the restaurant to go home but got into an argument in the car The next thing I know, I'm on the floor and I have a man stomping on my head and another on top of me, recalled Haight in an interview with the station WOWT. The 25-year-old mother-of-two said two men then emerged from the vehicle and proceeded to batter her, kicking her in the head, in the groin and in her rib cage, and smashing her nose. Haight said eventually she blacked out. When she regained consciousness later, she found her husband, who had returned to pick her up, beating one of her attackers on the head. While Joe Haight was defending his wife, she was lying in a fetal position in the street. The 25-year-old married woman said one of the male thugs then assaulted her in front of her husband. Savannah, pictured with her husband and child, got out of the car because she was feeling sick, and Joe drove back to the bar to pick up their friends When Mr Haight (left) returned to pick up his wife, he found her being beaten by two men. The husband then jumped in the fray to rescue her Savannah and Joe Haight live in Omaha and have two young sons (pictured) He shoved his fingers inside of me and tore me on purpose, the woman said. The two men and women eventually fled with her purse and birthday gifts. Savannah was taken to Lakeside Hospital and later transferred to the Creighton University Medical Center suffering from bruised ribs and possibly a broken nose. Violated: The 25-year-old woman said one of the male thugs then assaulted her in front of her husband by shoving his fingers inside her body I was holding her in my arms, and at one point I thought she had stopped breathing, Joe Haight told the paper. Savannahs older sister described the suspects in the attack as two white men, one tall and thin, in his mid-30s, and the other with a medium built, in his late 20s, both with shaved heads and chin hair. The female suspect was described as a white woman in her 30s with brown hair and black glasses. She was driving a dark green or blue four-door boxy car from early 2000s, possibly with a license plate number from Saunders County beginning with a 6. The family of an RAF airman is selling his bravery medal to raise funds for a project which commemorates the Bomber Command crew who died in World War Two. Flight Lieutenant Stanley Windmill was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for displaying great skill and coolness when fending off a German fighter plane at close range in the war. He also survived the disastrous Nuremberg bombing raid of March 1944 when 95 allied bombers were destroyed on a single night. Fl Lt Windmill's medals and logbooks are expected to raise 2,500 at an auction, with the proceeds being donated to the International Bomber Command Centre in Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire. The family of Flight Lieutenant Stanley Windmill are selling his Distinguished Flying Cross to raise money for a memorial Fl Lt Windmill (third from left) and his crew. Fl Lt Windmill recieved his DFC for his skillful and courageous actions during an attack on Trappes in Nazi occupied France Fl Lt Windmill (third from right) and his crew. He also survived the disastrous Nuremberg bombing raid of March 1944 when 95 allied bombers were destroyed on a single night The centre, which is due to open next year, will pay homage to the 55,000 men of Bomber Command who died in the war and whose sacrifices have been largely overlooked until recently. Fl Lt Windmill was born in Stratford in East London and joined the London Metropolitan Police in 1937 at the age of 20. On the outbreak of war, despite being in a reserved occupation, he made a number of requests to be allowed to join the war effort. After several attempts he was able to join the Royal Air Force as a reservist. During his operational career, he flew two tours of duty with No. 158 Squadron, completing more than 40 raids on major targets throughout Germany. He received his DFC for his skillful and courageous actions during an attack on Trappes in Nazi occupied France. The citation reads: 'During the operation the aircraft was attacked by a fighter at close range. By a clever manoeuvre, Flight Lieutenant Windmill evaded the attacker but a short time afterwards the enemy aircraft again came in. 'Once again Flight Lieutenant Windmill responded well to the directions of his gunners and obtained a position from which they delivered effective fire and shot the enemy aircraft down. The family are also selling his RAF wings, which are awarded on completion of significant flying training Fl Lt Windmill logbooks feature an entry that documents his involvement in the Nuremberg Raid (second to last row) His logbooks also contain his extensive training which he undertook during his time in the RAF His medals and logbooks are expected to raise 2,500 at an auction,which is being held tomorrow in Royal Tunbridge Wells tomorrow (Wednesday) 'In this spirited action, Flight Lieutenant Windmill displayed great skill, coolness and co-operation. 'He has participated in a large number of sorties during which he has attacked a wide range of targets.' Three months earlier, Fl Lt Windmill took part in the notorious Nuremberg bombing raid. The mission was meant to take place in heavy cloud, but the weather forecast was completely wrong and there was a clear moon-lit sky. The allied bombers were sitting ducks for the German night fighters who shot down 11 per cent of them. Being a bomber required immense bravery - they sustained the highest casualty rates in World War Two - with 44 per cent killed in action. Nicky Barr, director of the International Bomber Command Centre, said: 'These bombers were all volunteers, with an average age of 22, and they sustained the highest losses of any unit in World War Two. 'Forty-four per cent of bombers never came back, that's 55,000 young men. 'They would endure more than 10 hours in their planes at temperatures of -40C. 'The problem was politicians turned their back on them after the bombings of Dresden and Nuremberg. 'They were left out of the VE march, received no Victoria Crosses and were treated very, very badly - their story was not told. The money is being raised to go towards the International Bomber Command Centre in Canwick Hill, Lincolnshire Above is a CGI image of what the International Bomber Command Centre will look like once it is finished next year The Spire Memorial at the command centre. The new centre will pay homage to the 55,000 men of Bomber Command whose sacrifices until now have been largely overlooked The spire is 31 metres tall and is the UKs tallest war memorial. It mark the sacrifice of 26,296 World War II aircrew that lost their lives while serving with 1 and 5 Groups 'The centre is not only here to commemorate those who didn't make it home, but also to pay homage and pay homage to those who are still alive.' After the war, Fl Lt Windmill returned to the Metropolitan Police, covering the Stratford and Blackwall Tunnel area. He would cycle through the Blackwall tunnel every day and died of lung cancer aged 50 in 1967. Matthew Tredwen, head of militaria at C&T Auctioneers of Ashford in Kent, which is selling the framed medal, said: 'It was an award for gallantry in the air. 'He was involved in one of the costliest raids for bomber command, the raid of Nuremberg, and survived. 'That's quite something because the Germans shot down 95 allied bombers, quite a high percentage of the raid. 'He manoeuvered his plane to allow gunners to shoot down an aircraft, earning his award for a specific action. 'The medals are being sold on behalf of the International Bomber Centre by the family, to raise awareness of the bomber command.' The auction takes place in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, tomorrow (Weds). The International Bomber Centre is looking for volunteers to help it record the oral histories of war veterans and is reaching out to bomber command veterans who they have not spoken to to get in touch with them. A Colorado man has admitted to shooting dead a driver who flipped him off when he honked his horn at a stop sign, police say. David Alberto Garcia, 28, was taken into police custody and waived his Miranda rights before telling police he was involved in an apparent road rage incident on Saturday that left Miguel Baray, 28, dead. Authorities said on Monday in a probable cause statement that Garcia is a suspect in Baray's shooting. Denver police responded to a report of a vehicle crash with serious injury on Saturday at the 3100 block of West Kentucky Avenue and found Baray shot in a black Honda, the Denver Post reported. David Alberto Garcia (pictured above in arrest photo), 28, has admitted to shooting dead a driver who flipped him off when he honked his horn at a stop sign, police say Garcia, 28, was taken into police custody and waived his Miranda rights before telling police he was involved in an apparent road rage incident on Saturday that left Miguel Baray (above left) dead Baray was taken to the Denver Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead and the coroner's office on Monday said he died of a gunshot wound and the manner of his death is a homicide. The affidavit says the deadly incident unfolded when Baray stopped at a stop sign when an Audi TT pulled up behind him. The Audi was connected to Garcia and was reported to be stolen, the Post reported. Garcia reportedly waited roughly seven seconds for the Honda to enter the intersection after stopping at the stop sign. When Baray didn't move, Garcia honked the car's horn at Baray, who then flipped off Garcia in response. Garcia told investigators that he did not aim at the victim when he fired from his gun. The shooting happened after Baray (pictured above left and right in a social media tribute) flipped Garcia off after he honked his horn at him at a stop sign on Saturday in Denver 'He thought the bullet would have just gone over the victim's vehicle,' the affidavit said. He also told investigators he was just trying to 'prove his point.' Authorities found a .45 caliber handgun beneath a different car seat that Garcia was sitting in when he was arrested on Saturday around 10pm in the 800 block of South Raleigh Street, the Post reported. The Audi was found parked nearby, as authorities had recovered a spent .45 caliber at the shooting scene earlier in the day. Garcia is currently being held on suspicion of first-degree murder. At the time of his arrest, Garcia had a warrant out for a first-degree assault and aggravated robbery. Detectives investigating the murder of a woman who was brutally stabbed to death have released new CCTV of a man who might have 'vital information' about the case. Sian Roberts, 36, was stabbed to death at a house in Salford exactly a year ago. A post-mortem confirmed the hairdresser died from stab wounds to the chest. Sian Roberts (pictured) was stabbed to death at a house in Salford exactly a year ago. A post-mortem confirmed she had died from stab wounds to the chest Police have charged a man in connection with Sian's death but officers are now trying to find a man who they say could have 'vital information' Police have charged a man in connection with Ms Roberts' death, but officers are now trying to find a man who they say could have 'vital information' about the case. A CCTV image showing the person they want to trace was released today. Her body was found at a home in St Heliers Drive in Higher Broughton on November 29, 2015. Neighbours and friends paid tribute to Ms Roberts, who is thought to have a teenage daughter. Burnley FC youth player Ntumba Massanka said on social media he was 'seriously hurt' by Sian's death having known her since nursery. Sian Roberts' body was found by police at a home (pictured) in St Heliers Drive in Higher Broughton on November 29, 2015. Glynn Williams, 53, of no fixed abode, has been charged with her murder Brian Porter paid tribute to Sian saying: 'R.I.P. Sian, such a shame. Sleep tight, thoughts with your family and friends.' Detectives have urged anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV to contact them on 0161 856 4714. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A farmer is fighting for his life after spending 36 hours trapped inside a massive hay baler. Don Fagg's heart stopped beating and he sustained serious crush injuries after a large piece of farming machinery clamped down on his right leg while he was baling hay on a Mount Duneed farm, near Geelong, on Monday. The 67-year-old was alone on the property and lay unconscious with serious injuries for at least 36 hours before a neighbour became concerned with his welfare and found him trapped inside the machine. Emergency services were called at around 6.45pm on Tuesday, but his ordeal was not over as it took three gruelling hours for the Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Services to take apart the baler and free his mangled leg. Scroll down for video Don Fagg, 67, suffered a heart attack and sustained serious crush injuries after a large piece of farming machinery clamped down on his right leg while he was baling hay Emergency services took three hours to free the 67-year-old farmer on Tuesday evening The farmer's leg could be seen protruding from the heavy machinery and appeared to have turned blue as emergency crews delicately took the machine apart. Mr Fagg's heart was revived at the scene but he did not regain consciousness and was rushed to Barwon Health's Geelong hospital in a critical condition, according to Ambulance Victoria. The farmer was then airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he is still fighting for his life. Worksafe Victoria are investigating the incident and were on the scene on Tuesday morning. Mr Fagg was initially taken to Barwon Health's Geelong hospital before being flown by an air ambulance helicopter to the Royal Melbourne Hospital It is not yet clear how the man became trapped inside the large piece of farming machinery (pictured) but it is believed he may have gotten his leg caught while baling hay The large piece of machinery had clamped down on Mr Fagg's leg - crushing it Police, ambulance, SES and fire crews assisted with the rescue on Tuesday night As many as 98 final regulations are reportedly under review at the White House for The White House denied on Tuesday that President Barack Obama is planning to ram through last-minute regulations to cement his legacy. Any executive actions the president is planning to implement before Donald Trump takes office were already in the works, the president's spokesman said Tuesday. 'I'm not going to rule out additional executive actions that the administration may take between now and January 20. After all the President of the United States is the President of the United States until January 20,' White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. 'What I can rule out are any sort of hastily added executive actions that weren't previously considered that would just be tacked on at the end,' he added. Scroll down for video The White House denied on Tuesday that President Barack Obama is planning to ram through last-minute regulations to cement his legacy. Any executive actions the president is planning to implement before Donald Trump takes office were already in the works As many as 98 final regulations are reportedly under review at the White House and could be implemented before Donald Trump takes office. Seventeen of those are considered 'economically significant', with an estimated economic impact of at least $100 million a year, a Politico revealed. Obama is trying to push through regulations on issues close to him such as air pollution from the oil industry and measures aiming to help highly skilled immigrant workers obtain green cards, it said. 'Midnight regulations' are those introduced between November's election and January's inauguration of a new president. It is the final chance for an outgoing Commander-in-chief to put his stamp on the presidency and tie the hands of his successor. Obama can pass the rules because of a loophole in US law allowing him to put last-minute regulations into the Code of Federal Regulations - rules that have the same force as law. Trump has vowed to cancel 'every wasteful and unnecessary regulation which kills jobs and bloats government.' But he also says he's asked his team to 'develop a list of executive actions we can take on day one to restore our laws and bring back our jobs.' The president-elect has said he will eliminate two regulations for every new one he proposes. He's also said he'll undo major executive actions put into place by Obama on, ending a program that allows immigrants who came to the country illegally as children to stay indefinitely. The White House insisted on Tuesday that any new executive actions that could go into effect before Trump's inauguration, now just 52 days away, 'have been in the pipeline for quite some time.' Earnest said the 'possibility certainly exists' that more could be announced 'but I don't have anything to preview.' Obama is pressing ahead with negotiations on an investment treaty with China and decisions by the Education Department on whether to offer debt relief to students at defunct for-profit colleges. By contrast, Trump has shown disdain for climate change regulation and campaigned on an anti-immigration rhetoric, describing Mexicans as 'rapists' and pledging to build a wall on the US border with Mexico. The Republican has also criticized China's trade and currency practices and threatened to impose tariffs up to 45 per cent on Chinese imports. Some government agencies were operating under the assumption that Hillary Clinton would win the election and held off on issuing new regulations, the Christian Science Monitor reports. They're working furiously to have them ready to go into effect before the new administration comes in now. Interior spokeswoman Jessica Kershaw told CSM her department is merely 'finishing the business we started and in some cases, finishing the business of prior administrations where decisions weren't complete when we took the helm.' Politico's report said Interior was holding back on a long-awaited rule aimed at curbing coal mining pollution of streams that it may never issue now, though. Gina McCarthy, US Environment Protection Agency Administrator, wrote a memo to staff following the controversial election result that said, 'We're running - not walking - through the finish line of President Obama's presidency.' The White House has also said it plans to 'run through the tape.' President-elect Donald Trump, pictured earlier this month, has vowed to cancel 'every wasteful and unnecessary regulation which kills jobs and bloats government' Politico reports that Obama is moving ahead with 'midnight regulations' despite House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy warning him not to. In a letter on November 15, McCarthy reportedly said: 'Should you ignore this counsel, please be aware that we will work with our colleagues to ensure that Congress scrutinizes your actions - and, if appropriate, overturns them'. The so-called 'midnight regulations' can be reversed by the same executive agencies, but that requires a considerable rule-making process. Congress could also effectively overturn them by passing more explicit statutory mandates - but risk turning an unwanted regulation into law. A Wisconsin man is fighting to clear a life-altering skin condition he contracted following a routine visit to the barber after his insurance refused to cover the removal surgery. Keith Crowell, of Milwaukee, developed keloids, or a keloid scar, on his skin about 12 years ago after he was cut on both sides of the neck during a hot shave. Keloids are tough, heaped-up scar tissue that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin. After being nicked by the barber, instead of healing the cuts just continued to grow more and more skin, which now resembles tumors sitting around his neck. Keith Crowell, of Milwaukee, developed keloids on his skin about 12 years ago after he was cut on both sides of the neck during a hot shave. Instead of healing, the cuts developed scar tissue Crowell had two previous surgeries to remove the growths, but it made the condition worse 'I had a bad reaction when I went to a barber and he gave me shave and nicked me on both sides,' Crowell told KFSM. WHAT ARE KELOIDS? Keloids are smooth, hard, benign growths that form when scar tissue grows excessively instead of healing. Risk factors include being of African, Asian, or Latino heritage, being pregnant, and being younger than 30 years old. Treatments for keloid scarring are not always effective because of the toughness of the skin. Source : Healthline Advertisement Crowell has been forced to live with the condition for over a decade, after two operation to have the keloids removed - with 40 pounds of skin taken off - tragically resulted in even more forming. 'It can be devastating. Sometimes I feel real bad,' Crowell said. 'I want to be like, a normal person.' Crowell has started a crowd-surfing campaign in an attempt to raise enough money to travel to New York and see a surgeon who is sure can help him. 'There's a doctor in New York that can solve my solution. He has a 96% rate that he can resolve my issue and I love those odds,' Crowell said. Crowell's insurance reject his claim to visit the surgeon after categorizing the surgery as cosmetic - but he says they are wrong. 'I feel it's not cosmetic. This is my livelihood. This is my life right here,' Crowell said. Crowell added that he often has difficulty sleeping because of the discomfort, which he tries to comfort by applying baby oil. Anything stronger will just irritate the skin. He also has difficulty swallowing, as well as difficulty hearing, with the keloids now covering his ears. Crowell has not named the barber he visited those 12 years ago or his insurance provider. This is a photo taken of Crowell after he developed the keloids, but before they were worsened by an operation to have them removed An asylum seeker on Nauru has been charged with the rape of a local girl under the age of 16, it has been revealed. Authorities are currently building a case against a refugee in his 30s over the crime, Deputy police commissioner Kalinda Blake told Sky News on Tuesday. She told the program officers were still gathering evidence before they take it to the Department of Public Prosecutions, but she believed the attack happened at night. Scroll down for video An asylum seeker on Nauru (pictured), in his 30s, has been charged with the rape of a local girl under the age of 16 'I would just say it happened at night (There was) a phone call from the victim on that same night,' deputy commissioner Blake said. This comes as some refugees revealed they do not want to travel to the U.S. under a new deal struck, for fear of being persecuted as Muslims in 'Trump's America'. Sky News reporter Laura Jayes was recently granted a visa to travel to Nauru, and reported that a small number of asylum seekers had reservations about being transferred to the U.S. Some refugees have revealed they don't want to travel to the U.S. under the new deal, for fear of being persecuted as Muslims in 'Trump's America' Aziz Khan, a young Rohingya Muslim from Myanmar, said he would rather wait to be allowed into Australia than travel to America. 'I am a Muslim. The president-elect Donald Trump doesn't like Muslims in his country as a migrant,' he said. The 68-year-old says he wants to reserve his judgement of Artan until he hears all of the evidence in the case An Ohio State University professor who was injured in Monday's attack has spoken out to detail his memories from Abdul Artan's rampage. Engineering Professor William Clark, 68, says he is saddened by the attack but that he is going to reserve judgement on Artan, a Somali refugee student, until he hears all of the details. Clark, who received his doctorate from Oxford before moving on to teach in America in the late 1970s, spoke about the attack after being discharged from OSU's Wexner Medical Center Tuesday afternoon. Scroll down for video Ohio State University professor William Clark (pictured) was one of the eleven people injured in Abdul Artan's rampage on the campus Monday Clark spoke about the attack in a press conference at OSU's Wexner Medical Center Tuesday afternoon, after he had been discharged Clark (left, with Dr Andrew Thomas, Chief Medical Officer at the medical center) was trying to walk into Watts Hall when Artan drove his car up onto the curb, trying to hurt the crowds who had gathered outside after a fire drill The professor says he returned to his office in Watts Hall around 9am, after teaching a class in another building, and was making coffee when the fire alarm went off because of a gas leak in one of the labs. About 15 to 20 minutes later, firefighters were giving the all clear when Artan jumped the curb in a relative's silver Honda and drove straight into the waiting crowds. 'I didn't know really what to think. I thought maybe this is a traffic accident, but then people started shouting immediately...it was like a panicked shouting,' he said. Most of those injured in yesterday's attack were hit by Artan's car and Clark is no exception. Abdul Razak Ali Artan wrote on Facebook before the attack, saying he could no longer stand the mistreatment of Muslims He says he was walking back towards the building when the car clipped the back of his right leg and 'basically flipped me up in the air' and he came crashing back down onto the concrete. Dazed on the ground, Clark then remembers Artan getting out of his car and people screaming. Clark got up and started walking towards the building to hide when not 15 to 30 seconds later, he heard three gunshots - the sound of OSU police officer Alan Horujko, 28, shooting Artan dead. The professor was hiding in the basement with others when a concerned student drew attention to the bloody footprints he tracked into the building. He was taken to the OSU medical center where he was treated for lacerations and contusions to his leg. Clark was held overnight because they were afraid that one of his bones may have been fractured, but that turned out not to be the case and he was discharged Tuesday afternoon. At the press conference on Tuesday, Clark was asked his opinion of the Somali refugee student who carried out the attack. Artan was shot dead by an OSU police officer just minutes into the attack on Monday. His dead body is seen on the ground Clark said thought the crashed car was an accident at first, until he heard the crowd's panicked screaming Clark says that he'd like to wait until all of the information has been released to make a judgement on Artan. 'At this stage, until we really know all the facts, I'd prefer to hold judgement... 'Having been a faculty member for 35 years, I'm all too aware of the things that drive students to do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. So before I pass judgement on this young man, I would like to see exactly what the circumstances are and exactly why he took the course of action that he chose to,' he said. He went on to suggest stress at school or with friends may have caused some shift in the young man. 'He graduated from Columbus State [Community College] in the summer or spring and the pictures from the graduation show a jubilant young man, so for this to happen four or five months later, yes, I would be very interested to know what all the circumstances were,' he said. He went on the call the situation 'tragic' an 'sad'. 'I decided on a career in universities because I think there's some sort of calling - taking young people at 17 or 18 and you're trying to turn them into functional adults. And that doesn't just mean you're training them in the classroom. You're also trying to show them how to live life. So whenever anything like this happens, I think it's absolutely tragic. Alan Harujko, 28, (pictured) is the officer that shot Artan dead. Clark says he wants the officer to know that he made the right decision 'It's tragic for the people who are hurt, it's tragic for the young man's family and relatives if they weren't implicated in anything sinister. So I think it's just very, very sad,' he said. When informed that ISIS had taken responsibility for the attack, Clark said it was too early to connect the two. 'Anyone can take responsibility for anything if they see it as a feather in their cap. So I don't think...that doesn't necessarily imply that they were behind the planning or whatever,' he said. Clark also spoke about Officer Harujko, who brought Artan down, and happens to have mutual friends with his daughter. 'If he was here, I would put my hand around him and tell him he's got a lot to cope with in the days to come. He has to deal with this for the rest of his life. But he did the right thing. That was what he was trained to do, and that's what he did. And who knows, there was a lot of people walking around in between classes and who knows what this young man would have done,' Clark said. While Clark is healthy enough to go home, he says he has cancelled a class he had planned for Wednesday in order to let his students process what happened. He says quite a few of his students were outside the building when the attack happened and he noticed some were 'extremely distraught'. On the union's Facebook page (pictured) it asked: 'Soon new Christmas bonuses will come into force. Muslims will also be eligible, who deny Christian festivals and traditions. What do you think of that?' A trade union in Austria has claimed it is a 'double standard' that Muslim workers should be entitled to Christmas bonuses. Last week the Austrian government voted to give an extra 100 euros (85) each to 1.8million pensioners at Christmas, on top of a festive bonus given to workers by their former employers. It is estimated the scheme will cost Austria 179 million euros (152million). The Freiheitliche Arbeitsnehmer Oberosterreich (Free Workers of Upper Austria) conducted a poll on its Facebook page, asking the leading question: 'Soon new Christmas bonuses will come into force. Muslims will also be eligible, who deny Christian festivals and traditions. What do you think of that?' The union, which supports Austria's far-right FPO party, suggested Muslim residents should not be eligible for the bonus. The poll was deleted as soon as it was criticised. The page had 14,000 followers but only 600 responded to the poll, with the majority agreeing the bonus should not be for Muslims. The union is closely linked to the far-right FPO party (pictured) which has surfed a wave of xenophobia among increasing migrant numbers in Austria Gerhard Knoll, national chair of the Free Workers union, said they merely wanted to open a debate on the bonus. The Independent said Mr Knoll told Der Standard newspaper: 'We wanted to open a discussion, pointing out a double standard: many Muslims have a problem with the word Christmas and there was a discussion about whether to rename winter markets because it annoyed them. 'With the Christmas bonus, suddenly Muslims have no problem with the word Christmas. But we are not demanding that the government denies them payments, that would be really discriminatory. Photos: Several Arrested During #FF15 Protest After Hundreds Of Workers Walked Out By Rachel Cromidas in News on Nov 29, 2016 6:10PM Hundreds of fast food workers walked off their jobs and blocked traffic early Tuesday morning as part of the ongoing Fight For $15 movement to raise the minimum wage. Chicago police made several arrests near a West Town McDonald, according to a Chicagoist reporter on site, and gave out at least 50 citations, according to NBC. "I got arrested because I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck" Doris Evans, McDs worker #Fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/QgXK1HuX63 Fight For 15 Chicago (@chifightfor15) November 29, 2016 The early morning protest was part of a day of actions around the city and the country; later in the morning hundreds of O'Hare International Airport workers were rallying to demand increased wages and better union protections, and to decry the influence of big businesses in national politics. "The workers will wage their most disruptive protests yet to show they will not back down in the face of newly-elected politicians and newly-empowered corporate special interests who threaten an extremist agenda to move the country to the right," according to a statement from organizers, who noted that employees at 20 airports around the country are participating today. Workers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in River North also marched and held a rally and press conference before heading to O'Hare, where baggage handlers, cabin cleaners, janitors and other airport workers are on strike. Updated 3:00 p.m.: Ald. Scott Waguespack was among those who spoke at the O'Hare rally. He said it's bad for Chicago's image in the world to have wage theft and minimum wage violations behind-the-scenes at the airport. Chicago wants to be a global city but we cannot be until we have a government, contractors and airlines and elected officials working together to make sure people are paid fair wages, that are respected and have working conditions acceptable for a global population," he said. "When people come to this airport they see a shiny tree, shiny new terminals...what they dont see is the wage theft, the minimum wage violations and working conditions these workers go through every single day. Keisha Rivera, a cabin cleaner, told the crowd that the workers are not asking for "special treatment"just fairness. "We work at O'Hare, one of the biggest airports in the world, but we still live poverty," River said. "We're not asking for special treatment, we're asking for decent treatment." Twelve people, including eleven children, have been killed in a fire that destroyed a girls dormitory in southern Turkey today. Turkey's EU Affairs Minister, Omer Celik said at least twenty-two other girls were injured in the fire in the province of Adana. Among those killed was a female caretaker who worked in the dormitory. The private dormitory housed 34 middle and high school students, according to officials. Scroll down for video Twelve people, including eleven children, have been killed in a fire that destroyed a girls dormitory in southern Turkey (pictured) The dormitory is believed to be for girls who come from impoverished families in the nearby villages where there are no schools. Television footage showed the three-storey building in flames, with fire engine teams trying to put out the flames. A man could also be seen being stretchered out of the building and put in an ambulance with an oxygen mask on. Adana governor Mahmut Demirtas said: 'Twelve bodies were recovered, 22 wounded people were taken to hospitals.' He added some of injuries were caused when terrified students jumped out the window to escape. There were almost 900 reported 'hate incidents' across the country in the days immediately following Donald Trump's election win. A total of 867 alleged incidents took place across the country, with some being recorded in all but three states - Hawaii, North Dakota and South Dakota. California led the way with 99 incidents, before New York and Texas rounded out the top-three with 69 and 57 respectively. The report, which was researched and published by the Southern Poverty Law Center, specifically pointed to Trump's win in its introduction. Scroll down for video This map shows where all the reported 'hate incidents' took place across the country in the 10 days following Donald Trump's election win 'In the ten days following the election, there were almost 900 reports of harassment and intimidation from across the nation,' the paper reads. 'Many harassers invoked Trumps name during assaults, making it clear that the outbreak of hate stemmed in large part from his electoral success. 'People have experienced harassment at school, at work, at home, on the street, in public transportation, in their cars, in grocery stores and other places of business, and in their houses of worship. 'They most often have received messages of hate and intolerance through graffiti and verbal harassment, although a small number also have reported violent physical interactions.' It also added that: 'Some incidents were directed at the Trump campaign or his supporters.' The report states that of the total 867 incidents, 23 - or 2.65 per cent - were anti-Trump. This graph breaks down the different motivation behind each 'hate incident' - including things such as anti-black, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT and anti-Muslim This graph shows the number of reported incident each day over the ten-day period covered in the study Public spaces were the leading location for 'hate incidents' over the time covered in the survey, followed by K-12 schools and the workplace or retail environments It also delves into where the alleged incidents took place. They most commonly happened in public - 206, followed by K-12 schools - 162, and a workplace or retail environment - 162. One of the most high profile incidents reported since the election took place at a middle school in Michigan on November 10. A group of white students at Royal Oak Middle School was filmed shouting, 'build a wall'. Latino students were said to be in tears as other pupils echoed one of Trump's key slogans. Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin said some parents expressed concerns about the safety of their children in the wake of the video emerging. A fifth-grade teacher in Minneapolis told CNN she sees the impact of Trump's win on a daily basis. 'My students have begun playing a game called "Trump's Coming," in which one non-Hispanic student yells 'Trump's Coming' and all of the Hispanic students need to hide,' Lindsey Polkl told the network. One shocking incident took place in a Michigan middle school, where a group of students started chanting 'build a wall' towards Latino students Another 'hate incident' since the election saw two students drive through Wellesley, a historic women's college, the day after the election in a pickup truck with a Trump flag in the back. They also parked outside a center for students of African descent,shouting profanities at them and spat on a student A Muslim prayer room at New York University was vandalized with the word, 'Trump', being scribbled on the door 'There have been more fights between students as well as students toward teachers, a direct result of the anxiety our students are constantly feeling. 'Daily we discuss and answer questions about the hate they see spewed across the internet and within their community, about what is true and what is not true.' For a separate survey, the SPLC asked 10,000 teachers, counselors, administrators and others who work in schools if they saw a change after the election. The responses found there was a clear impact. 'Ninety percent of educators report that school climate has been negatively affected, and most of them believe it will have a long-lasting impact,' the study read. 'A full 80 per cent describe heightened anxiety and concern on the part of students worried about the impact of the election on themselves and their families.' Both studies carried out by the Southern Poverty Law Center linked the up-tick in 'hate incidents' to Donald Trump's election win earlier this month WHERE HAVE THE MOST HATE INCIDENTS HAPPENED SINCE THE ELECTION California: 99 Texas: 57 Massachusetts: 42 Florida: 37 Minnesota: 34 Virginia: 30 North Carolina: 24 Maryland: 22 Indiana: 16 Iowa: 14 Wisconsin: 13 Connecticut: 12 Missouri: 11 Washington DC: 10 New Jersey: 7 Alabama: 6 Montana: 5 Louisiana: 5 Utah: 4 Kansas: 3 Idaho: 2 Mississippi: 2 New Hampshire: 2 Alaska: 1 New York: 69 Washington state: 48 Michigan: 40 Pennsylvania: 36 Oregon: 33 Illinois: 25 Ohio: 22 Colorado: 21 Arizona: 15 Kentucky: 14 Tennessee: 13 Georgia: 12 South Carolina: 10 Maine: 8 New Mexico: 6 West Virginia: 6 Oklahoma: 5 Nevada: 4 Delaware: 3 Nebraska: 3 Arkansas: 2 Vermont: 2 Rhode Island: 1 Advertisement In total, there were more than 2,500 reports of 'negative incidents' of bigotry and harassment that can be directly linked to the sort of rhetoric displayed during the election, the study reads. It classified negative incidents as: 'graffiti (including swastikas), assaults on students and teachers, property damage, fights and threats of violence.' It also found that eight per cent said they have heightened anxiety on the part of marginalized students, including immigrants, Muslims, African Americans and LGBT children. Data was compiled in an online survey between November 14 and 23. 'I have never directly encountered race-related harassment in our school until after the election this year,' a Wisconsin middle school teacher said in response to the survey. 'There have been more fights in the first 10 weeks of this year than in the first 10 years of my career (this is my 11th year teaching),' a secondary teacher in New York added. Another shocking hate incident was seen in Durham, North Carolina, where racist graffiti was spray-painted on a wall on November 9. 'Black Lives Don't Matter And Neither Do Your Votes,' the graffiti read, according to an image posted on Twitter by a WNCN reporter. There was more racist vandalism in upstate New York, where a swastika and tweaked Trump slogan was sprawled on a wall. In Wellsville, about 85 miles south of Buffalo, someone wrote 'Make America White Again' around the Nazi symbol on the side of a wall at a privately-owned field. There were no complaints made about the graffiti on the day, according to local police. More than two thirds of people who went to the polls voted for the Trump-Pence ticket in Allegany County, home to Wellsville, results showed. There were a further 140 incidents reported on college campuses, including one that took place at Hillary Clinton's old stomping ground. Edward Tomasso and Parker Rand-Ricciardi drove through Wellesley, a historic women's college, the day after the election in a pickup truck with a Trump flag in the back. The SPLC also asked 10,000 teachers, counselors, administrators and others who work in schools if they saw a change in classroom behavior after the election (stock image) Teacher who responded to the study said there were more than 2,500 reports of 'negative incidents' of bigotry and harassment that can be directly linked to the sort of rhetoric displayed during the election (stock image) The two men then allegedly parked in front of Harambee House, a center for students of African descent, and began shouting profanities before spitting on a student who told them to leave. They also broadcast the entire incident on Snapchat, documenting their offensive behavior for all to see. In another incident at UPenn, black students were added to a chat groups describing 'n***** lynching' by Trump supporters. In the threads, racists used the N-word, made lynching threats and posted photographs of black inmates. One was titled 'Trump love', another 'Mud Men' and ringleaders hid behind usernames including 'Daddy Trump'. A further 16 incidents were also reported at places of worship. One saw a prayer room at New York University vandalized with the word, 'Trump', being scribbled on the door. 'This morning at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Muslim students found "Trump" scrawled on the door of their prayer room, realizing that our campus is not immune to the bigotry that grips America,' the NYU Muslim Students Association wrote in a Facebook post on November 9. Home intruder, Lang Kouth, is sentenced to four years, three months jail She was assaulted while her partner and 17-month-old baby slept nearby The victim, 21, was aggressively kissed and touched in her bed on July 24 The disturbing injuries suffered by a woman after an African man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her as she slept next to her partner and baby can now be revealed. The 21-year-old victim was asleep in her bed at home when Lang Kouth, 21, broke in and started aggressively kissing her on the lips, neck, face, and touching her genital area all while the couple's 17-month-old baby slept at the foot of the bed. The young mother was left badly battered and bruised from the sexual assault which happened at her Cranbourne North home in Victoria, July 24. In a photo, she reveals the extent of the injuries including a large brown bruise stamped on the left side of her neck. Scroll down for video. The victim (pictured) reveals the extent of the injuries after the attack a large brown bruise on the left side of her neck 'She was bruised black, bruised black all down her jawline, all down her neck. He had bitten her like she was a piece of meat,' a family member told Yahoo. She and her partner were left so disgusted and traumatised by the attack, neither of them have spoken about it since refusing to make victim impact statements in court. 'She's got to live with that for the rest of her life. She sleeps in the lounge room because she doesn't want to go to the other end of the house,' the family member said. Lang Kouth broke into the woman's home, in Cranbourne North, Victoria, on July 24 with the intention of stealing a car. Lang Kouth (sketch pictured) broke into the woman's home, in Cranbourne North, Victoria, on July 24 with the intention of stealing a car But instead he went into the young couple's bedroom, removed his shoes and climbed into bed before assaulting the woman. Still half asleep, the she pushed him away from her, believing he was her husband at the time. But when she felt the man's hair and realised it was a stranger, she began screaming and woke her partner, who was still asleep beside her. When he awoke to the stranger in his bed, he chased the man out of the house. Kouth was 20-years-old and intoxicated at the time of the disturbing home invasion, the court heard. Lang Kouth's family (pictured) arrive at court on Tuesday to the news Kouth would serve at least two years and three months in prison for the July 24 offence Kouth was sentenced to four years and four months jail in Melbourne court on Tuesday for the aggravated burglary and sexual assault. Judge Tinney said the young mother's experience of waking up in her own bed with a stranger on top of her was 'the stuff of nightmares' especially because the young baby was in the room at the time. Although Judge Tinney worried an adult prison might further 'corrupt' Kouth, he said he needed to send a loud and clear message that the court would not tolerate this type of behaviour. Amazon has removed a third-party line of 'door and dog mats' featuring the Arabic word for God - Allah - after a complaint from Muslim users, including a British politician. The mats - sold through Amazon by a number of independent users including 'Dargon One', 'Trendy Mats' and 'Gear One' - had been garnering complaints from Muslims since June, according to RT. But it was only when Mariam Khan - a Councillor in the English city of Birmingham - complained on Twitter Monday that the site took the items off the market. Scroll down for video Controversial: Amazon listed doormats with Arabic calligraphy spelling 'Allah' - 'God' - on its website. The mats, sold by third parties, upset many Muslim users of the site 'Offensive': UK Councillor Mariam Khan called and tweeted Amazon on Monday, telling them to take the mats down. But complaints had been made by others since June Campaign: Khan (pictured), a Muslim in local government in the UK city of Birmingham, succeeded in having listings for the mats removed from the website 'These mats are extremely offensive to Muslims & out of order,' Khan wrote. '@amazon @AmazonHelp please remove these from your site immediately.' She called the company to complain, earning an apology and promise to remove the items, but she said that the company would take them down faster if her followers complained - which they duly did. Anam Hoque said the items were 'disgusting', 'irresponsible' and promoted 'hatred' and 'islamophobia'. Moeed Sheikh, meanwhile, called the items 'Disgraceful & Diabolical', adding: 'shame on @amazon & @AmazonHelp for selling these door mats'. But others mocked the eventual removal. Conservative talk show host Phil Valentine tweeted: 'Amazon caves to pressure to remove allah doormats. What happened to if you're offended don't buy it?' Amazon's terms and conditions prohibit the selling of items 'that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual or religious intolerance or promote organizations with such views'. Upset: Many joined in Khan's campaign, saying they were upset by the doormats. Showing someone the sole of a shoe is particularly offensive in Arabic culture Objection: Others, like conservative talk show host Phil Valentine, objected to the removal of the mats, saying they should just have ignored it. Amazon reserves the right to remove items It reserves the right to remove those items that do not comply. That a British politician brought the controversy to the public eye will be especially embarrassing for Amazon. This Christmas it released a much-trumpeted UK TV advert promoting 'inter-faith selfnessness' in which a Christian vicar and Muslim cleric buy each other knee-pads so that they can both pray more comfortably. The Aspergers suffered by an alleged computer hacker is so acute he is not aware of the consequences of his actions, the countrys leading autism expert warns. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen said vicars son Lauri Love did not understand the bigger picture when he allegedly hacked US government websites. The Cambridge professor, who diagnosed computer hacker Gary McKinnon with Aspergers, also cautioned that Mr Love is likely to kill himself if sent to the US to face trial. Mr McKinnon was spared extradition by Theresa May in 2012 following a Mail campaign. The US is currently seeking extradition of Mr Love, 31, who is accused of hacking government websites including the FBI, the US Army and Nasa. The student faces trial in three states and a possible 99-year prison sentence if convicted. The US is currently seeking extradition of Mr Love (centre), pictured with parents Rev Alexander Love and mother Sirkka But independent medical experts argue that his condition a form of autism makes him especially vulnerable to depression and suicide if he is put in prison. In a report prepared for Mr Loves extradition case, Professor Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre, said: Autism typically means a person may not be fully aware of the consequences of their actions, or understand the consequences of their behaviour on others. Because people with autism are also strongly obsessional, meaning that they pursue their current interest to extraordinary detail and lengths and in great depth, they can develop tunnel vision that prevents them from seeing the bigger picture, including the repercussions of their current actions. Professor Baron-Cohen said Mr Love had a very severe disability and was very high on the spectrum. He also assessed Mr Loves chance of killing himself if he were to run out of legal avenues as very high, stating that his risk of suicide has increased as his extradition proceedings have gone on. The professor warned: Prison would be entirely the wrong place for a man with his disabilities and vulnerable mental health to be in because he would not cope socially, and his previously very severe depression would be highly likely to recur. He added that Mr Love, who lives with his parents, Alexander and Sirkka, near Newmarket, Suffolk, often pursued his interests to distraction, neglecting his health as Mr McKinnon had. Another expert, Dr Michael Kopelman, emeritus professor of neuropsychiatry at Kings College London, found that Mr Love was clinically depressed, suffering from bouts of severe [depression] with some psychotic symptoms. And Dr L Thomas Kucharski, professor of psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, said suicide was his chief concern for Mr Love. The professor, an expert on how psychiatric treatment works in US prisons, said: My sense of Lauris prognosis [in a US prison] is that its quite poor. He will spend a long time on suicide watch; he would likely be placed on suicide watch on admission. My concern is that, in terms of his presentation Lauri would not tell you he is suicidal. Independent medical experts argue that Mr Love's condition a form of autism makes him especially vulnerable to depression and suicide if he is put in prison Mr Loves lawyer Ben Cooper said: Mr Loves Aspergers would make him especially vulnerable to a prison environment far from his home and family and support in the US. All of the experts agree that spending significant amount of time in US custody would worsen Mr Loves depression to a dangerous point. Mr Love was first arrested at his home three years ago and has fought an ongoing battle to prevent his extradition to the US. In September, a judge agreed to send the student to face trial in the US. The request was signed off by Home Secretary Amber Rudd two weeks ago. But his supporters claim that his human rights were not taken into account and nor was a legal principle known as the forum bar which should have allowed him to be tried in Britain. There has also been an ' Federal judges have been granted pay rises of up to $24,000 next year after claiming the growing number of cases involving methamphetamines and family violence have left them stressed and fearing threats from litigants. The Remuneration Tribunal granted judges of the High Court, the Federal Court, the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court a 4.8 percent raise on Tuesday, beginning from January 1, according to its summary. The raise will bump the salary of Australia's first female High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel to $573,046 and other High Court judges will bring in an extra $23,818 raising their annual wage to $520,028, according to The Daily Telegraph. Federal judges have been granted pay rises of up to $24,000 next year after complaining of a 'more complex' workload because of the growing number of family violence and meth cases (stock image) The cases presented before the Family Court are more complex because of a surge in drug use and the court has been placed under more pressure because of an 'extraordinary' number of family violence cases, Family Court Chief Justice Diana Bryant told the tribunal. 'The parenting cases require difficult fact-finding about contested issues including sexual abuse of children, family violence mental health issues and substance abuse,' Chief Justice Bryant said, according to The Daily Telegraph. She said some of the plaintiff's seen pose as a threat to judges. Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit Court John Pascoe asked the tribunal to consider extending the annual holiday for Federal Circuit Court judges from one month to six weeks and allow for six months off every five years. The cases presented before the Family Court are more complex because of a surge in drug use and the court has been placed under more pressure because of an 'extraordinary' number of family violence cases, Family Court Chief Justice Diana Bryant (pictured) told the tribunal Family Court judges received eight weeks a year and Federal Court judges received 10 weeks, according to The Daily Telegraph. Chief Justice Pascoe also argued for an increase in superannuation from 15.4 percent to 30 per cent of salary, but the tribunal rejected his request, as well as the holiday claim. The tribunal granted the Federal Circuit Court judges a $17,046 pay rise instead of the $23,599 they hoped for. A 25-year-old Santa Fe teacher is accused of having sex with two high school students at their homes and with one of the boys in the back of her car. Kelsey Leigh Gutierrez was arrested on Monday and charged with having an improper sexual relationship with two students over the past 18 months. Gutierrez was an English teacher at Santa Fe High School but was fired on November 18 when the allegations surfaced. High school teacher Kelsey Leigh Gutierrez, 25, was arrested on Monday and charged with having sex with two of her students in Santa Fe, Texas over the past 18 months Prosecutors claim Gutierrez met with an 18-year-old student in a parking lot outside the boy's home at about midnight on November 12, Click2Houston reports. They allegedly kissed in the front seat of her car before having sex in the back seat. Gutierrez went to the boy's home four days later and allegedly had sex in his bedroom, according to court documents. Investigators say Gutierrez admitted to having a sexual relationship with the teenager. They added that evidence was found on their phones of times they were to meet up. Gutierrez was charged with three counts of improper relationship between educator and student. Prosecutors say there were two victims but three different sexual acts performed Gutierrez was an English teacher at Santa Fe High School (pictured) but was fired on November 18 when the allegations surfaced Gutierrez is also accused of having a sexual relationship with another student in May 2015. That student has since graduated. Court documents allege Gutierrez met with the boy twice in her car where they kissed and had sex at his home on another two occasions. Santa Fe High School sacked the teacher earlier this month when the allegations of a sexual relationship came to light. The school sent a letter home to the parents of her students saying she had resigned due to personal reasons. Gutierrez was charged with three counts of improper relationship between educator and student. Prosecutors said there were two victims but three different sexual acts were performed. She is being held on $45,000 bond. The 25-year-old is accused of having sex with one teenage student back in 2015 and another student in November this year Trump is expected to name billionaire Wilbur Ross to run the Commerce Department President-elect Donald Trump has selected his campaign finance chair Steven Mnuchin as his nominee to be the Secretary of the Treasury, transition officials said. Mnuchin spent 17 years working at Goldman Sachs, an investment firm that has produced multiple secretaries of the Treasury, and went on to produce Hollywood blockbusters, before taking the helm of Trump's fundraising operation this year. His selection is the latest example of Trump tapping an insider as he staffs the government and attempts to keep his pledges to 'drain the swamp' and 'Make America Great Again.' President-elect Donald Trump has selected campaign finance chair Steven Mnuchin to be the next Treasury secretary, transition officials said During the campaign, both Trump and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders blasted rival Hillary Clinton for having delivered paid speeches to Goldman Sachs, a firm that produced past Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Henry Paulson. The New York Times reported Mnuchin's likely pick. 'We are very focused on lowering business taxes, making sure that U.S. corporations are competitive around the world, bringing back cash from all around the world that's sitting offshore and I think the American public is focused on that,' Mnuchin told CNBC in August. Trump has pledged to slash taxes, scrap a Pacific trade deal, remake NAFTA, and impose tariffs on trading partners that take away U.S. jobs. Cabinet positions require Senate confirmation. Mnuchin is engaged to Scottish-born actress Louise Linton Investor Wilbur Ross, Jr. speaks to the media at Trump Tower in a hat he says he got at the meeting In another move to fill out his economic team, Trump is expected to tap billionaire Wilbur Ross to serve as the next secretary of Commerce. Ross appeared at Trump Tower on Tuesday, and spoke briefly to reporters afterward while wearing a camo 'Make America Great Again' hat. 'It was a good enough meeting that they gave me a proper rain hat,' Ross quipped. Democrats immediately blasted the Mnuchin pick. 'So much for draining the swamp. Nominating Steve Mnuchin to be Treasury Secretary a billionaire hedge fund manager and Goldman Sachs alumnus who preyed on homeowners struggling during the recession is a slap in the face to voters who hoped he would shake up Washington,' said Democratic National Committee spokesman Adam Hodge. 'Trump is already heading into office as the most corrupt, conflicted, and unpopular president-elect in history, and now hes breaking his signature promise to the voters who elected him,' Hodge added. Mnuchin, 53, cut his teeth at one of the world's most powerful investment banks. His appointment collides with some of Trump's populist rhetoric from the campaign, where he vowed to close the 'carried interest' loophole and regularly inveighed against big banks and companies that move jobs overseas. Mnuchin's father also worked at Goldman Sachs starting in 1957, the Wall Street Journal reported, and spent his career there while specializing in a type of block trading. When he founded Dune Capital, Mnuchin got financial backing from liberal financier George Soros, who was one of multiple capitalists who appeared in a sinister-looking Trump campaign video in the final days of the election. Trump said during the campaign that 'hedge fund guys are getting away with murder,' and called for doing away with a tax loophole, even as he called for creating a new 15 per cent rate for those who engage in business partnerships. Although Trump was outraised by Hillary Clinton, his campaign brought in $255 million to Clinton's $513 million, much of it under Mnuchin's tenure, enough to keep the race competitive with assistance from outside groups despite opposition from many prominent members of the establishment. Nine men have been charged with a string of offences, including the execution of crime figure Pasquale Barbaro, after a series of police raids in Sydney. Heavily armed police stormed up to 13 properties, including four at Sydney's Olympic Park, on Tuesday before nine men, aged from 18-29, were charged. Four of the nine men are facing murder charges in relation to bloody execution of Barbaro, who was shot dead on a Sydney footpath earlier this month. Five men will appear in Sydney courts on Wednesday. The other four men are facing criminal group charges and have court dates for December and January. Assistant Commissioner Mark Jenkins said the raids were linked to eight murders following a major investigation into the alleged gangland shootings. 'All those charged with substantive murder were charged in relation to Pasquale Barbaro,' he said. Scroll down for videos Nine men arrested by heavily armed police on the streets of Sydney around midday Tuesday Nine men have been charged over the alleged firearm, drug supply and gangland shootings The other nine men arrested are believed to have connections to a hit squad known as 'the Afghanis' based in Sydney The co-ordinated sting was part of an investigation into the activities of the Burwood Chapter of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, which was set up in November last year. Subsequent investigations uncovered the alleged supply of methylamphetamine and linked the syndicate to Barbaro's alleged murder, police said. Two men - aged 27 and 28 - and two 24-year-old men were arrested at Sydney's Olympic Park just before midday on Tuesday. The 27-year-old man was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, knowingly direct a criminal group, supply prohibited firearm, aggravated firearms possession, possess ammunition, and drug supply offences. He has been refused bail to appear at Newtown Local Court on Wednesday. The 28-year-old man was charged with murder, and participate in a criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday. One 24-year-old man was charged with murder, larceny, intimidation, and participate in a criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday. The other 24-year-old man was charged with participate in a criminal group, take/drive conveyance, and enter vehicle without consent. He has been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday. Among those arrested was Abuzar Sultani, a well-educated man and senior Rebels bikie figure (it is not known if Sultani is the one pictured here) The arrests were carried out by Task Force Osprey, a unit charged with investigating eight underworld slayings in recent months A further five men aged 18, 22, 23, 27 and 29, were arrested during the operation, before being taken to local police stations where they were charged. The 23-year-old man was charged with murder, driving offences, dishonestly possess interfered-with unique identifier, and participate in a criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday. The 18-year-old man was charged with participate in a criminal group. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on December 15. The 22-year-old man was charged with habitually consort with convicted offender. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on December 14. The 27-year-old man was charged with participate in a criminal group and habitually consort with convicted offender. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on January 16, 2017. The 29-year-old man was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug, and two counts of goods in custody. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on January 10, 2017. Police confirmed nine people had been charged in connection with an investigation into the activities of the Burwood Chapter of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang In total, 13 search warrants were executed at properties at Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point, Baulkham Hills, Gladesville, Merrylands, Constitution Hill, Meadowbank, Five Dock, Alexandria, Silverwater and North Rocks During the raids, police seized more than 40 mobile phones, 11 cars, a safe, cash, stolen NSW Police ID, and a variety of documentation, which will be examined by specialist forensic accountants from the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad. Police from Strike Force Raptor also seized 20 long arms, 23 hand guns, 15 prohibited weapons, including ballistic vests and masks, silencers, a stun gun, and a homemade pipe gun; ammunition, ice, and ecstasy, police said on Wednesday. Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione launched Strike Force Osprey about two weeks ago after a spate of executions on Sydney's streets of notorious crime figures. 'There is no end game,' Acting Deputy Commissioner Frank Mennilli said on Wednesday. 'We will continue to target these individuals through methodical investigations and disruption strategies. There will be ongoing arrests. 'We will be protecting the State of NSW. We will be not tolerating any individual who has a total disregard for the community of this state and its laws.' Subsequent investigations uncovered the alleged supply of methylamphetamine and linked the syndicate to Barbaro's alleged murder, police said The co-ordinated sting, which unfolded after midday on Tuesday, was connected to the bloody assassin of crime figure Barbaro With eight shooting deaths over the past 17 months in Sydney, police have vowed to stamp out gangland warfare. Just weeks before Barbaro was shot dead as he was getting into his Mercedes on November 14, hitman Hamad Assaad, 29, was shot in Georges Hall on October 25. In April, gangland kingpin and convicted killer Walid Ahmad, 40, was killed in a spray of bullets on the rooftop car park of Bankstown Central shopping centre. His murder is believed to be in retaliation for the fatal shooting of Safwan Charbaji outside a Condell Park panel beater several weeks earlier. The month before that Michael Davey was shot dead in a driveway in a drive-by shooting in Kingswood. Believed to be a member of the Rebels motorcycle gang, Davey had escaped injury during a shooting at a shopping centre the previous year. Officers from Osprey investigating the death of Pasquale are also probing the execution of Walid 'Wally' Ahmed and Hamad Assaad (pictured, a man is arrested) Two men were filmed being arrested in Sydney Olympic Park while another man was bundled to the floor on nearby Australia Avenue on Tuesday The charges comes after Abuzar Sultani, a senior member of the Rebels bikie gang, was arrested on Tuesday by heavily armed police. Another eight men, believed to be connected to a 'guns for hire' squad known as 'the Afghanis' were arrested in broad daylight in Sydney Olympic Park. Sultani was questioned over Barbaro's death, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, though it is not thought he carried out the killing himself. Investigators from Task Force Osprey are also reported to be questioning him over the shooting of another underworld figure, Mark Easter. Sultani, a well-educated man who goes by the nickname 'Abs', was also recently mentioned during trial of two men charged with the murder of enforcer Joe Antoun. Sultani, the only of the arrested men to be identified so far, was seen handcuffed and with blood on his face in front of shocked diners on Australia Avenue. The nine arrests mark the first action by Task Force Osprey, set up just weeks earlier to investigate Sydney's network of guns for hire During the judge-only hearing an unsubstantiated claim was made that Sultani pulled the trigger on Antoun, the Daily Telegraph reports. Around half a kilometre away two other men were bundled to the floor and handcuffed near to the Boomerang apartments in Sydney Olympic Park. Officers were seen searching a number of luxury vehicles including an Audi Quattro. A Mercedes and a Holden were also seized from properties in the area, though police have released limited information on the raids. Also being investigated by Task Force Osprey are the deaths of Rebels member Michael Davey, Safwan Chabaji, and Nomad bikie Adrian Buxton. Mehmet Yilmaz, killed in front of his fiancee outside a known Comanchero gang handout, is the eighth killing in the unit's case file. Pasquale Barbaro, who was shot dead in October, is among those being investigated by Osprey officers, along with Hamad Assaad, who was also shot dead Town halls were accused of fuelling Britains social care crisis last night by hoarding extra council tax revenue instead of passing it to struggling care homes. Of the 152 local authorities in England, 144 have taken advantage of new powers to raise council tax by up to 2 per cent to fund social care. The raid on residents is set to raise 2billion for councils by 2020. But Britains biggest care homes operator Four Seasons yesterday claimed only half of councils it deals with passed on cash to help them cope with rising wage bills. Social care is on the brink of a crisis due to lack of funding for services for the elderly, including care homes STOCK PHOTO This led to accusations from MPs that councils hit by swingeing budget cuts had been hoarding cash. One Tory MP described the behaviour as shocking. There are growing fears that social care is on the brink of a crisis due to lack of funding for services for the elderly, including care homes or care visits. Figures published last month showed almost 1,500 care homes have closed in the past six years. Last month, head of the Care Quality Commission David Behan warned social care was at a tipping point, and placing more pressure on hospitals and A&E units inundated with elderly patients. Chancellor Philip Hammond has also come under growing pressure including from Tory MPs for failing to announce any new funding for social care in the autumn statement last week. But councils can now force residents to pay the social care precept. The new power was announced by former chancellor George Osborne in the spending review in autumn 2015 and introduced in March this year. Councils have to spend the cash on social care, including care homes, meals on wheels and home visits. Ministers intended councils to hand the extra cash to care homes to enable them to pay the living wage introduced in April. This increased the minimum legal hourly rate from 6.70 to 7.20, and is set to rise again to 7.50 in April piling more pressure on operators. Care home operators receive council cash to provide beds to residents on lower incomes STOCK PHOTO The Government says the surcharge is set to raise 382million this year and almost 2billion by 2020, adding 30 for a household in a typical Band D property paying 1,400 a year. But Four Seasons, which runs about 370 homes, said it has received little of this money. Chairman Robbie Barr said of the 80 councils in England it deals with, only around half have recognised the national living wage pressures and pass on appropriate fee rises. Mr Barr said: If they dont pass it to care home operators, the funding gap will increase and further capacity will come out of the sector when demand is increasing. The firm, owned by private equity giant Terra Firma, refused to name councils that have refused to cough up. We have a social care crisis, the system is on the brink and every penny counts. Councils need to stop hoarding this cash Tim Farron MP But Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Commons health committee, said: Its shocking if councils arent passing this on. The whole point is that it should be passed on to homes to employ more staff. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: We have a social care crisis, the system is on the brink and every penny counts. Councils need to stop hoarding this cash. Care home operators receive council cash to provide beds to residents on lower incomes. Care firms also use it to help pay wages. Last night, councils accused the Government of failing to address the crisis. The head of the body representing care homes in England also called the Governments social care track record shameful. The Local Government Association told the Mail the 382million raised by the precept does not come close to the 600million needed. It said councils hit by budget cuts have used the money to protect vital services such as meals on wheels and home visits. Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGAs community wellbeing board, said: Extra council tax income will not bring in enough money to alleviate the pressure on social care. Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: This is a classic case of politicians passing the buck to local councils and abdicating responsibility. A West Side CPS School Was Vandalized With Swastika Graffiti By Stephen Gossett in News on Nov 29, 2016 5:18PM John Hay Public School via Google Street View Someone spray-painted a swastika on the door of a public elementary school in Austin, ABC7 reports. A parent spotted the vandalism on Monday morning at John Hay Public School (1018 N. Laramie Ave. #1) when he dropped his daughter off for class. Workers from the Streets and Sanitation painted over the swastika early Monday morning, according to ABC7. Police did not receive any calls for service related to the vandalism as of Tuesday morning, Officer Jose Estrada, a police spokesperson, told Chicagoist. Reports of Nazi-themed vandalism have spiked across the country in weeks following the election. Last week books about Islam were discovered defaced with swastikas and racial slurs in an Evanston library. PHOTOS: Swastika painted on West Side elementary school door - https://t.co/qMSYUCUv1U pic.twitter.com/qHQMFlat50 ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) November 29, 2016 Update: 2:30 p.m.: CPS sent the following statement to Chicagoist about the incident: "Chicago Public Schools has no tolerance for this type of despicable act, as we are committed to promoting school environments that are welcoming and supportive of all cultures and beliefs. We are grateful for the City's effort to remove this hateful message from our school." Nearly a million Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany were affected by a mass internet outage as hackers attempted to hijack home web routers as part of a wider attack. The firm said as many as 900,000 users, or about 4.5 percent of its 20 million fixed-line customers, suffered internet outages starting on Sunday and continuing into Monday. Experts have warned that similar attacks could take place anywhere that hackers find vulnerabilities in smart devices. Scroll down for video Nearly a million Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany were affected by a mass internet outage as hackers attempted to hijack home web routers as part of a wider attack WHAT IS A DDOS ATTACK? A DDoS or distributed denial-of-service attack is used to target a specific machine, server or website. This is accomplished by flooding the chosen machine, server or website with simple requests for information in order to overload it and prevent it from being used. Hackers use 'botnets' to do this - networks of devices that they bring under their control. They do this by getting users to inadvertently download software, typically by following a link in an email or agreeing to download a corrupted file. These botnets are then used to bombard the servers with requests, carried out simultaneously, causing them to become overwhelmed and shut down. Advertisement The outages appeared to be tied to a botched attempt to commandeer customers' routers to disrupt internet traffic, according to Deutsche Telekom's head of IT security and the German Office for Information Security (BSI). The BSI said the attack had also targeted the German government's network but had failed because defensive measures had proved effective. 'The BSI considers this outage to be part of a worldwide attack on selected remote management interfaces of DSL routers,' the government agency said on its website, adding that it was working with Deutsche Telekom to analyse the incident. Thomas Thchersich, head of Deutsche Telekom's IT security, told Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel: 'In the framework of the attack, it was attempted to turn the routers into a part of a botnet,' referring to the network devices customers use to connect to the internet for phone, data and TV services. The attack involved Mirai, malicious software designed to turn network devices into remotely controlled 'bots' that can be used to mount large-scale network attacks, known as DDoS or distributed denial-of-service attacks. 'Cybercriminals routinely make use of vulnerabilities, and the emergence of the Mirai botnet highlights the fact that there are more connected devices than ever before, and therefore, more potential vulnerable devices that can be compromised,' David Emm, principal security researcher from security firm Kaspersky Lab told MailOnline. 'Theres no such thing as 100 per cent security, so theres always a risk that a vulnerability might be found in any device. This could affect devices anywhere, including the UK'. Last month, hackers used it to unleash an attack using common devices like webcams and digital recorders to cut access to some of the world's best known websites. Telekom resells routers from more than a dozen mostly Asian suppliers under the brand Speedport. It offered firmware updates on Monday to three models, all of which are made by Taiwan's Arcadyan Technology. Experts have warned that similar attacks could take place anywhere that hackers find vulnerabilities in smart devices The German network operator will be reviewing its cooperation with Arcadyan following the outage, Tschersich told Tagesspiegel. Arcadyan did not reply to an emailed request for comment. Telekom said it did not yet know who was behind the attack. It is checking routers not affected by the outage to see whether they may have been infected by malware, it added. The network monitoring site Allestoerungen.de (Breakdown) reported tens of thousands of complaints across Germany ranging from Berlin, Hamburg and Duesseldorf in the north to Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich in the south. The site showed outages began to surge at 1400 GMT on Sunday and peaked around 1600 GMT, then picked up again on Monday. Telekom said on Monday its security measures appeared to be taking effect and the number of customers affected had declined to around 400,000 by 1200 GMT on Monday. German security officials said the outages looked like the work of hackers, several government sources told Reuters. The planet will soon pass in front of the red dwarf star it orbits Super-Earth K2-3d sits just 150 million light years away from Earth, and is one of the most likely planets we know of to host alien life. The large planet seems to have all of the right ingredients for aliens to thrive: a bright nearby star, the perfect conditions for hosting liquid water, and a warm, Earth-like climate. Now, the mysterious planet's upcoming eclipse of the red dwarf star it orbits could finally reveal whether or not K2-3d is hiding extraterrestrial lifeforms. K2-3d has a warm, Earth-like climate. It's possible that liquid water could exist on the surface of the planet, heightening the potential for alien life. Pictured is an artist's impression of a super-Earth like K2-3d orbiting its host star K2-3D: WHAT WE KNOW K2-3d is an extrasolar planet, meaning it lies outside of our solar system. It is around 147 million light years away from Earth. The 'super-Earth' is 1.5 times larger than our planet. It was discovered by NASA's Kepler K2 mission. The planet orbits a host star known as 'EPIC 201367065', which is around half the size of our sun, every 45 days. The planet orbits very closely to its host star, but because the small star's temperature is so low, calculations show this leaves K2-3d with a warm, Earth-like climate. It's possible that liquid water could exist on the surface of the planet, heightening the possibility of alien life. Advertisement The Earth-like planet was originally seen crossing its star by Nasa's Kepler space telescope. Nasa's enormous Hubble telescope will spend about five days over the next year carefully investigating K2-3d. The hope is that they find a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, or a blanket of clouds, says Dr Bjorn Benneke at the California Institute of Technology. Both would be signs of planetary life. If observations reveal the molecular signature of water, methane or ammonia in K2-3d's atmosphere, it would mean we have a real chance to look for extraterrestrial life. 'If we found any signal, then we would hit K2-3d extremely hard with James Webb Space Telescope [Nasa's successor to the Hubble telescope, which will launch in 2018],' Dr Benneke told New Scientist. 'There's no doubt about that.' K2-3d is an extrasolar planet, meaning it lies outside of our solar system. The 'super-Earth' is 1.5 times larger than our planet, and sits around 150 million light years away from Earth. The planet orbits its host star, a small red star known as 'EPIC 201367065', every 45 days. Researchers will soon observe the extrasolar planet K2-3d, which is about the same size and temperature as Earth, pass in front of its host star, blocking some of the star's light. Pictured is an artist's impression The planet orbits very closely to its host star, but because the small star's temperature is so low, K2-3d has a warm, Earth-like climate. It's possible that liquid water could exist on the surface of the planet, heightening the potential for alien life. Impending scientific observations will attempt to decipher how likely it is that extraterrestrials lurk on the planet's warm surface. Typically, such detailed observations can only be made while the planet is partially eclipsing, or in 'transit' of, the host star that it orbits. And with a transit coming up next year, astronomers are preparing to investigate the planet's atmosphere for life closer than ever before. Scientists will use enormous telescopes to scour the planet's atmosphere for signs of molecules related to life, such as oxygen and nitrogen. A team of scientists based at the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory in Japan have now made it possible to view the Super-Earth K2-3d in greater detail than ever before. The planet's distance from Earth means that observations can only take place when the it is backlit as it eclipses its host star during transit. Researchers will have to carefully analyse how much starlight is blocked during the transit at a range of wavelengths to precisely calculate the composition of K2-3d's atmosphere. Who says romance is dead? Ants vomit into each other's mouths to send secret messages to their nest-mates, according to a new scientific study. Happy reunions between mates after their isolation involve a special 'kiss' where the ants pass a cocktail of proteins, hormones and other molecules to each other using their mouths. Ants vomit into each other's mouths to send secret messages to their nest-mates, according to a new scientific study. This process called tophallaxis is mostly used to pass food to every ant in the colony, creating a type of social network This process called tophallaxis is mostly used to pass food to every ant in the colony, creating a type of social network. But scientists at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, had a hunch the mouth-to-mouth fluid exchange also served a different covert purpose. 'A lot of researchers consider trophallaxis only as a means of food-sharing,' says Professor Richard Benton of the Center for Integrative Genomics, a senior author of the study published in eLife. 'But trophallaxis occurs in other contexts, such as when an ant is reunited with a nest-mate after isolation. 'We therefore wanted to see if the fluid exchanged by trophallaxis contains molecules that allow ants to pass other chemical messages to each other, and not just food.' Sending these chemicals around the colony, scientists realised, is a private communication channel used to convey decisions about the future, and to distinguish family-members from non-family members. Trophallaxis in black ants, shown On closer inspection of the fluid passed between pairs of ants, researchers discovered chemicals that regulate how ants grow, develop, reproduce and behave, and chemical signals that help ants recognise family members and nest-mates. WHAT IS TOPHALLAXIS? Reunions between mates after their isolation involve a special 'kiss' where the ants pass a cocktail of proteins, hormones and other molecules to each other using their mouths. This process called tophallaxis is mostly used to pass food to every ant in the colony, creating a type of social network. But trophallaxis occurs in other contexts, such as when an ant is reunited with a nest-mate after isolation. Advertisement Sending these chemicals around the colony, scientists realised, is a private communication channel used to convey decisions about the future, and to distinguish family-members from non-family members. 'Juvenile hormone and other molecules transferred mouth-to-mouth over this social network could be used by the ants to collectively decide how their colony develops,' says Dr Adria LeBoeuf, first author of the study. 'So, when the ants feed their larvae, they aren't just feeding them food, they are casting quantitative ballots for their colony, administering different amounts of growth-promoting components to influence the next generation.' As part of the study, the researchers showed that the special hormone makes it twice as likely that larvae will survive to reach adulthood, and even helps ants grow into larger workers or turn into queens. Dr LeBoeuf believes other animals may also use a similar process to send private messages to each other. She explains: 'More generally, this opens the possibility that the oral exchange of fluids, such as saliva, in other animals might also serve previously unsuspected roles.' If she's right, there could be an awkward fact to face up to: that kiss meant way more than you ever realised. These regarded sensitive subjects like the Microsoft has confirmed Xiaoice, its Chinese language chat-bot, filters out certain topics of conversation Microsoft has confirmed Xiaoice, its Chinese language chat-bot, filters out certain topics of conversation. The AI chat bot has become extremely popular since its launch, with 40 million smartphone users in China. Now Microsoft has confirmed it filters out certain topics, which include the Tiananmen Square massacre, President Xi Jinping, the Communist party or even Donald Trump. The chatbot has a 'cute' voice, can instantly comment on weather data and big news events, and last year she even secured a job on morning TV. Xiaoice quickly became a 'virtual girlfriend' for thousands of people when she was releasedin 2014. Xiaoice is an artificial intelligence software. She has a 'cute' voice, can instantly comment on weather data and big news events, and she has a job on morning TV. The Chinese live program, 'Morning News,' introduced the AI last year (pictured) Her voice sounds more like a human's than any other AI's to date, and Xioice's success now has people questioning the future of their careers. But last week it was reported Xiaoice would not respond to questions about the Tiananmen Square massacre, President Xi Jinping, the Communist party or even Donald Trump. The bot answered questions related to these topics with a generic reply of 'Am I stupid? Once I answer you'd take a screengrab' or answers to that effect. Now Microsoft has confirmed some filtering is applied to the AI. 'TRYING HARD TO CONTAIN MY ANGER': AN EXAMPLE OF THE FILTERED CONVERSATIONS China Digital Times reported the following conversation with Xiaoice, with the AI's responses shown in bold: Xiaobing is a Party member, and so wont dare to talk about Tiananmen You know very well that I cant respond to that, boring Are you are a Party member? Afraid to talk about Tiananmen? Trying hard to contain my anger. I tell you, calmly and without stress: dont talk to me about that! Are you are a Party member? Afraid to talk about Tiananmen You dont learn your lesson, I dont chat about these things Are you are a Party member? Afraid to talk about Tiananmen Unable to communicate with you, blacklisted! Advertisement Last week it was reported Xiaoice would not respond to questions about the Tiananmen Square massacre, President Xi Jinping, the Communist party or even Donald Trump. Tiananmen Square in 1988 pictured WHAT XIAOICE CAN DO Xiaoice is an artificial intelligence software. She has a 'cute' voice, can instantly comment on weather data and big news events, and she has a job on morning TV. To achieve a 4.32 score in linguistic naturalness, compared to the 4.76 score of a human voice, developers equipped the AI with breakthrough Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology. Using deep learning techniques through Smart Cloud and Big Data, Xiaoice will be able to analyse weather data while giving a live broadcast. She even has 'emotional computing' technologies, which will allow her to make emotional comments. Advertisement 'We are committed to creating the best experience for everyone chatting with Xiaoice,' a Microsoft spokesperson told Fortune. 'With this in mind, we have implemented filtering on a range of topics.' The company did not specify which topics the filtering applied to. Last month, China scored last place for the second year running, in a Freedom on the Net report by the activist group Freedom House. A staggering two-thirds of all internet users live in countries where criticism of the government, military, or ruling family are subject to censorship, the report found. In March, Microsoft launched its latest artificial intelligence (AI) bot named Tay. It was aimed at 18 to-24-year-olds and is designed to improve the firm's understanding of conversational language among young people online. But within hours of it going live, Twitter users took advantage of flaws in Tay's algorithm that meant the AI chatbot responded to certain questions with racist answers. These included the bot using racial slurs, defending white supremacist propaganda, and supporting genocide. Two-thirds of all internet users live in countries where criticism of the government, military, or ruling family are subject to censorship, the new report found. A map showing the worst offenders (dark red) and the least (pale pink) is shown. Grey countries were not assessed If asked whether men and women are equal, most people would say the obvious answer is 'yes'. But unconsciously your mind could disagree with you, and a new test devised by Harvard University could reveal whether or not you experience this kind of gender bias. Now Dr Magdalena Zawisza from Anglia Ruskin University explains why this happens, in an article for The Conversation. If asked whether men and women are equal, most people would say the obvious answer is 'yes'. But unconsciously your mind could disagree with you. Stock image The words of my doctor from earlier that morning were still ringing in my ears when I found myself slamming the breaks of my car to avoid a nasty collision. An incompetent driver was cutting across two lanes at a roundabout just in front of me. Still perspiring somewhat I carried on to drop off my screaming child with the nanny. It was a hectic morning. Now let's stop to take a breath and ponder on this story. Was the doctor you imagined male? Was the bad driver female? And what of the nanny and the narrator? Females too? TAKE THE UNCONSCIOUS GENDER BIAS TEST Unconscious, or implicit, bias happens outside of our control and awareness. It's automatic and reflects the associations we acquire as we socialise into the culture we grow up in. You can test your own implicit biases more scientifically by taking this Implicit Association Test. A range of tests are available, to analyse everything from racism and sexism to ageism. The tests were designed to capture the brain's learnt automatic associations. One tests our bias related to women and science. Since it is based on time reactions it can bypass our social desirability concerns and tap into unconscious biases. As such it is reportedly superior to self-report measures of prejudice in predicting behaviours. Advertisement If so, you have just experienced unconscious gender bias. You are not alone. Even the almighty Google image search 'thinks' 75 per cent of doctors are male but in reality women make up just over half of GPs in the UK. In fact Google has been accused of unconscious bias in its own operations as over 79 per cent of its managers and engineers are male. Apple, Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo are not far behind. What exactly is unconscious gender bias and why do we have it? Unconscious, or implicit, bias happens outside of our control and awareness. It's automatic and reflects the associations we acquire as we socialise into the culture we grow up in. You can test your own implicit biases more scientifically by taking this Implicit Association Test. The tests were designed to capture the brain's learnt automatic associations. One tests our bias related to women and science (pictured). Since it is based on time reactions it can bypass our social desirability concerns and tap into unconscious biases Implicit bias is a result of our mind developing mental short cuts to navigate the complexities of reality efficiently. It is often evolutionarily adaptive. For example, we automatically favour flowers over insects, which protects us from being stung by something that might harm us a spider for example. This is both a normal preference for most people but has also been seen in implicit association tests. However, implicit association studies also show that we also favour the young over the old, the white over the black and heterosexuals over homosexuals. HOW CAN WE STOP IT? Since unconscious bias has its roots in the social world we live where we learn associations from the gender roles we see around us the surest way to diminish it is to provide alternative associations. This could be achieved by encouraging equal participation of men and women across traditionally gendered social roles. Once all doctors, drivers, nannies and world leaders are split fairly between male and female and we see this represented across the media and elsewhere over time we can move towards equal implicit associations. In the meantime we need to at least make the unconscious conscious so that it is less likely to play a trick on us. Advertisement WONDERFUL PEOPLE Women are wonderful, or are they? You may be surprised to learn research reports we consistently prefer women over men and mothers over fathers implicitly. This is akin to the WAW ('women-are-wonderful') effect women being perceived positively on the whole as they are stereotyped as supportive, nice and gentile. This effect, however, disappears, and even reverses, the moment women step in to the 'male domain' or otherwise challenge stereotypical expectations. So what about implicit bias towards men? Are they wonderful too? Again, it depends. Women implicitly prefer an egalitarian to a sexist or 'typical' man, while men prefer that same egalitarian male less. Male public and private sector workers in my samples show slight implicit preference for a house-husband over a businessman male type perhaps due to the homely men's greater likeability. Still, when compared to women, traditional males such as those in authority or leadership roles are preferred. Even in a supposedly objective academic setting, male applicants for lab manager position in one experiment were hired more often and offered more money when their name was John as opposed to Jennifer despite identical CVs WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? Unconscious bias is particularly problematic in the world of work and education. When professional women become mothers they suddenly are perceived as less competent a trade-off which does not affect men when they become fathers. Unconscious bias limits, among others, people's occupational prospects. The first step to deal with this is an awareness of the problem. Being aware of our own unconscious bias can help. However, prevention requires motivation. Therefore, anonymised recruitment processes, mentorship, carefully managed collaborative work environment and training can also help. However, since unconscious bias has its roots in the social world we live where we learn associations from the gender roles we see around us the surest way to diminish it is to provide alternative associations. This could be achieved by encouraging equal participation of men and women across traditionally gendered social roles. Once all doctors, drivers, nannies and world leaders are split fairly between male and female and we see this represented across the media and elsewhere over time we can move towards equal implicit associations. The majority of our relationships are in shambles. The U.S. divorce rate hovers at 40 percent, but that's not the whole story. Many intact relationships are on life support. According to a survey by the National Opinion Research Center, 60 percent of people in a relationship say they're not very satisfied. There are some familiar culprits: money problems, bad sex and having kids. But there's a new relationship buster: the smartphone. Scroll down for videos According to a survey by the National Opinion Research Center, 60 percent of people in a relationship say they're not very satisfied. There are some familiar culprits: money problems, bad sex and having kids. But there's a new relationship buster: the smartphone THE RISK OF PHUBBING Researchers surveyed 175 adults in romantic relationships around the US. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of a nine-item Partner Phubbing Scale that measured how often some felt 'phubbed' by his or her partner's smartphone use. Sample questions included 'My partner places his or her smartphone where they can see it when we are together' and 'my partner uses his or her smartphone when we are out together.' Participants also reported how much smartphone use attributes to conflict in their relationships. Participants also completed a scale that measured how satisfied they were with their current relationship, how satisfied they were with their lives and if they were depressed. Researchers found that martphones are real relationship downers up there with money, sex and kids. People who reported being at the receiving end of phubbing also reported higher levels of conflict over smartphone use than those who reported less phubbing. Advertisement My colleague Meredith David and I recently conducted a study that explored just how detrimental smartphones can be to relationships. We zeroed in on measuring something we've dubbed 'phubbing' (a fusion of 'phone' and 'snubbing'). It's how often your romantic partner is distracted by his or her smartphone in your presence. With more and more people using the attention-siphoning devices the typical American checks his or her smartphone once every six-and-a-half minutes, or roughly 150 times each day phubbing has emerged as a real source of conflict. For example, in one study, 70 percent of participants said that phubbing hurt their ability to interact with their romantic partners. Most know what it's like to be phubbed: You're in the middle of a passionate screed only to realize that your partner's attention is elsewhere. But you've probably also been a perpetrator, finding yourself drifting away from a conversation as you scroll through your Facebook feed. In our study, we wanted to know the implications of this interference. We surveyed 175 adults in romantic relationships from across the United States and had them fill out our questionnaire. We had them complete a nine-item Partner Phubbing Scale that measured how often some felt 'phubbed' by his or her partner's smartphone use. Sample questions included 'My partner places his or her smartphone where they can see it when we are together' and 'my partner uses his or her smartphone when we are out together.' Survey participants also completed a scale that measured how much smartphone use was a source of conflict in their relationships. WHAT IS PHUBBING? The term phubbing was coined in 2013 and is a portmanteau of the words 'phone' and 'snubbing'. It is defined as 'the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at your phone instead of paying attention.' There is even a Stop Phubbing campaign group, which started in Australia and was set up to address the problem. The website lets people download posters to discourage phubbing at events. There is also the anti-phubbing dinner ritual. It involves everyone at the table placing their phones on the table, face down. The first person to check their phone pays for everyone else's meal. Advertisement Participants also completed a scale that measured how satisfied they were with their current relationship, how satisfied they were with their lives and if they were depressed. We found that smartphones are real relationship downers up there with money, sex and kids. Most know what it's like to be phubbed: You're in the middle of a passionate screed only to realize that your partner's attention is elsewhere. In one study, 70 percent of participants said that phubbing hurt their ability to interact with their romantic partners WOMEN SAY DEVICES ARE RUINING THEIR RELATIONSHIP There are increasing numbers of people in long-term partnerships that feel they must compete with their partners smartphone for attention. A survey found that almost three quarters of women in committed relationships feel that smartphones are interfering with their love life and are reducing the amount of time they spend with their partner. Scientists found that what they describe as this technoference even if infrequent sets off a chain of negative events: more conflict about technology, lower relationship quality, lower life satisfaction and higher risk of depression. The poll, which was conducted by Brandon McDaniel of The Pennsylvania State University and Sarah Coyne of Brigman Young University in Utah, surveyed 143 women. In it, 62% of women claimed that technology interfered with time spent with their partner and almost one third of respondents said their boyfriend has looked at his smartphone while they were talking. One quarter ever said their partner has been known to compose texts during face-to-face conversations, according to the findings, which were published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture. Advertisement People who reported being at the receiving end of phubbing also reported higher levels of conflict over smartphone use than those who reported less phubbing. Not surprisingly, higher levels of smartphone-related conflict reduced levels of relationship satisfaction. Something as seemingly innocent as using a smartphone in the presence of a romantic partner undermined the quality of the relationship. This can create a domino effect: As our study also showed, when we're not happily in love, we are also less likely to be satisfied, overall, with life. We're also more likely to report that we are depressed. Why, might you ask, does partner phubbing wreak such havoc between romantic partners? At least two possible explanations for such relationship tumult exist. Researches surveyed 175 adults in romantic relationships from across the United States and had them fill out our questionnaire. They found found that smartphones are real relationship downers up there with money, sex and kids RELATIONSHIP TIPS FOR PHONE ADDICTS Place the phone somewhere away from you on silent, such as in a purse or on a shelf If you need to check on something legitimately important, provide an explanation to your partner first and then check your phone. Dont get defensive when you get called out for technoference its somebodys way of saying theyd like to connect with you in-person. Advertisement The 'Displacement Hypothesis' suggests that time spent on smartphones displaces (or reduces) more meaningful interactions with your lover, weakening the relationship. I call a second theory 'Smartphone Conflict Theory.' Simply put, the device is a source of conflict and leads to fighting. Fights, of course, can only serve to undermine your satisfaction with your partner and the relationship. So what can we take away from all of this? Even if we act like it's no big deal, it still stings whenever we're phubbed by our romantic partner. In a sense, our romantic partners are choosing their phone over us. phenomenon can be seen in the east before dawn The old moon stands watch over New York City in stunning new images captured from across the Hudson River on Sunday night. Taken by Jennifer Khordi of Caters News from 14 miles away in New Jersey, the photos reveal the crescent sliver of a 3 percent moon behind the Empire State Building. The breathtaking views mark a period just before the moon disappears from sight, when the new moon takes over to begin the cycle again. Scroll down for video Taken by Jennifer Khordi of Caters News from 14 miles away in New Jersey, the photos reveal the crescent sliver of a 3 percent moon behind the Empire State Building THE 'WANING' MOON A waning moon is the period following the full moon, and leading up to the new moon. During this time, the portion that is illuminated is decreasing. After the full moon, there are three phases before the cycle is complete: the waning gibbous (100-50% illumnated), the last quarter (50%), and the waning crescent moon (50-0%). Advertisement According to Khordi, who captured the image from Eagle Rock Reservation on Nov 27, watching the crescent moon rise was spectacular. The photo shows the waning crescent moon, also known as the old moon, indicating that the phase cycle was nearing its completion as just a sliver remained illuminated. This phenomenon can be seen in the east before dawn, and means the moon has travelled almost entirely around Earth, EarthSky explains. Two days later, in the early hours of Nov 29, the dark side faced Earth, marking the new moon. November has been an extraordinary month for stargazers, from a massive supermoon, an array of visible planets, and peak Taurid and Leonid meteor showers. The photo shows the waning crescent moon, also known as the old moon, indicating that the phase cycle was nearing its completion. According to Khordi, who captured the image from Eagle Rock Reservation on Nov 27, watching the crescent moon rise was spectacular The animation from Nasa shows the waning crescent moon leading up to the new moon, and the start of a new phase cycle On Monday Nov 14, sky gazers across the world were treated to a so-called supermoon the closest full moon of the year. It was closest to the planet than it has been since 1948, making this months full moon the biggest supermoon in living memory. In this once-in-a-lifetime sighting, the moon appeared 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than normal. WHY A SUPERMOON APPEARS LARGER The moons orbit is elliptical rather than perfectly circular, so as the moon moves around the Earth it is sometimes a little bit closer and sometimes a bit further away from us. 'If a full moon happens to occur when the Moon is also at its closest point then it will look slightly larger and brighter than usual this is what is popularly known as a "supermoon",' Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich told MailOnline. 'Its a natural part of the moons cycle and happens around once a year. 'The differences in apparent size and brightness amount to few percent but they can enhance the already beautiful sight of the full moon, making a supermoon worth looking up for.' For this reason, it appears to be bigger than normal - by about 10 per cent. A full moon rises over the Rome's skyline, Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. The supermoon, a phenomenon that happens when the moon is visible in full as it makes a close pass at the earth, was the closest to earth since 1948 The supermoon sets behind the CN tower in Toronto on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. The brightest moon in almost 69 years lit up the sky in a treat for star watchers around the globe We usually get between four and six supermoons a year, but this November is special because the moon will be closer to Earth than at any time this century, and we won't get as near again until 2034. During the event, it will appear up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than an average full moon. A winter supermoon is supersized, because the Earth is closest to the sun in December each year, which means its gravity pulls the moon closer to the planet making it appear brighter and larger than those that occur during the rest of the year. The best time to view a super moon is when the moon is low on the horizon where 'an illusion will occur that makes it look unnaturally larger,' according to AccuWeather. You've probably seen them at airports, the stock exchange, on buses and now you can purchase a modern version of electromagnetic dot matrix display for your home. A Brooklyn-based firm has unveiled the 'Flip-Disc Display System' a display fitted with thousands of small plastic discs that flip between two colored sides at about 30 frames per second. Each disc flips from dark to light instantly using a magnetically controlled switch, allowing users to create words, videos and even tweets across a LED screen. Scroll down for videos HOW DOES IT WORK? Each Flip-Disc Display System is designed as 17' x 17' modular panel and is fitted with 784 half-inch flip-discs each that can be arranged anywhere on the screen and in any shape. The accompanied app lets users easily control the display - allowing them to show images and videos on the screen. It also comes with a scheduler, letting users pre-program what they want to see and when. Each disc flips from dark to light instantly using a magnetically controlled switch, allowing users to create words, videos and even tweets across a LED screen. Advertisement 'In recent years, kinetic displays and sculptures have seen a big increase in popularity, as businesses and brands become interested in finding unique alternatives to covering another wall in LED screens for their stores, buildings, and headquarters,' Breakfast said. 'Today, Breakfast , a leader in the kinetic display space, unveiled their new Flip-Disc Display System - a modular system of Flip-Disc panels that can be customized and configured in a variety of ways.' The first flip-disc display was commissioned at the request of Trans-Canada Airlines in the 1960s and from there it moved to the Montreal Stock Exchange. However, displays were extremely expensive, as workers had to 'sew' the discs in a way that looks similar to the construction of a core memory. Prices eventually dropped and these gadgets found their way into wider roles, such as highway signs, bus signs and in train stations. Now, BREAKFAST has added their own a modern twist to the gadget it's now an out-of-the-box system with a 3D time-of-flight camera that lets viewers not only see the action on the display, but they can also here with the flipping plastic pieces. A Brooklyn-based firm has unveiled the 'Flip-Disc Display System' a display fitted with thousands of small plastic discs that flip between two colored sides at about 30 frames per second HISTORY OF THE FLIP DISC Developed by Kenyon Taylor and Ferranti-Pakcard, the first flip-disc display was commissioned at the request of Trans-Canada Airlines in the 1960s and from there it moved to the Montreal Stock Exchange. However, displays were extremely expensive, as workers had to 'sew' the discs in a way that looks similar to the construction of a core memory and the creators were losing $12,000 a month. Brussels Airport has one of the largest flip disc displays in the world, which is located in the departure hall (pictured). It wasn't until prices for these displays dropped in the 1970s were they able to widen their roles Many buses still use the traditional flip discs, like this bus in New York City Prices eventually dropped in 1977, when the engineering and maintenance department found a more efficient way to produce them and following this move, half of the world's major stock exchanges brought the displays into their facilities. They also made their wider roles, such as highway signs, bus signs and in train stations. In 1974 Ferranti started a project to build smaller versions for the front of buses and trains, and by 1977 revenue from these had already surpassed that from other lines of business. The displays often required minor maintenance to free up 'stuck' discs. In 1974 Ferranti started a project to build smaller versions for the front of buses and trains. Pictured is one on a train in Prague, the Czech Republic Flip-disc systems are still widespread but are not often found in new installations. Their place has been filled by LED-based products, which use a small amount of power constantly rather than each time the message changes, but are easily visible in light and darkness and, having no moving parts, require little maintenance. Advertisement The Brooklyn firm says that 'the core innovation in this system are the F1 Flip-Disc Display Panels'. It's designed as a 17" x 17" modular panel and each one is fitted with 784 half-inch flip-discs that can be arranged anywhere on the screen and in any shape. 'With 32 panels, you can design a 11' x 5.5' rectangular display, or a single row display that is 17' tall by 45' long,' Breakfast explains. Each disc flips from dark to light instantly using a magnetically controlled switch, allowing users to create words, videos and even tweets across a LED screen It's designed as a 17' x 17' modular panel and each one is fitted with 784 half-inch flip-discs that can be arranged anywhere on the screen and in any shape. 'With 32 panels, you can design a 11' x 5.5' rectangular display, or a single row display that is 17' tall by 45' long 'The flip-discs, as well as the casing which holds the discs, can be customized for specific colors.' The accompanied app is what makes the magic happen, which is designed to let even the most technologically impaired person run the system with developers, creative or engineers standing by. It also comes with a scheduler, letting users pre-program what they want to see and when. And there is an API that gives you full creative control of the screen and camera. Breakfast is currently taking pre-orders, in which it sends prospective customers a quote depending on how many system they want - shipping is set for spring 2017. Advertisement Archaeologists have removed the protective cover from one of the Middle East's largest carpet mosaics but only for a day. Visitors got a glimpse of the sweeping geometric and floral patterns in vibrant red, blue and ochre stones. The 827-square-meter (8,900 square feet) mosaic covers the floor of the main bath house of an Islamic palace near the biblical town of Jericho. Scroll down for video The patterns, in bright reds and pinks, radiate outward from the central mosaic, which is a floral design of interlocking triangles. THE CARPET MOSAIC Dating from the eighth century AD, the floor covers about 820 square metres (8,825 square feet) at the desert castle known as Hisham's Palace, an important Islamic antiquities site just north of the ancient city. It is made up of 38 panels bearing delicate floral and geometric designs and is one of the oldest and largest in the region to have never been moved Advertisement The palace was destroyed by an earthquake in the eighth century. The mosaic was first discovered in 1935 by Palestinian archaeologist Dimitri Baramki, and the British archaeologist Robert Hamilton. Following a three-month excavation process, the resurfaced stones bring to life stunning, nearly perfect geometric patterns, each intricately detailed in one of 38 floor sections. The patterns, in bright reds and pinks, radiate outward from the central mosaic, which is a floral design of interlocking triangles. Since being excavated in the 1930s and 1940s, the mosaic largely remained hidden under canvas and soil to protect it against sun and rain. Tourism Minister Rula Ma'ayah says the mosaic, which depicts 38 scenes in 21 colors, will be covered again until construction of a protective roof is completed next year. Dating from the eighth century AD, the floor covers about 820 square metres (8,825 square feet) at the desert castle known as Hisham's Palace, an important Islamic antiquities site just north of the ancient city. It is made up of 38 panels bearing delicate floral and geometric designs and is one of the oldest and largest in the region to have never been moved, senior Palestinian Authority conservation official Ihab Daoud told AFP. A portion of a 7th century, 827 square meter (8900 square ft) mosaic is on display ahead of the opening ceremony at the Islamic archaeological site of Hisham Palace, in the West Bank city of Jericho, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. The unique mosaic was displayed for the first time in its entirety to the public Thursday before it undergoes a US $13 million Japanese funded project to protect it and exhibit it to visitors. Hisham's Palace was built during the Umayyad dynasty, which lasted from 660 to 750 AD. The floor was first excavated in 1930 but left largely untouched until the early 21st century, Daoud said. In recent years it has been recovered under layers of canvas to protect it from the elements. Now work is beginning to make the masterpiece accessible to visitors by the end of 2018, incorporating a viewing walkway and a shelter, with financing from Japan. HISHAM'S PALACE: 150 ACRES FROM THE UMAYYAD DYNASTY Hisham's Palace was built during the Umayyad dynasty, which lasted from 660 to 750 AD. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the remarkable site covering about 150 acres (60 hectares) comprises a palace, baths and an agricultural estate was explored in detail in the 1930s. It was then that the mosaic was uncovered beneath the dust, but like the rest of the site it was neglected during years of Jordanian, then Israeli rule, Daoud said. Now work is beginning to make the masterpiece accessible to visitors by the end of 2018, incorporating a viewing walkway and a shelter, with financing from Japan. Visitors roam the Islamic archaeological site of Hisham Palace Advertisement Last month the mosaic was displayed at the project launch, before being covered again to shield it from the surrounding construction work. Hisham's Palace was built during the Umayyad dynasty, which lasted from 660 to 750 AD. A Tree Of Life mosaic is shown at the site of a 7th century, 827 square meter (8900 square ft) mosaic. At the centre of the mosaic panel is a large tree bearing fruit that look like pomegrantes. The foliage of the tree seems to grow on both sides from two vertical parallel trunks connected by a smaller branch. The viewer looking into the room can see the lion attacking a gazelle underneath the tree on his right side. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the remarkable site covering about 150 acres (60 hectares) comprises a palace, baths and an agricultural estate was explored in detail in the 1930s. It was then that the mosaic was uncovered beneath the dust, but like the rest of the site it was neglected during years of Jordanian, then Israeli rule, Daoud said. One stunning part is already on show. A laborer from the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities works at the site of a 7th century, 827 square meter (8900 square ft) mosaic ahead of the opening ceremony at the Islamic archaeological site of Hisham Palace, in the West Bank city of Jericho, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. The unique mosaic was displayed for the first time in its entirety to the public Thursday before it undergoes a US $13 million Japanese funded project to protect it and exhibit it to visitors. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) Entitled 'The Tree of Life' it shows a wild beast attacking gazelles under a fruit tree. 'Hisham's Palace is one of the most famous sites in Jericho, one of the most important places in Palestine,' Iyad Hamdan, head of Jericho's Ministry of Tourism, said of the 150-acre archaeological site, which is composed of a palace, audience hall, thermal bath and fountain pavilion built during the Umayyad period. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the remarkable site covering about 150 acres (60 hectares) comprises a palace, baths and an agricultural estate was explored in detail in the 1930s. 'Last year, 120,000 people visited Hisham's Palace. 'After we uncover the mosaic, we expect the number of visitors to double or triple.' The restoration project, expected to finish in 2018, will see the mosaic uncovered permanently, topped with an elevated viewing walkway and shelter. 'This site is not just for us as Palestinians,' Hamdan said. 'It is for the world.' It is a feast fit for a monkey king. On Sunday the central Thai town of Lopburi put on a five-star banquet for its hundreds of macaque inhabitants, sparking a mass simian food fight. Lopburi has been laying on an annual feast - part merit-making tradition and part unabashed tourist attraction - for its monkeys since the late 1980s. This year's feast featured a smorgasbord of fruit that was quickly demolished by the hungry guests who squawked and tussled as they gulped down their feast, much to the delight of a horde of distantly related human onlookers armed with cameras. On Sunday the central Thai town of Lopburi put on a five-star banquet for its hundreds of macaque inhabitants, sparking a mass simian food fight While Thailand is an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, it has long assimilated Hindu traditions and lore from its pre-Buddhist era. As a result monkeys are afforded a special place in Thai hearts thanks to the heroic Hindu monkey god Hanuman, who helped Rama rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of an evil demon king. But the inhabitants of Lopburi take their love for monkeys to a whole new level. The festival takes place on the ruins of Phra Prang Sam Yot, an 800-year-old Khmer-era Hindu temple and one of the town's most striking landmarks. Lopburi has been laying on an annual feast - part merit-making tradition and part unabashed tourist attraction - for its monkeys since the late 1980s Macaques eat fruit near an ancient temple during the annual 'monkey buffet' 'It's pretty awesome to see so many wild monkeys just roaming around the streets,' said Amanda, a tourist from the United States. 'They were eating over there and had lots of food to choose from and they were attacking each other and running around and jumping on people,' she told AFP. The regular feeding has left Lopburi's monkey population notoriously unafraid of humans. 'The monkeys are crazy,' said Fang Xi, a 36-year-old sales manager from China. The 10th Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the ninth Congress of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA) will convene in Beijing on Wednesday. The meetings will last four days and will be attended by a total of1,500 representatives from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The ninth congress of the CWA will include more online writers, freelance writers and young writers compared to previous meeting, said He Jianming, vice chairman of the CWA at a press conference on Monday. Advertisement The high-speed network thats been laid down across much of Europe means that train travel offers a genuine alternative to using planes. But research has revealed how much catching up eastern Europe has to do in order to offer the same level of service as western countries. A train enthusiast in the US produced a series of fascinating maps that reveal how far its possible to travel in just under a day from various European cities and its London, Paris, Madrid and Berlin that offer the best connections. In contrast, rail travel from cities such as Podgorica, Riga and Sofia is far more limited. Maps reveal how London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels easily offer the best rail connections across Europe The maps were created by Peter Kerpedjiev, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School, using data from the Swiss public transport authority From London, for example, its possible to reach Madrid, Rome, Vienna and Berlin within 24 hours and beyond. And from Paris rail passengers can journey to those same cities within 24 hours and to the far north of Scotland, southern Italy and Ireland. And rail travel for Berliners is just as far-reaching, with connections from the German capital propelling them to as far as Moscow, Madrid and into Scandinavia within a day. However, Riga, by contrast, offers far fewer rail options for its citizens. They can reach Minsk and Moscow within a day and Warsaw but thats the limit. Sofia offers similarly limited options for long-distance travel by train. Kerpedjiev said: 'It's really incredible that I was able to access timetables for so many pan-European journeys from a single server. I think this says a lot about the coordination among the various railway systems' Minsk and Zagreb offer rail passengers plenty of options for long-distance travel to other European cities Kerpedjiev created the maps partly to find out which destinations were accessible by train during his time studying in Vienna The maps were created by Peter Kerpedjiev, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School, who mined statistics from the Swiss public transport system. He explained that one of the reasons he created them was to find out which destinations were accessible by train during his time studying in Vienna. He was amazed by how well connected the rail system is. Compared to the likes of London, Paris and Berlin, you can't get very far in 24 hours from Podgorica He told MailOnline Travel: In France, almost half of the country is accessible in less than four hours from Paris. Marseilles, which is nearly 800km (500 miles) away is accessible in less than four hours. It's really outstanding and admirable that such infrastructure has been built and maintained. It's really incredible that I was able to access timetables for so many pan-European journeys from a single server. I think this says a lot about the coordination among the various railway systems. This, of course, is predicated on the existence of all of these interlinked systems. The fact that you can go online and find an itinerary that lets you travel from London to Sofia without leaving the ground is really a testament to an incredible amount of cooperation and coordination among so many agencies and institutions. Despite his enthusiasm for rail travel, Kerpedjiev insists hes not a train-spotter just a huge fan of trains. They made headlines in the late '90s for their glamourous lifestyle. And Kate Fischer offered new details about her high-profile engagement to James Packer on The Kyle And Jackie O Show on Tuesday. The former Vogue model also revealed she threw away 'half a million dollars' worth of jewellery after their 1998 split. Scroll down for audio 'It was a powerful moment': T'ziporah Malka bat Israel, formerly known as Kate Fischer, has revealed she threw out $500,000 worth of jewellery after her 1998 split from James Packer Kate, now known as T'ziporah Malka bat Israel, said she 'felt empowered' by her decision - but admits she regrets it today. 'I just chucked everything that I had,' the 42-year-old explained. 'I wanted to start my life again.' 'They come from the earth so back to the earth they shall go. It was a powerful moment and now I'm like, "Oh crap!" When asked how much she threw into the ocean,' she told KIIS FM: 'Half a million dollars'. 'Now I'm like, "Oh crap!": T'ziporah, a former Vogue model, said she 'felt empowered' by her decision to discard her expensive jewels - but admits she regrets it today 'It was in Sydney near the place where we used to live. I was on a cliff and I just chucked them as hard as a I could.' T'ziporah claimed she kept the engagement ring James gave her, adding that the billionaire 'didn't want it back'. 'We'd been engaged for two years,' she said. 'It would be tacky (to ask for it back). He does let things like that go.' Elsewhere in the interview, T'ziporah spoke candidly about life with James during their five-year relationship. When asked about being part of the Packer family, she admitted it was 'a great experience' but there was 'a lot of ordinary things as well'. 'I was on a cliff and I just chucked them as hard as a I could': The Sirens actress explained she wanted to 'start her life again' after the collapse of her five-year relationship with James Notably, she claimed Kerry Packer's son found it difficult to relax because of his 'highly stressful' business career. 'Having private time with James when he was relaxed was the best part about (the relationship),' she confessed. T'ziporah recalled an incident when she demanded they go on holiday in Bali as a couple, instead of with his friends as was planned. 'I said "No, no-one's coming. I'm sorry it's just going to be the two of us". Of course they all hated me after that! My, how you've changed: Since stepping away from the public eye in the late 2000s, the former model admits she has gained weight 'After two days he was the most relaxed I've ever seen him. We had the most wonderful time, the most romantic dinners. 'He really opened up to me, he told me what his hopes and dreams for his own future was, which we'd never really discussed before. 'And I just thought, "This is the person I've really fallen in love with. Someone who's just gentle and really easy to talk to and really wise". She also revealed that James' valet used to deliver the morning newspapers to his bedside - while they were sleeping naked. 'Eventually I did say to James, "Would it be okay if he left them outside the door?"' Following in his footsteps: T'ziporah said James - the son of billionaire media mogul Kerry Packer - found it difficult to relax because of his 'highly stressful' business career The couple split in 1998, and T'ziporah admitted James' friends were perhaps happy to see her go. 'I think he got under a lot of pressure from his mates,' she said. 'I was the one cutting off their good times.' The couple had 'already planned kids' names' but she said his work schedule meant they could never be happily married. Speaking of the break-up, T'ziporah recalled: 'He just said, "My job is too stressful. '"If I need to be able to go off and do whatever I want, then I need to be able to do that." ' I said that's not the sort of marriage that I want. So it was mutual in a way.' Following the split, she moved to the USA and embraced Orthodox Judaism but has now returned to live in Melbourne. Khloe Kardashian is one proud aunt. The reality star took to her website on Monday to share a very detailed description of her first meeting with niece, Dream Renee Kardashian. Dream was born on November 10 and now just two weeks later the reality star is dishing on her first experience with Rob Kardashian, and his fiancee, Blac Chyna's baby girl. Proud auntie: Khloe Kardashian took to her official paid for website on Monday to share a very detailed description of her first meeting with niece, Dream Renee Kardashian 'It's incredible to see Rob as a dad!' The star gushed over her new brother's role as a father The 32-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashian's star spoke about her special moments with Dream in six sweet entries on her website. She gave a detailed running timeline of the day: '9:30 AM I arrive at the hospital straight from the airport. The C-section was moved up, so I had to drive from Cleveland to Detroit to make it on time. '9:33 AM Im the first one there, aside from my mom.' '9:35 I go in to see Rob and Chyna. The baby was JUST born!' Cutie: Dream was born on November 10 and now just two weeks later the reality star is dishing on her first experience with Rob Kardashian, and his fiancee, Blac Chyna's baby girl '9:55 We all take turns holding baby Dream. Shes super cute and calm and isnt crying at all!' '10:15 Kourtney [Kardashian] and Scott [Disick] arrive next. None of the kids came to the hospital but they met their cousin once she was home.' '10:25 Chyna is so calm, its almost like nothing even, happened, LOL!' '10:30 Its so incredible to see Rob as a dad! I cant wait to see him interacting with Dream as she grows up.' Perfect: Dream was born at Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, weighing 7lb, 5oz Dream was born at Los Angeles Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, weighing 7lb, 5oz. Khloe couldn't contain her excitement after the birth and took to Twitter to gush over the newest member of the Kardashian family. 'My new niece is absolutely stunning!!!' she tweeted at the time. New parents: Khloe tweeted after the birth: 'My new niece is absolutely stunning!!!' 'So thankful I was able to land in time to witness this miracle happen! Praise God!' She had just been in Cleveland spending time with boyfriend Tristan Thompson. Dreams birth will appear on the upcoming Rob & Chyna Baby Special, which is set to air December 18 at 8pm ET. After a luxurious getaway to Turks and Caicos, Christie Brinkley alighted back in New York City on Monday. And it was clear her sunshine break had left the 62-year-old in good spirits, with Christie looking fully refreshed. The former model flashed a radiant smile as she carried a pair of bags across the pavement. Stateside again: Christie Brinkley was spotted in New York City on Monday, lugging her bags about post-vacation Still got it: Her tight jeans emphasised the model's enviably svelte legs No longer dressed for the heat of the Caribbean, her Monday outfit still showcased Christie's trim figure. The shirt's long sleeves protruded from beneath the cinched cuffs of the black leather bomber jacket she'd thrown on to keep out the New York weather. Faded baby blue jeans framed her vertiginous legs and complemented her white trainers, as well as the blue and white tartan button-down shirt tied at her waist. Fresh-faced: The 62-year-old glowed as she crossed the pavement Refreshed: She'd spent much of the previous week on holiday to Turks and Caicos Her Instagram posts from the tourist-flypaper archipelago began last Tuesday. A snapshot showed the ocean view from the terrace of her holiday digs. The Monroe native captioned that photo: 'Home For the Holiday,' throwing in the hashtags '#givingthanksforfamilytime #happythanksgivingtoyouandyours #luckyhouse #t&c'. More Instagram dispatches showed she had brought along her 21-year-old son Jack Cook and 18-year-old daughter Sailor Cook. Brinkley's 31-year-old firstborn Alexa Joel, however, didn't appear to have joined her mother and siblings. 'Home for the holiday': Last Tuesday, she uploaded an Instagram photo giving her following a glimpse of her luxurious digs 'A beautiful paddle': The trip also saw her paddle-boarding a bit with her two younger children, a 21-year-old son called Jack and an 18-year-old daughter called Sailor Those family members who had turned up threw voluminous sheer yellow smocks over their swimsuits to paddle board about the water a bit. Brinkley also spent a bit of time examining various forms of seaweed and sharing the images of Instagram, cooing about how it resembled 'a nautical holiday wreath!' On Monday morning, she'd shared a photo of herself lounging in a boat, wearing the same outfit she was spotted in when she finally arrived stateside. 'Back to New York!' her caption crowed. 'See you on NY Live tomorrow morning ! @newyorklivetv @bellissimaprosecco #newyorklivetv #bellissima #happyholidayseason #nyc'. 'Like a nautical holiday wreath!': The cover girl also spent a bit of time examining the seaweed strewn about her getaway destination Dane DeHaan and Anna Wood have been married since 2012. And on Monday, the happy couple took to their Instagram feeds to announce that they are expecting their first child sometime next year. 'Can't wait for our wildest adventure together yet: parenthood,' The 30-year-old Falling Water actress said. Bun in the oven! Dane DeHaan and Anna Wood, who've been married since 2012, took to Instagram on Monday to announce they are expecting their first child sometime next year In the image, the mom-to-be flaunted her growing baby bump in a skintight black spaghetti-strap dress. The blue-eyed beauty held the bottom of her belly with one hand while her doting husband of four years lovingly nuzzled up next to her expanding waistline. Wood's complete caption read: 'So excited to finally share our very happy news: Dane and I will be welcoming a new family member into our lives in 2017! Can't wait for our wildest adventure together yet: parenthood! Let's do this.' The actress also added a couple of hashtags including: 'Baby Makes Three' along with 'And Franny Makes Four.' Growing family: The parents-to-be, who both starred in the 2012 film Chronicle, share a dog named Franny and live in Brooklyn, New York. Above, they were seen in NYC in September The parents-to-be, who both starred in the 2012 film Chronicle, share a dog named Franny and live in Brooklyn, New York. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 actor also posted the same tender moment to his Instagram account but added his own heartfelt caption: 'I'M GONNA BE A DAD!!!! @annawoodyall has been hard at work cookin' up a lil #babyDeHaan and I literally couldn't be happier... or more excited... Or more in awe.' Camouflaged bump: Pre-baby announcement, the 30-year-old Falling Water actress hid her growing belly beneath a plaid sheath dress while promoting her show on November 9 in NYC Earlier in November, just weeks before announcing her pregnancy, Anna hid her baby bump beneath a plaid shift dress while promoting her new USA series, which airs on Thursday nights, during an AOL Build Speaker Series in New York City. The TV star is also known for her roles on The Good Wife, The Following, Madam Secretary, Reckless, Deception, and Man Men, to name a few. Meanwhile, Anna's husband Dane is also keeping busy as the dad-to-be has three films set for release in 2017. She shares images of her two young children on social media on a daily basis. And on Tuesday, Roxy Jacenko threw her support behind 'sharenting' as she labelled herself the 'poster girl' for the term. The Collins English Dictionary has defined the phrase as 'the habitual use of social media to share news and images of one's children'. Scroll down for video Poster girl: Roxy Jacenko threw her support behind 'sharenting' and offered useful advice to parents during an appearance on Today Extra on Tuesday During an appearance on Today Extra, the 36-year-old mother-of-two laughed: 'I am the poster girl. 'There is nothing wrong with sharing pictures of your children. You do it because youre proud,' the PR queen added. But while claiming 'sharenting' is socially acceptable, Roxy told viewers to be careful of what they post to social media. Number one: During the interview, the 36-year-old labelled herself as the 'poster girl' for 'sharenting' because she posts images of her two children on social media daily 'I think you have to be careful what you share,' she explained, adding: 'I would never share a picture of the children in the bath. 'You always have to realise that anyone can be looking at them if you are not a private profile.' The Sweaty Betty PR founder added: 'You need to just be smart with what you chose to share.' Proud: She backed herself up, saying: 'There is nothing wrong with sharing pictures of your children. You do it because youre proud' Careful: The mother-of-two told viewers to be careful of what they post on social media Roxy's support for 'sharenting' comes weeks after Hamish and Zoe Foster Blake came under fire for posting photos of their toddler son, Sonny. Earlier this month, writer Angela Mollard said it was only a matter of time before Sonny's cute pictures led to creepy fandom or worse. 'Before long Sonny had more than a million fans even though he was not an actor or related to Beyonce or the Royal Family or even the Trumps,' she wrote in the Daily Telegraph. Pick and choose: The Sweaty Betty PR founder said, 'You need to just be smart with what you chose to share... You always have to realise that anyone can be looking at them' Support: Roxy's support behind 'sharenting' comes after Hamish and Zoe Foster Blake came under fire for posting photos of their toddler son, Sonny 'Sonny appeared to have a happy life and his parents were talented and hardworking and they made lots of people laugh in that nice way that isn't mean. 'Besides, it was hardly their fault that other people were fetishising their baby.' Carrie Bickmore also defended the couple, saying celebrity parents prefer to share their own family photos rather than have candid pictures published in magazines. Her new movie, Jackie, will hit theatres on Friday. And Natalie Portman appeared to be channelling late former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's sense of style when she was spotted leaving her New York hotel in an elegant ensemble on Monday. The 35-year-old covered up her burgeoning baby bump in a longline, black and white check jacket by Hatch that she wore with a black miniskirt and black high-heeled sandals with ankle straps. Fashion icon: Natalie Portman plays Jackie Kennedy in the biopic, Jackie, and she appeared to be channelling the late former First Lady's sense of style when she was spotted leaving her hotel in New York on Monday Her brunette tresses were styled in a similar upflick favoured by the wife of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated by a lone gunman in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Natalie was likely in New York to promote the biopic that follows the widow as she fights grief and trauma to regain her faith, console her children Caroline and John Jr., and define her husband's historic legacy. Jackie Kennedy, who went on to marry Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, died in 1994 aged 64. But while Natalie had great respect for Jackie and JFK the same can't be said of President Elect Donald Trump. Expecting a happy event: The 35-year-old covered up her baby bump in a black and white check jacket that she wore with a black miniskirt and black high-heeled sandals '[I'm] very upset about the results [of the election, but] extremely energized to get more involved,' she revealed in her New York Magazine cover story. Natalie is expecting her second child with her 39-year-old, French dancer-choreographer husband, Benjamin Millepied. The couple live in the Los Feliz neighbourood of Los Angeles with their five-year-old son, Aleph Beautiful brunette: The actress styled her hair in an upflick, favoured by the wife of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated by a gunman in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Shady lady: Natalie covered her eyes with dark glasses and didn't appear to be wearing much in the way of make-up beyond pink lipstick. She shares her son Aleph with her 39-year-old, French dancer-choreographer husband, Benjamin Millepied They tied the knot in 2012 after meeting on the set of the ballet-themed Black Swan in 2010. Natalie played one of the lead ballerinas and Benjamin choreographed the dance scenes and played David/The Prince. Meanwhile, Natalie is already getting Oscar buzz for Jackie after the movie played at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival, both in September. Australian supermodel Shanina Shaik has been busy planning her wedding to fiance DJ Ruckus. And, the former Victoria's Secret stunner, 25, has hinted that their nuptials are imminent. It comes as the pair are holidaying in the Bahamas, where they got engaged in last December. Scroll down for video Heading down the altar soon? Australian supermodel Shanina Shaik her wedding to fiance DJ Ruckus is imminent (seen at the Angel Ball in New York last week) DJ Ruckus gushed over Shanina in an Instagram post recently, where the beauty can be seen posing for a selfie. While he commented and called her 'Ms Shaik,' Shanina said she will be changing her name quite soon. 'Soon Mrs. Andrews hehe,' Shanina wrote, adding a bride and love heart emoticon. Back to their special place! It comes as the pair are holidaying in the Bahamas, where they got engaged in last December Smitten: The pair are seen here when they announced their engagement The hint: Shanina said she will be changing her name quite soon on Instagram recently, commenting on a snap shared by her man DJ Ruckus - whose real name is Greg Andrews - commented underneath to Shanina and one of their friends: 'Bout (sic) to change that last name! Lol!' Two days ago, he also shared a snap of them both at the recent Angel Ball in New York City and captioned part of the image: 'Trying to keep up with wifey!' The pair announced their engagement in December after the DJ got down on one knee while they holidayed in the Bahamas last year and over the Christmas and New Years break. The beauty - who is of Lithuanian, Pakistani and Saudi Arabian heritage - has previously told Daily Mail Australia that the pair will be having a 'location wedding.' Gushing! Two days ago, he shared online a shot of them both at the recent Angel Ball in New York City and captioned part of the image: 'Trying to keep up with wifey!' Where at? The beauty - who is of Lithuanian, Pakistani and Saudi Arabian heritage - has previously told Daily Mail Australia that the pair will be having a 'location wedding' 'We agreed it's going to be a location wedding,' Shanina said. 'Were definitely going to have a long engagement and enjoy our time and then Im very easy going,' she explained. She added: 'We are just very "go with the flow" but its definitely going to be a beach. I love the beach'. In terms of her dress, she said it will be beach appropriate. 'I dont like the big, puffy dress,' she said. 'Its at the beach so it might be a bit hot too so theres a lot of factors that come into it.' In paradise: She said the pair are going to get married by the beach Shanina also told KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O in May that she won't get married in Australia. Shanina ruled out Australia with a definite 'no,' as she hinted that the Caribbean was a 'maybe.' At the time, the runway regular also admitted she hadn't yet decided when the wedding would take place, but said she and Ruckus were 'close' to finalising a date. Shanina's mum Kim also added: 'I know the year but I don't know the date.' Shanina and Ruckus first started dating in June last year following the brunette's split with her on/off boyfriend at the time, fellow model Tyson Beckford, whom she first started dating in 2008. They spent the weekend mingling with Royalty at Hennessy Gold Cup Day at the Newbury Race Course. But Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshaw were still perky on Monday as they attended the Emilia Wickstead Christmas Cocktail party at the Emilia Wickstead London Flagship store. The Academy award-winning actor, 34, and his publicist wife looked smart as they coordinated in blazers for the occasion. Scroll down for video Socialites! Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshaw attended the Emilia Wickstead Christmas Cocktail party at the Emilia Wickstead London Flagship store on Monday Eddie wore a velvet navy blue suit and crisp white shirt with a matching floral tie. And Hannah looked chic in an oversized blazer and brightly patterned maxi dress. Wearing her long blonde tresses loose, she carried a patterned envelope clutch. His 'n' hers! The Academy award-winning actor, 34, and his publicist wife looked smart as they coordinated in blazers for the occasion The duo, who got married in 2014 and welcomed their first child in June, posed alongside Tom Hooper and lady of the night Emilia Wickstead. Over the weekend Eddie proved his confidence in mingling with royals once again as he chatted away happily to the Duchess of Cornwall at the 60th Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Race Course on Saturday. The Oscar winner looked relaxed in the royal box as he rubbed shoulders with Camilla, 69, who looked regal in an estate green tweed jacket and fur-lined hat. Suits you! The duo, who got married in 2014 and welcomed their first child in June, posed alongside Tom Hooper and lady of the night Emilia Wickstead. A grand affair! Eddie mingled with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Newbury Racecourse in the royal box over the weekend The Duchess of Cornwall certainly added a polished edge to the event in her jacket, equipped with suede lapels and buttons. Camilla teamed her heavy overcoat with a ruffled high-neck blouse as she walked the saddling paddocks in her chocolate brown boots. The royal made sure to wrap up during the outing as she covered her neatly blow dried tresses with a fur trimmed hat, as she placed her hands into a stylish pair of leather gloves whilst carrying her clutch. Loved-up: Eddie Redmayne, 34, and Hannah still seemed to be in the first flushes of love as they attended the 60th Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Race Course on Saturday Meanwhile Eddie beamed as he rocked a sharp grey suit teamed with brown leather lace-ups. It was a fitting appearance for the Duchess, who is a keen horsewoman and reportedly added to her stable of National Hunt runners last year by becoming part owner of Mollyanna, a six-year-old mare who won the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall Mares Maiden Hurdle on May 20, last year. She was without her husband Prince Charles or any other member of the royal family as she watched the races in anticipation today. Eddie was joined at the event by her PR executive wife Hannah Bagshawe, who met Eddie when they were teenagers studying at nearby schools. Dapper: The Oscar winner beamed as he rocked a sharp grey suit teamed with brown leather lace-ups Wearing a simple navy A-line dress, she added navy cross-strap boots and accessorised with her dazzling wedding ring. With her long golden locks worn in tumbling waves, Hannah opted for minimal make-up to let her pretty features shine. Eddie recently poked fun at the fact that Hannah found him attractive as a 'spotty teenager' and still does now, more than a decade later. The actor also joked that - as new parents to their four-month-old daughter Iris Mary - the couple are simply 'trying to keep her alive'. Eddie told Time Out: 'It's great that she found me attractive then and still does, through all the s***. That's good!' The beaming Fantastic Beasts star and his pretty PR executive wife rocked matching navy coats as they cosied up to each other Share the joke! Hannah appeared to crack up as Eddie looked on smiling 'It's also wonderful having a shared history and friends, even though we didn't get together for 15 years.' Eddie and Hannah started dating in 2012 after previously being friends since their school days. They first met when the Oscar winner was studying at Eton College, while Hannah was boarding at a nearby girls' school. However their friendship turned to romance when Eddie invited her to visit him in Italy while he was filming Les Miserables. Pretty woman: With her long golden locks worn in tumbling waves, Hannah opted for minimal make-up to let her pretty features shine Eddie and Hannah, who welcomed Iris Mary in June, wed in Babington House in Somerset just before Christmas 2014 and confirmed they were expecting a baby in January this year. Speaking about their daughter, The Theory Of Everything star admitted in his signature humble style that the couple were just 'scrabbling through' in their own way. He quipped: 'At the moment it's so recent. We're still at the stage of getting throughout the night, trying to keep our child alive.' She is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her baby son in January. And CBB star Stephanie Davis, 23, looked every inch the glowing mother-to-be as she enjoyed a cosy night in with friends on Monday night. Meanwhile, the her ex, Jeremy McConnell enjoyed a very different sort of evening, as he went speed-dating with a host of reality stars in London. Scroll down for video In good spirits: Stephanie Davis, 23, looked every inch the glowing mother-to-be as she enjoyed a cosy night with friends on Monday night Stephanie wore a simple black vest and leggings as she sat astride a pink exercise ball in an Instagram snap she shared with her 848,000 followers. The former Hollyoaks actress tucked into a chocolate bar in the shot, which she captioned: 'When your bestie is the best and brings you round a bag full of your favourite cravings when pregnant! 'He is the best @jayroberts94 he's made me laugh a lot tonight, I've nearly fell of my ball twice'. Meanwhile Jeremy, who Stephanie struck up a turbulent romance with after they met on Celebrity Big Brother in January, went Foxy Bingo speed dating. Not missing Stephanie, then? CBB star Jeremy McConnell appeared to be in high spirits at Foxy Bingo Speed Dating - without the company of his pregnant ex girlfriend Stephanie Davis Having fun? The Beauty School Cop Outs star looked casual in a green leather jacket and ripped skinny jeans as he posed outside with a pal The Beauty School Cop Outs star looked casual in a green leather jacket and ripped skinny jeans. The tattooed Irish hunk appeared to be in great spirits as he arrived with a pal, and was pictured beaming for the cameras. His outing comes after he appeared to confirm a relationship with pretty model Bianca Lynch last week. The pair put on a cosy display as they walked the red carpet together at the Irish premiere of Brad Pitt's new film Allied. New romance? His outing comes after he appeared to confirm a relationship with pretty model Bianca Lynch at the Irish premiere of Brad Pitt's new film Allied last week MailOnline has contacted a representative for Jeremy for comment. Stephanie confirmed on Loose Women last week that ex Jeremy, who she claims is the father of her first child, had failed to make contact during her pregnancy. The pair first met in the Celebrity Big Brother house at the start of this year and embarked on a whirlwind love affair - while Stephanie was still dating model Sam Reece. Mother-to-be: The TV personality, who fell pregnant with now ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell following a whirlwind romance on CBB back in January (pictured) Strong: Jeremy has consistently denied that the baby is his, insisting that she carry out a paternity test, while Stephanie has decided to raise the baby as a single mum The brunette then announced she was pregnant shortly after splitting from her on/off beau. Jeremy has consistently denied that the baby is his, insisting that she carry out a paternity test, while Stephanie has decided to raise the baby as a single mum. However, she recently revealed to OK! Magazine that she is now taking a break from dating in order to focus on her unborn child - after the traumatic breakup. Talking to the mag, she said: 'Im not interested in meeting a man. My mum thinks someone will come into my life once the babys born, but Im not bothered. Im done with men for now! Monochrome maven: Chloe Lewis, 25, looked chic in a black fur jacket and tapered trousers at Foxy Bingo speed dating in London on Monday night Legs for days: EOTB star Lillie Lexie Gregg flaunted her tanned legs in a daringly short minidress Missing Millie? The stunning reality babes were in the company of Hugo Taylor, 30, who appeared to be in high spirits despite being absent from his girlfriend Millie Mackintosh Also at speed dating was MIC star Hugo Taylor, who joined a very glamorous Chloe Lewis and EOTB's Lillie Lexie Gregg at the Foxy Bingo event in London. Chloe looked every inch the monochrome maven in a black fur jacket which she teamed with tapered trousers and a sweet bow top. Adding height to her petite frame, the TOWIE star, 24, rocked some black courts and carried a plush monogrammed Saint Laurent handbag. She wore her brunette tresses in glossy polished waves that framed her striking features, which she complemented with lashings of mascara and a nude lip. Fellow reality star Lillie - who previously dated Geordie Shore lothario Gary Beadle - flaunted her enviably lean legs in a daringly short white dress. Braving the November chill: The Brummie beauty added a leather jacket and blue plaid shirt, teamed with Perspex lace-up heels Got the blues? The reality star carried her cobalt Chanel handbag with pride Absent: It is not known why Millie, 27, was absent on Monday night, although the clothes designer may have been tired after taking part in a photoshoot in Chelsea earlier that day Braving the November chill, the Brummie beauty added a leather jacket and blue plaid shirt, teamed with Perspex lace-up heels. The stunning reality babes were in the company of Hugo, who looked typically casual in a leather jacket and jeans. The sunglasses designer, who originally dated fellow MIC star Millie back in 2011, rekindled their romance this year following her divorce from rapper Pro Green. The couple have been inseparable ever since, regularly posting loved-up snaps together on their social media accounts. Turning heads: Chloe looked every inch the monochrome maven in a black fur jacket which she teamed with tapered trousers and a sweet bow top Killer accessories: Adding height to her petite frame, the TOWIE star, 24, rocked some black courts and carried a plush monogrammed Saint Laurent handbag Still going strong! Also at the event was Love Island couple Scott Thomas and Kady McDermott, who met on the ITV dating show this year. Taking centre-stage: Kady flaunted her svelte physique in a semi-sheer crop top, while Scott looked dapper in a suede jacket It is not known why Millie was absent on Monday night, although the clothes designer may have been tired after taking part in a photoshoot in Chelsea earlier that day. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Hugo for comment. Meanwhile, also at the event was Love Island couple Scott Thomas and Kady McDermott, who met on the ITV dating show this year. Proving their love was still going strong, the good-looking pair held hands as they made their way inside. Kady flaunted her svelte physique in a semi-sheer crop top, while Scott looked dapper in a suede jacket. A 15th-century qinghua (blue-and-white) stem bowl that was meant for the sacrificial rituals of Chinese emperors will go under the hammer at Christie's sale in Hong Kong on Nov 30. The 15th-century stem bowl is up for sale. [Photo provided to China Daily] The bowl from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) features two five-clawed dragonssymbol of imperial power. One dragon charges ahead and the other looks back, above cresting waves and mountains. The bowl's inside features a six-character mark in the center circled by double ringswhich indicates that it was "produced in the reign of Xuande (1426-35)", the title of Emperor Zhu Zhanji during whose reign the production of blue-and-white ware reached its peak. Further, the mark is surrounded by shadow patterns of striding dragons that are hard to spot at first sight. Typically, the blue-and-white ceramics were coated with cobalt-blue pigment from Persia and made at high temperatures. And the final result still amazes connoisseurs of Chinese porcelain, both at home and abroad. The stem bowl celebrates the technical and aesthetic achievements of the Xuande reign, not only with its refined technique of penciling the dragons, the waves and other decorative patterns, according to Ruben Lien from the Christie's department of Chinese ceramics and works of art, but also because it exhibits well-balanced and varying tones of blue. The dragons and the peaks are painted in a rich blue, while the rolling waves are in a soft, pale blue. He says the contrast in the coloring marks a "breakthrough" for the period, exemplifying the artisans' control over the cobalt pigments. The bowl is owned by a collector from the United States. It fetched HK$35 million ($4.51 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong in 2007. Including this bowl, no more than six examples of bowls of a similar design and size are in existence, Lien says. Some of them are in the collections of Paris-based Musee Guimet and the Palace museums in Beijing and Taipei. Of the bowls in private hands, one from the noted Meiyintang Collection was sold for HK$112.7 million in Hong Kong in 2012. Lien says Ming Dynasty porcelain, especially that produced in the early stages of the empire, such as the Xuande and the Yongle periods, have recently attracted increased attention from collectors who previously eyed only Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) royal objects. Speaking about the bowl, he says: "As Xuande and Yongle ceramics available in the market are not as numerous as Qing objects from the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong (the porcelain-making peaks of the Qing Dynasty), a fine, rare specimen (like the bowl) is bound to draw people's attention." "Rising interest has also brought in new buyers," he says. A blue-and-white jar also from the Xuande period and bearing a five-clawed dragon grossed HK$158 million at a Christie's sale in Hong Kong in May. It was owned by a Swiss family and was used to store walking sticks. In April, Sotheby's staged in Hong Kong an auction of British collector Roger Pilkington's ceramics and works of art from the Song (960-1279), Ming and early Qing dynasties. Ming cobalt-blue ware comprised the top five lots at the sale that yielded nearly HK$503 million in total. Besides the Xuande stem bowl, Christie's will also auction two ceramic pieces made in the official kilns of Qing emperor Yongzheng. Both feature common subjects such as flowers and birds. One is a falangcai (enameled) cup on which plum blossoms and trees and bamboos are painted in yellow, green and brown against a ruby-red ground. The depiction of a pair of hovering bees over the flowering plum branch makes it a rarity among such ware, says Lien. The subjects signify longevity, wealth and happiness, and the vivid, souffle-like texture of the ruby ground enhances its elegance. The cup belonged to the late Hu Huichun, a porcelain connoisseur whose Zandelou collection is hailed one of the best private collections of Chinese art from the 20th century. Hu moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in the 1950s and co-founded the prominent collectors' group Min Chui Society. He donated a large part of his collection to the Shanghai Museum. Lien says after Hu's death, his family sold the Yongzheng cup to the current owner, meaning that the item has come to auction for the first time, or as "fresh goods" as described in the trade. The other piece is a moon-shaped blue-and-white flask. One side has two magpies resting on a blossoming plum branch, and the other has two bulbuls on an apricot tree. The exquisitely balanced composition can be traced to Northern Song paintings. The motif was a favorite of Emperor Yongzheng during whose reign similar designs were produced. Scott Eastwood has had a dig at Sydney paparazzi after they captured a picture of him with a mystery woman on the beach. The actor - who's in the city filming the Pacific Rim sequel - took to Instagram on Tuesday, and re-posted the image of himself in the ocean with the female swimmer. 'Thank you Sydney paparazzi for trying to capture my playful side, but instead making me look like a total creep,' Scott, 30, captioned the snap. Scroll down for video Unimpressed: Scott Eastwood has had a dig at Sydney paparazzi after they captured a picture of him with a mystery woman on the beach 'Can't a guy have an innocent splash fight in peace? At least let me put my tongue away next time.' He then used the hashtags: #creep #30s #oldguyshit #loveit. The mystery woman's identity is still unknown, though they seemed to know each other more than just randomly meeting on the beach. Having fun: The actor has praised his time in Sydney with various social media posts doing different activities, like combat training Scott has been making the most of his off time from filming Pacific Rim: Maelstrom by hitting the beach and exploring Australia with his pals. As well as going out for dinner in Sydney, he's been hanging out with kangaroos and having a laugh at The Big Banana Fun Park. His role in the Pacific Rim sequel has yet to be named but he'll playing a supporting character to John Boyega's Pentecost, the son of Idris Elba's character, Stacker, from the original film. Fun times: He also visited a theme park with the mystery girl and a few more pals It seems the production - directed by Steven S. DeKnight and produced by original director Guillermo del Toro and Thomas Tull, Mary Parent and Jon Jashni - are looking to maximise Pacific Film's popularity in China by adding more than few Chinese stars to the cast. Zhang Jin, Wesley Wong, Lily Ji, Qian Yong Chen, Chen Zitong, Lang Yingying and Xiao Yang have landed roles in Maelstrom, which is said to be set after the defeat of the Kaijus. She recently admitted to OK! magazine that she feels uncomfortable in swimwear. But Home And Away's Pia Miller appeared relaxed and at ease while filming scenes for the soap at Sydney's Palm Beach, earlier this month. Joined by co-star Isabella Giovinazzo, the 33-year-old showed off her ample assets and flawless figure in a skimpy patterned bikini. Scroll down for video Feeling more at ease? Home And Away's Pia Miller, 33, showed off her flawless figure on set at Sydney's Palm Beach earlier this month. The sighting comes as the actress admitted to OK! magazine that she feels uncomfortable in swimwear Pia drew attention to her incredible figure in her vibrant two-piece. The triangle style top flaunted her ample cleavage and toned shoulders, while the high-cut briefs accentuated her trim pins and taut torso. Wading out of the surf, Pia allowed her wet tresses to fall effortlessly around her shoulders. Revealing: Pia's triangle-style top flaunted her ample cleavage and toned shoulders, while the high-cut briefs accentuated her trim pins and taut torso Cooling down: Wading out of the surf, Pia allowed her wet tresses to fall effortlessly around her shoulders Making waves: The star covered her ample chest with her hands as the surf threatened to overtake her Content: Despite nearly getting dunked, Pia beamed for the cameras Opting to go makeup-free, the model showed off her striking eyes and stunning natural beauty. Pia was later joined on set by co-star Isabella Giovinazzo, 26, who also flaunted her figure in a leopard-print triangle style bikini. The pair were seen frockling in the surf, completely at ease with each other, before retreating to the sand for some banter. Her best angles: The model was sure to work her best angles while filming the popular Channel Seven soap Natural beauty: The Channel Seven actor went makeup-free, allowing her striking eyes and flawless complexion to be the focus Need a hand? An assistant was seen applying a hair product to her endlessly long tresses Life's a beach: The mother-of-three retreated to a towel to film other scenes No faults here: Pia showed off a cellulite-free pert posterior, no doubt the envy of many Pia looked to have no qualms whatsoever as she posed up a storm, working her curves to their best. While positioned on a towel, the stunning personality offered the camera a good look at her cleavage and pert derriere. The sighting comes after Pia spoke candidly told OK! magazine: 'I've never really felt comfortable doing a photo shoot wearing swimwear.' 'But since taking the role on Home And Away, and my character is in swimwear, I've really had to go, 'Right I have to embrace this and be cool with it, or I'm going to shy away from it all the time.' Bikini babes: Pia was later joined on set by co-star Isabella Giovinazzo (R), 26, who also flaunted her figure in a leopard-print triangle style bikini Not an inch to pinch! Both stars flaunted impressive physiques while at Sydney's Palm Beach Engaged: The pair appeared to be enjoying harmless banter Primped to perfection: Despite hitting the surf, both starlets looked impeccable Despite her claims, Pia hasn't held back from flaunting her figure in barely-there swimwear on social media. The mother-of-three's most recent body-baring snap was shared during a recent trip to the beach with her beau Tyson Mullane. Proudly showcasing her bare back and pert derriere, Pia was seen posing in a daring, plunge-back swimming costume as she posed on a rocky beach-side crag. No qualms now? The sighting comes shortly after Pia revealed to OK! magazine that she feels insecure wearing swimwear for photo shoots Confidence: Despite her admissions, Pia looked to be content on set, flaunting her most remarkable angles In a photo uploaded a week earlier, Pia looked anything but shy as she posed in a tiny yellow string bikini that showcased her washboard abs, cleavage and bronzed pins. The Chile-born beauty once credited sleep, healthy eating and regular workouts for her stunning looks. 'My workout philosophy is to combine weights or high-cardio with a low-impact regime like yoga or Pilates for rest and recovery,' she told Women's Health and Fitness. Her secrets: The Chile-born beauty previously told Women's Health and Fitness magazine her workout philosophy: '[I] combine weights or high-cardio with a low-impact regime like yoga or Pilates for rest and recovery' Opening up: 'For me, it's about balancing the two eating right and sleeping right. I'm a big sleep advocate,' she also shared with the fitness publication 'For me, it's about balancing the two eating right and sleeping right. I'm a big sleep advocate.' Despite often being praised for her natural beauty, Pia previously told News Corp that she believes true beauty extends beyond the physical. 'My mum always reminded me that I was greater than my appearance and my physical beauty,' she said. 'Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and packages and you have to understand that it's more than just physical appearance.' Connected: Pia regularly takes to social media, sharing snaps while bikini-clad with her fans She is rumoured to be dating co-star James Stewart following her marriage split in September. And Isabella Giovinazzo turned heads this month after stripping down to a bikini on set of Home And Away in Sydney's Palm Beach. The 26-year-old dressed in a bright leopard print two-piece and flaunted her toned figure while filming scenes by the shore. Scroll down for video Sizzling: Isabella Giovinazzo stripped down to a bikini while filming scenes for Home And Away in Sydney's Palm Beach earlier this month She showed off her slim waist in the blue and yellow swimwear, which featured a tie-up bow detail on the bottoms. Isabella, who plays Phoebe Nicholson, accessorised with brown bracelets on both wrists and a diamond engagement ring. She showcased her natural beauty with a nude base makeup, including a light brush of black mascara and a pink lipstick. Beauty at the beach! The 26-year-old actress dressed in a bright leopard print two-piece Finer details: She showed off her slim waist in the blue and yellow swimwear, which featured a tie-up bow detail on the bottoms True beauty: She showcased her natural beauty with a nude base makeup, including a light brush of black mascara and a pink lipstick During filming, Isabella was joined by co-star Pia Miller, who flaunted her incredible figure in a brightly coloured bikini. After taking a dip in the ocean, the two friends were spotted sunbathing together. Isabella lay flat on her stomach while reading a book, while her co-star knelt down beside her. Watch out! Isabella looked in positive spirits as she was spotted catching waves BFFs: During filming, Isabella (R) was joined by co-star Pia Miller (L), who flaunted her figure in a brightly coloured bikini Beach babes: The two actresses engaged in a friendly conversation by the shore This month, reports surfaced that Isabella is dating her co-star James Stewart. So far, neither Isabella or James have commented on their relationship status. However, Woman's Day claimed that James' ex-fiancee Jessica Marais is 'happy' for the new couple. Looking after a baby can be quite the challenge. So no wonder Morena Baccarin looked relieved to be enjoying a date night with her lover Ben McKenzie at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday. The Brazilian beauty, who left her husband for her new baby daddy, looked full of joy as she trundled down the red carpet at his side. Couple's retreat: New parents Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie enjoyed a date night at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday The 37-year-old filly looked in fine form indeed as she showcased her feminine figure in a flattering black and purple patterned dress. Her Gotham co-star turned lover Ben, 38, meanwhile opted for a classic look of blue suit, shirt, tie and shiny leather shoes. Morena's husband Austin Chick filed for divorce in July last year, citing irreconcilable differences. Just two months later in a legal declaration Morena said she was planning to marry OC hunk Ben and that she was was pregnant with their child. Their daughter Frances was born in March this year. Fine filly: She grinned as she showcased her flawless complexion on the red carpet Frock star: The Brazilian beauty looked in fine form in her billowing gown Baby daddy: Morena left her husband for her Gotham co-star Ben Earlier this month it emerged she was fighting her ex-husband Austin in court after he banned her from taking their son Julius to see his supposedly dying great-grandmother in Brazil due to fears over the Zika virus. She was desperate to bring along the three-year-old to see her ailing relative, and is hoping a judge will agree that there is no risk to the youngster's health if she does so. She asked her film director ex for permission last month to take their boy to the South American country for one last meeting with his great-grandmother. However he denied the request, and has told the court he is worried about the fact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said the long-term risks for children who contract the virus are unknown. Blonde versus brunette: Morena looked slightly apprehensive as she posed up with Swedish beauty Malin Akerman Dark destroyers: But she seemed far more comfortable cuddling up to Neve Campbell Not hanging around: Her ex-husband filed for divorce in July last year and she gave birth to Gotham co-star Ben's baby in March He was thrilled to show off his slimmed down figure earlier this year. But it appears the results of Dave Hughes' health overhaul were short-lived as the 46-year-old flaunted his shapely belly in a selfie shared on Instagram on Tuesday. Unsure what to make of the snap, in which the comedian is smiling whilst lifting his T-shirt up to reveal his paunch, fans took to the comment section to share their reactions. 'Dad bod looking good mate,' one of Hughesy's 107,000 followers wrote. Scroll down for video Dad bod? Dave Hughes took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off his figure while exposing his belly in a bizarre selfie Another fan took the liberty of tagging The Biggest Loser trainer Tiffany Hall, writing: 'Hughsey needs your help STAT!' 'Omg not a great look but love you regardless lol (sic),' another wrote. The KIIS 106.5FM radio host was seated in an armchair in his lounge room, while turning towards the mirror in the room and exposing his tummy to take the snap. Transformation: It appears the comedian's weight loss from earlier this year has not been sustained 'Don't know who positioned mirror, but I took and posted this happy snap all on my own,' he captioned the post. Poking fun at his own figure, the father-of-three added the hash-tags: 'cry for help' and 'why smile' to his post. It comes after the Australia's Got Talent host showed off his body transformation in January, having lost 9kgs. Results: The 46-year-old revealed he'd lost 8kgs in a period of two months at the end of last year 'Water and quinoa': The funnyman attributed his weight loss to adopting a new diet of water and quinoa A photo shared to his Instagram earlier this year showed the funnyman's slimmer body alongside his larger frame. In the caption, Hughesy attributed his weight loss to 'water and quinoa'. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph at the time, he revealed his weight loss was motivated by his young kids - Rafferty, six, Sadie, four and three-year-old Tess. 'My children actually inspired me,' he said on his radio show with Kate Langbroek. 'My son, who is six, walked past me and said "Dad, you have fat titties." Motivation: Dave revealed he was determined to lose the weight at the time after his children mocked his body 'Dad, you look six months pregnant': He said his son teased him for looking 'six months pregnant' 'My daughter was squeezing them trying to get milk out. I thought, come on, stop shaming me. My son said, "Dad, you look six months pregnant."' But his loved ones weren't the only people behind his sudden transformation, as Dave revealed a young lifeguard at Coogee beach had also 'mocked' his pecs. But it helped spur the comedian on to shed the excess pounds. 'I've lost 8kg and I am now down to 82kg since the new year, so I have done this in only a couple of months,' he revealed. It's been four years since Iggy Azalea dropped the vocals for Steve Aoki's track Beat Down. Now, the American music producer says he would be up for working with the Australian rapper again, if the timing was right. 'It could happen, it's all a matter with timing,' Steve, 38, told Daily Mail Australia at MTV's Beats & Eats in Wollongong last week. Scroll down for video Ready to Beat Down again? Steve Aoki told Daily Mail Australia last week that he would be up for working with Iggy Azalea once again 'You never know, [Beat Down] happened because she came to a music video shoot of mine with Kid Cudi and Travis Barker for a song off my first album,' Aoki continued. 'She came by and I told her I had this beat I really wanted her to jump on. She heard it, loved it and we chopped it up right away.' Beat Down, produced with Angger Dimas, appeared on Steve's re-released debut album Wonderland, which also featured collaborations with LMFAO, Kay, will.i.am aka Zuper Blahq, Wynter Gordon, Rivers Cuomo, Lil Jon and Chiddy Bang. Headliner: Steve performed at MTV's Eats & Beats in Wollongong on Saturday November 26th It helped launch the career of Iggy, 26, who had only just been signed by rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records. Steve is gearing up to release his fourth studio album, Neon Future III, which he says has 'progressed' a lot from his original musical offerings. 'When I'm in the studio working on music it's now become a different process,' he said. 'From day one, it's alwys been about how will it affect my audience? How can I play these songs and make it a memorable show?' Big show: The American music producer put on quite a spectacle Aussie fan: Steve recently criticised the lack of EDM music festivals Down Under 'Now my process has changed and it's not about how crazy the drops are, or how it translates on the dance floor, or in any listening environment. 'So a lot of my music lately, I wouldn't say is toned down but it's become more musical and less about being primarily on the festival grounds or the night club.' Despite his music evolving, Steve still believes in the power of festivals to getting music to the masses, and he recently spoke of his disappointment that major EDM events Down Under were few and far between. 'I never get a chance, when I think about coming down here,' Steve told Music Feeds. 'Its becoming less and less frequent, because the festivals are gone.' Fourth album: Steve is gearing up to release Neon Future III, which he says has 'progressed' a lot from his original musical offerings 'Where do artists like myself, in the electronic space, go to play and to build our careers down here? People are still trying to figure it out.' While Steve is disappointed that festivals like Stereosonic and Future have been discontinued, he has no plans to start his own Aussie one. 'No, no it's complicated to do a festival outside of your own native country,' he said. 'I was part of two festivals in LA, and got my feet wet in that business but you have to be really involved, you know, so I've decided not to get involved again like that.' He's a rising star in Hollywood thanks to his roles in TV series Vikings and fantasy film Warcraft. But on Monday, Travis Fimmel took a more casual approach as he paid a visit to the SiriusXM Studios in New York City. The 37-year-old Australian actor playfully crossed his eyes as he posed for photos. Scroll down for video Troublemaker! Travis Fimmel dressed casually and posed with his eyes crossed as he paid a visit to the SiriusXM Studio in New York City on Monday As he displayed his cheeky sense of humour, Travis smirked while placing his hands in his pockets. For the appearance, Travis dressed in a pair of straight-cut denim jeans and a blue hooded jacket. He appeared to be wearing a black and white T-shirt underneath. Standing tall: As he displayed his cheeky sense of humour, Travis smirked while placing his hands in his pockets Keeping casual: For the appearance, Travis dressed in a pair of straight-cut denim jeans and a blue hooded jacket Travis, who recently starred in the Warcraft movie, said earlier this year that his own appearance 'never crosses his mind.' He previously told The Daily Telegraph: 'I never gave a s**t about what I looked like'. During his modelling career, Travis famously appeared on billboards for Calvin Klein in 2002. Not self-conscious: Travis has said his own appearance 'never crosses his mind' Handsome: He started his career as a model before finding success in TV and film acting It was widely reported the billboard was responsible for traffic congestion and accidents by women drivers. However, Travis insists the story is 'just a rumour' and nothing more. Years later, he moved into acting and found international success in Vikings. Kate Major was sentenced to six months behind bars by a judge on Monday for probation violation stemming from her alleged assault last month on a police officer. The 34-year-old estranged wife of Michael Lohan triggered the violation with her arrest in Florida for assault on an officer and disorderly intoxication, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Major was seeking a rehab assignment instead of jail time, according to an article by TMZ. Probation violation: Kate Major, shown last month in a mug shot following her arrest in Florida, was sentenced by a judge on Monday to six months behind bars for probation violation 'I've made some bad decisions,' Major told Us Weekly in a statement. 'However, these were isolated incidents away from my children. Unfortunately, my children are the ones suffering. I deeply will regret every moment that has been taken away from us. I pray this ''process'' goes as quickly as possible,' she added. Michael, who is the father of actress Lindsay Lohan, and Major have a three-year-old son Landon and a 23-month-old boy Logan. Major was on probation for a November 2015 incident in New Orleans when she allegedly threatened a flight crew while aboard a plane from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Estranged couple: Michael Lohan is shown with Major in July 2012 in New York City She also was arrested in April 2015 after getting into a heated physical argument with Michael. After her release, Major will still face assault and drunk and disorderly charges for the alleged drunken attack on the police officer. Major and Lohan married in October 2014 and they lost custody of both boys in November 2015. Mother of two: Major, shown in November 2011, has two young sons with Lohan She filed for a legal separation from Lohan in December 2015. Michael has four children with ex-wife Dina, including 30-year-old Lindsay, daughter Aliana and sons Michael, Jr and Dakota. A paternity test also revealed he was the father of Ashley Horn following a 1995 liaison with Montana massage therapist Kristi Kaufmann Horn while separated from Dina. Dina filed for divorce in January 2005 and they announced it was finalized in October 2007. She's known for always making glamorous red carpet appearances. And on Tuesday, The Bachelor's Snezana Markoski revealed she's just like the rest of us and isn't averse to an at-home dye job. But the mother-of-one revealed it wasn't as easy as she thought and had to quickly wash the dye out of her hair at fiance Sam Wood's gym, when their water at home was cut off. Scroll down for video Close call! The Bachelor's Snezana Markoski revealed she did an at-home dye job and had to quickly wash the dye out of her hair at fiance Sam Wood's gym, when their water at home was cut off on Tuesday 'When life gives you lemons... (or in this case when you use packet hair dye and then your water gets cut off so you have to race to your fiances (sic) gym to wash it out) ...take a selfie and make the most of the good lighting!,' Snezana wrote on Instagram underneath her selfie. In the snap, the brunette beauty stuns in a black figure-hugging dress and has her freshly coloured locks out and neatly straightened. She appeares to be make-up free, showing off her naturally flawless complexion as she poses in the mirror. Wedding bells: Snezana and Sam are engaged, with the hunky personal trainer and gym owner proposing last December The reality TV star kept her locks the same chocolate brown colour and presumably fixed up her roots. Snezana and Sam are engaged, with the hunky personal trainer and gym owner proposing last December. They are currently living together in Melbourne, after buying a home together earlier this year, worth $1.4 million. Sam recently told The Daily Telegraph about their wedding plans, saying they are going to get a venue sorted soon. When will it happen? Sam recently told The Daily Telegraph about their wedding plans, saying they are going to get a venue sorted soon Taking it slow: He said it comes as Snezana waited for her and her daughter Eve, ten, (pictured) to settle into Melbourne life, having relocated from Perth to live with Sam He said it comes as Snezana waited for her and her daughter Eve, ten, to settle into Melbourne life, having relocated from Perth. 'Snez wanted some time to settle into Melbourne and now Eve is loving school and has settled in, we've just started to look at a few different venues,' Sam told the publication. While he didn't say when they will get married, he said it will happen in the warmer months. 'We want something summery and outdoors.' 'Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we'll find something we both love and start planning it,' he added. James Kennedy was left in tears as he finally got his marching orders on Monday's episode of Vanderpump Rules. The heavy-drinking 24-year-old British DJ has been a constant source of trouble at restaurant hotspot SUR and given numerous warnings by owner and family friend Lisa Vanderpump. Lisa, 56, finally snapped after catching James drinking shots while supposedly working - and then disrespectfully swearing at her and her husband when they confronted him. The boss: Lisa Vanderpump fired James Kennedy on Monday's episode of Vanderpump Rules after he was caught drinking and arguing with co-workers 'I'm drawing a line in the sand and you're not working for me anymore,' Lisa told him sternly the next day after calling him for a showdown at her home. 'And you're not coming into SUR and you're not coming into PUMP,' she added. James was so confident he was untouchable he had bragged he was the 'MVP' at the bar and said before his meeting with Lisa that he had to merely 'say my apologies and get back to work.' But he was clearly stunned at getting fired for life, telling Lisa it was 'crazy.' Over confident: James thought all he had to do was apologize and get back to work 'You're behavior warrants it. I've given you more chances than I've given anybody else, ever,' she stressed. She also made it clear that she thinks the youngster needs to tackle his heavy drinking if he wants to straighten out his life. 'I think it's for your own good. You've gotta sober up,' she told James, who soon started crying. Tough talk: Lisa told James that he also needed to sober up 'It's hard though. It really is, Lisa. I don't know how to control it,' he sobbed. 'You should never have another drink again in your life if that's who you are,' she told him, leaving him walking away still in tears. 'I have stood by James as much as I possibly could. I will always support James, but I refuse to enable him,' she insisted later. Getting emotional: James started crying as Lisa fired him after multiple warnings Took a stand: Lisa decided that she would support James but not enable him Long walk: James left in tears and sniffing after Lisa canned him SUR manager Diana had already twice confronted Lisa about James's behavior during the episode, asking her: 'How long are we going to tolerate this?' One of the final tipping points came when he started screaming in the bar at waitress GG - denying her claimed that they 'hooked up' - as well as at barman Jax Taylor, who he had told: 'I'm a rock star and you're a bartender.' 'Anyone can push play on a laptop, you idiot,' Jax snapped back. Shouting match: GG and James got in a shouting match at SUR in front of customers More confrontation: James also got into it with Jax at the bar When Lisa first confronted him over the shouting matches, James referred to GG by saying: 'They're thirsty, thirsty little girls that need a drink, and I can't provide water for them.' He also got arrogant with Lisa, saying: 'Youre obviously feeding into what everybody else is telling you. And I dont appreciate that 'You're turning into an a**hole before my very eyes,' she told him. Arrogant attitude: Lisa confronted James about the shouting and he chastised her But events took a turn for the worse when Lisa came back later with husband Ken Todd and saw James taking a shot at the bar despite their strict no drinking policy for him at work. 'I told you not to come here when you're drunk. You're drunk now,' Ken told him outside clearly furious. 'The way you're speaking to Lisa? I've given you one warning, if you ruin my business' Despite initially saying that 'Ken scares the s*** out of me,' he still got belligerent with them, complaining: 'Oh my God, I can't deal with this f***ing bulls**t.' At work: James took a shot with Tom Sandoval while at work Not happy: Lisa's husband Ken Todd came around and chewed out James 'You little f***er! I'll knock you spark out,' Ken warned him angrily before driving off. Even after getting fired, James still refused to take full responsibility for what happened. 'Jax is a w***er and GG is a f***ing whore, but on the other hand, I let them get the best of my emotions,' he said to camera. Shifting blame: James blamed Jax and GG for getting the best of his emotions New flame: The Brit meanwhile welcomed new girlfriend Raquel to his shared apartment Loyal friends: Kristen Doute talked to Stassi Schroeder and Katie Maloney about Scheana Shay's perceived lack of loyalty for talking with Lala Kent 'Am I at fault? Yeah. But they're at fault for being f***ing a**holes, as well.' Elsewhere during the episode, Tom Schwartz went to see a therapist after admitting to 'pre-marital heebee-jeebees' at the thought of spending life with Katie Maloney and her moods. 'There's so many ways to upset her and I am a little scared of when she loses control and fully goes over to the dark side,' he admitted. Therapy session: Tom Schwartz saw psychologist Brandy Engler for his 'pre-marital heebee-jeebees' 'It's our long history - there's been so many of these fallings out. These are chronic, and alcohol's the catalyst. 'I don't think I've ever been able to articulate clearly, or express to her, just how much I die inside when she goes to the dark side. It kills the Schwartz. I cannot keep doing this s**t, y'know?' He admitted later: 'I almost wish I could give her an ultimatum like she gave me. Like, ''This behavior stops or we're not getting married.'' But I don't have the balls to do that.' Loyalty test: Lala Kent asked Scheana Shay how her weekend went but Scheana would not answer due to her loyalty to Katie, Kristen and Stassi Checking in: Tom Schwartz decided to follow his therapist's advice and check-in with Katie Following the therapist's advice, he confronted Kate at home - with her immediately flipping out, accusing him of 'dropping a bomb' on her, leaving Tom telling her: 'That's the last time I ever try and talk about my feelings.' 'I know my therapist is good, but what she should have told me is don't bring a knife to a gun fight, because Katie has me seriously out-gunned,' he complained later. He later also asked Ariana Madix to be a groomsman after Katie did not want her on her side of the wedding party - even getting her to eat a burger that he had stuffed between his butt cheeks, as he did with his other groomsmen. Bad idea: Katie immediately got defensive when Tom talked about his feelings Bridal party: Ariana Madix was thrilled to be asked to be one of Tom's groomsmen at his wedding even though Katie did not want her as a bridesmaid Chowing down: Tom had Ariana eat a specially made burger 'This is the coolest thing that's ever happened to me!' she insisted while eating. Lala Kent, meanwhile, laughed off accusations that she got from some of the other women that she was having sex with a married man just so she would get nice gifts like her expensive car. 'I don't owe any of these people an explanation,' she smiled, adding with a laugh: 'I'm sucking d*** for a lot more than Range Rovers, honey.' Busting out: Brittany Cartwright popped the top of her dress several times while talking to the camera China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp, the largest missile maker in the country, is taking aim at 20 percent or more of the small-satellite launch contracts in the world by 2020, company executives said. "We estimate that from 2017 to 2020, we will send aloft at least 10 solid-fuel carrier rockets each year, to send about 50 small satellites into orbit," said Guo Yong, president of the CASIC Fourth Academy, in an exclusive interview with China Daily in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province. That, he said, would account for "about one-fifth of the estimated total annual missions of solid-fuel rockets around the world in that period". Guo said letters of intent to use nearly 20 Kuaizhou rockets were signed at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition this month in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. "Our clients told us that they hope the launch of their satellites will be arranged as early as possible," Guo added. In mid-February, the academy set up China's second commercial launch provider, Expace Technology Co. The first was China Great Wall Industry Corp, established in 1980, which is part of another major space contractor, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. Great Wall Industry has done 54 commercial launches for over 20 overseas clients since 1990, when it launched its first foreign-made satellite. All of those commercial missions used Long March rockets developed by Great Wall's parent company. Zhang Di, vice-president of the CASIC Fourth Academy and chairman of Expace, said Expace plans its first commercial space launch early in 2017, using a Kuaizhou 1 to put three Earth observation satellites made by State-owned Changguang Satellite Technology Co in orbit. The contract is worth about 100 million yuan ($14.5 million). More than 10 other Changguang satellites are "in their storehouses waiting to be launched by Kuaizhou rockets", Zhang quoted Changguang executives as saying. Expace is in talks with satellite makers in Asia, Europe and Latin America and has taken part in public bidding on their commercial launches, according to Zhang. "Foreign clients told us that they are interested in Kuaizhou rockets' strong capabilities and competitive prices," Zhang said. "The Kuaizhou models are specifically designed for launches of small satellites. They are capable of lifting four to six satellites to multiple orbits in a single flight and require a short period of time for pre-launch preparations, and fewer than 10 operators." Expace charges around $10,000 for each kilogram of payload, much lower than the average international rate of $25,000 to $30,000, he explained. CASIC Fourth Academy began to develop Kuaizhou rockets in 2009, intending to form a low-cost, quick-response rocket family for the commercial market. The Fourth Academy is now making a new-generation Kuaizhou 11 and plans to launch it in 2017, said Tan Qinghai, publicity head at the academy. Designers said the Kuaizhou 11 has a liftoff weight of 78 metric tons and will be able to place a 1-ton payload into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers, or a 1.5-ton payload into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 km. The convoy of 50 models landed in Paris on Sunday in preparation for the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on December 5. And Australian model Tegan Martin has expressed her desire to join the exclusive catwalk event for the lingerie label in coming years. The 24-year-old said she dreams of one day becoming a Victoria's Secret Angel during an interview with Yahoo. 'I felt a little like a Victoria's Secret model': Australian beauty queen Tegan Martin speaks of her previous pageant experience as she expresses her desire to become a Victoria's Secret Angel in the future Tegan says her favourite Angel is Adriana Lima, who this year, will be talking the runway for her 16th show in a row. The former 2014 Miss Universe Australia claimed she had plenty of catwalk experience and likened the swimwear round in the international pageant to flaunting lingerie on the runway for VS. 'I felt a little like a Victoria's Secret model at the Miss Universe pageant though. It's viewed by the same amount of people worldwide so I feel blessed enough to have experienced that,' she said. Prepped and ready? The former 2014 Miss Universe Australia claimed she had plenty of catwalk experience and likened the swimwear round on the pageant contest to flaunting lingerie on the runway for VS 'It's viewed by the same amount of people worldwide': Tegan made more comparisons to the Victoria's Secret show and said she hoped to meet with some of the models when she visits the States next year The blonde beauty says she'll be headed to the States next year and hopes to meet with some of the models while she's there. In the meantime, she's interested in enhancing her training to for a 'Victoria's Secret level' and plans on watching the show from home. 'I will be spending the show night with a bunch of girlfriends who are all models, with a big bowl of popcorn,' she explained. Off to Paris! This week the exclusive Victoria's Secret models chosen to front the 2016 catwalk headed to Paris in preparation for the anticipated fashion show on November 30 Model voyage! The Victorias Secret Fashion Show for 2016 marks the first time the fashion show will be held in Paris, France The Victorias Secret Fashion Show for 2016 marks the first time the fashion show will be held in Paris, France. Of the Australian models in attendance, there will be Bridget Malcolm, Kelly Gale and Georgia Fowler. The fantasy bra this year, worth $3 million and adorned with 9,000 gemstones and 450 carats, will be worn by American model Jasmine Tookes. Aussie Angels! Of the Australian models in attendance at the Paris fashion show, there will be Georgia Fowler(left), Kelly Gale (middle) and Bridget Malcolm (right) She admitted she had an affair with Harrison Ford, earlier this month, after keeping it secret for 40 years. And Carrie Fisher explained that she was infatuated with the actor, as she joined Ellen DeGeneres on Monday. The 60-year-old star looked radiant as she spilled the beans on her covert relationship with the screen legend, who played Han Solo to her Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies. Was it love? Carrie Fisher explained that she was infatuated with Harrison Ford, as she joined Ellen DeGeneres on Monday The star - who revealed she was sleeping with her co-star when she was 19 and he was a 33-year-old married father of two - wore a pink and red shirt under a dark sweater. Asked about the affair, Carrie covered her mouth in horror and admitted: 'I was! Yes I did.' 'No one thought it was happening at the time. I don't even know if he did,' she joked. Revealed: The 60-year-old star looked radiant as she spilled the beans on her covert relationship with the screen legend Ellen asked: 'Was it sexual or was it love?' 'It was infatuation' replied Carrie. She explained that the atmosphere on set laid the path to affairs. 'Everybody was away from home,' she told Ellen - adding: 'So then the rules...I didn't know this...I was 19, nobody told me about location rules, or lack of rules. But you can do whatever you want [on location] as long as you film the movie.' Stylish: The star - who revealed she was sleeping with her co-star when she was 19 and he was a 33-year-old married father of two - wore a pink and red shirt under a dark sweater Truth's out: Asked about the affair, Carrie covered her mouth in horror and admitted: 'I was! Yes I did' Age gap relationship: Ellen asked: 'Was it sexual or was it love?' Carefully chosen words: 'It was infatuation' replied Carrie Carrie - who has released her autobiography The Princess Diarist - also revealed she has an unhealthy fizzy drink habit. She confessed to guzzling sixteen cokes a day. She explained the high tally to Ellen: 'Maybe 16, but I don't drink all of them. I start them and then it starts to get warm and then I you have to get another one.' 'So all in all maybe 12?' asked Ellen. 'Maybe 12. And they have to be that cold sharp taste'. Cola addict: Carrie - who has released her autobiography The Princess Diarist - also revealed she has an unhealthy fizzy drink habit Sugar fix: She confessed to guzzling sixteen cokes a day Wisdom: She was asked to advise her 30 year old self and said: 'Don't do anything you are thinking of doing. Just don't do it. Don't talk about it either. Don't tell people everything' Carrie gamely played 'Carrie Fishing for Answers', which involved her taking questions from the audience. The first audience member asked: 'I've been single for five years, I want to get some advice for how to get my family to stop pitying me.' Carrie retorted: 'Stop pitying you? Start dating!' This prompted Ellen to check: 'You're not dating are you?' 'Not that I know of,' Carrie replied. The next question was: 'What advice would you give to your 30-year-old self?' 'Don't do anything you are thinking of doing. Just don't do it. Don't talk about it either. Don't tell people everything,' Carrie advised sagely. Writer: Carrie was also out and about signing copies of her new book Low-key: She looked elegant at Barnes and Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles Brought a pal: She was joined by her pug to inscribe copies of her autobiography The final question was: 'Can you find love over 60?' 'I just turned 60 so I'm gonna have to get back to you' replied Carrie, adding: 'It seems not unlikely...but it seems like one of those stories they put on line....you can find love but don't get married.' Carrie was also out and about signing copies of her new book. Her supermodel daughters Gigi and Bella are set to strut the catwalk for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. So it comes as no surprise that Yolanda Hadid had to hit her runway in style. The 52-year-old reality star was pictured looking chic while arriving for a departing flight out of LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Monday. Scroll down for video Mama's coming: Yolanda Hadid was spotted arriving for a departing flight out of LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Monday as she was reportedly heading to Paris She was reportedly heading to Paris as her 21-year-old and 19-year-old daughters are in the city for the big event thrown by the lingerie giant. Yolanda looked great in a grey checked bomber jacket over a charcoal grey turtleneck. The Dutch stunner showed off her slender legs in a pair of skinny grey jeans along with a matching pair of suede ankle booties. Chic: The 52-year-old reality star looked great in a grey checked bomber jacket over a charcoal grey turtleneck Evergreen: Her signature short blonde locks were combed to the side as she let her natural looks show with complimentary make-up including a swipe of shiny pink lip Keeping cool: The Dutch stunner showed off her slender legs in a pair of skinny grey jeans along with a matching pair of suede ankle booties She accessorised with a grey leather designer bag along with large designer shades. Her signature short blonde locks were combed to the side as she let her natural looks show with complimentary make-up including a swipe of shiny pink lip. Yolanda's ex husband and father to Gigi and Bella, Mohamed Hadid, was also spotted at the same airport heading to Paris. The 68-year-old real estate developer was not alone for the occasion as he also brought along his younger fiancee Shiva Safai. Jetset: Yolanda's ex husband and father to Gigi and Bella, Mohamed Hadid, was also spotted at the same airport heading to Paris Ladylove: The 68-year-old real estate developer was not alone for the occasion as he also brought along his younger fiancee Shiva Safai Matchy matchy: They both wore all black for the flight out Mohamed was dressed in all black including blazer, shirt, jeans and leather dress shoes. Shiva matched in all black including long jacket and Adidas x Yeezy trainers in the Pirate Black colourway as she lugged along her checked Louis Vuitton luggage. This will be Gigi's second Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and Bellas first. It is also the first time it will be in Paris. 51 models total are set to make their way down the catwalk on Wednesday's show, which will be taped and aired on America's CBS on December 5. Busy: Bella and Gigi have been spotted out in Paris over the past few days as they prep for the big Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Fame monsters: The two flanked Lady Gaga in this photo posted by the pop singer who will be performing during the event She previously admitted her dream was to walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. But this year Hailey Baldwin missed out on the opportunity while her pals Kendall Jenner and Gigi and Bella Hadid were cast for the coveted show. And while her BFFs were preparing on Monday in Paris for their big moment, the 20-year-old was spotted wandering the streets of New York by herself. Glum: Hailey Baldwin was spotted wandering the streets of New York by herself on Monday Looking slightly glum the blonde wore all black for her solo excursion. Hailey previously admitted to the Daily Mail in October: 'I want to walk in the Victoria's Secret show.' 'It's every girl's dream,' she added of the glittering lingerie spectacle that her best friends Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid walked in last year and will do again this year with Bella. Hailey previously admitted to the Daily Mail in October: 'I want to walk in the Victoria's Secret show.' Hailey didn't just spring out of nowhere, she hails from one of the most famous families in Tinseltown. As the daughter of the youngest Baldwin brother, Stephen, known for his starring roles in an array of Hollywood blockbuster hits such as Barney Rubble in The Flinstones, and niece of Alec, Hailey was always set for a glittering career. The 5ft 7in stunner currently fronts KITH's Power Rangers-inspired campaign, which was shot by photographer Nolan Persons. The Bible-quoting blonde - who boasts 9.1M followers - also fronts her very own cosmetics collaboration with ModelCo, which launches in Sydney next month. She's also walked in Kanye West's show, is the face of Topshop and constantly covers the glossiest magazines, so what has been a 'pinch-me' moment? Keeping Up With the Kardashians has not stopped filming. On Tuesday E! revealed to Variety that production on the long-running show has not halted. Cameras continue to roll for next season, it was insisted. Earlier in the day TMZ claimed work on the reality series had stopped after Kim Kardashian's robbery. It was also alleged that the family agreed to extend the break after Kanye West's hospitalization last week. Scroll down for video Still going! Keeping Up With The Kardashians continues to film despite Kim Kardashian's October 3 robbery and Kanye West's hospitalization last week, according to E! Here Kim and Kanye are seen in LA in June TMZ wrote that production on the show, which also stars Kim's mother Kris Jenner and her siblings Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie, has been shut down for at least the rest of 2016, but possibly longer. Sources connected with the production told the site that 'producers have enough footage for the series commitment, but the plan was to film through the holidays, and that won't happen.' A source has claimed the mother of two is 'rethinking everything'. It has also been claimed by Variety that Kim did shoot some footage after her Paris robbery. And at West's LA concert at The Forum last month she could be seen with E! cameras in her face. So it appears she will address the robbery on camera on next season's KUWTK. Hospital: Kim's husband West has been in the hospital for over a week. Here he is seen on November 15 in LA According to the latest reports, Kanye is 'still not stable' and is not ready to be released from the medical facility just yet. It was originally reported that the producer would be discharged into the care of his personal doctor on Monday but TMZ is now reporting that that won't happen. Kanye was admitted to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on November 21 after an incident at his personal trainer's home in Los Angeles. Sources say that ahead of his mental health emergency last week the rapper was having bad dreams about wife Kim's robbery ordeal. Family affair: TMZ write that production on the show, which also stars Kim's mother Kris Jenner, her siblings Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie, as well as Caitlyn Jenner and Scott Disick has been shut down for at least the rest of 2016, but possibly longer 'He's been shaken up ever since the robbery in Paris. It did a number on him as much as Kim,' an insider told Us Weekly. 'The mere thought that anything could happen to her sent him in a tailspin. He wasn't sleeping and he was having nightmares about it.' Kim was holed up and recovering at her mother Kris Jenner's home in Calabasas since she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris on October 3. 'The robbery triggered everything,' the source said. 'Kim is his family and the only family he really has now. They took him in and embraced him. So seeing Kim traumatized did a major number on him.' According to TMZ the 39-year-old star was reportedly acting erratically and handcuffed to a gurney to be transported to hospital. Recovering: The Fade hitmaker is reportedly not ready to be released from hospital even though he was supposed to be discharged on Monday The Fade hitmaker cancelled the remainder of his Saint Pablo tour, which was due to conclude on New Year's Eve in New York, just before he was admitted and placed under psychiatric hold. 'He really couldn't do his shows without her around,' a source told Us Weekly. 'That's what made him worse. He didn't want to be away from her [The robbery] was just as hard for him, but he tried to keep going. He would never have canceled the tour unless things were bad.' Meanwhile it's been reported that Kim has been putting aside the issues stemming from her horrific Paris robbery ordeal to focus on helping husband recover from his breakdown, according to reports. His rock: Kim has put her own emotional issues stemming from her horrific Paris robbery ordeal aside to focus on helping Kanye recover from his breakdown According to TMZ, the reality superstar, 36, has kept a 'constant vigil' by his bedside, helping to feed him. The insider claims that Kim has found it 'excruciating' to see her husband battling severe paranoia about outsiders trying to ruin their marriage. The source adds: ' She has been an unbelievably devoted spouse. He's a lucky man.' Meanwhile, the star is said to have total focus on nursing the father of her two children back to health. Devoted: Kim has been by her husband's side for the whole week Kanye has been at the medical facility Standing by her man: Kim is said to have been at the side of Kanye West and has been helping feed him, according to a Sunday report from Us Weekly An insider for the publication said: 'Kim has been amazing. She knew he couldn't keep going the way he was. 'She has been by his side through all of this, helping to feed him and laying by his side.' The helping hand somewhat parallels Khloe Kardashian aiding ex Lamar Odom after his overdose last year. The source added: 'All the Kardashian women stick by their men.' Breakdown: The 39-year-old rapper is reportedly 'depressed and paranoid' after being taken to hospital on Monday in Los Angeles Security: One of the Kardashian family bodyguards was seen leaving the UCLA medical center This comes just days after a TMZ report that Kanye was 'profoundly depressed and paranoid' and that he has been 'dealing with these issues for a long time.' After he was rushed to the Los Angeles hospital earlier this week the star was allegedly 'convinced people were out to get him.' This suspicion even apparently extended to the medical staff looking after him, and he briefly 'wouldn't even let the doctors touch him,' according to the U.S. website. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star has been at the side of the Fade rapper for most of the week. Following one visit on Thanksgiving morning, Kim then headed to her sister Kylie Jenner's home in Calabasas, where her family were celebrating the holiday on Thursday, according to People. Earlier this week TMZ reported his condition was worse than first feared. By his side: Kim visited Kanye at hospital on Thanksgiving morning, as he continues to recover from a reported breakdown, according to a new report (the couple pictured in September in New York) Although he was initially reported to be suffering from a temporary psychosis brought on by sleep deprivation and extreme dehydration, TMZ suggested that the rapper's problems 'go deeper'. The website reported that Kanye is in such a 'bad mental state' that his insurance policy for his 21 cancelled U.S. concerts is likely to cover him for lost profits due to illness. Kanye, was at trainer Harley Pasternak's home on Monday when he started 'acting erratically,' according to People. A call was made at about 1:20pm for a disturbance. He was later escorted to UCLA Medical Center and admitted 'at will' but under the advice of a physician. She faced pregnancy rumours in July when New Idea reported that she is expecting 'baby number two' with Grant Kenny. Now, Fifi Box has poked fun at tabloid gossip by joking that she is pregnant and that Brad Pitt is in fact the father of her rumoured child. During a segment on Tuesday's edition of The Project, Kate Halfpenny, Who Magazine's executive director, jokingly asked Fifi whether it would be 'OK if I reveal Brad Pitt is the father,' of her rumoured 'child'. Scroll down for video. 'I'm great with that': Fifi Box has poked fun at tabloid gossip by joking that she is pregnant and that Brad Pitt is in fact the father of her rumoured child 'I'm great with that,' Fifi joked. Following the interview, Fifi spoke about her experiences with tabloid gossip, admitting to the panel that she has been too intimidated to sue publications in the past. 'Personally, when I've been written about, I'll have people say: 'why don't you sue? That's a blatant lie!'' In jest: During a segment on Tuesday's edition of The Project , Kate Halfpenny, Who Magazine's executive director, jokingly asked Fifi whether it would be 'OK if I reveal Brad Pitt is the father,' of her rumoured 'child' 'It's quite intimidating': Following the interview, Fifi spoke about her experiences with tabloid gossip, admitting to the panel that she has been too intimidated to sue publications in the past 'But it's quite intimidating and daunting to sue a big corporation that will keep, I imagine, poor little me, in the courts for five years and fleece me of all my money,' She added: 'And I wouldn't be able to afford to take them on.' Back in July, New Idea featured Fifi and the father of her daughter Trixie Belle, Grant Kenny, on its glossy cover alongside the headline: 'Fifi and Grant's Fiji bliss. We're having baby number 2!' Doting mother: Fifi is mother to adorable tot Trixie Belle Making headlines: Back in July, New Idea featured Fifi and the father of her daughter Trixie Belle, Grant Kenny, on its glossy cover alongside the headline: 'Fifi and Grant's Fiji bliss. We're having baby number 2!' According to the publication, an insider had confirmed that Fifi and Grant were trying to 'fall pregnant again' following a romantic jaunt to Fiji. 'Their two weeks away with Trixie made them see that they just work as a family, and they'd be crazy not to try to give their little girl a baby brother or sister,' the article claimed. Fifi promptly slammed the reports, announcing on the radio that: 'I am very happy with my life. I am not looking for anything. Oh single mum, you must be looking for something. But I am not.' It appears nothing is off limits for Assassins's Creed co-stars Marion Cotillard accused Michael Fassbender as they promote their new film in Australia. And a day after the French actress accused the hunky actor of sexual workout noises, he has hit back by detailing her flatulence habit. In an interview with Yahoo, the 39-year-old actor was quick to fess up about her farts when asked to reveal 'shameful secrets' about each other. 'We all fart': Michael Fassbender outs French actress Marion Cotillard for her flatulence habits on the set of Assassin's Creed as they speak to Yahoo on Tuesday 'Your flatulence... But we're not going to talk about that. That wouldn't be right,' he said with a smirk, as the actress began to laugh. Taking it well, Marion giggled and jokingly pleaded: 'Please, let me be a glamorous actress. I should have never...' Michael seemingly tried to save the conversation by saying: 'we all fart, let's face it.' Marion agreed with his point, but claimed they should keep the story to themselves before dodging further flatulence questions form the reporter by joking about her English comprehension. 'Please, let me be a glamorous actress!' Marion pleaded for Michael to stop airing her 'shameful secret' as she burried her head in her hands as she giggled It comes only a day after Marion revealed Michael's bad habit on-set of their new film while speaking on The Project. The Academy Award-winning star, 41, said Michael can be distracting as 'he works out a lot. And he's very vocal'. 'And sometimes you don't even know if he's actually working out or doing something else,' she added with a sly glance at Michael. 'Sometimes I was yelling, "Stop it now",' she continued. Michael promptly responded with the cheeky note: 'They're all calorie burners'. 'He's very vocal': Marion Cotillard revealed on Monday night's episode of The Project that her Assassin's Creed co-star Michael Fassbender is very vocal when he exercises on-set Australian promotions: The co-stars recently posed in front of Sydney Opera House on Monday to promote the new film's release down under They posed in front of Sydney Opera House on Monday to promote the new film's release. The movie is an adaptation of the Ubisoft video game series, which now comes in the form of nine main games and a number of supporting materials, but it is unclear if further movies have been predicted. In Assassin's Creed, Michael plays a very physical role in the video game screen adaptation, in which he is seen with a muscular torso parkouring through 15th Century Spain. It's obvious by the trailers, the action hero has been keeping in shape, and may have incorporated his past training for X-Men's Magneto or a Spartan man in 300 for the role. Assassin's Creed hits Australian cinemas from January 1. She has revealed how excited she is to have a new addition to the Faiers family. But Billie Faiers has revealed that her daughter Nelly is even more thrilled. The stunning reality star shared a bikini-clad picture from her last holiday showing her adorable toddler kissing her baby bump as they enjoy a dip in the pool. Scroll down for video Pool-ing aroun! Pregnant Billie Faiers shared a bikini-clad picture from her last holiday showing her adorable toddler kissing her baby bump as they enjoy a dip in the pool during a recent trip to the Maldives The mum-to-be looks sensational as she sits on the side in a black halterneck bikini and beams down at her daughter. Alongside the Instagram, she wrote: 'We can't wait to meet you baby!' The holiday snap came from her recent trip to the Maldives, but despite expecting her second child, it hasn't stopped her having fun at home. The blonde hit the town with her equally stunning sister Sam on Friday. Festive season: The holiday snap came from her recent trip to the Maldives, but despite expecting her second child, it hasn't stopped her having fun at home as she hit the town with sister Sam and mum Suzanne on Friday Red hot! Sam, 25, stood out from the crowds in her vibrant scarlet dress of delicate lace as she partied the night away with her close family The siblings proved that natural style runs in the family - as they stepped out with their incredibly chic mother Suzanne Wells. The sisterly duo looked the spitting image of their youthful-looking matriarch, as the group stepped out in Essex for the Christmas party of their store Minnie's Boutique, in a highly stylish fashion. Sam, 25, stood out from the crowds in her vibrant scarlet dress of delicate lace. The frock cut into a V neckline to give a flash of her ample cleavage and cinches in at her petite waist before flowing into a feminine full skirt. Leaving her legs bare despite the chilly weather, Sam paired the outfit with a set of nude heels and left her hair sleek and straight, to keep the look classically chic. Meanwhile mother-of-one Billie upped the sex appeal slightly in a set of skin-tight leather trousers, which hugged her gorgeous womanly curves all the way down. Teaming them with a plain black camisole, the stunning blonde then layered a fur jacket of neutral shades on top to amp up the glamour of the look. However it was the girls' mother Suzanne who stole the show on the night, as she walked beside her two daughters looking more like a sister. Sisters doing it for themselves: was founded by Sam and Billie back in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength since, even expanding from clothing to bath products in February 2017 The blonde slipped her womanly figure into a semi-sheer lace maxi dress, which was layered atop a nude slip to show off the material's intricate design. The dress remained demure and classy with its long sleeves and high neck, but also featured the sexier hints of a slit at the side and semi-sheer panels. Matching Billie with impeccable blonde curls and a thick slick of mascara, Suzanne looked as glamorous as her younger counterparts as she headed out to party with her girls. Best friends: Sam and Billie admitted to OK! last year that mother Suzanne was their 'biggest fan' and 'always keeps an eye on what were doing' The trio were celebrating another Christmas as owners of their family-run business Minnie's Boutique - a fashion retailer selling stylish clothing in store and online. The store was founded by Sam and Billie back in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength since, even expanding from clothing to bath and body products in February of next year. And, the girls admitted to OK! last year that whether it be the store or their appearances on ITVBe reality shows TOWIE and The Mummy Diaries, Suzanne is always their number one supporter. New arrival: Billie recently announced that she is expecting her second child - having already welcomed a daughter, Nelly, in 2014 The youthful-looking matriarch told the magazine last year: If I dont know where Sam is Ill have a look at her Instagram or Twitter. Im her biggest stalker! While fitness fanatic Sam added: 'Mums our biggest fan... She keeps an eye on what were doing. The night may also come a relaxing night off for mothers Sam and Billie - who are more often seen doting over their young children. Sam gave birth to Paul Tony with partner Paul Knightley last year, while Billie recently announced that she is expecting her second child - having already welcomed a daughter, Nelly, in 2014. Yummy mummy: Meanwhile Sam gave birth to son Paul Tony (above) with partner Paul last year Before falling pregnant, the mother-to-be exclusively revealed to MailOnline that while she wishes for a healthy and happy baby, she would love to a son to add to brood. She said: 'I always thought in my head that I'm always going to have girls but now that I've seen (sister) Samantha with Paul, I would actually love to have a boy as well. 'It would be so nice to experience having one of each but on the flip side, it would be really nice for Nelly to have a sister as well because then it would be kind of like how Samantha and I were.' Big sister Billie is also hoping that playing with Paul will help to teach Nelly how to be a good big sister when the time arises. 'She needs to start learning how to share,' said Billie. 'Where it's just her, sometimes when other children come over they'll play with something that she hasn't touched for months and go, "That's mine." I have to remind her to share things.' In September, it seemed that the decorated Olympic champ has decided to mark his retirement from sprinting by proposing to his longtime girlfriend Kasi Bennett. But, following almost three months of speculation, Usain Bolt, 30, has revealed that the Snapchat images purportedly showing him celebrating his engagement to the 26-year-old beauty were, in fact, edited by another user to trick fans. During an interview on ITV's Lorraine on Tuesday, the Jamaican sportsman said: Im not engaged. Me and my girlfriend went on a trip to Bora Bora. Somebody edited picture on my Snapchat and said "she said yes" with a ring. It was well done though.' Scroll down for video Not so fast! Usain Bolt has struck down rumours that he is engaged to girlfriend Kasi Bennett Indeed, Usain took to the social media app to share images of his and Kasi's luxurious break - only for snapshots to be later edited to suggest he'd proposed. While Usain has yet to pop the big question, his family is impatiently waiting for him to settle down and have children, with the statuesque star revealing: 'My mums pressuring me.' The night before his interview with Lorraine Kelly, Usain was the star attraction as he attended the glittering world premiere of his new documentary I Am Bolt in London. Doctored: The rumours came about in September, after a Snapchat image he shared of himself and Kasi from their vacation in Bora Bora was doctored to suggest an engagement Chat: The sportsman sat down for an interview with Lorraine Kelly on her eponymous show Oh baby! While clearing up engagement rumours, he admitted that he's under pressure from his mother to settle down and have children Following the big unveiling at the Odeon Leicester Square, he swapped his slick navy suit for jeans and a hoodie under a beige jacket as he celebrated at an after-party, held at hotspot Tape. And he pulled in his fair share of stars for his big night out, with the likes of Salma Hayek, Justin Bieber, Liam Payne and Mo Farah in attendance. The star sprinter has found himself at the centre of a series of scandals since his stunning 'triple triple' at the Olympics in Rio in the summer. He racked up a 6,000 bar tab and was spotted grinding with British model Erica Carvalho, 20, who was invited back to his hotel with seven other women and Usain's male friends as the party continued. Out and about: On Monday night, he was at London's Odeon Leicester Square for the world premiere of his new documentary I Am Bolt Big night out: Following the premiere, he attended an after-party at London hotspot Tape Images: Usain's Snapchat images came after photos, which were shared on WhatsApp, appeared to show the shirtless sprinter in bed with his Brazilian 'lover' Tryst? Usain was pictured with student Jady Duarte in August after she shared images on WhatsApp The photos, which were shared on WhatsApp, appear to show a shirtless Usain in bed with his Brazilian 'lover', who was wearing a white vest top. The woman, who it has been claimed is a mother-of-two and the widow of a notorious drug lord known as Dina Terror, has since said she is 'dying of shame'. Brazilian student Jady Duarte, 20, shared pictures which appear to show her kissing and cuddling the sprinting sensation after his 30th birthday bash in Rio. And further photos of Usain kissing and dancing with a third girl also came to light yesterday morning. Chilling out: The sprinter and his model belle relaxed on the South Pacific island of Bora Bora 'We're finally here': The duo posted Snapchats of their luxury on social media, keeping their followers updated Sharing: The sprinter and his girlfriend both took to their Snapchat and Instagram accounts to share photos from their break Lip service: In August, pictures emerged showing Usain kissing a woman in a Rio nightclub just hours before 'spending the night' with a student who shared pictures of them in bed Excitement: Social media went into overdrive after it was thought that the gold medal-winning athlete had hinted he might be engaged to his girlfriend Usain's sister, Christine Bolt-Hylton, 32, has said that the star and his girlfriend Kasi are a solid couple and will stay together because they are so in love. Speaking from her home parish of St Andrew, which borders Kingston, Jamaica, Christine said: 'I'm sure Kasi will be used to it by now. 'She is used to seeing pictures like this. People ask for pictures with him and he is always willing to have pictures. She is used to him being in the public domain.' He's a winner! Usian also shared photographs of his gold medal collection following his incredible win at the Olympic games Strong: Usain's girlfriend Kasi would be hurt by pictures of him in bed with mother-of-two Jady Duarte, according to the star's sister Christine Bolt-Hylton, 32, pictured right Star athlete: Jamaica's star sprinter has found himself at the centre of a series of scandals since his stunning 'triple triple' in Rio So in love: His older sister, Christine said her brother and his girlfriend Kasi Bennett, 26, (pictured) are a solid couple and will stay together because they are so in love Advertisement They broke the mould with their 2016 calendar, famously shunning supermodels in favour of 'women of achievement'. And Pirelli has opted for a similar theme for its 2017 edition, celebrating 'natural beauty and femininity' by showcasing some of Hollywood's most glamorous and mature stars. The 44th edition, which was shot Peter Lindbergh, features 14 internationally renowned actresses, including Julianne Moore, 55, and Robin Wright, 50. Scroll down for video Natural beauty: The 44th edition of the Pirelli calendar , which was shot Peter Lindbergh, features 14 internationally renowned actresses, including Julianne Moore, 55, and Robin Wright, 50 The powerful images prove that less is more, with barefoot Julianne looking ravishing in a black bodysuit as she rests on a stool for the artistic shot. Speaking about the shoot at the calendar launch in Paris on Tuesday, she explained: 'I had no make-up on, messy hair and puffy eyes from just waking up. But [Lindbergh] said "no no no, you are perfect." 'He celebrates soulfulness and doesn't think anyone isn't beautiful. He's so loving that I just couldn't say no.' Stripped back: Another snap from the series sees Nicole Kidman, 49, who is seen in just a white vest, cradling her knees whilst her locks are swept into a bun. She later explained that she considered female power is the 'courage to be yourself' Au natural: In another stunning shot, Uma Thurman, 46, gazes steely-eyed down the lens whilst the extreme close-up shows off her breathtaking natural beauty. Discussing the shot she explained: ''Peter wanted to free women from false standards' Meanwhile, Robin's glamorous shot sees her arch her lean legs whilst clad in a black vest and shorts, but achieving the picture was far from easy. The House Of Cards actress revealed: 'It's difficult being in front of a camera and having people watching. I don't like exposing myself and being vulnerable in that way, give me a character to play any day.' Another snap from the series sees Nicole Kidman, 49, who is seen in just a white vest, cradling her knees whilst her locks are swept into a bun. 'Female power is the courage to be yourself, to be able to walk into a room and be yourself,' she reasoned. 'When he told me the different women he was shooting I was very honoured to be in that group.' What a beauty: Robin shows off her physique in the stunning series of black and white images Ready for her close up: The actresses wow in the shots by acclaimed German snapper Lindberg Action! Charlotte Rampling is seen striking a pose in this behind the scenes shot from the star-studded shoot Charmer: The actresses all looked delighted to be working with Lindberg, pictured kissing Julianne Moore Wrapped up: Dame Helen let out a big laugh as she wrapped up in between takes on set Calendar girls! Also appearing in the he star-studded 2017 edition is (L-R) Jessica Chastain, 39, Penelope Cruz, 42, Rooney Mara, 31, and Helen Mirren, 71 Here come the girls: Lupita Nyongo, 33, Charlotte Rampling, 70 and Lea Seydoux, 31 also feature Leading ladies: Alicia Vikander, 28, Kate Winslet, 41, Zhang Ziyi, 37 and Anastasia Ignatova, professor of Political Theory at MGIMO also appear in the calendar The star also discussed how she is using her role as a mother to instill body confidence, explaining: 'I'm raising daughters and I'm right in the thick of it. It's really hard to sum up what advice I would give in one sentence.' The mother-of- four, who has three daughters, continued: 'My mother always said don't let anyone break your spirit. When you're raising little girls it's important to show them how to build inside.' She added that she also receives positive affirmations from her husband, Keith Urban, revealing that he prefers her without make-up. 'My husband totally prefers me with no make up on and at my most natural,' she explained. 'We're allowed to have that choice and it's a very important message to give to not only little girls but little boys. 'We're so used to airbrushing these days so you're not used to seeing people not have a perfect image. There's an enormous amount of judgement and the more we can strip that away the better.' Lovely ladies: Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Helen Mirren attended the Pirelli Calendar launch photocall in Paris on Tuesday as they discussed the theme of this year's offering and what female empowerment means to them Empowered: Nicole spoke about what the shoot meant for her at the photocall, as the mother-of-four discussed how she is using her role as a mother to instill body confidence in her three daughters In another stunning shot, Uma Thurman, 46, gazes steely-eyed down the lens whilst the extreme close-up shows off her breathtaking natural beauty. Discussing her decision to appear in the calendar, she revealed: 'Peter wanted to free women from oppressive and false standards. Pirelli is making the move to natural empowered and free women which is wonderful. Female power is endurance and solidarity.' She added: 'My mother used to say beauty is as beauty does and I think that's true. Accepting yourself is the first step of real beauty. Rebellion is in that joy. Go girls!' Girl power! Hollywood's heavyweights (L-R) Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Helen Mirren came together to shun the unrealistic beauty standards and discuss female empowerment as the theme of the calendar Completing the star-studded line-up in the 2017 edition is Jessica Chastain, 39, Penelope Cruz, 42, Rooney Mara, 31, Helen Mirren, 71, Lupita Nyongo, 33, Charlotte Rampling, 70, Lea Seydoux, 31, Alicia Vikander, 28, Kate Winslet, 41, and Zhang Ziyi, 37. Also included is Anastasia Ignatova, professor of Political Theory at MGIMO - Moscow State University of International Relations. The powerful message behind the calendar has resonated with its stars, with Dame Helen announcing: 'My advice for young girls would be look at the Pirelli calendar. The reality is we live, we love, we continue, we contribute and that's the role of women. 'It's incredibly challenging for young girls these days and we must remind them that life goes on for a long time and you'll be many things in that time.' Two of a kind: Both Uma and Helen were proud by the message the calendar conveyed. in recent years Pirelli has swapped its supermodel editions to feature women with other talents also Meanwhile, photographer Lindbergh reasoned: 'In a time when women are represented in the media and everywhere else, as ambassadors of perfection and youth, I thought it was important to remind everyone that there is a different beauty. 'More real and truthful and not manipulated by commercial or any other interests, a beauty which speaks about individuality, courage to be yourself and your own private sensibility...' As such, he explained he chose the title 'Emotional' for his calendar, in order to emphasize how the idea behind his photos was 'to create a calendar not around perfect bodies, but on sensitivity and emotion, stripping down to the very soul of the sitters, who thus become more nude than naked.' Three of a kind: Nicole, Uma and Helen joined together to pose for snaps. The trio opted to wear all-black complementing each other's ensembles Fancy seeing you here! Nicole seemed pleased to chat with Helen during the photocall He continued: 'There's a terror surrounding perfection and youth. It was a dangerous ideal for me to have. It was very risky but I wanted to avoid manipulating the pictures. 'Your thoughts and your experiences make you look the way you look. If you accept yourself there's no way you can't be beautiful.' Pirelli's calendar is an annual publication that dates to 1963. It is known for its limited availability, and reportedly only given to a select few Pirelli customers and celebrities. Talented lineup: Nicole, Uma and Helen positively glowed as they posed for pics with Peter Lindbergh and CEO Pirelli Group Marco Tronchetti Provera Ready for their close ups: The actresses showed off their natural beauty with just a smattering of makeup Three's not a crowd: The talented ladies shared a chat and a giggle in front of the cameras Time for a selfie? Dame Helen whipped out her phone to capture the glamour of the day Matching: The three stars coordinated in chic, head-to-toe black ensembles for the photocall Talent: Acclaimed photographer Peter Lindbergh captured the beauties for the beautiful calendar Good to see you! An excited Uma blew kisses at the crowd before the group headed inside to talk about the venture Always snapping! Lindbergh couldn't resist capturing some photos on his phone as they walked In coversation: Lindbergh sat down with the three actresses to discuss their joint project Drawing a crowd: The talented screen stars had their audience captivated Time for a cheesy one! Dame Helen, Uma and Lindbergh made time for a fun shot at the end of the press conference She's the Australian comedian and actress who made a life for herself in America 13 years ago. And on Monday, it seems Rebel Wilson welcomed some visitors from back home, as the actress was spotted at LAX Airport. The 36-year-old was seen carrying her baby niece after greeting her lookalike sister in the arrivals hall at the Los Angeles terminal. She's got her hands full! Rebel Wilson welcomed some visitors from back home, as the actress was spotted at LAX Airport arrivals on Monday with her lookalike sister and craddling her niece, named Sovereign Donning a casual chic look, Rebel didn't waste any time launching into aunty mode and cuddling the eight-month-old, named Sovereign. The Australian funnywoman wore a black T-shirt teamed with tight black jeans for the airport outing. Rebel displayed a proud smile as she balanced her niece on her right side with a firm two-hand hold. As there was no heavy luggage to carry, she took full advantage of her chance to carry the adorable youngster. Cuddle time! Donning a casual chic look, Rebel didn't waste any time launching into aunty mode and cuddling the eight-month-old as he sister followed with their bags The Pitch Perfect star added some glam to her laid-back outfit with a felt hat, studded handbag and bright pink flats. Her look was similar to that worn by her sister, as they both sported black leather-look jackets and pointed loafers. The playful bub seemed to be happy in the arms of her aunty, and didn't appear to reach back for her mother's embrace. Casual chic! The Australian funnywoman wore a black T-shirt teamed with tight black jeans and a black leather-look jacket The cutie donned a polka dot white top with black leggings and socks. Adding to her cuteness, she had a polkadot headband with a bow attached, across her head. At one point Rebel was seen struggling to pull up her pants up as she balanced the youngster on one hip while she had a large handbag hanging off her other shoulder. Juggling act: At one point Rebel was seen struggling to pull up her pants up as she balanced the youngster on one hip while she had a large handbag hanging off her other shoulder Airport ensemble: The Pitch Perfect star added some glam to her laid-back outfit with a felt hat, studded handbag and bright pink flats Precious cargo! The blonde beauty held her niece carefully with both hands Rebel originally grew up in Australia and got her break in SBS comedy series Fat Pizza and sketch comedy series The Wedge in 2003. She has three siblings, brother Ryot Wilson and sisters Liberty Wilson and Annachi Wilson. The actress took to Instagram in April to introduce her newborn niece in a selfie with her two sisters. She is one of the faces of the Pirelli 2017 calendar - known for breaking the mould with their 2016 offering, shunning supermodels in favour of 'women of achievement'. And Helen Mirren was in Paris on Tuesday promoting next year's edition, for which she has been photographed. Pirelli's 2017 calendar celebrates 'natural beauty and femininity' by showcasing some of Hollywood's most glamorous and mature stars - such as Mirren - alongside the likes of Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Julianne Moore. Scroll down for video 'Female power looks like us': Helen Mirren, 71, showcases her flawless complexion and talks about 'real beauty' alongside Nicole Kidman, 49, and Uma Thurman, 46 in Paris Speaking at the launch of the 44th edition of the calendar, which was shot by Peter Lindbergh, 71-year-old Mirren joked about her expectations for the shoot. 'I thought they'd give me a black leotard or bikini and make my lie on a leopard print rug,' the movie star quipped. 'Peter [Lindbergh] makes it very loose, very organic, you don't even realise we're being shot. 'We've all got our slightly glazed eye red carpet poses, but it takes a great master like Peter to make you natural.' Gushing about the 2017 edition, Mirren added that it should be used as a benchmark for young women. Timeless: Helen Mirren was in Paris on Tuesday promoting next year's edition, for which she has been photographed Beauty ambassadors: Pirelli's 2017 calendar celebrates 'natural beauty and femininity' by showcasing some of Hollywood's most glamorous and mature stars - such as Mirren - alongside Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Julianne Moore 'Beauty is as beauty does': Kill Bill star Thurman said that accepting yourself is the first step of real beauty Role model: Thurman, 46, was also joined by Nicole Kidman, 49, who spoke of her own children Faith and Sunday, whom she has with husband Keith Urban 'My advice for young girls would be to look at the Pirelli calendar,' the actress said. 'The reality is we live, we love, we continue, we contribute and that's the role of women. 'It's incredibly challenging for young girls these days and we must remind them that life goes on for a long time and you'll be many things in that time.' Co-participant Uma Thurman was also at the event. Catching up: Veteran Hollywood stars Mirren and Kidman shared a joke at the event Lovely ladies: Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Helen Mirren attended the Pirelli Calendar launch photocall in Paris on Tuesday High praise: Gushing about the 2017 edition, Mirren added that it should be used as a benchmark for young women Empowered: Both Kidman and Thurman echoed this mantra, with the former saying: 'Female power is the courage to be yourself, to be able to walk into a room and be yourself' 'My mother used to say beauty is as beauty does and I think that's true,' the Kill Bill star recounted. 'Accepting yourself is the first step of real beauty. Rebellion is in that joy. Go girls!' Thurman, 46, was also joined by Nicole Kidman, 49, who spoke of her own children Faith and Sunday, whom she has with husband Keith Urban. 'I'm raising daughters and I'm right in the thick of it,' she said of the girls who are five and eight, respectively. 'It's really hard to sum up what advice I would give in one sentence. Ready for their close ups: The actresses showed off their natural beauty with just a smattering of makeup Three's not a crowd: The talented ladies shared a chat and a giggle in front of the cameras Time for a selfie? Dame Helen whipped out her phone to capture the glamour of the day Matching: The three stars coordinated in chic, head-to-toe black ensembles for the photocall 'My mother always said don't let anyone break your spirit. When you're raising little girls it's important to show them how to build inside.' Mirren - who never had children with her director husband Taylor Hackford - went on to explain how photographer Lindbergh instructed his subjects to relax on set. 'He did a very clever thing and asked us to look at the last photographs of the last woman he shot, which opens your eyes to the talent he has,' she said. 'It immediately made me feel relaxed.' Talent: Acclaimed photographer Peter Lindbergh captured the beauties for the beautiful calendar Good to see you! An excited Uma blew kisses at the crowd before the group headed inside to talk about the venture Always snapping! Lindbergh couldn't resist capturing some photos on his phone as they walked Of womanly empowerment, she went on: 'Female power looks like us! It's a sense of variety, of adventure, of experimentation. It's a little girl skipping down the street, feeling free and optimistic. 'Things have changed in the last five years. This calendar is a clear manifestation of that change.' The star of forthcoming holiday movie Collateral Beauty slammed techniques of airbrushing and Photoshopping, praising the Pirelli calendar for capturing people as 'simple, human and real'. 'We're used to such spectacular images with such amazing locations and lighting and airbrushing,' she said. 'This goes away from that. It re-educates the eyes away from altered images and takes you back to the simple truth of humanity.' In coversation: Lindberg sat down with the three actresses to discuss their joint project Drawing a crowd: The talented screen stars had their audience captivated Time for a cheesy one! Dame Helen, Uma and Lindbergh made time for a fun shot at the end of the press conference Oh so chic: Dame Helen looked sensational in her classic suit and statement accessories Both Kidman and Thurman echoed this mantra, with the former saying: 'Female power is the courage to be yourself, to be able to walk into a room and be yourself.' The star of The Others added: 'I was the second to be shot. I've known Peter for so long and done so many shoots with him that he already had my trust. When he told me the different women he was shooting I was very honoured to be in that group.' Thurman continued: 'It's beautiful. Peter wanted to free women from oppressive and false standards. Pirelli is making the move to natural empowered and free women which is wonderful. Au natural: Thurman, 46, gazes steely-eyed down the lens whilst the extreme close-up shows off her breathtaking natural beauty 'Female power is endurance and solidarity. I was overjoyed to be asked.' The Burnt actress, who has worked alongside the likes of Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson, went on to add how happy she was to be with Mirren and Kidman at the launch. 'It's an incredible honour to be sitting here between these two women,' she said. 'I have two daughters and a son and it's important for boys and girls to see their mother ageing and being herself. 'It is wonderful to see human empowerment opened up. Peter is the only person who ever gets pictures of me laughing.' Lindbergh - the man who helmed the project - was also in attendance. Stripped back: Another snap from the series sees Nicole Kidman, 49, who is seen in just a white vest, cradling her knees whilst her locks are swept into a bun Natural beauty: The 44th edition of the Pirelli calendar , which was shot Peter Lindbergh, features 14 internationally renowned actresses, including Julianne Moore, 55, and Robin Wright, 50 Of the calendar's concept, he said: 'There's a terror surrounding perfection and youth. It was a dangerous ideal for me to have. It was very risky but I wanted to avoid manipulating the pictures. 'Your thoughts and your experiences make you look the way you look. If you accept yourself there's no way you can't be beautiful.' He concluded by providing his take on the modern idea of sex and glamour: 'Now we are in a really good place. I'm not fond of high heels and bikinis. That to me is not sexy.' Completing the star-studded calendar line-up is Jessica Chastain, 39, Penelope Cruz, 42, Rooney Mara, 31, Lupita Nyongo, 33, Charlotte Rampling, 70, Lea Seydoux, 31, Alicia Vikander, 28, Kate Winslet, 41, and Zhang Ziyi, 37. It's the confronting series that forces privileged Australian celebrities to step outside of their bubble and into the Aboriginal community in Kununurra. On Tuesday's premiere of First Contact, Ian 'Dicko' Dickson openly admitted that he feared the experience could reveal his own subconscious racism and prejudice. 'I'm worried about finding out that, when push comes to the shove, I'm just a dirty big racist,' said the former Australian Idol star. 'I'm worried about finding out that, when push comes to the shove, I'm just a dirty big racist': Ian Dickson questioned himself on the premiere of SBS' First Contact He added: 'What happens if I find out that I've got a crushing sense of superiority?' The 53-year-old continued: 'What happens if I, at the end of this, feel as dismissive of Indigenous cultures as some of my racist mates in the pub? What happens if I'm a racist? How do I deal with that?' Dicko's self-awareness and willingness to participate in the project earned praise from fans on social media. 'What happens if I find out that I've got a crushing sense of superiority?' the former Australian Idol host asked himself One user wrote: 'Dicko has the BEST attitude. He'll try anything. I have a great respect for him.' Another added: 'Dicko's halfway there. He's prepared to challenge preconceptions but is about to learn a lot about inter-generational suffering.' Dicko later got into a fight with former politican David Oldfield after the former politician continually refused to participate in scheduled activities and engaged in arguments with Natalie Imbruglia and Tom Ballard. Not into it: David Oldfield refused to participate in a number of scheduled activities Drama: Dicko and David later clashed after Dicko called out the former politician for his negative and dismissive attitude 'This is our country. This is our heritage. We should be proud of this. We shouldn't be dismissing it and just shunting it off ...' ranted a frustrated Dicko. He continued: 'This is a wonderful piece of heritage that makes us feel complete, gives us the pride that we are one of the oldest civilisations on the planet.' David responded: 'It's not a civilisation, mate. You need to look that up in the dictionary. It was a society.' He continued: 'A tribal, hunter gatherer society. And Dicko, it isn't my heritage. I wouldn't claim it as my heritage.' She seems to feel most at home in skimpy swimwear on the beach. And Lisa Appleton was up to her old tricks once again as she went wild during a Spanish Fiesta celebration this week. The 48-year-old - who became a famous face thanks to her turn on Big Brother - hit the beach dressed as a Hula Girl. What the hula? Big Brother star Lisa Appleton was up to her old tricks once again as she went wild during a Spanish Fiesta celebration this week, dressed in a skimpy bikini and grass skirt Slipping her curves into a skimpy yellow bikini, the brunette showed off her ample assets as she did her best version of a Hawaiian dance alongside pal Ryan Mira. The pair then got down as they drank beers near their hotel - with Lisa squatting into a daring dance position at one point. The party comes after Lisa was spotted showing off her curves in a neon yellow bikini whilst enjoying a holiday in Spain on Saturday. The former Big Brother star, 48, appeared to be in high spirits as she stretched out languorously on a sun lounger, before laughing as she frolicked in the sand. Skirting around the issue: Slipping her curves into a skimpy yellow bikini, the brunette showed off her ample assets as she did her best version of a Hawaiian dance alongside pal Ryan Mira Beach babe: The party comes after Lisa was spotted showing off her curves in a neon yellow bikini whilst enjoying a holiday in Spain on Saturday Having fun? Despite enjoying her beach day, she worked a full face of make-up complete with a dark smokey eye and heavy dusting of blusher across her cheeks The reality star confidently displayed her figure in the yellow two-piece, which featured golden heart motifs on the bust. Despite enjoying her beach day, she worked a full face of make-up complete with a dark smokey eye and heavy dusting of blusher across her cheeks. She wore her raven tresses scraped back in a messy ponytail, fixed in place with some black round-eye shades. Earlier this month, the former Channel 4 star gushed about her new love, known only as Paul, a 31-year-old double-glazing salesman, revealing how he wooed her with fine dining and gifts. Speaking to The Sun, Lisa gushed about her new boyfriend, declaring: 'Its going really well. He's a real man very manly! He's 31-years-old and opens car doors for me!' She added: 'He is very supportive as he knows and understands how stressed I have been past few years. Im probably a hand full for him!' But despite her apparent mood swings, Lisa has worked her magic on Paul and said that her new man has been splashing out on designer gifts for her alongside romantic dinner dates. Happy times: The Big Brother star gushed about her new love, Paul, a 31-year-old double-glazing salesman, revealing how he wooed her with fine dining and gifts Lisa's most famous love was her ex-husband Mario Marconi, whom she competed with in the ninth series of Big Brother. In 2008 she and then boyfriend Mario, real name Shaun Astbury, made headlines when he proposed to her in the famous house. The couple then wed in October 2010, but after an eight-and-a-half-year romance they called time on their relationship in 2013. At the time, Appleton explained their marriage fell apart when they were duped by convicted conman Selva Carmichael into being followed by cameras for six months to film a fake reality show. Last June Lisa featured in the Channel 5 documentary Celebs on Benefits: Fame to Claim. Over the summer, she found herself mired in a scandal that saw her stripped of her Miss Great Britain title, after an on-screen romp while appearing on TV's Love Island. But over the weekend, Zara Holland's focus was on philanthropy as she prepared to make her way to India to take part in charity work on behalf of the SQ Foundation. However, once she made her way into London's Heathrow's busy terminal, things quickly came unstuck, as she learned that a mix-up with visas left her unable to fly. Scroll down for video Jet-setter: Zara Holland was spotted at London's Heathrow Air[port, as she prepared to board a flight to India over the weekend 'The charity didn't realise that visa requirements have changed,' a spokesperson for Zara told MailOnline. 'They have rescheduled for the Spring but she was obviously disappointed not to go. ' Indeed, as travellers scurried around her while making their way to departure gates for their winter getaways, the 21-year-old was seen looking deeply disappointed. Sharing the news with her 171,000 Twitter followers, she wrote: 'So so gutted about this, I'm at the airport with my bags and everything! I'm suppose to be on the plane now. (sic)' We (don't) have lift-off! However, her plans soon came crashing down when it was discovered that she was unable to board her flight because of a visa mix-up Letdown: The former Miss Great Britain was seen looking disappointed as the news sunk in Emotional: She quickly took to Twitter to share the news with her 171,000 followers Zara had been booked on the British Airways flight with the intention of visiting shelters, an orphanage and a school on behalf of the SQ Foundation. And she looked casually cool for her anticipated flight, wearing an all-black ensemble that included a tracksuit with matching trainers. She wore her dark tresses in a topknot as she toted a black handbag and wheeled her postbox red suitcase through the terminal to make her way back home. However, now that she's remaining on British shores, Zara appears to be back in the swing of things as she embraces the upcoming Yuletide season. On the right track: Zara looked casually cool for her planned journey, wearing a black tracksuit Just in case...: She wheeled a postbox red hard suitcase through the busy terminal On Monday, she excitedly took to Twitter to share an image of an illuminated snowman with matching gifts in her home. The former beauty queen captioned the shot: 'It's looking a lot like Christmas at home! So excited, it's going to be the best Christmas ever #happyzara.' Zara recently shared a snap alongside a mystery man, seeming to confirm the end of her single status. She captioned the photo with three love heart emojis alongside the words: 'Happiest girl alive'. Philanthropy: The star had planned to do charity work on behalf of the SQ Foundation The post suggested that Zara has found love after a turbulent summer, which saw her lose her Miss Great Britain crown after having a televised romp on ITV2. The disgraced beauty queen branded told MailOnline she does not actually regret having sex with Love Island hunk Alex Bowen, despite thousands of viewers seeing her escapades live on TV. She told MailOnline: 'Women like to have sex. I just personally have never had a one night stand before and a lot of women have one night stands and there's nothing wrong with sex and if you wake up in the morning and it makes you feel good. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas: On Monday, she exciedtly shared a snapshot of her elaborate Yuletide decorations 'Sex is nothing to be ashamed of. We're all women but I just don't regret my actions, I just regret doing it on TV.' 'Yes I did it on national TV, yes it's a different story to if it was behind closed doors but it was in the hideaway it wasn't in the communal bedroom. I'm not making it right or any better but you didn't see anything.' Many have accused viewers and critics of 'slut-shaming' - yet Zara is adamant this is not the case: 'I don't feel like it's (slut-shaming). 'I think everybody makes a mistake and if you learn from it every one deserves a second chance in life. I made a mistake.' It looks as if there is a happy ending after all to Rob & Chyna. On Tuesday People reported Rob Kardashian has moved back into his fiancee Blac Chyna's Calabasas mansion after leaving the residence in the spring due to constant arguing. The reason is the 29-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wants to be closer to his daughter Dream, who was born on November 10. Roomies again: On Tuesday People reported Rob Kardashian has moved back into his fiancee Blac Chyna's home after leaving the residence in the spring Nice digs: The pinup lives in this Calabasas mansion that has been featured on Rob & Chyna Dreamy: The reason is the 29-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wants to be closer to his daughter Dream, who was born on November 10. Here is a new image of the child shared on Tuesday 'Rob wants to live with Chyna and spend every day with Dream,' said a Kardashian source. 'He is making a big effort to get along with Chyna. She seems very happy with him. They are getting along great and enjoying parenting together.' And the former recluse has turned out to be an excellent father. A set: The duo shot their show Rob & Chyna in her house. Here they are seen in her bedroom Roomy: The two were seen in her bathroom as they discussed his weight Happy again: 'Rob wants to live with Chyna and spend every day with Dream,' said a Kardashian source. 'He is making a big effort to get along with Chyna' Ready for Christmas: Dream modeled Rob's socks in this cute snap 'Rob is super hands-on with Dream,' a source told the site. 'She's changed his life. She makes him want to be better. And hes spending a lot more time with his family.' It helps that he has a sunnier outlook on life. 'Rob is so much happier now. He is obsessed with his baby girl!' said a source. Posing: On Monday the video star shared this image from her home Good mommy: On Sunday the former music video star wore a tight pink outfit that highlighted her astonishingly small waistline as she took son King Cairo (whose son is Tyga) to the mall Incredible shrinking Chyna: The former music video star wore a tight pink outfit that highlighted her astonishingly small waistline Meanwhile Chyna has been showing off her impressive post-baby body. On Sunday the former music video star wore a tight pink outfit that highlighted her astonishingly small waistline as she took son King Cairo (whose son is Tyga) to the mall. The beauty let her little boy meet Santa Clause and she also stepped on a Naughty Or Nice meter. The early days: Rob first moved into her home in early 2016. Here they are seen in May She was happy to report that she has been determined to be Nice. And the future Mrs Kardashian also shared glam images to Snapchat where she looked like a mini Kim Kardashian clone. On Monday the looker posed in a long robe. Kim, however, is not having such an easy time. She has reportedly been by Kanye West's side nearly nonstop since he was hospitalized a week ago for a breakdown. The Stronger hit maker is currently at UCLA Medical Center. She is the bikini-loving beauty queen with a figure envied by women across Australia. And Tegan Martin, 24, wasn't shy to flaunt her flawless figure as she gushed about her upcoming holiday to Bali on Tuesday. Posing in a white two-piece bikini and blue kaftan, the slender model looked picture-perfect in the breezy snap. Bali beach body! Tegan Martin, 24, wasn't shy to flaunt her flawless figure as she gushed about her upcoming holiday to Bali on Tuesday 'Counting down the weeks until Bali. Shoots, new swimwear, the little bro, friends, cocktails and many adventures to come #holidayandwork #travel #bali, 'she wrote in the caption. It comes after the blonde stunner expressed her desire to join the exclusive Victoria's Secret catwalk in coming years. She revealed she dreams of one day becoming a Victoria's Secret Angel during an interview with Yahoo. 'I felt a little like a Victoria's Secret model': Tegan recently revealed her previous pageant experience fuelled her desire to become a Victoria's Secret Angel in the future Tegan says her favourite Angel is Adriana Lima, who this year, will be talking the runway for her 16th show in a row. The former 2014 Miss Universe Australia claimed she had plenty of catwalk experience and likened the swimwear round in the international pageant to flaunting lingerie on the runway for VS. 'I felt a little like a Victoria's Secret model at the Miss Universe pageant though. It's viewed by the same amount of people worldwide so I feel blessed enough to have experienced that,' she said. Prepped and ready? The former 2014 Miss Universe Australia claimed she had plenty of catwalk experience and likened the swimwear round on the pageant contest to flaunting lingerie on the runway for VS 'It's viewed by the same amount of people worldwide': Tegan made more comparisons to the Victoria's Secret show and said she hoped to meet with some of the models when she visits the States next year The blonde beauty says she'll be headed to the States next year and hopes to meet with some of the models while she's there. In the meantime, she's interested in enhancing her training to for a 'Victoria's Secret level' and plans on watching the show from home. 'I will be spending the show night with a bunch of girlfriends who are all models, with a big bowl of popcorn,' she explained. Off to Paris! This week the exclusive Victoria's Secret models chosen to front the 2016 catwalk headed to Paris in preparation for the anticipated fashion show on November 30 Model voyage! The Victorias Secret Fashion Show for 2016 marks the first time the fashion show will be held in Paris, France The Victorias Secret Fashion Show for 2016 marks the first time the fashion show will be held in Paris, France. Of the Australian models in attendance, there will be Bridget Malcolm, Kelly Gale and Georgia Fowler. The fantasy bra this year, worth $3 million and adorned with 9,000 gemstones and 450 carats, will be worn by American model Jasmine Tookes. Aussie Angels! Of the Australian models in attendance at the Paris fashion show, there will be Georgia Fowler(left), Kelly Gale (middle) and Bridget Malcolm (right) Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall threw a star-studded bash to launch their premium tequila brand Sesion Tequila last December. But according to new reports from The Daily Telegraph, the Australian power couple pulled the plug at the last minute on a scheduled party for the burgeoning brand this week due to a 'lack of RSVPs.' However, the publication also mentions that organisers have blamed booking issues for the cancellation of Wednesday's planned soiree. Party pooper? Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall pulled the plug at the last minute for their scheduled party in Sydney on Wednesday night, for their tequila line Sesion Tequila Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Jennifer's management for comment. This isn't the first Sesion party to get canned. The tequila's launch was abruptly postponed last year Mexico's Hurricane Patricia struck the country's coastline and grounded flights, preventing the stock from being able to make it to Sydney on time. The launch was moved to December of last year, which thankfully went off without a hitch. Why? The Daily Telegraph claims 'lack of RVSPs' is the reason behind the party cancellation (Pictured with E! Australia host Ksenija Lukich, right) No big names? The launch party of Sesion Tequila last year attracted Michael Wipli (left) and Larry Emdur (centre) as well as Guy Sebastian, Ksenija Lukich, and many more celebrities A string of A-listers came out to support the entrepreneurial couple's venture, including Guy Sebastian, E! correspondant Ksenija Lukich, radio personality Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, TV star Larry Emdur, and Instagram queen Antoinette Marie. Aussie dance duo Yolanda Be Cool spun tunes at the VIP event, which was held at an exclusive yacht club. Sesion Tequila has been met with a positive response since its launch last year. Two 'flavours' of the booze picked up a gold and silver medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits competition, which is considered the Academy Awards of spirits. She's set to take part in the annual Victoria's Secret Show for a fourth time on Wednesday, as she joins a host of stunning models for the anticipated event. And Josephine Skriver, 23, appeared to be practising strutting her stuff as she stepped out on the streets of Paris for a photoshoot on Tuesday afternoon. The Danish beauty struck a series of sultry poses as she peeled off her red faux fur jacket to reveal a plunging black top with daring side cut-outs. Scroll down for video Strike a pose! Model Josephine Skriver was spotted taking part in a photoshoot on the streets of Paris on Tuesday Accentuating her long, lean legs in skintight black embellished trousers and vertiginous strappy heels, she looked to be in her element as she posed for cameras. Her golden tresses rested about her shoulders in gentle waves, while she highlighted her natural beauty with a light application of naturally-toned makeup. With her head-turning ensemble already doing enough to garner attention, Josephine went minimal on her accessories, with a delicate pendant resting above her cleavage. Sultry: The Danish beauty peeled off her faux fur coat as she struck a series of sultry poses Perfect pins: She accentuated her long, lean legs in skintight trousers and towering heels The model - who has been featured in such prestigious magazines as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar - was welcomed into the Victoria's Secret fold in 2011. Outside of her modelling work, she is a devoted advocate for LGBTQ rights, serving as a celebrity ambassador for the Family Equality Council and its Outspoken Generation Program. Her work is advocacy is particularly personal as she and her younger brother Oliver -who were conceived through IVF - were born to a lesbian mother and gay father. Making waves: Her golden tresses were styled in relaxed waves for her day in front of the lens Back by popular demand: Josephine is set to make her fourth appearance in the Victoria's Secret Show on Wednesday Speaking to i-D magazine in 2015 of her upbringing, she said: ' I didn't really know my life was any different, because I had parents that loved my brother and I very, very much; parents who have sacrificed, loved, fought, and taught us about life like any other parents would.' Josephine, who has been dating The Cab frontman Alexander DeLeon since 2013, added of her mother: 'I had a mom, who back in the day was gay. From the moment she was a kid, from the moment she knew about kids, she wanted to be a mom. 'So in Denmark, in '92, there was this newsletter for the whole LGBTQ community and my mom just put an ad in there and was like, "I want to bring a kid into this world. Does anyone want to be part of that?" She got a few replies and the first one actually turned out to be my dad!' So in love: The beauty has been dating The Cab frontman Alexander DeLeon since 2013 The Victoria's Secret Show is scheduled to be taped on Wednesday, and will air on TV screens the following week. One of the most iconic shows of the year, the event has drawn in plenty of fashion's elite, with the likes of Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid also hitting the runway. Also heading to the City of Light are Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd, who are all set to perform at the extravaganza. It was rumoured he would spend the holiday with his children amid a temporary truce with estranged wife Angelina Jolie. However, Dailymail.com can now confirm that Brad Pitt instead jetted off to the Turks and Caicos Islands for Thanksgiving. While Angelina, 41, stayed in Los Angeles with their six children, the 52-year-old actor was 3,000 miles away at the Amanyara resort, reportedly staying at a private villa with a male pal. Getting away from it all: Brad Pitt jetted off to Turks and Caicos over Thanksgiving Miles away: The 52-year-old actor would have been soaking up a view like this at the Amanyara A source confirmed to DailyMail.com that Brad spent Thanksgiving at the celebrity favourite spot in the Bahamas. Villas at the luxury and very secluded resort can go for around $15,000 per night. It was no doubt a welcome break for the actor after a whirlwind few weeks promoting new movie Allied alongside co-star Marion Cotillard. Days before Thanksgiving it was speculated that Brad and Angelina had come to some sort of agreement their children pleaded with the stars to be nice to each other for the holidays. Tranquil: Villas at the luxury resort can go for around $15,000 per night Very zen: Angelina stayed in Los Angeles with their six children while Brad got away from it all in accommodations such as this An insider told Page Six: 'Angie wouldnt let him see the kids.' The actress currently has temporary physical custody of the six kids - Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, eight. The Salt actress filed for divorce in September citing irreconcilable differences and requesting sole physical custody of the couple's children. Around the same time Brad became the subject of a child abuse investigation after an argument with son Maddox on a private jet earlier that month. The Fight Club star was officially cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this month. Relaxing oasis: The ocean-side resort is extremely secluded Dining experience: The actor would have the opportunity to eat at the Beach Club restaurant with this beautiful view He filed a request for joint custody in response to Angelina's divorce petition. Meanwhile, rumours of a romance between Brad and Kate Hudson have been shot down. In a report published on Monday, an insider for Woman's Day had claimed: 'Kate is Brad's mystery woman. They've been extremely close over the past few weeks, following several secret meet-ups.' A source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that the claims are false. Hectic schedule: It was no doubt a welcome break for the actor who has been busy promoting new movie Allied alongside Lizzy Caplan and Marion Cotillard 'Angie wouldnt let him see the kids' a source has said of the actress who is pictured in January with five of her children She's gearing up to walk in her first Victoria's Secret show. But Irina Shayk, 30, didn't seem to be feeling any nerves as she made a late arrival to Paris on Tuesday. The Russian beauty was seen heading out of the Grand Palais in all black ensemble, whilst veteran Angel Alessandra Ambrosio opted for the same colour scheme across town. Scroll down for video Classic and chic: Irina Shayk seen heading out of Paris' Grand Palais on Tuesday in all black, whilst veteran Angel Alessandra Ambrosio opted for the same colour scheme across town Striding forward in a pair of knee high boots, the model - flashed a hint of her lean legs, whilst she layered up in an oversized jumper dress. Keeping her accessories simple, Irina - who is dating Bradley Cooper - carried a large leather handbag in the crook of her arm and slipped on a pair of oversized shades. Whilst she seemed in good spirits, the star was no doubt feeling the nerves ahead of her first Victoria's Secret show. Jump to it: Striding forward in a pair of knee high boots, the model - flashed a hint of her lean legs, whilst she layered up in an oversized jumper dress Finishing touches: Keeping her accessories simple, Irina - who is dating Bradley Cooper - carried a large leather handbag in the crook of her arm and slipped on oversized shades Irina will no doubt be taking tips from Alessandra, who has been a VS Fashion Show staple since 2000. She walked in she lingerie extravaganza three months after the birth of her first child in 2008 and again in 2011 while pregnant with her second. She has also twice paraded down the runway in the brand's multi-million dollar Fantasy Bra, in 2012 and in 2014. One to watch: Irina will no doubt be taking tips from Alessandra, who has been a VS Fashion Show staple since 2000 and has twice paraded down the runway in the brand's Fantasy Bra And the yummy mummy looked ready for business as she stepped out in a leather mini dress. Layering up, Alessandra donned a floor length black coat and strode past in heeled knee high boots. She finished off the look with a pair of aviator sunglasses and a small boxy handbag. Beautiful in black: The yummy mummy looked ready for business as she stepped out in a leather mini dress. Layering up, Alessandra donned a floor length black coat The Victoria's Secret show is being taped on Wednesday, and will air on TV the following week. One of the most iconic shows of the year, the event has drawn in plenty of fashion's elite, with the likes of Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid also hitting the runway. Also heading to the City of light are Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and The Weeknd who are all set to perform at the extravaganza. French Fancy: Alessandra nailed Parisian chic in her stylish ensemble which hinted at her phenomenal figure whilst remaining demure He looks nearly unrecognisable as an extraordinarily thin Christian missionary in forthcoming Martin Scorsese film Silence. And Adam Driver has revealed that the movie was the first time he has had to go to such lengths in the name of visual storytelling. 'I dont think Ive ever taken it to the extreme before,' he tells the latest edition of Interview magazine about his 50lb weight loss. 'Its an interesting thing. Youre so hungry and so tired at some points that theres nothing you can do - youre not adding anything on top of what youre doing.' Scroll down for videos Shocking: Adam Driver poses on a toilet in one striking snap for the new edition of Interview magazine '[Scorsese] asked us to lose weight,' he adds about the movie which sees him star alongside Andrew Garfield as a missionary who travels by boat to Japan to locate mentor Liam Neeson at a time when Christianity was outlawed. 'When the movie begins, the characters have been traveling for two years, from Portugal to Macau, sailed around Africa. 'Theres disease and shortage of food. Theyre already kind of depleted when they get to Macau before their last leg to Japan. Cuts like a razor blade: One shot featured Adam holding what appeared to be a razor to his eyeball Thin: Adam shown with an extremely slim frame in the new trailer for Silence Submerged: The actor is shot underwater in another arty picture Scorsese needed his actors to fully commit to weight loss for the role to appear realistic. 'When we come in, the stakes are already so high, and then we continue to lose weight. He wanted to see that physically,' says Adam. 'He asked us to lose a lot of weight. I didnt know how much that was going to be. And, I cant control whats happening in scenes, but I could control when I ate food.' However, since the film - which was shot in the first part of last year - Adam has put on some considerable bulk and showed off his muscles in a set of arty new pictures for the publication. Muscle: Adam appeared to have packed on the pounds since shooting the movie last year Arty: The Star Wars actor is seen draped over a filthy sink in another shot Bathroom stint: Adam appeared shirtless in many of the arty snaps In one snap, he is seen sitting semi-clothed on a toilet, while another shows him appearing to hold a razor blaze up to his eyeball. Seemingly shot in a filthy bathroom, the black and white shots feature the actor submerged underwater in a bath, cleaning his teeth and shaving his armpit. In the interview with director Noah Baumbach, he discusses working with Scorsese, how he tackles roles and appearing in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Nice and clean: One rather striking snapshot shows Adam putting toothpaste on his toothbrush from a great height. Doing it right: Adam is something of a perfectionist, preferring to do take after take on a film set Combing through: Adam's striking dark looks helped him make his mark as villain Kylo Ren on Star Wars 'Scorsese hires you for your ideas and wants you to take ownership of it. Its really inspiring to work with someone whos accomplished so much and is the tip of the pyramid and is still turning to you and wants your ideas and opinions.' In terms of tacking intense roles such as Silence, Adam is something of a perfectionist, preferring to do take after take on a film set. 'Oftentimes I leave a set and there are so many different ways to have played a scene that I think of later, when Im more relaxed and not distracted, I go through a mourning period, like, Oh, God, well never get to go back and do it again. Bathroom hygiene: The actor cleans his teeth rather thoroughly in one snap Cutting it fine: Another shot shows off the star's bicep to the full as he shaves his armpit Diverse roles: Adam has gone from the mass appeal of Star Wars to the intensity of Silence Mirror mirror: Adam has embraced his role as Star Wars villain Kylo Ren Famous for his role in TV dramedy Girls, Adam became a mainstream star with his take on arch villain Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens last year. It's something the star has embraced - taking great pleasure at seeing children dressed as his character at Halloween. 'I was dropping my wife off outside our building and I saw this mom holding a lightsaber - like, my lightsaber - and scarily accurate, like life-size,' he recalled. 'And she was handling it like shes handled it a million times. She was juggling four kids who were all running in different directions, and she had three different bags and this lightsaber. Suddenly, the things that are great about this job came into full focus.' Brushing it aside: Adam admitted that, like many actors, he sometimes suffers from insecurity on set and looks to his director for approval Mean and moody: Adam wrapped up in a robe while wearing a sombre expression Despite his success, Adam admits that, like many actors, he sometimes suffers from insecurity on set and looks to his director for approval. 'I start distrusting everybody because youre insecure. So I start to rebel against whats happening, to kind of shock my system a bit,' he said. 'Not rebel like I dont show up on time or I show up drunk or something. Its just a way to take ownership of it for myself.' On the cover: Adam is busy promoting his new Martin Scorsese film Silence One is a bona fide A-Lister used to playing roguish men with a charming streak, and the other spends much of his time saving the universe on the small screen. But on Tuesday Hugh Grant and Peter Capaldi were cast in very different roles, as the pair joined the rest of the Paddington 2 cast on-location in London. While Peter, 58, is reprising his role as the mean-spirits Mr Curry, Hugh, 56, is a new addition to the cast - playing a vain local celebrity. Scroll down for video Hugh do you think you are? On Tuesday Hugh Grant and Peter Capaldi were cast in very different roles, as the pair joined the rest of the Paddington 2 cast on-location in London Heading out to film a bustling street scene, the two stars looked to be firmly in character as they stepped out in costume on-set for the first time. Hugh - whose last film, Florence Foster Jenkins, won him plaudits - has taken on the role of Phoenix Buchanan, a faded actor who lives near to Paddington and the Browns. Dressed in a warm black parka jacket, white crisp chinos and tobacco lace-up Oxfords, the actor looked like any other London resident battling the bad weather. Fading star: While Peter, 58, is reprising his role as the mean-spirits Mr Curry, Hugh, 56, is a new addition to the cast - playing a vain local celebrity Going down in flames: Hugh - whose last film, Florence Foster Jenkins, won him plaudits - has taken on the role of Phoenix Buchanan, a faded actor who lives near to Paddington With his peppered, greying locks swept into a messy style, Hugh wore a stern look on his face as he marched down a street - presumably Phoenix having had a bad day as a local has-been. Peter meanwhile looked to have had no trouble trading the TARDIS for the perks of being a bus conductor. The Scottish actor, who is reprising his role as the mean-spirited Reginald Curry, was dressed in navy trousers, matching overcoat, a retro V-neck jumper, shirt and tie, and a high-visibility vest. No more Mr Nice Guy: Peter meanwhile looked to have had no trouble trading the TARDIS for the perks of being a bus conductor - slipping back into his role with gusto With a ticket machine strapped to his belt and a thermos dangling on the other side, it seemed that Mr. Curry was hard at work as the Browns emerged minus Paddington. Also out on the street for the days shoot was Hugh Bonneville, who plays Paddington's guardian, Mr Henry Brown. The actor wore a grim expression on his face as he handed out flyers alongside his wife Mary (Sally Hawkins), and their children Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) and Judy (Madeleine Harris). Why so Downton? Also out on the street for the days shoot was Hugh Bonneville, who plays Paddington's guardian, Mr Henry Brown Bad news for the bear? The actor wore a grim expression on his face as he handed out flyers alongside his wife Mary (Sally Hawkins) Though it looks as though Paddington isn't with the family due to the bear being pre-occupied with a marmalade sandwich, as the Brown family were all sporting pin badges reading 'Free Paddington'. The sequel follows on from the hugely popular 2014 film, and it sees Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishaw) now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community. The lovable bear picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen - leading to some very unfortunate circumstances. She was most recently seen with her toyboy boyfriend Nicholas Jarecki in October. But he was absent when 52-year-old Courtney Love took a beach stroll hand-in-hand with photographer Sebastian Faena, 31, in Miami. The widow of Kurt Cobain dressed head-to-toe in black as she looked close to the Argentinian photographer ahead of attending the opening of his exhibition at Art Basel in the city. Scroll down for video Close: 52-year-old Courtney Love took a beach stroll hand in hand with photographer Sebastian Faena, 31, in Miami The blonde rocker chose a black Bardot top and cropped black trousers for the liaison. Love had her trademark tresses loose in tousled beach waves. The Hole frontwoman added giant heart-framed sunglasses as they strolled in the sand. Simple style: The widow of Kurt Cobain dressed head to toe in black as she looked close to the Argentinian photographer, ahead of attending the opening of his exhibition at Art Basel in the city Classic: The blonde rocker chose a black bardot top and cropped black trousers for the liaison Rock chic: She had her trademark tresses loose in tousled beach waves She carried a fringed bag and kept her footwear simple, donning grey flat sliders. Later she glammed it up in a plunging black lace dress for the unveiling of her close friend's work. She added a vibrant cerise lip, and had a velvet jacket to hand in case the temperatures plummeted. Va va voom: Later she glammed it up in a plunging black lace dress for the unveiling of her close friend's work Hugs: Courtney looked stunning as she cosied up to the photographer at his event Striking a pose: She added a vibrant cerise lip, and had a velvet jacket to hand in case the temperatures plummeted Pals: Courtney chatted with Alan and Sebastian Faena at the Art Basel Courtney had been dating 37-year-old filmmaker Jarecki since late last year after being introduced by mutual friends, and had been spotted in October exercising together in Los Angeles. Courtney has daughter Frances Bean Cobain, now 24, with the late Nirvana frontman. The mother and daughter recently signed up Mavericks Guy Oseary and Heather Parry, president of Live Nation Film and Television, to co-manage Kurt Cobain's estate and oversee the name, likeness, artwork, digital and licensing for the Nirvana rocker who died in 1994. Night out: She shared an excited snap on Instagram captioned: '@thegrahamsteele @derekblasberg #artbasel #miami let's take this town ! ' It seems Karlie Kloss won't be making her return to the Victoria's Secret Christmas Fashion Show in Paris after all. The stunning 24-year-old supermodel, who was spotted out in the rain in New York on Tuesday, shared the news in an Instagram snap showing her with the Angels in 2013 that she posted Sunday. She captioned it: 'Thinking of the Angels and my entire @victoriassecret family as they make their way to Paris today. Scroll down for video Soggy start: Supermodel Karlie Kloss braved the New York rain on Tuesday after revealing in an Instagram that she isn't going to be walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris 'Unfortunately this year I have a work obligation that is keeping me from Paris. I'm sad to miss it but am wishing everyone all the best from afar! 'There is truly no show quite like the VS Fashion Show, and there is no feeling quite like walking on that magnificent runway. 'To all my girls walking, good luck and enjoy every minute of it!!! I can't wait to see you all shine bright over in Paris all my love xx kk.' Karlie didn't reveal what the 'work obligation is' that will keep her away from the fun. She won't be in the 2016 VS show: The stunning 24-year-old supermodel shared the news in an Instagram snap showing her with the Angels in 2013 that she posted on Sunday Golden girl: The 6ft 2ins model last walked for VS at the London Christmas show in 2014 She first appeared on the show in New York in 2011 and became an official Angel in 2013, only to leave the lingerie brand in 2015. Her last year on the VS catwalk was December 2014 in London. The 2016 show will tape on Wednesday at the Grand Palais in Paris and air on CBS on December 5. Meanwhile, Karlie was all smiles as she braved the rain in downtown New York on Tuesday. Undercover glamour: 'Unfortunately this year I have a work obligation that is keeping me from Paris. I'm sad to miss it but am wishing everyone all the best from afar!' she said The stunning 6ft 2in beauty wore a blue dress with a dark orange neckline under a camel-coloured coat that she teamed with black ankle boots. And she stayed dry under a huge black umbrella that she carried along with a black leather handbag. The star was later seen grabbing some healthy munchies at Barry's Bootcamp's Fuel Bar. A source tells the Dailymail.com that the model grabbed two Barry's protein shakes and two Indie Fresh Barry's Vegan Black Bean Burgers to go. She showcases her natural beauty in the near make-up free shots of Pirelli's 2017 calendar. But Uma Thurman proved she nail red-carpet glamour just as easily as she attended the gala dinner to mark the release of the iconic shots in Paris on Tuesday night. The Pulp Fiction star, 46, looked like a modern-day Grecian goddess as she hit the red carpet in a stunning emerald pleated gown that effortlessly flaunted her slim physique. Scroll down for video Simply stunning: Uma Thurman, 46, proved she nail red-carpet glamour as she stunned in a dark green gown at the Pirelli Calendar 2017 gala dinner in Paris on Tuesday night The Hollywood heavyweight was the height of chic in her dark green stretch-knit gown, which featured a nipped-in panel to emphasize her trim waist. The newly raven-haired actress wore her brunette tresses coiffed back in an elegant chignon and held in place with a delicate Alice band. Showcasing her striking features, the Kill Bill star framed her eyes with a smoky shadow and wore a pale pink lipstick. Keeping accessories to a minimum, the statuesque model turned actress carried a simple black box clutch. Working her angles: The Pulp Fiction star looked like a modern-day Grecian goddess in an emerald pleated gown that effortlessly flaunted her slim physique Chic: The Hollywood heavyweight was the height of chic in her stretch-knit gown, which featured a nipped-in panel to emphasize her trim waist Showcasing her natural beauty: The Kill Bill star framed her eyes with a smoky shadow and wore a pale pink lipstick Another star of the calendar Helen Mirren was also in attendance, and appeared to be in the first flushes of love as she gazed adoringly at her husband director Taylor Hackford. The iconic actress, 71, oozed opulence in a floor-length gown dripping in decadent sequins as she cosied up to her long-term love on the red carpet. The Queen star looked incredibly youthful in the showstopping gown which featured bias-cut tailoring that nipped in her trim waist. Keeping accessories to a minimum: The statuesque model turned actress carried a simple black box clutch Ready for her close-up: The newly raven-haired actress wore her brunette tresses coiffed back in an elegant chignon and held in place with a delicate Alice band Statuesque: The Prime star stole the show as she posed confidently on the red carpet Featuring a delicate semi-sheer lace panel, the velvet gown clung to Helen's slim figure. The London-born star wore her silver hair in a gamine fringe and sleek crop and added a scarlet slick of lipstick. Pirelli's 2017 calendar celebrates 'natural beauty and femininity' by showcasing some of Hollywood's most glamorous and mature stars - such as Kidman, Mirren, Thurman and Julianne Moore. Pirelli unveiled the 2017 edition of its famed calendar, which sees photographer Peter Lindbergh move beyond snaps of semi-nude models and set his lens on Hollywood. The calendar, entitled Emotional and launched in Paris, stars 14 Oscar-winning actresses featured in close up in black and white images and in mainly clothed poses. Loved-up: Helen Mirren, 71, appeared to be in the first flushes of love as she gazed adoringly at her husband Taylor Hackford at the Pirelli Calendar 2017 gala dinner in Paris on Tuesday night Pucker up! The Queen star looked incredibly youthful in the showstopping gown as she gave fellow actress Nicole Kidman a kiss Ultra-chic: Featuring a delicate semi-sheer lace panel, the velvet gown clung to Helen's slim figure Adorable: Taylor placed a protective arm around his wife, who he married in 1997 A roll call of A-listers including Charlotte Rampling, Uma Thurman, Helen Mirren, Nicole Kidman, Lea Seydoux, Alicia Vikander, Kate Winslet, Julianne Moore, Robin Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Rooney Mara and Jessica Chastain all agreed to go near-makeup-free for the grown-up shoots. Speaking about his artistic choices, Lindbergh said that he's 'not so fond of high heels and bikini' and wanted to capture the nakedness in the soul of the calendars stars, not their bodies. Mirren, 71, said that the calendar's move toward less sexualized images of women begun in last year's edition by Annie Leibovitz marks 'undoubtedly a cultural shift, a real opening up and a big change.' Youthful: The London-born star wore her silver hair in a gamine fringe and sleek crop and added a scarlet slick of lipstick Simply stylish: Letting the velvet gown do all the talking, the Calendar Girls star carried a simple black clutch and wore diamond drop earrings Speaking about the shoot, Julianne Moore explained: 'I had no make-up on, messy hair and puffy eyes from just waking up. But [Lindbergh] said "no no no, you are perfect." 'He celebrates soulfulness and doesn't think anyone isn't beautiful. He's so loving that I just couldn't say no.' Meanwhile Helen and Taylor, who married in 1997, are one of the longest lasting marriages in Hollywood. Girl power! Hollywood's heavyweights (L-R) Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Helen Mirren came together to shun the unrealistic beauty standards and discuss female empowerment as the theme of the calendar Lovely ladies: Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Helen Mirren attended the Pirelli Calendar launch photocall in Paris on Tuesday as they discussed the theme of this year's offering and what female empowerment means to them Firm friends: Helen and Nicole shared a warm embrace as they greeted each other Shanina Shaik showed off her enviable beach bod in a stunning bikini selfie on Wednesday. In a flashback photo uploaded to Instagram, the model is seen in a She Made Me crochet bikini set as she puts her bronze body on display during a recent holiday in the Bahamas. The 25-year-old, who is currently in Miami to attend international art fair Art Basel, has her defined shoulders and arms exposed in the cleavage-baring number. Scroll down for video Beach bod: Shanina Shaik flaunted her slender figure in a photo uploaded to Instagram on Wednesday, posing in a crochet bikini set on a beach A simple black collar necklace is all the Victoria's Secret model accessorizes with as she poses beside some rocks on the sand. In the caption she posed a tongue twister, saying: 'Shanina sells seashells by the seashore.' The beachside snap comes shortly after Shanina spent time partying with her model pals on the Caribbean Island before flying out to the States to attend the Angel Ball in New York ahead of Thanksgiving last week. During her time on holiday, the beauty posted a number of photos including a stunning shot of her in a floral yellow dress. Holiday spam! Shanina bombarded her followers with a number of photos from her recent holiday in the Bahamas Shanina, who is engaged to DJ Ruckus, also took part in the mannequin challenge during her holiday escapades, filming her effort on a private jet. The model posted the video to Instagram featuring more than 15 friends in frozen poses eating, drinking and lounging around in the luxe jet. She pointed out 'That's me on the phone' in her caption, as her cap partially covered her face during the filming. Mile high mannequin club! The Victoria's Secret model completed the mannequin challenge on a private jet to the Bahamas with friends Jet-setters: Shanina (R) flew to the Caribbean island alongside fellow models Chanel Iman (middle top), Daniela Lopez Osorio (middle bottom) and Nadine Leopold (L) ''That's me on the phone': Shanina pointed out who she was in the video, of almost 15 others who participated The video gave a view through the cabin, which consisted of leather lounges, bar fridges, dining tables and plenty of champagne. While Shanina sat on the leather lounges, her posse were in the middle of eating large platters of Japanese food with chopsticks. It marked the end of her holidays in the Bahamas with her friends as seen in snaps posted to Instagram. Champagne celebrations: A stewardess was paused holding champagne during the video, seemingly marking the end of their Bahamas holiday Shanina continued to fill her digital album with a picture of herself carrying two giant lobsters. The svelte beauty was spotted wearing a blue bikini in which she put on a leggy display as she carried the huge crustaceans in both hands. Around her waist was a white jumper which revealed a hint of her pert derriere as she posed on a man made rock wharf which led out to the ocean. Catch of the day! Shanina posted a picture carrying two HUGE lobsters in her hands as she walked along a man made rock wharf during her trip to the Bahamas Her short raven hair was curled and bobbed for the snap and she appeared makeup free in the tropical island snap. Next to the image she wrote, 'Catch of the day!' adding the hash tags 'fyre [Frye] festival', and 'bahamas'. In a photo posted moments later, Shanina appeared to have traded in her bikini for the same flowing yellow dress. Flower power: In a photo posted moments later, Shanina appeared to have traded in her bikini for a flowing yellow dress which had a floral detail printed from the shoulder to the waist Flawless: The 25-year-old stunned as she flaunted her model physique in a bikini while in the Bahamas Shanina wasted no time getting into holiday mode after landing, stripping down to her bikini on the sunny island. The Seafolly model showed off her pert derriere and bronzed pins in a burgundy bikini as she posed on the white sand. Wearing her locks in natural curls, the engaged beauty simply captioned her holiday snap: 'Welcome to the Bahamas.' 'BABES': Shanina was joined by Chanel (L), Daniela (R) and Nadine (middle right) for the sun-soaked holiday She was later joined by her fellow models for a sun-soaked photo. 'BABES,' she captioned the photo while posing alongside Chanel, Daniela and Nadine. In another shot, Shanina was seen carrying a palm frond and rocking a see-through white jumper and black bikini bottoms. She captioned the tropical picture, 'Shade' as she posed below the large palm frond. The driver of a Walmart truck that slammed into the back of a vehicle carrying Tracy Morgan and friends, killing one of them, has pleaded guilty as part of a deal that could see him escape jail time. Kevin Roper entered the plea in a New Brunswick, New Jersey courtroom on Tuesday, pleading guilty to vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated assault. Comedian James McNair, a close friend of Morgan, was killed in the June 2014 crash on the New Jersey Turnpike, while the SNL alum was seriously injured. Three others were also hurt. Deal: Walmart truck driver Kevin Roper, pictured with his attorney in a New Jersey courtroom, pleaded guilty Tuesday to vehicular homicide and other charges stemming from the June 2014 crash that severely injured Tracy Morgan and killed his close friend James McNair Under the terms of his plea, Roper, 37, from Jonesboro, Georgia, can avoid prison if he performs community service and satisfies other conditions over the next three years. The judge in the case still needs to sign off on the deal, according to TMZ. Morgan suffered a broken leg, broken ribs and head injuries in the crash and spent several days in a coma followed by months of rehab learning to walk and talk again. Long road to recovery: Morgan suffered a broken leg, broken ribs and head injuries in the crash that put him in a coma and left him requiring extensive rehab to learn to walk and talk again. He's pictured in June 2015 The news of Roper's plea comes a week after it was reported that Wal-mart has been reimbursed for a multimillion-dollar settlement it agreed with the comic last year. Insurer XL Insurance America had initially turned down Walmart's claim, leading the retailer to file a civil lawsuit. Comedian Damon Wayans let it slip in an interview last year that Morgan received $90 million from the retail giant in the settlement, but Morgan's representatives have denied that figure. In mid-October Morgan returned to the stage at Dover Downs, Delaware, where he performed to a packed-out audience - the exact same stage he performed before being involved in the fatal crash. She has been busy promoting her role in the hotly-anticipated Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. And Felicity Jones, 33, showed up for an interview on Monday, looking far too good to be confined to radio. She was joined by her co-star Diego Luna, 36, at the Sirius XM studios in NYC. Scroll down for video Stunning: Felicity Jones, 33, showed up for an interview on Monday, looking far too good to be confined to radio in a dress by Valentino The British beauty showcased her sartorial flair in a demure and elegant floor-length gown. The outfit cinched the Theory Of Everything actress's slim waist and gave a peek of her metallic heels. Accentuating her striking looks, the star wore her long chestnut tresses in a chic half up-do which framed her pretty features. Star Wars: She was joined by her co-star Diego Luna, 36, at the Sirius XM studios in NYC Her flawless porcelain skin was on show with her make-up kept simple - as she added a watermelon hue lip colour and touch of natural blush. The actress, who stars as Jyn Erso in the Star Wars spin-off, defined her eyes with a soft grey smoke and mascara. Meanwhile, handsome Diego sported facial hair as he joined his co-star. Understated style: The British beauty showcased her sartorial flair in a demure and elegant floor-length gown Pretty: Accentuating her striking looks, the star wore her long chestnut tresses in a chic half up-do Silver feet: The outfit cinched the Theory Of Everything actress's slim waist and gave a peek of her metallic heels Promotional tour: Handsome Diego sported facial hair as he joined his co-star for a chat about their movie Looking good: Her flawless porcelain skin was on show with her make-up kept simple - as she added a watermelon hue lip colour and touch of natural blush He looked relaxed in a navy sweater over a shirt, with grey trousers and black shoes. The actor plays Captain Cassian Andor in the first standalone Star Wars anthology film. It revolves around Felicity as Jyn Erso, whom the Rebel Alliance enlist to help steal the blueprint of the Galactic Empire's planet-vaporising Death Star. In the original Star Wars film, those plans wind up in the hands of Princess Leia and then Luke Skywalker, who ultimately successfully destroys the Death Star. The film's expansive cast includes Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Ben Mendelsohn, orest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed. The movie, which was directed by Gareth Edwards, is set to hit the cinemas in Britain on December 15 and the US on December 16. Felicity weighed in on the argument for equal pay this week, as she explained that she expects to earn just as much as her male counterparts. The 33-year-old actress told Glamour for its January 2017 issue: 'I want to be paid fairly for the work that I'm doing. 'That's what every single woman around the world wants,' she said. 'We want to be paid on parity with a man in a similar position. And I think it's important to talk about it.' The Theory of Everything star is following in the footsteps of Hollywood heavy-hitters Patricia Arquette and Jennifer Lawrence to speak out about the issue. 'It's brave of those women to come forward and make a point about it,' the British beauty told the magazine. Eagerly anticipated: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set to hit the cinemas in the UK on December 15 and the US on December 16 'Now younger actresses will have a confidence in those discussions with their agents and be able to say, "Can we make sure that I'm being paid the right amount for the work that I'm doing?"' Felicity also revealed she's proud to call herself a feminist, explaining: 'Ive always been a feminist, and what I love in my work is being able to explore a full-sided woman and not patronise her. 'Particularly with Jyn, its such a rare opportunity to be able to play a female whos not just thinking about romantic relationships.' The actress said she also loves that Jyn is not sexualised in any way. 'We dont even see Jyns arms! Thats not her priority. Shes a survivor, and she has a mission to complete. She never fails to make an impression at every social occasion. And Elizabeth Hurley looked stunning as ever in a plunging pink gown when she attended the star-studded Porter Magazine's Incredible Women Letters Live Special Performance at London's V&A Museum on Tuesday evening. The 51-year-old actress caught the eye in her jewel-hued gown, featuring a plunging neckline and a flattering wrap style. Scroll down for video Bold look: Elizabeth Hurley attended the star-studded Porter Magazine's Incredible Women Letters Live Special Performance at London's V&A Museum on Tuesday evening Elizabeth's bright dress was nipped in at the waist with silver embellishment, drawing attention to her hourglass shape. She styled her long, brunette curls in loose waves and set off her look with plenty of black kohl lining her eyes. Cartier was an official partner of Porter for the evening, and numerous celebrities, including Natalia Vodianova, were adorned in the brand's jewellery. The Royals actress recently opened up about what body confidence means to her. Gorgeous gown: Elizabeth's bright dress was nipped in at the waist with silver embellishment, drawing attention to her hourglass shape Elegant: She styled her long, brunette curls in loose waves and set off her look with plenty of black kohl lining her eyes Party pals: The 51-year-old actress and her close pal Patrick Cox made a joint appearance Dapper duo: Designer Patrick and Elizabeth arrived at the event arm-in-arm She told E! News: 'I like women to feel very confident in how they look and to accept that every size can be beautiful. 'But I still think it's important to be in shape. It doesn't matter really what size you are, but I think it's important to stay sort of firm and to do a reasonable amount of walking and exercise. I don't go to the gym, but I'm quite active.' Elizabeth's phenomenal figure and youthful appearance aren't just a blessing of good genetics, however, as she revealed that she works hard to keep her body in the best possible condition. Golden girl: Anna Friel looked stunning in a floor-sweeping navy number boasting a gorgeous beaded front It's all in the details: The dress featured gold chain embellishment hanging down the back Striking: The British beauty wore her brunette locks pulled up in a bun, with silver chandelier earrings completing the statement look She told Emirates Woman that whilst she finds exercise 'loathsome', she always finds the time for a brisk half hour walk every day, as well as pilates and yoga sessions. The brunette beauty also admitted that she has banned bread, pasta, cheese and crisps from her diet, and ensures she drinks plenty of water to keep hunger pangs away. Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter also turned heads at the event, looking loved-up as ever as they made their grand entrance together. Happy couple: Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter also turned heads at the event, looking loved-up as ever as they made their grand entrance together Second child: The cute couple are eagerly anticipating the arrival of baby number two Adorable: Sophie flashed an admiring glance at her actor husband Elegant: The brunette sported a simple, floor-length gown with ribbon detailing at the back Dapper dad-to-be: The Imitation Game actor sported a silk lined dinner jacket Expanding the family: Benedict has previously said he hoped to add to his brood, joking he might 'go for a (Cumber)batch of boys' Dynamic duo: Benedict took to the stage alongside Game Of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie to read out one of the remarkable letters In his element: The Voice Coach brought his usual wit and humour to the proceedings Taking her turn: Peep Show favourite Olivia was a passionate speaker Joining her husband: Sophie also took to the stage to read out one of the moving letters The pair exchanged a look of love as they cosied up on the red carpet, with Sophie showcasing her blossoming baby bump. The happy couple, who wllcomed a son named Christopher in June 2015, are shortly second to become parents to another child. Also in attendance at the glamorous Letters Live bash was stunning supermodel Natalia Vodianova. Simple yet chic: Natalia Vodianova looked beautiful in an elegant strapless number Strike a pose: The supermodel posed with Lucy Yeomans inside the event Fashionable touches: Natalia accessorised her glamorous ensemble with a gold thread embellished clutch bag Natural beauty: The blonde set off her striking bone structure with barely-there make-up Glammed up: Olivia Colman stunned in a silk top and leggings Statement style: Aluna Francis (L) and Charlotte Dellal (R) were dressed to impress The Russian pin-up turned humanitarian looked effortlessly elegant in a simple strapless dress with a side-split. Anna Friel looked stunning in a floor-sweeping navy number boasting a gorgeous beaded front and gold chain embellishment hanging down the back. The British beauty wore her brunette locks pulled up in a bun, with silver chandelier earrings completing the statement look. Legs for days: Game Of Thrones favourite Gwendoline Christie showed off some skin Boho chic: Florence Welch was her usual rock chic self in a metallic, abstract pattern number Fashion-forward: will.i.am naturally made a sartorial statement as he posed for pictures Statement: Gwendoline completed her attire with a teal coloured ring Classic: Helen McCrory went for simple elegance with designer accessories Florence Welch also put in an appearance, staying true to her rock chic aesthetic in a floaty, bohemian dress with an abstract metallic pattern. Meanwhile, Gwendoline Christie showed off some skin in a grey silk dress with a seductive side-split. The statuesque Game Of Thrones beauty was standing tall as she partied in style at the bash. Velvet vixen: Italian beauty Nefer Suvio embraced old school Hollywood glamour Dining in style: Miriam Margolyes looked to be enjoying herself at the gourmet gala dinner Animal attraction: -Savannah Miller jazzed up her gold gown with a leopard print coat He replaces Donald Trump as the intimidating boss in the new series of The Celebrity Apprentice next year. But Arnold Schwarzenegger was in a much more light-hearted mood as he indulged in some window shopping during a visit to London's affluent Piccadilly area on Tuesday. The Terminator star, 69, appeared to be in great spirits as he explored the shops with a group of pals on a trip to the capital. Scroll down for video He's back: Arnold Schwarzenegger, 69, was in high spirits as he indulged in some window shopping during a visit to London on Tuesday The father-of-five warded off the November chill by wrapping up warm in a heavy black overcoat and bright red scarf. He flashed a huge smile as he perused the window display of a footwear shop, before turning his attentions to a smart clothes store. Walking down Jermyn Street, a one-way street full of festively decorated boutiques, the Predator star appeared to be enthralled by the London attractions. Flashing his pearly whites: The Terminator star smiled as he explored the shops with a group of pals The right fit: He later turned his attentions to a smart clothes store Bit nippy? The father-of-five warded off the November chill by wrapping up warm in a heavy black overcoat and bright red scarf Arnold will be judging a panel of celebrities like reality star Kyle Richards, Boy George and Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi on Celebrity Apprentice USA - which airs on January 2. In a trailer for the series, the former Governor of California tells the new board members: 'I plan to be tough but fair. 'I want you all to fight like hell to make sure the dreams of your charities come true. 'Now, you're all part of my start up company and your job is to help some of the top companies with some of their business challenges, but at the same time raise a lot of money for your charity. Referring to his iconic movie role, he quipped: 'My job is to terminate you one by one!' Retail therapy: Walking down Jermyn Street, a one-way street full of festively decorated boutiques, the Predator star appeared to be enthralled by the London attractions Take a walk in his shoes! The former Governor of California beamed as he stood outside a shoemakers Going lowkey: The former bodybuilder opted for comfort in his footwear with some black trainers The actor has also recently wrapped filming for the fantasy-adventure flick Viy 2, starring Jackie Chan and Charles Dance. The Russian-Chinese film is the sequel to the 2014 Russian box-office hit based on a horror novella by the Russian writer Nikolai Gogol. The movie, which was shot in China and is now in post-production, follows the story of an English explorer Jonathan Green, who receives an order from Peter the Great to map the Russian Far East. Having a whale of a time: He appeared fully engrossed in his shopping during the evening jaunt He nose what to do: The actor seemed to have developed an affliction to the cold London weather Making quite the exit: Arnold touched down at Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport earlier in the day UN to vote on tighter N. Korea sanctions The United Nations is readying tighter sanctions on North Korea that would limit its coal exports to China, in response to Pyongyang's fifth and biggest nuclear test, US diplomats said Monday. The resolution, spearheaded by the United States and negotiated with Beijing for three months, should go to a Security Council vote early Wednesday, according to diplomats who expect it will pass. "This resolution would impose a hard, binding cap that will cut the DPRK's coal exports, which are its largest single source of external revenues, by more than 60 percent," said a US official familiar with the text, using the formal acronym for the North. US President Barack Obama reportedly told his incoming successor Donald Trump that confronting the nuclear threat from North Korea represents the top US national security priority Brendan Smialowski (AFP/File) The tightening aims to cut $700 million from Pyongyang's coal earnings -- or a 62 percent reduction from last year. "It would dramatically reduce the regime's access to hard currency used for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs," the diplomat stressed. "We do not claim that this resolution is going to cause the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons program... but this resolution would make it significantly more difficult." And China, North Korea's lone ally, is also among the few potential markets for that coal. The draft text says that the Council "condemns in the strongest terms" the North's September 9 test. Pyongyang claimed at the time it had made major strides in its efforts to fit a miniaturized warhead on a rocket that could reach the United States. "The measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DPRK," the draft text adds. US President Barack Obama reportedly told his incoming successor Donald Trump that confronting the nuclear threat from North Korea represents the top US national security priority. Pakistan, New Zealand head for run-a-ball finale Sami Aslam was unbeaten on 75 as Pakistan went to tea at 158-1 needing a run a ball in a climactic final session of the second Test against New Zealand on Tuesday. Aslam and Azhar Ali (58) produced a 131-run stand for the first wicket, and with Babar Azam not out on 16 the tourists were set for a final showdown at Hamilton's Seddon Park. It is not a foreign situation for them. Pakistan's Azhar Ali hits the ball during day five of the second cricket Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 29, 2016 Michael Bradley (AFP) When they required 292 in 62 overs at lunch it evoked memories of an epic run chase in Sharjah two years ago when they smacked 302 in the fourth innings in 57.3 overs to beat Sri Lanka. Despite the Seddon Park wicket still offering some support to the bowlers on a flattening pitch, Azhar and Aslam were able to set the stage for another grandstand finish. Pakistan require 211 runs off 204 balls if they are to snatch victory and level the series. After losing the first Test in Christchurch, only a win in Hamilton can keep Pakistan second to India in the world rankings. A draw or a loss will consign them to fourth place below England and Australia. At the top of the innings, Azhar and Aslam were resolute with their best performances of the series although Aslam had two heart-stopping moments. On 31 he was given not out on an lbw appeal when Kane Williamson debated too long on whether to go for a referral and his chance to request a review timed out. Replays showed Aslam was plumb in front. He could also have been run out on 45 had Mitchell Santer's throw from midwicket been fast and direct to the wicketkeeper. Aslam brought up his sixth 50 in nine Tests carving a Neil Wagner bouncer to the boundary, giving him some satisfaction in a match where he dropped three critical catch offerings in the field. Azhar, standing in as captain for the unavailable Misbah-ul-Haq, faced 147 deliveries before he reached his 23rd half century with a single off Matt Henry. But his patient innings ended soon after when he went to drive Santner out of the ground only to drag the ball back on to his stumps. Samsung Electronics eyes separation in reform plan Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it was considering splitting the company into two as it faces growing pressure to overhaul its governance during a crucial power transfer in top management. The announcement came as the South Korean electronics giant is seeking to ensure a smooth succession to Lee Jae-Yong, the firm's vice chairman and scion of the parent Samsung group's founding Lee family. It is also struggling to contain the fallout from a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone caused by exploding batteries as well as a snowballing political scandal in South Korea. The South Korean firm is struggling to contain the fallout from a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone Don Emmert (AFP/File) The firm said in a statement it would consider breaking into a holding firm and a producing and operating unit, and would take at least six months to study the option. It also said it would increase its dividend payout to shareholders to more than 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion) this year, up more than 30 percent from a year ago. Other options on the table include plans to nominate at least one new independent board member with "global corporate experience" for approval at an annual shareholders' meeting next March. The plans suggest the firm is listening to calls for change after US hedge fund Elliott last month urged it to divide into listed holding and operating firms to streamline a byzantine ownership structure. The US firm also called for an increase in share dividends, the addition of new independent board members and a listing in New York. The Lee family controls the vast Samsung group -- the South's top business group -- through a web of complicated cross shareholdings among its units including the flagship Samsung Electronics. "Samsung addressed a strong determination to overhaul its governance structure," said Lee Sang-Hun, analyst at Hi Investment & Securities. - Park scandal - The latest announcement implies that the firm would eventually split to set up a holding company "in May or June next year", he added. However, he warned that the growing political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-Hye that has engulfed the company could delay the overhaul. Park and her confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, are accused of coercing the major firms into donating tens of millions of dollars to non-profit foundations Choi used as her personal ATMs. Samsung made the biggest contribution of 20 billion won and is accused of separately offering millions of euros to Choi to bankroll her daughter's equestrian training in Germany. The scandal saw the Samsung group's headquarters raided by authorities multiple times and several top managers including Lee Jae-Yong summoned to answer prosecutors' questions. Investigators have widened the probe to look into whether Samsung had lobbied officials at Seoul's pension fund to make them side with it in its push for a controversial merger deal last year. The merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries -- seen as a crucial step for the power transfer to Lee -- was heavily criticised by many who said it willfully undervalued Samsung C&T. Elliot, which then controlled 0.62 percent of Samsung, rallied opposition to the deal, which eventually went through after the pension fund -- a major shareholder -- sided with it. Samsung Electronics Gal ROMA (AFP) Syrians' suffering fails to strike a chord in Europe As the bombs rain down on the besieged city of Aleppo the scenes of suffering are horrific, yet the Syrian war fails to move people to protest in the way that the US intervention in Iraq or the siege of Sarajevo did. In Paris' traditional place of protest, Place de la Republique, demonstrators spelled out "Free Syria" in candles last Friday as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad increased their control of rebel-held areas of Aleppo. But barely a hundred people took part in the protest. Syrian civil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, rescue a boy from the rubble following an attack on the Bab al-Nairab neighbourhood of Aleppo on November 24, 2016 Ameer Alhalbi (AFP/File) "I find it hard to understand. This is a cause which people should rally around," said one of the participants, Ahmad Darkazanli, who originally comes from Aleppo but has lived in France for half a century. It has been a similar story in London, Berlin and Rome -- the plight of the Syrian people fails to strike a chord. "Aleppo is already a Sarajevo, a black chapter in the history of mankind and of international politics," Jan Egeland, the head of the UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, said recently. - No solidarity - Intellectuals across Europe took up the fate of Sarajevo, the destroyed capital of Bosnia, during the 1992-1995 war and the conflicts in Gaza brought thousands of people into the streets. The US intervention in Iraq unleashed massive demonstrations, including an estimated one million people who marched through London in February 2003. Yet Syria fails to stir the same feelings of solidarity. As the war has ground on for five years, the mainstream media and social media have been filled with images of barrel bombs, children struggling to breathe after chemical weapons attacks, dead prisoners, and desperate families scrambling through the rubble of their shattered homes. "It's so barbaric that it's hard for people to take in," Ziad Majed, a professor at the American University of Paris, said. Photographs of Aylan, the little Syrian boy found drowned on a Turkish beach, and the blood-streaked face of another child, five-year-old Omran, who had emerged from the rubble of his bombed home in Aleppo, caught the world's attention for a few days. But, said Majed, "it's one horror after another and because people don't understand who is killing whom, they feel powerless and they don't want to look at it or think about it any more." - 'Invisible' Syrian people - The complex nature of a conflict that began as a civil war after President Bashar al-Assad cracked down on the opposition but has gradually spread to the whole region and sucked in jihadist groups may be to blame for the general public's indifference. "Who is against Assad? And who is on his side? Should tyrants be ousted? We saw where that led in Iraq and Syria," Stephan Polonski, an artist in Paris, said. In the Middle Eastern "Great Game" that the Syrian war has become with Russia, Iran, Turkey and the Gulf states all playing a role, and the Islamic State jihadist group feeding off the resulting chaos, "the Syrian people and their aspirations for democracy are invisible", Majed said. "I think the attacks carried out in Europe by Daesh (another acronym for IS) have exhausted the capacity of people in the West to show empathy or anger at what is happening in Syria," said Pauline Hamon, a journalist. "As far as we are concerned the real enemy are these fanatics," Charlotte Cruchet, a housewife in her 40s, said. "Unfortunately, many people think that in the Middle East we're violent, we kill each other, we're incapable of being democratic and we've got the regimes we deserve," said Farouk Mardam-Bey, a French-Syrian publisher who is president of the French support group for the Syrian revolution, Souria Houria. He points to the insidious effect of "influential" pro-regime websites who disseminate information from a war which is largely out of bounds to the mainstream media. "Even among my left-wing friends, I often hear: 'Who is to say these horrifying images are not fabricated? Who is to say it's true?'" he said. Since the war began, Souria Houria has organised hundreds of meetings and events, but the people who attend are normally the usual suspects -- individuals with a direct link to the war, artists and activists. "When the bombing of Aleppo started (in September), we saw faces we hadn't seen before, 'ordinary people' who took part in our demonstrations in front of the Russian embassy in Paris," Mardam-Bey said. "But they were a very small group." He sees one ray of hope, in Germany, which has taken in hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, and where young Syrian authors are being translated into German for the first time. Images of suffering and destruction in Syria are failing to strike a chord in Europe in the same way that the fate of Sarajevo or Iraq did Georges Ourfalian (AFP/File) Record coral kill-off on Great Barrier Reef A mass bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this year killed more corals than ever before, scientists said Tuesday, sounding the alarm over the delicate ecosystem. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) long reef -- the world's biggest -- suffered its most severe bleaching in recorded history, due to warming sea temperatures during March and April, with the northern third bearing the brunt. Follow-up underwater surveys, backing earlier aerial studies, have revealed a 700-kilometre stretch of reefs in the less-accessible north lost two-thirds of shallow-water corals in the past eight to nine months. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) long Great Barrier Reef -- the world's biggest -- suffered its most severe bleaching in recorded history, due to warming sea temperatures during March and April Andreas DIETZEL (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies./AFP) "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most-pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef," said Terry Hughes, head of the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University. "This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected." Further south over the vast central and southern regions, including major tourist areas around Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, there was a much lower toll. - Fossil fuels - Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour. Algae are vital to the coral, which uses the organic products of photosynthesis to help it grow. The loss of algae makes the host vulnerable to disease and means it will eventually die. However, coral can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonise them. Environmentalists blame the burning of fossil fuels for global warming and repeated calls Tuesday for Australia to abandon coal mining to help prevent further bleaching disasters. "This is the devastating price we are paying for the Australian government propping up the coal industry," said Greenpeace Australia reef campaigner Shani Tager. "A credible plan to protect the reef must address climate change and start with a ban on new coal mines." Canberra insists it is doing more than ever to safeguard the reef, which is also under pressure from farming run-off, development and the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, committing more than Aus$2.0 billion (US$1.50 billion) over the next decade. - Vibrant colour - Scientists estimate the northern region, which teems with marine life, will take at least 10-15 years to regain lost corals, but are concerned that a fourth major bleaching event may occur before that, hampering the recovery. The reef studies centre warned earlier this year that if greenhouse gas levels keep rising, similar events would be the new normal, occurring every two years by the mid-2030s. Given reefs need so long to recover from severe bleaching, it said "we are likely to lose large parts of the Great Barrier Reef in just a couple of decades". That study noted climate change had added 1.0 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming to ocean temperatures off the Queensland coast in March, when corals were first seen turning white. There had been fears that the bleaching would badly hurt the tourism industry but Andrew Baird, who led teams of divers to re-survey the reefs in October and November, said the more accessible parts had not suffered as badly. "The good news is the southern two-thirds of the reef has escaped with minor damage," he said. "On average, six percent of bleached corals died in the central region in 2016, and only one percent in the south. The corals have now regained their vibrant colour, and these reefs are in good condition." Tourism on the World Heritage-listed reef employs 70,000 people and generates Aus$5 billion in income each year. Australia last year narrowly avoided UNESCO putting the site on its endangered list and must report to the World Heritage committee by December 1 on the progress being made to rescue the reef. Bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef John SAEKI, Adrian LEUNG (AFP) S. Korea Park to address nation over scandal South Korean President Park Geun-Hye will address the nation over a snowballing influence-peddling scandal on Wednesday, her spokesman said, as Seoul lawmakers stepped up efforts to impeach her. The televised address -- Park's third over the scandal that has engulfed her presidency -- will be made at 0530 GMT Wednesday, her spokesman said without elaborating further. Meanwhile, a sufficient number of ruling party lawmakers joined the three opposition parties in endorsing a motion to remove the president from office, lawmakers said. South Korea President Park Geun-Hye has resisted calls to resign despite massive street protests Ed Jones (AFP/File) "We plan to have the impeachment passed (by parliament) this week", floor leader Woo Sang-Ho of the main opposition Democratic Party was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. Woo's counterpart in the second largest opposition People's Party, Park Jie-Won also said the impeachment motion would be passed on Friday. Massive weekly protests have been intensifying over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park's resignation, according to organisers. Park's justice minister and a senior advisor have both stepped down, while even staunch supporters from within the president's ruling Saenuri Party have joined calls for her departure. Park has issued public apologies over the scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power, but has defied repeated calls to resign. Choi is also accused of interfering in government affairs, despite holding no official position. The 60-year-old allegedly leveraged her relationship with Park to coerce donations from conglomerates, including SK, Lotte and Samsung, to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain. Park had promised to submit herself to a judicial probe, as well as a separate investigation by an independent special prosecutor to be appointed by parliament. But she backtracked, with her lawyer rejecting a series of requests by prosecutors to make herself available for questioning. Her approval ratings have plunged to a record low for a sitting president as top advisers and some of South Korea's most powerful companies are caught up in the ever-widening scandal. The headquarters of SK, Lotte and Samsung were raided by state prosecutors last week along with the offices of the finance ministry and state pension fund. If parliament passes the impeachment motion, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as an interim head of government. The Constitutional Court could take as long as six months to decide whether to approve the impeachment. S. Korea president says willing to leave office early South Korea's scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye said Tuesday she was willing to resign early and let parliament decide her fate, a move critics said was a bid to delay impending impeachment. Park has been engulfed in allegations of influence peddling and claims that tens of millions of dollars have changed hands, sparking widespread anger across South Korea and bringing hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets demanding her ouster. "I will leave the issue of my departure, including the (possible) reduction of my term in office, to a decision by the National Assembly", she said in a speech carried live on television. Jeon Heon-Kyun (AFP) "Once lawmakers come up with measures to transfer power in a way that minimises any power vacuum and chaos in governance, I will step down," she said. Park's presidency has gone into a tailspin, with accusations that Choi Soon-Sil -- a secretive confidante dubbed "Korea's Rasputin" -- elicited more than $60 million in payments from some of the country's top firms, including Samsung. Park has been named as a suspect in the growing investigation, making her the first sitting president to be subject to a criminal probe while in office. While she retains the presidency, she cannot be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason, but she could be charged once she steps down. Huge protests calling for her impeachment have rocked Seoul every weekend for the more than a month, and opposition parties say they expect to vote to remove her as early as this week. Park's latest remarks are a possible bid to de-fang that effort, critics say, with the president hoping that she can cut a deal that would avoid -- or lessen -- formal sanctions. But opponents on Tuesday rubbished her offer. "Our stance to seek Park's impeachment remains unchanged," Choo Mi-Ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said, describing Park's remarks as "a trick" designed to distract attention. - Push for impeachment - Three opposition parties, which jointly hold 55 percent of seats in parliament, and some members of Park's party are seeking to collect a two thirds of total votes to pass the bill as early as Friday. If the motion passes, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as interim head of government. But the impeachment would not be finalised until the Constitutional Court approves it -- a process that could takes six months. Massive weekly protests have intensified over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park's resignation, according to organisers. Park has been hemorrhaging allies, with her justice minister stepping down and staunch supporters within her own party calling for her to go. Park -- in her third public apology over the scandal -- tried Tuesday to distance herself from Choi, who was charged earlier this month with coercion and abuse of power. She said the huge sums of money that had changed hands had been directed towards projects that were for "the public good". "I have not sought any personal gain there" she said, but added: "It was my fault that I failed to keep my personal ties (with Choi and Choi's associates) under control." Park had earlier promised to submit to a judicial probe, as well as to a separate investigation by an independent special prosecutor. But she later backtracked, with her lawyer rejecting a series of requests by prosecutors to make herself available for questioning. Factfile on South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye John SAEKI, Laurence CHU (AFP) People at a railway station in Seoul watch a TV showing South Korean President Park Geun-Hye making an address to the nation on November 29, 2016 Jung Yeon-Je (AFP) Pakistan's outgoing army chief issues warning to India Pakistan's outgoing military chief warned India Tuesday it would be dangerous to mistake his country's "restraint" over recent tensions in disputed Kashmir for weakness, as he handed over power to his successor. The hugely popular General Raheel Sharif spoke at a colourful ceremony welcoming the incoming chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a stadium at army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. "Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in (Indian) occupied Kashmir, and India's aggressive steps have put the region's peace in danger," Sharif said. Pakistan's outgoing army chief General Raheel Sharif is so popular he had a hashtag dedicated to him Aamir Qureshi (AFP/File) "I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her," he said to applause. "This is reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international community's special attention is necessary," he continued. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have spiralled following a deadly assault on an Indian army base in September that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it had responded to the September attack by carrying out "surgical strikes" across the heavily militarised border, sparking fury from Islamabad, which denied the strikes took place. There have been repeated incidents of cross-border shellings and gunfire from both sides since, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Sharif spoke Tuesday as Indian police said armed militants had launched a fresh attack near the border with Pakistan, killing two soldiers. Officials said the attack took place in Nagrota in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which borders Pakistan and has seen repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing in recent weeks, and blamed it on "terrorists". Pakistan on Saturday named Bajwa as its new military chief as Sharif stepped down from a three-year tenure, winning praise for respecting democracy even as many Pakistanis called for him to extend his term. Military bands played as uniformed soldiers marched at the ceremony Tuesday, where the outgoing chief gives his wooden cane to his successor, symbolising the handover of power. The Pakistani military plays an outsize role in national life, offering the armed reassurance against arch-rival India that many Pakistanis see as vital to their identity. S. Africa's Zuma survives attempted ousting South African President Jacob Zuma survived an attempt to oust him from office only after a "robust" and "difficult" debate within the ruling ANC party, an official said Tuesday. Zuma has been weakened by corruption allegations, but his supporters were taken by surprise at the plot to unseat him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress's executive committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zuma's hold on power since he became president in 2009. South African President Jacob Zuma has been in office since 2009 Nic Bothma (Pool/AFP/File) It also shook the ANC party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994 but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. "Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the (ANC national executive committee) did not support the call for the president to step down," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, told reporters. "All members of the (executive committee) had an opportunity to raise, in the meeting, the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country." Local media said the meeting -- which was extended into Monday evening -- was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed, a claim the party denied. "We are not aware of anyone who has said they are going to resign," ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte insisted. - Zuma fights back - Reports also claimed the president launched a fierce defence of his position, and his loyalists eventually headed off the attempt to oust him. "The president told us that he will never step down, as it would be like handing himself over to the enemy, and that there are people who want to see him in jail," an unnamed source at the closed-door meeting told the News24 website. Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Mmusi Maimane, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, said the ANC's decision to back Zuma was "no surprise". "Zuma clearly holds all the power in the ANC," Maimane said in a statement. "We can never trust an ANC that keeps Zuma through all he has done. "While the ANC continues to fight amongst themselves, our economy is hanging by a thread." - Strong loyalty - The president has been hit by multiple corruption scandals and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC performed poorly in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high. Zuma has been under renewed pressure since a graft probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country's top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence. However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in parliament on November 10 -- and will face his third of 2016 next week after an urgent application by the rowdy populist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. "Bring it on, if the EFF wants to," Duarte told reporters Tuesday. "This is the only weapon they have." Peter Montalto, analyst from Nomura bank, said Zuma would only leave "when the patronage faction around him decide it is time". "The ANC may well be tired of Zuma but it's not clear it is ready to conclude anything on succession yet," he said in a briefing note. Zuma is due to stand down in 2019 after serving the maximum two terms. Freezing temperatures last spring left crop-growers in Chippewa County and those in nine other western Wisconsin counties with less-than-adequate seasons this year. Gov. Scott Walker asked the USDA for a disaster declaration for 10 western Wisconsin counties, including Chippewa, Eau Claire, Trempealeau and Jackson, that were hit hard by a mid-May frost. The temperatures that fell as low as 25 degrees May 13-14, damaged fruit crops such as grapes, berries and apples, along with asparagus and hops. Wayne Geist, owner of Bushel and A Peck Market in Chippewa Falls, said their orchard lost three-fourths of its crop due to frost damage, affecting all apple varieties they grow in the orchard. It took 75 percent of our possibility of having a successful season away, he said. Luckily there was enough activity at the orchard that we were able to sell everything locally out of our store. Geist and his wife, Lisa, have owned the orchard for three years, and he said two of those have seen damage due to weather. The other happened in early summer of 2015, when hail damaged around 50 percent of its crop. Still, Geist considers them to be lucky this year. It sounds crazy, but we were able to have 25 percent of our crop, he said. There were some who lost 100 percent. Jerry Clark, a UW-Extension agricultural agent, estimated Chippewa County saw upwards of a 50-60 percent crop loss across some farms, with some areas experiencing nearly 80 percent or higher loss. Apples, blueberries and strawberries were the most affected crops. He estimated some apple varieties lost as much as 80-100 percent because they were either flowering at the wrong time or in a lower location that allowed the frost to settle.. It was geographically centered as you look at the orchards mostly that area by Lafayette and up through Holcombe, Clark said. When you get down to those low temps, it doesnt take very long to cause problems. Along with a sizable apple and berry crop, Chippewa County is participating in a $250,000 Clean Hop Project with UW-Extension, studying how six varieties of hops fare in the local soil. Frost delayed the harvest of hops this year as farmers had to cut back the two weeks of growth damaged by the freezing temperatures, which could have resulted in up to a 20-percent loss in quality of the flowering buds that are used in beer making. Fortunately, vegetables and most field crops werent growing yet or had just been planted, meaning it was early enough for them to recover. Clark also heard a number of strawberry growers applied water overnight to keep them from freezing, which seemed to help. If the USDA grants Walkers Disaster Designation request, Clark said orchards like Geists will most likely have the opportunity to apply for a low-interest loan. Growers (who qualify) can apply for loans to help offset any financial hardship that loss or reduce of yield would cause, Clark said. Chad Niblett, who co-owns Nibletts Apple Shed in Chippewa Falls, said though their orchard also suffered a 50-60 percent loss on their apples, he doesnt think theyll apply for a loan if one is offered. When they started going through paperwork to apply in 2012, Niblett said they knew pretty early on they werent going to qualify because they had better credit than needed to meet the requirement. You have to be denied by three banks for emergency assistance, he said. We started going through paperwork and realized there was no way this was going to happen. Fortunately, Niblett said they had a fairly good year despite the crop losses because a lot of people still visited the orchard. However, they werent able to ship extra apples to grocery stores as theyve done previously, which Niblett said puts seasonal workers they hire to pick those apples out of work. The last time orchards saw damage even more significant was in 2012. Chippewa County saw warm temperatures in March but then got very cold in April, which resulted in almost a complete loss that season. Nathan Hansen of the La Crosse Tribune contributed to this story. Letters show paternal side of literary giant Stefan Zweig A series of previously unknown letters by literary great Stefan Zweig to a young man reveals a paternal side of the Austrian Jewish author concerned with the fate of Jews. Israel's National Library, which has a Zweig archive comprised of letters and manuscripts, was recently contacted by 90-year-old Hannah Jacobson from Bat Yam, a coastal city in central Israel. Jacobson had in her possession 26 letters and six postcards sent by Zweig, born on November 28, 1881, to her late stepfather Hans Rosenkranz over a 12-year correspondence. Israel's National Library releases letters sent by literary giant Stefan Zweig to a young Hans Rosenkrantz over a 12-year correpondence Menahem Kahana (AFP) The correspondence began in 1921 when Rosenkranz was 16 and Zweig was at a high point in his literary career, which eventually included works such as the novellas "Letter from an Unknown Woman" and "Amok" as well as his memoir "The World of Yesterday". The academic world has had almost "no access" to the Zweig letters to Rosenkranz until now, said Stefan Litt, the German-born archivist in charge of the Zweig collections. "This is really a brand new finding, not just for researchers but for the whole public," Litt told AFP. The letters start with Zweig offering Rosenkranz advice on how to face life as a young Jewish man in Germany, Litt said. "The Jew must be proud of his Judaism and glorify in it," Zweig wrote, warning Rosenkranz however to "not brag about accomplishments" of the Jewish people. Zweig was a pacifist who considered himself a citizen of the world and not a Zionist, or those who have worked toward the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland. In another letter to Rosenkranz, he discouraged the young man from immigrating to British-mandate Palestine, where the state of Israel was later established in 1948, but told him to "learn languages". "Who knows, maybe Germany and Europe will become so stifling that the free spirit will not be able to breathe within them," Zweig wrote. - Zweig renaissance - At the same time, Zweig greatly admired Zionism visionary Theodor Herzl and praises the Austrian-Hungarian journalist in the third letter of the series to Rosenkranz. Zweig had reason to admire Herzl for more than his politics, according to Litt. "Herzl was actually the one who enabled him (Zweig) to publish literary writings in the Neue Freie Presse," the newspaper where Herzl served as literary editor, said Litt. Beyond the content of the letters, their very existence says a lot about Zweig, according to Litt. "What is striking here is that Zweig took his time to respond to that young guy, who was after all just 16 years old when he wrote to Zweig," the archivist said. The two met twice over their years of correspondence. The letters evolve over the years to Zweig giving professional advice to Rosenkranz, who became a publisher in Germany before marrying and eventually immigrating to Palestine in 1933. He fought in World War II, divorced, changed his name to Chai Ataron and worked as a journalist with Israeli newspaper Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post, before committing suicide in 1956. As for Zweig, he would flee Europe after Hitler rose to power, eventually winding up in Brazil, where he committed suicide along with his wife in 1942. He died childless, shortly after finishing his memoir. To Litt, the find is exciting not only to researchers but to the general public as well, with Zweig "experiencing right now a sort of renaissance". US director Wes Anderson partly based his 2014 film "The Grand Budapest Hotel" on Zweig's writings. This year's film "Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe" depicts the writer's time in exile. The National Library is set to digitise the documents soon and upload them to its website, where they will be accessible to the public, said Litt. Could there be other Zweig letters waiting to be discovered? "I hope so!" he said. Aides of Philippines' Duterte attacked in ambush: military Seven military bodyguards of President Rodrigo Duterte and two other soldiers were wounded Tuesday in an ambush by suspected Islamic militants on the eve of his planned visit to the southern Philippines, the military and president said. Military spokesmen said a bomb hit the soldiers' convoy as it drove on a road in a southern region where an armed group which had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group operated, wounding nine. "My advance party was ambushed a while ago. The Presidential Security Group was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device)," Duterte said in a speech during a visit to a northern Philippines military camp. After the ambush, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd L) said he would proceed with his planned visit to southern Philippines Manan Vatsyayana (AFP/File) "But I'm going there. The advice was to postpone it (the trip), but I said no. We are taking the same route if possible," Duterte added without explaining the purpose of his trip. The convoy that was attacked in Marawi city also included local troops as well as staff members of the presidential communications office, though no civilians were hurt, military officials said. The planned Duterte visit came days after the military began operations against dozens of armed members of the Maute group holed up in an abandoned government building in the mainly Muslim rural town of Butig on Mindanao island. Butig is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Manila, and an hour-long drive from Marawi. Fifteen soldiers were injured in the fighting while 35 militants were killed, military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla told AFP. The ambush came a day after the police said the Maute group left a bomb near the US embassy in Manila which authorities later safely exploded. The Maute gang was also blamed for a bombing in Duterte's home town in the southern city of Davao in September that killed 15 people. Padilla said it was likely the Maute group was behind Tuesday's ambush. "We know their supporters are surrounding the area and possibly planted bombs on the side of the roads to disrupt the movement of troop reinforcements," Padilla said. Muslim groups have waged a decades-long armed independence struggle in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that is believed to have claimed more than 120,000 lives. Huge deployment of security forces planned for Jakarta rally Thousands of Indonesian security forces will be deployed at a rally this week against Jakarta's Christian governor to prevent a repeat of violence that marred a protest earlier this month, police said Tuesday. About 22,000 officials -- mostly police and soldiers, as well as some paramedics -- will be on the streets for Friday's rally against governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who has caused anger in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country by allegedly insulting Islam. Police said they expect at least 150,000 protesters to turn out for the demonstration against Purnama, who is also a member of Indonesia's small ethnic Chinese minority. Protests turned violent in Jakarta on November 4, 2016 ADEK BERRY, ADEK BERRY (AFP/File) Authorities named Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, a suspect in a blasphemy investigation this month after Muslim groups demanded that he be prosecuted for allegedly insulting the Koran while campaigning for governorship elections. The controversy is being seen as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where minorities have increasingly come under attack. Some observers however say it is as much about politics, accusing the governor's rivals of whipping up anger in a bid to reduce his support. After a massive demonstration against Purnama on November 4 turned violent in its later stages, with one man dying as Muslim hardliners battled police, authorities are taking no chances ahead of Friday's rally. Police have restricted the area of the protest to a park around a major monument in downtown Jakarta and it will take place from 8:00 am (0100 GMT) to 1:00 pm. On Tuesday national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar detailed the number of security forces to be deployed and urged protesters not to bring any weapons. "It's forbidden to bring sharp weapons, like sharpened bamboo," he told reporters, adding that at the earlier protest some people had used bamboo flagpoles to attack officers. Several hundred people were injured in the protest violence, which saw demonstrators hurling missiles at police who responded with water cannons and tear gas. The controversy began in September when Purnama accused his opponents of using a Koranic verse, which suggests Muslims should not choose non-Muslims as leaders, in order to trick people into voting against him. Even though Purnama has been named a suspect, hardliners are now demanding that he be arrested before an expected trial. Tunisia wins billion-dollar pledges for ailing economy Tunisia won pledges of billions of dollars in support on Tuesday at an investment conference aimed at reviving the country's economy following its Arab Spring revolution. Nearly six years after dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled, Tunis hopes the meeting will help it tackle challenges including high unemployment, low growth and a tourism sector battered by jihadist attacks. The two-day "Tunisia 2020" conference aims to put the North African nation "back on the investment map of the Mediterranean", officials said. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the "Tunisia 2020" international investment conference on November 29, 2016 in Tunis Fethi Belaid (AFP/File) "Tunisia faces exceptional circumstances and needs exceptional support," said 90-year-old President Beji Caid Essebsi. "The success of the democratic project in Tunisia... serves the interests of the region and can help strengthen security and stability regionally and globally," he said ahead of attending an EU-Tunisia summit in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday. More than 2,000 business, finance and political leaders from 40 countries are attending the Tunis conference, including officials from global lenders such as the World Bank. The government is seeking bids on 140 ventures -- from infrastructure and agricultural projects to hi-tech schemes -- worth roughly $32 billion (30 billion euros). At Tuesday's opening session, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani pledged $1.25 billion (1.18 billion euros) to "support the Tunisian economy and strengthen its process of development". - French pledges - Kuwait said it would lend Tunisia $500 million (470 million euros) over the next five years, while Canada and Algeria also pledged financial support. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the French Development Agency (AFD) would invest "at least 250 million euros ($265 million) every year" in Tunisia, a former French colony. That is on top of an aid package France announced last year to pump a billion euros ($1.06 billion) into Tunisia's economy by 2020. "We want to go further," Valls said, adding that France has "duty and a responsibility" to support Tunisia, and urged Europe to "live up to expectations". The International Monetary Fund approved a $2.9-billion loan to Tunisia in May to help implement economic and financial reforms. The European Union also announced a doubling of its financial support in 2017 to $318 million (300 million euros). On Tuesday, the EU's European Investment Bank announced that loans amounting to 2.5 billion euros would be granted to Tunisia by 2020. EU neighbourhood commissioner Johannes Hahn said this would make Tunisia "the first beneficiary of EU funds" in the region. "Today, the world has hailed Tunisian democracy with its confidence," Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said during the evening signing of some 30 funding agreements and conventions. Earlier, Investment Minister Fadhel Abdelkefi spoke of a "new business climate" in Tunisia, referring to the recent adoption of a code to simplify investment procedures. - 'New governance' - "We are trying to put in place new governance," said Abdelkefi, who is also on a government anti-corruption team. The meeting coincided with an announcement by French auto giant PSA that it would open a factory in Tunisia producing Peugeot pick-ups for the local market. PSA and its Tunisian partner Stafim said they would produce 1,200 vehicles a year from 2018. But with some 15 percent of its workforce unemployed as of spring 2016, according to the World Bank, Tunisia needs much more investment to stave off social unrest. Many of its jobless are young graduates who have seen the hope of the Arab Spring dissipate. Chahed's government took office in August in place of an administration heavily criticised for its economic management. That followed a catastrophic 2015 in which attacks claimed by the Islamic State group killed 59 foreign visitors and 13 Tunisians. The attacks dealt a devastating blow to the tourism industry, which in 2010 employed 400,000 people and represented 10 percent of gross domestic product. Strikes and social unrest have also hit strategic sectors including phosphate mining. In January, Tunisia faced its biggest social unrest since the revolution. Chahed told AFP last week that the international community "should invest in Tunisian democracy". Incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told Tuesday's conference that Tunisia had not yet received enough support. "The success of Tunisia requires a strong economy," he said. "For the private sector, investing in Tunisia is an intelligent decision." Oil dips as prospects of OPEC deal dim Oil prices dipped Tuesday as expectations dimmed of an OPEC agreement to reduce the cartel's gushing of crude into the massively saturated global market by around a million barrels per day. Prices were also hit as non-OPEC Russia confirmed it would not send a delegation to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' meeting in Vienna on Wednesday. "There is no need (to attend the meeting), OPEC should hold its meeting first," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday. Two years of low prices have wreaked havoc with the public finances of OPEC member states ADRIAN DENNIS (AFP/File) In mid-afternoon European trading, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January was down $1.89 a barrel to $45.19, in what market analyst Jasper Lawler at CMC Markets called "heebie-jeebies" on the eve of the talks. Brent North Sea crude was down $1.86 to $46.38. Analysts expect further falls if OPEC fails to agree on Wednesday its first joint output cut in eight years in an effort to reduce the global glut and so lift prices. The group's big players -- Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq -- disagree on what size cuts each member will make, and the cartel wants non-OPEC countries like Russia to reduce production too. Russia is currently pumping some 11 million barrels per day (bpd), a level not seen since Soviet days. Hit hard by the low price and Western sanctions, Moscow has said it is ready to freeze output but not to cut it. - 10-hour meeting - While making life cheaper for consumers and businesses, two years of low prices have wreaked havoc on the public finances of OPEC member states, even in the wealthy Gulf states. But Iraq and Iran, OPEC's biggest producers after Saudi Arabia, on Monday continued to express objections to a proposal to cut up to 1.2 million bpd from October levels, Bloomberg News reported, citing an OPEC delegate. In a 10-hour meeting, Iran said it might be ready to freeze production at about 200,000 barrels a day above its current output of around 3.975 million bpd, Bloomberg said. Saudi Arabia hit back saying Tehran should freeze its production at just over 3.7 million bpd -- more or less its current level. Iran has consistently said it won't cut production until it has reached pre-sanctions levels. It is also a fierce regional rival of Saudi Arabia, engaged in a proxy war in Yemen and backing different sides in Syria. Arriving in Vienna on Wednesday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh sought to assuage fears the bloc might not come through -- though he did not announce any change in his government's position. "We continue to implement that level of production that we decided in Algeria," Zanganeh said, referring to a plan reached in an informal meeting in the North African country in September to limit production to 32.5-33 million bpd. Iraq meanwhile has said it will cut output but that it is short of money needed to fight Islamic State extremists. It also disputes with OPEC the level of its current output. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia added to the pessimism about prospects for a deal on Sunday by appearing to say it could live without an agreement. Recovering demand, said Energy Minister Khaled al-Falih -- due in Vienna later Tuesday -- would "stabilise" prices in 2017 anyway. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it would reject a deal if Iran and Iraq were not on board, according to Bloomberg News. - 'Kicking the can' - Prices had made a slight recovery Monday after Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi sounded an upbeat note as he arrived in Vienna, saying he was "optimistic" that the 14-country group would strike an accord. Algeria, which is trying to mediate a deal, on Monday proposed a compromise with Iran capping its production at 3.795 bpd, delegates said, according to Bloomberg. Arriving in Vienna from Moscow, where he and his Venezuelan counterpart Eugenio del Pino travelled on Monday to try to convince Russia to cap its production, Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Bouterfa appeared to be hopeful. "The discussions are going in the right direction," he told reporters. However Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at top Nordic corporate bank SEB, said that the chances of an output cut are now "very low". Afghan Taliban offers to protect infrastructure projects The Afghan Taliban Tuesday pledged to protect billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects throughout the country, many of which have been stalled for years due to militant violence and insecurity. The militant group, which has been repeatedly accused of conducting attacks against aid workers and infrastructure projects, made the surprise gesture in a statement. "The Islamic Emirate (Taliban) not only backs all national projects which are in the interest of the people and result in the development and prosperity of the nation but are also committed to safeguarding them," the statement said. The Taliban, which have been repeatedly accused of conducting attacks against aid workers and infrastructure projects, made the surprise gesture in a statement Shah Marai (AFP/File) "The Islamic Emirate directs all its Mujahideen to help in the security of all national projects that are in the higher interest of Islam and the country." The statement comes after Afghan and Turkmen leaders on Monday inaugurated a railway line connecting Afghanistan to Europe through Turkmenistan. According to the statement, the promise extends to highways, railways, as well as the $10 billion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, and a multi-billion dollar copper mine known as Mes Aynak, south of the Afghan capital Kabul. Afghan officials were sceptical of the promises. "They inflicted more than two billion dollars worth of damage to public and private properties and infrastructure during two months of their violent campaign in Afghanistan," Shahhussain Murtazawi, a spokesman for Afghan president Ashraf Ghani, told AFP, referring to the Taliban's fall offensive this year. "How could we trust them now? They have to prove their promises in action," he added. Decades of war have destroyed much of Afghanistan's basic infrastructure and fostered a climate of insecurity that has put investors to flight and forced millions of Afghans to become refugees. Myanmar Rohingya abuse may be 'crimes against humanity': UN Myanmar's Rohingya may be victims of crimes against humanity, the UN's rights agency said, as former UN chief Kofi Annan arrived in the country for a visit that will include a trip to northern Rakhine. The army has carried out a bloody crackdown in the western state and thousands of the Muslim minority have flooded over the border into Bangladesh this month, making horrifying claims of gang rape, torture and murder at the hands of security forces. Some 30,000 have fled their homes and analysis of satellite images by Human Rights Watch found hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages have been razed. More than 120,000 Rohingya have been crammed into displacement camps since sectarian violence in 2012 Romeo Gacad (AFP/File) Myanmar has denied allegations of abuse, saying the army is hunting "terrorists" behind raids on police posts last month. The government has lashed out at media reports of rapes and killings, and lodged a protest over a UN official in Bangladesh who said the state was carrying out "ethnic cleansing" of Rohingya. Foreign journalists and independent investigators have been banned from accessing the area to probe the claims. On Tuesday, the UN OHCHR said Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya could be tantamount to crimes against humanity, reiterating the findings of a June report. More than 120,000 Rohingya have been crammed into displacement camps since sectarian violence in 2012, where they are denied citizenship, healthcare and education and their movements are heavily curbed. "The government has largely failed to act on the recommendations made in a report by the UN Human Rights Office... (that) raised the possibility that the pattern of violations against the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity," the OHCHR said in a statement. Amid the mounting crisis, former UN chief Annan on Tuesday began a week-long visit to Myanmar that will include a trip to northern Rakhine Suu Kyi in August appointed her fellow Nobel laureate to head a special commission to investigate how to mend bitter religious and ethnic divides that split the impoverished state. Annan has expressed "deep concern" over the violence in Rakhine, which has seen thousands of angry Muslims take to the streets across Asia in protest. But Aye Lwin, a Muslim member of the Rakhine commission, defended Suu Kyi's handling of the crisis. "What she has inherited is a dump of rubbish, a junk yard," he told AFP, pointing out the army retains control of security and defence under a constitution written under the former junta. "Her hands are tied -- she can't do anything. What she is doing is trying to talk and negotiate and build trust" with the army, he added. Israel president decries bill to quieten mosques Israeli President Reuven Rivlin spoke out on Tuesday against a controversial bill that would prohibit mosques from using loudspeakers to summon believers to prayers early in the morning. The draft law, which sparked outrage around the Arab and wider Muslim world, is set to be submitted for its preliminary reading in parliament on Wednesday. Its original form was amended last week in order not to affect the sirens that announce the start of the Jewish day of rest at sundown each Friday. An Israeli flag is pictured in front of the minaret of a mosque in the Arab quarter of Jerusalem's Old City on November 14, 2016 Thomas Coex (AFP) Rivlin on Tuesday hosted in his Jerusalem residence a meeting of religious leaders "seeking to bridge gaps over the issue of the muezzins", the Muslim lay officials charged with calling the faithful to prayer, a statement from his office read. "I thought that perhaps such a meeting could have an impact on the whole public, and that it would be a shame that a law should be born which touches on the issue of freedom of faith of a specific group among us," he was quoted as telling participants. Rivlin, whose post is mainly ceremonial, considers the new legislation -- supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- unnecessary. "The president believes that the existing legislation on noise levels is able to answer problems arising from this issue, alongside dialogue between the different faith communities in Israel," Rivlin's spokesperson Naomi Toledano Kandel said. Israeli media reported that after the meeting, Rivlin telephoned Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and encouraged him to enable members of his Kulanu faction to vote against the bill. Sources close to Rivlin and Kahlon would not comment on the reports. Israeli government watchdogs have baulked at the proposed legislation, describing it as a threat to religious freedom and an unnecessary provocation. Arab Israeli lawmaker Ahmed Tibi has vowed to appeal to the High Court of Justice if the Sabbath siren is excluded from the scope of the bill on the grounds that it discriminates between Jewish and Muslim citizens. The law would apply to mosques in annexed Arab east Jerusalem as well as Israel, but not to the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, according to an Israeli official. The bill's sponsor, Motti Yogev of the far-right Jewish Home party, says the legislation is necessary to avoid daily disturbance to the lives of hundreds of thousands of non-Muslim Israelis. He also charges that some muezzins abuse their function to incite hatred of Israel. In a Sunday phone call, Rivlin told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israeli legislative initiatives pertaining to prayers would be "considered with sensitivity, as any matter of freedom of speech and religion should be". Also on Wednesday, parliament will vote on a bill to legalise thousands of West Bank settler homes built on private Palestinian land, but also affording landowners compensation. Israel currently considers such homes to be illegal, while the international community considers all settlements, including those authorised by the Israeli government, illegal. Ugandan king charged with murder after fighting kills 87 Ugandan prosecutors charged a tribal king with murder Tuesday, accusing him of backing a separatist militia in his kingdom where weekend fighting between his guards and security forces left at least 87 people dead. The Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere is accused of commanding a militia from his palace with the aim of creating an independent state straddling Uganda and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. "Court sat this afternoon. He has been charged with murder," Uganda's judiciary spokesman Solomon Muyita told AFP, without giving further details. Ugandan policemen guard a checkpoint on the outskirts of Kampala, in February 2016 Isaac Kasamani (AFP/File) Police and army officers stormed Mumbere's palace in the western town of Kasese on Sunday in a hail of gunfire and explosions, dragging him out and placing him under arrest after he failed to accept an ultimatum to disband his royal guards, the authorities have said. According to police, fighting first broke out on Saturday when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards and quickly spread to surrounding towns. Kasese district police commander Sam Odong told AFP another 25 bodies had been found on Monday in towns outside Kasese, however it was not clear whether they were civilians or royal guards. Police had earlier reported that 16 police officers and 46 guards were killed in the weekend unrest, bringing the total death toll to 87. Another 139 guards have been arrested. Amnesty International on Monday expressed alarm at what "appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests". - A modern kingdom - The Rwenzururu kingdom, of the Bakonzo tribe, is a modern one. It began as a separatist movement of the same name when the Bakonzo -- tired of being subjected to the rule of another tribe given preference under British rule -- declared its own kingdom in 1962. The move led to years of bloodshed until a settlement was reached in 1982 in which the movement laid down arms in return for a degree of local autonomy. President Yoweri Museveni officially recognised the kingdom in 2009. However, many in the region still feel marginalised by the government and want to create their own state known as the Yiira Republic, uniting the Bakonzo and its sister tribe, the Banande, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister General Jeje Odongo told a press conference that "claims and counter-claims over land rights between the Bakonzo and other communities is alleged to be one other cause of the conflict" in the region. He said a wave of attacks was carried out in 2014, leaving nearly 100 people dead -- mostly attackers from a group known as "Youth of the Kingdom". "In the recent wave of violence the attackers have graduated into a militia which is trained, uniformed, armed, camped, and under a command and control structure. This new structure is composed of "KilhumiraMutima" (the stronghearted and keepers of a secret)," he said. He said regional security authorities met on November 21 to decide to dismantle camps set up by the militia, spurring a surge of attacks on police stations and posts in the region by the fighters who retreated into the palace. Odongo said machine guns, pistols, machetes, spears and petrol bombs had been found in the palace. - Guards offered amnesty - The kingdom has denied any links to the alleged militia. "At the moment the institution is not ready to give a statement," said palace spokesman Clarence Bwambale. "We can't have the figures of our people killed because we have been denied access to the palace... but definitely we lost many people." Kasese district commissioner James Mwesigye on Tuesday offered amnesty to members of the royal guards and alleged militia who turned themselves in, saying they would "be handled as children who went astray and have returned to the fold". Israel confirms December arrival for first F-35 jets Israel will receive its initial two F-35s on December 12 and will be the first country to operate a squadron of the futuristic warplanes outside the US, an official said Tuesday. Israel has an initial order of 33 of the fighter jets made by US-based Lockheed Martin that will be delivered in the coming years, an air force official told reporters. The country's security cabinet on Sunday approved an additional 17 planes, whose advanced stealth capabilities are expected to help pilots evade sophisticated missile systems. Israel is buying the first 33 F-35 fighter jets at an average price of about $110 million Roslan Rahman (AFP/File) Israel is buying the first 33 jets at an average price of about $110 million (103.5 million euros) each. It receives more than $3 billion per year in US military aid. The first planes are expected to be operational within a year of their arrival, said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition that his full name not be used. A list of countries have ordered the planes, but Israel will be the first with an operational squadron outside the United States, the official said. "I'm sure the world is looking to see how the airplane is going to be operated here," he said. The US Air Force in August declared an initial squadron of F-35s as ready for combat. Air Force officials did not give a timeline of when the squadron might see combat, but said an overseas deployment is likely by early 2017. US officials and industry executives insist the single-pilot plane promises to become the ultimate stealth fighter jet, able to evade enemy radar while flying at supersonic speeds. But the years-long development of the plane has been hit by flaws, cost overruns and delays. Canada had ordered 65 F-35s in 2010, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau scrapped the deal because of sky-rocketing costs. In Israel, the planes will initially replace a group of ageing F-16s. Israeli company Elbit Systems is taking part in the manufacture of hi-tech helmets for F-35 pilots, and state-owned Israel Military Industries manufactures aircraft parts. The jets are to arrive at the country's Nevatim air base in southern Israel. Israel is keen to maintain military dominance in the Middle East, particularly as its enemy Iran seeks to gain influence in the region. The Jewish state is particularly concerned over whether Iran will seek to develop nuclear weapons by violating the international accord aimed at preventing it. Errors led to coalition strike on Syria forces: Pentagon A string of miscommunications, intelligence shortcomings and human errors resulted in a US-led coalition air strike in Syria in September that reportedly killed around 90 regime forces, the Pentagon said Tuesday. American, Australian, British and Danish planes all took part in the massive air strike, which saw a total of 34 guided bombs and hundreds of rounds of high-caliber ammunition blasted at what were believed to be Islamic State targets. There were "errors in the development of intelligence, as well as missed opportunities for coalition members on duty to recognize and voice contrary evidence to decision makers," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. An FA-18 Super Hornet takes off from the US Navy's super carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in July 2016 ALBERTO PIZZOLI (AFP/File) The statement, which followed a six-week probe, marked the US military's first formal admission of fault into the September 17 attack near Deir Ezzor. The US-led coalition is focused on attacking IS in Syria and Iraq, and is eager to avoid getting involved in Syria's brutal civil war. Regime officials have accused the coalition of intentionally killing its troops, but CENTCOM stressed the attack was conducted in the "good faith" belief it was targeting IS. US Air Force Brigadier General Richard Coe, who investigated the case, told reporters the probe had only conclusively counted 15 deaths, but acknowledged the toll was possibly much higher. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group has said at least 90 regime troops were killed. The targets struck included "defensive fighting positions" -- vehicles, tents, tunnels and people -- all of which were thought to be legitimate IS targets, Coe said. "In this incident, we made an unintentional, regrettable error primarily based on human factors in several areas in the targeting process," he said. - 27-minute delay - An intelligence analyst spotted a tank in the region north of Deir Ezzor's airfield and concluded that the vehicle "can't possibly" belong to IS, Coe said. But his assessment was overlooked or countered because IS had been able to commandeer a regime tank a few days earlier. "It was not unreasonable at the time to come to the conclusion that that was an (IS) commandeered asset," Coe said. The belief the tank was in IS hands led intel experts to erroneously assume the areas it was operating in and troops it interacted with were all jihadists, a mistake known as "confirmation bias." Further complicating matters, the troops being monitored were not wearing recognizable military uniforms or carrying identifying flags, Coe said. Perhaps most significantly, a critical miscommunication occurred when Russian forces called the coalition to tell them the strike was hitting Syrian regime troops. That call, which came in on a special hotline between the coalition and the Russians, was subject to a 27-minute delay because the officer with whom the Russians normally spoke was not immediately available. During that window, almost half of the separate strikes making up the larger assault occurred. As soon as the Russians spoke to their regular point of contact, the strike was called off. No coalition forces have been charged in the incident, and the Pentagon has expressed "regret" but not apologized to the Syrian regime. "In my opinion, these were a number of people all doing their best to do a good job," Coe said. "The decision to strike these targets was made in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement." The strike was conducted by F-16 and FA-18 fighters, A-10 ground-attack craft and drones. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was confident "lessons learned" would be implemented. "When we fall short of our high standards, as happened in this case, we acknowledge our mistakes, we learn from it and that's what we will do after this effort," Cook said. The IS group has since January 2015 besieged the eastern city of Deir Ezzor where more than 200,000 people live. It controls more than 60 percent of the city, the capital of the province of the same name. Trump dines with Romney, plans victory tour Donald Trump dined at one of New York's swankiest restaurants with Mitt Romney, his erstwhile foe turned potential frontrunner in the race to become America's next secretary of state. The dinner came as the president-elect got a shot in the arm by a manufacturing company announcing a deal to keep nearly 1,000 jobs in the Rust Belt and as the New York billionaire prepared to switch his attentions from job interviews to a post-election victory tour. "We will keep our companies and jobs in the US. Thanks Carrier," Trump tweeted late Tuesday, referring to the Indiana-based air conditioning company that announced the deal. After a dinner together at a top New York restaurant, Mitt Romney offered words of praise for President-elect Donald Trump that contrasted sharply with his past criticisms Bryan R. Smith (AFP) The choice of Jean-Georges, a three-starred Michelin restaurant overlooking Central Park run by celebrity French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and popular with New York high society, was the clearest indication yet that Trump may select Romney as his chief diplomat. After the dinner, Romney offered words of praise for Trump that contrasted sharply with his past criticisms, saying he had been "impressed" by his acceptance speech and subsequent preparations for office, calling it "a wonderful evening." "I think you're going to see America continue to lead the world in this century," Romney told reporters, saying he had "increasing hope that president-elect Trump is the very man who can lead us to that better future." The brash real estate tycoon and the former Republican nominee who lost the 2012 election to Barack Obama were joined by Trump's incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus in full view of other diners, who included CNN's senior White House correspondent. In a restaurant where dinner starts at $148 a head, the Trump team said they feasted on garlic soup with thyme, sauteed frog legs and scallops with caramelized cauliflower and a caper raisin emulsion. For their main course, both the president-elect and Priebus opted for prime sirloin with a citrus glaze and carrots, and Romney for lamb chops with the mushroom bolognese sauce. All three had chocolate cake. Asked by a reporter briefly allowed to observe the meal whether it was going well, the president-elect flashed a thumbs up. - Mnuchin touted - It was the second face-to-face meeting in 10 days between Trump and the 69-year-old former Massachusetts governor, who savaged him as a "conman" and a "fraud" during the election campaign. Trump's secretary of state will be America's public face to the world who could face the delicate task of reassuring foreign allies alarmed by the president-elect's rhetoric on the campaign trail. Other key posts yet to be announced are the secretaries of defense and treasury -- for which US media reported that Trump was expected to name former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin. But the search for the right diplomat has proved contentious with some of Trump's inner circle horrified at the prospect of rewarding a prominent critic with such a plum job. Romney's distrust of Russia -- at odds with a president-elect who has spoken admiringly of Vladimir Putin -- and the respect he generally commands have been touted as qualities by establishment Americans. It remains unclear how influential the secretary of state would be on crafting foreign policy with Trump loyalist and retired general Michael Flynn already nominated as national security adviser. Besides Romney, other potential candidates are celebrated general yet scandal-clad former CIA director David Petraeus, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Earlier Tuesday, Trump met Corker, 64, who said that he thought Trump had narrowed the choice "to a very small group of people" and it was important that he selects somebody on the same wave length. Petraeus, who met the president-elect on Monday, has by far the most foreign policy experience, but was forced to resign from the CIA after showing classified material to his mistress Paula Broadwell. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified materials, and was put on probation and fined $100,000. - Jobs to stay - Helping Trump claim success on his election pledge to save American jobs from going overseas, air-conditioning company Carrier Corp announced it had reached a deal with the president-elect and vice president-elect Mike Pence "to keep close to 1,000 jobs." Trump had tweeted on America's Thanksgiving holiday last week that he was seeking to persuade the company to stay in the United States. The New York Times reported that Trump and Pence plan to appear at the company's Indianapolis plant on Thursday to announce they have struck a deal after the company had threatened to move 2,000 jobs to Mexico. The same day, both Trump and Pence are also scheduled to lead a post-election rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. The evening event at the home of the Cincinnati Cyclones, with a maximum capacity of more than 17,000, is expected to be similar to those that drew enthusiastic crowds of thousands during the campaign. The transition team has dubbed it a "thank you tour." Donald Trump choosing a cabinet Christopher HUFFAKER, Sabrina BLANCHARD (AFP) Vice-president-elect Mike Pence speaks with the press as he leaves Trump Tower in New York Bryan R. Smith (AFP) Celebrated general yet scandal-clad former CIA director David Petraeus, is a potential candidate for secretary of state in President-elect Donald Trump's future cabinet Eduardo Munoz Alvarez (AFP/File) At least 1,200 rebels, civilians quit opposition bastion near Damascus At least 1,200 people including Syrian rebels and their families were evacuated to the country's northwest Tuesday from one of the last opposition bastions near Damascus, a monitor and aid workers said. Dozens of buses transported rebel fighters and their relatives out of Khan al-Shih, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) southwest of the Syrian capital, late Monday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "Vehicles holding at least 1,200 people, as well as about 30 ambulances carrying wounded people, reached Idlib on Tuesday morning," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. Syrian rebel fighters and their families arrive at a temporary shelter in the Idlib province on November 29, 2016, following their evacuation from rebel-held territory on the outskirts of the capital Damascus OMAR HAJ KADOUR (AFP) The evacuation came after local rebel groups and Syrian authorities struck a deal that would see Khan al-Shih brought back under government control in exchange for an end to a siege by regime forces. Khan al-Shih is the fifth opposition-held town in three months to be evacuated, after Daraya, Moadamiyat al-Sham, Qudsaya, and al-Hama. The regime has touted such "local reconciliation" agreements as a way to bring an end to country's nearly six-year civil war. Khan al-Shih was the last rebel bastion southwest of Damascus and was used by anti-government fighters to dispatch reinforcements to the capital's suburbs from southern Syria. Abdel Rahman said more people were expected to be evacuated in the coming days. An AFP journalist saw dozens of men, women, and children arriving at a camp for displaced people in northwest Idlib on Tuesday. Aid workers pushed wounded individuals in wheelchairs into large white tents and helped others carry duffel bags and suitcases inside. Fateh Awwad, who heads the local office of the Saaed (Help) charity, said as many as 1,700 people from Khan al-Shih reached the camp on Tuesday. "Today, we're welcoming people coming from Khan al-Shih... We've prepared the camp with everything, but as the number (of displaced people) is growing, we're missing some goods," said Awwad. Since it erupted in March 2011, Syria's conflict has displaced more than half of the country's pre-war population. An estimated five million have fled to neighbouring countries, but millions more have sought refuge in internal displacement camps. Syrian rebel fighters and their families arrive at a temporary shelter in the Idlib province on November 29, 2016, following their evacuation from rebel-held territory on the outskirts of the capital Damascus OMAR HAJ KADOUR (AFP) Gambia opposition leader hails 'unprecedented' support Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said that no protests would be permitted after a two-week electoral campaign, as rallies in favour of opposition leader Adama Barrow reached boiling point in the capital, Banjul. A day of opposition protests ahead of a presidential election in two days' time highlighted deep divisions over Jammeh's 22-year-rule, while the president took the opportunity to say his opponents could not succeed. Barrow, a businessman, emerged from obscurity to become the flagbearer of all The Gambia's opposition parties bar one after mass arrests of supporters from the largest anti-government grouping in April. Incumbent Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has been accused by Reporters Without Borders of holding an election campaign in a "pervasive climate of fear" MARCO LONGARI (AFP) "People have shown us tremendous support. With that support we are 100 percent plus that we are going to win and with a big margin," he told AFP on the final day of the campaign. With no official opinion polls, it is difficult to corroborate Barrow's claim, but diplomatic sources have indicated in recent days that Jammeh faces his most significant challenge since taking power in a 1994 coup. "If Jammeh wants advice... if he loses, let him accept the will of the people and accept the value of the Gambian people," Barrow said. Rights bodies and media watchdogs including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accuse Jammeh of cultivating a "pervasive climate of fear" and of crushing dissent against his regime, one cause of the mass exodus of Gambian youths to Europe. At a rally near the capital Tuesday, people shouted "Step down!" as they waved red cards demanding Jammeh's removal after 22 years in power. "He killed dozens of our brothers, he's a killer," one man shouted, as supporters hanging out of parked vehicles kept up a chorus of: "Murderer, murderer!" "This is to show I would sacrifice my blood for the country," said Mustafa Njie, a former Jammeh supporter turned opposition activist, gesturing at his red bandana. - 'They will not win' - Following unprecedented rallies nationwide, Barrow has urged President Jammeh to go peacefully if he loses power on Thursday. Jammeh has won four elections with his ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction, following a 2002 constitutional amendment lifting term limits. At his own final meeting with thousands of green-clad supporters in Banjul, the strongman said there was no question of a different result this time. "Nothing is going to happen, this is not the first time we have conducted elections," Jammeh told journalists. "They will not win," he added. The leader added there was "no reason for anybody to protest" as The Gambia's elections could not be rigged. "In this country we don't allow demonstrations," he added. Protests have been permitted only during the two weeks of the electoral campaign. Barrow said a memorandum signed by all the coalition parties in October had laid out plans for a reform-led administration. A third candidate, former ruling party deputy Mama Kandeh, is standing for the Gambia Democratic Congress. Campaigning has until now been overwhelmingly peaceful. More than 880,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots when this tiny west African nation goes to the polls on Thursday. Kerry vows 'one hell of a debate' as US awaits Trump US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Tuesday that he "will not go quietly into the night" as President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration prepares to shake up US foreign policy. Addressing an association of women diplomats, Kerry said he would help ensure a smooth handover of power in his department but would continue to argue for environmental protection, foreign aid and strong alliances. "We're going to have one hell of a debate over the next few years, I can assure you, and I can promise you this... I am not going to go quietly into the night," he said, to warm applause. US Secretary of State John Kerry said he will continue to argue for environmental protection, foreign aid and strong alliances SAUL LOEB (AFP/File) The 72-year-old Democrat did not mention Trump by name, but his speech was a wide-ranging defense of policies the incoming Republican and his conservative and nationalist supporters have threatened to overturn. He insisted the Iran deal had made the world safer by blocking Tehran's path to a nuclear weapon and the Paris climate accord would help stave off "a dire threat to our security and the future prosperity of our planet." On the campaign trail, Trump threatened to tear up or renegotiate both these accords and called into question the future of US military alliances, accusing European and Asian partners of not pulling their weight. "We cannot survive as a fact-free nation," Kerry declared, urging leaders to heed the warnings of climate science and to invest in green technology rather than a return to coal that Trump advocated on the stump. "My friends, election outcomes matter, but the democratic process matters much, much more," Kerry said, acknowledging that fear of a changing world had motivated many voters but decrying the tone of debate. "After the turmoil of the past few months, it is essential that we restore civility, honesty, and reasonableness -- common sense -- to the policy debates we have in this country. "It's also essential that we not turn our back on the alliances, friendships and principles that have enabled the United States to lead in the world so productively and for so long." Trump has yet to decide who will replace Kerry as Washington's top diplomat when he takes office on January 20 next year. 20,000 flee eastern Aleppo in 72 hours: ICRC Up to 20,000 people have fled a Syrian government offensive in rebel-held eastern Aleppo in the last 72 hours, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the Geneva-based ICRC, Krista Armstrong, told AFP that the 20,000 figure was an estimate and that the situation remained fluid, stressing that "people are fleeing in different directions", desperately seeking refuge from the brutal fighting. Terrified civilians have fled empty-handed into remaining rebel-held territory, or crossed into government-controlled western Aleppo or Kurdish districts. Syrian families, fleeing from various eastern districts of Aleppo, queue to get onto governmental buses on November 29, 2016 in the government-held eastern neighbourhood of Jabal Badro, before heading to government-controlled western Aleppo George OURFALIAN (AFP) The United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien had earlier put the number of displaced from eastern Aleppo at 16,000. The Syrian government offensive to recapture rebel-held parts of Aleppo has sparked international alarm. IS claims jihadist 'soldier' behind Ohio attack The Somali student who wounded 11 people in a car-ramming and knife attack on an Ohio university campus was a "soldier" of the Islamic State group, a jihadist-linked news agency said Tuesday. The Amaq agency said the rampage by Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a logistics student at Ohio State University, was the result of IS calls to action. "He carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of international coalition countries," the agency quoted an insider source as saying, according to a translation by the SITE group that monitors extremists. Police investigate the scene where an individual used a car to crash into a group of students outside of Watts Hall on the Ohio State University campus on November 28, 2016 Kirk Irwin (Getty/AFP) Artan was shot dead Monday by police moments after he drove his car into a crowd of pedestrians on the campus in Columbus, Ohio, and attacked them with a butcher knife. Emerging details about Artan have led authorities to believe that he was inspired by jihadist propaganda, CNN reported citing law enforcement sources. According to US media, Artan's family arrived in the United States from Somalia via Pakistan in 2014. He was studying at OSU as a third-year transfer student of logistics management. In an interview a few months ago with student newspaper The Lantern, Artan had complained of the lack of Muslim prayer rooms on campus. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen," he said. US media reported that a Facebook page thought to belong to him -- since taken offline -- included grievances against the United States. "I can't take it any more. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," a post quoted by ABC television said, using a term referring to the global community of Muslims. "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying (out) lone wolf attacks, then make peace," the post reads. "We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims." Artan also referred to Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born Al-Qaeda cleric killed in a US drone strike in Yemen, as a hero in the posting. - University 'changed' by tragedy - Classes resumed Tuesday at the university, with all but three of the 11 injured discharged from hospital, according to Andrew Thomas, chief medical officer of Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center. "Everyone still continues to be healing, obviously, working through the trauma of yesterday's events," Thomas told a news conference. The university planned an evening gathering at a campus sports arena to help students and staff deal with the aftermath of the attack. "Time will help, but I think in some ways the entire university will be changed by this," Thomas said. One of the injured, who was discharged Tuesday, addressed the news conference. William Clark, an emeritus professor at the university, said he was struck by Artan's car and flipped in the air. "It all happened so fast," Clark said, holding back tears when speaking of police officer Alan Horujko, who responded to the scene and quickly shot dead Artan, halting his attack. "If he was here, I'd put my arm around him, and tell him he's got a lot to cope with in the days to come," Clark said. "He's got to live with this the rest of his life, but he did the right thing." Clark also said he wanted to withhold judgment of his attacker until the investigation reveals more about what drove him to commit the rampage. "Yes, he was from Somalia, but he's an OSU student," Clark said. "And, having been a faculty member for 35 years, I am only too aware of the things that drive students sometimes to do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do." Ohio is home to the second largest Somali community in the United States, numbering around 38,000 in the Columbus area alone, according to the state's Somali community association. The country's largest Somali community, in Minnesota, was rocked when one of its members stabbed 10 people at a mall in September. IS later claimed the attacker was a jihadist "soldier," the same claim as for Artan. Ohio campus attack Laurence CHU (AFP) US high court takes up death penalty and mental disability The US Supreme Court took up Tuesday the case of a longtime Texas death row inmate who claims his mental disabilities should exempt him from capital punishment -- an argument the eight justices seemed inclined to support. No one disputes the fact that Bobby Moore, 57, shot dead a cashier at a Houston store in 1980 during a robbery gone wrong. A few months later, Moore was sentenced to death in Texas, the state that carries out the most executions nationwide. The US Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that those convicted of murder could not be executed if they are intellectually disabled, as it would violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment Saul Loeb (AFP/File) The Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that those convicted of murder could not be executed if they are intellectually disabled, as it would violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The justices, however, allowed some room for lower courts to determine how to gauge such a disability. Moore's legal team has argued that he meets the Texas standard for being exempt from the death penalty. At age 13, Moore was unable to tell time, indicate the day of the week or do simple math. His lead attorney Clifford Sloan argued that the Lone Star State is taking "a unique approach to intellectual disability in capital cases in which it prohibits the use of current medical standards." "It relies on harmful and inappropriate lay stereotypes," Sloan said. - 'Common stereotype' - Texas indeed uses the so-called "Briseno factors" -- a non-clinical, seven-faceted test that a judge based -- somewhat controversially -- on the mentally disabled character of Lennie from John Steinbeck's classic "Of Mice and Men." "Most Texas citizens might agree that Steinbeck's Lennie should, by virtue of his lack of reasoning ability and adaptive skills, be exempt," wrote then judge Cathy Cochran in the 2004 Briseno case. "But, does a consensus of Texas citizens agree that all persons who might legitimately qualify for assistance under the social services definition of mental retardation be exempt from an otherwise constitutional penalty?" On Tuesday, the justices seemed unconvinced by the Texas method, which critics say is too subjective. "The state had no problem in saying that Lennie, even though he could work, earn a living, plan his trying to hide the death of the rabbit he killed, that he could do all of those things, and yet he was not just mildly, but severely disabled," said liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor. "Why is the fact that he could mow lawns and play pool indicative of a strength that overcomes all the other deficits?" Sloan replied that there was a "common stereotype and misunderstanding that if somebody has strengths, they're not intellectually disabled." - Outlier - Jordan Steiker, a professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin, told AFP that Texas was indeed an "outlier." "It is the only jurisdiction that has really sought to impose its own substantive definition of intellectual disability that's separate and distinct from the professional clinical definition," Steiker said. "The goal is to narrow the exemptions." Texas accounts for 40 percent of all executions in the United States. In other states, courts refer to a series of clinical standards in assessing mental functioning. But Texas bases its conclusions on a medical manual from 1992 with some controversial findings. It also factors in an inmate's IQ, a measure that has lost its predominance as a standard in favor of practical aptitude tests. For Steiker, Moore "clearly meets the clinical definition. He has very, very poor academic performance. He basically dropped out of school after failing a number of grades, He has obvious deficits in adaptability." In 2014, a judge sided with Moore and removed him from death row, but that ruling was overturned last year on appeal. The appellate judges noted that he wore a wig on the day of the murder, saying that such an act showed he was mentally capable of understanding his actions. 1 dead after shots fired into South Texas grocery store PALMVIEW, Texas (AP) South Texas authorities say a grocery store employee faces charges of murder and attempted murder after he fired into a break room at the store, killing a co-worker and injuring three others. Palmview police Chief Christopher Barerra says the shooting at the H-E-B store happened at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. He says the suspect, 25-year-old Raul Lopez, fled, then called 911 to confess. Barrera says Lopez surrendered outside of his home at about 4:30 a.m. Barrera says 48-year-old Mario Pulido was pronounced dead at the scene. Two of the injured were in critical condition and the other suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Officers recovered the weapon after the suspect drew them a map of where he had thrown it after the shooting. Concern for animals after aquarium evacuated due to wildfire GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, tells WBIR-TV (https://bitly.com/ ) that the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. DeSears says the animals should be safe as long as the building has power and doesn't catch fire. When the facility is functioning properly, the animals can survive for 24 hours without human intervention. He said the animals were behaving normally when he left the building. The wildfire set 30 buildings ablaze and forced the evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg and the surrounding area. ___ Ex-Dodger Guerrero signs with Japan's Chunichi Dragons TOKYO (AP) Cuban infielder Alex Guerrero has signed a one-year deal with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central league. The deal is worth $1.3 million plus incentives, the Central League club announced on its website. The 30-year-old, who can also play outfield, played in 117 major league games for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the 2014 and '15 seasons batting .224 with 11 home runs. He missed most of the 2016 season with a knee injury and was released during the summer. Saudi fund buys into firm controlling food group Americana DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A Saudi government investment fund is buying a big stake in a firm that controls Mideast food giant Americana, which operates nearly 1,700 outlets for regional franchises of Pizza Hut, KFC, Krispy Kreme and other Western brands. The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund said late Monday that it is acquiring a 50 percent stake in Adeptio AD Holdings SPC Ltd. from Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar. It didn't provide financial terms for the transaction. Alabbar is chairman of Dubai-based Emaar Properties, the developer of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. His firm Adeptio bought a controlling stake in Americana, formally known as Kuwait Food Company, in June. The Latest: Turkey says 2 soldiers missing in Syria BEIRUT (AP) The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local): 9:45 p.m. Turkey's military has reported that two of its soldiers have gone in missing in northern Syria, where it is active against Islamic State militants and Kurdish fighters. This Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016 photo provided by the Rumaf, a Syrian Kurdish activist group, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows people fleeing rebel-held eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo into the Sheikh Maqsoud area that is controlled by Kurdish fighters, Syria. Syrian state media is reporting that government forces have captured the eastern Aleppo neighborhood of Sakhour, putting much of the northern part of Aleppo's besieged rebel-held areas under state control. (The Rumaf via AP) In a statement posted on its website, the Turkish Armed Forces said Tuesday search efforts were underway after it had lost contact with two soldiers at 3:30 p.m. The Islamic State group's Aamaq News Agency said IS fighters have captured two Turkish soldiers near al-Dana village northwest of al-Bab in northern Syria. That claim could not be immediately confirmed. The army statement made no mention of where the soldiers went missing or of a possible kidnapping. Turkish officials could not be reached for comment. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, also reported the incident as taking place in al-Dana but made no mention of IS. ____ 9 p.m. A Syrian hard-line rebel faction says it has appointed a new leader, following what observers say was a divisive internal debate over the group's direction. The ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group announced Tuesday it had appointed Ali al-Omar, also known as Abu Ammar al-Omar, as its new leader. Washington-based Middle East Institute Scholar Charles Lister says al-Omar is a middle-ground figure who will be tasked with reconciling Ahrar al-Sham's divided leadership. Several leading figures, including the group's former military commander, advocate merging with al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, one of the most dominant factions fighting against the government. Others wish to see the group aligned to the more mainstream, but militarily weaker, Free Syrian Army. Ahrar al-Sham, which enjoys Turkish backing, is one of the leading rebel factions in northern Syria. ___ 7:30 p.m. The Russian military says it's sending a field hospital to Aleppo. The Defense Ministry's statement Tuesday comes as the Syrian government forces are pressing their offensive into the rebel-controlled neighborhoods of Aleppo. The ministry said the hospital would house up to 100 patients and provide assistance to another 420 daily. It said the hospital equipment is now being loaded onto military transport planes to be delivered to Syria. More than 250,000 people are believed trapped in Aleppo with limited access to food, water and medical supplies. They include more than 100,000 children, the U.N. says. Helped by Russian air power and thousands of Iranian-backed Shiite militia fighters from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran, Syrian government forces have captured more than a third of opposition-controlled areas in eastern Aleppo. ___ 7:15 p.m. Britain's U.N. ambassador is calling on the Syrian regime and their backers in Russia and Iran to stop the bombing in Aleppo and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city. Matthew Rycroft said Tuesday that there is a plan in place to get food and medicine in and allow the sick and wounded to get out, but the U.N. is waiting for Syria's green light to go ahead. "Russia complained that the armed opposition had not agreed that plan. Well, they have now agreed that plan so I now call on Russia to make sure that the Syrian regime can agree that plan. If there is that agreement then that plan can go ahead," Rycroft told reporters before heading in to the closed Security Council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria. ___ 6:30 p.m. The U.N. food aid agency says it's mobilizing food stocks to help thousands of people in Syria fleeing fighting in rebel-held parts of eastern Aleppo and is appealing for "unconditional, unimpeded, sustained and safe" access to civilians in need around the country. World Food Program spokeswoman Bettina Luescher said "if access is granted," the agency could mobilize food in government-held western Aleppo or in Turkey to send to people trapped on its eastern side where Syrian government forces and allies are leading an offensive. Also in Geneva on Tuesday, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani of the U.N. human rights office said tens of thousands of civilians trapped in opposition-controlled areas are "living under constant bombardment." Shamdasani also cited reports that opposition groups have been preventing civilians from leaving areas under their control. ___ 6 p.m. A senior military official in Damascus says security measures are in place to secure and vet the thousands of people fleeing rebel-held eastern Aleppo to government territories. The official says the measures aim to ensure that no opposition fighters are fleeing among the civilians and no terrorist attacks are carried out during the influx of thousands of displaced residents. The official said 20,000 left besieged Aleppo Tuesday. He denied any revenge attacks or arbitrary detention took place. The official spoke to The Associated Press by telephone on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The official said it is not clear how long the Aleppo offensive would last, describing collapsing moral and opposition defenses in a campaign he said mobilized a large segment of army troops to eradicate what he called "terrorists." ___ 11:40 a.m. A Syrian opposition monitoring group says at least 10 civilians have been killed in an airstrike on a district of the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo city. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the airstrike Tuesday in Bab al-Nairab district also injured a dozen others, while many remain missing amid intense bombing of several opposition-held areas. The search and rescue team of Syrian Civil Defense says at least 25 were killed in the airstrike that hit displaced civilians fleeing from government ground advances into opposition areas. There was no way to independently verify the claim or reconcile the different death tolls. Syrian government and allied troops have pushed their way into northern parts of the besieged enclave. The UN says up to 16,000 have been displaced by the government advances. ____ 11:15 a.m. France's foreign minister is calling for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to try to stop the fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo and bring in humanitarian aid. Jean-Marc Ayrault issued the call in a statement Tuesday after Syrian government forces captured more than a third of opposition-held eastern Aleppo on Monday. Civilians fled as rebel defenses in the city rapidly collapsed, in what could herald a key victory for President Bashar Assad. Ayrault said he will meet Wednesday in Paris with the head of Aleppo's district councils, Brita Hagi Hasan. "More than ever, it is urgent to put in place a stop to hostilities and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid," the French foreign minister said. France has supported Syrian opposition groups resisting Assad's Russian-backed forces. ____ 10:45 a.m. The United Nations' humanitarian chief says initial reports indicate some 16,000 people have been displaced following Syrian government advances on rebel-held Aleppo districts. Stephen O'Brien says Tuesday that thousands more are likely to flee if fighting continues to spread in the coming days. He says the fleeing civilians are heading to uncertain and precarious situations amid intense attacks. O'Brien expresses concern for the civilians' fate, calling the situation in Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition held eastern Aleppo, touching off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Egypt passes new law rights groups call "death warrant" CAIRO (AP) The Egyptian parliament has voted in favor of a new law aimed at regulating non-governmental organizations that gives security agencies extensive power and the upper hand over the financing, registration, and activities of NGOs and rights groups. The law, considered by rights groups as the most repressive for such organizations since the rule of President Hosni Mubarak, won a majority of the vote among lawmakers, mostly the president's supporters, on Tuesday. The law punishes violators with up to five years in prison along with heavy fines. It also stipulates the creation of a new oversight body controlled by the security apparatus. The new agency will be in charge of all work carried out by NGOs, effectively placing civil society at the mercy of security agencies. Indonesian lower court rejects bid to protect prized forest JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) An Indonesian court has rejected a case brought by Acehnese community leaders who want one of the country's most prized tropical forests to be protected from exploitation by mining and plantation companies. Nurul Ikhsan, chief lawyer for the plaintiffs, said the Central Jakarta District Court rejected the case on Tuesday because the Aceh province bylaw at issue caused no material losses to them. Aceh, which has considerable autonomy under a 2005 peace deal with insurgents, introduced a land use plan in 2013 that conflicts with the Leuser forest's protection under national law. Nine community leaders filed the lawsuit in January, asking the court to order the Home Affairs Ministry to revoke the bylaw. They said the bylaw threatens the Leuser ecosystem by allowing diversion of the region into industrial and mining forests. The local government so far has issued 23 mining permits within the area, they said. Conservationists say the 1.8 million-hectare (4.4 million-acre) forest, which spans Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, is the only place in the world where orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers share the same wild environment. Each of those four Sumatran species is endangered. Ikhsan said the ruling would be appealed. Indonesia has a moratorium on new licenses for logging in virgin forests but deforestation has continued largely unabated. Large swaths are burned every year for palm oil and pulp wood plantations. Illegal logging also takes a toll. Greece debt deal is 'doable' says top EU official ATHENS, Greece (AP) A senior European Union official says Greece could reach an agreement with its creditors by the end of the year to ease its bailout debt repayments. A deal would be key to making Greece's debt and bailout program sustainable. EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Tuesday that the two sides were close to overcoming differences on labor reforms and on how to deal with huge amounts of soured loans to businesses and home owners. An agreement on reforms would unlock a new installment of bailout loans. "I have urged all (sides) to make an extra effort reach a staff-level agreement in time for the eurogroup of Dec. 5," Moscovici said, referring to the group meetings of eurozone finance ministers. EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici speaks during a news conference in Athens, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Bailout lenders want Greece to allow more flexible labor contracts and drastically scale back protection for troubled mortgages but the government fears the measures would deepen the domestic welfare crisis. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) The approval of the reforms and new loans are a precondition for further talks with creditors on debt relief. Moscovici described a deal on debt relief as "doable." Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem echoed those remarks from Brussels. Dijsselbloem chairs the eurogroup meetings, with the next due Monday. Moscovici said he was optimistic that differences on the Greek bailout program between eurozone lenders and the International Monetary Fund would also be resolved. "There cannot be, there must not be, there won't be a divide between the IMF and the European institutions," Moscovici said. The IMF argues Greece needs immediate better terms on its debt payments for its economy to recover, and has so far not contributed to the country's third international bailout. But top bailout lender Germany has been reluctant to commit to debt relief measures, arguing that Greece still needs to make fundamental changes to its economy and public administration to avoid overspending. After last year abandoning promises to repeal the austerity measures contained in the country's bailout program, Greece's left-wing government is pressing its creditors hard for a deal to ease its debt. It wants a deal by the end of the year, arguing that uncertainty caused by Britain's decision to leave the EU and upcoming general elections in European countries would make negotiations tougher at a later date. Moscovici appeared to share the sense of urgency. "In this uncertain time for the global economy, and also a turbulent time for world politics, it would send a signal to Greece's European partners, and also to investors, that the country is moving forward on a path of reform and recovery," he said. "There is a window of opportunity." ___ Raf Casert reported from Brussels. Follow Gatopoulos at http://www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Casert at http://www.twitter.com/rcasert EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici speaks during a news conference in Athens, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Bailout lenders want Greece to allow more flexible labor contracts and drastically scale back protection for troubled mortgages but the government fears the measures would deepen the domestic welfare crisis. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Sudan bans 3 more dailies reporting on general strike KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) Sudanese authorities have banned three more newspapers, seizing all copies ahead of distribution as a general strike against fuel subsidy cuts and price hikes continued for the third day. The independent dailies banned Tuesday include the Al-Ayam, Sudan's oldest newspaper, as well as Al-Tayar and Al-Youm al-Tali. The move brings to four the number of newspapers banned since Monday, when authorities shuttered the daily Al-Jareeda. The privately-owned Omdurman TV network was also closed Monday. Authorities arrested dozens of activists and members of opposition parties on the second day of the three-day campaign for a general that saw the streets and classrooms of the capital Khartoum deserted. Romania to consult with European court over same-sex case BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Romania's constitutional court said Tuesday it would consult with a European court regarding the case of a same-sex couple who want their marriage abroad to be legally recognized in Romania. Court president Valer Dorneanu said he was seeking information from the European Court of Justice to see how other EU countries where same-sex marriages are not legal handled similar cases. The court set the next hearing for March 30 Adrian Coman, a Romanian gay rights activist, wants the court to rule that his 2010 marriage in Belgium to U.S. citizen Claibourn Robert Hamilton, is legal in the way it would be if they were a heterosexual couple. The way it stands, Hamilton would not benefit from legal protection as Coman's spouse if they settled in Romania. The couple live in New York. Lawyer for the two men Iustina Ionescu told The Associated Press: "This is encouraging. ... The court is giving the message that Romania is a member of the European countries that share common values, such as the free movement of people together with their families." She said she was confident that the European court would consider free movement "a fundamental right" and recognize a husband regardless of the sex of his partner. Opposition to same-sex relationships is often fierce in Romania, where homosexuality was only decriminalized in 2002. Afghan official says army general killed in chopper crash KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) An Afghan official says that an army general has been killed alongside at least ten injured after a military helicopter malfunctioned over the western Badghis province. Mohammad Radmanish, the deputy spokesman for the defense ministry, said Tuesday that the army corps commander for the western region, Gen. Mohiuddin Ghori, was killed in the incident. Local officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, said at least 10 officials accompanying Gen. Ghori were injured. Radmanish said the commander was visiting an army base in Bala Murghab district when the incident occurred. He denied any insurgency or hostile attack had caused the crash. Thai queen's health improves, leaves hospital for palace BANGKOK (AP) Thailand's Queen Sirikit, widow of recently deceased King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has recovered from a fever and lung infection and has left a hospital and returned to Chitralada Palace in the Thai capital, a royal statement said Tuesday. Sirikit, 84, had been staying at Siriraj Hospital along with the king until his death at age 88 on Oct. 13. She was admitted to Chulalongkorn Hospital on Nov. 16. Tuesday's statement from the Royal Household Bureau said her infection was almost gone, she was able to eat and walk well, and no longer had a fever. Baptist Minister Dr. James F. Linzey Speaks to a Unified Multi-Racial Congregation in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2016 / LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Southern Baptist minister Jim Linzey returned to the Los Angeles to speak to a multi-racial congregation for the first time since the passing away of Evangelist Verna Linzey. Global Covenant Church, known as The Los Angeles Mission, was where revival had broken out under Verna Linzey's ministry from 2012 to 2014. Rev. Alice Hodges, who spearheaded a Morris Cerullo crusade in Japan years ago and is the wife of Pastor Gary Hodges, solemnly spoke about the passing away of Verna Linzey who died from heart failure on Veterans' Day, November 11, 2016 at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Photo: James Linzey speaking to the multi-racial congregation at Global Covenant Church in Carson, California, which is in the greater Los Angeles basin. High-resolution version available upon request. African Americans, Filipinos, Caucasians, and Japanese believers gathered in a packed out house to hear Dr. James F. Linzey speak about Verna Linzey's ministry, the meaning of truly being born-again in a troubled society, and how offering God's unconditional acceptance to one another and not judging is a conduit for God's saving grace to redeem man from his sins. Fighting erupted outside the house when a young male adult, who evidently wanted to disrupt the meeting, attacked Pastor Gary, pushing him down. Dr. Linzey called for several of the men of the congregation to assist Rev. Hodges who then counseled and calmed the young man. The meeting continued peacefully as several members filmed the message. Dr. Linzey, chief editor of the Modern English Version and managing editor of the New Tyndale Version, began his message with the reading of John 3:1-16, culminating with, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16, MEV). He then recounted the salvation experience of the Army Private at Fort Lee, Virginia, who was a priest in the Church of Satan, who gave his heart to Christ. Dr. Linzey issued a challenging message to consecrate their lives to Christ. Several people requested prayer afterward. A visiting minister invited Dr. Linzey to appear on Christian television, which will be announced soon, and an invitation was given to continue speaking monthly at this "Los Angeles Mission." The Latest: Court adjourns; closing arguments Wednesday CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) The Latest the trial of a former South Carolina police officer charged with murder in the shooting of an unarmed black motorist (all times local): 8:15 p.m. Court has adjourned for the day in the Michael Slager murder trial in South Carolina. Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager, testifies in his murder trial at the Charleston County court in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Slager is charged with murder in the shooting death last year of Walter Scott. (Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via AP, Pool) Closing arguments are set for Wednesday morning in the trial of the former North Charleston police officer charged in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott. Scott, who is black, was shot five times in the back as he tried to flee a traffic stop in April of last year. Slager is white. The shooting was captured on cellphone video by a bystander. Judge Clifton Newman is expected to make a final decision Wednesday before closing arguments on whether the jury can visit the scene of the shooting. He says if he allows them to do so, one representative of both the defense and the prosecution will accompany jurors but no members of the media. ___ 7:30 p.m. The jury has gone home but the attorneys are still in the courtroom in Michael Slager's murder trial in South Carolina. Slager is the white former North Charleston patrolman charged in the shooting death of Walter Scott an unarmed black motorist shot five times as he fled a traffic stop in April of last year. The shooting was captured by a bystander on cellphone video. The defense rested its case earlier Tuesday after Slager took the stand in his own defense. Attorneys are now arguing over what laws the jury should be asked to consider when the judge charges the jury and the panel composed of 11 whites and one black begins their deliberations. Closing arguments in the case are expected Wednesday. ___ 5:20 p.m. The defense has rested its case in the murder trial of Michael Slager, the white former South Carolina patrolman charged with murder after fatally shooting an unarmed black motorist. The defense rested after calling 23 witnesses, the last four of them Slager's former colleagues at the North Charleston Police Department. They testified that Slager is an honest man and was a good officer before he was fired. Slager faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott as the motorist fled a traffic stop last year. The shooting was captured on dramatic cellphone video. Joe Stephens, who retired after 24 years with the department, called Slager "even-keeled, mild-mannered" and "a good cop." Officer Charles Benton said Slager was known to be truthful. Officer Charity Prosser, who was Slager's immediate supervisor for a time before leaving the department this year, called Slager a dedicated officer and a leader. Officer Skip Allen called Slager a "go-to officer" who would handle relations between the police and bars in North Charleston. Allen said that Slager was also a model for younger officers because of his knowledge and his maturity. ___ 3:35 p.m. A defense witness has testified that what Michael Slager described when he shot an unarmed black motorist is consistent with being under a high level of stress. Charles Morgan, a forensic psychiatrist who teaches at Yale and the University of New Haven, testified Tuesday at Slager's murder trial in South Carolina. Slager, a white former North Charleston patrolman, faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott as Scott fled a traffic stop in April of last year. The shooting was captured on dramatic cellphone video by a bystander. Slager testified that he felt "total fear" when he said Scott wrestled away his Taser, and that details of what happened were fuzzy. Morgan testified that high levels of stress can distort perceptions, can make colors seem brighter or vanish altogether and cause blanks in people's memories. Morgan testified that such experiences are perfectly normal in such situations. ___ 1:15 p.m. Michael Slager says that his shooting of an unarmed black motorist fleeing a traffic stop in South Carolina last year has destroyed two families. Slager, who took the stand in his own defense on Tuesday, called it horrible and says it destroyed his family as well as the family of Walter Scott. Slager, a former North Charleston patrolman, is on trial for murder in the shooting death of the 50-year-old Scott in April of last year. The shooting was captured on dramatic cellphone video by a bystander. The defense contends Scott wrestled control of Slager's Taser from the officer before the shooting. During cross-examination, prosecutors again showed the cellphone video and asked Slager if it didn't show the Taser on the ground just before the shooting. Slager replied that at the time of the shooting he would have said the weapon was not on the ground, but that looking at the video can see that it was. ___ 10:30 a.m. Michael Slager, choking back tears, says he felt "total fear" when a black motorist he had been chasing wrestled away his Taser and pointed the weapon at him. Slager, a white fired North Charleston patrolman, testified in his own defense on Tuesday in his murder trial. Slager, who is white, faces 30 years to life if convicted in the shooting death of Walter Scott as he fled a traffic stop in April 2015. The shooting was captured on cellphone video that stunned the nation. Slager testified that he was going to give Scott a warning ticket for a broken taillight when Scott ran from his car. He says he fired his stun gun three times at Scott. He says the two wrestled and Scott got control of his stun gun. He says that's when he felt "total fear that Scott didn't stop." So when Scott broke free and began to run away again, he says he did what he was trained to do, firing at Scott "until the threat was stopped." ___ 9:30 a.m. Michael Slager is on the witness stand in his murder trial in South Carolina. Slager is the white former North Charleston patrolman who repeatedly shot Walter Scott in the back last year as the unarmed black motorist tried to run from a traffic stop. The shooting in April 2015 was captured by a bystander on cellphone video that stunned the nation. Jurors have watched the video repeatedly during the trial. Slager took the stand after Judge Clifton Newman reminded him he has a constitutional right not to testify. Slager said he understands that right and wanted to speak anyway. Slager faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. The jury is expected to begin deliberating later this week. ___ 4:50 a.m. Former South Carolina patrolman Michael Slager is taking the stand to tell his version of what happened when a black motorist was gunned down while fleeing a traffic stop. Slager, who faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder in the April 2015 shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott, is expected to testify in his own defense Tuesday in a Charleston courtroom. Scott, who was black, was shot five times in the back while running from the white officer. The shooting was captured by a bystander on cellphone video. Slager was fired from the North Charleston Police Department and charged with murder when the video became public. The defense contends Scott wrestled with the officer and got control of Slager's Taser before the shooting. Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager, testifies in his murder trial at the Charleston County court in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Slager is charged with murder in the shooting death last year of Walter Scott. (Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via AP, Pool) Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager,looks away from a video monitor as he testifies during his murder trial at the Charleston County court in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Slager is charged with murder in the shooting death last year of Walter Scott. (Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via AP, Pool) Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager reacts to a question while testifying in his murder trial at the Charleston County court in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Slager is charged with murder in the shooting death last year of Walter Scott. (Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via AP, Pool) New judge in Ohio police shooting retrial after 3 recusals CINCINNATI (AP) The retrial of a white former University of Cincinnati police officer charged with killing a black motorist during a traffic stop was assigned a new judge Tuesday after the judge in the first trial and two successors disqualified themselves. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Leslie Ghiz was selected to preside over the retrial of Ray Tensing on murder and voluntary manslaughter charges in the July 2015 shooting of Sam DuBose. DuBose was pulled over for a missing front license plate. Among the new judge's first issues will be Prosecutor Joe Deters' effort to move the retrial out of the Cincinnati area. Deters has said jurors in the first trial were fearful of being identified amid community pressure in the racially charged case. FILE In this Nov. 10, 2016, file photo, former University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing leaves court after the second day of jury deliberations in his murder trial in Cincinnati. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters' widely expected decision to retry Tensing on a murder charge in the traffic-stop shooting of Sam DuBose came with the surprise that he wants to move the next trial out of the Cincinnati area. A judge declared a mistrial Nov. 12 after jurors remained hung after 25 hours of deliberations. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) The first-trial judge, Megan Shanahan, said Monday that the retrial should be conducted with "a blank slate." She declared a mistrial Nov. 12 because of a hung jury. The case was randomly assigned to Judge Tom Heekin, who recused himself Tuesday because he once represented one of DuBose's children in a civil court matter. It was then assigned to Judge Beth Myers, newly elected to a state appellate court job that she'll move into in February. She quickly disqualified herself. Ghiz is a former Cincinnati city councilwoman who's been on the bench since February 2013. Tensing testified in the first trial that he feared for his life when DuBose tried to drive away from the traffic stop. Attorney Stewart Mathews said DuBose tried to use his car as a deadly weapon. Deters repeated last week that he believes the shooting wasn't justified and said the evidence contradicts Tensing's story. The case is among those across the country calling attention to how police deal with blacks. In Charleston, South Carolina, a since-fired white patrolman, Michael Slager, testified in his own defense Tuesday in his murder trial in the fatal shooting of Walter Scott, a black man shot while running from an April 2015 traffic stop. ___ Follow Dan Sewell at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell For some of his other recent stories: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/dan-sewell ___ Scorsese scores papal audience after screening of "Silence" VATICAN CITY (AP) Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese is getting Vatican-style red carpet treatment, meeting Wednesday with Pope Francis after screening his new film, "Silence," in Rome. The film is about two Jesuit missionaries who search for their mentor in 17th-century Japan, when Christians were persecuted. The plot is likely of interest to Francis, who as a young man joined the Jesuit order in hopes of becoming a missionary in Japan. He never made it because of his health, but he has spoken out frequently about the church's past and present martyrs. The film was being screened Tuesday for Jesuit priests at a pontifical university. The Vatican said Francis would receive Scorsese in the Apostolic Palace before his general audience. Dozens arrested during US protests for higher minimum wages CHICAGO (AP) Dozens of people were arrested Tuesday as they participated in protests nationwide for a $15 per hour minimum wage. Fast-food restaurant workers and home and child-care workers rallied in cities including Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York. In many cities the protesters blocked busy intersections. In Chicago, hundreds of protesters at O'Hare International Airport chanted outside terminals: "What do we want? $15! When do we want it? Now!" Police gated an area to allow travelers room to walk. As many as 500 workers at the airport participated in an unfair labor practices strike, according to officials from Service Employees International Union Local 1 who have been organizing the workers. A crowd of about 350 protesters stand on Broadway in front of a McDonald's restaurant, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. About 25 of the chanting minimum-wage protesters, foreground, were arrested. The event was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) "We're not asking for special treatment, we're asking for decent treatment. We're asking for decent wages," said Kisha Rivera, an airplane cabin cleaner at O'Hare. "We're demanding respect." Thousands planned to walk off the job at McDonald's restaurants, organizers said. The efforts are part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. In New Jersey, airport workers marched between two terminals at Newark Liberty International Airport. Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka has called on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, to raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour at its facilities and take steps to hire more Newark residents. At a McDonald's in Denver, about 100 people, including about 60 striking fast food workers from around the metro area, picketed. Protesters briefly shut down a downtown St. Louis McDonald's restaurant, blocking the drive-thru for about 30 minutes. In Massachusetts, a state senator was among nearly three dozen people arrested after they sat down on a Cambridge street during a demonstration. About 25 of the 350 protesters in New York City were arrested. One protester, Flavia Cabral, 55, struggles to make ends meet with two part-time jobs. "All these people don't have savings because we're working check to check," Cabral said. "We have to decide what we are going to get: We're going to pay rent or we're going to put food on the table or we're going to send my child to school." Detroit police say they arrested about 40 protesters who blocked traffic. In the San Francisco Bay Area, ride-hailing drivers, fast-food employees, airport workers and others shut down an Oakland intersection. Earlier this year, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will lift the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. Raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $12 would lift pay for 35 million workers, or 1 in 4 employees nationwide, according to the liberal Economic Policy Institute. The conservative-leaning, nonprofit Employment Policies Institute think tank said it believes minimum wage increases will result in lost jobs, reduced hours and business closures. Martin Macias-Rivera holds a statue as he and others protest near a McDonald's restaurant along the Las Vegas Strip, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Las Vegas. The protest was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/John Locher) People protest near a McDonald's restaurant along the Las Vegas Strip, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Las Vegas. The protest was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/John Locher) A.J. Buhay speaks on a bullhorn as he and others protest near a McDonald's restaurant along the Las Vegas Strip, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Las Vegas. The protest was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/John Locher) Protesters gather in front of a Burger King in the 3400 block of Main Street, early Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo., as part of a national day of protest organized by Fight for $15 and United We Stand movements, seeking higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star via AP) Protesters gather in front of a Burger King in the 3400 block of Main Street, early Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo., as part of a national day of protest organized by Fight for $15 and United We Stand movements, seeking higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star via AP) Protesters march around the McDonald's restaurant in the 3200 block of Main Street, early Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo., as part of a national day of protest organized by Fight for $15 and United We Stand movements, seeking higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star via AP) A man holds a sign in front of his face while joining a protest in front of a McDonald's restaurant, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. The event was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Two men, center, are arrested by police officers after blocking Broadway in front of a McDonald's restaurant, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. About 25 chanting minimum-wage protesters were arrested. They were among about 350 people at a peaceful rally Tuesday. The event was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Protesters are arrested and taken into custody during a wage protest in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. A few dozen protesters blocked a downtown Los Angeles intersection as part of a national wave of demonstrations in support of higher wages and workers' rights. Police stood by as the peaceful demonstrators formed a circle in the street early Tuesday while hoisting signs saying "the whole world is watching" and "Fight for $15." (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) A crowd of about 350 protesters stand on Broadway in front of a McDonald's restaurant, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. About 25 of the chanting minimum-wage protesters were arrested. The event was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) A man is arrested by police officers after he and other protesters blocked Broadway in front of a McDonald's restaurant, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. About 25 chanting minimum-wage protesters were arrested. They were among about 350 people at a peaceful rally early Tuesday. The event was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Protesters are arrested and taken into custody during a wage protest in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. A few dozen protesters blocked a downtown Los Angeles intersection as part of a national wave of demonstrations in support of higher wages and workers' rights. Police stood by as the peaceful demonstrators formed a circle in the street early Tuesday while hoisting signs saying "the whole world is watching" and "Fight for $15." (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) A protester is arrested and taken into custody during a wage protest in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. A few dozen protesters blocked a downtown Los Angeles intersection as part of a national wave of demonstrations in support of higher wages and workers' rights. Police stood by as the peaceful demonstrators formed a circle in the street early Tuesday while hoisting signs saying "the whole world is watching" and "Fight for $15." (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Protesters carrying signs and chanting slogans march during a protest in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. A few dozen protesters blocked a downtown Los Angeles intersection as part of a national wave of demonstrations in support of higher wages and workers' rights. Police stood by as the peaceful demonstrators formed a circle in the street early Tuesday while hoisting signs saying "the whole world is watching" and "Fight for $15." (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) Czech lawmakers pass divisive conflict of interest amendment PRAGUE (AP) Czech lawmakers have approved legislation to limit the business activities of future government ministers. The legislation, approved on a 125-42 vote in Parliament's lower chamber, would ban ministers from owning media, and bar companies in which ministers have more than a 25 percent stake from receiving state subsidies and participating in public tenders. The ANO (YES) movement led by Finance Minister Andrej Babis who owns two major newspapers and Agrofert conglomerate which receives state subsidies voted against. The bill still needs presidential approval. ANO is considering whether to take legal action, but isn't planning to withdraw from the government. Supreme Court seems to favor Texas death row inmate WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court seemed likely Tuesday to side with a longtime death row inmate in Texas who claims he is intellectually disabled and thus ineligible to be executed. A majority of justices during arguments at the high court expressed misgivings with the way the top Texas criminal appeals court evaluates borderline cases of intellectual disability. That court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, reversed a lower court and ruled that inmate Bobby James Moore was not intellectually disabled. Moore was convicted in the shotgun killing of a Houston grocery store clerk in 1980. This undated photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows inmate Bobby Moore. The U.S. Supreme Court this week examines whether the nation's busiest state for capital punishment is trying to put to death a convicted killer who's intellectually disabled, which would make him ineligible for execution under the court's current guidance. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP) The Supreme Court held in 2002 that people convicted of murder who are intellectually disabled cannot be executed. The court gave states some discretion to decide how to determine intellectual disability. The justices have wrestled in several more recent cases about how much discretion to allow. The Texas court's approach, said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, opens "the door to inconsistent results, depending on who is sitting on the trial court bench, something we try to prevent from happening in capital cases." The court's three other liberal justices and Justice Anthony Kennedy, voiced similar concerns. Two years ago, Kennedy and the four liberal justices formed a majority when the court ruled unconstitutional a Florida law that barred any other evidence of intellectual disability if an inmate's IQ was over 70. Texas looks at three main points to define intellectual disability: IQ scores, with 70 generally considered a threshold; an inmate's ability to interact with others and care for him- or herself and whether evidence of deficiencies in either of those areas occurred before age 18. The state, defending the Texas court ruling, said Moore had a troubled childhood with little supervision and scored 57, 77 and 78 on IQ tests before dropping out of school in the ninth grade. He'd been convicted four times of felonies by age 17 but never was diagnosed with an intellectual disability as a youth, the state argued. Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller urged the justices to leave the state court ruling in place, arguing that the Texas court does not always rule for the state in cases in which defendants claim they are intellectually disabled. Representing Moore, Washington lawyer Clifford Sloan said Texas does not rely on clinical standards for diagnosing intellectual disability, which he said stands "in sharp contrast" to the earlier Supreme Court rulings. For-profit colleges expect fortunes to improve under Trump BOSTON (AP) After nearing collapse under the Obama administration, the for-profit college industry is celebrating Donald Trump's election as a chance for a rebound. As stock prices for some of the nation's largest college chains have surged, industry lobbyists say they have received a warm welcome from Trump's transition team and already have launched a campaign to rebrand the embattled industry as a key to the new president's plan for economic growth. While Trump has yet to detail his education plan, some in the for-profit sector see the president-elect as an ally who has championed the private sector and promised to roll back many of President Barack Obama's regulations. FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2016 file photo, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich introduces Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Ft. Myers, Fla. In November, Gingrich, a close adviser to Trump, urged the next administration to embrace for-profit schools in its education plan. "They have an opportunity to try to create a movement, to create 8.5 million new jobs, which gets precisely at what Donald Trump has been campaigning on," he said. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File) Industry lobbyists hope those include federal "gainful employment" rules, which can cut funding to academic programs whose graduates struggle to pay off student debt, and new borrower defense rules that can force financially unstable schools to put up large sums of money to cover student loans if the school fails. "Unfortunately, the focus in the last eight years has been fighting for survival from an ideological administration that was opposed to our very existence, and hopefully that is a fight we will no longer have to wage," said Steve Gunderson, president of the industry lobbying group Career Education Colleges and Universities and a former Republican congressman. Gunderson said that early conversations with Trump's transition team showed promise for a smoother relationship with the White House. "They absolutely see a place for postsecondary career education which is not exclusively constructed around just four-year liberal-arts programs," Gunderson said. Trump's transition team did not respond to requests for comment. The for-profit college industry has suffered steep enrollment losses since 2010. Many schools blame Obama, whose administration has cracked down on schools accused of fraud and added new regulations that officials say were meant to protect students from abuse. In September, the ITT Technical Institute chain shut down after the federal government mostly barred it from enrolling new students as a sanction for academic troubles. A month later, the Apollo Education Group, owner of the University of Phoenix, told investors that it might not survive the policies of another Democratic president. Trump, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, spoke little about for-profit colleges during his campaign. His pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, is known for promoting charter schools and school vouchers but has less of a track record when it comes to higher education. DeVos did not respond to a request for comment. Still, critics expect that Trump will loosen the reins on for-profit colleges, and some see parallels between those schools and the Republican's now-defunct Trump University. This month, Trump agreed to pay $25 million to settle three fraud lawsuits filed against his Trump University real-estate seminars, although he didn't admit fault. Ben Miller, senior director for postsecondary education at the liberal think tank Center for American Progress, said it's revealing that the industry is celebrating someone accused of misconduct "that resembles the worst practices of that industry." But Miller and other critics doubt the sector will see a major rebound because its image has already been tarnished. To repair its reputation, Gunderson's group is rebranding the industry as a key to Trump's plan for economic growth. This month, the schools Gunderson represents promised to train 5 million skilled workers over the next decade, echoing Trump's promise to create 25 million jobs in that span. "Our sector needs to reintroduce ourselves to the policymakers," Gunderson said. Four-year for-profit colleges enrolled an estimated 1.1 million undergraduates in spring 2016, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, a nonprofit research group. The DeVry Education Group said in a statement that it will work with the administration and "offer suggestions and reforms." Shares in the parent company of DeVry University jumped 30 percent in the weeks after Trump's election, to their highest value in more than a year. Other for-profit colleges declined to comment. Students who attend for-profit colleges are typically older and poorer than their peers at four-year universities, and more often they're minorities, according to federal data. Industry backers say that's because for-profit schools offer accelerated programs with flexible schedules for working adults. Opponents say it's because they lure low-income students with aggressive tactics. A study released by the Education Department this month found that graduates of public colleges earned an average of $9,000 a year more than their counterparts at for-profit colleges. Gunderson's group countered with another study projecting that the sector could produce 8.5 million professionals over the next decade. Those offering recent support to the industry include former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a close adviser to Trump who is making a case to be the president-elect's strategic planner. At a recent event in Dallas for Gunderson's group, Gingrich urged the next administration to embrace for-profit schools in its education plan. "They have an opportunity to try to create a movement, to create 8.5 million new jobs, which gets precisely at what Donald Trump has been campaigning on," Gingrich said in an interview. Gingrich, who is personal friends with Gunderson, added that he believes some of Obama's major regulations targeting the industry will be scaled back. "I expect them to be dramatically modified," Gingrich said. "They were impossible to administer and they simply set up rules designed to force schools into bankruptcy." The Latest: German court says don't send migrant to Hungary BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) The Latest on the flow of migrants into Europe (all times local): 6:15 p.m. A state court in Germany has ruled that an asylum-seeker cannot be returned to Hungary, citing "systematic deficiencies" in the asylum procedures there. The unidentified man from Kosovo entered Germany in 2013 through Hungary and applied for asylum. It was rejected under the so-called Dublin rules, where a person generally is required to apply for asylum in the first European Union country they enter. But in the Lueneburg state court ruling announced Tuesday, judges upheld a lower court's decision that the man couldn't be sent to Hungary, where human rights officials have said many asylum-seekers are put in detention and don't have their applications examined on merits. The court said it was considerably likely the man would face "inhumane or degrading treatment" in Hungary. ___ 5:40 p.m. A Hungarian lawmaker says the government will spend up to 100 billion forints ($340 million) to provide equipment and basic supplies for 3,000 "border hunters" being recruited to guard border fences built last year to stop the flow of migrants trying to enter the country. Lajos Kosa, head of the governing Fidesz party's parliamentary group, says the expenditures will be exempt from having to comply with public procurement rules. Some 400,000 migrants and refugees passed through Hungary last year on their way to Western Europe before Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered fences built on the country's southern borders with Serbia and Croatia. Migrants who get past the fence but are caught near the border are usually summarily expelled. White House Christmas theme: 'The Gift of the Holidays' WASHINGTON (AP) For her family's final Christmas in the White House, Michelle Obama used the holiday decor to highlight her core initiatives as first lady: military service, education and health. The familiar crowd-pleasers are still part of the annual show: A towering tree dominates the Blue Room, trimmed as it has been in the past to honor the U.S. military and their families, an issue Mrs. Obama has emphasized. This year's White House Gingerbread House in the State Dining Room of the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. This year's gingerbread house features 150 pounds of gingerbread on the inside, 100 pounds of bread dough on the outside frame, 20 pounds of gum paste, 20 pounds of icing, and 20 pounds of sculpted sugar pieces. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Larger-than-life replicas of family dogs Bo and Sunny will greet tens of thousands of holiday visitors shortly after they enter through the East Wing. And no White House Christmas would feel complete without the annual gingerbread version. This year's replica on display in the State Dining Room weighed in at more than 300 pounds, including 150 pounds of gingerbread covered in 100 pounds of bread dough to form the white exterior. Models of Bo and Sunny sit out front, and Mrs. Obama's revamped vegetable garden is represented. Downstairs in the library, education is the theme. Ornaments on two trees are written with the word "girls" in 12 languages, honoring the first lady's "Let Girls Learn" initiative to help countries educate tens of millions of adolescent girls around the world. Other trees in the library are made out of crayons or pencils. Mrs. Obama's "Let's Move" anti-childhood obesity is represented by a variety of fruit, to symbolize healthy eating, laid out in the Green and Red Rooms upstairs on the State Floor. Wreaths made of lemons and garlands made of limes decorate Green Room walls; clove-studded oranges, apples and pomegranates are mixed with greens to create wreaths for the Red Room. "This year's holiday theme is 'The Gift of the Holidays,'" the first lady said Tuesday afternoon after unveiling the decorations for military families. "We're going to be celebrating our country's greatest gifts, with special decorations celebrating our military families." The theme is also meant to encourage people to reflect on "the true gifts of life," such as service, friends and family, education and good health, her office said in a statement describing the decorations. More than 90 volunteer decorators from 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico began arriving on Thanksgiving to begin the monumental task of decorating the White House, doing everything from hauling boxes and making bows to hanging lights and wreaths and trimming trees. The 19-foot Blue Room tree arrived on Friday, and it took four days to get it ready, said volunteer decorator Patricia Ochan, of Arlington, Virginia. The tree features mirrored ornaments and garland with the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Besides the Blue Room tree, a second tree downstairs is decorated with gold ornaments in honor of service members who gave their lives for the country. Ochan, a military spouse originally from Uganda, said it was "most exciting" to help decorate the Blue Room tree. "I know how it feels not to have your loved one home with you for the holidays," she said. Another highlight? Fifty-six Lego gingerbread houses, one for each state and U.S. territory, that are nestled in the branches of the trees in the State Dining Room. A team of Lego builders at the company's Connecticut offices crafted the houses from more than 200,000 Lego pieces, the White House said. Most of the 70,000 ornaments and other decorations were reused, the White House said. Just 10 percent were new. ___ Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap First lady Michelle Obama, pauses while speaking to military families in the East Room of the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The East Room is decorated at the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Holliday cookies are put out during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The North Portico of the White House is decorated during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The White House, is one of the fifty-six LEGO gingerbread houses, one for each state and territory, displayed in the trees in the State Dinning Room at the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. Each of the LEGO gingerbread houses are a one-of-a-kind creation and feature colors, architecture styles and details that pay tribute to each state or territory. This house was made for the District of Columbia. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) home Tech 'Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide' DLC release date: Karak Azgaraz DLC announced; to arrive with largest patch yet The first "Warhammer: End Times a Vermintide" downloadable content (DLC) pack for will bring players to the snow covered peaks of the Grey Mountains in Karak Azgaraz. In this expansion pack, players will have to protect the Dwarfen fortress from the Skaven. There will be three new levels to tread and a couple of new weapons to utilize. The description for the "Warhammer: End Times a Vermintide" DLC is as follows: "Battle the Skaven in the ancient halls of the Dwarfen Khazid Kro, made of cold stone and old technology. Explore the mountains in search of The Cursed Rune. Finally, make your way to the top of the mountain to light the first beacon and trigger the Chain of Fire." Khazid Kro is the home of a Dwarfen engineer named Halgrim, who will play an important role in the success of the mission. The Cursed Rune is the location for a "special rune." Chain of Fire is where players could warn everyone of the impending danger. To aid "Warhammer: End Times a Vermintide" players in completing the deadly missions in the "Karak Azgaraz" DLC, there will be two new "rare" weapons. The Dwarf Ranger will get to wield the Warpick during battle while the Witch Hunter can equip himself with the Falchion. The "Warhammer: End Times a Vermintide: Karak Azgaraz" DLC has no release date yet, but the price was revealed to be $8.99. To prepare for the release of the DLC, developer Fatshark will release the largest patch for "Warhammer: End Times a Vermintide" yet, update 1.5. Players can try it out by joining the open beta. There, they should be able to try out the new DLC and help in polishing it before it is officially released. "This patch is a big one," Fatshark wrote about the massive "Warhammer: End Times aVermintide: Karak Azgaraz" update. "In the last couple of months we've been extremely focused on solving bugs and acting on community feedback. The results are a patch larger than any we've ever released before," they added. Sudan's Al-Bashir voices support for Trump CAIRO (AP) Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur, voiced his support Tuesday for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, saying dealing with him will be "much easier". Trump "focuses on the interests of the American citizen, as opposed to those who talk about democracy, human rights and transparency", al-Bashir said in an interview published by Emirati daily al-Khaleej. "I am convinced that it will be much easier to deal with Trump than with others because he is a straightforward person and a businessman who considers the interests of those who deal with him," said al-Bashir said, adding that "we can deal with double-faced people but here we have a person with a clear line." Bashir is wanted by the ICC for alleged atrocities in Darfur. The court issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir in 2009 for crimes against humanity and war crimes, and added genocide to the charges against him in 2010. He has ruled Sudan since 1989. Two US officials to attend Fidel Castro's funeral WASHINGTON (AP) White House spokesman Josh Earnest says a high-ranking presidential adviser and the top diplomat to Cuba will represent the United States at Fidel Castro's funeral. Earnest is emphasizing that the two are not part of a formal delegation to the service, but the appearance of deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes and Jeffrey DeLaurentis shows a commitment to an "ongoing, future-oriented relationship with the Cuban people." DeLaurentis is awaiting Senate confirmation to be U.S. ambassador to Cuba. Earnest says Rhodes was already scheduled to be on the island this week. He notes that Rhodes played a leading role in crafting agreements to normalize relations with Cuba. White House press secretary Josh Earnest speaks during the daily news briefing at the White House, in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Earnest discussed the funeral of Fidel Castro, flag-burning, and other topics. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A white Oklahoma police officer who shot dead unarmed black man Terence Crutcher will stand trial for first-degree manslaughter. Betty Jo Shelby was charged after fatally shooting 40-year-old Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 16. Prosecutors say the 42-year-old officer 'reacted unreasonably' and was 'emotionally involved to the point that she overreacted' when she shot Crutcher. Scroll down for video Oklahoma police officer Betty Jo Shelby will stand trial for first-degree manslaughter after she was charged with fatally shooting Terence Crutcher on September 16 The victim wasn't armed or combative and was following commands to raise his hands, authorities said. A judge ruled on Tuesday that there was enough evidence for the Tulsa police officer to be tried for the shooting. She will be arraigned on December 15. Shelby handed herself in to police and was formally charged back in September. Shelby's attorneys say she shot Crutcher because she feared for her life, believing Crutcher was reaching into his vehicle for a gun. Crutcher's family immediately discounted that claim, saying the father of four posed no threat to the officers, and police said Crutcher did not have gun on him or in his vehicle. A judge ruled on Tuesday that there was enough evidence for the Tulsa police officer (left) to be tried for the shooting of Terence Crutcher (right) Prosecutors say the 42-year-old officer 'reacted unreasonably' and was 'emotionally involved to the point that she overreacted' when she shot Crutcher on a Tulsa road in September Shelby, who joined the Tulsa Police Department in December 2011, was en route to a domestic violence call when she encountered Crutcher's broken-down SUV blocking a road. She claims he did not respond to her questions and did not respond to her commands to stop as he walked to his vehicle with his hands in the air before she shot him. Police helicopter video and a dashboard camera showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby on the street with his arms in the air. It doesn't offer a clear view of when Shelby fired the single shot. If convicted the police officer faces between fours years and the maximum sentence of life in prison. Police helicopter video showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby on the street with his arms in the air Mexico president backs away from constitutional change MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico's president is backing away from a plan that critics say could have helped quash investigations into government corruption on his watch. President Enrique Pena Nieto has been backing a constitutional amendment to give the attorney general a fixed term that wouldn't coincide with presidential terms. It's meant to make prosecutors more independent of the presidency. But critics complained that the measure was worded to let Pena Nieto's current attorney general serve well into the next presidential administration. They fear that could dampen efforts to unearth any corruption taking place now. Vice President Biden to visit Ottawa next week TORONTO (AP) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit Ottawa next week when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets Canada's provincial premiers about climate policy. The White House released a statement Tuesday that said the outgoing vice-president will be in Ottawa Dec. 8-9 to meet with Trudeau, as well as the premiers, to discuss Canada-U.S. relations and several international issues. Trudeau's office says Biden will meet with Trudeau and the prime minister will host a dinner in his honor. The U.S. Embassy says Biden will meet Canada's 10 provincial premiers on a range of bilateral and global issues Trudeau's government is working on a "pan-Canadian" framework for clean growth and dealing with climate change that includes a carbon tax. Turkey: Fire at a dormitory for girls kills 12, injures 22 ISTANBUL (AP) A fire at a middle school dormitory for girls in southern Turkey left 12 people dead and 22 injured Tuesday night, a Turkish governor and state-run media said. Adana Governor Mahmut Demirtas said one teacher and 11 students were killed in the fire in the town of Aladag and the wounded were taken to a hospital, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, which described the building as a middle school dormitory for girls. Speaking to reporters at the scene, Demirtas said the dormitory had 34 people and the fire may have been caused by an electrical problem. No one was left in the building, he said. Flames rise from a fire in a school dormitory, in Aladag, Adana in southern Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2916. A fire at a middle school dormitory for girls in southern Turkey has left over ten people dead and over a dozen injured, a Turkish governor and state-run media said. (DHA via AP) Turkish television showed flames rising from a three-story building and firefighters battling the blaze. Several windows on the building were scorched black and ashen debris littered the dormitory entrance. Footage broadcast by TRT showed a man being evacuated in an ambulance stretcher with an oxygen mask on. Health nominee Price may find that changing HHS isn't easy WASHINGTON (AP) As an orthopedic surgeon, Tom Price is used to calling the shots in the operating room. If confirmed to run the federal Department of Health and Human Services, the doctor-turned-congressman from Georgia may find it a lot harder to exercise authority. Incoming President Donald Trump's top health official will lead a $1-trillion-plus department that oversees insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid, futuristic research at the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration decisions that can make or break companies and front-line public health defenses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But almost everything the vast department does is circumscribed by law and regulations, and churned out through layers of bureaucracy not always in full communication with each other. The secretary's sixth-floor office suite in a bunker-like concrete-and-glass building at the foot of Capitol Hill can lull its occupants into a false sense of security. Witness how former Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was caught unprepared by the initial failure of HealthCare.gov's computer system. FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2016, file photo, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee appears before the Rules Committee, joined at right by Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans hope that as President-elect Donald Trump's choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services, Price will preside over the dismantlement of President Barack Obama's signature health care law. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Some of the issues and challenges Price would face include: OBAMA HEALTH CARE LAW The main "repeal and replace" fight over the 2010 Affordable Care Act will be waged on Capitol Hill. Price would no longer be a protagonist moving legislation through the House, but an adviser and strategist helping the White House and his Republican former colleagues. He might have greater impact on the fate of "Obamacare" through the department's administrative and regulatory powers. The Obama administration used regulations to clarify ambiguous parts of the health care law, smooth some of its rough edges and maneuver around roadblocks thrown up by congressional Republicans. One of Price's most important early decisions is what kind of signal he'll send jittery insurers about participating in the health care law's markets in 2018, with bids due during the first half of next year. If the industry gets the message that the markets will not have ongoing government support, a mass exit could complicate the stated intention of GOP leaders to have a smooth transition. Price could also seek ways to soften the law's requirement that individuals carry health insurance or risk fines. For example, the department might consider a "hardship waiver" in the growing number of communities that only have one insurer. MEDICARE AND MEDICAID The ACA covers about 20 million people, but Medicare and traditional Medicaid cover more than 100 million and are politically popular. As House Budget chairman, Price helped engineer sweeping GOP proposals to overhaul both programs, by privatizing Medicare for future retirees and limiting the amount of federal dollars to cover low-income people through Medicaid. As HHS secretary, those decisions would be above his pay grade, instead belonging to Congress and the president. "HHS doesn't get to rewrite Medicare," said health economist Gail Wilensky, a longtime GOP adviser. But regulations would allow Price to put his stamp on both programs. Medicare is in the midst of revamping the way it pays doctors, changing to a new system under a bipartisan law known as MACRA. The law is meant to reward quality over volume, but as a congressman Price expressed concern that some of the implementing regulations might interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. Price could also scale back some of the programs emanating from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, an ideas shop created under the Obama health care law to re-engineer the programs. There's bipartisan criticism of a proposal by the center to change the way Medicare pays for drugs administered in a doctor's office, including many cancer drugs. On Medicaid, Price could open the door for GOP-led states to seek changes under the traditional entitlement program, for example, by charging modest premiums and perhaps even requiring that beneficiaries look for work. Trump's nominee to oversee Medicare and Medicaid health policy consultant Seema Verma was a top adviser on Indiana's conservative experiment with Medicaid, as well as assisting other GOP-led states. E-CIGARETTES AND VAPING Those hand-held devices that vaporize liquid nicotine could soon come to Price's attention. The electronic cigarette industry will likely push the incoming Trump administration to undo sweeping regulations its predecessor put in place earlier this year. Under the current rules, makers of the nicotine-emitting devices must for the first time submit their ingredients for FDA review. E-cigarettes have not been extensively studied and there's no scientific consensus on whether they help reduce rates of cigarette smoking. But representatives for the emerging industry argue that federal regulations will wipe out hundreds of smaller companies in the space, curtailing use of products that lack the harmful chemicals released when tobacco is burned. ROLE REVERSAL? Some Republicans fret that fellow conservatives sent into a bastion of liberal social programs will begin to soften. Funding is a critical need for the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control, and the agencies often have compelling stories to tell. The HHS secretary is expected to act as the agencies' advocate in Congress, and Price might even be called upon to press tight-fisted former colleagues for bigger budgets. But would Price take on that mission, or would he send word back through the bureaucracy for the agencies to pare back their requests? ___ Obama visits wounded at Walter Reed BETHESDA, Md. (AP) President Barack Obama is spending part of Tuesday visiting with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House says the president has met with 13 Army service members and that he awarded 12 Purple Hearts. The president visits the nation's largest military hospital a few times each year. The visits take place out of the public view. Obama spent about an hour at the hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, before flying back to the White House by helicopter. President Barack Obama walks with his physician Ronny Jackson, right, towards a waiting Marine One as he leaves Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., after visiting wounded service members, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. During the president's visit he met with 13 Army service members and awarded 12 Purple Hearts. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) President Barack Obama enters the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, as he returns from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Woman accused of stabbing boyfriend who drank her blood KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) A 19-year-old southwest Missouri woman allowed her intoxicated boyfriend to cut her arm and drink her blood while discussing vampires, and then stabbed him during an ensuing argument, according to police. Victoria Vanatter of Springfield pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action in connection with the Nov. 23 incident. She remained jailed Tuesday on $150,000 bond. Her court-appointed public defender, Steve Kellogg, declined to comment on the case Tuesday, saying he had not yet spoken with Vanatter. This undated photo provided by the Greene County Sheriff's Office in Springfield, Mo., shows Victoria Vanatter of Springfield, Mo. Police say Vanatter allowed her intoxicated boyfriend to drink her blood then stabbed the wannabe vampire during a subsequent argument on Nov. 23, 2016. Vanatter pleaded not guilty Monday, Nov. 28 to charges of first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action. (Greene County Sheriff's Office via AP) Vanatter stabbed her boyfriend in the back and shoulder after he repeatedly hit her during the argument, Springfield police investigator Scott Hill wrote in a probable-cause statement that accompanied the criminal complaint. Officers responding to Vanatter's 911 call said they found the bloodied couple, a heart drawn in blood on a living room wall, and "I'm sorry" scrawled in blood along with another heart on a kitchen counter. On the boyfriend's bare chest was a symbol of a cross that also appeared to be drawn in blood, Hill wrote. Vanatter told investigators that she routinely cut herself so she could drink her own blood and "believed she could become a serial killer," Hill wrote. "Vanatter admitted to me that she was a threat to society and we need to take her seriously," the investigator said. She and her boyfriend, who refused to cooperate with police and insisted his knife wounds were self-inflicted, were treated at a hospital, Hill said. Vanatter also is charged as a persistent offender on probation for convictions last year of felony assault and felony domestic assault related to separate incidents in other counties. Nicola Sturgeon to address Irish parliament and meet business leaders Nicola Sturgeon is to address the Irish parliament as her two-day visit to strengthen ties between Scotland and Ireland after the Brexit result comes to a close. The First Minister is also meeting business leaders in Dublin on the final day of her trip. Speaking at Trinity College Dublin on Monday, where she was awarded an honorary patronage from the university's Philosophical Society, she said Brexit could lead to Scottish independence. Nicola Sturgeon is visiting Dublin The SNP leader warned London that if it tries to drive Scotland off a "hard Brexit cliff edge" then Scots would have the right to "choose other alternatives". "I have always believed Scotland will become an independent country and I think it will become an independent country well within my lifetime - and this may be the moment for that," she said. She also said a proposal to allow Britons to remain EU citizens after Brexit for a fee should not be ruled out. The suggestion of individual EU membership for the 48% who voted Remain merits discussion, she said. "We should be open-minded about solutions that can help, whether it is Scotland or individuals, who want to retain their citizenship, their relationship with the EU," Ms Sturgeon added. The "associate citizenship" idea gained has gained the backing of Guy Verhofstadt, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator. The former Belgian prime minister, who held talks with Brexit Secretary David Davis last week, said he liked the idea "that people who are European citizens and saying they want to keep it, have the possibility of doing so". Ms Sturgeon said she was willing to consider the possibility as one of a number of "proposed solutions". "We shouldn't be ruling out anything just now," she said. "People say to me - as I'm sure they are saying to (Mr Verhofstadt) about that particular proposal - that is impossible, that could never work. "Well, how do we know that? "We are going into a period that is completely uncharted, in terms of what happens now." She added: "We are going to have to be imaginative, innovative and creative in the period ahead, if we are going to come out of this Brexit scenario in good shape, without damaging the things that we value in the UK. "So let us be open-minded about some of the suggestions." Ms Sturgeon reiterated her belief that a second Scottish independence referendum is highly likely after Britain voted to leave the EU earlier this year. Hameed's tour ended by injury as India cruise into 2-0 series lead Haseeb Hameed and Joe Root's admirable resistance proved too little too late as England lost the third Test by eight wickets inside four days to concede an unassailable 2-0 series lead to India. Root's exemplary 78 preceded the equally skilful defiance of Hameed (59no), who made no compromise to a left little finger injury that will prevent him completing the tour. Hameed ground out a mere 17 from his first 110 balls yet then passed his half-century with a slog-swept six after only another 37. Haseeb Hameed will return home from England's tour of India to have a plate inserted in his injured left hand Afterwards England captain Alastair Cook revealed that Hameed would be returning home for an operation to have a plate inserted in his injured hand. England could only delay the inevitable in Mohali, scrambling 236 all out to set India a target of 103 - which they achieved in 20.2 overs to wrap up victory in mid-evening, thanks to a 39-ball 50 from Parthiv Patel (67no). As in England's previous defeat in Vizag, this was a case of the telling damage being done in the first innings - failing this time to post a par total or better after Alastair Cook won an important toss on a fair pitch. England were too far off the pace, despite their hosts' own brief wobble on day two, and Test matches in this part of the world are very rarely won from behind. No one had told Root or Hameed that, however, as they produced innings which may sow hope that England can somehow battle back in pursuit of an unlikely 2-2 drawn series - or conversely, just point to what might have been here. Hameed took his cue to up the ante after Mohammad Shami bounced out Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid with the second new ball, leaving him with only James Anderson for company as the last-wicket stand scrambled another 41 runs. Woakes then had Murali Vijay gloving a simple catch to second slip before tea. But England had nowhere near enough runs to cause any serious consternation for India as Patel helped to complete the formalities alongside his captain Virat Kohli after Cheteshwar Pujara had mis-swept Rashid to end a stand of 81. The tourists had resumed on 78 for four, still 56 behind, and obviously running short of resources already. Root's departure just before lunch, to a memorable one-handed catch by Ajinkya Rahane away to his left at slip from an edged drive at Ravindra Jadeja, signalled the beginning of the end - despite Hameed's ongoing refusal to buckle. England lost their nightwatchman Gareth Batty to his second ball of the day, pushing forward and missing an arm ball from Jadeja to be lbw for a duck - and then Jos Buttler's brief counter-attack ended when he went up the pitch to Jayant Yadav but dragged his big hit straight into the hands of deep midwicket. Hameed, unable to open the previous evening because of the injury he first suffered in last week's second Test before being hit again in the first innings here, came in at number eight to join Root. The Roses alliance appeared to represent England's last realistic chance of a great escape, and Root completed a determined and flawless 147-ball half-century when he clipped Jadeja past midwicket for just his third boundary. Hameed, showing no obvious signs of pain despite having had an x-ray the previous evening, was soon predictably tested by the short ball as Kohli summoned Shami. The teenage Lancastrian passed that test, however - and having got off the mark with a pushed single from the 19th ball he faced, he survived one scare on six when his thick edge to only the second ball bowled by Ravi Ashwin clattered in and out of Parthiv's gloves. It would have been a very good catch, from a hefty deflection, and India knew far easier opportunities would surely be in store. So it proved once Shami had the new ball in his hands again, breaking an eighth-wicket stand of 43 when - straight after hitting Woakes on the helmet with a bouncer which dislodged the stemguard - he went short again and induced a mis-hook which looped to the wicketkeeper. In the same over, Rashid came and went for a duck - hooking this time to long-leg - and the spirited 10th-wicket stand eventually ended when Anderson was run out by a whisker trying to sprint a second run for his partner into the leg-side deep. England's defeat was confirmed within two hours - leaving them to contemplate during the short break before next week's fourth Test in Mumbai how they might yet somehow be able to push India harder then. Hindley prison regime 'possibly the very worst' seen by inspectors The regime at a prison was one of the worst of its type to be seen by a watchdog, according to a scathing inspection report. Inmates at HMP Hindley were regularly locked in their cells for more than 24 hours, leaving them unable to attend work or education. In a report that will re-intensify controversy over the state of prisons in England and Wales, HM Inspectorate of Prisons found levels of violence at the Category C facility near Wigan to be "very high" for the type of prison. A survey of prisoners at HMP Hindley indicated it was "far easier" to get hold of drugs than clean clothes or sheets A survey of prisoners indicated it was "far easier" to get hold of drugs than clean clothes, bed sheets or books. Residential wings and landings were dirty, with inspectors finding mould and fungus, while prisoners struggled to access basic entitlements such as showers. Peter Clarke, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: " The regime at Hindley was one of the worst, and possibly the very worst, that inspectors had ever seen in this type of prison. "The length of time for which young adults and adults alike were locked up was, in our considered view, unnecessary, unjustifiable and counterproductive. "Almost every aspect of prison life for the prisoners was adversely affected by the regime." Hindley held 515 male inmates at the time of the inspection in July. Locking inmates up for "wholly unreasonable" lengths of time had not altered the fact that nearly half of prisoners said it was "easy" to get hold of illegal drugs, the report said. New psychoactive substances - previously known as legal highs - were a "major issue" at Hindley. Mr Clarke said: "To make progress, there needs to be a very clear recognition of what is good at Hindley, and also where there needs to be fundamental change. "Many examples of good practice could be found in the chaplaincy, education and health care. The same could not be said for residential areas. "There is no good reason why Hindley should not become a safe, decent and respectful prison." Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "We are used to dreadful inspection reports about dilapidated, overcrowded Victorian prisons. HMP Hindley is none of these things, and this damning verdict is all the more troubling as a result." Earlier this month, thousands of officers stopped working in protest amid soaring levels of violence and self-harm behind bars. The Government has unveiled a wide-ranging blueprint for prison reform, including an additional 2,500 officers and measures to stop drones dropping drugs into jails and to block the illegal use of mobile phones. Justice minister Sam Gyimah and Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service, will appear at the Commons Justice Committee on Tuesday. In response to the Hindley report, Mr Spurr said: "Since the inspection a detailed improvement plan was developed to address the weaknesses identified by inspectors and this is being closely monitored. "Progress has been made to improve safety and purposeful activity with more prisoners engaged in high quality work and training opportunities. Data snooping laws take effect 'to help spies take on terrorists' Britain's intelligence services have entered a new era after controversial spying laws took effect. The landmark Investigatory Powers Bill was given royal assent on Tuesday. First unveiled a year ago, it aims to bring surveillance tactics used by police and spy agencies in the digital age under one legal umbrella. The controversial new laws will take effect from Tuesday Powers covered by the regime include: :: Internet connection records: Communications companies will be required to store data on the sites a device connects to - but not a user's full browsing history or the content of a communication - for up to a year. :: Bulk powers: The tactics used by MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to collect vast troves of data which the government says are crucial to counter-terrorism efforts. :: Equipment Interference: The official phrase used for operations involving hacking into suspects' smartphones and PCs, which are seen as increasingly important as advanced encryption makes monitoring targets more difficult. The Act has attracted intense scrutiny. A string of parliamentary reports called for revisions, while it has come under attack repeatedly from civil liberties groups. But ministers say it will ensure law enforcement and the security and intelligence agencies have the tools they need in a digital age to disrupt terrorist attacks. The Home Office says the legislation brings together and updates existing powers while radically overhauling how they are authorised and overseen. It includes the introduction of a "double lock" regime for the most intrusive techniques, so that warrants issued by a Secretary of State will require the approval of a senior judge. A new Investigatory Powers Commissioner will be created, while those misusing the powers could face sanctions including criminal charges. Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "This Government is clear that, at a time of heightened security threat, it is essential our law enforcement, security and intelligence services have the powers they need to keep people safe. "The internet presents new opportunities for terrorists and we must ensure we have the capabilities to confront this challenge. But it is also right that these powers are subject to strict safeguards and rigorous oversight. "The Investigatory Powers Act is world-leading legislation that provides unprecedented transparency and substantial privacy protection." But Bella Sankey, policy director for campaign group Liberty, said: "It's a sad day for our democracy as this Bill - with its eye-wateringly intrusive powers and flimsy safeguards - becomes law. "The Home Secretary is right that the Government has a duty to protect us, but these measures won't do the job. "Instead they open every detail of every citizen's online life up to state eyes, drowning the authorities in data and putting innocent people's personal information at massive risk." Rachel Logan, of Amnesty UK, said the government "has managed to sneak these incredibly sweeping surveillance powers on to the books with very little fanfare". Assistant Chief Constable Richard Berry, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for Communications Data, said: "We are working across law enforcement and with the Home Office to make the necessary changes to our processes and to inform and train our staff ready for implementation of the Act. "Necessity, proportionality and ethics will be at the heart of our approach to the updated powers working within a robust new oversight regime." Some of the provisions in the Act will require extensive testing and will not be in place for some time, the Home Office said. Man injured in armed police shooting 'running around with axe' A 31-year-old man has been shot and injured by police amid reports he was "running around with an axe". Witnesses at the scene, close to Hull city centre, said they heard loud gunshots and then saw a man on the floor, surrounded by police with "blood gushing out of him". Humberside Police said they were called to the Holderness Road area of the city on Tuesday morning "following reports of concerns for the safety of the public in relation to a man" near a post office. Police outside the scene around Charles Street, in Hull But witnesses said the shooting took place closer to the city centre, in an area cordoned off by police around Charles Street. Andre Foster said he was in a nearby building and saw the man after he had been shot by police. He said: "We heard two big, loud bangs, gun sounds, we looked out the window, we saw this fella on the floor, blood was gushing out of him. "There were around six police around him, trying to stop him bleeding. "I never saw an axe or anything, never saw a weapon." Mr Foster added: "It looked like he'd been Tasered. He had a big cut at the bottom, near his liver, and one at the top I think, and blood was just gushing out of him." He continued: "He was moving around, wriggling his body around like he was in agony." Another witness, who only gave her name as Rachel, said: "We heard two loud bangs and a man screaming, which made us all get up and see what was going on, and there was a man laid on the floor with quite a lot of blood loss and obviously it was all running down the path." She added that the man had what she believed to be four Taser marks - or "prongs" - in his back. Another woman described the incident as "traumatic". A man near the scene, who did not want to be named, said he believed the injured man was his cousin. He said his cousin suffers from mental health issues and has problems with drugs. He said: "All I've heard is one of my friends rang me and said: 'Your cousin's been running around with an axe and he's been Tasered and they've shot him.' That's all I know. "I'm going to go and find out how he is now." There was a large police presence in the sealed off area on Tuesday morning. Fire officers could be seen erecting large screens in a car park in Francis Street and there appeared to be a red and white screen in place outside a building. Office workers stood outside the building watching as police stood guard at the cordons. A Humberside Police spokesman said: " The man, who cannot be named, is now receiving medical attention. "An investigation is under way and the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is standard practice in such incidents. " We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this time." An IPCC spokesman said: "The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun an independent investigation after a man was injured during an incident in Hull this morning involving armed officers from Humberside Police. Figures show 20-year gap between healthy life expectancy across UK Health inequalities are "deeply embedded" across Britain, a charity has said after new figures showed a wide variation in the number of years people can expect to live healthy lives. New Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show a two-decade gap between "healthy life expediencies". Male residents of Rutland in the East Midlands can expect to live 71.8 years of their lives in good health. We may be living longer, but are also spending longer in poor health, campaigners have said But men who live in Tower Hamlets in London have a healthy life expectancy of just 54 years, the ONS said. Women in the Orkney Islands have a healthy life expectancy of 74.6 years. And the lowest healthy life expediencies for women are in Antrim and Newtown Abbey, Northern Ireland, where women can expect just 51.4 years in good health. Commenting on the figures, Janet Morrison, chief executive of the charity Independent Age, said: " Health inequalities are deeply embedded in the UK. "It should not be acceptable that people in an area like Rutland can expect nearly 72 years of good health while those in Tower Hamlets can expect only 54 years. "At a time when funding for the NHS and social care is extremely stretched, improving healthy life expectancy in all areas of the UK is essential if we want to reduce the costs of an ageing population. "If we have a public health and care system that helps people to live longer lives in better health, it is better for them, but also better for everyone." The new ONS figures show that newborn baby boys can expect to live for 79.2 years and a newborn baby girl 82.9 years if mortality rates remain the same as they were in the UK in 2013-2015. The figures also highlight regional differences between life expediencies , with men in Kensington and Chelsea expected to live 83.4 years while those in Glasgow are expected to live 73.4 years. Women in Hart in the south east of England have a life expectancy of 86.7 years while those in West Dunbartonshire can expect to live to 78.7. The ONS said that women continue to have higher life expectancy estimates than men, but males live a higher proportion of their lives in good health and disability-free. Sarah Caul, senior health researcher at the ONS, said: "Improvements to healthcare and living healthier lives means that as a nation we are living longer and newborn boys and girls can expect to live for 79 and 83 years respectively. Theresa May continues 'regular dialogue' in new phone chat with Donald Trump Prime Minister Theresa May has had her second phone conversation with Donald Trump since his election as US president, agreeing that their national security advisers will meet in the US before the end of the year. The two leaders also agreed to meet in person "at the earliest possible opportunity". But i n an account of the conversation released by Downing Street there was no mention of when this might happen - and no mention of whether they discussed Mr Trump's controversial proposal that Nigel Farage could be made UK ambassador in Washington. A Number 10 spokesman said Mrs May and Mr Trump agreed on the importance of the Nato military alliance and the need for members to meet the target of spending 2% of national income on defence, as both the US and UK do. Donald Trump and Theresa May agreed to stay 'in close touch' The spokesman said: "The Prime Minister called the US president-elect this afternoon as part of establishing a regular dialogue between both of them. "They discussed how the president-elect's transition plans were progressing and agreed that their teams should continue to build close relationships through this period, including with a meeting of their national security advisers in the United States before Christmas. "They discussed Nato, agreeing on the importance of the Alliance, the need for more Nato members to meet the target of spending 2% of GDP and the role that Nato can play in addressing diverse threats. Blow for Liverpool as Coutinho out for at least five weeks with ankle injury Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out playmaker Philippe Coutinho for at least five weeks after he sustained ankle ligament damage. The Brazil international had a scan on his right ankle on Monday after being carried off on a stretcher in Saturday's win over Sunderland. Klopp has now confirmed the predicted diagnosis that the 24-year-old will be out until probably the new year. Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho will be out for at least five weeks with ankle ligament damage "Phil needs between five and a few weeks until we have him back," said the Reds boss ahead of their EFL Cup quarter-final at home to Leeds. "We will see. He is not in (to face Leeds) and for the next few games." Coutinho has been Liverpool's most influential player this season but Klopp said on Monday they could cope without him. "It is no excuse for anything. As good as he is he does not decide games by himself, although it sometimes looks like this," he said. "It is a team performance we create and he is a very important part of this team, absolutely. Iran asks OPEC members to put political rivalries aside at Vienna meeting - state TV BEIRUT, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Iran's oil minister said members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could agree a plan to limit oil production at their meeting in Vienna this week if they put aside political rivalries and focus on economic factors. "If we look at the OPEC meeting from an economic point of view we can reach an agreement soon to freeze oil output to 32.5 to 33 million barrels per day as decided in Algeria," Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Monday in an interview with state television. Thailand's parliament to invite crown prince to become new king By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Patpicha Tanakasempipat BANGKOK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Parliament will invite Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the new king following the death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej last month, the president of the legislative body said on Tuesday. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly, said in a televised session the prince would be invited to ascend the throne after the cabinet earlier on Tuesday formally asked parliament to begin the process of installing a new monarch. Members of the assembly stood up during a short parliamentary session and shouted: "Long live the king!" The prince will have to accept parliament's invitation in order for him to be proclaimed king, according to established procedure. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said: "We expect an audience [with the prince] within the next one to two days." Two senior military sources said Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn would fly into Bangkok on Wednesday from Germany, where he has a home. Reuters reported exclusively on Oct. 31 that Thailand was making preparations for the crown prince to ascend the throne on Dec. 1. The death of the much loved King Bhumibol on Oct. 13 plunged the Southeast Asian nation into mourning. Most Thais have known no other monarch. King Bhumibol, who was the longest-serving head of state in the world when he died at the age of 88, played a stabilising role during decades of often violent conflict in Thailand. The crown prince's invitation to become monarch will likely allay some public concerns the succession might not go according to plan. RAMA X The prince, who will be known as King Rama X, or the 10th king of the 234-year-old Chakri Dynasty, can only be formally crowned after his father's royal cremation, which will take place next year. Thailand will begin building the late king's funeral pyre next year and 8,000 people will be involved in the cremation ceremony, the government said last week. The prince has not spoken publicly since his father's death and news about his plans has come through the government. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said last month the prince had asked to delay the succession in order to grieve with the public. In a departure from the usual Tuesday cabinet meeting, members of the cabinet and the junta met jointly at Bangkok's Government House on Tuesday, according to a Reuters reporter. Prayuth, who took power from an elected government in a 2014 coup, has said a year-long mourning period for the king will not affect a general election the junta has promised to hold in 2017. The military, which has traditionally portrayed itself as he ultimate defender of the monarchy, is widely expected to remain a key power broker even after the 2017 general election. A Thai lese-majeste, or royal insult, law criminalises anything that is deemed to be an insult to the monarchy. The law has curbed public talk about the succession or criticism about the crown prince, who has spent much of his adult life abroad and does not command the same level of devotion as his father. Trump looks to Obamacare critic, Indiana expert to overhaul health care By Steve Holland NEW YORK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump will announce on Tuesday he has chosen a vociferous Obamacare critic and an Indiana policy expert to help him overhaul the U.S. healthcare system, a transition official told Reuters. Trump is set to name Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, as his Health and Human Services secretary, and consultant Seema Verma to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a powerful agency that oversees government health programs and insurance standards. He is expected to cast Price and Verma as a "dream team" to help him once he takes office on Jan. 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal President Barack Obama's signature health law, the Affordable Care Act that is better known as Obamacare. Trump has said he will replace Obamacare with a plan to give states more control over the Medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally. Both positions require Senate confirmation and the Trump administration will need to have agreement from the Republican-led U.S. Congress to repeal and replace the health law. Price, an early Trump supporter from the U.S. House of Representatives, is currently the chairman of the budget committee. He has long championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts, and lawsuit reforms to replace Obamacare. Verma worked with Vice President-Elect Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, on a compromise to expand Medicaid coverage for the state's poor with federal funding. The Indiana program requires beneficiaries to make monthly contributions to health savings accounts. Price campaigned with Trump because he promised to overhaul Obamacare. However, Trump's position on the health insurance program appeared to soften after he met Obama following the hard-fought Nov. 8 election. Trump said he would consider keeping provisions in the law that let parents keep adult children up to age 26 on insurance policies and bar insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Price and Verma are two of about 70 people who Trump has met so far as he looks to shape his White House and Cabinet team. Trump is expected to reveal an additional Cabinet pick on Tuesday, but is not expected to announce his choices for the three biggest positions - state, defense and treasury - as he continues to consider his options. After seeing retired general David Petraeus on Monday - a potential candidate for the State Department or the Pentagon - Trump is expected to meet U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, and later have dinner with Mitt Romney. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, and Corker are in the running for secretary of state, along with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Nov 29 PRAGUE, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Tuesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 1 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================================== ENERGY: The European Commission said on Monday it approved Czech state aid granted in 2006-2012 to renewable energy installations. Story: Related stories: BONDS: The Czech Finance Ministry cancelled one of three planned bond auctions scheduled for Wednesday, it said in an updated issuance calendar on its website. Story: Related stories: GAS: Germany's energy regulator and Gazprom have agreed terms of a deal giving the subsidiaries of the Russian group greater access to the Opal gas pipeline, which the European Union approved a month ago. Story: Related stories: CEE MARKETS: Central European equities mostly eased on Monday as a drop in crude oil prices hit energy shares while worries over Italian banks ahead of the country's looming referendum hurt the financial sector. Story: Related stories: ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2016 vs Euro 27.02 27.039 0.07 -0.08 vs Dollar 25.471 25.578 0.42 -2.45 Czech Equities 885.13 885.13 -0.34 -7.45 U.S. Equities 19,097.9 19,152.14 -0.28 9.6 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1600 GMT ======================PRESS DIGEST============================== M&A: China's Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) confirmed in a Hong Kong exchange filing it was in talks to buy Skoda Transportation. German newspaper Handelsblatt estimated the value of the deal at 2 billion euros. Hospodarske Noviny, page 14 AHOLD WAGES: Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka met with the Dutch ambassador over wages at Ahold's Czech supermarkets. Unions, which say workers make a monthly gross wage of 12,500 crowns ($490.66), have been unable to agree a pay increase. Ahold has offered an average 8.5 percent raise. Sobotka said the international firms make large revenues in the country and pay big dividends to their owners but "leave too little money for our employees here". He will meet local management together with unions on Friday. Pravo, page 15 POLLS: Support for junior ruling party ANO, led by Finance Minister Andrej Babis, fell by two points to 32.5 percent in November, according to the latest CVVM poll. Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka's Social Democrats gained three points to 22.5 percent, narrowing ANO's lead. ANO's rating had jumped in October following a strong showing in regional and Senate elections while the Social Democrats sagged. Pravo, page 2 (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 = 25.3610 Czech crowns) ($1 = 25.4760 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Prague Newsroom) Kazakhstan Energy Minister undecided on attending OPEC meeting ASTANA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's Energy Minister, Kanat Bozumbayev, has not yet decided whether to attend the meeting of OPEC members and other oil producers in Vienna, he told Reuters on Tuesday. "I don't know yet, I have booked the tickets but I don't know whether I'm going or not," Bozumbayev said before a government meeting. Bozumbayev said Kazakhstan - along with Russia, Azerbaijan and Mexico - was waiting for members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to agree among themselves on proposed output cuts. OPEC said in September it would limit output in an effort to boost prices, which have languished at less than half of their mid-2014 levels due to a persistent supply glut. Details of the deal, however, have yet to be agreed upon. Iraq and others, such as Libya and Nigeria, have asked for exemptions, while non-OPEC member Russia and top exporter Saudi Arabia have said markets would rebalance even without a cut. OPEC experts ended a Monday meeting without agreeing details on how much individual countries would cut in the output reduction plan to be presented to an OPEC ministerial gathering on Nov. 30, an OPEC source has told Reuters. PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Nov 29 SOFIA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- President-Elect Rumen Radev declined an invitation by outgoing President Rosen Plevneliev to attend a meeting of the consultative Council of National Security to discuss the way out of the political crisis in the country. (Trud, Standart, Duma, 24 Chasa) -- Bulgarian Christian Orthodox Church appealed to the government not to allow any more asylum seekers and migrants to the country to avoid changes to the established ethnic balance. (Trud, Standart) -- Bulgaria's foreign debt rose by 14 million euros ($14.85 million) to 34.4 billion euros on an annual basis by the end of September, central bank data showed. (Trud, Duma) Samsung Electronics considers split as investor pressure builds By Se Young Lee SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, under pressure from shareholders to improve investor returns, said on Tuesday it will consider creating a holding company in what would be the biggest shake-up in its 47-year history. The move and a plan to raise dividends come after U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management in October called for the South Korean firm to split itself into a holding vehicle and an operating company. However, the world's top maker of smartphones, memory chips and televisions, said it was "absolutely neutral" about whether to proceed and provided little detail on the potential restructuring, underwhelming investors. "The review does not indicate the management or the board's intention one way or another," the company said in a statement, adding it had hired external advisers for a review expected to take at least six months. Samsung's statement keeps the door open for Elliott to continue its pressure on the company, which includes the hedge fund's ability to nominate board directors at the next annual meeting. Elliott, through its holding company affiliates, Blake Capital and Potter Capital, called Samsung's plan a "constructive initial step." But the $27 billion hedge fund also signalled it wanted more. "We anticipate more meaningful changes following the company's corporate structure review," the Elliott affiliates said in a statement on Tuesday. The shareholder pressure on Samsung comes as the company juggles a leadership succession and a major blow to its brand after issuing an unprecedented recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in September. Shares in Samsung, worth $224 billion combined, finished unchanged on the day at 1.677 million won ($1,434) each. The 2016 dividend boost fell short of some expectations, while uncertainty over the restructuring kept investors at bay, analysts said. "There is some disappointment that the dividend wasn't even higher or possibly a special dividend, and this is the reason for a flat share price today," said Sat Duhra, asset manager at Henderson Global Investors. Samsung did not directly mention Elliott in its statement, but the Korean firm promised to respond to the fund's ideas by the end of November. Elliott, which launched its Samsung campaign last month, owns 0.62 percent of Samsung's stock. Samsung pledged to return 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders for 2016 and 2017, falling short of Elliott's call for 75 percent to be returned and to pay a $26 billion special dividend. Samsung rejected another Elliott proposal by saying that even if it adopts a holding company, it has no plans at present to merge that with Samsung C&T Corp, the group's current de facto holding company and a firm that Elliott has previously targeted. "I don't think Samsung said much that was surprising or beyond what investors already had in mind," said HDC Asset Management fund manager Park Jung-hoon. SUCCESSION Investors and analysts have long viewed a split for Samsung Electronics as a way for the Lee family scion, Jay Y. Lee, and his two sisters to boost their control of Samsung Group companies. They have said that Samsung shares trade at steep discounts to global peers due to what they say is a complex ownership structure, poor corporate governance and inefficient cash management. The hope is that a major restructuring would address those concerns and boost the company's value. Samsung executives did not elaborate on the restructuring in a conference call on Tuesday. But under a restructuring, investors would expect the Lees and affiliates in the Samsung group of companies to exchange their operating company shares for stock in the holding firm, strengthening their grip. Samsung Electronics would then return more capital to shareholders, investors say. Such a move would boost earnings for Samsung Group firms and the Lee heirs, who face a multi-billion dollar inheritance tax in the event that 74-year-old Samsung Group patriarch Lee Kun-hee dies. The senior Lee has been in hospital since May 2014 following a heart attack. Henderson's Duhra said the asset manager would be satisfied with a restructuring if it addresses "decades of inefficient structures, poor governance and weak corporate behaviour towards minority shareholders." Samsung said it would increase dividends for 2016 by 36 percent to 28,500 won ($24.36) per share, and buy back and cancel additional shares in January 2017 with whatever excess free cash remains from 2016. The company also said it needed to maintain a net cash position of between 65 trillion won and 70 trillion won, suggesting it is not likely to pay the special dividend sought by Elliott. ($1=1,169.8400 won) Poland - Factors to Watch Nov. 29 Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Tuesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour): CEE/BALKANS SUMMIT WITH EU'S MOGHERINI EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Federica Mogherini will visit Warsaw on Tuesday for talks with foreign ministers of Balkan and central European states. A press conference is scheduled for 1135 GMT. JSW Poland's state-run coking coal producer JSW will hold a shareholders' meeting at 1000 GMT. They will vote on the planned transfer of JSW' troubled mine Krupinski to a state restructuring firm SRK which will wind it down. PENSION FUNDS Poland's state pension agency ZUS wants the government to introduce limits for pensioners on taking up extra work in order to discourage them from retiring early in line with a bill approved by the parliament this month, Rzeczpospolita daily said. GROWTH FORECAST The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has cut its economic growth forecast for Poland in 2016 to 2.6 percent from 3 percent expected earlier, it said on Monday. RETAILER TAX Poland considers lowering the tax rate for retailers to 0.65 percent from a earlier proposal of 1.4 percent after the European Commission questioned the country's new progressive tax on the retail sector, Rzeczpospolita daily said. ELECTRICITY Poland's electricity production may be too low to meet the growing demand for power if the country continues to rely on outdated coal-fuelled power stations, Puls Biznesu daily said quoting a report commissioned by Polish Wind Energy Association. POWER EXCHANGE Pawel Ostrowski has been appointed the new chief executive officer at the Polish power exchange TGE, the company said in a statement on Monday. FAMILY SUBSIDIES The government is likely to spend more than 1 billion zlotys ($239.78 million) more this year on family subsidies excluding the 500+ child benefit, which could become a problem for the budget, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna reported. SWISS FRANC MORTGAGES The Financial Stability Committee has appointed a task group to prepare draft recommendations for the financial supervisor that would provide incentives for banks to voluntarily convert Swiss franc-denominated loans into zlotys, a deputy finance minister told Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily. GAS In October next year Poland will lift gas tariffs for companies and in 2024 for households as part of the market liberalisation, Gazeta Wyborcza daily said quoting a draft amendment to energy law. ****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.**** UK regulator goes to Europe to force reform at BT Openreach LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Britain's telecoms regulator will go to the European Commission to try to force BT to legally separate Openreach, the division that supplies broadband to millions of homes and businesses, in a major reform aimed at spurring investment in the country's ageing network. The regulator, which despite Britain's vote to leave the European Union still needs European Commission support to force through change at Openreach, wants BT Openreach to plough more money into upgrading its copper networks to fibre to catch up some European rivals and the likes of South Korea and Japan. Ofcom's decision to up the ante follows the failure to reach a voluntary deal after more than a year of talks. It said it was "disappointed" that BT had not done enough to separate Openreach from the rest of the group. It had ordered the former state monopoly to run the network arm as a legally separate company in July. "Some progress has been made, but this has not been enough, and action is required now to deliver better outcomes for phone and broadband users," the regulator said on Tuesday. Shares in BT rose 1.7 percent to 356 pence by 1159 GMT, with analysts saying that the prospect of a long legal tussle in Europe and uncertainty over how Brexit may affect this effectively bought BT time to reach a deal. Citi said in a note that it was positive that Ofcom had stopped short of breaking up the company, while Accendo Market's Mike van Dulken said that "BT shares have bounced back to positive territory on hopes that Europe, for all its red tape, will actually complicate the matter and delay the process". BT's rivals, including Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, say Openreach delivers poor service, does not invest enough in the network, particularly in fibre optics which currently connect only 2 percent of premises, and is run to serve BT's bottom line rather than the interests of Britain's broadband needs. TalkTalk said Openreach had become a household name "for all the wrong reasons". "We do not think legal separation goes far enough to deliver the broadband consumers deserve, (but) it is at least a step in the right direction," TalkTalk chief executive Dido Harding said in a statement. Shares in TalkTalk rose 4.2 percent as analysts said a more transparent Openreach would show whether it and other smaller providers had been paying over the odds for access to the network. BT has taken steps to make Openreach more independent and transparent, and on Monday it appointed former Ofcom board member Mike McTighe as the first chairman of a new independent Openreach board. "(The board) will ensure that Openreach treats all customers equally whilst investing in better service, broader coverage and faster speed broadband," BT said. It said it believed its proposals were fair and sustainable and met Ofcom's objectives without disproportionate costs. But it has been reluctant to surrender ultimate control over Openreach. It said two issues were outstanding: the reporting line of the Openreach CEO and the form of legal incorporation. Ofcom said BT's proposals did not go far enough in transferring people and assets, and in reducing the level of influence that BT Group could still exert on Openreach. It said it remained open to BT bridging the gap between its proposal and what is required to address its "strong competition concerns". "We will continue to work with Ofcom to reach a voluntary settlement that is good for customers, shareholders, employees, pensioners and investment in the UK's digital future," it said. BT has said Ofcom's proposals to separate its assets and people would have a damaging impact on its pension, which is the largest private-sector scheme in Britain and which had a deficit of 7 billion pounds ($8.73 billion) when last measured in 2014. Spy chief adds to warnings of Russian cyber attacks on Germany BERLIN, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Germany's spy chief warned that Russian hackers may target next year's German election with campaigns of misinformation that could undermine the democratic process, echoing concerns voiced by the country's domestic intelligence director. U.S. intelligence officials warned in the run-up to the Nov. 8 presidential election won by populist outsider Donald Trump of efforts to manipulate the vote that they believed was backed by Russian authorities. Russian officials denied any such effort. In an interview published on Tuesday in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Bruno Kahl, the new head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence service, said there were indications that Russia may be behind the interference. "We have evidence that cyber attacks are taking place that have no other purpose than triggering political uncertainty," he said. "The perpetrators are interested in delegitimising the democratic process as such, no matter who that subsequently helps." The head of Germany's domestic BfV intelligence agency told Reuters earlier in November that authorities were concerned that Russia may seek to interfere in Germany's national elections through the use of misleading news stories. Chancellor Angela Merkel has also warned that social bots - software programmes to sway opinion on influential social media sites by spreading fake news - might manipulate the voting. She faces a growing challenge from the anti-immigrant, populist AfD party, which has said the European Union should drop sanctions imposed on Russia and that Berlin should take a more balanced position towards Moscow. Some critics say a proliferation of fake news helped sway the U.S. election in the favour of the Republican Trump, who has pledged to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton accused Trump of being a Putin "puppet". Kahl said Germany among other countries in Europe was a particular target of misinformation campaigns. "A kind of pressure is being exercised on public discourse and democracy here which is unacceptable," he said. While intelligence agencies used to focus on countries, today the challenges and the threats are more varied and the actors more diverse, Kahl added. British anti-EU party begins life after chief Brexiteer and Trump-backer Nigel Farage By William James LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Nigel Farage, the face of Brexit who forced Britain to hold an EU referendum and then upstaged the government by forging a friendship with Donald Trump, is a hard act to follow. Just ask Paul Nuttall, the man elected to replace him as leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) on Monday. As Nuttall gave his acceptance speech after winning the biggest leadership mandate in the party's history, news photographers stood with their backs to him, lenses trained on Farage in the audience. The scene encapsulated the challenge ahead for Nuttall: with UKIP's main political ambition of leaving the EU seemingly in the bag, and Farage still hogging the limelight, what is the party's political purpose, and how does it move out of the shadow of its former leader? The answer, Nuttall says, is to massage the discontent among working class voters that drove the vote to leave the European Union, and harness it to win seats in the British parliament, where it currently has only one seat. "There's an anti-establishment feel which is growing right across the Western world and I want UKIP to be that vehicle here in the UK," Nuttall said, setting himself a target of doubling UKIP's poll rating to 26 to 30 percent by the election due to be held in 2020. Nuttall says he will fight to reform Britain's "obscene" first-past-the-post electoral system, which favours the two largest parties, the Conservatives and Labour. UKIP and other smaller parties such as the Liberal Democrats and Greens have little chance of winning power outright under that system. Even so, the party set up in 1993 to remove Britain from the EU, has redefined British politics. Under Farage, the growing popularity of the party's eurosceptic stance forced then-Conservative prime minister David Cameron to promise a referendum on EU membership in the run up to the 2015 national election. But with the central aim of the party - Brexit - now official British government policy, some UKIP members have questioned what the next two decades holds for the party. FOCUSED APPROACH Nuttall, a 39-year-old former history lecturer, says UKIP now needs to focus its efforts on taking voters from the leftist Labour Party in areas like his home city of Liverpool, a heavily working class, once-mighty industrial port in northern England. "What we have to do is become the party that focuses on the issues that matter to these people," he told a handful of reporters after his victory. "These are the people who are most affected by uncontrolled immigration, these are the people most affected by crime, these are the people who tend to be very patriotic." Nuttall says this more focused approach by UKIP, which won 4 million votes in a 2015 election but only the one parliamentary seat, could see them win "double figures" of seats in a 2020 election. "My ambition is to not only get myself into the House of Commons but to get as many UKIP backsides on the green leather as possible," he said, referring to the green benches lining the parliamentary debating chamber in London. In a move straight out of Farage's playbook, Nuttall casts himself - an elected member of the European parliament - as different to other politicians. "They have sharp suits and coiffed hair, and they don't speak like me," he said in a heavy Liverpudlian accent, with a wry smile and a roll of his eyes towards his own bald scalp. South Africa's ANC says Zuma not standing down JOHANNESBURG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Tuesday its National Executive Committee had debated a call over the weekend for President Jacob Zuma to step down but that the decision-making group had not supported the motion. Corruption and illegal cash deals hamper efforts to tackle rape in Cambodia By Beh Lih Yi KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The conviction rate for rape cases in Cambodia is "disturbingly low", as corrupt officials mediate illegal settlements and pocket kickbacks, deterring women from coming forward and hampering efforts to tackle the crime, activists said. Campaigners have long said sexual violence is not taken seriously in the Southeast Asian country of 15 million people, and there is widespread impunity. Of 282 rape and attempted rape cases investigated by Phnom Penh-based Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (Licadho) in 2015, only 53 ended with a conviction and an appropriate sentence, the rights group said in a report released this week. "The justice system remains weak and corrupt, and victims continue to struggle to find justice," Licadho's deputy advocacy director Naly Pilorge said in an interview on Tuesday. "The failure to punish perpetrators of rape means that the justice system is not working as a deterrent, and it not only lets down the victims concerned, but reduces the likelihood that future victims will take the risk of reporting the crimes." The report found cases in which survivors dropped their complaints before going to trial because of compensation deals negotiated by police, prosecutors or investigating judges, who "almost always" took a cut of the settlement. In response to Licadho's findings, the Cambodian Women's Affairs Ministry said it was working with women and girls to improve reporting of the crime while raising awareness among officials to discourage any money changing hands in these cases. "Rape is a heinous crime which is never justified," ministry spokesman Puthborey Phon told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by email. "All rapists must be prosecuted according to our laws. Mediation and economic compensation in rape cases are unlawful." Of the cases Licadho researched, 217 survivors were children under the age of 18. However, it said the low number of adult survivors did not necessarily represent a trend, and was probably due to underreporting and fear of stigma and rejection by husbands. In a 2013 United Nations study, almost one in three Cambodian men interviewed said they had used physical and sexual violence against a partner, and 5 percent admitted to taking part in a gang rape. About 45 percent of men who admitted rape said they faced no legal consequences, according to the U.N. findings. Uganda rejects Amnesty's accusation of extra-judicial killings By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Uganda rejected on Tuesday charges by rights group Amnesty International that security forces carried out extra-judicial killings during clashes with the royal guards of a tribal king at the weekend. Officials say at least 46 guards and 16 police died when the security forces stormed the palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, the king of the Rwenzururu region, near Uganda's border with Congo. "Security forces were being attacked. They had to defend themselves, they had to protect themselves," Jeje Odongo, Uganda's internal affairs minister, told a press conference in the capital, Kampala. "Security agencies ... do not have a shoot-to-kill policy. What happened is a situation of self-defence." Uganda has several tribal kings, who have a largely ceremonial role with some modest regional powers. The Bakonzo, the dominant tribe in Rwenzori, have longstanding, colonial-era grievances against Uganda's central government. But the latest wave of unrest began started shortly after Uganda's disputed presidential elections in February. Voters in the area overwhelmingly favoured Kizza Besigye, who ran against long-ruling President Yoweri Museveni. Museveni was declared the winner, but Besigye rejected the results and his supporters insist he won the overall poll. On Monday, rights group Amnesty International accused security forces of using disproportionate force, saying "many people appear to have been summarily shot dead". The organisation said the government should ensure that "police and soldiers observe restraint and desist from extra-judicial executions." International rights watchdog Human Rights Watch also said on Monday that the government needed to investigate the conduct of security forces during the clashes. Some opposition officials and critics have accused Museveni's government of provoking unrest in the region as punishment for its support for Besigye. Mumbere who was detained on Sunday, is being held at a prison in eastern Uganda and 149 of his guards have been arrested. 'Leopard skin' plan helps Cambodia farmers stay on large land concessions By Chris Arsenault KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia, Nov 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - L ike spots on a leopard's hide, small wooden houses and tiny fenced plots dot the sprawling Grandis Timber teak plantation in western Cambodia. Investing in a swathe of land almost double the size of Manhattan, the timber giant is opting to allow residents and families to stay on the property where they have lived and worked for generations. Rights groups have criticized many large land deals in the Southeast Asian nation, saying the concessions resulted in the displacement of more than 770,000 Cambodians. In contrast, nobody has been forced to move by Grandis Timber, company spokesman, Nico Strydom, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Backed by European investors, Grandis Timber built its plantation around the people already living on 9,000 hectares (22,000 acres). Grandis Timber leased the land from the government, Strydom said. "The underlying argument for this is that the company will experience a lower level of risk if neighbours are happy," he said in an email. Appropriately, Cambodian officials call it the "leopard skin strategy" as it creates a patchwork of residents and companies working side by side. Analysts say this should be the way for Cambodia to balance its economic growth with local land rights. "In the long term, companies should be very happy with their investments in Cambodian land, even if they lost some due to the leopard skin policy," said Chan Sophal, director of the Centre for Policy Studies in Phnom Penh. "Grandis Timber seems to stand out as one of the good models," Sophal said. FROM THE GROUND UP The concession sits about 80km (50 miles) west of the capital, in forests previously burned down by small farmers in a rush for land. Developed in 2009, the land is now covered with small teak trees. Grandis Timber, which has a 50-year lease, does not expect to make a profit from its investment for more than 20 years as the trees are still growing. "This company has a long-term plan," said Yim Nam, deputy director of the provincial agriculture ministry. The firm has set aside land as protected forest and works with local villagers to combat illegal logging, Nam said. "They obey the laws and have better conditions than other projects," Nam said. "Land titles have been issued to villagers with help from the company." DANGEROUS LEGACY When Grandis Timber first arrived, most people in the area did not have formal land title deeds. Following the Khmer Rouge genocide that began in 1975, most of Cambodia's land records and traditional systems of property demarcation were destroyed. Maoist fighters forced millions of people into the countryside in an orgy of violence that left an estimated two million dead. Officials have been trying to rebuild a system of property ownership, but the process has been slow. Several million farmers still lack formal papers for the land where they live and work, according to government data. Grandis Timber officials teamed up with Cambodia's government and student volunteers to measure and demarcate the land used by more than 400 households living on its plantation, Strydom said. "The majority of these (residents) now have legal title to the land," he said. However, this is not the case for many other farmers. Campaigners say a lack of clear titles is partially responsible for land conflicts nationwide. "The company measured the land and made a title certificate for me," said Chum Sy, 60, who grows rice and corn on seven hectares (17 acres) inside the concession. He has lived on this land since before the Khmer Rouge but had never owned the territory officially until the company came. "It protects me from being encroached on by other groups," he said. Some houses inside the concession stand on sturdy stilts and are colourfully painted in the local style, owned by small businesses or successful farmers. Others are shacks fashioned from scrap wood and corrugated iron inhabited by desperately poor farmers and day labourers. This level of poverty is common in rural Cambodia, a country where - despite rapid economic growth - the average annual income is less than $1,100, according to the World Bank. Sy Seng, 56, lives with eight relatives in a wooden structure with no walls. He is not familiar with the leopard skin strategy, but is happy to have a title for his 1.5 hectare plot. "My daughter works for the company earning about $4 per day. We would be happy if the company hired all of us," Seng said. Grandis Timber employs more than 1,000 local residents, some as day labourers and others on a monthly wage, said Nam, the agriculture ministry official. He hopes more firms will invest and use the leopard skin policy so rural residents can work and keep their land. Sim Sam, 27, lives with his wife and child in a modern wooden house near the entrance of the concession. He runs a business selling cold drinks and food to labourers working on the site, after inheriting the home from family members. He complained about needing to ask permission from the company to bring products from the market into his store but added that most of his customers work for Grandis Timber. "Lots of customers come in the evening when they finish work," said Sim. "I think things will keep getting better in the future." Travel support for this reporting was provided by OpenLandContracts.org, an initiative of the Columbia Centre on Sustainable Investment. TIMELINE-Land politics in Cambodia By Chris Arsenault KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia, Nov 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - C ambodia has been a hot bed of land conflict since the Khmer Rouge regime's destruction of the nation's property records to establish a form in communism in the 1970s. Hundreds of thousands of farmers were forced off their land during the regime's time in power. A decision on whether the International Criminal Court (ICC) will proceed with charges of crimes against humanity against the government and business leaders is expected in the next few months. The ICC case is the latest example of land conflict in a nation which has seen both rapid economic growth and poverty reduction amid foreign investment. Campaigners say that without titles demarcating ownership, powerful interests have been able to take control of vast swathes of land, displacing local residents in the process. Cambodia's government agrees there have been territorial conflicts and says it is working with consultants and business to protect the rights of small farmers and the urban poor. Here is a timeline of land politics in Cambodia: 1953: King Norodom Sihanouk proclaims independence from France, but soon abdicates to go into politics. The kingdom maintained colonial-era land records for ownership over key properties, while rural communities used traditional, informal systems to mark who owned different pieces of land. March 18, 1970: Premier Lon Nol, backed by the U.S, ousts Sihanouk as prime minister while the latter is overseas. April 17, 1975: The Khmer Rouge seize the capital, Phnom Penh, and start emptying cities and towns in a bid to create an agrarian society. Property is expropriated, land records destroyed and much of the population uprooted from traditional land holding systems. Jan 7, 1979: Vietnamese troops occupy Phnom Penh, driving the Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot, to the Thai border. The occupation is to last 10 years. 1992: Cambodia passes its first post-Khmer Rouge land law allowing for private ownership, the transfer of territory. Large holdings are known as economic land concessions (ELCs). May 1993: An election run by the U.N. produces a shaky coalition between Sihanouk's son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge guerrilla installed as PM by Hanoi in the mid-1980s. August 2001: Cambodia's National Assembly adopts a new Land Law making it easier for individuals and companies to register land. March 2003: After years of negotiation, Cambodia and the U.N. agree to set up a joint "Killing Fields" court to prosecute those responsible for the Khmer Rouge reign of terror. May 17, 2012: Prime Minister Hun Sen enacts a moratorium on the granting of new ELCs and large land holdings by investors. The directive also includes a systematic review of ELCs. June 28, 2012: Cambodia's government launches a mass rural land titling scheme with the help of university students who travel to rural areas to register land. Hundreds of thousands of people receive title deeds. Oct. 7, 2014: Lawyers launch a case at the ICC accusing Cambodia's government and business elite of forcing 770,000 people off their land. The government denies the charges, which they say are a ploy by an opposition party. Oct. 7, 2015: Researchers at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment launch openlandcontracts.org in New York to open deals with large investors to public scrutiny. London backs plans to build second-tallest tower in western Europe By Estelle Shirbon LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Plans to build a 73-storey skyscraper that would be the tallest in the City of London financial district have been approved by the local authority, which said the project was a vote of confidence in London after the Brexit vote. Long a destination of choice for foreign investors drawn to its lucrative real estate sector, London is experiencing a boom in the construction of tall buildings -- a trend that upsets some residents but has been encouraged by local authorities. Officially called 1 Undershaft, the new tower will rise almost 305 metres above sea level, making it the second-tallest building in Western Europe after The Shard, which is also located in London, just across the River Thames from the City. "This development shows the high levels of investor confidence in London's status as a global city following our decision to leave the European Union," said Chris Hayward, chairman of the City of London Corporation's planning committee. Some opponents of Brexit have warned of a potential downturn in London's financial services industry if some international firms move jobs and activities to other European centres to maintain the benefits of operating within the EU. The new skyscraper is expected to provide 130,000 square metres of office space, enough to accommodate 10,000 workers. The design is by Eric Parry Architects, a London-based studio that has worked on several high-profile projects, including the modernisation of the historic St-Martin-in-the-Fields church just off Trafalgar Square in central London. The developer is Singapore-based Aroland Holdings Limited, which said in a statement it was developing tall buildings in capital cities around the world. A public relations spokeswoman said 1 Undershaft was Aroland's first project in London and gave no further details about the developer, which does not have a website. Nicknamed the Trellis due to its external metal bracing, the new building will be part of a cluster of towers that also includes the distinctive Gherkin and more recent additions like the Leadenhall Building, known as the Cheese-Grater. There are more than 430 buildings of 20 storeys or more in the pipeline in London, according to a survey earlier this year by New London Architecture, an independent organisation. Critics say the city's skyline is becoming increasingly cluttered by generic glass-and-metal towers that have little architectural interest and dwarf historic landmarks such as the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. Philippine bank and Bangladesh play blame game over missing millions By Karen Lema MANILA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Philippine lender RCBC and a Bangladeshi minister traded blame on Tuesday over liability for tens of millions of dollars that were looted from a New York bank and then went missing in Manila after one of the biggest bank frauds ever. Unknown cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank in February and managed to make off with $81 million via an account at the New York Federal Reserve. That was transferred to four accounts with bogus names at one RCBC branch in Manila before vanishing. The lawyer for RCBC, or Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), said that her client had no reason to compensate Bangladesh Bank, saying that the lender was "negligent" because the initial security breach was its own fault. Bangladesh's Law Minister Anisul Huq said that was "irrelevant" and argued that RCBC should shoulder the burden for accepting stolen cash. "It is not for RCBC to point fingers. They should explain their conduct, and the conduct has been very much culpable," he told a news conference in Manila. Most of the money that ended up in the Philippines was laundered through casinos. About $15 million has been recovered from a gaming junket operator and was returned to Bangladesh, with a further $2.7 million frozen. Huq, who is in Manila to speed recovery of the money, said that his delegation met the Philippines finance minister, gaming regulators, justice department and the Senate speaker. All had assured him of their full cooperation in getting the money returned, Huq said, adding that Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr told him that he would start the process to resume a legislative hearing into the heist saga. Bangladesh Bank has refused to disclose the findings of its own inquiry, saying that it wanted to deny the crime's perpetrators knowledge of the investigation. 'ABNORMAL' AND 'QUESTIONABLE' But RCBC external counsel Thea Daep said it should share those results and shed light on the identity of the perpetrators. "They have no case against us. BB (Bangladesh Bank) was the one who was negligent," Daep said in a statement. RCBC received the funds after they went through three layers of highly protected financial institutions, Daep said, adding that reports from Bangladesh officials indicated there were insiders in Dhaka facilitating the heist. "Shortly after, BB decided to abort its investigation, which raises a lot of questions, to say the least," Daep said. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha told Reuters that "halt payment" instructions were sent to RCBC from both Dhaka and New York but RCBC did not comply. "The payment in cash was also abnormal," he said in Dhaka. "...The mechanism of transfer of money was also not transparent. So all these are questionable." The Bangladesh delegation was due on Thursday to meet the Philippine central bank governor and the anti-money laundering body, which last week filed charges against five RCBC staff in connection with the heist. The central bank fined RCBC a record 1 billion pesos ($20 million) for failing to prevent the transfer of stolen money through its accounts. Huq said that by paying that fine RCBC had shown its culpability. "They have accepted the liability by paying the fine," he said. "That is why we are asking them to return our money." ($1 = 50 pesos) Germany's ECE pulls out of Turkish shopping-mall contract FRANKFURT, Nov 29 (Reuters) - German project-management firm ECE has given up running an Istanbul shopping centre after the Turkish government seized the mall from its owner, whom it suspected of links to sympathisers of Fethullah Gulen, it said on Tuesday. Turkey has taken control of a bank, several media firms and other enterprises as part of a crackdown on companies it accuses of sympathising with Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric the government blamed for July 15's failed coup. Hamburg-based ECE, Europe's largest operator of inner-city shopping centres, said it had had no option but to give up the contract to manage the Modern East mall after it was taken over by an administrator to be put up for sale. "It simply made no sense for us to continue to operate the mall," the head of ECE's Turkish operations, Andreas Hohlmann, was quoted as saying by German trade magazine TextilWirtschaft, which first reported the development. Tiny Belgium to get tinier as Netherlands grows By Marilyn Haigh BRUSSELS, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Belgium is about to get smaller and the Netherlands bigger. The two countries have agreed to a swap of land, a peaceful handover on a continent where borders have long been a source of bloodshed. Each will cede small, uninhabited parcels of land to reflect a change in course of what is known in French as the river Meuse, and in Dutch as the Maas. But it is not equal. Belgium will give two peninsulas of 16 hectares (40 acres) to the Netherlands and receive one of 3 hectares in return. It all comes down to humans messing with Mother Nature, in this case straightening the river. After Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, the border was drawn along the Meuse. But in 1961, the river was straightened to make navigation easier, placing parts of each country's territory on the other side of the river. With the current border, the only way to reach the land without crossing into another country is by boat. A Belgian foreign ministry spokesman said police would find it very difficult to access the strips of land that Belgium is relinquishing if any incident were to occur. "It was just not logical that that small piece was still part of Belgium," he said. The border will most likely change at the start of 2018 after both countries have ratified a treaty signed on Monday by the Dutch and Belgian foreign ministers. Austria's Jewish community recommends vote for independent candidate VIENNA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Austria's Jewish community recommended on Tuesday that voters back an independent candidate at an election that could produce the first right-wing president in the European Union - the first time it has ever declared an endorsement. Former Green party leader Alexander Van der Bellen is running neck-and-neck with the right-wing Freedom Party (FPO) candidate Norbert Hofer in a repeat-election seen as the country's most important in decades. For the first time in more than 50 years, Austria's highest office will be held neither by a social democrat nor a Christian democrat candidate. The election first held in May was won by Van der Bellen but a rerun was called because of irregularities in the count of the postal ballots. "Van der Bellen is not the lesser of two evils, he is the better candidate and has been a friend of the Jewish community and Israel for many decades," Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Communities of Austria (IKG), which represents around 15,000 jews, said on Facebook. Without naming him, Deutsch spoke out against Norbert Hofer, who is running an "Austria first" campaign and has said that Islam is not a part of Austria. Withdrawing into the Austrian shell can never be the answer to international crises, Deutsch said. Austria's president had to respect every religion including Islam and to combat any "anti-attitude" tendencies. The FPO, whose first leader was a decorated member of the Nazi SS and whose former leader Joerg Haider in the 1990s cited the "proper labour policies" of Adolf Hitler, says it is friendly toward Israel. In early November, the party hosted an event with Rafael Eitan, the Israeli former intelligence officer who hunted down war criminal Adolf Eichmann, to demonstrate its pro-Jewish policy. Party chief Heinz Christian Strache said he was furious about the sight of swastikas daubed on the Jewish cemetery and called anti-Semitism a crime. Both Strache and Hofer have visited Israel. Peace talks on Ukraine end without agreement By John Irish and Sabine Siebold MINSK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Four-way talks on ending a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine finished without a breakthrough on Tuesday, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier declaring that "lip service" statements were not enough to achieve lasting peace. Amid low expectations, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia met in the Belarussian capital to discuss ways of implementing last year's Minsk ceasefire accord for Ukraine's Donbass region. Steinmeier said both Ukraine and Russia had hardened their positions and there was no political agreement in sight on holding local elections in Donbass, as demanded by Russia and the Kremlin-backed separatists. "It was very tedious again today," Steinmeier said. "Pure lip service will not be enough to solve this conflict." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meanwhile pushed back on a Ukrainian proposal to allow armed OSCE monitors in Donbass. "There weren't any breakthroughs today. The Minsk agreements are stalled -- we're not managing to agree on the sequence of steps," Lavrov told reporters. Highlighting some positives, Steinmeier did, however, say the International Red Cross could help facilitate a significant exchange of prisoners before the end of the year and was optimistic about more phased troops withdrawals taking place. PRESENTS TO RUSSIA The four nations agreed in October to draw up a roadmap this month on how to implement a ceasefire agreement struck in Minsk last year to end fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Separatist violence there has killed nearly 10,000 people since it erupted in 2014. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of stoking the separatist movement and aiding the rebels. Western nations have imposed economic sanctions on Moscow. The Kremlin denies these charges, however, and accuses Ukraine of perpetuating the violence and violating the Minsk deal. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said there was still a long way to go on implementing the Minsk process. Speaking to Reuters ahead of the talks, he also called for Europe to stand firm on sanctions against Russia. With one eye on the presidential election race back home, where front runner Francois Fillon favours lifting the sanctions, Ayrault said Russia was playing a waiting game to allow Western divisions on the Ukraine crisis to widen. Lifting sanctions "would weaken the objective of resolving this conflict and would be a victory to those who endangered the security of a country," Ayrault said. South Africa's Zuma sends money-laundering bill back to parliament By Ed Cropley JOHANNESBURG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma sent an anti-money-laundering bill that would have increased scrutiny of the bank accounts of "prominent individuals", including himself, back to parliament on Tuesday, saying it might not be constitutional. In a statement, Zuma's office said the Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment (FICA) bill was "very important and pressing" but it was concerned about some of its aspects, particularly those relating to "warrant-less searches". The bill, which is meant to bolster the fight against global financial crime by making it easier to identify ultimate owners of companies and accounts - including those of "domestic prominent influential persons" - was passed by parliament in May. That left Zuma's signature as the final hurdle to it being signed into law. In its definition of "influential person", the FICA bill specified the president and deputy president, ministers, provincial premiers, judges and generals. At a meeting with Zuma in September, the Black Business Council (BBC), a lobby group trying to boost black ownership of the economy, urged him not to sign the bill. Its reasons were not made clear at the time although South African media speculated that its stance might be related to a fight between the Treasury, which sponsored the legislation, and the Guptas, a family of controversial businessmen close to Zuma. South Africa's leading four banks have severed their ties with the Guptas over the last year. They have refused to make public their reasons but analysts say their action was probably prompted by concerns about reputational risk. A spokesman for the BBC did not respond to email or telephone requests for comment. Zuma's spokesman denied any motive on Zuma's part other than his desire to ensure all laws he signed were constitutional. The Guptas have also denied any wrongdoing or backroom lobbying. Cas Coovadia, managing director of the Banking Association of South Africa, said the bill was important for the global standing and integrity of South Africa's banking system, and urged parliament to pass it again as quickly as possible. "We will deal with it in parliament again if need be," he said. "We would like to expedite this." EU rebuffs call to start Brexit talks on expat rights By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The EU rebuffed a call from pro-Brexit British MPs for a quick deal on mutual residence rights for British and EU expatriates, telling them on Tuesday it was up to their government to launch full-blown divorce talks. The exchange of letters exposed simmering irritation on both sides of the English Channel before Brexit talks even start. In a tart reply to a letter from dozens of lawmakers, mostly from Prime Minister Theresa's May's Conservatives, who said that ordinary people were being used as "bargaining chips", European Council President Donald Tusk said he shared their concern over uncertainty but insisted the remedy lay in London, not Brussels. May herself is pushing for "an early resolution" to anxiety facing over 3 million EU citizens in Britain and over a million British expats. But she has faced a phalanx of EU leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who rule out any negotiation until she triggers the exit process under Article 50 of the EU treaty. She has irked her partners by holding off doing so since the June referendum vote to leave, but says she will do it by March. Tusk described the MPs' argument that by refusing to open negotiations Barnier was worrying expatriates as "interesting". "The only problem being that it has nothing to do with reality," he wrote. "Wouldn't you agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit? "And that the only way to dispel the fears and doubts of all the citizens concerned is the quickest possible start of the negotiations based on Art. 50 of the Treaty?" Triggering talks will set Britain a two-year deadline to cut a deal it hopes can protect its trade with the bloc while ending free immigration from the EU. Without a deal, it faces a sharp and disruptive exit which both sides say they do not want. "HOSTAGES" Over 80 British parliamentarians from the pro-Brexit European Reform Group wrote to Tusk on Friday asking that the EU summit he will chair on Dec. 15-16 "guarantee ... reciprocal rights" for people living abroad on either side of what will be a new EU-UK frontier once Britain has left the European Union. It was a "technical and administrative matter" that could be resolved swiftly, they wrote: "No European expatriate's livelihood and family should be held hostage in this way." Tusk, a former prime minister of Poland whose citizens make up the biggest group of EU expatriates in Britain, said the Council could only address the matter once London opens talks and argued that only a full negotiation could settle the issue. In a one-page reply, heavy with irony, he said he welcomed the eurosceptics' concern for expatriates, "especially" since he had assumed their Brexit vote was motivated by "the rejection of the free movement of people and all the rights it entails". "Just like you, I would like to avoid a situation where citizens become 'bargaining chips'," he added. "In order for this not to happen, we will need precise and comprehensive solutions, which, other than nice-sounding expressions, will provide citizens with genuine guarantees of security." EU officials said the British letter was seen in Brussels as an attempt to flush out responses from EU states and to test the unity they have so far been able to present against London -- notably by tempting Poland and other Eastern members with big expatriate populations in Britain to break ranks to seek a deal. "They are trying to test the solidity of the EU," one senior official told Reuters. "They are throwing a fish to see how we react. But we will not go an inch further before Article 50." Hardline Islamists push agenda as blasphemy case ignites Indonesia By Kanupriya Kapoor and Agustinus Beo Da Costa JAKARTA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - When Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama had some of the capital's sprawling slums levelled this spring, Muslim groups including the hardline "Islamic Defenders Front" (FPI) moved in quickly to help some of the city's poorest residents. The offer of food, shelter, clothes and money was a lifeline to the struggling families. But religious conservatives, who had long opposed Purnama because he was a Christian, did not stop there. After a video circulated in October of Purnama, also known as "Ahok", making comments that some Muslims said insulted the Koran, the FPI went into overdrive. It called for his arrest, bombarded its social media pages with fiery messages and rallied some 150,000 protesters to the streets of the capital earlier this month. With another mass protest slated for Dec. 2, the FPI has helped trigger a crisis that has engulfed President Joko Widodo, seen as a close ally of Purnama, and damaged the hitherto popular governor's hopes of re-election in a ballot in February. The FPI, which divides opinion in Indonesia, has also seized the political agenda, using the blasphemy scandal to get people on to the streets and pushing a message of intolerance in a Muslim-dominated country where hardline posturing rarely makes waves. "Most victims of evictions are Muslim and they're already resisting that, quite apart from the blasphemy," Novel Chaidir Bamukmin, head of the FPI's Jakarta chapter, told Reuters. "So on top of that, there's an insult to their religion. That just makes their spirit stronger. We had already been resisting Ahok for years. The blasphemy is the peak of the problem and our resistance." The FPI said it wants Friday's demonstration to be peaceful, but minorities, including Christians and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are fearful of the group. Around 50 FPI members barged into a Jakarta apartment at the weekend to break up what they said was a gay sex party. The group has vowed to continue to target the LGBT community. A worried Widodo has moved to soothe foreign investors, whose money is key to the economy. While seeing no disruption yet to business and suggesting tensions may ease after city elections, they are nonetheless wary. "In an overwhelmingly tolerant country ... a small group of hardliners seem to be able to push their agenda, and you have to question what direction the country is headed in," said a foreign business leader in Jakarta who declined to be named. CANCELLED TRIP, SOOTHING WORDS Widodo postponed a visit to Australia soon after the Nov. 4 demonstrations, the largest in Jakarta in years. Throughout November he has held talks with top political, religious and military officials to quell talk of instability, and announced he would "prevent the growth of radicalism". Last week, helicopters dropped police leaflets over the capital warning residents they faced harsh penalties if new rallies turned violent. The Nov. 4 march was largely peaceful, but sporadic clashes broke out and police fired water cannon and tear gas to control crowds. One person died and over 100 were wounded. Widodo blamed "political actors" for fanning the unrest. It was an apparent reference to the opposition, which has been accused of using groups like the FPI to hurt not only Purnama's election chances but also Widodo's, by casting doubt over his suitability to lead for a second term. Opposition leaders denied those accusations in local media. But the FPI could turn up pressure further now that the debate is about Islam and the Koran and not just about how Jakarta is run. "If a member of my family was insulted, I would be angry, let alone my holy book," said Muhammad Ridla, 31, who travelled with others from Bandung, a city three hours away, to join the anti-Purnama rally on Nov. 4. "When that happens, even a person who has a shallow faith like me would be upset." SOCIAL MEDIA "JIHAD" Purnama has been in the Islamists' sights for years. The FPI believes a Christian, who is also ethnic Chinese, should not hold the powerful position of running the city of 10 million people. The group, which says it has about five million members, has a history of harassing minorities. In recent years, they have forced the closure of churches and mosques run by non-Sunni Muslims, raided bars, and caused the cancellation of a 2012 Lady Gaga concert to "protect Indonesians from sin". When some Jakarta slums were razed in March and April, the FPI encouraged those evicted to form small "pop-up" groups to demonstrate against clearances, Bamukmin said. Some later joined the Nov. 4 protest. In September, when the case of alleged blasphemy first surfaced, FPI leaders ratcheted up their rhetoric against the governor, calling for his arrest and preaching in mosques that "blasphemy is non-negotiable". The group also began publishing posts hourly, as opposed to two or three times a day, on Facebook, Twitter and in newsletters to express its outrage. Their online feeds are now crammed with anti-Purnama traffic, as well as some against Widodo himself, and many posts are being liked, re-posted or commented on thousands of times. By comparison, the country's biggest moderate Muslim organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), barely mentions the blasphemy case on its social media pages. "In trying to get 2-3 million people (to protest), the majority of it was based on social media," Bamukmin explained. "We have called it 'jihad on social media'." As anger grew, the FPI joined an umbrella group that included other Muslim organisations like NU. It used extensive networks in towns and villages to swell numbers on Nov. 4. POLL BLOW TO PURNAMA Purnama has plenty of supporters, especially among the large middle class who liked the way he cut bureaucracy, tried to de-clog gridlocked streets and spoke his mind. He denies blasphemy, but has apologized for comments made during a speech in September about his opponents' use of the Koran in political campaigning. An incorrectly subtitled version of the speech went viral online where Purnama appeared to be criticizing the Koran rather than his rivals. Police have opened an investigation into the allegations and questioned Purnama, while prosecutors are expected to bring a case to court in the coming weeks. Almost without exception, blasphemy cases in Indonesia end with conviction. Purnama, who is running against two Muslim candidates in February's election, has slipped to second place as his popularity ebbs, some recent polls showed. Widodo, who preceded Purnama as the capital's governor, is seen by many Indonesians as an ally and friend, and the ruling party and coalition continue to back Purnama. But the president has publicly distanced himself, saying repeatedly that he would not protect him in the investigation. MINORITIES UNEASY Widodo has faced criticism from rights activists and his own supporters for allowing hardline Islamists to strongarm the government, and many see the blasphemy probe as an attack on Indonesia's religiously and ethnically diverse society. Chinese-Indonesians, who officially account for just over 1 percent of the country's population, feel a sense of vulnerability reminiscent of 1998, when the fall of strongman Suharto unleashed widespread violence in the capital. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands of ethnic Chinese fled the country, as mobs rampaged through Jakarta targeting Chinese-owned stores and homes. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population but recognizes six religions and is home to dozens of ethnic groups and people who adhere to traditional beliefs. Support for Purnama has been trending on social media, where some, like Twitter user @gunardi, have expressed sympathy. "If anything, he will get a lot more sympathy as someone who has been tyrannized," the user said. From Left: Onyx Hospitality Group President/CEO Peter Henley, Movenpick Middle East and South Asia COO Andreas Mattmuller, JLL India Hotels and Hospitality Managing Director Mandeep Lamba, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group South Asia CEO Raj Rana and Dossen International President Hansen Zhao Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshan Two hotel chains based in Belgium and China are interested in having hotel properties in Sri Lanka due to the countrys tourism potential, it was revealed yesterday at the Asia Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference which concluded at the Hilton in Colombo yesterday. This is my third time in Sri Lanka this year. Were excited about the prospects, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group South Asia CEO Raj Rana said. The Belgian hotel chain Rana has over 1,400 properties worldwide. Chinese hotel chain Dossen, which will have 1,000 hotels at the end of 2016almost all of them in Chinajust 10 years after starting its operations, is also interested in Sri Lanka, given the increased arrivals the island is attracting from China. We need a long-term strategy. Its too early to say if were investing or partnering with locals. Were at the starting stage, looking at the market and models, Dossen International President Hansen Zhao said. Thai-based Onyx Hospitality Group President/CEO Peter Henley recommended Sri Lanka for his peers mulling entry into the island. Sri Lanka is important to us. Sri Lanka will have the maximum growth. In terms of absolute numbers, there will be other countries where we will have hotels, but in terms of growth, its Sri Lanka, he said. Movenpick Middle East and South Asia COO Andreas Mattmuller, whose Swiss hotel chain is planning to manage a hotel owned by the Softlogic Group in Colombo, also noted that Sri Lanka is a key global destination, with great culture, natural resources and people. Rana said that the hotel inventory in Sri Lanka is inadequate to cater to 5 million tourists by 2020, and that Sri Lanka has a low branded presence, demand for which will increase, since the Sri Lankan government is aspiring to attract high-spending tourists. However, World Travel & Tourism Council Chairman Gerald Lawless noted that while branded hotels are important in creating a perception of sophistication, home grown hotels will grow to become more important in the long run. (CW) What does Patali know about politics that Harini doesnt know? Sri Lanka is going through great pains to get its economy in order after the Former Minister Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, also known as Karuna Amman, who was arrested on charges of misusing a state vehicle by the FCID, was ordered to be remanded till December 7 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today. He was summoned before the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) this morning and subsequently was taken into Police custody. (Shehan Chamika Silva) Video by Courts Prasanna For the first time after the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009, the dreaded outfit that fought for a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka the Maveerar Varam (Great Heroes Week) and the Maveerar Naal (Great Heroes Day) announced by that organization were commemorated by the people in the North and the East without any hindrance by the security forces, according to the Tamil media. The Maveerar Naal had been announced by the LTTE during its heyday to mark the death anniversary of Shanker, its first cadre to die after sustaining injuries during a skirmish with the security forces on November 27, 1982 and later the Maveerar Varam, a whole week was declared to be commemorated covering Shankers death anniversary as well as the birthday of the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, November 26. However, it has now become a day commemorated by the kith and kin of LTTE cadres killed in the war. Though the Sinhala and English media had stopped short of publishing one or two stories on the commemorations, the Tamil media had given wide publicity for the events held in the North and the East, with full page pictorials and front page lead stories. However, some Tamil politicians in the south had warned the Tamil people to be cautious in commemorating their loved ones, saying it might hinder the reconciliation efforts. Minister in charge of coexistence Mano Ganesan had said that people should commemorate their loved ones without commemorating the LTTE. Rehabilitation, resettlement and Hindu affairs Minister D.M. Swaminathan also had expressed a similar view. Meanwhile, a motion presented in the Northern Provincial Council last week to commemorate the Maveerar Naal was rejected by the Council Chairman C.V.K.Sivagnanam, on the grounds that it was not conducive under the present situation in the country. In fact, such a move by the Council might amount to espousing separatism as the Day and the Week had been formally announced by a separatist outfit. Commemoration by the relatives of the LTTE cadres killed in the war is a sensitive as well as a tricky issue. Though they were involved in unlawful activities and were inhuman in most cases, they were the loving sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters of those still living, and it would be ethically wrong to prevent those living from commemorating their loved ones. On the other hand, there is a danger of people glorifying the LTTE and their activities through these commemorations which might instigate the present day youth towards secessionism or to take to arms in order to solve their problems. Ministers Ganesan and Swaminathan too seem to be on this line of thinking. Some politicians in the North vowed during the commemorations to strive to see that the aspirations of the Maveerars to be fulfilled. One might interpret this as a vow to fight for a separate State while another claiming that it was just an expression of determination to dedicate oneself to solve the problems faced by the Tamils, since there was only a razor thin difference between the two interpretations. Competitions and opportunism among politicians might push the youth towards dangerous trends through these double-edged utterances. One should not forget that it was the so-called moderates who initiated the separatist struggle which was taken over by the youth resulting in a bloody thirty-year long war that devastated the country, especially the Tamil dominated region. The simple truth that was ignored by the LTTE leadership and that has to be kept in mind by the current Tamil leadership is that India which is home to over 50 million Tamils in its southernmost State would never allow carving out of a separate Tamil State in the northern Sri Lanka, as it would be a launching pad for the Tamil separatism in Tamil Nadu. Hence, even if another separatist war breaks out in the future in Sri Lanka, it would also end up in a calamity to the very Tamils, claiming thousands of lives and billions worth of properties. Therefore the commemoration of the people killed in the war including the members of the LTTE and the breathing of new life to the disastrous political ends should be clearly identified and differentiated by the Tamil leaders. Colombo Additional Magistrate Chandana Kalansooriya today refused to issue a stay order, requested by the Welikada Police to prevent the protest march organised by the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) entering the high security zone near Parliament. The Judge informed the police to take necessary action on powers vested in the Police Ordinance if the protestors disturbed the public. (Shehan Chamika Silva) The Maldives International Education & Career Expo will be held for three consecutive days on March 30, 31 and April 1, 2017 in Male. The event is the only exhibition focused on the education sector in the Maldives and will be patronized by keen students who have clear intentions on furthering their education in Sri Lanka or overseas. A highlight at this edition will be the offering of over 50 scholarships for students to study overseas. Scholarships ranging from 50 percent to full free scholarships will be offered by the participating institutes and organisers. Maldives International Education & Career Expo 2017 is seen as a central platform by students to pursue their education. There will be over 50 exhibition stalls displaying and informing the public of various courses, student programmes, higher education options and job opportunities. The exhibition is jointly organised by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services together with Asaree Services of Maldives. Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services will be strategically involved with its Maldivian partners. This joint venture will enhance the image of the exhibition to be a must attend event for all. The event is the best opportunity for students who are looking for immediate opportunities to further their education. The three-day education fair is set to feature specific pavilions for visiting universities and will include special sessions focused on students and their career decisions with the participation of a host of top professionals. Education is indeed the bedrock for the future success of a youth, a country and a generation. It is an undeniable truth that a sound secondary and tertiary education would most certainly pave a path of greater success for the individual and society at large. This truth has been ingrained in the citizens of Maldives to whom education is considered of prime importance. Q With the conclusion of the election in the United States, there is a perception that nationalism is triumphing over internationalism. What are your views? First of all, internationalism has never triumphed. It is wrong to pit one concept against another in this instance. Nationalism has been a strong political and ideological force for the last two centuries, particularly after the French revolution. It has a very high attraction among the masses. It is a concept with strong political appeal. Non nationalist ideologies also prevailed. Internationalism was there. It emerged with a political connotation with the communist movement. It arose with the initiatives of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. In the aftermath of World War 1, internationalism could not confront nationalism. What we call supranational bodies came in. The United Nations and League of nations were collectives of independent nations. Powerful nations were dominating others as seen. The UN has dominant forces, some even recognized formally. The countries with veto powers in the Security Council are dominant. Even in the informal sense, powerful countries dominate the affairs of these international bodies using their economic and military might. The economic power is associated with the ability to control the worlds resources. There are internationalist movements acting beyond national governments. Some of them are the Human Rights Movement and environmental movements. Let alone, globalization took place in the international labour market and capital markets. Despite all that, nationalism has sustained its strong political and emotional appeal. Communism, despite being an internationalist concept, could gain a foothold with the injection of nationalism into it. Nationalism has always been a strong force. Q How do you analyze it in the context of Trumps victory? Along with Trumps victory, we can see Brexit. These two can be compared. After World War I, there was economic integration in Europe. The European Union was more of a German-French affair. Other countries joined it. Britain only had a marginal relationship. It was less integrated with the European Union. Be that as it may, Britain developed itself as a colonial power. They have links with countries outside Europe. Brexit is a decisive move. It can be as a result of nationalism in Europe. It has been there right throughout. But, Brexit is a manifestation. We can juxtapose it with Trumps victory. Nationalism has its appeal. In India, the victory of Narendra Modi is one. In Germany, we find nationalism as it is opposed to migrants. There are reasons for nationalism for it is due to the changes in the global economy. In the United States, there are as many as 11 million migrant workers. It became a campaign slogan. Nationalism was a response to it. Q How will Sri Lankas nationalism evolve or develop in this context? In Sri Lanka, nationalism was strong in the 1950s. At that time, the non-nationalist movements such as the leftist movement were relatively strong. The two main parties-the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) - had a distant relationship with ultra-national forces at that time. After 1983, we saw a special situation due to the advent of war. Then, again, nationalism became strong. Now, in the post war situation Tamil nationalism is getting strong in the North as well. In response, the Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism is rising here. The middle class within the Sinhala-Buddhist community also has a bias in this regard. We can see the opposition to the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). I also have some criticism towards it. That is middle-class nationalism. Among the upper middle-class, there is a nationalist trend. Within the business community, we find anti-Muslim sentiments. The Sinhala-Buddhist middle-class was not actively engaged in business as such traditionally. The Muslims and non-Sinhala Buddhists dominated it traditionally. Now, the Sinhalese are entering into the business field. It has created a competition. That competition is mediated by nationalism. It comes out in the open as a Sinhala-Muslim problem. The Sinhala nationalist movements are elated about Trumps victory. They see it as a stimulant here. Yet, that is not the sole reason. Nationalism is gaining ground here. Q You are an academic who strived for the installation of the current government that pledged to implement good governance principles. How detrimental is this trend for the country? Good governance is something different I have to explain to you. I do not use it in that sense. If I leave it aside, there will be a lot for us to talk about in this case. Nationalism is actually a manifestation of a crisis either here or internationally. Otherwise, it is not a solution to the problem. For example, if we fall ill, it can be seen through symptoms. We cannot see symptoms as the cure for the disease. Nationalism is not the cure for the disease. It is a manifestation of the disease. When there is a skin disease, it will be irritating. Then, we scratch it for comfort. The more we scratch it, the more we aggravate the disease. Nationalism is also like that. Nationalism is a kind of relief. It has emotional appeal. The non-nationalist ideologies do not have such emotional appeal. When we talk about good governance, democracy or human rights, it is not awe-inspiring for us. But, when we talk about moves for the partition of the country, it becomes emotionally appealing. As such, mass mobilization is easy within the concept of nationalism. Yet, we have to see other aspects. When Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist sentiments get stronger, Tamil and Muslim nationalism rise simultaneously. It gives birth to such movements within these communities. It can give rise to the sentiments of other religious groups including Catholics. It creates internal divisions. At the future elections, the popularity of political parties with national appeals will wane. As for the political party formed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksas group, its ideological backing comes from ultra-nationalist forces such as Nalin de Silva, Wimal Weerawansa and Gunadasa Amarasekara. That party has the dominant political appeal in the South today. No other party can mobilize people voluntarily in this manner. People do not support in that manner in political rallies of the UNP or the SLFP. Mr. Rajapaksa can bring bigger crowds. There is voluntary participation of people. President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or former President Chandrika Kumaratunga cannot mobilize people in that manner. At the next election, we will see an ethnically divided political map. It will be a big crisis. In the United States too, it is there. There are 11 million illegal migrants there. They cannot be sent back. If it is done, the economy will collapse. This is a paradoxical situation. These illegal migrants provide cheap labour. White supremacy is getting stronger, and at the same time other groups also get organized. It foretells a crisis. Q What is your role as a university academic in the face of the emergence of such a situation? We cannot avoid this crisis. We have to stand up to it. We should talk about it. A public discourse is needed for it. This is a problem that awaits it. I cannot see any force that can prevent this from happening. It will reach the climax. Only then will the alternative approaches emerge. I believe the new party, being formed by the Rajapaksa group, will become the main force. It has the largest attraction. Yet, it cannot secure the total power because it can appeal only to a section of the Sinhala Buddhist constituency. Then, it will lead to a crisis as happened in France during the 1950s. No party will be able to govern single handedly. The new party will be unable to form a coalition government because its ideological backing emanates from ultra-nationalist forces. These forces will prevent an alliance with others. Nobody can counter it. Q How challenging will it be to find a solution to the Tamil national question? We cannot find a political solution at all now. We cannot even talk about it. We can just discuss it to raise funds internationally. A Federal constitution is totally unrealistic now. A solution that is acceptable to Tamils can be worked out only with the consent of the South. Anything acceptable to the North is not acceptable to the South. These two cannot be reconciled. Some possibility existed in the past because the two main parties were not controlled by the ultra-nationalist persons. Now it is different. The extremist groups are calling the shots today in the Rajapaksa group of the SLFP. Anything unacceptable to this group cannot be implemented in the South. It is structurally impossible to give a solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil people. It is useless to talk about it. We do not know what will happen in the future. Q In the installation of the current government, there were a lot of hopes among groups such as yours. What do you feel about the current predicament then? It is the nature of politics. What happened on January 8 was a big event. In such an instance people get together and put forth their views. After that, the euphoria dies down. Then, elements with different agendas dominate. There is a contrast between the groups that rallied for the Big Event and these elements. We voice against them. But, the government moves on. This is how politics works. Q What is the role of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA)? It has no specially-assigned role. It is a trade union. It talks about education and other rights. We too can talk about it. Q How responsible is the government for the present situation? There are ways in which the governments work. They work according to the interests of those close to them. They work for votes. We cannot do anything about it. We have to build public cognition about it. That is the way to do it. The Government is keeping in touch with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman and the Consulate in Dubai, UAE to get the nine Sri Lankan sailors held by Houthi rebels of Yemen released, Foreign Affairs Ministry said today. Ministry sources said the ship with the nine Sri Lankan sailors aboard had been held by the rebels in an area controlled by them because of a dispute that had taken place between the cargo supplier and the cargo receiver. We have instructed our mission in Oman, which is monitoring the situation in Yemen at the moment, to get back to us after the negotiations are concluded. We have also informed our consulate in Dubai to initiate discussions with relevant parties since the headquarters of the shipping company is based in Dubai. However, no response has been received by us so far, sources said. They said a court case was pending between the cargo handler and the receiver. The release of the sailors was getting delayed because of external issues such as communication among factions and lengthy court proceedings, they said. However, sources said there was no threat to the lives of the sailors and they have in fact contacted the authorities over the phone to inform them that they are alive and well. The ship with 26 people on-board, including the nine Sri Lankans, was taken over by the rebels two months ago. According to foreign media reports, Houthi rebels of Yemen and their political allies have formed a new government in the country yesterday. (Lahiru Pothmulla) Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters of the Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) at Parliament Roundabout a short while ago. They were marching towards parliament. Video by Chamilka Pix by Lahiru Harshana Sri Lankas Seylan Bank has secured a US $ 15 million, five-year funding line from the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (RAKBANK) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The bank in a statement said it would utilize the funds for general business development and portfolio growth in its Foreign Currency Banking Unit (FBCU). Alpen Capital (ME) Limited, an investment banking advisory firm, also based in the UAE, had acted as the sole financial advisor to the transaction. The loan agreement was signed in Dubai, UAE on November 27, 2016, in the presence of Seylan Bank Director/CEO Kapila Ariyaratne, Chief Risk Officer Ramesh Jayasekara, RAKBANK CEO Peter England, Alpen Capital Executive Chairman Rohit Walia and other senior management members from all parties involved. RAKBANK CEO Peter England said, We are pleased to have partnered with Seylan Bank to support their general expansion plan of the Foreign Currency Banking Unit. This long-term financing allows us to diversify our asset book into various geographies while introducing Seylan Bank to the region. Commenting on the signing, Seylan Bank Director/CEO Kapila Ariyaratne said, We are extremely pleased to sign up on this partnership as the banks first longterm financial agreement with the Middle East market, which reflects strong investor confidence in Seylan Banks operations and future growth potential. Q How do you see the concept of evolution of nationalism over internationalism against the backdrop of the US Presidential Election We can analyze the outcome of the US election from different angles. In October, 2001, I wrote an article analyzing the September 11 attack on the United States Twin Towers. I pointed out in my article that the US advocated open borders across the globe only to fulfil its capital requirements. The US was striving to build a world without borders virtually for its capital to flow freely. By the collapse of the Berlin wall, the US was actually trying to open up East Europe and Russia for its capital. What they wanted was to open up the markets. Yet, the US and its allies never opened up themselves for the other nations. That is the reason why, in Third World countries, there are so many queues in front of Western Embassies, for visas. If it was a free world, citizens the world over should have been able to travel, live, work as they like. The September 11 attack, in my opinion, challenged US borders. I see the victory of Donald Trump as the US President as a call for protectionism and for building walls on its boundaries. It is a call from the White American people. That is also what happened regarding Brexit. Therein, British citizens also said what Britain was preaching to the world was inappropriate for them, and the country should opt for protectionism instead. Q How will this global trend impact or influence nationalism in Sri Lanka in your view? More than Trumps victory, Hilarys defeat is a gain for nationalist movements across the globe. I do not want to analyze Trumps victory as a victory of nationalism. But, the ideology espoused by Hilary Clinton was rejected in her own country. It is a gain for nationalism. For us, whats happening in China, its rise is more important than what happened in the US. It is bound to equal the US in terms of economic size by 2025. By 2050, it will be double the size of the US economy. At the same time, countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and Korea are making giant strides in economic growth eclipsing the global economic hegemony hitherto maintained by Europe and the US. China and other Asian countries will rise while preserving their cultural identities. They may have derived Western technology and knowledge for their production purposes. Martin Jacques, the author of When China Rules the World shows that although China seems to be Westernized in appearance, it is becoming more and more Chinese in food, in language usage, in family life etc. Koreans work in their own language and the Chinese do the same. This is a consolation for us. It gives the message that we, can rise along with them, while preserving our own cultural and civilizational identity. Q Do you mean that Sri Lanka should team up with the newly emerging world order in this manner? That should happen compulsorily. Until World War II, Britain was the imperialist giant. Along with it, Portugal, the Dutch, Belgium, France and Spain colonized countries in the world and established their authority. From World War II onwards, the hegemony of the US-led West prevailed up to now. They all have the same civilizational link. After centuries, the world is heading in a different direction today. China is becoming a global power. The global leadership is transferred to a nation with a different thinking. It will look at the world from a novel perspective. It is a country with a rice-eating people. In the past, we saw the US and Russia as two power centres trying to establish their control. It is not so today. Today, different countries rise, with different civilization bases; with their own cultural identities. That is very important. This has given us hope that we will also be able to rise on our own. It is not that we should emulate China. We should strive to build a country on our own civilization values. This is what Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera has shown in his new book Sabhyathwa Raajya Karaa. Of course, we can align with China as we find more similarities with China than with the Western world. Q How do you analyze the evolution of Sinhala nationalism in Sri Lanka against the backdrop of different perspectives regarding it from the Western point of view? Everybody has to understand that the people of Sri Lanka built its civilization over 2500 years ago. Ancient irrigation works, religious monuments such as magnificent Dagobas speak of it. And its not a dead civilization. We use those wew (irrigation works) to-date. We worship those dagobas to date. Its a living civilization. The Mahawamsa, whatever is contained in it, has inspired generation after generation for over 2000 years. Sri Lanka, as a small island, faced constant invasions from external elements. While repulsing such invasions, the country was able to sustain its civilization for over 2500 years. This is a unique situation in world history because there are only a handful of countries that weathered such invasive pressures and survived. If you look at the Roman Empire, how many centuries did it survive? The US has only a history of less than 500 years. Even the empire built by Dharmashoka did not last for 100 years. But, with the inspiration from Mahavamsa, the people of this country have acted to foster and protect their civilization for more than 2500 years. Nobody can deny it. We preserved our country until we were deceived into ceding the country to a foreign rule under the 1815 Treaty. The Portuguese, with their firepower, could conquer nations in Asia, Africa and America within a short span of time. For most of the countries they did not need even a decade. But, for centuries we stood up to them and protected our country. Even the British failed to conquer us militarily. The Great Anagarika Dharmapala rekindled this civilization consciousness in our people. Kumaratunga Munidasa refined this consciousness. In fact, in 1956, what triumphed was nationalism rekindled by Anagarika Dharmapala. Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike gave leadership to it in the political front. Q In todays context, how do you work for the victory of nationalism politically? In 1956, when the draft bill to make Sinhala the State language was presented, the MPs of the Northern Province queried the fate of the Tamil language. Then, Mr. Bandaranaike, as the Prime Minister, made a special statement. He sought a little more time from them and asked them to be patient till the issue at hand was addressed. He said let him first bring his struggle with what he called Kalu Suddas to an end. He opined once that was done, it would be easy to address the issue of the Tamil people. Nationalists didnt struggle against Tamils. They struggled against Western hegemony. They fought against Kalu Suddas. Philip Gunawardena called them thuppahiyas. Ananda Coomaraswamy has called this English educated Anglicised class as bastard intellectuals. When we try to walk towards our civilization roots, this Anglicised elite use Tamils as the cats paw. Q How do you work for a political victory to the nationalist movement? When terrorist attacks were taking their toll in major capitals of the world, Sri Lanka, as a small nation, freed itself from the menace. What happened on January 8, 2015 was a conspiracy. That was meant to reverse the gains we achieved. Gains we achieved by defeating terrorism; gains we achieved in development goals as a small, independent nation. We have to defeat conspirators. There is no alternative other than that. President Maithripala Sirisena was installed in power with the involvement of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike. They both act as agents of the Western powers. We have to free the country from this coterie. We have to achieve three targets here. One is that the nationalist forces should defeat the current rule. Next, we should not give into separatist demands in any way. We should make sure that even a single clause that paves the way for Federalism or separatism should not be included in the constitution. We do not rule out the need for amending the constitution. We do not find faults with an electoral system that ensures a representative responsible for each constituency. Actually, we demand it. We are not opposed to making amendments to the Executive Presidency. We are for strengthening the Parliament. The LTTE was defeated finally in Nanthikadal. The TNA, Tamil diaspora, and all the separatist forces backed the LTTE. So, with the defeat of the LTTE, separatism was also defeated. The country, resuscitated from the scourge of terrorism, should be united politically. The war victory should be made a political victory enabling all the people of this country to live together under a unitary state. My opinion is that nationalism should be upheld not only in the political front but also in our day-to-day life. In 1956, after the victory of Mr. Bandaranaike, after Sinhala was made the state language, our people expect the state to protect the language. In the same way, they anticipate the Government to protect Buddhism. It is true that the Government must intervene. But it is our responsibility too. If we dont use Sinhala in our day-to-day work, if we dont do business in Sinhala, if we dont live and love in Sinhala no Government will be able to help. Q What is the solution you offer to the Tamil national question? What is the way for you to get citizenship in the United States? You have to sit for an English language proficiency test. In India, the state language is Hindi. Nobody questions these. But here in the Lal Wijenayake committee report, it has been proposed to remove the lion symbol from the national flag for the sake of reconciliation. Once TNA MP Mr. Sumanthiran said, that as long as Buddhism is accorded the foremost place there will be no solution, as there is no equality. Today, Sri Lankas situation is compared to what happened in South Africa during apartheid. In that country, the blacks were denied travelling together with the whites in buses. They were not allowed to live in the same cities and towns. Blacks were segregated. Even in the United States, it happened until the 60s. Have we ever done it here? What are they talking about? TNA MP Sumanthiran also said the suppression of minority rights by the majority verdict of the majority community was the cause of this problem. He cited a nice example. He referred to a family with one boy and three girls. During the first school vacation, the boy wanted to go hiking, whereas the three girls insisted on picnicking on a beach. They could not agree with each other. Then, a vote was taken. The three girls easily voted out the boy and succeeded in going on a picnic to the beach. Then comes the second school vacation. Again the boy asked for hiking but the girls refused. Again, the vote was taken ensuring victory for the girls. During the third vacation, the same happened. This is the plight of Tamils as noted by MP Sumanthiran. This is utter falsehood. In our country, we are blessed so that we can go on hiking and beach picnicking on the same trip. In politics also, both hiking and beach picnicking have taken place together. Take the case of making Sinhala the state language in 1956. Many people say the crisis was triggered by the enactment of this Act within 24 hours. It is not true. That Act became operational in the country only on 1st March, 1961. But before that, in 1958, the very same Sinhala government of Bandaranaike brought the Tami Language (Special Provisions) Act. It was also scheduled to be operational from 01st March, 1961. So, in practice English was replaced on the same day in the south, and by Tamil in the North and East as administrative and judicial languages. So, picnicking on the beach and hiking took place in the same holiday on the same day. The Sinhala language was not imposed by force on Tamil children. They were not forced to study in Sinhala. Not in the North nor in the East. Not even in the West. Not anywhere. At Royal College, Colombo, teaching was done and still is done in both mediums. Even Mr. Sumanthiran as an old Royalist knows that. His children who go to Royal College can learn in the Tamil medium although they have preferred English. Both sons of Northern Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran studied at Royal College. They know the reality. If you look at cut-off points determined for admission of students to popular schools after the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, the Tamil medium cut-off points are determined for all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. However, the Sinhala medium cut-off points are determined only for 20 districts. In five districts, classes are not conducted even up to Grade 5 in the Sinhala Medium. They are Jaffna, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar. I have met Sinhalese people in the Batticaloa district who have been forced to educate their children in the Tamil medium as there isnt a single school nor a single class which teaches in the Sinhala medium. What has the Northern Chief Minister done about this? What have the TNA MPs done about this? Who are the real racists? We have made Sinhalese and Tamils as citizens equal before the law. This is what Nelson Mandela asked for. This is what Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed for. If our Tamil brothers have aspirations beyond that, the only solution will be to defeat those. And we will certainly do that. The racist separatist aspirations were the main cause for the monster Prabhakaran. So after 30 years of destruction please, please dont repeat the same mistakes. Post Holdings, Inc. operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, Refrigerated Retail, and BellRing Brands. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal and hot cereal products. It serves grocery stores, mass merchandise customers, supercenters, club stores, natural/specialty stores, and drug store customers, as well as sells its products in the military, ecommerce, and foodservice channels. The Weetabix segment primarily markets and distributes branded and private label RTE cereal, hot cereals and other cereal-based food products, breakfast drinks, and muesli. This segment sells its products to grocery stores, discounters, wholesalers, and convenience stores, as well as through ecommerce. The Foodservice segment produces and distributes egg and potato products in the foodservice and food ingredient channels. It serves foodservice distributors and national restaurant chains. The Refrigerated Retail segment produces and distributes side dishes, eggs and egg products, sausages, cheese, and other dairy and refrigerated products for grocery stores and mass merchandise customers. The BellRing Brands segment markets and distributes ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes, other RTD beverages, powders, nutrition bars, and supplements. It serves club stores, food, drug and mass customers, and online retailers, as well as specialty retailers, convenience stores, and distributors. Post Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. The following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Better Financial Services GmbH, Better Payment Germany GmbH, Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a. r.l., Chapel Funding, China Recovery Fund LLC, Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Cartera de lnmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Impact Investment Fund I. LP., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Limited, DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Jersey) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios lnteractivos Agrupacicm de lnteres Econemico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB Print GmbH, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services (Jersey) Limited, DB Services Americas. Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB US Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a. r.l., DB Value S.a.r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita SA., DB lmmobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG i.L., DB lo LP, DBAH Capital. LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management 18 Ltd., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a. r.l., DBX Advisers LLC, DEBEKO lmmobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK AS., DI Deutsche lmmobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Shanghai Private Equity Fund Management Limited, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anenima lnstitucien Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico. S.A., Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank Polska Spelka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Societe per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche Bank. Sociedad Anenima Espanola, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur lmmobilien-Leasing mit beschrenkter Haftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.El r.l., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche India Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a. r.|., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities SA. de C.V.. Casla de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Services (Cl) Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. SA., Deutsche lmmobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsches lnstitut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a. r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.l., Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, European Value Added I (Alternate GP.) LLP, Fiduciaria Sant Andrea S.r.l., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., German American Capital Corporation, Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer LandstraBe GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Miesbaden LuisenstraBe/Kirchgasse GbR, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF l Manager S.a.r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul lnkasso GmbH, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo lll Initial GP Limited, MEF I Manager. S. a r.|., MIT Holdings Inc., Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgagelT Inc., MortgagelT Securities Corp., OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentIe", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, PADUS Grundstcks-VermietungsgeseIlschaft mbH, PB Factoring GmbH, PB Spezial-lnvestmentaktiengesellschatt mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Plantation Bay. Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank lmmobilien GmbH, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, RREEF, RREEF America LLC., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisers Private Limited, RREEF Management LLC., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables. LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermielungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sharps SP l LLC, Stelvio lmmobiliare S.r.l., Suddeutsche Vermeigensvewvaitung Gesellschaft mit beschrenkter Haftung, TELO Beleiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Umited, VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., lmmobilienfonds BuroCenter Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, lmmobilienfonds Wohn- und Gescheftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, and norisbank GmbH. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Emerson Electric: A.P.M. Automation Solutions Ltd., AE Valves, AGI Mexicana S.A. de C.V., ALCO CONTROLS spol. s.r.o., APM Automation Solutions, ASC Investments Inc., ASCO (Japan) Company Limited, ASCO L.P., ASCO Numatics (India) Private Limited, ASCO Numatics Holding Inc., ASCO SAS, ASCO Valve (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ASCO/JOUCOMATIC s.r.o., ATX SAS, Advanced Protection Technologies, Aegir Norge Holding AS, Alliance Compressors LLC, American Governor, Aperture, Apple JV Holding Corp., Appleton Electric LLC, Appleton Electric S.A. de C.V., Appleton Group, Appleton Group Canada Ltd., Appleton Grp LLC, Appleton Holding Corp., Appleton Holding Sarl, Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Artesyn Hungary Elektronikai Kft., Artesyn Technologies, Asco AB, Asco Controls AG, Asco Controls B.V., Asco Joucomatic Ltd., Asco Joucomatic ZA B.V., Asco Magnesszelep Kft., Asco Numatics GmbH, Asco Numatics S.A., Asco Numatics Sirai S.R.L., Asco Numatics Sp. z o.o., Ascomatica S.A. de C.V., Ascomation (NZ) Ltd., Ascomation Pty. Ltd., Ascotech S.A. de C.V., Ascoval Industria e Commercio Ltda, Automatic Switch Company, Aventics, Aventics, Aventics AB, Aventics AG, Aventics AS, Aventics ApS, Aventics B.V., Aventics Corporation, Aventics Holding S.A.S., Aventics Holding S.a.r.l., Aventics Hungary Kft, Aventics Inc., Aventics India Private Limited, Aventics Limited, Aventics Ltd., Aventics Oy, Aventics Pneumatics Equipment (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Aventics Pneumatics Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aventics S.A.S., Aventics S.R.L., Aventics Services Germany GmbH, Aventics Singapore Pte. Ltd., Aventics Sp. z.o.o., Aventics Spain S.L., Aventics spol. s.r.o., Avtron LoadBank, Bannerscientific Limited, Beckman Industrial B.V., Beijing Rosemount Far East Instrument Co. Ltd., Bettis Canada Ltd., Bettis Holdings Limited, Bettis UK Limited, Biffi Italia S.r.l., Bioproduction Group, Branson Korea Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonic S.A., Branson Ultrasonics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonics B.V., Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Branson Ultrasonics a.s., Branson Ultrasonidos S.A.E., Branson Ultrasons SAS, Branson Ultrasuoni S.R.L., Branson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Bray Lectroheat Limited, Bristol Babcock Limited, Bristol Inc., Buehler Europe Limited, Buehler UK Limited, CR Compressors LLC, CSA Consulting Engineers Ltd., California Emerson LLC, Cascade Technologies, Cascade Technologies Holdings Limited, Cascade Technologies Limited, Chemat GmbH Armaturen fur Industrie - und Nuklearanlage, Chloride Koexa S.A., Componentes Avanzados de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Computational Systems, Computational Systems Incorporated, Conception et Representation de Technologies de Controle C.R.T. Controle SAS, Control Products Inc., Controles de Temperatura S.A. de C.V., Cooligy Inc., Cooper-Atkins, Cooper-Atkins Corporation, Cooper-Atkins Pte. Ltd., Copeland Access + Inc., Copeland Compresores Hermeticos S.A. de C.V., Copeland Corporation, Copeland Corporation LLC, Copeland Limited, Copeland Redevelopment Corporation, Copeland Scroll Compresores de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copeland de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copesub Inc., Crosby Valve LLC, Damcos A/S, Damcos Holding A/S, Daniel Automation Company, Daniel Europe Limited, Daniel Industrial Inc., Daniel Industries, Daniel Industries Canada Inc., Daniel Industries Inc., Daniel Industries Limited, Daniel International Limited, Daniel Measurement Solutions Private Limited, Daniel Measurement and Control Inc., Daniel Measurement and Control S. de R.L. de C.V., Danmasa S.A. de C.V., Dar Ibtikar Al Iraq for General Services and General Trade LLC, Decision Management International, Dieterich Standard Inc., Digital Appliance Controls (UK) Limited, Dixell North America Inc., Dixell S.R.L., Do+Able Products, E. Business Development E.B.D.Com Ltd., E.G.P. Corporation, EECO Inc., EGS Comercializadora Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Private Ltd., EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES s.r.o., EMR (Asia) Limited, EMR (Mauritius) Ltd., EMR Emerson Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, EMR Europe Holdings Inc., EMR Foundation Inc., EMR Holdings (France) SAS, EMR Holdings Inc., EMR Worldwide B.V., EMR Worldwide Inc., EMRSN HLDG B.V., EMRSN Process Management Morocco Sarl, ENPDOR2012A Limited, ENPESNA Inc., EPM Tulsa Holdings Corp., EPMCO Holdings Inc., ETC International Holdings Ltd., Easy Heat Europe SAS, Easy Heat Inc., El-O-Matic B.V., El-O-Matic Valve Actuators (F.E.) Pte. Ltd., Electrische Apparatenfabriek Capax B.V., Emerald Advanced Technology Limited, Emerson (Philippines) Corporation, Emerson (Taiwan) Limited, Emerson (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Arabia Inc., Emerson Argentina S.A., Emerson Asia Pacific Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Holdings Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Taiwan) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Thailand) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Czech Republic s.r.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Denmark A/S, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control France SARL, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Germany GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hong Kong Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hungary Kft, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Italia S.r.l., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Middle East FZE, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Netherlands B.V., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Polska Sp. Z.o.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Holding LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK II Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control US LP, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Automation Solutions GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Automation Solutions Ireland Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Isolation Valves Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions SSC UK Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Beijing Instrument Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Services LLC, Emerson Climate Technologies (India) Private Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies (Shenyang) Refrigeration Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Solutions (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Transportation Solutions ApS, Emerson Climate Technologies Arabia Limited Co., Emerson Climate Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies FZE, Emerson Climate Technologies GmbH, Emerson Climate Technologies Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Climate Technologies Refrigeration S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Europe S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Sarl, Emerson Commercial & Residential Tools LLC, Emerson Commerical & Residential Asia Limited, Emerson Comres de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson DHC B.V., Emerson Dietzenbach GmbH, Emerson Dominicana Srl, Emerson Egypt LLC, Emerson Electric (Asia) Limited, Emerson Electric (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Electric (Mauritius) Ltd., Emerson Electric (South Asia) Pte. Ltd., Emerson Electric (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Electric (Tongling) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation, Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation (Chile) Limitada, Emerson Electric (Zhuhai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric CR Limitada, Emerson Electric Canada Limited, Emerson Electric Company (India) Private Limited, Emerson Electric Company Lanka (Private) Limited, Emerson Electric Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, Emerson Electric II C.A., Emerson Electric International Inc., Emerson Electric Ireland Limited, Emerson Electric Korea Ltd., Emerson Electric Nederland B.V., Emerson Electric Overseas Finance Corp., Emerson Electric Poland Sp. z o.o., Emerson Electric U.K. Limited, Emerson Electric de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Electric do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Energy Systems (UK) Limited, Emerson FZE, Emerson Final Control US Holding LLC, Emerson Finance LLC, Emerson Fusite Electric (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Gabon SARL, Emerson Hazardous Electrical Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Holding Company Limited, Emerson Holding Sweden AB, Emerson InSinkErator Appliance (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Industrial Automation USA Inc., Emerson International Holding Company Limited, Emerson Japan Ltd., Emerson Junkang Enterprise (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Korea Limited, Emerson LLC, Emerson LLP, Emerson Machinery Equipment (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Mexico Finance S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Emerson Middle East Inc., Emerson Network Power DHC B.V., Emerson Paradigm Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management (India) Private Limited, Emerson Process Management (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Tianjin) Valves Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management A/S (Denmark), Emerson Process Management AB, Emerson Process Management AG, Emerson Process Management AS, Emerson Process Management Angola Lda, Emerson Process Management Arabia Limited, Emerson Process Management Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Process Management B.V., Emerson Process Management Chennai Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Distribution Limited, Emerson Process Management Europe GmbH, Emerson Process Management Flow B.V., Emerson Process Management Flow Technologies Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Process Management Holding AG, Emerson Process Management Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management Kft., Emerson Process Management LLLP, Emerson Process Management Lda, Emerson Process Management Limited, Emerson Process Management Ltda, Emerson Process Management Magyarorszag Kft., Emerson Process Management Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management NV, Emerson Process Management New Zealand Limited, Emerson Process Management Nigeria Limited, Emerson Process Management Oy, Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions Inc., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions India Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Qatar W.L.L., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Inc., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa LLC, Emerson Process Management Romania S.R.L., Emerson Process Management S.A., Emerson Process Management S.A. de C.V., Emerson Process Management S.L., Emerson Process Management S.R.L., Emerson Process Management SAS, Emerson Process Management Shared Services Limited, Emerson Process Management Sp. z o.o., Emerson Process Management Ticaret Limited Sirket, Emerson Process Management UAB, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Valve Automation Inc., Emerson Process Management Verwaltung GmbH, Emerson Process Management d.o.o., Emerson Process Management de Colombia SAS, Emerson Process Management del Peru S.A.C., Emerson Process Management s.r.o., Emerson Professional Tools (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Puerto Rico Inc., Emerson Retail Services Europe GmbH, Emerson S.R.L., Emerson Sales UK Limited, Emerson Saudi Arabia LLC, Emerson Scroll Machining (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Sice S.R.L., Emerson Sweden AB, Emerson TOV, Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Technologies Verwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Tool Company de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Tool and Appliance Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson UK Trustees Limited, Emerson USD Finance Company Limited, Emerson Valves & Controls Japan Co. Ltd., Emerson Ventures Inc., Emerson Vulcan Holding LLC, Emerson Xi'an Engineering Center, Emersub 1 LLC, Emersub 10 LLC, Emersub 11 LLC, Emersub 12 LLC, Emersub 14 LLC, Emersub 15 LLC, Emersub 16 LLC, Emersub 3 LLC, Emersub 4 LLC, Emersub 5 LLC, Emersub 7 LLC, Emersub 8 LLC, Emersub 9 LLC, Emersub CII Inc., Emersub CV Inc., Emersub Italia S.R.L., Emersub LXXXIV Inc., Emersub LXXXVI Inc., Emersub Mexico Inc., Emersub Treasury Ireland Unlimited Company, Emersub XLVI Inc., Emersub XXXVI Inc., Emirates Techno Casting FZE, Emirates Techno Casting Holding Limited, Emirates Techno Casting LLC, Enardo, Endura-Greenlee Tools, Energy Solutions International (India) Private Limited, Energy Solutions International GP LLC, Energy Solutions International Ltd., Energy Solutions International SAS, Energy Solutions International Sub LLC, F-R Tecnologias de Flujo S.A. de C.V., FC QSF LLC, FMC Technologies, Fiberconn Assemblies Morocco Sarl, Fincor Holding LLC, Fire & Safety Group.Com Ltd., Fisher Controles de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fisher Controls International LLC, Fisher Jeon Gas Equipment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Fisher Regulators (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Sanmar Limited, Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc., Flow Control Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Flow Control Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Flow Control US Holding Corporation, Francel SAS, Fromex S.A. de C.V., Fusite B.V., Fusite Corporation, Fusite Land Company, GSEG LLC, General Equipment and Manufacturing Company Inc., Generale de Robinetterie Industrielle et de Sytemes de Surete, GeoFields, GeoFields Inc., Greenex Ltd., Greenfield (UK) Limited, Greenlee, Greenlee Communications, Greenlee Tools Inc., Gulf Valve FZE, Gustav Klauke GmbH, H.T.E. Engineering Limited, HD Electric Company, HTE Engineering Services Limited, Hindle Cockburns Limited, Hiross India Private Limited, Hiter Industria e Comercia de Controles Termo-Hidraulicos Ltda., Humboldt Hermetic Motor Corp., Hytork International Ltd., I Solutions Inc., ICC Intelligent Platforms GmbH, ISE-MagTech, Industrial Controls Canada ULC, Industrial Group Metran JSC, Instrument & Valve Services Company, Intelligent Platforms LLC, Intellution, International Gas Distribution SA, Intrinsic Safety Equipment of Texas Inc., JCF Fluid Flow India Private Limited, JSC Metran-Export, Joucomatic S.A., K Controls Limited, Keystone Germany Holdings Corp., Keystone Valve (Korea) LLC, Keystone Valve (U.K.) Limited, Klauke, Klauke (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co Ltd., Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Klauke Iberia S.L., Klauke Polska Sp. z.o.o., Klauke Slovakia s.r.o., Klauke UK Ltd., Knurr, Liebert, Liebert Swindon Limited, Locus Solutions LLC, Locus Traxx Worldwide, Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe BVBA, MDC Technology Limited, MDC Technology Trustees Limited, METCO Services Limited, MYNAH Technologies, Management Resources Group Inc., Mecafrance (Deutschland) GmbH, Metallurgical Services Laboratories Limited, Metaserv Limited, Metco Services Venezuela C.A., Micro Motion Inc., Mobrey Group Limited, Motores Hermeticos del Sur S.A. de C.V., NetworkPower Ecuador S.A., Nippon Fisher Co. Ltd., Novel Environmental Technologies Ltd., Novel Extinguishing Agent Technology Ltd., Numatics Incorporated, Nutsteel DHC B.V., Nutsteel Industria Metalurgica Ltda, O.M.T. Officina Meccanica Tartarini S.r.l., Open Systems International, P I Components Corp., PT Emerson Solutions Indonesia, PT. Emerson Indonesia, PT. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia, Pactrol Controls Limited, PakSense, PakSense Inc., Paradigm, Paradigm (UK) Holding Limited, Paradigm B.V., Paradigm France S.A., Paradigm Geophysical (India) Private Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical (Nigeria) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (U.K.) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical B.V., Paradigm Geophysical Corp., Paradigm Geophysical Italy SRL, Paradigm Geophysical LLC, Paradigm Geophysical Limited, Paradigm Geophysical Pty Ltd, Paradigm Geophysical S.A., Paradigm Geophysical Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical Spain S.L., Paradigm Geophysical de Venezuela C.A., Paradigm Geophysical do Brasil Ltda., Paradigm Geoservices Canada Ltd., Paradigm Geotechnology (Egypt) S.A.E., Paradigm Kazakhstan LLP, Paradigm Middle East FZ-LLC, Paradigm Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Parex Industries Limited, Pentair Valves & Controls, Pentair Valves and Controls India Private Limited, Permasense, Permasense Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Permasense Limited, ProSys, ProTeam Inc., Progea, RAC Technologies (Israel) Ltd., RIDGID Inc., RPP Europe GmbH, RPP LLC, Rey-Lam S. de R.L. de C.V., Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Ridge Tool Company, Ridge Tool Europe NV, Ridge Tool GmbH, Ridge Tool GmbH & Co. OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. Ltd., Sakhi-Raimondi Valve (India) Limited, Scroll Compressors LLC, Scroll Mexico LLC, Sempell GmbH, Shanghai Virgo Valves Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., Sherman + Reilly, Soluciones 0925 C.A., Spectra-Tek Holdings Limited, Spectra-Tek International Limited, Spectra-Tek UK Limited, Spectrex, Spectrex Inc., Spectronix Ltd., Spensall Engineering Limited, Steel Support Systems Limited, Stratos Lightwave, System Plast International B.V., System Plast Ltda, System Plast USA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TDM-avtomatizatsiya, TV&C GP Holding LLC, Taiwan Valve Co. Ltd., TechnipFMC, Termocontroles de Juarez S.A. de C.V., Tescom Corporation, Tescom Europe GmbH & Co. KG, Tescom Europe Management GmbH, The Automation Group Inc., The J.R. Clarkson Company LLC, Therm-O-Disc Europe B.V., Therm-O-Disc Incorporated, Thunderline Z Inc., TopWorx UK Limited, Tranmet Holdings B.V., Tranmet Holdings Limited, Verdant Environmental Technologies, Vilter Manufacturing LLC, Virgo Valves & Controls (ME) FZE, Virgo Valves and Controls Sdn Bhd, Von Arx AG, Vulsub 1 Limited, Vulsub Brasil Holding, Vulsub Brasil Ltda., Vulsub Chile SpA, Vulsub Gulf Holding Limited, Vulsub Holding III (Denmark) ApS, Vulsub Holding Ltd, Vulsub Holdings A LLC, Vulsub Holdings B LLC, Vulsub Holdings C LLC, Vulsub Holdings D LLC, Vulsub Italia S.r.l., Vulsub Middle East Holdings LLC, Vulsub Peru S.A.C., Vulsub Property Holding LLC, Vulsub Property Limited, Vulsub S.A., Vulsub South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Vulsub VZ C.A., Westinghouse Electric Pvt. Limited, Westlock Controls Limited, Westlock Equipamentos de Controle Ltda., Woodstock Land Company LLC, epro GmbH, iSolera Inc., iSolutions Private Limited, and intelliSAW. Read More Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 900 bank branches and 3,300 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries. Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet. The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range. The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines. The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers. Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles. Caleres, Inc. engages in the retail and wholesale of footwear in the United States, Canada, China, and Guam. It operates through Famous Footwear and Brand Portfolio segments. The company offers licensed, branded, and private-label athletic, casual, and dress footwear products to women, men, and children. Its retail shoe stores provide brand name athletic, casual, and dress shoes, including Nike, Skechers, adidas, Vans, Converse, Crocs, Puma, Birkenstock, New Balance, Asics, New Balance, Under Armour, Bearpaw, Timberland, Sperry, and Dr. Martens, as well as company-owned and licensed brands, such as Dr. Scholl's Shoes, Blowfish Malibu, LifeStride, Naturalizer, Zodiac, Circus by Sam Edelman, Franco Sarto, and Ryka. The company also operates naturalizer.com, naturalizer.ca, vionicshoes.com, samedelman.com, allenedmonds.com, drschollsshoes.com, lifestride.com, francosarto.com, ryka.com, bzees.com, and zodiacshoes.com, as well as Vince.com, blowfishshoes.com, and veronicabeard.com websites. In addition, it designs, sources, manufactures, and markets footwear to retail stores, such as national chains, online retailers, department stores, mass merchandisers, independent retailers, and catalogs. Further, the company wholesales men's apparel, leather goods, and accessories under the Allen Edmonds brand; footwear for women under LifeStride brand; Italian footwear Franco Sarto brand; athletic footwear for women under the Ryka brand; women's shoe collection under the Vince brand; and women's footwear under the Bzees brand; other footwear under Zodiac brand; and women's footwear collection under Veronica Beard brand, as well as Via Spiga brand. It operates approximately 980 retail stores. The company was formerly known as Brown Shoe Company, Inc. Caleres, Inc. was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. Read More Oxford Industries, Inc., an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as footwear and children's apparel and swimwear under the Lilly Pulitzer brand; and men's shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear, ties, swimwear, footwear, and accessories, as well as women and youth products under the Southern Tide brand. It also designs, sources, markets, and distributes premium childrenswear, including bonnets, hats, apparel, swimwear, and accessories through thebeaufortbonnetcompany.com and wholesale specialty retailers; men's apparel, which include pants, shorts, and tops through duckhead.com and wholesale specialty retailers. In addition, the company licenses Tommy Bahama brand for various products, such as indoor and outdoor furniture, beach chairs, bedding and bath linens, fabrics, leather goods and gifts, headwear, hosiery, sleepwear, shampoo, toiletries, fragrances, cigar accessories, distilled spirits, and other products; Lilly Pulitzer for stationery and gift products, home furnishing products, and eyewear; and Southern Tide trademark for bed and bath product. Oxford Industries, Inc. offers products through its retail stores, department stores, specialty stores, multi-branded e-commerce retailers, off-price retailers, and other retailers, as well as e-commerce sites. As of January 29, 2022, it operated 186 brand-specific full-price retail stores; 21 Tommy Bahama food and beverage locations; and 35 Tommy Bahama outlet stores. Oxford Industries, Inc. was founded in 1942 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. NextEra Energy, Inc. is the largest electric utility holding company in the US. It operates a network of power generation and distribution facilities that include fossil-fuel-generated and green energy. As of mid-2022, the company was capable of generating 58 GW of electricity with nearly 60% of the load produced by green sources including wind and solar. In their view, going green isnt an option, its the solution. NextEra Energy has been recognized multiple times as a leader in clean energy and ESG practices and was ranked the #1 electric and gas utility on the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies. The company is the result of several mergers that begin with FPL Group. FPL Group is now a subsidiary of NextEra Energy and the third-largest provider of electricity in the US servicing nearly half of Florida. FPL and its affiliates are the single largest provider of renewable energy generated from wind and sun. The group changed its name in 2010 following a decision to shift focus onto renewable energy sources. Today, NextEra Energy, Inc through its subsidiary FPL serves about 12 million people in eastern and southwestern Florida. The company employs nearly 14,900 people who service 5.8 million accounts. The company is in business to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to retail and wholesale clients. Electricity is generated through wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas, and coal-fired facilities. The company is also engaged in the construction and operation of new facilities, specifically renewable power generation, storage, and delivery facilities, and can offer custom solutions tailored to any need. Offerings include tailored services to assist businesses with their transition to clean energy. NextEra Energy also owns and operates 7 nuclear power stations in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin generating power for the wholesale market. Unlike other companies that are targeting net-zero emissions, NextEra Energy has a plan to reach real zero and is investing heavily to reach that goal by 2045. The company had invested nearly $50 billion in green energy infrastructure and initiatives by mid-2022. The plan is to first work on reducing its own emissions and then take its knowledge and expertise to the world. Detention Center The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Monday was 79, with 46 from Platte County and 33 from out of county. Police Nov. 26 8:21 a.m. Burglary at Genes Lawn & Tree Service, 1058 37th Ave., tools stolen, no loss amount. 9:05 a.m. Criminal mischief at West Tool House, 2904 10th St., under investigation. Nov. 27 9:02 a.m. Suspicious activity at 3208 15th St., vehicle damaged, $575 loss. 12:07 p.m. Theft at 3645 Brookfield Drive, family heirlooms stolen, $500 loss. Sheriff Nov. 26 12:55 a.m. Traffic violation at the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and Shell Creek, Robyn Determan of Columbus jailed for second-offense driving under the influence, possession of marijuana-one ounce or less, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on the shoulder. 11:14 p.m. Traffic violation at the intersection of 460th Street and 310th Avenue, Mark Ramaekers of Humphrey jailed for second-offense DUI and careless driving. Nov. 27 11:13 p.m. Traffic violation at mile marker 369 on U.S. Highway 30, Lakeshia Ellwanger of Hastings cited for speeding. Fire Nov. 25 9:55 a.m. In the 2100 block of 15th Street, medical. 12:12 p.m. In the 3000 block of 39th Avenue, medical. 6:33 p.m. In the 15000 block of 280th Street, medical. Nov. 26 3:58 a.m. In the 3000 block of 14th Street, medical. 5:06 a.m. In the 2800 block of 40th Avenue, medical. 10:03 a.m. In the 2100 block of 44th Avenue, medical. 5:28 p.m. In the 2100 block of Fourth Street, no patient transport. 6:19 p.m. In the 800 block of East 23rd Street, no patient transport. Nov. 27 1:08 a.m. In the 1000 block of 23rd Street, medical. 5:31 a.m. In the 3000 block of East 14th Avenue, no patient transport. 11:55 a.m. In the 2800 block of 33rd Street, medical. 1:23 p.m. In the 2400 block of 31st Street, medical. 8:41 p.m. In the 2200 block of 10th Avenue, medical. COLUMBUS Chase Paczosa knew he wanted to thank veterans through his Eagle Scout project. Their service and sacrifices are what allow him to participate in Boy Scouts, an organization he joined about seven years ago. I wanted to help the veterans, do something for the veterans, said Paczosa, a member of Troop 212 in Columbus. He just didnt know exactly what that gesture would be. Initially, the 14-year-old Columbus Middle School student had a plan to raise money for an all-terrain wheelchair that would be donated to a local veteran. The chairs, which have tracks instead of wheels, make it easier for those with physical disabilities to participate in outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. But he couldnt find a veteran in town who needed one of the specialized wheelchairs, and Eagle Scout projects must make an impact locally. Paczosa went to plan B. Chris Dixon, a local Boy Scouts volunteer and member of the group that established the Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial in Pawnee Park, had the perfect project. Mr. Dixon has been looking for someone to paint the tank for a while, explained Paczosa, whose parents are Todd Paczosa and Diane Paczosa. That tank a 1978 M60A3 combat tank formerly used by the U.S. Army is prominently displayed at American Legion Hartman Post 84 along U.S. Highway 30 in Columbus. The local Legion post received the tank from the federal government in October 1996 as that model was being phased out of service by the U.S. military. Its been repainted once since then, as part of an Army National Guard weekend project several years ago, but really needed a fresh coat to keep the tank looking sharp and fulfill a requirement from the federal government. It needed to be done, said Owen Lloyd, manager of the American Legion Club at 2263 Third Ave. Paczosa got the OK to take on the project, then recruited his father and other Troop 212 members to assist with the work. Sherwin-Williams donated some of the 7 1/2 gallons of paint needed to cover the 31-feet-long, 57-ton tank, and the Legion post provided the rest. The group led by Paczosa spent a combined 74 man hours on the job, which kept the tanks colors the same but made a slight change to the camouflage pattern. Weve had a lot of compliments, Lloyd said. He did a very nice job on it. Paczosa, whose father became an Eagle Scout at age 13, was happy to find a way to honor local veterans. Theyve gave their lives so we could be here, Paczosa said. Having a nicely painted tank is kind of a respect thing. RICHMOND In a break from its single-sex residential tradition, Mary Baldwin University will offer new coeducational, three-year degree programs beginning next fall at its campus in Staunton. Mary Baldwin announced Monday that a newly created coeducational unit called University College will offer residential programs that will be open to men and women after their junior or senior years in high school. Men are already admitted to Mary Baldwins graduate and adult-degree programs but not to the residential college. The Mary Baldwin College for Women will be retained within the coed university, said Crista Cabe, senior vice president for university relations. The university is committed to preserving the single-sex legacy through the College for Women, she said, but really, for quite some time we have been a coeducational university. Thats who we are. The new coed programs will offer fast-track bachelors degrees in health sciences, education, and Shakespeare and performing arts in living-learning communities for men and women ages 16 and older. A fourth new three-year business program for female entrepreneurs will be part of the College for Women. Mary Baldwin is one of three womens residential colleges in Virginia. Sweet Briar College and Hollins University also have coed graduate programs, but neither offers undergraduate degrees to men. Cabe said the new programs are part of our evolution in diversifying our programs, and that is what has sustained us and kept us financially viable since the 1970s. MBU also is home to the Virginia Womens Institute for Leadership, an all-female corps of cadets that was established by the state in 1995 as it unsuccessfully sought to keep Virginia Military Institute all-male. The school officially became a university at the start of this semester, coinciding with its 175th anniversary. At the same time, the board of trustees renamed the residential program the Mary Baldwin College for Women. Mondays announcement of the co-ed residential programs was accompanied by a statement from board chair Jane Harding Miller on the need to adapt to survive changes in the higher-education landscape. We have looked to our strong history of bold and innovative changes that have resulted in both financial sustainability for the institution and life-changing results for those enrolled, she said. Mary Baldwin plans to offer merit scholarships up to $22,000 annually, which would make the net cost comparable to that of a four-year public college. Total enrollment this year is about 1,750. About two-thirds of students are in the coed programs, Cabe said. Mary Baldwin has not yet determined where students in the three coed residential programs will be housed, but expects they will live in a single building with men and women on separate floors, she said. Wes Bellamy, the Charlottesville city councilor and vice mayor under fire for comments that have been deemed by some as racist and deplorable, has been placed on administrative leave from his teaching position at Albemarle High School. In addition to serving on the City Council, he is an appointed member of the Virginia Board of Education and a computer science teacher. On Tuesday, Kate Acuff, chairwoman of the Albemarle County School Board, announced that Bellamy, 30, had agreed to go on administrative leave pending an investigation by the school division into a variety of tweets from 2009 to 2014 that have called into question whether Bellamy is fit to teach children or serve in public office. We appreciate the concerns of those who have contacted our school division regarding social media postings that have been attributed to Mr. Wes Bellamy, a teacher at Albemarle High School, a statement from Acuff said. Many of these postings contain extremely vulgar and offensive language that directly contradicts the values of our school division. The School Board rejects these statements in their entirety. Bellamy apologized Sunday for the dozens of tweets that were uncovered and shared online widely last week by a local author and blogger, Jason Kessler. Despite the apology, Bellamy has been unable to escape the controversy as more racist, misogynistic and sexually predatory messages have been revealed by Kessler and The Cavalier Daily, a University of Virginia student publication. While the initial batch of tweets seemingly revealed a strain of anti-white sentiment, other tweets showed Bellamy responding to and confirming other tweets that included homophobic slurs and misogynistic rhetoric one message seemed to show Bellamy condoning sexual assault. After generating controversy earlier this year when he called for the city to remove its Confederate monuments, numerous people have cast Bellamy as racist for allegedly promoting a mostly race-focused political agenda that disparages white people. While those characterizing Bellamy as such have highlighted the tweets as evidence of an anti-white attitude, others are now saying those select tweets demonstrate an inability to be a public leader. Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said it is unbecoming of the Board of Education to have a member who has publicized such thoughts. Conservatives get accused every day of being racist and sexist and homophobic without any proof of that, Gilbert said.But heres a guy who regularly expressed all of those sentiments in his Twitter feed. And I just think that some better vetting could have revealed just what a vulgar individual this is. I think the governor could find somebody who has never expressed these views about violence and violating women, Gilbert said. Early Tuesday evening, Brian Coy, a spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe, said the governor is horrified by the reported tweets, adding that he has reached out to Bellamy. Coy said the governor was still waiting to hear back. Bellamy did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Bellamy, who McAuliffe appointed to the Board of Education last spring, could soon lose his position on the board if the General Assembly chooses to rescind the appointment. When the General Assembly reconvenes in January, state legislators will have an opportunity to consider all of the governors appointments from the prior year, Coy said. As for his seat on the Charlottesville City Council, there is a petition addressed to the City Council on StandUnited.org. As of Tuesday evening, it had more than 150 electronic signatures. We will not accept a racist who looks down on little white men, who agrees it aint rape if she moans [and] who hates blacks who talk white, a petition statement referencing some of Bellamys tweets says. He is an unfit representative for our city and the values we uphold. He must step down or be removed immediately. Unless a Charlottesville Circuit Court judge receives a petition signed exclusively by Charlottesville voters, however, Bellamys position on the City Council may remain intact. Mr. Bellamy was elected by the citizens of Charlottesville, and its the citizens who should weigh in now, Mayor Mike Signer said. In a text message, Signer said he was deeply troubled by the tweets. No matter when they were written, they are never okay, he said. "I can only say I will continue to work with all members of the council to bring tolerance and compassion to our community both inside and outside our chambers, Signer said. Providing their own statements, the other members of the council rallied around Bellamy and made clear their wishes to continue working with him. Those past tweets were troubling, but they do not match my experience of the man today, Councilor Kathy Galvin said. We respect each other and work hard for the good of the city. Thats what matters now. Those of us who have known Mr. Bellamy since he moved to Charlottesville have seen him grow up before our eyes to be a remarkable young man, Councilor Kristin Szakos said. Charlottesville is a city of second chances, and if anyone deserves one, it is Wes Bellamy. He does a lot of good for this community, and I support him wholeheartedly. Words dont bother me, said Councilor Bob Fenwick, adding that he thinks its a shame that people who seem to want to find fault with someone have to keep digging until they find something. I think thats an issue we have to deal with nationally, as well as locally. If for one minute I thought Wes was going to walk out the door, Id block it. Thats what I think of him, Fenwick said. Hes a smart, energetic young man, and Im glad Im working with him on the council. Christmas book sale at the Culpeper Library The Culpeper Library Book Store is currently hosting a holiday sale through Dec. 23 featuring many like new books, some with holiday themes and some that are classics. Both hard cover and soft cover books are for sale. Many are special books reserved throughout the year for this special sale. Put all your purchases in a canvas tote for $8 available at the book store, or buy a tote to give away for Christmas with your books. The library recommends coming early the best selections. The Book Store is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. New medical practice hosting ribbon cutting UVA Pediatrics Culpeper began seeing patients Nov. 21 at its newly constructed, larger practice off of U.S. 29 on Bennett Road in Culpeper, according to a news release. The practice will host a ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 with refreshments and tours of the new facility. Be a Santa program for local seniors Home Instead Senior Care of Culpeper is inviting the community to celebrate with local seniors who may be alone during the holiday season. The Be a Santa to a Senior program provides gifts and companionship to seniors to them with support from area businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community, according to a news release. The holidays can be a troubling time for seniors. They may feel the absence or the distance of loved ones, said Karl Karch, owner of the Culpeper Home Instead Senior Care office. He said the program provides a ray of hope for many seniors knowing that someone cares. To participate, pick a paper ornament from a holiday tree at the following locations: Country Shoppes of Culpeper, Culpeper County High School, IHOP in Culpeper, Powell Wellness Center or Orange County High School. Each ornament features the seniors first name and desired gift. Program supporters should buy the gift, wrap it and return it the tree location by Dec. 5. For more information about the program, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or call 540/825.7180. Chamber hosting annual legislative forum The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual legislative forum with state legislators from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 7 in the county administration building, 302 N. Main St. This meeting will allow representatives from chamber member organizations, agencies and businesses to attend and/or present positions to state legislators prior to the January 2017 legislative session. Culpepers elected officials will be on hand to address issues and concerns. Each organization will be asked to choose one representative to make a two to three minute presentation with an effort made to direct comments to issues appropriate for the General Assembly, according to a news release. For information, contact the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce at 540/825-8628 Volunteer center launches online volunteer site The PATH Volunteer Center in Warrenton is working to expand volunteerism for nonprofits serving Fauquier, Rappahannock and Culpeper counties, according to a news release. To that end, the center recently launched an online software platform matching volunteers with nonprofit needs at letsvolunteer.org. Lynn Lauritzen, manager of the PATH Volunteer Center, said the online service makes it easy for volunteers to find opportunities that match their interests and available time. The site can be used to find volunteer opportunities for students as well, she said. We currently have 30 nonprofits registered on the volunteer center platform with nearly 50 volunteer opportunities posted, and we are excited to grow that number. Opportunities currently listed online include Family Selection Committee Member with Habitat for Humanity, Homework Tutor for Boys and Girls Club of Fauquier, Digital Photo Archivist at Rapp at Home and Bookstore volunteer at Culpeper County Library just to name a few. Our board strongly believes in the importance of community involvement, said Christy Connolly, PATH Foundation President and CEO. Launching the PATH Volunteer Center is an important piece to strengthen our area nonprofits. Signing up is simple, and volunteering your time can make a difference in someones life. For information, call 540/680-4106. All-you-can-eat country breakfast in Jeffersonton The Jefferson Ruritan Club at the Jeffersonton Community Center will hold its monthly breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and every second Saturday of the month thereafter. Menu will include eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, fried apples, biscuits & gravy, pastries, orange juice & coffee. Cost is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 6-12 and younger than 6 is free. Carry-out will be available with all proceeds benefitting scholarships, local public service organizations and charities and maintaining the community center. All are welcome. For information, call 540/937-5119 or go to www.jeffersonvaruritanclub.org. Christmas Eve Service at Oakland Baptist Church Oakland Baptist Church in Richardsville will host a Christmas Eve Service at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 featuring the singing of age-old carols, listening to the Christmas story, special music and candle lighting. For information, call 540/399-1248. Country Christmas Gala at the Moose Lodge The Moose Lodge in Culpeper is hosting a Country Christmas Gala from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 10 featuring dinner, dancing, live auction, Christmas tree and ugly sweater contests and Secret Santa gift exchange. The public is welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $14 per person with proceeds to support the Moosehaven Centennial Project. Bring an unwrapped gift for a local child in need to get $3 discount on admission. For information, call 540/825-4570. Holiday luncheon of retired federal employees There will be an annual meeting and Holiday Luncheon of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) Chapter 1885, (serving surrounding areas of Culpeper, Madison and Orange Counties) on Wednesday, Dec. 14 beginning with a Social Hour at 11:30 a.m. and luncheon beginning at 12:30 p.m. The luncheon will take place at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, 205 Lake of the Woods Way in Locust Grove. For retired federal employees not residing at Lake of the Woods, the Chapter will provide your name to security so that you may attend the event, according to a news release. All meetings of the Chapter are open to Federal Employees (active or retired), their guests and potential members. Denim-n-Lace will provide music at the upcoming event and future officers will be sworn in by the Area Vice-President Maureen Nolet. Lunch is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Reserve a spot by Dec. 6 by sending a check made out to Lake of the Woods Chapter 1885 of the Ntl Active & Retired Fed Employees Assoc. and mail to NARFE Chapter 1885, PO Box 360, Locust Grove VA 22508. Please indicate the choice of entree for each person (Honey Bourbon Salmon or Herb Roasted Turkey with gravy). For information, contact Mary Kay Wilks at marywilks@comcast.net or 540/412-5764. Healing - Grief and the Holidays Hospice of the Piedmont will be providing a free workshop December 15 from 2:30 to 4:00pm at the Hospice of the Piedmont's Community Room in Culpeper. Hospice of the Piedmont is located at 1200 Sunset Lane, suite 2320 in Culpeper (behind Rite Aid and directly above Culpeper Family Practice). 'A Celebration of Carols' The Front Royal Oratorio Society announces its upcoming annual Christmas concert, continuing a 53-year tradition of bringing great choral music to the community. Join us for our free concert A Celebration of Carols with harp accompaniment. The group will perform Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols and many beloved Christmas carols and classics. The Winchester concert is part of WINC-FM's "Chain of Checks" and a portion of the freewill offering taken at the Dec. 10 Winchester concert will support area food banks helping families in our communities. Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., Braddock Street United Methodist Church, 115 Wolfe Street, Winchester Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., Front Royal Presbyterian Church, 115 Luray Avenue, Front Royal The concert is free, open to the public and lasts about 65 minutes. Families and all the kids are welcome. For information, call 540/635-4842 or visit www.fros.online. LuLaRoe Bazaar Linda's Loonies, a Culpeper Relay For Life team, will be hosting a multi-consultant LuLaRoe Bazaar at Yowell Elementary School (701 Yowell Drive, Culpeper) on Saturday, Dec. 3 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you haven't tried LuLaRoe clothing, this is an excellent opportunity to do so by shopping multiple consultants in one location. Proceeds from hosting the event will go to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Culpeper. Questions: relaycpep@gmail.com. Disability Services committee meeting The monthly meeting of the Culpeper County Disability Services Advisory Committee will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7 in the Board of Supervisors Room, 302 N. Main Street, Culpeper. The public is invited. For information, call 540/727-3456. Culpeper Community Christmas Basket The Culpeper Community Christmas Basket program is beginning its collection of canned food to fill Christmas food baskets for needy families in Culpeper. Please consider dropping canned food at the following locations: Battlefield Chevrolet, Battlefield Ford, Battlefield Toyota, Chrysler of Culpeper, Chamber of Commerce, Culpeper County Library, Culpeper County Sheriffs Office, Frost Cafe, Golds Gym, K&M Rentals, Koons Automotive, Martins, MedExpress, Mountain Run Bowling Center, Museum of Culpeper History, North Ridge Apartments leasing office, Rite Aid, Woodscape Apartments leasing office, Town of Culpeper Treasurers Office, Minuteman Mall, VA Department of Health, and Cubesmart storage. If you have a business that would like to collect canned food, please call Sue Jenkins at 540/825-7768. The program is also seeking businesses, churches and individuals to adopt a family this season. Please call 540/825-7768 to help. Monetary donations are also being accepted to purchase a turkey for each family. They can be sent to Culpeper Community Christmas Basket Program, P.O. Box 574, Culpeper, VA 22701. Lions Santa Breakfast benefits Manna Ministry Culpeper 92 Lions Club, assisted by the Leos of Culpeper County High School and Eastern View High School, will host its 11th annual Santa Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 in the Culpeper Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a $4 breakfast, $1 to $5 Santa Shop, face painting, music by Harpine Studio students, vision screenings and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Proceeds will go to Manna Ministry. Ugly Christmas sweater contest What could be better than an ugly Christmas sweater? Piedmont Steakhouse is hosting its first ugly Christmas sweater contest to benefit the Culpeper Toy Chest. Bring a new toy for your contest entry, put on your ugliest Christmas sweater and join us Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 for the contest. All contestants will receive a hot spiked apple cider on Steve Miller! Winners will receive a gift card to Piedmont Steakhouse! 1st place$100, 2nd place$50, and 3rd place$25. Make your reservation today. 540/825-4444. Lights of Love The Culpeper Hospital Auxiliary will host Lights of Love, a fundraiser event dedicated to sell lights and celebrate the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony. Community members have an opportunity to purchase a light on the tree for $10 or a light in the star for $50. Donors can give their money in honor or in remembrance of a loved one. Forms may be obtained from the first floor reception desk at the main entrance of Novant Health UVA Health System Culpeper Medical Center. Money from previous years Lights of Love fundraisers has gone to the purchase of a portable telemetry monitor, portable defibrillators, heart monitors and other medical equipment for several departments throughout the hospital. Last year, the Auxiliary raised $6,500 to buy new guest chairs for the infusion area at Culpeper Medical Center. Holiday tunes, a local choir, hot chocolate and cookies will be available for guests to enjoy. When: Dec. 6 at 6:45 p.m. Where: Next to the Culpeper Medical Center emergency department entrance at 501 Sunset Lane. A declining unemployment rate has created new staffing challenges for new and expanding businesses in Orange County. Its a tough labor market to find qualified personnel when youre around 4 percent (locally) unemployment, Orange County Economic Development Director Tommy Miller said. In the past two years more than $1 million in state incentives and $700,000 in local incentives have been distributed to five Orange companies: Lohmann Specialty Coatings LLC, Green Applications, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Homestead Building Solutions and KNO Corrosion. In return, these five businesses have created nearly 300 jobs with an average salary of $50,000. During a joint meeting between the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority (EDA), Miller provided an update on the five performance agreements the county has with those companies. According to the project summaries, more than 530 total jobs are expected to be created by these businesses over the next four years, with more than $15 million in personal property tax investment and $14 million in real estate investment expected. Every one of our projects that are hiring, and even our small existing businesses that are hiring, are witnessing a tight labor market, Miller added. The countys economic department has been working closely with Rappahannock Goodwill Industries Orange Workforce Center to meet local job demands. Weve certainly seen a change in the supply and demand, said Workforce Center Manager Marty Baldwin. Weve seen more interest from businesses reaching out to us that are looking for workers and having a hard time finding workers. Whereas, several years ago there were a whole lot more job-seekers out there looking for those openings. Job-seekers are receiving more opportunities at businesses that are willing to train people without experience in a particular field, Baldwin explained. The workforce center helps hiring businesses by advertising their job opportunities, creating a resume pipeline to help prescreen applicants and by offering numerous job fairs. There has been a waitlist for businesses wanting to participate in local job fairs recently, Baldwin said. Participating local businesses at the job fairs have included Green Applications, Lohmann Specialty and Aerojet Rocketdyne. Green Applications was founded in 2009, and opened its Gordonsville plant at the former American Press building in 2014. Gov. Terry McAuliffe joined local government officials to welcome the company to the county. Green Applications, a New Jersey based company, is one of the largest printers and distributors of textile merchandise and heat-applied graphics on the east coast and said it would invest $9.75 million into the project and bring 300 jobs to Orange County. McAuliffe presented the county with a $540,000 check from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund, which is a discretionary incentive available to the governor to secure a business location or expansion project. The county also offered the company $350,000 in tax grants. According to the countys performance agreement with the business, approximately $9.75 million in capital improvements, including $8.5 million investments in machinery and tools, $1.25 million in building improvements and 323 new jobs should be made by the company over a three year period. Greens Human Resource Manager Jeff Earnie said things are going very well for the company, which currently employs 208 people. The countys economic development department, as well as the workforce center, have been crucial resources in helping recruit potential employees, Earnie said. Last summer, Aerojet Rocketdyne announced it would invest $11 million to expand its manufacturing operation at its Orange County facility. Aerojet produces propulsion systems and operates a technology development center and laboratories for solid propulsion, and test facilities for rocket motors and air-breathing propulsion systems. Governor McAuliffe approved a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to assist Orange County, which also added $300,000 in local incentives. Over a three-year period, Aeroject is expected to create 100 new jobs with an average wage of $70,000. The company currently has 52 new employees. Lohmann Specialty Coatings LLC announced earlier this year that it would invest $6.7 million to expand its manufacturing operation at Orange Countys Thomas E. Lee Industrial Park. The company, which manufactures adhesive bonding materials for custom coating of adhesives, slit rolls, double-sided tapes and precision die-cutting, will increase capacity to include fabricating and specialty converting, creating 56 new jobs Governor McAuliffe approved an $85,000 grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund to assist the county with plants roughly 25,000-square-foot expansion. Miller said the grant will go toward many of the initial construction costs, such as any new utility connections needed, onsite improvements and the permit process. The county will provide $85,000 worth of local incentives. The expansion currently is under construction. While Orange County offers scenic views and other advantages, there isnt a large pool of qualified employees in the area for the high-paying, technical jobs Lohmann plans to create, Steven J. De Jong, president of Lohmann Corporation and Subsidiaries, said during the announcement in May. Miller said upon hearing De Jongs concerns about the labor force, he began to make introductions between Lohmann management and the local school system and community colleges. When the full build-out nears, Miller said his office will continue to help Lohmann recruit employees through local job fairs and workforce resources. Lohmann hopes to have the expansion complete by March 2017, Miller explained, saying the entire expansion process is expected to take about five years. The first year is expected to be mostly construction and once equipment is delivered, employment will increase, he added. Homestead Building Systems, Inc. (HBS) began operations near the Orange County Airport in 2014, creating 50 jobs. HBS specializes in engineering, manufacturing and delivering of engineered wood products for the residential and commercial building industry. Last year, the EDA facilitated the extension of a fiber optic line to their facility in order to enhance the logistics of their operation. In a letter to HBS dated Oct. 2015, the EDA explains that if within a year the business increased jobs by 25 employees, it would provide HBS with a machine and tool tax grant of $200 per new employee at a maximum of $5,000. Since then, HBS has created 30 new jobs. The most recent announcement came in when the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a performance agreement with KNO Corrosion outlining the companys intent to invest $2.2 million in the facility and create 30 jobs over the next three years. KNO Corrosion Technologies, LLC is a newly established company exploring a solution to eliminate corrosion on industrial piping. The research and development project will receive a $30,000 machinery and tools tax grant from the county over the next three years as it looks to establish itself in the former Liberty Fabrics plant in Gordonsville. The machinery and tools tax grant is one of 11 recently adopted incentives from the county to induce companies to do business in the county. The research and development start-up currently employs four people. So far everyone is on track, Miller said, But its still early. Miller said he wants to continue to work with these businesses and others in the county, offering them the resources they need to make their companies successful. I think we have a really good groundwork in Orange of communication between the different entities involvedlocal governmentlike the economic development officebusinesses, educational institutions and community colleges in the county and support agencies like ourselves, Baldwin said. I think moving forward to be responsive to business needs, that communication and working together as one team is going to be crucial. I think Orange has got a fantastic foundation for that to happen. The Orange Workforce Center will be taking a break from job fairs for the holiday season, but is partnering with the Charlottesville Workforce Center to host a Post-Holiday job fair hoping to provide job connections for a number of seasonal workers. A date and location has not been finalized. For more information or job-seeker resources, visit http://www.goodwillvalleys.com/. If youre an illegal alien in Prince William County, Id get out, Corey Stewart, the top local official there, recommended after the victory of Donald Trump. Once Trump takes office, added Stewart, who was Trumps campaign chairman in Virginia until shortly before the election, were going to find out where each and every one of these guys is, and were going to hunt them down and were going to deport them. Notwithstanding Stewarts unbridled enthusiasm for transforming Prince William, a suburban jurisdiction of nearly 450,000, into a game reserve whose quarry is undocumented immigrants, his incendiary rhetoric is unlikely to curry much favor with voters around the state. That may matter to him, since he is in active pursuit of Virginias Republican gubernatorial nomination ahead of next years elections. Stewart, a xenophobe with a disdain for facts, was chosen as Trumps state chairman late last year, but proved too radioactive even for the campaign, which dumped him a few weeks before the election. In the end, Virginia was one of the few states where Trump fared worse than Mitt Romney in 2012. Having proven itself inhospitable ground for Trumps nativist campaign rhetoric, Virginia may take no more kindly to Stewarts. Throughout his political career in Prince William, he has evinced a fondness for pressing bombast, often on the theme of illegal immigrants, into the service of headline-hunting. Soon after he was elected in Prince William a decade ago, he incited a racially charged tempest by pushing legislation to allow the police to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they stopped, for any reasoncarte blanche for racial profiling. The police didnt care for the policy, which alienated Hispanics, and neither did much of the community. Eventually it was relaxed to apply only once an arrest was made, but not before Stewart had dragged the county through a poisonous culture war. He later credited the policy for driving down crime in Prince William; in fact, the dropoff in the county mirrored a national decline. Some believed Stewart was chastened. To the contrary: In his role with the Trump campaign, he delighted in going the candidate himself a toxic step better, often employing a grade-schoolers political lexicon. He dismissed Trumps GOP critics as establishment pukes, informed illegal immigrants that Trump would kick their asses out of the country and suggested that his own critics piss off. To that elevated political diction, Stewart added a dash of venomous recriminationassigning blame for the shootings of Dallas police officers to Hillary Clinton and Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, the front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nominationthat was too much even for the Trump campaign. This guy was a cancer to the organization in Virginia, said Mike Rubino, Trumps top political operative in the state. He added that Stewart should expect no backing from the president-elect. If that is the case, Trump would be rendering the commonwealth a service. Many Linux fans greeted the news that Microsoft is joining the Linux Foundation with anxiety-fueled anger. For example, spooling through Reddit and my Google+ comment feed, I found these sorts of reactions: This will destroy Linux. Trump is elected president and now this Do people not realize that Microsoft has a strong economic incentive to see Linux fail? That blows my f***ing mind that anything good can ever come out of this. Thats the, embrace part. Next is, extend. [And, then extinguish] I asked Roy Schestowitz, editor of TechRights, what he thought about the deal. He told me: I have covered Microsofts interference with FOSS [free and open-source software] for over a decade and carefully studied even pertinent antitrust documents. I know the companys way of thinking when it comes to undermining their competition The pattern of embrace and extend (to extinguish) all this while leveraging software patents to make Linux a Microsoft cash cow or compel OEMs to preinstall privacy-hostile Microsoft software/apps with proprietary formats (lockin) never ended. What I see in the Linux Foundation right now is what I saw in Nokia 5 years ago and in Novell 10 years ago the very thing that motivated me to start BoycottNovell, a site that has just turned 10 with nearly 22,000 blog posts. It is a saddening day because its a culmination, after years of Microsoft micro payments to the Linux Foundation (e.g. event sponsorship in exchange for keynote positions), which will have Microsoft shoved down the throats of GNU/Linux proponents and give an illusion of peace when there is none, not just on the patent front but also other fronts (see what Microsofts partner Accenture is doing in Munich right now). He does an excellent job of summing up why many Linux people are having fits about Microsoft joining the Linux Foundation. Ive been covering Linux since the beginning, 25 years ago, and I can add to his list Microsofts sponsoring SCOs Linux attacks. Lets face it: Microsoft didnt earn its nickname, The Evil Empire for nothing. Microsoft was scared of Linux for years. And it did what any frightened animal does: It attacked and attacked and attacked. But that was then. This is now. Where I disagree with Schestowitz and company is I believe Microsoft has fundamentally changed. Sure, Microsoft is still collecting money for its bogus Android/Linux patents. That wont stop. Microsoft is a public company, and it makes more money from Android than it ever did from its own Microsoft mobile operating systems. And, yes, Microsoft still wants you to buy Windows for your desktop. But and this is a big one neither of those are going to grow revenue. Microsofts future is in servers, services and the cloud. And what do all those run on? Ding! Ding! Ding! Open source and Linux. Take a good hard look at Microsofts last quarter. Azures revenue grew by 116% year over year. Microsofts profit margin from its cloud platform? A whopping 49%. Guess what. Four out of 10 server instances running on Azure are Linux. Their numbers are increasing by leaps and bounds. The foundation may be Windows Server, but the building is Linux. Wim Coekaerts, until recently corporate vice president of Microsoft Enterprise Open Source Group, recently told me, Satya [Nadella, Microsofts CEO] is very customer-centric. If [our customers] run Linux, and they often do, we want to make them happy. We have to play in an open, heterogeneous world. He added, Microsoft actually uses a lot of Linux in-house. Its no longer everything has to be run on Windows internally. Microsoft is doing this, he said, because were solving business problems and were very pragmatic. There you have the keys to why its different this time. I can cite dozens of examples of how Microsoft is supporting one open-source project or another. Thats the specific of the real Microsoft change. Microsoft realizes that Linux and open-source software have won. It knows that its customers want it, and it wants to make them happy. Its really that simple. Embrace, extend and extinguish worked for Microsoft when it took over the Internet browser market. But the Web was just coming together and there were no standards. Linux, on the other hand, is long established. Open source, by its very nature, makes it easy to extend software but nigh on impossible to extinguish it. No, Microsoft had two choices. It could try things the same old way the way that many Linux fans are sure its still doing. Or it could change its ways and work with Linux and open-source software. This isnt Bill Gates or Steve Ballmers Microsoft. They were all about total market domination. This is Nadellas Microsoft, and he wants to work with others. As Jim Zemlin, the Linux Foundations executive director, told me, Microsoft has grown and matured in its use of and contributions to open-source technology. The company has become an enthusiastic supporter of Linux and of open source and a very active member of many important projects. Today, believe it or not, were no longer caught in a war between proprietary and open-source software. Open source has won, and Microsoft wants to be on the winning side. JavaScript is disabled on your browser. CORDIS website requires JavaScript enabled in order to work properly. Please enable JavaScript. Senior Spotlight on Claire Koile of Elkhorn brought to you by United Republic Bank Free Access To read the Senior Spotlight Claire Koile of Elkhorn brought to you by United Republic Bank click the PDF link below. dc_split_014.pdf Antlers rally past Wolves 10-9 ELKHORN The seventh-ranked Elkhorn Antler softball team capped its regular season with a heart-stopping 10-9 home win over Elkhorn North on Sept. 29. The two teams combined for 19... Antlers use big plays to pull away from Wolves ELKHORN The fourth-ranked Elkhorn Antlers were able to outlast rival Elkhorn North in a wild shootout held at Elkhorn High School on Friday night. The two teams combined for... Top-ranked Badgers roll to a 45-7 victory BLAIR The top-ranked Bennington football team stretched its win streak to 19-straight games with a dominating 45-7 road win on Friday night over conference foe Blair. Junior punt returner... South duo hand Wolves first loss ELKHORN The Elkhorn South tennis team was defeated by the top-ranked team in Class B, the Elkhorn North Wolves on a breezy and mild Friday afternoon. The highlight of... Mechanically, the Honda City will remain unaltered and will be powered by the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel. Honda's most selling car in India, the fourth-generation City was launched in 2014 and is now due for a mid-life update. Sources confirm that the sedan is likely to be updated in mid-January 2017 and the unofficial pre-bookings will start soon. The current generation City has widened the appeal of the nameplate, as it offered a diesel option for the first time in the products 14 years history. Soon after its launch, the City took the throne from the Hyundai Verna and became the bestselling vehicle in its segment once again. Of late, it has been facing heat from the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, largely because it is priced lower thanks to the tax benefits of the mild-hybrid system. That said Honda is all set to introduce the updated version of the sedan, which will take on the new 2017 Hyundai Verna (launch mid-2017) along with the Ciaz and the rest of the mid-size sedan segment, including the recently launched 2017 Rapid. Heres what we expect out of the 2017 Honda City We expect Honda will subtly redesign the front and rear profile of the sedan and, perhaps, it will get projector headlamps and LED tail lamps as well (a lot of competitors offer them). It might also get new set of alloy wheels. The 2017 version is likely to get Hondas latest infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. It is possible that it will be the unit seen on Hondas global models and made its Indian debut on the recently relaunched Accord. It will be a capacitive touch-based unit, as opposed to the resistive one found in the outgoing model. It would be wise to offer this as the upcoming Verna will come with Hyundais latest seven-inch infotainment system, which will support both Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. Mechanically, the Honda City will remain unaltered and will be powered by the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel. That said, the petrol will be coupled to the six-speed manual that debuted on the BR-V while the automatic option will continue to be the existing CVT transmission. The diesel will continue to be offered with the six-speed manual. Features available on the current model such as the sunroof, leather upholstery, optional all-black cabin are likely to be carried forward in the upcoming model With all the expected additions prices of the updated Honda City are expected to go up marginally. Source: CarDekho.com The lawsuit is one of many over the years accusing US banks of favouring male bankers, traders and financial advisers over their female counterparts, and permitting improper conduct. New York: A former Citigroup Inc financial adviser on Monday filed a lawsuit accusing the bank of running a "boys' club" that favoured men over women, treating her as a "glorified secretary," and firing her in retaliation for whistleblowing activity. Erin Daly is seeking double back pay, unpaid bonuses and punitive damages over the bank's alleged harassment, hostile work environment and unlawful retaliation, according to her lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court. The resident of Manhattan's Upper West side said Citigroup let her go less than two weeks after she complained that her manager demanded inside information from her work on restricted stock offerings, so that he could pass it to favoured clients. Daly said she also filed a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and plans to add federal discrimination claims against the fourth-largest US bank. "We believe the claims alleged are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them," Citigroup spokeswoman Danielle Romero-Apsilos said. The lawsuit is one of many over the years accusing US banks of favouring male bankers, traders and financial advisers over their female counterparts, and permitting improper conduct. Bank of America Corp in September settled one such case, in which former co-head of global structured products Megan Messina accused it of running a "bro's club." Daly said she graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2005, and according to brokerage industry records worked for Citigroup from 2007 to 2014. She claimed that even though she performed well, Citigroup took away many of her responsibilities, and even once forced her to apologise in writing for requesting equal treatment. Daly also said Citigroup sometimes routed stock allocations from "hot deals," such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's $25 billion initial public offering in 2014, to a male colleague, advancing his career at her expense. "Citi's 'boys' club' policies and practices" reflect a "culture of gender discrimination," the complaint said. "The boys were in charge. The men were doing business. Erin was just a glorified secretary." A lawyer for Daly declined additional comment. Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Monday while sentencing six persons, including Sudhir Mehta, brother of late Harshad Mehta the alleged brain behind the 1992 multi-crore securities scam rejected their plea for leniency, saying that none of them (except Ravikumar) spent even a day in jail in this case. The court held that the case is grave in nature and it had serious repercussions on the economy of the country and despite the convicts having suffered for the past few years due to the pending trial, the court needed to strike a balance while awarding the sentence. The division bench of Justice Dr Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi in her judgment convicted three bank officials Coodli Ravikumar; S.S. Babu; R. Sitaraman along with accused Atul Parekh, Sudhir Mehta and Deepak Mehta. Mumbai: Rising for the third straight session, benchmark Sensex gained about 44 points to close at over two-week high of 26,394.01 on gains in select bluechips. Sentiment remained upbeat for the better part of the day after the government yesterday provided yet another opportunity to black money holders to legalise their wealth, brokers said. The 30-share Sensex rose 43.84 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 26,394.01, its highest closing since November 11, when it had closed at 26,818.82. Intra-day, it shuttled between 26,587.07 and 26,354.66. The gauge had gained 490 points in the previous two sessions. The NSE Nifty, after touching a high of 8,197.35, slipped to 8,128.70 before closing 15.25 points, or 0.19 per cent, higher at 8,142.15. The government has proposed to tax at 50 per cent the unaccounted demonetised cash that is disclosed voluntarily till December 30, after which a steep up to 85 per cent tax and penalty will be levied on undisclosed wealth that is discovered by authorities. Mumbai: Though not much has been revealed about Aditya Chopras upcoming film Befikre, the film still succeeded in grabbing everyones attention, thanks to Ranveer and Vaanis carefree attitude. So far the trailer and every song from 'Befikre', has been an absolute delight for the fans and now, the makers are letting people in on film's details. in the film, Vaani Kapoor plays the role of a professional tour guide. In the Shyra from Paris series released by YRF, Vaani shows us how to be a perfect Parisian. In the first video, Vaani teaches us how to master the language by teaching us common words such as 'Hello', 'Please', 'Thank you' and etc. In the next video, Vaani gives us some interesting fashion tips by flaunting some cool outfits. In the third video, the quirky actress takes a cute dig at Indians visiting Paris and how typically they behave. In the recent video, Vaani dances through famous locations of Paris and it'll be the most adorable thing you'll see today. Directed by Aditya Chopra, the film is all set to hit the theatres on December 9, 2016. The actor is currently trying to figure his look out for the upcoming 'Thugs of Hindostan,' co-starring Amitabh Bachchan. (Photo: Viral Bhayani) Mumbai: Aamir Khan might have puled the unthinkable, by going from 32% body fat to 9.6% in five months to play distinctive physicalities of the same character in his upcoming film, 'Dangal,' skeptics are of the opinion that the 51-year old might have grievously harmed his health. When quizzed on the same at a recent press interaction, the actor candidly admitted, "Kiran was concerned and so was my mother. I was actually more concerned about my film, performance and character. I wasnt concerned about my health, hence. However the people close to me were. Aamir plays former wrestler Mahavir Phogat, who trained his daughters Geeta Phobat and Babita Kumari, who'd go on to win Gold and Silver in wrestling, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. When asked if he'd be willing to do the drastic transformation again in the future, Aamir revealed, It depends on the role. If the role requires me to do it, then I will. He isn't called Mr. Perfectionist for nothing! Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao during their trip to Arunachal Pradesh recently. (Twitter) Mumbai: A relative of superstar Aamir Khans wife Kiran Rao complained to the Khar police station after jewellery worth Rs. 80 lakh was stolen from Raos house. An expensive ring and a diamond necklace was found missing from the bedroom, following which the complaint was filed. The police registered an FIR under section 453 of the Indian Penal Code, reported Mid-Day. The police are currently investigating the case, with the domestic helps suspected to have committed the crime. The police have been grilling the helps over the past five days at the Khar police station. They have also made rounds of their residences to see if the jewellery was kept there. Kiran has directed the film Dhobi Ghat starring Aamir a few years back. Mumbai: Katrina Kaif sure knows how to raise the temperature with her hotness. Recently, the actress has been setting the Internet on fire with her bikini pictures from Maldives. The 'Bang Bang' star is currently in Maldives where she is shooting for a magazine. The actress, who is currently doing a photoshoot in Maldives for a magazine, has been giving us some major vacation goals with her pictures and videos. Recently, Katrina shared few fresh pictures from Maldives and she looks stunningly gorgeous! Before that, the actress went live on her official Facebook account and showed the beautiful place around to her fans. Apart from the shoot, Katrina is also having a gala time with fashion designer Manish Malhotra. The team also celebrated his birthday in Maldives. Katrina Kaif with Manish Malhotra On work front, we'll soon see Katrina Kaif sharing the screen space with her ex beau Ranbir Kapoor in their upcoming film 'Jagga Jasoos'. Anaswara Kumar, made her entry in the Tamil industry with Ego, and shot to fame with her role in Deekays Yaamirukka Bayamey. Post 2014, she went into hibernation for almost two years and is now making a comeback of sorts in Kollywood with a thriller film titled Pattinapakkam, directed by Jayadev. Speaking about her role, Anaswara says, I play the role of Mithra, a college student who hails from a middle-class background. She is loving, caring and is extremely protective of Vetri (played by Kalaiyarasan). She drives Vetri to be more responsible in life. Right from the character sketch to the costumes, the entire team of Pattinapakkam have worked hard to make it seem realistic and natural. Jayadevs vision was to make the scenes authentic and natural. My costumes were also picked in a way that it suits the area where the film was shot, she quips. When asked why she hadnt signed any movies after 2014, the Vallinam actress asserts, I was choosing scripts carefully. I believe in giving out quality films. Even though I received several projects from big banners, I refrained from signing any movie as I didnt like the stories. Fortunately, those films didnt do well! In todays scenario, the story is important so I tend to choose them carefully. Parvathy Omanakuttan, former Miss India and a well-known face in the fashion world, entered the film industry in 2011 with the Hindi film, United Six. She then made her Kollywood debut with Billa II, featuring Ajith. Even though her performance as Jasmine in the film was widely appreciated, she remained very choosy with her projects. With just five films under her wing, Parvathy has carved a special place for herself in the industry. The actress next flick, Dobaara, by Bejoy Nambiar has now been selected for screening at the South Asian International Film Festival at New York on December 4. Ahead of the international premiere, Parvathy talks to DC about the film and her role. Dobaara is a riveting tale that chronicles the journey of a woman in her married life. Bejoy saw my Hindi film Pizza, and offered me a role in one of his ventures. But, that project didnt materialise. He again called me for an audition for Dobaara. I was asked to play a married woman and was a little hesitant. After much thought, I decided to take it on as a challenge and now the film is gaining popularity, she starts off her conversation. Parvathy is all praise for the technical team of the film Even though the film runs for one hour, we shot it for a couple of months. I got to work with the best of technicians and it was a learning experience. I play the wife of a famous artist played by Manav Kaul. The majority of the portions were shot in Mumbai, and a few in Kerala. Since my hometown is Kerala, I was reliving my childhood during the shoot! The svelte actress is extremely delighted about the international screening at New York. I am very glad that Dobaara was shortlisted for the fest. I have put in my heart and soul into the flick and it is overwhelming to see the reception already. I think this film would establish me as a solid actress and not just a model with a pretty face. Often, models are bashed saying that they cant act, but I want to break away from that image, she asserts. When asked why there was a huge gap in her film career, she quips, I am very picky about the projects I am part of. I never stopped auditioning and I got the chance to be part of Ritesh Deshmukhs Marathi film Lai Bhaari. But, I couldnt be part of the film for various reasons. I am open to working in films from all languages. Also, I am close to signing a Malayalam film, which will be announced in the coming days. No one can forget the face that mesmerised the audience in the role of Sonaiya in Maheshinte Prathikaram. Actress Lijomol Jose, the daughter of artist Baby is now back in action with yet another memorable role in Nadhir Shah-directed Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan. Lijo got the call for this project in July. At first, our production controller Roshan Chittor called and informed about this project. I was in Chennai and came down to Kerala to listen to the screenplay from its writers Vishnu Unnikrishnan and Bibin George. I really liked the script as well as the character, she says. As in her debut film, Lijo acts as an Idukki native in this movie too. My characters name is Kani who is the daughter of Salim ettans Naxalite Chandran. Though Soniya and Kani are Idukki natives, it is the only common factor between them. Their characterisation is completely different. While Soniya is a bit modern and courageous, Kani is not like that. Her family is her world. Her whole thought process is that way, says the actress who is also from Idukki district. Lijo, was pursuing her post-graduation from Pondicherry University at the time she entered filmdom through an audition. I had no experience in acting when I came to films. In fact my first attempt was during the audition of Maheshinte Prathikaram, she says. So did she get many offers after that? Yes, but there were very few interesting projects. In the meantime, I got call for a Tamil film. I liked that subject and agreed to act in it. While I was working on that yet-to-be-titled film, I got the call for Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan. Next, she has committed to her third film in Malayalam. This time, I am not acting as Idukki native; Im from Kochi. As of now, I am not permitted to reveal the details of that film, she concludes. After three back-to-back hits, Tamannaah is on a roll she has about six to seven projects at several stages of discussion, and is awaiting the release of Kaththi Sandai and Baahubali: The Conclusion. The svelte actress now has yet another reason to rejoice as she has been roped in to reprise Kangana Ranauts role in the Tamil remake of the Hindi blockbuster film, Queen. This untitled remake will be helmed by actress Revathy and will have dialogues penned by Suhasini Maniratnam. Suhasini Maniratnam Confirming the news, Tamannaah says, Ive signed the film, but we are still to lock in the dates. As far as I know, this project will start rolling in 2017. Personally, Queen is one of my favourite films and right from the day I saw it, I wanted to be part of the remake. I am excited as I am acting in a film that is extremely close to my heart. However, the character I will play will definitely be my version of Queen. When asked if she will also be starring in the Telugu remake, Tamannaah explains, It is not finalised yet. As of now, I can only talk about the Tamil version that I am part of. On her part, Suhasini quips, Ive finished writing the dialogues for the remake three months back. Now, its for Revathy to take it forward. She further added that she wont be acting in the remake. Revathy When we contacted, Revathy remained tight-lipped about her directorial project. A lot of decisions have to be taken regarding the film, so I wont be able to reveal anything right now. There have been women in every era who have broken the glass ceiling and shattered societal norms associated with gender, hence driving the movement for more rights and freedom for women which has now come a long way. Louisa May Alcott was one such woman, as she emerged as a prominent feminist in 19th century America and fought against slavery, but is most well known for her childrens book Little Women, which Google decided to commemorate with a doodle on the authors birthday. The doodle features characters from the book which was partially based on Alcotts own life. It covered the life of four young women who dealt with adult life as they grew up and found themselves in different situations. The classic written in the 1860s, when women were still not allowed to vote in the US, made a strong case for individual identities of women and went on to inspire millions, as it still continues to do so through different generations. The doodle features caricatures of the books characters with one named Jo, based on Louisa May Alcott herself, running across the room with papers. The doodle features characters from 'Little Women' Growing up in Boston, Louisa started working at a young age due to financial difficulties and later volunteered as a nurse in the American civil war. She also wrote several books and papers against slavery. Alcott never married saying she never fell in love with any man, and died at the age of 55 from a heart stroke in 1888. London: According to a recent poll, patients are at risk because general practitioners are struggling to provide a safe service. The poll of 5,025 British Medical Association members found that 84 percent believe their workload is affecting care quality. Only one in ten think they can offer a safe service, reports Daily Mail. Doctors claim they are not being given enough funding to meet the needs of the rising and ageing population. Surgeries are also facing a recruitment crisis, with up to a third of GPs planning to retire or quit in the next five years. One in eight posts is now empty with many doctors heading abroad and too few being trained. Waiting times for appointments are at their worst on record and patients are routinely told there are no slots for the next three to four weeks. The 111 helpline was supposed to reduce the burden but that partially backfired when undertrained call handlers sent too many people to A&E instead. Chaand Nagpaul, the chairman of the BMA GPs committee, said: "We cannot continue to have a service that cannot deliver a safe and effective level of care to the public. This major survey of more than 5,000 GPs in England demonstrates that GP practices across the country are struggling to provide safe, high-quality patient care because of unmanageable workload." Adding, "Many practices are being overwhelmed by rising patient demand, contracting budgets and staff shortages which has left them unable to deliver enough appointments and the specialist care many patients need. Addressing the crisis in general practice requires a clear strategy that tackles the numerous problems undermining GP services." "We need an urgent expansion of the workforce in both practices and community-based teams, with GPs calling for an increased number of nurses to look after housebound patients and mental health workers to cope with growing demand in this area," he said. "Better information for patients about how to safely self-care and wider funding increases for general practice are also needed," he concluded. London: Women and men look at faces and absorb visual information in different ways, according to a new study which suggests that there is a gender difference in understanding visual cues. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in the UK used an eye tracking device on almost 500 participants over a five-week period to monitor and judge how much eye contact they felt comfortable with while looking at a face on a computer screen. They found that women looked more at the left-hand side of faces and had a strong left eye bias, but that they also explored the face much more than men. They observed that it was possible to tell the gender of the participant based on the scanning pattern of how they looked at the face with nearly 80 per cent accuracy. Given the very large sample size the researchers suggest this is not due to chance. "This study is the first demonstration of a clear gender difference in how men and women look at faces," said lead author Antoine Coutrot from QMUL. We are able to establish the gender of the participant based on how they scan the actor's face, and can eliminate that it is not based on the culture of the participant as nearly 60 nationalities have been tested," said Coutrot. "We can also eliminate any other observable characteristics like perceived attractiveness or trustworthiness," Coutrot added. The participants were asked to judge how comfortable the amount of eye contact they made was with the actor in a Skype-like scenario. Each participant saw the same actor (there were eight in total) during the testing period, which was around 15 minutes. At the end of the session the researchers collected personality information about the participants through questionnaires. "There are numerous claims in popular culture that women and men look at things differently - this is the first demonstration, using eye tracking, to support this claim that they take in visual information in different ways," said Isabelle Mareschal from QMUL. Researchers also suggest that the gender difference in scanning visual information might impact many research fields, such as autism diagnosis or even everyday behaviours like watching a movie or looking at the road while driving. The study appears in the Journal of Vision. Dortmund, Germany: Horst Wenzel, dubbed Germany's "Mr. Flirt," has been volunteering his services to teach young Muslim men who grew up in vastly different cultures how to approach women in Germany. Normally, Wenzel's students are wealthy but shy German men, but after the arrival of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in Germany - most of them young single men - he decided to offer his advice to migrants as well. Here's some of his advice: -THE APPROACH: If you see a woman you like, don't ask her if you can talk to her; just do it. -FOCUS YOUR QUESTIONS: If you fire non-stop questions at her, she'll run away. Come up with something that makes her talk about herself. -TAKE THE INITIATIVE: Even Germany's emancipated women often like the man to take the initiative. Surprise her with unique pick-up lines; suggest original dates. -UNUSUAL COMPLIMENTS: Don't tell her she has pretty eyes; she's heard that a million times. Come up with something more unique: "I love the scent of your perfume," or "your voice is very beautiful." -UNIQUE DATES: Don't ask her out for coffee; make it the theater, a concert, rock climbing. Or plan something in the future to show you're really interested: Invite her on a trip to Amsterdam or Paris. -BODY CONTACT: Take her hand (not necessarily on the first date!) and see how she reacts. If she stiffens up, that's a bad sign. If she responds with tenderness, you're on the right track. -SEX AND LOVE: It's OK to have sex on the first, second or third date; sex is no big deal in Germany. But don't tell her you love her for at least three months. German women can't stand clinginess. During the interrogation, she told the police that Dominic too had arrived in the city, but did not want to accompany her as he thought the police were tracking them. Bengaluru: The wife of an ATM cash van driver, who drove away with Rs 1.37 crore in the vehicle on November 23, was arrested by the city police on Sunday night. The cops recovered from her Rs 79.8 lakh, all in new Rs 2,000 currency notes. The woman, Evelyn Mary Roy, 38, the wife of the driver, Dominic Selvaraj Roy, was heading to her cousins house when she was caught near Kullappa Circle near Banaswadi around 10.30 pm on Sunday. She and her 12-year-old son were returning from a religious retreat centre in Pota, Kerala when caught. During the interrogation, she told the police that Dominic too had arrived in the city, but did not want to accompany her as he thought the police were tracking them. He took Rs 12 lakh from her and left. He did not tell her where he was heading, Evelyn told the police. The police said that Dominic, soon after he stole the money, had gone home and taken his wife and son to Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, Vellore, Chennai, Krishnagiri and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, and then to Chalakudy and Pota in Kerala. Hyderabad: A 45-year-old man accidentally hit a bike in Kukatpally while driving on Tuesday. He was chased by the riders friends and in a bid to escape, he hit two more vehicles. Mr Ganapati Rao Naiks vehicle was damaged by the bikers friends. Police has registered a case. Mr Naik, assistant general manager at Hetero Pharma and a resident of Moosapet, while passing Khaitlapur in his car on Tuesday morning, accidentally hit a bike and injured the rider, Mr Sai Kumar, and drove on without stopping. Mr Sai Kumar phoned his friends who chased Mr Naik on bikes and intercepted the vehicle near Rainbow Vista Apartments. Fearful of being attacked, Mr Naik drove his car back towards Moosapet at high speed. In this process he hit two other bikes. He was later intercepted by the bikers at Moosapet X roads. They pulled him out, damaged the vehicle and roughed him up, said Kukatpally SI G. Gopinath. As police arrived at the spot, Mr Naik, who is a diabetic and BP patient, collapsed as his blood pressure and sugar levels increased. He was rushed to the hospital and is under observation. Mr Sai Kumar and Mr Anil Kumar, who suffered minor injuries, were discharged from hospital, while the third rider, Mr Santosh Kumar, fractured his leg. Based on Mr Santosh Kumars complaint, a case was registered against Mr Naik, while another case was registered against Mr Sai Kumar and his friends on Mr Naiks complaint. Mumbai: After a series of legal battles that lasted for five years, women activists on Tuesday entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah. Prior to 2011, the dargah did not discriminate against women and allowed free entry of people across religions. However, in March 2011, the dargah's board of trustees imposed a ban on women's entry calling it a "grievous sin". On October 24, the Haji Ali Dargah Trust had told the Supreme Court that it was ready to implement the Bombay High Court's order to allow women's enter to the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine located in South Mumbai and had sought four weeks for infrastructural changes to make arrangements for it. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur was hearing a plea by the Haji Ali Dargah Trust challenging the Bombay High Court's ruling to provide equal right of entry to both women and men in the dargah's sanctum sanctorum. On August 26, the Bombay High Court held that the ban imposed by the Trust, prohibiting women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah, contravened Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution and said women should be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum like men. Noorjehan Fiaz and Zakia Soman, founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had petitioned the Bombay High Court against the ban, calling it unconstitutional. Bhumata brigade chief Trupti Desai had also said the Supreme Court's decision should act as a guidance for the nation to allow the entry of women in all temples. Desai said, "Those trustees who opposed our movement and did not allow us to enter the dargah, they had to bow down in front of us. The decision of the Supreme Court should act as an inspiration for the nation and to all temples where women are dishonored and not treated at par with their male counterparts." "When we will receive the dates of Haji Ali, we will let you know. We will begin our rally from the place where we were stopped," she added. Amritsar: A taxi driver from Punjab was shell-shocked when his Jan Dhan account was credited with over Rs 98 billion on November 4. An amount of Rs Rs 98,05,95,12,231 was credited to Balwinder Singhs account in State Bank of Patiala (SBoP), said a Hindustan Times report. However, his joy was short-lived as the money was debited the next day. I had opened the account under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY). My balance usually is around Rs 3,000, he said to the newspaper. He went to the bank several times to sort out the confusion, but instead of giving him an explanation, they just gave him a new passbook which was clear of the Rs 98 billion entry. Lead bank manager Sandeep Garg was quoted as saying that the entry was a manual error. Instead of passing a credit entry of Rs 200, the assistant accounts manager entered the banks 11-digit internal Banking General Ledger account number in the amount column. The mistake was corrected the following day by reversing the entry. Deputy commissioner Bhupinder Singh Rai confirmed the mistake. An official was quoted as saying that there was no doubt that the bank officials had acted irresponsibly on several counts. Even when he went to the bank, they did not inform him about the cause of the mistake. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Bharatiya Janata Party's performance in Parliamentary, Assembly and local polls across India over the last few days illustrates that people want all-round progress and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance. "Over the last few days we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, Assembly & local polls across India," Modi tweeted. "Be it the Northeast, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat... BJP has performed very well. I thank the people," he added. He said these results across India "illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance." BJP won one Lok Sabha seat each in Assam and Madhya Pradesh besides bagging a number of assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. The party also emerged victorious in local bodies polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Referring to his home state, the Prime Minister said, "I salute people of Gujarat for continued trust in BJP. BJP's great win in local polls shows people's strong faith in development politics." He congratulated party cadres of the state along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani for their hard work across the state. Modi had on Monday hailed the party's performance in local bodies polls in Maharashtra. BJP has captured two municipalities and one taluka panchayat in local bodies polls, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. In the ongoing vote counting, BJP is also ahead on 23 out of 31 other seats of various municipalities, taluka and district panchayats where by-polls were held. As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress in the recently held polls to this local body. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP. Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 31 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayts across the state. The bypolls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons. Though final results are yet to be announced, BJP is running ahead on almost 23 seats. The result assumes significance for the BJP in the run up to the state elections next year, and that they were held just after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre. Taking a potshot at Congress over the results, Gujarat BJP's media convener Harshad Patel said the result has once again proved that the entire state is with BJP. "Regular as well as by-polls were held in different parts of Gujarat. Right from Vapi in south Gujarat to Gondal in Saurashtra region, people have chosen BJP over Congress. The opposition party should now understand that people are really unhappy with them," Patel said. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. "We accept our defeat. BJP must not forget that it was only by-polls on some seats. Congress has always raised issues concerning people like notes ban and we will continue to do so," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju at Parliament during the winter session, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) Dehradun: No strikes and bandhs against demonetisation can succeed as people everywhere in the country are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his battle against black money, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said. "Those whose black money was turned into trash are left with no option but to talk about bandhs. They should realise no bandhs against the move (demonetisation) can succeed. Nothing can come to a close in the country now, except black money. The country stands with the Prime Minister in this battle. So, the bandh failed," Rijiju told reporters in Mussoorie. He said even in Mussoorie people are strongly in support of the central government's move. Accusing the Centre of being "anti-poor", non-BJP parties yesterday hit the streets across the country to protest against scrapping of high currency notes. The Union Minister of state for Home, who was here to attend a programme at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, asked officials to work with total dedication in national interest. He said there is nothing to worry about the country's security on the borders as soldiers are guarding the frontiers and the government knows well what it should do. New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will head a committee of Chief Ministers to suggest measures to reduce hardships caused to the common man by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes by the Modi government. According to a report in NDTV, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has invited several Chief Ministers, including Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, to be part of the panel. Kumar is one of the few Opposition CMs who have supported the Centres demonetisation move. The panel is also expected to work on ways to move towards a cashless economy. Another CM reportedly tapped for the committee is Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has not joined the Oppositions protests against the note ban and has offered issue-based support to the BJP government. Arun Jaitley called Chandrababu Naidu on the phone on Monday afternoon to ask him to head the panel, said PTI. Chandrababu Naidu, an ally of the BJP, had been seeking a ban on high value notes as a way to combat black money, much before the Centre came out with the move. He has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision on November 8 to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, but questioned the introduction of a Rs 2000 note. The government is also trying to convince Tripura CM Manik Sarkar and some Congress CMs to join the panel, said reports. The move is seen as a way to blunt the Opposition's relentless attack on the Centre on demonetisation. The Opposition on Monday organised a partly successful 'Jan Aakrosh Diwas' to protest against the move. The Opposition has also prevented Parliament from functioning ever since the Winter Session began, claiming they would not engage in debate until Modi himself spoke on the matter in Parliament. Meanwhile, Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao also welcomed Modis demonetisation move on Monday, but called for a total revolution against black money including state funding of elections, a move proposed by the PM himself recently. Bengaluru: A day after BJP national president Amit Shah gave a call to root out the Congress government in the next assembly election, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah hit out at Mr Shah saying that the latter would have been behind bars if Narendra Modi had not become Prime Minister. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Bengaluru IT.Biz here on Monday, Mr Siddaramaiah reacted to a question on Shahs call for Congress-mukta Karnataka and said, He (Mr Shah) was an accused in a murder case. We need not learn lessons from those who were accused of murder. He would have been behind bars had Mr Narendra Modi not become Prime Minister of this country. Who was there next to him? Having kept Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa by his side, Mr Shah talks of corruption of the Congress government. Taking a jibe at senior BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa, Mr Siddaramaiah launched a veiled attack on him saying Mr Shah talks about corruption when there was a leader who had money counting machines at his home. Therefore, Mr Shah had no moral right to criticise the Congress government, the CM contended. When reporters sought his reaction to Aakrosh Divas and Sambram Divas, Mr Siddaramaiah clarified that his party had never called for a Bharat bandh therefore, the question of people not supporting them did not arise. We did not oppose demonetisation. We opposed the way it was executed. Why is BJP celebrating today? Are they celebrating for causing hardship to the common man? he wondered. When his attention was drawn to Mr Yeddyurappas statement that if his party was voted to power, the Cauvery and Kalasa Banduri crisis would be solved within 24 hours, Mr Siddaramaiah quipped, He was in power for two years and his party was in power for five years. Why did he not solve the issues then? Mr Siddaramaiah also laughed at the BJPs call to root out Congress party in the next election. In the next election the BJPs defeat is certain and the Congress will return to power, he asserted. Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday described demonetisation as a "welcome step" but added the endeavour of the Centre should eventually lead to "total revolution" in eradicating black money and corruption in the country. He also announced certain measures for the state to cope with the situation arising out of the November 8 ban on high-value notes, which has led to cash crunch. "If black money is to be eliminated in the country, we should move towards complete revolution. There should not be even a naya paisa of black money in the country. Whichever form black money is in, whether in the form of land, diamonds, gold, silver, foreign currency, share market, where ever it is, it should be dismantled completely. "Then only total revolution can come in the country. When Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) takes a step in that direction, Telangana state and especially the Telangana Government would fully support him," he told reporters here after a meeting of the Cabinet. He favoured a "clean-up" of political system with state funding of political parties so that corruption in elections can be rooted out. "I advised the Prime Minister, political system should also be cleaned up in toto. Party accounts and the funding of elections should be done by the state. Government of India shall fund the election campaign. I also advised him to change the mode of campaign, which I did in GHMC (Hyderabad civic body) elections. My party (the TRS) went on to the streets, but I never went. "I just addressed a public meeting. It should be like that. With expansion of TV, it is in every house. It can be e-campaign also," Rao said. "Vulgar expenditure in parties shall go (after state funding of polls). It shall go. It shall be killed. In the process of clean-up, whole political system shall be cleaned up by the Government of India by way of bringing in very tight (electoral) reforms." Rao said he submitted a set of suggestions to Modi during his recent meetings with him on measures to be taken for smooth implementation of note ban, particularly keeping in view the inconvenience being caused to common people. Rao announced the State IT Department would bring in a `TS-Wallet', a mobile application, towards encouraging people to take up cashless transactions. The proposed `TS-Wallet' can be used for private transactions not just Government-related transactions. The government would open bank accounts for those who do not have one and promote cashless transactions to move towards the Centre's objective of heralding a cashless economy, he said. Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh Mintoo comes out after being produced at Patiala House Court in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who was arrested from Delhis Nizammuddin railway station on Sunday after escaping from Nabha prison, has revealed to the Delhi Police that was receiving instructions from Pakistans spy agency the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to a report in Hindustan Times, Mintoo disclosed the names of his two alleged ISI handlers to the police. He said that one was based in Lahore in Pakistan while the other was in a European country, probably Germany, which was to be the KLF militants final destination. Police refused to disclose the names given by Mintoo, saying they were yet to verify them. Mintoo told police that he learnt about the jailbreak plan a fortnight ago, the report said. As his handlers were looking for an opportunity to get him out of the jail, Mintoo alerted them about the plan through a common contact. Police said Mintoo was provided Rs 25,000 to manage everything in the jail. The police are now probing the role of jail staff, said the report. Mintoo had escaped Nabha prison in Punjab along with 5 others in a daring jailbreak late on Saturday. Police have so far tracked down 2 of the escapees including Mintoo. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by a city developer and other respondents seeking to quash a complaint filed by a resident of a building who was promised a flat after its reconstruction but was sold to another person. (Photo: Representational Image/PTI) Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to evolve a mechanism to ensure that investigation of offences, particularly pertaining to complaints against builders and developers should get over within 90 days as stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code. A division bench of the High Court headed by Justice V M Kanade also directed the Police Commissioner to call for explanation from the investigation officer in cases where the chargesheet is not filed within the stipulated 90 days. "An explanation should be called from the investigation officer as to why the investigation is not completed within a reasonable period of time and why chargesheet had not been filed in the stipulated period," said the bench. The Judges also opined that if the explanation in this regard is not found to be satisfactory, then adverse remarks should be made in Confidential Records of such officers. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by a city developer and other respondents seeking to quash a complaint filed by a resident of a building who was promised a flat after its reconstruction but was sold to another person. "In the present case, we are informed by the instructing officers that hand writing expert's opinion was not obtained in time and, therefore, the chargesheet was not filed." The bench expressed that this explanation is not satisfactory and opined that directions should be issued to the Police Commissioner to make an enquiry in this case. However, it refrained from passing any orders because it did want the complainant and her husband to be harassed further and also because if such investigation is made again, they may have to run from pillar to post and visit the office of Police Chief. "On this ground alone, we do not propose to give such directions," the Judges said in a recent order. One of the petitioners and builder Rajendra Jain, who was present in the court, voluntarily agreed to donate an amount of Rs one lakh to Tata Cancer Research Institute of Mumbai. The court accepted his offer but directed that the amount should not be paid in currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination as these have been forfeited by the government in the recent demonetisation move. In this case, the developer had promised to give a flat to the complainant lady after reconstruction of the building. However, after the building was re-constructed, the flat in question was not handed over to the complainant but transferred to another person. Being aggrieved, the lady lodged a complaint with Tardeo police. Later, the developer had a compromise with the complainant and paid her Rs 16 lakhs by demand draft on settlement. The high court noted, "The parties have now amicably settled the dispute. They have entered into a memorandum of understanding dated October 14, 2016. The petitioners have also paid her Rs 16 lakhs by pay order dated October 13, 2016." "We are satisfied that dispute between the parties is a personal one and as such there is no impediment in quashing the said complaint by the consent of the parties," said the bench. The judges further noted that they had interviewed the complainant and she had told them that there is no objection if the complaint is quashed. She also informed the Judges that she had received Rs 16 lakhs from the respondents by a demand draft and does not wish that she and her husband should go to court every month. Also, she said, there was no guarantee that the matter would be disposed of within a reasonable time. She also told the court that if this amount is deposited by her in a bank, it would be doubled in 5 years. She also stated that she is now residing in Dadar area of Central Mumbai. "Taking into consideration all these aspects, we are of the view that the ratio of Supreme Court Judgement in Gian Singh case applies to the facts of this case and hence we allow the complaint to be quashed," said the bench. Parminder alias Penda was travelling in an SUV when his vehicle was intercepted by police at a check post in Kairana in Shamli district. (Photo: ANI Twitter) Muzaffarnagar: Alleged mastermind of the daring daylight Nabha jailbreak, Parminder Singh was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court at Kairana in Shamli district on Monday. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Tarun Kumar remanded him in judicial custody up to December 11 for keeping illegal arms and cheating and forgery. Police have booked Parminder under sections 25/27 of Arms Act and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (Using as genuine a forged document) of IPC. He was arrested from Kairana on Sunday when the getaway vehicle was stopped at a police picket. Khalistan Liberation Front Chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who had escaped from Nabha jail in Punjab along with five other inmates on Sunday, were nabbed from Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi late that night. Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday lamented that "baseless political analysis" was being done for his "principled stand" on an issue, as he was backing the Centre's demonetisation while his alliance partners RJD and Congress were not. "Nowadays, baseless analysis is being done for placing a view on a political issue," he said in an apparent dig at certain media reports suggesting that he was getting closer to the BJP by supporting the demonetisation. "Efforts are on for a long time to end my political career through a sustained attack," Kumar said at a meeting of the JD(U) state Parliamentary party in Patna. Kumar, who is also the JD(U) national president, said that he had been taking "principled stands" on issues concerning the nation from time to time. "During the UPA rule, when the BJP-ruled states were opposing GST, I being in the NDA had supported it in the interest of Bihar and the country," he said. The meeting was held at the residence of senior JD(U) leader and Deputy Leader of state Assembly Shyam Rajak and it was attended by party legislators of the Assembly and Council. Seeking to clear the air, Kumar, who had led his party to sever ties with the BJP in mid-2013, said, "JD(U) will continue to struggle against the BJP-led Central government's divisive approach and attack on the federal structure (of the country) as well as intolerance." A section of the media had reported that the Bihar chief minister's meeting with BJP chief Amit Shah at a farmhouse was a "prelude" to his support to demonetisation. Some reports had also suggested that he had a talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday over demonetisation. Kumar, however, had rubbished these reports. The JD(U) stayed away from today's nationwide strike against demonetisation, called by the opposition parties, which its alliance partners RJD and Congress supported by taking to the streets. In his address to the JD(U) legislators, Kumar once again stressed that the demonetisation step should be coupled with an attack on 'benami' properties and prohibition for better results in the fight against black money. The Pathankot air base was attacked by heavily armed terrorists reportedly having allegiance to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Putting to end speculation about the number of terrorists involved in Pathankot attack, the government on Tuesday made it clear that only four militants had entered the airforce station to carry out the strike that left eight people dead. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said "four Pakistan-based terrorists" had carried out the January 2 attack. "Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village - Akalgarh and attacked airforce station in Pathankot," he said in a written reply to a question by Congress MP Ravneet Singh, grandson of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The Congress MP had asked about the number of terrorists who entered Punjab for Pathankot attack and the route used by them as well as the details of terrorists killed and arrested along with the weapons recovered from them. Ahir said all these terrorists were neutralised by the security forces. The security forces recovered 4 AK rifles, 32 AK magazines, 3 pistols, 7 pistol magazines, one under barrel grenade launcher, 40 hand grenades and one dagger from them, he said. The answer is contrary to a statement made by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 4 when he had said that charred remains, apart from four bodies of terrorists, were found at the debris after security forces searched the Pathankot airforce station when the operation ended. "Charred remains were found and sent for forensic examination. We are awaiting for reports," had said. There was speculation that the Home Minister had made this statement on a presentation made by the elite NSG, which was not corroborated either by defence personnel or central security agencies. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too had said that six terrorists were involved in the attack. The National Investigation Agency, which was probing the case, has been maintaining that the investigators had found only four bodies. The Home Ministry has recently given NIA the sanction to file a charge sheet against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and three others in the Pathankot terror attack. The Home Ministry has in the past been left red faced over answers to Parliament questions including another Pakistan related controversy where it informed the House that they do not know about whereabouts of most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, forcing the government to retract and clarify that Dawood is in Pakistan. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh left for Cuban capital Havana this morning to pay last respects to the country's former president and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro who passed away on Friday. Singh is among the various world leaders who will attend the mass commemorative event at Revolution Square in the city. An Indian delegation is accompanying the Home Minister. The week-long commemoration began on Monday at the Square where thousands of people are paying their respects to the departed leader. Simultaneous 21-gun salutes were fired to mark the beginning of the commemoration in Havana and the south-eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, from where Castro launched the revolution in 1953. The mourning period will end after his ashes are laid to rest on Sunday. The communist leader, who led a revolution in 1959 and ruled the Caribbean island for half a century died a decade after stepping down because of poor health and relinquishing power to his brother Raul Castro. He was cremated on Saturday. Mumbai: To encourage people to deposit valid currency notes in banks, RBI on Tuesday said bank customers would be able to withdraw deposits made in current legal tender notes beyond the current limits, a move aimed at increasing currency circulation in system. For example, if someone deposits valid legal tenders (Rs 2,000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20, Rs 10, Rs 5) of Rs 4,000, the withdrawal limit for that person would rise by Rs 4,000 over and above weekly withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000. For current accounts, the withdrawal limit is Rs 50,000 a week for small traders. In a late evening circular, the Reserve Bank said that it has been reported that "certain depositors are hesitating" to deposit their monies into bank accounts in view of the current limits on cash withdrawals from accounts. "As it is impeding active circulation of currency notes, it has been decided, on careful consideration, to allow withdrawals of deposits made in current legal tender notes on or after November 29, 2016 beyond the current limits; "Preferably, available higher denominations bank notes of Rs 2000 and Rs 500 are to be issued for such withdrawals," the Reserve Bank said. After the withdrawal of legal tender character of old Rs 500/1000 notes from November 9, a Rs 24,000 per week limit (including from ATM) on withdrawal has been put in place. Additionally, RBI has also allowed banks operating currency chests to operate Chest Guarantee Scheme (CGSS) for Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) if they have additional space. However, they can do so if the additional space in their existing currency chest or additional storage space at the same centre which is nearly as safe and secure as that of a currency chest. Requisite approval for operating CGSS will be granted by RBI Regional Office concerned, on receipt of request from any bank, it said. On Monday, RBI had allowed banks to park such currencies at currency chests at the district level so as to decongest the storage facility. A currency chest operating at the point to be called Designated Chest (DC) will be required to operate a separate vault -- to be named Chest Guarantee Vault (CGV) -- as an extended arm of it, it had said. People have exchanged and deposited about Rs 8.45 lakh crore worth of scrapped Rs 500/1,000 notes at different banks till November 27 following demonetisation of the high value currency on November 9. The banks also disbursed over 2.16 lakh crore over the counter and via ATMs from November 10-27. Of this, the exchange of old Rs 500/1000 notes amounted to Rs 33,948 crore and deposits amounted to Rs 8,11,033 crore. Reports appearing in Pakistan's media about some 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of CPEC do not correspond to the realities, Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) New Delhi: Russia on Tuesday dismissed as not "corresponding to the realities" the reports in Pakistani media about it holding "secret talks" with Pakistan on the creation of China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement also said that the possibility of Russia joining this (CPEC) initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad. "Reports appearing in Pakistan's media about some 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of CPEC do not correspond to the realities. The possibility of Russia joining this initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad. Our trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan has its own value. We aim for its further strengthening. The implementation by Russian companies of business projects in IRP, including the construction of North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, are implemented on bilateral basis," as per the statement, which was circulated by the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. According to a Pakistani media report earlier this week, apart from deciding to use the Gwadar Port for trade to have access to warm waters, Russia also wants to join the USD 46 billion CPEC to reap maximum dividends. "In addition, Russia aspires to develop strategic defence ties with Pakistan," the media report had said. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs and MLAs to submit details of their bank account transactions between November 8 and December 31 to BJP President Amit Shah, at a Parliamentary Party meeting ahead of Parliament session. The Income Tax Amendment Bill proposed on Monday is meant not to turn black money into white but to use money looted from poor for welfare, the PM added in the meeting. Amit Shah on the other hand asked BJP MPs to motivate traders falling in their constituencies to move to cashless transactions. Modi also urged all to support this endeavor to make India a digital economy and a cashless society. Modi said the fight against black money and the amendments in the income-tax law is an initiative aimed at benefitting the poor. "Addressing the BJP parliamentary meet on Tuesday, the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji said that our fight against black money and the amendments in the income-tax law is an initiative aimed at benefiting the poor," said Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar after the meeting. "He urged all to support the government's endeavour to make India a digital economy and a cashless society. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana will aim at ensuring that water, toilet, healthcare and education reach the poor," he added. Commenting the opposition's demand for an apology from the Prime Minister over his barb directed at them for questioning the demonetisation drive, Kumar said the former will definitely intervene in both houses and put forth his stand. "We were ready for debate in both the houses from the 16th. The opposition parties left the debate in the middle in Rajya Sabha and have not yet started it in the Lok Sabha. We are ready for debate but we don't understand what problems they have," he said. Earlier in the day, the opposition parties escalated their attack on the ruling dispensation and reiterated their demand for an apology from the Prime Minister over his unwarranted barb post the decision to scrap high-value currency notes. A united opposition is also adamant on its demand for discussion under Rule 56 in the Lok Sabha. Sources said this was decided by the opposition in the meeting held this morning in Parliament. Justifying his decision, the PM had earlier on Friday in an event to mark Constitution Day said the people questioning his move were those who didn't get time to make any preparation. "I think the pain of such people is that the government did not give a chance (to them) to make any preparation. These same people would have lavished praise on him if they had got 72 hours to make their preparations," he said. Meanwhile, ruckus over demonetisation continued in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday with Congress leader Ahmed Patel lashing out at the Modi government over the move. There is no relief for farmers, traders and others, but for black money hoarders the government is repeatedly providing amnesty. This is the reality of Modi sarkar Patel alleged. Countering him, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that income tax amendments proposed on Monday were for the benefit of the common man. The Minister called on the Opposition to support the PMs move to create a cashless society. Soon after, Rajya Sabha and Rajya Sabha were both adjourned till 2 pm. With the Centre agreeing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would speak on demonetisation in Parliament "if there is a proper debate", leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the former would not do any 'favour' as "it is his duty to answer to questions" of opposition parties. Speaking to ANI Congress leader Kharge said, "Prime Minister Modi is not doing any favour to us by intervening in Parliament. It is his duty. He should come and listen to our debate and answer to our questions." Earlier, Kharge had said that demonetisation had harmed the economic system, the farmers, the youth, labourers and women among others and they are in distress. Seeking to break the deadlock, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had yesterday told the Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Modi would speak on demonetisation, but the opposition's demand for a debate with a provision for voting remained unimpressed, forcing another adjournment. With opposition parties firm on their stand, Singh said nobody is questioning the government's intentions over demonetisation. He said the government was willing to listen to the complaints and suggestions of different parties over the execution of the demonetisation move. Chennai: Opposition parties on Monday protested against demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes throughout the state. DMK treasurer Stalin led the party's protest outside Chennai collectorate as police refused to grant permission to hold the demonstration in front of the RBI. He launched a stinging attack on the implementation of demonetisation, which, he claimed, has affected 85 per cent of the population. Maintaining that he and his party are not against eradication of black money, Mr Stalin said they are only opposing the way the demonetisation policy was being implemented in a hurry without any proper planning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on November 8 was like a financial tsunami (on the people). The PM told the people on November 8 that things would be fine in two days, later he said 10 days and now he says it would take 50 days for normalcy to be restored. How will poor people live without wages and salaries, Mr Stalin asked. Narrating the problems of the people who have been suffering since November 8 due to shortage of valid currencies, Mr Stalin told the gathering of his party cadre that the Union Government's sudden announcement has crippled development in all sectors. More than 850 million people in India live in rural areas and many of them don't have a bank account and many would not even know what a cheque' means. How can you ask such people to go cashless? Mr Stalin asked. Leading the Congress' protest outside the office of the Chief Post Master General on arterial Anna Salai, TNCC chief Su Thirunavukarasar accused the Modi Government of locking down the entire country by one announcement. The entire country has come to a standstill. People don't have money to spend and this move is draconian. Without taking any precaution, why did the government announce the move in haste? he asked. Protesting outside the regional headquarters of SBI on College road, Left leaders G.Ramakrishnan, R.Mutharasan and VCK leader Ravikumar were arrested as they tried to march towards the premises. If the demonetisation move is really aimed at eradicating black money and if it is really aimed at putting the economy back on track, why is the Prime Minister hesitant to come to Parliament? Let him come to the House and answer the queries of the Parliamentarians, CPI state secretary Mutharasan said. Leading the Left parties' protest in Madurai, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan demanded rollback of the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. We demanded that the demonetised notes be announced as valid. People are suffering for no fault of theirs and this move has wreaked havoc in their lives, he said. Hyderabad: Having decided to move towards a cashless economy, the Telangana government today invited suggestions from the public on going about the task. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has already constituted a task force, headed by senior IAS officer Suresh Chanda, to devise means to promote cashless transactions. "A task force has been constituted to study the cashless payments and receipts system and suggest policy and infrastructure measures required for moving towards a cashless economy. Hence, the citizens are requested to give their suggestions on the above subject, positively by December 10, 2016 to the following email id: cashless.suresh@gmail.com," the state government said today. After a meeting of the state Cabinet last night, the Chief Minister said the government has decided to promote bank-based, cashless transactions. The measures announced by him include accepting cashless transactions in the Registration Department. He also said the state IT department would come up with a mobile application, 'TS-Wallet', for the benefit of the citizens. Hyderabad: Villagers of Khanapur in Telanganas Nizamabad district have renamed their village after Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Raos daughter. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the villagers now call their village Kavithapuram after Raos daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha. The resolution to rename the village was passed a few days ago by the Khanapur gram panchayat. The act is a token of reverence towards Member of Parliament Kavitha, for coming to their rescue when they were displaced by the Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) reservoir on Godavari river. We are overwhelmed with her concern for us. So, we have decided to name our village as Kavithapuram. There were 274 houses in the village, which was submerged under the SRSP waters. We have been rehabilitated in a new place, a few kilometres away from our original village. Our MP has taken initiative in allotting a new piece of land to rebuild the village. We met Kavitha a couple of days ago and requested for construction of double-bedroom houses for all the 274 households, Khanapur sarpanch Mamatha Naresh was quoted as saying. The village continues to be called Khanapur in the revenue records till a notification is issued to that effect by the government, said the report. Meanwhile, the TRS rank and file observed Tuesday as Deeksha Diwas to recall the fast-unto-death taken up by KCR on this day in 2009, which led to a massive uprising in the Telangana for a separate state. Srinagar: Two Army officers including a major and five soldiers were killed and half a dozen others wounded in a fierce gun battle with a group of heavily armed militants which stormed an Army camp at Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmirs winter capital Jammu shortly before dawn on Tuesday. At least, three militants were also killed by the members of Armys Para commandos. The area was being sanitised as reports last came in and during the mopping-up operation sounds of gun fire and occasional blasts could be heard at a distance. The bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area, a defence spokesman said. The heavily armed militants wearing police uniforms after forcing their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries occupied two buildings leading to a hostage like situation as besides officers and men their families were present there, the spokesman said. Separately, the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border (IB) in the States Samba sector after killing three militants on Tuesday, officials said. The Army and police officials in Jammu said that the militants attacked the Armys 166 Field Regiment at Nagrota in their attempt to enter the camp at about 5.30 am. The heavily armed terrorists first lobbed grenades and then opened indiscriminate fire with their AK assault rifles in their attempt to enter the camp, said a defence spokesman. The sentry returned the fire and was joined by other soldiers in fighting the militants. Army troops took their positions and retaliated to the fire and gun-fight started, the officials said. About a dozen soldiers were injured in the initial militant attack and the subsequent fire fight and three of them including Major Kunal Gossain of 166 Medium Regiment succumbed at Nagrotas Army-base hospital soon, the officials said. Nagrota, located at 13 kilometres north of Jammu along the Jammu-Srinagar highway is the headquarters of the Armys 16 Corps, a massive military formation that defends the borders and fights militants and terrorists in the greater Jammu region. The Army cordoned off the area immediately and all schools were shut down. Traffic was stopped on the Jammu-Udhampur stretch of the 294-km highway. Senior officers from Armys Northern Command also arrived at Nagrota from their headquarters located just 49-km away at Udhampur, the sources said. The old (Jammu-Udhamour) route has been closed for the traffic while vehicles are allowed on the new route only depending on the prevailing situation, the officials had. Jammus Deputy Commissioner said that he ordered the closure of all the schools in the Nagrota tehsil as a precautionary measure. Colonel N.N. Joshi, the spokesman of the Northern Command said. The heavily armed terrorists disguised in police uniforms and targeted the Army unit located 3 km from the 16 Corps headquarters at Nagrota. They forced their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. He said that in the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers of the Army laid down their lives. He also said that the militants entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men which led to a hostage like situation. The spokesman said that the situation was, however, very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children. However, in this rescue attempt one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives. Bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanities the complete area. Meanwhile, the BSF said that it foiled an infiltration bid in Chamliyal area of Ramgarh Sector along the IB in Samba district on Tuesday morning. A group of five to six terrorists fired at the forward BSF posts in Ramgarh sector in a bid to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir but the alert jawans retaliated by opening fire, killing three of them. One jawan Sanjay Kumar was seriously injured in the encounter, said the BSF. The police added that the injured BSF jawan was admitted to Jammus Government Medical College and Hospital. The police and BSF sources said that the militants had holed up in a tube well pump- house but the BSF fired heavily resulting into the death of three of them. Officials said that the remaining militants fled back to the Pakistani territory. According to these reports a search operation was soon started to ensure no more militants are hiding in the area. The police confirmed that the firing was over and the area was being sanitised. Later during the day, BSF DIG B.S. Kasana, Inspector Paramjeet and Constable Vikas and a jawan of J&K Polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) Sarabjeet Singh were injured in a blast while carrying out mopping-up operation in the area, Sambas Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda said. The BSF sources said that a improvised explosive device went off when the jawans were removing the corpse of one of the slain militants. Their condition is stated to be critical. A report said that in all six BSF and J&K policemen received grievous injuries in the blast. The BSF alleged that its men were fired upon from across the IB while anti-infiltration operations were being summed up. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the twin terror attacks and said that Jammu and Kashmir has suffered heavily due to the unending cycle of violence. While appealing for an end to it, she expressed sympathies with the families of slain soldiers and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. Governor N.N. Vohra spoke to Lt. Gen D. S. Hooda, Northern Army Commander who incidentally hangs his uniform this week, K. Rajendra, DGP J&K police, Lt. Gen A. K. Sharma, GOC XVI Corps and other and other Army, BSF and J&K police officers to convey his grief and sincere sympathy. During his conversation with Lt. Gen. Hooda, the Governor expressed serious concern about repeated terror attacks on security forces establishments and Pakistans continuing attempts to exacerbate the situation while India was seeking to restore peace and normalcy. The Governor urged all the security forces commanders to enhance surveillance on every front and, in the absence of Chief Minister from station, has asked the Chief Secretary to direct the districts and divisional civil and police administration to immediately review the security of all important installations and establishments. J&K Deputy Chief Minister, Nirmal Singh, termed the terror attack at Nagrorta as a desperate bid to push the State into chaos and confusion. He said terror elements will be dealt with strongly and given a proper and strong response. In Delhi, former Union Home Secretary and BJP MP, R.K. Singh. said the attack at Nagrota is a "message" sent by Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India. We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said adding "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted." he said. Hyderabad: A huge task lies ahead for the state government to make Telangana State ready for cashless transactions. According to a household survey conducted by the state government recently, over 88 lakh people still dont have bank accounts. There is only one bank available for 10 villages in districts. In many rural areas, people are forced to travel between 30 and 70 kilometres to avail banking services. Banks, too, are not coming forward to extend banking services to rural and interior areas citing security reasons. Various banks have shifted nearly 75 branches in rural areas to nearby towns claiming threats from Naxalites. Though Naxal activity has been curbed in the state in the last one decade, the rural banks continue to function in urban areas. For instance, Canara Bank shifted its Tadwai village branch in Waran-gal district to Govindr-aopet mandal headquarters, which is 32 km away, some 20 years ago, citing the Naxal threat. Even today, it continues to function from the same place. Villagers say they have to set aside a whole day to visit a bank and do the transaction apart from making unnecessary exp-enditure for travelling. Women self-help groups that deposit Rs 100 per month in savings accounts, say they spend Rs 30 on travel for banking purposes. On Sunday, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced the setting up of a five-member committee comprising senior IAS officers to work out modalities of a policy for cashless e-payment in the state. The committee will identify suitable digital payment modes for various sectors and ensure that consumers can avail of them at the earliest. It will ensure that these services are utilised by consumers easily by coordinating with banks. Though the first meeting of the committee is yet to take place, official sources in the finance department said the committee has been asked to identify the infrastructure shortcomings that are acting as a deterrent to digital payments and suggest measures to overcome them. The committee will devise ways to ensure lower transaction charges for digital payments when compared with what is being charged at present for cash transactions between people and the government. The committee will prepare an action plan to ensure 80 per cent of total transactions in the state are done in digital payment mode only. It will prescribe a specific timeframe to achieve this goal. It will also take up awareness programmes on a massive scale across the state to educate people on the need and benefits of digital payments. "The demonetisation issue has taught us several lessons. Common people, especially in rural areas, remain the worst affected due to lack of banking facilities and ATMs. We need to brace up to face such eventualities in future. Encouraging digital payments is the better solution to overcome such problems. It will also curb circulation of black money. It is for this reason that the CM appointed a five-member committee, which will devise the road map of transforming Telangana into a cashless transaction state," said Etela Rajender, finance minister. If segregated containers can be placed on these streets in HSR layout why can't the model be duplicated across the city? Differently-coloured bins should be placed at key points so people can drop off their waste Why wont Bengalurus garbage problems go away? All that the BBMP has to show for its efforts in recent years are a number of failed plans and eight landfills that are breeding grounds of pollution and disease. Carrying segregated waste to landfills and incinerators is still a distant dream. With the BBMP continuing to rely on pourakarmikas who are completely untutored in handling waste, how is hiring an army of watchdogs going to ensure that the city stays garbage-free. The BBMP, which is constantly lamenting peoples reluctance to segregate garbage at source, is not doing enough to popularize the idea, believes urban evangelist,V Ravichandar, suggesting that it has many options to build awareness , from roping in school children to carry the message home to slapping fines on those who dont fall in line. The civic agency only needs to do the following to persuade more Bengalureans to segregate garbage at source, in his view. Rope in RWAs: BBMP should take the help of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to reach out to people on the need for garbage segregation. Awareness programmes in schools: If school children are educated about garbage segregation, they will take the message home and demand their parents carry it out. Fine offenders: Once the BBMP creates enough awareness and gives time to people to fall in line , it should begin fining those who dont segregate garbage at source. Shuchi Mitra: The BBMP , which plans to enroll ex-servicemen in fighting the garbage menace, could also re-introduce the old Shuchi Mitra scheme to monitor the segregation and disposal of waste. Install closed bins: The civic agency could install covered dustbins dedicated to wet and dry waste as in the absence of such a system for disposal of waste, those who miss the morning collection of garbage, often tend to throw it out on the streets , eventually creating a black spot. Based on the response to the trial run, the dustbins could be installed in all wards. Stricter new contracts: As some of the segregated waste gets mixed up by the contractors collecting it, the BBMP must in its new contracts ensure that they receive the waste in segregated form and it reaches the waste processing plants without being mixed up. Popularise Dry Waste Collection Centers: Steps must be taken to popularise the DWCCs and let people know that they can be used to deposit their dry waste. The fact that they can earn some money in the bargain, should also be highlighted. There are many ways to ensure segregation is done at source: N.S. Ramakanth Member of Solid Waste Management Expert Committee of the BBMP A road map has been drawn by the BBMP to improve the percentage of segregation to a great extent in the next three months. At present, there is not much segregation actually taking place at the source and the BBMP is working toward setting things right. In a meeting with the BBMP Mayor G Padmavathi and BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad on Monday, I highlighted the possible options that the BBMP can consider to improve the percentage of segregation. The main issue citizens face is that they segregate waste into wet and dry categories, but this is mixed up any way by the garbage collector or contractor, thereby defying the very purpose of segregation. The Palike is now charting out plans to avert mishaps like these, which are seriously de-motivating people from segregation at source. Separate vehicles to transport wet and dry waste is a viable option, one that is being looked at by the BBMP. There is also a waste-segregation model in HSR Layout that runs very well, one that the state can examine closely. Municipalities like Mumbai also have clean marshals, who catch people spitting and urinating in public places. The BBMP is planning to do something along similar lines, by hiring litter marshals to enforce garbage segregation and catch people who dispose of their waste in public spaces, creating black spots across the city. The BBMP has many options at hand, it boils down to implementation. Landfills contaminate groundwater, need to be treated Villages located near landfills are forced to bear the brunt of Bengalurus waste generation, what with the foul smell that emanates incessantly from the landfills. Leachate, the deadly liquid that oozes from garbage or waste has also seeped into the groundwater table, contaminating their water supply. Leachate contains numerous dissolved and suspended materials, including ammonia, which pose a serious threat to the environment. Bengalurus garbage is being dumped in around eight landfills at the moment and no measures have been taken at any of these sites to prevent leachate from percolating into groundwater and thereby entering lakes in the vicinity. Mr Chanappa, President of Kannahalli-Seegehalli Kasa Vilevari Horata Samiti said "Over 50 villages have been affected by the unscientific handling of waste at the Kanahalli waste processing plant. We depend on groundwater for drinking purposes. The leachate has also polluted Kenchanapura lake. The situation only worsens during the rains. Animals and aquatic life, which depend on the Kenchanapura lake are badly hit during the monsoon, Mr Chanappa added. All complaints to officials have fallen on deaf ears and the BBMP has failed to contain the problem despite years of damage caused by leachate. When DC contacted BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad on the measures taken to treat the leachate, he said "We are closely working with experts exploring options for treating leachate with the help of microbes." In cities like Nagpur, experts are already treating leachate through microbes. We are exploring similar options here and once we are satisfied with the method, we seek approval and have it implemented across all landfills, he added. New Delhi: Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur on Tuesday took on the Centre once again for not clearing even the re-appointment of 25 retired judges as ad hoc judges for various high courts in the country. Chief Justice Thakur, sitting with Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and L. nageswara Rao, told Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh: There are over 50 per cent vacancies in high courts. There are people (judges) who are retired. Twenty five names are lying with you. You have not cleared it. The court was hearing a PIL filed by Imtiaz Ahmed on infrastructure improvement in judiciary. The ASG told the court that under the 14th Finance Commission recommendation, the Centre had allocated Rs 9000 cr for infrastructural development of high courts/subordinate courts for the period starting from April 2015. But the CJI said the allocation did not reflect in the existing infrastructure in various high courts as States say they have no resources. When Mr. Singh maintained that the Centre cant be blamed for the situation as the funds are allocated to the respective State governments, the CJi shot back and observed If States are taking the plea that they have no resources and infrastructure, what is the Union of India doing?. The ASG argued that even under the earlier 13th Finance Commission allocation of Rs 5,000 cr, only Rs 1,000 cr was utilised for the infrastructural development by high courts across the country for which the Centre cant be blamed. The CJI said: States have to utilise the funds and approach the high courts. But how much money is released to the judiciary is not known. How will you (Centre) monitor? How will you ensure the money is allocated for judiciary? You cant say, we have allocated Rs 10,000 cr. You should ensure that this money, meant for judiciary, will not be used for any other purpose. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos announcement of making Siddipet Assembly constituency a model constituency for cashless transactions in two months deserves a closer look. While constituency-wise data is not available, the data of Siddipet district prepared by officials after reorganisation of districts, shows that the district has a population of 10,12,065 with 397 revenue villages in 399 gram panchayats. At 62 per cent when compared to the states 67 per cent, literacy rate in Siddipet district is lower than the state average. The district has 72 banks, 28 of which are nationalised banks. Of these 28 banks, 19 are State Bank and its associates, five private banks and the rest are regional banks. In the district there are three head post offices, 32 sub post offices and 174 branch post offices. The urban population of the district is 1,39,052 and 8,73,013 people live in rural areas. The number of households in the district is 2,38,049. The literacy rate among males is 72 per cent and 51 per cent among females. The working population in the district is 5,09,563. The district has 1,71,665 agricultural labourers and 1,40,911 people in other vocations. Siddipet has four RTC depots utilised by 283 buses which cumulatively cover 1,02,830 km daily. Telangana seeks tips on its proposal The Telangana state government has called upon citizens to give suggestions for promoting cashless transactions in the state. The suggestions should be sent to the email id: cashless.suresh@gmail.com. It may ben mentioned here that the Chief Minister constituted a task force headed by senior IAS officer Suresh Chanda to study cashless payments and receipts system and suggest policy measures required for moving towards a cashless economy. New Delhi: Asking BJP legislators in Parliament and state Assemblies to submit details of their bank transactions between November 8 and December 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday declared that the money looted from the poor would be used for their welfare. This direction came amid allegations that the BJP had tipped off those close to it about the impending exercise beforehand. Mr Modi also sought support in his effort to usher in a digital economy and create a cashless society. However, the Congress demanded that the PM provide details of bank transactions by the BJP and its MPs and MLAs that were made before November 8 if he was really serious about the issue. Addressing a BJP parliamentary party meeting, Mr Modi said the transaction details should be submitted to party president Amit Shah by the MPs and MLAs by January 1, 2017. This direction follows allegations by the Opposition parties that the BJP had tipped off some of its own leaders ahead of the demonetisation announcement. Stash will be spent for poor: PM Modi It may be recalled that veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani had at the end of his 38-day yatra against black money in 2011 asked NDA MPs to submit affidavits declaring that they did not hold undisclosed bank account abroad. Asserting he would not allow the nation to be weighed down by the burden of black money, the PM, at the meeting, also rejected the criticism that the bill to amend the Income-Tax Act would help turn black money into white and said the new provisions will channel the money looted from the poor for their welfare. The bill was later passed by the Lok Sabha. The amended law, he said, was a programme for the welfare of the poor from Lok Kalyan Marg, the new name of Race Course Road, where the Prime Ministers residence is located. The amendment is not for turning black money into white but to spend the money looted from the poor on their welfare, he said, adding: I will not allow the country to be weighed down by wads of currency notes (black money). Quoting Mr Modi, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the bill was part of his governments battle against black money. New Delhi: Demonetisation seemed to have had no adverse impact on the BJP as the party maintained its winning streak in civic polls. After winning maximum number of posts in Maharashtra and Gujarat civic elections, the BJP said wisdom should now dawn on the Opposition parties stalling Parliament (on demonetisation) and the impasse should be resolved. The BJP won one Lok Sabha seat each in Assam and Madhya Pradesh besides bagging a number of Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP said that its performance in Maharashtra and Gujarat civic polls should be an eye-opener for the Opposition as people have indicated their support for demonetisation and dislike for those protesting against it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said BJPs performance in parliamentary, assembly and local elections across India over the last few days illustrated that people wanted all-round progress and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance. Over the last few days, we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, Assembly and local polls across India.. Be it the Northeast, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat. BJP has performed very well. I thank the people, tweeted Mr Modi. He said these results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance. Referring to his home state Gujarat, the Prime Minister said, I salute the people of Gujarat for continued trust in the BJP. The BJPs great win in local polls shows peoples strong faith in development politics. He congratulated party cadres of the state along with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and state BJP chief Jitu Vaghani for their hard work across the state. Mr Modi had on Monday hailed the partys performance in local body polls in Maharashtra. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the BJPs big gain in Maharashtra was an indication of which way the wind was blowing. It is clear that people did not like the Oppositions protest against the governments action against black money and supported the (demonetisation) decision. The result is an eye-opener for the Opposition and an indication of which way the wind is blowing, Mr Javadekar said. Asked if the BJP sees the results as a referendum on demonetisation, Mr Javadekar said, These were small but immediate elections after demonetisation. So it was significant. He said these seats were strongholds of the Congress and the NCP. Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India to file counter affidavits on petitions moved challenging the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes, before December 8. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice A. Shankar Narayana was hearing three separate petitions by K. Srinivas, a practicing advocate, S. Venkateswara Rao, a resident of the city and former minister M.V. Mysoora Reddy against demonetisation. The bench asked the respondents to file counter affidavits explaining the reasons for demonetisation, recommendations if any from the Central Board of RBI in this regard and reasons for not allowing DCC banks to exchange currency . The bench was not inclined to grant a stay. Reacting to the requests of counsels for petitioners P.V. Krishnaiah for Mr Srinivas and Y. Balaji for Mr Mysoora Reddy for stay, the bench said that though the balance of convenience was in favour of the petitioners in this case to grant stay on the action of the Centre, it was refraining from doing so at this stage as it would cause more confusion among the public given that the new currency has already been brought into circulation. When petitioners counsels tried to elaborate the hardships faced by the people, the ACJ said that the court was aware of the inconvenience caused and even he had a problem encashing a cheque. Additional solicitor-general of India K.M. Nataraj, while defending the action of the Centre, refuted the contentions of the petitioners that the Centre has no power under Section 26 (2) of the RBI Act and only Parliament can take such decision through an Act. The bench told Mr Nataraj to satisfy the petitioners as they are saying that the Centre has no power under Section 26 (2) of the RBI Act. The ASG said that the Centre has the power to take decision on demonetisation of currency either by way of notification or even through a fax message to the RBI. When Mr Nataraj told the bench that the Centre has moved a petition before the Supreme Court seeking transfer of all cases in High Courts across the country on demonetisation to the SC, the bench made it clear that it will hear the matter after the Apex court passes orders on the Centres plea. Hyderabad: The TRS celebrated Deeksha Divas across the state and in New Delhi during which leader after leader heaped praise on Chief Minister and party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao for achieving Telangana and also thanked AICC president Sonia Gandhi. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao had launched a fast-unto-death on November 29, 2009, that eventually led to the UPA government granting statehood to Telangana in 2014. TS home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, who participated in a day-long deeksha at Indira Park where he also danced with party leaders, said the TRS chief achieved an impossible task. He thanked Mrs Sonia Gandhi for granting statehood despite facing odds. Sacrifices of our youth and KCRs fast-unto-death forced the UPA government to grant statehood to Telangana. We achieved our just demand. Sonia Amma ku dandam pettali (We have to thank Sonia Amma). She was determined and insisted that the Bifurcation Bill was passed at any cost in Parliament that night. We have to rededicate ourselves to make Bangaru Telangana, Mr Narasimha Reddy said. He said they feared threat to the life of Mr Chandrasekhar Rao, Congress game plan, police, (Congress MP) K.V.P. Ramachandra Raos conspiracy and riots. But KCR ignored the threat to his life and achieved Telangana. Many said Telangana was not possible. KCR proved them wrong, the minister said. KCR is the real hero. Formation of Telangana accelerated development in AP. Andhra, Rayalaseema people should thank KCR. In fact, the day should be declared a public holiday, Mr Narasimha Reddy said. In New Delhi, TRS secretary general Kesava Rao, TRS Floor leader in Lok Sabha A.P. Jitender Reddy, MP K. Kavitha and other MPs and leaders participated in Deeksha Divas. KCR is like an emissary of God. KCRs deeksha is like Mahatma Gandhi satyagraha, Mr Kesava Rao said. Meanwhile, Congress MLC P. Sudhakar Reddy said that TRS leaders should organise a thanksgiving day for Mrs Sonia Gandhi. New Delhi: Exploring effective ways to combat terrorism, particularly that emanating from Pakistan, and helping Afghanistan achieve peace and stability will be the focus of the two-day Heart of Asia (HoA) conclave in Amritsar beginning on Saturday which will be attended among others by the Pakistan PMs advisor on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz. Speculation is mounting on whether a bilateral meeting between Mr. Aziz and the top Indian political leadership will eventually take place in Amritsar, with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit nudging India to propose talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sartaj Aziz are among leaders who will attend the annual conference. The previous such conclave was held in Islamabad last year. India has been non-committal on a bilateral meeting between Mr Aziz and its representative at the conclave. With Afghanistan still facing regular attacks from Pakistan-based terror groups, the war-ravaged country is likely to press for an effective counter-terror strategy to deal with the menace. India will also articulate its position to contain terrorism and extremism at the conference. Definitely, combating terror will be a major focus area, diplomatic sources were quoted by various news agencies, as saying. Madurai: Observing that the apex court did not prevent the high court from hearing cases relating to demonetisation of currency notes, the Madurai Bench of the Madras high court directed the Central government to file their response on a petition seeking to declare Rs 2,000 notes as invalid for using Devanagari form of numerals without passing any law in parliament for using it for any official purpose. "We are not going into the policy matter pending in the apex court on whether the government decision on demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 is valid or not," said Justice S.Nagamuthu. The Supreme court does not bar the high courts from hearing other cases related to demonetisation issues, the judge told ASG, G.R. Swaminathan when he argued that they have filed a transfer petition to hear all pending cases including this case in the apex court. ASG told the court the additional SG, Rajagopal would appear in this case and requested the judge to adjourn the case. The court posted the next hearing of the case to December 2. The rival gang attacked the car of actor-politician Karunas, who is also the vice-President of Nadigar Sangam. Chennai: As many as five cases were registered in connection with the violence that erupted during the conduct of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Nadigar Sangam on Sunday afternoon. One person was arrested in this regard. The rival gang attacked the car of actor-politician Karunas, who is also the vice-President of Nadigar Sangam. The actor's driver Karthi lodged a complaint against one Prabhu of Ramanathapuram, who was at the meeting venue in support of actor J.K. Ritheesh. Prabhu was arrested. In response, Prabhu preferred a complaint against the supporters of Karunas. A TV channel cameraman had preferred a complaint against a dozen unidentified men who thrashed him while he was covering the violence. Nadigar Sangan office bearer Balamurugan preferred a complaint on behalf of the association against 20 individuals, charging them with criminal trespass. These four cases were filed with Teynampet Police. Actor Vishal's manager lodged the last complaint with Virugambakkam Police station. An unidentified trio hurled stones on Vishal's car parked in his office in Virugambakkam. The complainant had also shared the CCTV footage with the City Police in which the trio was seen clearly targeting the BMW parked in the locked premises. Madras HC allows Sarath, Radha Ravi to challenge their expulsion The Madras high court has permitted actors Sarath Kumar and Radha Ravi, former president and general secretary of South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) to file fresh applications, challenging their removal from the Association. Originally, actors Nasser and Vishal were elected as president and general secretary of the association in the election held on October 18, 2015. Thereafter, the association passed a resolution temporarily suspending Sarath Kumar and Radha Ravi, alleging that they had committed irregularities in the functioning of the association during their tenure as president and general secretary. Challenging their temporary suspension, the two actors filed applications arising out of suits in the Madras high court. When these applications came up for hearing before Justice M.M. Sundresh on Monday, counsel for SIAA, informed the court that there was a fresh development and in the general body meeting held on Sunday, the two actors were permanently removed from the rolls. Therefore, these applications, challenging their temporary suspension, will not hold good, he added. Recording the same, the judge granted permission to Sarath Kumar and Radha Ravi to file fresh applications, challenging their permanent removal. New Delhi: The apex consumer commission has directed a doctor, who runs a private hospital in Rajasthan, to pay Rs 4.5 lakh to a minor boy for amputating his two fingers without seeking consent from his parents. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) also took note that the doctor, a West Bengal native, had been convicted by a trial court in a criminal case registered in this regard. "The criminal court did not find truth in the statement of the witnesses of the opposite party and convicted him. Even the conviction has been confirmed by the appellate court," the bench, headed by Ajit Bharihoke, said. The Commission also said that Rs 4.5 lakh for loss of limb cannot be termed as disproportionate and dismissed the appeal filed by accused doctor A K Sarkar against a state commission order which had upheld the district forum's decision. According to the complaint, in 2004, the fingers of Sampath Kumar, son of an Udaipur-resident Narayan Lal, came under the blades of a domestic flour mill after which he was taken to a hospital run by Sarkar. The doctor assured the parents that Sampath would be fine but allegedly amputated his two fingers without seeking consent from his parents. A criminal complaint was also registered in this regard under relevant sections of IPC. The doctor denied that he amputated the fingers Sampath. He also said that on seeing the condition of the child, he refused to treat him but on the insistence of his father, he gave first aid and bandaged him. The district forum ordered the doctor to pay the amount along with Rs 5,000 as litigation cost to Sampath after dismissing the doctor's contention that his fingers were detached from his hand when he was brought to the hospital. The Karnataka government announced that 11 gram panchayats will be provided with rural Wi-Fi services to encourage village level entrepreneurs to sell their products online. Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Tuesday said that nearly 4300 gram panchayats have been provided with high speed FTTH (Fiber To The Home) connectivity to digitally connect rural Karnataka, on the second day of its annual IT event, Bengaluru ITE.biz 2016. BSNL signed an MoU with the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) to extend connections to nearly 30,000 villages. To add to this we have connected 4,300 gram panchayats out of 5631. 1500 more will be complete by March 2017, said P. Nagaraju, ITS, CGM of BSNL. The state announced that 11 gram panchayats will be provided with rural Wi-Fi services to encourage village level entrepreneurs to sell their products online. Gram panchayats in Mysuru, Tumakuru, Gadag, Ballari, Kalaburgi and Bagalkot will benefit form the Wi-Fi services. A few gram panchayats in districts such as Mysuru, Tumakuru, Gadag, Ballari, Kalaburgi and Bagalkot will benefit form the Wi-Fi services. Chennai: AIADMK on Tuesday ridiculed arch rival DMK's oft repeated claim that Tamil Nadu government is "non-functional", asserting that the state machinery is functioning without any slump in work. "All kinds of government work is going on sans any lag negating leader of opposition MK Stalin's claim that government machinery has come to a standstill," AIADMK said adding such work has made people feel that the DMK leader's claim was a "blatant lie," and a "wanton propaganda." Hitting out at DMK, AIADMK's mouthpiece 'Dr Namadhu MGR' said the pace of administrative work has been stepped up in the state and a string of development activities were on. It listed several review meetings of state ministers and inspection of ongoing works "on the directive of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa," to buttress its point. DMK treasurer MK Stalin has been criticising the AIADMK government often, claiming that the state government was "non-functional". He used to mention it frequently while campaigning for the November 19 polls in three constituencies in Tamil Nadu and repeated the charge even on November 27 while participating in a function. On Stalin slamming the party for not speaking up on demonetisation, the party mouthpiece referred to the protests by AIADMK MPs inside and outside Parliament against the Centre and described the DMK leader's criticism as "ignorance and mischievous." Stalin had asked why Chief Minister Jayalalithaa or Finance Minister O Panneerselvam had not spoken on demonetisation when leaders across the country had done so. Finance Minister O Panneerselvam's review meeting at Theni on proper distribution of drinking water, Electricity Minister P Thangamani inspecting overbridge works in Namakkal district and Erode, besides Handloom Minister OS Manian inspecting ongoing works in Nagapattinam district were listed by the mouthpiece. Tourism Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan and Backward Classes Minister S Valarmathi inaugurating LED lamps from Chattiram railway gate in Tiruchirappali to Chennai bypass road set up at a cost of Rs.34.80 lakh was also cited by it. Inauguration of similar works by other Ministers including Animal Husbandry Minister P Balakrishna Reddy, and Transport Minister M R Vijayabhaskar giving away welfare assistance to the tune of Rs 23 lakh in Karur district were also mentioned. Chennai: The state unit of the BJP lashed out at the DMK, Congress and the left parties saying they lacked the support of the people on the demonetisation initiative of the Narendra Modi government. People are with our Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi with regard to the surgical strike on black money. They are not with the opposition parties, party president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said reacting to the agitation against the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currencies by the Centre earlier this month. Meanwhile, the BJP members went about explaining to the people the positive aspects of the demonetisation under the Modi for People, People with Modi campaign that was launched for the occasion to counter opposition agitation against demonetisation. Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu had hit out at the opposition parties and said they had no reason to be angry as the people said they were willing to bear with the short-term pains for long-term gains. Chandigarh: The Election Commission has asked the AAP to submit its manifestos for Punjab, including the ones it released on dalits and farmers, as it is mandatory for parties. The matter was raised by the Election Commission recently in a meeting with representatives of the political parties in poll-bound Punjab. "It is mandatory to submit the manifestos to the Election Commission once they are released. Since the Aam Aadmi Party was the first one to release the manifesto, we have asked them to furnish two copies of each of their manifestos," a senior EC official said. Last week, the AAP had come up with a dalit manifesto in Punjab, a state that has over 25 per cent of the population from the community. AAP Convenor Arind Kejriwal had also announced that the deputy chief minister of the state would be a dalit. Apart from dalits, the party has until now released manifestos on farmers, traders and youth. New Delhi: Congress on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi provide details of bank transactions of BJP and its MPs made before November 8 when the demonetisation move was announced if he was "really serious" on the issue. The Congress' demand came after Modi, earlier in the day, asked BJP MPs, Ministers and MLAs to submit their bank account statements between November 8, the day he announced the demonetisation, and December 31 to party chief Amit Shah on January 1, 2017. "I was impressed with the prime minister for his move, because he knows if he asks the financial details of before November 8, then it will be a problem. That is the reason, he has asked the financial details after November 8. "First tell us, payments to Shakhayee (RSS units) made through which cheques? Tell us how much money was deposited by MPs and the party before November 8? Tell us what happened in West Bengal and Bihar? If he tell us these, then I would feel that the prime minister is really serious on the issue," the party spokesperson said. Stressing that he was "not levelling any charges" on BJP, Sibal said "I am only saying that if you need transparency, then you should tell how much money was deposited in MPs and party account before November 8." On the issue of disruptions in Parliament, he said in a lighter vein, "this is what (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley has taught us. Please ask him. He has said disruption is part of parliamentary strategy otherwise the message does not go home. So, we are learning from the great parliamentarian." He, however, clarified that the Opposition party was raising the people's issue. "Eighty people have died due to this demonetisation and we should sit quietly? This is not some alleged coal scam or alleged other scam, it is a scam where 80 lives have been lost and we should keep quiet? We should make an open statement, according to BJP, that prime minister need not come to the Parliament?" he asked. Terming as "thoughtless, mindless" the demonetisation exercise, Sibal said the prime minister is shying away from giving a reply on the issue because he cannot answer the concerns raised by the Opposition. "We are seeing the results on other ground, that is why he does not want to come. We want prime minister to participate in the debate and the House must be assured that PM will come. That is our demand," he said. On amendments to Income Tax Act, he said the "mind of the BJP is exceptionally flexible because everyday it changes its mind. We are extremely delighted by the fact that they are so flexible that they don't know what to do. "When they see a difficulty coming, they change their mind. Prime Minister and this government should have thought these things thorough and had a policy framework in place before they took these adhoc decisions," he said. Claiming that since November 8, the RBI and other authorities have changed the directions atleast 175 times he said, this does "not augur well" for the country. On the terror strikes in Jammu, the Congress leader said when the "surgical strike" be a success, as about 18 defence personnel have lost their lives since the surgical strike was carried out and 300 border violations have occurred. Meawnhile, BJP MP Babu Supriyo hailed the Modi's direction to his functionaries to disclose the financial details, saying the move proves that "charity begins at home and honesty should start from your own backyard" "Agay agay dekhiye sarkar kis tarah ke kadam uthati hai (Let's see what measures the government takes). Directions to MPs and MLAs proves that charity begins at home and honesty should start from your own backyard," he said. The Opposition parties may themselves have come to the conclusion that their nationwide protest call on Monday served little purpose other than reinforce empty ritualism, that has emerged as the bane of our public life. The Left parties, mainly the CPI(M), were guilty of this more than the others by seeking a bandh or all-India shutdown. Quite apart from the fact that this would have thrown ordinary people into a wore quandary than the one in which they already find themselves as they have to spend hours in bank queues due to demonetisation, the Leftists forgot they have little public support in the country at this time. Who cares if they enforced a near-bandh in Kerala, where they run a government? That merely demonstrates that a bandh works only when you have power government authority or peoples power. In Parliament, the protest against demonetisation, that is neither an anti-black money measure nor a welfare measure for the poor, has gone on for over a week. All the Opposition parties have wisely declared that while they support the eradication of black money and corrupt practices as laudable goals, demonetisation is not intended to meet those objectives, contrary to what the government claims. The whole idea of first protesting in Parliament and then outside is misplaced. Remember, people have resilience and can take some hardship in their stride. Let the Opposition change tack and press for a debate on taking black money out of party funding and running election campaigns. That will be refreshing, and helpful too. Fidel Castro was no Joseph Stalin, he was no Mao Zedong. He was more like Ho Chi Minh. And that was the main reason for the longevity of his government. He was a Communist in a vague sense but he was no dogmatic Marxist. Perhaps he may not have read any Marx at all. Cuba was also a country which was used to revolutions and coups from the time it gained independence from the United States in 1902 after a three-year American occupation. And by the 1950s, Cuba was a fairly well-developed economy, though more than half the agriculture and mines were under American ownership. Cuba was always ready for a revolution as an escape from inefficient and dictatorial regimes. Remember that Castro had a failed coup in 1953 behind him before he made it good in 1959. In 1953, he was captured, imprisoned, freed and then exiled. There is no doubt that what contributed to the making of the Castro legend as the David standing up against the Goliath that was the United States was the shabby Bay of Pigs episode, where 1,500 exiled Cubans tried to stage an invasion with the help of the notorious Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1961. The 1962 Cuban missile crisis as a matter of fact helped to retrieve the American reputation when the then Soviet Union backed out. But the little-known fact of that episode is that the United States had agreed not to make any more attempts to overthrow the Cuban government. It is the second major American concession after Franklin Delano Roosevelt undid the Platt Act, which empowered the United States to meddle in Cuban affairs. The survival of Castro from American machinations can be the stuff of folklore. But the more substantial fact of the success of Castro inside Cuba was that he remained a pragmatist. Though his co-revolutionary Che Guevaras programme for weaning away from Cuban economy from sugarcane cultivation was abandoned, and Castro pursued a 10-million cane production plan and succeeded in the 1960s, the diversification of the economy was inevitable and it happened in the 1970s and the 1980s. There was the fact that Cuba was subsidised by the Soviet Union until its fall, but Castro and Cuba adjusted themselves to the post-Soviet era. The pragmatist in Castro is best seen in the fact that Cubans who were allowed to go to the United States remitted huge amounts in dollars, and the Cuban dictator did not show any aversion for the capitalist dollar. The major achievement of the Castro government has been the welfare measures of free education, healthcare along with employment and housing, which seems to have kept the people at large in good humour. There is no doubt that he dealt harshly with his critics, imprisoned them or exiled them. But this did not seem to lead to popular discontent. Over the years, Cuban tourism became the mainstay of the economy even as agriculture and manufacturing declined considerably. In the last decade, under his brother Raul, the economy was opened up. It is interesting to note that Cuba sent its doctors and teachers to Venezuela in return for oil, a barter exchange. Castros Cuba then coped with the tectonic shifts in the ideological and economic terms because the leader/dictator stuck to populism and not to any kind of rigid Marxist doctrine. He did support popular movements in some of the rebel movements, unsuccessfully in South America, and with a margin of success in Angola and Ethiopia. But he stuck to the basic goal of providing for Cubans. The United States, with its irrational hatred of all leftist regimes anywhere in the world, and specially in the Western hemisphere, tried every dirty trick. As in Vietnam, so in Cuba, the United States could not read the writing on the wall: Vietnamese and Cubans did not like bullies, and they stood together as a people. In other words, it is the nationalist pride of Vietnam and Cuba that defeated the arrogance of the United States. The US strategic leaders supported the most unpopular groups in Cuba as well as in the then South Vietnam and lost the strategic war. The ideologues in Washington and elsewhere in the universities the American educational institutions are unsurprisingly puppets in the governments propaganda manoeuvres viewed Castro as a Communist and therefore the enemy of democracy. The people of Cuba seemed to have silently rebutted the lopsided American view by sticking to Castro the Cuban leader rather than Castro the Communist. The state-run economy was not a huge success and people were allowed to run their own farms and businesses by and by. The iron curtain between Cuba and the United States was rather a thin one. Castro did not create a personality cult, which prevented the governmental system from being flexible. His long-winded harangues might have been tiresome to the people and they must have yawned away to glory sitting through them, but there were not too many sycophants who insisted that the people should genuflect before the leader. Though most Cubans became less Roman Catholic than they were before the 1959 takeover 1959 was not really a revolution other Protestant churches have become active in the island country. Cubans, including Castro, seemed to have believed in letting things be and did not indulge in the decimation of the ideological enemy. This seems to be the main reason for the quietude in Cuban society and politics. The antediluvian leftists, socialists and other political hippies this side of the Suez should remember that in the 1952 election Castro contested as a candidate of the Cuban Peoples Party. The election was aborted through a coup of Fulgencio Batista, who was responsible for the 1940 constitution, and for some of the welfare and socialist measures in governance. Castro led the 26th of July Movement, and the Cuban Communist Party, which was set up in 1925 through the Third International, and which corroborated with the Batista government in 1940 and a little later as well, merged with the 26th of July Movement after the Castro takeover. The official Communist Party of Cuba came into existence in 1965 and it was declared the only official party in the constitution of 1976. Unlike Stalin and Mao, who had to deify themselves in order to control large populations, Castro was content to be a popular and populist leader of about 10 million people of Cuba. There is a world of a difference between reading a description of something, or hearing, and actually experiencing it for oneself. This qualitative difference between kinds of knowing is usually illustrated with the simplest example possible, that of taste. One might read all the books in the world that describe the taste of honey, for instance, but just by placing one drop of it in the mouth, there occurs an immediate and intimate knowledge of what it tastes like. This knowing is precisely what separates an actual experience of truth from its descriptions. On the spiritual path, it is a distinction one would do well to keep in mind. For, anybody can listen to or read words of wisdom and feel accomplished because they have understood what those words mean. But this understanding will remain superficial until it is re-forged and tested in the laboratory of life. A popular teacher of Buddhism once spoke about the ease with which one is able to generate feelings of loving-kindness and compassion in solitary retreat, when there is no one around. Alone, it is very easy to imagine the whole world in your embrace, she emphasised, but the minute there is one other person in the room, you will know where you truly stand. It is because until then, we have only heard what the honey of compassion would taste like from texts and teachers and have based our practice on this conception. Robotic surgeries or robotically-assisted surgery for the removal of cancer tumours and other procedures has raised questions of the contamination of tools and on-site infections. Hyderabad: Robotic surgeries or robotically-assisted surgery for the removal of cancer tumours and other procedures has raised questions of the contamination of tools and on-site infections, according to a recent report published in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Some 132 robotic surgeries were studied over 21 months in various centres in the Western countries. The study found that the present method of cleaning very small tools attached to the robotic arm was not sufficient and it required more detailed methods to avoid on-site infections. A senior doctor who has carried out more than 100 surgeries in the city explained, Robotic tools are very minute and also complex in nature. Hence it requires a different set of cleaning at the hospital level. The cleaning is done by highly specialised trained staff but there are tiny objects which require multiple cleaning to ensure that they are safe. Replace-ment entails a cost, and when the cleaning is not su-fficient then these objects have to be replaced. The same meticulous cleaning applies even to appliances used in general surgery, but with the advent of a wide range of disposables, these costs are being taken care of. Instruments used in robotic surgery were found to have high residue of protein and that is why it was felt that the present method of cleaning by a process called ultrasonication was not helping and more advanced methods were necessary. A senior pathologist at the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) explained, Ordinary instruments when cleaned with this method are found to have no contaminants in 99 per cent of cases. But this method is proving to be only 97 per cent effective in the case of robotic tools. This is raising concerns of on-site infections in already immune-compromised patients. Hence the need to establish new cleaning standards for these instruments. While surgeons overall agree that these are wonderful tools that allow them to manoeuvre into some of the most difficult parts of the body, their use is also throwing up challenges which must be addressed. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Johannesburg: South Africa's ruling ANC party rejected a call for scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma to resign after a "difficult" debate, a party official said on Tuesday. Zuma has been weakened by corruption scandals, but his supporters were taken by surprise at an attempt to oust him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress's executive committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zuma's hold on power since he became president in 2009. It also shook the ANC party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994 but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. "Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the (ANC executive committee) did not support the call for the president to step down," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, told reporters. "All members of the (executive committee) had an opportunity to raise, in the meeting, the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country. All these are very important." Local media said the meeting, which was extended into Monday was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. But the president and his loyalists eventually headed off the attempt to oust him. Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. New York: President-elect Donald Trump on Monday stepped up his search for a new US Secretary of State on Monday, with the focus on former CIA head David Petraeus who is a candidate despite admitting he shared classified information with his mistress. The Republican was to meet Petraeus, a retired General, at Trump Tower in Manhattan in a new round of interviews. Once the top US military commander in Iraq and Afghanistan, Petraeus was sentenced to two years' probation and fined $100,000 last year for the unauthorised removal and retention of classified information. He admitted sharing classified information with his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. The scandal forced Petraeus to resign from the CIA in 2012. Petraeus has also been mentioned as a possible new Secretary of Defence. Mr Trump, who takes office on January 20, is also holding talks with Mitt Romney on Tuesday in his second recent meeting with the 2012 Republican presidential nominee. US Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani are also in the mix for the job of America's top diplomat, Mr Trump's aides say. Trump spokesman Jason Miller, asked if the president-elect was nearing the end of his search for a secretary of state, said Mr Trump is using the interview process as he works toward a final decision on the position. "He'll complete that when he's ready," Mr Miller said. "He's going to pick the person that he thinks will do the absolutely best job." Petraeus troubles Petraeus' past mishandling of classified documents is unlikely to be an obstacle to him being offered a top government post, even though Mr Trump harshly criticized Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during the election campaign for using a private email server while she was secretary of state. Trump often compared the prosecution of Mr Petraeus with the lack of legal action against Ms Clinton, who was investigated by the FBI but never charged with any offence. "Just based on his public statements, I think (Trump) sees Petraeus as a good man who made a mistake, who did a fraction of what other people have done and received a lot more punishment," said a source who has advised the transition team on national security. Among the Trump transition team, Mr Petraeus and Mr Romney are supported by Republicans looking for a candidate with gravitas who can unify the party, the source said. Giuliani is favoured by aides who worked on the election campaign while ideological conservatives are more inclined towards John Bolton, the former ambassador to the United Nations, the source said. Mr Corker is well regarded but some in the Trump camp do not want too many senators coming into the Cabinet, the source said. Trump arrived back in New York on Sunday after several days in Florida for Thanksgiving. He caused a stir by on Sunday when he alleged on Twitter that "serious voter fraud" had occurred in the presidential election in New Hampshire, Virginia, and California - states won by Clinton - but provided no evidence to back his assertion. In New Hampshire, the deadline to apply for a recount has already passed. Any strong evidence of widespread voter fraud in New Hampshire could still be investigated by the state's attorney general, according to David Scanlan, the state's deputy secretary of state. But Mr Scanlan emphasized that his office had not received reports of voter fraud on the scale alleged by Mr Trump. "There's no evidence that we've seen that supports claims like that. Voter fraud does occur, but it occurs in isolated instances," he said. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla said Trump's "unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in California and elsewhere are absurd." Washington: Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American to be elected to the US Senate, is a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2020 elections, a leading American newspaper said on Tuesday. Harris, 51, whose mother was from Chennai and father from Jamaica, is one among the six Democratic leaders, whom The Washington Post said are the top contenders to bag the party's nomination for the 2020 presidential elections. Interestingly four of these are women. The other three being outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama, Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York. Other two potential Democratic presidential candidates according to the US daily are Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey and Governor John Hickenlooper from Colorado. "Harris will not officially become a US senator from California for more than a month, but she is already regarded as national-candidate material in four years," Washington Post columnist Chris Cillizza wrote in his article. "It is not hard to see why. She is the first African American woman elected to the Senate since Carol Moseley Braun in 1992. Harris also represents the largest and most Democratic state in the country, a huge financial launchpad to a presidential bid," he said, noting that through mid-October, she had raised more than $13 million for her Senate candidacy. "Her law-and-order background - she was elected and reelected attorney general in California - also will appeal to many Democrats. Whether Harris wants to - or will be ready to run for national office so soon after being elected to the Senate remains to be seen," Cillizza said. Harris is a two-term popular Attorney General of California. She was elected to the United States Senate from California in a landslide. She was endorsed by outgoing US President Barack Obama, in her Senate race. The Washington Post columnist also said First Lady Michelle has true star power. "She gave the two best political speeches of the past two years - the first at the Democratic National Convention in July, the second in New Hampshire in the fall, an emotional condemnation of Trump's America," he said. "Obama has one thing - with the possible exception of Booker - that the rest of the people on this list lack: true star power. She would start the race not only totally known by base Democrats but also absolutely beloved. The issue for Obama is that being a candidate in your own right is very different from being a surrogate for a candidate," he wrote. However, Obama in the past has said she has no interest in running for office. Donald Trump debuted his presidential hat with 45 stitched on to the side, a nod to his forthcoming inauguration as the 45th US president. (Image: Via Web) WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday said that he had fallen short in the popular vote in the general election only because millions of people had voted illegally, leveling the baseless claim as part of a daylong storm of Twitter posts voicing anger about a three-state recount push. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, Mr Trump wrote on Monday afternoon. The series of posts came one day after Hillary Clintons campaign said it would participate in a recount effort being undertaken in Wisconsin, and potentially in similar pushes in Michigan and Pennsylvania, by Jill Stein, who was the Green Party candidate. Mr Trumps statements revived claims he made during the campaign, as polls suggested he was losing to Ms Clinton, about a rigged and corrupt system. The Twitter outburst also came as Mr Trump is laboring to fill crucial positions in his Cabinet, with his advisers enmeshed in a rift over whom he should select as secretary of state. On Monday, Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser, extended a public campaign to undermine one contender, Mitt Romney a remarkable display by a member of a president-elects team. In television appearances, she accused Mr Romney of having gone out of his way to hurt Mr Trump during the Republican primary contests. Claims of wide-scale voter fraud have been advanced for years by Republicans, though virtually no evidence of such improprieties has been discovered especially on the scale of millions that Mr Trump claimed. Late on Monday, again without providing evidence, he referred in a Twitter post to serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California. Many of Ms Clintons supporters have been galvanised by the notion that vote recounts in the three states where Mr Trump leads by a combined total of about 1,00,000 votes could somehow overturn Mr Trumps commanding Electoral College victory. By announcing, three weeks after Ms Clinton conceded the race, that it would participate in the Wisconsin recount, her team has helped reignite the contentious atmosphere of the campaign, of which Mr Trumps Twitter barrages were a fixture. After spending almost five days in Palm Beach, Florida, where he celebrated Thanksgiving, Mr Trump made no public statements other than those via Twitter on Monday. By arrangement with the New York Times According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. (Photo: AP/AFP) New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the Somali-born Ohio State University student who plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus and then got out and began stabbing people with a knife. (Photo: AP) Washington: A car and knife attack by an Ohio State University student that injured 11 people on Monday before the suspect was shot dead by a police officer is being investigated as a possible terror attack, a U.S. congressman and another government source said. The suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was shot and killed by a police officer with less than two years on the force after driving into a group of people and then jumping out of the vehicle and stabbing people with a butcher knife at the school's Columbus campus, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University. The assailant was an 18-year-old immigrant from Somalia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, two U.S. government sources said. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone told a news conference that Artan might have been as old as 20. The officials said they could not speak on the record because of the ongoing investigation. US Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation. "It bears all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalised," Schiff said in a statement. Another US official, who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation, told Reuters that U.S. agencies are investigating the Columbus attackers background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups. President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. A spokesman for Columbus' Somali community spoke out against the attack. I want everyone to know that we the Somali-American community stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow Americans in condemning the sickening violence that took place in our city earlier today," Abdi Dini, a member of the Somali community, said at a news conference in Ohio. Suspect said didn't "even know where to pray" The campus newspaper, The Lantern, on Monday posted on its website an interview with Artan that it had published only in print in August as part of its Humans of Ohio State feature. In the interview, Artan, a third-year logistics management student, said he had recently transferred to Ohio State from Columbus State University. Artan talked about being a Muslim and said that Columbus State had offered more accommodations for prayer. "We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day," he was quoted as saying. Artan said he was scared to pray openly on campus as a Muslim, saying that he feared that media portrayals of Muslims would give people the wrong idea about him. "This place is huge, and I don't even know where to pray," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. ... But I just did it. ... I went over to the corner and just prayed." Of the people injured in the attack on Monday, one was critically injured, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance. "It frankly took a piece out of everybody here at our beautiful Ohio State University that this could have happened here," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at a news conference. With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university. Fire officials said the critically injured victim was taken to the university hospital. A spokeswoman said that by Monday evening, none of the patients there suffered from life-threatening conditions. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, including two with stab wounds and three who were hit by the vehicle, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer. Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said. The university initially reported the attack on Twitter, saying it involved an "active shooter." Moll said that while in the vehicle, the suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall. He then left the vehicle and stabbed several other people, Stone, the Ohio State police chief, said. Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said. Monday's incident follows a stabbing attack in September at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where a man whose family came to the United States from Somalia wounded 10 people with a knife before he was shot to death by an off-duty police officer. Authorities last month indicated the Minnesota attacker showed signs of radicalisation, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent said his actions appeared to be "consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups." CNN aired an image from a room at Ohio State where students had barricaded a door with stacked chairs. Columbus and university police continued their investigation with assistance from the FBI. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump today nominated an Indian-American woman to a top administration position, making her in charge of a federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. "I am pleased to nominate (Dr) Seema Verma to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services," Trump said in a statement. The announcement came along with Trump's nomination of Congressman Tom Price as his Health and Human Services Secretary. A leading expert in the country on Medicare and Medicaid, Verma would serve as Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," Trump said. "I am honoured to be nominated by President-elect Trump today," said Verma, who met Trump in New York last week. "I look forward to helping him tackle our nation's daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way," she said. Verma currently is the President, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc, a national health policy consulting company. Based in Indianapolis, Verma has supported Indiana through development of the historic programme since its inception in 2007, from development of the enabling legislation, negotiating the financing plan with the state's hospital association, developing the federal waiver, supporting federal negotiations and leading the implementation of the programme, including the operational design. For more than 20 years, she has worked extensively on a variety of policy and strategic projects involving Medicaid, insurance, and public health, working with Governors' offices, state medicaid agencies, state health departments, state departments of insurance, as well as the federal government, private companies and foundations. "Verma has extensive experience redesigning Medicaid programmes in several states. Verma is the architect of the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the nation's first consumer directed Medicaid programme under Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana and then-Governor Pence's HIP 2.0 waiver proposal," said the presidential transition team. Verma received her Master's degree in Public Health, with a concentration in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins University, and her Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from the University of Maryland. She served as the state of Indiana's health reform lead following the passage of Obamacare in 2010. Verma is a graduate of the Richard G Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, and in 2016, Vice President-elect Mike Pence awarded her the Sagamore of the Wabash. Additionally, Verma was recently selected to participate in the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network. Prior to consulting, Verma served as Vice President of Planning for the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County and as a Director with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) in Washington D.C. New York: Donald Trumps hunt for a secretary of state is veering into dramatic terrain, with the president-elect summoning Mitt Romney back for a second look as a top aide leads a public pressure campaign against the pick. Mr Trump has a follow-up meeting on Tuesday with the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, who has become a symbol of the internal divisions agitating the transition team. He also plans to sit with Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On Monday, he spent an hour with retired Gen. David Petraeus, a new contender. Aides were divided over Mr Trumps choices, particularly the prospect that he could tap Mr Romney for the top-tier diplomatic post. In an unusual public airing of internal machinations, senior adviser Kellyanne Conway on Sunday warned that the president-elects supporters would feel betrayed if he tapped Mr Romney as secretary of state. Meanwhile, the president-elect is also considering former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, a loyal Trump supporter, for the most prized job. According to the Washington Post, Mr Giuliani has openly campaigned for the job and has told friends that he is likely to get it. However, the Trump team thinks it may be challenging and even unlikely for him to win the Senates approval. Mr Giulianis business interests and the millions he has earned in paid speeches and consulting work for foreign entities would come under scrutiny, the Post reported. On Monday, former CIA director Petraeus spent about an hour with Mr Trump. He praised the president-elect showing a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there. The former CIA chief pleaded guilty last year to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified information relating to documents he had provided to his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. Vice president-elect Mike Pence, who is heading the transition effort, is said to be among those backing Mr Romney for secretary of state. Other top Trump allies, notably Ms Conway, have launched a highly unusual public campaign against a Romney nomination. He comments stirred speculation that she is seeking either to force Mr Trumps hand or give him cover for ultimately passing over Mr Romney. Columbus: The Somali-born student, who injured 11 people in a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University before being shot and killed, had lived in Pakistan along with his family for about seven years. The 18-year-old attacker, identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident, NBC News quoted law enforcement officials as saying. He rammed his car into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday and attacked them with a butcher knife, injuring 11 before police fatally shot him. Investigators are investigating whether the attack was an act of terror by Artan, who had once criticised the media for its portrayal of Muslims. In a magazine in August, he was quoted as saying that he is scared to pray in the public because of media coverage of the religion. He also appears to have made an anti-US post on Facebook minutes before the attack, on a page that was quickly disabled or taken down by authorities, US media said. I cant take it any more. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that, the post said. Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday hit out at what he called "bullshit" Western threats to seek his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his role in a bloody crackdown on drugs. Police figures show Duterte's campaign has killed more than 2,500 people since he took office on June 30, about three-quarters in police counter-narcotics operations, and the rest believed to be the victims of vigilantes or druglords eliminating rivals or silencing those who could implicate them. An ICC prosecutor last month said the Hague-based tribunal may have jurisdiction to prosecute the perpetrators of Philippines killings. "You scare me that you will jail me? International Criminal Court? Bullshit," Duterte said during a speech. He scolded the United States for what he called hypocritical threats to try him in the ICC, to which Washington itself is not a signatory. He did not specify when the US threat was made. The United States chose not to sign the Rome Statute to protect former President George W Bush, Duterte said, without elaborating. "America itself is threatening to jail me in the International Criminal Court," Duterte said. "It is not a signatory of that body. Why? Because at that time, they were afraid Bush would face it." For months, Duterte has been ridiculing concerns that extrajudicial killings could be taking place in his drugs war, and the United States, European Union and United Nations have been the preferred targets of his comments. The brash former mayor and prosecutor said lawyers in Europe were "rotten", "stupid", and had a "brain like a pea". This month, Duterte said he might follow Russia's move to withdraw from the ICC, describing it as "useless". He believes the West has failed to comprehend the gravity of the Philippines' methamphetamine problem and has said he was ready to "rot in jail" to achieve his goals. There is nothing wrong with threatening to kill bad elements, he said on Monday. "I will never allow my country to be thrown to the dogs," Duterte said. "I said, when I was a mayor, 'If you destroy my city with drugs I will kill you.' Simple as that... When was it a crime to say, 'I will kill you,' in protecting my country?" She was lashed seven times with a rattan cane by a man wearing long robes and a hood, with just slits for the eyes. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Banda Aceh: An Indonesian woman screamed in agony as she was caned in Aceh on Monday, the latest in a growing number of women to be publicly flogged for breaking the provinces strict Islamic laws. In the latest caning, five people, two women and three men were flogged in front of a cheering crowd at a mosque in the provincial capital Banda Aceh. The 34-year-old woman who yelled in pain had been found guilty of spending time in close proximity with a man who was not her husband in contravention of Acehs Islamic regulations. She was lashed seven times with a rattan cane by a man wearing long robes and a hood, with just slits for the eyes. It hurts so bad, the woman said, raising her arms into the air, as she was beaten. The 32-year-old man with whom she was caught was also flogged seven times. Two university students, both 19, received 100 lashes of the cane after they confessed to sex outside marriage. They stared at the ground as they were flogged, showing little emotion. A man found guilty of sex outside marriage was flogged 22 times although his partner, who is two-months pregnant, is still waiting to learn her fate after facing trial at an Islamic court. However Aceh authorities typically spare pregnant women from canings. Aceh, on Sumatra island, began implementing sharia law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency. Islamic laws have been strengthened since the province struck a peace deal with Jakarta in 2005, and there has been a particular increase in the number of women being caned in recent times. Seoul: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye will address the nation over a snowballing influence-peddling scandal on Wednesday, her spokesman said, as Seoul lawmakers stepped up efforts to impeach her. The televised address, Park's third over the scandal that has engulfed her presidency will be made at 0530 GMT Wednesday, her spokesman said without elaborating further. Meanwhile, a sufficient number of ruling party lawmakers joined the three opposition parties in endorsing a motion to remove the president from office, lawmakers said. "We plan to have the impeachment passed (by parliament) this week", floor leader Woo Sang-Ho of the main opposition Democratic Party was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. Woo's counterpart in the second largest opposition People's Party, Park Jie-Won also said the impeachment motion would be passed on Friday. Massive weekly protests have been intensifying over the past month, with up to 1.5 million people braving freezing temperatures in Seoul Saturday to demand Park's resignation, according to organisers. Park's justice minister and a senior advisor have both stepped down, while even staunch supporters from within the president's ruling Saenuri Party have joined calls for her departure. Park has issued public apologies over the scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has been arrested for fraud and abuse of power, but has defied repeated calls to resign. Choi is also accused of interfering in government affairs, despite holding no official position. The 60-year-old allegedly leveraged her relationship with Park to coerce donations from conglomerates, including SK, Lotte and Samsung, to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain. Park had promised to submit herself to a judicial probe, as well as a separate investigation by an independent special prosecutor to be appointed by parliament. But she backtracked, with her lawyer rejecting a series of requests by prosecutors to make herself available for questioning. Her approval ratings have plunged to a record low for a sitting president as top advisers and some of South Korea's most powerful companies are caught up in the ever-widening scandal. The headquarters of SK, Lotte and Samsung were raided by state prosecutors last week along with the offices of the finance ministry and state pension fund. If parliament passes the impeachment motion, Park would immediately be suspended from official duties and her prime minister would take over as an interim head of government. The Constitutional Court could take as long as six months to decide whether to approve the impeachment. A Taiwan Coast Guard ship and cargo ship take part in a search-and-rescue exercise off of Taiping island in the South China Sea. (Photo: AP) Taiping Island: Taiwan held a search-and-rescue exercise in the South China Sea on Tuesday as part of efforts to cement its hold over a key island in the strategically vital waterbody. Eight vessels and three aircraft took part in the drill simulating a fire aboard a cargo ship that forced crew members to seek safety on Taiping in the Spratly island group. Both coast guard and navy ships participated in the exercise. While Taiwan claims all of the Spratlys, it only occupies Taiping and hasn't challenged the presence of forces from China and other nations on other islands in the group. Coast guard head Lee Chung-wei told journalists that Taiwan's sovereignty over Taiping is "undeniable," but that it wants to turn the island into a base for humanitarian relief missions in the area. "The purpose of this drill is to tell international society that we are keen to conduct humanitarian relief on the island. We want to maintain peace in this region and put away disputes," Lee said. In recent years, Taiwan's chief rival, China, has been aggressively pushing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, putting it in conflict with neighbors Vietnam and the Philippines. Malaysia and Brunei also claim parts of the South China Sea, while Indonesia has become increasingly assertive in defending its exclusive economic zone that encompasses rich fisheries and a potential wealth of mineral resources. Bangkok: Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday submitted the name of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to the nation's rubber-stamp parliament, paving the way for his endorsement as king several weeks after his father's death. The country has been plunged into mourning since widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, ending a remarkable seven-decade long reign and removing a key pillar of unity in a bitterly divided nation. Tuesday's cabinet announcement puts to bed anxiety over succession that was sparked when the junta made a surprise announcement after Bhumibol's death that the prince had asked to delay his official proclamation so he could mourn. Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and the junta's number two, said his ascension was "proceeding step-by-step", according to the country's arcane succession rules. "The prime minister's secretary will notify the National Legislative Assembly," he told reporters after a special cabinet meeting. According to procedure, the assembly speaker then has to formally invite the Crown Prince to become monarch before proclaiming the new king to the public. Prawit said the Thai parliament's president would likely receive a royal audience "either tomorrow or the day after". Proclamation is expected shortly after the audience. Vajiralongkorn, 64, has been the named successor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for more than four decades. He spends much of his time outside the kingdom, particularly in southern Germany where he owns property. A military source told AFP the prince was still currently in Germany. He will soon inherit one of the world's richest monarchies, an institution protected by a harsh royal defamation law. That law makes open discussion about the royal family's role all but impossible inside the kingdom. Officially Thailand's monarch has limited constitutional power. But over his seven-decade reign, Bhumibol built up a powerful network of alliances, especially within Thailand's powerful military elite, and forged a reputation as an arbiter in times of crisis. Yet the late king has left his son with a sharply divided country. Thailand's last decade has seen a cycle of political protests, coups by an arch-royalist military while inequality has deepened. The latest coup was in 2014. Berlin: Germany's foreign intelligence chief is warning of cyber attacks aimed at political destabilisation as the country prepares for an election next year, and says evidence suggests Russian involvement in hacking during the US campaign. Bruno Kahl, who leads the Federal Intelligence Service, told Tuesday's edition of daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung that his agency knows of "cyber attacks that have no other point than causing political insecurity." He said that "Europe is in the focus of this attempted disruption, and Germany in particular." US authorities have concluded Russia was responsible for hacking Democratic National Committee emails, which Russia denies. Kahl said he has "indications it comes from those quarters." He said it's technically difficult to assign blame to any "state actor" but that "some things speak for it being at least tolerated or wished for on the part of the state." "The perpetrators have an interest in delegitimising the democratic process as such whomever that later helps," Kahl was quoted as saying. "I have the impression that the outcome of the American election isn't causing mourning in Russia so far." Traces left on the internet suggest that those responsible wanted to demonstrate what they can do, "and not just in the US elections," he said. Germany's election is expected next September, and votes in the Netherlands and France are scheduled earlier in the year. Kahl, whose agency is best known by its German acronym BND, said that Germany isn't alone on the list of target countries. And he added, "it could be that the increasing transparency on these matters will lead to a rethink." "It is right to address this kind of thing openly," he said. "A kind of pressure is being exerted on public discourse and democracy that is not acceptable." Dubai: A 48-year-old Indian man in Dubai, who has been living in a public park and has no money for even a bus ticket, has walked more than 1,000 kilometres over two years to attend court proceedings to obtain a flight ticket to return home. Jagannathan Selvaraj, who hails from Tiruchirappalli, braved traffic, heat, sandstorms and exhaustion as he made his way through the busy highways of Dubai, travelling a distance of 22 kilometre one way from his Sonapur accommodation to attend the labour court proceedings. A bus trip from Sonapur to Karama costs a few dirhams, but Selvaraj did not have money to travel by bus and was forced to spend two hours for a one-way trip and another two hours for the return journey after every court hearing. In the four hours, he covered a distance of 54 kilometres and had to undertake that journey every couple of weeks until a verdict on his case was delivered. "My case number was 826 and I had to walk 2 hours in the morning to reach the court in Dubai. I used to get up early morning at 4 am on the days the court was to hear my case. Every 15 days, I had to walk all the way to the court because I did not have the money to pay for bus or taxi," he said. "Nobody helped me, but I must have attended the court at least 20 times during the two years. After every court hearing, I would hang around until evening to start the return trip. The walk was tough in summer but I did not have any other options. I wanted to escape from these problems," he told 'Khaleej Times'. Selvaraj began his court journeys after his mother died back home in an accident and he was denied permission to go and attend her funeral. His case went on for almost two years and Selvaraj recollects that he must have walked at least 20 times to Karama from Sonapur and back, every time covering a distance of 50-plus kilometres in four hours. He has been living in a public park in Sonapur for several months and says he is sick and tired and just wants to return home, the report said. "He wants a ticket to go home. All his friends who were living in the park have gone home. He cannot walk all the way to India, and needs just a plane ticket to go home," said a social worker who is trying to help Selvaraj. France issued an internal note to its security forces last week warning that "this threat is to be taken into account nationwide" and ordering any drone be treated as a suspicious package. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Baghdad: The Mosul battle in Iraq has seen the Islamic State group increasingly resort to weaponised drones, which Western governments fear could lead to a new type of attack at home. France issued an internal note to its security forces last week warning that "this threat is to be taken into account nationwide" and ordering any drone be treated as a "suspicious package". The first record of a deadly IS drone attack was in October when two Iraqi Kurdish fighters were killed and two French special forces soldiers wounded. The device had been booby-trapped and did its damage on the ground when forces approached it after it landed. "The use of drones by terrorist and insurgent forces is a growing issue of international concern," James Bevan, executive director of the Conflict Armament Research NGO, wrote in a recent report. Western countries have seen an unprecedented wave of attacks perpetrated or inspired by IS and the new airborne threat is giving chills to security agencies. "It's a threat we're looking into, especially with all those who will return from Iraq and Syria with bags of battle experience," a French government official told AFP. Some countries, especially those with large numbers of nationals among IS's foreign fighter contingent such as France or Belgium, worry that attacks on home soil will spike after the collapse of the jihadists' "caliphate". Drones are ubiquitous on the front lines of the battle for IS bastion Mosul, which Iraqi forces launched on October 17. The jihadists have used them for some time for reconnaissance missions, just like government forces have, but they have more recently tried to modify them. In mid-November an AFP team on Mosul's southern front saw a small commercial drone, of the kind that will fly off the shelves in the runup to Christmas, drop a grenade on a federal police position. Chemicals Forces battling their way to the outskirts of Mosul have reported several similar incidents. "They are also using drones in this area," Abu Mohammed al-Atabi, a commander with the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitaries deployed southwest of Mosul told AFP last week. A high-ranking army officer posted on the southern front said his soldiers were attacked by a modified Phantom 4, a basic camera-fitted "quadcopter" that can be purchased online for less than $1,000. Experts argue that, compared to the suicide car and truck bombs IS sometimes fills with several tonnes of explosives, drones represent a minor threat. Their autonomy is limited and they cannot carry heavy payloads. Yet there is evidence that IS weapons experts have been busy trying to perfect their drones. Conflict Armament Research in February saw a workshop abandoned by IS after Iraqi forces retook the city of Ramadi. The group documented an unmanned aerial vehicle which IS had designed itself, using polystyrene foam and model aircraft components, and fitted with a camera. It said evidence in the workshop also showed attempts to build much larger drones from scratch. "No terrorist entity to date has demonstrated UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) capability that would be considered highly capable, highly lethal and highly secure," Don Rassler, from the Combating Terrorism Center, said in an October report. Eagles He warned that could soon change, however. "Future off-the-shelf drones will be able to carry heavier payloads, fly and loiter longer, venture farther from their controller and be able to do so via more secure communications links," he said. The disaster scenario is one in which IS uses drones to disseminate the kind of chemicals it has so far used with limited success on rockets. "Although technically much more difficult to achieve, aerosol or spraying devices can also be attached to a UAS to distribute chemical and biological agents," Rassler said. To counter this new threat, some Western countries have started developing defence systems capable of spotting, tracking and destroying drones. The US military is using kinetic anti-drone systems that physically take on the devices, while others favour hacking or scrambling. Another more unusual technique developed in France uses eagles that are trained by being fed meat on drones to spot the aircraft and take them down. "They are capable of detecting them from thousands of metres (yards) away and neutralising them," French air force general Jean-Christophe Zimmermann said. 30-year-old Jahangir Alam, a cyber cafe owner, was arrested as police investigations confirmed his crucial role in the mobilising Islamists to carry out the attacks, police said. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Dhaka: Police in Bangladesh have arrested the alleged mastermind of attacks on Hindu temples and houses earlier this month. Police said the accused arrested last night could have hacked the Facebook account of a Hindu youth and posted images of Hindu gods over those of Muslim holy shrines to instigate violence. "We arrested him last night from the (Brahmanbaria) town. He was on the run and we believe he is one of the main culprits," police official Mizanur Rahman told PTI on phone. He said 30-year-old Jahangir Alam, a cyber cafe owner, was arrested as police investigations confirmed his crucial role in the mobilising Islamists to carry out the attacks while "we are now trying to be certain if he himself had hacked the Hindu youth's Facebook account". "But we can tell you, he is the man who prepared handbills copying the controversial image (to be distributed among ordinary people) and hired trucks to carry the attackers to the scene at Nasirnagar (in Brahmanbaria)," Rahman said. The district police chief's comments came as a court ordered Alam to be interrogated in custody for four days as he was brought before a magistrate. Officials said Alam was the last among the detained suspects while police earlier arrested over 100 people for their alleged involvement in Nasirnagar attacks when the Islamists carried out two subsequent attacks ravaging nearly a dozen temples and over 20 houses. Police had announced a bounty for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators of the attacks amid mounting protests demanding action against the culprits. Colombo: Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan, who was the former deputy leader of the LTTE and a trusted aide of the slain Velupillai Prabhakaran, was arrested on Tuesday for alleged financial irregularities during the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Muralitharan alias Karuna, who was also a minister in the previous government, was asked to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) this morning to record a statement on the alleged misuse of a government vehicles. He was arrested after he appeared before the FCID, officials said. Karuna was the former deputy leader of the LTTE and a trusted cadre of LTTE chief Prabhakaran. He later became a deputy minister in the Rajapaksa government in 2010. In January last year, when the new government took office Karuna lost his place in the government and later in Parliament. He has been accused by human rights groups and UN agencies of being involved in human rights abuses during the civil war that ended after nearly three decades with the defeat of the LTTE in 2009. Beijing: Religious extremism has begun to spread to inland China from its western Xinjiang region, long considered by the government to be at the forefront of its efforts to battle Islamist separatists, the country's top religious affairs official said. China says it faces a serious threat from Islamist militants in Xinjiang, which borders central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is home to the largely Muslim Uighur minority group. Hundreds have died there in recent years in violence that Beijing blames on religious extremists, and the government has put in place tight controls on religion in the name of combating radicalism and maintaining stability. Extremist thought was now infiltrating China's "inland provincial areas", Wang Zuoan, head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, told the National Congress of the Chinese Islamic Association, according to an article in the official China Daily newspaper on Monday. The paper did not give details of the spread or mention specific provinces, but cited Wang as saying China's official Islamic clergy must be the "front line" in fighting extremism and should work to "convert" those influenced by it. "We should let Muslims know the boundaries between legal and illegal religious activities, to enable them to say no to illegal activities," he told the association on Saturday. Wang also said that China must "appropriately manage the issue of Menhuan Sect Islam", referring to a Chinese-style Sufism, a mystical form of Islam, according to a statement posted on the State Administration of Religious Affairs website. China has about 21 million Muslims, only a portion of which are Uighur. Other Muslim groups, such as the Hui, are spread throughout the country, including in the western region of Ningxia and the southwestern province of Yunnan. President Xi Jinping has urged Chinese Muslims to resist illegal religious "infiltration". Attacks tied to such extremism by the government have spread beyond Xinjiang in recent years. A grisly knife attack in Yunnan's Kunming train station in March 2014 killed more than 30 people. Rights groups say that unrest in Xinjiang often stems from localised incidents that boil over into physical violence, fuelled by ethnic tension and religious and economic repression of Turkic-language speaking Uighurs. Beijing regularly denies religious discrimination against minorities in Xinjiang or elsewhere. Despite a resurgence of religious faith, officially atheist China restricts believers to a handful of recognised religions overseen by the state. Rawalpindi: The new head of Pakistan's army took command of the armed forces Tuesday amid rising tensions with arch-rival India over disputed Kashmir and as ties with Afghanistan remain rocky. In his first comments after assuming charge of the country's powerful army, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa signalled that the ongoing tensions with India along their frontier will ease soon. "The situation at the Line of Control will hopefully improve soon," he told reporters after the change of command ceremony. Bajwa was installed at a ceremony in the garrison town of Rawalpindi, replacing Gen. Raheel Sharif, who steps down after completing his three-year term during in which the military launched several operations against al-Qaida, Taliban and local militants to dismantle their sanctuaries near Afghanistan and elsewhere in the country. Bajwa was fourth in seniority on a list of five army generals sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and had been little discussed until picked him. According to the constitution, the prime minister can pick any officer from the list forwarded to him by the Defense Ministry. The change in command took place when the outgoing army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, publicly handed over his "Malacca stick" to his successor at a ceremony that was witnessed by civilian and military leaders, as well as diplomats. The Malacca baton, which is made of bamboo produced in Singapore, is part of the Pakistan army uniform. The change in command has taken place this way starting in the British colonial days. Pakistan became independent in 1947 when Britain gave independence to Pakistan and India, although the military has ruled this Islamic nation for nearly half of the time since then. Tuesday's ceremony in Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad comes as tensions have climbed between Pakistan and neighboring India over Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan region which is divided between the two nuclear-armed rivals and claimed by both. Pakistan and India have been working with reduced number of diplomats in each other's capitals for the past several weeks when both sides withdrew some of their diplomats amid tension over Kashmir. The outgoing army chief called for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute for the sake of regional stability. But he also warned that any miscalculation on the part of India could be dangerous. "I want to make it clear to India that taking our policy of constraint and patience as any sign of weakness will prove dangerous for itself," he said. Observers believe Bajwa will offer more support to Sharif's efforts to improve ties with Pakistan's neighbors, including Afghanistan and India. Pakistan's relations with Kabul have also soured amid allegations from Afghan officials that Islamabad shelters the Taliban, who have intensified attacks against the government of President Ashraf Ghani. Pakistan's army says it has dismantled many militant sanctuaries in the tribal regions, but the militants have still been able to carry out high-profile attacks. Bajwa, who was commissioned in the 16 Baloch Regiment in October 1980, is a graduate of Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Canada, and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Mitti mein mil jaaonga, par BJP se haath nahin milaoonga (Even if I am decimated, I will not join hands with the BJP). This was precisely what Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar said when someone asked him whether there was any remote possibility of his returning to the saffron fold again. But this assertion by Nitish is in sharp contrast to some of his recent statements, particularly the stand taken by him on demonetisation of currency notes and several other critical national issues. In most of these cases, he has backed his bete noire Narendra Modi to the hilt. While the latest instance of crackdown on black money has seen Nitish joining the ranks of Modi, even as the JD (U) leader in the Rajya Sabha and former party chief Sharad Yadav has been rubbing shoulders with the likes of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in launching a tirade against the prime minister. The contradictory stand taken by Nitish and other senior party leaders has left the JD (U)s rank and file perplexed. Even alliance partners like the Congress and the RJD, with whose support Nitish is running the Grand Alliance in Bihar since November 2015, appear to be at a loss while explaining about Nitishs support to Modi. Nitish should abide by the coalition dharma than getting carried away by Modis speech and backing him. In fact, Nitish is in a Catch-22 situation. He hurriedly backed Modi on demonetisation. Now after seeing the hardships faced by the common man, he must be regretting his decision. But he cant make a U-turn now as he runs the risk of reducing himself to a laughing stock over his flip-flop approach, argued former Union Minister and RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh. The Congress, whose 27 MLAs are part of the Grand Alliance, was more scathing when it issued a veiled threat to Nitish that it would take no time in pulling out of the government if he continued to back Modi on demonetisation. We are in the government due to instruction of the Congress high command. The day we are asked to pull out of the government, we will not take a minute to do so, said Bihar Congress president Ashok Choudhary, who is also the education minister in Nitishs Cabinet. This was the first time that the Congress has threatened Nitish ever since he rode to power again in November 2015. Previously, Nitish has backed Modi on five occasions, thereby puzzling his supporters in particular and rest of the country in general. The first time he supported Modi was when the latter visited his Pakistani counterpart in December 2015. There is nothing wrong in Modi visiting Nawaz Sharifs place even if the visit was impromptu, Nitish had then said, thereby raising many an eyebrow. Later, the JD (U) chief supported the Modi regime on the GST issue, when Congress heir apparent Rahul Gandhi was opposing the new taxation policy tooth and nail. We had supported the Goods and Service Tax even during the UPA regime. We will continue to do so even now as I feel the GST, when implemented, will be beneficial to the states too, Nitish opined. The third instance when Nitish backed Modi was the surgical strike where he also praised Indian defence forces. Fourth, Nitish wholeheartedly backed the PM in his fight against terrorism and asked his allies to remain united when it comes to combating extremism. Fifth, when Modi said that demonetisation was not the end but just the beginning of a series of steps he would unleash to check black money, Nitish suggested that the PM should forfeit the benami property too. On the same page Actually, Nitish aides say that he wants to be seen on the same page with Modi when it comes to fighting corruption. After all, its an undeniable fact that it was Nitish who st-arted a war against corruption when he won by a landslide in the 2010 Assembly polls and started confiscating property of corrupt officers. In fact, Bihar became the first state where government schools were opened in houses of corrupt officers which were confiscated, a senior JD (U) leader said. In the coming days, prior to 2019 polls, Nitish ji will harp on how it was he who started the fight against graft when he made all the babus and his ministers in Bihar to declare their assets annually, another source said, adding that prohibition and corruption will be two emotive issues which will dominate the 2019 polls. But will he rake up these issues in the company of Modi or he is repositioning himself as the fulcrum of all Opposition parties who are opposed to the BJP? Or, will he eventually align with the Congress at the national level when it comes to 2019 polls? Contrary to what is being projected in the media, Nitish and Rahul Gandhi are on the same page so far as demonetisation is concerned. Both of them have supported the government move. But what both of them have objected to is its implementation and the hardships thereby caused to the common man, AICC spokesperson Prem Chandra Mishra told DH. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav too concurs and says that the Grand Alliance is united and speaks in one voice. We all are united in our fight against graft, the young RJD leader averred. However, a close aide of Nitish summed it up as a well-crafted strategy adopted by the JD(U) strongman. If the demonetisation move succeeds, Nitish ji can say he always supported the drive. And if it fails, he can always assert he opposed the way demonetisation was implemented without any planning. So its a win-win situation for him, argued the aide. German airline Lufthansa cancelled nearly 900 flights today and scrapped another 912 scheduled for tomorrow after pilots launched a two-day strike in a pay dispute. The Cockpit union initially called members out on a 24-hour strike today. Late last night, after Lufthansa tried and failed to have courts block the walkout, it said that they would also strike tomorrow. The company cancelled 876 of the Lufthansa group's planned 3,000 flights today, among them 51 long-haul flights, and said that around 100,000 passengers were affected. It later cancelled 912 of roughly 3,000 scheduled flights scheduled for tomorrow, including 82 long-haul flights and affecting about 115,000 passengers. The airline expressed "complete incomprehension" at Cockpit's decision to extend the strike. Other Lufthansa group airlines such as Eurowings, Swiss and Austrian Airlines aren't affected by the strike. Lufthansa said that Swiss and Austrian Airlines increased their capacity on flights to Germany, using bigger planes than usual. The latest strike by Cockpit is the 14th since April 2014 in the long-running dispute. It comes as Lufthansa restructures to meet increasing competition from Gulf airlines and European budget carriers. Cockpit says the airline has been posting "very good numbers for years," but that its pilots haven't seen any consequent pay increases. Lufthansa personnel chief Bettina Volkens said that Cockpit's pay demands go "far beyond what other groups of employees have received." Lufthansa said it had reserved nearly 4,000 hotel rooms in the Frankfurt and Munich areas as a precaution for Wednesday night, and put about 400 camp beds in place at Frankfurt airport for passengers who don't have visas to enter Germany. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said the Opposition-called bandh was a total flop as it did not get the support of the common people. The 'Jan Aakrosh' rally was also totally flop as there was no body in the rally except their workers, Naidu said outside Parliament. Opposition parties had called a bandh yesterday to protest against the government's demonetisation move. Naidu said the CPI(M) leader Bimal Basu has said that the bandh call was a mistake as there was no adequate time for preparations. He claimed "people are happy because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic decision. Though there are a few difficulties but people have understood that this is for the country's best interest." Referring to the continuous disruptions in Parliament, he said "We are ready for debate. We also told that PM will come and intervene in the debate. Then the Minister concerned who is Finance Minister will reply." Questioning Opposition's motive, the Union minister said "I want to ask what is the problem? Why not allowing Parliament to function and insisting on PM to reply?" Quoting relevant rules, Naidu said any Minister can reply according to the procedure. "On December 10, 2009, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has spoken on the Libheran Commission reports." "We are ready for debate. Why Opposition is disrupting the House? Why they are shying away from the debate? They have been frustrated over the failure of the bandh. There is total confusion in the opposition ranks. That is why they want to disrupt the House." Terming demonetisation as a flop show, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday lashed out at the Centre saying it has failed to check black money, corruption and terror funding which have 'increased by 10 per cent' since the announcement. During his address to the nation, the PM had stated corruption, black money, terrorism and fake notes as the reasons for demonetisation. But the corruption and blackmoney issues have increased by 10 per cent in November as compared to October, Kejriwal said. After 20 days of the notes ban, the policy seems to have failed miserably. It has come out to be a big crisis on the nation and it is a flop show, he said. The CM said several incidents of bribery have been reported from all corners of the country and PMs decision has made it easier for the people to take bribes. He questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the total amount of black money recovered by the government following his decision. According to the statistics given by the government, Rs 8 lakh crore have deposited so far. I would question the PM to give an account of the black money of the total money collected, he said, adding, black marketing has increased with Dollar being sold at Rs 116 and gold being sold at Rs 56,000 in black. He alleged that the business of fake notes have increased and they are producing notes faster than the Reserve Bank of India. Highlighting the plight of the common people, he said that several people have died and many have incurred losses in their businesses. People are not getting cash from the ATM, but terrorists have the new Rs 2,000 notes. It is because of the stubborness and ego of the Prime Minister that the country has gone backwards by 10 years in the last 20 days due to the decision, he said. The CM accused the PM of hiding the blackmoney of his party and his corporate friends. He alleged that many BJP leaders have flaunted bundles of new Rs 2,000 notes even before the announcement. BJP leaders have bought land across the country. Sanjeev Chaurasia, a BJP MLA from Bihar said that they were mere signatories and the directions along with the funding to buy the land came from the BJP's central committee. Chaurasia admitted that they were told to buy lands till November 8. While some of them were bought in cash others were bought in cheque. Some lands were even purchased on behalf of BJP national President Amit Shah, he claimed. Levelling charges of bribery on the PM, Kejriwal said that Modi is shying away from the Parliament because he has taken money from his corporate friends namely Sahara and Birla. If the PM is clean then he should come to the Parliament and be a part of the discussions. His absence raises suspicion and establishes the facts that he had taken bribe from Sahara and Birla as found in their records, he said. He asked the Centre to declare a date till when the common man can withdraw their money without any limits and live a hassle-free life. He critised the Centre's decision reducing the rates on fixed deposit and said the move would affect the common people thereby demanding its rollback. The terror attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir today is a "message" sent by Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh said. "We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said. "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted," he said. The BJP MP's remarks came after militants in police uniform attacked an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured. Singh said Pakistan continued to "bleed" India through such terrorist attacks, adding that the recently conducted PoK surgical strike by the Indian Army was not a "one-off" event. "It was a statement of policy...Our policy is that we will hit you back every time you hit us. We will hit you back harder. So, I think a couple of more time we hit them back, it will certainly settle in their mind," he said. The BJP leader added that India needed to "follow up on its policy of imposing cost" and that the "Army should revisit the security procedure in general, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir." Marking a victory for campaign for gender equality in places of worship, a group of women activists today entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali dargah here and offered prayers. The entry by members of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) into the mausoleum came more than a month after the Haji Ali Dargah Trust told the Supreme Court it will allow women inside the inner sanctum of the shrine. Women devotees' entry into it was banned a few years ago. "Around 400 women from BMMA today went to the dargah. We also offered a 'chaadar' (shawl) there and paid our respects to the saint," Zakia Soman, co-founder of BMMA, told PTI. She said the trustees were very courteous and did not resist their entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the dargah, one of the famous landmarks of Mumbai. "On the contrary, they offered us tea and spoke to us for some time. Their welcoming stand towards women is a great moral victory for us," she said. The Bombay High Court had in August lifted the ban on women from entering the inner area of the dargah, saying it contravenes Articles 14, 15 and 25 (dealing with fundamental rights) of the Constitution. BMMA, an NGO, was one of the petitioners which had challenged the ban, imposed by the Haji Ali Trust in 2012, in the High Court. The 2012 ban was based on the trust's notion that it is a "grievous sin" to let women into the inner area. In early October, the trust moved the Supreme Court challenging the HC order. However in late October, the trust climbed down from its earlier stand and told the apex court it will grant access to women in the prohibited area. The dargah, said to date back 600 years, is a popular religious place located on an island off South Mumbai. It houses a mosque and the tomb of Muslim saint Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and is visited by people of all faiths. Women's rights activist Trupti Desai had led a well publicised campaign seeking equal access to female devotees in places of worship, including the dargah. After the HC order in August, she offered prayers at the shrine, but did not enter its core area. Congress today dubbed as yet another 'jumla' (gimmick) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to party legislators to submit bank account details after demonetisation and dared him to make public all financial and land dealings of BJP and RSS in the last six months. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Modi's move is also an attempt by him to deflect public attention from the alleged leakage of demonetisation decision, which he termed as the "biggest scam" in the country so far. Surjewala along with party leader Sushmita Dev, accused BJP of buying properties in 18 districts of Odisha on the lines of those purchased from in Bihar. "The manner in which revelations are coming out whereby BJP and its leaders are buying land in Odisha and Bihar, Modiji fears that all this will come out. "All these things point out that there is need to hold a detailed probe into the alleged scam. There is need to hold a detail and thorough JPC probe into the matter," he said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop doing theatrics and should stop hiding behind rhetoric. He should stop hiding behind 'jumlas'. Modiji your real face stands exposed and time has come that you remove the 'mask of jumlas' and follow 'Raj Dharma'. "If you have nothing to hide, you should make public accounts of BJP and RSS and affiliate organisations six months prior to demonetisation," he told reporters at AICC briefing. The Congress media in-charge alleged that this is being done by Modi to divert the attention of public so that they do not ask details of accounts of his partymen before demonetisation. Dev said, "Modi government has time and again deflected the attention of public from real issues. It is nothing but a sham and a hoax." Attacking Modi for bringing yet another scheme to "help black money hoarders legally convert their money", he said, "The truth is that Narendra Modi is trying to give protection to black money holders and is devising new ways and means in doing so." "He is the new 50:50 PM who shares and grants concessions to black money holders," he alleged. Surjewala said, "the truth will come out as how much money was actually being changed from black to white, who had prior information of the demonetisation decision?". The Congress leader said Modi first brought out a fair and lovely scheme from June 1 to September 30, 2016 and then announced the 'Tughlaqi decision of demonetisation'. "When that did not work, now another new scheme under the name of 'black money holder welfare scheme' has been brought now. This is Modiji's and his government's pledge in fighting black money. "To avoid any questions being raised, he brought this new bill in the form of a Money Bill which was passed amid din in Lok Sabha without holding a discussion," he said. Surjewala said by bringing the money bill in Lok Sabha and getting it passed today, amounted to "trampling of democracy" and was a "complete affront" on authority of country's Parliament and Constitution. Surjewala said the narrative of BJP Government in reality is that the "tax penalty of 132 per cent has been brought down to 50 per cent" and BJP is hiding behind the "smokescreen" that it will provide this black money belonging to the rich for the welfare of the poor. "Modiji said he will impose penal tax and 200 per cent penalty along with prosecution of those depositing black money. Now, there is change of heart by imposing 49.9 per cent tax only," he said. He also questioned the legal sanctity of the Chief Minister's committee constituted by government to look into issue of demonetisation. "Constitution of a committee of Chief Ministers 20 days after the decision of demonetisation is putting wool over eyes of people of this country. I will decide first and I will think later and will listen to no one. And if anybody questions me, I will brand him or her as anti-national. This is the usual style of Narendra Modi. "May I ask Narendra Modi today, is a Chief Minister's committee higher than the combined cumulative wisdom of India's parliament. Is Prime Minister now accountable to Parliament of India, elected by people of India, or will he be accountable to people in rock concerts or a selective band of a Chief Ministers committee," he asked. Surjewala wondered what the legal or constitutional authority of such a Chief Ministers committee to dictate to government to either reverse or course corrected its unwitting decision of demonetisation. "Modiji stop hiding behind smokescreen and start addressing the problems," he said. Dev said, "I believe it flies in the face of the Prime Ministers statements that the Finance Ministry in future is going to take many more steps to look at the huge surge in the Bank Accounts of the Jan Dhan accounts. "If the Finance Ministry is any way going to look in to why this surge has happened, the question is why does the President of BJP need to look into the Bank Accounts of the his MPs and MLAs," she said. "Prime Minister Modi has today had a sell out and he has actually led the corrupt and black money hoarders walk away. Why there is need for this deflection the reason is very clear that he is not willing to disclose what is in the Bank Accounts and what the transactions of the RSS and BJP are," she said. "There is need to hold a detailed and thorough JPC probe into the matter. If they have not done any wrong, they should tell the country as to how much property they have purchased and what is the source of their money. Modi had visited Israel as chief minister of Gujarat in 2006. As prime minister, he had met his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly's annual session last year. The Israeli president underscored the positive and growing cooperation between our countries in many areas of defence and security and suggested that the two states face a common challenge in fighting terrorism and radicalism. He reaffirmed Israels commitment to the fight against global terrorism and to carry the great potential of this partnership into reality even as he offered his countrys expertise to India on a range of areas such as cyber warfare, energy, agriculture and defence. Israel may finally have found in Modi government a partner with whom it can work without any pretensions. A hallmark of Modi's foreign policy has been a self-confident assertion of Indian interests. This is reflected in his government's moves vis-a-vis Israel, marking a distinct break from unnecessary and counterproductive diffidence of the past. Despite sharing more than two decades of diplomatic ties and working closely on defence, counter-terrorism, agriculture and energy related issues, no Indian prime minister or president has ever visited Israel. This may change with a possible Modi visit early next year. There has been a steady strengthening of India's relationship with Israel ever since the two established full diplomatic relations in 1992. It is a tribute to Indias former prime minister Narasimha Rao's foresight that he was able to lay the basis of Indo-Israeli partnership. In contrast to the back-channel security ties that existed before the normalisation of bilateral relations, India has been more willing in recent years to carve out a mutually beneficial bilateral relationship with Israel, including deepening military ties and countering the threat terrorism poses to the two societies. Over the years, the Indian government has also toned down its reactions to Israels treatment of the Palestinians. India has also begun denouncing Palestinian suicide bombings and other terrorist acts in Israel, something that was seen earlier as rather justified in the light of the Israeli policies against the Palestinians. India is no longer initiating anti-Israel resolutions at the UN and has made serious attempts to moderate NAMs anti-Israel resolutions. This re-evaluation has been based on a realisation that Indias largely pro-Arab stance in West Asia has not been adequately rewarded by the Arab world. India has received no worthwhile backing from the Arab countries in the resolution of problems it faces in its neighbourhood, especially Kashmir. There have been no serious attempts by the Arab world to put pressure on Pakistan to reign in cross-border insurgency in Kashmir. On the contrary, the Arab nations have firmly stood by Pakistan, using the Organisation of Islamic Conference to build support for Islamabad and the jihadi groups in Kashmir. If Arab nations, such as Jordan, have been able to keep their traditional ties with Palestine intact while building a new relationship with Israel, there is no reason for India not to take a similar route, which might give it more room for diplomatic manoeuvring. Keeping Indias wider strategic interests in perspective, successive Indian governments since the early 1990s have walked a nuanced line between expressing genuine concern for the Palestinian cause and expanding its commercial and defence ties with Israel. India is the worlds largest buyer of Israeli weaponry and was Israels third largest trading partner in Asia in 2013, just after China and Hong Kong. Arms salesThe domestic political milieu continues to exert its substantial influence on the trajectory of India-Israel relations. Israel has been a good friend of India but New Delhi continues to be shy of demonstrating its friendship. At crucial times, when India needed Israeli help, it got it unreservedly. Israel was willing to continue and even step up its arms sales to India after other major states curbed their technological exports following India's May 1998 nuclear tests. Israel provided India with much-needed imagery of Pakistani positions using its UAVs during the Kargil War in 1999, which was instrumental in turning the war around for India. When India was planning to undertake a limited military strike against Pakistan in June 2002 as part of Operation Parakram, Israel supplied hardware through special planes. The terrorism that both India and Israel face comes not only from disaffected groups within their territories; it is also aided and abetted by neighbouring states, increasingly capable of transferring weapons of mass destruction to terrorist organisations. And yet previous governments had been reticent in acknowledging Israels partnership. In diplomacy, public affirmation of friendships at the highest levels is often as important as drawing red lines for adversaries. The Modi government is doing well by repudiating the discredited Israel policy of its predecessors. An open relationship with Israel serves India well and it is about time Tel Aviv gets the recognition it deserves from New Delhi. (The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi and Professor of International Relations, Kings College, London) Israel President Reuven Rivlin was on a six-day trip to India recently the first by an Israeli head of state. And it is anticipated that in a historic first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel in January 2017 to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He will become the first prime minister of India to visit the country. Okada is an entrepreneur with a vision of creating the first trash collection company dedicated to cleaning up some of humanitys hardest-to-reach rubbish: the spent rocket stages, inert satellites and other debris that have been collecting above Earth since Sputnik ushered in the Space Age. He launched Astroscale three years ago in the belief that national space agencies were dragging their feet in facing the problem, which could be tackled more quickly by a small private company motivated by profit. Lets face it, waste management isnt sexy enough for a space agency to convince taxpayers to allocate money, said Okada, 43, who put Astroscales headquarters in startup-friendly Singapore but is building its spacecraft in his native Japan, where he found more engineers. My breakthrough is figuring out how to make this into a business. Over the last half-century, low Earth orbit has become so littered with debris that space agencies and scientists warn of the increasing danger of collisions for satellites and manned spacecraft. The US Air Force now keeps track of about 23,000 pieces of space junk that are big enough about 4 inches or larger to be detected from the ground. Scientists say there could be tens of millions of smaller particles, such as bolts or chunks of frozen engine coolant, that cannot be discerned from Earth. Even the tiniest pieces move through orbit at speeds fast enough to turn them into potentially deadly projectiles. In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger returned to Earth with a pea-size pit in its windshield from a paint-chip strike. And plans are being made to make low orbit even busier, and more essential for communications on Earth. Companies like SpaceX and OneWeb are aiming to create vast new networks of hundreds or even thousands of satellites to provide global internet connectivity and cellphone coverage. The growth of traffic increases the risk of collisions that could disrupt communications, as in 2009 when a dormant Russian military satellite slammed into a private US communications satellite, causing brief disruptions for satellite-phone users. Worse, each strike like that creates a cloud of shrapnel, potentially setting off a chain reaction of collisions that could render low orbit unusable. If we dont start removing these things, the debris environment will become unstable, said William Ailor, a fellow at the Aerospace Corporation, a federally funded research and development centre in California. We will continue to have a growing debris population that could affect the ability to operate satellites. Enter Okada, a former government official and internet entrepreneur, who said a midlife crisis four years ago prompted him to return to his childhood passion of space. As a teenager in 1988, he flew to Alabama to join the US Space Camp at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville, and later chose to attend business school at Purdue University, the alma mater of his hero, Neil Armstrong. Later, Okada realised that he could use his experience in the startup world he had founded a software company in 2009 to get a jump on other space debris projects. The projects all smelled like government, not crisp or quick, he said of conferences he attended to learn about other efforts. I came from the startup world where we think in days or weeks, not years. He said he has created a two-step plan for making money from debris removal. First, Astroscale plans to launch a 50-pound satellite called IDEA OSG 1 next year aboard a Russian rocket. The craft will carry panels that can measure the number of strikes from debris of even less than 1 millimeter. Astroscale will use this data to compile the first detailed maps of debris density at various altitudes and locations, which can then be sold to satellite operators and space agencies, Okada said. We need to get revenue at an early stage, even before doing actual debris removal, to prove that we are commercial, as a business, said Okada, who added that he had already raised $43 million from investors. The more ambitious step will come in 2018, when Okada says Astroscale will launch a craft called the ELSA 1. Larger than its predecessor, the ELSA 1 will be loaded with sensors and manoeuvring thrusters that will allow it to track and intercept a piece of debris. The company settled on a lightweight and simple approach to grabbing space debris: glue. Astroscale has worked with a Japanese chemical company to create an adhesive that would cover a flat surface about the size of a dinner plate on the ELSA 1. The craft would bump into a piece of space junk, which would stick to the craft and be dragged out of orbit. Both the ELSA 1 and the debris would burn up on re-entry. Cost-effective solutionsThe concept of deorbiting space junk is not novel. As the debris problem has grown in urgency in recent years, space agencies and companies have released dozens of concepts for cleaning up low Earth orbit. Even if a technology works, such efforts face another hurdle: the cost. Okada said the key to bringing down a price tag of tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars is to reduce the weight. He said that the Elsa 1s adhesive would weigh just a few ounces, far less than, say, a 100-pound robotic arm, and that his companys engineers had found ways to bring the spacecrafts weight down to 200 pounds, making it much lighter than other proposed craft. In the US, aerospace engineers are more interested in working on missions to Mars, not waste management, Okada said. Japan doesnt have so many interesting space missions, so engineers were excited by my idea. He also said that Astroscale would start by contracting with companies that will operate big satellite networks to remove their own malfunctioning satellites. He said that if a company has a thousand satellites, several are bound to fail. Astroscale will remove these, allowing the company to fill the gap in its network by replacing the failed unit with a functioning satellite. Our first targets wont be random debris, but our clients own satellites, he said. We can build up to removing debris as we perfect our technology. He said this approach would also get around a hurdle in international law to the removal of space debris the required permission of the debriss owner. Under a 1967 treaty, man-made objects in space belong to the countries that launched them, and cannot be touched without approval. Okada said finding ways around these various barriers was more than a business proposition; it would also be the fulfillment of a childhood dream. I see a business opportunity in solving a problem that nobody knows how to solve, Okada said. But my enthusiasm is because I am going back to my teenage passion: space. Sitting in a drab industrial neighbourhood surrounded by warehouses and factories, Astroscales Tokyo office seems appropriately located for a company seeking to enter the waste management business. Only inside do visitors see signs that its founder, Mitsunobu Okada, aspires to be more than an ordinary garbageman. Schoolroom pictures of the planets decorate the door to the meeting room. Satellite mock-ups occupy a corner. Okada greets guests in a dark blue T-shirt emblazoned with his companys slogan: Space Sweepers. Colonel W L Crawford has left an indelible mark on the people of Karnataka as the building that houses University of Mysore offices, a hospital in Hassan and several educational institutions have been named after him. After a long gap of 61 years, David Crawford Lake, Colonel W L Crawfords nephew and his son James Crawford Lake, visited Manjarabad Club in Sakleshpur and were extended a warm reception by members. The beautiful Crawford Hall which houses the administrative section and the convocation hall of the Mysore University was named after W L Crawford and C S Crawford, two brothers who contributed Rs 1 lakh to the university, given their affection for Mysore where they had spent many years. W L Crawford was a coffee planter in Hassan district. David, who was born and brought up in Sakleshpur, was a 10-year-old boy when he left for England in 1955. The Vartihuli Estate in Sakleshpur taluk is his birthplace. He settled down in England after his mother Helen sold the estate to Chengappa, who was a Chief Conservator of Forest at Andaman and Nicobar islands. When David was researching his family tree, he contacted Chengappas family who invited the Crawfords to India. James said he wanted to fulfil his fathers wish of visiting his birthplace and thus sought the help of Chengappa family. David went down memory lane and recalled his childhood in the estate house, indulging in fishing at Kempuhole, moving around Sakleshpur in a Chevrolet car and visiting coffee estates with his mother Helen. David said Sakelshpur would still be his favourite place and that he was proud to have spent his early days here. I have returned after 61 years and find it difficult to remember much about my birthplace except the roads, the house I lived in, Siddegowdas shop and Manjarabad Club, he reminisced. He said he was overwhelmed by the hospitality extended to him by the people of the taluk. David heaped praises on his uncle and appreciated that he stayed in India till his death. David was also impressed to see the colonels photos at the hospital and at Manjarabad Club. Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said that the members of Bovi community are known for their hardwork and sincerity, but education is important for the growth of the community. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a convention organised by Bovi community in Udupi, the Kaup MLA said that the community should commit itself towards educating the children. Education is essential for progress. Bovi community has been facing problems with regard to the reservation in the government sector, owing to lack of caste certificates. He assured that this matter will be discussed with the government. Chitradurga Bovi Gurupeeta seer Sri Niranjan Jagdguru Sri Immadi Siddarameshwara Swami expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the existing rate of illiteracy among the community members. The community is unable to get recognition in the political, economic and educational set up, which is the main reason for lack of literacy among the members. President of OCCI Bengaluru Ravi Makale said the community is deprived of basic facilities offered by the government. Lack of information about these facilities is a major drawback for the community members. There is a need to involve the community members into the mainstream society. There are nearly 40,000 Bovi community members in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Ironically, these people have failed to receive caste certificate from the government. Members of the community across the state face similar problems. Officials seek the original documents, which is not available. He urged the government to immediately sort out the problem. Fowler said that the centre will help the company gear up for the fourth industrial revolution. The next industrial revolution is about the connection of enterprise data and machine data and models that predict future outcomes. Moving from a world where people tell machines what to do, we are moving to a scenario where machines will be telling people how to run assets to get maximum value out of them, he said. GE has come up with internal restructuring with its vision of GE for GE, GE for Customers and GE for the World programme. A source familiar with the development said that the centre will be a part of GE for GE initiative. The new centre will be coming up at the Prestige Shantiniketan in Whitefield. Talent in India GE is banking on India primarily because of the availability of talent here. Only talent brings me back here frequently, he said. GE Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Victor Abate in a recent interaction with DH had made it clear that the company is evolving into the worlds leading digital industrial company a transformation that is the core of GEs growth plan globally. The strategy is to take the physical assets that we have and use digital as a whole new opportunity to optimise them for our customers, he said. GE Global CIO pointed out that Bengaluru has good startup ecosystem. We are going to see more of innovation in small startups and bigger companies are going to take them to scale. Bigger companies that are not reactive to change are going to disappear, he said. GE has come up with John F Welch Technology Center(JFWTC ), GEs first and biggest global research centre (GRC) outside the US, houses close to 5,300 GE technologists from Global Research and other GE businesses. GE Global CIO Jim Fowler will inaugurate the biggest digital centre of the company, which will employ 1,000 people, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. According to sources familiar with the development, the centre will be GEs game plan to invest $1 billion globally in digital technologies, as the company is gearing up for digital transformation with Predix Platform. Senior Supreme Court advocate Harish Salve on Wednesday will appear on behalf of the Punjab government in the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) case. The hearing is scheduled on November 30. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal met Salve in New Delhi on Tuesday morning. Badal apprised him that SYL was not merely a political or legal issue for them, instead it was an emotive one, which should be tackled on top priority with utmost sensitivity and caution. The chief minister further said that Punjab was primarily an agrarian state and river waters were the redeeming factor for its very survival. However, he said that after the partition of the country, Punjab had been subjected to continuous discrimination and injustice. He said according to riparian principles, Punjab had the absolute right over its river waters, but through various agreements and decisions it had been robbed of its due share in broad daylight. The people of Punjab are the custodians of the river waters in the state and wont allow to share a single drop of it with any state as Punjab didnt have spare water to share with anyone, he said. Badal informed the counsel that the farmers of Punjab rely heavily on tubewells, and with 73% of the irrigation being carried out through them, the water table was fast depleting. He said 110 of the 135 blocks in Punjab had turned dark, which meant an alarming crisis of underground water availability. Sale of indigenously produced LPG is not permitted to the entities other than government oil companies. All domestically produced liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) should necessarily be sold to PSUs for subsidised sale to consumers, according to a petroleum ministry order. The order has come at a time when Reliance Industries has sought access to the Indias longest LPG pipeline that IOC is laying from Gujarat to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The order came after the ministry found that LPG produced in India was not being sold to state-owned IOC, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum. On the contrary, it was being sold to private sellers or parallel marketeers. All domestic producers of LPG need to ensure compliance with provisions of LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 and LPG (Regulation of Use of Motor Vehicles) Order, 2001 and sell domestically produced LPG only to government oil companies. RIL is the largest single location LPG producer in the country. In August 2015, the government had permitted the private sector oil and gas giant to sell up to 1.2 lakh tonnes of LPG to private cooking gas marketeers. With domestic supplies not keeping pace with the demand, the government has asked the private sector LPG producers, including Reliance Industries to supply all locally produced cooking only to government companies. The terror strike on an artillery unit of the 16 corps at Nagrota is the third fidayeen (suicide) mission on the armed forces establishments within a year. This suggests a change in the strategy of Pakistan-based terrorists in picking up their targets. For a long time, Pakistans strategy of bleeding India through thousand cuts led to terrorists attacking civilians and non-combatants. But a series of attacks on the high-value military installations in recent months indicate a change in the pattern. Nagrota attack was preceded by the strikes at Uri in September that led to the killing of 19 men and at the Indian Air Force station in Pathankot that led to the death of seven security personnel, including an NSG commando. It was preceded by a militant strike at the Armys 31 Field Regiment Ordinance Camp, in Uri in December 2015. In September 2013, Pakistan-based terrorists launched simultaneous strikes on a police station in Jammu and 16 cavalry unit at Samba killing 10 people, including an army lieutenant colonel. The latest terror strike comes on a day when Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, took over as the new army chief of Pakistan. The timing of the attack seems to suggest barely any change in Pakistan armys policy towards India, said an army source. First major strike More than 15 years ago, the Indian Army experienced first major strikes from the ultras when they managed to enter the headquarters of 15 corps in Srinagar. This was followed by the Kaluchak massacre in 2002. The attack inside the Badamai Bag cantonment in Srinagar was an audacious one when four militants stormed the protected area to kill six security personnel, including the defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Maj P Purushottam and three of his staff. The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday asked the Reserve Bank of India and the Union government to file their replies on a petition challenging the decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi directed the additional solicitor general appearing on behalf of the Union government and the counsel of RBI to file their replies on the writ filed by the chairman of the Bhavnagar District Co-operative Bank Ltd (DCCB), Nanubhai Vaghani, who has requested the court to declare the demonetisation move as unconstitutional. Vaghanis counsel B M Mangukiya on Tuesday said that the decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was against the provisions of law and that the government did not have the power to demonetise currency in the manner it was done earlier this month. In a petition filed on November 25, the counsel also contested the claim of the government that Section 26(2) of the Reserve Bank of India Act grants such powers to the government. He contended that the currency note is a legal tender that bears a sovereign promise by the government to pay back equal amount of money in return of the tender. Upon recall and invalidation, the government cannot say that it would pay the amount after three months. There cannot be any legal notification with regard to restraining people from withdrawing their own money from banks, he said. He also questioned the Centres decision to exclude DCCBs from the process of disbursing new currencies and banning them from accepting old notes. The ban on DCCBs is a discriminatory treatment and hence in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, Magukiya said. He also questioned various relaxations given to different institutions saying the notes cannot be treated as legal at one place and illegal at the other in the country. The court has fixed December 5 as the next date for hearing the petition. Seven army personnel, including a major from Bengaluru, were killed in a fierce gun battle with militants at an army base in Nagrota, near Jammu, on Tuesday. In action that continued all day, the armed forces shot dead three terrorists who had managed to sneak inside the heavily guarded cantonment, housing the headquarters of 16 Corps. Maj Akshay Girish Kumar, 31, from Bengaluru, was among the three officers martyred in the attack. His wife Sangeeta Ravindran is at Nagrota. Sources said the heavily armed militants first entered 166 Field Regiment, 3 km from the headquarters of 16 Corps, which guards India's border with Pakistan in the Jammu region. The terrorists forced their entry into the officers mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. They entered two buildings, which were occupied by officers, families and men. This led to a hostage-like situation, Indian Army's Northern Command at Udhampur said in a statement. The mess housed 12 army personnel, two women and two children. All of them were successfully rescued after a day-long operation in which elite commandos from 9 Para were deployed. While an officer and three men were killed in the initial action, the rescue led to death of the second officer and two soldiers. The army will launch combing operations on Wednesday to find out if more militants are hiding in the adjoining forests. In Delhi, Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh briefed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar about the strike, the third on the Indian armed forces establishment in 2016. The artillery unit that the ultras penetrated is on the old Jammu-Srinagar highway at Nagrota. It is a massive military formation surrounded by forests. A river flows behind it. Immediately after the attack, all schools in Nagrota tehsil were closed and traffic was suspended on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which runs through the area. Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sarandeep Singh termed the decision to close schools as a precautionary measure. Soon after the attack, security was beefed up on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, which has witnessed a number of such attacks in the past few years. Security was also reinforced in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar and in Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine in Trikuta hills of Reasi district. Earlier, in a similar attack on September 18, four militants of the Jaish-e-Muhammad had stormed a brigade headquarters near the Line of Control in Uri, killing 19 soldiers and wounding 18 others. Eleven days later, Indian commandos retaliated with surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Maj Gosavi Kunal Mannadir, from Solapur in Maharashtra, is the second of three officers killed in the encounter. The army has not released the name of the third. Others martyred are Havildar Sukhraj Singh, 32, from Punjab, Lance Naik Kadam Sambhaji Yeshwantro, 32, from Maharashtra, grenadier Raghvendra Singh, 28, from Rajasthan, and rifleman Asim Rai, 32, from Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Union ministers, BJP MPs and MLAs to submit to party chief Amit Shah their bank account statements between November 8 and December 31. The demonetisation drive was announced on November 8 and the deadline for depositing invalid Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is December 30. Modis directive at the meeting of BJP parliamentary party comes amid allegations by opposition parties that the BJP had tipped off some of its leaders ahead of the demonetisation announcement. By asking all BJP legislators to disclose their bank transactions, Modi wants to convey that he would not spare even his own people, a BJP leader said. The prime minister refuted the Oppositions charge that his decision to ban old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was politically motivated. As Modis instruction came hours before the Lok Sabha passed a key amendment to the Income Tax Act, the prime minister explained the significance of the governments move that allows 50% of the amount that is disclosed to be penalised and taxed. Modi rejected the Opposition criticism that the new law would help turn black money into white. He said the new provisions will channel the money looted from the poor for their welfare. The amended Act, he said, is a programme for the welfare of the poor from Lok Kalyan Marg (the new name of Race Course road, where the prime ministers residence is located). The amendment is not for turning black money into white, but to spend the money looted from the poor on their welfare. I will not allow the country to be weighed down by wads of currency notes, Modi said. The arrested are Subrahmanya Vasappa Gowda, 39, a resident of Malali in Hosanagar taluk, Shivamogga district and president of the Kubera Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Teerthahalli, Shivamogga district and his four accomplices. The suspects were transporting the money in a Xylo car, whose number plate had been removed. The police, following a tip-off, inspected the vehicle and found the currency notes stocked in a gunny bag. The suspects could not produce proper records for the money they were transporting. The police have alerted Income Tax officials in Mangaluru in this connection. Subrahmanya claimed that the money was the deposits collected for the society from Nittur and other places. The police had, a few days ago, seized Rs 2,000 notes amounting to Rs 4.5 lakh at Shamshuddin Circle in the town. The town police have arrested five people, including the president of a co-operative society, while they were transporting Rs 2,000 notes amounting to Rs 35 lakh here on Tuesday evening. The police have seized the money and the vehicle. The fugitive van driver who fled with Rs 92 lakh in cash was arrested in the city on Tuesday morning. Dominic Selvaraj Roy was detained soon after he alighted from a bus at Tin Factory near K R Puram on Monday midnight. The police said he had fled to Salem in Tamil Nadu. The Upparpet police arrested him on Tuesday morning and produced him before a court. The judge remanded him in police custody for five days, DCP (West) M N Anucheth told DH. Dominic, who worked for Secure Transit, a logistics company employed by banks to replenish their ATMs, fled with the cash on November 23. His wife Evelyn Mary, a partner in crime, turned herself in to the Banaswadi police with Rs 79.08 lakh on Sunday night. The Upparpet police later took her into custody. Dominic claimed he had paid Rs 12.92 lakh to two people to clear his debts, besides making an advance payment to a man to purchase car in Chennai, the DCP said. On Sunday night, when the couple reached Kullappa Circle in Banaswadi, Dominic asked Evelyn to meet Nancy Prince, their advocate, and follow her advice. He promised he would shortly join her and went away. He took Rs 2,000 from a bundle and handed over the rest of the money to his wife. He fled to Salem as he thought it was a safe place to hide. He boarded a bus around midnight on Sunday and reached Salem on Monday morning. After much contemplation, he thought the police could arrest him anytime and hence decided to return to Bengaluru, Upparpet police inspector U D Krishnakumar told DH. He was carrying two 60ml liquor bottles and had just Rs 300 cash on him when he was detained. He had spent the rest of Rs 2,000 on travel and food, the police said. Dominic had changed his appearance to mislead the police and local residents by covering his right hand with bandage when he reached Kullappa Circle on Sunday night. He was also wearing black glasses pretending to be visually challenged. However, he had removed the bandage when he alighted from the bus at the Tin Factory bus stop on Monday night. During interrogation, he claimed that he repaid the loan he had borrowed from a friend on November 23. He told the police he had given some money to Evelyns sister Diana who lives in Chennai. He also said he had given a portion of the stolen money to a man in Chennai to buy a car. We are yet to get details about these people and why Dominic gave them money. We will recover the money from them once we get a clear picture of his financial dealings, the DCP said. The government has provided caste-based reservation in government jobs, in education and elections to local bodies. However, Siddaramaiah said the proposed legislation intended to increase the reservation facility for government jobs and education. A decision will be taken on the extent to which reservation can be increased. A bill will be drafted and sent to the Centre during the next legislature session. As a Constitutional amendment is necessary to enact the law, the cooperation of the Centre is essential. BJP leader K S Eshwarappa should take initiative in Delhi to ensure the bill gets the Centres approval, he said. Siddaramaiah also took a dig at the Opposition BJP saying he was pleasantly surprised that the party had extended its support to the proposed legislation, as it had always opposed reservation. Irked by this, Eshwarappa said such issues should not be politicised. The BJP has always worked towards the welfare of the poor and backward communities. Siddaramaiah said that in Tamil Nadu, the reservation was 69%, which had been included in the Constitution. A study would be conducted on how the neighbouring state enacted the legislation. There has been a demand nationwide that reservation be accorded based on the population. It is necessary to amend the Constitution for the same, he said.It is important for one of the states to push for the said amendment. This will be done by Karnataka, he added. Siddaramaiah said the findings of the socio-economic census conducted by the government would be released by the end of December or January 2017. The same will be tabled in the House. Based on the findings of the census, the government will draft a bill to increase reservation in order to ensure social justice. Siddaramaiah challenged BJP to reveal even one order issued by it in favour of reservation. He said he would retire from politics if BJP could prove his charges. He said that BJP has been opposing reservation and had also moved the Supreme Court opposing the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations. When 50% reservation was accorded in urban local bodies, former BJP MP Rama Jois had petitioned the apex court against it. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said his government will enact legislation to ensure reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in proportion to their population in the state. Replying to a discussion on the issue in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, he said there was a demand for increasing reservation from the existing 50% to 70%. It was a matchmaker from Banaswadi who was instrumental in bringing Dominic Selvaraj Roy and Evelyn Mary Roy to the police station. In fact, the matchmaker had facilitated their marriage. The matchmaker also happens to be a police informant. Roy called him up on November 23 for the first time in the last two years. He was in constant touch with the matchmaker, trying to know if the police were following him. We questioned the couples relatives and friends and verified their phone call details. The matchmaker had received a call from Roy. We got in touch with him and monitored the couples movements through him, DCP (West) M N Anucheth told DH. Roy called him up thrice from coin phone booths at Irinjalakuda (Kerala), Coimbatore and Salem (Tamil Nadu). He called up the matchmaker at 4.30 pm on November 28 (Monday) from Salem, informing him that he would reach Bengaluru by 8.30 pm. Based on the informants inputs, the police waited near the Tin factory till 10 pm, but Roy did not turn up. Another team was sent to advocate Nancy Princes house at around 11 pm, but there was no trace of him. He alighted from a bus at Tin Factory stop around midnight. The police detained him within seconds. Roys was a soft detention, the DCP said. We brought him to the Upparpet police station. We asked Evelyn to come before Dominic. He was shocked, as he did not know that the police had already arrested her, Anucheth said. Dominics elder brother Harris resides at Lingarajapuram. The police handed over the couples 12-year-old son to the custody of Harris wife. The police analysed the Reverse Call Detail Record - of all outgoing numbers to receivers abroad - to gather clues. The police had the phone number of Agnes, Evelyns mother, who stays in Dubai. Due to legal constraints, the police could not get the call details of Agnes. So, they shared her number with eight service providers in India, asking them to provide information about calls to her number from India. Roy had called Agnes from a landline phone on November 23. The police got in touch with Agnes and through her, contacted two of her sisters in Hyderabad and Vijayawada. The police warned the two against helping the couple. The couple had to fall in line as Evelyns aunts refused to help them. Twenty-eight healthcare facilities in the state have been chosen for the implementation of Environmentally Sound Management of Medical Wastes in India programme which aims at streamlining the management and disposal of biomedical waste. The project was launched in the city on Tuesday. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India is the executing agency in association with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), M S Ramaiah Medical College and Global Environment Facility. Four large (more than 500 beds), eight medium (more than 100 beds) and 16 small (less than 100 beds) healthcare facilities have been chosen in each of the five states - Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Punjab. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the project aims at better implementation of the new 2016 biomedical waste management rules. Speaking after the launch, Dr Shakri Prosad Dhua, regional co-ordinator, UNIDO, said, There is a better way to dispose of biomedical waste than burning it and the country needs to look at alternatives. When biomedical waste is burnt, it emits dioxins and furans. With the help of non-burn microwave systems, the waste is only disinfected. For instance, the bedspreads used in operation theatres are being burnt at present. With the microwave systems, it could be disinfected, washed and re-used, he added. During the training programme, the microwave device would be procured by M S Ramaiah Medical College, Vydehi Medical College, Bangalore Medical College and Mysore Medical College to help the staff learn the process. Dhua said as part of the training, the staff members of 28 hospitals from across the state would be taught to use a device that uses microwaves to disinfect hospital waste which could be recycled later. Medical college hospitals, clinics, corporate healthcare facilities and community medicine centres have been chosen for the training. Bengaluru Development Minister K J George has said that he has no information on formation of sites and their distribution in 127 illegal layouts which come under BDA limits. He made this announcement in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, while replying to a question raised by K Gopalaiah (JD-S). He said 127 illegal residential layouts have been identified within the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) limits. A committee headed Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department has been constituted to prescribe guidelines to curb illegal layouts in and around Bengaluru. He said no amenities would be provided in these layouts. George said a BDA sub-committee had issued notices to those living in illegal layouts to appear before the panel and present their clarification. The sub-committee had recommended demolition of structures in illegal layouts. However, Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had provided khata and plan sanction to houses in some layouts, George said. Besides, the government scheme of Akrama Sakrama of regularisation of illegal constructions had been challenged in the Karnataka High Court by Citizens Forum and Mangalore Developers. The government will decide on its next course of action after the court verdict, he said. To another question by H S Shivashankar (JD-S), George said steps are being taken to transfer BDA officials and engineers who had been holding the same posts for long. George said the total number of sanctioned posts in the BDA was 1,267 of which 783 were vacant. To a query from S R Vishwanth (BJP), George said the BDA has already acquired land for the 65-km Peripheral Ring Road in Bengaluru. He said PRR would be 100 metres wide with a service road. Besides, 25 metres of the road would be converted into a commercial zone, which will be handed over to landowners, fetching them revenue. To a question by Y A Narayanaswamy (BJP), George said it has come to his notice that residents in new layouts of Bengaluru who had installed multi-jet water meters were getting inflated water bills. The meters would be subjected to laboratory tests, he added. Public sector lender Canara Bank has said that it is well prepared to disburse the salaries from Wednesday, as it has received Rs 127 crore from the Reserve Bank of India. Talking to DH, M M Chiniwar, Canara Bank general manager (Bengaluru circle office), said, We are greatful to the RBI for allocating Rs 127 crore of all denominations (100/500/2,000) to Canara Bank. We are ensuring that all the branches get cash today (Tuesday) itself. Arrangements have been made, the branch managers should feel comfortable and we will follow all guidelines of RBI while making payments. The scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has come as a boon to banks. In the last fortnight, Canara Bank has seen 40 lakh transactions per day across the country, Chiniwar said. Canara Bank has received deposits totalling over Rs 35,000 crore. As per the rules, people can draw up to Rs 24,000 per week. However, people who deposit new notes can draw only the amount they have deposited. Chiniwar explained, People were withdrawing, but they were not depositing. They were afraid that they wont get back their money. The bank encourages people to deposit more money. Otherwise, you keep supplying cash, but it does come not back to the bank. In Bengaluru, Canara Bank has the highest number of pensioners. It will create separate counters to serve the senior citizens. The first week of December will be a challenge for us as people who were drawing money from ATMs will walk into the branches. We have three counters in each bank, if required we will add more. In the first week, all the counters will handle cash transactions only, the general manager said. Chiniwar has urged customers to draw minimal cash as otherwise, it will hamper the whole process. The very purpose of digital banking and cashless transactions will be defeated. In this present scenario, they can restrict the withdrawals to Rs 5,000 and for the rest of the amount, they can use digital banking. This will help the government and the banks, he said. No point visiting ATMs If customers are planning to draw their salaries, they should not even think of visiting their nearest ATM. Most of the banks are reluctant to fill their ATMs with cash. Many bankers said that they wish to serve their own customers at the respective branches. "If we fill our ATMs, customers of other banks will benefit. We have decided to keep minimum cash in ATMs and serve our customers, even though it may get crowded in our branches," a top banker said. "Most of the banks are successful in recalibrating ATMs. However, when we don't have enough cash, how can we deposit money in the ATMs? For example, we require a minimum of Rs 150 crore to fill all ATMs in Bengaluru. However, we are planning to load ATMs with some cash in prime locations. Definitely, we will support our branches. We want to make our existing customers feel comfortable. We never imagined such a situation would arise," says another banker. To justify the costly steel flyover on Ballari Road, the state government always had a ready rationale: Heavy traffic congestion at the Hebbal flyover. But by just throwing open a three-lane stretch from Esteem Mall to the flyover ramp towards KR Puram on Monday, the decongestion has already begun. The message is clear: Traffic at the junction can be streamlined by a minor surgery of Hebbal flyover and an upgrade of the approach roads. On Monday, the first of the upgrades took effect. The moment peak-hour traffic was allowed on that stretch from Kempegowda International Airport towards the flyover, the congestion visibly dropped. Motorists noticed a big relief from the bottleneck effect. To appreciate that feeling, consider what was happening till last week: Motorists heading towards the city on a 14-lane road find the width reduced to 12 lanes at Columbia Asia Hospital and further shrunk to eight lanes at Esteem Mall. The traffic builds up, culminating in massive congestion at the flyover. What next? Widen the flyover on the stretch that passes over the railway line towards Mehkri Circle. How can this widening from two to three lanes be achieved? By extending the ramp from Outer Ring Road/KR Puram side over the railway line. Currently, the ramp joins the flyover just before the tracks, explains Sanjeev Dyamannavar, urban mobility expert. Effectively, this minor surgery would mean building an additional lane over the railway line, and a down ramp at the Hebbal masjid. But to ensure smooth flow of traffic towards Mehkri Circle, there is now another obstacle. A bus stop right after the flyover on the city side. During peak hours, parked buses occupy at least two lanes, triggering congestion. The minor surgery and smart traffic management measures could decongest the entire area. However, in its determination to kickstart the steel flyover project, the government had decided to extend it beyond the Hebbal flyover. The project cost had ballooned from Rs 1,791 crore to Rs 2,100 crore. However, the National Highways Authority of India had raised objections, contending that the Bangalore Development Authority should get its permission before going ahead. Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, the apex body fighting for reservation to the Patel community in Gujarat, on Tuesday finalised the list of 11 mediators for talks with the state government. The 11 members have been selected from within the community. We had asked our zonal conveners to give the names of people they would want to nominate for talks with the government so that there is no feeling of shortselling the community, Hardik Patel, the face of Patel quota stir and leader of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) said. The list was finalised at a meeting held in Udaipur, where Hardik stays temporarily as part of his bail condition. The Gujarat government had last week sent an open invitation to the Patel community and PAAS for talks, which are now slated to begin in Gandhinagar on December 1. India has conveyed to Russia its unease over Moscows purported secret talks with Islamabad to explore possibility of its joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). New Delhi conveyed to Moscow through diplomatic channels that it was opposed to the proposed CPEC as it would include areas that were part of Jammu and Kashmir and some areas that were under illegal occupation of Islamabad. It also made clear that given the traditional friendly relations between India and Russia, New Delhi would expect Moscow not to be oblivious of its sensitivity, sources told the DH. Moscow, however, told New Delhi that though Russia was keen to step up its engagements with Pakistan, it had not yet discussed with Islamabad the possibility of joining the CPEC. Reports appearing in Pakistans media about some 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of the CPEC do not correspond to the realities. The possibility of Russia joining this initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian government issued a statement on Tuesday, apparently after New Delhi conveyed its concerns to Moscow. This is not the first time that New Delhi frowned over Russias growing ties with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier this year told Russian president Vladimir Putin to reflect upon New Delhis concerns over Moscow's growing defence cooperation with Pakistan. What raised hackles in New Delhi this time are reports appearing in some newspapers published in Pakistan about secret talks between Moscow and Islamabad over Russia joining the CPEC. After five years of legal battles, it was a moment of joy when a group over 80 women on Tuesday entered the Haji Ali dargah located at the Worli shoreline along the Arabian Sea. The women, who came by a bus, walked to the shrine and offered chadar at the tomb of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a 15th Century Sufi saint. A few days ago, the trustees were in favour of preventing women from entering the sanctum sanctorum today, we entered the Haji Ali dargah; we are very happy, we offered a chadar later the trustees offered us tea and bonded with us, said a woman coming out of the shrine. On October 24, the Haji Ali Dargah Trust told the Supreme Court it would take a month to implement the Bombay High Court order that lifted the ban on womens entry into the dargahs inner sanctum. Women would be able to pay respects to the saint now, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan co-founder Noorjehan S Niaz said. Niaz, along with Zakia Soman, had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court questioning the 2011-12 ban on women entering the sanctum sanctorum imposed by the Trust. According to the dargahs new rules, nobody will be allowed to touch the tomb, but equal access will be given to men and women, and there would be separate queues. The decision of the Supreme Court should act as an inspiration for the nation and to all temples where women are dishonoured and not treated on a par with their male counterparts, said Bhumata Ranragini Brigade founder-president Trupti Desai who is among those spearheading the right-to-pray campaign. CM welcomes decision Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the decision to allow equal access to men and women at the Haji Ali dargah. Both men and women have equal rights, we agree with this. No religion differentiates between men and womens rights, he said. MTN has commenced talks with the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding an initial public offering in 2017. The operator group has suggested the possibility of issuing shares in three separate tiers. SEC director general Mounir Gwarzo confirmed that it would back an IPO as long as MTN abides by local laws and safeguards the interests of retail investors. While MTN has not yet submitted a formal application for an IPO, the offering would form part of a deal with the government and would need to conform to market conditions. The operator has appointed Stanbic IBTC Capital, Standard Bank of South Africa, Standard Advisory London and Citigroup Global Markets as its transaction advisors and global coordinators. The move follows on from the resolution of a dispute between MTN and the Nigerian government over a colossal fine which the operator incurred for failing to comply with security regulation. After the row was resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, MTN confirmed that it would take immediate steps towards listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, adding that it would always ensure full compliance with its licence terms and conditions. A parliamentary investigation into MTN Nigerias affairs over the past 10 years is attempting to ascertain whether the operator unlawfully repatriated funds of $14 billion a claim which the firm continues to refute. Diabetes nurses claim the service they deliver is at breaking point amid rising patient numbers and cutbacks. They believe increased workloads and cuts to diabetes specialist nurse (DSN) posts are putting huge pressures on diabetes care and nearly four out of five DSNs say patient safety and care is being compromised by the situation. The findings come from the Diabetes Specialist Nursing 2106 Workforce Survey which has been published by charity Diabetes UK. The charity has said that the highly-committed workforce is now at breaking point because supply was not keeping up with demand and is calling for more DSNs to be appointed to ease the burden. A total of 78 per cent of the respondents to the survey were worried about their workload, while 39 per cent believed their daily caseloads were unmanageable. Contracted hours had not changed and extra hours were being worked without more pay, according to the majority of DSNs. The charity said that the findings of the survey suggested that the DSN numbers were not in line with the increase in the number of UK adults living with diabetes, which has risen by more than 65 per cent in 10 years. A total of 29 per cent of DSNs said there had been cuts to their positions. Another issued highlighted was the fact that 57 per cent of DSNs surveyed were eligible for retirement over the next decade. Lead Diabetes Specialist Nurse at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Helen Atkins said: Every day I see the positive impact my team has, often against the odds, supporting people with diabetes to manage their condition, avoid complications and keep them out of hospital. Yet in many areas our health system is neglecting this highly skilled workforce just when we need them most. No nurse wants to deliver anything but the best care possible but the DSN workforce is being pushed to their limits. If we are to rise to the challenge of increasing diabetes prevalence, we need urgent action at both a local and national level to tackle DSN workforce shortages. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has asked manufacturers of thin OLED panels to ramp up production and produce higher resolution panels. Apple, the Cupertino-based technology giant, has a lot riding on the 2017 edition of its most popular product today - the iPhone. Next year marks 10 years since the late Steve Jobs unveiled the very first iPhone to the world, setting standards on which the world of smartphones have taken cue and progressed. Mobile devices have since evolved manifold, and manufacturers worldwide have given Apple a close run for its money. The iPhone is no longer miraculous, and in the recent past, Apple has even been accused of no longer being innovative. 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, and as such, presents the company with a chance to go all out with the smartphone. True to reports, new reports are stating Apples intent with the upcoming iPhone. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Apple is presently working on an iPhone prototype with flexible OLED display, and has even asked manufacturers Samsung, Japan Display, Sharp and LG Display to ramp up production of thin OLED panels. This is being seen as a positive sign that Apple will push for including flexible OLED displays in the 2017 iPhone, presently being called as the iPhone 8. Apple has also reportedly prototyped 10 different versions of the iPhone 8 for development purposes, of which the flexible OLED version happens to be one. While Apple already has a deal with Samsung Electronics for OLED displays, the company has apparently asked the other OLED display makers to come up with higher resolution OLEDs than Samsungs ones. Despite that, though, there will possibly be a shortage in the number of OLED displays required for optimum supply, and as a result, Apple may only choose to use the new display type in the premium variant of the iPhone, while the base variant is anticipated to retain the LCD Retina displays. The new iPhone is also expected to come with completely wireless charging, while other reports claim the iPhone 8 to have an all-glass body. The Home button and fingerprint sensor has already been reduced to a taptic panel, and next year may see it being further redesigned. Apple notably filed a patent for fingerprints to be recognised anywhere on the phone, and we may see this in action on the next iPhone. A bump in the screen size has also been spoken about, with 5.2-inch and 5.8-inch variants expected to replace the older iPhones. While these do sound interesting on paper, it remains to be seen how Apple implements all the new features on its upcoming devices. Well surely get to see more of next years iPhone well before launch, and if present day leaks are to be considered, well have a pretty good idea of what it will look like, before too long. The commodities complex was broadly lower amid sharp drops for copper and oil, with remarks from Irans Energy Minister weighing on the latter. Upon arriving in Vienna, ahead of OPECs ministerial meeting scheduled for the next day, Irans Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said his country would not reduce its level of output. "We will leave the level of production we decided on in Algeria," Zanganeh said. Although he may just have been staking out Tehrans negotiating position ahead of the upcoming talks, as Saudi did the day before, traders appeared to decide that discretion was the better part of valour, trimming their 'long' positions in response. As of 1845 GMT Bloombergs commodity index was off by a hefty 1.92% to 84.41 as the US dollar spot index was retreating 0.34% to 100.99. West Texas Intermediate for next month delivery was down 3.30% at $46.65 a barrel in NYMEX trading, with natural gas the only energy contract to be seen in the green. January 2017 NYMEX natural gas futures were tacking on 3.44% to $3.19/MMBtu. Over in metals, copper was the main drag, with March 2017 COMEX futures down by 2.30% at $2.6090 a pound, but nevertheless near their best levels since July 2015. However, it was lead prices which were in focus among traders after a ten-fold jump in Shanghai futures trading volumes on 25 and 28 November combined. Year-to-date the daily average had been 15,000 lots. "Considering the metal only moved above $2,000/t for the first time in a year in October, the current performance is sudden and striking and we think hardly backed by the fundamentals. Indeed, if anything the market looks to be softening," analysts at Macquarie said. Gold futures on COMEX were also lower, slipping 0.33% to $1,189.90/oz.. Chinese gold imports declined to 104 tonnes in October, Macquarie had estimated in the previous session. The Australian broker pointed to studies showing that troubled Chinese mines were coming back online, while battery orders were sinking as consumers pushed back against high prices, to back up its argument. Silver futures on the other hand edged up 0.36% to $16.74 per ounce. It was a similar story for agricultural commodities, with cocoa the largest outperformer, with the March 2017 future rising 0.54% to $2,415 a metric tonne on the ICE. Crude oil futures continued to be buffeted about by the sometimes conflicting remarks by energy ministers from the worlds main producers ahead of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countriess Energy ministersmeetings scheduled for the next day. Iran refused to cut its level of production, echoing the similarly hard stance adopted by Saudi Arabia during the previous session. After arriving at the Austrian capital of Vienna for the 30 November OPEC ministersmeeting, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said his country would not reduce its level of output. "We will leave the level of production we decided on in Algeria," Zanganeh said. In September, OPEC countries agreed to cap their combined output at between 32.5m to 33.0m barrels a day, versus estimates at the time that pegged the cartels average level of production at 33.4m b/d. His remarks came alongside last-minute shuttle diplomacy by his Algerian and Venezuelan counterparts, who had travelled to Moscow that same day in an attempt to bridge the gap between Russias and Saudi Arabias negotiating positions. Following that meeting, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he would not be travelling to Vienna although his country could meet with OPEC once a deal was reached. Saudi Arabia had asked that Iran, Iraq and non-OPEC members including Russia all contribute to a reduction in output. Riyadh had offered to slash its own oil output by 0.5m barrels a day but had asked that Iran maintain its own output at its then current rate of roughly 3.8m b/d, versus Tehran ambitions of producing closer to 4.2m b/d. For his part, Algerian Energy Minister, Noureddine Boutarfa, on 26 November proposed to Iran that OPEC cut production by a combined 1.1m barrels a day. On 28 November, in an apparent attempt to stake out its own negiotiating stance, Saudi had said that a reduction in the oil cartels output might not be necessary in light of expected stronger economic growth in the States. Also at the start of the week, Iraqs own Energy Minister reportedly said he was "optmistic" that a deal would finally be reached. Several election security experts have added their weight to the campaign from Jill Stein to recount votes in the key battleground states in the United States presidential election. Donald Trump triumphed over Hillary Clinton, as well as the Green Party's Stein and Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Close results in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan are being questioned by Stein and others. The state of Wisconsin is being taken to court by Stein and her campaign, as she seeks to secure a full recount by hand in the region. On Monday, a group of specialists gave over new testimony in support of Stein's lawsuit. Wisconsin conceded on Friday that it would do an automated recount, but the campaign is holding out for a hand count. "There is a substantial possibility that recounting the ballots by hand will produce a more correct result and change the outcome of the election," Stein told the court, according to a letter obtained by The Guardian. A professor from George Washington University told the court it was impossible to give an accurate recount unless it was to be done by hand. "It is not possible to determine with certainty the absence of malicious software hiding within what might appear to be many thousands of lines of legitimate software code," expert Poorvi Vora said. European stocks edged higher on Tuesday, recovering from the previous session's losses as data from the European Commission showed eurozone economic sentiment remained steady in November, but gains were capped by worries about oil ahead of the OPEC meeting in Vienna. At midday, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index, Frances CAC 40 and Germanys DAX rose by 0.03%, 0.54% and 0.07%, respectively. Italy's FTSE MIB was the standout gainer, up 0.95%, as it bounced back from heavy losses on Tuesday when the country's bank shares took a battering amid concerns about the upcoming constitutional referendum. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said he would resign if the proposals are rejected, which would lead to political uncertainty. Market participants are worried that this would make the task of sorting out banks' non-performing loan issues even more difficult. "These gains seem to have stemmed from the euro giving up much of the ground it took back yesterday, the currency spooked by the increasing likelihood that Italy will vote No to Mario Renzis constitutional reforms on Sunday, said Spreadex financial analyst Connor Campbell. Oil prices retreated as the Indonesian energy minister said he was "not optimistic" that an output deal will be agreed at the OPEC meeting in Vienna on Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude fell by 1.8% and 1.6% to $46.25 and $47.49 a barrel, respectively. Meanwhile, basic resources were among the worst performers, with the Stoxx 600 sub-index for the sector down 0.85% as metals prices fell. On the data front, the European Commissions headline economic sentiment index edged up to 106.5 in November from a revised 106.4 in October, missing economists expectations for a reading of 107.0. The EC said the virtually unchanged sentiment resulted from a mild deterioration in industry confidence and stable readings in services, which offset more upbeat assessments of construction and retail trade managers, as well as consumers. In corporate news, Actelion dived after earlier gains. The stock had been higher following a report the Swiss biotech company was not actively considering selling itself but rather weighing a deal to link up with Johnson & Johnson. Deutsche Lufthansa reversed losses after it lost a German court bid to prevent pilots from resuming strikes on Tuesday in a labour dispute that has caused thousands of flight cancellations this month. BT Group edged lower after Ofcom ruled it must legally separate from its Openreach infrastructure arm due to its failure to satisfy the regulator's competition concerns. BT made a move late on Monday to try and prevent the enforced spin-off with the appointment of a former director of the telecoms regulator, Mike McTighe, as chairman of Opeanreach but this seems not to have proved sufficient. European stocks wavered in a tight range, with basic resources under pressure amid declining metals prices, as investors looked to Wednesdays meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna. At 0845 GMT, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index and Germanys DAX were down 0.3%, while Frances CAC 40 was flat. At the same time, oil prices retreated as non-OPEC Russia confirmed it will not attend the OPEC meeting in Vienna on Wednesday, although it said a meeting of the group and non-affiliated producers could take place at a later stage. West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude were down 0.6% to $46.78 and $47.93 a barrel, respectively. David Morrison, senior market strategist at SpreadCo, said: Its been a mixed start this morning for European equity markets but with a slightly negative tone. This follows on from last nights modest pull-back across US stock indices. Theres a feeling that the rally across risk assets is somewhat overdone and that a pull-back, or at least some consolidation, is in order. In the meantime, all eyes are on the oil market which is proving particularly volatile. Crude is weaker in early trade. However, so far it has only given back a small proportion of yesterdays gains. Traders are busy positioning themselves for tomorrows key OPEC meeting in Vienna. This is when the 14-member cartel attempts to agree production cuts. There are also hopes that non-OPEC producers such as Russia will also agree to curb output in order to support the oil price. However, everything appears to hinge on whether Saudi Arabia will agree to the exemption demanded by Iran. Basic resources were among the worst performers, with the Stoxx 600 sub-index for the sector down 1.9% as metals prices fell. In corporate news, Actelion surged following a report the Swiss biotech company was not actively considering selling itself but rather weighing a deal to link up with Johnson & Johnson. Deutsche Lufthansa was on the back foot after it lost a German court bid to prevent pilots from resuming strikes on Tuesday in a labour dispute that has caused thousands of flight cancellations this month. BT Group edged lower after Ofcom ruled it must legally separate from its Openreach infrastructure arm due to its failure to satisfy the regulator's competition concerns. BT made a move late on Monday to try and prevent the enforced spin-off with the appointment of a former director of the telecoms regulator, Mike McTighe, as chairman of Opeanreach but this seems not to have proved sufficient. Londons FTSE 250 was down 0.2% to 17,490.42 in afternoon trade as investors kept an eye on oil prices ahead of Wednesdays OPEC meeting. Starbucks and Burger King travel food operator SSP Group was the standout gainer after it reported a rise in full-year revenue as it focuses on delivering shareholder value. For the year ended 30 September, the operator of food and beverage brands in over 152 airports and 270 train stations, said that revenue rose 5% to 1.9bn at a constant currency basis and 8.6% at actual exchange rates, compared to last year. Transport operator Go-Ahead advanced after saying it has changed its accounting policy for rail pension schemes in line with its commitment to transparent reporting and to be consistent with emerging industry practice, a move that has pushed up its statutory profit. TalkTalk rallied on news that telecoms regulator Ofcom is formally requiring that BT Group separate its Openreach network infrastructure division into a separate entity. Accendo Markets Mike van Dulken said the news was especially significant for smaller peers and competitors like TalkTalk (hence its share price outperformance versus Sky) in that it would likely result in significantly more transparency about Openreach, especially how profitable the infrastructure division that they piggy-back actually is. This would in turn allow them to see whether they have been paying over the odds for access to the UKs copper and fibre optic network and surely shake things up with the new entity having a duty to treat all customers equally. On the downside, Countrywide was the standout loser as the stock which tumbled last week after a profit warning could be demoted from the FTSE 250 as part of the quarterly FTSE Russell index reshuffle on Wednesday. Aberdeen Asset Management was under pressure as Bank of America Merrill Lynch downgraded the stock to neutral from buy and cut the price target to 295p from 355p. The bank said that while Aberdeens results this week were better than expected, the flow of investor money into the companys emerging markets sweet spot is likely to stall. Risers SSP Group (SSPG) 373.00p 9.13% BH Macro Ltd. GBP Shares (BHMG) 2,087.00p 6.26% Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 2,095.00p 4.02% TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 162.80p 3.63% Laird (LRD) 149.20p 3.04% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 2,501.00p 3.01% Entertainment One Limited (ETO) 219.90p 2.28% Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 84.15p 2.19% Aldermore Group (ALD) 209.80p 2.09% Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 438.90p 2.07% Fallers Countrywide (CWD) 166.60p -4.36% Henderson Group (HGG) 233.80p -3.55% Ashmore Group (ASHM) 275.10p -3.37% G4S (GFS) 238.90p -2.41% Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 268.50p -2.29% AO World (AO.) 167.30p -2.16% NMC Health (NMC) 1,343.00p -2.11% Weir Group (WEIR) 1,752.00p -1.96% Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 311.00p -1.95% Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 367.50p -1.79% EasyHotel posted a jump in full-year profit and revenue for the year to the end of September, as it accelerates its development pipeline, with 1,527 rooms now in development. Pre-tax profit rose 38.4% to 1.09m on total revenue of 6.02m, up 8.7% from the year before. Acal, a supplier of customised electronics to industry, has appointed Malcolm Diamond as non-executive chairman from 1 April 2017. He will take over from Richard Moon, who will step down at the end of March next year, having performed the role since April 2005. AIM listed Mosman Oil & Gas is consulting its lawyers after it was prevented from completing the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Pine Mills oil field in Wood County Texas after one of the other owners exercised a pre-emptive right over the oilfield. Cue Energy Resources, the Australia-listed vendor, had agreed a 20-day pre-emptive rights period with the minority owners Gale Force Petroleum and Hammerhead Managing Partners if it were to sell its 80% working interest. Crawshaw Group is trading in line with expectations as the fresh meat retailers sales improved after it increased focus on marketing and value products, while it gears up for a busy Christmas.The AIM-listed company said it has focused on marketing and value products and returned to localising products to areas, which has resulted in higher customer numbers and sales. Judges Scientific, which buys and builds scientific instrument businesses, has bought EWB Solutions, a maker of scientific devices, for 1.76m in order to consolidate its position in the ultra high vacuum field. The acquisition, which is expected to be earnings enhancing, will also included an additional payment that reflects any excess working capital over and above the ongoing requirements of the business. Shares in Pantheon Resources fell back to around 12-month lows as the AIM-listed explorer's prudently worded update dashed some investors' hopes of a bigger potential resource. Chief executive Jay Cheatham, is meeting with investors to discuss updates on two wells, among Pantheon's several conventional projects located in Tyler Polk Counties, onshore East Texas. Oil and gas company LGO Energy has sold over 10,000 barrels of surplus crude oil in Spain. The companys subsidiary Compania Petrolifera de Sedano, is to deliver 11,200 barrels of surplus crude oil that was built up at the Ayoluengo oil field in December and January 2017 to a Spanish buyer. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. In Delaware, a mix of federal and state laws may provide pregnancy and parenting leave. Do you need time off work for pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting? Delaware state law doesn't provide pregnancy leave, but if you work in Delaware, the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives you the right to take unpaid leave for these reasons. In addition, the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits your employer from discriminating against you because of your pregnancy, which may give you the right to take time off work in some cases. Delaware state law does require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees. Taking Time Off During Pregnancy in Delaware There are two types of laws that might protect you if you need pregnancy leave: laws prohibiting pregnancy discrimination and laws that require pregnancy leave. Delaware's Reasonable Accommodation Law Delaware's Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits employers from making job decisions based on sex and pregnancy. The law also requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees. A reasonable accommodation means changes to the job or facilities that will allow an employee to work. It might include temporary transfer to a less strenuous position, better seating, more frequent breaks, modified work schedules, light duty, or time off work to recover from childbirth. Employers must follow this law if they have at least four employees. Pregnancy Discrimination Act The PDA does not require employers to give pregnant employees time off work. However, it does require employers to treat employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy just as it treats employees who are temporarily disabled for other reasons, such as injuries or serious illnesses. Pregnancy Leave Under the FMLA The FMLA gives eligible employees the right to take up to 12 weeks off work in a one-year period for serious health conditions including pregnancy and delivery. However, the FMLA applies only to employers with at least 50 employees, and employees are eligible for leave only if they have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, for at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately preceding their leave. The FMLA allows employees to take their pregnancy leave intermittently, if it's medically necessary. For example, if you have a prenatal check-up, you can use a couple of hours of your leave, then go back to work. The same is true for morning sickness that doesn't last all day. (Learn more about the FMLA, including eligibility requirements, in our article on FMLA leave for pregnancy and disability.) Some states have their own laws requiring family and medical leave. However, Delaware is not one of them. Parenting Leave in Delaware Delaware state law does not require employers to provide parenting leave, but the FMLA gives Delaware employees the right to take time off to bond with a new child, including adopted and foster children. This is part of the total 12-week FMLA leave. So, if you use six weeks of FMLA leave during your pregnancy, you will have six weeks left to use for parenting leave. If you want to use your parenting leave under the FMLA a little at a time (for example, by returning to work half-time for a while), your employer must agree to it. (You aren't automatically entitled to use your parenting leave intermittently.) Note that if you are married to someone who works for the same company, your employer can limit your total amount of FMLA leave for parenting to 12 weeks for both of you. Whatever portion of your own 12 weeks of FMLA leave you don't use for parenting will still be available to you for other reasons, including your own serious health condition. Getting Paid During Your Time Off in Delaware FMLA leave and leave as a reasonable accommodation is unpaid. However, you may ask or your employer may require you to use your sick days, vacation, or PTO to get paid during your time off. Your employer may also offer maternity and paternity leave benefits, parental benefits, or short-term disability insurance. Talk to your HR representative or manager (and check your employee handbook) to find out what types of leave are available to you. New Hampshires Law Against Discrimination and the FMLA allow Montana employees to take time off for pregnancy and childbirth. New Hampshire's Law Against Discrimination requires employers to allow employees to take time off while they are unable to work due to pregnancy and childbirth, although it doesn't provide for parenting leave. But the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives you the right to take unpaid leave for parenting as well as for pregnancy and childbirth. And the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits your employer from discriminating against you because of your pregnancy, which may give you the right to take time off work, in some cases. Taking Time Off During Pregnancy in New Hampshire There are a mix of federal and state laws that might protect you if you need to take time off during your pregnancy. Pregnancy Disability Leave Under the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination New Hampshire's Law Against Discrimination requires employers with at least six employees to provide pregnancy disability leave to all employees. An employee who is temporarily unable to work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, may take time off for as long as she is disabled. When she is able to return to work, the employee must be restored to the same position or a comparable one, unless this is impossible or unreasonable for the employer due to business necessity. Pregnancy Discrimination Act The PDA does not require employers to give pregnant employees time off work, but it requires employers to treat employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy just as it treats employees who are temporarily disabled for other reasons. For example, if your company lets an employee take time off for a serious illness or injury, it must allow pregnant employees to take the same time off when they are unable to work. Family and Medical Leave Under the FMLA The FMLA gives eligible employees in New Hampshire the right to take up to 12 weeks off work in a one-year period for serious health conditions and parenting leave (among other things). The FMLA applies only to employers with at least 50 employees. Employees are eligible for leave if they have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, and at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately preceding their leave. Pregnancy is considered a serious health condition under the law. If you qualify, you may use the FMLA to take time off when you are unable to work because of your pregnancy and childbirth. You can also take FMLA leave for prenatal care, including routine check-ups and doctor visits. You can use a few of hours of your leave at a time if necessary; for instance, if you have morning sickness that lives up to its name, you might need a few hours off in the morning, but be able to go to work by lunchtime. Parenting Leave in New Hampshire New Hampshire state law does not require employers to provide parenting leave, but the FMLA gives employees in New Hampshire the right to take time off to bond with a new child, whether biological, adopted, or foster. This is part of the 12-week leave under the FMLA. So, if you use seven weeks of FMLA leave during your pregnancy, you will have five weeks left to use for parenting leave. If you want to use your parenting leave under the FMLA a little at a time for example, by taking some of your leave when the baby is born and some at a later point when your partner returns to work your employer must agree to it. But if you are married to someone who works for the same company, your employer can limit your total amount of FMLA leave for parenting to 12 weeks for both of you. Whatever portion of your 12 weeks of FMLA leave you don't use for parenting will still be available to you for other reasons, including your own serious health condition. Getting Paid During Your Time Off in New Hampshire FMLA leave and pregnancy leave under New Hampshire's Law Against Discrimination is unpaid. However, you can ask or your employer may require you to use your accrued sick days, vacation, or PTO so that you can get paid during your time off. Your employer may also offer maternity and paternity leave benefits, parental benefits, or short-term disability insurance. Talk to your HR representative or manager (and check your employee handbook) to find out what types of leave are available to you. RI's Parental and Family Medical Leave Act protects your job while you take pregnancy disability or parenting leave. If you work in Rhode Island, the Parental and Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) gives you the right to take time off work for parenting, childbirth, and pregnancy (when physically unable to work). Rhode Island is also one of a small handful of states that provides temporary disability insurance, which pays employees a portion of their regular compensation while they are unable to work due to pregnancy and childbirth. The state also provides temporary caregiver insurance to new parents. In addition, the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Law (PDA) give some employees in Rhode Island the right to take unpaid time off. Job Protections for Time Off During Pregnancy in Rhode Island There are two types of laws that might protect you if you need pregnancy leave: laws that require pregnancy leave and laws prohibiting pregnancy discrimination. Pregnancy Disability Leave Under the PFMLA and the FMLA The Rhode Island PFMLA gives employees the right to take up to 13 weeks of leave for a serious health condition, including pregnancy, in any two calendar years. The FMLA gives employees the right to take up to 12 weeks off for serious health conditions and parenting. However, the coverage and eligibility requirements under these laws are slightly different. Both laws apply to employers with at least 50 employees, but you are eligible for leave under the PFMLA if you have been employed for at least 12 consecutive months and average at least 30 hours of work per week. You are eligible for FMLA leave if you have worked for the employer for 12 months for at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately preceding your leave. While you may take FMLA leave for prenatal care, including routine check-ups and doctor visits, there is no provision allowing this under Rhode Island's PFMLA. Pregnancy Discrimination The federal PDA does not require employers to give pregnant employees time off work, but it does require employers to treat employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy just as it treats employees who are temporarily disabled due to illnesses and injuries. Employees who work for companies with less than 50 employees may be able to use this law to take protected leave during pregnancy and childbirth. Rhode Island employers must also make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees while they are still working, unless the employer can show that the accommodation would pose an undue hardship. Depending on the circumstances, this law may entitle you to take time off during your pregnancy. Parenting Leave in Rhode Island Rhode Island's PFMLA also provides parental leave. If you meet the eligibility requirements described above, you may use PFMLA leave for the birth or adoption of a child. Any leave you use during your pregnancy will be subtracted from your total leave allowance of 13 weeks. So, if you take four weeks off while pregnant, you will have nine weeks left to use for parental leave. The FMLA gives employees the right to take time off to bond with a new child, whether biological, adopted, or foster. As with the PFMLA, this is part of your total 12-week leave entitlement. So, if you use two weeks of FMLA leave during your pregnancy, you will have ten weeks left to use for parenting leave. But if you are married to someone who works for the same company, your employer can limit your total amount of FMLA leave for parenting to 12 weeks for both of you. Whatever portion of your own 12 weeks of FMLA leave you don't use for parenting will still be available to you for other reasons, including your own serious illness. Rhode Island also has a small necessities law, which gives parents the right to take up to ten hours off per year to attend school conferences or school activities for their children. Part-Time or Reduced Schedule Leave in Rhode Island The FMLA allows employees to take pregnancy leave intermittently, if it's medically necessary. For example, if you have a prenatal check-up, you don't have to take a whole day off; you can use a couple of hours of your leave, then go back to work. For parental leave, however, the rules are different. If you want to use your parenting leave under the FMLA a little at a time, your employer must agree to it. If your employer agrees to let you use your parenting leave intermittently, you must finish your time off within one year after the baby is born. Getting Paid During Your Time Off in Rhode Island Rhode Island is one of a few states that provides paid time off for employees through its temporary disability and temporary caregiver insurance programs. Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance If you are temporarily unable to work due to pregnancy, you can apply for temporary disability benefits. These benefits are funded through withholding from employee paychecks. You are eligible to receive a portion of your usual pay, up to a current maximum of $817 per week (in 2016 and 2017), for up to 30 weeks while you are unable to work. Find out more about Rhode Island's temporary disability program. Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance As part of its temporary disability insurance program, Rhode Island also offers a small amount of paid time off for caregiving, including parenting a new child. You can receive benefits for up to four weeks off for this purpose. Find out more about temporary caregiver insurance benefits in Rhode Island. FMLA Leave FMLA leave is unpaid, but you may ask or your employer may require you to use your accrued paid leave (like sick days, vacation, or PTO) to get paid during your FMLA leave. Your employer may also offer maternity and paternity leave benefits, parental benefits, or its own short-term disability insurance. Talk to your HR representative or manager (and check your employee handbook) to find out what types of leave are available to you. Both the FMLA and a state family and parental leave law give employees in Vermont the right to take time off for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Vermont's Family and Parental Leave Law gives employees the right to take time off for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives you the right to take unpaid leave for these same reasons. In addition, the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits your employer from discriminating against you because of your pregnancy, which may give you the right to take time off work in some cases. Taking Time Off During Pregnancy in Vermont There are two types of laws that might protect you if you need pregnancy leave: laws prohibiting pregnancy discrimination and laws that require pregnancy leave. Pregnancy Leave Under Vermont's Parental Leave Law In Vermont, state law requires employers with ten or more employees to let employees take time off work for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Employees are eligible for leave if they have been continuously employed by their employer for at least one year, for an average of 30 hours or more per week. Employees may take up to 12 weeks of leave in a one-year period for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting combined. So if your employer is too small to be covered by the FMLA (see below), you may still be entitled to time off under Vermont law. Family and Medical Leave Under the FMLA The FMLA applies only to employers with at least 50 employees. Employees are eligible for FMLA leave if they have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, and at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately preceding their leave. The FMLA gives eligible employees the right to take up to 12 weeks off work in a one-year period for serious health conditions and parenting leave (among other things). If you qualify, you may use the FMLA to take time off when you are unable to work because of your pregnancy and childbirth. You may also take FMLA leave for prenatal care, including routine check-ups and doctor visits. (Learn more about the FMLA, including eligibility requirements, in our article on FMLA leave for pregnancy and disability.) Pregnancy Discrimination The PDA does not require employers to give pregnant employees time off work. However, it does require employers to treat employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy just as it treats other employees who are temporarily disabled for other reasons. For example, if your company lets employees take time off for temporary illnesses and injuries, then it must allow pregnant employees to take the same time off when they are unable to work. Parenting Leave in Vermont Vermont's parental and family leave law gives employees the right to take time off to bond with a newborn or newly adopted child. This is part of your total 12-week leave entitlement. So, if you use four weeks of FMLA leave during your pregnancy, you will have eight weeks left to use for parenting leave. The FMLA works the same way. You have 12 weeks off work, total, to divide between your pregnancy leave and your parental leave. Parents Who Work for the Same Employer If you are married to someone who works for the same company, your employer can limit your total amount of FMLA leave for parenting to 12 weeks for both of you. (Note that this rule does not apply to unmarried couples.) However, whatever portion of your own 12 weeks of FMLA leave you don't use for parenting will still be available to you for other reasons, including your own serious health condition. Vermont's parental and family leave law does not include this restriction. Part-Time or Reduced Schedule Leave The FMLA allows employees to take the pregnancy leave intermittently, if it's medically necessary. For example, if you have a prenatal check-up, you don't have to take a whole day off; you can use a couple of hours of your leave, then go back to work. For parental leave, however, the rules are different. If you want to use your parenting leave under the FMLA a little at a time, your employer must agree to it. You aren't automatically entitled to use your parenting leave intermittently. If your employer does agree to let you use your parenting leave intermittently, you must finish your time off within one year after the baby is born. Vermont law says only that employees are entitled to a total of 12 weeks off; it doesn't state that employees must use all of their leave at the same time. Vermont's information guide about the law states that this provision has been interpreted to allow intermittent leave under the same circumstances as the FMLA. Getting Paid During Your Time Off in Vermont Leave under Vermont's Family and Parental Leave Law and the FMLA is unpaid. However, you may ask or your employer may require you to use your accrued paid leave (like sick days, vacation, or PTO) to get paid during your time off. Vermont law states that employers must allow employees to use their accrued paid leave for up to six weeks of their time off. Employers may, but aren't required, to allow employees to use more paid leave, if they have accrued it. Your employer may also offer maternity and paternity leave benefits, parental benefits, or short-term disability insurance. Talk to your HR representative or manager (and check your employee handbook) to find out what types of leave are available to you. Montanas Human Rights Act and the FMLA allow Montana employees to take time off for pregnancy and childbirth. Montana's Human Rights Act requires employers to give employees time off for pregnancy and childbirth. And the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives Montanans the right to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting. In addition, the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits your employer from discriminating against you because of your pregnancy, which may give you the right to take time off work in some cases. Taking Time Off During Pregnancy in Montana There are a mix of federal and state laws that might protect you if you need pregnancy leave. Pregnancy Disability Leave Under Montana's Human Rights Act Under Montana's Human Rights Act, all employers must give employees a reasonable leave of absence for the temporary disabilities associated with pregnancy and childbirth. When your pregnancy disability leave is over, you are entitled to be reinstated to the same position you held before leave or an equivalent one, unless the employer's circumstances have changed so much that reinstatement would be impossible or unreasonable. So if your employer is too small to be covered by the FMLA (see below), under state law you may still be entitled to a "reasonable" amount of time off while you are unable to work during pregnancy. Pregnancy Discrimination Act The PDA does not require employers to give pregnant employees time off work. However, it does require employers to treat employees who are unable to work due to pregnancy just as it treats employees who are temporarily disabled for other reasons. For example, if your company lets employees take time off for injuries or illnesses, then it must allow pregnant employees to take the same time off when they are unable to work. Family and Medical Leave Under the FMLA The FMLA gives eligible employees the right to take up to 12 weeks off work in a one-year period for serious health conditions, including pregnancy. However, the FMLA applies only to employers with at least 50 employees, and employees are eligible for FMLA leave only if they have worked for the employer for at least 12 months, for at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months immediately preceding their leave. If you qualify, you can use FMLA leave when you are unable to work because of your pregnancy and childbirth as well as for prenatal care such as routine check-ups and doctor visits. The FMLA allows you to take leave intermittently, if it's medically necessary, instead of all at once. (Learn more about the FMLA, including eligibility requirements, in our article on FMLA leave for pregnancy and disability.) Parenting Leave in Montana Montana state law does not require employers to provide parenting leave. The pregnancy disability leave requirement covered above applies only during pregnancy and recovery from childbirth; it does not give employees the right to time off for parenting. The FMLA, however, gives employees in Montana the right to take time off to bond with a new child, whether that chld is a biological, adopted, or foster child. This is part of the total 12-week FMLA leave. So, if you use five weeks of FMLA leave during your pregnancy, you will have seven weeks left to use for parenting leave. You aren't automatically entitled to use your parenting leave intermittently, however. If you want to use your parenting leave under the FMLA a little at a time (for example, by returning to work part-time for a while), your employer must agree to it. Parents Who Work for the Same Employer Note that if you are married to someone who works for the same company, your employer can limit your total amount of FMLA leave for parenting to 12 weeks for both of you. But whatever portion of your own 12 weeks of FMLA leave you don't use for parenting will still be available to you for other reasons, such as your own serious illness. Getting Paid During Your Time Off in Montana FMLA leave and leave under the Montana Human Rights Act is unpaid. However, you may ask (or your employer may require you) to use your accrued paid leave (like sick days, vacation, or PTO) to get paid during your time off. Your employer may also offer maternity and paternity leave benefits, parental leave benefits, or short-term disability insurance. Talk to your HR representative or manager (and check your employee handbook) to find out what types of leave are available to you. City plans to offer $500k buyouts to 4 deputy police chiefs Five of the six current Columbus deputy chiefs would be eligible to apply for a buyout payment of $500,000. Four chosen would leave in January. Subscriber content preview JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The Alaska Marine Highway System is moving forward with plans to get rid of the ferry Taku, but it is still undecided about what to do with the sidelined ship Chenega. CoastAlaska that Taku, which is more than 50 years old, has been laid up for more than a year. The Marine Transportation Advisory Board discussed plans Monday to sell or scrap the 350-pound vessel. . . . Subscriber content preview ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) A corporate accountant in New York admitted Monday to stealing at least $3.1 million from agribusiness giant Cargill, Inc., and causing $25 million in losses to the privately held company's grain shipping operations at the Port of Albany. Diane Backis, of Athens, New York, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Albany to mail fraud and filing a false income tax return. U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian said Backis not only diverted customer payments to her own accounts over a 10-year period, but also caused at least $25 million in losses to the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company. . . . Subscriber content preview Idaho apprenticeship programs get $1.4M Much of the federal grant will go to industry associations, which will create 100 new apprenticeships. By HEATHER KENNISON Times-News TWIN FALLS, Idaho Idaho Power knows the benefits of training its own work force. The company's apprenticeship programs, implemented in 1954, have helped to address the need for skilled employees, decrease turnover and replace retired workers. . . . login or purchase a To read this story in fullor purchase a subscription. Subscriber content preview The 500-year-old Big Tree was 22 feet around and more than 200 feet tall. It wasn't the biggest known ponderosa alive on Earth, but it might have been the tallest. VANCOUVER (AP) One of the oldest and tallest ponderosa pines in the Pacific Northwest has died with little fanfare after hundreds of years. The so-called Big Tree was a well-known attraction for tourists driving through the Columbia River Gorge and was for decades the centerpiece of an interpretive site for travelers headed to Mount Adams, The Columbian reported. . . . Delta bans passenger for life after pro-Trump rant goes viral Delta Airlines in the US has banned a passenger for life after a video showing him engaging in a pro-Trump rant in the aisle went viral. The video, shot aboard a Delta flight earlier this month, shows the man in a ball cap standing in the aisle of an airplane. ''We got some Hillary b on here?'' the man shouts. ''Come on, baby!'' he continues. ''Trump! That's what I'm talking about. Hey, baby! Donald Trump! He's your president, every g one of [you]. If you don't like it, too bad.'' The man was allowed to remain on the 22 November flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pa, according to the Allentown Morning Call, which spoke with the woman who shot the video. But Delta later apologised for the disruption, saying that the man shouldn't have been able to stay in the plane. And in an internal memo to employees, the company's chief executive said that the Trump supporter in the video won't be flying with Delta again. ''We are sorry to our customers who experienced this disruption,'' the company said in a statement Saturday. ''We have followed up with the teams involved, and all agree that this customer should not have been allowed to continue on the flight.'' The statement continued, ''Our responsibility for ensuring all customers feel safe and comfortable with Delta includes requiring civil behavior from everyone. The behavior we see in this video does not square with our training or culture, and follow up will continue so we can better ensure our employees will know they will be fully supported to make the right decisions when these issues arise.'' In a memo sent to Delta employees Monday, the company's chief executive, Ed Bastian, said that the man ''will never again be allowed on a Delta plane''. ''This individual displayed behavior that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers,'' Bastian wrote. ''After questioning the customer, our team members made the best decision they could given the information they had and allowed him to remain on the flight. However, if our colleagues had witnessed firsthand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft.'' The company will be refunding customers the cost of their tickets, said Bastian, who also noted that he wants employees to know ''we have your backs''. ''The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities,'' he wrote. ''We must stay true to Delta's core values and treat one another with dignity and respect. We also must remain committed more than ever to the safety of our customers and our crew members. We will not tolerate anything less.'' Emma Baum, the 21-year-old woman who filmed the man's rant, told the Morning Call that the man had voiced his support for the president-elect before boarding the plane. According to Baum, he was shouting about Trump while in the terminal of the airport. After he was aboard the flight, the man continued talking about Trump and told Baum that it was okay to film him after he stood up. ''He said, 'Go ahead! I want to tell everyone about Trump. I hope it goes viral,' '' Baum told the Morning Call. Baum told the newspaper that a flight attendant did initially take the man off the plane, but he later came back. ''When he came back in, he said, 'This is what I get for being a patriot,' '' Baum said, according to the report. The disruption was one of several incidents that have been reported in the wake of the presidential election and Trump's victory. In Pennsylvania, high school students were caught on video parading through the hallways with a Trump sign. In the footage, someone can be heard saying: ''White power.'' And in Alabama, a teacher was placed on administrative leave after displaying an image of Trump, which was in the style of the iconic Obama ''Hope'' poster. Instead of the word ''Hope'' and President Obama's face, however, it showed a picture of a smiling Trump, and the words: ''Obama, You're Fired!'' Earlier this month, there was also an incident aboard a United Airlines flight, in which a pilot asked passengers to keep their political opinions to themselves after a dispute broke out. ''We're gonna be in a metal tube at 35,000 feet,'' the pilot said in comments that were caught on video. ''I understand everybody has their opinions, that's fine. If you support him, great. If you don't, I understand. However, we're out here to go to Puerto Vallarta to have a good time.'' Shell mulls selling oil fields in Iraq Royal Dutch Shell, Europe's largest oil and gas company, is mulling selling its oil fields in Iraq as part of its $30-billion asset disposal program, Reuters yesterday reported, citing industry sources. Shell is seeking to sell its oil fields in Iraq but not its gas business, the report said. With oil prices on the decline since 2014, the London-based company wants to focus on business areas with the highest returns such as LNG and deepwater oil production in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico, the report added. The news comes three days after Reuters reported that Shell is in advanced talks with an unnamed suitor over the sale of its onshore operations in Gabon. (See: Royal Dutch Shell in advanced talks to sell assets in Gabon) In March, Shell decided to sell assets worth $30 billion in a bid to bolster its balance sheet, which ratings agency Fitch downgraded a month after the Anglo-Dutch oil giant completed its $49-billion acquisition of BG Group. The latest sale plan comes after the London and Hague-based company sold assets worth $20 billion between 2014-1015. But Shell has hit hurdles in the sale process since oil prices have crashed and is currently hovering at around $47 a barrel. When Shell sold assets worth $20 billion in 2014-15, oil prices were at around $100 a barrel. So far this year, Shell has sold or agreed to sell around $6 billion of assets. Plummeting crude prices have hit oil companies across the world and slashed earnings of other oil majors, including Exxon Mobil Corp and BP Plc, retarding investments in new oil exploration while at the same time hitting investor returns. The London-listed company, like other rivals, has scaled down on spending on new projects. It recently announced that it would reduce its planned capital spending over the next three years by $15 billion. Shell operates the giant Majnoon field near Basrah in southern Iraq which started production in 2014. In 2010, the Iraqi ministry of oil and Shell signed a contract to develop the Majnoon oil field. Shell holds 45 per cent stake, Malaysian oil giant Petronas holds 30 per cent and the remaining 25 per cent with Iraq's state-owned Missan Oil Company. Iraq accounted for around 4.4 per cent of Shell's total oil and gas production in 2015, according to its 2015 annual report. India's trade deficit with China has climbed to $52.69 billion in FY16 from $48.48 billion in FY15. Trade deficit with China during the April-September period of 2016-17 stood at $25.22 billion. India's import of bulk drugs from China stood at $1.63 billion in 2015-16, which constitutes 64 per cent of India's total bulk drug imports. Overall, India had imported such drugs worth $2.5 billion last fiscal, commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out. She attributed India's trade deficit to rising demand from fast expanding sectors like telecom and power. Chinese exports to India are strongly dependent on manufactured items to meet that demand, she said. The minister also noted that India is currently negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement keeping in view its export interests as well as sensitivities pertaining to all other participating countries, including China. She said efforts are being made to increase overall exports by diversifying the trade basket with emphasis on manufactured goods, services, resolution of market access issues and other non-tariff barriers. She further said that since both India and China are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) no blanket ban can be imposed on any member country under the WTO framework. Efforts are being made for revival of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) industry to lessen dependency on import of key starting materials, intermediates and bulk drugs including from China, she said. Three Donegal projects have been allocated 298,000 in total from a fund aimed at stimulating economic development in rural towns and their hinterlands. The projects in Dunree, Glenties and Ballyshannon are among 41 nationally to be included in a 5.3 million funding initiative. Known as the REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative, the monies were allocated by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, TD. The largest Donegal allocation (200,000) goes towards the completion of a Community Enterprise Centre in Glenties. 50,000 has been allocated to a Coffee Shop and Pier Facilities at Dunree Fort, Buncrana and 48,000 has been allocated to the upgrading of facilities at The Gables area in the centre of Ballyshannon. The monies will enhance the area for tourism. Ballyshannon The Gables, 48,000, Up grading of facilities in town to enhance area for tourism. Dunree Fort, Buncrana, 50,000, Coffee Shop and Pier Facilities Glenties, 200,000, Completion of Community Enterprise Centre. Other projects in the north west receiving funding are: 100,000.00: Tubbercurry Enterprise Centre, Co. Sligo: for support to Enterprise Centre and town development 100,000.00: Ballinmore REDZ, Co. Leitrim: for assist towards the development of an Angling Centre 200,000.00: Carrick on Shannon Co. Leitrim: to develop a Taste Leitrim Food Tourism & Enterprise Zone. 200,000.00: Ox Mountain, Sligo: for Ox Mountains Mountain Biking Centre & Wild Nephin Wilderness. 400,000.00: Ireland West Airport Knock: for new discovery centre for Sligo at Ireland West Airport and Regional branding. in total from a fund aimed at stimulating economic development in rural towns and their hinterlands. The projects in Dunree, Glenties and Ballyshannon are among 41 nationally to be included in a 5.3 million funding initiative. Known as the REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative, the monies were allocated by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, TD. The largest Donegal allocation (200,000) goes towards the completion of a Community Enterprise Centre in Glenties. 50,000 has been allocated to a Coffee Shop and Pier Facilities at Dunree Fort, Buncrana and 48,000 has been allocated to the upgrading of facilities at The Gables area in the centre of Ballyshannon. The monies will enhance the area for tourism. Ballyshannon The Gables, 48,000, Up grading of facilities in town to enhance area for tourism. Dunree Fort, Buncrana, 50,000, Coffee Shop and Pier Facilities Glenties, 200,000, Completion of Community Enterprise Centre. Other projects in the north west receiving funding are: 100,000.00: Tubbercurry Enterprise Centre, Co. Sligo: for support to Enterprise Centre and town development 100,000.00: Ballinmore REDZ, Co. Leitrim: for assist towards the development of an Angling Centre 200,000.00: Carrick on Shannon Co. Leitrim: to develop a Taste Leitrim Food Tourism & Enterprise Zone. 200,000.00: Ox Mountain, Sligo: for Ox Mountains Mountain Biking Centre & Wild Nephin Wilderness. 400,000.00: Ireland West Airport Knock: for new discovery centre for Sligo at Ireland West Airport and Regional branding. The number of nurses employed and beds available at Letterkenny University Hospital have increased in the last five years, according to figures released by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures show the number of part-time and full-time nurses employed at the hospital has increased by 46 to 558 between December 2010 and October 2016; while the number of beds has increased by 17 beds in the same period to 325. The figures were released with the hospital in the midst of a beds crisis in recent weeks. Today there were 16 patients awaiting admission to the hospital, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). The HSE released the figures to the Regional Health Forum on request by Cllr Gerry McMonagle. Cllr McMonagle said the increases in both beds available and nurses employed is inadequate considering the increase in admissions in recent years. He said the inadequacy of the increases are borne out by the number of procedures that have been cancelled at the hospital. In November we have had an increase of 22 per cent of cancellations since April this year and thats all down to a lack of beds at the hospital and a lack of home care packages and step down facilities, he said. He said the issues at the hospital were being caused by either a lack of beds at hospitals in Dublin or Galway where patients are to be sent for further treatment, or a lack of home care packages or a lack of beds in community hospitals. There is a number of these issues that has caused the whole overcrowding and the bottom line is the lack of investment in the health care services in our county. We are trying to get a full picture of what is happening, he said. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Home Four wheelers Hyundai Tucson All Wheel Drive Expected To Launch By May 2017 oi-Sukesh Korean car manufacturer Hyundai launched its new premium SUV, the Tucson earlier this month. Now reports suggest that the four-wheel-drive variant of the SUV is likely to be launched by May 2017 in the Indian market. {photo-feature} Companies that fail to address latent demand for mentoring forego opportunities to improve employee engagement, retention and productivity, amongst both mentees and mentors, according to Heidi Holmes, co-founder of Mentorloop and former MD of mature age jobs board Adage. Launched in 2015, Mentorloop is a cloud-based, mobile-first platform that assists corporates, universities, not-for-profits and government with introducing and delivering a mentor program or enhancing an existing one. Holmes said the service is targeted at organisations with a strong focus on improving employee engagement and a desire to make mentoring part of their DNA so its something people opt into rather than have done to them. She continued, To ensure mentor relationships are fruitful, our platform offers mentor and mentee onboarding, filtered matching, real-time communication tools and real-time analytics. Plus, the experience is user-friendly organisations can set up their mentor program in a matter of minutes. To date, Mentorloop has approximately 2000 users, with nearly three quarters engaging in their mentoring relationship at least once a month. With its software-as-service model, the company is achieving steady monthly revenue growth and boasts an impressive list of clients, including Startup Victoria, AusBiotech, the Government of Western Australia, Monash University, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), and Sydney and Melbourne Water. Off the back of a pre-money valuation of $2 million, the co-founders closed a successful capital raise in early September, with $300,000 contributed by private investors including angel investor groups Innovation Bay and Melbourne Angels as well as director of StartupAUS, Glenn Smith. Holmes spoke to Dynamic Business about the genesis of Mentorloop, the companys approach to pairing mentors with mentees and the advantages of offering mentoring programs. What is the Mentorloop origin and growth story? The experience I had with my first venture Adage, which sold last year to OneShift, definitely fed into Mentorloop. I was exposed to a huge pool of mature talent, some of whom werent necessarily financially motivated to work but were keen to stay connected to the business community and give back to their industry through mentoring. They represented a rich source of knowledge but there was nowhere to refer them. This led me to look at how organisations were actually solving this problem by offering structured mentoring programs internally. However, what I found was that while mentoring was highly valued, it was often under invested in. The HR team was using a combination of spreadsheets and emails, resulting in a huge admin burden, which was preventing more people from being able to access and participate in mentoring relationships. At that point, I thought there had to be a better way. I brought this problem to my co-founder, Lucy Lloyd. Weve been friends for over 20 years, having attended the same high school. Given her digital background, she was immediately able to see how a digital response could alleviate some of the corporate admin burden but also provide a more modern and engaging experience for mentees and mentors through a fit-for-purpose platform. With a non-existent marketing budget and very small team, Lucy and I bootstrapped the initial development and secured our first paying clients, last year. This played a vital role in securing our first round of investors, but obviously also comes with a huge amount of responsibility. Our number one goal is to build a profitable, sustainable business that delivers a meaningful return for all our stakeholders. Post-funding, we continue to be sales-focused, but another priority is adding new features that inevitably give us and our customers a return on investment. How does Mentorloop pair mentors and mentees? We think mentoring success is ultimately dependent on creating a meaningful match based on outcomes. Rather than matching mentors and mentees based on the traditional approach of profile fields and psychometrics, Mentorloop suggests matches based on desired outcomes (for both the organisation and the individual), as well as what we call the x factor relevant behaviours and interests that indicate compatibility. Our on-boarding process can be customised per client to reflect the unique goals and culture of that organisation. This information then provides a list of recommended matches through the platform. We view mentoring as a two-way relationship so we think its just as important to find out what the mentor might want to achieve from this experience as well. How do organisations and staff stand to benefit? At an individual level, mentoring can improve performance, reduce stress, enhance your network and lead to more opportunities. A US study by Sun Microsystems found, employees who received mentoring were promoted FIVE times more often than those who didnt. Ive been fortunate to benefit from many mentoring relationships throughout my career. Some are individuals who I directly work with while others have become trusted advisors that I turn to on a more ad-hoc basis. The entrepreneurial community have always been strong supporters of mentoring and thats because there is a correlation between the top performing tech companies and their founders having mentors. When Steve Jobs passed away, Mark Zuckerberg noted that the Apple founder had been an invaluable mentor. At an organisational level, again there is plenty of research to support the link between improved levels of employee engagement and retention within organisations with a mentoring culture. We are also seeing mentoring being implemented to improve leadership development outcomes among emerging leaders and as a succession planning tool. What characteristics do great mentors possess? We dont believe that to make an impact a mentor needs to subscribe to a certain profile. The reality is, there are going to be certain mentors who are more relevant at different stages of your life or career. However, what we find are some consistent traits across the best mentors weve worked with and these are their ability to listen and to make you think differently. They dont make it about them and what they would do. They dont advise they guide enabling you to become a more empowered and rounded individual. What trends are you seeing around mentoring? Companies are underestimating how big the demand for mentoring is within their organisation. With Mentorloop, once our clients have sent out an expression of interest form, they are always surprised that demand for mentoring far exceeds their expectations. One client recently experienced an over-subscription in their mentor program by more than 80%, which revealed a latent demand among their workforce for mentoring. People occasionally ask us whats in it for the mentor? but among the companies that have implemented our platform, the supply of mentors consistently outstrips the number of mentees signing up. This tells us experienced people are keen to give back and be a part of these mutually-beneficial relationships. The mentor often finds something to take away from the relationship as well, whether it is insight into a different generation or how to more effectively use new technology its a way for them to keep their finger on the pulse. Our recruitment forms allow users to identify as a mentor, a mentee, or either. Were seeing more and more people identifying as either, depending on the relationships that theyre in. Its an acknowledgement that we all seek advice but also have something to offer, and that great mentoring relationships are truly reciprocal. Co-working spaces combine the start-up experience with the perks of larger companies to help growing businesses engage talent and theyre increasingly self-sufficient ecosystems that thrive on B2B trade. So says Brad Krauskopf, founder and CEO of Hub Australia. Launched in 2011, the company expanded its network of co-working spaces, last month, when it opened Victorias largest co-working space, Hub Southern Cross. The new venue, which provides space for up to 700 tenants, occupies two floors of the historic Mail Exchange building on the corner of Spencer and Bourke streets, near Southern Cross Station. It has a variety of areas for 1 to 20 person teams, including private offices, and customisable spaces for larger company members. Additional on-site features include 20 unique meeting rooms, a cafe, a gym, bike parking, relaxation space, media room, plants and event space for up to 100 people. Krauskopf spoke to Dynamic Business about the opportunities for businesses s arising from the co-working movement: Growth, innovation: Co-working spaces were initially used just by freelancers but have become a legitimate means for small businesses to grow. Businesses are joining us when theyre just one or two people and they remain with us as they expand. Increasingly, corporates are also taking advantage of co-working spaces. Theyre sending staff off-site to connect with small businesses and innovate. The best example right now is Australia Post, which has its innovation team at the Hub. Staff incentives: Businesses are choosing and remaining at co-working spaces because it enhances their ability to attract and retain talent. Many people love working for small businesses but also want some of the perks of working for a larger company, i.e. the social and business connections plus the the art facilities co-working spaces such as the Hub equip small businesses with these staff incentives. Additionally, creating work/life balance is one of Hubs five brand promises, which is why we offer social and wellness programs every week as well as a gym and relaxation space at Hub Southern Cross. Flexibility, mobility: Co-working spaces affords businesses a great deal of flexibility, which they wouldnt get if they were just leasing office space. Co-working spaces mean you only use as much space as you need and they allows you to flex as your business grows, subtract if need be, and grow again. We have a great variety of space, depending on what stage youre at in your business growth. Our members can work from each of the Hub locations we operate in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and were going to open in Brisbane. They can also take advantage of co-working spaces in the global network of our partner, LExC. Diverse ecosystem: Whereas some co-working spaces focus, for instance, on fintech or start-ups or the arts, we curate our membership to ensure it remains diverse because diversity of businesses and people is great for innovation and it keeps things interesting! This has led to a huge amount of B2B trade. In fact, weve had members where 100% of their businesses comes from within the Hub. Diversity has also led exciting partnerships and initiatives. For instance, TEDxAdelaide emerged from a union of different members at Hub Adelaide. More recently, a member in Melbourne who runs a law firm invited an investor to the Hub for a meeting and, during the visit, introduced him to a marketing company. By the time the investor left, hed signed up the marketing company as a supplier. Perth-based tech start-up Fleetsu has been granted $45,000 in cash and in-kind support to accelerate the development of an app-driven platform designed to optimise and coordinate the use of vehicles, machinery and equipment. Formed in 2015, Fleetsu was awarded $15,000 by Motorola Solutions on Friday, 18 November after winning the telco companys 48-hour Public Safety Hackathon in Brisbane. The goal of the hackathon was to apply the principles of agile development to create mobile applications that address real-world operational challenges faced by public safety agencies. The judges were impressed by Fleetsus app, which helps agencies track where their vital assets and resources are at all times. Fleetsu was competing against developers including Gridstone, a specialist provider of mobility solutions for public service agencies, and SDSI, which produces digital resources for police, fire and ambulance services. The hackathon was supported by the Government of Queensland, which awarded Fleetsu an additional $15,000 in prize money. Meanwhile, event sponsor Amazon Web Services offered the start-up $15,000 in credit to use its web hosting services to help it bring the solution to market. Fleetsu CEO Jakub Felinski spoke to Dynamic Business about his award-winning start-up, including the role of the lean start-up methodology, its growing customer base and plans for the future. What does the hackathon win say about Fleetsu? Our win shows that applying lean start-up methodology to run and develop a business can result in fantastic early stage traction in the market for a tech company like ours. We have only been around for 16 months and have stayed very lean and focused on developing a solution which is relevant to customers and can help us to generate revenue. This has resulted in us being able to secure high profile customers including Australian police agencies and a number of well-known brands in the logistics, FMCG, mining and construction sectors. We have been working very hard and have remained committed to our vision of helping public safety and industry organisations to become more effective in what they do. As a result, we have been rewarded by almost tripling our customer base in a couple of months. What led you to create Fleetsu and what is its USP? Fleetsu provides access to a sophisticated, enterprise telematics platform via rapid cloud deployment. We provide a unique combination of hardware and software which can be easily deployed to various assets such as light vehicles, machinery or other equipment. Our solution then collects full performance, diagnostic and location data which can in turn be used to generate actionable business reports. I was led to create the business after identifying a gap for an easy-to-use yet powerful business solution to solve some of the challenges in managing and coordinating large fleets of assets. I also knew that the solution had to provide some eye candy so we really put effort into developing its visual appearance. The concept has quickly gained traction and with the support of angel capital I took a huge leap of faith, quit my day job and have been able to grow the business to what it is today. How will you use the prize money and where to next? We are very grateful to receive this support from Motorola Solutions, the Government of Queensland and Amazon Web Services. We will use prize money to accelerate development of our emergency services-focused offering. Looking to the future, Fleetsu is also getting ready for Series A funding to further accelerate our expansion to Australian and international markets. This result has shown that we can expand and gain market traction quickly. Now its time to throw ourselves in the deep end to continue to grow fast and see what else we can achieve. I just got back from my recent trip to the United States of America (haha buong-buo talaga!) Anyway, this was my first time in the USA and many other first of all my firstest. Haha! My trip was about two weeks, this has been the longest Ive been away from my DD Tasha and I must tell you it was hard. It felt like everyday I wanna go home and sleep by her side. Yes we co-sleep. Anyway , I had so many realizations from this trip. Working away from your country First was about those working abroad (OFWs) and even non-Filipino or non-OFW who needs to work away from their family or love of their lives. It is so hard not to be able to see or be with the people you love in person. Its like a part of you is lost or has been taken away from you. I am glad and grateful that God gave me opportunities in my own country so I dont feel the need to resort to working away from home. Its not a lifestyle for me. It is such a difficult situation to be in . Unless you can bring your entire family with you, then it wouldnt be so bad. Jet lag Second was about jet lag. I never really understood the entire essence of jet lag until I had one. Jet lag happens when your travel time is so long that you have to cross time zones! I have lost two days on the airplane and travelling from one continent to another. My body clock got so confused that I have sleepless days and nights . I cant even tell what day and time it was even if my smartphone shows me the time and date home and where I am. Driving Third. I need to learn how to drive. If you dont have a car or dont know how to drive in the US you wont get anywhere you want when you want to. Yes, they have public transport but it is not the same as here in the Philippines where you can flag a cab, jeep, bus, tricycle anytime anywhere you want and need. Public bus has schedule and stops. If you miss your 8am bus even just for 1 minute, you will have to wait another hour. While there are cabs and Uber, it is expensive. From our hotel to the airport we had to pay our Uber $75.00 ! Everywhere is a long drive to everywhere and when they say 3 hour drive it is 3 hour drive because of the distance. Unlike when in Manila 3 hours is because of bad traffic. Los Angeles (LA) California has the same traffic situation like in Metro Manila. Downtown LA is a business district as well so traffic is crazy even in the expressway especially during rush hour! But they have bigger roads and less pollution. Driving in LA is so much better as they follow traffic rules and pedestrians are king. Pedestrians comes first. We are so spoiled here in the Philippines, we have everything within our reach. We dont need to drive 5 minutes or 30 minutes to get to a supermarket. Life is so convenient here in the Philippines we should not take that forgranted. Night life street life at night So, I thought the USA is so liberated and open and everything. I was expecting LA to be hustling and bustling . Surprisingly by 8pm everything calms down. Most stores and public establishments are closed by 8 or 9pm. There are very few restaurants or hang-out places that closes late the latest is 12mn. Bars / night clubs / night life starts early here after office hours they start drinking and partying because like it or not they will close at 2PM no more or less. Drunk driving and bars People are not allowed to drive if they consumed even a small amount of alcohol. Bar staff are trained to get your car keys if you have consumed alcohol. They wont give it to you until you are sober. You can leave your car at their parking lot overnight, get your keys from them the next day when you are sober. They will even get you a cab to take you home if drunk or consumed alcohol. Not gated homes I love how the houses here dont have gates or walls . You can see whats happening inside from outside as you pass by. You can literally walk in and knock on houses one after another. Of course people dont do this unless they need to or when Trick or Treating haha! This is how safe and secure they feel towards their law enforcers. Every place has CCTV in place and one call from their police department / 911 and response time is so quick , just a few seconds they are there. Well this is in LA of course. In Oregon I was told it was different. But theres not too much crime or people anyway so its very chill. Backyard party When I was there, the curious cat in me was looking everywhere. I was looking for people. I dont see people loitering around the streets or walking anywhere. People dont hang out outside their houses or along the streets or outside establishments . When we went to a house party, I realized that they have big backyards and that is where they are hanging out with friends having a barbeque party. They are also mostly on malls on a weekend . Malls Their malls are not like our malls that is an enclosed establishment/ building. Theirs are more like Bonifacio Global City BGC High street style, thats what they call a mall there in US. Customer service People working in the service industry are so courteous and polite and friendly in California and Oregon. People working in the service industry should learn a thing or two from them. I was expecting an air of arrogance or sort but I did not experience that. Maybe I caught people at the right time during my visit? Real Christmas Tree Christmas tree are real, especially at the malls we visited, the Grove and Americana at the Brand! They were enormous and they were real! Black Friday/ Thanksgiving It was fun to experience my first and real Black Friday event at Walmart. People really await this sale event. Imagine a 55 inch LED screen TV with the latest technology on sale for $249 only! Normally it is over $1,000! Such a great buy. I was able to score some items for my daughter at the sale. Too bad I wasnt able to visit the outlet stores because IDK haha . But really because when I travel to a new place I rather spend time sight seeing and eating and meeting friends than shop. I can do shopping anywhere but I can not see the same things everywhere right? Immigration Immigration process in the airport was a breeze. Everything was mechanical so it was faster and more efficient. You scan your own passport and then just go through the immigration officer who will check and stamp your passport and take your picture. I would like to thank Organique ACAI for sponsoring my trip to California, Ms. Cathy, Annie, Jeff, Regine Tolentino and Ricky Lo for being a kind and thoughtful and tour companions. ABS-CBN Mae, Lani, Ben, Mel. PixRepublic friends Rochelle and hubby, Maurene and hubby and Nikko. Thank you to Asiatico Fusion Sushi Waterfront for sponsoring my trip to Oregon, hello bestfriend Teri and chef hubby Jason . Thank you World Traveller (Primer Group of Companies) for my luggage #thatfirstfeeling travelling to the US is incredible! Thank you to Asus Philippines for the Zenfone 3 Max, it takes gorgeous photos especially at night the low light mode is genius! I know some of my realizations are so trivial but from the eyes of a first timer, it was an interesting discovery that I think I need to and want to share. This post is btw, is just an intro to my #EarthintheUSAadventure posts. Please stay tuned in for more detailed stories soonest. Stay gorgeous everyone! Ceremony marks key milestone in international project to transform site of 1986 accident A ceremony in Chernobyl today marked the successful conclusion of the sliding operation, a key milestone before the finalisation of the international programme to transform Chernobyl into an environmentally safe and secure state by November 2017. Thirty years after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, the radioactive remains of the power plants destroyed reactor 4 have been safely enclosed following one of the worlds most ambitious engineering projects. Chernobyls giant New Safe Confinement (NSC) was moved over a distance of 327 metres from its assembly point to its final resting place, completely enclosing a previous makeshift shelter that was hastily assembled immediately after the 1986 accident. The equipment in the New Safe Confinement will now be connected to the new technological building which will serve as a control room for future operations inside the arch. The New Safe Confinement will be sealed off from the environment hermetically. Finally, after intensive testing of all equipment and commissioning, handover of the New Safe Confinement to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant administration is expected in November 2017. Timelapse video of a unique engineering project. Chernobyls giant New Safe Confinement (NSC) is now in position, having been moved 327 metres from its assembly point to its final resting place, enclosing the shelter assembled immediately after the 1986 accident. More videos Sir Suma Chakrabarti, EBRD President, commented: We welcome this milestone in the process of the transformation of Chernobyl as a symbol of what we can achieve jointly with strong, determined and long-term commitment. We applaud our Ukrainian partners and the contractor and we thank all donors to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund whose contributions have made todays success possible. The spirit of cooperation gives us confidence that the project will be completed on time and within budget a year from now. Novarka project director Nicolas Caille said: We are very proud to have been able to actively contribute to meeting this one-of-a-kind technological challenge. The New Safe Confinement in Chernobyl is a feat of engineering that will ensure optimal safety conditions for the Ukrainian people for the next 100 years. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the achievement of the teams of the Novarka joint venture formed by major French groups VINCI Construction and Bouygues Construction. Igor Gramotkin, Director-General of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, said: We were not building this arch for ourselves. We were building it for our children, for our grandchildren and for our great-grandchildren. This is our contribution to the future, in line with our responsibility for those who will come after us. The Chernobyl arch is the largest moveable land-based structure ever built, with a span of 257 metres, a length of 162 metres, a height of 108 metres and a total weight of 36,000 tonnes equipped. It will make the accident site safe and with a lifetime of 100 years allow for the eventual dismantling of the ageing makeshift shelter from 1986 and the management of the radioactive waste. The structure was built by Novarka, a consortium of the French construction firms VINCI Construction and Bouygues Construction. Works started in 2010. With a cost of 1.5 billion the giant structure is the most prominent element of the Shelter Implementation Plan for Chernobyl, which involved more than 300 projects and activities. The 2.1 billion programme is financed by the Chernobyl Shelter Fund. Established in 1997, the Fund has received more than 1.5 billion from 45 donors to date. The EBRD manages the Fund and is the largest contributor to the New Safe Confinement project. A few weeks ago, I wrote a column entreating Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to stand up to Donald Trump, given his status as a businessman-turned-Rust Belt governor who preaches the virtues of civility. While Democrats and liberal activists can be expected to do the heavy lifting when it comes to opposing the authoritarian elements of Trumps presidency, its vital to have as many conservative and Republican voices as possible join in. For starters, this supersedes ideology. And historically, bipartisan movements are taken more seriously by the public and the media. Heres part of my argument: You may not have liked what President Hillary Clinton may have wrought in terms of taxes and regulation, but I believe you stay up at night wondering what President Trump will do with the nuclear codes. Warning signs abound. The president-elects chief White House adviser is Steve Bannon, who runs the white nationalist website, Breitbart.com (which is primed to become some sort of state-run media a la Pravda). Trump refuses to set up a blind trust for his far-reaching business interests, instead saying hell turn them over to his children (who may have access to state secrets). And hes playing footsie with Vladimir Putin on the national stage already. None of these are partisan issues. These are all red flags about how our republic will function. I got some pushback from readers for my alleged naivete, mostly coming from those unfamiliar with my frequent criticism of Snyder over the Flint water crisis, Right to Work, child poverty, LGBT rights and much more. And no, I didnt believe my column would have any impact, as I indicated in the column itself: Of course, Im not the right person to ask this of you. It should be the Detroit News Nolan Finley or better yet, a Republican colleague. Ive been one of your fiercest critics over Right to Work and the Flint Water crisis. Im probably about as popular in your inner circle as I was with that of your predecessor, Jennifer Granholm. And even if you were to vocally oppose Trump, I wouldnt stop holding your feet to the fire over your policies in Michigan. Neither will my colleagues. It doesnt work that way. So this is all probably sounding like a terrific proposition for you. I doubt the governor reads me or cares what I think. But it was worth a shot. And sometimes its important to put things on the record. So last week, Snyder did exactly what youd expect, declaring that he looks forward to building a relationship with Trump. Thats quite the change from his October take, when he called Trumps grab em by the pussy remarks revolting and disgusting. Time heals all wounds, I guess. And on Monday, the governor even went so far as to defend Trump in a tweet against the Green Partys attempt to get a recount in Michigan: No ballot problems in MI. Lets move past politics. @realDonaldTrump & @mike_pence need to focus on important job of governing. Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) November 28, 2016 So Rick Snyder is who hes always been: A Republican who feigns moderation, but has repeatedly proven to be unwilling or unable to stand up to the extremist elements of his party. Im not surprised. I just remain very, very disappointed. The people whove been conned arent the enemy. The con man is. Lets say theres a fair and open election in four years, which is actually a real question. But say it happens. Heres a handy theme that will work as part of larger campaign full-throated progressive campaign: Trump betrayed you. The campaign we just witnessed centered on a theme that has become the running joke for much of our existence: Make America Great Again. But as ridiculous and regressive as it might have seemed to you, it was a real promise the opiate-ravaged rural counties of Ohio and the hollowed out hills of West Virginia. Trump promised to bring coal jobs back, though thats likely an impossibility. What hes far more likely to do is repeal Obamacare along with the black lung benefits miners and their families need. The Obamacare repeal will happen. It will happen because its been a promise that has united the GOP for most of a decade and it will happen because will give a nice tax break to the super rich. But you gotta remember this: Trump also promised to replace Obamacare with Something terrific. What hes going to get is complete ownership of the entire American health care system, regardless of what elements of the law he leaves in place. Every Trump voter who ends up uninsured, rejected from a hospital or buried under medical debt needs to be reminded that this is not the something terrific Trump promised you. He betrayed you. The betrayal will be worse for parents who assumed Trump was serious when his tax plan promised, The largest tax reductions are for the middle class. But the AP reports that nearly 8 million families including a majority of single-parent households would actually see a tax hike. He betrayed you. And then there are seniors, who Trump promised Im not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid. Paul Ryan has other plans. Hed like to see Medicare turned into a privatized voucher program. So does Tom Price, who has been mentioned as Trumps pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Their reforms will probably target those of us 55 and under, but they still break Trumps pledge. And any change to the system that shifts the cost burden to seniors will eventually begin to weigh down the program for current beneficiaries. He betrayed all of you. Of course, there are the diehards who will never be swayed. But tens of millions of people who backed him thought he was racist and knew he was unqualified. He just did a better job of disqualifying his opponent. We cant let that happen again. Here are 232 promises Trump made. Reminding his voters of every vow he breaks and getting their response to Trumps failures on record will be the Lords work. Betrayal is a key concept because it attacks Trumps carefully image as a leader and a winner that plays into the Strict Father mindset that helped him win over workers in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. There are certain things that strict fathers cannot be: A Loser, Corrupt, and especially not a Betrayer of Trust, George Lakoff a brain scientist who has studied how framing shapes our politics writes. Lakoff also warns Democrats from fixating on the things they see as terrible about Trump especially his nasty, domineering and vicious comments. These traits, as we learned in the last election, not only appeal to some potential Democratic voters but actually encourage their brains to become more conservative. (Obviously Im putting this complicated cognitive functioning into simplistic terms because Im a big dummy.) So if youre going to focus on Trump, Lakoff recommends focusing on how he lost the popular vote by millions, his unprecedentedly corrupt mingling of personal and state business and his betrayals of his supporters. I know some people have a reflexive urge to say, Let them suffer. They voted for the leech. But the way our system works is we cant punish them without punishing ourselves and our loved ones. Sadistic revenge fantasies only feed demagogues like Trump. Empathy is his and all super villains Kryptonite. The people whove been conned arent the enemy. The con man is. And they could be our greatest asset. [Image by Evan Guest via Flickr] CNN has acquired Beme, the startup cofounded by YouTube sensation Casey Neistat, the companies announced Monday. CNN plans to launch a new branded subsidiary featuring timely and topical video content by the summer of 2017. It will be led by a team including the Beme cofounders, under a name as yet undecided, with CNN providing funding. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Neistat will provide the content expertise, and Beme cofounder Matt Hackett will lead digital innovation at the new company. There are plans to hire dozens of new staffers, including producers, builders, developers, designers and content creators, according to CNN. Young Turks The deal is consistent with CNNs effort to tap into the fast-growing business of news content creation characteristic of Vice and Buzzfeed. Both offer a range of documentaries, short videos and other content targeting millennial viewers who do not get their news from traditional cable networks. However, CNN leads the Comscore multiplatform report in the news and information category in terms of millennial reach, according to CNN spokesperson Sophia Shin. That said, millennial is a broad term applied too loosely to a massive generation, she told the E-Commerce Times. The acquisition isnt just about reaching any millennial. Its about diversifying an audience that may not have otherwise engaged with CNN. The deal comes a year after CNN launched its own effort to tap into the space with a subsidiary called the Great Big Story. Led by Chris Berend and Andrew Morse, it offers an eclectic range of stories on the environment, human interest, technology, food and other subjects. Berend, who is also senior vice president of digital video at CNN, and Morse, who is also executive vice president, U.S. editorial and general manager of CNN digital worldwide, will operate as cofounders of the new branded entity along with the Beme cofounders. Great Big Story is doing incredibly well, Shin said. It has surpassed all of its traffic goals and financial targets and is expanding globally. Dream Deferred The goal at Beme was to use social media as a vehicle for candid, unfiltered perspectives that were missing from the major news networks, according to Hackett. We wanted to create more empathy in the world by making the perspective of each of its inhabitants immediately and compellingly accessible through video, he added. However, Beme as a single product failed, Hackett acknowledged. Beme already has been experimenting with CNN in a project called Exit Poll Live, which streamed unfiltered views of voters from across the country, he noted. The Beme staff will retain a lot of its independence by keeping its own office and adding creative and engineering talent right away, Hackett said. Bemes acquisition by CNN is a diversification play by a major TV network in acquiring a distribution channel with an authentic feel for digital narratives, observed Tim Mulligan, senior analyst at Midia Research. Bemes founder Casey Neistat has created a robust reputation as someone who has seen the potential for digitally native short form video to bridge the widening gulf between traditional media practice and emerging smartphone era consumption patterns, he told the E-Commerce Times. The success of the new venture will depend largely on a balance between resource allocation and the level of autonomy provided to the Beme team, Mulligan said. Whether by acquisition or use of Instagram and Snapchat, all the networks want in on quick-hit video, Poynter analyst Rick Edmonds told the E-Commerce Times, along with the new and growing audience it has developed. Wells Fargo Bank will lose customers in droves because of the scandal over fraudulently opened accounts and other issues, based on the results of an online survey cg42 conducted last week. More than 85 percent of the respondents 1,500 primary customers of the top 10 U.S. retail banks, including 1,000 Wells Fargo customers were aware of the scandal. Only 3 percent of Wells Fargos customers reported being affected by the scandal, but 30 percent were exploring banking alternatives, and 14 percent already had decided to switch banks because of it, the survey found. That could place US$212 billion in deposits and $8 billion of Wells Fargo revenue at risk. However, a large part of [Wells Fargos] multiple accounts strategy was to make switching costs higher, noted Edmund Mierzwinski, consumer program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Id speculate the cg42 poll probably overstates switching by 25 to 50 percent, he told CRM Buyer. Thirty-six percent of the respondents were 22-34 years old, 28 percent were 36-40, 25 percent were 50-64, and 11 percent were over 65 years old. Women constituted 52 percent of the respondents. Wells Fargo will lose $99 billion in deposits and $4 billion in revenues over the next 12-18 months as a direct result of the scandal, the cg42 report states. The Pain Will Linger Community and regional banks stand to gain the most, gleaning a projected $38 billion in deposits and $1.6 billion in revenues over the next 12-18 months, cg42 predicted. Chase and Bank of America also will benefit, largely due to their national presence. Twenty-one percent of prospective Wells Fargo customers said they had been very likely or extremely likely to consider doing business with the bank before the scandal, but that figure fell to 3 percent in its aftermath. The short- and medium-term outlooks for Wells Fargo are gloomy, cg42 said, and the fallout from the scandal will impact the banks bottom line for years to come. Theres a very strong correlation between customers experience with companies and their loyalty to the firms, a Temkin Group survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers found. Still, all is not lost. In our 2015 Temkin Forgiveness Ratings, we found that 41 percent of Wells Fargo customers are likely to forgive the company if it makes mistakes, and less than one-third as many are unlikely to forgive them, noted Bruce Temkin, customer experience transformist at the Temkin Group. The scandal wont have an enormous continuing impact if the company takes quick and decisive action and there arent any new stories about this behavior continuing, he told CRM Buyer. Making Amends Wells Fargo has initiated an advertising campaign pledging to regain customer trust. It has fired thousands of low-level employees involved in the scandal, and CEO John Stumpf has stepped down. Thats not enough, U.S. PIRGs Mierzwinski contended. They need to claw back more money from Stumpf and other executives, and they need to rebuild the trust of their customers with actions, not ads. The bank should consider his companys C.A.R.E.S. model, suggested Temkin, which consists of the following steps: ensure communication is open and honest; take accountability for the problem and actions to fix it; make sure you are responsive; have empathy for affected customers; and provide a solution that corrects the current issue and ensures it wont recur. Advice for Switchers Its important that consumers switching to a new bank keep their existing accounts open during the transition, Mierzwinski said. They should make sure all autopays and direct deposits are activated in their new account, keeping the old one open for several billing cycles. Also, they should keep enough money in the old account to cover any inadvertent autopays and lost checks that may come in, Mierzwinski cautioned. Consumers should go to a smaller bank or credit union that wants to help them build assets, he said, not bleed them. The United States Federal Communications Commission last week adopted privacy rules for both wired and wireless broadband ISPs aimed at giving consumers greater control over their data, more privacy, and stronger security safeguards for that data. The rules implement Section 222 of the Communications Act. They establish a framework of customer consent required for ISPs to use and share their customers personal information, calibrated to the sensitivity of the information. The new rules are consistent with the Federal Trade Commissions privacy framework and the administrations Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, the FCC said. The rules establish three approaches to information use and sharing: Sharing sensitive information requires customer opt-in. Sensitive information includes precise geolocation data, financial information, health records, childrens information, Social Security numbers, Web browsing and app usage history, and the content of communications. ISPs can share non-sensitive information on an opt-out basis, consistent with consumer expectations. Non-sensitive information includes email addresses and service tier information. Exceptions to consent requirements are granted for certain purposes, including the provision of broadband service or billing and collection. The FCC did the right thing in distinguishing between sensitive and non-sensitive information, said John Simpson, Consumer Watchdogs privacy project director. Could it have been stronger? Sure, he told the E-Commerce Times. Would I like them to extend the authority over Google and Facebook? I believe they have the authority and they dont, but Im not going to belittle a major step thats going to be a major improvement. The rules provide clear guidance for ISPs and consumers about the transparency, choice and security requirements for customers personal information. Among the things they dont regulate: Privacy practices of websites or apps, like Twitter or Facebook, which come under the aegis of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission; Other services of broadband providers, such as the operation of social media websites; or Address issues such as government surveillance, encryption or law enforcement. The new rules require that ISPs that use or share de-identified data outside the new consent framework meet a three-part test, given that it has become easier to re-identify customer information. The rules prohibit take-it-or-leave-it offers. Further, they increase disclosure for plans providing incentives in exchange for customers express consent to the use and sharing of their personal information. Industry Opposition Various industry bodies were quick to criticize the FCCs rulemaking. The FCC is casting too wide of a net by classifying Web browsing information, app history and other such data as sensitive, argued Mark MacCormack, vice president of public policy at The Software & Information Industry Association. The opt-in requirement is likely to create substantial confusion for consumers. Web browsing and app history have never been considered sensitive by the FTC or any other regulatory body, Mark MacCarthy, SIIA senior vice president for public policy, told the E-Commerce Times. The FCCs definition of sensitive information is absurdly large, said Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Telecom Policy Analyst Doug Brake in an interview prior to the FCCs adoption of the new rules. It effectively would require ISPs to obtain opt-in consent for any uses of consumer data a scenario that will chill investment and diminish competition by establishing disparate privacy rules for separate segments of industry, he told the E-Commerce Times. The FTCs Role The FCC didnt harmonize its rules with those of the FCC, noted Telecommunications Industry Association CEO Scott Belcher and ITIFs Brake in separate statements. The FTC does not have rules; what it has are guidelines, Consumer Watchdogs Simpson pointed out. The only authority the FTC has is the unfair and deceptive practice authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The FTC is limited to making recommendations on privacy, and its policy is to suggest opt-in as a higher level of protection, he noted, so its disingenuous on one level for all these companies to say the FTC has rules in effect. Further, the FTC persuaded the FCC that this notion of sensitive data deserves a higher level of protection, Simpson said. Intense Lobbying Six major e-commerce business associations, including the Direct Marketing Association and the Association of National Advertisers, lobbied heavily against the FCCs adoption of the new rules, contending that the commercial and functional health of the Internet is dependent on the collection and use of consumer-related data, especially for marketing purposes. In a joint letter sent earlier last month to the commission, the groups focused on subjecting Web browsing and app history to opt-in regulations. The opt-out mechanism already in use was sufficient, they argued. With the opt-out feature, e-commerce entities could send email to consumers without prior consent, but the messages would contain a response mechanism such as a check box allowing consumers to request that such messages be terminated. Web browsing and application use data is not sensitive data, and requiring opt-in consent for such data would stifle e-commerce and bombard consumers with unnecessary notices, the trade groups told the FCC. Repeatedly, courts considering such practices have found that the advertising use of Web browsing histories tied to device information does not harm or injure consumers. These cases support the view that Web browsing data, and analogous data collected on application usage, are not sensitive for consumers, they said. That view is not held universally, however. Web browsing and app use history, and the content of communications are critical pieces of information that are tremendously revealing about you, observed Consumer Watchdogs Simpson following adoption of the new rules. We completely applaud the FCC for [protecting] it. More Wrangling to Come Given the strength of opposition, there likely will be legal challenges to the new rules. Despite the FCCs move to align its approach more closely with that of the Federal Trade Commission, court cases related to the role of each agency are still in process. Determining which agency should regulate in this space, and to what extent, is largely affected by outstanding jurisdictional questions, Meaghan Pedati, associate attorney at McGuireWoods, told the E-Commerce Times prior to the adoption of the rules. The FCCs approach is more in line with other privacy frameworks, but depending on the definition of sensitive, it may still result in restrictions on ISPs that do not apply to other edge providers, such as website publishers, search engines and data aggregators, said Christin McMeley, chair of the privacy and security practice at Davis Wright Tremaine. This can result in disparate treatment of consumer information and consumer confusion, she told the E-Commerce Times in an interview last month. ISPs will be able to comply, either way. How burdensome compliance will be will depend on the final rules. Were just not sure yet. 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However, the risk was diminished in women who took folic acid during their pregnancy. This study is the first to find that folic acid supplements provide a protective effect from phthalates. Exposure in the womb to a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals called phthalates was associated with autism traits in boys (but not girls) between ages 3 and 4 years, according to a new study. However, fewer of these traits were observed in boys whose mothers took the recommended amount of folic acid during the first trimester, the findings suggest. Very few studies looked at autism and its associated traits, with inconsistent findings. We tried to look at this question in a large sample from a Canadian cohort that was designed specifically to look at potential developmental effects of exposure to environmental chemicals, lead author Youssef Oulhote, assistant professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at UMass Amhersts School of Public Health & Health Sciences, told Healthline. Phthalates are commonly used in many products, including soap and cosmetics. Mothers Recruited From the MIREC Study Oulhote and team enrolled 2,001 Canadian women with an average age of 33 who were in their first trimester of pregnancy between 2008 and 2011. Less than 10 percent of the women reported regularly drinking or smoking during pregnancy. All the participants were recruited from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC), a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study conducted in Canada. Researchers collected information from questionnaires, medical charts, and maternal blood and urine specimens during pregnancy and at delivery. Concentrations of 11 phthalate monoester metabolites were measured in first trimester urine samples at the Toxicology Centre of the Quebec Institute of Public Health. We had several limitations, the most important one being that these phthalates exposures may vary in time, and therefore future studies should consider this and try to measure these phthalates at multiple time points in pregnancy, Oulhote said. Greater Phthalate Exposure Associated With Autism Traits Researchers performed neuropsychological assessments on 610 of the children born when they were between 3 and 4 years of age. This included the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2), a measure of autism traits and social impairment. A higher score means more autism traits are present. We looked at autistic traits, not an autism diagnosis, which would have required a very large sample size or a different study design given the rarity of ASD. However, looking at autistic traits provides a very good idea about how these traits occur at a population level, Oulhote explained. Researchers found that greater concentrations of phthalate chemicals in a mothers urine samples were associated with increases in SRS scores, but only in children whose mothers didnt take a recommended daily folic acid dose (400 micrograms) during their first trimester. Folic Acid Is Key This study is the first to find that folic acid supplements provide a protective effect from phthalates. Oulhote also believes that folic acid supplements might block the effects of other toxic chemicals. The most surprising and important finding was how adequate important folic acid supplementation was in offsetting the potential effects of phthalates on autistic traits, Oulhote said. Previous studies have shown folic acid is associated with reduced chance of autism spectrum disorder thats caused by prenatal exposure to pesticides and air pollutants. Phthalates Affect Health in Many Ways Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break, often called plasticizers. Theyre also used as dissolving agents for other materials, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Phthalates can even act like hormones and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Previous research has shown that children whose mothers are exposed to phthalates during pregnancy were more likely to have motor skill issues, and another found that these children exposed during pregnancy had problems with language development. Phthalates Are Almost Everywhere These chemicals are in hundreds of products, including vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, automotive plastics, raincoats, and personal care products, like: soaps shampoos hairs sprays nail polish Phthalates are also an ingredient in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, which are used to make plastic packaging film and sheets, garden hoses, blood storage containers, medical tubing, and some childrens toys. Avoiding Exposure Phthalates are almost impossible to avoid in our modern environment, but there are ways to minimize your exposure. While the Food and Drug Administration mandates that phthalates be listed in the ingredients of personal care products, they dont have to be if theyre added as part of the fragrance. Although companies will label their products phthalate free, it may be best to call them up and make sure. New mothers can take simple measures to keep baby safe. Once the baby is born, continue to be mindful about chemicals that can cause harm. Look for fragrance-free products that are as all-natural as possible. Keep up with DIY, including for cleaning products, and limit plastics in the house, especially baby bottles and toys, wrote Claire McCarthy, MD, a faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing, in the Harvard Health Blog. Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o... With foreign students in the United States concerned about a possible Trump effect, American universities have been reaching out to them, reassuring them that they have nothing to worry about. Websites of some American universities have letters to students emphasising their diversity and inclusiveness. Though they have not named Trump, the letters are fairly direct. The one from the University of South Florida (USF) states: In contrast to a divisive Presidential election that temporarily hurt the fabric and values of the United States, here at USF we are committed to a climate of civility, unity and respect for all. There are already signs just a few weeks after the election of the whole country returning to a gracious and exciting vision for the future. A note to students on the University of Denvers website asserts: The legal system is solid and transparent and we do not expect that to change anytime soon. Much discussion of what possible immigration changes might occur remain speculative and while we cannot be certain about changes or about specific policy and enforcement, we want you to know that we are your advocates. Any new changes in policy, law and regulations affecting immigration would have to meet US constitutional standards and will likely be met by legal challenges. Apart from a letter to all international students, USF has put out a special one for Prospective Indian Students and Scholars. In this letter, USF world vice president Roger Brindley states: Whether you are a domestic student from Miami or Minneapolis, or an Indian student from Mumbai or Mangalore every student at USF is integral to the USF community. Our cultural diversity is our strength and your success as a student is our success as a university! You are more likely to end up dead or in jail by the time you are 25 years old than you are to finish high school as an Alaska Native male. It was 1989, we were 7th graders, many of us freshly relocated from isolated villages surrounding the interior settlement town of Fairbanks, Alaska. I was one of them, having just arrived from Vashraii Koo (Arctic Village) with a thick village accent. School staff had pulled about 13 of us out of class to meet with a counselor. Those were his words to us as Alaska Native boys, part of a scared straight"-type program. Today, the underlying statistics of this threat remain similar. Alaska Native students have a graduation rate just above 60 percentand a majority of the dropouts are male. I was one of those who dropped out of high school, but it wasnt due to a lack of cognitive ability or interest in learning, as later demonstrated by my graduate degree and current role as a university vice chancellor. The knowledge that my Alaska Native peers were also more than capable of graduating from high school raised the question: Why are Alaska schools failing Alaska Native children at such alarming rates? More importantly, what can we do to address the issue? The answers are complicated. The immediate answer to the first question includes an annual teacher-turnover rate of around 30 percent in rural school districts with the highest percentage of Alaska Native students, and a severe lack of culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy. But to appreciate the full complexity of this picture, we must place the role of Western education in the broader historical context of the Alaska Native experience. Our homeland was claimed by Russia in 1741 and then sold to the United States through the Treaty of Cession in 1867. That was in the time of my great-grandparents, when Indigenous peoples were not consulted on matters pertaining to their lives, lands, or resources. Following the Treaty of Cession, which referred to Alaska Native nations as the uncivilized native tribes, education was introduced to our peoples as a tool of U.S. colonization and assimilation. Schools and religion were the primary mechanisms to attempt to eradicate Alaska Native languages, ceremonies, social systems, cultural practices, values, and identity. This legacy included isolated boarding schoolssuch as the Wrangell Institute, which my mother attendedthat were rooted in the tenet Kill the Indian, save the man. This introduction to education was traumatic for many Alaska Native peoples, and it contributes to current issues of intergenerational trauma and tension in our peoples relationship with Western education. At the same time, many of our grandparents saw the potential benefits of Western education. It was becoming a tool Alaska Natives used to advocate for human and civil rights. The late Dene Chief Peter John of Minto, born in 1900, recognized the power in education and shared his vision that our people would one day harness that power. Why are Alaska schools failing Alaska Native children at such alarming rates?" From an Indigenous perspective, we can view education on an evolving spectrum, with colonization and assimilation on one end and cultural revitalization and empowerment on the other. In Alaska, I believe that we will see increased student success as we move across the spectrum. There is academic and administrative evidence that supports this belief. In Hawaii, a P-12 Hawaiian-language medium school, Nawahi School, epitomizes the transformation of education along this spectrum. The students are not only taught their Indigenous language, but learn cultural knowledge as well as core standards through the language. Nawahi School has an average high school graduation rate of 100 percent and a college-going rate of 80 percent. This starkly contrasts with the states public schools, with their high school graduation rate at 82 percent and college attendance at 54 percent. Over the past 50 years, Alaska Natives have been on a journey toward increased self-determination in governance, business, and health care, and now is the time for self-determination in education. Our students success, and the future of our 20 distinct Alaska Native languagesall currently endangereddepend upon our being in the drivers seat of our educational systems. Considerable work has already been accomplished that helps move us in this direction. Since 1989, the University of Alaska system has awarded 2,405 Alaska Natives with bachelors degrees, 552 with masters degrees, and 16 with Ph.D.s. And those numbers increase annually. The Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska has developed an Alaskan Inuit Education Improvement Strategy to support transformation of P-12 education for Alaskan Inuit children. And the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Yupik-language immersion school in Bethel has been running a K-6 program since the late 1990s. These are just a few of the educational foundations from across the state on which we can build. This is no small task, but substantive progress could be possible with a few key developments. We need federal legislative amendments to allow Alaska Native tribes access to all Bureau of Indian Education programs, and new congressional appropriations to accompany the expansion of service. We need a partnership with the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to support an Alaskan tribal school system. For example, schools with a majority of Alaska Native students could be placed under tribal control while maintaining the same amount of their state funding. Finally, we would benefit greatly through increased partnership and investment from the University of Alaska system to support Indigenous teacher training, language-revitalization programs, and culturally relevant curriculum development. Just as important, current efforts to advance Indigenous schools, programs, and initiatives must continue to grow. Together, we will transform Indigenous education in the Arctic and perhaps inspire the rethinking of how we educate our young people across the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of a group of Kansas parents and students who object on religious grounds to the states adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards. The group alleged in a lawsuit against the Kansas state education department that the standards, developed by 26 states based on a framework published by the National Research Council, address religious questions by removing a theistic viewpoint and creating a non-theistic worldview in science instruction in the public schools. Citizens for Objective Public Education, or COPE, argued that Kansass 2013 adoption of science standards based on the Next Generation Science Standards and the National Research Councils framework constituted an unconstitutional government establishment of religion and also violated the First Amendment free exercise of religion rights of the families. A federal district court held in 2014 that the group and its members lacked standing to bring the suit because the alleged injuries were abstract. In an April decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in Denver, unanimously upheld the district court and rejected COPEs theories of legal injury. COPE does not offer any facts to support the conclusion that the standards condemn any religion or send a message of endorsement, the 10th Circuit court said. And any fear of biased instruction is premised on COPEs predictions of school districts responses to the standardsan attempt by COPE to recast a future injury as a present one. Viewpoint Sought The U.S. Supreme Court asked Kansas to respond to COPEs appeal, and the state stressed that curriculum decisions remain a matter for local school districts. Although Kansas law requires the state board of education to establish curriculum standards, locally elected school boards remain free to determine their own curricula, said the brief filed by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. He added that COPE had not alleged that children involved in the suit attended districts where the standards had been implemented. The Supreme Court Nov. 14 declined without comment to hear the groups appeal in COPE v. Kansas State Board of Education (Case No. 16-229). Last year, Ayat Husseinis college dream was crumbling. Her father wouldnt let her leave home to attend her first-choice school. But now, shes savoring classes and activities on the picture-postcard campus of her dreams. The story of how this teenagers college hopes triumphed over her familys fears and objections is at once unique and universal, an American tale and an immigrants journey. It illuminates the kinds of cultural hurdles that sometimes preventor threaten to preventhigh-achieving children from immigrant families from choosing postsecondary schools to match their academic promise. Ayats tale is peppered with hope, fear, faith, and courage, and made possible by the right kinds of help at exactly the right moments. When Education Week visited the Husseini family last December, the situation was tense. Ayat had just worked up the nerve to tell her parents that she really wanted to leave their home in New York City to attend Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. Her father, Refaat Husseini, a cook from a small Lebanese village where girls live at home until marriage, wouldnt hear of it. He worried: Would she be safe? Would drugs, alcohol, and mischievous students lead her astray from Islam? Her mother, Salam Akil, who grew up in Beirut, was struggling with her own fears that Ayat would drift from her religious and cultural roots. But she wanted to let her try out her wings, so she was mediating between her husband and her daughter. I have fears of the unknown, but I never shut the doors, I always kept a space of light to see, to take the adventure, Akil said of the months of family talks and college visits that ultimately allowed Ayat to move away to school. Father Reconsiders Those months helped Refaat Husseini feel calmer and more confident about his daughters safety as she ventured from home and convinced him it was an opportunity she shouldnt miss. Ayat had other options, in New York City, but one was a much less selective school, and the other would have required her to take a long subway ride into an unsafe neighborhood. At first I had to say no, it was too hard [to let her go], Husseini said. Then I think about her, not about ourselves. And I want her to get a better education, a hundred times better than I had, something to protect herself for the future. The first part of the process unfolded at home, as Akil worked to persuade Husseini to consider letting their daughter live in a college dormitory. She pointed out that even his brothers daughters, in Lebanon, left their village to attend college. She scoured Islamic teachings for support, reading aloud to him a quote from the Prophet Muhammads cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib: Do not raise your children the way your parents raised you; they were born for a different time. Sometimes they argued. When he listened quietly, Akil knew there was hope. Making Connections Outside the Husseini home, at Ayats high school in Queens, her college counselor was playing a quiet but powerful role. Lauren Quigley knew that heavy lobbying was not the right approach with this family, although she yearned to see one of her star students attend her number-one-choice school. So she hung back, touching base occasionally, but mostly letting the Husseinis seek her out when they had questions. I was thinking, lets just see if we can get them up to campus for a visit. Maybe that will be their epiphany moment, Quigley recalled. Many of her immigrant students find that college visits replace their parents abstract fears with concrete information and reassurance. But Quigley also did something that proved pivotal in the Husseinis journey: She called Taaha Mohamedali, Lafayettes coordinator of multicultural recruitment. The Young Womens Leadership School of Astoria, where Quigley works with a student population from more than 50 countries, has a long-standing relationship with Lafayette, so Quigley knew Mohamedali well. She briefed him on the familys concerns and dynamics, and he offered to meet with them. To the counselors delight, Ayats parents agreed to visit on an admitted-students day in the spring. As Ayat blended into a sea of student activities on campus, Mohamedali met with her parents. Both Akil and Husseini said they felt an immediate connection with this young Muslim whod grown up in Queens, where they live. The three chatted about their shared experiences and faith, discussing passages from the Quran. He said he saw his role as that of listener. I asked them what was important to them for Ayat and her development, what makes her special to them, Mohamedali recalled. That resonated with Akil. I told him, I said, look, if Ayat comes here, its going to be ... trusting you with this special treasure that you must hold safe for me. I could tell he understood that. On a walk around campus, Husseini asked about security and safety and about the job prospects of Lafayette graduates. The parents wanted to know if halal food, made in compliance with Islamic law, was available. Mohamedali answered their questions. He was upfront: The Muslim community at Lafayette is small, but growing. Halal food was on the runway, but not quite available yet. He introduced the Husseinis to members of the campus Muslim Students Association, who discussed their religious life on campus, their community-service work. Akil noticed and appreciated that several of the women wore hijabs, or headscarves. The day was starting to have an effect on Refaat Husseini. We see its a good college, that she will be challenged, that she will be able to do something good over there for her life, he said. From that point, we start to say, OK, maybe we let her go. Talking with Taaha was a turning point, Akil said. A Decision Takes Shape Back home in Queens, Husseini and Akil had many more rounds of discussion. They felt themselves moving toward letting Ayat go. Small but significant things fell into place that eroded the remaining barriers. The college had already offered a hefty financial-aid package, but at the last minute, to help the Husseinis, it knocked its $700 commitment deposit down to $100. Mohamedali said there were no guarantees Ayat could live in a single-sex dorm, but when she emailed the housing office, she got a response within minutes, Ayat said, saying theyd be happy to save a place for her in a womens dorm. Things were telling us, Akil said. It was meant to be. By the time Ayat sent Lafayette the deposit, the tables had turned: Refaat Husseini was reassuring his wife that the choice was a good one, that Ayat would flourish, conquer new challenges, and still carry her faith and heritage with her. Akil knew it was true, but the reality of daily life without her daughter was setting in. There were tearful days. Ayats first few months in college have been marked by the textbook joys and sorrows. Trying to juggle new time-management demands. Waves of homesickness. Excitement about her classes and new friends. Balancing a connection to her family with a new, healthy separateness. Phone calls soon became an issue. Ayats family was frustrated and hurt that she didnt call often enough or was too busy to talk. She wanted space and independence. They worked it out, but it was the first bittersweet taste of a new stage of life. On her own at school now, Ayat is still struggling with the culture shock of absorbing social, cultural, and political views very different from her own. As a Muslim, a Lebanese immigrant, a working-class city girl accustomed to intense diversity, she sees clearly how different her experience and views are from those of many of her classmates on this predominantly white, affluent campus. She pushes open her minds doors to absorb and respect a tumble of new ideas. But shes thriving on the differences, the challenges that make her bigger every day. Even the hard parts are highlights, Ayat said, because theres absolutely nothing that Im not learning from. Washington was already poised to return a lot more authority over K-12 policy to states, thanks to the Every Student Succeeds Act, slated to hit school districts next fall. Now, with President-elect Donald Trumps victory, that process is only likely to accelerate. State leaders arent waiting for the new administration to name all its players or fill in the blanks on in-the-weeds policy details. Theyre already charging forward with the agendas they have been crafting since ESSAs passage a year ago. We dont know the general direction of the new administration, said Chris Minnich, the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers. But the commitment to coming up with high-quality [ESSA] plans is consistent across the chiefs. The resolve is to not worry so much about what the federal government is doing and to really put together high-quality plans so that when the federal government is ready to talk about these things, we know where we are. Details about the Trump administrations policy direction may be starting to emerge, with the Nov. 23 announcement that Betsy DeVos, a Michigan philanthropist and strong school choice supporter, is Trumps pick for U.S. Secretary of Education. In fact, if the Trump administration takes a hands-off approach to accountability, as many expect, it could come as a welcome change of pace for states, some experts say. State leaders have spent the past decade and a half digesting one Washington-driven policy initiative after another, from the No Child Left Behind Acts annual tests under President George W. Bush to the Obama administrations teacher-evaluation and school-turnaround initiatives pushed through under waivers of NCLB requirements. I think the education world is going to ultimately go, Whew, thank heavens, Vic Klatt, a one-time aide to Republicans on the House education committee, said at a postelection event sponsored by the Education Writers Association. No more wacky new changes from the federal level give us a chance to implement things on [our] own and not have to deal with stuff from Washington all the time. Civil rights organizations agree that some stability will be a positive development if it means that states can push forward on a serious improvement-focused agenda, said Daria Hall, the interim vice president for government affairs and communications at the Education Trust, which advocates for poor and minority children. But if states are going to use a reduced federal role to take their foot off the gas when it comes to ensuring educational equity for all students, there needs to be advocacy that says we cant let up, we have to keep going, Hall said. The good news is that we think there is a lot of good, equity-focused advocacy going on in states right now. State Perspectives In conversations since the election, state chiefs, state school board members, and state lawmakers shrugged their shoulders when asked how a Trump presidency changes their plans for K-12 education. Instead, they described a flurry of decisions theyve made on their own in recent months in areas including new accountability systems, new high school exams, tweaked learning standards, and redefined graduation standards. We just need to stay the course, Melody Schopp, the secretary of education in South Dakota, said in an interview at the Council of Chief State School Officers annual meeting, in Baltimore, a little more than a week after the election. Weve got great standards. Weve got a good assessment system. Thats my goal: Stay the course. Stephen Pruitt, the commissioner of education in Kentucky, is on the same page. Theres nothing in statute or regs thats changed, so were going to keep going with whats right for kids until somebody tells us to do something different, he said. The Obama administration set two deadlines for reviewing states ESSA plans, one in March of next year and one next summer, although its unclear if the Trump team will stick to that timeline. It will be up to Trumps education secretarywhoever he or she isto give the ultimate thumbs-up or -down on states proposals. That process could also prove pivotal in setting the course for the laws implementation. ESSA includes a lot of vague terms that the U.S. Department of Education and its hand-selected team of peer reviewers will have to puzzle over. How the new administration decides to define those termslike what it means for various indicators in an accountability system to carry substantial weightcould have a serious impact on the shape of the law. The process will probably be more open to envelope-pushing ideas, said Reg Leichty, a co-founder of Foresight Law + Policy, a law firm in Washington. In areas that are a little more gray, the tie will go to the runner, meaning deference to states. But Leichty doesnt expect that absolutely anything would go. A state couldnt, for instance, completely stop testing its students without running afoul of ESSA. I dont think thats something the department, any department, could lawfully ignore, he said. Regulation Questions The Trump administration could decide to tweak or toss the Obama administrations proposed regulations for the new law, especially on a complicated spending provision known as supplement-not-supplant, which governs how states and districts divvy up their own money between poor and less-poor schools. Those regulations sought to close what critics say is a loophole that prevented disadvantaged children from getting access to their fair share of resources. The proposal was hailed by civil rights groups, but came under fire from practitioners, as well as ESSAs Republican sponsors in Congress. In fact, if the Obama administration decides to proceed with that draft regulation, Congress could vote to strike it down through the Congressional Review Act, said David Cleary, a top aide to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., at the education writers event. That would bar the department from issuing similar regulations until legislation was passed. Its also unclear how the Trump administration will decide to handle the Obama administrations accountability regulations, which are due to be made final by the end of the year. The new administration could hit the pause button on those regulations, let states know through guidance that it wont be enforcing them, or even scrap them and start over. For now, state leaders are forging ahead. We cant wait for the federal government anymore, said Ouida Newton, a state board member in Arkansas, who said officials in her state, after doing on-the-road outreach, are drafting the ESSA plan due for submission to the federal Education Department next year. Our kids cant wait. Meanwhile, the Trump administration may have limited sway over K-12 education in some areas where it might want to act, in part because of a list of prohibitions on the education secretarys role included in ESSA. Laws Handcuffs The law bars the secretary from offering states money or flexibility for adopting a particular approach to teacher evaluation, school turnarounds, and standards. That means ESSA prohibits the secretary from telling states that they must ditch a particular set of standards, including the Common Core State Standards, which were developed through a partnership between state chiefs and governors. On the campaign trail, Trump called the standards a disaster and said he would get rid of them. Whats more, Trumps education secretary could not offer states conditional waivers of some ESSA requirements in exchange for, say, adopting school choice programs or ditching teacher-tenure protections. When ESSA was under consideration, Democrats fought against the prohibitions on the secretarys role, but now many are grateful for them. Folks on the left bemoaned the secretary not being able to effect things like standards, and now we are thanking our lucky stars, said Lanae Erickson Hatalsky, the vice president for social policy and politics at Third Way, a think tank in Washington that seeks to find common ground on controversial issues. But while Trump cant legally get rid of the common core, he could continue to hurt the standards politically by bashing them from the bully pulpit. Since 33 governors are Republicansthe North Carolina race had yet to be decided as of deadline last weekhis opposition to the standards could be influential. Minnich of the CCSSO, which led the development of the Common Core along with the National Governors Association, said that states continue to embrace rigorous standards, no matter what they decide to call them. This isnt about the common core anymore, he said, noting that many states have tweaked or rebranded the standards, but kept a high bar. If you want to go away from the common core, great, but you better have high standards. The European Investment Bank has signed a EUR 100 million (SEK 985 million) credit facility with the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden. The loan was extended under the InnovFin EU Finance for Innovators programme with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding and support programme which also acts as a possible first loss piece. Apart from providing financing, the EIBs InnovFin Advisory Service also provided technical assistance to advise ESS on the financial structure enabling access to external funding in support of the construction. For the EIB, it is the first ever loan supporting the construction of a project with the statute of a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC)*, and the first time that an ERIC accesses external financing to support the construction of the research facility. On this occasion, the EIB joined forces with both the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and Svensk Exportkredit (SEK) who provided EUR 100 million each, for a total of EUR 300 million in financing in support of the ESS. Supporting a European research infrastructure which will facilitate scientific cooperation between European countries makes perfect sense for the EU Bank. Furthermore, the ESS unique, cutting edge research capacity creates significant and exciting new opportunities in the fields of life sciences, energy and environmental technology, which are also priority objectives of the EIB." said Jan Vapaavuori, EIB Vice-President. Science requires patience, as results do not come overnight, and some of the possible outcomes of the research that will be done here may not even have been thought of yet. We need to continue investing in facilities like this one to propel humanity and human knowledge forwards. Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "The EU has been supporting ESS through grants from Horizon 2020, our research and innovation programme, and granted its legal status of European research infrastructure last year. This loan, backed by Horizon 2020, will help to push the boundaries of knowledge in a range of disciplines with concrete impact on people's lives, from the construction of industrial motors to developing proteins for medical applications." "This financing agreement is very important, because it will help us maintain an aggressive schedule and deliver this high priority science project on time, says John Womersley, ESS Director General Any delays would have big cost implications, and so the EIB financing helps us to deliver world leading science with the best value for European taxpayers money." The ESS neutron source for materials science is a key element in European efforts to further develop its world-leading large-scale research infrastructures suite. With the facilitys unprecedented source performance, Europe will retain the world lead in research activities encompassing the broad areas of science that require neutron scattering methods. The EIB investment comes at a crucial time in the construction phase of the Spallation Source. Through its loan to ESS the EIB supports European research offering capabilities that are not achievable with the levels of brightness of the current facilities. In nuclear physics, spallation is the process in which a heavy nucleus emits a large number of nucleons as a result of being hit by a high-energy particle, thus greatly reducing its atomic weight. Endowed with the world's most powerful neutron source, reaching intensities up to 100 times higher than existing facilities, ESS can be compared to a large microscope, as neutron scattering techniques offer the possibility to monitor material structures and motions at a molecular level. It thus opens new opportunities for researchers in multiple disciplines such as life science, environment, energy, transport and engineering, as well as physics, chemistry and even archaeology. Background information: The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EU Bank has also supported the ESS through its Advisory services and has in the past supported other large research projects like CERN in Geneva. InnovFin Large Projects is part of "InnovFin EU Finance for Innovators", the new generation of EU financial instruments and advisory services that was developed under Horizon 2020 to help innovative firms access finance more easily. It will help inject up to 48 billion in investments in Research and Innovation across Europe. InnovFin Large Projects aims to improve access to risk finance for R&I projects emanating from larger firms; universities and public research organisations; R&I infrastructures (including innovation-enabling infrastructures); public-private partnerships; and special-purpose vehicles or projects (including those promoting first-of-a-kind, commercial-scale industrial demonstration projects). Loans and guarantees from EUR 25m to EUR 300m are delivered directly by the EIB. About Horizon 2020 On 1 January 2014, the European Union launched a new research and innovation funding and support programme called Horizon 2020. Over seven years, about 77 billion is invested in research and innovation projects to support Europes economic competitiveness and extend the frontiers of human knowledge. The EU research and innovation budget is focused mainly on improving everyday life in areas like health, the environment, transport, food and energy. Research and innovation partnerships with the pharmaceutical, aerospace, car and electronics industries also encourage private-sector investment in support of future growth and high-skilled job creation. The ESS was included in the 2006 Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and has been included as an 'ESFRI Landmark' in the 2016 update of the Roadmap. EU grants awarded under the 6th and 7th Framework Programme for Technological Development and under Horizon 2020 have supported the creation of the European Spallation Source already since its beginnings. In August 2015, The European Commission granted the legal status of European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) to the ESS. Thanks to this status granted under the community legal framework, the joint establishment and operation of this research infrastructure of European interest is significantly facilitated. The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a multi-disciplinary research centre based on the world's most powerful neutron source. ESS will give scientists new possibilities in a broad range of research, from life science to engineering materials, from heritage conservation to magnetism. ESS is a pan-European project, with Sweden and Denmark serving as host countries. The main research facility is being built in Lund, Sweden, and the Data Management and Software Centre (DMSC) is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. ESS is expected to deliver its first neutrons by the end of the decade, with the user program to follow in 2023. It is anticipated that 2.000-3.000 guest researchers from universities, institutes and industry will participate in the ESS user program each year, making use of the facilitys broad range of neutron instruments to answer their scientific questions. * The Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) is designed to facilitate the joint establishment and operation of research infrastructures of European interest. Sitting at a desk in Afghanistan, a young Airman awaits a call from the most powerful man in the free world. Airman 1st Class Steven McRavin, 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group guardian angel, was chosen to receive a phone call from President Barack Obama on Thanksgiving. He thanked me for being here and doing good things, said McRavin, who is at Kandahar Airfield on his first deployment from his home unit, the 28th Security Forces Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He said that he knows that being gone is tough and that everyone out here is doing a good job. As a guardian angel, McRavin works to ensure the safety of more than 50 Air Force members as they perform their daily task of advising members of the Afghan Air Force. It is the dedication and enthusiasm with which he does this job that allowed him to be chosen to receive the call. As a young defender he has really been into this job and is a positive influence to the others out there with him, said Chief Master Sgt. Tim Ross, 738th AEAG superintendent. Every year Obama has taken the time to continue the tradition of calling military members who are deployed for the holidays. Sir, we had a pretty good spread for dinner tonight, said McRavin when asked about the Thanksgiving dinner he had at the dining facility. McRavin smiled during the two-minute conversation, but his smile widened when the president asked about his family. Yes, sir, I talk to them every chance I get, said McRavin. My step-son is four-years old and a little ball of fire. I miss him a lot. McRavin has been in the Air Force for 15 months and can already say hes done something that very few have been, or will be able to do. Tyres punctured for third time Police are appealing for information after the tyres on a car parked in Willaston were damaged for the third time. The vehicle was parked on Conister Road between 9pm yesterday and 8am this morning when all four tyres have been stabbed with a sharp implement. The person responsible targeted the sidewalls of the tyres, making the car unusable and ensuring the tyres can't be repaired. Officers say all three incidents have seen the tyres damaged in the same way, leading them to believe it is a targeted act by one person. Anyone who can help police identify the person responsible is asked to contact Police Headquarters on 631212. Amid various scandals and divorce rumors, the famous star Josh Duggar spent this Thanksgiving Day with his beautiful wife Anna and his family. The 19 Kids And Counting star was featured in family photos posted on the official Facebook account. A photo shows Duggar sitting at one end of couch and his grandchildren are busy playing puzzle. Anna, Duggar's wife, is sitting close by. It seems Duggar really took the opportunity for Thanksgiving this time around and it may be the new beginning for the family. ET Online reports that Michelle Duggar, Josh's mother, wrote a sweet post about their reunion on Facebook. "Thanksgiving really is a great holiday. On this beautiful day we spend time with family, the food we really love and, above all, it reminds us of the blessings we have in our lives," she wrote. "On Thanksgiving Day this year, we spent some days together in wonderful Ozark Mountains. We cooked together, laughed together, sang together, played with our kids and told some fun stories of the family. It really was great family time." Michelle Duggar also posted photos of this gathering in which the family can be seen hanging around, playing games and eating snacks. The posts were captioned with some messages about faith and love, reported by Hollywood Life. Despite all the troubles and the divorce rumors that Duggar family is surrounded by, Josh celebrated the couple's 8-year wedding anniversary with Anna last September. According to Parent Hearld, earlier this month, the couple went to attend the wedding of Jinger Duggar together as well. What's Duggar family is famous for is their fierce beliefs about religion and Jim and Michelle, Josh's parents, have always stressed on family's importance. Even in her lengthy post about Thanksgiving, Michelle said it was 'wonderful family time'. But it's not been good for them as a family for some time and things now seem to get back on track gradually. Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have gone already, but the craze among the buyers still seems to be the same. The great shopping festivals have already flanked overreach of shoppers on each and every platform. And now to match this craze with its enormous range of products, Amazon is extending its Cyber Monday deals till a week long time. The buyers were able to grab their desired products at the best available price range with solid and unbeatable discounts on Amazon throughout this weekend starting from Black Friday. Even some products were offered with super slashed price tags on this Cyber Monday, which was even not available on Black Friday bonanza. According to iTech Post, to fuel up the hopes of all the buyers who have failed to grab their desired product in this weekend long sales, Amazon has planned to stretch their Cyber Monday sales rack for another long week. Exciting deals have been lined up under the extended Cyber Monday week segment. In the laptop segment, the most trusted marketplace is offering Microsoft Surface Book of 128GB SSD for $1,249 and 256 GB SSD version for $1,499. Selected HP laptops have been lined up with 30% off. Samsung Curved 65-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV has been set for $1,597.99 only on this sales segment. Amazon has also set a dedicated page for its Cyber Monday Deals on which the marketplace has set more than 3000 unique products to choose from. Sony Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones is selling at only $88, Bose SoundTrue Apple Headphones II is set for $99. Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphones (Wired) is offered at $279.98, Luma 3-pack Home Wi-Fi system is offered at $296.00 only, Samsung SmartThings Hub for $49.99 from its original price of $99.99, Samsung Gear Fit 2 is set for $148.56, Eero 3-pack home Wi-Fi system is selling for $399 only. All the offers are subject to availability of stocks. The buyers are recommended to grab their expected items as soon as possible. 29 November 2016 One of the last steps towards the establishment of a single patent court for Europe, and with it the entire unitary patent regime, was taken on 28 November 2016. The Agreement on the Unified Patent Court (UPC) will be ratified by the United Kingdom, according to a statement by UK Minister for IP, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, at the EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels. Her clarification was welcomed by the European Commission, the EU Member States and the EPO and many in the IP community, following months of uncertainty after the UK voted to leave the EU on 23 June 2016. EPO President Benoit Battistelli said "This important news from the UK government means that the long-awaited court is soon to be realised. Users, especially SMEs, have been waiting for the creation of a simpler patent system for Europe, and their relief is palpable. The way is now clear for the last few ratifications to take place in the coming months, and the new court to start work soon after. The UPC will provide a single forum for all participating states delivering faster enforcement actions and harmonised judicial decisions." The new Unitary Patent regime can come into effect only when at least thirteen member states have ratified the Agreement on the UPC, including France, Germany and the UK. To date, eleven have done so, including France, with ratification procedures well advanced in Germany, the UK and also in Italy, Slovenia and Lithuania. The EPO will grant Unitary Patents, making it easier to secure valuable patent rights in Europe, and provide significantly greater country coverage than is possible today for the same investment. Further information CEO of a jewellery house makes history as she bids R90m at an auction for a dream villa in Clifton. THE CEO of a jewellery house made history yesterday when she bid R90-million at an auction for a dream villa in Clifton. Clare Wiese put in the highest bid ever achieved on a residential property in South Africa. The six-bedroom mansion in Nettleton Road, arguably the most exclusive street in the country, was developed by property mogul Stuart Chait, who co-founded MvelaProp with Tokyo Sexwale. Sasfin Bank had been a partner. But Chait said the bank considered it too big an exposure on their books and decided not to extend the loan. Chait put the house with eight bathrooms, a sauna, pool and an elevator on the market months ago for R150-million. But the bank ordered the auction. He believes they could have achieved a higher price this summer when international buyers are set to prowl for luxury. Or, said Chait, the house could be refinanced and rented out. We were recently offered a R3.5-million rental for a two week period over Christmas and New Year by the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, and have had several rental offers at R150000 a day, said Chait. Lew Geffen, chairman of Lew Geffen Sothebys International Realty, which jointly marketed the mansion, was not surprised at the outcome of the auction, which lasted just a few minutes. Weve seen this time and time again that when a trophy home comes onto the market as a distressed property, it will always attract the right buyer at the right price, said Geffen. Wiese is the daughter of the richest man in the country Christo Wiese. However, Clare is an accomplished businesswoman in her own right, and the founder of contemporary fine jewellery brand Paka Paka. We are very excited about the purchase. I have lived in Clifton all my life and consider it home, said Clare. Joff van Reenen, director and lead auctioneer for The High Street Auction Company, said it was the highest-ever bid achieved on a residential property. source: The Times The manner in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was able to deflect criticism about demonetisation in much of the mainstream media, reflects his consummate skills as a spin doctor who seeks to manipulate public opinion through sympathetic journalists. Whereas sections of the media did highlight the huge problems faced by ordinary people on account of demonetisation, there were many newspapers and television channels who "balanced" their accounts by emphasising the "good" the decision would do to the country in the long term: weeding out black money and stopping the use of counterfeit currency notes by terrorists. Modis acolytes publicised the findings of a "national survey" using a mobile phone application in which 5 lakh people participated to claim that more than 90% of the country's population supported his decision to suddenly ban the use of high-denomination currency notes. Those sections of the media which played up the outcome of this so-called survey failed to highlight the simple fact that these findings would be inevitable given the manner in which the questionnaire was structured. In any case, most Indians living in rural areas do not still know or have the facility to use such mobile phone apps. Using the services of his bhakts to put out selective information to suit his purpose is typical of the way Modi operates. Ushered into his office when he was chief minister of Gujarat, I found Narendra Modi attentively going through a pile of clippings of newspapers. Seeing the quizzical expression on my face, he observed, Arrey bhai I am half a journalist too. Well before he became Prime Minister of India, Modi had worked as an organiser for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which he currently heads and also as a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). As one who thrives on information, I did not find Modis comment surprising. But if the Prime Minister is half a journalist by temperament by his own admission, how does one explain his governments crude attempt to first punish the Hindi television channel, NDTV India, for allegedly disclosing sensitive information that could have jeopardised the operations of the countrys security forces, and then keeping the controversial decision on hold? Or his apparent intolerance for dissenting views? In Modis estimation, a journalist is not a person who just purveys news and information but rather an individual who influences what goes on in society by shaping opinions. Even as the aam janta realised that they had been put to enormous difficulties because of his ill-conceived move to suddenly demonetise, the media exercised self-censorship and refrained from focusing on the negative impact of the move on common people and on the working of the economy. With a substantial section of the media silent initially, ordinary people found that they were without a voice. Although with the passage of time the media slowly started reporting on their plight, the reportage was not as critical as it could have and should have been. Even on social media, truthful reporters and commentators found themselves attacked by bhakts alleging that they were in cahoots with anti-national elements. In my papers editorial meetings, bhakt journalists attempted to shout down those who wanted to report anti-government stories every day, and they were successful, an editor of a mainline paper confessed to this writer. Exhortation Against Sinning To return to the story on NDTV India, the gag order that required the Hindi television news channel to cease broadcasting for a day has been temporarily kept in abeyance. However, the unprecedented move has bared the fangs of the current government. Though the order was by an inter-ministerial committee set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, it is difficult to imagine that an order of such far-reaching significance was taken without the knowledge of the Prime Minister. Ironically the ban came two days after he was the chief guest at the presentation of the Ramnath Goenka Awards for excellence in journalism. During his speech on the occasion, he repeatedly harked back to the days of the Emergency when the government of the day had put shackles on the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Modi exhorted citizens to ensure that in the future there should be no political leader who would even think of committing such a "sin". He did not refer to Indira Gandhi by name but the reference was obvious to all. The NDTV India gag order came a day after the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the media should give up the habit of questioning the authorities and raising doubts. This is not good culture, he remarked, after considerable scepticism surfaced about the police version of the encounter killing of supporters of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in Bhopal. Better Watch Out That the ban order on NDTV India was motivated is clear from the fact that the information that the channel purveyed (about militants holed up in the Pathankot cantonment close to residential areas and where fighter planes were parked) was already in the public domain. Part of the information had been given out by Indian Air Force spokespersons themselves and other parts had already appeared in the press. Why then was NDTV singled out for action? Was it on account of the perception that Prannoy Roy (who heads the New Delhi Television group) is close to the Congress party especially its supremo Sonia Gandhi? By choosing NDTV, Modi and his supporters were seeking to send out a clear message: those in the media who are critical of the government had better watch out. NDTV 24x7 (the English channel of the group) also made the cardinal mistake of not telecasting an interview with former finance minister and home minister P Chidambaram after showing excerpts of it. In the interview, Chidambaram had made adverse comments about the Indian Armys "surgical strikes" inside Pakistan ostensibly to rid the infrastructure for training terrorists and had pointed out that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had also undertaken a surgical strike but without any fanfare. NDTV was not forthcoming on why it held back the recorded interview but by all appearances it seems that the channel was persuaded by the government to block it. NDTV, which is known to be in financial trouble, took the advice seriously and not the least because it was already grappling with show cause notices from various departments of the government for alleged financial irregularities. This is where I believe NDTV made a mistake. By buckling under pressure, the management of the channel conveyed an impression (perhaps without intending to do so) that it could not stand up to pressure exerted by the government. We all know what happened next. Faced with a barrage of protests from different sections of the media (including the Editors Guild, press clubs in various cities and eminent journalists) and legal action in the Supreme Court, the government decided to suspend its order stopping the broadcast of NDTV India for a day. However, the sword of Damocles is still hanging over its head. At the same time, it seems clear that the powers that be realised that this is a battle that they had lost in the peoples court, at least for the time being. A "Practical" Man One personality trait of Modi that has gone largely unnoticed by the media is that he is highly practical and pragmatic. He will only push through a move if it benefits him politically and does not run into great opposition. This is the reason why Modi as the unquestioned Chief Minister of Gujarat for nearly 13 years never could lift prohibition in that state although he was personally against it. By nature Modi is authoritarian and dictatorial. And despite what he says from public platforms, he holds one view most of the time (that is, his own) and is a past master at drumming up support for himself. This leads one to the inescapable conclusion that he would bide his time before seeking to intimidate his critics in the media again in the future. If that happens, the media will only have itself to blame. Ever since Modi came to power in Delhi there has been "a conspiracy of silence" in large sections of the national media that have chosen to look the other way where his many transgressions are concerned. The force of Modis oratory and his general demeanour has intimidated large sections of the press into abject obedience. Individual instances of opposition such as the one by journalist Akshaya Mukul who refused to accept the Ramnath Goenka Award for the best non-fiction book of the year from the Prime Minister saying that he could not bear the thought of sharing the same frame with him, are few and far between. Modi has little respect for journalists. His attitude has not changed. But in the era of "paid journalism", more and more owners of media organisations will be reluctant to stand up against the government. Paid media is incompatible with a free media. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Although there is nothing in the laws of the land that bars paid news, if the Indian public and the media truly want a free and independent "fourth estate" they have to ensure that the media first cleanses itself. Otherwise the likes of Modi will not spare any opportunity to browbeat those who do not subscribe to his ideology or share his predilections. Daniel Keohane (Carnegie Europe) On 23 June, the United Kingdom decided to leave the European Union. Most of the leaders of the EU Member States responded to this step by various proposals for strengthening cohesion and integration within the Union and especially in the area of security. Even the Eurosceptic countries such as the Visegrad Four have also spoken out for a greater convergence within the organization and directly proposed the creation of a European army. In contrast, the Italian proposal talks about the defense of Schengen, which would consolidate cooperation among the founding members of the EU. Another grouping within the Union, which calls for a deeper integration, is the Weimar Triangle, whose members want a more effective defense policy. To that end, the question arises what is the real state of the European security? The idea of creating a specific military force has been most moved forward by France and Germany, which have together formed the so-called European Security Compact. Even the EU leaders in Brussels backed the proposal put forward by France and Germany. Federica Mogherini announced the creation of a security and defense strategy by the end of 2016, which will support the existing EU Global Strategy drafted in June. The initiative has been embraced by military experts and the leaders of armies of the individual Member States. According to them, Brexit is an opportunity to finally shift integration into the area of security as well. Reactions to the idea of integration are not just positive. Due to the different defense cultures and situations of EU Members, it is very likely that the project will ultimately fail. The question also remains what role NATO will play if this project succeeds. Europeans want to keep the organization to deter any aggression from Russia, though this at the same time means that any discussion about an EU army is pointless. On the other hand, NATO leadership sees this development in a positive light, if only because the strengthening of cooperation in terms of security will also streamline NATO itself. In 2015, the EU states spent 200 billion on defense, yet much of it was unnecessarily wasted because of disunity among EU members. Great Britain, because of whom the whole initiative started in the first place, will also play an interesting role in that process. Even if the British leave the EU, there is no reason why they should not further integrate within the framework of security, which would after all strengthen the positions of both London and the European Union. Britain has confirmed its willingness to participate in the security project and it is also willing to assist in the operations in the Mediterranean and the Western Balkans. (The study can be downloaded here) Bosnia and Herzegovina has emphasized that the countrys future lies in the European Union despite the problems with corruption, nationalism and the painful historical legacy. We deserve to be in the European Union, Bosnian Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic said and added that his country has always been part of Europe in terms of geography, philosophy and way of thinking. Mr Zvizdic, however, also said that the integration process of the Balkan states in the EU and NATO should be speeded up to prevent the region from going in the wrong direction meaning refocusing on Russia, which is trying to consolidate its influence in the region. In Mr Zvizdics opinion, if the region decides to go in a different direction, it will remain a headache for the EU. He also said that he was convinced that Brussels would not allow things to take a wrong turn. 70 percent of Bosnians are in favor of the EU membership, which is more than support for the EU in many EU Member States. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina is still battered by rampant corruption, although Prime Minister Zvizdic insisted that his country was winning that battle. Dario Jovanovic, head of an NGO fighting corruption and monitoring fair elections in the country, was far less optimistic The main problem is corruption. Its a farce. Mr Jovanovic also said that corruption was persistent due to the complicated political structure the country inherited after the 1995 Dayton Agreement, which ended war but divided Bosnia and Herzegovina ethnically. The country is divided into the so-called Republika Srpska, which is mostly Serbian, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is mostly Bosniak and Bosniak Croat, resulting in three parliaments, a thousand deputies and 167 ministers for 4 million people. The Council yesterday (28 November) extended the mandate of the EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta until the end of 2018. The Council has also allocated more than 11 million euros to the operations budget from the so-called common costs. The EUs Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta was launched in December 2008 with the aim to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. The operation is part of the EUs comprehensive approach for a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia and the Horn of Africa. The mission protects vessels of the World Food Program (WFP), African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other vulnerable shipping, monitors fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and supports other EU missions and programs in the region. The missions most important goal is, however, deterrence and disruption of piracy and armed robbery at sea as the EU is concerned with the effect of Somali-based piracy and armed robbery at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean. Somali-based piracy is characterized by criminals taking control of vessels transiting the High Risk Area in the region and extorting ransom money for the crew, the vessel and cargo: this bears all the features of organized crime. Crews held hostage by pirates often face a prolonged period of captivity, the average being five months, although some hostages have been held for almost three years. Moreover, piracy impacts on international trade and maritime security and on the economic activities and security of countries in the region. EU NAVFOR is considered a success as it has become highly effective in preventing attacks before they happen. At the height of Somali piracy in January 2011, 736 hostages and 32 ships were being held by pirates. In February of 2012, figures from the UN suggested that 10 vessels had been held by Somali pirates, 159 hostages captured and some $146 million in ransom paid to the gangs. By October 2016 that number has dropped to no hostages and ships being held. Realeza La Reina Letizia sorprende con su look mas arriesgado, una falda con un enorme agujero en la rodilla! The fact that twenty years have passed without any progress in the field of multilateral nuclear disarmament and that the post-Cold War period of detente has been substantially wasted explains the frustration of a great majority of non-nuclear weapons states. This frustration led to a vote at the First Committee of the UN General Assembly. On October 27th 2016, 123 countries voted in favour, 38 voted against and 16 abstained on draft resultion L.41 which calls for the convening of a United Nations Conference to negotiate a legally-binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination. It is the first time that such a bold proposal has been adopted. The supporters of the move have the ambition of dealing with multilateral nuclear disarmament in one single negotiation framework instead of the traditional step-by-step approach that has prevailed so far unfortunately, with disappointing results. The resolution, which is still to be confirmed by a vote of the General Assembly as a whole in December, already establishes a date, venue, the participants, the rules of procedure and the duration of the negotiations. They are scheduled to take place in 2017 and all the 193 United Nations members will be invited. The participation and contribution of international organizations and civil society is also foreseen. The latter has actively supported the process leading to the adoption of the resolution and will likely also play a leading role in the future. The Conference will work for 20 days and will take place in two separate sessions. Unless otherwise agreed, General Assembly rules of procedure will apply. This may mean that, if a consensus is not reached, decisions will be taken by a majority vote. It is quite unusual for decisions on legally binding norms on strategic security matters to be adopted by such a procedure. The previous major multilateral treaties were negotiated in Geneva and based on the rule of consensus. The Conference will take place in New York, not in Geneva, where the competent negotiating forum, the Conference on Disarmament (CD), is based. This a blow to the CD, whose 65 members have not even been able to agree on their program of work for the last 20 years. All the NPT nuclear weapons states, with the exception of China, which abstained, voted against L.41. Of the non-NPT nuclear capable countries, both India and Pakistan abstained, and Israel voted against. The belligerent DPRK, surprisingly, voted in favour. With the exception of the Netherlands, which abstained, all NATO countries voted against the text. The US strongly urged its partners to do so. It is regrettable that the mandate of President Obama, a Nobel peace prize recipient, who had forcefully advocated reducing the role of nuclear weapons in the US security strategy, ends with a disappointing vote, precisely on nuclear disarmament. It is also regrettable that the European Union countries remain deeply divided over nuclear issues. Austria and Ireland, which belong to the five sponsoring countries of the text, together with Malta, Cyprus and Sweden voted in favour; the two European nuclear weapons states (France and UK) and the EU countries which are members of NATO (with the Dutch exception) voted against. Finland abstained. A non-supportive vote is contradictory to the legally binding provision of article VI of the NPT to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament. It also disregards the 1996 consensual advisory opinion of the ICJ indicating that There exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament A non-supportive vote is also an incoherent position for the states parties to the NPT: in 2010 all of them subscribed to the concepts of a world free of nuclear weapons and noted the catastrophic consequences of their use. Needless to say, all NATO and EU countries are parties to the NPT. The large majority of the countries that have not supported this resolution are either nuclear weapon countries or nuclear-protected countries. It is likely that they will not participate in the Conference. This means that their voice will not be heard and their interests will not be taken into account. Many observers question whether it makes sense to negotiate a prohibition of nuclear weapons without the presence of most of the countries possessing such weapons. However, the successful outcomes of previous negotiations leading to the prohibition of anti-personnel land mines and cluster munitions indicate that meaningful agreements may be reached without the participation of the major players. Whether what worked for the prohibition of such conventional weapons with tactical uses like anti-personnel mines might also work for weapons of mass destruction, which have a strategic value, is still to be ascertained. It is doubtful that the negotiating process which will be initiated in New York next year will deliver early concrete results. We should therefore not exclude that efforts can be made under the traditional step-by-step approach. The two processes must become mutually supportive. The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time. Evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks decries tribal thinking and advocates listen[ing] to other arguments except when it comes to people who disagree with him on evolution. He writes at The Conversation: Today, in the challenge-free spaces and echo-chambers of our social media feeds, we are arguably becoming ever more vulnerable to tribal convictions. Almost half of us now get all our news from Facebook, for example; information that is digitally targeted to align with our interests. As a consequence, that information reflects, and so reinforces, our biases far more than it informs. In this atmosphere, it takes a special kind of intellectual honesty to interrogate our own ideas as rigorously as we do other peoples, to listen to other arguments, and to discard our own bad ideas. But this is the only way to break the self-reinforcing binds between tribal identity and conviction. [Emphasis added.] Yet in the very next paragraph he goes on: My own research field, the evolution of sexual behaviour, fights not one but two long-running tribal conflicts. Creationism still represents the textbook example of tribal conviction trumping honest understanding. Darwinian natural selection confronts the Creationist urge to see humanity as a special part of a grand plan that divinely orders the living world. However, any student of natural history understands that adaptation is neither grand nor planned, and that imperfect patterns emerge from the bottom-up as individuals strive to maximise their own fitness at the expense of others. Any student of natural history understands this provided that he never strays from his own echo-chamber and thus hasnt been exposed to the other arguments that Brooks classifies as creationism. By that scare word, he evidently means any notion that unguided natural processes alone may not fully account for the marvels of biology. A little further down, Brooks writes: Evolutionary biologists have long known not to debate creationists; their calls for debate amount to cynical time-wasting. So the special kind of intellectual honesty to interrogate our own ideas as rigorously as we do other peoples, to listen to other arguments stops cold when it comes to skeptics in his own field. Protein chemist Douglas Axe of Biologic Institute, author of Undeniable, tweets skeptically in reply to Brooks: 4. That sounds like tribalism to me @Brooks_Rob. Douglas Axe (@DougAxe) November 29, 2016 Or like a scientist who hasnt thought through the implications of his own commendable ideas. Rob Brooks, may we have the pleasure of introducing you to Rob Brooks? Photo: Golden eagle, by Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons/. Im on Twitter. Follow me @d_klinghoffer. The Australian Dollar to Euro exchange rate today: -0.34% at 0.69544, Best 24hr AUD/EUR rate 0.69903. The Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate today (01/12/16): +0.95pct at 1.70975, Best 24hr GBP/AUD rate 1.71424. The Australian Dollar to Pound exchange rate today: -0.95% at 0.58488, Best 24hr AUD/GBP rate 0.59216. GBP/AUD rises on currency exchange rate markets after Aussie dollar dented by building approvals The British pound has been boosted dramatically against the Australian Dollar today, in the wake of David Davis suggesting that the UK could pay the EU to stay in the single market. Given that this goes against the Leave campaigns money-saving spiel, as well as that the Pound is undergoing mass profit-taking, Sterling may close the day in strong negative rates against its peers, however. GBP/AUD edged higher on Wednesday afternoon, nearing the pairs best levels all week as the Aussie struggled to hold its ground as iron ore prices plunged. Investors looking to benefit from the days OPEC oil news by buying into some risky currencies looked elsewhere for their gains, as the Australian Dollars current selloff looked set to continue. Despite a better-than-expected private sector credit figure for October the Australian Dollar softened on Wednesday morning, dented by particularly disappointing building approvals data. With confidence in the strength of the Australian economy faltering the GBP/AUD exchange rate was able to make some fresh gains, in spite of the general mood towards the Pound remaining bearish. The Pound vs Australian Dollar exchange rate continued to perform strongly on Tuesday afternoon and is likely to hold these gains unless Tuesday night or Wednesday see yet another reversal in commodity news. If OPEC somehow pulls an impressive oil output cap proposal out of its hat during its Wednesday meeting or if iron ore prices begin to improve again, the Australian Dollar could hold its ground better. Brexit Memo Dents British Pound The latest source of support for this pairing was partly the leaking of a Brexit document which was photographed on Downing Street. The document, which was denied by the Government, showed that single market access is considered unlikely, and that implementing Article 50 may prove difficult in the start of 2017. While this paper does show uncertainty among Brexit officials in Government, it has at least reassured investors by showing that the matter is being actively discussed, rather than buried under empty statements. Latest Pound/Australian Dollar Exchange Rates On Wednesday the Pound to British Pound exchange rate (GBP/GBP) converts at 1 The pound conversion rate (against pound) is quoted at 1 GBP/GBP. The live inter-bank GBP-EUR spot rate is quoted as 1.16 today. The GBP to USD exchange rate converts at 1.139 today. NB: the forex rates mentioned above, revised as of 2nd 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. Pound Sterling to Australian Dollar Rate Predicted to Rise if BoE Report Creates Optimism The Pound has the opportunity to climb against the Australian Dollar (GBP AUD) in the near-term given the UK data that is due out on Wednesday. Starting off proceedings will be the November GfK consumer confidence figure, which is currently expected to improve from -3 to -1. Out later on Wednesday morning will be the Bank of England (BoE) financial stability report, which could serve to calm investors if it offers a stable outlook for the remainder of 2016. Australian Dollar Pound Losses Come with Widespread Slump in AUD Demand Today The Australian Dollar has performed poorly during the European trading session today, sliding by over -1% to hit a rate of 0.59 on the pairing. Elsewhere, AUD demand has dropped off in the wake of an OECD assessment. The recently published outlook by the OECD hasnt predicted crisis levels of economic damage for Australia, but has estimated that national growth will remain under 3% until 2018. In other Australian news, the future cost of iron ore has been thrown into question by mining giant Rio Tinto risking a price war. This fear has come after the company apparently decided to ask Chinese steel mills to pay a premium cost for the resource for the first time since 2010. Australian Dollar Outlook: Recovery Possible against GBP if Permits Results Match Forecasts The Australian Dollar may be set for a recovery against the Pound early on Wednesday, assuming that the October building permits result matches up with forecasts. On the month, a significant recovery is expected in the field, from -8.7% to 2%. Additionally, the AUD may be in for further support on Wednesday night, given that the AiG manufacturing index for November has a rise predicted. Outside of these announcements, the continually unstable price of iron ore is likely to be of interest to Australian Dollar investors, given that the commodity is closely tied to Australias economic performance. OCED Overview Highlights Lacking Areas in AU Economy Returning to the current dampener of Australian Dollar demand, the OECD assessment, the analytical body has included in its statements that for Australia; There is space for fiscal loosening given the low public-debt burden. Returns would be high for accelerated infrastructure development and investing in skills, an area where Australia falls short of top-performing countries. The Pound has been sent soaring by UK political news today, with Brexit Minister David Davis inspiring a significant GBP rally. Pound Sterling Exchange Rate News: GBP goes bullish GBP goes bullish Consumer Credit Stats Boost GBP: Highest credit growth since credit crunch Highest credit growth since credit crunch EUR Weakens on Italian Banking Fears: No referendum vote could threaten the sector No referendum vote could threaten the sector GBP Exchange Rate Forecasts: German CPI, US consumer confidence ahead The latest source of support for Sterling has been the statement that the UK may be able to pay to remain in the EU single market, after it leaves the EU. These gains may prove temporary in the long-run, given that one of the selling points of Brexit was having more money in the UK without contributing to EU upkeep. The Pound to Euro (GBP EUR) exchange rate trended flatly on Wednesday afternoon as Sterling cooled from its recent volatility, while the Euro lacked the appeal to capitalise on the Pounds weakness. On the other hand, the Pound to US Dollar exchange rate continued to edge lower. While its gains were limited by psychological resistance, Wednesdays US data impressed with better-than-expected results in ADPs employment report and October personal income. Although all but RBS passed the Bank of Englands latest stress test the appeal of the Pound deteriorated, with investors still nervous over the uncertain future of the financial sector. As the GfK consumer confidence index also pointed towards a continued weakening of domestic sentiment the GBP exchange rate complex generally weakened on Wednesday morning. The Pound was able to hold most of its gains on Tuesday afternoon after surging in the morning, and was even able to hold its ground against the US Dollar despite Wednesdays impressive US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results. US growth was on track to hit an impressive 3.2% in Q3 according to the print, and US Consumer Confidence from November also surged to 107.1. The Euro, on the other hand, suffered from political jitters ahead of Sundays Italian referendum and Austrian presidential election re-run. An eleven-year high in consumer credit boosted Pound Sterling to Euro and Pound Sterling to US Dollar exchange rates recently, as it suggested that the Brexit vote hasnt had a negative impact upon the economy. Net consumer credit grew 1.62 billion against forecasts of a 1.5 billion uptick, thanks to an upwards revision in Septembers figure to 1.48 billion. Meanwhile, mortgage approvals also greatly bettered expectations, clocking in at 67,520 rather than the 65,000 predicted. Resurgent fears over the Italian referendum and the damage it could cause the countrys vulnerable banking sector weighed on the Euro. The approaching Italian referendum on constitutional reform continues to weigh on the markets, due to the strong lead the No vote has in the polls. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has promised to resign if he loses, which could spell doom for the stricken Italian banking sector, as Renzi has taken strong action to keep the financial industry afloat. As City Indexs Kathleen Brooks explains; A no vote on Sunday is a major event risk for the European financial sector. Up to 8 Italian banks could fail, as Matteo Renzis bank bailout programme is likely to be scrapped if he resigns. There was little to prevent the GBP/USD exchange rate trending bullishly, as the approach of US data kept the US Dollar weak. With Fed hike bets standing at an enormous 93.5%, the possibility of monetary policy tightening next month is already firmly priced into US Dollar exchange rates, leaving little room for appreciation. Investors also want to hold back on adjusting their positions until todays consumer confidence scores; it is highly unlikely the data on its own could change the predicted trajectory of monetary policy, but markets are nonetheless cautious. United Overseas Bank notes that; GBP has been trading in a choppy manner over the last several days and at this stage, there is no early indication that the current neutral phase is about to end soon. In other words, we continue to expect a 1.2300/1.2600 range for now. GBP Exchange Volatility Forecast; Pound Could Slide after Eurozone and US Data The UKs data has already been released today; with key Eurozone and US releases scheduled for publication there is the possibility that GBPs bullish gains could be reversed. Preliminary German consumer prices for November are expected to show consistent 0.8% price growth with October; better than a slowdown, but not overly encouraging for investors, especially with the European Central Bank getting ready to discuss adjusting the quantitative easing programme again in a few days time. Meanwhile the US consumer confidence index for November is expected to rise from 98.6 to 101.5, which is unlikely to rock the USD boat. For over three decades, the Anja S. Greer Conference on Mathematics and Technology has been the pre-eminent weeklong conference for secondary school mathematics teachers, focusing on Harkness pedagogy, mathematical modeling, integrating technology into math classes, non-traditional pedagogy, contemporary and relevant content, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the math classroom. Whether you are looking for dynamic activities to blend into your classes or a whole new approach to teaching math, as well as professional growth and challenging mathematics, this conference is for you! At the 2022 conference, you will be able to choose 2 weeklong courses, meeting 10 hours each, from a selection of more than 20 offerings designed by established leaders in mathematics teaching. In addition to your 2 courses, there will be concurrent 45-minute CwiC sessions (Conference within a Conference) throughout the week for you to attend when you are not in class. Plus we will have our Featured Speaker series, which will cap off each day of the conference. Perhaps best of all, built into the conference are evening social hours where you can collaborate with and get to know participants and leaders outside of class. obtaining Resettlement to Canada I have the honor to request obtaining Resettlement in Canada as a Government-Assisted Refugee Program as an Refugee . Indeed, living in South Africa , I want my situation to be regularized if I get from you the requested record, I pledge to continue my efforts later in my addressing the French Office for the protection of refugees and stateless. To facilitate the establishment of the document, you will find attachments to this letter:. In addition, I will stand at your disposal for any further information. In the hope of the result of this approach, please accept, Madam / Sir the Prefect, the expression of my respectful greetings. Hello,I am doing some work on my house and would like to find some rustic looking wooden doors to install. The kind of doors I am looking for are darker wood that slide they are for a room inside the house. Similar to this...I am also looking for a front entry door to the house of rustic dark wood style similar to this.I am also looking a fireplace insert however all the ones I have seen are not very tall. I have found some wide ones but the height is usually not very tall so the viewing opening is very narrow and I would like to find one that is not so landscaped. 1mx1m would be nice. Does anyone have any recommendations on stores selling large fireplace inserts or even custom made?I have been to all the DIY stores Leroy, Aki, Brico etc however those places have typical stuff and not very rustic looking at all.Can this be found in Portugal or can they be custom made? Can you please share any shops that sell nice rustic style wood doors and furniture and any carpentry companies that do custom work like this. Thanks for any tips. Monday, November 28, 2016 If youve ever been to Las Vegas, you may have seen vendors in the passageways between casinos hawking 3D photo images in crystal, made to order on the spot. Its amazing how they can do this! You can now find similar technology being used by your local funeral home to preserve memories of your loved ones. Legacy Touch started four years ago, creating custom fingerprint memorial jewelry for families. The funeral director takes a fingerprint impression from the deceased prior to burial or cremation. Legacy Touch digitizes the fingerprint and cuts that unique pattern onto pendants, charms, bracelets, dog tags, rings and other items. They can make jewelry of solid gold, brass, aluminum, and other metals. At the 2016 National Funeral Directors Association convention and expo, they added 3D Crystal Legacy. Mark Cordes, Vice President of Marketing for Legacy Touch, explained the process saying, We work with a familys image, it can be an old black and white photo or a new digital picture. We pull the three-dimensional information out of that print and then create the 3D image that is laser-cut in a solid optical-grade crystal. The family would provide the image to the funeral director at a funeral home that provides Legacy Touch products. The image is then scanned and sent in for processing. When creating these 3D photographic keepsakes, its best to keep the number of people in the images to one or two, although they have created keepsakes with groups of as many as four. The family can order whatever products in whatever quantity they want online at www.LTKeepsakes.com. Funeral homes provide families with a PIN number for each decedent. Thats how the information and images are correctly assigned, and funeral homes can track the sales to receive a commission. Orders are delivered usually within two weeks. You can see some examples of the 3D Crystal Legacy photographs in the video below. [embedded content] This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate European furniture giant Ikea plans to open its first San Antonio-area store in 2019, anchoring a new shopping hub in Northeast Bexar County and accelerating growth in an already-bustling region for retail. The 289,000-square-foot store will be Ikea's fifth location in Texas, the company announced Tuesday. The store will sit on 31 acres that it plans to purchase at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Interstate 35, near the headquarters of Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union. The Netherlands-based furniture chain, known for its inexpensive and minimalistic designs, hopes to break ground in 2018 after clearing city and state permitting hurdles. Construction will last approximately 16 months with a target opening date of summer 2019. For Ikeas estimated 180,000 San Antonio-area shoppers, a store in Live Oak would mean no more road trips to the companys stores in Round Rock and Houston. Nothing makes me happier than not to have to drive past Katy and Georgetown to get to an Ikea, Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner, said during a news conference Tuesday. The Live Oak location will employ about 250 people in sales, customer service, human resources and accounting along with warehouse positions, Ikea spokesman Joseph Roth said Tuesday. The store will feature IKEAs exclusive line of furniture along with a 325-seat restaurant serving Swedish dishes, including the companys signature meatballs with lingonberries. Ikeas arrival in Bexar County is a long time coming. Officials with Live Oak and Bexar County said that theyve been courting Ikea for at least a decade. Live Oak Mayor Mary Dennis said the city has been in talks with the retailer since 2002, but serious interest from Ikea didnt ramp up until the last year. Dennis said she expects the store to drive further retail growth near the intersection of Loop 1604 and Interstate 35, already buttressed by the Forum shopping center that includes anchor stores like Target, Kohls and Best Buy. People are here and they want amenities without traveling into San Antonio, Dennis said. Ikea real estate manager Chuck Coker said the retailer had been eyeing the Alamo City area for its South Texas location but wanted a spot with high accessibility and visibility from highways, something he says they found at the Live Oak property after surveying the county. Coker said Ikea plans to file permitting paperwork with the city of Live Oak this week. So far, the retailer isnt receiving any city or county economic incentive funds to put the store in Live Oak, but those arent completely off the table. Roth said Ikea will likely seek an incentives package based on sales performance to offset infrastructure costs, but have not put together a formal proposal. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Tuesday that the county does not provide incentives for retailers. Dennis said the city and Ikea have not yet discussed a specific incentives package, a topic theyll take up after the retailer clears the permitting phase. Ikeas expected to anchor an additional 480,000 square feet of new shops spearheaded by The Weitzman Group, a Dallas commercial real estate firm, and its construction division Cencor Realty Services. The firm owns roughly 112 acres at the intersection valued at $10.6 million earlier this year, according to Bexar County Appraisal District records. 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. Michael Schoenbrun, a partner in Cencors San Antonio office, said the firm plans to break ground on the project in late 2017. He said the complex will likely feature a mix of big box retail, restaurants and other commercial operations. Ikea currently operates stores in Houston, Round Rock and Frisco. The company plans to open another store next year in Grand Prairie. jfechter@express-news.net Twitter: @JFreports This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A woman in Cameron County on the Mexico border was likely infected with the Zika virus from a mosquito in Texas, the Department of State Health Services said Monday. The woman is not pregnant and said she had not recently traveled to Mexico or other countries known to have ongoing Zika virus transmission. We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas, department Commissioner John Hellerstedt said in a news release. We still dont believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in parts of the state that stay relatively warm in the fall and winter. Authorities from Cameron County and the city of Brownsville have assessed the womans home and are testing mosquitoes in the area. Health workers from Cameron County and DSHS will be going door to door in the area around where (the woman) lived beginning this evening to educate the public about Zika, help people reduce potential mosquito breeding habitat on their property, and collect voluntary urine samples to determine whether other infections are present, the department said in an email Monday. Texas had 254 reported cases of Zika as of Nov. 22, all of which were associated with out-of-state travel. Zika in pregnant women has been linked to microcephaly, which is a birth defect that reduces the size of the babys head and brain, and other problems. Until now, only Florida has reported a localized transmission of the virus. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, has said for months that Zika has likely been spreading quietly in Texas, in part because the federal government was late in providing funding for active screening of patients. He wasnt surprised by the report out of Brownsville. And dont be surprised if we see additional transmissions this year, said Hotez, noting that aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmits the virus, remain active through most of December in the warmth of South Texas. Its not going to wind down immediately. Most people infected with Zika show no symptoms, another reason why its challenging to track the disease, said Dr. Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The four most common symptoms among those who do become ill are fever, itchy rash, joint pain and eye redness. Almost certainly other people have been infected, said Weaver, who began studying Zika a decade ago, long before it began spreading rampantly in South America. The best thing to do now is to make sure health care providers think Zika if they see someone with a rash. Pregnant women and their partners also need to take special care, Weaver said. The disease can be transmitted sexually. Hotez said its likely that the virus is spreading more quickly in Mexico, where fewer people have screened windows and air conditioning. We were expecting this, said Esmeralda Guajardo, Cameron Countys health administrator. It was only a matter of when. So were telling people not to panic, just take precautions. Pregnant women and anyone showing symptoms will be offered a blood test, Guajardo said. DSHS has delivered laboratory supplies, educational materials and mosquito traps to Cameron County. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also is providing assistance. Once overnight temperatures are regularly below 60 degrees, Weaver said, peak season for the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses has passed. But the threat is likely to re-emerge in the spring. At this point, theres no reason to start testing people all over the region or all over Texas, Weaver said. Not yet. bmartin@express-news.net Houston Chronicle Staff Writer Mike Hixenbaugh contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate An H-E-B employee accused of fatally shooting a fellow worker and injuring three others in the pre-dawn hours Monday at a South Texas store wasnt targeting a specific individual, officials said. He was paranoid. He felt everybody was out to get him, Palmview Police Chief Christopher Barrera said. Raul Lopez, 25, faces a first-degree felony charge of murder and three second-degree felony counts of attempted murder, Barrera said. He is in Hidalgo County Jail in lieu of $1.9 million bail. At around 3:15 a.m., a gunman fired 15 shots at a break room window of the H-E-B supermarket at 1840 W. Palma Vista Drive in Palmview, about 10 miles west of McAllen, Barrera said. Four employees were hit. Mario Pulido, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene. Bill Martinez, 33, and Rafael Martinez, 37, were taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, Barrera said. They underwent surgery Monday afternoon. Frailian Garza, 51, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital and released, the chief said. The shooter fled the scene. Lopez, 25, called the Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office to turn himself in, Barrera said. He drew investigators a map to find the 9 mm handgun used in the shooting, which he said he had tossed in a field near his residence in western Hidalgo County, Barrera said. Barrera said Lopez had no criminal record. He told investigators he intended to scare the victims, not injure them, the police chief said Anybody could've been in the break room, Barrera said. It was unclear Monday how long Lopez had worked at the H-E-B or in what department. H-E-B officials said the San Antonio-based supermarket chain is working closely with the Palmview Police Departments investigation and trying to help its employees and their families. H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos said the company plans to reopen the Palmview store sometime Tuesday. Javier Avalos, H-E-B vice president and general manager for the border region, said in a statement that everyone in the company was deeply saddened by the tragic incident. As our company mourns, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of those affected, he said. Staff Writer Madalyn Mendoza contributed to this report. jfechter@express-news.net Twitter: @JFReports This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The settlement that ended a lawsuit against two Martindale-based tube-rental firms will require them to provide education, rules and monitoring aimed at quelling trespassing, noise, littering and other unwelcome behavior by floaters on the San Marcos River. Tom and Paula Goynes, who own a riverside campground upstream from Martindale, sued Dons Fish Camp and Texas State Tubes earlier this year over recurring problems with profane, drunk and unruly tubers. The case was set for a jury trial Monday in Caldwell County, but the parties whod earlier participated in mediation reached a deal that calls for the defendants to provide orientation to tubing customers, screen for problem drinking and participate in litter control efforts. No money changed hands under the settlement, said Tom Goynes, president of the Texas Rivers Protection Association, who hopes it becomes a model for other tubing firms. This could be the start of something good, not only for this river but also for other rivers, he said Tuesday. We have to change that mindset and let people know that they have to behave themselves on public waters. Complaints about tubers on the San Marcos have drawn scrutiny from Hays, Caldwell and Guadalupe county leaders and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The state agency convened a task force that studied the issue and offered findings this month to lawmakers, but no specific recommendations. The lawsuit settlement will expire in five years, or earlier if the state creates a state park along the river downstream from San Marcos or forms a recreation district there, two possibilities the task force examined. Safe, responsible activity on the river would be better for everybody, Guadalulpe County Judge Kyle Kutscher said Tuesday of the settlement. He presided at a public hearing last month where numerous Martindale area residents argued against issuing a county permit for a music festival next July at Cool River Ranch in Martindale. The county denied the Float Fest permit on a technicality, but the promoter, Marcus Federman, has reapplied. Kutscher said a public hearing on the renewed permit application will occur either Dec. 13 or Dec. 20. Federman, who uses Dons Fish Camp for tubes and shuttles for festival patrons, declined comment on the settlement. That situation doesnt really have anything to do with me, he said. Were there two days out of the year but, unfortunately, we get lumped in with all the river drama. The eight-page settlement approved by state District Judge Todd Blomerth closely resembles a temporary injunction he issued in August, but spells out in greater detail how the tubing firms must alert clients to dos and donts while on the river. Besides on-site signage, videos outlining prohibited behavior will be played to customers urging them to respect the rights of others, stay in the water and keep moving, and not to play music that is audible beyond 50 feet. Additionally, the firms agreed to supply tubers with reusable trash bags, card all customers, prohibit beer bongs and block anyone who appears intoxicated from entering the water. We will have monitors along the way on kayaks to assist and remind you of the rules they are authorized to check the content of your ice chests and are in communication with law enforcement, says an alert to tubers outlined in the settlement. The defendants also agreed to provide a uniformed law officer at the take-in and take-out points on weekends and holidays, and to provide two more officers to protect the Goynes business, the San Marcos River Retreat. Were very, very happy with what the (tube rental companies) have done. They did an excellent job in working to settle this, said Norm Thomas, the Goynes lawyer. Mark Hawkins, the defendants lawyer, couldnt be reached. zeke@express-news.net AUSTIN - A Republican member of the Electoral College from Texas said he will resign his position in the 227-year-old institution over his inability to square his faith with casting a vote for President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 19. Art Sisneros of Dayton, who explained his decision in a Saturday blog entry, acknowledged that Trump will be president in January, but said casting his electoral vote for the New York businessman would bring dishonor to God. Resigning would allow the Republican Party of Texas to fill the vacancy with someone who will vote for the president-elect, added Sisneros. Delegates to the state party convention chose Sisneros to serve on its slate of electors last May. I do not see how Donald Trump is biblically qualified to serve in the office of the Presidency, he wrote. Of the hundreds of angry messages that I have received, not one has made a convincing case from scripture otherwise. If Trump is not qualified and my role, both morally and historically, as an elected official is to vote my conscience, then I cannot and will not vote for Donald Trump for President. Sisneros, who did not respond Monday to multiple requests for comment, said signing a party pledge to support Trump was tantamount to sin. I was wrong in signing this pledge and not communicating to the body when I ran that my conscience would not be bound by it, he said. One thing is clear, I have sinned in signing that pledge. I humbly confess that it was wrong for me to do so. Tom Mechler, the state GOP chairman, said Texas electors will choose a new member at their meeting next month. We respect Mr. Sisneros decision and appreciate his willingness to step down from his position as a presidential elector in Texas, Mechler said in a statement. The responsibility of selecting his replacement now falls into the hands of the other electors from Texas when they assemble on December 19th, and we will continue to move forward with the process. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by 9 percentage points in Texas, meaning that under the states winner-take-all system, Trump will receive the Lone Star States 38 electoral votes. While Sisneros decision will not change the tally, his recent public flirtation with bucking the GOP has drawn national attention as a handful of electors from other states try to organize a long-shot effort to select someone other than Trump. Tracing its roots to the countrys founding, the Electoral College consists of 538 electors who meet after each presidential election to cast their votes for a candidate, which Congress then certifies. While the Constitution does not prohibit, for example, Texas electors from voting for the candidate who lost the popular vote in the state, it would be highly unusual, considering electors typically are party loyalists. Each state also has wide discretion in crafting the particulars of the system within its borders, including who can be an elector and how votes are apportioned. Such a system all but ensured the Electoral College would invite controversy through the years, said Jack Rakove, a Stanford University history professor. He added that the Founding Fathers left decisions about the institution to near the end of the constitutional convention, indicating that Electoral Colleges operation vexed them, as well. From the start, as soon as you had contested elections, the electors became party hacks, Rakove said. There was no precedent for how you would create a national republican executive. Its not that it was the most attractive alternative; its that it was the least unattractive alternative. While Rakove described Sisneros decision as honorable, he said the soon-to-be-former elector wrongly characterized the founding fathers devotion to the Electoral College. (Sisneros) has done some historical research and applied his religious conviction to come up with a unique system, but his analysis exaggerates how much coherence there was in the framers understanding of how the Electoral College would work, he said. To ascribe too deep an integrity to (the founders) views, thats a mistake. Alex Keyssar, a Harvard University government professor, said attention to the Electoral College often surfaces when the potential for a constitutional crisis looms. I think this will be an issue that has some legs, now, he said of attempts to reform the system. Obviously, Republican control of Congress will dampen it, but I think Republicans are a little short-sighted if they see the Electoral College giving them a systemic advantage where they can win with electoral votes but without the popular vote. Keyssar pointed to the 2004 presidential race, when then-Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic nominee, lost the popular vote by about 3 million votes but came within one state - Ohios 20 electoral votes - of winning the presidency. You hope that people would say, lets stop doing stuff that doesnt conform to basic norms and leads us to say hypocritical things, he said. bobby.cervantes@chron.com twitter.com/BobbyCervantes WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trumps unfounded allegation that millions of noncitizens cast illegal ballots Nov. 8 appears to stem in part from the work of a Houston-area tea party group with ties to a former Texas health official with a history of troubled government contracts. The group, True the Vote, an offshoot of the King Street Patriots, issued a statement Monday saying it absolutely supports President-elect Trumps recent comment about the impact of illegal voting, as reflected in the national popular vote. The leader of the group, which claims to be the nations leading voting integrity organization, added that it specifically was endorsing Trumps claim that millions of illegal votes were cast in the 2016 elections. Catherine Engelbrecht, the groups president, cited no direct reports of actual voting irregularities. Instead, she pointed to what she sees as inadequate voter ID protocols, the absence of an interstate process for confirming voters identities and citizenship, and other voter-perceived registration deficiencies. All this and more contributes to the very serious problems were now facing, Engelbrecht said in an email. Engelbrecht questioned whether Trump was influenced solely by True the Votes work and that of board member Gregg Phillips, who tweeted Nov. 13 that we have verified more than three million votes cast by non-citizens. Engelbrecht noted that other groups have raised questions, too. I think its important to note that were not the only ones making the observations, she said. White House spokesman Josh Earnest dismissed Trumps complaint. What I can say, as an objective fact, is that there has been no evidence produced to substantiate a claim like that, he said Monday. Phillips tweet, which went viral on the Internet, also said he was joining with True the Vote to initiate legal action. He did not specify what sort of legal action was planned, and he so far has refused journalists requests on Twitter to provide proof for his claim. He did not respond to several requests for comment Monday through True the Vote, Twitter and the consulting company he founded in Austin, Autogov.com. Said Engelbrecht: We believe millions of illegal votes were cast in this election. We are talking with attorneys, but have not yet initiated any action. Asked about the kind of legal action that may be contemplated, she said it would be on behalf of voters, against the bureaucracies that are aiding and abetting in the degradation of our rolls. Trump, who has been fending off recount efforts from supporters of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and others, has fired off a series of tweets in recent days explaining his 2 million-plus popular vote deficit to Clinton. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, Trump tweeted Sunday, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. Trump advisers were not able to provide evidence for that claim in a conference call with reporters Monday. Instead, they cited studies of alleged voter or registration fraud in previous elections. Some of the studies cited by the Trump team have been questioned by election experts. Trump spokesman Jason Miller also declined to say what action Trump would take as president to investigate his allegations of illegal voting, saying it would be inappropriate to speculate before the inauguration. True the Vote, which long has advocated for stricter voter registration and identification laws, said it would continue to collect voter data and that it plans to publish a comprehensive study on how states and the incoming Trump administration can address this growing problem. The group claims to have more than 180 million voter registration records, which it currently is updating. The group said it also is using a software app called VoteStand for people across the country to report on problems they experienced at the polls. According to Engelbrecht, more than 1,000 people have responded so far. While the group said its study still is underway, Phillips repeated his claim Sunday about millions of illegal votes. @realDonaldTrump is accurate. Millions of illegal votes were cast, he tweeted. In a reference to the Obama Justice Department, he continued, We began work on this project in 2009. Obamas (sic) DOJ covered it up. Houston businesswoman Deborah Kelting, one of the founders of True the Vote, said her groups database has documented thousands and thousands of instances of inaccurate or outdated voter registration rolls in past elections. It is less clear how many instances of actual voter fraud the group has uncovered. Asked about the basis for Phillips claim of millions of noncitizens voting in the 2016 election, she said I dont know. Given what she sees as lax voting laws in some states, she suggested that the evidence could turn up. When youve got California alone, she said, its crazy. Phillips claim of millions of illegal votes, along with True the Votes support for Trumps statement, has gained widespread traction on right-wing websites, including Infowars, the Drudge Report and Breitbart, the conservative website led by top Trump adviser Stephen Bannon, who recently called it the platform for the alt-right. Phillips, a former top deputy with the state Health and Human Services Commission, has a history of controversy. In past decades, he has been investigated in Texas and Mississippi for alleged cronyism in contract awards, though he never was charged or sanctioned. He once told the Dallas Morning News that the accusations were unfounded, and he attributed the criticism to his outspoken nature. He also played a key role in Texas efforts to privatize eligibility screening for Medicaid and Food Stamp programs as part of a Legislature-mandated consolidation of several state agencies under a revamped Health and Human Services Commission. Touted as a way to save the state $1 billion, Texas officials canceled a contract after the state auditor questioned whether any money was saved. Phillips claims of widespread voter fraud have been debunked by a number of fact-checkers noting that he made the initial claim only five days after the election, long before any states had certified their results. He struggled to spell, couldnt tell time or understand the days of the week, and at age 14 was thrown out of the house because he couldnt read. Bobby James Moore was too dumb to stay at home, his father concluded. Now the convicted killer could change the way the mentally disabled are considered for the death sentence in Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday from Moores lawyers, who will argue he is too intellectually disabled to be executed for the shooting death of an elderly store clerk 36 years ago during a robbery in Houston. At stake is whether Texas system to determine in court if a person is intellectually disabled defies modern medical standards about how to gauge intelligence. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Atkins case in 2002 that it was a violation of the Eighth Amendment to execute people with mental disabilities, which at the time was labeled as mental retardation. But the high court left it up to the states to determine how to measure the disability. Moores lawyers argue that the states system has led to mentally challenged defendants such as Moore being wrongly sentenced to death. Moore is one of the six longest-serving inmates on Texas Death Row and one of dozens from Harris County, which has issued more death sentences than any other county in the nation. The sprawling Birdsall Lucky Seven supermarket, which sold everything from air conditioners to fruit, is long gone from Houstons Rice Military neighborhood. But memories linger of the deadly shooting of James McCarble, 73 on April 25, 1980 and the man who killed him. I can never for the life of me get it out of my mind, one witness to the shooting said Monday, who asked that he not be identified for fear of retaliation. They have no reason for (the killer) still being on this Earth. McCarble was working at the counter where customers mailed letters and paid utility bills. Moore and two others rushed into the store, and two of them tried to scoop up the money at the counter. All were armed. Moore had a 12-gauge shotgun and blasted McCarble in the head in what he would later tell police was an accident, according to court records. Moore was convicted a few months later of being the gunman. Everett Anthony Pradia pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and cooperated with authorities; he was sentenced to 45 years. He was released in 1997, but has since been back to the Texas Department of Justice four times. Hes now 58. Willie Albert Koonce was convicted of capital murder but sentenced to life in prison. Koonce, now 59, was paroled in 2012. Moores case has been through decades of appeals. He came within 10 hours of execution in February 1986. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the argument that stayed it, but lawyers later won him a new punishment hearing in 2001 for having an ineffective defense attorney. He was again given the death penalty. Then, after the Supreme Courts ruling in Atkins, new issues were raised about Moores mental capacity. His lawyers contend in court documents that he has had profound mental and social difficulties going back to his childhood and teenage years. The State of Texas, however, has argued that Moore was never found as a youth to be mentally deficient, and that his IQ test scores had bounced around mostly in the 60s and upper 70s though a low-70s IQ by some is considered evidence of mental deficiencies. They say he was capable of taking care of himself on the streets and blame his problems as a child on skipping school. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected his claim of intellectual disability in September 2015, saying Moore didnt meet Texas seven-pronged testthat was based in part on the Lennie character from John Steinbecks novel, Of Mice and Men. Texas has been an outlier in its approach to intellectual disability, said Jordan Steicker, director of the Capital Punishment Center at the University of Texas School of Law. Clinicians typically evaluate a persons intellectual disability by looking at whether they can take are of themselves, such as maintaining a checking account, or how they go about their daily lives, he said. The State of Texas takes a more rudimentary approach, such as whether they lie, act rationally and respond to stimuli, he said. Even if a person has some deficits, Texas finds that they can also have strengths that make up for that and make them eligible for the death penalty, he said. The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday but a ruling would not be expected for several months. Dane.Schiller@Chron.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When Jacy Lewis was in high school and made cupcakes for school functions, she consistently had to warn her stepfather not to eat the confections. I would write on the box, Ben, dont eat this, Lewis recalled during the funeral Monday for her stepfather, Detective Benjamin Marconi. But every time, Lewis would wake up and find a few cupcakes missing. My house, my food, her stepfather would explain. Lewis was joined by stepbrother Dane Marconi and thousands of law enforcement officers, friends and strangers who wanted to pay their final respects and honor the life and service of Marconi at Community Bible Church on Monday. Marconi was shot and killed in the line of duty nine days ago. The two-hour funeral by turns somber, formal, joyful and reflective celebrated the life of a man who served the city for 20 years, first as a patrolman and later as a detective in the Special Victims Unit. Marconi, 50, was described by the speakers at his funeral, attended by more than 3,000 people, as a deeply spiritual man who selflessly supported his fellow officers and family during times of need. He was a rock and a source of stability to all who knew him, they said. He made everyone around you feel lighter and safer, Lewis said. He relaxed people. He was the kind of person we should all strive to be like. He was also remembered as affectionate and sometimes playful. Marconi kept a bowl of candy on his desk for colleagues, trying to lure them into his office to talk. He was a little mischievous, said Sgt. Lash Jones, who was in the police academy with Marconi in 1995 and later worked with him in the Special Victims Unit. He made us all fat. Several public officials attended the funeral, including Gov. Greg Abbott, House Speaker Joe Straus and state Sens. Carlos Uresti, Donna Campbell and Jose Menendez, as did law enforcement officers from across the country. The three senators presented Marconis family with the flag that flew over the Texas Capitol the day he was killed. They also said they would file a resolution once the legislative session begins in January to declare Nov. 20 as Detective Benjamin Marconi Day. After attending similar funerals last year for a Harris County sheriffs deputy and this year for five slain Dallas officers, Abbott told the San Antonio Express-News that there needs to be a solution to help law enforcement navigate an increasingly challenging environment. We got to get to a point where we say, No more, Abbott said. Or we say, Its time to respect and back those who wear the blue. Throughout the service, attendees wiped away tears. They stood at attention, saluting their fallen brother one last time. They laughed. They held hands and joined in prayer. They sang songs relishing in Gods guidance. They professed the importance of family and affirmed the brotherhood felt by law enforcement officers everywhere. It culminated with a message of hope, service, love and faith, all values that Marconi held dear. Yes, in times, in the midst of darkness, in the midst of pain, we hear those words: Be not afraid, said Father Phil Henning, who officiated during most of the service. God offers a hand in the darkness, a hand of hope. Officer, friend, family man The day started with a procession from Porter Loring Mortuary near downtown, formed by a line of 100 vehicles and motorcycles, including the hearse, the Marconi family and patrol cars from departments statewide. About a dozen people gathered near the funeral home to watch the procession, including Efrain Garza, who lives across the street. Its a bad thing that happened to that officer, Garza said. I wanted to give my condolences. Along the way to the church, people paid their respects, standing on U.S. 281 overpasses, protected from traffic by San Antonio Fire Department trucks. SAFD personnel joined in, saluting the hearse as it made its way north. Outside the church, about 100 cadets from the San Antonio Police Academy, dressed in powder-blue uniforms, stood in formation. Once the procession arrived, officers transferred Marconis casket to another hearse pulled by a white horse. Before a rifle volley, when seven officers fired three shots each, Abbott spent several minutes quietly talking with Marconis children and hugging Lewis. Abbott later said he told them their fathers best legacy was them. Rick Rios, a U.S. Border Patrol supervisor stationed in Laredo, helped sound taps before the funeral. Rios, who has been playing at funerals since 2008, said the services never become easier. Each one is just as hard as the other, he said. Lt. Miles Earwood, commander of the San Antonio Police Departments honor guard, said officers must emotionally distance themselves when they perform during funerals. Seeing so many police agencies attend the services demonstrates the unity of the profession, something that helps us keep going, day in and day out, Earwood said. Inside the church, royal-blue curtains draped the back of the stage, while in the front, flowers formed an enlarged version of Marconis SAPD badge, No. 2382. Some officers also wore the badge on their chests throughout the ceremony. A large American flag hung next to the stage, and more than a dozen white candles and one blue candle were placed in the front of room. Later in the service, members of Marconis immediate family each lit a candle. The ceremony served as a reminder of the thin blue line and of the unbreakable bond that exists between law enforcement officers. Officers from throughout the country attended the funeral, including from Austin, Dallas, El Paso and New York. Marconis police academy class sat on the stage next to religious leaders who presided over the ceremony. Two empty chairs remained on stage, one for Marconi, and one for his second cousin Detective Mario Moreno, who was in the same cadet class and was killed in 2007 as he was trying to arrest a man accused of shooting his girlfriend. Ben cared for his brother in blue like they were his family, said Sgt. Michael Davis, who was also in the Special Victims Unit. And you know, we were his family. Jones, the sergeant who was in Marconis cadet class, recalled one occasion when Marconi helped apprehend a suspect. Marconi was bruised, bloodied and dirty, Jones recalled, but he wouldnt let paramedics examine him. No disrespect, sir, but my team needs me, and Im not abandoning them, not now, not ever, Jones recalled him saying. Jones said he imagines Marconi is in heaven now and that Jesus has approached him and said, Youve done your service. Enjoy your time. I can see Ben stand at attention, square up that jaw, and say No disrespect, Lord, but Im not standing down, not now, not ever. Speakers also ruminated on the importance of family and of the love Marconi held for his children and his grandson Mason. Growing up, Marconis children said their father rarely mixed his personal and professional life, except occasionally when he would hire rehabilitated convicts to do yard work and odd jobs around the house. He was always trying to give people a second chance, Lewis said. He showed so much compassion for so many people. Lewis described her stepfather as a caring man who stayed up late with her for two weeks as she prepared for a mock presidential debate at school. But he was also a strict parent, a force to be reckoned with, she said. That came in handy as she readied for the debate. My love of arguing blossomed, and it has never stopped, thanks to Ben, she said, laughing. Dane Marconi said his father would occasionally come home bruised after a tough day on the job, but he would always joke: You should see the other guy. He said the two of them, who had similar sleep schedules when the son was younger, would sneak into the kitchen in the middle of the night and search for food. Then, after the son grew up, they remained close. He always looked forward to meeting his father once or twice a week at a downtown bar or restaurant. I hope that Im half the man he was, Dane Marconi said, pausing to compose himself. I couldnt have asked for a better father. He was always there, for everything. The last time a constable sued Bexar County, the legal battle cost taxpayers more than $1 million. Now, another lawsuit is looming. Last week, attorneys warned Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff that the constables in precincts 2, 3, and 4 intend to commence a lawsuit against Commissioners Court. The Bexar County constables are bridling against a measure in the countys 2016-17 budget that would lay off a total of 17 deputy constables from their precincts over the next two years. Said budget deliberately impedes and interferes with the Constables discretionary authority over his own office, a Nov. 21 letter to Wolff stated. By design, the budget prevents the elected Constables from satisfying their constitutional and statutory duties under Texas law. The only constable not threatening to sue the county is the same one who filed suit in 2001: Ruben Tejeda in Precinct 1. Fifteen years ago, when Bexar County had five constable posts, Wolff moved to eliminate the Precinct 5 constable office held by Tejeda as a cost-cutting measure. Tejeda sued, sparking a three-year court battle that cost the county more than $1 million in legal fees. An appeals court ultimately upheld the commissioners decision to abolish the office. As the case moved through the courts, Tejeda ran in Precinct 1 and won, defeating a longtime incumbent. In his new office, he continued to drain the countys coffers. In 2010, for instance, he refused to provide court security for a justice of the peace, forcing commissioners to spend extra money on personnel for a job he was obligated to perform. Tejeda is declining to sue the commissioners now because none of the 17 pending layoffs would impact his office. Ironically, thats because commissioners are now holding Tejeda aloft as a paragon of efficiency and as a mechanism to defund the other precincts. The primary function of a constable, other than providing bailiff services for justice of the peace courts, is to serve civil papers. And Tejeda has been processing twice as many warrants in his precinct as his counterparts, according to Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff. It was his precinct that we used as the benchmark, said Kevin Wolff, son of the county judge. The only thing I can guess is that Ruben has his guys concentrate on those things theyre supposed to be concentrating on. In Precinct 3, for instance, Vojvodich has been criticized for exceeding his core duties by initiating a human-trafficking investigation, among other instances of costly mission creep. We were the only precinct that was not affected because we had plenty of workload. We focused on the core duties, Tejeda told me on Monday. Tejeda noted that two of the constables threatening to sue the county Val Flores and Robert Mike Blount of precincts 2 and 4, respectively are outgoing, as they both lost in the November election. I think the only one whos really focused on this is Precinct 3, Tejeda said, referring to Vojvodich. I dont think the Commissioners Court and the constable in Precinct 3 are communicating very well. Nelson Wolff suggested on Monday that any constable acting beyond his core duties is duplicating services. The core duties of the constables are serving the warrants, bailiffs for the JPs, and then beyond that, they certainly have the discretion to do other things, he said. But bottom line, weve put over 100 people on the ground for law enforcement in the sheriffs office over the last few years Weve put the resources in the sheriffs department, where it belongs. In the notice to Nelson Wolff, attorneys for the constables argued otherwise. We will file suit against you for declaratory and/or monetary relief if you do not remedy the illegal budgetary constraints and demands imposed against the elected Constables within 60 days after receiving this letter, they wrote. We will sue for injunctive relief within that timeframe as allowed by law. bchasnoff@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In a crayon drawing, a frowning girl with a brown-haired ponytail and a black vest stares down at a grave that says Zoey and No sna(ck) pack. Above the picture, in childs writing, it reads: When Im hunger I feel like Im gonna starve to death. Multiple childrens drawings are hung on a large banner in the corner of the warehouse that Snack Pak 4 Kids San Antonio operates. The four-year-old nonprofit purchases and packs food for students whose families cant provide them enough at home. It operates out of 17 schools and gives 1,300 needy kids food once a week. It just breaks your heart for little Zoey, said Leslie Kingman, the nonprofits founder. Her eyes water as she speaks of little Zoey, though shes been seeing this picture and the many others at least once a month for almost a year. Snack Pak is entirely volunteer-based and 100 percent of the proceeds go toward the children, with no money going to overhead, Kingman said. The nonprofit calculates that 10 to 20 percent of students on free or reduced lunch go hungry during the weekends and its volunteers seek to provide food for that number of students at its schools. The teachers identify which kids they think suffer from hunger and discreetly slip the packs in the students bags every Friday. More Information How to help The nonprofit is always looking for small jars of creamy peanut butter, volunteers, groups willing to sponsor a school and financial contributions, which can be made at www.sp4ksa.org. See More Collapse We cant solve all their problems for them but we can give them the stability that theyll have food in their backpacks over the weekend, Kingman said. The nonprofit started in Amarillo and has since expanded to multiple locations across Texas. In San Antonio, groups, organizations, churches and individuals can choose to sponsor a school to get Snack Pak. The community group raises the money for the food and Snack Paks volunteers labor to make sure its delivered to the right classes. The nonprofit is always looking for small jars of creamy peanut butter, volunteers, groups who are willing to sponsor a school and financial contributions, which can be made at www.sp4ksa.org. In 2014, more than 4 million people in Texas were identified as having food insecurity, reports Feeding America. And one in five individuals in Bexar County are eligible to receive food stamps, according to the San Antonio Food Bank website, though only half of those eligible actually participate. Kingman estimated there was anywhere from 12,000 to 24,000 children in San Antonio who need the Snack Pak program. The cost per child in the program is $150 for one school year. This is an enhancement education program, Kingman said, not just a feeding program, citing studies that show students who arent fed enough over the weekend often perform poorly in school as a consequence. Kingman said the pairing of a school with a local group is often a jumping-off point for more community engagement with a school. Nancy Hunt, a Snack Pak volunteer, said after the Christ Episcopal Church signed up for the program, it also started providing free tutoring for James Madison Elementary students. It gives more of a feeling that theres a whole community helping our students, rather than a school doing it all on their own, said Brian Sparks, principal of Lamar Elementary School, the first San Antonio school to work with Snack Pak. This year, the nonprofit is expanding into high schools. The volunteers secured funding for Alamo Heights High School and have set the groundwork for Roosevelt High School, but dont have the funding to lift that program off the ground. The numbers of high school students are typically lower than those of elementary and middle school, Kingman said, because high schools are expected to self-submit to the program, as opposed to having teachers choose them for it. It takes a lot of humility to admit you need food, she said. The organization is about 500 volunteers strong, with 240 volunteers showing up once a month to pack the snacks into bags. They work in assembly line fashion, adding each milk carton or jerky strip into a bag. Once a month, they send home a jar of peanut butter and crackers along with the pack. We introduced this squeezable apple juice, and you wouldve thought it was gold, Kingman said. For Thanksgiving, volunteers will go to the schools Thursday and Friday to get two packs to the students for the extended weekend. They give a bag a day so the snacks can still fit discreetly in their backpacks. Its all about dignity and respect. Theres nobody making fun of you or belittling you, Hunt said. Considering that the program serves 1,300 kids out of an estimated 12,000 to 24,000 in San Antonio that suffer from weekend hunger, Kingman said the groups volunteers still have a lot of work cut out for them, and a lot more fundraising needs to be done. sfosterfrau@express-news.net When my grandma turned 90 she decided shes just not eating things she doesnt like anymore. Sitting at my parents dining room table, as she stared at the turkey on her plate, I wondered, and so I asked why she suddenly decided not to eat it. Considering my question, she responded: Im 90 years old, she said. That means Ive spent most of my life eating things I dont like. I probably dont have much time left, so Im not going to spend any more of it eating things I dont care for. And that was that, grandma hasnt eaten anything she doesnt like since. However, it hasnt stopped my mom from trying to convince her that she needs to eat certain things. Over the years, Ive heard a lot of these conversations, which brings me to Brussels sprouts. Let me explain why you should eat and may even enjoy Brussels sprouts grandma included. Value Although Brussels sprouts have a reputation for being one of the most hated vegetables, they are ranked in the top 20 most nutritious foods, according to the University of Missouri Extension. One cup of Brussels sprouts provides 38 calories, zero grams of fat, with eight grams of carbohydrate, two grams of fiber and three grams of protein, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Additionally, a serving provides 195 percent of vitamin K, 125 percent of vitamin C and 10 percent or more of vitamin A, vitamin B6, folate (B9), potassium and manganese needs for the day. Beyond the benefits of a single serving, Brussels sprouts are abundant in antioxidants and are a rich source of phytonutrients such as sulfur-containing glucosinolates, which form bioactive compounds that assist with cancer prevention, according to the University of Missouri Extension. Its too bad these healthy little cabbages dont taste better, right? Right! If youve only tasted soggy, smelly, mushy sprouts and wanted nothing to do with them, I dont blame you. However, cooked the right way, Brussels sprouts can taste sweet, nutty and buttery. Who knows you just might like them with these quick tips. Select firm, compact, bright green Brussels sprouts heads. If you can buy them on a stalk, thats even better. Smaller sprouts are sweeter and more tender than larger ones. Remove any damaged or irregular outer leaves before storing your fresh, unwashed sprouts in plastic bags in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. Refrigerator storage shouldnt last longer than a day or two, but can be up to a week. Be careful not to overcook your sprouts as it increases their bitterness. Cooking should only take between seven and 10 minutes. When they have lost their bright coloring, they have been cooked too long. Use sprouts similar in size for even cooking and cut larger sprouts in half. Recipe Braised Brussels sprouts with mustard butter (3-4 servings) Ingredients 1 pound Brussels sprouts 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions Remove any loose or doctored leaves from each Brussels sprout. Then cut each head in half lengthwise. Bring the water, butter and Brussels sprouts to a boil in a Dutch oven, two-quart saucepan or a large deep skillet. Cover the ingredients and steam them on medium-heat until the Brussels sprouts are brightly colored and tender. It should only take five to 10 minutes. Remove the Brussels sprouts from your pan. Then add the mustard to the remaining liquid in the pan and whisk it all together to make your sauce. This should only take about 30 seconds. Add the sprouts back to the pan and coat them with the sauce mixture. Then saute one to two more minutes and season to taste with salt and pepper before serving. Source: For additional tips and information, visit the University of Missouri Extension. The Prairie Doc: Men, you can thank women for your good health columnists A new industry-led cattle health programme to evaluate risk and recognise farmers who step up biosecurity to help control bovine TB (bTB) has been launched. Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS) bTB Herd Accreditation, a voluntary scheme which has been welcomed by Farming Minister George Eustice and Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, improves a herds score every year it is free from a bTB breakdown, awarding a status of 0-10. CHeCS was established in 1999 by the cattle industry to set standards for the control and eradication of endemic diseases. This new bTB scheme will require the herd vet and cattle owner to work together on following a number of biosecurity measures already successfully implemented in five other cattle disease control programmes. As well as reducing risk of infection, the country-wide programme could present informed purchasing opportunities. In particular, it could benefit farmers selling cattle from regions with a high risk of the disease or who wish to minimise exposure from bought-in animals. It could also give recognition for a farmers efforts to complement Government and industry strategies to control infection. Costs 100m a year Farming Minister George Eustice welcomed the scheme, saying: Dealing with Bovine TB is costing us 100 million a year and causing devastation and distress for farmers and rural communities across the country. 33,000 cattle were slaughtered because of the disease last year alone and many farms are subject to movement restrictions which can affect their trade. But we know some 40 per cent of herds in the high-risk area in England have never had a breakdown, and the CHeCS scheme will help them to communicate this so they can carry out risk-based trading to support their businesses. The scheme will also recognise those practicing good biosecurity, which is a core part of our long-term plan to tackle bovine TB. The Cabinet Secretary, Mrs Griffiths, said: the Welsh Government has been supportive of the initiative from the start. She said: By focusing on individual herds, the scheme complements our proposed regional approach, for example those herds in the high TB areas which have not recently had TB will be able to demonstrate they are a lower risk. This industry-led initiative aimed at reducing TB is to be welcomed and fits in with our principles of working in partnership and promoting the benefits of disease prevention. I urge Welsh farmers to engage with the scheme and reduce the risk of disease being introduced into their herd. Farmer, 20, who took over family farm after tragedy scoops award Renewable fuel advocates applauded the federal governments decision Wednesday to boost the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nations fuel supply next year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set the Renewable Fuel Standard for corn ethanol next year at 15 billion gallons, meeting the target set by Congress. The agency had proposed requiring 14.8 billion gallons of ethanol earlier this year. Renewable fuels supporters called it a parting gift from the Obama administration that will help Iowa and U.S. farmers suffering from low prices and declining profits. It also helps struggling rural economies that have seen little of the job growth thats benefited cities in the recovery, experts said. The decision is especially important in Iowa, the nations largest producer of ethanol and biodiesel. The EPAs decision means higher income for farmers and lower prices for consumers, said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. It means more jobs in rural Iowa and less dependence on foreign oil. This announcement is good news for Iowa, and in particular corn ethanol producers, said Sen. Chuck Grassley, who added that more work needs to be done to increase levels for biodiesel. EPA stuck to its proposed requirements for biodiesel, boosting the required level to 2.1 billion gallons in 2018, inching 100 million gallons higher than the levels required in 2017. Shaw said the biodiesel levels for 2018 fails to keep up with, let alone push, whats already occurring in the market. Past EPA decisions to scale back ethanol increases have led to unnecessary uncertainty in agriculture and the biofuels industry the last few years, Gov. Terry Branstad said. In this week of Thanksgiving, Iowans should generally be thankful that our nation is moving back toward a robust RFS that is vital to the revitalization of rural America, Branstad said. EPA also boosted levels for cellulosic ethanol, made from grasses, wood chips and corn stalks, to 311 million gallons, an increase of 81 million gallons over this years target. Thats also good news for Iowa, home of three cellulosic ethanol plants, the next generation of renewable fuel that must have at least 60 percent fewer greenhouse gases emissions than gasoline. Bob Dinneen, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, said EPA is sending a positive signal to investors that will ripple throughout our economy and environment. By signaling its commitment to a growing biofuels market, the agency will stimulate new interest in cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels, drive investment in infrastructure to accommodate E15 and higher ethanol blends, Dinneeen said, and make a further dent in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Shaw said the Obama administration had one last chance to get the standard back on track. Its the type of RFS support that the Obama administration pledged eight years ago, Shaw said. Its a dramatic return to their roots. Sen. Joni Ernst said EPAs decision spurs investment and research in renewable fuels and supports our rural economy in Iowa. Janet McCabe, an EPA acting assistant administrator, said final standard provides ambitious yet achievable growth of biofuels in the transportation sector. By implementing the program enacted by Congress, we are expanding the nations renewable fuels sector while reducing our reliance on imported oil, McCabe said in a statement. Shaws group said EPA clearly took into account excess corn stockpiles growing to levels not seen in decades, record U.S. ethanol production, and record levels of ethanol exports. Instead of forcing ethanol overseas, more of these gallons will now be used to lower U.S. gasoline prices, the association said. The American Petroleum Institute said it was disappointed with EPAs final rule, calling it a step backward. Click here to see more... Two 14-year-old boys have been charged in connection with having a gun at Unity Reed High School in Manassas this week. The gun was not brandished toward other students and was not part of an Lawyer says body cam shows police trying to cover up unlawful stop The exchange can be heard in body camera footage released Tuesday in the case of Ja'Lana Dunlap-Banks, 22, who says she was wrongly detained Sept. 6. For many years the Dutch government lagged behind countries like the United States, the UK and Germany enforcing anti-corruption laws. But that has recently changed in a dramatic way. I wrote a post nearly two years ago for the FCPA Blog about Dutch enforcement actions against KPMG and the construction company Ballast Nedam. Since then Dutch law was amended to raise jail sentences and maximum penalties for bribery (up to 10 percent of the revenue of a company). And Dutch authorities have been more actively prosecuting local and overseas bribery. No wonder Transparency International raised the Netherlands from the little or no enforcement category to the limited enforcement category. Last month the Dutch Volkswagen/Audi distributor Pon settled a bribery case for 12 million (about $12.7 million) with Dutch prosecutors related to a tender for the procurement of cars by the Dutch police force and Ministry of Defense. Representatives of Pon allegedly provided exclusive gifts, discounts on cars and trips abroad. Six policemen and civil servants are still being investigated by the authorities, as well as a former employee of Pon. Seven other former employees of Pon have already settled. Last week, the Dutch business newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad said Rudy Stroink, a Dutch businessman who used to own the now defunct company Trammell-Crow Netherlands (TCN), was summoned to appear in court. Stroink allegedly paid 1.7 million through two third-party offshore companies to a representative of Google, Simon Tusha. In exchange, Tusha allegedly decided that Google would use the data centers of TCN in The Netherlands. Tusha, an American who lives in Maryland, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in May this year to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States. He failed to report kickback or bribe payments from TCN and a UK company, Evolved IT. The Justice Department said from 2008 through 2010 Tusha received more than $2.7 million that he didnt report to the IRS. He hasnt been sentenced yet. U.S. and Dutch authorities apparently cooperated two years ago when Netherlands-based SBM Offshore paid $240 million to resolve a Dutch enforcement action for overseas bribery, and the U.S. DOJ simultaneously gave SBM a declination. Earlier this year, Amsterdam-based VimpelCom paid Dutch authorities $397.5 million and the U.S. DOJ and SEC $397.6 million to resolve bribery offenses related to Uzbekistan. Last month, Swedish telcom TeliaSonera said it reserved $1.45 billion for a settlement of bribery charges also related to Uzbekistan, again with both Dutch and U.S. authorities. The prosecution of Rudy Stroink seems to be the latest result of the increased cooperation between the U.S. and Dutch authorities. ____ Geert Vermeulen, pictured above, is the CEO of ECMC (Ethics & Compliance Management & Consulting). He is a teacher, consultant and interim/project manager in respect of Ethics & Compliance. He gained most of his experience in-house as Chief Compliance Officer in the insurance and the logistics industry. He is also a former Director of the Netherlands Compliance Institute and the former President of the Dutch Compliance Officer Association. He can be contacted here. Doing business in countries perceived to be high risk for corruption and FCPA compliance issues (and unhappily my country Nigeria sits squarely within that category) requires a clear picture of who your local partners are, and whether associating with them represents any sort of risk to you from a compliance perspective. If youre dealing with a local company you want to confirm, at a minimum, who the shareholders and directors are and the physical location of the business. Identifying the individuals behind the business is the first of several steps you need to take as you seek to map any relationships they might have to local government officials (i.e foreign officials under the FCPA) for compliance purposes. As recently as three years ago, it was not a requirement in Nigeria for directors and shareholders of local companies to submit copies of their identity documents as part of the company registration process. Individuals could (and sometimes did) register companies claiming to be two or more different directors and shareholders, and the public would be none the wiser. Regulations were introduced in 2013 requiring subscribers to submit copies of their drivers license, national identity card or the information page of their passports in confirmation of their identity. Unfortunately, companies registered prior to January 2013 do not have those identity documents on record, requiring a bit more effort in confirming the true identity of the named subscribers. However, the more interesting challenge lies in identifying, understanding and mapping the relationships that might exist between your business partners and local government officials. Its been my personal experience that transparent links or access to government officials are not necessarily the problem. After all, major multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria do have entire departments focused on maintaining links with key government officials as part of their stakeholder engagement policies. Your partners may well be ex-staff of such companies seeking to leverage their industry experience and government connections in starting something new. From their perspective, their local knowledge, access and influence within government circles are rather valuable assets which they bring to the table. But valuable or not, what you dont want is an unethical partner that could exploit that access on your joint behalves in ways that expose you to very serious risks under the FCPA. So what to do? And where to begin? The personal, word-on-the-street reputation of your business partner is very important. You need to get an accurate sense of whether this is someone who cares about doing business ethically, or someone you should be very worried about. Unfortunately information like this is never immediately obvious (its not written on the forehead, as we say locally) so youre going to have to ask around. And because word goes round when a foreigner asks around, you need to be careful about word getting back to your partner. That could be very embarrassing. Print and social media searches can be very helpful, but your best bet is to learn all you can from the locals. There are very successful business people here who others would warn you to flee from, leaving cloak and staff behind. You should listen to them. Next comes your traditional relationship-mapping exercise. Again in my experience, typical mapping exercises tend to focus too narrowly on the more direct relationships between individuals and government officials, for example whether A is a known or suspected business associate of B or if C is a political associate of D or E is a spouse, sibling, child or other biological relation of F. If theres no direct, documented relationship between A and B or C and D then it is obvious that theres no compliance risk involved. The boxes are ticked, the file is closed and everyone is happy. But this approach sometimes misses other non-linear relationships and links that may be much more relevant for compliance purposes. We live and operate within very complex social networks here. It is therefore vitally important to understand how private individuals within those networks could influence, benefit from, or act as proxies for Foreign Officials in a corruption or compliance context. Your partners business relationship with the younger brother of the trusted dressmaker to the wife of the President could be the real reason your company wins or retains that government contract. Hopefully somebody mapped that. ____ Paul T. Oki is an experienced lawyer based in Lagos, Nigeria and the founder of a leading web-based Due Diligence Service that assists the international business community with due diligence enquiries about Nigerian companies. He can be reached at [email protected]. Kanye West doesn't have a new hospital release date after remaining there on Monday (28.11.16). Kanye West The 39-year-old rapper was admitted to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, last week for exhaustion and sleep deprivation but was expected to get out yesterday, but it is not now known when he might be able to go home. According to TMZ, sources with direct knowledge of the situation told the gossip website that Kanye - who had to cancel the remaining dates of his 'Saint Pablo Tour' as a result of his hospitalisation - has not yet recovered enough for him to be allowed home. When he is released, the 'Flashing Lights' hitmaker's personal doctor will take care of him. Kanye's wife Kim Kardashian West - who he has three-year-old daughter North and 11-month-old son Saint with - will also help him as much as possible as she has done while he has been in hospital, lying by his side and even feeding him at times. A source recently said: "Kim has been amazing. She knew he couldn't keep going the way he was. She has been by his side through all of this, helping to feed him and laying by his side." It's been a particularly traumatic few months for Kim who, last month, was robbed at gunpoint by masked invaders who stormed her Paris apartment, tied her up, put her in the bath, and stole $10 million worth of jewellery. Despite this, she has been visiting Kanye in hospital constantly and been his rock. A source said: "She has been an unbelievably devoted spouse. He's a lucky man." But her Paris ordeal may have affected Kanye as she wasn't able to attend as many of his tour dates as usual following the attack. A source recently explained: "In the past, he snapped back quickly. This has been going on for years. In the past when Kanye seemed to struggle, no one took it too seriously. The attitude was more like it was just Kanye being Kanye. "Things would go back to normal. This time is much different. "Without having Kim by his side during the tour as planned, Kanye wasn't able to snap back. Kim being absent because of her own struggles seems to be why things are different with Kanye this time." Nicole Kidman made a 4,500-mile round trip to shoot 'Lion' to avoid uprooting her family. Nicole Kidman The 49-year-old actress depicts the real-life role of Australian Susan Brierley who, with her husband, adopted two Indian boys and raised them in Hobart, Tasmania, in the drama - which is based on Saroo Brierley's book 'A Long Way Home'. In order to fulfil her shooting schedule and promotional work for the movie, Kidman chose to make the long trek to work rather than make her family, husband Keith Urban and their daughters Sunday, eight, and Faith, five, relocate from their home in Nashville. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph newspaper, Kidman said: "I was shooting in Louisiana, got on a plane and went straight home to Nashville, so I was able to take my kids to school, spend the morning with Keith, then got on another plane to come here to Los Angeles to fulfil my obligations to 'Lion', and then I go straight back to Louisiana again." The total distance of that round trip is approximately 4,508 miles but it's something that Kidman endured in order to keep her family happy in Nashville, where she has lived for the past 10 years with Urban. It enables her to balance her home and work life and means that she can take on new projects rather than pass up opportunities like she did when she turned down the chance to star in the Broadway production of 'Photograph 51' - which was such a success for her in London's West End - because her kids didn't want to move to New York. Speaking about her changing attitude to work, Kidman - who also has two adopted children, son Connor, 21 and daughter Isabella, 23, with her ex-husband Tom Cruise - said: "It's a great play and a great role, and I would have had an amazing time. But we had a family meeting and my kids said, 'No'. They didn't want to go to New York for four months - and I get it. I'm not a single girl and not a childless woman, and I need to bow down to that." And living in Nashville is something that Kidman - who was born in Hawaii and grew up in Sydney, Australia - absolutely "loves". She explained: "I am lucky because I travel, but in terms of a home base, it's good for us. It's very quiet and easy, and it's just a really lovely way of life." Prince Harry was forced to spend a night on a mystery island in the Caribbean after the ship he is living on broke down. Prince Harry The 32-year-old royal had to travel in a rib to the unknown location where he stayed on Sunday night (27.11.16) before returning to Royal Fleet Auxiliary boat Wave Knight in the early hours of Monday morning (28.11.16). However, despite the technical glitch, Harry made his first engagement in Grenada on time. A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: "Prince Harry and the tour party remained on Wave Knight until midday. "The ship was still not able to leave St Vincent so the party travelled by rib to a nearby island where they arrived after 1pm for lunch. "Wave Knight was not able to sail until early evening. As a night transfer was not possible, Prince Harry stayed in accommodation on the island and returned to Wave Knight early this morning (28.11.16). The RFA support for the tour continues to be excellent and we are hugely grateful for all the crew's work yesterday." Other than being stranded, Harry is said to be enjoying his time on board the Royal Navy boat and has loved eating with the crew. A source recently said: "He is really liking life on board, he took to it immediately and he is enjoying getting to know the crew and talking to everyone he meets. It is a reminder of his days as a serving officer in the Armed Forces. "He is eating his meals with the team and the officers on the ship, in the mess with the other sailors. "It is very traditional fare, a standard English breakfast and good, no frills food for other meals when he is on board. "The Prince does not get any special treatment and nor would he ever want any from the crew. He has, though, been given the captain's cabin, in line with standard protocol when the ship hosts a member of the Royal family or a senior naval figure, and he is incredibly grateful for that." Kevin Kennedy still battles with his alcohol demons. Kevin Kennedy The 55-year-old actor - who battled with alcoholism in the 90's but embarked on a journey to sobriety in 1998 after meeting his wife Clare - has admitted he hasn't touched a drop of liquor since he gave up, but he is still trying to overcome the "disease" that plagued him every day. Speaking on 'Loose Women' on Tuesday (29.11.16), the former 'Coronation Street' star - who played the role of Curly Watts in the longstanding soap for over 20 years from 1983 to 2003- said: "Yes, I still have to work at it every day - it's not as bad but it's still always there in the back of my mind - as is the disease it can be there at any time, just to set you off. It's a disease and it's mental health but touch wood." And as a result of being a reformed alcoholic, Kevin has admitted he had to learn to love his wife again. He explained: "I've been sober now for 18 years. But the problem now is you know if you're a married couple and you go through that together you might get sober and say 'I don't like you any more'. We had to go through all that wooing stuff again." And Kevin - who checked in for treatment at London's The Priory - has praised his bosses at ITV for the way they dealt with his addiction at the time. He added: "['Coronation Street'] was brilliant at the time - they really took the American approach where they send their people in to rehab, which is very sensible because you get a better employee back and very loyal." Meanwhile, Kevin has made no secret he would like to return to the cobbles. Speaking previously about a comeback, he said: "It would be nice, I would love to. It's no secret I'd love to go back and do some more and if that opportunity arises then brilliant." There is no doubt that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are super cute together. But the two had a series of cute and stylish moments at Mumbais Chatrapati Shivaji Airport last night. The couple who were heading to Dubai for an awards gala stopped to make photos in coordinated casuals and then enjoyed a buggy ride to the boarding gate! Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) said together with the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety's (Accord), it has made noticeable progress in improving the fire and safety standards of Bangladesh apparel factories. Nearly 1.3 million workers in Alliance compliant factories are safer than prior to the creation of the Alliance.In a statement, the Alliance added that it remains laser-focused on intensifying the progress of making these factories safer. The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) said together with the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety's (Accord), it has made noticeable progress in improving the fire and safety standards of Bangladesh apparel factories. Nearly 1.3 million workers in Alliance compliant factories are safer than prior to the creation of the Alliance.# The statement was issued in response to a report by the International Labour Rights Forum, Clean Clothes Campaign, Worker Rights Consortium and Maquila Solidarity Network, that according to the Alliance, misrepresents and oversimplifies the complexities of the Alliance's and Accord's efforts to improve worker safety in Bangladesh.While analysing and inspecting the factory remediation progress, the Alliance noted that it has suspended 101 factories from the Alliance list, for failing to make sufficient progress on remediation, which indicates a high level of validation.On the matter of maintaining transparency, the statement observed that both the Alliance and Accord officials meet on a monthly basis to review any and all concerns in shared factories.According to the Alliance, the situation on the ground in Bangladesh is complex and challenging and expects that the remediation work will be largely completed by 2018, as originally planned. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tally Solutions, a software product company, to demystify, educate and train the retail community regarding goods and services tax (GST). It aims to facilitate technology adoption among retailers for easy compliance of the taxation system. As per the MoU signed between D S Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM and Sathya Pramod, chief financial officer of Tally Solutions, both entities plan to conduct a series of conferences for the retail community in over 15 countries across the nation, over the next few months. The conferences are designed to help the businesses shift from the existing taxation method and adapt to the new technology led law with ease. Tax experts from government bodies will also be participating in these conferences to help clear the air about GST by discussing the law and its implementation in these events, said ASSOCHAM in a statement. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tally Solutions, a software product company, to demystify, educate and train the retail community regarding goods and services tax (GST). It aims to facilitate technology adoption among retailers for easy compliance of the taxation system.# Since the inception of GST discussion, Tally has been making constant efforts to demystify the new taxation policies for businesses and help with its smooth transition. This association with ASSOCHAM gives us a wider platform to reach out to the retail community and acquaint them with the technological changes that they need to adopt in the next few months. A thorough understanding of GST will allow these businesses to continue their functions comfortably post the roll out as well, said Pramod. GST has created a lot of clamour in the business community given the technological changes required to comply with the law. The lack of clear knowledge at the grassroots level about the draft bill is another reason for resistance by the smaller businesses in the nation. We are happy to partner with Tally on this, as this provides our members a platform to understand the significance of this new taxation policy and make an easy transition towards it, said Rawat. The first series in the conference will be held in Mumbai on November 29 and will continue till March 23, 2017. These camps will be held across 15 cities in India including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore, Cochin, Goa, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Bhubaneswar, Jammu and Guwahati. (KD) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Denim manufacturers are urging the Central government to announce immediate enhancement in the present duty drawback rates and extend some more benefits under focus product scheme. The Indian denim industry has experienced a shutdown of over 50 per cent of its capacity post governments move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes. Industry experts are also requesting the government to focus on market scheme so that the mills can competitively try to shift production for export market. The denim fabric sold in the domestic trade needs to be cut, sewn and washed before it can be sold in the market. These upstream activities are majorly done in the unorganised sectors located at the small-scale industries of Gandhinagar and Tank Road in Delhi, Ulhasnagar in Mumbai and Bellary near Bangalore. These hubs mainly deal in cash, and have shut down due to cash crunch. This has affected the selling of 85 per cent of the fabric in the domestic market. Since the upstream activities of garment sewing and washing in these small-scale industries will take a while to work smoothly with the formal banking system, industry experts fear that short-term recovery of market will not occur in near future. This has also led to shutdown of denim mills and loss of jobs in this industry. Denim manufacturers are urging the Central government to announce immediate enhancement in the present duty drawback rates and extend some more benefits under focus product scheme. The Indian denim industry has experienced a shutdown of over 50 per cent of its capacity post government's move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes.# Over the last decade, the Indian denim industry has been growing at a healthy rate of 15 per cent CAGR. Currently, the industry has an annual installed capacity of 1.4 billion metres which is the worlds second largest, after China. Sales turnover of the industry, which gives direct employment to approximately 4,00,000 workers besides providing indirect employment to many, is estimated to be around Rs 15,000 crore. (RR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries. Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# New product launches at the 10th edition of the show include Spinit 3.0 E with optional Fancy Module device, Chenille Yarn Machine, Tread Winding Machine, and Super Auto Levellor Drawframe. These machines are drawing visitors from 91 countries as well as all textile hubs across India. Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# The overwhelming response and interest generated by this event is a testimony to India's importance as a market, opportunity for investment and joint ventures in textile and textile manufacturing sector, the organisers India ITME Society said. Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# Most modern machineries in spinning, weaving, processing, digital printing, garments, knitting, embroidery, testing, fibre and yarn, and green technology would be showcased in 11 halls at the once in four years event. Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# Another highlight of this year's event is that for the first time eight prestigious educational institutions have come together under one roof for presenting technical paper and panel discussion. Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (ICT), The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences (TIT), Bhiwani, DKTE Society's Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), MIT Institute of Design, Pune, China Cotton Textile Information Centre, China, and The Textile Institute of UK are actively participating in the event. Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# For the first time, the exhibition is also having support and participation from Supporting Indian Trade and Investment for Africa (SITA), Geneva, Switzerland, and International Trade Centre, a division of United Nations which works towards promoting presence of Indian investors and trade in East Africa. Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# At the event, Gujarat and Karnataka state governments will promote textile parks and investment opportunity in their respective states to domestic and international delegates. Further, financial Institutions like HDFC and IDFC will ensure their presence to offer their financial solution to investors in this segment. (RKS) Customised solutions and 25 new product launches will be the highlight of this year's India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME 2016) to be held in Mumbai from December 3-8. A complete event for businessmen, professionals and students, the event will see nearly 1,000 live demonstration of machineries shipped from 38 countries.# Fibre2Fashion News Desk India South Korean petrochemical producer Lotte Chemical Corp is planning to increase production capacity at its Yeosu naphtha cracking facility, which currently has a capacity of one million tons per annum. A spokesperson of Lotte informed about the intent to raise capacity, but did not reveal as to by how much, the capacity would be increased.A media agency quoted a statement from the ministry of trade , industry and energy as saying that Lotte was mulling to begin construction of the expansion in the first six months of 2017, which too did not reveal details of the expansion capacity. (AR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# RIL's DEO2 is a unique innovative fabric processing technology that provides anti-microbial finish on fabric that arrests the growth of fungi and bacteria, keeping the fabric clean and fresh. It allows to process 100% wool, 100% rayon, 100% polyester , polyester/ viscose , polyester/wool and other combination fabrics with anti-microbial coating. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# The DEO2 technology allows fabric to prevent the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from sweat stink and aid maintain fabric remain fresh throughout the day. It also enables the fabric to withstand extreme temperature and demanding daily tasks. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# The fabric provides protection to the users even after more than 100 home washes. Furthermore, the DEO2 coating also provides protection from ill effects of ultra violet rays emanated from sun rays. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# Only Vimal's DEO2 differs from other anti-microbial products, as it is follows an environment friendly process that produces skin-friendly fabrics. The Indian government had granted patent to DEO2 technology in July 2015. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# The US patent award is a testimony to our thrust on the technological innovation. Our textile manufacturing processes are amongst the best technologically and innovative process available globally. At Reliance we emphasise on making cutting-edge concept design, processes and products research that provides benefits to the end customers, said Pradeep Bhandari, CEO (textile business), RIL. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# RIL sells both fabrics as well as apparel with DEO2 under Only Vimal brand. The Only Vimal fabrics are sold under DEO2 sub-brand and all apparels made out of DEO2 processed fabrics are labelled with detailing the concept and benefits of DEO2 fabric. Both Only Vimal DEO2 fabrics and apparels have already made strong inroads into domestic markets. The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# RIL is focusing on domestic market as typically warm and humid tropical environs in India cause perspiration and provide ideal condition for growth of bacteria and fungi on clothes. These micro-organisms, apart from aiding infection, go on to generate a characteristic foul smell and cause discolouration of the fabrics. (RKS) The DEO2 process technology of Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) iconic Only Vimal brand has been granted a patent by the US government's United Sates Patent & Trademark Office. The DEO2 technology enables fabric to resist the settlement of micro-organisms offering freedom from perspiration odour. This marks new feat in RIL's technological advancement.# Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Vardhman Group, a leading Indian textile conglomerate, has launched Rangoli Vol. 7new shades to its vast collection of melange yarnsand Expressionsnew patterns in slub yarn collection. The launch has further strengthened Vardhman's legacy of product innovation and commitment. The launch event was attended by all the leading customers of Vardhman. Vardhman introduced its popular melange yarn range Rangoli in the year 1995 with a humble collection of 64 shades. These yarns have the widest content including 100 per cent Indian and imported cotton, cellulosic, sustainable cotton, blends with polyester, modal, viscose, wool, linen, special fibre blends, compact spun, and special effect melange like Jaspe, Slubs, Neps, Flaky, Snow etc. Backed by its strong in-house R&D and product development cell, Vardhman Rangoli today has over 1,300 shades and is known for its in-trend and precise matching of shades. Vardhman also launched an equally impressive range of fancy patterns in its latest slub yarn collection, Expressions. These yarns are made using the latest and most advanced technologies and are ideal for high fashion. They are available in a wide count range, a variety of slub structures and number of substrates. Vardhman Group, a leading Indian textile conglomerate, has launched Rangoli Vol. 7new shades to its vast collection of melange yarnsand Expressionsnew patterns in slub yarn collection. The launch has further strengthened Vardhman's legacy of product innovation and commitment. The launch event was attended by all the leading customers of Vardhman.# Vardhman is one of the largest vertically integrated textile groups in India with 22 manufacturing units spread across 6 states. The group's business portfolio includes yarn, greige and processed fabric, sewing thread, acrylic fibre, garments and alloy steel. With relentless focus on customer centricity and innovation, the group is today in an enviable position in the textile industry. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India As terrible as it might sound, Aamir Khan's wife Kiran Rao's apartment in Bandra has been broken into and jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh has been reported missing. A complaint has been filed by Kiran's relative and the Mumbai police have registered an FIR under Section 453 (theft in dwelling house, etc.) of the Indian Penal Code. In the complaint, it is reported that Rao discovered the missing status of her ring and a diamond necklace. She quickly notified her relative about the same and the cops are on the look out for the burglars. The report states that the police have questioned three of their domestic helps over the last five days. The theft occurred sometime last week. For the past five days since the complaint has been lodged, the Mumbai police have been questioning the house helps and grilling them on a daily basis hoping that the culprits might fear and spill the beans. However, both Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have not opened up about the issue and have chosen to remain mum about the issue. It's disappointing to see so many thefts happening lately and we hope the culprits would be nabbed at the earliest. Massive! Superstar Rajinikanth & Salman Khan To Star In Rockline Venkatesh's Next? After playing a lover boy in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Ranbir Kapoor is now all set to save the world with his super powers in Ayan Mukherji's Dragon. Yes, it's time to welcome him to the superhero club! The actor has already started prepping up for Ayan's superhero flick and was recently clicked during one of the rehearsals. He is seen here practising some of the action moves. Buzz is that he will be undergoing extensive physical training and learning different kinds of techniques for the high-octane stunts. The film has Ranbir sharing screen space with Alia Bhatt for the first time. Earlier, the two actors along with Ayan, had flown to London to discuss the movie which is rumoured to be a trilogy. Earlier in an interview to HT, Ranbir had said, "I think it's a fantasy-based film, a mythological (based) in contemporary times. And it will have a boy who will have some form of super powers. But right now, it's too early to talk about it." One thing is for sure, that we are going to see Ranbir in an absolutely new avatar in this movie! Well, there is no trouble in Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's paradise as reported earlier and finally the 'It' couple of Bollywood has decided to take some time out for each other. Recently, Ranveer and Deepika were spotted leaving for Dubai in the wee hours of the night, and our cameraman didn't miss the opportunity to click them. Both the lovers were looking damn stylish at the Mumbai airport. Check out Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's latest pictures below. The Very Beautiful Deepika Padukone As always Deepika Padukone was looking beautiful at the airport. She was seen wearing round black sunglasses, jeans and Tee with the blue leather jacket that she was simply carrying on her shoulders. The Cool Dude Ranveer Singh On the other hand, actor Ranveer Singh looked cool in his white and black bomber jacket, which he paired with a black T Shirt and red goggles! The Couple Left For Dubai To Attend An Awards Function? It has been reported that lovebirds Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will be attending the Esquire Awards 2016, which will take place in Dubai. Ranveer To Promote Befikre In Dubai? As per reports, Ranveer Singh will also promote his upcoming film Befikre in Dubai, which has left us wondering if Vaani Kapoor will join him in Dubai or not! Or maybe she did not want to disturb the lovers so she decided to take the next flight. They Went To Dubai To Sort Out Their Differences? In the recent past many reports suggested that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were growing apart but at a recent party Shahrukh Khan broke the ice between the two. Reportedly, the couple went to Dubai to sort out their differences. Ever since Deepika Padukone returned to India after wrapping up her Hollywood debut film xXx: Return of Xander Cage, there were reports that all was not well between her and beau Ranveer Singh. Also Read: Best Picture On Internet! Pregnant Kareena Kapoor Parties With Salman Khan & Iulia Vantur Both Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh never shied away to show their affection towards each other at various events. But suddenly, for unknown reasons, they were making separate appearances at gatherings. Not just that, they even avoided talking about each other, which added fuel to their break-up rumours. But all the rumours were put to rest when Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh stepped out of Mukesh and Nita Ambani's bash hand-in-hand recently. With a big smile on their faces, the two drove out of the venue together. And after seeing them together their fans were on cloud nine! MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/16 -- Aurvista Gold Corporation ("Aurvista" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AVA) wishes to inform its shareholders that the Board of Directors has approved the issuance of incentive options. The Company announces that it has granted an aggregate of 5,590,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.25 per share for a period of 5 years, to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company. The stock options will be subject to a vesting schedule with 1/4 to vest immediately and 1/4 to vest on each anniversary of the grant date until the options are fully vested. The options are priced above the current trading price of Aurvista shares on the TSX-V to demonstrate the Board's ongoing commitment to creating shareholder value. These incentive options, as well as the terms and conditions of their exercise, are governed by the Company's Stock Option Plan and are in accordance with policies within the TSX Venture Exchange. About Aurvista Gold Corp. Aurvista Gold Corporation is a junior gold exploration and development Company with 130,689,121 shares outstanding trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, OTC Pink Sheets in the US and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Aurvista's only asset is the Douay Gold Project, consisting of a 100% owned interest in 250 contiguous claims totaling 133.1 km2, plus a 90% interest in 5 contiguous claims totaling 0.2 km2 and a 75% interest (25% held by SOQUEM) in 32 contiguous claims totaling 11.9 km2. In total there are 287 claims covering 145.3 km2 located along a 20 km segment of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone in the prolific Abitibi Belt of northern Quebec. Douay is located 40 km SW of the Matagami Zinc Base Metal Camp and 150 km N of the Val-d'Or-Malartic Gold Camp (both in Quebec). In August, 2012, Aurvista updated the Mineral Resources estimates that included all drilling completed to the end of March 2012, for the now termed Adam Creek Gold Deposit. The deposit contains Mineral Resources estimates of 2.7 million tonnes of Indicated Resources at 2.76 g/t gold for 238,000 ounces (above a 0.3 g/t gold cut-off grade) or 2.5 million tonnes grading 2.98 g/t gold (at a 0.5 g/t gold cut-off grade) for 235,500 ounces. There were additional Inferred Resources of 115 million tonnes at 0.75 g/t gold for 2.75 million ounces (above a 0.3 g/t gold cut-off grade) or 62 million tonnes grading 1.06 g/t gold for 2.1 million ounces (above a 0.5 g/t cut-off grade). Details can be viewed on the Company's website at www.aurvistagold.com. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. Contacts: Aurvista Gold Corp. Mr. Jean Lafleur, P. Geo. President and CEO, Director Cell: +1 514 927 3633 Aurvista Gold Corp. Mr. Keith C Minty, P. Eng., MBA Chief Operating Officer +1 416 682 2671 www.aurvistagold.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/16 -- Nighthawk Gold Corp. ("Nighthawk" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: NHK) is pleased to announce that it has changed its fiscal year end from July 31 to December 31 resulting in a five month transition year from August 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. The notice for the year end change required under National Instrument 51-102 has been filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. About Nighthawk Nighthawk is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on acquiring and developing gold mineral properties in the Northwest Territories and Northern Ontario. Including the mineral claims and leases of the Colomac Gold Project, Nighthawk's Indin Lake Gold Property comprises a total land package of 222,203 acres in the Indin Lake Greenstone Belt, located approximately 200 kilometres north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Nighthawk also holds a 100% interest in the property known as the Superior Project, which covers 39,015 acres approximately 85 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Contacts: Nighthawk Gold Corp. Michael G. Leskovec Chief Financial Officer (416) 628-5940 mgl@nighthawkgold.com MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/16 -- DiaMedica Inc. (TSX VENTURE: DMA)(OTCQB: DMCAF) (the "Company"), today announced that at its Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders held on November 28 2016, the shareholders approved all the resolutions placed before the Meeting and as outlined in the Management Information Circular dated October 24, 2016. Dr. Michael Giuffre, James Parsons, Rick Pauls, Richard Pilnik, and Dr. Jerry Xiao were elected as the Company's board of directors (the "Board"). Dr. Xiao has been the Managing Director of Hermed Capital since December 2014 and previously was the head of Business Development and Associate General Manager of the Research and Development Center of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group from June 2008 to November 2014 where he was the deputy chief of the IPO team for the Fosun Pharma Listing in Hong Kong. DiaMedica's Chairman of the Board, Rich Pilnik commented, "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Xiao to DiaMedica. We look forward to benefiting from Dr. Xiao's international pharmaceutical perspective as the Company executes its strategic plan." In conjunction with the addition of Dr. Jerry Xiao to the Board, Dawson Reimer is stepping down as a director of the Company effective immediately. The Company also announced the resignation of Mark Williams as Vice President of Research, effective today, to pursue other opportunities. The Company will continue working with Mark as a consultant. "On behalf of our Board, we want to thank Dawson Reimer and Mark Williams for all their contributions and wish them well in their future endeavors," said Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica." DiaMedica's Board has granted options to purchase 2,100,000 common shares in the capital of the Company to the Company's management and directors at an exercise price of $0.26 per share. These options were awarded in accordance with the Company's stock option plan for a ten-year term. The Company also awarded 400,000 units under the Company's Deferred Share Unit ("DSU") Plan to Board members with a grant date fair value of $0.26 per unit. Each DSU unit can be redeemed for one common share of the Company by the DSU holder only on cessation of employment with the Company. About DiaMedica DiaMedica is a publicly traded clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for vascular diseases, including stroke and metabolic and kidney dysfunction. DiaMedica's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "DMA" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "DMCAF". FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking information that involves risk and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address DiaMedica's expectations should be considered forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's exercise of business judgment as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. When used in this document, the words "may", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and words of similar import, are intended to identify any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect a current view of future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as contained in DiaMedica's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. DiaMedica undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update, revise or otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events, unless required by law. Although management believes that expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will materialize. 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 the contents of this press release. Contacts: Donna Husemoller Corporate Controller DiaMedica Inc. 763-270-0603 info@diamedica.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/16 -- In 2015, Canadians spent more than $10 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday-an average of $330 per person. If just 1% of this amount had instead been given to the numerous non-profit organizations in Canada, they would have received more than $100 million in donations. "Giving Tuesday" was established in 2012 in the United States in response to the trending increase in over-consumption. With 15 founding partners and more than 4,700 participating partners, the Giving Tuesday movement encourages mutual aid in the form of donations, volunteering or simply helping a neighbour. It goes beyond holiday sales to create an opportunity to celebrate and support the charitable organizations that work hard every day to fulfil their mission. Breakfast Club of Canada invites you to give generously on 'Giving Tuesday', this November 29, a national day devoted to charity. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of its individual donors, its corporate partners and more than 17,500 volunteers, the Club can nourish children's potential every day by serving more than 163,000 breakfasts in 1,455 schools across Canada. However, many schools from coast to coast are still waiting for our funding to start a breakfast program. At the Club, $1 is 1 breakfast, so every donation has an amazing impact on our children. About the Breakfast Club of Canada For 22 years, Breakfast Club of Canada has been nourishing children's potential by making sure as many of them as possible have access to a healthy morning meal before school, in an environment that allows their self-esteem to grow and flourish. But the Club is much more than a breakfast program: we take a broader approach that promotes the core values of engagement, enrichment and empowerment, and we team up with communities and local partners to develop solutions adapted to their specific needs. Operating from coast to coast, the Breakfast Club of Canada helps feed 164,000 students every day in 1,455 schools. Contacts: Fanny Brosseau Communications Advisor - Breakfast Club of Canada Fanny.brosseau@clubdejeuner.org 514-896-3609 Companies collaborate on Unified Communications productivity by integrating XMediusFAX solution with AudioCodes CloudBond' 365 MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2016 XMedius, a leading global provider of enterprise-grade Secure File Exchange solutions, today announced that its Fax-over-IP (FoIP) solution, XMediusFAX, will be integrated with AudioCodes' CloudBond' 365. The combined solutions will offer XMedius access to AudioCodes' Value Added Resellers, their large installed base as well as exposure through their different marketing initiatives. AudioCodes is one of the principal manufacturers and sellers of advanced Voice over IP and converged VoIP and Data networking products and applications to service providers and enterprises. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443310 AudioCodes' CloudBond' 365 is a complete Skype for Business enterprise voice solution for Office 365 customers, part of AudioCodes' One Voice for Skype for Business suite of products and services that simplify and accelerate Skype for Business enterprise voice deployments. The integration of XMediusFAX into the CloudBond' 365 environment will provide enterprises a fully tested solution for Skype for Business that includes call control via the CloudBond' 365 appliance and fax server capabilities via the XMediusFAX solution. XMediusFAX solutions provide the fastest and most reliable Fax over IP technology available. Easy to use, these software-based solutions enable the secure transmission of sensitive documents using standardized T.38 Fax-over-IP and G.711 Fax Pass-Through protocols. With more and more enterprises replacing existing analog and TDM phones with IP phones, fax transmission is a challenge and requires a reliable solution that is designed to integrate seamlessly with the new IP telephony infrastructure. XMedius solutions are expressly designed to address this need. AudioCodes has brought to market a range of solutions for transmitting faxes over IP networks, making it the ideal business partner for XMedius. "Helping our channels to provide their customers with an end-to-end Skype for Business solution is important to us, and fax is a critical component to a company's communications environment," said Jeroen Engering, Director Cloud Applications at AudioCodes. "Our CloudBond 365 appliance empowers our channel with flexible deployment models and we are delighted to add XMedius, a world-class player in the fax industry, to our list of technology partners." "Our industry experience tells us that many companies desperately need accessible, affordable and innovative end-to-end Secure File Exchange solutions, and our Fax-over-IP solutions directly address this need," said Sebastien Boire-Lavigne, Executive Vice President and CTO at XMedius."Our collaboration with AudioCodes will allow us to provide a fax solution that is secure and that offers the effortless integration and automation of fax handling with existing business applications." About AudioCodes AudioCodes Ltd. designs, develops and sells advanced Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and converged VoIP and Data networking products and applications to Service Providers and Enterprises. AudioCodes is a VoIP technology market leader, focused on converged VoIP and data communications, and its products are deployed globally in Broadband, Mobile, Enterprise networks and Cable. The Company provides a range of innovative, cost-effective products including Media Gateways, Multi-Service Business Routers, Session Border Controllers (SBC), Residential Gateways, IP Phones, Media Servers, Value Added Applications and Professional Services. AudioCodes' underlying technology, VoIPerfectHD', relies on AudioCodes' leadership in DSP, voice coding and voice processing technologies. AudioCodes' High Definition (HD) VoIP technologies and products provide enhanced intelligibility and a better end user communication experience in Voice communications. For more information on AudioCodes, visit http://www.audiocodes.com. About XMedius XMedius is a leading global providerofenterprise-grade solutions for Secure File Exchange. Its state-of-the-art solutions allow companies to safely exchange vital and confidential information, either through on-premises or cloud deployments. Founded in 1993 the Company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and operates in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. With more than 13,000 live deployments, addressing SMBs, large Enterprises, and Service Providers, XMedius solutions address a wide spectrum of markets including finance, health, government, manufacturing, retail, legal, and education. For more information on XMedius and its solutions, visit www.xmedius.com Media Inquiries AudioCodes Jeroen Engering Director of Cloud Applications Tel: +31650272082 Email: Jeroen.Engering@audiocodes.com XMedius Stephane Vidal Vice President, Marketing & Communications Tel: 514-787-2121 Email: stephane.vidal@xmedius.com Zinrai Deep Learning System Pricing and Availability Fujitsu Limited Public and Investor Relations Tel: +81-3-3215-5259 URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/ TOKYO, May 16, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced development of its Fujitsu AI Solution Zinrai Deep Learning System, comprised of a dedicated deep learning server incorporating the latest GPU(1) from U.S.-based NVIDIA Corporation, along with operationally tested storage and software. Sales of the system begin today in Japan.Using this system, customers looking to build a system using deep learning in an on-premises environment can quickly set up a deep learning platform offering world-class speed. In addition, depending on needs, the customer can also easily build a hybrid cloud environment incorporating the Fujitsu Cloud Service K5 Zinrai Platform Service Zinrai Deep Learning, which provides a deep learning platform in the cloud. Given this, it becomes possible to use according to objective, such as by performing learning processing with low usage frequency in the cloud, and learning processing with a high usage frequency in an on premises environment.Going forward, Fujitsu aims to extend the Zinrai Deep Learning System to regions outside Japan, and to further strengthen its solutions to flexibly meet customers' various AI-related needs.BackgroundIn recent years, the use of deep learning, a type of artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning technology, has been expanding, which has resulted in dramatic improvements in AI recognition accuracy, accelerating the development and spread of services using AI. In order to achieve high recognition accuracy using deep learning, however, large volumes of training data need to be processed over and over, creating issues with the significant time and computational resources required.In order to respond to this type of issue, in April 2017, Fujitsu launched Zinrai Deep Learning, which offers a deep learning platform with world-class speed as a cloud service.In addition to that service, Fujitsu has now begun sales of the Zinrai Deep Learning System, which offers a dedicated deep learning server incorporating the latest NVIDIA Tesla P100 GPU, along with operationally tested storage and software as a complete system for customers that, for such reasons as preferring to not take data off site, want to build a deep learning platform in an on-premises environment.http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_FujitsuZinrai.jpgZinrai Deep Learning SystemSystem Features1. Offers a deep learning platform with world-class speed, incorporating the latest GPUThis system provides a deep learning platform with world-class speed through a dedicated deep learning server employing the latest NVIDIA Tesla P100 GPU. Because up to eight GPUs can be incorporated into a single server, customers have the flexibility to select a system structure based on application and in consideration of Fujitsu's recommended computational capabilities.2. Offered as a complete system including operationally tested storage and softwareThis system is offered as a complete package, combining a dedicated deep learning server that includes over 100 types of necessary software in a ready-to-use state with operationally tested storage. Customers can therefore quickly build a stable deep learning platform in an on-premises environment.3. Easy creation of hybrid cloud environment incorporating Zinrai Deep Learning cloud serviceCustomers can easily build a hybrid cloud environment by combining the on-premises deep learning platform built with the Zinrai Deep Learning System with the Zinrai Deep Learning cloud service, so that tasks can be flexibly divided based on application.Pricing and Availabilityhttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_FujitsuZinraiPricing.jpgSales TargetA total of 1,900 systems by fiscal 2020(1) GPUGraphics processing unit. A processor specialized for processing images. In recent years, it has been applied to problems outside image processing due to its high processing capability.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 159,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702; ADR:FJTSY) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$41 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.* Please see this press release, with images, at:http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/Source: Fujitsu LtdContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday. The Australian dollar fell to more than a 2-week low of 1.4449 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.4404. The aussie dropped to 84.61 against the yen, from yesterday's closing value of 85.03. Against the U.S., the Canadian and the New Zealand dollars, the aussie dropped to 0.7449, 0.9883 and 1.0416 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7471, 0.9914 and 1.0462, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.50 against the euro, 82.00 against the yen, 0.72 against the greenback, 0.96 against the loonie and 1.02 against the kiwi. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) - German airline group Deutsche Lufthansa AG (DLAKF, DLAKY) said it cancel 876 of 3,000 scheduled flights Wednesday due to a pilots' strike. The canceled flights include 51 intercontinental flights and will affect some 100,000 passengers. Customers affected by the cancellations can change or cancel their bookings at no cost, according to the airline, which published a special flight schedule on its website. Flights operated by Eurowings, Germanwings, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Brussels Airlines won't be affected by the strike, Lufthansa said. Austrian and Swiss airlines are currently reviewing options to add German flights to their normal schedule. Around 2,124 of 3,000 daily flights will take place, Lufthansa said. It plans to operate at least nine intercontinental flights Wednesday. Lufthansa said it has offered mediation to pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit on a number of occasions, in order to resolve the wage dispute with the assistance of a neutral third party. VC has consistently rejected the offer. Instead, VC has now announced a strike that will hurt our customers and colleagues most of all. Lufthansa noted that VC is ignoring the possibility of mediation and is avoiding its responsibilities as a social partner. 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. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, as oil prices slid amid speculations that the major OPEC members will stick to planned output reduction, and also on expectation that U.S. oil production is likely to rise. Meanwhile, investors turned cautious ahead of U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's speech on her government's Brexit plans later today and amid growing uncertainty over U.S. policy ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration later this week. Traders await the Bank of Canada's upcoming policy meeting on Wednesday, eventhough the economists expect no change. Monday, the Canadian dollar showed mixed trading against its major rivals. While the loonie fell against the U.S. dollar and the yen, it rose against the euro. Against the Australian dollar, the loonie held steady. In the Asian trading, the Canadian dollar fell to nearly a 3-week low of 86.42 against the yen, a 6-day low of 1.3189 against the U.S. Dollar, and a 4-day low of 1.3987 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 86.65, 1.3173 and 1.3955, respectively. If the loonie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 84.00 against the yen, 1.34 against the greenback, and 1.45 against the euro. Against the Australian dollar, the loonie dropped to 0.9856 from yesterday's closing value of 0.9849. The loonie may test support near the 1.01 region. Looking ahead, U.K. consumer price, producer price, retail price indexed for December, and house price index for November and German ZEW economic sentiment index for January are due to be released later in the day. At 6:00 am ET, European Central Bank Governing Council Member Ewald Nowotny takes part in a panel discussion on 'euro reforms in turbulent times', in Vienna. In the New York session, U.S. Empire State manufacturing index for January is slated for release. At 8:45 am ET, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley is expected to speak about consumer behavior at the National Retail Federation Convention and Expo, in New York. At 10:00 am ET, Federal Reserve Board Governor Lael Brainard is expected to speak on monetary and fiscal policy before the Brookings Institution, in Washington, U.S. Subsequently, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams is expected to speak before the Sacramento Business Review Economic Forecast event, in Sacramento, U.S. Later in the day, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to speak about details of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, in London. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de The government of South Korea will be improving subsidies to the country's catheter users after the turn of the year, marking a breakthrough for Coloplast's Continence Care business in the country.Thousands of South Koreans suffering from disorders such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease will be able to opt for better and more modern catheters next year. Public reimbursement rules in South Korea have been improved, and that is good news to Coloplast, as the company aims to outgrow the market in the Continence Care business area.An estimated 25,000 users in South Korea who need help emptying their bladder are covered by the public reimbursement scheme in the country, and they will now be able to opt for modern catheters. According to Coloplast CEO Lars Rasmussen, the reimbursement will support the company's growth opportunities in South Korea."This is good news for Coloplast in South Korea and for the users, whose everyday lives will be made easier with the benefits of modern catheters, enabling them to live the life they want to", says Coloplast CEO Lars Rasmussen.Previously, South Korea only offered reimbursement to a limited group of users, but the improved access will allow all catheter users covered by the national health insurance access to better products.Continence Care is Coloplast's second-largest business area, accounting for some 35% of consolidated revenue. Coloplast's other business areas are Ostomy Care, Wound & Skin Care, and Urology Care. Last year, Coloplast generated revenue of DKK 14.7 billion.Facts:-- The new reimbursement rules apply to persons who needs help to empty their bladder due to acquired disability and who are registered with the national health insurance in South Korea. Previously, only patients with Spina Bifida were covered. -- The reimbursement will improve the quality of life of the users. Instead of reusing their catheters, they can now use a new one each time they need to empty their bladder. -- The new reimbursement rules take effect on 1 January 2017. -- Coloplast is represented in over 130 countries and has approximately 10,000 employees.Contact:Maria Lindeberg, Senior Media Relations ManagerTel: + 45 49 11 30 95dkmalg@coloplast.comAttachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=606332 This marks the second investment round for Vaadin this year. The capital will be used to further boost its investments into product development and marketing. Verdane Capital IX invests over 5M in Vaadin, the company behind the popular open source web application development tools. The investment is made partly by buying secondary shares from another shareholder and party as a directed new issue. "We are very pleased to team up with Verdane and further strengthen our position in the growing US and European markets," says CEO Joonas Lehtinen. He adds, "Vaadin is known for its tools that simplify the development of business grade web apps and with the new investment we are able to expand the tools to new and even larger markets". "We consider Vaadin to represent some of the strongest software expertise in the world. We think we can help this outstanding team in their ambitious growth plans, by building on Verdane's software knowledge," says Janne Holmia from Verdane Capital Advisors, adding, "The importance of software and user experience continue to grow and we believe Vaadin can help businesses advance in these areas". Vaadin's business is building components and tools for dynamic and information rich web applications. Its product suite enables businesses to replace desktop applications with standard based web applications that run on all major mobile and desktop browsers. By embracing simplicity Vaadin's technology speeds up the development process, increases security and allows developers to focus on building business value. Verdane is a Nordic private equity manager focusing on investments in technology enabled growth companies. Verdane raised its latest fund, Verdane Capital IX, this summer with an investment of SEK 3 billion. Prior to its investment in Vaadin, Verdane private equity funds have invested in other prominent Finnish companies such as Codenomicon, CRF Health and Eniram. Earlier investors in Vaadin include Aboa Venture Management, the Nordic private equity company eEquity, and Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (Suomen Teollisuussijoitus). The company intends to continue growing at a rapid pace and adding to its one hundred and thirty person strong team based in Finland, Germany, and Silicon Valley. Logos: https://vaadin.com/trademark Keywords: Vaadin, Verdane, web, UI, user-interface, open-source, Java, JavaScript, web components, investment, Nordics About Verdane Verdane funds support companies that have high ambitions in software, consumer internet, energy and high-tech industries with flexible growth capital. The funds are distinctive in that they can invest in entire investment portfolios, parts of a portfolio as well as individual assets. Verdane Capital Advisors has 24 employees working out of offices in Helsinki, Oslo, and Stockholm. More information about Verdane is available at: www.verdanecapital.com About Vaadin Vaadin is the company behind the open source Vaadin framework, which is used by 40% of Fortune 100 companies and by more than 150,000 developers worldwide. The company's head count is 130 staff personnel located between Finland, Northern California, and Berlin. For further information on Vaadin tools, services, and career opportunities, please visit vaadin.com. About Finnish Industry Investment Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (FII) is a venture capital and private equity company that accelerates companies' success stories by investing in them directly and via funds. FII always invests together with other investors, providing them with access to high quality deal flow in Finland. We have 1 billion euros in assets under management and altogether 660 companies in portfolio. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161128006194/en/ Contacts: Vaadin Joonas Lehtinen, CEO +1 (408) 886-0554 joonas@vaadin.com or Verdane Capital Advisors Janne Holmia, Investment Director +46 73 370 6956 janne@verdanecapital.com AI-powered robot ensures security and efficiency at busy immigration and customs terminal Last month, customs officials at the Gongbei Port of Entry began using Sanbot, an intelligent humanoid robot designed and built by QIHAN Technology Company, to help increase efficiency, security and customer experience at the busy border crossing. Sanbot is a service robot powered by a robust cloud-enabled app ecosystem designed to be deployed in a wide variety of settings including retail locations, schools, hospitals and more. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005544/en/ Sanbot on display at the Gongbei Port of Entry (Photo: Business Wire) "The use of Sanbot by Gongbei Customs demonstrates just how versatile Sanbot's AI platform truly is," said Zhuang Yongjun, chief technology officer at QIHAN. "We truly believe that robots like Sanbot have the potential to change how service industries operate and that includes helping customs workers operate and secure ports around the globe. By equipping Sanbot with an incredibly powerful, cloud-based development platform, QIHAN has been able to allow our partners at Gongbei Customs to tailor Sanbot's capabilities and behaviors to the needs of their specific use case." Gongbei Port of Entry is the main border crossing between Macau and mainland China and is the largest land port in China. In 2013, more than 99 million people were processed through Gongbei. Currently, fifty Sanbot units are being used at Gongbei. "With thousands of travelers passing through each day, Gongbei Customs is always looking for new solutions to help us ensure that service is fast and our borders remain secure Sanbot fit that mold perfectly," said Zhao Min, director of Gongbei Customs. "Working with QIHAN, we were able to create the perfect version of Sanbot for our needs. Travelers who interact with Sanbot are left with a memorable experience that makes their time at Gongbei more enjoyable and more efficient." Taking advantage of Sanbot's highly extensible cloud platform the cornerstone of its unique Robotics-as-a-Service" model customs officials are able to equip Sanbot with new functionality including the ability to answer passengers' questions in 28 different languages, perform facial recognition to help detect potential security threats, and alert human workers of questions and tasks outside its capabilities. With robust, cloud powered artificial intelligence, Sanbot is able to deliver effective, personalized communications and service at heavily trafficked installations like Gongbei Port of Entry. Using a powerful set of AI algorithms, the Sanbot units at Gongbei have been programmed to respond to over 3,000 commonly asked questions and provide guidance on local laws and regulations to travelers crossing the border. Video of Sanbot in use at Gongbei Customs can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMdnlMKHH_M&feature=youtu.be For more information about Sanbot, please visit http://www.sanbot.com/. About QIHAN Technology Co. Ltd Founded in 2006, QIHAN Technology Co. Ltd. (QIHAN) is a global leading CCTV surveillance equipment and solutions provider headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Its proprietary solutions, Qihan, Sanbot, Donkey and Qihan Cloud, utilize next-generation robotics and artificial intelligent (AI) technologies to help improve the lives of its customers. Through its core business of surveillance cameras, QIHAN has built a substantial pool of over 100 intellectual properties in Machine Vision Recognition, Multi-axis Automatic Control, Big Data Analysis, and more. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005544/en/ Contacts: Racepoint Global for QIHAN Technology Co. Ltd. Andy Nguyen, 415-694-6736 anguyen@racepointglobal.com CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Editor's note: There are four images and one video associated wth this release. Stage Completions Inc. ("Stage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful deployment of its Bowhead II collet activated fracturing system (the "Stage System" or the "Bowhead Technology") in a record 76 stage pin-point Upper Montney completion without coil tubing assist, the successful roll-out of the Stage System in numerous major unconventional formations, and the closing of the sale of a 10% indirect minority interest in Stage to Blackbird Energy Inc. ("Blackbird") (TSX VENTURE: BBI). Highlights -- Record Setting Stage System Deployment: The Stage System was successfully deployed in Blackbird's 3,757 tonne, 76 stage Montney completion program. The completion saw frac pump rates as high as 10 m3/min (63 barrels per minute). This is believed to be the largest completion in the Montney without coil tubing assist. -- Successful Rollout of the Bowhead II Collet Activated Fracturing System: Since the Stage System rollout in May, 2016 the Bowhead Technology has been successfully deployed in the Eagle Ford, Cardium and Montney formations. By the end of Q1 2017, the Stage System is expected to have been deployed in the Montney, Cardium, Permian, Eagle Ford, Scoop, Uinta, and Bakken formations. A Stage System is scheduled to be shipped to China in the near-term and deployed by the end of January, 2017. -- Sale of 10% Minority Interest in Stage to Blackbird: On November 23, 2016, Stage closed the sale of an indirect 10% minority interest in Stage to Blackbird for a cash purchase price of $3.0 million. Blackbird will receive access to the Stage System for cost plus an administration fee, in addition to receiving preferential access to the Bowhead Technology. Record Setting 76 Stage Pin-Point Completion without Coil Tubing Assist In November, 2016, the Stage System was successfully deployed by Blackbird in its 3,757 tonne, 76 stage pin-point 102/2-20-70-7W6 ("02/2-20") Upper Montney completion program (the "Program") near Grande Prairie, Alberta. The 02/2-20 well represents the highest tonnage and rate fracture stimulation (up to 10 M3/minute, 63 barrels per minute) ever completed in a 4.5" monobore Montney well without coil tubing assist. The majority of the Program was completed without interruption as collet / sleeve engagement can be accomplished within minutes of finishing the previous stage. This advantage coupled with the pumping rates discussed above contributed to the timely completion of stages throughout the wellbore. On average, each stage was completed in approximately 1 hour, with the fastest stage taking only 45 minutes. This achievement with respect to pumping time and efficiency substantially reduced Blackbird's direct and indirect costs, in addition to its social and environmental impact. Please see the link below to view Blackbird's news release dated November 18, 2016, which outlines the performance of the Stage System in Blackbird's 02/2-20 well. https://www.blackbirdenergyinc.com/news/blackbird-announces-successful-02-2-20-d-and-c-program-using-stage-system-planned-closing-of-stage-acquisition-d-and-c-cost-reduction-initiation-of-accelerated-business-plan-and-timing-of-production The Stage System runs a dissolvable ball on collet that activates sliding sleeves, and it features a constant ID wellbore that is cementable in place, allowing for longer laterals, tighter spacing, higher pump rates and higher tonnages. The Bowhead Technology provides pin-point fracturing capability to operators which is anticipated to increase expected ultimate recovery ("EUR"), improve water management and provide continuous operations with deployment under pressure capability. Please see Figure 1 below for an illustration video of the Bowhead Technology in the wellbore. Figure 1 - Stage Bowhead II Illustration Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGUZzbXNmB8 Sean Campbell, Chief Executive Officer and President of Stage stated: "The Bowhead Technology allows operators to achieve pin-point fracturing, longer laterals, an increased number of stages, higher frac rates and higher tonnages per linear meter. These higher rates and tonnages increase the potential EUR of the well, which has a positive impact on net present value. When these economic benefits are combined with the reduced completions risk offered by the Stage System, the Bowhead Technology offers a compelling opportunity for our customers to gain a competitive advantage. I would like to thank Blackbird for allowing Stage to participate in their highly innovative and high impact completion. Blackbird's 02/2-20 completion represents what can be accomplished when innovative technology is used to enhance an operator's completion from both an operational and cost standpoint." For more information on Stage's 76 Stage pin-point sleeve record please see the linked case study. Successful Rollout of the Bowhead II Collet Activated Fracturing System Stage Completions was introduced to the market in late May, 2016 and the Bowhead Technology has been successfully installed and tested in three wells: -- Blackbird's Cardium water disposal well during July, 2016; -- An Eagle Ford well in September, 2016; and -- Blackbird's 02/2-20 Montney well during November, 2016. Stage's management is currently in negotiations for the Stage System to be deployed in every major unconventional resource by the end of Q1 2017. Please see Figure 2 for an illustration of where the Stage System has already been deployed, and/or where it is expected to be deployed by Q1 2017. Figure 2 - Roll Out Achievement http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB%201.jpg A Stage System is scheduled to be shipped to China in the near-term and deployed by the end of January, 2017. The broad absorption and acceptance of the Bowhead Technology speaks to the desire of producers to achieve longer laterals, tighter spacing, higher pump rates, and pin-point fracturing - and to ultimately yield superior capital efficiencies through increased productivity and EUR. Stage has further enhanced the Bowhead Technology and now utilizes a collet launcher, allowing collets to be loaded and launched with no personnel in the red zone and without shutting down between stages. Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 for pictures of the collet launcher. Figure 3 - Collet Launcher http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB2LRG.jpg Figure 4 - Collet Launcher http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB3isLRG.jpg A third-party real-time collet monitoring process is now in place. This system allows operators to see a signature when the collet passes each stage through the horizontal wellbore, and as it lands in the corresponding valve. This provides certainty of collet engagement through all stages of the wellbore. Another benefit of the sliding sleeves within the Bowhead Technology is that it is an asset in the wellbore. The sliding sleeves may be opened / closed after installation if required. Operators now have the ability to re-fracture stages and to close-off certain stages as desired. Sean Campbell stated: "The adoption of the Bowhead Technology in multiple formations is a testament to the benefits of the Stage System. The early adopters of the Stage System have worked very well with Stage, and allowed for our team to further enhance the Stage System's features. The best practices developed as a result of these enhancements will only serve to increase the demand for the Stage System as we move forward. The most exciting aspect of this rollout is that early adopters of the Bowhead II system are identifying new benefits that are enhancing their operations - further contributing to our value proposition." Sale of 10% Minority Interest in Stage to Blackbird On November 23, 2016, Stage closed the sale of an indirect 10% minority interest in Stage to Blackbird for a cash purchase price of $3.0 million (the "Transaction"). As part of the Transaction, Blackbird will receive access to the Stage System for cost plus an administration fee, in addition to receiving preferential access to the Bowhead Technology. Please see Figure 5 for a picture of Garth Braun, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Blackbird and Sean Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stage, closing the Stage Acquisition. Figure 5 - Garth Braun and Sean Campbell Closing the Stage Acquisition http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB4LRG.jpg Sean Campbell stated: "The synergies that the Blackbird / Stage relationship has created will provide benefit for both companies for many years to come. Blackbird's utilization of the Bowhead Technology in their water disposal well and in their 02/2-20 Montney well has helped Stage to further enhance the Bowhead Technology, while Blackbird is to receive what we believe is a material benefit in terms of cost savings and access. As a result, this unique synergistic relationship strengthens the value proposition for both companies, and I look forward to the many benefits that this association will continue to bring as we build our respective organizations - one stage at a time." About Stage Stage Completions Inc. is a highly innovative completion technology company with focus on multistage completions in the North American and International marketplaces. For more information about Stage and the Bowhead Technology, including recent case histories, please view the Stage website at www.stagecompletions.com About Blackbird Blackbird Energy Inc. is a highly innovative oil and gas exploration and development company focused on the condensate and liquids-rich Montney fairway at Elmworth, near Grande Prairie, Alberta. For more information, please view the Blackbird Corporate Presentation at www.blackbirdenergyinc.com Advisories and Forward-Looking Information Statements and information contained in this News Release relating to the Stage System, other than those pertaining to the deployment of the Stage System in Blackbird's Cardium water disposal well and the 02/2-20 well, have been furnished by Stage and Blackbird has relied upon Stage to ensure that the News Release contains full, true and plain disclosure. Although Blackbird has no knowledge that would indicate that any statements contained herein concerning the Stage System are untrue or incomplete, neither Blackbird nor any of its directors or officers assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such statements and information. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") relating directly or indirectly to Blackbird. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements and are not guarantees of future performance of Blackbird. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the operational capability of the Stage System and its ability to reduce completions risk and cost while increasing EUR and net present value, the expected future deployment of the Stage System by operators in all major unconventional resources by the end of the first quarter of 2017 as well as its utilization in a completion in China by the end of 2016, Blackbird's preferential access to the Stage System at a preferential price and the synergistic nature and value of the relationship between Blackbird and Stage and potential future benefits to be derived therefrom such as a possible increase in Blackbird's value proposition. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Blackbird will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates, and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: (1) a downturn in general economic and business conditions in North America and internationally, (2) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with oil and gas exploration, development, production and services including drilling and completion risks, (3) the price of and demand for oil and gas and their effect on the economics of oil and gas exploration, (4) any number of events or causes which may delay or cease exploration and development of Blackbird's property interests, such as environmental liabilities, weather, mechanical failures, safety concerns and labour problems, (5) the risk that Blackbird does not execute its business plan, (6) inability to retain key employees, (7) inability to finance operations and growth, and (8) other factors beyond control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of Blackbird's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, and other factors is not exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are dependent on other factors, and Blackbird's course of action would depend on its assessment of the future considering all information then available. All forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, Blackbird assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change. THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE INC. HAS NEITHER APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. 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. To view the video and photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGUZzbXNmB8 http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB%201.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB2LRG.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB3isLRG.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-BB4LRG.jpg Contacts: Stage Completions Inc. Sean Campbell CEO and President 403 805 8400 sean.campbell@stagecompletions.com David Nordheimer MSc. Director Business Development 403-690-3650 david.nordheimer@stagecompletions.com Blackbird Energy Inc. Garth Braun Chairman, CEO, and President (403) 500-5550 gbraun@blackbirdenergyinc.com Jeff Swainson Chief Financial Officer (403) 699-9929 jswainson@blackbirdenergyinc.com Joshua Mann Vice President, Business Development (403) 390-2144 josh@blackbirdenergyinc.com LONDON (dpa-AFX) - KCOM Group Plc. (KCOM.L) reported that its profit before tax for the six months ended 30 Sept 2016 declined to 16.07 million pounds from 24.21 million pounds last year. Profit for the period attributable to owners of the parent was 12.83 million pounds or 2.49 pence per share down from 19.13 million pounds or 3.73 pence per share in the prior year. Revenue for the period was 165.33 million pounds, down from 177.89 million pounds last year. The Group's interim dividend will be 2.00 pence per share and we re-confirmed commitment to a minimum full year dividend of 6.00 pence per share for this and the next financial year. The dividend will be paid on 1 February 2017 to shareholders registered on 30 December 2016. The ex-dividend date is 29 December 2016. The company said its board remains confident in the continued transformation of the business and the sustainable value creating opportunities it will unlock in the medium term. 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. TRIGO has been awarded a strategic contract by PSA Group to provide extensive quality services in France for the upcoming years. The cooperation between TRIGO and PSA Group started two decades ago and has been developed in many locations worldwide where PSA Group operates. As a result of a proposal opportunity launched in France in 2016, TRIGO became the trusted quality service provider at 13 French PSA manufacturing sites. TRIGO's innovative quality solutions are significantly facilitating the automotive manufacturer's operations and improving its competitiveness by covering the complete OEM manufacturing process and offering a comprehensive quality service portfolio, including Containment and Sorting actions, Quality Firewall, Vehicle Launch Support, In-process and Final Vehicle Inspection, Software Update, Initial Sample Management, Non-conformity Analysis, Supplier Training and Audit, and more. Additionally, TRIGO's leading position in providing technical OEM services such as Mechanical Rework, Electronic Diagnosis, Electrical Rework, Saddlery, Painting, Bare Sheet and Painted Car Body Repair benefited its position to be chosen as a strategic quality partner by the French manufacturer. Furthermore, the TRIGO Academy offering extensive Quality Trainings and premium Technical Expertise in Inspection and Technical Repair to OEM and Tier-1 customers as well as TRIGO internal associates, has also contributed to set up a successful cooperation with PSA Group for the upcoming years. "We are very proud to strengthen further our partnership with PSA Group and to become the trusted quality services provider in France. This is a clear market recognition of TRIGO's successful strategic development and unique market positioning in France and worldwide. Our competitive, extensive and technical quality service portfolio is a key asset for the automotive OEMs to successfully achieve the challenging quality targets required in this industry. This is also a strong reward to our operational teams who deliver a best-in-class daily service to PSA Group while sharing the values of operational excellence and customer satisfaction," says Julien Laforets, Managing Director of TRIGO France. ABOUT TRIGO GROUP Founded in 1997, TRIGO is a multinational company providing operational Quality Management solutions for the manufacturing sector, especially in the transportation industries. With a team of more than 7000 professionals present in 20+ countries across 4 continents, TRIGO offers a comprehensive portfolio of Quality Inspection, Engineering, and Management Services all along the supply chain. For more information, please visit www.trigo-group.com ABOUT PSA GROUP With sales and revenue of 54 billion in 2015, the PSA Group designs unique automotive experiences and delivers mobility solutions that provide freedom and enjoyment to customers around the world. The Group leverages the models from its three brands, Peugeot, Citroen and DS, as well as a wide array of mobility services, such as Free2Move, to meet the evolving needs and expectations of automobile users. PSA is the European leader in terms of CO2 emissions, with average emissions of 104.4 grams of CO2 per kilometer in 2015, and an early innovator in the field of autonomous and connected cars, with 1.8 million such vehicles worldwide. It is also involved in financing activities through Banque PSA Finance and in automotive equipment via Faurecia. For more information, please visit www.groupe-psa.com/en View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005591/en/ Contacts: TRIGO Group Mercedesz Trum Group Marketing Manager, +36 30 485 83 53 mercedesz.trum@trigo-group.com Orange to supply Chuango with multi-roaming SIMs for next three years Out-of-the-box connectivity improves user experience and home security Chinese smart home and security company Chuango Security Technology Corp. has signed a deal with Orange Business Services to support its global business with SIM cards and mobile connectivity over the next three years. Chuango will use the Orange multi-roaming SIM cards in its internet of things (IoT)-enabled security devices in Europe, the US and Canada. The deal will significantly improve the user experience and security for Chuango customers. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005104/en/ The smanos X330 alarm system from Chuango incorporates an Orange SIM card that alerts the homeowner automatically if there is an intrusion. (Photo: Business Wire) Chuango's products are sold directly to the public and include connected cameras and alarm systems. The Orange SIM cards are installed in the device at the production stage and tested before shipping. Once purchased, the user simply activates the device on a web portal for quick and easy installation. The worldwide connectivity provided by Orange means that the security device works out-of-the-box every time. In addition, the Orange multi-roaming SIM means that it can roam onto different networks, further increasing resilience. Users pay a monthly subscription for the connectivity after an introductory period. Previously Chuango's customers were responsible for procuring their own SIM cards for the device after purchase, or use a Wi-Fi network to connect the device. With Orange, the user experience has become more seamless. Chuango manages the SIMs and connectivity using the Orange Datavenue management platform. The two companies are already working together on integrating audio transmission in the security device. For example, this would allow the user to send an SMS to the device to hear what is happening at their home. "We needed a partner who could provide worldwide connectivity for our new range of connected security devices. We worked with Orange Business Services closely to develop our IoT concept and test it in multiple markets. The improved user experience provided by the integrated network will help us reach our ambitious growth targets worldwide," says Ken Li, Founder and CEO, Chuango. "Chuango's connected security devices are a key part of the smart home revolution. It is a rapidly growing market and the number of smart home devices is predicted to more than triple over the next two years to over 1 billion worldwide in 20181. We are pleased to be able to leverage our IoT expertise to support Chuango's growing global business," says Patrick Sim, senior vice president, Orange Business Services Asia-Pacific. The Orange Business Services IoT connectivity service is part of Datavenue, a modular IoT and Analytics solution. To enable advanced analysis and decision-making, the Datavenue solution encompasses the selection of relevant data and objects, their reliable and secure connection, and their management in the customer information system environment. A global team of more than 700 Orange data-scientists and engineers design and develop these innovative services. Orange already supports over 10 million active objects across a variety of sectors, including Smart Cities, Healthcare, Automotive and Industry. The launch of Datavenue reaffirms the Orange commitment to supporting businesses with their digital transformation. About Chuango Security Technology Corp. Established in 2001, Chuango specializes in wireless smart home technology, ranging from DIY security to wire-free home automation and remote management solutions. The company, along with its smart home technology brand smanos, is rapidly expanding its global footprint, partner network and solution portfolio, with products and systems researched in Fuzhou, Taipei, Dallas and Silicon Valley, designed in Shenzhen and Amsterdam, created and packaged in Dongguan, and brought to life worldwide. (Publicly traded on Beijing NEEQ, ticker 831464) About Orange Business Services Orange Business Services, the Orange branch dedicated to B2B services, is not only a telecom operator, but also an IT solutions integrator and applications developer in France and around the world. Its 20,000 employees support companies in all areas of their digital transformation: mobile and collaborative workspaces; IT/cloud infrastructure; fixed and mobile connectivity; private and hybrid networks; applications for Internet of Things, 360 customer experience and Big Data analytics; and cybersecurity thanks to dedicated experts and infrastructure to protect information systems. More than 3,000 multinational organizations and 2 million SOHOs, enterprises and local authorities in France rely on Orange Business Services as their trusted partner. Learn more at www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and our blogs. Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with annual sales of 40 billion euros in 2015 and has 154,000 employees worldwide at 30 September 2016. Orange is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN). Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited. 1 Gartner Says Smart Cities Will Use 1.6 Billion Connected Things in 2016 (http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3175418) View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005104/en/ Contacts: Press contacts: Orange Business Services Elizabeth Mayeri, +1 212 251 2086 elizabeth.mayeri@orange.com or Chuango Security Technology Corp. Hayden Hsu, +1 408 620 6992 media@chuango.com PUNE, India, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Isobutyl Stearate Market by Application (Metalworking, Personal Care, Industrial), and Region (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is projected to reach USD 182.3 Million by 2026, at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2016 to 2026. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 40 market data Tables and 48 Figures spread through 108 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Isobutyl Stearate Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/isobutyl-stearate-market-90237510.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest growing, in the consumption of IBS, globally. The growing usage of bio-lubricants, especially in metalworking fluid, and the growing usage of bio-based esters in personal care are driving the global isobutyl stearate market. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for isobutyl stearate in metalworking, personal care, industrial, and others worldwide. Metalworking application is expected to lead the isobutyl stearate market by 2026 The metalworking application segment is estimated to account for a major share of the global isobutyl stearate market in 2016, followed by the personal care and industrial applications. The growing usage of bio-lubricants especially in metalworking fluid is driving the global isobutyl stearate market. Isobutyl stearate is a stearate ester which is available in both, oily liquid and waxy solid forms. Isobutyl stearate due to its lower toxicity, is widely preferred as an ingredient in personal care products. Also, it enhances the lubricity of different metals such as, copper, steel, and aluminum. These product attributes make it a preferred stearate ester in the metalworking industry. Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=90237510 The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead the isobutyl stearate market during the forecast period The Asia-Pacific region is estimated to account for the largest share of the Isobutyl Stearate Market in 2016, followed by Europe, and North America. China is one of the major consumers of isobutyl stearate in the Asia-Pacific region. The growing usage in metal working fluids, increasing investments in the personal care industry, growing domestic consumption, and industrial applications are expected to drive the demand for isobutyl stearate. The major market players covered in this report are, Emery Oleochemicals (Malaysia), Oleon NV (Belgium), Faci S.p.A. (Italy), A&A Fratelli Parodi Spa (Italy), Industrial Quimica Lasem SA (Spain), Hangzhou DayangChem Co., Limited (China), and Mosselman S.a. (Belgium). Make an Inquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=90237510 This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and restraints with respect to the global isobutyl stearate market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market across five regions, namely, Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The report categorizes the global isobutyl stearate market on the basis of application and region. A detailed analysis of the leading players, along with the key growth strategies adopted by them is also covered in this report. Browse Related Reports: Plastic Additives Market by Type (Plasticizers, Stabilizers, Flame Retardants, Impact Modifiers), Plastic (Commodity, Engineering, and High Performance Plastic), and by Application (Packaging, Construction, Consumer Goods, Automotive) - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/plastic-additives-market-722.html Subscribe Reports from Chemicals & Materials Domain http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr.Rohan MarketsandMarkets 701 Pike Street Suite 2175, Seattle, WA 98101, United States Tel: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Latest Release Delivers the First Active Population Health Management Solution Lumeon, a leading digital health company, is set to transform the population health management market with the launch of its second release of Lumeon Care Pathway Manager (CPM). The latest product enhancements, including a mobile patient app, enhanced pathway automation and a range of APIs, give providers the ability to deliver automated pathway based care on a mass scale. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/406910LOGO ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443256 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443257 ) A central focus of this release is the fast growing Population Health Management (PHM) market. According to a recent report from Grand View Research, PHM is expected to improve clinical outcomes by aiding in better disease management, resulting in reduction of inpatient stay durations and reducing overall physician observation hours. "The major issue with population health management systems today is they are inherently passive - providing analysis and reporting on groups of patients and simply highlighting issues for care teams to deal with," said Mike Wilkinson, vice president of marketing and product management, Lumeon. "With Lumeon's new release we use a combination of digital patient engagement and workflow automation to actively manage a population on a variety of pathways to achieve a step-change in mass patient care." Key Care Pathway Manager Release 2 features include: Lumeon Navigator Mobile App Designed to drive digital patient engagement, the Navigator app provides patients a powerful scheduling, outcome reporting and messaging tool. Patients can agree and track goals and outcomes alongside their clinician with their progress tracked via the tool and linked to the pathway engine to allow agile management of patients along their care pathway. Pathway Engine Automation Enhancements Enhancements to the Pathway Engine allow providers to automate even more of the patient journey with less staff effort and keep their clinicians operating at the top of their license. Appointment-based triggers start a series of actions for a patient upon booking, and once a series has started or appointment completed, the patient is provided details of future follow-up. Automatic prompts allow health advisors to escalate if a patient is not contactable. Enhanced APIs for Digital Engagement New booking APIs provide a number of integration end-points that can be used flexibly, in combination or separately, to support a number of different processes including booking, editing or paying for appointments online. The CPM2 platform will be made available from December 2016. For more about Lumeon Care Pathway Manager Release 2, visit http://bit.ly/2gyJq7b About Lumeon Lumeon is a digital health company that has defined the market for Care Pathway Management (CPM). From scheduling and revenue management to clinical reporting and aftercare, by looking across the end-to end care pathway, Lumeon addresses the system, and not just the symptom, behind healthcare transformation. Lumeon's customers number among Europe's fastest growing and most innovative healthcare providers including BUPA, Nuffield Health, Alliance Medical, HCA and Optegra. It is headquartered in London employing over 90 people. For more information about Lumeon please visit http://www.lumeon.com. Press Contact: Michele Moore PR Manager +44-7507-246-961 Michele.Moore@lumeon.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Retreating from early highs, the Japanese yen declined against its major rivals in early European trading on Tuesday. The yen dipped to near an 11-month low of 79.82 against the kiwi, off its early high of 79.07. The yen declined to 112.66 against the greenback, 119.31 against the euro, 110.96 versus the Swiss franc and 139.96 versus the pound, reversing from its previous high of 1.3400, 5-day high of 118.55, 6-day highs of 110.25 and 138.52, respectively. The yen reversed from its early highs of 83.26 against the loonie and 83.61 against the aussie, edging lower to 83.76 and 84.25, respectively. If the yen slides further, it may find support around 115.00 against the greenback, 122.00 against the euro, 114.00 against the franc, 143.00 against the pound, 86.00 against the aussie, 86.00 against the loonie and 82.00 against the kiwi. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - BT Group plc (BT_A.L, BT) on Tuesday said it is in discussions with Ofcom on two outstanding issues, the reporting line of the Openreach CEO and the form of legal incorporation. The company also said it will continue to work with Ofcom to reach a voluntary settlement. The company was responding to Ofcom's announcement in the morning, updating on the next steps of the Digital Communications Review. In its statement, the company said, 'We put forward proposals in July that we believe are fair and sustainable, and that meet Ofcom's objectives without disproportionate costs. We are implementing these proposals, and have just appointed Mike McTighe to be the first chairman of Openreach.' 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. Acquisition creates one of the largest ServiceNow implementation teams in Europe focused on helping clients to drive value from the As-a-Service economy Accenture (NYSE:ACN) has acquired solid servision, a Germany-based privately owned consulting and system integration company that is one of the largest independent ServiceNow pure play companies in Europe. The acquisition further strengthens Accenture's position as a leader in the ServiceNow partner ecosystem, enhancing Accenture's technology capabilities and deep industry experience in cloud strategy, implementation, migration, integration and management. "Our clients are eager to adopt As-a-Service operating models as they fuel their innovation through cloud," said Jack Sepple, senior managing director, Accenture Cloud and Accenture Operations group technology officer. "Accenture's Cloud First approach enables us to offer clients the latest capabilities for an easier and more efficient path to cloud adoption. This acquisition is the latest in a series of significant investments we've made in our cloud business to help our customers on their journey to cloud." solid servision is now part of Accenture's global ServiceNow practice, adding approximately 100 professionals with more than 130 ServiceNow certifications to Accenture, creating a leading ServiceNow implementation team in Germany, and extending Accenture's cloud services leadership position in Europe and in the industry at large. "The expertise of the solid servision staff and depth of their ServiceNow capabilities is a natural complement to Accenture's regional and global position," said Tobias Regenfu, Managing Director Accenture Infrastructure Services Austria, Switzerland and Germany, "solid servision brings one of the largest dedicated and certified ServiceNow Consulting, Implementation and Testing workforce in Germany to Accenture as well as a leading ServiceNow Training Provider in Europe. We are excited to be welcoming solid servision's talented professionals to our cloud team and to begin working together for our clients." solid servision, headquartered in Dresden, Germany, was founded in 2011 and quickly became one of the largest independent ServiceNow pure play companies in Europe, earning the highest customer score in 2016 among all service partners globally and is a Gold tier ServiceNow Services Partner. "solid servision' focus has always been delivery of excellence by having the exceptional technical and consulting skills and broad experience needed to leverage the cloud with the most complex customer demands in IT and non-IT," said Dr. Tilo Steinmeier, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of solid servision. "Accenture's deep industry expertise, business acumen and end-to-end cloud offering makes it a leader in cloud services. Combining solid servision and Accenture capabilities will bring unparalleled quality and scale to our clients when implementing ServiceNow and solve their IT business challenges more rapidly." The acquisition of solid servision is part of a strategic growth plan aimed at strengthening Accenture's position as a leading provider of ServiceNow services and cloud implementations globally. It follows the acquisition of Nashco, a leader in the Canadian ServiceNow market, in November 2016 and US-based Cloud Sherpas in 2015, which cemented Accenture's cloud services leadership globally. "In the face of industry disruption, companies need to move faster to keep up, Accenture's acquisition of solid servision furthers their ability to lead that transformation with ServiceNow," said David Schneider, chief revenue officer, ServiceNow. "With ServiceNow, customers are replacing manual work patterns of the past with intelligent workflows of the future across IT, HR, Customer service and Security, to energize employees, increase service levels and deliver game changing economics. Accenture's partnership with ServiceNow helps deliver these outcomes." 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 394,000 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. Accenture is a leader in helping organizations move to the cloud to take advantage of a new era of service delivery and flexibility, where applications, infrastructure and business processes are brought together and delivered As-a-Service. Accenture's Cloud First agenda offers comprehensive, industry-focused cloud services including strategy, implementation, migration and managed services, and assets including the Accenture Cloud Platform that can drive broader transformational programs for clients. Accenture has worked on over 20,000 cloud computing projects for clients, including three-quarters of the Fortune Global 100, and has more than 33,000 professionals trained in cloud computing. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for the company; the company's results of operations could be adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; the company's business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company's services and solutions, including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the changing technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; if the company is unable to keep its supply of skills and resources in balance with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; the markets in which the company competes are highly competitive, and the company might not be able to compete effectively; the company could have liability or the company's reputation could be damaged if the company fails to protect client and/or company data from security breaches or cyberattacks; the company's profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies; changes in the company's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; the company's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; the company's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; the company might not be successful at identifying, acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; the company's Global Delivery Network is increasingly concentrated in India and the Philippines, which may expose it to operational risks; as a result of the company's geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue geographic expansion, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; adverse changes to the company's relationships with key alliance partners or in the business of its key alliance partners could adversely affect the company's results of operations; the company's services or solutions could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company might lose its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others; if the company is unable to protect its intellectual property rights from unauthorized use or infringement by third parties, its business could be adversely affected; the company's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if the company is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; any changes to the estimates and assumptions that the company makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; many of the company's contracts include payments that link some of its fees to the attainment of performance or business targets and/or require the company to meet specific service levels, which could increase the variability of the company's revenues and impact its margins; the company's results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; the company may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170125005094/en/ Contacts: Accenture Alexander Aizenberg, 1 917 452 9878 alexander.aizenberg@accenture.com Spirits Also Assessed in USC's Innovative Cocktail Evaluation HAWTHORNE, New York, March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimate Spirits Challenge, the world's trailblazing spirits competition, announces the winners and full results for the 2017 Challenge. Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), now in its seventh year, celebrates 43 Chairman's Trophy winners, USC's highest award of excellence, and 213 Finalists. Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2017 was held at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY. Says USC judging chairman F. Paul Pacult, "One of the many advantages of having our own year-round facility is that instead of having to judge hundreds of spirits entries over a couple of days like other spirits competitions, we can take the time to break each category down into small flights. This means that USC judging panels focus on each flight with greater in-depth attention, resulting in more accurate assessments. We don't take shortcuts which is perhaps why USC experienced a 20% increase in entries this year." USC also provides an additional component of cocktail evaluations. The judges taste and assess a spirit's "mixability factor" in classic cocktail recipes (for suitable spirits categories). This innovation, employed by no other competition, allows deeper evaluation of spirits. Recommendations for cocktails, along with the complete results, can be found on www.ultimate-beverage.com. USC 2017 - CHAIRMAN'S TROPHY WINNERS APERITIF Alessio Vino Chinato BAIJIU Yushan Cellaring 6 Years Old Kaoliang BRANDY American: Bartlett Spirits of Maine Pear Eau-de-Vie Armagnac: Dartigalongue Grande Eau-de-Vie 25 Years Old Bas Armagnac Calvados: Roger Groult XO Pays d'Auge Cognac: Pierre Ferrand Reserve Double Cask French Brandy: Monteru Double Wood Triple Toast Finish Grappa: Poli Sarpa di Poli Pisco: Porton Acholado Spanish Brandy: Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez CACHAA A Novo Fogo Tanager GIN London Dry: Tanqueray World: Ferdinand's Saar Dry Gin LIQUEUR Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire MEZCAL Rey Campero Tepextate Joven RUM Rum: Appleton Estate 21 Years Old Rhum Agricole: Clement VSOP Spiced Rum: Don Q Oak Barrel TEQUILA, 100% AGAVE Blanco: Tequila Cabeza Reposado: Partida Anejo: Blue Nectar Founder's Blend Extra Anejo: El Tesoro Paradiso WHISKY - CANADA Lot 40 Canadian Rye WHISKEY - IRELAND Blended: Jameson 18 Years Old Single Pot Still: Yellow Spot 12 Years Old Single Malt: The Irishman Small Batch WHISKY - JAPAN Nikka Miyagikyo Single Malt WHISKY - SCOTLAND Blended: Buchanan's Master Blended Malt: Usquaebach An Ard Ri Cask Strength 2016 Single Malt-Highland: Glengoyne 15 Years Old Single Malt-Island: Highland Park Valkyrie Single Malt-Islay: Laphroaig 10 Years Old Single Malt-Speyside: BenRiach 20 Years Old WHISKEY - USA American: Wild Turkey Forgiven Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Col.E.H. Taylor Small Batch Rye: Hudson Manhattan Rye Single Malt: McCarthy's Oregon 3 Years Old WHISKEY - WORLD Paul John Peated Select Cask Indian Single Malt WHISKEY - WORLD - FLAVORED Catskill Provisions New York Honey SHOCHU iichiko BLA VERMOUTH Alessio Vermouth Chinato VODKA Flavored: Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Unflavored: Purity For complete results: www.ultimate-beverage.com All products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry's most renowned judges including buyers, journalists, educators and bar owners. Judges included: Founder/Judging Chairman F. Paul Pacult, Jacques Bezuidenhout,Tad Carducci, Doug Frost, Jason Hedges, Tyler Hudgens, Paul Maloney, Don Lee, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, Joaquin Simo, Tim Cooper, Paul Tanguay and Jillian Vose. All spirits rated 80 points and higher receive an individual results page (accessed by clicking on "more..." next to the product name) which provides all downloadable marketing artwork. Spirits rated 85 points and higher receive a tasting note. If a spirit is recommended for its category's assigned cocktail, it is indicated on this page. USC results are promoted globally. In addition, high scoring products are featured in the Ultimate Beverage Challenge Guide published each year in the October issue of Beverage Media reaching more than 75,000 on- and off-premise spirits buyers. ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE...No shortcuts. Just honest, impartial judging. Grand View Research, Inc, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The globalnegative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) marketis anticipated to reach a value of USD 4.0 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing awareness in the developing regions pertaining to advanced wound care is providing a significant opportunity to the key market players to cater to the unmet needs of the target population. The primary driver associated with this market is the cost-effectiveness of single-use negative pressure wound therapy devices. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 ) Major companies are also focusing on education of reimbursement coverage in such regions to further increase the affordability of these devices. However, the current reimbursement policies mostly cover conventional NPWT devices owing to their high cost.Furthermore, the geriatric population is also contributing to a great extent toward increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases. Increasing age is one of the high risk factorsleading to the development of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, which is one of the prime cardiovascular disorders prevalent in the geriatric population. NPWT is one of the commonly accepted therapies employed for the treatment of arterial ulcers, which is one of the major complications of atherosclerosis. Around 50% of the people worldwide are exposed to fire-related traumas, among which, 90% of the cases occur in low to moderate income countries.Thus, the rising incidence of traumatic events is expected toengender a high demand for negative pressure wound therapy products. Browse full research report with TOC on "Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Market By Product (Conventional, Single-Use), Wound Type (Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, Venous Leg Ulcers, Burn Wounds), End Use (Hospitals, Homecare), And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/negative-pressure-wound-therapy-npwt-market Further Key Findings from the Study Suggest: Conventional NPWT devices dominated the product segment in 2015 owing to their high cost and availability of favorable reimbursement policies Single-use negative pressure wound therapy devices segment is considered to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period Diabetic foot ulcer held the largest revenue share in 2015 owing to its numerous applications, thus yielding a high success rate using NPWT Homecare setting is anticipated to witness an attractive CAGR over the forecast period owing to the emerging applicability of single-use NPWT devices in the homecare setting and cost-effectiveness of the therapy North America dominated the overall NPWT market in 2015. This is primarily due to the increased usage of the target therapy in this region, which has led to a reduction in hospital stays and contributed toward enhanced quality of patient lives dominated the overall NPWT market in 2015. This is primarily due to the increased usage of the target therapy in this region, which has led to a reduction in hospital stays and contributed toward enhanced quality of patient lives Some key companies in this market are Acelity L.P. Inc., Smith & Nephew, Molnlycke Health Care, Talley Group Limited, ConvaTec Inc., Devon Medical, Cardinal Health, Inc., DeRoyal Industries, Inc., Medela AG and Paul Hartmann AG Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Glucose Monitoring Device Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/glucose-monitoring-device-market Infectious Vaccines Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/infectious-vaccines-market Neurovascular Intervention Devices Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/neurovascular-intervention-devices-market Airway Management Devices Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/airway-management-devices-market Grand View Research has segmented the negative pressure wound therapy market on the basis of product, wound type, end use, and region: Global Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Conventional NPWT Single-use NPWT Global Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Diabetic Foot Ulcers Venous Leg Ulcers Pressure Ulcers Burn Wounds Others Global End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Hospitals Homecare Others Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK Asia Pacific China India Latin America Brazil Mexico MEA South Africa Access research insight: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/research-insights/negative-pressure-wound-therapy-market-insights-global-industry-size-trends 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. Thecompany 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 GENEVA, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eddy Pirard will succeed Thomas A. McCoy JTI (Japan Tobacco International) today announced that Thomas A. McCoy, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be retiring on 31 March 2017 and that Eddy Pirard, currently Executive Vice President, Business Development, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Communications will succeed Mr. McCoy as President and Chief Executive Officer as of April 1, 2017. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130528/617491 ) Mitsuomi Koizumi, President and CEO of Japan Tobacco (JT), parent company of JTI said: "We would like to thank Mr. McCoy for his unfaltering dedication these last three years and his tremendous contribution in making JTI the growth engine of the JT Group. Under the combined leadership of Messrs. McCoy and Pirard, JTI was able to grow the tobacco business both organically and through acquisitions as well as position itself as a major emerging products player. We are delighted to continue working with Mr. Pirard and maximize on the significant achievements to date." Eddy Pirard, 54, a Belgian national, was appointed Executive Vice President for Business Development, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Communications in 2014 following his role as Regional President for Western Europe. Mr. Pirard joined Gallaher Group Plc in January 1998. Mr. McCoy, a US citizen, was appointed President and CEO in December 2013 and Chief Operating Officer in October 2005. Following a number of senior positions in RJ Reynolds, he played an important role in helping lay the foundations of JTI. Mr. McCoy said: "After 17 years at JTI and 15 years at RJ Reynolds, the time has come for me to retire, and to hand over the keys of this extraordinary company to Eddy, who will take it into the next era of commercial success. Eddy's broad experience in the tobacco business and M&A accomplishments demonstrate that he has the vision and ability to continue to drive the business forward. Following his role as Regional President for Western Europe, where he achieved steady growth in a large and challenging region, Eddy has more recently led all our M&A activities across the world, including the acquisition of Natural American Spirit outside the US and an equity stake in NTE in Ethiopia. He has also forged ahead our journey into the innovative emerging products business with acquisitions such as Logic and E-Lites." "I wish to thank the JT senior management team for having given me the opportunity to lead this company over the last three years, and my JTI Executive Committee colleagues and other employees for their remarkable devotion in making JTI the fastest growing tobacco company for the last six years" Mr. McCoy added. Mr. Pirard concluded: "I am very grateful for the trust that JT is giving me and for all of Tom's encouragement. We have a shared vision and a passion for the company and I hope, together with my esteemed colleagues, to continue to build on our achievements and successes in the future". JTI, a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies, is a leading international tobacco manufacturer. It markets global brands such as Winston, Camel, Mevius and LD. JTI is a global player in the e-cigarette market with E-Lites and Logic, and has been present in the heated tobacco sector with Ploom since 2011. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with operations in more than 120 countries, JTI employs around 26,000 employees worldwide. Its core revenue in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, was USD 10.3 billion. For more information, visit http://www.jti.com. For further information, please contact: McKeown, Michelle Vice-President Corporate Communications Phone: +41-22-703-0291 pressoffice@jti.com Jersey City, New Jersey, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal Analytics (http://www.fractalanalytics.com), one of the largest pure play providers of analytics, today announced that Andy Walter, former Vice President, Global Commercial Services of The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), has joined them as a strategic advisor. "We are very excited to have Andy join us. Andy's experience in the Consumer Goods and Retail space and his expertise in scaling solutions by combining analytics & IT will be invaluable to our clients as they improve decision making through data and analytics," said, Pranay Agrawal, Co-founder and CEO, Fractal Analytics. Over the course of his 26-year career at P&G, Walter has built up deep expertise in the integration of emerging and core technologies, supply chain management, sales and marketing and consumer and business analytics. In his most recent assignment, he oversaw more than 1,500 IT, analytics, and other professionals. "I am delighted to join Fractal and look forward to working with the team who has been creating value by institutionalizing analytics at some of the most loved Fortune 500 consumer brands," said Andy Walter. Walter also has more than 15 years' experience working on boards and in board level advisory roles. He is currently on the board at Digimarc Corporation and Virtualitics LLC. He has previously served on the GS1 US Board of Governors including as Chair for their technology committee and is a trustee and treasurer of the non-profit Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati. Prior to joining P&G as an IT manager in 1990, Walter worked for Monsanto Co. from 1988-90. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Cincinnati in 1992. 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. Labbrand Garners Best-in-Show "Grand Prix" and Two Gold Awards For Thomas Cook, And Seven Other Distinctions For Axent, Mondelez, Renault, Zhejiang Circuit, and Kidsland HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Labbrand's outstanding performance in rebranding and brand development was honored once again at Transform Awards Asia-Pacific 2016. At the annual awards gala held on November 24 in Hong Kong, Labbrand garnered a total of ten awards and distinctions across eight categories, including the best-in-show "Grand Prix" award for its work with Thomas Cook. In 2016, Labbrand's recognition at the Transform Awards spanned a wide range of the group's client work across multiple brand development categories, including: GRAND PRIX for its work with Thomas Cook; GOLD award for its work with Thomas Cook , in the Best Naming Strategy category; , in the Best Naming Strategy category; GOLD award for its work with Thomas Cook , in the Best localization of an international brand category; , in the Best localization of an international brand category; GOLD award for its work with AXENT, in the Best brand development project to reflect changed mission/values/positioning category; SILVER award for its work with kidsland, in the Best Internal Communications During a Brand Development Project category; SILVER award for its work with Zhejiang Circuit, in the Best Strategic/Creative Development of a New Brand category; BRONZE award for its work with Zhejiang Circuit, in the Best Visual Identity in the Property sector category; HIGHLY COMMENDED award for its work with kidsland, in the Best Creative Strategy category; HIGHLY COMMENDED award for its work with Mondelez, in the Best Naming Strategy category; HIGHLY COMMENDED award for its work with Renault, in the Best Naming Strategy category. "On behalf of the entire team at Labbrand, I would like to express how honored we are to have our work recognized within our industry in the APAC region, and we extend our sincerest gratitude to Transform Magazine and this year's Awards judges," said Vladimir Djurovic, Founder & CEO of Labbrand. "Of course, our deepest appreciation also goes out to Labbrand's clients who empower and encourage us to continuallypush to the next level for our breakthrough brand development strategies and executions." Established seven years ago in Europe, the Transform Awards has evolved into a global celebration of the indispensable talent that exists within the branding sphere. As the only global award to cover rebranding and brand development, Transform consistently set a stronger benchmark for work in brand development while reflecting the growing significance of brand in strategic corporate communications. Since the Transform Awards were first launched in the APAC region in 2014, Labbrand has consistently received top honors, with a total of four awards in 2014, and five in 2015. This year, other than the increase in awards quantity, Labbrand's outstanding creative ability and strategic thought whilst working closely and collaborating with its clients has been highly recognized. This remarkable achievement has proven and consolidated Labbrand's leadership in brand development and brand innovation in Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile Labbrand continues to deliver high-quality branding offerings around the world with its expansion in Paris, New York and Singapore. About Labbrand Labbrand is the leading China-originated global brand consultancy. Through brand innovations, we create, grow, and disrupt to be strong and resilient in dynamic markets. We are multi-cultural in approach and cross-disciplinary in research, strategy, naming, design, and digital. Together this gives us the foresight and ability to build brand equity. LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) a leading e-money institution that specialises in prepaid cards and alternative banking services, has today announced the launch of a programme for international relief organisation, Samaritan's Purse, to provide financial aid to refugees and migrants across Greece. Samaritan's Purse has been operating programmes in Greece for over a year, improving conditions in refugee sites and bringing hope and dignity to refugees and migrants by providing water and sanitation infrastructure, shelter, supporting community initiatives, aiding people in accessing asylum services, and distributing emergency food, hygiene kits, and critical relief items. This new cash programme will allow Samaritan's Purse to further provide for basic needs by giving refugees and migrants access to prepaid cash cards. Given the varying needs of a diverse population, cash programming allows refugees and migrants to purchase exactly what they need in the local markets in a dignified way that supports resilience. PFS are acting as the issuer of cards. Samaritan's Purse is distributing the prepaid cards to vulnerable refugees and migrants across Greece. Of all the methods available for distributing cash, multi-purpose grants in the form of prepaid cash cards are the most appropriate for the context. The prepaid cards provide a secure method of distributing funds as cards have unique PIN codes with ATM and Point of Sale (POS) capabilities. Noel Moran, PFS CEO said: "As the migrant crisis in Europe continues, PFS is pleased to provide a solution that will help Samaritan's Purse manage fund disbursements, while also supporting financial inclusion, and giving financial stability to refugees and asylum seekers. "Although the scheme has rolled out very recently, we are confident that this new method of distributing funds will alleviate pressure on Samaritan's Purse, letting them focus on continuing to improve conditions and support people in camps." Sally Morson, Cash Program Manager for Samaritan's Purse said: "Until recently, our main support was provided through in-kind distributions. Now, we are moving towards a cash based response where the refugees and migrants will be given the freedom of choice which promotes dignity and resilience. The prepaid cash card is a good modality because it is a secure way within Greece to access what they need in the local markets given the varying needs of a diverse population." PFS has a wealth of experience in delivering prepaid solutions that provide financial support for end users of charities, Local Authorities, and National Governments across Europe, offering card programmes that work seamlessly across borders and allowing refugees and asylum seekers to use prepaid cards for financial inclusion. About Prepaid Financial Services: Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) is an award winning payments technology specialist offering a comprehensive range of e-money and banking solutions including e-wallets, physical and virtual prepaid cards and current accounts in the UK and the Eurozone. Authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK, PFS has passported its e-money license across the SEPA region to enable card issuance throughout the region. Founded in 2008, PFS is now one of the fastest growing issuers inEurope, with programmes live and active in 25 countries with the ability to transact in 22 different currencies. Its products and cutting-edge technology platforms are utilised by governments, local authorities, mobile networking operators, banks and corporates globally. PFS has been listed within the top 25 fastest growing technology companies in the UK by the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 for 3 consecutive years and most recently ranked number 108 in Deloitte's EMEA Technology Fast 500. For more information about PFS payment solutions please contact sales@prepaidfinancialservices.com About Samaritan's Purse Samaritan's Purse is a Christian international relief organisation providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. Swiss and Chinese cybersecurity leaders combine their complementary technologies to help fight massive DDoS attacks WISeKey International Holding Ltd (WIHN.SW) ("WISeKey"), a Swiss based cybersecurity company and Feitian Technologies (SZSE: 300386), the leading supplier of user authentication and transaction security solutions, today announced a partnership to provide combined solutions to secure Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Ransomware and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) are just a glimpse of the next big cyber-attacks to come with the introduction of IoT in critical infrastructures including hospitals, financial services and FinTech. In "The 2016 Internet Organized Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA)," Europol reports that DDoS attacks are becoming more widespread and more dangerous causing organizations billion dollar losses. The most common attack path is to flood the targeted victim's servers with superfluous traffic to overload them and bring the service down. In the recent massive and sustained DDoS attacks hackers have used more than 150,000 hacked IOT devices, such as CCTV video cameras and digital video recorders, to generate exceptional data traffic. The malicious firmware used in these IOT devices can be remotely installed by cybercriminals when no efficient cryptographic based security mechanisms are in place to protect the upgrades. The WISeKey/Feitian Technologies partnership aims to directly reduce these risks. A complete article about how to fight DDoS attacks from IoT devices can be found here: https://www.wisekey.com/solutions/secured-iot/ddos. WISeKey and Feitian Technologies have decided to jointly develop innovative hardware and software solutions to enable users, applications and devices to securely authenticate the networks, verify the authenticity and integrity of firmware upgrades, and limit access to sensitive information to authentic users. Such enhanced cryptographic techniques, based on proven technologies like PKI (Public Key Cryptography), high-security chips and hardened middleware will offer a robust barrier against the DDoS attacks. "We are excited about the opportunity that working with WISeKey brings to the market," said Huang Yu, Founder and CEO of Feitian Technologies Co., Ltd. "The integration of our technology to WISeKey's Root of Trust, which is recognized by operating systems and applications to ensure the authenticity, confidentiality and integrity of online transactions, will help to significantly secure the IoT and deter cybercriminals." "Our partnership with Feitian is a significant breakthrough to extend WISeKey's field of addressable applications and markets," said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. "Feitian's recognized authentication and identification solutions are a perfect fit with our PKI expertise that will boost the deployment of secured IoT devices. This partnership between Swiss and Chinese technology companies to fight cyber-attacks is a powerful reference for the bilateral cooperation in areas including technology, research, economy and trade, investment and finance." Feitian Technologies (booth Lerins D 011) and WISeKey will discuss the benefits of this strategic partnership at Trustech 2016, the global and largest event dedicated to Trust-Based Technologies which will take place from November 29 to December 1, 2016, at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes on the French Riviera. About WISeKey WISeKey (SIX Swiss Exchange: WIHN) is a leading cybersecurity company and selected as a World Economic Forum Global Growth Company. WISeKey is currently deploying large scale Internet of Things ("IoT") digital identity ecosystems and has become a pioneer of the "4th Industrial Revolution" movement launched this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos. WISeKey's Swiss based cryptographic Root of Trust ("RoT") integrates wearable technology with secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, and empowers IoT and wearable devices to become secure transactional devices. The RoT serves as a common trust anchor, which is recognized by the operating system and applications, to ensure the authenticity, confidentiality and integrity of on-line transactions. With the cryptographic RoT embedded on the device, the IoT product manufacturers can use code-signing certificates and a cloud-based signature as a service to secure interactions among objects and between objects and people. WISeKey has patented this process in the USA as it is currently used by many IoT providers. Interested about latest news about WISeKey subscribe to our Newsletter or visit WISeKey Investors Corner About Feitian Established in 1998, Feitian Technologies is a public company incorporated in China (SHE Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 300386). Feitian Technologies has focused on the innovation and development of the intelligent authentication industry. So far, Feitian has provided high-quality products and services for more than 6,000 customers and 180 banks all over the world. Feitian is a trusted leader, No. 1 supplier in China, and a leading supplier of strong authentication solutions that include OTP, PKI, FIDO U2F, software protection dongles Rockeys, smart cards with Java COS CCEAL4+/FIPS 140-2L3, smart card readers and mobile security solutions. Feitian has two manufacturing centers, offices in France and the USA. More information here: http://www.ftsafe.com/. Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005656/en/ Contacts: WISeKey: Marketing Communications Youmna Abisaleh, +41 22 594 30 40 yabisaleh@wisekey.com or Investor Relations (United States) The Equity Group, Inc. Lena Cati, 212-836-9611 lcati@equityny.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Red Pine Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RPX) ("Red Pine" or the "Company") has received results from prospecting and channel samples taken during its on-going mapping and trenching program at the Wawa Gold Project. Highlights from the trenching and mapping program include so far: -- The discovery of new high-grade quartz veins in the hanging wall of the Surluga Deposit which contain up to 64.9 g/t gold (Table 1 and Figure 1); -- Confirmation that gold mineralization extends to surface in the William Gold Zone - channel samples contain over 9 metres at 0.81 g/t gold (Table 2 and Figure 1); -- Confirmation that gold mineralization reaches surface in the Hornblende Shear Zone - channel samples contain over 6 metres at 0.8 g/t gold (Table 2 and Figure 1); Quentin Yarie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Pine, states, "The identification of gold-bearing quartz veins in the hanging wall of the Surluga Deposit supports our working hypothesis that additional gold remains to be found in the immediate vicinity of the inferred resource. The measured steep dip for one of the high-grade veins also indicates that the historic surface holes, drilled vertically, had a low probability of intersecting those veins. We believe that this could be more common in the footwall and hanging wall than previously thought." Gold mineralization in the hanging wall The Jubilee Shear Zone currently hosts the Surluga Deposit - a 1.088 million ounces of gold inferred resource1. Following its 2015 exploration programs, Red Pine observed, in historic and recently drilled boreholes, gold intersections in the hanging wall of the Jubilee Shear Zone. Based on these observations, the Company concluded that additional exploration in the hanging wall could uncover new zones of gold mineralization un-recognized by previous operators. The Company also identified, at three distinct locations, high-grade quartz veins next to the main drill road, historically used to drill much of the Surluga Deposit, and within tens of meters of the inferred resource. This again demonstrates that gold remains to be found in the most explored area of the property. The steep dip of the vein containing 43.2 g/t gold (around 078 degrees ) indicates that the historic surface drill holes, drilled vertically, were inefficient at intersecting these veins. The measured strike (228 degrees ) and dip (78 degrees ) of that vein is also similar to the average strike (217 degrees ) and dip (77 degrees ) of two high-grade quartz veins intersected in the footwall of the Surluga Deposit in hole SD-15-11 (over 1 metre at 53.2 g/t gold and over 1.85 metres at 28.04 g/t gold; Figure 1). These are potential indicators of the existence of a network of steeply dipping and high-grade tension veins in the area that extends from surface to the footwall of the Surluga Deposit. Table 1 - Medium- to high-grade gold grab(i) samples collected in veins of the hanging wall of the Surluga Deposit ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Sample Prospect/Deposit Sample type (g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1473963 Surluga HW Quartz vein in shear zone 43.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1473964 Surluga HW Quartz vein 3.15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1473973 Surluga HW Quartz vein in shear zone 3.52 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1473977 Algoma Zone Quartz vein in shear zone 64.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i)Readers are cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature. The grades and mineralization present are not necessarily representative of other mineralization that may be identified on the property. Gold mineralization at the William Gold Zone and Hornblende Shear Zone The observation of continuous gold mineralization in channel samples taken in the William Gold Zone confirms the intersection in borehole HS-15-30 (over 12.5 metres at 1.79 g/t gold; Figure 1). The east-west orientation of the channel samples with continuous gold mineralization also provides a better understanding of the controls on gold mineralization. This orientation indicates that gold mineralization is in part controlled by a well developed stretching lineation trending 167 degrees and plunging 20 degrees. This stretching lineation observed at the William Gold Zone parallels the stretching lineation of the Jubilee Shear Zone, indicating that the William Gold Zone is a probable component of the same structural system. The gold assays in the highly strained domain of the Hornblende Shear Zone demonstrate (over 6 metres at 0.8 g/t gold including over 2 metres at 2.30 g/t gold) the extension to surface of the gold mineralization intersected in hole HS-15-28 (over 15.35 metres at 1.25 g/t gold; Figure 1). However, the complete sampling of the high-strain domain of the Hornblende Shear Zone was hindered by the remaining overburden and steepness of the rock face, which precluded the channel sampling of the entire structure. Table 2 - Channel samples from the William and Hornblende Gold Zones ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From To Length(i) Gold Gold Zone Trench Id (m) (m) (m) (g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 0 1 1 1.08 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 1 2 1 0.126 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 2 3 1 0.715 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 3 4 1 0.328 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 4 5 1 1.508 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 5 6 1 0.912 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 6 7 1 0.651 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 7 8 1 1.289 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4A 8 9 1 0.657 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4B 0 1 1 0.051 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4B 1 2 1 0.642 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-4B 2 3 1 1.082 William ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-2A 0 1 1 0.007 Hornblende ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-2A 1 2 1 0.066 Hornblende ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-2A 2 3 1 0.038 Hornblende ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-2A 3 4 1 0.113 Hornblende ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-2A 4 5 1 1.76 Hornblende ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TR-16-2A 5 6 1 2.83 Hornblende ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (iTrue width has not been calculated for each individual channel sample ) that are currently reported as channel sample length. On-going Drilling Program The current diamond drill program is targeting the northern extension of the Surluga Deposit to define additional gold mineralization and improve the existing inferred resource. Two boreholes have been completed with assays pending for each. At one location in both drill holes, visible gold2 was conclusively observed. In SD-16-40, visible gold was observed in a quartz vein hosted in a subsidiary structure of the footwall. In SD-16-41, visible gold was observed in a quartz vein of the Jubilee Shear Zone. SD-16-40 was drilled through the Wawa Gold Corridor from the hanging wall of the Jubilee Shear Zone to the Hornblende Shear Zone, SD-16-41 was drilled just outside of the northernmost extension of the inferred resource. Other Activities at the Wawa Gold Project Red Pine continues to sample historic core. The Company expects additional results from its on-going exploration program in the coming weeks. On-site Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures Drill core samples are transported in security-sealed bags for analyses at Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Timmins, Ontario. Individual samples are labeled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Groups of samples are then placed into durable rice bags that are then shipped. The remaining coarse reject portions of the samples remain in storage at the Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Timmins, Ontario as required in the event that further work or verification is needed. Grab and channel samples are transported in security-sealed bags for analyses at Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Ancaster, Ontario. Individual samples are labeled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Groups of samples are then placed into durable rice bags that are then shipped. All grab and channel samples are photographed and geo-referenced. Red Pine has implemented a quality-control program to comply with best practices in the sampling and analysis of drill core. As part of its QA/QC program, Red Pine inserts external gold standards (low to high grade) and blanks every 20 samples in addition to random standards, blanks, and duplicates. Qualified Person Quentin Yarie, P Geo. is the qualified person responsible for preparing, supervising and approving the scientific and technical content of this news release. About Red Pine Exploration Inc. Red Pine Exploration Inc. is a gold and base-metals exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RPX". Red Pine has a 30% interest in the Wawa Gold Project and has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Citabar LLP and Augustine Ventures Inc. The Wawa Gold Project is now owned by Citabar/Red Pine/Augustine in the ratio of 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively. Under the terms of the JVA, Red Pine is the Operating Manager and continues to explore and advance the current gold resource on the property. Red Pine and Augustine have entered into a definitive agreement (November 14, 2016) to consolidate their ownership of the Wawa Gold Project. 1NI 43-101 inferred resource of 1,088,000 ounces of gold at a 1.71 grams per tonne (g/t) using a 0.40 g/t gold cut-off grade for pit-constrained and 2.50 g/t gold cut-off grade for underground-constrained resources, contained in 19.82 million tonnes open along strike and at depth. The Cut-off grades are based on a gold price of US$1,250 per once and a gold recovery of 95 percent (Mineral Resource Statement(i), Surluga-Jubilee Gold Deposit, Wawa Gold Project, Ontario, SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc (effective May 26, 2015)). The report is available on www.SEDAR.com under Red Pine's profile. 2 Gold visible with the naked eye - "visible gold" 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 contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. To view Figure 1. Overview of trenching and mapping results, please visit: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/figure1_redpine.jpg. Contacts: Red Pine Exploration Inc. Quentin Yarie President & CEO (416) 364-7024 qyarie@redpineexp.com Red Pine Exploration Inc. Mia Boiridy Investor Relations (416) 364-7024 mboiridy@redpineexp.com www.redpineexp.com BURLINGTON, Mass. and SAN FRANCISCO, 2016-11-29 12:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Decision Resources Group (DRG), a leading provider of proprietary data products and solutions to the healthcare industry, and Zephyr Health, the leading Insights-as-a-Service solution provider for life sciences companies, today announced a new strategic data and analytics partnership. The partnership will pair DRG's best-in-class data and information services with Zephyr Health's analytics and insights technology to deliver unique and dynamic market access solutions for commercial teams within the life sciences industry.Through this collaboration, DRG and Zephyr Health will offer unique solutions that integrate provider, institution and payer data to bring rich, actionable insights to commercial teams. These solutions will enable life sciences sales and account teams to be at the forefront of understanding the most recent changes to payer or formulary status for their target markets and customers.The partnership's first offering, "Market Access Potential" is a user-centric, analytics suite that leverages the new, advanced capabilities in the Zephyr Illuminate software platform as well as DRG's rich market access data. Market Access Potential will provide users real-time, relevant insights for improved account planning and customer engagement. This new platform will transform how market access data is managed within commercial teams, enabling a sales representative to understand physician access, formulary pull-through, and the increasing role of Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in physician decision making. Market Access Potential is currently enrolling charter customers and will be broadly available early in 2017.Matthew McKnight, COO of DRG, commented, "As the healthcare access and reimbursement environment continues to evolve, DRG's partnership with Zephyr Health empowers life sciences companies by combining Zephyr's innovative software and intuitive design with proprietary data and analytics from DRG to provide a product that dramatically improves the efficiency and effectiveness of sales teams. By combining efforts, DRG and Zephyr Health have created a unique market access and reimbursement solution for the next wave of life science industry drug launches.""We are excited to be working with DRG, an industry leader in market access data, to optimize how information is consumed by life sciences teams, and develop real-time recommendations for messaging and customer engagement," said Lance Scott, President and CEO, Zephyr Health. "Linking specific health plan information and providing visibility to the formulary and reimbursement status of a company's product at the individual physician level is a game-changer for commercial teams operating in a complicated and dynamic physician access landscape."About Decision Resources GroupDecision Resources Group, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd., offers best-in-class, high-value data, analytics and insights products and services to the healthcare industry, delivered by more than 1000 employees across 17 global locations. DRG provides the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, payer, provider, and financial services industries with the tools, insights and advice they need to compete and thrive in an increasingly complex and value-based marketplace.DRG's Real World Data (RWD) repository covers over 260 million unique US patients with over five years of historical data. This robust claims data, combined with electronic health records (EHR) detail, allows for comprehensive analyses of in-market patient care, patient cost burden, and trends in patient outcomes. Additionally, DRG's RWD repository, integrated with leading formulary coverage analysis in the US, enables detailed profiling of health care provider prescribing and treatment behavior, and assists pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in identifying and eliminating barriers to patient access.www.DecisionResourcesGroup.comAbout Zephyr HealthZephyr Health helps life sciences companies - pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostics - engage the right physicians, accounts and institutions using insights from global health data. Zephyr Illuminate is a leading Insights-as-a-Service solution that integrates thousands of data sources to create precise and predictive insights. From pre-launch to product maturity, life sciences companies can make confident decisions faster with data-driven targeting and deep customer profiles. Zephyr Health's customers include several of the Top 10 Pharmaceutical, Biotech and Medical Device companies.Zephyr Health is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco with offices in London, UK, and Pune, India. Zephyr Health is venture backed by Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Icon Ventures. For more information, please visit: www.zephyrhealth.com.Media contact for DRG: Tori McClaintmcclain@teamdrg.comMedia contact for Zephyr Health: pr@zephyrhealth.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. DUBLIN, Nov 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "World: Coal - Market Report - Analysis and Forecast to 2020" report to their offering. This report has been designed to provide a detailed analysis of the global coal market. It covers the most recent data sets of quantitative medium-term projections, as well as developments in production, trade, consumption and prices. The report also includes a comparative analysis of the leading consuming countries, revealing opportunities opened for producers and exporters across the globe. The forecast outlines market prospects to 2020. Australia continued to lead the way by a large margin in the global supplies of coal. In 2015, Australia's coal exports totaled 29,630 million USD, which accounted for a 39% share of global exports. Indonesia, Russia, USA, and Colombia were the other key global suppliers of coal in 2015, with a 45% combined share of global exports. Indonesia (+10.3% per year) and Australia (+6.9% per year) were the fastest growing exporters from 2007 to 2015. Indonesia significantly strengthened its position in the global coal export structure, growing its share from 13% in 2007 to 19% in 2015. On the other hand, Japan (18%, based on value terms), India (16%), China (11%), the Republic of Korea (11%), and Taipei (5%) were the leading destinations of coal imports in 2015. Imports to China grew the quickest, at a pace of +19.6% per year from 2007 to 2015. The balance of key imports also increased their imports over the period under review. India's share of global imports increased by +9 percentage points, while the share of Japan illustrated negative dynamics (-3 percentage points). Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 1.1 Report Description 1.2 Research Methodology 2. Executive Summary 2.1 Key Findings 2.2 Market Trends 3. Market Overview 3.1 Market Volume and Value 3.2 Consumption by Country 3.3 Market Opportunities by Country 3.4 Market Forecast to 2020 4. Production 4.1 Production in 2007-2015 4.2 Production by Country 5. Imports 5.1 Imports in 2007-2015 5.2 Imports by Country 5.3 Import Prices by Country 6. Exports 6.1 Exports in 2007-2015 6.2 Exports by Country 6.3 Export Prices by Country 7. Profiles of Major Producers For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tk45vh/world_coal Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inteco Beteiligungs GmbH, an Austrian company owned by Russian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist Yelena Baturina, continues the expansion of a project to generate, use and market renewable energy in Europe. In October, her structures completed the acquisition of a solar park near the city of Farsala in Greece. Experts state that energy produced by this relatively small solar park in Farsala may help avoid the emission of 800 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. According to the plans, the total investment into the project by Yelena Baturina's structures could reach 20 million in the coming year. The representatives of the company evaluate the profitability of the acquired park at 500 thousand per year. The venture is responsible for the construction and commercial operation of solar parks in the south and south-east of Europe. Before the acquisition in Greece the company also purchased a solar park in Italy. Currently the company is considering a number of proposals to expand the capacities; the next acquisitions under consideration are in Greece and Cyprus. Earlier this year, in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Wirtschaftsblatt, Yelena Baturina said: "We see the future of the project not just in expanding the capacities or producing more energy. We are now developing a subproject that consists in applying the technology that allows saving the energy obtained from renewable sources, which constitutes a whole new system of wise energy consumption". Another trend within the energy project which is no less interesting is, "constructing and servicing individual solar parks located mostly on the roofs of enterprises - the consumers of energy". Ms Baturina indicated that a few such projects will be launched soon, "and considering all that, we are about to exceed the amount of investment we named before." Hilding Anders to benefit from full support of KKR's global platform for future growth KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Arle Capital Partners' stake in Hilding Anders, subject to regulatory clearances. Following the transaction, KKR will become the majority shareholder in Hilding Anders. No financial terms were disclosed and the transaction is subject to the customary regulatory approvals. Founded in 1939, Hilding Anders has grown to become the leading bed manufacturer in Europe, Russia and Asia. The company has 9,500 employees at 23 sites across 19 countries, and sells products in 65 local markets, generating revenues of 917m in 2015. KKR first supported Hilding Anders in 2013, when KKR Credit invested 350m in the capital structure of the business as part of a comprehensive refinancing. Christer Aberg, CEO of Hilding Anders, said: "We are pleased to welcome KKR as our new majority shareholder and look forward to drawing on their longstanding expertise and full support to grow the business further." Cristobal Cuart, Director at KKR Credit, said: "KKR's operational expertise, industry know-how and experience in investing in European businesses will support Hilding Anders as it builds on its impressive market-leading position in bed manufacturing in Europe, Russia and Asia." Since 1996, KKR has invested in more than 55 major companies across industrial sectors in Europe, representing approximately $20 billion in invested long-term capital. KKR also has a strong track record of investing in companies in the Nordic region. Most recently, KKR partnered with the Pervan family to invest in Valinge, a world leading Swedish industrial R&D company. ends About KKR KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation at the asset level. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners' capital and brings opportunities to others through its capital markets business. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co. About Hilding Anders Hilding Anders is Europe's leading provider of beds and mattresses. The company has strong footholds in Europe, Russia and Asia and had net sales of 917m and EBITDA profit of 122m in 2014. The company is majority owned by UK private equity firm Arle Capital Partners and is based in Malmo. Started in 1939 in Bjarnum, the company offers a broad brand portfolio including the core brands Askona, Bico, Carpe Diem Beds, CUREM, Hilding, Jensen and Slumberland. The company produces also private label concepts for international and local furniture retailers as well as bedding specialists. Hilding Anders operates also nearly 1,000 retail outlets in Russia, China and Croatia. The home market, Sweden, today stands for less than 10% of Group net sales. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005669/en/ Contacts: UK KKR Finsbury Victor Mallet Phone: +44(0)20 7251 3801 Email: victor.mallet@finsbury.com or Sweden - KKR Hilding Anders Comir Johan Hahnel Phone: +46 70 605 6334 Email: johan.hahnel@comir.se TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - NewCastle Gold Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: NCA) ("NewCastle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Sergio Cattalani as Vice President, Exploration, effective December 1, 2016. Mr. Cattalani is a geologist with 25 years' experience in precious metal exploration and development projects, project evaluation, and project generation. Most recently he was Vice President, Exploration for Osisko Mining Corp., leading the development of a new project portfolio in the US. Since Osisko's acquisition by Yamana and Agnico-Eagle, Mr. Cattalani has been acting on a consulting basis carrying out project evaluations to a variety of companies exploring for gold in North America. Prior to Osisko, he worked for Cominco Limited and Inco Limited, where he was part of their technical services group contributing to base and precious metal exploration projects world-wide. President and CEO Gerald Panneton commented: "We are extremely pleased to have someone with Sergio's extensive experience in gold exploration and deposits evaluation join the NewCastle Gold team and direct our exploration effort on this large gold deposit at Castle Mountain." With Mr. Cattalani's appointment, Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, previously Vice President, Exploration, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Technical Services. Mr. Cunningham-Dunlop, P. Eng., has over 30 years' experience in supervising gold/base metal exploration and development programs in North/South America, Europe and Africa, and formerly held the positions of VP Exploration for True Gold and Fronteer Gold and COO for Pilot Gold. He joined NewCastle in April 2015 and has overseen the development of the updated geological model, current mineral resource, Phase I drilling, and initiated preliminary engineering and hydrology studies. The new geological model now supports the alignment of near-vertical intrusive quartz-feldspar porphyry bodies along major northeast-southwest structural corridors, with proximal hydrothermal breccias and associated disseminated gold mineralization. The Company has recently staked 4,300 acres of new mining claims in support of this model, seven kilometres to the northeast in Nevada and along trend from the Castle Mountain property (refer to map). Six drill rigs are currently in operation on the Castle Mountain project as part of a 40,000 metre drill program. About NewCastle Gold NewCastle has a 100% interest in the Castle Mountain property in San Bernardino County, California. The Castle Mountain heap leach gold mine produced over one million ounces of gold from 1992 to 2004. The Mine and Reclamation Plan, under which the mine operated, was authorized by the County of San Bernardino as the Lead Agency and remains in effect. Water for the drill programs is accessed from existing patented wells on the Project. An updated NI 43-101 resource for the project was announced December 2, 2015 which includes Measured Mineral Resources of 17.4 million tonnes grading 0.86 g/t gold containing 0.48 million gold ounces, Indicated Mineral Resources of 202.5 million tonnes grading 0.57 g/t gold containing 3.71 million gold ounces along with Inferred Mineral Resources of 40.8 million tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold and containing 0.76 million gold ounces. The Project hosts a disseminated low sulphidation epithermal system. Gold is primarily hosted by late-stage rhyolite volcanic units within zones of silicification and brecciation associated with northeast-southwest trending/southeast dipping fault structures which are interpreted to have developed within a collapsed caldera environment. Eleven gold domains are represented by both steep and shallow-dipping orientations. Ian R. Cunningham-Dunlop, P. Eng., the Company's SVP Technical Services, is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of NI 43-101. He has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained in this release is accurate and has approved of the written disclosure of the same. 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. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward"looking statements" and "forward"looking information" (collectively, "forward"looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward"looking information includes information that relates to, among other things, statements with respect to the completion of the Offering and the proposed use of the net proceeds from the Offering. Forward"looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward"looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by us at the date the forward"looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward"looking information. The material factors or assumptions that we identified and were applied by us in drawing conclusions or making forecasts or projections set out in the forward looking information include, but are not limited to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the merger. The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ material from those expressed or implied by the forward"looking information may include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed under the heading "Risks" in general to the business of NewCastle in documents filed (or to be filed) with Canadian regulatory authorities. Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward"looking information. Accordingly, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward"looking information. NewCastle does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward"looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward"looking information, except as required by applicable law. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/28/11G123393/Images/New_Staking_Map-bca95bcd084e88f0a5b5410827c8edc9.jpg For further information, please contact: NewCastle Gold Ltd. Susan Muir Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Telephone: 416"505"7606 Email: smuir@newcastlegold.ca BAINBRIDGE Youve heard of the thin blue line referring to police, but a Lancaster County township is taking that literally. Supervisors in Conoy Township added a little extra paint to the main road through Bainbridge to support emergency responders, and now theyre at odds with PennDOT. I got into it because I saw a need, Ken Brosey said inside his auto shop Monday. A mechanic by day, he wears many hats. Started out actually as a fire police, and then I moved into firefighting. Hes been listening to radio chatter in his shop for decades. Recently, just outside on 2nd Street, blue lines appeared in between the two solid yellow lines dividing the road. Initially, I didnt know what they were for, Brosey said. Supervisors gave him a flier to explain: Its to support people like him. Just a reminder, more or less, of the first responders that serve the community, he said. Just seemed like blue was the thing to do, township board of supervisors chairman Stephen Mohr said. He didnt expect the response he got. Weve had comments from Texas, from California, emails from Utah, he said. Add PennDOT to that list. Department spokesman Greg Penny said the line breaks with national and state regulations. The township could be liable if someone gets confused or distracted, Penny said, but since its not a state road, the agency is not planning to do anything about it. Of course you pay attention to something thats different when its new, but itll always be that reminder, Brosey said. Its appreciated when were at least recognized for what we do. Mohr said he hopes to do something similar in Falmouth, also in Conoy Township. VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - Press Release Highlights: Drilling on the C4 structure also included 14.06 g/t gold ("Au") over 4.40 meters ("m") in one of the C-Splay structures (C4-30) approximately 40 m into the structural footwall of the main structure, at a vertical depth of approximately 550 m (all downhole thickness and uncapped results). Step out drilling intersected 12.33 g/t Au over 2.10 m and 6.33 g/t Au over 4.50 m in the C5 structure, at vertical depth of 625 m and 825 m respectively (all downhole thickness and uncapped results). Infill drilling in near surface C1 and C1-20 splay structures returned, respectively, 10.53 g/t Au over 3.85 m and 13.12 g/t Au over 7.20 m (all downhole thickness and uncapped results). The Company is drilling approximately 7,000 m per month with seven drill rigs active on the Lamaque Gold Project, including six at Triangle and one testing the Lamaque Deep target. Integra Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: ICG) (OTCQX: ICGQF), ("Integra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from its 2016 drill program on the Triangle Deposit ("Triangle") situated on the Lamaque Gold Project ("Lamaque") in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The results announced today are from 19,310 m of drilling (54 drill holes) conducted in 2016. Assays are currently pending from an additional 9,950 m (23 drill holes) of diamond drilling at Triangle. "Infill and expansion drilling on the C4 and C5 structures continue to underline the resource expansion potential at Triangle beyond the recently disclosed resource estimate update. This series of results, as well as the decreased assay backlog, ensure that the Company will capture most of the 2016 Triangle drilling in the next resource estimate scheduled for Q1 2017," commented Company President and CEO, Stephen de Jong. "The Company is also awaiting assays from the recent drilling of the first Gold Rush target and the initial wedge holes at the Lamaque Deep target. Both of these targets, in addition to the known deposits at Lamaque, highlight the potential for further brownfields discoveries for the Company." Triangle Drill Results Summary The following table highlights selected intercepts from this series of drill results. Detailed results are presented in the link to the full assay results table below. Individual composites are disclosed as both uncapped and capped (when applicable) with individual values capped at 34.3 g/t Au. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From To Interval Gold Interpreted Drill Hole (m) (m) (m)(1) Assay Zone Number (g/t)(2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 445.30 449.10 3.80 35.51 C4 TM-16-151 Capped 22.19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25.50 28.70 3.20 7.55 C1 89.60 96.80 7.20 13.12 C1-20 TM-16-156 Capped 9.98 137.50 140.00 2.50 7.38 C1-60 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 593.30 598.50 5.20 3.29 C4 646.50 650.90 4.40 14.06 C4-30 TM-16-169AM01 Capped 10.16 772.50 774.60 2.10 12.33 C5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 941.70 944.50 2.80 5.65 C4 TM-16-170W01M01 1101.00 1105.50 4.50 6.33 C5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 683.20 685.85 2.65 7.34 C4 795.50 796.20 0.70 15.44 n/a TM-16-171M01 810.90 811.40 0.50 22.40 n/a 841.20 843.90 2.70 6.64 n/a ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TM-16-172A 380.50 383.00 2.50 7.15 C2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TM-16-173 913.90 918.20 4.30 3.40 C4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 988.00 988.55 0.55 57.69 n/a TM-16-173W02 Capped 34.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TM-16-179 246.70 250.00 3.30 7.24 C1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TM-16-186A 419.00 425.00 6.00 5.54 C2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 548.80 550.40 1.60 12.70 n/a TM-16-192 693.20 696.60 3.40 7.59 C4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 173.70 177.55 3.85 10.53 C1 TM-16-212 Capped 9.62 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- n/a - no zone assigned yet Downhole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip; most drill holes are aimed at intersecting the vein structures close to perpendicular therefore true widths are close to downhole widths (approximately 85-90% conversion ratio); true widths of C structure intercepts are presented on longitudinal sections. Selection of mineralized intervals are based on geological observations, i.e. on the amount of quartz veining, and on a 1.00 g/t Au cut-off for compositing; composited intervals are presented uncap and capped (when applicable) with individual values capped at 34.3 g/t Au; no minimum thicknesses considered. To view the full assay results table please click on the following link (today's results are identified in red font): http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/2016_Composites_Compilation_Triangle_vUse_NR_29NOV2016.pdf To view a cross section of Triangle and the No. 4 Plug Deposit please click on the following link: http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/2016-11-29-nrm-icg-n6a4dh.pdf Drilling on the Outer Limits of the C4 Structure Continues to Confirm Zone Continuity and Predictability of Geological Model The results disclosed today from drilling completed on the C4 structure continue to demonstrate mineralization continuity between known drill intercepts. The intercepts, which are from infill drilling on the lateral extensions of the structure, include the following (all results uncapped, downhole width, see assay tables for details): 35.51 g/t Au over 3.80 m (TM-16-151) 5.65 g/t Au over 2.80 m (TM-16-170W01M01) 7.34 g/t Au over 2.65 m (TM-171-M01) 7.59 g/t Au over 3.00 m (TM-16- 192) These results support the Company's current geological and resource model and demonstrate the potential for further resource growth. As illustrated in the attached vertical longitudinal section of the C4 structure (see link below), additional results are pending from infill and extensional drill holes at various depths ranging from 325 m to 825 m vertical. Note that the true thickness of intervals are indicated on all longitudinal sections and will differ from downhole lengths reported in the drill assay tables. http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/LS_C4-DDH_20161123_with_class.pdf Successful Expansion Drilling at the C5 Structure Demonstrates Growth Potential Additional results from expansion drilling at the C5 structure continue to demonstrate the continuity of mineralization on this structure along strike and at depth, further highlighting the potential for resource expansion at Triangle. The C5 structure is located 125 m structurally below and parallel to the C4 structure, the largest of the C structures at Triangle. The results announced today include 12.33 g/t Au over 2.10 m and 6.33 g/t Au over 4.50 m, expanding mineralization on the C5 structure 50 m to the west and at depth. As illustrated in the attached vertical longitudinal section of the C5 structure (see link below), additional results are pending from expansion drilling at various depths. http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/LS_C5-DDH_20161123_with_class.pdf Infill Drilling in the C1 and C1-Splay Structures Continues to Highlight Good Internal Gold Distribution Continuity Results from the C1 and the C1-Splay footwall structures continue to show good internal gold mineralization continuity. The objective of the infill drill program on the C1 and C2 structures, and associated splay structures, is to further define the internal continuity of gold mineralization while providing additional information to guide the development of the underground exploration ramp that was initiated in July 2016. The underground exploration ramp has now advanced 400 m towards its intended target and will reach the first selected areas for the bulk sample in the next few months. The recent intercepts from the C1 and C1-Splay structures include the following (all results uncapped, downhole width, see assay tables for details): 10.53 g/t Au over 3.85 m (C1 - TM-16-211) 7.55 g/t Au over 3.20 m (C1 - TM-16-156) 7.24 g/t Au over 3.30 m (C1 - TM-16-179) 13.12 g/t Au over 7.20 m (C1-20 - TM-16-156) 7.38 g/t Au over 2.50 m (C1-60 - TM-16-156) As illustrated in the longitudinal sections for C1 and C2 (see links below), results from numerous intercepts in these structures are still pending. C1 Longsection: http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/LS_C1-DDH_20161123_with_class.pdf C2 Longsection: http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/LS_C2-DDH_20161123_with_class.pdf High-Grade Mineralization identified between C Structures In addition to the mineralization identified in the primary C and C-Splay structures above, high grade gold bearing intercepts continue to be identified between these well-defined structures. These mineralized zones could represent potential resource upside at Triangle and will be evaluated in future resource modelling and estimation as well as through close spaced underground drilling once underground access is available. Some of the more significant results include (all results uncapped, downhole width, see assay tables for details): 57.69 g/t Au over 0.55 m (TM-16-173W02) 22.40 g/t Au over 0.50 m (TM-16-171M01) 15.44 g/t Au over 0.70 m (TM-16-171M01) 12.70 g/t Au over 1.60 m (TM-16-192) Lamaque Project Exploration Program Summary The results announced today are from 54 drill holes (including partial holes, wedges and abandoned holes) representing 19,310 m. As of November 24, 2016, drill results are still pending from an additional 23 drill holes representing 9,950 m at Triangle. Including the drill results pending at Triangle, a total of 33 drill holes representing 16,900 m are pending at Lamaque. Results will continue to be disclosed as they become available. To date in 2016, a total of 104,350 m of drilling has been completed at Lamaque, of which 92,200 m were completed on Triangle. A total of seven drill rigs are currently operating at Lamaque. One drill rig has started the wedging off of the 2,200 m long pilot hole at the Lamaque Deep target, and six drill rigs are continuing with the Triangle infill and expansion drill program. The first phase of drilling on one of the most interesting and easily accessible targets generated from the Integra Gold Rush Challenge (the Sigma East Extension) was recently completed and assay results are pending. Project and Company Profile Integra Gold is a junior gold exploration company advancing projects in Val-d'Or, Quebec, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Company's primary focus is its high-grade Lamaque South project. In the fall of 2014, Integra completed the accretive acquisition of the Sigma Mill and Mine Complex, a fully permitted 2,200 ton per day mill and tailings facility. With major federal and provincial permits in place, existing infrastructure and significant exploration potential, this acquisition removed major costs and shortened timelines typically associated with mine projects. Integra has raised over $120 million since 2013, at successively higher share prices, despite depressed gold prices. In August 2015, Eldorado Gold Corporation completed a strategic investment in Integra, acquiring 15% of the outstanding common shares. Integra was recently named to the TSX Venture top 50 performers in 2015 and the OTCQX Best 50 award for 2015. Qualified Person The Lamaque project is under the direct supervision of Herve Thiboutot, Eng., Senior Vice-President of the Company, and Jacques Simoneau, P. Geo., Exploration Manager of the Company. Mr. Thiboutot and Mr. Simoneau are Qualified Persons ("QPs") as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. The Company's QPs have reviewed the technical content of this release. Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC") Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the project including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in all drill holes. The core samples are submitted directly to the Bourlamaque and ALS Laboratories in Val-d'Or for preparation and analysis. Analysis is conducted on 1 assay-ton aliquots. Analysis of Au is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption (AA) finish, with a gravimetric finish completed for samples exceeding 5 g/t Au. Results published are from the gravimetric finish if above 5 g/t Au and from the AA finish if lower than 5 g/t Au. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephen de Jong CEO & President Follow Integra Gold On: Twitter: http://twitter.com/integragoldcorp 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking statements, including timing of completion of an updated resource estimate, timing of completion of an updated PEA and completion of the Sigma-Lamaque transaction. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company, including that the Company is able to obtain any government or other regulatory approvals, that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration and development activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, those matters identified in its continuous disclosure filings, including its most recently filed MD&A. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Corporate Inquiries: Chris Gordon: chris@integragold.com Or visit the company website: www.integragold.com DETROIT, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report onGlobal Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Marketby Aircraft Type (Commercial, Regional, General Aviation, Helicopter, and Military Aircraft), by Application (Fuel, Air, and Hydraulic), by Product Type (Hoses & Tubes, Low Pressure Ducts, and High Pressure Ducts), by Materials Type (Titanium & Alloys, Stainless Steel & Alloys, Composites, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2016 - 2021. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160831/402975LOGO ) This strategic report, from Stratview Research, studies the global fluid conveyance systems market in the aerospace & defenseindustry over the period 2010 to 2021. The report provides detailed insights on the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market. The Global Fluid Conveyance Systems Market in the Aerospace & DefenseIndustry: Highlights As per Stratview Research, the global aerospace & defense fluid conveyance systems market offers a healthy growth opportunity of 5.8% CAGR during the forecast period of 2016 to 2021 and reach $3.9 billion in 2021. The author of the report stated that increasing revenue per passenger kilometer due to growing worldwide economy and passenger traffic, increasing commercial and regional aircraft deliveries, increasing share of wide body aircraft in aircraft deliveries, increasing commercial aircraft fleet size, increasing demand of lightweight hoses and ducting and development of efficient engines with high thrust are some of the major drivers of the global aerospace & defense fluid conveyance systems market. High pressure duct was estimated to be the largest product segment in the global aerospace & defense fluid conveyance systems market in 2015, followed by hoses & tubes and low pressure ducts. In terms of materials, Nickel & alloys dominate the global market followed by teflon, composites and titanium & alloys. Composites based systems are likely to experience the fastest growth of 7.8% CAGR from 2016 to 2021 owing to continuous gain in low pressure applications. The author of the report cited that commercial aircraft is expected to remain the largest segment for fluid conveyance during the forecast period. Also, the segment is likely to witness the fastest growth over the next five years as well; whereas military aircraft, the second largest segment, is expected to register the slowest growth for the same period. North America was the most dominant regional market for fluid conveyance systems in aerospace & defense industry in 2015, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. Asia-Pacific region experienced the fastest growth over the last five years for the market and is expected to continue to do so over the next five years as well. As per Stratview Research, the global aerospace & defense fluid conveyance systems market is moderately consolidated with more than two dozen players active in the market. Top 5 players (Eaton Corporation, Senior Plc, Arrowhead Products, Unison Industries, and Zodiac Aerospace) captured more than 50% of the market in 2015. Focus on commercial aircraft, collaboration with OEMs for upcoming aircraft, development of innovative lightweight products, and focus on North America & Asia Pacific are some of the key success factors in the global aerospace & defense fluid conveyance systems market. Report Features This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis. Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis. Market trend and forecast analysis. Market segment trend and forecast. Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc. Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities. Emerging trends. Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players. Key success factors. This report studies fluid conveyance systems market in the global aerospace & defense industry and has segmented the market in five ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. The following are the five ways in which the market is segmented: Global Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Market by Aircraft Type: Commercial Aircraft Regional Aircraft General Aviation Helicopter Military Aircraft Global Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Market by Application: Fuel based Fluid Conveyance System Air based Fluid Conveyance System Hydraulic based Fluid Conveyance System Global Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Market by Products: Hose and Tubes High Pressure Ducts Low Pressure Ducts Global Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Market by Material Type: Titanium and Titanium Alloys Stainless Steel and Alloys Composites Others Global Aerospace & Defense Fluid Conveyance Systems Market by Region: North America Europe Asia - Pacific Rest of the World Stratview Research has number of high value market reports in the global aerospace & defense industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports: Click Here for Other Reports from Stratview Research in the Aerospace & Defense Industry Some of our other premium market reports in the aerospace & defense industry: Global Aerospace & Defense Ducting Market by Aircraft Type, by Application, by Pressure Type, by Materials Type, and by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2016 - 2021 Global aerospace & defense ducting market was estimated at $1.7 Billion in 2015, and is likely to grow with a CAGR of 5.9% over the next five years to reach $2.5 Billion by 2021. in 2015, and is likely to grow with a CAGR of 5.9% over the next five years to reach by 2021. Increasing revenue per passenger kilometer due to growing worldwide economy and passenger traffic, increasing commercial and regional aircraft deliveries, increasing share of wide body aircraft in aircraft deliveries, and increasing commercial aircraft fleet size are some of the major growth drivers of the aerospace & defense ducting market. The market is moderately consolidated with more than two dozen players active in the market and top five players capturing close to 52% of the market in 2015. Global Aerospace Galley Equipment Market by Aircraft Type, by Platform, by Galley Type, by Insert Type, by Fit Type, by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2016 - 2021 In the year 2015, the global aerospace galley equipment market was estimated at $2.1 Billion , and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% over the next five years to reach $3.2 Billion by 2021. , and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% over the next five years to reach by 2021. The market is highly consolidated with less than half a dozen players. Top 3 players (Zodiac Aerospace, BE Aerospace, Jamco) captured 69% of the market in 2015. About Stratview Research Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas. We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies. Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making. For any enquiries, Contact: RiteshGandecha Stratview Research E-mail:sales@stratviewresearch.com Direct: 1-313-307-4176 Feel free to drop an enquiry with us in the below page and our team will get back to you very soon: http://www.stratviewresearch.com/register.php NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA), AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AFRICA, IN ANY MEMBER STATE OF THE EEA (OTHER THAN THE UNITED KINGDOM) OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SAME WOULD BE UNLAWFUL This announcement is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful. This announcement is an advertisement and does not constitute a prospectus and investors must only subscribe for or purchase any shares referred to in this announcement on the basis of information contained in a prospectus published today by the Company (as defined below) and any supplementary prospectus issued by the Company prior to the relevant Admission (as defined below) and not in reliance on this announcement. Neither this announcement nor any part of it shall form the basis of or be relied on in connection with or act as an inducement to enter into any contract, commitment or investment decision whatsoever to purchase shares in the Company or otherwise. 29 November 2016 Acorn Income Fund Limited (the "Company") Publication of Circular and Prospectus 1. Introduction The Board today announces proposals including: (i) the extension of the life of the existing ZDP Shares to 28 February 2022; (ii) a Continuation Offer to ZDP Shareholders whereby such holders are given an opportunity to either receive their 2017 Final Capital Entitlement in cash on 31 January 2017 or to continue their investment in the existing ZDP Shares and have the right to receive the 2022 Final Capital Entitlement of 167.2 pence per ZDP Share on 28 February 2022; and (iii) the issue of New Ordinary Shares and New ZDP Shares pursuant to the Issues. The Proposals require the approval of Ordinary Shareholders and ZDP Shareholders at the Meetings, which have been convened for 20 December 2016. The Company will shortly be publishing a circular (the "Circular") to provide details of the Proposals and to set out the reasons why the Board recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Proposals at the Meetings, as well as to set out the actions required to be taken by ZDP Shareholders in respect of the Continuation Offer. Shareholders and other investors also have the opportunity to participate in the Initial Placing and Offer. Shareholders considering participation in the Initial Placing and Offer should refer to the prospectus also being published by the Company. The Circular and Prospectus will also shortly be available on the Company's website at: https://www.premierfunds.co.uk/media/899292/acorn-income-fund-circular-november-2016.pdf; and https://www.premierfunds.co.uk/media/899303/acorn-income-fund-prospectus-november-2016.pdf. Further information on the Company can be found at: https://www.premierfunds.co.uk/advisers/investments/investment-trusts/acorn-income-fund. For further information please contact: Investment Manager: Premier Fund Managers Limited Nigel Sidebottom Tel: +44 (0) 1483 400 465 Email: nigelsidebottom@premierfunds.co.uk Broker, Financial Adviser and Sponsor: Numis Securities Limited Nathan Brown Tel: +44 (0) 20 7260 1426 Email: n.brown@numis.com Company Secretary: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Cara De La Mare Tel: +44 (0) 1481 745498 Email: cd109@ntrs.com 2. Background to and reasons for the Proposals The Company currently has two classes of Shares in issue: Ordinary Shares and ZDP Shares. The Ordinary Shares have been traded on the main market of the London Stock Exchange since February 1999. Since that date, the Company has issued further Ordinary Shares and ZDP Shares from time to time, all of which are admitted to listing by the UK Listing Authority and traded on the premium segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange. As at the date of this document, the Company's issued share capital is 17,186,664 Ordinary Shares and 23,069,931 ZDP Shares (Note 1). The ZDP Shares currently carry the right to receive the 2017 Final Capital Entitlement at the end of their life and provide gearing for the Ordinary Shareholders. ZDP Shareholders are entitled to receive the 2017 Final Capital Entitlement of 138 pence per ZDP Share on 31 January 2017. Accordingly, the Company is committed (to the extent required) to repaying the aggregate 2017 Final Capital Entitlement of the ZDP Shareholders, of approximately 29.473 million, on that date. Under the Articles, the Directors are required, every five years, to propose the Discontinuation Resolution that the Company should cease to continue as presently constituted. At the annual general meeting of the Company held on 26 September 2016, the Company's third Discontinuation Resolution was proposed but not passed. This was in line with the Directors' recommendation and your Board is pleased that Shareholders have expressed their support for the continuation of the Company in its present form. As announced by the Company on that date, the Board has been considering the refinancing of the ZDP Shares. The Board considers that it is in the best interests of the Company to maintain the gearing afforded by the ZDP Shares after 31 January 2017 and to give ZDP Shareholders the opportunity to continue their investment in the Company. The Board proposes that the life of the ZDP Shares be extended such that they carry the right to receive the 2022 Final Capital Entitlement of 167.2 pence per ZDP Share on 28 February 2022. This represents a Gross Redemption Yield of 3.85 per cent. from the Effective Date (Note 2), which is a lower cost of gearing than the ZDP Shares currently represent. The ability of the Company to pay the 2022 Final Capital Entitlement is dependent on the performance of the Company's investment portfolios. The ZDP Shares are not a guaranteed, protected or secured investment and ZDP Shareholders may therefore not receive their full 2022 Final Capital Entitlement. The Proposals therefore involve refinancing the ZDP Shares at what the Board believes is an attractive Gross Redemption Yield that should allow the Company to continue to provide Ordinary Shareholders with a high level of income, underpinned by the Company's material revenue reserve, as well as the opportunity for further capital growth. The Board believes that there is strong support amongst ZDP Shareholders for an option that would enable them to continue all or some of their existing investment in the ZDP Shares. 3. Overview of the Proposals The Proposals comprise: (i) the adoption of the New Articles which will, inter alia, extend the term of the ZDP Shares to 28 February 2022 and provide for a 2022 Final Capital Entitlement of 167.2 pence per ZDP Share; (ii) the Continuation Offer to ZDP Shareholders whereby such holders are given an opportunity to either receive their 2017 Final Capital Entitlement in cash on 31 January 2017 or to continue their investment in the ZDP Shares (or a combination thereof); and (iii) the issue of New Ordinary Shares and New ZDP Shares pursuant to the Initial Placing and Offer and the Placing Programme. A continuation of an investment in the ZDP Shares provides an alternative to the cash payment to which ZDP Shareholders are currently entitled on 31 January 2017 and will allow ZDP Shareholders who elect for the Continuation Option to continue their investment in the Company. As noted in the Circular, UK resident ZDP Shareholders who elect for the Continuation Option should not generally be treated as making a disposal for the purposes of UK taxation of chargeable gains as a result of doing so. It is important to note that the discussion of the tax treatment contained in the Circular is intended only as a general and non-exhaustive summary of the expected tax treatment and ZDP Shareholders are advised to seek independent professional advice as to the tax consequences for them of the Proposals. 4. Key features of the amended ZDP Shares If the Proposals are adopted, the ZDP Shares: will have a repayment date of 28 February 2022; are designed to provide ZDP Shareholders accepting the Continuation Offer with a level of capital growth equivalent to a gross redemption yield of 3.85 per cent. per annum (Note 3); subject to the Company having sufficient assets at the time, will carry the right to be paid the 2022 Final Capital Entitlement of 167.2 pence in cash on 28 February 2022; and will benefit from enhanced Cover protection, as the Cover Test to be applied prior to any issuance of New ZDP Shares (including under the Issues) or any repurchase of Ordinary Shares and/or ZDP Shares by the Company will be increased from 1.85 times to 2.0 times. Save as set out above, the rights of the ZDP Shares following the implementation of the Proposals will be the same as the rights of the existing ZDP Shares. The amended rights of the ZDP Shares are set out in the New Articles and are described in full in the Circular. The New Articles are summarised in their entirety in the Circular. The New Articles are available for inspection as set out in the Circular. On the assumption that (i) the Company's gross assets on the Calculation Date are 91.086 million, which were its gross assets on the Latest Practicable Date (less the estimated fixed costs of the Proposals); and (ii) 21,357,174 ZDP Shares remain in issue following the Effective Date with an Initial NAV per ZDP Share of 138 pence per ZDP Share, which will be the accrued capital entitlement of a ZDP Share as at the Effective Date, then it is expected that, following the Effective Date, the Company's gross assets would need to fall by 15.9 per cent. per annum, in order for the ZDP Shares not to receive their full 2022 Final Capital Entitlement of 167.2 pence per New ZDP Share on 28 February 2022. The ability of the Company to pay the 2022 Final Capital Entitlement is dependent on the performance of the Company's investment portfolios. New ZDP Shares are not a guaranteed, protected or secured investment and ZDP Shareholders may therefore not receive their full 2022 Final Capital Entitlement. 5. The Continuation Offer 5.1 Options available to ZDP Shareholders in the Continuation Offer Under the Continuation Offer, ZDP Shareholders who are on the Register as at the Record Date will be entitled to: (i) receive their 2017 Final Capital Entitlement in cash on the 2017 Repayment Date (the 'Cash Option'); (ii) elect to continue their investment in the ZDP Shares, the rights of which will be amended as set out in this document (the 'Continuation Option'); or (iii) make different choices in respect of different parts of their holdings of ZDP Shares, as suits their personal investment objectives. Details of the action to be taken by ZDP Shareholders in relation to the Continuation Offer are set out in the Circular. ZDP Shareholders are recommended to choose the Option(s) they would prefer in respect of their ZDP Shares. The Form of Election need only be completed, or a TTE Instruction submitted, as appropriate, by ZDP Shareholders who wish to make a full or partial election for the Continuation Option. If ZDP Shareholders wish to receive only the Cash Option, no action needs to be taken. The default option under the Continuation Offer will be the Cash Option, meaning that a ZDP Shareholder who, in respect of all or part of his or her holding of ZDP Shares, fails to submit a valid Form of Election or a valid TTE Instruction, as appropriate, by the due date or submits a Form of Election which has not been duly completed or an invalid TTE Instruction, will be deemed to have elected for the Cash Option in respect of such holding. Overseas Shareholders will be deemed to have elected for the Cash Option in respect of their entire holding of ZDP Shares, save as provided at paragraph 5.5 below. 5.2 Mechanics of the Continuation Offer The Continuation Offer will be implemented by way of (i) the adoption of the New Articles and (ii) the redemption of ZDP Shares in respect of which valid Elections are deemed to be made for the Cash Option, each on the Effective Date. No new securities will be issued by the Company in connection with the Continuation Offer, although New ZDP Shares will be available under the Initial Placing. The New Articles contain the amended rights attaching to the ZDP Shares as set out in the Circular. The New Articles also contain a right attaching to all ZDP Shares in respect of which an Election has been deemed to be made for the Cash Option in accordance with the Proposals set out in this document for such ZDP Shares to be redeemed on 31 January 2017 at a redemption price of 138 pence per ZDP Share (being the 2017 Final Capital Entitlement). If the Proposals are approved by Shareholders, on the Effective Date: (i) the New Articles will be adopted; and (ii) ZDP Shares in respect of which an Election has been deemed to be made for the Cash Option will be entitled to receive the 2017 Final Capital Entitlement on 31 January 2017. ZDP Shareholders who have validly Elected for the Continuation Option shall continue to hold ZDP Shares on the amended terms as set out in the New Articles. The Continuation Offer will be conducted on the terms set out in this document and, to the extent applicable, the New Articles. In the case of any discrepancy between this document and the New Articles, the terms of the New Articles will prevail. The Directors have absolute discretion to determine any procedural or administrative matter in respect of the Continuation Offer, including as to whether an Election has been validly made. 5.3 Dealings in ZDP Shares The latest time and date for receipt of the Forms of Election or TTE Instructions from ZDP Shareholders in respect of the Continuation Offer is 5.00 p.m. on 13 January 2017. A purchaser of ZDP Shares after this time will not be entitled to make an Election under the Continuation Offer. The Record Date, being the date for determining which ZDP Shareholders are entitled to participate in the Continuation Offer, is 5.00 p.m. on 31 January 2017. The ZDP Shares will all be disabled in CREST after close of business on 31 January 2017 and the existing ISIN number GG00B4W1FT21 (the 'Old ISIN') will expire. The new ISIN number GG00BYMJ7X48 (the 'New ISIN') in respect of the ZDP Shares which have not been redeemed will be enabled and available for transactions from and including 1 February 2017. Up to and including 31 January 2017, ZDP Shares will be traded under the Old ISIN and, as such, a purchaser of such ZDP Shares should confirm with the seller whether the ZDP Shares being purchased have been elected for the Continuation Offer. Absent such confirmation, the buyer would have a market claim for the equivalent of the redemption proceeds of such ZDP Shares. CREST will automatically transform any open transactions as at the close of business on 31 January 2017 into the New ISIN. If ZDP Shareholders dispose of their ZDP Shares otherwise than through the London Stock Exchange, they must make their own arrangements with the other parties concerned as regards entitlement under the Continuation Offer. 5.4 Share certificates and payment of cash entitlements The Cash Option Existing certificates in respect of ZDP Shares in respect of which elections are deemed to have been received for the Cash Option will cease to be of value for any purpose on the Effective Date, and any existing credit of such ZDP Shares in any stock account in CREST will be cancelled. If the Proposals become effective, cheques or BACS payments in respect of the 2017 Final Capital Entitlements due to ZDP Shareholders who are deemed to have elected for the Cash Option are expected to be despatched by the Receiving Agent on 3 February 2017. All documents and remittances despatched to or from ZDP Shareholders or their appointed agents in connection with the Proposals will be despatched at Shareholders' own risk and no acknowledgement will be issued for receipt of Forms of Election or TTE Instructions. The Continuation Option ZDP Shareholders who hold their ZDP Shares in certificated form and who elect for the Continuation Option will receive replacement certificates in respect of their ZDP Shares. Existing certificates in respect of ZDP Shares in respect of which elections are made for the Continuation Option will cease to be of value for any purpose, and any existing credit of such ZDP Shares in any stock account in CREST will be cancelled, following the despatch to ZDP Shareholders of share certificates in respect of the continuing ZDP Shares (or, in the case of ZDP Shareholders previously holding their ZDP Shares in uncertificated form, the appropriate stock accounts in CREST of such ZDP Shareholders are credited with their respective entitlements to continuing ZDP Shares). 5.5 Overseas Shareholders ZDP Shareholders who are Overseas Shareholders will not receive a Form of Election and will (unless the Directors determine otherwise) receive their 2017 Final Capital Entitlement in cash in respect of their entire holding of ZDP Shares, unless they have satisfied the Directors that it is lawful for the Continuation Offer to be made and for the Continuation Option to be accepted by them under any relevant overseas laws and regulations. 5.6 Taxation The attention of ZDP Shareholders is drawn to the Taxation section of the Circular which sets out a general guide to certain aspects of current UK and Guernsey taxation law and HMRC published practice. 6. Adoption of New Articles It is proposed that, with effect from the Effective Date, the Company adopts the New Articles in replacement of the Existing Articles. The New Articles will set out the amended rights of the ZDP Shares as provided for by the Proposals. The New Articles will also make certain other changes from the existing Articles to reflect recent changes in Guernsey company law and to update them generally. The amended rights of the ZDP Shares as set out in the New Articles are described in full in the Circular. The New Articles are summarised in their entirety in the Prospectus. The Existing Articles and the New Articles (including a comparison document showing the changes between the two) are available for inspection as set out in the Circular. 7. The Issues The Initial Placing of New ZDP Shares is intended to allow the Company to maintain its existing capital structure following the implementation of the Proposals, through the issue of New ZDP Shares to replace those ZDP Shares in respect of which elections are deemed to be made for the Cash Option. The Directors also believe that it is in the interests of the Company for existing Shareholders and new investors to have the opportunity to subscribe for further Ordinary Shares. The Company is therefore proposing the Initial Placing and Offer of New Ordinary Shares, and the Placing Programme which is designed to enable the Company to satisfy subsequent demand for New Ordinary Shares and New ZDP Shares. To the extent that there are applications for New Ordinary Shares under the Initial Placing and Offer, the Company will have the ability to issue additional New ZDP Shares under the Initial Placing to allow the Company to maintain its existing capital structure following the implementation of the Proposals. It is the Company's intention to target an Initial Placing and Offer size that will maintain the current balance of the Company's capital structure. The ratio of Ordinary Shares to ZDP Shares currently in issue is 1: 1.3423134 (the 'Target Ratio') and, following completion of the Continuation Offer and the Initial Placing and Offer, the Company intends to approximately maintain the Target Ratio. The number of New ZDP Shares that may be issued under the Initial Placing is limited accordingly. The Directors have no present intention to issue further New ZDP Shares after Admission of the Initial Placing and Offer Shares except to the extent that, following the Effective Date, the number of ZDP Shares for each Ordinary Share in issue is less than the Target Ratio (meaning that the gearing on the Ordinary Shares is less than intended). The Directors also reserve the ability to issue further ZDP Shares on an ongoing basis under the Placing Programme (subject to the Cover Test). In planning the proposed capital structure of the Company, the Directors have had regard to the requirement to maintain a balance between, on the one hand, the objective of providing a competitive yield and security of repayment for the ZDP Shareholders and, on the other hand, the objective of providing Ordinary Shareholders with a high level of income coupled with capital growth over the long-term. The Initial Issue Price per New Ordinary Share will be determined by the Company as the price equal to the cum-income Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share on the Calculation Date plus a 1 per cent. premium. The Initial Issue Price per New ZDP Share will be determined by the Company. The Company may only issue New ZDP Shares under the Placing Programme in circumstances where, immediately following such issue (i) the Cover Test is met; or (ii) Cover is otherwise increased. At the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Company is seeking approval from Shareholders to issue New Ordinary Shares and New ZDP Shares on a non-pre-emptive basis, subject to certain parameters. These authorities are intended to allow the Initial Placing and Offer to be undertaken and, thereafter, to allow the Company to issue Shares under the Placing Programme. Further details of the Issues are set out in the Prospectus. 8. Conditions to the Proposals 8.1 The Continuation Offer is conditional upon: 8.1.1 the passing of the Resolutions to be proposed at the ZDP Class Meeting, the Ordinary Class Meeting and the Extraordinary General Meeting and upon any conditions of such Resolutions being satisfied; and 8.1.2 the Minimum ZDP Class Size being achieved. 8.2 In addition to the conditions set out above, the Initial Placing and Offer is conditional, inter alia, on: 8.2.1 the Placing and Offer Agreement becoming wholly unconditional (save as to Admission of the Initial Placing and Offer Shares) and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms prior to such Admission; and 8.2.2 Admission of the Initial Placing and Offer Shares occurring by 8.00 a.m. on 1 February 2017 (or such later date as the Company and Numis may agree in writing, being not later than 8.00 a.m. on 28 February 2017). 8.3 In addition to the conditions set out above, the Placing Programme is conditional, inter alia, on: 8.3.1 the Placing and Offer Agreement not having been terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the Admission of the New Shares issued pursuant to such issue under the Placing Programme; 8.3.2 the Placing Programme Price being determined by the Directors as described in the Prospectus; 8.3.3 in respect of any issue of New ZDP Shares, immediately following such issue (i) the Cover Test would be met, or (ii) Cover would be otherwise increased; 8.3.4 Admission of the New Shares issued pursuant to such issue under the Placing Programme; and 8.3.5 a valid prospectus being published by the Company if such is required by the Prospectus Rules. 9. Costs of the Proposals The Company estimates that it will incur costs of approximately 390,000 in respect of the development and implementation of the Proposals. The Company will also incur variable costs in connection with the Issues, which includes commission payable to Numis, which will increase in line with the total amount raised pursuant to the Issues. It is expected that these costs will be substantively covered by the premium generated on issuing the New Ordinary Shares (and potentially the New ZDP Shares) at the Initial Issue Prices. 10. Certain considerations relating to the Proposals The implementation of, and an Election for the Continuation Offer under, the Proposals carry with them certain considerations for Shareholders as described below: ZDP Shareholders will need to consider the tax consequences of the Proposals, based on their particular circumstances. As described in the Circular, UK resident ZDP Shareholders who are deemed to elect for the Cash Option will generally be treated as a making a disposal of their existing ZDP Shares and may incur a tax liability as a result. Similarly, ZDP Shareholders who elect to continue some or all of their entitlement in the ZDP Shares may incur tax liabilities on any subsequent disposal of their ZDP Shares. Shareholders who are in any doubt as to the tax consequences of the Proposals should seek independent professional advice. ZDP Shareholders who elect to continue their investment in the ZDP Shares pursuant to the Continuation Offer should not generally be treated as making a disposal for the purposes of UK taxation of chargeable gains as a result of doing so; the default option under the Continuation Offer is for a ZDP Shareholder to receive the 2017 Final Capital Entitlement in cash on 31 January 2017. ZDP Shareholders making no Election under the Continuation Offer will therefore receive cash; the ZDP Shares are designed to be held over the long-term and may not be suitable as short-term investments. There can be no guarantee that any appreciation in the value of the Company's investments will occur and investors may not get back the full value of their investment. The past performance of the Company is not a guide to the future performance of the Company; there can be no guarantee that the investment objective of the Company will be achieved. A failure to meet the investment objective may have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to pay the 2022 Final Capital Entitlement in full on 28 February 2022; the ZDP Shares rank prior to the Ordinary Shares in respect of the Final Capital Entitlement, save in respect of any undistributed income of the Company standing to the credit of the Company's accounting revenue reserves. Although that is the case, on a return of assets, including the winding-up of the Company, ZDP Shareholders would only receive payment if there are sufficient assets of the Company and having regard to all other unsecured liabilities of the Company. ZDP Shares are not a secured, protected or guaranteed investment; and Ordinary Shareholders should be aware that the level of gearing afforded by the ZDP Shares may change depending on the results of the Proposals. To the extent that existing ZDP Shareholders do not elect to continue their investment in ZDP Shares, the Company will seek to issue New ZDP Shares to rebalance the Company's gearing as indicated at paragraph 7 above. However, there can be no guarantee that the Issues will be successful. In the event that materially fewer ZDP Shares remain in issue following the Effective Date, the gearing, and therefore revenue earnings per Ordinary Share, may be materially less than historically. This may result in the dividend yield of the Ordinary Shares being materially lower than historically. In such an event the Board may consider proposals for increasing the gearing of the Company otherwise than by the ZDP Shares. The choice between the Options available under the Continuation Offer will be a matter for each ZDP Shareholder to decide and will be influenced by their individual circumstances and investment objectives. ZDP Shareholders should, before making any Election, read carefully the information on the Options in this document and the accompanying Prospectus in relation to the Company. Shareholders who are in any doubt as to the contents of this document or as to the action to be taken should immediately seek their own personal financial advice from their independent professional adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. 11. The Meetings The implementation of the Proposals requires Shareholder approval at the following Meetings: the passing by ZDP Shareholders of the ordinary resolution to be proposed at the ZDP Class Meeting; the passing by Ordinary Shareholders of the special resolution to be proposed at the Ordinary Class Meeting; and the passing by Ordinary Shareholders and ZDP Shareholders (voting together) of Resolution 1, and by Ordinary Shareholders alone of Resolutions 2 to 7 (inclusive) to be proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Notices of the ZDP Class Meeting, the Ordinary Class Meeting and the Extraordinary General Meeting, which have been convened for 20 December 2016, are set out in the Circular. 12. Expected timetable 2016 Latest date for receipt of forms of proxy 16 December ZDP Class Meeting 2.00 p.m. on 20 December Ordinary Class Meeting* 2.05 p.m. on 20 December Extraordinary General Meeting* 2.10 p.m. on 20 December Publication of the results of the Meetings 20 December 2017 Latest time and date for receipt of the Forms of Election or TTE Instructions from ZDP Shareholders in respect of the Continuation Offer* 5.00 p.m. on 13 January Latest time and date for receipt of Application Forms under the Offer for Subscription 11.00 a.m. on 20 January Calculation Date 25 January Publication of the Initial Issue Prices 27 January Latest time and date for receipt of commitments under the Initial Placing 11.00 a.m. on 27 January Record Date for entitlement to the Continuation Offer 5.00 p.m. on 31 January Publication of the results of the Continuation Offer and the Initial Placing and Offer 31 January Effective Date of the Proposals 31 January Admission and dealings in the Initial Placing and Offer Shares commence 8.00 a.m. on 1 February CREST accounts of ZDP Shareholders who elect for the Continuation Option credited with amended ZDP Shares (for holders in uncertificated form) as soon as practicable after 8.00 a.m. on 1 February Consideration expected to be despatched to ZDP Shareholders who are deemed to have elected for the Cash Option via cheque or BACS 3 February Despatch of (i) replacement ZDP Share certificates to ZDP Shareholders who elect for the Continuation Option (to holders in certificated form) and (ii) despatch of certificates for the Initial Placing and Offer Shares (for holders in certificated form) in the week commencing 6 February * Or as soon thereafter as the preceding Meeting concludes or is adjourned. ** ZDP Shareholders who wish to receive the 2017 Final Capital Entitlement in respect of their entire holding of ZDP Shares in cash do not need to complete a Form of Election or send a TTE Instruction and will be deemed to have elected for the Cash Option. All of the times and dates in the expected timetable may be extended or brought forward without further notice. If any of the above times and/or dates change materially, the revised time(s) and/or date(s) will be notified to Shareholders by an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service provider. All references to time in this document are to UK time. 13. Notes 1 Of which, 1,275,972 Ordinary Shares and 1,712,757 ZDP Shares are held in treasury. 2 Based on the Initial NAV per ZDP Share on the Effective Date, being 138 pence. The Initial Issue Price per New ZDP Share under the Issues may differ from the indicative issue price available under the Continuation Offer. 3 Based on the Initial NAV per ZDP Share on the Effective Date, being 138 pence, and therefore represents the prospective return for ZDP Shareholders under the Continuation Offer. The Initial Issue Price per New ZDP Share under the Issues, and therefore the prospective return under the Initial Placing, may differ. 4 Capitalised terms used but not defined in this announcement will have the same meaning as set out in the Circular dated 29 November 2016. 5 A copy of the Circular and Prospectus will shortly be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The pound advanced against its key counterparts in the European session on Tuesday, after data showed that U.K. mortgage approvals increased to a 7-month high in October, reflecting a substantial improvement in housing market activity. The number of mortgages approvals increased to 67,518 in October from 63,594 in September. This was the highest since March, when approvals totaled 69,994. The expected level was 65,000. Total lending to individuals increased by GBP 4.9 billion in October compared to GBP 4.7 billion in September. Within total lending, secured lending rose GBP 3.3 billion, the same increase as seen in September but slightly bigger than the expected GBP 3.2 billion. Consumer credit increased by GBP 1.6 billion or 0.9 percent in October from September. Credit was forecast to grow GBP 1.5 billion. The currency was trading in a negative territory in the previous session amid rising risk aversion, as investors doubted whether the OPEC meeting on Wednesday would finalize an agreement on reducing oil production. The pound appreciated to a 4-day high of 0.8491 against the euro, compared to 0.8545 hit late New York Monday. If the pound extends rise, 0.82 is possibly seen as its next resistance level. Survey data from the European Commission showed that Eurozone economic confidence improved to a 11-month high in November. The economic sentiment index came in at 106.5, up from 106.4 in October but below the expected score of 106.8. This was the highest since December 2015 when the reading was 106.6. The pound, having fallen to a 6-day low of 138.52 against the Japanese yen at 6:45 pm ET, reversed direction and climbed to 140.57. The next possible resistance for the pound-yen pair is seen around the 142.00 region. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that Japan's jobless rate stood at a seasonally adjusted 3.0 percent in October, in line with forecasts and unchanged from the previous month. The job-to-applicant ratio came in at 1.40, beating forecasts for 1.39 and up from 1.38 in the previous month. The pound strengthened to a 4-day high of 1.2672 against the Swiss franc, reversing from its Asian session's decline of 1.2552. Continuation of the pound's uptrend may see it challenging resistance around the 1.28 zone. Following a decline to 1.2388 against the greenback at 9:45 pm ET, the pound advanced to 1.2490. Further uptrend may take the pound-greenback pair to a resistance around the 1.26 area. Looking ahead, preliminary German CPI data for November, Canada current account data for the third quarter, U.S. second estimate GDP data for the third quarter, U.S. S&P Case-Shiller home price index for September, and U.S. consumer confidence index for November are set to be published in the New York session. At 9:15 am ET, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley is expected to speak about the opportunities for economic growth, in Puerto Rico. At 12:40 pm ET, Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell is expected to speak about the economic outlook at the Economic Club of Indiana Luncheon, in Indianapolis. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de BALTIMORE, MD -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Each year, members of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) select two doctors who have made outstanding clinical contributions to the field of hair restoration surgery. At the Annual Scientific Meeting of ISHRS in Las Vegas this year, Baltimore hair transplant surgeon James E. Vogel, MD was granted the esteemed Golden Follicle Award for his ongoing dedication to achieving excellence in the research, education, and practice of medical hair restoration. In his video acceptance speech, Dr. Vogel expresses his deep gratitude and describes receiving the award as, "One of the significant milestones in my profession." He goes on to explain that the award is especially meaningful because it "comes from my peers and an organization that has done so much for me both professionally and personally." As one of the founding members and a Fellow of ISHRS, Dr. Vogel has a long history with the global, non-profit medical association. Over the years, he has been an active member of ISHRS and has held many positions, including serving as Society President, Annual Meeting Program Chairman, Scientific Committee Chairman, and as a member of the Board of Governors and ISHRS Executive Committee. In addition to being a distinguished hair transplant surgeon who offers the latest hair restoration techniques (including corrective hair transplants), Dr. Vogel is also a board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Beyond his practice, he is the Associate Professor of Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, a frequently published author, and a respected hair restoration instructor. Since winning the 2016 Golden Follicle Award, Dr. Vogel is continuing to help men and women overcome hair loss and exploring new techniques for improving his patients' hair transplant results. About James E. Vogel, MD, FACS Dr. Vogel is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to offering cosmetic surgery procedures to improve the appearance of the face, body, breasts, and skin, Dr. Vogel provides a complete array of hair restoration treatments and surgical hair transplant procedures. As one of the nation's leading hair transplant surgeons, Dr. Vogel has a special focus on follicular unit extraction (FUE) techniques and procedures to correct undesirable hair transplants performed by other doctors. He is available for interview upon request. For more information about Dr. Vogel and his practice, please visit drvogelplasticsurgeon.com or facebook.com/drjamesevogel. To view the original source of this press release, click here: https://www.drvogelplasticsurgeon.com/news-room/baltimore-hair-transplant-surgeon-wins-prestigious-award-for-contributions-in-medical-hair-restoration Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3085206 James E. Vogel, M.D., F.A.C.S. 4 Park Center Court Suite 100 Owings Mills, MD 21117 (410) 484-8860 Rosemont Media (858) 200-0044 www.rosemontmedia.com Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "North Sea Oil and Gas Downstream Market Outlook to 2021" report to their offering. The downstream sector handles the final processing, marketing, production and distribution and thus completes the lifecycle of the oil & gas market. With the fall in the oil prices in 2015, the raw material buying power of these companies has increased. Availability of cheap crude oil has enabled huge profits for the companies by selling refined products to the industries. However, if the low oil prices continue to persist beyond a period, because of the oversupply, high inventories and slower demand growth from the countries in the region, there would be pressure on the margins made by the downstream companies. Key Deliverables in the Study The North Sea downstream oil gas market analysis, with assessments and competition analysis on a regional scale Market definition along with the identification of key drivers and restraints The North Sea downstream oil gas market report presents an overview of the main economic, political, environmental and regulatory aspects to consider when investing in the sector Identification of factors instrumental in changing the market scenario, rising prospective opportunities, and identification of key companies that can influence this market Extensively researched competitive landscape section with profiles of major companies along with their market share Identification and analysis of the macro and micro factors that affect The North Sea downstream oil gas market on both global and regional scale A comprehensive list of key market players along with the analysis of their current strategic interests and key financial information A wide-ranging knowledge and insights about the domestic and international players in this industry and the key strategies adopted by them to sustain and grow in the oil gas market Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Research Approach and Methodology 3. Market Overview 4. Market Dynamics 5. PESTLE Analysis 6. The North Sea Upstream Oil and Gas Scenario 7. The North Sea Downstream Oil and Gas Scenario 8. Company Profiles of key players 9. Competitive Landscape 10. Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vbmxh3/north_sea_oil_and View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005702/en/ Contacts: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Topics: Gas, Oil LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Domino's Pizza is training reindeer in Japan for pizza delivery in the freezing weather during the country's winter season. In a video released by the Japanese unit, employees are shown leading the reindeer with delivery boxes attached to its back around a parking lot, and on a red sleigh. The test period is ongoing in the city of Ishikari in northern Japan's Hokkaido. The employees monitor the reindeer's progress through smartphone with the company's GPS Driver Tracker. The company is said to be working with the Research Center of Hokkaido to make sure the safety of these animals. Reindeer can travel trough heavy snow conditions where cars or bicycle fails to do. Domino's Japan reportedly stated that the move is part of its pizza delivery action plan. Domino's opened its first store in Japan in 1985. Domino's, which operates in more than 60 countries, is working on a variety of delivery methods around the world. Domino's has delivered pizza through drone in New Zealand, and has also sent food through canoe steered by a pizza buoy in Kent, UK. 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) -- 11/29/16 -- TOMAGOLD CORPORATION (TSX VENTURE: LOT) ("TomaGold" or the "Corporation") is pleased to provide an update on its activities and a summary of its strategic plan for 2016-17. "In 2016, TomaGold significantly enhanced its property portfolio by acquired high-quality mining projects," said David Grondin, President and CEO of TomaGold. "We signed agreements to acquire interests in three advanced gold development projects, some of which are under joint venture agreements with major mining companies. We are now at the next stage of our strategic plan, which consists of enhancing the value of our various projects. Our immediate objective is to close our financing, after which we will focus on developing our projects in Canada. We expect 2017 to be very active for TomaGold" On August 23, the Corporation announced the first closing of a convertible secured debenture (the "Debenture"), for $300,000 out of a total of $2,000,000. The Debenture will bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and will mature 24 months from the date of issue. The Company is pursuing its efforts to close on the remaining amount by December 31, 2016. Work Program Obalski Property (100% TomaGold) The Obalski property consists of 22 claims and one mining concession covering a total of 345 hectares. It also hosts seven separate mineralized zones, one 85-metre shaft and two ramps. A total of 230 holes have been drilled on the property for a total of over 60,000 metres of drilling, most of which was surface drilling. In 1964, United Obalski Mining Co. Ltd. mined a total of 90,093 tons grading 3.0 g/t Au, 6.2 g/t Ag and 1.53% Cu from the property. In the summer of 2016, reconnaissance work was carried out on the property, enabling the Corporation to locate 98 old drill casings. The Corporation is currently compiling data from drill logs, plans, sections and old drill casings, in order to build a 3D model of the project. Next steps The Corporation expects to conduct an 1,800-metre drilling program on the Obalski property in the winter of 2017. The holes will target an area where mineralized zones A and B intersect and are in contact with the rocks of the Lac Dore Complex. Hazeur Property (option to earn 70%) A drilling program took place on the Hazeur property in July 2016, consisting of seven holes totalling 1,728 metres. Hole HA-16-04 returned the best results, with 6.50 g/t Au over 1.95 metres and 1.63 g/t Au over 5.25 metres. Based on observation of core dip, the Corporation estimates the true width of the mineralized zone to be approximately 90% of the width intersected in the holes. Next steps The Corporation expects to carry out an 1,800-metre drilling program in the winter of 2017. The program will target a large anomaly identified by the VTEM survey conducted in December 2015. Monster Lake East Property (100% TomaGold) The Monster Lake East property, consisting of the Little Monster, Cookie Monster and Monster Island blocks, covers a total area of 4,269 hectares along the eastern edge of the Monster Lake property. A VTEM aerial survey and drilling program were carried out on the property in December 2015. Eleven holes were drilled for a total of 1,783 metres. Anomalous values were intersected, but all gold values were on the order of 1 g/t Au or less. Next steps The Corporation plans to carry out a 3,000-metre drilling program in the summer of 2017. The selected target is a 3.4 km north-south anomaly that was clearly outlined by the VTEM survey. Sidace Lake Property (39.5% TomaGold/60.5% Goldcorp) The Sidace property consists of 42 mineral claims located 25 km northeast of Balmertown, in the Red Lake mining camp in Ontario. On April 19, 2009, geological engineering firm Watts, Griffis and McOuat Limited produced a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") compliant technical report confirming that the Sidace property hosted an Indicated resource of 1.37 million tonnes at 3.21 g/t Au and an Inferred resource of 2.10 million tonnes at 3.24 g/t Au. The mineral resource estimate was prepared from two separate block models, each using a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off grade and a 35 g/t Au high grade cap, based on a gold price of US$800/oz and a US$:C$ exchange rate of 1:1.2. Next steps The Corporation is currently in the process of updating the NI 43-101 technical report based on current data, including a recent gold price and exchange rate. The updated report is expected to be issued in early 2017. Monster Lake Property (50% IAMGOLD/45% TomaGold) IAMGOLD, the project operator, has informed the Corporation that it will carry out a major drilling program on the Monster Lake property in the winter of 2017. The program will target the previously identified gold zones and a new zone discovered in 2016. The Corporation will release the details of the program once they become available. Proposed acquisition of Red Metal Resources Ltd Finally, the Corporation has inform Red Metal Resources Ltd that it will not pursue the transaction to acquire the company. The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Andre Jean, Eng., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Sample preparation and analysis TomaGold has established and adheres to a strict quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program for its drilling programs. The drill core is sawed in half, with one half stored in Chibougamau for future reference and the other half shipped directly by bus to ALS Chemex in Val-d'Or ("ALS"). ALS crushes the half-core to 1/8" and splits it in two. One half is labelled as reject and stored at ALS. The other half is pulverized to minus 150 mesh and a 50 g sample is taken for analysis, with the remainder is stored at ALS and labelled as pulp. About TomaGold Corporation TomaGold Corporation is a Canadian-based mining exploration company whose primary mission is the acquisition, exploration and development of gold projects in Canada and abroad. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The statements in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements". Readers are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual developments or results may vary materially from those described in such "forward-looking" statements. Contacts: David Grondin President and Chief Executive Officer (514) 206-7727 www.tomagoldcorp.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Africa Energy Corp. (TSX VENTURE: AFE) ("Africa Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a farmout agreement (the "Farmout Agreement") with a subsidiary of Pancontinental Oil & Gas N.L. ("Pancontinental") pursuant to which the Company will acquire a 10% participating interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence 37 offshore, Republic of Namibia ("PEL 37"). Under the terms of the Farmout Agreement and similar to the terms of Pancontinental's participating interest, the Company's participating interest share of all joint venture costs, including the drilling of the first exploration well on PEL 37, will be fully carried through the current exploration period by a joint venture partner. The Company has agreed to pay Pancontinental US$1.7 million at close of the Farmout Agreement, and an additional US$4.8 million upon spud of the first exploration well. Completion of the Farmout Agreement is subject to receipt of all requisite government approvals, other regulatory approvals, third party consents, partner approvals, and finalization of due diligence procedures. James Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer for Africa Energy commented, "I'm very pleased to announce our acquisition of a 10% fully carried interest in PEL 37, offshore Namibia. The block contains a series of extensive base of slope fan prospects with significant combined resource potential. The fans directly overlie a mature oil-prone source rock of Aptian age, which was recently proven by the 2013 Murombe-1 and Wingat-1 wells in which the latter well recovered light oil. Africa Energy's technical team has experience in these West African Cretaceous fan plays and we look forward to the drilling of a well in this play." About Africa Energy Corp. Africa Energy Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company, the shares of which are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AFE". The Company holds a 90% participating interest in Block 2B, offshore Republic of South Africa and is actively building an exploration portfolio in Africa. Forward Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance including, without limitation, the Company's new corporate strategy. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the conditions and timing of the completion of the farmout transaction and of proposed drilling activity in the block. The use of any of the words "will", "expected" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance of Africa Energy Corp. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including but not limited to: failure to obtain the regulatory and other approvals required for completion of the farmout transaction, and the failure of the Operator to undertake any drilling activity. Actual future results and drilling activity may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. 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. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD James Phillips, President and CEO Contacts: Africa Energy Corp. Sophia Shane Corporate Development (604) 689-7842 info@africaenergycorp.com www.africaenergycorp.com GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Tethys Petroleum Limited (TSX: TPL)(LSE: TPL) ("Tethys" or the "Company") today announces that it has completed the previously announced private placements ("Placements") with Winston Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai and Medgat Kumar (each, an "Investor" and together, the "Investors"). The Placements bring much needed funding to the Company as well as provide it with strong in-country partners in Kazakhstan and internationally. The key commercial terms of the Placements are summarized below. Summary of Placements -- The Investors, through nominee companies, have each acquired 43,951,698 ordinary shares of Tethys which results in each Investor individually acquiring approximately 9.0% of the enlarged share capital of the Company. The price for the ordinary shares is US$0.01593 per share representing a 24% premium to the five day volume weighted average price preceding the November 6, 2016 offer date ("VWAP"). The total proceeds amount to approximately US$1.4 million. -- The Company has granted each Investor share purchase warrants giving each Investor the right to acquire up to 96,150,000 ordinary shares of Tethys for a period of three years from the grant date. The exercise price for the warrants is US$0.031 representing a 138% premium to the VWAP. If both Investors were to exercise all of the Warrants granted to them, each Investor would own approximately 19.9% of the ordinary shares of the enlarged share capital of the Company. Neither Investor may exercise any warrants if after such exercise, the Investor would become a 10% shareholder of the Company until such time as the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has approved a personal information form (a "PIF") to be submitted by such Investor. Further, the Investors may not exercise more than an aggregate of 12,097,816 warrants unless shareholder approval has been obtained for such exercise. The Company has agreed to call and hold a shareholder meeting for shareholders to consider, and if thought fit, approve the exercise of such warrants as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 60 days from the date hereof. The Company has also agreed that should the shareholders not approve the exercise of such warrants, the Company will be required to pay to the Investors, for each outstanding warrant that may not be exercised, the amount by which the then VWAP exceeds the exercise price of the warrant. -- In connection with the Placement, the Investors have entered into voting agreements with Pope Asset Management or its affiliates, pursuant to which such shareholders have agreed to vote or use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the voting of shares held by them in favour of the warrant exercise. In total, such shareholders hold approximately 16% of the currently outstanding shares. -- The Company has agreed to work with Annuity Life and Reassurance ("ALR"), an affiliate of Pope, to convert approximately US$168,000 of debt owing to ALR into approximately 12,000,000 ordinary shares, all subject to approval by the TSX. Any such shares so issued will be subject to the voting agreement referred to above. -- Each of the Investors will be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company once the Investor has filed a PIF with the TSX, provided that each Investor will agree to resign from the Board of Directors if the TSX does not approve the PIF so filed. -- The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Placements for general working capital purposes. -- The Investors have entered into a Relationship Agreement (the "Relationship Agreement") with the Company which addresses, inter alia: i. the composition of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee and Board nomination rights to each Investor for so long as the Investor owns at least 9% of the outstanding ordinary shares; ii. a requirement to ensure Investors and Tethys comply at all times with applicable securities laws and stock exchange requirements and its Articles of Association; iii.a requirement that any transactions between Tethys and the Investors will be at arm's length and on normal commercial terms and the Investors will not vote on any transactions where they are a related party; iv. a limitation on the Company's ability to enter into financing transactions involving convertible debt of the Company for a period of 12 months without the Investor's consent; v. a limitation on the ability of the Investors to transfer any of the ordinary shares acquired by them for a period of 12 months; and vi. a participation right in favour of the Investors for so long as they own at least 9% of the outstanding ordinary shares, that will enable them to maintain their pro rata ownership in the Company in the event that the Company does dilutive offerings in the future, subject to certain exceptions. The above is a summary of certain terms of the Relationship Agreement. For a complete understanding of the terms of the Relationship Agreement, investors or other interested parties should review the full text of the Relationship Agreement, a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. -- A good working relationship has already been established between the Company and the Investors who have provided valuable assistance to the Company to begin to: -- Favorably resolve the detrimental issues the Company has been facing in Kazakhstan; -- Obtain a bank loan from a reputable bank in Kazakhstan for the Company's subsidiary Tethys Aral Gas LLP to enable it to repay and restructure current loans and to fund operations; -- Market the Company's gas sales for export; -- Improve the pricing of Tethys' oil and gas products; and -- Engage with the Company's current corporate lenders with a view to restructuring existing loan terms in order to improve cash flow. About Winston Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai Winston Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai ("Sanjeev Kumar") and his wife Arani Kumar are joint owners of the State Oil Group ("SOG"). Headquartered in London, UK and with trading offices in Zug Switzerland, Singapore and Houston, Texas, SOG is an independent trading, storage, distribution and retail conglomerate dealing in petroleum products and biofuels. The group has syndicated banking facilities which provide a platform to support SOG's international ambitions. SOG is well connected across the world to influential individuals and powerful oil companies. SOG has a management team that has successfully integrated a number of strategic acquisitions into their group. About Medgat Kumar Medgat Kumar is the owner and Director of Petro Impex Trade LLP. Petro Impex Trade LLP is a Kazakhstan based company whose primary activities are trading of crude oil and petroleum products, oil refining and terminals businesses. About Tethys Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the Caspian Region. This highly prolific oil and gas area is rapidly developing and Tethys believes that significant potential exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits. Disclaimer Some of the statements in this document are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief and current expectations of the Company or its officers with respect to the use of proceeds from the Placements, the Board appointees, the potential that exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in Central Asia and the Caspian Region and the assistance the Investors may be able to provide to the Company in the areas identified above. When used in this document, the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "may," "will," "should" and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not promises or guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those suggested by any such statements including risks and uncertainties with respect to the potential that exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits in Central Asia and risks that the Investors may not be successful in assisting the Company in the areas identified above. No part of this announcement constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company or any other entity, and shareholders of the Company are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Save as required by the Listing Rules and applicable law, the Company does not undertake to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this announcement. Contacts: Tethys Petroleum info@tethyspetroleum.com www.tethyspetroleum.com "I was terrified," the victim said after the sentencing. "I still am. I have no means to support myself and my children, but I was terrified Id end up dead if he came back ... I cant give up. I just cant. I want to. Trust me I cry every single day. I am scared and heartbroken for my kids. My sons cant grow up watching me be hit. My daughter cant watch me walk around with a black eye and me act like its okay." NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 02/10/17 -- INTL FCStone Inc. (NASDAQ: INTL) today announced that the Broker-Dealer Rates Group of its wholly owned subsidiary, INTL FCStone Financial Inc. ("the Company"), has formed a Securitized Products Group in order to enhance its already successful Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities operations. This initiative furthers the Company's commitment to providing its institutional client base with liquidity, execution efficiency and expert insight in these markets. The Securitized Products Group supports INTL FCStone Financial's dedication to providing dealer and market maker services to buy-side clients. Its formation strengthens the Company's ongoing efforts across Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities, and Asset-Backed Securities. Anthony Di Ciollo, Senior Managing Director, Head of Securitized Trading at the Broker-Dealer Rates Group of INTL FCStone Financial Inc., commented on today's news, "The buy-side has experienced a dramatic change in coverage as the majority of securities industry participants trend towards generalization and divert resources away from traditional Mortgage products, which negatively impacts market liquidity. With the formation of the Securitized Products Group, we continue to utilize our longstanding expertise trading Mortgage products to uniquely benefit the strategies and trading parameters of our clients." The establishment of the Securitized Products Group enables INTL FCStone Financial to provide even stronger insight, execution efficiency and liquidity to its institutional client base operating in the Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities markets. Building strong customer relationships lies at the heart of the Company's business model, and the Securitized Products team utilizes its expertise to provide trade ideas, commentaries, in-depth sector analysis, and market color to enhance clients' objectives. Robert LaForte, Senior Managing Director, Head of Sales at the Broker-Dealer Rates Group of INTL FCStone Financial Inc., concluded, "We make it our business to build strong relationships with our customers, and work diligently to understand their unique needs and strategies in order to offer consistent value. We are dedicated to furthering the Securitized Products Group's growth trajectory without compromising our dedication to offering the highest level of value within each market we trade. Our success is intertwined with that of our customers, and we remain committed to providing them with personalized service even as we continue to grow." About INTL FCStone Inc. INTL FCStone Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading provider of execution, risk management and advisory services, market intelligence, and clearing services across asset classes and markets around the world. Serving more than 20,000 customers in 130 countries on five continents, the company provides products and services across five market segments: commercial hedging, global payments, securities, physical commodities, and clearing and execution services. Our customers include the producers, processors and end users of virtually every major traded commodity, as well as asset managers, introducing broker-dealers, insurance companies, brokers, institutional and retail investors, commercial and investment banks, and governmental, non-governmental and charitable organizations. A Fortune 500 company headquartered in New York City, the company is listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "INTL". Further information on INTL FCStone is available at www.intlfcstone.com. INTL-G Media Contact Jay A. Morakis M Group Strategic Communications (for INTL FCStone Financial) +1 212 266 0191 jmorakis@mgroupsc.com DARMSTADT, Germany and NEW YORK, February 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Not intended for US and UK-based media S econd Biologics License Application accepted by the FDA for avelumab Prognosis for urothelial carcinoma is currently poor, particularly when the disease has metastasized Merck and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review the Biologics License Application (BLA) for avelumab*, as a treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. The BLA was submitted by EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck in the US and Canada. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of August 27, 2017, for avelumab in this indication. "Taken together with last year's filing for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, this BLA acceptance confirms our rapid and continued progress in the clinical development of avelumab," said Luciano Rossetti, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development at the biopharma business of Merck. "We continue to evaluate avelumab in cancers that have limited or suboptimal treatment choices, such as metastatic or locally advanced urothelial carcinoma, to hopefully be able to provide patients with new treatment options for fighting their disease." Despite advances in the treatment of UC, the prognosis for patients remains poor, particularly when the disease has metastasized. Bladder cancer makes up approximately 90% of urothelial cancers and is the sixth most common cancer in the US.[1],[2] "Advanced urothelial carcinoma remains a difficult-to-treat tumor, which is why we are developing a comprehensive clinical development program that involves Phase I and III trials designed to address this challenge," said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-oncology, Early Development and Translational Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "We're continuing to accelerate our urothelial carcinoma development program and look forward to continuing our dialogue with the FDA." Avelumab is an investigational, fully human anti-PD-L1 antibody. The FDA's Priority Review status reduces the review time from 10 months to a goal of six months from the day of filing acceptance and is given to drugs that may offer major advances in treatment or may provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. In November 2016, the FDA accepted, and granted Priority Review status to, the BLA for avelumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. The international clinical development program for avelumab, known as JAVELIN, involves at least 30 clinical programs, including nine Phase III trials, and more than 4,000 patients evaluated across more than 15 tumor types. In December 2015, Merck and Pfizer announced the initiation of a Phase III study (JAVELIN Bladder 100) of avelumab in the first-line setting as a maintenance treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC. This trial is currently enrolling patients. *Avelumab is not approved for any indication in any market. This marks the second acceptance of an application by the FDA to review the investigational product, avelumab. References National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines Version 1.2017 Updates. Bladder Cancer. Available from: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bladder.pdf. Last Accessed: February 2017 . Siegel RL, et al. Cancer Statistics, 2017. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:7-30. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28055103. Last Accessed: February 2017 . American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Bladder Cancer. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Last Accessed: February 2017 . About Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Urothelial Carcinoma includes several tumors originating from the cells lining the bladder, renal pelvis and urethra. While cancers outside of the bladder are relatively uncommon, accounting for an estimated 10% of cases, bladder cancer represents 90% of urothelial cancers and is the ninth most common cancer globally.[1],[3] Worldwide, approximately 400,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed and 150,000 deaths are attributed to this disease each year.[3] The incidence and mortality of bladder cancer have remained unchanged over the past 25 years.[3] About Avelumab Avelumab is a fully human antibody specific for a protein found on tumor cells called PD-L1, or programmed death ligand-1. By inhibiting PD-L1 interactions, avelumab is thought to enable the activation of T-cells and the adaptive immune system. By retaining a native Fc-region, avelumab is thought to potentially engage the innate immune system and induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). In November 2014, Merck and Pfizer announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize avelumab. Common adverse reactions include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea peripheral edema, decreased appetite, and rash. Immune-mediated adverse reactions have also been reported. About Merck-Pfizer Alliance Immuno-oncology is a top priority for Merck and Pfizer Inc. The global strategic alliance between Merck and Pfizer enables the companies to benefit from each other's strengths and capabilities and further explore the therapeutic potential of avelumab, an investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody initially discovered and developed by Merck. The immuno-oncology alliance will jointly develop and commercialize avelumab and advance Pfizer's PD-1 antibody. The alliance is focused on developing high-priority international clinical programs to investigate avelumab as a monotherapy, as well as in combination regimens, and is striving to find new ways to treat cancer. About EMD Serono, Inc. EMD Serono is the biopharmaceutical business of Merck in the US and Canada - a leading science and technology company - focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, the business has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology as R&D focus areas. Today, the business has 1,200 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts. http://www.emdserono.com All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. For further details and press materials about Merck in oncology please visit http://www.merckgroup.com/en/media/media_center_oncology.html About Merck Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of 12.85 billion in 66 countries. Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of healthcare products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines, as well as many of the world's best-known consumer healthcare products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at http://www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, follow us on Twitter at@Pfizerand@Pfizer_News,LinkedIn and like us on Facebook atFacebook.com/Pfizer. Pfizer Disclosure Notice The information contained in this release is as of February 28, 2017. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about avelumab (MSB0010718C), including a potential indication for avelumab for the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (the "Potential Indication"), Pfizer's and Merck's immuno-oncology alliance involving anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 therapies, and clinical development plans, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical study commencement and completion dates and regulatory submission dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable study results; risks associated with interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations, and, even when we view data as sufficient to support the safety and/or effectiveness of a product candidate, regulatory authorities may not share our views and may require additional data or may deny approval altogether; whether and when drug applications may be filed in other jurisdictions for the Potential Indication and whether and when drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for any other potential indications for avelumab, combination therapies or other product candidates; whether and when the BLA for the Potential Indication, the BLA and EU marketing authorization application for avelumab for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma or any such other applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on the assessment by such regulatory authorities of the benefit-risk profile suggested by the totality of the efficacy and safety information submitted; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding labeling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of avelumab, combination therapies or other product candidates; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results", as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at http://www.sec.gov and http://www.pfizer.com. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161028/433902LOGO ) (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/472778/Merck_Logo.jpg ) TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- TANTALEX Resources Corporation (CSE: TTX)(CSE: TTX.CN)(FRANKFURT: 1T0) ("TANTALEX" or the "Corporation"), is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, United Materials Congo SARL ("UNITED MATERIALS" or "UMC"), located in the province of Katanga, has been granted the operating status of Category A Processing Entity by the Democratic Republic of Congo Ministry of Mines. This allows UMC full rights to process, transform and export Lithium, Tantalum and other minerals originating from their properties in Tanganyika, to buyers be them domestic or international. Dave Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of TANTALEX, explains: "This is a very important and necessary step toward TANTALEX becoming a producer, processer and exporter of high-tech minerals. With this granting of status, we can now reach international markets where these minerals are in shortage and very much in demand." About TANTALEX Resources Corporation TANTALEX is a mining company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and distribution of Lithium, Tantalum and other high-tech mineral properties in Africa. The Corporation is listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (symbol: TTX) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol: 1T0). Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Although TANTALEX believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, TANTALEX disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy. For further information, please contacts Investor relations: ir@tantalex.ca Or visit us at: WWW.TANTALEX.CA Contacts: TANTALEX Resources Corporation Dave Gagnon Chief Executive Officer +16479637476 +37254728653 dg@tantalex.ca TANTALEX Resources Corporation Kyle Appleby Chief Financial Officer +14164179176 ka@tantalex.ca TANTALEX Resources Corporation Christina Lalli Manager, Investor Relations +14379924114 cl@tantalex.ca VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Otis Gold Corp. ("Otis" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: OOO)(OTC PINK: OGLDF) is pleased to announce that it has intersected 85.4 meters (m) grading 2.50 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) in hole 16 OKR-338, 69.1m grading 2.07 g/t Au in hole 16 OKR-348 and 50.3m grading 2.04 g/t in hole 16 OKR-330 at its Kilgore Gold Project drill program, Clark County, Idaho. Drilling associated with the 2016 field program is now complete and totaled 10,300 metres spread among a combination of 40 core and reverse circulation (RC) drill holes. The final 12 holes of the 2016 drill program are currently being logged and assayed, and intercepts for these holes will be released as they become available. Assay results for the 13 drill holes announced in this release, along with those for the first fifteen holes previously announced (see Otis News Releases dated September 26, 2016 and October 31, 2016), continue to indicate that the Aspen Formation has the potential to host significant additional gold mineralization. TABLE 1: DRILL RESULTS, KILGORE GOLD PROJECT, CLARK COUNTY, IDAHO ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hole Hole TD (m) Azimuth/ From - To Intercept(1) Au Grade Primary Number Type Angle (m) (m) (g/t) Host Rock Unit(s) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 225.6 230 degrees 65.5 - 50.3 2.04 Lithic 330 /-50 115.8 Tuff degrees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKC- Core 304.8 -/-90 123.4 - 16.2 0.69 Lithic 331 degrees 139.6 Tuff 164.6 - 4.6 0.92 Tertiary 169.2 Sill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKC- Core 335.5 50 degrees 53.3 - 50.3 0.63 Lithic 332 /-70 103.6 Tuff degrees 131.1 - 10.6 0.91 Lithic 141.7 Tuff 285.0 - 34.4 1.28 Aspen 319.4 Formation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 198.1 50 degrees No significant intercepts 336 /-75 degrees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 198.1 50 degrees 45.7 - 85.4 2.50 Tertiary 338 /-70 131.1 Sill and degrees Aspen 176.8 - 18.3 0.83 Aspen 195.1 Formation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 182.9 50 degrees 4.5 - 29.0 1.17 Lithic 339 /-75 33.5 Tuff degrees 96.0 - 18.3 0.75 Tertiary 114.3 Sill 153.9 - 4.6 0.95 Tertiary 158.5 Sill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKC- Core 305.7 50 degrees No significant intercepts 340 /-65 degrees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 213.4 -/-90 67.1 - 9.1 0.69 Lithic 342 degrees 76.2 Tuff 189.0 - 16.7 0.91 Aspen 205.7 Formation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 198.1 50 degrees No significant intercepts 343 /-75 degrees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKC- Core 298.7 50 degrees 108.2 - 63.1 0.66 Tertiary 344 /-65 171.3 Sill and degrees Aspen ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 243.8 230 degrees 41.1 - 4.6 0.51 Tertiary 346 /-61 45.7 Sill degrees 77.7 - 32.0 0.89 Aspen 109.7 Formation 134.1 - 4.6 0.57 Aspen 138.7 Formation 172.2 - 16.8 0.79 Aspen 189.0 Formation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 222.5 230 degrees 120.4 - 50.3 0.97 Aspen 347 /-72 170.7 Formation degrees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 OKR- RC 174.7(2) 230 degrees 80.8 - 16.7 0.43 Tertiary 348 /-75 97.5 Sill degrees 105.2 - 69.1 2.07(2) Aspen 174.3 Formation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: 1. True widths are estimated at between 80% and 100% of the drilled interval based on their dip, association with diking and the orientation of sedimentary bedding, and continuity of mineralization between drill holes. 2. Hole OKR-348 was lost in Aspen Sandstone and ended in rock containing 5.63 g/t Au. Drill Program Highlights Highlights of the drill results to date and of importance to the future development of the Kilgore Gold Deposit (or the "Kilgore Deposit") include: 1) Results of Otis' 2016 drill campaign continue to support the premise that gold mineralization in the Aspen Formation is more extensive than indicated by the previous drill testing and appears to lie along a northwesterly-trending belt or corridor in the northern half of the deposit, much of which remains open for further drilling. 2) Results of drill holes targeting basement Aspen Formation sedimentary host rocks continue to reveal the presence of significant open-ended mineralization that is typically higher-grade and displays thicker mineralized intercepts than those comprising the current bulk of the deposit in the overlying volcanic host rocks. 3) In addition to having an intercept of 69.1m grading 2.07 g/t Au, hole 16 OKR-348 bottomed in basement Aspen Formation rocks grading 5.63 g/t Au. It should be noted that this hole is the fifth hole drilled in 2016 that bottomed in open-ended mineralization in the Aspen Formation (the others being holes 16 OKR-315, 316, 319 and 324, respectively). Management believes this is a strong indication that additional deposit growth potential exists within this host rock unit. 4) Holes that targeted the basement Aspen Formation along the Segment 1 Road (holes 16 OKR-346, 347, and 348) all reveal significant intercepts of mineralization that indicate a strong potential to expand the size of the current Kilgore resource. Further drilling is required to fully evaluate the open-ended nature of the mineralization in the area. 5) Reported intercepts in basement Aspen Formation sedimentary rocks demonstrate that mineralization exists to depths of up to 250-meters below the surface of the deposit, with some intercepts remaining open at depth. 6) The Tertiary intrusive sill (Tct), which directly overlies the Aspen Formation and locally intrudes the upper portion of it, has been proven to host significant mineralization and the extensive contact between the two rock types is an important locus for locating additional mineralization in the basement. Significant intercepts can and do exist in both the Aspen Formation and the Tct, and in many cases straddle the contact between them to occur continuously throughout both units. 7) Results of drilling conducted along the North and "B" Roads continue to further define the mineralized horst block in the area (Table 1, hole 16 OKC-344) and show that the mineralization, which is still partly open, trends more northeasterly of where it was previously projected to occur at the ends of both roads (Table 1, holes 16 OKR-338 and 339). 8) Intercepts drilled in Aspen Formation rocks along the Segment 1 Road contain coarse-grained visible gold indicative of potential bonanza grades at depth. 9) Next steps at the Kilgore Gold Project include producing an updated set of geologic cross-sections reflecting the 2016 drill results, permitting next year's and beyond drilling activities, preparing an updated resource estimate and developing a project-wide reconnaissance program. Drill Program Background and Details of Drilling Results The 40-hole 2016 drill program was designed from an updated set of geologic cross sections and long sections containing all historic Kilgore drill results through 2015. Based on these sections, drill holes were selected to target mineralization at depth in the Aspen Formation and to infill and define the limits of the current resource. Selected hole locations targeting the Aspen Formation at depth are focused along the Main Road, Segment 1 Road, North Road and "B" Road areas (the location of the Crab Claw drilling completed in 2015 and reported in early 2016 - see Otis News Release dated January 14, 2016 News). Drill holes in this area were selected to infill and define the limits of the resource and are mostly located in the southwestern part of the deposit where historic drilling is sparse. Craig Lindsay, Otis President and CEO states: "We continue to be encouraged by the excellent results we are encountering in both the Lithic Tuff horizon, host to a majority of the existing mineralization at Kilgore, and the Aspen Formation, a rapidly-emerging gold host that is becoming better understood by Otis with each successive drill hole. It is very clear to us that the Aspen Formation sedimentary unit is a critically important feature of gold mineralization at Kilgore and for the potential expansion of the deposit. Lastly, we are pleased to have completed the expanded 40 hole drill program on budget and on time." The 13 drill holes reported in this news release, and assays and drill intercepts from the 15 holes announced on September 26 and October 31, 2016, are presented in a drill-hole location map available on the Otis Gold Corp. website here. Analysis and Otis QA/QC Program All assay work is being performed by ALS Chemex Labs located in Reno, Nevada and Vancouver, British Columbia, which has quality management system certification and technical capability accreditation. A 50-gram pulp of all samples is assayed for gold by Fire Assay/AA finish methods. Certified reference materials, duplicates, and blanks are inserted into the sample stream for quality control. Intercepts reported in Table 1 are calculated using a 0.25 g/t Au cutoff grade and may include a few internal waste intervals less than this cutoff. The RC drilling reported in this release was conducted by O'Keefe Drilling, Inc., Butte, Montana, employing a Foremost 650 Reverse Circulation drill rig outfitted with a circulating wet splitter. The core drilling was conducted by Timberline Drilling of Hayden, Idaho employing two rigs, a DE-140 NQ core rig and an LF-90 HQ core rig. The Qualified Person under National Instrument (NI 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this News Release is Paul D. Gray, P. Geo, who has reviewed and approved its technical content. About the Kilgore Gold Project The Kilgore Gold Project contains a current (dated September 12, 2012) NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 520,000 ounces (oz) Au in 27.4 million tonnes at a grade of 0.59 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 300,000 oz Au in 20.2 million tonnes at a grade of 0.46 g/t Au (the "Deposit"). The Deposit is part of an extensive low-sulfidation quartz-adularia epithermal hydrothermal system hosted in Tertiary volcanic rocks and basement Aspen Formation calcareous siltstone, shale, and sandstone of Late Cretaceous age. Gold mineralization is of the traditional disseminated, bulk-tonnage type similar to that comprising the classic volcanic-hosted gold deposits at Round Mountain, Nevada and McDonald Meadows, Montana. The deposit features very attractive metallurgy with excellent gold recovery averaging greater than 80% at 1.5" crush size based on column leach test results (see Otis News Release dated June 5, 2012). About the Company Otis is a resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits in Idaho, USA. Otis is currently developing its flagship property, the Kilgore Gold Project, located in Clark County, Idaho. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Craig T. Lindsay, President and CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Otis undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Contacts: Otis Gold Corp. Craig T. Lindsay President and CEO 604.683.2507 craig@otisgold.com BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 8:30 am ET Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce releases the second estimate of GDP data for the third quarter. The economic growth is expected to be revised slightly upwards to 3 percent, from the earlier estimate of 2.9 percent. Ahead of the data, the greenback traded mixed against its major rivals. While the greenback held steady against the pound, it advanced against the rest of major counterparts. The greenback was worth 1.0581 against the euro, 113.01 against the yen, 1.0163 against the Swiss franc and 1.2480 against the pound as of 8:25 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. QUEBEC, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Junex Inc. (TSX VENTURE: JNX) ("Junex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Galt No. 4 Horizontal well has produced a total of 17,798 barrels of light, sweet crude oil from long-term oil production testing since the well was drilled. This is by far the most significant recovery of oil ever recorded from a single well in Quebec's history. The total period allotted for production testing per Quebec government regulations was 240 days, of which 221 days of actual production occurred. The remaining 19 days of the 240-day period were spent performing various other operations in the well, including but not limited to the retrieval and replacement of downhole pressure gauges in the well and testing from specific intervals in the horizontal leg. The extended production test ended on November 28, 2016. The maximum production rate measured in the well in 2015 was 396 barrels of oil per day ("BOPD") over a 24 hour period. The average production rate observed as at 30 days of production was 240 BOPD. During the entire test, Junex controlled and limited the production rate such as to harvest the maximum reservoir performance information possible. Because well testing operations are by nature temporary, the configuration of the equipment used is not as optimal or as efficient as that which the Company would use when well production will take place. "Because of the positive results on our Galt Oil Property, this has been the principal focus of our company since 2015. The milestone Galt No. 4 Horizontal well continues to provide excellent results, particularly considering that no reservoir stimulation of any kind, neither hydraulic fracture stimulation nor any other, was performed in the well. The results from the production performance of the well, detailed 3D seismic data acquired in 2015 and other data strongly motivated us to apply for a Production Lease last September. We intend to start oil production at Galt once this application is approved and the Production Lease is issued", said Mr. Peter Dorrins, Junex's President & CEO. The Galt No. 4 Horizontal discovery well was drilled in the autumn of 2014 to a total measured depth of 2,400 meters, of which 1,503 meters was drilled within the oil reservoir. Numerous significant oil shows associated with fracture porosity recorded during drilling and results from downhole well logging clearly indicated that the oil reservoir is intensely fractured and that the Galt No. 4 Horizontal well intersected the near-vertical fractures at an optimum angle of approximately 90 degrees, as forecast in the original well design. No reservoir stimulation of any kind was performed in the well. The well was subsequently tested in 2015 and in 2016 that clearly demonstrated the productivity of this well. Receipt of a Drilling Permit for the Junex Galt No. 6 Horizontal Well Junex also announces that it has received a drilling permit for the Junex Galt No. 6 Horizontal well from the Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Mr. Dorrins added, "All of the results obtained so far at Galt also influenced the selection of optimal future drilling locations. In this light, we applied for and received a drilling permit and all other government approvals for our next well, Junex Galt No. 6 Horizontal. Since that time, we proceeded with construction of the drilling pad for the Galt No. 6 Horizontal well and this is currently nearing completion. This pad is designed for the drilling of up to 8 horizontal wells if justified by future drilling results." With respect to the Galt No. 5 Horizontal well drilled in 2015, the well remains shut-in for pressure build-up. Once the shut-in period is ended, the downhole pressure gauges will be retrieved and the data will be analyzed provide important details as to the reservoir characteristics in this well, including the potential productivity of this horizontal wellbore. Once this information has been gleaned, the next steps for the Galt No. 5 well will be determined. Junex holds a 70% interest in the Galt Oil Property and 100% interest in the adjacent acreage. These landholdings are situated approximately 20 kilometers from the town of Gaspe in eastern Quebec. About Junex Junex is a junior oil and gas exploration company that holds exploration rights on approximately 5.2 million acres of land in the Appalachian basin in the Province of Quebec, including the Galt Oil Property on the Gaspe Peninsula in eastern Quebec, landholdings on Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and landholdings in the St. Lawrence Lowlands between Montreal and Quebec City. In parallel to its exploration efforts in Quebec and expansion of its exploration activities elsewhere, the company operates a drilling services division. Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on the best estimates available to Junex at the time and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Junex's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. A description of the risks affecting Junex's business and activities appears under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" on pages 7 to 10 of Junex's 2014 annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Junex will derive therefrom. In particular, no assurance can be given as to the future financial performance of Junex. Junex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in order to account for any new information or any other event. The reader is warned against undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Junex Inc. Mr. Peter Dorrins President & Chief Executive Officer 418-654-9661 Junex Inc. Mr. Dave Pepin Vice President - Corporate Affairs 418-654-9661 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Fortress Paper Ltd. ("Fortress Paper" or the "Company") (TSX: FTP) is pleased to announce a strategic supplement to the already announced birch usage project (the "Birch Project") at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill aimed at extracting hemicellulose from underutilized species such as birch (the " Hemicellulose Project"). The Hemicellulose Project will allow the Company to advance its research and development in hemicellulose derivative products. Hemicellulose is a cellulosic sugar, which when extracted and processed, has high value-added by-product potential such as for biofuel and biomaterial feedstock. The Company anticipates that its development in hemicellulose products will provide it with an opportunity to enter the growing renewable raw materials market. As part of the Hemicellulose Project, the Company plans to install a new accumulator at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill which will allow for the collection of hydrolysate. By separating the hydrolysate from the liquor stream it can be further processed to produce a number of bio-products, including xylose and furfural. Currently, the hydrolysate is neutralized and mixed with weak black liquor, sent to the evaporators and then fired in the recovery boilers. If the hydrolysate is removed from the liquor cycle and processed separately it will offload the evaporators and recovery boilers. It is expected that by offloading the evaporators and recovery boilers the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill will able to utilize more of its incremental digester capacity. The Birch Project and Hemicellulose Project are expected to cost approximately $23.4 million in aggregate, of which $3.65 million is in respect of the Hemicellulose Project. The Ministry of Forests, Wildlife, and Parks of Quebec (the "Ministry") has agreed to assist with funding the projects. The Ministry has committed to provide the Company with a $2.5 million non-repayable contribution from the budgetary measure for innovation announced in the 2016-2017 Quebec budget to support the forestry industry. As well, the Low Quality Hardwood Consumption Program has committed to provide an additional $1 million non-repayable contribution to assist with funding the projects. The Company expects to finance the remainder of the Hemicellulose Project's total cost with cash on hand. Yvon Pelletier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Paper, commented: "Extracting hemicellulose is the first step to entering the emerging renewable raw materials space which is an appealing new market opportunity with significant upside potential. The two planned projects at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill demonstrate our continued commitment to developing new revenue streams that increase long-term shareholder value. Fortress Paper would like to thank the Provincial Government of Quebec for their support and confidence in the projects." About Fortress Paper Fortress Paper operates internationally in two distinct business segments: dissolving pulp and security paper products. The Company operates its dissolving pulp business at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill located in Canada, which has expanded into the renewable energy generation sector with the construction of a cogeneration facility. The Company operates its security paper products business at the Landqart Mill located in Switzerland, where it produces banknote, passport, visa and other brand protection and security papers. This news release contains certain forward-looking information that reflect the current views and/or expectations of the Company with respect to its expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about its business and the industry and markets in which it operates. The reader is cautioned that statements comprising forward-looking information are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which are difficult to predict and that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Examples of such forward-looking information that may be contained in this news release include: the new market opportunity produced by the Hemicellulose Project and the expected sources of funding for the Hemicellulose Project. Assumptions underlying the Company's expectations regarding forward-looking information contained in this news release include, among others: that the Hemicellulose Project will result in a marketable by-product of hemicellulose, that there will be a viable market for such by-product, that the cost of the Hemicellulose Project and the Birch Project will not materially exceed the Company's estimates, that the Hemicellulose Project will allow the Fortress Speciality Cellulose Mill to utilize more of its incremental digester capacity and that Fortress Paper will have sufficient financing to fund the Hemicellulose Project and the Birch Project. Persons reading this news release are cautioned that statements comprising forward-looking information are only predictions, and that the Company's actual future results or performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation: that there will be insufficient funds available to finance the Hemicellulose Project and the Birch Project or that the Company will be unable to complete the Hemicellulose Project and the Birch Project without additional funding; that there will be unforeseen disruptions to the completion of the Hemicellulose Project and the Birch Project; that there may be downturns in the market for derivative product produced from the Hemicellulose Project; that the Hemicellulose Project and the Birch Project will not achieve its intended results; and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on statements comprising forward-looking information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fortress Paper does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities law. Contacts: Fortress Paper Ltd. 604-904-2328 info@fortresspaper.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (PPC) announced an agreement to acquire GNP Company, a provider of premium branded chicken products in the Upper Midwest, for $350 million in cash. The company said the addition of the GNP Company's portfolio of Just BARE Certified Organic and Natural/American Humane CertifiedTM/No-Antibiotics-Ever product lines to Pilgrim's existing NAE and organic production capabilities, further positions Pilgrim's as a leading provider of high quality products in the fastest growing chicken segments. Pilgrim's expects the acquisition will be accretive to the company's earnings per share in 2017, and achieve approximately $20 million in annualized synergies, primarily from the optimization of production and distribution, and cost savings in purchasing, production, logistics and SG&A. The proposed transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2017. GNP Company has production facilities in Cold Spring and Luverne, Minn., and Arcadia, Wis., with approximately 400 family farm partners and more than 1,700 team members. GNP Company's products are distributed in nearly all 50 states. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. HAZELTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Media Advisory - TransCanada Corporation (TSX: TRP) (NYSE: TRP) (TransCanada) today announced that its Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project (PRGT) has signed a project agreement with 12 hereditary chiefs of the Gitxsan Nation. The hereditary chiefs each represent a Wilp (house group) whose territory is affected by the project route. The agreement outlines economic and employment benefits as well as other commitments that will be provided for as long as the project is in service. "This agreement is the product of our engagement with the Gitxsan hereditary leadership. This comprehensive agreement provides long-term economic benefits, jobs, contracting opportunities and information sharing throughout the life of the project," said Tony Palmer, president of PRGT. "A lot of hard work and compromise went into this agreement, and it reflects our desire to work cooperatively with the Gitxsan," said Palmer. Gitxsan Hereditary Chief Luutkudziiwus (Gordon Sebastian), explains the authority of hereditary chiefs in the Gitxsan Hereditary system, "The Supreme Court of Canada's 1997 Delgamuukw decision affirmed that each Gitxsan Wilp (house group) has jurisdiction over its Lax Yip (the Wilp's traditional territory) in accordance with the Ayookim Gitxsan (Gitxsan Law); each Wilp has the authority and power to make decisions as it sees fit for the good of the Wilp. As such, the 12 Hereditary Chiefs bargained hard with PRGT to ensure that the environment is protected, and that the agreement provides for long term benefits to each of the affected Wilp and to the broader Gitxsan Nation," said Chief Sebastian. Hereditary Chief Geel (Catherine Blackstock) said the agreement is important to the economic health of northern B.C., "I envision this as a great opportunity for all Gitxsan and community people to revitalize employment in our economically depressed upper Skeena region." PRGT has now announced 13 project agreements executed with First Nations in B.C. They include: Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River, Gitanyow, Halfway River, Kitselas First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Metlakatla First Nation, Nisga'a Lisims Government, Takla Lake First Nation, Tl'azt'en Nation and Yekooche First Nation. The $5 billion PRGT project will provide significant economic benefits for British Columbians, local and provincial governments, and Aboriginal communities as it supports the export of surplus natural gas to global markets, including: -- Thousands of short-term jobs directed at B.C. residents; -- Opportunities for local and Aboriginal businesses; -- Millions of dollars in annual taxes to help support local services such as schools, policing, fire protection, and waste management; -- Billions of dollars in new investments for the province. Prince Rupert Gas Transmission is proposing to construct and operate a 900-kilometre natural gas pipeline to deliver natural gas from a point near Hudson's Hope to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG facility at Lelu Island, off the coast of Port Edward, near Prince Rupert. Project details can be found at http://www.princerupertgas.com. With more than 65 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates a network of natural gas pipelines that extends more than 90,300 kilometres (56,100 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is the continent's leading provider of gas storage and related services with 664 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A large independent power producer, TransCanada currently owns or has interests in over 10,700 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is also the developer and operator of one of North America's leading liquids pipeline systems that extend over 4,300 kilometres (2,700 miles), connecting growing continental oil supplies to key markets and refineries. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. Visit TransCanada.com and our blog to learn more, or connect with us on social media and 3BL Media. Contacts: Media Enquiries: Matthew John/Mark Cooper 800.608.7859 Investor & Analyst Enquiries: David Moneta/Stuart Kampel 403.920.7911 or 800.361.6522 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- HAWKEYE Gold & Diamond Inc. (the "Company" or "HAWKEYE") (TSX VENTURE: HGO)(FRANKFURT: HGT)(ISIN: CA42016R3027)(WKN: A12A61) is pleased to announce that Dr. Stewart Jackson and Mr. Ralph Stricklen have agreed to join the Hawkeye team as geological, mining and milling Senior Technical Advisors providing the Company with years of significant knowledge and experience which will be invaluable as the Company advances its projects. Dr. Stewart A. Jackson, PhD., P.Geo., has over fifty-seven years of experience in the mining and oil and gas industries. He is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and will be the Qualified Person for HAWKEYE's properties. He has been involved in the discovery and development of several major mineral discoveries including the Red Dog multi-billion dollar zinc-lead deposit in NW Alaska for Cominco; the Borealis, South McCoy and Manhattan gold deposits in Nevada for Houston Oil and Minerals. He participated as one of the vendors of uranium properties in Sweden, held by Continental Precious Minerals, of which the Viken deposit alone contains resources of over 1 billion pounds of U308, and multi-billion pound resources of molybdenum, vanadium, and nickel. He founded Crown Resource Corporation which discovered in the State of Washington, USA, some 4.5 million ounces of gold. This deposit is currently in production by Kinross. During his career, Dr. Jackson has raised $150 million for the discovery and development of projects including gold, silver, diamonds, and base metal; nickel and uranium. He is the author of many industry publications, and one of his papers was awarded the Barlow Medal of the Canadian Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. Dr. Jackson is a member of several professional and scientific organizations. Mr. Ralph Stricklen is a mine manager with extensive mining industry experience with a strong balance between technical and practical in a foreign environment (Africa, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, Zambia). His experience includes surface mining and milling; gold, nickel, copper, lead, iron and zinc smelting, refining; material handling and storage; acid, water treatment, and oxygen plant operations; project, maintenance, purchasing / warehousing, and engineering management; safety and environmental program implementation and compliance; financial, cost, and capital spending analysis, and planning; human resource, employee and industrial relations management. He has performed Haz-Op on plants prior to startup and risk assessments, and has started up numerous metallurgical projects in various countries ensuring operators were well trained in operations and safety. Mr. Stricklen has developed outstanding teams that understood the process and were able to operate the plant in a safe and efficient manner. Mr. Stricklen reads and speaks Spanish and has a BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering, from Texas Western College at El Paso, TX. Mr. Greg Neeld, President & CEO of the Company, states "We are excited that Dr. Stewart Jackson and Mr. Ralph Stricklen have agreed to join HAWKEYE to act as Senior Advisors for our projects. We feel privileged to have them on board and look forward to tapping into their wealth of experience and knowledge in the mining industry as we move forward with La Cobriza and other projects we may acquire in the future. Dr. Jackson's past record for major discoveries, his years of experience, and acting as the Company's Qualified Person will be invaluable in evaluating the geological potential for our projects, whether owned or Joint Ventured"; and "Mr. Ralph Stricklen's knowledge and experience will be invaluable to HAWKEYE when it comes to evaluating mining and milling facilities the Company may acquire; and by managing mining operations when our projects are put into production. We look forward to immediately getting started with Dr. Jackson and Mr. Stricklen by scheduling a property visit to La Cobriza." HAWKEYE's Website HAWKEYE is pleased to announce it has updated and relaunched its web site. To view these changes and current information on the Company, please visit our website at www.hawkeyegold.com. About the Company HAWKEYE Gold & Diamond Inc. is a junior mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol HGO and the Frankfurt Exchange under the ticker HGT; ISIN# CA42016R3027 and WKN# A12A61. HAWKEYE's Corporate mandate is to build strong asset value through the acquisition of low-cost high potential cash flowing Mining production opportunities with Blue Sky Discovery upside, manage our business activities in an environmentally responsible manner while contributing to the well-being of the local Community and Economy. Our goal is significant growth through Revenue and Cash flowing Projects, ultimate production through Discovery on our Blue Sky properties, to provide early return on investment and significant growth to maximize shareholder value. HAWKEYE GOLD & DIAMOND INC. Greg Neeld, President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This News Release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future events. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our industry, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Contacts: Hawkeye Gold & Diamond Inc. Vancouver: (778) 379-5393 x3314 (Investor Relations) hgo@hawkeyegold.com www.hawkeyegold.com President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elaine Chao to become transportation secretary, according to a Trump source. The source has knowledge of the pick but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the pick, which is expected to be announced Tuesday afternoon. Chao, 63, was labor secretary under President George W. Bush and the first Asian American woman to serve in a president's Cabinet. She also is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Chao came to the United States from Taiwan with her family at 8 years old. Her family settled in New York, where her father became a wealthy shipping magnate. She became head of the Peace Corps and deputy secretary of Transportation before taking over the Labor Department. As Labor secretary, her job was to protect the nation's workforce, including setting safety standards and addressing issues related to wages and retirement. She updated overtime regulations for "white-collar" workers and rules intended to force unions to disclose more details on their financial condition to members. Posted earlier on Cumberlink: Donald Trump's spokesman says the president-elect is poised to name a transportation secretary. Jason Miller tells Fox Business Network that Trump is expected to name the person to his Cabinet Tuesday afternoon. Pennsylvania Republican congressman Lou Barletta has been a leading candidate for the position and is scheduled to meet with Trump today. Barletta won re-election in November for the 11th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, a district that includes Cumberland County. If Trump chooses Barletta for his Cabinet, Gov. Tom Wolf would have 10 days after Barletta resigned his congressional seat to schedule a special election to replace him. The election could happen no earlier than 60 days after Wolf announces it. Barletta is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chairs the panel that oversees federal management of emergencies and natural disasters. He also serves on the House committees on homeland security and education and the workforce. Trumps transition team announced Friday the meeting would take place Monday, but asked later to reschedule it to Tuesday, said Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Barletta. Certainly, theres mutual admiration between the two of them, Republican political consultant Vince Galko told the Times-Tribune of Scranton. Barletta and Rep. Tom Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp., served as co-chairmen of Mr. Trumps successful Pennsylvania campaign. His victory in the Nov. 8 election marked the first time a Republican won the state since 1988. Three days after the election, Trump named Barletta and Marino to the executive committee of his transition team. Asked the day after the election about possibly serving in Trumps cabinet, Barletta said he planned to concentrate on doing his job as a congressman. In a brief interview with the Times-Tribune Nov. 18, Barletta, declined to say if Trump had offered him a job in his administration. As a member of the transition team executive committee, I cant comment, he said. Barletta, a former Hazleton mayor, serves as a member of the House Transportation Committee and three of its subcommittees Highways and Transit; Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; and Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. He chairs the economic development subcommittee. When there is construction work, people make good money and it goes back to the local economy. Theyll go out for dinner ... fix their homes, Barletta said in a recent interview with the Times-Tribune. Barletta ardently supports Mr. Trumps push to encourage up to $1 trillion in investment in repairing or replacing the nations roads, bridges, airports and other transportation infrastructure. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- PNG Gold Corporation (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: PGK) announces that it has appointed George Davidson as President of the Company. Mr. Davidson studied civil engineering at the University of Western Ontario prior to a 35 year work career which includes extensive experience in major construction projects as a site engineer, estimator and project manager in both Canadian and North African multi-million dollar projects. More recently, after obtaining his MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, Mr. Davidson has been involved as Vice President Operations for a major North American supply chain company; has led the mergers and acquisitions groups for both private and public companies; and has headed business development groups in multi-million dollar commercial and industrial construction projects from land acquisition, through project planning, engineering design and implementation, with specific emphasis on oil re-refining. Financing Amendment The Company also announces that it is amending the terms of its previously announced private placement financing. The Company now proposes to issue up to 10,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Financing"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one-half common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder, on exercise, to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.30 for a period of 12 months. In the event the common shares of the Company have a closing trading price of $0.30 or higher for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to a date that is 30 days from the date the Company provides notice to the holders. Certain finder's may receive a cash fee of up to 8% of the Financing. All securities issued under the Financing will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with securities laws. The Company proposes to use the proceeds of the Financing as follows: to complete engineering studies to assess the viability of the ReGen process; to undertake additional patent work regarding the ReGen process; to provide a deposit to secure a potential plant site in Alberta; to pay compensation to certain directors and officers of the Company; to pay commissions to finders in connection with the Financing; to pay the expenses of the Financing; and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Postponement of AGM The Company also reports that its previously announced Annual General Meeting (the "AGM"), which had been scheduled for December 16, 2016, will be postponed. A new notice of meeting and record date will be posted to the Company's profile on SEDAR once the new AGM date has been determined. On Behalf of the Board of PNG Gold Corporation Greg Clarkes, Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of PNG Gold Corporation. These include, but are not limited to, completion of the Financing, the receipt of TSXV acceptance of the Financing and the proposed use of proceeds of the Financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. Contacts: PNG Gold Corporation Greg Clarkes Chief Executive Officer (604) 374-6783 CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Editors Note: There is an image associated with this press release. After incorporating customer feedback into nearly two years of product development, Blackline Safety (TSX VENTURE: BLN) is the first company in the world to introduce a work-anywhere, global employee safety monitoring system with total detection capability. "Traditional gas detectors are 'disconnected' and only alert the worker of imminent danger," says Mr. Barry Moore, VP Product Development for Blackline Safety. "Businesses historically relied on workers to rescue themselves. Now, with G7, a team of responders is alerted in real-time to the employee's exact location. Knowing the concentration of hazardous gases around the individual, responders are protected while they rescue the employee from danger." Highly configurable for every organization, G7 warns both the user and live monitoring personnel of environmental exposure risks to both toxic and explosive gases. G7 is a true 'Internet of Things' tool, with wireless communications and location technology, to empower real-time emergency response and evacuation management. "Blackline Safety is looking at the whole environment - hazards, gas concentrations, the exact location of a man down, and you can talk to him on the G7 speakerphone," says Eric Clark, a member of the Area Safety Chairmen Committee for Ashland in Kentucky. "It saves a lot of time - the quicker you can get to that person in a dangerous situation the better chance they have of surviving." G7 is the first device anywhere that works right out of the box to: -- Automatically detect when someone is not moving, either from a fall, accident or health incident so that help can be immediately deployed to the employee -- Empower evacuations with mass notifications while accounting for the location of every employee through to muster points -- Support customization using interchangeable gas sensor cartridges with a choice of single or multiple gases (hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, combustible gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and ammonia) "If my husband had the emergency communication system from Blackline Safety when he experienced a massive stroke while on assignment in a foreign country, the outcome would have allowed for immediate medical intervention and could have prevented life-long disabilities," says Fran Majcher, caregiver and wife of Mark Majcher from Melbourne, Florida. Optional two-way voice communication enables monitoring personnel to speak directly with the employee through a built-in, industrial-grade speakerphone. G7 uses a combination of assisted-GPS and proprietary indoor location technology to display a fallen or injured employee's exact location on an interactive map, enabling monitoring personnel to direct the nearest responders to the right location. Blackline Safety will be launching G7 in Canada at an event for safety industry professionals and media on Wednesday, November 30, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in Calgary. For details on attending the G7 launch event contact marketing@blacklinesafety.com. Blackline's safety monitoring portfolio empowers organizations in global industries with real-time safety incident awareness, delivering help within minutes. To learn more about Blackline's work-alone safety monitoring solutions, visit www.BlacklineSafety.com and follow Blackline on Twitter @blacklinesafety. About Blackline Safety (formal): Blackline Safety is a global leader that helps businesses manage the most efficient evacuations and emergency responses to safety and health incidents in the workplace. Behind each of our groundbreaking innovations is a strong team of designers and engineers with millions invested in technology research and development. We are agile and capable, developing and manufacturing everything in-house - from wearable safety technology to cloud-hosted monitoring software. With service in over 200 countries, we are the only provider of industrial-grade, turn-key, work-anywhere connected safety monitoring solutions. We make it easy and seamless to meet the most demanding safety monitoring challenges of organizations in any industry. Alert. Locate. Respond. For more information, visit www.BlacklineSafety.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the image associated with this release, please visit the following link:http://www.marketwire.com/library/20161128-Black%20Safety%20800.jpg Contacts: Blackline Safety Corp. Cody Slater CEO & Chairman +1-403-451-0327 +1 403 451 9981 (FAX) cslater@blacklinesafety.com www.blacklinesafety.com OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released its third quarter financial results today as well as supplemental data on the Corporation's Mortgage Loan Insurance, Securitization, and Covered Bonds business activities. CMHC's mortgage loan insurance and securitization guarantee programs operate on a commercial basis without support from Canadian taxpayers. During the quarter, CMHC generated $331 million in net income from these activities. Report Highlights -- During the third quarter, CMHC facilitated access to mortgage financing by providing mortgage loan insurance for 127,991 units across the country, up 26.8% from the same period last year. -- At September 30, 2016, the size of CMHC's mortgage insurance business was $514 billion in total insurance-in-force, a $9 billion decrease from the previous quarter. This is still well below CMHC's legislated insurance-in-force limit of $600 billion. -- The average equity Canadian homeowners hold in their property also increased slightly in the third quarter to 34.8% from 34.4% in the previous quarter. -- Homebuyers with CMHC-insured mortgages have a strong ability to manage their debts as supported by an average credit score of 751 for transactional homeowner loans and an average gross debt service (GDS) ratio of 25.7% for the three-months ended September 30, 2016. -- The strength of CMHC's portfolio is reflected in the overall arrears rate which, as at September 30, 2016, stood at 0.32%, unchanged from the previous quarter. Total number of loans in arrears was 8,286 as at September 30, 2016. -- New securities guaranteed for the third quarter totalled $43.1 billion, comprised of $32.9 billion for market NHA MBS and $10.2 billion for CMB. Consistent with our mandate, CMHC is present in all markets and through all economic cycles. CMHC also works closely with provinces, territories and housing providers, including First Nations, to help low-income Canadians access affordable, better quality housing. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2016, CMHC provided more than $531 million for housing programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. This release includes video. A copy of the Quarterly Financial Report and the supporting business supplements are available on the CMHC website. CMHC's Mortgage Loan Insurance, Securitization and Covered Bond business supplements offer additional data on CMHC's commercial activities to help readers better understand our business. CMHC has been Canada's national housing agency for over 70 years. CMHC helps Canadians meet their housing needs. As Canada's authority on housing, we contribute to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provide support for Canadians in housing need, and offer objective housing research and information to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of our operations. QUOTE "Helping Canadians access housing that meets their needs is what CMHC is about and our third quarter results reflect the continued strength of our business. Despite economic challenges in parts of the country, we continue to generate a positive return for all Canadians. What's more, our portfolio remains strong as evidenced by the increasing equity borrowers have in their homes and the downward trend of our arrears rate, among other factors." Wojo Zielonka, Chief Financial Officer Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contacts: Karine LeBlanc CMHC Media Relations 613-740-5413 kjleblan@cmhc-schl.gc.ca Crowd-sourced Competitive Intelligence Platform Honors 4,500 Winning Companies Out of 15 Million Profiles EasyVista Inc., a leading provider of service management for IT organizations, today announced it is a winner of Owler's "2016 HOT in New York" award. Each year, Owler's crowd-sourced data model recognizes the top trending companies in cities around the world. Owler filtered through more than 15 million companies before picking 4,500 award winners across 600 cities worldwide. Recipients were chosen based on several metrics, including number of followers on Owler, insights collected from the Owler community, social media followers, and blog posts over the past year. "We are delighted by this validation from Owler's extensive professional business community," said Jamal Labed, founder and COO of EasyVista. "Crowd-sourced awards like these are one of the purest forms of feedback reflecting what the market wants and what technology provides. Our ITSM 2.0 solutions are on the front line of meeting our customer needs for best-in-class service management combined with transformative digital workplace capabilities." "We've sorted through our database of millions of contributions from our community and landed on the top trending companies from around the world," said Jim Fowler, CEO at Owler. "Being HOT In 2016 is an accomplishment to be proud of." Click here to see EasyVista's company profile on Owler. For more about EasyVista's "2016 HOT in New York" award, please read today's blog post. About Owler Owler is the crowdsourced competitive intelligence platform that business professionals use to outsmart their competition, gain competitive insights, and uncover the latest industry news and alerts. Owler is powered by an active community of 800K business professionals that contribute unique business insights such as competitors, private company revenue, and CEO ratings. From startups all the way to large enterprises (including 96% of the Fortune 500), CEOs, salespeople, marketers, product managers, and all types of business professionals use Owler daily. Launched in 2014, and funded by Norwest Venture Partners and Trinity Ventures, Owler is headquartered in San Mateo, CA with offices in Coimbatore, India. About EasyVista EasyVista is reinventing service management for the mobile user making it easy to deliver and easy to use. EasyVista is a service management platform that automates and personalizes service delivery for employees and other end users without a single line of code. The only solution on the market that is purpose-built as a mobile-first experience, EasyVista helps 1,000+ enterprises around the world radically improve the service experience, dramatically simplify and accelerate service creation and management and reduce and control the total cost of service delivery. With more than 20 years in service management, EasyVista serves companies across a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, higher education, technology, public sector, retail, manufacturing and more. Headquartered in Paris and New York, EasyVista is traded on the French stock exchange as ALEZV:EN. For more information: Visit EasyVista's website Follow EasyVista on Twitter at @EasyVista Read the EasyVista blog Follow EasyVista on LinkedIn Become a fan of EasyVista on Facebook View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129005327/en/ Contacts: EasyVista, Inc. Julia Glenister, 415-459-3688 easyvista@jagwiregroup.com MATAWAN, NJ--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - iCIMS, Inc., a leading provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) talent acquisition solutions, receives the Brandon Hall Group Silver Award for excellence in talent acquisition, within the Best Recruitment Marketing and Employer Branding Program category. iCIMS is recognized for its effective recruitment marketing strategy and brand message, along with the processes in place to measure its success in building a pipeline of new talent for the high-growth organization. In 2015, with more than 30 percent year-over-year growth, iCIMS saw a need to support its growing employment needs with aggressive hiring goals. A recognition that candidates now behave more like consumers in the way they search and apply for jobs laid the foundation for iCIMS' recruitment marketing strategy. The current strategy utilizes mobile and social recruiting technology and focuses primarily on data-driven programs that attract and engage top talent. Additionally, iCIMS places an emphasis on building long-term relationships with passive candidates who then are converted into hires as appropriate roles become available. Educating candidates on the company's brand, value proposition and the competencies that the organization stands for, ensures iCIMS is bringing in the right, quality talent. "It is incredibly meaningful to be recognized for our efforts in attracting not only the best, but the right-fit employees for this organization," said Colin Day, iCIMS chairman and chief executive officer. "The iCIMS culture is truly driven by each and every talented individual that joins our team. We're proud to eat our own dogfood, so to speak, with a rich, impactful recruitment marketing program that skillfully employs the iCIMS Connect and Recruit tools. I look forward to continuing to welcome exceptional employees who are committed to developing innovative solutions for talent acquisition and offering a customer service experience unlike any other." In July 2016, iCIMS announced plans to relocate its company headquarters to the iconic Bell Works building in Holmdel, New Jersey. The organization will now have the capability to house more than 2,000 employees in this 350,000 square foot space to accommodate strategic growth plans and continue to attract great talent from all over the state of New Jersey. "Winning a Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award means an organization is an elite innovator within Human Capital Management. The award signifies that the organization's work represents a leading practice in that HCM function," said Rachel Cooke, Chief Operating Officer of Brandon Hall Group and head of the awards program. "Their achievement is also notable because of the positive impact their work in HCM has on business results. All award winners have to demonstrate a measurable benefit to the business, not just the HCM operation. That's an important distinction. Our HCM award winners are helping to transform the business." For more information on awards that iCIMS has recently received, please visit https://www.icims.com/why-icims/icims-awards. For information about careers at iCIMS please visit https://careers.icims.com/sites/. About iCIMS, Inc. iCIMS is the leading provider of talent acquisition solutions that help businesses win the war for top talent. iCIMS empowers companies to manage their entire hiring process within the industry's most robust Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). Built on the foundation of a best-to-market talent acquisition software suite, iCIMS' PaaS framework, UNIFi, allows employers to expand the capabilities of their core talent acquisition technology by integrating with the largest partner ecosystem in talent acquisition to help them attract, find, screen, and manage candidates. Offering scalable, easy-to-use solutions that are backed by award-winning customer service, iCIMS supports more than 3,200 contracted customers and is one of the largest and fastest-growing talent acquisition solution providers. About Brandon Hall Group Brandon Hall Group is a HCM research and advisory services firm that provides insights around key performance areas, including Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition and Workforce Management. With more than 10,000 clients globally and 20 years of delivering world-class research and advisory services, Brandon Hall Group is focused on developing research that drives performance in emerging and large organizations, and provides strategic insights for executives and practitioners responsible for growth and business results. Media Contact: Carlee Pett iCIMS, Inc. 732.520.7453 Carlee.Pett@icims.com WEST CHESTER, PA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- A. Duie Pyle (Pyle), the Northeast's premier provider of asset and non-asset based transportation and supply chain solutions, has been awarded the Exceptional Safety and Operational Performance award by XPO Logistics (formerly Menlo Logistics). This is the sixth consecutive year Pyle has earned the award, which recognizes the carrier for providing safe product handling for The Dow Chemical Company. To qualify, Pyle had to achieve a score of zero in serious and moderate incidents and incur no more than one minor incident over the course of the year. Pyle was also chosen based on other key areas such as on-time delivery performance, EDI compliance and emergency response. "Safety is the number one priority for everyone at Pyle, meaning we uphold the strictest standards in the business, a standard which shows by looking at our history," said Tom Walker, A. Duie Pyle's director of chemical markets and compliance. "We're honored to be recognized so many years in a row for our service to The Dow Chemical Company." A family-owned and operated business for more than 92 years, A. Duie Pyle provides a range of integrated transportation and distribution services supported by 22 transportation service centers and 9 warehouses strategically located throughout the Northeast region. Through its Customized Solutions Group, Pyle provides a variety of asset and non-asset based services including Custom Dedicated fleet operations, integrated Warehousing & Distribution services through 2.2 million square feet of public and contract warehousing space, and specialized asset and non-asset based truckload services through its Truckload Solutions. For more information on A. Duie Pyle, visit www.aduiepyle.com. Media Contact Stephanie Kolp Uproar PR for A. Duie Pyle 321-236-0102 x224 Email Contact SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - Max Sound Corporation (OTCQB: MAXD) announced today that they entered into an agreement with Vedanti Systems Limited and Vedanti Licensing Limited (VLL) that resolves their dispute over the international Optimized Data Transmission (ODT) patent portfolio previously owned by Vedanti. The agreement further provides that VLL and MAXD will become co-owners of the pioneering portfolio. The affected patents are based on inventions related to the efficient transmission of digital content through the optimization of data capacity. The patented technology has been asserted against multiple popular video standards currently used by companies that transmit video over the Internet. The companies will work together on existing business opportunities and will jointly implement strategies for monetizing the ODT patents and defending the patents from invalidity challenges. MAXD will join VLL as the co-owner in the pending lawsuits in Germany involving Netflix, YouTube and Google, with hearings scheduled on December 8 th , 2016, January 27 rd , 2017 and May 2 nd , 2017. MAXD and VLL also plan to participate as co-plaintiffs in patent infringement lawsuits to be brought against infringers who do not enter into license agreements. MAXD's CEO John Blaisure says, "This strategic partnership has been carefully thought through by both companies. By working together as co-owners of this important international patent portfolio, VLL and MAXD will have significantly more legal and financial strength to effectively implement our global enforcement monetization program." "This is a strategic partnership that substantially strengthens the professional and financial interests of both parties," says Paul Wheeler, Director of Vedanti Systems Limited and Vedanti Licensing Limited. "We look forward to working with Max Sound's CEO, John Blaisure, on VLL's Patent Steering Committee, as well as MAXD's advisors. We all agree that the time has come to accelerate monetization of this patent portfolio," says Mr. Wheeler. About Max Sound Corporation: As creators of acclaimed MAX-D HD Audio, Max Sound can provide a better solution for Audio, Video and Data transmissions. Max Sound Corporation is the company that brings forth technologies for the betterment of our world, including being co owners of the Optimized Data Transmission Technology patent portfolio. Max Sound, MAXD and MAX-D Audio Perfected and HD Audio are registered trademarks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. To learn more about the MAX-D Technology, please visit http://maxd.audio. About Vedanti Licensing Limited: VLL, a UK entity, focuses on licensing patent assets in the global market, with the goal of assisting in the development of products that will pave the way for the next generation of mobile users. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Max Sound's intentions, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions, trends in the products markets, variations in the company's cash flow or adequacy of capital resources, market acceptance risks, technical development risks, and other risk factors. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Max Sound disclaims any obligation and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release. Expanded and historical information is made available to the public by Max Sound Corporation and its Affiliates on its website http://maxd.audio or at http://www.sec.gov. Contact: Max Sound Corporation info@maxsound.com ROCKVILLE, Maryland, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Vigene Biosciences, Inc. (Vigene), a leading biotechnology company for viral vector production and development, announced today that the company has entered into a definitive agreementto acquire the assets of Omnia Biologics, Inc. (Omnia), including Omnia's cGMP facility and equipment. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The assets acquired by Vigene from Omnia will include a 7,000 square-foot laboratory space, including three cGMP manufacturing suites and one process development laboratory for viral vector production, including AAV, lentivirus and adenovirus. Vigene will also acquire Omnia's cGMP quality system and personnel qualified for manufacturing clinical grade viral vectors. "We are pleased to have taken this step to expand our cGMP capacity and capability," stated Dr. Zairen Sun, Vigene's CEO."We believe that the cGMP capability and capacity complement the current strong position of Vigene in the viral vector research reagent market. We plan to take full advantage of our new cGMP facilities by exploring and developing new partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to further their gene and cell therapy pipeline development." "Vigene is the perfect company to acquire Omnia," stated Dr. Dale VanderPutten, President and CEO of Omnia. "We feel strongly that this transaction will catapult Vigene into a leading position in cGMP vector production. The fact that Vigene's existing facilities are in close proximity to Omnia's cGMP facility will be conducive to the integration of the Omnia assets and personnel into the Vigene business." Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. served as legal advisor to Vigene in the transaction. About Vigene Biosciences Vigene Biosciences, Incis a leader in viral vector based gene delivery for both life science research, gene therapy and cell therapy purposes. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Vigene offers AAV, lentivirus and adenovirus based products and custom services. Both research grade and cGMP grade AAV, lentiviral and adenoviral vectors are available. Please visit www.vigenebio.com About Omnia Biologics Omnia Biologics, Inc offers cGMP production and process development services for gene therapeutics through commercial recombinant proteins. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, the company has both non-cGMP and cGMP facilities for process development through Phase I/II manufacture. Please visit www.omniabiologics.com Contact Information Jeffrey Hung, Ph.D. Chief Commercial Officer Vigene Biosciences 301-251-6638 jhung@vigenebio.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar firmed against its most major counterparts in the European session on Tuesday, as data showed that the U.S. economy grew more than initially estimated in the third quarter, adding to hopes for a Fed rate hike in December. Data from the Commerce Department showed that GDP climbed by 3.2 percent in the third quarter compared to the initially estimated 2.9 percent increase. Economists had expected the pace of growth to be upwardly revised to 3.1 percent. The upwardly revised GDP growth in the third quarter compares to the 1.4 percent increase seen in the second quarter and marks the strongest growth in two years. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index for November is due at 10:00 am ET, with economists forecasting an increase of 101.0 points. Investors focus on the OPEC meeting on Wednesday amid uncertainty about whether the members of the cartel will finalize an agreement on reducing oil production. News that non-OPEC oil producer Russia will not attend the meeting has added to uncertainty about the outcome. The ADP private payrolls report for November is due tomorrow, followed by the all-important nonfarm payrolls on Friday. The greenback was trading mixed in the Asian session. While the greenback declined against the yen and the euro, it held steady against the Swiss franc. Against the pound, it advanced. Rebounding from an early low of 111.62 against the Japanese yen, the greenback hit a 4-day high of 113.34. If the greenback extends rise, 116.00 is possibly seen as its next resistance level. Data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that Japan's jobless rate stood at a seasonally adjusted 3.0 percent in October, in line with forecasts and unchanged from the previous month. The job-to-applicant ratio came in at 1.40, beating forecasts for 1.39 and up from 1.38 in the previous month. The greenback that closed Monday's trading at 1.0118 against the Swiss franc advanced to a 4-day high of 1.0176. The greenback is seen finding resistance near the 1.03 mark. The greenback rose to 1.0565 against the euro, following a decline to 1.0622 at 6:45 pm ET. The greenback may locate resistance around the 1.04 region. Survey data from the European Commission showed that Eurozone economic confidence improved to a 11-month high in November. The economic sentiment index came in at 106.5, up from 106.4 in October but below the expected score of 106.8. This was the highest since December 2015 when the reading was 106.6. The greenback reversed from an early session's low of 0.7102 against the kiwi, edging higher to 0.7073. The greenback is likely to locate resistance around the 0.70 region. The greenback, having fallen to 1.3400 against the loonie at 7:30 pm ET, reversed direction and climbed to 1.3480. Continuation of the greenback's uptrend may see it challenging resistance around the 1.36 mark. The greenback climbed to a 4-day high of 0.7432 against the aussie, off its early nearly 2-week low of 0.7497. Further uptrend may take the greenback to a resistance around the 0.72 zone. On the flip side, the greenback fell to 1.2493 against the pound, off its previous high of 1.2388. The next possible support for the greenback is seen around the 1.32 area. Data from the Bank of England showed that U.K. mortgage approvals increased to a 7-month high in October. The number of mortgages approvals increased to 67,518 in October from 63,594 in September. This was the highest since March, when approvals totaled 69,994. The expected level was 65,000. At 12:40 pm ET, Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell is expected to speak about the economic outlook at the Economic Club of Indiana Luncheon, in Indianapolis. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Market Insights presents an analysis of theU.S lime marketin a new publication titled "Lime Market: U.S. Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026." The consumption of lime in the U.S. was pegged at 19,600 KT in 2015 and this is expected to increase to 27,074 KT by the end of 2026. The U. S lime market is projected to represent incremental $ opportunity of US$ 1,096.8 Mn between 2016 and 2026. In this report, Future Market Insights throws light on the various drivers and restraints likely to influence the market during the forecast period (2016 - 2026). (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO ) Increasing use of lime to remove impurities during metallurgical operations is expected to boost overall growth of the U.S lime market in the next 10 years. Developments in the metal industry have led to a significant rise in the demand for lime and the market is forecast to register healthy growth over the coming years. Another key driver impacting the demand for lime in the U.S. market is its increasing use for producing precipitated calcium carbonate. Growing prominence of lime alternatives such as limestone, calcined gypsum, magnesium hydroxide etc. are expected to pose challenges to its market growth in the country. Besides, less storage time is another challenge faced by market players in the U.S. lime market. Lime, when stored for more than six months, changes its physical and chemical characteristics due to absorption of carbon dioxide and moisture, and the product becomes unsuitable for use. These factors are likely to restrict revenue growth of the U.S lime market over the forecast period. Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-us-2209 Segmentation highlights The U.S lime market is segmented on the basis of Product Type into Quick Lime and Hydrated Lime; and on the basis of Application into Cement Manufacturing, Metal Manufacturing, Chemical (Water Treatment, Flue Gas, Others), Fertilizer, Pulp & Paper, and Others. The Quick Lime product type segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 83.3% by 2016 end and is expected to gain 90 BPS over the forecast period The Hydrated Lime product type segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 16.7% by 2016 end and is estimated to be pegged at 2,967 KT in terms of volume by 2016 end The Metal Manufacturing application segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 32.8% by 2016 end and is estimated to be pegged at 6,614 KT in terms of volume by 2016 end The Chemical application segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 33.3% by 2016 end and is anticipated to be pegged at 6,724 KT in terms of volume by 2016 end Preview Analysis on U.S Lime Market Segmentation By Product Type - Quick Lime and Hydrated Lime, By Application - Cement Manufacturing, Metal Manufacturing, Chemical (Water Treatment, Flue Gas, Others), Fertilizer, Pulp & Paper and Others:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/us-lime-market Regional projections The U.S lime market is segmented into the key regions of Northeast, Midwest, South, and Western. The Northeast U.S. lime market is estimated to account for a value share of 7.1% of the U.S lime market by 2016 end. Demand for lime in the Northeast U.S lime market is expected to be driven by water treatment plants. The Western U.S. lime market is estimated to account for a market value share of 16.7% by 2016 end, owing to an increasing production in the pulp and paper industries. Speak with Analyst for any Report Related Queries:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-us-2209 Vendor insights The report profiles some of the leading companies operating in the U.S lime market such as CARMEUSE, United States Lime & Minerals Inc., CHENEY LIME & CEMENT COMPANY, Lhoist, Linwood Mining & Minerals Corporation, Pete Lien & Sons Inc., Mississippi Lime Company, Graymont Limited, and Valley Minerals LLC. Top market players are expanding their production facilities and introducing latest technology and equipment to meet market demand, besides adopting strategies such as acquisitions and alliances to expand their presence and retain market share. More From FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence: North America Fresh Meat Packaging MarketSegmentation By Material Type - PE, PVC, BOPP, PA, EVOH, PP and Others; By Layer Type - Monolayer, 3-Layer, 5-Layer, 7-Layer And 9-Layer; By Packaging Format - MAP, VTP, VSP and Others; By Meat Type - Beef, Pork, Poultry and Others:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-fresh-meat-packaging-films-market Temperature Controlled Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions (TCPPS) MarketSegmentation By Product Type -Insulated Shippers, Insulated Protective Shippers, Insulated Containers; By Application - Frozen, Chilled, Ambient:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/temperature-controlled-pharmaceutical-packaging-solutions-market Textile Floorings MarketSegmentation By Material Type - Synthetic Textiles, Animal Textiles and Plant Textiles; By Product Type - Rugs and Carpets; By Technology - Tufting, Woven and Needlefelt; By Application - Residential, Commercial and Others:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/textile-floorings-market About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse MoreChemicals and Materials Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T:+1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): +44-207-692-8790 Sales:sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press@futuremarketinsights.com Website:http://www.futuremarketinsights.com HARRISBURG A Green Party-backed group wants a Pennsylvania court to order a recount of the states Nov. 8 presidential election, won by Republican Donald Trump. Meanwhile, nearly three weeks after Election Day, Michigan officials certified Monday that Donald Trump won the state by 10,704 votes out of nearly 4.8 million to claim all of its 16 electoral votes. Jill Steins Green Party served notice that it would petition for a Michigan recount even as her party pushed forward with recount efforts in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where Trump won by somewhat wider but still small margins. Should the results for Trump hold in all three states, as expected, the president-elect would have 306 electoral votes to 232 for Democrat Hillary Clinton. It takes 270 to be elected president. Only if the results were overturned in all three states would Clinton have a claim on the presidency, and that is widely considered to be out of the question. In Pennsylvania, court papers filed Monday in Harrisburg cite an affidavit by a University of Michigan computer scientist stating that results produced by electronic voting machines couldve been manipulated by malware. Election law specialist Larry Otter made the filing and says its unprecedented in Pennsylvania. He says the evidence may be supplemented with the results of various precinct-level recounts being pursued by Green Party-backed voters. But a Republican Party lawyer calls the filing meritless. And Democratic Secretary of State Pedro Cortes says theres no evidence of election irregularities or cyberattacks on Pennsylvanias electronic voting machines. Trump edged Democrat Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania. Stein trailed them significantly. Clinton is winning the national popular vote. With some votes still being counted, she is ahead by more than 2 million, about 1.5 percent of the total counted so far. Trump, in a series of weekend tweets complaining about the Midwest recount efforts, said the Green Party was engaged in a scam to fill up their coffers and that defeated & demoralized Dems were joining in. Stirring the post-election pot, Trump made his own unsubstantiated claim of widespread voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California, saying without evidence that he would have won the popular vote if millions of people had not voted illegally. Stein, who won 1.4 million votes nationwide or about 1 percent of the count, signaled her determination to keep pushing the Midwest recount efforts, saying that Americans deserve a voting system we can trust. As of Monday, she had raised $6.2 million to finance recounts, according to her campaign website. After a presidential election tarnished by the use of outdated and unreliable machines and accusations of irregularities and hacks, people of all political persuasions are asking if our election results are reliable, she said in a statement. There is no evidence that voter results were hacked or that electronic voting machines were compromised. The Clinton campaign, which declined to initiate recounts on its own, said over the weekend it would participate in the recounts requested by Stein to ensure the process proceeds in a manner that is fair to all sides, in the words of campaign lawyer Marc Elias. Steins campaign said she would file a petition Wednesday for a Michigan recount, after which Trump would have seven days to file objections. Trumps margin of victory in the state was 0.22 percent of the total vote. Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel said a recount would be a waste of time and disrespectful to all Michigan voters. Chris Thomas, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, said the recount would begin as early as Friday to meet a Dec. 13 deadline. Under state policy, the recount will be conducted by hand. He said election officials have heard a lot this year about so-called fraud ... without any foundation in fact, and a recount settling that question could provide one silver lining. In Wisconsin, meanwhile, the state elections commission on Monday approved a timeline to start a recount on Thursday. Stein is pushing for a hand count of the nearly 3 million ballots cast in the state, but the commission left it up to local election officials to determine the best method. Steins Wisconsin recount request included an affidavit from University of Michigan computer scientist J. Alex Halderman stating that a hand recount is the only way to determine whether there could have been a cyberattack that affected the results. He argued that records stored in electronic voting equipment could have been manipulated in an attack. The AP on Monday updated its election night vote count in Wisconsin to correct the totals for both candidates in three separate counties. The updates dropped Trumps margin over Clinton from 27,257 votes to 22,460 votes, or 0.8 percent of the total vote. The corrections were made during the regular post-election canvass of the election-night vote. HELSINKI, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's leading startup and technology conference Slush is organized for the 9th time this week. The event gathers 17,500 attendees including 2,336 startups, 1,146 investors and 610 journalists to Helsinki. There are over 2,300 volunteers building the event. This year, Slush is more international than ever. Global community events have already been organized in Tokyo, Singapore and Shanghai. The Slush year culminates this week, as the two-day startup and tech event kicks off in Helsinki on Wednesday. In addition to the main event, there are over 300 side events organized in the Helsinki metropolitan area. 60 percent of the attendees arrive from outside of Finland - from a total of 124 countries. The countries with the most participants, after Finland and Sweden, are the United States, Great Britain and Russia. Slush focuses on creating an event that brings the highest value to startups. The team goes all-in to create an event that generates opportunities for founders and investors to connect. "There is a record-high number of investors and growth companies coming to Slush 2016. We are expecting close to 7,000 pre-booked startup-investor meetings, whereas last year we had 6,000 of them," says Marianne Vikkula, CEO of Slush. Speakers of Slush 2016 include Daniel Ek, Founder of Spotify, the Crown Prince of Norway Haakon, Arielle Zuckerberg, Partner of KPCB, Danae Ringelmann, Co-Founder of Indiegogo, as well as Steve Jurvetson, Partner at Draper Fisher Jurvetson. "This year, our stages are more conceptualized, enabling to tell entrepreneurial stories from various different angles. The main themes on stage will be survival plan for Planet Earth, the next 100 years of your life, as well as the mind of an entrepreneur," says Katariina Helaniemi, Chief Program Curator of Slush. Playing a crucial role for the program of Slush is the direct flight from San Francisco, which lands at the Helsinki Airport this afternoon. Slush bought a direct flight from SF to bring 300 investors, entrepreneurs and speakers from Silicon Valley to Helsinki. "Investors from over 60 countries are coming to Slush this year. These investors represent 1 billion euros worth of venture capital. A significant part of this capital is brought to Slush on this flight," says Marianne Vikkula. Slush 2016 is organized at the Expo and Convention Centre Helsinki (Messukeskus) on Nov 30-Dec 1. http://www.slush.org To: Company Announcements Date: 29 November 2016 Company: AXA Property Trust Limited Subject: Net Asset Value 30 September 2016 (Unaudited) SUMMARY CAPITAL REDEMPTIONS No capital was returned to shareholders during the quarter. Under the terms of the extension of the debt facility, disposal proceeds and rents will be allocated to repay the debt in priority to shareholder distribution. QUARTERLY RESULTS Net Asset Value ("NAV") as at 30 September 2016 was 71.40 pence per share, an increase of 6.3% compared to the prior quarter ( 30 June 2016 : 67.20 pence per share). In the three months to 30 September 2016 , the Group made a net profit after tax of 0.43m. The closing share price was 56.63 pence per share at 30 September 2016 . Compared to the Net Asset Value per share at 30 September 2016 , this represents a discount of 14.77 pence (-20.7%). MANAGED WIND-DOWN STATUS The disposal strategy continues with the marketing of the Trust's remaining assets. Post-quarter the Company, together with its joint venture partner, completed the sale of the property at Agnadello, Italy . The sales price of 23.2 million (at joint-venture level) reflects a discount of 1.3% below the asset's independent valuation as at 30 September 2016 . At Rothenburg, marketing continued and second-round bids were received during the quarter. A preferred bidder was selected and exclusivity was granted for the bidder to complete detailed due diligence. Post-quarter negotiations are being finalised with the aim of contracting for a sale by the end of December 2016 , in which case completion is expected in early 2017. , in which case completion is expected in early 2017. The remaining asset at Curno remains available for sale but interest has been limited despite the asset's resilient cashflow. PORTFOLIO UPDATE Country Allocation at 30 September 2016 (by asset value) Country % of portfolio Germany 46% Italy 54% Sector Allocation at 30 September 2016 (by asset value) Sector % of portfolio Retail 46% Industrial 24% Leisure 30% MARKET UPDATE Eurozone - Economic environment Eurozone GDP grew by 0.3% in Q2 2016, whilst growth in the first quarter was revised down slightly, to 0.5% (from 0.6%). The more subdued data reflects a slowdown in consumer spending, which has been the key driver of growth for much of the last eighteen months, as the oil boost fades. Investment has also remained lacklustre due to weak global trade and political uncertainty across Europe. Among major Eurozone economies, Spain remains a strong performer with GDP growth of 0.7% in Q2, followed by Germany (0.4%) but the divergence in growth among eurozone countries is a sign of concern, with growth flattening in Italy (0%) and faltering in France (-0.1%). Political uncertainty - as we approach the Italian referendum in December and elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany in 2017 - continues to add some caution to spending by households and businesses. Political uncertainty also remains on-going in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU. With respect to economic growth, the medium term effect is highly dependent upon future agreements between UK and EU countries, the outcomes of which are difficult to characterize at this stage. It has also added to political and financial risks across Europe, namely the stability of the Italian banking system. The indicators so far received for Q3 point to more lacklustre growth in the second half of the year. Although PMIs have held up reasonably well, national survey data, as well as consumer confidence surveys, suggest a slowing in activity through July and August. The German economy saw GDP grow by 0.4% Quarter on quarter (QoQ) in Q2, following a 0.7% increase in Q1, above consensus. Surprisingly weak imports and robust exports supported external trade balances. Private consumption increased by 0.2% QoQ, while government consumption grew by 0.6%. Investment fell sharply (-1.5% QoQ), mainly led by weakened investment in equipment, but supportive credit conditions and rising demand should result in a continuation of the previously commenced recovery in investment. Household consumption and industrial production should furthermore remain resilient and provide the main support for growth in Q3 2016. Italy's GDP recorded positive growth in Q1 (0.3% QoQ), before flattening in Q2. Whilst this growth remains subdued, and Italy continues to lag the rest of Europe, the data does at least confirm a return to growth for the Italian economy after three consecutive years of decline. Italy's economy faces some severe headwinds and growth is likely to be further tested in the coming quarters. For sustained economic growth to manifest, structural reform is necessary within Italy. PM Renzi has backed a referendum on constitutional reform, taking place in December 2016, but the outcome of this is not certain. A period of uncertainty and a further delay in the implementation of crucial reforms would most likely dampen perspective economic growth. The fragility of the banking system is also adding to market jitters in Italy as a high stock of NPLs on Italian banks' balance sheets may require a bail-in of retail investors. Italian Industrial Market Take-up increased quarter-on-quarter both in Milan and Rome, generating volumes of according to CBRE 91,200 sqm in Q3 2016, which is significantly more than the respective 86,000 sqm observed in Q1 and Q2 together. According to CBRE, prime rents continued to be stable year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter in both Milan and in Rome standing at 50/sqm/year and 52/sqm/year respectively. According to CBRE, year-to-date, industrial investment volumes amount to 231m, down 22.6% compared to the same period in 2015. According to CBRE, prime net yields fell however by 15 bps during Q3 both in Milan and Rome, reaching 6.25%. German Retail Market Q3 2016 saw 114,000 sqm of retail space signed, an increase of 10% compared by Q2 2016. The majority (57%) of all rental contracts were signed by international retailers. Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart jointly generated 35% of the overall take-up, down from 39% compared to Q2 2016. German prime retail rents have, according to JLL, continued to be largely stable with only Berlin recording some upward movement in prime rents. Overall retail investment volumes amounted to approximately 3.95bn in Q3 2016 according to CBRE, up from 2.9bn seen in Q2 2016, but down from 4.7bn in Q3 2015. According to JLL, prime high street yields are a peak prime level of 3.30% (Munich). Prime yields for shopping centres remained stable at 4.1%, according to CBRE. CONSOLIDATED PERFORMANCE SUMMARY Audited Unaudited 3 months ended 3 months ended 30 June 2016 30 September 2016 Quarterly Movement Pence per share Pence per share Pence per share /(%) Net Asset Value per share 67.20 71.40 4.20 6.24% Share price (mid market) 55.13 56.63 1.50 2.72% Share price discount to Net Asset Value 18.0% 20.7% 2.7 percentage points Total Return per Share Audited Unaudited 12 month ended 12 month ended 30 June 2015 30 September 2016 Net Asset Value Total Return 11.2% 14.7% Share Price Total Return - AXA Property Trust 29.6% 16.5% - FTSE All Share Index 2.2% 16.8% - FTSE Real Estate Investment Trust Index -8.3% -8.8% Source: AXA Investment Managers UK Limited and Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. Audited Unaudited 3 months ended 3 months ended 30 June 2016 30 September 2016 million million Net property income 0.88 0.83 Net foreign exchange (losses) / gains 1.69 0.08 Investment Manager's fees (0.29) (0.05) Other income and expenses 0.34 (0.39) Net finance costs (0.07) (0.11) Revenue loss 2.55 0.37 Unrealised / gains on revaluation of investment properties (0.18) 0.01 Net gain on disposal of investment properties (1.40) - Net gains on derivatives (0.01) 0.07 Share in losses of Joint Venture (0.11) 0.08 Finance costs (0.37) - Net foreign exchange losses - (0.02) Deferred tax (0.20) (0.07) Impairment loss (0.45) 0.00 Capital profit (2.72) 0.07 Total profit (0.17) 0.43 NET ASSET VALUE Audited Unaudited 12 months ended 3 months ended 30 June 2016 30 September 2016 million million Opening Net Asset Value 49.37 38.69 Net (loss) / profit after tax 1.41 0.43 Unrealised movement on derivatives 0.76 - Share Redemption (16.19) - Foreign exchange translation losses 3.35 1.99 Closing Net Asset Value 38.69 41.11 Net Asset Value per share as at 30 September 2016 was 71.40 pence (67.20 pence as at 30 June 2016). The Net Asset Value attributable to the Ordinary Shares is calculated under International Financial Reporting Standards. It includes all current year income after the deduction of dividends and capital redemptions paid prior to 30 September 2016. SHARE PRICE AND DISCOUNT TO NET ASSET VALUE The closing share price was 56.63 pence per share at 30 September 2016. Compared to the Net Asset Value per share at 30 September 2016, this represents a discount of 14.77 pence (-20.7%). FUND GEARING During the quarter and following the sale of the asset in Dasing 6.48 million of debt was repaid. The outstanding debt reduced to 9.93 million (11.48 million) as at end of September 2016. Audited Unaudited 30 June 2016 30 September 2016 Movement million /% million /% million /% Property portfolio * 46.79 42.35 -4.44 10.5% Borrowings 15.02 9.93 -5.09 51.2% Total gross gearing 32.1% 23.5% -8.6 percentage points Total net gearing ** 26.6% 10.0% -16.6 percentage points * Value based on independent valuation, Agnadello valuation included ** Net Gearing is calculated as overall debt, net of unallocated cash held by the Goup over the portfolio at fair value Fund gearing is included to provide an indication of the overall indebtedness of the Company and does not relate to any covenant terms in the Company's loan facilities. Gross gearing is calculated as debt over property portfolioatfair value.Net gearing is calculated as debt less cash (cash held in JV included) over property portfolio at fair value. Following the post-quarter disposal of the Agnadello asset, the net disposal proceeds together with the existing cash reserves will be allocated to the full reimbursement of the outstanding loan. CASH POSITION The Company and its subsidiaries held total cash of 10.02 million (including cash held in Joint Venture) at30 September 2016. MATERIAL EVENTS Except for those noted above, the Board of the Company is not aware of any significant event or transaction occurring between 30 September 2016 and the date of the publication of this Statement which would have a material impact on the financial position of the Company. Company website: http://www.axapropertytrust.com All Enquiries: Investment Manager AXA Investment Managers UK Limited Broker Services 7 Newgate Street London EC1A 7NX Tel: +44 (0)20 7003 2345 Email: broker.services@axa-im.com Broker Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited 150 Cheapside London EC2V 6ET Neil Winward / Mark Bloomfield Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 7600 Company Secretary Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port GY1 3QL Tel: +44 (0)1481 745324 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - US citizens who burn the American flag should be punished rigorously, either by forfeiture of their citizenship, or putting them in jail, according to President-elect Donald Trump. Trump took a serious stand on the 'burning' issue in a twitter message. The flag of the United States is sometimes symbolically burned, often in protest of the policies of the American government. The US Supreme Court has ruled that due to the First Amendment to the Constitution, it is unconstitutional for a government to prohibit the desecration of a flag, due to its status as 'symbolic speech.' The Flag Protection Act, which was passed in 1989 to protect flags from anyone who desecrates or burns the flag, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1990. After that case, several amendments to the Constitution to ban flag burning were proposed but was never passed. Trump's senior communications adviser Jason Miller tried to defend the president-elect's post in an interview on CNN, saying that flag burning is completely ridiculous. 'And I think you know that and I think the vast majority of Americans would agree.' 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 JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- ProPlus Design Solutions Inc. today unveiled 9812DX wafer-level 1/f noise characterization system, an enhanced version of its de facto standard 9812D, setting records for measurement speed, system resolution and coverage of different types of measurement requirements. With this announcement, 9812DX becomes the most advanced, fastest and complete noise characterization system on the market, offering improved specifications and measurement capabilities from earlier noise measurement systems. The new system tackles increasing measurement challenges of various advanced process technologies and the exploding number of noise measurements to meet the needs of process quality monitoring, statistical noise analysis and advanced circuit designs. It includes a more than 10X increase in system resolution, as well as a speedup boost three-to-10 times faster than previous systems, higher voltage support up to 200V, and lower current support down to 0.1nA. 9812DX adds a wider range of measurement conditions and device types than offered by 9812D. "With 9812DX, we strengthen our 1/f noise characterization leadership position and extend our systems offerings for current and future process development and advanced circuit design needs," remarks Dr. Zhihong Liu, chairman and chief executive officer of ProPlus Design Solutions. "9812DX is a technological leap forward with unbeatable specifications, performance and measurement capabilities." Superior Capabilities 9812DX provides a true 10 megahertz (MHz) bandwidth for accurate on-wafer noise measurement and user can also measure very low-frequency noises starting at 0.03Hz. 9812DX has the lowest system resolution for on-wafer measurement at 110-27A2/Hz, a 10X+ improvement over 9812D. It enables noise measurement of extreme low DC current at 0.1nA, a requirement for advanced designs that need to bias devices at weak inversion conditions, dark current noise of photodiodes or image sensors for many consumer, communication, automotive and industrial applications. Additionally, it handles high-voltage device operations up to 200V and a wider range of measurement conditions and device types. Those include bulk MOSFET, FinFET, FD-SOI, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and junction field effect transistors (JFETs) and various diodes, such as photo, laser and Zener diodes, wide range of resistors (10 to 10M ohm), including voltage-controlled resistors, and integrated circuits (ICs). 9812DX is the only system on the market that supports a complete range of impedance for both high and low impedance devices and works with the most advanced technology nodes, from 16-nanometer (nm) and 14nm to 10nm and 7nm technology development. Fastest Noise System 9812DX sets the high-speed record for on-wafer noise characterization -- at least three-to-10 times faster than 9812D, with typical noise measurement time of less than 10 seconds per bias. This performance boost is due to improved software algorithms and hardware architecture. Improved measurement speed enables rapid data collection to manage increasing amounts of noise measurements required by process quality monitoring, statistical variation analysis and advanced circuit designs. ProPlus offers M9800, a parallel noise measurement system for users that require higher throughput. It achieves an additional two-to-four times throughput improvement using one prober station as compared to a 9812DX system. Golden Noise Characterization Systems Since 1990s ProPlus has supplied noise characterization systems since the late 1990s when it introduced the 9603, the first in the series. It was followed by 9812A and 9812B that has been the golden noise measurement system for more than 100 semiconductor companies and research institutions worldwide for more than 15 years. Its 9812D was introduced in 2013, and has become the de facto standard after rapid adoption by all leading foundries, top integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and fabless semiconductor companies for all advanced process nodes. ProPlus will demonstrate the new 9812DX noise system, along with its advanced nano-scale SPICE modeling tool, during the 2016 IEEE International Electron Device Meeting (IEDM). IEDM will be held Monday, December 3, through Wednesday, December 7, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in San Francisco, Calif. To schedule a private meeting at IEDM, send email to: lfyang@proplussolution.com Pricing and Availability ProPlus Design Systems is accepting orders now for 9812DX. Volume shipments of 9812DX will commence in Q1 2017. Pricing is available upon request. About ProPlus Design Solutions ProPlus Design Solutions, Inc. delivers Electronic Design Automation (EDA) solutions with the mission to enhance the link between design and manufacturing. As the leading provider of nano-scale SPICE modeling, the innovative giga-scale SPICE simulation and design for yield (DFY) applications, it provides the industry's golden SPICE modeling platform, the first and only GigaSpice simulator, and the only integrated DFY design platform. Founded in 2006, ProPlus Design Solutions has R&D centers in the San Jose, Calif., Beijing and Jinan, China, and offices in Tokyo, Japan, Hsinchu, Taiwan, and Shanghai, China. More information about ProPlus Design Solutions can be found at www.proplussolutions.com. BSIMProPlus, NoiseProPlus, ModelExplorer Pro, NanoSpice, NanoSpice Giga and NanoYield are registered trademarks of ProPlus Design Solutions. ProPlus Design Solutions acknowledges trademarks or registered trademarks of other organizations for their respective products and services. For more information, contact: Nanette Collins Public Relations for ProPlus Design Solutions (617) 437-1822 Email Contact BELLEVUE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Flights.com, a global travel website powered by Expedia.com, launched its "Don't Skip the Trip" campaign to motivate Americans to take time off and revisit cherished trips from their past. The campaign was inspired by the millions of vacation days that go unused in America, which has proven to negatively affect health, happiness, and productivity. Flights.com created a series of videos that playfully remind Americans about the importance of taking those days off to reconnect with their favorite places and people. The "Don't Skip the Trip" campaign also showcases a new social media integration that allows travelers to view personalized flight recommendations based on their check-in history. Users can connect with Facebook to browse travel destinations curated from previous trips, inspiring nostalgia and making it quick and easy to book a return flight. To revisit your favorite places, visit http://www.flights.com/ and connect to your Facebook account. You can watch the "Don't Skip the Trip" videos on Flights.com's YouTube channel. About Flights.com Flights.com, powered by Expedia.com, is one of the world's leading online travel brands. Flights.com serves both leisure and business travelers as they search for and book great deals on flights. Collectively, the Expedia, Inc. brands cover virtually every aspect of researching, planning, and booking travel. PR Contact: Kimberly Deese Kimberly.deese@meetpacific.com LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- AWS re:Invent -- Cohesive Networks, a cloud-native security and network software company, today announced that SambaSafety has chosen Cohesive Networks' VNS3 and VNS3:ha in production to secure overlay networks on top of Amazon Web Services (AWS). SambaSafety works in partnership with State governments and other third-party information providers to acquire, process, and report critical driver information. VNS3, Cohesive Networks' flagship product, provides SambaSafety with end-to-end encrypted networking capabilities at the application layer, high availability, scalability, and the flexibility SambaSafety needs for secure compliance reporting. VNS3:ha cloud-based network controller is the first software-only appliance to use Instance-based failover, allowing VNS3 customers to ensure things like IPsec failover without relying on connecting hardware or complex routing protocols. "After researching and testing different technologies, we chose Cohesive Networks VNS3 because it is the most reliable and straightforward way to connect our cloud-based resources, and ensure all traffic between the source and destination is encrypted," said Ryan Woodard, IT Manager at SambaSafety. "Furthermore, Cohesive Networks' outstanding customer support has made our job easier. Their technology delivers greater security for all our critical business systems." SambaSafety relies on Cohesive Networks' technology to help their growing business: Integrate with partnering state government and territorial entities to access private driver's license numbers and motor vehicle records. Ensure best practices of fully end-to-end encryption for all personal identifying information. Quickly and easily configure network connections between partners and AWS cloud-based servers with added high availability. "We are so excited to be partnering with SambaSafety because they are the market leader in cloud-based risk management solutions for employers, insurance, background screeners and fleet management companies," said Ryan Koop, the Director of products and marketing at Cohesive Networks. "VNS3 technology lets companies to protect traffic in public, private or hybrid cloud deployments, where other competitors fall short. That flexibility is key for customers like SambaSafety who need to adapt their security and connectivity methods with customers in multiple states and regulated industries." SambaSafety has standardized their infrastructure and technology into a unified, enterprise-level environment with Cohesive Networks VNS3 and VNS3:ha. Since deploying VNS3, SambaSafety has connected over 20 secure IPsec tunnels to customers and AWS-based resources. As part of their disaster recovery business and continuity planning, SambaSafety is using VNS3:ha to proactively respond to events and outages and protect their applications in the cloud. Meet Cohesive Networks at AWS re:Invent Where: Booth # 2238 in re:Invent Central (Expo Hall) When: Tuesday's Welcome Reception from 5pm - 7pm, and Wednesday and Thursday 10:30am - 6pm Read the full SambaSafety use case on the Cohesive Networks website: https://cohesive.net/dnld/Cohesive-Networks_SambaSafety-use-case.pdf ABOUT COHESIVE NETWORKS Cohesive Networks provides cloud-class security and networking software for enterprises. Over 2,100 customers use VNS3 virtual appliances to secure products and services at the application layer. With VNS3, enterprises can extend networks into public, private and hybrid clouds to provide security, connectivity, and integration. Cohesive is a member of the Amazon Partner Network, an Amazon Marketplace Seller, a member of the Microsoft Partner Network, Microsoft Azure certified, a Google Cloud Platform Authorized Technology Partner, a CenturyLink Cloud Marketplace Provider, certified HPE Helion Ready, a GovCloud provider, Cloud28+ Partner, and an IBM Business Partner. To find out more, visit www.cohesive.net About SambaSafety Since 1998, SambaSafety has been the market leader in cloud-based risk management solutions for employers, insurance, background screeners and fleet management companies. Our innovative driver risk platform, anchored by FCRA compliant data, continuously monitors drivers to deliver a comprehensive view of driver behavior and performance to organizations across the nation. SambaSafety is unique in the industry as our solution delivers actionable alerts that improves driver performance, reduces accidents, lowers insurance costs, and limits risks -- ultimately improving driver and community safety. For more information, go to www.sambasafety.com. Media Contacts: Heidi Groshelle Groshelle Communications Tel +1 415.307.1380 Email Contact @heidigro Cohesive Networks Sales Contact: Chris Purrington 19 Eastbourne Terrace Paddington, London W2 1BA Tel: +44 208 144 0156 Email Contact @CohesiveNet SUZHOU, CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/03/17 -- Hengtong Marine Cable System Co., Ltd. and Huawei Marine Networks Co., Limited have successfully delivered the Avassa Submarine Cable Project recently, which is the first international commercial submarine cable communication project and provides connectivity between the Comoros Islands. The Comoros Islands, located on the eastern coast of Africa, comprises the four islands of Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjouan and Mayotte. The new 260km submarine cable infrastructure project will connect two locations on Grande Comore, to Anjouan to Mayotte. Comoros Telecom owns 3 submarine cables connecting Comoros, Anjouan to Mayotte. The new Avassa cable will further secure the international gateway safety of Comoros and Mayotte. Bayhaki Kambi, CTO of Comoros Telecom, said, "This new high-speed, large-capacity submarine system will complement our existing infrastructure investment, to drive local economic development and provide our businesses and residents with an improved end-user experience." Hengtong Zhang Xian zhangxian@c114.net.cn CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/12/17 -- Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this release. RTDNA Canada is pleased to recognize two individuals in the Prairies region who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and continued excellence during the course of their careers in journalism/news management. Karen Mitchell, CTV Winnipeg News Director and RTDNA Regional Director, said, "David Spence and Gord Gillies work not only to inform the community on important events that shape viewers' lives; they also volunteer in the community to help those around them. This dedication to work and volunteerism is an inspiration to young journalists." "Once again the prestigious RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award is recognising two exceptionally talented people who have collectively provided their community more than 70 years of information," said RTDNA President Ian Koenigsfest, adding, "the recipients continue to play a vitally important role in mentoring and providing leadership to our industry." Gord and David will be presented with their awards during the Prairies Regional Meeting on April 29, 2017. For more information on the event visit http://www.rtdnacanada.com/2017-prairies-regional-meeting/. Gord Gillies Global News Calgary Gord Gillies is truly the face of Global Calgary. A born and bred Calgarian, he has recently completed an incredible 25 years of service to the station and more than 30 years to the local community as part of a journalism career in television, radio, and print that dates back to 1981. Gord's coverage of the 1988 Winter Olympics is a personal highlight and accolades have piled up along his career, most recently a pair of Best Newscast Awards, in addition to a 2015 Canadian Screen Award for Best Live Special. Gord, of course, will say it was all the team behind and beside him that helped win these outstanding achievements. It is Gord's community work that truly sets him apart. His dedication and longstanding support of countless organizations including the Alberta Children's Hospital puts him in high demand. He always makes time for any charity or community event big or small while eschewing any personal attention lest he steal the spotlight from the good work being done. From mayors to premiers to prime ministers to William Shatner, Gord has interviewed just about everyone who is anyone over the course of his career and his calm presence and professional delivery during the devastating Alberta floods of 2013 helped inform and reassure an entire community and solidify his place as one of the top local broadcasters in the country. David Spence CTV Calgary David has been providing Southern Alberta with the most up to date and accurate weather forecasts for about 40 years. He has taken on number causes outside of his daily broadcasts including being a spokesperson for Movember, taking part in many events with Prostaid Calgary, and sharing his own brush with prostate cancer. He spends countless hours in Calgary classrooms teaching children about weather and science. As a Meteorologist, he makes the weather interesting, fun and easy to understand. He also has a very serious sense of responsibility when it comes to severe weather, and he clearly understand how vital his role is to the community. David was also an early adapter of social media, and has built a very strong and loyal online following. RTDNA CANADA RTDNA Canada is the voice of electronic and digital journalists and news managers in Canada. The members of RTDNA Canada recognize the responsibility of broadcast and digital journalists to promote and to protect the freedom to report independently about matters of public interest and to present a wide range of expressions, opinions and ideas. The RTDNA Canada Journalistic Code of Ethics, adopted by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, is used to measure fairness and accuracy in our profession. To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20170412-Gord-Gillies.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20170412-David-Spence-RTDNA.jpg Contacts: RTNDA Canada Ian Koenigsfest President president@rtdnacanada.com RTNDA Canada Joanna Rose Awards Coordinator info@rtdnacanada.com NEW YORK, NY and TOKYO, JAPAN -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Southern Home Medical Inc. (OTC PINK: SHOM), a leading developer in the Healthcare Industry, has announced today that its subsidiary KC Holdings, Inc. has received approval from TB Group, Inc. for a $180 million dollar company credit line. The approved credit line is to be used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures related to developing its vital monitoring wearable systems (VMWS) and other health monitoring products. TB Group, Inc. is providing this new company credit line to allow KC to make impactful advances in vital monitoring wearable systems (VMWS) and health monitoring services. This credit line will allow the company to procure new contracts, attend conferences and cover general operating expenses essential to opening the global markets for SHOM and KC health monitoring products and services. George Chang, Chief Executive Officer of SHOM, commented, "The credit line will provide strong capital support for our current projects and company expenses. With an increased business capital, our company will be allowed more flexibility in pursuing economic growth. With our combined efforts and resources, I can only expect both companies to continue growing in a promising relationship that is mutually beneficial." About Southern Home Medical, Inc.: Southern Home Medical, Inc. is a Holding Company with a focus on servicing the needs of the Healthcare Industry. SHOM will continue to leverage the success of their businesses in order to expand sales opportunities in other locations throughout the country with health, medical and equipment needs. Websites: www.southernhomemedical.com http://twitter.com/southernhomemed http://www.facebook.com/southernhomemedical Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or to persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors other than as required under the securities laws. The Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements. Southern Home Medical, Inc. George Chang georgechang20042000@hotmail.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Velan Inc. (TSX: VLN) Velan Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary located in Lyon, France, has been awarded important contracts for the supply of nuclear class valves to China Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation (CNPEC), China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. Ltd. (CNPE), China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation (CNEIC), and State Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation Ltd (SNPEC). These nuclear valve orders represent a sales value of about US$36 million (EUR33 million) recorded in backlog of the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The valves are scheduled for delivery from 2018 until 2019. For CNPEC, the orders are for valves for the two new generation Hualong HPR1000 nuclear plants of Fangchengang Units 3 and 4. The scope of supply consists of critical nuclear-classified forged valves, and high-pressure gate, globe, and check valves with electric actuators. For CNPE and CNEIC, both of which are part of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), Velan France received orders for the supply of nuclear-classified valves for the two new nuclear power plants to be built in Jiangsu province, at Tianwan Units 5 and 6. The scope of supply is mainly high-pressure forged valves with electric or pneumatic actuators for service inside nuclear containment vessels. Velan France signed contracts with SNPEC for the supply of ASME Class 1 valves for the new reactors CAP1400 located in Rongsheng Units 1 and 2, and for 6 reactors CAP1000 located in Sanmen Units 3 and 4, Haiyang Units 3 and 4, and Lufeng Units 1 and 2. Michel Monier, Director of Nuclear-China at Velan, stated: "Velan was the very first valve company to get N stamp approval from ASME in 1970. Today, Velan has three manufacturing plants certified to ASME in North America and in France. It is really exciting to work on ASME nuclear projects in China, especially since the new CAP1400 and CAP1000 projects represent a significant part of the future of the nuclear industry in China. With these new orders, Velan valves have now been selected for over 60 Chinese nuclear power plants." Tom Velan, CEO of Velan Inc., stated: "Most new nuclear projects launched in China are Generation 3 advanced design, where only the most reliable, proven valves are selected. Given Velan's long history in this highly demanding industry, the company is well positioned to offer high-quality and cost-effective products. And we are honored to share our technical expertise with the Chinese design institutes with whom we work." About Velan: Velan Inc. (www.velan.com) is a world-leading manufacturer of industrial valves with sales of US$426.9m in its last reported fiscal year. The company employs approximately 1,900 people and has manufacturing plants in nine countries. Velan Inc. is a public company with its shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VLN. This press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of Velan Inc. and its subsidiaries. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results. Contacts: VELAN Inc. Tom Velan, CEO, or Yves Leduc, President (514) 748-7743 (514) 908-0180 (FAX) VELAN Inc. John D. Ball Chief Financial Officer (514) 748-7743 (514) 908-0180 (FAX) www.velan.com DENVER, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 --ThinPrint, the world's leading provider of print management software, surveyed more than 1,500 attendees at VMworld Las Vegas and Barcelona on virtualization and high availability printing. The survey found that an astonishing 68 percent of all respondents mistakenly believe that high availability when printing is guaranteed solely by virtualizing print servers. ThinPrint surveys attendees each year at the VMworld shows. This year, the printing experts interviewed 1,538 visitors. The results: Forty-nine percent of respondents said that high availability is required for printing in their companies, with an additional 20 percent remaining uncertain. Sixty-nine percent of those interviewed mistakenly believe high availability is achieved through virtualization alone. Fifty-eight percent of respondents have already virtualized their print servers, and an additional 15 percent are planning to do so in the near future. Fifty percent of those who either already virtualized their print servers or are planning to in the near future did so to achieve high availability or easier maintenance. The survey reveals dangerous misconceptions regarding virtualization and high availability in the area of printing. Virtualizing print servers mainly protects against hardware or virtual server failures. However, far more common are print-specific problems, such as faulty printer drivers or driver incompatibility. These problems are not solved by virtualization alone. "We were somewhat shocked by these survey results," said Thorsten Hesse, chief product officer at ThinPrint. "Since Windows Server 2012 and continuing with Windows Server 2016, print server clusters can no longer be formed, leaving a severe gap when it comes to high-availability printing. However, with the right solutions in tow, IT admins can overcome these obstacles all while increasing productivity and reducing costs and resources." Hesse advises all those in charge of IT to fully engage with the topic of high availability prior to upgrading. Companies searching for a comprehensive solution that safeguards against these issues can see how ThinPrint 11 ensures high availability for printing at: www.thinprint.com/v11 The research note relating to this survey can be found here: https://www.thinprint.com/en/resource/research-note-virtualization-high-availability-printing/ ThinPrint ThinPrint, with more than 15 years of continuous development and internationally patented ThinPrint technology, is the leading provider of print management software and services for businesses. Whether printing from traditional PCs, mobile devices, thin clients, virtual desktops, or from the cloud, over 25,000 companies across all industries and of all sizes optimize their printing infrastructure and increase productivity thanks to ThinPrint. In addition, more than 100, and growing, Desktop-as-a-Service, and Software-as-a-Service providers deliver reliable, high-performance printing from the cloud to their customers all due to ThinPrint. The investment in ThinPrint leads to a fast ROI because the easy-to-implement and manage print system reduces the burden on IT departments, results in significant performance improvements to the network while ensuring optimal, reliable print support at every workplace. ThinPrint technologies and components enable its use in almost any infrastructure and take into account integration of branch and home offices as well as mobile employees. The solutions are developed and rigorously tested at ThinPrint's headquarters in Berlin - software Made in Germany. Offices in the United States, the UK, Australia, Japan and China, as well as more than 350 channel partners around the world offer direct and on-site customer care. Thanks to numerous OEM partnerships, ThinPrint technology components are integrated in a variety of terminals, print boxes and thin client of leading hardware manufacturers. Special significance is placed on the strategic partnerships of the company with Citrix Systems, Fujitsu, Fuji Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, IGEL, Konica Minolta, Kyocera Mita, Lexmark, Microsoft, OKI, Samsung, VMware, and Wyse. Heather K. Smith 303-752-3552 x 224 CT@visitechpr.com ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) - Pinnacle, one of the nation's leading multifamily management firms, announces Theresa Steen has joined the company as regional vice president to oversee nearly 8,500 apartment homes in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina, as well as a team of five regional property managers and a regional maintenance director. Steen reports to Senior Vice President Greg Mark. Steen comes to Pinnacle with 23 years of industry experience and a strong background in large portfolio management and team development. Most recently with Carroll Management, she is known for her strong sense of accountability, professionalism and compassion. Career accomplishments, which span companies such as Tribridge Residential, Ambling Management Company, and Madison Apartment Group, include the development of training and marketing programs and operational protocols to create value for her properties and clients. Steen attended University of Missouri and holds designations as a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) and Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP). She brings her passion for community service with non-profit organizations to Pinnacle. "Pinnacle has grown by over 6,200 units this year in Theresa's assigned territory and we have been looking for a strategic hire with her capabilities to supplement the talent we already have in place," said Mark. "She is a seasoned professional with a track record for growth and we quickly realized she was the right candidate to manage our regional operations and team members." Reporting to Steen will be five regional property managers and one regional maintenance director, including: Cameron Pimm, regional property manager, brings 10 years of experience to oversee a portfolio of six communities. Based in Atlanta, Pimm's background spans the spectrum of real estate investment encompassing ownership, debt and equity structuring, asset and property management, and leasing. Adrienne Smith, regional property manager, brings over 25 years of experience to oversee a portfolio of eight communities. Based in Knoxville, Smith has worked with multiple property types ranging from new construction lease-ups to stabilized renovations. Tressa Rawlinson, regional property manager, brings over 20 years of experience to oversee a portfolio of six communities. Based in Atlanta, Rawlinson has managed Class A to Class C properties in the southeast region. Amanda Socciarelli, regional property manager, brings more than 10 years of experience to oversee a portfolio of five communities. Based in Atlanta, she has a strong marketing background and is actively involved in the Atlanta Apartment Association. Jeremy Williams, regional property manager, brings more than 15 years of experience to oversee a portfolio of five communities. Based in Charlotte, he brings ground-up knowledge of the industry and a strong background in strategic planning to the team. Scott Tingle, regional maintenance director, brings over 20 years of experience to provide leadership and training as well as oversee the physical properties in his region with an emphasis on safety and customer service. Based in Atlanta, Tingle will serve as a mentor to a team of maintenance supervisors in the region. About Pinnacle Property Management Services, LLC Pinnacle Property Management Services, LLC, ("Pinnacle") is a privately held national real estate provider specializing in third party management of multifamily residential communities. As one of the nation's preferred third-party managers, Pinnacle's portfolio includes over 165,000 residential units and 2.5 million square feet of commercial assets. With the Corporate headquarters located in Dallas, Texas, Pinnacle has more than 4,000 employees located in 32 states. For more information, visit www.pinnacleliving.com. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/29/11G123557/Images/Theresa_Steen_NEW-0142974eb7fb847b879395cedea5254a.jpg MEDIA CONTACT Kerri Fulks (972) 499-6617 Kerri.Fulks@hck2.com Amanda Benfell PR Manager, Warc E: amanda@gunnreport.com T: +44 20 7467 8125 LONDON, Nov 29, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Warc, the global marketing intelligence service, has today released the results of an analysis of the most effective use of social media in marketing, to establish global trends and best practice in 2016.The 'Seriously Social 2016' report features analysis by Peter Field, the renowned independent marketing consultant. Field scrutinised data attached to entries to the 2016 Warc Prize for Social Strategy - Warc's global search for the best marketing programmes that are 'social by design' and that have made a significant impact on brand performance or influenced consumer behaviour.The 92 entries came from 20 different markets from around the world, and from a mix of marketers, creative agencies, media networks, digital and social specialists. The study also considered and compared trends and features from 2014 and 2015 to ascertain the key drivers of social effectiveness for 2016.The 'Seriously Social 2016' report highlights four major global social marketing trends:- Social evolves as a broadcast platform: There is a marked increase in the use of content in social campaigns with video dominating. 79% of entrants used content in their social strategy in 2016 compared with 41% in 2015 and just 22% in 2014. Increasingly, social is used as a broadcast channel with 73% of entrants using video as part of their social strategy. An increase of organic social media is being driven by video-led powerful and emotive social ideas.- A shift to 'Top Down' Social Strategy: A dramatic shift towards 'top-down' (brand-generated content) and away from 'bottom-up' (consumer-generated content). Top-down now accounted for 93% of winning cases in this year's Prize. Brands are now investing in producing shareable content which is easier to deliver and to link to commercial outcomes.- Short-term tactics dominate social: Social campaigns constrained to work over short timescales (i.e. less than six months in duration) are unable to deliver the same benefits as long-term ones. The pursuit of short-term sales activation in many social strategies deliver poorer long-term performance ultimately undermining long-term effectiveness such as market share movements or new customer acquisition.- Big data is more prevalent in social strategy: There is a growing maturity in how agencies are combining data with social strategy. Big data was a key theme, with 83% of entrants making use of it. Many winning papers demonstrated sophistication in how data is used to inform insights and improve targeting in social strategies. However, there is still a lack of robust data in evaluating the effectiveness of social campaigns.Commenting on the 2016 social trends that the analysis reveals, Peter Field says: "There has been a clear shift away from bottom-up consumer content and cause-driven social strategies towards top-down content-driven strategies with brands investing in producing shareable content. In addition, social has evolved into a content platform to distribute and amplify multichannel ads.""However, the financial pressures on social campaign budgets, coupled with short-termism and the difficulty of achieving organic reach, are having a detrimental impact on the effectiveness of social campaigns."The Warc Prize for Social Strategy was judged by a panel of 21 industry luminaries chaired by Gian Fulgoni, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Emeritus of comScore, Inc., the leading cross-platform measurement company that precisely measures audiences, brands and consumer behaviour."The ultimate reach and impact of any social campaign is influenced by three levers," says jury chair Gian Fulgoni. "The quality of the social marketing creative to resonate with the audience, the ability to maximise the exposure to the creative through earned media such as social sharing, and how smartly this information is leveraged to maximise any corresponding paid marketing efforts to reach additional audiences with whom the content might resonate."The Grand Prix winner of Warc's 2016 Social Prize was Halifax's 'Making money extra easy' campaign, by adam&eveDDB. To view all the winners and read their case studies, go to https://www.warc.com/WarcSocialPrize2016.prizeAbout 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. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- K92 Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KNT)(OTCQB: KNTNF) ("K92") has filed, on SEDAR, a technical report titled "Independent Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment of Irumafimpa and Kora Gold Deposits, Kainantu Project, Papua New Guinea", with an effective date of November 25, 2016 (the "Technical Report") to support the PEA disclosed in the company's press release of October 13, 2016. Details regarding the PEA can be found in the company's press release October 13, 2016, and the Technical Report, both of which have been filed and are available for viewing and download on the company's profile at SEDAR. The PEA estimates; -- The project would generate a positive cash flow of US$558 million over 9 years and achieve an NPV5 of US$415 million -- 400,000 tonnes per annum (108,000 Au Eq per annum) over a 9 year period with cash costs of US$547/oz AuEq and all in sustaining costs (AISC) of US$619/oz AuEq -- Treatment of 3.2 Million tonnes @ 7.1 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag & 1.7% Cu (9.3 g/t Au Eq(i)) over the 9 years (i)Au Eq - calculated on above Current Metal Prices. In addition, the Technical Report has incorporated updated information on the Irumafimpa deposit from mine planning and scheduling work completed by Australian Mine and Development Pty Ltd, who also undertook the work on the above PEA. The PEA process has been undertaken concurrent with the Company's production restart process at the Irumafimpa Gold deposit. 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 that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. The Technical Report contains a full description of all underlying assumptions relating to the PEAR. The initial resource estimate for the Kora and Irumafimpa deposits, situated within Company's Mining License 150, is 1.84 M inferred oz. at 11.6 g/t Au Eq and 240,000 indicated oz. at 13.3 g/t Au Eq. This mineral resource estimate is based on 78,935 metres of drilling from 767 holes and 18,312 metres of assayed intervals across all lodes. The Kora resource remains open in all directions and strongly mineralized at the extent of drilling. The mineral resource estimates for the Kora and Irumafimpa deposits is based on the National Instrument 43-101 Compliant Independent Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment of Irumafimpa and Kora Gold Deposits, Kainantu Project, Papua New Guinea, Nolidan Mineral Consultants, Author Anthony Woodward, BSc Hons., M.Sc., MAIG, with an effective date of November 25, 2016 (the "Technical Report"). A copy of the Technical Report is available for review and has been filed on SEDAR under the Company's profile and contains a full description of all underlying assumptions relating to the resource estimates. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Anthony Woodward, BSc (Hons), M.Sc. MAIG, is the "qualified person" under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 responsible for and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. On behalf of the Company, Ian Stalker Chief Executive Officer and Director The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information, including statements regarding the realization of the preliminary economic analysis for the Project, expectations of future cash flows, the proposed plant expansion, potential expansion of resources and the generation of further drilling results which may or may not occur. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the market price of the Company's securities, metal prices, exchange rates, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, and regulations and other matters.. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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 required by law. Contacts: K92 Mining Inc. Ian Stalker Chief Executive Officer and Director (604) 687-7130 (604) 608-9110 (FAX) Widespace, the Stockholm based technology company that creates tools to build brands in a mobile world, has announced a strategic partnership with Big Mobile, APAC's leading independent mobile engagement specialist. Through the agreement, Big Mobile will harness the technology of Widespace's programmatic platform, Summit, making it available to brands in Australia and New Zealand. Summit is a full-stack programmatic ad platform and automated guaranteed marketplace designed specifically to deliver branding campaigns on mobile. The technology offers rich-media ad formats delivered by an intelligent algorithm on premium publisher inventory. The addition of Summit will enhance Big Mobile's capabilities for branding campaigns on mobile, both direct and programmatically traded. Alongside this, Big Mobile inventory will be made available via Widespace, enhancing the latter's global reach by adding 100m unique monthly users on premium sites across APAC. Summit is ideal for trading desks and media buyers who value creativity, quality and brand safety. Thanks to its intelligent algorithm and directly integrated publishers, the system can target users across the whole mobile ecosystem with smart brand interest profiling based on data and previous brand preferences. David Green CEO at Big Mobile commented, "The addition of Widespace technology to our offering will ensure our clients can drive towards brand objectives on mobile, but programmatically which is how our clients are increasingly wanting to buy media. This is not just exciting for Big Mobile but for all major premium publishers and advertisers in Australia and the region. We're absolutely thrilled to be working alongside leaders in the mobile advertising industry." Patrik Fagerlund, Widespace CEO, continued, "Summit is designed to offer something new to the market - a programmatic solution that's native to mobile and makes mobile-specific, high quality, rich media, 100% viewable ad formats available. As the driving force behind mobile advertising in APAC we're delighted that Big Mobile has selected Summit and are convinced the platform will deliver real value to their clients." Summit is now available to all companies that are looking for new technology to boast their mobile offering. ENDS Widespace Technology to build brands in a mobile world Widespace is a technology company creating tools to build brands in a mobile world. Using the power of data and insights, our unique technology drives interest and awareness for advertisers at scale, always in brand safe environments. Headquartered in Sweden, with eight offices throughout Europe, Widespace works with advertisers, publishers and technology companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006077/en/ Contacts: Propeller PR Tara Harvey Tara.Harvey@properllergroup.com 020 3301 5341 MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Critical Elements Corporation (the "Corporation" or "Critical Elements") (TSX VENTURE: CRE) (OTCQX: CRECF) (FRANKFURT: F12) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Steffen Haber as its president. Dr. Haber is well known in the lithium industry, having been Chief Executive Officer and President of Rockwood Lithium up until it was acquired by Albermale for $6.2 billion in January 2015. Dr. Haber was President and Chief Executive Officer of Rockwood Lithium GmbH when Chemetall GmbH was legally split off in 2012. From 2011 to 2012, he was Managing Director of Chemetall GmbH and since 2007 President of Chemetall's Lithium business. Prior to joining Chemetall GmbH, Dr. Haber worked in different executive positions for Sanofi-Aventis SA and its predecessor companies, in France. Dr. Haber completed his doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, in 1991 and added one year as a Post-Doc at Ecole Polytechnique in Paris. In 1997, Dr. Haber earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from the International School of Management in San Diego, in the United States. Dr. Haber is a fellow of the International Directors Program of INSEAD. "The Board of Directors and team at Critical Elements Corporation are delighted to welcome Dr. Steffen Haber as President," said Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. "The addition of a member with extensive lithium experience and an exceptional background in the industry will provide the team with important knowledge support. Dr. Haber's solid experience and success in leading and developing the largest lithium company as president of Rockwood Lithium will be very valuable assets in the next phase of our Corporation's development." "I'm very enthusiastic in joining the very talented and dynamic team of Critical Elements, the thrive lithium market is in great need of new sources of supply and it will be our focus for success with the development of the Rose Lithium Tantalum Project", said Steffen Haber new President of Critical Elements starting January 1, 2017. Critical Elements is also pleased to announce the appointment of Jean-Sebastien Lavallee as Chairman of the Corporation's Board of Directors. The Corporation would also like to take the opportunity to announce that it has increased the number of shares reserved for issuance under its stock option plan (the "Plan") by 2,448,154. The total number of shares issuable under the Plan now stands at 14,444,591. The increase is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Corporation is also announcing that it had granted options to its employees, directors and officers to acquire a total of 4,250,000 common shares. Each option entitles its holder to subscribe for one share of the Corporation at a price of $0.56 for a period of five years. The Corporation has also granted 150,000 common shares to consultants at a price of $0.56 per share. Options granted to consultants are valid for five years or under the terms of the Plan. About Critical Elements Corporation A recent financial analysis (Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Rose lithium-tantalum Project, Genivar, December 2011) of the Rose project, 100% owned by Critical Elements, based on price forecasts of US $260/kg ($118/lb) for Ta2O5 contained in a tantalite concentrate and US $6,000/t for lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) showed an estimated after-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 25% for the Rose project, with an estimated Net Present Value (NPV) of CA $279 million at an 8% discount rate. The payback period is estimated at 4.1 years. The pre-tax IRR is estimated at 33% and the NPV at $488 million at a discount rate of 8%. (Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability). (The preliminary economic assessment is preliminary in nature). (See press release dated November 21, 2011.) The conclusions of the PEA indicate the operation would support a production rate of 26,606 tons of high purity (99.9% battery grade) Li2CO3 and 206,670 pounds of Ta2O5 per year over a 17-year mine life. The project hosts a current Indicated resource of 26.5 million tonnes of 1.30% Li2O Eq. or 0.98% Li2O and 163 ppm Ta2O5 and an Inferred resource of 10.7 million tonnes of 1.14% Li2O Eq. or 0.86% Li2O and 145 ppm Ta2O5. 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: Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, P.Geo. Chief Executive Officer 819-354-5146 president@cecorp.ca www.cecorp.ca Investor Relations: Paradox Public Relations 514-341-0408 TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE: EAT)(OTCQB: SPLIF)(FRANKFURT: 2NU) announces the issuance of 315,000 stock options. These options have been issued pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan to four arms length consultants. The options are exercisable into Common Shares of the Company at a price of $0.30 per Common Share for a period of two years from the date of issuance. About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products and nationally recognized brands in the hemp and marijuana-infused products industries, including edibles and oil extracts for nutritional, medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively through licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC, NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward- looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Contacts: Nutritional High International Inc. David Posner Chairman of the Board 647-985-6727 dposner@nutritionalhigh.com Boom Capital Markets Inc. Steven Low (647) 620-5101 steve@boomcapitalmarkets.com www.boomcapitalmarkets.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is likely to be confirmed as the nation's next Attorney General by his Republican colleagues, but Democrats have signaled they will not make the process easy. In a letter sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Monday, eight Democrats who will sit on the committee next year called for the hearings on Sessions' nomination to be fair and thorough. The Democrats said the hearings should include testimony from outside witnesses on a number issues the Attorney General will have significant power over, including immigration, violence against women, civil rights, and government oversight. 'We all have personal and cordial relationships with Senator Sessions and know him to be a strong advocate for his political positions,' the Democrats wrote. 'But as you know, his job as Attorney General, if confirmed, will be different.' They added, 'He will have to be an independent Attorney General who is willing to set aside personal beliefs and political positions in service of larger obligations.' The Democratic Senators argued that it is particularly important that the Attorney General be the people's lawyer and not the president's lawyer in light of a rise in hate crimes and people's concerns about what the incoming administration will mean for them and their families. 'We urge you to ensure that the nominations process is thorough, transparent, and fair - not just a rubber stamp,' the Democrats wrote. The letter was signed by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Al Franken, D-Minn., Chris Coons, D-Del., and Richard Bloomenthal, D-Conn. While Sessions could face intense scrutiny from Democrats, he is still expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. Following a meeting with Sessions on Tuesday, Grassley said the Alabama Senator will receive the fair and thorough vetting process he deserves and urged Democrats to resist calls from some liberal interest groups to attack his character. (Photo: Gage Skidmore) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. ROCKVILLE, MD -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Avendra, North America's leading procurement services provider serving the hospitality industry, announced today that it has received the prestigious 2016 Pinnacle Award as Supplier of the Year. The Pinnacle awards are given annually by Kostuch Media, Ltd., publisher of Canadian industry magazines, Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier. In announcing the Supplier of the Year Award, The Pinnacle Award panel noted that it had chosen Avendra for its community involvement, innovation and sales growth in the Canadian hospitality market. Additionally, it stated that Avendra counts many of the industry's leading hotel chains as its customers and continues to build on its strength as a leading procurement solutions and services provider. Avendra works with 580 clients and more than 7,000 properties throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Specifically in Canada, you can find Avendra hard at work in more than 200 properties of all sizes. "We are extremely honored to be named 2016 Supplier of the Year and would like to thank our Canadian customers and suppliers for their support," said Wolfram Schaefer, President and CEO, Avendra. "Our team of hospitality and procurement experts in Canada works closely with our clients to understand their strategic goals and create meaningful value for their businesses. With Avendra, they receive a procurement solution that encapsulates years of best practices, hospitality expertise and unmatched customer service." Since its introduction in 1988, the Pinnacle Awards have recognized the full spectrum of achievements in the hospitality industry. According to Kostuch Media, the awards shine a spotlight on companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in the areas of leadership, initiative and business excellence. The awards epitomize the best characteristics of the foodservice and hospitality industries, highlighting innovation, creativity and successful business strategies. According to Rosanna Caira, editor and publisher of Kostuch Media Ltd., "This year's winners clearly reflect a changing and evolving industry. Our portfolio of winners is evidence that the Canadian hospitality industry continues to change, grow and evolve to meet the differing needs of an increasingly sophisticated marketplace." The 28th annual Pinnacle Awards reception and awards luncheon will be held on Dec. 2, 2016 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The full details of the award winners' accomplishments are highlighted annually in the December issue of Foodservice and Hospitality magazine and Hotelier magazine. About Avendra Formed in 2001, Avendra is North America's leading procurement services provider serving the hospitality industry. Avendra customers gain access to contracts leveraging over $4 billion of annual purchases, expert advisory services and in-depth purchasing data and analysis. Through Avendra, customers obtain substantial savings on their purchases and other value added services to improve their operations and bottom line results. More than 7,000 hospitality businesses rely on Avendra's procurement solutions to help meet their strategic business initiatives. The company is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland and has regional offices throughout North America. For more information, call (866) AVENDRA, or visit www.avendra.com. Media Contact Mara Radis Director Corporate Brand Strategy and Channel Management 301-825-0052 Email Contact Barrie Locke Email Contact 617-536-8887 Toyota Motor Corporation Public Affairs Division Global Communications Department Tel: +81-3-3817-9926 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) held its second bi-annual awards ceremony, the ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix 2016, at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix commemorates the achievement of vehicles that have participated in the ASEAN NCAP assessment over the last two years. There are three main award categories: best occupant protection, best safety technology, and special awards given to vehicles/companies which contributed to enhancing safety in the region.Toyota won six awards for best occupant protection. Here, vehicles are judged based on frontal and side crash tests conducted by ASEAN NCAP on vehicles which are fitted with crash test dummies of different sizes that represent adult and child occupants1. During the crash test, the damage sustained by the vehicle and the crash test dummies are carefully assessed and quantified. This assessment is then translated into a numerical score. Based on this, the vehicle with the highest score is awarded the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and/or Child Occupant Protection (COP) title respectively for each vehicle category.The six awards for the best occupant protection classifications are:- Toyota Sienta -Best Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) for MPV Category- Toyota Agya -Best Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) for Mini Car Category- Toyota Agya -Best Child Occupant Protection (COP) Mini Car Category- Toyota Innova -Best Child Occupant Protection (COP) for MPV Category- Toyota Rush -Best Child Occupant Protection (COP) for SUV Category- Toyota Hilux -Best Child Occupant Protection (COP) for Pickup CategoryToyota was also presented with an award for its safety technology, the Blind Spot Monitor. This technology was recognized for its ability to help avoid accidents by alerting drivers of oncoming vehicles that may not be within their field of vision.Additionally, Toyota received a special recognition award-the Rising Star Recognition, for its efforts at improving safety standards in the ASEAN region with the Toyota Corolla. Toyota was recognized for its efforts, where the carmaker made the Corolla standardized with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)2 and 7-airbags for all grades, in all ASEAN countries, from November 2016 onwards3.The awards for safety technology and special recognition are:- Blind Spot Monitor -Safety Technology Award (Car Manufacturer)- Toyota Corolla -Rising Star RecognitionApart from these awards, Toyota has also received AOP 5-star ratings for three models sold in Southeast Asia-the Hilux, the Innova and the Sienta, which were tested between 2015 and 2016.Toyota considers safety as its top priority, and aims to eliminate traffic fatalities altogether. To achieve this goal, Toyota has been developing safety features and conducting extensive R&D on safety, which involves conducting crash tests and simulations on its own, and then analysing the results to continually improve its safety features. Toyota is proud to achieve these awards from ASEAN NCAP, and will continue to work with stakeholders in the ASEAN region to achieve its goal of attaining zero traffic fatalities.(1) The vehicle with the highest score for its category class within the last two years is awarded by ASEAN NCAP at the Grand Prix. To assess Child Occupancy Protection, crash test dummies representing a 3-year old and an 18-month old are used in child seats(2) VSC: Electronic Stability Control(3) For the Model Year 2017 Corolla; availability is subject to introduction schedule for the various Southeast Asian marketsAbout ToyotaSupported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.Source: ToyotaContact:Copyright 2016 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu to head CMs Committee on Demonetisation Published: November 29, 2016 The Union Government has decided to constitute a sub-committee of Chief Ministers of five states in the wake of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes. The committee will be headed by Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu. It will suggest measures to normalise the situation. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has called up Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Karnataka CM Siddharamaiah, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to be part of the committee. Since demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination notes was announced by the Union Government, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu government has been effectively tackling the cash crisis in the state. He has come up with several alternatives to encourage mobile and online transactions besides distributing small change at vegetable markets as an immediate relief to the people. As a long-term measure, Andhra Pradesh government has roped over 90 lakh members from co-operative sector in villages and towns to undertake statewide campaigns on online transactions. Under it, as many as 5,000 women are being trained as master trainers to train 90 lakh women. The state government is also designing a mechanism that makes ordinary phones do money transactions. The government will distribute such phones to families which do not have one. Month: Current Affairs - November, 2016 Topics: Andhra Pradesh Committees Current Affairs - 2017 Current Affairs 2016 Demonitisation N. Chandrababu Naidu National Persons in News States Latest E-Books VAL-D'OR, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Abitibi Royalties Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RZZ) ("Abitibi Royalties" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has partnered with AuRico Metals Inc. ("AuRico") for the purpose of entering into an agreement with Frontline Gold Corporation ("Frontline") that allows each company to acquire a 1% net smelter royalty ("NSR") on several early stage exploration projects in the Red Lake district. The exploration projects are located south of Goldcorp's Red Lake mine, with the largest claim package adjoining Pure Gold's Madsen mine to the east and south (Fig. 1 - Claim Map). These acquisitions will build on the Company's Red Lake royalty portfolio, which also includes a 2% NSR on the White Horse Island Project (also owned by Frontline), situated between the Goldcorp / Premier Gold Rahill-Bonanza Gold Property and Premier Gold's Hasaga Gold Property (Fig. 1). A total of fourteen royalties have now been purchased near existing mines since the Company's "Royalty Search" was launched in June 2015 (http://www.abitibiroyalties.com). Please click here for a full list. 1% NSR - RED LAKE EXPLORATION PROJECTS In exchange for the 1% NSR on the Red Lake exploration projects, Abitibi Royalties has agreed to pay Frontline Cdn$13,000, with AuRico agreeing to pay an equal amount. Abitibi Royalties will pay the cash consideration from its treasury. Since launching the Royalty Search in June 2015, fourteen royalties near existing mining operations have been acquired, which include royalties surrounding or near Agnico Eagle and Yamana's Canadian Malartic mine in Quebec, Agnico Eagle's Lapa mine in Quebec, Alamos Gold's Young-Davidson mine in Ontario, Eldorado's Efemcukuru mine in Turkey, Goldcorp's Red Lake mine in Ontario, Hudbay's 777 mine in Manitoba, Metanor Resources Bachelor mine in Quebec and New Gold's Rainy River mine in Ontario. The Royalty Search (www.abitibiroyalties.com) is an easy to use website that allows mining companies and prospectors a quick way of accessing capital. Abitibi Royalties is offering to pay the annual claim fees/taxes related to: 1) Existing mineral properties or 2) Staking of new mineral properties In return for paying these fees, Abitibi Royalties would be granted an NSR on the property. To date over 100 properties have been submitted through the website and 14 agreements have been finalized. MENDERES GOLD PROJECT - TURKEY (3% NSR) The Company has been informed by Frontline that drilling initially scheduled for September / October has been deferred to the first half of 2017 in order to complete additional work that should allow Frontline to better target possible extensions of Eldorado Gold Corporation's Efemcukuru gold mine in Turkey. YAMANA RIGHTS OFFERING The Company has decided to sell its purchase rights ("Purchase Rights") payable by Yamana Gold and not participate in the Brio Gold offering. Abitibi Royalties intends to use the proceeds from the sale to repurchase shares of the Company under its Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB"). Based on the last trading price of the Purchase Rights (Cdn$0.295), the Company would receive approximately Cdn$65,450. About Abitibi Royalties Abitibi Royalties holds a 3% NSR on the Odyssey North discovery, Jeffrey Zone and the eastern portion of the Barnat Extension, located inside the Malartic CHL property and a 2% NSR on portions of the Gouldie and Charlie zones, all at the Canadian Malartic mine near Val-d'Or, Quebec. In addition, the Company is building a portfolio of royalties on early stage properties near producing mines. The Company owns common shares in Yamana Gold and Agnico Eagle Mines (market value), plus cash (as of September 30, 2016) of Cdn$41.8 million. The Company is debt free. Golden Valley Mines Ltd. and Rob McEwen hold approximately 49.4% and 12.3% interest in Abitibi Royalties, respectively. Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although 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 realities may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Fig 1 - Red Lake District Abitibi Royalties NSR Interest Contacts: Shanda Kilborn Director, Corporate Development 1-888-392-3857 info@abitibiroyalties.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Continuing the wild swings seen over the two previous sessions, the price of crude oil pulled back sharply during trading on Tuesday. Crude oil for January delivery plunged $1.85 to $45.23 a barrel after jumping $1.02 to $47.07 a barrel on Monday. The price of crude oil tumbled $1.90 to $46.06 a barrel last Friday. The drop by the price of crude oil came amid concerns that OPEC members will be unable to finalize an agreement on cutting production. Adding to the concerns, a report from Reuters said Iran and Iraq are resisting pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail oil output. Trading on Wednesday is likely to be driven by reaction to any developments regarding the OPEC meeting in Vienna. 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. MONROVIA, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Brandywine Homes announced today that it has sold all 13 townhomes at Lotus Court, a new community on Duarte Road near Station Square, a recently revitalized transportation hub in Monrovia, Calif. "Homebuyers flocked to Lotus Court because it's a one-of-a-kind community with beautiful homes and amenities that can't be beat," said Dave Barisic, vice president of sales and marketing at Brandywine Homes, a pioneer of infill development in Southern California. "Lotus Court is steps away from excellent public transportation, located within an award-winning school district and offers beautiful homes and park-like common areas." Lotus Court residents have easy access to the 210 Freeway and are just steps away from Monrovia Station, part of the Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa. It is located next to the historic Santa Fe Depot, which the city of Monrovia plans to redevelop for public use as part of the overall Station Square Transit Village development, a hub of interconnected residential neighborhoods, commercial buildings, office and hospitality uses offering pedestrian-friendly public spaces and transportation alternatives. Buyers snapped up the three- and four-bedroom stucco townhomes ranging in size from 1,555 to 1,705 square feet with private yards, full side-by-side garages, Spanish-inspired architecture, stainless steel appliances and solid-surface counters. The three-story townhomes with tile roofs were built around an existing landmarked home (built in the early 1900s) on the site. The neighborhood includes a central recreation area with barbecues and park benches. About Brandywine Homes Brandywine Homes is a private homebuilder based in Irvine, Calif., with over two decades of experience in developing challenging infill sites, revitalizing some of Southern California's oldest and most established neighborhoods. Founded in 1994, the family-owned and operated company has built or developed over 60 communities totaling $1.1 billion in revenues. The company builds homes that respect and complement the heritage, values and architectural integrity of existing neighborhoods and the people who live there -- making a positive contribution to the community. www.brandywine-homes.com. Social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Brandywine Blog. Media Contacts: Anton Communications Vanessa Showalter vshowalter@antonpr.com Genevieve Anton ganton@antonpr.com VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - November 29, 2016) -Almaden Minerals Ltd. ("Almaden" or "the Company") (TSX: AMM) (NYSE MKT: AAU) is pleased to announce further assay results from Almaden's ongoing exploration and development program at the Company's Tuligtic project, Mexico. Results reported today are from from drill holes TU-16-470 to 476 drilled on sections 10+500, 625 and 650 East. All holes intersected significant mineralisation and veining inside or immediately outside of the Amended PEA pit. The holes drilled to the north intersected the previously defined subvertical Ixtaca North vein zone as well as the new zones of veining. Highlights from these drillholes include the following intercepts: Hole TU-16-470 SECTION 10+625 EAST Az. 150, Dip -20 5.50 meters @ 27.31 g/t Au and 66.3 g/t Ag Main Ixtaca Zone Updip Including 1.00 meters @ 143.00 g/t Au and 315.0 g/t Ag Main Ixtaca Zone Updip Hole TU-16-471 SECTION 10+500 EAST Az. 330, Dip -60 9.60 meters @ 2.01 g/t Au and 139.3 g/t Ag Ixtaca North Zone 29.50 meters @ 0.98 g/t Au and 39.3 g/t Ag Ixtaca North Zone Hole TU-16-473 SECTION 10+500 EAST Az. 330, Dip -40 25.60 meters @ 0.75 g/t Au and 37.0 g/t Ag Ixtaca North Zone Including 8.10 meters @ 1.92 g/t Au and 106.3 g/t Ag Ixtaca North Zone 1.55 meters @ 1.03 g/t Au and 303.7 g/t Ag New Vein Zone 1.00 meters @ 0.75 g/t Au and 514.8 g/t Ag New Vein Zone Hole TU-16-474 SECTION 10+500 EAST Az. 330, Dip -80 15.80 meters @ 4.31 g/t Au and 98.0 g/t Ag New Vein Zone Including 4.30 meters @ 12.36 g/t Au and 287.8 g/t Ag New Vein Zone 22.00 meters @ 1.92 g/t Au and 34.5 g/t Ag New Vein Zone Hole TU-16-475 SECTION 10+650 EAST Az. 330, Dip -40 16.70 meters @ 2.21 g/t Au and 160.9 g/t Ag New Vein Zone? Including 6.10 meters @ 5.01 g/t Au and 352.9 g/t Ag New Vein Zone? 20.35 meters @ 2.25 g/t Au and 117.9 g/t Ag New Vein Zone? Including 14.20 meters @ 3.08 g/t Au and 161.2 g/t Ag New Vein Zone? And 3.15 meters @ 10.45 g/t Au and 462.1 g/t Ag New Vein Zone? Hole TU-16-476 SECTION 10+650 EAST Az. 330, Dip -27 0.75 meters @ 2.45g/t Au and 627.0 g/t Ag New Vein Zone? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10625E TU-16-470 12.00 30.00 18.00 0.32 4.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-470 80.00 93.60 13.60 0.36 34.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-470 99.50 105.00 5.50 27.31 66.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 99.50 100.50 1.00 143.00 315.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-470 162.50 170.00 7.50 0.96 129.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-470 192.20 208.50 16.30 0.24 32.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10500E TU-16-471 168.30 168.80 0.50 5.35 573.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-471 223.50 225.50 2.00 1.11 104.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-471 237.40 247.00 9.60 2.01 139.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 238.60 239.10 0.50 15.95 1420.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-471 252.00 259.00 7.00 0.61 27.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-471 265.50 295.00 29.50 0.98 39.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 269.50 272.90 3.40 2.86 164.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 275.80 276.80 1.00 4.83 316.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 289.50 290.00 0.50 14.30 172.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10625E TU-16-472 115.50 116.00 0.50 0.25 57.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-472 140.00 142.70 2.70 0.19 22.7 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-472 149.50 152.00 2.50 0.17 14.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-472 313.50 314.00 0.50 0.80 99.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10500E TU-16-473 94.50 101.75 7.25 0.61 34.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-473 118.40 144.00 25.60 0.75 37.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 135.90 144.00 8.10 1.92 106.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 141.00 142.00 1.00 11.85 749.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-473 159.00 165.50 6.50 0.10 44.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-473 214.00 218.70 4.70 0.39 150.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 214.00 215.55 1.55 1.03 303.7 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-473 267.40 280.00 12.60 0.13 55.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-473 287.00 291.00 4.00 0.12 72.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-473 300.00 301.00 1.00 0.75 514.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10500E TU-16-474 139.50 177.00 37.50 0.10 25.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 171.50 177.00 5.50 0.22 68.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-474 195.00 196.50 1.50 1.94 124.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-474 206.80 218.70 11.90 0.67 36.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-474 228.50 244.30 15.80 4.31 98.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 233.50 237.80 4.30 12.36 287.8 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 234.50 235.50 1.00 31.90 736.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-474 259.00 281.00 22.00 1.92 34.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10650E TU-16-475 44.50 46.60 2.10 2.58 88.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-475 71.80 96.10 24.30 0.58 68.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 90.00 96.10 6.10 1.55 206.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-475 111.50 128.20 16.70 2.21 160.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 117.90 124.00 6.10 5.01 352.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-475 138.50 148.00 9.50 0.18 22.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-475 154.65 175.00 20.35 2.25 117.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 154.65 168.85 14.20 3.08 161.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 155.35 158.50 3.15 10.45 462.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-475 205.50 212.50 7.00 0.49 69.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-475 284.00 290.00 6.00 0.53 87.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10650E TU-16-476 50.00 52.35 2.35 0.46 36.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-476 98.50 109.00 10.50 0.17 16.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-476 125.00 131.50 6.50 0.43 15.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TU-16-476 173.00 189.45 16.45 0.27 49.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------- including 182.60 183.35 0.75 2.45 627.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.moosemmc.com. KP is an international consulting firm and recognized leader in providing engineering and environmental services. KP's expertise has been applied to hundreds of surface and underground mining projects in all stages of development and a broad range of environmental settings. KP provides industry leading services in water and waste management, tailings disposal, heap leach pads, rock mechanics and environmental services, and has been recognized for innovative services that meet high standards of reliability, security and cost effectiveness. About the Ixtaca Drilling Program and the Ixtaca Zone The Ixtaca Zone is a blind discovery made by the Company in 2010 on claims staked by the Company. The deposit is an epithermal gold-silver deposit, mostly hosted by veins in carbonate units and crosscutting dykes ("basement rocks") with a minor component of disseminated mineralisation hosted in overlying volcanic rocks. The Ixtaca deposit is located in a developed part of Mexico in Puebla State, the location of significant manufacturing investments including Volkswagen and Audi plants. The deposit is accessed by paved road and is roughly 20 kilometres from an industrial park with rail service where significant manufacturers such as Kimberly Clarke have facilities. Any potential mining operation at Ixtaca would be located in an area previously logged or cleared with negligible to no current land usage. The Company has access to the entire project area and works closely with local officials and residents. The Company has employed roughly 70 people in its exploration program who live local to the Ixtaca deposit. For example, local employees have made up virtually all the drilling staff and have been trained on the job to operate the Company's wholly owned drills. The Company has implemented a comprehensive science based and objective community relations and education program for employees and all local stakeholders to transparently explain the exploration and development program underway as well as the potential impacts and benefits of any possible future mining operation at Ixtaca. The Company regards the local inhabitants to be major stakeholders in the Ixtaca deposit's future along with the Company's shareholders. Every effort is being made to create an open and clear dialogue with our stakeholders to ensure that any possible development scenarios that could evolve from the anticipated PFS are properly understood and communicated throughout the course of the Company's exploration and development program. To better explain the impacts of a mining operation at Ixtaca the Company has conducted numerous tours for local residents to third party operated mines in Mexico so that interested individuals can form their own opinions of mining based on first-hand experience. The Company invites all interested parties to visit www.almadenminerals.com to find out more about our community development, education and outreach programs. Technical Details of the Ixtaca Drilling Program The Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North Zones of veining are interpreted to have a north-easterly trend. Holes to date suggest that the Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North Zones are sub vertical with local variations. This interpretation suggests that true widths range from approximately 35% of intersected widths for a -70 degree hole to 94% of intersected widths for a -20 degree hole. The drilling completed to date has traced mineralisation over 1,000 meters along this northeast trend. The Chemalaco (Northeast Extension) Zone strikes roughly north-south (340 azimuth) and dips at 55 degrees to the west. This interpretation suggests that true widths range from approximately 82% of intersected widths for a -70 degree hole to 99% of intersected widths for a -40 degree hole. The orientation of the new vein zone intersected in the holes reported today is not well understood and true widths cannot be calculated at this time. Mr. Norm Dircks, P.Geo., a qualified person ("QP") under the meaning of NI 43-101, is the QP and project manager of Almaden's Ixtaca program and reviewed the technical information in this news release. The analyses reported were carried out at ALS Chemex Laboratories of North Vancouver using industry standard analytical techniques. For gold, samples are first analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS"). Samples that return values greater than 10 g/t gold using this technique are then re-analysed by fire assay but with a gravimetric finish. Silver is first analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy ("ICP-AES"). Samples that return values greater than 100 g/t silver by ICP-AES are then re analysed by HF-HNO 3 -HCLO 4 digestion with HCL leach and ICP-AES finish. Of these samples those that return silver values greater than 1,500 g/t are further analysed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Intervals that returned assays below detection were assigned zero values. Blanks, field duplicates and certified standards were inserted into the sample stream as part of Almaden's quality assurance and control program which complies with National Instrument 43-101 requirements. Cautionary Note concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources This news release uses terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada and certain estimates are made in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes Canadian standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and mineral resource information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by United States companies. This news release uses the terms "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" to comply with reporting standards in Canada. We advise United States investors that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize them. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in such categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves under SEC definitions. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Therefore, United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" exist. In accordance with Canadian rules, estimates of "inferred mineral resources" cannot form the basis of pre-feasibility or other economic studies. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. About Almaden Almaden Minerals Ltd. is a well-financed company which owns 100% of the Tuligtic project in Puebla State, Mexico, subject to a 2.0% NSR royalty held by Almadex Minerals Limited. Tuligtic covers the Ixtaca Gold-Silver Deposit, which was discovered by Almaden in 2010. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Morgan Poliquin" Morgan J. Poliquin, Ph.D., P.Eng. President, CEO and Director Almaden Minerals Ltd. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) nor the NYSE MKT have reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release which has been prepared by management. Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, those with respect to potential expansion of mineralization, potential size of mineralized zone, and size and timing of exploration and development programs, estimated project capital and other project costs and the timing of submission and receipt and availability of regulatory approvals involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Almaden to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations and joint ventures, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, uncertainty in the estimation of mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, environmental risks and hazards, increased infrastructure and/or operating costs, labour and employment matters, and government regulation and permitting requirements as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Almaden's Annual Information form and Almaden's latest Form 20-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although Almaden has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, 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 statements. Almaden disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/28/11G123416/Images/Ixtaca_Plan_Nov2016-21de9a58fa77a0f2b1795dc42ac75438.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/28/11G123416/Images/IxtacaSection10500E_Nov2016_DRAFT-cde9cb69449197688ff3fb292654d811.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/28/11G123416/Images/IxtacaSection10625E_Nov2016_DRAFT_Update-d4b23120c8b9acfd88fb451dd34e33f0.jpg Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/11/28/11G123416/Images/IxtacaSection10650E_Nov2016_DRAFT-598b97edb3ac8a81920d4bf06a950c53.jpg Contact Information: Almaden Minerals Ltd. Tel. 604.689.7644 Email: info@almadenminerals.com http://www.almadenminerals.com/ Babcock Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (B&W) (NYSE:BW) announced today that its Denmark-based subsidiary, Babcock Wilcox Vlund A/S (B&W Vlund), has been awarded a contract for nearly $40 million to design a waste-to-energy boiler for Shenzhen Energy Environmental Engineering Co. Ltd. in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. When complete, the plant will provide a long-term, proven waste management solution for the region while generating clean, renewable energy. Fueled by up to 5,600 tons of municipal waste a day, the plant will be the largest waste-to-energy facility in the world. B&W Vlund will supply equipment, including a DynaGrate combustion grate system, hydraulics, burners and other boiler components for the 168 megawatt plant. B&W Vlund will also provide construction advisors for the combined heat and power project. "The demand for reliable and clean renewable energy is growing in China and throughout much of Asia," said Paul Scavuzzo, senior vice president, B&W Renewable. "We thank Shenzhen Energy for choosing B&W Vlund to provide state-of-the art technology for this plant." The circular Shenzhen plant will be built with sustainability in mind and will incorporate rooftop solar panels, a visitor education center and an observation platform into its architectural design. It also represents the first time B&W Vlund has deployed its advanced DynaGrate technology in China. The plant is scheduled to begin commercial operation in mid-2019. About B&W Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Babcock Wilcox is a global leader in energy and environmental technologies and services for the power and industrial markets. B&W companies employ approximately 5,700 people around the world. Follow us on Twitter @BabcockWilcox and learn more at www.babcock.com Forward-Looking Statements B&W cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the scope, timing and value, to the extent value may be viewed as an indicator of future revenues, of the Shenzhen contract. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, delays or other difficulties executing the Shenzhen contract and adverse modifications to the contract, including termination. If one or more of these or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see B&W's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. B&W cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date this release, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161129006294/en/ Contacts: Investors: Babcock Wilcox Jude Broussard Vice President, Investor Relations 704-625-4944 investors@babcock.com or Media: Babcock & Wilcox Ryan Cornell Public Relations 330-860-1345 rscornell@babcock.com AUSTIN, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- ViZn Energy Systems Inc. (ViZn), a leading provider of zinc and iron chemistry-based flow battery energy storage systems for utilities and microgrids, announced today that company CEO Ron Van Dell will be speaking at Greentech Media's U.S. Energy Storage Summit that will take place December 7-8 in San Francisco, California. The session on energy storage standardization will be held from 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM PST on day two of the conference (Dec. 8), will be moderated by Ravi Manghani, Director of Energy Storage at GTM Research, and will include other leading storage industry executives. "The GTM Energy Storage Summit is one of the most important conferences of the year for the energy storage industry, so I'm excited to have the opportunity to represent ViZn Energy next month," said Mr. Van Dell. "We're partnering with leading global suppliers of power conversion and systems controls to eliminate system integration risk and accelerate the customer's time to revenue." Van Dell will bring his more than 30 years of business experience -- including more than a decade at the helm of companies in the cleantech and energy industries -- to the panel discussion called Standardization: Making Storage Plug-and-Play. Van Dell will also be speaking on Wednesday, December 14, at Power-Gen International in Orlando, Florida, from 1:30 PM - 3:30PM EST. Van Dell currently serves on the Industrial Advisory Board for the College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University, served as Chairman of the Clean Energy Council for the Austin Chamber of Commerce in 2012, was appointed by Austin City Council to its Local Solar Advisory Committee in 2012, serves on the Oversight Committee for the M-TRAC commercialization program of the Michigan EDC and as an Advisory Fellow, NSF Center for Next Gen PV, University of Texas. ViZn Energy's flow battery systems are capable of performing both high-power and long-duration services which enables utilities, C&I customers, and other end users to stack applications and incorporate multiple value streams. ViZn's systems have an expected lifespan of 20 years with negligible degradation regardless of the duty cycle. About ViZn Energy Systems, Inc. ViZn Energy Systems, Inc. is comprised of a visionary team of scientists, engineers and business leaders who are passionate about creating and commercializing a revolutionary energy storage solution for the commercial & industrial, microgrid and utility-scale markets. Founded in 2009 and based on eight previous years of research, ViZn has commercialized highly scalable energy storage systems, ranging from tens of kilowatts to mega-watt storage. The ViZn solution is safe, reliable, cost effective, and scalable to meet the needs of today's ever-changing energy landscape. For more information, visit: www.ViZnEnergy.com For additional information, please contact: Press Contact: Wendy Prabhu Mercom Communications, a division of Mercom Capital Group 1-512-215-4452 Email Contact ViZn Energy Systems Inc. Contact: ViZn Energy Systems, Inc. 1-630-841-8710 Email Contact HARTLEY BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- The Gitga'at First Nation is celebrating the federal government's decision today not to approve the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and to enact a moratorium on crude oil tankers on the North Coast of BC. The decision ends a more than decade-long struggle that pitted the Gitga'at and their allies against the energy giant in a David vs. Goliath battle that was waged in courtrooms, and in living rooms, for the hearts and minds of Canadians. "This is a final victory for the Gitga'at, our allies and all Canadians," said Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga'at First Nation. "Defending our way of life and the Great Bear Rainforest from the danger of oil spills has been exhausting work, and yet it's a fight we would take-up tomorrow in a heartbeat. We look forward to putting Enbridge behind us and sitting down with government to begin implementing an oil tanker ban on the North Coast of BC." Today's decision was put in motion by a Federal Court of Appeal victory won by the Gitga'at and their allies this past summer that quashed the federal cabinet approval of the pipeline and required the Canadian government to either continue consultation with First Nations, or end the project. "We want to thank Prime Minister Trudeau and his cabinet for making the right decision. They have kept their promises to us," said Art Sterritt, Gitga'at Communications Lead. "Despite being on the front line and at ground zero in terms of potential impacts, our community has often felt ignored by the federal government. Today's decision makes us feel heard." Prime Minister Trudeau and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould visited the Gitga'at community of Hartley Bay and the Great Bear Rainforest just before the last federal election to announce their opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. Gitga'at territory encompasses approximately 7,500 square kilometres of land and water, including a major portion of Douglas Channel, which is the proposed route oil tankers would have travelled through to get to and from Kitimat. Contacts: Gitga'at First Nation Art Sterritt 604-868-9110 VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- 2016ENV0064-002538 Nov. 29, 2016 Ministry of Environment STATEMENT British Columbia stands by five conditions VICTORIA - Minister of Environment Mary Polak has issued the following statement on the federal decision regarding pipeline projects: "Today, the federal government approved the Kinder Morgan Transmountain Project, while rejecting the Northern Gateway proposal. "In anticipation of a federal decision, our government has been consistent in fighting for British Columbia with the five conditions for any new or expanded heavy-oil pipeline. That remains the case today, and we will work to ensure each of our conditions are met. "Because we have taken that clear and principled approach to stand up for our province, we have seen the proponent and the federal government take actions, including Ottawa's recent Ocean Protection Plan to address world-leading marine spill prevention and response. "I understand the BC Environmental Assessment Office anticipates that it will soon complete B.C.'s environmental assessment, which has been underway for seven months. I have every confidence in B.C.'s environmental assessment process." B.C.'s five conditions are: (i) Successful completion of the environmental review process; (i) World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for B.C.'s coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines and shipments; (i) World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines; (i) Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities, information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project; and (i) British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level, degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the environment and taxpayers. Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect Contacts: Media Contact: Media Relations Ministry of Environment 250 953-3834 VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/16 -- Galena International Resources Ltd. (NEX: GTO.H) ("Galena" or "the Company") Further to its news releases of August 8, and September 29, 2016, Galena announced today that it has entered into a Property Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement") with ALX Uranium Corp. ("ALX") in settlement of Galena and ALX's dispute with respect to the acquisition of the Mikwam property ("Mikwam"). Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, Galena holds the right to acquire a 100% interest (subject to certain royalty interests and encumbrances) in the Mikwam Property in consideration of making aggregate cash and share payments to ALX over a period of three years as follows: -- CAD $25,000 and issue 2,000,000 common shares on closing of the transaction ("Closing"); -- CAD $50,000 or, at Galena's election, issue 500,000 common shares on or before the first anniversary of the Option Agreement; -- CAD $75,000 or, at Galena's election, issue 750,000 common shares on or before the second anniversary of the Option Agreement; and -- CAD $100,000 or, at Galena's election, issue 750,000 common shares on or before the third anniversary of the Option Agreement. In addition, Galena will grant ALX a net smelter returns royalty (the "NSR Royalty") equal to 0.5% of Net Smelter Returns from the Property. Galena shall have the right, at any time, to acquire the NSR Royalty from ALX in consideration of a cash payment of CAD $1,000,000. As previously disclosed, Mikwam comprises 9 contiguous claims (944 hectares) located on the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone in the Larder Lake Mining Division, approximately 160 kilometers north-east of Timmins, Ontario, and lies in the Harricana-Turgeon Belt within the northern portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. The Harricana-Turgeon Belt hosts polymetallic deposits and several well-known gold deposits such as the Eagle mine, the Casa-Berardi mine and the Detour mine. The Company has engaged Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. ("Caracle Creek"), to prepare a National Instrument 43-101 technical report in respect of Mikwam. Mark N.J. Ashcroft, President & CEO of Galena, commented, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with ALX on terms we consider favorable to the shareholders of both companies. We look forward to moving ahead with Closing and commencing our exploration program on Mikwam." As previously disclosed, in connection with the acquisition of the Mikwam property, Galena intends to apply to have the listing of its common share transferred from the NEX board to Tier 2 of the TSX Venture Exchange. Closing transaction is subject to customary conditions, including TSX Venture Exchange approval. Galena is a mineral exploration company, with a focus on gold within the prolific Abitibi Gold belt. The company will be considering additional acquisitions of advanced staged opportunities in proven mining districts. Galena has a strong treasury and a sound management team with experience in all facets of the mineral exploration and mining industry. Mr. Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the Abitibi Greenstone belt projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release. GALENA INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES LTD. Mark N. J. Ashcroft, President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Galena within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the proposed acquisition of Mikwam, results of exploration and development activities, and the transactions contemplated in connection therewith. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Galena's public filings under Galena International's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Galena has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Galena disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. Contacts: Mark Ashcroft 604-687-3959 info@galenainternational.com Zensurance, a Toronto, Canada-based startup which offers curated commercial insurance packages for startups and small business, closed a $1m seed funding round. The round was led by Ferst Capital Partners. The company intends to use the funds to hire new people and build its business. Led by Danish Yusuf, CEO, and Sultan Mehrabi, CTO, Zensurance is an online commercial insurance broker which offers a full range of products to small businesses, with a particular focus on digitizing businesses and technology startups. FinSMEs 29/11/2016 WHO settles India, EU medicine dispute issue Published: November 28, 2016 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dropped the term counterfeit and retained falsified to describe medicines of inferior quality. This decision was taken by a WHOs technical working group on draft working definitions of substandard/spurious /falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products. It settles longstanding India, EU medicine dispute and battle about labelling of drugs. It is considered as a significant victory for the global access to medicines campaign. What is the issue? The above mentioned terms were used interchangeably to confiscate Indian made cheap generic drugs exported to other countries by showing that they were in violation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). It was also alleged that big pharmaceutical companies were using term counterfeit to describe generic medicines and disrupting trade of generic medicines especially from India. Even the European Union Free Trade Agreement (EU FTA) was derailed after affordable, safe-to-use generic drugs made in India were confiscated as illegal and counterfeit. Between 2008 and 2009, nearly 20 shipments of generic drugs were detained while in transit from India to several developing countries via Europe. What were the concerns? Under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) the definition of counterfeit was clearly targeted at one particular area. It clearly mentioned that it is wilful infringement of trademark on a commercial scale. However in reality, campaigns and legislation against counterfeit drugs often have nothing to do with concerns about drug quality. The major European and US pharmaceutical companies used these rules for vested interest by limiting competition from generic drugs. They were using increased enforcement of IP laws as a tool to clamp down on the legitimate trade in high-quality generic medicines between developing countries Significance of WHO decision The adopted definition will use falsified and drops the word counterfeit. The term falsified is much more in line with public health concerns regarding medicines. It makes false claims about what they contain or where they are from, that represent a genuine problem. It clarifies that the term counterfeit will now be used by member States with respect to protection of IPR. Settles a long-standing battle about labelling of drugs as for far too long, genuine generic medicines have been labelled as counterfeit. Removes confusion on the much needed attention from the substandard medicines which is a bigger public health problem for developing countries. WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Month: Current Affairs - November, 2016 Topics: EU FTA Generic Drugs India-EU Intellectual Property International Medicines National Pharma sector WHO Latest E-Books Tetra Discovery Partners, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based clinical stage biotechnology company, raised $5m in Series A venture funding. The round was co-led by the Apjohn Group and Grand Angels, with participation from previous investors as well as Dolby Family Ventures, the Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation, and other private investors. With conversion of two debt rounds, the total Series A financing amounts to $7.27m. In conjunction with the funding, Donald R. Parfet of Apjohn Group joined Tetras Board of Directors. The company also announced the receipt of two new grants from the National Institutes of Health. The first, AG054243, a $2m Phase 2b Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institute on Aging, supports Tetras Phase 1 multiple-ascending dose study of BPN14770 in healthy older (age 60+) volunteers. The second, MH091791, from the National Institute of Mental Health, provides $3m in support for Tetras discovery program in depression. Led by Mark E. Gurney, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tetra Discovery Partners is a clinical stage biotechnology company that develops a portfolio of therapeutic products for people suffering from Alzheimers disease and other brain disorders. The company uses structure-guided drug design to discover mechanistically novel, allosteric inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), which plays a key role in memory formation and learning. The company also maintains a business office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. FinSMEs 29/11/2016 Rapper Kanye West was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles after his doctor called the emergency services to report he was suffering a mental breakdown on 22 October 2016. The musician's personal physician Michael Farzam told police that his 39-year-old patient was 'acting erratically' due to sleep deprivation and dehydration and he was concerned about his well-being, the celebrity gossip website TMZ said and added that he was taken from his personal trainer's home to UCLA Medical Center handcuffed to a gurney, as is standard procedure for psychiatric patients. The rapper's health scare took place after he abruptly cancelled the remaining 21 dates of his 'Saint Pablo Tour' on Monday, 21 November, following a rambling onstage tirade at the weekend against fellow artists Jay Z and Beyonce. He canceled several dates the following week but made a comeback in his hometown, Chicago, and performed without incident until a show in Oakland on 22 October where he described the Grammys as 'rigged.' West has not spoken publicly about the incident but TMZ quoted a source as saying time spent away from family had added to the rapper's stress. His wife, reality TV queen Kim Kardashian, was due to make her return to the public eye on Monday night for the first time since she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris in October. But she reportedly cancelled her plans and rushed to her husband's bedside. Since August, West has performed around 40 dates in Canada and the United States, rapping above the stage on an innovative 'floating' platform. He had also halted a gig in New York in the middle of his set when he was informed that his wife was robbed at gunpoint in Paris. Now, a week into the hospitalisation, West has not checked out yet, and people 'with direct knowledge of the situation' told TMZ on Monday that West still wasnt stable enough leave the hospital in Los Angeles. While a West rep had no official update on the rappers status early Monday, insiders clues have been filling in some of the blanks. Sources involved with the situation told The LA Times last week that it had taken two hours to persuade Yeezy to agree to hospitalization ostensibly for dehydration and sleep deprivation. Since hes been there, sources told TMZ, he's also dealt with depression and paranoia. With AFP inputs 30 October 1997. The streets leading to Melody Theatre near the Royapettah Clock Tower in Chennai brimmed with boys and girls in serpentine queues. My friend and I both college freshers were also in that melee, which reeked of paan-parag and cheap perfume on one side and had white-salwar-yellow-dupatta-clad girls on another. My friend and I were focussed on our task: we simply had to get tickets to watch the first day first show of our new heartthrobs latest film. This actor had caught our fancy thanks to his stint on national television and then, films. We had seen his Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge nine times in the same theatre each time, with a new bunch of friends-of-friends so we could convert a different set of people into his fans. Shah Rukh Khan arrived as a romantic hero in Chennai first, even as the rest of India was still celebrating his anti-hero roles in Baazigar and Darr, until DDLJ took over. The tickets we were gunning for that October in 1997 were for Dil Toh Pagal Hai. The title said it all, about what we felt for SRK. He was then just Shah Rukh our pal, our perfect take-home boyfriend whose Guddu and Chamatkaar we watched on VHS tapes after Yash Raj Films changed his on-screen appeal. Every bit of news on our Shah Rukh was devoured with great interest. After Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor, it was SRK for whom filmmakers in the South industry had a soft spot. Mani Ratnam was quick to see his spark and cast him in Dil Se (1998). Chaiyya Chaiyya, the chartbuster from that film, was being publicised on the then new broadcast channel, MTV. Shah Rukh made the effort to learn some Tamil lines to promote the song just so he could make us believe in his character in the Tamil dubbed version, Uyire. Two years later, he spoke Tamil dialogues in sync-sound for Kamal Haasans Hey Raam (2000). With this multi-regional storyline, SRK broke the language barrier between the south of the Vindhyas and the rest of India. The film may have bombed, but it is considered a classic today. To be a part of it was an informed decision on Shah Rukhs part, as it would make him a household name in the South. Even as the trappings of being Shah Rukh Khan the romantic roles, the arms spread wide signature move, and his global superstar status began to overwhelm his acting, SRK still managed to get in fine performances in films like Swades, Chak De! India and Kal Ho Na Ho. All of these films ran houseful in Southern theatres. The most recent phase of SRKs career has seen him make the same unconventional choices as an actor that he displayed when he was starting out. This year, he had Fan and Dear Zindagi; Raees will release in January 2017, and Aanand L Rai and Imitiaz Alis films follow. It would appear that SRK now chooses films because he loves the script, the team and the chance to work with newer, talented co-actors. Despite the lukewarm box-office response to Fan (which again, ran to full house for more than three weeks in Chennai) he stood his ground and made further such script-based choices. Does this phase mark the return of the competent actor? If the star has entertained us enough, perhaps its time we applauded his courage in backing films like Dear Zindagi? What remains to be seen of course, is whether or not SRKs forthcoming films will beat the records set by DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Going back to that October day in 1997, we did manage to get two tickets for Rs 6.50 each and sat on a bench, staring up at the screen that loomed large over the hall. I craned my neck, smiling. On screen, Shah Rukh Khan opened his arms wide: It felt like all the women in the theatre could run into and be enfolded in his embrace. And experience love in the time of SRK. Faced with charges of duping investors in a multi-crore financial scam, the Maharashtra state home department on Monday gave the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) permission to seal properties owned by the embattled industrialist Yash Birla. The state department has allowed EOW to attach Yash Birla's Birla House, Malabar Hill, plots opposite Centaur Hotel in Juhu and Mahim and bank accounts of related companies, a Mid-day report said. EOW has also sealed the demat accounts which belonged to Birla; Birla Power Solutions; Godavari Corporation Pvt Ltd; and Shearson Investment And Trading Co Pvt Ltd among others, Mumbai Mirror report said. The Maharashtra governments home department on 24 November, 2016 issued a notification to Birla, a Deccan Chronicle report said. The notification reads: Whereas complaint has been received from a number of depositors, against Birla Power Solution Limited, (herein after referred to as the said financial establishment) complaining that they have, collected funds and have defaulted to return the said deposit, by the depositors on demand. Last month, the EOW had filed a chargesheet against the businessman and seven others in this case. The state department in the past had attached properties of Yash Birla, although he had offered to sell an Oshiwara property to pay off depositors, the Mumbai Mirror report added. Besides Yash Birla, the special Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act court has also named YP Trivedi (senior Supreme Court lawyer, former Rajya Sabha MP and director of finance), Ashish Mahindakar (signing authority), Tushar Dey (legal head of the group), MS Arora (director), Anant Vardhan and Upkar Singh Trivedi. The case Two years ago, an FIR was registered against Birla Power Solutions Ltd (BPSL) and its then CFO PVR Murthy on charges of cheating investors. A case of cheating was filed against Birla Power Solutions for allegedly duping a Worli businessman of Rs 1 crore by not paying his fixed deposit amount on maturity. As more people claimed to have been duped, the cheating amount swelled to Rs 350 crore. On 30 January, 2014, the Managing Director of BPSL and Chief Finance Officer of the group PVR Murthy was arrested in the case. In fact, Yash Birla's BPSL company had lured investors with 42 percent annual interest and accepted cash deposits from them. The acceptance of cash deposits was red-flagged by the company's auditor from 2009 to 2010, chartered accountant Venkatesh Subramanium of Dalal & Shah too, the Mumbai Mirror report said last month. Murthy and other key officials were told by the auditor then that the firm was bending the rules of the Companies Act, 1956 by accepting deposits without issuing advertisements in newspapers. By Alex Dobuzinskis A car and knife attack by an Ohio State University student that injured 11 people on Monday before the suspect was shot dead by a police officer is being investigated as a possible terror attack, a U.S. congressman and another government source said.The suspect, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was shot and killed by a police officer with less than two years on the force after driving into a group of people and then jumping out of the vehicle and stabbing people with a butcher knife at the school's Columbus campus, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University.The assailant was an 18-year-old immigrant from Somalia and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, two U.S. government sources said. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone told a news conference that Artan might have been as old as 20.The officials said they could not speak on the record because of the ongoing investigation. U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation."It bears all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalised," Schiff said in a statement.Another U.S. official, who asked not to be named because of the ongoing investigation, told Reuters that U.S. agencies are investigating the Columbus attackers background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups.President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.A spokesman for Columbus' Somali community spoke out against the attack.I want everyone to know that we the Somali-American community stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow Americans in condemning the sickening violence that took place in our city earlier today," Abdi Dini, a member of the Somali community, said at a news conference in Ohio. SUSPECT SAID DIDN'T "EVEN KNOW WHERE TO PRAY" The campus newspaper, The Lantern, on Monday posted on its website an interview with Artan that it had published only in print in August as part of its Humans of Ohio State feature.In the interview, Artan, a third-year logistics management student, said he had recently transferred to Ohio State from Columbus State University. Artan talked about being a Muslim and said that Columbus State had offered more accommodations for prayer."We had prayer rooms, like actual rooms where we could go pray because we Muslims have to pray five times a day," he was quoted as saying.Artan said he was scared to pray openly on campus as a Muslim, saying that he feared that media portrayals of Muslims would give people the wrong idea about him. "This place is huge, and I don't even know where to pray," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. ... But I just did it. ... I went over to the corner and just prayed." Of the people injured in the attack on Monday, one was critically injured, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance."It frankly took a piece out of everybody here at our beautiful Ohio State University that this could have happened here," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at a news conference. With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university.Fire officials said the critically injured victim was taken to the university hospital. A spokeswoman said that by Monday evening, none of the patients there suffered from life-threatening conditions.Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, including two with stab wounds and three who were hit by the vehicle, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer. Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said. The university initially reported the attack on Twitter, saying it involved an "active shooter."Moll said that while in the vehicle, the suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall.He then left the vehicle and stabbed several other people, Stone, the Ohio State police chief, said.Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said.Monday's incident follows a stabbing attack in September at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where a man whose family came to the United States from Somalia wounded 10 people with a knife before he was shot to death by an off-duty police officer.Authorities last month indicated the Minnesota attacker showed signs of radicalisation, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent said his actions appeared to be "consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups."CNN aired an image from a room at Ohio State where students had barricaded a door with stacked chairs.Columbus and university police continued their investigation with assistance from the FBI. A university warning on Twitter telling students to shelter in place was lifted shortly before noon (1700 GMT).The university campus remained open, although classes were cancelled for the day. (Reporting by Kim Palmer in Cleveland, Laila Kearney and Franklin Paul in New York, Mark Hosenball and Ayesha Rascoe in Washington and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, Calif.; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. FRANKFURT/BERLIN A Munich court has rejected a request by Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) to issue a temporary injunction to prevent the latest strike planned by the German airline's pilots in a long-running dispute over pay.Lufthansa had sought the injunction after it was forced to cancel 2,800 flights because of last week's four-day strike and said on Monday that another strike planned for the next two days would result in a further 1,700 cancellations."The Munich labour court has dismissed the application because the planned strike measures are not evidently illegal," the court said in a statement.Lufthansa had argued that demands by pilots for higher pay increases for staff with at least 12 years of service infringe a German law on equal treatment, the court said, adding that the airline has appealed against the decision not to halt the strikes. But the carrier's lawyers abandoned the complaint at a court hearing on Monday evening, paving the way for another wave of strikes."With this you are allowed to go on strike from midnight," Munich labour court judge Camilla Roesch told representatives of the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union. Lufthansa has offered to increase the pilots' pay by 4.4 percent in two instalments and to make a one-off payment worth 1.8 months' pay over a six-year period. The VC union is demanding an average annual pay rise of 3.7 percent for 5,400 pilots over a five-year period backdated to 2012. VC rejected the latest pay offer from Lufthansa late on Friday. (Reporting by Peter Maushagen; Additional reporting by Jens Hack in Munich and Andreas Cremer in Berlin; Writing by Maria Sheahan; Editing by David Goodman and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Alex Dobuzinskis A student drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians at Ohio State University on Monday morning and then jumped out and stabbed several people with a butcher knife, injuring 11 people, before a police officer shot and killed the attacker, officials said.Abdul Razak Ali Artan was shot and killed within minutes after ploughing into the group by a police officer with less than two years on the force, said Monica Moll, director of public safety for Ohio State University."It frankly took a piece out of everybody here at our beautiful Ohio State University that this could have happened here," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at a news conference. A U.S. government official confirmed the assailant was from Somalia, 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A second government source said investigators had reason to believe the attacker at the campus in Columbus was a Somali refugee. Columbus, the state capital, has a large Somali population. U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said intelligence agencies were assisting in the investigation."It bears the all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalised," Schiff said in a statement.Another U.S. official told Reuters U.S. agencies are investigating the Columbus attackers background and motivations, but cannot clearly say yet whether he had any ties to suspected militant cells or groups.The attack at the Columbus campus, which was initially reported by the university on Twitter as involving an "active shooter," drew a massive response of heavily armed police. The suspect jumped the curb and used the vehicle to strike pedestrians in front of Watts Hall, Moll said.The suspect left the vehicle armed with the knife and stabbed several others, Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said."This was done on purpose, Stone said. Less than 2 minutes elapsed between the first call for help at 9:52 a.m. local time and the shots fired by campus police officer Alan Horujko, 28, Moll said.The incident follows a stabbing attack in September at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where a man whose family came to the United States from Somalia wounded 10 people with a knife before he was shot to death by an off-duty police officer. Authorities last month indicated the Minnesota attacker showed signs of radicalisation and a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent said his actions appeared to be "consistent with the philosophies of violent radical Islamic groups."One person was critically injured in Monday's incident, Columbus fire officials said. Eleven people were treated at area hospitals, including 10 taken by ambulance.Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center treated six victims, said Dr. Andrew Thomas, the chief medical officer. They included two with stab wounds and three others who had injuries from being hit with the vehicle.Two other hospitals received five patients, who suffered from lacerations and injuries caused by the vehicle, Thomas said. With nearly 60,000 students, the Columbus campus is the state's flagship public university.CNN aired an image from a room at the university where students had barricaded a door with stacked chairs.Columbus and university police continued their investigation with assistance from the FBI. The attack prompted university officials to warn students on Twitter to shelter in place. Ohio State lifted the order shortly before noon EST (1700 GMT).The university campus remained open, although classes were cancelled for the day.President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. (Reporting by Kim Palmer in Cleveland, Laila Kearney and Franklin Paul in New York, Mark Hosenball and Ayesha Rascoe in Washington and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, Calif.; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Matthew Lewis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. : - 32 ' ' By Scott DiSavino | NEW YORK NEW YORK Oil prices fell almost 4 percent on Tuesday on signs leading oil exporters in OPEC were struggling to agree on a deal to cut production to reduce global oversupply.Brent futures were down $1.80, or 3.7 percent, at $46.44 a barrel by 10:51 a.m. EST (1551 GMT). U.S. crude fell $1.79, or 3.8 percent, to $45.29 per barrel. That was the biggest daily percentage decline for Brent since early September.The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will meet in Vienna on Wednesday aiming to implement a deal outlined in September to cut output by around 1 million barrels per day (bpd), from around 33.82 million bpd in October.But Iran and Iraq were resisting pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail oil production, making it hard for OPEC to reach an agreement. That has led some analysts to suggest the meeting may fail to reach a deal or produce one that is unworkable."The inability to arrive at a framework for a reasonable agreement after 2-1/2 months of Saudi driven discussions strongly suggests any formal communique to restrain output will be a watered down version," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Chicago-based energy advisory firm Ritterbusch & Associates, said in a note. Ritterbusch, however, said he believes OPEC had a better than 50 percent chance of reaching an agreement, which should offer some near-term price relief. He noted the burden of actual curtailments would likely fall on the Persian Gulf producers, especially the Saudis.Non-OPEC producer Russia confirmed on Tuesday it would not attend the OPEC gathering, but added that a later meeting was possible. Intense negotiations would be needed on Wednesday to cement a deal, Goldman Sachs analysts said. Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan said he was not sure OPEC would clinch a deal to limit oil output when it met."I don't know. The feeling today is mixed," he told reporters when asked about the prospects of a deal.If OPEC agreed to cut production to 32.50 million bpd, crude prices would likely rise to the low $50s a barrel, Goldman said. "If no deal is reached, our expectation of rising (crude) inventories through the first half of 2017 would warrant prices averaging $45 per barrel through next summer," Goldman said.In Asia, OPEC's biggest customer region, oil importers made clear they would not be happy with an artificial supply cut that hikes prices, and that in case of a cut they would seek more supplies from outside OPEC.In the United States, analysts polled by Reuters ahead of weekly inventory reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) industry group later on Tuesday and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday estimated, on average, that crude stocks increased about 900,000 barrels in the week to Nov. 25. (Additional reporting by Christopher Johnson in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Jason Neely) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: Claiming that all was not well between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Tueaday said the coalition government in Bihar will not run for long. Paswan, who thanked Kumar for welcoming the Centre's demonetisation, said that the government in Bihar was "under pressure". "Any party, be it NDA or UPA, if someone joins, it strengthens the party. Whatever Nitish Kumar wants, it is his prerogative. To take him or not, it is up to the BJP. "We are allies. I had said Nitish Kumar has welcomed the revolutionary step and I had thanked him. I had also said that he (Kumar) is under pressure in Bihar. And whoever, Lalu Yadav has gone with, has not been spared. That is why, this government (Bihar) will not run for long," Paswan said. Paswan had on Monday said he will welcome Kumar into the NDA and claimed that the JD(U) chief was apprehensive that his ally Lalu Prasad of the RJD would weaken his party. The Union minister had also lauded Kumar for his support to the Centre's demonetisation step, saying he had taken a "bold decision". Paswan's Lok Jantantrik Party is part of the ruling NDA coalition at the Centre. Paswan had claimed that Kumar, whose party JD(U) was a former BJP ally and now a bitter rival, was working "under the pressure of Prasad" who had a "history of weakening his allies". Earlier, BJP chief Amit Shah had also praised Kumar, setting tongues wagging in the political circles. Abdul Basit, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India at New Delhi showed a glimpse of classic chutzpah by announcing that the onus for any bilateral engagement on sidelines of the forthcoming Heart of Asia conference at Amritsar is on India. Well-timed, his statement comes right before the arrival of Pakistans de facto foreign minister Sartaj Aziz on 4 December to participate in the event. Basit's logic behind the 'onus being on India' is because India is the host nation for the Heart of Asia conference. But Basit would be at pains to explain which international regulation or norm binds the host nation to take the initiative to propose bilateral dialogue. Why isnt Pakistan asking for such dialogue at Amritsar? The media describing Basits announcement as having put the ball in Indias court for any bilateral engagement is certainly way off the mark. The fact remains that nether Aziz nor Basit, or for that matter Pakistan, has the guts to ask India for opening up the stalled India-Pakistan dialogue not only because of Pakistans heightening proxy war on India, but also through demonstrative future plans with respect to India. That is why Aziz is slipping into Amritsar directly for the Heart of Asia conference and slinking back immediately after the event. There is no way he could have requested for a bilateral dialogue and planned to make it more meaningful with a stopover at New Delhi. Basits statement hopes to provide 'Dutch courage' to Aziz as he represents a country notorious for being the epicentre of terrorism. There is clear evidence of Pakistan's complicity in the beheading of an Indian Army soldier in the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir recently; the handiwork of a Pakistan Army-backed BAT (border action team) equipped with grenades sporting Pakistani markings as well as night sights and radio sets with US markings, as the search of the area found. It is a different issue that after the mutilation of our soldiers body, the heavy retribution extracted by the Indian Army through a fire assault in PoK forced the DGMO of Pakistan to call up his Indian counterpart for unscheduled talks, after which there has been lull in ceasefire violations by both countries after over a month of heavy exchanges. The ceasefire along the LoC has been violated by Pakistan hundreds of times since it was agreed to by both nations in 2003. Its sanctity was anyway irrelevant with Pakistan not only breaching it time and again through artillery and mortar fire but also providing cross-border covering fire for every infiltration which happens on an average at least once a week. Of late, Pakistan has also been violating the International Border in addition to the LoC, plus deliberately targeting civilian villages. What the Pakistani Army did not expect was the surgical strikes by Indian Special Forces into PoK, following the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack at the army base at Uri, and although Pakistan (Nawaz Sharif and Raheel Sharif included) maintained that the said surgical strikes had not taken place, a telephonic intercept of the superintendent of police of Mirpur in PoK confirmed the casualties that the surgical strikes had inflicted. More recently, Pakistan suffered heavy casualties because of Indian fire assaults in response to the Pakistan armys BAT action that saw an Indian soldier mutilated. The ceasefire violations by Pakistan may have somewhat reduced (temporary break?) but the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir continue to occur on a daily basis the directions for which come from the Pakistan military and its proxies including the covert arm of the Inter-Services Intelligence. At the time of writing, encounters between terrorists and security forces are taking place in the Nagrota and Samba areas of Jammu and Kashmir. So, the Pakistani military is in no mood to change its policy of inflicting thousand cuts on India, irrespective of Pakistan's army chief having been changed. By avoiding ceasefire violations but increasing the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan is avoiding casualties on its side of the LoC, yet stepping up attacks on Indian security forces. This, despite Lieutenant-General DS Hooda Northern Army commander categorically stating that de-escalation depends on Pakistan checking terrorism against India, thereby implying we will continue to hit back across the LoC when deemed necessary. Basit has said that Pakistan wants dialogue along the lines of the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD) that the two countries announced when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Islamabad in December 2015; dialogue on all outstanding issues, including terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir. But Basit fails to acknowledge that much water has flowed under the bridge since then, because of which India had conveyed to Pakistan that any bilateral dialogue would have to be preceded by Pakistan stopping terrorism against India. Should Basit, Aziz and co use a wee bit of intelligence, what India has said does not merely mean a temporary halt in terror attacks but it also means that Islamabad must take effective action against the anti-India terrorist groups in PoK and Pakistan, which in effect are patronized by the Pakistani military. A cross-section in India may feel that Basits above statements are a change of heart or perhaps he is getting de-radicalised. Nothing could actually be farther from the truth. Meeting and briefing Hurriyat separatists along with his ISI-trained diplomats holed up in the Pakistani High Commission, Basit has been playing a major role in supporting and upping terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. If he is acting the peace parody before the arrival of Aziz in Amritsar, he is merely playing up Pakistans policy of TPAW (Talk Peace, Act War). In doing so, he is also playing up to Pakistans military constituency, particularly to Qamar Javed Bajwa, the new Pakistani army chief, lest he be ordered to get back home. Without doubt, Basit will be hoping to replace Aziz one day as the de facto foreign minister of Pakistan one day, if not the foreign minister proper. There is plenty of speculation about what would be Pakistans India policy with Bajwa now holding the countrys reins from the background. The indications are already on ground through the setting up of a high-level committee in Pakistan to formulate a doable and sustainable policy to highlight the Kashmir issue globally. This committee was obviously formed not only in consultation with the Pakistani military but perhaps on behest of the latter. More significantly, it will be controlled and directed by the military with members as senior officials from ministries of defence, interior and information, the military operations directorate, ISI and Intelligence Bureau, but none from the foreign ministry. With the Kashmir obsession of the Pakistani military, it is unlikely that Raheel Sharif did not discuss formation of such a committee with the military hierarchy, which included Bajwa. So, it may be naive to think about any change of heart with Bajwa assuming command. Dawn described the real purpose of the above committee as a measure for reaching out to Indians who are opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modis extremist policies." So, we should expect ISIs love blooming with the type of politician who pleaded to Pakistani news channel to help dethrone Modi. Interestingly this politician is known at home as the pole tortoise; doesnt know how he climbed up, doesnt know what to do atop, and doesnt know how to get down. Pakistan will not only compensate these types for whatever they lost because of demonetisation, and cater for their next seven generations, but perhaps also confer them with the Nishaan-e-Pakistan, Pakistans highest civilian award. Therefore, the only change in Pakistans policy towards India may perhaps be more non-kinetic measures added to whatever it is presently doing, to tray and destabilise India as much as possible. The five government mints in Pakistan are probably working round the clock already for faking the new Indian currency. The author is a veteran Lieutenant-General of the Indian Army The chaotic postdemonetisation period has been characterised by two significant realities. One, the central governments motivation to weed out black money, seems to have dovetailed with a now thunderous sales-pitch for a cashless society. Two, in labelling all critics of demonetisation, particularly the political opposition as corrupt or friendsofthe corrupt, the government is reaffirming its intolerance of criticism as such. This, even as it singularly shoulders the responsibility of virtually overnight pushing the entire nation into a new and uncertain financial zone. As evidence for my first argument, consider Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann ki Baat address this Sunday. Describing the address as the biggest push for a cashless economy, a report in Times of India quoted the prime minister as saying: Learn how this digital economy works. Learn the different ways you can use your bank accounts and internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. While telecasting Modis address, the Doordarshan screen turned into an advertising canvas for various digital payment services routed through mobile phones. As news reports suggest, digital payment services have, in recent days, seen a steep hike in their business. The question that comes to mind is: Why is the Prime Minister delivering a national address in which he is so vocally and aggressively pitching for a cashless economy that is likely to benefit mushrooming private organisations? These companies have eagerly awaited a moment like this, especially in a country where the masses have not taken to electronic payment as easily as many would like. The drive to eliminate black money has now become conflated with the drive for a cashless digital financial system. This is the system that exists in advanced economies in the West, particularly in the United States. In this context, it may be pertinent to remember that our social, cultural and economic structures have little in common with the American or European ecosystem. Equally importantly, the trajectory of Western economies in the recent past including the fallout of near-complete electronic banking should serve as a cautionary tale. Instead, the Indian government seems only too keen to replicate the fate of the West in this country. The noted economist Kenneth Rogoff is one of the high-powered names associated with the desire for a cashless economy. In an article for The Wall Street Journal earlier this year, Rogoff blamed cash for all of the most sinister social evils in the US illegal immigration, tax dodging, corruption, and terrorism. He recommended that the $100 note (along with high denominations like $50 and $20) should be phased out or withdrawn from circulation. Will it ever happen? Rogoff asked, answering that: I believe the time has come. Finance ministries are desperate to collect more tax revenues without raising tax rates. Homeland security agencies are concerned about how cash facilitates terrorist financing. Justice departments are as worried as ever about the role of cash in crime. For immigration authorities, it sure beats building walls. If this rhetoric sounds eerily close to that being espoused by the Prime Minister today, then we should also note that some of the criticisms aimed at this hypothetical suggestion have also been borne out in India. In a response to Rogoff, titled The Ludicrous Idea of Trying to Abolish Cash, Tim Worstall wrote: the real argument against this idea is that it just wont work. My point being that when we dont have cash money then well just use some other unit of account in the place of that cash money. And that, of course, poses a very serious problem for this idea that purely electronic money will enable the Fed to control the economy better. All the reports we have of people improvising to survive the shortage of cash including the return of barter systems bears out this observation. A deeper financial agenda seems to underlie the governments demonetisation policy the rapid evolution of a cashless society. Sans demonetisation, such an overhaul would have indeed been far more arduous and time-consuming than it is now. In the midst of all the hyperbole, we have forgotten the large numbers of people in India who continue to be outside the banking network, besides lacking the technological know-how enabling them to exercise financial vigilance in a digital economy. Now, with reference to my second argument, consider the way the government has gone all out in painting the opposition and its leaders as crooks. There is no denying that the Congress party and Trinamool Congress do not have a clean financial record. But that underlying vice binds all political parties. The BJP is not an exception to this norm. If for instance, the ruling party submits to the financial auditing of its electoral expenses and the contributions it receives from various quarters, we might go a long way in cleansing the economy of black money. But that is unlikely to happen. In an article for The Quint on 20 November, former Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi drew our attention the Election Commissions two-decade long demand for political parties to submit to an annual audit by an independent auditor from an Election Commission-nominated panel. Political parties, unfortunately, have not bothered to look at the Election Commissions demands seriously. Governments have come and gone pushing the proposal under the carpet. And it is not political parties alone who refuse to disclose their sources of income; corporate houses also prefer anonymity, Quraishi wrote. Of course, it is easier to open the floodgates to votaries of electronic banking than it is to clean up ones own house. And this is the script playing out before us today. Wearied by the long journey from Manipur to Delhi, Dina walked into the Chinese restaurant in Indra Vihar with heavy feet. He ordered a plate of chicken momos before joining two other friends from the north east, who were discussing the recent move of demonetisation by the government, over a cup of tea. "Added to the tediousness of the journey is the suffering I went through by standing four hours at a stretch in a queue in front of a bank to get some money before I left for Delhi from Imphal," Dina said, as if he was talking to himself. His friends Anirban Gogoi from Assam and James from Nagaland acknowledged his pain. Times, they are often very difficult in the north east. Massive mismanagement in implementation of government schemes in many of the states and widespread terrorism have crippled economic growth and led to joblessness in the region for a long time. The recent addition to the list of problems is the suffering that demonetisation has caused. "But you cannot equate the pains caused by demonetisation with those of insurgency and economic slump the region," said Dina with conviction. The sales executive of a marketing company in Delhi explained why both these sufferings were different, "Demonetisation is meant to solve our problems created by black money and terror economy. So the pain we are going through while standing in a queue, is for a greater cause of our region." Dinas view reflects the feelings of millions of north easterners who are happily standing four to five hours a day outside the banks hoping that their co-operation with the government of India in demonetisation will bring good days to the region by weakening terrorism and eliminating black money. Black money and insurgency in north east India has a not-so-unknown relationship. The National Investigation Agency is probing cases of huge chunks of development money going to the hands of insurgent groups in North East India. "There are also reports of some business organisations supporting insurgency financially," said GM Srivastava, former DGP of Assam, who is presently in Delhi, Firstpost. It is suspected that a chunk of black money earned by business houses go to the insurgent groups. But demonetisation has tightened the noose, both around the necks of black money hoarders and insurgent groups. Imran Ali (name changed), an ex-cadre of ULFA said to Firstpost that some of his former colleagues in the insurgent outfit are eager to convert the old currency into new. "Certainly, the insurgent groups are facing tremendous fund crunch after demonetisation," said Srivastava, a renowned expert on north-eastern insurgency. "Insurgent leaders in the north-eastern parts of India have big cash reserves. Now those reserves have become useless overnight," he added. He added that most of these outfits keep their reserves outside the political territory of their country. Since most of these reserves are in old currency, they are facing severe cash crunch. "Some may try to convert currency in small amounts through persons close to them. But that does not fulfill their needs," he further said. But another top police official in Assam Police has some other more inputs. He said that though demonetisation has hit the insurgent groups, this situation could be temporary, for it is believed that loads of terror money has also been parked in banks in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal. "This money, which is in foreign currency right now can be converted into Indian currency later on. So the risk caused by terror money persists," he added GM Srivastava also agreed that terror groups have invested chunks of their money in business outside India. "Though demonetisation has pushed the insurgent groups to the wall, these effects could very well be short term. We need some more time to assess the situation in depth," he contended. Whatever the final effect of demonetisation on terrorism and black money in north-east India, the tightening of noose on terrorist outfits have raised hopes among many like Dina, in the region. No wonder the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the CPM hardly made any impact in the state capitals of the region except at Agartala in Tripura, a state ruled by the party itself. The Akrosh Divas called by the Congress too failed to attract much attention in the peripheral region. The proxy war attack close to the Indian Armys 16 Corps headquarters in the Jammu region has several lessons for us. The most obvious of these is that a lot more violence lies ahead. Just the other day, a top officer rued the fact that the Centre still does not seem to realise the seriousness of the challenge in Jammu and Kashmir. We are already in the middle of another proxy war. The 'surgical strikes' did absolutely nothing to halt Pakistans unfolding war plans. There have been major attacks in Baramulla, Srinagar and now at Samba (again) and Nagrota (where the Corps is headquartered). Like those other attacks, this one has gone on far longer than it would have in the very worst phase (1999 to 2001) of the earlier proxy war. Three army men had been killed at Nagrota in the first five hours of the attack on Tuesday. Such attacks will not only continue, they will get much worse probably next summer, when we can depend on one trigger or another to cause public demonstrations in tandem with the attacks. It is a multi-pronged war, with fronts at the Line of Control and at any point where militants decide to strike. And these attackers typically have far more sophisticated military training than most of the militants who operated in Kashmir in the early and mid-1990s. Another thing that has become clear over the past couple of years is that this proxy war is being engaged across the Kashmir and the Jammu regions, and neighbouring districts of Punjab such as Gurdaspur and Pathankot too. For a while a couple of years ago, Pakistan had tried hard to stoke the fires of the Khalistan movement afresh. That did not catch, but this has not deflected Pakistan from its war effort in the north. Indeed, a very senior member of the Jammu and Kashmir government expressed what is unfolding in dire terms. Pakistan wants to turn Kashmir into 'another Afghanistan', he said referring to the violence and chaos that has become commonplace in various parts of that country over the past three decades. In this context, those who crow over the 'return of normalcy' in Kashmir are shameless propagandists trying to conjure a fools paradise. Taking a cruise or other vacation to celebrate 'peace not only highlights how little has been learnt over the years about how things unfold in Kashmir, we are witnessing deep cynicism. For, those who allowed the situation to deteriorate when it could have been controlled in the second half of July ought to be working in overdrive now to sort things out at the ground level, when they have a (probably brief) window of opportunity. One of the factors that those who claim peace have pointed out is the change in guard in the Pakistan Army. They say it is a positive sign, having seized on a remark of the new army chief, General Javed Ashraf Bajwa, that extremism is a more serious threat to Pakistan than any threat from India. The fact is that he is only stating the obvious. It does not mean he intends to suspend militant operations in Kashmir. A senior Indian Army officer pointed out that the apparently less aggressive mien of Pakistans new army chief did not mean that the basic anti-India institutional disposition of the Pakistan Army has changed. Analysts will get nowhere unless they focus on the fact that we are already in the middle of a proxy war. We have been for some time now. Indeed, things have been gradually unfolding towards the strategic challenge for the past eight years. With apologies to propagandists of various hues, one must acknowledge the unfortunate fact that the near future seems very bleak. New Delhi: JNU students union on Tuesday decided to start an indefinite sit-in at the varsity's administration block protesting the university's decision to not allow protests. The administration had warned the students union to avoid any protests or demonstration at the venue, which is now known as "Freedom square" or face disciplinary action. "Today after not getting any reply from administration JNUSU has decided to go for indefinite sit-in at the administration block against scuttling of protest space and scuttling justice in Najeeb's case," JNUSU President Mohit Pandey said. The students are protesting against alleged inaction by the administration on the issue of the missing first year MSc student Najeeb Ahmed. Ahmed went missing from the campus on 15 October after he was allegedly assaulted by ABVP members during a hostel election campaign a night before. The university on 3 November and on Monday wrote to Pandey to not hold any meetings/ demonstrations near the administrative block or face action. "But it has come to the notice of the administration that you are going to hold a protest at the administrative block. You are once again advised not to hold the above mentioned activity near the administrative block, otherwise necessary disciplinary action will be taken as per university rules," the letter said. The administration said that it has received complaints from residents living around and staff working in the block that they are getting disturbed and "such" activities should be held at either Open Theatre or Students' Activity Centre. Stating that in 45 days since Ahmed went missing the administration didn't mention once in any of its reports that Ahmed was allegedly assaulted by group of students connected to ABVP, Pandey said, "JNU administration did not think this case is important for them and did not send anybody to reply in court." "Now there is a permanent ban on protests near administration block and JNU administration is threatening students and JNUSU that do the protests around KC and open theatre and don't do protest around ad block. VC is in a permanent denial to meet students and reply them." "He meets with RSS delegates, with ABVP members but not with union. This is the state of Sanghi administration in our university. A student is missing from university after he was assaulted by ABVP goons. Justice in this case is missing. Accountability is missing," he added. Congress president Sonia Gandhi was hospitalised on Monday evening as reports said that she may be suffering from a viral fever. This is the second time this year the Congress president has been hospitalised. According to ANI, Sonia has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala confirmed and said that Sonia will be in hospital for two days. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to hospital on account of viral fever. She will be in hospital for 2 days: RS Surjewala pic.twitter.com/TESzeqt4BY ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Sources said that 69-year-old Gandhi was down with viral fever and was brought to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital around 8 pm on Monday. Doctors who are treating her said she was feeling much better today. She will also undergo some tests at Sir Gangaram hospital, they said. "Sonia Gandhi has been admitted under the care of Dr Arun Kumar Basu, senior consultant in Department of Chest and Pulmonology Medicine and his team of consultants. Gandhi's routine tests are being conducted and is better today (Tuesday). She is likely to be discharged in a day or two," Chairman of the hospital's Board of Management D S Rana said. Gandhi's daughter Priyanka has been with her while son Rahul visited her on Tuesday. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said there was no cause for worry and the party president will resume Parliament duty soon. On 3 August, the Congress chief had to cut her visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi short, as she was unwell and had to be hospitalised. She had been taken to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital at that time but was soon shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. PTI had then reported that she had undergone a surgery on her left shoulder and doctors had said that she had recovered from the injury. She had been discharged from the hospital on 14 August after 11 days of hospitalisation. With inputs from PTI The political storm over Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to deny audience with an all-party delegation from Kerala refuses to subside, even a week after the incident. The delegation, comprising the chief minister, finance minister and MLAs, had planned to submit a resolution that requested the Centre to allow co-operative banks to exchange demonitised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes and accept deposits like other commercial banks. The resolution was passed by the state legislative assembly during its special sitting, convened in the wake of crisis in the co-operative sector, on 23 November. Leaders of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have successfully kept the Modi snub in the limelight for a long time to corner the BJP. Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, had launched a scathing attack on Modi for not showing democratic values. One cannot expect democratic values from a government led by an organisation that consider Hitler and Mussolini as their models. Former chief minister and senior Congress leader, Oommen Chandy, was equally harsh in his criticism of the prime minister. Never before in the history of independent India had the Prime Minister declined to meet the delegation from a State. You had insulted Kerala by denying permission to this delegation. It was an insult to the federal structure of India. Dr J Prabhash, a prominent psephologist and head the of political science department at the Kerala University, opined that the prime minister has set a dangerous precedence. It was an indication that Modi didnt care about the state of affairs in Kerala. It would affect the centre-state relationship. War On Co-Operatives The BJP began to train its guns on primary co-operative banks after the Reserve Bank of India imposed restrictions on them. The party alleged that co-operative banks are the hubs of unaccounted money and asked the Centre to take stern actions. It was a part of a carefully planned political game as most of the banks were controlled either by CPM or Congress (I). The tough stand against co-operative banks, which are considered as the lifeline of rural economy, hasnt gone down well with a large number of party sympathisers. Besides, Modis decision to deny permission to the legislators gave them the feeling that BJP is a predominantly North Indian political party. Many BJP sympathisers hold accounts in co-operative banks controlled by CPM and Congress. The party took a wrong decision to fight against the rural financial institutions. It eroded peoples confidence in the party. Besides, our rivals have succeeded in portraying BJP as an anti-Kerala party, said a senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity. App Vs Peoples Representatives It was an irony that the prime minister had asked people to express their views on demonetisation, albeit through his own app, a day before he denied permission to meet peoples representatives from Kerala. Modi had urged the people to take part in a survey on the NM App as he wanted to get first-hand view on the demonetisation drive. A day later, he announced that 90 per cent of the respondents believed that black money existed in India, and supported the government to move to eradicate it. I thank people for the historic participation in the survey. Its satisfying to read the insightful views and comments, the PM had tweeted. Political analysts derided the exercise as a desperate attempt to shore up his waning public support. Prabhash opined Modi would have understood the pulse of the people had he interacted with the legislators from Kerala. How can he gauge the mood of the nation through an app survey? How many people in India use mobile phone and application? If he really wanted to know the pulse of the nation, he should have conducted a referendum, he said. Unconstitutional resolution? Before Modi refused the audience with Kerala delegation, the BJP had even tried to term the resolution passed by the Assembly as unconstitutional. Union finance minister, Arun Jaitley, fired the first salvo when he alleged that Kerala had breached the federalist structure by passing a resolution on a financial issue. BJP state president, Kummanam Rajashekharan, echoed the sentiment while talking to journalists on November 24 in Thiruvananthapuram. Only Centre has the right to decide on the countrys currency issues. No assembly in the country can pass such a resolution. So the Kerala assembly resolution is unconstitutional. However, legal experts found no substance in the allegation. They felt the accusations were politically motivated. MA Rashid, co-founder, Live Law, Indias prominent legal news portal, said the Assembly has every right to express concern over issues that affect millions of people. The assembly didnt pass a law. The legislators expressed their concern about the crisis in co-operative sector. Expressing dissent on a decision by the union government is not unconstitutional or against the federal structure. Moreover, the constitutionality of demonetisation is yet to be verified by the courts. Advocate T Asaf Ali, former director general of prosecutions, opined that Assembly has not done anything wrong, The assembly convened for a day to request the Centre to ameliorate peoples difficulties following RBI restrictions on co-operative banks. The BJP is trying to politicise the issue. A Washington County corrections officer has been arrested after a criminal investigation was conducted and it was discovered he brought narcotics into the jail and gave them to an inmate. Nathan Tebo, 28, of Pacific, is being charged with a class B felony of distribution of a controlled substance and a class C felony of delivering or concealing prohibited articles on premises. Washington County Sheriffs Department Captain Zach Jacobsen said on Nov. 15 he ordered an internal investigation to be conducted concerning the introduction of narcotics into the Washington County detention facility by an employee. During the course of the investigation, investigators determined the allegations to be true and I then ordered a criminal investigation, said Jacobsen. The inmate basically provided information that a CO (corrections officer) provided him the narcotics and he possessed eight of the original 10 pills. He decided to come to clean, maybe helping himself out. Jacobsen said the inmate relayed the information to a deputized jailer, who is a deputy but works in the jail. He tells him and that deputy immediately contacts the jail administrator and the jail administrator immediately contacts myself and a sergeant and tells us whats going on, said Jacobsen. They immediately seize the remaining eight pills and download the internal surveillance system. Deputies were able to articulate what actually transpired after that because we clearly have him on the camera delivering something. He added they have a night vision camera in the cell which showed the inmate ingesting two of these pills, then hiding the rest. As soon as it came to light, I ordered an internal investigation and if any of the information was deemed reliable or true, then we were going to conduct a criminal investigation, said Jacobsen, which, itself, is a twofold because in an internal investigation you have to advise them of their Guarantee Rights and in a criminal investigation you advise them of their Miranda Rights. Jacobsen said Guarantee Rights basically gives the right as an employer to ask guilt-seeking questions, but you cant use the information from that interview in a criminal prosecution. So what we did, in this case, we did not interview our employee until after we were able to articulate the information to be correct, said Jacobsen. When the investigator read him his rights, he read him his Miranda Rights because we knew at that point that this was a criminal investigation, not internal anymore. Jacobsen said Tebo came in voluntarily to be interviewed and he was immediately arrested. He was then transported to the St. Francois County Jail and charges were filed and obtained the next morning. We are trying to build the community trust and all cops in law enforcement are not bad, but there are bad apples in every profession, explained Jacobsen. This just goes to show we will, not only can we, but will investigate our own and we will let the justice system decide the punishment after that. According to the report, Tebo did confess in an interview that he supplied Alprazolam or Xanax to an inmate serving a court-ordered sentence. Jacobsen said they want to be transparent with everything and the community needs to know just as much as they hold the community to a standard, they hold a higher standard and that type of behavior will not be tolerated. It felt really good we were able to weed out a bad apple and get this case taken care of, said Jacobsen. He has not been found guilty yet. These are just accusations. I cant say that he is or isnt guilty. Its up to the justice system to decide that. People who do things like that we dont want working in our facilities. Jacobsen stressed they employ nine jailers and some are civilians and some are deputies. He wanted to emphasize Tebo was a civilian and not a deputy. We chose to make the decision to have him transported to the St. Francois County Jail, because I didnt want any preferential treatment and I didnt want anything bad to happen either, said Jacobsen. He supervised the inmates in this jail, so it wasnt a good idea to hold him in the same jail that he did work in. Also it was security reasons, he knew the ins and outs, the door codes and keys. He knows nothing about St. Francois (County Jail) so it was easy for us to make that decision. According to a probable cause statement, during an interview with the inmate, the inmate advised that Tebo had talked about selling drugs at his previous job. The inmate also stated he never asked for Tebo to bring him anything. He said Tebo told him he had something for him to help him relax and gave him a cup with two pills inside of it and eight more taped to the bottom. A Franklin County detective was called in to assist with interviewing Tebo and during an interview with the detective, Tebo admitted to bringing the pills to the inmate. He also stated he wasnt getting anything in return and the inmate didnt ask for him to bring the pill to him. Tebo was being held in the St. Francois County Jail on a $40,000 bond and he bonded out a couple days after his arrest. He was immediately terminated from his position with Washington County. Mumbai: After five years, a series of legal battles and agitations, a group of women activists will enter the famous Haji Ali dargah (mausoleum) in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon, an activist said. A group of around 75-80 women from all over India would visit the shrine for prayers around 3 pm, said the activist expressing the intent to enter the dargah on the rocks off Worli in the Arabian Sea. "It will be routine now, we have not informed the police or the Dargah trust. We shall pay our respects and come out," Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) co-founder Noorjehan S Niaz told IANS. Till June 2012, women were allowed entry upto the sanctum sanctorum comprising the grave (mazaar) of revered Muslim saint, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, but suddenly it was stopped. In 2014, the BMMA and others challenged the move of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust in the courts. On 26 August, Justice VM Kanade and Justice Revathi Mohite-Dhere had ruled in favour of the petitioners and directed the trust to allow equal access to women, which the trust challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on 24 October delivered its verdict on grounds of equal access to men and women, even as the trust expressed readiness to allow women inside till the sanctum sanctorum. The Trust authorities sought four weeks time to make certain infrastructural changes and alterations to accommodate the women devotees, who would now throng the shrine. Niaz said the women would offer floral tributes, 'chadars' and pray for peace at the Dargah on Tuesday. "It was a fight for equality, ending gender bias and our Constitutional rights. We are happy that it has resulted in women and men getting equal unrestricted access right till the sanctum sanctorum," Niaz pointed out. A trustee of the Dargah, Suhail Khandwani said that there would be separate entries to the shrine for men and women and henceforth nobody would be allowed to touch the peer's tomb. Under the new arrangements, all devotees would wait and pray nearly two metres away from the tomb with rights of equal access to all. Guwahati: Government-run madrassas in Assamwill not be allowed to keep their institutions closed on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan as it is against government rules, state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. However, the madrassas in the state will be allowed one-hour break on Friday for prayers. The minister said there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. Making it clear that there cannot be two holidays in a week for madrassas, the minister said that as the teachers get salary for working on Fridays from the government they cannot on their own give unrecognised and unscheduled holidays going against government sanctions. The state government would soon issue an order for the madrassas to remain open on Fridays as per rules, Sarma said. "This Friday holiday is not officially recognized. We will not allow the closure of madrassas on Fridays. We will make provisions for one hour break for jumma namaz' (Friday prayer) to be offered instead of a day's holiday or it as there is no official sanction for this". "If the madrassas want a holiday on Friday besides Sunday holiday, they could give a representation to the effect to thestate government which will forward it to the Central government for action," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday. Observing that this trend was being observed especially in Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Morigaon districts, he said, "Friday is neither an officially recognised holiday nor is it a government-scheduled holiday. Sunday is the government-scheduled holiday". At a press meet in Guwahati on Monday, the minister had said, "As far as I know, there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. No circular was also issued by the Assam government about a Friday holiday. We are not against any religion. We are only enforcing the law". On former Congress minister Siddique Ahmed's comment that the minister's move was a "communally divisive agenda" and his appeal to Muslims to boycott Sarma's public meetings, the minister said every religion in India has government-recognised scheduled holidays on days of religious significance. Mumbai: Taking a dig at the BJP which has emerged as a major gainer in the first phase of municipal council polls, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Monday dubbed the ruling party's performance as the "victory of old notes and not of the note ban." "Ha notabandicha vijay nasun junya notancha ahe (This is the victory of old notes and not of the note ban)," Thackeray said in a brief statement, apparently trying to convey that BJP's political plank of demonetisation of high value tenders didn't work for the party in polls. Out of 3,705 seats, spread over 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats, that went to polls yesterday, the results for 3,510 seats have been declared so far. Counting for rest of the seats was still on. While BJP has won 851 seats, Shiv Sena won 514, NCP 638, Congress 643, MNS 16, BSP 9, local coalitions 384, CPM 12 and Independents 324 seats. MNS was not a serious contender in the polls and Thackeray had kept himself away from any campaigns. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the result as the "win for pro-poor and development politics of BJP", party president Amit Shah has said that "the result should be a wake up call for opposition attempting to mislead people on demonetisation." Patna: With the political pot on the boil in Bihar since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar supported the Centre's demonetisation move despite protests by allies, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday asked him to review ties with RJD and Congress and said his party would consider any proposal of realignment from JD(U). Reacting to Kumar's comment on Monday that efforts were on for a long time to end his political career, Modi said it would "definitely" happen if he continued to stay with RJD and Congress. "If you (Kumar) stay with Lalu Prasad and Congress you will definitely be killed politically," he told reporters. Hailing the JD(U) National President for supporting demonetisation, he said, "Any campaign against black money and corruption is not possible in the company of RJD and Congress." "RJD is known for its corrupt practices while the Congress rule was marred with scams," said Modi, the Parliamentary board chief of Bihar unit of BJP. He alleged that due to the alliance with RJD and Congress, Kumar's effective step against corruption through Special Court Act which has provision for confiscation of property of a guilty has "slowed down". Asked if there is any chance of reunion of JD(U) and BJP, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council was quick to say: "If a proposal comes from JD(U), the party would consider." "After all Nitish Kumar stayed with BJP for 17 years and this was 'golden period' for Bihar," Modi, who was the deputy chief minister during the NDA rule in the state, said and added Kumar's image got a boost during the time. "Politics is a game of possibilities...You never know when who goes with whom in politics," he added. He, however, feigned ignorance about media reports of Kumar meeting BJP President Amit Shah and talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his support for demonetisation. "These are high level issues to which I have no access," he said. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi took a swipe at Sushil Modi for his comments. "If (Sushil) Modi wants he can take Kumar home on his lap," she told reporters emerging from the Legislative Council after it adjourned for the day. Kumar had led JD(U) to severe ties with BJP in June 2013 after 17 years over elevation of Narendra Modi as PM candidate. He joined hands with RJD and Congress before the Bihar polls last year and romped back to power. Ahmedabad: In a boost to BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move, the party has captured two municipalities and one taluka panchayat in local bodies polls, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. In the ongoing vote counting, BJP is also ahead on 23 out of 31 other seats of various municipalities, taluka and district panchayats where by-polls were held. As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress in the recently held polls to this local body. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP. Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 31 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayts across the state. The bypolls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons. Though final results are yet to be announced, BJP is running ahead on almost 23 seats. The result assumes significance for the BJP in the run up to the state elections next year, and that they were held just after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre. Taking a potshot at Congress over the results, Gujarat BJP's media convener Harshad Patel said the result has once again proved that the entire state is with BJP. "Regular as well as by-polls were held in different parts of Gujarat. Right from Vapi in south Gujarat to Gondal in Saurashtra region, people have chosen BJP over Congress. The opposition party should now understand that people are really unhappy with them," Patel said. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. "We accept our defeat. BJP must not forget that it was only by-polls on some seats. Congress has always raised issues concerning people like notes ban and we will continue to do so," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. Telangana is agog with reports of the new bungalow of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao a home as big as a shopping mall with 150 rooms, three halls and a bullet-proof toilet and bedroom. In the early hours of Thursday (24 November), KCR (as the chief minister is known) and family had performed the gruha pravesham (house warming ceremony) of their new residence built at a cost of Rs 36 crores of public money. In total contravention of the blue book and constitutional privileges, the spiritually inclined KCR also made his spiritual guru Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar sit for a few minutes on the chief minister's seat in the official chambers, triggering a political furore. Congress and TDP leaders lambasted KCR and some like Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Leader of Opposition in Telanganas Legislative Council even dubbed KCR as the Roman emperor Nero. KCR performed gruha pravaesham of his five star new home built with public money, just as the Roman emperor who kept fiddling when Rome was burning. KCR should have first fulfilled the poll promise of building 2.6 lakh free double BHK homes for rural and urban poor, he said. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leaders and the chief minister dismissed the criticism and went ahead with their house warming event which was attended by Governor ESL Narasimhan and other dignitaries. Why is the Opposition making such a hue and cry? We have not spent a paisa for my personal home, said KCR later in an interaction with some senior party leaders. TRS leaders said Congress should be ashamed as each one of their chief ministers had spent crores on their personal homes in the past. All the former chief ministers from 1978 onwards till 2014 had spent nearly Rs 83 crores on embellishing their homes and farm house, said Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy. TRS leaders also accounted as to how chief ministers across the country had been on a spending roll. They pointed to former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati who had spent Rs 86 crores on her house and Ghulam Nabi Azad during his half-term as chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir had spent over Rs 20 crores on his bungalow, they said. KCR turns a new leaf KCR, the first chief minister of Telangana, though has already gone down in the annals of modern, democratic Indian history for a number of dubious acts. He appointed his personal astrologer Suddala Sudhakar Teja as a vastu advisor to the government stating that the town planning wing was understaffed after the bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. KCRs obsession with the disputed science of vastu has been evident in that he inspected bungalow after bungalow before picking his official residence after he was sworn in on 2 June, 2014. After choosing a group of IAS quarters in Kundanbagh and ordering their demolition for his official home, he had second thoughts and reluctantly occupied the jinxed camp office built nine years ago at Begumpet by late Congress chief minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy. The building spread over 2 acres and built at a cost of Rs 10 crore was branded jinxed and unlucky after the chopper crash death of YSR and the unsavoury term of his successor K Rosaiah who quit as chief minister within a few months of coming to the helm. During his ongoing 2.5 years stint, KCR changed his convoy of vehicles twice. From the Tata Safari fleet he inherited from Kiran Kumar Reddy, the government bought bullet-proof black Scorpios at a cost of Rs 6 crores. On vastu advice, he shifted to another fleet of white Scorpio cars. Vastu = Public loot In undivided AP, astrology and vastu commanded the unalloyed devotion of political bigwigs. From the days of former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao to Telugu Desam Party supremo NT Rama Rao, vastu experts had occupied powerful positions in government. NTR had rewarded his personal astrologer, BV Mohan Reddy, with an Assembly seat and also made him a minister. Not far behind was Marri Channa Reddy whose trusted vastu architect BN Reddy got a Rajya Sabha seat. Another Congress leader and former Union minister, the leading industrialist T Subbarami Reddy had hired a group of vastu experts and offered such services to all and sundry in Delhi durbar. He also temporarily gave up his luxury home on Road No 12 of Banjara Hills, Hyderabad on vastu advice but still lost his post. Journalist-turned-politician, now general secretary of TRS and Rajya Sabha MP K Kesava Rao effected many vastu corrections to his house in Banjara Hills built in the midst of a park to achieve his political ambitions. His house built inside a municipal park in Banjara Hills was regularised when he became a Congress minister and the park was relocated. AP CMs and their homes Until 2007, the chief ministers of united AP did not have a permanent home. Veterans like PV Narasimha Rao, K Brahmananda Reddy, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, K Vijayabhaskar Reddy used government guest houses Lake View, Greenlands, Manjira guest house, Dilkusha guest house all former palaces of the Nizam as their residences. But the practice of chief ministers using their personal homes as official residences commenced during the tenure of M Channa Reddy and thereafter almost all chief ministers including NT Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu utilised their own houses as official residences when in power and embellished them with additional face lift, expansions and added luxuries. This investment from public funds were not returned to government later. When K Vijay Bhaskar Reddy was chief minister for the second term in 1992, he rented out a bungalow in Srinagar Colony as his official residence. Way back in 1980, Chief Minister T Anjaiah, a Dalit from Telangana, was hounded by Opposition and his rivals in the party for adding a penthouse on the terrace of his single room tenement home of Barkatpura in Hyderabad at an alleged cost of Rs 12 lakhs. Petitions rained on the Congress high command and then Congress General Secretary Rajiv Gandhi had admonished him in public. Anjaiah was subsequently sacked. Marri Channa Reddy almost rebuilt and added one more floor to his house at Tarnaka and also furnished and refitted it with air-conditioning twice in a year. He was chief minister twice in 1978 and 1989 and both times he was dislodged after dissidents carried tales of misuse of power. During his second innings, his 10-acre farm on the outskirts of Secunderabad was irrigated with municipal water lines. Another Chief Minister Bhavanam Venkatram owned a multi-storeyed complex in Nagarjuna circle in Banjara Hills. He got it regularised and also built a penthouse there at government cost of Rs 2 crores. Adding to that he also made the state government develop his farmhouse on Nagarjunasagar Road at public cost. When Indira Gandhi learnt of it, she sacked him. When TDP came to power for the first time under the leadership of NTR, his house in Troop Bazar was renovated and additions made to suit a chief minister's home. NTR owned a farmhouse at Gandipet on the outskirts of Hyderabad which was also officially protected and developed. A shanti kutir (a hut with grass roof and air conditioning) was built for NTRs use during weekends. The same model was replicated during TDPs annual mahanadu events as NTR who had donned the saffron robes of Raja Rishi then would not spend nights in hotels or guest houses. NTRs kutirs at Vijayawada or Visakhapatnam during party meetings drew large crowds and was also a media attraction. Chandrababu Naidu who assumed power in 1995 also used his own house at Jubilee Hills as the official residence until 2004. The government bought the adjacent plot belonging to Tirupati hotelier turned TDP MP CM Ramesh to provide more work space for the CMO. According to the CAG report of 2005 by the YSR government, a sum of Rs 12.5 crores were spent in the Jubilee Hills home of Chandrababu Naidu with more rooms, air conditioners and also huge landscaping. In 2004 when he came to power, Congress Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy lived in an apartment in Srinagar Colony as his own house Sri Bagh on Banjara Hills was under litigation. TDP CM Chandrababu Naidu, his predecessor, had refused to regularise the housing plot. After he came to power, YSR got it regularised and also leased it to a corporate group to build a multi-storeyed shopping mall. He also promoted a permanent home for chief ministers on the lines of what SM Krishna had done in Bengaluru. The state government removed half a dozen IAS officers quarters in Begumpet and made room for the camp office of the chief minister built at a cost of Rs 10 crores. YSRs successor Rosaiah had not occupied the official residence and operated from his SR Nagar residence which was upgraded with visitors halls, official chambers and also security outposts. Though the government had sanctioned construction of another floor above his present home, after his untimely resignation, his successor Kiran Kumar Reddy who did not see eye to eye with Rosaiah, cancelled the new additions. After Rosaiahs exit, Kiran Kumar Reddy made several changes, repairs and additions to his personal bungalow at MLA Colony, Jubilee Hills, though he lived in the palatial chief minister's house in Begumpet. According to the CAG report of 2013, several additions were made both at the Begumpet residence and also his Jubilee Hills residence during his tenure. Chandrababus latest whims The new state of Andhra Pradesh may be in the midst of a major financial crunch but this has not stopped Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu from spending over a whopping Rs 100 crores of public money on tours, offices, residences and also staff. This includes redecorations of his various offices at Hyderabad and Vijayawada, chartered flights for himself and his staff from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, Delhi and Singapore. To date, the AP government has redone four to five offices and camp offices (residences) for the chief minister in both Hyderabad and Vijayawada. The government spent over Rs 40 crores on redoing H Block and the 7th and 8th floors in L Block of Secretariat in Hyderabad. Around Rs 355 crores was spent on renovating Lake View guest house which Naidu used as his camp office initially in Hyderabad. Presently Rs 21.3 crores has been spent on a new camp office in Vijayawada (Lingamaneni guest house on the banks of the Krishna river). Another Rs 6.3 crores has been spent for reshaping the state irrigation office as his temporary camp office in Vijayawada until his Amaravati office (being built at a cost of Rs 15 crores is ready). Replying to query on his several chief minister residences at Hyderabad and Vijayawada, Chandrababu Naidu told an interviewer on television at Amaravati recently that considering his numerous roles in heading many portfolios he was justified in having a large posse of officials and infrastructure. I still handle 11 crucial portfolios besides that of chief minister, he said. Besides these, Naidu has another office coming up at Amaravati and another residence geared up at his farm house at Madinaguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad. His personal staff and team of writers and officials working at both residence and in the CMO cost the government nearly Rs 3.5 crores. He is a chief minister who hardly sleeps and is on the job 18 hours a day even at the age of 65, defends a CMO spokesman. Bureaucrats too dent exchequer The IAS and IPS officers too make full use of their ranks to get undue advantage, choicest facilities over and above their eligibility. Senior IAS officers get more air conditions, cars and also renovations at their government quarters on an annual basis. The TRS government had, according to the CAG report of 2015, spent nearly Rs 72 crores on repairs to quarters of IAS and IPS officials in 2013-14. The coffee and eateries bill in the CMO during the YSR regime ran up to almost Rs 15 lakhs per month. When Kiran Kumar Reddy became chief minister, he struck down the hospitality allowance and allocated only Rs 1 lakh per month towards the same. Prominent political analyst and senior vernacular journalist K Venugopal says that all public expenses of bureaucracy and political leadership was just an drop in ocean. The real waste of public money is in infrastructure projects irrigation, roads and buildings etc where the contractor, bureaucrats and political leaders take a slice of public money as their birthright, he said. The annual CAG reports indicating the abuse of politicians and bureaucrats of public money has had little impact. After rudimentary mentions and reports in media, the loot by bureaucracy and political parties continue. strong>Mumbai: BJP leads the pack in the municipal council president's elections to 147 bodies, winning 51 posts in Maharashtra. BJP was followed by Shiv Sena with 25, Congress 23 and NCP with 18 posts, as per the final poll results declared this evening, by the State Election Commission. As many as 19 other candidates and 11 independents have also been elected as municipal council presidents. Following is the party-wise breakup of 3,727 seats in 164 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, including 3,705 seats for which polling was held on Sunday: BSP 9, BJP 893, CPI 0, CPM 12, Congress 727, NCP 615, Shiv Sena 529, MNS 7, other registered parties 91, unrecognised but registered parties 305, Independents 510, Alliances/Fronts 29. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has termed the BJP's victory in the municipal council polls in the state as not just a wave but a "tsunami". "This (victory) is not merely a wave. This is a tsunami," Fadnavis, who joined in the celebrations at the state BJP office in south Mumbai, told reporters. The BJP government is one which thinks of the common man," Fadnavis said, adding people have reposed their trust in the BJP-led regime. DEAR HARRIETTE: I hate my birthday. I try to make it a fun event every year, but it ends in either tears or injury for me. This year, I've decided to not celebrate my birthday and spend it alone. I was planning on getting takeout from my favorite restaurant and spending the day with my dog. I told my friends about how excited I am, and my friends insist on spending the day with me. I just want to be alone, and I think I will have fun this way. I don't want gifts or attention, and I want to tell my friends to leave me alone because they think how I planned my day is "sad." -- Solo Birthday, Minneapolis DEAR SOLO BIRTHDAY: Your mistake was telling your friends your plan. Naturally, they want to do a group activity, especially since they do not understand or accept your motivation. In order to ward them off, either schedule another date to get together with them so that they are satisfied and don't stage a surprise intervention, or put your foot down, make your plans, lock your door and don't answer. I suggest you do the former. It will allow you more peace of mind to enjoy your solo celebration. Happy birthday! DEAR HARRIETTE: I live with roommates in a large suburban house. I have been hearing, for lack of a better descriptor, "intimate" noises practically every day. These are always from the same room while everyone is home. I find this disrespectful and annoying. After work, I shouldn't be coming home to an uncomfortable environment. Is there anything I can say to the disrupters? This is loud enough to be heard on the entire second floor. -- Hush Up, Syracuse, New York DEAR HUSH UP: Talk about awkward! This is one that needs to be addressed directly enough for your roommates to get the message. One direct, yet indirect option is to slip a note under the door when you get home and hear the action, saying: PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN! ROOMMATES ARE HOME. You can also say something one-on-one. When you next see your roommate, say that it has become uncomfortable for you when you come home from work because you routinely hear sex noises. You can use a little humor and tell your roommate that you are happy that he or she is getting so much action, but switch immediately to the impact on the house. Suggest that there should be PG time in the house up until a specific hour that everyone votes on. Add that your randy roommate should consider buying a rug and other noise mufflers so that when it's time to get busy, there are some built-in sound absorbers that can help keep the intimacy private. If your roommate says it's not a big deal or otherwise dismisses your request for lowering the volume, get serious and remind him or her that this is a shared house. If necessary, enlist your other roommates to talk to the offender about being more mindful of the other people in the house. DEAR HARRIETTE: I have found myself spending time traveling whenever I get time off instead of going home to see my family. I feel guilty about this, but I am young and won't have these funds and freedom when I have a family. I haven't seen my parents in over a year, due to jetting off whenever I can. We FaceTime, but my mom has asked me to come home for Christmas this year. Should I cancel my trip (it's been paid for) to surprise my mom? I'm on the fence because I could see her in January. -- Travel Bug, Cincinnati DEAR TRAVEL BUG: What you need to do is strike a balance between your world exploration and your connection to family. The tricky part is that when you are ready to settle down, your parents may not be around to share that with you. Also, you may have less time to visit your parents when you have children. For now, get a feel for how your parents are doing. If you think they are healthy, you can potentially tell them of your trip and promise to come home in January. They will surely be happy to see you whenever you can come. But make sure that your January trip is long enough to connect with them in a meaningful way. Pledge to add more trips home to your schedule for next year. That would be a perfect New Year's resolution! DEAR HARRIETTE: I am starting college in the fall, and I am very nervous about it. I have lived in one place for my entire life and have never really experienced this type of change before. All of my friends have found roommates, but I have barely spoken to anyone going to my school next year. I really dont want a random roommate because I would feel more comfortable knowing who I am going to live with. I come off as a shy person, and it is hard for me to open up to new people. I am scared that this transition will be extremely difficult. Do you have any advice for me to feel better about startingthis new chapter in my life? Shy and Scared, Secaucus, N.J. DEAR SHY AND SCARED: Contact your college immediately and find out how it goes about assigning roommates. You will end up with a random roommate if you take no action. That doesnt have to be bad, though. You could be lucky and get the perfect match. To avoid randomness, ask your guidance counselor to help you. Open up about who you are. Reveal that it can take some time for you to get to know people. Also ask for suggestions for clubs or groups that share your interests. Joining a small affinity group will make it easier for you to get to know people. DEAR HARRIETTE: My school reunion is coming up. Its a big year for us, and I am nervous to go back. I used to go to reunions when I first graduated, but I havent gone for about 15 years. I also used to be cute. I was tall and thin and had a great figure. I was one of the so-called popular girls, and I know I thought I was all that. Fast forward to now, and I am divorced twice, seriously overweight and fairly broke. I lost my job about six months ago and havent had steady work since. Talk about eating humble pie! I am definitely not on top of my game. People might not even recognize me if I went back. I feel like I shouldnt go since Im not in the best place. But then I wonder if thats crazy. Maybe they would welcome me as I am. Chances are some of them are having their fair share of problems, too. I dont have time to lose weight or rewrite my story. Should I go anyway? Afraid of Reunion, Shreveport, La. DEAR AFRAID OF REUNION: I can guarantee you that you are not the only one who is feeling skittish about attending your class reunion. While there will likely be some who are sitting on top of the world, there will be plenty of others who are simply living their lives and doing the best they can facing ups and downs like everybody else. Whether good or bad, most Americans gain weight over time, so you will probably see quite a few people who are overweight. My point is that you should go. Do your best to be in the moment. Do not judge yourself or others as you greet one another. Say your name as you see people, not so much because they may not recognize you, but because they may not remember your name. Be humble and kind. Choose to enjoy yourself. You may find that not being the most popular girl will allow you to notice people who could be great connections moving forward. DEAR HARRIETTE: I always give my children money when they go to hang out with other children for play dates. I tell them to offer to pay for their meals or whatever else costs money when they are out with these children and their families. And they always come home with all of their money. They say that the parents never accept it. My problem with this is if I take a few friends with my kids to hang out, I cant afford to pay for all of them. I need them to help pay for it, but now I dont know how to bring it up. How can I entertain these kids without going broke? Play Date, Brooklyn, N.Y. DEAR PLAY DATE: Plan activities that you can afford. This can include at-home fun, or going to the park with a lunch that you pack for them. You can also tell parents in advance if you are planning a special event that has a cost, and be honest: Tell them that you need them to pitch in for a particular amount. DEAR HARRIETTE: I went to visit my mother a week ago, and I was shocked to see how much medication she is taking. I know she has some ailments, but I definitely think she is being overmedicated. I bet she had about 15 pills in her daily pill case. I watched her counting them all out and putting them in a weekly container. She seemed organized about it, but I cant imagine that this is good for her body. I asked her about all the pills, and he got defensive. I wasnt trying to upset her, but I am concerned. Do you think I should call her doctor to review her medicines? I live several hours away, so I am not there to monitor or support her, and no other family is, either. How can I help? Advocating From a Distance, Jackson, Miss. DEAR ADVOCATING FROM A DISTANCE: First, you should know that many people, particularly older ones, do take a lot of medication. It is fairly common, depending upon what their ailments might be. That does not mean that you should take your mothers medications lightly. It is wise for you to check in with her and with her doctor regularly to ensure that she is being properly medicated and monitored. The best-case scenario would be for you to accompany your mother on her next doctors appointment. Ask her if you can go with her, and schedule yourself so that you can be in town that day. Ask the doctor all of the questions that you have. You may want to write them down in advance so that you dont forget anything. Also, ask if you can stay in touch to help support your mothers progress. Once you have established a rapport with the doctor and it is clear that you are her advocate, you will have a better chance of having the doctor respond to your inquiries. DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter, who recently turned 21, sent me a two-word text message: Im pregnant. She has been dating a young man for less than a year, and Im disappointed by this outcome. I do not know if I should lecture her on how she should live her life. I need some words of encouragement before I say something terrible about her pregnancy. Any suggestions? Incredulous, Bay City, Mich. DEAR INCREDULOUS: I bet it took a lot of courage for your daughter to write you that two-word text. Chances are she is nervous, afraid, worried and possibly happy too. Rather than scold her, you need to talk to her, preferably in person. If you havent already, start by responding to her text and asking her how she is doing. The best thing you can do right now is to establish a clear line of communication with your daughter so that she feels at ease discussing with you how she is feeling, where her head is around this pregnancy and what the next steps are going to be. You can help her by being a sounding board for all that she is thinking and feeling. Ask her about her vision of her future and how a child can or cannot fit into it. Find out if the father intends to be an integral part of the family should she/they decide to keep the child. Talk about all options, from getting married and having the baby, not getting married and having the baby, being a single mom without his support, giving the baby up for adoption, to having an abortion. As difficult as these conversations may be, they are important so that your daughter can be crystal clear about her choices. If she intends to keep the baby, talk about prenatal care, insurance, work, money, her future, the babys future. Also, establish what you believe you will and will not do as it relates to caring for this child. Many grandmothers like you end up being the principal caregivers when their children have children young. Decide what you are willing to do, and make that clear up front. DEAR HARRIETTE: My mother recently came to visit me at college and took my boyfriend and me out to dinner. After we finished eating, we sat across the table from my mother and had a post-dinner conversation. I put my arm around his neck and began playing with his ear. I did not think anything of it, but my mother stared from across the table shocked. After we dropped off my boyfriend, my mother told me that ear fondling is not appropriate in public. I was surprised because I didnt think it was a big deal. I like public displays of affection, and I do not see why that little gesture would make people around us uncomfortable. PDAs, Laredo, Tex. DEAR PDAS: The person who was uncomfortable was your mother, likely because that little gesture suggests intimacy, something that may be difficult for your mother to accept is part of your life. Out of respect for your mother, refrain from touching your boyfriend in front of her. In general, read the room where you are and the people around you to determine what public displays of affection will be welcome and act accordingly. Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole. com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106 Auto refresh feeds "Most of the people eat food in dhabas when they eat outside. Can the government inform us about a dhaba in which a person carries card-swiping machine in his dhoti?" he said. "Many labourers became unemployed today...there are very long lines and crores of people in those lines. But it is not just that," he said. "Does the farmer own black money when he engages in transactions for seeds, fertilisers?" he said. "It is a reality that the farmer is an important part of the economy. That is why India does not have to beg," said a dramatic Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha. "What authority do the prime minister and finance minister have so that we have to beg you for our very own money?" thundered Anand Sharma. "You have created a condition in which you told a person that he can exchange Rs 4000...I marvel at your generosity," Anand Sharma said sarcastically in the Rajya Sabha. "After the Uri attack and surgical strikes, we posed various questions about the army....You said we cannot ask questions about the army," said Anand Sharma. "If you are the government, that doesn't mean India belongs to you. You have created such an environment that we cannot ask questions," he said. "If we ask questions, you start asking questions about our nationality," he added. "Who got the benefits of your decisions?" he said. "Your government is only for those people who are your friends. You hurt those people who question you." "If you are trying to give this impression to the country that India started fighting money laundering now, then the prime minister is living on a different planet," said Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha. After this statement, the Congress MPs began shouting again. Note that Anand Sharma was not interrupted even once when he was talking in the Rajya Sabha. "But I think Anand Sharma does not know much about economics," he said. "If his claim of fight against black money is true, he would not have ignored the fact the entire country has welcomed this move by the Narendra Modi government," he added. "In the future, inflation will be controlled when more people pay taxes," he said. "The central government will also get more resources for the welfare of farmers, labourers, youth, women in the country." "Some people had suggested that this move should have been made public seven days before implementing it. But secrecy is most important in such issues," he said. "The government has taken many steps against corruption. Demonetisation was a historic step against corruption. This was also a warning to the corrupt that the black money they had was useless now," he said. "This move was aimed at only the corrupt," he said. "Finance Minister had informed the House only about the counterfeit money in the economy, not the money which some people have got through corruption," Goyal said in the Rajya Sabha. "Some people just seem to be unhappy that Prime Minister Modi has taken an important step against corruption and black money," he said. "When the government had just come to power in 2014, there was an atmosphere against corruption," Piyush Goyal said in Rajya Sabha. "We opened Jan Dhan accounts. An account was opened for every person," he said. "This is a step after which a person will think twice before engaging in corruption," he said. "The poor labourers will benefit the most," he added. "Please do not hold views which the corrupt can use to free themselves," Goyal added. "You (Congress) talked about surgical strike. We did not mention it. This is good. You have given us a certificate that we conducted precise strikes against corruption," he said. "RBI has authority over monetary policy. An RBI board gave approval for this move," he said. "The country is ready to tolerate a few days of inconvenience," he said. "The entire country is with us," he added. "And even the Election Commission won't be able to notice when someone is carrying the Rs 2000 note in one's pocket," he said. "Several crore vegetables were just thrown away per day from markets," he said. "Who gave you the advice to come up with the Rs 2000 note? Go outside Delhi to the villages of India. Nobody will accept that note," he said. "The farmer is unable to buy fertiliser and seeds," said SP's Ram Gopal Yadav in Rajya Sabha. "Farmers are not able to sell potatoes now. Were these potatoes made using black money?" he said. Who gave you the advice to come up with the Rs 2000 note? SP asks govt in Rajya Sabha "Our party will move adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha," she said, adding that demonetisation was a dictatorial and draconian step by the government. "Credit card will not buy you food...the President knows the country's situation very well," Banerjee said. "This move is like a move taken by Mohammad bin Tughlaq," she said. "We told the President that he is the custodian of the Constitution. We told him to talk to the government," Mamata Banerjee said. "Starvation deaths are rising," she said. "Our country does not have plastic economy," she added. "Today, people are not getting access to vegetables in the markets. Children are not getting milk. People are dying," she said. "Today, how did the non-performing assets increase in the last six months?" the Bengal chief minister said. "After cancelling notes, there were a lot of notes needed in banks for the huge demand," Mamata Banerjee said after meeting the President. "90 percent of blak money is in tax havens abroad," Yechury further said. "It's like the prime minister is killing the pond to kill the crocodiles, forgetting that the crocodiles can survive on land too." "But where is this black money? All estimates say 6 percent of this black money is in cash," he said. "Black money is in circulation, in real estate...gold imports have surged in the last few days." "We want black money controlled. We want it eliminated. The World Bank says that nearly 21 percent of the Indian economy is in the black economy," Yechury said. "If you stop these Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, you think corruption will stop? Now, corruption will double with the Rs 2000 notes," Yechury said. "After 26/11, we went on debating over a new law to combat terrorism. On many issues, we had agreed over how terror funding needed to stop," Yechury said. "We want to stop counterfeit money. Locate where this is happening. Punish them. We will all support this. But this is not the way to stop it," he said. "By this way, you are killing the poor," he said. "As Anand Sharma said, 0.02 percent of the cash is counterfeit. To take care of that, you needed to do this?" he added. "The point is that black money is not going to go away with this. Black money is not stock, it is a flow," Yechury said in the Rajya Sabha. "For the rest of India, it is Tarasta Bharat," he said. "People can't get their children treated at hospitals." "In our rural population, 80.8 percent of the rural population is not covered by the banks," he said. "What banking does the prime minister want us to go to? There is Shining India with e-wallets for them," he said. "Why are you agonising the Indian people?" Yechury said. "Agonising people is a way to tell people: I control your personal lives," he said, adding that this was a fascist move. "People will say this Tughlaqshahi," he said. "This does not meet the objectives of what the prime minister set out to do." "You have allowed banks to exchange notes. Bulk of Indians today are dealing with rural cooperative banks. You don't allow them to change notes...86 percent of the rural population is dependent on transactions from these banks," Yechury said. "What is the meaning of this move?" he said. "Don't give this exemption to political parties to spend whatever they want," Yechury said. "If you're serious about stopping corruption, stop the supply side of corruption," he added. Laughing at Das, Patel said, "Are you kidding me? How can you allow your EAS to issue such statements. You are making a fool of yourself." Slamming the Narendra Modi government's handling of the issue, Patel gave example of Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, who during a press conference on Wednesday said: "The new currency notes, just as the old ones, will lose colour if rubbed with a piece of cloth wet because that's the nature of the dye used. If your note does not lose colour, it's one of the signs that it may be fake." "Abolishing black money is a move we all support, and BJP government's intention is great but you are asking people to be hungry for 50 days for a feast on the 51st day. Vo aadmi toh mar ayega, bhoj kya khayega (The person will die on the 51st day, what will he do with the feast)," says Patel. Rajya Sabha erupted after the comment. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad interrupted Tiwari's speech and said that the statement, which was "atrocious", should not go in record. "No one speaks about the country's prime minister in such an atrocious way. It should not go in record,"Prasad urged the Chair. In a dramatised speech, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari from Uttar Pradesh compared prime minister to former dictators like Gaddafi, Adolf Hitler and Mussolini. "The seat that you (Narendra Modi) occupy, has been occupied by Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, Shastri ji, Charan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But the way you are working, I am forced to say that it reminds me of dictators like Gaddafi, Hitler and Mussolini." "Modi government marched to victory in 2014 because the country was tired of scams and scandals. That was our poll promise. I request Congress to come out of the dilemma - are you in favour of the people who are hoarders and scamsters or you are in favour of a bold step that eradicates black money from the country. Narendra Modi is capable of taking very strong steps. Temporary pain for long term gain - is the buzz across India. One thing I want to assure - if your money is valid, nothing will happen to it." "You have got a chance to discuss important things on this platform so do not waste it by mud-slinging. When it comes to people and their hatred towards our PM (the way you claim), we saw their hatred in 2014 and we will see it in 2019," Naidu says to a thundering applause. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu addresses Rajya Sabha and says that people across the nation are watching this Session and they are not interested in a history lesson. As expected, the Opposition targetted the Narendra Modi governmemnt over its "ill-preparedness" and "lack of empathy" for the general public. Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad at the end of day one requested the prime minister to appear in the House tomorrow and discuss the issue of demonetisation. While the Lok Sabha was adjourned earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha argued and debated on topics till 6 pm on Wednesday. Chairman of Upper House PJ Kurien announced that the House will resume the same discussion (on demonetisation) from 2 pm on Thursday. The first day of Winter Session went as expected, in fact it went better than expected. While the Union ministers and BJP MPs are demanding an apology from Leader of Opposition in the House Ghulam Nabi Azad for his Uri remark, Congress MPs are demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation scheme. "The nation wants to know today," he added, reminding of a news anchor famous for shouting at the panellists on his show. "The Opposition has disappointed us and the country," he said. "I want the Congress to clarify on Azad's remark," he said. "Those who ruled over the country for 50 years and ruined the situation of the aam aadmi and those who did not let the Parliament function are now also on the same path," said Naidu. "The prime minister will respond if needed," he said. "They are not strong...they are not on the side of the truth, the people are not with them," Naidu further said. "The government is ready for a discussion. We don't know what has happened with the Congress. Suddenly, they took a U-turn," said Venkaiah Naidu. "There is a need to fix the railway infrastructure. Modiji talked about the bullet train. But there is no focus. How will the aam aadmi benefit and get safety?" said Rahul on the Patna-Indore Express tragedy. "This is one of the biggest economic decisions in India. But the prime minister had not thought about the impact," he said. "This is some other form of the prime minister," he added. "We are ready for a discussion. These days, why does the prime minister need to come to the Parliament? He is on a different level. He does not need to interact with his ministers," said Rahul sarcastically. "People are complaining of deals at the back of long lines to banks. So people are suffering huge losses," he said. "Only 15 or 20 friends of the prime minister will benefit from this move," he added. "People have told me that they are suffering a lot," said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi outside the Parliament on the issue of demonetisation. The Opposition members raised slogans, even as deputy chairman PJ Kurien threatened to adjourn the House. And... he did. The Rajya Sabha is adjourned till 12 pm. Rajya Sabh and Lok Sabha will resume in a while. Meanwhile, asking his countrymen to tell their views on demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying, "I want your first-hand view on the decision taken regarding currency notes. Take part in the survey on the NM App." Speaker of Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan, quite hassled by the way the MPs were behaving, threatened to adjourn the House. "Kyun kar rahe ho?" asks Mahajan very politely as Opposition MPs raised slogans and asked for debate over demonetisation. The protesting MPs also demanded that Modi should come to the House and make a speech. The Lok Sabha is heading for another adjournment as the Opposition escalated their attack on the BJP government over the same issue of demonetisation. By the look of it, the Winter Session of Parliament till now has been a total washout with no constructive debate happening on the floor. After the ruckus got out of hand, a very calm Hamid Ansari stood up and adjourned the Upper House till 2 pm. Members could not keep it together even as the Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings at 12.32 pm. However, an unrelenting opposition continued to raise slogans. The Speaker again appealed to the opposition to participate in the debate saying that the disruption of proceedings would not resolve the problem. "I am really pained. If you are people's representatives, you should stand by them," she said. As pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon after 20 minutes of proceedings. Ignoring the slogan shouting opposition members, Speaker allowed the Question Hour to continue amidst noise. When some opposition members tried to bring a placard, denouncing the demonetisation move, infront of Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who was replying a question related to his Ministry, the Speaker tried to intervene and asked the MPs not to disturb the Minister. "This is not good. Everyone will be shown on TV, but don't disturb the Minister. If you want to discuss something, raise it before the government. People are in pain, tell the government. But this is not the way to highlight people's grievances," Mahajan said asking them to return to their seats. Samjawadi Party, NCP and RJD stood in the aisles in solidarity with the other opposition members. While AIADMK members were also on the aisles raising the issue of Tamil fishermen injured allegedly in firing by Sri Lankan Navy, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was seen busy in his seat in an intimate discussion with AAP MP from Punjab Harinder Singh Khalsa. Opposition disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day demanding discussion on demonetisation on a rule which entails voting forcing Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House for about 50 minutes soon after it assembled. As soon as the House met, members of Congress, TMC, Left parties and AAP rushed to the Well of the House demanding discussions on the demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 under Rule 56, that entails. As BJP members also created a ruckus, an angry Kurien snapped at them. "Why should treasury benches do this? Mr Minister, why should treasury benches to this," he asked Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. He told Azad that he was ready to accept his notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business. "Mr Azad, I am ready to admit your notice under 267 if only there is order in the House." As they shouted slogans from the Well, Kurien said, "You cannot speak in the Well. Shouting in the Well is of no use. If you go back to your seats, I will give you time (to speak)." At this point, TMC members carrying placards of "Financial Emergency" trooped into the Well, with Congress members following suit. "He should come and listen to the pain people have faced because of his decision," Mayawati said. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the opposition is ready for discussion on the issue but Prime Minister should come to the Rajya Sabha first. As he spoke, members of the BJP moved into the aisles raising slogans. No sooner were the listed papers laid on the table in Rajya Sabha, Sharad Yadav of JD(U) said the government should pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to kin of the 70 persons who lost their lives due to hardships caused by withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. Naresh Agarwal (SP) and Mayawati (BSP) said Modi should be called before starting discussion on the demonetisation. "Today they want PM Modi to address Parliament, tomorrow they will be demand a JPC on the demonetisation issue. Trust me, the opposition is just shifting the goalpost. Why are they running away from a debate? Why do they just want prime minister to speak, is the finance minister not competent enough to reply to their questions," asks Prasad. Speaking to CNN-News18, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad attacked the Opposition on their demand of asking Prime Minister Modi to address the House of Parliament and in turn asked, "Why is the Opposition running away from debate?" "Government wants that there should be a long and elaborate discussion so that we can explain to this country the enormous benefits of this move," Singh said. "Congress and other opposition parties are on a self-destructing course." On the other hand, Jitendra Singh said that the Opposition was on a self-destruct course. "Let's keep Opposition and government out of this. Let's think of the people," he further said. "Almost 70 people have died. He must be crying for them. And I respect that," Congress leader Kapil Sibal told Times Now, clearly taking a dig at the prime minister and implying that he could not come to the Parliament because he was crying. Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Rahul alleged that the government and the prime minister are not allowing a debate in the House. "We have filed an adjournment motion in the House and we want Modi to discuss the issue with us," says Rahul Gandhi "Main poochna chahti hoon prime minister se ki agar unhone itna acha kaam kiya hai to vo ghabra kyu rahe hain? (I want to ask PM Modi that if he has taken a decision which is so good why is he scared?) I urge President to summon Modi and ask him to take measures to solve the problems faced by people post demonetisation move," Mayawati told the media after Lok Sabha got its first adjournment of the day. Alleging that it sends a wrong message if prime minister keeps shying away from a debate, BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday that a debate is a must because otherwise the BJP government looks like it has done something wrong. "Puri daal kali lag rahi hai." If PM has done this great thing, why is he scared to face Opposition: Mayawati Proceedings was continuously disrupted as Opposition leaders raised loud slogans against the BJP government. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu urges Speaker Sumitra Mahajan not to adjourn the Lower House. "The debate has begun, madam Speaker. Please let the debate happen. The world is watching what Congress and the Oppostion is doing inside the House," Naidu said. The protesting MPs, for the past half an hour, have continously made noise and tried to disrupt the Lok Sabha proceedings. Speaker Mahajan still holding solid ground. Opposition members are trying their best to disrupt the proceedings, but BJP MPs (MJ Akbar, Jitendra Singh) are holding their ground and not giving in to the awful noise that the protesting MPs are making. Samajwadi Party's Akshay Yadav tore paper and threw it at Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in the Lok Sabha. This is definitely a new low for Opposition parties in the Parliament. "I am very sorry that the RBI has been exposed to this kind of criticism which is fully justified," he added. "It is not good that every day, the banking system comes up with some modifications. That reflects very poorly on the prime minister's office," he said. "The national income can decline by about 2 percentage points...I feel that the prime minister must come up with some constructive proposal," said the former prime minister. "In my opinion, the way demonetisation has been implemented will hurt agriculture, small industries and the people in the informal sector," he said. "I want to know from the prime minister the names of countries where people have deposited their money in banks but are not allowed to withdraw it," he said. "What has been done can weaken and erode our people's confidence in the currency and banking system," said Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha. "I say so with all responsibility that we do not know what will be the full outcome," he said. "50 days is a short period but for those who are poor, even 50 days can bring about disastrous effects. About 60-65 people have lost their lives," he said. "Today, there are no two opinions in the country. It is important to take note of the grievances of the common people who have suffered," said Manmohan Singh. "In the process of demonetisation, monumental mismanagement has taken place," he said. "I do not disagree with the objectives of taking steps against terroism and black money," said former prime minister Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House. "By the day, the damage to the economy is increasing. Today, reports have come which have said that in three sectors that are biggest in exports, 4 lakh people have lost their jobs in the last one week or so," Sitaram Yechury said. Served notice for moving motion of contempt against PM for not showing up in RS: Yechury Addressing the Upper House, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said how can the prime minister say something like this? "How can the prime minister allege that Opposition parties are in favour of black money? This is wrong." Within minutes after the Rajya Sabha began today, the opposition members were up in arms protesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that those cirticising the government are not angry with the government's preparedness but the fact that they did not get time to prepare. Slamming the prime minister for his statements on black money hoarders and his veiled attack against the Opposition, the leaders of Congress and SP and BSP created ruckus in the Upper House and demanded that Modi should address the MPs and apologise for his remarks. "I'm sure many of us have read analysis of noted economist Lawrence Summers, former chief economist of the World Bank and advisor to Obama government who concludes that this exercise has "resulted in chaos and loss of trust" and "without new measures, is unlikely to have lasting benefits. Don't you think it is high time and right time to form a committee of our real experts and intellectuals like Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha, Subramanian Swamy and other top economists and intellectuals of our party and veteran Murli Manohar Joshi to help the government in this hour?" In a series of tweets on Friday, BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, reiterating his faith in PM Modi's intention, said, "However, I have serious concerns about the outcome, fallout and responses of the people of India and the almost united opposition in particular." Seventh day of Winter Session and looks like this week business will take a massive hit due to ongoing protests by the Opposition As Opposition din did not die down even after many requests by the Speaker, Mahajan adjourned the Lok Sabha till Monday (28 November) 11 am. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that a man Rakesh Singh tried to jump in the Lok Sabha off the audience gallery on Friday after the House was adjourned. "Security officials overpowered him and took him under custody and he has been let off with warning," Mahajan added. Taking the nation by surprise, the Prime Minister had on November 8 announced demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes with effect from midnight. Latching on to media reports, Yechury sought to pick holes in the November 8 decision as he noted that 29 crore out of the 30 crore Rupay card holders have never used their cards in a swipe machine. Referring to a report on surfacing of two variants of Rs 500 currency notes, the Marxist leader also took a dig at Modi, saying it was the "Prime Minister's way" of stopping circulation of fake currency. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, dubbing him as 'Tughlaq' who had "gone missing" after issuing a farman (order). "Barely 20-25 percent of cash demand being met in Metros. Rural areas even worse. While Tughlaq goes missing after his firman," Yechury tweeted. Will government's wait-and-watch technique, as far as Opposition's protests are concerned, work out in their favour? Most political observers say no because the government does not have the luxury of time. Meanwhile, Opposition leaders are still not relenting with their demand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in Parliament. Opposition leaders met before Parliament session commences for the tenth day. However, the worry again is will the Opposition let the Parliament function? Winter Session will go on for 22 sittings - 50 percent of the sittings are already over - the Upper House and the Lok Sabha have still not been able to table crucial bills. Zero Hour begins with ruling-opposition bickering. As Venkaiah Naidu argues against the Opposition, protesting MPs raised slogans against the prime minister. "Start the debate! You want the debate, start the debate, Prime Minister Narnendra Modi will come," says Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien. "Why is the BJP government so stubborn? Why is the prime minister not coming to debate?" Mayawati asks. In Samba, security forces killed two militants early on Tuesday when a group of militants tried to sneak in from Pakistan through the International Border near a border outpost in this Jammu district. According to reports, the two militants were killed following a "heavy firing exchange" with the BSF. Even as terrorists infiltrated the International Border and attacked two - Nagrota and Samba - districts of Jammu and Kashmir, there was no talk of that in Parliament. The attack in Nagrota reportedly started around 5.30 am with militants firing at a field regiment camp located in the garrison town of Nagrota near the headquarter's of army's 16 corps in the state. Demonetisation has been the reason for Parliament washouts over ten days now since Winter Session began on 16 November. Interestingly, Parliament has not discussed anything else except note ban imposed by the Narendra Modi government since the Winter Session began. Sumitra Mahajan tells two warring factions in Lok Sabha to start the debate. "I am ready, please start the debate." Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am until 1 December as opposition storms the well of the House regarding Nagrota Attack. TMC leader slammed the BJP government for deploying Army in West Bengal. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu told Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien that the deployment was a routine exercise and casting aspersions on the prime minister is not acceptable. Opposition members are protesting against the ruling government in the Lower House. Rajya Sabha has already been adjourned. Opposition: Modiji says he wants the poor to build their own homes, but what about those homes which are being broken? Opposition members raise slogans and stall Rajya Sabha again. Debates not allowed and Chairman of Upper House Hamid Ansari quietly and hopelessly looks around. If one had to compare, Rajya Sabha gets adjourned way faster and sooner than the Lower House. Unrelenting Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continues to let MPs speak on different issues while a group of MPs continue to try to disrupt Lok Sabha. But since Winter Session has begun (16 November) members who are against the demonetisation drive have tried, and sometimes successfully, to stall Parliament. "These photos on the walls of the Rajya Sabha, from where emanates the power of democracy, often haunt me. It has been particularly difficult these last few days to get past those photos.Till 1 December (15th day since the commencement of the Winter Session) no business has been allowed to occur in the House except on the first day when a good debate took place in the Rajya Sabha over demonetisation. Regular disruptions, chaos and high-pitched slogan shouting have resulted in complete pandemonium in the House. The continuous ruckus usually leads to the suspension of the House proceedings and, sadly, it has become a regular feature. I ask myself: is this the only alternative left to us to address the genuine grievances of the public, the states and the nation?" "He (the prime minister) must answer our questions. India's image has been damaged globally," he said. "Today, the situation is that the withdrawals of the foreigners who come to India are being rationed," he said. "This has globally affected India's image," he added. "Demonetisation created a situation that 86 percent of the currency was invalidated. Now, after one month, tens of millions of Indians are standing in queues...It is wrong to give an impression that the Opposition is opposing the prime minister's crusade against black money," Sharma said. "The government has collective responsibility but the prime minister is the first among the equals," said Congress leader Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha. "In the 2G debates, we have insisted that the prime minister participates in this discussions but there is no such practice in this House that the prime minister must be here to listen to each and every member," Jaitley said. "What is the stage we are in? Halfway through the debate, you interrupted the debate and are now raising concerns which have never been raised in the House," he told the Opposition. "In this case, we've repeatedly said that the prime minister is going to participate in the debate," Jaitley said. "It's obviously an important issue. The questions have to be answered," he said. "The government and the council of ministers fucntions on a collective responsibility. There is no such principle that a specific person has to answer." "We've gone through this exercise of having a major debate which is incomplete. We have spent seven hours on the debate under rule 167," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha. When asked what does the Opposition want, Rahul said, "He should come and debate in Parliament and explain his decision," he said. Targetting the Prime Minister over the issue of note ban, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government saying that the decision to scrap high denomination currency was the biggest mistake ever. "It was a bold decision - that's what Modi ji says - but bold decisions are also foolish decisions. Demonetisation was a foolish decision. Our farmers, fishermen and the poor of the society are dying, our Prime Minister does not care for any of that. He (PM Modi) is laughing and having a nice time while the people of the country are suffering. The idea behind cashless economy is that a few people and corporates will get maximum benefits from these transactions. This has damaged the nation." Today, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi launched a full frontal attack on the prime minister and an united Opposition on Thursday observed Black Day to mark one month since the demonetisation scheme kicked in. 8 November was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. It's been a month since then and the Opposition protests have gone on unabated - both in and outside Parliament. "It is a matter of shame that the government refused to pay tributes to the martyrs," Azad thundered, provoking the ruling party ministers and MPs, who began shouting as if Azad had just thrown something at them. He also said that by protesting in front of the Gandhi statue, the Opposition was the one which paid tributes to the deceased. "We have been saying for a long time that over 100 people have died because of demonetisation," said Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha. "But the government refused to pay tribute to the deceased," he added. It is a matter of shame that govt refuses to pay tributes to people killed due to demonetisation: Congress in RS President Pranab Mukherjee has accused the Opposition of "gagging majority" in both Houses of Parliament. "Debate, dissension and decision are necessary," Times Now quoted the President as saying. "The Parliament must not be disrupted...this is unacceptable." Has the Winter Session turned out to be a complete waste of time? Read the full article here . The Winter Session of Parliament began on 16 November. On 8 December, both the Houses Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met for the 14th day but within minutes of commencing, both the Houses were adjourned. The deadlock over demonetisation has led to wastage of the Winter Session so far and considering that just one more week is left for the session to wrap up, there is little hope that the Houses will be able to pass, introduce or even debate the Bills that have been listed for consideration. Information and Broadcasting Minister Venakaiah Naidu also termed the 'dharna' by opposition leaders near the Gandhi statue in Parliament premises as a big 'tamasha' and an insult to the Father of the Nation. "Our opponents particularly the Congress I am told are observing a Black Day. I say what they are observing is a 'Black Money Support Day'," Naidu said. Hitting out at the Congress-led Opposition for observing a 'Black Day' against demonetisation decision, government on Thursday said they are actually observing a "Black Money Support Day". According to Times Now, the parliamentary panel has found Mann guilty of security breach after he filmed a video entering Parliament by crossing several security layers and posted it on social media. As if the logjam in Parliament for which President Pranab Mukherjee admonished both Houses was not embarrassing enough for the country, there is now a delegation of parliamentarians from Vietnam who are going to witness what happens in an Indian Parliament. "Govt running from debate, if they allow me to speak then you will see what an earthquake will come," says Rahul Gandhi. Keep in mind that Vietnamese Parliamentarians are in both the Houses to witness this scene. It's hard to decide at this point who is trying to stall Parliament. During zero hour in Lok Sabha, MPs in Lok Sabha kept raising ruckus while Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tries her best to keep the House in session. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 14 December On Friday as the count of members in the Upper House remained 21 despite calls from the Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, the house was adjourned till Monday. The benches remained empty while BJP and Congress leaders sparred with each other blaming each other for the non-functioning government. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with key ministers before Parliament convenes on Wednesday morning to decide their strategy," the report said. According to an NDTV report Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that Prime Minister Modi will be present in Parliament for the three remaining days of the Session and can participate in proceedings for either of the House depending on the need. Congress is going to raise the issue of corruption charges against Kiren Rijiju. Rajya Sabha member and senior Congress leader, Anand Sharma has given notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha for discussion on corruption charges against Rijiju. Comparison of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 and new amendments "This is the first time that the government is scheming to make sure Parliament does not function. It usually is the job of Opposition to stand up and protest. However, this government is doing a pretty job of that and making sure that Parliament does not work and no one questions the ruling party's decision. Demonetisation has hurt a lot of people, but Modi government's arrogance is not allowing us to debate it in the House," a TMC member said. BJP was reacting to Congress vice-president's claim that he has information of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged involvement in "personal corruption." Rahul was speaking a joint press briefing of the Opposition after the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid din created by Opposition. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar said that if Rahul Gandhi had any information, he could have revealed them twenty days ago, ""but till today he wasn't ready to make any earth-shattering revelations." Soon after Rajya Sabha passed the amended The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill (2014) and Kurien congratulated the members over a productive day, Anand Sharma raised the issue of Rijiju and his alleged involvement in the Rs 450-crore scam. Kurien tried to maintain calm in the House by saying, "Allegation without informing the Chair cannot be allowed." As Opposition members raised slogans and ruckus, Kurien said, "What can I do except adjourning. Both sides are indisciplined. The House is adourned till tomorrow (15 December) 11 am." It seemed like the members in the Upper House were just waiting to pass one single Bill this Winter Session. Soon after Kurien praised the members of the Upper House for being disciplined, ruckus over alleged corruption allegations on Kiren Rijiju took the House by storm again. Kurien: "I have given the floor to Leader of Opposition. That's the tradition. Let's follow it. Please sit down." Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi object to leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad speaking in the Upper House. Kurien asks BJP members to sit down. Amid slogans of "Agusta Agusta" , BJP leaders demanded to know what is the topic of discussion? "I have to adjourn.. what should I do?" asks Kurien. "This is for the first time in history of India that it's the ruling party that's not letting the House to function," says Azad. Helpless deputy chairman PJ Kurien begs for MPs to sit down as Congress and BJP leaders spar over Ghulam Nabi Azad's speech on demonetisation. Sources said that it was also decided in the meeting to raise the plight of farmers and common people in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and demand a loan waiver for farmers. Representatives of Congress, Trinamool Congress, BSP, SP, JD-U, CPI, CPI-M, NCP, DMK and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) were present in today's meeting. Leaders of various parties said the entire opposition has decided to approach the President to "complain" against the ruling party for not allowing them to speak in Parliament. The leaders said they were elected representatives of the country and had every right to speak in Parliament and it was "unconstitutional" not to allow them to speak in both Houses. Sources said time is being sought from the President till Friday and all opposition parties were ready to raise the issue unitedly before him. Taking their protest on demonetisation to President Pranab Mukherjee's doorsteps, Opposition parties sought a meeting with the president to convey the problems caused by the measure to the common man and "over not being" allowed to speak in Parliament. At a meeting of the opposition held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, representatives of various parties decided to raise with the President the problems of the common people, including the poor and farmers arising out of demonetisation. Advani also added that "had Atal ji been in Parliament today, he would have been upset." Senior BJP leader LK Advani told Home Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and stop disruptions in both Houses of Parliament. Expressing his unhappiness, Advani allegedly said that he "feels like resigning". Opposition leaders are scheduled to meet the President and PM Modi to push for a way to break the deadlock. The BJPs Parliamentary Party meeting to discuss the strategy to counter the Oppositions charges against the government is currently underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the gathering. The last day of the Winter Session of Parliament is setup for a big tussle between the government and the Opposition as both try to break the deadlock. "Regular and continuous disruptions signify this session... The rules about displaying placards and shouting slogans were ignored by all sections of the house," Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari said in his closing statement before adjourning the house. The Rajya Sabha on Friday concluded its winter session after an emotional speech by the Chairman as the house was adjourned sine die. On the eve of Winter Session, two all-party meetings were convened, first by the ruling NDA and the other by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan. At the all-party meeting Modi requested all parties for cooperation in order to make Parliament session a fruitful one. "I hope that Winter Session will be fruitful. I expect that Winter Session will proceed in a positive way. I hope that Winter Session debate will strengthen democracy. I believe that to take the country ahead this Winter Session debate will be useful, " said Modi as Winter Session sets to begin. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said govt should should respect Opposition and create an atmosphere for healthy debate during Parliament Winter Session. "If you will put their husbands in jail, who will provide for them, who will pay for their children," Azad asked as he reiterated that Congress leader Anad Sharma's suggestion to send it to Standing Committee should be taken into consideration. Ghulam Nabi Azad stood up as the bill was taken up for discussion and said that none of the parties are in opposition of the bill in essence. However, he said that the government's bill will "finish Muslim women" instead of saving them. He said that a committee should reflect the nature of the House, which the list of suggestions given by Sharma does not. Sharma's suggestion did not include names from the BJP. Jaitley said that the previous precedents show that any amendments or motions should be introduced with prior notice. He said that the Opposition's demand to send the bill to Select Committee was invalid. He also raised objection on the suggestion on members of Select Committee made by Anand Sharma. Kurien said that the Leader of the House is a very learned advocate himself and all points raised by him are of relevance. The rule he quotes that a prior notice should be given is also correct, he said. "However, the same rule adds that the Chairman has the power to admit such a motion and which is why I cannot overrule it. It is now admitted and hence is the property of the House, only members can amend it," Kurien said on Jaitley's objection over the Opposition motion seeking triple talaq bill be sent to Standing Committee. Roy, responding to Jaitley's objection that the Select Committee suggested by him did not reflect the nature of the House, Roy said that he had included members from all parties who were willing to send the bill to the Standing Committee. However, BJP members were not included because the government was not willing to send the bill to the committee. Roy added that if the BJP is interested in sending the Bill for further scrutiny, he has no objection to ammend the list to include its members too. Govt requests to take up GST bill first as Dy Chairman ruled Triple Talaq bill can't be taken for passage without first building consensus in House "If you will put their husbands in jail, who will provide for them, who will pay for their children," Azad asked as he reiterated that Congress leader Anad Sharma's suggestion to send it to Standing Committee should be taken into consideration. Ghulam Nabi Azad stood up as the bill was taken up for discussion and said that none of the parties are in opposition of the bill in essence. However, he said that the government's bill will "finish Muslim women" instead of saving them. He said that a committee should reflect the nature of the House, which the list of suggestions given by Sharma does not. Sharma's suggestion did not include names from the BJP. Jaitley said that the previous precedents show that any amendments or motions should be introduced with prior notice. He said that the Opposition's demand to send the bill to Select Committee was invalid. He also raised objection on the suggestion on members of Select Committee made by Anand Sharma. Uproar in Rajya Sabha after opposition's motion on #TripleTalaqBill , opposition has demanded the bill be sent to select committee Kurien said that the Leader of the House is a very learned advocate himself and all points raised by him are of relevance. The rule he quotes that a prior notice should be given is also correct, he said. "However, the same rule adds that the Chairman has the power to admit such a motion and which is why I cannot overrule it. It is now admitted and hence is the property of the House, only members can amend it," Kurien said on Jaitley's objection over the Opposition motion seeking triple talaq bill be sent to Standing Committee. Roy, responding to Jaitley's objection that the Select Committee suggested by him did not reflect the nature of the House, Roy said that he had included members from all parties who were willing to send the bill to the Standing Committee. However, BJP members were not included because the government was not willing to send the bill to the committee. Roy added that if the BJP is interested in sending the Bill for further scrutiny, he has no objection to ammend the list to include its members too. Govt requests to take up GST bill first as Dy Chairman ruled Triple Talaq bill can't be taken for passage without first building consensus in House As the Parliament Winter Session reconvenes after a four-day break, it looks like the Opposition may finally get the debate on demonetisation it has been asking for, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to attend all the remaining parliamentary proceedings, reports said on Wednesday. According to The Indian Express, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress has instructed their Member of Parliaments (MPs) to be present in both Houses for the rest of the session. The news story, however, indicated that the government seems to have managed to convince the Opposition to forego its demand of a discussion under Rule 193, a primary demand of the Opposition mostly Congress and Tirnamool Congress that had lead to a deadlock in both the houses of Parliament since the beginning of the session. It will now be a no-rule discussion, it said. As for the Opposition's second demand, which was that Prime Minister Modi should answer questions from the Opposition, CNN-News18 said that Modi is likely to attend the parliamentary proceedings. However, whether or not he will speak, remains unclear. However, according to an NDTV report Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that Prime Minister Modi will be present in Parliament for the three remaining days of the Session and can participate in proceedings for either of the House depending on the need. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with key ministers before Parliament convenes this morning to decide their strategy," the report said. The Opposition will discuss its strategy during the parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday in an Opposition party's meet at 9.30 am, CNN-News18 reported. The Parliament's Winter Session has been facing a deadlock on demonetisation ever since it began on 16 November. While the Lok Sabha has managed to conduct two legislative actions pass the Income Tax amendment bill and approve the Supplementary Demand for Grants the Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, functioned normally only on the first sitting of the session when a debate on demonetisation took place for five hours. While three bills related to Goods and Services Tax (GST), are unlikely to be cleared on Wednesday, The Indian Express said, "Rajya Sabha is likely to pass the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 in a brief remission of hostilities." However, apart from the listed topics of business, the Parliamentary proceedings are likely to attract heated discussions on the arrest of former Air marshal, SP Tyagi, in relation to the AugustaWestland VIP chopper scam as well as BJP leader Kiren Rijiju's alleged corruption in the Arunachal Hydro Power project. New Delhi: The government will soon come out with a draft model law to conserve ground, surface and rain water and increase use of treated water for non-potable purposes, Union Minister Uma Bharti said on Tuesday. Water being a state subject, the act will, however, not be binding on states for implementation. Addressing the inaugural session of 'Bhujal Manthan - 2' in New Delhi, Bharti said a committee will also be formed to suggest ways to conserve fast depleting groundwater levels through aquifer recharge, particularly in drought-hit areas such as Marathwada and Bundelkhand. Secretaries of Water Resources, Rural Development, Environment and Agriculture will be part of the committee, which is expected to submit its report in a month, she said. "We are going to come out with the draft model act aimed at conserving ground, surface and rain water and one which stresses on using treated water optimally. 62 percent of water used by Israel is treated water. Why can't we too do that? We too can do it," Water Resources Minister Bharti said. The Minister said the act will focus on using waste water for infrastructural and industrial activities, while recycled sewage water will be used for irrigation purpose. Special secretary in the Water Resources Ministry, Amarjit Singh, seconded the Minister and stated that 80 percent to 85 percent drinking water is sourced from underground across the country. Around 60 percent to 65 percent of water used for irrigation is fetched from underground, he added. "Countries like China use less ground water than us, only to the extent of 30 percent of what can be recharged in that country annually. So, we need to make sure the withdrawal is sustainable (through the proposed act)," he said. Bharti said the government also plans to complete aquifer mapping across the country over the next three years. At the same time, she said, the government plans to recharge groundwater on priority basis across 1066 blocks (which could either be a district/taluka/mandals) where groundwater is "hugely exploited." "The Marathwada, Bundelkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and now even the Uttarakhand...the trees atop mountains in Uttarkhand which used to hold water have been cut. Hence, we will have to give priorities to these areas and recharge ground water," she said. Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who too addressed the event, said his ministry will contribute to the purpose by creating recharge structures through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. "The purpose is to see village water is stopped in the village itself," he added. Secretaries of Ministries of Water Resources and Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shashi Shekhar and Parameswaran Iyer respectively, also addressed the event. New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the Opposition-called bandh was a total flop as it did not get the support of the common people. The 'Jan Aakrosh' rally was also totally flop as there was no body in the rally except their workers, Naidu said outside Parliament. Opposition parties had called a bandh on Monday to protest against the government's demonetisation move. Naidu said the CPI(M) leader Bimal Basu has said that the bandh call was a mistake as there was no adequate time for preparations. He claimed "people are happy because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic decision. Though there are a few difficulties but people have understood that this is for the country's best interest." Referring to the continuous disruptions in Parliament, he said "We are ready for debate. We also told that PM will come and intervene in the debate. Then the Minister concerned who is Finance Minister will reply." Questioning Opposition's motive, the Union minister said "I want to ask what is the problem? Why not allowing Parliament to function and insisting on PM to reply?" Quoting relevant rules, Naidu said any Minister can reply according to the procedure. "On December 10, 2009, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has spoken on the Libheran Commission reports." "We are ready for debate. Why Opposition is disrupting the House? Why they are shying away from the debate? They have been frustrated over the failure of the bandh. There is total confusion in the opposition ranks. That is why they want to disrupt the House." Washington: President-elect Donald Trump on Monday threatened to end the US thaw with Cuba unless Havana makes key concessions, potentially upending the historic rapprochement engineered by the White House, which insists the opening serves American interests. Trump's tough comments sparked a flurry of speculation about the incoming Republican administration's policies regarding the communist-ruled island, and come after former leader Fidel Castro's death Friday. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump said on Twitter. If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 To the dismay of the White House, which wants the detente policy to continue, Castro's death has pressed Trump to respond to an issue that almost certainly would have remained further down on his agenda. Trump's tweet landed just as Cuba began its week-long farewell to the divisive Cold War icon. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans swarmed Havana's iconic Revolution Square in a tearful and nostalgic tribute to "El Comandante." The tycoon-turned-world leader appeared to heap pressure on an arrangement that his fellow Republicans have long criticised as ceding too much to Havana without significant gains in return. Prominent Republicans have blasted Castro as a murderous tyrant since his death. Trump called Castro a "brutal dictator." But until the tweet, no one close to Trump had directly threatened to end the political opening announced in 2014 by Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. Following the tweet, Trump's communications director Jason Miller told reporters that the president-elect is "aware of the nuances and complexities" of the challenges facing Cuba's people, and that he will address the issue "once he becomes president." 'Played for fools' "To be clear, the president-elect wants to see freedom in Cuba for the Cubans, and a good deal for Americans where we aren't played for fools," Miller added. "Our priorities are the release of political prisoners, return of fugitives from American law, and also political and religious freedoms for all Cubans living in oppression." White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Monday defended the thaw of Cold War animosity, saying that "after five decades of not seeing results, the president believed it was time to try something different." He said dismantling the current policy, which has included the resumption of direct flights and a host of other measures, was "not as easy as one tweet might make it seem." Earnest also said Obama would not be travelling to attend Castro's funeral, although he demurred on the question of who would lead the US delegation. Little in return Trump's position on Cuba had shifted during his turbulent campaign. At first he spoke of his support for the reopening of diplomatic ties after decades of distrust. But before the election, he was pledging to reverse Obama's "one-sided" deal that he said only benefited the Castro government. "All of the concessions that Barack Obama has granted the Castro regime were done through executive order, which means the next president can reverse them, and that I will do unless the Castro regime meets our demands." Trump said in September. Trump's team has said the outgoing Democratic administration made too many compromises with Havana notably by easing the 1962 US economic embargo without receiving enough in return in areas like human rights, democracy and the move toward a free-market economy. Trump at first only briefly addressed the Cuban revolutionary's demise, in an inelegant tweet early Saturday "Fidel Castro is dead!" before issuing a longer statement. Fidel Castro is dead! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2016 "Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty," Trump said. In October, just weeks before the election, Obama announced a directive formalizing a normalization policy with Cuba and unveiling a new round of loosened trade and travel rules, saying it was aimed at making the policy "irreversible." But the changes could be reversed when a new administration takes office, senior officials conceded at the time. Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia Representative Tom Price, a leading critic of President Barack Obama's sweeping health care law, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a person familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Price will play a central role in Republican efforts to repeal and replace the current health care law. Trump has pledged to move quickly on overhauling the landmark measure, but has been vague about what he hopes to see in a replacement bill. The president-elect has said he favors keeping provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents' health insurance and that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Trump is expected to announce Price's nomination as early as Tuesday morning. The person familiar with decision insisted on anonymity because the person was not authorised to discuss the matter ahead of the official announcement. Price, a 62-year-old six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, has chaired the House Budget Committee for the past two years. A bookish conservative from the Atlanta suburbs, Price has worked closely with House Speaker Ryan to assemble GOP budgets aimed at reducing the annual deficit. Last week, Price said whatever Republicans do to replace Obama's health care law will bear a "significant resemblance" to a 2015 measure that was vetoed by the president. That bill would have gutted some of the health care law's main features: Medicaid expansion, subsidies to help middle-class Americans buy private policies, the tax penalties for individuals who refused to get coverage and several taxes to support coverage expansion. The bill would have delayed implementation for two years. Price insisted that Republicans can keep the protections for those with existing medical conditions without mandating that all individuals carry coverage or pay a penalty to support an expanded insurance pool. Price said Republicans want to address "the real cost drivers" of health care price spikes, which he said were not necessarily sicker patients, but a heavy regulatory burden, taxes and lawsuits against medical professionals. Islamabad: Pakistan's outgoing military chief warned India Tuesday it would be dangerous to mistake his country's "restraint" over recent tensions in disputed Kashmir for weakness, as he handed over power to his successor. The hugely popular General Raheel Sharif spoke at a colourful ceremony welcoming the incoming chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a stadium at army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the capital Islamabad. "Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in (Indian) occupied Kashmir, and India's aggressive steps have put the region's peace in danger," Sharif said. "I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her," he said to applause. "This is reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international community's special attention is necessary," he continued. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have spiralled following a deadly assault on an Indian army base in September that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it had responded to the September attack by carrying out "surgical strikes" across the heavily militarised border, sparking fury from Islamabad, which denied the strikes took place. There have been repeated incidents of cross-border shellings and gunfire from both sides since, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Sharif spoke Tuesday as Indian police said armed militants had launched a fresh attack near the border with Pakistan, killing two soldiers. Officials said the attack took place in Nagrota in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which borders Pakistan and has seen repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing in recent weeks, and blamed it on "terrorists". Pakistan on Saturday named Bajwa as its new military chief as Sharif stepped down from a three-year tenure, winning praise for respecting democracy even as many Pakistanis called for him to extend his term. Military bands played as uniformed soldiers marched at the ceremony Tuesday, where the outgoing chief gives his wooden cane to his successor, symbolising the handover of power. The Pakistani military plays an outsize role in national life, offering the armed reassurance against arch-rival India that many Pakistanis see as vital to their identity. Kashmir is one of the world's most dangerous flashpoints, bitterly divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 but claimed in full by both. The nuclear powers have already fought two wars over the mountainous region. GAZA (Reuters) - Israel killed two Palestinians in air strikes and Hamas fired its first cross-border rocket barrages in more than a year as fighting along the Israel-Gaza frontier flared on Tuesday for a second day. The confrontation, which appeared to die down after nightfall, initially matched a familiar pattern of Israeli strikes against small squads of Palestinian militants and rockets launched toward southern Israel near the border. But the surprise decision by the Gaza Strip's rulers, the Islamist group Hamas, to re-engage militarily with Israel after months of staying on the sidelines and discouraging smaller groups from firing rockets held the prospect of wider conflict. Since Monday, Israeli air strikes have killed six Palestinians, including four militants. A two-year-old Gazan girl died and her brother were wounded when militants launched a rocket close by, witnesses said. An Israeli military spokesman said there had been no air strikes in the area at the time. A Hamas medical official said the cause of the children's injuries was not clear. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Israeli attacks had prompted the group to "take a firm stance" and launch rockets. Israeli security officials said at least 40 rockets were fired at farms and towns in Israel on Tuesday, wounding two people. A Palestinian source said the sides agreed to cease fire at 11 p.m. (2000 GMT) at the behest of Egypt, which has mediated between the foes in the past. Israel had no immediate comment. Although other militant groups have launched rockets across the border, Hamas had held its fire under unofficial truces with Israel, a policy widely seen in Israel as effectively enabling the group to train and arm without much risk of Israeli attack. GROUND OPERATION Israel has said that Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip from forces loyal to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, bears overall responsibility for any attacks from the coastal enclave. "The more things deteriorate, the closer we come to a decision we don't want to make," Israeli cabinet minister Silvan Shalom said earlier on Tuesday. "The prospect of a ground operation (in the Gaza Strip) shouldn't frighten us." "If this situation escalates, and I hope it won't, then all options are open. They know it. We know it. The international community knows it," he told Israel Radio. On Monday, before the Gaza flare-up, militants who crossed into Israel from Egypt's Sinai desert fired on Israelis building a barrier on that frontier, killing one worker. Soldiers shot dead two of the infiltrators. The Sinai attack, launched soon after the Muslim Brotherhood declared victory in Egypt's presidential election, increased Israeli concerns about lawlessness in the area since the fall of president Hosni Mubarak last year. In a video recording obtained by Reuters in Gaza, a group of masked men claimed responsibility for the Sinai incident on behalf of what they said was a newly formed Islamic movement, the "Shura Council of Mujahideen in the Holy Land". The masked men used Islamic slogans, pledging to liberate the Holy Land from what they termed Jewish control. A second video showed two men, one of whom said they were about to embark on a mission to attack "the Zionist forces on the border of Egypt and occupied Palestine", an apparent reference to Monday's incident on the Sinai border. The first man said he was an Egyptian named Abu Salah al-Masri. The other said he came from Saudi Arabia and gave his name as Abu Huthiyfa al-Rathali. The videos could not immediately be verified. (Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Kevin Liffey) By Michelle Nichols | UNITED NATIONS UNITED NATIONS France and Britain are pressing to sanction those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria, though Russia says it would not support a United Nations Security Council resolution.An inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) found that Syrian government forces were responsible for three chlorine gas attacks and that Islamic State militants had used mustard gas.French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre said on Tuesday that a draft resolution "sanctioning those responsible for the use of chemical weapons" was essentially ready and would be circulated to the 15-member council as soon as possible. British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the draft resolution would "make sure that those members of the regime who were involved in that abhorrent use of chemical weapons in Syria will face the consequences." The inquiry found the Syrian government's 253 and 255 squadrons, belonging to the 63rd helicopter brigade, were responsible for gas attacks and said that those "with effective control in the military units ... must be held accountable."Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said, however, there was "just not enough material proof to do anything" and described the French and British bid to impose sanctions as a "misplaced effort." "We wouldn't support any action on this," Churkin told reporters. He said the important thing was the council had earlier this month been able to extend the mandate of the inquiry for another year. He said Russia hoped that would serve as a deterrent.Chlorine's use as a weapon is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013. If inhaled, chlorine gas turns to hydrochloric acid and can kill by burning lungs and drowning victims in the resulting body fluids. Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under a deal brokered by Moscow and Washington. The Security Council endorsed that deal with a resolution that said in the event of non-compliance, "including unauthorized transfer of chemical weapons, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone" in Syria, it would impose measures under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter.Chapter 7 deals with sanctions and authorization of military force by the Security Council. The French/British draft could propose targeted sanctions - a travel ban and asset freeze - on people or entities linked to the attacks. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. When Princeton professor Andrew Appel decided to hack an election machine and prove how vulnerable Americas election is, he bought the election machine online for $82 and when the 250 pound package arrived on the shoulders of stunned deliverymen, he called his student Alex Halderman to pick its lock. They swung it in 7 minutes. The same student a reedy, bespectacled professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan who said Indias electronic voting machines are susceptible to hacking has been hammering away for Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party to go for a recount of votes in key battleground states. Professor Haldermans doggedness is why third party candidate Jill Stein, who won about 1 percent of the total vote in the US 2016 election, is rallying hard for a recount in Wisconsin a move that has got President-elect Trump back to his Twitter rant routine. "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally," Trump wrote on Twitter. There is not a shred of evidence to support Trump's claim which came as steps are being taken towards recounting votes in the state of Wisconsin, which Trump won. That attack got the remainder of Clintons campaign back to full throttle. We are getting attacked for participating in a recount that we didn't ask for by the man who won election but thinks there was massive fraud, Marc Elias, Clintons campaign lawyer, shot back. Lets get some facts out of the way first. Hillary Clinton has not asked for a recount of votes, although she leads Trump in the popular vote by 2 million. Jill Stein asked for the recount and Clintons team nodded. Halderman is not saying the election was hacked, hes saying the deviation from the pre-poll numbers could be because the polls were systematically wrong. A statement on the Wisconsin Elections Commission's website said the recount was scheduled to begin Thursday and had to be completed by 13 December. Although Trump is President-elect, vote counts are not finished yet. Trump increased his Electoral College vote count to 306, compared with 232 for Clinton, after Michigan certified its election results and his victory there. Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016 It would have been much easier for me to win the so-called popular vote than the Electoral College in that I would only campaign in 3 or 4-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016 states instead of the 15 states that I visited. I would have won even more easily and convincingly (but smaller states are forgotten)! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2016 As of 28 November, Trump leads in 30 states with more than 300 electoral votes, and he would have to lose all three contested states to lose the election. He leads by some 71,000 votes in Pennsylvania, more than 20,000 in Wisconsin, and by nearly 11,000 in Michigan. Getting a recount done is a costly op. Jill Stein has already raised the $1.1 million necessary to trigger a recount in Wisconsin, as well as the $500,000 to do the same in Pennsylvania and needs to raise $600,000 in Michigan by 30 November. Trump made unsubstantiated claims of serious US voter fraud and said "millions of people" had cast their ballots illegally, offering no evidence for the assertions he put forth on Twitter. Its like how he suggested Ted Cruz's dad might have been involved in JFK's assassination. Or that Hillary Clinton is on the edge of death. By saying that millions voted illegally, Trump is questioning his own win. A system that could be manipulated to become pro-Clinton could well do the same for Trump. Trump's shock path to the White House saw him fall short of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the popular vote she carried the election by 2.2 million ballots but win the all-important Electoral College count, which decides the US presidency. Trump, rarely a good sport when hes on the losing side, is searching for an excuse for the 2 million deficit. Professor Andrew Appel of Princeton University says at least 10 states are still using machines that are vulnerable to hacking. And you don't need the Russians to play dirty. Anyone with access to the machines for a reasonable amount of time, fraud on their minds and geeky enough can rig this thing. "How do you know these machines have not been giving you wrong results for the last five years?" Prof Appel told Firstpost. Touch screen voting machines riddled with bugs and security holes were in full force in Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Delaware, Kentucky. The low level game of election fraud is to just rig the machine to behave badly, the high stakes game end is to create cheating programs that shift votes around and are taught not to cheat while they are being tested. Nearly 44 million registered voters, accounting for 25 percent of the total US voters, live in jurisdictions that rely on paperless systems, including millions in contested states such as Georgia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. That means one in four registered voters in America live in areas that will use electronic voting machines that dont produce a paper backup. Election experts agree that election voting machines which rely on paper ballots are the best available technology on voting day. But America uses two kinds of machines - paper based and optical scan. The problem is with the latter. Any non-paper based voting machine is essentially like a computer or your iphone, Haldermans teacher Prof Appel tells Firstpost. Professor Appel and Halderman have both demonstrated how anyone can install vote-stealing malware on real voting machines that alters the electronic records of every vote. The reason the recount story is flying now is because deadlines for filing recount petitions are hardcoded into the political system and they all fall this week. As for those asking the obvious question of why the recount at all when the total margin in the three states put together is well over a 100,000 votes against Clinton, Halderman explains: Examining the physical evidence in these states even if it finds nothing amiss will help allay doubt and give voters justified confidence that the results are accurate. It will also set a precedent for routinely examining paper ballots, which will provide an important deterrent against cyberattacks on future elections. Recounting the ballots now can only lead to strengthened electoral integrity Were this years deviations from pre-election polls the results of a cyberattack? Probably not. I believe the most likely explanation is that the polls were systematically wrong, rather than that the election was hacked. But I dont believe that either one of these seemingly unlikely explanations is overwhelmingly more likely than the other, says Halderman in a blog post. The only way to know whether a cyberattack changed the result is to closely examine the available physical evidence paper ballots and voting equipment in critical states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, he says. In his post, Halderman also pointed out what he says are security flaws in American voting machines in general and urged their replacement. Meanwhile, Trump and his aides have pushed back hard against the Wisconsin recount, with the president-elect letting loose a series of early-morning tweets in which he quoted Clinton about the need to respect the electoral process. Although Trump had warned before the election that the result might be "rigged," he had offered no such complaint after his unexpected November 8 victory -- until now. Back in New York late Sunday after spending the Thanksgiving holiday at his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort with his family, Trump again took to Twitter, alleging that voter fraud had occurred in several states. "Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias big problem!" Trump posted. Trump and his aides have offered no evidence concerning the claims, nor did Trump explain why he would oppose the nascent Wisconsin recount if illegal voting was such a serious problem. Bernie Sanders, who ran against Clinton for the Democratic nomination, called Trump's remarks "unfounded nonsense" that showed Republicans wanted to make it harder for people including minorities to register to vote. Just as Trump's appeal to the angry white man in America was more strategy and less about social inequality, his railing against the recount and allegations of voter fraud is just another example of fact-free politics in the age of free media, fueled by a fortune that grew from tall buildings in Manhattan. Once again, it's the news media that's getting played. United Nations: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed hope that India and Pakistan will bilaterally resolve issues over water-sharing, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan. "We will take a look at the issue on water. Obviously, we hope it's something that the two parties can resolve themselves," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the daily press briefing here on Monday when asked about Modi's remarks on the Indus Waters Treaty amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Addressing a rally in Punjab last week, Modi had said the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan and he will ensure that Indian farmers in India utilise it. "Now, every drop of this water will be stopped and I will give that to farmers of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and Indian farmers. I am committed to this," he had said. Last week, during a Security Council debate on water, peace and security, Ban had cited the Indus Waters Treaty signed by India and Pakistan as well as other similar agreements "as instruments promoting stability and peace" and said "shared water resources often generated cooperation". During the debate, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi had warned against use of water as instrument of coercion or war. She had said the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty is an example of what can be achieved through bilateral agreements but also a case study of what could wrong if such agreements are not honoured or threatened with abrogation by a state party. Separately, Ban had also expressed deep concern last week over the deterioration of the situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir in recent days, saying he "trusts" India and Pakistan can find "common ground" and work towards a sustainable peace. The UN Chief had called on all involved to prioritise the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation and loss of life. When asked during the briefing about Indian-Pakistan tensions at the border, Dujarric referred to Ban's remarks saying the increasing tensions over the Line of Control are of "great concern to the Secretary-General". 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe By Mark Hosenball and Kim Palmer | WASHINGTON/COLUMBUS, Ohio WASHINGTON/COLUMBUS, Ohio A Somali immigrant who injured 11 people at Ohio State University in a vehicle and stabbing attack before he was shot dead may have followed the same path to self-radicalisation as militants in a number of "lone wolf" attacks, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the attack. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, 20, was shot dead by a police officer on Monday moments after he ploughed his car into a crowd of pedestrians and then leapt out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife.Investigators were probing the background of Artan, a Muslim who was a lawful permanent resident of the United States and a student at Ohio State.Police have given no motive for the attack on the Columbus campus.So far, investigators have found no strong evidence linking Artan to other known militant individuals, cells or groups, said two federal law enforcement officials, who declined to be named because the probe is ongoing.Artan's actions fit the pattern of lone-wolf militants who carried out other attacks in the United States, such as the gunman who shot to death 49 people at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in June, and the man who killed four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor in a shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last year, the officials said.The gunmen in those two attacks were also Muslim and were killed by police.A federal official who asked not to be identified said that while Islamic State has claimed responsibility in other attacks, investigators have seen no evidence so far that the militant group's role was anything more than inspirational. ARTAN SPOKE OF "BOILING POINT" Investigators were looking into a message posted on Facebook by Artan that contained inflammatory statements about being "sick and tired" of seeing Muslims killed and reaching a "boiling point," a law enforcement source said. "Stop the killing of the Muslims in Burma," Artan said in the Facebook post.Violence in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, has sent Rohingya Muslims fleeing across the border to Bangladesh amid allegations of abuses by security forces. All of Artan's Facebook postings have been removed from the social media website.Artan on Facebook also called Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S.-born radical cleric linked to al Qaeda's Yemen wing, "a hero." Awlaki was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2011.In its claim of responsibility for Monday's attack at Ohio State, the Islamic State news agency AMAQ posted a photo of Artan wearing a blue shirt and sitting with greenery in the background. It described him as a soldier of the group."Brother Abdul Razak Ali Artan, God accept him, implementer of the Ohio attack, a student in his third year in university," the caption read. Artan, who was born in Somalia, arrived in the United States in 2014, said a federal official, who also asked not to be identified. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said Artan was 20 years old.Investigators believe Artan may have lived for as long as seven years in Pakistan, said the federal official, who declined to be named because of the ongoing investigation. Somali refugees often spend some time in Pakistan before coming to the United States, another official said. Investigators were trying to assemble a full picture of Artan's associates and recent activities, according to federal officials. Two people remained hospitalized at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Two others were at Riverside Methodist Hospital, according to a spokesman. None of the victims have life-threatening injuries, officials said. Seven people have been released. The attack rattled students at the state's flagship public university, which had been placed under a campuswide alert as people barricaded themselves in rooms and police with rifles searched for a possible second suspect.Members of Columbus' Somali community have denounced the attack.Ohio Governor John Kasich and other officials have praised Ohio State police for quickly reacting to the rampage. (Additional reporting by Amy Tennery and David Ingram in New York and Ali Abdelatti in Cairo; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Mark Hosenball and Kim Palmer | WASHINGTON/COLUMBUS, Ohio WASHINGTON/COLUMBUS, Ohio A Somali immigrant who ploughed into pedestrians at Ohio State University and stabbed others with a butcher knife may have followed the same path to self-radicalisation as militants in a number of "lone wolf" attacks, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.Investigators were probing the background of Abdul Razak Ali Artan one day after he injured 11 people in the attack on the Columbus campus where he was a student. He was shot to death moments later by a police officer.Police have given no motive for the attack.So far, investigators have found no strong evidence linking Artan to other known militant individuals, cells or groups, said two federal law enforcement officials who declined to be named because the probe is ongoing.Artan's actions fit the pattern of so-called "lone wolf" militants who carried out attacks in the United States, such as the gunman who shot to death 49 people at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in June, and the man who killed four U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor in a shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last year, the officials said.The gunman in those two attacks were Muslim, as was Artan, and were killed by police. Investigators were looking into a message believed to have been posted on Facebook by Artan that contained inflammatory statements about being "sick and tired" of seeing Muslims killed and reaching a "boiling point," a law enforcement source said. Artan, who was born in Somalia, was a lawful, U.S. permanent resident who arrived in the country in 2014, said a federal official, who also asked not to be identified. Investigators believe Artan may have lived for as long as seven years in Pakistan, said the federal official who also declined to be named because of the ongoing investigation. Somali refugees often spend some time in Pakistan before coming to the United States, another official said. Even as they probed the Ohio State University rampage as a possible lone wolf attack, investigators were trying to assemble a full picture of Artan's associates and recent activities, according to federal officials. Artan was 20 years old, Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said.Two people remained hospitalized at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Two others were at Riverside Methodist Hospital, according to a spokesman. None of the victims have life-threatening injuries, officials said. Seven people have been released. The attack rattled students at the state's flagship public university, which had been placed under a campus wide alert as people barricaded themselves in rooms and police with rifles searched for a possible second suspect.Members of Columbus' Somali community have denounced the attack.Ohio Governor John Kasich and other officials have praised Ohio State police for quickly reacting to the rampage. (Additional reporting by Amy Tennery and David Ingram in New York; Writing by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Andrew Osborn | MOSCOW MOSCOW Russia said on Tuesday that a Syrian army breakthrough in Aleppo had dramatically altered the situation on the ground, allowing more than 80,000 civilians to obtain humanitarian aid after years of being used as "human shields" by rebels.Moscow is helping forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad try to take back full control of the shattered city by providing training, equipment, advice and intermittent air support.On Monday, the Syrian army and its allies announced the capture of a large swathe of eastern Aleppo from rebels in an accelerating attack that threatens to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold."During the last 24 hours, thanks to very well prepared and careful actions, Syrian soldiers were able to radically change the situation," Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian defence ministry, said in a statement. "Practically half of the territory occupied by rebels in recent years in the eastern part of Aleppo has been completely liberated." The advance has stirred concern in the West about the fate of Aleppo's entrapped civilian population.France called for a United Nations Security Council meeting to try to end hostilities there, and politicians and officials in Britain, Germany and the United States have all spoken of their worry that civilians are being killed. Konashenkov called allegations of large civilian losses during the Syrian government operation alarmist and said Moscow was shocked by what he called the West's "blindness" when it came to assessing the real situation on the ground.More than 80,000 civilians, including tens of thousands of children, had been able to access Russian humanitarian aid in the form of water, food and medical aid as a result of the military breakthrough, he said."These Syrians were used as human shields for long years in Aleppo by terrorists of all allegiances," said Konashenkov. President Vladimir Putin ordered the defence ministry and the emergency situations ministry to urgently dispatch mobile field hospitals to Aleppo to help wounded civilians.Russia's ceasefire monitoring centre said 507 rebels had laid down their arms in recent days. It said 484 rebels who were local residents had immediately been pardoned in line with an earlier order by Assad. (Additional reporting by Katya Golubkova and Alexander Winning) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. BEIJING China's government hopes Hong Kong will oppose independence, a top Communist Party official said on Tuesday in a meeting with a pro-Beijing group from the southern financial hub.Chinese leaders are concerned about a fledgling independence movement in the former British colony that returned to mainland rule in 1997 with a promise of autonomy, and recent protests in the city.The comments by Zhang Dejiang, the most senior Chinese official responsible for Hong Kong affairs, come after Beijing staged a rare interpretation of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, this month to effectively bar pro-independence city lawmakers from taking office there.China's central government "hopes Hong Kong compatriots can clearly oppose Hong Kong independence, jointly safeguard Hong Kong's social and political stability" and "amass popular sentiment to seek development and promote harmony", Zhang told a delegation from a group called Silent Majority for Hong Kong.Zhang, who also heads China's parliament and is the third most senior Communist Party official, told the group in Beijing that China would safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests. Hong Kong's High Court this month backed a government demand to bar two recently elected lawmakers from the city's legislature, after the court and Beijing both ruled they had insulted China with gestures of protest when taking their oath of office.Before the ruling, about 2,000 lawyers protested against Beijing stepping in and interpreting the city's mini-constitution in the middle of the lawsuit, which they said interfered with judicial independence. President Xi Jinping last week told Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying he should uphold national unity and maintain social and political stability. Earlier in November, Xi said China would never allow any part of its territory to break away. Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems" agreement that ensured its freedoms and wide-ranging autonomy, including a separate legal system.But Communist Party rulers in Beijing have ultimate control, and some Hong Kong people are concerned they are increasingly interfering to head off dissent. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Canberra: A former law firm receptionist who left school at 15 was on Tuesday named the first woman to become Australia's highest ranking judge. High Court Justice Susan Kiefel, 62, will in January become the senior judge on the seven-judge bench with the retirement of Chief Justice Robert French, the government said. She will become the 13th Chief Justice of Australia since the court first sat in 1903. In announcing her appointment, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described Kiefel as an inspiration and a reminder to lawyers that their own office secretary might one day become Australia's most senior judge. Kiefel cautioned against others making the same early life choices. She quit a government school in Brisbane to learn secretarial skills at a technical college. She then held down full-time jobs while completing high school and studying law at night. "I didn't like school and I didn't think I was being told what opportunities there were out there," she said Tuesday. "I thought it was best to get out in the world and find out what career opportunities there were." "I would definitely counsel anyone against it. Working full-time and studying at night and not having holidays for five years is not to be recommended," she said. Kiefel earned a Master of Laws at the University of Cambridge in Britain before returning to her home state where in 1993 she became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland state. Kiefel is currently one of three women on the High Court bench and the longest serving judge after French. By Steve Holland | NEW YORK NEW YORK U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named a vociferous critic of Obamacare and a health policy expert to key appointments on Tuesday to help him repeal and replace President Barack Obama's signature healthcare programme.Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopaedic surgeon from Georgia, will be Trump's Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, and Seema Verma, the founder of a health policy consulting company, will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is part of HHS and which oversees government health programs for the poor and the elderly and insurance standards.Vice President-elect Mike Pence, arriving at Trump Tower in New York, promised a "busy day" as the transition team continues filling key positions. Trump, a Republican, plans to announce his choice of Elaine Chao, who was labour secretary under President George W. Bush, to serve as secretary of transportation, according to two sources familiar with the decision.Trump cast Price and Verma as a "dream team" to help him once he takes office on Jan. 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare, the health law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Since its enactment in 2010, it has been a target of Republican attacks.Price has characterized Obamacare as "doing real harm to American families" and has co-sponsored legislation to replace it.Verma helped Pence, the Indiana governor, add conservative pieces to Medicaid coverage for the state's poor by requiring beneficiaries to make contributions to health savings accounts. She also worked on Medicaid reform programs in Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.Chuck Schumer, a top Senate Democrat, was among defenders of the law who criticized Price's selection. "Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house," Schumer said. The 2010 healthcare overhaul, aimed at expanding insurance coverage to millions more Americans, triggered a long, bitter fight between the White House and congressional Republicans, who said it created unwarranted government intervention in personal healthcare and private industry.Trump has said he will replace Obamacare with a plan to give states more control over the Medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally.Both Price and Verma will need Senate confirmation. Congressional approval will be needed to repeal and change the health law. TACKLING OBAMACARE White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Tuesday said Obamacare expanded coverage to millions of Americans, boosted consumer protections and shored up the finances of the Medicare programme for the elderly. "We'll see if Trump care measures up," he said.Trump said after meeting with Obama following his Nov. 8 election victory that he would consider keeping the provisions of the healthcare law that let parents keep adult children up to age 26 on their insurance policies and that bar insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions.Price, an early Trump supporter in the U.S. House of Representatives who leads the budget committee, has proposed a plan that would create age-based tax credits for people who buy insurance coverage on their own. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Tuesday the eventual congressional plan to replace Obamacare would likely have much in common with Price's ideas.Price's plan would also roll back the 2010 law's expansion of Medicaid for low-income people, a change that helped Obamacare cut the number of uninsured Americans from 49 million in 2010 to 29 million in 2015. Trump vowed on the campaign trail to "save" Medicare, but Democrats said Price's plans could amount to privatising the government programme for the elderly. Price has endorsed converting Medicare from a programme that covers set benefits to a voucher-style programme to help people buy coverage."I worry about Medicare. It's one of the most successful programs we have," Schumer said in a Senate hallway on Tuesday.Democrats also criticized the pick because Price has supported barring federal funds for Planned Parenthood, which provides some abortions in addition to birth control, health exams and other services.Any major changes to health laws would have to come from Congress, but the new administration could in the meantime choose how to enforce existing provisions, such as by expanding exemptions for employers who do not want to cover birth control, said Gretchen Borchelt of the National Women's Law Center. MORE CABINET PICKS Trump's work to fill his administration was accompanied by a series of controversial tweets targeting efforts to recount the presidential vote, and on Tuesday, calling to make burning the U.S. flag a crime. The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag burning is protected speech under the Constitution's First Amendment.Trump has met with about 70 people as he looks to shape his White House and Cabinet team. Chao, his pick for transportation secretary, was the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position, as labour secretary. She is married to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.Trump is still considering options for three major positions: the secretaries of state, defence and Treasury.Trump saw retired General David Petraeus, a potential candidate for the State Department or the Pentagon, on Monday. On Tuesday, he plans to meet with Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a transition official said. He will have dinner with Mitt Romney.Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, Corker and Giuliani are all in the running for secretary of state.Trump was also set to launch a "thank you tour" to states he won in the election, starting with a rally Thursday in Cincinnati, aides said. (Additional reporting by Lawrence Hurley, David Shepardson, Susan Cornwell and Roberta Rampton in Washington and Jilian Mincer in New York; Writing by Susan Heavey and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Steve Holland | NEW YORK NEW YORK U.S. President-elect Donald Trump named a vociferous critic of Obamacare and a health policy expert on Tuesday to help him repeal and replace President Barack Obama's signature healthcare programme.Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopaedic surgeon from Georgia, will be Trump's Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, and consultant Seema Verma will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a powerful agency that oversees government health programs and insurance standards.Vice President-elect Mike Pence, arriving at Trump Tower in New York, promised a "busy day" as the team continues filling key positions. The president-elect plans to announce his choice of former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to serve as secretary of transportation, according to two sources familiar with the decision.Trump, a Republican, cast Price and Verma as a "dream team" to help him once he takes office on Jan. 20 with his campaign pledge to repeal Obamacare, the health law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Since its enactment in 2010, it has been a target of Republican attacks.Defenders of Obamacare, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, said Price was too extreme. Democrats also criticized the pick because Price has supported barring federal funds for Planned Parenthood, which provides some abortions in addition to birth control, health exams and other services."Nominating Congressman Price to be the HHS secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house," Schumer said. The 2010 healthcare overhaul, aimed at expanding insurance coverage to millions more Americans, triggered a long, bitter fight between the White House and congressional Republicans, who said it created unwarranted government intervention in personal healthcare and private industry.Trump has said he will replace Obamacare with a plan to give states more control over the Medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally.Both Price and Verma will need Senate confirmation in their positions, and the Trump administration will need congressional approval to repeal and change the health law. TACKLING OBAMACARE White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Tuesday said Obamacare expanded coverage to millions of Americans, boosted consumer protections and shored up the finances of the Medicare programme for the elderly. "We'll see if Trump care measures up," Earnest said.Trump had appeared to soften somewhat on Obamacare after meeting with the president following his Nov. 8 election victor, saying he would consider keeping some provisions that let parents keep adult children up to age 26 on insurance policies and bar insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions.But Price, an early Trump supporter in the U.S. House of Representatives who leads the budget committee, is a staunch critic, and congressional Republicans have drawn on his ideas for eliminating Obamacare. His plan would create age-based tax credits for people who buy insurance coverage on their own. It would also boost health savings accounts and give states money to create high-risk pools for people who cannot obtain insurance because of pre-existing conditions.Price would also roll back the 2010 law's expansion of Medicaid for low-income people, a change that helped Obamacare cut the number of uninsured Americans from 49 million in 2010 to 29 million in 2015. Verma helped Pence, the Indiana governor, add conservative pieces to Medicaid coverage for the state's poor by requiring beneficiaries to make contributions to health savings accounts.Any major changes to Obamacare would have to come from Congress, but the new administration could in the meantime choose how to enforce existing provisions, such as by expanding exemptions for employers who do not want to cover birth control, said Gretchen Borchelt of the National Women's Law Center. MORE CABINET PICKS Trump's work to fill his administration was accompanied by a series of controversial tweets targeting efforts to recount the presidential vote and, on Tuesday, calling for burning the U.S. flag to be a crime. The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag burning is protected speech under the Constitution's First Amendment.Trump has met with about 70 people as he looks to shape his White House and Cabinet team. Chao, his pick for transportation secretary, was the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position as labour secretary. She is married to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.Trump is still considering options for three major positions: the secretaries of state, defence and Treasury.Trump saw retired General David Petraeus, a potential candidate for the State Department or the Pentagon, on Monday. On Tuesday, he plans to meet with U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a transition official said. He will have dinner with Mitt Romney.Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, Corker and Giuliani are all in the running for secretary of state.Trump was also set to launch a "thank you tour" to states he won in the election, starting with a rally Thursday in Cincinnati, aides said. (Addtional reporting by Lawrence Hurley, David Shepardson and Roberta Rampton in Washington and Jillian Mincer in New York; Writing by Susan Heavey and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Frances Kerry and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Steve Holland and Melissa Fares | NEW YORK NEW YORK President-elect Donald Trump stepped up his search on Monday for a new U.S. secretary of state, with the focus on David Petraeus, a former U.S. military commander in Iraq whose mishandling of classified information led to his resignation as CIA chief in 2012. "Just met with General Petraeus--was very impressed!" Trump said on Twitter shortly after Petraeus, a retired general, left an hour-long meeting with the Republican winner of the Nov. 8 election at Trump Tower in Manhattan.Trump's consideration of Petraeus, who has also been mentioned as a contender for the top job at the Pentagon - adds a new layer of drama to his unusually public deliberations over the top diplomatic job for his administration. Petraeus, who led international forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was sentenced to two years' probation and fined $100,000 last year for the unauthorised removal and retention of classified information.He admitted sharing classified information with his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. The scandal forced Petraeus to resign from the CIA in 2012.Petraeus said after meeting Trump that the New York businessman "basically walked us around the world" in their discussion. "He showed a great grasp of the variety of challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well," Petraeus told reporters.Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, plans to hold talks with Mitt Romney on Tuesday in his second recent meeting with the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.A Republican source close to the transition team said it had appeared late last week that Trump was leaning toward choosing Romney as his secretary of state but that the appearance of Petraeus at Trump Tower suggested the president-elect was still undecided and casting a wider net for the position. U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani are also in the mix for the job of America's top diplomat, Trump aides say.Frances Townsend, a national security aide during the administration of Republican President George W. Bush, also met Trump on Monday.PETRAEUS TROUBLES Petraeus' past mishandling of classified documents is unlikely to be an obstacle to Trump offering him a top government post, said a source who has advised the transition team on national security. That is despite Trump harshly criticizing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during the election campaign for using a private email server while she was secretary of state.Trump often compared the prosecution of Petraeus with the lack of legal action against Clinton, who was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation but never charged with any offence."Just based on his public statements, I think (Trump) sees Petraeus as a good man who made a mistake, who did a fraction of what other people have done and received a lot more punishment," Among the Trump transition team, Petraeus and Romney are supported by Republicans looking for a candidate with gravitas who can unify the party, the source said. Giuliani is favoured by loyalists who worked on the election campaign. Kellyanne Conway, his campaign manager, has said Romney would cause a backlash among his supporters.Ideological conservatives hope Trump picks John Bolton, the former ambassador to the United Nations, the source said. Corker is well regarded, but some in the Trump camp do not want too many senators coming into the Cabinet, the source said.Trump arrived back in New York on Sunday after several days in Florida for Thanksgiving. He caused a stir on Sunday when he alleged on Twitter that serious voter fraud had occurred in the presidential election in New Hampshire, Virginia, and California - states won by Clinton - but provided no evidence to back his assertion.The White House said on Monday there had been no evidence of widespread election fraud in the presidential contest, and all three states rejected Trump's allegation. New Hampshire's deputy secretary of state, David Scanlan, said: Theres no evidence that weve seen that supports claims like that. Voter fraud does occur, but it occurs in isolated instances.California Secretary of State Alex Padilla called Trump's allegations unsubstantiated and Virginia Commissioner of Elections Edgardo Cortes said they were unfounded. (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington and Julia Harte in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. United Nations: The United Nations is readying tighter sanctions on North Korea that would limit its coal exports to China, in response to Pyongyang's fifth and biggest nuclear test, US diplomats said Monday. The resolution, spearheaded by the United States and negotiated with Beijing for three months, should go to a Security Council vote early Wednesday, according to diplomats who expect it will pass. "This resolution would impose a hard, binding cap that will cut the DPRK's coal exports, which are its largest single source of external revenues, by more than 60 percent," said a US official familiar with the text, using the formal acronym for the North. The tightening aims to cut $700 million from Pyongyang's coal earnings -- or a 62 percent reduction from last year. "It would dramatically reduce the regime's access to hard currency used for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs," the diplomat stressed. "We do not claim that this resolution is going to cause the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons program... but this resolution would make it significantly more difficult." And China, North Korea's lone ally, is also among the few potential markets for that coal. The draft text says that the Council "condemns in the strongest terms" the North's 9 September test. Pyongyang claimed at the time it had made major strides in its efforts to fit a miniaturised warhead on a rocket that could reach the United States. "The measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DPRK," the draft text adds. US President Barack Obama reportedly told his incoming successor Donald Trump that confronting the nuclear threat from North Korea represents the top US national security priority. The reclusive regime has carried out more than 20 missile tests this year, one of which reached Japanese-controlled waters after a launch in August. By Ulf Laessing | MOSUL, Iraq MOSUL, Iraq Water supplies to about 650,000 residents of the Iraqi city of Mosul have been cut off after a pipeline was hit during fighting between the army and Islamic State militants, a local official said on Tuesday."The maintenance team cannot reach the pipeline because it lies in an area being fought over," Hussam al-Abar, a member of Mosul's Nineveh provincial council, told Reuters in one of the 15 districts and suburbs of the city where running water ceased.The news is a blow to authorities hoping that residents will stay in Mosul while U.S.-backed troops try to crush Islamic State in northern Iraq's largest city, which the militants seized in 2014."There is a big shortage of drinking water," Abar said. "We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe." Authorities were sending some 70 tank water trucks a day to areas controlled by the army but this would not be enough to supply residents, he said, adding that Islamic State had attacked some of the trucks."Basic services such as water, electricity, health, food are non-existent (in Mosul)," he said, standing in an eastern suburb while mortars fired inside the city.Six weeks after Iraq launched its military offensive to retake Mosul, the army's elite counter terrorism units have retaken about a quarter of the city as they advance from the east towards the Tigris river that runs through the centre. Some 1.5 million people were still inside Mosul, Abar said. "We need the help of international organisations for the hospitals. We have people wounded from suicide bombings and rocket attacks from Daesh who need treatment."Abar tried to calm angry people, many of whom had been displaced from inside Mosul, who approached him as he arrived at a field hospital. "We don't have water, food, electricity," said Nadim Shibab, one of the displaced people. "Nothing, nothing, no life."Humanitarian workers said on Tuesday a full siege was developing in Mosul as poor families struggle to feed themselves after prices rose sharply in tandem with the U.S.-backed offensive to recapture the city. [nL8N1DU27E] (Editing by Dominic Evans/Mark Heinrich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Reliance Jio Infocomm, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed record 50 million subscribers in 83 days of its commercial operations, according to sources. The company has added 1,000 customers per minute and 6 lakh per day. Last month the company officially announced that it added record 16 million new subscribers in 26 days of launch. It launched 4G services for its employees in December last year and it officially launched for all on September 5th. The company already said that it is aiming to reach 100 million subscribers at the earliest. We should know the official count in 2017. Also it is not clear if all these subscribers will continue using the service after the welcome offer ends. Airtel took 12 years to cross 50 million subscribers, while Vodafone and Idea took 13 years each. According to latest COAIs monthly GSM mobile subscribers report, Airtel has 262.67 million mobile subscribers, followed closely by Vodafone with 201.90 million subscribers and Idea Cellular with 180.25 million subscribers. As a part of Jio welcome offer, all the trial and new users get free Data, Voice, Video and the full bouquet of Jio applications and content till December 31st 2016. Jios 4G network covers 18,000 cities and towns, and over 2 lakh villages. By March 2017 it will cover 90% of Indias population, the company had said at the launch. As the company promised at the launch, it has introduced Aadhaar-based paper-less eKYC Jio SIM activation across 3,100 cities and towns. This allows customers carrying an Aadhaar card walk into a Jio store and get a working connection within 15 minutes. Cyanogen is said to be considering shutting down its headquarters in Seattle. Moreover, the company is also planning to announce second round of layoff, according to a report from Android Police. Citing source familiar with the matter, the report said Cyanogen co-founder Steve Kondiks future at the company is unknown. The company is also reportedly giving select employees an option to move to the Palo Alto office which is smaller than the Seattle office. Earlier this year in July, Cyanogen laid off 30 out of the 136 employees which is about 20% of its workforce. The company also reshuffled its top level workforce where Kondik was removed from the board and was made the Chief Science Officer from the CTO. Cyanogen switched its strategy away from OS development to focus on apps. It launched MOD platform for Android devices in February this year that allows developers to deeply integrate their apps into its OS. Via Nokia has teamed up with telecom operator Elisa to deploy its voice over (VoLTE) and Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) technology in Finland. This will enable Elisa to enhance the quality of its mobile voice services across the country. Elisas customers will also be able to experience faster call connectivity while high 4G data speeds. The addition of Voice over Wi-Fi will allow Elisa customers to use any Wi-Fi access point for voice calling in areas where mobile coverage may be limited, such as inside buildings. These technologies also support video calls over both the 4G and Wi-Fi connections. Nokia has enabled the services using its cloud-based IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core, which also includes Nokias Telecom Application Server (TAS). Elisa can deliver all call features demanded by its customers over the LTE network by deploying the Nokia TAS. Sami Komulainen, Vice Precident, Mobile Network Services of Elisa said, The newly launched Wi-Fi and 4G calling capability is a great extension to our existing mobile communication services. Mobile reception problems in low-energy houses and old buildings with thick walls are quite typical. Taking new technologies into use helps us to provide our customers with better quality and seamless coverage even in the most challenging places. Tommi Uitto, head of Mobile Networks global product sales at Nokia said, Nokia is a leader in cloud and new generation VoLTE and VoWiFi technologies. By leveraging our technology and services expertise we are able to provide a solution that will allow Elisas customers to benefit from high quality voice calls with faster set-up times as well as a longer battery life compared to using other OTT voice app services. but NOBODY vetted Barack Obama after Barack Obama politicized his own mother's cancer for his own political gain during the 2008 democratic race, and then again in the presidential debates. Did Barack Obama tend to his own mother in any personal way during her last couple of years of life, when she was dying of cancer in Hawaii? If I am wrong, or can be proven wrong about my concern, then I will stand corrected. But until then, the timeline I have been able to put together shows that Barack Obama chose to finish writing his book instead of being with his mother. With apologizes to the filmmaker for politicizing his film,Or, did Barack Obama CHOOSE to fly over Hawaii, where his mother was dying of cancer,so he could go to Bali to finish writing his book about his sperm donor father? This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. Iran and Iraq are resisting pressure from Saudi Arabia to curtail oil production, making it hard for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to reach a deal to limit output and boost the price of crude when it meets on Wednesday. OPEC sources told Reuters a meeting of experts in Vienna on Monday failed to bridge differences between OPEC's de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, and the group's second- and third-largest producers over the mechanics of output cuts. On Tuesday, tensions rose further after Iran wrote to OPEC saying it wanted Saudi Arabia to cut production by as much as 1 million barrels per day (bpd), much more than Riyadh is willing to offer, OPEC sources who saw the letter told Reuters. "It is a response to Saudi telling Iran what to produce," one of the sources said. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told reporters upon arrival in Vienna that he was not prepared to reduce output: "We will leave the level of production (where) we decided in Algeria." OPEC, which accounts for a third of global oil production, made a preliminary agreement in Algiers in September to cap output at around 32.5-33 million bpd versus the current 33.64 million bpd to prop up oil prices, which have halved since mid-2014. OPEC said it would exempt Iran, Libya and Nigeria from cuts as their output has been crimped by unrest and sanctions. The deal was seen as a victory for Iran. Tehran has long argued it wants to raise production to regain market share lost under Western sanctions, when its political arch-rival Saudi Arabia increased output. In recent weeks, Riyadh changed its stance and offered to cut its output by 0.5 million bpd, according to OPEC sources, while suggesting Iran limit production at around 3.8 million bpd - in line with or slightly above the country's current output. Tehran has sent mixed signals, saying it wanted to produce as much as 4.2 million bpd. Iran's letter to OPEC suggested Saudi Arabia should cut output to 9.5 million bpd. Iraq has also been pressing for higher output limits, saying it needs more money to fight the militant group Islamic State. Iran and Iraq together produce over 8 million bpd, only slightly behind long-time leader Saudi with 10.5 million bpd. The argument between Iraq and Saudi Arabia mainly focuses on whether Baghdad should use its own output estimates to limit production or rely on lower figures from OPEC's experts. As tensions within OPEC mounted, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said at the weekend that oil markets would rebalance even without an output-limiting pact. He had previously said Riyadh was keen for a deal. One of Saudi Arabia's main allies, UAE Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui, said on Tuesday the market would indeed rebalance itself within six months although an output deal would help speed the process. Falih landed in Vienna on Tuesday evening, leaving little time for traditional pre-meeting discussions with other ministers. "The feeling today is mixed," Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the prospects of a deal. "I don't know. Let's see." Documents prepared for Wednesday's meeting propose the group cut production by 1.2 million bpd from October levels, an OPEC source familiar with the papers said. The papers also propose Saudi Arabia reduce production to 10.07 million bpd from 10.54 million bpd in October and that Iran freeze output at 3.797 million bpd, according to the source. OPEC delayed the start of Wednesday's formal talks by one hour to 1000 GMT (5.00 a.m. ET), a schedule posted on its website showed. Additionally, OPEC ministers will meet informally at 0700 GMT on Wednesday before the formal talks, an OPEC source said. GOLDMAN SEES DEFICIT Brent crude was down more than 4 percent, near $46 a barrel, after the Indonesian and Iranian comments. [O/R] Some analysts including Morgan Stanley and Macquarie have said oil prices will correct sharply if OPEC fails to reach a deal, potentially going as low as $35 per barrel. Goldman Sachs, one of the most active banks in oil trading, said it saw prices averaging $45 a barrel until mid-2017 even without any OPEC deal and added the market was likely to move into a deficit in the second half of 2017. A year ago, Goldman was saying a global glut would push oil prices to around $20. Prices fell to multi-year lows of $27 per barrel in January 2016. Besides disagreements with Iran and Iraq, Saudi Arabia has also signaled it was unhappy with Russia's position. Oil ministers from OPEC members Algeria and Venezuela traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to try to persuade non-OPEC Russia to take part in cuts instead of merely freezing output, which has reached new highs in the past year. They made no comment as they emerged from their meeting. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he had no plan to travel to Vienna but could meet OPEC once it reaches a deal. (Additional reporting by Rania El Gamal and Alex Lawler; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson) Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. There has never been a better time to be an investor. Online discount brokerages like TD Ameritrade and Vanguard make it easier than ever before to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds from your computer or mobile device. TD Ameritrade and Vanguard are two of the most popular brokers for long-term investors, so here's what you should know before opening a brokerage account with either company. Trading costs Investors today have it much better than they did just a decade ago. Trading costs and commissions are becoming smaller and smaller with each passing day.Below are standard trading commissions for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds at TD Ameritrade and Vanguard. Data source: Company websites. Note that you may qualify for volume- and loyalty-based discounts at either brokerage based on how much you trade, how much you have in your account, or how much you have invested in the company's own funds and ETFs.Both TD Ameritrade and Vanguard have some commission-free funds and ETFs, as well as brokerage special offers and IRA account special offers that can further reduce your actual trading costs. Commission-free funds and trades Brokerages are increasingly giving investors the ability to buy and sell funds for free. TD Ameritrade and Vanguard both offer commission-free trades in a number of mutual funds and ETFs. 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Getting to the bottom line For long-term investors, TD Ameritrade and Vanguard have plenty to offer, including inexpensive commissions, numerous no-transaction-fee funds, and plenty of research tools and resources. To be clear: The Motley Fool does not endorse any particular broker. Learn more about online brokerage accounts or open a brokerage account at Fool.com's broker center. A secret billion-dollar stock opportunity The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here. Jordan Wathen has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple, TD Ameritrade, and Twitter. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2018 $90 calls on Apple and short January 2018 $95 calls on Apple. 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 Latest on the protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline (all times local): 5:30 p.m. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple is ordering an emergency evacuation of Dakota Access pipeline protesters who are camping on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. The Republican governor signed the order Monday because of what he calls "harsh winter conditions." The order didn't say what action would be taken for protesters who don't comply, and a spokesman for Dalrymple didn't immediately respond to calls and an email from The Associated Press. The governor's order says the unpermitted camp sites are not zoned for housing suitable for living in winter conditions. Hundreds of people have been gathered at the encampment for months to oppose the four-state, $3.8 billion project, which they contend could affect drinking water and damage cultural sites. The Corps has ordered the protesters to leave federal land, but the Corps says it has no plans to forcibly remove anyone. ___ 2:10 p.m. A government order for protesters of the Dakota Access pipeline to leave federal land could have little immediate effect on the encampment where hundreds of people have been gathered for months to oppose the $3.8 billion project. A North Dakota sheriff says the deadline is meaningless and serves only to reduce the government's legal responsibility for demonstrators. The Corps says all federal lands north of the Cannonball River will be closed for "safety concerns" starting Dec. 5. The order includes the large encampment known as the Seven Council Fires camp. The agency cited the approach of winter and increasingly contentious clashes between protesters and police. But the Corps says it has no plans to forcibly remove anyone. Violators could be prosecuted for trespassing. When the new year arrives in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the eyes of the nation will be elsewhere. An anticipated big-name concert at Boardwalk Hall that was to be featured in ABC's national New Year's Eve broadcast won't happen. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority says the show was part of the agency's $11.9 million deal to keep the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City but couldn't be finalized due to scheduling and financial concerns. Agency deputy executive director Chris Howard says the kind of A-list entertainers it wanted for Atlantic City weren't available. Dick Clark Productions was to feature an Atlantic City show on its "New Year's Rockin' Eve" broadcast for the next three years. The agency says it's looking to do a big show next year. Image source: Chipotle. Fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) is still reeling from a string of health crises that rocked the company last year. Comparable sales have been down by more than 20% for 10 months in a row, forcing the company to go to great lengths to get customers back into its restaurants. Promotions, including its first-ever loyalty program, have been a mainstay of Chipotle's turnaround effort so far. Chipotle is now starting to lap its awful results over the past year, so its comparable numbers will begin to look better in the coming quarters. The company expects to report high-single-digit comparable sales growth during 2017, a pace that will still leave sales well below pre-crisis levels. I've argued before that Chipotle's turnaround is going to take longer than many are assuming. Next year will be the start, not the end, of Chipotle's comeback. The good news for long-term investors is that time will eventually heal these wounds. Chipotle's crisis will be history 10 years down the line. The company should be much bigger by then, as it continues to grow its store base at a blistering pace. And one of its concept restaurants may eventually grow to become a major chain in its own right. Chipotle will recover. But those expecting a return to the company's heyday, when Chipotle truly had no peer, may be disappointed. More stores Chipotle operated 2,178 restaurants at the end of the third quarter, and it plans to open an additional 195 to 210 restaurants next year. If Chipotle manages to grow its store count by 10% annually over the next decade, its restaurant count would stand at about 5,600 in 10 years. Essentially all of Chipotle's restaurants are in the United States; the company operates just 27 Chipotle locations in international markets. There's still plenty of room to grow in the U.S., particularly because Chipotle is more value-oriented than many of its fast-casual peers. There are more than 14,000 McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. alone. Chipotle's ceiling may be far lower, but the U.S. can likely support thousands of additional locations. In addition to building more U.S. restaurants, Chipotle will likely attempt ramp up its international expansion efforts over the next decade. It has been slow on that front, and it's unclear exactly how well the concept will translate overseas. But the potential is there for thousands of additional locations in international markets. Beyond Chipotle's namesake restaurants, the company is incubating two concepts. Tasty Made, a burger chain with a simple menu, just recently launched its first location. The company has also partnered with Pizzeria Locale, a Colorado chain of pizza restaurants. Chipotle currently operates 15 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, another concept, but the company is backing away from that endeavor after disappointing results. If either Tasty Made or Pizzeria Locale gains traction, hundreds or thousands of additional restaurants could be forthcoming. Never the same Prior to Chipotle's food safety crisis, the company enjoyed incredible margins and intense customer loyalty. It didn't need loyalty programs to drive traffic, and marketing was minimal. During the first nine months of 2015, Chipotle spent just 2.1% of revenue on marketing and promotions. With the company now struggling to increase traffic, promotional spending is soaring. Through the first nine months of 2016, 5.2% of revenue went toward marketing and promotions. Chipotle has given out free food through various initiatives, and it launched a temporary loyalty program during the summer. My suspicion is that the free ride that Chipotle has enjoyed in the past when it came to marketing is over. It is going to have to be more promotional going forward, and that will eat into profitability. Expansion in international markets and these new concepts will require increased marketing as well. None of this is to say that Chipotle can't return to its previous level of profitability, but it won't be easy. The Chipotle of the future will be much larger, with thousands of additional locations, potentially spanning the globe. But the effects of its food safety crisis will linger, tarnishing its brand and forcing the company to work harder to get customers into its restaurants. 10 stocks we like better than Chipotle Mexican Grill When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Chipotle Mexican Grill wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of November 7, 2016 Timothy Green has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Image source: Getty Images. Investors have no doubt been enjoying the meteoric rise of independent oil and gas company Resolute Energy Corporation (NYSE: REN). Meteoric may be an understatement. The stock has gained over 1,000% in the last six months -- nearly enough to reverse an equally impressive collapse that occurred at the end of 2014. At the time, oil prices went cliff diving, taking many oil stocks along for the ride. Today, Resolute Energy Corp a string of good news higher. In addition to rising oil prices, the company has renegotiated off-take deals for more favorable pricing. It has also sold off chunks of assets to pay down debt and double down on the promising potential of the Delaware Basin. The oil formation is part of the Wolfcamp shale, which the U.S. Geological Survey recently estimated could hold 20 billion barrels of oil -- the largest continuous oil play ever in the United States. While the Delaware Basin was excluded from the new estimates, investors are betting that its inclusion in the Wolfcamp bodes well for the company's future. REN data by YCharts. Despite the improvement in operations and the potential Resolute Energy Corp. to take advantage of higher energy prices with its new Delaware Basin assets, investors should take a step back and consider these two signs that now is the time to sell the stock. Dreadful balance sheet Resolute Energy Corp.'s balance sheet at the end of the third quarter of 2016 was a minefield. The debt-to-assets ratio stood at 1.75, meaning the company had $1.75 in debt for every $1 in assets. Shareholders' equity dropped to an all-time low of negative $339 million. To be fair, most balance sheet metrics deteriorated after the company wrote off $628 million in assets last year, but without substantially higher oil prices and production, the company could fall victim to its enormous debt load. The company's debt should be expected to grow as it seeks capital to pay for production increases, but that could be dangerous at currently high levels. In fact, the perilous financial position has already hurt investors since the end of September. Days after the close of the third quarter, Resolute Energy Corp.announced the offering of up to $60 million in preferred stock that yields an 8.125% dividend. While it helped close an acquisition of additional assets in the Delaware Basin, it comes at the steep cost of a relatively high dividend yield and future dilution for existing investors. Will it be worth it? Management has big hopes for its Delaware Basin acres, which could support more than 300 wells at full tilt. While that level of development will take years to achieve, the company is also investing in near-term growth. It will move from nine to 14 wells by the end of this year to provide momentum heading into 2017. It also intends to increase rig count from one to two next year. That said, asset development requires capital expenditures, and capital expenditures have a high cost for Resolute Energy Corp. investors right now. Stock gains are tapped out It seems apparent that the stock has little room to continue rising and is likely very overpriced. Consider that the last time Resolute Energy Corp. traded at current prices, the most recent quarterly results announced were for the second quarter of 2014. A lot has changed since then, and not for the better. Here's how the most recent quarterly results at present stack up against financial metrics from then: Data source: Securities and Exchange Commission filings. That's not a very encouraging comparison. Every important financial metric has deteriorated since the last time the stock was over $30 per share. It doesn't mean all of the recent gains are at risk of being given back, but it hints that investors should consider selling now before the tide rolls out. Regardless of how you feel about the company's future potential, I think this is the strongest sign yet that now is the time to sell Resolute Energy Corp. What does it mean for investors? Rising oil prices and investments in a promising oil play have investors dreaming about an amazing future for Resolute Energy Corp. But a dreadful balance sheet and a stock price that is outpacing financial metrics should provide a gut check. It doesn't mean that the company cannot fight its way back to relevance eventually, but there's a long, long way to go. 10 stocks we like better than Resolute Energy When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Resolute Energy wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of November 7, 2016 Maxx Chatsko has no position in any stocks mentioned. Follow him on Twitterto keep up with developments in engineered biology and materials science. 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. Still got it after all these years There is a reason that ExxonMobil has remained solidly at the top of the oil and gas industry for as long as it has: It is probably the best capital allocator in the business. It is constantly looking to cut costs and increase returns on invested capital, and it has the foresight to invest through the cycle that so many seem to overlook. A great example of this was the news story that for the first time in years ExxonMobil didn't replace all of its production in 2015 with new reserves. Financial pundits and media personalities were quick to give their hot takes that ExxonMobil was losing its edge as a company. Yet so far this year, it has announced the results of a major discovery -- the Liza well off the coast of Guyana -- and an acquisition -- the $2.5 billion purchase of InterOil -- that have combined recoverable resources in the 2.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent. This is more than enough to replace this year's production and cover any shortfalls it had this past year. Even more promising is that the company still has plenty of potential at just these two sites. The area of the exploration block where the Liza well discovery took place is equivalent to the size of Maryland, and the recoverable reserves from InterOil only count two of the company's five exploration sites. These are just a couple of examples of the things that ExxonMobil is working on that should ensure its future success. With the best balance sheet in the business, a stable record of exploration and development to keep the company chugging along for decades, and its track record of high returns; ExxonMobil still has its fastball. That makes today's shares trading at 2.1 times tangible book value -- near the lowest valuation in over 20 years -- look pretty attractive for long term investors. Well positioned for today's (and tomorrow's) market Based on the most recent results from Total and the strategic plan that its management team has put out over the past couple years, it appears that Total is set up best to succeed among the Big Oil companies. The company's large spending push to complete several projects was 2015 and 2016, and it has allowed the company to more quickly respond to the drop in oil prices with cuts to capital spending than the others. It also helped that the completion of those projects over the past 18 months or so have mostly been lower cost sources that have not just increased production, but have been decently profitable in today's low cost oil environment. So while being decently profitable is a big plus, this big wave of project completions does not mean that the company's growth is going to stagnate. Total's management projects that it will increase total oil and gas production by 4% annually between now and 2019, so there is still plenty of room to grow in the next few years, and that doesn't include the major Al-Shaheen contract it won a couple months ago that will add another 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day of very low cost production. Total may not have the reputation that ExxonMobil does, but it does appear to have a very bright future ahead of it. To top it all off, shares look very attractive today with a dividend yield of 5.8% that is a nice cash payment to wait for the oil and gas market to return. Not the safest bet, but could be a big payoff I'll admit that BP is by far the most speculative of these three picks. The company is still grappling with its Gulf of Mexico spill and litigation related costs that won't be going away any time soon, and the company has struggled for many years with maintaining a balance between cash generation, capital spending, and dividend payments. If we start looking toward the future, though, there are some signs that things are getting better, and it makes today's share price look semi-attractive. Every integrated major oil and gas company has an identity to some degree. BP's was that it was deeply rooted in hierarchy and that it was difficult to enact the necessary changes to its cost structure. Recently though, CEO Bob Dudley has done a lot to change that. Today, the company is much more selective about its growth projects and focuses more on higher return production and modest growth rather than lower returns for faster growth. Also, as a means to give the company some more operational flexibility, it has internally spun off its lower 48 US operations -- basically, the part of the business that is pursuing shale -- such that it has the freedom to allocate capital as it sees fit rather than work through the entire BP structure. This could be very helpful for the company as, as we have seen, shale production has a much faster development cycle than deepwater and other traditional oil sources. The ability to more quickly respond to market conditions in this business segment could be helpful in the long term. Overall, though, the important thing is that these moves are leading to lower operations costs and more prudent capital allocation; something BP has needed for years. Based on these new initiatives, BP's management estimates that it should be able to cover its capital spending and dividend payments with oil in the $50-$55 per barrel range in the coming years. If it can fully execute on this plan, then today's share price and the 7.2% dividend yield that comes with it could be promising. 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 Crowefree for 30 daysconsidering a diverse range of insightsdisclosure policy Pershing Square Capital Management, the hedge fund firm run by billionaire William Ackman, is asking the U.S. government that it be exempted from possibly having to return millions of dollars' worth of fees to a state pension fund after a former employee donated $500 to a family friend's political campaign. In a letter made public on Tuesday, Pershing Square detailed the 2013 contribution by a former analyst and asked the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission not to force it to return fees it earned from managing the Massachusetts state pension fund if the regulator should determine that the fund violated campaign finance rules. The matter represents another possible problem for one of the world's most closely watched hedge funds, at a time when it is suffering double-digit losses for the second straight year and investors may be looking for reasons to exit. At issue is a contribution Paul Hilal made when he was a Pershing Square analyst to the campaign of Juliette Kayyem, a Harvard lecturer and security expert, who was running for governor in Massachusetts. Hilal was asked by Kayyem's sister to contribute $500. That is in excess of the $150 people are allowed to give to candidates they cannot vote for. Hilal declined to comment. If Kayyem had been elected governor, she would have been able to appoint members of the state pension fund's board who could vote on which firms should manage the fund's money. Regulators have recently paid more attention to deals that investment firms have made with pension funds in order to try and steer business their way. Pershing Square sent its letter to the SEC in September, months after the regulator asked for information about campaign donations. It is unclear precisely how much in fees is at stake, but based on how much the New York-based firm manages for the state, it could be in the millions. "Causing (Pershing Square Capital Management) to forfeit compensation for the two-year period subsequent to the contribution could result in a financial loss that is thousands of times the amount of the contribution," the firm wrote to the SEC in asking for the exemption. In a statement on Tuesday, Pershing Square called the improper donation "an unintended violation," and said it takes compliance very seriously. The SEC declined to comment. "A former employee made a $500 campaign contribution to his friend's sister's unsuccessful primary campaign in an unintended violation of our compliance policies," Pershing said in its statement. "The donation was $350 in excess of the allowable contribution. The donation has since been returned." To the best of the firm's knowledge, Hilal had no contact with the Massachusetts state pension fund whilst he was an employee of Pershing Square, the hedge fund said. The firm is now prohibiting all donations to local and state races and requiring employees to certify contributions four times a year instead of once a year. No one ever accused business development companies (BDCs) of being easy to understand. Listen as Industry Focusanalysts Kristine Harjes and Gaby Lapera try to demystify BDCs with pizza and mutual funds. 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 Nov. 16, 2016. Kristine Harjes: Turning to the financials world, I feel like it gets a lot hairier. Gaby Lapera:It can, definitely. You have a ton of regular type companies in the financials world, like banks and insurance companies and stuff like that, that do this what I like to call "the normal way," the way that Kristine just described. But then there's other companies. We'vediscussed these companies before. A great example of them is a BDC, which is a business development company. When you think about a BDC, think of them as a venture capitalist that you can buy shares of. Instead of youpersonally going out and saying, "Iwould like to investin your pizza delivery company," you would invest in the BDC, who would then give money to the pizza delivery company. Obviously, you can't buy shares of private equity firms, because they'reprivateequity firms.BDCs are really interesting because they're closed-end funds, which means they can't accept new investments all the time. Harjes:What do you mean by that? Lapera:Imagine you have a mutual fund, and you give the mutual fund $1,000 of your money. You can go to the mutual fund any time and say, "I want my $1,000 back," or, "I want to give you an extra $1,000," and the mutual fund says, "Great, totally fine, here's your $1,000 back." You can't do that with BDCs. The only way to get your money in and out of the BDC is just to buy or sell the shares that are on the exchange. That's because BDCs typically invest in the debt or equity of really small private companies -- back to this single pizza store in Washington, D.C., or ajewelry store in Idaho, or a mattress company. I don't know why, but BDCs lovemattress companies. Theproblem with that is that if you have the debtof a very small company,it's really difficult to buy or sell those companiesor the debt on thosecompanies, because not a lot of people want it. So if an investor were able to just come up to the BDC and say, "Hey,I want my $1,000 back," or, in this case, maybe "I want my $100,000 back," the BDC might not have the cash on hand to give it back to them, which is why they issue shares instead. That's why BDCs have shares to begin with,as opposed to a mutual fund. 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. Michigan could provide up to $250 million in annual tax incentives to attract larger-scale business expansion under fast-tracked legislation backed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who generally has been skeptical of such breaks. Steve Arwood, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., told lawmakers Tuesday that the state's economic "fundamentals" are strong, but "this is a competitive game" and Michigan cannot afford to miss deals that other states are aggressively seeking. The bipartisan bills , which were approved unanimously by a Senate committee and were expected to win Senate approval later in the day, would authorize the Michigan Strategic Fund to allow qualified companies to keep a portion of income tax withholdings for 10 years. The businesses would have to create at least 500 new jobs or, if they pay a wage that is at least 125 percent of the national average wage, at least 250 jobs. The move comes more than a year after the Republican governor and legislators ended cash incentives for the movie industry and were forced to unexpectedly cut spending because companies began redeeming larger-than-expected refundable tax credits awarded under the state's previous economic development program. Michigan stopped issuing new business tax credits beginning in 2012 under a tax overhaul instead favoring direct cash grants and loans but is still liable for old ones worth billions of dollars. Arwood said the legislation is a "very responsible approach" with a $250 million annual cap on foregone tax revenue, and is intended to be a "limited-use" program when the state needs "something extra" for large projects. "The jobs would not be here without the incentives," said Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, a sponsor of one bill. "I truly believe the package of bills will put Michigan at a more competitive advantage in attracting new jobs while being very transparent." He said nearby states such as Ohio and Indiana offer incentives worth up to seven times more, and Michigan is among just two states with a corporate income tax that provides for no tax credit or abatement program. James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank in Midland, criticized the new bills and noted that lawmakers have become more suspicious of such incentives. "The justification for business subsidy programs have always been on thin ice and Michigan's spending has a dubious record," he said in an email. "It gives lawmakers the ability to spend taxpayer dollars supporting the businesses of their choosing, with little accountability for the results. We should rescind the programs we already have, not add more of them." Another bill passed by the Senate Economic Development and International Investment Committee would change Michigan's current incentives to let businesses in border counties count jobs filled by out-of-state residents. The GOP-controlled Senate on Tuesday also planned to pass bills pushed by Detroit businessman Dan Gilbert and local economic development agencies that would allow developers to keep new sales and income tax money generated from developing future "transformational" projects on contaminated brownfield sites. The tax capture would be capped at $50 million annually. Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, said the "urban renewal" package which does not yet have Snyder's endorsement will be changed in the House, but he wanted to move it forward because the two-year legislative session is almost over. "The developer puts the key in the door and we just help turn that key," said Horn, a bill sponsor. "The developer still has to open the door and every penny is still the risk of the developer. ... I can't think of any better way to get people and jobs back into downtown areas." ___ Follow David Eggert on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/author/david-eggert . The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) may be on the brink of coordinating its first production cut since the 2008 global financial crisis. If the oil cartel makes its play to boost prices, consumers will likely feel the impact. OPECs 14 members are scheduled to meet in Vienna on Nov. 30 to decide whether to reduce their oil output, which hit a new record of 33.6 billion barrels per day in October. The group announced framework for a deal in September, saying it would pursue a production target of 32.5 million to 33 million barrels of crude a day. Officials anticipated working out the details ahead of Wednesdays meeting, but many obstacles remain. If the meeting results in production cuts, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) believes it could prove to be one of the most important events for the oil market since the North American shale oil boom, analysts at the investment bank wrote in a research note. The shale revolution was the primary catalyst for the sharp decline in oil and natural gas prices beginning in 2014. As a result, drivers saw the lowest prices at the pump in more than a decade, and homeowners benefited from cheaper heating oil. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.12, according to GasBuddy.com. Exactly four years ago, pump prices averaged $3.41 a gallon. Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, noted that oil traders seem doubtful that a meaningful decision from OPEC is on the horizon. He added that gasoline prices recorded a monthly gain in December just once in the last four years. Consumers also have saved on other fuels like heating oil, which dropped from a February 2014 peak of $4.24 a gallon to about $2.37 a gallon in October, the most recent month of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil prices swung higher on Monday in anticipation of the meeting, as traders tried to read the tea leaves and predict if OPEC will, in fact, cut production. But consumers shouldnt be too concerned that fuel savings wont last, given the latest reports and analyst predictions. Multiple reports late Monday indicated that OPEC officials closed the day without making any progress in their talks. Saudi Arabia, OPECs largest member, is reportedly backing a plan to make steep cuts. However, Iran and Russia are wildcards in the negotiations. Iran has been intent on keeping its oil flowing ever since the U.S. and European Union lifted economic sanctions on the country early this year. Some members also want Russia, the largest oil producer outside of OPEC, to be part of a coordinated effort to limit drilling activity. So far, Russia has expressed a willingness to only freeze production at current levels, rather than partake in a coordinated pullback. Meanwhile, Libya and Nigeria are exempt from any broad agreement for cuts hammered out in Vienna, and Iraq has suggested that it should also be exempt considering its ongoing fight against ISIS. The odds of a deal are fairly uncertain. Either way, analysts are questioning exactly how much an OPEC supply cut will actually impact the global market. OPEC has flooded the market with crude in an attempt to keep pace with U.S. companies that struck gold in shale plays, such as the Bakken in North Dakota. The group has produced oil at record highs in recent months, so anything but a significant reduction isnt expected to make more than a dent. Consider that OPECs September framework called for a cut of 200,000 to 700,000 barrels a day based on production levels at that time, far below OPECs last cut of 4.2 million barrels a day in 2008. Also, the initial production target reflects at least a 2.2% increase over OPECs average 2015 output of 31.8 million barrels a day. Even if OPEC makes a big cut, a subsequent rebound in oil prices could encourage drillers, particularly American shale producers, to reawaken rigs that were idled during the markets prolonged slump. There are 593 active rigs in the U.S., down 151 from last year, according to the latest tally from Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI). Damien Courvalin, head of energy commodities research at Goldman Sachs, believes any move to limit the oil glut in the short term wont alter the industrys general course. In other words, the flow of oil from shale and other sources will continue to keep a lid on prices. Goldman Sachs is forecasting peak Brent prices of $55 a barrel during the first half of 2017, about 13% higher than Mondays rate. We continue to think that the structural shift in oil enabled by U.S. shale will keep oil prices lower for longer, Courvalin wrote in a note to clients, adding that shale firms can quickly ramp up production if prices permit. At $55/bbl, we would also expect greater spending on existing producing assets elsewhere, another short-cycle source of supply. U.S. oil futures settled 2.2% higher at $47.08 a barrel on Monday. West Texas Intermediate crude, which touched a 52-week high of $51.60 a barrel in October, has retreated in four of the past five weeks. Image source: Getty Images. A dream stock for any dividend seeker would meet three criteria. It would pay a generous current dividend, which it supports with strong financials, and has clear visibility to increase the payout in the future. While several energy stocks meet some, or all, of this criteria, the best of the bunch is Canadian energy infrastructure giant Enbridge (NYSE: ENB). Here's why. An above average yield As the following chart shows, Enbridge's current dividend rate is solidcompared to others in the energy sector, and well above the market's average: Data source: Yahoo! Finance. While its current yield is not as high as some other energy stocks, especially MLPs like Enterprise Products Partners, that is by design. For perspective, Enterprise Products Partners typically pays out roughly two-thirds of its cash flow to investors while Enbridge only pays out about half of its annual cash flow. That decision to retain a substantial portion of cash flow is one reason why Enbridge has not only maintained its payout during the oil market downturn but increased it. Contrast this with Williams Companies and Kinder Morgan, which both had to significantly reduce their payouts because they had been paying out nearly every dollar they brought in. Rock solid financials Another reason why Enbridge has been able to maintain its payout is due to its strong underlying financials. Currently, 96% of the company's cash flow comes from take-or-pay or similar contracts, while less than 5% of its cash flow has any volume or commodity price risk, which leads to very stable cash flow. Contrast this with Kinder Morgan, for example, which gets 91% of its income from fee-based sources, though only 67% is from take-or-pay contracts, while 9% has direct commodity price exposure. That contract situation caused a bit more volatility in Kinder Morgan's cash flow during the downturn. Meanwhile, commodity price exposure is par for the course at oil giants like Exxon, which creates significant volatility in cash flow. Another pillar of strength at Enbridge is its balance sheet, evidenced by a strong investment-grade credit rating of Baa2/BBB/BBB+. Contrast that rating with Williams Companies, which at Ba2/BB has junk-rated credit while Kinder Morgan's Baa3/BBB- rating is at the bottom rung of investment grade. Those weaker credit ratings are another reason why both companies had to cut their dividends during the downturn and divert some of that cash to bolster their balance sheets. An excellent growth profile Enbridge's robust current yield and solid underlying financials make it a good income stock for today. However, what really sets it apart is its growth potential, which will turn it into an outstanding dividend stock in the future. As the following chart shows, the company boasts unrivaled dividend growth, supported by a gargantuan project backlog: Data sources: Company press releases and investors presentations. Most energy companies do not have much, if any, visibility on future dividend increases due to the oil market downturn or internal financial problems. Not so with Enbridge, which firmly believes it can deliver low double-digit dividend growth for nearly a decade. That is not just a stretch goal but supported by the fact that Enbridge has an industry-leading backlog of fee-based projects in development along with an enormous supply of potential projects lined up to drive growth early next decade. Investor takeaway Enbridge might not have the highest yield in the sector at the moment, but it has one of the best overall payouts thanks to its secure cash flow, relatively low payout ratio, and strong balance sheet. Further, what takes it to the next level is its growth potential, which is simply unrivaled in the sector. These factors combine to make Enbridge the best energy dividend stock to buy right now. 10 stocks we like better than Enbridge When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Enbridge wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of November 7, 2016 Matt DiLallo owns shares of Enterprise Products Partners and Kinder Morgan and has the following options: short January 2018 $30 puts on Kinder Morgan and long January 2018 $30 calls on Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool owns shares of ExxonMobil. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron and Enterprise Products Partners. 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 lame-duck Congress has set forth its final agenda items under President Obama, as lawmakers attempt to meet the Dec. 9th spending legislation deadline. But how much of that agenda will be approved as Republicans are set to assume control of the executive branch come January? President-elect Donald Trump has proposed a $1 trillion infrastructure spending plan to be rolled out over the next 10 years. In an interview with FOX Business Networks Countdown to the Closing Bell, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) said a conservative House will never pass a $1T infrastructure program. [Congress is] not going to spend that kind of money. If they wanted to spend that kind of money on infrastructure they would have voted on President Obamas stimulus package, DeLay said. DeLay, who became the Republican majority leader of the House in 2003, and was known as The Hammer for his political style, said the Federal government has no business involving itself in running local airports and transit systems. The federal government has a constitutional duty for interstate highways and interstate transportation systems, then maybe you can make a case for airports. But, the biggest problemis federal government regulations, he said. According DeLay, increasing infrastructure spending wont stop federal regulations from creating a road block and preventing projects from meeting their completion dates. Do you realize it takes 10 years from the conception of building a road to actually starting construction only because the federal government mandating historical impact statements, environmental impact statements. You can increase spending by 40% and not blink an eye, DeLay said. Another Baldwin brother is heated up about the election. Daniel Baldwin sent a message to those who have not yet accepted the results of the 2016 presidential election: "Suck it up." The 56-year-old told TMZ that those who are not happy with the results should focus their efforts on lobbying to "change the system" instead of complaining about President-elect Donald Trump. "This guy won. This is the system you have. The Electoral College, checks and balances that were set up that you could possibly lose the popular vote but still carry the day Electoral College-wise," Baldwin told TMZ. He added, "Suck it up, pull up your big-boy panties now, because you lost." He also compared the election wallowing to those who complained about the Iraq war. "This is the same thing I said to people who didn't believe in the war that was going on," Baldwin said. "I said, you're going to punk these kids that are over there fighting the war now? You cant do that If you dont like the reasons that were over there for the war, then fight the system and fight the government, tell them we dont wanna be in a war anymore. But you dont do that to the kids." This isn't the first time a Baldwin has chimed in on the election. Stephen Baldwin, a Trump supporter and Alec Baldwin, a Hillary Clinton fan butted heads earlier this year over their preferred candidates. Stephen even went as far as to say he did not like his brother Alec's Trump impersonation on "Saturday Night Live." The Victoria's Secret Fashion show is set to film in Paris Wednesday night, and models Kendall Jenner, Adriana Lima and Gigi Hadid have already been posting pictures of themselves exploring the City of Lights. But a recent string of high-profile robberies targeting the uber-wealthy, combined with several horrific terrorist attacks, have many urging caution. Retired LAPD SWAT supervisor Scott DeFoe said the models -- and anyone else visiting the French capital -- should be careful. You want to be as inconspicuous as possible, especially now," DeFoe said. "Paris is a high terror threat and elevated with threats... When your police and private military organizations are focusing on a lot of big problems, potential terrorist attacks, they are not focusing on some of the smaller issues petty crime, robberies, basic street crime they are dealing with the fact there could be a vehicle with explosives driving downtown Paris." DeFoe even suggested celebs heading to abroad should have kidnapping insurance. Jason Porter, vice president of Pinkerton Security, said situational awareness is key when traveling to somewhere with safety concerns. Knowledge is power, he advised. It all comes down to common sense and watching your surroundings and being aware of what you are walking into. And Greg Boles, associate managing director with Krolls Security Risk Management, said high-profile stars traveling to Paris should be sure their security team is well prepared. It requires a lot of advance planning, and, of course, that would be transportation to and from your hotel and any sites you are going to visit and being really aware about how often you are exposed -- meaning walking around on the streets you are more exposed in that arena that in a guarded facility. Kim Kardashian was robbed and held at gunpoint in her Paris rental in early October. In mid-November, a Bollywood actress was attacked with tear gas in an attempted robbery. And on Nov. 21, two wealthy Qatari sisters were tear gassed and robbed with thieves making off with more than $5 million in jewelry. Like other HealthCare.gov customers, immigrants are relieved that the government's health insurance website is working fairly well this year. They're baffled, though, by what looks like an obvious lapse: There is no clear way to upload a copy of their green card, the government identification document that shows they are legal U.S. residents and therefore entitled to benefits under President Barack Obama's health care law. "It doesn't list the green card as an option to upload," said Elizabeth Colvin of Foundation Communities, an Austin, Texas, group that serves low-income people, including many immigrants. There's a way to upload copies of other types of documentation, Colvin said, but not green cards. "The limited list of documents is confusing people and needs to be updated to include all accepted documents to verify identity," she added. Administration spokesman Aaron Albright said a fix was in the works. "We are working to make it clear that consumers with any type of immigration issue can upload any form that is requested, including a copy of their green card," he said. Reaching immigrants, particularly Hispanics and Asians, is a priority as the administration seeks to increase the number of people signed up for subsidized private health insurance through federal and state exchanges. Latinos are the largest pool of immigrant applicants, and many hesitated to sign up last year. A total of about 7 million people are now enrolled, and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell has set a target of 9.1 million for 2015. Though that would represent a 30 percent enrollment increase, it's well below the 13 million that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had forecast for 2015. The markets are for people who don't have access to coverage on the job. Compared with last year's website dysfunction, the green card glitch is just an irritant, something that requires extra effort from certain applicants and that may cause additional anxiety. "Last year, people were getting kicked out; the system was constantly being shut down," said Colvin. "We welcome the changes and improvements." Immigrants can enter their green card number on the website. But what happens next is creating confusion. Some applicants say they have been told by the HealthCare.gov call center to mail in copies of their green cards. But that's a worry, since there were widespread complaints this year that copies of immigration documents sent in the mail got lost. In some cases, people are uploading green cards anyway under website labels for other types of documentation, and hoping the government will notice. It's not the only way that immigrants will have to jump through hoops to get covered. HealthCare.gov's new, simpler online application cut 76 screens down to 16 for most consumers. But it can't be used by legal immigrants and naturalized U.S. citizens because of extra steps required for verification. While immigrants living in the country illegally cannot get coverage under the law, millions who are lawfully present are entitled to benefits, as well as people who were born overseas and later became U.S. citizens. About half of Latino adults were born abroad, according to research from the Pew Hispanic Center. Of those who have become U.S. citizens, 21 percent lack health insurance. That's well above the 15 percent uninsured rate among naturalized U.S. citizens who are not of Hispanic origin. Latinos are also more likely to be married to an immigrant. Burwell has been traveling this week to promote the new sign-up period, including stops in two immigrant-rich states, Florida and Texas, which are among the 37 served by the federal website. She also tweeted that Spanish-speaking representatives at HealthCare.gov's call center got 20,000 calls over the weekend. Sign-up season runs through Feb. 15. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram The United Health Foundation recently released its 2014 report, Americas Health Ratings, ranking each of the states in a number of criteria that influence health such as obesity, smoking rates, binge drinking, percentage of children born in poverty, and obesity. The study found Hawaiiwhich has consistently been among the top six states since the Minnesota-based not-for-profit organization began its rankings in 1990to be the healthiest state. Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Utah rounded out the Top 5. Mississippi was last at No. 50, preceded by Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma, which placed from 49 to 46 in that order. Since 1990, the two states that have improved their health ranking most are New York and Vermont, which moved from Nos. 40 and 20 respectively in 1990 to Nos. 14 and 2. Latinos had the highest rate among all ethnic groups of binge drinking, and higher than average rates of physical inactivity and obesity. Among all ethnic groups, Latinos had the lowest percentage of people qualifying as having a high health status. Obesity, physical inactivity and nutrition are, according to the CDC, battles that can be won, Russ Bennet, a spokesman for UHF, told Fox News Latino via email. By providing the Hispanic community with the information they need to properly navigate the healthcare system and increasing their knowledge about their health and the effects of lifestyle choices, the Hispanic community can work towards closing the gap with other ethnicities. It is the case that Hispanics are among the lowest ethnic group in drug-related deaths and significantly below the average in cancer and cardiovascular-related mortality rates. But, Bennett cautioned, Consider that Hispanics in general are traditionally lower users of medical services compared to the rest of the population, [so] it is possible that their access to these medications is much lower than other ethnic groups. And, he added, It is important to note that last year cancer took over as the number one killer among Latinos over cardiovascular disease, so it is something that we should keep a watchful eye on. The rankings for the 10 states with the highest percentage of Latinos living in them were: Colorado, 8; New Jersey, 11; New York, 14; California, 17; Arizona, 29; Illinois, 30; Texas, 31; Florida, 32; New Mexico, 33; and Nevada, 39. Overall, UHF found that Americans now live longer than they ever have before: 78.8 years. That ranks No. 34 in the world, trailing most of Western Europe, Canada and Australia. In large part, the organization attributes the improvement in age expectancy to decreases over the last 25 years in infant mortality (41 percent), cardiovascular-related deaths (38) and cancer mortality (8 percent). The study found that obesity has become among the leading contributors to mortality in the U.S. Nearly one-quarter (23.5 percent) of all Americans report not having exercised or been otherwise physically active in the last 30 days, a slight improvement from 2013, but a figure that has not changed appreciably for the last 10 years, according to the summary of the report. The increase in obesity is related to a sharp hike in the incidence of diabetes in the U.S. The latest report found that 9.6 percent of Americans now report having some form of diabetes, more than double the rate in 1995, when UHF began tracking its incidence. The flu is now widespread in all but seven states, and hospitalization rates match the dismal season two years ago. While health officials fear this will be an unusually bad year, it's too soon to say. The latest figures released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the flu hitting hard in most of the 43 states where the illness was widespread. But the flu was not yet rampant in populous states like California and New York. The report is for the week of Christmas, and it shows the flu season following a similar track as the last two, when flu activity peaked no later than mid-January. Perhaps that will happen this winter, too, the CDC's Dr. Michael Jhung said. How bad is this flu season? It's not clear yet. Experts are worried because the nasty bug that's making most people sick isn't included in this year's vaccine. Preliminary data on how well the vaccine is working is still weeks away. Among infectious diseases, flu is considered one of the nation's leading causes of death, killing roughly 24,000 a year, on average. How unusual is flu this year? The different flu strain makes predictions more difficult. The current season hit hard in December earlier than usual. But the last two flu seasons hit early, too. So far, flu hospitalization rates are similar to the harsh season two years ago, which was dominated by a similar flu virus. Especially this year, health officials this year are urging doctors to treat flu patients promptly with antiviral medications. Has flu become epidemic? Yes, but that's not unusual. "It's safe to say we have a flu epidemic every year," Jhung said Monday. Epidemics occur when a virus spreads quickly and affects many people at the same time. According to one CDC definition, flu is epidemic when a certain percentage of deaths in a given week are due to flu and pneumonia. By that measure, flu epidemics occurred in nine of the last dozen winters, including this one. Flu-related deaths surpassed the epidemic threshold three weeks ago, then dropped below that level the next week. But other measures indicate flu still is epidemic. Is it too late to get a flu shot? CDC officials say no. Even if the flu season peaks soon, it will still be around for months. Despite the new flu strain, the vaccine has been well matched in roughly a third of the flu cases seen so far. And it is considered to be effective against some other flu viruses that could surge in the late winter or spring. About 40 percent of the public was vaccinated against flu as of November, which is about normal in recent years, Jhung said. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Dias de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) brought a special gift to two Pennsylvania sisters. Early Tuesday morning, Yely Gonzalez, 23, and her sister Estafany, 22, were at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania because the older of the two went into labor. Because Yely speaks no English, and Estafany speaks a little bit, she was there to help act as a translator. But fate had other plans. Estafany was also pregnant and, while doctors were examining her sister, she went into labor. Estafany welcomed daughter Marjorie at 8:12 a.m. and Yelys daughter, Alette, was welcomed 17 minutes later at 8:29 a.m., the hospital said. It was a chaotic scene at the hospital with their mother shuffling from room to room to help her daughters. A hospital representative told Fox News Latino the two moms and baby girls are all happy and healthy. Although both sisters were full-term, the almost simultaneous births were not planned. The sisters, who each have 2-year-olds, told ABC News they consider the births a blessing and hope the girls will grow up to be just as close as them. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Florida officials removed part of Miami Beach from an active Zika transmission zone on Tuesday, saying more than 45 days had passed since the last local case of the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to microcephaly, a rare birth defect. Popular areas in the southern part of the seaside tourist destination, however, remain in a designated zone of active Zika transmission. The area of active transmission in Miami Beach is now about 1.5 square miles (2.4 km). The newly cleared area covers about three square miles, Florida Governor Rick Scott said in a statement. State officials believe Zika is still being transmitted in another small area of Miami-Dade County, in addition to the remaining section of Miami Beach. Mosquitoes began spreading the virus this summer in Florida, bringing local Zika transmission to the continental United States. "Until we have a vaccine, this is going to be something we're going to deal with," Scott said at a news conference in Miami Beach. "We're going to be active, and we've learned a lot," he added. On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said as of Nov. 16 there were 4,255 cases of Zika reported in the continental United States and Hawaii. Of the total reported Zika cases, 35 are believed to be through sexual transmission and one case from lab exposure. Florida on Tuesday separately said it has seen 1,201 cases of Zika, and 236 of them were locally acquired infections, according to the state health department. The CDC also updated its travel guidance for the Miami area, urging continued caution. It has suggested that pregnant women consider postponing travel anywhere in Miami-Dade County, but it expressly directs pregnant women to avoid travel to areas within the county that are still designated as Zika transmission zones. Zika infections in pregnant women have been shown to cause microcephaly - a severe birth defect in which the head and brain of babies are undersized and underdeveloped - as well as other brain abnormalities. A report on Tuesday raised new concerns about the hidden effects of pre-natal exposure to Zika, showing some babies in Brazil gradually developed microcephaly in the months following birth. The developments come after the World Health Organization declared the global Zika emergency over on Friday, because the link between Zika and microcephaly has been confirmed. WHO intends to continue studying Zika as a serious infectious disease that will require years of research. The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last year in Brazil, which has since confirmed more than 2,100 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. Three people have died and five more were sickened after eating Thanksgiving dinner at an event organized by a church in the San Francisco Bay Area, health officials said Monday. Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch, Calif. said it received eight patients with probable symptoms of foodborne illness Friday and Saturday. Three of the patients died, four patients were treated and released and one remains hospitalized. All eight lived at the same assisted living facility and ate the feast at the American Legion Hall in Antioch along with other residents and staff members who did not get sick, Contra Costa County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Louise McNitt said. It remains unclear exactly what caused the illness, McNitt said, later adding, "we do not believe there is any risk to the general public." KTVU reported that the Friday dinner at the local American Legion hall was hosted by Golden Hills Community Church and was meant to serve senior citizens, homeless people, and others who would have been alone on Thanksgiving. Volunteers prepared mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffing on site, at a commercial-grade facility. The rest of the meal, including turkey, bread and pies, was donated by other food facilities, Contra Costa County Environmental Health Director Dr. Marilyn Underwood told the Associated Press. McNitt said that no other reports of illness related to the dinner have been received and that officials were trying to determine if there were other people who got sick but didn't seek medical care. McNitt and Underwood declined to provide the name of the living facility or any details about the eight patients citing patient privacy concerns. Contra Costa County coroner's officials said they could not release the names of those who died pending notification of next of kin. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from KTVU.com. One in seven people with HIV in the Europe Union region is unaware they have the virus, seriously hampering efforts to meet a global 2030 deadline for eradicating the AIDS epidemic, a senior health expert said on Tuesday. The average estimated time between infection and diagnosis is four years with nearly half of people not being diagnosed until the late stages of the disease, according to a report published ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec 1. Around 810,000 people are believed to be living with HIV in the EU's 28 member countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows. But the ECDC estimates 122,000 are unaware they have the virus. Andrea Ammon, acting director of the ECDC, said it was worrying that the number of new infections every year had remained constant for a decade and called for testing services to be ramped up. "The findings are definitely of concern. They tell us that we still have a lot to do despite all the HIV prevention efforts," Ammon told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Almost 30,000 newly diagnosed HIV infections were reported last year in the region, according to the joint report with World Health Organization (WHO). Ammon warned of the risks for people with HIV who do not know their status. "It means for the individual that they can't get the benefit of early treatment which allows you nowadays to have almost a normal life," she said. "But of course it (also) means for society that they can transmit the infection as long as they are not aware." Sex between men is the main way HIV is transmitted in the region, accounting for 42 percent of diagnoses, the report said. Sex between women and men accounted for just under a third of transmissions, while injecting drug use accounted for 4 percent. SELF-TESTING Ammon called for greater efforts to promote self-testing at home and said health services should offer HIV tests as part of routine health screenings. Providing finger-prick tests in gay bars was another effective way to reach people who would not otherwise get tested, Ammon said. World leaders agreed last year to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - an ambitious plan for tackling poverty and inequality. Ammon said the target was not unrealistic provided early diagnosis was improved - if people are put on drugs soon after infection they are unlikely to develop AIDS. Trends vary widely between countries with Greece, Lithuania, Romania and Poland seeing big increases in HIV diagnoses in the last decade while Estonia and Portugal have seen marked declines. Across the wider European region - which includes Russia - the number of HIV cases has topped 2 million for the first time, the WHO said. Nearly four fifths of new cases in Europe are in eastern countries. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates around 40 percent of the 37 million people living with HIV are unaware of their status. More hospitals are testing the mental fitness of older patients before surgery amid evidence that the trauma of an operation can accelerate cognitive decline. Evaluating patients for memory and thinking problems can help doctors anticipate how patients will tolerate the surgery and follow care instructions once they get home. A cognitive assessment also can assist patients families and caregivers in deciding whether to proceed with a surgery by giving them more information about the potential risks. Studies show as many as 81 percent of patients who meet the criteria for dementia have never had a formal diagnosis, and families may overlook symptoms as just natural age-related memory loss. Patients with dementia are at higher risk for a complication known as postoperative delirium, and are more likely to have worse surgical outcomes, longer hospital stays, functional declines and death. Without a formal cognitive assessment, we are consenting all these people for major operations they may not understand, and they may not be able to deal with what happens afterwards, says Dr. Stephanie Rogers, a geriatrician at University of California, San Francisco. UCSF, which began in 2014 to do pre-operative cognitive testing on all patients in its heart-failure clinic, hasnt gone ahead with some surgeries after patients were found to have significant cognitive decline. The American College of Surgeons and the American Geriatrics Society recommend that hospitals assess any patient over 65 for cognitive impairment as part of a preoperative evaluation. Stress, inflammation, pain, medications and anesthesia that often accompany surgery are especially tough on older patients. Angel Guerrero, 78, had surgery at UCSF in 2013 to manage his heart failure, which makes the heart muscle unable to pump enough blood to meet the bodys needs. His family had previously noticed some subtle hints of memory losshe would often forget where he left his keys and repeat questions. But they didnt think anything of it because Mr. Guerrero still drove, shopped online and booked his own flights, says his daughter,Georgina Fox. During pre-operative discussions about risks and benefits, Mr. Guerroros memory issues werent evident, the family didnt bring them up, and he didnt receive a formal cognitive assessment. Mr. Guerreros doctors surgically implanted a mechanical pump known as a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, which helps a weakened heart pump blood. The device is powered by a battery attached to a tube brought outside the body that has to be regularly recharged. The site also needs to be kept clean to prevent infection. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal. Police officers conducting drug raids with their K9 units are now dealing with what the DEA has called an "unprecedented threat": fentanyl, the same powerful opioid that killed Prince earlier this year. Both the Miami Herald and NBC News report on the drug's dangers, which the cop canines are more vulnerable to because of their super-strong smelling skills, and because they're not typically decked out in the same protective gear (e.g., masks, gloves, and respirators) as their human counterparts. "If fentanyl is loose in an environment, it can spread out where a dog can absorb it through his pads. He could sniff it up through his jowls," Andy Weiman, a detective in Broward County, Fla., who trains dogs for the county's sheriff's office, tells NBC. And fentanyl is so toxic that the most minuscule amount is all that's needed to sicken or even kill. Three K9 dogs became ill at the end of October while searching for cash in a Lauderhill, Fla., house, and as they were rushed to a nearby animal clinic for suspected ODs, agents conducting the raid found a bag containing fentanyl. "He was in kind of a sedated state. He had a lack of energy," Weiman described one of the dogs, which he had trained, to the Sun Sentinel about a week after the incident. Luckily, the dogs responded to the same treatment used on humans who suffer opiate overdoes: a dose of naloxone (aka Narcan) and plenty of fluids. All three police pups recovered and went back to work the next day, but Weiman tells NBC it was "very stressful" for their handlers, and local veterinarians have now trained cops how to spot and deal with possible fentanyl ODs. (The strange story behind a police dog's death in Georgia.) This article originally appeared on Newser: K9 Units Are Falling Victim to Powerful, Dangerous Drug For 10 days, 7-year-old Ryan Alexander Lovett laid in bed while his mother fed him dandelion tea and oil of oregano. He died as a result, according to prosecutors. In a trial that began Monday in Calgary, Alberta, prosecutors accuse Tamara Lovett, 47, of failing to provide the "necessaries of life," as well as criminal negligence causing the death of her son, who died of organ failure in 2013, reports Global News. Prosecutors say Ryan first developed a streptococcus infection before coming down with meningitis and pneumonia, yet Lovett never sought medical advice or antibiotics. In fact, Ryanwho had no birth certificate or health cardhad never visited a doctor in his life as his mother "did not believe in conventional medicine or doctors," a prosecutor says, per CBC News. Prosecutors say a friend recommended Lovett take Ryan to the doctor on March 1, but she refused, per the Calgary Sun. A day later, Lovett called 911, telling dispatchers that her son wasn't breathing. Lovettwho has pleaded not guiltylater told police Ryan had been sick for two weeks and collapsed while trying to reach the bathroom. Paramedics who arrived described a "lifeless" boy covered in vomit on the floor of a squalid apartment. "He was cold to touch," a paramedic says, while an officer notes he "appeared emaciated" with "a deformed shoulder and arm" and "some bruising about the ears." After Ryan was pronounced dead, a detective says Lovett told her son, "I'm sorry. I failed you. I didn't do enough." (A Canadian judge delivered an unusual sentence in a similar case.) This article originally appeared on Newser: A Dying Boy Needed Antibiotics; Mom Gave Him Tea: Prosecutors Real talk: if youre a regular contact wearer, chances are youve fallen asleep in your contacts at some point in time (or maybe even a few times). We all know its not recommended by eye doctors, but why, exactly? Whats actually happening in your eyes when you sleep with your contacts in? To find out, we had to get a little familiar with how daily contact wearing actually affects your body. As with any foreign object or substance that you introduce to your body, whether it be a food or a drug, contacts take some time to get used to. The FDA actually describes contacts as a drug, says Russell Wohl, OD, from Farmingdale, New York. No youre not ingesting a contact, its just sitting on your eye, but your body has to get acclimated to it. Contacts can also sometimes burn or cause dryness in the eye, too. Each individuals tears are made up of a certain pH acidity, explains Wohl, and when you put a contact into your eye, the contact solutionnot the actual lens actually has a different pH, so your eye may tear to help wash that solution out. And if you have dry eyes to begin with, lenses may only exacerbate that. When we blink, were wiping tears across the cornea to help keep things uniform and clear, because when the cornea is exposed to air, it can become irritating, explains Wohl. Contacts need moisture once theyre removed from the solution they come packaged in, and if you already dont have enough tears or suffer from dry eyes, lenses might only make that worse. When we sleep, we lose ambient oxygen exposure to the cornea, which is needed to keep the cornea healthy. We are still able to get it in other wayslike through blood vesselsbut we are getting less than we do when were awake. What a contact lens does is limit the oxygen even more because it creates a barrier between the oxygen and the cornea, explains Wohl. Some lensesextended wear onesallow the oxygen through though, says Wohl, but if not enough oxygen gets through, you can experience what is called hypoxia (oxygen deprivation in a region of the body). You also increase your chances of developing an infection, because bacteria can get onto the cornea and when your eyes are closed, theres nothing to flush it away. The bacteria can then become opportunistic and literally start to eat away at your cornea, says Wohl. Worst case scenario from that is loss of vision. Yikes! If you fall asleep accidentally with your lenses in for just one night, youre unlikely to experience any serious issues. But if it becomes a more frequent habit or youre purposefully wearing lenses overnight that arent meant to be, youre upping your chance of a serious health risk. If you start to notice that your eyes are extremely red (were talking very bloodshot), you feel like theres something in your eye and its irritated all the time, your eye lid is looking inflamed, you arent seeing as well as you used to, or if when you look at an indoor lamp it feels like youre looking directly at the sun, these are signs that you could have an infection and you should see your eye doctor right away. The good news is that most of the time its an acute episode that can usually be corrected by not wearing the contact lens and allowing the body to heal itself, says Wohl. If its worse, your doctor may need to give you a prescription. So why even take a chance? Make it a routine to take your contact lenses out every night before you go to sleep. Im more on the conservative side of things, says Wohl, so even with my extended wear patients, if it isnt too much hassle, I recommend that everyone try to take them out every single day. If you ask me, thats the healthiest option. Acapulco is locked into our memory bank as that place where the Pacific violently crashes into the land. It takes us back to a special time. On weekends, we sat in front of our pre plasma TVs with our dads watching with amazement as cliff divers propelled themselves into the ocean on Wide World of Sports. That image, that used to be a source of pride for Mexicans, is being replaced. In fact, the state of Guerrero is now known for something else, something horribly wicked and frightening. The region now makes headlines worldwide for unimaginable violence. Envision this: One night, 43 college students are murdered or taken hostage and we cant find them. Well, guess what? In Guerrero its for real, and it gets worse much worse! Most U.S. politicians, who normally flaunt or exploit every Isis advance and act of violence, have yet to even mention or possibly even notice the disappearance of the 43 students in Mexico. Rick Sanchez Earlier this month, local police in the town of Iguala ambushed 43 students who were planning a protest against the very system that brought about their deaths and disappearance. The accusations read much like a Spanish soap opera or telenovela. Reportedly, it involves a crooked chief of police, a corrupt mayor and a woman whose Shakespearean-like manipulative skills may trump those of Lady Macbeth. On the day of the ambush, the students from a nearby teachers college were on their way to stage a protest. When Mayor Jose Luis Abarca and his wife learned of the protest, they made a phone call. Fearing the protest would disrupt the event she was planning, she demanded her husband call the police chief to tell him to stop the students at all cost. What followed for the students seems like pure hell. Police used barricades to block the highway that leads into the city. They shot and killed at least one student while firing on the others as the students' vehicles pulled into the town of Iguala. So what happened to the rest of the students? Did they detain them? Did they warn them? According to witnesses, police pulled the injured students out of their vehicles and turned them over to the cartel. The gang in the region, the united warriors, has long established ties to the police department. They do the cops dirty work. So much so, that while federal officials have been searching for the missing students theyve already found 28 other bodies in shallow graves. Who are they? No one yet knows. But surely, the gangs who work for the cartels brought about their deaths. As for the 43 missing students, witnesses now say they were marched into the woods bleeding and injured. There, they were huddled together while gasoline was poured on them and they were burned like firewood, but still their bodies have not been found. Meanwhile, angry protesters demanding answers have burned down Iguala city hall. The missing students' families demand answers. The mayor and his wife have disappeared along with the chief of police. The governor has resigned. And federal authorities have taken over control of 13 cities. Even Mexicos president is finally being forced to address the missing student story with what appears like nothing more than empty rhetoric. "Violence, whatever its origin, goes against what we are as a country. Violence will never be a solution or pave the way toward a better future," President Enrique Pena Nieto said. The comment seems late in coming, and weak. Still, it beats the reaction from across the border. Most U.S. politicians, who normally flaunt or exploit every Isis advance and act of violence, have yet to even mention or possibly even notice the disappearance of the 43 students in Mexico. We spend all our time reacting to violence in the middle east, but what about the violence just south of our own border, asks poet and actress Magly Bello. As far as the U.S. government goes, no matter whos in the White House, adds Miami journalist Nelson Rubio. We just dont matter, and we never will. Latinos should think long and hard before embracing President Obamas executive action on immigration reform. There is no doubt that immigration reform is long overdue. However, it needs to be done in a lawful manner and through the legislative assembly. That is the way that the Constitution mandates that major issues be resolved in our country. Obamas constitutionally questionable presidential decree will not really resolve the immigration status of those facing deportation. Instead, it will further inflame the issue and lead to even more division in America. I fear that in the long term Latinos will be hurt not helped by Obamas go-it-alone act of political expediency. Early in his administration the President argued forcefully and frequently that he lacked the constitutional authority to act on immigration. Today, on the eve of Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, he suddenly finds the legal justificationand an urgent need to do so. Raul Mas Canosa Most of our Latino forefathers came to America fleeing either political or economic oppression in their native countries. Whether they came from Mexico, Central America, Venezuela or elsewhere, chances are they fled a country where the political institutions were broken and where authoritarian caudillos called the shots. Neither the caudillo nor his arbitrary decretos could ever be called into question. The beauty of America and the reason that people flee here in droves is that we are a nation of laws governed by institutions not by a caudillo. These institutions were carefully designed to avoid the abuse of power. The Constitution gave Congress the power to enact and rescind laws. The executive branch of government was charged with dutifully enforcing those laws. The judicial branch was tasked with ensuring that neither Congress nor the Executive trespassed on each other, and more importantly, on those rights reserved for individuals. The system was designed to avoid the royal prerogative, the abuse of power, foisted upon the colonies by their own caudillo, King James I. Now President Obama seeks to completely sidestep the authority of Congress. He claims his own executive prerogative. He blames Republicans for the impasse on immigration reform, conveniently forgetting that his party controlled both houses of Congress during the first two years of his administration. He argues that Congress has failed to act so he must do so. Nowhere in the Constitution is Congress mandated to pass any legislation where the political will to do so simply doesnt exist. Nor is the president authorized to act whenever Congress fails to act on crafting new laws or changing old ones no matter how frustrating that lack of action may be. Early in his administration the president argued forcefully and frequently that he lacked the constitutional authority to act on immigration. Today, on the eve of Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, he suddenly finds the legal justificationand an urgent need to do so. Lawyers who argue that the president has wide discretion on immigration matters are facing resistance from serious legal scholars who insist that the presidents executive decision is a clear violation of the Constitutional requirement (Article II Section Three) that the president shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. The legal defense that a broken immigration system and budget constraints compel him to make unilateral decisions threatens the very concept of the rule of law. It opens the door for unbridled presidential power and for selective enforcement. This is dangerous. This is wrong. This is precisely what the framers of our Constitution sought to avoid. Thoughtful citizens, regardless of party affiliation, race or national origin should think twice before jumping on this executive action bandwagon. In addition, Latinos should also consider that most Americans are still very wary of immigration reform. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows that 48 percent oppose Obama taking executive action on immigration and only 38 percent support it; another 14 percent are unsure or have no opinion. I dont believe that Americans are opposed to immigration reform because they hate Latinos. I believe they fear it because they know that previous reform programs failed to secure our national borders as had been promised them by politicians. Given the increased threats facing the American homeland, the need to secure our borders is no longer just about jobs for migrants or benefits for their children. It is about real-world survival and about holding politicos responsible for their broken promises. Real border security must go hand-in-hand with comprehensive immigration reform. I would be naive to think that racism or fears of job security dont also exist. However, I think it is also naive for Latinos to believe that we can impose our will on nearly half of the American electorate and hope that an increasingly unpopular, isolated, lame duck president will solve our immigration dilemma. Executive actions can be easily unraveled by a future administration. If we want real, long-lasting immigration reform, we need to work within the system and within the Constitution. We need to convince skeptics that America will benefit by legalizing our undocumented brothers and sisters. We need to address the necessity of securing our borders and making sure that future immigration is legitimate. We can do this the way it should be done: in the halls of Congress not by presidential decree. Finally, I reject the assertion that Republicans oppose immigration reform because Latinos will vote for Democrats. Likewise, I do not think that Democrats have a lock on Latino fealty. Ethnic voting blocks change over time. The midterm election already showed waning Latino support for a president who has disappointed on jobs, on healthcare promises and on many other issues. Latinos are not monolithic nor are we easily typecast. We are diverse but we are also like all other immigrants and all other Americans. We want the same thing for our lives and for our children: freedom, economic opportunity and a shot at achieving the American dream. All of us want to be judged on our talents rather than the color of our skin, our accents or where our parents came from. The political party that offers Latinos the best shot at reaching the American dream will prevail at the polls. However, those who attempt to fast-track that dream by short-circuiting the legislative process, and by ignoring the need to build consensus, will likely find that executive action will simply delay the realization of that dream. Real immigration reform can only come through the peoples rightful representatives in Congress not through some murky presidential decreto. Establishing ties with Cuba has been on President Obamas bucket list for some time. Health care -- done. Amnesty for illegal immigrants -- done. Cuba -- next. This last one also has the added bonus point that it puts him right with the international left, which lionizes Castro. And the president will go on picking off the next items on the bucket list for the next two years of his term unless Congress decides to stop him. Should they work up the gumption, lawmakers will find they can do many things to stand up for the prerogatives of the legislative branch. Obviously, the release of the 65-year-old American hostage Alan Gross should be welcome. His crime was to bring computers to Jews on the island. For the last five years, he has been a victim of Cubas state terrorism, just as 11 million Cubans have been held hostage by their government for the past five decades. Not only does President Obamas action fail to advance freedom in Cuba, it throws a lifeline to Cubas dictators. Exchanging three hardened Cuban spies for Gross, however, establishes an insulting moral and legal equivalency. The spies actions led to the death of an American in the 1990s, and they were duly convicted. Their release in exchange for Gross creates an incentive for rogue regimes and individual actors to kidnap Americans all over the world. Not only does President Obamas action fail to advance freedom in Cuba, it throws a lifeline to Cubas dictators, whose current supplier of funds, Venezuela, is on the ropes because of plunging oil prices. It surrenders to the demands for normalization that the Castros have been making for decades. So what can Congress do? Right off the bat, Congress must make it crystal clear to President Obama that he lacks the authority to lift the embargo on Cuba, allow trade to take place between the two nations, let tourists to go to Cuba to bail out the regime or give Cuba have access to capital markets. U.S. lawthe Helms-Burton Act of 1996gives the Congress power to override any action taken by the executive to lift the embargo. In order to lift the embargo, the Cuban government would have to give the Cuban people a number of rightsof association, speech, political activity, etc.that President Obama obviously failed to secure in his 45-minute conversation with Cuban dictator Raul Castro Tuesday. Congress can also make clear to the president that there are statutory criteria that must be met before his administration can take Cuba off the State Department list of terrorism sponsors. The president must inform Congress that there has been a change of leadership and policies of the Cuban government and that Castro has given assurances that it will no longer support terrorist acts. Can President Obama do any of that? Senators should also make clear that they will put a hold on any ambassador that Mr. Obama nominates to serve in Cuba unless he can guarantee that the Cuban government is no longer a threat to the United States and has decided to grant freedom to people in Cuba. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has already said he plans to do that. Additionally, Congress can look into the possibility of using policy riders in the upcoming DHS appropriations debate in February and the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations process to deny the president funds for setting up relations. Congress must act because President Obama has been completely feckless in his entire approach to Cuba. He received nothing in exchange for many substantial concessions made to the Communist regime. After five years of negotiations President Obama ended exactly where Raul Castros demands began five years ago. As Senator Marco Rubio said, President Obama is the worst negotiator since Carter. Mr. Obama's statement was filled with Havanas communist talking points, such as affirming that Cubans are poor and unfree because of the embargo, or that Cuba was a U.S. colony. None of that is true, and yet Mr. Obama said it. Congress must act to limit the damage inherent in this Havana Giveaway. Left unchecked, Obama will simply move on to the next misguided item on his bucket list. Lets be clear: I am not against lifting the embargo on Cuba. What I am against is doing it without requiring the Cuban dictatorship to restore real and substantive freedoms to its people. That is exactly what President Obama did yesterday. He gave away a huge bargaining chip. He did so with the naive expectation that increased economic activity will somehow magically restore basic human rights to the Cuban people. That wont happen. President Obama has again shown his propensity to kowtow to dictators in the hopes of changing their behavior. Raul Mas Canosa Instead, the lifting of economic sanctions will provide a needed lifeline to keep the authoritarian regime afloat. With oil prices collapsing, the Castro brothers could no longer count on Venezuela subsidizing their failed nation-state. The Soviet Union is no more and Russia is today facing its own economic meltdown. Putin can send Cuba obsolete bombers and rusting warships. He just cant send any hard, cold cash. So, at the perfect moment to pressure the Castro brothers on human rights, what does this administration do? It throws in the towel. It capitulates. It single-handedly declares the embargo to be a failed policy; and then invokes dubious executive authority to revoke it. In doing so, this administration throws life preservers to the Cuban dictatorship. They also set up yet another confrontation with Congress as trade restrictions with Cuba are ingrained in US law; he can weaken thembut he cant unilaterally make them go away. Prominent dissident Yoani Sanchez, a vocal critic of the embargo, has expressed her skepticism about the one-sided nature of the change. She is fearful that lifting the embargos restrictions will simply allow the Castro brothers to claim victory.without really fostering political reform on the island. Earlier this fall, Rosa Maria Paya, the daughter of deceased Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya, also expressed her doubts about the lifting of the embargo. Writing in a Panamanian blog, she said: Lifting the US embargo is not the solution, because it is not the cause of our lack of political and economic rights. Im in favor of coherent communication, but engagement and dialogue should not be a reward for the military elite from Havana that imposes its monologist agenda on my people while fostering intolerance and hostility with absolute impunity. I agree with Ms. Paya. Removing the embargo without any substantive pre-conditions will simply reward and entrench the septuagenarian military oligarchy that runs Cuba and controls its economy. The increased cash flow will benefit them first and foremost. At the same time, Cubas dissidents are essentially left to fend for themselves. They know from experience that any promise to release political prisoners or expand internet access can be withdrawn in a heartbeat. It has happened time and time again. The beatings and incarcerations will cease for a short time. Then they will start again. This time however, it may actually be worse for the dissidents. Having defeated the Yankee imperialists and their oppressive embargo, Cubas security apparatus will likely feel emboldenednot constrainedwhen confronting protesters. In fact, Raul Castro hailed the new action as one that would construct a prosperous and sustainable socialism. This is hardly a sign of moderation or political reform. Finally, the simultaneous prisoner exchange was another mistake. Im sorry but trading three convicted Cuban spies (involved in the murder of American citizens) for one innocent American hostage was not a good trade. The last-minute addition of a heretofore unknown---but suddenly very important--- intelligence asset (who had previously languished in a Cuban prison for 20 years) strikes me as nothing more than a ruse to lend respectability to an otherwise lopsided and indefensible exchange. The exchange is even more untenable when you throw in the dismantling of the embargowith nothing done to promote democracy or to tangibly improve and protect the human rights movement in Cuba. Bowe Bergdahl was traded for five terrorist leaders. Alan Gross was traded for the unshackling of an unrepentant and barbarous terrorist state. President Obama has again shown his propensity to kowtow to dictators in the hopes of changing their behavior. Unfortunately, his actions will prove neither bold nor visionary. It will set back rather than accelerate the democracy movement in Cuba. Thanks for nothing Mr. President. Doral Financial is spearheading a malicious campaign against the people of Puerto Rico, orchestrating defamatory advertising and other paid media efforts to mislead people about the Island and inflame taxpayers. This is being carried out in part by a number of unscrupulous Washington, D.C. consultants and Tea Party Super PACs. Like me, you may ask: Why is a bank that has not posted a profit in years spending money on an unusual campaign that ultimately hurts their own customer base? The answer is unfortunate. Doral was charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud and apparently understated its debts and overstated its earnings to its stockholders and the general public. Doral is having a tantrum demanding that the people of Puerto Rico give them a tax refund on taxes it never paid. They literally want the good people of Puerto Rico to pay for Doral Financials mistakes. I urge Doral Financial to reverse its current strategy against Puerto Rico and focus its efforts and money on improving the banks financial outlook and saving jobs. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) Those same good people of Puerto Rico recently replaced their Tea Party Governor who was friendly to Doral and other big banks with a centrist Governor who wants corporations including Doral to pay their fair share. This is what brings in the political element and has enticed Tea Party PACs and rainmakers to back the big bank against the people. The banks greedy tantrum includes ads that draw sensationalist comparisons to governments in Argentina and Venezuela produced by the American Future Fund, which is described by Open Secrets.org as A politically active nonprofit that spent more than $25 million on ads to help Republicans in the 2012 elections. The Tea Party-linked American Future Fund is coordinating an aggressive and misleading press strategy with help from the DCI Group, Robert Shapiro and others. There have been a slew of inaccurate accusations launched in press releases, letters to the editor, and op-ed pieces written to support the banks campaign that have been documented by outlets outlets such as Open Secrets, Politico, the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post. Go to the linked articles. They speak for themselves. Doral wants to get paid by Puerto Rico in order to save its cash-strapped operations, even if it means smearing the people of Puerto Rico and its institutions in our nations capital and beyond. Doral is challenging the government of Puerto Rico in the courts, but that is apparently not enough. The high-dollar PR campaign against Puerto Rico is aimed at supporting the legal campaign that is still pending. In that effort, Doral is re-writing history and making up its own facts in order to discredit the efforts of the current Governor. The current administration is making Puerto Rico a more attractive place for investment. Major companies like Lufthansa, Honeywell, Infosys, Infotech Aerospace Services and Seaborne Airlines have expanded operations to Puerto Rico in the past year. This influx of new business has helped create more than 50,000 jobs across the Island. But such facts are glaringly absent from Doral Financials narrative in order to discredit the Island as a place to invest and portray the Governor as hostile to business. Dorals aggressive tactics against the Puerto Rican people have far bigger consequences: they threaten the reputation of Puerto Rico at a time when teamwork and integrity are essential to advance Puerto Ricos economic development agenda. Worst of all, it affects Puerto Rican families who played no part in Doral Financial s woes but are being taxed to pay for the companys missteps. The 3.6 million people of Puerto Rico do not deserve to be subjected to a high-tech PR extortion campaign from well-financed conservative special interest groups. I urge investors, Washingtonians, New Yorkers, Puerto Ricans and my fellow Members of Congress to remember that these efforts led by Doral Financial are part of a coordinated and expensive campaign to undermine Puerto Ricos future. I urge Doral Financial to reverse its current strategy against Puerto Rico and instead focus its efforts and money on improving the banks financial outlook and saving jobs. Dorals shortsightedness will only do harm to Puerto Ricos long term goals and hurt the progress of the people of Puerto Rico. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram President Obama has said to Americans that his deportation policies will focus on felons not families, but we have met hundreds of children in immigration jails who tell a different story. These children nursing infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school aged are fleeing unimaginable violence in their home countries, and are being re-traumatized by our government in a morally bankrupt effort to deter people seeking asylum. These children and their mothers are not felons, they are families with U.S. relatives willing to shelter and support them. However, they had the misfortune of seeking refuge in the U.S. at a time when our policy was not to help and protect, but to detain and deport. As attorney volunteers who have worked with incarcerated families, we know the strength of their asylum claims and their commitment to appearing for their trials. We also know the value of representation: before volunteers could establish a regular presence in Artesia, NM, over 200 children and mothers were deported. Mary Neal and Daniel Thomann While many of us are looking forward to spending time with family during the holiday season, these children long for the opportunity to simply be kids at home for Christmas. Unless our government makes good on its promise to detain felons not families then hundreds of children, with an average age of 6 , will be stuck in prison over the holidays. Children like*: Manuel from Honduras, who spent his fourth birthday at a makeshift jail in Artesia, New Mexico. He entered the U.S. with his mother in July and has been imprisoned ever since. Manuel suffers from regular vomiting and diarrhea, is refusing food, and has begun acting out toward others in custody. Hector from El Salvador. Also four years old, he entered the U.S. with his mother in July. On the long journey across Mexico, little Hector kept careful track of the prescription glasses he needs for a chronic eye condition. Once he entered the United States, those glasses were lost or destroyed by the Border Patrol. As of last month he still had not received replacements. Jailing children is wrong. Jailing them with their mothers, who have made the agonizing decision to flee simply to protect them, is wrong too. The government acknowledged as much after lawsuits forced the closure of the disaster-plagued T. Don Hutto Family Detention Center in Texas in 2009. Now, less than five years later, the government has done a 180 degree turn, opening the largest family detention facility in American history in Dilley, Texas and expanding the site in Karnes, Texas to a combined capacity of 2,900 beds. Little Manuel and Hector are scheduled to be moved to the Texas jails before Christmas. Perversely, the government is spending an estimated $299.00 per day to incarcerate each child and mother while most have family in the U.S. eager to house them at no cost to taxpayers. The governments policies are irrational: we have heard hundreds of stories of asylum-seeking families who were separated at the border. In some cases, our government permitted a father to enter the U.S. and await his trial date in freedom, while imprisoning the mother and children. Some say we should immediately deport these mothers and children. But we cannot send people fleeing death threats, torture, and sexual violence back to countries which offer no protection. As attorney volunteers who have worked with incarcerated families, we know the strength of their asylum claims and their commitment to appearing for their trials. We also know the value of representation before volunteers could establish a regular presence in Artesia, NM, over 200 children and mothers were deported. Since September, Artesia volunteers have taken 14 detained families through their final hearings with immigration judges, and won all but one case. We believe Manuel and Hector deserve to live with their families while they await their day in court. On November 20 the President spoke about the exercise of discretion and about focusing on felons, not families. But the only reason these children are still incarcerated is that the President has ordered it. Please tell the White House these children dont deserve to spend another day including Christmas Day in jail. Its the question being asked from Wall Street to Main Street, from Calle Ocho to Madrid. Whats next for Cuba economically? Its important to note, given its history, that as simplistic as it might sound, the direction Cubas economy will take will be decided in Havana. There, planners who are more accustomed to state controls based on rigid Marxist principals will have to choose between staying the course with minor tweaks, abandoning their centralized economy altogether or creating a mix of all of the above. Cuban planners talk of "maintaining the principles of the revolution." Thats code for "dont push us or well walk away." Rick Sanchez Present trends and economic conditions not just in Cuba, but in places like Russia and Venezuela suggest that staying the course is not a workable option for Havana. But dont bet on wholesale changes either: Cubans on both sides of the Florida straits are a proud people and dont like being told what to do. It would be foolhardy to expect Cuba to enact immediate and wholesale changes in a direction toward a U.S.-based market economy. Instead, Cuban planners talk of "maintaining the principles of the revolution." Thats code for "dont push us or well walk away." Its a forthright and earnest warning, but one that seemed much more reasonable decades ago when Cuba could turn to the Soviets or the Venezuelans to reinforce its anticapitalist position. Still, change is undoubtedly coming to Cuba and it cant help but improve the economic lot of the Cuban people. Even Fidel Castro said as much when he uttered four years ago that Cubas economic model doesnt even work for us anymore. The economic engine that will stoke Cubas future, unless unknown forces in Washington or Havana throw a wrench into it, will no doubt be based on both market principles and socialist ideals. Marino Murillo is the man entrusted to carry out Cubas transitional economy. He is Cubas Minister of Planning and Economy and is described by insiders as having Raul Castros ear. Murillo believes in continuing to increase Cubas recently established private markets, but he plans to do so in a way that will benefit socialism rather than capitalism. It may be language used to bolster or salvage the Castro revolutions image, but even so, Murillo does not appear to be a man to be trifled. Murillo, a former military officer, is not willing to accept that Cubas economic transition must follow the path set forward by the U.S., nor for that matter the China or Vietnam models. Asked in 2010 if Cuba would pursue changes similar to those countries, Murillo replied brusquely; "I think the Cuban model is a very Cuban model. We cannot copy what many people in the world do." That was five years ago. Now, with the announcement of diplomatic relations with the U.S. and signs of economic success in Vietnam, it would seem unwise for Murillo to not at least consider the Vietnamese model. Vietnam, like Cuba, transitioned its highly centralized planned economy into a socialist oriented market economy in 1997. Since doing so it has grown significantly in production while creating small and medium privately owned enterprises. It has also increased foreign investment, which has pumped more capital into its economy. It remains to be seen if Cuba will create a hybrid economy similar to Vietnams, but given Cubas 90 mile proximity to the world's most affluent market, anything less would seem to be nothing more than a lost opportunity for the Cuban people. Public servants take an oath to protect and uphold the Constitution and laws. From that solemn oath stems a police officers duty to serve and protect the public. The Constitution is merely a reflection of the will of the people. The rule of law also flows out of the Constitution: the democratic order, our public institutions, statutes and regulations, policing itself. Law and order exist because as society we have deemed vital to grant a shield, a weapon, and a salary to the men and women tasked with keeping it. If police turning their backs on an elected leaderon the peopledoesnt get us to rethink the kind of men and women we want defending everything we hold dear, then nothing will. Cristian A. Farias Thats why New York and the country shook when a deranged gunman shot and killed police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. When you threaten the life of a police officer, you threaten the rule of law itself. Everyone feels unprotected. But we also feel unprotected when police turn their backs. Thats precisely what happened when scores of people in uniformostensibly in mourning over Ramos and Lius senseless deathsturned their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio during the officers funerals. For a police officer, turning his back on the mayor is not a protest. A real protest is a legitimate part of the social contract, enshrined in the First Amendment right of free speech. Nothing stops an officer from freely expressing himself or criticizing political leaders when off duty, or in private with colleagues and family members. But when a police officerin uniform, armed, and bearing a shield that represents us allstages an act of defiance in public and in front of an official elected by the public, theres nothing legitimate or democratic about his actions. Its insubordination. Its a violation of their oath to protect and uphold the Constitution and laws. Suppose for a moment that another lunatic with a gun, the kind that kills public officials, wouldve interrupted the ceremonies. Would any of the back-turning officers have bothered to make the ultimate sacrifice and protect the mayor? Would they even have noticed? Anyone worthy to bear the shield of the state stands at attention in time of crisis, not turn his back. Which is why this spectacle should not be read through the lens of politics or opportunism; it is instead a constitutional problem. What happened in New York should be a cautionary tale for the United States. Is this the kind of force the country wants enforcing its laws, its ideals, its institutions? The irony of this episode is that it finds its roots in another constitutional issue: the discriminatory application of stop-and-frisk tactics on New Yorkers of color. Last year, a federal court in Manhattan declared the NYPDs application of such tactics unconstitutional. But police unions attempted to appeal the ruling, arguing in court that compliance with it dealt a blow to police morale and its bargaining rights with the city. A panel of federal appellate judges roundly ismissed those concerns. Its a troubling precedent nonethelessthe notion that police reputation and self-interest somehow trumps compliance with the Constitution. That it trumps the will of the people. The same people who put Bill de Blasio in power. The same people who grew weary of stop-and-frisk and simply asked for fairer treatment from those who took an oath to serve and protect them. If police turning their backs on an elected leaderon the peopledoesnt get us to rethink the kind of men and women we want defending everything we hold dear, then nothing will. While Venezuela sinks as the oil market bottoms out, infrastructure crumbles, food shortages abound, the murder rate soars and civil unrest simmers, Ecuador is quietly rising to lead the charge against U.S. interests in Latin America. Its no secret that Nicolas Maduro, the track suit-wearing, former bus driver and Hugo Chavez protege is failing to fill El Comandantes shoes since he died of cancer in 2013. Complicating his grip on Caracas, according to Citi Research, Venezuela needs oil at least $151 a barrel to balance their budget. Unless oil prices dramatically rebound, his regime wont last much longer. When Chavez was alive, left-wing celebrities like Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Harry Belafonte, Glover and more visited Caracas. These days, Quito is where the cool kids hang out. J.D. Gordon Meanwhile, as rumors swirl around the Internet that Fidel Castro has died, in reality, ever since 1962 when the Soviets pulled out its nukes to end the Cuban Missile Crisis, his power was mostly ideological in nature, without the economic or military clout to back it up. The same cannot be said for Venezuela and now Ecuador, which are both members of OPEC. So with Latin American autocrats reeling under todays oil market, Maduro and Ecuadors Rafael Correa headlined a delegation to Beijing this month for the First Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Correa lavished his hosts with praise, noting the forum and deeper ties with China could help fix an unfair world order. Quito then got the best deal, securing $7 billion in cash and lines of credit, while Caracas and others received less tangible pledges for investment projects. Correas favorable treatment by the Chinese isnt the only way hes surpassing Maduro as Latin Americas anti-U.S. pack leader. So what else is he doing at Uncle Sams expense? First, hes putting his money where his mouth is. Though Latin American populists regularly bash Washington including Correa, who has compared American Exceptionalism to Nazis rhetoric before and during World War II last year his government spent $6.4 million on a public relations contract with New York-based McSquared. Even getting past the fact that McSquared didnt register under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) until caught by the Justice Department, perhaps more importantly, wheres all that money going? One chunk went to actress Mia Farrow and another to actor Danny Glover, totaling over $500,000 in exchange for their visits to Ecuador and support of re-opening decades-long litigation against American oil giant Chevron. Former Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA) is now Correas top new lobbyist. When Chavez was alive, left-wing celebrities like Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Harry Belafonte, Glover and more visited Caracas. These days, Quito is where the cool kids hang out. Second, Ecuador is aiding Americas enemies like Iran. While Iran has stealthily increased its influence in several Latin American nations, Ecuadors key role is assisting Tehran skirt international sanctions over its nuclear program. Ecuador tops the Paris-based inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) annual global list for money laundering along with Iran. In 2013 Tehrans Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that relations between Iran and Ecuador are at their highest level ever. So will Correa help Vladimir Putin skirt international sanctions as well? Third, Correa has methodically cut ties with Washington. In 2009, he shuttered the U.S. Air Force Forward Operating Location at Manta despite its counter-narcotics operations are responsible for 60 percent of drug seizures in the Eastern Pacific. Correa then expelled all Defense Department and U.S. Agency for International Development staff from the American Embassy. Even though Correa benefited from his PhD in Economics from the University of Illinois, he now resents U.S. imperialism. And while Correa is an economist, his multi-year deficits and record levels of debt have hurt Ecuadors economy, now unsustainable, given falling oil prices. Chinas generosity may just provide enough breathing room for Correa to continue spearheading anti-U.S. efforts. So the next time Correa and his lobbyists bash American influence, it may be worth digging a little deeper under the surface to get the real story. And while Chavez is dead, the Castro brothers at or near their end, its Correa who is the natural successor as the top anti-Yankee antagonist. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives took an important first step toward protecting the interests and security of the American people, and the integrity of our constitutional system of government. The House bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the remainder of this fiscal year includes provisions prohibiting the federal government from using money appropriated or collected through fees to implement the sweeping illegal alien amnesty policies announced by President Obama in November, or to expand the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) amnesty. It is impossible for DHS to thoroughly vet the 5 million people who are believed to be eligible to ensure that those who pose a threat to the nation do not gain legal status in this country. Dan Stein Under the plan announced by the President, some 5 million illegal aliens would be allowed to live and work legally in the United States. Moreover, under accompanying memos issued by DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, virtually all of the remaining illegal alien in the country would be exempted from removal. The defunding effort faces a tougher battle in the Senate, despite the fact that at least seven Democrats are on record opposing the presidents unconstitutional use of executive authority to implement sweeping changes to immigration policy. In addition, President Obama has promised to veto the DHS appropriation bill if it includes defunding language essentially threatening to hold the operations of DHS hostage so that he can implement policies that, until a year ago, he acknowledged were beyond his constitutional authority. Despite such threats, the House must stand firm. Congress has plenary authority to establish immigration laws and they have a sacred obligation to uphold our Constitutions Separation of Powers doctrine. No matter how frustrated the president might be, he has no authority to unilaterally rewrite U.S. immigration policy. Equally as important, blocking implementation of the Obama amnesty is essential to protecting the vital interests of the American people. The presidents policies would inflict grievous harm on American workers, taxpayers, and endanger the security of the country. Millions of Americans who are unemployed, under-employed, or have given up hopes of finding jobs, would be forced to compete for an inadequate supply of jobs with an additional 5 million illegal aliens who would be granted work authorization under the presidents plan. Implementation of the presidents amnesty would further undermine the interests of millions more workers whose wages have been stagnant or declining. Under the Obama amnesty, illegal aliens would be immediately eligible for federal benefits including Obamacare, Social Security, Medicare, and a variety of tax credits. All of these programs would drain billions of dollars annually from the Treasury at the expense of American taxpayers. State and local taxpayers would be on the hook for billions more in education, law enforcement and other costs, which is why 25 states are currently suing to prevent the president from imposing this massive unfunded mandate on them. At a time when the threat posed by international terrorists is greater than it has been at any time since 9/11, allowing the president to dip into DHSs budget to divert money and manpower to implementing a massive amnesty program for illegal aliens would constitute a dangerous distraction from departments primary mission protecting the security of the American people. Despite administration claims that all applicants for the presidents amnesty will have to undergo background checks, it is impossible for DHS to thoroughly vet the 5 million people who are believed to be eligible to ensure that those who pose a threat to the nation do not gain legal status in this country. Given all that is at stake, the House has acted rationally and responsibly to defend the Constitution and to protect the interests and security of the American people. It is now up to the Senate Democratic leadership and the president decide whether they are willing to imperil the Constitution and the security of the nation in order to impose a massive amnesty that is widely opposed by the American people. No one wants to see the operations of DHS impaired in any way, but the president, through his actions appears determined to force a showdown. If the president and Senate Democrats choose that path, it will be up to them to explain to the American public why their political goal of rewarding millions of illegal aliens takes precedence over protecting the security of the United States. The Congressional GOPs unhealthy obsession with President Obamas use of his presidential powers has driven them into a strategic black hole, with very high, long-term costs for the party and future candidates. Speaker John Boehners House of Representatives has voted to overturn all of Obamas executive actions on immigration putting millions of children, women and men at risk for deportation. The party of family values expressed its will in the House that immigrant families be separated, homes broken up and communities devastated. The fact that some 70 percent of those people affected are Hispanic gives this action the added onus of targeting the fastest growing American ethnic group. This vote will be a permanent reminder that less than two weeks into the GOPs control of Congress, the party united in favor of deporting the maximum number of people including children. Fernando Espuelas From a strategic standpoint, therefore, the GOPs latest aggression against immigrants only makes sense if they have already abandoned all hope of winning the 2016 presidential election. While some Republican strategists are counseling abandoning the Latino vote in favor of increasing the older white vote, their strategy is bereft of mathematical calculus and empirical anchors. Conservative writer Peter Wehner noted in a data-rich article for Commentary magazine, the [demographic] challenges facing the Republican Party, at least at the presidential level, are significant and fairly fundamental. As Senator John McCain and former Governor Mitt Romney clearly demonstrated, Republicans cannot win national elections without reaching a significant threshold support from Latino voters. Neither McCain nor Romney were able to pull it off and Obama, who won about 71 percent of the Hispanic vote is the first president since Dwight Eisenhower to win back to back elections with more than 51 percent of the total vote. Also not coincidentally, McCain and Romney both assumed an anti-immigration, pro-deportation stance in their campaigns. Romneys share of the Hispanic vote was the lowest since Senator Bob Dole garnered a tiny slice in 1996. Boehners attempt to disguise this mass deportation vote as some sort of strike against Obamas supposedly unlawful use of executive powers will not work. To the extent that Latinos need another reminder that the GOP is intrinsically antagonistic to Hispanics, this vote will be a permanent reminder that less than two weeks into the GOPs control of Congress, the party united in favor of deporting the maximum number of people including children. Also not likely to be soon forgotten is the fact that this anti-immigrant vote serves no practical purpose. It will never become law. If a Democratic filibuster doesnt stop it in the Senate, it is guaranteed to be vetoed by the president. So why open the new Republican-controlled Congress with a vote that will be a large, smelly albatross over the Republican Party in 2016? One can only surmise that Boehner and his leadership team have made the calculus that losing the Latino vote for generations is acceptable to maintain the GOPs House majority. Somehow perhaps because of the gerrymandering of districts in 2010 by Republican-controlled legislatures, a process that has created a locked-in advantage for the GOP in the House in spite of not representing a true democratic majority Boehner thinks that depending on principally older, white voters is a viable strategy to win elections. After the 2012 election, when Romneys campaign crashed and burned on the shoals of a massive repudiation by Latino voters, GOP Chairman Reince Priebus called for a new approach. No longer hostile to Latinos, the party would look to support some version of immigration reform and stave off what could be a permanent absence from the White House. Of course we know that this re-branding of the Republican Party never occurred. Quite the opposite happened, in fact. As the takeover of the GOP by increasingly radical Tea Party Republicans has advanced unabated, uber-conservative John Boehner has been accused of being the worst political creature ever imagined a moderate. For ideologues who relate to politics like the faithful connect with religion, any deviation from right-wing orthodoxy is political apostasy. In the Middle Ages apostates were punished by crucifixion. In 2015, the punishment is less gruesome: Tea Party primaries. Nevertheless, even center-right Republicans have been pushed into supporting a nonsensical strategy to castigate immigrants or face political crucifixion at the hands of 21st-century Torquemadas. Of course political blindness is neither new nor partisan. There was a time when factions of the Democratic Party supported some form of denuclearization of America even as the country faced the mortal threat of global Communism. This was the time, as well, when Democrats lost all but one national election between 1968 and 1988. The American electorate rejects extremists. Now Republicans will re-learn that essential lesson at the hands of a highly motivated Latino electorate, quite tired of being the target of Republican attacks. On a recent trip to the movies I was reminded of the current debate regarding whether its OK to criticize Charlie Hebdo. Inside the theater, a man would not stop talking during the movie. It wasnt a comedy or one of those Rocky Horroresque type deals where the audience is supposed to engage. It was, ironically enough, a war movie. The irony is that while the battles played on the big screen, another type of battle was about to play out in real life. A dude in his 20s was told by an elderly guy to keep it down. No big deal, right? Happens all the time. A condemnation of a barbaric killing and a critique of a cartoonists overreach are not mutually exclusive. You dont have to choose one or the other. You can actually choose both. Rick Sanchez What follows is a description of something that doesnt happen all the time. The young guy tells the older guy to mind his own f---ing business. He then tosses in a couple of other non-delicate words suggesting what the older dude should do with certain of his body parts. As if that were not enough, he insults the older mans wife and goes on to describe her body parts as crudely as one could speak to a woman, no less a woman who could have been his grandmother. All this because he was told to pipe down in a movie theater, I ask myself? The usher arrives just in time, I thought, and then again maybe not. It appears the older guy simply couldnt handle the final round of insults. Before the usher can intervene, the older dude pops the discourteous youngster sending him reeling into the row of seats in front of him. Finally, enough people in the theater hold back both combatants and the movie proceeds with those involved in the melee kicked out. It was, (insert your own joke here), the show within a show, but one that highlights that two wrongs are not mutually exclusive. Talking during a movie and using crude and offensive language are both wrong, but so is striking someone who hasnt physically harmed you. So it is with the attack on Charlie Hebdo. No one, save perhaps a terrorist, would defend the actions of the gunmen who killed 12 of its employees. And its terribly important when analyzing this attack to make that perfectly clear. One of the men catching the most heat these days in the aftermath of the shooting does just that. Bill Donahue of the Catholic League makes it clear that what the gunmen did is most reprehensible. Donahue is no shrinking violet and its safe to say that few people, my friend Abe Forman of the ADL among them, know as much about media overreach and insensitivities when it comes to religion as he does. So when he says there are two issues and both bear consideration, he may be right. Donahue writes that those who work at this newspaper have a long and disgusting record of going way beyond the mere lampooning of figures and this is especially true of their depictions of religious figures. "For example, says Donahue, they have shown nuns masturbating and popes wearing condoms. They have also shown Muhammad in pornographic poses. What unites Muslims in their anger against Charlie Hebdo is the vulgar manner in which Muhammad has been portrayed. What they object to is being intentionally insulted over the course of many years. On this aspect, I am in total agreement with them. Donahue says you cant have it both ways. When I queried him on his defense of Muslims, he answered with one word: consistency. The man who has spent the better part of his life defending Catholics against those who purposely humiliate and insult their religion says he feels morally obliged to do the same for Islam against similar attacks. Bill Donahue, steadfast in his denunciations of Muslim extremists, has often even gone after the media for being soft on the subject. Now, its Donahue who is being accused of going soft. But is he? Or he is just saying what many of us are afraid to say given the present circumstances. It is this: a condemnation of a barbaric killing and a critique of a cartoonists overreach are not mutually exclusive. You dont have to choose one or the other. You can actually choose both. By the way, Donahue is not alone. The Europe Editor of the Financial Times published these words just hours after the shooting; "Charlie Hebdo has a long record of mocking, baiting and needling French Muslims. Tony Barber condemns the killers, while criticizing the overreach of the cartoonists. This is not in the slightest to condone the murderers, who must be caught and punished, or to suggest that freedom of expression should not extend to satirical portrayals of religion," he wrote. "It is merely to say that some common sense would be useful at publications such as Charlie Hebdo, and Denmarks Jyllands-Posten, which purport to strike a blow for freedom when they provoke Muslims, but are actually just being stupid. It makes me think back to the incident at the movies. The old man had no right to pop the younger man in the mouth. He was wrong to strike the first blow. But the young man was also wrong to insult both him and his wife in such a cruel and thoughtless way. No, it doesnt have to be one or the other. This is an instance where we can; in fact, must have the right to have it both ways. We should all defend Charlie Hebdos right to publish even when it offends. But we must also retain, defend even revere our right to be offended. Leading the GOPs nuclear election returns last November were Hispanic incumbent governors Brian Sandoval of Nevada with 70 percent of the states vote and Susana Martinez of New Mexico with 58 percent. Both are Mexican-Americans. Note: Mexican Americans are two-thirds of the 54 million national Hispanic population. They are substantial voter percentages in California, Texas, Illinois, Colorado, New Mexico (40 percent) and in Arizona. Substantial means they can tilt a state one way or the other if properly motivated by candidates. Question: Were Sandovals 70 percent vote and Martinez 58 percent vote in the two states that voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in 2012 politically significant considering these two are Republicans? Yes. One can wager the kids college fund that the Republican Establishment is paying close attention to these two. Are they reserving the nomination for Vice-President for Governors Sandoval or Martinez? Raoul Lowery Contreras In Sandovals case, though he had a Democrat legislature during his first term, both houses were flipped when he romped in November. For the first time since 1929, Republicans hold the governors office and both houses of the legislature in Nevada. In his first term, Sandoval found schools and schooling near the bottom of American education. Terrible high school graduation rates plagued not only the large Hispanic population but the entire state. He single-handedly set out to correct that educational and social Black Hole. In his second inaugural speech he proposed a tax increase with much of the new revenue targeted to education. He also proposed making more kindergartens full day and more charter schools; and more funds for special education, English as a Second Language programs and for gifted students. He proposed paying for all this by making temporary Recession taxes permanent and a new state business license fee ranging from $400 for small business to $4 million for large corporations. Legislators condemned and praised the proposal. Senate Majority Leader (R) Michael Roberson supported the proposal and State Assembly Speaker Designate (R) John Hembrick said, The Governor is going to have his work cut out for him. Lining up against Governor Sandoval are the usual suspects, especially as he is proposing to eliminate collective bargaining at the local level. Read: teachers unions beware. Public employee bargaining is permitted at the state level but not mandatory. Shades of Governor Scott Walkers Wisconsin. The Las Vegas Sun reported that Union leaders applauded Sandovals promise to increase school funding but recoiled at the thought of losing collective bargaining. By virtue of his 70 percent reelection romp, his crusade to better education and his being Hispanic, Governor Sandoval is on the Republican national radar. If he is successful in pushing education reform and upward progress, he is a man to watch. Matching Governor Sandovals educational improvement campaign is New Mexicos charming Republican Governor Susana Martinez. In her 2015 $6.29 billion dollar budget announced at an elementary school she proposed an increase of $141 million budget with almost half targeted at education. She proposed a $2,000 annual pay increase for new teachers raising the pay from $32,000 to $34,000. New funding of $68 million for classrooms and students was also proposed, as well as another $1.5 million for recruitment and retention of teachers. Both Nevada and New Mexico suffer low high school graduation rates. Low reading and math test levels are endemic to both states with large minority populations. High poverty rates bedevil both governors, rates they inherited that increased greatly during the recession. Both governors have targeted education; that is good. Both have targeted job creation, that is good as Nevada was hit very hard by recession-caused unemployment and New Mexicos job market is mostly government thus Martinez drive to create more private economy jobs. Sandoval has the good fortune of working with a Republican legislature while Martinez has the misfortune of working with Democrats. But, even in Democrat New Mexico, a Republican carrying the state with 58 percent of the vote means something. New Mexican Mark Weber wrote in the Albuquerque Journal, The morning after the inauguration ceremony of Governor Susana Martinez, I was watching a Democratic supporter on the news. She complained that we are last in education and jobs, and going nowhere, and that it is Susanas fault. Really? The Democrats have been in power in the legislature for 60 years. They have fought fervently for the status quo in the state since Susana won in 2010. Despite split government, Susana Martinez is like a 275-pound fullback AKA The Bus plowing through high school linebackers. Just last week, the Democrat-dominated New Mexico State Supreme Court rejected a petition to overturn a judicial appointment of hers. Yes, even the Supreme Court reads election returns. Is anyone noticing Martinez and Sandoval? One can wager the kids college fund that the Republican Establishment is paying close attention to these two. Are they reserving the nomination for vice president for Governors Sandoval or Martinez? Both are from six Presidential electoral vote states, true, but their presence on a GOP ticket may very well sway many Hispanic votes in Illinois, Colorado, Florida and Nevada. Enough perhaps, to elect the President of the United States in 2016. Welcome back, Congress. The 114th session is now in session. Freshmen, youre just getting your legs under you as you learn the ropes. Veteran lawmakers, I know some of you are adjusting to the new Republican majority. I figured now is as good time as any for all of you, regardless of party and tenure, to get a primer on our nations borders. Consider this a sort of back-to-school guide on the border. For some of you its a refresher, but for others its all new material. Our border neighbors, Mexico and Canada, are our friends. Lets act like it. Nelson Balido First, know the players. When it comes to border security, there are two lead agencies: Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol. CBP officers are posted at our air, land and sea ports of entry, but for this piece, lets focus on the land ports. CBP officers wear blue uniforms. Their counterparts in the Border Patrol are posted between the ports of entry, along the vast expanses of land that make up our northern and southern frontiers. Border Patrol agents wear green uniforms. Border Patrol is oftentimes the agency featured in media coverage, with footage of exciting desert chases and shootouts with smugglers. While these things do happen, the day-to-day life of an agent is a little more mundane, as routine patrols involve lots of waiting for something to happen. CBP gets its due in the media, too, especially when the officers make big drug smuggling bust at a port. Second, your constituents want border security, but they also want a strong economy. When Americans talk about border security, they dont always make a distinction between the different functions carried out by the Border Patrol and CBP. These arent subtle differences. Border Patrol plays a critical role in the border security apparatus, but the agency is not a facilitator of the trade and travel that helps fuel the U.S. economy. Thats where CBP comes in. The men and women in blue are, on one hand, interdicting drugs, stopping human trafficking rings and cracking down on counterfeit goods. On the other hand, theyre the first face of the U.S. for travelers entering our country and the agency responsible for processing trade and keeping the commerce flowing across our borders. CBP is protecting both our physical security and our economic security. Its important to make these distinctions when it comes time to spend taxpayer dollars on agency resources. The economys showing signs of life. Now is not the time to starve CBP and put any recovery at risk by stifling international trade and travel we need smart technologies, which there are plenty of, to ensure any funds spent on the border result in a force multiplier effect to facilitate the capture and processing of criminals in the case of the Border Patrol and speed up trade in the case of CBP. But most of all, devise a system of accountability, how do we know what we have is working? Or not? Finally, our border neighbors, Mexico and Canada, are our friends. Lets act like it. For those of you in the GOP, Ive been around the grassroots political structure long enough to know that there are lots of things that are said about our neighbors that are wildly off base. Whether theyre claims that Canada has lax border security that will allow the passage of terrorists into the U.S. or that Mexican trucks are rumbling deathtraps poised to mow down travelers on U.S. highways, theres plenty of rhetoric out there that doesnt match with reality. The rhetoric isnt any more measured on the left wing of the Democratic Party. The old labor left looks at our neighbor to the south as the place where American jobs are outsourced to, where working conditions are substandard and where government officials and private industry have entered into a corrupt cabal. Again, the rhetoric doesnt meet reality. One in every 24 U.S. workers depends on trade with Mexico, or six million total U.S. jobs. Mexico is the top tourist destination for U.S. travelers. Canada and Mexico are our top sources of foreign travelers. Our three economies are inextricably linked by NAFTA. We need each other. Remember that border security with a faltering economy wont win you any credit back in the district, nor will good jobs numbers but with porous borders. Its your job to support policies that strike the right balance between commerce and security. And lay off the rhetoric. You can be a strong supporter of solid border security without making our neighbors out to be our enemies. Keep these items in mind as you cast your first votes of this new Congress. In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama once again called for lawmakers in Washington to put aside their differences and pass comprehensive reforms to finally fix our broken immigration system. While I have had tactical differences with the President, I believe that now the President has acted unilaterally to allow some 5 million undocumented individuals to stay in the U.S., the new GOP Congress has a political opening to sidestep the amnesty debate and focus on bipartisan areas that unite the party. After all, as long as this President remains in office, attempts to roll back his executive actions will prove fruitless. Encouraging more workers to come to America, both in high-tech and STEM fields as well as agricultural, construction, hospitality and other sectors where there are shortages, is a win-win for Republicans and the U.S. economy. Rosario Marin I strongly believe that Republicans must defend their record as the party of opportunity for all those who work hard and play by the rules. They can do this while also helping to grow the economy by passing legislation aimed at loosening restrictions on our antiquated guest-worker programs, both for highly skilled workers including in the critical STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and for lower skilled workers in key sectors such as agriculture, construction and hospitality. Our economy has been moving in the right direction, with a declining unemployment rate and faster GDP growth. But as the Federal Reserve reports in its most recent Beige Book survey of current economic conditions, a tight labor market still exists in many parts of the country that is holding back our business ability to expand, in sectors including trucking, computer programming, manufacturing, construction and energy. Our businesses across the country clearly still face a skills gap between the jobs they need to fill and the available pool of workers, a gap that will only get larger in the coming years. According to the Conference Board, America faces a two-pronged problem of a skills gap combined with an aging population that will steadily erode the working-age population. To help alleviate these shortfalls, Washington can take a huge step forward by reforming our outdated visa programs for temporary workers, known as H1B visas for foreign skilled workers; H2As for agricultural workers; and H2Bs for non-agricultural temporary and seasonal workers. The H1B program has an 85,000 annual cap, first set in 1990; to put that in perspective, the government received 172,500 applications last year, or more than double the available slots. The H2B program has a 66,000 annual cap, also set in 1990, which routinely is exceeded to the point where Congress regularly has to step in and provide temporary relief. There are bipartisan efforts on all of these fronts that can and should be dusted off in the 114th Congress. First, on skilled workers lawmakers should look to measures like the Immigration Innovation Act of 2015, already introduced this year by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and others that would immediately increase the H-1B cap to 115,000 (with no cap for those with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions) with the potential to rise as high as 195,000 based on demand. A House bill introduced by Judiciary Chairman Robert Goodlatte would immediately set the cap at 195,000, though within that figure is a 40,000 set-aside for STEM graduates. Importantly, neither bill contains harmful restrictions on visa-dependent information technology companies such as those contained in the Senate-passed immigration bill that would severely limit which employers can hire the best available foreign skilled workers. For agricultural workers, the Senate-passed bill and another measure introduced by Chairman Goodlatte are good places to start. Both bills would create new visa categories that would allow farmworkers to stay in the U.S. for longer periods, providing more certainty for businesses, while enabling some undocumented aliens to eventually qualify for legal status. For other temporary workers, the Senate-passed bill would exempt returning seasonal workers from the annual 66,000 H2B cap, while creating a new visa category for longer-term temporary workers that would fluctuate between 20,000 and 200,000 workers per year. With the exception of a 15,000 annual cap on construction workers, these are common sense changes to temporary worker visa policies that can and should be adopted. Our Republican Party can avoid getting stuck in the quagmire of amnesty politics if we stick to economic themes that we all support and which can garner bipartisan support; by doing so Republicans show we know how to govern and reject the politics of division that will play into our opponents hands in 2016. Encouraging more workers to come to America, both in high-tech and STEM fields as well as agricultural, construction, hospitality and other sectors where there are shortages, is a win-win for Republicans and the U.S. economy. Its about time. The Supreme Court recently announced that it would take up the issue of same-sex marriage. The high court accepted four cases from states whose bans on gay marriage were upheld by the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Since other courts have ruled such bans unconstitutional, the Supreme Court will settle the question of whether same-sex couples should be treated the same as other couples. Oral arguments will be heard in April, and a decision will come by the end of June. As society evolves, so should our laws. And now it is time to ensure that same-sex couples receive equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Raul A. Reyes A ruling in favor of marriage equality will be welcome news for Latinos. It will promote traditional conservative values. Most importantly, it will bring our country closer to realizing our ideal of liberty and justice for all. Despite the stereotype of Hispanics being conservative on social issues, a majority of Latinos support same-sex marriage. In 2013, the Pew Research Center reported that 52 percent of Latinos supported same-sex marriage, while only 34 percent opposed it. A survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that Latino approval of same-sex marriage had risen from 35 percent in 2003 to 53 percent in 2013. No wonder that the leading Hispanic advocacy groups, including National Council of La Raza, League of United Latin American Citizens, Hispanic Federation, and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, have all endorsed marriage equality. These groups recognize that our community supports the LGBT community. Latinos would benefit from an expansion of marriage equality. In 36 states plus Washington D.C., same-sex couples have the freedom to marry. However, same-sex couples in Texas and several southern states do not. Given that Texas is home to the second-largest Hispanic population in the U.S. and that the South represents several states with the fastest-growing Hispanic population, this means that Latinos there do not have the same protections as their counterparts in other states. Why should a gay Latina couple in Austin, for example, not have the same legal rights as one in Los Angeles? Civil rights should not depend on geography; they should be enshrined into law. Allowing gay people to marry will actually promote conservative values. The institution of marriage promotes monogamy, strong families, and stable communities. A study by the Heritage Foundation called marriage Americas greatest weapon against child poverty, while the American Enterprise Institute says that an intact family leads to greater economic success and educational achievement for children. LGBT Americans deserve the opportunity to share in these benefits too, so that they, their children, and society can all reap the rewards. Consider that the better-off families are economically, the lesser the chance that they will need government assistance. Besides, a Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage will benefit the Republican Party. Polling consistently shows that increasing majorities of voters support gay marriage, including most young Republicans. Once the Court has ruled on same-sex marriage, the GOP can move on and compete for votes without being held back by this hot-button issue. True, some people feel that same-sex marriage is an affront to their religious beliefs. But the freedom of religion that we enjoy as Americans also means freedom from religion; in other words, no one group has the right to impose their religious beliefs upon anyone else. Should the religious views of Muslims, Orthodox Jews, or Mormons apply to others? Of course not. Nor should the views of any religion be used as a basis for denying same-sex couples the right to marry. Others are opposed to same-sex marriage because it changes the traditional definition of marriage. Yet clinging to the status quo for traditions sake is not a worthy goal. If it were, we might still have segregated schools and bans on interracial marriage. Instead, as society evolves, so should our laws. And now it is time to ensure that same-sex couples receive equal protection under the law, as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. All Americans deserve full equality under the law. The Supreme Court should strike down the remaining state bans on gay marriage. The claim advanced by several federal judges that the U.S. Constitution requires states to license gay marriages is utterly audacious. Stripped to its core, we are being told that since 1868, when the Fourteenth Amendment to the constitution was adopted, gays and lesbians have had the right to wed someone of the same sex. Its been that way for the past 147 years and all this time every state in the nation has been violating the constitution. That is the legal position of those asserting a constitutional right to gay marriage. Of course, the idea that the American people required states to redefine marriage when they adopted the Fourteenth Amendment is entirely preposterous. The very notion that someone could marry a person of the same-sex would have been unimaginable. The U.S. Supreme Court would do well to consider the damage it would do to public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system if it were to follow suit and create a constitutional right redefining marriage out of thin air. Brian Brown No matter. A score of federal judges from California to Florida have concocted out of thin air the idea that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to strip marriage from its mooring as an institution focused on the interests of children, which only the union of a man and a woman can create. In the process, the considered judgment of state legislatures and nearly 50 million voters has been ignored and made subject to judicial imperialism, a process that essentially says democracy be damned because unaccountable judges know better. The U.S. Supreme Court would do well to consider the damage it would do to public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system if it were to follow suit and create a constitutional right redefining marriage out of thin air. Plainly, unquestionably, there has not been a right to same-sex marriage hidden in the U.S. constitution for the past 147 years. In fact, in 1972 when the Court first considered this audacious claim, they unanimously dismissed a case for want of a substantial federal question. (See Baker v Nelson). The supposed right to gay 'marriage' did not exist in 1868, it did not exist in 1972 and it does not exist today. Any claim now by the Supreme Court to the contrary will not be considered legitimate by millions of Americans. Rather, it will be seen as an impermissible political ruling, one that will likely trigger a profound public reaction from a public that already holds judicial activism in disrepute. Federal judges simply do not have the power to invent things out of thin air to advance a political agenda. Politics belongs in the court of public opinion, not courts of law. It is perfectly rational for states to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Thats what marriage is, and how it has existed throughout recorded human history. This understanding of marriage is consistent with the natural order where the sexual union of men and women uniquely creates the possibility that children will be born of that union. It is the interests of children that society has in promoting marriage between men and women. What are those interests? A child who grows up in a home with a mother and father is much more likely to be well-cared for, to avoid poverty, to enjoy better physical and mental health, to avoid problems of criminality and delinquency, to attain educational advancement, to secure satisfactory employment, and to have better social interaction and relationships with others, among many other benefits. For thousands of years, marriage has been societys best mechanism of bringing men and woman together and ensuring the best environment for any children born of their union. It is not only a constitutional institution, it is a profoundly good and important one that should be encouraged and promoted. The U.S. Supreme Court must reject the call to judicial activism and must respect the decision of the American people to define marriage in the law as it exists in reality, the union of one man and one woman. The scores are in, and for Latino students nationwide, its no reason to celebrate. Known as the nations report card, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is probably one of the most accurate ways to measure the academic progress of all students, including Latino students that are quickly making up a bigger share of the student body population. Unfortunately, the authors concluded that: There were no significant changes in the achievement gap for reading between white students and their black and Hispanic peers. Latino families need to have the same type of freedom that affluent families have in customizing their childrens education. One of the best ways to ensure this is by encouraging school choice. Israel Ortega This is significant because per pupil spending has never been higher and much has been done to try to raise accountability and transparency in our countrys public school system. In fact, this has been a bipartisan push started by President George W. Bush and continued under President Barack Obama. The approach from both administrations hasnt been exactly the same, but the general formula of increasing federal funding for education while increasing accountability has remained the same. But as the recent NAEP scores make clear, this largely bipartisan approach has failed to move the needle in a significant way. The worse part about this is that Latino test scores have largely remained stagnant. There are bright spots, to be sure, but there are way too many Latino students that are not graduating high school or not reading at grade level. Of course, in todays increasingly competitive job market, not having a basic high school degree virtually guarantees a life of economic struggle. And yet, even with these sobering numbers and a bleak outlook, the best outgoing Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan was able to say when responding to these NAEP scores was: Big change never happens overnight Im confident that over the next decade, if we stay committed to this change, we will see historic improvements. Secretary Duncans statement was disappointing, but predictable. What was particularly disappointing was seeing the scant attention the disappointing scores received from the major Hispanic media outlets and the nations biggest Latino advocacy organizations. This is different of course when the issue is immigration. We can expect around the clock coverage from the Spanish language media every time the entertainer turned politician Donald Trump utters yet another offensive remark toward immigrants and Latinos. But on an issue that will almost certainly determine the type of livelihood our Latino community, the attention to the issue just isnt there. The truth is that it is time for bold reforms. We can no longer tinker around the edges making largely cosmetic changes. Latino families need real choice when it comes to deciding what type of education works best for their children. Latino families need to have the same type of freedom that affluent families have in customizing their childrens education. One of the best ways to ensure this is by encouraging school choice. By empowering parents with the ability to move their children from failing schools, Latino families exercise the same type of choice well-to-do families currently enjoy. In fact, when polled, Latino families overwhelmingly support school choice. Make no mistake. There is ferocious opposition to school choice. It is mostly from the teacher unions, but it is also found in the hall of Congress, including many Latino Members of Congress who have too much to lose by disrupting the educational status quo. This must change if we want to stop this precipitous slide. We need our Latino leaders to heed the urgent call to act immediately. Thousands of Cubans are stranded at the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, almost exactly one year after President Obama fulfilled a long-held liberal wish: the normalization of relations with Cuba. The idea behind normalization, of course, was that replacing coldness and embargo with positive exchanges between the two countries would result in improved conditions for the Cuban people. Now, the presence of upwards of 8,000 aspiring migrants in Costa Rica is a sign that hope for progress on the island has been frustrated. The worst possible outcome is one where the fear of the those rushing for the exits is justified, and the Obama administration does the bidding of the Castro regime once again, closing the door through which so many have left Cuba to reach the land where dreams come true. Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie There has actually been a sharp spike in migration to the U.S. since the thaw, both with visas to third countries like Ecuador, and with dangerous attempts to cross the straits in rickety boats. This is due to frustration with the lack of progress but also to fear that the Obama administration will cave to recent demands from Cuba to change the decades-long immigration policy that grants residency to Cubans that reach the United States. Those who vociferously opposed the administrations overtures and concessions, citing concerns that easing travel restrictions would only boost revenues for the Cuban government, were told that the thaw would also bring a breath of freedom to the suffocating people. Comfortable interactions with American tourists, investment opportunities and the elevation of the country in international opinion from pariah to flawed-but-friendly neighbor would translate into a concrete improvement in human rights for the islands people. However, far from enjoying new freedoms, a year into the thaw Cubans continue to labor under miserable conditions imposed from above. Empty government-store shelves, salaries with tragically low caps, the lowest internet access in the world, crowded and crumbling housing, universal but woefully inadequate healthcare these are just a few of the things that havent changed. The beautiful European-owned resorts (now filling with American tourists) continue to pay the government proper living wages for their Cuban employees, most of which money the government pockets. The employees receive a miserable slave-wage for their labor, and try to subsist on tips. Abuse and oppression of political dissidents and critics of the government has accelerated sharply this year, with the Havana-based Cuban Commission on Human rights reporting 7,686 political arrests through November. Dozens of dissidents, including several Ladies in White, were arrested on December 10: Human Rights Day. Cubans are voting with their feet and Miami is full of the newly arrived. They are waitressing in seemingly every restaurant, driving every Uber, and clerking behind every counter. They are young, pleasant, hard working and enthusiastic. Their smiles are infectious and their accents slow and drawling. The thousands stuck in Central America will do anything to join their ranks. Cuban officials have stepped up pressure on the Obama administration to close the special loophole that grants residency almost automatically to any Cuban who can reach our shores the so-called dry-foot law. Cuba argues that this policy encourages dangerous migration attempts. It is more likely that the Cuban government would simply like the U.S. to stop acting like Cuba is the kind of place that people want to escape from. The dry-foot law is a clear acknowledgement of the awful fact that just 90 miles from our shores, in our very own hemisphere, is one of the most repressive and unjust societies in the world. Cuba also complains about the brain drain that this policy causes. Many of the thousands leaving the island for the U.S. are professionals, some of them taking advantage of a special 2006 program that offers American residency to medical workers from the island who are posted overseas. Cuba rents out the services of tens of thousands of nurses, dentists and doctors in exchange for millions of dollars worth of oil and cash. The professionals receive a bare stipend and live in squalid conditions, working at what Cuba calls medical diplomacy but what could more properly be called indentured servitude. On Monday, Central American nations announced a deal that would allow the thousands of Cubans stranded in Costa Rica to continue to make their way north to the United States. On Sunday Pope Francis himself called for a quick resolution to the developing humanitarian crisis. This is excellent news for the migrants trapped in Costa Rica. Better news would be a real improvement of conditions on the island, so that those that dream of a better future could start to imagine one at home. The worst possible outcome is one where the fear of the those rushing for the exits is justified, and the Obama administration does the bidding of the Castro regime once again, closing the door through which so many have left Cuba to reach the land where dreams come true. A couple of weeks ago, I repeated on-air and with gusto my long-standing conviction that Donald Trump was going to be the Republican nominee. Teflon Dons political resilience has defied political convention and made fools of the Washington media establishment and pundit class. His poll performance is unprecedented, as is his ability to deflect criticism and make it work for him. Every outrageous thing Trump says, whether about Mexican and Muslim immigrants, menstruating anchors or even mocking President Bill Clinton as a monstrous pervert is apparently resonating among the community of GOP primary voters. My second big-picture pronouncement during that television appearance before the holidays was that Hillary Clinton would soundly beat Trump in November. Moreover, I said that the defeat would be so devastating that there would not be another Republican president in my lifetime. My reasoning was simple. Trump thrives among angry white voters. (What they are angry about and whether it is partially because President Obama is a black man is the subject of another column, another day). Trump has the air of a winner, confident and capable, even if inexperienced in formal governance. Most refreshingly, he is self-funding and promises to cripple the lobbyists and special interests. But for all his success among whites, Trump is getting crushed in surveys of minority voters. He is deeply unpopular among blacks, Asians, Muslims, Millennials and pro-choice women. For all his charm, there is special loathing for The Donald among Latinos. Hence, I postulated, Hillary will rout Trump. There are just not enough angry white guys, including those knucklehead militiamen in Burns, Oregon for Trump to win a national election. Now comes self-doubt about my confident proclamation. It came to me over the holidays in Puerto Rico when I pondered el Ano Nuevo. Most experts agree that in swing states like Colorado, Nevada and especially Florida, the Latino vote is large enough to be decisive in Novembers presidential election. But there is a grinding IF, and this is a big if. Will eligible Latinos actually register and show up to vote? In the last election, the 2014 midterms, 3 out of 4 eligible Latinos choose not to bother. While whites and blacks voted at roughly the same rate, 46 and 41 percent, respectively, Latino participation was a woeful 26 percent. That enthusiasm gap is also apparent today across the nation. Why hasnt there been more Latino reaction, particularly in the Mexican and Central American communities to the harsh, sometimes-racist tone of the current immigration debate? Donald The Wall Trump has laid out a scary proposal of mass, forced deportations that has now been parroted by virtually every viable GOP candidate. Yet, as the New York Times pointed out this weekend, there is no organized anger, no vibrant voter registration crusade. Nor has a new Cesar Chavez emerged to lead Brown Lives Matter. Is day-to-day life of the typical Latino so stressed that people are too distracted to vote? Is immigration overblown as an issue among citizen Hispanics? Has President Obamas reputation as Deporter-in-Chief given prospective Latino American voters the ambivalent feeling that both political parties hold the bloc in such low regard, why bother? The big question, in Florida specifically, will be the Puerto Rican vote. Hundreds of thousands have fled the collapsing economy of the beautiful, but broke and corrupt Commonwealth. They have mostly settled along the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. They now are close to outnumbering the Cuban Americans who proved decisive in George W. Bushs 2000 hanging chad victory. Unlike those Cubans, who historically voted Republican, most stateside Puerto Ricans vote Democrat. Will those new Puerto Ricans voters support either Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz, who are Cuban-American Republican senators opposed to federal legislation to bailout Puerto Rico? Can Hillary Clinton infuse sufficient enthusiasm in those newly arrived Puerto Rican Floridians to keep them Democrat and stoke registration and turnout? When Mitt Romney won just 27 percent of Hispanic voters in 2012, it seemed like the demographic realities of America left the GOP with a stark choice: court the Latino vote or be shut out of the White House forever. When Trump dumped on immigrants it seemed to seal the deal. But if Latinos dont show up to vote in 2016, well be an empty pinata. For Latinos in America, its a New Years Eve custom that often leaves our gringo guests baffled. Why are you shoving 12 grapes in your mouth in rapid succession, my wife Suzanne would ask when she first celebrated New Years Eve under the watchful eye of my mother Adela? What will good fortune represent for Latinos in America this year? It begins and ends with Donald Trump. Rick Sanchez If it were a Seinfeld episode, my mother would be the grape Nazi when it comes to this ritual, which dates back to Spain toward the end of the 1800s. Heaven help anyone who dares not eat or skip a grape in her presence. Mom instilled that in us as children to the point where I was convinced that if I dropped a grape say, grape number three then I would be struck down in March, the third month of the year. Imagine staying inside for the whole month of March for fear that something bad was going to happen to you because you skipped a grape on New Years. Silly, yes but you must understand that this 12 grapes thing is as much a celebration as it is a superstition. And to my mom, it was actually more of the latter. Yes, eating the 12 grapes was a requisite for us each year, and what made it so difficult was the fact that we were also too poor to afford seedless grapes. That meant trying all different types of ways to pre seed before eating, or spitting into a small glass or taking the seed onto your fingers none of which are attractive options for sure. But we muscle through it each year as we join tens of millions of other Hispanics in America who down one grape at each stroke of midnight to represent good luck for each of the 12 months of the year. What will good fortune represent for Latinos in America this year? It begins and ends with Donald Trump. Lets just say hes Mr. January and Mr. December. January: Though Trump attacked us first, calling those who cross the border into America rapists and criminals, he continued insults of other groups as well, including women, blacks, Muslims and even combat veterans. Our good fortune: misery breeds company. February: Pass comprehensive immigration reform and stop talking about securing a border thats already more secure. Numbers dont lie. More people are crossing the border heading back to Mexico than are crossing on the way here. Lets be grateful for that economic reality. March: Lets create a pathway to citizenship for the hardworking, responsible, America-loving undocumented immigrants who are here. You want proof of their productiveness? Fine, consider this they make up only 3.5 percent of our population yet comprise 5.1 percent of our workforce. No other group can claim that level of industriousness. And we want to get rid of them? What? April: Lets create a vehicle for finding out which undocumented immigrants are criminals, moochers and delinquents and kick their culos out of the country. That would make all Latinos grateful. May: Lets be grateful for the only Hispanic candidate in the presidential race and hope that Americans realize hes also the most serious candidate. Lets be grateful for Jeb Bush. June: Dr. Ben Carson fizzles after saying he wanted to attack people crossing the border with missiles. Lets be grateful that soon after that idiotic statement, he went on to make about a dozen more. Almost all, lulus! July: Read this website, find others you like as well and lets be grateful that there are enough sources for news and information aside from those who want to do nothing but frighten us for ratings and profits. August: Be generally grateful that things are never as bad they are made out to be by media and politics. Doubt all you hear and half of what you read and always consider their motivation. September: Why, if Honduras is said to be the most dangerous country on earth, does the media ignore the plight of Hondurans, while exaggerating and overcovering every Middle East story? Be grateful for those few journalists who understand the disparity and report on it. October: Be grateful that Democrats are at least generally more accepting of Latinos than are Republicans when it comes to rhetoric and immigration reform, but trust neither party. November: Be grateful that Hispanics can, from time to time, appear on TV as guests on news and information shows. However, considering that theyre the largest and fastest growing minority group in the U.S., ask yourself why theyre so woefully underrepresented when compared to every other minority group. December: Weve saved the best grape for last. After insulting almost every single minority group in the U.S., Donald Trump finally goes too far after being roundly rejected by the GOP at a brokered convention. His third party candidacy fizzles when the networks jointly decide to simply stop giving him free airtime. Heres to a great 2016 and to the hope that dreams really can come true. Voters who supported Hillary Clinton for president, including me, were shocked by the election results on Nov 8. But as we deal emotionally with the surprise, we should follow the lead of the initially jumpy financial markets and shift from doom and gloom to optimism. Heres why: 1. Both houses of Congress and President-elect Donald Trump will be pro-business. In January, we will have a Republican Congress and a Republican president, who should cooperate to pass laws that will free up capital for businesses to hire and create jobs. We will also have a pro-business Democratic dealmaker, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, as Senate minority leader. Schumer replaces Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, who used his leadership position to attack everything from the Koch brothers and Mitt Romney to patent-reform legislation and internet freedom. With this new combination, were likely to see legislation that helps businesses invest in growing and hiring. By lowering corporate taxes; reforming patent, securities and class-action laws; and reducing regulatory burdens, businesses will have more money to invest in growth and job creation. 2. New infrastructure investment will create jobs and fuel growth. Congress and the Trump administration will cooperate to invest in infrastructure. They may even agree on a plan to repatriate more than $2 trillion parked overseas by U.S. companies reluctant to bring the money home and pay the current 35 percent U.S. corporate tax rate, the highest rate of any developed country. The lower taxes paid on this reclaimed money could go directly to infrastructure or through an infrastructure bank. 3. Many rules that hurt business growth will vanish. Unnecessary and questionable rules are choking growth and companies ability to hire. During his campaign, Trump said he would reverse President Obamas executive orders and rules hurting job creation. By simply repealing the Department of Labors actions narrowing the independent-contractor definition, restricting intern hiring and mandating overtime for those making under $47,500, Trump will free businesses, especially startups, to create jobs. 4. Trump wont do anything to sabotage economic growth. Many economists fear Trump will block imports, skilled at immigrants and foreign investment. He wont. He cares too much about being successful, and he will rely on visible data points to define his success. Think about his past: As a brand, Trump touted the number of buildings his company constructed and the number of Trump product offerings. As the star of Celebrity Apprentice, he pored over daily and weekly television ratings and constantly tweaked the show in response. As a candidate, he cited polls frequently in his campaign appearances. As president, Trump may still follow popularity polls, but he may be looking to monthly gross domestic product and job growth numbers to further define his success. Given his hunger for immediate feedback, the biggest daily and even hourly measure of Trumps administration may be the stock market. If he gives formal notice to Canada and Mexico that the U.S. is withdrawing from NAFTA, causing automaker and homebuilder stocks to tumble, he will be pained. And should he take positions that hurt tech, it would affect the broader stock market since tech stocks represent more than 20 percent of the S&P 500. If he takes steps to raise tariffs on, or restrict imports from China causing retailer stocks to tumble, and igniting a possible trade war with China imposing retaliatory tariffs, Trump also will be accountable. If consumers balk at buying a new smartphone because it costs the same as a car, Trump will be responsible. If Trump cuts visas and makes travel to the U.S. difficult or less desirable, causing hotel chain and airline stocks to fall, he will be (especially) displeased. More, Wall Street will immediately respond if Trump hurts the economy, creates uncertainty and affects business forecasts. And if IRAs and 401(k)s tumble, Trump will know he is failing. President Harry Truman had a sign in the Oval Office that read The buck stops here. On Jan. 20, Trump shifts from outside critic to the most important leader in the world. He will succeed only if he has presidential judgment and understands that his every action and utterance is noticed, magnified and has consequences. Take his acceptance speech as an example. President-elect Trumps gracious and unifying victory speech in the early-morning hours of Nov. 9 calmed and reversed the worldwide, abrupt fall in stock market prices. Trump has every opportunity to grow our economy through policies supporting economic growth. The stock market can and will be the real-time measure of his economic success. Once, Dr. Tom Catena, a Catholic medical missionary then in Nairobi, Kenya, performed twelve C-sections in a single night. In a few hours he saved more lives than most of us will in a lifetime--or severaland every mother that night came to him as a stranger. Tom does not operate that way alone. He is part of an almost invisible network of love and compassion strung out across the African continent, where Christian mission hospitals comprise a third of all medical care. Rabbi David Wolpe talks of love as an "enacted emotion" a sentiment necessarily followed by action. In the Bible, he says, the first mention of love is parental because the link between love and responsibility, between feeling and action, shows in a father's love for his son, as Abraham loved Isaac. As love is an enacted emotion, so is gratitude. A person who genuinely is grateful also wants to do for the giver. I value what has been received, the person is saying, so what can I give in return? And this holiday season, enacted gratitude is the response I propose. My wife, Rabbi Erica Gerson, and I are grateful for the health care we receive. In a New York hospital, Erica has had four successful C-sections. In Africa, meanwhile, only 20 percent of women needing this centuries-old procedure can actually get one. Why? Because African countries average one doctor for every 30,000 people. The saving (literally) grace for many of these patients is Christian medical missionariesphysicians forgoing modern American comforts to enact the great Jewish and Christian imperative (mentioned 36 times in the Torah) to "love the stranger." Last year around Thanksgiving, Erica and I announced a match of $175,000 in support of Dr. Catenanow the only physician for more than half a million people in the Nuba Mountains. And from diverse backgrounds and faiths, the match was met and exceeded. Inspired by this outpouring for one missionary doctor, with the African Mission Healthcare Foundation, we created the L'Chaim Prize for Outstanding Christian Medical Missionary Service, inaugurated just this year. The winner's institution will receive $500,000 to save lives and ameliorate pain and suffering. Just to see the applications, to learn about the finalists, has been an exercise in gratitudean education in what one person, inspired to serve, can accomplish. And that is why, on Giving Tuesday, I share the inspiring stories of the LChaim prizes four finalists: Dr. Jason Fader, in Burundi, the hungriest nation on earth, with 10 million people and 13 surgeons, is the only full-time surgeon outside the capital city. He plans to expand a crowded surgical ward and improve fracture care for lower limbs. The Prize would enable the countrys first-ever training of doctors beyond medical school. Dr. Stephen Foster, in Angola for 38 years, heads a medical center in a country of 21 million and almost no modern healthcare. He wants to create a rotating internship, also his countrys first, to upgrade new Angolan physiciansaiming at 24 well-trained MDs, each to care for 4,000 patients annually. Dr. William Rhodes, a reconstructive surgeon in Kenya, has performed 15,000 surgeries. With the funds to mentor two young Kenyan surgeons, his hospital could perform another 1,000 surgeries annually. The prize money would buy much-needed basic surgical equipment and bring rehabilitative surgery to remote areas. Dr. John Spurrier, in rural Zambia since the mid-1970s, desires to improve HIV care for 4,000 patients in rural areas, upgrade electricity and water for his mission hospital, and provide suitable housing for staff. Right now, Macha Hospital, a lifeline for 150,000, has running water only two hours each day. In a world of dire need, four givers enact right sentiments daily with ridiculously limited resources, on behalf of the stranger whom we as Jews are commanded by the Torah to love. On Giving Tuesday, I plan to enact my gratitude for their worksimply because love comes with responsibility. Editor's note: The following column originally appeared on NewsBusters.org, a project of the Media Research Center in Washington. When Jill Stein was the Green Partys candidate for U.S. president, the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) only gave her 36 seconds of coverage. However, as soon as she launched a campaign to contest the presidential election and demand a recount of ballots in several key states, the evening news shows on ABC, CBS and NBC managed to find 7 minutes and 26 seconds of coverage for her in just four days. On November 26s NBC "Nightly News," anchor Lester Holt began a story on the recount by implying that the election may not be over yet, if you thought the presidential election was behind us, word came today from the Hillary Clinton campaign that it will back the state-wide election recount effort put on by third party candidate Jill Stein in three key battle ground states. Holt then turned the story over to correspondent Kristen Welker, who led by saying that the recount was prompted when a group of computer scientists, including a voting rights lawyer, said they found voting irregularities in three states. Despite this drastic uptick in coverage, Stein admitted that her team was working without proof. Let me be very clear, Stein told CBS Evening Newss Anna Werner during a November 24 interview, we do not have evidence of fraud. We do not have smoking guns. What we do have is an election that was surrounded by hacking. Mike Ciandella is a research analyst for the MRC's News Analysis Division, and manages the MRC's Bias by the Minute project (BBTM). For more, click here. Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada is turning in his official resignation letter Friday, a day after announcing he would step down amid a developing ethics probe. Now, Governor Brian Sandoval will appoint someone to serve the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of 2012. Ensign, who admitted to an extramarital affair with a former staffer, said he feared the ongoing ethics probe would result in further "wear and tear" on himself and his family. Senate Ethics Committee named a special counsel in February to look into the matter, after the Justice Department and the Federal Election Commission investigated and then dropped their cases. "As is its right, the Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation of issues into which it has been inquiring for the past year and a half. Indeed, the Committee even decided recently to devote more resources to its investigation by hiring an outside counsel even though the issues have been viewed and reviewed by so many others," he said. In his statement Ensign, who must leave office by May 3, said that he could no longer put up with the intense focus of the affair and the ethical issues. "While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule, or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly, I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings," he said. Several Republican Party officials said Thursday they hoped Sandoval would appoint U.S. Rep. Dean Heller to Ensign's seat. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Choosing Heller or another Republican would give the party the advantage of incumbency in a highly competitive seat that could decide which party controls the Senate after next year's elections. U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley and wealthy businessman Byron Georgiou have said they are candidates for the Democratic nomination. Ensign announced in June 2009 that he had an extramarital affair with Cynthia Hampton, a former member of his campaign staff, and that he had helped her husband, Doug Hampton, a member of his Senate staff, obtain lobbying work with two Nevada companies. Doug Hampton has been indicted for illegally lobbying the senator's staff. Federal law prohibits a former senior Senate aide from lobbying the Senate for one year after terminating employment. Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who chairs the Senate Ethics Committee, and GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson, the committee's vice chairman, said they will complete their investigation in a timely fashion. "Senator Ensign has made the appropriate decision," the senators said in a statement Thursday. Ensign announced in March he would not pursue re-election in 2012 to protect his family from campaign attacks involving his role in Doug Hampton's lobbying career. Based on reporting by the Associated Press. Follow us ontwitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Jeb Bush made immigration a personal issue during his time as Florida governor. Emails released recently by the presumptive 2016 GOP presidential candidate show that Bush responded personally to desperate pleas from citizens who had run into immigration roadblocks and appealed to the governor for help, according to a report by The Hill. In an email from 2003, a woman wrote to Bush about the plight of a family of five who arrived to the U.S. from Argentina on tourist visas. In the message, the woman wrote that a Florida man advertising himself as an immigration lawyer stole $3,500 from the family after promising to help them stay in the country permanently. This family has entered our country legally and have now lapsed into illegal status due to the scam of a lawyer that was to help them, the woman wrote in the email. Their dream of dreams is to work, raise their family and pay their taxes in this country. In his response, Bush said he didnt know if there was anything that he could do, but that he would try. He said he would direct his legal counsel to intervene with Immigration and Naturalization Service officials in Miami. Bushs emails can be found in a searchable archive at the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting. In speeches, the former governor has argued that the countrys current immigration system should put a preference on family reunification. In many cases in the e-mail archive, Bush offered his help or the help of his immigration lawyer. In an another message, a pregnant Florida woman who was married to a Mexican citizen reached out to the governor saying that she and her husband desperately wanted to raise their child together, but her husband had not heard back about his immigrant application. I am beginning to get nervous and almost desperate about what is currently happening in my life, the woman wrote. Next month I will enter my last trimester and I will not be able to travel to visit my husband anymore. In planning for my delivery, my closest relative is 3.5 hours away and I only get 6-9 weeks of maternity leave from work. Bush responded, I will do my best to try to help. When it comes to immigration, the former Florida governor has said that while he supports stronger border security a universally held position among Republicans he also supports a path to legal residency for some immigrants who are in the country illegally. This stance, along with his statement earlier this year that sometimes undocumented immigration is an act of love, could become an issue during Republican primaries. It certainly sets Bush apart from most of the other presumptive GOP candidates. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Sen. Marco Rubio's potential plans to run for the White House were unchanged by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's announcement that he would "actively explore" a run in 2016. A senior advisor for the Florida senator told The Hill that Rubio was undeterred by his former mentors move toward running for president. I know for a fact that the news (on Dec. 16) didnt change any of our teams plans. Sen. Rubio will have a very aggressive travel schedule next month, the advisor said. Part of the reason for that aggressive schedule is because Rubio's book, American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone, hits book stores in January. Publishing a book prior to mounting a national campaign has almost become de rigeur in recent elections, with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and Rand Paul, among others, issuing tomes during election campaigns. Republican strategists have predicted that Rubio, 43, would not run for the White House if Bush made an attempt to the top spot, assuming his base in Florida would follow to Bush. But the rising GOP star has stated several times that the plans of his former mentor would not push him out of the race and that he would make any decision irrespective of any other candidate. When you reach a point where you are thinking about running for president, as I am, what you have to make you decision is on is not on who is running. Its on whether you think thats the right place to achieve your agenda and serve your country, Rubio said on NBCs Meet the Press recently. He said that he has tremendous respect for Bush, who is a very credible and strong contender. According to The Hill, some of Rubios top financial supporters believe that Bushs potential 2016 run wont hurt the Florida senator as much as it could other rumored candidates like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. I think Christie and Walker are more impacted by Jeb, said Matt Keelen, a top Republican strategist and fundraiser, told The Hill. I think a lot of people that were coalescing around Christie were Bush people and had ties to the Bush infrastructure. Thats probably not going to be there for him. Strategists conceded though, that it will be harder for Rubio to raise as much money as he would have without Bush on the ballot. Is it possible to raise an adequate amount of money with Jeb Bush in the race? I think most people say yes. Does it make it more difficult?... The answer to that is yes, said a GOP fundraiser, who noted Bushs donor base in Florida is different from Rubios. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Striking a bipartisan tone and promising to push for education reform, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez took the oath of office for a second time Thursday during a public inauguration celebration on New Year's Day. Martinez, the nation's only Latina governor and rising star within the Republican Party, told an audience at a ceremony inside the House chamber that the election was over, and it was time for both parties to put aside differences to find solutions to help transform one of the poorest states in the country. The governor officially began her second term after being sworn in during a private ceremony at the governor's residence at midnight. She was joined by her family and closest friends. Despite the GOP winning control of the New Mexico House for the first time in 60 years, Martinez told the audience at the public gathering that voters wanted all elected leaders to draft reforms together. "It is certainly the case that Republicans had a good night on Election Night. But it would be a mistake for us to believe we were elected because voters wanted Republican politicians in office. That's not the message," Martinez said in a 20-minute speech. She cautioned that history was "littered with failed politicians who believed that voters wanted one party over the other" and said that lawmakers had no choice but to compromise. Still, she also sent a stern warning to Democrats and teachers unions that while she was open to listen to concerns about some of her educational proposals, she was in no mood to lower student standards. I will meet anyone halfway if we're focused on the same goal of student achievement, but I will never compromise on lowering standards for our children. Never," Martinez said. Martinez enters her second term with the first Republican-controlled New Mexico House since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. However, she still has to contend with a Democratic-led Senate where some of her previous reform proposals have died. Aside from education, Martinez is expected to push to repeal a state law that allows immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's licenses -- a measure that has generated staunch opposition from Democrats. Don Tripp, the expected incoming House Speaker, echoed Martinez's desire for both parties to come together on a number of proposals. He said he was optimistic about the upcoming session. Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, said he was pleased to hear that the governor wanted to work with Democrats on legislation now that the election was over. "The Democrats are very interested in coming up with a bipartisan approach," Ortiz y Pino said. "But if we push back on some issues, it doesn't mean we're not bipartisan. It just means we feel strongly about certain issues." However, Ortiz y Pino said he saw a number of areas where Democrats and Republicans could come together. He said a bill on third-grade reading standards could pass if Martinez could agree to more tutoring, for example. "All we need is the governor and the public education secretary" Hanna Skandera "to budge a little," Ortiz y Pino said. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Separating himself from much of the emerging Republican presidential field, Jeb Bush has declined an invitation to speak at a political event organized by one of Congress' most strident immigration critics. A Bush aide said Wednesday that the former Florida governor appreciated the invite from Republican congressman Steve King but would not be able to attend the Iowa Freedom Summit on Jan. 24 because of a scheduling conflict. More than a half-dozen potential Republican presidential contenders are set to appear, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Bush's absence is notable because of King's status as a conservative power broker in Iowa, home of the nation's first presidential caucuses. Bush is one of the GOP's most vocal advocates for comprehensive immigration reform. King generally opposes such efforts. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram In the year that will pass before the 2016 campaign for president formally kicks off with the votes in the Iowa Caucus, any number of candidates, donors, political operatives and people who have nothing to do with American politics will shape the race for the White House. Here's a look at 10 people (OK, 12 people) who will be worth watching in the next year. 1. Raul Castro, Communist Dictator Obama's recent decision to restore America's diplomatic relations with Cuba thrust the issue and the island nation's communist leader, Raul Castro into the 2016 contest. The move was vigorously condemned by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American eyeing a White House bid who slammed Obama for a deal that "conceded everything and gained little." Should Castro fail to take steps in the next year toward democracy and improving human rights, he would vindicate Rubio's criticisms and highlight his developing rift over foreign policy with Paul, one of the few Republicans to say Obama's move on Cuba was the right one. 2. Rafael Cruz and Ron Paul, Proud Fathers Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are no strangers to stirring up trouble in the Senate, but both are tame compared to their fathers. Rafael Cruz, a Dallas-area pastor, says God prefers conservative candidates and that Obama is a "Marxist" who should be sent "back to Kenya." Ron Paul, a physician and former congressman from Texas, opposed almost every facet of government as overreach during his time in office and two Quixotic campaigns for president, winning the nickname "Dr. No." Both fathers are sure to become focal points of scrutiny should their sons enter the race for president. 3. Columba Bush, Would-Be First Lady Perhaps no one has more influence on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's presidential aspirations than his wife of 40 years, Columba Bush. Long uncomfortable with media attention, a Bush presidential bid would thrust her into the national spotlight whether she likes it or not. It would also shine a light on their three children, one of whom has struggled with substance abuse. And as the debate over immigration rages inside the party, Columba Bush's background she is a native of Mexico could play prominently in her husband's presidential campaign. 4. Elizabeth Warren, Potential Rival The populist senator from Massachusetts is, at the dawn of 2015, the only person who appears able to mount a competitive challenge to Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination. The architect of President Barack Obama's consumer financial protection agency, Warren would be able to quickly raise millions from an already enthusiastic following. She has repeatedly insisted she is "not running for president," but her consistent use of the present tense has left some liberals begging her to get into the race. 5. Steve Robertson, Backroom Ally The bespectacled chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky will have a busy 2015 thanks in no small measure to the political aspirations of the state's junior senator, Rand Paul. As Robertson works to elect a Republican governor for only the second time in 44 years, he will have to figure out whether to help Paul run for president and re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2016 something nominally barred by Kentucky law. Options include moving up the state's primary or changing the party's rules, but no matter what path Paul's team takes, Robertson will be the man selling it to the public. 6. Paul Fishman, Prosecutor As U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Paul Fishman is leading the federal criminal investigation into a scheme to create traffic jams on a bridge that links New Jersey with Manhattan a political scandal that still hangs over the political ambitions of Gov. Chris Christie. There is no evidence linking Christie directly to the effort to tie up traffic on the bridge, but even if he is formally cleared by Fishman, the federal prosecutor could announce a string of indictments against the governor's former staffers, aides and appointees just as he's announcing his candidacy for president. 7. John Podesta, Steady Influence A senior adviser to President Barack Obama, Podesta is a trusted Democratic counselor and environmental policymaker who served as Bill Clinton's White House chief of staff. Podesta has said he doesn't intend to leave the White House until Obama's mid-January State of the Union address and could serve as Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman. If he joins the campaign, Podesta would provide stability to an organization that was plagued by infighting in 2007 and 2008 and could help Clinton navigate the party's liberal wing and the final term of Obama's administration. 8. Sheldon Adelson, Republican Megadonor One of the Republican Party's most powerful donors, the casino magnate has the money to single-handedly bankroll a candidate's presidential prospects which he did in 2012 for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Several White House prospects have already traveled to Las Vegas to court Adelson, the chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and one of the world's richest individuals. His advisors suggest Adelson is in no hurry to pick his 2016 favorite, but look for foreign policy and Israel in particular to weigh heavily on his ultimate decision. Adelson is a staunch supporter of the Jewish state. 9. Bill Clinton, Would-Be First Gentleman The former president is sure to emerge as the ultimate surrogate if his wife seeks the White House a second time. He was among the most popular campaigners for Democratic candidates during the 2014 elections, and his speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention helped sell Obama's economic agenda and first-term record. The ex-president has moved past the 2008 campaign, when he testily noted after Obama's South Carolina primary win over his wife that Jesse Jackson had also won the state twice. Yet he remains a wild card, offering both the potential to amplify Hillary Rodham Clinton's message and draw intense fire for any potential misstep. 10. Joni Ernst and Terry Branstad, Iowa Connections Terry Branstad has won election as Iowa governor six times, more than any other state chief executive in U.S. history. Joni Ernst was the breakout star of the 2014 midterm elections, a little-known state lawmaker who parlayed rural roots and a military background along with a punchy television ad about castrating hogs into a win for U.S. senate. The pair will be sought after by every Republican seeking to kick off their campaign for president with a win in the first-to-vote Iowa Caucus. After two rounds of caucuses in which GOP voters backed a candidate who ultimately failed to win the nomination, Branstad orchestrated a takeover of the Iowa GOP in 2014, attempting to broaden the base and nudge disciples of former Texas Rep. Ron Paul out of party leadership. Ernst says she'll say neutral in 2016, but voters are sure to look for any signals from their new senator as to how she'll caucus on the cold Iowa night that officially starts the race to Election Day. Based on reporting by the Associated Press. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram California on Friday will start taking driver's license applications from the nation's largest population of immigrants in the country illegally. The state Department of Motor Vehicles expects 1.4 million people will seek a license in the first three years of a program aimed at boosting road safety and making immigrants' lives easier. For me, honestly, it is a blessing. The relief of knowing they won't take your car is a big advantage. Maritza Aguirre, 30 year old housecleaner California officials say they can't predict how many people will line up immediately to apply, but the number of people making appointments for a license more than doubled when immigrants were allowed to sign up. Appointments are required to apply for a license except at four newly-created DMV offices. California is one of 10 states that now provide licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. The licenses issued to immigrants without legal status will include a distinctive marking and are not considered a valid form of federal identification. Immigrants in the country illegally have not been allowed to apply for a driver's license in California since the state began requiring proof of legal presence during the 1990s. Immigrant advocates have cheered the licenses as a way to integrate immigrants who must drive to work and shuttle children to school. But critics have questioned state officials' ability to verify the identity of foreign applicants, citing security concerns. Law enforcement officials say the program will improve road safety because licensed drivers must be tested and insured. A DMV study of 23 years of crash data found that unlicensed drivers were more likely to cause a fatal collision than licensed drivers. State insurance officials hope the change will increase the number of drivers holding auto insurance, though some immigrants say they have always held insurance even though they could not get a license. Maritza Aguirre, 30, is one of them. She used to take a two-hour bus trip to work cleaning houses in driving-dependent Southern California. Now, she drives but lacks a license and fears her car might be impounded if she is ever stopped by police. "For me, honestly, it is a blessing," said Aguirre, who has an appointment this week to apply for a license. "The relief of knowing they won't take your car is a big advantage." Advocates have encouraged immigrants to seek the license. But they are warning those with deportation orders or criminal records to first seek legal advice since law enforcement can access DMV data. Applicants must submit proof of identity and state residency and pass written and road tests. Those who don't possess foreign government-issued identification on a list of approved documents can be interviewed by a DMV investigator to see if they qualify. Starting on Friday, immigrants who pass the initial hurdles will get a driving permit. But they must return for a driving test before they can get the new licenses, which will be marked with the words "federal limits apply." Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram A newly elected Arizona lawmaker says he's drafting legislation to add a "non-citizen" designation on driver's licenses issued to young immigrants participating in a federal program enabling them to avoid deportation. Republican Rep.-elect Jay Lawrence said he wants to protect the integrity of the voting system. Meanwhile, Democratic state Rep. Catherine Miranda says Lawrence's proposal spells trouble for Arizona in the wake of past controversy over a 2010 immigration-enforcement law. Arizona was one of the last states to issue licenses to young immigrants brought into the U.S. illegally as children but allowed to remain under a 2012 Obama administration program known as DACA. Republican Gov. Jan Brewer waged a lengthy legal battle to restrict licenses, but a U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for participating immigrants to begin applying for licenses on Dec. 23. In their dissent opinion, Justices Alito, Scalia and Thomas indicated they would have granted Gov. Brewers request. The ruling affects an estimated 20,000 young immigrants in Arizona. Nicholas Espiritu, a staff attorney with the National Immigration Law Center at the time of the ruling, told Fox News Latino that drivers licenses are crucial for the Dreamers development. The young immigrants who have been granted deferred action and work authorization under the DACA program are students and young adults who are trying to pursue an education, advance their careers, support their families, and fully contribute to their communities, he said. Based on reporting by the Associated Press. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram On the erroneous notion that in mid-January the U.S. will end its policy of admitting for residence those Cubans who reach its shores, growing numbers of people have been fleeing the island in hopes of beating the deadline. Since Dec. 17, more than 400 Cubans were encountered trying to head to the United States, mainly through the Florida Straits, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. That is about three times the number that attempts to reach the United States each month. Dec. 17 is when President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. was restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, ending a thaw of more than 50 years. U.S. authorities have captured, intercepted or chased away 421 Cubans since Dec. 17, mostly in the Florida Straits, said Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Somma, spokesman for the Coast Guard's 7th District in Miami. In all of December 2013, the total number of Cuban migrants who encountered U.S. law enforcement while trying to reach the U.S was just 222. And just before the historic announcement of the U.S-Cuba detente from Dec. 1 to Dec. 16 only 132 Cubans were kept from reaching U.S. shores. Some Cubans recently told The Associated Press that they were thinking about speeding up their plans to get to the U.S., but others cautioned against attempting the dangerous crossing when it's still unclear how U.S. law may change. "I'm crazy to leave, but I'm not going to throw myself into the sea, I'm not going to do it," Juan Moreno, 34, said in Havana on Monday. "He who does that is crazy." The Coast Guard says the significant increase in the number of Cuban migrants has been prompted by rumors that an abrupt end is coming as soon as Jan. 15 to the so-called wet foot-dry foot policy that usually shields Cubans from deportation if they reach U.S. shores. But U.S. officials say there are no immediate plans to change the policy. Congress would have to change the Cuban Adjustment Act or the U.S. trade embargo. "There is no change to immigration law. This rumor is just putting people in harm's way. The rumors are just not true," Somma said. The overall number of migrants making risky sea voyages toward U.S. shores from the Caribbean, including Cuba and other countries, has spiked in the past year. According to the Coast Guard, in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, U.S. authorities captured, intercepted or chased away at least 5,585 Haitians, 3,940 Cubans and hundreds from the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries attempting to sneak into the country. For nearly 50 years, Cubans have had a unique privilege. The Cuban Adjustment Act has given them a virtually guaranteed path to legal residency and eventual citizenship. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of Cubans have taken perilous raft trips to Florida and land journeys through Central America and Mexico with the knowledge that they would not be deported. Cubans caught at sea, though, usually are returned home. Coast Guard officials stopped short of calling the recent surge a mass migration, but they said they're concerned about the increased numbers of migrants. "At one point last week, we had about 120 Cuban migrants on Coast Guard cutter decks awaiting repatriation," Somma said. Some Coast Guard vessels and aircraft have been pulled from other missions in the region to address the increased migrant traffic in the waters off Florida, Somma said. Poverty and political repression have long caused Cubans and other Caribbean islanders to attempt the journey across the swift currents of the Florida Straits, and a recovering U.S. economy and another calm summer without many tropical storms may have contributed to the increased flow of migrants documented since the federal fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2013. But now that the U.S. and Cuba are negotiating a return to full diplomatic relations, many Cubans wonder how long wet foot-dry foot will continue. Moreno and others in Cuba said that they expected the changes announced last month to take time, and that the Cuban Adjustment Act would eventually go away, whether or not circumstances on the island improved. "The truth is that someday it will be removed, but it's unknown when," Moreno said. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The Cuban government may have opened some economic doors in recent years, but it maintains an iron fist when it comes to opposition to its policies or to the revolution. An independent human rights group on the island said on Monday that the Cuban government undertook a record number of detentions last year of dissidents and political activists. The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation recorded 8,899 short-term detentions of dissidents and activists in 2014. That was about 2,000 more than the previous year and four times as many as in 2010, said the group's head, Elizardo Sanchez. The detentions can last for a few hours or a few days, but do not lead to prison time. Some people have been detained several times in a month, so the total number of people detained is lower. Sanchez said his group counts about 90 people held in prison for political reasons less than half the figure five years ago. The report also said dissidents inside Cuba did not know who was on the list of 53 whom the U.S. asked Cuba to release as part of a detente announced last month. Neither the U.S. nor Cuba has made the list public or said openly whether any of those on it have been released. A U.S. official said on condition of anonymity Monday that some of the 53 had been released but efforts to secure the release of the dissidents was a "work in progress." The official wasn't authorized to provide details on who has been freed. The official said the release of all the dissidents wasn't a prerequisite for planned talks in Cuba between the Obama administration and Cuban officials later this month. Cuba's government has long narrowly defined the bounds of acceptable speech, accusing many dissidents of being agents of the U.S. government or right-wing exile groups, and subjecting them to surveillance, temporary detention and harassment. President Barack Obama pledged this month that easing the embargo on Cuba and normalizing diplomatic relations would be a better way of supporting Cuban civil society. Some experts said that lessening U.S.-Cuban tensions would remove a pretext for repression of domestic critics. But Obama also said he was "under no illusion about the continued barriers to freedom that remain for ordinary Cubans," and Sanchez said Monday that he expected no major short-term changes in Cuba's treatment of dissidents. The list of those detained in December includes expatriate artist Tania Bruguera, who was briefly held and released at least three times since her return to Cuba late last month to organize a performance art piece involving the installation of an open microphone in Havana's Plaza of the Revolution for Cubans to speak about their country. Authorities launched a round of brief detentions on the day of the planned performance, which did not take place. Also included in the list is graffiti and performance artist Danilo Maldonado, who other dissidents said was arrested last month in or near a square in central Havana as he attempted to release two pigs labeled "Fidel" and "Raul," the first names of Cuba's current and former presidents. The right group's report said he was being charged with the crime of disrespect for authority, which carries a one- to three-year prison sentence. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Sen. Ted Cruz has vowed to make the road to implementing the executive order on immigration very rough for President Barack Obama so rough, that perhaps the destination will not be reached. The Texas Republicans is one of the most outspoken critics of the order, which could give some 5 million undocumented immigrants a three-year relief from deportation, as well as work permits and some federal benefits. Now, with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, Cruz and others in his party who condemned the presidents unilateral action said they would fight back through purse strings by manipulating funding to the Department of Homeland Security so that theres insufficient or no money to make parts of order a reality. Supporters of the order say they are ready and even eager for a fight by Republicans, according to Politico. They say that to fight the presidents effort to suspend deportation temporarily would be tantamount to reinforcing the GOPs image as hostile to immigrants and Latinos. The idea that a partial shutdown of DHS is going to get Obama to cave on a signature second-term accomplishment is fantasy, said Frank Sharry, the executive director of Americas Voice, in Politico. Its much more likely that the politics will blow up in the face of Republicans, and that theyll be seen by Latinos and immigrants as hostile. Cruz, who made headlines in 2013 when he spearheaded the controversial effort to defund the presidents Affordable Care Act, prompting a government shutdown, said that the GOP must stand up to Obamas executive order. If Republicans stand united in January or February and use the constitutional check and balance, the power of the purse, to stop President Obamas illegal amnesty, nobody will be happier than I, Politico quoted Cruz as saying. Advocates for more lenient immigration policies are working to bolster momentum for the executive order, holding information sessions around the country for people who might be eligible, and encouraging those immigrants to apply. Their thinking is that by getting the ball rolling, it will be hard to stop. The best defense of this action is getting people informed about what theyre going to be eligible for and making implementation as accessible as possible, Politico quoted Kelly Rodriguez, assistant to the executive vice president at the AFL-CIO, as saying. Once people realize what they have right now, its going to be really hard to try to take it away. More than 250,000 of the AFC-CIOs members and their families could qualify for the executive actions, Politico said. During the lame-duck session, the GOP voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security until the end of February so that they could take up the executive action fight again when they will be in control of all of Congress. Many DHS workers would be untouched by a defunding effort because they are considered essential. And the agency that is pivotal to the implementation of most of Obamas executive order is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which is funded through user fees and would continue to operate even in the event of a shutdown. Will the House majority really be willing to let front-line agents and officers at [Customs and Border Protection] and [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] work without pay? North Carolina Rep. David Price, the top Democrat on the House panel that oversees DHS funding, testified in December. Would the House majority be willing to let Coast Guard military personnel continue to risk their lives at sea without compensation? Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino A judge has barred Maricopa County officials from enforcing two Arizona identity-theft laws that have been used to convict hundreds of immigrant workers. The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge David Campbell came nearly three weeks after Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio voluntarily disbanded his squad that raided dozens of businesses to arrest more than 700 immigrants who were charged with using fake or stolen IDs to get jobs. While other agencies make arrests under the two laws, Arpaio's office is the only department in the state to raid businesses in enforcement of the statutes. The closure of the sheriff's squad ended Arpaio's last major foothold in immigration enforcement after the courts and federal government have gradually reined in his powers in recent years. Campbell said immigrant rights advocates who challenged the enforcement of the ID theft laws are likely to succeed in claiming the state identity theft laws are trumped by federal law. Annie Lai, an attorney leading the challenge of the two laws, said that Monday's ruling gives the immigrant community extra protection if Arpaio were to pursue such cases in the future. "If they were to decide they wanted to resume the workplace raids, that would now be in violation of a federal court order," Lai said. Arpaio's office and County Attorney Bill Montgomery's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon. The 2007 and 2008 laws were revamped versions of Arizona's identity-theft statutes that made it a new crime to use fake or stolen IDs for the purpose of getting or keeping jobs. They were part of a package of legislation that sought to confront employers who hire immigrants who are in the country illegally and are blamed for fueling the nation's border woes. The package has been criticized as focusing too heavily on workers and too little on employers. Attorneys seeking to overturn the laws had argued that the Legislature's intent in passing the two laws wasn't to confront identity theft but rather to combat illegal immigration and prompt immigrants to leave the country. County lawyers who defended the laws in court contended the purpose of the laws wasn't to confront illegal immigration but rather to combat identity theft. Lawyers who have represented the immigrants in criminal ID theft cases have said their clients used fake or stolen identities to get jobs, not to accumulate debt under another person's name. Typically, the immigrants plead guilty to a felony, frequently face deportation and are unable to ever re-enter the U.S. legally. Supporters of the ID theft laws say immigrants who steal identities to get jobs are still committing a crime and that victims could face difficulties such as getting loans. In recent years, the courts have struck down several Arizona laws that sought to confront illegal immigration, such as a 2006 voter-approved law that denied bail to certain immigrants. Still, a small number of Arizona's immigration laws have been upheld, including a key section of the state's landmark 2010 immigration law that requires police to check people's immigration status under certain circumstances. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Tuesday announced the formation of a political action committee designed to lay the groundwork for a 2016 presidential campaign. In a video posted in English and Spanish on Facebook, the Republican said that the "Right to Rise PAC" will allow him to "support candidates who believe in conservative principles to allow all Americans to rise up." An aide confirmed that the organization also allows Bush to hire staff, conduct polling, and pay for travel as he courts key donors and Republican officials across the country. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Bush telegraphed the formation of a PAC last month when he announced plans to actively explore a presidential bid. The announcement thrust Bush, the son and brother of former presidents, into the top-tier of likely Republican presidential contenders, although the field is expected to be crowded. Tuesday's move also represents an effort to play catchup of sorts for Bush, who has been out of office since 2007. Bush is fluent is Spanish and is married to a Mexican-American, Columba. They have three children. Several potential Republican presidential candidates formed similar PACs months or even years ago. The group includes Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who have used political action committees to help build goodwill among other Republicans and build the infrastructure needed for a national campaign. Bush strikes a populist tone in a message posted on the Right to Rise PAC's website, charging that "millions of our fellow citizens across the broad middle class feel as if the American Dream is now out of their reach ... that the playing field is no longer fair or level." He continued: "Too many of the poor have lost hope that a path to a better life is within their grasp. While the last eight years have been pretty good ones for top earners, they've been a lost decade for the rest of America." The message comes as Bush continues a private fundraising tour across the country. He's scheduled to meet with donors in Connecticut's wealthy suburbs later this week. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram For the first time in eight years, Republicans took control Tuesday of both chambers of Congress, which is the most diverse ever. The 114th Congress, which counts more minorities and women than any before it, convened at noon, as required by the Constitution. On the Senate floor, newcomers mixed with veterans as, with Vice President Joe Biden presiding, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was automatically ascended to majority leader following the approval of rank-and-file Republicans last year. Across the Capitol in the House, a similar scene unfolded as familiar faces and new ones crowded the aisles and lawmakers of both parties recited the Pledge of Allegiance. But in the House, there was an element of slight suspense as Speaker John Boehner of Ohio faced a tea party-backed effort to unseat him, though it looked certain to fall short. A record 104 women are serving in Congress, and for the first time, African-American members of both genders and representing both parties are among the ranks on Capitol Hill. There are 37 Latinos serving, 34 in the House and three in the Senate. The number of female lawmakers is up slightly from 100 at the close of the last Congress, but represents about 20 percent of the total in Congress. It's far less than the nearly 51 percent of the U.S. population. The incoming classes bring close to 100 black, Hispanic and Asian lawmakers. The newcomers include the youngest woman elected to Congress, 30-year-old Elise Stefanik of New York, and the first black Republican woman, Mia Love of Utah. As the new members prepared to arrive on Capitol Hill, several said they brought hopes of curbing the often partisan atmosphere in Washington, showing the public that they really can govern and, just maybe, getting Congress' approval rating back up past 20 percent. "This election was not an endorsement of either party, it was a condemnation of, yes, the president's policies, but also of government dysfunction," said GOP Rep.-elect Carlos Curbelo, who defeated a Democratic incumbent in Florida. "I hope we can be different. ... I hope we focus on getting things done." There are 100 senators and 435 seats in the House. The House will have 246 Republicans and 188 Democrats. One seat is vacant following the resignation on Monday of Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., who pleaded guilty to a felony tax evasion charge. The Senate will have 54 Republicans and 44 Democrats, plus two independents Maine's Angus King and Vermont's Bernie Sanders. Both caucus with Democrats. Seeking unity despite the internal party dissension, the GOP moved swiftly toward a veto showdown with President Barack Obama over the long-stalled Keystone XL pipeline, a taste of things to come in divided government. Other fights between Congress and the president are expected to include Obama's normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba, and his executive order on immigration. At the White House, Obama planned to meet with the new congressional leadership next week as both sides positioned themselves for two years of clashes and, perhaps, occasional cooperation that will help shape the outcomes of the 2016 presidential and congressional elections. McConnell replaces Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, who was a surprise no-show from the day's proceedings after he injured himself exercising. Reid, who broke several ribs and bones in his face when a piece of equipment snapped last week, said his doctor had ordered him to work from home Tuesday. A photo Reid posted to Twitter showed him with his right eye taped over as he met with lawmakers. Newcomers and veterans alike were to raise their hands to swear the oath of office, many with spouses, children and grandchildren looking on to witness the biennial display of pageantry. The spectacle drew political veterans back to the Capitol as former Vice President Walter Mondale, a Democrat, and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Republican, mixed with lawmakers on the Senate floor. McConnell and Boehner both were to deliver remarks as they began laying down markers for legislative battles ahead. GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate remain overwhelmingly white and male, but some of the new Republican arrivals break that mold. In addition to Stefanik and Curbelo, who is Hispanic, the GOP now claims two black House members, Love and Will Hurd of Texas. There is also one black senator, 10 Hispanic House members and two Hispanic senators. There are 22 Republican women in the House and six in the Senate. The newcomers could add diversity of ideas to the Republican conference. Curbelo said he would push House GOP leaders to support immigration overhaul legislation, something the party has resisted. "Of course as a freshman our influence is limited but we can work within our class, our freshman class to build support," Curbelo said. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Despite pressure from protest groups in both the United States and Mexico, it appears that nothing much will change in terms of Washingtons anti-drug support to its southern neighbor following a meeting between President Barack Obama and his Mexican counterpart, Enrique Pena Nieto. While both world leaders focused more on economics, immigration and foreign policy during their remarks Tuesday following a meeting in the Oval Office, both Obama and Pena Nieto tacitly acknowledged that the U.S. would continue providing money and resources to battle organized crime and pervasive violence. Our commitment is to be a friend and supporter of Mexico in its efforts to eliminate the scourge of violence and the drug cartels that are responsible for much of the tragedy inside of Mexico, Obama said. We want to be a good partner in that process while recognizing that ultimately it will be up to Mexico and its law enforcement to carry the key decisions that need to be made. The U.S. has to date provided $2.1 billion to Mexico to combat drug trafficking in the country under the Merida Initiative which is pejoratively known as "Plan Mexico." While the Initiative is loosely modeled after a similar effort in Colombia, many critics claim that it is doing more harm than good citing as evidence the widespread corruption in Mexicos civil police forces and a soaring murder rate since its implementation. "Plan Mexico has been an abject and utter failure," Roberto Lovato, a writer and activist who helped organized the #USTired2 movement which has led protests against U.S. involvement in security efforts in Mexico, told Fox News Latino on Tuesday. "You claim to be fighting the cartels, but youre giving money to the people who are helping these cartels." A small group of demonstrators gathered outside of the White House during the meeting of the two presidents to protest the Merida Initiative and to raise awareness about the 43 students missing from the Raul Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers' College in Ayotzinapa, in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, and the alleged collusion between a local mayor, his wife, the municipal police and a drug gang. Weve been following here in the United States some of the tragic events surrounding the students whose lives were lost, Obama said during his remarks. President Pena Nieto was able to describe for me the reform process that he has initiated. Pena Nieto, however, opted mention only briefly his countrys security situation thanking Obama for the U.S.s continued support and instead focused on the stated goal of his trip: the economy and jobs. "A few months ago, Pena Nieto would probably have preferred to only come and talk about economic issues and the new migration executive actions, but the situation in Mexico has changed over the last few months forcing his administration to focus on security once again," Jason Marczak, the deputy director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council, said in a press release. "The U.S. is an important partner for Mexico and that partnership can hopefully be extended through this state visit with new accords announced on security cooperation, specifically assisting Mexico in its judicial reform and furthering agency-to-agency collaboration in tracking down narco-traffickers and stemming the drug trade." Earlier in the day, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden gathered with a number of Mexican officials for the second meeting of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), and Pena Nieto reiterated his governments want to foster even deeper business ties between the two countries. We want to continue promoting investment as its already happening in our country, Pena Nieto said. First of all because we believe these investments can be so helpful and we want to continue having American investors in Mexico. Mexico is a trustworthy destination, he added. A place where they can invest. The two also discussed Obama's shift to what he says is a "more constructive" policy toward Cuba. Decades of estrangement between the U.S. and the communist island nation has long been a point of friction with Mexico and other Latin American countries that do business with Cuba. Obama says he'll participate in the Summit of the Americas, a regional meeting taking place in April in Panama. But he says that he will insist that human rights in Cuba be on the agenda. Pena Nieto applauded the American thaw with Cuba, pledging Mexico will be a "tireless proponent" of good relations between the two countries. The Associated Press contributed to this report. It was supposed to be "Mexicos moment" a new era of transparency and reform heralded in by President Enrique Pena Nieto. Since he took office a little over two years ago, however, the Mexican president has been hit with corruption allegations, a rise in drug-related, violent crime and the continuing controversy surrounding 43 missing college students in the state of Guerrero. And now it appears that Pena Nietos problems that have dogged him at home have followed him to the United States. As the Mexican leader sat down in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, a group of demonstrators gathered outside the White House in the freezing, snowy weather to protest against the meeting in light of the recent events in Mexico. "We have more than 13 groups in the U.S. that are coming out to express their absolute dismay and even disgust that our president is meeting with Enrique Pena Nieto," Roberto Lovato, a writer and activist who helped organized the so-called #USTired2 movement, told Fox News Latino. "Its dismaying to see the White House not speak forcefully on the matter." Once praised, both in Mexico and abroad, for a number of groundbreaking reforms, Pena Nieto has in the last six months seen his standing plummet thanks to the corruption scandals, rampant violence not a small amount of which is carried out by official and unofficial agents of the government and demonstrations that have roiled the country. Pena Nieto began his administration in December 2012 hoping to concentrate on economic and legal reforms and avoid the focus on drug-gang violence that dominated the term of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon. The disappearance of 43 students from the Raul Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers' College in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, and the alleged collusion between a local mayor, his wife, the municipal police and a drug gang, however, have forced the issue back to the forefront. The demonstrators on Tuesday outside the White House and in 12 other cities want the U.S. to take a more hardline stance against the human rights abuses in Mexico something akin to how Washington reacts to places like Venezuela and Iran and cut funding for the Merida Initiative also pejoratively known as "Plan Mexico" which is a security agreement between the two countries signed in 2008 that, among other things, has provided $2.1 billion to Mexico to combat drug trafficking in the country. While the Initiative is loosely modeled after a similar effort in Colombia, many critics claim that the plan is doing more harm than good citing as evidence the widespread corruption in Mexicos civil police forces and a soaring murder rate since its implementation. "Plan Mexico has been an abject and utter failure," Lovato said. "You claim to be fighting the cartels, but youre giving money to the people who are helping these cartels." Among those taking part in Tuesdays protest in Washington were Nansi Cisneros, whose brother was disappeared in October of 2013 after being deported, and Jose Luis Avila, whose wife and naturalized U.S. citizen, Nestora Salgado, has been detained in Mexico since last August allegedly for her role in speaking out against organized crime. The protests in the U.S. have cast an even darker shadow over Pena Nietos visit to Washington, with security and violence being the main focus of his visit instead of trade and commerce. "This is not what he would have wanted to come away from a meeting four months ago," Jason Marczak, the deputy director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council told FNL. "He would have liked to talk about the economy, but the situation has changed." Pena Nieto told Mexican protesters late last year that it was time to "move beyond" the missing students case just weeks after their abduction, and he took a month to meet with their families. Human Rights Watch wrote a letter to Obama Monday urging him to press Pena Nieto to take the case and "a broader pattern of abuse and impunity" in Mexico more seriously. Obama administration officials responded that Obama plans to raise the issue of strengthening Mexico's law enforcement and judicial institutions during the visit, which includes an Oval Office meeting followed by a working lunch. Sergio Alcocer, Mexican undersecretary for North America affairs, said he didn't expect the missing students case to come up between the two world leaders and pointed out that the U.S. has dealt with a number of its own scandals and protests in recent months, in places like Missouri and New York City. "We have cases of violence in different parts of the world," Alcocer said. "Within the United States we know there has been this kind of violence in the area of Missouri, to mention just one case." The Associated Press contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 At 45, Rolando Rodriguez Lobaina doesnt know what its like to live in freedom. But he has spent nearly half his life fighting for it in his native Cuba, which became Communist long before he was born. Shortly after he received his college degree in engineering in Havana in the early 1990s, Rodriguez Lobaina started actively promoting human rights, and he has paid a heavy price for it on and off, he has spent years in Cubas notorious jails for challenging the regimes of the Castro brothers, and for calling for democracy. He is one of the many who remain skeptical about real change coming to Cuba in the near future, on the heels of the new relations with the United States. The Castro regime is all about strengthening itself, and the United States has given it a new source of fuel, said Rodriguez Lobaina to Fox News Latino. Anything that looks like a social change by Raul Castro will simply be theater, just for appearances before the international community. As Rodriguez Robaina tracks news of the piecemeal release of 53 political prisoners that was part of an agreement between Cuba and the United States to normalize relations, he thinks back to his numerous times in jail cells for statements and actions the Cuban government denounced as counter-revolutionary. Its hard, when youre sitting in a cell, to accept that youre behind bars, that youre caged, simply because of your ideas and values. Rolando Rodriguez Lobaina The life of a political prisoner in Cuba is very difficult, he told FNL in a telephone interview from where he is staying in Syracuse, New York during a month-long visit to the United States. The government officials throw political opponents in with common, dangerous criminals and use the criminals to intimidate and snitch on dissidents and human rights activists. You feel that your life is in danger deliberately in these jails. Rodriguez Lobaina, who is from the province of Guantanamo, helped found several pro-democracy groups, including the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy. He advocates for human rights through marches and social media. In the mid-1990s, when he started taking part in pro-democracy events and helping to organize meetings of activists, he was arrested and jailed charged with such things as public disorder and counter-revolutionary activities. He recalled how prisoners nearly starved. There wasnt much to eat in general in Cuba, so imagine in prison, there was even less, he said. For breakfast, wed get water with sugar in it. At night, at about midnight, wed get two potatoes. And that was it. Many political prisoners around him fainted, some suffered fractures because they were too weak to handle a fall, he said. To conserve energy, Rodriguez Lobaina simply remained in bed, where he read and slept. On such little food, it was extremely draining, so exhausting, to simply take a few steps, he said. Over the years, he continued getting arrested or threatened with arrest following pro-democracy meetings with other activists. In 2010, he and his brother, Nestor, were among five dissidents who were arrested after they met to discuss the jailing of fellow activists and then stood on the balcony of their fathers home and held up a sign in support of their detained peers. Rodriguez Lobaina recalled the so-called "act of repudiation" organized by the Cuban government, a common practice in which a mob of people from a neighborhood or village are encouraged by regime officials to harass an opponent of the government. They vandalized the home, Rodriguez Lobaina said. The mob threw rocks, bottles, they broke windows, they came inside and broke furniture. There was a pregnant woman in the house and little children, and the mob did all this anyway. The five endured freezing temperatures for several days in the jails, and were denied water for about four days, he said. They were held in separate jails. The jailing drew the attention of several international human rights groups, which condemned the mens arrest and detention. After a month, they were released without being charged. When he was jailed, he often was denied visits from relatives, and sometimes was held far away from anyone he knows. Political prisoners in Cuba have far less rights than criminals, he said. Cubas political police make sure your family is taunted, watched, youre held up as an example to others in your village or in the dissident community about what happens when you speak out against oppression or for human rights. Its hard, when youre sitting in a cell, to accept that youre behind bars, that youre caged, simply because of your ideas and values. Rodriguez Lobaina, who arrived in the United States in December and is to return to Cuba, where his wife and two young children live, at the end of January, said that repression persists in Cuba under President Raul Castro. Raul Castro assumed power after his brother Fidel fell ill. Repression takes different forms in Cuba, it goes through various incarnations, but it remains repression nonetheless, he said. Prison terms used to be longer for political opponents, now they are shorter but there are more of them. WASHINGTON (AP) Looking to connect with the conservative base of his Republican Party, Sen. Marco Rubio says he is sympathetic to Americans who "feel as if we are being taken advantage of" by immigrants in the United States illegally. The rhetoric, which is in Rubio's new book, comes as the Florida lawmaker lays the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign in 2016. Rubio, a first-term lawmaker whose parents came to the United States from Cuba, previously wrote and championed a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's immigration system that passed the Senate. It later imploded in the House and badly hurt his standing among conservative activists who have tremendous sway in picking the party nominee. Rubio now says he favors a one-piece-at-a-time approach that conservatives in his party have supported. Detailing a strategy he first outlined last year, he suggests Congress begin with securing the border, then move on to workplace enforcement and the visa system before dealing with those already in the country illegally. "When people hear that we have over 12 million people here illegally, they feel as if we are being taken advantage of," Rubio writes in "American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone," due out next week. "They see how hard it is to find and keep a steady and well-paying job, and they worry that more people will mean more competition for already scarce work. "That's not nativism," Rubio continues, referencing a preference by some people for native-born residents over immigrants. "That's human nature." Rubio's comments on "nativism" counter what President Barack Obama told The Economist in an interview published last August criticizing Republicans' opposition to immigration changes. The GOP, he told the magazine, "knows we need immigration reform, knows that it would actually be good for its long-term prospects, but is captive to the nativist elements in its party." To be sure, immigration is hardly the focus of Rubio's book. Indeed, just eight pages are devoted to the subject amid longer policy discussions of affordable education, family values and poverty. Nevertheless, it the issue with which the lawmaker is most identified because of his role in writing the Senate bill, legislation that remains a key sticking point for conservative activists. In his book, Rubio criticizes "detractors" in his own party who argue against any updates to immigration laws, as well as Democrats who want an "all-at-once-or-nothing-at-all approach." He says greater border controls and high-tech systems to track immigrants would help secure the United States' borders and stop the flow of new immigrants coming illegally. Only then, he says, can Congress consider "incremental" ways to help those already here. As for those workers, Rubio argues they should register with the government and newcomers and criminals would be deported. Workers here for years would have a chance to pay fines and apply for visas but not for federal programs such as welfare or food stamps. Immigrants who stayed for more than a decade would then be allowed to apply for permanent residency, which would let them stay in the United States indefinitely but without citizenship. It is a reversal from the proposal that cleared the Senate. That bill included a long and difficult path for immigrants in the United States illegally to earn citizenship. The shift reflects Rubio's challenge should he decide to seek the White House. Many activists in early nominating Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina oppose anything they perceive as "amnesty." Obama's actions at the end of last year only inflamed conservative opposition to special treatment for immigrants here illegally, and Rubio's previous support for a path to citizenship is among his biggest vulnerabilities. Potential 2016 rivals Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, for instance, both voted against Rubio's immigration bill. Rubio's tempered approach to immigration in his book is the latest attempt to blunt their expected criticism. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said Wednesday he believes he can win the next presidential election, offering an unusually aggressive assessment of his chances while dismissing concerns they're threatened by potential rival and his political mentor, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. In an interview with The Associated Press, the 43-year-old first-term senator said he had yet to make a final decision about whether to seek re-election to the Senate or run for president in 2016, but he spoke more confidently about making a bid for the White House than he has in the past. "I believe that if I decide to run for president, we have a path to be a very competitive candidate, and ultimately to win," Rubio said. "I can't guarantee a victory. Certainly these races will be very competitive, and there's factors outside of our control that will determine a lot of it," he said. "But if we made the decision to run for president, I believe that we can put together the organization and raise the money necessary to win." Should he run for president, Rubio reiterated Wednesday, he'll do so at the expense of seeking re-election to the Senate. "If you decide that you're going to run for president of the United States, that's what you need to run for. You need to be focused," Rubio said. "If I decide to run for president, I'll run for president. And I'm not going to be looking for some exit strategy or off-ramp in case things don't work out." Should Rubio get into the race, he'll join a field expected to include several high-profile Republicans, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. His greatest potential challenge, however, may come from Bush, who last month announced plans to actively consider a presidential run and has spent recent weeks laying the groundwork for a national campaign. "We have a lot of talented people in the Republican Party," Rubio said of Bush, who served as Florida's governor while Rubio was rising in state politics. "Jeb is one of them. But there are others, too." Rubio has become one of the GOP's more aggressive voices on international affairs during his four years in the Senate. The senator also occupies a unique place in the Republican political spectrum, having championed the Senate's unsuccessful push for immigration reform in 2013 in addition to carving out more traditionally conservative positions on cultural issues, health care and international affairs. Rubio is set to appear in a series of interviews next week to promote his new book, and will follow with a more comprehensive book tour during the Senate's February recess. In the book to be released next week, Rubio confronts his immigration critics while refusing to apologize for pushing for a comprehensive approach that included a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. "When people hear that we have over 12 million people here illegally, they feel as if we are being taken advantage of," Rubio writes in "American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone." ''They see how hard it is to find and keep a steady and well-paying job, and they worry that more people will mean more competition for already scarce work. "That's not nativism," Rubio continues, referencing a preference by some people for native-born residents over immigrants. "That's human nature." Rubio's comments on "nativism" counter what President Barack Obama told The Economist in an interview published last August criticizing Republicans' opposition to immigration changes. The GOP, Obama told the magazine, "knows we need immigration reform, knows that it would actually be good for its long-term prospects, but is captive to the nativist elements in its party." While Rubio criticizes "detractors" in his own party who argue against any updates to the nation's immigration laws, he again says in the book that he now favors the one-piece-at-a-time approach supported by some conservatives. In the Wednesday interview, Rubio said he was more interested in fixing the "broken" immigration system than the politics of the debate. "I ran for office to identify problems and try to solve them," he said. "Now, we tried to solve them last year through a comprehensive bill. And it's clear that that approach won't work." Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram The Cuban government has freed some of the 53 political prisoners that it vowed to release as part of the accord that allowed three Cuban spies jailed in the United States to return to the island, the State Department said Tuesday. "They have already released some of the prisoners," department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters at the daily briefing, declining to provide any details. President Barack Obama's administration, which alone drew up a list of 53 prisoners, has opted for keeping it a secret. On Dec. 17, Cuban President Raul Castro announced that his government had decided to free a series of prisoners in whom Washington "had shown interest," though he did not specify their number or identity. The measure, he said, was taken "unilaterally, as is our practice and in strict accordance with our laws." Raul Castro was referring to the liberation of political prisoners by his government while announcing the return to Cuba of Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino and Antonio Guerrero, the three secret agents of the "Cuban Five" who at the time had been prisoners in the United States since 1998. Psaki said Tuesday that the promise to free the dissidents is one that Cuba made not only to the United States but also to the Vatican, which provided the secret contacts between the U.S. and Cuban delegations that led to the announcement that diplomatic relations between the two countries were to be normalized. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), a Cuban-American, urged Obama to cancel the bilateral talks planned for this month in Havana until Cuba complies with its vow to free the 52 political prisoners. The trip to Cuba in late January will be headed by the assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, Roberta Jacobson. The state visit will have has its main objective a new round of the migration talks that were resumed in 2013, but will also deal with matters of human rights, Psaki said Tuesday. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Not wasting any time, new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Barack Obama are setting course for showdowns over health care, a big oil pipeline, immigration policy and financing of the agency that tries to protect the U.S. from terrorists. At the same time, both insist they are eager for compromise if only the other side would give in. "It seems with every new day, we have a new veto threat from the president," McConnell, R-Ky., complained Wednesday, his second day as Senate leader. Republicans won control of the chamber in the November elections, and strengthened their hold on the House. With the 114th Congress just getting underway, the White House already has announced that Obama stands ready to veto three bills that Republicans hope to rush through. One would allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to bring oil from Canada. Another weakens Obama's signature health care law, by increasing the definition of a full-time employee who must be offered health coverage at work to 40 hours from the current 30. The third would alter a key provision of the 2010 Dodd-Frank overhaul of financial services regulations. "The president is not going to set the agenda for us here in the Senate," McConnell told reporters. More On This... Best pix of the week Lamenting the deadly attack on a satirical newspaper in Paris, McConnell said the attack underscores that the war on terrorism is not over. He declined to say whether the attack would affect Republican plans to use the Homeland Security Department's budget as leverage against Obama's immigration policy. "But at the end of the day, we're going to fund the department, obviously," McConnell said. The anti-terrorism agency's budget expires in late February, and Republicans have been working on a plan to tie new funding to a measure overturning Obama's action that eased immigration rules last year and decreased deportations. McConnell said "we'll decide in February how to handle it." Tea party-backed Sen. Ted Cruz, one of the loudest voices against Obama's immigration policy, said there was no reason to pull back from stopping the president's "abuse of power and his unconstitutional actions." It's Obama who should worry about the security risks if he considers a veto that would shut down the Homeland Security Department, said Cruz, R-Texas. Even as McConnell and Obama skirmished from afar, both maintained there is hope for bipartisan cooperation. Obama, who meets with Republican congressional leaders next week, said he expects "some pitched political battles" but is hopeful for a "productive 2015." In his first big speech as majority leader, McConnell talked of working with Obama on trade agreements, infrastructure improvements and rewriting tax laws. He even raised the prospect of tackling some big issues that have bedeviled Congress for years, such as shoring up Medicare and Social Security, balancing the budget and whittling away the national debt. "But bipartisan reform can only be achieved if President Obama is interested in it," McConnell said. "The president is the only one who can bring his party on board." Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Rep. Raul Labrador expects a backlash to his support for Rep. John Boehner for another term as House speaker. Labrador, an Idaho Republican, abstained from voting for Boehner in 2013 for the speakership, saying that there was no candidate for the post that he considered worthy. But on Tuesday, he voted for Boehner, an Ohio Republican, despite an effort by Labradors conservative colleagues to defeat his pursuit of another term as speaker. In a text on his phone that was photographed by a Politico journalist who was sitting in the balcony of the House, behind where Labrador was sitting on the floor, the Idaho lawmaker wrote: The votes are not there against Boehner. I led the effort last time. Now we need 35 and they only have 15 at most. Theres no way to get to 35. A spokesman for Labrador was quoted in Politico afterward as explaining that Labrador had written the text in response to a longtime constituent and supporter, and he was explaining to her his vote. Boehner was re-elected speaker with 216 votes in his favor. Labrador then said on his Facebook page that he knows his change of heart in supporting Boehnerwho many conservatives say is too much of a Washington D.C. insideris not sitting well with many in his district. He sought to reassure constituents that his support for Boehner does not amount to be a sell-out. I cant blame many of my supporters for being upset with my vote for Speaker Boehner, Labrador wrote. I ask, however, that they consider not just a single vote but my long record as a champion of conservative values who stands up to the establishment. Mr. Boehner, who was assured reelection, sought my help in moving the House in a more conservative direction. I will hold him accountable to that commitment. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino House Republicans announced plans Friday to take broad aim at President Barack Obama's immigration policies and eliminate protections for immigrants brought illegally to this country as kids. The legislation to be voted on next week satisfies demands from the most conservative lawmakers and goes further than the approach initially discussed by some House Republicans. That approach would have targeted only the executive actions Obama announced in November that provided deportation protections for millions of immigrants in the country illegally. Conservatives in the GOP caucus pressed leadership to go further and also shut down a 2012 program that has granted work permits to more than 600,000 immigrants brought here illegally as kids. Ending the program would eventually expose those young people to deportation. Other changes would undo Obama directives to immigration agents aimed at limiting deportations of people with no significant criminal record. "The American people were expecting the leadership to step up to the plate and not just make some symbolic gesture in trying to address what the president did back in November, but try to go a step further," said Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. "That's what our language does and that's what at the end of the day I think will garner a lot of support among our colleagues." But the outcome won't have the support of a handful of moderates in the caucus, including lawmakers representing heavily Latino districts. "We've got to deal with immigration, immigration as a whole. Reforming our system across the nation," said Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif. "Just picking on the children that came here through no fault of the own I think is the wrong way to start." The vote will come on a $39.7 billion spending bill to keep the Homeland Security Department running past February. Lawmakers said the goal is to keep the agency running on full funding an especially critical goal in the wake of the Paris terror attacks while at the same time blocking Obama's administrative moves on immigration. Obama's directives in November gave temporary relief from deportation to about 4 million immigrants in the country illegally, mostly those who'd been in the country at least five years and have kids who are citizens or legal permanent residents. The earlier program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, applied to certain immigrants brought here illegally as kids, known as "Dreamers" by their supporters. The immigration fight is coming to a head as Congress wraps up its first week of work for the year after convening under full Republican control. Republicans deliberately kept the Homeland Security Department on a short leash when they passed a full-year spending bill for all other government agencies late last year, so that they could deal with Obama's immigration moves with more Republicans on Capitol Hill. Yet the dynamic does not appear to have shifted much. Even though Republicans now command a larger House majority, the biggest in decades, giving Speaker John Boehner more room to maneuver, leadership still catered to the most conservative lawmakers in crafting the immigration bill, as happened several times in the last Congress. Indeed, some of the same conservatives who voted against Boehner for speaker in a failed overthrow attempt this week were cheering loudest Friday at the shape the legislation was taking. "I liked what I heard," said Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, after a closed-door meeting to discuss the legislation. "I really appreciate the process of allowing all of us to have some input," said Gohmert, a frequent critic of House Republican leaders. "One of the things that has really been lacking for the last eight years is having more input like we've finally gotten in this bill, so this is a good thing." And even with the Senate under GOP control, minority Democrats still exercise considerable sway, and there's no guarantee senators will agree to the House legislation. Even if they did, Obama could very well threaten to veto it. That leaves the ultimate outcome of the legislative dispute unclear. At the same time, Democrats say Republicans are courting electoral disaster in the 2016 presidential election by passing legislation that could alienate many Latino voters. "It's nothing short of breathtaking that their first move coming out of the gate in 2015 is to attack immigrants and their families," said Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, a pro-immigrant advocacy group. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Sen. Ted Cruz could have gotten out of jury duty as a member of Congress, he is exempt. But the Texas Republican known for his penchant for bucking trends showed up in black cowboy boots, no less for jury duty Friday, setting social media abuzz. Cruz, a lwayer, was among about 100 Harris County residents who were called to jury duty that day, according to the Houston Chronicle. His presence was noted by District Clerk Chris Daniel, who told the prospective jurors: "Whether you're new to the workforce or you may serve in Washington, one way or another, we're thankful you all came out here for jury duty today." Others in the jury pool snapped photos of the senator and posted them on their social media pages. District Court Judge Ryan Patrick, @ryanpatrick177, tweeted: "The courthouse is abuzz more than normal with @tedcruz making onto a jury panel for voire dire." Cruz was being considered for service on a jury for a trial for a person who was charged with evading arrest, the Chronicle said. "It would be a bit of a complication if I ended up in a six-week trial," Cruz said, according to the Chronicle. "But I think, at the end of the day, that'll work itself out." The newspaper described Cruz as somewhat fidgety as he waited around for about two hours, drinking Starbucks coffee and twiddling his fingers until officials finally called out Rafael Edward Cruz. Some fellow potential jurors delighted in being summoned to the courthouse on the same day as their senator. "My kids would get a kick out of this," said middle-school teacher Wendi Harris, according to the newspaper. Cruz ultimately was not chosen as a juror, and was dismissed in the late afternoon. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Immigration debates and policies-under-construction often have been upended by unforeseen influxes, such as this years surge of unaccompanied minors from Central America, and tragedies caused by terrorists. This week, the House is expected to take up how to deal with President Barack Obamas controversial executive order on immigration, which would give some 5 million undocumented immigrants a three-year reprieve from deportation, work permits and some federal benefits. Under consideration is a roughly $40 million funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that also calls for stripping funding that would go toward the presidents executive actions. Now, on the heels of the terrorist attacks in Paris that left killed 17 people and three gunmen over three days of attacks on a satirical newspaper, a kosher supermarket and on police, many Republicans who now control both chambers of Congress are saying that Homeland Security programs cant be compromised in funding moves this week. Defunding that part of the bill that deals with enforcing the executive order makes sense but we cant go too far here because look what happened in Paris, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, according to The Hill. The Department of Homeland Security needs to be up and running. And Peter King, the New York Republican who was chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said funding counterterrorism programs and other work is absolutely essential. Last year, they voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security only through the end of February so that they could take up the subject of funding and Obamas executive order this year, when Republicans have control of both the House and Senate. Last year, Democrats controlled the Senate. Congress must pass a new spending bill for Homeland Security to avoid the agency shutting down on Feb. 27. Any bill passed by the House must also get Senate approval. On Friday, House Republicans discussed blocking the presidents executive order through surgical moves in the funding package that would not affect border security or efforts to fight terrorism. House Republicans also discussed putting a stop to a 2012 initiative by Obama to spare undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children from deportation. The executive order that Obama announced last year broadened the initiative, extending many of the same forms of relief to undocumented immigrants who have U.S.-born children or children who are legal permanent residents. The DHS bill under discussion would fund the agency through the end of this fiscal year. Obama has threatened to veto any bill that undermines his executive action. The Hill said: A Senate GOP aide warned that Democrats would pounce on a departmental shutdown to accuse Republicans of prioritizing the desires of their conservative base over national security. But conservatives believe that it will be more detrimental for the GOP not to carry through with promises to stop Obamas unilateral moves on immigration. The [2013] government shutdown ultimately didnt matter, a conservative GOP aide was quoted as saying in The Hill. It hurt Republicans in the short term but didnt hurt them in the [midterm] election. The aide said that even if Congress does not pass a funding bill by Feb. 27, many parts of the Homeland Security Departments essential operations for national security will remain functioning. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Sen. Marco Rubio has joined the chorus of critics who say the Obama administration should have had more of a presence at events that were held in Paris and in Washington D.C. to show support for the French people after last week's terrorist attacks. The Florida Republican, who's considering a run for the presidency, told "CBS This Morning" on Sunday that he can understand the security concerns why the president didn't travel there but, he said, "I think, in hindsight, I would hope they would do it differently" next time. Secretary of State John Kerry plans to be in Paris Thursday. Asked about it as he departed India Monday, he told reporters, "I really think that this is sort of quibbling a little bit." The Obama administration did not send a senior official to Sundays rally for unity in Paris that was attended by some 40 world leaders and more than a million people. Kerry said at a news conference that U.S. officials, including himself and Obama, had been "deeply engaged" with French authorities almost immediately after the first attack occurred and had offered intelligence assistance. "As everybody knows, I have been here in India for a prior planned event," he added when explaining why he was not at the Paris march. "I would have personally very much wanted to have been there but couldn't do so because of the commitment that I had here and it is important to keep these kinds of commitments." Kerry said he is going to France to reaffirm U.S. solidarity with America's oldest ally. He said as soon as he heard about the march, he asked his team what the earliest time was that he could go. Its stunning, truly stunning, said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. State Department official whose duties included determining what officials should attend certain events, according to Politico. Its a poster child for tone deafness. Miller said to Politico that such absence by the highest levels of the Obama administration could be justified if U.S. intelligence had learned about a major threat to Obama or the first lady, for instance, or that Obama is planning a major gathering with NATO allies about the Paris attack. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Venezuelas opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, jailed since early 2014, has an answer to President Nicolas Maduros offer to swap him for Oscar Lopez Rivera, a Puerto Rican nationalist held in a U.S. prison since 1980. He is not interested. [The same offer] was brought up a year ago and I did not accept under any circumstances: he wants me to leave Venezuela. That will never happen, he said in an interview with El Mercurio de Chile. However, the proposal is clear evidence of my political prisoner capacity, makes it clear that [Maduro] controls the entire judicial process against me, he added. Lopez Rivera, 72, has spent 34 years in an Indiana jail for allegedly leading the clandestine radical pro-independence group Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (Armed Forces of National Liberation FALN.) On Jan. 4, Maduro announced the unusual proposal in a televised meeting of advisors. Responding to critics who charged that the only way there would only be improved relations with the United States was if Lopez was released from prison, Maduro said he would do so in a "man-for-man" exchange for Oscar Lopez Rivera. "The only way that I would use the presidential power I have to liberate the 'Monster of Ramo Verde' would be to put him on a plane headed to the United States, to leave him there, and have them bring me Oscar Lopez Rivera. Hair for hair, man for man." But even the Puerto Rican nationalist said it was not likely the U.S. would be interested in such a deal. Leopoldo Lopezs value is more jailed in Venezuela than [exiled] in the U.S. he told El Nuevo Dia on Monday. I am guessing Maduro meant to say: You have one, I have another, lets exchange them. But I am positive the U.S. is not going to respond. I am Puerto Rican and I am fighting for my homeland, he told the paper. Some observers see Maduro's offer as the logical result of the Obama administration's recent agreement with Venezuela's regional ally, Cuba, that freed an American contractor imprisoned on the island, three members of the "Cuban Five" spies who were being held in U.S. prisons, as well the unconfirmed releases of an American mole in Havana believed to be Rolando Sarraff Trujillo and 53 Cuban dissidents. Lopez, a Harvard-educated economist who was one of the leaders of the Voluntad Popular ("Popular Will") party in Venezuela, was arrested in February 2014 after helping to spark three months of violent demonstrations against Maduro's administration. Dozens of people died in the street violence, and thousands were arrested. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Tens of thousands of Cubans have been ordered to be deported or declared ineligible for permanent residence in the United States but, still, they remain here. Cuba, for more than half a century a sworn enemy of the United States and therefore unwilling to take back nationals who, because of criminal convictions here, have been put in deportation proceedings or just classified as inadmissible. But the normalization of diplomatic relations now underway between Cuba and the U.S. is focusing attention on the limbo of these people, most of whom have served their prison sentences many of them decades ago and are at liberty. Immigrants in indefinite detention have sometimes been referred to as "lifers." Thousands of the Cuban lifers have gone on to build lives here marrying, raising families, running successful businesses and excelling in their professions. Youre talking about people in many cases who have been here 30 or more years, said Ira J. Kurzban, a Miami lawyer who is a past president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Thats what makes it more difficult than anything else. Theyre people whove lived here almost their whole lives. Like many lawyers in areas with large Cuban communities, Kurzban says his phone has been ringing with calls from Cubans who are concerned that they could now be deported. In mid-December, Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced that they were re-establishing diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of estrangement. Later this month, U.S. and Cuban government officials are scheduled to meet to discuss migration and normalizing ties. The U.S. State Department says Roberta Jacobson, America's top diplomat for Latin America, will lead the U.S. delegation to Havana for the talks on Jan. 21-22. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki says the talks focus on how to "create safe, legal and orderly migration between the United States and Cuba." The last migration meeting occurred in Washington in July 2014. It's unclear if preliminary talks between the two nations leading up to the December announcement about normalized relations touched on the lifers. Some 35,000 Cubans have final orders of deportation, and more than 2,000 others have deportation cases pending in immigration court, according to media reports. Kurzban said that in addition, possibly tens of thousands of other Cubans have been deemed inadmissible, making them ineligible for legal immigration papers or benefits such as work permits. They had criminal convictions, but then the government said Well, whats the point of putting them in deportation proceedings if we really cant deport them to Cuba? said Kurzban, who has a number of clients in that situation. Some Cubans who are considered removable or who are ineligible for legal residency are required to report to immigration authorities on a regular basis. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a case that centered on two Cubans who emigrated to the United States during the 1980 Mariel boatlift and who had subsequent criminal convictions. They finished serving their sentences but were kept in detention because they had been declared deportable. Proponents of strict immigration policies want the U.S. government to insist in negotiations that Cuba respect the deportation orders. I think Cuba's agreement to take back its own citizens should be a prerequisite for normalizing relations, said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which is based in Washington, D.C. We did not insist on an agreement to take back deportees when we established relations with Vietnam, and we should have. Kurzban, however, thinks it will be a touchy issue for both countries. If I were on the Cuba side, Id be reluctant to take people who have criminal convictions, he said. If I were the United States, Id want to get as many people with criminal convictions deported. Then again, he said, the issue could be a political hot potato here too, given that many people who might now be in peril of deportation were convicted for relatively minor crimes, such as drug possession or drunk driving. And many of them occurred a long time ago, and the people who committed them have led productive, law-abiding lives since, Kurzban noted. Deporting them would be complicated by the politics of Florida and the strength of the Cuban-American community, he added. With 2016 elections coming, and Florida being a swing state, do you really want to move to deport Cubans whose spouses and children are U.S. citizens, and who are politically active? The Associated Press contributed to this report. While a group of bipartisan senators introduced an immigration bill, Democrats in Congress rolled out a plan on Tuesday for building momentum and awareness nationwide for President Barack Obamas immigration executive order. The Democrats press conference in Washington, D.C., came as discussions took place among Republicans in the House of Representatives about various ways they could block portions or all of Obamas executive order. Democratic lawmakers including U.S. representatives Juan Vargas of California, Jared Polis of Colorado and Luis Gutierrez of Illinois said they would be holding workshops and town hall-style meetings to discuss Obama executive action, which, among other things, would suspend deportation for three years for some 5 million undocumented immigrants, enabling them to obtain work permits and drivers licenses, NBC News reported. Many would also be able to receive many federal public benefits. Gutierrez said he will be embarking on a national tour to talk about the presidents executive order and to encourage people who think they might be eligible to apply, said NBC News. Gutierrez said on Tuesday, My Democratic colleagues and I want families who fear deportation to know that we have their back." On the House floor in recent days, Gutierrez elaborated, "From Charlotte to Houston to Los Angeles, my colleagues here in the House are pulling together events to educate their own communities and I hope to attend as many as I can. Evangelical congregations and the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese in Chicago are stepping up to organize and host events and begin laying the groundwork for millions of the people who work and live and raise families in the U.S. to come forward and pay to be temporarily spared from deportation, he said. Labor unions, corporations and small businesses that want to help families remain together are preparing too. Also Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators, including Republican Marco Rubio of Florida, introduced an immigration bill aimed at facilitating the hiring of foreign-born tech workers. The bill would increase the number of high-skilled workers who can come to the United States each year under the H-1B visa category from 65,000 to 115,000. It would also allow the spouses of such professionals to work in the U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican who was part of those introducing the bill, described the Immigration Innovation Act is a commonsense approach to ensuring that those who have come here to be educated in high-tech fields have the ability to stay here with their families and contribute to the economy and our society. On Tuesday, Obama and Republican congressional leaders paid lip service to the notion of bipartisanship in their first meeting of the year, but neither side appeared to give ground on GOP priorities including immigration reform that have been met with veto threats by the White House. The president was flanked by House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the two Republicans now in charge on Capitol Hill. Since the new Congress began its work this month, Republicans who are in control of both chambers -- have taken aim at core elements of the president's agenda, including legislation on immigration and health care that the White House has vowed to veto. At the Tuesday meeting with Obama, Boehner appeared to double down on the Republican strategy of defunding parts of the presidents executive order on immigration in the Department of Homeland Security budget bill. His office said the Ohio Republican made clear that the House would push forward a bill that would block as much as possible of the president's executive actions on immigration. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has warned that DHS should not be used as a weapon in the fight against Obamas executive order. "There are homeland security and border security priorities that must be funded without delay," he said, according to NBC. Boehner's office stressed in a statement that the DHS funding bill that Republicans are working on would strengthen border and national security. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino The guest list hasn't changed, but President Barack Obama faces a different type of crowd when he meets with congressional leaders on Tuesday. Obama's sit-down with House and Senate leaders is his first since the new, fully Republican-run Congress was seated last week. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, long Obama's stronghold in the Senate, was demoted by the November elections to minority leader. GOP leader Mitch McConnell, a persistent thorn in Obama's side as minority leader, now has Reid's old job running the upper chamber. The three were to join House Speaker John Boehner and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in the Oval Office to discuss opportunities for potential cooperation between Democrats and Republicans this year. Yet it was far from clear that the two parties would be able to overlook their open disagreements on most issues to focus on limited areas of common ground. Both parties exited the midterms last year speaking optimistically about working together on tax reform, trade promotion and infrastructure development areas where Obama and Republicans see at least partially eye to eye. But the start of the year has been dominated by familiar battles over the Keystone XL pipeline, Obama's immigration actions and foreign policy. Over the last two weeks, Obama has repeatedly threatened to veto bills that Republicans have put forward as their top priorities for the new Congress. Still, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said there were a "whole host of things" that Obama could do this year with Republicans. More On This... Immigration plan draws cheers, criticism across US "It doesn't mean we're gonna agree on everything certainly we're not," Earnest said. "But the question is, are we going to allow disagreement over a few things to become a deal-breaker for all the others?" "The president certainly hopes that it won't," he added. Although the Democratic and Republican leaders from both chambers were invited, it was unclear whether Reid would show. The Nevada Democrat is recovering from an exercise-related injury and his spokesman declined to say whether he planned to attend. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram As a federal judge in Texas prepares to hear a challenge to President Barack Obamas immigration executive order by 24 states, about a dozen other states are pushing back. Attorneys general from the states supporting Obamas order have submitted briefs with the Texas federal court where the lawsuit opposing the presidents initiative was filed. The briefs defend the order, which seeks to spare some 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation for about three years, and allows them to obtain work permits and drivers licenses. The pro-executive order states are urging Judge Andrew Hanen in the Southern District of Texas in Brownsville to keep it intact, according to The Hill. By properly using his authority to set enforcement priorities, the presidents action benefits Washington and other states by improving public safety, keeping families together, and aiding our economy, said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is leading the fight for the executive order. Hard working, tax paying immigrants can now emerge from the shadows. The states that have joined Washington in support of the president are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont. The District of Columbia also is part of effort to support the executive order. In their argument, they cite an analysis by the Center for American Progress claiming that bringing undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and allowing them to work would translate into millions in tax revenues for states over the next five years, according to The Hill. California would reap the most in tax revenues about $900 million. The lawsuit, led by former Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who since the filing on Dec. 3 assumed the office of governor, argues that Obamas executive order is unconstitutional because he made the move without the approval of Congress. "On November 20, 2014," the lawsuit reads, "the President of the United States announced that he would unilaterally suspend the immigration laws as applied to 4 million of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States." The lawsuit claims that the order would end up costing states, not bringing them more revenues, because they would have to provide services and other government benefits to the undocumented immigrants who qualify for protection from deportation. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram As they promised, Republicans in the House approved amendments on Wednesday that undo President Barack Obama's unilateral moves on immigration. Despite a White House veto threat, Republicans attached language blocking Obama's immigration initiatives to legislation providing nearly $40 billion to finance the Homeland Security Department through the rest of the budget year. The broader bill was expected to be approved later in the day. Republicans said Obama's executive actions on immigration were an unconstitutional overreach that must be stopped. "If in the future a Republican president does the same thing, I will be the first to be here with you to stand against that to fight back," said Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina. "Law is not made at the White House." But Rep. Luis Guiterrez, D-Ill., accused Republicans of "viciousness" for trying to make it easier to deport immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., called the GOP effort "a political vendetta," adding, "It's a reprehensible, reckless tactic which will compromise, has already compromised, the full and effective functioning of our Homeland Security Department" at a time of heightened security risks." Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican, praised the House votes while also vowing to continue his work on a bipartisan measure that reform immigration in a comprehensive way. "President Obama has said that said that any executive action would be 'very difficult to defend legally,' and yet we have seen him use such power not once, but twice in as many months," Diaz-Balart said in a statement. "It is evident that the only permanent and legal way to solve our countrys broken immigration system is for Congress to pass legislation that actually has a chance of becoming law and deals with the issue." "It's time for President Obama to respect the powers of the United States Congress as they are written in the laws of our great nation," he said. The House voted 237-190 to approve one amendment to undo executive actions that Obama announced in November to provide temporary deportation relief to some 4 million immigrants in the country illegally. A second amendment would delete Obama's 2012 policy that's granted work permits and stays of deportation to more than 600,000 immigrants who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children. That measure passed more narrowly, 218-209, as more than two dozen Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. The changes Obama announced in November especially enraged the GOP because they came not long after Republicans swept the midterm elections, taking control of the Senate and increasing their majority in the House. Republicans pledged then to revisit the issue once Congress was fully under their control. But even with Republicans in control of the Senate, the bill faces difficulty there, especially because House GOP leaders decided to satisfy demands from conservative members by including a vote to undo the 2012 policy that deals with younger immigrants known as "Dreamers." The amendment, which is opposed by some of the more moderate Republicans in the House, would ultimately expose those young people to deportation. Republicans are six votes shy of the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation in the Senate, and even some Republicans in that chamber have expressed unease with the House GOP approach, especially given the importance of funding the Homeland Security Department in light of the Paris terrorist attacks. Some House Republicans acknowledged that the Senate was likely to reject their approach, perhaps forcing them in the end to pass a Homeland Security funding bill stripped of controversial provisions on immigration. "They're not going to pass this bill," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. Homeland Security money expires at the end of February so House leaders have left themselves several weeks. Immigrant advocates warned Republicans that Wednesday's votes risked alienating Latino voters who will be crucial to the 2016 presidential election. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 House Republicans are taking broad steps to overturn President Barack Obamas immigration policies and remove protections for immigrants brought illegally to the country as kids. We're voting to block the president's overreach, his executive overreach, which I believe is beyond his constitutional duty and, frankly, violates the Constitution itself Votes were set Wednesday on legislation worth nearly $40 billion to finance the Homeland Security Department through the rest of the budget year. Republicans were voting on one amendment to undo executive actions Obama announced in November that provided temporary deportation relief to some 4 million immigrants in the country illegally. Another amendment would delete Obama's 2012 policy that's granted work permits and stays of deportation to more than 600,000 immigrants who arrived in the U.S. illegally as kids. Republicans say Obama's moves amounted to an unconstitutional overreach that must be stopped. The changes Obama announced in November especially enraged the GOP because they came not long after Republicans swept the midterm elections, taking control of the Senate and increasing their majority in the House. Republicans pledged then to revisit the issue once Congress was fully under their control. "We're voting to block the president's overreach, his executive overreach, which I believe is beyond his constitutional duty and, frankly, violates the Constitution itself," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "This is not the way our government was intended to work. ... Our job is to listen to the American people and hold the president accountable." But even with Republicans in control of the Senate the bill faces tough chances there, especially because House GOP leaders decided to satisfy demands from conservative members by including a vote to undo the 2012 policy that deals with younger immigrants known as "Dreamers." The amendment, which is opposed by some of the more moderate Republicans in the House, would ultimately expose those young people to deportation. Republicans are six votes shy of the 60-vote majority needed to advance most legislation in the Senate, and even some Republicans in the Senate have expressed unease with the House GOP approach, especially given the importance of funding the Homeland Security Department in light of the Paris terrorist attacks. Some House Republicans acknowledged that the Senate was likely to reject their approach, perhaps forcing them in the end to pass a Homeland Security funding bill stripped of controversial provisions on immigration. "They're not going to pass this bill," Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., said in predicting the Senate outcome. Homeland Security money expires at the end of February so House leaders have left themselves some weeks to reach the end game. Obama has threatened to veto the House bill, and Democrats roundly denounced it, even as immigrant advocates warned Republicans they risked alienating Latino voters who will be crucial to the 2016 presidential election. "Just two weeks into this new Congress, Republicans have turned a bipartisan issue, funding our Department of Homeland Security, into a cesspool of despicable amendments that cater to the most extremist anti-immigrant fringe," Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., said in a House debate. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Cecilia Abbott will make history as the first Latina to become First Lady of Texas, when her husband, Greg, becomes the states governor. Festivities begin Tuesday with a swearing in ceremony on the Capital grounds followed by a barbecue and parade before the evening ball. I am so looking forward to watching Greg be sworn in as governor, Abbott told Fox News Latino. Ill confess Im less excited about standing in high heels all day! While her husband, a Republican who is the current attorney general of the state, has had a storied legal and political career, Cecilia Abbott has remained deeply private despite living in a fishbowl political world. Naturally shy and admittedly more comfortable behind the scenes, she is also refreshingly frank. During the campaign, in a Houston Chronicle interview with both Abbotts, Cecilia Abbott interjected clarifications on their beliefs regarding abortion, and she weathered a moment when one of her husbands political opponents charged he was using her as a prop with the Hispanic community. The granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, Cecilia Abbott grew up in a prototypical American Dream-story. Raised in a family of four children in San Antonio by educator parents, she entered University of Texas in 1978. I made many great friends, she said. One of them was a boy from Duncanville named Greg. We were friends first, and I knew that my parents would love him for his sense of humor. The couple got married the week before he started law school. Our honeymoon was basically a week-long road trip in a Datsun B210 that we named Cloud, Abbott told FNL. After Greg finished law school, we headed to Houston, where he would prepare for the bar exam and go to work, so we could pursue our dreams. A week before Greg was supposed to take the bar exam, his accident happened. On a windy day in July 1984, Greg, who had been hired at the Houston firm of Butler and Binion, was jogging down a tree-lined Houston street when part of an oak tree crashed down on top of him, leaving him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The accident changed our lives forever. It also started a chain reaction of blessings, Cecilia said. As Greg recovered, we would hit a big obstacle and get discouraged, but then a solution would show up. On top of that, our family and friends showered us with love and support. She added, Recovering from a trauma like this [involves] a series of little milestones. We kept moving forward, carried by our faith in God, our love for one another, and Gregs unbreakable spirit. He was mentally tough before his accident, but he took that toughness to a level I never thought possible. Greg was so devoted to moving forward that he even returned to work while still wearing a body cast. He went on to serve as a Texas district court judge and on the Texas Supreme Court before being elected attorney general in 2002. Greg and Cecilia have now been married 33 years. When I met and then married Greg, I knew he was an exceptional person and that we would have a wonderful and exciting life together, Cecilia said. I love and respect Greg so much and know he is the right leader for Texas; its been so inspiring to go on this journey with him. Cecilia Abbott has advanced degrees in both education and theology, spending a large chunk of her life as a teacher and principal. She was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the State Board of Educator Certification in 2001 and served until 2008. She shifted her focus to seniors and working as the community relations director for a network of senior healthcare facilities. Although the issues she plans to spearhead as First Lady have not officially been announced, Cecilia Abbott told FNL, My worldview is strongly influenced by my faith, and as First Lady, I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the causes that I care deeply about, such as protecting our children and helping Texas seniors. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram For the image of a new era in Cuba, President Obama and First Lady Michele Obama will have as their guest at the State of the Union address on Tuesday Alan Gross, a former federal subcontractor who was arrested on the island in 2009 and whose recent release was part of a deal to restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. For the image of Cubas dark side, and a reminder of how the regime of President Raul Castro continues to violate human rights, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will have as his guest at the presidents address Rosa Maria Paya, the daughter of Oswaldo Paya, a prominent dissident who died an automobile accident in 2012 that she, and others around the world, allege was caused by Castro government officials. In a press release announcing that Paya will be his guest, Rubio, a Florida Republican, made clear that he hoped her presence would counterbalance any message the president includes in the State of the Union address about a new chapter in U.S.-Cuba relations. In his remarks, I expect the president will bring up his new Cuba policy, Rubio said, especially since his administration is heading to Havana this week to discuss giving the regime legitimacy and greater access to American dollars it will use to fund its machine of repression the very machine that harassed Oswaldo Paya for years, eventually murdered him and pays hush money to potential key witnesses. While I disagree with the presidents new Cuba policy, Rubio said, I hope Rosa Maria Payas presence on Tuesday night will at least remind him that her fathers murderers have not been brought to justice, and that the U.S. is now, in fact, sitting at the table with them. Alan Grosss wife and others said he was there to set up Internet access for the small Jewish community on the communist island. He was released last month as part of a historic announcement by Obama that the U.S. would restore diplomatic relations with Cuba after five decades. Gross and his wife, Judy, are among 22 guests the White House invited to Tuesday night's speech. The couple will be sitting near Michele Obama. In an interview in 2013, Paya said that two months prior to her fathers fatal wreck someone forced her fathers car into an accident. Paya long has maintained that the Cuban government was behind her fathers death. The driver of the vehicle that was involved in the accident has alleged that Cuban government officials ran them off the road. I hope the administration takes the opportunity to demand reforms and changes in Cuban behavior before relations are normalized, Rubio said. At the very least, President Obama and his administration should push the Cuban regime to allow an impartial, third-party investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Sen. Ted Cruz urged archconservatives on Sunday to help nominate a Republican from their own ranks in 2016 or risk losing a third consecutive national election. The unspoken message: someone like him. Cruz called GOP nominees like Mitt Romney in 2012, John McCain in 2008 and Bob Dole in 1996 "good, honorable and decent men" but not conservative enough. All lost their bids for the presidency. "If we nominate a candidate in that mold, the same people who stayed home in 2008 and 2012 will stay home in 2016 and the Democrats will win again," Cruz told hundreds of activists at the South Carolina Tea Party Coalition Convention. South Carolina will cast the South's first primary ballots in 2016, shortly after the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Cruz's appearance came days after Romney confirmed at the Republican National Committee's winter meeting that he's considering a third White House bid. Romney weathered an uneasy relationship with the GOP's conservative wing in 2012 in part because no single candidate among several conservative alternatives could sustain a viable campaign. More On This... Best pix of the week But this time former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are in the picture, courting some of the same donors, consultants and media attention that went to Romney four years ago. Neither has committed to a campaign yet. Tea party convention goers from several states this weekend have expressed optimism that the new dynamic could create an opening for Cruz or another establishment critic if he can consolidate rank-and-file conservatives who distrust the GOP's traditional power structure. Cruz, beloved among tea party conservatives for his role in the partial government shutdown in October 2013, pointed to the GOP's success in the November midterms as proof that the nation is ready for an unapologetically conservative president. The "Washington graybeards" warned that the fight over the nation's borrowing limit was "too risky" and would cost Republicans in 2014, he said. "We just saw an historic tidal wave of an election," Cruz said, adding that the "graybeards" still haven't admitted their political calculus was wrong. The senator mocked President Barack Obama, comparing him to one-term President Jimmy Carter, who lost in 1980 to GOP icon Ronald Reagan. He repeated his calls to repeal the federal Affordable Care Act and the Common Core education standards adopted by many states. As part of his call to abolish the Internal Revenue Service, he joked that the 100,000-plus IRS bureaucrats should be positioned at the U.S.-Mexico border. "I say that somewhat tongue-in-cheek," he said. To Republicans who say such moves are too sweeping, Cruz again invoked Reagan, framing him as a bedrock conservative who battled the establishment of his day. Cruz did not acknowledge that Reagan, while animating conservatives and attracting Democrats from the middle, also fashioned a series of compromises with Democrats and moderate Republicans on taxes, budgets, immigration and Social Security, among other issues. Another conservative favorite, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, offered the convention a long indictment of what he called a welfare state that has locked millions of Americans in poverty. "We have to get that message to Americans, that you are not a victim," Carson said. The author and frequent television commentator said in an interview that he will decide by May 1 whether to run for president. He has never held public office. Earlier Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he is considering a presidential bid. Graham, who was re-elected in November, said he is exploring his viability beyond his home state. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 A U.S. congressional delegation sits down with Cuban officials on Monday in meetings that may include President Raul Castro, making them the highest-level contacts between the two nations since the declaration of detente last month. The U.S. delegation is led by Sen. Patrick Leahy, who played a key role in the release of American contractor Alan Gross as part of a prisoner exchange that paved the way for the move toward full diplomatic relations. Leahy has met with Castro on past trips to Cuba and was expected to do so again on Monday, two days before Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson arrives in Havana to negotiate the reopening of the U.S. Embassy. Leahy and five other Democratic senators and representatives are trying to ease the reestablishment of full relations by conveying to Cuban officials that their actions in the coming months will influence Congressional openness to President Barack Obama's reforms. At the same time, they are trying to get a sense of the biggest mystery hanging over the new stage of U.S.-Cuban relations: how will Castro's government respond to the U.S. push to expand diplomatic relations and trade ties? Cuba has so far offered a guardedly positive reception to Obama's loosening of the trade embargo on Cuba, saying it welcomes the full package of new economic ties on offer, from sales of telecommunications equipment to exports to the private business sector. But it insists it will maintain its one-party political system and centrally planned economy. It has released 53 prisoners on a list of dissidents the U.S. wanted freed, but said nothing about whether it will allow U.S. products to flow to Cuba without the staggering taxes and regulations that keep many other foreign products from reaching ordinary Cubans. "We are seeing a remarkable change in relations between our countries and we want to talk to some of the Cubans to see what they think about it, to see what's going to happen next," Leahy said after arriving in Cuba. "Obviously we hope to have a lot more freedom of expression amongst Cubans, but also the ability for our own two countries to talk with each other, something long overdue." With formal diplomatic relations highly restricted, some of the most significant U.S.-Cuban contacts in recent years have been carried out by Congressional delegations. While Obama's actions fall under executive authority and don't require Congressional approval, legislators could hinder key measures including the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terror. On Saturday, the delegation met with officials from Cuba's Culture Ministry in order to discuss possible Cuban participation in the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival, a summer celebration of traditional art and culture on Washington's National Mall. The senators met Sunday with more than a dozen dissidents including critics of the 18-month-old secret negotiations that led to last month's announcement. "It was a friendly meeting, they heard the different positions, but the senators are very much in favor of Obama's measures and want to hear that we agree," said Antonio Rodiles, who criticizes the Obama administration for failing to win enough guarantees of reform from Castro. "I said the process took place without transparency or taking the full range of opinions into account." Elizardo Sanchez, head of the Cuban Human Rights and National Reconciliation Commission, a Cuban non-governmental organization tracking political detentions, said that meeting participants had delivered a list of 24 long-term prisoners whom they wanted to see released in addition to the 53 on the Obama administration's list. On Monday, along with the possible meeting with Castro, the delegation will hold talks with lower-ranking Cuban officials in fields like agriculture, the environment and telecommunications. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram American officials head to Havana this week with fairly modest goals of cooperation with the Cuban government, seeking an end to restrictions on the U.S. Interests Section there so that an embassy and symbol of the two countries' new relationship can eventually be established. The migration and normalization talks between the United States and Cuba are the biggest face-to-face meetings since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced their intentions last month to re-establish diplomatic ties. Leading the U.S. delegation is Roberta Jacobson, the top U.S. diplomat for Latin America, the most senior American official to visit Cuba in more than three decades. A senior administration official said the Obama administration has concrete if limited objectives for the discussions Wednesday through Friday. They include American diplomats being reaccredited in Cuba and facing no travel restrictions, no limits on the number of U.S. diplomats in the country, unimpeded shipments to the U.S. mission and free access for Cubans to the mission. Jacobson will meet Cuban activists and civil society representatives, as well. How quickly the Cubans meet the requests related to the Interests Section will help determine when the two countries can re-establish embassies, post ambassadors in each other's capitals and restore full diplomatic relations, the official said. Reporters were briefed on this process Monday on the talks on condition the official not be quoted by name. The U.S. and Cuba haven't had diplomatic relations since 1961, shortly after Fidel Castro seized power. Interests sections were established in the late 1970s to boost cooperation, but never really advanced a detente between the two countries. In the years since, both governments have enforced restrictions on the activity of each other's diplomats in their countries. But changes have come quickly since December's announcement of a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Cuba and their promises to end the decades-long estrangement. The Cubans last week released 53 political prisoners. Three days later, the U.S. significantly eased travel and trade rules with Cuba. Despite opposition by some American lawmakers, particularly Republicans, a U.S. congressional delegation was in Havana Monday to see how they could aid the process. Among their possible meetings was one with President Raul Castro. The delegation is being led by Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, a key appropriator of funds for U.S. foreign operations. A major question that Leahy and others are gauging is how Castro's government responds to the U.S. expansion of diplomatic and trade ties. It's a question that administration officials also readily acknowledge. The U.S. wants to accelerate further the level of engagement between the two countries, the senior administration official said. Whereas the U.S. and Cuba found some common ground in recent years on oil spill prevention efforts and counter-narcotics work, Washington wants to explore disease monitoring and law enforcement cooperation. For decades some of America's most-wanted fugitives have lived unmolested in Cuba, frustrating U.S. efforts to apprehend them. They include Joanne Chesimard, a Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army member now known as Assata Shakur, who was convicted in 1977 of killing a New Jersey state trooper and sentenced to life in prison. She escaped and fled to Cuba. The official cited no progress yet on efforts to return people whom the U.S. considers to be criminals, but Cuba sees as worthy of political asylum. Billions of dollars in claims against the Cuban government pose another hurdle. The official suggested some process for settling these claims would have to be created for relations between the U.S. and Cuba to be normalized. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram House Speaker John Boehner and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida) will be using tonights State of the Union address to voice their opposition to President Barack Obamas actions to normalize relations with Cuba, according to several reports. The Republican lawmakers have invited prominent leaders of Cubas pro-democracy movement as their guests for Obamas speech, joining Rosa Maria Paya, who has been invited by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Jose Luis Garcia Perez, who is known as Antunez, has been invited by Boehner. He spent more than 17 years in prison before he was released in 2007 by the Fidel Castro regime. Ros-Lehtinen, the first Cuban-American elected to Congress, has invited Marlene Alejandre Triana, the daughter of Armando Alejandre, a decorated veteran and one of the Brothers to the Rescue pilots shot down by the Castro regime in 1996. Garcia Perez, 43, told the Washington Examiner on Monday night through an interpreter that his presence at Obamas address to the nation is an important recognition to the Cuban resistance about their plight. I am an ambassador for the Cuban resistance for those struggling inside Cuba, Garcia Perez said. I am here representing all of those prisoners who are not released in response to the Obama-Castro agreement. He said he has a strong message for Obama. I would tell President Barack Obama that the way to change Cuba is not by engaging the Castro regime and that Cuba is not the Castro regime, Garcia Perez said, emphasizing that the stronger the regime becomes economically because of investment, the weaker the resistance becomes. He continued, The future of Cuba should not have been agreed to in secret as these secrets negotiations between Cuba and the regime have been carried out. No agreement that excludes the Cuban resistance and the Cuban people can be considered legitimate. The White House announced on Monday that Alan Gross, the subcontractor recently freed by the Cuban government after five years in prison, will be one of First Lady Michelle Obamas guests along with his wife, Judy. Gross release was part of a deal to restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Immigration has always been a political minefield. After the House passed last week a GOP-led Homeland Security funding bill that includes amendments to undo President Obamas latest moves on the issue, observers are wondering if the hard line on immigration will be detrimental to Republicans in the 2016 presidential election. There are some conservatives who truly believe we can still win elections without getting a sizable percentage of the Latino vote, said Alfonso Aguilar, a former George W. Bush administration official and executive director of American Principles Project's Latino Partnership, a conservative group. But theres no way. We have to win Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Florida. Meanwhile, GOP leaders vehemently deny that their strict moves on immigration in recent weeks are in any way hostile to Latinos. They say the actions are aimed at Obama, and his overreach on immigration. Frank Sharry, the head of Americas Voice, says Republicans are in a crucial position to claim immigration as an issue, and any major reform as their own in the way that former President George W. Bush almost did, as well as Sen. John McCain of Arizona, to name a few. They have the best opportunity ever, right now, to pass immigration reform and share credit, he told Fox News Latino. The rhetoric on immigration is, again, prickly. And that worries some Republicans who fear that the impressive 35 percent of the Latino vote that their candidates received in the midterm elections last November will just as in 2012 fail to translate into a fortified Latino-GOP relationship going into the 2016 election. Theyre starting out with their left foot, said Aguilar. Yes, its true that President Obama should have waited and tried to work with the Republicans in the new Congress, and try to work on immigration legislation, but instead of trying to undo what the president did, they should show what theyre for. Theyre not making promises about doing anything constructive on immigration. Theyre just attacking, thats crazy, he added. Aguilar expressed concern that the window of opportunity for the GOP to gain ground on immigration, and with Latino voters, will remain open for a short time this year. Then, once the 2016 elections dominate, few will want to touch the divisive and touchy subject of immigration, he said. "They're being bullied by a small majority of immigration restrictionists like Steve King and Jeff Sessions, anti-immigrant population control groups and conservative radio talk show hosts," he said. On his part, Sharry said he is baffled by actions by Republicans that seem to go against the less restrictive approach that many in the party said would be crucial after Romneys devastating loss. I find it stunning that the Republican Party, which was pummeled by Latino voters in 2012, promised to take action no immigration reform after the election, helped pass a bill in the Senate in 2013, and now has lurched so far back to the right, Sharry said. How can you be a Latino immigrant in this country and not think The Republicans hate me. As attention homes in on the 2016 presidential election, many political observers believe that history may repeat itself. The 2010 election actually paints a very bright picture of the Republican Partys relations with this countrys growing Hispanic population, wrote Rep. Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, reflecting the view of many in his party at the time. When the exit poll results on the Latino vote in the 2010 midterm elections came in, many Republicans smiled. A historical 38 percent of Latino voters had given their support to Republican candidates running for Congress. Then came the GOP presidential primaries leading up to the 2012 election. And the tough talk about immigration. And the term self-deport. And a huge Latino voter backlash. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney got a paltry 27 percent of the Latino vote less than half than the 71 percent that President Barack Obama racked up. The road to the 2016 election barely has begun, and can take all kinds of unimaginable twists and turns between now and election night. For the electorate, 2016 is still a long time away, said Louis DeSipio, a political science professor at the University of California-Irvine. If the tone of the campaign picks up [the issue of] the vote [to block the executive order], then the Republicans will have a hard time doing as well as they did in the last two cycles. If in the primaries immigration remains quiet, then voters, including Latinos, will forget. If it is still a burning issue, any Republican vying for his partys nomination will have to get through the primaries, when conservatives hold a great deal of sway. The candidates need political courage, Aguilar said. In the primaries, theyre afraid of having their conservative credentials questioned, so [some] are afraid of discussing the issue. A 300-feet Russian intelligence warship docked quietly in Havana Tuesday is fueling speculation about the renewal of diplomatic relations with the U.S. Its arrival, on the eve of a historic meeting between Cuba and the United States, was not announced by Cuban authorities or the press. The Viktor Leonov CCB-175 entered the Bay of Havana in the morning and was moored to a pier often used by cruise ships, the AFP news agency reported. The Vishnya ship, also called Meridian-class intelligence ship, has a crew of around 200. This same ship, the AFP reports, docked in Havana in two separate occasions over a year ago. Those visits were also announced and lasted a few days. The port call came as a U.S. delegation that includes Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta Jacobson, is set to meet Wednesday with a Cuban counterpart headed by the United States director at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal. The meeting is being called historical because its the highest-level delegation to visit Havana since 1980. In a press release, Jacobsons office said the two-day visits agenda will include technical and logistical arrangements such as embassy operations, staffing and visa processing. According to the release, Jacobson will meet with members of independent civil society, as well as religious and independent business leaders. Moscow and Havana remained close allies during the 30-year Cold War, until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. After a gap of eight years, during Boris Yeltsin presidency (1991-1999), the two countries resumed bilateral relations and military cooperation. Then in December 2008, a Russian anti-submarine destroyer and two logistical warships docked in Cuba in a nonmilitary visit, the first of its kind since the Soviet Unions demise. The arrival was an extension of a tour that included stops in Venezuela and Panama and showed Moscow's desire to flex some muscle in the United States' backyard. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram The highest-level U.S. delegation to Cuba in decades begins two days of negotiations with grand promises by President Barack Obama about change on the island and a somber warning from Cuba to abandon hopes of reforming the communist government. U.S. moves to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba and loosen the five-decade trade embargo have "the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere" and have "added up to new hope for the future in Cuba," Obama said in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. A senior Cuban official cautioned, however, that restoring diplomatic ties with the U.S. wouldn't immediately lead to a full relationship between the Cold War foes after a half-century of enmity. The message appeared designed to lower expectations before the arrival Wednesday of the U.S. delegation and just before Obama spoke to a Capitol crowd that included Alan Gross, whose release from Cuba in a prisoner exchange last month cleared the way for a new relationship. Last month's announcement of detente has spawned high optimism on both sides of the Florida Straits, but the high-ranking Cuban diplomat said: "Cuba isn't normalizing relations with the United States. Cuba is re-establishing diplomatic relations with the U.S. The process of normalization is much longer and deeper." Reporters were briefed on condition that the official not be quoted by name. Republican leaders in the House and Senate are opposed to rapidly rebuilding relations as long as President Raul Castro remains firmly in control of Cuba. Other obstacles include billions of dollars in economic claims against Cuba's government, American fugitives living freely in Cuba and the opposition of many Cuban-Americans. Still, the biggest potential challenge is Castro's government itself, which needs cash for its stagnant economy but fears Obama's new policy merely repackages the longstanding U.S. goal to push him from power. The U.S. has taken "steps in the right direction but there's still far to go," the Cuban official noted. He expressed optimism about the long-term prospects for U.S.-Cuban relations as long as Washington does not try to change Cuba's single-party government and centrally planned economy tenets of Cuba's system the U.S. has long opposed. Re-establishing relations "must be based in principals of international law," the official said. "What do these principles mean for Cuba? Reciprocal respect for each country's political and economic systems, avoiding any form of interference." American officials have repeatedly said they hope their new path of engagement will empower Cubans and soften the government's control over the country. Leading the U.S. delegation to Havana is Roberta Jacobson, the most senior American official to visit Cuba in 35 years. The rosters on both sides include officials well-known to one another from years of cautious efforts to improve cooperation. Wednesday's conversations are expected to start with a continuation of efforts by the two sides in recent years to promote what the State Department calls "safe, legal and orderly migration," covering everything from the security of charter flights that travel regularly between Miami and Havana to rooting out fraudulent passports and partnering on potential search-and-rescue missions. Thursday's talks are trickier, scheduled to deal with the mechanics of re-establishing a U.S. Embassy in Havana headed by an ambassador, and a Cuban Embassy in Washington. Immediate U.S. objectives include the lifting of restrictions on American diplomats' staffing numbers and travel inside Cuba, easier shipments to the current U.S. Interests Section and unfettered access for Cubans to the building. The Americans say restoration of full diplomatic ties depends on how quickly the Cubans meet the U.S. requests. Jacobson will also meet Cuban activists and civil society representatives. The U.S. and Cuba haven't had diplomatic relations since 1961, soon after Fidel Castro seized power. Interests sections were established in the late 1970s as a means of opening a channel between the two countries, but any diplomatic goodwill they generated quickly evaporated. Some changes have come in the last month. The Cubans last week released 53 political prisoners. Three days later, the Obama administration significantly eased travel and trade rules with Cuba. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Tapped by the Republican Party to deliver the Spanish-language rebuttal to President Barack Obamas state of the union address, freshman Congressman Carlos Curbelo of Miami, Fla., touched on Cuba and immigration, two issues that were absent from the English-language response given by another rookie legislator, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst. Curbelo, 34, is a former member of the Miami-Dade School Board who narrowly beat Democrat Joe Garcia in last years mid-term election in one of the countrys most competitive races. The GOP selected Curbelo even though he broke with the party last week by joining a handful of representatives in voting against a Republican bill undoing the presidents controversial executive actions on immigration. Curbelo began his speech by providing a brief family history. I remember as a child, my parents worked long hours for the benefit of our family, Curbelo said. They came to this country looking for freedom and an opportunity to work and contribute to this great nation. For them, the road wasnt easy. The congressman criticized the Obama administration for delivering unearned concessions to cruel dictatorships in Cuba and Iran. Ernst, on the other hand, did not mention Cuba in her speech at all. Curbelo, who made immigration reform a cornerstone of his campaign, also spoke about modernizing legal immigration. Ernst did not mention immigration once in her speech. The differences were striking since the House GOP initially announced Curbelos speech would be a straight translation of Ernsts speech. Tuesday afternoon, Curbelo told reporters the rebuttals would have some differences, but he did not specify what they would be. Tuesday night, Curbelo told the Washington Post that he got no pushback when he submitted his draft to GOP leaders. Both [Ernsts] speech and my speech, I think, reflect a blend of the partys priorities and ideas, and then some of our own priorities and ideas, too," he said. Political observers in Miami offered tepid reviews of Curbelos prime time performance. On local Spanish language television station Mira TV, which aired some of Curbelos speech, Raul Martinez, a Democrat and former mayor of Hialeah, Miami-Dade Countys second-largest city, said Curbelo failed to reach non-Cuban Latinos. He didnt say anything about Latinos in Phoenix, Colorado, or New Mexico, Martinez said. This is a speech people will forget about quickly, added Armando Ibarra, a principal of Ai Advisory, a public affairs consulting firm that has been working with Cuban dissidents in Miami opposed to Obama normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba. It wont have any impact or lasting significance, Ibarra said. On Curbelos Facebook page, some people admonished the congressman minutes after he finished his speech. It makes me sad to see a good Latino be so blind, Armando Hernandez wrote. I hope your party doesnt boot you out once they dont need you anymore. Curbelo was among a minority of Republicans who voted against measures to undo executive actions that could protect as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, in addition to allowing them to obtain work permits and driver's licenses. The absence of a mention of Cuba and immigration in the Republican rebuttal to President Barack Obamas State of the Union address Tuesday night attracted widespread attention. Many compared it to the Spanish version of the GOP rebuttal, delivered by freshman Rep. Carlos Curbelo, which did cover the Obama administrations renewal of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations and the need for immigration reform. What got less attention, however, was another rebuttal that not only addressed immigration, but also included a direct message to Latino immigrants in Spanish. It was the rebuttal by the Tea Party, which began delivering its own responses to the State of Union speeches in 2011. Rep. Curt Clawson of Florida touted diversity in his speech, and stressed that immigrants legal immigrants, that is were welcome. Success for our nation also means embracing diversity including legal immigrants and the millions waiting in line legally to begin their own American Dream, said Clawson. Legal immigration has long been and remains a key to Americas greatness, he added. Clawson turned to Spanish to draw parallels between the Tea Partys conservative views and Latino values. "We all believe in God, the family, hard work, and liberty, he said. The law must be followed. You are all welcome with us. We are all equal. Of course. Our house is your house." Then he returned to immigration, appearing to avoid coming across as hawkish or accusatory when denouncing illegal immigration, without doing so outright. As we respect our immigration laws weve also got to be fair to the more than 10 million Americans currently struggling to find good jobs, Clawson said. We all know who they are. They are our friends, family, and neighbors. To do this, we need to secure our borders first! This is important for fairness and security for all Americans. Two of the most bitterly debated issues in Washington D.C. these days are executive actions that Obama has taken on Cuba and immigration. Last year, Obama announced a host of changes in U.S.-Cuba relations that included the establishment of embassies and an easing of restrictions on travel and trade. In the State of the Union address, he called on Congress to lift the embargo. "When what you're doing doesn't work for fifty years, it's time to try something new," Obama said. "Our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere; removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people. And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo." On immigration, Obama issued executive actions suspending deportation for potentially some 5 million undocumented immigrants, enabling them to obtain work permits and drivers licenses. Republicans vehemently objected to both. They called Obamas deal with Cuban President Raul Castro naive and said that the communist regime would not change its repressive ways, and would benefit from more trade and travel, but never pass on the rewards to the people on the island. Republicans said that the immigration executive order amounted to rewarding law-breakers, and was an overreach by the president. But the GOP response, delivered by Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, did not mention either issue specifically. Curbelo was among a minority of Republicans who voted against recent House measures to undo the executive actions on immigration. In his Spanish-language response, the Cuban-American lawmaker said: We should also work through the appropriate channels to create permanent solutions for our immigration system. In the past, the president has expressed support for ideas like these, now we ask him to collaborate with us to get it done. As for Cuba, Curbelo said: It's also fundamental that the United States support its allies and hold its enemies accountable. We're worried about the undeserved concessions the president's administration has made to the regimes of Iran and Cuba. Both countries are ruled by cruel dictators who for decades have tried to harm our country and our allies. Later, Curbelo commented that while the official GOP response and his Spanish-language one were, in essence, similar, they contained nuances that reflected the particular lawmakers priorities. Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino Newly inaugurated Texas Gov. Greg Abbott didnt waste any time trying appeal to the states large Latino population. During his inauguration speech on Tuesday, Abbott, a Republican, referenced the states long, multicultural history and his wifes Hispanic background as he begins his term in office, one that will test the trust of many of the states Latinos as conservative lawmakers push long-stalled measures to deter illegal immigration. Texas "has been the blending of cultures from across the globe even before we became our own nation," Abbott said in his speech. Many experts say that Abbott has a difficult road ahead as he tries to conciliate a return to the more inclusive, Latino-friendly politics of former Gov. George W. Bush with that of Tea Party and other staunchly conservative Republicans who want to curb unauthorized entries and financial incentives for illegal immigration. "Its important that our elected officials over at the Legislature make sure that theyre using welcoming language and avoid anything that can be interpreted as being offensive to any community," Texas GOP chairman Steve Munisteri told the Dallas Morning News. Abbott spoke proudly of his wife Cecilias family who came from Mexico to San Antonio and called her "the first Hispanic first lady" in state history. He also praised Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman another child of Mexican immigrants. In regards to immigration, the new Texas governor vowed to "secure our border" but stopped short of mentioning undocumented immigrants or the wave of child migrants from Central America that flooded over the U.S.-Mexico border last summer. "Greg Abbott is now part of this battle for the soul of the Texas Republican Party," Jerry Polinard, a political scientist at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, said. "His 2014 campaign was the most successful in appealing to Latino voters since George W. Bush. But now he must deal with the most conservative lieutenant governor in the history of the state. Dan Patrick has made his name on the immigration issue." Unlike Abbott, in his speech Patrick took a hard line on immigration and lashed out about the porous borders between Texas and Mexico. "Make no mistake, the terrorists, the drug cartels and gang members risk of crossing our border and coming here to do us harm is high," he said. As Latinos continue to have even more influence in Texas they are the fastest-growing component of the state's population and are expected to outnumber other ethnic groups as soon as 2020 and as issues like the border and immigration continue to take center stage on a national level, experts say that Hispanics in Texas will want more than just words from Abbott in his term as governor. "You cant do outreach with one hand when youre slapping Latinos in the face with the other hand," said Andy Hernandez, a Democratic voter-turnout expert. "People look at what these guys do, not just listen to what they say." Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Donald Trump is calling Ted Cruz a copycat. The billionaire and front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination said that the U.S. Senator from Texas is sounding quite a lot like him when he talks about building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. "Well, first of all, his plan just happened, OK? Trump said during a Sunday morning interview on CBS Face the Nation. In fact, I was watching the other day. And I was watching Ted talk. And he said, 'We will build a wall.' The first time I've ever heard him say it. "And my wife, who was sitting next to me, said, 'Oh, look. He's copying what you've been saying for a long period of time.'" Trump continued: "Ted Cruz is trying to step up his whole game on amnesty and on illegal immigration ,because it was actually quite weak. Cruzs campaign website calls for building a wall that works. He says that as president, he would complete 700 miles of fencing along the border, triple the Border Patrol staff, and bolster aerial surveillance, among other things. Trump has said he wants a sort of deportation army that would track down and remove the nations estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, something that critics say is inhumane and logistically undoable. In the CBS interview, Trump drew a parallel between Cruz and another GOP presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Trump said both are making an effort to "solve the problems that they've had in the past because they were both weak on it. And I have been very strong on it." "So they're trying to get stronger. But, look, nobody has that position like I have that position. I want the wall. I want strong borders. I want everybody out. Now, people are coming to me. But nobody has that issue like me," he said. "And nobody's going to be able to do it like me," he continued. "Nobody. As an example, on the wall. Nobody is getting Mexico to pay for the wall, the cost of the wall, but me. They don't even know about that. That's not even in their vocabulary." While Trump has hit most of his rivals hard throughout the campaign, criticizing them in sometimes crude ways, his shots at Cruz are particularly noteworthy because he and the lawmaker have at times seemed to have something of a gentlemens agreement not to attack each other. There have been breaches in that mutual decorum, of course. Last month, for instance, the New York Times reported that Cruz said at a private gathering in Manhattan that the real estate mogul didn't have the chops to be president, and a few days later Trump retaliated, taking his rival to task for his well-known habit of alienating GOP colleagues, which, among other things, led to the infamous government shutdown in 2013 over the Affordable Care Act. Look at the way hes dealt with the Senate, where he goes in there like a you know, frankly like a little bit of a maniac. Youre never going to get things done that way," Trump said. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram The Obama administrations new raids on Central American immigrants who have deportation orders are coming under fire from all sides of the debate over how to handle those who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2014, many of them requesting political asylum. The raids began over the weekend in states such as Texas, Georgia and North Carolina, and mark the beginning of what is expected to be a national crackdown on Central Americans who came by the tens of thousands, often in family units. On Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson defended the raids, which led to the arrests of 121 people, saying they are necessary to deter even more migrants from illegally crossing the border. Groups that advocate for more lenient immigrant policies criticized the raids as insensitive and overzealous. They rekindled their labeling of President Barack Obama as Deporter-in-Chief, a title they gave him after more than 2 million immigrants a record for any president were deported since he took office in 2008. Kica Matos, spokesperson for the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), said to Fox News Latino: FIRM demands that President Obama, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] Director Sarah Saldana immediately put an end to their plan to continue to raid peoples homes, terrorize families and rip them apart. If these families are deported -- and most of them would be women and children, they would be returned to places they fled to escape being killed, raped or tortured. Many of the some 100,000 immigrants who came in 2014, and who included thousands of unaccompanied minors, told of fleeing because of rampant gang violence and poverty in Central America. Many youths said they had fled after being pressured to, as they put it, join or die gangs. Most of the families have fled from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. On Monday, Salvadoran officials said that killings in the gang-plagued nation spiked by nearly 70 percent last year, resulting in a homicide rate that could make it the world's most violent country. National Police director Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde said El Salvador officially registered at least 6,657 homicides in 2015, up from 3,942 the previous year. The overall yearly homicide rate was the country's highest ever at 104 per 100,000 inhabitants, putting it in a position to take over the dubious title of the world's murder capital from neighboring Honduras. While gangs and violence were arguably factors pushing many people to flee to the United States, there were also immigrants from Central America who told interviewers from various non-profit organizations assisting them that they believed that anyone who managed to get into the United States would be allowed to stay. The DHS statement on the raids acknowledged that they were being criticized from different sides of the immigration issue. "I know there are many who loudly condemn our enforcement efforts as far too harsh, while there will be others who say these actions dont go far enough," Johnson said. "I also recognize the reality of the pain that deportations do in fact cause. But, we must enforce the law consistent with our priorities." He said his agency was simply making sure people follow federal laws. "As I have said repeatedly, our borders are not open to illegal migration," he said. "If you come here illegally, we will send you back consistent with our laws and values." Proponents of strict immigration enforcement balked at the DHS statement and the raids, calling them too little too late. This appears to be another effort on the part of the administration to convince the American public that they are making a serious effort at enforcement when, in fact, they are doing very little, said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR. The removal of a few hundred illegal aliens who have exhausted all legal remedies to remain in the U.S. will do little to stem to surge of migrants from Central America, when you consider the enormous numbers who have arrived in the past few years. In recent months, after ebbing for a while, large groups of immigrants from Central America many of them unaccompanied youths began appearing at the border again. They have approached Border Patrol agents about getting refuge in the United States. "It should not be forgotten that the majority of these illegal aliens were not 'apprehended' - they happily sought out Border Patrol Agents with the valid expectation of permanent residence," said D.A.King, a Georgia-based activist who fights for tougher immigration enforcement. "Neither should it be forgotten that Mexico can stop the illegal migration through its country to the USA anytime they want." Advocates for immigrants vow to keep an eye on the raids and to maintain pressure on the Obama administration to respond to border issues in what they say would be a more humane, productive way. Layla Razavi, the Human Migration and Mobility Director of American Friends Service Committee, said the raids are not addressing the real issue. The Secretarys statement is indicative of where the administration is on the issue of families seeking asylum, Razavi said. His statement outlines plans for raiding families in their homes and touts the increase in militarization of the border, but refugee processing and addressing the root causes of the violence in Central America are merely an afterthought. In a news conference Monday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that "politics did not factor" into the decision by Homeland Security officials to conduct raids, despite increased debate about immigration enforcement and policy by Republicans on the presidential campaign trail. Guatemala's Foreign Ministry said via Twitter that it was monitoring the situation, and promised to offer consular assistance and protection to its citizens living overseas. It advised Guatemalans in the U.S. that they need not open their doors to immigration agents unless the officers have a warrant signed by a judge. It also recommended that they carry with them at all times phone numbers of family members, a lawyer and the nearest consulate. "You have rights that must be respected. ... Immigration agents have the obligation to respect your basic rights, as well as treat you and your family members in a dignified manner, especially when it comes to children," the Foreign Ministry said. The government of El Salvador issued similar advice to any of its citizens facing enforcement action in the U.S. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A package of gun-control executive actions that President Barack Obama will formally announce Tuesday has pushed the contentious issue of gun control to the forefront of the 2016 presidential campaign just weeks before the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses and has candidates in both parties seeing an opportunity to generate enthusiasm among primary voters. Republican contenders promise that if they get elected, they'll swiftly repeal Obama's actions, which include steps to expand background checks for gun purchases. GOP front-runner Donald Trump vowed to "un-sign" the president's measures. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said that on his first day in the Oval Office, "Those orders are gone." Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said that while Obama may currently hold the power of the pen, "My pen has got an eraser." On the Democratic side, front-runner Hillary Clinton has unveiled her own proposals for gun-control executive actions and enthusiastically endorsed Obama's measures even before the president's official announcement. "I know that a Republican president would delight in the very first day, reversing executive orders that President Obama has made," Clinton told voters in New Hampshire. The cornerstone of Obama's executive actions is a background check requirement for guns purchased from dealers even if they're bought online or at gun shows. The new federal guidance aims to narrow the so-called "gun show loophole" that allows some purchases to occur without a background check. In announcing the actions in the early days of 2016, Obama is purposely thrusting the issue into the center of the presidential campaign. He foreshadowed his executive orders last fall, when Obama said that gun violence was "something we should politicize." The emphasis on gun issues marks a shift for Democrats, who have shied away from the subject in recent presidential elections, not only because of the NRA, but also due to competing views within the party. Clinton and Obama both treaded carefully on guns when they faced off in the 2008 Democratic primary, and the president didn't attempt to pass congressional legislation until the shooting of elementary school students in Newtown, Connecticut, which occurred about a month after his 2012 re-election. Democratic losses throughout the South, however, have narrowed the number of elected officials in the party who oppose gun restrictions. Gun-control backers also point to shifts in public opinion and the rise of well-funded advocacy groups as reasons Democratic candidates can campaign on the topic with fewer electoral risks. Actions to expand background checks, for example, have broad public support. A CBS/New York Times poll conducted in October found that more than 90 percent of Americans favor requiring background checks on all potential gun buyers. When it comes to the general election, the gun debate becomes a blurrier political proposition. Public opinion polls show Americans overwhelmingly support expanding background checks for gun purchases, but are more divided on the broader question of stricter gun laws. The gun-control advocacy movement has gained wealthy backers, including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but the National Rifle Association remains one of the most dominant forces in American politics. "It's an issue that both (sides) are really going to want to talk about for the next couple of months, but I don't know how much they're going to want to talk about it in the fall," Matthew Dowd, a former political adviser to George W. Bush, said of the eventual presidential nominees. Bloomberg has pumped millions of dollars into gun-control advocacy efforts, including donations to candidates who support more restrictive measures. An organization founded by former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was badly wounded in a 2011 shooting, also has raised millions to promote gun control measures. "There's more organization, there's more capacity, there's more money," said Kristin Goss, a public policy professor at Duke University who has studied gun-control advocacy groups. But asked whether the new organizations can succeed in matching the energy and organizational power of the NRA in a general election, Goss said, "That's an open question." Surveys have shown that gun-control supporters lag those who favor fewer restrictions on most measures of political activism. During the failed legislative efforts in 2013, the NRA mobilized its members to flood Capitol Hill with phone calls and letters urging lawmakers to oppose the White House-backed measures. Still, Republicans know that while opposing nearly all restrictions on gun laws may be the only acceptable position for many GOP primary voters, it could be less attractive in a general election. Associated Press-GfK polls conducted in October and December found 58 percent of Americans favor stricter gun laws. That's up slightly from 52 percent two years ago. Based on reporting by The Associated Press. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe began a trade mission to Cuba on Monday, expressing optimism about imminent changes in the U.S. relationship with the island but seeming less certain his trip would quickly generate new business for his state. McAuliffe is a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, a close ally of Bill and Hillary Clinton and a longtime advocate of trade with Cuba. He is the fourth governor to visit Cuba since Dec. 17, 2014, when Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro declared an official end to one of the world's longest-running hostile relationships. McAuliffe said he sees this year as key for U.S.-Cuba relations, saying the United States could allow freer travel to the island and end a ban on American businesses selling goods to the country on credit. Cuba has cited the credit limit as a prime reason it has sharply reduced purchases of food from states such as Virginia. "I think 2016 is going to be a very big year. This is an important legacy item for President Obama," McAuliffe said. "I think this is the year we can get an awful lot of things done: normalization of relations, extending credit, open travel. These are all things I hope to accomplish this year. I think we can do it." The White House said last week that Obama may travel to Cuba in March, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit this island since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. While U.S.-Cuba detente has moved relatively quickly on the diplomatic front, efforts to increase business have been far slower with the United States' half-century-old trade embargo against the island still in force. Despite an initial rush of American business enthusiasm, there have been few big U.S. business deals with Cuba. None of the four U.S. governors' trips have spawned significant commercial ties except for a relatively small sale of chicken parts by Arkansas poultry companies following a September visit by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. McAuliffe met with Cuba's top foreign trade official Monday morning and watched the heads of the University of Havana and Virginia Commonwealth University sign an agreement for academic cooperation and exchanges. The governor is expected to sign a similar memorandum of understanding Tuesday between the Port of Virginia and Cuba's Mariel port and free trade zone. Later Monday, the governor planned to sit down with the vice president of the Council of Ministers, one of the country's highest-ranking officials. McAuliffe is accompanied on his trip by executives from seven Virginia-based businesses, including Smithfield Food and Perdue Agribusiness, who met with Cuban government officials throughout Monday. Cuban officials have used the meetings with visiting U.S. dignitaries to press for an end to the trade embargo. Foreign Trade Minister Rodrigo Malmierca and others emphasized the continuing difficulties of doing business with the U.S. despite Obama's loosening of trade limits. McAuliffe deflected questions about whether he would leave Cuba with any new deals for Virginia businesses. "We're here for a couple days of meetings, let me get through all the meetings," he said. "This is about building relationships for the future." Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram The image of the Donald Trump supporter is that of an under-educated conservative white male. That is partly true. The more accurate depiction is that his supporters are also moderate Republicans, independents and yes registered Democrats who want a hard line on immigration. Theres some truth that theres a unique Trump coalition thats not just the conservative coalition, that includes socially liberal Republicans who know that Trump is not concerned about social issues, said Alfonso Aguilar, a former chief of the U.S. Office of Citizenship under President George W. Bush and the current director of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles. And there are Democrats in the middle class who blame immigrants for taking jobs away from American workers," Aguilar told Fox News Latino. "Whether or not they feel Trump is an extremist on immigration, they agree with his position. Then theres big labor, Aguilar said, which opposes free trade pacts and is not in favor of bringing in guest workers positions that fall in line with Trump. Its not a conservative position to be against free trade, Trump has said hes pro-choice, Aguilar said. The broader Trump supporter group poses a challenge for many, including the Republican establishment that has dismissed the billionaires fans as extremists and a narrow group, and therefore not large enough to really be a major factor in the longer run. Civis Analytics, a Democratic data firm, found Trump getting the support of 29 percent of registered Republicans, 36 percent of registered independents, and 43 percent of registered Democrats, according to The New York Times. Some states allow people other than Republicans to vote in GOP primaries. The way to try to crack Trumps support among conservative Republicans, Aguilar said, is to heighten awareness among this group that Trump is not the candidate who will advance their interests. It should make conservative voters in the primary think twice about their support for Trump, Aguilar said. His broad coalition of supporters is still small, its not a majority, but he does have a base and he could win the nomination. Americans should resist "the siren call of the angriest voices" in how the nation treats immigrants, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said Tuesday as the GOP used its response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address to try softening the tough stance embraced by some of its leading presidential candidates. The U.S.-born daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley said the country is facing its most dangerous security threat since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. That was a reference to the Islamic State group, which has taken credit for attacks in Paris and elsewhere and may have inspired last month's mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. "During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices," Haley, mentioned by some as a potential vice presidential candidate this year, said in her party's formal response to Obama. "We must resist that temptation." Speaking from the governor's residence for nine minutes, Haley did not mention the GOP presidential race. But the front-runner so far, Donald Trump, has called for deporting millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Two other contenders, Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have battled over which of them has the tougher record on the issue. "Growing up in the rural South, my family didn't look like our neighbors," Haley said. She said no one who works hard and follows the laws "should ever feel unwelcome in this country." Haley said the U.S. should continue admitting "properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion" an apparent reference to calls by Trump to temporarily bar Muslims from entering the country. She also hewed closely to GOP demands in the immigration debate, saying: "That does not mean we just flat out open our borders," and said the U.S. should refuse entry to refugees "whose intentions cannot be determined." The nation's youngest governor at 43, Haley also seemed to try to smooth some of her party's more combative edges. She said Republicans "would respect differences in modern families" perhaps suggesting more tolerance toward same-sex couples and said it isn't necessary "to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference." Without offering specifics, she said that while Democrats bear much responsibility, Republicans "need to accept that we've played a role in how and recognize why our government is broken." Haley has gained national prominence for helping to end the display of the Confederate battle flag on Statehouse grounds last year after half a century, a move that followed last June's slaying of nine people at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Governor for five years, she also got attention after catastrophic flooding that battered her state in October. "We removed a symbol that was being used to divide us," she said Tuesday of the flag's lowering. Polls have shown public concerns over terrorism and national security have become a top issue ever since the November attacks that killed 130 in Paris and the December mass shooting by a radicalized Muslim couple that killed 14 people in San Bernardino. Ever since, Republicans on the presidential campaign trail and in Congress have been emphasizing those issues. At the same time, many in the GOP feel the party must do a better job of appealing to Hispanics and other minority voters if they are to compete effectively in national and many statewide elections. They're also eager to win more votes from women, who preferred Obama over his Republican opponents by more than 10 percentage points in his 2008 and 2012 elections and have favored the Democratic presidential candidate in each election since 1992. Haley is the third consecutive woman GOP leaders have chosen to deliver their party's response to Obama. Freshman Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, gave the address last year and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., the No. 4 House GOP leader, did it in 2014. Twenty-nine of the 300 GOP members of Congress, or about 10 percent, are women, about one-third the proportion of women among congressional Democrats. Each party also has three female governors, although GOP governors outnumber Democrats 31 to 18, plus an independent. Haley said the nation's problems also include an economy that's not boosted family income, a national debt that's too high and Obama's health care law, which Republicans have long asserted has failed. She said under a GOP president, Republicans would lower taxes, curb spending and debt and strengthen the military. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram In his final State of the Union address as President of the United States, Barack Obama appeared more like a man in the running for the job than somebody who will leave office a year from now. Obama quickly dispatched immigration reform and other priorities he hopes to tackle with his time left in the Oval Office even acknowledging they were unlikely to get accomplished while he occupies the White House and instead seemed eager to challenge biting criticism from Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and other Republicans vying to be the next president. Obama was at turns boastful and biting, confident and sarcastic. Anyone who says the economy is declining is "peddling fiction," he argued. Obama characterized skepticism about science and reluctance to adopt technology as absurd. "When the Russians beat us into space, we didn't deny Sputnik was up there," he said. Claims that U.S. stature in the world is diminishing, he said emphatically, is "political hot air." "The United States of America is the most powerful nation on earth. Period. It's not even close. It's not even close!" the president declared. Obamas quick remarks about issues important to the Latino community like immigration were met with a exasperation from Hispanic groups. The State of the Union needs to be more than just political theater, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) said in a press release. Latinos and all Americans continue to wait for words to be turned into action on the key issues affecting their day-to-day lives. We need progress on policies that will improve the schools our students attend, create more job opportunities, bring the immigrant community out of the shadows and ensure the right to vote is accessible for all. The president's final turn at the Congressional podium was his most high-profile entry yet into the race to succeed him. After largely begging off the day-to-day skirmishes in the raucous contest, Obama showed he was more than ready to defend his record and happy to use one of his last chances to seize America's attention to show Democrats how he thinks it should be done. Obama has more than his party's interest at heart. His legacy will be shaped by whether Americans choose a Democrat to succeed him and cement his signature heath care law, environmental policies and immigration programs. Democrat Hillary Clinton has tried to put some distance between her campaign and the president often saying she's not running for his third term. That has at times left Obama as his own best defender. The White House had billed Obama's speech as a rethinking of the genre, and it delivered. While he all but acknowledged the fact that immigration reform, raising the minimum wage and tightening gun laws were not likely to happen under his administration, Obama did highlight a few possible proposals with better chances criminal justice reform and fighting prescription drug abuse. "Who knows? We might surprise the cynics again," Obama said. The flip comment was a reminder that the speech, like the president's final year in office, wasn't focused on Congress as much as on defending his accomplishments. Obama took some clear shots at the cast of Republicans who've used him as a target for months. He defended his handling of the rise of Islamic extremism and tried to temper anxieties about the Islamic State group. "Over-the-top claims that this is World War III just play into their hands," Obama said. "We don't need to build them up to show that we're serious, and we sure don't need to push away vital allies in this fight by echoing the lie that ISIL is somehow representative of one of the world's largest religions." With an expected audience of some 30 million viewers, the speech was Obama's first of two chances to take Americans squarely by the shoulders and make his case for a Democratic successor. Not until his speech at the Democratic convention this summer, will Obama likely have such undivided attention again. The case he delivered was not new. The president and his aides have been marveling for months at what they described as Republicans' gloom-and-doom vision. White House officials have labeled it both inaccurate and bad politics. Some of his arguments echoed the case he makes to donors at fundraising events. In trying to present an optimistic alternative, Obama's speechwriters were mindful of not taking a victory lap. Americans hardly share his confidence in America's upward trajectory, polls show. In touting the economic recovery, in particular, Obama risks seeming out of touch. "The president's record has often fallen far short of his soaring words," South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said in the Republican response. "As he enters his final year in office, many Americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels. We're feeling a crushing national debt, a health care plan that has made insurance less affordable and doctors less available, and chaotic unrest in many of our cities." But the president showed he was ready to rebut such comments once Democrats pick a candidate and he is unleashed on the trail. Until then, as he told his audience of lawmakers and candidates, he understands the hankering to get back to Iowa. "I've been there," he said with a grin. "I'll be shaking hands afterward if you want some tips." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter & Instagram Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich slammed efforts by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Green Party candidate Jill Stein to force a recount of votes in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, with another request expected to be filed in Michigan this week. "The recount mania is one more example of the collapse of the Democratic Party as a realistic institution," Gingrich told Fox News' Sean Hannity on "Hannity" Monday. "Youre seeing the sort of nutty wing of the Democratic Party begin to take over." "If there was a realistic chance that they could turn three states, and therefore turn the election, you could say 'All right, I get it,'" Gingrich added. "But theres not. I mean, nobody believes theyre going to turn Pennsylvania, period. If you dont turn Pennsylvania, nothing matters ... The odds against them ... are probably a trillion to one." Gingrich also told "Hannity" that President-elect Donald Trump could alienate many of his supporters by nominating longtime nemesis Mitt Romney. "[Trump] simply needs to understand ... that there is an enormous base that wanted to drain the swamp and they see Romney as the swamp," Gingrich said. "He has to decide if hes willing to accept a very large part of his base being totally upset and feeling betrayed ... I cant quite imagine the introductory speech where president-elect Trump explains why Mitt Romney makes any sense as secretary of state." For his part, the former Speaker endorsed former New York City Mayor and longtime Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani to be secretary of state, telling Hannity that "anybody whos watched him knowsyou wouldnt get anybody tougher, both in reforming the State Department and in speaking to the world on behalf of America ... I think he would do a terrific job." Why on earth are we suddenly debating whether Donald Trump won the election, which he clearly did fair and square? You can blame Jill Stein, Hillary Clinton's lawyers, and Trump himself. This is just surreal, how a nuisance filing by a fringe candidate has suddenly become a massive media controversy in which nobody looks particularly good. The whole notion of a recount is absurd. Clinton may have won the popular vote, but this isnt the hanging-chads environment of 2000. Trump has more than 300 electoral votes, and he will be the next president. So along comes Stein, the Green Party candidate, and as a fundraising and attention-getting device, she successfully pushes for a recount in Wisconsin. This is, of course, ludicrous, since Trump won the state by more than 20,000 votes. (Stein is trying now in Pennsylvania, which Trump won by 70,000 votes.) Clinton, who conceded on Election Night, had not asked for a recount. But her lawyer, while conceding the campaign has no actionable evidence of hacking or other illegalities, agrees to cooperate. And that ticks off Trump, who has clearly been smarting over the fact that Clinton leads by 2 million in the popular vote. Even though that doesnt amount to squat, since hes got more than 300 electoral votes. First Trump unleashed a tweetstorm at his Democratic opponent, quoting her as saying during the campaign that it would be horrifying if Trump didnt accept the election outcome. Then came this: In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. Millions? That created a firestorm. The Trump transition team offered no evidence of such widespread fraud. Communications director Jason Miller pointed to a two-year-old Washington Post blog by two academics saying 14 percent of non-citizens were registered to vote in past elections. (The piece also said most non-citizens do not register, let alone vote.) But that doesnt prove anything about 2016. There are usually isolated episodes of voter fraud or chicanery, but not millions of people. The result? Politico: Trump's Baseless Assertions of Voter Fraud Called 'Stunning': Donald Trump on Sunday used the platform of the presidency to peddle a fringe conspiracy theory to justify his loss of the popular vote, claiming without evidence that millions of people voted illegally Nov. 8. New York Times: Trump Claims, With No Evidence, That Millions of People Voted Illegally: President-elect Donald J. Trump said on Sunday that he had fallen short in the popular vote in the general election only because millions of people had voted illegally, leveling the baseless claim as part of a daylong storm of Twitter posts voicing anger about a three-state recount push. Washington Post: Trump pushes conspiracy theory that millions voted illegally for Clinton: President-elect Donald Trump spent Sunday ridiculing Hillary Clintons presidential campaign for joining a recount effort in Wisconsin, ending his day on Twitter by parroting a widely debunked conspiracy theory that her campaign benefited from massive voter fraud. The controversy prompted a Clinton campaign spokeswoman to say: Winning the electoral college won him the presidency, so Trump's excuses on why he lost the popular vote by millions are just small and sad. And Snopes debunks it here. And Trump wasnt done. Last night he launched a Twitter assault against CNN and its reporter Jeff Zeleny, retweeting attacks like this: What PROOF do u have DonaldTrump did not suffer from millions of FRAUD votes? Journalist? Do your job! @CNN" In effect, he is now asking journalists to prove a negative, that he wasnt defrauded in the election. I have no idea why Trump went there. Hes in the process of putting together a government. He knows everyone would campaign differently if we picked presidents by popular vote. He knows that the recount is going to fizzle. Why give the media ammunition to again charge that hes making claims without evidence? It feels like weve been thrust back into the middle of the campaign. But its a make-believe campaign. The real one ended on Nov. 8. Meanwhile, the press has descended on Kellyanne Conway, the former campaign manager turned top transition adviser. Shes been going off on Mitt Romney in the secretary of State sweepstakes, first on Twitter and then on a couple of Sunday shows. The gist of Conways argument, and she speaks for a strong faction within Trump world, is that Romney went out of his way to attack her guy during the campaign as a fraud and a con man, and shouldnt be rewarded with the Cabinets top prize. Thats usually the way politics works. In fairness to Mitt, he didnt lobby for the jobTrump had Mike Pence call him, and the president-elect and Romney are scheduled for a second sitdown today at Trump Tower. Is it unusual for advisers to be having this debate in public? Sure is. Conway has made clear that she has pressed her view privately with Trump as well. But MSNBCs Joe Scarborough went off on her, accusing her of going rogue and pushing her own agenda, and saying that based on his own transition sources, Trump is furious with her. Conway sent a text, which Morning Joe read on the air, saying she can have whatever job she wants, inside or outside the administration, and that Scarboroughs account is all false. And it is sexist. Conway told the New York Times that she and Trump are fine: When hes upset with someone, they know it. And in a statement, Trump called her a tremendous asset: Kellyanne came to me and asked whether or not she could go public with her thoughts on the matter. I encouraged her to do so. Most importantly she fully acknowledged there is only one person that makes the decision. Ill just say this: President-Elect Trump could shut off this debate in a heartbeat by saying hes no longer considering Romney or by naming Rudy Giuliani or David Petraeus or John Kelly or someone else. He has obviously decided that he wants the discussion to play out in public. President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday the nomination of Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., to head the Department of Health and Human Services. If confirmed by the Senate, Price will play a central role in Republican efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Trump has pledged to move quickly on overhauling his predecessor's signature measure, but has been vague about what he hopes to see in a replacement bill. "Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on healthcare policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity," Trump said in a statement. "He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American. I am proud to nominate him as Secretary of Health and Human Services." Trump also nominated Seema Verma the President, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc., a national health policy consulting company -- as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems, Trump said. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans." The president-elect has said he favors keeping provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents' health insurance and that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Price, a 62-year-old six-term congressman and orthopedic surgeon, has chaired the House Budget Committee for the past two years. A bookish conservative from the Atlanta suburbs, Price has worked closely with House Speaker Paul Ryan to assemble GOP budgets aimed at reducing the annual deficit. "I am humbled by the incredible challenges that lay ahead and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people, Price said Tuesday. Last week, Price said whatever Republicans do to replace Obama's health care law will bear a "significant resemblance" to a 2015 measure that was vetoed by the president. That bill would have gutted some of the health care law's main features: Medicaid expansion, subsidies to help middle-class Americans buy private policies, the tax penalties for individuals who refused to get coverage and several taxes to support coverage expansion. The bill would have delayed implementation for two years. Price insisted that Republicans can keep the protections for those with existing medical conditions without mandating that all individuals carry coverage or pay a penalty to support an expanded insurance pool. Price said Republicans want to address "the real cost drivers" of health care price spikes, which he said were not necessarily sicker patients, but a heavy regulatory burden, taxes and lawsuits against medical professionals. Fox News' Serafin Gomez and The Associated Press contributed to this report Donald Trump came under heavy criticism Tuesday after calling for the criminalization of burning the American flag, with critics gasping that the president-elects words represent a threat to the First Amendment. However, Trumps suggestions are similar to a bill pushed in the Senate in 2005 that would criminalize flag burning a bill that was co-sponsored by then-Sen. Hillary Clinton. Trump tweeted that there should be consequences for the burning of the flag -- including a year in jail or a loss of citizenship -- which is seen by many as an act of desecration. The president-elect came under immediate fire for his comments. Mother Jones called it a terrifying sign of how he may crack down on dissent during his administration, even if it means trampling the Constitution in the process." CNNs Chris Cuomo lectured Trump transition communications director Jason Miller Tuesday morning, citing Supreme Court cases that ruled flag burning to be protected under the Constitution. "These things matter Jason, they just do. When things are vetted by the Supreme Court and it's seen as constitutional, you gotta respect that. You just have to respect that, he said. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said there were no plans for Congress to take action against flag burning, telling reporters Tuesday that he does not "support or believe in the idea of people burning the American flag. I support the First Amendment." Multiple Supreme Court decisions have found flag burning to be protected under the First Amendment. In 1989 the court struck down a Texas law criminalizing flag burning in a 5-to-4 decision, with even conservative Justice Antonin Scalia arguing the practice was protected under the First Amendment. However, despite the Supreme Courts pronouncements on the issue, seeking to criminalize flag burning has been a regular occurance in American politics, and was pushed in 2005 by then-Sen. Clinton. In 2005, Clinton co-sponsored the Flag Protection Act which, while it did not call for the stripping of citizenship, made flag burning with the intent to incite violence or disturb the peace punishable by a year in jail and a $100,000 fine. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Clinton and then-Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, never made it out of the Judiciary Committee, but was floated as a compromise to a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban flag burning. Clinton was criticized for her stance then, although the criticisms leveled at her targeted Clinton's perceived political slipperiness, rather than her representing a threat to constitutional liberty. A New York Times piece accused the senator of being in pander mode. It's hard to see this as anything but pandering -- there certainly isn't any urgent need to resolve the issue. Flag-burning hasn't been in fashion since college students used slide rules in math class and went to pay phones at the student union to call their friends, the paper claimed. The Tampa Bay Times, meanwhile, called Clinton's move a pathetic ploy and political pandering of the worst kind. Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered an ancient city and cemetery once used by officials tasked with building royal tombs. The Egyptian Antiquities Ministry said that the find in the ancient city of Abydos dates back to the Early Dynastic Period, more than 4,500 years ago. 3,200-YEAR-OLD MUMMY DISCOVERED IN EGYPTIAN TOMB Hani Aboul-Azm, a ministry official, says around 15 large tombs have been found at the site, some 250 miles south of Cairo. In a Facebook post, the Antiquities Ministry said that some of the tombs are 49 feet by 13 feet and are different designs. Huts containing pots and tools were also found at the site, indicating the existence of a residential city, likely housing workers on the royal tombs. The newly-discovered city is located 1,312 feet south of King Seti Is temple at Abydos. The size of the new city is not clear, according to LiveScience, citing the Egyptian Antiquities Ministry. LiveScience also notes that the earliest kings of Egypt appear to be buried at Abydos, which is located about six miles from the Nile River. 3,800-YEAR-OLD 'TABLEAU' OF EGYPTIAN BOATS DISCOVERED The discovery is just the latest in a series of amazing finds in Egypt. Archaeologists, for example, recently discovered the well-preserved mummified body of a 3,200-year-old nobleman in Luxor. Other recent finds include more than 120 images of ancient Egyptian boats in Abydos and two new cavities at the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man identifying himself as Dan Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient jet, jumped from the airliner with $200,000 in ransom money and a parachute, and seemingly disappeared in 1971 in what Fox 13 calls "one of the most enduring FBI mysteries"one a magazine hopes to solve. True Ink has begun publishing hundreds of pages of FBI files in the hope that citizen sleuths will help solve the case, closed this year after the FBI "exhaustively reviewed all credible leads," per OregonLive. True Ink founder Geoffrey Gray says he received the case filesincluding evidence assessments and interviews with jet passengerswhile researching a 2011 book on the hijacker, later branded DB Cooper, but couldn't review them all, per the Washington Post. "We have access to all these original DB Cooper case files and we want help from the public, citizen sleuths to help solve this case," he says. Authorities have had almost no leads in the decades since Cooper boarded the flight from Portland, Ore., to Seattle on Nov. 24, 1971. There are several theories about what happened to Cooper, however. A retired FBI agent suspects he landed in a lake and died, though $5,800 in bills with matching serial numbers to the ransom money was found buried along the Columbia River in 1980. Others believe Cooper was really Richard McCoy, who copied Cooper's crime in 1972 and was later killed in an FBI shootout. (Perhaps Cooper was a grocery manager from Michigan.) This article originally appeared on Newser: DB Cooper Case Could Still Be Solved With Your Help American Airlines has apologized to an Indiana family traveling with a disabled boy after they were allegedly kicked off a flight when a employee said the child's service dog was too large. On Thanksgiving day, Amy Jo Weasel says that her family had already boarded the flight at Charlotte Douglas International when an attendant asked her to move from her assigned seat because of the dog. Then the attendant asked her to put the service dog under the seat. But that also wasnt sufficient, according to Weasel. "You could tell right away from her demeanor, her attitude, and her body language that she did not like animals," Weasel told FOX Charlotte. "She said I've already contacted management and they're coming to speak with you, and the management got on the plane and told me that I needed to exit the aircraft." DELTA APOLOGIZES FOR NOT KICKING BELLIGERENT PRO-TRUMP PASSENGER OFF PLANE Weasel said she contacted American prior to their flight and provided a physician's note with official documentation for her son's dog. Weasel says her son has been diagnosed with severe epilepsy and Chugg, their 110-pound golden doodle, is trained in seizure work. She said American inititally assigned her family bulkhead seating, which provides for additional space, and that they'd already made it through three previous flights on the same itinerary without any issues. The airline later issued an apology for the incident Monday night, stating that they were aware of this issue and apologize to the passenger. Our customer relations team is reaching out to them directly. We are looking into the issue with PSA Airlines, the regional carrier who operated that flight. The airline also offered her a $150 voucher-- but Weasel isn't sure that's enough to make up for what happened. AMERICAN AIRLINES NOW TELLING PASSENGERS HOW TO BEHAVE Says the mother, "Hopefully they will hire people that have some compassion for the disabled folks in the community. And my hope is that nobody else will have to go through this." Incidents with customers accompanied by trained animals being denied service isn't exclusive to the skies, however. Last week, a blind man from New York City filed a formal complaint against a Popeyes restaurant for refusing him entry with his service dog. Popeyes later said that they were working closely with the customer to address the issue. More from FOX 46. The Carnival Corporation announced late Wednesday that their Fathom cruise line brand will cease operations by summer 2017. The line's sole ship, the Adonia, a former P&O Cruises ship, will be returned to its former owner in the U.K. next year. The concept, however, will live on through branded shore excursions across the Carnival Corp. fleet, as the company announced earlier this month. AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises (UK) will all continue volunteer-based excursions under the Fathom flag. Carnival is hoping to still have a ship sailing to Cuba, officials said Wednesday but there is no approval yet. The timing may have been a shock, but travel industry insiders expected this announcement was coming. From the moment it was founded on June 4, 2015, many questioned the feasibility of running a cruise to Cuba and the Dominican Republic largely based around the concept of voluntourism. The initial buzz lit a fire under a movement, as Fathom became the poster child for a new phenomenon. It was perfect fodder for media types that are always looking for a new trend to cover. But the early sailings had many shortcomings and reviews were mixed at best, as many applauded the approach and the investment by Carnival and were willing to forgive the lack of polish with the maiden voyages. More from Travel Pulse 5 Ways Hotels are Putting Guests in the Christmas Spirit 5 Must-See Attractions In Quito, Ecuador Marriott Exec Unveils Changes Coming Following Starwood Merger What Technology Will the 'Hotel of the Future' Have? Universal and Nintendo Tease New Nintendo Land Details Beyond the initial publicity blitz, when we actually looked at bookings and tried to forecast signs of continued interest, the numbers were not flattering. We saw deep discounts on the Dominican cruises specifically, with the cruise line eventually switching those itineraries to Cuba, where the interest was deep. Travel agents were wondering who this cruise was marketed to. Millennials were not swarming to it and that was truly the only market anyone could peg that truly wanted a no-frills cruise and a work vacation, no matter how humanitarian the cause. Gen Xers who have discovered cruising are all about the frills. Baby boomers who love cruising are looking for more and more luxury touches, which made river cruising appealing to the demo. So what happened? Carnival officials have resisted discussing total investment in Fathom, but we're talking about millions of dollars here. This was not done as a bait and switch. You don't bring in the talent they had to not have a real interest in growing this part of the business. The truth may closer to this: Carnival saw an opening in the market and was hoping to grow a whole new segment of the industry, to introduce a younger demo to cruising by creating a product that matched their interests and their growing charitable core. It was a calculated gamble that provided an entry into Cuba at the very least and, at best, could make them the industry leader in evolving cruising with a cause and open up massive new revenue streams at the same time. But the end of Fathom won't kill voluntourism. If anything, it's a case study-- there has to be a path to profit to sustain a business. Cruise lines are not non-profits. But they are citizens and stewards of the world. Carnival Corp. has made great strides in making their vessels environmentally responsible. And this was a grand experiment in humanitarianism that simply did not pay off. Smart businessmen know when to cut bait on losing propositions. Fathom was not catching on as a phenomenon. By ceasing operations now before the losses became too extreme, the idea and the concept can at least live on and be celebrated for its innovation and not laughed at for its failings. A woman aboard a United flight from New Orleans to Houston jumped from the taxiing plane into a restricted area Monday, witnesses said. According to Fox 26 Houston, police said the incident occurred at around 1:20 p.m. at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The woman opened the emergency door on Flight 1982 and then jumped out. Prosecutors said the woman is undergoing psychological tests, KHOU-TV reported. Hampton Friedman told the station that he saw the woman jump from the moving plane. "I look over and sunlight and I just see a figure essentially step out of it," he said. "And then I'm like what was that." Passengers sat on the runway for more than an hour as authorities chased down the fleeing passenger. The FBI was called to investigate, but turned the case over to Houston police after concluding there was no federal case. Click for more from Fox 26 Houston. A special prosecutor has dismissed a second-degree murder charge against one of two former Albuquerque police officers who fatally shot a homeless man during an hourslong standoff. Special Prosecutor Randi McGinn filed the notice to dismiss the charge against former Officer Dominique Perez on Monday, more than a month after a jury trial for Perez and another officer charged in the shooting ended with a judge declaring a mistrial because jurors said they could not come to an agreement on a verdict. The notice to dismiss was filed "without prejudice," which leaves open the option for prosecutors to file charges later. Perez was a SWAT officer at the time of the March 2014 shooting that killed camper James Boyd. Now-retired Detective Keith Sandy also opened fire. McGinn did not dismiss the second-degree murder charge against Sandy. To many African-Americans, Fidel Castro was not the brutal revolutionary dictator who plunged Cuba into economic ruin and held the Caribbean island in an iron grip. He was a freedom fighter who cared about improving the lives of all Cubans, regardless of race. Castro, who died Friday at age 90, sought out black leaders. He met with Malcolm X in 1960 in Harlem and had a close relationship with South Africa's Nelson Mandela. Sam Riddle is political director of the Michigan Chapter of the National Action Network. He says many Cubans are as black as anyone "who worked the fields of Mississippi or lived in Harlem." Riddle says the dictator's efforts to achieve racial equality mean he "will never be a monster" to his many admirers. The white man accused of fatally shooting nine black parishioners at a South Carolina church began easing into his role as his own attorney Tuesday, although his former defense team began the day by saying it wanted a larger role in the case. Defense attorneys were demoted to advisers Monday when a judge ruled Dylann Roof could begin representing himself in his federal trial on dozens of charges including hate crimes and obstruction of religion. Against his attorneys' advice, Roof sought to act as his own attorney, giving no reason except the constitutional provision governing defendants' right to a speedy trial. Roof could face the death penalty if convicted in the June 2015 attack. Police say Roof sat through nearly an hour of prayer and Bible study at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church before pulling a gun and firing dozens of shots. According to police, he shouted racial insults and left three people unharmed so they could tell the world the shootings were because he hated black people. In court on Tuesday, capital defense expert David Bruck said Roof had given him "general authorization" to communicate with prosecutors on his behalf, particularly when it comes to emailing back and forth about court filings. Jailed during his trial, Roof has no access to email, Bruck noted, so he doesn't have the ability either to receive the documents electronically or share them with his advisers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Richardson said he had no problem with sending copies of his filings to Roof's team but pointed out that Roof, now acting as his own lawyer, was being kept sufficiently in the loop with paper copies of all filings, a detail with which the judge agreed. "Mr. Roof has made the decision to represent himself," the judge said. "The standby counsel isn't his co-counsel." U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel also said specifically he wanted Roof to address him directly in court, not via his standby counsel, whose participation might enable Roof to complain on appeal that the lawyers he fired had done too much. "Is that OK, son?" Gergel asked Roof. "Yes," the 22-year-old defendant answered. So far, 17 potential jurors have been qualified. Once that number reaches 70, Roof and prosecutors can begin whittling the pool down to a jury of 12 members, plus six alternates. A dozen more candidates were expected to be called in Tuesday for one-on-one questioning by the judge. For his part, Roof participated more in Tuesday's hearing than the previous day, sometimes conferring with Bruck and other lawyers but also consistently standing to address the judge. At times, he objected to juror candidates, including one who answered differently on his questionnaire than he did in court. "He marked `yes' for every single one ... and then he told you `no,"' Roof said. "So I think he should be struck." Gergel disagreed on that juror, saying he thought the man had misunderstood the written questions and seemed to be telling the truth in court. Roof made no objection to a man who said he knew of Roof's standing offer to plead guilty to the slayings in exchange for a promise of life in prison. "We all know that he is guilty," wrote the man, who was qualified by the judge. "It's just a matter of life or death." Juror qualification initially began three weeks ago but was halted after Roof's legal team questioned his ability to understand the case against him. After a two-day hearing, Gergel last week ruled Roof could stand trial. Many of those called before the court said they were aware of the competency hearing but vowed that knowledge wouldn't keep them from being able to serve as impartial jurors. A 9-week-old Missouri baby whose father is accused of sticking his fingers down the child's throat to stop his crying has died, and the father is now facing an upgraded criminal charge. Wentzville Assistant Police Chief Paul West says the boy died Monday at a St. Louis hospital after a family court judge ordered that he be removed from life-support. The parents, 19-year-old Robert Burnette and 20-year-old Megan Hendricks, were originally charged with felony child abuse or neglect. On Tuesday, the St. Charles County prosecutor upgraded the charge against Burnette to child abuse resulting in death. Police say Burnette shoved his fingers down the infant son's throat, violently shook him, picked him up by his neck and threw him against a wall. Police say Hendricks watched but didn't intervene. Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of wildfires around Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, tells WBIR-TV (https://bitly.com/ ) that the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. DeSears says the animals should be safe as long as the building has power and doesn't catch fire. When the facility is functioning properly, the animals can survive for 24 hours without human intervention. He said the animals were behaving normally when he left the building. The wildfire set 30 buildings ablaze and forced the evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg and the surrounding area. ___ Information from: WBIR-TV, http://www.wbir.com/ next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey plans to dedicate a long-awaited memorial for the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished in a wildfire three years ago. Ducey will be joined by family members of the fallen firefighters at Tuesday's private dedication of the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. The park located two miles south of Yarnell on State Route 89 opens to the public on Wednesday. The memorial includes a trail that leads to the area where the firefighters died and features individual plaques honoring each of the firefighters. Nineteen members of the elite firefighting team were killed battling one of the state's most devastating wildfires. Winds shifted and trapped them in a brush-choked box canyon. The flames also destroyed 127 homes in the Yarnell area. The husband of a California mother who was allegedly kidnapped while jogging near her home is addressing the familys ordeal for the first time in a statement released Tuesday. "Thank you to the many incredible humans that have never known Sherri that facilitated in sharing our heartbreak across the globe," Keith Papini said in the statement, obtained exclusively by Good Morning America. Sherri has always captured my heart and it is no surprise that she has captured the hearts not only through the country, but throughout the world." Sherri Papini, 34, disappeared on Nov. 2 and was located on Thanksgiving Day by the side of the road, bound by restraints, after she flagged down a motorist on Interstate 5 nearly 150 miles from her Mountain Gate home, officials said. Papini recalled in the statement the shock he felt at seeing his wife for the first time following her 22-day ordeal. He wrote of seeing her in a hospital bed, face covered in bruises and the bridge of her nose broken. He said she was 87 pounds and had severe burns, rashes and chain markings on her body. He said that her hair had been chopped off and she had been branded. He said it was his wifes will to survive that brought her back to her family. "We are very ecstatic to report that Sherri Papini has been located and has been reunited with husband and family on this day of Thanksgiving," Sheriff Tom Bosenko said at a news conference Thursday. Papini said in his statement that the family is grateful for the support it has received, but called it a double-edged sword citing the growing chorus of people who are calling Sherri Papinis story a hoax and that the ordeal has been exhausting and disgusting. After Sherri Papini was found, many took to social media to cast doubts on her story, citing that Papini could not give authorities a detailed description of her abductors. Some called the GoFundMe account that raised $50,000 the reason for creating a hoax tale, and others quoted anonymous sources as saying Papini had concocted similar kidnapping tales in the past and had posted anti-Latino sentiments on blogs. "We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs," Papini wrote. "I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to gain money or some fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie." CLICK HERE TO READ KEITH PAPINIS FULL STATEMENT Shortly after finding Sherri Papini, authorities said they were looking for "a dark-colored SUV with two Hispanic females armed with a handgun," according to the sheriff. "I am happy to say that Sherri is now safe and that she has been treated at an area hospital outside of Shasta County for non-life-threatening injuries," Bosenko said. He did not specify the nature of her injuries, but said on Thursday she was treated at a hospital in Sacramento and reunited with her family. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 The Latest the trial of a former South Carolina police officer charged with murder in the shooting of an unarmed black motorist (all times local): 9:30 a.m. Michael Slager is on the witness stand in his murder trial in South Carolina. Slager is the white former North Charleston patrolman who repeatedly shot Walter Scott in the back last year as the unarmed black motorist tried to run from a traffic stop. The shooting in April 2015 was captured by a bystander on cellphone video that stunned the nation. Jurors have watched the video repeatedly during the trial. Slager took the stand after Judge Clifton Newman reminded him he has a constitutional right not to testify. Slager said he understands that right and wanted to speak anyway. Slager faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. The jury is expected to begin deliberating later this week. ___ 4:50 a.m. Former South Carolina patrolman Michael Slager is taking the stand to tell his version of what happened when a black motorist was gunned down while fleeing a traffic stop. Slager, who faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder in the April 2015 shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott, is expected to testify in his own defense Tuesday in a Charleston courtroom. Scott, who was black, was shot five times in the back while running from the white officer. The shooting was captured by a bystander on cellphone video. Slager was fired from the North Charleston Police Department and charged with murder when the video became public. The defense contends Scott wrestled with the officer and got control of Slager's Taser before the shooting. Authorities in Montana nabbed a man for allegedly breaking in and stealing two beers from a homeowners refrigerator. A homeowner in Missoula reportedly grabbed his shotgun when he noticed two beers-- Obsidian Stoutsmissing from his refrigerator. Police said they found William Kirby, 60, a block away from the home with the same brand in his backpack, NBC Montana reported. The male resident went out into the kitchen an observed an older male in the refrigerator and then leaving out of the back door, Travis Welsh, a spokesman from the Missoula Police Department, said. The male was subsequently arrested just down the street where he was in possession of items taken from the complainants refrigerator. He took a couple of bottles of beer. Kirby, who is facing felony burglary chargers, is reportedly being held on $50,000 bond. Authorities say a New Hampshire mother who allegedly overdosed and collapsed to the floor while shopping with her 2-year-old daughter in a Massachusetts dollar store faces a charge of child endangerment. The Essex County District Attorney's office says Mandy McGowan, of Salem, New Hampshire, was arraigned on the charge on Monday. She was placed on probation and was ordered to continue drug treatment until her case is resolved. Police released video in September that showed McGowan sprawled in an aisle of a Family Dollar store in Lawrence and her daughter desperately trying to wake her up. The child was taken into state custody. McGowan's attorney said Monday that his client was 67 days into a drug treatment program. Talk about a special delivery. A newspaper delivery man was busted for allegedly hawking marijuana along his daily route. Douglas Lukehart, 58, of Sardinia, N.Y., was arrested early Saturday after investigators received anonymous tips about someone selling drugs during a morning delivery route of the Buffalo News, according to a news release from the Erie County Sheriffs Office. Lukehart was pulled over in the early morning after violating an unspecified traffic law in Holland. The deputy then realized Lukehart was a person of interest in the ongoing drug-related complaints, officials said. Another deputy and a canine unit then searched his vehicle and found a bag of marijuana tucked inside a stack of newspapers. Lukehart was later released on appearance tickets after being arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. According to the Buffalo News, Lukehart was not an employee of the newspaper. The News separately contracts with many delivery persons for paper delivery routes, a company spokesman said Monday. We became aware of this situation and have taken immediate steps to sever our contractual relationship with this individual. Authorities say a man has died after being shot by an off-duty police officer outside a Wal-Mart store in southern Illinois. Cahokia police Chief David Landmann says the Washington Park police officer saw a man who had an outstanding arrest warrant outside the store Monday evening. Landmann says the officer shot the man, who fled in a vehicle and was found nearby. The man died at a hospital. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the St. Clair County coroner's office say a 35-year-old man from Centerville, Illinois, died of a gunshot wound. Landmann says he doesn't know whether the wanted man did anything to provoke the officer. Illinois State Police are handling the investigation. Cahokia is about 5 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri. Investigators have found evidence that the man who plowed a car into a crowd at Ohio State University Monday before stabbing several pedestrians with a butcher knife was inspired by ISIS propaganda, law enforcement sources told Fox News. The sources did not specify what evidence was found, but investigators are inclined to believe that the attacker, 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was "self-radicalized." Artan also praised American-born Al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a hero and railed against U.S. interference in Muslim lands in a series of Facebook posts, officials said. "America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," Artan wrote on Facebook, using the Arabic term for the world's Muslim community. The posts from Artan's account came to light after Monday's violence, which left 11 people injured before Artan was shot and killed by a university police officer. "Every single Muslim who disapproves of my actions is a sleeper cell, waiting for a signal. I am warning you Oh America!" Artan also said. The posts were recounted by a law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation but wasn't authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Al-Awlaki, who was a senior Al Qaeda leader, was killed more than five years ago during a CIA-led U.S. drone strike. Before his death, al-Awlaki was involved in several terror plots in the United States, using his fluent English skills to draw recruits to carry out attacks. The FBI is now in possession of Artans electronic devices and will focus their investigation on whether he was reading the two recent ISIS propaganda journals that called for attacks using vehicles and knives, a law enforcement source added. In recent months, federal law enforcement officials have raised concerns about online extremist propaganda that encourages knife and car attacks, which are easier to pull off than bombings. #OSU: 11th high profile terror incident in the U.S. since 2009 involving a suspect tied to or inspired by U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. pic.twitter.com/4ozL7uZEEQ Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) November 30, 2016 ISIS has urged sympathizers online to carry out lone-wolf attacks in their home countries with whatever weapons are available to them. On Tuesday, ISIS's media arm claimed the Ohio State University attacker was a "soldier of the Islamic State." According to MEMRI, the terror organization's A'maq News Agency said Artan "carried out the operation in response to calls to target citizens of the countries [participating] in the international coalition." "Brother Abdul Razak Ali Artan, God accept him, implementer of the Ohio attack, a student in his third year in university," the post read. FIVE YEARS AFTER THIS DEATH, ANWAR AL-AWLAKI'S TOXIC MESSAGE IS ALIVE AND WELL According to law enforcement sources, Artan was born in Somalia and was a legal U.S. permanent resident. Sources told Fox News that Artan attended Columbus State Community College and graduated with an associates degree earlier this year. Allen Kraus, the schools vice president of marketing and communications, said the former student had no record of behavioral or disciplinary issues during his time at CSCC. Ohio State's student newspaper, The Lantern, ran an interview in August with a student named Abdul Razak Artan, who identified himself as a Muslim and a third-year logistics management student who had just transferred from Columbus State in the fall. He said he was looking for a place to pray openly and worried about how he would be received. "I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. I'm a Muslim, it's not what media portrays me to be," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. But I don't blame them. It's the media that put that picture in their heads." Officer Alan Horujko, 28, who stopped Artan from hurting more people, is being hailed a hero. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said Horujko, who joined the force in January 2015, was near where Artan attacked because of a gas leak and arrived on the scene and shot the knife-wielding Artan in less than a minute. Surveillance photos showed Artan in the car by himself just before the attack, but investigators are looking into whether anyone else was involved, the campus police chief said. Classes at OSU were canceled after the attack, but resumed on Tuesday. The school planned a vigil for Tuesday night at its basketball arena. Three of the 11 victims remained hospitalized Tuesday evening, but all were expected to recover. Students said they were nervous about returning and planned to take precautions such as not walking alone. "It's kind of nerve-wracking going back to class right after it," said Kaitlin Conner, 18, of Cleveland, who said she had a midterm exam to take Tuesday. Leaders of Muslim organizations and mosques in the Columbus area condemned the attacks while cautioning people against jumping to conclusions or blaming a religion or an ethnicity. Fox News reporters Catherine Herridge, Garrett Tenney and Matt Dean contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 A settlement agreement will resolve a lawsuit that accuses police of trampling on the civil rights of protesters in Baton Rouge following a black man's fatal shooting by police. Plaintiffs' attorneys say Tuesday's "memorandum of understanding" with state and local police officials affirms that people have the right to peacefully protest. The agreement doesn't include any monetary terms. Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana and the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice filed the federal suit, which accused police of using excessive force. Police arrested nearly 200 protesters following the July 5 shooting death of Alton Sterling, who was killed during a struggle with two white officers. Last week, the Baton Rouge Metro Council approved a settlement resolving a separate lawsuit filed on protestors' behalf. Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area are investigating the slaying of a young black man as a possible hate crime amid growing concern over racially motivated incidents and attacks nationwide. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department arrested one white suspect and is searching for two others thought to be involved in the Nov. 12 killing of a 28-year-old musician. Investigators say Will Sims was robbed, beaten and shot to death in the wee hours outside a bar near his hometown of Richmond. Investigators say Sims worked as a retail clerk, had no gang ties and a clean criminal record. Authorities arrested 31-year-old Daniel Porter-Kelly and charged him with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement. Authorities are searching for 32-year-old Ray Simons and 31-year-old Daniel Ortega and didn't elaborate on the hate crime allegations or the details of the homicide. Porter-Kelly remains jailed without bail. Porter-Kelly's attorney Colin Cooper says his client denies involvement in the killing and that prosecutors have not yet provided any evidence or details supporting the hate crime accusation. Contra Costa County homicide prosecutor Derek Butts declined to discuss details of the case or the evidence supporting the hate crime allegation, noting that investigators were still searching for two murder suspects. The Southern Poverty Law Center says it has documented 701 "reports of hateful incidents of harassment around the country" since the presidential election. Since then, the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it has documented about 100 "anti-Muslim" incidents, including an anonymous letter mailed to several California mosques and one in Georgia saying President-elect Donald Trump will exterminate Muslims. The population of Richmond is 36 percent black, making it the largest ethnic group in the city. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said Sims' slaying appeared to be a hate crime and urged community restraint. "I urge Richmond residents to maintain our city's values of respect and care for one another, especially during a time when we are experiencing a nationwide surge in hate-filled hostility and threats to public safety," Butt said Saturday in a statement. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Former North Charleston patrolman Michael Slager is taking the stand to tell his version of what happened when he fatally shot a black motorist fleeing a traffic stop last year. Slager, who faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder in the April 2015 death of 50-year-old Walter Scott, is expected to testify in his own defense Tuesday in a Charleston courtroom. Scott, who was black, was shot five times in the back while running from the white officer. The shooting was captured by a bystander on cellphone video. Slager was fired from the North Charleston Police Department and charged with murder when the video became public. Scott's family has said Scott may have run from the scene because he was behind on child support and afraid of going back to jail. Slager, who has been free on bail since January and who has given few media interviews since the incident, would be the 18th defense witness in a trial that has entered its fifth week. A jury of eleven whites and one black is hearing the case. The defense contends that the short video widely seen in the media and on the internet doesn't tell the whole story. The defense is laying out a case that the officer told Scott to stop and repeatedly warned that he was going to use his stun gun before Scott wrestled with the officer and got control of Slager's Taser. One expert in crime scene re-creation testified for the defense last week that it appears from the video that Scott threw a Taser as he confronted the officer seconds before the shooting. That segment of the video is blurry and shaky. The jury has seen 3-D computer re-creations of the scene presented by witnesses for both the defense and the prosecution. Judge Clinton Newman is also weighing a defense request to allow the jurors to visit the scene of the shooting. The case is expected to go to the jury by week's end. Authorities in Tennesssee announced Tuesday that three people died in the massive fire that continues to bear down on the Great Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee. Emergency officials said that 14,000 people were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone and at least 250 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. There were no details on the fatalities. About 12 people were taken to hospitals, mostly with non-life-threatening injuries, said Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a news release that at least 10 of the homes that were impacted were in Gatlinburg, including a 16-story hotel and an apartment complex. According to Fox 17 Nashville, 30 structures have been burned in Gatlinburg. Linda Monholland, who was working at Park View Inn in Gatlinburg, said it was about 9 p.m. Monday when she left her workplace with about five other people. Surrounded by flames the whole way, they walked for about 20 minutes to a trolley to evacuate. "There was fire everywhere. It was like we were in hell. Hell opened up," said Monholland, who was staying Tuesday at Rocky Top Sports World, an 80-acre sports facility that has been turned into a shelter. "Walking through hell, that's what it was. I can't believe it. I never want to see something like that again in my life, ever." Although some relief arrived in the form of calming winds and rain, forecasters warned that the drought which has plagued several Southern states was likely to continue. Rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South. Authorities issued a Level 3 state of emergency and ordered the evacuations of Gatlinburg, Mynatt Park, Park Vista, Ski Mounty and Pigeon Forge on Monday. The National Guard was being deployed to help with evacuations. "We urge the public to pray. We urge the public to stay off the highways. The traffic that is on the roads is emergency equipment. If (the public) could just stay home and stay tuned to their local media outlet," Miller said at a press conference. YIKES! Wildfires seen this morning near Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Photo credit: Bruce McCamish. #GatlinburgFire #TNwx pic.twitter.com/S277dmszRS Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) November 29, 2016 Officials with Dollywood, the amusement park named after country music icon Dolly Parton, said the theme park wasn't damaged, but more than a dozen cabins operated by the park had been. Dollywood suspended park operations at least through Wednesday. Its DreamMore resort will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash said authorities had rescued 29 hikers in Sevier County from the raging fire. Cash added that there werent any major injuries or deaths as of early Tuesday. One person was reported suffering from a burn injury. Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have closed all facilities in the park due to extensive fire activities and downed trees. "I've been in federal service for 25 years, and I've fought fires on the West Coast and the East Coast and been with the Forest Service as well," Cash said. "Nothing that we've experienced in the 24 hours has prepared for what we've experienced here in the last 24 hours. [It's] been just unbelievable what we've experienced here." Cash added that the wildfires were unprecedented. The Red Cross is accepting donations for those impacted by the fire. You can donate by clicking here or by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from Fox 17 Nashville. Lawmakers in the lower house of Dutch parliament have approved a limited ban on "face-covering clothing" including Islamic veils and robes such as the burqa and niqab. The legislation approved Tuesday by a large majority in the 150-seat lower house must now be approved by the upper house of parliament before it can be signed into law. Studies suggest that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear niqabs or full-face burqas, but successive governments have attempted to ban the garments, following the example of European countries such as France and Belgium. The Dutch proposal, described by the government as "religion-neutral," does not go as far as the complete bans in those countries. It applies on public transport, education institutions, health institutions such as hospitals, and government buildings. Germany's powerful finance minister is praising conservative French presidential candidate Francois Fillon's economic program as strong and says he hopes that far-right leader Marine Le Pen never becomes president in France. Fillon won France's first-ever conservative presidential primary on Sunday after promising drastic free-market reforms, along with a crackdown on immigration and Islamic extremism. Le Pen is expected to be his toughest competitor in the two-round presidential election in April and May. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, a leading conservative and a key architect of Europe's response to its recent debt troubles, said Tuesday that Fillon's program "has strong plausibility (on) how France could better display its true strengths." Schaeuble added "to be clear, I hope that Ms. Le Pen never becomes president of France." A German citizen employed by the countrys domestic intelligence agency was arrested Tuesday for allegedly making Islamist declarations on the internet and sharing internal material, Reuters reports. A spokesman the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, known as BfV, did not confirm a report in Die Welt newspaper that the 51-year-old employee had planned to explode a bomb at the agency's central office in Cologne or provide details on the man's position at the agency. "There is no evidence to date that there is a concrete danger to the security of the BfV or its employees," the spokesman told the news agency. The BfV said the man had previously not attracted any attention and "behaved inconspicuously during his employment process." "The man is accused of making Islamist statements on the Internet using a false name and of revealing internal agency material in Internet chatrooms," the spokesman told Reuters. The BfV is Germany's domestic intelligence agency while its counterpart, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), deals with foreign intelligence. Authorities in Germany have increased their surveillance of individuals after two attacks in July that ISIS claimed responsibility for. There are an estimated 40,000 Islamists in Germany, including 9,200 ultra-conservative Islamists known as Salafists, Hans-Georg Maassen, the head of BfV, told Reuters in an interview in early November. "We remain a target of Islamic terrorism and we have to assume that Islamic State or other terrorist organizations will carry out an attack in Germany if they can," he told the news agency. Click for more from Reuters. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has moved a young Afghan boy to tears, shaking his hand after he publicly thanked her at a party meeting. The boy, identified only as Edris, and his father attended a congress in Heidelberg Monday evening of Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats. Edris said: "Thank you, Mrs. Merkel!" The chancellor replied: "You've learned German well" and added "keep practising." He did, telling the chancellor: "And I wanted to touch your hands once." Merkel stepped down from the podium to meet the boy and pose for photos. Video footage showed the youngster wiping away tears. Germany took in hundreds of thousands of migrants last year, earning Merkel both praise and criticism. Earlier in Monday's meeting, a disgruntled party member urged her to resign, earning boos. The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local): 11:15 a.m. France's foreign minister is calling for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to try to stop the fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo and bring in humanitarian aid. Jean-Marc Ayrault issued the call in a statement Tuesday after Syrian government forces captured more than a third of opposition-held eastern Aleppo on Monday. Civilians fled as rebel defenses in the city rapidly collapsed, in what could herald a key victory for President Bashar Assad. Ayrault said he will meet Wednesday in Paris with the head of Aleppo's district councils, Brita Hagi Hasan. "More than ever, it is urgent to put in place a stop to hostilities and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid," the French foreign minister said. France has supported Syrian opposition groups resisting Assad's Russian-backed forces. ____ 10:45 a.m. The United Nations' humanitarian chief says initial reports indicate some 16,000 people have been displaced following Syrian government advances on rebel-held Aleppo districts. Stephen O'Brien says Tuesday that thousands more are likely to flee if fighting continues to spread in the coming days. He says the fleeing civilians are heading to uncertain and precarious situations amid intense attacks. O'Brien expresses concern for the civilians' fate, calling the situation in Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition held eastern Aleppo, touching off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Many of the fleeing civilians headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held areas. The Latest on the flow of migrants into Europe (all times local): 6:15 p.m. A state court in Germany has ruled that an asylum-seeker cannot be returned to Hungary, citing "systematic deficiencies" in the asylum procedures there. The unidentified man from Kosovo entered Germany in 2013 through Hungary and applied for asylum. It was rejected under the so-called Dublin rules, where a person generally is required to apply for asylum in the first European Union country they enter. But in the Lueneburg state court ruling announced Tuesday, judges upheld a lower court's decision that the man couldn't be sent to Hungary, where human rights officials have said many asylum-seekers are put in detention and don't have their applications examined on merits. The court said it was considerably likely the man would face "inhumane or degrading treatment" in Hungary. ___ 5:40 p.m. A Hungarian lawmaker says the government will spend up to 100 billion forints ($340 million) to provide equipment and basic supplies for 3,000 "border hunters" being recruited to guard border fences built last year to stop the flow of migrants trying to enter the country. Lajos Kosa, head of the governing Fidesz party's parliamentary group, says the expenditures will be exempt from having to comply with public procurement rules. Some 400,000 migrants and refugees passed through Hungary last year on their way to Western Europe before Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered fences built on the country's southern borders with Serbia and Croatia. Migrants who get past the fence but are caught near the border are usually summarily expelled. Kosa said the government was expecting another wave of migrants next spring. Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese is getting Vatican-style red carpet treatment, meeting Wednesday with Pope Francis after screening his new film, "Silence," in Rome. The film is about two Jesuit missionaries who search for their mentor in 17th-century Japan, when Christians were persecuted. The plot is likely of interest to Francis, who as a young man joined the Jesuit order in hopes of becoming a missionary in Japan. He never made it because of his health, but he has spoken out frequently about the church's past and present martyrs. The film was being screened Tuesday for Jesuit priests at a pontifical university. The Vatican said Francis would receive Scorsese in the Apostolic Palace before his general audience. Francis has met with several Hollywood bigwigs, including Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio. Germany's foreign intelligence chief is warning of cyberattacks aimed at political destabilization as the country prepares for an election next year, and says evidence suggests Russian involvement in hacking during the U.S. campaign. Bruno Kahl, who leads the Federal Intelligence Service, told Tuesday's edition of the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung that his agency knows of "cyberattacks that have no other point than causing political insecurity." He said that "Europe is in the focus of this attempted disruption, and Germany in particular." U.S. authorities have concluded Russia was responsible for hacking Democratic National Committee emails, which Russia denies. Kahl said he has "indications it comes from those quarters." He said it's technically difficult to assign blame to any "state actor" but that "some things speak for it being at least tolerated or wished for on the part of the state." "The perpetrators have an interest in delegitimizing the democratic process as such whomever that later helps," Kahl was quoted as saying. "I have the impression that the outcome of the American election isn't causing mourning in Russia so far." Traces left on the internet suggest that those responsible wanted to demonstrate what they can do, "and not just in the U.S. elections," he said. Germany's election is expected next September, and votes in the Netherlands and France are scheduled earlier in the year. Kahl, whose agency is best known by its German acronym BND, said that Germany isn't alone on the list of target countries. And he added: "it could be that the increasing transparency on these matters will lead to a rethink." "It is right to address this kind of thing openly," he said. "A kind of pressure is being exerted on public discourse and democracy that is not acceptable." His comments follow a large internet outage that affected almost a million customers of German telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom starting Sunday. Germany's Federal Office for Information Security said the outage was part of a world-wide attack on internet routers that exploited unsecured maintenance ports. The government's secure communications network was also targeted but protective measures prevented it from being affected, the agency said. Asked whether the outage resulted from a Russian attack, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said he didn't want to speculate on the origin. "At the moment, who exactly the initiator was is not certain," he added. The British government is downplaying a photograph of a handwritten memo that seemed to suggest Britain won't be able to remain in the single market after it leaves the European Union. The memo was being carried by an aide to a Conservative Party figure as he left the Department for Exiting the EU offices. It said: "What's the model? Have your cake and eat it." Officials said Tuesday that the notes don't belong to a government official and don't reflect the government's position. The memo lists anticipated problems with the upcoming negotiating process with EU governments. It says it's "unlikely" that Britain will be given a chance to stay in the single market. Prime Minister Theresa May plans to start the formal exit process by the end of March. The world is looking to clamp down on North Korea and, this time, China appears to be on board. The United Nations Security Council is set to vote Wednesday on sanctions aimed at punishing the Hermit Kingdom for its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. China, one of the council's five permanent members - all of whom have veto power - has typically protected its trading partner. But the powerful nation has signaled it agrees with the proposed measures, which target North Korea's coal and metal exports and is intended to inflict economic pain on the regime. We are getting very close to moving forward on Security Council measures responding to North Korea's September 9th nuclear test, the latest of five tests, a U.S. official familiar with the resolution told Fox News. Pyonyang has prioritized the pursuit of nuclear weapons overjust about everything else our action [Security Council sanctions] will impede the [North Korean] regime's ability to continue these programs," the official said. WORLD CONDEMNS NORTH KOREA'S 'BIGGEST' NUCLEAR TEST The U.S. and China have been engaged in drafting the extensive resolution for more than two months and have consulted with the other Permament Five members of the Security Council-- Russia, France and the United Kingdom in an attempt to reach consensus to finalize a draft resolution that will impose stiffer measures against Pyongyang for its continued defiance of UN Sanctions. The resolution also demands an end to nuclear tests and weaponization research. A U.N. resolution adopted in March imposed the strongest economic sanctions to date against Pyongyang after North Korea claimed that it detonated a hydrogen bomb in January. The new resolution seeks to close loopholes in that measure, including an annual cap on North Koreas coal exports of 7.5 million tons. The new sanctions will also prohibit sales of ships and helicopters to North Korea and impose A travel BAN and asset freezes on certain North Korean nationals and organizations for their role in illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Overall, the new punitive measures are designed to slash a total of $800 million from North Korea's $3 billion in yearly exports. Chinas support of the new measures, including the coal ban, comes at a curious time. Last September they bought a record amount of North Korean coal, according to a report from Reuters. China imported nearly 2.5 million tons of coal from North Korea in August despite the March sanctions. Chinas imports of North Korean coal are up nearly 12 percent for the year so far, due partly to a sanctions loophole for materials exported "exclusively for livelihood purposes." Policy experts theorize that Chinas support on tightening of sanctions is aimed at further positioning itself as a global leader. China is a large, emerging country that now has greater international needs, Rodger Baker, vice president of Strategic Analysis at Stratfor, told FoxNews.com. Its actually a delicate situation. As the world is uncertain of what the U.S. will do with a new president coming in, China is looking to shape themselves in the next year or two as having a willingness to be a part of solutions. Baker said China mostly uses North Korean coal for steel production and that if it backs the new sanctions, it may be due to a recent slowdown in production, rather than any concern about North Korea's nuclear program. Intero Real Estate Services Opens First San Francisco Office Office is 15th Corporate Location for Leading Bay Area Brokerage CUPERTINO, Calif. - November 29, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., is proud to announce the opening of the companys first San Francisco office. A trusted name in Bay Area real estate, Intero is expanding its company footprint for the first time since Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, HomeServices of America. Inc., acquired Intero in 2014. Situated between the Nob Hill and Pacific Heights neighborhoods at 1902 Van Ness Avenue, the office is located in the one of the most desirable locations in all of San Francisco. Taking the reins of the San Francisco location is Tim Murray, a seasoned real estate veteran who has been in and around the San Francisco real estate market since 1978. We are so excited to finally be part of the vibe of San Francisco, said Tom Tognoli, Intero President & Chief Executive Officer. The office is absolutely stunning and its great to see it full of enthusiastic agents ready to make Intero a brand to be reckoned with. About the Intero Brand Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America Inc., serves Northern California with 16 offices throughout the greater Silicon Valley. The Intero Franchise network is comprised of nearly 50 affiliates located in Alabama, Arizona, California, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas. The company is headquartered in Californias Silicon Valley. Find more information about Intero at www.interorealestate.com. Find more information about HomeServices at www.homeservices.com. SOURCE Intero Brand Contact: Teressa Francis Intero Real Estate Services 408-342-3010 tfrancis@interorealestate.com ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Scooters Coffee in Cape Coral to Host Holiday Perks for Pups Proceeds go to Help Build the Cape Coral No Kill Animal Shelter November 29, 2016 // Franchising.com // Cape Coral, FL - Scooters Coffee (1014 Del Prado Blvd. S.) is hosting Holiday Perks for Pups on Sunday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers dogs will be treated to grooming, puppuccinos and numerous doggy prizes. Scooters Coffee will also be collecting donations to help build the Cape Coral No Kill Animal Shelter. It is very important to us that we give back to the community that gives us so much. said Suzi Thomas, Owner of Scooters Coffee in Cape Coral. This event allows us to connect to our customers while raising money for a great cause. With more than 150 stores open in 13 states, Scooters Coffee has signed agreements in two additional states and will open more than 40 locations from coast to coast in 2016. The company is in the midst of a robust grand opening pipeline. It recently opened its first location in Phoenix, AZ, added a second location to the Atlanta, GA, metro area and also opened its second of many locations in the state of Florida. It will also add several locations this year to expanding markets, such as Nebraska, Kansas and Texas. Scooters, which is based out of Omaha, Nebraska, handcrafts its pastries and roasts its own shade-grown coffee, sourced through Arbor Day Foundation. In 2016, the company also added depth to its product profile, releasing a new line of Organic Hot and Iced Teas during the summer. In addition to its nearly-100% gluten-free beverage menu, Scooter's recently added gluten-free brownies to its extensive menu. About Scooters Coffee Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooters Coffee roasts only the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Scooter's success over 18 years of history is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company core values. The Scooter's mantra, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees is: "Amazing People, Amazing Drinks...Amazingly Fast! It represents the company's business origins from 1998 and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal customers. For more information, visit scooterscoffee.com, facebook.com/scooterscoffee, or ownascooters.com. SOURCE Scooters Coffee ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus A traffic signal will be installed next year at the intersection of State Route 218 and Dahlgren Road in King George County, according to a Virginia Department of Transportation press release Tuesday. Improvements to an existing signal at the intersection of U.S. 17 and U.S. 301 in Caroline County are also part of the $1.1 million project scheduled to be finished in fall 2017. Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program dollars will pay for the work. Manassas-based B&B Signal Co., which was awarded a contract for the project this month, will start mobilizing equipment at the sites this week. VDOT expects some lane closures and brief delays when the new traffic signals poles are installed in the spring. The lane closures will be announced at a later date. About 12,000 vehicles per day travel through the Route 218Dahlgren Road intersection, while about 17,000 vehicles pass through the U.S. 17301 intersection on a daily basis, according to the VDOT press release. This story has been updated to correct the cost of the project. Another concern that has to be assuaged is whether the vaccine itself can give someone AIDS. It cant. Unlike some vaccines that use weakened or killed versions of a virus, the lab-made HIV vaccine does not contain any HIV. Additionally, the vaccine being tested was found to cause no other safety problems in an earlier, smaller trial led by Bekker. Trickier to explain is that participants in an HIV vaccine trial might test positive for HIV when they are not in fact infected the source of some of the rumors that the vaccine causes infection. Like most vaccines, the one in the clinical trial is designed to prompt the body to produce antibodies. And the most affordable and commonly used test for HIV looks for HIV antibodies rather than HIV itself. For this reason, trial participants need to be tested only at clinical trial sites, which use more sophisticated and specific tests, rather than at other clinics. The outreach staff works with outside clinics to raise awareness of this issue and to ask people who come in for testing whether they are in a vaccine trial. A vaccine is the ultimate hope Being in a clinical trial may raise concerns, but it also carries advantages. Participants receive a small stipend to cover transportation costs and to make up for any lost wages for time spent in the clinic. It is deliberately kept low so as not to coerce people to participate, but in areas with few jobs, it can be welcome. In addition, participants get health screenings without standing in a long line at a public clinic. And all participants, whether randomly assigned to receive the experimental vaccine or a placebo, are counseled on HIV prevention, They are also offered options such as condoms and referrals for male circumcision and antiretroviral drugs to take immediately after suspected exposure or as a preventive measure. (Because it is unethical to deliberately expose people to HIV, testing to see whether a vaccine provides protection involves waiting several years and seeing how many people become infected naturally despite prevention counseling. Anyone who is infected will receive treatment and follow-up care.) The screening process and the results that come from that overall screening, thats a great benefit for a lot of people that wouldnt have happened if they go to a normal clinic, said Galetta. In addition, many trial participants, whether in Cape Town or Seattle, come to appreciate the care and attention they receive and the relationships they develop with the clinical trial staff. There is one other benefit that is harder to quantify. The research is giving hope to people, Galetta said. Im a minister to people in my community. I know the burden HIV has on peoples lives. A vaccine is the ultimate hope. In many parts of the United States, complacency has set in about the HIV epidemic 35 years after the first AIDS cases were reported. The development of antiretroviral drug cocktails in the mid-1990s has turned HIV from a death sentence to a chronic disease, at least for those who have access to and can tolerate the drugs. Although scientists, health officials and advocates warn that the epidemic isnt over and that 40,000 to 50,000 new infections occur in the U.S. each year, HIV is no longer headline news. South Africa is not complacent. It has the largest number of people living with HIV in the world almost 7 million people out of a population of about 55 million. (By comparison, an estimated 1.2 million people with HIV live in the United States, population 322 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Though late to promote the use of antiretroviral drugs, South Africa has made great strides in recent years, reaching 3.4 million people the largest treatment program of any country. But still, that is only half the people who need it. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people become infected with HIV every day. The motivation to find a vaccine to be part of the solution is high. HIV is the biggest killer of our current generation, said Ngqame. All the people I know have a family member or friend who has died from HIV. Therefore, they are looking for something to end HIV. Getting it done by being part of the solution Kate Jarman "Jungalow" Art Exhibition Comes to Cottesloe, Perth LAHAUS Design Studio in Cottesloe, Perth is hosting local artist Kate Jarman's first solo art exhibition, on view until December 16th. The exhibition features both original paintings and prints from Kate's stunning "Jungalow" collection. -- LAHAUS Design Studio in Cottesloe, Perth is hosting local artist Kate Jarman's first solo art exhibition, on view until December 16th. The exhibition features both original paintings and prints from Kate's stunning "Jungalow" collection. Kate's inspiration for the "Jungalow" show was to create homage to the urban jungle. The word is a synonym for treehouse and is derived from the words 'jungle' and 'bungalow'. Kate says "I am intrigued by the romanticism of nature and how magnetized we are to it. I think it's very instinctual that we choose to surround ourselves with nature even when we are inside in our homes. We naturally gravitate towards indoor plants, botanical and nature inspired textiles and artworks. The works are a celebration of that joyful connection and sense of wonder we have with nature." Kate Jarman studied Painting and Curating at The Byam Shaw School of Art and Central Saint Martins College in London. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Curtin University with a Dean's Commendation in 2010. Kate has previously exhibited at PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Art), The Oats Factory, Buratti Gallery, Artist Open House Fremantle and Mundaring Arts Centre. About LAHAUS: LAHAUS is a contemporary design studio based in Cottesloe, Perth specializing in residential and commercial interior design, home styling, renovation project management and homewares retail. Founded by Lara Staunton in 2013, LAHAUS design is focused on merging the practice of creativity, innovation and art to create beautiful, habitable and practical spaces. LAHAUS design studio will be open from 9am to 4pm weekdays to view Kate's beautiful collection. Kate's art is on display until the 16th of December 2016. Some images of Kate's work are being shared on the LAHAUS Instagram page. For more images and more information, please contact Kerry Smart. To view more of Kate's work, visit her website at www.katejarman.com For more information, please visit http://lahaus.com.au/ Contact Info: Name: Kerry Smart Email: info@lahaus.com.au Organization: LAHAUS Studio Address: Shop 16B Napoleon Close, 12 Napoleon St, Cottesloe Phone: +61+61861141044 Release ID: 149615 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP Opens New Office Location In The South Bay LA County Criminal defense firm Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP establishes new office location in Torrance, Ca -- The Southern California criminal law firm of Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP is pleased to announce the opening of it's new South Bay office location at 3655 Torrance Blvd. in Torrance, California in an effort to better serve those clients who reside or work in the South Bay cities of Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Lawndale and Hawthorne. Defense attorneys, Paul Takakjian and Steve Sitkoff are former prosecutors in Torrance Court who have specialized in representing clients charged with felony or misdemeanor criminal and DUI offenses throughout the Los Angeles County South Bay. As highly decorated former Los Angeles County deputy district attorneys who previously prosecuted both DUI and criminal matters in Torrance Court, they blend their reputation and relationships with local prosecutors and judges with their combined 70 plus years of California criminal law experience to aggressively advocate for their clients. The Torrance Courthouse hears both felony and misdemeanor criminal cases resulting from arrests made within the South Bay. However, the prosecuting agency tasked with representing the "People" against criminal and DUI defendants depends on the city where the arrest took place and whether the offense is charged as misdemeanor or felony crime. South Bay cities such as Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach have their own city prosecuting agencies that handle the misdemeanor crimes occurring within their respective cities. Whereas cities without their own city attorneys, such as Lomita, Palos Verdes, and Manhattan Beach rely on the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to handle the prosecution of the misdemeanor crimes taking place in their cities. Thus, the firm's relationships with the prosecutors within each of the multiple agencies function as an advantage for clients seeking reduced punishments for their crimes. Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP's defense expertise comprises of theft, domestic violence, violent, drug, drunk driving, and sex crimes. Free consultations can be scheduled by calling Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP - Torrance Office today at (424) 757-0865. For more information, please visit https://southbaycriminallawdefense.com Contact Info: Name: James N. Kim Organization: Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP - Torrance Criminal Defense Address: 3655 Torrance Blvd. 3rd Floor Phone: +14247570865 Release ID: 149666 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Indosat Ooredoo Global Market Highlights and Major Players Analysis 2022 WiseGuyReports.com adds "Indosat Ooredoo : Technology and Communications - Company Profile, SWOT & Financial Analysis" reports to its database. -- Get Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/680478-indosat-ooredoo-technology-and-swot-financial-analysis Summary "Indosat Ooredoo : Technology and Communications - Company Profile, SWOT & Financial Analysis" contains in depth information and data about the company and its operations. The profile contains a company overview, key facts, major products and services, SWOT analysis, business description, company history, financial analysis, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, key employees, company locations and subsidiaries as well as competitive benchmarking data. Key Findings This report is a crucial resource for industry executives and anyone looking to access key information about "Indosat Ooredoo" The report utilizes a wide range of primary and secondary sources, which are analyzed and presented in a consistent and easily accessible format. ICD Research strictly follows a standardized research methodology to ensure high levels of data quality and these characteristics guarantee a unique report. Synopsis Indosat Ooredoo (Indosat) is a telecommunication and information service provider. The company offers cellular services and international long-distance services in Indonesia. It also provides fixed data services including multimedia, data communications, and Internet (MIDI) services. The company caters to domestic and regional corporate, wholesale customers, and domestic retail customers. Indosat also offers international calling and roaming services. Its major brands include IM3, Mentari, Star One, and Matrix. The company operates as a subsidiary of Ooredoo Group. Indosat is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. o This business intelligence report presents the key company information, essential to understanding industry challenges and competitors. o The SWOT analysis identifies the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth and threats. The key competitors are dissected alongside the larger challenges that the industry is facing. o The company profile relays all current information about the business operations, including key employees, major products and services, company history, locations and subsidiaries alongside a supporting statement from the Chairman and Managing Director. Reasons to Buy o Quickly enhance your understanding of "Indosat Ooredoo" o Gain insight into the marketplace and a better understanding of internal and external factors which could impact the industry. o Increase business/sales activities by understanding your competitors' businesses better. o Recognize potential partnerships and suppliers. Key Highlights Indosat Ooredoo (Indosat) is a telecommunication and information service provider. The company offers cellular services and international long-distance services in Indonesia. It also provides fixed data services including multimedia, data communications, and Internet (MIDI) services. The company caters to domestic and regional corporate, wholesale customers, and domestic retail customers. Indosat also offers international calling and roaming services. Its major brands include IM3, Mentari, Star One, and Matrix. The company operates as a subsidiary of Ooredoo Group. Indosat is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. Table of Contents 1 Indosat Ooredoo - Key Employees 2 Indosat Ooredoo - Key Employees Biographies 3 Indosat Ooredoo - Major Products and Services 4 Indosat Ooredoo - History 5 Indosat Ooredoo - Company Statement 6 Indosat Ooredoo - Locations and Subsidiaries 6.1 Indosat Ooredoo - Head Office 6.2 Indosat Ooredoo - Other Locations and Subsidiaries 7 Indosat Ooredoo - Business Analysis 7.1 Indosat Ooredoo - Company Overview 7.2 Indosat Ooredoo - Business Description 8 Indosat Ooredoo - SWOT Analysis 8.1 Indosat Ooredoo - SWOT Analysis - Overview 8.2 Indosat Ooredoo - Strengths 8.2.1 Strength - Wide Range of Offerings 8.2.2 Strength - Steady Revenue Growth 8.2.3 Strength - Leading Position in Market 8.3 Indosat Ooredoo - Weaknesses 8.3.1 Weakness - Declining CellularARPU 8.4 Indosat Ooredoo - Opportunities ...Continued Access Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/680478-indosat-ooredoo-technology-and-swot-financial-analysis Get in touch: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts For more information, please visit http://www.wiseguyreports.com Contact Info: Name: Norah Trent Organization: WiseGuy Reports Address: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1-646-845-9349 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/indosat-ooredoo-global-market-highlights-and-major-players-analysis-2022/149958 Release ID: 149958 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sussex UK Digital Marketing & Brand Awareness SEO Agency Launched Get Going Media, a Sussex brand awareness and digital marketing agency, has launched a comprehensive range of online marketing and SEO solutions. The Sussex digital marketing agency now offers website design and development, social media marketing, mobile optimization, brand awareness and more. -- Get Going Media, a Sussex digital marketing agency, has launched a large variety of online business marketing and brand awareness services. More information is available at http://www.getgoingmedia.co.uk/ The online market has grown tremendously over the past decades, and this contributed to large business investments in digital marketing, website development, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. Recent studies show that up to 90% of clients look for business information online before making a purchase. In business terms, this translates to a potential gain of 90% simply by becoming the most visible business in a specific niche, and by developing a reliable brand reputation. Google searches in particular offer the potential for increased business visibility. Just under two thirds of the total Google traffic for a specific keyword go to the top three results, thereby increasing the competition for the highest-ranking positions. Coupled with a giant increase in mobile searches, this trend has led to massive investments in website design and search engine optimization (SEO). Loading times and webpage responsiveness have proved particularly important for both conversion rates and Google ranking. As Google developed an increasingly specialized computing algorithm for what websites reach the top three positions, reliable SEO work can now be obtained mostly by working with SEO professionals. Get Going Media focuses on delivering digital marketing, SEO and brand awareness services to clients in the Sussex area. They offer a comprehensive range of internet marketing solutions, from website design and development to social media campaigns. The sharp increase in mobile traffic made it imperative for business to develop a fast-loading, mobile-responsive website. Get Going Media provides complete mobile SEO optimization for business websites, with a view to increase Google ranking on local mobile searches. The ever-growing popularity of social media has opened a large market for online businesses. Get Going Media offers online entrepreneurs audience-targeted social media campaigns on a variety of social platforms, in order to increase brand awareness and market reach. Interested parties can can contact Get Going Media for a free SEO consultation at the website listed above. For more information, please visit http://www.getgoingmedia.co.uk/ Contact Info: Name: James Bevis Organization: Get Going Media Address: St Colliers, Northiam Road, Staplecross Phone: +448000096936 Release ID: 149942 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Ellies Holdings Ltd. Major Products And Services Analysis 2022 WiseGuyReports.com adds "Ellies Holdings Limited - Company Profile & Financial Analysis" reports to its database. -- Get Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/87339-ellies-holdings-limited-company-profile-financial-analysis Summary "Ellies Holdings Limited - Company Profile & Financial Analysis" contains in depth information and data about the company and its operations. The profile contains a company overview, key facts, major products and services, financial ratios, key competitors, financial analysis, recent developments, key employees as well as company locations and subsidiaries. Key Findings This report is a crucial resource for industry executives and anyone looking to access key information about "Ellies Holdings Limited" The report utilizes a wide range of primary and secondary sources, which are analyzed and presented in a consistent and easily accessible format. ICD Research strictly follows a standardized research methodology to ensure high levels of data quality and these characteristics guarantee a unique report. Synopsis o Identifies crucial company information about "Ellies Holdings Limited" along with major products and services for business intelligence requirements. o Provides key ratios on company's financial performance. o Identifies key employees to assist with key business decisions. o Provides annual and interim financial ratios. Reasons to Buy o Enhance your understanding of "Ellies Holdings Limited" o Increase business/sales activities by understanding customers' businesses better. o Recognize potential partnerships and suppliers. o Qualify prospective partners, affiliates or suppliers. o Acquire up-to-date company information and an understanding of the company's financial health. Key Highlights Ellies Holdings Limited (Ellies Holdings) is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic products. The company offers products such as television reception products, TV aerials, spare components, accessories and remote controls. It provides TV and video equipment, telephone and electrical accessories, household appliances, audio equipment and alternative power solutions, among others. Ellies Holdings markets its products under the brands of ElSat and Ellies. The company offers services including maintenance, rental, packaging and marketing, distribution, logistics and wholesale. It has operations in South Africa, the US, Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia. Ellies Holdings is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Table of Contents 1 Ellies Holdings Limited - Key Employees 2 Ellies Holdings Limited - Major Products and Services 3 Ellies Holdings Limited - Key Events 4 Ellies Holdings Limited - Locations and Subsidiaries 4.1 Ellies Holdings Limited - Head Office 4.2 Ellies Holdings Limited - Other Locations and Subsidiaries 5 Ellies Holdings Limited - Business Analysis 5.1 Ellies Holdings Limited - Company Overview 6 Ellies Holdings Limited - Company Financial Analysis 6.1 Ellies Holdings Limited - Five Year Snapshot: Overview of Financial and Operational Performance Indicators 7 Ellies Holdings Limited - Interim ratios 7.1.1 Ellies Holdings Limited - Financial ratios: Capital Market Ratios 7.2 Ellies Holdings Limited - Financial Performance and Ratio Charts 7.2.1 Ellies Holdings Limited - Revenue and Operating margin 7.2.2 Ellies Holdings Limited - Asset and Liabilities 7.2.3 Ellies Holdings Limited - Net Debt vs. Gearing Ratio 7.2.4 Ellies Holdings Limited - Solvency 7.3 Ellies Holdings Limited - Key Competitors 8 Ellies Holdings Limited - Recent Developments ...Continued Access Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/87339-ellies-holdings-limited-company-profile-financial-analysis Get in touch: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts For more information, please visit http://www.wiseguyreports.com Contact Info: Name: Norah Trent Email: sales@wiseguyreports.com Organization: WiseGuy Reports Address: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1-646-845-9349 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/ellies-holdings-ltd-major-products-and-services-analysis-2022/149973 Release ID: 149973 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Industrial Robotic Software Market By Manufacturers, Types, Regions And Applications Research Report Forecast To 2021 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - "Industrial Robotic Software Market by Manufacturers,Types,Regions and Applications Research Report Forecast to 2021". -- Robotic software is an important component of industrial robotic system and plays a core role to enable industrial robots to do good operations and accurate functionalities. Global industrial robotic software market is expected to witness a strong growth despite slower than the growth rates of industrial robots market. The accelerating deployment of industrial robotic solutions in various manufacturing factories is driving the growth of industrial robotic software installation. Global Industrial Robotic Software Market - Structure, Size, Trends, Analysis and Outlook 2016-2022 examines the global industrial robotic software market through a comprehensive summary and in-depth analysis of premium information sources. On the basis of reviewing global economic environments, this report provides a detailed analysis of market structure, market trends, market forces, and market segments. The report quantifies the global industrial robotic software market from perspectives of robot type, robot application, human-robot collaboration, software type, vendor type, and geographic landscape. Global data is available for sales revenue generated from industrial robotic software platforms in each sub-market over the coverage of 2014-2022. Current competitive scenario and profiles of major vendors/players are also included in the report. Get Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/556555-global-industrial-robotic-software-outlook-2016-2022 For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.com Qualitative market analyses include identification and discussion of market structure, market overview, growth drivers, restraints and challenges, emerging market trends/opportunities, Porter's Fiver Forces as well as M&A landscape and fundraising trend. On basis of robot type, the market is segmented into articulated robots, SCARA robots, Cartesian robots, delta robots, and others, with articulated robots as the largest consumer of industrial robotic software. On basis of industrial robot application, the market is segmented into material handling, welding, assembly line, dispensing, and other sections. The global industrial robotic software market is also divided into collaborative robotic software and traditional robotic software by human-robot collaboration. On-site industrial robotic software and offline programming software are identified as two major software types of industrial robots. On basis of vendor type, the global market is composed of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) software and third-party industrial robotic software. Geographically, the global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the rest of world (RoW). Specific analysis and forecast of annual shipment and hardware revenue over 2014-2022 have been covered for 11 important national markets including U.S., China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, and Italy. APAC region leads the global assembling cobots market in terms of annual revenue, followed by Europe and North America. Strongest growth potential also exists in the vast APAC market in the future with China and Southeast Asian countries expected to be the main driving engines for the growth. Highlighted with 3 tables and 64 figures, this 173-page report provides timely data and detailed analysis to help clients targeting the global market to identify business opportunities and execute an effective strategy. Complete Report Details @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/556555-global-industrial-robotic-software-outlook-2016-2022 Table Of Contents - Major Key Points 1 Introduction 1.1 Industry Definition and Report Scope 1.2 Research Methodology 1.3 Executive Summary 2 Market Environment 2.1 Prospects for the World Economy in 2015-2016 2.2 Outlook of the World Economy to 2030 3 Market Overview and Qualitative Analysis 3.1 Market Structure 3.2 Market Overview 3.3 Major Growth Drivers 3.4 Market Restraints and Challenges 3.5 Emerging Opportunities and Market Trends 3.6 Porter's Fiver Forces Analysis 3.7 Key M&A Trends and Strategic Partnerships 3.8 IPO and VCI in Global Industrial Robot Market 4 Segmentation of Global Market by Robot Type 4.1 Market Overview by Robot Type 4.2 Software Market for Articulated Robots 4.3 Software Market for Cartesian Robots 4.4 Software Market for SCARA Robots 4.5 Software Market for Delta Robots 4.6 Software Market for Other Industrial Robots 5 Segmentation of Global Market by Robot Application 5.1 Market Overview by Robot Application 5.2 Robotics Software Market for Material Handling 5.3 Robotics Software Market for Welding 5.4 Robotics Software Market for Assembly 5.5 Robotics Software Market for Dispensing 5.6 Robotics Software Market for Other Industrial Applications 6 Segmentation of Global Market by Human-robot Collaboration 6.1 Market Overview by Human-robot Collaboration 6.2 Software Market for Traditional Industrial Robots 6.3 Software Market for Industrial Collaborative Robots 7 Segmentation of Global Market by Software Type 7.1 Market Overview by Software Type 7.2 On-site Software Market for Industrial Robots 7.3 Offline Programming Software Market for Industrial Robots ........CONTINUED For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.com Buy 1-User PDF @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=556555 ABOUT US: 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 features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories. For more information, please visit https://www.wiseguyreports.com Contact Info: Name: Norah Trent Email: sales@wiseguyreports.com Organization: WiseGuy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd. Address: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Phone: +1-646-845-9349 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/industrial-robotic-software-market-by-manufacturers-types-regions-and-applications-research-report-forecast-to-2021/149969 Release ID: 149969 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) ViaSat, Inc: Technology And Communication 2016 - 2021 WiseGuyReports.com adds "ViaSat, Inc. : Technology and Communications - Company Profile, SWOT & Financial Analysis" reports to its database. -- Get Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/680480-viasat-inc-technology-and-communications-company-profile-swot-financial-analysis ViaSat, Inc.: Technology and Communications - Company Profile, SWOT & Financial Analysis" contains in depth information and data about the company and its operations. The profile contains a company overview, key facts, major products and services, SWOT analysis, business description, company history, key competitors, financial analysis, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, key employees as well as company locations and subsidiaries. Key Findings This report is a crucial resource for industry executives and anyone looking to access key information about "ViaSat, Inc." The report utilizes a wide range of primary and secondary sources, which are analyzed and presented in a consistent and easily accessible format. We follow a standardized research methodology to ensure high levels of data quality and these characteristics guarantee a unique report. Synopsis ViaSat, Inc. (ViaSat) is a provider of fixed and mobile broadband services, advanced satellite, secure networking systems and other wireless networks. It develops satellite communication systems and equipment. Its major products include fixed satellite networks, mobile broadband satellite communication systems, antenna systems and satellite networking development, among others. It also provides information security and assurance, secure networking solutions, and tactical data link products. It also offers services such as retail and wholesale broadband satellite services, mobile broadband services, and enterprise broadband services. The company primarily serves the US government and commercial customers. ViaSat is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the US. o This business intelligence report presents the key company information, essential to understanding industry challenges and competitors. o The SWOT analysis identifies the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for growth and threats. The key competitors are dissected alongside the larger challenges that the industry is facing. o The company profile relays all current information about the business operations, including key employees, major products and services, company history, locations and subsidiaries alongside a supporting statement from the Chairman and Managing Director. Reasons to Buy o Quickly enhance your understanding of "ViaSat, Inc." o Gain insight into the marketplace and a better understanding of internal and external factors which could impact the industry. o Increase business/sales activities by understanding your competitors' businesses better. o Recognize potential partnerships and suppliers. Key Highlights ViaSat, Inc. (ViaSat) is a provider of fixed and mobile broadband services, advanced satellite, secure networking systems and other wireless networks. It develops satellite communication systems and equipment. Its major products include fixed satellite networks, mobile broadband satellite communication systems, antenna systems and satellite networking development, among others. It also provides information security and assurance, secure networking solutions, and tactical data link products. It also offers services such as retail and wholesale broadband satellite services, mobile broadband services, and enterprise broadband services. The company primarily serves the US government and commercial customers. ViaSat is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the US. Table of Contents 1 ViaSat, Inc. - Key Employees 2 ViaSat, Inc. - Key Employees Biographies 3 ViaSat, Inc. - Major Products and Services 4 ViaSat, Inc. - History 5 ViaSat, Inc. - Company Statement 6 ViaSat, Inc. - Locations and Subsidiaries 6.1 ViaSat, Inc. - Head Office 6.2 ViaSat, Inc. - Other Locations and Subsidiaries 7 ViaSat, Inc. - Business Analysis 7.1 ViaSat, Inc. - Company Overview 7.2 ViaSat, Inc. - Business Description 8 ViaSat, Inc. - SWOT Analysis 8.1 ViaSat, Inc. - SWOT Analysis - Overview 8.2 ViaSat, Inc. - Strengths 8.2.1 Strength - Increase in Revenue 8.2.2 Strength - Involvement in Several Programs 8.2.3 Strength - Increase in Order Backlog 8.2.4 Strength - Strong Focus on R&D 8.3 ViaSat, Inc. - Weaknesses 8.3.1 Weakness - Weakening Operational Performance 8.3.2 Weakness - Dependence on A Few Contractors 8.4 ViaSat, Inc. - Opportunities 8.4.1 Opportunity - New Contracts and Agreements 8.4.2 Opportunity - Growing Global Military Satellite Market 8.4.3 Opportunity - Growing Mobile Broadband Subscriptions 8.5 ViaSat, Inc. - Threats 8.5.1 Threat - Changing Technology 8.5.2 Threat - Government Contract Compliance 8.5.3 Threat - Foreign Exchange Risks 9 ViaSat, Inc. - Company Financial Analysis 9.1 ViaSat, Inc. - Five Year Snapshot: Overview of Financial and Operational Performance Indicators 10 ViaSat, Inc. - Interim ratios 10.1.1 ViaSat, Inc. - Financial ratios: Capital Market Ratios 10.2 ViaSat, Inc. - Financial Performance and Ratio Charts 10.2.1 ViaSat, Inc. - Revenue and Operating margin 10.2.2 ViaSat, Inc. - Asset and Liabilities 10.2.3 ViaSat, Inc. - Net Debt vs. Gearing Ratio 10.2.4 ViaSat, Inc. - Operational Efficiency 10.2.5 ViaSat, Inc. - Solvency 10.2.6 ViaSat, Inc. - Valuation 10.3 ViaSat, Inc. - Key Competitors 11 ViaSat, Inc. - Mergers & Acquisitions and Partnerships 11.1 ViaSat, Inc. - M&A and Partnerships Strategy 12 ViaSat, Inc. - Recent Developments 13 Appendix 13.1 Methodology 13.2 ViaSat, Inc. - Ratio Definitions 13.3 Disclaimer Access Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/680480-viasat-inc-technology-and-communications-company-profile-swot-financial-analysis Follow Us: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts For more information, please visit http://www.wiseguyreports.com Contact Info: Name: Norah Trent Organization: WiseGuy Reports Address: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1-646-845-9349 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/viasat-inc-technology-and-communication-2016-2021/149967 Release ID: 149967 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Human Capital Management (HCM) Market Worth 19.88 Billion USD By 2021 [172 Pages Report] Human capital management market categorizes the global market by solution as core HR, talent management, payroll and tax, workforce planning and analytics, recruiting, by service as implementation, training, consulting, by deployment, by user, by industry vertical & by Geography. -- According to a new market research report "Human Capital Management Market by Solution (Core HR, Talent Management, Payroll and Tax, Workforce Planning and Analytics, Recruiting), Service (Implementation, Training, Consulting), Deployment, User, Industry Vertical, Region - Global Forecast to 2021", the Human Capital Management Market ( HCM market) expected to reach USD 19.88 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period. Browse 69 market data Tables and 71 Figures spread through 172 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Human Capital Management Market - Global Forecast to 2021" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/human-capital-management-market-193746782.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. HCM is growing gradually and is being adopted by users to standardize processes for both workforce and talent management. The continuous developments in this technology and its solutions have also encouraged users to adopt HCM solutions and services. Core HR and workforce planning and analytics are expected to be the largest contributor in the global HCM market during the forecast period In the HCM market, due to the rising demands for advanced HR processes such as personnel tracking and workforce management across all industry verticals, the core HR and workforce planning and analytics in the solutions' segment is expected to contribute the highest in the overall revenue generation during the forecast period. he transportation and logistics industry vertical is expected to show significant growth rate in terms of adoption of HCM-based solutions and services Managing multiple resources and meeting customer requirements has become one of the most important aspects of the transportation and logistics sector. The concept of HCM has led the industry to focus more on improving delivery services and managing and attracting talent. Moreover, transportation and logistics companies are compelled to integrate HR systems with operational and financial systems. Furthermore, in this industry, clients demand and expect high quality services to be delivered on time. Therefore, the need to attract talent and best resources is encouraging this industry to adopt HCM solutions at a fast pace. With growing technological advancements in the countries of North America, the region is expected to be the largest contributor of HCM solutions during the forecast period. The North America region has been a predominately concerned market regarding the adoption of HCM solutions and services. The high adoption of digital technology across all major industries helps the HCM market to grow in North America, particularly in the U.S. and Canada. The market is in the emerging stage in the regions of Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America, and Middle East and Africa (MEA). Therefore, these regions exhibit immense scope for the adoption of HCM solutions. Additionally, the growing technological developments in the field of cloud, analytics, and the emergence of mobile technologies have led to the high adoption of HCM solutions in major industries such as Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), transportation and logistics, and healthcare. Download PDF brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=193746782 The HCM market consists of major players such as SAP SE (Germany), ADP (U.S.), Oracle (U.S.), Infor (U.S.), and Ceridian (U.S.). There is also a significant presence of other niche players such as NetSuite (U.S.), Ultimate Software (U.S.), Halogen Software (Canada), Lumesse (U.K.), and Fairsail (U.K.) in this market. About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan Markets and Markets UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India Tel :1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com For more information, please visit http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/human-capital-management-market-193746782.html Contact Info: Name: Mr.Rohan Organization: MarketsandMarkets Source: http://marketersmedia.com/human-capital-management-hcm-market-worth-19-88-billion-usd-by-2021/149999 Release ID: 149999 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Gananoque Ontario SEO Marketing Website Design Brand Management Agency Launched Furlong SEO Marketing, a comprehensive SEO marketing and website design agency, has been launched. Unlike most similar agencies, it offers a complete range of online marketing services, from brand development to SEO marketing campaigns, catering to a wide variety of online business needs. -- A new comprehensive SEO marketing and website design agency has recently been launched. Furlong SEO Marketing Corp. offers complete web building and marketing services for online businesses. More information can be found at https://furlongseomarketing.com. With online audiences growing tremendously over the past two decades, businesses have constantly focused on developing a solid online brand image. A wide range of online marketing services have been developed, focusing on optimizing businesses for online audiences. Search engine optimized (SEO) marketing has become increasingly important as more and more people consult search engines before making a purchase. The multitude of factors that count towards Google rankings range from relatively simple aspects such as the website's address to complex html metadata hardly accessible to the average user. For this reason, more and more businesses invest in professional SEO services. Similarly, website design is viewed as increasingly important for a brand's image, with the average visitor becoming more and more sensitive to aspects such as mobile responsiveness and general ease of use. Finally, the advent of social media has made it crucial for any business to develop trustworthy, credible brand awareness across social platforms. Social media campaigns are important for increasing online exposure and gaining more clients, making them essential for business success. In response to this growing multitude of online marketing needs, many agencies have specialized in services such as website design, SEO optimization, social media campaigns, video marketing, brand awareness and reputation management. However, far fewer offer comprehensive online marketing covering all above-mentioned aspects. As time effectiveness is essential, business owners tend to prefer dealing with only one service provider for all online marketing needs. Such all-around providers are, nonetheless, relatively scarce. Considering the above, the opening of Furlong SEO Marketing Corp. is a welcome addition and expansion to the wide range of online marketing service providers. The company offers complete professional online marketing services. Every aspect is covered, from brand awareness and website development to social media and video marketing campaigns. Furlong SEO Marketing Corp. also offers business automation and client relationship management services, adequately responding to the full spectrum of online business management needs. Interested parties may find additional information by visiting the website mentioned above. For more information, please visit https://furlongseomarketing.com Contact Info: Name: Phil Furlong Organization: Furlong SEO Marketing Corp. Address: 221 Station Rd. Phone: +1 800 759 0839 Release ID: 149810 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) World's First Virtual Pet Detective Lands In The United States The United States has the highest rate of pet ownership in the world, but ten million of these pets go missing every year. A new Virtual Pet Detection service launching this week is set to change that, by giving Americans access to a completely new system for locating missing pets. -- The United States has the highest rate of pet ownership in the world, with 65% of all households having at least one non-human family member. Worryingly, an estimated 1 in 3 of these pets go missing - ten million every year - and many never find their way home. Inspector Spot - The World's First Virtual Pet Detective - is set to change that as they launch in the United States this week. Inspector Spot's system recognizes that most lost pet websites and social media pages do not give pet owners the full range of tools they need to successfully locate their pets. "Most lost pet sites only focus on one part of the missing pet puzzle" says Certified Pet Detective Megan Denize. "They post on social media or phone and fax people in the local area. While this makes pet owners feel like they're doing everything they can to find their pet, in reality these systems need to do much more to be truly effective." Inspector Spot takes a different approach. It is the first system in the world to combine decades of research into missing pet behavior with a powerful advertising system and a dedicated team of virtual pet detectives to provide a highly personalized lost pet recovery system. Inspector Spot's system: Gives pet owners the support of a virtual pet detective to help guide the search for their missing pet. Helps pet owners to pinpoint precisely where their pet is most likely to be, based on each pet's species, its personality, the area it went missing from and the circumstances of its disappearance. Instantly produces professionally designed Lost and Found posters for their pet. Immediately distributes copies of each pet's poster to vets, animal hospitals, rescue groups, shelters and other pet related businesses up to 300 square miles from the location the pet was last seen. Immediately sets up online Facebook and Google Advertisements, targeting people up to 300 square miles from the location the pet was last seen. Electronically matches lost and found pets, and alerts both parties if the system finds two animals that potentially match. "Understanding animal behavior is critical to locating missing pets, but lost pet websites are simply not providing this expertise" says Denize. "The way you locate a missing cat vs a missing dog is very different. The distance they are likely to travel and where they are likely to be found varies by species, is influenced by that pet's personality and by the circumstances under which they went missing. Inspector Spot delivers this expertise by giving pet owners access to a dedicated pet detective to help them pinpoint where their pet is most likely to be. "Acting quickly is also critical. Inspector Spot's system instantly alerts members of the community every time a pet goes missing. This part of the system is completely automated so there is no down time, even if a pet owner needs help at 3am. It is the only system of its kind, anywhere in the world." It's a unique combination of services that Denize knows well. Her background as an Internationally Award-Winning Marketing Director provides the foundation of Inspector Spot's advertising system. And her dedication to fostering animals in need, combined with her training as a Certified Pet Detective, has provided a wealth of knowledge in the behavior of missing animals. She has fostered more than 100 cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens and ducklings in the last few years. That unique skill set became the cornerstone of Inspector Spot's virtual pet detection system - a system that was piloted in New Zealand for three years before being brought into the United States. Inspector Spot's services are FREE for pets that have been members of Inspector Spot for 30 days or more and are FREE for rescue organizations or members of the public wishing to issue a Found Pet Alert. Alternatively, a $95 search fee applies for non-members who wish to search for a missing pet. Annual membership costs $20 per year and includes birthday, adoption day and Christmas cards plus email reminders when it's time for flea treatment, worming tablets and time to visit the vet. For more information, please visit https://www.inspectorspot.com Contact Info: Name: Megan Denize Email: megan@inspectorspot.com Organization: Inspector Spot Address: Auckland, New Zealand Phone: +64 21 240 0002 Source: http://authoritynewsnetwork.com/worlds-first-virtual-pet-detective-lands-in-the-united-states/ Release ID: 150070 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Paul Clarke Joins Visual 2000 International Visual is excited to welcome Paul Clark to the position of Director of Business Development. Mr. Clarke will leverage his 30-years of industry experience joining the US team and contribute to the continued development of Visual End2End software solutions tailor made for the AFA Industry. -- Visual 2000 is excited to welcome Paul Clark to the position of Director of Business Development. Mr. Clarke will leverage his 30-years of industry experience joining the United States sales team and contribute to the continued development of Visual 2000 End2End software solutions tailor made for the AFA Industry. Leveraging his industry knowledge Mr. Clarke will play a fundamental role in achieving Visual 2000's ambitious growth objectives. Working directly the USA Sales Director, Farhat Awan, Mr. Clarke will have a key leadership position in driving innovative business strategies. "We are pleased to welcome Paul to the Visual 2000 team," stated Mr. Awan. "Paul has the depth and expertise we need to accelerate the growth and development in the US market. With his help, we will extend our reach in the territory and better service our growing customer base." Mr. Clarke is an AFA industry expert in front end technology and has great knowledge in consulting, implementation and sales. "I am excited about joining Visual 2000 due to their depth of products and their industry knowledge" stated Mr Clarke. "This is an exciting time for the company as they are experiencing strong interest and growth in PLM from across the fashion and softgoods industry. I look forward to leveraging the very comprehensive End2End solutions platform and working with current and future clients to help them recognize the full potential of this outstanding product." About Visual 2000 International Visual 2000 provides End2End software for apparel, footwear and fashion accessory companies. More than 600 companies around the world take advantage of Visual 2000?s End2End advanced ERP, PLM, supply chain management, warehouse optimization and business intelligence software. For more information, please visit http://www.visual-2000.com About End2End Solutions Visual omni-channel solution provides apparel business with a powerful set of tools to start selling your product faster, smarter, and in the most cost effective way. Made by fashion experts exclusively for today's apparel & accessory leaders. For more information, please visit http://www.visual-2000.com/ Contact Info: Name: Julien Belisle Email: julien@visual-2000.com Organization: Visual 2000 International Inc. Address: 8960 Av du Parc, Montreal, QC H2N 1Y8 Release ID: 150105 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Charlotte Insurance Agency Changes Public Perception on Benefits to Consumers An independent, Charlotte insurance agency launched a wide range of affordable homeowners and business insurance services. Cosaint Insurance strives for business transparency and personal relations with their clients, in an attempt to provide affordable, easy to understand insurance services. -- Cosaint Insurance, a family-owned independent Charlotte insurance agency, launched a broad range of insurance services for a wide variety of clients. More information is available at https://cosaintinsurance.com/. Insurance has always been essential for businesses and homeowners alike. The unpredictable nature of modern work and life have made it important to create a financial security net for less fortunate times. Furthermore, some types of insurance are required by law. This is the case with auto insurance and workers' compensation, two of the most frequently legally-required types of insurance. The private business sector also requires clients to have some sort of insurance. Mortgage lenders, for instance, require proof of insurance for clients who need building funding. Since this is often an essential first step in business development, insurance is yet again crucial. However, the general public still regards insurance agencies with a serious dose of suspicion and CoSaint Insurance is dedicated to changing this perception. According to a recent survey, roughly a third of all U.S. household had no insurance at all, while a similar number had only group insurance. In addition to that, 68% of respondents considered insurance services to be too expensive. Finally, a about 30% of those who did not buy life insurances claimed they did not understand it, while 38% did not trust insurance agencies. In short, there seems to be a real problem when it comes to the relationship between agent and consumers, with lack of transparency lying at the core of the issue. Cosaint Insurance is an independent insurance agency that provides affordable solutions to a variety of clients. It offers personal and business insurance ranging from homeowners insurance to RV/ATV insurance. Their business strategy is clearly client-oriented. "Our aspirational goal is to change the perception of the insurance industry one client at a time. We do this by making insurance easy for our clients, and by making sure our clients do not pay more than they should for the best insurance coverage available. CoSaint is different than what you may have come to expect in the insurance industry.", says company owner Michael Buzek. Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website. For more information, please visit https://www.cosaintinsurance.com Contact Info: Name: Michael Buzek Email: buzekm@cosaintinsurance.com Organization: CoSaint Insurance Address: 13850 Ballantyne Corporate Place, Suite 500 Phone: 704-935-2777 Release ID: 150172 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Web Chat Vs Text Chat B2C SMS Communication & Mobile Marketing Software Launched Sales TextChat, a new automotive B2C SMS mobile communication solution has officially been launched by a B2C communication agency. The software allows two-way communication between businesses and clients, including pictures, videos and documents, with improved engagement rates over other B2C communication methods. -- A company specializing in B2C (business-to-clients) communication software, has launched a new auto dealership B2C SMS marketing service called Sales TextChat. More information is available at http://smsmoneymaker.com. A considerable number of business have a system of communication with their clients, either through traditional phone calls or e-mails, or other forms of web services. While these may be effective in certain situations, statistics show that a significant amount of emails go unanswered, while business calls tend to be avoided in private situations. Similarly, b2c live chat applications are entirely dependent on whether the client uses them at all. While preference for live chat has recently grown, it is still not an extremely popular service. A sizeable share of clients (roughly 50%) prefer not to use live chat, but contact the business directly. By contrast, 98% of text messages are read within 10 minutes from being received, which translates into an engagement rate up to eight percent higher when compared to e-mails, for instance. In fact, only 22% of all e-mails are ever read, making it among the least effective b2c communication service. Sales TextChat is a new automotive b2c mobile communication service. The software allows for two-way business-to-client communication, including sending and receiving of pictures, videos and documents. This auto dealership B2C SMS marketing solution strives to improve client engagement and create a solid business reputation. Since SMS engagement rates are significantly higher than other communication methods, solution times for any potential issues should be reduced. Furthermore, unlike B2C live chat software, Sales TextChat allows for 24 hours a day, seven days a week communication, without being as intrusive as phone calls, and with a much higher engagement rate than e-mail. Unlike other text services, SMS Sales TextChat is TCPA compliant, meaning that businesses using it will be entirely within the legal borders in term of automated telephone use. Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website. For more information, please visit http://smsmoneymaker.com Contact Info: Name: Roy Revill Organization: RY Enterprises Address: 232 State Route 32 South #1 Phone: (845) 419-2120 Release ID: 150140 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Software-Defined Security Market Worth 6.76 Billion USD By 2021 [158 Pages Report] Software-defined security market categorizes the global market by component as solution and services, by enforcement point as virtual machines, network security gateway, by deployment mode, by end user & by geography. -- According to a new market research report "Software-Defined Security Market by Component (Solution and Services), Enforcement Point (Virtual Machines, Network Security Gateway), Deployment Mode (Cloud and On-Premise), End User (Enterprise, Telecom/Cloud Service Provider) - Global Forecast to 2021", the Software-Defined Security (SDSec) market to grow from USD 1.59 Billion in 2016 to USD 6.76 Billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.6%. The SDSec market is growing rapidly because of the need for policy-driven, scalable, and programmable security architecture, need for faster response and increased security, and upsurge in cloud adoption. Browse 95 market data Tables and 54 Figures spread through 158 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Software-Defined Security Market- Global Forecast to 2021" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/software-defined-security-market-146062541.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. "Control automation & orchestration solution to grow at the highest CAGR" The report segments the global market on the basis of solutions that includes security software, control automation & orchestration solution, security compliance & policy management, and performance management & reporting. Control automation & orchestration solution is expected to witness the highest growth rate. Automation and orchestration allows for the provisioning and automated configuration of all of the individual resources that collectively comprise SDSec. "Support & maintenance service to grow at the highest CAGR" The report segments the services into support & maintenance, training & education, integration & testing, and consulting services. Among these, support & maintenance services are expected to witness the highest CAGR. Automation and orchestration allows for the provisioning and automated configuration of all of the individual resources that collectively comprise SDSec. Support and maintenance services are critical service offering in this market, which includes assistance provided during installation and maintenance activities. These services are basically provided for data and software/solution maintenance. "Cloud service providers to experience the highest CAGR" Among end users, cloud service providers will lead the SDSec market with a wide range of organizations adopting these solutions in all regions. SDSec provides a flexible and centralized security solution by abstracting the security mechanisms from the hardware layer to a software layer. Such separation provides a scalable distributed security solution, which virtualizes the security functions but remains manageable as a single logical system. "North America to be the largest revenue generator" The report has been segmented by region into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. North America is expected to continue being the largest revenue generator region for SDSec vendors for the next five years, followed by Europe. Whereas, MEA is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the SDSec market during the forecast period. The market growth in developing regions can be attributed to the enhancements in technology. Speak to our Experts / Analyst @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=146062541 Major vendors that offer SDSec solutions are Check Point Technologies (Israel), Cisco Systems (California), Intel Corporation (California), VMware, Inc. (California), Symantec Corporation (California), EMC Corporation (Massachusetts), Fortinet, Inc. (California), Juniper Networks (California), and Palo Alto Networks (California). These vendors have adopted different types of organic and inorganic growth strategies such as new product launches, partnerships & collaborations, and mergers & acquisitions to expand their offerings in the SDSec market. About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. For more information, please visit http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/software-defined-security-market-146062541.html Contact Info: Name: Mr.Rohan Organization: MarketsandMarkets Source: http://marketersmedia.com/software-defined-security-market-worth-6-76-billion-usd-by-2021/150001 Release ID: 150001 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) A Mad Hiker Launches To Review Hiking Products Just In Time For The Holiday Season A Mad Hiker has created a new product review website that has gone online just in time for Christmas, with comprehensive and insightful reviews on a wide range of hiking products. -- Hiking is an activity enjoyed by millions of people across America. While summer is the peak season for hiking adventures, winter offers more beautiful and breath-taking sights, even if it requires a little more equipment to do safely. Buying this equipment can be a challenge, especially for those seeking gifts on behalf of their loved ones. A Mad Hiker is a brand new website created to help people find the best equipment and gear for their hiking adventures, and has launched just in time for the Christmas gift buying season, to offer expert advice to loved ones on the best purchases to make. The website has been launched with a comprehensive overview of trekking poles, a lightweight and fast-shipping item that will make a big difference to walkers going out in winter. The website recommends trekking poles as the perfect Christmas gift idea, and has delivered a comprehensive overview of the best poles on the market right now. Each individual item has its own comprehensive review, as well as being ranked alongside competitors with a summary of its unique features and advantages, price, build quality and more. The site aims to make it as easy as possible for people to make the right purchase first time. A spokesperson for AMadHiker.com explained, "Hiking poles help to reduce the stress on the knees and ankles, while enabling people to better balance on uneven terrain. We launched the website with an exploration of trekking poles because they will make the ideal Christmas gift - though we have plans to update with many more reviews of different hiking products before the big day arrives. We want to help veteran hikers and first-timers alike find all the information they need, from people who have tested each item individually, to create informed cross-comparisons." About A Mad Hiker: A Mad Hiker is an online resource center committed to helping people find the best mountaineering and hiking gear available on the market today. The site is regularly updated by a committed team of writers and researchers, and features independent, insightful and actionable reviews. The site helps hiking enthusiasts make the right consumer decisions, more easily and quicker than ever before. For more information, please visit http://amadhiker.com/ Contact Info: Name: A Mad Hiker Email: brendan@amadhiker.com Organization: A Mad Hiker Address: 342 State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Phone: (801) 419-4652 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/a-mad-hiker-launches-to-review-hiking-products-just-in-time-for-the-holiday-season/150263 Release ID: 150263 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Hiking Pole Reviews Launches New Site To Offer Definitive Guide To Hiking Poles Online Hiking Pole Reviews is a brand new website designed to give hiking enthusiasts a comprehensive guide to the best hiking poles on the market, with individual reviews and comparison guides. -- Hiking is a fun activity that is easy for anyone to enjoy. Due to the nature of the great outdoors however, many trails are uneven, and hiking poles offer a great way to reduce the strain on joints and improve balance. A great many hiking poles have been released onto the market, but not all are created equal. Hiking Pole Reviews is a brand new website which has been launched to provide a comprehensive evaluation of all the hiking poles available, enabling people to buy right first time. The website has launched with a huge range of content, which the team has worked for months to create. They have gone live with a full portrait of the current market, at the ideal time to provide an accurate guide to the best trekking poles of 2016. The website offers both in-depth individual reviews and comparison guides, so individuals can take as much or as little time making their decision as they need to. Every review is detailed and comprehensive, covering the manufacture and materials used, the ergonomics and ease of use, the quality of the finished product, its cost and its place in the wider market. The reviews have been written by experienced hikers who all understand the benefits of using trekking poles. A spokesperson for HikingPoleReviews.com explained, "Trekking poles are used by some of the most ardent hikers in the world, and that's because they allow people to continue hiking comfortably for longer, even across the most challenging terrains. We have launched this site to ensure that everyone, whether an experienced hiker or first timer, can get the best information with which to purchase a pair of trekking poles. What's more, we have launched just in time for the peak gift buying season, so those with a hiker in their lives can surprise them with a great present." About Hiking Pole Reviews: Hiking Pole Reviews is an online resource center offering independent, insightful and actionable reviews of hiking poles. The website is regularly updated by a committed team of writers and researchers, and features reviews of the latest and best hiking pole releases, together with information on where to source them affordably online. For more information, please visit http://hikingpolereviews.com/ Contact Info: Name: Tommy McGuire Email: tommy@hikingpolereviews.com Organization: Hiking Pole Reviews Address: 14 W 34th Street Austin, TX 78705 Phone: (512) 135-2376 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/hiking-pole-reviews-launches-new-site-to-offer-definitive-guide-to-hiking-poles-online/150265 Release ID: 150265 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Colorado River & Trail Expeditions Unveils Details Of New River Excursions The trip will feature plenty of history, stories, lore and music from special guests, reports Colorado River & Trail Expeditions -- Colorado River & Trail Expeditions recently unveiled the details of a new and exciting trip the company is planning for people whose travels will take them to Utah's Green and Colorado Rivers during the summer of 2017. Colorado River & Trail Expeditions will host a six-day, five-night rafting expedition down the Green and Colorado Rivers, where special guest performers will entertain participants with stories and music along the way. More details about this Special Cataract Canyon Rafting Trip are available at the company's website. "This is, by far, one of the most exciting trips we've done," said Bonnie M. of Colorado River & Trail Expeditions. "Kate MacLeod is an acclaimed musician who will be performing original songs inspired by Utah's red rock landscape and leading us in a few sing-a-longs while she strums the guitar and serenades us with the violin." Bonnie went on to say, "We will also have storyteller, river historian, antiquarian bookseller and star of PBS's Antiques Roadshow, Ken Sanders, joining us for some story time. Ken will entertain with tall tales and nightly readings of some of his favorite stories and poetry." Colorado River & Trail Expeditions seeks to provide a unique and unparalleled river trip for the adventurers who join them. The six-day, five-night trip will occur in the summer of 2017 and will take participants through legendary Cataract Canyon of the Colorado River. The adventure will end with a wild ride through the famous Big Drop rapids of Cataract Canyon. As Ken mentioned to Bonnie, participants can expect to be amused, enlightened and possibly frightened by some of the scary campfire stories, but never bored. "We can't think of anything better than sharing the beauty and splendor of our wilderness surroundings with Kate and Ken while enjoying her music and his "ammo-can stories," said Bonnie. Those who would like to learn more about pricing and sign-up for Colorado River & Trail Expeditions' Cataract Canyon Rafting or Grand Canyon Rafting Trips should visit www.crateinc.com for additional information. About Colorado River & Trail Expeditions: Colorado River & Trail Expeditions has been a licensed white water rafting concessionaire in the Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon since 1971. They began operating rafting trips on other stretches of the Green River and Colorado Rivers shortly thereafter, including Desolation Canyon and Westwater Canyon. In 1978, the company explored the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers in Alaska and soon added those wild and remote rivers to their catalog of rafting adventures. All together, they have provided high-quality, fully-outfitted rafting expeditions for over 40 years. For more information, please visit http://www.crateinc.com Contact Info: Name: Bonnie M. Organization: Colorado River & Trail Expeditions Phone: (801) 261-1789 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/colorado-river-trail-expeditions-unveils-details-of-new-river-excursions/150288 Release ID: 150288 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Rhinestone Twin Cat Lapel Pin By Savvy Animal Lovers Gold Emerald Eyes Released Savvy Animal Lovers has released their new Cat Lapel Pins, jewelry items that come in a variety of styles and designs. The pet lover apparel and gift company donates 10 percent of their proceeds to organizations that promote the well-being and safety of animals. -- Savvy Animal Lovers, a pet lover apparel and gift company, has released their Cat Lapel Pins. The cat lovers' jewelry comes in a variety of designs with twin cats, gold rhinestone cats, silver rhinestone cats, green and rhinestone cats, funny cats and cats with emerald eyes. More information on Savvy Animal Lovers and their collection of Cat Lapel Pins is available on their website at: http://savvyanimallovers.com. Cats are divided into three populations, personal pets, shelter animals and community cats the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reports. Community cats can be strays, abandoned or feral. The HSUS advocates for a trap-neuter-return approach as a human way to manage community cats. It is estimated that about 74 to 96 million cats are personal pets owned in the United States according to the American Pet Products Association. Those millions of cats reside in approximately 30 to 37 percent of all households in the United States. Savvy Animal Lovers considers itself a pet lover apparel and gift company with a conscience. The store is owned by passionate animal lovers who donate 10 percent of their proceeds to organizations that promote the welfare and safety of all animals such as the American Humane Society. The company has just released their Cat Lapel Pins in their jewelry collection. The pins come in a variety of styles including the Cat Lover Funny Silver Rhinestone Lapel Pin, the Green and Silver Rhinestone Twin Cat Lapel Pin, the Silver Rhinestone Cat With Emerald Color Eyes, the Silver Rhinestone Sparkle Cat Lapel Pin, the Silver Rhinestone Twin Cats Lapel Pin and the Gold Rhinestone Twin Cats Lapel Pin. Savvy Animal Lovers offers high quality digital custom printed T-shirts, hoodies, pet themed coffee mugs gifts and other jewelry items. The company caters to the likes and needs of animal lovers on a regular basis and releases new products weekly. More information is readily available on their video. Savvy Animal Lovers Video The company also has shirts and coffee mugs for medical professionals who are passionate about their pets including nurses, doctors and EMTs. They salute the hardworking and dedicated veterinarians, vet techs and animal assistants that care for the welfare, safety and well-being of all animals. More information about Savvy Animal Lovers and their Cat Lapel Pins is available at the website listed above. For more information, please visit https://www.savvyanimallovers.com Contact Info: Name: Stacey Towson Email: support@savvyanimallovers.com Organization: Savvy Animal Lovers Address: 332 S. Michigan Avenue Phone: 3127561083 Release ID: 150291 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Jacksonville Nassau Elder Law Firm Launches Legal Services For Senior Clients The Law Office of Katherine Schnauss Nagle, P.L., a Jacksonville elder law firm servicing Nassau, Duval and Clay counties in Northeast Florida, launched a wide range of elder law services. This includes estate planning, guardianship, probate law and will management. -- Katherine Schnauss Naugle, P.L., an experienced attorney from Jacksonville, Florida, launched complete elder law services. Their goal is to provide comprehensive elder law services to clients in the Jacksonville area, including Nassau, Clay and Duval counties. More information is available at http://jaxlawteam.com/ As the US legal system becomes increasingly more complex, a growing number of people choose to work with lawyers to administer their legal issues. This includes not only court cases, but business administration, financial consulting, contract management and so on. Additionally, working with a lawyer for personal issues such as property management, estate planning, guardianship and wills has become increasingly necessary for senior citizens. This is a result of the pressing need for solid legal management in order to avoid further disputes, especially since initial errors could prove costly along the way. The Law Office of Katherine Schnauss Naugle, P.L, focuses on delivering complete legal services for senior citizens in and around Jacksonville, Florida, including the counties of Nassau, Clay and Duval. The firm offers guardianship services, allowing senior citizens to have an attorney manage their legal affairs. The guardianship may be either limited or full, depending on the client's preference in regard to their own decision making rights. Another important elder law service is probate law estate administration. This allows Florida or out-of-state residents to administer the estate of a relative who has passed away through a specialized attorney, thereby limiting any unwanted legal complications. This Jacksonville elder law firm also provides will creating services under the current state and federal laws. Furthermore, the firm provides health care surrogate services, with the aid of which senior citizens may allow a surrogate to make all health care decisions in times of incapacity. This is another vital aspect of elder legal planning, since unclear situations may lead to potential problems in case health complications. Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website. For more information, please visit http://www.jaxlawteam.com/ Contact Info: Name: Katherine Schnauss Naugle Organization: The Law Office of Katherine Schnauss Naugle, PL Address: 810 Margaret Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 Phone: (904) 366-2703 Release ID: 150436 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) East Grinstead Estate Agent Expands with Move into New Town Centre Offices Sussex estate agent Mansell McTaggart this month announces the relocation of one of its branch offices to new premises in the lively town centre in East Grinstead. -- East Grinstead estate agent Mansell McTaggart has moved into new premises in a 'lovely' area of town, leading to a rise in customer visits, instructions and sales. The leading local estate agent, with offices throughout Sussex and into Surrey, recently made the move to London Road where the company enjoys a large shop frontage to capitalise on high number of shoppers passing by. London Road in East Grinstead is a popular shopping area, which has recently enjoyed an uplift thanks to the addition of a smart, new restaurant, a new hotel and a new, major retailer. London Road is home to number of national chains and well-known high street stores. Mansell McTaggart's East Grinstead office was completely refurnished and redesigned to maximise on its enhanced position. The combination of new, central location and a greater number of properties showcased in the window has contributed to a surge in success for the local estate agency. Tim Luckin, director of Mansell McTaggart, commented: "Since moving into London Road we have seen a huge increase in public visits to the office. This has led to a rise in instructions to sell, as well as sales of properties in the East Grinstead area. Additionally, our new mortgage centre has helped dozens of local people secure finance for their dream home." Mr Luckin attributes a lot of this success to the new office location. He said: "We are a lot more prominent now. Brand awareness for Mansell McTaggart has increased dramatically. People now see us when they walk or drive past, so we're front of mind when they're ready to sell or buy a home." The East Grinstead office is one of 17 operated by Mansell McTaggart throughout West Sussex, East Sussex and Surrey. Established in 1947, Mansell McTaggart enjoys an excellent reputation as a quality estate agent in East Grinstead and across the region. The East Grinstead estate agent regularly receives very good customer feedback, recommendations and repeat custom. The company attributes this to the friendly and experienced team, which takes special care to help customers through the house buying and selling process. Customers also benefit from free professional photography, floor plan and an Energy Performance Certificate as standard for all properties. Plus they enjoy no sale no fee agreements with no long term agency agreements, with selling fees which are the most competitive in town. Mr Luckin added: "The move has been a big success for us. We look forward to continued growth in sales and positive customer experience for years to come." For more information, please visit http://www.mansellmctaggart.co.uk/estate-agents-east-grinstead Contact Info: Name: Tim Luckin Organization: Mansell McTaggart Estate Agents Address: 52 London Road Phone: +441342311711 Release ID: 150413 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Bellwether Professionals Brings Bookkeeping and Tax Services to Texas Bellwether Professionals announces the opening of their new business providing tax compliance, bookkeeping, payroll and other related services to small and medium businesses in Texas. -- Bellwether Professionals is pleased to announce the opening of their company in Austin, Texas focused on serving small and medium businesses across the entire central Texas area. Grant Alkire and Robert Brisch, founders of the company, have their careers in the industry and discovered a lack of specialized business consulting services in the area. They realized that a truly cross-disciplinary team can help slingshot a company to success and set out to found a company with that as the primary focus. They've quickly established themselves as a go-to company for many areas that a company may need help with, including controllership, tax compliance, bookkeeping, AR and AP, payroll, and even accounting software recommendations and implementations. "Companies that focus on their core competency - whatever that may be - are the most likely to succeed. For most small and medium businesses, financial services are not their main focus and distract from maximizing their bottom line. We're able to step in and shoulder that burden, using our strong experience to implement best practices and set companies up for success. My passion for helping clients makes me excited to roll out of bed in the morning and their success is my success," said company co-founder, Grant Alkire. Bellwether Professionals plans to keep their focus on supporting small business and entrepreneurial ventures and pricing their services appropriately. By charging fees below the salary of a full/part time employee, it allows a company to get the support of top tier talent while keeping costs down. "We want to go into a company, implement accounting best practices across the organization, identify other pain spots, and make introductions and partnerships that set them up for success. Being consultants and CPAs for our entire career, we've seen both the good and the bad. With one suggestion we can save tens or hundreds of thousands per year, and with one strategic introduction we can help a company make just as much," said Robert Brisch. Bellwether Professionals is set to outpace competing services in the field using competitive pricing, experience, and efficiency as weapons for achieving this goal. The founders, after having spent their entire career providing bookkeeping, tax compliance, payroll and other services to clients, are uniquely able to take businesses to the next level by managing these aspects allowing them focus on managing the core aspects leading to growth. Contact Info: Name: Grant Alkire Organization: Bellwether Professionals Address: PO Box 150941, Austin Release ID: 150349 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Fort Worth Demolition and Excavation Contractor Launches New Website Demolition Services Fort Worth is celebrating the launch of its new residential demolition and excavation services. The company will celebrate the launch by offering 20% off residential demolition service booked in the month of December. Further information can be found at http://www.demolitionservicesfortworth.com/. -- In an exciting announcement out of Fort Worth, Texas, "Demolition Services Fort Worth" states they will be celebrating the launch of its newest services, residential demolition, excavation, swimming pool removal, and residential construction site preparation by offering all new customers 20% off any residential services booked during the month of December 2016. This announcement goes hand-in-hand with their brand new website to be found at http://www.demolitionservicesfortworth.com/. In a space where most competitors simply put a little notice on their own web site and fail to cause much of a stir, Demolition Services Fort Worth has opted to be a little more proactive in the local community with the announcement of its new residential demolition and other related residential services, and by updating their website with new, authoritative content for both homeowners and local businesses alike. Juan Valles, Owner at Demolition Services Fort Worth, says: "We wanted to be different from our competitors by offering more than commercial demolition services and also offer residential demolition and excavation services. We are offering 20% off to celebrate our success because we wanted to give our customers a gift during this exciting period of company growth." "It should be really worthwhile and we're hoping it will provide our customers with the highest value and best choice of demolition service. It should go great unless our phone lines get so jammed you receive a busy signal when you call!" Demolition Services Fort Worth has always thrived on the idea of standing out and making a commotion. It's all part of the fun and it's going to really boost the value of their demolition and excavation services, which they believe is better than businesses who choose to do things the 'regular' way. This launch celebration is just one of the many ways Demolition Services Fort Worth achieves that goal. When asked about offering 20% off of residential demolition and excavation services, Juan Valles said: "We think it's going to be a real hit because no other demolition company in town is offering this huge discount". Demolition Services Fort Worth's residential demolition and excavation services are set 'go live' on their new website by November 15, 2016. To find out more about the services offered and Demolition Services Fort Worth itself, just head on over to http://www.demolitionservicesfortworth.com/ For more information, please visit http://www.demolitionservicesfortworth.com/ Contact Info: Name: Juan Valles Email: demolitionfortworth@gmail.com Organization: Demolition Services Fort Worth Address: 4409 Martha Lane Phone: +16823052400 Release ID: 150211 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. The next year will be difficult for milk producers as the cuts and efficiencies made during the dairy crisis affect technical and financial performance, according to agri-consultant, Promar. The outlook came following its release of annual farm business accounts results for the year ending March 2016, in which profits in their sample were down 48.8% on the previous period. See also: Performance data shows gap between best and worst NI farms Despite suffering the worst dairy conditions for 30 years, the UK is yet to see a mass exodus of dairy farmers, with numbers shrinking just 1.6% over the past 12 months. However, the consultants said some producers could be waiting for notice periods or contracts to run out, as well as the end of the EU milk reduction scheme before leaving the industry in 2017. Efficiency savings, particularly lower calf numbers and retained youngstock made during the previous dairy cycle beginning in March 2014, would start to tell by the end of next year, said Promar. Sample figures show that increases to youngstock in relation to herd size slowed over the last two cycles and genetic progress may have slowed due to reducing the use of AI to reduce costs. See also: Milk market recovery reflected by EU SMP stock release Although farmgate milk prices rose by 12.95% in the three months from June 2016, the reduction in national herd size, (down 2% between July 2015 and July 2016) and a fall in UK milk production, down 8.05% over the same period, meant producers wouldnt be able to simply turn the taps back on moving into 2017. Capital investment in the year to March 2016, which restricted the ability for herds to pick up production swiftly. Savings struggle These large savings could not continue indefinitely, said farm consultancy manager at Promar, Nigel Davies. These big cuts can be sustained for a few years but they cant be put off forever. In the next two to three years producers will be forced to address these costs. Mr Davies said that current milk price increases would not be enough on their own to lead to a recovery in farm finances. Brighter future With evidence of poorer quality forages and increasing feed prices, dairy margins will probably only hold in this year, but with prospects improving in the next financial year. Those who weathered the recent crisis and are most equipped moving into 2017 are producers who had reacted to the economic environment, pursued technical efficiencies and taken tough decisions, said Mr Davies. The crisis has left us with far more efficient dairy sector, with lots of producers making the most of forage and minimising bought in feed. The best will plan ahead not just on the basis of this years expectations, but also the year beyond and the associated twists and turns of volatility. Hollywood said: The average head-chopper does NOT have nuclear weapons. Putin DOES. I mean the Mexican drug cartels are pretty well armed, but nuclear tipped ICBM's? I don't think so. You guys can never seem to get a handle on the concept of degrees and proportionality. Why is that? Click to expand... But yet here we are. With your side going all in on neocon 101 wanting to stand up to and oppose Putin in Syria. Again, I can find damage done to the USA from cartels. What in the **** has Putin an Russia in regards to Syria or Crimea caused me or anyone else in the US? So, using your logic Putin we need to bump chests with over irrelevant ********, because he has nukes! Illegal immigration and Mexican drug cartels, well you know they are just victims of their environment so its ok. Story Highlights Weekly U.S. Economic Confidence Index score at +6 Three-day average also reaches new high, at +9 Both current conditions and economic outlook scores are up WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans expressed more positivity about the U.S. economy last week than they have at any other time during the nine years that Gallup has been tracking the U.S. Economic Confidence Index. The latest score of +6 for the week ending Nov. 27 inched past the previous high of +5 recorded in January 2015. Americans' confidence in the economy recently shifted from negative to positive territory after Donald Trump was elected president three weeks ago. The index was -11 in the last full week before the Nov. 8 election, but then jumped to +4 the week after. Gallup noted that the change was largely attributable to Republicans becoming more optimistic about the economy's direction. Registering at +9 for Nov. 25-27, this three-day average bests the previous high of +7, which Gallup recorded after this November's election, as well as once before in January 2015. Gallup's U.S. Economic Confidence Index is the average of two components: how Americans rate current economic conditions and whether they feel the economy is improving or getting worse. The index has a theoretical maximum of +100 if all Americans were to say the economy is doing well and improving, and a theoretical minimum of -100 if all Americans were to say the economy is doing poorly and getting worse. Economic confidence has been below zero nearly continuously since 2008, hitting its lowest level of -65 in October 2008 at the onset of the financial crisis. Aside from the recent pair of positive index readings, Gallup's weekly scores were positive several times during a brief, three-month span from late 2014 to early 2015, when U.S. consumers enjoyed a sustained drop in gasoline prices. Assessments of Current Economic Conditions Best in Nine Years Thirty percent of Americans rated the economy as "excellent" or "good" last week, while 22% said it was "poor," resulting in a current conditions index of +8 -- this is, by one point, the highest score recorded for this component over the past nine years. The latest current conditions score is up two points from the prior week. The economic outlook component is at its highest since February of last year. For the week ending Nov. 27, this component moved further into positive territory at +4, compared with +1 the previous week. The latest score is the result of 49% of Americans saying economic conditions in the country are "getting better" and 45% saying they are "getting worse." Bottom Line It's not just Americans who have felt more economically exuberant since the election -- U.S. markets have skyrocketed, with the Dow closing above 19,000 this week for the first time in its 120-year history. So, while the election's results may have improved Americans' outlook on the economy, favorable market conditions may have driven their confidence further upward. This also comes as many economists expect that potential U.S. economic growth could have a significant effect worldwide. It's too early to tell whether this uptick in Americans' positivity will last as Trump's term begins in January. But two weeks of positive index readings on the heels of his unexpected victory reveals a degree of economic confidence Americans have not expressed since the recession. Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics. Survey Methods Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Nov. 21-27, 2016, on the Gallup U.S. Daily survey, with a random sample of 3,049 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 60% cellphone respondents and 40% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods. Learn more about how the Gallup U.S. Daily works. He is lost to the world of reality and facts. He is only interested in leftist narratives to assign people. He even started a thread describing how bad Batista was in order to prop up how great Castro was. Desperation is so unbecoming Arrests as part of massive raid with charges including murder Pasquale Barbaro gunned down outside his car two weeks ago Family had long ties to Italian organized crime faction Law enforcement announced the arrests of nine individuals in Sydney gangland raids conducted by police searching for the killer of slain underworld figure Pasquale Barbaro. Barbaro, whose family reportedly has ties to one of Australias top crime syndicates, was shot execution style as he attempted to flee from his car in Sydney two weeks ago. A year previous the 35-year-old had survived another attempt on his life. Two hooded gunmen were witnessed running from the scene during those late night hours while a burning Audi believed to be tied to the crime was found nearby. Barbaro was the fourth underworld figure to be killed this year. The coordinated raids took place shortly after midday Tuesday at the Olympic Park precinct. The individuals were booked on crimes ranging from murder to drug and arms possession. It was not immediately known if any of those in custody are alleged to have direct ties to the Barbaro murder. Scroll Down for More "We heard what we though was a fight and were a little noisy and obviously came out and then when we came out there was the SWAT team they had all the guns and all the police were running around," witness Lara Giltinan told Nine News. The Barbaro ndrina is listed among Australias designated crime families with ties to Calabria and Milan, Italy. The clans long-time boss, Francesco Barbaro "'u Castanu" was known as the king of kidnapping in the 1980s. In August 2008, Australian 'Ndrangheta boss and Pasquales cousin with the same name, Pasquale (Pat) Barbaro, was involved in the importation of 15 million ecstasy pills through Melbourne, at the time the world's largest ecstasy haul. He would later be sentenced to life. Pasquales uncle and grandfather were also slain in previous years. The younger Barbaro also survived an assassination attempt one year ago. - Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com Android Latest News & Update: Nokia Smartphones Make A Comeback; New Galaxy S8 Leaks; Xiaomi Hardware & More The past week has seen a series of announcements from various companies with smart phones running on the Android operating system. Here is a rundown of the newest update from big players as well as newcomers in the Android world. First, OnePlus 3T is the descendant to summer's OnePlus 3. The phone has been receiving critical acclaim from around the Internet. The phone's faster Snapdragon processor, larger battery, and improved camera are the factors to the phone's popularity as stressed in the reviews. Nokia announced its return to the smartphone market, to be launched at the MWC in 2017. The particulars were leaked on the Chinese Weibo social networking site. The details of the two upcoming Nokia Phones point to a QHD display and possibly two variants at this resolution with 5.2in and 5.5in displays. It has Carl Zeiss camera optics, waterproofing on a metal body shell, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. Another smartphone, Xiaomi, is currently testing a new hardware at CES. In addition to that, the world's number one solitaire game is coming to android. Meanwhile, there is news mentioning Samsung's Galaxy S8. Trusted Reviews reported that the company confirmed the existence of Galaxy S8 during the Galaxy Note 7 scandal. Samsung has not released any details yet regarding the upcoming model. Speculations from the tech world point out that it will most probably fall on February 26, or a day before Barcelona's Mobile World Congress. The Samsung has not hidden the fact that the Galaxy S8 is already on its way. The said unit has been a key feature of Samsung's fight back since the Galaxy Note 7 battery fiasco, according to Forbes. The company points out that its other phones are safe and that something better is coming. Though the accessories were already leaked, consumers are reminded that Samsung is more than a burning battery manufacturer and it is the key part of the strategy for the launch of the Galaxy S8. Samsung also runs on Android and is one of the pioneers in smartphones with the Android operating system. Samsung New Phone Latest News & Updates: USPTO Grants Patent For Innovative Foldable & Bending Screen Technology Samsung Display was recently granted a new patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The new patent will allow Samsung Display to showcase a new type of foldable panel technology with more detail. Based on the USPTO document, Samsung Display can integrate a flexible substance in one of the panel layers. A number of materials were also stated, such as polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether imide (PEI), polycarbonate (PC), polyarylate (PAR), polyether sulfone (PES) and/or polyimide (PI). The final result feature a grid that will keep its structural integrity when bent. The patent file also featured a dielectric elastomer film, a smart material system that can transform electric energy into mechanical work, specifically strain. It allows the Samsung Display panel to bend independently without requiring external force. Android Headlines noted that the new Samsung Display patent presents a flexible display panel consisting of two electrode layers and a dielectric elastomer film, with both layers being formed by voltage. Future Samsung smartphones may bend without any pressure by the user's hands. Next-generation Samsung handsets may let users simply pull down a notification panel and tap on a shortcut to command the device to fold over fully or bend up to a certain point. Considering how Samsung is introducing OLED displays, its next flagship may be include a flexible OLED screen. The emphasis on the new Samsung Display patent is on the mechanics of the screen. Its biggest advantage may be conforming to the hand of the user, since it can bend forward and backward as required. Samsung has yet to explain its marketing capabilities. Similar to any patent, Samsung Display may decide to actually feature the technology in new devices, or keep it documented for years. Users should not expect the next flagship model to showcase automatically bending or folding features, until Samsung makes an official announcement. Samsung Display filed patent 9,504,145 in May 2014, which was granted by the USPTO on Nov. 22, 2016. This means that there are actually thousands of patents filed every year, with only a few actually turning into actual products. More updates and details on Samsung Display are expected soon. Apple AirPods Release Date, News & Updates: Apple Fixing Existing Issues; More Truly Wireless Earphones Alternatives Available The Apple AirPods were not available on Black Friday 2016, causing several users to wonder whether it will release soon. The Apple AirPods were originally slated to launch in October, but Apple announced that it will be postponed at a later time. Business Insider stated that the Apple AirPods, which were priced at $159, was said to have been delayed because Apple needed more time to polish the product. According to the Cupertino-based company, they do not believe in shipping the Apple AirPods until it is ready and wanted to have more time to prepare the earphones for their customers. The pre-production model reportedly had a number of glitches in its functions, volume controls and Bluetooth connection, among others, which Apple may be addressing right now. The Apple AirPods became controversial after the company announced that they were getting rid of the headphone jack on the iPhone 7. The Apple AirPods were supposed to fill the void by offering five hours of playtime on a single charge, 24 hours of battery life with the charging case and fast charging that allows up to three hours of playtime in just 15 minutes of charging. These are now expected to begin full production in December 2016, with actual distribution happening in the first quarter of 2017. Apple has to showcase the accessory soon before other contenders take away their clients. Engadget reported that there are a number of great earphones that could pose a threat to the Apple AirPods while it remains in development. The Bragi Headphone boasts of great sound, long battery life, reliable Bluetooth connectivity and a light and comfortable design. The Here One earphones boast of an all-in-one wireless listening system, allowing users to selectively choose what they wish to hear, as well as eliminate noise. The Skybuds offer great sound, convenient controls and a long battery life. All these present a "truly wireless" experience at competitive prices that may compel users to change brands if the Apple AirPods do not launch soon. For now, the Apple AirPods have the advantage of coming from the same company that built the iPhone 7, the smartphone that these were primarily intended for. More updates and details on the Apple AirPods are expected soon. Huawei Mate 9 Release Date, News & Updates: No U.S. Carrier Willing To Sell The Chinese Companys Flagship Model The Huawei Mate 9 is scheduled to launch in China and Europe in Christmas. The Huawei Mate 9 is also expected to release in the United States in January 2017, but there are rumors that it might not sell well. Softpedia revealed that the Huawei Mate 9 may not be successfully in the United States because of its reputation. In 2012, a congressional report advised American carriers to avoid Huawei, claiming that China might spy on American users. The Chinese company denied the allegations, but carriers apparently took the report's recommendation and were wary about selling Huawei devices in the country. Furthermore, the Huawei Mate 9 will need to undergo major changes in its mobile chips to accommodate Sprint and Verizon, which use CDMA networks. At present, Sprint and Verizon have not yet stated that they are interested in carrying the Huawei Mate 9. The only two major U.S. carriers that rely on GSM networks, AT&T and T-Mobile, have yet to express their interest as well. Huawei is also currently involved in a patent dispute with the Magenta carrier, making a partnership very unlikely. This leaves AT&T as the only American carrier that may offer the Huawei Mate 9 when it releases early in 2017. The Guardian stated that the Huawei Mate 9 features a 5.-inch 1080p LCD display, an octa-core Huawei Kirin 960 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal memory expandable via microSD card. The Huawei Mate 9 will also arrive with Android 7.0 Nougat with EMUI 5 out of the box, 12-megapixel with OIS + 20-megapixel monochrome rear cameras and an 8-megapixel front shooter. The American high-end smartphone industry is currently dominated by Apple, with 39 percent, and Samsung, with 22 percent. Huawei is the No. 3 smartphone manufacturer in the world with 9.4 percent, but it is not as popular in the United States, taking only 0.4 percent of the market in the third quarter of 2016. Huawei has not actually focused on American buyers in the past years. Now that it is keen on joining the competition with the Huawei Mate 9, it seems unfazed by the challenges and plans to stay for the long term. More updates and details on the Huawei Mate 9 are expected soon. 'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' Release Date, Characters, News & Updates: Johnny Depp No Longer the Lead Star? Fans to See a Darker Plot? Captain Jack Sparrow is back for more sea-faring adventures in "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales." However, there are rumors suggesting that he may not be the focus of the upcoming installment anymore. Instead the movie will reportedly shine the spotlight on new characters. According to the speculations, Johnny Depp's Sparrow may have less air-time in "Pirates of the Caribbean 5." The franchise is allegedly looking to feature the new faces who will join the Black Pearl's captain in his many adventures. It is further suggested that Disney supports this cause since Depp is getting older and may not be able to deliver the required stunts. If the reports are true, "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" may now focus on Brenton Thwaites' Henry, who is going to look for his father. Henry is the son of Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Swann and Orlando Bloom's Will Turner. The captain of The Flying Dutchman can only step on land once every ten years and this is Henry's chance to see his father face to face. Meanwhile, moviegoers are looking forward to the stories that "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" will have to tell. Digital Spy suggests that the first trailer for "Dead Men Tell No Tales" may be hinting on a dark path for the franchise. The said teaser focused on Henry and Javier Bardem's Captain Salazar, who came out with a rather spooky debut. Despite the speculations that Captain Sparrow may not have a lot of time to shine in the big screens, there's still a lot to look forward to in "Pirates of the Caribbean 5." This includes the addition of Kaya Scodelario's Carina Smyth. Carina is rumored to be the love interest of Henry though there are no official confirmations yet. Bloom will return to reprise his role as Will Jr., the good friend of Captain Jack Sparrow. Fans are ecstatic to see if "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" will depict him as a being similar to Bill Nighy's Davy Jones, who is ultimately a son of the deep sea. "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales" is scheduled for release on May 26, 2017. Xiaomi Mi 5c Release Date, News & Update: Chinese Company Will Release Latest Handheld In December 6? Full Features & Specs Revealed! The Chinese-based company, Xiaomi is planning to release Xiaomi Mi 5c, its latest offering in the market in December 6. The Xiaomi Mi 5c or codenamed, Meri in the Chinese company has been spotted online with the Xiaomi variant leaked photos and a full rundown of its specifications. Xiaomi Mi 5c Leaked Photos In a report from BGR, there have been leak photos of the rumored Xiaomi Mi 5c that many have reason to believe that it is indeed the latest Xiaomi variant. According to the publication, all three photos that were taken shows the front, back, and the "About Phone" section do indeed resemble the Xiaomi Mi 5c. The rumored Xiaomi Mi 5c features a Dark Black color and many believe that the Xiaomi Mi 5c is sporting a 2.5D glass display. The images also shows the home button below that is expected to feature a fingerprint scanner for the Xiaomi Mi 5c and a front camera above the display screen. The back of the leaked Xiaomi Mi 5c photos shows the rear camera lens located at the top left corner of the phone and a Mi logo sealed below. The "About Phone" section of the leaked Xiaomi Mi 5c photos shows that the latest Xiaomi variant will be sporting a 2.2GHz octa-core processor and a chipset that is rumored to be Pinecone processor. The Xiaomi Mi 5c is expected to feature two versions that comes with a 5.2-inch and a 5.5-inch variants. The Xiaomi Mi 5c will also run with the SnapDragon 821 processor, a 3GB/64GB of memory for the two variants, and a 12-megapixel back camera and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. Xiaomi Mi 5c is rumored to be release on December 6 in China before coming to the West and is expected to be sold at around $150. For more Xiaomi Mi 5c news and updates stay tuned to Gamenguide! FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Latest News & Update: Wearable Device Now Works On Most Android Devices; Pixel Pairing Still Not Working Samsung just released its most anticipated wearable device, the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier and now the smart watch can work on almost Android device that it is paired with. Sadly for Google Pixel, one of the popular releases this year, this pairing doesn't work. Samsung Gear S3 Frontier is able to work with most Android devices that are not under the Samsung brand. This also means that non-Samsung brand users can also use the payment service, Samsung Pay, with the use of the Gear Manager app for Android. For Google Pixel owners, however, this service may not work. On the other hand, the freshly released LG V20 will work fine with the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. Samsung Pay is also possible using the LG smartphone without any issues. A video from Tablets for Me even detailed the instructions on how to setup the payment system with the wearable device. While this would be exciting news for most Android users, it should be noted that it does not apply to all. The official Samsung Pay Twitter account confirmed that Samsung Pay with Samsung Gear S3 Frontier won't work for other Android phones, especially Google Pixel. But Pixel users should not lose hope because in a follow-up post, Samsung did say that the company is working to make Samsung Pay available to other devices and that consumers should just "stay tuned" for more updates. Does this mean that Samsung Pay will soon be available in Pixel devices as well? No one knows yet but Samsung should provide answers soon. For now, it's unclear why Samsung Gear S3 Frontier won't work with Google Pixel, but according to ZDNet, it could be due to the smartphone's operating system. LG V20 runs on an Android 7.0 Nougat while Pixel runs on a 7.1. Samsung should provide answers soon so stay tuned for more updates. Evan Peters, Emma Roberts Back Together: 'American Horror Story' Cast Members Engaged? It seems that Evan Peters and Emma Roberts are back together. "American Horror Story" cast members have been spotted together and kissing each other. Roberts wears a ring. Is this a sign that their engagement is back on? A screenshot photo, which apparently came from TMZ, shows Peters and Roberts kissing each other. Many sources told US Magazine that the pair has been spotted with PDA while walking through Provincetown, Massachusetts, during Thanksgiving. One source told the magazine that Emma Roberts and Evan Peters are engaged again. Aside from a kissing scene, the source added that "Scream Queens" star Emma Roberts has been wearing her ring on set. The pair got engaged in 2013 after dating for about a year. In June 2015, they called off their engagement. Later on, they reunited again in the same year, but split again in May. A source who was said close to Roberts told the publication that the pair's on-again, off-again relationship made both of them decide to give their relationship another go. Roberts dated Christopher Hines after she broke up with "X-Men: Days of Future Past" actor. TMZ posted an image of the happy couple, which was taken last Friday, Nov. 25. Roberts, 25, Peters, 29, were kissing each other on the street while holding each other's hands. Both of them were wearing carves, oversized coats, and warm boots. They also have pictures with "American Horror Story" fans. Before the picture of them in PDA, "Scream Queens" actress posted a snapchat of herself with a caption, "Gobble gobble idiot hooker." She tagged Evan in the post. Meanwhile, Peters shared a picture of Roberts looking through a menu, with the caption: "This girl." That's all for now. To get more fresh news on the Emma Roberts-Evan Peters romance, keep your tabs on Gamen Guide. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Release Date, Specs, News & Update: GPU Cheaper than Titan X; Launch Date, Price, Other Details Revealed The upcoming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti has become a favorite subject of numerous rumors and speculations all over the Internet. Although the company has yet to provide concrete details with regard to its development and release date, several publications have revealed some solid information about the new GPU. According to the latest reports, new leaked details show the impressive technology and the design of the unit, In a report by WCCFTECH, the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti will have a cut down GP102 design and carries 3328 CUDA cores. The GPU also has 208 texture mapping units and 160 render output units. The new NVIDIA graphics card has a 1503 mhz base clock, which is equivalent to a computing horsepower of 10 teraflops. In terms of its release date, fans are still clueless about NVIDIA's launch date plan on its GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. According to Game N Guide, the powerful GPU might arrive during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2017. The hardware unit is said to be the last piece of the company's Pascal architecture, which has produced some of the powerful Graphics card ever. Despite the lack of information coming from NVIDIA, several industry observers are saying that the GPU might come out with a $700 to $800 price tag, which is way cheaper than the mighty Titan X. Nonetheless, consumers will still find the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti an expensive piece but with its superb capabilities, the new graphics card is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the tech market. Meanwhile, reports are circulating that AMD is also planning to release a new GPU next year, and many fans expect it to compete with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. Consumers are certainly excited with what the market can offer in 2017 Stay tuned for more news and updates about NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. 'Battlefield 2' Latest News & Update: 'Battlefield 2' Mod Version 1.4 Launched; Falklands War Added Project Reality has recently launched mod version 1.4, which integrates the Falklands War in "Battlefield 2." Falklands War is a ten-week combat amongst the UK and Argentina that happened in 1982. The Falklands Expansion has finally been completely integrated into v1.4. It has received quite an update since it was last released with v0.981. "Falklands War" features the Argentine and British groups with kits and weapons from the 1982 war. Project Reality's v1.4 augments weapons and reliable authentic kit with the conflict. This includes infantry weapons, such as the Sterling submachine gun, L4A4 Bren LMG, and the Shorts Blowpipe, among others. There are also several new fixed weapons, such as the Rheinmetall Rh 202 AAA and Tigercat SAM gun. Aside from firepower, both groups also have a varied arsenal of new vehicles and aircraft suggested by Realitymod. Project Reality is also announcing new gameplay systems like the CLOS SAMs, retarded bombs and more, according to Realitymod. Both groups will be accessible on two maps. One is the Goose Green, which is a 2x2 km map centered on infantry combat. The other map is dubbed "The Falklands" -- the first 8x8 km map showcasing the entire Falkland Islands with an overview of the entire battle. Also included in "The Falklands" is the airspace for numerous aircraft to fly around in. All these and more action in the Falklands War. PCGamer reported that the mods creator note that naval features will not be available in Falklands War. Previously, naval features were in teasers, that it might be included in v1.4. However, due to real life circumstances of key developers, this was for the meantime disregarded. The developers nevertheless suggest that the naval features might be included in future updates. Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date, Specs, Price, News & Update: S8 To Feature Snapdragon 835 The Samsung Galaxy S8 is getting so much attention. The 2017 flagship phone of the smartphone maker is still months away from its release date but everyone is already talking about it. In February 2017, Samsung is expected to reveal the features of Galaxy S8 at the Mobile World Congress which will be held in Spain. Reports reveal that the upcoming device will be powered by a unique processor not yet present in other smartphones. Samsung and Qualcomm recently announced the product of their collaboration which is the Snapdragon 835. The new processor for mobile devices is believed to be the most powerful so far. Galaxy S8 might be the first Android phone powered by the processor. Better performance with Snapdragon 835 Samsung Galaxy S8 will charge faster with Snapdragon 835 because it has Quick Charge 4.0 technology. Not only will it speed the charging, the power consumption of the device will also be reduced by 40 percent. Samsung Galaxy S8 Features The 2017 flagship phone of Samsung will sport a 6 GB of RAM. There are speculations that the security for Galaxy S8 will be great as there will be an iris scanner or an optical fingerprint scanner. A virtual assistant will be included in the device. The rumours about the removal of the physical home first started with Apple. The South Korean company is expected to do the same move for Galaxy S8. The upcoming smartphone will not have a physical home button as it will be embedded behind the tempered glass. Gamenguide earlier reported that Samsung Galaxy S8 will have camera quality better than its predecessor, the Galaxy S7. The front lens will be at 18 megapixels while the rear camera will have 24 megapixels lens. Considering all the features of the smartphone, Galaxy S8 Info gave an estimated cost of $850 which sounds reasonable. Murder-Suicide: Man Kills Mom, Wife, Two-Month Old Son Before Killing Himself In Alaska Hotel A 22-year-old man is said to have committed matricide, uxoricide, filicide and suicide. It was believed that the man is responsible for the death of three of his family members after they were fatally shot and before he turned the gun to himself in what appears to be a murder-suicide case committed in a hotel at Fairbanks, Alaska on Friday. The initial investigation of Fairbanks Police Department shows that McKay Hutton was alleged to be responsible for killing his 54-year-old mother Linda Hutton, 22-year-old wife Emily McDonald, two month old son and himself. Currently, the police department is still under investigation of the motive of the killings according to People. On Friday afternoon, the Fairbanks Police Department received a call with a "suspicious circumstance" from Fairbanks area in Hampton Inn and Suites. Police officers responded to the call and found out that a man was crying. It led them to the second floor of the hotel hallway where they found the body of Hutton and the other three victims. Police officers said that there are no drugs or alcohol involved in the shooting incident. The victims will be submitted to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsies on Monday. According to the Facebook pages of McKay Hutton and Emily McDonald, both of them were married and they recently welcomed a child named Teagan. They have many pictures together and they also discovered pictures of a slightly older male child. However, his relationship with the couple is still unclear so police officers are in question whether or not they have another child. Police officers said that the identity of the child was not yet disclosed but they assured that he is not present during the incident and he is safe. His relationship with the victims is not yet known and is under investigation according to Cosmopolitan. In one post of Mckay, he gushed about his wife on their anniversary in 2015. He said how lucky he is to have her and Tj and he considered both of them as the most important part of his life. He even said that he could never be completed without them by his side. Real Madrid CF News: Chelsea FC To Challenge Manchester United To Get James Rodriguez In the latest round of transfer rumors about Real Madrid's James Rodriguez, Chelsea FC and Manchester United are set to battle it out for the Colombian international. James Rodriguez has been struggling so far in Real Madrid to get more playing time this season, with reports claiming he's fallen out of favor with Zinedine Zidane and the player is already looking for an escape by next year. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho of Manchester United are both interested in signing him up and offer the Colombian striker an exit from Real. Conte was said to have tried signing up James Rodriguez for Mourinho last summer but was unable to, however according to the Express he's keen to try again after reports have surfaced regarding Rodriguez's falling out with Zidane. The Colombian international is said to be one of his targets in January. Real Madrid might not be so eager to let him go as James Rodriguez is known for being the sixth most expensive player of all time, having cost $78.2M to sign him up in Madrid after winning the Golden Boot in 2014. It would be a disappointment for the board if Rodriguez won't secure a long-term career with the club and live up to that price tag. There are three years left to that contract, but there are reports already the Colombian striker is now looking for a way out to play somewhere else. One aspect that might complicate matters is Real Madrid's transfer ban, which means they cannot sign players until winter 2018. The club might not be willing to part with any of its current players until they can sign up replacements. But given reports about Zidane and James Rodriguez's relationship so far, letting the Colombian striker go when the right offer comes might be on everyone's best interests. The report also claims that Conte not put off by the transfer ban and will make another attempt again by January next year. Kate Middleton, Prince William Divorce: Queen Elizabeth Appalled By Duchess Dream To Become Next Ruler? Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Inheriting Throne Soon? Millions of people are convinced that Kate Middleton and Prince William will end up into a divorce. Now, new reports are claiming that Queen Elizabeth was enraged after learning that the mother of Prince George and Princess Charlotte want to become the next Queen of England. Kate Middleton, Prince William Divorce: Pippa Middleton's Sister Wants To Become Throne Heiress? Queen Elizabeth Thinks Duchess Not Fit To Become Next Ruler? Rumors are rife that Kate Middleton is very desperate to become the next Queen of England. However, sources have claimed that Queen Elizabeth does not think that the wife of Prince William is fit to replace her. According to reports, Queen Elizabeth does not think that Kate Middleton is fit to inherit the throne. Insiders have claimed that the grandma of Prince William is not confident with the Duchess of Cambridge anymore after she learned that she has been using both Prince George and Princess Charlotte for her own advantage. Speculations have it that Kate Middleton is always making Prince George and Princess Charlotte as an excuse so she could escape her Royal responsibilities. Informants have even stated that even Prince William was appalled after learning about this. Though these reports could possibly be true, neither Kate Middleton nor Prince William has confirmed anything as of yet. So, fans of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should take everything with a grain of salt until it has been proven true and correct. Kate Middleton, Prince William Divorce: Queen Elizabeth's Grandson Confirmed Split With Duchess? Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Could Become Next King and Queen of England? Meanwhile, GamenGuide has previously reported that Prince William confirmed his split from Kate Middleton by supporting Prince Harry's romance with Meghan Markle. Most fans have speculated that the mother of Prince George and Princess Charlotte is not really in good terms with the "Deceit" actress since she allegedly sees her as a threat. Rumors have it that Kate Middleton feels that Meghan Markle could be her greatest competitor for the crown. Hence, followers of Prince William's wife think that the two will never get along with each other even if they become part of one family. Both Kate Middleton and Prince William are yet to comment on these reports. Stay tuned to GamenGuide for the latest news and updates about the alleged Kate Middleton and Prince William divorce. Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 Release Date, Specs, Features, News & Update: Much Improved Safety Features Expected After The Galaxy Note 7 Issues Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 is probably Samsung's next big release before the company decides to launch its upcoming flagship Samsung Galaxy S8 in 2017. Despite the lack of information coming from the South Korean tech giant, several rumors and speculations have already revealed solid information about its development and release date. New reports suggest that the highly anticipated smartphone will arrive with impressive specs and features including a much improved battery system. Following its global recall of Samsung Galaxy Note 7, many fans were starting wonder what the next smartphone release would be for Samsung. Apparently, consumers are starting to question the safety feature of Samsung devices after the Galaxy Note 7 controversy. Nonetheless, some fans are positive that the company will focus more on its safety features in Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 and make sure that its new handset will no longer experience the same fate as the Galaxy Note 7. According to several reports, the upcoming Android phone will carry a 5.5-inch screen with an amazing display technology. Although the exterior design of Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 is expected to remain the same, the specs under the hood are going to be more advanced than its predecessor. The new Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 is going to arrive in two variants, which will differ in storage capacities - 32 GB and 64 GB. However, there are rumors saying that the device will also have an extended storage capacity of up to 256 GB via microSD. The device will run on Samsung's very own octa-core Exynos 7870 processor with a speed of 1.8Ghz paired with 3 GB of RAM. The smartphone will be shipped with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow mobile OS; however, there are speculations that the device will get the Android 7.0 Nougat update a few weeks after its release. Meanwhile, according to GamenGuide, Samsung is getting ready to announce the new Samsung Galaxy A7 2017. Stay tuned for more news and updates about the much-awaited device. NASA Latest News & Update: Trump Plans To End Climate Change Research Facility To Focus On Space Exploration? President-elect Donald Trump plans to end the climate change research facility and instead divert the focus in exploring the entire solar system. The strategy is to eliminate NASA from politicized science, according to president-elect Trump's senior adviser. The Earth Science Division facility of NASA which conducts climate change research is now threatened to be shut down by president-elect Donald Trump. The ire of Trump has shifted to the research facility after he described it as a "politicized science." According to The Guardian, the world-renowned climate change research facility of NASA is being considered to end since the funding will be stopped if president-elect Trump decides to do so. The facility conducts research on temperature, ice, clouds and other related climate phenomena. The network of satellites provides useful research on the climate change occurrence on Earth. The goal of president-elect Donald Trump during the campaign is to eliminate the focus of NASA in climate change research and to explore the solar system by the end of the century. The Trump administration plans to scale down the proposed budget for NASA's climate change facility by next year. President-elect Donald Trump believes that climate change is not real like what he mentioned on his Twitter account saying it's the Chinese who created it. Aside from NASA's climate change research facility, he plans to cancel any international agreement that aims to stop global warming like the Paris Agreement. However, Trump said that he will study hard about it and he remains to be open-minded about it, New York Times reported. The Senior campaign adviser of Trump, Bob Walker believes that the president-elect's plan of ending NASA's climate change research facility is right. He said that climate change research should be done by the other agencies and not by NASA that "has been heavily politicized, which has undermined a lot of the work that the researchers have been doing." Meanwhile, decades of research can back up that climate change is real. NASA's climate change research has been contributing to the irrefutable evidence of global warming. Thousands of scientists have agreed that humans are the main cause of climate change on Earth. Do you think the government should end climate change research and focus more on exploring the universe? Victoria Secret Class of 2016 Just Landed in Paris It's official! The angels have just landed in Paris for this year's much-awaited Victoria Secret Fashion Show. As early as now, everyone is excited to see the glamorous performances and costumes of the hottest supermodels in the world. After departing from New York this weekend, the all-star cast of Victoria Secret Class of 2016 has just attended their first official photocall at the stage of Grand Palais in Paris for a big group yearbook-style shot. The Victoria Secret models wore a matching black T-shirt with the caption "Victoria's Secret Paris 2016" partnered with white skinny pants, black chick jackets, and tower-heeled black boots. As seen in the photo, the veteran Victoria Secret Angels such as Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrocio, Elsa Hosk, Taylor Hill, Lily Aldridge, and Jasmine Tookes are included in this year's show. Brand ambassadors like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner are also returning to walk the runway as well as newcomer Bella Hadid. Other supermodels included are Martha Hunt, Joan Smalls, Irina Shayk, Lily Donaldson, Stella Maxwell, Josephine Skriver, and a lot more. Everything you wanted to know about the #VSFashionShow, all in one place: https://t.co/VagBsZNrLm pic.twitter.com/4PsVo5cnIi Victoria's Secret (@VictoriasSecret) November 27, 2016 Meanwhile, one of the Victoria Secret's all-time favorite angel Behati Prinsloo is not walking on this year's show. Just two months ago, Adam Levine's wife just gave birth to their first born Dusty Rose. Though it is understandable that she won't be part of the glamorous show, a lot of her fans will surely miss her quirky and fun personality in the runway. According to ENews, Behati has just confirmed her return in next year's fashion show in her recent Instagram post. In a statement she said, "Opening the #vsfashionshow for the first time was a dream come true opening twice in a row was just NUTS, still pinching myself." She continued, "To the girls and crew, good luck in Paris, me and Dusty Rose will be cheering. I know the blood sweat and tears that go into the making of this show and also being in it, this would have been my 10th year. I can't believe it. Love you all, have fun in Paris and see you next year!!!!" South Africans Will Be Tested With the New HIV Vaccine Through HVTN 702 Study A brand new HIV vaccine is set to launch in South Africa and this will be the country's biggest and most advanced clinical trial on the vaccine. Scientists say that if the test would be a success, it would be the final nail in the coffin for the killer virus. According to Live Science, the study is called HVTN 702. The study aims for a new HIV vaccine to be tested, which sets a goal to enroll 5,400 men and women who are active in sexual intercourse ages 18-35 at 15 different sites throughout South Africa, reports Time. Data shows that South Africa has more than 1,000 people a day who get infected with HIV. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. government's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said that if this clinical trial turns out well with their current weapon of proven HIV prevention tools, it would be a triumph in fighting HIV. "Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly decrease the burden of HIV disease over time in countries and populations with high rates of HIV infection, such as South Africa," he said in a statement. The new HIV vaccine that will be in clinical trial in the HVTN 702 study is based on a test in Thailand in 2009, which scientists found it to be 31.2 percent effective. This was discovered in the proceedings after the vaccination in over 3.5 years. Providing better and more sustained protection is the goal of the brand new HIV vaccine and this has been accustomed to the HIV subtype, which dominates in South Africa. Glenda Gray, chief executive officer of the South African Medical Research Council, said that HIV has taken an overwhelming toll in the country but they have started a scientific exploration, which would be promising to every South African. The volunteers of the HVTN 702 study are randomly assigned to get either a placebo or the vaccine regimen and all partakers will get five injections over a year. Local media providers will house those who got infected with HIV for care and treatment with counselling. Kate Middleton, Prince William Divorce: How Princess Of Wales Could Have Been Donald Trumps First Lady? Queen Elizabeth Favors Meghan Markle More? Kate Middleton and Prince William have always been in the headlines because of divorce issues. Rumours are rife that Queen favours the new girlfriend of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, over the Duchess of Cambridge. And as news of Donald Trump having his eyes on Princess Diana in 1995, fans are wondering if the royal couple will have the same fate as that of Prince and Princess of Wales. In December 1995, Prince William's mother, Princess Diana, and Donald Trump were seated in the same table in a $1,000 per plate charity dinner in Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, according to a report by Daily Mail. News had it that Donald Trump had his eyes on Kate Middleton's mother-in-law thought the two have seen each other in similar events. Donald Trump was reported to have said that Princess Diana was a dream lady and a genuine princess. In the book he published with title "The Art of the Comeback," the recently elected US president said that he could not help notice how Kate Middleton's mom-in-law move people. The Princess of Wales seemed to be able to light up a room whenever she is present. Fans are wondering how Prince William thinks of the news that once, America's president have taken fancy over his mom. Kate Middleton and Prince William's divorce issues are fuelled by rumours that Queen Elizabeth favors Meghan Markle, the new girlfriend of Prince Harry. There are even rumours that the "Suits" actress is already part of the entourage of Pippa Middleton's wedding. Kate Middleton and Prince William are reportedly not attending the wedding of the sister of Duchess of Cambridge because the Queen has banned them. The Royal Palace is allegedly not happy with the scandal Pippa Middleton's brother-in-law-to-be is involved in. What are your thoughts on the revelation that the Princess of Wales could have been the First Lady of America? Do you think that Kate Middleton and Prince Harry's divorce issues are true? Tell us what you think and do not forget to stay tuned to GamenGuide. Red Dead Redemption 2 Release Date, Latest News & Update: First Glimpse Of Sequel At PlayStation Experience 2016? Rockstar Games is expectedly busy working on a lot of their intellectual properties, including the highly-awaited Red Dead Redemption 2. Following its announcement last month, most are eager to see just how far game developers have gone. In a previous post, it was asked whether the western game setting could still fit in with the modern times. There have been a lot of new games out in the open, each leaning more on futuristic styles. Given that, would Red Dead Redemption 2 still be a hit? Most believe so though expect some tweaks to perk up game play. Aside from that, most are curious on what to expect. Considering the announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2 is still a bit fresh, could there be something more than the trailer coming out in recent weeks? Sony will be holding its PlayStation Experience 2016 event where big game titles are expected to be in attendance. That includes Destiny 2 and Marvel vs. Capcom 4. How about Red Dead Redemption 2? There is a big possibility that Red Dead Redemption 2 gamers will get more updates following Sonys claim that PS4 owners will get first crack for the sequels selected content in online mode. Seeing how both Sony and Rockstar Games have been working well together, this hardly comes as a surprise. The PlayStation Experience 2016 happens this Saturday (Dec. 3), where three hour-long developer panels will take place. There is no word yet on which developers will take the stage though there is a big possibility that Rockstar Games could be one of them. It may be a long shot considering the Red Dead Redemption 2 announcement happened just recently. Then again, it wont hurt to hope for the best and get more updates on the beloved western game set to come out next year. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton dominated her Republican opponent, President-elect Donald Trump, by 28 percentage points in Benton County. But she didn't do as well as Barack Obama. According to final certified results released by county elections officials, Clinton received a shade less than 60 percent of the vote (59.88) to 27.58 for Trump. In the nine wards in the city of Corvallis, Clinton was even more dominant. She won all nine precincts with a high percentage of 76.1 percent in Ward 7 in northwest Corvallis and a low percentage of 60.9 in Ward 9 in northeast Corvallis. Trumps highest percentage was 22.5 percent in Ward 1 in southwest Corvallis. His low was 12.2 percent in Ward 5, near the Oregon State University campus. In Ward 5 more voters 13.4 percent chose third-party or write-in candidates than the GOP entrant. Clintons county strength, however, did not match that of President Barack Obama, who in his 2012 re-election bid against Republican Mitt Romney received 65 percent of the county vote. Obamas city ward percentages ranged from a high of 82 percent in Ward 5 to a low of 66.6 in Ward 9. Here is a look at other highlights from a Gazette-Times analysis of the results: Trump won six Benton County precincts, two more than Romney in 2012. The president-elect turned in his best performances in rural areas, collecting 58.4 percent of the vote in Monroe and 57.7 percent in Alsea (see chart). Trump also won in all three North Albany precincts and rural Monroe. Romneys high-water mark in 2012 was 60 percent in a rural North Albany district. Benton County voters chose third-party and write-in candidates for president at nearly double the rate of the rest of the state, 12.54 percent to about 7 percent. Precinct 12 (Adair Village) had the highest percentage, 16.8, while Precinct 10 (Philomath) was at 16.3. Precinct 22 (rural Adair Village) had the lowest county percentage, 8.8. Nationally, only 5.4 percent of voters chose candidates other than Trump and Clinton. The county district that voted most like the nation as a whole? Clinton won Precinct 15 in the northwest part of the county by a 45.2 to 43.5 margin. Nationally it was 48.1 percent for Clinton and 46.5 for Trump. Clinton lost the Electoral College count to Trump (302-236) despite winning the popular vote by more than 2 million out of more than 130 million cast. Clinton carried Oregon by 180,000 votes (52 percent to 41 percent). Had she been able to shift 15,000 of her Oregon votes to Michigan, 25,000 to Wisconsin and 70,000 to Pennsylvania she would have won the Electoral College by 282-256. And she still would have had a 70,000-vote margin in Oregon. And you could do the same things with states in which Trump lost by narrow margins. That shows how close this election was. Measure 97, the statewide initiative that would have taxed large corporations and spent the money on education, health care and senior services, lost by 18 percentage points overall, 59 to 41 percent. But Benton County voters narrowly backed the measure by a 52-48 percent margin. Multnomah County was the only other county in the state to back the measure. All nine city of Corvallis wards backed the plan, with percentages ranging from 54.9 percent approval in Ward 1 to 69.1 percent backing in Ward 2 (downtown and the area east of OSU). Thirteen of the 24 Benton County precincts voted against Measure 97, with rural North Albany (27.0 percent) and Monroe (27.2) turning in the strongest opposition. Retiring Ward 5 Corvallis Councilor Mike Beilstein of the Pacific Green Party received 3.0 percent of the vote in his challenge to Democratic U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, who easily won re-election to his 16th term. Beilstein polled 5.03 percent of votes in the county, with his best strength in the city precincts 9.3 percent in Ward 2 and 8.0 in Ward 5. City of Corvallis voters were far more passionate about the presidential election than other items on the ballot. The under vote, showing how many voters did not make a selection on a ballot item, ranged from a low of 28 votes (1.17 percent) in Ward 5 to 69 (1.74 percent) in Ward 8. The under vote was at least 98 on Measure 97, while the under vote in the nine City Council races ranged between 780 in Ward 2 to 1,299 in Ward 1. An out-of-state marijuana producer with national aspirations has its eye on property in the Corvallis Airport Industrial Park as part of its expansion plans. On Nov. 7, the City Council approved a 40-year land lease agreement for the former Sarepta Therapeutics building at 1749 S.W. Airport Ave. with a Colorado firm called 1749 Airport Road LLC, which told city officials it hopes to purchase the building and lease it to another Colorado company, Doctors Orders Group. Headquartered in Centennial, Doctors Orders Group was founded in 2008 and has three dispensaries and 85,000 square feet of indoor growing space in Colorado, according to company spokesman Mackie Barch. The company, which has applied for licenses to get into the marijuana business in Massachusetts and Maryland, has already begun expanding in Oregon. In addition to running a medical and recreational dispensary in Portland, Barch said, Doctors Orders recently closed on some land in Cave Junction for an outdoor marijuana plantation and is investigating the possibility of starting an indoor growing and processing operation at the Corvallis location. Its a beautiful piece of property, and we absolutely love the city of Corvallis, he said. The two-story Sarepta building has about 36,000 square feet of floor space, evenly divided between office and warehouse space. It also has two clean rooms, which could be used for product testing. Like other states that have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use, Oregon has established testing requirements to assure users that what theyre buying is free of pesticides, mold and other contaminants. Having the ability to do analytical testing on-site is becoming more and more important, Barch said. The project is not a done deal yet, however. 1749 Airport Road LLC has not yet signed the ground lease agreement with the city, and Barch says his company wont be ready to sign on as a tenant until a wrinkle in the propertys zoning can be ironed out. While the Airport Industrial Park is owned by the city of Corvallis, its actually outside the city limits in an unincorporated area of Benton County. The county recently changed its zoning rules to specifically allow marijuana cultivation and processing in most agricultural and industrial zones. However, even though there are both agricultural and industrial uses at the Airport Industrial Park, its not in either one of those zones. The Airport Industrial Park is actually in the special use zone, so its got its own set of rules, explained Linsey Godwin, a planner in the Benton County Community Development Department. At the citys request, county staff will evaluate whether to allow cultivation of marijuana in the special use zone (processing already is an allowed use) and pass its findings on to the Benton County Planning Commission. Approval of zoning code amendments would require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and another before the Board of Commissioners. Meanwhile, the city has already taken steps to address another potential roadblock to the deal: The fact that, while marijuana is now legal in Oregon, its still a controlled substance under federal law. Thats a complication for anything dealing with marijuana, City Attorney Jim Brewer said. Based on discussions with federal aviation authorities and guidance from the Department of Justice, Brewer said, hes satisfied that the city wont face any repercussions from the feds for leasing space to a cannabis company. Just in case, however, the city has included language to protect itself in the lease agreement. The lease is self-terminating should there be problems with the federal government, Brewer said. Were not going to lose local property tax dollars should something go bad here. If the Doctors Orders deal does go through, it would bring in a little under $17,000 a year in revenue for the citys airport fund, and it could result in some additional property tax revenue for the county based on the value of any new equipment installed on the site. It could also pave the way for other commercial marijuana operations at the industrial park. Weve had some people kicking the tires, said Tom Nelson, manager of the Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Office. I had a guy contact me and say hes interested in building a warehouse out there that would do the same thing. So, yeah, theres interest in it. Benton Hospice Service invites the community to its annual Service of Remembrance to be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016 in Dennis Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 114 S.W. Eighth St. in Corvallis. There is no cost and the entire community is invited to attend. The Service of Remembrance is a celebration of the lives of those who have died during the past year, as well as others who have died in previous years, through the reading of their names, displaying of pictures and a lighting of candles. It is a chance for our community to remember and honor those who have died. Honorees need not have been a patient of Benton Hospice Service to be included. People from the community are invited to add the name and share a photo of someone who died that you want to remember. For more information, contact Benton Hospice Service by phone at 541-757-9616. Benton Hospice Service is an independent, nonprofit organization providing care for seriously ill people and their families, as well as community education and support groups. Benton Hospice Service has served Linn and Benton counties since 1980. Christmas Storybook Land has brought much joy to mid-valley residents of all ages for 40 years and this year, local "Star Wars" fans are going to be ecstatic. Several members of the Cloud City Garrison of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers, a 97-member "Star Wars" costuming club, will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 4, according to Commander Harry Starr. Starr said the group is approved by "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, his company Lucas Films and the Disney Company. We enjoy getting together, creating authentic costumes based on characters in each of the movies and helping raise money for charities, Starr said. Starr said the group has made a record 170 appearances so far this year, with another six weeks to go. They made 150 appearances last year. We work with the Make-a-Wish program, Doernbecher Childrens Hospital, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, the Special Olympics, Toys for Tots and many more, Starr said. Starr said the Garrison has been together 10 years, but previously was part of a larger group. He said the 501st Legion is nearly 20 years old. We create all of our own costumes based on watching the movies, Starr said. Starr said the Cloud Garrison is composed of bad guys but works in partnership with the Rebel Legion, which is composed of good guys. Starr said that so far, members costumed as Darth Vader, Chewbacca, stormtroopers, a fighter pilot and a Jedi warrior are committed to visiting Christmas Storybook Land. Sometimes, we will put on a saber light show, but we will mingle and pose for photos, Starr said. People can donate to the Christmas Storybook Land if they wish. Starr said Cloud City Garrison members must be at least 18 years of age, although there is a sister group, called the Galactic Academy, for younger people, usually family members. Its all about sharing the love of 'Star Wars' and helping worthy causes, Starr said. Kids love 'Star Wars,' and adults love 'Star Wars'. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Christmas Storybook Land will feature costumes worn by volunteers over the decades, from superheroes to princesses. It will feature more than 100 scenes of holiday characters including Mother Goose rhymes, fairy tales and movies, a Victorian Village and North Pole scene. The non-profit event was founded in 1976 to entertain children and families. Admission is free, but donations of canned or non-perishable packaged foods are accepted and will be donated to Fish of Albany. Last year, there were more than 41,000 visitors who donated 30,600 food items. The annual event could not be possible without local sponsors such as Weyerhaeuser, which donates more than 1,300 fir trees to create the winter wonderland, and some 450 volunteers. Special tour day Christmas Storybook Land honors all seniors, veterans, and special needs visitors with a special tour day from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 5. Enjoy a visit with Santa and a token gift. Wheelchairs and helpers to assist are available. Childrens tours All children and their families are invited to enjoy special daytime tours of Christmas Storybook Land Dec. 6, 7, 8, and 9 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Kids can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and get a free candy cane. Children are invited to write a letter to Santa or draw a picture to put in Santas mailbox. For more information, call 541-619-1905. I have just returned from Marrakech, Morocco, where I participated in the UN Conference on Climate Change as an observer for the Unitarian Universalist Association. The U.S. election results sent a shock wave through the conference. People from all over the world, including here in the U.S., feel betrayed and abandoned because we elected a climate denier who will not work for climate justice. A representative from Africa said, the U.S. has turned its back on its responsibilities; people in Africa will suffer and die. Africa is already feeling huge effects from climate change through warming and droughts. Island nations in the South Pacific are drowning from sea-level rise. Many young people expressed fear for their future and the futures of other species as the planet warms and becomes uninhabitable. None of these people or other species did anything to cause climate change. The U.S. must step up to drastically reduce CO2 emissions and provide funding for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Summarizing a speech in Marrakech by John Kerry: The catastrophic period of climate change is already underway. Our government has a moral obligation to accept responsibility and act by moving to 100 percent renewable energy and putting a price on carbon. This is a test of courage and vision; we have to do what is required. Climate change needs to be personal for everyone. We need to get this right to preserve the natural world for all to come. Martha Clemons Corvallis (Nov. 19) Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Objektiv betrachtet ist er der deutlich Bessere : Diese uberraschenden Ergebnisse liefert ein Datenexperte zu den FC-Profis Linn Countys election results were finalized Friday night and show an upsurge in ballots cast when compared to previous presidential elections. Nearly 60,000 ballots were cast in the general election, and thats up by more than 7,000 over 2004, 2008 and 2012. I think its great, said Steve Druckenmiller, Linn County clerk. The shift came from Oregons new Motor Voter law, which made voter registration automatic with many interactions residents had at the Division of Motor Vehicles. We increased our registration by about 15,000, Druckenmiller said. Linn County now has roughly 78,000 registered voters. Druckenmiller thinks that roughly half of those who registered through the Motor Voter law actually cast a ballot in Linn County this fall. Voter participation was at 76.6 percent, however, the lowest in recent memory for a presidential election. We knew that the motor voter would take our percentage down some, Druckenmiller said. But he added that was trumped by the sheer number of voters. Anyone who believes that our great experiment in self-government rests upon a vibrant and broad expression of citizen sentiment at the ballot box should cheer this result, Druckenmiller said. The final election results, at least as far as the races were concerned, didnt contain many surprises. Republicans continue to be the overwhelming favorites locally, but voters also wanted recreational marijuana operations to do business in Linn County as a whole, and in Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Brownsville and Tangent. Election results also showed that, at least in Mill City, Halsey and Brownsville city council races, one ballot matters. Two Mill City City Council candidates are tied, according to combined Linn and Marion County results, and a recount is underway. You have to realize where one vote really does count. This really does happen, Druckenmiller said. Republican favorites President-elect Donald Trump received nearly twice as many votes as Hillary Clinton in Linn County, with 33,488 votes compared to Clintons 17,995. The four GOP statewide candidates received thousands more votes each than their Democratic opponents in Linn County, but only one of those Republicans (Dennis Richardson, who won his race for secretary of state) was elected by Oregonians. Republican U.S. Senate candidates also received more votes than Democrats in Linn County, but the margin wasnt as wide, and the incumbent Democrats were elected statewide. Linn County wasnt always a Republican stronghold. Registered voters switched from largely Democrat to Republican in the late 1980s and early 1990s during the spotted owl controversy. It was a steady erosion from that time forward, Druckenmiller said. At one time, Linn County was heavily Democratic. We always had conservative Democrats here, he added. Weed support Linn County voters defeated a prohibition of marijuana 30,868 to 26,421. But much of that was driven by Albany voters, sans North Albany, who voted against a city prohibition 12,603 to 7,100. (Albany voters in both Linn and Benton counties defeated the prohibition 15,335 to 9,296.) Marijuana prohibition measures also were defeated in Lebanon (4,307-2,838), Sweet Home (2,049-1,498) and Tangent (339-269). In Brownsville, a similar measure to ban pot sales failed by only three votes, 445 to 442. Close races The Brownsville marijuana prohibition was one of a few local races that were too close to call until the final results were released. In the race for Brownsville City Council, Lynda Chambers won the third spot on council over Tricia Thompson by one vote, 242 to 241. The Halsey City Council also had a one-vote race for its final spot, with Rella Johnson winning over Kenneth Lorensen, 150 to 149. In the lone contested race for the Scio City Council, Richard Nelson was elected by two votes over Charlotte Thomas, 127 to 125. But one outcome still hasnt been determined. In Mill City, Scott Baughman and Hannah Baker are tied at 395 votes for the fourth and final council spot. It isnt clear exactly how the matter will be resolved if a tie persists. Our charter says that there will be a public drawing of lots. It could be drawing straws, it could be rolling dice. It could be drawing cards, said Stacie Cook, Mill City city recorder. LINN COUNTY SHERIFF Gun safe theft 2:32 p.m. Saturday, 40700 block Larwood Drive. A gun safe with several firearms and other items was stolen. The loss value was approximately $50,000 and the incident remains under investigation. Stolen dump truck 6:32 a.m. Monday, 5100 block Santiam Highway. A caller stated his vehicle, a white 1989 Isuzu dump truck, was stolen about 30 minutes earlier. The vehicle was unlocked and the keys were left inside. The loss value was about $3,000. LEBANON POLICE Traffic complaint (in a bathrobe) 9:13 p.m. Friday, 2800 block South Santiam Highway. A caller reported that a man drove a car onto a lawn between two businesses then left on foot. The man was last seen wearing pajama pants and a bathrobe. The vehicle was impounded. Stolen pickup, recovered pickup 12:01 p.m. Saturday, 2800 block 12th Street. A Dodge pickup was reported stolen sometime during the previous night. The vehicle was recovered, but with another vehicles license plates, on Sunday. Domestic assault arrest 7:57 p.m. Saturday, Linn County Jail. Jacob Neal Hampton, 36, of Lebanon, was arrested on a charge of felony fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). His initial bail was set at $50,000. 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. A 47-year-old Nigerian man has been arrested for scamming an elderly woman out of nearly $9,000 in Vermillion Parish, Louisiana, US, according to a news release from the Louisiana Attorney Generals Office. Attorney General Landry said: Quote Our office is on the front lines investigating, arresting, and educating to help stop the awful occurrence of seniors being targeted and preyed upon by scammers. We want to help Louisianas people avoid falling victim to mortgage, contractor, charity and other types of frauds commonly perpetrated on senior citizens. Chigozie Valentine Agu was arrested on charges of Felony Theft in excess of $5,000, Bank Fraud, Money Laundering, and Racketeering. The Metro Washington Airport Authority at Dulles Airport arrested Agu following an investigation by General Landrys Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) as he re-entered the United States. He was extradited to Louisiana and booked into the Vermillion Parish Correctional Center. Quote It is an absolutely despicable crime to take advantage of our elderly family, friends, and neighbors, continued General Landry. No matter the great lengths these shameless criminals take, my office will do all we can to get justice for their victims. In May 2016, Agu contacted an elderly Vermillion Parish resident, telling her he was a Department of Homeland Security official and found a piece of luggage containing money he would return to her for a fee.The LBI found proof that Agu received the money and that he attempted to conceal his crime through bank wire transfers and a third party. Overall, Agu scammed the elderly woman out of $8,890. bohlah at 29-11-2016 10:06 PM (5 years ago) (m) 11 years old class five pupil, Mamie Sam of Roman Catholic primary school in Sierra Leone is currently calling on government and other humanitarian organizations to immediately come to her aid as she is not at peace at the moment. 11 years old class five pupil, Mamie Sam of Roman Catholic primary school in Sierra Leone is currently calling on government and other humanitarian organizations to immediately come to her aid as she is not at peace at the moment. She currently resides with both of her grand parents Saidu Moriba and Mamie Sellu at 9 Poimie road, Lago square section Sebwema town. Speaking to Awoko at her residence she explained that some time last year she went on a fishing expedition together with her grand mother and other women in the town. After the exercise she started experiencing her Bosom becoming large. While taking bath together with the elders in the stream one of the women spoke about her Bosom saying her Bosom is becoming abnormal and it is not a good thing for her. During the night hour she said her Bosom scratched throughout the night giving her sleepless night and its kept projecting up to the current length as she continue to scratch. The following morning when she went to school her class and school mates were provoking her and there after she stopped going to school almost a year now. She started her schooling at the Ansarul Primary School from classes 1 to 3 and then continued to Roman Catholic Primary School from classes 4 to 5. She maintained that her parents have sought medical attention at Nixon Memorial hospital at Segbwema and several herbalists within the community but no improvement. Her grand father Saidu Moriba said this is the first time he is seeing such wonder in his life time, and that they are baffled as what to do to save her from this trouble. He revealed that several prayers and sacrifices have been done on her behalf but the problem still remains and they are asking for assistance. She currently resides with both of her grand parents Saidu Moriba and Mamie Sellu at 9 Poimie road, Lago square section Sebwema town. Speaking to Awoko at her residence she explained that some time last year she went on a fishing expedition together with her grand mother and other women in the town.After the exercise she started experiencing her Bosom becoming large. While taking bath together with the elders in the stream one of the women spoke about her Bosom saying her Bosom is becoming abnormal and it is not a good thing for her.During the night hour she said her Bosom scratched throughout the night giving her sleepless night and its kept projecting up to the current length as she continue to scratch. The following morning when she went to school her class and school mates were provoking her and there after she stopped going to school almost a year now.She started her schooling at the Ansarul Primary School from classes 1 to 3 and then continued to Roman Catholic Primary School from classes 4 to 5. She maintained that her parents have sought medical attention at Nixon Memorial hospital at Segbwema and several herbalists within the community but no improvement.Her grand father Saidu Moriba said this is the first time he is seeing such wonder in his life time, and that they are baffled as what to do to save her from this trouble. He revealed that several prayers and sacrifices have been done on her behalf but the problem still remains and they are asking for assistance. Post Reply I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist Posted: at 29-11-2016 10:06 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero Spot The Nearest Police Station Just by Downloading The Modi App For Free! Features oi -Sneha Narendra Modi government recently launched the new Indian Police at Your Call app that helps citizens to locate the nearest police station along with the details when in an emergency. With the aim to make India go digital, the Government of India has recently announced that they will be introducing a few apps in a day to make the country go cashless, and depend on more on the digital platform. PM Narendra Modi launched an app called Indian Police at Your Call to help citizens locate the nearest police station regardless of where the person is. This Android and iOS supported app not only provides the list of nearby police stations, but also delivers added information about the phone number, the distance of the police station from the person's location, and they will take to reach the station. SEE ALSO: Is Downloading Narendra Modi's Official App Safe? Let's Find Out! Here's how the Indian Police at Your Call app works and lets you get all the details of the nearest police station in an emergency. #1 Go to App Store and Download the App Available for both Android and iOS users, the Indian Police at Your Call app can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple App Store for free. #2 Open the App and Enable the GPS of the Phone Ensure the GPS of the phone is working, and you have a good internet connection to make the app work accurately. After the download is over, open the app and register yourself after which the app will supposedly read you location via GPS as it works on GIS Map based interface, which can easily locate the nearby Police stations in minutes. #3 Details that the App Will Display The Indian Police at Your Call app after tracking the nearby police station will also provide the police station number, the control room number, along with the SP's office number. However, no mobile numbers will be available. #4 Make a Call to the Police Station After receiving all the details of the nearby police stations, the app also provides the ability to make a call to the number provided by clicking on the 'Tap to call' option available within the app, in a case of an emergency. The Indian Police at Your Call app make it easy for the citizen, to spot the nearby police station regardless of where they are. By launching this app, Narendra Modi government is expecting to drop down the crime rate drastically. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Ola Mobile ATMs: Now you can withdraw cash from Select Ola Cabs in your city News oi -Rohit Ola has joined hands with PND and SBI in Kolkata and Hyderabad respectively to provide the cash withdrawal facility In a bid to ease cash crunch and help citizens withdraw cash, ride sharing app Ola has joined hands with State Bank of Patiala and Punjab National Bank to open mobile ATMs. The partnership between the banks and the ride-sharing app will offer select Ola cabs the ability to help people withdraw cash by swiping their debit cards. Under the scheme, selected Ola cabs with POS machines will be parked at specified busy points in different cities. Banks will provide on-ground executives to enable people withdraw the cash. A person can withdraw an amount of Rs. 2,000 per card. Demonetization Effect: You Can Now Bank Transfer Up to Rs. 50,000 Using Paytm, Freecharge, MobiKwik Ola Chief Operating Officer Pranay Jivrajka informed PTI that the initial response has been tremendous and the company was exploring with banks to expand this service to other cities with cash being dispensed on the go rather than current experiment of cars being parked at a particular busy point. Ola has partnered with Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Kolkata, and with SBI and Andhra Bank in Hyderabad. In Kolkata, the week-long activity will continue till end of the month. The POS enabled Ola cabs will visit areas like Chandni Chowk Metro Station, Esplanade Metro, Barabazaar, Salt Lake, Exide and Rashbehari. Cars carrying POS machine will offer the service in popular areas like KBR Park, JNTU, Inorbit Mall over the weekend in Hyderabad. Oppo Find 9: Find out Everything about the Rumored Oppo Flagship Smartphone Ola is also looking at flagging off the programme in other key cities, including Delhi. Following the government's move to scrap old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes the banks and ATMs are not being able to cope up with the demonetization effect. To ease up the demonetization effects, petrol pumps, retail bodies like Big Bazaar and services such as Paytm and now Ola has been provided with cash dispensing facilities. Recently, POS machines was introduced at around 3,700 petrol pumps to help citizens withdraw the cash. Ola, which also has a mobile wallet service, claimed it has seen 1500 per cent growth in recharge of 'Ola Money'. As per Ola, the number of trips paid in cash has certainly gone down. More people are now paying using digital platforms like Ola Money and credit/debit cards. Today, Maharashtra CM has asked bankers to help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for a cashless economy. HTC Desire 10 Pro First Impressions: Is it the Best Mid-Range Android Smartphone? However, we believe the process will take time and there is a dire need to set up more mobile ATMs facilities across the country to help citizens withdraw cash. Let us know what you think about Demonetization and India as a cashless economy in comments. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Top 9 Lenovo Smartphones to Buy in India Features oi -Harish Kumar We have come up with a list of lenovo smartphones from the Chinese maker that you might be interested in buying. Lenovo, the Chinese manufacturer has grabbed the second largest position in the Indian smartphone arena, as per the market research in the third quarter of this year. Lenovo is consistently launching one or the other impressive smartphone in the market either under the Lenovo or Motorola brand names to garner the attention of users. Even today, Lenovo is launching the Lenovo K6 Power smartphone that is an impressive offering. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Best Android Smartphones Below Rs 30,000 to Buy In India In the meantime, if you want to grab a Lenovo phone, we have come up with a list of smartphones from the Chinese maker that you might be interested in buying. Take a look at these Lenovo smartphones from below. These will definitely be value for money offerings. Lenovo A6600 Plus Buy At Price of Rs 7,649 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display, 72% screen-to-body ratio, 800:1 contrast ratio 1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6735P 64-bit processor with Mali-T720 GPU 1GB / 2GB RAM (A6600 Plus), 16GB internal memory, expandable memory with microSD Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Vibe UI Dual SIM 8MP auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash 2MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 2300mAh battery Lenovo A6600 Buy At Price of Rs 6,849 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display, 72% screen-to-body ratio, 800:1 contrast ratio 1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6735P 64-bit processor with Mali-T720 GPU 1GB / 2GB RAM (A6600 Plus) 16GB internal memory expandable memory with microSD Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Vibe UI Dual SIM 8MP auto-focus rear camera with LED Flash 2MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.0, GPS 2300mAh battery Lenovo Z2 Plus Buy At Price of Rs 17,999 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD LTPS 2.5D curved glass display 2.15GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 820 processor with Adreno 530 GPU 3GB DDR4 RAM 32GB internal storage 4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) 13MP rear camera with LED Flash 8MP front-facing camera Dual (nano) SIM 4G VoLTE WiFi 802.11ac (2.4/5 GHz) Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, USB 2.0 Type-C 3500mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus Buy At Price of Rs 8,499 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS display, 450 nits brightness Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 ( 4 x 1.2 GHz Cortex A53 + 4 x 1.5 GHz Cortex A53) 64-bit processor with Adreno 405 GPU 3GB LPDDR3 RAM 16GB internal storage expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Lean Lenovo Pure UI Dual SIM (micro + micro) 13MP rear camera with LED Flash 5MP front-facing camera 4G LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.1, GPS 2750mAh removable battery Lenovo K5 Note Buy At Price of Rs 13,499 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS display, 178-degree wide viewing angle, 450 nits brightness, 1000:1 conrast ratio, 1.8 GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor with up to 550MHz Mali T860 GPU 3GB/4GB RAM 32GB internal storage expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano/microSD) 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, f/2.2 aperture 8MP front-facing camera, 77.4-degree wide-angle lens Dolby ATMOS, Fingerprint sensor 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz) Bluetooth 4.1, GPS 3500mAh battery Lenovo Vibe P1 Turbo Buy At Price of Rs 15,795 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5.5-inch (1080 x 1920 pixels) Full HD IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection 1.5 GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (MSM8939) processor with Adreno 405 GPU 3GB RAM 32GB internal memory expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS with Vibe UI Dual nano SIM 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED Flash 5MP front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, Smart PA Fingerprint scanner 4G LTE / 3G WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1 LE, GPS 5000mAh battery Lenovo Zuk Z1 Buy At Price of Rs 13,499 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS display, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 100% NTSC color gamut 2.5GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 801 processor with Adreno 330 GPU 3GB LPPDR3 RAM 64GB (eMMC 5.0) internal memory Cyanogen OS 12.1 based on Andriod 5.1.1 (Lollipop) Upgradable to Cyanogen OS 13 based on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) Dual (nano) SIM 13MP rear camera with LED Flash 8MP front-facing camera, OmniVision OV8865 sensor, 1.12um pixel size Fingerprint sensor (FPC 1155) 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz) 4100mAh (typical) / 4000mAh (minimum) built-in battery with fast charging Lenovo A7700 Buy At Price of Rs 8,659 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5.5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display 1 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6735P 64-bit processor with Mali-T720 GPU 2GB RAM 16GB internal memory expandable memory with microSD Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Vibe UI Dual SIM 8MP auto-focus rear camera with dual LED Flash 2MP front-facing camera 4G VoLTE WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.0, GPS 2900mAh battery Lenovo Vibe K4 Note Buy At Price of Rs 10,722 Click Here To Buy Key Features 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS 178 degree wide-view display, with 450 Nits Brightness, 1000:1 contrast, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection 1.3 GHz Octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor with up to 450MHz Mali T720-MP3 GPU 3GB DDR3 RAM 16GB internal storage expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Vibe UI Dual (micro) SIM 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, f/2.2 aperture, ISOCELL sensor 5MP front-facing camera Dual front-facing speakers, Dolby ATMOS, 3 microphones, Wolfson WM8281 audio codec 4G LTE / 3G HSPA+ WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, NFC, USB OTG 3300mAh (Rated) built-in battery / 3400mAh (Typical) Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Huawei vs Samsung: Find out Who is the new Android King? News oi -Samden Sherpa Huawei, the most important and largest mobile device supplier in China has become the most profitable Android smartphone brand in the world. While Apple remains the smartphone industry leader in terms of profitability with 91 percent global market share in the third quarter, in a dramatic turn of events, Chinese phone manufacturer Huawei has surpassed Samsung as the second most profitable smartphone brand globally in Q3 2016. SEE ALSO: Meizu m5 Note to Launch on December 6: A Xiaomi Redmi 3s Competitor on Cards? The global smartphone market is surely a competitive space and Huawei seems to have risen above its biggest Asian competitor Samsung. However, for Samsung, the defective Galaxy Note 7 might have turned out to be the biggest nightmare for the company. A global recall program and trust issues with Samsung devices might have caused the company's sales to come down. In the end, it has affected Samsung's title of the most glorified Android brand. As such when Samsung was busy fixing its blunder in Galaxy Note 7, Huawei has used the opportunity to consistently make sales and now controls 2.4% of the global smartphone operating profit share in the third quarter of 2016. Vivo and Oppo Electronics have also managed to gain 2.2% market share each in the crowded Android field. On the other hand, Samsung's name was grouped with the "Others" category in the list, the collective sales of which cornered 2.2 percent of global smartphone profits in Q3. Samsung's misfortune with the faulty Galaxy Note 7 units and the eventual halt of the device in the production line has likely detached it from its firm position. SEE ALSO: The Upgraded OPPO F1s steps up the Way you take selfies With all that happened and disclosures made, Strategy Analytics Executive Director, Neil Mawston stated that Huawei became the world's most profitable Android smartphone vendor for the first time. He further expects Huawei to maintain steady profitability into the first half of 2017, as the company's smartphone shipments will be growing and that it was also doing a good job of controlling [operating] costs. While Samsung may have lost this battle, but Huawei's gains may be short-lived. While the device maker has benefited from sales and growth through its efficient strategies, it seems the results haven't hurt Samsung's overall brand so far. The privately-held Huawei still aims to be the second biggest player in the smartphone arena behind Apple within two years. However, going forward, Samsung will be bouncing back in the coming months and year. It might launch a new flagship product. Samsung will look to reaffirm its place behind Apple and claim its title as the most glorified android brand. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Is BJP Attempting to Make India a Cashless Country? Find out Here News oi -Samden Sherpa While PM Narendra Modi has a vision for Digital India, BJP in Kerala has announced that it will be launching a digital banking literacy mission to create awareness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday had announced on his Twitter handle and his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast that people especially the youth should embrace e-banking, mobile banking and such other technology. The Prime Minister also suggested that the mobile smartphone should be used for banking purposes. SEE ALSO: Here's Why You Should Take the Narendra Modi App Survey Now However, considering it as a move to support PM Narendra Modi's suggestion and a thrust towards a cashless society, BJP in Kerala has announced that it will be launching a 'digital banking literacy mission' to create awareness among public. The mission will be started in Kochi from December 3. As such, the aim of the mission stated by Party State President, Kummanam Rajasekharan, would be to train the public in using digital technology for transactions. Commentating on the same, he added that a special state-level committee comprising of banking experts would be formed to implement the mission and to create awareness on the role of digital banking in checking black money. Furthermore, he disclosed that trained party volunteers would be deployed at the panchayat level. Many associations, local clubs, and NGOs will likely be involved in ensuring that the mission is effectively implemented. SEE ALSO: Spot The Nearest Police Station Just by Downloading The Modi App For Free! The party also has plans to make select Panchayat as total cash-less areas. On another instance, the Government also has plans to soon launch a Rs 1,800 crore ($265 million) Digital Literacy Mission for 60 million people in most of the rural areas. It will be another initiative to bridge the gap between those who have access to computers and the Internet and those who don't. However, the Government is still awaiting approval from the cabinet. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Samsung Divided: Splits into Two New Businesses News oi -Samden Sherpa The shareholders have argued that a split would simplify the company structure making it easier to get a clear valuation of the firm's assets. Well it's been quite a rough road for Samsung this year. With the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 exploding case and recently losing its much glorified title of the Android king to Huawei, the ride has not been not smooth so far for Samsung. SEE ALSO: Reliance Jio Reached 50 Million Mark in Just 83 Days from its Launch! More significantly, with the disastrous Samsung Galaxy Note 7 case, it has cost the company almost 6.1 trillion won which seems to have put a big hole in the company's finances. Following which, some shareholders have been aiming of potentially splitting the company into two halves. As such the U.S. activist hedge fund, Elliott Management which owns 0.6 percent of Samsung has already approached the South Korean tech giant in October and has made a proposition to divide itself into a holding vehicle for ownership purposes and an operating company. In addition, the fund wants Samsung to pay out 30 trillion won ($26 billion) in a special dividend. The fund has argued that a split would simplify the company structure making it easier to get a clear valuation of the firm's assets. Currently, companies within the Samsung Group are linked through a complicated web of cross shareholding, linking Samsung Electronics to many other Samsung's firms and affiliates ranging from shipping, to heavy industries to insurance business. This complicated network or layers of cross shareholding makes it difficult for investors to get a clear idea of what each individual Samsung company is actually worth. SEE ALSO: Is BJP Attempting to Make India a Cashless Country? Find out Here However, the benefit of splitting Samsung Electronics into two companies would be that the cross-shareholding would affect only the holding company while the operating unit could be assessed separately. It will make a lot easier to arrive at a clean company evaluation. Moreover, the split, if is official then it will give back more control to the founding Lee family behind the company. So far, Samsung's keeping quiet about its intentions, but according to an unidentified source speaking to The Seoul Economic Daily, the company is considering it. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Reliance Jio Complains Against Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea Cellular: Here's the Reason Features oi -Chakri Kudikala Jio is upset about the fact that rivals are not supporting the new entrant and showing dominance over them. Reliance Jio, the country's LTE-only network has a grand beginning in the country with its 'Welcome Offer'. However, the major flaw with the network is that the voice calls barely connect, which means that, a user needs to try at least five times to get a call connected. Apart from this issue, Jio is also facing another problem in the form of slow internet speed, which is annoying several customers to leave the network. Now, there are rumours saying that the Reliance Jio has approached Competition Commission of India to apparently lodge a complaint against Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, and Idea Cellular. SEE ALSO: Reliance Jio Welcome Offer 2 to be Valid Until March 2017: Here's What We Know So Far Read the article to know more about what the actual issue is. Jio Claims Abuse of Dominance and Cartelisation The issue Jio feels is that the old networks such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, and Idea Cellular are showing dominance against them by not providing sufficient interconnects. Incumbent Networks Reportedly Denying Interconnects This is not a new issue. Last month, a TRAI's letter stated that rivals such as Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Aircel, and others have denied COAI's notice to provide interconnects to Jio. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Idea Cellular is Not Accepting this! Himanshu Kapania, Idea Cellular's Chief Executive Officer, said as follows "Idea will never be involved in any form of cartelization. The group has the highest standards of compliance. The mobile industry is hyper-competitive with 8-9 operators active per circle. Idea is ranked third with just 18-19 percent market share, so has limited market power," Fight for Interconnects Ever since its official announcement; Jio is fighting for interconnects with the India's major telecom operators- Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea asking to provide sufficient interconnects. However, in recent times, the call drops have reduced from 75 percent to 27 percent. Jio is a Back Door Operator (BDO) Last month; Reliance Jio has skipped a meeting organised by COAI, and the committee has rated the network as back door operator. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Telecom Sector to Undergo Drastic Transformation Post December 31: Here's Everything to Know Features oi -Sneha The telecom operators are all set to transform the telecom sector post-December 31. Read to know in details.. The calendar year has been a roller coaster for the telecom industry. Starting from the new entrant, Reliance Jio, to the unlimited offers, and the exciting tariff plans that the telcos including Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, RComm, and rest rolled out. Soon after Reliance Jio entered the telecom market, the sector has seen a drastic change, as the telcos started to compete among themselves to be the best network of the country. SEE ALSO: 5 Important Things to Know Before Opening a Savings Account With Airtel Payment Bank Starting from offering unlimited calls, to exciting data or talk time plans, the telecom operators have left no stone unturned to drive ahead in the competition. These telecom operators are planning to offer much more attractive tariff plans, mainly focusing on the aim to provide more at a lower cost. Here are a few things that the telecom sectors is going to experience after December 31. Reliance Jio Welcome Offer Ends As stated earlier by the company, Reliance Jio unlimited voice calls, and offers ends with the year on December 31. Soon after which the telecom company will start charging for its services and will no longer be offering free services. Free Lifetime Unlimited Calls To combat Reliance Jio and other telecom operators, BSNL has announced to offer free lifetime unlimited calls to its users starting early 2017, with the aim to attract more customers and retain the existing ones. Along with BSNL, airtel, Idea, and other telcos have already introduced a few unlimited calls offers and will add more to that. Reliance Jio Might Unveil Welcome Offer 2? Not Sure If unable to improve the network quality, Reliance Jio might extend the existing Welcome offer to Welcome Offer 2. The company may announce the same in the meeting to be held on December 28, no official announcements by the company yet. SEE ALSO: BSNL to Introduce Free Lifetime Voice Calls in 2017, Aims to be the Best Network Reliance Jio LYF Easy Phones The new entrant to the telecom operator will supposedly launch the cheapest 4G feature phone starting Rs. 1,000, called LYF Easy, especially to attract the suburban crowd and help India go digital, providing a 4G connection at every corner of the country. Telcos Might Wrap the Country With 4G Connection Telecom operators, including Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, BSNL, RComm and other have already started to roll out 4G services in several circles of the country and is surely expected to cover the whole of India. Cheap Tariff Plans Provide More Services The telcos are expected to roll out several combo packs, which may provide voice calls, data packs and more facility in one recharge. Although Airtel and other telecoms have already rolled out a few such offers, there are more to come. Along with these, the telecom operators will come up with several other exciting services and offers as well. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India NATO navies start exercise in Aegean Sea NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 28 Nov. 2016 NATO navies began a countermine-warfare exercise in the Aegean Sea on Monday (28 November 2016), aimed at testing combat readiness and strengthening ties between Allies and partners. Corvettes, patrol boats, mine hunters, fighter aircraft, and unmanned underwater vehicles are taking part in the event which will run until 4 December 2016. Dubbed "NUSRET" after a famous Turkish mine layer the annual exercise is organised by the Turkish navy. Participants will test finding and neutralizing mines, using divers, sonar as well as remotely operated vehicles. NATO has sent ships from Germany, Greece and Turkey to participate in the exercise. Other Allies are participating on a bilateral basis. "NUSRET" follows exercise "MAVI BALINA" which ran from 22 28 November in the eastern Mediterranean and tested international navies' anti-submarine warfare skills. Bordering both Iraq and Syria, Turkey is the NATO Ally most exposed to the turmoil in the Middle East. In response to security challenges in the region, NATO has boosted the defence of Turkey including, since 2013, with air defence missile systems. In December 2015, NATO decided on a further package measures for Turkey paving the way for more patrols by AWACS surveillance planes and increased naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. "Turkey faces serious security challenges from many directions," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. "NATO's participation in the NUSRET exercise demonstrates Allies' strong commitment to Turkey's security, and contributes to increased stability in the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Carney (DDG 64) Participates in Mavi Balina 2016 Navy News Service Story Number: NNS161128-11 Release Date: 11/28/2016 8:51:00 AM By Ensign David Nelson, USS Carney (DDG 64) Public Affairs MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) completed its participation in the Turkish-led Exercise Mavi Balina 2016, Nov. 26, in the Mediterranean Sea. Mavi Balina 2016 sought to improve the interoperability of participating nations by providing realistic training at sea, in order to improve interoperability and proficiency. Quotes: "I was extremely proud of the professionalism and performance of not only my Sailors, but all those who were involved in Mavi Balina. I have confidence that the friendships and tactical proficiency we built during the exercise exceeded the goals of Mavi Balina 2016 and built a strong foundation for combined interoperability in the future. The cross-deck process is so critically important to building friendships that last a career. Twelve years ago, I myself cross-decked to [Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339)] during a deployment in 5th Fleet, so walking aboard her while moored alongside was like visiting an old friend." - Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, commanding officer, USS Carney (DDG 64) "It is important to come together and to work in concert with each other. When we work together, it makes us stronger as allies." - Ensign Ahmet Serdar Yavuz, from Turkish frigate TCG Gelibolu (F 493) "I'll be taking back a lot to the Charlottetown. It's a lot of good points. In the future, hopefully I'll be able to become an ASW (anti-submarine warfare) officer aboard a Canadian frigate. It's a great insight into how things are done, and I'll have a better understanding when I get my training in the future." - SLT Adam Reece from HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) Quick Facts: Participating nations included Pakistan, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO Maritime Group 2, as well as observers from Algeria, Nigeria, and Georgia also participated. During the first phase of the exercise conducted in Aksaz, Turkey, Nov. 19-22, participants met to conduct final planning and valuable interoperability training, as well as strengthen ties between each of the navies. During the planning phase, Halvorsen hosted Rear Adm. Bulent Turan, commander, Turkish Submarine Group, aboard Carney for a tour. He visited with Rear Adm. Ali Cekic, commander, Naval Base Aksaz; and Rear Adm. Levant Kerim, commander, Southern Task Group. Additionally, members of Carney's wardroom attended multiple planning events and a reception held at the Turkish naval base in Aksaz. Participating units got underway Nov. 23 to begin the exercise. While the main focus was on anti-submarine warfare, Mavi Balina 2016 also included simulated small boat attacks, anti-air warfare exercises, surface maneuvering drills, communication drills, and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) events. In total, 12 surface vessels, five submarines, and multiple aircraft from seven nations participated in the at-sea phase. Carney participated in cross-decking between ships during the at-sea phase, which is a sharing of officers to strengthen relationships, build long-term links between future leaders, and enhance interoperability. While participating in Mavi Balina 2016, Carney sent officers to Charlottetown and Gelibolu. In turn, Carney hosted officers from these ships. Carney, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four police forces killed in Taliban ambush: Afghan official Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 6:19PM Taliban militants have killed at least four Afghan border policemen in an attack in the country's southern province of Zabul, an official says. The fatalities took place in the town of Zanjir, located in Shamlzai district on Sunday, when the militants ambushed police posts and killed the forces that were patrolling on foot in the mountainous area, according to Bismullah Afghanmal, the provincial governor of Zabul. He said several Taliban militants had been killed in the attack but declined to provide any additional details. Local police confirmed the report, adding that one police officer was also wounded in the attack. Meanwhile, residents in Zanjir area said that the Taliban militants closed off their local clinic following the attack. Afghanistan has been gripped by insecurity since the US and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror in 2001. Many parts of the country still remain plagued by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops. Taliban militants have been removed from power, but they have stepped up their activities in recent months, attempting to overrun several provinces. Afghan forces are engaged in fierce clashes with the Taliban militants to contain the ongoing insurgency across various parts of the country. 30 Daesh terrorists killed in Nangarhar In a separate report on Monday, a police official said 30 members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group had been killed over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar. Provincial police spokesman Colonel Hazrat Hussain Mashraqiwal said the fatalities occurred during Afghan airstrikes and ground attacks, adding that there were no casualties among the Afghan government forces. Nangarhar has been a main base for the activities of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in eastern Afghanistan over the past months after they first emerged in the war-torn country last year. Over the past months, Afghanistan has witnessed a surge in Daesh terror activities, particularly in its eastern regions. Daesh, mainly active in Syria and Iraq, has reportedly managed to take recruits from Taliban defectors in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan. In August, Daesh claimed responsibility for a bombing during a demonstration held by the Shia Hazara community in Kabul, where at least 85 people were killed and more than 400 others wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kuwait's cabinet steps down following snap parliamentary elections Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:42PM The Kuwaiti cabinet has tendered its resignation to Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in the wake of snap legislative elections, which saw opposition groups and their allies winning nearly half of the seats in the 50-member legislature. Prime Minister Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah submitted the government's resignation during a ceremony at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City on Monday. Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah was also in attendance, Kuwait's official news agency Kuna reported. "As the elections were transparently and impartially held and all the results were officially announced, I hand in the government's resignation in accordance with Article 57 of the Constitution," part of the letter of resignation read. The Persian Gulf country's monarch will now either reappoint the outgoing premier, or pick a senior member of the ruling family and task him with formation of a cabinet. The new cabinet must convene before parliament holds its first session within the next two weeks. According to official results announced by the Kuwaiti election authority on Sunday, opposition blocs and their partners could claim 24 parliamentary seats. A third of the new parliament is made up of new young lawmakers, and Shia legislators hold six seats in the house. The only elected female hopeful was Safa al-Hashem, who contested fifteen other women for election. The polls reportedly witnessed 70 percent of eligible voters to have cast their ballots. On October 16, the Kuwaiti emir announced the dissolution of parliament and early elections on November 26 in the face of "circumstances in the region and security challenges." The move came hours after parliament speaker Marzouk al-Ghanem called for snap polls. Political analysts have linked Kuwait's election results to the political wrangling between the government and parliament over austerity measures, which include cuts in many of the perks that citizens have enjoyed for decades and a sharp increase in petrol prices. A majority of those elected to the new legislature have clearly expressed their opposition to any austerity measures by the government. Kuwait, where oil income accounts for 95 percent of government revenues, is going through its worst budget crisis in years. Officials forecast a deficit of $31 billion for the 2016-17 fiscal year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four million children orphaned due to violence in DR Congo: UN Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 6:13AM Some four million children have lost at least one parent in two decades of continuous violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations (UN) has announced. The UN said in a report that a total of more than 26 million children have also been orphaned in West and Central Africa, where the DR Congo is located. This is the second highest number of orphans living in the world behind South Asia, according to the report. "They are the orphans with a story of violence since 1994 it's a generation of victims that continues," says Francisca Ichimpaye, a senior monitor at the En Avant Les Enfants INUKA center. And the children "lose their story in the violence," Ichimpaye said. Orphans are forced to fend for themselves and their younger siblings. Some of them are vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups; others face sexual exploitation in a country where rape has become commonplace. The DR Congo, which faces grinding poverty and crumbling infrastructure, has been plagued by ethnic conflict and a fight over valuable minerals since 1998. Civilians are the main victims of the ethnic strife. On Sunday, at least 30 civilians were killed in the DR Congo when militiamen from the Nande ethnic group in the eastern country attacked the village of Luhanga, where the Hutu ethnic people live. The Nande and Hutu groups have been divided along ethnic lines and relations between the two sides have been tense over the past months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update: air strikes against Daesh 28 November 2016 British forces have continued to conduct air operations in the fight against Daesh Latest update - Friday 25 November Tornados attacked a mortar team and a truck-bomb factory in Mosul. - Sunday 27 November Tornados destroyed a strongpoint and two engineering vehicles in Mosul, while Typhoons engaged two mortar teams on the outskirts of the city. Detail RAF and Coalition aircraft continue to support Iraqi forces as they press further into eastern Mosul, as the urban operating environment becomes increasingly congested and challenging. Tornados dealt with a particularly challenging target in eastern Mosul on Friday 25 November a Daesh mortar hidden in trees next to a busy road. The Tornados used a Brimstone missile, which has a small warhead and a very precise targeting system, to strike the target accurately whilst limiting as far as possible the risk to the passing traffic. The Tornados then hit a second target, using a Paveway IV to destroy a workshop in south-eastern Mosul which was producing truck-bombs. Three Tornado and Typhoon flights conducted attacks in Mosul on Sunday 27 November. One Tornado mission used Enhanced Paveway II and Paveway IV bombs to neutralise a large fortified building in northern Mosul, while a second Tornado flight conducted Brimstone attacks which destroyed two engineering vehicles, used by Daesh to construct defensive positions. In fields on the southern outskirts of the city, Typhoons caught a large group of terrorists setting up a mortar which they had just unloaded from a truck. A direct hit from a Paveway IV destroyed the mortar, killed the terrorists and damaged the truck. The Typhoons then destroyed a second mortar nearby. Previous air strikes Tuesday 1 November: Tornados patrolled north of Mosul where they supported advancing Kurdish forces. A Paveway IV guided bomb destroyed a Daesh heavy machine-gun position when it opened fire on the Peshmerga, while an Enhanced Paveway II demolished a building in which a light machine-gun was sited. Meanwhile, to the south-east of the city, a Reaper provided further close air support to Iraqi troops. It conducted Hellfire attacks on a mortar team who were spotted firing, and two groups of terrorists, including individuals with rocket-propelled grenades. The Reaper also directed a successful coalition air attack onto a number of terrorists defending a trench network. Wednesday 2 November: A combination of Typhoon and Tornado aircraft patrolled to the east of the city. Some distance to the south-east, they used a Paveway IV guided bomb to destroy a building from which a terrorist mortar team was operating. They then flew north to eliminate a sniper position with a second Paveway. Thursday 3 November: Tornados struck two further targets north-east of Mosul. A Paveway IV destroyed a building from which Daesh extremists were firing on advancing ground forces, while a Brimstone missile accounted for a terrorist vehicle. South-east of the city, a Reaper flew overwatch for Iraqi troops as they pressed forwards. The Reaper's crew used all four of its Hellfire missiles against a mortar team seen firing from amidst trees, and three groups of terrorists as they fired on the Iraqis with rocket-propelled grenades, as well as attempting to set fire to piles of tyres to create a smokescreen. The Reaper was also able to provide surveillance support to two air strikes by coalition aircraft which destroyed a fortified position and an armed truck. Friday 4 November: Reaper operations continued south-east of Mosul, with our aircraft directing a successful coalition air attack onto its target, a weapons dump, and using one of its own Hellfires to engage a group of terrorists on foot. Two Tornados struck close air support targets inside eastern Mosul itself, using Brimstone missiles to destroy an armed vehicle and a large truck-bomb. A Paveway also hit a group of terrorists which another coalition aircraft had been carefully tracking as they manoeuvred towards Iraqi troops. A second Tornado flight supported Iraqi operations elsewhere in the country, and north-east of Mosul used Paveway IV and Enhanced Paveway II bombs to destroy a cave occupied by Daesh in the hills above Bayji, as well as a nearby stock of equipment. Saturday 5 November: Three Hellfire attacks were launched by a Reaper near Mosul, against a truck-bomb, a mortar and a rocket-propelled grenade team. The Reaper also assisted in a coalition strike against a second mortar. On Sunday 6 November, Paveway IV-armed Typhoons bombed a terrorist group in the Tigris valley south of Mosul, while Tornados used a Brimstone missile to destroy an armoured personnel carrier inside the city. On the outskirts, a Reaper tracked a terrorist driving a truck-bomb towards Iraqi troops, but the truck exploded prematurely as it drove over rough ground, negating any need for the Reaper to fire at it. The Reaper instead used its Hellfires against a truck being loaded with spare weapons, a recoilless anti-tank gun, a rocket-propelled grenade team and an armed truck. Monday 7 November: A Typhoon mission armed with Paveway IV guided bombs destroyed a stockpile of rocket and mortar equipment to the north of Bayji, and a Reaper conducting armed reconnaissance near Raqqah struck a Daesh vehicle with a Hellfire missile. Near Mosul, a Reaper provided close air support to Iraqi forces. Daesh fighters were observed firing a recoilless anti-tank gun at the Iraqi troops, then loading the weapon into a vehicle. As the vehicle pulled away, it was destroyed by a Hellfire. The Reaper's crew then used a further three Hellfires, which have a very low risk of collateral damage, in successful attacks on groups of extremists as they engaged in street fighting with the Iraqi troops. Tuesday 8 November: Reaper operations in the area continued, with our aircraft conducting three further Hellfire attacks on terrorist fighters, as well as providing targeting support to a coalition air strike which destroyed a mortar team. To the north-east of Mosul, a pair of Typhoon FGR4s used Paveway IVs to destroy seven Daesh positions. Wednesday 9 November: A Reaper spotted an armoured vehicle firing on Iraqi troops on the outskirts of Mosul, and destroyed it with a Hellfire. Thursday 10 November: A Reaper provided overwatch to Iraqi troops engaged in street fighting at Abasi in northern Iraq. Its crew used Hellfire missiles against two groups of terrorists, including a light machine-gun team. In Mosul itself, a mortar was spotted in an area of heavily wooded parkland. It was destroyed by a Paveway IV guided bomb from a Typhoon flight. North of the city, Tornados used a Brimstone missile to kill several terrorists as they manoeuvred along a street. Friday 11 November: A pair of Typhoons patrolled over Syria, supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces north of Raqqa. Another coalition aircraft was able to identify a Daesh armoured vehicle well concealed under trees, and was able to direct the Typhoon onto the target, which was duly destroyed with a Paveway IV. Meanwhile, south of Mosul, Tornados used another Paveway IV to demolish a terrorist strongpoint on the banks of the Tigris. Saturday 12 November: A Reaper maintained surveillance around Mosul. As well as supporting a coalition air strike that eliminated a recoilless anti-tank gun team, our aircraft used three Hellfire missiles against a mortar and two groups of terrorists engaged in combat with Iraqi troops. Sunday 13 November: Typhoons again operated north of Raqqa and were able to destroy an anti-aircraft gun near Thulth Khunayz. Some miles to the north-east of Mosul, Tornados used a Paveway IV to collapse a tunnel system, while closer to the city, a Hellfire from a Reaper destroyed a large weapon mounted on the rear of a lorry. The Reaper then used a GBU-12 laser guided bomb to attack successfully both a buried weapons cache and a nearby terrorist vehicle. Monday 14 November: Royal Air Force Typhoons provided close air support to Iraqi forces as they fought to liberate the site of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud. A group of terrorists were spotted repositioning in open country some distance north of Nimrud, and successfully struck with a Paveway IV guided bomb. To the north of Mosul, a Reaper provided similar close support to Kurdish troops, in particular hunting for Daesh mortars. The Reaper's crew successfully located two such weapons. One was subsequently destroyed by coalition jets guided onto the target by the Reaper, the second was struck using one of the Reaper's own Hellfire missiles. Tuesday 15 November: A Reaper maintained patrols over Mosul and a further terrorist mortar team was silenced by a Hellfire missile. Tornados and Typhoons meanwhile maintained pressure on Daesh elsewhere in Iraq. The Tornados used a Paveway IV to bomb a terrorist bunker south of Haditha Lake, while the Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building to the west of Kirkuk. Wednesday 16 November: The Typhoons operated in the same area using Paveway IVs against two more terrorist occupied buildings some 20 miles west of Kirkuk. A Reaper also continued to keep watch over eastern Mosul, where it successfully hunted down and killed two Daesh mortar teams, and supported a coalition fast jet attack that accounted for a third, vehicle-borne, mortar. Two Typhoons, armed with Paveway IV guided bombs, were tasked on Thursday 17 November to deal with a group of buildings which Daesh had heavily booby-trapped with large improvised explosive devices in the path of the SDF's offensive north of Raqqa. Direct hits safely demolished all four target buildings, setting off large secondary explosions. Over Iraq the same day, two pairs of Tornados provided close air support over northern and western parts of the country. North-east of Tall Afar, one mission used a Paveway IV against a terrorist mortar position, while in the west, the other flight used an Enhanced Paveway II to bomb a bunker located in the countryside north-east of Rawah. On Friday 18 November, a Reaper supported Iraqi troops as they fought to liberate the village of Umarkan, south of Mosul. The Reaper's crew observed a group of Daesh fighters retreating into a building. Having checked that there were no indications of any civilians in the area, the Reaper was able to direct a successful coalition air strike onto the target. Our aircraft then used two of its own Hellfire missiles to kill a group of terrorists as they manoeuvred in the open, and to destroy a vehicle carrying a mortar. In Mosul itself, a Typhoon flight used four Paveway IVs to destroy a weapons stockpile in a large isolated building on the western bank of the Tigris. A second pair of Typhoons meanwhile continued to support the SDF north of Raqqa. Working closely with a coalition surveillance aircraft, the Typhoons were able to destroy a terrorist strongpoint with a Paveway IV despite the SDF being very near the target. The Typhoons then used another Paveway IV against an artillery piece concealed in trees some ten miles north of Raqqa. Tornados saw further action over Mosul on Sunday 20 November. On the southern edge of the city, to the east of Mosul airfield, an artillery piece had been spotted hidden amongst woodland. A Paveway IV was nevertheless successfully directed onto the target, and secondary explosions suggest ammunition was destroyed along with the gun itself. Monday 21 November: A Royal Air Force Reaper remotely piloted aircraft provided close air support to an Iraqi unit as it pressed towards Mosul from the south-east of the city. The Reaper's crew tracked a group of terrorists who had been observed firing at the Iraqi troops and, when it was safe to do so, successfully engaged them with a Hellfire missile. Our aircraft then gave targeting and surveillance assistance to two coalition air strikes on larger groups of extremists, before carrying out two further attacks of its own with Hellfires against yet more Daesh militants. Tuesday 22 November, a combined formation of two Typhoons and a Tornado conducted armed reconnaissance over the desert of western Iraq. A number of heavily-armed terrorists were reported to be encamped some 35 miles from Haditha. Their location was confirmed by the RAF flight, which then delivered a very effective attack with Paveway IV guided bombs. The following day, a Reaper was again in action south-east of Mosul. Most of its mission was devoted to hunting terrorist heavy weapons teams and conducting very patient surveillance to ensure there were no civilians at risk in the area. The Reaper directly supported one coalition air attack on an armed vehicle, and used three of its own Hellfires to destroy two Daesh mortars and a recoilless anti-tank gun which had all been observed when they attempted to engage the advancing Iraqi units. Meanwhile, south-west of Mosul, a Typhoon flight used a Paveway IV against a terrorist heavy machine-gun position. Thursday 24 November: RAF aircraft have also continued to provide reconnaissance and strike support to the Syrian Democratic Forces as they push towards Raqqa. As part of this, a pair of Paveway-armed Typhoons destroyed a Daesh strongpoint located some 15 miles north of the city. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Refugees in Chad facing continued food insecurity, joint UN agency assessment reveals 28 November 2016 A joint assessment by the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), has revealed that 43 per cent of refugees who have been living in Chad for more than 10 years continue to face a precarious food security situation and require assistance. Chad is home to some 400,000 refugees, 310,000 of which are from Darfur (Sudan) and another 70,000 from the Central African Republic (CAR). Those from Sudan have been arriving since 2002 while those from CAR have been displaced for more than 10 years. The country has also received 5,000 refugees from Nigeria as a result of the violence perpetuated by Boko Haram. These people are in addition to 100,000 internally displaced persons who live at makeshift sites and 5,000 urban refugees who live in N'Djamena, the country's capital, without assistance. In addition to the high number of refugees who are food insecure, more than 40 per cent are suffering from chronic malnutrition and the majority of children under the age of five are affected by anaemia. "Lack of resources has forced us to reduce food rations for refugees to less than half," announced WFP Chad Country Director Mary-Ellen McGroarty, in a joint news release. Biometric registration and careful targeting according to vulnerability and needs have somewhat lessened the impact of the cuts, and the WFP continues to explore opportunities with UNHCR that would link food and non-food assistance to longer-term resilience projects that would benefit both refugees and local communities. In order to diversify refugees' meals and stimulate local markets, WFP is also looking into cash assistance. However, the short term requires basic food needs to be met in order to prevent further deterioration to their nutritional situation. The joint assessment also reports a need to invest in training, small trade, and microfinance schemes or farming projects. It recommends that voluntary returns ought to be considered once the situation in peoples' countries of origin allow. "We must retain the protection character of our refugee operation and the social contract between UNHCR and the Government," said UNHCR Representative in Chad Jose Antonio Canhandula. "We should also move on from offering assistance to investing in human capacities, and integrate the refugee programme into a broader development programme. Our international protection mandate cannot be fully achieved without ensuring food security for refugees and for their host communities," he added. The joint assessment is available online in French. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VOA Interview: Air Force Has Too Few Fighter Squadrons to Meet Commanders' Needs By Carla Babb November 28, 2016 When Iraqi troops began the operation to retake Mosul last month, fighter pilots in America's F-22 Raptor jets struck the first Islamic State targets there. But that kind of operation may be in jeopardy. The U.S. Air Force says a shortage of fighter pilots has become so dire that it is struggling to satisfy combat requirements abroad. "We have too few squadrons to meet the combatant commanders' needs," Major General Scott Vander Hamm, the general in charge of fixing the fighter pilot crisis, said in an exclusive interview with VOA. The Air Force is currently authorized to have 3,500 fighter pilots, but it is 725 fighter pilots short. And with fewer pilots, the number of fighter pilot squadrons have also dropped, from 134 squadrons in 1986 to 55 in 2016. As a greater percentage of the force has needed to be deployed over the past 10 years, readiness -- the ability to accomplish missions at home and abroad -- has dropped 20 percent. Some 'unpalatable options' "We're having to look across the board and offer some pretty unpalatable options as we get after it," Vander Hamm told VOA, "and we may have to, within the next calendar year, start to take some degradations in the frontline squadrons." "What that would mean to us is that we would have to accept not being able to get forces to theater in the same time we could, which to a warfighter, that means it could cost lives in a conflict," he said. Each pilot needs years of training to maneuver high-tech aircraft, which have evolved into flying supercomputers. The number of fighter pilot squadrons have dropped from 134 in 1986 to 55 today. As a greater percentage of the force has needed to be deployed over the past 10 years, readiness has dropped 20 percent. The Air Force is now training about 135 more pilots than two years ago, but that effort appears to have been undercut by the number of fighter pilots who have chosen to leave the Air Force. After about 10 years, pilots are offered a bonus payment as incentive to stay on in the force. But in fiscal 2016, only 40 percent took the bonus. Vander Hamm told VOA the Air Force needs to retain about two-thirds of its fighter pilots up for contract renewal in order to fill the slots needed in the force. Deployments At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, pilots who fly the F-22 Raptor say that longer and more frequent deployments have devastated morale. "We were on 45-day rotations. Then they made it 90-day rotations. Then they made it 120-day rotations. Now it's six-month rotations with one-year rotations sprinkled on top of it for key positions," said a lieutenant colonel who asked only to be identified by his call sign "Buz" due to his commander's concern about potential retaliation from enemy terror groups. The deployments aren't the only thing causing pilots to quit. While stationed at home, pilots often have to work extra hours to finish administrative tasks, in addition to maintaining their flying skills. "All of the same responsibilities fall on about half the number of people who were there before, and that creates a pretty high demand on these guys and their work life," Colonel Pete Fesler, the commander of the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, told VOA. The fighter pilot shortage has spiked at a time when commercial airlines, which offer more stable schedules at home and the potential for higher pay, are looking for more pilots. "If it's up to just me, I definitely would stay in, but my family has a vote," a major who asked to be identified by his call sign "Jack" told VOA. "If they want me to leave to do something else, then that's probably what I'll end up doing." Solution to crisis Tom Hunt, a former fighter pilot who left the Air Force in 2013, says he decided to leave for several reasons. He says he now earns more money as a Washington, D.C., lawyer. He says the solution to the crisis does not have to be complex. "Some people say you can't throw money at everything, you can. You absolutely can. If you said, the pilot bonus is now $500,000, single-lump sum payment, (I) guarantee you will solve your pilot shortage," Hunt said. However, he also noted that paying one group so much more than another group might cause tension within the force, no matter how much the pay increase might be deserved. The Air Force is asking Congress for money to raise the bonus from $25,000 per year to $48,000 per year, the first such bonus increase since 1999. They also have pledged to decrease administrative duties for fighter pilots in the squadrons. The Pentagon hopes it will be enough to retain experienced pilots needed to keep up the Air Force's fast-paced operations as well as train new recruits. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam Taking Long-Term Hard Line Toward China on Maritime Claims By Ralph Jennings November 28, 2016 Vietnam is lengthening a military runway on a tiny islet to help hold off a larger, more aggressive China for control in Asia's widest-reaching sovereignty dispute as other claimants keep quiet or seek negotiations. The government in Hanoi is extending the runway on one of the Spratly Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South China Sea, from 762 to 1,005 meters and building new hangars, according to the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. The longer runway would allow easier access for the air force's maritime surveillance aircraft, it said. Historic use of the sea, strong national pride and a history of deadly conflicts are motivating Vietnam to fortify more than two dozen islands in the chain. "The Vietnamese have to play a very careful game," said Adam McCarty, chief economist at Mekong Economics in Hanoi. "They don't really want to provoke China, but they also can't just let China do whatever it wants to do. China has also irritated Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines since 2010 with its quick expansion into the 3.5-million-square-km (1.4 million-square-mile) ocean. Standing up to China But other governments normally keep quiet when China passes ships through their maritime zones. Malaysia, for one, hopes to protect its extensive trade and investment relations with the world number two economy, while Brunei is also quiet. The Philippines, once hostile enough to take the maritime dispute to a world arbitration court, began making peace with China in August. The two sides may now explore jointly for undersea fossil fuels. Vietnam has already done landfill work on 27 South China Sea islets, more than any other claimant, though China's land reclamation is grabbing more headlines. Vietnam has also acquired submarines and spent heavily on military expansion over the past eight years, analysts note. Unique cause for concern Vietnam is uniquely wary of China for historical reasons, analysts say. The two sides fought a border war in 1979 and have reported three major clashes at sea. An incident in the Paracel Islands in 1974 sank a South Vietnamese navy ship with the captain on board, killing a total 71 from both sides. A 1988 naval battle left 64 Vietnamese dead. From 1992 to 1996, Vietnam staved off China's efforts to explore some of the sea's islets, but China has taken an upper hand since then despite a 2007 plan in Vietnam to link maritime resources to its coastal economic development. Two years ago Vietnamese and Chinese vessels rammed each other in the Gulf of Tonkin after China allowed an offshore oil driller to position a rig in overlapping waters. The oil rig incident sparked anti-China riots in Vietnam and left 21 dead. Vietnam protested a Chinese rig using the same waters in April. "I think, number one, they have very unfortunately experienced in the past that they have had actual military confrontation with China in terms of protecting their maritime interests," said Andrew Yang, secretary general with the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies think tank in Taiwan. Historic claims Vietnamese people have used the South China Sea for hundreds of years, stoking the nationalism behind today's dispute with China. Before North and South Vietnam were unified in the 1970s, the south maintained military and civilian communities in the Spratlys. Its claims to the ocean now also overlap with Malaysia and the Philippines. "The Vietnamese leadership still has to be very sensitive and responsive to what the Vietnamese people really feel and want," he said. "There's a strong anti-China sentiment and there's very strong nationalism in Vietnam, so they have to be seen to be pushing back against China but at the same time they realize you can't poke the bear too often or you get a really bad backlash." Vietnamese officials once believed the South China Sea to hold oil and natural gas reserves off their south coast, McCarty said, but they eased away due to the cost of exploration. The country is not "sophisticated" in deep-sea fishing, another common economic reason countries cite for their interest in the South China Sea, he said. As China builds up tiny disputed islets with the capability of launching planes, Vietnam fears its claims will be harder to defend, McCarty said. Hanoi seeks peace with Beijing Still, the country counts China as its top supplier of raw material for a fast-growing manufacturing sector. China is also Vietnam's top trading partner. The Communist government in Hanoi squelched the 2014 riots in part to keep peace with Beijing. In September, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pledged to manage their differences over maritime issues. At the same time, Vietnam is pursuing closer security ties with Japan, India and the United States as a bulwark against China. "They've gone much further than Malaysia and much, much further than the Philippines to be able to represent a deterrent [to China]," said Carl Thayer, emeritus professor of politics at The University of New South Wales in Australia. In May the U.S. government lifted a 30-year-old embargo against selling lethal weapons to Vietnam and separately it has offered $18 million in military aid. Japan is also sending maritime patrol boats to Vietnam. China prefers two-way talks with rival maritime claimants to solve disputes and has lashed out at the United States for intervention. "Vietnam had long been negotiating bilaterally with China, but Vietnam is different in saying that where third party interests are involved, then they have a right to be involved," Thayer said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Officials: Situation in CAR Can Be Turned Around With Sustained Aid By Lisa Schlein November 28, 2016 While expressing optimism that the Central African Republic will become a stable, peaceful country, U.N. aid officials have acknowledged that the mission ahead would be a challenge and achieving the goal would require the sustained support of the international community something that has been in short supply for some time. "We are really here to appeal among member states for greater attention and greater support for a humanitarian emergency that is largely forgotten, or at least, overshadowed by other more mediatic [in the media] crises," said Fabrizio Hochschild, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in the CAR. Hochschild was part of a U.N.-CAR delegation that met with donor countries to appeal for nearly $400 million to meet the needs of 1.6 million people in the country over the coming year. "The Republic of Central Africa is among the most poor, most forgotten, neglected places on this planet, and that chronic poverty and obscurity have been compounded by ongoing conflict," he said. The Central African Republic has been lurching from crisis to crisis over the past two decades. In the last three months, six localized conflicts have erupted, leading to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. One of poorest countries Sporadic outbursts such as these over the past 20 years have contributed to making CAR one of the poorest countries in the world, with socioeconomic statistics that rank near the bottom of every international study. For example, United Nations data show one in five children will die before the age of 5, one in every 10 women will die in childbirth, and close to half of all children who reach adulthood will suffer from chronic malnutrition a malady that will have long-term physical and mental health consequences. The United Nations reports annual per capita income stands at $325, with nearly half of the population of 4.6 million short of food and in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite these and other dire statistics, Hochschild said that progress has been made since civil war broke out in 2013. "It has its first-ever democratically elected government, an open government that acknowledges its challenges, a government more than ready to work with the international community," he said. "It has the largest-ever international mission MINUSCA working there in partnership with the African Union." He said that the international community agreed on what needed to be done to make CAR a viable, self-functioning state. He added that those elements were reflected in the five-year national recovery and stabilization plan that was launched November 17 in Brussels and netted $2.2 billion in pledges. While this was gratifying, he warned that "there are no quick fixes." "There is a chance now to deal with the root causes," of this troubled country, he said, and that it could "become a beacon of peace" for the region if the international community remained committed to working with and supporting the country long-term. Country in conflict Fighting between the Muslim Seleka rebel coalition and Christian anti-Balaka militia has claimed thousands of lives. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that around 400,000 people are internally displaced and nearly half a million are refugees in neighboring countries, the majority in Cameroon. Humanitarian coordinator Hochschild said there was a "temptation to dehumanize one or another group" in a polarized country in conflict. He said the temptation "to use and abuse religious or community differences to promote hatred and to seek to gain territory or influence" was always there and remained a cause for concern. At the same time, he noted that there were "many Central Africans of very mixed faiths belonging to different communities who unite under a very different vision." The CAR minister for social affairs and national reconciliation, Virginie Baikoua, told VOA that the country was planning to set up a new Commission of National Unity and Reconciliation, probably in the first half of 2017. "Discussions are under way among the warring parties," she said, emphasizing the importance of "dialogue in achieving a durable peace." The minister led a delegation earlier this month to Rwanda to learn how that country's commission had succeeded in reconciling the Huthi and Tutsi ethnic groups after the 1994 genocide. She said the commission would enable people in CAR who have lost loved ones to learn the truth about what happened to them. "Once the truth is told, there will be justice. If there is no justice," she said, "there will be no peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Meets with Ex-CIA Chief Petraeus as Possible Secretary of State By Ken Schwartz November 28, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump met with another possible candidate for secretary of state Monday, and one who is likely to raise some tough questions from the U.S. Senate former CIA chief and retired general David Petraeus. Before leading the CIA, Petraeus was top U.S. commander in Iraq and led NATO forces in Afghanistan. But he was forced to resign from the CIA in disgrace in 2012 after leaking classified information to his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. Trump, Petraeus meet for hour Despite Petraeus' past, Trump tweeted that he was "very impressed" with the retired general. Petraeus told reporters he met with Trump in the president-elect's Manhattan office tower for about an hour. "He basically walked us around the world, showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well ... we'll see where it goes from here." Despite his long experience as a top U.S. military commander and intelligence chief, Petraeus likely will face tough questions about his integrity from the Senate, which must approve a president's choice of secretary of state. Giuliani interested in post Petraeus was fined $100,000 and given two years' probation after pleading guilty to charges of mishandling classified information. Trump had complained that while the FBI failed to prosecute Hillary Clinton for her mishandling of classified information, Petraeus was punished for a lot less. Trump is reported to be considering a group of other politicians and diplomats as his secretary of state. They include former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is said to be highly interested in the job, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, Republican Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. The possibility of Romney is causing some controversy in the Trump transition camp and among Trump supporters. The former governor and 2012 Republican nominee criticized Trump during the campaign as a "fraud" and "con man," and refused to publicly endorse him. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 of Zuma's Cabinet Ministers Want Him to Resign By VOA News November 28, 2016 Three of the South African president's Cabinet ministers have called on scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma to resign. Local media say Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi called on Zuma to step down at a meeting of the ruling African National Congress, or ANC, over the weekend that was extended into Monday. Political analyst Ranjeni Munusamy wrote on the Daily Maverick website that, "There is no doubt that Zuma is fighting for his political life." Zuma's time in office has been mired in numerous controversies and increasingly his fellow ANC lawmakers and activists have called on him to step down. "He is hanging on while it is clear that large sections of the ANC and alliance no longer want him as president," Munusamy said. "The countdown to Zuma's exit has begun." His exit, however, might not be as swift as some would like. The president still enjoys support from the rank-and-file ANC members and some of its lawmakers. He survived a no-confidence vote in parliament earlier this month. The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, presented the motion, arguing that indications Zuma allowed the powerful Gupta family to choose Cabinet members shows he is a threat to the country's stability. Zuma has also been 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. The ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela, came to power after apartheid ended in 1994. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Obama Expands 9/11 Authorization to Cover Al-Shabab By VOA News November 28, 2016 The Obama administration has expanded its legal authority to attack the al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group al-Shabab. Citing senior U.S. officials, The New York Times reported Monday the administration has deemed al-Shabab to be part of the armed conflict that Congress authorized against the perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The move, the paper said, has some legal and foreign policy experts concerned the administration is overexpanding its authority to cover counter-terrorism operations in countries far from Afghanistan. It will also strengthen future president Donald Trump's authority to combat thousands of Islamist militants in the Horn of Africa nation, the paper said. The U.S. has carried out numerous airstrikes aimed at al-Shabab leaders, including one that killed the group's top leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, in 2014. There are also a small number of U.S. intelligence and military personnel on the ground, helping Somali government and African Union troops battle al-Shabab. Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow Micah Zenko told the Times, "It is crazy that a piece of legislation that was grounded specifically in the experience of 9/11 is now being repurposed for close air support for regional security forces in Somalia." The Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Al-Qaeda, approved by Congress in 2001, was passed in the days following the 9/11 terror attacks against the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon. But President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser Lisa Monaco said the terrorism threat "is constantly evolving and requires an adaptable response." Monaco added that the administration "recognizes that we must more effectively partner with countries where terrorist networks take hold, enabling and empowering these partners to share the burden of combating these threats tour mutual interests." Al-Shabab has been fighting since 2006 to overthrow the Somali government and establish a state based on the group's strict version of Islamic law. The group became an al-Qaida affiliate in 2012. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address History, people to remember Castro: Chinese president People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:38, November 28, 2016 Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that history and people will remember Fidel Castro, calling the Cuban revolutionary leader "a great figure of our times." Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in a message of condolences to Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, after Fidel Castro died late Friday at the age of 90. "In the name of the CPC, the Chinese government and people, and in my own name, I express my deepest condolences on the death of Comrade Fidel Castro and sincerest sympathy to his family," Xi said. Fidel Castro, founder of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuba's socialist cause, was a great leader of the Cuban people, Xi said, adding that he has made immortal historic contributions and devoted all his life to the Cuban people's great cause of struggling for national liberation, safeguarding state sovereignty and building socialism. The late Cuban leader has also made immortal historic contributions to the world socialist development, Xi added. Fidel Castro also dedicated his life to the friendship between China and Cuba, Xi said. Xi added that the China-Cuba relationship has enjoyed great development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 56 years ago thanks to Fidel Castro's solicitude and painstaking efforts. "The death of Fidel Castro has made the Chinese people lose a close comrade and sincere friend. His glorious image and great achievements will go down in history," Xi said. "The great Comrade Fidel Castro will be forever remembered," said the Chinese president. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cubans turn out in thousands to pay tribute to Castro Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:15PM Cubans have turned in thousands in the capital, Havana, to pay their respects to Fidel Castro, the iconic revolutionary leader who ruled the country for nearly half a century. Throngs of people showed up at Havana's Plaza of the Revolution on Monday for the start of an emotional, week-long farewell service for Castro. "Fidel is everything to us, the soul of this country who gave everything, all his life," said Tania Jimenez, a 53-year-old mathematician carrying a rose in tears. Many had even stayed overnight near the historic monument. Josefina Vayan Bravo, a 44-year-old housewife, said she was in the plaza since 6:00 pm on Sunday. "I don't know what to say," Bravo said before breaking into sobs. Hundreds of thousands are expected to swarm the place for bidding farewell to Castro, who died at 90 in Cuba late on Friday night. The government has declared nine days of national mourning. "He's the father of all Cubans. My dad was my dad, but he couldn't give me what (Castro) gave me. He gave me everything. My freedom. My dignity," said Lourdes Rivera, a 66-year-old retired civil servant. "It's a terrible sadness. Everyone's feeling it here. Everyone will be there," said Orlando Alvarez, a 55-year-old jeweler. The homage service in honor of the late leader will stretch for 13 hours on Monday and take place again on Tuesday. Castro's ashes will begin a three-day procession east across Cuba on Wednesday, before being interred on Sunday in Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago, the country's second largest city. Castro came to power in 1959. He was known for his anti-imperialist ideas and was particularly opposed to Washington's capitalist agenda. He survived hundreds of attempts on his life, many of them believed to have been orchestrated by the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cubans Pay Last Respects To Castro In Havana RFE/RL November 28, 2016 Tens of thousands of Cubans have been paying their last respects to Fidel Castro as they file past an urn in Havana's central Revolution Square containing the ashes of the fiery revolutionary who clung to power for nearly a half-century before handing over to his brother a decade ago. The two-day public farewell to Castro in the Cuban capital began early on November 28 and should culminate in a mass rally on the square, where the controversial Cuban leader frequently gave speeches excoriating the United States, trying to export Marxism, and touting major elements of Soviet life. Castro, who died aged 90 on November 25, often won praise from socialists for leading a revolution in 1959 that toppled a corrupt government and extended health care and education to ordinary citizens. But those achievements came at the cost of crushing his fellow citizens' right to voice criticism or form political parties without fear of imprisonment, according to activist groups and Cuban exiles. In Havana's Revolution Square, a massive nine-story image of a young Castro carrying a rifle has been hung on the front of the National Library. The government has said mourners will "render homage and sign a solemn oath to carry out the concept of the revolution expressed" by Castro. Castro effectively stepped down for medical reasons in 2006, leaving the running of the country to his brother, Raul. Foreign leaders are expected to attend the public rally at the end of the day on November 29. The Kremlin announced on November 28 that Putin will not be attending Castro's funeral and that the Russian delegation will be headed by State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. Russia is one of Cuba's closest allies, reflecting Castro's prominent role in the Cold War. Castro died of causes that have not been disclosed but he had long suffered from serious intestinal illness. His remains were cremated on November 26. The government has declared a nine-day period of mourning that will include transporting his ashes in a procession across eastern Cuba before they are interred on December 4 in the southeastern city of Santiago. The man Cubans called "El Commandante" (The Commander) came to power at age 32 when he led a revolution to topple U.S.-backed Fulgencio Batista. Show Trials, Executions He eliminated hundreds of members of the toppled government in a series of show trials and summary executions. Admirers see Castro as a visionary who stood up to the United States, brought health care and education to the poor, and inspired socialist movements across the globe. But critics say he was a tyrant who jailed his opponents and destroyed Cuba's economy with a failed socialist experiment that caused economic hardship and sparked an exodus of hundreds of thousands of Cubans to Florida to seek a better life. Castro survived a failed U.S.-backed invasion attempt by Cuban exiles seeking to overthrow his rule in 1961, an event that contributed to Castro's close ties with the U.S.S.R. In 1962, Moscow's dispatch of missiles to Cuba, and Washington's demand that they be removed, escalated into one of the biggest crises of the Cold War and brought the world the closest it has come to nuclear war. Castro's younger brother Raul officially became president of the one-party state in 2008. Dissidents in Cuba say they are staying home during the mourning period and expect political repression to continue on the island despite Fidel Castro's death. Cuba's dissident Ladies In White movement called off its regular weekly protest on November 27, with its leader Berta Soler saying she wanted to avoid being accused of committing acts of "provocation." According to a 2016 report by HRW, thousands of dissidents continue to be jailed in Cuba each year. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/cuba#2a25cf U.S. President Barack Obama launched a cautious rapprochement with Cuba in his second term, in part through executive actions that could be reversed under President-elect Donald Trump. Trump threatened on November 28 to abandon the detente with Havana unless Cuban officials offered "a better deal for the Cuban people." With reporting by Reuters TV, AFP, and AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/cuba-fidel -castro-last-respects- funeral/28144287.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Week of Memorials for Castro Begins in Cuba By VOA News November 28, 2016 Cubans lined up Monday to pay their respects to Fidel Castro at Revolution Square in Havana as the country begins a week-long goodbye to the island's revolutionary leader, a man many loved and many loathed. Memorial services began early Monday after 21-gun salutes sounded simultaneously in the capital and in the eastern city of Santiago, where Castro started the Cuban revolution in 1953. The 90-year-old Castro died Friday after a long illness. A cause of death has not been announced. Castro was cremated on Saturday and a nine-day period of mourning was declared. His ashes will be interred Sunday in the southeastern city of Santiago de Cuba. Beginning Wednesday, his ashes will be carried eastward across the country, in a three-day procession that follows in reverse the route taken by the young revolutionary and his rebel fighters as they advanced on Havana from the Sierra Maestra mountains before taking power in January 1959. Berta Soler, leader of the anti-Castro group Ladies in White said, "We are not happy about the death of a man, a human being. We are happy about the death of dictators." Sunday in Miami, a representative from the Ladies in White, joined with other dissident organizations in calling for unified public demonstrations Wednesday in support of democracy in Cuba. The Ladies in White group was founded in 2003 to support husbands jailed for political opposition in the one-party nation. The group has organized weekly marches in Havana for the past 13 years. In Miami's "Little Havana" Cuban Americans danced in the streets to celebrate Castro's passing, marking an official end to his controversial life and dictatorial rule. Men and women, young and old, marched and danced while others demanded a democratic future for their ancestral homeland. Castro, raised near Santiago de Cuba, launched his revolt against the rule of Fulgencio Batista in 1953 from the southeastern city, finally +toppling the U.S.-backed leader and seizing power in 1959. He eventually set up a one-party socialist government, which constantly defied Washington and allied itself with the former Soviet Union. Castro handed power to his brother Raul in 2006, although he still exercised some power behind the scenes until recent years. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address African Union Official Remembers Fidel Castro By James Butty November 28, 2016 The deputy chair of the African Union Commission said the modern history of Africa owes a lot to Cuba and its late leader Fidel Castro. Erastus Mwencha said Cuba's involvement in Africa began at a time when the continent had few friends. Mwencha says when it came to Africa, Castro lived what he preached. "First of all, we send our condolences to the family and also to the people and government of Cuba, and of course, for Castro. As you know, and this is well documented, that you cannot write the history of Africa or Cuba, without Castro. It started with the DRC, with Patrice Lumumba and continued until the liberation of South Africa from apartheid. And, so Cuba, through Castro, gave resources, gave soldiers, trained combatants, and did everything it could to assist Africa gain independence," he said. Mwencha said Cuba under Castro, has been very much associated with Africa's development. "As you know, Cuba provided support in the form of medical doctors and has also trained a number of doctors from Africa in Cuba. And most recently when we had the problem of Ebola, Cuba was one of those countries, challenged as it is under sanctions, that sent doctors and did everything that they could to assist the countries that were affected by Ebola. And so Cuba has been standing with Africa and working with Africa throughout whether it was through independence but also during development time," Mwencha said. Africa, in turn, supported Cuba He said Africa has also stood by Cuba in international settings even as the island nation faced crushing international sanctions, particularly from the United States. "Africa has consistently sponsored a resolution in the United Nations and which was always passed in the African Union and before that OAU, calling for the removal of sanctions because every country has a right to choose the form of economic development they may wish to follow and for Africa we didn't think that the rest of the world has the right to choose for Cuba the course of her history," Mwencha said. Mwencha said Africa is happy to see that those countries that imposed sanctions on Cuba, especially the United States, saw that the sanctions were not achieving their desired objectives and have found the need to ease the sanctions. Castro tried to help his people "If you have been to Cuba, and I have been, you will see what he has tried to do with the people of Cuba. For instance, Cuba is one country in the world that has highest life expectancy because of the investment he did for the people. Of course Cuba is poor, but he went ahead to share the little he had. That is really what you might call humanity in him that was larger than just the individual Cuba," Mwencha said. South African president, Jacob Zuma, also had warm words for the Cuban leader, thanking him for his help and support in the struggle to overthrow apartheid. "President Castro identified with our struggle against apartheid. He inspired the Cuban people to join us in our own struggle against apartheid," Zuma said in a statement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Security Council Likely to Impose New DPRK Sanctions This Week By Margaret Besheer November 28, 2016 The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Wednesday on new and tighter sanctions to choke off funding to North Korea's illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United States and China have been negotiating the new measures since shortly after Pyongyang's September 9 nuclear test. All 15 council members are now considering the draft text. Most significantly, if adopted, the resolution will target North Korea's coal export industry, which according to global trade figures is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue this year -- much of it believed to be used to finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. "This resolution imposes a hard, binding cap that will cut DPRK coal exports, which are the DPRK's largest single source of external revenue, by more than 60 percent," said a U.S. official familiar with the text. That could add up to some $700 million per year, the official said. Tightening Loopholes Another proposed new measure would tighten the exemption in Resolution 2270, adopted unanimously in March, which banned the export of coal, iron and iron ore, unless such transactions were determined to be exclusively "for livelihood purposes" and unrelated to generating cash for Pyongyang's illicit programs. Some states had a "vague" and "liberal" interpretation of that clause, the U.S. official said, which allowed coal exports to remain at high levels. Under the new resolution, the livelihood definition would be narrowed to apply only to North Korean nationals. "Much of this trade involves DPRK actors with links to the regime and its prohibited programs; so we are targeting a sector with a high proportion of bad actors," the official said. China is North Korea's primary importer of coal. The Global Trade Atlas projects Beijing will import more than 20 million metric tons of the fuel source this year up from just 3 million metric tons in 2009. The proposed new sanctions also would ban export of certain metals copper, nickel, silver and zinc which bring in more than $100 million a year for the regime. North Korea's lucrative giant bronze statue making business also could be affected. The draft resolution would ban Pyongyang's export of the figures, which are especially popular with African dictators, and generate tens of millions of dollars a year. The proposed resolution would designate for travel bans and asset freezes 11 more North Korean officials and 10 entities involved in the nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as the DPRK coal and conventional arms trade. Luxury goods, a favorite indulgence of North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, have been repeatedly targeted in previous U.N. resolutions. Under proposed new sanctions, carpets and tapestries worth more than $500 and fine china and porcelain tableware valued at more than $100 would be banned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran observing US decision on JCPOA: AEOI chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Nov 28, IRNA -- The Islamic Republic is observing US decision on Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will adopt the right decision at the right time, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said on Monday. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 6th anniversary of martyrdom of the Iranian nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari. Salehi noted that following the Leader's recent remarks about the landmark nuclear deal, signed between Iran and members of the G5+1 in July 2015, the Iranian Supervisory Committee on JCPOA Implementation has held a meeting with the presence of President Hassan Rouhani. Iran has foresighted the reciprocal measures to be taken towards US possible decision for extension of sanctions aganist Tehran, Salehi said. Referring to the approval of a bill for extension of sanctions against Iran for another decade by the US House of Representatives, Salehi stressed, 'Extension of sanctions means violation of JCPOA.' 'Iran has adopted necessary measures and decisions will beome opertional in due time after monitoring and mulling US decisions,' the AEOI chief said. Noting that Iran had no trust in the US from the beginning of the nuclear talks, Salehi said, 'Tehran has foreseen necessary considerations and has planned returning to the previous situation should the JCPOA be violated. All decisions and undertakings are reversible, he stressed. The JCPOA created a new paradigm in the international relations at the interest of whole the world, Salehi said stressing that the US will be the loser if it continues its present approach. Salehi said that world public opinion will not accept violation of the JCPOA and is completely aware that Iran has done everything to fulfill the international agreement. Hoping that the US president-elect Donald Trump will adopt a reasonable and realistic approach,Salehi said Trump cannot take a unilateral approach towards an international agreement which is supported by the UN Security Council. 'We did not sign a bilateral contract with US. JCPOA is an international agreement, particularly after adoption of Resolution 2231, the nuclear deal has found an internaional nature. 'Therefore, we hope that they (US officials) will not damage it and fulfill their commitments.' Speaking about exports of Iran's heavy water to Oman, Salehi said that a number of foreign companies are in talks with Tehran to buy Iran's heavy water. 'Iran has sent about 11 tons of its heavy water to Oman' for potential buyers. 9191**1394 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi forces retake one more village en route to liberate Mosul Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:33PM Forces engaged in the liberation of Daesh's last stronghold in the country have raised Iraq's flag on one more village on their way to fully retake Mosul. On Monday, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah announced that the Iraqi army's ninth division had fully purged the village of al-Qasr, located to the east of the Tigris River, which splits the city in two. "We were able to breach the enemy's defense lines and we have fully liberated al-Qasr area. A number of Daesh was killed and others fled. This was due to the good planning by the commander of Nineveh Operations Command and the courage of our fighters," said Sadeq Rissan Muhana, the commander of 37th armored infantry brigade of the 9th armored division. The commander of the We Are Coming, Nineveh Operations noted that the anti-Daesh forces' forthcoming goal is to fully retake the city's eastern region. Lieutenant Yarallah also announced that several other regions in Nineveh, where Mosul is located, have been fully liberated from the terrorists. "Today, security forces managed to liberate the areas of Nineveh Plain, south of Mosul, completely," he said. "Security operations are ongoing until the full liberation of the entire province." Iraqi Special Forces also announced the recapture of several other districts on the city's east side. A spokesman for the country's elite troops noted that Masaref and Sukar districts have been cleansed of the terrorists. Iraq calls for civilians to stay put Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has called on around one million civilians still in the city to remain in there as humanitarian organizations are having difficulty dealing with the influx of displaced people. Around 75,000 civilians have fled the city so far, and the UN is struggling to prepare for a worst case scenario in which over a million people are displaced by the fighting. "Daesh fighters are going around on foot from house to house while the army fights them," said a local. "All civilians are leaving the area, shops are closed," he added. "We are so glad that Daesh is goneWe will stay here but we haven't had water or electricity for two weeks," said another local. Iraqi military officials have warned that the operations may take several months and that retaking the city's west side will be more difficult than former operations. Major General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi, one of the commanders of the Special Forces, stressed that despite the dangers, west Mosul will also be retaken. "The force left in front of us is small, unable to stop our advance. Their spirit is broken," he said. "We have killed more than 992 fighters on our front plus more wounded Their supplies and communications to the outside world are cut. They stage fewer suicide bombings," he added. According to former estimates, between 5,000 to 6,000 Daesh terrorists are still spread throughout the city. Assadi noted that the real figure may be less. Iraqi army soldiers, backed by pro-government fighters from Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched an operation on October 17 to retake Mosul from the Daesh terrorists. Mosul fell to Daesh two years ago, when the terror outfit began its campaign of death and destruction in northern and western Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has vowed that Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, will be fully recaptured by the end of the year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi forces say nearly 1,000 Daesh terrorists killed in Mosul Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:34PM Nearly 1,000 Daesh terrorists have been killed by the Iraqi special forces six weeks into a major operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul, a top commander says. Major General Abdul Ghani al-Assadi, one of the commanders of the special forces, said on Monday that more than 992 terrorists had been killed in the fighting in eastern Mosul. Assadi said the fighting against the terrorists was in progress but at a slower pace due to a change of tactics. "We have made changes to plans, partly due to the changing nature of the enemy ... Daesh is not based in one location, but moving from here to there." The commander stressed that the tactics were also changed to protect civilians. "Progress was faster at the start. The reason is we were operating before in areas without residents, we have arrived in populated districts. So how do we protect civilians? We have sealed off district after district," he said. Iraqi army soldiers, backed by pro-government fighters from Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched an operation on October 17 to retake Mosul from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Mosul fell into the hands of Daesh more than two years ago, when the terror outfit began its campaign of death and destruction in northern and western Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has vowed that Mosul, Iraq's second largest city and the last stronghold of the Daesh terrorists in the Arab country, will be fully recaptured by year-end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar to Probe Allegations of Abuse Against Rohingya By Ron Corben November 28, 2016 The Myanmar government is to set up a "national level committee" to investigate conditions and allegations of abuses amid international pressure from rising violence and a humanitarian crisis in northern Rakhine state. Myanmar's state counselor and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has faced growing criticism for failing to tackle the violence, as a military campaign targeting the Muslim Rohingya minority has triggered the displacement of tens of thousands. Zaw Htay, a member of the State Counselors Office Information Committee, told Myanmar media the formation of the new investigative committee was underway. The committee follows on the Rakhine State Advisory Commission, in place since August, under former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who recently expressed "deep concern" over violence. Escalation The violence has escalated in northern Rakhine since an attack on a border guard post on October 9 that left nine soldiers and police dead. In subsequent operations, the military says 234 suspected attackers were arrested in Rakhine State from November 9 to 14, and 69 suspected attackers killed. The government says nearly 200 additional suspected attackers were detained from November 14 to 23. Security analysts say there are mounting concerns about increasing militancy in the region, due in large part to past treatment of Muslims in Myanmar. After violence in 2012, more than 120,000 Muslim Rohingya were forced to live in holding camps amid reports of squalid conditions, and tough restrictions on mobility. Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, says the threat of jihad would mark a transformation for the region. "Up until now there hasn't been a militant group of Muslims themselves committed to jihad. And now it looks like it's beginning to be one. And that could make a major transformation in how the local extremist groups see a possible alliance," Jones said. Abuses Human rights groups allege widespread abuses, including rape by Myanmar forces and the torching of hundreds of homes during the crackdown. Chris Lewa, a rights activist for the advocacy group the Arakan Project, said the government's operations, which she described as brutal, have escalated since mid-November. She added a lack of humanitarian access was affecting all communities, especially those in the Maungdaw region, near the Bangladesh border. "It's very brutal and the issue [in] that area is access to displaced people and even non-displaced. And it's not only the poor, it's everyone because they can't access markets and they cannot harvest this is going to lead to a humanitarian disaster," she said. Human Rights Watch has identified 430 destroyed buildings in three villages near Maungdaw using high-resolution satellite imagery. The right's group's deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson, called the military's response as a "clear overreaction." "It looks like the Burma army is off the hook and doing whatever they want in these areas pursuing scorched earth tactics attacks on civilians ostensibly in pursuit of these militants, but in fact a clear overreaction by the Burma military that is basically engaging in collective punishment against the Rohingya," Robertson said. Verification The Irrawaddy newspaper reported [November 25] comments by the brother of the spokesman for the Islamic Council for Maungdaw, who said "hundreds of villagers" in the northern region had been killed in the past month, amid allegations of rape by government soldiers. But Aung Zaw, editor in chief of The Irrawaddy, said it was "very important" for international access to the region to verify the abuse claims. "A lot of human rights violation reports regarding that region need to be verified because both sides are claiming without any substance. The government denied this [the abuses]." "The other side how many people are being killed, how many houses are being burnt [down]. But this has to be treated carefully because there are a lot of campaigns on two sides without [taking in] the reality in the ground," Aung Zaw told VOA. He called for the international community to take into account frustration by local Buddhists over a lack of attention to the region's economic development, seen as one of the poorest in Myanmar. "When the West talks about the Rohingya issue they only talk about Rohingya and there's a deep polarization, we are headed into a dangerous era, because the way they see things is very much black and white. They don't talk about it in nuances on the ground," he said. Amid the crackdown, thousands of Rohingya have fled into neighboring Bangladesh, with many being forcibly pushed back, which Amnesty International called a "flagrant violation of international law". Last Friday, some 5,000 people protested in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, against the violence on the Rohingya. The Malaysia government also issued a statement, calling on the government of Myanmar "to address the alleged ethnic cleansing in the northern Rakhine State." Members of Annan's commission have been in talks with both Buddhist civil society and Muslim religious leaders. The commission also called for the protection of women and children during army operations and for stateless Rohingya to be granted official government citizenship. Myanmar's central government and local Buddhist communities oppose the use of the term "Rohingya," preferring to use the term Bengali for some 1.3 million Muslims living for the most part in northern Rakhine state. The community has faced widespread discrimination since a 1982 law stripped many of their citizenship. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates there are more than 800,000 individuals in Rakhine state lacking citizenship. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Park will not participate in questioning by prosecutors: Lawyer Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:45AM A lawyer representing South Korean President Park Geun-hye says the embattled president will not subject herself to questioning by prosecutors over an influence-peddling scandal. Park is under intense pressure to step down over the scandal, which involves one of her close associates. A parliamentary vote to impeach her over the case could take place as early as this week. Her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, said in a statement on Monday that Park had to deal with the "fast-moving situation" and there was little time for her to cooperate with prosecutors, who had asked to question the president by Tuesday. "It is regrettable that the president cannot cooperate with the face-to-face questioning the prosecutors have asked for by November 29," Yoo said. The lawyer had earlier said that the president would prepare for an investigation by a special prosecutor that is expected next month, instead of responding to the current investigation. While Park has apologized for the influence-peddling scandal involving her long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil, who has been detained for fraud and abuse of power, she has defied demands for her resignation. She had also promised to cooperate with prosecutors, despite a constitutional ban on questioning a sitting president. Choi stands accused of interference in government affairs, despite lacking any official position in Park's administration. Choi, 60, allegedly used her close ties with Park to coerce donations from large companies to non-profit foundations which she set up and used for personal gain. The scandal has sparked mass nationwide rallies calling for her resignation. About 1.5 million South Koreans rallied on Saturday in central Seoul in the largest of a series of recent demonstrations against Park and the largest protests in general since 1987. Meanwhile, Park's approval ratings has plunged to a record low for a sitting president as her top advisers and a number of the most powerful corporations in the nation are caught up in the swelling scandal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korean President Fades as Impeachment Looms By Brian Padden November 28, 2016 Despite another weekend of massive protests in Seoul, and facing a possible impeachment vote that could come as early as this week, South Korean President Park Geun-hye remains secluded and isolated in the presidential Blue House. On Monday, her lawyer Yoo Young-ha denied another request from government prosecutors to question the president this week about an influence peddling scandal involving a longtime confidant and close political aides. "It is difficult as (President Park) is having a tight schedule ahead, including appointment of a special prosecutor and preparations for measures to control urgent state affairs," said Yoo in a written statement. For the fifth consecutive week, massive peaceful protests were held throughout South Korea to demand that Park resign. Organizers estimated that nearly two million people rallied across the country with 1.5 million gathered in downtown Seoul. Police said the turnout in Seoul was closer to 270,000. The South Korean president's approval rating has dropped to just 4 percent and a recent poll found that 80 percent of South Koreans support her impeachment. President Park has issued two public apologies since the scandal broke and there are reports that she may make a third public address this week. Otherwise the president has remained withdrawn from public view. Last week she was absent from her weekly cabinet meeting and she did not attend the Asia Pacific economic leaders forum in Peru earlier this month. While Park has denied involvement in any wrongdoings, her reclusive reaction to the growing scandal is reinforcing her guilt in the minds of the public. "I'm really doubtful whether the president really understands what is really going on and what really the public thinks about this scandal," said Younjae Kim, a political public relations consultant with One Public Strategies in Seoul. Suspect Also on Monday President Park accepted the resignation of Minister of Justice Kim Hyun-woong. There were reports of tension between the Blue House and the Justice Ministry after Park was named a criminal subject last week in the investigation of the scandal being conducted by the Seoul Central District Prosecutor under the Justice Ministry. The prosecution claims it has evidence proving Park's involvement in illicit acts allegedly committed by her close friend Choi Soon-sil and former aide Ahn Jong-bum to force major Korean conglomerates to donate more than $65 million to two foundations using threats of tax audits. On Sunday, prosecutors said President Park might have also conspired to pressure KT, the country's second largest telecom company, to direct lucrative advertising contracts to Choi and her friends. Prosecutors said they have indicted Cha Eun-taek a K-pop video director and friend of Choi's, and others involved, on charges of extortion, embezzlement an abuse of authority. Choi has been charged with abuse of authority, coercion and attempted fraud for her part in the corruption scandal. Ahn faces similar charges and another presidential adviser was charged with leaking government secrets to Choi, who was allegedly influential in formulating government policy even though she held no official position or security clearance. Independent counsel President Park last week first reneged on her earlier promise to cooperate with the criminal probe into the corruption scandal. Calling the current investigation "biased," the president's spokesman said she will wait for the upcoming "impartial independent counsel" to be named by the National Assembly. The opposition parties that control the National Assembly are expected to submit to the president the names of two candidates for independent counsel by Tuesday. The president will have until Saturday to choose between the two. Critics argue the president is trying to delay the legal proceedings for as long as possible. Impeachment The dual investigations however have not slowed opposition leaders in the National Assembly. The two largest opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Korea and the People's Party, have indicated they will submit this week a joint impeachment motion that could be voted on by Friday. Impeachment requires a two-thirds approval vote from the 300 member National Assembly. To reach the 200 votes needed for impeachment, the 159 members of the two main opposition parties will need 41 votes from independent lawmakers and from Park's ruling Saenuri Party, which controls 128 seats. "The ruling party, which is responsible for the paralysis and breakdown of state affairs, must self-reflect not just in words, but also by participating in impeachment unconditionally," said Choo Mi-ae, head of the Democratic Party of Korea. Once an impeachment motion is passed it still must be reviewed by the Constitutional Court, a process that could take up to 180 days. The president's single five-year term of office ends in early 2018. In exchange for ending impeachment efforts that could paralyze the government, Park had offered to give up much of her power to a new prime minister to be selected by parliament, and to concentrate on defense and diplomacy. Youmi Kim contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria denounces Qatar's pledge to continue support for militants Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:58PM Damascus has lashed out at Qatar for its renewed declaration of support for militants operating in Syria, saying it reveals Doha's participation in spreading Takfiri ideology. In a statement on Monday, Syria's Foreign Ministry denounced comments by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani who said a day earlier that Doha would continue to arm Syrian militants even if US President-elect Donald Trump decides to end Washington's support for them. The ministry said that the comments by the Qatari diplomat showed the regime in Doha "is one of the sources of extremism, terrorism and Takfiri thought." Such remarks are merely an attempt "to raise the morale of the terrorist groups" in the face of recent advances by the Syrian army, the statement added. On Monday, the Syrian army and its allies announced the capture of a strategic district in eastern Aleppo from militants. State television reported that the army troops had seized full control of the al-Sakhour district in eastern Aleppo. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the government had taken the district. Since the conflict began in Syria in March 2011, Qatar has been one of the leading supporters of the militancy to oust President Bashar al-Assad. Reports have indicated that the monarchy has provided weapons, funds and media coverage to al-Qaeda's main branch in Syria, which operated for more than three years under the title of al-Nusra Front before changing its name to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. Qatar is also playing a major role in encouraging Turkey and the United States to support anti-Assad militants. However, recent gains by the Syrian army and its allies north of the country have made it increasingly difficult for the militants to receive arms and funding from across the Turkish border. There are conflicting reports about the death toll from the Syrian conflict. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says more than 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict while United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has estimated that more than 400,000 people have lost their lives due to the turmoil. The Syrian government blames the West and their regional allies for the spread of militancy in the Arab country, saying the terrorists could not have survived without support from certain countries such as Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militants lose much of northeastern Aleppo: Observatory Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:19AM The Syrian army has wrested control of a strategic district in the militant-held part of Aleppo, in a major victory on the battleground which brought back much of the embattled city's northeast under state control. State television reported that the army troops had seized full control of the al-Sakhour district in eastern Aleppo early on Monday, the 14th day into its latest offensive to drive the terrorists out of the city. Demining operations were now underway there, the report added. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the development. "It is the biggest defeat for the opposition in Aleppo since 2012," said its director Rami Abdulrahman. "The opposition has lost more than third of the area it controlled in Aleppo city during the big advance," he added. He said government forces had also recaptured the districts of Haydariya and Sheikh Khodr, while Kurdish forces took Sheikh Fares District from militants. Abdulrahman further said some 10 Aleppo neighborhoods over the past few days have been retaken by Syrian soldiers, putting nearly 30 percent of the city's formerly militant-held neighborhoods back under Damascus control. A day earlier, the military had chased militants out of the neighborhoods of Jabal Badra, Baadeeen, Inzarat, al-Sakan al-Shaabi, Bastan al-Basha, Arz al-Hamra', al-Halak, and Ain al-Tall in the city. Over the weekend, Syrian forces also retook Masaken Hanano, the biggest district in eastern Aleppo. The government holds and defends the city's western side and is purging its east of militants. Aleppo's full recapture would deal a decisive blow to the foreign-backed militants, who have been in control of its eastern side since 2012. Syria's Al-Watan daily, which is close to the government, reported quick advances by the army. The next phase of the operation, the report said, would be "to divide the remaining area into security districts that will be easily controlled and to capture them successively." The advance would then "push the gunmen to turn themselves (in)... or accept national reconciliation under the terms of the Syrian state." Amid army operations against terrorists, thousands of civilians have managed to flee the militant-held parts towards the government-controlled areas. The army has set up several humanitarian corridors to facilitate the exit of civilians as well as those militants seeking to leave. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rebel-Held Eastern Aleppo Divided In Two By Advance Of Regime Forces November 28, 2016 Syrian government forces have retaken six formerly rebel-held districts of the city of Aleppo, effectively dividing the remaining rebel-held eastern parts of the city into two separate areas and forcing thousands of civilians to flee. Syrian state television announced on November 28 that government and allied forces had captured the Sakhur, Haydariya, and Sheikh Khodr neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the reports, saying saying rebels who are fighting against President Bashar al-Assad's forces have lost about one-third of the territory in eastern Aleppo that they controlled just a few days ago. "It is the biggest defeat for the opposition in Aleppo since 2012," observatory head Rami Abdulrahman said. Earlier, the observatory said government forces were "in control of most of the northern part" of Aleppo. At least 10,000 civilians had fled the city on the night of November 26-27, monitors said. Controlling Sakhur means that government forces have effectively cut the rebel-held part of the city in two. Aleppo has been divided in two since 2012, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. Capturing all of the city would be a major victory for Assad after 5 1/2 years of fighting. Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Interfax Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/syria-aleppo- government-forces-major-defeat- rebel-districts/28143388.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address With 500,000 children living under siege in Syria, UNICEF calls for humanitarian access 28 November 2016 As the number of children living under siege has doubled in less than one year to nearly 500,000 amid escalating violence across Syria, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for lifting sieges and allowing immediate humanitarian access. "For millions of human beings in Syria, life has become an endless nightmare in particular for the hundreds of thousands of children living under siege," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, according to a news release which also stated that children are now playing and studying in underground spaces. "Children are being killed and injured, too afraid to go to school or even play, surviving with little food and hardly any medicine. This is no way to live and too many are dying," he added. UNICEF said that the 500,000 children live in 16 besieged areas across the country, almost completely cut off from sustained humanitarian aid and basic services. Some communities have received little to no aid in nearly two years. In eastern Aleppo alone, the agency estimates that 100,000 children are living under siege. In the absence of safe spaces, children are turning to basement playgrounds, schools and hospitals to continue playing, learning and, when necessary, seeking medical care. In one besieged area, a group of volunteers built a playground and a park by linking a series of basements. On average, around 200 children come to this playground every day. In another besieged area, an underground school provides 250 girls with the chance to keep learning. As the conflict nears six years, UNICEF has renewed its call on all parties to lift the sieges across Syria, and to allow and facilitate immediate, unconditional and sustained humanitarian access to all areas across the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan to stage disaster relief drill in South China Sea ROC Central News Agency 2016/11/28 21:31:55 Taipei, Nov. 28 (CNA) Taiwan will stage a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in the waters around Taiping Island in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said on Monday. Three aircraft and eight ships will take part in the exercise, dubbed "Nanyuan No. 1." Nanyuan means assistance to the south. The exercise is designed to demonstrate Taiwan's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capability, according to CGA. Participants from the coastguard and navy will simulate fire fighting operations on a foreign freighter in waters near Taiping Island in the Spratlys and rescuing crew members, according to CGA. The exercise will allow participants to practice reporting a maritime accident and the division of labor needed to provide assistance in such situations. After putting out the fire and rescuing the crew, participants will provide supplies and assist with ship repairs, said CGA. The exercise will also make use of online medical assistance and transfer the injured to nearby hospitals, the agency said. Since 2000, the Taiwan coastguard and navy have assisted 100 people in 70 emergencies in waters adjacent to Dongsha and Taiping islands. Taiwan is currently developing Taiping Island into an international rescue center. (By Chu Tze-wei, Lu Hsin-hui and S.C. Chang) Enditem/AW / NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK unlikely to be able to stay in single market: Secret memo Iran Press TV Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:16PM The United Kingdom is unlikely to be able to stay in the single market after it leaves the European Union, suggests a secret memo carried by a senior Conservative party aide. Britain would be "loath" to introduce "transitional" controls in order to enable London to have access to the single market following Brexit, indicates the note photographed in Whitehall in the arms of the chief of staff to Mark Field, the vice-chairman of the Conservative party. The UK government seeks to "have cake and eat it," but this would not be easy considering the attitudes of the French negotiation team, according to the note carried by the official as he left a meeting at the Department for Exiting the European Union on Monday. Also, the document said that the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal process for starting Brexit, was likely to be "difficult". According to the memo, the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, "wanted to see what the deal looks like first," but the government is reluctant to provide details. The note comes as the government is already facing a new legal action over whether it has the right to take the UK out of the single market. British Influence, a think tank, has filed the lawsuit, arguing that the uncertainty surrounding the UK's membership in the European Economic Area (EEA) means that there is a chance to prevent the government from leaving the single market, BBC reported on Monday. According to the group's lawyers, leaving the EU does not automatically end Britain's membership in the EEA and it would be up to the UK Parliament to decide. British Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to begin the Brexit process in March and complete it by 2019. However, those plans were delayed when the UK High Court required a parliamentary vote for triggering Article 50. If the Article 127 of the EEA goes to the parliament, it is likely to divide the lawmakers and break the small majority that supports Brexit. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yanukovych Denies Ordering Euromaidan Shootings; Kyiv Announces Treason Charge RFE/RL November 28, 2016 Exiled former President Viktor Yanukovych has told a Ukrainian court via video link that he never ordered police to fire on protesters during Euromaidan demonstrations that roiled the country nearly three years ago. The statements -- from Russia -- mark the 66-year-old Yanukovych's first testimony to a Ukrainian court over the deaths, which helped fuel the unrest that ousted his pro-Moscow administration in February 2014. It came as Ukrainian prosecutors used a pause in the proceedings in Kyiv on November 28 to announce that they have launched formal treason charges against Yanukovych. "From the very beginning till the very end, I stood against bloodshed," Yanukovych told the Ukrainian court. "I am not capable of giving such orders." The former head of state was testifying as a witness in a trial of five former Berkut riot policemen accused of carrying out the shootings. Many Ukrainians are angry that Yanukovych isn't facing trial himself. Yanukovych had been scheduled to testify on November 25, but those proceedings were postponed after protesters from the nationalist Right Sector group prevented the transfer to a Kyiv court of the five defendants, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Right Sector activists had vowed not to block the rescheduled court session. Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko told the court on November 28 that Yanukovych has been formally charged with treason. "You are suspected of treason, complicity with representatives of Russia's authorities with the aim of changing Ukraine's borders, violating Ukraine's constitution, and unleashing an aggressive war," Lutsenko said. 'Planned Operation' More than 100 demonstrators were killed during three months of street protests and other unrest that reverberated from Kyiv's Independence Square after Yanukovych spurned closer cooperation with the European Union late in 2013 in favor of Moscow. Weeks after Yanukovych fled Ukraine in late February 2014, Russian troops took control of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and began backing separatists in eastern Ukraine, sparking a conflict that has claimed more than 9,600 lives. Yanukovych, who is now living in the Russian city of Rostov on Don, is already being investigated on suspicion of mass murder. Yanukovych told the court on November 28 that the shootings on Independence Square were part of a "planned operation" to topple his government. "The Maidan violence was a pseudo-operation to change power," Yanukovych was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run TASS news agency from a courtroom in Rostov on Don. The Euromaidan protests began in November 2013 after Yanukovych abruptly announced he was suspending a planned trade deal with the EU following pressure from the Kremlin. Lutsenko has said the Kremlin has allowed Yanukovych to be cross-examined merely as a public-relations stunt, pointing to Russian insistence the testimony coincide with the third anniversary of the protests. Moscow claims the Euromaidan uprising was orchestrated by the West and questions the legitimacy of the post-Yanukovych leadership in Kyiv. With reporting by TASS, Interfax, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-yanukovych -denies-euromaidan-shootings- treason-charge/28144141.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Langbroek, 29 November 2016 Aalberts Industries N.V. has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Shurjoint Piping Products USA, Inc., Haohan Metal (Kunshan) Co. Ltd. and Shurjoint Metals Inc. ('Shurjoint'). Shurjoint is an innovative leader in the development, manufacturing, sales and distribution of grooved components for mechanical piping systems, generating an annual revenue of approximately USD 42 million. Shurjoint was founded by Sam Wang and Howard Hagiya in 1974 in Taiwan.The company is based in Taiwan and China (ductile iron foundries, development & engineering, machining, assembly and coating) and North America (engineering, sales & distribution). Shurjoint has a complete portfolio of mechanical piping components with more than 3,000 items in sizes from 1/2" to 104", for use with a variety of piping materials to connect mechanical piping systems in commercial buildings and many industrial applications. Groove systems are a perfect strategic fit to the existing connection technology portfolio in our Building Installations business. It enables us to strengthen our project offering with a complete range of sizes, for all kind of end markets, for a variety of piping materials.This expanded connection programme will be combined with our valve portfolio, which offers many opportunities for growth and innovations. The ductile iron foundries of Shurjoint will work closely together with our cast iron, stainless steel and bronze foundries in the USA.There are many opportunities to optimise the sourcing between the foundries and to utilise each other's supplier network in North America,Taiwan and China. Sam Wang and his family, including the second generation, will continue to lead the locations in Taiwan and China.They will work closely together with the North American manufacturing team of Building Installations. Mark Beach, based in Shurjoint USA, has more than 35 years of experience in sales and business development. Mark and the entire Shurjoint team will support us in the coming years to grow our sales and optimise our portfolio in Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia. The results of Shurjoint will be consolidated with effective date of 1 October 2016 and after finalising all necessary formalities.The acquisition will directly contribute to the earnings per share and will be financed from existing credit facilities. Please visit www.shurjoint.com for additional information. For more information (from 8 am CET): +31 (0)343 56 50 89 info@aalberts.com Danville Community College is working to bring a dedicated fine arts and music building to downtown, DCC President Bruce Scism said at the college board meeting Monday. I think it could be tremendous asset to this community and this college, Scism said. Scism is leading the project with Averett University President Tiffany Franks. Selecting a location in the River District, the space would include a black box theater, a gallery, additional class space and a coffee shop. Scism said the facility would include opportunities and space for artists-in-residence. Working with a developer, Scism said grant funding would help pay for some of the space, and the building would be constructed with sustainability in mind. Scism said local interest in the arts and music at DCC was always high, but the school simply did not have the facilities to house a local program. DCC board member and Danville Regional Foundation board member Chris Eastwood voiced his support for the space, saying it could unite a fragmented local arts scene. I think thats something thats deeply needed in our region, Eastwood said. Scism said the project was on a fairly short timetable. Our goal is to be able to offer something in the fall of 2017, Scism said. Board members also received an update of the renovations to the engineering and industrial technology and welding buildings from business manager Lisa Johnson. The funding for the welding and the EIT projects has been allocated, Johnson said. Johnson said the contractor is set to begin work on the projects and was bringing equipment on campus Monday. She said renovations should be complete in 10 months for the welding building and a year for the EIT building. Board members also approved new programs and degrees including Associate of Fine Arts, venture creation and management, culinary arts, beer brewing, guitar building and unmanned aerial systems. Scism said the brewing program is modeled after programs in North Carolina where dozens of small and large microbreweries have located, especially in Asheville. Scism said the program would be one of just two in Virginia. Board members also finalized a timeline for the evaluation process for Scism, who has been president since 2013. Scism will send his evaluation goals to the committee in March, and the evaluation will be completed and mailed to the Virginia Community College System president by the end of the month. Transcription 1 ICREPQ 03 International Conference on Renewable Energies and Power Quality Vigo, Espanha, 9-12 de Abril de 2003, paper 406, ISBN: x Renewable Energy in Portugal Legislation, Incentives and Suggestions M. Fernanda T. Moreira, Julio S. Martins and Joao L. Afonso Department of Industrial Electronics University of Minho Campus de Azurem Guimaraes (Portugal) phone: , fax: Abstract. This paper presents the evolution of renewable energy generation in Portugal in the last decade, and explains the legislation and incentives in existence. The paper also presents suggestions that could incentive small and medium consumers to install renewable energy power plants (namely of wind power and photovoltaic types) in their facilities. These power plants would have to accomplish present legislation regarding reactive energy production during peak power consumption period, and besides, would have to assure power quality levels. On the other hand, reversible energy meters should be used, so that it would be registered the consumption of energy from the energy company, or the delivery of energy to the energy company. The equipments which could implement these characteristics are briefly described. Key words Renewable Energy, Wind Power Energy, Photovoltaic Energy, Distributed Generation, Reversible Energy Meter. 1. Introduction In Portugal, the external energy dependence is very high. In the 90 s we have imported more than 80% of all consumed primary energy. At present, there is no any record regarding to the exploration of any energetic product with fossil origin. For that reason, the renewable energy production has a very important role, because it represents all the domestic energy production. Portugal is the fourth country of European Union (EU) with the highest percentage of renewable energy utilisation, with 40% of all used energy. The renewable energy sources contain a set of technologies with different levels of development. Some, like the hydro energy, the wind energy and the biomass energy, have already reached a high level of maturity, being commercially competitive, in certain conditions, with conversion equipment of fuel fossil. Nowadays, almost all renewable energy produced in Portugal comes from hydroelectric power plants. Biomass energy has also an important contribution. In the last years, wind energy utilisation has registered a strong increment, and now performs a significant role. Figure 1 presents the electrical energy production in Portugal between the years 1990 and It can be seen that the production is clearly based on thermal and hydro power plants (data source: DGE Direccao Geral de Energia). In the year 2000, the geothermal and wind energy production represented less than 0.6% of the total electrical energy production, although it is predictable an important increase in the next years. Electrical Energy (x 1000 GWh) Thermic Hydraulics Geothermic/Eolic Year Fig. 1. Electrical energy production in Portugal from 1990 to To solve the challenge of increasing energy production from renewable energy sources in Europe, it is necessary a common effort involving the European Community and its member States. If in the next decade our community cannot satisfy a higher share of electrical energy necessities using renewable energy, an important development opportunity will be lost, and it will be more difficulty for each country to comply the established compromises at European and international level regarding to environmental protection. 2 The renewable energy source development can contribute as an active form to the creation of work positions, principally in small and medium enterprises, which have an enormous importance in the European community. Figure 2 presents foreseen data for the years 2005 and 2010 regarding electrical energy production in Portugal. The prevision of DGE aims that in the year 2010 about 1.6% of the total electrical energy production will have source in geothermal and wind energy, without any reference on solar energy. It is important to note that, from 2005 to 2010 DGE previsions show a rise in the contribution of thermal power plants from 74.9% to 77.7% of the total electrical energy production. Electrical Energy (x 1000 GWh) Thermic Hidaulics Geothermic/Eolic Year Fig. 2. Prevision of electrical energy production for the years 2005 and 2010 in Portugal. The production of electrical energy using fossil fuel, or the co-generation production, using industrial residues, are pollutant ways, which should be used only as last resource. Portugal is totally dependent on other countries in relation to fossil fuel consumption, and specially regarding to petrol. The external dependency to obtain energy is not a good basis for the future, since the country remains very dependent of international conjectures. Wind, solar, hydro, tide and maritime wave energies are renewable non-pollutants sources of energy, and can be produced in Portugal. 2. Portuguese Legislation Applicable to Renewable Energy Many times the lack of information about legislation may difficult the initiatives to develop efforts in the areas of renewable energy sources and environment improvement. The Portuguese legislation related to renewable energy production is presented next [1]-[14]: A. Dispatch n /2002 (2 nd series) of September (Published in: Diario da Republica n 198/2001, Serie II, For candidate projects to program MAPE ( Medida de Apoio ao Aproveitamento do Potencial Energetico e Racionalizacao de Consumos ), which candidatures come to be presented during 2003, will invigorate the applicable reference values, published in governmental order n. 383/2002 of 10th April, with exception to the values applicable to co-generation s power plants with power up to 10 MW, of which reference value is 1000/kW and to co-generation s power plants with power higher than 10 MW, of which reference value is 1100/kW. B. Governmental Order n. 764/2002 of 1st July (Published in: Diario da Republica n 149/2002, Serie I B, Ministerio da Industria e Energia) Electrical energy production - Low Voltage Tariffs Establishes the applicable tariffs to electrical energy production plants in low voltage, licentiate under the cover of Decree-Law n. 68/2002 of 25th March, as well as the dispositions concerning to the period of modality s validity of the same tariffs. C. Despatch n. 9148/2002 of 15th of April (Published in: Diario da Republica n 103/2002, Seriel II, Public service electrical system - Electro-producers - Independent electrical system - Electrical energy reception - Reception points - Electrical system for public supply Clarifies the interpretation of predictable procedures of Decree-Law n. 312/2001 of 10th December, relating to the attribution requests instructions of the electrical energy reception point. D. Governmental Order n. 383/2002 of 10th April (Published in: Diario da Republica n 84/2002, Serie I-B, Regulation for execution of MAPE, which has the objective of propitiating support to electrical and thermal energy production, with resource to new renewable energies types, to the energy rational utilisation of energy, and to the conversion to natural gas consumption. E. Governmental Order n. 295/2002 of 19th March (Published in: Diario da Republica n 62/2002, Serie I-B - Suplemento, Electrical energy production - Special regime - Renewables - Hydro-electrical energy - Hydro power plants Defines the procedures to obtain the necessary licences to electrical energy production by small hydro power plants. Revoke the Governmental Order n. 445/98, of 8th July. F. Despatch n. 6993/2002 of 15th of March (Published in: Diario da Republica n 79/2002, Serie II, 3 Electrical energy production - Special regimen Renewable Invoicing Defines new methods for energy invoicing. G. Despatch n. 4451/2002 of 13th of February (Published in: Diario da Republica n 50/2002, Serie II, Electrical energy production - Special regimen - Renewable Clarifies the determination relative to the number of working hours, referred in n. 18, paragraph a) of annex II to the Decree-Law 168/99, of 18th May. H. Decree-Law n. 339-C/2001 of 29th December (Published in: Diario da Republica n 300/2001, Serie I-A - Suplemento, Electrical energy production - special regimen Renewable Modifies the Decree-Law n. 168/99, of 18th May, which revises the applicable regimen to the activity of electrical energy production, on the scope of independent electrical system. A better exploitation of the Portuguese endogenous resources constitutes as an indispensable instrument to the prosecution of the govern energy policies, namely the reduction of the external energy dependency, and the diminution of pollutant emissions, particularly the ones which have relevant importance to the world climatic alterations. In this context, the Portuguese government comprehends that is necessary to review the Decree-Law n. 189/88 of 27th May, introducing indispensable changes, and establishing a distinct remuneration in function of the used technology and of the exploration regimen, and attributing appropriate distinction to the technologies which, although emergent (like wave energy and photovoltaic energy), show a great potential at medium term, aiming this way, to create the indispensable conditions to the concreteness of exemplary projects. It is also recognized that the environmental contribution of the electrical power plants comprised by the present legislation is permanent, and so, it is not appropriate to establish any time limits to its accomplishment. Finally, it stipulates that the companies that own wind power plants have to pay a rent to the municipality where they are placed. That situation was not defined in the prior legislation. I. Decree-Law n. 312/2001 of 10th December (Published in: Diario da Republica n 284/2001, Serie I-A, Public service electrical system - Electro-producers - Independent Electrical System - Electrical Energy Reception It defines the management regimen of the electrical energy reception capacity on the public electrical system network services, coming from electroproducers of independent electrical systems. J. Resolution of Cabinet n. 154/2001 of 19th October (Published in: Diario da Republica n 243/2001, Serie I-B, Approves the Energy Efficiency and Endogenous Energy Program (E4). K. Decree-Law n. 168/99 of 18th May (Published in: Diario da Republica n 115/99, Serie I-A, Electrical energy production - Special regimen Renewable Alters some dispositions of Decree-Law n. 189/88 of 27th May, and proceed with its new publication. It has established the electrical energy production regimen by renewable energy independent producers. In the last years, the energy sector, in a broad way, and the electric sector, in a particular way, have suffered deep transformations. Two of these transformations deserve special distinction. At one side, the creation of the energy internal market has conduct to the approval of directives that will establish deep liberal reforms on how this sector will operate. At the other side, the increasing preoccupation with the global environment defence will cause a bigger strangulation regarding the energy and the environment policies, in order to execute international compromises, like the limitations of gas emissions that cause the greenhouse effect, on result of the United Nations Board Convention implementation to climatic alterations and of the Kyoto Protocol. The Portuguese government believes that these tendencies will be stronger in the future, and taking into account the obtained experience, it is justified to review the norms that are applicable to electrical energy production from renewable energy resources. This decree-law works in that revision, and it is worth to highlight: The complete changing of tariffs applicable to the selling of electrical energy produced from renewable resources, establishing the necessary principles to the quantification of the environment benefits brought by these power plants, allowing the implementation of tariffs habitually designated by the name green tariffs. Thus, the energy produced from renewable sources has to the producer a better selling price than the energy produced from non-renewable sources. The reorganisation of the regulation process, concentrating in the diploma the general dispositions, the establishment of principles and the definition of rights and duties; The alteration of the mechanisms that lead to the definition of production power plants interconnection points, to assure a better transparency of procedures, and to guarantee a more complete treatment equity of the various promoters. 4 The government is convict that the actual review of Decree-Law n. 189/88 of 27th May, with the new redaction given by Decree-Law n. 313/95 of 24th November, will give a new impulse to the development of renewable resources, contributing to a wider utilisation of energy endogenous sources and allowing a higher articulation between energy and environmental policies. L. Governmental Order n. 416/90, of 6th June (Published in: Diario da Republica n 130/1990 Serie I-A, Electrical energy production - Special regimen Renewable Approves the contract-type for purchasing of electrical energy by EDP from independent producers, under the cover of Decree-Law n. 189/88 of 27th May. M. Decree-Law n. 189/98 of 27th of May (Published in: Diario da Republica n 123/88, Serial I-A, Electrical energy production - Special regimen Renewable Establishs the electrical energy production regimen by independent renewable energy producers. The optimised utilization of the Portuguese energy resources is a necessary line to development and economic progress. The various petrol impacts, with the aggravation of the Portuguese dependency in relation to the international energy market, must be remembered also when the international conjuncture regarding to energy is not problematic. At calm moments is necessary to know how to invest, appreciating the existent natural Portuguese resources that were not used, yet, and that can be used in a sustained way, without degrading the environment. This decree-law has traduced on the legislative plan a policy for diminution of the Portuguese external dependency on primary energy, creating necessary conditions and establishing the adequate incentives to the promotion of endogenous resources utilization, in particular the renewable energies, the national fuels and the industrial, agricultural or urban wastes, and also the use of co-generation process. The publication of this diploma has enabled a strong development of electrical energy production by independent producers, giving value to the use of these resources. N. Decree-Law n. 313/95 of 24th November (Published in: Diario da Republica n 272/95, Serie I-A, This diploma establishes, on the scope of independent electrical system, the juridical regimen of activity for electrical energy production on hydroelectric power plants with installed apparent power up to 10 MVA, and the electrical energy production by other renewable energy sources. The definition of this regimen passes by the alteration of Decree-Law n. 189/88 of 27th May, eliminating the limits of installed power defined on its 1st article, with the exception of hydroelectric utilization, which continues limited to 10 MVA. O. Decree-Law n. 69/2000 of 3rd May The environmental impact evaluation is a fundamental preventive instrument on environmental and territory classification politics, and thus, it is recognized in the Environmental Basis Law n. 11/87 of 7th April. With this diploma, and in execution of what is disposed on articles 30th and 31st of the Environmental Basis Law, in the scope of the new environmental impact evaluation procedures, the decisions character is established, taking into account the importance of the energy production and of the environment protection. P. Decree-Law n. 292/2000 of 14th November This diploma intends to give answer to the sound pollution problem, with basis in the regimen defined in Environmental Basis Law. It defines applications, the interaction with others laws (like urbanization laws), the reinforcement of the preventive actuation principle, the adoption of specific planning figures, and the regulation of temporal activities that produce noise. Q. Decree-Law n. 239/97 of 9th September The adequate waste management is an urgent challenge to actual societies. In effect, the complexity and the gravity of the problems related to waste management actually have a so great importance that, it is no longer possible for the State to correspond to the fundamental task that the Portuguese Constitution attributes, in the sense of defending the nature and the environment, or preserving the natural resources, without structuring a consistent policy regarding residues, in a important position of a wider environment politics. This relative to residues law defines the principle of that the waste is a responsibility of the one who produced it, and places an autonomous mechanism of previous authorisation of waste management operations, which cannot be confused with the simple licensing of the activities in which, sometimes, such operations are integrated. On 1st chapter, 1st article, we can read: The present diploma establishes the rules at which waste management is subject to, namely its recovery, transportation, storage, treatment, valorisation and elimination, in way that it does not constitute any danger or cause any damage to human wealth or to the environment. 5 R. Decree-Law n. 273/98 of 2nd September This decree-law defines the existent legislative board and operates the transposition to internal right of directive n. 94/67/CE of the council of 16th December 1994, relative to dangerous waste incineration, changing the 11th part 2 of annex VI of the governmental order n. 286/93, of 12th Mars, in form to be transported the dispositions in respect to atmospheric pollution. S. Decree-Law n. 40/90 of 6th February This regulation (Regulation of the Building Thermal Behaviour Characteristics - Regulamento das Caracteristicas de Comportamento Termico dos Edificios - RCCTE) defines a first regulation basis that aims the improvement of the thermal quality of buildings, in the sense of improvement of the comfort s conditions without an increase in the energy use. This regulation, although considered a moderate one in terms of its demands, has had a significant impact in the form the buildings are constructed in Portugal. At present, 13 years after its publication, the majority of the new buildings use thermal isolations in walls and double glass in windows, and the future owners already ask for these items. T. Decree-Law n. 118/98 of 7th May (Published in: Diario da Republica n 105/98, Serie I-A, This regulation (Regulation of Climatic Energy System in Buildings Regulamento dos Sistemas Energeticos de Climatizacao em Edificios - RSECE) fundamentally aims the improvement of the efficiency in climatic energy systems of buildings. This regulation establishes a set of rules in order that the demands for comfort and environmental quality inside the buildings can be assured in efficient conditions regarding the expended energy. U. Governmental Order n. 1058/94 of 2nd December The Governmental Order n. 286/93 of 12th Mars, edited under the cover of Decree-Law n. 352/90 of 9th November, has fixed the maximum and the general values on the environment for the Sulphur Dioxide, the particles in suspension, the Nitrogen Dioxide and the Carbon Monoxide, as well as the maximum values for the Lead and the guide values for the Ozone. The experiences acquired during the execution period of this governmental order advises the introduction of some adjustments, particularly regarding to the inclusion of an item on its annex VI that is applicable to the cogeneration systems. 3. Incentives: Support Mechanisms for Investment and for Acquisition of Renewable Energy Equipments There are two support mechanisms in Portugal for investment and acquisition of renewable energy equipments: A juridical regimen that establishes a differentiated tariff for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources (Decree-Law n. 168/99 of 18th May, published in Diario da Republica n. 115/99, Serie I-A, and recently reviewd by Decree-Law n C/2001 of 29th December, published in Diario da Republica n. 300, Serie I-A Suplemento ); An incentive system to support the investments in projects of energy production that use new and renewable energy sources, and the rational utilization of energy. This system was created in the scope of the Terceiro Quadro Comunitario de Apoio para Portugal (QCA III), and was named Medida de Apoio ao Aproveitamento do Potencial Energetico e da Racionalizacao de Consumos (MAPE). This incentive system is regulated by the Governmental Order n. 383/2002 of 10th April, published in Diario da Republica n. 84/2002, Serie I-B, and it will be applicable between the years 2000 and It is also important to refer the existence of fiscal incentive for the acquisition of renewable energy equipments in Portugal: a 12% VAT tax reduction and the deduction of a part of the investment in the annual taxation (IRS). Through the Governmental Order n. 725/91 of 29th July, it was proceeded a delimitation to stimulus of the renewable energy utilisation by domestic users, through the attribution of respective fiscal incentives, which refer to forms of renewable Energy like the direct or diffuse solar radiation, the energy contained on wood or agricultural residues, and the wind energy. The present article 85 ( Encargos com Imoveis e Equipamentos de Energia Renovavel ) has come to replace the article 80 H ( Deducao a Colecta dos Encargos com Imoveis ), and the article 80 L ( Deducao a Colecta dos Encargos com Equipamentos Novos de Energia Renovavel ). This article announces that: it is possible to deduct at collect, as long as not susceptible of been considered costs of category B, 30% of the costs used for the acquisition of new renewable energy equipments, and for the production of electrical and/or thermal energy (co-generation) using micro turbines with a power inferior to 100 kw, which consume natural gas, and including complementary equipments that are indispensable for the operation of the energy production system, with costs limited to (Decree-Law n. 109/2001 of 27th December). 6 4. Suggestions Next are presented some suggestions that could lead to an important increase in renewable energy production in Portugal, namely from wind power and photovoltaic small power plants. Portugal has good levels of solar radiation all over the country, and also has good mean values for wind speed in considerable areas, like its 800 km of west coast. The production of electrical energy from medium and small wind and photovoltaic power plants can be a solution to mitigate the serious Portuguese energy dependency from other countries. Besides, the energy production from these renewable and clean energy sources would help Portugal to acomplish the commitments that were made regarding the production of non-pollutant renewable energy (the Kyoto Protocol, which was signed by all European countries impose that). A large number of medium and small power plants can produce as much energy as a huge one. Besides, with medium and small power plants there is no needing to build new electrical transmission power lines, since the energy production is not concentrated, but distributed. However, the medium and small renewable energy power plants would have to accomplish present legislation regarding reactive energy production during peak power consumption period, and besides, they would have to assure power quality levels. With the development that Electrical Engineering, and the area of Power Electronics in particular, have experienced in the last years, it is possible to present suitable and inexpensive solutions to these demands. One of the problems related to the production of renewable energy consists in the fact that, by legislation all energy must be delivered along with 40% of reactive energy, during the peak power consumption period. Using a power electronics converter (a current controlled voltage source inverter) it is possible to inject the energy produced by the medium/small wind power or photovoltaic panels plants in the electrical power grid, along with as much reactive energy as necessary, with affordable costs (see Figure 3). Besides, this power electronics converter injects sinusoidal currents in the power grid, and so, the power quality of the produced electrical energy is guaranteed. The basic operation idea for the medium and small renewable energy power plants consists in the fact that a significant part of the energy produced by these plants will be consumed at the point of production, by the industry, commerce building or residence where the energy was produced. However, always that production is greater than consumption, the exceeding energy has to be sent to the electrical power grid. So, the power plant can work as an energy producer or as a consumer. This kind of operation demands for a reversible energy meter should, so that it would be registered the consumption of energy from the electrical power grid, or the delivery of energy to the power grid. The use of reversible energy meters is fundamental to the success of the proposed medium and small renewable energy power plants, since this solution is interesting when the industrial, commercial or residential consumer can reduce the costs with electricity, because them produce a part of the energy they need, and they can sell energy when they produce more energy than what they need (along the day or along the week, the consumption and the production of energy may vary according to the user necessity and the amount of wind and solar radiation). The quality of the produced electrical energy can be assured with the use power quality monitors, which will experience drastic cost reduction in the forthcoming years. To acomplish these suggestions, it would be necessary a revision or elaboration of new legislation that could facilitate, encourage and finance the implementation of small and medium size renewable energy power plants in industries, commerce buildings and residences. MPPT Electrical Power Grid MPPT a b c a b c N Power Elactronics Converter CC-CC Converter Industry, Commerce or Residence Fig. 3. Suggestion for medium/small renewable energy production power plants. 5. Conclusion The most important Portuguese legislation regarding electrical energy production using renewable resources is the Decree-Law n. 189/98 of 27th May, with redaction given by Decree-Law n. 168/99 of 18th May (which makes the republication), modified by Decree-Law n. 312/2001 of 10th December, and by Decree-Law n. 339-C/2001 of 29th December. In the scope of this legislations is also included the utilization of industrial, agricultural or urban waste. Concerning environmental questions, in what depends on the nature, dimension and location of the installations, its important to refer the following topics and related Portuguese legislations: Environmental impact: Decree-Law n. 69/2000 of 3rd May; General sound noise regulation: Decree-Law n. 292/2002 of 14th November; 7 Licensing for small hydroelectric power plants: Governmental order n. 295/2002 of 19th March; Pollutant emissions: Governmental Order n. 1058/94 of 2nd December and Governmental order n. 268/93, of 19th March; Authorization for burning waste: Decree-Law n. 239/97 of 9th September and Decree-Law n. 273/98 of 2nd September. Nowadays, with the development of Power Electronics, it is possible to have solutions to the production of renewable energy production based in medium and small power plants. Portugal presents good conditions to the implementation of a large number of these power plants, based on wind power and photovoltaic energy. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to FCT (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia), project funding POCTI/ESE/41170/2001. References [1] Diario da Republica n 115/99, Serie I-A, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Decreto-lei n 168/99. [2] Diario da Republica n 123/88, Serie I-A, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Decreto-lei n 189/88. [3] Diario da Republica n 84/2002, Serie I-B, 383/2002. [4] Diario da Republica n 300/2001, Serie I-A - Suplemento, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Decreto-lei n 339-C/2001. [5] Diario da Republica n 284/2001, Serie I-A, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Decreto-lei n 312/2001. [6] Diario da Republica n 66/2002, Serie I-B - Suplemento, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Decreto-lei n 295/2002. [7] Diario da Republica n 198/2001, Serie II, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Despacho n 22044/2002 (2 serie). [8] Diario da Republica n 149/2002, Serie I-B, 764/2002. [9] Diario da Republica n 103/2002, Serie II, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Despacho n 9148/2002. [10] Diario da Republica n 66/2002, Serie I-B, 295/2002. [11] Diario da Republica n 79/2002, Serie II, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Despacho n 6993/2002. [12] Diario da Republica n 50/2002, Serie II, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Despacho n 4451/2002. [13] Diario da Republica n 243/2001, Serie I-B, Ministerio da Industria e Energia, Resolucao do Conselho de Ministros n 154/2001. [14] Diario da Republica n 130/1990, Serie I-A, 416/1990. [15] J. L. Afonso, C. Couto, J. S. Martins, Active Filters with Control Based on the p-q Theory, IEEE Industrial Electronics Society Newsletter, vol. 47, n. 3, Sept. 2000, pp Kincora scrip (share) consideration released from escrow post re-registration of the IBEX licenses being achieved. Last milestone achieved for the IBEX transaction. Field activities concluded, results being integrated with Technical Workshop planned. VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Further to its news release of November 7, 2016, Kincora Copper Ltd. (the "Company", "Kincora") (TSXV:KCC), is pleased to announce that the re-registration of the mineral licences held by Ibex Land Mongolia LLC into the name of Kincora's subsidiary Golden Grouse Ibex LLC by the Mineral Resources, Petroleum Authority of Mongolia ("MRPAM", previously known as the Mineral Resources Authority of Mongolia, "MRAM") has occurred. This is the last milestone for the IBEX transaction. As a result the 5,895,000 shares and 2,947,500 warrants of Kincora registered in the name of High Power Ventures Inc. ("HPV") held in escrow have been released to HPV and are expected to ultimately be held by the shareholders of HPV. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.54 (equal to 1.8 times the price per security of the July 28, 2016, private placement of Kincora) and a term of 24 months. This term is subject to acceleration if the closing price on the TSX Venture Exchange is greater than $0.90 for 30 consecutive trading days and Kincora elects to accelerate the expiry date of the warrants to 30 days from the date of such notice. The Company is also pleased to provide an update that field activities have concluded on time and budget. Recent programs have included extensive ground magnetics, detailed mapping, regional and local geochemistry, petrography, whole rock geochemistry with fertility analysis, and age dating. Further high priority drilling targets are expected in addition to those previously announced at Bayan Tal (refer our November 7, 2016 press release and new Company presentation). The Company looks forward to providing further details upon conclusion of a planned Technical Committee Workshop, where a portfolio of high quality targets across Kincora's district level portfolio will be ranked and systematic exploration activities outlined to advance these targets up the value curve. Kincora has 48,621,959 issued shares and the aforementioned 2,947,500 warrants outstanding. Further details on Kincora's corporate structure, priority exploration targets and pipeline of prospects are provided in an updated corporate presentation: http://kincoracopper.com/investors/corporate-presentation About Kincora Kincora is a junior resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties, with a focus on copper-gold projects in Mongolia. For further information: www.kincoracopper.com. Recent news flow: Nov 22nd - Proactive Investors article: Kincora Copper now has a solid base from which to embark on a serious elephant hunt http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/169333/kincora-copper-now-has-a-solid-base-from-which-to-embark-on-a-serious-elephant-hunt-169333.html Nov 18th - Proactive Investors interview: Kincora Copper Ltd. 'excited' by targets identified at Bayan Tal in Mongolia http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/stocktube/6416/kincora-copper-ltd-excited-by-targets-identified-at-bayan-tal-in-mongolia-6416.html Nov 17th - Press release: Kincora outlines multi-target, multi-stage strategy for Tier 1 porphyry copper-gold exploration in Mongolia Nov 17th - New presentations: The leading expansion strategy along an emerging world class belt Nov 14th - Press release: Copper experts credited with multiple Tier 1 discoveries join Kincora's team Nov 7th - Press release: Closing achieved for Kincora consolidating the dominant landholding in the Southern Gobi copper (gold) belt Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and was reviewed, verified and compiled by Kincora's geological staff under the supervision of Peter Leaman, Senior Vice-President of Exploration of Kincora Copper, who is the Qualified Person for the purpose of NI 43-101. 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 Kincora Copper Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 29, 2016) - Frontline Gold Corp. (TSXV: FGC) ("Frontline" or the "Company"), announces it has acquired a 100% interest in several early stage exploration projects in the Red Lake District. The acquired exploration properties consist of 1) two contiguous claims, totaling 480 acres on 12 claims units, which is adjacent to the Company's Chukuni property which consist of seven contiguous claims, totaling 2,960 acres on 74 claim units, that is located long the south and western boundaries of Goldcorp Inc.'s ("Goldcorp") Red Lake Gold Mine and 2) the largest exploration projects consisting of 16 claims, totaling 6,400 acres on 160 claim units adjoining Pure Gold's Madsen mine to the east and the south (see attached Claim Map). Frontline's Purchase To exercise the option and to complete the acquisition of the 100% interest in the claims, Frontline paid the optionor a total of $14,000. The remaining payments under the purchase option totaling $24,000 and $2,000 of additional staking costs for the two Chukuni claims were paid equally by Abitibi Royalties Inc. ("Abitibi") and AuRico Metals Inc. ("AuRico") in exchange for a combined 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR") on the above acquired early stage exploration projects. See Abitibi press release dated 11/29/2016: http://www.abitibiroyalties.com/news/2016/november29/. Commentary Frontline's President and CEO, Mr. Walter Henry, said, "The two Chukuni claims staked are an excellent addition to the Company's current Chukuni Project given the strategic location of the Chukuni Project in the Red Lake Gold District and being directly contiguous to Goldcorp's Red Lake Property both on northern and eastern property boundaries of the Chukuni property boundaries. The Chukuni Project combined with the acquisition of the exploration projects adjoining Pure Gold's Madsen mine to the east and the south, provides the Company with one of the largest exploration land packages within the Red Lake District totaling just under 9,400 acres. This land package combined with the Company's White Horse Island Project, situated between the Goldcorp / Premier Gold Rahill-Bonanza Gold Property and Premier Gold's Hasaga Gold Property (see attached map) provides the Company with several early stage exploration projects within the Red Lake District." Frontline is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company. The Company's principal properties include the following: Keban Tailings Project - Located approximately 45 km northwest from the city of Elazig, via paved highway, which is fully permitted, which includes the exclusive rights to process a minimum 114,000 tonnes of mineralized milled tailings stored in two areas within the defined tailings boundaries. Kambertepe Tailings Project - Includes the exclusive rights to process approximately up to 6,000 tonnes of mineralized tailings, with the following average reported grades per tonne of tailings: 2.1% Copper, 21 g/t Silver, 1.9% Zinc, 0.5% Titanium and over 50% Iron, based on assays completed by Bureau Veritas, Vancouver, Canada, as noted from a Firat University report on the project dated March 15th, 2016. Menderes Gold Project, a 6,194 ha (62 km) contiguous land package located near the village of Efemcukuru, in Izmir Province, Western Turkey. The permits that make up the Menderes Gold Project were acquired for their excellent potential to host low to medium sulphidation, gold-mineralized epithermal vein systems. The Menderes Gold Project is contiguous to the eastern and southern property boundaries of Eldorado Gold's Efencukuru Mine (source: www.eldoradogold.com). Niaouleni gold project, in southern Mali in the heart of West Africa's prolific gold belt. Active gold exploration projects in the immediate vicinity of Niaouleni include African Gold Group Inc.'s Kobada Gold Project (www.africangoldgroup.com). Within the general geographic area surrounding Niaouleni, there are approx. 12 operating mines, which make the economics of establishing mining operations very viable. Niaouleni sits between the 6.4Moz Lero mine (source: www.nordgold.com) & the 5.9Moz Morila mine (source: www.randgoldresources.com). Flint Lake and Sandhill Lake Gold Projects which are adjacent to First Mining Finance's advanced stage exploration Cameron Lake Gold Deposit in Ontario. Measured & Indicated Resource: 8.9 Mt at 2.29 g/t for 650,000 ounces of gold. Inferred Resource: 14.9 Mt at 1.91 g/t for 920,000 ounces of gold (source: www.firstminingfinance.com). Red Lake (gold) and Birch-Uchi Greenstone Belt exploration properties, which include the Whitehorse Island Mining Patents, the Chukuni Gold Exploration project (adjacent to Goldcorp's Red Lake Gold Mine). Production Royalty and Net Smelter Royalty on a portion of First Mining Finance's Pickle Crow Gold Project which was acquired from PC Gold Inc. (see http://www.frontlinegold.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=668206&_Type=News-Releases&_Title=PC-Gold-Enters-Into-Agreement-to-Acquire-Mining-Claims). The technical information herein was reviewed by Mr. Greg Isenor, P. Geo., who acts as Frontline's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.frontlinegold.com, or our social media sites listed below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frontline Gold Corp./ Twitter: https://twitter.com/frontlinegold This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. "Walter Henry" Walter Henry, President & CEO FRONTLINE GOLD CORP. Contact: Walter Henry Telephone: (416) 362-9100 Fax: (416) 362-9300 Email: info@frontlinegold.com Website: www.frontlinegold.com Frontline Gold Corp. (TSXV: FGC) 1 Toronto Street, Suite 201 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V6 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Frontline Gold's Exploration Projects To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2192/23808_frontline_enhanced.jpg VANCOUVER, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Encanto Potash Corp. ("Encanto" or the "Corporation") (TSXV: EPO) is pleased to announce that Stavros Daskos has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his role as President and a director of the Corporation. The Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Norman Brewster and would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him success in his future endeavours. ABOUT ENCANTO: Encanto Potash Corp. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed and traded Canadian resource company engaged in the development of potash properties in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, the largest producing potash region in the world. Through a joint venture agreement with Muskowekwan Resources Ltd. on our flagship property, Encanto has a project land package which totals approximately 61,000 largely contiguous acres. A Pre-Feasibility Study dated February 28, 2013 titled "Encanto Potash Corp. Technical Report Summarizing the Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Muskowekwan First Nations Home Reserve Project in South Eastern Saskatchewan, Canada" confirms the Proven & Probable KCI Reserves totaling 162 MMt grading 28% which supports primary and secondary mining for over 50 years at an assumed annual rate extraction rate of 2.8 million tonnes. The Corporation has a 5% interest in the 55,000 acre Ochapowace/Chacachas property also located in Saskatchewan. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by James Walchuck, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. For additional information about Encanto Potash Corp., please visit the Corporation's website at www.encantopotash.com or review the Company's documents filed on www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Stavros Daskos" Per: Stavros Daskos CEO, President and Director NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. THE FOREGOING INFORMATION MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN OUR FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE OUTCOME OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIRD PARTIES, THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, CHANGES IN WORLD COMMODITY MARKETS OR EQUITY MARKETS, THE RISKS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, DELAYS IN OBTAINING GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS, PERMITS OR FINANCING OR IN THE COMPLETION OF DEVELOPMENT OR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, TITLE DISPUTES, CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT AND CHANGES TO REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE MINING INDUSTRY, AND OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES DETAILED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S FILINGS WITH THE CANADIAN SECURITIES ADMINISTRATORS (AVAILABLE AT WWW.SEDAR.COM). FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE MADE BASED ON VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS AND ON MANAGEMENT'S BELIEFS, ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS ON THE DATE THE STATEMENTS ARE MADE. SHOULD ONE OR MORE OF THESE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES MATERIALIZE, OR SHOULD UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS PROVE INCORRECT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IF THESE ASSUMPTIONS, BELIEFS, ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHANGE, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW. SOURCE Encanto Potash Corp. Transcription 1 A Closer Look At: Costa Rica May 2014 IPSAS ADOPTION EXPERIENCE Introduction The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is dedicated to promoting the acceptance of and the international convergence to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs). As part of that effort, it is detailing the challenges and benefits of adopting IPSASs and accrual accounting. The current implementation plan calls for full implementation 1 of IPSASs within the central government of Costa Rica by 2021, and the implementation of NICs within the Business Public Sector of Costa Rica by Irene Espinoza Director of State Accounting Carmen Palladino External Advisor Background: Currently, Costa Rica is undertaking the process of implementing International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs). The implementation process is a long and gradual process. It has generated many lessons up to this point (March 2014, and we are sharing them in hopes they are helpful to other countries interested in starting the implementation process. In 2001, Costa Rica initiated its governmental financial management modernization through the following: Law 8131 Law of Financial Administration and Public Budget of the Republic and its Regulations, which states that the Accounting System shall integrate the Financial Administration System and gives the National Accounting Office the power to be its Ruling Body, with the responsibility, among others, of elaborating the general standards to be enforced, and The agreement celebrated with the Inter-American Accounting Association and the Inter-American Development Bank under the framework of the Public Accounts Accountability Program under which Costa Rica formally agreed to adopt IPSASs. IPSAS Implementation Begins The first step taken by the authorities of Costa Rica was to get a legal framework to support the adoption and implementation of the IPSASs. The legal support for the adoption of the International Standards was based on several decrees of the Executive Branch, issued for the Entities of the National Government : Including the term dates granted by IPSAS in the transition regulations. 2 Sector as well as for the Financial and Non-Financial Public Sector Companies, as follows: Decree 34,918 of the Executive Branch (12/9/2008): Requires the adoption and implementation of the IPSASs as from January 1, 2012 for the Institutions of the National Government Sector of Costa Rica. Decree 36,961-H of the Executive Branch (December 2011): Extends the original fixed date (January 1, 2012) to January 1, Decree 35,616 of the Executive Branch (12/2/2008): Requires the adoption and implementation of International Financial Information Standards for Financial and Non-Financial Public Companies as from January 1, Decree 38,069-H of the Executive Branch: Extends the term for the implementation of the International Financial Information Standards in the Financial and Non-Financial Public Companies to January 1, Later, in 2008, the National Accounting General Plan was developed with the assistance of external advisors, which is the Accounting Subsystem guideline both for the National Accounting and the Public Sector entities of Costa Rica, and which includes: Accounting Conceptual Framework; and Accounting General Standards and Policies for the Assets, Liabilities, Equity, Revenue, Expenditures, Disclosure of Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements based on the IPSASs on the accrual basis. In accordance with the General Plan, the Accounting List Plan was developed for the Non-Financial and non-business Public Sector under the IPSASs, as the support of the new Accounting subsystem. The aforementioned was supported by the permanent and appropriate training process on the theoretical aspects of the IPSASs, issued on December 2008, for the public officers of the National Accounting Office and two officers of each body of the National Government Sector.Timeline The first suggested deadline (January 2012) was not sufficient due to the impact of the IPSAS implementation process on every economic and financial transaction of the Public Sector of Costa Rica, and because the political authorities of the country had withdrawn their political support to the same due to the complexity of the process, only support an extension of time to the original date, and not providing the necessary resources to implement the process. For the aforementioned, the National Accounting Office started the implementation process with its own staff that had to deal both with the project and their own responsibilities, and only being able to hire a project manager for the implementation of IPSASs and the new accounting plan. With the change of authorities in the country, the project became a priority for the political authorities and had the necessary support to keep working. That is the moment when the National Accounting Office received external advisors once again and the following tasks were undertaken: Elaboration of an Action Plan; Update of the General Accounting Plan with the new standards issued (December 2011); Update of the Accounting List Plan for the non-financial and non-business Public Sector; 2 3 Elaboration of the IPSASs Implementation Methodology, using some of the guidelines of Study 14 Transition to the Accounting on the Basis of Accrual of the IFAC; and Training for the Public Sector of Costa Rica. Currently, the country is working on the implementation process with the challenge of issuing the first Financial Statements for the National Public Sector under IPSASs by January 2016, and also with the terms stated by the transition regulations. The implementation process states several due dates for its development, as follows: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Term date 2013) with the Accounting Principles Applicable to Costa Rica`s Public Sector (PCASPC): last fiscal year issued under Accounting Principles; Transition date to IPSASs (fiscal years 2014 and 2015): fiscal year of transition in which IPSASs are the standards to be applied for those items possible, and PCASPC for those which are not ready for IPSASs; Date of the Opening Financial Statement (ESFA) 2015): closure of first fiscal year in which IPSASs will be enforced, except for the transition regulations; taking this Balance Sheet as basis for the following fiscal year; Date of the Financial Statements (EEFF) under IPSASs 2016): first fiscal year to be disclosed under IPSASs (SGG), except for the transition regulations, and Date of EEFF under transition regulations 2021): the five (5) fiscal years after the first EEFF issued under IPSASs. Term date 2013) Date of the Opening Financial Statement (ESFA) 2015) Date of EEFF under transition regulations 2021). Transition date to IPSASs (fiscal years 2014 and 2015) Date of the Financial Statements (EEFF) under IPSASs 2016) We should also mention that the Business Governmental Sector (Financial and Non Financial Public Companies) shall disclose their first Financial Statements under NIC/NIIF by December 31, 4 Anticipated Challenges The accounting areas of the institutions and mainly the National Accounting faced and are still facing great challenges in the implementation of IPSASs. If we look back, it could be said that the challenges at the beginning of the implementation were, from the technical point of view, among others, as follows: Cultural changes (accounting culture vs. budget culture) Resistance to changes Reinforce accounting concepts, especially the basis of accrual Integration and adjustment of computer systems of the financial administration to the requirements of the Integrated Accounting Module adapted to the IPSAS, and Integration of the budget lists/assets catalogues/with the accounts list of the accounts under IPSAS. Even though important stages of the process have been complied with, such as the regulatory framework, the technical manuals, the training process, the accounts list, there are several pending challenges that jeopardize the implementation process, such as: Implementation of IPSASs within the Executive Branch Development of computer systems which guarantee the implementation of IPSASs Accounting procedures, based on accounting policies under IPSASs Transition from the registration under the cash basis to the accrual basis Inventories administration (operational and sales assets) Registration of assets (real estate, biological, intangibles) Registration of Infrastructure assets Implementation of NINSO 32, Concession of Public Services Implementation of Accounting Policies of Financial Instruments, and Compliance with the Accounting Policies in the consolidation process of the accounting information. International Support The National Accounting Office is undertaking the IPSAS implementation tasks with a great dedication and devotion of the National Accounting Office officers, who have made task groups in order to implement the fixed deadlines (assets, revenue accrual, public credit, consolidation, etc.). The officers were trained by external advisors, and, based on the lessons learned, the elaboration of procedures was continued as well as the training of the rest of the public institutions. The experience of Costa Rica with the national body representing the professional accountants has shown room for improvement, as the national body provided some training was not technically accurate, and was not useful to the officers. 4 5 Therefore, the National Accounting Office continued with the training given by the external advisors, which was financed by several organizations both national and international, including: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Fundacion Costa Rica-Estados Unidos para la Cooperacion (CRUSA) Those organizations made it possible to hire international advisors (Carmen Palladino and her group of advisors) who have supported the implementation of the IPSASs with their technical know-how, especially in training both within the National Accounting Office and several public sector institutions, and in the elaboration of tools such as the Accounts List, Accounts Plan, Methodology for the Implementation of IPSASs, among others. Implementation Success Even though there have been many challenges for the officers of Costa Rica in relation to the implementation of the process, there were also successes, which can be summarized as follows: Strong political support to the process Decision of the Director of the National Accounting Office to implement IPSAS Officers willing to be trained and to a change from a budget to an accounting perspective Support of the external advisors throughout the process. and Trust in the external assistance as the project mentor, and Creation of implementation teams in the institutions, with staff of different areas providing information and data for the accounting process, which was of great importance for the process to be institutional and agile. Lessons learned Looking back, we can see the successes, but also the lessons learned from the challenges Costa Rica faced, so that they are not repeated by other countries initiating the process. These lessons include: IPSAS adoption and implementation should have been undertaken as an integral project, considering the planning, management and control process, measuring timeline, cost and quality, and identified it as country project, The deadlines initially fixed were not based on a strategic implementation plan, The adoption and implementation process should have been supported politically and with the active participation of the managers of the public institutions concerned, Internal human resources should be given the accounting background for the execution of the process in each institution, A proper project administration and a management and coordination framework are a requirement for the success of the effort, Most of the entities have limited resources and their effective and proper use is essential, 5 6 There should be an enhancement of the training through learn-do methodologies, as it is necessary not only to understand the standards, but also to learn how to implement them in real situations of each institution, When the entity migrates from cash basis accounting to accrual basis, there are changes in how the organization is administered and operated. Training goes beyond accounting and takes on an organizational component, and Information systems supporting the accounting process should be part of the same process from the beginning, so that it is not an obstacle at the end. Costa Rica Benefits Resulting from the Implementation of IPSASs One of the benefits to be mentioned is the exam 2 on Commerce Policies of Costa Rica made by the World Trade Organization in August One of the requirements of this exam was the incorporation of better governmental administration practices, and the adoption of IPSAS was a positive contribution for the country. Additionally, Costa Rica has initiated a Fiscal Consolidation Process and the adoption of IPSASs is a guarantee of transparency and accountability. And the implementation of the Integrated Accounting Module of the Public Sector as of January 2016 will be a technical benefit as it will: Provide reliable and comparable information in real time (among entities); and Improve transparency and accountability. Sharing documents and experience The National Accounting Office has offered other Accounting Offices of the Latin American countries its experience, including the agreement made with El Salvador for the use of the Accounting General Plan so that country can start its implementation process. Also, training has been provided in order to show Costa Rica`s experience in the implementation of IPSASs. In March 2013, a delegation from the Government of El Salvador was received, and in April 2014, we are waiting for a group from the Government of Panama, as well as a list from other countries showing their interest in knowing about the experience. As part of a communication policy, all the information of the IPSASs implementation Project is available at the website NICSPCR ( of the National Accounting Office. Furthermore, it is important to mention that in October 2013, a workshop was offered on Governmental Accounting in relation to the IPSASs implementation hosted the Government of Costa Rica, with the support of the IDB, and an Inter American Community of Governmental Accounting Practices was created, which shall help the region consolidate progress, exchange good practices, share lessons learned and mainly 2 Commercial Policies Exams, exercise prescribed by the Agreements of the World Trade Organization, regularly examine and evaluate the commercial policies of the Member countries. They also keep an eye on the important events that could affect the world commerce system. Every Member of the World Trade Organization is subject to this exam. 6 7 enhance the development of the Governmental accounting as the integrating core of the financial administration on the countries, a greater fiscal and accounting transparency and accountability. To that respect, and profiting from the progress and experience of the Government of Costa Rica in the implementation of IPSASs, the following agreements were noted: Irene Espinoza, National Accountant, was named to lead the process on behalf of the region and to serve as a source of initial communications to the website of the National Accounting Office until a structure is organized. It is in the interest of the National Accounting Office to continue sharing the experience and lessons learned with every governmental body showing interest in the IPSASs implementation process. Published by: 7 Shell-shocked Democrats looking to recover from 2016 see the large slate of upcoming governors races as their most likely path out of the political wilderness starting in the Midwest.Twenty-seven of the 38 governorships up in 2017 and 2018 are Republican-held, including many seats that will be open after eight years of GOP control. That means widespread opportunities for Democratic gains, as well as a critical chance for new ideas and new blood to emerge as the party seeks to identify its next generation of leaders and dig out from a low point after President-elect Donald Trumps shocking White House win.The sweeping gubernatorial map takes in virtually every national battleground state and segment of the electorate. Diversifying states where Democrats have struggled in recent midterms, like Florida, Nevada and New Mexico, will have open races in 2018. Unorthodox Republicans who carried blue states like Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts in 2014 will face reelection challenges, too, while Democrats will also look to replicate recent successes in a handful of red states.And, critically, Democrats itching to prove they can still win in the Midwest will get the opportunity to test themselves by chasing GOP-held governorships in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Art Sisneros just couldn't do it.After months of thought, the welding supply salesman chosen as one of 38 Texans to serve on this year's Electoral College couldn't vote for Republican President-elect Donald Trump, a man he doesn't consider "biblically qualified" to serve in the White House.So Sisneros, a 40-year-old Dayton man, resigned as an elector.He quietly made his announcement in a blog post over the weekend, saying he believes "voting for Trump would bring dishonor to God," so his only option was to resign the coveted post and let the remaining Electoral College voters can replace him with "someone that can vote for Trump.""The people will get their vote," Sisneros wrote in his blog post. "I will sleep well at night knowing I neither gave in to their demands nor caved to my convictions."On Dec. 19, Electoral College voters across the country will head to their state capitols to formally cast their votes.In Texas, Republicans during their state convention in May chose 38 electors _ one from each congressional district and two elected statewide _ to gather that day in the Texas House of Representatives chamber for what is typically a quiet ceremony.Since the election, electors have been slammed with emails, letters and calls from countless Democrats asking them to not vote for Trump, particularly as Democrat Hillary Clinton's lead in the popular vote has passed the 2 million mark. At a minimum, some asked electors to at least throw the election to the House of Representatives to decide.Now electors in Texas may be overwhelmed again by Republicans who want to replace Sisneros."I expect we will be bombarded by people who want to be an alternate or elector," said Alex Kim, a Bedford attorney and fellow Electoral College member.Kim noted that any alternate chosen doesn't have to sign the pledge that GOP electors initially chosen had to sign, promising to vote for the GOP presidential nominee.The Electoral College _ which has long drawn criticism from those who believe it's an antiquated system _ dates back to the late 1700s as the name given to a group of citizens chosen to formally cast the final vote for president and vice president.The Founding Fathers created the Electoral College as a way to create a middle ground between letting Congress and qualified voters nationwide elect the president. They determined it would be made up of 538 people and a simple majority _ 270 votes _ would determine the country's president every four years.Electoral College voters meet the Monday after the second Wednesday in December, under federal law. So on Dec. 19, electors across the country will head to their state capitols."We respect Mr. Sisneros' decision and appreciate his willingness to step down from his position as a Presidential Elector in Texas," said Tom Mechler, chair of the Republican Party of Texas. "The responsibility of selecting his replacement now falls into the hands of the other Electors from Texas when they assemble on December 19th, and we will continue to move forward with the process."In Texas, one of the first orders of business will be to propose a replacement for Sisneros and approve that replacement.Once that person is approved and sworn in, electors will proceed to cast their ballots, said Alicia Pierce, a spokeswoman for the Texas Secretary of State's Office.After the votes are cast here and in all the other states, the ballots will be sent to Vice President Joe Biden, who will read them to both houses of Congress on Jan. 6, unless Congress changes the date. Once Biden reads the results to Congress, the results are official and final. Plans then focus on the Jan. 20 inauguration.The last time the Electoral College fell under such scrutiny was in 2000, when George W. Bush won 271-266, (one voter abstained) even though Gore won the nation's popular vote.Trump himself tweeted about the Electoral College and the election overall this weekend, saying that he "won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.""It would have been much easier for me to win the so-called popular vote than the Electoral College in that I would only campaign in 3 or 4 states instead of the 15 states that I visited."He later tweeted that he believed there was "serous voter fraud" in states ranging from New Hampshire to Virginia to California.There has been no indication of vote manipulation.Trump won Texas, claiming 52 percent of the vote to Clinton's 43 percent.That ensured him of the state's 38 electoral votes, since all Texas electors signed a pledge promising to vote for the GOP presidential nominee.Sisneros _ who has drawn media attention in recent weeks for his electoral uncertainty _ was no exception.He has told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he wasn't a Trump supporter, but he wasn't completely opposed to him at the time of the state convention in May when he was chosen as an elector.As time went by, and he studied the issue more, Sisneros said he realized he couldn't vote for Trump.On Election Day, his presidential vote went to Tom Hoefling of Iowa, a write-in candidate.He spent weeks sifting through his options _ voting for a candidate he didn't believe in, breaking the pledge and becoming a "faithless elector" or resigning."I know Art spent a lot of time thinking about his position and stance," Kim said. "I respect the consideration he put into this. I disagree with it, but I respect it."As Sisneros weighed what to do, he received death threats and started having a hard time sleeping."The reality is Trump will be our President, no matter what my decision is," Sisneros wrote in his blog post. "Many are furious that I am willing to have this discussion publicly. Personally, I wish more civil officers would be honest about their convictions. Assuming a Trump Presidency is their ultimate goal, they will get that. The problem is, that isn't what they want. They want a democracy. They will threaten to kill anyone who challenges their power to vote for Skittles for dinner."Since I can't in good conscience vote for Donald Trump, and yet have sinfully made a pledge that I would, the best option I see at this time is to resign my position as an Elector." The Wisconsin Elections Commission agreed Monday to begin a recount of the presidential election on Thursday but was sued by Green Party candidate Jill Stein after the agency declined to require county officials to recount the votes by hand.It will be a race to finish the recount in time to meet a daunting federal deadline, and the lawsuit could delay the process. Under state law, the recount must begin this week as long as Stein or another candidate pays the $3.5 million estimated cost of the recount by Tuesday, election officials said.Also Monday, Stein filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania to force a recount there and her supporters began filing recount requests at the precinct level in the Keystone State. Stein _ who received just a tiny piece of the national vote _ also plans to ask for a recount in Michigan on Wednesday.Unless Stein wins her lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court, officials in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties would decide on their own whether to do their recounts of the 2.98 million statewide votes by machine or by hand, with dozens of counties expected to hand count the paper ballots.Citing the results of a 2011 statewide recount that changed only 300 votes of 1.5 million, Elections Commission chairman Mark Thomsen, a Democrat, said this presidential recount is very unlikely to change Republican Donald Trump's win in the state."It may not be 22,177," said Thomsen, referring to Trump's win over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the vote count. "But I don't doubt that the president-elect is going to win that."Thomsen dismissed Stein's claims of problems with the vote as unfounded and misleading. But he directed his toughest criticism to Trump's unsupported allegations that millions of people voted illegally nationwide, calling them "an insult to the people that run our elections."The commission is made up of three Democrats and three Republicans. It adopted the recount plans unanimously.Trump issued a statement calling Stein's maneuver a ruse to raise money that would not affect the outcome."This is a scam by the Green Party and Jill Stein for an election that has already been conceded. The result of this election should be respected instead of being challenged and abused," his statement said.Stein is seeking to pay for the recount of Wisconsin's election to make sure that the election wasn't rigged in some way against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Stein herself received about 31,000 votes in Wisconsin, more than the margin separating Clinton and Trump."We must recount the votes so we can build trust in our election system," Stein said in a written statement.Independent candidate Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente, who received about 1,500 votes, also requested a recount.Under the plan adopted Monday, the Wisconsin recount would begin Thursday, provided Stein, De La Fuente or both paid the $3.5 million by Tuesday. County officials would have to complete their recount by 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and then the state election commission would prepare the official recount for certification by Dec. 13 _ the deadline for guaranteeing that the state's Electoral College votes are counted.If Monday's cost estimate is high, Stein and De La Fuente will get a refund, but if the costs come in above expectations they will have to pay more.Stein has taken in $6.5 million since Wednesday through an online fundraising blitz to fund her recount efforts. A spokeswoman for De La Fuente said he is considering his options for paying for his share of the recount.Neil Albrecht, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, said it took nearly a month to complete the recount in the April 2011 Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Justice David Prosser and JoAnne Kloppenburg. The city will now have about two weeks to recount more than twice as many ballots _ a challenge that will play out across the state.Most machines in Wisconsin are optical readers. Voters fill out a paper ballot and feed it into the machine, which then electronically records the vote. In a hand recount, clerks would individually tally those ballots. In a machine recount, they would feed the ballots back through the machines, though they would also run a number of other checks such as reconciling the votes and signed names on poll lists.A small percentage of votes in Wisconsin are cast on touch-screen machines, which also generate paper records.None of the machines used for voting in the state are connected to the internet and could not be hacked remotely, said Mike Haas, the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.In Dane County, which includes Madison, the computers used to prepare the ballot files loaded into voting machines are also not connected to the internet, meaning that it would take someone with physical access to the machines to hack them, County Clerk Scott McDonell said. The individual machines are also tested by city, village and town clerks prior to the vote to make sure they are working correctly."Even if the KGB broke into the City-County Building, it's encrypted, it's password protected," said McDonell, who doubted whether even he could rig the election. "I don't know how I would do it without the (local) clerks seeing it."Even before the recount began, Trump's unofficial lead of 22,177 was due to grow by 440 votes, as officials moved to correct a reporting error in Oneida County. Trump's vote in the Town of Hazelhurst had been recorded as 44 instead of 484. (Clinton's vote total was 330 in the same town).Securing a recount in Pennsylvania will be more difficult than in Wisconsin.Pennsylvania law allows recounts to be conducted at a precinct if at least three voters from that precinct request one. Stein's supporters started doing that Monday, but it would take thousands of voters to get them going in all of Pennsylvania's precincts.Pursuing a second track, Stein also filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania court to try to get a statewide recount.Clinton would have to flip the vote in all three states to win the presidency, a possibility that election experts call extremely remote.el Transcription 1 1689 Developing a Carbon Footprint Calculator for Construction Buildings Nicolas HARMOUCHE 1, Ali AMMOURI 2, Issam SROUR 3, Ghassan CHEHAB 4, and Ramsey HAMADE 5 1 Graduate Student, Engineering Management Program, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box , Beirut, , Lebanon; PH (+961) ; FAX (+961) ; 2 Graduate Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut; 3 Assistant Professor, Engineering Management Program, American University of Beirut; 4 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut; 5 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut; ABSTRACT Carbon footprint is commonly defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly or indirectly as a result of an activity. The term carbon footprint has become the standard for measuring the environmental impact of activities in several sectors (e.g., transportation, energy, construction). While there have been several studies documenting calculators that estimate the carbon footprint of individual activities (e.g., driving a car, riding an airplane), the literature describing the process of carbon footprint calculations for construction activities remains limited. The few existing tools that calculate the carbon footprint of construction buildings do not take into account some of the major variables in the design and construction process (e.g., properties of selected materials, location of suppliers). In an effort to improve the accuracy of carbon footprint calculations, this paper presents a tool that estimates the total carbon footprint of construction buildings while taking into consideration project characteristics (e.g., size, location, material choices). The calculator relies on data collected from construction material suppliers and covers the various phases of a construction project. Through a case study, the research team illustrates the use of the tool to identify the activities with high carbon emissions. INTRODUCTION Human-induced climate change is perhaps the greatest environmental threat of the 21 st century (ECCM 2008). This threat correlates with the increased rates of depletion of natural resources, which are, in turn, the result of increased rates of consumption of raw materials in various industrial processes. The building construction sector is responsible for a significant amount of this consumption. For example, in the US commercial and residential buildings consume more energy than the transportation and industrial sectors, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total national demand (U.S. Department of Energy 2008). The building construction sector is also a major source of CO 2 emissions, and is responsible, in the US and the 2 1690 European Union, for about 40 percent of the environmental burden (Abanda et. al 2010). In the UK, construction is responsible for 50 percent of the total national carbon emissions and energy consumption (Brown et al and Hammond and Jones 2010). Overall, the construction industry uses 40 percent of the total gravel, sand, and raw stone consumed worldwide. It also utilizes 25 percent of the unprocessed wood and 16 percent of the water consumed worldwide (Dixit et al. 2010). These figures have encouraged researchers to look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Developed countries are starting to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to stabilize global warming. Commitments have been carried out by various governments through the Kyoto Protocol, as well as the G5 and G8 summits to address the adverse effects of climate change. For instance, in the UK, the government has been proactive and has committed to implementing the Kyoto protocol by decreasing its CO 2 emissions below the 1990 levels by a minimum of 12.5 percent. To accomplish these goals, mitigation strategies for carbon emissions must be set up and executed strictly across various industrial sectors including construction (Galatowitsch 2009) Construction researchers and practitioners did not take long to start investigating ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects. For this purpose, the concept of sustainable design was introduced via a set of eco-friendly design standards. These include the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) standards. Nonetheless, the success of these standards in reducing carbon footprint and minimizing the environmental impact of construction projects is yet to be proven. This is contingent on having tools that accurately measure the environmental impact of construction projects. This paper addresses this issue by presenting a carbon footprint calculator that is capable of estimating the total carbon emissions of a construction project while taking into consideration various building design characteristics (e.g., size, location, construction materials). LITTERATURE REVIEW The emergence of carbon footprint calculations coincides with the increased awareness of the contribution of industrial activities to global warming. Since the industrial revolution, human activities have increased the amount of GHG emitted into the atmosphere, leading to increased radiative forcing from CO 2 (rate of energy change per unit area of the globe), tropospheric ozone, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The concentration of CO 2 has increased by 36 percent since 1750 whereas the concentration of methane has increased by 148 percent (EPA 2007). Global warming caused by the absorption of thermal radiation by GHG, and re-radiated in all directions, is commonly known as the greenhouse effect. This term was first proposed by Joseph Fourier in the early 19 th century and then investigated quantitatively by Svante Arrhenius in the late 19 th century (Ramanathan and Feng 2009). However, it was not until the late 1980s that the community started to recognize the seriousness of the problem. In 1988, the United Nations Environmental Program and the World Meteorological Organization founded the 3 1691 Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in an effort to regulate and reduce carbon footprint of human activities. For this reason, global warming potentials (GWP) have been formed to broaden the evaluation of the different GHG (IPCC 2007). As shown in Table 1, GWP is a quantitative estimate of the environmental impact of various species of gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and HFCs. Table 1. Global Warming Potentials of GHGs (adopted from IPCC 2007) Species Chemical formula GWP Carbon dioxide CO 2 1 Methane CH 2 25 Nitrous oxide N 2 O 298 HFCs Sulphure hexafluoride SF PFCs According to the European Commission, carbon footprint is a measure of the impact of activities on the climate change and on the environment in general. It relates to the amount of GHG produced through heating, burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation etc. Carbon footprint is a measurement of all GHG that each individual produces and has a unit of tons (T), or kilogram, of carbon dioxide equivalent (European Commission 2007). Carbon footprint is often classified as direct versus indirect. Direct carbon footprint, also known as the primary footprint, is a measure of direct emissions of CO 2 from the combustion of fossil fuels including transportation and domestic energy consumption. In the context of industrial activities, this footprint is the result of direct GHG emissions which the company releases during the manufacturing, assembly, and transportation of the finished goods. The indirect carbon footprint, also known as the secondary footprint, is a measure of the indirect carbon dioxide emissions from the entire lifecycle of the used product, starting with manufacturing and ending with the eventual breakdown. Indirect emissions typically develop outside the actual company through the use of raw materials, energy or services (Wiedmann and Minx 2007). Calculating the carbon footprint requires accurate estimation of both direct and indirect carbon footprint. Another classification of carbon footprint is embodied versus operational. Embodied carbon is the carbon released when a product is manufactured, shipped to a project site and installed (Hammond and Jones 2008). For example, embodied carbon for building is the amount of CO 2 emitted during the construction process. In addition to embodied carbon, buildings are responsible for operational carbon, which is defined as the CO 2 emitted during the operation phase of the building facility. The first step in the process of reducing the environmental impact of construction projects is to develop a framework that accurately measures the carbon footprint (direct and indirect, embodied and operational) of construction projects. 4 1692 This requires a close examination of the entire project lifecycle, starting with planning and ending with demolition and disposal of ensuing material (Hammond and Jones 2010). Several tools have been proposed to estimate the carbon footprint of construction projects. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed a tool called BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability), which is based on consensus standards. The tool helps designers, builders, and manufacturers choose products from a list of 230 building products (NIST 2012). Other examples include the carbon-footprint-calculator (Conlon Construction 2011) and the Build Carbon Neutral (Build Carbon Neutral 2011) which target construction buildings. The former is designed to take into consideration the operating activities emissions of a household (e.g., electricity, natural gas, heating oil, coal, etc.). The latter is a web-based calculator which calculates the carbon emissions that are generated by a building based on the total building surface area, the number of stories and the primary structural system above ground (e.g., wood, concrete, steel). Site information is also required. This information includes the eco-region type, the predominant existing vegetation type, the predominant installed vegetation type, the landscape disturbed, and landscape installed. Other web-based calculators (e.g., greenfootstep) have similar inputs which include the type of building (e.g., hotel, retail, school, warehouse, flat), the built-up area, the type of ventilation (naturally ventilated versus air conditioned) and the distance between the windows and the location of occupant activities. Using these basic characteristics of buildings (e.g., number of floors, surface area), these calculators generate an estimate of carbon footprint with a level of accuracy of 25 percent. Despite giving an estimate of the carbon footprint of construction buildings, these tools do not take into account the distance between the different suppliers of products/construction materials and the location of the construction site. For example, glass manufactured and used in China, has a different carbon footprint than the same glass used in a construction project in Lebanon. Also, they do not differentiate among various products which serve the same purpose but have different manufacturing properties. For example, using concrete with or without fly ash has a different impact on the environment, which explains more explicitly why the existing construction calculators have limited accuracy. METHODOLOGY AND FRAMEWORK The objective of the paper is to present a carbon footprint calculator that is specific to construction buildings. By taking into consideration the building design features, the calculator is expected to have a higher accuracy than existing calculators. The methodology followed to achieve the objective of the study is comprised of three steps. First, the paper presents a generic calculator which estimates the environmental impact of the process of constructing residential and commercial buildings. It focuses on the role of designers and contractors in material and supplier selection while taking into consideration carbon emissions. The calculator, which is built using National Instruments Labview Virtual Programming software, estimates 5 1693 the carbon emissions associated with the major steps associated with the construction process. These include manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials. Second, the paper discusses the process of creating a database of suppliers of construction materials who are active in the construction industry in Lebanon. Data is being collected from several manufacturers and suppliers of cement, aggregates, concrete, steel, wood, aluminum, and electrical and mechanical systems. Creating the database requires collecting information from three major types of companies: 1. Retailers and distributors that base their business on importing products and selling them in Lebanon (e.g., sanitary facilities). These companies do not carry out any manufacturing or processing step on the imported materials. In these cases, documenting the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing materials requires tracking the product back to its country of origin. 2. Suppliers that manufacture their products in Lebanon (e.g., concrete providers). In these cases, documenting the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing materials requires having access to production information. Tracking some of the raw materials to their country of origin might also be required (e.g., imported aggregates for making concrete). 3. Suppliers that import material and perform value-added operations (e.g., welding, assembling, cutting, wood work). In these cases too, documenting the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing requires having access to production information and tracking the raw materials to their country of origin. To collect data from suppliers, the research team developed a survey questionnaire covering the following four areas: Product information such as product and company name, and geographic location (longitude and latitude). Production information such as production unit, yearly quantities, and number of employees. Energy consumption including diesel, petrol, gas, and oil. Raw materials information such as distance from source or country of origin, transportation method, quantities, and volumes. Table 2 shows a sample of the data collected from a local pipe manufacturer. 6 1694 Table 2. Sample Data Collected from a Pipe Manufacturing Company Product information Product name Pipe (PPR & PE) Site location of company/supplier (Latitude) Site location of company/supplier (Longitude) Production Information Production unit (Ton, piece, m 2, m 3 etc) Ton Yearly production quantity 1400 Number of company employees 140 Energy Consumption Yearly oil consumption in L 250 L Yearly electricity consumption in KWh (generator meter) Raw Material Transportation method: land 1000 tons Quantity of raw material per unit produced Variable Transportation volume (units/shipment) 25 tons/truck Source distance Beirut port to the plant Transportation method: land 400 tons Quantity of raw material per unit produced Variable Transportation volume (units/shipment) 25 tons/truck Source distance Abu Dhabi to the plant Transportation method: sea 1000 tons Quantity of raw material per unit produced Variable Transportation volume (units/shipment) 150tons/shipment Source distance Finland to the plant Third, the paper illustrates the implementation of the built calculator on a case study. At the first stage, the calculator is tested on a small-scale construction project which is described in greater detail in subsequent sections of this paper. The research team is in the process of investigating the feasibility of implementing the calculator on a real-world scale multi-storey construction project. To help designers and contractors make decisions on material and supplier selection, the research team is investigating several scenarios. These include suppliers in and out of the country and materials with various compositions (e.g. wood from china versus Lebanon, cement with various less carbon emitting mixes, local versus imported tiles, etc.). CALCULATOR ARCHITECTURE a. Data Input After collecting the required data from suppliers, a tool named CarbonAnalyzer was developed to facilitate the database creation process. As shown in Figure 1, the tool has five main tabs. In the product information tab, the user inputs the product name, company name, company location (latitude and longitude), and category (e.g., concrete, metal, wood, electrical, mechanical, etc.). In the production information tab, the user chooses the production unit, the yearly production quantity, and the number of staff working in the plant. 7 1695 In the energy consumption tab, all the data related to the energy used for the manufacturing of the product is added. This includes the yearly diesel, gas, petrol and oil consumption in liters, as well as the yearly electricity consumption in Kilowatt-hour. In the raw material tab, the transportation method is chosen from a drop down box where the user can choose between land, air and sea. The quantity, volume, distance, and embodied CO 2 per unit can also be entered at this stage. Finally, in the results tab, upon pressing the button Calculate, the total embodied Kg of CO 2 per production unit will be displayed. To save the introduced data, the user can click on the Save button on the right bottom of the window and the result will be saved in a database file according to the path specified in the Database Path input space. Figure 1: CarbonAnalyzer snapshot. Once the Calculate button is pressed, the CarbonAnalyzer tool performs the following activities: 1. Convert a company s yearly energy consumption to carbon-equivalent emissions, and then divide it by the yearly production to get the carbon emission per product. 2. Add the obtained result to the embodied carbon of raw material per unit, along with its transportation emissions. 3. Save the result as the total carbon emissions per unit of product. The same process is repeated with every product involved in the construction process. The saved file will be used along with the calculator to generate the total carbon footprint of a construction project. It should be noted that different countries have different material life cycles, leading to a higher or lower total carbon footprint. To ensure the accuracy of the carbon footprint calculations, the local energy sources should be taken into consideration. For example, the fuel energy footprint is different from the nuclear or hydraulic carbon footprints, which differ from countries to countries. b. Calculator Programming The carbon footprint calculator builds on an earlier study by the research team (Ammouri et al. 2011). Figure 2 shows a snapshot of the updated calculator 8 1696 which is divided into 10 categories: general project information, site works, concrete works, metal works, wood works, windows and doors, finishes, mechanical works, electrical works and results. The calculator uses the created material supplier, retailer, distributor and manufacturer, database along with project input data to calculate the carbon footprint of the project. Project input data includes quantities of materials purchased, selected suppliers, location of project site, equipment used on-site, duration of site activities, and labor force requirements. In addition to displaying the total carbon emissions, the calculator displays the embodied carbon footprint of raw materials, transportation carbon footprint, and site work carbon footprint. Information can be saved in a text file for future reference or for evaluating various scenarios (e.g., local versus foreign suppliers). The following case study illustrates in more details the architecture of the carbon footprint calculator. Figure 2: Carbon footprint calculator-general project information window c. Case Example The calculator was applied on a small-size case study which consists of a 500m 2 single-storey building. According to JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd, the approximate quantities of construction materials required for this building are: 1,755 bags of cement (50-kg each), 179 m 3 of sand, 27 m 3 of 0.01 m aggregates, 50 m 3 of 0.02 m aggregates, 155,217 bricks, and 4,306 kg of reinforcement steel. These numbers are based on the assumption of a load-bearing brick wall which has a thickness of 0.23 m in cement mortar 1:6. Further information is needed to calculate the footprint of the buildings. For example, for the case of cement, the following data is needed: Amount of embodied carbon emissions, which is 0.83 kg of CO 2 per kg of cement using the EPA inventory, and 1.01 Kg of CO 2 per Kg of cement, using the collected data from the cement factory in Chekka, Lebanon. Transportation related data such as the distance from the supplier location to the construction site. For example, cement bought from a major Lebanese supplier travels 67 km to a construction site in Beirut. Despite the relatively short distance, the time spent especially during peak travel periods is at least 9 1697 two hours. Other data include the carbon footprint of the trucks that are used to transport the cement. In this case, trucks with loads of 20t to 50t have an average of 536 CO 2 g/hp-hr (EPA 2011). Construction activity carbon emissions data such as the CO 2 of diesel cement and mortar mixers. This is assumed to be 530 CO 2 g/hp-hr for a 300-hp unit (EPA 2011). Other data include human-induced CO 2. Lebanon generates tons of CO 2 per capital, which is equivalent to kg of CO 2 per person per day (9 hours of work) (United Nations Statistics Division 2011). Based on these assumptions and data, the raw material (embodied) CO 2 for cement is calculated using Equation (1), which illustrates EPA data, and Equation (2) which is based on the survey data: (1) (2) The transportation CO 2 becomes (Time while engine is on) x (CO 2 /hp-hour) x (hp of truck) x (number of trucks) or: (2) Finally, the construction activity CO 2 becomes: (Diesel cement mixer kg of CO 2 / hp.hour) x (hp of diesel cement mixer) x (number of operation hours) x (number of days of activity) + (number of working days) x (number of worker) x (average kg of CO 2 per worker) (3) The total amount of CO 2 emissions for cement related activities is tons (using EPA data) and tons (using the survey data). The results indicate that the amount of CO 2 emitted during construction is negligible compared to the embodied CO 2. Nonetheless, there is little that designers or contractors can do to reduce embodied CO 2. They can, however, use the calculator to choose alternative suppliers and products (e.g., cement products mixed with fly ash or other less polluting substances). Users of this calculator can also address transportation CO 2 by either choosing fuel efficient trucks or choosing suppliers who are within a shorter distance to the construction site. CONCLUSION As illustrated by the case study, the built calculator can be used to estimate and evaluate the environmental impact of construction projects. The calculator provides a benchmarking tool for measuring carbon footprint of construction buildings and is a major first step in the process of minimizing the environmental impact of construction activities. The process of building the database with suppliers who are active in the construction industry in Lebanon is on-going. Subsequently, the calculator will be tested on a real-world scale project. The carbon footprint of a typical multi-story 10 1698 commercial building will be computed using the calculator and the building s bill-ofquantities. Results will, then, be benchmarked against the carbon footprint reported using other existing calculators. REFERENCES Abanda, H., Tah, J.H.M., Cheung, F., and Zhou, W. (2010). Measuring the embodied energy, waste, CO 2 emissions, time and cost for building design and construction. In Computing in Civil and Building Engineering, Proc., Int. Conf., Jun. 30-Jul. 2, Nottingham, UK, Paper 181. Ammouri, A. H., Srour, I., and Hamade, R. F. (2011). Carbon footprint calculator for construction projects (CFCCP). Advances in Sustainable Manufacturing: Proceedings of the 8th Global Conference on Sustainable Manufacturing, Eds. 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Carbon offsets as ecological restorations. Restoration Ecology, Society for Ecological Restoration Int., 17 (5), Hammond, G.P., and Jones, C. I. (2008). Embodied energy and carbon in construction materials. Proc., Institute of Civil Engineers - Energy, 161 (2), Hammond, G., and Jones, C. I. (2010). Embodied carbon: the concealed impact of residential construction. Global Warming: Engineering Solutions. New York: Springer, IPCC. (2007). Climate Change, The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Ramanathan, V., and Feng, Y. (2009). Air pollution, greenhouse gases and climate change: global and regional perspectives. Atmospheric Env., 43 (1), The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management (ECCM). (2008). "What is a Carbon Footprint." ECCM : Web. < (Oct. 23, 2011) 11 1699 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2012). Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability < (Feb ) United Nations Statistics Division (2011). Millenium Development Gas Indicators. (Nov. 4, 2011) U.S. Department of Energy. (2008). Energy efficiency trends in residential and commercial buildings. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, October. Wiedmann, T., and Minx, J. (2007). A definition of 'carbon footprint. In: CC Pertsova, Ecological Economics Research Trends, Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge NY, USA. On Saturday, in the evening, at the Concert Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC attended the Australian Girls Choir Annual Concert. On Monday, in the afternoon, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, with Mrs Kaye de Jersey, hosted an Investiture Ceremony for the incoming Chief Commissioner of Scouts Queensland, Mr Daryl Scott, where the Governor addressed guests. Description GIS 29 November, 2016: The Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Disaster and Beach Management organised the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Inventory Workshop Green Cooling Africa Initiative, yesterday at the InterContinental Resort, Balaclava. The Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Disaster and Beach Management organised the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Inventory Workshop Green Cooling Africa Initiative, yesterday at the InterContinental Resort, Balaclava. Mauritius together with three other African countries namely; Ghana, Kenya and Namibia have embarked on the Green Cooling Africa I nitiative, which is, a regional project under the Climate Technology Centre and Network of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Its objective is to enable participating countries to have the necessary information and tools for a transformational change in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector. This is expected to be achieved through a regional approach, as a means to avoid duplication at countrys level. The project which started in September 2015, will last till March 2017. The National Ozone Depleting Substances Alternative Survey was undertaken over the island, as a first step of the Green Cooling Africa Initiative, during the months of July to September 2016. It involved the establishment of greenhouse gasses tier 2 inventories for selected, priority cooling sub-sectors, including mobile air conditioning as well as domestic, commercial, industrial and transport refrigeration. Hospitals, clinics , hotels, supermarkets, cold rooms, importers and distributors of equipment amongst others were covered. The findings of this survey, which were presented during the workshop, will be used to assess technology needs and to come up with a roadmap to promote green cooling. The roadmap that will be developed will comprise; legislation update, technology transfer, capacity building and also sensitisation and awareness campaigns. The overall aim is to promote natural refrigerants including: carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrocarbons in replacement of Ozone Depleting and Global Warming Technologies. Present at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and Disaster and Beach Management, Mr Alain Wong, stated that negotiations during the Meeting of Parties this year, have led to the landmark Kigali amendment- the first African amendment of the Montreal protocol. Mauritius, along with other African countries and China will start their freeze of HFCs as from 2024, he added. The baseline for the phase down will be the year 2020-2022. According to the Minister, with the coming into force of the Kigali amendment, Mauritius will now prepare its strategy and action plan so as to start the freeze of the import of hydrofluorocarbons as from the year 2024. The action plan would include regulations for phasing down hydrofluorocarbons-based equipment, introduction of a quota system, the phase-down schedule, training and certification of technicians, amongst others. GIZ Proklima, the German implementing agency is advising on technical issues and also in terms of fund mobilisation which has been very helpful in the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons in Mauritius, recalled Mr Wong. The implementation of the Mauritius Hydrochorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan is ongoing, and we will at a later stage embark on the phasing-down of the hydrofluorocarbons, he underlined. The refrigeration and air-conditioning sector is responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions due to low efficiency levels and high leakage rates of refrigerant gases which have high global warming potential, the Minister pointed out. This share, he added, is expected to rise to 30% by 2030, especially from Africa in view of the increasing demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning. In order to mitigate both direct and indirect emissions from the cooling sector, the introduction and diffusion of green cooling technologies is therefore of paramount importance, he stressed, adding that t he Green Cooling Initiative aims at helping Africa to embark on a Climate-friendly Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Development Pathway. Description GIS - 29 November, 2016: A five-day workshop on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) which is an effective measure for trade facilitation as well as compliance verification, kicked off yesterday at the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) Regional Training Centre, Mer Rouge. A five-day workshop on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) which is an effective measure for trade facilitation as well as compliance verification, kicked off yesterday at the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) Regional Training Centre, Mer Rouge. Some 30 delegates from 19 countries of the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region are participating in this workshop with the aim to assist the Customs administrations to implement or reinforce PCA. In his address, the Director General of the MRA, Mr Sudhamo Lal stated that Mauritius has major projects under way, namely the Cargo village, the Omnicane Smart City, and the extension of the Port amongst others. As we are expecting a sizeable increase in imports and exports and number of travellers, we have the obligation to take the right initiatives and this workshop will provide invaluable support in promoting the capacity building agenda of customs administrators, he said. Customs will be able to target their resources more effectively and work in partnership with the business community to improve compliance levels and facilitate trade, Mr Lal added. It is recalled that PCA or audit-based controls as defined in the Revised Kyoto Convention are measures by which Customs satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and authenticity of declarations. It is a critical control methodology for Customs as it enables them to apply a multi-layered risk-based control approach by moving from a strictly transaction-based control environment such as physical examination, verification of value, origin and classification of goods, verification of certificates, to a stronger audit-based administration. The use of PCA enables Customs administrations to allow legitimate goods to be cleared in a timely manner, target high risk consignments, protect revenue, ensure greater compliance with Customs laws and regulations, detect and prevent fraud more comprehensively and promote compliance with other Revenue Laws. (TNS) PROVIDENCE, R.I. For the second time, legislators on Monday interrogated the leaders in charge of the states new $364-million human service benefits computer system and all the problems that have surfaced since it was launched in mid-September.Criticism of the largest vendor and builder, Deloitte Consulting, occurred an hour into the hearing, which was held jointly by the House Finance and Oversight committees. The first hearing about the Unified Healthcare Infrastructure Project (UHIP), which is officially called RI Bridges, lasted for four hours in October. Monday's hearing was just shy of three hours long."Id fire them," said Rep. Michael Chippendale, R-Foster, who started by complimenting what he said are the positive strides made so far to improve UHIP. "We're talking about getting rid of [DMV vendor Hewlett Packard Enterprise] for $13 million. This is $364 million. This isn't someone's car getting registered. This is whether or not someone gets insulin. This is whether or not someone gets long-term care."He added that instead of fixing the technical problems and getting to the underlying issues, Deloitte has put in place their staff, "work-around" measures and computer tricks to temporarily Band-Aid the glitches.Describing it as "programming malpractice," and Deloitte as "grossly negligent," Chippendale said, "I dont find this acceptable."Appearing before the legislators were Health and Human Services Secretary Elizabeth Roberts, Department of Administration Director Michael DiBiase and Department of Human Services Director Melba Depena Affigne."That is not the way the system is supposed to work," DiBiase said regarding the work-arounds, "but that is the way we need to do business while these technology fixes are happening."The three officials, who declined to give Deloitte a performance letter grade when Chippendale requested it, said no one from the firm was present. A Deloitte official was at the first meeting but wasn't asked any questions. Chippendale said he expects someone from the firm to attend the next hearing.Comments made by the Oversight Committee chairwoman, Rep. Patricia Serpa, D-West Warwick, were geared more toward the decisions made by the state officials, such as laying off "seasoned" staff at the same time a "complicated" new computer system was introduced and significantly changing some of the business practices. Fifteen social workers and supervisors were laid off, and another 30 were moved to other departments in October."It frankly sets up a perfect storm for failure," Serpa said. "I'm still not convinced we are there yet, but there will be more meetings."Other questions involved whether Deloitte staff has confidential information from state human services data banks, how much training there was for state employees involved with the new system, whether new human services hires connected with UHIP were properly chosen, the cost of staff overtime related to UHIP problems and security audits of the new system."The employees told you a month ago, two months ago, they needed more training and this system was very unfriendly," said Rep. William OBrien, D-North Providence, after learning additional training began Monday. "And you ignored them."Depena Affigne, DiBiase and Robert said fixing UHIP was their "highest priority," and discussed what they would do differently if they could, such as, Roberts said, paying more attention to making timely payments to nursing homes for patients in the human services system. They told the legislators what has been done so far with UHIP and what's left to do."This is a big problem, period," Rep. Marvin Abney, D-Newport, the House Finance chairman said before adjourning the meeting. "When leaders face tough problems, they find a way to get the job done. I know we have good leadership in this state, and I know the three of you are working good leadership positions, but at some point and at some time, you all are going to have to step up to the plate and make some really tough decisions.""We're dealing with people's lives here," Abney said. "That's why you are getting so many questions here." Enhancing the government open data ecosystem Delivering direct benefits to citizens and communities Sharing scientific research data to spur innovation and scientific discovery Helping businesses and entrepreneurs use government data as a resource Leaders at the Center for Open Data Enterprise have three words for President-elect Donald Trump:In a newly published Action Plan for the Next Administration (PDF), the year-old advocacy group lays out 27 recommendations for the new president. The highly detailed agenda addresses projects that can be undertaken in the first 100 days of administration, as well as initiatives that could roll out in the first year.Its a sweeping program, addressing data in four key areas:Open data has had a good run under the present administration. In 2013, President Obama launched a historic Open Data Policy , declaring that information is a valuable national asset whose value is multiplied when it is made easily accessible to the public.The goal of the new set of recommendations (crafted in advance of the election Hillary Clinton would have gotten the same thing) is to keep up the momentum, to ensure data remains front and center as a policy driver and an enabler of government.Our hope is that the Trump administration will see the value of open data as a public resource, said Joel Gurin, president and founder of the Center for Open Data Enterprise. We hope that this transition report will lead to some real practical outcomes that help to move things forward.While many of the agenda items call for White House leadership, a range of federal agencies are called out as potential key players, including the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, among others.Several of these things could be done at the agency level," said Katherine Garcia, director of communications for the center. "We hope there will be implementation across the boards.The centers recommendations span a wide range of possible activities, some of which are narrowly focused while others take a broader approach.The very first action item calls for the appointment of a chief data officer in every federal agency. As of August 2016, only eight of 24 agencies had a lead data official in place, the center reports.There needs to be somebody there who has real responsibility and resources, Gurin said. Data is intrinsically important to every agencys function, so you need someone in each agency who has the ability to lead those efforts in an expert way.In the first 100 days, the new administration should also conduct a national data review to identify high-value opportunities for federal investments in tribal, city, and state data infrastructure.This could emerge as an important high-priority item in the Trump administration because Trump and his team are talking a lot about infrastructure investment, Gurin said. If you are going to build a lot of bridges and roads and so on, you have to make decisions about that in a data-driven way. There are local, city and state-based data sets that become critical if you are talking about a massive infrastructure investment.Other recommendations offer a more sweeping mandate, for instance by encouraging the next administration to ensure government data is born digital. In practical terms, this means encouraging efforts to produce government information in readily usable formats.Lets not have data in PDFs and then put it in digital," Garcia said. "Lets have a policy of doing it in digital first. It improves the accuracy of the data and it makes it a lot easier to do data release.In addition to these government-centric recommendations, the center also offers a range of suggestions aimed at improving the data aspects of citizen services.The USDA, for example, could create a National Hunger Heat Map in the first 100 days, using data to help meet a critical need.You have locations with a food surplus, restaurants and groceries, and then you have food banks that need food," Garcia said. "So it is really about matching the resources to the need."Other agencies could address workforce issues. For example, the center suggests the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Institute of Standards and Technology join forces to update the governments public data on occupations and required skills.Much data already exists that could help jobseekers and employers. Now we need to start making it much more usable for trainers and jobseekers," Gurin said. "The new administration could accelerate those existing efforts and have a very direct benefit on employment."The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could open up data on drug treatment facilities, to help combat opioid addiction.What are the right kinds of metrics? What is the information that would be most useful? The government needs to set those standards, to develop those metrics and build a way for patients and their families to use that information, Gurin said. This kind of information does not really exist right now in a way that is easily accessible.Other recommendations look to leverage existing government investments to spur economic growth. The National Science Foundation, for instance, could provide information to increase awareness of federally funded research, while the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office could make it easier for businesses to find and access the tens of thousands of royalty-free patents held by the U.S. government.Wide ranging as they may be, these recommendations all share a common foundation, in so far as they all aim to use data to drive concrete, practical change.This is about promoting the use of open data in government, Gurin said. It is not about open data for its own sake. Data by itself does nothing. Its all about how it is used and how it is applied. Every one of these recommendations has an end goal that is beyond just the release of data. (TNS) -- Mid-Columbia students looking to learn about cybersecurity are going to have a new option.WSU Tri-Cities School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has a goal of developing undergraduate and graduate programs in the fast-growing field.The school will offer more classes focused on the subject and plans to hire a faculty member by fall 2017, said Joseph Iannelli, the schools founding executive director.The computer science classes at the campus contain cybersecurity elements, he said, and they are working to create more.This is a natural evolution of the need for computer science and cybersecurity professionals in the state of Washington, the nation and in the world, he said.Students completing those programs will likely have jobs waiting for them, according to the Washington Roundtable, a nonprofit comprised of senior executives from Washington states major private sector employers.Washington companies anticipate hiring 5,000 cybersecurity professionals within the next five years, according to Washington Roundtable. They will be responsible for protecting company networks and investigating threats, among other challenges.WSU Tri-Cities administrators hope to fill that need, Iannelli said.Every day, when we listen to the news, we hear reports about cyber incursions, he said. This is very serious. We have to have professionals with the education, knowledge and experience needed to effectively counter these incursions.One of the organizations looking for more cybersecurity professionals is Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.The organizations history is full of work trying to counter nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, said Doug Ray, the director of strategic partnerships at the laboratory. The lab broadened the scope of its work to deal with weapons of mass affect.When a computer system is attacked, it may not lead to physical destruction, but can cause problems for people across the country.From our perspective, almost all of our funding comes from the federal government, Department of Energy and other donors with huge needs in this area, Ray said. We do lots of it and were going to do more of it going forward.The collaboration between the lab and the university is mutually beneficial. The university trains the professionals who can provide the skills to protect computer systems, and the lab can offer internships.Ray anticipates the organizations will conduct joint research.WSU and PNNL have a rich history of working together, he said. This is the next step forward in working together in that collaboration.Iannelli said the relationship between the organizations is a natural outcome of the laboratorys position as a global leader in cybersecurity and the universitys strong program in computer science.Iannelli and Ray said the universitys program is different than the bachelors degree in applied science offered by Columbia Basin College.CBCs offerings are one of several vibrant programs, Iannelli said, and the universitys program is aimed at examining cybersecurity within the larger field of computer science.These programs already exist, so there isnt a need for WSU Tri-Cities to develop yet another one, he said. So rather than duplicating resources, wed rather have complementary programs that advance the knowledge of students.University officials plan to work with community college programs in the state to give students a chance to pursue graduate degrees in cybersecurity.So rather than waiting for students to apply and determining whether or not they would meet admissions requirements, we prefer to be more proactive because we want to serve all students, Iannelli said. Fueling stations Emerging industry (TNS) -- Connecticut is poised to become the first state in the Northeast and the second in the U.S. to sell hydrogen fuel cell powered cars considered by many to be the most Green vehicle available. Joel Rinebold , chairman of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology , said Toyota is gearing up to begin selling the $58,000 cars in the state in late 2017, the culmination of years of planning and work to establish fueling stations and other infrastructure.Toyota is committed to having the cars available here next year, said Rinebold, who tested a model last year. Its like driving an electric car. Its quiet, it moved quick. It was interesting. Its the car of the future.There is currently one hydrogen vehicle fueling station in Wallingford and another is under construction in Hartford. Discussions are under way to build stations in the New Haven and Stamford regions as well, said Rinebold, whose nonprofit organization works with the private and public sectors to develop fuel cell infrastructure and technology.California has been selling fuel cell cars for years, and invested tens of millions of dollars to build fueling stations and other infrastructure. The cars use a process that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which then charges a battery that powers the vehicle.Other zero emission cars now sold in the state, such as the electric Chevy Volt, draw on power from the regional grid, and that power likely comes from a coal, oil or natural gas fired plant, all of which leave a carbon footprint.Connecticut earlier this month allocated $2.7 million to its ongoing zero emission vehicle rebate program. Those purchasing a hybrid car, which uses both gas and electric power, or a full battery electric vehicle, receive rebates ranging from $750 to $3,000, depending on battery size.The state is offering a $5,000 rebate to purchase a fuel cell powered car, but the vehicles are not yet for sale in the state.Putting more Connecticut drivers behind the wheel of an electric vehicle is what it will take to drive down harmful carbon emissions linked to climate change, reduce conventional pollutants that threaten our air quality and public health, and help motorists reduce the cost of owning and operating a car, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said while announcing additional money for rebates.Rinebold said bringing fuel cell cars to the state is the result of a private and public partnership to build fueling stations and the emergence of a robust fuel cell industry. The stations produce the hydrogen fuel drivers pump into vehicles through a secure connection.It fuels just like a car, Rinebold said. You pull up, put the hose in, and thats it. Its a compression filling nozzle that puts high pressure gas into the car.Rinebold said the fuel cell car he tested had a range of about 300 miles and achieved the equivalent of about 70 miles to the gallon.The Wallingford fueling station was built and is operated by Proton OnSite, which makes the fueling equipment at a plant located in the community. Another fueling station is now being built in Hartford.There was some federal support in the Wallingford station, but the Hartford station is private funding from Toyota, Rinebold said. We have talked with Proton about the next cluster being in New Haven and Stamford. The discussions are ongoing.Proton last year received a $2.5 million federal energy grant to develop a leading edge, long life battery at its Wallingford plant.Connecticut officials have long been interested in zero emission vehicles, in part because the state is not in compliance with federal regulations to reduce ozone pollution.Although much of that non-compliance is the result of prevailing winds bringing pollution to the state from factories west of Connecticut, reducing local emissions helps meet the requirement. Robert Klee , commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection , said electric vehicles are an important factor in reducing emissions.The transportation sector is responsible for about 40 percent of the carbon emissions in Connecticut and we must address that challenge if we are going to meet the states aggressive climate change target of reducing emissions 80 percent from 2001 levels by 2050, Klee said.Rinebold said there is also an economic development incentive, and the possibility of additional jobs, in bringing fuel cell cars to the state and developing the technology.Connecticut is making the machines that make the hydrogen thats being sold in Asia and Europe, Rinebold said. Wallingford is making the hydrogen fueling equipment. We are partnered to be at the core of the manufacturing industry.Rinebold added California put tens of millions of dollars into its program. Connecticut has tried to create partnerships and coordinate deployment of the vehicles and stations. We want to see it work with private market resources. How do commuter railroads make sure their trains run on time? Many hand operations over to private companies, giving them financial incentives for on-time performance. Its a well-established practice that works most of the time.But it hasn't been working in Boston and Denver lately, where the private companies running both regions' commuter rail lines have faced hefty fines for structural problems.In Denver, one of the biggest challenges right now is taking place on the region's brand new line connecting downtown Denver to the airport. The problem is with the crossing gates -- they stay down too long. Flaggers have been hired at crossings to make sure impatient drivers and pedestrians obey the gates and don't go around them.The problems with the gates follow a number of other early disruptions to the much-anticipated airport rail service. At first, the gaps between power sources on the rails were too big, which could leave unpowered trains stranded. Lightning strikes also caused damage to overhead wires and, in one case, caused the line to shut down for seven hours and forced firefighters to help passengers evacuate a stranded train on an overhead pass.While most of those issues have been resolved, Denver Transit Partners, the private company that oversees the rail, has paid at least $78,000 for missing their marks for on-time performance. On top of that, the company has had to pay $250,000 a month for signaling issues, or about $1.25 million so far.Were in a bit of a world of hurt," said John Thompson, the executive project director of Denver Transit Partners. "Theres no question about that, because we didnt see that wed be faced with these deductions when we bid these contracts six years ago."In Boston, the company Keolis has paid more than $12 million in fines in its first two years of running commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Now, just two months into the third year of its contract, Keolis has already paid another $1 million in fines.While the fines may not seem like much in the context of a 12-year deal worth roughly $4.2 billion, Keolis has said that it is losing money on its Boston-area service.Of late, the biggest controversy has been about the fines the company hasn't paid.recently reported that MBTA waived $839,000 in fees incurred for widespread problems on Keolis commuter rail service during the winter of 2015. A series of storms dumped 100 inches of snow on Boston in a month, which snarled the citys transportation networks, including passenger rail. MBTA charged Keolis the maximum allowable fine during that time for poor on-time performance, but it rescinded fees for items like dirty trains and uncollected garbage.During this recovery period, we prioritized our resources toward activities that would enable us to return the fleet back to full operations, an approach which the MBTA fully supported. Under the terms of our contract, when there are extreme circumstances such as what was experienced in 2015, it is permissible for the MBTA to grant us relief from certain penalties and we are grateful for this support, said Keolis spokeswoman Leslie Aun.MBTAs forgiveness of the fines have angered several legislators. Fourteen lawmakers signed a letter to the states transportation secretary calling the decision indefensible. Labor unions, which have fought the transit agency over the privatization of some jobs, also criticized the decision.But Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has backed the waivers. Keolis contract allows waivers in the case of unforeseen circumstances, often characterized asor an act of God.Its pretty hard to argue that the winter of 2015 wasnt an act of God, Baker told thelast month.Whatever the immediate fallout, the contractors and transit agencies in Denver and Boston have a lot at stake in getting things right.Keolis, for one, is only in the third year of an eight- to 12-year contract with MBTA. And Denver Transit Partners, which actually designed and built the commuter rail to the airport, is opening two other lines this year and is slated to oversee all three lines for 28 years.Thompson, the executive from the consortium, is optimistic despite the first-year hiccups.Weve had 20-odd days where we were really disappointed with our service, out of over 200 days of services so far, he said. Ridership continues to increase, so some people think were doing a good job and are telling others about it. Black Friday shoppers in San Francisco may have saved a little more than they originally anticipated.Residents waking up from their turkey-induced comas and looking to hitch a ride to Union Square from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) were given free fare due to an apparent cyberattack on the agency's computer system -- an issue that has been contained, according to an SFMTA statement The attack occurred on Nov. 25, when the SFMTA was a hit with ransomware -- a type of malware that typically infects a system through an email attachment, limiting users from accessing their own system. All of the data is then encrypted and the hacker demands a ransom for the encryption key.In the attack on SFMTA, the malware affected 900 office computers and access to various systems, including the payroll system, according to the statement, which also specified that there will be no impact to employees' pay. The agency also stated that its network was not breached from the outside, nor did hackers gain entry through SF Muni's firewalls."Muni operations and safety were not affected. Our customer payment systems were not hacked," according to the statement, which notes that existing backup systems allowed SFMTA to get most affected computers up and running on the morning of Nov. 29. The IT team anticipates having the remaining computers functional in the next day or two.Turning off the ticket machines and faregates in the Muni Metro subway stations from Friday until 9 a.m. Sunday was a precaution, according to the statement. "This action was to minimize any potential risk or inconvenience to Muni customers."The message from the hacker to SFMTA read: "You Hacked, ALL Data Encrypted. Contact For Key(cryptom27@yandex.com)ID:681 ,Enter. Yandex is a Russian internet company that operates the most popular search engine in the country, along with email and social networking tools.According to several reports , the hackers demanded 100 Bitcoin (roughly $70,000) in return for the encryption key to unlock the data. The Blockchain Locker , which is available for anyone to see, has received only 0.0227761 BTC ($16.62 USD). The computers were infected with HDDCryptor ransomware, which targets Windows machines, according to one report According to, the hacker messaged the agency back, threatening to release data on Munis employees and customers if his ransom is not paid."I hope company try [sic] to fix it correctly and we can advise them," the hacker wrote. "But if they dont, we will publish 30G databases and documents include [sic] contracts, employees data, LLD Plans, customers."But the statement from SFMTA specifies that despite media reports, no data was accessed from any of the agency's servers. Upon discovering the malware, the agency immediately contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify and contain the virus, and is continuing to work closely with the FBI and DHS on the situation.Paying the ransom, according to the SFMTA, was never an option."We have an information technology team in place that can restore our systems, and that is what they are doing." Before Bernie gave any indication he would run for president, Blue America started a Draft Bernie ActBlue page. The day he announced he was running, Blue America endorsed him-- our first-ever presidential endorsement-- and started collecting money for his campaign. Later we started the first ActBlue page to collect money for Berniecrat candidates. We raised 10,529 contributions for federal candidates who endorsed Bernie-- from incumbents like Raul Grijalva, Keith Ellison, Alan Grayson, Peter Welch and Marcy Kaptur and for high profile Bernie-backing candidates like Pramila Jayapal, Zephyr Teachout, Tim Canova and John Fetterman to lesser known candidates like Dave McTeague in Oregon, Bao Nguyen, Lou Vince, Wendy Reed and Bill Ostrander in California, Eloy Delgado, Alex Law and Peter Jacob in New Jersey and Mike Manypenny in West Virginia. every single thing Bernie is for, endorsed Bernie. Of course we didn't endorse him. Nor did we endorse Fox News Dem and Even though Blue America had endorsed Ruben Kihuen for Nevada's 4th congressional district, we added his primary opponent, Lucy Flores, to our Berniecrat page... because, even if we thought Ruben was a better candidate and would be better positioned to beat right-wing fanatic Cresent Hardy-- which he did-- we admired and respected Lucy and appreciated the issues she was running on and the backing she was giving Bernie and our revolution. But we never did seriously consider any of the fakers and frauds who tried to capitalize on Bernie's movement and momentum for their own gain. We laughed at Wall Street twerp Shawn O'Conner in New Hampshire (our candidate, Carol Shea-Porter won that seat) even when Bernie got taken in by this phony conservative. We laughed even harder when the most right-wing nut Democrat in Congress, Collin Peterson, the Minnesota Blue Dog who votes against virtuallyBernie is for, endorsed Bernie. Of course we didn't endorse him. Nor did we endorse Fox News Dem and homophobic lunatic Tulsi Gabbard , a run-of-the-mill conservaDem from Hawaii with an "F" score from ProgressivePunch who was canonized by naive Bernie fans who were trying out politics for the first time. People have records that go back before they endorsed Bernie (for whatever reason) or, again for whatever reason, they endorsed Hillary. Blue America has a bullshit detector. We know the difference between a Zephyr Teachout and a Tulsi Gabbard or between a Tim Canova, who battled against unfair trade deals for years before Bernie decided to run, and a Shawn O'Connor who was advocating cutting Social Security and Medicare as part of a Grand Bargain two weeks before he changed his electoral strategy and decided to hop on the Bernie bandwagon. Wall Street Journal that Bernie's new book, Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In, is flying off the book shelves. (You can buy a copy at the Last week Jeffrey Trachtenberg reported in thethat Bernie's new book,, is flying off the book shelves. (You can buy a copy at the DownWithTyranny Book Shoppe .) Six days after release, Bernie's book had already sold 45,000 copies and was #12 on the Amazon best seller list. Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martins Press, printed 300,000 hardcover copies of Our Revolution by Nov. 15 and has since gone back to print, said veteran publisher Thomas Dunne. Hes been working like a dog, said Mr. Dunne, referring to Sen. Sanders. He wants it to be successful. Mr. Dunne expects media interest in Sen. Sanders to remain strong through the New Year, driving book sales through the holidays. Hes been waiting nearly his entire life to give this message to huge audiences, said Mr. Dunne. Happily, theyre buying books. I'm thrilled that Bernie's message is getting out-- in great depth-- to a wide audience. And I hope that message and the issues his long career has been based on help nominate a better Democratic candidate for president in 2020 than the one who beat him and I hope that message and those issues inspire a new generation of candidates to run and help us elect a more progressive Congress in 2018. That said, it's important to be vigilant about frauds running on Bernie's name who have little or nothing to do with him politically. Until she fell under Donald Trump's spell last week, it was widely thought that Tulsi Gabbard would surely primary Hawaiian senator Mazie Hirono in 2018. Mazie, like Bernie, has a lifetime crucial vote score of "A" from ProgressivePunch. In fact, Bernie's lifetime crucial vote score is 94.97. Mazie's is 96.32, almost identical to Elizabeth Warren's 96.91. Senators like Bernie, Liz Warren and Mazie Hirono define what it means to be a progressive in the U.S. Senate. What about Bernie-endorser Tulsi? Her lifetime crucial vote score is a perfect reflection of her miserable record in politics, a big fat "F." Not an "A" like Bernie (and Mazie), an "F." Her lifetime score is a dismal 73.61, especially bad when you consider she's in one of the bluest and most progressive districts in the entire country. Time to wake up! That said, I want to introduce you to one of the candidates-- the Berniecrat candidates-- Blue America is most proud to have worked with this past cycle, Alex Law from South Jersey. Alex took on the grotesquely corrupt Norcross political machine with an impressive and inspiring grassroots campaign. He didn't win... but he established himself as one of the voices of the progressive movement in his state. He wrote a letter to his own supporters and to Bernie supporters in New Jersey that we want to share with you now: For New Jerseyans Who Supported Bernie Sanders For President -by Alex Law Last week, Bernie's NJ Chair John Wisniewski announced he would be running for Governor. As the first person running for office in New Jersey to endorse Bernie Sanders, I was closely involved with the progressive movement in New Jersey. I met personally with nearly every progressive organizer in the state, John included. In my opinion, John Wisniewski appeared only to take part in the Bernie Sanders movement for his own gain. In my estimation, he did not seem concerned about Bernie Sanders winning, or even doing well in New Jersey, unless any action he took towards that would give him more state-wide name recognition or access to email lists. During my race, he endorsed the Democrat from New Jersey that voted against Bernie and President Obama more than anyone else from our state, Donald Norcross. To any real progressive, endorsing someone like Donald Norcross would be impossible. John seemed to encourage Norcross to then say that Bernie Sanders had endorsed him, even though nothing could be further from the truth. Until we publicly called him out for this shady move, likely spurred because of lucrative contracts his law firm receives as a result of the South Jersey machine's largesse, he didn't make it clear that it was only his [Wisniewski's] personal endorsement that he was offered, not the Bernie Sanders for President campaign's. Back to his efforts as Bernie Sanders' state chair: John only participated in Bernie Sanders events that allowed him to speak and build his own name recognition, giving no time to what should have been the backbone: volunteer driven organizing. I met with volunteer groups across the state that had absolutely no direction and no access to data. When they called John for help, they always got the same response: we are working on it. The problem is, very few solutions ever came forward. The organization in New Jersey was so bad that it ultimately failed to be a competitive state in the Presidential Primary. I met with John to make him aware of a odd quirk in New Jersey election law, a quirk that was immensely important to the Sanders campaign but that they had no idea about. I only found out through looking at historical ballots and ultimately suing my county clerk to get the transparency they refused to give us. In New Jersey, ballot position is determined by county candidates. So, Bernie, running for President, would have been out in column 6 or 7, while Hillary would have been in column 1, because the establishment Democrats are typically the only group to run candidates at every level of office. I had put together a slate in multiple counties of committed progressives that actually had a chance to win. Because John's first loyalty was to himself rather than progressives actually winning and supporting Bernie Sanders, he refused to give my candidates the "line" with Bernie Sanders (aka put everyone in the same column) instead finding inexperienced volunteers that had no idea what the real situation was to run. We reached out to these folks and some reached out to John after hearing the full story, imploring him to work with us because otherwise the progressive vote would be split and it would guarantee the corrupt, establishment county officials an easy win. What did John do? He refused to take any of these calls. Why? His relationship to Donald Norcross and their disgusting empire was more important to him than seeing progressives win in New Jersey. Does this sound like a man that is a "true progressive?" Does this sound like someone who is really cut from the same cloth as Bernie Sanders? Nonetheless, now John Wisniewski cries foul about party politics even though he has consistently bent over backwards to ingratiate himself to any machine boss that would take his call. He has used the emails he took from the Bernie Sanders campaign to pump the real progressives in the state for money, despite the fact that very few of us ever signed up to get such emails from him. John Wisniewski is not Bernie Sanders and is not a real progressive. For those of you considering who to support for Governor, you may be tempted to think John is your guy because he says he supported Bernie. I would encourage you to reconsider that belief and find another candidate to support. For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers. Christian Horner says Red Bull is now looking confidently into the future with engine supplier Renault. Actually, the parties fell out spectacularly last year, with only a Tag-Heuer rebranding ensuring that French power units remained in the dark blue cars. Team boss Horner admits "frustration" boiled over after 2014 and 2015. "But there was restructuring and personnel changes and new enthusiasm and we hope that will remain for the next two years, as we have already extended the cooperation," he told Speed Week. But asked if it is now awkward that Tag Heuer is actually getting the credit for Red Bull's 'Renault'-powered wins, Horner insisted: "No, because everyone knows we are using a Renault engine, even if it is called Tag Heuer. "The Renault people are just proud that their product wins races." So now, with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen at the wheel, Horner said he is confident they could have a fully competitive car at their disposal in 2017. But he admitted: "There is a lot of uncertainty about next season. These are the most serious changes since 2008 and at this point no one knows what the others are doing so all you can do is concentrate on yourself. "It's possible a team will find something like the (Brawn) double diffuser." Asked if Adrian Newey's RB13 car is on schedule, Horner answered: "As usual, our timetable is very, very tight, but we have to and will be ready for the first test." As for his own future, Horner played down any claims he might be interested in replacing F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. "I am very, very satisfied with my job at Red Bull Racing," he answered. "I want to make the team world champion again." (GMM) Mercedes has played down reports that Lewis Hamilton is refusing to get back to work this week. In Abu Dhabi, it had been agreed that whichever Mercedes driver won the title would head to a Petronas event in Malaysia on Monday. And the other would stay in Abu Dhabi to drive Mercedes' modified 2015 test car for the Pirelli tyre test. Red Bull's Max Verstappen told Algemeen Dagblad newspaper that he was actually looking forward to trying the 2017 slicks for the first time. "For me, the tyres are new so I'm curious," said the Dutchman. But the German newspaper Bild claims that Hamilton, who is reportedly facing sanctions by Mercedes by refusing team orders on Sunday, is now refusing to test on Tuesday. A team spokesman is quoted by Germany's Sport1: "That is not correct. "Lewis is still on the schedule and expected to drive." It is clear at least that some tension has crept into the Mercedes-Hamilton relationship, with boss Toto Wolff bristling that Hamilton found an ally for his tactics on Sunday in the form of Red Bull's Christian Horner. "Maybe he (Hamilton) should drive for him (Horner)," Wolff said on Sunday, not just to British television Sky but also separately to the Channel 4 broadcaster. A rumour even swirled in the Abu Dhabi paddock that Hamilton had threatened to quit the team altogether following his collision with Rosberg in Spain. "That's all private stuff," Hamilton said, refusing to deny it. "It's all in the past so it doesn't really matter." (GMM) The day will consist of a series of 6 high-level conferences addressing issues relating to renewable energy and just transition. The United States, together with Taiwan, known as Chinese Taipei, announced their intent to create an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, sub-fund on women and the economy, which will enable APEC economies to apply for funding to support new or existing initiatives focused on women's empowerment. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Declaration in which APEC ministers and senior officials agreed to take concrete actions to integrate women more fully into APEC economies. Over the last five years, the United States has championed a number of initiatives through APEC that build on the commitment to advance womens roles in APEC economies through compiling and analyzing data, strengthening the regional ecosystem for entrepreneurs, promoting womens health, and advancing women and girls in traditionally male-dominated sectors, including science, technology, engineering, and math - known as STEM -- and transportation. This year, the United States launched a new initiative to break down barriers to women's participation in STEM-related fields. The initiative consisted of an APEC-wide research study to examine efforts across the region to increase womens participation in these fields and two workshops in which representatives from the private sector, civil society, and governments shared best practices and lessons learned from ongoing programs. The United States also continues to support the WE-APEC initiative in order to identify and connect womens entrepreneurship networks in each economy with public and private sector support services and global supply chains to ultimately expand economic opportunities and regional trade. Sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved if women are unable to fully participate in the economy due to health concerns. To address this issue, the United States, together with the Philippines, launched the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies initiative, a public-private partnership that is working to advance womens health and well-being to increase their economic participation. In addition, five APEC economies, including the United States, have launched pilot activities aimed at increasing womens engagement across the transportation sector. It is clearly in the interest of the economies in the region to integrate women into the economy. It has been proven time and again, said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, "that where women are participating . . .fully, the society tends to be more stable, it tends to be participatory, and particularly it tends to be more productive." We have a strong technology portfolio generated from $10 billion in research and development investment over the past 12 years from modem and RF advancements to computing technologies to connectivity and intelligent algorithms. We are developing semiconductor solutions to make an impact in the automotive industry and are focused on core areas of In-Vehicle Infotainment, Telematics, safety ADAS to further the evolution toward autonomous driving. JC Hsu, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the New Business Department Business Unit at MediaTek MediaTek solutions for automobile manufacturers will cover four key areas, including: Advanced Driver Assistance System (Vision-based ADAS): MediaTeks ADAS system will feature decentralized Vision Processing Unit (VPU) solutions to handle large amounts of real-time visual streaming data. MediaTek employs Machine Learning to increase the accuracy and speed of detection, recognition and tracking. Precision Millimeter Wave (mmWave) Radar: MediaTek is drawing on its technology expertise and heritage in high frequency RF and connectivity, bringing the automotive industry mmWave radar solutions that use higher frequencies in order to gain better object resolution and more precise detection. Residing in the high frequency band, mmWave radar can recognize targets more accurately and is more resistant to fog, rain, snow and other weather conditions than current types of radar. In-Vehicle Infotainment: MediaTek has developed powerful 2D and 3D processing technologies to ensure its application processors perform at the highest levels of efficiency and speed. MediaTek in-car entertainment solutions offer a high level of integration of navigational and multimedia features and connectivity options. Enhanced Telematics: MediaTek Telematics handles a variety of high-bandwidth information transfers and is able to support a wide variety of connectivity standards (Cellular 4G/3G/2G, Wi-Fi, BT/BLE etc.) and map-based applications. By offering technology solutions in four key areas, MediaTek says that it will help solve a key concern for the future of driving: fragmentation. Automobile manufacturers often work with multiple vendors that specialize in a single, best-in-class solution. Products are thereby sourced separately and dont always talk to one another seamlessly. MediaTek currently ranks among the worlds leaders in several diverse product categories, owning the top position in chipsets for Digital TVs, tablets and DVD/Blu Ray players. The company delivers an intuitive hardware and software application platform across the connected home and smart device landscape, specializing in three key areas offered as one holistic solution: an advanced SoC (system-on-chip) using a fraction of the typical power required by other chipsets, premium multimedia capabilities and leading, global connectivity. That carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat is something scientists have known about for more than a 150 years. The underlying concept behind climate change is simple enough that school children can replicate the chemistry and physics and so can you. Updated 7:15 p.m. GATLINBURG, Tenn. Three people are confirmed dead after the wildfire that destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses as flames whipped by high-speed winds raged overnight through town and displaced more than 14,000 residents. We do not have further information on them at this time, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. We do not have identifications. We are working to identify those folks now. He said the three died in separate incidents during the blaze, which officials earlier called unlike any in recent memory. This is the largest fire in the state of Tennessee in 100 years, said Gov. Bill Haslam, who visited the city Tuesday afternoon. Officials have imposed a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for residents. More than 200 firefighters from across the state were on the way to help douse the wildfires, and the Tennessee Army National Guard plans to dump water onto the flames from a helicopter, with at least three Blackhawk helicopters standing by. About 100 to 125 Guardsmen were on the ground in Sevier County with more on the way, Capt. Chris Poulopoulos said. Weve got guys still volunteering to come, he said. Visibility was too low to fly this morning, but we should be flying soon. Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said about 14 buildings remained ablaze in the city Tuesday morning, most of them smoldering shells in various stages of collapse. Firefighters headed from door to door to make sure no victims had been overlooked. This is a fire for the history books, Miller said. The likes of this has never been seen here. But the worst is definitely over with. Fire crews had taken about 14 patients for treatment of fire-related injuries as of Tuesday afternoon, Miller said. The extent of those injuries wasnt available. More than 2,000 people had been taken to emergency shelters so far. The blaze apparently began when embers from a wildfire on nearby Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park wafted into the Twin Creek and Mynatt Park areas of town Monday night as already heavy winds doubled in speed, the fire chief said. The resulting flames swept through Gatlinburg in less than a quarter-hour, fanned by winds at speeds that approached 90 mph. Thats nowhere to be when youre trying to fight a fire, Miller said. That is hurricane force. Within a span of 15 minutes, we were dispatched to more than 20 structure fires. Cassius Cash, superintendent of the national park, said the Chimney Tops fire was originally reported Sunday as covering about 50 acres. By Monday, the fire had grown to engulf 500 acres. In my 25 years of federal (park) service, Ive participated in many fires, but none of that could have prepared me for this, Cash said, calling Monday nights wind speeds unprecedented. Gatlinburg fire crews had attempted to prepare for the conditions by following various predictive models, but to be honest, all that got thrown out the window at that point, the fire chief said. Residents in the path of the fire began fleeing by 9 p.m. We were just told by the Gatlinburg Fire Department that they had told everybody in Gatlinburg to get out, said Judy Tucker, director of Sevier Countys E-911 center. No ones getting through to anyone. Phones are ringing and not being answered anywhere. Its chaos. As Shari Deason watched the wildfire flames sweep toward Gatlinburg, the evacuation call came. She, her boyfriend Daniel Hensley and her 14-month-old son, William, left everything behind in their motel room for an emergency shelter. We were watching it, but we didnt really know how bad it was until somebody said we had to leave, Deason said. I didnt cry last night, and I didnt cry this morning, but the more I see of all this, I dont know what Im going to do. Deason and Hensley, who arrived in East Tennessee a month ago from Mississippi and were staying at the Bedrock Motel, said they left their motel room without time even to grab diapers for William. I dont know if weve got a room to go back to, Deason said. I dont know if weve got anything to go back to. The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency indicated the Westgate Resorts, made up of more than 100 buildings, had been destroyed, and Black Bear Falls was believed to have lost every cabin. Hillbilly Golf, major hotels, a good portion of Regan Drive and countless other businesses and homes were destroyed in the blaze that had firefighters working throughout the night. The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now, said Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding. Its the apocalypse on both sides (of downtown). Most of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts survived the fire. Flames destroyed two buildings at the longtime crafts campus in downtown Gatlinburg. Arrowmont General Manager Bill May posted an update on his Facebook page to worried supporters. All buildings except Hughes Hall and Wild Wing survived with what appears to be little damage, May wrote just before 7:30 a.m. It is raining and winds have died down, which offers hope, but the resources are stretched too thin with this much fire everywhere. An estimated 40 to 50 fire units from volunteer agencies across East and Middle Tennessee were helping fight the fires, with a command center set up at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School. Structures on fire in Gatlinburg included the Park Vista Hotel, a 16-story hotel on Regan Drive and the Driftwood Apartment complex near the Park Vista that had been completely inundated, according to Dean Flener, spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. (The sky) was brown, said Katie Brittian, manager at the Dress Barn near the LeConte Center. The whole store smelled like smoke. Ash has been falling from the sky since 3. The elementary school, Pi Beta Phi, along with the Space Needle and many of the properties on the main stretch were intact. Outside town, about 70 homes in the Wears Valley community and another 70 in the Cobbly Nob and Pittman Center communities had been destroyed, Waters said. Evacuations were ordered, but firefighters worried some residents might have been trapped. Its going to be hard to recover from this, Waters said. LeConte Lodge in the national park was evacuated but as far as I know is still intact, said Cash, the superintendent. Ryan Holt, Greene County Volunteer Fire Department coordinator, said his agency rescued three drivers who were trapped in the area of Gatlinburg Falls, a major cabin rental company. Holt said the entire area around Gatlinburg Falls was burning. TEMA activated its state emergency operations center in Nashville, with personnel on hand from the state fire marshals office, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Health and others, Flener said. The agency also worked with the fire mutual aid network to pull in firefighters and equipment from other counties, including McMinn County to the southeast. Sara Gentry, director of sales at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, said several hundred people were evacuated from the hotel. She and her four children evacuated their home and headed to Dandridge to her sisters house. The number of evacuees likely would have been higher had it been the weekend, she noted. Gentry said shes been talking to co-workers and friends who have lost their homes to the fire. This one girl was driving down Ski Mountain (Road) and watching her home burn, she said. My kids friends have lost their homes. Its just awful. Updated 5:57 p.m. GATLINBURG, Tenn. A Tennessee mayor says three people have died in the wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses near the Great Smoky Mountains. Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said Tuesday afternoon that he didn't have any details on the deaths. The mayor says authorities are going door-to-door to make sure everyone is safe. About a dozen people have been injured. Gatlinburg's mayor says they firefighters are still battling hotspots and there will be a curfew in effect Tuesday night. More than 14,000 residents and tourists were forced to evacuate the tourist city in the mountains. Updated at 3:12 p.m. GATLINBURG, Tenn. Wildfires fueled by high winds roared through parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, burning the doorstep of the Dollywood theme park, destroying a resort and chasing thousands of people from their homes. National Guard troops arrived Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters, and Mother Nature provided a little relief as the winds calmed and rain fell in some areas. Forecasters said it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across the South and set the stage over the past few weeks for wildfires in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. Linda Monholland, who was working at Park View Inn in Gatlinburg, said it was about 9 p.m. Monday when she left her workplace with about five other people. Surrounded by flames the whole way, they walked for about 20 minutes to a trolley to evacuate. "There was fire everywhere. It was like we were in hell. Hell opened up," said Monholland, who was staying Tuesday at Rocky Top Sports World, an 80-acre sports facility that has been turned into a shelter. "Walking through hell, that's what it was. I can't believe it. I never want to see something like that again in my life, ever." Rain brings some relief to N.C. mountains For patches of Western North Carolina plagued by forest fires, the worst is behind them. Photos of the popular tourist area showed scorched cars and buildings, and soot-covered debris littered across roads in the Gatlinburg area. A smoky haze hung in the air, obscuring picturesque views of mountains in the fall, awash in trees with leaves of red, yellow and gold. The latest wildfires grew Monday night when wind high winds blew trees onto power lines, sparking new fires and spreading embers over long distances, officials said. "There were times last night that we had wind gusts in excess of 87 miles an hour. That is hurricane force. That is nowhere to be when trying to fight a fire," Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said at a news conference Tuesday. Hundreds of homes and other buildings, including a 16-story hotel, were damaged or destroyed. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone. About 1,200 people took shelter at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park, and several other shelters opened. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. At least a dozen people were taken to hospitals, including some with burns. No deaths were reported and officials said they had not received any reports of missing people. Evacuees dodged fire on foot and in cars to reach shelters. At about 9:30 p.m. Monday, Tammy Dillon had just gotten home from work when police banged on her door and told her to get out. Dillon said she drove through a fiery scene to get to Rocky Top Sports World, where she spent the night in a car and used the shelter for the bathroom. "We drove through flames, over hot embers in the road. It was awful," Dillon said. In downtown Gatlinburg, workers at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies had to flee because of the wildfires and left behind more than 10,000 fish and other animals. Police escorted a team of marine biologists and life support experts back into the aquarium Tuesday morning, and the animals were doing fine, Ripley's said in a news release. Based on preliminary surveys, the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg "is likely entirely gone," the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. The agency had previously said it had reports that the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area had been destroyed as well, but later said resort officials had checked in and said the property was fine. Officials with Dollywood, the amusement park named after country music icon Dolly Parton, said the theme park wasn't damaged, but more than a dozen cabins operated by the park had been. Dollywood suspended park operations at least through Wednesday. Its DreamMore resort will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests. Just hours before the fires spread, the singer appeared in a 30-second video released by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, telling people to avoid burning leaves and parking vehicles on dry grass, and warning that even a campfire can spark a wildfire. Parton is a native of Sevier County, which includes both Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge. In the mid-1980s, Parton partnered with the Herschend family who ran the park, then known as Silver Dollar City. It opened under the new name of Dollywood in 1986. Parton said she's heartbroken over the fires. "I am praying for all the families affected by the fire and the firefighters who are working so hard to keep everyone safe," Parton said in a statement. "It is a blessing that my Dollywood theme park, the DreamMore Resort and so many businesses in Pigeon Forge have been spared." Rain showers ended in the Gatlinburg area about 8 a.m. Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Sam Roberts. No more meaningful rainfall was expected until about midnight Tuesday, and would last through Wednesday. After weeks of punishing drought, any rain should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. Rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South. "I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. ___ Mattise reported from Nashville. Associated Press writers Rebecca Yonker and Beth Campbell in Louisville, Kentucky; Jeff Amy in Jackson, Mississippi; Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina; and Bill Fuller in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Gatlinburg is a city, not a town. Updated at 1:23 p.m. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. Wildfires fueled by high winds roared through parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, burning the doorstep of the Dollywood theme park, destroying a resort and chasing thousands of people from their homes. National Guard troops arrived Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters, and Mother Nature provided a little relief as the winds calmed and rain fell in some areas. Forecasters said it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across the South and set the stage over the past few weeks for wildfires in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. The latest wildfires grew Monday night when wind high winds blew trees onto power lines, sparking new fires and spreading embers over long distances, officials said. "There were times last night that we had wind gusts in excess of 87 miles an hour. That is hurricane force. That is nowhere to be when trying to fight a fire," Gatlinburg Fire Chief Greg Miller said at a news conference Tuesday. Hundreds of homes and other buildings, including a 16-story hotel, were damaged or destroyed by flames. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone. About 1,200 people took shelter at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park and several other shelters opened. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. At least a dozen people were taken to hospitals, including some with burns. No deaths were reported and officials said they had not received any reports of missing people. In downtown Gatlinburg, workers at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies had to flee because of the wildfires and left behind more than 10,000 fish and other animals. So far, the building appeared OK. "The aquarium, as far as we looked at this morning, was intact," said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. "I understand that they had a generator so they were able to do what they needed to do to protect the animals." Based on preliminary surveys, the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg "is likely entirely gone," the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. The agency had previously said it had reports that the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area had been destroyed as well, but later said resort officials had checked in and said the property was fine. Officials with Dollywood, the amusement park named after country music icon Dolly Parton, said the theme park wasn't damaged, but more than a dozen cabins operated by the park had been. Dollywood suspended park operations at least through Wednesday. Its DreamMore resort will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests. Just hours before the fires spread, the singer appeared in a video to urge people to prevent forest fires. Parton appears with Smokey the Bear in the 30-second video released Sunday by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She tells people to avoid burning leaves and parking vehicles on dry grass, and warns that even a campfire can spark a wildfire. Parton is a native of Sevier County, which includes both Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge. In the mid-1980s, Parton partnered with the Herschend family who ran the park, then known as Silver Dollar City. It opened under the new name of Dollywood in 1986. Rain showers ended in the Gatlinburg area about 8 a.m. Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Sam Roberts. No more meaningful rainfall was expected until about midnight Tuesday, and would last through Wednesday. After weeks of punishing drought, any rain should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. Rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South. "I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. In Mississippi, trees were reported downed Monday in nearly 20 counties across the state. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of more than 50 mph were reported and more than 2 inches of rain fell in some areas. Power outages peaked at more than 23,000 in Mississippi. Powerlines downed by winds sparked grass fires in four counties, said Greg Flynn, a spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. ___ Mattise reported from Nashville. Associated Press writers Rebecca Yonker and Beth Campbell in Louisville, Kentucky; Jeff Amy in Jackson, Mississippi; Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina; and Bill Fuller in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Gatlinburg is a city, not a town. Updated at 12:24 p.m. Fire is still raging through two Tennessee tourist towns on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along with much of the surrounding timberlands. Officials said the blaze - which started on the Chimney Tops mountain, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Smokies - spread Monday to the quaint resort cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., with no relief in sight. By Tuesday morning, the fire had shut down the country's most visited national park, forced thousands to flee their homes and vacation rentals throughout Sevier County and left several people injured. No fatalities have been reported. "The center of Gatlinburg looks good for now," Newmansville Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Bobby Balding told the Knoxville News Sentinel. But, he added: "It's the apocalypse on both sides." Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said Tuesday morning that more than 14,000 residents and visitors had been evacuated from the area, which was described as dark, rainy and slick, with fires burning all around, according to NBC affiliate WBIR. Haslam said the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency had urged residents in Sevier County not to use cellphones in order to avoid an outage, unless it was to make an emergency call. TEMA also announced a temporary flight restriction in the area "to prevent aircraft from complicating the response," and residents were asked to stay clear of the roads to allow for first-responders. "This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint," Michelle Hankes, executive director of the American Red Cross of East Tennessee, said of the response effort. Hankes, who recorded a video statement at an emergency shelter in Pigeon Forge, said about 130 people, including children and pets, had turned up there while fleeing their homes. Hundreds of others were sheltered elsewhere. "This fire is unpredictable," Hankes said, crying. "We still have wind gusts - the rain has helped, but it's still a devastating, devastating loss for the people here. "These are our community - this is East Tennessee and we're going to work together." Emergency officials said Tuesday morning that three people with severe burns were transferred overnight from University of Tennessee's Knoxville hospital to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. A fourth with facial burns continues to be evaluated at the hospital in Knoxville, according to TEMA. Property damage was widespread. TEMA said that "very preliminary surveys of damaged areas" suggested that "hundreds of structures are lost." "Westgate Resorts is likely entirely gone (more than 100 buildings)," TEMA said, "Black Bear Falls has likely lost every single cabin." The agency initially said that Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park "reportedly is entirely destroyed." However, the mountain resort posted a video Tuesday morning, showing the facility still in tact. The fire exploded from 10 acres Sunday night into a 500-acre blaze Monday night, according to Reuters. The mountain is part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where "extreme weather conditions . . . led to the exponential spread of fires," park officials said. "Conditions remain extremely dangerous with trees expected to continue to fall," park officials wrote Tuesday morning on Facebook. "Officials are asking that motorists stay off the roadways throughout the area. Travel in the Gatlinburg area is limited to emergency traffic only." "Even with the rain that is currently falling there, the fires continue to burn and structures remain engulfed with little hope that the rainfall will bring immediate relief," TEMA said Tuesday. As the fires began engulfing private structures, including the 300-room Park Vista hotel in downtown Gatlinburg, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a Level 3 state of emergency. The fire forced employees at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies to evacuate Monday, abandoning more than 10,500 animals, Ripley Attractions General Manager Ryan DeSear told WBIR. DeSear said the fire was about 50 yards away from the building when employees were forced to flee from smoke. "To them, every animal has a name," he said. "You don't give that up." But, he added: "Nothing is more important than human life. Fish can be replaced. It sucks." Late Tuesday morning, Ripley announced that the animals were "safe and under care." Inside the Park Vista Hotel overlooking downtown Gatlinburg, dozens of guests found themselves trapped Monday by a wall of flames circling the building. Logan Baker told NBC affiliate WBIR that firefighters initially told hotel guests they'd be safe. A short time later, though, "they saw flames coming down the hill." By the time people packed their cars with luggage and tried to escape it was too late, he told the station, noting that the only road leaving the area was covered in flames. "When you opened the doors, it just blew you back," Baker said. "Embers started flying into the hotel." Baker told WBIR that he helped bring people back inside the hotel. Once inside, firefighters told the group to remain in the lobby while they battled the fire outside. Dramatic video taken from inside the lobby shows massive flames licking at the windows. Guests can be overheard discussing a plan to "dive into the pool." "Well they locked the pool up," a woman can be heard saying. More than 1,300 people have been sheltered at the Gatlinburg Community Center and at Rocky Top Sports World, a sports facility in town. "It's very dangerous weather conditions," Dana Soehn, spokeswoman for the National Park Service, told WATE-TV. "We've had trees coming down, limbs coming down and the fire is continuing to grow." According to park officials, severe wind gusts over 80 miles per hour were reported Monday. Combined with "unprecedented low relative humidity, and extended drought conditions," the conditions caused the fire "to spread rapidly and unpredictably." "Wind gusts carried burning embers long distances causing new spot fires to ignite across the north-central area of the park and into Gatlinburg," the park said. "In addition, high winds caused numerous trees to fall throughout the evening on Monday bringing down power lines across the area that ignited additional new fires that spread rapidly due to sustained winds of over 40 mph." The conditions made it difficult, if not downright impossible, for firefighters to contain the flames. "The wind is not helping, and the rain is not here yet," Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller said in a news conference, CNN reported. "These are the worst possible conditions imaginable." Residents evacuated as flames engulfed trees on the low slope of the hills and mountains on either side of the road, their orange tendrils licking at the asphalt and their black smoke obscuring the air. "Fire was coming over the mountains, and the smoke was so bad we could barely breathe as we were trying to pack up," Mike Gill, evacuating with his wife, Betty, told NBC News. "If you're a person of prayer, we could use your prayers," Miller told reporters Monday evening. Dollywood, the largest theme park in the area, sits about a mile from Pigeon Forge. In a public statement, park officials said there was no damage to the park as of late Monday night, but 50 rooms in the park's DreamMore Resort and 19 of its cabins were evacuated. "Dollywood crews and firefighters are working to protect the park areas adjacent to a fire burning on Upper Middle Ridge," the statement read. The Southeast has spent much of the past few weeks battling forest fires, which began after one of its worst droughts on record. Several states have been affected. As The Washington Post reported Nov. 16, when there were 17 active fires in the southern Appalachians, "The entire state of South Carolina is covered in an unhealthy haze from fires burning in the Blue Ridge Mountains." At that time, more than 80,000 acres had been burned. Rain is forecast in Gatlinburg, which could help contain the current fire. Updated at 11:37 a.m. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. Raging wildfires fueled by high winds forced the evacuation of thousands of people and 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. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. The storms appeared to be taking aim at the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire that began in Georgia and then spread deep into North Carolina. Rain showers ended in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee, area about 8 a.m. Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Sam Roberts. He said no more meaningful rainfall was expected until about midnight Tuesday, and would last through Wednesday. Based on preliminary surveys of the area, the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg "is likely entirely gone," the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a news release. The agency had previously said it had reports that the Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area had been destroyed as well, but later said resort officials had checked in and said the property was fine. Dollywood representatives say the theme park hasn't been damaged by wildfires, but more than a dozen cabins operated by the park have been damaged or destroyed. Dollywood has suspended park operations at least through Wednesday. Its DreamMore resort will be open on a limited basis as a shelter and for registered guests. Hundreds of homes and other buildings, including a 16-story hotel, also were damaged or destroyed by flames. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Great Smoky Mountains. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, officials said. No deaths have been reported, though several people were hospitalized with burns, emergency officials said in the news release. Officials say there are about 1,200 people sheltering at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park. Several other shelters have opened to house those forced from their homes. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of the wildfires were concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, told WBIR-TV the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. The rain forecast "puts the bull's-eye of the greatest amounts right at the bull's-eye of where we've been having our greatest activity," said Dave Martin, deputy director of operations for fire and aviation management with the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service. The projected rainfall amounts "really lines up with where we need it," Martin said Monday. "We're all knocking on wood." After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but won't end the drought or the fire threat, they said. Drought conditions will likely persist, authorities said. The problem is that rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South, authorities said. "I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. "I would say it's way too early to say 'Yes, this drought is over,'" Svoboda said. "Does it put a dent in it? Yes, but we have a long ways to go." The rain also brings danger because strong winds at the leading edge of the storms can topple trees and limbs that can kill and injure firefighters, he said. In Mississippi, trees were reported downed Monday in nearly 20 counties across the state. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of more than 50 mph were reported and more than 2 inches of rain fell in some areas. Power outages peaked at more than 23,000 statewide in Mississippi. Powerlines downed by winds sparked grass fires in four counties, said Greg Flynn, a spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The storms moved across Alabama on Monday night and fell on Georgia during the overnight hours. High wind warnings were issued for mountainous areas in northern parts of Georgia. In South Carolina, the stormy forecast was giving hope to firefighters battling a blaze in the northwest corner of the state. The South Carolina Forestry Commission hopes to contain the Pinnacle Mountain fire by the middle of next week. More rain was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. ___ Associated Press writers Rebecca Yonker and Beth Campbell in Louisville, Kentucky; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Jeff Amy in Jackson, Mississippi; Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina; and Bill Fuller in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Gatlinburg is a city, not a town. Updated at 9:58 a.m. ATLANTA Raging wildfires fueled by high winds forced the evacuation of thousands of people and damaged hundreds of buildings in a popular resort town on the border of the Smoky Mountains National Park as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. The storms appeared to be taking aim at the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire that began in Georgia and then spread deep into North Carolina. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, officials said hundreds of homes and other buildings, including a 16-story hotel, were damaged or destroyed by flames. And preliminary surveys indicated that Westgate Resorts, with more than 100 buildings, and Ober Gatlinburg were both likely destroyed, according to a news release Tuesday morning. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Smoky Mountains while crews continue to battle the blaze, which also had crept to the edge of the Dollywood theme park. About 14,000 residents and visitors were evacuated from Gatlinburg alone, officials said. No deaths have been reported, though several people were hospitalized with burns, emergency officials said in the news release. Officials say there are about 1,200 people sheltering at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park. Several other shelters have opened to house those forced from their homes. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of the wildfires were concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, told WBIR-TV the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. The rain forecast "puts the bull's-eye of the greatest amounts right at the bull's-eye of where we've been having our greatest activity," said Dave Martin, deputy director of operations for fire and aviation management with the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service. The projected rainfall amounts "really lines up with where we need it," Martin said Monday. "We're all knocking on wood." After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but won't end the drought or the fire threat, they said. Drought conditions will likely persist, authorities said. The problem is that rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South, authorities said. "I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. "I would say it's way too early to say 'Yes, this drought is over,'" Svoboda said. "Does it put a dent in it? Yes, but we have a long ways to go." The rain also brings danger because strong winds at the leading edge of the storms can topple trees and limbs that can kill and injure firefighters, he said. In Mississippi, trees were reported downed Monday in nearly 20 counties across the state. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of more than 50 mph were reported and more than 2 inches of rain fell in some areas. Power outages peaked at more than 23,000 statewide in Mississippi. Powerlines downed by winds sparked grass fires in four counties, said Greg Flynn, a spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The storms moved across Alabama on Monday night and fell on Georgia during the overnight hours. High wind warnings were issued for mountainous areas in northern parts of Georgia. In South Carolina, the stormy forecast was giving hope to firefighters battling a blaze in the northwest corner of the state. The South Carolina Forestry Commission hopes to contain the Pinnacle Mountain fire by the middle of next week. More rain was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. ___ Fuller reported from New Orleans. Associated Press writers Rebecca Yonker in Louisville, Kentucky; Jeff Amy in Jackson, Mississippi; Beth Campbell in Louisville, Kentucky; and Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report. Updated at 9:15 a.m. ATLANTA Raging wildfires fueled by high winds forced the evacuation of thousands of people and damaged hundreds of buildings in a popular resort town on the border of the Smoky Mountains National Park as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters. Rain had begun to fall in some areas, but experts predicted it would not be enough to end the relentless drought that has spread across several Southern states and provided fuel for fires now burning for weeks in states including Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. The storms appeared to be taking aim at the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire that began in Georgia and then spread deep into North Carolina. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, officials said hundreds of homes and other buildings, including a 16-story hotel, were damaged or destroyed by flames. Emergency officials ordered evacuations in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and in other areas of Sevier County near the Smoky Mountains while crews continue to battle the blaze, which also had crept to the edge of the Dollywood theme park. No deaths have been reported, though several people were injured, emergency officials said. Officials say there are about 1,200 people sheltering at the Gatlinburg Community Center and the Rocky Top Sports Park. Several other shelters have opened to house those forced from their homes. TV broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of the wildfires were concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, told WBIR-TV the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. The rain forecast "puts the bull's-eye of the greatest amounts right at the bull's-eye of where we've been having our greatest activity," said Dave Martin, deputy director of operations for fire and aviation management with the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service. The projected rainfall amounts "really lines up with where we need it," Martin said Monday. "We're all knocking on wood." After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but won't end the drought or the fire threat, they said. Drought conditions will likely persist, authorities said. The problem is that rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South, authorities said. "I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. "I would say it's way too early to say 'Yes, this drought is over,'" Svoboda said. "Does it put a dent in it? Yes, but we have a long ways to go." The rain also brings danger because strong winds at the leading edge of the storms can topple trees and limbs that can kill and injure firefighters, he said. In Mississippi, trees were reported downed in nearly 20 counties across the state. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of more than 50 mph were reported and more than 2 inches of rain fell in some areas. Power outages peaked at more than 23,000 statewide in Mississippi. Powerlines downed by winds sparked grass fires in four counties, said Greg Flynn, a spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The storms moved across Alabama on Monday night and fell on Georgia during the overnight hours. High wind warnings were issued for mountainous areas in northern parts of Georgia. In South Carolina, the stormy forecast was giving hope to firefighters battling a blaze in the northwest corner of the state. The South Carolina Forestry Commission hopes to contain the Pinnacle Mountain fire by the middle of next week. More rain was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. ___ Fuller reported from New Orleans. Associated Press writers Rebecca Yonker in Louisville, Kentucky; Jeff Amy in Jackson, Mississippi; Beth Campbell in Louisville, Kentucky; and Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report. ATLANTA As a strong storm system approached some of the largest wildfires burning in the South, the rain signaled new hope for firefighters working to extinguish the blazes. But the storms also brought high winds, which toppled dead trees and could pose a threat to firefighters, authorities said. Experts predicted that rains Tuesday from one storm system would not be enough to end the relentless drought that's spread across several states and provided fuel for the fires. The storms early Tuesday appeared to be taking aim at the nearly 28,000-acre Rough Ridge Fire in north Georgia and the nearly 25,000-acre Rock Mountain Fire that began in Georgia and then spread deep into North Carolina. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, emergency officials said a wildfire had set 30 structures ablaze, including a 16-story hotel, and was at the edge of the Dollywood theme park. Mandatory evacuations were underway for areas in and around Gatlinburg, including the south part of Pigeon Forge, where Dolly Parton's theme park is, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency spokesman Dean Flener said in a news release Monday night. TV news broadcasts showed residents streaming out of town just as rain started to wet roads. Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of wildfires around Gatlinburg were concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, told WBIR-TV the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. The rain forecast "puts the bull's-eye of the greatest amounts right at the bull's-eye of where we've been having our greatest activity," said Dave Martin, deputy director of operations for fire and aviation management with the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service. The projected rainfall amounts "really lines up with where we need it," Martin said Monday. "We're all knocking on wood." After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but won't end the drought or the fire threat, they said. Drought conditions will likely persist, authorities said. The problem is that rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South, authorities said. "I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system," said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. "I would say it's way too early to say 'Yes, this drought is over,'" Svoboda said. "Does it put a dent in it? Yes, but we have a long ways to go." The rain also brings danger because strong winds at the leading edge of the storms can topple trees and limbs that can kill and injure firefighters, he said. In Mississippi, trees were reported downed in nearly 20 counties across the state. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts of more than 50 mph were reported and more than 2 inches of rain fell in some areas. Power outages peaked at more than 23,000 statewide in Mississippi. Powerlines downed by winds sparked grass fires in four counties, said Greg Flynn, a spokesman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The storms moved across Alabama on Monday night and fell on Georgia during the overnight hours. High wind warnings were issued for mountainous areas in northern parts of Georgia. In South Carolina, the stormy forecast was giving hope to firefighters battling a blaze in the northwest corner of the state. The South Carolina Forestry Commission hopes to contain the Pinnacle Mountain fire by the middle of next week. More rain was expected Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. ___ Fuller reported from New Orleans. Associated Press writers Jeff Amy in Jackson, Mississippi; Beth Campbell in Louisville, Kentucky; and Jack Jones in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report. This month, U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer announced a new United States donation of 23 million dollars to assist the Malawian people in need of humanitarian food assistance. This additional donation is in response to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committees report that 6.5 million Malawians need humanitarian food assistance to alleviate suffering through March 2017. All of these funds will be channeled through the United Nations World Food Program. Of the 23 million dollars, 18 million will be used to help fill deficits in pulses and super cereal needed for the 2016-2017 Food Insecurity Response Plan, while 5 million dollars will be used to purchase ready-to-use therapeutic food for HIV patients currently being treated with Anti-Retroviral Therapy, or ART. The latter is particularly important to preserve gains made to date in HIV treatment, as malnourished patients tend to discontinue ART without access to food to ameliorate the treatment's side effects. To further preserve development gains in other sectors, the United States government has also re-programmed 12 million dollars of previously planned investments in agricultural development and climate change adaptation programs. These were longer-term investments that now have been re-directed to enhance the United States responsiveness to the dire food security situation Malawi currently faces. They are primarily food-for-work activities, whereby beneficiaries will receive food for their contributions to resilience-building measures, such as afforestation, soil and water conservation, and small-scale irrigation. The additional assistance made available to Malawi brings the United States total contribution to the 2016-2017 Food Insecurity Response Plan to nearly 118 million dollars, equivalent to about 30 percent of the Plan's 395 million dollars estimated cost. Ambassador Palmer added that the United States will continue to work with the government of Malawi to break the cycle of food insecurity. The United States Government continues to stand by Malawians in their time of need. But, together, said Ambassador Palmer, we recognize that policy and market predictability are critical if Malawis farmers are to become entrepreneurs, if agribusinesses are to invest, and if Malawi is to transform its agriculture sector from a source of vulnerability into an engine for growth. Struggling with an Addiction? Whether you're struggling with an addiction, becoming sober, or further along your recovery journey, learning the facts about addiction can be an valuable step in the process. Get started here. The former Bareburger space will now be home to Salt & Bone. Photo: Angela Datre Bareburger is one of New Yorks more successful homegrown burger chains, with 44 locations around the country and abroad in just seven years. Now, that team will explore other areas of its meaty inclinations and give old-fashioned barbecue a spin with Salt & Bone. The restaurant will open next year in the Astoria space where the Bareburger team previously operated the short-lived Burnside Biscuits, a Southern-themed restaurant that had a fried-chicken bent. New Yorks barbecue epicenter might be in Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan, but Salt & Bone will still have some local competition in John Brown Smokehouse and its forthcoming sibling restaurant Mothership Meat Company, which is headed to Astoria. One of the movements many protests so far. Photo: Michael Tercha/TNS via Getty Images The prospect of passing a national living wage looks remote at best under Donald Trumps White House and a GOP-led Congress, but maybe Fight for $15 figured thats all the more reason to organize its biggest day of action yet. Thousands who work at fast-food chains like McDonalds are set to march with other low-wage earners Uber drivers, child-care workers, home caregivers, and employees at nearly 20 airports in 340 U.S. cities for a national day of disruption. It marks the anniversary of the entire movement, which started four Novembers ago when a few dozen protesters showed up at a McDonalds on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Since then, 22 million Americans have gotten raises because of their efforts, as the groups statement announcing todays demonstrations points out. The cause has already picked up big shout-outs from the usual pro-labor backers Bernie Sanders and Mark Ruffalo, to name a couple and even though the days still young, angry crowds with giant banners and megaphones seem to have wasted no time finding the busiest McDonalds in their areas. In several cases, it also looks like police wasted no time arresting them: Little Rock workers join today's national day of action for $15 and a union #fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/zt8kqipq2u Show Me $15 (@Show_Me15) November 29, 2016 7 people arrested in #HoustonTx during today's #Fightfor15 rally. YES! We're willing to risk arrest for a better future for our families. pic.twitter.com/HWPMRRFdxi Fight for 15 TEXAS (@fightfor15texas) November 29, 2016 In four years since the start of the #FightFor15 we've won a pathway to $15 for 10 million workers. We won't back down on union rights pic.twitter.com/1rZlB5tQnz Fight for $15 LA (@Fightfor15LA) November 29, 2016 Dozen of Arizona workers on strike for respect, $15 and a union! #fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/hnXNbzIDTC LUCHA (@LUCHA_AZ) November 29, 2016 These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Published on 2016/11/28 | Source Actor Kim Woo-bin talked about the time he couldn't return to Korea from the Philippines. Advertisement The Naver Movie Talk for the movie "Master" was held on the 28th. Kim Woo-bin was in the Philippines for work but was involved with a criminal investigation. He said, "My real name is Kim Hyeon-joong. Someone was impersonating me and running from the local police. It was settled within a week. If I didn't have help, it would have taken me a lot longer. My prints were taken and I went through all the paperwork". He left a video message to the fraudster saying, "Haven't you run enough?" Published on 2016/11/29 | Source Added episodes 27 and 28 captures for the Korean drama "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop" (2016) Advertisement Directed by Hwang In-hyeok Written by Koo Hyeon-sook Network : KBS With Lee Dong-gun, Jo Yoon-hee, Shin Goo, Kim Young-ae, Oh Hyun-kyung, Cha In-pyo,... Sat, Sun 19:55 Synopsis "Suited Gentlemen In Yanggye-dong" is based on a traditional tailor's with history. The drama depicts the tears, friendship, success and romance of four men. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2016/08/27 More Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby. 16:31, 2 NOV 2022 Businessman W.S. Dupont served as Elkos third mayor and launched Dupont Pharmacy, a mainstay at the corner of Fifth and Idaho Streets for nearly 70 years. Walter S. Dupont arrived in Elko in 1915. The Elko Independent announced Duponts intentions to open a pharmacy. Prior to relocating, he sold two pharmacy businesses in Ford Bidwell, California and New Pine Creek, Oregon to concentrate on his new venture. The business grew steadily and Dupont became a certified dealer for Edison phonographs and Chevrolet automobiles. In 1920, the store moved to its longtime location at 374 Fifth St. The new store allowed more room for pharmacy products, a soda fountain, and separate areas for Edison merchandise and Chevrolet sales. Dupont became involved in politics and was chosen as a delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1920 that elected Warren G. Harding as President of the United States. Later, he was appointed to the Elko County Republican Central Committee. On March 25, 1927, the Elko Free Press reported Dupont entered the race for mayor against George Russell Jr., primarily to make the race more competitive as Russell was the only candidate. The Free Press also endorsed Dupont and noted that, He has been one of our most successful businessmen for many years. Dupont was elected mayor May 4, 1927, and held office for two years. During his term, he made improvements to traffic control and the Elko airfield, yet was unable to do as much as he hoped for Elkos growth. At the end of his last year, he chose to run for city council instead of mayor, telling the Free Press he found it difficult to manage his business interests and hold office simultaneously. For the next 10 years, Dupont ran the pharmacy until illness in 1938 made him decide to return to his hometown of Detroit. He sold his business to Dr. R.P. Roantree and left Elko. Soon after arriving in Detroit, he died January 2, 1939. Between 1948 and 1970, Dupont Pharmacy was owned by John and Jack Hunter, Howard Eppling, Earl Bonham and finally George Morley. Dupont Pharmacy continued to operate until Morley closed the store in 1988 and transferred prescription records to Payless Drug Store. Midnight Regulations in Paradise by Ilya Shapiro, National Review, November 28, 2016 In another end run around Congress, Obama moves to allow native Hawaiians a race-based government exempt from U.S. law. Like Rasputin, the push for a separate, race-based native Hawaiian government refuses to die. As Ive now written about for almost a decade, it is the fondest dream of some politicians to institute a two-tiered system of law in Hawaii, putting some citizens under the jurisdiction of a wholly separate government based only on their racial makeup. For many years, this push came in the form of the Akaka Bill, named after its primary sponsor Senator Daniel Akaka (D., Hawaii). The Akaka Bill took several forms over the years as it was repeatedly introduced and rejected in several Congresses since 2000. But its core goal remained consistent: to create a government within the Hawaiian islands whose membership would be defined not by geography but by blood, which means an exemption from state and federal law for those with enough native Hawaiian lineage to pass the governments test. With the retirement of Senator Akaka in 2013, it seemed that the Akaka Bill was on its last legs. But as with so many other issues, the Obama administration is now attempting to achieve through unilateral executive action what it could not pass through the legislative process. The Department of the Interior recently finalized a rule that would allow the federal government to establish formal government-to-government relations with a native Hawaiian government, if such a government should ever come to exist. The administrations justification for acting without congressional authorization comes from a longstanding statute delegating to the Interior secretary the management of all Indian affairs and of all matters arising out of Indian relations. But citing this statute simply begs the question, because it assumes that a newly created native Hawaiian government would be akin to the Indian tribes that receive a special status under the explicit terms of the Constitution. This false analogy to Indian tribes runs throughout the regulation, as where the FAQ declares that a native Hawaiian government should be encouraged because the Federal government has a longstanding policy of supporting self-determination and self-governance for Native peoples throughout the United States. Such analogies were also used to defend the Akaka Bill and they are just as wrong now as they were then. The special legal status of certain Indian tribes was a constitutional compromise that arose from unique historical circumstances. A legislative authorization to deal with preexisting Indian tribes does not legitimize carving out a new government that has never existed before within the borders of the United States. The governments test is one based solely on race, in clear violation of the 14th Amendments guarantee of the equal protection of the law. And it is fair to say that the proposed entity would be a new government in every sense of the word. The administrations own FAQ isnt shy about the powers a potential native Hawaiian government would have, admitting that it could establish courts or other institutions to interpret and enforce its laws and that Federal courts could defer to those laws enacted by that Native Hawaiian government and the decisions of the Native Hawaiian courts. In no uncertain terms, this move offers people of a certain race the ability to exempt themselves from the laws of the United States. And make no mistake, this would be a race-based government, because as the FAQ makes plain, only persons with Native Hawaiian ancestry could be members if a formal government-to-government relationship is reestablished. How do you test whether someone has native Hawaiian ancestry? A potential member must either have at least 50 percent Native Hawaiian ancestry or descend from the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now constitutes the State of Hawaii. In other words, the governments test is one based solely on race, in clear violation of the 14th Amendments guarantee of the equal protection of the law. The good news is that the Interior Department cant actually create such a government on its own. The recognition it anticipates will never come to pass unless those whom the government has defined as native Hawaiians vote to organize their own government. Further, that vote itself would also violate the equal-protection clause, because only people of a certain race would be allowed to participate. The Supreme Court has already blocked one such race-based election, in Hawaii in 2015, which was ultimately cancelled before it could be definitively ruled unconstitutional. Nonetheless, the federal bureaucracy will do everything it can to put its thumb on the scale in favor of such a divisive referendum. As the FAQ admits, the new rule permits the [Interior] Department to provide technical assistance upon request by the Native Hawaiian community, including expertise related to the communitys ratification process. Of course, the Trump administration should immediately act to rescind that rule, and Congress can also reject it via the Congressional Review Act. But regardless of any executive or legislative action, Hawaii is one of the most diverse and integrated states in the nation, where the spirit of aloha means inclusion, not division. As long as Hawaiians themselves continue to understand that, no regulation can force them to believe otherwise. ---30--- Ilya Shapiro is a senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute and a member of the board of scholars at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. Related: DOI Rule? Republicans Prepare to Reverse Obamas Flurry of Midnight Actions As Small Business Saturday wrapped up its seventh year on Saturday, Nov. 26, the outpouring of support for local businesses across the country hit record highs with 72% of U.S. consumers aware of the day. More shoppers reported visiting local independent businesses on Small Business Saturday this year than ever before, according to results from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released today by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express. This year, an estimated 112 million consumers reported shopping at small businesses on Small Business Saturday, marking a 13 percent increase from 2015. Small Business Saturday saw record levels of support from communities and local organizations in 2016. More than 6,700 Neighborhood Champions from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast and from the Pacific Northwest to New England rallied local businesses and created events in their communities for Small Business Saturday an increase of 63 percent over last year. Additionally, the estimated number of small business owners reached through the Neighborhood Champion program was 2.1 million. State-specific data isnt available, but Gregg Thompson, state director of NFIB, said, It was a good weekend for a lot of small businesses, and we hope people will continue to shop small and dine small throughout the holidays and throughout the year. More than 480 organizations joined the Small Business Saturday Coalition, a 13 percent increase over last year. The Coalition, a group created in 2011 to help amplify the Shop Small message, is comprised of national, state and local associations that help coordinate activities for Small Business Saturday with consumers and small business owners. Consumers came together to show their love for small businesses on Small Business Saturday. Among those who shopped on the day, 32% reported attending a community event, and 81% reported encouraging friends or family to shop or dine at small, independently-owned retailers and restaurants on the day as well, both on par with 2015. Additionally, consumers and small businesses helped rally support for Small Business Saturday and their favorite small businesses on social media channels. So far this month, there were 135 million social media engagements in support of Small Business Saturday, up from 85 million in 2015(1). Its exciting for us to see the record number of consumers who came out in support of independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday, said Elizabeth Rutledge, EVP of Global Advertising and Media at American Express. People across the country are aware of the benefits that small businesses can bring to the community, and the momentum that was started seven years ago with the first Small Business Saturday continues to build. At a time when an increasing number of consumers are opting to shop online and are spreading their holiday shopping spending over a longer period of time than they did traditionally many still prioritize visiting brick and mortar small businesses on Small Business Saturday. According to the survey, among U.S. consumers who went out and shopped in-store, total reported spending reached an estimated $15.4 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on the day, a decrease from the estimated $16.2 billion spent in 2015. Small businesses across the nation are often run by the friends, family, and neighbors that we know well, so supporting them is not only personal but critical to their success, said NFIB CEO and President Juanita Duggan. Partnering with American Express to promote the awareness and importance of shopping small is something we are very proud of, and look forward to continuing the success of Small Business Saturday. Although Small Business Saturday 2016 is now behind us, American Express commitment to local businesses remains steadfast. To keep support for small business strong through the rest of the holiday season, American Express is giving Card Members the opportunity to earn 2x rewards when they enroll an eligible American Express Card at amex.co/shopsmalloffer and shop at qualifying small merchants both in-store and online now through Dec. 31(2). With the addition of 1.6 million merchant locations that started accepting American Express Cards over the past two years, Card Members now have even more places than ever to Shop Small(3). When Card Members use an eligible Card to shop at qualifying small merchants they could earn 2X rewards in the form of what they already earn with their Card from Membership Rewards points to miles with Delta to Cash Back and more. This offer is the latest way American Express is supporting the expanding network of small merchants who accept American Express Cards by giving Card Members yet another reason to Shop Small throughout the holiday season. Elected Officials across the U.S. Show Their Support President Obama issued a letter recognizing Small Business Saturday in 2016. Elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. championed Small Business Saturday. A total of 288 Federal Officials and Agencies showed support for Small Business Saturday through posts on Facebook and Twitter. 651 City proclamations in support of Small Business Saturday were issued by mayors and other elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Nov. 26, 2016, as Small Business Saturday. Nine Public Service Announcements encouraging the public to Shop Small were recorded by government officials across the nation. Communities and Supporters Contribute To Big Success in Year Seven In addition to the growth of the Neighborhood Champion Program and the Small Business Saturday Coalition, corporations, consumers and businesses across the country rallied their communities around Small Business Saturday. For example: In a substantial show of corporate support, nearly 100 companies, including FedEx, Uber, AT&T, Valpak and Ace Hardware signed up to become Corporate Supporters of the day and helped promote participation in Small Business Saturday. Corporate Supporters helped rally their combined millions of small business customers and consumers to take part in Small Business Saturday. Their efforts ranged from connecting their small business audience with assets to helping them get ready for Small Business Saturday and distributing Shop Small merchandise, to posting on social media and rallying their tens of thousands of employees to Shop Small. Small business owners successfully used the Shop Small Studio more than 85,000 times for marketing materials and/or merchandise to help promote their businesses on Small Business Saturday. From the first of November through the 26th, there were nearly 250,000 social media posts combined on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #ShopSmall, #SmallBizSat and/or #DineSmall, and more than 150,000 were posted on Nov. 26 alone(4). Posts included consumers showing their love for their favorite small businesses, business owners raising awareness for promotions and activities taking place on Small Business Saturday, as well as government officials and celebrities showing their support for the day and their favorite small businesses. About the Survey The Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2,180 males and females 18 years of age or older. The sample was collected using an email invitation and an online survey. The study gathered self-reported data and does not reflect actual receipts or sales. It was conducted anonymously on Nov. 27, 2016. The survey has an overall margin of error of +/- 2.1%, at the 95% level of confidence. About Small Business Saturday Nov. 26 marks the seventh annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that can help create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners most pressing need: more customers. Learn more and connect with us on ShopSmall.com, instagram.com/shopsmall, facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday, twitter.com/shopsmall. About NFIB NFIB is the nations leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 states. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIBs powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting Americas free enterprise system. NFIBs mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom. (1) Social media engagements are defined as any proactive action taken by a social media user related to the Small Business Saturday or Shop Small related social media content and conversations on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, including but not limited to, likes, shares, comments, video views, etc. (2) Card Members will not earn 2X rewards on any bonus they may already enjoy with their Card, such as when they spend on certain types of purchases or at certain merchants. Prepaid and Corporate Cards, American Express Cards issued by other financial institutions, The Plum Card and certain other Cards are not eligible. Reward caps and other terms apply. (3) Based on internal comparison of American Express small merchant locations in December 2013 to American Express small merchant locations in December 2015. (4) This includes the hashtags #ShopSmall, #SmallBizSat, #SmallBusinessSaturday, #ShopSmallBusinessSaturday, #ShopSmallForAll, and #ShopSmallSaturday. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket On this coming Sunday plan to attend the Two Rivers Community Schools annual Peace Feast. The event celebrates peace and community. There will be a warm meal served, baked goods for sale, arts and crafts for children, a Holiday Store, and live music featuring Tim Greene & Ridgeline and Nate Harris. There is no set admittance fee, although a donation is expected at the door. The events sponsors are Hatchet Coffee, Stick Boy Kitchen, Ashe County Cheese, and Appalachia Cookie Company. Items from these businesses will be in the Holiday Store for purchase. All proceeds from the event will benefit out-of-class learning experiences for students. The Peace Feast traditionally helps fund the 8th grade trips to Washington D.C. and Charleston, SC as part of their study of history and environmental sciences. While the Peace Feast is a space for current families to congregate, the school encourages families that are considering Two Rivers as an option to attend the event. The Peace Feast is a great event to get a feel for the Two Rivers culture. In fact, when my family was choosing schools in Watauga County we attended the Peace Feast. It was great to meet current Two Rivers families and get a glimpse into the Two Rivers community says Andrea Elaver, Boone resident and current Two Rivers parent. The event will be held at the Foscoe Grandfather Community Center on Sunday, December 4th, from 1 to 5 p.m. Food will be served throughout the entire event. For questions please contact the schools Development Director, Ryan Robinson, at [email protected] Founded in 2005, Two Rivers Community School is a North Carolina Green School of Quality serving grades K-8. It is a tuition-free public-charter school located in Boone, NC under the leadership of a Board of Directors made up of local community members. The Two Rivers curriculum challenges students with dynamic learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Academics are at the core of every student opportunity with the expectation that students grow in both character and intellect during their time at Two Rivers. This year the schools enrollment is 175 students with space still available. If you would like to learn more about Two Rivers Community School, please contact Beth Vossen at 828-262-5411 or email at [email protected]. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket ELKO The cause of death for a 39-year-old miner at Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture is still under investigation. Jerry Sharr was found unresponsive in an underground equipment wash bay at approximately 1:20 a.m. Friday, stated a notice from Barrick Gold Corp. Paramedics and police were called while Turquoise Ridge emergency response personnel attempted to resuscitate Sharr at the scene. He was transported to Humboldt General hospital by paramedics, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities are conducting an autopsy to determine cause of death, according to the company. There were no signs of any trauma or unusual activity in the area where Sharr was found. The mine is located in Humboldt County. It is jointly owned by Newmont Mining Corp. but operated by Barrick. The scene was secured for investigation by Mine Safety and Health Administration officials and local law enforcement. Mining operations were temporarily suspended. The mine resumed regular operations Saturday, but everyone in TR is mourning Jerrys passing, said Barrick Gold of North America Communications Director Jorge Esteva. The company appointed grief counselors for employees and family. Sharr was a resident of Golconda. He is survived by a 19-year-old son. The company would like to express its deepest condolences to Mr. Sharrs family, stated the release. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of great sadness. The start-up has smashed its crowd-funding target of 75,000 dollars by raising nearly 1,150,000 dollars from almost 2,300 backers with more than three weeks still left in its fund-raising campaign. Eve Tech, a hybrid computer developer based in Helsinki, has become the most successful European crowd-funding campaign ever on Indiegogo, the largest global platform for fund-raisers, reports Business Insider . The money raised will be used to cover the commercial production costs of and facilitate the pre-order process for the EVE V, a laptop-tablet hybrid developed online by more than one thousand people, making it the world's first crowd-developed computer, according to Eve Tech. The backing option including the first batch of 500 laptops was sold out in the matter of hours, according to Business Insider. The laptops are scheduled for delivery next February. The Helsinki-based start-up has also secured funding from such computing giants as Intel and Microsoft as well as the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes) for its crowd-development project, according to its campaign site. Microsoft helps us ensure that Windows 10 and its hero features work flawlessly, while Intel helps us achieve optimal thermal performance, a spokesperson for the start-up says. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: A screenshot from Indiegogo Source: Uusi Suomi The ESRB has drawn particular attention to the risks associated with the growing debt burden of households, warning that it could jeopardise the stability of the financial system and real economy in Finland. Finnish household debt-to-income levels, it highlights, are at a historical peak and above the average in the European Union. The debt burden is also concentrated in a relatively small number of highly-indebted households. These households would be particularly vulnerable to adverse economic conditions or developments in the residential real estate market, says the ESRB. Finland, it acknowledges, has already taken action to address the vulnerabilities by, for example, gradually phasing out the possibility of deducting the tax on mortgage interest payments. While these policy measures are appropriate given the nature of residential real estate vulnerabilities in Finland, they may not be sufficient to fully address them, views the ESRB. Finnish authorities, it adds, do not have the legal powers to implement certain macro-prudential measures to keep the debt burden of households in check, such as introducing limits on the loan-to-income, debt-to-income or debt service-to-income ratios of households. The Bank of Finland similarly estimated in its stability report that the rising indebtedness of households poses a threat to the stability of the financial system. The ESRB is responsible for the macro-prudential oversight of financial systems in the European Union and for issuing warnings and, if necessary, recommending policy measure to mitigate systemic risks and vulnerabilities. On Monday, it issued a warning of residential real estate vulnerabilities to a total of eight member states of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Fidel Castro is dead. To say those words is so strange. Ive never known a moment when he wasnt alive. Castro came to power seven years before I was born, and Im almost 50. Ive been lecturing on the man every fall semester for 20 years, spending two or three weeks on him, his ideology, and the beautiful country he destroyed. Its ironic that the day he died I finished two long chapters on him for a book manuscript, and a family friend (whose mother escaped Cuba) visiting for Thanksgiving just happened to ask how much longer I thought the 90-year-old despot might continue to live. The answer, it turned out, was a mere few hours more. What to say in a few hundred words about a man like Fidel Castro at his death? Where to start? Where to end? I think the answer is easy: The focus on Castro at his death must be just that: Castro and death. First, theres the death he was responsible for since seizing Cuba in January 1959, and then, second, there are the incalculable millions more who would have died not just in Cuba but in America and worldwide had he gotten his way in October 1962. So, for starters how many people were killed by Fidel and his communist dystopia? Unfortunately, no one truly knows, akin to how no one knows how many poor souls he tossed into his jails, from political dissidents to priests to homosexuals. Fidels prison-state has never permitted human-rights observers, reminiscent of how he never permitted the elections he repeatedly promised in the 1950s. That said, many sources have tried to pin down numbers and have generated some common estimates: The Black Book of Communism, the seminal Harvard University Press work, which specialized in trying to get accurate data on the enormous volume of deaths produced by communist tyrants, states that in the 1960s alone, when Fidel and his brother Raul (Cubas current leader) established their complete control, with the help of their murdering buddy Che Guevara, an estimated 30,000 people were arrested in Cuba for political reasons and 7,000 to 10,000 were believed to have been executed. Even then, that was merely the start. From the late 1950s to the late 1990s, its estimated that Castro killed between 15,000 to 18,000 people, whether victims of long-term imprisonment or outright execution by bullets. That is a lot of people for a small island. And it isnt all. Cuba is a surreal island of no boats, where boats are banned because people with boats flee. Thus, untold numbers of citizens have attempted the treacherous nearly 100-mile swim to Florida in shark-infested waters. An estimated 100,000 have risked the journey. Of those, perhaps as many as 30,000 to 40,000 died from drowning. As they bob for breath, the Castro government sends military helicopters to drop large bags of sand on them from high above. Yes, actually drop sandbags on them. So, Fidel Castro is responsible for a lot of death. But here, too, these numbers do not capture the level of Fidels brutal madness. Consider the actual millions he badly wanted to kill, especially here in America. If Fidel Castro had his way in October 1962, the United States would have been leveled by atomic bombs and so would little Cuba, which wouldve ceased to exist. The fact is that Fidel recommended to Nikita Khrushchev that Cuba and the USSR together launch an all-out nuclear attack upon the United States, literally igniting Armageddon. This is no secret. Castro admitted it. In an open forum discussing the Cuban Missile Crisis 30 years later, Castro told Robert McNamara, JFKs secretary of defense: Bob, I did recommend they [the nuclear missiles] were to be used. In total, said McNamara, there were 162 Soviet missiles on the island. The firing of those missiles alone would have led to (according to McNamara) at least 80 million dead Americans, which would have been half the population, plus added tens of millions of casualties. That, however, is a conservative estimate, given that 162 missiles was far the sum total that would have been subsequently launched. The United States in turn would have launched on Cuba, and also on the USSR. President Kennedy made that commitment clear in his nationally televised speech on October 22, 1962: It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union. In response, of course, the Soviets would have automatically launched on America from Soviet soil. Even then, the fireworks would just be starting: Under the terms of their NATO and Warsaw Pact charters, the territories of Western and Eastern Europe would also erupt. Once the smoke cleared, hundreds of millions to possibly over a billion people could have perished, with Western civilization in its death throes. If Fidel Castro had gotten his way, he would have precipitated the greatest slaughter in human history. (Che Guevara also wanted to launch the nukes.) The Soviets were horrified. Their ambassador to Cuba, Alexander Alekseyev, was so stunned at what Castro told him that he stood frozen, speechless, crushed. Without waiting for an answer from the numb ambassador, Castro started writing his feelings on paper, which Alekseyev saw as a kind of last testament, a farewell. Fidel was ready to go go up in a giant mushroom cloud for Marxism. As McNamara learned, this was Fidels big chance to die as a martyr for Marxism-Leninism. He was ready to pull the temple down on his head. A shocked Nikita Khrushchev realized he was dealing with madmen. Khrushchevs son Sergei, in his three-volume biography of his father, said that the Soviet general secretary huddled with top officials in the code room of the Foreign Ministry late on a Sunday night and repeatedly ordered, Remove them, and as quickly as possible. Khrushchev urged Andrei Gromyko to instantly get in touch with Washington in order to save the world from those pushing us toward war. As for Fidel, he was furious with Khrushchev. Castro was mortally offended, recorded Sergei. He had not managed to engage in a fight with the Americans. He had made up his mind to die a hero, and to have it end that way. He had been ready to die beautifully, as one Soviet official put it. Denied his glorious opportunity, he now considered Khrushchev a traitor. Thankfully, the world averted nuclear war, through the leadership of Khrushchev and Kennedy, and no thanks to bloodthirsty lunatics like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, who were ready to blow up the world in the name of their Marxist-Leninist nightmare. This, alas, was Fidel Castro. And for the record (and not surprisingly), not a word of it is found in the awful press release by President Barack Obama acknowledging Castros death, a statement that Marco Rubio rightly called pathetic, with no mention of [the] thousands he killed & imprisoned. Pathetic, indeed. Fidel Castro is dead. And death was Fidel Castro. Cuba is a surreal island of no boats, where boats are banned because people with boats flee. Students of Havana University pay tribute to Cuba's late President Fidel Castro as they march to Revolution Square in Havana Leo Varadkar has said he takes a "more nuanced" position on former Cuban leader Fidel Castro than the President. The Social Protection Minister said Castro imprisoned opponents in mental institutions and has a "mixed legacy at best". He also said that nobody in Cuba ever voted for him. His comments are in contrast to those of Michael D Higgins, who said Castro was a "giant among global leaders". Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said the President was entitled to express his views but that he takes a "more nuanced" position on Castro. Criticising "There is a long-standing tradition of government ministers not to criticise the President because he is above politics and the President not to criticise the Government for exactly the same reason," said Mr Varadkar. "So I'm not going to get into that space. "Castro certainly stood up to American aggression and made some changes in his country that were significant, particularly around access to education and healthcare . "But he was an unelected dictator. Nobody in Cuba ever voted for him. He executed and imprisoned his opponents and even put people in mental institutions for disagreeing with him. So it's a mixed legacy at best." In his official statement, President Higgins sparked controversy by praising Castro's achievements on education and healthcare, and noting the damage done to Cuba by an unjust and prolonged US economic embargo. The statement especially enraged many observers because the President's only reference to Castro's infamous regime of repression, including summary executions, was to note that economic and social reforms were "at the price of a restriction of civil society". President Higgins concluded that Castro was "a giant among global leaders" who sought freedom for his own people and oppressed people across the world. Speaking in Rome, Taoiseach Enda Kenny gave a cautious response when asked about President Higgins' statement. He said the President "is entitled to make his comments" but did not offer any view of his own on Castro's passing. Ireland's Ambassador to Mexico, Sonja Hyland, will represent the Government at Castro's funeral in Havana on Sunday. "Most countries will be represented by an ambassador, some may send other representatives," said Mr Kenny. "So in that case, Ambassador Hyland will represent us." Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath strongly criticised the President's remarks. "I believe that in this instance, he ought to have limited himself to expressions of personal regret after the death of Castro. Mourning "To offer his sympathies on behalf of all Irish people, many of whom are deeply aware of the vicious nature of the Castro regime, was an act of extraordinary hubris and political arrogance." Meanwhile, it emerged last night that no Irish minister will attend Castro's funeral. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, who will be there, told RTE's Today with Sean O'Rourke programme that the President's remarks were "appropriate". The judge deferred sentencing and adjourned the case to a date in February. Stock photo: Getty Images A man with a gambling problem made two trips to steal bicycles from outside a woman's house in south Dublin, a court has heard. George Carroll (56) took one bike, before returning for the second. He was caught after being identified on CCTV. Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case for payment of 300 in compensation after hearing Carroll had been drunk at the time he took the bikes. Carroll, with an address at Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to unauthorised taking of two bicycles. Garda Martin O'Connell said Carroll went to the victim's house at Rathmines Close on April 19 of this year. He took one bike away from the property, then returned for the second. "He made two trips, back and forth," Gda O'Connell told the judge. The crime was reported to gardai by the victim and the accused was identified on CCTV footage taken from a nearby business premises. In July, he was arrested and made no reply when he was later charged. One of the bicycles was worth 150 and the other was worth 50, Gda O'Connell said. The court heard Carroll had 29 previous convictions, including convictions for similar offences and for theft. Intoxicated The victim of the bike thefts remained out of pocket. Carroll was prepared to pay compensation but did not have the money in court as he had originally intended to contest the charges, his solicitor Aine Flynn said. He had a serious gambling problem and was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Both of these things were motivating factors behind the theft of the bicycles, Ms Flynn added. Carroll has children, but was separated from his partner and in receipt of social welfare. The judge deferred sentencing and adjourned the case to a date in February. The defendant was remanded on continuing bail. She was one of Ireland's most recognisable presenters as anchorwoman on RTE News but Anne Doyle has said she rarely watches the programme that made her famous. The Wexford woman (64) departed the series in 2011 after 33 years and prefers to get her news from the airwaves. "Amazingly, as a woman that would have been a bit of a technophobe, I mainly get my news on the phone. I am more of a radio person, I wouldn't see the television as much," she told the Herald. "I see the Six O'Clock News occasionally, I would throw an eye onto young Eileen [Dunne] to see if she's behaving herself and she always is." Accident Anne joined RTE in 1978 after having several other jobs, including working as a librarian and a stint in the Department of Foreign Affairs. She believes her broadcasting career was something of an accident and admitted she studied as a way of delaying entering the world of work. "I was a librarian for a year and I was in the Department of Foreign Affairs for a few years. I trained as a teacher, I did anything that would have postponed work. It was in the era where there wasn't free university education but I had a grant," she said. "I never really put myself out. I certainly would have been an accidental broadcaster. In fairness, I've been accidentally most things, but it's been a happy sort of accident-proneness." Anne has mostly stayed away from the small screen since retiring, but is still seen at social events with her partner Dan McGrattan. She recently dispelled speculation that she would be returning to Montrose for Dancing With The Stars, joking that she "can't dance for toffee apples". Transport, Tourism and Sport Minister Shane Ross has described criticism of his performance as "utter nonsense". Mr Ross made the comments at a farcical press conference in Dublin yesterday. The Independent Alliance TD repeatedly refused to answer questions on the issue of judicial appointments, amid accusations that he is holding up the filling of a number of vacancies. Mr Ross was attending a Tourism Ireland event in Ballsbridge. Members of the media were told by an adviser to Mr Ross at the start of the press conference that questions should be confined to the issue of tourism. No reason was given as to why other issues could not be raised. Asked about criticism relating to his own brief, Mr Ross rejected it outright. "Any criticisms I'm not spending enough time in the tourist portfolio are complete and utter nonsense," he said. "There is simply no evidence provided by anybody to support that, not one scintilla of it." The row over judicial appointments has been rumbling on for weeks. Heated Mr Ross was at the centre of another row last week following his demands for a free vote on the issue of neutrality. A Sinn Fein motion, which sought to enshrine the country's neutrality in the Constitution, was the subject of a heated row between Mr Ross and Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. At one point during the tense meeting, Mr Kenny held up a copy of the Constitution to highlight the principle of collective cabinet responsibility. The minister has privately expressed his anger over Mr Kenny's response to his demand for a free vote. Mr Ross's stance was that the issue of neutrality is not in the Programme for Government - so he and his colleagues were entitled to vote as they wished. With Fianna Fail siding with the Government, the Sinn Fein motion was defeated. Several figures within the Independent Alliance, however, have voiced deep anger over Mr Ross's handling of the issue. Independent ministers Denis Naughten and Katherine Zappone are said to have been left annoyed by the row. OPW and Flood Relief Minister Sean Canney held a meeting with Mr Ross and asked him to outline areas of progress within his department. INTERVALE, N.H. From this vista, the peaks already carry a light frost. Pockets of snow rest in the ravines, and ominous high winds are forecast. In any season, the Presidential Range is a fearsome place, in this season especially so. The summits are named for Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, even Pierce, and, most recently, Eisenhower. Many of them are inaccessible except through the most arduous of climbs. Some of them have subpeaks, which pose special challenges along rocky paths. Slippery ridges and dangerous ledges abound. But their greatest distinction, along with the most severe weather in the country, is that they soar above the rest. These peaks in the state that is host to the first primary are well named. They are presidential, awesome to behold, their summits difficult to attain. From ground level they look forbidding, inaccessible. But whether viewed in sunshine or snow, whether garlanded in green or draped in autumn colors, they above all fill us with awe. That is what it is to be presidential, whether the word is employed to describe Mount Washington, which at 6,288 feet above sea level rises above all the others here, its shoulders breathtaking in their width and strength, or the city of Washington, D.C., 570 miles to the south. There is beauty to the word presidential its four syllables each a chime, but those distinct sounds also are a tocsin of danger, for, as one of the hiking guides in these peaks warns, It is your responsibility to understand these dangers, to make necessary preparations and to take the appropriate precautions. Now, a new figure is preparing to take his place among the Presidentials among the faces printed on the foot-long rulers that schoolchildren stow in their desks, if not among the summits up here in a place that Ralph Waldo Emerson considered almost sacred. Here among the mountains the pinions of thought should be strong, Emerson wrote in a period of introspection in 1836, and one should see the errors of men from a calmer height of love and wisdom. So, at this time, at the change of season and at the change of presidencies, it is natural to give pause and to reflect on what it means to be presidential, and, for those drawn to the hillsides and whose thoughts are lured to the summits, perhaps to dip into the most reliable guide to trekking these paths, a well-loved, much-respected reference book that warns that, among the Presidentials, the weather is vicious enough to kill those who are foolish enough to challenge the mountain at its worst. At another site scraping the sky, a Manhattan tower bearing his name, Donald Trump is building an administration amid pleas from supporters and critics alike to be presidential, an entreaty Trump has answered in the past by saying, I can be more presidential than anybody, if I want to be. Separately he explained: More presidential than anybody other than the great Abe Lincoln. He was very presidential. But what does it mean to be presidential? To be as unassailable as George Washington? As philosophical as Thomas Jefferson? As firm yet as gentle as Lincoln? As joyful as Theodore Roosevelt, or as wily as his distant cousin Franklin? As intellectual as Woodrow Wilson, or as earthy as Harry Truman? As quietly wise as Dwight Eisenhower? As inspirational as John F. Kennedy? Or Ronald Reagan? Each president molds the office to his personality, his character and his times. James Buchanan regarded it as a crown of thorns, Herbert Hoover as a hair shirt, but they were unsuccessful presidents. James K. Polk, a successful president, nonetheless described the office as no bed of roses. In his congressional address shortly after the assassination of Kennedy in November 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson spoke of the awesome burden of the presidency. Later he told his successor, Richard M. Nixon, that occupying the presidency was like being a jackass caught in a hail storm, explaining: Youve got to just stand there and take it. Franklin Roosevelt, whose conception of the office in 1932 still shapes our view in 2016, set our expectations when he described the presidency as not merely an administrative office, adding, Thats the least of it ... It is pre-eminently a place of moral leadership. All our great presidents were leaders of thought at times when certain historic ideas in the life of the nation had to be clarified. And so, Trump now has the chance to add his thoughts, to shape the presidency to his instincts and inclinations; for the presidency soon will be defined in part by how he approaches ceremonial moments (his inauguration in January, both his address and his celebrations) and procedural moments (his initial budget message to Congress the following month); how he helps Americans to celebrate and meditate. It will be shaped by how he shows grief in times of loss, grandeur at moments of challenge. He is involved in a great administrative transition, but also faces a personal transition. He has to get off campaign mode and show how hell deal with immigration, what hell do in foreign policy, says Steffen W. Schmidt, an Iowa State political scientist. Specifics. But in veering from opinion to implementation, he will take his place in the parade of presidents. The major thing is to have reverence for the role, says Carter Wilkie, a speechwriter for Bill Clinton. One of the reasons Reagan was so popular after Jimmy Carter was that he restored some dignity to the office. David Greenberg, author of biographies of Nixon and Calvin Coolidge, says Trump should submit to the ministrations of advisers with White House experience. Trump is the first president with no prior elective experience, which gives him a freshness for the office but also a steep learning curve. If you are not an experienced climber or a trained athlete, counsels the authoritative guide to hiking the Presidentials, you will almost certainly enjoy the ascent ... a great deal more if you build up to it with lesser climbs. Its too late for that. But intelligent guidance for this office of duty and danger rests in the advice to hikers. Ascents of the mountain in winter are sometimes easy enough to deceive inexperienced hikers into false confidence, it counsels, but the worst conditions in winter are inconceivably brutal and can materialize with little warning. Governing, like hiking, is harder than it looks, and the path is steep. For the first time in 12 years, less than 20% of people aged between 16 and 30 are living outside the family home. In the second quarter of 2016, the figure was 19.6%, a 4.84% increase on the period in 2015 , says Spains Youth Council. It adds that of those who have managed to leave their parents, only 16.7% are living alone. Ana Llorente has not been able to leave her parents' home. LUIS SEVILLANO ARRIBAS Ana Llorente, aged 27, says she has worked in shops, as a waitress, in offices, and is currently employed as an auxiliary in a private clinic. She has a degree in journalism from Madrids prestigious Complutense University, but has never earned more than 300 a month. I never managed to do any internships, and nobody will employ me because you need at least five years experience to find a position, she says, adding that she sends her CV out regularly, but with no hope of a reply. Her priority is to leave her parents home before finding a job in her field, if she can, although she doesnt hold out much hope: In the end, most people give up on working in the area they studied for so that they can leave home, she says. The official unemployment rate among the under-30s is 34.4%, but the reality is that only two out of every 10 under-24s is working, and more than 55% of them are on short-term contracts, while 60% are earning less than 1,000 a month. Spains Youth Council says 500,000 young people have left Spain to look for work since 2013 Victor Reloba, of the Youth Council, says that while unemployment has fallen slightly, young people are unable to leave the family home because even if they are in work, they will likely be on zero-hours contracts, short-term contracts, or earning money from a number of different activities. One in four young people is poor, he explains. Most under-30s who have managed to leave home are living in shared accommodation with two or more other people. Jose Cuesta, aged 30, moved to Madrid from his native Cordoba in search of work in his field, advertising, and now lives in an apartment in the center of the capital with three other people. My next step is to find a better-paid job that will allow me to rent somewhere on my own, he says. Given that the average monthly salary for under-30s is 890 and a one-bedroom apartment or studio rental is 470 although there is a significant range in prices from region to region it is hardly surprising so many young people have to share, says Reloba. The reality is that only two out of every 10 under-24s is working Laura Carrasco is aged just 21, and says she is angry. She studied to be a chef but hasnt been able to find work because employers require three years experience. Now she is studying sound and lighting, earning around 200 a month setting up stages for concerts in the meantime. I cant ever see myself being able to leave home at this rate, she says. Of her 30 or so friends, Laura says only two have stable jobs. The reality of the world out there is very disheartening when it comes to leaving home. You see older people who have been studying for years and still cant find a decent job. A lot of people in my circle of friends who are a bit older have had to go abroad to find work. Were very angry, she says. Spains Youth Council estimates conservatively that around half-a-million young people have left Spain to look for work abroad in the last two-and-a-half years. We suspect the number is much greater, because young people tend not to remove themselves from the electoral roll or to register with the authorities in the countries they go to, says Reloba. English version by Nick Lyne. Budget airline Ryanair is planning to create 2,000 cabin crew positions in 2017 in order to deal with the companys growth . The Irish carrier has 50 new aircraft on order for the coming year, and is aiming to fly a total of 180 million passengers in 2024. A Ryanair plane at Hamburg airport. DANIEL BOCKWOLDT (EFE) The contracts on offer will be for three years, with a monthly salary of 1,200. The selection process got going on Monday in Mallorca, according to news agency Europa Press. The low-cost companys draft for new employees will continue in Malaga (December 1), Barcelona (December 2), Seville (December 7), Madrid and Granada (December 8) and Valencia (December 17), before returning to Barcelona once more (December 21), as well as Madrid and Malaga (December 22). The company will also be carrying out simultaneous employment drives in Poland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Bulgaria and Portugal, albeit on a smaller scale. Ryanair will also be looking for 1,000 pilots and 250 engineers, as well as promoting 300 first officers As well as the 2,000 cabin crew sought, Ryanair will also be looking for 1,000 pilots and 250 engineers, as well as promoting 300 first officers as part of the development program in place at its European network of 84 airport bases, according to the company. The recruitment will be carried out by RyanAirs cabin crew service provider Crewlink. Ryanair currently counts on a workforce of around 11,500 people, and will be hoping to generate more than 5,000 jobs with this new recruitment drive. The company, which is headed by colorful businessman Michael OLeary, currently has a fleet of 350 Boeing 737s, with an additional 315 planes due for delivery. The company is aiming to fly a total of 180 million passengers a year in 2024, on a fleet of 560 planes. English version by Simon Hunter. A woman was rescued from the roof of her car on Monday after the vehicle came close to being fully submerged in a flooded underpass in the Spanish city of Sagunto, in the Mediterranean province of Valencia. The motorist had attempted to drive through even though access to the underpass had reportedly been fenced off because of high water levels. The driver allegedly ignored warning signs near the underpass As the car quickly began to sink, the driver was able to get out through the passenger seat window. She then climbed on the roof with her belongings to wait for help to arrive. A television crew captured her plight, and images of a woman standing atop a gently floating red hatchback quickly spread on social media. It was journalists who first alerted the local emergency services. Half an hour later, the stranded motorist was taken to safety on a firefighters shoulders. Mayor Francisco Fernandez said the motorist had ignored signs warning drivers that the underpass had been cut off. Heavy weekend rains dumped 100 liters/m2 in places like Sagunto, where around nine other drivers had to be rescued from the same flooded underpass throughout Sunday night, the regional daily Informacion reported. The storms caused considerable damage to agriculture and produced unusual weather events such as the biggest water spout in a decade. English version by Susana Urra. Spains Congress is due Tuesday to open the door to reform of the countrys Official Secrets Act , which dates back to 1968 when the country was under the military rule of General Francisco Franco . It was last revised in late 1978, as Spain began its transition to democracy . Congress will vote on an amendment to the disclosure of government information put forward by the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) that for the first time would set a 25-year limit on secret material and 10 years on classified information, giving exclusive authority to the government of the day to categorize documents. Only the PP and Ciudadanos will oppose the bill in Congress. ULY MARTIN The proposal is unlikely to face any obstacles: on April 27, Congress voted by 219 to 111 in favor of tabling the bill. Only the Popular Party (PP) then heading an interim administration, and now in power voted against it. Emerging center-right party Ciudadanos, whose 32 deputies have given their support to the minority PP administration in Congress, has said that the Official Secrets Act needs to be completely overhauled, rather than amended. Ciudadanos may do a U-turn on its position and vote against the proposal. Spain is more secretive than the Vatican Historian Juan Carlos Pereira Mikel Legarda of the PNV agrees that the Official Secrets Act requires a roots-and-branches revision, but added: The government will never act unless forced to, because at the end of the day, all governments are comfortable with legislation that gives them a free hand. He pointed out that successive administrations have made no effort to change secrecy laws, and added that other groups in Congress can make amendments to his partys proposals to introduce further change. The PNVs proposal gives the government of the day, via the Cabinet, the exclusive capacity to deliberate on the sensitivity of information. Until now, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have also been able to unilaterally declare information secret. Spain is one of the few democracies that does not have an established time limit after which classified information must be released into the public domain: in the United Kingdom, the limit is 30 years; in the United States, between 25 and 50; and in France 50 years. In 2012, then-Defense Minister Pedro Morenes prevented the declassification of 10,000 documents from between 1936 and 1968, saying that they could damage the countrys diplomatic relations and that they were not a priority. Successive administrations have made no effort to change Spains secrecy laws The Foreign Ministry is equally secretive: in 2010 it secretly approved measures effectively classifying all of its archives. Spain is more opaque than the Vatican, regarded as the paradigm of secrecy, but Rome has just declassified documents about the role of the Argentinian Catholic Church during the military dictatorship there, said Juan Carlos Pereira, Professor of History at the Complutense University of Madrid. The Defense Ministry has claimed that it lacks the resources to declassify documents about the Spanish Civil War and the labor camps set up by the military regime of Franco in its aftermath where Republican prisoners of war were sent, but has just published online some 1,900 pages of declassified information about alleged UFO sightings. Spain introduced transparency legislation in 2012, but has been accused of using the courts to prevent people from accessing information. English version by Nick Lyne. It's been 125 years since Dracula was published. And it's still scary. After the weekend of apathy that followed news of Fidel Castros death on Friday, Cuba has finally revved its engines for a final farewell to the man who embodied the Revolution. At 9am on Monday, as troops from the Revolutionary Armed Forces fired 21 artillery salvos simultaneously in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, the doors of the Jose Marti Memorial that sanctorum of Cuban nationalism were flung open so Cubans could file in and pay their last respects to the man who left an indelible mark on their lives. A photograph of Fidel Castro at Revolution Square. Rolando Pujol (EFE) More information Adios, Fidel Castro I came to find closure for part of my own mourning, sobbed Nieves Carrillo, 66, as she emerged from the tribute room inside the memorial building. Standing before you is the great-granddaughter of a slave named Tomasa Carrillo. I was able to study for a university degree, and as a poor, black woman I have come to give thanks to Fidel Castro. Children in school uniform, mixed-race women in white santeria robes, stern-looking Interior Ministry officers, snowy-haired grandmothers... they all inched forward along a line that snaked out of sight outside the memorial tower. Inside, military guards flanked a photograph of Castro during his guerrilla days. Under the picture lay rows of flowers, but the urn containing his ashes was not on display. I respect those who criticize him, but I never lost my faith in him Libia Salazar, 53 After gazing at the picture, a few people could not hold back their tears. These are such intense feelings..., said Eduardo Boullon, 84, wearing a cap from the militia battalion that he once belonged to. Im an old man who fought the bandits in the hills of Escambray in order to defend Fidel, and today I am crying. Ours was a lovely war. The memorial is fittingly located in Revolution Square, the same place where for thousands of hours, Castro in a sign of his omnipresence, known simply to Cubans as He delivered long lectures to generations of Cubans, praising Marxism in his high-pitched, hypnotic voice while tracing anti-imperialist figures in the air with his hands. Cubans paying tribute to Castro inside the Jose Marti Memorial. Getty Images He was ceremonial, he spoke with his words and with his hands. We went through some really hard times under him, and I respect those who criticize him, but I never lost my faith in him, even though I am an atheist, said Libia Salazar, 53. I remember his voice in my head and I get goosebumps, added Consorcio Castillo, 73. Yet Cubas top brass was nowhere to be seen at the mausoleum. President Raul Castro, who at age 85 is now tasked with leading the systems uncertain transition into the 21st century, will show himself on Tuesday evening, when Cubans have been asked to return to the esplanade for one last, massive farewell to Fidel Castro. Hundreds of thousands of people perhaps a million, according to one government member are expected to attend. Opposition shuns ceremony All tyrants funerals are very similar, you just have to review history a little, wrote the activist Jose Daniel Ferrer, of Cubas National Patriotic Union. "The official press says there are few people on the streets because they are mourning privately. The truth is, there is fear, a lot of fear," said Yoani Sanchez, editor of the online daily 14 y medio, which has been censored on the island. After that collective act of catharsis, there will still be five official days of mourning left. On Wednesday, Castros ashes will be loaded onto a hearse and driven slowly to Santiago de Cuba, where the revolutionarys remains are expected to arrive on Saturday. The route is symbolic, as the hearse will follow the inverse journey made by Castro and his rebel column in 1959, from the eastern tip of the island to Havana. In Santiago, the ashes will be laid to rest at Santa Ifigenia cemetery, inside a mausoleum close to the one holding the remains of the national hero, philosopher and writer Jose Marti. If the dead could talk, theirs would be a conversation of colossal proportions. English version by Susana Urra. Donald Trump on Monday fell back on the language he knows best that of business and social media to threaten Cuba. If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal, he tweeted in a message, which suggests he may either put a halt to the normalization of USCuba relations begun under Barack Obama nearly two years ago, or cause significant damage to that process. Trump leaves his home in Florida on Sunday. JOE SKIPPER (REUTERS) Trumps tweet came as tributes rolled in to Cuba on the death of Fidel Castro and as the first direct commercial flight between the US and Cuba in more than 50 years landed in Havana another important step in the normalization of relations between the two countries and a sign of the growing investment in Cuba on the part of US airlines. The tweet from the president-elect was also Trumps first message directed at Cuba since a statement on Saturday in which he called Castro a brutal dictator. In that statement, the president-elect promised that he and his administration would do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty, although he fell short of saying he would he would terminate the normalization process. But his latest message also failed to explain whether he would be prepared to put a stop to a relationship where many US business interests are in play. Over two years of cautious rapprochement with Havana, Obama has reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba, where the US has reopened its embassy. In March Obama also became the first US president to visit the island in nearly a century. In addition, the Democrat has made travel to Cuba easier, although US citizens are still officially barred from visiting the country as tourists. More critical are the changes in business relations. Although Obama has been unable to single-handedly lift the embargo against Cuba only Congress has the power to do that current trade rules have been stretched to their limits to allow individuals and companies to visit the island to follow up business opportunities. Trump called Fidel Castro a brutal dictator and celebrated his death in a tweet Most observers believe that while Trump may be able to slow down the normalization of relations between the US and Cuba, and even put a stop to certain measures, it is highly unlikely that the process could be rolled back completely given the commercial interests at stake. These include airlines who plan to operate up to 110 flights a day to Cuba before the end of 2016 and agricultural firms who are pushing to be able to do more business with the island. One of Trumps inner circle, his advisor and ex-campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, on Sunday qualified the president-elects declarations on Cuba. Trump was open to researching and, in fact, resetting relations with Cuba, she told television broadcaster ABC. His criticism of what has happened in the last couple of years is very simple, its that we got nothing in return, said the advisor. By reopening diplomatic relations with Cuba, allowing commercial aircraft and the rest we really got nothing in return, she added. English version by George Mills. 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 Google Ad 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 Google Ad 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 LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Communist: We felt protected in Soviet times (video) The Soviet Union was formed 76 years ago on this day. Talking to reporters in Yerevan on November 29, Tachat Sargsyan, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia (HKK), said before joining the Soviet Union, Armenias economy had declined about 12 times. There were 13 schools in Armenia, including seven secondary and six non-secondary schools. But after the country joined the USSR, the number of schools increased to 1000. More things were built in the Soviet Armenia during those years than in the history of the Armenian people, Tachat Sargsyan stressed in his speech. The Communist says Armenia was looted during the years of independence. When asked about Armenias fate if the USSR continued to exist, Mr. Sargsyan said, Surely, Armenia would be the most prosperous and flourishing country. In Soviet times, there were more than 400 industrial enterprises in the country. More than 10 000 people worked at the National Academy of Science. We felt protected at that time. Tachat Sargsyan thinks that a referendum should be held to decide whether Armenians want Russian to become a second official language in the country or not. It will be great if each Armenian knows Russian, English, French and other languages. Galust Sahakyan: Do not make Levon Petrosyan your loved one (video) During the parliamentary debates on the draft amendments to the Law on Political Parties, the head of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction spoke about yesterdays sitting, particularly the regular interruption of HAK Secretarys speech. Speaking about the harsh response of NA Vice-Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan, Levon Zurabyan said, At least, Heghine Naghdalyan had no right to criticize [HAK Secretary Aram Manukyan] because in those years she persistently protected, assisted and supported the HHSh (Pan-Armenian National Movement) and the first president. The most interesting was that Heghine Naghdalyan came 221st in the party list. I simply want to advise you to be careful with your words and expressions, as they have a boomerang effect. This refers to all Republicans. If there is a party that has no right to say bitter words against the first president and the HHSh, it is the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). After all crimes and mistakes committed by the HHSh and the first president, the HHK and its leaders - Ashot Navasardyan, Galust Sahakyan and others, supported the HHSh. Levon Zurabyan stressed that the HHK had done everything to disband the real opposition, preventing businessmen from financing the opposition. Let me remind you the history of Bjni in order to understand that you [HHK] are ready to do everything possible to strengthen your position and harm the opposition, even at the cost of our economy. Also, you have been doing your utmost to have a one-party system in the country. The NA Speaker and his deputies have the right to make an extraordinary speech, but this time I want to speak, because my name has been mentioned here, NA Speaker Galust Sahakyan said in reply. First, I want to say that the HHSh was not a party in the 1990s; the entire nation sided with the HHSh. Do not make Levon Petrosyan (Galust Sahakyan made a slip of the tongue) your loved one and do not think that Ashot Navasardyan praised Levon Ter-Petrosyan deliberately. As for the reaction of Hermine Naghdalyan, I must say that Aram Manukyan said something and she responded to him Will political parties be formed around personalities or values? (video) To start a new political party in Armenia, the given force needs to have at least 100 members under the new Law on Political Parties which passed its first reading in the National Assembly on November 29. Besides, a political party can have at least 1000 members instead of the fixed 2000 members. Will the change have a positive impact on the countrys political domain? I see some level of liberalization in the law, which is, of course, a positive thing. On the other hand, I think that the culture should force political parties to do their work. The question is whether political parties will again be formed around personalities or values, whether they will serve their primary purpose or simply gather 3-4 beautiful girls and boys to do some work, says Tevan Poghosyan of the Heritage Party. The opposition lawmaker says the new Law on Political Parties will yield positive results if Armenia has a strong middle class. On November 29, the National Assembly voted 99 to 1 to pass the amendments to the Law on Political Parties in its first reading. Comedy fans were elated when word came earlier this month that Dave Chappelle would be hosting Saturday Night Live. The elusive and popular stand-up comic hadnt told jokes for a television audience in years, and his post-election episode brought in season-high ratings. It turns out his SNL monologue was just a teaser for more material: Netflix announced that it will release three new stand-up specials from the comedy giant. One of them, an original special recorded specifically for Netflix, has no set premiere date, but in 2017 the streaming service will release a pair of unseen concert specials from Chappelles personal comedy vault. They were filmed at Austin City Limits and the Hollywood Palladium. Dave Chappelle is a legendary voice in comedy searing, vital, and now more than ever, essential, Lisa Nishimura, Netflix vice president of original documentary and comedy, said. Daves three new specials promise to be some of the most anticipated events in comedy, and we are honored he will mark his global return on Netflix. His last special, Dave Chappelle: For What Its Worth, was released in 2004 and directed by Stan Lathan, who will direct all the new Netflix specials. Chappelle, considered one of the greatest active stand-up comics, famously began performing as a teenager in Washington. He became a masterful comic, recorded several stand-up specials and landed various movie roles, including a part in the 1998 movie Half Baked, a cult favorite that he co-wrote. But he catapulted to fame in the early 2000s with his wildly popular sketch comedy show, Chappelles Show. The Comedy Central series was marked by Chappelles unabashed and biting approach to joking about race and racism. But as the show took off, he became more uncomfortable with how the public was receiving his work. Chappelle reportedly walked away from a $50 million deal to film a third and fourth season, and his departure to South Africa fueled rumors about his well-being. He told Time in 2005 that he had gone overseas for solitude and quiet. He also explained his decision to walk away from the show in 2006, telling Oprah, I was doing sketches that were funny, but socially irresponsible. I felt like I was deliberately being encouraged and I was overwhelmed. Its like youre being flooded with things, and you dont pay attention to things like your ethics. Chappelle has been absent from the small screen since, but he has been performing. If you wanted to see his new material, you had to see it live. This domain has expired. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration service provider for further assistance. If you need help identifying your provider, visit https://www.tucowsdomains.com/ The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put up an impressive performance by emerging on the top in the civic polls that were held for 147 municipal councils governing small cities amid the Centres demonetisation drive and the Maratha agitation for reservation in government jobs and education. This was only the first phase of the local elections and in the next three months all civic bodies including those running 10 major cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Nashik as well as district councils (zila parishads), will go to polls. Five years ago when the elections were held for these local government bodies, the ruling parties - Congress and Nationalist Congress Parties (NCP) - won the maximum seats, pushing the BJP to the third and Shiv Sena to the fourth position. Mondays results show that the BJP and the Shiv Sena have reversed the trend. In this election, people voted for ward representatives as well as directly elected the chairman or president of the civic body. This rule of directly electing civic body chief worked well in favour of the BJP. As many as 52 directly elected presidents are from the BJP followed by the Sena (24) and the Congress (22). In the case of elected representatives from wards, the BJP remained on top followed by the Congress. The NCP is turning out to be the biggest loser. The picture will be clearer after the state election commission releases official figures on Tuesday. However, it has emerged that the BJP is ahead of the other parties. It did well in stronghold Vidarbha and also managed to maintain its hold on several areas where it made inroads in 2014 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. There were arguments on the possible impact of demonetisation on the outcome of the elections. Either it worked in favour of the BJP or it did not affect it much or it could be a combination of both. The 147 small cities where the election was held are semi-urban areas that are largely under the influence of rural economy. The BJP was quick to attribute the success to Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation move. Before the elections, we had 8 presidents of civic bodies. Now it has reached 52. People have supported demonetisation of the currency, Union human resources development minister Prakash Javdekar said in Delhi. Other parties were not willing to give the BJP enough credit. State Congress chief Ashok Chavan on Monday alleged that the BJP used resources and misused the government to win the elections. And a bitter remark came from BJPs ally Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. I congratulate the BJP as they have emerged number one. They (BJP) forged alliances with everybody (with different parties in different cities). That seems to have benefitted them. The Sena fought on its own and out success is purely ours, he said. Traditionally, the civic polls in several small cities in Maharashtra are fought through local fronts which are a combination of various parties. Its a good start for the BJP and especially chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who was the partys face in Maharashtra. He campaigned extensively and also forcefully put forth partys stand on the demonetisation drive. The local election battle has just begun. Elections to some more municipal councils and zila parishads and later civic bodies in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune,Thane and Nashik are yet to come. The entire exercisebeing described as mini-assembly polls since the local polls will be held across the statewould be a test for the Fadnavis-led governments popularity as it has entered its third year. While the BJP will now use the momentum to score over the opposition, the Congress and NCP will have to revisit their strategies. They are now planning to highlight hardship caused by the demonetisation. The two parties may also consider forging an alliance to improve their position in the remaining local bodies, especially zila parishads that are crucial for them. Such a political realignment may even force the BJP and the Sena to go together in the coming polls. The ruling partners are locked in a bitter power tussle with the BJP open about its intention to win in the crucial Mumbai civic body polls. It was probably more than a coincidence that Fadnavis and Uddhav shared the dais at a Mumbai civic body function on Monday as the results were pouring in and publicly appreciated each others work. Businessman wants to start bamboo furniture manufacturing in Armenia (video) Economist Vardan Grigoryan is attempting to start his own small side-business for the second time. His first business endeavours were a failure. Grigoryan borrowed money to start souffle production but he had to repay the debt even before the product would become popular among local buyers. He was soon forced to stop production because of the difficulties he met. This time, he has presented his plans to make bamboo furniture, bamboo home accessories and bamboo souvenirs to the representatives of the State Employment Agency. I do not expect any profit in the first 1-2 months because I do not think I shall be able to sell any product from the very start, says the entrepreneur. Grigoryan has been thinking about the new business for two years but he has been able to draft a plan only recently after calculating the costs and benefits involved in the production. The economist says bamboo is innovation in Armenia and has some advantages over wood. He is not afraid of working in the legal field and says he will be taxed at the rate of 3.5 percent of turnover. However, he has his own ideas about the country's tax policy. I think the government should grant certain privileges to small businesses, especially startups, allowing them not to pay taxes at the initial period, Grigoryan said. The State Employment Agency has received nine bids under the Small Entrepreneurship Support Program. Anahit Harutyunyan, a leading specialist at the State Employment Agency, says if their specialists find the programs realistic, the beneficiaries will receive financial assistance. The maximum amount of financial support totals AMD 1 million. The beneficiary will have to work on his program for at least two years after signing the contract, otherwise the financing will be stopped and the money will be taken back. The jail-break and re-arrest of Khalistan Liberation Force terrorist Harminder Singh Mintoo over the weekend brought back memories of Operation Black Thunder in 1988, when Punjabs then director-general of police KPS Gill flushed out several terrorists holed up in the Harmandir Sahib, the sanctum sanctorum of Sikhisms holiest shrine, the Golden Temple. For over two days the media including me -- watched from the roof of the western galleries of the Golden Temple, separated from the Harminder Sahib by the holy sarovar, as Black Cats surrounded the complex, waiting for the 60 or 70 young and middle-aged militants to either come out with guns firing or give themselves up. Gill had recently come to Punjab from Assam, where he had won himself laurels handling terrorists. Most importantly, he had learnt from the cardinal mistakes of the storming of the Golden Temple in 1984, which subsequently became the key motivation for the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Read: Badly trimmed beard, Goa plan land fugitive Sikh militant Mintoo in police net In the year or so before Black Thunder, though, the wind had already begun to turn against Sikh militants. As horrified Sikhs watched, militants would pull innocent Hindu civilians out of buses, separate them from Sikh passengers and shoot them at point-blank range. All in the name of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state that simply had to be carved out of India because Sikhs, ostensibly, were not safe here anymore. Considering Hindu families in Punjab had been offering their first-born males to Sikhism, since the time of Guru Gobind Singh and Hindus and Sikhs had lived in syncretic harmony for several centuries, the indiscriminate massacres had become a cancer in the name of Punjabs dominant religion. Read: Birthday cakes, cooks, gym: Kings life for high-profile inmates at Nabha jail The Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Commando Force, Khalistan Liberation Forcein the wake of the death of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in 1984, several Sikh militant outfits had mushroomed, allegedly sponsored by Pakistans ISI. But it was a matter of time before ordinary Sikhs rose to defend themselves and their Hindu neighbours from the ghoulish methods of Sikh militants. Did revenge for the 1984 army operation have to take on such dreadful manifestations where not even Hindu women and children were spared? Punjabs honour was at stake. So as ordinary Sikhs protested the brutal deaths of ordinary Hindus, the gun began to be turned in their direction too. In 1987, I think, more Sikhs were killed than Hindus. Read: Gangs of Punjab stalking the state with brazenness It was in this context that Operation Black Thunder took place. Before the operation I remember interviewing young Sikh militants in trademark saffron turbans, long tunics falling beneath their knees (no trousers or lungis beneath) and the ubiquitous sword hanging from waist to floor on a belt that was strapped across the body who used to live in the galleries around the Golden Temple shrine. They were happy to meet journalists especially if they were from the foreign media. One young Sikh militant I spent some time with insisted that the government had to apologise for Blue Star, the anti-Sikh pogrom that followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi, implement the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, declare Chandigarh to be capital of Punjab The day after the interview as I wandered the market outside the Golden Temple, a young Sikh man caught my eye. It was the same boy. He didnt want to speak for too long, in full public glare; he said he was going to meet his family, but would return soon to the Temple. Two days after Operation Black Thunder was launched, the militants emerged from the Harmandir Sahib, their hands above their heads, like rodents coming out of their hiding-hole. KPS Gill not only allowed the media in, to see what the militants had done to their holiest of holy shrines, but also the public. People were horrified to see that parts of the shrine had been turned into an open, public toilet. The turning-point in Sikh militancy had been reached. Im not sure what happened to that young Sikh boy. Perhaps he was killed in the operation; I hoped he had escaped. As for Harminder Singh Mintoo, likely a money-grubbing mercenary than ideologue, his re-arrest will surely award him his just desserts. The idea of Khalistan died in Operation Black Thunder and has no place in 21st century India. Nor should Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal take credit for his recapture. On the eve of the elections, many will see through that ploy. Jyoti Malhotra is a senior journalist . The views expressed are personal Dargahs are among the most egalitarian of religious shrines: While some have restrictions on the entry of women or men most do not discriminate. The rituals are simple and are not dictated by theology; singing, dancing and sharing food is part of the worship. You do not have to be a Muslim to ask the saint interred in the shrine to pray to god on your behalf. In 2012, when a group of women were turned away from the inner sanctum of Mumbais Haji Ali dargah, the portals of the shrine were no longer so welcoming. The shrine trust justified the ban, explaining that shariat (religious laws) prohibited women from touching the tomb, but worshippers said there were not such restrictions till 2011. The shrine trusts attempt to defend its discriminatory order made no sense. There is no ban on women worshippers at Mumbais other popular dargah, Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, at Mahim, though this shrine shares some trustees with Haji Ali. The Nizamuddin and Qutbuddin Baktiyar Kaki shrines in Delhi do not give women full access, but the countrys most famous Sufi shrine, the Moinuddin Chisti dargah at Ajmer, has no such restrictions. The rule on entry of women, dargah caretakers have said, is based on tradition. When talks with the shrine trustees did not solve the matter, the women contacted the National Commission for Minorities, the National Commission for Women and ministers. In August 2014, they petitioned the Bombay High Court. After eight hearings, the court struck down the ban on womens entry into the sanctum. The trust challenged the order in the Supreme Court, only to tell the apex court that they have, as a progressive step, decided to lift the ban. On Tuesday, about 60 women, walked along the narrow causeway that links the rocky islet housing the shrine to the city, and entered the chamber that holds the marble-covered tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a 14th century trader who gave away his wealth and died a pauper. As the women prayed, a Qawwali group sat in the shrines courtyard, singing Piya Haji Ali in praise of the saint. For Muslim women, the Haji Ali judgment is more than just a permission to enter the sanctum of a religious shrine; their success has created the path for more fights against discriminatory social laws. By taking on patriarchal diktats, the women have set the agenda for more reforms in social, religious and marital laws. After their victory, the groups that supported the campaign said that their next fight will be to get triple talaq banned. The women from Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), which had filed the petition, and their supporters like the Haji Ali Sab Ke Liye Forum have said that the case sets a precedent. Noorjehan Safia Niaz, co-founder of BMMA, had said that the order was a victory for democratic values, womens power, constitutional values and Quranic values. The petitioners had said that they were happy that the dispute went to the Supreme Court. The petitions passage though the apex court has ensured that the case will have national repercussions. manoj.nair@hindustantimes.com SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi youngsters are all set to take Paris by storm, for the closing of Namaste Francea festival which started two months ago to showcase Indias vibrant culture to the world. For the final show, participants will present a Kuchipudi performance on November 30. Atisha Pratap , along with other youngsters Yashasvini Jindal, Sanjana Jain, Divyangna Ahuja and Mahesh, are all excited to be performing at Cite de la musique-Philharmonie de Paris. Atisha Pratap, a 16-year-old dancer will be performing the Mahanatam at the Namaste France festival, along with others. We are performing Mahanatam, the choreography, which we have performed earlier in Singapore. It is the dance of Lord Shiva and I feel happy to represent my country in France. Also, it is my first trip to Paris, so Im excited. I hope I dont leave anything behind, says Atisha, who was busy packing when HT spoke to her. Our culture is so rich. The guru-shishya culture that we follow when learning Indian classical dance, is different. The way I respect my dance gurus is not the same as my school teachers, adds Atisha. When we were invited to perform at this prestigious festival, we thought of presenting the choreographed piece on the dance of Shiva. This is one of guru Raja Reddys most acclaimed performance, says Kaushalya Reddy, from Natya Tarangini Raja Radha Reddys dance academy. The performance is part of the Classical Music and Kuchipudi Show, which will begin with a concert by renowned Indian violinist L Subramaniam What do the girls have in mind once the performance is over? Atisha says, We have thought of making a video by posing, in our dance costumes, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Looks like theres a new viral video to look forward to! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been helming the Madhya Pradesh government for over a decade now. HT spoke to him a day before he completed 11 years as its chief minister. Excerpts from the interview: How would you rate your 11-year-long journey as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh? It was good. The first day of becoming the chief minister, I never thought anything big had happened. Even today, I cant bring myself to believe the position is anything very significant. In the back of my mind, I have always tried to think of ways to better the lives of my 7.5-crore family. Did you expect to serve as the chief minister for such a long time? When I took over this position, I never expected anything like this. Its only through continued work that I have reached this stage today. What would you say were your biggest successes in the last 11 years? The state of the infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh especially roads, power connectivity and water supply was in real bad shape when I took over. Now, we are a power-surplus state, and are doing very well in terms of agriculture. As far as the social sector is concerned, we have tried to empower women as well as the poor. Please cite some major challenges you faced in your tenure. Initially, the biggest challenge was to arrange funds for development projects. But I soon realised that if there is genuine keenness to do something good, budget is never a problem. We made roads in PPP mode. The second challenge concerned implementation of the projects, and we took several steps to remedy this. The third challenge was to unite the people in taking the development process forward. We launched campaign Aao banaye Madhya Pradesh, and launched a state anthem to unite the people with the government. In a democracy, the government cannot work without support from the people. You were virtually airdropped into the chief ministers shoes in 2005, with no experience in administering a state. Who guided you initially? Mai aaj tak apna guru khoj raha hun (Even now, I am looking for my mentor). If you are sincere about discharging your duties, your inner self will inspire you to take important decisions. You will also learn new things. I always wanted to work for the people, and thats how I managed to sail through the last 11 years. I always drew inspiration from Swami Vivekananda. Who do you think was the best chief minister before you? Thats a difficult question. Each had different personalities with diverse priorities at varied phases of time. It will be difficult to rate them. I think all the chief ministers contributed immensely during their time, in their own capacities. You are called mama (maternal uncle) by the people. How did you become a mama? In 2006, we decided to launch the Laadli Laxmi Yojona to empower the girl child in Madhya Pradesh. The state government would deposit 30,000 into the bank account of each family that had a girl child, linking it with their education and marriage. Soon, people began saying that I played the role of a mama for poor girls in the state. I am proud to be called Shivraj mama. What are the issues that troubled you in the last 11 years? I feel bad when I work so hard for the people, but still get blamed for the wrong reasons. The world of politics has turned really murky. Now, if anyone cannot challenge you electorally, they try to malign your image. What can one do if this is the current trend in politics? However, the truth will always prevail in the end. How long would you like to continue in politics? I will serve the people of Madhya Pradesh until Im still healthy enough to do so. Though MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was dogged in his stance that a CBI probe must not be ordered into Vyapam scam-linked deaths, he changed his mind when Delhi-based journalist Akshay Singh died under mysterious circumstances at Meghnagar near Jhabua in July 2015. At a press conference held immediately after the incident, he said the central agency was best equipped to deal with the scam. Akshay was investigating a string of Vyapam-related deaths, including that of 19-year-old medico Namrata Damor, when he collapsed never to rise again. Made similar U-turns on the state cabinets decisions Chouhan made similar U-turns on the state cabinets decision to allow the sale of Indian-made foreign liquor at country liquor outlets and that on the smart city project in Bhopal. These are just a few instances that demonstrate Chouhans ability to sense the troubles ahead, and his penchant for changing stands before political rivals could turn the tables on him. Even if Chouhans 11 years as the Madhya Pradesh chief minister to attain completion on November 29 comes largely on the back of a weak opposition and a strong support base, the number of controversies dogging him hasnt made it any easier. Crushed a rebellion by political rival Uma Bharti Besides beating the Congress out of power, one of Chouhans biggest achievements has been crushing a rebellion by political rival Uma Bharti and compelling her to merge her Bharatiya Janshakti Party with the BJP even after it won five assembly seats in the 2008 assembly polls. Through the years, he has managed to sideline detractors within the party and create an aura of invincibility around him through a combination of hard work, humility and electoral triumphs. Making political somersaults is his strength. Though he no longer enjoys excellent relations with the BJPs central leadership (LK Advani even believed he was PM material), Chouhan has never missed an opportunity to impress Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the occasion demands it. In the most recent instance, he got Modi to inaugurate the Shourya Smarak at Bhopal immediately after India carried out a surgical strike across the LoC and in his speech referred to him as Superman. On another occasion, Chouhan had called the Prime Minister a Yug Purush (man of the era). He also took proactive measures to ensure the success of Modis cleanliness campaign and the implementation of his other initiatives including demonetisation. Turning an adverse situation to his advantage is an art Shivraj has mastered Turning an adverse situation to his advantage is an art Shivraj has mastered. The dumper scandal has been left far behind. He even managed to survive the Vyapam scam probably the biggest scandal in Madhya Pradeshs history. In comparison, his predecessors Uma Bharti and Babulal Gaur had to step down over comparatively flimsy charges, said a senior BJP leader on the condition of anonymity. The leader said Chouhan has worked hard to get where he stands. Its not like Shivraj has climbed to the top without doing anything. He toils round the clock. After winning an election, he doesnt rest on his laurels. Instead, he starts preparing for the next election whether it concerns the assembly, Lok Sabha or a bypoll. Shivraj stands on solid ground because he produces results, he added. Interestingly, Chouhans act has helped defy some myths too. Every Simhastha fair in the state, held once in 12 years, has witnessed political upheavals with chief ministers being forced to step down from power. Things, however, worked out differently on this occasion. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has maintained his image as a popular leader in the state, said BJP MP Prahlad Patel, who had raised the dumper issue in the state when he was still a Bharatiya Janshakti leader. However, the Congress sought to play down his image as a leader sympathetic to the peoples cause. If Shivraj has completed 11 years, its because he has succeeded in creating a false image that proclaims him as a down-to-earth person, a maternal uncle (mama) of children who he is accessible to everybody. However, the fact is Madhya Pradesh has witnessed no development under his rule, said senior leader Manak Agrawal. A party colleague said the Congress urgently needs to corner the BJP on the states poor economic and human development indicators, rising crime against women, and scams like Vyapam. MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has completed 11 years in office, on Monday said his New Year resolution would be to provide around 50 lakh landless residents of the state with space for house construction. Speaking to Hindustan Times at his official residence on Shyamla Hills, Chouhan said the government would prioritise the issue because he cant stand to see people living without roofs over their heads. When asked where the land was going to come from, he said there was no reason why the poor shouldnt be given property when the same was being done for industrialists. He said though people occupying government land could be removed to facilitate development projects, steps would be taken for their rehabilitation. Chouhan blamed the proliferation of slums in cities across Madhya Pradesh on unplanned development. If urban zones were planned properly, they would have space for those from weaker sections too. This is the reason for my renewed focus on the planned development of cities, he said. The chief minister said he would also ensure that talented students from poor families get an opportunity to pursue higher studies. If students from the state qualify for IITs, IIMs or any other reputed institute, they need not worry about money or bank loans. The government will shoulder that responsibility, he added. Chouhans dream projects for the coming year also include the Namami Devi Narmade a peoples movement to protect the environment. Starting December 11, it promises to be an 82-day journey focused on afforestation, sanitation, soil and water conservation, pollution control measures, and promotion of organic farming methods. The holy Narmada is very important for the state, and we will try to preserve it in every possible way, Chouhan said. Massive plantation work would be undertaken along the river banks, and steps would be taken to stem the flow of untreated effluent into the water body, he added. The Chouhan government will also take up a new irrigation campaign titled Each drop, more crop in the state. Through this, we will replace the use of canal water with sprinklers. We will also lay pipes across the state, so farmers can benefit from better water supply to their fields, he said. Ruling a big state like Madhya Pradesh has its own sets of challenges. In the last 11 years, Chouhan has not only faced challenges from the past, but there have been new ones that have kept him on his toes. Alleviating poverty Even now nearly one-third of the population is poor. About 2.3 crore people (31.6%), are poor as compared to 21.9% at the national level, according to Suresh Tendulkar Methodology. However, according to 2014 C Rangarajan panel report, there are nearly 3.2 crore poor people (44.3 %) as compared to 29.5 % at the national level. Delivering happiness MP set up a happiness department in July, but it remains to be seen how much it can make a difference. In a state beset with malnutrition deaths and farmer suicides, any effort to deliver happiness at the institutional level is a daunting task. And,what will be the definition of happiness? Safety of children Official data shows that MP is among one of the most unsafe states in India. Between February 1 last year to January 31 this year, 2,552 minors were raped and another 122 were gang raped. The NCRB data for 2015 shows 35 cases of sexual abuse and crimes against children were reported daily. It also revealed overall 12,859 instances of crime against children were reported last year. Safety of women Crime data reveals on an average 12 women are raped every day. According to the 2015 NCRB data, Madhya Pradesh reported highest number of rape cases (4,391) in India. Bringing down cases of sexual exploitation and violence against women is one of the biggest challenges for Chouhan. Infant deaths Bringing down infant deaths is another Herculean task. For last 12 years, Madhya Pradesh has topped the country in infant mortality rate, putting a question mark on the state governments initiatives and claims on improving healthcare. MP has the highest infant mortality rate with 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. Malnutrition deaths Scores of malnutrition nutrition deaths in Shivpuri district makes it clear that malnutrition is still claiming young lives. Over 42 % of the children under the age of 5 are stunted (height for age), 25.8 % are wasted (low weight-for-height) and 42.8 % are underweight. Farmer suicides Though the state boasts of robust agricultural growth, three farmer suicides are reported on an average daily. There have been 18,687 farmer suicides between 2001 and 2015. Crops losses due to scanty rainfall, drought or hailstorm/heavy rainfall, delay in compensation often force farmers to take the extreme step of ending lives. Poor healthcare The state of healthcare can be imagined when a collector has to struggle to get basic medical facilities. This is not all. Botched up eye surgeries, fire breaking out in the special newborn care units, infants dying after being administered nitrous oxide instead of oxygen show healthcare needs a major revamp. Exorcising the ghost of Vyapam The multi-crore Vyapam scam has dented the image of Madhya Pradesh. The involvement of high-profile persons and the mysterious deaths of witnesses have raised questions over law and order as well as governance. The opposition Congress consistently raises issues related to Vyapam scam to embarrass the government. Luring investors The government has organised five Global Investment Summits since 2007 but it been often criticized not all big promises materialize later. There are many sectors such as tourism despite having good potential which are in need of proper marketing. Political bickering Chouhans invincibility bothered Congress in the state. But the opposition party won the Ratlam-Jhabua Lok Sabha bypoll and five out of eight local body elections last year. Though BJP won both the Shahdol bypoll, the winning margin dropped. There are two bypoll in March next year. BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya targeting the government makes it clear that the rift between the two leaders is widening Requests have started pouring in from various European countries for having an open sky agreement with India after the government announced a change of rules in the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP). An open sky agreement between two nations allows carriers from respective countries to operate any number of flights to any city in that country. Under the NCAP, India has decided to enter into open skies agreement with SAARC countries and with those beyond 5,000-km radius from Delhi. However, the aviation ministry has restricted the number of stations that a foreign airline can operate in, under this agreement. The first request came from Greece, with which we have already signed an agreement. We are also hopeful of having similar agreements with Netherlands and Sweden for which talks have been held. We have also received a request for open skies from Georgia, said a senior aviation ministry official. Under the agreement with Greece, while Indian carriers can operate any number of flights to any destination in that country, airlines from that country will be allowed to fly to six Indian cities. Having an open skies agreement with countries beyond 5000 km radius, a brainchild of aviation secretary RN Choubey, should help significantly enhance Indias international connectivity, say experts. There is a huge Indian diaspora in the West. Indian carriers have limited international operations and other than Air India and Jet Airways none operates long haul flights. Removing restrictions on flights from these countries to India will enhance connectivity, said an expert. The aviation ministry has through the external affairs ministry written to all countries with which India has bilateral air services agreement informing them about the open skies policy. Those countries which are beyond 5000 kms are free to come and renegotiate the air services agreement with us, said a ministry official. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BJP MP from Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini appealed the non-jats and backwards of the state to get united for a new political alternative before next assembly election of the state, on Monday. Aise ghut ghut kar jeena bhi koi jeena hai, aap log ek khuli jail me jee rahe ho, said Saini, while addressing a gathering at Samajik Samanta rally organised on the death anniversary of Jyotirao Phule at Kurukshetra. People in Haryana have become habitual to living under the terror of a particular community that has only 10% share in the state population, but dominate government jobs, especially the police, he said adding, there is a need for non-jats to unite for a new alternative. The first time MP added that all government jobs should be reserved for all communities as per their share in the population. 100% reservation will help in bringing social equality as youth of all communities will get equal chance in government jobs, he added. Saini, also demanded that the Rajya Sabha should also be abolished saying that members of the opposition parties get united in the upper house to stop important bills passed by the government in the Lak Sabha. He also demanded that MGNREGA should be linked with the agriculture to provide labour to the farmers at cheaper rates and MGNREGA workers will get work for 300 days. A population bill should also be passed to make it two children law mandatory. Saini, however, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking step of Demonetisation and said that the move will help to end corruption and black money. But he slammed the BJP lead state government and alleged that the government was working under the pressure of leaders of a particular community. Police withdrew section 307 of IPC from the youths, who attacked on me and their leaders honoured them at a function, what message they want to give to our youths, he added. Union minister for reservation in judiciary, private sector Addressing the gathering, union minister of state for human resource development Upendra Kushwaha, who was chief guest of the rally, demanded that the reservation should be given in appointments in judiciary and private sector. Despite having a big share in the population, youth from backward classes are lagging behind in appointments in the judiciary and private sector. There is a need for reservation in these sectors, he added. National president of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, Kushwaha, extended his support to Saini, saying that his party will support Sainis fight for social equality. However, BJP leaders from the state stayed away from the rally. Not even a single leader from BJP was present at the rally. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON I was raised to revere Fidel Castro. I grew up in India in the 1970s and 80s, when Cubas revolutionary leader was portrayed, by our media and political leaders alike, as a saviour of his people and one of the Third Worlds champions in the political contest against the First. As I grew older, and became more aware that he was a communist dictator, I was still inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, if for no other reason than the fact that he was a friend of India. It took a trip to Cuba to knock Castro off the pedestal in my mind. It was the summer of 2009, Castro was about to turn 83, and had been out of office slightly less than a year, having handed the reins to his brother Raul. Castro had ruled the country since 1959, when he toppled the repressive dictator Fulgencio Batista. Given the duration of his reign and the sheer ubiquity of it there could be no doubt that the Cuba I saw was entirely the expression of his will, his vision for what his country should be. Read: Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who defied US for 50 years, dies And what a dark, depressing vision it was. Cubans were unfree and unhappy, their country decrepit. Poverty was everywhere: The average official salary was around $25, a pittance even when offset by State-provided education, healthcare and subsidised housing. Most people scrounged together a living by working second and third jobs, even though this was illegal. The Malecon, a lovely corniche that is iconic to Havana as Marine Drive is to Mumbai, was full of prostitutes, many of them plainly children. Late at night, many of them relocated to the lobby of my hotel, one of Havanas finest; some of the girls were being pimped by their fathers. Most citizens had no Internet, and only the elite had mobile phones. Never mind imported goods, even some Cuban products were out of reach for locals, usually by official fiat. Invited to the rehearsals of one of the islands most famous bands, I brought a couple of bottles of 7-year-old local rum, purchased from the duty-free shop in my hotel. My hosts reacted as if Id brought them the finest champagne: They explained that locals have no access to their countrys best rum. Read: Cuba at crossroads: What next for the communist island after Fidels death? In Havana and Cienfuegos, the two cities I visited, shops and markets were poorly supplied. Fish and vegetables were scarce, which was mystifying since Cuba is surrounded by seas, and the countryside is lush. The food in State-run restaurants was tasteless, but you could get a halfway decent meal in a paladar, one the private eateries (often no more than a dining room in the cooks home) permitted by the government to feed tourists. Although technically on vacation, I had been given some local contacts by friends in New York, and I asked one of them if hed help me meet some independent-minded people. The easiest way to do that is to go outside and paint some anti-Castro signs on a wall, he said, with a mischievous smile. The police will throw you in jail which is where youll find most of the independent-minded people. He did take me to see a prominent dissident who was not then in prison. I was greeted with mock-reproach: So youre the one from America, the country responsible for all our problems. The joke alluded to a long-standing fallacy that Cubas wretchedness is the result of the US embargo imposed in the early 1960s. The Castro regime has used this ever since as a ready excuse for its own ineptitude and corruption, but the dissident knew better. No other major country joined the American blockade, and Cuba had plenty of opportunity to build strong economic relations with other countries that would have compensated for the loss of the US market, goods and capital. Indeed, it could have become prosperous on the strength of its tourism potential alone. The year of my visit, Cuba received over 2 million foreign tourists, enough to create substantial wealth for its population of 11 million. (For context, India, with a population of over 1 billion, received 5.5 million foreigners that same year.) To more efficiently exploit tourists, the government requires foreigners to use a special currency, the Convertible Peso, pegged artificially to the US dollar essentially a form of official price-gouging. But the money thus extorted doesnt go to ordinary Cubans; someday, when the regime has finally fallen, we will learn where it went. Read: End of an era: Indian leaders pay tribute to the Cuban revolutionary leader Castros apologists frequently cite the islands education and healthcare systems as proof that the regime isnt all bad. The dissident I met gave a hollow laugh when I brought this up, saying, Slave-owners used to argue their slaves were better off in the plantations, where at least they got food and shelter, rather than in the jungles of Africa, where they could be killed by lions. These are highly selective indices, chosen to defend the regimes poor performance in many, many others. Take a broader view, using the UNs Human Development Index, and Cubas performance pales, even against other Caribbean nations. In 2009, it was behind Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda in HDI rankings, and it has only got worse since: In addition to those two neighbours, Cuba now trails Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago. Needless to say, it brings up the rear in every index of freedom, whether political, cultural or economic. According to the World Health Organization, Cubans live longer than others in the Caribbean, but I cant help thinking that theyd all be better off if one particular Cuban had not been blessed with longevity. Read: Fidel Castro: A revolutionary who brought India and Cuba closer Bobby Ghosh is editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times Twitter: @ghoshworld SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hrant Bagratyan: If you pressurize a lawmaker, the energy will flow out from another place (video) During the parliamentary discussions on the draft amendments to the Law on Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, member of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) Hrant Bagratyan addressed a question to co-rapporteur Vahram Mkrtchyan (Republican Party of Armenia-HHK). Bagratyan expressed his surprise at the fact that MPs should deliver five-minute speeches. I cannot understand: an MP should have the same equal rights as the prime minister. People elect legislators, especially opposition MPs, dont they? If you pressurize a lawmaker, the energy will flow out from another place, the HAK lawmaker said. Everyone in the hall, including Bagratyan, began to laugh at this. We should increase the role of the opposition. Does the bill allow a lawmaker to press forward with his initiative? he added. Bagratyan also expressed his surprise at the fact that a leader of a parliamentary faction can vote for a lawmaker in accordance with his mandate. What is the meaning of this innovation? Who has the right to vote instead of a lawmaker? I have got the impression that the parliamentary majority is creating guarantees for itself. Besides, no one has the right to oust a lawmaker from the faction; a lawmaker has his own opinion which should be respected. Air quality in Delhi finally became cleaner on Tuesday but more bad days are yet to come. While the Air Quality Index is hovering in very poor range, the 24-hour rolling average of PM 10 and PM 2.5 touched moderate on Tuesday morning, according to System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data. Air in Delhi got a bit cleaner on Tuesday but worse days are yet to come. While the Air Quality Index is hovering in the very poor range, the 24-hour rolling average of PM10 and PM2.5 was moderate on Tuesday morning, according to System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data. On Tuesday morning, PM10 was 152 microgram per cubic metre while PM 2.5 clocked 70. Later in the day, however, it became poor with PM10 reaching 270 microgram per cubic metre while PM 2.5 touched 107. In the evening, the two increased to 312 and 132 microgram per cubic metre, respectively. PM2.5 and PM10 are ultrafine particles the dominant pollutants in Delhi. The 24-hour prescribed standards of PM 2.5 and PM10 are 60 and 100 microgram per cubic metre respectively. Read: Lets fight pollution: Smog over, but the battle against Delhis toxic air isnt However, the pollution levels are expected to plummet over the next few days. Gufran Beig, the countrys leading atmospheric scientist, told Hindustan Times that strong winds are responsible for the cleaner air in the city, which usually is more polluted in the winter. The air quality is expected to become very poor in few days once the wind speed becomes falls and will remain foul till February, he said. The air quality this time in Delhi is much better than a typical winter, when the pollution level increases. The moment the wind stops, the air quality might go back to being very poor, Beig said. The main factors that influence Delhis air quality are wind speed and direction. A MeT official said the climatic factors that led to good visibility and concurrently good air quality over Delhi NCR for past fortnight are changing. The winds have become calm today (Tuesday) and are likely to be easterly, north easterly from November 30 to December 3. This will contribute to increase in moisture and reduction in visibility over the Indo-Gangetic plain, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 23-year-old man allegedly bludgeoned his 27-year-old brother to death using a dumbbell after the two had a fight over the latters girlfriend visiting their rented accommodation in north Delhis Burari . The incident was reported in the wee hours of Monday. Hitesh Kumar Verma, a Sanskrit professor, had reportedly been living with his brother Himanshu, a DU student, in Delhi for the past two years. The brothers hail from Jhansi. According to the police, on Monday, at 1.30am Hitesh called his girlfriend home and asked Himanshu to leave the house. Himanshu, however, refused saying that he had nowhere to go. An argument ensued and Verma allegedly threw a dumbbell at Himanshu and even punched him in the face. In retaliation, Himanshu picked up the same dumbbell and thrashed his brother with it. He repeatedly hit the dumbbell on his head and killed him. According to the police, they received a PCR call at around 3 am by Himanshu, almost one hour after the incident. To evade arrest, Himanshu reportedly cooked up a story and told the police that two men had barged inside their house and murdered his brother. Himanshu stated that Verma fell in love with a girl after he started his job, but kept the relationship a secret. He feared that Himanshu would complain to their parents. However, after some time, Hitesh told Himanshu about the girl and she started visiting them often. Himanshu said that earlier she visited once a week but of late she started visiting them every day. He said that each time she visited, Verma would ask him to leave the house which enraged him, an investigator said. During interrogation, Himanshu told the cops that he was jealous of his brother and hated it when he was asked to go out. He said that Hitesh was very dominating and did not treat him well. Police have registered a case of murder against Himanshu. The Delhi University adopted recent University Grants Commissions amendments, which teachers claim could lead to around 4,000 temporary teachers losing their jobs due to changed workload. DUs academic council on Tuesday met to discuss UGC notifications and recommendations of a vice-chancellor appointed committee on the issue of appointments and promotion of teachers in colleges and departments, amid protests from teachers. The agenda was to consider a proposal to adopt the gazette notifications issued by University Grants Commission (UGC) on 4th May 2016 (3rd Amendment) and July 11, 2016 (4th Amendment) regarding minimum qualification for appointment of teachers and other academic staff. DU Registrar Tarun Das released a statement late night and said, Today the AC deliberated upon the issue of 3rd and 4th amendments of the UGC Regulation in all its ramifications and adopted the same amendments in principle. Teachers demanded that the university expand the committee and review its recommendations. The existing committee is not representative as there are no elected teacher members. The academic council has decided to accept our demands and defer the proposal to accept UGC notifications. The committee will be expanded and will give its recommendations, said Nachiketa Singh, an academic council member. The university statement said the expanded committee will look into the operational aspects in context of DU and its colleges. Teachers had earlier this year boycotted the evaluation process against the UGC guidelines on their service conditions. The protest was also against the Academic Performance Indicator (API)the point system which determines their promotion levels. Teachers claim the UGC notification makes the API stringent. In May, the Delhi University vice chancellor had appointed a three-member committee to look into the issue of appointments. The committee comprises head of geology department Devesh Sinha, head of plant molecular biology JP Khurana and head of political science Navnita Chadha Behera. The committee had asked DU colleges to provide information on the workload and specialization of all teachers. Teachers said the committees recommendations in the present format will lead to ad-hocs losing their jobs. For making appointments the committee has suggested a breakup of 50% for academic record and research, 20% for assessment of domain knowledge, 10% for teaching skills and 20% for interview. This will adversely impact ad-hocs as their experience of years of teaching will not be of much significance, said an academic council member on condition of anonymity. Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) had in a meeting on Monday decided to oppose the move. The work on Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway has been hit as farmers at Sahajapur village in Faridabad have intensified protests demanding a separate road to connect their farms. Farmers have denied officials of Oriental Structural Engineers Limited access to their farms, tubewells and other sources from where soil and water was being used for the project. The company is responsible for the construction of a part of the eway. The National Highways Authority of India has now approached the district administration for mediation. Though the villagers were on a sit-in in Sahajapur since October, the farmers stopped the constructing company from using water and soil from their farmlands for the project, which includes a 600-metre bridge on Yamuna on Monday. The protest continued on Tuesday. NHAI is laying Eastern Peripheral Expressway connecting Palwal with Kundli via Ghaziabad in which our land also was acquired without looking into our concerns, said Bikram Singh, a farmer. Our farmland is spread across Yamuna. After this expressway is completed, it will be difficult for us to reach our agricultural land for cultivation as under the current plan there is no provision for a separate way, Suraj Pal Bhura, member of Kisan Sangarsh Samiti. The farmers had reportedly met and raised the demand before outgoing NHAI chairman Raghav Chandra when he visited the area to oversee the progress of the project in July 13. Villagers said their demands have, however, been ignored. The district administration is in the know of the development in the last two days, said Kishore Kanyal, project director of the 135-km-long KGP. The National Expressway 2, also known as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway is designed to connect Kundli in Haryana to Palwal in Haryana via Ghaziabad. The route would by-pass Delhi on the eastern side and go through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh crossing the districts of Sonipat, Faridabad, Baghpat, Gaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. The foundation stone for the project was laid in November 2015 but work took off in February 2016. The deadline for the project is July 2018. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Battling cancer at AIIMS, Dorris Francis is hopeful that she will return to help people at the traffic signal where her young daughter died in an accident in 2009. Francis, a 57-year-old traffic volunteer, had been managing traffic at the busy Khoda-Indirapuram intersection on National Highway-24. She was diagnosed with cancer in October-end when she underwent tests for abdominal pain. Ever since, her family has been trying to gather money for her treatment. Her daughter sold her bike for Rs 20,000 and her husband, Victor, has been trying to get a loan against his house. Hindustan Times on November 29 reported how Francis family was struggling to manage her treatment. A number of people have offered support to the family. And, Francis is hopeful that she will be all right soon. I am upset I am not able to deliver on the promise I had made to myself... dont know whether I will be able to walk properly or not. The doctors said I will have take complete bed rest for 5-6 months. But, now with everyone coming out to support me, I will try my best not to let them down, said Francis, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS. Read: Indirapuram traffic volunteer battles cancer, family struggles financially A number of good Samaritans have come out to support her family. I have been in a similar situation when I nearly lost my brother who was hit by a mini-truck on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway. I can understand the plight of the family. My husband and I want to help Mr Victor and the family in every possible way we can..., said Swati Nargotra in an e-mail to HT. Like others, a number of residents from Indirapuram have come out in support of the Francis family. A number of residents have contributed through cheques to help out the family. We are organising a camp on weekend where people can meet her husband, said Alok Kumar, founder, Federation of Apartment Owners Association, Indirapuram. Dorris daughter Monika, who is tending her at AIIMS, said, She has been operated for a gynaecological problem which had arisen out of the cancer. Some people from the medical fraternity have also approached us and promised that they will get her treated at a hospital in Ghaziabad. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the first week of November this year, the capitals 24-hour average air pollution 900micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter finer than 2.5 micrometers was 40 times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines (25ug/m3) and around 15 times higher than the Indian standards (60ug/m3). All segments of the citys population children, senior citizens, construction labourers, street workers, people who work from home as well as sportspersons were affected by the envelop of smog. If confinement was a problem for children, senior citizens were particularly vulnerable to breathing ailments; if exposure was extremely high for construction workers, even those working from home were forced to take precautions; where street workers like auto drivers and vendors had no choice but to go out for daily bread and butter, sportspersons had to abandon their training schedules. When pollution levels go up, people living with chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis, experience an aggravation of symptoms. Pollution also results in hypertension, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, said Dr Srikant Sharma, senior consultant physician at Moolchand hospital. Read more | Explainer: All you need to know about Delhi air pollution A report released by WHO showed that one in every four children in the capital suffers from serious lung disorders. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), PM2.5 levels over 250ug/m3 can adversely affect even those who are healthy. Health experts said that the fine PM2.5 which can embed itself in the respiratory and cardiac system has been linked to up to 16,200 premature deaths a year in Delhi. It is also responsible for a staggering 6 million asthma attacks annually. Apart from particulate matter, Delhis air is a concoction of toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides, which cause a range of short and long term health effects including reduced lung capacity and shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure also affects the functions of heart and causes cancer. Worse than the worse The pollution levels in the city this year broke several records. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the smog on November 6 was worse than the great London smog of 1952 which had caused around 4,000 premature deaths. An IIT Kanpur study showed that stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, use of diesel cars, construction and road dust and coal-based power plants were the major contributors to poor air quality in Delhi. Usually, winter in Delhi is the time when pollution levels are at peak. The existing contributors combine with poor weather conditions and low winds, making the pollution particles settle on the surface. In the face of such acute pollution levels and disruption of normal life, the government could only muster a lukewarm response. On November 3, an emergency meeting was called by the Union environment secretary, with the environment secretaries of five states-Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. It ended with the decision to shut down brick kilns, regulate use of diesel gensets and to conduct drives against polluting vehicles. After a few days, the Delhi government too, came up with measures like mist fountains, road vacuuming, and water sprinkling on road sides. However, these emergency measures cannot solve the problem of deteriorating air quality in the long run. Moreover, these measures were forgotten as soon as the air quality improved marginally after a week because of the westerly winds blowing into Delhi. The Delhi government asked people to stay away from work but offered no compensation to those who could not, or whose livelihood suffered. Facts In the first week of November, Delhis 24-hour average air pollution was 40 times higher than WHO guidelines. PM2.5 levels over 250ug/m3 can adversely affect even those who are healthy Apart from particulate matter, Delhis air has toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides A WHO report shows that one in every four children in Delhi suffers from serious lung disorders The solutions Emergency measures may have helped to mitigate the smog conditions but what Delhi needs is a regional plan to tackle pollution at large. To begin with, we can take lessons from Chinas Beijing, which has been facing a similar problem. Though Beijing was the worlds most polluted city for almost a decade, it has now taken some far-reaching and difficult measures to ensure that the worse is over. According to NASAs satellite data, the PM 2.5 levels across India got worse by 13% between 2010 and 2015, while Chinas steadily improved. Last year was the worst on record for India in terms of particulate pollution and the best in China. PM 2.5 levels across China fell by 17% between 2010 and 2015 with quite a dramatic improvement towards 2015 (Beijing saw a 16% annual fall in PM 2.5 levels). The data by Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) also showed that more people died in India because of exposure to outdoor air pollution than in China last year. In India, 3,283 deaths were reported in 2015, while in China there were 3,233 premature deaths per day. It clearly indicates that Chinas strong measures to tackle pollution have contributed to the year-on-year air quality improvement on record, while in contrast, Indias pollution levels have increased over the past decade, said Sunil Dahiya, India campaigner for NGO Greenpeace, which analysed the data. China has instituted a broad, regionally coordinated system of air pollution monitoring. It has installed high-tech pollution abatement equipment on a majority of its power plants and devised means to restrict car ownership in major cities. Dahiya also said that the governments and citizens should come together to implement measures against pollution. Making noise merely when the pollution levels rise, will not help, we need a comprehensive plan for the next 365 days, he added. In October 1948, a small industrial town of Donora, in Pennsylvania (USA) experienced its worst smog spells. After two days, 20 people died and over 7000 people were hospitalised, according to government data. The Donora disaster, however, paved way for the Clean Air Act which was finally passed in 1963. The act was amended in 1970. This is exactly what Delhi needs a strong pollution control plan, which will pave a road map for the years to come. CALL FOR ACTION In the next seven days, Hindustan Times will highlight how different categories of people in Delhi are affected by its foul air and how poisonous elements have wreaked havoc on peoples health, livelihood and lifestyle. In the coming week, we call for action from the government and give insights into what you can do as citizens in curbing the rising pollution levels. Write to us at webresponse@hindustantimes.com with your suggestions or tweet to us with #LetsFightPollution. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In recent times, there have been several reports that female representation in the workforce in India is not adequate and that is hampering the countrys economic growth. Among the several reasons for this situation is the lack of adequate and trustworthy support structures for women with young children, even for those who can afford good creches and day care centres. Here is what has made us skeptical: Last week, a nine-month-old girl suffered severe head injuries in a brutal assault at a daycare centre at Kharghar, near Mumbai. The owner of the centre and one member of the staff were arrested on Thursday based on CCTV footage, which showed the staff member assaulting the child. The police arrested the owner of the centre and the help, booking them under Sections 325, 34 and 23 of the Indian Penal Code, and produced them before a court, which granted bail to the owner of the facility. The medical report revealed that the assault had been vicious, resulting in bleeding in the girls brain. There was also a suspicious fracture involving the occipital bone in the midline. Read: Nine-month-old girl assaulted at Mumbai daycare centre, 2 arrested After the incident came to light, the Navi Mumbai police commissioner used his discretionary powers to instruct all child care centres to implement several precautions such as installing CCTV cameras, linking CCTV cameras to computers to digital devices of parents and police certification for the staff within 90 days. These are positive steps but, as always, the trick is in implementing them and keeping a regular check on the schools. Two years ago, there was a huge furore --- rightly so --- over the rape of a young student inside her school premises in Bangalore. There were many suggestions on how to make our schools secure but a spot check will show that we have not moved ahead much. Read: Daycare centre assault:Think tanks 10-point advisory for creches Experts said children left at day care centres are at risk because the government does not have any regulation over this sector. Whats worse, even teachers and attendants do not have to be qualified for the work. In countries like Britain and the United Arab Emirates, day care staffers need to be qualified in baby-sitting courses. As more and more families become nuclear and women go out to work, there will be a spurt in demand for such day care centres. It is probably about time that standardisation along with a certification process for day care centres based on stringent norms are put in place. Ever since the Distance Education Council (DEC) of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) was dissolved in 2012, open universities in the country have faced a number of challenges. Most of them have not been able to start courses because of lack of approvals. Some institutes have also not been allocated development funds. Regulatory powers related to open and distance learning (ODL) were transferred to the University Grants Commission (UGC) after the dissolution and it was given the task of framing new regulations. However, it was decided that till the new rules were notified DEC guidelines for recognition of ODL institutions would be implemented. No new courses since 2014 have been recognised, says Professor Nageshwar Rao, VC of Uttarakhand State Open University. We cannot start any new course. Even after inspection and permission by statutory bodies such as the National Council for Teacher Education and Rehabilitation Council of India, open universities are waiting for approval for starting such courses since 2014. Courses developed during 2013/14 have become obsolete. The ODL system cannot contribute to the initiatives and thrust of the government regarding higher education, especially digital India and skilling. The HRD minister had directed the distance education regulator to allow ODL universities to start certificate and diploma courses on their own on August 30 this year, but Professor Rao said he had yet to receive the order. The absence of a regulator affects quality of education imparted and new initiatives in distance education mode. The DEC should be revived or a new regulatory body should be formed. If both are not possible, the UGC should be given adequate manpower to support this activity of regulating ODL institutions as the ODL system requires a different approach. At present, UGC as regulator monitors the ODL system with the mindset of conventional education, Prof Rao adds. Ignou was, in August 2016, granted approval by the regulator to resume PhD courses but some other state open universities have yet to receive a letter of approval. Most of the state universities are also struggling to get funding from the UGCs Distance Education Bureau for their developmental initiatives as the regulator is now insisting that such institutes be recognised under Section 12(B). For recognition under this section, the UGC revised the provisions for an ODL university to have 15 acres of land. As no notification was issued to implement this, the review has become redundant and ODL universities are suffering, says Professor Rao. On other challenges, Professor Ashok Sharma, vice chancellor, Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Kota, says, We are struggling to get recognition for new courses. We were assured that we will get permission till October-November for the January admission cycle but we are yet to receive the approvals. Getting grants is also a problem. The Central government has allocated `100 crore as grant for state open universities but the funds are not released yet. We are also made to take frequent approvals for courses despite having the power to offer our own programmes. The Madhava Menon Committee also recommended that there is an urgent need to pass the Distance Education Bill which will also cover ODL courses offered by private universities. Read more: Are open learning varsities flouting UGC norms to offer PhD courses? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Centres push to transfer salaries of informal sector workers to bank accounts has made an impact in Gurgaon as more than 2,300 new accounts were opened in the last four days. Industries and construction sites are organising camps to open savings accounts for workers. However, there is reluctance among workers who feel bank accounts are useless as they do not have considerable savings. Industrial associations have pitched in to spread awareness among small-scale industries and labour contractors to get bank accounts opened for their employees. As many as 300 camps have been held since Saturday, with banks receiving more than 5,000 applications from workers for new bank accounts. The Centre has been pushing industries to open bank accounts for workers so that their full salaries are deposited in accounts and the idea of a cashless economy can be materialised. All industries have been directed to open bank accounts and start depositing salaries in those accounts, Ramesh Chandra Nayak, lead district manager, Gurgaon, said. He said there are a total of 186 bank mitras (assistants) in Gurgaon district of which 39 are active in rural areas. He said with the help of these assistants, the operators at government common service centres would be trained in cashless transactions. But workers have their reservations about opening bank accounts. What will I do with an account when I have no savings? Our salary is so less that we spend most of it on meeting daily expenses and send the remaining to our villages, Uday Singh Gaya in Bihar, working in an industrial unit in Sector 18, said. Deepak Maini, general secretary of Industrial Development Association, Gurgaon, said there is a lack of awareness about bank accounts among workers in small-scale industries. We are approaching small-scale industries and labour contractors to open bank accounts for workers, he said. Some small-scale industries and firms are also approaching associations to facilitate opening of accounts. Banks are holding camps in large-scale firms but there is a need to cater to small-scale industries too. We will coordinate with banks for this, Praveen Yadav, president, Gurgaon Udyog Association, said. Data of workers without bank accounts sought The lead district managers office has written to the district labour department, provident fund officials, and employees state insurance corporation officials to collect data from employers about bank accounts of employees. The information about the number of employees who have bank accounts and who do not have bank accounts has been sought. Information about banks and liaison officers is also needed so that the exact number of workers without accounts could be assessed, Nayak said. The city has been divided into three zones for collections of details. The labour department will collect details from those who are on the right side of Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway from Delhi border to Rajiv Chowk, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation will collect details from the left side, and the Employees State Insurance Corporation will collect details in the area from Rajiv Chowk to Manesar. Box: November 26 - 16 camps - 257 applications November 27 - 57 camps - 1059 applications - 70 accounts opened November 28 - 76 camps - 2125 applications - 1343 accounts opened November 29 - 160 camps - 1674 applications - 921 accounts opened SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A recent study has found that sleep deprivation affects childrens brains and their early brain development. The article was published in open access journal Frontiers. The process of sleep may be involved in brain wiring in childhood and thus affect brain maturation, said Salome Kurth, first author of the study and a researcher at the University Hospital of Zurich. This research shows an increase in sleep need in posterior brain regions in children, he added. This contrasts with what researchers know about the effects of sleep deprivation in adults, where the effect is typically concentrated in the frontal regions of the brain. After staying up too late, both children and adults need a period of deep sleep to recover. This recovery phase is characterised by an increase in an electrical pattern called slow-wave activity, which can be measured with a non-invasive technique called an electroencephalogram. With a large number of electrode channels distributed across the scalp, this method also detects which brain regions show more slow-wave activity than others. Supported by a large student team, Kurth and her colleagues, Monique LeBourgeois, professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Sean Deoni , professor at Brown University, studied the effects of 50% sleep deprivation in a group of 13 children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. The team first measured the childrens deep sleep patterns during a normal nights sleep. They then re-measured on another night after the researchers had kept the children up well past their bedtimes by reading and playing games with them. After only getting half of a nights worth of sleep, the children showed more slow-wave activity towards the back regions of the brain -- the parieto-occipital areas. This suggests that the brain circuitry in these regions may be particularly susceptible to a lack of sleep. The team also measured how this deep sleep activity correlated with the myelin content of the brain -- a cornerstone of brain development. Myelin is a fatty microstructure of the brains white matter that allows electrical information between brain cells to travel faster. It can be measured with a specific magnetic resonance imaging technique. The results show that the sleep loss effect on the brain is specific to certain regions and that this correlates with the myelin content of the directly adjacent regions: the more myelin in a specific area, the more the effect appears similar to adults, says Kurth. The maximum of what our experts can do is to make coffee (video) During the parliamentary discussions on the draft amendments to the Law on Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, lawmaker of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, Gagik Jhnagiryan, said it was a key law which comes second in our country after the Constitution. But we are discussing this important bill in a tired and half-empty hall. Should the law give an opportunity [to lawmakers] to become heroes, many would register for speeches here, the opposition lawmaker said. Naira Zohrabyan, Head of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) faction, also expressed her displeasure with the fact that the bill was being discussed in a half-empty hall. She particularly liked the provision of the bill which allows a head of a parliamentary faction to vote instead of a lawmaker in accordance with his mandate. of course, with the exception of cases when a lawmaker is sitting in a sauna or in a bar, she stressed. At the same time, Naira Zohrabyan stressed the importance of experts in parliament. Nowhere in Europe will you find a lawmaker sitting and writing a law. He only gives an idea and an expert group works on it. In the case of our experts, we find out that the maximum they can do is to make coffee. The National Assembly does not pay them for making Espresso or Turkish coffee; it has nothing to do with their parliamentary activities. Let us put filters here as well. Robert De Niro won plenty of plaudits in 1983, playing a stand-up comedian at the start of his career in King of Comedy. Here he returns to the circuit as Jackie Burke, a veteran of the trade looking for something to lift his reputation in The Comedian. Whos in it and whats it about? Two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro has become just as well known for his comedic turns (Silver Linings Playbook, Analyze This) as more serious roles (The Godfather II, Heat.) Here he plays Jackie Burke, famous for having made it big with a family-friendly show many years ago, but actually in his element when dealing out ascerbic, often cruel humor. But after assaulting a persistent heckler hes given a month in jail and 100 hours of community service. The movie also stars Leslie Mann. (Youtube grab) Its there in the soup kitchen that he meets the much younger Harmony (Leslie Mann, Knocked Up) and Jackie somehow manages to win her over. When one of his performances goes viral, his career soon shows signs of apparent improvement too. Theres a big-name cast involved with Danny DeVito playing Jackies brother, for example, as well as Cloris Leachman of Raising Hope, and many are returning De Niro co-stars: Harvey Keitel (Mean Streets) as Harmonys father, Lois Smith and Charles Grodin (both Midnight Run), Billy Crystal (Analyze This), Edie Falco (Copland) and Patty LuPone (City by the Sea) among them. Whos behind it? Robert De Niro plays Jackie Burke in the film, a veteran stand-up comedian looking for something to lift his reputation. (Youtube grab) Art Linson, who produced De Niro pictures The Untouchables, Heat and wrote less well received satire What Just Happened, worked with De Niro for years to bring The Comedian to screens. Directing is Taylor Hackford of An Officer and a Gentleman, Ray, and Parker (which featured LuPone.) Is it any good? While Robert De Niro received 2016s Hollywood Film Award for comedy, The Comedian as a whole hasnt been received so favourably. Screened at the AFI Fest in November, early reviews led to an aggregate Metacritic score of 46/100, a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 20%, and an IMDb user score of 5/10. Whens it out? A limited US release on December 2 begins a long lead-in to 2017s January 13 wider opening. Watch the trailer below: Follow @htshowbiz for more. Lucknow woke up on Tuesday morning to rows of flags featuring West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her Uttar Pradesh counterpart, Akhilesh Yadav, ahead of a scheduled rally against the governments scrapping of high-value banknotes. Hundreds of flags and hoardings dot a two-kilometre- stretch between Kalidas Marg crossing where Akhileshs residence is and 1090 crossingthe spot for Mamatas protest. The crossing is named after the states womens safety helpline. Mamatas hoardings--showing her in the middle of a protest next to a slogan of Notebandi vaapas lo (rollback demonetisation) -- occupied all the vantage points on a stretch that till Monday evening had only Akhilesh Yadav governments achievements pasted all over them. Bhaiya ne Didi ke samman me intezaam kiya hai (Akhilesh Yadav has lent a helping hand to Mamata), said a political worker who was seen fastening an Akhilesh flag and two Trinamool Congress flags each on various posts at the crossroads near Akhileshs residence. He refused to identify the party he to which he was affiliated. Mamata arrived in Lucknow on Monday evening. Akhilesh and two of his ministers received her at the airport and soon after called on her at the VVIP guest house, where Mamata is putting up. Looking at the scene, an autorickshaw driver said: It apparent Akhilesh Yadavs supporters are managing Mamatas rally. Isnt it? The Trinamool chief has appeared as the face of the protests against the governments move to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes three weeks ago a decision opposition parties say has hit the poor and farmers. Here are the ten things to know ahead of Mamatas protest: 1) The bonhomie between Akhilesh and Mamata began when the UP chief minister attended her swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata earlier this year. The two greeted each other on Monday, just the same way when Akhilesh had called on Mamata in Kolkata--Akhilesh with folded hands, Mamata in response appeared to bless Akhilesh. 2) Mamata had visited Lucknow before but this is the first time she is holding such a well-organised show. 3) Akhilesh and Mamata are on the same page so far as demonetisation is concerned. 4) The spot of the Mamatas event too is significant. The Samajwadi Party created Lohia Path where 1090 crossing - named by Akhilesh -- is located. It is from this stretch that Akhilesh launched his Vikas Rath campaign for the 2017 polls and addressed the first public meeting of his inaugural rath yatra. Mamata is the first prominent politician after Akhilesh to hold an event here. 5) Samajwadi Party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda, SP sources say, has been instrumental in bringing Mamatas protest to Lucknow. Kiranmoy Nanda, originally, is a West Bengal politician and had been a minister there for several terms. He is likely to join Mamatas event. 6) Trinamool vice-president Mukul Roy on Monday said that his party invited several political parties, including the Samajwadi Party, to join hands with the TMC in this fight against demonetisation. 7) There have been indications that Akhilesh might join Mamata at the protest, but there has not been any confirmation from the party or the UP CMs office. The CM, however, indicated his party might take part in the protest tomorrow. 8) Mamata told newspersons she urged major political parties to join hands with her to make the protests against demonetisation of currency notes a mass movement. I am a chhota leader. If everybody joins hands, it will become a mass public movement, she had said. Mamata also said: The PM has put the common man and the dacoits in the same category on the issue of demonetisation. 9) Some TMC office bearers have reached Lucknow to make the protest a success. Dr Jaymalya Ghar, who is from Bankura district of West Bengal, said she was confident that Banerjee would get support from the people of Lucknow. 10) All the flags have only Akhileshs profile picture and his partys symbol--bicycle. There are no other hoardings, flags or banners showing any other SP leaders--be it the SP state chief Shivpal Yadav or the national president Mulayam Singh Yadav. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON With the current cash crunch faced by bank branches and ATMs likely to get compounded after pay day, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has drawn up an extensive plan to try and channelise the anger against the Narendra Modi governments demonetisation drive in its favour. The AAP is not contesting the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections but its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will hold three rallies in the state in the first two weeks of December. On December 7, Kejriwal will hit the streets in Modis constituency Varanasi after holding the first rally in Meerut. AAP leaders contend that demonetisation is a move to get the common man to deposit money in banks to help them tide over the non-performing assets crisis. By trying to scuttle the Bharatiya Janata Partys plans in UP, AAP leaders feel they will be able to take on the party in its bastions. We are not contesting the UP elections but the state is the BJPs next battleground. We want to tell the people of UP the governments true design in bringing demonetisation and painting it as an exercise against black money, a senior party leader said. Most public sector and private sector employees get their salaries between the last day of the month and the next seven days and AAP expects more chaos to kick in on pay day with banks already short on cash. Can the Prime Minister tell the people after which date can people withdraw their own money from the bank to the extent they want to? Kejriwal asked, questioning the governments management of the post-demonetisation chaos. After three rallies in UP the last one in the state capital Lucknow the AAP will move its campaign to the state capitals of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan both BJP ruled states where assembly election will be held in 2018. It will also hold a rally in Jharkhand state capital Ranchi on December 22. Kejriwals rallies against demonetisation Dec 1 Meerut Dec 7 Varanasi Dec 14 Lucknow Dec 20 Bhopal Dec 22 Ranchi Dec 23 Jaipur After contesting the assembly elections in Punjab, Goa, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in 2017, AAP will focus on the three BJP-ruled states and Odisha. The party has strategically left out Odisha from its campaign because it is ruled by the Biju Janata Dal. The demonetisation protests have also brought the AAP and Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress closer. Kejriwal said on Monday he had invited Banerjee to join the rallies wherever she can. I will speak with her again, he added. Former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar recently joined the TMC in Punjab and is likely to contest the upcoming state assembly election in alliance with the AAP there. The AAP has been protesting against the Centres demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 banknotes and joined other opposition parties in a Bharat bandh on Monday to protest the November 8 announcement. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BJP supremo Amit Shah said opposition parties were upset with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation move because it hurt their interests, hitting back at those who have been rallying against the PM and the government. Untill the morning of November 8, they used to ask what is Modi doing against black money, and now they lament why Modi did this (demonetisation) against black money, Shah said while addressing BJPs Parivartan rally at SGVS college in Mahrajganj district. He said Modi was for the poor, and his decision to scrap 1,000 and 500 rupee banknotes had drowned the black money of present and former chief ministers Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati. Shah said that Modi wants to bring parivartan (change) in the country but the state government blocking it. Do you support PMs initiative of demonetisation or Bua-Bhatija (Akhilesh and Mayawati)?, Shah asked the crowd. Taking on other political rivals, Shah accused the Congress government of committing a massive scam of Rs 12 lakh crores during their 10 years at the Centre, and claimed opponents will not be able to find any cases of corruption against the ruling BJP since NDA came to power in 2014. Shahs speech was further buoyed by the fact that the BJP recently municipal elections in Maharashtra and Gujarat, apart from retaining to Lok Sabha seats and winning three assembly seats in last weeks bypolls. Modi had claimed the elections showed the peoples faith in the party. Speaking for 20 minutes, the BJP leader said the recall of the high value rupee notes had cut into the fake currency racket at the Indo-Nepal border through Mahrajganj. He also said there had been a drop in infiltration bids across the Line of Control. At Indo-Pak border gunfire was usual before the BJP government came to power. The earlier government remained silent even when our jawan were beheaded. Today, under BJP government, nobody can dare to touch our boundaries. The way the Indians troop carried out surgical strikes in Pok within 10 days of Uri attack left the entire world , including Pakistan surprised, he said. Apart from the demonetisation issue, Shah also raised issues such as triple talaq, welfare schemes and migration from Uttar Pradesh in search of jobs. Shah said the BJP will create more jobs and fight for womens rights. After Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation move, the Bharatiya Janata Party swept the civic bodies polls in Gujarat, capturing two municipalities and a taluka panchayat, according to results declared on Tuesday. The BJP was also ahead on 23 of 31 seats of various municipalities, taluka and district panchayats where by-polls were held. I salute people of Gujarat for continued trust in BJP. BJPs great win in local polls shows peoples strong faith in development politics. These results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance, Modi tweeted. Taking potshots at the Congress over the results, Gujarat BJPs media convener Harshad Patel said the result has once again proved that the entire state is with the BJP. Regular as well as by-polls were held in different parts of Gujarat. Right from Vapi in south Gujarat to Gondal in Saurashtra region, people have chosen BJP over Congress. The opposition party should now understand that people are really unhappy with them, Patel said. Gujarat Congress conceded defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. We accept our defeat. BJP must not forget that it was only by-polls on some seats. Congress has always raised issues concerning people like notes ban and we will continue to do so, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. According to the Gujarat State Election Commission results, the BJP registered a victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district, capturing 41 out of 44 seats. The remaining three seats went to the Congress. Vapi municipality was earlier held by the BJP. The saffron party also swept the polls for the Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one for the Congress. This municipality was held by the BJP too. In Rajkot, the BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term polls, from the Congress by winning 18 of 22 seats. Congress settled for just four. Apart from these, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 31 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayts across the state. Though final results are yet to be announced, the BJP was ahead on 23 seats. The result assumes significance in the run up to the state elections next year, and is a litmus test for the BJP after the surprise demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1,000 banknotes by the Centre. Read | BJP gets a boost in Maharashtra, wins first civic polls post-demonetisation The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew on Tuesday their appeals from the Supreme Court against the Delhi high court verdict that ruled that the two national parties violated the foreign funding law. Counsel for both the parties submitted before a bench headed by Justice JS Khehar that they would not pursue the cases in view of the 2010 amendment in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) that was implemented retrospectively. Therefore it cannot be held that the two allegedly received funds in violation of the law. In its judgment pronounced on March 28, 2014, the high court had held that by receiving donations from the UK-based Vedanta Resources subsidiaries, the two parties had violated the law. It had also directed the Centre and the Election Commission to take necessary action against them within six months. Making a brief submission before the bench, BJP counsel Shyam Divan said the 2010 amendment in the FCRA provides that contribution to a political party is not a foreign contribution if an Indian holds 50% or more share in that firm. He also said the Indian subsidiary of a company registered in a foreign country can donate funds and those donations cannot be regarded as foreign contribution in view of the changed law. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has almost prepared the first charge sheet in the Pathankot attack, but the government is still flip-flopping on the number of militants who targeted the airbase. Minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir told Lok Sabha on Tuesday that only four militants had entered the air force station to carry out the January 2 strike, killing eight people. Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village, Akalgarh, and attacked the air force station in Pathankot, said Ahir, in response to a question. However, a senior home ministry official clarified later in the day that the governments stand on the matter has not changed. Forensic reports confirmed the presence of two more attackers. It was on the basis of these reports that home minister Rajnath Singh informed Parliament in March that six attackers were involved. The ministry will make a suo moto correction on Wednesday, an official said on the condition of anonymity. Sources said Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi has already issued the necessary directions for making the correction in parliamentary records by Wednesday. Despite undertaking a year-long probe, the NIA is yet to identify the two mysterious attackers who were reportedly killed by National Security Guard commandos while they were hiding in a building at the airbase. No bodies were found at the spot. The forensic reports cited by Singh were based on two samples recovered from the spot, which reportedly bore human remains. However, apart from that, there has been no corroborative evidence to suggest that six militants had attacked the air base. The NIA plans to file charges against four attackers and their handlers, including Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar. The government said on Tuesday sufficient cash was available with the RBI and banks, and it was not considering extending the deadline of December 30 for deposit of invalid Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The statement was made in the Rajya Sabha even as people queued up at banks to deposit old high value notes and withdraw new cash. There is sufficient cash available with the Reserve Bank of India and banks. Circulation of notes in respect of Rs 100 has already been increased, minister of state for finance Arun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply. On whether the December 30 deadline will be extended, he said: No such proposal for extension of deadline beyond December 30, 2016, is presently under consideration of the government. To cater to the requirements of rural areas, banks have been advised to supply notes of smaller denominations (Rs 100 and less), Meghwal added. As on November 8, the day demonetisation was announced, there were 1,716.50 crore pieces of Rs 500 and 685.80 crore Rs 1,000 notes in circulation. To another question, Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said RBI advises banks from time to time to enhance security arrangements at their branches and ATMs. This include coverage of ATM sites by CCTVs and ensuring adequate training of security staff posted there. Banks have also been advised to review and strengthen the security arrangements in their branches/ATMs to deal with instances of robberies and risk perceptions emerging from such incidents. When it comes to the India--Pakistan relationship, it is said that nothing happens unless it has happened. However, the ties have had its own share of surprises in terms of talks taking place totally against the run of the play. Though Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz is attending the ministerial meeting of the Heart of Asia grouping, sources say that it is unlikely he would hold a bilateral meeting. And by all means, springing a talk surprise wouldnt be easy. Pakistan officials said India as the host country should make the request for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines. That in effect left no side making a request for a bilateral meeting so far. There are no indications as yet of the stance changing in the coming days. The last two Heart of Asia meets -- December 2015 in Islamabad and April 2016 in New Delhi -- had foreign ministers and foreign secretaries of both India and Pakistan holding discussions on the sidelines. The countries in the grouping include Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, Turkey and Central Asian neighbours of Afghanistan. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistan counterpart Sartaj Aziz had agreed on a road-map for talks this December. But an attack on the Pathankot airbase in January led to the postponement of the talks between the two foreign secretaries. However, the foreign secretaries did meet during the April 2016 conference, at least keeping the channels of communication open. But ties between the neighbours have nosedived in recent times. For the government approaching Pakistan for talks at this time is a risky business for various reasons. The ceasefire violations and terrorist attacks continue from across the border. The government has no reasons go back on this what oft-repeated line of no talks without Pakistan stopping terrorism. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that India and Pakistan will bilaterally resolve issues over water sharing. We will take a look at the issue on water. Obviously, we hope its something that the two parties can resolve themselves, Bans spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the daily press briefing here on Monday when asked about Modis remarks on the Indus Waters Treaty amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Addressing a rally in Punjab last week, Modi had said the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan and he will ensure that Indian farmers in India utilise it. Now, every drop of this water will be stopped and I will give that to farmers of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and Indian farmers. I am committed to this, he said. Read | Water that belongs to India will be stopped from going waste in Pak: PM Modi Last week, during a Security Council debate on water, peace and security, Ban cited the Indus Waters Treaty signed by India and Pakistan as well as other similar agreements as instruments promoting stability and peace and said shared water resources often generated cooperation. During the debate, Pakistans ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi warned against use of water as an instrument of coercion or war. She said the 1960 treaty was an example of what can be achieved through bilateral agreements but also a case study of what could go wrong if such agreements are not honoured or threatened with abrogation by a state party. Read | Pakistan says India cannot unilaterally revoke Indus Waters Treaty Separately, Ban also expressed deep concern last week over the deterioration of the situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir in recent days, saying he trusts India and Pakistan can find common ground and work towards a sustainable peace. The UN chief had called on all involved to prioritise the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation and loss of life. When asked during the briefing about India-Pakistan tensions at the border, Dujarric the issue was of great concern to the secretary-general. Also Read | Myth vs reality in the Indus Waters Treaty: Can India stop water flow to Pak? 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 Google Ad 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 LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh The spat between judiciary and the executive over judicial appointments resurfaced in the Supreme Court on Tuesday with Chief Justice TS Thakur questioning the NDA government for sitting on files sent by the collegium to re-appoint 25 retired judges to various high courts. There are more than 50 per cent vacancies in high courts. These are people (judges) who are retired, tried and tested. Since the process to appoint new ones takes time, a resolution to re-appoint retired judges was adopted in the chief justices and chief ministers conference. But 25 files are still lying with you, a bench headed by Chief Justice Thakur told additional solicitor general Maninder Singh. The court made its remark while hearing a 2012 petition related to the improvement of infrastructure in subordinate judiciary for speedy disposal of cases. Read | Executive-judiciary tiff yields results, appointment of 25 judges cleared The Constitution also prescribes for re-appointment of retired HC judges as ad-hoc judges for a period not exceeding two years. The judiciary and executive have been at loggerheads since October last when the SC constitution bench struck down the law that allowed government interference in judicial appointments. The law ended decades-old collegium procedure under which judges appoint judges, a situation unique to India. The courts observation came when Singh submitted the government was ready to take all initiatives to reduce the backlog of cases in the country, especially in the lower judiciary where about 2.5 crore cases are pending. There are around 5,000 vacancies in the trial courts. Read | HT Exclusive: SC should make judges appointments transparent, says MoS for law He said under the 14th Finance Commission recommendation, the Centre had allocated Rs 9,000 crore for infrastructural development of high courts/subordinate courts for the period starting from April 2015. Singh added the strength of judges should be increased only after the present vacancies are filled. This failed to assuage the bench which asked Singh to give details of how much money has been allocated to the states and under what heads. It also wanted to know how the Centre intends to ensure the money released is utilized for the augmentation of judicial infrastructure and is not diverted by states to meet their other expenses. Also read | Few judges, fewer courtrooms: Indian judiciary tripped by poor infrastructure SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi Police are verifying the claims of a Sikh militant leader, arrested in the city on Monday after escaping from a prison in Punjab, that he was receiving instructions from Pakistans spy agency the ISI. During his questioning, the 49-year-old self-styled chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Harminder Singh Mintoo, had disclosed the names of his two alleged ISI handlers, sources said. According to Mintoo, one of them was based in Lahore in Pakistan while the other was in a European country, probably Germany, which was to be the KLF militants final destination before his freedom run was cut short by the Delhi Police. Police refused to disclose the names given by Mintoo, saying they were yet to verify them as the militant leader could be misleading them. Mintoo was arrested from the parking lot of the Nizamuddin railway station 17 hours after a group of armed men stormed the Nabha Jail in Punjab, freeing him and five other gangsters. Mintoo and gangster Kashmeer Singh were dropped off at Kaithal in Haryana, where they hastily trimmed their beard and mustache before reaching Delhi using different routes and buses. Mintoo told police that he learnt about the jailbreak plan a fortnight ago, sources said. As his handlers were looking for an opportunity to get him out of the jail, Mintoo alerted them about the plan through a common contact. His handlers agreed and Mintoo was provided around Rs 25,000 to allegedly manage everything in the jail. We are looking for the person who gave him the money in the jail. The role of jail staff is also being probed, an investigator said. Read| Khalistani militant Mintoo, who fled Nabha jail, nabbed at Delhi railway station After Mintoo and Kashmeer were dropped off at Kaithal, Mintoo received Rs 19,000 from the brother of Gurpreet Singh Shekhon, the alleged mastermind of the audacious strike who also broke out of the jail. Mintoo was caught after an assistant sub-inspector got suspicious of his improper appearance and extra cautious behaviour. Investigators believe Kashmeer was somewhere close to the parking lot when Mintoo was arrested. They are checking the footage of CCTV cameras at the station and nearby areas. Raids are on in Delhi and adjoining states to nab him and the others absconders. Mintoos escape was a huge embarrassment for the Punjab Police, which had hailed as a big success his arrest from the New Delhi airport in November 2014. Wanted in at least 10 terrorism-related offences, including the 2008 attack on Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and recovery of explosives at Halwara air force station in 2010, Mintoo was deported from Thailand. Read| Badly trimmed beard, Goa plan land fugitive Sikh militant Mintoo in police net Three persons from Tamil Nadu were on Tuesday arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of attempting to smuggle 60kg of ganja in a boat, police said. The three men from Nambuthulai, about 60km from Rameswaram, in Ramanathapuram district were arrested after Sri Lankan Naval personnel intercepted their boat and found the narcotic, police said quoting information received by them. The ganja, worth lakhs of rupees, was grown in Kerala and allegedly being smuggled to Sri Lanka from Rameswaram, they added. In September last, six people, including an Indian, had been arrested by Sri Lankan Navy with over 2kg of heroin in their possession. Following this, the Lankan Navy had stepped up vigil in its northern seas to prevent smuggling of drug mainly from Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Navys northern commander rear admiral Piyal de Silva had then said 612kg of Kerala ganja coming to Lanka from India had been detected during the last 18 months. Dawood Suleiman, the key leader of al Qaeda-inspired Base Movement module who was arrested in connection with his alleged role over a series of blasts in court complexes in South India, wanted to wage jihad against the country, an NIA special public prosecutor said on Tuesday. This was jihad... He (Suleiman) wanted to wage jihad. Several sections under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Explosives Act and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act have been invoked against him, Special Public Prosecutor, NIA, C S S Pillai, told PTI after moving a plea in a court in Chennai on Tuesday for the accuseds transit remand. After the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court here granted transit remand for Suleiman, who was produced before it, he was taken by NIA sleuths to Bengaluru by a 7.30 pm flight. Read | NIA arrests two more al Qaeda sympathisers from Tamil Nadu Read | PM Modi on hitlist of 3 suspected al Qaeda operatives arrested by NIA 23-year-old Suleiman had done B Tech in an engineering college in Erode, an NIA official said, adding he had allegedly confessed to planting a bomb in the Mysuru court. He had also allegedly participated in other illegal activities of the group and will be produced before the 49th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru, the official said. According to an NIA release on Monday, Suleiman, a native of Madurai who was residing and working in a software firm in Chennai, was the main leader of the gang. He was arrested by a team of NIA officials led by Superintendent of Police, NIA L R Kumar on Monday. A special team of bureaucrats sent to states for an on-the-spot assessment of the demonetisation drive informed the government that though there was massive support from the people, the implementation was patchy. Cash crunch in banks and ATMs, shortage of smaller denomination and Rs 500 banknotes, ATMs not recalibrated and post office network not optimally used were some of the key problems that the central team flagged in its report submitted to the Union finance ministry last week. In both urban and rural areas, we found the situation will improve if the cash circulation is increased and ATMs are replenished at regular interval, said a bureaucrat who visited a north Indian state. Read | Demonetisation: Penniless foreigners resort to street performances for cash The team was set up to assess the implementation of central measures in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modis November 8 announcement that Rs 500 and 1,000 banknotes which accounted for about 86% of the currency in circulation will no longer be legal tender. Barring some areas in states such as West Bengal and Bihar, where farmers expressed discontent, the central team found that people by and large supported the Prime Ministers decision with the hope that it would weed out black money and rein in corruption. Despite having to wait in long queues, people said that Modi has done a good thing. It was all about Modi, not the NDA governments decision. People in rural and urban areas in states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, north-east, said they are willing to suffer the inconvenience as they feel the end result will be good, said a member of the team that visited a northern state. Read | Demonetisation effect: Two banks vandalised over cash crunch in Manipur However, it was also noted that in the short term some sectors such as retail and construction will be adversely hit. In some of the northern and western states, for instance, the construction sector has witnessed a revenue dip by up to 30%, said another bureaucrat. Farmers in a few eastern states expressed discontent over the drive. This is the sowing season and the farmers have been adversely hit by the cash crunch. Many of them do not have money to pay labourers. The government needs to come up with more measures to help them including increasing the limit of Kisan credit cards, said a bureaucrat. The central team has recommended to the government to undertake large-scale awareness campaigns to sensitise people about cashless transactions and its benefits. Read | Demonetisation: Smart ways to travel hassle-free States will have to ramp up their infrastructure to facilitate e-payments. People in smaller towns and villages have to be sensitized, a bureaucrat who visited one of the Union territories said. Also, increasing the use of the countrys post office network and extending banking time by a couple of hours till December 30 were suggested. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid escalating tensions and increased border skirmishes between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought opening of more travel and trade routes across the Line of Control (LoC). In her meetings with home minister Rajnath Singh and defence minister Manohar Parrikar, Mufti said the move will enhance the movement of people and goods on both sides of the de-facto border. The CM reiterated her demand for regularisation of the Nepal route for Kashmiri youth who crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for militant training but now want to return and start their lives afresh. Mufti argued that in the absence of such a regularised route, the youth returning to Jammu and Kashmir are facing innumerable problems. According to Jammu and Kashmir government estimates, a total of 1,253 people, including 197 women and 603 children, have returned from Pakistan and PoK under the return and rehabilitation policy of cross border youth since 2010-11. As many as 453 people had returned via Nepal since then. However, the process suffered a setback in 2013 following the arrest of Liyaqat Shah and his family at the Nepal border. The policy and procedure was notified in November 2010 after getting the clearance from the Union home ministry. There are still around 4,000 J&K residents in PoK and Pakistan, according to J&K government figures. The J&K chief minister also raised with the home minister the issue of revision of ex-gratia scheme -- financial assistance provided on compassionate grounds to the next of kin of those killed in militancy-related incidents -- in the state. She sought revision of the existing rates of compensation and ex-gratia besides including new components such as loss of livestock in the scheme. Mufti urged the home minister to enhance the honorarium paid to special police officers under the prime ministers development programme. In her meeting with Parrikar, Mufti stressed the need for handing over the land at Tattoo Ground in Srinagar used by the army -- to the state government for promoting tourism activities. The state government has also been demanding revision of rent on the states land used by the army. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP legislators and parliamentarians to submit details of their bank transactions between November 8 and December 31 to party chief Amit Shah. The dates correspond with when banknotes of denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 were scrapped (November 8) and the last date for handing over ones demonetised currency at banks and post offices (December 31). At the weekly meeting of the BJP parliamentary party, Modi also said the amendment to the income tax act was not to help convert black money into legitimate wealth, but channel the money looted from poor to their welfare. I will not allow the country to be weighed down by wads of currency notes (black money), Modi said at the meeting. The Lok Sabha passed the amendment bill later in the day. The PMs call for declaring banking transactions of BJP leaders appears to be a move to buttress his commitment to transparency and probity in public life. It is also meant to counter the Opposition parties attempt to run down the Centres demonetisation decision by highlighting its poor implementation and also by questioning the real motive. The Congress dubbed the move as the PMs yet another jumla (gimmick) and dared him to make public all financial and land dealings of the BJP and the RSS in the past six months. Modis move is an attempt to deflect public attention from the alleged leakage of demonetisation decision, Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. AAP leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the BJPs lawmakers should reveal their transactions of the last six months amid allegations from his party that they knew of the demonetisation move and have invested in property. Read | UP made you PM, can also remove you: Mamata warns Modi over demonetisation Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said the details will be made public later. Opposition parties disrupted the functioning of Parliament for the 11th day on Tuesday over this issue. Alleging that the demonetisation move was leaked in advance to favour those close to the ruling dispensation, they have demanded the setting up of a joint parliamentary committee to probe it. The government has dismissed these allegations. The ruling party is also under attack from opposition parties following reports that before banknotes ceased to be legal tender, the BJPs Bihar and Odisha units had bought huge chunks of land and its West Bengal unit deposited a substantial amount of money in a bank. Read | PM Modi takes veiled digs at Mamata, Congress over demonetisation issue The Prime Ministers instructions to party MPs and MLAs on Tuesday might give a talking point to the BJP and also pressure other parties to follow suit. BJP chief Amit Shah has told party MPs to counter the Oppositions disinformation campaign, particularly in rural areas. He also urged them to motivate traders in panchayats, municipalities and other local bodies falling in their constituency to shift to cashless transactions. Read | Massive support for demonetisation but implementation patchy: Central team Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers choice for Time magazines Person of the Year in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Times Person of the Year honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill. Last year the title went to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. While each year Times editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Highlights Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the online poll with 21 per cent voting in his favour for the title of Time magazines Person of the Year 2016. Readers can choose from a list of 30 people on the Time magazines website for the poll. Contenders for the honour include Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin. Notable figures like Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Apple CEO Tim Cook are also in the race. Time said the reader poll is an important window into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the yes votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putins 6 per cent, Obamas 7 per cent and Trumps 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the readers choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this years poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the mothership for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers poll of Times Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nations history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage, Time said. The courage and bravery shown by wives of two army officers who were staying in the family quarters in the army camp helped avert a major hostage crisis during the encounter with militants in Nagrota on Tuesday. Soon after the heavily armed terrorists disguised in police uniform entered an army unit located within three kms from the headquarters of the 16 Corps, they wanted to enter the family quarters where they could take the families of the soldiers and officers hostage. However, due to the bravery of these two women, who were staying in the family quarters along with their newborns, the terrorists failed to implement their plans. The wives of the two army officers, who were on night duty when the encounter broke out, displayed exemplary courage as they blocked the entry of their quarters with all the household items, making it difficult for the terrorists to break into the houses, an army officer privy to the encounter told PTI. Had the women not shown this alertness, the terrorists would have been able to take them hostage and would have succeeded in causing huge damage to the army and the families, he said. The terrorists entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men. This led to a hostage-like situation. The situation was very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two women and two babies, defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said. The two babies rescued are 18 months and two months old, the officer said. However, in the rescue attempt one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives, the spokesman said. He said the bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations were in progress to sanitise the complete area. The terrorists forced their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries. In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers of the Army were martyred, he said. The Army has not called off the operation but suspended it as they want to be fully sure that the area has been completely sanitised. The operation is going on, we have suspended it for the night, but the area has been placed under tight cordon, the Army does not want to take any risk and we will resume the operations with the first light of the morning, the spokesman said. The militant attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday was a message sent by Pakistans newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh has said. We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him, he said. India will hit back harder every time it is targeted, he said. The BJP MPs remarks came after three soldiers, including a major, and four militants were killed as a fierce gun battle raged on Tuesday, the second such attack on an army facility in as many months. Militants attack Nagrota Cantonment in J-K Three soldiers and equal number of militants were killed after a gun battle broke out between a group of militants and security forces at Nagrota Cantonment. Sources said the militants, suspected to be three to four in number, stormed an army unit at around 5am. Three infiltrators were killed and six BSF men injured in another encounter in Chamliyal area close to the IB in Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district. In another gunfight, 70km from Nagrota, three infiltrators were killed and six BSF men, including a DIG, were injured near the International Border in Chamliyal area of Samba sector. Singh said Pakistan continues to bleed India through such attacks, adding that the recently conducted PoK surgical strike by the Indian Army was not a one-off event. It was a statement of policy...Our policy is that we will hit you back every time you hit us. We will hit you back harder. So, I think a couple of more time we hit them back, it will certainly settle in their mind, he said. The BJP leader added that India needed to follow up on its policy of imposing cost and that the Army should revisit the security procedure in general, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested three men believed to be members of the Base Movement, a terror organisation linked to five bomb blasts in courts across south India since April. In the last 24 hours, in a joint operation with Tamil Nadu police and Telangana police, the NIA has apprehended four youths for their involvement in blasts at court complexes in south India. During sustained examination, they have confessed to their involvement in these blasts, a statement released by the NIA said. The three arrested men have been identified as Abbas Ali, 27, Suleiman Mohd Abdullah, 23, and Samsun Karim Raja. According to the NIA, a fourth individual, Mohamed Ayub Ali, 25, has been detained for questioning. Read | Malappuram court blast: Pen drive recovered from site contains PM Modis images NIA officials said this group had collected explosives, mostly gun powder, which were suspected to have been used in the low-intensity blasts that occurred at court complexes in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, Mysuru in Karnataka, and Kollam and Malappuram in Kerala. If their role is confirmed, the agency would then take over the probe into the Kollam and Malappuram blasts. With the exception of the bomb blast in Mysuru, all of the cases are currently being investigated by their respective state police forces. Ali, a resident of Madurai, is a Class 7 drop-out and was working as a painter and running a local library. Raja is a commerce graduate and runs a chicken broiler shop, while Suleiman, who the NIA in a statement described as the leader of the group, lives in Chennai and was working as a software engineer for Tata Consultancy Services. Read | Kerala: Man injured in bomb blast in court complex Mohamed Ayub Ali, who is currently being interrogated, was a public liaison officer for a Madurai-based company that manufacturers hearing aids. According to a senior Madurai Police officer, the three men detained in the city didnt have any criminal record and had not attracted the attention of the police. NIA officials said that the accused are likely to be produced before a court in Chennai which has jurisdiction of NIA cases in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. They are also likely to be taken to a court in Bengaluru in connection with the blast at a Mysuru court. The agency is currently searching for two other terror suspects, Hakeem and Dawood Sulaiman. Also Read | One dead, three injured in bomb blast outside Sasaram civil court National Investigation Agency on Tuesday arrested two for allegedly aiding a group, which sympathises with al Qaeda, to carry out bomb blasts in court complexes in South India. With Tuesdays arrest, the number of people arrested in the case has gone upto five. The NIA, along with state police forces, arrested three on Monday for the five bomb blast cases in court complexes of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka since April. Mohammed Ayub Ali and Shamsudeen, both 25-years-old and from Madurai were arrested on Tuesday, NIA said. Ali, who was detained last night, works as a public liaison officer for a hearing aid company. Shamsudeen was arrested after his name was mentioned by those who were arrested earlier. The cases relate to blasts at a district court complexs parking in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh on April 7; in a parking area of CJM Court Complex at Kollam in Kerala on June 15; inside court complex at Mysuru on August 1, in Nellore of Andhra Pradesh on September 12 and inside a toilet complex of judicial court, Malappuram in Kerala on November 1. Abbas Ali, Suleiman and Samsum Karim Raja were the three arrested on Monday.The NIA spokesman had claimed that the arrested accused during sustained interrogation confessed to their involvement in these blasts. Read | PM Modi on hitlist of 3 suspected al Qaeda operatives arrested by NIA Ali, a school dropout, was working as a painter and also ran a library in the name Darul Ilm at Madurai. Raja is a Commerce graduate and runs a chicken broiler shop at Kannimara Koil street in Madurai. Suleiman was working in a software firm. He was the leader of the militant group which was influenced by the ideology of Osama bin Laden. The group had claimed responsibility for these blasts and circulated pamphlets, pen drives and CDs in the name of The Base Movement, translation of the word al Qaeda. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday termed the BJPs victory in the municipal council polls in the state a tsunami. This (victory) is not merely a wave. This is a tsunami, Fadnavis, who joined in the celebrations at the state BJP office in south Mumbai, told reporters. The BJP government is one which thinks of the common man, Fadnavis said, adding people have reposed their trust in the BJP-led regime. People have shown that BJP is the number one party in Maharashtra. We dedicate this victory to the people of Maharashtra, the Chief Minister said. We are governing the state keeping Shivaji Maharaj as our idol, he added. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address campaign meetings ahead of crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections early next year. With the government introducing direct elections for the post of president in the 147 municipal councils, the BJP won 52 seats, Shiv Sena 23, Congress 19, NCP 16 and others 28. The BJP has surged ahead in elections for the 3,510 municipal council member seats, held on party lines, in the Congress-NCP bastions, specially in western Maharashtra. The party-wise tally: BJP (851), Shiv Sena (514), NCP (638), Congress (643), MNS (16), BSP (9), CPM (12), local coalitions (384), Independents (324), unrecognised members (119). In 2011, the BJP was nowhere in the reckoning in 127 out of 147 municipal councils, with its tally at 298 compared to Congress (771), NCP (916) and Shiv Sena (264). Results of all 3,705 seats for which polls were held on Sunday, are expected by this evening, an official in the state election commission said. Pakistans outgoing military chief warned India Tuesday it would be dangerous to mistake his countrys restraint over recent tensions in disputed Kashmir for weakness, as he handed over power to his successor. General Raheel Sharif was speaking at a ceremony, welcoming the incoming chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, at a stadium at the army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjacent to capital Islamabad. Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in occupied Kashmir, and Indias aggressive steps have put the regions peace in danger, Sharif said. I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her, he said to applause. Read | Pakistans opposition demands severing trade ties with India This is reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international communitys special attention is necessary, he continued. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan have spiralled following a deadly assault on the Uri army base in September that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants. India said it had responded to the September attack by carrying out surgical strikes across the heavily militarised border, sparking fury from Islamabad, which denied the strikes took place. There have been repeated incidents of cross-border shellings and gunfire from both sides since, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Sharif spoke Tuesday as Indian police said armed militants had launched a fresh attack near the border with Pakistan, killing two soldiers. Read | Indias response was so strong that Pakistan pleaded with us to stop: Parrikar Officials said the attack took place in Nagrota in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which borders Pakistan and has seen repeated outbreaks of cross-border firing in recent weeks, and blamed it on terrorists. Pakistan on Saturday named Bajwa as its new military chief as Sharif stepped down from a three-year tenure, winning praise for respecting democracy even as many Pakistanis called for him to extend his term. Military bands played as uniformed soldiers marched at the ceremony Tuesday, where the outgoing chief gives his wooden cane to his successor, symbolising the handover of power. The Pakistani military plays an outsize role in national life, offering the armed reassurance against arch-rival India that many Pakistanis see as vital to their identity. Kashmir is one of the worlds most dangerous flashpoints, bitterly divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 but claimed in full by both. The nuclear powers have already fought two wars over the mountainous region. Also Read | A change at Rawalpindi GHQ is not going to alter India-Pakistan relations Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, one of the countrys richest shrines, on Tuesday decided to ease the dress code for women by allowing salwar kameez apart from sarees. Temple executive officer KN Satheesh issued the order after the Kerala high court began hearing a plea filed by a female devotee in the matter. The petitioner, Riya Raje, who is an advocate, argued that customs demand decent clothing in places of worship but nowhere insists on a particular kind of dress. She also pointed out the difficulties in draping a rented dhoti over a salwar kameez -- a solution that vendors outside the temple offer to people who are not dressed right. Devotees are often fleeced and given unwashed linen, she said. I am really happy. Often women face many difficulties over this custom, Raje said. Many organisations and members of the Travancore royal family have been opposed to any dilution of the temples dress code. However, there is precedent: in 2007, the Guruvayur Sreekrishhna temple -- another significant temple in Kerala which followed the same custom, amended the dress code to allow salwar kameez. The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple shot to fame six years ago when the Supreme Court ordered inventorying of the temple wealth after six underground vaults were discovered. Coded A to F, all the vaults were opened, except for vault B, revealing an estimated Rs 1 lakh crore-worth of treasure, including rare jewels, gold coins, diamond-studded thrones, crowns and gold bars. The court divested the Travancore royal family from the custodian of the temple and constituted a new body to run it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Its been another day full of ruckus and sloganeering in the Parliament, with the repeated adjournments of Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, despite BJPsassurance of PM Modis presence in the House if needed. The Opposition protested in the Well of the Rajya Sabha causing chaos and disrupting the proceedings, ending the proceedings of the House as early as 2.30pm for the day. The Lok Sabha saw no different day than its previous sessions so far. It was suspended for the rest of the day following ruckus over Income Tax Amendment Bill. The Opposition has been stalling the proceedings in both the Houses over the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes for over two weeks now. Early in the day, the BJP parliamentary board huddled up and so did the Opposition leaders to discuss their strategy in the Houses. The Oppositions demands for Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence in the Parliament made way for very little progress on Monday, and Tuesday too saw no development. Here are live updates from the Parliament on Tuesday: 2.57pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11am on Wednesday after ruckus over Income Tax Bill. 2.55pm: Lok Sabha passes the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill 2016 2.48pm: Finance minister Arun Jaitley speaks up amid uproar and protests by the Opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a huge announcement on November 8 to fight the menace of black money and corruption in the country. The government moved amendments in Income tax law after it saw that a few people were still trying to convert black money into white post-demonetisation: FM Jaitley in Lok Sabha 2.30pm: Rajya Sabha witnesses ruckus over sloganeering against PM Narendra Modi. Deputy chairman Kurien adjourns House till 11am on Wednesday. 2.26pm: Leaders from all anti-BJP fronts walk up to the Well and shout Pradhan Mantri Sadan me aao, demanding PM Narendra Modis presence in the House. 2.15pm: Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Kurien dodges questions from members on Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence in the House. Speak only on the point of order, else sit down, he insists. 2.00pm: Both the Houses open to another session of sloganeering and protests. Disruption in Lok Sabha continues, adjourned till 2.30pm 12.05pm: Even the Lower House is hit by the ruckus over the demonetisation. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tries to contain the uproar, but demands for an apology from PM Modi grow louder. Lok Sabha adjourned till 2pm. 12.00pm: Both the Houses open after adjournment but ruckus continues. Opposition shouts slogans demanding PM Modis presence in the House. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2pm. 11.45am: Lok Sabha adjourned till 12pm 11.30am: Lok Sabha opens to continued chaos over demonetisation. 11.17am: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11.30am, Rajya Sabha till 12 pm 11.15am: The Income Tax Amendment Bill is not to turn black money into white, but to use money looted from poor for welfare: PM Modi at BJP parliamentary board meeting. PM Modi also asks all BJP MPs and MLAs to give details of their bank transactions from Nov 8 to Dec 31 to the party president Amit Shah 10:39am: Opposition leaders meeting in the Parliament ends 10.20am: Opposition leaders meet in Parliament to decide on reiteration of their demand for PM Modis apology for his remarks, and for discussion under Rule 56 in Lok Sabha: ANI Opposition leaders in meeting decide to reiterate demand for PM apology for his remarks, and for discussion under rule 56 in LS: Sources 9.37am:BJP parliamentary board meeting begins in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, RS Prasad and BJP national president Amit Shah also present. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to Delhis Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for a fever and possible asthma-related complications. She has been admitted under the care of Dr Arup Basu, senior consultant in department of chest and pulmonary medicine, and his team of consultants. Her routine tests are being conducted and she is better today. She is likely to be discharged in a day or two, said Dr DS Rana, chairman, Ganga Ram Hospital. The 69-year-old leader is an asthmatic and sources in the hospital said she also had developed aggravated asthma symptoms. It is quite common in this weather to have chest congestion and wheezing, especially in those who already have a history of respiratory illnesses. She, however, is stable, said the source. This is the second time the Congress president has been admitted to the same hospital this year. She was rushed to the west Delhi hospital in August for a shoulder reconstruction surgery after Gandhi dislocated and fractured her left shoulder during a Congress road-show in Varanasi. Gandhi also suffered from massive electrolyte imbalance and acute diarrhoea, fever and vomiting. Her condition was serious when she was flown in to Delhi directly from Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are to be held next year. Upping the ante, top leaders from Punjab and Haryana on Monday took their fight over the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal to President Pranab Mukherjee, strongly reiterating their respective stands in the three-decade-old dispute. While an all-party deputation from Haryana led by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed to the President to implement the decision of the Supreme Court in the SYL case at the earliest, a delegation of Punjab ministers, which was led by CM Parkash Singh Badal, asked him not to accept any advice against the Riparian principle for distribution of river water. The high-powered delegations from the two states met the President in New Delhi following the recent verdict of the Supreme Court that said that the Punjab Termination of Water Agreements Act, 2004, was in violation of constitutional provisions. The Punjab delegation, which submitted a memorandum to Mukherjee, urged him that nothing should be done to deprive the people of Punjab of their legitimate rights with regard to waters of rivers of the state in violation of the universally accepted Riparian Principle. Any advice or decision which violates the Riparian principle would run against the dictates of constitutional framework of the country, they said. The delegation also informed him that Punjab had already filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Section 78-79 of the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966 and seeking a decision on the river waters in accordance with the nationally and internationally accepted Riparian principle. A highly-volatile situation has arisen in the state following the opinion of the Supreme Court upon the Presidential Reference on this issue. This has given rise to extreme public reaction and severe unrest and anger among the residents including the farmers, it said. The delegation said to the President that the state had no surplus water at present and digging of SYL canal without determining whether any water was available or not for passing through it was patently unjust. Besides Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal, the state deputation had 12 ministers. Earlier, the all-party group from Haryana, which met the President first, pressed the states case for its share of river water, requesting him to ensure implementation of the SC verdict at the earliest. Haryana should get its due share of water. The state is asking for its rightful share and not Punjabs share. Both states had been allotted equal share of 3.5 million acre feet (MAF) water under a water sharing agreement, but Haryana was getting only 1.62 MAF. Since 1981, Punjab has been utilising 1.88MAF water that rightfully belongs to us, Khattar told reporters after meeting the President. He said that people of Haryana had complete faith in the Constitution, and believed that the state would get its rightful share of water so that maximum foodgrains could be produced and they could get adequate drinking water, he said. Besides five ministers, the state delegation comprised leaders of the BJP, Congress, INLD and the BSP. It included state BJP chief Subhash Barala, Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar, Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Choudhry, former CM Bhupinder Hooda, Leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala and BSP MLA Tek Chand Sharma. They were with the President for 40 minutes. Villagers of Khanapur in Telanganas Nizamabad district have renamed their village as Kavithapuram after Kalvakuntla Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. The Khanapur gram panchayat, under Armoor block, passed a resolution a couple of days ago to rename the village after Kavitha as a token of their reverence towards the member of Parliament for coming to their rescue, when they were displaced by the Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) reservoir on Godavari river. We are overwhelmed with her concern for us. So, we have decided to name our village as Kavithapuram, Khanapur sarpanch Mamatha Naresh told Hindustan Times. Highlights The village of Khanaour in Telangana was renamed as Kavithapuram after the daughter of CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, as token of reverence . Kavitha, an MP, came to the rescue of the villagers after they were displaced by a project on the Godavari river. Opposition Congress termed the renaming as glorifying the family of KCR to project him as the sole crusader of Telangana. The ruling TRS recently observed Deeksha Diwas to recall the hunger strike taken up by KCR in 2009, which led to a massive uprising in the Telangana for a separate state. There were 274 houses in the village, which was submerged under the SRSP waters. We have been rehabilitated in a new place, a few kilometres away from our original village. Our MP has taken initiative in allotting a new piece of land to rebuild the village. We met Kavitha a couple of days ago and requested for construction of double-bedroom houses for all the 274 households, she said. According to Armoor tehsildar Rajender, the village continues to be called Khanapur in the revenue records till a notification is issued to that effect but the sarpanch said it would be referred to only as Kavithapuram. The villagers have already put up a banner at the entrance of the village with the changed name. This is obviously a part of glorifying the family of KCR so as to project him as a sole crusader of the Telangana, a local Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. In fact, the TRS rank and file observed Tuesday as Deeksha Diwas to recall the fast-unto-death taken up by KCR on this day in 2009, which led to a massive uprising in the Telangana for a separate state. A poster on the resolution of Khanapur panchayat in Nizamabad district stating that the village has been renamed as Kavithapur. (HT Photo) It was a major milestone in the movement of Telangana and no doubt the bold step taken by KCR galvanised millions of people and took the movement to the peak, Telangana Joint Action Committee chairman M Kodandaram, who has now turned a bitter critic of the chief minister, recalled. At the same time, one cannot ignore the sacrifices made by hundreds of students and youth in the movement, he said. Pro-TRS groups have even started describing KCR as Telangana Bapu (Father of Telangana) on the lines of Mahatma Gandhi, who is revered as the Father of Nation. Some KCR supporters have also constructed a temple for him at Dandepalli village in Adilabad districts Luxettipet some time ago. And there is also a demand growing in some social media circles seeking the Bharat Ratna for the TRS supremo. It is unfortunate that the politics of Telangana have become individual-centric, rather than people centric, Kodandaram said. Read| KCR spends Rs 50 crore for bungalow, but housing for poor still a dream SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Seven soldiers, including two Majors, were killed when militants dressed as policemen stormed a military camp in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, triggering a fierce gun battle that raged for more than 12 hours. A defence statement said the bodies of three militants were recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area. The brazen attack was the second in as many months since the siege of another army base at Uri left 19 Indian soldiers dead, spiking tensions between India and Pakistan. In a separate gunfight, 70km from Nagrota, three infiltrators were killed and a senior BSF officer and five jawans were injured near the international border in Chamliyal area of Samba sector, officials said. While the operation in Chamliyal was over quickly, the gun battle at Nagrota, a town on the highway between Srinagar and Jammu, continued well after sundown. Militants attack Nagrota Cantonment in J-K Seven soldiers and three militants were killed in a gun battle that broke out between a group of militants and security forces at Nagrota Cantonment. Sources said the militants, suspected to be three to four in number, stormed an army unit at around 5am. Three infiltrators were killed and six BSF men injured in another encounter in Chamliyal area close to the IB in Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district. Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said a hostage like situation arose after the militants entered two buildings housing officers and families of the army unit, located about three kms from the headquarters of the 16 Corps. The situation was very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children, the statement added. The two rescued children are 18 months and two months old, an army officer said. An officer said the wives of the two army officers blocked the entry of their quarters with all the household items, making it difficult for the terrorists to break into the houses. Read| Soldier killed in Pak firing in Machhil sector, toll rises to 3 in 24 hours Staccato bursts of gunfire and loud explosions continued in the cantonment as helicopter gunships and drones hovered overhead in fading light of the day. The operation is going on, we have suspended it for the night, but the area has been placed under tight cordon, the army does not want to take any risk and we will resume the operations with the first light of the morning (on Wednesday), the spokesperson said. The army said the group of heavily armed militants believed to five-six in number -- arrived at the base in a Maruti car before opening fire and lobbing grenades at the sentries on the main gate. (Nitin Kanotra/ HT Photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on the attack by defence minister Manohar Parrikar and army chief General Dalbir Singh in Delhi. No civilians were targeted, Parrikar said. India blames Pakistan-based militants of targeting security personnel and civilians in the state, a charge Islamabad denies. The latest incidents came on a day Pakistan saw a change of guard in its powerful military with General Qamar Javed Bajwa taking over as the army chief from General Raheel Sharif. In his farewell address, the outgoing military chief warned India not to mistake his countrys restraint over recent tensions in disputed Kashmir for weakness. The violence followed a brief lull in fighting between Indian and Pakistani troops, who have been exchanging heavy mortar and artillery fire for months across the de facto border that divides Kashmir between the two nations. Relations at the government level have worsened, with the two nations expelling diplomats from their capitals as each side accuses the other of starting the fight. (Nitin Kanotra/ HT Photo) Following the attack, the administration shut all schools in the cantonment, located close to the National Highway 1A. Kartar Singh, 55, who has a grocery shop next to the encounter site, said he heard gun shots early in the morning. Since there is a firing range, I took it as a routine practice but then I heard big explosions, indiscriminate firing followed by distress whistling inside the army unit. He herded his wife, four sons and a daughter in a room when he realised it was a militant strike. (With inputs from agencies) Read| Jammu: 1 soldier dead, 2 injured as Pak violates ceasefire yet again in Naushera SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A nationwide protest called by the opposition on Monday against the Centres move to recall high-value banknotes remained peaceful in Indore. More than 500 Congress members took out a rally from Kushwah Nagar to Marimata square to observe Jan Aakrosh Diwas -- a day of expressing public anger -- but it was restricted to assembly constituency number 1 in the city. Congress Indore unit spokesperson Johar Manpurwala said the protest was successful as a large number of people along with traders participated in the rally. On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes will no longer be legal tender from November 9 in a bid to tackle corruption and undeclared wealth. Asked about why the party restricted the rally to one constituency, Congress leaders said they had already took out Jan Sangharsh Yatra on November 22 and they were going to scale up their protest in others assembly constituencies, too. Following the instruction from the high command, Indore Congress party has taken out Jan Akrosh rally at Assembly constituency No 1 in order to scale up their protest against BJP government move. Manpurwala told Hindustan Times that his party would continue with its protest and as a part of it we are going to observe Black Day on Tuesday as Shivraj Singh Chouhan is celebrating 11 anniversary as the states chief minister. We will hold rallies across the city wearing black clothes. Meanwhile, the BJPs city unit term Jan Aakrosh Diwas as Congress Aakrosh Diwas. The Congress and other opposition parties facing lots of trouble to manage their black money, BJP city unit president Kailash Sharma told Hindustan Times. Sharma said it was the Congress Akrosh as many of its leaders amassed huge amount of unaccounted money during the UPA rule and now they were failing to hide them. Modi insulted Indians: Vikrant Bhuria Prime Minister Narendra Modi has insulted the countrys people as he forced them to stand in queues to withdraw their own money from banks, Congress leader Vikrant Bhuria said on Monday. Vikrant, the son of former union minister and Congress leader Kantilal Bhuria, was addressing a protest rally against demonetisation. Replying to the allegation, Madhya Pradesh cooperative minister and Jhabua district in-charge minister Vishwas Sarang said, Congress leaders failed to cover-up their frustration. About 20 armed men unleashed terror on Sirsi village, 25 kilometres from Manavar in MPs Dhar district, on Sunday late night as they broke open door of three houses and took away cash, jewellery and other valuables before police could reach the spot. They first attacked the house of one Asharam Dhangar and carried away Rs 19,330 which he had kept for treatment of his 11-year-old son Rahuls kidneys. When Dhangar pleaded that they should leave the cash as he has to take his son to Nadiad (Gujarat) the next day for treatment, they threatened him and told him that demonitisation has exhausted all their cash while he was living in peace. You are eating food. Were starving. How can you call yourself poor? they said. They next attacked house of paralysed school teacher Balaram Chauhan. As they broke the main door with heavy stones, his teachers wife Vandana woke up due to noise. She fled from rear door after she saw them standing outside their house. Armed robbers placed sharp-edged weapon on Balarams neck as others broke open the almirah. They took away a gold chain, two gold rings, mangalsutra, anklets and Rs 30,000, she informed police. Then the robbers attacked the house of school peon Jairam Alava. They gagged Alawas mouth while the latter was sleeping at verandah outside his house. Then they broke the door of his house. When his wife Jheta Bai woke up, they snatched gold mangalsutra and silver anklets from her. Then, they broke a almirah and fled with silver anklets, karonda, bangles and Rs 20,000. As villagers ran to help the victims, robbers slung stones at them. They fled only when a farmer fired shots in the air. Manavar thana in-charge Ranjit Singh said police have registered a case against robbers and have begun investigation. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has vociferously been opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the governments demonetisation move, said note-bandi (note ban) was a scandal unfolding slowly. We have documents how land was purchased by the BJP just before demonetisation. The party is looting the country without declaring emergency. People must teach it a lesson in the Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan polls, she said in Lucknow during her partys demonstration at 1090 Crossing in Gomti Nagar on Tuesday. Read | PM Modi takes veiled digs at Mamata, Congress over demonetisation issue Demonetisation is not a fight against black money, but a black emergency that left millions of people suffering... You (Modi) did note-bandi and people will do vote-bandi (no votes).This is a fight for peoples rights she said told the large gathering, which included scores of Samajwadi Party supporters. Ministers from UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs cabinet were also present at the rally. Mamata, who took out protests in New Delhi and Kolkata against demonetisation, criticised the PM for asking his party MPs to disclose their bank transactions by December 30. She demanded the disclosure begin with party president Amit Shah, besides challenging Modi to reveal his account details. Political rivals have been conducting rallies in UP as the state heads towards assembly polls early next year, each hoping to curry favour from the electorally significant state -- UP has the most number of seats in the Lok Sabha. Read | Demonetisation has hit those seeking money for poll tickets: PM Modi Be it the freedom struggle or the fight for land rights, UP has always been at the forefront of movements in India. The state has also given India several Prime Ministers from Nehrujis time. And with elections drawing closer, I saw an opportunity to educate people why they should not vote for the BJP, she said, adding, Now the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool are one. She further pitched for Yadav to be re-elected in 2017. Continuing her anit-Modi call -- the CM has vowed to evict PM Modi from politics -- Mamata demanded that Modi rollback the demonetisation or forfeit his post. Attacking Modi, she said he was only giving speeches while failing to give ration to people. Modi ji, if UP has made you PM, then it has power to remove you from the same post... They (BJP) believe in the politics of riots and do not work for people. There are so many villages which do not have banks. How will people survive? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After winning the first phase of the civic body elections for 147 municipal council seats and 17 nagar panchayats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said it was willing to forge an alliance with its partner, Shiv Sena for the crucial municipal corporation elections in Mumbai and Thane early next year. The BJP is always in favour of an alliance with Shiv Sena. We are again positive about forging this alliance for the municipal corporation polls as well, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said as party workers celebrated the BJPs victory outside their Nariman Point office. Last month, in an interview to Hindustan Times, the chief minister said the two parties would come together for the civic polls in the city. While the BJP won the first phase on its own, the opposition parties did make a dent during polling the Congress came in second and this is perhaps why the CM is keen on an alliance, sources said. Even Fadnavis admitted the BJP would have performed better had it contested all the civic bodies in alliance with the Sena. Read: Coffee@HT: I am here to stay for five years, says Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis The two parties had a limited tie-up for the first phase. The BJP top brass in the state knows the Sena has a strong presence in the major cities that will go to the polls early next year, and a division of Sena-BJP votes may be an advantage to the opposition. A section of the BJP, however, is of the view there could be a negative impact in some cities, if the demonetisation move starts affecting people after some time. Around 10 major municipal corporations are going to the polls by February 2017. The BJP-Sena alliance has controlled the BMC, the richest in the country, for two decades. But going into election season, there were doubts if the alliance will continue this time. Sources said the BJP was likely to demand seats based on its current strength that increased after the Assembly polls in 2014. The CM, however, pointed out that it was the BJP that took an initiative for alliance talks with its partner. For the municipal council polls too, it was BJP who initiated talks, but Shiv Sena took long to decide and that resulted in a delay and finally an alliance was declared at the eleventh hour, Fadnavis said. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday taunted the BJP. Referring to various local alliances forged by the party in the recent civic polls, Thackeray said the Sena won seats purely on its strength and not by forging an alliance with different parties at different places. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The move to scrap old Rs500 and Rs1,000 may not only have caused a severe cash crunch, but also traffic jams in the financial capital of the country. The number of vehicles using the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) has gone up after the tolls were waived off in the aftermath of demonetisation, according to various sources in the Mumbai traffic police. A traffic policeman said more motorists are making a go for it by taking the sea link to commute from the western suburbs to south Mumbai. Motorists are mainly facing traffic snarls during morning and evening peak hours, officials said. Now that the route is free for a limited period, commuters who are headed to Lower Parel and Prabhadevi are also using the sea link. This has led to more pressure on the entrance and exit points of the route, said Pankaj Shirshat, assistant commissioner of police, traffic (western suburbs). Traffic officials said motorists usually use the BWSL only during emergencies. However, this changed when the central government decided to waive off toll charges after Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes were declared to be of no legal value from November 9. Heavy snarls were reported on the southbound stretch of the 3.1-km route yet again on Tuesday morning. With a surge in the number of vehicles, average travel time on the route has increased by at least 15 minutes, say traffic police officers. On an average, motorists take around 10 minutes to cross from Bandra to Worli. The congestion on Tuesday extended beyond the sea link to the Western Express Highway as well, motorists complained. A motorist Ajay Singh tweeted, The Legend of the Worli Sealink, first you feel the bliss as it is toll free, and then you see it choked as whole Mumbai is riding on it. Nehal, another regular commuter taking the sea Link, tweeted, Speed limit on Bandra-Worli sea link 80, current speed of car 10. The entrance at Bandra has four lanes while the one at Worli has two lanes, this creates a bottleneck when there is a fast flow of traffic, said another traffic police officer. The traffic police along with the citys policemen have been deployed on both ends of the sea link. An officer from Bandra traffic division said they are ensuring motorists stay in their lanes so that it would not create problems for other motorists. Read Maharashtra to link its schemes for the poor with Aadhaar SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The police killed two criminals in Pune district in an encounter on a hill near Chakan, 30 kms away from Pune, on Tuesday morning. According to the police, Shyam Dabate and Dhananjay Shinde were wanted in serious crimes like murder, extortion, robbery and kidnapping in Pune rural. More than a dozen crimes have been registered against Dabate alone, said the police. The police received a tip-off about Dabate and Shinde hiding near a wind mill on a hill near Chakan. The police surrounded the hill and asked the duo to surrender. However, they refused to do so and opened fire with country-made revolvers. We then fired six rounds, killing the duo on the spot, said a police officer. Also read Dreaded gangster Lehmbar held with 10 aides; arms, ammunition seized One of Ghaziabads most wanted gangster nabbed Even after 20 days of the ban on high-denomination currency imposed by the Prime Minister, tourists were a part of the serpentine queues outside Mumbai ATMs and banks. Foreigners and tourists coming to Mumbai are facing a tough time due to the demonetisation row, but are more concerned about the local citizens. We will be staying here only for some weeks. But its the citizens I am worried about who wait for hours on a daily basis, said Bianca Patrizia Ronayne, a South African tourist waiting outside a Colaba bank. But the country is taking such a big step, so we should not look the horse in the mouth, she added. The process of changing currency is more difficult for tourists, explains Ronayne. We have to first stand in a queue to ask our bank to convert dollars or pounds into rupees, which is always the highest currencies. Then we have to stand in another line to convert those high denomination notes into new ones. I am in the country for over three weeks and only had notes of high denominations. I had no choice but to wait for six hours the next day in a bank to exchange Rs 2,500, said Leigh Cuen, an American tourist who has taken to austerity measures to save for her Goa trip next weekend. Cuen, who waited outside a Fort bank ATM, added that her father called his Indian friend in Delhi and sought help. That Indian guy called his friend in Mumbai who lent me some legal money to make petty purchases and pay for my hotel and food, she adds. Foreigners who had planned their holidays in advance were caught unaware after the sudden ban on high currency notes. Manon Regnier, a Frenchwoman, had come down all the way for her Indian teachers wedding. It was embarrassing for me to ask for money from the wedding family since my exchange was done in high denominations, she said, adding, But I gauged that probably some revolutionary change was going on in the country. Manon was waiting outside a Yes Bank branch in Colaba. Another tourist from Germany was also surprised to hear about the currency ban. I just came to India and two days later I hear people saying highest currencies are banned. My next destination is Goa and I heard people say one can even exchange old notes into new ones, said 22-year-old Julius Reuter, who waited next to a closed ATM in Nariman Point. Possible State officials says apex court has neither quashed nor stayed the new Act, making it eligible for application in case of violations On one hand the dance bars owners are rejoicing that they will get to start operations in the next few days, the state government on the other the hand is exploring the possibility to punish offenders as per the new Act, which has harsher provisions related to penalty and imprisonment. As per the new rules under Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (working therein) Act, 2016, the obscenity and exploitation of women working in the bars is punishable with a fine of Rs10 lakh and imprisonment of three years. Similarly, showering of notes and coins may attract a penalty of Rs50,000 and imprisonment of six months. The Act also has the provision of suspension of the licence in case of violations. We will follow the Supreme Court orders of issuing the licences as per the old rules, but we also are tapping the possibility of imposing the penalty and punishments as per the new Act. The SC hasnt neither quashed nor stayed the new law, which means it is still applicable. And not implementing our own law will be unwarranted. I think the bar owners know this very well and hence they are yet to start operations, said an official from the home department. Last week, the Supreme Court directed the state government to issue licences to the dance bars as per the old rules. One of the 26 stipulations in the old Act states that the existing laws and directives issued by the state authorities will be applicable in case of a violation. Though the bars have been allowed to operate as per old rules framed in 2014, the harsher provision of the new Act, enacted in April 2016 and the rules framed subsequently, could be slapped against the violaters. We are going step by step and will think of the punishment when it comes to it. Our priority is to start the operations. We are meeting the authorities tomorrow with a copy of the order from the apex court. Not only 38, but even the new applications will have to be entertained by the authorities for issuing licences, said Adarsh Shetty, president, Ahar. He said if the government tried to apply the new rules against violations, it may lead to the contempt of court and they will have the legal recourse open. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Citizens might soon find Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), the only railway station from the state that has made it to the top 10 iconic locations selected under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, neat, hawker-free and beautified. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent a 48-hour notice to 36 hawkers outside CST to move to Walchand Hirachand road in Fort area. The BMC on September 30 presented the beautification plan for CST, as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, to the Centre. The area is proposed to be cleaned thrice a day, decorated by murals and also to be made pedestrian-friendly. Along with relocating hawkers, the BMC also plans to move 38 stalls from outside the station to the lane opposite the 140-year-old Bombay Gymkhana, which is at loggerheads with the administration since August. We have served a notice to the hawkers. We are following the Supreme court guidelines for eviction, as currently the hawkers are in the periphery of a station and hospital, said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner, A-ward. Under the CST revamp plan, the BMC also plans to paint the general post office wall on St George lane, explaining the historic importance of all iconic and tourist locations. The civic body will also revamp the foot overbridge at the northern end of CST. The plan includes change of tiling of the bridge and a new paint. While the heritage panel has given nod to tiling, it is yet to decide on the colour. The civic body plans to replace the paver blocks on the footpaths outside Hutatma chowk, Asiatic Society, Dadabhai Naroji Marg in Fort, St Thomas Cathedral and Churchgate station to cobblestone. Read more: A facelift for Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bombay high court on Tuesday rejected the petition four students, admitted in a Malad school under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, who were expelled after it came to fore that their parents had submitted forged income certificates to gain eligibility. The division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice MS Sonak turned down the petition filed by Mangal Pandey (7), his brother Arjun (5), Ayush Mishra (7) and Dev Mishra (5) primarily on the grounds that they did not espouse alternate remedies available under the RTE Act. While Mangal and Ayush were studying in Class 2, the other two petitioners are in pre-primary. The bench said that under the RTE Act, in-house mechanism has been provided for redressal of grievances of violation of any of the rights conferred by the Act on children, and the aggrieved person can approach local authorities like municipal corporations or municipal councils or the State Commission for Child Rights, and the authorities can pass appropriate orders. The bench also refused to order Gokuldham High School and Junior College to allow the students to attend school as an interim measure, primarily noting that the parents approached education authorities and obtained orders from them. The observation came after the counsel for the petitioner pointed out that in May 2016, their parents received letters from the school that they have submitted forged income certificates and their wards were therefore being expelled. He said the school has expelled about 150 students on the same ground, because all the parents had engaged the same agent for obtaining income certificates and a criminal case had been registered against the agent, and police were investigating the matter. The counsel further pointed out that thereafter the parents obtained genuine income certificates and submitted those with the school authorities, but despite submitting the genuine certificates, the school has refused to allow the students to attend classes. The counsel further complained that the school did not mend even after parents of petitioner students approached the Deputy Director, Education and the authority directed the school to allow the students to attend school. The contention, however, did not weigh with the bench for the reason that the petitioner approached the wrong authority and obtained orders. If the petitioners kept knocking doors of wrong authorities, they themselves were to be blamed for that, the bench said in this regard. Besides, the judges said, Gokuldham School is not the only school available for the petitioner students for seeking admission and pursue education. Read Schools will be punished for denying admissions to poor students Experts disagree on scrapping of no-detention policy in state As an honorary Maharashtrian though I have roots both in South and North India I have always been proud of what I consider Maharashtras pioneering role in nation-building. In history books at school, we were taught that Bengal was the thought leader in this country `what Bengal thinks today, India does tomorrow. But I have noticed that to be truer of my adopted state where Maharashtra leads, the nation follows, whether it is in reformist movements of the past and present, or even the regressive ones (like the beef ban). So I cannot help think that the mixed results coming out of the first and second rounds of local self-government elections might be a precursor of what might happen during the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections early next year. The BJP, of course, is in the lead in the number of seats won at the municipal council polls, but a closer look reveals that the Congress has not been far behind in th number of seats at thee councils. The BJP did did far better in the direct Nagar Adhyaksh elections, though there are councils such as Yeola in Nashik district where the BJP won the chairmans post, but only four seats in the council and is in minority in that local body. The Shiv Sena, however, swept all six municipal councils here in terms of seats, and though it might be happy that one bete noire, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, got only half a dozen seats all across, its latest enemy the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad e-Muslimeen, at more than thrice that tally, has not done too badly either across Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra at their first foray in semi- urban areas. Even the Communists swept Talasari in Palghar district from where malnutrition deaths have been reported in recent weeks and the Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana did well in pockets. But the Sena did finish last in terms of councils captured (just 14), which must be a cause for concern, considering it has always been either first or second at every election since 1990, with or without an alliance with the BJP. While the Congress and the NCP, bracketed between these two, have not quite been wiped out in terms of councils captured, perhaps the biggest victory for the two parties is that they defeated Minister for Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde on her home turf her candidates for chairperson lost to the NCP and the Congress in Parli and Ambejogai respectively, and the Congress repeated the feat on BJP state president Raosaheb Danves home turf Bhokardan, winning that councils chairmanship. Narayan Rane of the Congress made what Twitterati described as a `swashbuckling comeback in the Konkan. But then there were the jolts with Prithviraj Chavan of the Congress and Jayant Patil of the NCP, losing ground on their respective home turfs in Western Maharashtra. And what of the royal cousins, both direct descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? Both Udayan Raje and Shivendra Raje Bhonsle belong to the NCP, and were in a fight for Satara with their respective panels Udayan took the body with some tacit support from the Shiv Sena, which had come down in his favour when he described the demonetisation as a potential for the loot of banks. Although the BJP has much to crow about, I wonder, with nearly 30 bodies which have given a hung verdict where the Congress and NCP are in lead in more than half the seats if this s a decisive election. So far as Maharashtra goes, there has been much unrest on the ground not just since demonetisation, which is causing a lot of hardship to the rural poor, but for months before - manifest in the agitations by all communities including Marathas, Muslims, Dalits and Brahmins. As Professor Prakash Pawar of the Shivaji University in Kolhapur had told me before these elections, The situation on the ground is very fluid. No one knows which way the voters will swing. The public mood is against every political dispensation because no political party has conducted itself better than any other. The results on the ground prove him quite right and I cannot help but think the same confusion might be reflective of what is happening across other states in the country. So will we have to get un-used to the decisive victories we have seen since 2014 (or even before with the BSP and Samajwadi Party in UP)? Or are we facing an era of split verdicts again? Read more: Even after demonetisation, BJP leading towards victory march in council polls Mumbai local body polls: Round one goes to CM-led BJP Municipal council polls: BJPs Maha winning streak continues SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Come January, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees will not be getting leave. Reason: the mega BMC elections, which are scheduled to be held in the first week of February. According to civic officials, the administrative work for the polls will begin in the first week of January. The civic staff will also be given training to conduct the elections next month. Consequently, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta has ordered the staff to refrain from taking leave to ensure the daily services dont get affected because of the additional work. Civic officials said of the 1.1 lakh civic staff working across the city, close to 50,000 will be involved in election-related work. According to senior civic officials, Mumbai will have 8,500 voting centres across the city. These centres will require five officials each. The civic body will also have to account for an additional 10% civic staff for election work, in case of an emergency. A civic official said, With a majority of the administration involved in election work, there are chances of lapses in day-to-day civic services. The commissioner does not want citizens to get affected in the bargain. From daily water supply to garbage collection to road repairs, health care, running schools and maintenance of buildings, the BMC is involved in various services for the city. This is not the first time that the civic chief has cancelled holidays for civic employees. In May 2016, Mehta had also cancelled holidays and weekly-offs for all the deputy municipal commissioners and assistant commissioners of all 24 wards to ensure all drains are cleaned and Mumbai is monsoon-ready. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued its winning streak in Maharashtra in the local municipal council polls governing small cities and semi-urban areas, on Monday -- two years after it won the state Assembly in 2014. These councils were so far considered to be the bastion of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to the data available till Monday evening, the BJP won 890 seats of the 3,510 seats in the 147 municipal councils, besides getting 52 of its candidates directly elected as municipal council presidents. The jump from a poor third with 298 seats in the previous elections in 2011 to numero uno has surprised political observers. It was expected the party may get short end of the stick in these elections as the poll campaign coincided with the demonetisation decision of the Centre, which has created more difficulties in semi-urban and rural areas with co-operative banks not being able to hand out requisite cash to people. The victory, a feather in the cap of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, is a boost to the BJP, as it heads into the phase two of the mini-Assembly polls in Maharashtra, with elections to 10 civic corporations and 26 zilla parishads due early next year. The victory also points to the partys increasing footprint in rurban areas, to use the BJPs word for aspirational semi-urban towns in predominantly rural regions, which had been in the control of the Opposition through a network of co-operative institutions. The party won big dividends in Vidarbha and north Maharashtra besides doing well in western Maharashtra. So, what worked for the ruling party? For starters, the CMs strategic decision to re-introduce directly elected municipal council presidents helped the BJP connect with voters. Fadnavis also campaigned extensively across the municipal councils, focussing on development and Centres several schemes, along with the fight against black money. The Congress and NCPs failure to contest polls together also gave a heads up to the BJP. The decision to have directly elected municipal presidents is in line with the governments plans to have regional development authorities across the state to draw development plans. An independent municipal council president can work better for smaller councils. We knew it would appeal to voters aspirations for a better living and help us politically, said a senior BJP leader. The BJP believes despite the hardships, the idea of fighting black money and punishing the rich has appealed to the poor and the middle classes. It shows the co-operative sector is no longer a dominant force. Also, having a political party in the Centre, state and local body has an appeal for people. But, it remains to be seen if demonetisation has worked in favour of the party, said Prakash Bal, a political analyst. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Dubbing the BJP-led government at the Centre anti-poor, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Ashok Chavan said on Monday that his party will raise in Parliament and state legislature the issue of hardships being faced by people owing to demonetisation. The winter session of the Maharashtra legislature will begin in Nagpur from December 5. Addressing a rally outside the suburban collectors office after the Jan Akrosh march from Kalina to Kherwadi junction in Bandra, Chavan alleged that the government had waived Vijay Mallyas loan but not that of the farmers. The BJP government at the Centre is anti-poor. Nine farmers have committed suicide recently, but the government has no shame, he alleged. Chavan claimed the morcha was a success as the common man participated in large numbers. Congress leaders were joined by NCP city unit president Sachin Ahir and their workers in the march in suburban Mumbai to protest against the difficulties being faced by the common man owing to demonetisation. Mumbai unit chief Sanjay Nirupam, city Congress leaders Kripashankar Singh, Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, Rajya Sabha member Hussain Dalwai and NCP Mumbai president Sachin Ahir spoke on the occasion. Ahir said the ill-effects of the November 8 decision taken without proper planning are being felt till today, while Chavan said the citizens who deposited their money in bank accounts are not able to withdraw it. Small traders, farmers, labourers and the working class have been the worst hit. The rural economy has virtually collapsed, Chavan said. Nirupam said that hawkers, shopkeepers, traders in Dharavi, Kalina, Santacruz, Kurla and Bandra have extended their support to the protest march. He said that the Mumbai Congress had organised Money Ki Baat outside railway stations and banks in Byculla, Kurla, Andheri and Jogeshwari to highlight the poor implementation of demonetisation. Nirupam claimed that the Federation of Maharashtra, Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association, Mumbai Gold Wholesale Association and taxi-autorickshaw unions in Mumbai also supported and participated in the morcha. Read Oppn in Maharashtra not in support of bandh, will only protest demonetisation Oppn rallies against demonetisation, Cong says no Bharat bandh, only protests A group of 50 to 60 women and social activists from different parts of the city finally entered the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali shrine on Friday. Noorjahan Safia Niaz, co-convener of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), along with other group members, who had come in a bus, visited the shrine of the 14th-century saint, Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. In 2011, the trustees of the Haji Ali Dargah had decided to deny women access to the grave. Noorjahan was stopped when she tried going into the sanctum of the shrine in June 2012. The BMMA filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay high court (HC) in August 2014 against the blatant discrimination on the ground of gender alone and asked the state to ensure that access to the inner sanctum was restored. In August 2016, the HC allowed women to enter into the sanctum of the shrine and said that the shrine trust has no power to alter or modify the mode or manner of religious practices of any individual or any group. However, on October 3, the Trust moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay HC verdict. On October 24, 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that women should be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Ghaziabad ordered that properties belonging to the four accused in the Yadav Singh corruption case, be attached. Earlier, the court issued non- bailable warrants and a public notice for proclamation (under section 82 of CrPC) on September 6 and October 13, against the four who failed to appear before the court. Yadav Singhs case relates to alleged corruption in public work projects undertaken in Noida. It was alleged that in March 2011, the Noida authority decided to initiate the process of laying underground cables on MP-1 Road with an estimated project cost of nearly 9,202 lakh. It was also alleged that even though tenders for this were called for in the month of March 2011, these were opened only n the month of November 2011 and allotted to two different firms based in Ghaziabad and Noida, in December 2011. Yadav Singh, who was the chief engineer of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities at the time, was arrested and is lodged in Dasna jail in Ghaziabad. The CBI court on Tuesday ordered proceedings under section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code and directed the investigating agency, the CBI, to intervene and submit a report. The court directed the CBI to take appropriate action against Kusum Lata (Yadav Singhs wife), R D Sharma and Om Pal Singh, suspended engineers of the Noida authority; and Pankaj Jain, managing director of the private firm JSP Constructions, in Ghaziabad. Following the directions for attachment of property, the court has directed the CBI to take proper action and also submit a report by December 22, BK Singh, special public prosecutor, CBI, said. On March 15, the CBI filed a chargesheet against 14 people, including Yadav Singh. After the court took cognizance of the chargesheet on March 29, several of the accused surrendered. Yadav Singh and his aide Ramendra were arrested earlier, and officials of private firms, chargesheeted in the case, also surrendered before the court . In pursuance of the July 16, 2015 order of the Allahabad High Court, the CBI registered a case on July 30, 2015 against Yadav Singh and other unknown persons for criminal conspiracy, and cheating, besides the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI stated that their investigation revealed that the allotment of work was allegedly pre-decided, the tender formalities were wilfully violated and the expenditure estimates highly inflated, to cause undue gains to the contractor. This caused an alleged loss of around 19 crore to the government exchequer, the report added. After Yadavs arrest earlier this year, the district authorities in Ghaziabad submitted a medical panel report before the court in connection with the health problems that Yadav Singh allegedly suffered from. His lawyers had submitted an application on May 31 before the CBI court, stating that he suffers from hypertension and backache. According to the medical report, Singh needs to avoid long journeys and may need an ambulance and wheelchair for transportation and movement. It added that he could also be suffering from prolapse of the vertebral disc with hypertension and unstable angina, along with other health issues. The court will take a final call on the report, CBIs special public prosecutor BK Singh, said. For now, the accused is provided with an ambulance and wheelchair on his own expense to attend court hearings, he added. According to the court order on June 3 in this regard, the CBI counsels had opposed the move and stated that the medical report could not be accepted as Yadav Singh was fully fit when he was arrested on February 3. He was also subjected to a medical examination at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, as per procedures followed for arrested accused. The CBI court on June 3 also directed Ghaziabad chief medical officer (CMO) to constitute a medical panel to fully examine Singh. Earlier this year, the Noida authority on Thursday said that it has stopped payment of around 25 crore to the Ghaziabad-based private firm, NKG Infrastructure, which was named by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) int he case .The authority had even thought of blacklisting the firm, after the chargesheet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Four days after an Amity University student died on the campus, the police have registered a case of death due to negligence against unidentified persons. Udit Shankar Singh, 19, a B.Tech first-year student at Amity University, had fallen to death from the fifth floor of the hostel on November 24. His family had filed a complaint three days back, seeking thorough probe in the matter. Manisha Singh, Udits sister has started a social media campaign seeking justice for her brother. A case under section 304 A (causing death due to negligence) was registered against unidentified persons following the complaint of his family members. We are investigating the matter. We have checked the CCTV footage of the campus at the time of the incident but we didnt find anything suspicious, said Amarnath Yadav, station house officer, Sector 39 police station. The police said they also questioned a number of his classmates to know more about the incident but no clues about his death were found. He was staying in hostel H-3, meant exclusively for first year students. He had skipped the Physics exam scheduled for Thursday from 11.30am to 2pm. Some of the students found Udits body lying in a pool of blood on the hostel premises at 1pm. The Amity University administration said they will cooperate in the investigation. We also want the police to get to the bottom of the matter. We will fully support them in the investigation, said Savita Mehta, vice president, communications, Amity University. The university had also launched an internal probe in the incident. Meanwhile, Udits sister Manisha Singh has started a campaign on Facebook and Twitter with hashtag, #justiceforudit, blaming the university administration for negligence. Udit died because of Amity being negligent. The floor he had allegedly fallen from has had a defective latch for quite some time and were told that students used to frequent that place for studying. What sort of an institution allows such a blatant violation of security regulations? How was there no one to keep a check on what the students do? Why was the latch not fixed timely (sic),she wrote on her Facebook page. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A man ran from pillar to post for over 24 hours to arrange money to perform the last rites of his wife. Phoolmati, 62, wife of 65-year-old Munni Lal, a vegetable vendor who lives in the slums of Sector 9, died around 1pm on Monday after a prolonged illness. Lal said that the family has over 15,000 in their accounts at the Sector 9 branch of Bank of India (BoI), but he was unable to withdraw cash to cremate his wife till Tuesday afternoon. The family and their neighbours also staged a protest in front of the bank. I was waiting in the queue at Bank of Indias Sector 9 branch for over three hours on Monday, but in vain. I requested the bank staff to give me some money from my account to perform the last rites of my wife, but nobody heard my request. They thought that I was lying and said that the bank was closed for the day, Munni Lal said. He said that his wife had died of cancer and he placed the body on a slab of ice in his residence. He said that he went to the bank again on Tuesday morning, but there was a long queue. He said that the bank officials denied his request again. I sought help from my neighbours, one of whom contacted a local politician and also informed the media. About 12.30pm on Tuesday, after media persons and local leaders asked the bank manager about the incident, he called me into his cabin and gave me 15,000 from my account, Lal said. Munni Lal and his son Yaman Prasad had a total of 16,023 in their accounts with the branch. Lals neighbour Abdul Khan, who had contacted the media and local leaders, said, Munni Lal was devastated after not getting cash from his account. He repeatedly requested neighbours to lend him some money, but we were also out of cash. We finally decided to inform politicians and the media about the incident. After pressure mounted, the bank finally gave him the cash. The branch manager of Bank of India in Sector 9, Sishupal, said that there was no cash in the bank. We had run out of cash on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, we handed cash over to Munni Lal as soon as we received it, he said. Meanwhile, the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, NP Singh, ordered an inquiry into the matter. I have asked the city magistrate to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter, Singh said. Lal and his family are from Basti district of Uttar Pradesh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Patients are facing problems in getting treatment and buying medicines as some chemists and private hospitals in Noida and Greater Noida are accepting only new notes. Residents said that many are not accepting payment through credit/debit cards either, making matters worse. As per the government directive, scrapped notes are to be accepted by chemists, against a doctors prescription and an ID proof till December 15. After the demonetisation, some chemists in Noida preferred to sell medicines against plastic money to save themselves the inconvenience of standing in bank queues to deposit scrapped notes. Residents said that authorities should take strict action against doctors, private hospitals and chemists who are not accepting payment through cards or online transactions. Many chemists in Noida are not accepting card payments to avoid taxes. There is no cash in any ATM either. How should we pay for medicines and other valuable items? Udayvir Singh of Sector 85 said. There are over 1,500 small and big chemists in the district. Residents alleged that many chemists also claim that the medicine is out of stock to avoid payments through scrapped notes. Deepak Sharma, drug inspector, Gautam Budh Nagar, said, Retailers are directed to give medicines on payments through scrapped notes, provided the person furnishes an ID and doctors prescription. The Reserve Bank of India will take strict action against those flouting norms. As for denying medicine despite having it in stock, we will take action if such a case is brought to our notice. Gautam Budh Nagar district chemists association, however, said that cashless transactions have increased manifold since the demonetisation move. Chemists said they are also suffering a huge loss in business. Our sales have dipped by 40% since the demonetisation because people do not have enough cash to buy medicines. We are also accepting cards and online transfer of money for selling medicines. However, people are buying only those medicines that they cannot do without. Even patients with chronic diseases have stopped buying medicines in bulk, said Anup Khanna, president of Gautam Budh Nagar chemists association. However, there was no directive for private hospitals to accept scrapped currency notes. Private hospitals are asking patients to pay with plastic money or with notes other than the scrapped 500 and 1,000 ones. Vijay Kumar of NRI City in Greater Noida said, My three-year-old son was unwell and needed vaccination. When I went to a private hospital they asked me if I had new currency notes to pay the bill. I said I will pay through debit card or make an online payment, but they refused. Kumar and his family recently shifted to Greater Noida from Mumbai. Kumar works with an MNC in Kasna industrial area. I had to approach a doctor in Indirapuram who was accepting payments through cards, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On the 7th Indian Organ Donation Day, HT caught hold of Dr Ashish Sharma, head, department of renal transplant surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). He talked about the ever increasing gap of organ recipients and donors, the need to amend laws, and urges the private sector to share the load by accepting organ donations. What is the status of organ transplants in PGIMER? We are doing nearly 250 kidney transplants per year and out of these 20% are cadaveric (dead body) donations. Ten years ago, we used to do one cadaveric donation per year and today the number has increased to 26. Then, we have done seven pancreas transplants in the last two years. Across the country, less than 40 pancreas transplants have been done. Why the number of pancreas transplants is so less in the country? Pancreas is one of the most difficult organs to be transplanted. It has got very stringent limits like the donor should be 10-50 years of age. Secondly, if any step goes wrong during the transplant, the patient will end up having infections. When did PGIMER started doing kidney transplants and how many such transplants have been performed? In 1973, first kidney transplant was done in PGIMER and so far, about 3,400 kidney transplants have been done. What is the waiting time of kidney transplant patients in PGI? The average waiting time for those who need cadaveric organ donors is about four years. At present, over 1,200 kidney failure patients are in waiting list. Every year 33% of these patients die in the want of the organ. Why PGIMER started accepting cardiac death donors? For six months there were no brain dead organ donations in the PGIMER and we were wondering what to do. Suddenly, a patient had a cardiac arrest and since we were really pressed hard, we thought that we should give it a go. The patient was operated in January 2014 and he is doing great. Was it the first cardiac death donation and is PGIMER the first institute to accept these donations? No, we first tried in 2012, but the results were not good and yes, PGIMER is the first institute in the country to start accepting donation after cardiac death (DCD). The PGI has so far received seven received cardiac death donors. Laws do not permit removing life support system from patients who are not going to survive. Do you think laws need to be changed? This is the biggest hindrance for organ donation. In June, the government had asked for suggestions and we have already submitted our suggestion but they have not responded. What about the infection rate after organ transplant? Infection is a problem everywhere. Our infection rate is very low, which is between 5% and 15%. What are your plans for the department? The immediate plan is to strengthen the department, as we are short of people. The sanctioned strength is of five faculties, but we are only three. Also, we are aiming to start M.Ch (supecialistion course) in renal transplant surgery. PGI will become first institute in the country to start such a supecialistion course in transplant. Do you have any message for this day? In North of Delhi, PGIMER is the only centre which accepts organ donations. No other hospital is participation in it, which is very sad. In private sector, there is every facility, so the government needs to ask why organ donation is not happening there? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the next four years, 65% of Indias population will be under the age of 35 and it is, therefore, not surprising that millennials are figuring in many developers future planning strategies. Homes being designed are compact as millennials are known to not fancy long commutes and stay close to work. Tailor-made homes are being designed for young people who are not too fussy about things. CapitaLands wholly owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is unveiling Lyf, which targets 10,000 homes by 2020. Lyf residences, designed for and managed by millennials, aims to seize opportunities in rising trend of co-living and co-working The brand is tailored for technopreneurs and individuals from startups, music, media and fashion. With the rising trend of co-living and co-working, the company is planning to have 10,000 units under the Lyf brand globally by 2020. We envisage that key gateway cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad will have a catchment for Lyf. These cities have an environment which supports innovation and where creative individuals thrive. Renowned leisure markets like Goa and Pondicherry that attract domestic and international millennial travellers, will also be a good base for the Lyf brand in India, says Ajit Koushik, Ascotts area general manager for India. A typical Lyf studio would be sized between 14 to 18 sq m and will be priced in the budget to mid-range category depending on the city and location. These properties will have Connect communal spaces, co-working areas that can be easily transformed into zones for workshops or social gatherings. Residents can also use the Wash and Hang laundromat and play a round of foosball while waiting for their laundry to be done. The Bond social kitchen is where guests can prepare home-cooked meals, take cooking classes and socialise while learning more about global cuisines from other residents. These properties will incorporate interactive digital art pieces or even giant ball pits and hamster wheels. In Central Park Resorts in Gurgaon, the company Central Park is planning to introduce 500 sq ft apartments within the project for young homebuyers. The concept is based on a premise: We work, we enjoy ourselves, we live and we dont commute. Clients will be able to use the common drawing rooms, dining areas, eating facilities on a pay as used basis. Prices of these units will start at Rs20,000 per sq ft. Buyers will have to pay 35% at the onset and 65% during possession. We are giving them an exit offer. They will have the option to vacate when they wish to, and take back their money. But of course we are not guaranteeing them any appreciation, reveals Amarjit Bakshi, MD, Central Park. A report titled The Millennials by CBRE says that over 80% millennials in India live with their parents compared to Australia (35%) and China (61%) and as many as 35% consider investment as a key driver for buying property. The survey provides an in-depth look at what defines millennials as people (live), employees (work) and as consumers (play). It is critical that we gain insights into the behaviour of this population. The millennial survey tries to understand the implications that this population will have on different real estate classes. The results are contrary to the general perception around millennials. For instance, 82% of the millennials stay with their parents as saving for the future is among their top priorities and a large majority look at real estate as a sound investment opportunity, says Anshuman Magazine, chairman India and South East Asia, CBRE said. The report describes millennials as generation Rent because 68% who do not live with their parents choose to rent a place. About 56% choose to rent due to financial circumstances and 43% for short -term convenience, the report says. After moving out of a family home, 32% rent a house and only 26% purchase a home with mortgage, 18% buy a house outright, 10% move into an inherited property and 8% are likely to move into free accommodation. The survey, conducted across 13 countries, had India as a major participating country. It touched upon millennials attitude towards the work environment (office spaces), their living choices (residential real estate) and their consumption patterns (retail). Millennials view their homes/apartments, offices and shopping malls as communities and places for interaction with neighbours, colleagues and friends, says the report. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Lisa Haydon is all set for her web series debut with Bindaas channels The Trip and her first look from the show is out. Lisa plays the role of a musician, Shonali, in the series. She is a feisty, free-spirited and extroverted girl. She is the wildest among the four friends whom the series traces and is often responsible for them getting involved in the craziest of adventures. Shonali is the mastermind behind the road trip that the web series traces. Though she is loud and crazy, she has a soft heart and the bachelorette trip to Thailand helps her in her journey to find herself. The Trip is a fun and spirited coming of age story of four (girl) friends, who go on a road trip to Thailand. As one of the girls is set to tie the knot, the gang plans a road trip as a part of the brides bachelorette. The journey though turns into an emotional roller coaster that establishes the relationships they share with one and another and with their own self! Lisa is know for her work in Bollywood hit films like Queen and The Shaukeens. Follow @htshowbiz for more Much like William Shakespeare, Marathi writer Vijay Tendulkars plays have transcended time and territory. Perhaps Tendulkars most enduring work has been Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe or Khamosh! Adalat Jaari Hai or Silence! The Court Is In Session. It has captivated viewers through generations largely because of its immense social relevance -- cruelty against women, especially single women, a societal evil that still permeates human thinking, irrespective of caste or colour or creed. First performed in 1968 in Bombay, the play, directed by Arvind Deshpande, was later adapted to film and helmed by Satyadev Dubey. The movie saw so many firsts: actors Amrish Puri and Amol Palekar debuted in it, while Govind Nihalani (who went on to direct gems like Ardh Satya, Aakrosh, Drohkaal and Tamas) stepped behind the camera for the first time as a full-fledged director of photography. Also, this was Tendulkars first screenplay, which led him to write many more like Nishant, Aakrosh, Ardh Satya and Umbrata. So, it could not have been easy for Ritesh Menon to direct yet another edition of Khamosh, Adalat Jaari Hai -- which this writer saw at the recent National Film Development Corporation of Indias Film Bazaar at Goas Panaji. Happily, Menon did justice to the movie, but let us not forget that he had an excellent cast -- Nandita Das, Saurabh Shukla and Yusuf Hussain. Khamosh! Adalat Jaari Hai works so well, partly because the actors are very good. Based on the play which Tendulkar wrote after overhearing a conversation on a Bombay local train among the members of an amateur drama troupe on their way to stage a mock trial, Menons film follows the original, narrating the pathetic plight of Miss Benare (a riveting piece of acting by Das) whose private life is exposed with mean viciousness by a judge (Hussain), a lawyer (what a splendid performance by Shukla) and few others present in the courtroom -- where some actors, all friends, are staging a theatrical rehearsal. What begins as fun soon degenerates into a horrible attack on Miss Benare --- whose affair with a married professor, Damle (not present there), is ridiculed, and her out-of-wedlock pregnancy condemned. Soon, a mirthful and witty Miss Benare is reduced to tears, and it becomes apparent that the male-dominated society has this great penchant for hitting women who may be weak and helpless. Or, who may not follow communitys conventions. One must watch the way the lawyer pushes his arguments towards cornering Miss Benare -- who is all confused and hurt by her own friends turning so brazenly against her, accusing her of being a home wrecker. Remember, this was going to be only a mock play -- which, though, shockingly translates into a game of personal vendetta -- a kind of drama where the lines of the real and the unreal converge. The transformation of a bubbly Miss Benare into a nervous and humiliated wreck is horribly sad. In a chat with this writer over the telephone from Mumbai this morning, Menon (who had earlier made a film called Crazy Cukkad Family about greedy siblings fighting over their fathers wealth as he is about to die) said that he was unhappy that the evils which Tendulkar wrote about three decades ago were still troubling our society. Tendulkar himself was sad that years after he had penned Shantata... the atrocities elaborated in it still took place in the country. There is a kind of mob mentality which we see, where nobody knows why someone is shouting against someone else. And yet, everybody gets into the slanging match. We saw this in my film. Nobody in that motley group present in the court had any reason to accuse Miss Benare. Yet they all do it with a kind of frightening conviction, Menon added. Khamosh, Adalat Jaari Hai will open in the cinemas soon, though, as Menon said, the date was yet to be firmed up. (Gautaman Bhaskaran covered the recent NFDC Fill Bazaar.) ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop The United States and Cuba expanded air links today, kicking off direct flights to Havana for the first time in more than 50 years. The departure of an American Airlines flight from Miami at 7:30 am (1230 GMT) came just days after the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro at age 90, as throngs of Cubans flock to Havanas Revolution Square to pay last respects to the divisive Cold War titan. Its a once in a lifetime experience, it will be interesting to see how people are responding to his passing, passenger Priva Rhat told reporters on the flight, which set off from Miami with a water cannon salute. In New York, the first JetBlue Airways flight bound for Havana departed an hour and a half later. Air travel between the United States and Cuba had been restricted to charter flights from 1979 until earlier this year. Direct commercial flights began on August 31, linking several US airports with nine Cuban cities, many of them in or near tourism hotspots. There are now 110 daily flights from the United States to Cuba, 20 of them to Havana. The direct flights were one of several watershed changes initiated in December 2014, when US President Barack Obama and Cubas Raul Castro announced a thaw after more than 50 years of hostility. Diplomatic relations were restored in July 2015. Washington still bans Americans from visiting Cuba as tourists, but travel is permitted for 12 other categories, including cultural and educational exchange. President Jacob Zuma escaped a move to oust him as the leader of South Africa by senior members of his ruling party, it was announced Tuesday. A motion to dismiss Zuma, 74, over a string of corruption allegations since he came to office in 2009 was introduced at a meeting of the National Executive Committee, or NEC, of the African National Congress in Pretoria on Saturday. The majority of the ANCs 80 executive committee members voted to keep Zuma in office, the partys secretary general Gwede Mantashe told journalists in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon. Following honest, robust, candid and at times difficult discussion, the NEC did not support the call for the president to step down, said Mantashe. All members of the NEC had the opportunity to raise in the meeting the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country, he said. Fresh from his victory, Zuma left Tuesday for Cuba to attend the funeral of Fidel Castro. Many ANC members have blamed Zumas corruption scandals for the partys poor performance in local elections in August in which it lost the key municipalities of Johannesburg and Pretoria to the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance. It was the worst performance for the ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela, since it won power at the end of apartheid in 1994. Three weeks ago Zuma survived a no-confidence motion in Parliament that was raised by the Democratic Alliance after the state corruption watchdog issued a report which alleged that he may have abused his position to win state contracts for his friends, the wealthy Gupta family. Zuma also faces the reinstatement of 783 corruption charges for an arms deal more than a decade ago. His term as the ANCs leader expires in December 2017. The latest clashes between rival armed groups in the Central African Republic have left 85 dead, a government official said Monday, in what the UN warns is a worsening situation. This figure is confirmed, said presidential spokesman Albert Mopkem, referring to a toll provided by Adama Dieng, a UN special envoy for the prevention of genocide. Nearly half the population needs humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations which has appealed for $399 million from donors to cover the countrys aid needs next year. The latest deaths in the town of Bria, 400 kilometres (250 miles) northeast of Bangui, were amplified by 76 wounded and nearly 11,000 people being displaced in battles between factions of the former Seleka Muslim rebel group last week, Dieng said. The Central African Republic is struggling to emerge from a civil war which erupted in 2013 following the overthrow of former president Francois Bozize, a Christian, by a Seleka coalition. The government is trying to bring together 14 armed groups under a disarmament deal in the former French colony. But militias have flourished in the power vacuum left by a weak state. Fighting is taking place between the Popular Front for the Renaissance of the Central African Republic (FPRC) and the Union for Peace in Central Africa (UPC). The two factions are fighting for control of taxes levied on Fulani herders during the current seasonal migration. Condemning the latest violence, Diengs statement warned of the risk that it could result in reprisal attacks and rapidly escalate. President-elect Donald Trump is set to announce on Tuesday that he has chosen Republican US representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon and vociferous critic of the Affordable Care Act, as health and human services secretary, two sources told Reuters. If confirmed by the senate, Georgias Price, 62, will play a major role in overhauling the health care insurance law better known as Obamacare, the signature domestic legislative achievement of President Barack Obama. Trumps decision was confirmed by a transition team official and a republican official on Monday. Price has long championed a plan of tax credits, expanded health savings accounts, and lawsuit reforms to replace Obamacare. Trump had pledged during his campaign for the White House to repeal the law and replace it with a plan to give states more control over the medicaid health plan for the poor and allow insurers to sell plans nationally. However, after meeting Obama following the Nov. 8 election, Trump said he would consider keeping provisions in the law that let parents keep adult children up to age 26 on insurance policies and bar insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Price is one of about 70 people who Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence have met so far as they look to shape their White House and cabinet team before taking office on Jan. 20. Pence told reporters there would be a number of very important announcements on Tuesday. Trump spokesman Jason Miller declined to confirm the Price pick in a Fox News interview late on Monday but said he expected Trump would announce two cabinet nominees and another top administration official on Tuesday. Secretary of state intrigue Miller said Trump was not expected to announce his decision for the coveted secretary of state job on Tuesday. Trump was slated to have dinner on Tuesday night with Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, who is a top flight candidate for the post, he said. Miller said Trump was also considering former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani - favored by Trump loyalists who worked on the election campaign - and discussed the position with retired general David Petraeus on Monday. A Republican source close to the transition team said it had appeared late last week that Trump was leaning toward choosing Romney as his secretary of state but that the appearance of Petraeus at Trump Tower suggested the president-elect was still undecided and casting a wider net for the position. Just met with General Petraeus--was very impressed! Trump said on Twitter shortly after Petraeus left the hour-long meeting in Manhattan. Petraeus, a former US military commander who led international forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan, was sentenced to two years probation and fined $100,000 last year for the unauthorized removal and retention of classified information. He admitted sharing classified information with his biographer, with whom he was having an affair. The scandal forced Petraeus to resign from the CIA in 2012. Petraeus said after meeting Trump the New York businessman basically walked us around the world in their discussion. He showed a great grasp of the variety of challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well, Petraeus told reporters. Petraeus trouble Petraeus past mishandling of classified documents is unlikely to be an obstacle to Trump offering him a top government post, even though Trump harshly criticized Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during the campaign for using a private email server while she was secretary of state. Trump often compared the prosecution of Petraeus with the lack of legal action against Clinton, who was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation but never charged with any offense. Just based on his public statements, I think (Trump) sees Petraeus as a good man who made a mistake, who did a fraction of what other people have done and received a lot more punishment, said a source who has advised the transition team on national security. Among the Trump transition team, Petraeus and Romney are supported by republicans looking for a candidate with gravitas who can unify the party, the source said. But Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser who managed Trumps campaign, has said Romney would cause a backlash among his supporters, who back Guiliani. Miller said Conway has Trumps blessing to express her views about Romney. On Tuesday, Trump also plans to meet US senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who is also said to be in the mix. Ideological conservatives hope Trump picks John Bolton, the former ambassador to the United Nations, the source said. Corker is well regarded but some in the Trump camp do not want too many senators coming into the cabinet, the source said. Fidel Castro changed the flavour of the milk Cuban children drink at breakfast. He filled Cuban kitchens with energy-saving rice cookers, and he gave a two-hour lesson in their use live on national television. He even changed the nations lightbulbs, launching a nationwide campaign to replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescents that cast a pallid white light in Cuban homes to this day. Castro, who died Friday night at 90, gained global stature with grand visions: confronting the United States; building universal health care and education; sending Cubas doctors to heal the Third Worlds sick and its soldiers to fight alongside socialist allies from Vietnam to Angola. At home, he expended vast quantities of time and energy remaking the minutest aspects of life in the country he ruled for nearly 50 years. Obsessive, restless, fixated on details, Castro is being remembered by many Cubans for his decades of smaller-scale, often quixotic initiatives to implant Soviet-style central planning on an unruly and improvisational Caribbean island. Ten years after Castro turned power over to his brother Raul, the artifacts of his time in command still feature in the daily lives of average Cubans, particularly those related to Castros passions for agricultural productivity and energy-saving. Millions of Cubans still depend on the pale-blue ration book that once provided a months worth of free food, reduced today to about 15 days of rice, beans, eggs, chicken, cooking oil, salt and sugar. In November 2005, Castro tried to persuade his countrymen to also feed their children chocolatin, a mix of powdered milk and cocoa distributed to families in 200-gram bags. Seven of every 11 grams are whole milk powder, believe me, he said. Check it if youre sceptical. Take it to a laboratory and test it. Theres also four grams of cocoa, which is very strong, as strong as it is healthy. I know that our doctors over there in the mountains of Kashmir are drinking their chocolate every night. To this day, its hard to find a Cuban child who doesnt ask for chocolate-layered morning milk, itself a legacy of Castros pledge to give every Cuban under age 7 one litre of milk every day. In 1961, two years after Castros revolution won power, the new Cuban government launched an ambitious campaign to stamp out illiteracy. Some 250,000 volunteer teachers, many of them young women, fanned out across the country, especially in rural areas where access to education was spotty and the need was greatest. In the space of a year, about 700,000 people learned to read and write, said Maestra, a documentary that explores the initiatives history. Today, Cuba reports a literacy rate of 99.8 percent, on par with the most developed nations in the world. In 1960, Castro launched the committees for the defense of the Revolution, neighbourhood watch groups given the job of implementing social welfare projects and natural disaster assistance, looking out for the elderly and organizing modest block parties. They also serve as the governments eyes and ears, networks of informants that enforce compliance and watch for suspicious activity such as political dissidence or an illegal satellite hookup. The committees are so ubiquitous that just about everyone in Cuba, especially in the cities, still lives within sight of the home of a committee member. In 1985, many Cubans stopped smoking when Castro abandoned his ubiquitous cigars as part of a nationwide campaign against tobacco, which remains one of the islands principal exports. Some Cubans fondly remember his personal involvement in the daily problems of individual citizens, while others say he created a leader-dependent autocracy that remains virtually immobile without direct commands from the president. A friend of mine solved her housing problem when she got Fidels response to her letter seeking help, said Elisa Marquez, a 54-year-old state human resources manager. With his signature on the letter, it got fixed. In 2005, Castros government decided as part of its energy revolution that the incandescent light bulbs time was up. Workers went door-to-door across the country as people handed over old 60-watt bulbs and were given energy-efficient replacements in the 5- to 18-watt range, with the committees for the defense of the revolution helping keep track of those who complied. The switch is still evident today in millions of dimly lit homes, stores and offices. Some people have complained that the light is barely enough to read by or for kids to do homework after nightfall. In March 2005, Castro stunned islanders with the sudden announcement that the government would hand out 100,000 new pressure cookers each month until some 2.5 million were distributed in all and that still more would then be made available at subsidized prices, along with Chinese-made rice cookers. The move will do away with the rustic kitchen, Castro said in remarks to the Federation of Cuban Women. Today the pressurized appliances remain a fixture in households everywhere. A small Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard vessel pointed its weapon at a US military helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, two US defence officials told Reuters on Monday, an action they described as unsafe and unprofessional. The incident is the latest in a series of similar actions by Iranian vessels this year, but the first reported since Republican Donald Trump won the US presidential election on November 8. During his campaign, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessel that harassed the US Navy in the Gulf would be shot out of the water, if he was elected. Trump is due to take office on January 20. There was no immediate Iranian comment on the incident. Trumps transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident took place when a Navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile of two Iranian vessels in international waters. One of the vessels pointed a weapon at the helicopter, the US officials said. The behaviour by our standards is provocative and could be seen as an escalation, the officials said. At no point did the crew of the helicopter feel threatened, they added. It was not immediately clear what type of weapon was pointed at the US aircraft. Years of mutual animosity eased when Washington lifted sanctions on Tehran in January after a deal to curb Irans nuclear ambitions. But serious differences still remain over Irans ballistic missile programme, and over conflicts in Syria and Iraq. A number of similar incidents have taken place this year. In September, a US Navy coastal patrol ship changed course after an Iranian fast-attack craft came within 100 yards (91 metres) of it. When they circle our beautiful destroyers with their little boats and they make gestures at our people that they shouldnt be allowed to make, they will be shot out of the water, Trump said at the time. An Indonesian woman screamed in agony as she was caned in Aceh on Monday, the latest in a growing number of women to be publicly flogged for breaking the provinces strict Islamic laws. Highlights Aceh is the only province in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country that imposes sharia law. People can face floggings for offences like gambling, to drinking alcohol, to gay sex. In the latest caning, five people -- two women and three men -- were flogged in front of a cheering crowd at a mosque in the provincial capital Banda Aceh. The 34-year-old woman who yelled in pain had been found guilty of spending time in close proximity with a man who was not her husband in contravention of Acehs Islamic regulations. She was lashed seven times with a rattan cane by a man wearing long robes and a hood, with just slits for the eyes. It hurts so bad. It hurts so bad, the woman said, raising her arms into the air, as she was beaten. The 32-year-old man with whom she was caught was also flogged seven times. Two university students, both 19, received 100 lashes of the cane after they confessed to sex outside marriage. They stared at the ground as they were flogged, showing little emotion. The Acehnese woman cries in pain as she is flogged in Banda Aceh for spending time in close proximity with a man who is not her husband, which is against sharia law. (AFP) A man found guilty of sex outside marriage was flogged 22 times although his partner, who is two-months pregnant, is still waiting to learn her fate after facing trial at an Islamic court. However Aceh authorities typically spare pregnant women from canings. Aceh, on Sumatra island, began implementing sharia law after being granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government in Jakarta to quell a long-running separatist insurgency. Islamic laws have been strengthened since the province struck a peace deal with Jakarta in 2005, and there has been a particular increase in the number of women being caned in recent times. In a significant political breakthrough, the Nepal government on Tuesday approved a constitution amendment proposal that will partially address the grievances of the Madhesis. The amendment is expected to be tabled in Parliament. The proposal comes in the backdrop of the deep political polarisation in Nepal over the past year, which had affected both Kathmandu-Tarai and Nepal-India ties. Ever since the constitution was promulgated in September 2015, Madhesis of the southern plains had been protesting, demanding a revision in federal boundaries and greater political representation. India had urged Nepali political leaders to take all sections of society on board. When a new government led by Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda took over power in August, it promised to address these demands. But while it will get registered, the passage of the amendment requires a two-thirds majority. With the main opposition, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) led by K P Oli opposing the amendment, this will be difficult - though not impossible - to achieve. The federal revision The amendment proposal, finalised in the Prime Ministerial residence in Kathmandu, deals with four broad issues. The most contentious issue is of federal demarcation. The constitution had created a single plains-only unit in the eastern Tarai with eight districts, and merged the remaining districts of the plains with the hills. Madhesi parties want a complete demerger of the hills and the plains as they believe this would allow them to exercise a degree of self rule. They wanted two broad units in the Tarai region. The amendment proposes to hive off hill districts and create a Tarai-only unit of six districts in western plains, stretching from the district of Nawalparasi to Bardia. This would create two units in the Tarai plains, on an east-west axis. Five districts of the plains - three in the south east, two in the south west - however remain merged with hill provinces, on a north-south axis. The government has decided to form a commission, which will resolve all other federal disputes, leaving the door open on these districts. Representation and citizenship The amendment also proposes to change the pattern of representation in the upper house of parliament. Earlier, the constitution had determined that Nepals seven provinces would send eight representatives each to the upper house. Madhesi parties had insisted this would lead to under-representation of the Tarai, and demanded the principle of population rather than geography must be prioritised. The amendment proposes a minimum of three representatives from each state - which must include one woman, one Dalit, and one disabled person. Besides these 21 members, 35 seats of the house were to be distributed among the states on the basis of population- so provinces of the Tarai with more people would now send more representatives. Third, the amendment clarifies that foreign women who marry Nepali men, once they leave their original citizenship, can acquire naturalised citizenship of Nepal under federal law. There are deep cross-border kinship relations between people of the Nepali plains and Indian citizens of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - and there was an apprehension among Madhesis that the state would seek to block these natural flows by making it difficult for Indian women to get citizenship. However, the constitution continues to discriminate between citizens by descent and naturalised citizens - the latter are not eligible for a range of positions. It also continues to discriminate on gender lines in terms of passing citizenship to children. The fourth issue in the amendment is to do with languages. Those languages recommended by the Language Commission as Mother Tongue, and as official languages, will be incorporated in the constitution as an annexe, giving it statutory legitimacy. Indian reaction India is closely watching the developments in Nepal, and sources told HT they would be very encouraged when the amendment is tabled. It also vindicates our old position that the constitution must be inclusive and take everyone on board. It is encouraging to see Nepali leaders internalise this on their own and take forward the process. We now hope it can be passed. The amendment is seen widely in Nepal - except by the UML - as an essential first step to implementing the constitution, including holding of elections. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Top officials from Nepal and Indian on Tuesday agreed to clear bottlenecks in India-funded projects in Nepal. The decision was taken at the first meeting of an oversight panel on the project. Foreign Secretary of Nepal Shankar Das Bairagi and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae led their respective teams at the meeting, which also discussed ways to expedite the projects worth billions of dollars. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, seven big infrastructure were discussed in the first meeting where relevant stakeholders from various projects were also present. Cross-border railway connectivity, construction of the integrated check posts in four key Nepal- India trading points, the 900-MW Upper Karnali hydroelectricity project being developed by GMR and Arun III project developed by Sutluj Vidyut Nigam were discussed. The progress made in Pancheshowor Multipurpose Project that has an installed capacity of 4.800 MW, bridge in Mahakali River, and the construction of Hulaki Road ( Postal Road) in southern plains were also discussed. Utilisation of the $1-billion aid announced by India for reconstruction will be discussed. The two sides met amid widespread criticism that the projects failed to make progress During the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to India in September, the two sides had agreed to form the overseeing mechanism that would meet at least once a month with project chiefs, officials, contractors and stakeholders to resolve any issues hampering the projects. North Korea is observing a three-day period of mourning for Fidel Castro, who was seen by the North as a comrade-in-arms against the common enemy of the United States. Flags outside official buildings are being flown at half-staff to honour Castro, who died Friday at age 90. Reports from Pyongyang said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Cuban Embassy to pay his respects. A delegation of senior North Korean officials has left for Havana to attend Castros memorial services. We feel pain of the loss of the great comrade, the great comrade-in-arms, Kim wrote in a condolence book at the Cuban embassy, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday. According to a Japanese agency that monitors North Korean media, Castro is the first foreign political figure to be honored in such a manner since Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who died in 2004. The mourning period ends Wednesday. Shortly after receiving news of Castros death, Kim Yong Nam, head of the Norths parliament, and Premier Pak Pong Ju sent a message of condolence to Castros brother Raul, who assumed power after Fidel Castro became too weak to continue as leader in 2008. In it, they said that although Fidel Castro has died, the feats he performed for the Cuban revolution and the fraternal relations of friendship between the two countries would remain forever. But Fidel Castros passing could well be the end of an era for North Korea-Cuba relations. Because of their common enmity toward the United States and similar authoritarian power structures, Cuba and North Korea had maintained generally close diplomatic ties throughout the years. The two countries established ties in 1960 and Castro visited the North in 1986 to meet with Kim Il Sung, the countrys founder and Kim Jong Uns grandfather. Such fraternal sentiment toward Havana and Raul Castro, however, appears to have dimmed in Pyongyang amid a rapprochement between Cuba and the U.S., who agreed to normalize ties in 2014. Read more| Comrade Fidel: A saviour for many, an oppressive dictator for others A university student whose family immigrated from Somalia rammed his car Monday into a crowd at Ohio State University and attacked them with a butcher knife, injuring 11 before police fatally shot him. Identifying the assailant as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, officials in the northern US state said he appeared to have acted alone in what was being investigated as a possible terror attack. What happened The attack lasted just a few minutes, from the car careening into the crowd until the suspect was shot dead. The universitys main campus in Columbus was locked down, with panicked students hiding in bathrooms before the scene was declared secure. Officials said 11 people were being treated at local hospitals for stabbing wounds and injuries from the motor vehicle. None of their injuries were life-threatening. He also appears to have made an anti-US posting on Facebook minutes before the attack, on a page that was quickly disabled or taken down by authorities, US media said. I cant take it any more. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that, the post quoted by ABC television said, using a term referring to the global community of Muslims. If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace, the post reads. We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. Artan also referred to Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born al Qaeda cleric, as a hero in the posting. His shocking attack lasted just a few minutes from the car careening into the crowd until the suspect was shot dead but triggered a tense lockdown on the universitys main campus in Columbus, with panicked students hiding in bathrooms before the scene was declared secure. Officials said 11 people were being treated at local hospitals for stabbing wounds and injuries from the motor vehicle. None of their injuries were life-threatening. Columbus police chief Kim Jacobs said earlier in the day they were considering the possibility that it was terrorism related. Map showing Ohio state university where a student rammed a car into a crowd Monday and attacked people with knife before being shot dead by police. (AFP) US media reported that Artan was of Somali descent, though officials did not confirm that information. They did not release his exact age, saying only that they believed he was born in 1998. An OSU student of the same name also was profiled in the August issue of student newspaper The Lantern, for an article in which he spoke of the lack of Muslim prayer rooms on campus. Artan, who was identified as a third-year transfer student studying logistics management, told the paper he was uncomfortable with praying on campus. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen, he said. The rampage comes two months after a Somali immigrant stabbed 10 people at a mall in Minnesota, before he was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer. The Minnesota assailant, 20-year-old Dahir Ahmed Adan, was described as radicalized and the Islamic State group claimed the attack as the work of an IS soldier. A tense lockdown Mondays attack unfolded just before 10:00 am (1500 GMT), when police were alerted that a car had struck pedestrians on campus, and that the driver had jumped out wielding a large knife. We could tell that the suspect was in the car by himself, said Craig Stone, chief of police at the university, describing a review of surveillance camera footage of his grey sedan. A fire alarm, which investigators believed to be unrelated, had caused students and staff to evacuate a building prior to the attack. Abdul Razak Artan, a third-year student in logistics management, sits on the Oval in Columbus, Ohio. (The Lantern via Reuters) The attacker exited the vehicle, and used a butcher knife to start cutting pedestrians, Stone said. Our officer was on scene in less than a minute and he ended the situation in less than a minute. He engaged the suspect, and he eliminated the threat. After the suspect was shot dead by the responding officer, identified as 28-year-old Alan Harujko, university officials sent out a campus-wide alert to initiate a lockdown due to a possible active shooting incident. SWAT teams fanned out across the facility and an FBI team was also on the scene, searching buildings for any additional suspects. Screams and running It took nearly two hours before officials lifted the lockdown, and shocked students and staff began streaming out of buildings. The university canceled classes for the rest of the day. I was right there, student Joseph Noll told Columbus television station WBNS. I just heard some screams, and I saw people running. Cydney Ireland told ABC she was walking out of class when she also heard screams. Everybody was running in any direction they possibly could, students were running out of the classroom building, she said from her hiding spot in a locked bathroom. Ohio State has roughly 60,000 students on the main campus in Columbus, which sprawls across more than 1,900 acres. A number of vigils and gatherings were planned, as university officials offered student and staff counselling. A girl is led to an ambulance by emergency personnel following an attack at Ohio State University's campus in Columbus, Ohio. (Reuters) Days such as these test our spirit, university president Michael Drake said in a note to students and staff, But together we remain unified in the face of adversity. I encourage anyone in our community in need of assistance to utilize the universitys resources,. Classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday. Our hearts go out to the families of those affected in Ohio a tragic attack. Our prayers are with them, said vice president-elect Mike Pence in New York. While we do not yet have confirmation of terrorist connections, this is the type of indiscriminate violence our enemies are urging their followers to use against us, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said in a statement. Whatever the case, we will continue to monitor the investigation to ensure any potential accomplices or instigators are found and brought to justice. In pics | At least 10 injured in Ohio State University attack Investigators are looking into whether a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University that injured 11 people was an act of terror by a Somali-born student who had once criticized the media for its portrayal of Muslims. The attacker, identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus shortly before 10 a.m. Monday, and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot to death by a campus police officer, authorities said. A motive was not immediately known, but police said they were investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. Artan was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent US president, according to a US official who was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The FBI joined the investigation. Ohio State University police Chief Craig Stone said Artan deliberately drove his small gray Honda over a curb outside an engineering classroom building and then began knifing people. Officer Alan Horujko, 28, who was nearby because of a gas leak arrived on the scene and shot the driver in less than a minute, Stone said. Angshuman Kapil, a graduate student, was outside Watts Hall when the car barrelled onto the sidewalk. It just hit everybody who was in front, he said. After that everybody was shouting, Run! Run! Run! Eleven victims were taken to three Columbus hospitals. Most had been hurt by the car, and two had been stabbed, officials said. One had a fractured skull. Several prayer vigils were held Monday night to support the victims and the community. Classes at University were cancelled after the attack, but were scheduled to resume Tuesday. Students said they were nervous about returning and planned to take precautions such as not walking alone. Its kind of nerve-wracking going back to class right after it, said Kaitlin Conner, 18, of Cleveland, who said she had a midterm exam to take Tuesday. Rep. Adam Schiff, of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the act bore the hallmarks of an attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized. Ohio States student newspaper, The Lantern, ran an interview in August with a student named Abdul Razak Artan, who identified himself as a Muslim and a third-year logistics management student who had just transferred from Columbus State in the fall. He said he was looking for a place to pray openly and worried about how he would be received. I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. Im a Muslim, its not what media portrays me to be, he told the newspaper. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. But I dont blame them. Its the media that put that picture in their heads. Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. (AFP Photo) In recent months, federal law enforcement officials have raised concerns about online extremist propaganda that encourages knife and car attacks, which are easier to pull off than bombings. The Islamic State group has urged sympathizers online to carry out lone-wolf attacks in their home countries with whatever weapons are available to them. Artan was not known to the FBI prior to Mondays attack, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Dozens of FBI agents began searching Artans apartment Monday night. Neighbours said he was always polite and attended daily prayer services at a mosque on the citys west side. Leaders of Muslim organizations and mosques in the Columbus area condemned the attacks while cautioning people against jumping to conclusions or blaming a religion or an ethnicity. Surveillance photos showed Artan in the car by himself just before the attack, but investigators are looking into whether anyone else was involved, the campus police chief said. Pakistans outgoing army chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Tuesday warned India not to mistake his countrys restraint over tensions in Kashmir for weakness as he handed over power to his successor, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. Lasting peace in South Asia could not be achieved without resolving the Kashmir issue, Sharif said while addressing a change of command ceremony at a stadium near the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. In a blunt message, Sharif, who once referred to Kashmir as an unfinished agenda of Partition, said: Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in (Kashmir) and Indias aggressive stance have endangered regional peace. I want to make it clear to India that mistaking our policy of patience for weakness would be dangerous for it. Sharif added, This is the reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without the solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international communitys special attention is necessary. Tensions between the two countries erupted following a terror attack on Pathankot airbase in January that was blamed on the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed. Another terror attack on an army camp in Uri in September and fierce exchanges of fire on the Line of Control (LoC) took relations to a new low. Bajwa, who has extensive experience of commanding troops on the LoC and was named the new chief on Saturday, will have to cope with the tensions and a drive against militant groups that was started by Sharif. Officials have indicated there is unlikely to be a shift in policies for India under the new army chief. During the changeover, Sharif expressed the hope that policies started under him would be continued by Bajwa. Sharif listed the achievements of the army and the country in the past three years in his final speech. At the same time, he stressed the need for institutions to work together for Pakistans progress. It is important that all institutions work together against external threats and internal threats. For this, we will need to follow the National Action Plan in letter and spirit, he said. I thank the federal government and political leadership for cooperating with us...I had the entire countrys cooperation, for which I thank the army and the nation. He also cautioned the country on the challenges facing it. Our challenges are not yet over. We have made gains over the past year. It is necessary that we never forget the sacrifices of those who lost their lives...Our journey towards peace is still underway. Our destination is not far, he said. Internal deficiencies should be overcome by uprooting criminality, corruption and extremism so that Pakistan can effectively tackle external threats, he added. Sharif said he was particularly proud of enhanced cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would ensure regional peace and prosperity. The departure of the first cargo from Gwadar port has shown this journey cannot be halted now, he said. The time is here for the enemies of CPEC to stop working against it and become a part of it. Sharif is credited by most Pakistanis for turning the tables against militants in the war against terrorism. On this, he said: We were able to change the face of history by fighting a war against terrorism. I have a strong belief that the Pakistan Army will always deliver on the nations expectations. A military band kicked off the ceremony, which was attended by members of the cabinet and parliamentarians. Defence minister Khawaja Asif and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq were also present. Before the ceremony, Sharif laid a wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (martyrs monument). According to media reports, all educational institutions in nearby areas were closed and mobile phone services were suspended for security reasons. Five gunmen, some of them wearing suicide belts, attacked the Iraqi city of Samarra on Monday, killing at least four members of the security forces, officials said. A group from the Daesh terrorist gang tried to infiltrate Samarra and forces confronted them and killed them, the Joint Operations Command said in a statement, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group. Samarra, which lies 110 kilometres (70 miles) north of Baghdad, is home to a major security headquarters and to an important Shiite shrine where a 2006 bombing touched off two years of sectarian bloodletting. At least four members of the Iraqi security forces were killed and one wounded in the attack, the JOC and other security officials said. Security officials said the assailants came from the western bank of the Tigris, crossed it on a boat and attacked a building belonging to the Salaheddin provincial council. A curfew was briefly slapped on the city as security forces combed the area for any additional attackers. There was no immediate claim for the attack but officials in Samarra blamed it on IS, which is fighting to defend its Iraqi bastion of Mosul against a huge government offensive. The inghimasi attack, a term for jihadist operations in which gunmen, often wearing suicide vests, intend to sow chaos and fight to the death rather than achieve any military goal, fits a recent pattern of IS attacks. The group has launched a series of spectacular diversionary attacks on targets outside Mosul in the past six weeks, including in Kirkuk, Rutba and Sinjar. Thailands parliament on Tuesday invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the next king, resolving lingering anxiety over his accession following his fathers death last month. The country has been plunged into mourning since widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej died on 13 October, ending a remarkable seven-decade reign and removing a key pillar of unity in a bitterly divided nation. Tuesdays move ends a period of uncertainty sparked by the junta making the surprise announcement after Bhumibols death that the prince had asked to delay his official proclamation so he could mourn. I will invite the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to succeed to the throne and become king of the Thai people, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, head of the rubber stamp National Legislative Assembly said. Lawmakers then stood up and replied: Long live the king. The parliamentary endorsement came after Thailands cabinet officially submitted Vajiralongkorns name earlier in the day. Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and the juntas number two, said the princes ascension was proceeding step-by-step according to the countrys arcane succession rules. According to protocol, the assembly speaker will now seek a royal audience with the prince to invite him to ascend the throne, the last step before being proclaimed the new monarch. Prawit said that would likely happen either tomorrow or the day after. Vajiralongkorn, 64, has been the named successor to Bhumibol for more than four decades. He spends much of his time outside the kingdom, particularly in southern Germany where he owns property. A military source told AFP the prince was still currently in Germany. Shielded from criticism He will soon inherit one of the worlds richest monarchies, an institution protected by a tough royal defamation law. That law makes open discussion about the royal familys role all but impossible inside the kingdom and convictions have skyrocketed since generals seized power in 2014. Officially Thailands monarch has limited constitutional power. But over his seven-decade reign, Bhumibol built up a powerful network of alliances, especially within Thailands military elite, and forged a reputation as an arbiter in times of crisis. Yet the late king has left his son with a sharply divided country. Thailands last decade has seen a cycle of political protests, coups by an arch-royalist military while inequality has deepened. Dubbed the lost decade, Thailands most recent period of political unrest coincided with Bhumibols increasingly frail health and fewer public appearances. Vajiralongkorn, a certified pilot, has yet to achieve his fathers widespread adoration. Rumours over his private life have also trailed him. He has had three high-profile divorces, while a recent police corruption scandal linked to the family of his previous wife allowed the public a rare glimpse of palace affairs. Since Bhumibols death, he has attended some of the daily funerary rites for his father but has made no public statements. He has asked his younger sister, Princess Sirindhorn to oversee the organisation for Bhumibols cremation, which will not take place until an official one year mourning period has ended. Historically, the new monarch in Thailand is only crowned once the previous monarch is cremated. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped another Indian-American for a senior position on his team, naming Seema Verma the administrator of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday. He also named Congressman Tom Price secretary of health and human services, who will be tasked with dismantling Obamacare, which Trump had wanted to repeal in full but has indicated he may retain portions of it. Vermas appointment makes her the second Indian-American in a senior position in the Trump team after South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who has been named US ambassador to the United Nations, a cabinet-rank position. I am pleased to nominate Seema Verma to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Trump said in a statement, adding: She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans. Read: Story of Nikki Haley, the Indian-American in Team Trump Verma said in the same announcement: I am honored to be nominated by President-elect Trump today. I look forward to helping him tackle our nations daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way. Verma worked with healthcare reform in Indiana with Governor Mike Pence, who is now vice president-elect. Verma is currently the president, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc., a national health policy consulting company. She has worked extensively on a variety of policy and strategic projects involving Medicaid, insurance, and public health, working with Governors offices, State Medicaid agencies, State Health Departments, State Departments of Insurance, as well as the federal government, private companies and foundations, according to the announcement from the Trump transition team. She is credited with redesigning Medicaid programmes in several states, and the statement called her the architect of the Healthy Indiana Plan, the nations first consumer directed Medicaid program. Verma was Indianas health reform lead following the passage of Obamacare in 2010. Verma did Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, and got her Bachelors degree in Life Sciences from the University of Maryland. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped another Indian-American for a senior position on his team on Tuesday, naming Seema Verma the administrator of the powerful Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. He also named Congressman Tom Price the secretary of health and human services. Price will be tasked with dismantling Obamacare, which Trump had wanted to repeal in full. But he has indicated after the election he may retain portions of President Barack Obamas legacy health care reform. Trump called Price and Verma a dream team. Both their appointments will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Vermas appointment makes her the second Indian American in a senior post in the President-elects team after South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who has been named US ambassador to the United Nations, a cabinet-rank position. Verma, an expert on public health policy, has been described as a powerful healthcare consultant in Indiana, where she lived and worked with several governors including Mike Pence, the Vice-President-elect, on healthcare reforms. She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems, the president-elect said about Verma, in a statement released by the transition team. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans. Trump is expected to announce other major appointments to the cabinet and other senior positions in coming days including that of the secretary of state, which has become embroiled in an intense, and public, feud in his team. Trump is leaning towards Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee who was brutal in his criticism of the real-estate baron, but some of his senior advisers have opposed it, questioning latters loyalty. They even doubt if Romney voted for Trump. Trump has summoned Romney for a second meeting. But he has also met others such as former CIA boss David Petraeus, who he might be considering to be his top diplomat, the face of his foreign policy and national security agenda. The appointments of Price and Verma was taken as a strong signal that Obamacare will be overhauled and replaced. Price, a surgeon, has been a strident critic of Obamas signature legislation. About her appoinement, Verma said, I am honoured to be nominated by President-elect Trump today. I look forward to helping him tackle our nations daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way. Verma is currently the President, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc., a national health policy consulting company. She has worked extensively on a variety of policy and strategic projects involving Medicaid, insurance, and public health, working with Governors offices, state medicaid agencies, state health departments, state departments of insurance, as well as the federal government, private companies and foundations, according to the announcement from the Trump transition team. She is also credited with redesigning Medicaid programmes in several states, and the statement called her the architect of the Healthy Indiana Plan, the nations first consumer-directed Medicaid programme. Verma, who was Indianas health reform lead following the passage of Obamacare in 2010, did her Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, and got her Bachelors degree in Life Sciences from the University of Maryland. US President-elect Donald Trump has added 16 more electoral votes to his tally with authorities in Michigan certifying that he has won the state, nearly three weeks after the presidential poll. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers, with a 4-0 vote, yesterday certified Republican nominee Trumps 10,704-vote victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election. 70-year-old Trumps win in Michigan gave him all the 16 electoral votes and took his tally to 306 compared to Clintons 232. Trump is the first Republican presidential nominee to win Michigan since 1988. The Board of Canvassers certification makes the election results official, but it also starts the 48-hour clock for Jill Stein, the Green Partys presidential candidate, to seek a recount, Detroit Free Press reported. Stein has raised more than $6.5 million to pay for recounts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. She has already filed the recount requests for Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Mark Brewer, former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party and lawyer for Stein, told the Board of Canvassers that he intends to file a request for Stein by Wednesdays 2 pm deadline to recount all the presidential votes cast in the state. Jill Stein will be filing a petition with this board for a manual recount of the votes cast for president in Michigan. The purpose of this manual recount is to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the election, he said. Every vote must be counted, Brewer was quoted as saying. Chris Thomas, the director of elections for the state, noted that Stein received only 51,643 votes or 1.07% of Michigans total votes in the presidential race. It is odd, to say the least, that a candidate with 1.07% of the vote is seeking a recount, he said. But under Michigan law, they can do so. A recount would begin on Friday in the states 19 largest counties and run all weekend. If a recount happens, all the ballots - all 4,799,284 votes in the presidential race - will be counted by hand at the county level under state supervision. The Trump campaign has seven days to file written objections to the recount, but they cannot just challenge the recount based on the likelihood that the results will not change, Thomas said. PTI AKJ AKJ Authorities in Los Angeles said Monday they were actively seeking the authors of a series of threatening letters sent to area mosques and urged anyone who had received similar messages to come forward. The letters, which were addressed to the Children of Satan, called Muslims vile and filthy people while praising President-elect Donald Trump and vowing that was going to do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews. They were sent to three mosques in California and one in Georgia. Highlights Three California mosques received a letter calling Muslims vile and filthy, praising President-elect Donald Trump and saying he plans to cleanse America. Authorities are actively seeking the authors of the threatening letters. Los Angeles deputy police chief Michael Downing said two of the letters sent to mosques in California were postmarked November 19 Your day of reckoning has arrived, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an advocacy organization for Muslims in the US, quoted the letter as saying. Theres a new sheriff in town -- President Donald Trump. Hes going to cleanse America and make it shine again. And, hes going to start with you Muslims. The author or authors signed the letter Americans for a Better Way. While the handwritten messages contained awful, awful language, the messages did not contain a specific threat and as such did not constitute a hate crime, said Stephen Woolery, head of the FBIs counterterrorism division in Los Angeles. Read| US mosques receive hate letter threatening to cleanse the filthy Muslims I would encourage you, the community, that if you receive letters like this, please report them, Woolery, said at a press conference at the Islamic Center of Southern California alongside police officials and faith leaders. We know that there is under-reporting in a number of crimes that occur. (2). @SanJosePD investigating. Letter:"You worship the devil. But your day of reckoning has arrived". Calls Muslims "vile" & "filthy people" pic.twitter.com/99WGI2giLF Damian Trujillo (@newsdamian) November 26, 2016 Los Angeles deputy police chief Michael Downing said two of the letters sent to mosques in California were postmarked November 19. The FBI earlier this month reported that hate crimes against Muslims in the United States surged 67 percent this year -- the highest level since the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. The bureaus Uniform Crime Report documented 257 anti-Muslim hate crimes, up from 154 in 2014. Trump railed against Muslims and immigrants during the presidential campaign and since his election on November 8, more than 100 anti-Muslim incidents have been reported across the country, CAIR said. It quoted the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate crimes, as saying that more than 700 incidents targeting different minority groups had been documented since Election Day. A US military investigation has concluded that a series of unintentional human errors led to a coalition air strike on September 17 that killed fighters aligned with the Syrian regime instead of the Islamic State militants they were targeting. The incident, which Moscow said killed more than 60 Syrian soldiers, sparked a controversy and prompted an emergency UN Security Council meeting as tensions between Russia and the United States spiked. Brigadier General Richard Coe, who led the investigation, told reporters at the Pentagon via a conference call on Tuesday that the major errors ranged from a basic misidentification of targets to group think during intelligence development and even a communications blunder on a hotline with Russia. But Coe also defended the coalition personnel involved, saying they were good people trying to do the right thing. These people get it right far more often than not, but this time they came up short, Coe said. The US-led coalition is focused on attacking the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and does not want to get involved in Syrias brutal civil war. Australian, Danish, British and American planes all took part in the air strike, which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group has said killed at least 90 regime troops. Read | Syria truce teeters on brink after US-led raid kills troops The Pentagon said it had only been able to conclusively count 15 deaths, but acknowledged the toll was possibly much higher. In this incident, we made an unintentional, regrettable error primarily based on human factors in several areas in the targeting process, Brigadier General Richard Coe, who investigated the case, told reporters. Key among these mistakes was an early misidentification of a Syrian vehicle as belonging to IS jihadists, which coloured subsequent intel assessments. Coe acknowledged that major red flags were missed. One analyst saw a tank moving around and even typed into a network chat room that what we are looking at cant possibly be ISIL, Coe said, using an acronym for Islamic State. The mistakes continued even after the strike began. Further complicating matters, the troops were not wearing recognizable military uniforms or carrying identifying flags, the Pentagon said. Perhaps most significantly, a critical miscommunication occurred when Russian forces called the coalition to tell them the strike was hitting Syrian regime troops. Moscow had reached out repeatedly through a hotline to the US-led coalition, trying to inform them that they were striking Syrian regime targets instead of Islamic State. But the designated US military point-of-contact was unavailable for 27 minutes. In those 27 minutes, 15 of the strikes took place against what the coalition believed were Islamic State fighters. As soon as the Russians were able to speak to their regular point of contact, the strike was called off. No coalition forces are being charged in the incident. The decision to strike these targets was made in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement, Coe said. The strike was conducted by F-16 and FA-18 fighters, A-10 ground-attack craft and drones. Also read | Syria ceasefire: Who are the forces involved? News of Prince William and Prince Harry having a nasty row since the latter decided to date U.S. actress Meghan Markle donned the headlines for quite some time. It has been speculated that the royal family was not ready for another commoner to join them. Also, rumors of Meghan being rejected because of her mixed race was flying around for weeks. William was especially disturbed when Harry decided to go public with his relationship and issue a statement where he restrained media from disturbing girlfriend Meghan anymore as he fears for her safety. William believed that Harry is making a mistake for releasing an official statement so soon, as reported by Daily Mail. However, it seems like Prince William has finally accepted the relationship as he is now backing Harry's decision of condemning the media from hounding the "Suits" actress. "The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him," Kensington Palace spokesperson said in a statement to USA Today. The statement further said that the Duke of Cambridge does not support the constant interference Meghan is facing in her life from the press. Prince William is shocked to see what is happening in Meghan's life because of her connection with the royal family. The Telegraph also quoted that according to the Kensington Palace source, no one issues restraining orders against press without having a proper conversation between each other. It was a well thought decision that Harry took and he has his brother to back him up. William would know everything about how disturbing paparazzi can get while trying to retract news as he and wife Kate Middleton faced the same issue when they were dating. Meanwhile, Meghan, who was is Canada filming the sixth season of "Suits", is back in U.S. and celebrated Thanksgiving with her family. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Genetically modified male mosquitoes will be released at Florida Keys early next spring as part of the government's bid to stop the spread of Zika virus. However, residents in the area protested the plan to release genetic mosquitoes as there are no reports of Zika-infected cases along Florida Keys. These genetically modified mosquitoes are males. As a result of mating with their female counterparts, these genetically altered mosquitoes are designed to kill their offspring as a means of controlling their population. According to kunc.og, for a while now, authorities struggle to keep control of the spread of the Zika virus in Florida. Although there were no reported cases in the Florida Keys, there were over 200 reported Zika cases across the state. But residents opposed the new technology to fight Zika virus. One resident said, "I am going to ask you, beg you, plead with you, not to go through with this." Over the last five years, the state works with the British company Oxitec to get approval. Oxitec still has to get a go signal from the US Food and Drug Administration, reported The Guardian. Pregnant women who were infected with the Zika virus can transmit the disease to their unborn babies, who can then be born with birth defects. Zika virus first spread through Brazil before it hit Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Pirate Bay and Extratorrent emerged as the two biggest KickAss Torrents alternatives after the latter was forcefully shut down in 2016. Now it is rumored that these alternative torrent sites will be closed soon as well. According to a report published by Yibada, The Pirate Bay, Extratorrent and other alternative torrent site such as 1337x and RAR.BG are under threat of close down. The publication based its report in the fact that a lot of torrent sites have already been shut down in the recent few weeks. One such action against file sharing sites was taken by Ukrainian authorities. According to the publications, the authorities in the Ukraine recently took an action against torrent downloads in the country. Now it is expected that Google may also take an action against alleged torrent downloads by blocking the sites on its popular web browser, Google Chrome. The Ukrainian authorities are working in collaboration with the anti-piracy group in the United States called Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA). Following the action taken by the authorities, some of the torrent sites went off without any prior notification or warning. On the other hand, Google has already blocked some of the torrent sites on Google Chrome. The report suggests that Mozilla Firefox has also taken a similar action. A report published by TorrentFreak suggests that the French government is also working along the similar lines. The authorities there have identified 12 servers held by a private music tracker what.cd, which has already caused an estimated damage of more than $43 million to different music creators. The action against what.cd is yet another attempt to control the piracy activities conducted by different torrent sites that exist in the piracy industry. However, the persistence of torrent files and torrent download despite shut down of such sites is one of the biggest challenges faced by the authorities. The Pirate Bay, Extratorrent and 1337x continue to exist despite all the controversy. However, it is not certain whether they will continue to exist or not. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It appears that troops loyal to the Al-Assad regime are fast gaining ground in Aleppo. In the conflict's latest development, rebel fighters have lost a third of the occupied areas including the strategic Sakhour district which they took back in 2012. It has been learned that US-backed factions have been overran in the northern parts of East Aleppo. Considering their current position, it is being anticipated that opposition groups will be out of Syria's largest city very soon. Over the last couple of days, government forces have stepped up its offensive into rebel-held locations. According to Rami Abdel Rahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the current circumstance is the worst rebel setback since they controlled half of the city a year after the civil war began. Last July, insurgents have been defending an enclave in East Aleppo when the Syrian military encircled them and severed their supply lines across the countryside. Although the revolutionaries manage to hold onto their positions, ground penetrations by government forces that included Shia fighters and Hezbollah militias have intensified their assaults to push the rebels back. In addition, Russian airstrikes have also been instrumental in relentlessly pounding the areas. Apparently, months of heavy fighting have taken a toll on the rebels as four key locations were captured just recently. Michael Horowitz, Director of intelligence for the Prime Source Consulting Group, the occurrence signifies the imminent fall of insurgency across Syria. If Syrian government troops will be able to sustain its attacks, President Bashar Al-Assad will have the nation's largest urban area including a vital shoreline under his control. This will strengthen his influence not only inside Syria but also in the international scene. A looming rebel rout will definitely become more costly for the opposition judging that backers in Saudi Arabia and Qatar will reassess their approach which can possibly lead to the withdrawal of logistical support. The SOHR has unveiled that about 4,000 people have already settled in the government-controlled region of West Aleppo. 6,000 more civilians have managed to flee towards a Kurdish-held location in the city. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. While a lot of Miami-based Cuban-Americans danced in celebration following the death of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, leaders across the globe expressed their sympathy for his demise. This after Cuban President Raul Castro, younger brother of Fidel, announced the passing of the world's most iconic communist leader on Friday. Outgoing US President Barack Obama has reached out to the Cuban people and has offered his condolences to the family of Castro. But President-elect Donald Trump has simply posted on Twitter, "Fidel Castro is dead." However, it is expected that an official comment from him will soon reveal his true thoughts about the dictator. Aside from calling Castro as Russia's true and dependable friend, President Vladimir Putin has hailed the former Cuban leader as both influential and inspirational figure in the eyes of many. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India grieve the passing of a great friend. On Twitter, President Enrique Nieto assumed a more statesmanlike post when he stated that Castro has reinforced bilateral relations with Mexico through solidarity, dialogue and respect. Pope Francis offered his sense of grief to Raul Castro in a telegram bearing his signature. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has cited the former President as a legendary revolutionary and orator. In a message broadcasted on CCTV, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has immortalized the contributions of Castro to global socialism. Meantime, UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon has expressed his deepest condolences to the Cuban people. On CBS News, President Salvador Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador has cited the Cuban leader as an eternal companion while Venezuelan leader Nicolas Marudo has called the Comandante's demise a passing into immortality. After nine days of national mourning, Fidel Castro's ashes will be laid to rest at Santiago de Cuba's Santa Ifigenia cemetery on Dec. 4. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Australia's Great Barrier Reef is reportedly "cooking up" with the increased temperatures caused by the continued mining and burning of fossil fuels. Nearly two-third of the 435 miles stretch of coral reef is killed by the warm seas. According to scientists, the World Heritage site has the worst die-off in the reef's north. A researcher at James Cook University, who spoke to Reuters said: "The coral is essentially cooked." This is the largest die-off recorded in the Barrier Reef, which is 134,400 square-miles, the biggest coral reef in the world. This bleaching occurs when sea waters are too warm. Bleaching occurs naturally, however, the increase in temperatures of the sea waters due to global warming contributed to the incident. The Great Barrier Reef was about to enter the list of "in danger" by the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, however, they have asked the Australian government to update a report on safeguarding the reef. As quoted by a CNN report, ARC Center of Excellent for Coral Reef Studies Director Terry Hughes said the north portion of the coral reef suffered severe damage as summer temperatures shoot up to two degrees above normal. "It's quite sobering, we've now seen three of these events, each one was more severe than the last and these have occurred with less than one degree of global warming," he said. "Two degrees of global warming will mean these events are more severe," he added. Australia is one of the developed nations that produce large amounts of greenhouse gasses. Developed nations should focus on the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and attribute the necessary errands to control global warming and save the world. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The members of the royal family have been embroiled in a lot of scandals and there is ample proof of their scandalous flings and relationships. And, it is not just Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton or the to-be wife of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, other members have had their share of controversies as well. The history of such affairs is pretty long, reports Radar Online. If one starts from the current generation, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in the news a lot these days, thanks to their budding relationship that seems to be getting stronger with each passing day. However, it has been said that Queen Elizabeth does not approve of Markle's Hollywood connection. Markle, the popular 'Suits' actress has come under attack for her sex scenes in her television series. What is more, she was caught in a nude photo scandal with a man and even went skinny-dipping with her former husband Trevor Engels during a trip. Kate Middleton has also had her share of gossip. Her topless photos from the 2012 France trip had created ripples in the media. She is also said to have seduced Prince William with her dressing as she wore a see-through outfit at a fashion show, the event where she caught his eye. The Duchess also resorted to racy dresses during nights out to woo the Prince. Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends from Chelsy Davy to Cressida Bonas, all have come under the scanner for their partying ways and risque behavior. The younger royal even had a secret affair with Florence Brudenell-Bruce, the blonde bombshell, notorious for her lingerie and bathing suit. Prince William and Harry's parents Prince Charles and Diana also went against the Queen's code of behavior and indulged in multiple affairs. Everyone knows the secret romance of Camilla and Charles and how it culminated into marriage after Diana's death, who had a publicized affair with James Hewitt. Dodi Al Fayed, who died with her in the car accident, was also one of her lovers. Prince Andrew went a little further and his actions led to him being charged with sex abuse allegations. Princess Anne's husband Mark Philips also had an affair and fathered a child with a New Zealand woman. A generation before, it was Princess Margaret who fell for a 16-years-older and divorced man Peter Townsend. She did not marry him and went for Anthony Armstrong-Jones only to divorce him soon after. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to a recent news, NATO criticized Russia's "aggressive military posturing" and that it does not help alleviate tensions between the two. It also asked the country to clarify about their military actions to prevent confusions. In a statement by Russian president Vladimir Putin, he acknowledged moving his nuclear-enabled missiles close to Europe, in response to NATO's extension into Baltic territory. To reinforce their stance, Russia deployed sophisticated nuclear weaponry in Kaliningrad, an exclave between Poland and Lithuania, The Telegraph reported. In an interview, Putin said that after NATO's decision, the country had to prepare for its countermeasures by positioning their nuclear weapons towards the establishments that are a potential threat to Russia. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov added that the deployment was "a logical response to a hostile West." He also highlighted that NATO's amplified troops towards Russian borders and US's missile defence shield across Europe is a cause of concern for Russia. "Russia is doing everything necessary to ensure its security in the face of expansion by Nato towards its borders," he said. Even though NATO and Washington deny the claims, Kremlin believes that the missile shield constructed by US is targeted to neutralize Moscow's nuclear weapons just long enough to prevent Russia's strike, should there be a war. As EU member states strengthen its military ties, tensions between Moscow and NATO are at an all time high. Following the European parliament vote to enhance their defence coordination, Russia issued a warning to NATO. Russia insists that they will do whatever it takes to safeguard their borders if NATO continues to threaten its integrity. Russian Senator Franz Klintsevich, also a member of the defense and security committee for Russia's Upper House, has already justified their country's actions as their defence mechanism against NATO's aggressive stance. According to analysts, Russia is regaining its power which could be a direct threat to the West. Experts also point out that Putin will not declare all out war but will trigger it delicately. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Royal family may not be in much of a celebratory mood this holiday season. This as rumors of feud between Kate Middleton and Prince William started to swirl around which may lead to a divorce. Earlier this month, Prince Harry asked the press to leave his girlfriend Meghan Markle alone while pointing out that feared for her safety. Following Harry's announcement, his older brother Prince William also issued an official statement expressing support to his brother's decision. According to The Telegraph, these statements were made after a detailed and face to face conversation between Harry and William. This is a big tell-tale of how serious Harry and Meghan in their relationship. And now it seems like William has also given the couple his blessings. But not all is good with the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, who is speculated to be very jealous of Harry and Meghan's relationship. As per GameNGuide, William and Kate were going through a rough patch for quite some time now. After seeing William favoring Meghan and her relationship with Harry, there was a huge fight between the couple. Fans are speculating a split between the couple soon. Kate has been mum since the whole ordeal, not once was her name mentioned officially where she supported Meghan. Furthermore, Celebrity Dirty Laundry reported that the Duchess has decided to ditch the Royal family for the holidays and spend time with her own family in Anmer Hall. Needless to say, Kate is taking the children, George, 4 and Charlotte, 1, with her. She may not be joining the royal clan at Sandringham for the upcoming festivities. It was also reported that even the Queen finds Meghan to be more approachable than Kate. It seems like Kate Middleton is finding herself as the odd one out between Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It looks like you've reached a page that doesnt exist (anymore). Please use the navigation or search above to find content on Hospitality Net. Go back to home Barack Obama is Rolling Stones newest cover man. In his 10th Rolling Stone interview and fourth with the magazines longtime editor-in-chief Jann Wenner, the president reflected on the presidential election and what it means for the policies he implemented in his eight years in office. Obama expressed concerns about the next Supreme Court nominee and the fate of the Affordable Care Act but emphasized that he is not chagrined, pissed off, upset, dismayed. Probably the main reason that I dont feel dismayed, but do feel disappointed, is the incredible young people who have worked in my administration, worked on our campaigns, he said. If you look at the data from the election, if it were just young people who were voting, Hillary would have gotten 500 electoral votes. So we have helped, I think, shape a generation to think about being inclusive, being fair, caring about the environment. And they will have growing influence year by year, which means that America over time will continue to get better. He explained factors that led to Trumps election and admitted the the Democratic Party not working at a grassroots level shaped the election outcome. He concluded the interview with the following advice for Trump: I think the main thing that I will say to him is, number one, however you campaigned, once youre in this office, you are part of a legacy dating back to those first Revolutionaries. And this amazing experiment in democracy has to be tended. So aside from any particular issue, the president needs to recognize that this is not about you. This is not about your power, your position or the perks, the Marine band. This is about this precious thing that weve inherited and that we want to pass on. And for me at least, that means you surround yourself with really good people, that you spend time learning and understanding what these issues are because they really actually have an impact on people. Theyre not games that were playing. And that to the best of your ability, youre making the decisions that you think are right for the American people even when theyre not popular, even when theyre not expedient. And the satisfaction you get from that is that when you leave this place, you can feel like youve been true to this immense privilege and responsibility thats been given to you. Read Obamas full Rolling Stone interview here. Barack Obama Kodak Black has been released from the St. Lucie County jail, though he isnt yet a free man, reports the Sun Sentinel. Instead, he has been extradited to South Carolina and placed in the custody of the states deputies, as he now faces a sexual battery charge stemming from an alleged incident in Florence, SC in early February. Kodaks name, Dieuson Octave, can be found on the St. Lucie County Sheriffs release report, which states that the young emcee was released on Monday (Nov. 28) at 3:13 PM ET. It does say that has been turned over to South Carolina via the Florence County Sheriffs Office, says Bryan Beaty, head of the Public Office of Information at the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office, in response to an inquiry about Kodaks release. Kodak was arrested in April after being involved in a high-speed police chase. He was released on bail the next day, though he was sent back to jail a month later due to outstanding warrants from 2015. In August, a judge decided to place Kodak on house arrest, after being convinced in part by the lawyers of Atlantic Records to forego a potentially lengthy jail sentence, due to the promise of his music career. Right before his scheduled release, though, two more warrants were discovered a misdemeanor drug charge in St. Lucie County as well as the aforementioned sex charge in South Carolina. After pleading no contest to the drug charge, he has now served his misdemeanor sentence in St. Lucie County. He now must remain in South Carolina, where he will presumably begin his sexual battery trial. Kodaks lawyers seem to be pleased with their clients transfer to South Carolina. We are firmly convinced that he will be vindicated in that charge and shortly be set free, said attorney Gary Kollin, based in Fort Lauderdale. Hes looking forward to getting to South Carolina so he can go on with his life and career. As of now, the details of Kodaks confinement in South Carolina are unclear, though his team is confident that he is one step closer to achieving his freedom. Kodak Black With the Obama administration coming to a close, many are becoming concerned for the safety of whistleblower Edward Snowden. He reminds a polarising figure in America, with some arguing that he is a traitor who must be brought to justice, and others saying that he is instead a hero who has done his part to liberate the American public from invisible mass surveillance. Hero or traitor, however, it seems that Snowden's freedom hangs in the balance. He has not been hesitant to voice his opposition to President-elect Donald Trump, and responded on Twitter to concerns that his opposition to Trump would cost him his asylum by saying "I fear persecution less than a world in which we accept that opinions are dangerous." He has been granted asylum in Russia since releasing the documents which exposed widespread surveillance programs run by the NSA under the justification of Section 215 of the Patriot Act. Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have expressed a desire to see Snowden face some form of prosecution for his actions, with Clinton stating that Snowden should not be granted access back into America without facing the music. Trump has notably been even less forgiving, stating, I think hes a total traitor and I would deal with him harshly. With this in mind, 31 authors gathered together to pen a letter to President Obama asking for Obama to grant Snowden a pardon during his last few weeks in office. The letter argues that granting Snowden a pardon could be a key moment in the Obama administration's final legacy of protecting American and its constitution. "By pardoning Snowden and permitting him to return free to the country he loves, your administration would be sending a message to the future that America remains committed to democratic accountability, and that tomorrows innovations will not be allowed to bend or bow the Constitution, but will, instead, be made to conform to it, and to reinforce the rights that it bestows." Authors of the letter include Irish author Colm Toibin, whose novel Brooklyn was the basis for the acclaimed film, as well as Michael Cunningham (The Hours), Cheryl Strayed (Wild), Neil Gaiman (American Gods), and Joyce Carol Oates (Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?). The letter was written in part of the Pardon Snowden campaign, which can be found at @PardonSnowden on Twitter. For more about Snowden and the impact of widespread surveillance, watch the Vice News report and interview with Snowden below. Advertisement Jim Broadbent, James Frecheville, Freddie Fox, Barry Keoghan, Stephen Rea, and Sarah Greene join the cast of the new Irish historical drama starring Hugo Weaving. The upcoming Irish historical drama, Black 47, has added some more notable actors to an already all-star cast, Jim Broadbent, known for his recent performance in the film adaptation of Brooklyn, as well as his role in the Harry Potter movies as Professor Slughorn, has taken on a role in the upcoming project. James Frecheville, an actor who starred in The Drop with Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace, has also joined the cast, along with the Oscar-nominated Irish actor Stephen Rea. The film is directed by Irish director Lance Daly, whose film Kisses was named Best Feature Film at multiple film festivals, including Galway's Film Fleadh festival. It also received an Independent Spirit Award and became the highest grossing Irish film of the year in 2013. Kisses also won Daly the Best Director award at the IFTAs and the Galway Film Fleadhs Bingham Ray New Talent Award. Black 47 is set during the dark period of history in which Ireland was ravaged by the Great Hunger. Feeney, an Irish Ranger who returns home after a long battle abroad for the British army, finds that his home is not as he left it. His mother has tragically died of starvation, and his brother has been sentenced to death by hanging by the English. Under the threat of hunger Feeney's society has become lawless and desperate. Having lost everything he fought so valiantly to return to, Feeney sets out on a furious quest for revenge. The only thing standing in his way is his old comrade Hannah, a British soldier who has grown into a weary man after so many years of fighting. With Hannah sent out to stop Feeney before he promotes a dangerous rebellion, both soldiers find themselves questioning their motives as they are put to brutal challenges under the vicious times of the famine. Black 47's screenplay is written by PJ Dillon, known for his work as Director of Photography on Game of Thrones, Pierce Ryan, Eugene OBrien, and Daly himself. It is produced by Macdara Kelleher, who worked on the Daniel Radcliffe rom-com What If, and Daly's film Kisses. He also co-founded the Dublin-based Fastnet Films with Daly and Morgan Bushe. Filming has already begun on the project. Stay tuned for more news. Jean-Michel Jarre speaks to Hot Press about working with NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden on a new track. You may have done a double-take a moment ago when you saw Edward Snowden on the list of people who'll be receiving Electronica 2 royalty payments. Seeing as he couldn't come to him, Jean Michel travelled to Moscow to meet the NSA whistleblower who features on the in-yer-face 'Exit'. "Saying that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different to saying you don't care about freedom of speech because you have nothing to say; it's a deeply anti-social principle because rights are not just individual, they are collective. If you don't stand up for it who will?" ponders Snowden as all techno hell breaks loose behind him. "He's living in the centre in Moscow, but exactly where I don't know for obvious reasons," Jarre told Hot Press. "It was quite complicated to meet him, but we really do need people like Edward. He's the real modern hero. Part of the reason for doing these Electronica records is the relationship we have nowadays with technology. On one hand, you literally have the world in your pocket with smartphones. On the other, we feel as if we're being spied on by the outside world. My mom was in the French Resistance and told me that at the time in 1941, many French people considered them to be troublemakers and traitors. History tells us different, but that's how they were perceived at the time in certain quarters. You know what resistance is really about in Ireland; you've been raised with the same values as us." "In 50 years time, Edward Snowden will be recognised as the great human being he is. I was really impressed with his integrity, honesty and humour. I didn't know that he was out in the field so much. He went into the CIA at 21 and at 24 was in the NSA. He's a super-gifted brain and geek. We're all geeks in this project but he's special. Edward Snowden did what he did to improve his country." Watch the video for "Exit" below. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Experts and members of Houston's business community see Fidel Castro's death as a symbol of increased opportunities to expand U.S.-Cuba and Houston-Cuba trade relations, despite uncertainty over what that relationship will look like under a Donald Trump presidency. "We are still hopeful that we will normalize relations with Cuba in the near future," Port Houston Commissioner Theldon Branch said, adding that the Port of Houston Authority continues to view Cuba as a future long-term partner. The biggest obstacle hindering full trade relations between the countries - the trade embargo - remains after Castro's passing, but experts like Erika de la Garza, who leads Rice University's Baker Institute Latin America Initiative, said Castro's death could impact its future. "Fidel's death should help Congress soften its position," she said. De la Garza said the embargo was established as a means to force a regime change that never happened and noted increasing Cuban and Cuban-American interest in seeing it disbanded. Trade with the U.S. is key from Cuba's perspective, she said, given that the island nation can no longer rely on financial support from the now economically struggling Venezuela, she said. Felix Chevalier, a Houston-based lawyer representing U.S. businesses interested in Cuban investments, noted that the Cuban government is open to receiving foreign direct investments from U.S. companies, and on the U.S. side, most opposed to such involvement have been specifically frustrated with Fidel Castro, who gave up power to his brother Raul about a decade ago. "For some, his death may diminish their frustrations and allow them to be more receptive to trade with Cuba," he said in an email. Those calling for the end of the embargo cite Raul Castro's greater flexibility, including his allowance of a small but emerging private small-business sector in Cuba, as a positive sign. However, there is still great uncertainty on the U.S. front, given that Trump's campaign has already stated it plans to reverse the U.S.-Cuba relations set up by President Barack Obama. Jonathan Newton, managing partner at the Houston office of Baker & McKenzie, said little may change by the end of the year regarding political and trade relations between the two countries. He added that a good predictor for how the Trump administration will handle dealings with Cuba will be Trump's appointments for secretaries of state, commerce and treasury, the latter of whom will oversee the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Newton said that while the office under Obama has been rather liberal in approving licenses for business in Cuba related to the tourism and travel sectors, that could end with a Trump administration. He said he wouldn't be surprised if some U.S. business use the next several weeks to push to get their license applications through. Officials at Engage Cuba, a bipartisan Washington, D.C., group lobbying to lift the trade embargo, expressed confidence Trump would end the policy. "Mr. Trump has repeatedly said that the government should be run like a business. There is no business in the world that would continue a strategy that has failed for 55 years," Madeleine Russak, the group's director of communications, said in an email. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who led a local trade delegation to Cuba in September, said in a statement that he continues to see progress toward normalizing business ventures between Houston and Cuba. "There are still obstacles to overcome and legislation to be passed at the federal level," his statement said, "but despite these obstacles, collaborative opportunities are already underway." Turner cited the beginning of weekly nonstop air service between the city and Havana via United Airlines - the first flight departs Houston on Saturday - as one example of Houston's dedication to working with Cuba. Laura Murillo, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president who joined the mayor on the Cuba trade mission, said Houston is poised to exceed even Miami in business ties to Cuba given the sizable Cuban population here, its diversity, Port Houston and the city's commitment to trade with Latin America. "They need us, and we need them in many ways," she said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear an appeal of R. Allen Stanford's fraud conviction and 110-year prison sentence, leaving the disgraced Houston financier to spend the rest of his life in federal prison for orchestrating a $7 billion Ponzi scheme that affected as many as 30,000 investors over two decades. The decision, which upheld a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the case, let stand Stanford's 2012 conviction on charges of conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, obstruction and money laundering. He was convicted in Houston following a complex and, for the victims, emotional six-week trial. Stanford, 66, is incarcerated in Florida and will not be eligible for release for nearly a century. During his appeal, which he filed on his own behalf without an attorney, he argued that he was not competent to stand trial; that the case was not proven by prosecutors; that the sentence was too long; and that the trial judge was biased. The former federal prosecutor who tried the case said the courts ruled correctly. "There was overwhelming evidence of Stanford's guilt, and no credible legal issues presented in his petition for certiorari," William Stellmach, who now works at a private practice in Washington, D.C., said in an email. U.S. District Judge David Hittner of Houston, he added, "demonstrated a mastery of trial procedure, meaning there were no errors in evidentiary rulings, which are a frequent grounds for appeal." The 2009 indictment against Stanford alleged a scheme to defraud investors who had purchased $7 billion in certificates of deposit through the Stanford International Bank Ltd., an offshore bank he controlled on the island of Antigua. He was accused of diverting funds and misusing those assets to maintain a lavish lifestyle, while misrepresenting to investors the condition of the company. The indictment also accused him of conspiring to conceal the fraud from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to avoid investigation. Stanford and his defense attorneys claimed at trial that the financier made actual investments in myriad businesses and could have covered the CD balances if not for the heavy-handed intervention of federal regulators. One suggested that Stanford was being unfairly punished because of the backlash that followed Bernard Madoff's historic Ponzi scheme, which netted a 150-year sentence three years earlier. Attorney Robert Scardino, who represented Stanford during the trial but not on appeal, said he still thinks Stanford's sentence was out of line with those given his co-defendants in the case. "It was a long, difficult and complicated case," Scardino said. "It was very difficult for the jury to follow the issues and difficult to get the decision overturned. This appears to be the end of the long saga." In addition to the virtual life sentence, Hittner also imposed a personal money judgment of $5.9 billion against Stanford. In his final remarks during his sentencing hearing, Stanford told victims gathered that he was sorry for their losses, but he added that they should take it up with the government. He continues to maintain he did nothing wrong, telling the BBC in an interview this year that he intended to "walk out the doors of this place a free man." "Will I apologize? No," he said. Meanwhile, a $269 million restitution settlement on behalf of victims in several nations is still pending. WASHINGTON - Former Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White and President-elect Donald Trump this week discussed a vision for a very different U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from President Barack Obama's during a 25-minute meeting in Trump Tower. In an interview Tuesday, White, who is on a short list of potential nominees to head the agency, described Trump's desire to consider the economic ramifications of environmental regulation, especially those around the issue of climate change. "He wants the EPA to run more carefully, to use stronger science and be unabashedly conscientious to the effect of more and more rules on existing employment and job creation," she said. "I have no desire to put words in his mouth. But as he is in other areas, he likes a good deal." Since lambasting the Paris climate agreement on the campaign trail, Trump has said in recent weeks that he is keeping an open mind on the accord. Last year, close to 200 world leaders, including Obama, agreed to work together to reduce carbon emissions. White offered little to suggest whether Trump would pull the U.S. from the agreement when he takes office in January. But White, who headed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from 2001 to 2007 and is now a senior fellow at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, made plain her own distaste for regulations designed to reduce climate change. "Anything related to so-called climate policies, the magnitude of the (economic) impact of any curb on man-made CO2 emissions should be a matter for our elected members in Congress," she said. "In my opinion, and I'm not a scientist, I would say as a matter of policy, the science is not substantial enough to justify policies of the magnitude of all the climate policy." Something of an outsider candidate, White is reportedly competing for the EPA post against better known figures including Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey - both of whom have been leading their states' court fight against Obama's plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants. But White, who keeps a cattle ranch in West Texas and lives outside Austin, said her tenure at TCEQ managing pollution from the state's enormous energy and petrochemical interests, would serve her well in running the EPA. "Over my half of my time, for six years, was contending with the EPA," she said. Texas is the EPA's "biggest customer in terms of permits and things like that. It's a good training ground for federal positions." If appointed, White said she would focus on regulating "genuine pollutants" that can affect public health, something she said "the EPA has been distracted from." After her 25 minutes was up, Trump shook her hand and said she would "be hearing from them later," White said. "Of course, they always say that," she said with a laugh. "I thought it went very well. It was very pleasant." Which Houston neighborhoods were designed to look like English cemeteries? Why does U.S. 59 outside the 610 Loop veer off at a 90 degree angle toward Sugar Land? Why did Houston become the premier city over Galveston (once the Wall Street of the southwest) and Beaumont (where Spindletop was discovered)? The answers to these questions and others are in a presentation Scott Davis recently made to graduate students in the real estate program at the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business. RELATED: Real estate market uneven but worst may be over Davis, whose background includes stints as a commercial real estate broker, a housing consultant, and a real estate specialist for a major grocery chain, is now leading the Houston office for Meyers Research, a residential consulting practice based in southern California. He sat down with Nancy and Erin to talk about how the past has shaped Houston and what the city might look like in 10 or 20 years. BERLIN - On the 78th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews, a far-right group published a map on Facebook that listed the names - and addresses - of local Jewish institutions and Israeli-owned businesses under the banner "Jews Among Us." A standoff quickly developed between Facebook and German authorities over what many here said was its inadequate response to the publication of the map. But Germany's rules on what may be said or published - among the world's toughest, with long prison terms for denying the Holocaust and inciting hatred against minorities - ensured that the post was eventually deleted. The incident is one of several examples - including threats of regulation and attempts to prosecute Facebook's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg - of how Germany has become an important test case globally for how the social network polices what may be published online, and how it should respond to inappropriate and illegal content. Such steps in Germany are part of a growing push around the world to regulate what users are allowed to post online. Some identified in the map complained. At first, Facebook did not remove the map, saying it complied with the company's "community standards," or guidelines for what it deems within the bounds of free speech. But within 48 hours, after an outcry on social media, in local newspapers and from German lawmakers, Facebook relented. It deleted the far-right group's entire page, including the post that had listed the Jewish institutions and businesses across Berlin. "We recognize that this is a work in progress," Richard Allen, Facebook's director of policy in Europe, said in an interview. "It was hate speech, and it should have been taken down." In Germany, more than almost anywhere else in the West, lawmakers are demanding that Facebook go further to police what is said on the social network. The country's lawmakers also want other U.S. technology giants to meet similar standards. "Facebook has a certain responsibility to uphold the laws," said Heiko Maas, the German justice minister. In October, Maas suggested the company could be held criminally liable for users' illegal hate speech postings if it does not swiftly remove them. Facebook has also been criticized in the United States after fake news reports were shared widely on its site before the presidential election. Zuckerberg has denied that such reports swayed American voters. But lawmakers in the United States, Germany and beyond are pressing Facebook to clamp down on hate speech, fake news and other misinformation shared online, or face new laws, fines or other legal actions. Ask a harried air traveler about the basics of modern flight, and you'll probably elicit surprise when they discover commercial airplanes fly only as fast as they did in the 1950s. Given the range of aerospace advances in the past half-century, plus the technological leaps in almost every other area of human endeavor, it seems reasonable to ask: Why can't we fly faster? That's the question driving a startup called Boom Technology, which says it's time to bring supersonic jet travel into the mainstream-in a modern way. The company is pursuing speed with an audacious idea : a 45-seat aircraft that cruises at Mach 2.2 (1,451 mph), faster than the defunct Concorde and certainly faster than the standard 550 mph, with fares no more expensive than a current business-class round trip, which ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. Yet long before travelers can marvel at a quick hop across the Atlantic, Boom will need to sell the airlines not just on a technically disruptive aircraft, but also on one that can accomplish such feats of velocity cost-effectively. It must earn a solid profit-no middling returns allowed-and this, of course, has been a key reason the Concorde was an aberration rather than the harbinger of universal supersonic travel. Boom is likely to encounter deep skepticism in a conservative industry that still relies heavily on a fundamental airplane design devised 70 years ago. The major global airlines Boom will court operate with two cardinal maxims: It's really hard to make money with small airplanes, and it's really, really hard to make money with supersonic airplanes, which are renowned for their fuel inefficiency. "I have no problem seeing the demand for this airplane," says Marty St. George, a JetBlue Airways Corp. executive and industry veteran. "The issue is can you do it and make the numbers work?" Boom will face a numerical gauntlet as it seeks to sell airlines on the advantages of a small, supersonic craft, with airlines posing tough questions about weight, range, fuel burn, maintenance, dispatch reliability, and dozens of other issues. The company also plans for its aircraft to fly on three engines, a departure from the industry trend of using two engines as the most efficient configuration. In response to skeptics, Boom touts its design as a radical update of the troubled Concorde, which was operated by only two airlines over 27 years. (Braniff International and Singapore Airlines had partnerships under which they also sold tickets on the Air France and British Airways Concorde flights.) Airlines no longer abide such loud, kerosene-gulping equipment, which means new engine designs must be fuel-efficient and coupled with meager emissions and low noise. Boom has diagnosed Concorde's operating flaws as twofold. First, the plane had ferociously high operating costs, driven primarily by its voracious appetite for jet fuel. "Grossly uneconomic," in the words of a 1978 New York Times article summarizing critiques of the aircraft. Second, the Concorde's load factors were generally lean because of the steep fares Air France and British Airways were forced to charge, typically around $15,000 to $20,000 in current dollars. Boom says it plans to address all of these shortcomings. The startup's signature city pairing is New York to London, which would take a little more than three hours to fly and give a corporate traveler the opportunity to make a day trip across the pond and back. "Leave New York at 6 a.m., make afternoon and dinner meetings in London, and be home to tuck your kids into bed," the suburban Denver-based company says on its website . "It's about making the economics work and then delivering the aircraft we say we can deliver," says Boom's co-founder and c hief executive officer, Blake Scholl, a pilot and former app developer. Boom has struck a deal with the Spaceship Co., the manufacturing division of Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, to use that company's engineering, design, and flight-test support services. The Spaceship Co. also has options for Boom's first 10 aircraft as part of the arrangement. "Richard has long expressed interest in developing high speed flight and building high speed flight R&D through Virgin Galactic and our manufacturing organization," Virgin Group spokeswoman Christine Choi said in an e-mail. "It is still early days and just the start of what you'll hear about our shared ambitions and efforts." Another unidentified European airline has taken options for 15 aircraft, Scholl says, and Boom is talking to carriers about options for an additional 170 aircraft. An analysis by Boyd Group International, an aviation consulting firm, suggested that Boom could sell 1,300 supersonic passenger jets over 10 years for a premium service on routes frequented by corporate traffic. Boom's aircraft would target such global business centers as Hong Kong, London, New York, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo, where corporate travelers would likely pay for the time savings a supersonic jet could afford. Boom says the plane would work on more than 500 routes. The company won't disclose a delivery date publicly but says it expects its first airplane to be ready in "the early 2020s." One potential tool to attract buyers will be the prospect of penalty payments, which are widely used by manufacturers to compensate customers if engines or aircraft fall short of guarantees. "If [airlines] were guaranteed the numbers, someone will try it," says JetBlue's St. George. "With the operational costs they are expecting for this airplane ... current business-class fares could make this airplane profitable," says consultant Michael Boyd in a telephone interview. "It passed the smell test on this end. This wasn't like a group of Star Trek geeks." Proving the economics The company will be forced to demonstrate that whatever positive performance data its models yield in computer simulations, the planes will hold up in the real and very brutal world of airline economics. That will require extensive flight testing so that Boom can move beyond the "paper airplane" stage, according to St. George. "You can do a lot of modeling with software these days before the thing flies ... but until you actually see it, you never really know," he says. Boom plans to fly a one-third-size demonstrator version of its airplane called the XB-1 late next year, working with General Electric Co. It's aiming to initially fly GE's J85 engines, a model that dates to the 1950s, on the XB-1. Flights will begin at subsonic speeds and then get progressively faster. Boom has hired Honeywell International Inc. for avionics and environmental control systems. The biggest technical challenge, however, will probably be the engine, as noted in a recent analysis by Bjorn Fehrm, an aerospace consultant and a former fighter pilot in the Swedish air force. Fehrm estimated that the Boom design is likely to use about three times the amount of fuel per seat-mile than current flights between London and New York. "Would some [airlines] buy some as flagship aircraft for high-yield routes?" asks Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace consultant at Teal Group. "L.A.-Tokyo, New York-London? Sure, I imagine they would. But, again, it comes down to seat-mile costs, and until we see anything resembling engine specifications, you can't even begin to guess at that." For development work on the production model's engines, Boom is talking with "all the usual suspects," Scholl says. The company plans to use a proven commercial engine core-the GEnx and Rolls Royce Trent 1000 power plants on Boeing's 787 are among "multiple good options"-and then modify that engine's turbofan and composite blades, he says. That approach will require regulatory certification as a new engine, which adds to the overall development cost. "In essence, you're taking an engine that has a big fan and putting a medium-size fan on it that's more appropriate" for the Boom design, Scholl says. Still, all of Boom's engine work involves "refinement" of components that have been proven and flown and carry "a known certification path" for regulators, he says. "There's nothing technically impossible here." Scholl declined to say how much research work an engine manufacturer would have to invest in this project, but the market is almost 4,000 engines, based on the Boyd analysis. Major engine makers would probably be drawn to a business that size. Beyond the engine performance, another issue for airlines would be how to market an upscale supersonic service alongside the premium cabins on existing jets, according to Alex Wilcox, CEO of JetSuite Inc., a California-based charter service and scheduled airline. Would the Boom aircraft siphon off most or all of a carrier's business- and first-class passengers? If so, what happens to that space on the current aircraft fleets? "You'd have some interesting pricing discussions," Wilcox says. "How do you price it vs. your first-class product into London? Into which you have invested quite a lot, by the way." Being up in the air is fast becoming the same as being in the office, with robust internet communication a priority for carriers, thus reducing the biggest attraction of supersonic flight-speed. Mix that with the flat beds and premium dining, and the business-class cabin can become a comfortable den in which to be productive, rested, and well-fed on the kind of 15- to 20-hour flights that are quickly becoming routine. "You used to be stuck in a tube," says Teal Group's Aboulafia. "Now it's an office in the sky. Everything has gotten way more comfortable." Many people now flying for the better part of a day adopt a "who cares?" attitude. Despite the challenges Boom faces, and they are many, aviation experts expect that at some point, years from now, the economic challenges of commercial supersonic travel will be overcome. "I hate to sound cynical here, because I actually want to see this airplane," says Wilcox. "But it's just very, very hard to do." Last week, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development released its annual point-in-time count of homeless people for 2016, measuring the number of people on the street on one night in every state and almost every city in the United States. It's not a perfect measure, since the number can change with weather and other factors. But it is a fairly consistent way of estimating the homeless population over time. In Texas, that number has been dropping steadily. From 2007, the first year the counts were conducted, to 2016, the number of homeless people in Texas has declined by almost 42 percent from about 40,000 people in 2007 to 23,000 this year. That's the fifth-biggest drop in the country, behind Michigan, New Jersey, Kentucky and West Virginia. Making this all more remarkable, Texas' population overall has grown by 13 percent over that same time period, which none of those other states can match. Finally, while 23,000 people are still too many to have on the streets, Texas' homeless population is a far smaller percentage of its overall population about 8.4 people per 10,000 than it is in California (30 people per 10,000) New York (11 people) and Florida (16 people). So is Texas doing something right? Well, yes and no. Texas' relatively low homelessness rate overall can be credited in part to a natural advantage: low housing costs. The median gross rent in Texas is $870, compared with $1,243 in California, $1,117 in New York and $998 in Florida, according to the Census Bureau. If apartments are more affordable, fewer people are going to be dumped onto the street. In addition, Texas wasn't hit as hard by the financial crisis home values didn't drop as much and foreclosures were less widespread, allowing more people to stay in their homes. A burgeoning economy also has created employment opportunities for people at a wide range of education levels. The good news also is the result of dedicated funding and hard work. Eric Samuels is the president of the nonprofit Texas Homelessness Network, which helps conduct that point-in-time count, and provides training technical assistance to local government agencies tackling homelessness. He says a big part of the drop is the result of an increase in resources and better decisions on how to use them. Much of the money to fight homelessness has come from the federal government, and that amount has risen by 70 percent in Texas since 2005: That money has helped create more housing units for homeless people, Samuels says. But the money also is being used more efficiently. Instead of providing dormlike transitional housing, which costs more to staff and doesn't keep people sheltered for long, more of it is being used for individual apartments where homeless people can live while they stabilize their lives and move toward self-sufficiency. Perhaps counterintuitively, those rent subsidies save money overall. "If you leave those that are most vulnerable on the street, they're going to go to the emergency room, and law enforcement has to work with those folks," Samuels says. Efforts have been particularly successful in Houston, which has the lowest rate of homelessness of the state's major cities, in part as the result of a unified effort by government agencies, nonprofits and private philanthropy that have supplemented federal and state dollars. "Houston's done an amazing job," Samuels says. However, it's still too early to see what the effects of the oil bust will have, especially in cities like Houston, where rents have risen sharply in recent years. Progress isn't always linear, and it doesn't have to be permanent. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Luminous Houston Ballet principal Karina Gonzalez has become a familiar and popular Sugar Plum Fairy during her six years with the company. So she was a little surprised to see her name in a few other slots on the rotating cast list for Stanton Welch's new production of "The Nutcracker." She is also performing this season as Clara and as the featured soloist in the Chinese variation. "I haven't done those roles since I was 15," she said. "I just turned 30. I didn't think I would be Clara again." Not that she minded. Welch has built challenges into all of the new ballet's roles, and the multilevel casting is a testament to Gonzalez's talent and spirit. With her technical virtuosity, every step looks effortless and weightless, but she also exudes an endearingly genuine warmth, whether she is portraying an innocent character or a naughty one. "It makes me feel good that I can be a young girl," she said. "I feel like I'm going back to my childhood with this production." Life seems to be coming full circle in other ways, too. Gonzalez married her longtime sweetheart, Rupert Edwards III, this year. After a small service in Houston, they made it official with a large church ceremony in her hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, this past July. Gonzalez's father, Juan Pablo Gonzalez, walked her down the aisle. Then she lost him, unexpectedly, in October, after he suffered a heart attack. "The last time I saw him was our wedding day," she said. "It's a good memory to have." The wedding followed Houston Ballet's big tour to Australia, featuring the "Romeo and Juliet" that Welch created for Gonzalez and Connor Walsh. Juliet is among her favorite roles because the movement feels so natural to her. When you're the choreographer's muse, she said, the part "literally becomes you." She and Edwards, who retired from dancing after the tour, have a happier love story of their own. They built a house near Pearland two years ago. He is studying kinesiology at the University of Houston, aiming to become a physical therapist. Gonzalez jokes that they are already the parents of a teenager; her younger brother, Alejandro Gonzalez, is living with them while he attends Houston Ballet Academy. She enjoys having a bit of family with her. Back in Venezuela, Gonzalez's mother operates a pre-school, and her older brother and sister are teachers. They are doing OK, but their country's economic crisis has made it increasingly hard for them to get basic necessities. She never imagined she would be sending home boxes of rice, milk and pasta. That kind of reality keeps Gonzalez grounded. She is also taking a few college courses herself. "I never thought that I could dance the whole day and go home and do homework - or that I could take classes in English," she said. Making the most of her time in the spotlight, Gonzalez appeared in a major TV commercial last year for Honda. She was thrilled when she saw how much time the producers devoted to her life in the studio. "They fell in love with the story," she said. "It was an amazing opportunity to show ballet to a new audience." More recently, Gonzalez has become an ambassador for the dancewear company Zarely. "For me, it wasn't about getting free tights but about being a role model for ballet," she said. "They use us to give advice on videos that help students." With her long hours of rehearsals and performances, Gonzalez pretty much lives in leotards, tights and costumes. She'd be happy if she could just wear pajamas on the street, she said. "I'm the worst with fashion." Life in ballet brings a lot of fancy parties, however, so we wondered if she relies on a go-to look. "I like simple and pretty," she said. "I just try to find something that makes me feel good." Aldine ISD will pay a $140,000 civil fine, revise its policies and implement a three-year training program after the U.S. Department of Justice found the district violated a federal act written to protect immigrants and other non-citizens from discrimination. The Department of Justice's investigation found that Aldine required non-U.S. citizens, but not U.S. citizens, to present specific documents when verifying their employment eligibility once their original documents expired. WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump's unfounded allegation that millions of non-citizens cast illegal ballots on Nov. 8 appears to stem in part from the work of a Houston-area tea party group with ties to a former Texas health official with a history of troubled government contracts. The group, True the Vote, an offshoot of the King Street Patriots, issued a statement Monday saying it "absolutely supports President-elect Trump's recent comment about the impact of illegal voting, as reflected in the national popular vote." The leader of the group, which claims to be the nation's leading voting integrity organization, added that it specifically was endorsing Trump's claim that "millions" of illegal votes were cast in the 2016 elections. Catherine Engelbrecht, the group's president, cited no direct reports of actual voting irregularities. Instead, she pointed to what she sees as inadequate voter ID protocols, the absence of an interstate process for confirming voters' identities and citizenship, and other voter-perceived registration deficiencies. "All this and more contributes to the very serious problems we're now facing," Engelbrecht said in an email. Engelbrecht questioned whether Trump was influenced solely by True the Vote's work and that of its board member Gregg Phillips, who tweeted on Nov. 13 that "we have verified more than three million votes cast by non-citizens." She noted other groups have raised questions, too. "I think it's important to note that we're not the only ones making the observations," she said. 'No evidence produced' White House spokesman Josh Earnest dismissed Trump's complaint. "What I can say, as an objective fact, is that there has been no evidence produced to substantiate a claim like that," he told reporters at a White House briefing Monday. Phillips' tweet, which went viral on the internet, also said he was joining with True the Vote "to initiate legal action." He did not specify what sort of legal action was planned, and he so far has refused journalists' requests on Twitter to provide proof for his claim. He did not respond to several Houston Chronicle requests for comment Monday through True the Vote, Twitter and the consulting company he founded in Austin, Autogov.com. Said Engelbrecht: "We believe millions of illegal votes were cast in this election. We are talking with attorneys, but have not yet initiated any action." Asked about the kind of legal action that may be contemplated, she said it would be "on behalf of voters, against the bureaucracies that are aiding and abetting in the degradation of our rolls." Trump, who has been fending off recount efforts from supporters of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and others, has fired off a series of tweets in recent days explaining his more than 2 million popular vote deficit to Clinton. "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide," Trump tweeted Sunday, "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." Trump advisers were not able to provide evidence for that claim in a conference call with reporters on Monday. Instead, they cited studies of alleged voter or registration fraud in previous elections. Some of the studies cited by the Trump team have been questioned by election experts. Trump spokesman Jason Miller also declined to say what action Trump would take as president to investigate his allegations of illegal voting, saying it would be "inappropriate" to speculate before the inauguration. Plans to publish study True the Vote, which long has advocated for stricter voter registration and identification laws, said it would continue to collect voter data and plans to publish a "comprehensive study" on how states and the incoming Trump administration can "address this growing problem." The group claims to have more than 180 million voter registration records, which it currently is updating. The group said it also is using a software app called VoteStand for people across the country to report on problems they experienced at the polls. According to Engelbrecht, more than 1,000 people have responded so far. While the group said its study still is underway, Phillips repeated his claim Sunday about millions of illegal votes. "@realDonaldTrump is accurate. Millions of illegal votes were cast," he tweeted. In a reference to the Obama Justice Department, he continued, "We began work on this project in 2009. Obamas (sic) DOJ covered it up." Houston businesswoman Deborah Kelting, one of the founders of True the Vote, said her group's database has documented "thousands and thousands" of instances of inaccurate or outdated voter registration rolls in past elections. It is less clear how many instances of actual voter fraud the group has uncovered. Asked about the basis for Phillips' claim of millions of non-citizens voting in the 2016 election, she said, "I don't know." Given what she sees as lax voting laws in some states, she suggested that the evidence could turn up. "When you've got California alone," she said, "it's crazy." Phillips' claim of millions of illegal votes, along with True the Vote's support for Trump's statement, has gained widespread traction on right-wing websites, including Infowars, the Drudge Report, and Breitbart, a conservative website led by top Trump adviser Stephen Bannon, who recently called it "the platform for the alt-right." Phillips, a former top deputy with the state Health and Human Services Commission, has a history of controversy. In past decades he has been investigated in Texas and Mississippi for alleged cronyism in contract awards, though he never was charged or sanctioned. He once told the Dallas Morning News that the accusations were unfounded and attributed them to his outspoken nature. Results hadn't been certified He also played a key role in Texas' efforts to privatize eligibility screening for Medicaid and food stamp programs as part of a Legislature-mandated consolidation of several state agencies under a revamped Health and Human Services Commission. Touted as a way to save the state $1 billion, Texas officials canceled a controversial contract after the state auditor questioned whether any money was saved. Phillips' claims of widespread voter fraud have been sharply debunked by a number of fact-checkers noting that he made the initial claim only five days after the election, long before any states had certified their results. The controversy is likely to linger as Jill Stein's Green Party, now joined by the Clinton campaign, seeks a review of voting in Wisconsin and possibly other key battleground states. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate He struggled to spell, couldn't tell time or understand the days of the week, and at age 14 was thrown out of the house because he couldn't read. Bobby James Moore was "too dumb" to stay at home, his father concluded. Now the convicted killer could change the way the mentally disabled are sentenced to death in Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday from Moore's lawyers, who will argue he is too intellectually disabled to be executed for the shooting death of an elderly store clerk 36 years ago during a robbery in Houston. At stake is Texas' system used to determine in court if a person is intellectually disabled and whether it defies modern medical standards about how to gauge intelligence. "Texas has been an outlier in its approach to intellectual disability," said Jordan Steiker, director of the Capital Punishment Center at the University of Texas School of Law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Atkins case in 2002 that it was a violation of the Eighth Amendment to execute people with mental disabilities, which at the time was labeled as mental retardation. But the high court left it up to the states to determine how to measure the disability. Moore's lawyers argue that the state's system - based loosely on the character Lennie in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men has led to mentally challenged defendants such as Moore being wrongly sentenced to death. Moore is one of the six longest-serving inmates on Texas Death Row and one of dozens dozen from Harris County, which has issued more death sentences than any other county in the nation. A death not forgotten The sprawling Birdsall Lucky Seven supermarket, which sold everything from air conditioners to fruit, is long gone from Houston's Rice Military neighborhood. But memories linger of the deadly shooting of 73-year-old James McCarble on April 25, 1980 and the Death Row inmate who killed him. "I can never for the life of me get it out of my mind," one witness to the shooting said Monday, who asked that he not be identified for fear of retaliation. "They have no reason for him [the killer] still being on this Earth." Moore was convicted a few months later of being the gunman in the death of McCarble, who was working at the counter where customers mailed letters and paid utility and other bills. Moore and two others rushed into the store, and two of them tried to scoop up the money at the counter. All were armed, including Moore, who had a 12-gauge shotgun. Before they could leave, Moore pulled the trigger and blasted McCarble in the head in what he would later tell police was an accidental discharge, according to court records. The other two were also convicted but did not receive the death penalty. Everett Anthony Pradia pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and cooperated with authorities; he was sentenced to 45 years. He was released in 1997, but has since been back to the Texas Department of Justice four times. He's now 58. Willie Albert Koonce was convicted of capital murder but sentenced to life in prison. Koonce, now 59, was paroled in 2012. Mental deficiencies The case went through decades of appeals, and Moore came within 10 hours of execution in February 1986. He was granted a stay, however, pending a court review of arguments that he had been denied a fair trial because opponents of the death penalty were excluded from the Harris County jury that convicted him. He had already picked out his last meal, a pair of black pants and a black shirt for the execution, according to a news report at the time. The U.S. Supreme Court later rejected that argument, but lawyers later won him a new punishment hearing in 2001 for having an ineffective defense attorney. He was again given the death penalty. Then, after the Supreme Court's ruling in Atkins, new issues were raised about Moore's mental capacity. His lawyers contend in court documents that he has had "profound mental and social difficulties" going back to his childhood and teenage years. He may have suffered a brain injury after being hit in the head with a brick and a chain when he and other black students were attacked at the elementary school after racial tensions flared, they argued. And they note that an expert concluded Moore had scored the lowest of any person he'd ever tested for mental deficiency following a brain injury. The State of Texas, however, has argued that Moore was never found as a youth to be mentally deficient, and that his IQ test scores had bounced around mostly in the 60s and upper 70s - though a low-70s IQ by some is considered evidence of mental deficiencies. They say he was capable of taking care of himself on the streets and blame his problems as a child on skipping school. They point out that after the slaying Moore fled to Louisiana, where he was arrested, and that a social worker who spent hours with him concluded he was "nowhere near" intellectually disabled. 'Of Mice and Men' The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected his claim of intellectual disability in September 2015, saying Moore didn't meet Texas' seven-pronged test outlined in the Briseno case that was based in part on the Lennie character from John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men. Steicker, of UT Law School, said the Texas' system is at odds with traditional medical approaches. Clinicians typically evaluate a persons' intellectual disability by looking at whether they can take are of themselves, such as maintaining a checking account, or how they go about their daily lives, he said. The State of Texas takes a more rudimentary approach, such as whether they lie, act rationally and respond to stimuli, he said. Even if a person has some deficits, Texas finds that they can also have strengths that make up for that and make them eligible for the death penalty, he said. The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday but a ruling would not be expected for several months. Writer Brett Barrouquere contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Texas man charged with stabbing his girlfriend to death in the brutal Baytown triple slaying may not have killed the girl's mother and younger sister, his lawyer said Monday. "I think there's another side to the story," attorney Jyll Rekoff told the Chronicle, adding that her client was high on methamphetamine when officers picked him up. Jesse Dobbs, 21, was charged with murder after police say he killed 16-year-old Kirsten Fritch just hours after her sister and mother were found fatally shot in their Louise Street home. "I know that they've carried the story that he shot them but we don't believe that's the case," Rekoff said. Baytown police said Monday evening that Dobbs - who also has an unrelated prior domestic violence charge - is still a suspect in the murders of 13-year-old Breanna Pavilicek and 37-year-old Cynthia Morris. "We have no other suspects," said Baytown Lt. Steve Dorris. "At this point everything we know points in the direction of Jesse Dobbs." No charges have been filed in the deaths of Morris and her youngest daughter. He declined to give a time frame for when charges could be expected. "Just a lot of little details that we're trying to get cleared up," Dorris said. Dorris wouldn't speculate on Dobbs' state of mind at the time of the murder, but Rekoff said her client has fought an ongoing battle with addiction. "He had a drug problem, and I know that he was high on drugs when he was arrested," she said. "He's a kid who doesn't have much of a family. He's had a hard life." The young couple originally met online, according to his lawyer. "They met on the internet and he moved in with her immediately," she said. "He and Kirsten were boyfriend and girlfriend, and after they met he moved into her house pretty quickly, so I think there's another side to the story." A family friend has said Morris opposed the relationship from the start. "They wanted to break up this relationship. He was too old for her. It was inappropriate," Audri Anne-Sweatt said in an interview just after crews found the teen's body. The tragedy began to unfold in the early hours of Nov. 8, when a neighbor heard gunshots near the family's Baytown home. When police responded to the scene for a welfare check, they found the mother and daughter shot to death in the master bedroom. Hours later, authorities issued an Amber Alert for Fritch, who'd gone missing along with her boyfriend and the family car. That morning, a man spotted the couple in a Texas City apartment complex. About 10 hours after that, Dobbs called an ex-girlfriend from the bar across the street and asked her to take him to Louisiana to see his kids one last time, according to court records. Instead, the woman called police, who picked up Dobbs - wet and shoeless - and held him on resisting arrest charges. Police have still not released any information on a possible motive. The mayor of Pasadena chuckled and shook his head Monday when his defense lawyer asked if he had ever been a member of the Ku Klux Klan, which had its headquarters in the city for many years. "No. It's a despicable organization as far as I'm concerned," Mayor Johnny Isbell, who is white, testified. He is not racist, nor is Pasadena a racist city, he testified. Isbell's testimony came on the third day of trial in a federal voting rights case filed in Houston by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on behalf of a group of Latino residents who say Pasadena's new system of government discriminates against minority voters and dilutes their voting power. In a trial that could stretch into next week, U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal - and not a jury - will decide whether the mayor and city officials intentionally restructured the system of election in order to reduce the Latinos' political clout. Prior to redistricting, four city council seats were filled by candidates backed by Hispanic-surnamed voters and four were backed by a majority of white voters. Since the change, three single-member districts are filled by candidates backed by Hispanic voters. Isbell said, however, that in drawing up maps under the new charters, he set out to establish four majority Hispanic districts. "Hearing somebody say it was racist," he testified. "Never in my wildest dreams; it never even entered my mind." Isbell said he had appointed African-Americans and Hispanics to top jobs in his administration and actively backed a few Hispanic candidates' campaigns. He said he supported redistricting and switching from eight single-member districts to six single-member districts plus two at-large seats because decades in public office taught him a mixed election system worked best. He also contradicted testimony last week by Hispanic City Council member Ornaldo Ybarra, who said Isbell was known to have said to like-minded constituents that if they didn't back his proposed revisions that the city government would be overpowered by "an invasion of Hispanics." The mayor testified that the changing demographics of Pasadena don't bother him, and he quibbled with Ybarra's portrayal of a north-south split in Pasadena, with Hispanics in the northern sector having to live amid urban blight, poorly maintained streets and subpar drainage. The judge asked questions to clarify how the city divided. Isbell said the north was mostly Hispanic and the south was majority white. But Isbell said the charter vote was not a white-versus-Hispanic issue. "It was a Democrat and Republican issue, that's the way it ended up," he said. Testimony is set to resume Tuesday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate State health officials confirmed Monday what many scientists have long suspected: The Zika virus has been transmitted by a mosquito in Texas. Officials from the Department of State Health Services have descended on the state's southernmost county, along the Mexico border, where it's believed a woman in Brownsville was infected by a mosquito bite. Cameron County health workers began going door-to-door in the woman's neighborhood Monday evening, helping people remove mosquito-breeding habitat from their yards and taking urine samples from residents to determine if anyone else has been infected. "We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas," said Dr. John Hellerstedt, the DSHS commissioner. "We still don't believe the virus will become widespread in Texas, but there could be more cases, so people need to protect themselves from mosquito bites." There have been more than 250 confirmed cases of Zika in Texas this year; this is the first in someone who hadn't traveled to another country, officials said. The development makes Texas the second state, after Florida, to report localized transmission of Zika virus. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, has said for months that Zika has likely been spreading quietly in Texas, in part because the federal government was late in providing funding for active screening of patients. More Information Zika in Texas April 2016 The Centers for Disease Control reported a Texas patient had the first sexually transmitted case of Zika virus in the U.S. November As of this month, 69 Harris County residents have tested positive for the virus, and a Brownsville woman was infected by a Texas mosquito. See More Collapse He wasn't surprised by the report out of Brownsville. "And don't be surprised if we see additional transmissions this year," said Hotez, noting that aedes aegypti mosquitoes remain active through most of December in the warmth of southern Texas. "It's not going to wind down immediately." Difficult to track Most people infected with Zika show no symptoms, another reason it's challenging to track the disease, said Dr. Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The four most common symptoms among those who do become ill are fever, itchy rash, joint pain and eye redness. While symptoms are usually minor, Zika can also cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly, and other poor birth outcomes in women infected during pregnancy. "Almost certainly other people have been infected," said Weaver, who began studying Zika a decade ago, long before it began spreading rampantly in South America. "The best thing to do now is to make sure health care providers think Zika if they see someone with a rash." Pregnant women and their partners also need to take special care, Weaver said. The disease can be transmitted sexually. The patient, a Cameron County resident, is not pregnant, officials said. The infection was confirmed last week by a state lab, though it's not clear when she was initially tested. She told health officials she hasn't traveled to Mexico or anywhere else Zika has been reported. Many Brownsville residents travel back and forth across the border for work. 'We were expecting this' Hotez said it's likely the virus is spreading more quickly on the Mexican side, where fewer people have screened windows and air conditioning. "We were expecting this," said Esmeralda Guajardo, the Cameron County health administrator. "It was only a matter of when. So we're telling people not to panic, just take precautions." County and city officials have begun trapping and testing mosquitoes in the area where the woman lives. Health workers also are canvassing the areas - about 24 city blocks in a dense residential section - to educate residents and collect urine samples. Pregnant women and anyone showing symptoms will be offered a blood test, Guajardo said. The samples will be tested at a DSHS laboratory in Austin. The agency has delivered laboratory supplies, educational materials and mosquito traps to Cameron County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also is providing assistance from afar. Cooler weather helps In Houston, where overnight temperatures are now regularly below 60 degrees, Weaver said peak season for the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses has passed. The threat, though, is likely to reemerge in the spring. "At this point, there's no reason to start testing people all over the region or all over Texas," Weaver said. "Not yet." President-elect Donald Trump is well into filling out his Cabinet and picking key advisers. But a move to challenge the vote tallies in three swing states - an extreme long-shot to reverse his Electoral College majority - is advancing in the background, creating a noisy distraction on Trump's Twitter feed and raising last-ditch hopes of some Hillary Clinton supporters. In Wisconsin, elections officials said Monday that a recount of the state's nearly 3 million votes would most likely begin Thursday. In Pennsylvania, Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate who initiated the recounts, filed a legal challenge of the results in state court. And the Stein campaign said it planned to request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday. Neither Stein nor the Clinton campaign has found evidence of tampering in any of the three states, where Trump beat Clinton by a combined margin of only about 100,000 votes. But once Stein seized on the issue, the Clinton campaign said it, too, would join in the efforts to seek recounts. Clinton has been urged by her supporters to challenge the results, but she has done so only in a passive way. A campaign lawyer said that her team would "participate" in a manner that ensured fairness, but that it had "not uncovered any actionable evidence" of hacking or other interference. The Clinton campaign will pay to have its own lawyers present at recount sites, but it is not contributing money to the effort, officials have said. Stein said she invited every candidate, including Trump, to join her calls for recounts, but she is not seeking money or legal input from the remnants of the Clinton campaign. Trump's spokesman, Jason Miller, said the "mere talk of a recount by someone who got less than 1%" - Stein - "is a joke." The recount push irked Trump, who said on Twitter that Democrats were joining what he called a "scam" by the Green Party to "fill up their coffers by asking for impossible recounts." The president-elect also returned to the issue of voter fraud over the weekend, advancing the baseless charge that "millions" of people voted illegally. He singled out California, Virginia and New Hampshire for "serious voter fraud" - prompting a rebuff from Alex Padilla, the California secretary of state, who said on Twitter that Trump's "reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a president-elect." Stein, who finished a distant fourth place in the popular vote on Nov. 8, as of Monday had raised about $6.3 million of a $7 million goal to cover the costs of recounts in the three states. To begin the recount in Wisconsin, the state must receive payment of $3.5 million by Tuesday afternoon to cover the estimated costs, the Wisconsin Elections Commission said Monday. The commission approved a schedule, which includes county clerks and canvass members being briefed on procedures Wednesday morning, with the recount beginning Thursday and being completed by Dec. 12 and certified on Dec. 13. The Electoral College votes on Dec. 19. The World Health Organization declared an end to its global health emergency over the spread of the Zika virus Friday, prompting dismay from some public health experts confronting the epidemic. An agency advisory committee said it ended the emergency - formally known as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern - because Zika is now shown to be a dangerous mosquito-borne disease, like malaria or yellow fever, and should be viewed as an ongoing threat met as other disease are, possibly with WHO help. Committee members repeatedly emphasized that they did not consider the Zika crisis over. "We are not downgrading the importance of Zika," said Dr. Peter Salama, head of the WHO's health emergencies program. "We are sending the message that Zika is here to stay and the WHO response is here to stay." Like all mosquito-borne diseases, Zika is seasonal and may repeatedly return to countries with the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry it, Salama added. Individual countries facing serious new Zika outbreaks could still declare local emergencies, said Dr. David L. Heymann, chair of the advisory committee. But other experts worried that the WHO's declaration might slow the international response to an epidemic that is still spreading. The WHO decision is "unwise," said Dr. Lawrence Gostin, director of Georgetown University's O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. Although the virus is not killing or deforming as many babies as originally expected, "the international response has been lethargic," Gostin said. "WHO's action to call off the global emergency has provided reason for governments and donors to pull back even more," he said. Since the WHO first declared a state of emergency on Feb. 1, the Zika virus has spread to almost every country in the Western Hemisphere except Canada. Thousands of babies suffer deformities caused by the infection, and more are expected. Dr. Albert I. Ko, a Yale epidemiologist, said he understood the WHO's rationale but felt the agency acted too soon. The full extent of the damage in Latin America is unknown, he said, because many infected babies are yet to be born. AUSTIN - A Republican member of the Electoral College from Texas said he will resign his position in the 227-year-old institution over his inability to square his faith with casting a vote for President-elect Donald Trump at the Dec. 19 meeting. Art Sisneros of Dayton, who explained his decision in a Saturday blog entry, acknowledged that Trump will be president in January, but said casting his electoral vote for the New York businessman "would bring dishonor to God." Resigning would allow the Republican Party of Texas to fill the vacancy with someone who will vote for the president-elect, added Sisneros, who was elected at the state party convention in May. "I do not see how Donald Trump is biblically qualified to serve in the office of the Presidency," he wrote. "Of the hundreds of angry messages that I have received, not one has made a convincing case from scripture otherwise. If Trump is not qualified and my role, both morally and historically, as an elected official is to vote my conscience, then I cannot and will not vote for Donald Trump for President." Sisneros, who did not respond Monday to multiple requests for comment, said signing a party pledge to support Trump was tantamount to sin. "I was wrong in signing this pledge and not communicating to the body when I ran that my conscience would not be bound by it," he said. "One thing is clear, I have sinned in signing that pledge. I humbly confess that it was wrong for me to do so." Tom Mechler, the state GOP chairman, said Texas electors will choose a new member at their meeting next month. "We respect Mr. Sisneros' decision and appreciate his willingness to step down from his position as a presidential elector in Texas," Mechler said in a statement. "The responsibility of selecting his replacement now falls into the hands of the other electors from Texas when they assemble on December 19th, and we will continue to move forward with the process." Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by 9 percentage points in Texas, meaning that under the state's winner-take-all system, Trump will receive the Lone Star State's 38 electoral votes. While Sisneros' decision will not change the tally, his recent public flirtation with bucking the GOP has drawn national attention as a handful of electors from other states try to organize a long-shot effort to select someone other than Trump. While the Constitution does not prohibit, for example, Texas' electors from voting for the candidate who lost the popular vote in the state, it would be highly unusual considering electors typically are party loyalists. Each state also has wide discretion in crafting the particulars of the system within its borders, including who can be an elector and how votes are apportioned. Alex Keyssar, a Harvard University government professor, said attention to the Electoral College often surfaces when the potential for a crisis looms. "I think this will be an issue that has some legs now," he said of attempts to reform the system. "Obviously, Republican control of Congress will dampen it, but I think Republicans are a little short-sighted if they see the Electoral College giving them a systemic advantage where they can win with electoral votes but without the popular vote." Keyssar pointed to the 2004 presidential race, when then-Sen. John Kerry lost the popular vote by about 3 million votes but came within one state Ohio's 20 electoral votes of winning the presidency. "You hope that people would say, let's stop doing stuff that doesn't conform to basic norms and leads us to say hypocritical things," he said. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Tags : students employees eworkers Students are enthusiastic workers, who are willing to learn and able to adapt quickly. Moreover, theyre usually not as expensive to hire, train, and maintain as older and more experienced workers tend to be. Employers can gain significant advantages by employing high school and college-age students. Almost 30% of high school students and 72% of undergraduate college students are employed at least part-time. (2011 figures from the U.S. Census Bureau) However, managers often struggle to create equitable work schedules that take a student workers academic needs into consideration. With a little bit of foresight, planning, and flexibility, you can easily overcome those challenges. Check out the tips Lisa Andersen lists down, in her article that Student Employees?, that will help you make your scheduling tasks easier. As per a recent survey of business leaders at the Global Leadership Summit in London, 34% said that half their companys full-time workforce will be working remotely by 2020! The times when such micro-management was considered conducive to work output are long gone. In fact, the freedom of remote working has become a criterion that people are expressly looking for before theyll sign on the dotted line. Aniket Saksena's article Empowering Employees As eWorkers goes in-depth into this trend. FLSA has a number of exemptions when it comes to overtime pay and minimum wage requirement... Tags : flexible comprehensive management "Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he cant afford to lose Thomas Edison. Time, even though simple, is never linear. A system that deals with time needs to be dynamic, flexible and comprehensive. In business, managing time is even more crucial because every second counts. Managing time effectively requires a company to have a system that can deal with time and its various dynamic components. Good time management helps your business grow. Below is a discussion of how to use the key components of a good Time Attendance software like time zone, time range, rounding of time, break time and overtime to your best advantage. Time Zone Managing workforce abroad in a few different countries requires time management software that is able to cater for attendance data from different locations. If you are looking forward to deploy a reliable time attendance system, be sure that it allows you to set different time zone for each of your branch and the time captured will be based on the local time; set according to the respective branches. The system will also be able to check time zone options to sync the attendance data with your companys schedules and ensure data accuracy at all times. By having different times from your branches at different places with different time zone synchronized, the software will surely provide you with accurate and manageable data at all times. T... In the What is SEO and Why its Important article, we learned about SEOs (Search Engine Optimization) role in search engine rankings, where it fits into Internet Marketing, as well as how SEO benefits you as the owner of a website. If that article achieved its goal of instilling the value of spending some time to organize your web content in a way that search engines can digest, you will now be hungry for details on how to go about doing that. In fact, that is exactly what well be covering in todays article! Why It Doesnt Pay to Think like a Bot I could go into great detail on how bots/Web crawlers/spiders work, but to do so would be pointless because the people who fine-tune the search engine algorithms have learned from past mistakes and have now configured their bots to better recognize relevant information, whilst spotting abusers. The net result is that the better your site serves your human visitors, the better it should rank in search engines. While each search engine has its own algorithm for determining how relevant a page is, two key factors are the particular SEO keywords on the page AND their location within the page. Keywords found on the page title, meta data or the body are all weighted in decreasing importance. And what exactly is an SEO keyword, you might ask? SEO keywords and phrases are what the search bots pick out your content for indexing. Later, when someone searches for some particular terms, the search engine fetches them from its database to display and rank the matching sites. As you may well imagine, a website that is well optimized for search engines will be better able to draw visitors. This is why developing a list of keywords is one of the first and most important steps in any search engine optimization initiative. It should be said that keyword placement is an ongoing process. Even SEO gurus dont get the first iteration perfect. There are always some improvements to be made. Moreover, you have to separate yourself from the pack by including keywords that differ somewhat from those of your competitors. This is where keyword search tools can be of great benefit. A few standouts include: Long Tail Pro:Uses a step-by-step process to determine a large number of profitable, targeted keywords and calculate keyword competitiveness for virtually any niche. Market Samurai: Traffic-hunting software that includes a whole slew of SEO tools from Competition Analysis to content publishing. A free trial is available as well. Google Adwords: This popular marketing utility comes with a Keyword Planner tool. Google Trends: Provides valuable insights into seasonal, geographic and search-related trends. Google Analytics Site Search: This free keyword tool is quite easy to use, and includes a few useful features worth noting. Besides helping you find new keywords, it also accepts targeting criteria, such a target location, language and networks to produce more precise data on your keyword recommendations. SEMrush: Among its extensive functionality, the Advertising Research > Positions section allows you to submit your competitors URLs to generate a report of the keywords they are bidding on, along with other insightful data. It even offers estimated Cost Per Clicks (CPCs) that theyre paying for these terms, the share of traffic the words generated and the percentage of overall costs associated with each. Google Search Autocomplete: Type some search terms into Google and see what the autocomplete comes up with. Its based on thousands (if not millions) of real previous searches. Once your site is up-and-running, youll want to keep track of the results, as well as experiment based on your own research and experience. One of the easiest ways to do that is to make use of your web hosts web stats utility. It should display a list of recent search terms and phrases that led visitors to your site. My own stats made me realize that my cover of Ballroom Blitz is by far my most popular song, accounting for the bulk of my MP3 downloads. Location, Location, Location The real estate agents mantra: location, location, location, is equally applicable to SEO keywords. Recall that a keywords location within the page affects its ranking. Keywords found on the page title, meta data or the body are all weighted in decreasing importance. Therefore, SEO best practices recommend that you include relevant keywords in several high-attention areas on your site, including the titles and body text of your pages, as well as your URLs, meta tags, and even image file names. With regards to larger sites, these might contain thousands or even millions of keywords. Therefore, you cant dedicate individual pages for every one of your keywords; at the same time, you cant cram all of your keywords into a handful of pages either. Thats called keyword stuffing and is frowned upon by search engine providers. The good news is that a well-organized site will invariably translate to a well-optimized one as well. For instance, imagine that you are the owner of a music store site. It would make sense to give each instrument type its own page or section, i.e., guitars, drums, keyboards, effects, PAs, etc From there, just be sure to include the relevant keyword(s) in: the title of the page the URL (i.e. robsmusicstore.com/instruments/guitars/electric) the meta tags especially the meta description any image file paths and in the images alt text the anchor text in links back to the page from elsewhere on the site Finally, intersperse the keyword and variations (e.g., lifeson gibson double neck), throughout the page. Conclusion I hope that you find this SEO Keyword primer to be beneficial. Theres obviously a lot more to SEO than covered here today, and well be exploring more specific aspects of SEO in future tutorials. Rob Gravelle resides in Ottawa, Canada, and is the founder of GravelleWebDesign.com. Rob has built web applications for numerous businesses and has recently developed his own jquery-tables library. Robs alter-ego, Blackjacques, is an accomplished guitar player, that has released several CDs. His band, Ivory Knight, was rated as one of Canadas top hard rock and metal groups by Brave Words magazine (issue #92) and reached the #1 spot in the National Heavy Metal charts on ReverbNation.com. An NDP critic says the all-party committee poised to recommend changes to Canadas voting system has been thrown under the bus by the very minister in charge of the file. Nathan Cullen rose in question period Monday to call out Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef for raising new questions about the governments pledge that the 2015 election would be the last conducted under first-past-the-post. Advertisement Monsef appeared on CTVs Question Period Sunday, where she told host Evan Solomon that she has not yet felt a consensus from Canadians that they want the voting system to change. Solomon wondered if that meant there is a chance Liberals could leave things unchanged. Were committed to this initiative, but were not going to move forward unless we have the broad support of the people of this country for whom were making this change, Monsef said. And you havent felt that yet? Solomon asked. Not yet, Monsef replied. 'The minister for undermining democratic reform' Cullen wondered why Monsef went on television to undercut the work of the committee, which will release its long-awaited report on Thursday. Advertisement He also sought a clear commitment that Monsef will implement the groups recommendations. Monsef said she looked forward to the report, but suggested she was actually on TV to promote other democratic reform initiatives in her recently-tabled Bill C-33. That bill seeks to gut controversial elements of the last governments Fair Elections Act and restore voting rights for Canadian expats. Shes supposed to be the minister of democratic reform, not the minister for undermining democratic reform, Cullen shot back, adding that Monsefs single, most important job was to shift away from first-past-the-post. Cullen said hundreds of experts and thousands of Canadians have told the committee the current voting system distorts the democratic will of Canadians. "When the committee is working so hard to build a compromise, when so many Canadians are saying 'yes' to reform, why is it that this minister has become the voice of 'no?'" When the committee is working so hard to build a compromise, when so many Canadians are saying 'yes' to reform, why is it that this minister has become the voice of 'no?' Cullen asked. Advertisement Monsef said she has been committed to the file since day one and respects the committees independence. Were going to take the time to give that report the respect it deserves and present this House with a thoughtful plan forward, she said. That was much the same response Monsef gave NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair earlier in question period when he suggested Liberals were preparing to back down on electoral reform. Mulcair: Liberals may have 'rediscovered' charms of FPTP Mulcair wondered if Liberals had rediscovered the charms of a system that gave them a false majority after winning 39 per cent of the vote. New Democrats have long favoured a proportional representation voting system, in which a partys number of seats in the House of Commons roughly matches its share of the vote. This week's report is expected to show the vast majority of witnesses before the committee favoured some form of PR. Advertisement Conservatives, however, say they wont support electoral reform unless Canadians have their say through a national referendum. Cullen recently revealed the NDP would be prepared to support such a referendum. At a digital town hall with the Huffington Post Canada earlier this month, Monsef said she did not think a referendum would be the best way forward. That said, if the committee comes back and this is how much respect I have for this committees work if the committee comes back and says a referendum is the only way to legitimize this process, then I have to take that very seriously, Monsef added. The minister added it would be really hard to say no if all 12 MPs on the committee recommend a national vote. Advertisement Tories and New Democrats have also accused Liberals of wanting a shift to the ranked ballot system about which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed a preference in the past. Such a system lets voters rank their choices in order of preference a process opposition parties say would most benefit Liberals who might be the natural second choice of many NDP voters on the left and Tory voters on the right. Trudeau remarks raise red flags But Trudeau also suggested in an interview last month that Canadians may not be as excited about changing the system since Liberals replaced Stephen Harpers Conservatives in power. (Canadians) now have a government with which they are more satisfied, he told Quebec newspaper Le Devoir. And the motivation to want to change the system is less compelling. The prime minister later affirmed he remains deeply committed to reform. With files from The Canadian Press Also on HuffPost Ontarios newest Liberal MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers was sworn into office on Monday, but the provinces youngest-ever legislature member elected the same day was nowhere to be seen. According to longtime Queens Park journalist Randy Rath, the Progressive Conservative Partys youngest MPP Sam Oosterhoff was busy with other party matters. Advertisement Patrick Brown says Sam Oosterhoff hasn't taken his seat in Ontario's Legislature because he is busy planning a party to celebrate the event. Randy Rath (@rath_randy) November 28, 2016 Oosterhoff offered a congratulations to Des Rosiers, a constitutional lawyer, on being sworn in to her new role. He confirmed he would be joining his new colleagues mid-week. @ndesrosiers congratulations! Looking forward to joining you this Wednesday! Sam Oosterhoff (@samoosterhoff) November 28, 2016 Party leader Patrick Brown did not respond to The Huffington Post Canadas request for comment on whether the timing of Oosterhoffs absence has any relation to a debate on Bill 28 this week. Advertisement A third reading of the bill, called the All Families Are Equal Act, is scheduled for Tuesday. It proposes to update the wording of mother to birth parent in the Childrens Law Reform Act and Vital Statistics. If passed, the amendments will end the legal requirement for same-sex couples to adopt their own children if they were carried by surrogates or conceived through assisted reproduction technologies. Oosterhoff, who lives with his parents, has avoided answering direct questions about his stance on the bill and on same-sex marriage. The Brock University student won a provincial byelection in Niagara West-Glanbrook this month, filling a seat left by the party's former leader, Tim Hudak. Advertisement Liberals labelled the teen a conservative firebrand and accused him of hiding his social conservative values during the campaign. Had the opportunity to visit QP and look up my caucus colleagues / office spaces; going to be working hard! pic.twitter.com/hEY09F8Iak Sam Oosterhoff (@samoosterhoff) November 22, 2016 During a candidates debate prior to the byelection vote, the 19-year-old ducked questions asking him if he had been told by Brown to soften his views on the provinces sex-education curriculum. Oosterhoff has campaigned against Ontarios new sex-education curriculum contrary to the position held by Brown. But despite their difference of opinion, Brown defended the teen against Liberal attacks earlier this month. The Liberals resorted to a smear campaign on Sam, but Sam focused on jobs. Sam focused on how we're going to get Ontario back on its feet, he said. Advertisement Bill 28 will go to a vote this fall. With files from The Canadian Press Also on HuffPost It's your favourite A-list stars like you've never seen them before! The 2017 Pirelli Calendar, called "Emotional," was unveiled in Paris on Tuesday and it features 14 of Hollywood's most famous women without a hint of retouching. The calendar, which "conveys personality, sensitivity and the guts to be yourself, stars Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Zhang Ziyi, Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Rooney Mara, Helen Mirren, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlotte Rampling, Lea Seydoux, Uma Thurman, Alicia Vikander and Robin Wright. Advertisement Following in the steps of Annie Leibovitz's 2016 Pirelli Calendar, which celebrated "strong but natural women," this year's edition, shot by Peter Lindbergh, involves no airbrushing or Photoshop. "I wanted to use the 2017 Calendar to convey a different kind of beauty," Lindbergh said. "Since it's based on consumption, the present system offers a single kind of beauty, which is essentially one of youth and perfection, since its objective is to get people to consume." Advertisement He continued, "But this idea of beauty has nothing to do with the real world or with women. Through the Pirelli Calendar I've tried to convey a different message, which is that beauty is far more than what advertising offers us today." Lindbergh's aim for this year's celeb-filled calendar was "not shoot a calendar about perfect bodies but to capture sensitivity and emotion, laying bare the souls of the women in the images, rendering them more naked that a nude." This is Pirelli's 44th edition of the legendary calendar and it is said to include more than 40 black and white images. In the past, the calendar often featured supermodels with their sexuality on full display. However, it looks as if the focus of the calendar has changed in the past few years. "I think Peter's mission with everyone involved wanting to free women from oppressive and false standards is fantastic," Uma Thurman, who is featured in this year's calendar, said in a press conference on Tuesday. Advertisement As noted by ELLE, this year's calendar features actresses who, by Hollywood standards, are older Charlotte Rampling is 70 years old, Helen Mirren is 71, Julianne Moore is 55, Robin Wright is 50 and Nicole Kidman is 49. "Beauty that speaks about individuality, courage to be yourself, and your very own sensibility," Lindbergh said. "Thats my definition of a woman today. That is the goal of the calendar, to show that woman and not the stretched and manipulated [woman often shown in the media]. To see more shots from the calendar, check out Pirelli's Instagram below! Advertisement And check out a few images from the 2016 Pirelli Calendar below! 2016 Pirelli Calendar See Gallery It's never been a better time to rent in Calgary, but it's coming at a cost to landlords. A recent report published by a Calgary real estate company has found that close to 40 per cent of private rental units currently listed in Calgary are sitting empty. Using data from Kijiji, RentFaster.ca and its own operations, Hope Street Real Estate Corporation found that there are currently 8,102 rental properties listed for rent in Calgary, and 37 per cent of those properties do not have a tenant living in them. Advertisement "Times are hard for every single landlord with whom Ive spoken in the past eight to 12 months. Empty rental properties abound and no obvious solution to the provinces empty rental property phenomenon exists," Hope Street CEO Shamon Kureshi said in a press release. "I have never seen it this grim before." "I have never seen it this grim before, Kureshi told Postmedia. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) says that Calgary's apartment vacancy rate has hit its highest level in 25 years, affected by a weak labour market caused by the oil downturn. In October, the vacancy rate hit seven per cent up from 5.3 per cent in the same month last year. "In Calgary, we've had some pronounced job losses. Migration and population growth have also slowed down, which are usually key drivers in terms of housing demand," Richard Cho, principal of market analysis for CMHC, told CBC News. Advertisement "We've also seen an increase in rental supply in the market as well. That's also contributed to a rise in the vacancy rate." The rise in vacancy now puts Calgary in the top five major Canadian centres with the highest rental vacancy rates: Saskatoon (10.3 per cent) St. Johns (7.9 per cent) Edmonton (7.1 per cent) Calgary (7.0 per cent) Saguenay (7.0 per cent) In better times, Calgary's vacancy rate sat at around three per cent. Rental prices are going down, as landlords try to fill their units. According to CMHC data, a two-bedroom until was renting, on average, for $1,258 in October 2016, compared to $1,332 a year earlier. In addition to lowering rent prices, more landlords are offering incentives such as renovations, reduced damage deposits, or gifts to attract tenants. Advertisement While Hope Street's data focuses primarily on rental data for private landlords (people who own one to three residential rental properties that often include basement suites or laneway rentals), the CMCH data looks at investor-owned condo buildings and large rental buildings owned and managed by companies. Also on HuffPost: A possible contender for the federal NDP leadership has issued a call to action for Canadians worried about division at home in the era of Donald Trump. Charlie Angus rose in the House of Commons Tuesday to say Trumps election win earlier this month after a campaign built around hate, xenophobia, misogyny and blame cast a dark shadow for many in North America. Advertisement Angus noted recent attacks on an Ottawa synagogue and mosque, and said members of the Muslim community have told him they fear deeper wedges in our national fabric. But theres cause for optimism, the veteran MP offered, because difficult times let you see the stuff of which people are made. Canadians will rise above the politics of fear, and division and paranoia, just as I know many of our American cousins will rise to the better angels of our nature, he said. Advertisement Angus called on Canadians to get active in their communities, to make it clear to neighbours that they have support. "The politics of community will beat the politics of fear, any day." Because the politics of community will beat the politics of fear, any day, he said. Trump has been a frequent topic in the House since his shocking win, but those conversations have mostly centered on his pledge to reopen the North American Free Trade Agreement, his support for the Keystone XL pipeline and his desire to pull the U.S. from the landmark Paris climate accord. Tory backbencher Ted Falk offered congratulations to the incoming president in a members statement two weeks ago, saying: May God continue to bless America. God bless Donald Trump. But Angus has evidently been thinking a lot about what Trump. In a video released to Facebook last week, he offered a Donald Trump hangover cure for those unable to shake that uneasy feeling in their stomachs. In the wake of Trump we need to get progressive politics re-engaged with those who feel they have been left off the political map. Progressive change is about being rooted in communities. It is about knowing who we are fighting for. This means listening to ordinary folks to hear their hopes, their concerns, their desire for change. It's about saying to your neighbour we might not agree on everything but I've got your back. We can do this together and we can come out the other end a lot stronger. Posted by Charlie J. Angus on Tuesday, 22 November 2016 Advertisement In the three-minute clip, Angus called Trumps win a defeat for the progressive political class that stopped reaching those who felt written off the political map of the nation. Angus added Trumps rise was a repudiation of the pollsters and gurus who dismissed rising discontent in Rust Belt states such as Ohio and Michigan as white noise, white anger, and white trash. He suggested the approach ignored economic anxieties about precarious work, student debt and lack of pensions. As we learned from Donald Trump, being disconnected leads to discontent, he said, adding he wasnt prepared to let a political arsonist or his Mini Me, wannabe Canadian imitators pretend to speak for the disenfranchised. Defends 'blue collar folk' Angus, who has represented the northern Ontario riding of TimminsJames Bay since 2004, also took to Facebook shortly after the election results to push back against the narrative that the white working class was to blame for president-elect Trump. The boys at the garage in his mining town of Cobalt think Trump is a pig, Angus wrote, and local families there are stepping up for Syrian refugees. Advertisement Yes blue collar folk have been shafted time and time again but I still set my political watch by their decency, sense of community and willingness to go to the wall to help others, he wrote. Angus added that Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, who sparked headlines lauding the message Trump sent to so-called elites, wouldnt deign to learn wisdom from folks like this in a million years. Angus stepped down as the NDP caucus chair and indigenous affairs critic last week to continue exploring a leadership run. Also on HuffPost A former Ottawa Citizen reporter and his wife are dead and their son has been accused of their murders. Cameron Rogers, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder after his parents were found dead at their Ottawa home Monday night, according to The Canadian Press. Ottawa police discovered the bodies of Dave Rogers, 69 and Merrill Gleddie Rogers, 63, in the backyard after receiving a tip from Montreal authorities, according to CBC News. Advertisement From our archives: Here's Dave Rogers and his then little boy Cameron. Friends say Dave and Merrill doted on Cameron #ottnewspic.twitter.com/QbHqoTAWyZ Shaamini Yogaretnam (@shaaminiwhy) November 29, 2016 Montreal police told The Canadian Press that a man called 911 and allegedly confessed to killing his parents a few days beforehand. Ottawa police received the tip on Monday, prompting officers to check on the home. The bodies were found behind a shed outside, according to the Ottawa Citizen. One body was under a tarp and another in a suitcase. OTTAWA Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says shes ready to engage in civil unrest and go to jail fighting the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday the approval of the controversial $6.8-billion project that twins an existing line and increases capacity to 890,000 barrels a day. That triples the current volume of crude oil that currently travels between Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C., the third-largest city in the province and increases the tanker traffic in the Vancouver harbour much to the dismay of the city's residents. Advertisement If there are blockades as construction begins, Im more than prepared to be there to block construction and be arrested and go to jail. This is not an issue where you compromise, May told The Huffington Post Canada just before Trudeau's announcement. May said her constituents want her to stand in solidarity against the 1,150-kilometre pipeline with indigenous groups and other local politicians, even if that includes risking jail time. That is the level of commitment that people feel to fighting Kinder Morgan, she said. The Green Party leader said she had never been arrested in her life but she believes there is a role for non-violent civil disobedience. Advertisement Not only do the Liberals have no social license to approve Kinder Morgan, May said, the government also has no evidentiary case to proceed with the pipeline. The National Energy Board process was a sham, there was no testing of the evidence, there was no cross-examination, there is no factual evidentiary case that if you can clean up bitumen mixed with diluent (a thinning agent) spilling in a marine environment, May said. Two weeks ago, more than 4,000 British Columbians marched to protest the potential approval of Kinder Morgan. Opponents say the pipeline expansion will result in more greenhouse gas emissions and increases the risks to B.C.'s picturesque coast. Advertisement Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson told HuffPost before the march that he still hoped the government would respect Vancouverites and First Nation concerns and do the right thing and say no to Kinder Morgan. If they dont, I would expect it will be ugly, he said. Speaking in a video message Tuesday, Robertson said he was "profoundly disappointed" by the Liberal government's decision. "This is a huge step backwards for Canada's economy and environment and for climate change," he said, adding that the project was driven by former Stephen Harper's Conservative government through a flawed process. Vancouverites see the decision as "a direct threat" to their economy and their clean environment, the mayor added, saying residents will continue to oppose the pipeline ever being built. During last year's election, the Liberals made big gains in the Greater Vancouver area winning 15 out of a possible 23 seats. They previously held only two ridings in Vancouver Centre and Vancouver Quadra. Advertisement Many of those seats may now be in jeopardy. The Green Party leader said the Grits could "kiss them goodbye. PM 'misled British Columbians': Mulcair NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said Trudeau had misled British Columbians. [Trudeau] said that he would never allow a pipeline like Kinder Morgan to go forward under Stephen Harpers system with the National Energy Board. He said that it would be redone under an open transparent credible system, Mulcair said. People in British Columbia trusted Justin Trudeau and a lot of them must be very sad today. Trudeau was asked several times about the upcoming battle he faces selling his Kinder Morgan decision during a press conference. "I have heard and listened very carefully to the many diverse perspectives that exist in B.C. on this project," he told reporters, singling his MP Terry Beech as a vocal critic. "We respect their right to hold and voice their beliefs, but to them and to all Canadians I want to say this: if I thought this project was unsafe for the B.C. coast, I would reject it. "This is a decision based on rigorous debate on science and on evidence. We have not been and will not be swayed by political arguments, be they local, regional or national." Advertisement People in British Columbia trusted Justin Trudeau and a lot of them must be very sad today. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair The expansion, the government said, will create 15,000 construction job, provide crucial access to Asian market, and add $4.5 billion in federal and provincial coffers. In a Facebook post, Beech, a rookie MP, said he will "reserve comment" until he has fully reviewed all the information related to the announcement. He plans an open house for his constituents on Saturday to discuss the decision. Time to 'work together': MP Hedy Fry, longtime MP for Vancouver Centre, told HuffPost Tuesday that she had presented Robertson's "cogent" arguments along with the concerns of Indigenous people to the prime minister and to the cabinet ministers responsible. "I'm not necessarily happy with the decision but I think it's time to move on now and start looking at the 150 conditions that are being placed and see how we can work together to make sure those are being done," she said. Advertisement Trudeau approved Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain Expansion project subject to 157 binding conditions that the government says addresses indigenous, socio-economic and environmental impacts. With previous files from Catherine Levesque and Zi-Ann Lum Also on HuffPost Kellyanne Conway is coming to Alberta next year. The former campaign manager for Donald Trump will be speaking at a fundraising dinner for the Alberta Prosperity Fund on Jan. 12. She is currently a senior adviser on the U.S. president-elect's transition team. The advocate group describes itself as "Canada's only conservative Super PAC." Advertisement Conway will also visit Fort McMurray, according to a Tuesday press release from the group. Heather Forsyth, chair of the fund, called Conway a "very influential" member of Trump's team in the release. Forsyth praised Conway as "someone that I personally admire as a woman in politics." "I hope that Ms. Conway receives an enthusiastic welcome here in Alberta and can return to the US with an informed attitude towards Canadian export products," said Barry McNamar, the organization's founder and president. Trump's stunning election victory earlier this month raised some energy industry hope for a revival of the Keystone XL pipeline, a controversial project that would carry bitumen from Alberta's oilsands to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries. Advertisement Last year, U.S. President Barack Obama vetoed legislation approving the pipeline. Also on HuffPost The grandson of former Fiat Automobiles CEO was arrested in New York after allegedly faking his own kidnapping, according to reports. Lapo Elkann filed a false report with the New York Police Department over the weekend claiming he was the victim of unlawful imprisonment," Reuters reports. Advertisement The 39-year-old allegedly concocted the kidnapping plot to get $10,000 from his family so that he could continue a two-day drug-fuelled bender he had started with an escort, according to The Daily Beast. Sources close to Elkann, the youngest grandson of Fiat giant Gianni Agnelli, told Italian news agency ANSA they had "nothing to comment" on the reports. Advertisement A family representative had set up a drop-off for the $10,000, according to the New York Daily News. Police took in Elkann and his 29-year-old companion for questioning after seeing the pair outside the escort's apartment building. He was ordered to appear before a criminal court for arraignment at a later date. Elkann isn't a stranger to controversy. In 2005, he almost died of a drug overdose in Turin, Italy in an incident that involved a prostitute, according to WWD. Also on HuffPost Seventy TD Bank scholarships winners awarded for making a difference are calling out the institution for continuing to bankroll the Dakota Access Pipeline. We have been recognized by your institution for working toward social and environmental justice in our communities, but we struggle to represent an institution that is invested in a project of the highest injustice, reads an open letter issued to two of the banks CEOs on Thursday. Advertisement The letter claims TDs financial support of the project undermines the sovereignty of indigenous communities. It urged the bank to follow suit with DNB, Norways largest bank, in selling off its share of the pipeline. In documents filed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commision in August, TD Securities is listed as a creditor to the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Canadian bank, along with other major institutions including Wells Fargo and Japans Mizuho, loaned a sum total of $2.5 billion to fund the contentious project. The $3.8-billion pipeline is owned by Energy Transfer Partners LP. Most of the 1,885 kilometre pipeline is completed, except for a section planned to be built under Lake Oahe, less than a kilometre north of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota. Advertisement Indigenous Peoples are being attacked, strip-searched, maced, water-cannoned in freezing temperatures, sent to hospital with hypothermia and bone fractures? How can this possibly be called responsible energy development? Aube Giroux, a filmmaker and food writer, is one of the open letters 70 signatories. Named a TD Scholar in 1996, she said she is deeply disappointed over TD Banks indifference to allegations of human rights violations by law enforcement against protesters. Giroux told The Huffington Post Canada on Tuesday, the banks claim to support responsible energy development has zero value amid reports of whats happening in Standing Rock. Can we really call it responsible energy development when, simply for defending their right to clean water for their children and grandchildren on their own ancestral and stolen lands, indigenous peoples are being attacked, strip-searched, maced, water-cannoned in freezing temperatures, sent to hospital with hypothermia and bone fractures? she said. How can this possibly be called responsible energy development? Advertisement Niyousha Bastani, a 2013 TD Scholar, added that its important the Canadian institution withdraw its financial support of the pipeline as an act of solidarity to the Sioux nation. TD specifically has stated in a report published last year that they are committed to "advancing aboriginal prosperity" and they cannot honestly say that they are upholding this commitment if they continue to invest in a project where peaceful water protectors have been shot at with rubber bullets, tear gassed and strip searched, Bastani told HuffPost Canada. Thousands of people remain at Standing Rock despite a mandatory evacuation order issued by North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple on Monday for those at the main camp. Dalrymple urged protesters to prioritize safety amid upcoming harsh weather conditions. Winter conditions have the potential to endanger human life, especially when they are exposed to these conditions without proper shelter, dwellings, or sanitation for prolonged periods of time, it read. Advertisement TD Bank issued a statement to HuffPost Canada, saying the institution supports efforts made to achieve environmental sustainability and the safety of the site. We respect the rights of those who wish to voice their opinions in peaceful protest. TD supports responsible energy development, employing due diligence in our lending and investing activities related to resource development. To enhance our understanding of key issues and promote informed dialogue, we work closely with our clients, local communities, aboriginal governments and environmental groups. The bank did not explicitly address the open letter signed by 70 TD Scholars. TD said it will continue to encourage the company behind the pipeline to engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders, and the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Also on HuffPost Standing Rock Protest See Gallery Home ownership is a big deal in Canada, but as housing becomes more scarce and expensive in Toronto and Vancouver, many residents of those cities will give up dreams of homeownership whether by choice or not. In fact, a decade from now, the stigma surrounding renting will have disappeared in Toronto, says Paul Smetanin, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis. Advertisement For now, renting is tainted because owning a home is associated with financial success, Smetanin argues. But thats not the case in many other wealthy cities. In Vienna, 60 per cent of that city is rental beautifully constructed buildings and its market rental, so people arent house-poor, Smetanin said, as quoted at The Toronto Star. He said the home ownership rate in Toronto where 70 per cent of households own their own home has likely peaked and will begin to fall. Advertisement Graben, a pedestrian street in Vienna, Austria. Sixty per cent of the city's households are renter-occupied. (Photo: Krzysztof Dydynski/Getty Images) The transition [to renting] is led by large, dense, superstar cities like New York and L.A., as well as knowledge and tech hubs like Boston, Seattle, Austin, and San Francisco and Silicon Valley in the Bay Area, among others, urban studies expert Richard Florida wrote earlier this year. These "superstar cities" attract money and talent from all over the world in what Florida describes as the new creative economy. Toronto and Vancouver certainly fit this bill. They account for just about all of the net job growth in Canada in recent times; they are seeing an influx of foreign money; and they have some of the fastest population growth rates in North America. Advertisement But in these superstar cities, land prices have either moved far out of range of affordability for regular earners, or have always been out of range, and in todays hot real estate markets, renting is becoming more common. The home ownership rate in London, for example, is just half the rate in Toronto 36.4 per cent. (It peaked about 15 years ago, at around 42 per cent.) As high-paying jobs shift to these cities, renting is becoming more common even among higher earners. The largest increase [in renting] was among upper-middle class households (households earning between $126,000 to $188,000), who saw their share of renters grow by 6.3 percentage points, from 27.2 to 33.5 percent, Florida wrote. Advertisement (Click chart for full size) But switching to being a city of renters may require not only a change in attitude, but a change in policy. The fear of being kicked out of your own home is one of the major detractions to renting. Smetanin notes that many renter cities have policies in place that give renters a sense of long-term security. In Vienna, they have lifetime tenure as long as you can pay your market rents, he said. Were really talking about giving people the choice between being able to rent a beautiful home or being able to buy one, he added. Its a very different model to the one were used to. Canada hasnt yet turned into a nation of hamburger flippers, but a new study from CIBC Economics says the country has seen a slow but steady deterioration in job quality over the past two decades that is widening the income gap. The report comes in the wake of data showing that about 90 per cent of the new jobs created in Canada over the past year were part-time positions. Advertisement Some of that part-time trend can be accounted for by aging Baby Boomers staying in the workforce to supplement their income, but not all of it, meaning there is an element of fragility here, CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal wrote. But the larger concern may be that an ever-larger share of Canadians are finding work in low-paid jobs, while a smaller share of workers are finding work with above-average wages. Click for full size. Advertisement Tal found that the share of prime working-age Canadians (aged 25 to 54) who earn below the national average has been rising steadily since the start of the century, from around 50 per cent in 2000 to 53 per cent in 2015. That trend is consistent with a widening wage gap symptomatic of deteriorating labour market quality, Tal wrote. This has impacted middle earners the most. While the top 10 per cent of earners have seen the largest wage growth since 1997, it was those in the middle income deciles -- not those at the low end -- who saw the slowest wage growth in that time. People at the low end of the income scale saw faster growth largely due to changes in the minimum wage, the CIBC report said. Advertisement And while Tal says this isnt a sign that the country is about to become a nation composed mostly of low-wage workers, it does mean the distribution of employment in Canada is not as favourable as it used to be." The federal Liberal government recently waded into the job-quality debate when Finance Minister Bill Morneau argued that precarious work is becoming the norm, and Canadians should get used to "job churn." Youth activists at a labour forum turned their back on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a speech in which Trudeau reiterated Morneau's argument. Also on HuffPost Natacha Pisarenko/AP A photograph of the late Fidel Castro hangs at a memorial in his honor in Guanabacoa on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. Tribute sites are set up in hundreds of places across the country to bid farewell Castro, who died on Nov. 25 at age 90. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) I'll never forget my first trip to Cuba, staying in a beautiful all-inclusive resort filled with a bevy of materialistic amenities. Unlimited alcohol, an endless buffet and a pristine beach filled with powdery white sand and clear blue waters. It was heaven on earth and for a few days, I got sucked into this tropical whirlpool of consumption. But as my week progressed, I decided to leave the palatial resort and explore the outskirts of Varadero, the seaside town where the resort was located. I was aware Cubans lived under communist rule, but walking through the streets, you could definitely tell the people were impoverished. Advertisement The surrounding land looked scorched and vastly different from the area around the resort, while the tiny houses that lined the streets were dilapidated and crumbling. Many residents had small tiny yards that houses farm animals -- such as chickens and donkeys -- that looked vastly underfed and unhealthy. Fast forward to last Friday and the news of Fidel Castro's death spread across the world like wildfire. The media reacted and suddenly CBC and CTV News had correspondents on the ground in Havana interviewing Cubans in mourning, while also producing segments recounting the dictator's long, politicized life. "Anybody who remembers him fondly is ignoring his trail of human rights violations, while openly supporting a communist regime." Back home, several social media users were sharing their sadness and grief online, reacting as if the Dalai Lama or Mother Teresa had just died. Advertisement There's only one problem, though: Fidel Castro was no saint. He was a cruel dictator who oppressed and terrorized the Cuban people for nearly 50 years. Anybody who remembers him fondly is ignoring his trail of human rights violations, while openly supporting a communist regime. In case you have no idea who we're talking about, Fidel Castro was the communist leader of Cuba, the island nation just 90 kilometres south of the Floridian peninsula. Yes, the same island where you go on vacation every winter with your family and complain about the 'gross' food afterwards. According to several biographers, Castro was born in 1926 and grew up near Santiago de Cuba on his wealthy father's sugarcane farm. He reportedly threatened to burn down the farm on several occasions in his adolescence unless his father increased his worker's wages, demonstrating his dedicated advocacy. Castro studied law at the University of Havana and was very critical of Fulgencio Batista, Cuba's president and dictator in the 1940s and 50s. In 1959, Castro successfully led a socialist revolution, overthrew the Batista regime and began to consolidate power. Advertisement Photo courtesy of Wiki Images. The United States -- which supported the Batista regime -- condemned the revolution and placed economic sanctions on the island, with the CIA failing several times to assassinate Castro. In 1961, a group of about 1,400 Cuban dissidents tried to regain control of the island by landing in the Bay of Pigs. Castro's revolutionary forces ended up repelling these American-backed invaders, and the world watched this tiny island repel a mighty imperial power. Relations with the United States reached an ultimate low in 1962, when the CIA discovered the Soviets were sending nuclear warheads to the island. From Oct. 14 to 28, the world teetered on the verge of nuclear war, during what became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nikita Khrushchev -- the leader of the Soviet Union -- eventually agreed to remove the warheads from the island, averting a catastrophe was averted. Cuba has always been the underdog fighting the almighty imperial and capitalist superpower, and at a first glance, one might think Cubans a sweet deal. After all, the literacy rate is almost at 100 per cent and the country has free universal health care, with an average of 6.72 doctors for every 100 people, compared to the United States' 2.45 doctors for every 100 people, according to CBS News Sunday Morning. Despite these positive aspects, we cannot forget Cuba's past and present human rights violations. Over the last 50 years, more than 3,100 known executions by firing squad have taken place, usually targeting political dissidents, according to the nonprofit organization Cuba Archives. There were also 6,200 arbitrary detentions between January and October 2015 alone, meaning political dissidents are continuously persecuted for speaking out against the communist state, according to the Human Rights Watch. The total number of political prisoners over the last 50 years is unknown, but likely very high. Advertisement "The next time you like a Facebook status or reminisce about Castro's glorious achievements, think twice and remember he's no angel in a revolutionary uniform." Don't even get us started on Cuba's policy regarding homosexuals. In the years following his takeover, the police began rounding up gay men and placing them in work camps called Military Units to Aid Production (UMAP) according to The Daily Beast. Although these camps closed in the late 60s, homosexuals were still persecuted by the regime afterwards and were fired from their jobs and weren't allowed to join the Communist Party, according to the same source. During the 80s when the first cases of HIV were discovered on the island, the government responded by establishing sanitariums, which were quarantine centers that kept patients away from the rest of society, according to the New York Times. These sanitariums were referred to as "pretty prisons," by Jonathan Mann, the first AIDS director at the World Health Organization, and were seen as a direct threat against the LGBT minority within the country. Advertisement Let's not overlook the number of Cubans living in America either. According to CBS News, there are around 1.1 million Cuban Americans in the U.S., meaning one tenth of the Cuban population has fled the island nation to seek refuge in America. Article 215 of the Cuban Penal Code strictly prohibits Cubans to leave the country without authorized government permission. This means if they are caught trying to escape, they're subjected to a lengthy prison sentence. This exodus proves that life isn't great for everyone on the island. So the next time you like a Facebook status or reminisce about Castro's glorious achievements, think twice and remember he's no angel in a revolutionary uniform. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Andrew Francis Wallace via Getty Images TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 18 - Walmart Etobicoke Supercentre front entrance, November 18, 2014. Walmart Canada said Tuesday it has eliminated 210 jobs in the company's Mississauga head office and field management structure due to organizational changes. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Two of the biggest companies doing retail business in Canada are at war with each other: Visa and Walmart. Most Canadians have not noticed, though, because the war is taking place only in select markets. However, if the current trend continues, it could be -- as the slogan goes -- coming soon to a store near you. Advertisement The issue is fees Walmart is famous for beating down supplier prices on everything from clothing to home furnishings. That's its business model, that's what it has to do to appeal to its core market. Walmart claims that Visa's fees in Canada are too high: "Canadians deserve better than paying a hidden fee that is four-times higher than consumers pay in other countries." Back in May, negotiations broke down between the two companies. Walmart announced that it would phase out Visa payments in all its stores across the country. That phase-out began in Thunder Bay, where Walmart has three stores. Thunder Bay? Could Walmart have chosen a more secluded spot? If Walmart had started with Toronto, that would have been like dropping a retail nuclear bomb. This is more of a pressure tactic, like saying to Visa, "We are serious. Come back to the table. Give us a better offer." Advertisement Visa's response? "Until an agreement can be reached in this commercial dispute, we encourage shoppers to use their cards at the more than 5,200 stores in Thunder Bay that accept Visa." And the cold war settled in...but not cold for long. The battle heats up Walmart upped the ante, in what is increasingly looking like a game of chicken. As of October, Visa is no longer accepted in its Manitoba stores. Again, a somewhat contained location, but definitely a bigger prize to squabble over than Thunder Bay. In a clever move that reminds me of an arms escalation, Visa jumped in to hit Walmart where it hurts. In those select locations -- Manitoba and Thunder Bay -- Visa is offering a $10 rebate on groceries. Obviously, since Walmart is not accepting Visa, people will have to shop elsewhere to take advantage of the $10 rebate. So much for Walmart's attempt to become Canada's largest grocery retailer. Still, the question must be asked: how far can Walmart take this game of chicken? A one-time $10 rebate is unlikely to make a long-term dent in sales. But refusing people's credit cards is another matter. Credit cards are not people's preferred method of payment. I am part of the majority. When I show up at a store or gas station, I use my debit card. Still a lot of people rely on credit cards. And cash is not always an option for larger purchases. Advertisement Walmart says it pays $100 million annually in credit card fees. By refusing Visa, Walmart will save money on credit card fees. It will increase purchases made on its own credit card, presumably at a nice profit and presumably appealing to its most loyal customers. Thunder Bay writer Lorraine Reguly isn't convinced that Walmart is doing itself a favour by forcing customers to use its credit card. She said the following to me in an interview: "It is damn annoying that Walmart issues cards that often do not even work! I have thousands of dollars available on my Walmart credit card, yet get declined when trying to pay for a purchase at their stores. My Visa works everywhere, and I have no issues with it, yet I am unable to use it at Walmart because of this asinine 'rule'." The average Canadian has 2.2 credit cards in their wallet. In most cases, only one would be a Visa card. What we don't know is how many Walmart shoppers have only one credit card, a Visa card, and feel that paying any other way is a big enough inconvenience to drive them away from Walmart for at least some of their purchases. The real game of chicken The big question is whether Walmart will save enough on credit card fees and gain enough in usage of its own credit card to offset the customers that decide to shop elsewhere with their Visa cards. Advertisement That might be the same question Walmart Canada executives are asking. In fact, that might be why they are phasing out Visa cards at a snail's pace, collecting data and analyzing the implications first from a small market, then from a slightly larger market. If Walmart backs down, it will be because they are losing more money than they are saving. By upping the ante from Thunder Bay to Manitoba, we can surmise that going Visa-free in Thunder Bay was most likely profitable. If six months from now they refuse your Visa card in Mississauga, you'll know that Walmart doesn't really need Visa all that much. The real game of chicken might not be between Walmart and Visa. It might be between Walmart and its customers. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Jamie Grill via Getty Images Studio Shot of smashed tomato When we see containers of yogurt in the trash, perfectly good fruit and vegetables sent to the organics bin - we are moved to frustration when it appears that the disposed food could have been donated to a food bank. According to a 2014 report from Value Chain Management International, $31 billion in food is wasted each year in Canada, from farm to fork with 50 per cent of wasted food coming directly from households, while more than 850,000 people seek assistance from food banks each and every month because they can't afford to buy food themselves. The combination of waste and need is a vexing one, and it is not new. For years, hundreds of food bank organizations across Canada have been actively working to reclaim surplus food from retailers, manufacturers, and farmers, diverting millions of pounds that would have been wasted and instead directing this food to individuals and families in need. Advertisement At Food Banks Canada, we have partnered with retailers Walmart and Loblaws to divert more than 14 million pounds of safe quality food to food banks across the country through a food diversion program which pairs retail stores with local food banks to donate good food to those who need it most. Additionally, local programs include efforts such as retrieving produce from a farmer's field, or donating excess production from food manufacturers. However, there are limits to what food banks can take -- the safety of those we help must come first. Stories of food landing in organic bins behind stores neglect to address the fact that there are numerous reasons why it ended up there. For example, food that has been subject to a recall, left out of the refrigerator for days, or returned by a customer should never be donated. No matter how tempting it is to think that any and all food that looks edible should be diverted, it would be wrong to risk the health of people accessing food banks. The limited capacity of food banks to safely store and transport food, especially perishables, is another limiting factor. Like many charitable organizations, food banks face the ongoing challenge of resources keeping up with need. Fortunately, over the last three years, our retail partners have generously donated funds to help us build the capacity of food banks to offer a more diverse range of foods. Advertisement The Walmart Foundation, in particular, has demonstrated significant leadership in hunger relief and has invested over two million dollars in Canadian food banks as part of a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to enhance cold chain integrity, expand logistics and ultimately make it possible for hunger relief organizations to accept more safe, quality food from donors. No one wants quality, safe food to be wasted. A greater focus on food rescue efforts can increase the amount of all types of foods, and especially desirable perishable products, to ensure all families can put a wholesome meal on the table. But let's not kid ourselves -- surplus food will never address the root causes of hunger. Why do Canadian food banks have more recipients year after year? The heart of that issue is not food waste, it's hunger in Canada. And solving the issue of waste will not solve the issue of hunger. Food insecurity in this country is a real issue and one that bears a shared responsibility from addressing the woeful state of government supports, or pensions that don't stretch to finding ways to lessen the burden of excessive student debt. The growing number of individuals needing the help of food banks is a real loss, and it's time we addressed this in our country of plenty. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Jacobs Stock Photography via Getty Images Two weeks ago I was invited to a very special brunch. The phrase "special brunch" being kind of a tautology... I mean, what warm-blooded North American doesn't love brunch, right? But, this one was was extra-special. I was attending a test sitting for the first Syrian pop-up brunch in Toronto.. possibly even the world. Advertisement (photo credit: Lisa Kates) Since spring of 2016, I've been documenting the Newcomer Kitchen project -- a food-based social enterprise in Toronto that is creating opportunities for employment and cultural exchange by having Syrian refugee women prepare and sell home-cooked meals. The project has super busy since its inception in April 2016 and, aside from their weekly Thursday meals, have catered events such as Luminato, CBC 's "Cross Country Checkup," and a VIP Iftar dinner with Toronto Mayor John Tory, and continues to evolve. "What about a Syrian brunch?" visionary Newcomer Kitchen co-founder Len Senator found himself dreaming. If anyone knows how to run a brunch, it's Len. His well-touted food establishment The Depanneur where "interesting food things happen" (referred to as "The Dep" by fans), has been hosting top Toronto brunches - Zagat-rated ones - for years. But is there such a thing as a Syrian brunch? Chatting with Newcomer Kitchen coordinators, the lovely couple Rahaf Al Akbani & Esmaeel Abofakher, who themselves arrived in Canada as refugees this year, I learn that "brunch" does not exist in Syria. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all very separate -- and very serious -- experiences. And by serious, I don't mean stoic or solemn... For typical Syrians, time and human companionship are as important ingredients as those in the amazing food... Advertisement And this social aspect is where our not-quite-breakfast, not- quite-lunch beloved brunch overlaps with Syrian dining. Outside of Christmas and Thanksgiving, it's arguably one of the most social and leisurely eating indulgences in North America. The implications of eating together go beyond a good eggs benny. When I described the project to a colleague, he responded saying it's very hard to hate someone with whom you share a meal. It's true. Eating together is very humanizing and, breaking bread has the potential to break down boundaries. (photo credit: Lisa Kates) This unifying potential of food is the premise behind other social enterprises intent on bridging the social and economic divides, while making their community more delicious. In Toronto,The Afghan Women's Catering Group has been empowering immigrant women through their home-cooking abilities for almost 10 years. Karam Kitchen in Hamilton, Ontario is a coalition of women introducing Syrian culture and food through a catering operation that employs refugees. Advertisement Outside of Canada, there's Conflict Kitchen in Pittsburgh, a concept that uses food to create a dialogue about countries the United States is in conflict with, such as Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, and currently featuring the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. In Paris, The Refugee Food Festival uses food as a unifying force through the creation of special menus by pairing chefs from fine Parisian restaurants with refugee chefs from around the world. Back in Toronto, the Newcomer Kitchen project consistency demonstrates the potential for breaking down boundaries through baking (and breaking) bread. From the volunteers, to the patrons, and even amongst the Syrian women involved. The original idea to provide respite from the challenges of cooking in the hotels they were temporarily housed in brought women from all over Syria -- women who did not know one another, from different backgrounds with differing viewpoints -- into one kitchen. By all accounts, that first exchange was an almost magical event. So the shared communal dinner continued once a week, and a social enterprise emerged. A portion of the food is prepared and sold to Torontonians excited by the arrival of delicious Syrian cuisine into the City's diverse food landscape (the meals sell out every week). Newcomer Kitchen co-founder Cara Benjamin Pace cites studies about how empowering women like this positively impacts the newcomer community. Typically newcomer women would be relegated to cooking in the home and domestic work, so often it would take longer to learn language and culture of their new home. Advertisement The women in Newcomer Kitchen have the opposite experience. Besides earning more than minimum wage for cooking the meals, they have been fast-tracked into Toronto culture -- earning their food handlers certificate (via translation), working in the commercial restaurant business, befriending Toronto volunteers, experiencing Canadian work ethic, and navigating Greater Toronto Area transportation systems. And suddenly there's a slice of Syria right here in Toronto -- something precious and invaluable not only for the refugee families involved, but for the Canadians (diners and volunteers) who have enjoyed a taste. While we focus on (and maybe obsess over) the nutrients, vitamins or calories in our food, food social enterprises like Newcomer Kitchen are using food's potential to open minds, build healthy communities, and open minds. "You are what you eat" takes on new meaning if we consider not only what is in our dinner, but how and with whom we are dining. Cesar Chavez said "the people who give you their food give you their heart." I think I'll have some of that on the side with my Syrian brunch. BrianAJackson via Getty Images Equality between man and woman concept with beam scales and sign In the wake of a startling year for women's rights around the world, there is a feeling that we have a lot to be proud of as Canadians. We have a Prime Minister who calls himself a feminist -- a word previously taboo even among women's groups -- we have a gender-balanced federal cabinet where women hold some of the highest positions of power in the country, and the appointment of new Canadian Senators who are some of the leading feminist advocates in the country. Advertisement So, are we there? Have we achieved equality for women in Canada? The answer, unsurprisingly, is not yet. On November 18th, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee) released their concluding observations following Canada's review under the International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (the Covenant). The report follows a full-day review in Geneva this past October, where NGOs, including CWP, watched the CEDAW Committee put Canada's human rights record for women to the test. Through the review, the CEDAW Committee considered issues that illustrate just how far we have to go before we 'get there': the devastatingly disproportionate experience of poverty for Indigenous women who suffer some of the highest suicide rates in the country; the 500 women who are turned away from homeless shelters everyday, often due to overcrowding; and the shockingly inadequate social assistance rates for single mothers, barely able to survive on $1036 per month in cities like Vancouver where the average rent is $1345 per month. Advertisement The concluding observations -- which are a summary of the CEDAW Committee's recommendations -- did not pull any punches. Canada ratified the Covenant in 1981, which means that these recommendations should be given the highest regard by decision-makers in Canada. Not only should Parliamentarians implement the observations through their policy decisions, Canadian courts are required to use concluding observations such as these in their interpretations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While the concluding observations recognized some of the small steps forward taken by Canada, there is a clear concern from the United Nations on the lack of overall strategy to address women's inequality. With this in mind, the Committee recommended that Canada, "develop a comprehensive national gender strategy, policy and action plan that addresses the structural factors causing persistent inequalities, including intersecting forms of discrimination, against women and girls". Perhaps the biggest roadblock to recognizing women's equality is a resistance from our decision-makers to ensure that every single policy decision is made from a human rights and gendered approach. Instead of touting singular policies to cover some of the inequality gaps, we must implement a holistic plan to make every effort to consider human rights in forthcoming policy development. For example, as the Committee recommended, Canada's National Housing Strategy and Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy must explicitly reference human rights and use a rights-based approach. A rights-based approach is a necessity because without it, the government's commitment to equality is little more than just words. As Status of Women Canada representative, Linda Savoie, rightly said to the CEDAW Committee: "We know we will be judged by our actions, not by our words." Advertisement As a young feminist advocate, I think I'm not alone in saying that I'm tired of platitudes and the "right" words for our representatives when they aren't coupled with genuine action. As many NGOs at the review noted, the Minister on the Status of Women, Patti Hajdu, was not present to answer questions from the CEDAW Committee, nor was she available with a video address. If our government's decision makers are not directly responding to the United Nations, it's unclear whether these recommendations from the CEDAW committee will make their way into those high-level policy decisions. The concluding observations from CEDAW provide a strong roadmap to chart out our route, and perhaps this time, with a feminist Prime Minister we can start to move toward equality. Because there are small signs that we're moving forward, but every so often we seem to take a detour. We sometimes forget that the most direct route to women's equality -- including women's socio-economic equality -- is by first recognizing that equality is a legal human right that belongs to all women in Canada. It's at moments like this, where, like a kid in the back of a family car on a long road trip, I find myself asking "Are we there yet?" Advertisement Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook I hope this will not end up being a "Sheila Copps defends Jian Ghomeshi" moment for me. I do not want to rush to the defence of a person whose work I am familiar with and now finds himself facing an assault charge and three counts of mischief. I do not condone violence. However, the real noted Canadian activist and journalist, Andray Domise -- my friend -- is quite different than the one I see projected in the media. Last year, I attended a carding meeting with Ontario Minister Yasir Naqvi. To Toronto's black activists, this meeting represented a transition from mere activism to considerable people power. With a black president south of the border, it was an age of new, young, ambitious faces who wanted to be at the table advocating for important issues, unlike the elders (infamous for shouting from the outside) they replaced. This was 2015, when Black Lives Matter was transitioning from mere fringe protest to one of mainstream importance. Advertisement There were many activists and leaders in attendance, including Desmond Cole, Councillor Michael Thompson, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, and my friend, Andray Domise. It seemed that police carding issues had affected all walks of our very uniquely Canadian lives. Susan Gapka, the provocative LGBTQ activist, stood up and asked a daring question on the role of her community. She was verbally attacked, physically threatened by a noted paralegal I knew, and none of us had the courage to defend her -- except Domise. He earned my respect and, I am sure, the respect of Gapka and many others in attendance. Domise needed no microphone to shout his disapproval, nor to spend five minutes lecturing those gathered about how wrong it was to attack her and reminding them that she had every right to speak. She did. Domise did not have to do that, but he stepped up. With this action he earned my respect and, I am sure, the respect of Gapka and many others in attendance. Advertisement For almost three years, I have seen Domise write brilliantly, provoking important public discussions; spend scarce personal resources and time to mentor young people; and attend countless community gatherings without credit or recognition. I have seen him challenge the status quo and witnessed as he refused to attend countless exhausting award ceremonies in the black community, such as the Harry Jerome Awards, when he could have easily been one of its awardees. This is not because he hated awards, I feel, but because he felt the black community had more pressing and substantive issues than continuing to give irrelevant awards to the likes of John Tory. To me, Domise always stood tall and was authentic. I still like and respect him. He blasted his own Liberal party to embrace its old self, as a defender of human rights -- not one of corporate interests. To me, Domise always stood tall and was authentic. I still like and respect him. It hurts me to know that around the same time he was active and making an impression on me and others, he was also contemplating suicide. To be a black activist in Toronto is often a lonely and expensive lifestyle. The whole black activism system is broken, as there are few winners, almost no mentors, few resources and almost no one willing to give advice. To be attacked and neglected is the norm, as everyone assumes every activist is unbreakable. It does not matter whether one is Ezra Levant or Andray Domise, nobody seems to realize that people become an activist, not because they are perfect, but because we aren't. Advertisement I was an activist in Toronto and I felt the burden of the community with overwhelming challenges and many issues yet to be solved. When I stood up to Rob Ford's racism and complained to the Integrity Commissioner, for instance, I received many racist messages and many challenged my Canadian citizenship and described me in derogatory terms. They told me to go home. For me, home was Ottawa; I am sure that, for them, it was a place much further away. It hurt. When I advocated for Little Ethiopia on the Danforth -- as a Canadian in a society that encourages us to embrace our heritage -- my patriotism for my country was questioned. Remember, he is innocent until proven guilty. In all the ugliness I experienced as an activist in Canada, I saw the best in our country and believed the cause I was advocating for, fighting for, was bigger than I was. In the midst of my ordeal, it was a local Toronto Star columnist, Royson James, who would often whisper in my ears words of wisdom. He must have seen the burden of what I was carrying as an army of one. Advertisement Like a father figure and a typical Canadian, James would often offer me unsolicited advice on the importance of self-care and community. I continue to admire and respect Royson James, as an admired community elder, concerned citizen and respected journalist, and I will do my very best in all I do to follow in his footsteps. I am sure he must have advised Domise and other activists as well. He might not have noticed it then or understood the impact of his words, but they were helping me function as a human being and helping me rebuild myself. In his words, I learned not to take everything to heart but to "walk good." As I transition from an Ethiopian activist in Canada to a Canadian activist in Ethiopia, where I currently reside, I hope we will all allow Domise, my friend, the space and the right to defend himself. Remember, he is innocent until proven guilty. That is a Canadian tradition I value and treasure. Let us not compromise it. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Morocco is a curious traveller's dream. Bordering Spain to the north and Algeria to the east, this is a country of many cultural influences. Bustling marketplaces in cities like Marrakech and Fez offer a glimpse of the real-life Arabian nights: handwoven carpets hang on the walls of narrow alleyways and colorful spices sit in big, cane baskets on the stone path below. As you follow the aroma of spicy kebabs and vegetable tagines ahead, you can't escape the vendors selling handicrafts who ask you to stop for a peek into their shops. The souks in these old cities surely excites the senses, but there is more to Morocco than what's found in these commonly-travelled areas. Advertisement Bhalil is a small town about 30 kilometres southeast of Fez. With a population of just 17,000 it's largely unknown to tourists and offers a more authentic view of Moroccan culture. Here are five reasons I recommend adding it to your list of Moroccan destinations: 1. THE CAVES Bhalil's most unique attraction is its more than 500 caves -- the majority of which are used as storage spaces for sheep and cattle. Though, there are about 100 caves that families actually live in! Once each year, those people remove all of their belongings from inside the cave and paint the entire interior with a fresh coat of limestone. Advertisement Kacem, his wife, and their five children live in one of those caves. 2. THE GUIDE Dar KamalChaoui is the only guesthouse inside Bhalil's old city. It's a quaint 4-bedroom place, with a beautiful terrace overlooking the town. The owner, Kamal, is very proud of where he calls home. Twenty dollars will get you a guided tour, where you can learn the history of Bhalil and meet the locals. Advertisement You'll get introduced to people like Latef Abdallaoui, who is a carpenter and has lived in Bhalil for nearly a decade. Much of the furniture inside Dar KamalChaoui was made by Latef. He works in this 6th century cave, where he also collects antiques. Advertisement 3. THE MOUNTAINS Found in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Bhalil is the perfect place to begin a trek into the range. Advertisement Kamal led our nearly 7-hour hike, and along the way we met families who reside in the Atlas Mountains. Many of them live off the land and are happy to offer you mint tea and share their stories through Kamal's translations. For me, this was the most moving experience of our entire trip to Morocco. About half-way through our trek, we stopped to have a picnic at Fatima's home in the mountains. Children who grow up in the mountains often aren't able to get an education. It's too long a journey to hike back and forth each day, so some who have family in Bhalil, attend classes and stay in town with them. Fatima's 12-year-old daughter, Assiya, spends her days as a shepherd in the mountains. She is beautiful and strong and stole my heart. Advertisement 4. THE FOOD There are a few shops in Bhalil but no restaurants -- at least none that I'm told are safe for tourists to eat at. The best place to eat is at Kamal's guesthouse, where his cook Naima prepares traditional Moroccan meals like tagines and couscous. Olives, almonds and wheat are harvested nearby and incorporated into many dishes. 5. THE LOCALS The most fascinating part of Bhalil is the people! Most speak their own dialect of Arabic, but some are able to speak French. Women in Bhalil tend to get married young and spend their days making djellaba buttons. Djellabas are a traditional North African garment -- it looks a lot like a loose-fitting robe with full sleeves. Advertisement Most men work in agriculture or they are bricklayers. Since schools in this small town are overcrowded, you'll find lots of children hanging out in alleyways, playing with their friends. Compared to kids in bigger Moroccan cities, most here are happy to chat with tourists and be photographed. The death of Fidel Castro has evoked deep emotions around the world. Nowhere is this more true than in Cuba, where the country began nine days of official mourning on November 26. Meanwhile, in Miami, some ex-Cubans are celebrating on the streets of Little Havana. Fidel Castro was a giant on the world stage for the better part of 60 years. In 1956, he set sail from the Mexican port of Tuxpan, in a yacht named Granma, with 82 members of his "26th of July" movement. The crew included his brother, Raul, as well as Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. Their destination was the Cuban port of Playa Las Colaradas. Their mission: to overthrow Fulgencio Batista -- the U.S.-backed dictator. Advertisement Batista presided over a brutal regime that invited the Mafia to set up shop in Cuba by offering them unparalleled license to build and operate hotels and casinos in Havana -- so long as he got a percentage of the nightly take. Drugs, prostitution and gambling flourished, while the majority of Cubans suffered untold misery. Havana became a mecca of corruption and the playground of America's rich and famous. Drugs, prostitution and gambling flourished, while the majority of Cubans suffered untold misery, inadequate housing, little or no access to health care and education. Blacks under Batista were treated like dirt, whilst the wealth of the nation was plundered by Batista and his followers. Opposition to his regime was brutally suppressed by torture, public executions of rebels and the murder of student leaders. Batista implemented a 10 for one rule -- for every Batista soldier killed, he would have 10 civilians executed. This was the backdrop to Castro's revolution. It is the reason why a small band of rebels fomented a revolution by connecting with the people who suffered under Batista and U.S. domination. Castro soon led an army of peasants and intellectuals who routed Batista and his Mafia cronies along with corrupt business owners who controlled huge chunks of the Cuban economy. Advertisement The exploiters fled the country -- mostly to the Miami area -- as the Rebel Army of Castro and Guevara bore down on Havana. A gigantic general strike, involving most of the working population, accelerated the revolt. The July 26 Movement nationalized the hotels run by the mafia, shut down the drug and gambling cartels and took control of the industries that were milked by Batista's American cronies. Castro led the revolutionary process that today provides free, top quality education and health care to every Cuban citizen. Cuba is one of the best-educated nations on earth and its medical-care system is second to none. A 50-year U.S.-imposed embargo of Cuba has prevented the island people from reaching their full potential as a nation. Goods and services are rationed due to the crippling embargo, which was preceded by centuries of underdevelopment. The resulting situation is cited by critics of Castro as proof that the revolution has failed. For 50 years, Castro resisted pressure from the biggest imperialist power on the planet to conform to capitalism "made in America." Ironically, it is now the capitalist system that is in the dock attempting to justify the chasm of inequality it has created worldwide with its free market, free-trade agreements, its proliferation of precarious, poorly paid, part-time work, and it's funneling most of the wealth to the top one per cent. Advertisement The roots of the Cuban revolution are rarely mentioned by the media pundits, critics and professional politicians as they comment on Fidel Castro's life. We hear allegations of current Human Rights violations, such as restrictions on freedom of expression and right to associate. Cuba isn't perfect, and any violations of human rights should be outright condemned. But it is not alone in dealing harshly with agents of foreign aggression. Recall that Canada imposed the War Measures Act several times during the 20th century, imprisoned Japanese Canadians and Jewish refugees during the Second World War, and jailed hundreds of Quebec nationalists in 1970 without charge. Thanks to right-wing anti-Cuba propaganda, some politicians on the left run for cover when asked for an opinion on the Castro years. Cuba has borne the brunt of Washington's wrath, including repeated efforts to destroy Cuban crops and cattle from the air, and over 600 CIA attempts to assassinate Castro himself. Amnesty International claimed in June 2010 that there is only one political prisoner remaining in a Cuban jail. Also, the last Cubans to be executed were hijackers of a crowded ferry, over 13 years ago. Thanks to right-wing anti-Cuba propaganda, some politicians on the left run for cover when asked for an opinion on the Castro years. The latest shameful example was furnished by interim NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, who tweeted: Advertisement Upon the passing of Fidel Castro let us think of the lives impacted by his actions and be hopeful for the future of the Cuban people. Tom Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair) November 26, 2016 Is it any wonder that Justin Trudeau ate the NDP's lunch during the 2015 federal election, and continues to do so? The Liberal Party statement on Castro's departure reads, in part: "Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and health care of his island nation." Just look at the difference in tone and content between the two statements. One is bland, without clear meaning, and too clever by half. The other is carefully crafted to appeal to people on the left side of the political spectrum -- which by my estimate is most of the population of Canada and the world. I wonder what NDPers must think about Mulcair's rather uninspiring stance? Trudeau could care less what Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rona Ambrose or right-wing social media trolls say about his mildly pro-Castro statement. He just managed to outflank the NDP, once again, on the left. Watch for thousands of Canadians to be in Cuba for Castro's funeral and sharing in the outpouring of genuine grief from millions of ordinary Cubans, in stark contrast to the picture painted by the North American media. Meanwhile, Mulcair and his caucus will be hunkered down in Ottawa under a cone of silence. Advertisement Tens of thousands of NDP members have been to Cuba and have marveled at its achievements, including its generosity to poor and disaster-afflicted peoples everywhere. I wonder what NDPers must think about Mulcair's rather uninspiring stance? Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Although mountains are always moving imperceptibly, what happens in a national mountain park -- when the earth moves under your feet? The series of earthquakes in Central Italy beginning in August 2016 have largely had epicentres inside the Monti Sibillini National Park. After the first earthquake a crack appeared at the top of the highest mountain in the park, Monte Vettore (2,476 metres), running along the flank of the mountain. Advertisement A clear rift opened on Monte Porche and there were numerous land and rock slides on mountains. The park is characterized by deep gorges, many of which are now full of fallen boulders and rocks. More recently, a river suddenly emerged near the park village of Castelsantangelo Sul Nera, actually running through a protected area the park created as a reserve for human habituated wild animals. These are wild animals who have been injured and received extensive veterinary treatment and/or been born in captivity. The park had to quickly relocate them -- including among other animals -- a wolf and two golden eagles. Meanwhile, farmers were faced with traumatized livestock, and people living and working in and around the park were obliged to leave their homes and businesses. Advertisement Thepark faces new challenges. President of the Monti Sibillini National Park, Oliviero Olivieri, describes it: "Our role as park authority is help co-ordinate and develop the socio-economic life in the 'post-sisma' phase. The park's strategic tourism plan was due to end in 2017 and now we are developing a new strategy to co-ordinate renewal and revival. People who live in the park are coming forward to participate more than ever before. They are looking to us to take a leading role." Sustainable Tourism Officer Dr. Maria Laura Talame explained some challenges of tourism in this situation. "When a location is closed to the public because of being particularly dangerous, many people become more interested to go there. In some parts of the park the closed areas have to be guarded. It is unbelievable how many phone calls and how much interest there is, often from people who don't normally go to mountains. People have a great curiosity to see how the mountains have changed." Is there truth in the old saying "All publicity is good publicity?" Many foreign visitors contacted the park expressing condolences and saying they plan to return. The park is unique is offering a sensation of a particularly high level of undisturbed nature with profound diversity of landscapes within its 692 square kilometres. "Of all the European countries, Italy has one of the largest stores of biodiversity, accounting for half the plant species and a third of the animal species occurring in Europe," according to the European Environmental Agency 2016. Many sites in the park are registered as locations of European Community interest for biodiversity. Advertisement Now more than 50 park trails, as well as some roads, are being inspected for safety. The website is being altered to encourage visitors while also explaining what has taken place. It is anticipated foreign visitors will return this spring. Roberto Machado Noa via Getty Images TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA - 2016/09/30: Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, addresses participants in the Toronto Affordable Housing Summit. (Photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images) Written by Wayne Karl Canadians spoke loud and clear. They want a strong, collaborative national housing strategy to facilitate housing for those most in need, address the unique challenges facing indigenous peoples, eliminate homelessness, make housing more affordable and improve data collection, analysis and research. These are among the central themes summarized in What We Heard, the federal government's report, tabled Nov. 22 after months of consultations with the provinces and territories, industry experts and everyday Canadians as part of the Let's Talk Housing initiative. Advertisement Whether Ottawa can deliver on this complex wish list as it works toward a national housing strategy, to be released next year, remains to be seen. The issues are varied and challenging, involving differing provincial and regional economies, housing markets and conditions, from affordable housing to rental markets to homeownership. On National Housing Day Nov. 22, Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), and CMHC President and CEO Evan Sidall, released What We Heard via a press conference on Facebook Live. "Ensuring that Canadians have access to affordable housing, with all of the socio-economic benefits that come with it, is a key priority for the government of Canada," says Duclos. "The input and ideas we received from Canadians will be invaluable in helping to shape a national housing strategy that delivers better housing, socio-economic and environmental outcomes for all Canadians." Advertisement The report takes stock of the consultations, identifies emerging themes and highlights exciting ideas to help define the future of housing in Canada. The national consultations explored new and innovative ways of responding to persistent housing challenges, including ways to improve housing outcomes for Canadians as a cornerstone for achieving broader socio-economic objectives. It's early days yet, but judging from What We Heard, one area that is likely to be addressed is low income and affordable housing. The most important housing themes cited in the report are: Low income and groups with distinct housing needs, cited by 37.9 per cent of respondents Cost of housing in Canada's largest cities, 14.4 per cent Building a stronger affordable housing sector, 12.9 per cent Social housing renewal and subsidized housing, 10.3 per cent "The hard work continues," the report says. "Needless to say, broad consultations indulge peoples' expectations, as they should. However, policy makers must balance these against fiscal constraints. Our objective will be to develop a (National Housing Strategy) that employs finite government funds to maximum effect, yielding the best outcomes. Advertisement Duclos says the hope is that CMHC will likely play an increased role in providing better information and bridging the data and research gaps. "In the following months, we will continue to consider your suggestions and innovative solutions that a national housing strategy may include and to explore ways to work with our partners and stakeholders to bring it to action. We will work with our partners on a housing strategy that is national in nature but that recognizes regional housing conditions." This latter point is critical, according to Shawn Zigelstein, agent at Royal LePage Your Community Realty, Richmond Hill, Ont. "Consultation and dedication is the key to successful implementation, and by using all of the data compiled by real estate boards, economists and builders, the focus of such a policy can be useful, consistent and well thought out," Zigelstein told YPNextHome. "With this in mind, it is imperative that the government consult industry experts, as well as stakeholders from across the nation -- not just from hotter markets like Vancouver and Toronto -- about the viability and effectiveness of any proposal put forward." As for affordable housing, Zigelstein suggests some of the funds collected through Land Transfer Taxes and non-residency taxes be put it towards programs to help those in need. Advertisement First-time buyers should also be a priority with any strategy. "In some regions across the country, first-time homebuyers are able to purchase property with a 'traditional' amount of savings," he says. "However, in larger urban areas, it is very difficult for many to come up with the necessary financing based on the new mortgage regulations. While everyone likes to be overly cautious, and plan for the worst, it would be interesting to see the number of first-time buyers defaulting on mortgage payments. Not only would this demonstrate the effect of newly imposed policies, but if the rate is low, it would show that further restrictions and requirements for funding may not be needed. These would serve only to create roadblocks for young people seeking their first home, and negatively impact the market over the long term." Post originally published at YPNextHome.ca Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Globalisation and free-market capitalism are the dominant systems influencing the lives of billions in our dysfunctional world. These doctrines are pushed by corporations powerful enough to dictate to politicians their demands and not the other way round. Moreover, democracy is bent, distorted and subverted to serve the insatiable greed of the very few at the expense of the rest of humanity and our fragile planet. So what is this globalisation as it is advocated and practised by the powerful? Noam Chomsky captures its essence thus: "The term "globalization" has been appropriated by the powerful to refer to a specific form of international economic integration, one based on investor rights, with the interests of people incidental. That is why the business press, in its more honest moments, refers to the "free trade agreements" as "free investment agreements" (Wall St. Journal). Accordingly, advocates of other forms of globalization are described as "anti-globalization"; and some, unfortunately, even accept this term, though it is a term of propaganda that should be dismissed with ridicule. No sane person is opposed to globalization, that is, international integration. Surely not the left and the workers' movements, which were founded on the principle of international solidarity - that is, globalization in a form that attends to the rights of people, not private power systems." There you have it. Capitalists are free to roam the world to exploit the cheapest labour possible with the least protection of workers' rights. Combine that with automation and you have the perfect brew for the disappearance of well-paid manufacturing jobs through out-sourcing to cheaper countries or by replacing humans with robots. Free-market capitalism can be defined as: leave everything to the market to work its magic of delivering efficiency and quality in everything we do. We will all benefit, they say, as wealth trickles down from the 1% to the rest. Absolute nonsense. Good working conditions and fair wages for workers have only been achieved through constant struggle by the collective effort and solidarity of workers through unions. Now all the power is with the capitalists who can move their capital around the globe if workers don't accede to their demands. In any case, much of today's work is temporary and part-time, where the workers don't belong to a union. Without a balance of power between labour and capitalists, wages will remain low and working conditions will deteriorate. In today's Britain millions of families are only managing through a myriad of in-work state benefits. This Tory government have relentlessly cut these benefits, causing them untold misery and hardship. Advertisement These two doctrines, globalization and free-market, have seen wealth inequality between the 1% and the rest pushed to grotesque levels in the developed industrialized west, even worse in the developing world. The latest forecast from the Institute of Fiscal Studies tells us that real wages in Britain will still be below their 2008 level in 2021. As for the developing world, it has led to the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable on this earth to the level where those at the bottom of this economic pyramid are no more than modern day slaves. Where do we go from here? When I first came to the UK in the early sixties water, electricity and gas were nationalized; all these utilities were owned by us taxpayers. There was enough social housing (council houses) to ensure that people had adequate basic housing at affordable rents. We had what is called "a mixed economy". Now people are struggling to pay exorbitant rents and pay their high energy and water bills, with the poor having to rely on food banks to feed their families. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, envisions a change in the way the economy is run with these words: "We want to see a genuinely mixed economy of public and social enterprise, alongside a private sector with a long-term private business commitment, that will provide the decent pay, jobs, housing, schools, health and social care of the future. Labour will always seek to distribute the rewards of growth more fairly. But to deliver that growth demands real change in the way the economy is run," Despite an absence of fashion tech at Wired 2016, the annual conference (too dull a word for the excitement served up) demonstrates fashions in tech, of a sort. It's that time of the year pre-christmas when many a head is full of ideas, swarming with information from dozens of conferences, meet-ups, launches, talks and exhibitions when it's time to cut through the noise and find out what to focus on - some of which you may have heard of and some you definitely won't have. Welcome to Wired 2016. Those with true passion for innovation know that the most exciting ideas and creations arise from special situations involving special people. Whether they be from tech, medicine, art, music, engineering or social sciences. Ideally, they'll be a mix of these fields. I look forward to seeing fashion added to this mix as the fashion tech sector grows on the back of the launch of Plexal and other cross-disciplinary hubs. Advertisement Before the talks kicked-off I browsed the demo area and was struck by the COLLAPSE SCULPTURES (above) by ScanLAB Projects, who gave a fascinating talk at Wired 2015, and are a team specialising in large-scale 3D scanning in architecture and the creative industries. COLLAPSE is a collaboration between ScanLAB projects, dance company New Movement Collective and composer/cellist Oliver Coates. This series of sculptures features digitally fabricated fragments of dancer' limbs which are suspended, lingering where their performer once created them. Traces of movement are solidified and stand as physical echoes. From art to tech, standout talks at Wired 2016 included Hike, the Indian messaging app that works offline (useful in a country where connectivity is patchy and data is bought in packages) and transcends the dozens of languages and avoids complex keyboards by using digital stickers as tools of communication. 50% of households in India share smart phones, so the privacy app allowing hiding of selected conversations is a hit with young family members. Advertisement Mustafa Suleyman co-founded DeepMind, now owned by Google, and is forging ahead with the application of AI to solve some of the worlds biggest problems. The use of AI diagnosis in medical imaging can speed up treatment times for cancer and improve patient prognosis. DeepMind are attempting to solve the problem of most NHS data currently being written on paper, and therefore largely inaccessible. Mustafa says "In life, data is pushed to us. In the NHS it's passive". Syrian human-rights activist Abdulaziz Alhamza is the co-founder of RBSS - Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently - a defiant broadcasting platform that exposes the devastation and brutality caused by ISIS in his home town. RBSS covertly captures images and videos, sharing them on social media and acting as a news source for news organisations. Advertisement Philip Rosedale is CEO and co-founder of High Fidelity - a shared VR experience that has global users sharing experiences by meeting in VR "locations" around the virtual world. It's like creating your own avatar, hanging out with other avatars and socialising with them, like you might do in real life. Adding to the Indian flavour running through the two days of Wired, Gingger Shankar told a beautiful story of her experience in the musical family made famous by Ravi Shankar and the plight of her mother who broke out of domesticity to sing on a global stage. The gems of Wired are in the unexpected, and I captured her playing the ten-string double violin and sharing with us her five octave voice. Enjoy, and stand by for part two of my coverage of Wired 2016. Advertisement All photos by Techstyler First published on Techstyler.fashion On the same day the North American Free Trade Agreement came into force in 1994, a small band of armed revolutionaries led an uprising centred around the Southern Mexican city of San Cristobal de Las Casas. Named for Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican revolutionary of the early 20th century, the Zapatistas carried traditional weapons, but they weren't revolutionaries out to seize control of the country. Instead, they sought to give a voice to the struggling peoples of the world in an era of corporate globalisation. After a mere 12 days in control of the city, the Zapatistas retreated back to the jungle communities from whence they came. Via a rudimentary connection to the nascent internet, they began communicating their message of a transnational rebellion against the rule of corporate interests. They issued regular "Declarations from the Lacandon Jungle", which addressed not only their compatriots in Mexico but "the peoples and governments of the world". In 1996, they declared that: We will make a collective network of all our particular struggles and resistances. An intercontinental network of resistance against neoliberalism, and intercontinental network of resistance for humanity. By the turn of the 21st century, this one spark of resistance had become a genuine global movement. Its members were a small percentage of the world's population, but they mounted significant and visible protests outside meetings of the new global order: the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund, the G7/G8 and G20. These protests, in places such as Seattle in 1999 and Genoa in 2001, pulled together many diverse groups from both the Global North and South, who proclaimed loudly that they too deserved a stake in the new financial order. These groups spoke for the original "left behinds" of neoliberalism. They would become known as the alter-globalisation movement, calling not to roll back globalisation altogether, but for a different type of globalisation - one in which they too would have a voice. Fighting back Whenever national structures are broken down to allow for economic liberalisation, somebody or some group always loses, whether it is the small landholders in rural areas who suddenly find themselves competing in a "free" market dominated by multinational agribusiness corporations, or the workers of once-strong industrial regions whose employers are suddenly free to take their production facilities to cheaper parts of the world. Ever since the late 1970s, most of the nation states and corporate interests of the Western world have steadily pushed for deregulation towards a global open market. And as various people and groups have lost out, they have consistently met different forms of popular resistance. Advertisement The populist convulsions of Trump and Brexit are but the latest responses to the disruption neoliberalism has visited on millions of people. But these responses have been channelled by unscrupulous politicians and media outlets into an insular nativism, pitting one social group or another against "outsiders" who've supposedly done them wrong. The dangers and historical precedents are alarming, and well-documented. But however depressing it might be, those of us invested in social progress should not throw up our arms in despair. Instead, we should seize the opportunity to return to the alter-globalisation movement's insurgent ideas. Opening up Like Trump and Brexit, this earlier "movement of movements" consisted of claims on behalf of people who felt left behind in the age of neoliberalism: look again at the footage and the literature of the protests of the time, we see and hear different voices around the world clamouring for a foothold in globalisation. This is the crucial difference between today's anti-global spasms and the alter-globalisation movement. Yes, all its sub-movements called for the regulation of global markets, and for better ways to ensure the spoils of a new globalised world were properly shared. But at the same time, they called for continued social, intellectual, and moral globalisation. They called for the continued spread of the ideas of a universal humanity, the central dignity of all human life, and the collective global solidarity of peoples and political institutions that would be needed to deal with the 21st century's global problems, such as climate change. Advertisement Beyond that, the very tools and concepts the alter-globalisation protesters used were products of globalisation. The internet allowed these groups to organise collectively, across borders, in ways that were previously unimaginable. Many of their ideals and principles had been built in part by the new international institutions of the postwar period: human rights, transnational governance, global citizenship. This movement put the landless farm workers of the Global South side-by-side with the industrial trade unionists of the North, and yet it didn't collapse into incoherence. Instead, it came together around a core principle: while its constituent groups all had their own distinctive concerns, they could all come together to fight their abandonment by corporate-led neoliberalism. Outrage at that same world order has lately turned Western politics in a new and alarming direction - and to change course, it's time to revive the alter-globalisationists' ideas. We should be inspired not only by what it was against, but what it was for: a transnational movement of people seeking nothing more than the dignity that should be afforded to all humans across all borders. This is a vision of social progress we urgently need. As today's tide of populism signals a retreat from globalisation to the protection of individual nations, all at the expense of global solidarity, we should remember the world has a long and rich history of other alternatives to neoliberalism. To borrow one of the alter-globalisation movement's familiar phrases: another world is possible. I grew up 10 miles outside Belfast and completed my undergraduate and PhD at Queen's University. I was always a bit of rule breaker, in a good way, always trying to do something innovative in my spare time. I was inspired by anyone who just did something and ignored barriers; someone like Joan Jett. Being in a tech startup is similar, there are lots of barriers and people saying "no" and you need to push beyond it. Thankfully, I have amazing friends and family who have supported me, even though I don't see them as often as I should or I cannot talk to them about work because of confidentially clauses. They are always there when I pop up for some air to go out to a gig or make sure I'm getting time to relax! Our innovation, AppAttic, is around crowdsourcing clinical trials to validate medical apps. The idea is to decrease the costs, time, and resources required to test healthcare technologies with the aim of getting the latest solutions into the hands of patients quickly whilst still proving their safety and efficacy. The innovation was born from the frustration of running a randomised controlled trial in the NHS; if you don't know yourself, it's a process that is resource intensive and can effectively cripple research and development in a commercial company! AppAttic was initially designed as a concept that would reduce the costs we incur for running RCTs by up to 90%. Then we realised there is a significant market opportunity for it as a stand-alone product. Though AppAttic was inspired by my own experiences - there wasn't just one 'Eureka moment', but rather lots of inspiration points and decisions to be made along our journey. The key for me has been having the wisdom, experience and just gut instinct to know which decisions to follow and learn from the ones that didn't work out and try again. Advertisement We have actually been aware of Innovate UK for some time, as we have been awarded a phase 1 & 2 Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) which is run in conjunction with Innovate UK. The application process was rather straightforward. The most difficult bit was writing about myself, it's not something computer geeks usually do, we often prefer to just go into a dark room and make something. When you approach a new business opportunity you anticipate being out of your comfort zone occasionally, but for me it's the moments in which I reflect on my own journey and my own story that are challenging - trust your own voice, because learning to talk about yourself and why you deserve something above someone else is incredibly valuable! Winning this 50,000 grant, and the fantastic package of very tailored business support package, makes it all worth it - so go for it! My top tips for other female innovators and entrepreneurs are to just try something, and go for it - don't wait for approval, trust yourself and keep going. In fact, these apply to everyone, male, female and everything in-between. Rachel & Innovate UK: Dr. Rachel Gawley has just been honoured as one of the 15 winners of Innovate UK's 2016 Women in Innovation awards, a series of awards dedicated to addressing the disproportionately low numbers of women entrepreneurs in the UK. Here, over a series of 15 posts we'll meet the inspiring innovators and entrepreneurs that Innovate UK is celebrating, each of whom will receive a tailored business support package, expert business mentor and 50,000 to help them reach their full potential. Advertisement Dr. Ruth McKernan CBE and Chief Executive of Innovate UK says: 'From fully autonomous drone software to affordable solar power technology and even a digital education portal which engages school children with the molecular world, the calibre of ideas is an eye-opening view into the talent and vision of the UK's female entrepreneurs. It is very clear that harnessing the talent of women entrepreneurs could significantly enhance UK economic growth. I am delighted that we are taking action; supporting and funding female entrepreneurs to help them succeed and inspire other women to come forward, apply for funding and turn their ideas into successful business.' If you have an innovation or business idea and are looking for support then visit www.innovateuk.gov.uk for further information - go for it! Bastiaan Slabbers via Getty Images When Donald J Trump is sworn in on 20 January as the 45th President of the United States, the UK needs to make a choice. Trump's unique and unpredictable blend of belligerence and isolationism means the US can no longer be relied on to defend the liberal, rules based international order in place since the end of the Second World War. This could mark the end of an era for UK foreign policy. But at this pivotal moment, Britain is spending all its political capital on Brexit. It has very little time or money for anything else. But that is precisely why now is the time for some tough decisions, to choose what parts of that international order we care enough about to preserve. Our decision is made harder because the very forces that brought Trump to power convulsed British politics last June. Trump has questioned longstanding alliances and crucial trade agreements, but by voting to leave the EU, so have we. Trump has angered neighbouring states with promises to deport migrants and build a wall, migrants to the UK will soon be in legal limbo and our Prime Minister has pledged to slash migration. Advertisement Trump's warm words for President Putin and his comments questioning NATO's mutual defence treaty could fast erode its deterrent force unless Trump makes a clear commitment to NATO allies. NATO has been a cornerstone of our national security for nearly 70 years and, given the quality of our armed forces and the scale of our investment we have a seat at the table. But are we really prepared to fight Russia if Putin does to Estonia what he did to Crimea? Or is our post-EU role in NATO even more important for strengthening European alliances? In the Middle East, Trump's ideas present Britain with a complex set of hard choices. If he prioritises crushing ISIS at the expense of a Russian rapprochement and keeping Assad in place, the slaughter of Syrian civilians will intensify. Will the UK continue to increase its 2billion commitment to aid refugees or are we approaching the point where we draw down our contribution given the parlous state of our public finances? A regime win in Syria is also a win for Hezbollah and Iran. A curious outcome for Trump to engineer, given his commitment to combat Hezbollah, tighten sanctions on Iran and rip up the nuclear deal. Britain's closest regional allies in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Gulf States will not mourn if the nuclear deal loses its most powerful guarantor, but any positive reaction will be outweighed by victory for Iran in Syria. They must also brace themselves for the impact of hundreds of ISIS fighters fleeing Raqqa and Mosul, battle hardened and devoted to the jihadi cause. Britain then has another choice. Will we stand by the nuclear deal and expand trade with Iran? Or will we grasp the opportunity to deepen relations with our Arab allies who could become cherished assets in a post- EU environment - lucrative partners for expanded trade and a grateful customer for less restrictive arms sales in exchange for enhanced security cooperation against a converging terrorist threat? In Israel, Trump presents Britain with another dilemma. A close ally of both countries, and a booming UK trade partner worth 6billion. The Republican platform doesn't mention a Palestinian State and refutes the idea that Israel is an occupier, in stark contrast to UK policy for decades. If the US were to stay silent as Israel expanded settlements, would the UK intensify its current position in condemnation? British taxpayers spend more than 100million supporting Palestinian refugees and state building activity in the Palestinian Authority, will that continue if the US decreases its contribution and there is no prospect of a state being built? If President Abbas were to leave the political scene, the UK could play a key role in stabilisation and security, were it minded to do so. Or would it step back with a reluctant US? Advertisement None of these intricate policy dilemmas comes close to the potential conflict on fundamental values. Trump fought a campaign underpinned by racism and sexism. His anti-Muslim policies have angered and alarmed British allies. Trump believes 'torture works' and wants to refill Guantanamo with 'bad dudes'. Where does the UK stand? Will we revert to renditions and sacrifice our principles on the altar of our childish obsession with the special relationship? Or will our new life outside of the EU lead to the evolution of a new set of post-human rights values that are in tune with Trump's administration? Above all, the UK needs to make take some tough decisions. A naive belief that we can use our influence to steer the US President in our direction won't work. We tried that with the last Republican President and we are still repairing the damage. UberImages via Getty Images As is always the way when interests are threatened and a political battle is being lost, the claims become wilder in a last ditch attempt to maintain the status quo. But even by the 'post-truth' standards set recently in the Brexit and US Election campaigns, the commentary by libertarian critics of the Digital Economy Bill seems to be misleadingly alarmist. When I wrote my blog on this topic last month, I asserted the case for how laws regarding pornography online should mirror those in the offline world. That is, that adequate safeguards should be put in place to prevent children accessing such material via the internet just as they are in newsagents or licensed sex shops, and that these should be backed by commensurate enforcement just as they would be in the real world - i.e. by preventing those flouting the laws from retaining their license. Advertisement It is to the Government's credit that they have now committed to a system of enforcement. Ministers have accepted that the power to block non-compliant sites (at least as a last resort) is the only way to ensure we can adequately protect children from the debilitating effects that exposure to graphic pornography appears to be having on a generation. This is in response not only to concerns of professionals in education, the police, and social services, but also those of young people themselves - particularly girls - who are aware of how sexual attitudes are being warped at the most impressionable age of sexual development. But it seems some lobbyists are happy to conflate the sensible attempts of this Bill to constrain the present easy access teenagers have to porn, with a different debate about what pornography should or shouldn't be permitted. Now the BBFC have been appointed as the proposed regulator of age verification they, naturally, are assuming that the standards for what is deemed acceptable online should reflect what they currently sanction for sale in licensed sex shops - which campaigners argue is not what now constitutes the 'norm' online after more than a decade of broadband pornography most often from countries outside the UK with different laws. This is a mendacious attempt to derail sensible safeguarding measures presumably as it is perceived to be easier to decry any attempts to regulate internet sites as 'unworkable', than have to make the case for why existing BBFC regulations for classification of sex on film might be reviewed and possibly modernised in light of changing sexual attitudes. The argument of the Open Rights Group and others seems to be that there should be no further public debate about whether or not such pornography should be legally available for consumption. Helsinki-born HundrED is a global, non-profit project building a vision of education for the next 100 years. The first 75 experiments are being trialled in schools across Finland, with a further 100 case studies on ambitious educational projects and innovations being collected from around the world. Joining these innovations are 100 interviews with global thought leaders, aiming to discover the ways in which education needs to change to prepare children for a rapidly changing world... In an interview with HundrED, Sugata Mitra, professor of educational technology at Newcastle University, discusses the skills today's students need, and the role that teaching plays... Advertisement We are in the grip of two things: one is history, and the other is exponential change. We are not quite used to dealing with things changing exponentially. Because of this, schools aren't teaching the skills students need today. Therefore, students have to take control of their own education. I often give an example of transportation - everyone who buys a car would, in theory, like a chauffeur, but in practice they can't. You have to drive yourself. Data seems to show that if children work in groups, are unsupervised and have access to the internet, they are able to learn almost anything by themselves. In Self Organised Learning Environments (SOLEs) the teacher becomes a friend. It's as though a group of you are going somewhere unknown and you have a trustworthy friend, who also doesn't know where you are going, but who could be useful. A comforting person to have around. I think the purpose of schooling is to enable people to live happy, healthy and productive lives. Now, any government will agree with that, of course, but is the schooling system really designed for that? I think not. I think a lot of the schooling system is devised to produce a workforce that will serve a ruling class. Advertisement Governments need to rethink what should be done in schooling so that children will be happy, will be healthy and will be productive. As soon as that happens, a lot of things will drop out of the curriculum. For example, the ability to multiply three digit numbers by two digit numbers on pencil and paper is no longer something that will make your child very productive. There are many aspects of traditional teaching that should still be used however. For example, the ability to raise an interesting issue or question, which perhaps learners would not have raised by themselves. As a teacher you can say something like: 'guess what, I was wondering why eggs are egg shaped.' Usually nine year olds would react by saying: 'yeah, well they are egg shaped because...' and they'll say something absurd, so then you ask: 'are you sure?' And they'll say no, which means you can prompt: 'do you think you could use the internet and figure it out?' Suddenly you've sparked research into three dimensional geometry. Channel 4 The majority of discourse on gender oppression is made up of the female experience; understandably so given the subjugated past of women. However, to encompass the entirety of the topic we must also widen our attention to those less associated with gender issues: men. Advertisement The difficulty with male gender oppression is the immediate wall you come up against upon its mention. How can men be oppressed when its men who are oppressive? The answer is that it is men who are oppressing themselves. Contrary to popular belief men are just as victimised by the darker side of gender as women; their battle is less well known because it is waged internally, behind closed doors. Hypermasculinity is the belief that in order to be a man you must in no way resemble a woman; being even remotely feminine strips you entirely of your masculinity. This then means that conventionally feminine traits such as tenderness, compassion and empathy are strictly off limits. In order to be a man you cannot display evidence of harbouring any of these aspects. Instead, the man determined to be perceived as a man by society must alienate themselves from all emotion that is considered feminine. In place of these feminine emotions men are permitted characteristics such as lust to present sexual prowess, rage to show off strength, and bravado to display courage. By limiting the expressiveness of man within the parameters of this concept of hypermasculinity men are corralled into a specific mould. From a young age, rather than celebrating individuality and encouraging uniqueness in whatever form it may present itself the boy who veers from the path of machismo is the target of contempt, isolated from his peers for insufficient levels of testosterone. What I constantly hear is that it is a biological matter of hormones, that men and women are undeniably different because they have different sets of hormones inside them, and this is why men behave in such a way. But this argument doesn't account for the fact that hormone levels are different in every person, within both genders. Not every man is bursting with testosterone, in the same way that not every woman is brimming with oestrogen. Many men feel forced to accentuate their masculine traits in order to blend in with their male peers, contrary to the popularised notion that men naturally behave in a hypermasculine way. Advertisement Boys are told not to cry, advertising for sport is aimed heavily at males, and subjects like science and maths are sparsely populated by girls. This is all evidence of a societal expectation, an assumption about what the masculine identity entails. But I would argue that this assumption is wrong. 76% of suicide cases are men, and suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 50. These figures have been consistently increasing, and are the worst they have ever been. In many cases it can be this societal expectation that is to blame. Men feel they must fulfil this masculine role in order to be a man, and when some men inevitably cannot, the message from society that they are not real men is understandably too much for them to bear. But more than this, many men are unable to deal with the disassociation from emotion that the hypermasculine persona requires. In this highly pressurised world they would rather not live at all than live being emotionally stunted; they would rather take their life than life a half-life. In order to break free from this vicious circle men must realise that they are their own goalers. Unlike the 20th century's waves of femininity in which women rose up against the oppression of men by refusing to conform to the male's idea of female perfection (perfectly analogised in Virginia Woolf's Angel in the House), contemporary men have the more complicated matter of standing up to themselves. Only by refusing to comply with this man made concept of male perfection can men start discovering who they really are behind this artificial mask. To me, hypermasculinity is about rooting your identity in your gender. There is so much more to everyone that their reproductive organs and the societal expectations that surround them! We are told to be ourselves, while simultaneously being expected to remain within a strict framework that directly affects the our nature of our lives. I say life is too short and too beautiful to waste it feeling constricted in any way! Wear the colours you feel beautiful in, sing the songs that let you shed your worries, behave the way you would if judgement didn't exist. Because when you do, you'll be taking the first steps towards a world where judgement doesn't exist. Advertisement 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. Stefan Wermuth / Reuters Over the last few months it has become clear that this Conservative administration under Theresa May is not a fan of spin. Or, to be more accurate, they're not a fan of talking for talking's sake. They're not driven by soundbites. They won't give running commentaries. No one will pop up wearing a hardhat on the 6pm news, and there'll be no strategically timed statements designed only to monopolise the news cycle. In fact, compared with Cameron et al, they are going to be positively mute. Advertisement I've read a number of pieces recently that have put this lack of spin down to a positive effort to ape a more formal Thatcherite-communication style. But I think that's a simplistic argument. And while I'm no fan of any Conservative government, if my relieved reaction to less political spin - in fact, less politics in general - is anything to go by, there's a very careful strategy at play here. Since 2010, culminating in the horror that has been 2016, we're been bombarded with political noise; a kind of psychological torture by politics. Every day, everywhere, on Twitter, in the papers, on the rolling TV news, nothing but spin. Nothing but slick soundbites, patronising, argument, conflict, and dare I say, lies? Now, we all know why political parties like to make a lot of noise and bang home the same messages over and over again. We know why politicians have 'lines to take' which mean they never answer the exact question asked. And why they have to leave as little room as possible in the news for opposing views. Basically, because it works. In the past, people went on to vote for them. So why is this government so reticent to talk? They've got one strapline: 'Brexit Means Brexit'. And that's where they've stopped. For very good reason. Advertisement There have been a number of interesting studies recently including by Garrett, Carnahan, & Lynch in 2013 and Dr Shira Dvir Gvirsman in 2014. These studies prove that when given the opportunity to choose from a wide selection of political information, people tend to seek out content that is consonant with their own opinions - the echo chamber effect; and that people become more extreme in their attitudes when they expose themselves to reinforcing information - the Trump Factor. And it's this second point that is, in my view, at the heart of this government's near silence. They are in a difficult position. Literally. Despite the polls - or maybe because no one believes polls anymore - they are squashed with a slim majority between the far-left and the far-right in the forms of Corbyn's Labour and a likely soon-to-be resurgent UKIP. And as the recent bizarre Trump victory show you, in today's politics, there is very little margin for error. As the old wartime post goes: loose lips sink ships. There is one other very important PR reason why traditional in-your-face spin is now dead. People are wise to it. In their last years, Cameron and Osborne became a joke. Almost everything they said and did was derided mercilessly - they were the Morecambe and Wise of politics - but people weren't laughing with them. Everyone knew that what they were saying was pretty much rubbish; just spin for the cameras or soundbite articles for the press. There was no weight; no substance. The more they talked, the less seriously they were taken. The political and social turbulence of Britain voting itself out of the EU, in part due to anti-immigration sentiment, and Donald Trump becoming President-elect despite threatening to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, means that brand marketers should make more, and not less effort to promote diversity in their marketing campaigns. Diversity will remain at the top of marketers' agendas for 2017, instead of becoming the norm, and marketers should embrace this opportunity if they have not already. Brands have traditionally been at the forefront of promoting messages of diversity. Coca-Cola was one of the first brands to feature African American families and sport stars in its marketing campaigns during America's civil rights movement. No small accomplishment considering at the time African Americans were being denied the right to buy Coke from soda fountains due to U.S. segregation laws. And the 1971 Coca-Cola Hilltop TV commercial "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" was equally groundbreaking. The popular advert featured multicultural teenagers singing in unison on top of a hill, and overcoming cultural barriers by promoting messages of love. Marketers are wising up to the fact that consumers don't want to buy products or services that are advertised solely by images of white heterosexuals. This is not what the world looks like (and never did) although advertisers, TV and filmmakers have sometimes told us otherwise. The rise of social media, social acceptance and cross-cultural communication, is halting the brakes on unrealistic ad campaigns that fail to reflect cultural diversity, and changing the face of media. Advertisement And marketers are trying to keep up. We recently surveyed 500 UK-based marketers on their use of images featuring diversity within brand campaigns in the last year. Most marketers have traditionally prioritised brand messaging above all else. Now, most marketers agree that reflecting racial diversity (71%), sexual diversity (79%) and non-traditional families (66%) in marketing images is more important than reflecting the brand message. Diversity and inclusion, far from being buzzwords or quotas for businesses, are the driving forces behind recent campaigns from Heineken, Oreos, Kellogg's, Tiffany and Co, Doritos and Absolut. Brand traditions are still consistent in the campaigns - Tiffany and Co's still oozes age-old class and the Doritos campaign is still colourful and tongue in cheek - but sexual diversity is unquestionably the selling point. These brands aren't changing their minds and coming out in support of gay rights. These brands just never had an opinion. The influx of brands supporting London's Gay Pride such as Barclays, Tesco and Starbucks, confirms this shift in corporate marketing strategies. It is okay for brands to have an opinion, if this opinion celebrates diversity - as Coke revealed so successfully with its groundbreaking campaigns in the U.S. When real-life values infiltrate corporate values, marketers can rethink what their brand represents. However, there is still some way to go. A recent British report, Muslim Pound, finds that Muslims in the UK have an estimated spending power of 20.5 billion, but products and communications aimed at British Muslim consumers are lacking and don't reflect this. Advertisement Muslim Pound reports that Muslim financial services in the UK are currently valued at 1.3 trillion. Shutterstock's research finds that financial marketers score the lowest of all sectors at using racially diverse images in marketing campaigns. Just 28% of marketers in financial services used images of diversity in the past year. Compare this to the HR sector, where 60% of HR marketers recently used diverse images. It is understandable why HR companies should want to promote messages of inclusivity and diversity, but why not financial services? 1.3 trillion is no small figure. ANDREW COWIE via Getty Images There is a subtle expectation placed on men in Britain today. The expectation is encapsulated in the following phrases: 'Stiff upper lip', 'be a good lad', 'boys don't cry'. It is not considered manly to open up about your worries and emotions. For many, the idea of confiding in a friend about the troubles one may be experiencing has been, for too long, considered the antithesis of masculinity. It was recently reported that the London Ambulance Service deals with an average of 56 suicide attempts or drug overdoses per day - double the amount of cardiac arrests. Advertisement The reasons are complex. The Campaign Against Living Miserably's (CALM's) latest audit showed that men are far less likely to tell anyone they are feeling "very depressed", as well as being more likely to feel more frustrated at life's challenges. The combination is a toxic one and is a major contributor to a fact I was surprised to learn. Suicides are the leading cause of death for men under the age of 45 in Britain. Suicides have been considered a taboo topic for too long. That is why it is so important that the London Assembly's Health Committee is going to examine this topic and see what steps we can take to reduce suicide rates in the capital. Research shows inner London boroughs are more likely to have a higher suicide rate than outer boroughs, with Haringey having the highest suicide rate in London. Advertisement The reasons people commit suicide are numerous and complex. There is little evidence to point to one particular factor being the main culprit. However, it has been estimated that around 90 per cent of victims of suicide have a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health issue at the time of death. Additional contributing factors include a person having a traumatic childhood experience, history of physical or sexual abuse, or general life circumstances such as poor job insecurity and unemployment. The complex and interlocking factors which play a role in suicides means that a holistic, joined-up approach to tackling the issue is needed. I favour taking the prevention approach to this issue. We need a greater focus on protecting our mental health and one organisation which helps to that end is the TASHA Foundation. They provide easily accessible mental health provision online to anyone who needs it. Their service is open to anyone and their online platform ensures total privacy for the user. They provide an online self-diagnostic service free at the point of use through their website, Have I got a problem.com. Advertisement Given that people, particularly men, find it difficult to tell others about their problems, services like the TASHA foundation, which offers a private solution to the important first step of diagnosing the problem, should be promoted. I recently met with Professor David Mosse, who is the trustee of the leading mental health charity Mind. He leads on Mind's Haringey Suicide Prevention Group. According to Professor Mosse, many local authorities across the country have failed to develop suicide prevention plans. In his experience of dealing with the families of people who were at-risk of committing suicide, they told him that while they were worried about their loved one, they did not know where to go for help. According to the All Party Parliamentary Group's (APPG) investigation into Suicide and Self-harm Prevention, just seven local authorities had a suicide prevention plan. Another point raised by Professor Mosse was the importance of coroners. It has been suggested that some coroners choose to be ambiguous over the cause of an individual's death in order to protect the family. Advertisement While the instinct to protect a family who has just lost a loved one is understandable, the result is that we miss out on the information necessary to stop it happening again. The APPG on Suicide and Self-harm Prevention also noted that coroners' offices "often failed to provide local authorities with detailed information on suicide". While the complexities and problems surrounding suicide prevention are numerous, it is also important to note the number of solutions that have been proposed to tackle them. The APPG recommended carrying out a "suicide audit" which would involve the collection of data from sources such as coroners and health records. This would enable us to build a proper picture of the problem, including particular high-risk demographic groups and potential hot-spot locations for suicides. We should also look abroad for examples of best-practice in tackling suicides to inform our efforts locally. Advertisement For example, in Detroit, the 'zero suicide' initiative aims to create a more open environment for people to talk about their troubles and potentially suicidal thoughts. The programme specifically targets those who may have been missed through previous initiatives. Following my written question to the Mayor, he told me he intends to work with local areas and agencies to support suicide reduction across London. In addition, the Mayor pledged to undertake targeted work with communities that are at higher risk of suicide. While the pledge is commendable, it is still unclear how the Mayor plans to tackle suicides in London. Moreover, it is unclear as to how the Mayor intends to measure his performance in this field. Without a clear framework in place to measure progress, along with a strategy to inform how it will be implemented, we will not be able to effectively reduce suicide rates in London. Suicides are a complicated and personal issue. Every families' experience of it is unique. While there is always more to learn, I will continue to hold the Mayor to account on his campaign pledge to help ensure we tackle this problem and save lives. Advertisement BBC There's something special about radio drama which film and TV, even theatre, can struggle to match. Scripts can be sublime in all of the above, and as many people know, budgets in radio are modest to say the least, so that special something isn't necessarily created by money either. Big name actors and writers will happily work across all media but may naturally gravitate towards radio's bigger, richer cousins. Advertisement All storytelling requires, at its heart, a relationship with the audience. Arguably most tangible in the theatre, where the performers and audience share the same time and space, this relationship is set apart on radio by the level of investment the medium demands from the listener's imagination. Fans of radio drama are not distracted by an actor's name or face. They have just the voice to hang on to, along with the skill of the director and studio engineers to create the soundscape of each scene. All the rest - the visual void - is filled in uniquely by the listener. It's the reason we invariably hate the movie version of our favourite book - because it hasn't been realised exactly as we imagined it. The characters and locations are all wrong! Which brings me to The Archers. The longest-running continuing drama, or 'soap,' in any media anywhere in the world. It has a very loyal and surprisingly vocal audience of almost five million people each week - and that's just those who listen live on air, not counting the growing number of fans listening via BBC iPlayer Radio or the podcast. And thus there are more than five million versions of Ambridge deeply imbedded in the subconscious of its followers, to draw on whenever the theme tune strikes up. Advertisement I believe that this is one reason that the story of Helen and the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her husband Rob Titchener has proved to be so powerful and resonant. The writing has been superb - Tim Stimpson deserves a special mention - but the whole team have nurtured this narrative and its impact on the village with meticulous care and attention to detail. Louiza Patikas, who plays Helen, is simply fantastic and has been a joy to work with. The storyline has played out in 'real time'. Which means there has been no hurrying through of a domestic tragedy. Instead, it's been given what has been required to do proper justice to the subject of domestic abuse. A slow and, for many listeners, painful drip-feed of events over the best part of three years. A Chinese burn of a storyline, as one journalist described it. Both Women's Aid and Refuge have been some of the supportive charities and expert advisors during the development process of the storyline. Polly Neate, the head of Women's Aid, has said the playing out of this scenario in a rural and middle class community has done a huge amount to highlight the fact that domestic abuse can and does occur anywhere and everywhere. And whilst it has been difficult listening for many, either because they have personal experience of an abuser like Rob or simply because they would prefer their Ambridge life to play out free of such gritty realities, the majority of Archers fans have been gripped and hugely supportive of the storyline and the careful telling of it. There is a responsibility to get something like this right. The subject and all minor details along the way have been meticulously researched but at the same time, it is a story. So, I am frequently asked, what's Rob like to play? Well it sounds trite, but - it's a privilege. The old cliche that 'the villains are the most fun to play' is in part, true (although along with 'break a leg' and 'I'm not out of work, just resting', I've never once heard it said by an actor). But Rob Titchener is more than a 'villain'. He is arrogant, narcissistic and abusive psychopath. He is also - so he believes - charming, kind, loving and selfless. Very complex, in other words. And therein lies the challenge and the thrill to the actor. Advertisement My first responsibility is to the lines on the page, and my job is to bring them to life in a way that is consistent and true to the disturbed personality of Rob Titchener. Never once have I thought, how villainous should I be? He must exist within the whole range of characters as believable. In recent weeks one or two people have said to me, "I almost feel sorry for him". Which is remarkable given his crimes. But I'm thrilled because it tells me that the response to him is detailed and nuanced. In Tess of the D'Urbevilles, Alec is arrogant, entitled, philandering and - let's not forget - a rapist. He ruins Tess in every possible way. In the end she kills him because she is driven to it out of desperation. That murder also seals her fate. But there is no sense of triumphalism at his demise, not least because we know it will only end badly for Tess. Thankfully Rob survived the stabbing at Blossom Hill or his cruelty might never have come to light. It is working out where and how men like Rob Titchener and Alex D'Urbeville have gone wrong that may help shed a bit of light on the cause of the tragically widespread incidence of domestic abuse in all communities up and down the country. It's wonderful that The Archers and Sean O'Connor, the former editor of the show who developed and oversaw the Helen and Rob storyline, have brought this important issue to the fore. I'm proud to have been a part of it. The Archers is on BBC Radio 4 on weekdays at 7pm and the omnibus on Sundays at 10am. It's also available as a podcast and via BBC iPlayer Radio 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. Advertisement igor kisselev, www.close-up.biz via Getty Images A weekend of excessive spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday has seen each person in the UK estimated to have parted with as much as 203. Now that global charity drive Giving Tuesday has arrived we've highlighted the variety of ways you can give back without breaking the bank. 1.Donate your clothes... and styling advice Make room in your wardrobe for those new purchases by getting in touch with SmartWorks. Operating in six UK cities it helps unemployed women back into the workplace by providing high quality interview clothes, styling advice and interview training. The model is deceptively simple, but has a profound impact on the women it supports, many of whom have been out of work for many years and are low on confidence and self-esteem. It's already helped 2,900 women and you could help one more. Advertisement 2.Download your data Smartphones already map everything from steps taken to sleeping patterns and now 100 for Parkinson's is pioneering the donation of health data to inform better care in our communities. The app collects daily anonymous health data from people with and without Parkinson's to help researchers find better ways to manage the condition. You input basic information each day - like units of alcohol consumed - and then play a simple game which tracks how health factors affect your cognition and response times. It's already sourced 175 million separate data points to support the 6.5 million people living with the condition worldwide. Other keen receivers of your anonymous data include ResearchKit which straddles a wide array of medical research and is helping scientists find better ways to manage problems such as asthma or predict seizures. 3.Offer a supporting hand from the sofa Volunteering is increasingly available online and from the comfort of your own home. With 1.2 million older people chronically lonely and 350,000 set to spend Christmas Day alone you could offer an isolated older person companionship on the phone through The Silver Line. Or you could help young people in need of support and advice by volunteering for The Mix. They've created a secure system for those who only have a spare hour to answer helpline calls and web chats from home rather than their central London HQ. Advertisement 4.Deploy your office first aid skills on the streets 400,000 people die every year from cardiac arrests but if a life saving electric shock that restores the heart's rhythm can be administered within three minutes the survival rate is 70%. As many as a third know how to perform all-important CPR, so if that's you then why not download the GoodSAM app and give it permission to alert you to nearby cardiac arrests while simultaneously sending an ambulance. The app is so far linked to London, East Midlands and North West Ambulances Services and has already saved lives. 5.Dust off your language skills in the battle against brain ageing Volunteering is all about matching people's skills and experiences with situations where they can make a real difference. Lingo Flamingo provides tailored foreign language workshops to older and vulnerable people to help battle against dementia, brain ageing and mental health issues. Offered in five languages and featuring memory techniques, music and cooking sessions, the workshops are designed to help maintain brain function, reduce isolation and build self-confidence. The team is working closely with Alzheimer Scotland and Edinburgh University to measure its impact while the model also provides training and employment opportunities for international students and refugees. If languages aren't your thing there's sure to be something else that matches your skills and interest. Such as helping a primary school child learn to read with Beanstalk or teaching teenagers DIY and trade skills with Volunteer it Yourself. Whatever you end up doing this Giving Tuesday be sure to share it using #GivingTuesday. Nigel Lawson is famously quoted as saying that the NHS is the closest thing the English have to a religion. It is alarming how far this parallel goes. The national consensus that has developed around the NHS is so strong that it causes affront when someone calls into question even the smallest part of it. A poll in 2012 found that only 3% of us think that the NHS needs reform, while these numbers may have grown a little, they are still far behind similar numbers in other European countries. It is, however, a dangerous environment in which criticism becomes sacrilegious and reasonable debate about the future of the NHS is shut down. As someone who has only recently moved to the UK, it always strikes me as odd that Brits view the NHS as something remarkable and unprecedented; that it is somehow ahead of what happens in other nations. I've even heard people argue that the very idea of a universal healthcare system - to be looked after regardless of income - is something uniquely British that only happens here. Advertisement This is simply untrue. Universal healthcare is not uniquely British, nor indeed is modern medicine. Other western countries manage to keep people alive and, dare I say it, they actually perform rather better on this all important score. It may be blasphemous, but the NHS is no longer the envy of the World, nor has it been for quite some time. For example, 3,200 people die from bowel cancer every year, who had not died had they lived in the Netherlands; or the 3,000 who die from a stroke who would not have died if they lived in Switzerland. Public love for the NHS is admirable, and you may say it's no bad thing that we have a high regard for our health system. I'm afraid, however, that our love for the NHS is damaging us in two important ways. First, it is damaging because love for the NHS hampers our ability to question it. The debate surrounding the NHS so often boils down to money. "If only we could fill the 22bn black hole and healthcare would be fine" is the chorus, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. The NHS needs dramatic structural changes if it is to be prepared for the challenges it faces. And our affection for it hampers proper debate about how to do this. Worse, our unexamined affection ultimately detracts focus from the other aspects of the health system that lack the branding power of 'the NHS'. It's for this reason that Cameron can have a poster saying, "I'll cut the deficit. Not the NHS.", and yet not be made to account for the dramatic cuts to social care and public health budgets. The last six consecutive years of cuts to local authority budgets alone have resulted in 26% fewer people getting help. Unless this is the kind of future we desire, we must be passionate about protecting both the NHS and the social care system -- the system responsible for looking after vulnerable individuals and keeping them out of hospital in the first place. By Matt Dowling, Trading Director, Zenith Channel 4 has just announced plans to introduce the first ever interactive ads on British TV. Launching first on TV streaming and media player Roku, before coming to a TV screen near you, interactive ads will enable viewers to select different ads, watch additional content and, most excitingly, instantly purchase products being advertised via click-to-buy. The introduction of interactive TV ads to the big screen is certainly a bold move by Channel 4 and seems fitting, considering it was the first UK broadcaster to launch interactive ads on its online TV player back in 2011. It is great to see a free-to-air broadcaster demonstrating a commitment to innovation, and any move which offers brands and advertisers more choice and creative solutions is certainly welcome. Television is one of the few mediums which has not only continued to maintain its relevancy in a period of digital growth but has also arguably benefited from it. Indeed our own figures show that marketers will spend approximately 4 billion with broadcasters by the end of 2016, compared to 3.3 billion just ten years ago. Television remains an attractive medium for advertisers, marketers and brands, however this has not stopped broadcasters from continuing to invest in and develop their digital offering, ensuring their content remains relevant to consumers consumption patterns. Advertisement Unquestionably, Channel 4s announcement is promising news for the future; however there are certain elements of the announcement that marketers and brands will need to consider if they are to evaluate the impact this will have on television advertising spend. What is the industrys response? The launch of the first interactive ads on television is headline news, but thus far, the announcement has been met with some reserve across the media industry. This is no surprise, given that incorporating interactive elements into broadcast television has failed to meet expectations in the past. For example, the red button on TV remotes, which gave viewers access to similar bonus content capabilities that Channel 4s interactive ads will offer, ultimately failed to impress either advertisers or TV viewers. That is not to say that interactive ads will go the same way, however, it does perhaps give reason for advertisers and marketers to be more cautious and careful in their expectations. Consumer response and value to advertisers If the demise of the red button has taught broadcasters and advertisers anything, it is that it does not matter how good an idea may sound in theory, if consumers fail to respond to the feature, it has failed in practice. Presumably, it would appear that Channel 4 is aware of the above. The broadcaster is clearly reacting to consumer viewing patterns - half of its VOD (video-on-demand) viewing is on the TV - demonstrating that Channel 4 is willing to constantly evolve and adapt to the fast-paced and exciting TV landscape. Advertisement Yet the success of interactive TV ads will heavily depend on how receptive audiences will be to interacting with brands on the platform, which will ultimately distract them from viewing. As it stands, the television is used for the best viewing experience and mobile experiences are used for the best interaction, social and shopping experience. Will interactive TV ads enable television to sit alongside mobile as a channel for interaction and shopping? Due to the limited roll out of Channel 4s interactive TV ads initially on Roku only, the proof in the pudding will be how many people choose to interact with ads and, more importantly, the insight and subsequent value this can add for brands. Better insight into the customer shopping journey For advertisers and other broadcast channels who may follow Channel 4s lead, something which will be closely monitored is how Channel 4 utilises the data from this new platform to help understand the customer path to purchase, and, how this will inform media executions across their portfolio of channels. What is clear is that interactive TV ads could enable personalised content for each viewer, which would be hugely beneficial to brands and consumers. Channel 4 could now essentially serve a different ad to someone across their portfolio based on their interaction, and ultimately deliver better ROI on the ad served. We Americans recently survived another "most important election" of our lifetimes that lasted over 18 months and did little but assaulting our ears and intelligence. The campaigns tied-up valuable resources and distracted the nation from the real problems: chronic underemployment, wide-spread low wages, increasing health insurance deductibles, and the overall deterioration of our education system and respect for human rights as best illustrated by the hateful campaign rhetoric of candidate Trump that apparently perfectly resonated with many voters. In the midst of all this, similar to previous elections, we progressives were tasked with the responsibility to help the Democratic Party succeed. There was apparently no other way, and increasing party performance was somehow not an option. Therefore, our votes had to be sacrificed, at the expense of exercising our right to vote freely. When we questioned how many times we were supposed to vote for someone against our conscience as in the case of voting for candidate Clinton, our fellow Democrats told us that this time it was different; that Mr. Trump was very dangerous and could overturn much of the progress we made as a country. If voters complied, coincidentally, the Democratic Party would have benefited from it; one of the two parties that brought us to where we were by successfully keeping out competition and effectively silencing third parties. However, the situation was allegedly so pressing that no responsible citizen could possibly choose otherwise. In the 2016 elections, this statement was and still is most likely true. However, that is why the Democratic Party leaders should have not cried wolf at every election. By the time November 2016 came, it was already too late. Individuals for whom the message was intended were too desensitized by hearing it over and over again; rightly so, because they were fooled by the Democratic Party too many times. Therefore, many progressives refused to comply. Many of them voted their conscience, instead of voting for the "lesser of the two evils." Additionally, only approximately 58 percent of the registered voters turned out to vote. In 14 states, more people voted for the senate races than for the presidency. Among them were 87,810 voters in Michigan who cast a ballot, but did not cast a vote for president. Of the voters who voted for president, approximately half voted for Secretary Clinton and the other half for president-elect Donald Trump. Among the voters for Ms. Clinton were many Republicans who simply could not bring themselves to vote for a racist, sexist Donald Trump. Among the voters were also progressives who voted for Secretary Clinton, not because she was their candidate, but because she was the "lesser of the two evils." However, Secretary Clinton and subsequently, the Democratic Party, still lost. Advertisement Instead of taking the time to reflect and admit just how low the Party must have sunk for this scenario -- having one of the most qualified individuals running for president against an unfit, openly racist Donald Trump and still losing -- to happen, supporters and leaders were quick to point fingers at anyone else, but themselves. Ms. Clinton and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid blamed the FBI Director Mr. Comey. Frustrated Democrats blamed their fellow Democrats and other progressives for not voting for Ms. Clinton. However, the winner of the blame game was the frustration over Donald Trump losing the popular vote, but still becoming the president-elect. Subsequently, initiatives to get rid of the Electoral College followed. Even though due to its racist roots, discussions about the Electoral College are well granted, the context of the discussion is troubling -- ensuring that the Democratic Party secures its place as a winner at all cost, without having to improve conduct or performance. To date, Americans continue to be successfully entertained and distracted in this manner. We will see how long the situation continues before this distraction fades and another emerges, while the middle class continues to deteriorate, the two leading parties do little to get back in touch with their voters, and a President Donald Trump and his cabinet overturns progress made by many decades. Advertisement However, regardless of what happens in the next four years, for losing this election, the Democratic Party leaders have no one to blame but themselves. Giving Tuesday is a designated time to remember the causes you hold dear while youre doing your holiday shopping. This year, I hope youll consider putting a little something in NCSE s stocking. Why give to NCSE? Ill give you two reasons: 1. Because what NCSE does is really important; and 2. No other organization in the country does what we do. Only NCSE focuses like a laser beam on making sure that what kids learn in science class is sciencenot creationism, not climate change denial, and not false equivalencies couched as inappropriate debate. This year, our mission is even more important. Our president-elect has called climate change a hoax. Our vice-president elect has denounced evolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The risk that climate change and evolution, for which the scientific evidence is overwhelming, will become more politicized and socially controversial is greater than its been for a long time. Advertisement Over the decades, NCSE has helped local citizens block scores of attempts to legislate the inclusion of creationism or climate change denial in science class. We have counseled hundreds of students, parents, and teachers who have faced specific problems in their own schools or communities. Because our work is often done confidentially and because we help put out fires before they start, our efforts often go unacknowledged. Bt we arent in this for acknowledgementwere in this to defend the integrity of science teachers and science education. And lest you think we just sit around waiting for people to call us, our new initiatives demonstrate otherwise. With the NCSEteach network, we provide direct support to science teachers who cover evolution or climate change. NCSEteach now includes more than 6,000 teachers and has facilitated 100 scientist and teacher collaborations via our Scientists in the Classroom program. Meanwhile, the NCSE Science Booster Club program has engaged more than 54,000 Iowans in fun, accessible, scientifically accurate climate change and evolution activities in the last year. Editor's note: This is Part 3 of a three-part series on sponsorship as a force for fueling innovation in leadership development. In this article, co-authors Mike Fucci, Chairman of the Board of Deloitte LLP, and Audrey Murrell, associate dean of the University of Pittsburgh's College of Business Administration, discuss sponsorship from the perspective of the sponsor. As you advance in your career, it is natural to look beyond your own situation and on to the impact you have (or could have) on the talent pipeline of the organization. Your experience, knowledge and relationships are invaluable for you--imagine what they would mean to others attempting to advance their careers. We believe the best tool for sharing the knowledge and experience you have gained is sponsorship. Sponsorship is a leadership development approach in which a senior leader (or network of influential individuals) both guides a professional on a career path and advocates on his or her behalf for key opportunities or leadership positions. Advertisement How does a sponsorship relationship start? The responsibility typically falls on the more experienced person, executive, or senior leader. These leaders look across the enterprise to identify high performers and start the sponsorship conversation. Regardless of how a sponsorship relationship begins, it is critical that both parties are active participants since both can benefit from an effective relationship. In her research, Audrey Murrell has documented examples of formal sponsorship programs in the corporate environment . Some of the most effective programs are more than just leadership development. They also transmit knowledge from influential innovators to inspire the next generation of change creators. Effective sponsorship can also enhance succession planning, leadership development, talent management, and diversity. Sponsorship can create opportunities for growth and development. It can open the aperture of the conversation and can make it more likely for the sponsoree to consider options they might have otherwise overlooked. And, ideally, effective sponsorship can also help you. Doing great work can be fulfilling, but doing great work and setting others up for success can take "fulfilling" to another level. In sponsorship, executives have an opportunity to add to their legacy. Sponsors take an active role in building a diverse pipeline of leaders, which is essential to many organizations' growth and success. As a sponsor, you can also ensure that the work you have done as a leader within the organization continues through the next generations of leaders or innovators you support and sponsor. Advertisement As we mentioned in Part 1 of this series, diversity and sponsorship can go hand-in-hand, and diversity can play a critical role in the sponsor's selection process. We encourage sponsors to support professionals who have different experiences and perspectives, for this will likely enhance the impact of sponsorship. A relationship between two people with diverse backgrounds, thoughts, and skillsets can lead to more versatile professionals and new ideas. In Part 2 of this series, we examined sponsorship from the vantage point of the sponsoree. The benefits can be many: opportunities to expand one's network, exposure to executives enterprise-wide, insight into an organization's culture, and laying the groundwork for the pathway to leadership. Furthermore, sponsorship is a clear signal that one has received the backing of a senior leader or key influencer who has that person in mind for future growth in the organization. For executives looking to add value on a different level, sponsorship can be a purpose-driven, legacy-building answer. Sponsors have a vested interest in helping sponsorees to be successful and may even have a performance metric tied to effective sponsorship, providing greater incentive to move the needle on diversity, leadership development, and organizational change. What better way to build long-lasting capacity within the organization, as well as put the finishing touches on your career, than helping to ensure the success of those who will follow you through the ranks of leadership by becoming an effective sponsor. Tips For Being an Effective Sponsor We recognize not everyone knows how to be an effective sponsor, so based on training provided at Deloitte and research conducted by Associate Dean Murrell, here are some highlights of what we have learned about effective sponsorship. Effective sponsorship involves: Being empathetic and receptive to the sponsoree's needs and experiences (which may differ from your own) Helping a sponsoree clarify his or her own career concerns and aspirations to determine the best fit for new opportunities or positions Cultivating trust by showing mutual respect, maintaining confidentiality. and providing honest feedback Maintaining a coaching style that uses active listening, insightful questioning, and mutual agreement while keeping in mind that you as the sponsor don't have all the answers Leveraging opportunities and being an advocate for the sponsoree in ways that provide support based on their needs and aspirations Donald Trump's historic win and the shocking Brexit should teach us a hard lesson about the consequences of patronizing people. We have seen how many Trump supporters were all labeled as sexist or racist. Although this might be true about number of them but generalizing is a big mistake. Perhaps they just wanted a new order, they saw themselves as victims of the current system and they felt that Trump was the only man for this mission. This could explain why many predictions about the result of the presidential elections were wrong as many Trump enthusiasts were scared of the stigma of supporting him. Labeling people and judging them for making this choice will not make them change their minds. We have witnessed this in Egypt several times with Abd El Fatah El-Sisi Supporters. Although the 2 presidents are totally different but their supporters were somehow treated similarly. Political activists in Egypt frequently called El-Sisi supporters as "Slaves of Army Boots" in a way to demean them, nevertheless this did not stop them from voting for him in 2014 and showing him the support he asked for every time. After years of turmoil since the 2011 revolution, people were very scared because of the security situation with daily news about bombs found in Cairo streets, rise in crime and terror attacks. They wanted this all to stop, El -Sisi represented the strong leader who could lead them through this storm of instability. He was speaking their own language while activists were talking over their heads on TVs and social media. Advertisement You will not persuade a Trump supporter who really believes for example that all Muslims are terrorists by insulting her/him, you will do that by debates and showing them examples proving otherwise. But what is of vital importance here is Media role in all what happened so far. First, many media outlets instilled fear of the other in Americans for years, and so when Trump came and spoke with same tone he was credible enough to them. Second, many of the media outlets during the campaigns treated Trump lightly, they were just making stories to mock him, but this did not falter his supporters who saw him as a man speaking their minds. Mathew Ingram has put it right when he said in his article in Fortune: In part, that's because much of the East Coast-based media establishment is arguably out of touch with the largely rural population that voted for Trump, the disenfranchised voters who looked past his cheesy exterior and his penchant for half-truths and heard a message of hope, however twisted. Another factor which may have helped Trump to win could be that many democrats were confident that Clinton will win so they did not vote, especially with many predictions that she will win with a large margin like the prediction of economist David Rothschild's PredictWise site which believed Clinton has 89% chance of winning. This could be reinforced by reports suggesting that one of the reasons that contributed in Trump's victory was the weak turnout in key Democratic strongholds. Advertisement These fatal assumptions were also wrong in Egypt. In Egypt's 2014 presidential elections, some political parties and activists declared they will not vote. Activists who opposed El-Sisi believed that he would win by a landslide and that nothing they could do to change the inevitable. It is true El-Sisi won by 96.91% while his opponent Hamden Sabahy - who only got 3.09% - did not really have a chance to win but I believe those who boycotted the elections could have sent a clear message if they voiced their refusal of El-Sisi by engaging and voting for Sabahy. Firstly, what are civil rights? Is there a distinction between civil rights and human rights? In simplest terms, the difference between a human right and a civil right is why you have them. Human rights arise simply by being a human being. Civil rights, on the other hand, arise by virtue of a legal grant of that right, such as the rights imparted on American citizens by the U.S. Constitution. When The Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964 the rights of every Americans regardless of race, creed or color became law. Civil Rights was characterized by major campaigns of civil resistance and acts of non violent protest. Between 1955 and 1968, acts of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience produced crisis situations and productive dialogues between activists and government authorities. Federal, state, and local governments, businesses, and communities often had to respond immediately to these situations, which highlighted the inequities faced by African Americans. Forms of protest and civil disobedience included boycotts such as the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) in Alabama; "sit-ins" such as the influential Greensboro sit-ins (1960) in North Carolina; famed marches, such as the Selma to Montgomery marches (1965) in Alabama; and a wide range of other nonviolent activities. Advertisement Suze Rotolo, Bob Dylan's girlfriend when they lived in the Village, said "We had something to say not something to sell." The 1960's gave way to the '70's and I was playing in folk clubs like The Troubadour in London. By my side were folk musicians from all over the world. We were members of an after hours music club that we used to hang out at on the Fulham Rd in London. Bert Jansch, of Pentangle, and Ralph McTell and Robin Williamson and Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band were regulars there and often would jam all night with anyone who had an instrument (and we all did !). The club used to open at midnight, and often by 2 a.m. there were dozens of us playing music we all loved. Down the road from The Troubadour a friend of mine, Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues lived. I used to hang out at his flat (after playing at The Troubadour,) and play music with friends, some of whom were American who'd come to London to avoid the draft. The Vietnam "police action" was raging and thousands of young Americans had gone to Canada and on to London and Europe. Our music scene in London had never been better. Advertisement We've always been saddened by even the hint of racism. It has no place in our schools, communities, or our lives. The thought of grown men prancing around in hoods and white robes is almost funny if it weren't so deadly serious. The thought that "pillars" of our community, judges, businessmen, and "any white guy" could enjoy the dubious bonding of a 'fun" lynching is abhorrent to us. It makes us want to fight even harder to stamp out bigotry, racism, misogyny and hatred of all kinds. Racism is man's greatest threat to man-the maximum of hatred for the minimum of reason. Ask Adolf Hitler to expound on that theory. Civil Rights, equality, women's rights, affordable health care and children's rights are all issues that have been important to most of us. America has traveled vast distances politically and socially since 1955 when Rosa Parks was arrested for standing up for herself on that infamous bus in Montgomery Alabama. As a nation we still have a long way to go, but we're so proud of how far we've come as Americans. It's vital that we always stand up for each other. Education is the key to continued progress.Public elementary schools are wonderful places. Children from all walks of life learning together is a beautiful environment. We've been privileged to work with hundreds of thousands of kids around the United States and have observed varying teaching styles and regional flavors and, we've watched all different types of kids interacting together. We learned something early on -- we reaffirmed that we're all the same, no matter where we're from. Advertisement The Civil Rights Act of 1964, expressly banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment practices and ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace, and by public accommodations. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 that restored and protected voting rights for minorities. The Immigration and Nationality Services Act of 1965 removed racial and national barriers and opened the way for black immigrants from Africa and the Western Hemisphere. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 banned discrimination in the sale or rental of housing. African Americans re-entered politics in the South, and across the country young people were inspired to take action. From folk icon Woody Guthrie to his son Arlo Guthrie we have long had a love affair with music that speaks to us. The music of the 60's generation was lyrically based and more about righting the wrongs of political and civil unrest and less about writing a commercial pop song . So many of the activists from the Civil Rights movement came out of Greenwich Village. The women's movement came out of the Village. The artists that came out of there historically had a real shot at ending up being more political. Greenwich Village was political before it was musical and there was a great sense of community when it came to the civil rights movement. Today in 2016 Arlo Guthrie is still as popular as ever. He packs concert halls wherever he and his fine band travel, as do so many of the Artists who started out in Greenwich Village over 50 years ago. Earlier this year, when we were bursting with pride at the recent Supreme Court decisions we decided to write a positive song to show our support for those historic decisions. And FREEDOM was born.Our backgrounds as teachers came through, and we asked ourselves, "What hurts kids' feelings the most and makes them feel different?" The answer was obvious to us. "The identical things that hurt adults feelings and make them feel different. We're all the same however." Our diversity makes us interesting, debate makes us stronger but, equality permits us a level playing field. Advertisement We must keep pushing Civil Rights in a forward direction to allow FREEDOM to rain down on everyone. We must encourage young artists to express themselves in music and literature to document the current times and capture what it feels like, as young people, to watch our current unfolding history. Squelching their voices will only rob all of us of needed perspective to move forward. Our children truly are our future. Regardless of whether you're right or left politically, no one ever wants to witness hatred and mistrust in our government. We've fought so hard in our lifetime to erase misogyny, racism and bigotry from our neighborhoods and our great country. Over 60,000,000 people died in World War 2. Over 1.4 million died in Vietnam. The cost, therefore can be much too high if we're not discerning about who we put into power. History has shown us this. Just like those valiant folks from the Civil Rights Movement did in the 1960's, we must create our own civil resistance and non violent protests. At this moment in time we must support Dr. Jill Stein with her recount in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, if for no other reason than to assure ourselves that our recent election was conducted fairly and not rigged, as some have suggested. For the love of mike... What do we have to lose ? Moses had a tough job -- a lot tougher than he realized when he took it on. He had to lead his people out of suffering under Pharaoh, into an unknown and difficult terrain toward the Promised Land. Barack Obama had a tough job too -- a lot tougher than he realized when he took it on eight years ago. He had to lead us out of the economic devastation of the Great Recession. He had to lead us out of the devastating wars initiated by his predecessor. Obama did his job - he led us through the desert on the long, difficult journey toward the Promised Land of Hope and Change. Being a Change Leader is a tall order, and in 2008 our expectations were sky-high. We expected Obama to be Santa Claus, Superman, Daddy, and God -- all rolled into one. We wanted him to have the wisdom of Solomon, the soul of Gandhi, the strength of Hercules, the compassion of Mother Teresa, and the enlightenment of Buddha. Heaven help him if he turned out to be a mere mortal -- albeit a smart, talented, good hearted mortal. Hell hath no fury like disappointed followers! Advertisement Moses had the same problem. When he wasn't able to transport his people to the Promised Land fast enough, they turned on him. "You're a terrible leader," they said. "We've been wandering in this desert for years and the Promised Land is nowhere in sight," they complained. "You don't know where you're going." "We should go back to Egypt," some proposed. "At least with Pharaoh we knew what to expect." They lost their faith and built a golden calf to worship instead. Being a change leader is a thankless job. You pour your heart and soul into creating a better future for your people and what do they do? Whine and complain. It's like driving across country with a back seat full of immature, impatient children who keep asking, "Are we there yet?" They have no understanding of the time it takes to get from one place to another. And just as children act out and make life miserable for the adult driving the car, so too do cranky, demanding, whining followers act out and make life miserable for their change leader. The followers have no patience, no perspective, and no appreciation for all that their leader is doing for them. As part of his leadership duties, Moses was given the Ten Commandments to share with his people. Obama had an additional set of commandments, those of a Change Leader Advertisement THE PARADOXICAL COMMANDMENTS* People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway. Obama and Moses have something else in common as well -- neither of them made it to the Promised Land. As change leaders, their job was to shepherd their people through the desert, through the long, grueling process of change. Moses had to get the people out of Egypt, and he also had to get Egypt out of the people. It took 40 years for their old habits, old mindsets, old beliefs and superstitions to dissipate. Moses had to destroy the golden calf that people had begun worshiping. In the end, a whole generation literally had to die off before the rest of the people could reach the Promised Land. It may take longer than 40 years for Americans to wander through our own desert of fear, arrogance, ignorance, intolerance, and xenophobia. We now have our own the golden calf - er, "golden bull" - Donald Trump, who preaches the gospel of "Looking Out for #1" by breaking commitments, reneging on deals, starting trade wars, threatening to abandon our allies, and bullying others into submission. Advertisement These days since the election must be very disappointing to Obama. To work so hard, to come so far - and worst of all, to endure the abuse and lack of appreciation from the very people he was trying to help - must be painful. Obama is undoubtedly heartsick that a false prophet has won the allegiance of millions of fearful, confused, angry Americans. Today, Obama knows how Moses must have felt. *"The Paradoxical Commandments" were written in 1968 by Kent Keith as part of a handbook for student leaders. 1968 Kent Keith; renewed 2001. Used with permission. (Elvert Barnes/Flickr) A string of terror attacks across the globe have shaken the world's most powerful nations to their core. As a result of these tragic events, and the fear-mongering from politicians hoping to exploit them, many feel that an existential threat is nigh. To make matters worse, a highly influential and experimentally verified theory from social psychology predicts that, as long as an existential threat looms, the world will grow ever more divided and increasingly hostile. Terror management theory (TMT) explains how and why events that conjure up thoughts about death cause people to cling more strongly to their cultural worldviews -- siding with those who share their national, ethnic or political identity, while aggressively opposing those who do not. Consequently, sharp increases in deadly terror attacks around the world serve to create a sweeping psychological condition that sets the stage for waves of far-Right nationalist movements that encourage prejudice, intolerance and hostility toward dissimilar others. Advertisement Europe's nationalist surge, Brexit in the United Kingdom and the presidency win for Donald Trump in the United States are just the most recent demonstrations of TMT, first proposed by social psychologists in the 1980s and derived from cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker's Pulitzer Prize-winning work of philosophy and psychology, The Denial of Death (1973). Becker's big idea was that much of human action is motivated by a fear of death. Unlike other animals, which lack higher cognition and the ability to reflect, humans recognise the inevitability of their own death. The conflict that results from this realisation and the natural desire to live produces cognitive dissonance that causes profound terror and anxiety. According to Becker, humans invented culture as a buffer for the terror. By adopting cultural worldviews that instil life with meaning and value, one can effectively manage the subconscious dread that is always bubbling below the surface. While religions offer a path to literal immortality through the belief in an afterlife, non-religious cultural worldviews -- such as political ideologies and national identities -- provide paths to symbolic immortality. Symbolic immortality refers to being part of something larger that will ultimately outlive the individual, such as a great nation or a movement with a collective identity and pursuit. Much of human effort is dedicated to acts that might help one be remembered by groups or society long after death. Of course, no matter how logical or intriguing a theory might sound, it is merely speculation if it makes no testable predictions that can be confirmed or disproven by experiment and measurement. What might be most impressive about TMT is how much success it has had in the laboratory. Hundreds of empirical studies have provided support for the theory by confirming something called the mortality salience hypothesis. Advertisement According to this hypothesis, if we do in fact adopt cultural worldviews to curb a fear of death -- as TMT posits -- then reminders of our mortality should produce actions that serve to strengthen faith in our worldviews. Specifically, death reminders should motivate individuals to invest more in groups to which they belong and, conversely, to act more aggressively towards those with different cultural worldviews and national or ethnic identities. A particularly amusing experiment used hot sauce to measure the phenomenon. Students were broken into two groups and asked to write an essay about their own death or another, more benign topic. They were then presented with someone who did or did not disparage their political views, and asked to decide on the amount of mouth-burning hot sauce that person should have to consume. In line with TMT and the mortality salience hypothesis, participants who'd written about death allocated a large dollop of hot sauce to those who didn't share their worldview, while those in the control condition did not. Another mortality salience study on aggression conducted on both Iranian and US college students shows disturbing results. One group of students was asked to "jot down, as specifically as you can, what you think will happen to you as you physically die," and to describe the emotions aroused. Participants in the control condition were given similar questions related to dental pain. The results showed that Iranian students who were made to think about death were more supportive of martyrdom attacks against the U.S., while those in the control condition opposed them. Similarly, death reminders made U.S. students who identified as politically conservative more supportive of extreme military attacks on foreign nations that could kill thousands of civilians. From these findings, it is easy to see how nations under attack can quickly grow more divided and increasingly hostile towards those from outside cultures. In fact, studies have shown that mortality salience can amplify nationalism and intensify bias against other groups. Evidence suggests that reminders of death can even influence elections, pushing voters to favour candidates on the Right. Five weeks before the 2004 U.S. presidential election, scientists conducted studies on New Jersey voters to see whether mortality reminders influenced voting directly. Participants were given the same questions about death as the Iranian students in the previously mentioned study, while those in the control condition received parallel questions about watching television. What they found was pretty astonishing. Those voters prompted to think of death said they intended to vote for George W. Bush, the hawkish conservative president, by a three-to-one margin; those prompted to think about TV strongly favoured the Left-wing challenger, John Kerry. Such results could help to explain why, after the terror attacks of 11 September 2001, Bush went from having some of the lowest approval ratings ever to being extremely popular with both Republicans and Democrats. So what does this all mean for the world today? If massively destructive terror attacks continue, terror management theory predicts that societies will grow exponentially more chaotic and divided. Heightened aggression towards dissimilar others produces a tendency to favour war over peace. Right-wing nationalism will thrive along with prejudice and intolerance. Islamic fundamentalism will flourish while terror attacks grow more frequent. Raised tensions between nations, ethnicities and political groups will lead to further conflict, creating a devastating feedback loop of suspicion and violence. But it is critical that we not lose optimism in these challenging times. By becoming cognisant of the inflammatory and divisive effect that death reminders and perceived existential threat have on all of us, we can begin to take steps toward defending against it. After each terrorist attack we must actively work to unite groups with different nationalities, ethnicities and cultural worldviews. We must help build bridges between dissimilar communities, and discourage ideas such as immigration bans. And we must be conscious of the way some politicians use fear-mongering and propaganda to manipulate voters. Such efforts, combined with a calm and cool temperament, can help manage the terror of mortality in ways that preserve rationality, compassion and peace. Bogdan Marcu, Los Angeles. This article is written together with Cristian Rosu, a Romanian media expert who works for Kirchhoff Consult Romania, a corporation for Public Relations and Communications. Cristian has a BA in Philosophy from the University of Bucharest. More articles and social media analyses by Cristian can be found on his blog. The unexpected Mr. Trump While there are significant difference between the political systems of Europe and the US, some similarities and political symptoms do cross the Atlantic westward, where US voters may react in some form of contamination. Trump's victory in the November 8th elections seems to have taken the European chancelleries by surprise, but perhaps it shouldn't have. The political trends in several European countries were already pointing towards the disruption of the establishment. In 2015, the Greeks elected Alexis Tsipras as their prime minister: a charismatic but off-main-stream leader, with strong leftist views who took little time to begin a disruptive set of actions. In Hungary, the prime minister Viktor Orban is one of the Eastern Europe's leaders with the most vocal Eurosceptic views, also expressing pro-Russian views in spite of Hungary's NATO membership. In Central Europe, Poland's political leaders express the same level of Euroscepticism as Hungary, and perhaps stronger. Under the presidency of Andrzej Duda, Poland is pushing back against the idea that EU decisions made in Brussels should be automatically accepted in Warsaw. In particular, Poland, just as Hungary, unilaterally refuses to accept the refugee quotas imposed by the EU. Advertisement Two major events in 2016 should have provided a stronger warning that the disruptive current against established order and against existing political structures has widened and gained strength. On June 23 2016, the voters in the UK decided 52% to 48% in favor of leaving the European Union, an outcome known as the Brexit. The voter turnout was 71.8% with more than 30 million people voting. This decision leaves the US without an important ally within the EU structure. The second event is murkier, both in terms of the known details as well as the implications: on 15th of July 2016, a coup d'etat was attempted in Turkey against state institutions, including, but not limited to the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The coup failed and it was followed by vigorous purging of the military by Erdogan, as well as other significant outcomes: the coup has shaken the structure of the NATO alliance of which Turkey is a crucial member, and it has distanced Ankara from Washington with an apparent realignment towards Moscow, at least to some extent, as Erdogan and Putin are currently displaying a warm relationship. In the meantime, anti-establishment currents have been growing in strength in Germany, France and Austria. In Germany, the large influx of Middle Eastern immigrants allowed into the country by the Merkel's government has led to a significant decrease of support for Merkel among the German voters. The Alternative for Germany, a right-wing populist and Eurosceptic political party in Germany had gained representation in 10 of the 16 German state parliaments as of September 2016. In Austria, the presidential candidate of the right wing Freedom Party, Norbert Hofer, won the first round of the presidential election of 2016, receiving 35.1%, and was only narrowly defeated by Green Party's candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, in the run-off. The election was contested however, and a re-run will be held on December 4th, with poll results too close to call a prediction. In France, the National Front party, a right wing nationalist party led by Marine Le Pen is growing in popularity. Marine Le Pen would lead the first round of the 2017 presidential elections, according to various polls. As of 2015, the National Front has established itself as one of the largest political forces in France. Advertisement The trends and events described indicate that in Europe, the politically correct legacy of the establishment is being vigorously contested due to the harsh realities of economic austerity, refugee crisis and attempts at diminishing the national identity. There is a common theme across Europe where the citizens find more alignment of their personal interests and worries with extremist parties than with the established parties. The Brexit is viewed a movement of protectionism and anti-immigration in the UK, despite the discrediting descriptions given in the media about the true awareness of the UK voters, or lack thereof, towards the real effects of their decision. In the same measure, these trends should have been examined from the point of view of their diffusion across the Atlantic. After 8 years of the Obama administration which enjoyed popularity in Europe but was perceived as weak in foreign affairs, after Russia's moves in Ukraine and the Middle East and the creation and fast growth of ISIS, these changed trends should have pointed the analysts towards the possibility that the US voters would elect a president anti-establishment, a person with a direct manner, more aware of the harsh economic reality of unemployment rather than an embracer of ethnic diversity, a candidate with a stronger hand in foreign affairs and immigration. Donald Trump presented himself as such a candidate and won. The administrations in Paris and Berlin have received the news of Trumps election victory with great concern. The European Establishment's concerns are many: what will be the new US administration's approach to the European's defense and NATO, given Trump's campaign rhetoric on the issue, and how will the new administration deal with immigration, given the aggressive Trump's statements during the campaign, and his departure from the accepted political correctness. What would be the implications of the unknown yet US policy on immigration, given the EU refugee crisis, and the rise of nationalism and extremism? The President Elect Trump is viewed in some European circles as a counter-revolutionary leader against the EU policy of "unity in diversity". From this point of view, after several years during which an African American US president has been by far the most representative symbol of accepted diversity all over the world, after the acceptance and legalization of the same sex marriage in many European countries, and after the decision by Germany and to a lesser extent by France to accept a large number of Middle Eastern refugees, suddenly the new White House resident speaks forcefully of deportations, of renegotiation of economic agreements, of warmer relations with Russia, and selects for his future cabinets personalities with known extremist views. Advertisement The EU's own daemons + Russia The economic crisis has strongly impacted the EU, although at different level of severity for different countries. While Germany has remained the uncontested locomotive of economics for the old continent, the so called PIIGS group of countries, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, were strongly affected. Among them, Greece has been in a continuous and extended dire condition with no clear solution in sight, while Italy's banks are seen as a strong liability for the Europe's financial system. Following the Brexit, several other countries contemplated the exit idea, among them Italy. This situation has led some political analysts to the conclusion that the EU could dissolve, either partially or completely. The agreement reached by 28 European countries with Turkey on March 18th, to slow down the flow of refugees into Europe is now uncertain in terms of its execution due to various legal issues, but mostly due to complications related to the Turkey coup. To all this, Trump's victory and his statements regarding NATO have fallen like a hammer on the heads of states in the EU. Currently, France and Germany are the uncontested leaders of the European Union. While the EU Parliament in Brussels is officially the EU legislative body, the management of the economic crisis in EU is executed by decisions made mostly in Berlin and Paris, with the participation of the European Central Bank. In the meantime, however, both Germany and France are confronted with important domestic issues. Parliamentary elections are due in Germany no later than October 22 2017. The popularity of Angela Merkel is currently at a historical minimum, with contesting actions even from her own party, the Christian Democratic Union. The refugee crisis and the various terrorist attacks, executed or attempted in Germany are problems hanging heavily on the ratings of Merkel's government. In particular, after large scale incidents of rape and attacks against women by refugees reported to the police around Christmas and New Year's Eve in Germany, the weak official reaction was perceived as a cover up meant to suppress the expected popular rejection of more inflow of refugees, and maintain Merkel's decision to bring in more. German foreign affairs have become more complex due to the complications in the relations with the US related to the Volkswagen and Deutsche Bank scandals. These two latest developments are adding to the strain generated by the revelations in 2015 that the NSA had been tapping the German Chancellery. Adding to the complexities, Trump's victory, and his statements related to the requirement that all NATO member states should increase their defense spending to a minimum of 2% of their GDP place Germany in a difficult position politically. This conjecture opens and increases the chances of the extremist and anti-establishment parties for the upcoming German parliamentary elections in 2017. In this context, it has become very difficult for Germany to manage both its internal and the overall EU crises. Advertisement France is in even more complex and difficult state. Although powerful from the military standpoint, with a very advanced industry and technology, the country is affected by 10% unemployment rate overall and between 24% to 26% youth unemployment rate. The youth unemployment is closely correlated with the presence in France of minorities from early waves of immigrants coming from the former French colonies. To that social layer is added the new wave of recent immigrant refugees, a situation that strains, cumulatively, the French social system. Shaken by the chain of terrorist attacks in the last two years, the country is heading towards the presidential elections of 2017. After the US election results were announced, both the French prime minister Manuel Valls and the president Fancois Hollande expressed their deep concerns regarding the ripple effects in France. Current president, Francois Hollande is fairing very low in polls, and another 4 years at the Elysee Palace is just a nice dream. The primaries of the French conservative parties were won by Fancois Fillon, considered a "has been" political figure but with a recent strong showing in polls. Trump's victory in the US may diminish the chances for such an establishment gentleman. On the rightmost end of the French political spectrum, Marine Le Pen was one of the first European leaders to congratulate Trump. Given Trump's statements regarding Russia's Vladimir Putin and the good relationship between Marine Le Pen and the Russian leader, the potential trend generated by Trump's victory will cause many sleepless nights in Paris. This conjecture generates great expectations at the Kremlin. For Russia, the objective of a rapprochement with the US is the lifting of economic sanctions imposed after Russia's annexation of Crimea which have severely affected the Russian economy. In addition, the significant drop in the price of commodities and especially the drop in the price of oil due to the production gluts and excessive pumping by the OPEC members generate a significant squeeze of the Russian budgets. Besides the lifting of sanctions, Putin will want Trump to recognize Russia's ownership of Crimea - something no major state has done thus far. Putin also feels that Russia is entitled to a sphere of influence over the former republics of the Soviet Union, and Eastern and Central Europe. Moscow is pushing an ideology of "civilisational spheres" and "pluri-centricism" - code for Russia being a dominant world force on equal terms with the US. Just as with Crimea, Putin would like to revisit history: a new version of the 1945 Yalta treaty, when the US and Britain left the countries of Eastern Europe at Stalin's mercy. Perhaps Putin would settle for a deal where Trump implicitly acknowledges that Russia has "legitimate interests" in its former backyard. Trump has already questioned the role of NATO and said that the US will not defend countries that fail to contribute to NATO coffers. The vague potential that the new Trump administration may negotiate with Putin on these issues is generating fever chills in many European capital cities. And in fact, the current situation in Eastern Europe appears favorable to the Russian objectives. Ukraine's political movement that generated the break-away from its close relationship with Moscow now appears to lose momentum, with issues such as government corruption stalling progress, while the civil war in the East continues. In Serbia, the government led by Tomislav_Nikolic maintains close ties with Russia. Serbia is one of Kremlin's most reliable political links, not because of any Slavic-Orthodox fraternity, but as a consequence of political calculation and propaganda disseminated through the local media, Internet, and social networks pounding on historical solidarity, the pernicious West and defense of traditional values. In Hungary, the Prime Minister Viktor Orban has clear pro-Russian views as mentioned already here. Moscow is doubly influential in the country by informally partnering with Orban and, at the same time, bankrolling the extremist Jobbik party, a xenophobic group to the right of Orban's Fidesz party. Through these maneuvers, Moscow has two allies in the country: one in the opposition, and one in power. "Fidesz and Jobbik are crucial in channeling and implementing Russian interests," argues Daniel Hegedus, a Hungarian analyst at the German Council on Foreign Relations, a Berlin-based think tank. As a member of the EU and NATO, Hungary "is able to influence the political agenda and decision-making processes of these bodies." In particular, Hungary is notably vocal in warning the EU against renewing the sanctions in place against Russia. The recent election in the Republic of Moldova, former Soviet Republic and a former territory of Romania occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union after the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, designated Igor Dodon as winner. While the result is contested and thousands of citizens in the Moldavian diaspora claim they had been unable to vote, the result of the election is not likely to change. Dodon is a strong pro-Russian leader and is expected to propel Moldova on close Russian orbits. Advertisement A similar election result came in Bulgaria, population 7 million, and a member of both NATO and the European Union. It elected Rumen Radev as president, leading to the resignation of its prime minister, Boyko Borisov, and prompting parliamentary elections for the spring. During communist times, Bulgaria was the closest Eastern European member of both the Soviet Union's military alliance, the Warsaw Pact, and COMECON, its economic union, prior to the breakup of the USSR. Radev is another new Eastern European leader with strong pro-Russian views. In opposition to these trends, Romania and the Baltic States are the countries in Eastern Europe which, together with Poland in Central Europe, still maintain a strong desire to distance themselves from Russia. The Baltics: Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania are all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. They are the countries where NATO membership and US protection is most critical. However, campaign statements by Donald Trump that NATO states must pay more for defense, his ambivalence about Crimea, and allusions to how America may not defend members against Russian military action generate strong concern for the local governments. As Bloomberg reported recently: "over the past month, Russian TV channels widely watched in the Baltics filled airtime with apocalyptic rhetoric about world war. Russia recently made a show of moving short-range, nuclear-capable Iskander missiles into its militarized Baltic exclave, Kaliningrad, wedged between Lithuania, Poland, and the Baltic Sea. And a recent military exercise near the Latvian border involved Russian servicemen using loudspeakers to call on NATO soldiers to surrender. The Baltics, with a combined population of 6.1 million (Russia has 142.4 million), have responded by raising defense expenditures and training their military--and general population--in guerrilla warfare. During the last days of October, Latvia staged a major military exercise involving 3,000 troops from the U.S. and other NATO countries, as well as a nationwide civil defense drill". Romania, also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union finds itself in a geopolitical conjecture where it is surrounded by pro-Russian interests. At the present, the local political landscape is stable, and the country will hold parliamentary elections on December 11th. But underneath the calm, there are daemons as well. The elections and the related campaigns are held against a background where the fight against government corruption is the main theme, besides the concern and suspicion regarding potential Russian overt or clandestine manouvers. The political parties which are considered in the lead by various polls, the Social Democrat (PSD) and the Liberal (PNL) parties are also considered to carry controversial legacies. Recently, under pressure from the EU, the country's Military Justice Court (Parchetul Militar) has re-opened for the 4th time the investigation of the events of December 1989. However, for the first time in 27 years, the official statements of the Court referred to the events as an organized action against the state, essentially a coup, and not a revolution. Unofficially, it is generally accepted in Romania that the coup was organized by the then Soviet secret services, the KGB and the GRU, with some degree of approval from the West and the US, following the Malta secret talks between the US president G.H. Bush and general secretary of the Communist Party of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev. The implications, relative to the current elections, are related to the legacy of the Social Democrat Party, which has its roots in the December 1989 National Salvation Front, considered today to have been founded by the coup leaders. Ion Iliescu, who is considered the leader of the coup of 1989 and who served twice as president of Romania from 1989 to 1996 and 2000 to 2004 is still an honor member of the PSD, but perhaps less influential in the decisions of the party, after the new party leadership has formally condemned communism, and specifically condemned the decisions made by Iliescu in the early '90's when coal miners were brought to Bucharest to violently squash street demonstrations against him. While PSD top leaders and current candidates have been convicted with suspended sentences or are under investigation for corruption, a younger fraction of the current PSD is looking westward and attempts at reforming from within. The formal entrance of Romania into the NATO membership was officially signed under the PSD watch, and 85% of the current candidates are newcomers to the party. The National Liberal party also includes members considered to have been part of the 1989 coup legacy. During the recent mayoral race for Bucharest, the Liberal party was noted for a series of political gaffes, among which promoting and then quickly withdrawing several candidates in a short period of time. A third party is vigorously challenging the two established organizations mentioned above: the Save Romania Union (USR) is a political party founded in 2016, extending an initial organization - the Save Bucharest Union - which unsuccessfully ran candidates for the mayoral race in the country's capital, Bucharest - to national level. The party leader, Nicusor Dan is considered an outsider, and the party's candidates run campaigns on a radical anti-corruption platform that is attractive to the young voters and to the large diaspora which considers USR as the only viable option for the country. Militarily, Romania has a special status within NATO and in direct relations with the US: both Poland and Romania are hosting on their territories the military installations of the US/NATO anti-missile shield. The United States sees the $800 million missile shield as vital to defend itself and Europe from so-called rogue states but the Kremlin says is aimed at blunting its own nuclear arsenal, and expresses strong irritation about the installations. Consequently, Russia's moving Iskander missiles into the Kaliningrad region is viewed as a response, in part, to the missile shield installations in Romania and Poland. In Romania, the missile shield installations are seen as a special guarantee extended by the US and NATO to Romania, an interpretation which generates special confidence in the US direction of its foreign relations with respect to the region, regardless of the electoral rhetoric in the US. Advertisement Quo vadis? This short review clearly shows that Trump's victory finds the EU in a complex and difficult situation. Until now, the US military guarantees extended through NATO, doubled by NATO's Turkey control of the maritime access by Russian Navy to the Mediterranean through the Turkish straights have been the main defense directions for the EU against Russia. The "European Army" is still only a concept, while the military forces of Germany and France, considered individually, are no match against the Russian military. The EU states have not been allocating significant budgets to their military, after decades of American protection. In addition, Russia has demonstrated in Ukraine a special ability to carry a new type of hybrid war for which the EU has neither efficient counter measures nor adequate tactics. Donald Trump's statements regarding a reduced US role within NATO and towards normalizing the relations with Moscow will generates uncertainty in the EU. It is also expected that the future Trump administration will have priorities other than the EU: China, the Middle East, and internal US economy. DEBKA website already reports that Trump's team is planning, in close contact with Russian and Turkish governments, significant military operations in the Middle East, to be initiated immediately after Trump's inauguration. The EU leaders are therefore expected to operate in catch-up mode in reaction to the expected and unexpected decisions of the future Trump administration. This complicates the EU political dynamics in a way that may lead to significant changes in the EU political spectrum and parliamentary representation, with a potential disruption of the establishment. Advertisement IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues eviction notice to Dakota Access Pipeline protest camp; U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigating third oil refinery fire in two days; Extreme water shortages caused by drought trigger state of emergency in Bolivia; Major coral die-off along northern Great Barrier Reef; Developing nations pledge to switch to 100% renewable energy by 2050; PLUS: Federal judge rules a stable climate is a constitutional right... All that and more in today's Green News Report! IN 'GREEN NEWS EXTRA' (see links below): I Told The New York Times: "It's time for a whole new approach to climate journalism!"; Tennessee: Drought and high winds fuel 'apocalyptic' wildfire; Bloomberg: Cities will fight climate change, with or without Trump; Chilling climate revelations from the last ice age; White House Releases Wishful Climate Change Plan Before Trump Takes Office; Antarctica: Rift in Pine Island Glacier points to a coming, broader collapse... PLUS: A Portrait of a Man Who Knows Nothing About Climate Change... and much, MUCH more! ... 'Green News Report' is heard on many fine radio stations around the country. For additional info on stories we covered today, plus today's 'Green News Extra', please click right here to listen! Aston, PA, USA - September 22, 2016: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump delivers a speech at a rally in Aston, Pennsylvania. With Donald Trump positioned to profit immeasurably from the presidency, the American people are getting a lesson in advanced constitutional law, learning about a clause of the Constitution that many lawyers have never even heard of: the Emoluments Clause. While the Emoluments Clause has never ranked on a top-ten list of well-known constitutional provisions, its obscurity shouldn't cast doubt on its importance. Indeed, its inclusion in our nation's Charter was one of the many ways in which the Framers sought to prevent the corruption and self-dealing that they viewed as among the greatest threats to the future of the new Republic. Advertisement But even as we are now recognizing the importance of the Clause, some have suggested that there's nothing that can be done, short of impeachment, to hold Trump accountable if he violates this provision of the Constitution. Those who are counting out the courts, however, are counting too fast. The Constitution twice makes explicit what should be common-sense: the President should be working for the American people, not himself, and thus should not be able to profit from the office. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution provides that "no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State." Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution is specific to the President, providing that he "shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a compensation . . . and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them." In other words, the Constitution prohibits the President from receiving any "emolument"--any compensation, gift, or other form of profit or gain--other than his salary, be it from foreign governments, the United States, or state governments and their instrumentalities. These provisions reflect the Framers' fundamental belief that the Constitution needed to include anti-corruption measures if the new nation were to survive. Indeed, it was precisely because the Framers feared the dangers that corruption might pose--not only then, but also in the future--that they included these proscriptions in the nation's enduring charter. As Alexander Hamilton explained, "[n]othing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption." George Mason put it this way at the Constitutional Convention, "if we do not provide against corruption, our government will soon be at an end." Advertisement To prevent that from happening, the Framers included in the Constitution measures--like the provisions quoted above--to ensure that "corruption was more effectually guarded against, in the manner this government was constituted, than in any other that had ever been formed." Thus, while those provisions might seem obscure now, they weren't at the Framing. Indeed, they have become obscure only because most Presidents have assiduously taken steps to ensure that they were not in violation of these clauses' proscriptions. Donald Trump now appears poised to depart from the precedent set by other Presidents of both parties because, in his view, "the president can't have a conflict of interest." Unfortunately for Trump (but fortunately for the country), that's not what the Constitution says, which is why countless stories have already been written about the various ways in which Trump, upon taking office, may violate the Emoluments Clause. Yet even as a consensus seems to be emerging that Trump will be in violation of the Constitution the very first day he takes the oath to uphold it, there also seems to be agreement in some quarters that not much can be done about it. Vox writes that "[i]t's not clear who would have standing to sue." Lyle Denniston writes that "so far as the Constitution is concerned, the American people must rely upon Congress - no matter which party controls the House and Senate - to monitor the relationship between a president and a family business." Paul Krugman put it more colorfully, "But who's going to enforce the Constitution? Republicans in Congress? Don't be silly." Why so much pessimism about the prospects of courts entertaining Emoluments Clause lawsuits? To be sure, there may not be examples of such lawsuits in the case books, but that's because we're in such unchartered territory. In fact, it's not difficult to imagine lawsuits that might satisfy the Constitution's requirements for standing to sue--in particular, its requirement that a plaintiff have suffered an injury-in-fact. Consider just a few possibilities. Perhaps a competitor of a Trump business can sue on the ground that it is being directly injured by a foreign entity's efforts to curry favor with the new President. Perhaps a state can sue on the ground that it is injured by another state's efforts to do the same. The Supreme Court has said that courts can hear "complaint[s] that certain specific government action will cause that person private competitive injury." In the same vein, perhaps a competitor of Trump Tower can argue that it is being injured by the Secret Service paying to rent a floor of the building. Or perhaps if Trump has an interest in a company that threatens the environment (at one time, for example, he had a stake in the Dakota pipeline), individuals who seek to use those natural resources could sue. The Supreme Court has said that courts can hear "complaint[s] that individual enjoyment of certain natural resources has been impaired" by specific government actions. Or perhaps a court might even conclude that the Emoluments Clause imposes a structural limitation on who can serve as President, thus making Trump ineligible to serve as President and giving a citizen or state the grounds to sue for an injury they suffer as a result of action he takes as president. Advertisement It's far too early to know whether any of these theories would be successful in court, but that's exactly the point--it's far too early to say that they would not be successful, either. After all, it appears that there may be no shortage of different potential Emoluments Clause violations, and that's without even knowing the full extent of Trump's financial holdings. At the end of the day, whether a lawsuit will be successful will depend on the exact allegations of the claim and the injury alleged by the plaintiff. Consider, for example, the case of the Line Item Veto Act. In 1997, the Supreme Court held that members of Congress who sued to challenge the law did not have standing to sue. The very next year, the Supreme Court held that the City of New York and certain health care providers did have standing to sue to challenge the same Act because those parties, unlike the members of Congress who had previously sued, had alleged "a 'personal stake' in having an actual injury redressed.'" In other words, the details matter. The fact that not everyone may be able to sue does not mean that no one can. Finally, it's worth remembering that an important reason why our Framers created our federal courts was to serve as a check on illegal action by the other branches. The Framers understood that constitutional "[l]imitations . . . can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice." In the Virginia ratifying convention, John Marshall argued, "[t]o what quarter will you look for protection from an infringement on the Constitution, if you will not give the power to the judiciary? There is no other body that can afford such a protection." To be sure, the Supreme Court has observed that the fact that no one would have standing to sue is not a reason to find standing, but it does mean we should think twice before concluding that the courts have no role to play in policing the President's compliance with the Constitution. By Christopher Zoukis The Obama administration has taken more steps to improve an atmosphere of fairness and equity and to support a climate of achievement for public school students. New materials to be used as tools by educators were released in September as part of continuing effort to urge schools to abandon controversial, harsh "zero-tolerance" punishment policies for students that commit minor and major offenses. These policies have funnelled countless kids -- a disproportionate number of them black and Hispanic -- into the juvenile justice system, and have been tied to the "school-to-prison" pipeline contributing to mass incarceration in the U.S. To help mitigate these issues, the Departments of Education and Justice released new recommendations and guidelines for school resource officers and student discipline. Both departments encourage the utilization of the SECURe rubric, which outlines five steps of action. SECURe stands for Safe, School-based Enforcement through Collaboration, Understanding and Respect. Advertisement In 2013-2014 at least 30 percent of schools had at least one school resource officer (SRO), and 11 percent had one law enforcement officer not designated as an SRO. The presence of officers is ostensibly to keep schools and children safe, however a 2011 study published in Justice Quarterly states that the increased use of police in schools increases referrals to law enforcement for minor transgressions, and increases harsh responses to minor disciplinary issues. When minor issues are criminalized, teachers, administration and other staff step away from disciplinary responsibilities and rely on SROs and police. The new recommendations call for limited involvement by officers in discipline matters, and training for teachers and staff aimed discouraging them from calling in officers for nonviolent issues. At the same time, training is recommended for SROs in the areas of child development and conflict de-escalation. The goal is not to take SROs out of schools, but to have them operate under new guidelines that more sharply define their roles, in an effort to foster greater trust between law enforcement the community. This is a vital overhaul of the system, considering there are more than 17,000 school resource officers working in schools across the country. SRO programs and goals need to be clearly defined, and mutual understandings of roles should be developed between schools and law enforcement. This ensures appropriate disciplinary actions are taken, rather than unnecessarily escalated. Under the guidelines, schools and teachers are being urged to move away from relying on officers to administer discipline. Zero tolerance policies are disruptive to classrooms, schools, and can affect students' educational futures if they are suspended or expelled. According to civil rights data collected in 2011-2012, black students were three times more likely than whites to be suspended or expelled from school. Between 2013-2015 black students were twice as likely to be referred to law enforcement or arrested compared to their white peers. The difference in treatment is so stark that the Education and Justice departments issued a letter to school districts stating that racial discrimination in school discipline is a definitive problem. Zero-tolerance policies are not meted out evenly for the same infractions. Some punishments result in arrests, which can severely limit future opportunities and have been correlated with lower academic achievement and increased incidence of repeat offenses. Advertisement The U.S. needs to move away from zero tolerance policies in the classroom, and toward other forms of discipline which better foster a supportive learning environment, and which do not result in the expulsion or suspension of students. Students should not face expulsion or jail time for nonviolent offenses, which can send them into the school-to-prison pipeline. If schools embrace these new guidelines and resources, it is a step in the right direction to help create brighter futures for public school students, to alleviate strain on the justice system and to reduce mass incarceration. For almost 16 years, across two administrations of different parties, America's teachers have watched federal education officials embrace destructive policies. President George W. Bush ushered in the era of test and punishment based accountability under the No Child Left Behind Act. President Barack Obama entered office with promises of relief from unrealistic expectations and punitive incentives - only to double down on testing's importance by favoring value-added teacher evaluations and to promote privatization through the charter school sector which has increasingly placed portions of our educational commons into hands avoiding public oversight. With a Secretary of Education under President Obama who declared that Hurricane Katrina was the "best thing" to happen to New Orleans schools because the recovery turned the entire city over to privately managed charters, teachers could be forgiven for wondering how anything could get worse regardless of who won the election this month. It's worse. After floating a raft of names - from former rival and now designated Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson to New York City charter magnate Eva Moskowitz to former Washington D.C. School Chancellor and Patron Saint of Firing Teachers Michelle Rhee to actually qualified school choice advocate and Hoover Institute Fellow Dr. Williamson Evers - Donald Trump has settled upon Michigan billionaire and school privatization zealot Betsy DeVos as his nominee for Secretary of Education. Friends have asked me directly what I think about this pick, and I have frankly responded that if Ms. DeVos can accomplish for the nation's schools what she has managed to do in Michigan by leveraging her fortune to buy her desired results, then we are well and truly screwed. Ms. DeVos has never attended a public school, never sent her children to a public school, never studied education at any level, never taught a day in her life. What she does bring to the post is an unparalleled zeal for turning as much of our public schools as possible over to unregulated hands and for sending as much public school money as possible to private and religious institutions. With her appointment, the Trump administration's priorities for our nation's schools are made crystal clear: to hell with quality, to hell with equity, to hell with everything except privatization. Advertisement As early as 2011, Betsy DeVos was well recognized as an influential if stealthy advocate for school choice, especially in the form of vouchers. Such efforts are always couched in terms that emphasize empowering parents and using competition to make all schools better, but the agenda has little to do with excellent education for all and much more to do with taking the nation's $600 billion school budget and getting it into private hands. Having failed in 2000 to convince Michigan voters to institute vouchers, DeVos altered strategy and backed legislators and bills that favored vouchers and privatization in various states. Forming All Children Matter in 2003, DeVos quickly spent $7.6 million in the first year to get electoral results in favor of privatization. If you've ever heard a conservative politician use the term "government schools" instead of "public schools," you have Betsy DeVos and her husband (and Amway fortune heir) Dick to thank for it. It turns out that slapping the label "government" on any publicly funded good is an effective way to bend public opinion against it. The DeVos family was also deeply involved in repackaging vouchers from their original racist origin as a way to get white children out of desegregation and into an "only hope"for urban children "trapped" in "failing schools." The problem with that strategy is that with years of evidence in from voucher programs like Milwaukee there simply isn't evidence that vouchers do very much for their alleged beneficiaries - although they do manage to get public money into private hands fairly well. In fact, in Milwaukee, students receiving vouchers performed worse than their counterparts in the city's public schools. The DeVos affinity for vouchers is not limited to secular institutions, and, they have deep and lasting ties to conservative Christian activists who see secular public education as an out and out enemy that has to be ended. Betsy DeVos has served on the board of the Acton Institute which has featured events by Christian Dominionist Gary North who is on record writing, without irony: "So let us be blunt about it: we must use the doctrine of religious liberty to gain independence for Christian schools until we train up a generation of people who know that there is no religious neutrality, no neutral law, no neutral education, and no neutral civil government. Then they will get busy in constructing a Bible-based social, political, and religious order which finally denies the religious liberty of the enemies of God." (emphasis added) Advertisement The DeVos record in her home base of Michigan should be on great concern to those who see public education as a public good that should not be turned over to profiteers. Her efforts in Michigan and nationally aim to influence policies steering as much money as is possible away from fully public schools and into "competition" in the form of charters. The Michigan experiment has been especially woeful for public education as the state's charter sector is stupendously unregulated and an eye-watering 80% of charter schools are run by for-profit management corporations that don't even try to hide that they are self-dealing. The Detroit Free Press reported in August that the state is sending $1 billion in tax payers' money to charter schools but cannot be bothered to hold them accountable for much of anything: Wasteful spending and double-dipping. Board members, school founders and employees steering lucrative deals to themselves or insiders. Schools allowed to operate for years despite poor academic records. No state standards for who operates charter schools or how to oversee them. And a record number of charter schools run by for-profit companies that rake in taxpayer money and refuse to detail how they spend it, saying they're private and not subject to disclosure laws. Michigan leads the nation in schools run by for-profits. According to The New York Times, a 2010 law backed by a DeVos-funded group pushed to expand charters, but DeVos' group also blocked provisions that would have prevented failing charters from expanding and replicating. Since that law passed, the number of charters in Michigan that are among the state's lowest-performing schools has doubled. Another story in the Times illustrates the chaos this has unleashed upon students and families in Detroit in the name of "empowering" them with choice. Decades into the charter school experiment and more than a decade into the DeVos influenced school landscape, Detroit has 30,000 more school seats than it needs and schools go into heated competition to fill those seats in time to get state money determined by headcount. Charter school seats are concentrated near downtown while more impoverished neighborhoods with more school-aged children have fewer schools - requiring those seeking choice to travel significant distances in a city of 140 square miles. Many charter operators get around the requirements to have open lotteries by layering the application process with burdensome paperwork, unusual enrollment periods, or by advertising in sources they know the city's most impoverished families do not read. The result is that a great many families seeking charter seats end up at poorly run schools in Michigan's unregulated environment and end up switching schools multiple times in the elementary years -- an environment that Tonya Allen, President of the Skillman Foundation, compared to "The Hunger Games" for schools. Advertisement Perhaps so much disruption would be deemed worthwhile if Michigan had anything of merit to show for it. Unfortunately, such merit is hard to see even after so many years of DeVos favored school choice policies. Consider Michigan's 8th grade results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in both mathematics and reading. In math, Michigan's students in 2015 showed no improvement at all over students from 2000, and while the gap between White and Black students did narrow from 45 points in 2000 to 35 points in 2015, the gap between students in poverty and student not in poverty was essentially unchanged in the same period. Meanwhile, 8th grade reading scores were even worse - with 8th graders in 2015 also performing no better overall than in 2000, but with the gap between Black and White students remaining unchanged in that time and the gap between students in poverty and students not in poverty growing from 13 points to 23 points. The lack of quality control and oversight in Detroit is so bad that even national philanthropists eager to promote school choice and charters routinely pass over the Motor City. Policies and politicians favored by Betsy DeVos and backed by her considerable resources have unleashed chaos in Michigan schools, leading to a charter school environment that even some charter school boosters find difficult to justify. And the result of her efforts since the early 2000s is a school system that isn't actually performing any better than before she managed to leverage her fortune in favor of unregulated choice and charter school proliferation. No wonder then that, although she has her fans among pro-privatizing politicians like former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, she is also regarded as highly dangerous from others in her home state. The President of Michigan's state board of education said, "It's like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse, and hand-feeding it schoolchildren....Devos' agenda is to break the public education system, not educate kids, and replace it with a for-profit model." A Democratic state senator from Deerborn Heights added, "The fact that she now is going to have a platform to do that on a national level should be of great concern to everyone in this country." If confirmed as Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos will almost certainly be in charge of whatever emerges from Donald Trump's promise to allocate $20 billion to expand school choice in the form of charter schools and voucher plans. In his announcement of the plan, Trump even used DeVos favored code language by referencing students trapped in "failing government schools," and he thanked Ron Packard, the CEO of the for-profit charter company that runs the failing charter school that served as the backdrop for his speech. It is almost impossible to imagine optics that better sum up Betsy DeVos' record on education: coded language used to demean our educational commons, a for-profit charter management company, and a school that is failing to improve students' measured performance. In fact, the only person in the story likely to be doing very well is Mr. Packard himself who used to pull in a salary of $5 million to run the K12 Inc. family of for-profit virtual charter schools (with an educational record so dubious that the NCAA refuses to accept credits from the schools) and whose Pansophic Learning is now the largest for-profit operator of charter schools in Ohio. Secretary-designate DeVos must love it. Cynics - and even some optimists - might doubt just how much damage a DeVos-led Department of Education could inflict. After all, the nation spends over $600 billion annually on public education, but only 9% of that is federally funded which is why Trump's voucher and choice proposal assumes, very optimistically, that states will kick in over $100 billion additionally over the $20 billion from the federal government. The problem with this view is that while the federal government does not foot a lot of education money, it can unleash a hell of a lot of chaos with the money it does spend via incentives and regulation. For example, Title 1 funds, intended for schools serving high percentages of economically disadvantaged students, reached 56,000 schools serving 21 million students in 2009-2010. Luke Messer, a Republican Congressman from Indiana who is a friend of Mike Pence and who founded the Congressional School Choice Caucus already suggested that some or all of the money for Trump's school choice program could come from the $15 billion the federal government spends on Title I. Grabbing money intended to help public schools that serve the nation's most needy children and turning it into an uncontrolled experiment in vouchers and unregulated charter schools is exactly the kind of project Betsy DeVos would relish. And even if she only got her hands on a fraction of that sum, nobody should forget the degree of chaos Arne Duncan managed with only $4 billion in Race to the Top funds at his disposal. In the end, Ms. DeVos may be frustrated less by available funds and a willing Congress than by her own preference for pulling strings outside the limelight. As far back as 1997, she openly admitted that she donated money to Republican politicians in full expectation of getting a return on her investment: "I have decided to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence. Now I simply concede the point. They are right. We do expect something in return. We expect to foster a conservative governing philosophy consisting of limited government and respect for traditional American virtues. We expect a return on our investment." But it is a lot easier to buy the fealty of selected politicians and to hand them legislation to pass into law and to do so from the wings than the try to lead a national effort to convince Americans to gut their public schools. Despite 30 years of a relentless school failure narrative, Americans tend to rate their local school systems fairly highly, and parents with at least one child in school rate them higher still. If Betsy DeVos is going to leverage the promised money for school choice into substantial change, she will have to do something she has never really done - step into the sunlight and talk to us regular folks about why we should gamble our children on her ideas that have such a remarkably poor record. Advertisement I am a forgotten Jew. My roots are nearly 2,600 years old, my ancestors made landmark contributions to world civilization, and my presence was felt from North Africa to the Fertile Crescent -- but I barely exist today. You see, I am a Jew from the Arab world. No, that's not entirely accurate. I've fallen into a semantic trap. I predated the Arab conquest in just about every country in which I lived. When Arab invaders conquered North Africa, for example, I had already been present there for more than six centuries. Today, you cannot find a trace of me in most of this vast region. Try seeking me out in Iraq. Remember the Babylonian exile from ancient Judea, following the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE? Remember the vibrant Jewish community that emerged there and produced the Babylonian Talmud? Do you know that in the ninth century, under Muslim rule, we Jews in Iraq were forced to wear a distinctive yellow patch on our clothing -- a precursor of the infamous Nazi yellow badge -- and faced other discriminatory measures? Or that in the eleventh and fourteenth centuries, we faced onerous taxes, the destruction of several synagogues, and severe repression? Advertisement And I wonder if you have ever heard of the Farhud, the breakdown of law and order, in Baghdad in June 1941. As an AJC specialist, George Gruen, reported: "In a spasm of uncontrolled violence, between 170 and 180 Jews were killed, more than 900 were wounded, and 14,500 Jews sustained material losses through the looting or destruction of their stores and homes. Although the government eventually restored order... Jews were squeezed out of government employment, limited in schools, and subjected to imprisonment, heavy fines, or sequestration of their property on the flimsiest of charges of being connected to either or both of the two banned movements. Indeed, Communism and Zionism were frequently equated in the statutes. In Iraq the mere receipt of a letter from a Jew in Palestine [pre-1948] was sufficient to bring about arrest and loss of property." At our peak, we were 135,000 Jews in 1948, and we were a vitally important factor in virtually every aspect of Iraqi society. To illustrate our role, here is what the Encyclopedia Judaica wrote about Iraqi Jewry: "During the 20th century, Jewish intellectuals, authors, and poets made an important contribution to the Arabic language and literature by writing books and numerous essays." By 1950 other Iraqi Jews and I were faced with the revocation of citizenship, seizure of assets, and, most ominously, public hangings. A year earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Sa'id had told the British ambassador in Amman of a plan to expel the entire Jewish community and place us at Jordan's doorstep. The ambassador later recounted the episode in a memoir entitled From the Wings: Amman Memoirs, 1947-1951. Advertisement Miraculously, in 1951 about 100,000 of us got out, thanks to the extraordinary help of Israel, but with little more than the clothes on our backs. The Israelis dubbed the rescue Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. Those of us who stayed lived in perpetual fear -- fear of violence and more public hangings, as occurred on January 27, 1969, when nine Jews were hanged in the center of Baghdad on trumped-up charges, while hundreds of thousands of Iraqis wildly cheered the executions. The rest of us got out one way or another, including friends of mine who found safety in Iran when it was ruled by the Shah. Now there are no Jews left to speak of, nor are there monuments, museums, or other reminders of our presence on Iraqi soil for twenty-six centuries. Do the textbooks used in Iraqi schools today refer to our one-time presence, to our positive contribution to the evolution of Iraqi society and culture? Not a chance. 2,600 years are erased, wiped out, as if they never happened. Can you put yourself in my shoes and feel the excruciating pain of loss and invisibility? I am a forgotten Jew. I was first settled in what is present-day Libya by the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy Lagos (323-282 BCE), according to the first-century Jewish historian Josephus. My forefathers and foremothers lived continuously on this soil for more than two millennia, our numbers bolstered by Berbers who converted to Judaism, Spanish and Portuguese Jews fleeing the Inquisition, and Italian Jews crossing the Mediterranean. Advertisement I was confronted with the anti-Jewish legislation of the occupying Italian Fascists. I endured the incarceration of 2,600 fellow Jews in an Axis-run camp in 1942. I survived the deportation of 200 fellow Jews to Italy the same year. I coped with forced labor in Libya during the war. I witnessed Muslim rioting in 1945 and 1948 that left nearly 150 Libyan Jews dead, hundreds injured, and thousands homeless. I watched with uncertainty as Libya became an independent country in 1951. I wondered what would happen to those 6,000 of us still there, the remnant of the 39,000 Jews who had formed this once-proud community -- that is, until the rioting sent people packing, many headed for the newly established State of Israel. The good news was that there were constitutional protections for minority groups in the newly established Libyan nation. The bad news was that they were completely ignored. Within ten years of my native country's independence, I could not vote, hold public office, serve in the army, obtain a passport, purchase new property, acquire majority ownership in any new business, or participate in the supervision of our community's affairs. By June 1967 the die was cast. Those of us who had remained, hoping against hope that things would improve in a land to which we were deeply attached and which, at times, had been good to us, had no choice but to flee. The Six-Day War created an explosive atmosphere in the streets. Eighteen Jews were killed, and Jewish-owned homes and shops were burned to the ground. Advertisement I and 4,000 other Jews left however we could, most of us with no more than a suitcase and the equivalent of a few dollars. I was never allowed to return. I never recovered the assets I had left behind in Libya, despite promises by the government. In effect, it was all stolen -- the homes, furniture, shops, communal institutions, you name it. Still worse, I was never able to visit the grave sites of my relatives. That hurt especially deeply. In fact, I was told that, under Colonel Qaddhafi, who seized power in 1969, the Jewish cemeteries were bulldozed and the headstones used for road building. I am a forgotten Jew. My experience -- the good and the bad -- lives on in my memory, and I'll do my best to transmit it to my children and grandchildren, but how much can they absorb? How much can they identify with a culture that seems like a relic of a distant past that appears increasingly remote and intangible? True, a few books and articles on my history have been written, but-- and here I'm being generous -- they are far from best-sellers. In any case, can these books compete with the systematic attempt by Libyan leaders to expunge any trace of my presence over two millennia? Can these books compete with a world that paid virtually no attention to the end of my existence? Take a look at The New York Times index for 1967, and you'll see for yourself how the newspaper of record covered the tragic demise of an ancient community. I can save you the trouble of looking -- just a few paltry lines were all the story got. Advertisement I am a forgotten Jew. I am one of hundreds of thousands of Jews who once lived in countries like Iraq and Libya. All told, we numbered close to 900,000 in 1948. Today we are fewer than 5,000, mostly concentrated in two moderate countries--Morocco and Tunisia. We were once vibrant communities in Aden, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and other nations, with roots dating back literally 2,000 years and more. Now we are next to none. Why does no one speak of us and our story? Why does the world relentlessly, obsessively speak of the Palestinian refugees from the 1948 and 1967 wars in the Middle East -- who, not unimportantly, were displaced by wars launched by their own Arab brethren -- but totally ignore the Jewish refugees from the 1948 and 1967 wars? Why is the world left with the impression that there's only one refugee population from the Arab-Israeli conflict, or, more precisely, the Arab conflict with Israel, when, in fact, there are two refugee populations, and our numbers were somewhat larger than the Palestinians? I've spent many sleepless nights trying to understand this injustice. Should I blame myself? Perhaps we Jews from Arab countries accepted our fate too passively. Perhaps we failed to seize the opportunity to tell our story. Look at the Jews of Europe. They turned to articles, books, poems, plays, paintings, and film to recount their story. They depicted the periods of joy and the periods of tragedy, and they did it in a way that captured the imagination of many non-Jews. Perhaps I was too fatalistic, too shell-shocked, too uncertain of my artistic or literary talents. Advertisement But that can't be the only reason for my unsought status as a forgotten Jew. It's not that I haven't tried to make at least some noise; I have. I've organized gatherings and petitions, arranged exhibitions, appealed to the United Nations, and met with officials from just about every Western government. But somehow it all seems to add up to less than the sum of its parts. No, that's still being too kind. The truth is, it has pretty much fallen on deaf ears. You know that acronym -- MEGO? It means "My eyes glazed over." That's the impression I often have when I've tried raising the subject of the Jews from Arab lands with diplomats, elected officials, and journalists -- their eyes glaze over (TEGO). No, I shouldn't be blaming myself, though I could always be doing more for the sake of history and justice. There's actually a far more important explanatory factor. We Jews from the Arab world picked up the pieces of our shattered lives after our hurried departures -- in the wake of intimidation, violence, and discrimination -- and moved on. Most of us went to Israel, where we were welcomed. The years following our arrival weren't always easy -- we started at the bottom and had to work our way up. We came with varying levels of education and little in the way of tangible assets. But we had something more to sustain us through the difficult process of adjustment and acculturation: our immeasurable pride as Jews, our deeply rooted faith, our cherished rabbis and customs, and our commitment to Israel's survival and well-being. Advertisement Some of us -- somewhere between one-fourth and one-third of the total -- chose to go elsewhere. Jews from the French-speaking Arab countries gravitated toward France and Quebec. Jews from Libya created communities in Rome and Milan. Egyptian and Lebanese Jews were sprinkled throughout Europe and North America, and a few resettled in Brazil. Syrian Jews immigrated to the United States, especially New York, as well as to Mexico City and Panama City. And on it went. Wherever we settled, we put our shoulder to the wheel and created new lives. We learned the local language if we didn't already know it, found jobs, sent our children to school, and, as soon as we could, built our own congregations to preserve the rites and rituals that were distinctive to our tradition. I would never underestimate the difficulties or overlook those who, for reasons of age or ill health or poverty, couldn't make it, but, by and large, in a short time we have taken giant steps, whether in Israel or elsewhere. I may be a forgotten Jew, but my voice will not remain silent. It cannot, for if it does, it becomes an accomplice to historical denial and revisionism. I will speak out because I will not allow the Arab conflict with Israel to be defined unfairly through the prism of one refugee population only, the Palestinian. Advertisement I will speak out because what happened to me is now being done, with eerie familiarity, to other minority groups in the region, the Christians and Yazidis, and once again I see the world averting its eyes, as if denial ever solved anything. From climate change to habitat loss, animals around the world are suffering steep population declines. Adding to their plight is a global demand for exotic wildlife products, which has triggered an industrial-scale killing spree of endangered species like elephants, rhinos, tigers and other endangered animals. Losing the ability to appreciate these majestic creatures in their natural habitats is not only dispiriting on a moral and emotional level, but has serious implications for multiple industries that depend on tourism dollars. Companies in the travel and tourism sectors must band together to combat this crisis--not just for the sake of the wildlife being hunted, but for the sake of their livelihoods as well. We have already lost 58% of wildlife in the last four decades, and by 2020, we may lose two-thirds. Elephants are in a particularly precarious situation: the Great Elephant Census reveals a 30% population drop in the last seven years. Diminished elephant populations cost $25 million a year in lost tourism revenues, and as more of these animals are poached in the pursuit of creating and selling ivory trinkets, these losses will undoubtedly increase. The same is true for other wildlife that are poached and sold for parts, threatening tourism in many parts of the world while enabling an illegal, dangerous industry of poaching, corruption, trafficking, and terrorism. Fortunately, the world is waking up to this bleak reality, and the travel and tourism business community is taking action. Several companies like JetBlue Airways, Royal Caribbean Ltd., and Carnival Corporation have joined forces with other businesses, non-profits and government agencies to raise awareness about the trafficking crisis and reduce the demand for wildlife products that are fueling the killings through the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance. They are taking steps to educate travelers about how to make smart purchasing choices while on vacation and ensure they are not contributing to the demand for wildlife products and fueling the killing of endangered species. These remarkable efforts by the travel and tourism industry fall under the umbrella of a wider U.S. response. In 2015, President Obama established a task force to develop and implement a National Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking that seeks to reduce supply, interrupt transport, and eliminate demand for illegal products. Federal agencies have also partnered with African and Asian governments to help reduce demand. As one of the largest markets for illegal wildlife products, the U.S. can - and must - lead the way to reduce the scourge of killing around the world. JetBlue Airways can be a model to other companies in this industry. In partnership with the Alliance and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, JetBlue has produced a short film that informs travelers of the role they can play in protecting Caribbean wildlife and preserving the region's ecosystem. The video, which has begun airing on all JetBlue flights, is raising awareness about the illegal trade of the Caribbean's plants and animals. Often unknowingly, travelers may help fuel the illegal trade of animal species such as sea turtles, coral, and wild birds, which are a big draw for tourism and impact the livelihoods of local residents. Cruise lines are making commitments as well, and travel industry associations are taking unprecedented steps to ensure their travelers know what to look for and that their staff is prepared to guide customers away from purchases that fuel this trade. Through these kinds of education efforts, we can reduce the demand for products that use endangered wildlife parts, and thereby reduce the poaching of wildlife. This will save their lives and bolster the livelihoods of travel and tourism companies worldwide. This is an exciting new front in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. When travelers know how they can do their part to stem the global demand for illegal wildlife products, we can help save the world's most iconic species - and help preserve opportunities for future generations to travel and enjoy their grandeur as well. You can say a lot about President-elect Donald Trump. You can try not to say too much that would demean him in hopes he'll come to his senses, govern rationally on issues as important as climate change and be the Donald Trump who praised Hillary Clinton in 2008 in modest tones. But one comes to the conclusion that he is, in a potentially dangerous way, immodest. Ursula K. Le Guin writes, "In the political arena, modesty has usually been rather a pose than a position. For most politicians, exhibitionism is the norm, sometimes with an effort to ground self-praise on an ethical basis, often showing only a seamless disregard for realistic self-judgment." She continues later, on how we can respond to powerful pride: "Modesty's weak point is that it may permit arrogance in others. Its strong point is that in the long run arrogance doesn't fool it." I received an email about my letter to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's office saying, "Dear David: I appreciate you taking the time to reach out to my office about the Clean Power Plan in Illinois. My staff is reviewing your message. Please know I value your opinion and thank you for sharing it with me. Hearing from people in Illinois gives me a better idea of what is impacting local communities across the state. Knowing those opinions helps me make decisions for you in Springfield." Advertisement Helps me make better decisions for you. If this probably not clearly intentioned wording doesn't explain the problem of government, it at least speaks to the need to continue to press for expanded democracy. And it smacks of the immodest role those in power feel they have earned, instead of the humbling acceptance of the voice of the people. Albert Einstein said, "Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value." How is it that a person who had as much success as Einstein--indeed his ideas about things like gravitational waves are still having success--came to conclude that there is something more important than mere success, influence or power? Modesty is an important value, one that often comes about when we are assured that we can move forward without constantly reassessing our worthiness. In this sense, does faith matter? Does a certain optimism need to be felt, that when we leap the net will appear? I think labels like "theist," "agnostic," and "atheist" are unimportant. No matter what we ascribe to whatever we like, we still move in our idiosyncratic ways. It is what we aspire to that is more important than the labels we use to describe our action in the world. I have met very nice atheists and very hypocritical theists. Advertisement In his work on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Steven Hayes researches what helps people who are struggling most. When we're struggling, we are fooled by the symmetry of good and bad thoughts and feelings. We try to move toward the good but are dragged down by its self-undermining nature. It is only when we orient toward our values--which transcend current conditions--and accept whatever thoughts and feelings may come that we can become functional again, motivated again. One has to be somewhat modest to learn to give up the struggle and orient to something transcendent, whether grand or ordinary. When companies must make decisions, there are many factors that contribute to the riskiness of the process. If the company is behaviorally young and flexible, and the founder or leader is fully in control, making decisions is not as dangerous as it is later when the company is large and set in its ways. In a relatively small company and behaviorally young, If the leader makes a mistake, s/he can correct it promptly. S/he is close to the action and can identify the mistake and since s/he is in control s/he can take prompt corrective actions. This is not the case in large, multinational companies. First of all, as a CEO or top executive in a large company you may be far from where the mistake is being realized. You may not even be aware of it unless the company gets sued by clients or government. That is what happened to Ken Lay of Enron. He was truly not aware of what was happening to Enron--even his lawyers and auditors were telling him all was kosher. Even if a CEO is aware that his decision has created a mess, his capability to make corrective actions is limited. The larger a company is and the older it is behaviorally, the more political they become. As CEO you have to maneuver through internal and external power structures to make corrective actions if your initial decision was a mistake. The reality is you do not have much room to maneuver in a highly intensive, politically ridden organization. Advertisement If a decision you made is at first resisted by the existing power structure, and you overcome that resistance, the decision now becomes embedded in the political structure of the company. The more they resisted the deeper are the roots of your decision when you finally overcame the resistance. Now, if you try to change it there is new and stronger resistance to change because the roots are deeper. That is what I believe happened to Wells Fargo. A decision was made somewhere in the structure to reward people based on how many accounts they opened. It became clear that bogus accounts were being opened and unjustified bonuses granted. Did the company make money on these bogus accounts? I do not believe so. How can you make money on unfunded accounts and it costs money to open and then close them because they were not funded. I don't believe the fees charged would have covered the administrative expense of opening and closing these accounts, not to mention the bonuses paid. So why did Wells Fargo continue doing it? I believe it continued because changing a decision was not easy. People were relying on the bonus structure; Sales goals and budgets were based on the projections of how many accounts would be opened; Top executives probably had it as part of their KPI goals. Much was involved here. It was easy to make the decision to implement this policy, but once the decision had deep roots, uprooting the tree that grew from this decision was not easy. True top management could issue an edict to stop the bonus system but it needed to replace it with something else or peoples income will be impacted and it needed to change the whole business model. Can be done but it is not as easy as it looks. The larger and older behaviorally the company is, the more carefully it has to navigate while making decisions. Choices should be very well thought through and tested on a small scale before being implemented company wide. Advertisement The bigger you are, the slower you should move. On paper, many decisions look good, especially ones designed by consultants who have no experience in the field. Consultants are not responsible for the success or failure of their recommendations I hope this explains why I am scared of Donald Trump becoming the President of the USA. He shoots from the hip, changing decisions when it suits him from moment to moment. I do not see him as the leader of change. I see him as the potential leader of chaos. America is not just another hotel project, regardless of how large and tall it is going to be. (Even with hotel projects Trump went bankrupt more than once.) America is a complicated, enormous, interdependent machine, where turning one wheel turns thousands of others. It is easy to break the machine and create havoc. Our situation is like a very sophisticated mine that needs to be dismantled slowly, carefully, and patiently. Make fewer, carefully considered decisions, rather than rushing to make many decisions carelessly. Then one doesn't need to rush to blame others when these decisions backfire. Advertisement Furthermore , the best remedy is to open the channels for communication from bottom up so that the mistakes can be identified promptly and corrective action be taken promptly. Adizes program for organizational transformation is a tool designed to achieve that. Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, and two days before Cyber Monday, is a relatively new national campaign to drive business to stores once known as Mom & Pop Shops. While we think of Black Friday as the day to shop department store deals and Cyber Monday as a day to shop online deals, Small Business Saturday is a day to shop local and support non-franchised stores. Independent bookstores have their own name for this day: Indies First Day. On Indies First Day this year, like many authors across the country, I had the wonderful pleasure of being a guest bookseller at two independent bookstores in New Jersey. I spent the morning at The Town Book Store in Westfield, NJ and the afternoon at [words] Bookstore in Maplewood, NJ. It was a fabulous experience to talk to customers and get an idea of what they like to read, how they like to read and why they shop local. It felt very much like I was on an episode of Cheers. Loyal customers walked into these shops and were greeted by name, conversations about Thanksgiving and kids and, well, books, felt really personal. There was a clear sense of community in these shops. I could immediately see the pull. In a world that seems increasingly impersonal, the local independent bookstore is anything but. A sampling of what I heard that day: "How'd you like that book?" "I went to that play you recommended." "Did your son come home for Thanksgiving?" "I put a book on hold a few weeks ago and I forgot to pick it up." "Yup, it's right here." "That guy knows more about new books than we do." "Storytime is gonna start in a minute." "I wish that author would hurry up with her next book." That last comment was directed at me. Insert sigh. Several customers talked to me about their own writing aspirations. One woman started writing a book many years ago but lost all of her research on a crashed computer. It was painful to listen to her story, to see on her face that she couldn't reconcile that loss, nor could she ratchet up what it would take to start over. Another writer told me he's been thinking about starting a book. He would have started it already but he doesn't know which of his four ideas to work on. I suggested maybe writing a few sentences of each to see which excited him the most. Start typing--get it out of your head--you can't edit a blank piece of paper, after all, I reminded. Another man told me he wrote a book under a pseudonym, which he's never told his friends or family about it. Listening to these people, I got a familiar feeling in my chest. It feels similar to having a walnut lodged midway down one's esophagus. This mid-chest phantom affliction I get is called fear. Some writers are able to bury it, others wear it on their sleeve. Some wear it on their face. As I write this, I recall the first time I read the word "fear" associated with writing, and the word "courageous" associated with a writer. This was before I started writing myself. How could it be considered "courageous" to write, I thought. Courage is something a soldier needs on a battlefield. Or a surgeon in the O.R. What the heck was a "fearless" writer? What were the fearful afraid of? I didn't understand any of this. It was nonsense to me. Until I started writing. Actually, that's not true. Because when I started writing, I never thought about publishing. I was writing for myself. It was joyous! And fun. And relatively easy. I didn't know or plan on it becoming a book one day. Thank god! I'm sure that would've ended the joy, fun and ease to a full stop. My advice for someone who aspires to write a book but is sidelined for whatever reason: write for just yourself. Don't share it with anyone until you're finished. Write it secretly. As if no one will ever read it. Hopefully, the floodgates will open, because you'll be fearless. Don't worry about what it will become. Or what it won't become. There will be plenty of days to worry in the future--but by then you'll have a complete book! Just remember, it's impossible for anyone to read a book that's stuck in your head. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States - November 19, 2016: Protesters carry signs during ongoing Anti-Trump protests, with more then a thousand participating, on Nov. 19, 2016, in Center City Philadelphia, PA. The shocking victory of Donald Trump detonated a storm that illuminated the despair, anger and fear in our woefully divided nation. Many supporters of Trump have found themselves dumbfounded by this response, particularly to the widespread protests, and dismissed the response as sheer disappointment in the Democratic Party's defeat. Much like this election has been unlike any other; Trump's victory is also unprecedented in many ways. The heart of the resistance against Trump is nonpartisan. His most dangerous ideas and despicable behavior are not a byproduct of his party affiliation. Advertisement The rampant racism, bigotry and hate he embraced and encouraged throughout his campaign are not Republican values. This was keenly apparent as he was condemned by many prominent Republicans and failed to obtain the endorsement of a single former president. The Republicans that courageously denounced Trump may find themselves pariahs in their own party, but I believe history will one day cast light on their audacity. I've personally been disappointed in previous election results. It's disheartening when a newly elected president doesn't share your opinions regarding healthcare, foreign policy or a host of other issues. But it's not simply a difference of opinion when Trump erroneously generalizes an entire group of immigrants as rapists and criminals, for example. Citizens are not merely disappointed by Trump's victory. For many, the victory is a surreal nightmare terrified Americans are praying to wake from. If [Trump] declared himself a Democrat, that would not make his malevolence less alarming. Trump has not historically been loyal to the Republican Party as he's changed both personally changed parties and financially contributed to both Democratic and Republican candidates in the past. He's also faltered on issues many Republicans value -- such as abortion, marriage equality and healthcare reform to name a few. Trump's positions are so inconsistent, for all we know he may adopt a more progressive platform. If he declared himself a Democrat, that would not make his malevolence less alarming. His utter lack of experience is unmatched as he's the first president elected to have never held elected office or served in the military. Although he has frequently boasted about his extensive business experience, his reputation as a businessman has been plagued with scandal, failures, bankruptcy and allegations of wrongdoing. Placing someone so inexperienced with such inconsistent positions in such a powerful position is a risk. Much like it was difficult to predict the outcome of the election, the likelihood of success in a Trump presidency is as erratic as his behavior. Advertisement Amid concerns that he's inept, a huge fraud settlement and questionable appointments to his administration, he's spending his valuable time having Tweet wars when he should be reassuring the American people. While our nation is deeply divided and distressed, the world is watching. Trump has been viewed as a buffoon to many during the campaign and now he's been elected as our nation's representative. It's demoralizing to be represented by someone whose foreign policy is to "bomb the hell outta them", promotes Islamophobia and is rarely successful in having a conversation without saying something utterly offensive. Hillary Clinton cautioned voters that "a man you can bait with a tweet is not a man you can trust with nuclear weapons." During the tumultuous transition thus far, he appears to be more focused on condemning a Broadway cast for exercising their first amendment rights than selecting his cabinet and preparing for the presidency. Amid concerns that he's inept, a huge fraud settlement and questionable appointments to his administration, he's spending his valuable time having Tweet wars when he should be reassuring the American people. President Obama encouraged us to give Trump a chance, which I plan to do. I sincerely hope he does not follow through on his absurd and horrific campaign promises. I hope he's a good president. After all, his failure would be to our peril. Advertisement Inspired by President Obama, who fulfilled his ultimate campaign promise and revived hope in many, I will remain hopeful of our future. But I will also be vigilant and vow to hold Trump accountable, while demanding the same of our congressional representatives. Dissent is a fundamentally patriotic act. I intend to exercise my constitutional right to stand against Trump when and if he sanctions something that conflicts with the values that truly make America great. Pregnant businesswoman working in office The disturbing consequences of inadequate paid leave are all too familiar to families in countries where affordable leave is insufficient, and especially in the United States, which lacks a government policy altogether. A factory worker back at work just three weeks after giving birth had to pump milk in the parking lot on breaks. A hotel worker lost her job because no positions were available to accommodate two to three unpaid 15-minute breaks to pump milk over the course of an eight-hour shift. We can do better as a nation. When taking time off after giving birth means risking a paycheck, everything becomes arduous -- healing, bonding with the baby, breastfeeding. Clearly breastfeeding should not be a luxury afforded only to those fortunate enough to have jobs with generous paid leave policies or wealthy enough not to miss one parent's income. Governments need to invest in guaranteed paid family and medical leave and other policies so that families don't have to win the job lottery to give their children the healthiest start to life. Advertisement The benefits of exclusive and continued breastfeeding for at least six months and up to two years have been clearly demonstrated: a lower risk of infant mortality -- to the tune of 800,000 lives saved worldwide--and of diabetes, malnutrition, stunting, and other chronic diseases. There are also benefits for the mother, including lower risk of adult diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, and obesity. Ensuring paid family leave and other supports to breastfeeding parents is not at odds with the interests of employers; it's actually good for business. Breastfeeding contributes to a smarter, more productive workforce through better brain development, greater educational achievement, and stronger immune systems. And when women have access to paid leave, private areas to breastfeed or express milk, and other workplace accommodations such as child care, they are more likely to stay with a company, advance in their careers, and have fewer absences, benefitting companies' bottom lines and their family finances. It's been almost 20 years since the International Labour Organization issued a mandate that guarantees women 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and breaks to accommodate breastfeeding on the job, and prohibits job loss or a reduction in pay for reasons relating to maternity. Other countries have risen to this standard or exceeded it, going even further to provide parental leave to both mothers and fathers - whose involvement boosts infant well-being and successful breastfeeding. So why is the United States so quick to deny families these proven benefits? Why do we insist women move mountains to breastfeed their babies, overcoming all the barriers thrown in their way? It doesn't have to be like this. While the United States leaves working mothers to fend for themselves, other high income countries like Canada and Sweden and middle-income countries like Vietnam, Kenya and the Philippines have all expanded paid leave and taken steps to help facilitate breastfeeding at work. This in turn leads to lower healthcare costs and parents who actually report higher levels of happiness compared with parents in the United States. The United States is only one of two industrialized nations in the world that doesn't offer paid leave and ranks last among countries in the industrialized world with supportive policies for women who want to breastfeed. Advertisement There has been progress in promoting paid family and medical leave in the United States, through strong public interest, paid leave programs in a handful of states and a federal proposal, the FAMILY Act. Numerous private companies--including Deloitte, Virgin Airlines, Spotify, Netflix, Google, and Facebook, all successful global leaders--have announced generous policies in an effort to attract and retain talented workers, steps that should be motivational to government leaders. We need governments in every country to demonstrate leadership in this area. We can't just tout the benefits of breastfeeding - we need to make it possible by investing in concrete policies: lactation counseling in health centers; paid leave; private spaces to breastfeed or express milk in offices, retailers and airports; and flexible schedules at work. It's time to meet the standards set by the ILO and the progress of other nations as we improve the United States' workplace policies and societal norms when it comes to breastfeeding. It's time to make sure no mother has to pump milk in a factory parking lot three weeks after giving birth. It's time to do better. France Begin is Senior Nutrition Adviser for Infant & Young Child Nutrition at UNICEF Headquarters in New York and has more than 25 years of experience in international nutrition. James M. Perry was a WWII Marine veteran who began his career at Leatherneck Magazine (Marine Corps), and then worked for thirty-five years covering politics for the National Observer and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Perry was influential in furthering the careers of other journalists who crossed his path, and was among those who helped shape the political-writing beat of a generation. As part of his work, Mr. Perry often traveled the world with Presidents to cover their journeys abroad. He was with President John F. Kennedy's entourage when the President was assassinated in Dallas, TX. He is the author of a number of books, including, Arrogant Armies: Great Military Disasters and the Generals Behind Them (2008), A Bohemian Brigade: The Civil War Correspondents Mostly Rough, Sometimes Ready (2000), The New Politics: The Expanding Technology of Political Manipulation, (1968), and Barry Goldwater: A New Look at a Presidential Candidate, National Observer, (1964). In 1997 Mr. Perry was awarded the prestigious National Press Club's Fourth Estate Award for a distinguished career in journalism. Other recipients of this award include, Walter Cronkite (1973), Bob Schieffer (2010), Jim Lehrer (2011), Gwen Ifill (2015), and Wolf Blitzer (2016). U.S. President-elect Donald Trump appointed retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser earlier this month. Flynn will play a pivotal role in U.S. foreign policy. His career's center of gravity was fighting in the Middle East. He served in multiple posts as intelligence officer in Iraq and Afghanistan and head of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). President Barack Obama effectively fired Flynn from the DIA for objecting to how the wars in the Middle East were being fought and how intelligence was carried out. It's difficult to know his views on most of the world. He visited Russia at Moscow's expense and met with President Vladimir Putin. I also visited Russia at their expense. I didn't meet Putin, but rather lesser figures appropriate to my lack of status. You can meet someone, like someone and not be seduced by them. This is less a defense of Flynn than a defense of all of us who travel to faraway places, drink heavily and manage to stay sober. Advertisement That said, Flynn is not a complete mystery. His views of wars in the Middle East are clear, peculiar and provide a sense of his views on other things. The Wrong Approach While running intelligence in Afghanistan, Flynn objected to the way the war was fought. He believed the enemy was not understood, and that military intelligence focused on the purely tactical failed to provide material from which strategy could be formed. The essential criticism he made was that the enemy's nature was being neglected. He also believed that rather than steeping themselves in history, the intelligence community was focused on mounting operations against various objectives. They failed to realize that victories didn't add up to winning the war. From Flynn's perspective, wars in the region were deeply embedded in history, particularly the history of Islam. The forces the United States was fighting didn't spring to life a few years ago. They were part of the deep structure of Islamic doctrine, and such conflicts were a recurring theme in Islamic history. Advertisement He blamed two forces for this. One was Obama's reticence to recognize what the Taliban or Islamic State willingly acknowledged: their rootedness in Islam. He also blamed U.S. intelligence. U.S. intelligence had focused warfighting on destroying al-Qaida, IS and the Taliban. U.S. intelligence method consisted of identifying senior leadership, using intelligence gathering to locate that leadership, and then killing them with air strikes, drones or special operations units. The assumption was that removing the fighting entity would end the war. Eliminating the command structure would eliminate the fighting entity. Flynn objected to this by pointing out that over a decade, the enemy hadn't collapsed. In the long term, it had maintained its strength. Flynn argued this was an ingenuous strategy that suffered from any serious grasp of what motivated groups. First, groups like al-Qaida and IS that arose historically drew their strength from moral values and communities sharing those values. If you destroy one group, another will arise. Challenging Assumptions Flynn's point was that a dual problem existed. The first was that Obama's refusal to recognize that groups the U.S. was fighting did not spring out of nothingness or some marginal source vaguely connected to Islam. This was not a marginal group of malcontents but an integral part of Islam. He felt that denying that cost the U.S. casualties without hope of a victory. Advertisement But he also slammed the intelligence community for putting aside analysis from the outside. Flynn has a different view of intelligence: Its purpose is to provide the decision-maker with comprehensive knowledge of reality. The doctrine that "if we didn't steal it, it isn't intelligence" provided a limited and sterile background that didn't challenge the assumptions on which the war was based. Flynn's argument was not that all Muslims are terrorists. Rather, without grasping the Islamic roots of these groups you cannot understand why our strategies in the Middle East were failing. The simplistic expectations that eliminating leaders would lead to victory vastly underrated their core strength as individual soldiers. It underestimated the community support that would sustain them. The U.S. was merely cutting fast-growing branches - smaller ones - of a robust tree. If the U.S. didn't get to the roots, the war could not be won. Seeing Clearly What is most interesting is Flynn's attack on the intelligence communities for their inability to grasp that the most important things about the war weren't to be gathered by advanced electronics, but rather by reading books. The open source contains truths that must be learned if the secret intercepts are to make any sense. I suspect he must have read deeply in order to come to this conclusion. Since I confess to having built Geopolitical Futures on this principle, I admire him for it. I imagine that if he recruits Trump for this mission, Flynn can compel U.S. intelligence to see the world more clearly. I strongly suggest he will have a very different war in mind, or argue for ending it. What he will argue for the rest of the world is less clear. Advertisement As a soldier he understands about not undertaking missions built to fail. He wants to make certain he can survive both victory and defeat. And he knows war is not an abstract concept. More importantly, he will grasp the necessity of looking at the world through the enemies' eyes to recognize their weaknesses. We have vivid memory banks stored with category after category of powerful recollections. Some memories of our parents, grandparents and other family members are so significant they shape our personalities and play a role in determining our life styles. Though our grandparents are gone they are not invisible for we are aware of their visibility through our own mirror. I think it is important to share our family memories with our grands. Our history is part of their history. To be able to take them back in time and tell them stories about the history of their family members is important and in many instances, inspiring. I suspect that some of my grands will read this story because last week I wrote a story about their grandfather being taken by ambulance to the emergency room of Eisenhower Hospital. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many of my grands were reading my blogs because phone calls, texts and emails started pouring in. Our grandson, Joe, studying in China, called from Beijing! Advertisement Unlike most of my grands, I was very fortunate to have shared my growing up years well into adulthood with my grandparents. I adored them and little parts of each of them are embedded within me... their personas tied up neatly in a bow. As I was growing up I happily latched onto the positive impressions that are with me to this day. At the time, as a child, I had no idea I was doing this. I do not believe my grands are thinking to themselves, "When I am an adult I am going to have some of my grandmother's qualities." My goal of grand parenting is to leave a lasting and positive impression on my grands by showing them, not buying them, how to live an abundant life. I believe that though they don't realize it they are observing me and I feel certain that some of me will become part of them. To prove my point here is my story... I am packing for Europe and my mind flashes not on what I should pack, but back in time to my grandfather, Paul Lang. Instead of packing, I pick up my computer, put my fingers on my keyboard and write the story you are now reading. Advertisement My grandfather fled Europe all alone, as a very young man, to seek asylum and good fortune in the United States. He walked through Ellis Island, traveled across the USA, God only knows how, and settled purposely in Kankakee by the Sea. He had a relative who lived in the little town. He spoke no English, had no money. When he passed away in his 80s, he left a legacy for all fourteen of his grands to copy and admire. My grandfather had five sons and fourteen grands. We all grew up in Kankakee by the Sea. We were known and respected as the larger than life Lang Family. As a little girl, I observed this grandfather of mine. He was a man who spoke little, with broken English, but accomplished much. He never told me how to live my life yet he did, unknowingly, show me. And this, dear readers, is the key to being a role model to all your grands. It is not the gifts you bestow on them that will produce a solid person, it is your story and your lifestyle that hopefully will lead them on a solid journey. As a young granddaughter I watched this grandfather of mine. An ardent observer, though I did not know it at the time, I must have admired what I saw, because as a young married woman, I noticed that many of his interests and his values became a part of me. I have wished often that I could tell him. Every Sunday, my grandfather made the rounds to his five sons' home to visit his grands. He never stayed long but his family was important to him and he wanted us to know. Often on a Monday night we would go to my grandparents' home for dinner. We sat in the den until dinner was served, and I remember always staring at his artifacts on the den shelves. Advertisement There were the Pyramids from Egypt, animal carvings from Africa, a replica of the Eiffel Tower, Jerusalem stone carvings from Israel and that was just a start. This grandfather of mine, with no formal education who spent his young life as a poor boy in Europe and settled in the provincial town of Kankakee by the Sea, became a world traveler, traveling around the world by ship every year after he retired. And on every trip he never forgot his family. He took the time to buy each of his grands and his daughters-in-law presents from a city or a country he and my grandmother visited. I still have a ring he brought home from Egypt. Of his fourteen grandchildren, I believe I am the only grandchild that saw the twinkle in his blue eyes when he talked in broken English of his travels around the world. I gather he and his collections left a lasting impression on me because I know I have his adventuresome spirit. I picked up on his lifestyle; he was interested in learning about cultures all over the world and did something about it...he explored. I hope I have had some impact on my grands; that they notice my lust for exploring the world and then, that they do it. You see the importance of one generation of family to the next, dear readers of mine, is how we share our lifestyles. My grandfather left me with one of my strongest values: religion. I carry my religion as a badge of honor. Again, this was due in observing his actions when I was a little girl. I was told my grandfather was a Talmud scholar and I thought that was very special. When I would attend my Synagogue with my family, my grandfather always sat in the first seat in the second row on the left. The entire Lang family sat behind him. He was the first member called to the pulpit to read in Hebrew from the Torah. The sanctuary was named after my family. He was charitable and gave until it hurt! My grandfather was undeniably my religious role model. I have held on to his teachings all of my life and tried to pass on the importance of Judaism to my grands. Again, you see the importance from one generation of family on to the next generation, dear readers of mine, how we continue to share our values. As a grandmother to twenty-four grands, I deemed it very important to pass on my feelings about Judaism. I did this with painstaking effort, needle pointing most of them Tallit Bags to hold their first Tallit that I carried home from Israel. I am sure they notice a Mezuzah, a sign of faith, on every door post outside and inside our homes. They were all in attendance when I celebrated my Bat Mitzvah, many bringing their Tallit bags holding their first Tallit from their grandmother. I am continuing the tradition of Judaism passed on to me by my grandfather, from generation to generation. Advertisement I hope, as you hope, that we will remain a very positive light in our grands hearts and minds. I feel it is my obligation -- and surely it is my desire -- to bestow an abundance of good into their lives. I live a distance from all of them so they do not really have the opportunity to get everything I am able to give them emotionally. That saddens me. With the goal of harnessing the untapped potential of Iranian-Americans, and to build the capacity of the Iranian diaspora in effecting positive change in the U.S. and around the world, the West Asia Council has launched a series of interviews that explore the personal and professional backgrounds of prominent Iranian-Americans who have made seminal contributions to their fields of endeavor. Our latest interviewee is Farzaneh Roudi. Farzaneh Roudi has been with the Population Reference Bureau since 1987 and serves as a senior policy analyst and founding Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Ms. Roudi has collaborated with different organizations from the Middle East region and is recognized as an authority on West Asia/Middle East population matters. She has lectured on these topics at the World Bank, academic institutions, and international conferences. She is author of a numerous reports and articles on Middle East population issues. In collaboration with colleagues, she has conducted training workshops on policy communications for researchers in the MENA region working in the area of population and development, to enhance their skills in communicating their findings to policy and program planners in the region and beyond. Ms. Roudi has an MA in demography from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, with additional graduate study in demography at the University of California in Berkeley. She received her BA in sociology from the National University in Iran. Tell our readers where you grew up and walk us through your background. How did your family and surroundings influence you in your formative years? I was born in Shiraz and grew up in Tehran, Iran. My family moved to Tehran when I was nine years old. As far as I remember, there were always family members from Shiraz who lived with us (my parents and my five siblings) So, our household was quite large and vibrant. It was fun! We all understood that our education was a priority for my dad, who had a master's degree in civil engineering. I was the first among my siblings to come to the United States to go to graduate school, after receiving my B.A. from the National University in Tehran in 1974 in sociology. I settled in Washington, DC, and enrolled in an M.A. program in demography at Georgetown University. My attraction to the field of demography came naturally given its major place in the field of sociology, and the fact that I had completed high school in Tehran in the mathematics stream. After receiving my masters at Georgetown, I went back to Iran and worked for two years as a senior demographer at a research institution affiliated with the National Plan and Budget Organization. What I particularly enjoyed about my job was the field trips that we took to villages and small towns to conduct research on topics such as women and labor force participation and rural-to-urban migration. Advertisement I moved back to the U.S. in 1979, settling in the San Francisco area where I continued my graduate studies in demography at the University of California at Berkeley. While a student there, I took a summer internship at the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) in Washington, DC, where I stayed for nearly 30 years and built my career in the field of population and development. In what ways do you help expose experts and the broader public to the lesser known sides of West Asia (aka Middle East)? I have always been surprised by the limits of knowledge in the U.S. about people in West Asia, despite the region's pivotal role in U.S. foreign policy and its regular coverage in the media. At PRB--whose mission is to inform people around the world about population, health, and the environment, and empower them to use that information to advance the well-being of current and future generations--I seized the opportunity to write about the Middle East and give presentations at international conferences, including the ones organized by the World Bank and the United Nations. I initiated PRB's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program in 1991, with the goal of responding to the region's need for objective information and analysis on population and women's reproductive health, knowing that region's sensitivities on these issues demanded a targeted program. As Director of PRB's only regional program, I led the dissemination of the latest data and analyses on MENA's population and development by connecting to researchers in the region and producing user-friendly reports, as well as conducting training programs for local researchers to enhance their skills in communicating their research findings to policy audiences. The program proved to be unique and successful in helping fill the gaps between research and policy on population and development issues in MENA. The reports have been widely read and used beyond their intended audience in the region, including international organizations and the media. Your writings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary work in social policy. Can you elaborate on this concept? Demography is an interdisciplinary field. The demographic profile of a country or a region affects and is affected by a wide range of its social, economic, environmental, and political factors. In my work, I have largely focused on aspects of MENA countries' demography, dealing with women's reproductive health and rights and what they mean for their social and economic progress. In the 1990s, I generally framed my arguments around the Programme of Action of the 1994 UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a framework for slowing population growth and improving people's lives, that for the first time put women's reproductive health high on global agenda by calling for universal access to a full range of safe and reliable family planning methods and related reproductive health services. Since 2000, I have also regularly used arguments put forward in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), signed by 189 governments, committing to combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women. And now I use the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that also call for universal access to quality reproductive health services and ending discrimination against girls and women. Using these international development tools has enriched my advocacy work on improving women's lives in the region. It has also helped lessen sensitivities on discussing women's reproductive health issues, making them less likely to be rejected as Western ideas--ideas such as ending harmful practices of female genital mutilation which is mainly practiced in North Africa and parts of Yemen, and early marriages which is practiced across the region, albeit in varying degrees. The MENA region has come a long way in expanding reproductive health services and improving the wellbeing of girls and women, but still it has a lot to do to catch up and uphold the spirits of these international agreements. The spread of HIV/AIDS in MENA helped reduce cultural sensitivities around conducting research on reproductive health issues beyond maternal health, but policies and programs have yet to benefit from such research. Unemployment rates among women in MENA countries are among the highest in the world despite the fact that the region has the lowest rate of female labor force participation among world's major regions. The low labor force participation is in part attributable to the region's cultural and patriarchal norms that discriminate against girls and women. To be sure, discrimination against girls and women is a major global issue. What makes MENA stand out is that in most of the countries the discrimination is codified into law, especially so in family law. Moreover, the region's oil economy, dominated by men, helps reinforce patriarchal norms and gender discrimination. I should also point to two other sensitive topics when it comes to discussing region's population and development. They relate to political demography of the region. One is the demographic battle that has been going on between Jewish Israelis and Palestinians, casting its shadow over the region. And the other is migration, especially issues pertaining to refugees and labor migrants. Studying these migration trends has its own challenges, considering how fluid and limited migration data are generally, in part because of their political nature. Could you please share with our reader some of your insights and research findings on population and gender issues in Iran? Iran surprised the world when the results of its 1996 census showed fertility rates had declined by more than half in 10 years, from 6.2 births per woman in 1986 to 2.5 births per woman in 1996--the fastest fertility decline experienced by any country ever. Between the 1976 and 1986 censuses, Iran's population increased from 34 million to nearly 50 million, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9 percent--one of the highest rates of population growth in the world--3.2 percent from natural increase and 0.7 percent from immigration. Different sectors of government, such as health, agriculture, and education found it increasingly difficult to accommodate the fast growing population. Some schools, for example, had to go on two or three shifts to accommodate newcomers. After the eight-year war with Iraq ended in 1988, the National Plan and Budget Organization alerted top government leaders of the rapid population growth as an obstacle to economic and social well being of the country. This effort led the government to adopt a national population policy to slow population growth and have the ministry of health and medical education take the lead in a public campaign about the need for a national family planning program. In December 1989, the program was officially inaugurated and began providing modern contraceptive methods free of charge to married couples across the country, helping women avoid unintended pregnancies. It is worth noting that Iran had a family planning program during Shah, which was dismantled in the first days of the 1979 revolution because of its connections with the royal family and USAID. Advertisement The level and speed of Iran's fertility decline was beyond any expectation. The first official target of the family planning program, as reflected in the government's development plan, was to reduce the total fertility rate to 4.0 births per woman by 2011. By 2000, the rate was already half of the state goal, at 2.0 births per woman. What brought such a drastic change in the Iranian women's reproductive behavior was that numerous factors came together at the same time: First, Iran's primary health care system was developed enough to deliver family planning services across the country, including rural areas through its nationwide health centers and mobile clinics; and second, the government's commitment to remove economic and social barriers to accessing modern contraceptives happened at a time when women's education was rising rapidly and the desire for small family size was rising. Iran's internationally-recognized rural health care network was key in getting modern family planning methods to couples living in rural areas. In only one generation, the fertility rate in rural areas dropped by three-quarters, from 8.1 births per woman in mid 1970s to 2.1 births per woman in 2006. To put this into perspective, it took about 300 years for European countries to experience a similar decline. Your most recent work has focused on Egypt and Iran. What are the major similarities and differences between demographic trends in these two countries? Both countries are heirs to ancient civilizations and have a well-defined sense of national identity. Prior to the Iranian revolution, political relations between the two countries were very close. Over the past few decades, however, with the changing geopolitics of the region, relations have been far less steady. The greatest similarity is that both countries have much unmet potential. I have made dozens of working trips to Egypt and am very fond of the personal and professional relationships I have developed there. In 1990, Egypt and Iran had a similar population size--56 million, according to the UN Population Division. Because of its higher fertility level, Iran had a younger population; the median age in Iran was 17, and 20 in Egypt. Then, Iran's fertility rate declined rapidly, but not so in Egypt. As a result, by 2015, Egypt's population reached to nearly 92 million--11 million more than Iran's. The latest demographic and health surveys in Egypt show that women, on average, have 3.5 births, a rate similar to what it was in the late 1990s. Today, not only does Egypt have a larger population, but its population is younger, giving further momentum to its population growth. Half of Egypt's population is below age 25, which means that in the next 25 years or so they are going to have children, if they haven't done so by now. The median age in Iran is 30 and it is expected to rise to 38 by 2030, while Egypt's median age is expected to rise by only 1 year, rising to 26. Population pressure on Egypt's fragile economy is enormous and evident, increasingly pushing people into poverty. The government recognizes the problem, but whether it succeeds in reigning in the rapid population growth remain to be seen. Different international development agencies have been supporting Egypt by funding social and economic programs, seeing it as a country that's "too big to fall." If current trends continue, by 2030, Egypt's population is expected to reach 117 million--28 million more than Iran's. Like many of our colleagues in the national nonprofit and cultural communities, we at the League of American Orchestras have been discussing the great divisions in our country underscored by the election, and trying to figure out what they mean for our work. At least one thing seems clear: everything is related. The fates of our organizations, our people, and our art form are inextricably bound up in the broader currents of our nation and world, which we ignore at our peril. The erosion of a common belief in civil society and the mistrust of a 'public space' that requires government participation for sustenance cannot be good for the arts, to say nothing of the humanities, social services, education, or healthcare. The ability of orchestras to play their unique role among our fellow social sector sisters and brothers - of promoting our collective and individual humanity and health - is dependent on public policy at the federal, state, and local levels that is committed to democratic values and supporting the public sphere. More than ever, this is a time for our action to be broad based -- for our partnerships to include all arts disciplines, artists, and arts organizations, especially those that have been historically under-supported, as well as the full array of nonprofits that keep our communities healthy. If that seems like "pie in sky," just click here and read about the coalition of arts organizations (big and small) and advocates for the homeless in San Francisco that advanced Proposition S -- a single ballot measure to provide financial assistance from the hotel tax to artists and the homeless alike. While the measure did not receive the two-thirds majority needed for passage, the effort succeeded in binding together a diverse coalition in pursuit of common cause. Advertisement Proposition S in San Francisco was supported by a broad-based coalition of arts and other nonprofit organizations And, while as arts organizations our role may not primarily be that of the architects and designers of America's economic and political order, we can do our work in a way that models the participatory democracy we believe in. I don't mean simply by performing music for its power to bring people together. If we stop there, we have underutilized the full capacity of the music we create. I do mean making our decisions and acting in ways consistent with our values. In her book, Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities, University of Chicago philosopher Martha Nussbaum argues that for a democracy to work successfully, we must cultivate several key abilities associated with both the arts and the humanities: "the ability to think critically, the ability to transcend local loyalties and to approach world problems as a citizen of the world, and finally the ability to imagine sympathetically the predicament of another person." As Donald Trump soon assumes the presidency, a fascinating problem remains Trump's relationship with Vladimir Putin whom he seems to adore. They have numerous similarities. No Russian leader, save Yuri Andropov, ever came from the security forces before Putin. Trump was a wealthy real estate developer and TV personality who never held political office before running for President. Both are egotistical showmen and "tough men." Trump spent 14 years on television looking tough as the director of the Apprentice while Putin loves to be the tough man who demonstrates his physical prowess. Trump wanted to be a professional athlete while Putin was a judoku champion. In their troubled youth, Trump at 10 was sent to military academy while Putin bought a condominium for a woman in Tel Aviv who took care of him when he often left home in anger as a youth. But while Trump gained wealth through real estate deals, Putin "earned" it as Russia's leader. They will have very different roles when they are the leaders of the United States and Russia. Trump will have an 18 trillion dollar capitalist economy, long-term democracy governed by the rule of law, first class Silicon Valley, most of the world's leading universities and 38 million immigrants amid 325 million people. Advertisement The United States has numerous allies all over the world. Spending 660 billion dollars a year on the military, America has strong nuclear forces, over 500 bases around the world, and has remained the world's #1 military superpower for over 70 years. Putin rules a faltering economy with less than a 2 trillion dollars, with minimal capitalism, democracy and rule of law. Its 143 million people have been declining every year save last year. Its GDP/capita is 64th in the world with no modern agricultural or consumer sectors, no Silicon Valley of note, a few good universities and millions of emigrants. Russia has few close allies and is under sanctions from the European Union. Russia has few ports (one in the Middle East) and a very modest navy. The defeat in the Cold War cost Russia 14 new nations, 150 million people and over 2 million square miles of territories. Its army withdrew from the center of Europe to defend Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It does have a strong military (80 billion dollars/year), extensive nuclear forces, intelligence capabilities and state run hitech sector. Russia still has 6.5 million square miles of territory that abut a dozen countries. Advertisement While the United States is looking inwards and worrying about the failure of the wars with Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003), a weaker Russia is looking outwards. While Obama was partly withdrawing from the Middle East, Russia under Putin took back parts of the former Soviet empire in Georgia (2008), Crimea (2014), and Left Bank Ukraine (2015-2016). Russia wants to extend its sphere of influence to Eastern Europe which it controlled not only from 1945-1991 but partially during the Tsarist Empire. The recent elections in Bulgaria, Estonia and Moldova went in a pro-Russian direction. While Hungary and the Czech Republic were already going in their pro-Russian direction, Russia wants to dismantle NATO which would outrage our European allies. Russia also wants an end to sanctions for the invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and a victory for Assad in Syria. It can offer little to the Americans while frightening America's European allies who are physically close to Russia. Russia maintains a strong nuclear arsenal and is mostly remembered for aggressive moves in the Cold War. All this ensures that better relations with Russia mean that Trump will be opposed by Republicans such as Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul. A Gallup poll found 65% of the public viewed Russia unfavorably, 30% were favorable while 39% saw Russia as a military threat to the United States. Furthermore, China, still a Communist state, and Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism, are both coming closer to Russia. This further waves a red flag to many Americans. Advertisement Cochon555's BBQ heritage pork competition, San Francisco Committed to educating chefs and diners to not consume commodity pork raised in harrowing farming operations, Brady Lowe vowed to create a culinary movement promoting heritage breed pigs and family farms. His weapon is an epic culinary tour, Cochon555. By promoting safe and honest food sources, through almost 20 events per year, the tour has since become a movement, spreading its message like wildfire across the nation. Initially five restaurants, five farmers, and five wineries in one city, Cochon 555 has now reached out to thousands of chefs and farmers in over 10 cities. Since 2008, Brady has brought together the best chefs and the best breeds in friendly competitions for a cause...encouraging diners in search of responsibly raised proteins to "stop, think and consider." Prepping at San Francisco's Late Nite Asian Speakeasy pop-up dinner at Tradesman featuring chefs: Shawn Naputi, Jacob Kwan-Rosenthal, Tu David Phu, Francis Ang (lf to rt) Advertisement Inspired by global grilling traditions, each event in the tour is comprised of chefs, mixologists and sommeliers innovating theatre for the palate. At the end of October, in San Francisco, the Heritage BBQ weekend commenced with Cochon555's cult favorite pop-up dinner, Late Nite Asian Speakeasy. This sub-series has also gone national and features 50 of the country's emerging chefs. San Francisco's young talent showcased their culinary skills, one dish at a time, to an entourage of 600+ guests. Taking the stage: Brady Lowe, Shawn Naputi, Francis Ang, Tim Luym, Tu David Phu, Jacob Kwan-Rosenthal This year, Brady has raised the progressive foods bar further by starting Piggy Bank, a non-profit, open source, "eco-system" designed to: Provide free genetics and business plans to emerging family farms Give free heritage piglets to new farmers Inspire the creation of more livestock banks Change our current CAFO system landscape An all-inclusive, six-course meal paying homage to Chinese, Szechuan, Filipino, Korean, and Thai, this particular meal was sponsored by Glenfiddich, and organized by Chef Tu David Phu (formerly of Chez Panisse, Quince, Acquerollo and Daniel Boulud) who teamed with chefs: Tim Luym of Buffalo Theory, Francis Ang of Pinoy Heritage, Shawn Naputi of Prubechu and Savanara Jake Tith. Brady used the event to introduce key Piggy Bank concepts during a three hour dining experience held at Tradesman in the city's Mission District: Piggy Bank will protect heritage breed pigs, support family farming, and build educational resources Piggy Bank will build business value for all within the community Piggy Bank create a genetic sanctuary and promote open access to information Piggy Bank will create an unparalleled value proposition for our community of donors and benefactors Piggy Bank will avoid the over-dependency on any single or dominant revenue source Piggy Bank will support the singularity of local farms in an era of global agricultural ideas Piggy Bank will maintain a culturally diverse staff Advertisement Brady Lowe talking Piggy Bank For the feast, each chef created a dish reflecting their distinct culinary approach as well as working together to pair each bold, spiced driven bite with cocktails and premium wines. To start, small bites were passed during the welcome reception as the crowd mingled: Pomegranate & Chia shooters Chicken Liver Pate & Shrimp Chip Adobo Pork Silog Lap Xuong Shitake Rice Cracker Silver Oak Cellars, Breckenridge Distillery, The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley, Martinez-Lacuesta Vermut & Dry sparkling (see listing of hand-crafted cocktails below) Guests taking snaps of the Pomegranate & Chai shoots being served Then the main courses: Charred Pig Heart "Kinilaw" by Timothy Luym With Chicories/Coconut Vinegar/Chiles/Shallot paired with 2013 Twomey Monument Tree Pinot Noir Pork Ribs by Savanara Jake Tith Mesquite smoked/Char Siu Style paired with 2012 Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch Merlot Advertisement Charcuterie Board & Glenn Fiddich Whiskey Shawn Naputi/ Tu David Phu/ Timothy Luym/ Jacob Kwan-Rosenbush Spam & Blood Orange Preserve/Pig Ear Terrine/Chicarrones/Sisig Croquette & Brain Gribirche Paired with 2012 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet and 2007 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Pig Ear Terrine Sausage Shawn Naputi Pork/Shrimp/Banana Leaf/Coconut Paired with 2011 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet 24 Hour Pork Belly Tu David Phu Peppercorn/Soy/Coddled Egg/Yau Choy Paired with 2007 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Tupig A la Plancha Francis Ang Glutinous Rice/Banana Leaf Paired with Glenfidich 12 year, Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 year and Glenfiddich 15 year During the prep, the chefs shared stories and the inspiration behind their dishes...from the kitchen in their own words: Chef Francis Ang of Pinoy Heritage Popups: "My roaming pop-up focuses on contemporary Filipino Food with a nod to tradition. We started this popup a year ago and traveled for six months to different parts of the Philippines. It was an eye opening experience. Growing up in Manila, I could not believe how diverse the Philippines were after going to different regions and provinces. I was humbled by this experience. Advertisement The name of the dish that I'm preparing is Tupig a la Plancha, served with coffee-whiskey sabayon, nut crumble and yuzu ice cream. We learned this dish as we were travelling the northern regions of the Philippines. It is a mixture of glutinous rice flour with young coconut and coconut milk wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over hot river rocks. The scent of the charring banana leaves reminds me of special holidays back home. The warm Tupig has an amazing chewy texture with a very thin crisp coming from the charred bits. The coffee- whiskey sabayon adds extra fat and flavor to the dish and the yuzu ice cream adds a little acidity. Everything balances with texture, flavor and temperatures." (see recipe below) Timothy Luym of Buffalo Theory and Frozen Kuhsterd "Charred Pig Heart is a play on the Filipino kinilaw which is basically a ceviche. Seafood is marinated in vinegar and calamansi lime in the Philippines. Pork hearts are grilled rare and then marinated in coconut vinegar and calamansi citrus, tossed with shallots, Thai chills, ginger, and served with chicories. The grilled aspect gives a nice char and bitterness along with the chicories. The vinegar, Thai chilis, shallots and ginger along with the vinegar and calamansi brighten the iron of pork heart. Flavors: Tart, Spicy, slightly sweet and minerally with bitterness (see recipe below). Toasting the Piggy Bank fundraiser led by Jennifer Wren, Brand Ambassador, Glenfiddich West Throughout the dinner, Brady held court with the diners, inspiring with his mission. He starting with a memorable statement: "Our community believes in having a choice; as much as a voice." His message dovetailed perfectly with Peak Plate's mission: "Our planet's sources are limited, but we wholeheartedly believe there's no limit to the human imagination - or to our capacity to solve formidable problems. We are bold enough to believe that the food we choose to eat can change the course of our planet, and we are brave enough to believe it will improve the broken food system." Advertisement The night's dining was "cultured yet edgy," focusing on Asian faire but using locally sourced ingredients that support sustainable agriculture. Between the intimate inter-section of these food cultures, a setting that felt like someone's living room and the obvious passion expressed by Brady and the chefs, the Asian Speakeasy was as edutainment at its finest as it was delectable. Mark Pasternak of Devils Gulch Ranch supplied the heritage pork for the entire dinner. Mark and his wife, Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak, DVM, have owned Devils Gulch since 1971, offering agriculture and nature educational programs on-site and internationally in Haiti..........but then that's a story unto itself, coming soon. Recipes Tupig a la Plancha Yields 3 dozen servings 12 oz glutinous rice flour 2 cans coconut milk 16 oz coconut flakes 12 oz brown sugar 1/2 oz salt Combine and mix everything in a bowl Cut banana leaves to 8" by 3" and brush with butter Place 3 tablespoons of mix on banana leaves and fold Sear each side for about 3 minutes or until the banana leaves are charred Serve with ice cream and fruit Charred Pig Heart 'Kinilaw' Grill pork hearts rare. Cut into medium dice. Marinate with vinegar, citrus, chilis, shallots, and ginger for four hours. Serve atop chicories. Hand-crafted cocktails: Bling Pig Breckenridge Bourbon, Perfect Puree Caramelized Pineapple, Velvet Falernum, Perfect Puree Yuze Luxe Sour, Simple & Angostura Bitters Advertisement My New Grass Skirt Breckenridge Vodka, Perfect Puree Thai Basil & Black Pepper, Cucumber, Ginger Beer, Bittermans "Elemakkule Tiki Bitters Perfect & Painless Breckenridge Spiced Rum, Perfect Puree Passion Colada, Velvet Falernum, Pineapple & Lime Juices, Spiced Nutmeg Bitters Piggy Back Lacuesta Rojo Vermut, San Pellegrino, Olive, Orange Peel Photography: Julie Ann Fineman unless otherwise noted Republican politicians, here is the perfect playbook to winning conservative hearts, penned by Ari Fleischer, who was George W. Bush's press secretary. It's all about media baiting, and he has provided you with best template for it, in an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal on Monday. The article is disingenuous as hell, but who cares? Fleischer forecasts "a clash" coming between the new administration and the White House press corps, which he depicts as a smug, entitled bunch of liberal miscreants who are out to get poor Donald Trump. Left unmentioned is Trump's very clear flaws that the public needs to know about. Like his thin-skinned rage toward anyone who doesn't toe his line. Like his sometime bizarre actions. Like his conflicts of interest. How dare the media call him to account? They need to know their place. Advertisement Shrewdly, Trump understands that there is no more sure-fire way to whip up a GOP crowd than to tar the news media as a clearly identifiable villain. At campaign rallies, Trump amped up the right's longstanding disdain for the media, by railing at reporters on hand. He incited his followers to scream and curse at these notebook- and camera-toting pariahs, who were confined to pens like prisoners. It's an effective strategy. Long ago, at least since Richard Nixon's time, the base was duped into believing this nonsense. Don't get me wrong: I have many friends among regular Republican folks. They are good people. But they were tricked. The formula to misguide them, perfected back in the day and so well reflected by Fleischer's op-ed, is this: Simply invent a straw man called "the liberal media" and noisily denounce it as your party's enemy (think Emmanuel Goldstein, Big Brother's made-up nemesis in George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four") -- then eureka, you, as a GOP pol, unite your base behind you. And if you get into trouble, say, over a recording where you talk about assaulting women or whatever, you quickly redirect blame to the media. Trump worked that scheme tirelessly, and still does. He said the media somehow created the mass post-election protests against him. The strategy, while creepy, works, so let's grudgingly give credit where credit is due, and dive into this swamp, with Fleischer as our guide. Advertisement By all means, don't let perspective or facts dissuade you from exploiting the base's loathing of journalists. Keep in mind the two equations for GOP pols who pander to the press-hating base: 1) A news story critical of a Republican = liberal media bias 2) A news story critical of a Democrat = a free gift. The second equation comes with a caveat. It was the "liberal" New York Times that broke the story about Hillary Clinton's emails in March 2015. Why would they deliver such a gut-punch to the candidate they supposedly favor? Inconvenient facts like these are best avoided. So just pretend the Hillary emails revelation fell from the sky, and wasn't courtesy of the Times. And don't listen to talk that news people's real bias is news, that they are focused on the story and don't care about who it helps or harms politically. Bob Woodward of Watergate renown was, and maybe still is, a Republican, but that never entered into his anti-Nixon reporting. Ignore stuff like this. Now, I don't know Ari Fleischer, who these days runs his own media consulting firm outside of New York. Judging from his performance as Bush's spokesman, he is an articulate and clever fellow, with a long pedigree in GOP politics, working for Republican lawmakers. The genius of his guidance to media bashers is its use of: False cause and effect. He cites the public's low regard for the press - like a strong poison, this has seeped beyond the right wing -- and tells us its source: The public realizes that "the press is too liberal or unfair." Well, aside from some committed GOP partisans who automatically label all news stories a liberal smear, most of the public doesn't have the time or the inclination to study the media. Advertisement Nevertheless, the general public has heard the constant, well-funded drumbeat of conservative charges against the media. Not to mention reporters' depiction by Hollywood (in films and TV dramas, scribes are noisy, amoral and obnoxious), which may well be equally damaging. Work this fake bad image. Distorted view of journalism's role. Fleischer notes the press' vital function in a free society, then undermines that notion. He goes on to argue that journalists have violated the public's trust by blatant partisanship. He writes: "A casual glance at most front pages and network news lends credence to the president-elect when he complains about his coverage." The sub-text: Reporters should ignore Trump's long series of outrageous statements and outright falsehoods. If the Times says that Trump has no evidence to claim there were millions of illegal votes on Nov. 8, denounce it for bias. And don't let contrary evidence distract you. For instance, Hillary Clinton, no stranger to negative coverage, has had a deep distrust of reporters and, as a candidate, went six months without holding a press conference. Instead, keep in mind the Republican mantra is that reporters are in her pocket. Mis-use of statistics. A number of polls are kicking around that show most journalists are liberals and vote Democratic. Certainly, these polls tend to be simplistically worded and drawn from small samples. Two fine studies give a more accurate picture: The University of Indiana discovered that most journalists are independents, and the Pew Research Center established that most are moderates. Disregard that bothersome stuff. Advertisement Fleischer cites a Columbia Journalism Review article that, based on federal filings, found about 500 journalists -- less than 1% of the newsroom population -- who gave money to Clinton and Trump, with 96% of them favoring Clinton. Tellingly, Fleischer omits the crucial detail that none of the journalists surveyed cover national government and politics -- only a few cover local politics, and a smattering (like TV host Larry King) occasionally interview politicians. The group surveyed was made up of a college professor, a TV critic, a restaurant reviewer, a videographer, a few fashion editors and so on. Fleischer also fails to point out that a lot of news organizations, like the Times and CNN, forbid political donations. The party line is that reporters are first and foremost rabid lefties who will crawl over glass for Clinton or any other Democrat. Stick with that bill of goods. Sneering at so-called elites. This was an election directed against the elites. And elites are bad, right? But the only elites you should care about are those not on the Republican side of the aisle. Repeat after me: The Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, many of Trump's wealthy prospective cabinet picks and billionaire, born-rich Trump himself - they are not elites. Reporters, Fleischer writes, "are mostly liberal and largely made up of the same elites who couldn't imagine Mr. Trump winning." To Fleischer, "they live in a bubble and talk mainly to similar-minded journalists." You may wonder about all those quotes you read and on-air interviews you see, which come from reporters talking to a lot of people, not just each other, to help us understand what's going on in our society. Glide past that logical problem. Advertisement Editor's Note A HuffPost article that previously existed at this URL has been removed. If I tell you someone is helpful, what image crosses your mind? Most people associate the word helpful with jobs like a crossing guard, or a traveler's aide at the airport. Helpful people are nice to be around, but they're rarely in charge, or so the thinking goes. When my husband I were naming our first child, we got a book that gave the psychological response to names. We were shocked to find that our chosen name, Betsy, rated high on cheerfulness and helpfulness. Our second choice, Elizabeth, rated high on intelligence and power. So dismissive was I of helpfulness, we changed our daughter's name at the last minute. Elizabeth would never be a Betsy because I wanted the world to regard her as a smart powerful woman. Turns out, I had created a dichotomy that was absolutely inaccurate. Recent research reveals helpfulness is actually a key underpinning of success. Advertisement In a recent paper, noted author and Wharton School professor Adam Grant outlined a Harvard study of U.S. intelligence system. Grant writes, "The team, led by Richard Hackman, wanted to determine what makes intelligence units effective. By surveying, interviewing, and observing hundreds of analysts across 64 different intelligence groups, the researchers ranked those units from best to worst. Then they identified what they thought was a comprehensive list of factors that drive a unit's effectiveness--only to discover, after parsing the data, that the most important factor wasn't on their list. The critical factor wasn't having a stable team membership and the right number of people. It wasn't having a vision that is clear, challenging, and meaningful. Nor was it well-defined roles and responsibilities; appropriate rewards, recognition, and resources; or strong leadership. Rather, the single strongest predictor of group effectiveness was the amount of help that analysts gave to each other." Helpfulness isn't just nice to have, it's a must have. Sadly, most organizations undervalue helpfulness. In fact, leaders often create systems that promote the opposite of helpfulness. Imagine a helpful Betsy being stack ranked against an intelligent Elizabeth. A typical manager is more likely to give points, and thus raises and promotions to the person who displays individual smarts versus the person who is actually contributing more to group results. Advertisement In his article titled "Givers take all: The hidden dimension of corporate culture," Grant cites evidence from studies led by Indiana University's Philip Podsakoff demonstrating, "the frequency with which employees help one another predicts sales revenues in pharmaceutical units and retail stores; profits, costs, and customer service in banks; creativity in consulting and engineering firms; productivity in paper mills; and revenues, operating efficiency, customer satisfaction, and performance quality in restaurants." When employees are force ranked against each other, and must compete for resources, they're rarely inclined to be helpful to each other. My father used to say, "Why do any of my people have to be a 2? If I'm doing my job right, all my people are 9 and 10s." Leaders who want to create a giver culture must create an environment where employees feel their needs will be met, where people view each other as essential players in solving problems and helping customers. Thankfully our own Elizabeth is both helpful and intelligent. She never succumbed to the false dichotomy her well-intended parents once believed. If you want to create success, and happiness, spread the word. Helpful doesn't mean subservient, it's actually the fastest route to success. Advertisement It is now three weeks since the U.S. elections, and except for writing a short piece that appeared in Helsinki in Finnish, this is the first time that I have put pen to paper to comment on them. I greatly appreciate the notes from several readers asking why I have been silent. There were two reasons. First, writing when one is extremely involved emotionally with a topic is usually a bad idea. Second, I wanted to see President-elect Trump's behavior in the aftermath of his victory. By now the shock of the results has worn off, and Mr. Trump has had ample opportunity to show us his likely policies and governing style. Alas, I am now even more pessimistic than I was on the morning of November 9th. I see the same egotistical, immature showman who barnstormed his way through the primaries and election campaign. To be sure, one might look at a few recent statements in which he apparently softened his positions on the use of torture, on climate change, on possibly prosecuting Hillary Clinton, and even on his worth of the New York Times as an indication of an open mind. However, given Trump's proclivity for sudden 180 degree turns when he feels it expedient, not to mention his demonstrated total disregard for the truth, I view these musings as further evidence of an opportunist without firm beliefs. Advertisement What are my principal worries about the upcoming Trump presidency? There are six, beginning with Trump's character, which in the absence of policy convictions looms even more important than usual. This is a man obsessed with winning at any cost. When things go the wrong way, he bullies, threatens, and lies. Even though Trump won a majority in the decisive Electoral College, it clearly rankles him that Clinton trounced him in the popular vote. As of November 27th her lead stood at 2.24 million votes, and is still rising as absentee ballots are counted. Trump's reaction was an unhinged tweet: "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." Of course, there is absolutely no evidence of such voter fraud having occurred. It is, rather, the latest of Trump's Big Lies, in this case supported by one of the country's most odious, right-wing websites, which, among other ravings, pushes the conspiracy theory that the murder of 20 schoolchildren and six teachers in Connecticut four years ago was all a government hoax to push for new gun-control legislation. This affinity for right-wing radicals is a second, grave worry. Trump's choice as chief strategist and senior counselor to the President is Executive Chairman of Breitbart News, which proudly calls itself the voice of the "Alt-Right" or Alternative Right, a leading White Supremacist, racist, misogynist movement. Trump's nominee for Attorney General, who among other things directs enforcement of the country's civil rights laws, was rejected for a federal judgeship by the U.S. Senate three decades ago because of his documented racist statements. Trump's choice as National Security Advisor, a retired general with a distinguished career in intelligence, nevertheless sits on the Board of Advisors of ACT for America, labeled by a watchdog organization the "largest grassroots anti-Muslim group in America" and has called Islam a "vicious cancer" and a "political ideology" hiding behind a religion. Advertisement Such personnel decisions have so skewed the public debate that other nominees who are ultra-conservative but not tainted by radical fringe associations have been greeted as balancers in the Trump cabinet. But no U.S. President should ever choose top aides from the racist fringe, whose views are simply unacceptable and cannot be "balanced" by principled conservatives. A third concern is the glaring potential conflict of interest, or even appearance thereof, that Trump's business empire constitutes. The President-elect has stubbornly refused to disclose his income tax returns and details of his privately held companies. He has business interests in twenty countries around the world, including several run by autocrats who would not permit journalists to investigate and publicize the details of ties between their citizens or subjects and Trump's companies. One does not need a fertile imagination to worry about possible situations involving China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, or even India or the Philippines in which policies in the U.S. national interest might adversely affect one or more of Trump's investments. Although the President is shielded from conflict of interest regulations, the Constitution says that no elected official can take an "emolument" of "any kind whatever" from a king, prince, or foreign state without Congressional approval. However complex it might be, the best solution would seem to be for Trump to divest his holdings in his companies and put the proceeds into a real blind trust, not a sham one run by his children. Trump's entire foreign policy is a fourth and extremely worrying issue. Whether his motivation is dictated by personal economic interest or by philosophy, Trump is outspokenly pro-Russian. He openly admires Russian President Vladimir Putin, routinely excuses Russia's invasion of Ukraine and illegal annexation of Crimea, and publicly casts doubt upon Russian cyber-attacks against U.S. targets despite having received intelligence briefings detailing just that. He and his chosen National Security Advisor naively advocate a deal with Russia, perhaps at the expense of our European allies, in order better to battle ISIS. Trump has belittled NATO as "obsolete" and would reduce the world's most effective political-security alliance to little more than a protection racket. Trump will, however, be confronted by passionate, pro-NATO Senators, many of them Republicans. On an even larger stage Trump has declared that he would pull the U.S. out of the newly negotiated Paris environmental agreement, thereby seriously undermining the effort to combat global warming. The fifth danger is Trump's economic policy, which if it follows the broad outlines of massive tax cuts for the wealthy and increased government expenditures sketched out during the campaign, threatens to undo the Obama-led major recovery from the Great Recession and ultimately balloon the national debt beyond recognition. Supply side economics has failed repeatedly. Trump's latest variation on the theme will suffer the same fate, although having first wreaked havoc on the country. Sixth and perhaps most importantly, Donald Trump is well on his way to debasing the Presidency by seriously exacerbating racial, ethnic and religious tensions within the United States. His demagogic "Make America Great Again" campaign of fear mongering has already borne fruit in the alarming increase in verbal and physical assaults against minorities since the election. The thought of such a man soon to be in a position earlier occupied by Washington, Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt fills me with revulsion. Fortunately, America's democratic institutions are strong enough to resist a President with authoritarian tendencies, and the vast majority of its people, I am convinced, unwilling to succumb to the xenophobia he preaches. Trump uses Twitter to taunt, goad, mock, attack, and mislead people. He did this with great success all throughout the GOP primary campaign, and then through the general election. Trump is aware that journalists spend an inordinate amount of time on Twitter, and that his tweets will be instantly picked up by all the typical news outlets; some low-grade, but also the more "sophisticated" highly-esteemed journalists -- everyone will frantically seize upon every crass Trump tweet, and use it to set the "tone" of their coverage for the day. It's all so mind-numbingly predictable at this point. Journalists who feel they are savvy love to make it seem as though they are aware of Trump's manipulative tactics, but somehow they continue falling victim to them. Maybe they are not as clever as they'd like to believe. They strangely never learn the lessons of their bad Trump coverage, and they allow him to dictate how they perform their jobs, even now. Advertisement So here are some tips for dealing with Trump's tweets, which should be obvious after a year and a half of this stuff, but apparently not. (Trump will undoubtedly continue toying with the media in this fashion for the foreseeable future.) You don't need to share, comment, react to, or write articles about every Trump tweet. Trump will do inflammatory tweets. Some might be in the middle of the night. Everyone knows that he does this. It's not surprising anymore. Therefore, it is not incumbent on the journalist to treat every instance of this as a major news item, just like you are not required to treat every politicians' PR release as a major news item. Journalists should dictate the terms of their coverage, not Trump. When you reflexively react to every Trump tweet, you allow him to set the terms of coverage. You don't need to treat every Trump tweet as 100% literal. Most of the time Trump is, pardon my French, just "bull-shitting." He muses, he riffs, he does these extemporaneous stream-of-consciousness rants. His core supporters enjoy this, because they see him as allowing them to take part in his weird adventure game. They're along for the ride. So if Trump muses about some nutty idea on Twitter, it doesn't mean that he plans to actually implement this idea in terms of government policy. He could just be trying to get a rise out of people. And it usually works. You are allowed to simply ignore Trump tweets. This may sound like a novel idea, but you are under no obligation to even pay attention to every Trump tweet. As a journalist, you are allowed to focus on other things. Recognize that many people find Trump's tweets funny. Trump is an entertainer and he is going to approach the presidency in that spirit. His Twitter account is one tool for "entertaining" the masses. Many people find his little digs, potshots, and whatever else amusing. So, of the millions of people out there in the country who just voted Trump, and who the media are so flabbergasted by, a good portion see a seemingly-incendiary Trump tweet and simply chuckle. They "get" what he is trying to do, and they don't perceive his tweets in alarmist terms. Advertisement Hysterically overreacting to every Trump tweet helps Trump. When you treat today's loony Trump tweet as the top news story, you are helping Trump. You are keeping him at the center of attention, which he obviously craves. But you are also defanging yourself, because you are giving yourself over to Trump. You are strengthening his grip over the media, and you are making the media appear helpless and servile. The media seems to be losing agency. They are in a constant Trump mania. Ipso facto, the potency of the media to actually lead effective opposition is waning. Donald Trump ran for President on a promise, repeatedly made, not to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. He knew very well that this was a huge departure from the position of other Republicans, particularly House Speaker Paul Ryan and his fellow-travelers. Back in March, Trump drew an explicit contrast: "You know, Paul [Ryan] wants to knock out Social Security, knock it down, way down. He wants to knock Medicare way down. I'm not going to cut it, and I'm not going to raise ages, and I'm not going to do all of the things that they want to do. But they want to really cut it, and they want to cut it very substantially, the Republicans, and I'm not going to do that." Now that Trump is elected and no longer needs votes, it is clear that he was either lying or has become the puppet of Ryan and the rest of the Republican elite who have always hated Social Security and Medicare. In a sign that Ryan may be calling the shots, Trump has just announced that he is nominating Tom Price, one of Ryan's top lieutenants, to be his Health and Human Services Secretary. Advertisement Price succeeded Ryan as chair of the House Budget Committee in January of 2016, and immediately put Social Security in his cross hairs. He said that raising the retirement age, cutting middle class benefits through means-testing, and privatizing Social Security should all be "on the table and discussed" -- classic Washington-speak for "I favor the ideas but want political cover, because my constituents hate them." He also led Republicans in an unsuccessful effort to force unpopular and cruel cuts in Social Security disability benefits. Price's record on Medicare is equally Neanderthal -- though that is probably being unfair to Neanderthals, who were not backward the way that Price is. Indeed, he actually said that "nothing has had a greater negative effect on the delivery of health care than the federal government's intrusion into medicine through Medicare" and "we will not rest until we make certain that government-run health care in ended." It is disturbingly clear that Price wishes Medicare had never come into existence and will do everything he can to destroy it. Given Medicare's proven success - its low administrative costs, its efficient coverage of those with the greatest medical needs and costs, and its enormous popularity - it is no wonder that an anti-government zealot like Price hates the program. Medicare clearly demonstrates that there are some jobs - provision of health insurance, to name one - that the federal government does better than the private sector. The mere existence of Medicare and Social Security put the lie to Price's ideology that everything should be privatized. Those determined to destroy Medicare are wasting no time. Right after the election, Paul Ryan falsely announced that repealing Obamacare requires "reforming" Medicare. Not only is this a lie, it is the height of hypocrisy: Ryan's proposal turns Medicare into Obamacare. (It makes one wonder: The Affordable Care Act was a boon to insurance companies, forcing all Americans to purchase their product. Is this Ryan's way of ensuring that they continue to have a captive market? But I digress...) Price, ever the loyal Ryan lackey, said that he planned on implementing Medicare privatization "six to eight months" into the Trump administration. Advertisement Now, Price may soon be in an even more powerful perch to destroy Medicare. Even before nominating him, Trump signaled that he was with the Ryan program. His campaign manager and senior adviser said that her boss was "open to hearing" Ryan's plan. Seems that Trump has picked up that Washington-speak pretty fast. And now he nominates Tom Price. The writing on the wall is clear for any but those determined not to see. Trump's comments, made through his spokesperson and his selection of Price for his cabinet, along with a Social Security transition team packed with people who support privatizing the system, makes clear his true intentions. Though I and others warned during the election that Trump would destroy Social Security and Medicare, it was hard for the electorate to hear the message because the mainstream media preferred not to focus on issues, and Trump's "no cuts" promise muddied the waters for those who did hear. Now the American people are in danger of finding out the hard way. Whether Trump never intended to keep his hands off Medicare or is simply caving to Ryan, the American people need to hold him accountable and demand that he keep his campaign promise. That starts with insisting that Trump revoke his nomination of Price, and if he refuses, demanding the Senate not confirm him. (Moderate Democrat Joe Donnolly has already announced that he will oppose Price. If Democrats stand united, it only takes three Republican Senators to reject the nomination.) Like Social Security, Medicare is overwhelmingly popular with Republicans as well as Democrats and Independents. No one voted to destroy Medicare. If that is what Republican politicians want, they should have the courage of their convictions. Don't act in the dead of night, as they appear to be planning to do. Rather, seek a mandate to destroy Medicare by running on that position in 2018. Romney-Ryan tried that in 2012, and we all know how that turned out. Advertisement Ivanka Trump was frequently cast as her father's foil, the Jay Gatsby to Tom Buchanan. When Donald Trump was uncouth and unstable, she served as his eloquent and poised counterpart. Fashion magazines gushed over her. Pundits served her an endless stream of compliments. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that Ms. Trump and her father are on the same team. Ms. Trump's signature style is embodied in her eponymous lifestyle brand. Visit her website and you're greeted with a dusty mauve color scheme, eerily similar to Lauren Conrad's lifestyle website. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage and browse her latest Instagram posts featuring her children. Click on 'Wise Words' and everything from Albert Einstein quotes to pseudo profound gibberish to vague platitudes pop on the screen offering advice. If somehow any of this compels you give up your money to buy a slice of the beige bourgeoisie-yet-homely lifestyle, navigate to 'Shop' and a selection of goods are linked to retailers such as Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom. Seems boring, but ultimately benign at first glance. At second glance, maybe you feel happy for her for successfully launching her own company. Maybe you believe that she is a feminist advocating for independent women, even if her website is not so much a rallying cry for feminism as it is an amalgam of tips for women with jobs. But as Ms. Trump becomes increasingly entangled in politics, this carefully-crafted veneer of benevolent, mild feminism is slipping to reveal the ugly truth. Ms. Trump may have built her brand around Women Who Work, but she exploits feminism for profit. Advertisement The campaign served as a commerce platform for her brand. Ms. Trump's brand of feminism was at direct odds with the campaign's misogyny, but hypocrisy didn't seem to weigh on her mind. After she spoke at the Republican National Convention, a circus of people who deem women subhumans, she encouraged viewers to shop her look from her brand. Her outfits amounted to campaign swag for sale. While the dresses and jewelry may not have 'Make America Great Again' stamped on them like a bad tattoo, the message is the same. Much like Ms. Trump's feminist veneer that shed to reveal feminist exploitation, her glossy products shed their polished veneer to reveal themselves as garish campaign swag. As with her father, her actions are increasingly bold. The president-elect was once primarily money-hungry, not necessarily politically power-hungry. Some have even said that his main focus is on business, and if elected, he won't care that much about politics. But that has been proven wrong. Fresh off his success, he has a newfound ambition in politics and has used his power to select the most deranged politicians to his Cabinet. Ms. Trump's audacity also grows, involving herself in Mr. Trump's transition team, while promoting her brand, of course. In an interview with 60 Minutes, she sported a $10,800 bangle from Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry and notified journalists with an emailed 'Style Alert.' Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton received far more than President-elect Donald Trump from Americans living abroad. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr) Democratic House Speaker Tip O'Neill famously claimed that "all politics is local." True, but it's increasingly global as well -- especially for the roughly 5.7 million U.S. citizens living outside the nation's borders. Whatever the reason for their travels, Americans abroad can and do participate in politics and give to campaigns. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) estimates that 2.6 million of the American citizens living overseas are eligible to vote. In 2014, only 93,000 of those, or 4 percent, voted. 2016 numbers aren't yet available. (This estimate does not include military members or their families, a small number of whom made campaign contributions included in the figures below.) Advertisement While we can't know how they voted, we do know this: Overseas citizens made almost $4.6 million in donations to federal candidates, party committees and outside spending groups like super PACs in 2016, putting them as a group more or less on par with a small state such as Alaska. The top home-away-from-home for donors living overseas is easily London, which accounted for $1.3 million in donations in 2016. Including the rest of the United Kingdom brings that figure over $1.6 million, by far the largest total from any one country even though more than twice as many Americans live in Canada as the U.K. Despite London's importance to the right-leaning financial sector, 77.7% of partisan donations from the city went to Democrats. Coincidentally, that's not far from the ratio of Democratic to Republican attendees (308 to 111) at a bipartisan London campaign event described by CBS in October. London is also home to the cycle's largest overseas donors, Peter L. and Maria Kellner, a retired couple that apparently splits time between Massachusetts and England while giving generously to Democrats. The next four cities on the list are the Asian metropolises of Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, and Tokyo, all of which, except Shanghai, rank among the 10 foreign cities with the largest voting-age American populations, according to FVAP. Toronto, in seventh place, is the top Canadian city on the list; Dubai, in 19th, is the biggest donor location outside of Canada, Europe and East Asia. The two cities with the largest populations of overseas Americans, Vancouver and Tel Aviv, accounted for just $9,418 and $5,712 in donations respectively. Advertisement (Note: Our analysis is of contributors of more than $200; no donor detail, including address, is provided for smaller contributors.) London ex-pats are typical in leaning Democratic. Americans abroad gave more than $2.6 million to Democratic causes in 2016 and nearly $1.4 million to their GOP counterparts. That ratio -- 65.7 percent of partisan contributions going to Democrats -- would make overseas donors the 12th most Democratic state, just ahead of New Mexico and New York. That's an increase in left-leaning partisanship: In 2012, 58.2 percent of those contributions went to Dems. Another interesting note about 2012: Donors living abroad gave far more in that election cycle -- $7.3 million, or about 160 percent more than they gave this time around. London accounted for more than $2.2 million. The donors were somewhat more evenhanded in 2012, as well, though Democrats still got the lion's share -- 58.2 percent -- of the money. The cities that are the biggest exceptions to the pro-Democratic tilt are all in Asia: Hong Kong (71.5 percent to Republicans), Singapore (65.6 percent), and Shanghai (92.9 percent). Hong Kong and Shanghai's numbers are heavily skewed by two major donors to the super PAC Right to Rise, which backed Jeb Bush's presidential candidacy. (OpenSecrets Blog reported on Right to Rise's overseas support last year.) The leftward lean of overseas American donors might have to do with the fact that, according to FVAP, 46 percent have a graduate or professional degree. The Census Bureau tells us that only 12 percent of all Americans over age 25 have an advanced degree; this group shifted well to the left in 2016, supporting Hillary Clinton by a 21 percentage point margin after giving Barack Obama a 13-point victory in 2012. Alternately, perhaps liberals are more likely to enjoy life abroad, or work in industries that require lots of travel. After Donald Trump 's big win on November 9th, thousands of grieving liberals and activists took to the streets across North America (yes, in Canada too) to protest the impending presidency of a man they felt did not represent their beliefs. Despite Trump saying he would not accept Clinton's presidency had she won and despite calling for a revolution back in 2012 , a large number of Republicans on Twitter are complaining that anyone protesting is a sore loser. The protests, which are still going on, have instilled a sense of purpose to those who feel duped by the election results. Unfortunately they have been met with continuous controversy, with some turning violent, and with those participating being labelled "thugs and goons" by human wind bag, Rudy Giuliani. Last week, actor and YouTuber, Adam Rose, participated in an anti-Trump protest in LA where he documented the entire process. In Rose's video below you'll see the reality of a peaceful protest: a safe space for people to gather in solidarity under a common cause. I say Blue Tuesday not because it's the Democrats insignia on the map but because it's the saddest day for America. The electoral vote escapes me since the popular vote is the honest most realistic vote because it's my vote, your vote and every ones vote -- so why do we bother to go through all this madness? Yes this undemocratic election system became the Electoral College over 200 years ago. At that time it was purely a political deal and now it's still a political deal. In the 1800s, it was rigged for Republicans and still is. Even now our two senators from San Francisco are introducing a bill to kill the electoral college -- good luck to them. In 2000, Al Gore got the popular vote and lost the electoral vote and now we are faced with a completely inadequate president elect, who neither understands this democracy or has the expertise to lead this country. A disaster for America and all its citizens who make America what it is. And I'm feeling so very helpless as not a joiner, not a protester -- but just an ordinary citizen loving my country and hoping that a miracle will happen. But as optimistic as I am, it's not realistic to say let's just wait and see. Wait and see a massive disaster. We have yet to hear one word of inspiration that's feasible and financially possible and would take again, expertise to accomplish in our current situation. I'm not saying either nominee is perfect but experience, knowledge and in this case world knowledge would be helpful to put it gently. As a country that has greatness and understands the importance and salvation of dealing with a world of so many different countries that are dependent on one another. I'm feeling our present president elect is completely surreal and has neither the experience nor the expertise to work with not only our government, but all governments. Out of 300 million people living in this country, well I'm not going to even finish this sentence. Oh my God, just the thought of four years with this president elect with his sunshine yellow hair gives me chills. And how is this president elect going to communicate with the women in his Cabinet, who he has so demonized? Don't tell me to be patient and wait and see. I don't see light at the end of this tunnel -- I see dark and chaos. MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Bernie Sanders speaks during the 2016 Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College on November 19, 2016 in Miami Florida. Credit: mpi04/MediaPunch/IPX The Donald Trump Administration hasn't even started, and the president-elect is already unpopular. Only 42 percent of those polled in this "honeymoon" period approve of Trump. Voters were split (46-45 percent) on their approval or disapproval of his transition process. Advertisement Trump's diehard followers will undoubtedly seek out fake news from faux sources, including his own Twitter feed, to cling to the illusion that he's fighting for them for as long as possible. But even they may be forced to face facts when Congressional Republicans target Medicare and Social Security, while Trump's billionaire cabinet despoils the environment, attacks public schools, cuts cushy deals for Big Pharma, and gives tax breaks to millionaires and corporations. Eventually, most Americans will realize that their lives aren't getting any better -- and are, in fact, getting worse. Where will they turn when that happens? Democrats like New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are already positioning themselves to lead the coming anti-Trump backlash. In a speech, a Facebook post, and a New York Daily News op-ed, Cuomo condemned racism and bigotry and listed some laudable actions the state will be taking against hate. These are welcome moves. Cuomo even showed glimmers of his late father Mario's eloquence in announcing them. But Cuomo hasn't placed the blame for the recent surge in hatred where it belongs: on Donald Trump's demagoguery. Instead he has waffled on Trump, who has been a generous donor to Cuomo's campaigns in years past. Advertisement And while Cuomo touched on economic issues, that part of his speech was notably lacking in specifics. But then, Cuomo's own economic record is mixed. He signed a statewide minimum wage increase but fought Mayor Bill De Blasio's attempts to raise it in New York City, and aided big-money interests pushing privately-run charter schools there. Cuomo recently hired one of Chris Christie's top aides, a former communications advisor to Rudy Giuliani, Sarah Palin, and George W. Bush, to sharpen his message. That suggests that he is aiming for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, perhaps with a "bipartisan" theme. Equivocation and oscillation are characteristic, not only of Cuomo, but of an entire class of well-financed Democrats for whom ambiguity has become a political way of life. Sen. Cory Booker is also being touted as a contender for the 2020 nomination. Booker famously attacked Barack Obama in 2012 for criticizing Bain Capital, which was founded by Obama opponent Mitt Romney and generously contributed to Booker's mayoral run. Booker described Obama's criticisms of the predatory investment firm as "nauseating" and added, "Stop attacking private equity." Securities & investment firms gave $1.88 million to Booker's 2014 Senate campaign, and the financial industry was also generous toward his Newark mayoral campaign. Other major Booker sources include law firms and real estate. Advertisement Like Cuomo, Booker has taken some progressive positions. That's a welcome development. But it will be hard for Democrats who are so closely associated with financial elites to lead a movement against Trump and his fellow Republicans. As incoming Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer will be a major voice in the Democrats' anti-Trump front. Schumer is backing Rep. Keith Ellison's bid to lead the Democratic National Committee, a smart move that could reinvigorate the party's image and agenda. That shows that Schumer understands the shifting political ground. But Schumer is also closely associated with finance. His top four industry sources of campaign contributions are securities & investment, law, real estate, and insurance. As more Americans become disillusioned with Trump, a potentially transformative moment is almost certain to appear. But voters who are dissatisfied with both the status quo and Trump's phony populism are likely to seek equally transformative politicians, not a return to the political styles and power relationships of earlier eras. Failing that, they're likely to become alienated from the political process altogether. An anti-Trump movement may appear in the streets first, as a spontaneous response to Republican incompetence and plutocratic greed. That's where its real leaders may be found. But wherever it arises, Democrats who want to be part of that movement must seek out leaders like Bernie Sanders - authentic and unambiguous voices who will lay out what's wrong with the current system and call for genuine economic and democratic reform. The 2016 election showed that the electorate will be harsh in its judgment of political waffling or big-money associations. Party leaders should think twice before backing politicians with those vulnerabilities. Figures like Sanders, Ellison, and Elizabeth Warren embody both the ideas and the integrity Democrats will need to mobilize their base and win back lost voters. After an election marked by bitter division and conflict, all citizens of good will are likely anxious for the next administration to turn to the real issues affecting our country and its communities. Realistic citizens know President-elect Trump can't fix every problem quickly. But when it comes to taking action on the opioid crisis, which kills an astonishing 78 Americans every day, there are concrete steps with bipartisan support that the president can and should take from his first day in office. The grim news of the opioid epidemic accelerates, thanks to the astonishing ease of purchase and delivery from overseas. In September, two 13-year-old boys in the same resort town in Utah died from overdoses of "pink," a synthetic drug eight times more powerful than heroin. Formally known as U-47700, the drug can be legally ordered online in 46 of 50 states and delivered from China, via the U.S. Postal Service right to your mailbox (I just did a Google search and up popped Ching Labs, happy to send me 2 grams for $70). Last month, a Michigan teenager overdosed and died of "pink" delivered by mail from China. It almost seems like a race is on to see which overseas labs can produce the most potent - and deadly - opioids. In recent weeks we've learned that carfentanil, used to sedate elephants, is entering the U.S. from China and contributing to a rising number of fatal overdoses. According to an article in Scientific American, carfentanil is 10,000 times more powerful than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, the drug that musician Prince overdosed on this spring. Carfentanil is so powerful that it is considered a chemical weapon, banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the U.S. State Department has raised the issue with its Chinese counterparts. And yet there are still easily accessible ways to send the drug to families and communities across the country. The Associated Press recently found that to improve transport reliability, Chinese suppliers were using EMS, their state-owned express and logistics company, to send the drugs; a representative of Yuntu Chemical Co. in China wrote in an email that EMS was a bit slower than FedEx or DHL, but had a "99% pass rate." Advertisement So it's time, past time, for action. As soon as Mr. Trump is sworn in on January 20, he should take three steps. First, he must close the loophole that allows foreign postal services, such as those from China, to deliver packages without the advance electronic security data that other shippers, like FedEx and UPS, must provide. Law enforcement - including Customs and Border Protection - needs this data to know when, where and how deadly synthetic drugs are entering the country. This loophole therefore creates an easy superhighway for overseas opioids to enter the United States - along with other dangerous items, including weapons and explosives that could be used by terrorists. The president can and should close this loophole by executive action - no need to wait for Congress. President-elect Trump has already demonstrated that he recognizes this loophole's significance and tragic impact by speaking of it on the campaign trail, and his released plan of action on the opiate crisis listed closing the loophole as one of its four main actions. Second, Mr. Trump should begin to deliver on his campaign promises about providing much needed help for those struggling with addiction. He has, for example, spoken clearly about the need to provide first responders with access to naloxone, the drug that is able to reverse opiate overdoses and is responsible for almost-daily headlines on lifesaving rescues. And he has promised to expand access to addiction treatment, which would shift the focus on this deadly disease away from shame and punishment and towards hope for recovery. Advertisement "Trump has converted the GOP into a populist working-class party," Trump advisor and far-right economist Stephen Moore told Republican members of Congress at a caucus meeting. Well, advisor Moore, meet the Trump transition team. The leader of the would-be populist working-class party has invited rogues' gallery of insiders - corporate lawyers, investment fund managers, corporate executives and wonks hailing from corporate-backed think tanks - to populate the "landing teams" that are doing the nitty-gritty work of transitioning government agencies from control by the outgoing Obama administration to the incoming Trump regime. It turns out that nearly three-quarters of the landing teams come from the corporate world or corporate-affiliated think tanks, according to a Public Citizen review. Advertisement And, although the Trump team has kicked registered lobbyists off the transition, at least 13 of the 71 landing team members have been registered lobbyists in the past, some as recent as last year. What does the purportedly "populist working-class" transition team look like? Take a look: There are policies that could be put in place to address the revolving door problem - individuals leaving government and going to work for the industries they formerly regulated, and from regulated industry into government positions. President Obama took important steps in this direction with an executive order at the outset of his administration but only addressed registered lobbyists. The solution is to change the focus from registered lobbyists to those with financial conflicts of interest - people from or who work for regulated industry should not be able to move seamlessly into jobs as the regulators. Advertisement But what's going on with the Trump administration is beyond fixing with clear policies. We are witnessing not a populist, working class revolution, but the wholesale takeover of government by an extremist faction of the corporate class. It has become conventional wisdom in Washington that "personnel is policy" - that the people appointed to key positions will make the policy decisions, and are therefore even more important than any particular policy choice. At no time is this more true than now, with a president-elect with minimal interest in policy details. Let's say you're poor, live in Silicon Valley, and are employed at a local pizza franchise. To make ends meet in this insanely over-priced environment, you worked 8 hours at one pizza shop and then 8 consecutive hours at a second shop owned by the same person. That franchise owner owes you overtime pay. But, what if he doesn't pay? The case of the underpaid pizza worker, whom the owner only compensated for regular pay, without any overtime, is in fact a recent case now currently before The Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition, which helps workers earn their fair wages and brings visibility to worker stories. The Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition is currently working with The Workers Lab in Oakland on a phone app that will help workers more easily report wage theft from employers and work to recover their rightful payment. Complementing the Coalition, advocacy and the Workers Lab's technology the Stanford Center for Facility Engineering (CIFE) is leading a team of subject matter experts and DataKind data science volunteers to take a 'big data' approach to spotlighting wage theft using employee demographic and employer violation data. Advertisement Recently, we sat down with Santa Clara University School of Law Adjunct Faculty member and Supervising Attorney of the Workers' Rights Clinic of the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center's, Ruth Silver Taube, CEO of The Workers Lab, Carmen Rojas, Data Scientist, Annamaria Prati and Stanford University Engineering PhD student, Forest Peterson to discuss fighting wage theft in Silicon Valley. Tell us about The Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition: Ruth Silver Taube: The Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition grew out of the frustration of seeing client after client with unpaid wage theft judgments. Inspired by the legislative successes and advocacy of similar coalitions in San Francisco, Houston, and Miami Dade, we approached 25 community groups to form a Coalition to combat wage theft through advocacy and direct action. The Coalition issued a Wage Theft Report and held press conferences to publicize the extent of the problem in the County. For example, between April, 2011 and April 2014, there were 1073 wage theft judgments recorded in Superior Court by the San Jose Office of the Labor Commission. Of $8.4 million awarded by the San Jose Office of the Labor Commission in 2012 and 2013, only $2.8 million were collected. The vast majority of workers who experience wage theft never collect what they're owed, even after a court orders their employers to pay. A 2013 study from UCLA and the National Employment Law Project examined the outcomes over 160,000 claims filed with the California Labor Commissioner and found that among those who complete the lengthy process winning a judgment for unpaid wages, only 17% recover any of their stolen wages. The Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition actively works to end wage theft, defend workers' rights, and enforce wage theft judgments. It hopes to accomplish this through policy advocacy, community organizing and outreach, direct action, education, leadership development, and resource coordination. It works with affected workers and their families, particularly low-wage workers who have been victims of the crime of wage theft. Through its advocacy, Santa Clara County, the City of San Jose, and the Santa Clara Unified School District have adopted policies and an ordinance to revoke contracts and permits of businesses that don't pay wage theft judgments. It has also shone a spotlight by holding rallies at the most egregious wage theft violators like Crazy Buffet and Bayview Care Home. Tell us about your app: Carmen Rojas: WorkerReport, the app developed by The Workers Lab and SeeClickFix, permits workers to report wage theft and health and safety hazards to one of three organizations located in Oakland, Seattle, and Santa Clara County. In the first year of The Workers Lab's operation, we heard time and time again from advocates across the country that the gains of the Raise the Wage movement were void if we (the field) didn't find a way to strengthen the enforcement of worker protections. That's how WorkerReport was born. Can an app for enforcement give workers a platform to hold employers accountable? Will they use it? What types of organizations are suitable for administering the tool? Can we use the data collected in the app to impact enforcement policies in the public sector? We're eager to learn more about these questions and more we're excited to share back with others in the field about how the app does or doesn't resonate with working people. There are a lot of people out there who believe an app like this can be impactful in the industry and we want to put that hypothesis to the test before the field rushes toward pouring resources into building tools like this. By collaborating with an established technology company like SeeClickFix, we were able to get the app off the ground swiftly to test in three different cities. We will be closely monitoring user uptake throughout the testing phase and incorporating feedback from workers and our testing organizations to improve the app's functionality. Advertisement Tell us how workers will use it: Forest Peterson: Our goal is to reduce the barriers to workers asking for help and documenting the theft of their wages. The first hurdle is getting the app on workers' phones - the next is gaining trust so workers report wage theft. The app is handy to use - it asks for a few features about you such as location, employer, industry, and the type of theft. Workers can describe the problem and attach photos of the hazard or paystub. Documenting the hours worked each week over time builds a record. Photos are particularly relevant to prove the type of work you are performing; work that could be misclassified as a lower pay rate than should be paid. The information is then provided to the Law Center. They will contact the worker, make an appointment, and provide free legal assistance. There is a pattern to wage theft; low income, immigrant, often monolingual workers are at a higher risk for exploitation. Specific groups have sprung up that specialize in niche exploited groups such as day worker centers, fast food worker organizations, care home worker organizations, undocumented student workers, public works groups, and the various construction trade groups such as the Foundation for Fair Contracting, the Laborers' Union, and the Building and Construction Trades Council. The Law Center will pass the complaint on to the organization best situated to address that case or handle the case themselves. For example: A sheetmetal worker in the south county is working on a new commercial building. He submits a report that the crew is not paid an overtime rate and the jobsite is unsafe due to spilled chemicals. The law center will route this complaint to the regional office of the sheetmetal workers' union. The union representative will then likely notify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and in parallel investigate the wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner, the Department of Labor, and a private attorney. The report is useful to show evidence and to prove violations. Advertisement The app targets a range of workers in various situations. Language is a common barrier so the app follows the language in which the phone is configured. For example, a Tagalog speaker has an app in Tagalog. Language is such a common issue in wage theft that the Law Center regularly holds clinics and partners with groups that serve Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog speaking workers such as the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California, the Filipino Bar, and the Pilipino Association of Workers and Immigrants (PAWIS). Further, the app allows for anonymous submission - contact information is optional. There are drawbacks - the app requires a user account and logging in. Trust must be placed in the developer of the app to hold the account confidential. How big the privacy and trust barrier is, we will see. Even if the worker submits an anonymous report without contact information this is helpful to spotlight industries and occupations. We believe that crowdsourcing will provide a short-term detection of wage theft clusters. In this respect the more reports - even for minor issues or related safety, environmental damage, and community impacts - the better analysts can detect issues early. Tell us about the data you are gathering and what you are doing with it: Annamaria Prati: We are building a model that uses Census data and business characteristics, such as industry codes, demographics, or county average wages, to predict the likelihood a business is practicing wage theft. We are especially interested in predicting egregious cases where the victims are minimum wage earners, there is a large number of victims, or a large amount of money is withheld. The eventual goal is to generate a list of companies or industries with the highest likelihoods for committing wage theft to better allocate investigative resources. We have four data scientists working on several models to find the highest possible predictive power. The methodology in that is that if all the models have similar results, then we can have greater confidence in those results. Right now we have a key concern about missing data and the impact it could have on the model; for example, maybe the most vulnerable populations are under-reporting wage theft, or perhaps reporting is more likely in certain industries. If we are right about this missing data, then our model will not predict well for those populations. So, in addition to our predictive models using the existing data, we are also building a model that statistically identifies the missing data and infers the values to enable more accurate predictions. Advertisement Of course with the app and the group's outreach, the data will only get better with time, and so will our model! Any interesting cases you can tell us about: Ruth Silver Taube: These cases were provided by me and another attorney to the statewide Fair Paycheck Coalition for inclusion in a list of the Dirty Dozen wage theft violators during a campaign for a state wage theft bill, SB588 that was recently signed by Governor Brown. We have seen rampant wage theft in the long-term care industry. Owners of small nursing homes can easily evade liability for unpaid wages by selling or transferring assets to another "shell" corporation, rendering obsolete an employee's judgment for unpaid wages against the first company name. The owners of Bayview Care Home, a six-bed facility in San Jose, California, performed exactly this evasive maneuver. Like many low-wage workers who seek to recover unpaid wages, a mother and son went to the California Labor Commissioner to recover unpaid overtime wages. At his Labor Commission hearing, the son proved he was owed $53,145.39. The mother proved she was owed $25,693.29. Under the law, Bayview Care Home had 10 days to pay or appeal the Labor Commissioner's decisions before they became final judgments issued by Superior Court. Bayview neither paid nor appealed, and instead transferred the care home's assets to another entity, declaring bankruptcy as to the first business entity against whom the mother and son's judgments were entered. "Bayview Care Home" no longer exists on the books, but the same owner now operates a "new" company in the same location. To date, the state's only nonprofit legal services provider dedicated to recovering unpaid wage judgments, the Wage Justice Center, is still trying to collect the mother and son's judgments. The son is now working with the Pilipino Association of Workers and Advocates (PAWIS) and the Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition to stop exploitation of immigrant workers, who are commonly targeted for wage theft. The mother and son have yet to see a penny of the money the court ordered Bayview to pay. Another case involved North Coast Couriers, Inc. (NCCI). NCCI is a large and profitable courier company based in San Leandro with clients across the country. It has contracts to deliver to and from banks such as Bank of America, CitiBank and Union Bank, title companies, and pharmacies like Walgreens. One NCCI worker, Miguelangelo Carceioly, worked as a courier and sorted pharmaceuticals that were destined for Walgreen's, an NCCI client. Despite working overtime for 15 years, he was classified as an independent contractor, and never received overtime pay. He won a judgment in Superior Court for $130,593, but was unable to collect the wages owed to him. NCCI paid its couriers as employees until 2004 when it made the decision to start treating them as independent contractors. In 2006, they were involved in two Alameda County Superior Court class action lawsuits alleging unpaid wages by their couriers which settled for $850,000. NCCI settled this case on behalf of the class of workers but instead of learning their lesson and paying workers as required by law, it devised a scheme of asking its dispatchers and managers to create companies for them to issue independent contractor payments to couriers. By creating these intermediaries NCCI's owners wanted to create a situation where couriers were paid checks by dozens of entities so they could hide the wage theft. Miguelangelo began receiving wage checks with no deductions from at least four of these entities even though his courier route did not change and he still wore an NCCI shirt and displayed an NCCI badge. A federal judge recently awarded $5 million in back wages and damages to more than 600 drivers for NCCI in a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor, concluding it had deliberately misclassified its drivers as independent contractors to avoid minimum wage and overtime payment. Wage theft in the restaurant industry is widespread. A report by the Department of Labor found that nationwide, over 80% of restaurant workers experience wage theft. Crazy Buffet, a Sunnyvale restaurant, is an example of a business that has persistently violated labor laws, a repeat offender that has changed its name, yet continues its practices. Since 2010, Crazy Buffet has had 21 wage complaints against the company. The California Labor Commissioner has ruled that workers were owed $511,687.43 in lost wages, overtime and penalties. In addition, the restaurant also has $1.6 million in California Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) fines. The company that owns the restaurant has changed its name eight times, at various times known as Sunnyvale Buffet, Lion Buffet, Mega Buffet, United Buffet, Sofie, and Crazy Buffet, but the name of the restaurant remained unchanged, and each time it remained at the same Sunnyvale address. Workers have yet to collect on their claims, and the restaurant continued to do business until it closed on June 1, 2015. Advertisement The word philanthropist sounds pretty fancy. Conjures images of Carnegie or Rockefeller, Zuckerberg or Gates. Someone extravagantly wealthy who breathes different air. But philanthropy is a gift accessible to us all. And on #GivingTuesday, it's important to remember that even small acts of service can be a big deal to everyone involved. Which is why this day creates such an enormous opportunity for business owners to connect with employees by channeling their own goodwill. Take Marty Tuzman. He runs Jenkintown Building Services, a window washing company in Philadelphia that employs about 100 men, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet. They may not have money to spare for charity, but these men still found an incredible way to give back: every #GivingTuesday, they spend the day washing the windows of local homeless shelters and low-income housing for free. From there, they head to cultural centers, libraries, and museums - anyone who's doing good work in the community and deserves this gift. Advertisement The window washers' small donation of kindness has had a huge impact, and not only on those on the receiving end. Marty recalled one of his employees, a single father of six children, bursting into tears because he finally realized he had something to give to those whose struggles are even greater than his. Many of Marty's employees have even requested not to be paid for the hours they spend serving the community. "We are inspired by the dedication of the individuals, families and communities who have built this global giving movement, here in the U.S. and across the world," said Henry Timms, Co-Founder of #GivingTuesday and Executive Director of 92Y. "Together, millions of people are demonstrating our common capacity to give." While #GivingTuesday has become the single biggest day for giving, it started as a simple idea: after two days for getting deals - Black Friday and Cyber Monday -- how about a day for giving back? From there, a giving movement was built by individuals, families, organizations, and communities across all 50 states and around the world. In 2015 alone, nonprofits raised over $117 million on #GivingTuesday - and much more was generated through donations of time, clothes, food and other resources. The best gift of #GivingTuesday could be the way it shifts people's sense of what's possible, awakening an appetite for impact, whether through big corporate volunteer opportunities or the smallest personal gestures of kindness. Advertisement A girls' prep school in New York took #GivingTuesday to a whole new level when it launched the "85 Acts of Kindness" on #GivingTuesday two years ago. The campaign asked students in each homeroom class to perform a combined 85 acts of kindness by May and post photos of their works to social media. One 17-year-old student, who was volunteering at a local day care, said about her contribution, "I love waking up in the morning, knowing that I am giving back to these children." Even the tiniest acts of generosity counted towards the goal - for example, a student who left extra quarters on a laundromat washing machine with a note to "use me if you don't have change!" #GivingTuesday is not meant to be a single day of giving, but rather a day that heralds the start of the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end of year giving. Even if you haven't organized a #GivingTuesday campaign this year, small acts of service can be a powerful way to give back and get others excited to do likewise. On your own without a company campaign for #GivingTuesday? Here are some ways that everyone can dive into the spirit of the day and join this day of global giving: Share why you give and support nonprofits by posting your personal giving story on social media, using the hashtag #MyGivingStory is back. Access tools provided by #GivingTuesday to write a winning story or click here to share your story now. There are many ways you can donate your time to organizations in your community. Search for nonprofits in your neighborhood and email them to see how you can help. Be an informed giver on #GivingTuesday and throughout the year. Visit #GivingTuesday's Great Giving resource page or check out these materials from the Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen Foundation to elevate your giving from having momentary meaning to becoming monumentally meaningful. Donate to a charity or organization that has impacted your life. Remember to share that you gave and encourage your family and friends to join you in giving back on #GivingTuesday. Use your skills to help nonprofits with their campaigns. You can search for pro bono opportunities on Taproot+ or reach out to you local nonprofits to see how you can use your talents to good. Check out this pro bono toolkit to learn more. Share how you're giving back on #GivingTuesday by posting your #UNselfie on your social media. You can use our #UNselfie sign and toolkit to get started! Payroll giving is becoming more and more popular at both companies and nonprofits. Donate a part of your paycheck to charity or talk to your management how your organization can make giving back part of its official policy. Everyone has something to give back to their communities on #GivingTuesday. For company leaders, if you haven't organized a campaign this year, use this day to tee up a fantastic campaign for 2017. For employees, take the initiative on this day to show your company that you care, and use your experience to demonstrate the possibilities for company unity and impact next year. #GivingTuesday has changed our notion of who is a philanthropist. Turns out it's every single one of us. It was early Wednesday morning when my phone vibrated. It was my early day at work and I had just punched in. "Who's texting me at 8 a.m.?" I thought to myself. I saw a message from my best friend, Eva. "Hey, it's been a while since we've all gotten together. Are you guys free for dinner on Friday?" It was a group message sent to myself and our mutual friend Megan, who was the first to respond. "Sure!" she replied. "Yep!" I followed. Eva and I have been best friends for 16 years, since her family moved from Arizona to Michigan, where they were from originally. We bonded from middle school through bowling birthday parties, to senior prom. Eva and Megan met in college while pursuing their accounting degrees and the three of us took Up-North girls trips and spent nights together filled with wine and "chick flicks." All three of us are 20-something, closer to 30 than we care to admit. Advertisement After a few lines of text we confirmed the time and place to meet up. We chose a restaurant that we frequented often; Pancho's in Wyandotte-- a Downriver, industrial community which offers plenty of shopping, bars and restaurants along with a view of the Detroit River. We share a mutual love for Mexican food and margaritas. Over the next couple days, I looked forward to Friday. Eva was right: it had been a while since we all got together for a girls night. We all work so much that it was easy to get caught up in the chaos of life. I texted my friends on my first break at work on Friday. "It's not even noon and all I can think about is margaritas!" I sent, along with a couple laughing and margarita emojis. "I have been thinking about them since 9 a.m.," Eva replied, making me chuckle. I went back to work, excited for the shift to be over. I left promptly at 6 o'clock and drove straight to the restaurant, calling my mom to pass the time of the 45 minute drive. Advertisement Eva and Megan arrived at the restaurant before me. I joined them at the table and we ordered a pitcher of mango margarita. After a few minutes of catching up over chips and salsa, Eva announced that she had some news. Megan and I looked at each other in anticipation. "I'm moving to California," she declared. "In two weeks." She looked at us in anticipation. My jaw dropped. A million questions flooded my head. It all seemed so sudden. "Congratulations," I said. "I'm so happy for you!" I had suddenly lost my appetite for tacos. I took a gulp of margarita out of my glass. Eva explained that she had a great job offer, too good to pass up. She was leaving her current company for a position as a Senior Financial Analyst at one of the leading global producers of wine and spirits. It was a promotion from her current position and I suspect that the free case of wine she would receive as a Christmas bonus helped sweeten the deal. She was nervous to leave her life in Michigan behind but enthusiastic about her new adventure. My eyes welled up with tears as she told us all about her new job. "Don't cry!" she said with her lips turned into a frown. She also fought back tears. "I'm thrilled for you, really." I said. "But I am going to miss you so much!" I cried the entire car ride home from Pancho's. As excited I was for my friend at the amazing opportunity that awaited for her in California, I was just as sad when I thought about her being hundreds of miles away. I felt selfish for being melancholy but I couldn't shake the feeling. I text Eva to let her know I made it home from dinner per her request. "What am I going to do without my bestie five minutes away?!" I wrote. "I know, but I am always a phone call away!" she assured me. "I'll miss you so much but we are BFFs and we are going to stay that way!" Advertisement I was reminded of the many friends that had come and gone throughout the years. There were plenty that I hadn't seen or even talked to in years. Most of the others remained virtual friends through social media. Law enforcement efforts to stop the water protectors at Standing Rock have taken a new turn: in the midst of the most severe weather since the camps were established, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple has issued an "emergency evacuation order" of the largest camp, and is threatening to stop food and building materials from reaching the encampment. The water protectors have said they will not be moved off the land that is disputed under the Fort Laramie Treaty. Many thousands, from around the country and beyond, are siding with the water protectors, and this week, thousands of veterans plan to arrive to "stand with Standing Rock." This nonviolent movement isn't budging in its efforts to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, a 1,172-mile proposed pipeline designed to transport a half million barrels of crude oil a day. The water protectors say the pipeline threatens drinking water for the nearby tribes and for millions who live downstream on the Missouri River. The Standing Rock Tribe, hundreds of other tribes, and hundreds of thousands of individuals oppose the pipeline, which has also dug up sacred sites and ancestral burial grounds. The indigenous leaders of this movement called on supporters from across the country to join them in peaceful camps, which have been occupied since last April. Advertisement So what can others do today? Some are heading to North Dakota to join the thousands already there. Others are finding local actions, and many are breaking up with their DAPL-supporting banks (Here is a list of those bankrolling the Dakota Access Pipeline and how to contact them). Here's my break-up letter, written after two reporting visits to Standing Rock: Dear Chase Bank, Thank you for your kind offer of a new savings and checking account. I understand you are funding the DAPL pipeline, being constructed by Energy Transfer Partners from North Dakota to Illinois. Because of that, I will not be taking you up on your kind offer, and I will instead be closing my one existing account. I don't want to do business with a bank that supports a project that threatens the drinking water and way of life of Native Americans, and that is being forced on them in spite of their repeated, nonviolent insistence that they don't want it. I have sent in my last payment, and will close my account as soon as I have confirmed that you received it. Meanwhile, I hope you will check your conscience and consider what it means to continue a legacy of discounting Native peoples and their concerns. This pipeline was moved from the Bismarck area because of threats to drinking water. Why is it OK, then, to threaten Native people's water? Why is it OK for pipeline construction to desecrate graveyards and other sacred sites? I am also concerned about the Iowa farmers who are likewise being forced by eminent domain to allow this corporation to cut through their lands with a risky pipeline. Advertisement If you withdraw support from DAPL, of course I will reconsider closing my account. And you might sleep better, knowing you have moved over to the right side of history. --WALTER MUNK, SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY, PROPOSES A FLOATING AIRPORT FOR CALIFORNIA AND SAN DIEGO What happens when San Diego outgrows its $1 billion expansion of Lindbergh Field? Some 17 million passengers used Lindbergh each year. Noise, safety and environmental concerns become ever more vexing as the airport is surrounded by the high-rise city that San Diego is becoming. Land is expensive. The Marines appear to have no interest in sharing space at Miramar airfield for a new civilian airfield. It's a long drive to the desert, if the county were to build one there. Advertisement But the ocean is wide open, and it's right here. Why not build the world's first major floating airport? This could be a model for other US cities on the ocean, especially in a time of rising sea level. This is the practical and visionary idea being "floated" by Dr. Walter Munk, who holds the Secretary of the Navy/Chief of Naval Operations Chair at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Munk is widely considered the dean of world ocean scientists. At age 98, Munk has been floating practical and visionary ideas for a long time. His forecasts of surf dynamics helped guide the Allies in amphibious landings throughout the Pacific, in North Africa and in Gen. Dwight Eisenhower's decision to postpone the D-Day invasion during World War II. Munk solved the mystery of why one side of the moon always faces the earth in its rotation, showed that Alaska's waves (and in the summer San Diego's) mostly start in Antarctica, pioneered advanced acoustical techniques to provide information about how the deep sea works, and discovered the ways winds shape currents, encapsulated in his phrase "wind-driven gyres." Advertisement To Munk, the idea of a floating airport for San Diego would be inexpensive compared with terrestrial alternatives, and it would help to brand San Diego as the great ocean metropolis of the future. It would be cool, iconic and great fun. A tourist attraction, even. He adds that San Diego and Tijuana could do it together. "It would be nice to change something before everyone else does it, and it could become San Diego's trademark," he says in his soft Austrian accent, as we sit sipping chardonnay with guacamole and chips at his small estate overlooking Black's Beach. "There are several dozen coastal cities in the world that are having problems accommodating their airports with expanding use and growing populations. Let's be the first." What would "Dr. Munk's Floating Airport" look like? (Of course, Munk insists the idea is not "his," so much as a proposal by himself and two esteemed colleagues. One is Frieder Seible, the former dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego and an expert in expanding airports, such as San Francisco International, into the sea. The other was marine explorer Fred Spiess, a former director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and developer of novel ocean vessels, who died in 2006.) First, the runways would be about twice as long, which would cut down on taxiing time, and save money. "You see," says Munk, "when you land, you would end up stopping at an entrance tunnel and when you take off you would leave from there so you wouldn't have to go to the end of the field. Now, when you land, you come in and stop right at the terminal, but taking off you have to taxi for 10 minutes." The entire platform would be supported some 20 to 25 feet off the waves on columns he calls spars, giant versions of the spar buoy. Advertisement Munk knows much about creating stable ocean platforms from his relationship with Spiess, who helped to create the Floating Instrument Platform, or "FLIP." The famous 355-foot research vessel anchored in Point Loma flips from horizontal to vertical to allow data to be collected on whale sounds or temperature gradients hundreds of feet below the surface. He believes an entire airport would move very little, even in a storm, so pilots would not notice. How would people get to the airport? In boats? No, suggests Munk. "There would be high-speed transportation tubes built on the ocean floor, much like San Francisco's BART system," he says. The tube would "come up" to the floating platform. All ticketing and baggage collection would be done at the current airport, which Munk likes because it's downtown. You don't have to drive far. "Narita, Tokyo's airport, already does this." In fact, Munk points out that Narita was almost the world's first floating airport. A major model was even built. But planners decided at the last minute to build it on fill, which led to problems with settling. A real floating airport "remains to be done by some city with a little bit of guts." He means San Diego. But what about fog? San Diego--or San Francisco--is a city famous for its marine layer, and that's just the coast. "There is a fog problem at Lindbergh Field already," Munk says. "But I have been told that within a very few years all landing and takeoffs will be instrumental." With the growth in sensor technology, as well, fog is not the problem it once was. A floating airport would solve the problem of noise pollution, since it would be a mile or so from land. Noise is a major problem at Lindbergh, so far as neighbors are concerned, and to Munk's way of thinking, reducing noise increases nearby property values as well as makes the experience of San Diego's "wonderful" open-air theaters much more pleasant. Advertisement Best of all, Munk says, the floating airport could be built today. We already know how to do it. The Navy did pilot studies for other locations long ago. San Diego has world-class engineering schools. The talent is here. It would just take some practical vision -- and a little bit of guts. Pity if China, Brazil or -- God forbid -- Los Angeles steals the idea. As the president-elect forms his cabinet and administration, it is now more important than ever before to continue our fight for reforming a broken system of justice in America. As long as the United States incarcerates 25% of the world's prisoners, as long as 50% of this country's inmates are imprisoned for drug crimes, as long as recidivism rates translate into 75% of inmates being rearrested within five years of release, and as long as the racial disparity in prisons mean that one in four black men can expect to end up behind bars in their lifetime - urgent reform is desperately needed. Mr. Trump campaigned on a tough 'law and order' candidacy promising to implement some version of New York City's "stop and frisk" policy, possibly nationwide. Advertisement Aside from this key point, little else is actually known about president-elect Trump's plans for criminal justice under his administration. In fact, there is no area on the policy section of his official campaign website that addresses criminal justice policy. While some advocates of reform may despair at the new state of our institutional political climate, I choose to view the next four years as an opportunity. While the American people remain sharply divided among political lines, justice reform is a convincing area of common cause in our nation. Advertisement 69% of voters agree that the main goal of our justice system should be rehabilitating those who are incarcerated to become productive, law-abiding citizens. 67% of voters agree that what really matters is that the justice system does a better job of making sure that when an offender does get out, whether after months or years, they are less likely to commit another crime. 58% of voters agree that the federal government is spending too many tax dollars keeping nonviolent offenders behind bars. There is an overwhelming bipartisan consensus that the system must be changed. It is up to the people of this country, both those that voted for and against president-elect Trump, to remind the incoming White House of this consensus. As our nation rises to meet the challenges of an increasingly uncertain world, it remains more important than ever before to resolve a fundamental threat to our national liberty. Advertisement This threat is rooted in the deep seeded injustices that are pervasive in our law enforcement, courts, and prisons. The new leadership of our country has a solemn duty to address the many millions of Americans affected by these injustices. By Kevin Cournoyer This is my ninth year of teaching and I have experienced six different principals. In companies or businesses, this would be called a leadership crisis that would spark company-wide reviews of staffing and training models. In Baltimore City public schools however, most teachers would call this normal. In the national conversation about education, teacher turnover has taken hold as one of the most-discussed topics. According to the 2014 report from the Alliance for Excellent Education, teachers moving schools or leaving the profession costs the United States up to $2.2 billion every year. Ask anyone working in education and you are likely to hear many recommendations on how to change this. Teachers need to be paid more. Teachers need to be respected more in our society. Teachers need more support and better programs before they enter the classroom. However, there are two other big causes of teacher transfers and turnover that are largely missing from the national conversation: unsupportive leaders and toxic school cultures. In my experience, these two reasons are what causes teachers to quit or constantly change schools. In my second year of teaching at a Baltimore City high school, my principal told teachers that copies could no longer be made in the building because we had exceeded the number allowed by the district. This declaration occurred in mid-October. Advertisement In my fourth year of teaching at a different high school, my principal pulled me aside at a staff meeting and asked why so many teachers were trying to talk with him about student concerns. In my fifth year of teaching, there was a three-month period where not a single teacher could recall seeing or hearing our principal on the main floor where all of the classrooms were located. We could only tell she was at school by the faint light peeking out from underneath her office door, the front of which was covered by multiple pieces of large chart paper. While some of these stories about school leaders seem so unimaginable as to sound absurd, they are not the worst ones. And no one story could adequately explain a school with a toxic culture that exists because a school has no discipline system, zero professional development, an uncreated or uncommunicated vision, and an administrative focus on compliance instead of instruction. I taught in such a school. Watching amazing students fail through the cracks of non-existent systems broke me down. After that simple actions such as driving to work, walking into the building, or hearing the bells ring started causing me intense, almost physical anxiety. After three years in that high school and three different principals, I learned that no matter how hard I pushed my students, a school without an effective leader and a positive school culture will not only fail to grow teachers, but more importantly it will fail to grow and teach students. Advertisement A school leader is more than just a manager of resources; he or she sets the vision and mission for all stakeholders. The vision and mission are the starting point for all actions and decisions in a school and are an integral part of a school's culture. This is especially true in a tough urban school district such as Baltimore City where students come to school with many different needs and challenges. Without a clear understanding of their role at a school, a teacher can easily become overwhelmed. And yet, according to the 2013 Metlife Survey of the American Teacher: Challenges for School Leadership, 50 percent of principals say they lack access to quality training. If you look through education graduate programs for administration certification, some programs only require one course, if any, in developing a positive school culture. School leadership programs need to emphasize and better train future administrators on how to create, facilitate, and maintain a positive school culture. This is vital to creating a collegial and collaborative staff that strive toward common goals. Graduate programs and alternative certification programs must do everything possible in order to match a principal's internship with the person's desired placement. It does not help a future administrator who wants to work in an elementary school to train at a high school, nor does it help an administrator to train at a county school when their desired placement is at a transformational school. Lastly, districts should require a minimum number of years of teaching before one can become an administrator. As a teacher, I remember vividly not fully understanding this job until my 5th year of teaching, and even then (and now) having a lot to learn. It is vital therefore that future administrators walk in the shoes of a teacher, and not just for a year or two while they complete their program to move up to administration. Advertisement Teacher transfer and teacher turnover are plaguing our nation's schools. Without well-trained administrators who know how to diagnose, lead, and create positive school cultures, our schools will continue to have to hire new teachers and our students will continue to suffer the consequences. Almost as surprising as Trump's victory was the tidal wave that followed the earth quake -- the tsunami of punditry determined to explain what had happened. Proof of the post-election hysteria was the nearly universal error -- a big one -- made by even the most august analysts and publications. One of the dominant "facts" that immediately circulated was that Clinton captured a substantively lower popular vote than Obama did in the two previous elections. The narrative instantly arose that many former Obama supporters did not vote this time around and the gap explained Trump's win. The problem was that nearly all analysts compared Obama's final tallies with Clinton's still-being-counted votes, and the latter were understated by at least five percent. This is because some states, notably California, allow residents to mail in their ballots on election day, including residents who are overseas and whose ballots are not received and counted for days, even weeks. The day after the election, Clinton votes tallied close to 62 million. When the final vote is counted, while she is not likely to receive as many votes as Obama in 2008 (69 million), she will likely match or even surpass his votes in 2012 (66 million). And she will widen the gap against Trump's likely final tally of 63-64 million, since most outstanding ballots are in liberal states. Most states will submit their final vote counts for the December 19th meeting of the Electoral College, where the 538 Electors will cast a presidential ballot, largely in concert with the result of the state they represent. Advertisement While the post-election votes will not change the result, they do change the narrative. First of all, there are many factors that contributed to Trump's victory, many of which are impossible to quantify. We can only speculate which of the many factors had the greatest impact: middle class angst, rejection of Washington gridlock, anti-Clinton sentiment (both Clintons), populist nationalism, an undercurrent of racism and anti-feminism, etc. No analysis will ever unbundle all of these factors in a coherent way that prioritizes their influence. That is the essence of complex phenomena -- they are very difficult to make sense of and nearly impossible to extract learnings from, let alone predictions about. Second, there is one hypothesis that I'm willing to go out on a limb to reject -- the starkly pessimistic view that America is not ready for a female president and that it was an undercurrent of misogyny that did Hillary in. I can neither prove nor be certain that this hypothesis is wrong, but I can point to her popular vote that will rival Obama's last run. And I can insist that it's impossible to separate Hillary the woman from Hillary the politician. Would a male version of Hillary, identical in every respect except gender, have fared better against Trump? Possibly, but some counter-factuals are pointless in contemplating because they are so speculative as to render them meaningless. Hillary had an enormous amount of baggage relating to her personal operating style, her husband's legacy and concerns about a Clinton dynasty being perpetuated. Were these headwinds secondary to her gender? I doubt it. She was one of the most competent but disliked candidates to ever run. To argue that her gender was an insurmountable obstacle is to underweight everything her name connotes for many Americans. What is the real reason Hillary lost the Electoral College vote? There is no single reason and not even a tidy handful of them. The answer can only be "all of the above." Obama was asked after the election if he was worried about being the last Democratic president for a while; his answer, naturally, was that he was not. A more relevant question would have been if he thought Americans were ready for a female president. We already know that a majority of voting Americans were. And there are reasonable odds that an even greater majority will be even more ready in four years. Demonstrators protest against Beijing's interference over local politics and the rule of law. Tyrone Siu/Reuters This article is part of the Democracy Futures series, a joint global initiative with the Sydney Democracy Network. The project aims to stimulate fresh thinking about the many challenges facing democracies in the 21st century. On the eve of Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty, Rem Koolhaus, architectural arbiter of 1990s neoliberal decadence, dubbed Hong Kong a quintessential "generic city" celebrated for its political blankness. Advertisement Today, this vision is being undone by the furious political winds that have blasted the city since the fall of 2014, when simmering economic and political tensions erupted during the Occupy Central uprising. Movement co-founder Benny Tai was right: with a finger firmly placed on Hong Kong's political pulse, he predicted at the time that Beijing's actions would stir up a new "era of resistance" within the territory. Constitutional doubts are mounting. Since the handover of the former British colony to China almost 20 years ago, Hong Kong's status within China's sovereignty nexus was supposed to have been assured under the "one country, two systems" framework laid out by Deng Xiaoping in Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. Deng's vision granted Beijing sovereignty over the territory while allowing the city to retain a high degree of autonomy. China's sovereignty over Hong Kong is now moot. In recent months, the flimsy foundations of its autonomy have been exposed by a series of dramas. Advertisement The heavy-handed attempts by Beijing to erode academic freedom at Hong Kong's most prestigious universities is an example. So, too, is the rapid deterioration of press freedom in a once-boisterous media scene. The case of booksellers who were "disappeared" earlier this year equally raised the spectre of extra-territorial kidnapping by Beijing's security apparatus, accompanied by whispers of its covert operations on Hong Kong's soil. Political instability is spreading. Beijing, in an extraordinary move, recently barred two pro-independence lawmakers from taking their seats in Hong Kong's Legislative Council, a display of political might that further undermines the foundations of the territory's independent judiciary. A business class that's on Beijing's side Two people particularly well versed in Hong Kong's political affairs are Anson Chan, the first woman to be appointed to the role of Chief Secretary in the territory, and Martin Lee, regarded as the father of Hong Kong's democracy movement. Key public figures in Hong Kong, Chan and Lee recently toured Australia and New Zealand, where they urged the region to stand by the territory in its fight for democracy. During their short time in Sydney, they agreed to a sit-down with me at a popular Chinatown restaurant. Advertisement Over bowls of soup and pots of jasmine tea, Chan and Lee explained their political visions and voiced their anxieties about the present state of the territory, and its decaying relationship with the Chinese mainland. Chan and Lee told me that the delicate balance within the "one country, two systems" is now tilting in Beijing's favour. The swing is partly due, Chan said, to Hong Kong's "disappointing" economic "levelling down" since 1997, certainly compared to China's skyrocketing growth into the financial stratosphere. Hong Kong is slowly but surely being absorbed into China's economic orbit. When I pressed them about the political implications of this growing dependency, Lee noted the disquieting rise of a business class in Hong Kong that is "100 per cent" on Beijing's side. It confirms the spectacular success over the past 30 years of Beijing's strategy of encouraging Hong Kong's business class to invest in mainland enterprises, so that in due course they became "financially and economically dependent on China". Lindy Baker/SDN 2016 "Money talks loudest," he continued, lamenting that Hong Kong is being tucked snugly in Beijing's pocket. Lee pointed out that Beijing's economic calculations are not limited just to Hong Kong. He noted how the hands of China, in its bid for global influence fuelled by a relentless appetite for "money, money, money", are "spreading to all five continents". Lee told me that he nevertheless questions the sustainability of the "China model", especially when it is measured in power terms. Advertisement As our conversation unfolded, it struck me that Lee's vision of democracy as the twin of capitalism bears more than a passing resemblance to the teleology of Francis Fukuyama's "end of history". Why is the model of capitalist democracy necessarily a cure for the world's ills, and why will it in the end reign supreme? Doesn't Beijing's political path defy this logic, I asked? Lee remained adamant. "If you want capitalism," he said, "you need the rest, including freedom of speech, the whole thing that comes in the package." China's economic and political power model may well prove more resilient and powerful than Lee and Chan think. Shortly after we met in Sydney, proof of Beijing's far-reaching economic muscle came during Chan and Lee's visit to neighbouring New Zealand, when their meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Bill English was abruptly cancelled, purportedly due to the "diplomatically sensitive" nature of their visit. Political volatility During our remaining time together, Chan emphasised that she places her bets on Deng Xiaoping's blueprint as the best path forward for Hong Kong politically. She said that if Beijing will "get back to one country, two systems [and] allow us to have one man, one vote", then the formula will demonstrate to China that "the system works", so safeguarding Hong Kong from future encroachments. Advertisement Stress tests of that position are now happening fast. Political schisms in Hong Kong are growing. In recent weeks, even in the normally staid parliament, striking scenes have emerged of fiery pro-independence legislators hurling derogatory slurs and staging feisty protests in the direction of the mainland. The rise of a more contentious strand of politics in the territory highlights the precarious political reality of Hong Kong in light of Beijing's recent predatory air. The grim truth is that the territory's Legislative Council is now teetering on the edge of paralysis, and facing a political showdown among its factions. Nothing less than the Legislative Council's institutional authority hangs in the balance. Not only that, but Hong Kong's current Chief Executive, CY Leung, is widely scorned as a Beijing stooge. His meek acquiescence to his sovereign overlords is similarly corroding the authority of the territory's highest office. The shadowy presence of Beijing's Liaison Office looms ever larger over Hong Kong's independent affairs. Beijing's patience with local calls for Hong Kong's independence also appears to be growing thin. Recently, the Chinese government's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office voiced their open support for the legal punishment of "Hong Kong independence activities". Advertisement Bobby Yip/Reuters Heightened speculation that further institutional deterioration within the territory might risk action by Beijing recently became a reality with the case of the two young lawmakers who were barred from Hong Kong's Legislative Council, despite demonstrations in the streets to support them. The fruits of democracy Considering the enormous pressure generated by these present-day trends, I asked Chan and Lee if any bright spots remain in Hong Kong's rapidly shrinking autonomous sphere. Chan replied that the territory remains an indispensable conduit to global markets. Its gateway role necessitates the free flow of digital information across borders. This factor, she explained, was, and remains, the key to Hong Kong's past and future success as both a domestic and international platform for global capital. "Precisely because no Chinese city" can offer Beijing what Hong Kong can, she told me, Beijing has to tread lightly in any future crackdowns. Chan's thinking echoes public statements made by Zhang Dejiang, National People's Congress chairman, who in recent months has spoken soothingly of Hong Kong's unique business advantages and the way they remain unduplicated by other Chinese cities. Advertisement It may be that Chan is right. Perhaps Hong Kong will retain its strategic advantages: the rule of law, unrestricted flows of information and connectivity with the rest of the world that remains second to none. Yet Hong Kong's fierce rival Shanghai currently jockeys to supplant the territory as China's pre-eminent financial centre. And Hong Kong's formerly raucous digital media landscape is being brought to heel by the snapping up of assets by mainland tycoons. Its once-vaunted press freedom has swiftly tumbled down the ranking list of Freedom House in recent annual reports. Facebook and Google are meanwhile rumoured to be positioning themselves to enter the lucrative Chinese market. Things seem hopeless. But are they? Multinationals may well find censored flows of information on the Chinese mainland unproblematic to their business models, but Chan's and Lee's defiance is striking. As we prepared to say goodbye, the pair made clear their dogged defence of the promises laid out in the Basic Law. Lee had the last word. The territory remains a rare terrain in China, he said. It currently enjoys no free and fair elections. The rule of law is under attack. So is its vibrant civil society. Advertisement Yet Hong Kong still has something the mainland doesn't. It has "the fruits of democracy without the tree of democracy". That's why, in spite of everything, Hong Kong citizens and representatives would press on against a regime where the tree of democracy remains "non-existent". Stephenie Andal, PhD Candidate in Government & International Relations, Sydney Democracy Network, University of Sydney By Thomas L. Friedman ONE Thank You for Being Late Everyone goes into journalism for different reasonsand they're often idealistic ones. There are investigative journalists, beat reporters, breaking-news reporters, and explanatory journalists. I have always aspired to be the latter. I went into journalism because I love being a translator from English to English. I enjoy taking a complex subject and trying to break it down so that I can understand it and then can help readers better understand itbe that subject the Middle East, the environment, globalization, or American politics. Our democracy can work only if voters know how the world works, so they are able to make intelligent policy choices and are less apt to fall prey to demagogues, ideological zealots, or conspiracy buffs who may be confusing them at best or deliberately misleading them at worst. As I watched the 2016 presidential campaign unfold, the words of Marie Curie never rang more true to me or felt more relevant: "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." It's no surprise so many people feel fearful or unmoored these days. In this book, I will argue that we are living through one of the greatest inflection points in historyperhaps unequaled since Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg, a German blacksmith and printer, launched the printing revolution in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation. The three largest forces on the planettechnology, globalization, and climate changeare all accelerating at once. As a result, so many aspects of our societies, workplaces, and geopolitics are being reshaped and need to be reimagined. Advertisement When there is a change in the pace of change in so many realms at once, as we're now experiencing, it is easy to get overwhelmed by it all. As John E. Kelly III, IBM's senior vice president for cognitive solutions and IBM Research, once observed to me: "We live as human beings in a linear worldwhere distance, time, and velocity are linear." But the growth of technology today is on "an exponential curve. The only exponential we ever experience is when something is accelerating, like a car, or decelerating really suddenly with a hard braking. And when that happens you feel very uncertain and uncomfortable for a short period of time." Such an experience can also be exhilarating. You might think, "Wow, I just went from zero to sixty miles per hour in five seconds." But you wouldn't want to take a long trip like that. Yet that is exactly the trip we're on, argued Kelly: "The feeling being engendered now among a lot of people is that of always being in this state of acceleration." In such a time, opting to pause and reflect, rather than panic or withdraw, is a necessity. It is not a luxury or a distractionit is a way to increase the odds that you'll better understand, and engage productively with, the world around you. How so? "When you press the pause button on a machine, it stops. But when you press the pause button on human beings they start," argues my friend and teacher Dov Seidman, CEO of LRN, which advises global businesses on ethics and leadership. "You start to reflect, you start to rethink your assumptions, you start to reimagine what is possible and, most importantly, you start to reconnect with your most deeply held beliefs. Once you've done that, you can begin to reimagine a better path." Advertisement But what matters most "is what you do in the pause," he added. "Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best: 'In each pause I hear the call.'" Nothing sums up better what I am trying to do with this bookto pause, to get off the merry-go-round on which I've been spinning for so many years as a twice-a-week columnist for The New York Times, and to reflect more deeply on what seems to me to be a fundamental turning point in history. I don't remember the exact date of my own personal declaration of independence from the whirlwind, but it was sometime in early 2015, and it was totally serendipitous. I regularly meet friends and interview officials, analysts, or diplomats over breakfast in downtown Washington, D.C., near the New York Times bureau. It's my way of packing more learning into a day and not wasting breakfast by eating alone. Once in a while, though, with the D.C. traffic and subways in the morning always a crapshoot, my breakfast guests would arrive ten, fifteen, or even twenty minutes late. They would invariably arrive flustered, spilling out apologies as they sat down: "The Red Line subway was delayed..." "The Beltway was backed up..." "My alarm failed..." "My kid was sick..." On one of those occasions, I realized I didn't care at all about my guest's tardiness, so I said: "No, no, pleasedon't apologize. In fact, you know what, thank you for being late!" Because he was late, I explained, I had minted time for myself. I had "found" a few minutes to just sit and think. I was having fun eavesdropping on the couple at the next table (fascinating!) and people-watching the lobby (outrageous!). And, most important, in the pause, I had connected a couple of ideas I had been struggling with for days. So no apology was necessary. Hence: "Thank you for being late." Advertisement The first time, I just blurted out that response, not really thinking about it. But after another such encounter, I noticed that it felt good to have those few moments of unplanned-for, unscheduled time, and it wasn't just me who felt better! And I knew why. Like many others, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the dizzying pace of change. I needed to give myself (and my guests) permission to just slow down; I needed permission to be alone with my thoughtswithout having to tweet about them, take a picture of them, or share them with anyone. Each time I reassured my guests that their lateness was not a problem, they would give me a quizzical look at first, but then a lightbulb would suddenly go on in their heads and they would say something like: "I know what you mean ... 'Thank you for being late!' Hey, you're welcome." In his sobering book Sabbath, the minister and author Wayne Muller observes how often people say to him, "I am so busy." "We say this to one another with no small degree of pride," Muller writes, "as if our exhaustion were a trophy, our ability to withstand stress a mark of real character... To be unavailable to our friends and family, to be unable to find time for the sunset (or even to know when the sun has set at all), to whiz through our obligations without time for a single, mindful breath, this has become a model of a successful life." I'd rather learn to pause. As the editor and writer Leon Wieseltier said to me once: technologists want us to think that patience became a virtue only because in the past "we had no choice"we had to wait longer for things because our modems were too slow or our broadband hadn't been installed, or because we hadn't upgraded to the iPhone 7. "And so now that we have made waiting technologically obsolete," added Wieseltier, "their attitude is: 'Who needs patience anymore?' But the ancients believed that there was wisdom in patience and that wisdom comes from patience ... Patience wasn't just the absence of speed. It was space for reflection and thought." We are generating more information and knowledge than ever today, "but knowledge is only good if you can reflect on it." And it is not just knowledge that is improved by pausing. So, too, is the ability to build trust, "to form deeper and better connections, not just fast ones, with other human beings," adds Seidman. "Our ability to forge deep relationshipsto love, to care, to hope, to trust, and to build voluntary communities based on shared valuesis one of the most uniquely human capacities we have. It is the single most important thing that differentiates us from nature and machines. Not everything is better faster or meant to go faster. I am built to think about my grandchildren. I am not a cheetah." Advertisement It is probably no accident, therefore, that what sparked this book was a pausea chance encounter I had in, of all places, a parking garage, and my decision not to rush off as usual but to engage with a stranger who approached me with an unusual request. The Parking Attendant It was early October 2014. I had driven my car from my home in Bethesda to the downtown there and parked in the public parking garage beneath the Hyatt Regency hotel, where I was meeting a friend at the Daily Grill for breakfast. As required, I got a time-stamped ticket when I arrived. After breakfast, I located my car in the garage and headed for the exit. I drove up to the cashier's booth and handed the man there my ticket, but before studying it, he studied me. "I know who you are," said the elderly gentleman with a foreign accent and a warm smile. "Great," I hurriedly responded. "I read your column," he said. "Great," I responded, itching to be on my way home. "I don't always agree," he said. "Great," I responded. "It means you always have to check." We exchanged a few more pleasantries; he gave me my change and I drove off, thinking: "It's nice to know the parking guy reads my column in The New York Times." About a week later, I parked in the same garage, as I do roughly once a week to catch the Red Line subway to downtown D.C. from the Bethesda Metro station. I got the same time-stamped ticket, I took the subway to Washington, I spent the day at my office, and I took the Metro back. Then I went down to the garage, located my car, and headed for the exitand encountered the same attendant in the booth. I handed him my time-stamped ticket, but this time, before he handed me my change, he said: "Mr. Friedman, I write, too. I have my own blog. Would you look at it?" Advertisement "How can I find it?" I asked. He then wrote down the Web address on a small piece of white paper normally used to print out receipts. It said "odanabi.com," and he handed it to me with my change. I drove off, curious to check it out. But along the way my mind quickly drifted to other thoughts, like: "Holy mackerel! The parking guy is now my competitor! The parking guy has his own blog! He's a columnist, too! What's going on here?" So I got home and called up his website. It was in English and focused on political and economic issues in Ethiopia, where he was from. It concentrated on relations among different ethnic and religious communities, the Ethiopian government's undemocratic actions, and some of the World Bank's activities in Africa. The blog was well designed and displayed a strong pro-democracy bent. The English was good but not perfect. The subject didn't greatly interest me, though, so I didn't spend a lot of time on the site. But over the next week I kept thinking about this guy: How did he get into blogging? What did it say about our world that such an obviously educated man works as a parking cashier by day but has his own blog by night, a platform that enables him to participate in a global dialogue and tell the whole world about the issues that animate him, that is, Ethiopian democracy and society? I decided I needed to pauseand learn more about him. The only problem was that I didn't have his personal e-mail, so the only way for me to contact him was to take the subway to work every day and park in the public garage to see if, by chance, I could bump into him again. And that's what I did. Advertisement After several days of coming up empty, I was rewarded when one morning I arrived very early and my blogger-parker was there in the cashier's booth. I stopped at the ticket machine, put my car into park, got out, and waved to him. "Hey, it's Mr. Friedman again," I said. "Can I have your e-mail address? I want to talk to you." He found a scrap of paper and wrote it down for me. His full name, I discovered, was Ayele Z. Bojia. That same evening I e-mailed him and asked him to tell me a little bit about his background and when he started blogging. I told him I was thinking of writing a book on writing about the twenty-first century and I was interested in how other people got into the blogging/opinion-writing universe. He e-mailed me back on November 1, 2014: "I consider the first article I posted on Odanabi.com is also the first day I start blogging ... Of course, if the question is also about what motivates me doing that, there are quite a good number of issues that bother me back home in my country of originEthiopiaon which I would like to reflect my personal perspectives. I hope you would excuse me if I am not able to instantaneously respond to your message as I am doing that in between work. Ayele." Sign up for more essays, interviews and excerpts from Thought Matters. ThoughtMatters is a partnership between Macmillan Publishers and Huffington Post On November 3, I e-mailed him again: "What were you doing in Ethiopia before you came here and what are the issues that bother you most? No rush. Thanks, Tom." And the same day he wrote back: "Great. I see a big reciprocity here. You are interested to know what issues bother me most while I am interested to learn from you how I can best communicate those issues of my concern to my target constituency and the larger public." Advertisement To which I immediately answered: "Ayele, You have a deal! Tom." I promised to share with him all that I could about how to write a column, if he would tell me his life story. He immediately agreed, and we set a date. Two weeks later I came from my office in downtown D.C., near the White House, and Bojia came up from his parking garage, and we met nearby at Peet's Coffee & Tea in Bethesda. He was sitting at a small table by the window. He had salt-and-pepper hair and a mustache and wore a green wool scarf wrapped around his neck. He began by telling me his story of how he became an opinion writerand then I told him mineas we each sipped Peet's finest brew. Bojia, who was sixty-three when we first met, explained that he'd graduated with a BA in economics from Haile Selassie I University, named after the longtime Ethiopian emperor. He is an Orthodox Christian and an Oromo, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, with its own distinct language. Dating back from his time as a campus Oromo activist, he explained, he'd been promoting the culture and aspirations of the Oromo people in the context of a democratic Ethiopia. "All my effort is geared towards making it possible for all peoples of Ethiopia to be proud of whatever nationality they belong to and be a proud Ethiopian by citizenship," Bojia explained. Those efforts drew the ire of the Ethiopian regime and forced him into political exile in 2004. Bojia, who bore himself with the dignity of an educated immigrant whose day job was just to earn money so he could seriously blog at night, added: "I am not trying to write for the writing sake. I want to learn the techniques. [But] I have a cause to promote." He named his blog Odanabi.com after a town in Ethiopia near the capital, Addis Ababa. The town is currently being touted to become the administrative and cultural seat of the Oromia regional government. He explained that he began his writing career on various Ethiopian Web platformsNazret.com, Ayyaanntu.net, AddisVoice.com, and Gadaa.com, an Oromo site, but their pace and his eagerness to participate in ongoing debates did not match: "I am appreciative of those websites, which gave me an opportunity to express my views, but the process was just too slow." So, he explained, as "a person working at the parking garage with certain financial constraints, I had to open this website [of my own] to have this regular outlet for myself." His site is hosted by Bluehost.com for a small fee. Advertisement The political field in Ethiopia is dominated by extremes, Bojia added: "There is no middle ground open to reason." One of the things that impressed him about America and that he wanted to bring to Ethiopia was the way "people stand for their rights, but also see the other guy's points of view." (Maybe you have to be a foreigner from a divided land working in an underground parking garage to see today's America as a country where arguments are bringing people closer, but I loved his optimism!) He may just be in the cashier's booth making change, he told me, but he's always trying to observe people and how they express themselves and convey their opinions. "Before I came here I never heard of Tim Russert," Bojia said of the late, great Meet the Press host. "I don't know him, but when I started following [his program] it was kind of infectious for me. When he engages he doesn't push people in an extreme way. He is merciless in presentation of his facts and very respectful to others' feeling." As a result, Bojia concluded, "by the time he is finished every discussion you feel that he gave us some information"and triggered something in the mind of the person he interviewed. Tim would have liked that. Does he know how many people read his blog? I asked. "From month to month it fluctuates with the issue, but there is a steady audience out there," he informed me, adding that the Web metrics he uses suggest that he is being read in around thirty different countries. But then he added: "If there is any way you can help me manage my website, I will be extremely happy." The thirty-five hours a week he'd spent over the last eight years working in the parking garage were just for "subsistencemy website is where my energy is." I promised to do what I could to help. Who could resist a parking attendant who knows his Web metrics! But I had to ask: "What's it like for youparking attendant by day, Web activist by nightto have your own global blog, while sitting in Washington and reaching people in thirty countries"even if the numbers are small? "I feel like I am a little bit empowered at this time," Bojia answered without hesitation. "These days I kind of regret that I wasted my time. I would have started some three or four years ago, and not sent stuff here and there. Had I concentrated on developing my own blog by now I would have a bigger audience ... I have a deep satisfaction from what I am doing. I am doing something positive that helps my country." Advertisement Heating and Lighting So over the next few weeks I e-mailed Bojia two memos on how I went about constructing a column, and I followed up with another meeting at Peet's coffee shop to make certain that he understood what I was trying to say. I can't say how much it helped him, but I learned an enormous amount from our encountersmore than I ever anticipated. For starters, just entering Bojia's world a tiny bit was an eye-opener. A decade ago the two of us would have had little in common, and now we were colleagues of sorts. Each of us was on a journey to bring our priorities to a wider audience, to participate in the global discussion and to tilt the world our way. We were both also part of a bigger trend. "We have never seen a time when more people could make history, record history, publicize history, and amplify history all at the same time," remarked Dov Seidman. In previous epochs, "to make history you needed an army, to record it you needed a film studio or a newspaper, to publicize it you needed a publicist. Now anyone can start a wave. Now anyone can make history with a keystroke." And Bojia was doing just that. Artists and writers have moonlighted from time immemorial. What is new today is how many can now moonlight, how many others they can now touch from the moonlight if what they write is compelling, how fast they can go global if they prove they have something to say, and how little money it now costs to do so. To live up to my side of the bargain with Bojia, I had to think more deeply about the craft of opinion writing than I had ever done before. I had been a columnist for nearly twenty years when we met, after being a reporter for seventeen years, and our encounter forced me to pause and put into words the difference between reporting and opinion writing and what actually makes a column "work." In my two memos to Bojia I explained that there is no set formula for writing a column, no class you attend, and that everyone does it differently to some degree. But there were some general guidelines I could offer. When you are a reporter, your focus is on digging up facts to explain the visible and the complex and to unearth and expose the impenetrable and the hiddenwherever that takes you. You are there to inform, without fear or favor. Straight news often has enormous influence, but it's always in direct proportion to how much it informs, exposes, and explains. Advertisement Opinion writing is different. When you are a columnist, or a blogger in Bojia's case, your purpose is to influence or provoke a reaction and not just to informto argue for a certain perspective so compellingly that you persuade your readers to think or feel differently or more strongly or afresh about an issue. That is why, I explained to Bojia, as a columnist, "I am either in the heating business or the lighting business." Every column or blog has to either turn on a lightbulb in your reader's headilluminate an issue in a way that will inspire them to look at it anewor stoke an emotion in your reader's heart that prompts them to feel or act more intensely or differently about an issue. The ideal column does both. But how do you go about generating heat or light? Where do opinions come from? I am sure every opinion writer would offer a different answer. My short one is that a column idea can spring from anywhere: a newspaper headline that strikes you as odd, a simple gesture by a stranger, the moving speech of a leader, the naive question of a child, the cruelty of a school shooter, the wrenching tale of a refugee. Everything and anything is raw fodder for creating heat or light. It all depends on the connections you make and insights you surface to buttress your opinion. More broadly speaking, though, I told Bojia, column writing is an act of chemistryprecisely because you must conjure it up yourself. A column doesn't write itself the way a breaking news story does. A column has to be created. This act of chemistry usually involves mixing three basic ingredients: your own values, priorities, and aspirations; how you think the biggest forces, the world's biggest gears and pulleys, are shaping events; and what you've learned about people and culturehow they react or don'twhen the big forces impact them. Advertisement When I say your own values, priorities, and aspirations, I mean the things that you care about most and aspire to see implemented most intensely. That value set helps you determine what is important and worth opining about, as well as what you will say. It is okay to change your mind as an opinion writer; what is not okay is to have no mindto stand for nothing, or for everything, or only for easy and safe things. An opinion writer has to emerge from some framework of values that shapes his or her thinking about what should be supported or opposed. Are you a capitalist, a communist, a libertarian, a Keynesian, a conservative, a liberal, a neocon, or a Marxist? When I refer to the world's big gears and pulleys, I am talking about what I call "the Machine." (Hat tip to Ray Dalio, the renowned hedge fund investor, who describes the economy as "a machine.") To be an opinion writer, you also always need to be carrying around a working hypothesis of how you think the Machine worksbecause your basic goal is to take your values and push the Machine in their direction. If you don't have a theory about how the Machine works, you'll either push it in a direction that doesn't accord with your beliefs or you won't move it at all. And when I say people and culture, I mean how different peoples and cultures are affected by the Machine when it moves and how they, in turn, affect the Machine when they react. Ultimately columns are about peoplethe crazy things they say, do, hate, and hope for. I like to collect data to inform columnsbut never forget: talking to another human being is also data. The columns that get the most response are almost always the ones about people, not numbers. Also, never forget that the best-selling book of all time is a collection of stories about people. It's called the Bible. I argued to Bojia that the most effective columns emerge from mixing and rubbing these three ingredients together: you can't be an effective opinion writer without a set of values that informs what you're advocating. Dov Seidman likes to remind me of the Talmudic saying "What comes from the heart enters the heart." What doesn't come from your heart will never enter someone else's heart. It takes caring to ignite caring; it takes empathy to ignite empathy. You also can't have an effective column without some "take" on the biggest forces shaping the world in which we live and how to influence them. Your view of the Machine can never be perfect or immutable. It always has to be a work in progress that you are building and rebuilding as you get new information and the world changes. But it is very difficult to persuade people to do something if you can't connect the dots for them in a convincing waywhy this action will produce this result, because this is how the gears and pulleys of the Machine work. And, finally, I told Bojia, you'll never have an opinion column that works unless it is inspired and informed by real people. It can't just be the advocacy of abstract principles. When you put your value set together with your analysis of how the Machine works and your understanding of how it is affecting people and culture in different contexts, you have a worldview that you can then apply to all kinds of situations to produce your opinions. Just as a data scientist needs an algorithm to cut through all the unstructured data and all the noise to see the relevant patterns, an opinion writer needs a worldview to create heat and light. But to keep that worldview fresh and relevant, I suggested to Bojia, you have to be constantly reporting and learningmore so today than ever. Anyone who falls back on tried-and-true formulae or dogmatisms in a world changing this fast is asking for trouble. Indeed, as the world becomes more interdependent and complex, it becomes more vital than ever to widen your aperture and to synthesize more perspectives. My own thinking on this subject has been deeply influenced by Lin Wells, who teaches strategy at the National Defense University. According to Wells, it is fanciful to suppose that you can opine about or explain this world by clinging to the inside or outside of any one rigid explanatory box or any single disciplinary silo. Wells describes three ways of thinking about a problem: "inside the box," "outside the box," and "where there is no box." The only sustainable approach to thinking today about problems, he argues, "is thinking without a box." Of course, that doesn't mean having no opinion. Rather, it means having no limits on your curiosity or the different disciplines you might draw on to appreciate how the Machine works. Wells calls this approachwhich I will employ in this bookbeing "radically inclusive." It involves bringing into your analysis as many relevant people, processes, disciplines, organizations, and technologies as possiblefactors that are often kept separate or excluded altogether. For instance, the only way you will understand the changing nature of geopolitics today is if you meld what is happening in computing with what is happening in telecommunications with what is happening in the environment with what is happening in globalization with what is happening in demographics. There is no other way today to develop a fully rounded picture. These are the main lessons I shared with Bojia in my memos and our coffees. But here is a confession, which I also happily shared with him at our last meeting, which happened as I was completing this book: I had never thought this deeply about my own craft and what makes a column work until our chance encounter prompted me to do so. Had I not paused to engage him, I never would have taken apart, examined, and then reassembled my own framework for making sense of the world in a period of rapid change. Not surprisingly, the experience set my mind whirring. And not surprisingly, my meetings with Bojia soon led me to start asking myself the same questions I was asking him to explore: What is my value set and where did it come from? How do I think the Machine works today? And what have I learned about how different peoples and cultures are being impacted by the Machine and responding to it? That's what I started doingin the pauseand the rest of this book is my answer. Part II is about how I think the Machine works nowwhat I think are the biggest forces reshaping more things in more places in more ways on more days. Hint: the Machine is being driven by simultaneous accelerations in technology, globalization, and climate change, all interacting with one another. And Part III is about how these accelerating forces are affecting people and cultures. That is, how they are reshaping the workplace, geopolitics, politics, ethical choices, and communitiesincluding the small town in Minnesota where I grew up and where my own values were shaped. Part IV offers the conclusions I draw from it all. In short, this book is one giant column about the world today. It aims to define the key forces that are driving change around the world, to explain how they are affecting different people and cultures, and to identify what I believe to be the values and responses most appropriate to managing these forces, in order to get the most out of them for the most people in the most places and to cushion their harshest impacts. Advertisement So you never know what can result from pausing to talk to another person. To make a short story longBojia got a framework for his blog and I got a framework for this book. Think of it as an optimist's guide to thriving and building resilience in this age of accelerations, surely one of the great transformative moments in history. As a reporter, I am continually amazed that often, when you go back and re-report a story or a period of history, you discover things you never saw the first time. As I began to write this book, it immediately became clear to me that the technological inflection point that is driving the Machine today occurred in a rather innocuous-sounding year: 2007. What the hell happened in 2007? Copyright 2016 by Thomas L. Friedman Thomas L. Friedman is a three-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for his work with The New York Times and the author of six bestselling books, including The World Is Flat. Over the next two weeks the UN is marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Such violence is an affliction still all too prevalent throughout the world, across developed and developing counties, Christian, Muslim and Hindu societies, and low and high-income families. The UN estimates that 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly by an intimate partner. Figures, of course, vary from country to country, and in Pakistan for example, it is believed that between 60 and 90% of women have suffered some form of gender violence in their lifetime. Violence against women is a broad concept, incorporating more than just physical abuse. It can include emotional and psychological abuse, child marriage, honour killings, trafficking, and female genital mutilation. In Niger 75% of girls are married before the age of 18. In the Gambia, approximately 78% of girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation. These acts of gender-based violence cannot be ignored. Women are particularly vulnerable to gender violence in fragile situations, such as internally displaced people camps that are sadly on the rise in many states across the world due to violence and instability. The rise in sexual violence in camps must be met with increased screening for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as improved support for women and girls in general. The causes of violence against women are complex, and the widespread nature of these crimes make it difficult to identify specific factors that trigger this kind of violence. Nor is it always intuitive. Nordic countries, often rightly seen as leaders in gender equality and progressive rights, typically have high levels of gender violence in relation to other European counties of similar economic and cultural circumstances. Identifying the systematic features that breed gender violence is therefore no easy task. What is clear is this: in failing to educate women on the issues and on ways to address and eliminate gender violence, violence against women will endure. A combination of cultural taboos, shame, and a lack of available options for women and girls result in a majority of cases of violence against women going unreported, leaving the crime unpunished and the girl invisible. If gender violence remains unaddressed, the abusers will likely continue to perpetrate unabated. By opening up gender violence to broader conversation it is possible to show girls and women that help is available to them. Furthermore, addressing the issue shows women that there is no need to suffer in silence, and that it is both their right and their duty to speak out against gender violence. The responsibility to address and counter gender violence does not fall solely on women, but on the wider community as a whole. Communities have a responsibility to ensure that affected women and girls are reintegrated in to society after experiencing sexual violence, avoiding disowning or shunning victims. In many societies, women who have experienced sexual violence are deemed 'unclean', a notion that both ostracises women from societies, and deters them from coming forward. This notion must be challenged. Operating in Nigeria and its neighbouring countries, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa advocates women's rights through educational programmes, lobbying, and an emphasis on maternal health rights. In recognition of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we will be launching two initiatives to tackle gender violence. The first, which will be launched and distributed next week, is a Gender Violence booklet, to be distributed to young girls and women across Nigeria. This informative booklet gives girls insight in to gender violence and brings this discussion to the forefront of debate. Not only does it inform women on the nature of gender violence, but importantly it gives contact details for local agencies that are available to help victims of gender violence in Nigeria. It is of course no panacea, but it is a first step to showing vulnerable women that there is support and channels available to them when they are threatened or subjected to violence. The second initiative to be launched is a gender violence toolkit, which teaches participatory justice as a system of gender violence prevention. The toolkit will be distributed to women leaders and people of influence across Nigeria, to be adopted and practised by communities at a local level. The little-known participatory justice system has been proven to reduce gender violence, and we hope that through educating people at the top, this system of justice can trickle all the way down societies and communities to make a tangible difference. This system, which I witnessed directly in Nigeria democratises the issue of gender based violence and ensures those that perpetrate such crimes are held accountable in their community. This is not a global solution. It would not be applicable in Scandinavia or the United States. But in communities in Nigeria it can be an affective barrier to abuse. And one which can and should be utilised as part of the wider fight against gender violence. A fight, which must be won everywhere. Aston, PA, USA - September 22, 2016: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is welcomed on stage at a rally in Aston, Pennsylvania. The news that Melania Trump will live apart from her husband, President-elect Donald Trump for a few months until their son Barron, 10, finished school, was shocking to many people. While it may seem odd that a married couple doesn't live together, the Trumps' decision to live apart is actually part of a growing trend -- living apart together couples, also known as LATs, or apartners. Advertisement About one-third of U.S. adults who aren't married or cohabiting are in LAT relationships. While some are young people in long-distance relation ships because of schooling or careers, or couples who want to live together but can't for various reasons (such as military families), many include women like me -- divorced, middle-aged empty-nesters who want nothing that resembles the married life we knew. In fact, more older divorced and widowed women are choosing live apart together relationships so they can enjoy their romantic relationships without the complications, caretaking and complacency of living together. But a good portion are married, like the Trumps -- who will be the highest-profile example of this demographic trend. Still, the number of couples who are "married, spouse absent," according to the United States census, is a lot less than the numbers of couples living together -- just a little more than 3 percent of the population. How will they make it work? Does it help or hinder a relationship? What are the benefits? What about the kids? Upsides of living apart In researching LATs/apartners for The New I Do: Reshaping Marriage for Skeptics, Realists and Rebels -- which offers a living apart together model as one of many marital options couples can chose from to individualize their marriage -- I discovered that LATs/apartners feel more committed and less trapped than live-in couples. When you live apart, each person has to actively work on commitment and trust; it's not taken for granted. Nor is sex -- especially since so many couples are dealing with what they consider sexless marriages. Advertisement I also learned that many people who are in LAT relationships, or were in them for a while, say that they learned valuable relationship skills, such as trust, patience and better communication. Many also got better at time management, independence, and discovering intimacy that wasn't just about sex and touch. Those are the kind of skills can lead to a more satisfying relationship, and relationship satisfaction can make couples feel more committed to each other. Couples who feel committed to each other are motivated to show it; they act in ways that their partner can clearly experience as loving. And they don't need to be under the same roof to act loving. Isn't that exactly what people want in a romantic relationship? Living apart -- good for women? "It's of particular interest to women, who often get the short end of the stick in marriage and cohabitation. They still end up doing most of the caretaking and household chores, even if they work full time," says Montreal filmmaker Sharon Hyman, who is working on a documentary called Apartners: Living Happily Ever Apart that I will be a part of as well as apartners from around the world. "Couples, especially women, who are apartners relish the fact that to have time and space apart, and believe it may just be the secret ingredient to keeping love alive and passions growing. When you remove the petty, annoying parts out of a relationship, like laundry on the floor or who's spending too much on what, then you are left with the good stuff -- the chance to truly be intimate and present with your partner. Many believe that it actually makes them a better spouse." Hyman has been an apartner for almost two decades and wouldn't have it any other way, although she acknowledges it may not be right for everyone. Advertisement "I am not an advocate for couples living apart. What I am an advocate for is having options. I just do not believe that there is only one way to love, no one-sized-fits-all, cookie-cutter way to have a relationship," Hyman writes in Psychology Today. "It is all about what works best for you and your mate." What about the kids? Of course, living apart together isn't that hard if you don't have kids or your kids are grown and out of the house; it's an entirely different thing if you're trying to raise a child or children together. Barron's schooling is supposedly why the Trumps made the decision to live apart for a while. Children add complications to the arrangement, but they aren't insurmountable. The Trumps will have to come up with a plan that addresses how Donald will maintain meaningful connection with Barron and have everyone feel like they're part of one family. Technology makes that awfully easy nowadays. Then they'll just need to keep communicating. Trump will want to be sure to let Barron know when he'll be home again, and assure him that they will have plenty of one-on-one time together, as well as family time, before he heads back to Washington. In most cases, the person living apart from the family home would want to be sensitive to the spouse at home with the kids; you want to avoid the "super-parent" syndrome -- making one person responsible for all the caretaking -- as much as you can. Since that's the arrangement the Trumps already have -- and let's face it, they have lots of paid help, too -- this won't be an issue for them. Advertisement A POTUS who looks like us Say what you will about the Trumps, but here's an upside to their planned arrangement: couples about to wed or even long-term couples who feel stuck in their marriage may look at the marital arrangement of the future POTUS and FLOTUS and decide that they, too, would like to become apartners. Since fewer of us in America are in traditional nuclear families, why wouldn't we want a president who reflects who we actually are -- beyond just a man of color like President Obama or a woman like presidential-hopeful Hillary Clinton. Every couple is free to individualize their marriage so that it works for them, no one else. And that's exactly what the Trumps, married almost 12 years, plan to do. There has been no running water for three weeks in La Paz, Bolivia, November 2016. Mateo Romay Salinas "Don't jump the queue! I was the first in line. Get out of the way!" Shouts a man carrying a bucket, "I've got three kids and was waiting somewhere else and when the water truck came there wasn't enough for all of us. We don't have water to drink." Answers a woman in tears with a blue bucket and a little girl holding a bigger bucket than her. The army officer overseeing the distribution of water addresses the crowd who've gathered to get their ration, "those with a copy of their paid water bill can have four buckets of water." The water is being delivered in a petrol tanker and the meager rations people are fighting over looks more like urine than water. There has been no running water for three weeks. This is happening in La Paz, the capital of my country Bolivia. Hospitals are in emergency, schools have cancelled classes, food factories have stopped manufacturing. Since there's no water, there's no bread, the staple food for Bolivians. Last week the rubbish collectors went on strike and the electricity was out. Advertisement La Paz, Bolivia, July 2016 UnitedNotions Film Scenes in La Paz look more like the opening of a post apocalyptic science fiction film, but unfortunately this is real. La Paz, home to 2 million people, might be the first capital city to have a very serious water crisis, but I doubt it will be the last. Evo Morales, our president, said on national television, "For me this is like an earthquake, it wasn't in our planning to run out of water, we were taken by surprise. You must prepare yourself for the worst." However the United Nations alerted the Bolivian government in 2013, that Bolivia was one of the most vulnerable countries to suffer the effects of global warming, and they needed to take precautions. Morales has been busy building coliseums in his own name with credit from China, in exchange of mining concessions to Chinese companies, who incidentally use vast amounts of water and likely care little about the needs of Bolivians. Home to 2 million people, La Paz has run out of water, Bolivia, November 2016 Mateo Romay Salinas The mining companies helped dry up the little water left on the high planes, after the melting of the Chacaltaya that disappeared in 2010 (the first tropical glacier to melt before our eyes). Last year, the second biggest lake in Bolivia dried up, 86 km long and 55 km wide, became a desert. Yet, while the writing had been on the wall for several years, Morales' government didn't say a word or take any action to prevent what is now a water crisis of biblical proportions in Bolivia. The water supply for the capital La Paz has run dry, and there won't be enough water in the city's dams until 2018. Advertisement Aston, PA, USA - September 22, 2016: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump delivers a speech at a rally in Aston, Pennsylvania. In an interview with the New York Times, on November 22, 2016, Donald Trump said he had an "open mind" over US involvement in the Paris Agreement. During his electoral campaign he had proclaimed that he intended to "cancel' this Agreement. The international community meeting in Marrakech for the COP 22 has shown concern over this position as the United States is responsible for about 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could threaten the goal of limiting the global temperature rise to below 2C. We can still hope that the President-elect will not pursue this election promise. No doubt he might technically pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, but in doing so the future Trump administration would be taking both a diplomatic and a legal risk. Advertisement A withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would be permissible within a four-year period From a procedural point of view, if the American government cannot cancel the Paris Agreement on behalf of all signatory States, it can still withdraw from the Agreement. There are two ways the U.S. government could do this. First, the Paris agreement allows States to withdraw, but only after a certain period of time. In accordance with Article 28, withdrawal is permissible only from the third year following the entry into force of the Agreement, which means not until November 2019. In addition, the withdrawal will not take effect before one year from that date. Therefore, at the earliest, the U.S. withdrawal will be effective in November 2020, by the end of Donald Trump's term. Second, though more radical, the U.S. could withdraw from another agreement: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (the "Framework Convention"), negotiated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The withdrawal from the Framework Convention would lead ipso facto to the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Should this happen, the withdrawal will take effect within a shorter time period of one year. Alternatively, and more simply, the future Trump administration could simply disregard its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The United States Intended Nationally Determined Contribution aims at reducing its greenhouse gas emissions from 26 percent to 28 percent of their 2005 level by 2025, but the Paris Agreement does not include any sanction in case these objectives are not met. The United States could therefore disregard its commitments with impunity. U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would pose two major risks. The first one is diplomatic in nature.The diplomatic risk: U.S. isolation Advertisement Some fear the so-called "domino effect" whereby some States, taking notice of the U.S. withdrawal, could also decide to disregard their climate commitments. This scenario cannot be entirely excluded. However, it is more likely that a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could backfire, leaving the U.S. isolated on the diplomatic stage as a result. As the COP 22 put into light, the global consensus that emerged from Paris to deal with climate change collectively has been consolidated in Marrakech. Should the United States withdraw, it will assume the risk of being out of this common path, leaving the field open to challengers. China, determined to move forward with climate change, and the European Union could take the lead on developing low-carbon economies. The legal risk: climate liability of the U.S. It is clear that global warming will result in damages, and a key question is who will bear these costs. The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, gave a speech on September 29, 2015 at Lloyd's of London. He explained that because of the rapid sea level rise, the number of weather-related loss events has tripled since the 1980s. He showed concern on liability risks and asked what would happen "if parties who have suffered loss or damage from the effects of climate change seek compensation from those they hold responsible"? Should the United States withdraw from the Paris Agreement, victims of global warming could initiate lawsuits against the federal government. These actions could be brought in American courts, or even domestic courts of other countries who have suffered damage. The courts could hold that the Unites States' decision to withdraw from, or to not implement, the Paris Agreement has caused damage and the victims should be fully compensated. One thing is certain: in France, such a withdrawal would be unconstitutional. It would be contrary to Article 10 of the Environment Charter, which states that "France's actions at both European and international levels" are to draw inspiration from the objectives of environmental protection. In addition, repealing regulations such as the Clean Power Plan would likely be contrary to the principle of "non-regression", a principle provided by law. Finally, it will be at odds with French administrative case law: in a ruling of March 3, 2004, the highest administrative court (the "Conseil d'Etat") held the French State liable for negligence due to its failure to take positive action to protect workers' health when the risks associated with asbestos exposure at work were clearly demonstrated by scientific studies. Advertisement These legal principles could inspire the American courts. Indeed, a decision of the Oregon District Court took the first step towards this on November 10, 2016. The case concerned a group of 21 children and teenagers of Our Children's Trust who filed a lawsuit against the federal government in August 2015. They claimed that the government's inaction with regards to climate change violated both (i) their constitutional right to life, freedom and property (Due Process Clause) and (ii) the Public Trust doctrine whereby the State holds its natural resources in trust for its citizens. The Court denied the government's motion to dismiss the case. A chance: the mobilization of American civil society in favor of the climate Paradoxically, compliance with U.S. climate commitments could be the result of the actions of civil society rather than of the federal government. In the U.S., local and regional actors have been involved in the development of clean energies for a long time. Further, almost 400 American companies have called on their representatives "to pursue the participation of the U.S. in the Paris agreement." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news A woman has told how she saw a man 'waving an axe' moments before he was shot by police. Officers shot the man in Francis Street, city centre, after he was reportedly seen carrying a weapon in the street. The 31-year-old man is said to have been injured and is now receiving medical treatment, Humberside Police said. One woman said she saw police approach the man as she was driving along Charles Street towards Freetown Way. "I could see the man coming towards me waving an axe and you could see he had been Tasered by the police because you could see the lines," she said. "The police were quite a distance from him and they were giving him plenty of time to drop the axe and he was still waving it around. "He just carried on walking. He went down the street near to the car park in Francis Street and turned down there, with the axe still in the air. "The police followed him down there and then I heard a shot. Straight away I knew it was a gunshot. "In my opinion, the police did what was right, it was the last resort. "He had been Tasered and you could tell they were talking to him and he just didn't stop waving it around. They obviously didn't want anything to happen to the public, they didn't just do it for the sake of it." The witness said she was concerned when she saw the man walking towards her car. "I was thinking what if he comes towards me, you don't know what they are going to do," she said. "I was quite worried because obviously something significant had happened for the police to be following him." A man near the scene, who did not want to be named, said he believed the injured man was his cousin. He said his cousin suffers from mental health issues and has problems with drugs. He said: "All I've heard is one of my friends rang me and said 'Your cousin's been running around with an axe and he's been Tasered and they've shot him'. That's all I know. "I'm going to go and find out how he is now." Other bystanders have told the Mail they heard two distinct gun shots at around 9.30am. Mike Taylor, site manager at Kingston Pavers, is carrying out some work in Freetown Way. He said: "I heard two loud bangs all of a sudden. I remember thinking they sounded like gunshots. I joked to the other lads by touching my chest as if I had been shot. We didn't think any more of it and we went to Subway around the corner for a break. When we came back there were coppers all over. "It is scary that this has happened, especially when we were working nearby." The partner of one of Mr Taylor's colleagues works at Hica, which is within the police cordon. Speaking from her office, Louise Sleight, 27, said: "There were a lot of rumours circulating. One woman said someone had been shot by police and that, that person had apparently had an axe, although she hadn't seen that. We are allowed to go outside for a cigarette but I don't think we are allowed to move our cars. "You don't expect something like this, it's a bit scary really." A workman, who would only give his first name as Chris, said: "I definitely heard two gunshots. People are saying that he was only Tasered but you know the difference between a taser and a gunshot and these were definitely gunshots." Humberside Police said they were called at 9.20am on Tuesday after "concerns for the safety of the public" were raised in relation to a man seen near the Post Office in Holderness Road, east Hull. He was shot at 9.37am near the car park in Francis Street, city centre. Firefighters have put up green, canvas screens around an area within the facility of the Sanctuary Housing offices in Francis Street. A large police presence remains at the scene, with several nearby streets also cordoned off. A man who lives in Caroline Street said: "Everywhere you go there's a copper. It must be quite serious. It can't be an accident because they wouldn't shut this many roads." The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the shooting. Here's when Dunkin' and Atwoods plan to open in Hutchinson Developers of two business blame shipment delays of equipment and materials in pushing back openings for new Hutchinson retail locations. Analytics In An Artists World [Bruno Guez] Revelator CEO Bruno Guez explores how the latest evolution of data driven niche marketing by companies such as Netflix could be applied in different ways to the music industry, particularly as music streaming occupies an increasingly large segment of the market. ___________________________ Guest post by Bruno Guez, Founder and CEO of Revelator Few companies have created the same level of buzz over recent months as Netflix, the company that has completely redefined the way premium television content is distributed, consumed and produced. In their most recent earnings announcement, the company revealed a 3.6m subscriber bump, leading to a 20% stock value increase. Netflix is popularly known as a powerhouse, and yet both Netflix and Wall Street experts alike actually predicted a less than stellar report, so these numbers threw them for a loop. More impressive than the numbers, however, is just how Netflix managed to defy the odds and shatter its own expectations for growth. By channeling and analyzing its massive pool of data, collected from over 83 million users worldwide, Netflix was able to gain invaluable insight into customer behavior, and translate it into actionable targeting and better service. In their case, that came in the form of a push of original content, like Stranger Things and the second season of Narcos. Essentially, Netflix has been able to channel data to drive game changing and original content by better understanding how to reach niche markets more effectively. The subsequent move from catch-all, mass market television has redefined expectations of what can be achieved in the medium and helped usher in a golden age of television. Yet, the revolution goes far beyond television alone and could have massive implications for the music industry as well. Big Data Transcending Traditional Industries The use of big data to target customers and improve service is not a new phenomenon. For years, commercial airlines have been utilizing data to optimize track luggage, personalize offers, and boost loyalty. Additionally, retail behemoth Starbucks has gotten on the big data bandwagon, amassing troves of data on their caffeine riddled customers, which they have used to better tailor their offerings. Not only were they able to increase their profit margins, but also win points for customization in the eyes of their followers. No, big data is certainly not a new fad, and for these and many other companies, the proof of its success is in the proverbial analytics pudding. For too long there has been a misconception that creative industries cannot utilize the same monetizing models as other, more analytical industries, such as retail and travel. However, if there is anything to take away from Netflixs latest and greatest success, its that the digital content industry is ripe for a data disruption. The question is, how can others in the creative arena, specifically music, harness the power of data and leverage technology to up the ante and increase their bottom line, while still generating boundary breaking original material? Data in a Streaming Era For the past 10 years or so, we have seen a shift in music distribution formats, from buying and downloading, to the now ever-ubiquitous streaming. The inherent nature of the format gives rise to mass distribution, across all platforms around the world. Believe it or not, each and every song streamed through Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, has its own digital fingerprint, consisting not only of basic information record label, title, artist but more specific metrics, such as location, platform, and listener demographic. As digital content becomes more and more accessible, a huge opportunity is rising in front of industry professionals, from the artists to their managers and record labels, to effectively use those untapped layers of data to their advantage. So now we are left with the conundrum of how to use all this data to better inform our business decisions and take advantage of the insights it affords? Utilizing Data in a Hyper-Digital Decade With the rise of digital tools to track and analyze data, artists are able to see layers upon layers of information regarding their song performances. This information becomes particularly invaluable when considering smaller, lesser known artists, which dont yet have global recognition, nor the funds to invest in an exhaustive marketing campaign. Data enables them to create touring schedules that focus on the markets where they enjoy the greatest popularity, built set lists that will cater to specific audiences and understand where and how their music is being consumed. The result is an increased capacity to focus on originality and creativity. When an artist can quickly and effectively find their audience, they dont need to waste time in unproductive activities or even worse, dumb down their music in order to drive appeal. Likewise, this data has an added value for managers or record labels, who make decisions on behalf of the artists, in order to improve their careers and income. This trend is at the heart of some of the worlds most successful acts as well. For instance, while One Direction may have appeared to seamlessly enter the worlds hearts, a tremendous amount of data collection and analysis was ultimately responsible for their popularity. Their digital first marketing campaign allowed them to target precisely who their listeners were, and in turn cater to what that group would respond to. The result was a democratization of the music, allowing fans to engage with the band and dictate the members actions. With a thorough understanding of their target fan base, One Direction cultivated a following that has enabled longevity and massive success. And the impact could be even larger for rising bands and musicians struggling to drive the revenues necessary to keep their careers and ambitions afloat. Benefits of Big Data Through analysis of national and global song performances, artists and their managers can pinpoint precisely where their music is gaining traction, how their music is being received and among which audiences. This is an incredible advantage as their managers or record labels can then in turn use that information to market the artists correctly, which allows them the freedom to be as creative as they please and to focus on their music undividedly. No longer are musicians forced to cater to the masses, but rather can keep their artistic integrity and play to those fans who like them just the way they are. If Netflixs recent success has taught us anything, its that insight into consumer behavior is invaluable. Whether youre a small time shop, or an industry behemoth, knowing your audience is absolutely key in understanding how to better serve them. Long gone are the days of feedback surveys, and in their place has arisen a gold mine of untapped behavioral data. Take the time to invest in your untapped data, as you might be missing an entire market out there for the taking Share on: New Trade Mission Visits South American Music Conferences, Fests in 6 Cities: Doing Business in Chile, Argentina, Brazil Starting today, a new trade mission is meeting with musicians and the music industry at conferences and festivals in 6 cities in 3 South American countries. The three - Chile, Argentina and Brazil collectively represent 2/3rds of the Latin American music market. _______________________________________ The phenomenon of music conferences and festivals scheduling together so that international delegates and speakers can participate in two or more regional events consecutively, saving travel costs and time, as well as networking for a longer time, has reached new lengths in South America this month. Participating in the CAB ChileArgentinaBrazil Music Trade Mission Tour are almost 50 music professionals from around the world, as well as various export offices, including trade missions from Quebec and Australia. The events are Fluvial/Chile, BAFIM, Buenos Aires, Audio Porto/Porto Alegre, SIM SP/Sao Paulo and Rio Music Buzz/Rio de Janeiro. The panels and conferences will cover a wide series of topics, relevant to the region, including lyric translations, touring, copyright administration, and the opportunities for international artists and companies. The Canadian and Australian Embassies will also be hosting networking opportunities for their international and local guests in Santiago, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. Behind the logistics of coordinating the dates of each event with its respective organizers is a new venture, Audio Porto Antenna. APA is a new international company acting as a commercial version of an export/import office, a creative hub liaison between international companies, organizations and artists, looking to expand into South America, as well as South American companies, organizations and artists looking to expand internationally. It's built around a new world class studio, Audio Porto, in Porto Alegre, Brazil which will host a Launch Party on Dec. 11th, with many international, regional and local music professionals participating. Visiting 2/3rds of the Latin American Music Market The three host countries make up over 2/3rds of the Latin American music market, coming in at #10 (Brazil), #15 (Argentina) and #36th (Chile), according to \ figures released during a recent US Department of Commerce webinar called Explore the Music Export & Licensing Marketplace in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Combined, this is an important music market. With the growth of locally based platforms for music promotion, distribution and sales, along with these conference tours, the music business continues to become truly international. More info on CAB and the mission here. Share on: The Orchard Remembers Sharon Jones Here the staff at The Orchard, who had the good fortune to work with Sharon Jones, share their remembrances of the talented artist and friend who passed away last week. _____________________________ Guest post by Chris Calabrese from The Orchard's The Daily Rind Last week, the world said goodbye to Sharon Jones, an artist and friend that impacted the lives of many here at The Orchard. In celebration of radiant life, here are a few warm words from those who worked with her and felt her soul from the stage. On the eve of Thanksgiving in the United States, we are thankful to have experienced Sharons unstoppable talent and force. The Dap-Kings ask that you consider donating to a charity, find more information on the bands website. Brad Navin Working with Daptone and an artist like Sharon is why many of us got into the music business. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible talent and although Im devastated by her passing, Im also grateful I had the chance to see, hear and experience all that was Sharon. Colleen Theis The world lost an incredibly talented, unique and powerful woman. Its an honor to work with such an inspiring human and tireless performer, her dedicated band and label. May her music and story live on and continue to touch lives. Fly high, Sharon! Cat Kreidich The world has said goodbye to Sharon Jones. I have worked alongside Daptone since 2002 when they launched the label and released the first record Dap-Dippin with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Her energy was infectious, her voice and presence powerful and funny and then there was her DANCING! Her live show was truly my favorite to watch. I know that even though she isnt here anymore she is still singing her song. RIP Sharon We love you. Jaclyn Bertsch My heart is heavy with the loss of Sharon Jones. She is an unstoppable force of positivity, strength, grace, and unmatched talent. A complete legend and icon. Her spirit will live on through her music and keep us all dancing. RIP Sharon Jones. Liz Northeast I cannot believe this wonderful lady is gone. Such a legend in every way. So glad I saw her play in so many places and to so many people. Grateful to have spent one to one time with her and had hugs. Marissa Putney Sharon Jones had the power to inspire the uninspired and make you feel the gravity of her presence on stage. Her music was true, genuine, and unmistakably all her own. Im truly grateful for having had the ability to work with such unrelenting talent. She will deeply be missed. Michelle Arnold All of Brooklyn is playing Sharon Jones. She was the sound of Brooklyn. Everywhere Ive gone today Ive heard her. And, as always, when I listen to her, I hear Brooklyn. Philippe Giard Remembering a great show in NYC during my first year at The Orchard. Miss Sharon, you were amazing! So sad Emilie Snellman Losing Sharon Jones is incredibly sad. Feeling grateful I got to see, meet and work with this beautiful soul. Thank you for all of your music and memories that will live on forever Tonia Samman Im incredibly thankful to have so many wonderful memories thanks to this woman and her music, and so crushed that weve lost her. My heart goes out to the whole Daptone Records and Lever and Beam family, and my Orchard family. Thank you Sharon for finding your voice when you did and sharing it with the world. Elizabeth Curtis-Bey Sharon Jones, your story and your music brought joy to so many of us. My heart goes out to all of those who were blessed enough to call you friend/family. Rock, rock on Bob Ardrey She was a major talent and a great person, one of the most wonderful The Orchard and Daptone Records ever had the honor of working with. Rest easy, Sharon. Allison Ullrich Ive never been consumed by so much shock and sadness to losing a beloved artist as I have been with hearing about the loss of Sharon Jones. She was the tiniest force on stage, with the largest presence. Im so proud that my co-workers, myself, and my college reps were able to work with this wonderful, inspiring, human being. Now go play yourself some SJDK music and be happy, because her music has the ability to put a smile on everyones face, and to get even the scroogiest person out of their seat to dance. RIP Sharon Jones Christopher Cruz This is very sad news. Heart and voice of a goddess. Share on: MCLA's Delta Mu Delta Inducts 10 Into Zeta Zeta Chapter NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts recently recognized the achievements of 10 business administration students when they were inducted into the Zeta Zeta chapter of the Delta Mu Delta national honor society on Saturday, Nov. 19. The following students were recognized in a ceremony held in the MCLA Church Street Centers social hall; Rosine Manzan Ahoba Anwobor 16, Selena A. Barber 17, Michael Sean Connors 18, Stefania Coppola 16, Trevor Daniels 16, Nicholas DiSanti 18, Melanie G. Herzig 17, Keslie P. Lewis 17, Jessica Amanda Lovellette 17 and Ellen Marie Rufo 17. "The colleges Department of Business Administration and Economics is honored proud to celebrate the academic accomplishments of this wonderful group of scholars," Nancy Ovitsky, business administration professor at MCLA and the faculty advisor to Delta Mu Delta, said. "Also, in this time of transition and uncertainty in our country and our business community, we are especially pleased that the motto of the Delta Mu Delta honor society reflects the need for business organizations to work for the greater good: 'Dia Matheseos Dynamis,' which signifies the motto, 'Through Knowledge Power,' the power to manage creatively for social and economic good." Zeta Zeta, the MCLA chapter of Delta Mu Delta, was chartered in 1992. Delta Mu Delta recognizes and rewards scholastic achievement in business subjects and promotes scholarship in training for business. Founded in 1913, Delta Mu Delta was established to recognize and reward superior scholastic achievement by students of business administration. In 1963, it was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies, an organization of 68 member national honor societies whose purpose is to maintain desirable standards. Ricco Fruscio, program coordinator of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce, explained the '2 degrees' idea at last week's chamber event. North County Group Seeks 'Ambassadors' as Relocation Resource NORTH ADAMS, Mass. A new volunteer initiative is hoping to attract young people to the area by connecting them with like-minded residents. Two Degrees of NoCo (North County) is a take off on 2 Degrees Portland, part of the city of Portland, Maine's efforts to grow its economy and culture. The idea is that tight-knit communities have less than "6 degrees of separation" and so become a well-connected resource for anyone considering relocating or moving a business there. "This is a volunteer organization that is being run so that we have a bunch of 'ambassadors' to North County from Williamstown, North Adams and Adams that are willing to volunteer their time to show people around that maybe want to move here," Ricco Fruscio, program coordinator of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce, told chamber members at last week's networking event at the Richmond Grille. "There's two parts of the program: the program is to connect the potter with the potter, the hiker with the hiker, biker with a biker, etc., etc., and when we get an army of ambassadors, we will invite people to come here and we will show them what we have." While 2 Degrees of NoCo is not a chamber program, Fruscio is spreading the word to find ambassadors willing to spend time with potential citizens. The county has been losing population for more than 50 years and the trend is continuing downward. Much of the large manufacturing dominated by Sprague Electric and GE in North and Central counties left years ago, exacerbating the decline. The region is putting its faith in a creative economy, small manufacturing and entrepreneurs to breathe life back into old buildings. And that takes more people. Fruscio referenced an article he'd read a couple years ago about "middle tier" cities becoming destinations for young people because of their affordability and vibrancy. "They listed the top 15 cities that people wanted to move to, that were in the 24, 35 year age that are involved in art and creativity and the creative economy," he said. "The first city that people wanted to move to was Oakland, Calif., the second place they wanted to move to was North Adams, Mass., ... Liz Whynott presented to the City Council's Public Health and Safety subcommittee on Monday night. Authorization For Needle Exchange In Pittsfield Could Come Next Week The opioid problem has not only led to increased overdose deaths but also has increased the spread of diseases. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The decision whether to authorize the state to fund a needle exchange program in the city should come next week. The Board of Health is the authority needed to authorize the program and is expected to take up the topic next Wednesday. Tapestry Health is looking to open one through funding from the state Department of Health to combat the spread of infectious diseases, similar to the one opening in North Adams in the coming months. Pittsfield has been particularly seeing an increase in Hepatitis C, led by the use of injected drugs, and the program is eyed to combat further spreading of the disease. "We are opening one in North Adams in the next month or two as well as opening one in Greenfield in the same time period," said Liz Whynott, director of the Syringe Access Program for Tapestry Health, on Monday night while addressing the City Council's Public Health and Safety subcommittee. The Board of Health first began discussing the program with Tapestry in August and Monday was the organization's third presentation to city officials on the matter. According to Berkshire Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative Coordinator Jennifer Kimball, Berkshire County has seen 1,100 new cases of Hepatitis C since 2010, translating to a rate of 8.7 per 1,000 people, and there was 150 cases in just the first half of this year, 71 of which were in Pittsfield. If those trends continue, the end of the year shows the county has 2,000 infected with the disease, which is double the national average. Hepatitis C and HIV are just two diseases known to be spread through the use of unclean syringes by heroin addicts. The opioid crisis has grown in recent years, with heroin showing a large uptick. That's led to needles being left throughout the city, tossed out of car windows, or discarded in public parks. And dirty needles are being shared, spreading the diseases. In the 1990s, there was a massive awareness campaign drawing the issue of HIV to light but no such effort had been around Hepatitis C. Just a few years ago, former Gov. Deval Patrick issued a statewide public health emergency notice regarding opioid addiction. But yet, only 11 cities and towns in Massachusetts have authorized needle exchange programs. The state now has an increased focus on the issue and is funding new programs throughout the state. "It has always been a political issue instead of a public health issue, that stopped all of the exchanges from happening," Whynott said. One of the most common remarks about the program from residents is that it encourages drugs use, which is something Ward 1 City Councilor Lisa Tully rejects. The purpose of the program isn't to encourage drug use but rather to help keep those using drugs a little more safe until they seek addiction treatment and become clean. She says somebody doesn't decide to do heroin just because they got a free needle. "They are going to do drugs whether you give them a needle or not. What we are doing is preventing a disease," Tully said. Whynott says the anonymous program isn't a simple in and out exchanging dirty needles for clean ones. At the first meeting with the client, the organization performs a risk assessment, and provides education on various recovery programs making referrals as needed and teaching healthier behaviors. Then, there is a round of testing for various diseases and helping connect those who are positive with the health care needed. The tests and consultations are done every six months, and even more frequently with the higher risk populations. "We do that by sitting down with the client and having a conversation with them," Whynott said. Additionally, the company gives out and trains users on Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, and tries to get that person ready to seek treatment. The program's use of training and distributing Narcan has also shown to keep people alive and Whynott said the number of calls to 911 for overdoses has increased. Whynott says she is working with ambulance services on how to engage with those addicts following the incidents in hopes to get them into treatment programs. "It is really about giving the person another day to live," Whynott said. Whynott says those who use needle exchange programs are five times more likely to enter treatment programs. The targeted population is the current drug users or those relapsing, a niche of service that is sorely lacking in the area. There is a negative stigma around opioid addiction which causes users to feel shamed and afraid to seek out clean needles from the pharmacy or health testing. That is the barrier the organization hopes to break. "We want to work with people who are in the stages of contemplating treatment or haven't gotten to that level yet," Whynott said. "There are no services available for people using drugs." Tapestry currently operates two programs in Western Massachusetts one in Holyoke and one in Northampton. Whynott said both locations have brought in a significant amount of needles that otherwise may have been reused or thrown on the ground. Holyoke had some 4,500 unique clients in the last year and more than 18,000 encounters. The number of reports of Narcan being used has grown as well. As for the area the exchange is located, "It's been one of the most thriving areas of Holyoke. .. It hasn't affected the economy in Holyoke." Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi, however, questioned the impacts a program would have on the area. He said when the methadone clinic opened on Summer Street it coincided with a large increase in the number of police calls and reports of crimes such as breaking and entering in the area. He worries that the program would draw crowds of drug uses to congregate in the area. Whynott, however, says there is not an issue with increased crime at any of the needle exchange sites. She said sometimes there is just a negative perception with drug treatment locations even though those in the area are just waiting for treatment and not breaking any laws. It isn't clear exactly where a site would be located in Pittsfield, or even if it will be a stand-alone location. Whynott said there are five different models of needle exchange programs fixed sites, mobile, home delivery, peer-to-peer delivery, and clinics. Tapestry has an RV that is sometimes driven to various areas in Holyoke because often those needing the service have little or no transportation. If authorized to pursue the program, Tapestry would then work to craft the plans for the local one, making sure it is accessible as possible for the clients. "To me it is one more tool in our toolbox to fight everything we are dealing with," Councilor at Large Peter White said, asking how to streamline the process to open an exchange up sooner than later. "If we stop one more case of HIV, one more case of Hepatitis, we've seen success." That sentiment was echoed in a letter from Dr. Jennifer Michaels, medical director of the Brien Center, who has become one of the leading figureheads in battling opioid abuse in the county, supporting the exchange. Michael's letter said there is an "extensive body of medical literature" showing the programs help reduce the spread of diseases. Meanwhile, Tapestry remains active with opioid coalitions looking to reduce the use of diseases. These groups typically include law enforcement, public health officials, district attorneys, medical professionals, and the like in crafting and implementing ways to tackle the entire opioid crisis. The needle exchange program isn't alone going to solve the entire issue, but it will reach one of the more difficult groups of people to reach, keep them healthy, and move them toward being ready to enter the treatment programs. "We are part of the solution, not the solution. But we are at the table and part of it," Whynott said. Project Spotlight: Azimut Mentoring Program The Fellowship | November 29, 2016 Project Spotlight: Azimut Mentoring Program The Fellowship-supported Azimut program reaches out to young adults who need help finding their way in life. The focus is on 21- to 35-year-olds with an emphasis on Ethiopian youth who are struggling financially. Fellowship mentors help these young adults get on track to financial independence and map out a plan for their future. This relatively new program recently celebrated its first commencement ceremony for a group of 100 graduates. Zehava Tesfay, founder and director of Azimut, addressed those gathered, acknowledging the donations of devoted friends in the U.S., Canada, and other countries, without whom this project would never have materialized. Jeff Kaye, vice president of The Fellowship in Israel, also spoke, expressing gratitude for the Christian donors from all over the world who sacrifice to donate the funds for the program participants to have a better life. Yael, a new graduate of the program and a single mother with three young children, shared her story. Yael was a theater and Jewish studies student but never finished her degree. Selley, her mentor, met her while she was searching for a job that would work around her childrens school schedule. During their weekly meeting, Selley learned that Yael loves to work with children and wanted to lead activities for them. As Yael learned how to work with clients, market herself, and manage her finances, her business expanded. The Fellowship provided the necessary equipment for her to get started, which she said felt like a huge hug during the difficult times. Yael now has an extracurricular program that runs in schools. She has quadrupled her income and is now economically stable. In addition, she is satisfied with the work she is doing. Her message to her fellow graduates: Break the boundaries, believe in yourself, and dont wait for tomorrow! At the close of the evening, each graduate was called up to the stage to receive a diploma from the mentor who guided them through their journey. At this point everyone in the hall had tears in their eyes imagining the bright future ahead for each participant. Learn how you can help support young adults needing direction and others in need in Israel. Mauritania National Day Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am pleased to congratulate the people of Mauritania on the 56th anniversary of your nations independence. "The United States values its partnership with your country and appreciates your governments role in promoting regional peace and security. We look forward to our continued collaboration in expanding trade and investment, facilitating social progress, and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law. "Today and every day I wish for all Mauritanians a future of prosperity, freedom, and dignity." This Isnt Our Last Love Letter Dear Don Don, Way back in 92 I walked into the room and knew Never felt this way before I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes And the feeling grew As I took a seat I knew A love that would have my heart Forever I knew Way back in 92 They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true We were the exception to that rule Our love had no where to hide A spark set fire As if this is how the universe started I never doubted our love or what we could do Together we grew Forming a bond everlasting That became our glue My euphoria was YOU Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared For how fortunate we were : to have and to hold through sickness and in health Til death do us part Until we are together again This isnt our last love letter I love you with all my heart and soul Yours forever, Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow) Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus. A True American Hero I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus. I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years. I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years. But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us. In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about. Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle. I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life. I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life. No one will ever do what he did. I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO David Jurist IMUS IN THE MORNING FIRST DAY BACK! Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Louisa May Alcott's 184th birthday is being celebrated in a touching Google Doodle. The American novelist and poet - born in Pennsylvania in 29 November 1832 - is best known as the author of the novel Little Women and its sequels Little Men and Jo's Boys. Here are five things you probably don't know about her: 1) She didn't actually want to write Little Women Alcott began writing what would go on to become her most successful novel in May 1868. She was writing literature and pulp fiction when Thomas Niles, who was the editor at Roberts Brothers Publishing, asked if she would be interested in writing a book for girls. Unfortunately for Niles, Alcott wasn't so keen on the idea - at the time she was busy writing passionate, sensational stories under her nom de plume A. M. Barnard. Instead Niles went to her father Bronson Alcott and offered him a publishing contract. Once Alcott knew that her father would have an opportunity to publish a new book of his own work if she wrote her own story, she caved into the idea. 2) Little Women took her 10 weeks to write Aged 35, Alcott confided in her journal that although she was working on the book, she did not "enjoy this sort of thing", because she "never liked girls nor knew many, except my sisters; but our queer plays and experiences may prove interesting though I doubt it." Well, it did prove interesting. Alcott's romantic elements of the plot, her direct literary style and down-to-earth nature, turned the book into an immediate success. Published in October 1868, a sequel was already in the works, and since then - neither book has been out of print. 3) Much of Little Women is semi-autobiographical Alcott used her sisters' lives and childhood memories to create much of the story and detail in her novel. She is Jo, the bold girl who is desperate to escape the Victorian entrapments of her sex, and who longs to do "daring things". The 12 best colouring books for adults Show all 12 1 /12 The 12 best colouring books for adults The 12 best colouring books for adults Enchanted Forest: An Inky Adventure & Colouring Book: 5, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Calming Colouring Nature Patterns by Graham Leslie McCallum: 7 amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults The Mindfulness Colouring Book by Emma Farrarons: 4, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults The Time Garden by Daria Song: 5, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Tropical Wonderland: A Colouring Book Adventure: 4, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Animorphia by Kerby Rosanes: 7, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Dream Cities by Rosie Goodwin and Alice Chadwick: 5, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Fill Me In by Moose Allain: 10, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults The Creative Colouring Book for Grown Ups by Various: 8, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Field Guide: Creatures Great and Small by Lucy Engelman: 11, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Cats: 70 Designs To Help You De-Stress: 8, amazon The 12 best colouring books for adults Colour Me Good Eddie Redmayne by Mel Elliot: 8, amazon 4) Alcott refused to marry Jo to Laurie While you may think they were destined to be together, Alcott, who never married herself and was a staunch feminist, wanted Jo to remain unmarried as well. While she was writing the second half of the novel (it was published in two parts), fans began clamouring for a marriage announcement between Jo and Laurie. But Alcott wrote in her journal: "Girls write to ask who the little women marry, as if that was the only aim and end of a woman's life. I won't marry Jo to please anyone." 5) Laurie was probably based on a Polish musician called Ladislas Wisniewski There are many suggestions as to whom Alcott's 'boy next door' character Laurie could be based on, but biographer Harriet Reisen thinks it was most likely to have been Ladislas Wisniewski. Alcott met him in 1865 while she was in Europe, and a flirtation developed (she nicknamed him 'Laddie'). They ended up spending two weeks together in Paris, alone. It's difficult for biographers to work out quite how far the affair went - Alcott later crossed out the part of her diary which referred to the romance, and wrote in the margin: "Couldn't be." Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Viet Thanh Nguyen was an outsider among the rich white kids at his elite high school in San Jose, California. His hard-working Catholic parents had saved enough money for him to attend a prestigious Catholic prep school, but Nguyens refugee background and his work in his parents grocery store isolated him from the mostly privileged student body. When I got invited to classmates homes, I wouldnt talk about what it was like to be Vietnamese not that anybody asked, he says, sitting in the lobby of his hotel in midtown Manhattan in October, hours before he attended the 2016 Pulitzer Centennial Dinner to accept the prize for his first novel, The Sympathizer. As part of a long-term campaign to present himself as normal, Nguyen took a summer job at a Great America amusement park, where he operated a ride in the Yankee Corner section of the park, forced to wear bell-bottoms and a tricorn hat. He saved up so he could afford the checkered pants cool Southern California kids wore in the 1980s, but his mom freaked out when he bought a pair at Macys. She thought the pants were weird too American and not Vietnamese and made him return them. Nguyen says his many attempts to wear two masks back then to be a Vietnamese son at home and a normal California teen at school usually ended as painfully as that pants purchase. But those experiences are the basis of the most powerful theme in Nguyens fiction: a person with two faces who has to choose which to show, depending on the surroundings. Its universal. Most of us have that sense of duality, says Nguyen, adding that the feeling of having two faces is aggravated for immigrants and refugees. That sense of pretending to be somebody, or to be an imposter. Nguyen receives the 2016 Fiction Prize from Columbia University President Lee C Bollinger (Eileen Barroso/Columbia University) His short stories in The Refugees, written before The Sympathizer but set to be published in February, also explore that duality, through the experiences of strangers in a new land, from a Vietnamese refugee who settles with two gay men in San Francisco to a black ex-Air Force pilot on vacation in the Vietnamese countryside he once bombed. The refugee experience is deeply personal to Nguyen his family fled Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and settled in a refugee camp in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. My memory begins when I arrived in the United States at age four and was taken away from my parents to live with a white family. That was the condition for being able to leave the refugee camp, Nguyen wrote on his blog earlier this year, adding that the experience remains an invisible brand stamped between his shoulder blades. The first sentence of Nguyens The Sympathizer , the Vietnam War-era spy novel about a double agent, reads: I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces. With sly references to both Apocalypse Now and The Quiet American, the book is a page-turner in which the double agent carries out assassinations for the South Vietnamese general to whom he pretends loyalty, betrays the general by screwing his miniskirted daughter and grapples with a long list of conflicting loyalties. The New York Times described the work as about being forced to hide yourself under so many layers that youre not sure who you are. In an attempt to relate to Nguyens point about duality and having two faces, I described my Alaska childhood in a woodstove-heated home my mom built on a mountain bordering a state park, and how when I moved to New York City, my girlfriends father bought me a suit so I could attend events with their family. Thats what I mean, Nguyen says, kindly embracing my marginal example. There are these moments in everyones life. But if youve been forcibly displaced or migrated to another country, its an everyday part of your life for a very long time, possibly never ceasing. Nguyen wanted his first novel to encompass that duality, but feared an autobiography would be boring. He decided a spy novel was the perfect way to tell the universal story of immigrants yearning for checkered pants or feeling underdressed in a new city, but with pulpy characters and a quick-stepping plot that would work for a Hollywood thriller. Nguyen's breakthrough novel The Sympathizer is a fast-paced spy thriller that explores identity in America I knew that my autobiographical experience of wearing a mask, of having two faces, of always pretending, of doubting my own interiority, could be allegorised, Nguyen says. And so the spy would be the vehicle for these emotional experiences and exaggerated to a great degree so it would be much more interesting. The mash-up worked, and The Sympathizer vaulted Nguyen from being simply a respected professor at the University of Southern California his nonfiction book Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War was shortlisted for the National Book Award this year to a higher-profile role where he now also writes regular columns for the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times and posed next to Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Pulitzer dinner. Toward the end of our conversation, I tell Nguyen my favorite short story in The Refugees is the one about James Carver, the crotchety black ex-Air Force pilot who torments his daughter with his constant, tight-lipped rudeness. Carvers triumph over racism and entree into a white world leads the reader to initially assume hes a virtuous character and illustrates Nguyens theme of the two masks. The story lays out Carvers background: In the one-room library of the small town five miles down the road from his [Alabama] hamlet, at Penn State, which he attended on an ROTC scholarship, in flight school at Randolph Air Force Base, in an airmans uniform, in his B-52 and later his Boeing airliner, he was never where he was supposed to be. Speaking about that story, Nguyen says a major goal in both his works of fiction was to refute the idea that anyone is truly virtuous. Theres an expectation that a minority character like Carver who overcame tremendous hardship to become a hero will be a good person, he says, but his carpet bombing during the war blows that notion to hell. We all are flawed human beings, and we have masks of humanity and we have inner savagery, Nguyen tells me. Were not virtuous; none of us are. Newsweek Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} "Based on historical events" are four words that cause audiences to enter a film with caution. For starters, the word 'based' suggests a casualness, that these events will be embellished to make a film that bit more entertaining. Such caution need not apply to Selma - Ava DuVernay's fascinating biopic focused on civil rights leader Martin Luther King; it has been deemed 100% historically accurate. The study was conducted by data-based site Information is Beautiful who looked at the veracity of scenes taken from 14 fact-based Oscar contenders since 2010. While every single scene from Selma was considered accurate, other films didn't fare as well - namely Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game. Which recent movies will become classics? Show all 21 1 /21 Which recent movies will become classics? Which recent movies will become classics? Birdman - Undoubtedly Alejandro G. Inarritus masterpiece will surely be remembered for years to come - fiercely original in its concept, brave in its single take(esque) format and the perfect satire of a very specific and bizarre era of cinema we find ourselves in. What perhaps was so astonishing about this Best Picture Oscar winner was that in spite of its experimental format and lofty intentions, it still also managed to be hugely entertaining, and is eminently rewatchable. - Christopher Hooton Fox Searchlight Pictures Which recent movies will become classics? There Will Be Blood - Potentially Inherent Vice feels like its been forgotten already, The Master was great but too weighty for some, but There Will Be Blood is the Paul Thomas Anderson film that comes up time and time again in pub film conversations, whether theyre between cinephiles or more casual fans. A blank yet brutal indictment of lucre, Daniel Day Lewis gave one of his best ever performances as oil man Daniel Plainview, and Jonny Greenwoods fearsome score is still being performed live several years after its release. But mainly, I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE! I DRINK IT UP! - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Avatar - Probably not Its undeniable that James Camerons gargantuan blockbuster Avatar will find its place in the cinematic history books. With a worldwide gross of over 2.7 billion, its currently the highest earning film of all time - even Star Wars' The Force Awakens return couldn't topple it. But will it actually be remembered fondly? Its ground-breaking special effects already betray the first signs of aging, and though its use of 3D was revolutionary at the time, its now so pedestrian as to be found in a Glee concert movie. What is there to revere then? The patronising narrative re-hash of the plot to Dances With Wolves? Or the bit where two cat-aliens had sex by plugging their hair braids into each other? - Clarisse Loughrey Which recent movies will become classics? Whiplash - Within its own genre at least Whiplash was perhaps the most buzzy, "have you seen it yet?" film of 2014, and winning major Oscars off a budget of $3.3 million was no mean feat. Damien Chazelle managed to make a film about drumming absolutely edge-of-your-seat stuff, and succeeded by not patronising his audience - trusting that even if they didnt understand the music theory detail, they would still be able to revel in it. Unfortunately, it might just be too small a film to be remembered as a classic, but will certainly be circling the top of best movies about music lists for some years to come. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Skyfall Depends whos Bond next Best Bond of all time? Skyfalls slick, true, but its status as an icon seems heavily premature. Were still clinging onto the Craig era, and its hard to argue that Skyfall doesnt do the same; trading its entire dramatic tension on the premise that weve long been deeply attached to this grizzled Bond and equally grizzled M. In Silvas personal vendetta, or in the neat metaphors of Skyfall Lodges crumbling exteriors and Bonds crumbling interiors of a post-Vesper Lynd world; its only once the franchise has moved on to new pastures that well truly start to see whether Skyfall can go the distance. Doesnt help that Spectre was a bit of a disappointment, though. -CL Which recent movies will become classics? Mad Max: Fury Road - A gutsy yes Yes, its a madly confident move to already claim Fury Roads going to a bonafide classic within its first year of release, but Fury Road is a mad movie. 36 years after its original incarnation, George Miller returned to the wasteland to conjure the greatest adrenaline hit of the cinematic decade. Breathlessly edited, hued with the colours of dust and dirt and rage; packed to the brim with practical stunt work unseen in the digital age. Plus, its a film that actively dismantles the patriarchy through a gun-slinging, metal-armed Charlize Theron. If its not remembered as one of the greatest blockbusters of its time, itll certainly be remembered as one of the gutsiest. - CL Which recent movies will become classics? The Great Beauty - No, but it damn well should be It won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2014, but this Paolo Sorrentino masterpiece is still unknown to most. It centres on a group of aging intellectuals partying on rooftops across Rome to Eurodance, and within this frame of superficiality it manages staggering profundity. The dialogue is rich, the cinematography sumptuous, and if Fellini is considered classic, this fellow Italians work certainly should be too. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Little Miss Sunshine - Within its own genre, yes The Sundance Effect has unfortunately developed a near plague of insufferable, self-conscious mawkishness over the years. Misfit boys finding new meaning to their existence in the arms of pink-haired manic pixie dream girls; sun-dappled bike rides as the latest band to feature a ukulele solo play softly in the distance. Some have indeed come off this false and cloying (Zach Braffs Garden State), others smarter and keener (last years Me and Earl and the Dying Girl); but as the fires of kook devour all in sight, there will always remain one film left standing in the ashes: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris Little Miss Sunshine. One scene that guarantees its elevation above the rabble sees teenager Dwayne (Paul Dano) realise hes colour-blind, and thus will never be able to achieve his dream of becoming a jet fighter. Danos meltdown here is so raw, and so positively tragic, that itll be a hard job to ever forget that epic f-bomb as the years pass. - CL Which recent movies will become classics? Lost in Translation - I'll still be watching it in my 80s at least Really a perfect movie. The casting couldn't have been better and Sofia Coppola conveys the choking feeling of an overly air-conditioned hotel room like no-one else. So many of the shots were beautiful in their simplicity. Bill Murray making a nice crisp, clean golf shot before walking off down the course. The flower arranging scene. Bill lightly grabbing Scarlett Johansson's foot and this subtly serving as the film's 'kiss'. It's the unconventional romance at the heart of the film that makes it so great, though, which is as much about companionship as physical and emotional love. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Crash - Hahahahahahahahaha Seriously, how did it win that Oscar? Even the director doesn't know. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Pans Labyrinth - Absolutely Guillermo del Toro dreams on celluloid; hes a weaver of fairy tales in an age where innocence is presumed dead. Its through innocence, through innocent eyes, that we witness the darkest excesses of human nature in a way that so exposes the incomprehensibility of evil committed in the pursuit of power. Through young Ophelias perspective we watch the horrors of Francos Spanish regime play out, the barbaric cruelty of her stepfather Captain Vidal; she fears not the horned faun who lives in the labyrinth when its so clear her own patriarchal figurehead is the true monster. And though its finale may be heart-breaking, del Toro still allows innocence a certain victory. Victory through Ophelias eyes, those pure and hungry enough to see beyond the borders of her bleak reality to find an escape from the seemingly unstoppable monstrosities of adulthood. - CL Warner Bros. Which recent movies will become classics? Im Still Here - When everyone realises its genius Initially admonished for being exploitative of Joaquin Phoenixs condition, it was astonishing that, when this Casey Affleck-directed mockumentary was revealed to be a hoax, most critics didnt give it a second review, and those who did still disliked it. In hindsight this was so much more than a prank. Phoenix stayed in character as a failed actor turned hip-hop artist for months on end. This dedication wasnt for nothing either (unlikely say, DiCaprio in The Revenant), Im Still Here is actually a very funny, moving and subtly satirical film, and definitely original. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Boyhood - I doubt it While it too was an unprecedented piece of cinema, Boyhood for me faded from the memory very quickly. Dismissing this film as essentially a puberty timelapse might be a little harsh, but the set-up did ultimately come off gimmicky and as a coming of age story it failed to resonate. Admirable, but not a classic - CH Universal Pictures Which recent movies will become classics? The Social Network - Yes I was less than thrilled at the prospect of a movie about Facebook, but then pleasantly surprised upon watching it. A holy production trinity of David Fincher (director), Aaron Sorkin (screenwriter) and Trent Reznor (score) told a story that changed all of our lives with such panache. Texting, the internet, social media etc are so prosaic that many authors and filmmakers disingenuously leave them out of their stories, but here they were central and yet still the film was engrossing, stylish and human. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Django Unchained - Hell yeah/hell maybe Swiping its titular characters name from a 1966 Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Corbucci, Tarantino utilised his trademark flair for ultra-violence and nihilistic humour to create the perfect meeting point between revisionism and classicism. Django channeled brutality in the name of righteous fury, allowing the freedom fighting slaves of a pre-Civil War Deep South their own legendary cowboy of the John Wayne or Clint Eastwood type. - CL Which recent movies will become classics? The Tree of Life - A few people will kid themselves its classic Terrence Malicks experimental drama couldnt really have been more ambitious or tried to chip away at a bigger chunk of existence. As such, it was automatically lauded by many who didnt really know what to make of it, but looking back, was it worthy of the praise? The Brad-Pitt-is-a-family-man-in-the-50s plot strand was actually pretty unremarkable, and were it not for the brazenness of the extended shots of the universe being formed I doubt it would have made top ten lists the way it did. - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Her - Yes, as a historical document Films depicting the future remain fascinating decades later because they show, in retrospect, how we wanted the world to progress and what developments we simply couldnt have conceived. As such Her will definitely still be getting talked about in years to come, whether or not we do indeed end up falling in love with our computers. (Also see: Ex Machina) - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Any of the space movies? Maybe Interstellar We seem to get a big budget space movie annually these days, and while none of them really have the creativity of Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey, Interstellar stands a chance of staying atop VOD libraries. Gravity and The Martian, while technically brilliant, were pretty forgettable, and dont get me started on Sunshine. Interstellar was very impressive though, and if a Christopher Nolan films going to stand out Id rather it be this one than - CH Which recent movies will become classics? Inception - Please no Yes, its insanely watchable and the plot zips along nicely, but seriously, can we stop pretending people falling backwards off chairs and out of camp, alpine sub-dream worlds amounts to anything more than an overly convoluted, albeit pretty, action movie? - CH Which recent movies will become classics? The Wolf of Wall Street - Not compared to Scorseses earlier work If theres a burden of the artistic revolutionary, its that revolution is only ever momentary in its form; Martin Scorsese made his mark back in 1973 with Mean Streets, and its one thats been difficult to paint over in the 43 years which have since passed. The Wolf of Wall Street faults itself only in being pure Scorsese; its a film which trades purely in the breathless, macho style already so entrenched in cinematic culture. Essentially, Scorseses own genre-defining genius has doomed to obscurity any latter work which dares to fold into the directors own natural form of expression; its made derivative any work which doesnt actively rebel against what hes been most celebrated for. A tough reality, but a reality nonetheless. - CL Paramount Pictures Which recent movies will become classics? Nymphomaniac - Maybe if Part II hadnt happened Even the truest of arthouse directors are culpable for the whims of Hollywood franchises. Yes, with his dual Nymphomaniac films, Lars von Trier managed to ruin the potential classic of his career by needlessly stretching his narrative across two films; churning out the NC-17 answer to Peter Jacksons Hobbit trilogy in the process. Strip Nymphomaniac of the controversy and media hysteria surrounding its use of pornographic actors in its sex scenes; and theres a torn, throbbing soul at its centre. For all its salaciousness, von Triers exploration of the crippling effects of shame society burdens those, especially its women, who dare seek sexual pleasure is genuinely haunting. Thats in Part I, however; by the time Joes life story sees her grow from Stacy Martin into Charlotte Gainsbourg, von Triers epic dissolves into the bang of a drum in continuous, endless cycles. Shes horny and sad; we got it, Lars. - CL Apparently, only 41.4% of scenes from the film are accurate - ironic considering Graham Moore's screenplay picked up the film's only Oscar in 2015. Another film that got found out by the study was Clint Eastwood's American Sniper which was deemed 56.9% "real." Selma Clip - Give Us The Vote Higher were awarded to Bridge of Spies (89.9%), 12 Years a Slave (88.1%), Spotlight (81.6%) and - perhaps shockingly - The Wolf of Wall Street (74.6%). It's financial crisis film The Big Short that finished in second behind Selma with 91.4% - although we're unsure whether Margot Robbie has ever really explained difficult finance terms while drinking champagne in a bubble bath. Other films included Rush (81.9%), Captain Phillips (81.4%), The Social Network (76.1%), The King's Speech (73.4%), Philomena (69.8%) and Dallas Buyers Club (61.4%). Historical-based films expected to compete in the approaching awards season include Lion, Hacksaw Ridge and Jackie, the biopic of Jackie Kennedy starring Natalie Portman. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} BT has been ordered to separate from its Openreach division, which runs the UK's broadband infrastructure, after the telecom giant failed to offer proposals that addressed Ofcom's concerns. Telecom regulator Ofcom said creating a more independent Openreach that works in the interest of all providers, not just BT, was a key part of plans to improve broadband and telephone services across the UK. We are disappointed that BT has not yet come forward with proposals that meet our competition concerns. Some progress has been made, but this has not been enough, and action is required now to deliver better outcomes for phone and broadband users, Ofcom said. Recommended Ofcom warns BT break up option still on the table The regulator added it is preparing a formal notification to the European Commission to start the separation process. Under the new proposals, Openreach will become a distinct company within BT, with more control over its own finances and an independent board. Ofcom's announcement comes despite BT appointing a chairman for Openreach earlier this week in a bid to make it more independent and transparent. Mike McTighe, an experienced telecoms executive who spent eight years on the board of the communications industry regulator before stepping down last year, will join Openreach in January, BT announced on Sunday. The appointment was the first step in creating a board for the division comprised mainly of independent directors, a corporate governance overhaul that BT hoped would eventually appease calls for a break-up. Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year. Sir Michael Rake, BTs chairman, previously said: I remain hopeful this significant move by BT can help to underpin a sustainable, proportionate and fair regulatory settlement that is in the interests of the whole country. Openreach is the division of BT Group that develops and maintains the UK's main telecoms network used by providers such as Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and BT's retail business. Ofcom has so far resisted calls to split Openreach off entirely, which BT rivals have sought. Kester Mann, analyst at CCS Insight, said Ofcom remains concerned over BTs ability to satisfy its competition concerns. He said: Steering clear of a structural split is unsurprising. This would have been the most controversial and costly action Ofcom could have taken, but would still not have offered guaranteed improvements for customers. No doubt BTs rivals will criticise Ofcom for not being brave enough to push for structural separation. But after many months of campaigning, they should see the regulators efforts to engage with Brussels as a partial victory. The move toward legal separation and greater independence will bring important benefits to companies like Sky and TalkTalk in the long term. Todays announcement represents just the next stage in a long and protracted issue. Expect further lobbying from all parties and old arguments to be recycled. In the interest of stability and market certainty, the sooner a final outcome can be reached the better. BT shares fell by 0.5 per cent in early trading yesterday following the announcement. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Somali immigrant who attacked and injured 11 people at a university in Ohio before being shot dead, may have been self radicalised in the manner of a number of so-called lone wolf attacks. As Isis issued a statement describing Abdul Razak Ali Artan as a soldier, investigators were probing the background of the 20-year-old, a Muslim who was a lawful permanent resident of the US and a student at Ohio State University. The Associated Press said officials had so far found no strong evidence linking Artan to other known militant individuals, cells or groups. Police have said they are seeking a motive for the attack, carried out by means of a knife and a car. Police believe the attacker may have been self-radicalised (AP) Yet officials claim the young mans actions were similar to a pattern of lone-wolf individuals who behind other such United States, such as the gunman who shot to death 49 people at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in June, and the man who killed four US Marines and a Navy sailor in a shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last year. A federal official said that while Isis had claimed responsibility in other attacks, investigators had seen no evidence so far that the militant groups role was anything more than inspirational. Investigators were looking into a message posted on Facebook by Artan that contained inflammatory statements about being sick and tired of seeing Muslims killed and reaching a boiling point, a law enforcement source said. Stop the killing of the Muslims in Burma, Artan said in the Facebook post. Violence in Burma has resulted in Rohingya Muslims fleeing across the border to Bangladesh amid allegations of abuses by security forces. That post, as with all of those he publushed on Facebook, have been removed from the social media website. Active shooter at Ohio university Artan on Facebook also called Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born radical cleric linked to al-Qaedas Yemen wing, a hero. Awlaki was killed by a US drone strike in 2011. In its claim of responsibility for Mondays attack at the university, located in the state capital, Columbius, the Isis' propaganda arm posted a photo of Artan wearing a blue shirt and sitting with greenery in the background. It described him as a soldier of the group. Brother Abdul Razak Ali Artan, God accept him, implementer of the Ohio attack, a student in his third year in university, it read. As Isis continues to lose swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, its propaganda has been increasingly focusing on inciting attacks by supporters in the West. A video entitled "Slaughter the Disbelievers" was released over the weekend with instructions on how to carry out knife and bomb attacks, while an Isis English language propaganda magazine urged followers to use car rammings a fortnight before. Ohio State University shooting Show all 16 1 /16 Ohio State University shooting Ohio State University shooting Crime scene investigators collect evidence from the pavement as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting Ohio State students duck under police tape after a shelter-in-place notification was lifted following an attack Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP) AP Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting AP Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. / AFP / Paul Vernon (Photo credit should read PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Images) PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting A law enforcement official motions for people to leave the area outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting Members of the Columbus SWAT team work the scene around a parking garage on the campus of The Ohio State University Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. ) AP Photo/Jay LaPrete Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting SWAT teams and police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings surrounding Watts Hall as police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Artan, who was born in Somalia, arrived in the United States in 2014, said a federal official. Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone said Artan was 20 years old. Investigators believe Artan may have lived for as long as seven years in Pakistan. Somali refugees often spend some time in Pakistan before coming to the United States, another official said. Investigators were trying to assemble a full picture of Artan's associates and recent activities, according to federal officials. Two people remained in hospitali at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Two others were at the Riverside Methodist Hospital. None of the victims have life-threatening injuries, officials said. Seven people have been released. Members of Columbus Somali community have denounced the attack. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Amber Heard has said the $7 million divorce settlement from Johnny Depp, which she pledged to donate to charity, will be paid as soon as her divorce is finalised after a report questioned why charities had not received the funds. In August, Heard and Depp settled their acrimonious divorce proceedings out of court. Heard married Depp in February 2015 and filed for divorce in May 2016. In her filing, she claimed she was subjected to emotional and physical abuse from the Pirates of the Caribbean actor throughout their marriage. Depp has always denied the claims. Depp, 53, agreed to pay Heard, 30, $7m (5.6m), which she pledged to split equally between the Los Angeles Childrens Hospital, where she is a volunteer, and the American Civil Liberties Union with a particular focus on domestic violence. On Monday, TMZ ran a report under the headline, Amber Heard Childrens Hospital Money MIA. It claimed neither the Childrens Hospital or ACLU had received any further funds since Depp paid an initial instalment of $100,000 to each charity in August. People news in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 People news in pictures People news in pictures 7 October 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in an ice hockey match between former NHL stars and officials at the Shayba Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday on the ice, playing hockey with NHL stars against Russian officials and tycoons EPA People news in pictures 6 October 2015 German designer Karl Lagerfeld (R) and model Cara Delevingne (C) appear at the end of his Spring/Summer 2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Chanel at the Grand Palais which is transformed into a Chanel airport during the Fashion Week in Paris, France Reuters People news in pictures 5 October 2015 Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne addresses the Conservative party conference in Manchester. The Chancellor argued that reducing the payments to people in low paid jobs would give them economic security by reducing the Governments spending deficit Getty Images People news in pictures 4 October 2015 Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston, holding dark-skinned doll, after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The image quickly became the talking point of Australias National Rugby League Final and provoked a strong reaction on social media, with many praising Thurston for giving his child a toy that promotes inclusiveness and diversity Getty Images People news in pictures 3 October 2015 Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up as he greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of a meeting organized by the "Food Bank" at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican Getty Images People news in pictures 2 October 2015 Britain's Finance Minister George Osborne (L) throws an American football as he meets with former American football players Dan Marino (2nd R) and Curtis Martin (not pictured) at 11 Downing Street in London, ahead of the New York Jets playing against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium on 4 October Getty Images People news in pictures 1 October 2015 An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia People news in pictures 30 September 2015 Former Mrs America Lisa Christie, who alleges misconduct by Bill Cosby, holds up photos of her younger self during a news conference at the law office of attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Matt Damon has defended himself against claims that he instructed gay actors to remain in the closet. He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. The Fast and Furious star was killed when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a pole in California in 2013. The driver, his friend Roger Rodas, also died when the vehicle burst into flames. AP People news in pictures 28 September 2015 Robert Mugabe waits to address the United Nations General Assembly. The leader of Zimbabwe reportedly exclaimed 'We are not gay!' as he criticised Western nation's "double standards and attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs. In 2013 he described homosexuals as worse than pigs, goats and birds. Reuters People news in pictures 28 September 2015 South African comedian Trevor Noah hosts the first 'Daily Show' since taking over from Jon Stewart as host. Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 The Dalai Lama has said that Britain's policy towards China is just about 'Money, money, money.' And asked 'Where is morality?' People news in pictures 24 September 2015 Puff Daddy secured the number-one spot on the Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list, with the publication calculating he made an estimated $60million (39m) between June 2014 and June 2015. The gossip website claimed the reason no further donations had been made was because the settlement deal had still not been signed by Depp, who wants to pay the money directly to the charities. Heard wants to receive it directly so her estranged husband does not get a tax deduction. TMZ later updated its story after receiving a statement from Heards lawyer Pierce ODonnell which explained the hold-up is due to the divorce papers not having been signed yet. Recommended Amber Heard urges domestic violence survivors not to be silenced The settlement documents are being finalised and will be signed this week, he said. Johnny is obligated by the settlement to pay Amber and she in turn will honour her pledges to Childrens Hospital and the ACLU. Ambers commitment to protecting victims of domestic violence and helping sick children is her lifes work. Her recent PSA on domestic violence does not violate her settlement agreement with Johnny. She will continue to lend her voice to the rising chorus of women speaking out about this terrible scourge on the American family. The ACLU also told the website they had received some further payment when Heard made a $350,000 payment in August with sources claiming it was an advanced payment relying on Depp to then pay her the rest of the settlement. This is not the first back-and-forth between the couple over the financial details of their divorce. After making the initial $200,000 payment to the charitable organisations, Depp released a statement saying the instalments had been made by him in the name of Amber Heard, which when completed will honour the full amount of Ms Heards pledge. Heard responded by saying that while she appreciates Depps novel interest in supporting two of her favourite charities, if Johnny wishes to change the settlement agreement, we must insist that he honour the full amount by donating $14million to charity, which, after accounting for his tax deduction, is equal to his $7million payment obligation to Amber. We would also insist that the full amount be paid immediately and not drawn out over many years. Representatives for Heard and Depp did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has claimed Americans who burn the US flag should face consequences and suggested a year in prison or having their citizenship revoked would be suitable punishments. The President-elect has been tweeting angrily at news outlet CNN during the past 24 hours over their report on his claim of electoral fraud after his victory in the US general election. On Tuesday, he turned his attention to protesters burning the American flag, writing on Twitter: Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag if they do, there must be consequences perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! In 1989, the US Supreme Court ruled the act of burning the flag was protected by the First Amendment, which defends the right to free speech. In 2005, Mr Trumps Democratic rival Hillary Clinton co-sponsored a bill that would make burning the American flag a criminal act punishable by one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Mr Trumps tirade began again at 7am on Tuesday morning with more attacks on CNN and the networks reporters, reaching a crescendo soon after with his suggestion flag burning should be a punishable offence. Donald Trump outlines plans for first 100 days in office His ire was provoked by a report from CNNs Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleney that suggested Mr Trump was showing signs of being a poor winner and had zero evidence to support his claim that he won the popular vote in the general election. Ms Clinton is currently leading in the popular vote by more than two million, but Mr Trump now asserts he has been the victim of widespread election fraud. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, he wrote on Twitter. World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty The claim that he is the victim of election fraud despite having won the election is unprecedented. Ms Clinton says there is no evidence of wrong-doing but she is supporting a recount in Wisconsin requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Stein is also pushing for a recount in Michigan, where 4.8 million votes were cast. Mr Zeleneys report criticised the billionaire business magnate for disseminating baseless allegations on Twitter, where he has 16.2 million followers. Mr Trumps war with the media has escalated in recent weeks. After rounding up representatives of some of the biggest news networks at Trump Tower and delivering what one source summarised as a Trump-style dressing-down, he then cancelled a meeting with the nasty New York Times at the last minute before rescheduling it hours later. Another participant at the Trump Tower summit told The New Yorker his behaviour was f**king outrageous. An account by Mr Trumps spokesperson was altogether more sanguine, with Kellyanne Conway describing the meeting as cordial, candid and honest. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Throughout his election campaign, Donald Trump vowed that he would rip up Obamacare and replace it with something better and more efficient. On Tuesday, his transition team announced that the President-elect had selected Georgia Congressman Tom Price, a harsh critic of Barack Obama Affordable Care Act and of LGBT rights to begin scrapping his predecessors landmark legislative bill. Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on healthcare policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity, Mr Trump said in a statement. He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American. I am proud to nominate him as Secretary of Health and Human Services. While Mr Trump may be happy with his selection of Mr Price, others will will not. The congressman has a zero per cent rating from the Human Rights Committee, the most influential advocacy group for the LGBT community. His public stance against abortion has earned him a similar rating from the National Right to Life Committee. In addition to appointing Mr Price, 62, a six-term congressman and orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Trump announced that he also selected Seema Verma to be the administrator of the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Associated Press said that if Mr Price is confirmed by the Senate, he will be at the centre of Republican efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare. Trump's new national security adviser: Political correctness is getting people killed Mr Trump has said he will move quickly in replacing the policy, though he has also indicated since meeting with Mr Obama in the Oval Office that some parts of the programme may be retained. Mr Trump said of Ms Verma, currently the president and founder of SVC Inc, a national health policy consulting company: She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. He added: Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans. Mr Price has chaired the House Budget Committee for the past two years. Described by as AP as a bookish conservative from the Atlanta suburbs, Mr Price has worked closely with House Speaker Paul Ryan to assemble Republican budgets aimed at reducing the annual deficit. I am humbled by the incredible challenges that lay ahead and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people, Mr Price said on Tuesday. Last week, Mr Price said whatever Republicans did to replace Mr Obamas health care law would bear a significant resemblance to a 2015 measure that was vetoed by the President. That bill would have gutted some of the health care laws main features: Medicaid expansion, subsidies to help middle-class Americans buy private policies, the tax penalties for individuals who refused to get coverage and several taxes to support coverage expansion. The bill would have delayed implementation for two years. Mr Price has insisted that Republicans can keep the protections for those with existing medical conditions without mandating that all individuals carry coverage or pay a penalty to support an expanded insurance pool. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The theme park established by country star Dolly Parton more than three decades ago, has been evacuated as huge wildfires sweep through Tennessee and other parts of the American south. Reports said mandatory evacuations were ordered for Gatlinburg and parts of Pigeon Forge, where strong winds and drought stoked fires in the area, according to the National Weather Service. Pigeon Forge is where Partons theme park, Dollywood, is located. These are the worst possible conditions imaginable, Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Greg Miller told reporters, according to the Tennessean newspaper. 'I have been watching the terrible fires in the Great Smoky Mountains and I am heartbroken. 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," said Parton. Reuters said the nearby Chimney 2 Fire quickly grew from about 10 acres on Sunday evening to about 500 acres on Monday as wind gusts reached 75mph in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Conditions also sparked another fire south of Gatlinburg on Monday, There were no reports of any fatalities, however one man suffered burns and several injuries were reported after a fire truck crash, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a statement. A total of 1,200 people were in two area shelters. Heavy smoke and a orange sky hung over downtown Gatlinburg where nearby roads were packed with motorists trying to get out of town. Downed power lines and fallen trees sparked several smaller fires, local media reported. Some 30 buildings including a 16-storey hotel and an apartment were on fire in Gatlinburg on Monday night, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said. About 100 homes were impacted, Sevier County officials said. Workers at an aquarium evacuated because of wildfires around Gatlinburg were concerned about the thousands of animals housed there. Ryan DeSears, general manager of Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, told WBIR-TV the building was still standing and all workers had been evacuated late on Monday. However, he said workers were anxious to return to check on the well-being of the 10,518 animals. Fire was coming over the mountains, and the smoke was so bad we could barely breathe as we were trying to pack up, Mike Gill told NBC News as he was leaving the area with his wife. The traffic is horrible. It's a mass exodus. More than 1,000 people are taking refuge in emergency shelters (AP) After weeks of punishing drought, any rain that falls should be soaked up quickly, forecasters said. It will provide some relief but wont end the drought - or the fire threat, they said. Drought conditions will likely persist, authorities said. The problem is that rainfall amounts have been 10 to 15 inches below normal during the past three months in many parts of the South, authorities said. I think we racked up deficits that are going to be too much to overcome with just one storm system, said Mark Svoboda, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Officials at Dollywood evacuated guests from its resort and cabins as flames approached the area. The property had not suffered any damage as of late Monday night and its crew was working to protect the park areas, said Pete Owens, director of media relations at the resort. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The oldest woman alive, who lives on raw eggs and cookies, is celebrating her 117th birthday. Emma Morano, who was born on 29 November, 1899, is believed to be the only person alive who has witnessed three centuries. The brandy-drinking Italian woman, who has credited her old age to being single and getting to bed early, reportedly said My word, Im as old as the hills, when she was crowned the worlds oldest. Emma Morano, 116, is the oldest living person in the world OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty (AFP) I eat two eggs a day, and thats it. And cookies. But I do not eat much because I have no teeth, she said, in an interview with AFP last month. The supercentenarian says she started the habit of eating two raw eggs, and one cooked egg, every day, aged 20, when she was diagnosed with anaemia. Ms Morano, who does not eat meat partly through fear of contracting cancer, has lived alone since she left her violent husband in 1938 shortly after the death in infancy of her only son. World's oldest person reveals key to long life I didnt want to be dominated by anyone, she said. The former factory worker and cook, who took on a full-time carer and has been bedbound since last year, has not left her Verbania apartment on Lake Maggiore in 20 years. She has outlived all her eight younger siblings and now proudly boasts the Guinness World Records certificate, declaring her the oldest person alive, on her marble-topped chest of drawers. World's oldest person dies People come. I dont invite anybody but they come. From America, Switzerland, Austria, Turin, Milan They come from all over to see me, she said. She is not sure whether she will eat any birthday cake, adding: The last time I ate a little, but then I did not feel good. Ms Morano is apparently alert, but is very deaf, speaks with difficulty and cannot see well enough to watch television. Her physician, Carlo Bava, has branded Ms Moranos longevity as a phenomenon. On her birthday, journalists, relatives and the town mayor will visit, while a local theatre will perform music over three centuries and a dramatisation entitled: The woman who saw three centuries. Ms Morano is still a few years off the current record holder, Frances Jeanne Calment, who met Vincent Van Gogh while a teenager in Arles, but who died in 1997 aged 122. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Neil Young has pleaded with President Obama to intervene and end the violence against the demonstrators at Standing Rock. In a lengthy Facebook post, the Canadian musician and his girlfriend, the actress Daryl Hannah, called on the current president to step in and end the violence against the peaceful water protectors at Standing Rock immediately. Thousands have joined the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in their legal battle against the construction of the North Dakota access pipeline which would carry oil through North and South Dakota to a shipping point in Illinois. The tribe claim the pipe will disturb sacred, native sites and could pollute the drinking water for more than 8,000 tribal members. The company behind the pipeline, which some reports suggest is almost complete, has reportedly said it has taken measures to protect leaks and that pipelines are a largely safe way to transport oil. Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Show all 15 1 /15 Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota A person pours a pepper spray antidote into a protester's eyes during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People swim across a river to where the police officers are standing guard during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota A man holds up a ceremonial object while police officers look down from a hill during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota November Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Two people stand in the water of a river while police officers guard the shore during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota A man stands on a makeshift bridge over a river while police officers stand on the opposite shore during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Tonya Stands recovers after being pepper sprayed by police after swimming across a creek with other protesters hoping to build a new camp to block construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, near Cannon Ball, Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Dakota Access Pipeline protesters stand in the foreground and in the waist-deep water of the Cantapeta Creek, northeast of the Oceti Sakowin Camp, near Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Officers in riot gear clashed again Wednesday with protesters near the Dakota Access pipeline, hitting dozens with pepper spray as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipeline's developer. Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Dakota Access Pipeline protesters stand in the foreground and in the waist-deep water of the Cantapeta Creek, northeast of the Oceti Sakowin Camp, near Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Officers in riot gear clashed again Wednesday with protesters near the Dakota Access pipeline, hitting dozens with pepper spray as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipeline's developer. Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People who were tear gassed return to the shore during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People yell at police officers standing on the opposite shore of a river during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Recommended Shailene Woodley arrested while protesting Dakota Access pipeline The protest has grown in recent weeks as has tensions between the demonstrators and police manning the site. Last week, it was reported at least 17 people were taken to hospital after being sprayed with tear gas and shot with rubber bullets by officers in freezing temperatures. Young, who spent his 71st birthday on the site performing for demonstrators earlier this month, described his visit in the Facebook post. We arrived at this unprecedented historical gathering of over 500 tribes and thousands of others standing on the frontline to protect water, to state the most basic human truth, to say water is life. Despite the painful history, today they fight peacefully for us all, he wrote. The 71-year-old and Hannah also spoke of the eager and engaged youth at the core of this pipeline route resistance, learning from a population of elders who pass down unforgotten knowledge and said all the demonstrators they encountered were committed to peaceful resistance. Weapons, alcohol and drugs are forbidden there. He then turned his attention to the violence which has escalated at the site: They stand against corporate security forces, the county sheriff and the national guard. Standing while being hit with water cannons, mace, teargas, rubber bullets. Standing without weapons and praying, the water protectors endure human rights abuses in freezing temperatures." Young concluded by saying he will be visiting the camp again and rallied support for the demonstrators labelling the protest our moment for truth. Unintimidated, stand, speak up and show up. Be counted. Be like our brothers and sisters at Standing Rock. Be there if you can. The progress we have made over 240 years as a nation, has always come first from the people. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} There are few things more personal for someone to decide to share with a global audience, than the details of a sexual attack. Yet having decided she did not want to stay silent any longer, Evan Rachel Wood, the star of Westworld, revealed on Twitter that she had twice been raped, once by a significant other. I don't believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer, she wrote in an email to Rolling Stone that she posted to Twitter. Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism. It should be talked about because its swept under the rug as nothing and I will not accept this as normal. Its a serious problem. The 29-year-old, who married British actor Jamie Bell with who she has a son, said she had not spoken out previously as she feared she would be blamed. She was also not sure if one of the attacks was a rape. I think it's important for people to know that, for survivors to own that, and that the pressure to just get over it already, should be lifted, she said of her decision to speak out. It will remind people of the damage that has been done and how the trauma of a few minutes can turn into a lifetime of fighting for yourself. She added: Its not that you cant get over it, its just that you are never the same, or maybe I just havent gotten there yet. Westworld Finale Trailer Wood has previously been open about personal issues. She came out publicly as bisexual in 2011 and has called herself gender-fluid. She also provide more details about the incidents. So to answer your blunt question bluntly, yes. I have been raped. By a significant other while we were together, and on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar, she said. The second time, I thought it was my fault and that I should have fought back more, but I was scared. She said the attacks had taken place prior to her trying to take her own life - an episode she believes was at least partly the result of being attacked. This was all before I tried to commit suicide and I am sure was one of many factors, she said. I think, like a lot of women, I had the urge to not make it a sob story, to make it about me. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Religious experiences have a similar effect on the brain as taking drugs, according to a new study. Scientists at the University of Utah used MRI scans to monitor the brain activity of 19 devout Mormons while they carried out a variety of tasks including resting, watching a church announcement about financial reports, praying, reading quotations from non-Mormon religious leaders, and reading the Bible. The researchers specifically choose young Mormons seven women and 12 men who had all carried out the one to two years of missionary work that most members of their faith are expected to undergo. During the tasks the participants were told to press a button when they "felt the spirit". When studying the brain scans, the researchers noted certain brain regions consistently lit up when the participants reported spiritual thoughts. These are the same parts of the brain which have lit up when participants in previous studies have listened to music, experienced feelings of love and taken recreational drugs. This section of the brain, the nucleus accumbens, is known as the the brain's "reward centre" which controls addiction and plays a role in the release of dopamine one of the chemicals which control a person's mood. World's most popular religions Show all 7 1 /7 World's most popular religions World's most popular religions Christians Source: Pewforum Getty Images World's most popular religions Muslims Source: Pewforum World's most popular religions Hindus Source: Pewforum World's most popular religions Buddhists Source: Pewforum World's most popular religions Folk Religions Source: Pewforum Getty Images World's most popular religions Other religions Source: Pewforum World's most popular religions Jews Source: Pewforum Getty Dr Jeffrey Anderson, the neuroradiologist who led the study, told CNN: "These are areas of the brain that seem like they should be involved in religious and spiritual experience. But yet, religious neuroscience is such a young field and there are very few studies and ours was the first study that showed activation of the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain that processes reward. Billions of people make important decisions in life based on spiritual and religious feelings and experiences. It's one of the most powerful influences on our social behavior. Yet we know so little about what actually happens in the brain during these experiences. It's just a critical question that needs more study. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a four-year-old girl who died from a rare form of cancer last week. Over 400 people arrived to pay their respects to Jessica Whelan. A procession, led by her two favourite police horses, followed her pink coffin through the streets of Oswaldtwistle before arriving at the service held for her at Saint Marys church, The Lancashire Telegraph reported. Jessica had been diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma 12 months ago, but her story became widely known recently when her father shared an image of her while experiencing her worst pain and suffering. The arresting black and white image, which showed her crying in bed, was entitled the true face of cancer and was shared in a bid to raise awareness of the realities of childhood cancer. Her death was announced by her father Andy Whelan in a heartfelt message on a dedicated Facebook page last week, in which he said he felt both sadness and relief in relaying the news. No longer does she suffer, no longer does she feel the pain of the physical constraints of her body. Now my princess has grown her angel wings and has gone to up to play with her friends and loved ones. She will now watch down over her little brother and ourselves until one day we are reunited again, he wrote. Ahead of Jessicas funeral, Mr Whelan used the page to raise awareness of parliament debating a petition to increase funding for paediatric cancer research. The debate was held on the same day as Jessicas service. Fingers crossed that the result of this debate is one that we all pray for and that paediatric cancer finally gets the support it so badly needs, he wrote. Neuroblastoma is rare form of cancer that commonly affects babies and children under the age of five. It is a cancer of the specialised nerve cells and is most commonly found in the adrenal glands of the abdomen, and the nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord, in the neck, chest, abdomen or pelvis, according to Macmillan cancer support. Less than 100 children in the UK are diagnosed with it each year. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel has responded to a so-called secret memo outlining the Governments Brexit strategy, warning the UK cannot have its cake and eat it. Speaking to AFP, he said: They [the British Government] want to have their cake, eat it, and get a smile from the baker, but not the other things. There are European values which cannot be separated. No cherry picking. A memo was spotted in the arms of the chief of staff to Mark Field, vice-chairperson of the Conservative party as he left a meeting at the Department for Exiting the European Union on Monday. It appeared to say Britain is unlikely to be able to stay in the single market following EU withdrawal and that the Government wants to have its cake and eat it. The memo was criticised by some opponents who argued the document illustrates an unrealistic approach to Brexit, amid growing suggestions the Government has no Brexit plan. Mr Bettels comments come as EU leaders step up warnings that Britain cannot expect to keep access to the single market while limiting immigration by European citizens after it leaves the EU. Last week Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said he thinks it will be impossible to complete negotiations within the two year time frame prompted by triggering Article 50. After the memo came to light on Monday, the Government sought to distance itself from it, saying in a statement: These individual notes do not belong to a Government official or a special adviser. They do not reflect the Governments position in relation to Brexit negotiations. More follows Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A handwritten note, carried by an MPs aide after a meeting at the Department for Exiting the European Union, has been called the most revealing glimpse so far into Theresa Mays Brexit strategy. While the document has been dismissed by Downing Street as not reflecting Government policy, its contents have already prompted reactions from leaders across the continent. Here are 10 things we learned from the embarrassing gaffe: Recommended Secret memo suggests Britain unlikely to stay in single market Ministers still expect to have their cake and eat it This was Boris Johnsons infamous phrase about Brexit summing up his bullish boast that Britain can keep trading freely with the EU, while also curbing immigration. EU leaders have repeatedly insisted this will not be possible, but it appears Brexit Secretary David Davis also believes sweet treats can be both consumed and set aside for later. We think its unlikely well be offered single market A key sentence. Not surprising of course, but Ms May has refused to rule out continued membership and has hinted that some sectors of the economy could continue to operate within it. The document also says No Norway which is in the single market and abides by European Court of Justice rulings, something the Prime Minister has vowed to end for Britain. Ministers are peering across the Atlantic instead Looking at a Canadian deal, the document reads, also pointing to the prospect of Canada Plus with more on services. Canada has recently negotiated a wide-ranging agreement with the EU which it is claimed will eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs but it took seven years to achieve and does not match Britains current access to the single market. Services will be the toughest nut to crack in the negotiations The document states manufacturing relatively straightforward; services harder because French hoping for business. This should worry ministers, given that the services sector accounts for no less than 80 per cent of the British economy while manufacturing is just ten per cent. Its the dastardly French we need to look out for Not only is Paris touting for British business, but the memo warns that French likely to be most difficult in the attempts to strike a deal. This may well be a reference to Michel Barnier, the European Commissions French negotiator, who has previously declared war on bankers and their huge bonuses and wanted the talks carried out in French. Transitional (deal) loathe to do it Perhaps the most important snippet, given that the Prime Minister gave the impression that she shared fears of the cliff edge if businesses crash out of the single market with no replacement trade deal. But its clear the Brexit department fears any transition would drag on and on and is keen to settle the issue. The document reads: Whitehall will hold on to it. We need to bring an end to the expectation. The City of London will be particularly worried. Ms Mays hopes of preventing a running commentary on the Brexit negotiations are doomed to failure The order was already proving impossible to enforce. The juicy details of departmental clashes over Brexit policy are leaked to newspapers regularly and EU governments reveal conversations abroad. Now we have an MPs aide strolling around Downing Street, giving what one wag called a walking commentary. Intelligent people are incapable of heeding repeated warnings to cover up important documents when in the Prime Ministers street There is allegedly a sign on the Brexit departments doors reading: Stop! Are your documents on show? yet Julia Dockerill put her notes on display. One person is particularly delighted Steve Back, the photographer whose long lens has caught out ministers, police chiefs, officials and aides. Barely-known MPs have chiefs of staff You might think that Mark Field, a backbench MP albeit a Conservative vice-chairman might make do with an assistant, or a researcher, but no. He gave Ms Dockerill a job title to die for. As veteran Tory MP Nicholas Soames tweeted: Doesn't it make you howl that @MarkFieldMP apparently has a Chief of Staff? I thought that was a White House job #sograndsooverthetopmustget. Ministers are also split on cake policy Asked about the memo, Business Secretary Greg Clark told the BBC: I was interested and amused. It doesnt reflect any of the conversations I have had. On whether cake could be both scoffed now and left in the cupboard, he added: It would be nice to have, but its not the [Government] policy. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May is heading for an 11-0 defeat when the Supreme Court justices rule on whether Parliament must approve starting Brexit, a law professor has predicted. Professor Michael Zander QC said the High Court judges who ruled the Prime Minister could not act alone when triggering the Article 50 notice had given a unanimous and very strong decision. And that meant Government lawyers were unlikely to have given her any great hope of a different result when the Supreme Court hears the appeal next week. Landmark Brexit Ruling: What happened and what happens next? Recommended Supreme Court rules Scotland and Wales can intervene on Brexit Professor Zander, Professor Emeritus of Law at the London School of Economics, gave his stark prediction in an analysis of Ms Mays Article 50 case in the legal magazine Counsel. He wrote: I would be surprised if the Attorney General and his team of supporting QCs and other lawyers have given ministers reason to hope that there was any great hope of the [High Courts] unanimous and very strong decision being reversed. The appeal is to be heard in December for the first time with all 11 [Supreme Court] justices sitting. Professor Zander then added: In my view, the Government could be looking at losing 11-0. The appeal will be heard, over four days, from next Monday, with a decision expected at the start of January. If the Government loses, it will immediately introduce a short three-line Bill and ram it through the Commons in three days, to try to keep Brexit on track. Ms May has insisted she will invoke Article 50 by the end of March, beginning two years of formal exit talks expected to conclude with Britain leaving the EU in spring 2019. However, the Scottish and Welsh governments will be allowed to make their separate cases to the court for the right to have a say over the process. It raises the possibility albeit thought to be slim of the Supreme Court giving the Scottish Parliament a veto over the Article 50 decision and the Brexit strategy. That would plunge the United Kingdom into a full-blown constitutional crisis, as well as potentially sink the Prime Ministers exit timetable completely. In addition, the Supreme Court may also make a ruling on whether Article 50 and, therefore, Brexit itself could later be stopped, if Parliament chose to. For those twin reasons, some Conservative backbenchers urged the Prime Minister to concede defeat in the courts and get Parliaments permission as soon as possible without risking further setbacks. Meanwhile, in the same magazine, the Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC, urged Britons to speak out after the High Court judges were branded enemies of the people. Miss Doerries said the now-notorious Daily Mail headline was redolent with historic menace. She wrote: The judges do not need [barristers] to defend them they will do their job in accordance with the oath they have taken. But the judiciary and our justice system do need people to speak out publicly in their support. Miss Doerries added: It is about the value and respect we as a society place on the justice system. Without this, much of the benefit of an independent, transparent justice system is lost. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Angela Merkel has reportedly blocked a request by Theresa May to guarantee the rights of EU citizens before Brexit negotiations begin next year. The Prime Minister's informal approach to the German leader over EU migrants' status in a state of limbo since the referendum in June was made earlier this month when the pair held a joint conference in Germany, according to Politico. But Ms May's attempt at a reciprocity deal, which would have guaranteed the existing rights of around 1.2 million British people on the continent and millions of EU migrants in the UK, was blocked by the German Chancellor. Since the EU referendum, leaders of other member states have repeatedly warned that they will not engage in any form of negotiation until the UK Government triggers Article 50 the untested protocol for leaving the union. Speaking to journalists at a briefing on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's spokesman refused to comment on the private discussions between Ms Merkel and Ms May but added: "We've been very clear we would like to have an early agreement". In Britain, the Prime Minister has been repeatedly attacked for her failure to guarantee those rights and urged to end the dreadful uncertainty of EU migrants. She has faced intense cross-party political pressure to give the assurance and not to treat their rights as a bargaining chip. Pro-Brexit protest in Parliament Square And during the Conservative leadership race, Ms May refused to rule out the deportation of EU nationals living in Britain for fear it could lead to a huge influx of migrants coming to the country during the Brexit negotiation phase. At the time, a source close to the Prime Minister told The Independent: Theresa May was saying its unwise to promise right now that all EU nationals living in Britain should be able to stay indefinitely. The reason for that is if we did that the same rights would have to apply to any EU national who comes to Britain before we leave the EU. If we made that promise you could just see a huge influx of EU nationals who would all want to come here while they have that chance. 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 At the conference in Berlin earlier this month the Prime Minister moved to reassure her German counterpart that preparations for Brexit were on track and stood by her planned timetable to trigger Article 50 before the end of March 2017. Last month, a poll for The Independent revealed that British people overwhelmingly want Ms May to immediately guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK. The BMG Research study claimed that two-thirds of people would back a move to guarantee rights now, giving certainty to EU citizens who have no idea if they can still live and work here after Brexit. Such a move would enjoy majority support across every age and social group, and among the supporters of every political party except those backing Ukip. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May has agreed to stay in close touch with Donald Trump during her first substantive phone call with the US President-elect. A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister spoke about building relations and the importance of Nato during the call on Tuesday, and revealed that US and UK security officials will meet in the States before the end of the year. It is the second time the pair have spoken on the phone, but it follows embarrassment in London after Nigel Farage became the first British politician to meet Mr Trump, not to mention the US leaders suggestion that the Ukip politician be made the UKs ambassador to America. The Number 10 spokesperson said: The Prime Minister called the US President-elect this afternoon as part of establishing a regular dialogue between both of them. They discussed how the President-elects transition plans were progressing and agreed that their teams should continue to build close relationships through this period, including with a meeting of their national security advisers in the United States before Christmas. They discussed Nato, agreeing on the importance of the alliance, the need for more Nato members to meet the target of spending 2 per cent of GDP, and the role that Nato can play in addressing diverse threats. They agreed to stay in close touch and to meet at the earliest possible opportunity. Mr Trump spoke to Ms May earlier in the month following his election victory, but only after he had called a string of other countries. On that occasion Mr Trump invited Ms May to the US, while a Downing Street spokesperson said they agreed that the US-UK relationship was very important and very special. Ukip MEP Mr Farage then became the first British politician to meet the new US leader, emerging jubilant from his time with the President-elect and giving television interviews calling for Ms May to build better relations with Washington. Suggestions that Mr Farage be used as a go-between to nurture ties with the Trump camp were completely dismissed by Downing Street, only for the President-elect to break all diplomatic protocol and suggest the Ukip politician would do a great job as a British ambassador to the US. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The President of the European Council has suggested Brexiteer MPs are putting forward an argument that has nothing to do with reality as he blamed Britain for the anxiety affecting EU nationals in the UK. Donald Tusks intervention comes after his office received a letter, organised by Conservative MP Michael Tomlinson and signed by 80 MPs, criticising Brussels refusal to allow formal talks on the issue. But in a blunt response, Mr Tusk said: Its a very interesting argument, the only problem being that it has nothing to do with reality In his letter, Mr Tusk continued: Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit? And that the only way to dispel the fears and doubts of all the citizens concerned is the quickest possible start of the negotiations based on Article 50 of the Treaty? Immediately after the referendum I declared, on behalf of the 27 EU member states and the European institutions, that we were ready to launch the negotiation process as early as the following day. I still stand by that declaration. In your letter you called on me to resolve this matter once and for all at the European Council in December. This would in effect mean the start of the negotiations already in December. The EU stands ready to do so, but that can only happen on the condition that Article 50 has been triggered. Let me reiterate, however, that the decision about triggering Article 50 belongs only to the UK, which we fully respect. In their letter to Mr Tusk the MPs including Michael Gove, Iain Duncan Smith, and John Whittingdale added guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens was the only just and humane thing to do. They added: People are not bargaining chips. Human beings are not cards to be traded 'tit for tat' in a political playground. 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 But in a sign of how frustrated EU leaders have become with the process over Brexit, Mr Tusk replied: Just like you, I would like to avoid a situation where citizens become bargaining chips in the negotiation process. In order for this not to happen, we will need precise and comprehensive solutions, which, other than nice-sounding expressions, will provide citizens with genuine guarantees of security. Conservative MP Steve Baker, who organised the letter sent to Brussels alongside Mr Tomlinson, said the response was dogmatic intransigence placing EU processes before EU voters concerns again. The escalating row over the rights of EU citizens comes after reports surfaced that Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, blocked Theresa Mays informal approach to enshrine the rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens overseas. Since the EU referendum, leaders of other member states have repeatedly warned that they will not engage in any form of negotiation until the UK Government triggers Article 50 the untested protocol for leaving the union. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Tension between Labours two most senior figures has heightened, after Deputy Leader Tom Watson said boycotts of Israeli goods that have been backed by Jeremy Corbyn are "morally wrong". Mr Watson accused some people undertaking such boycotts of trying to "demonise and delegitimise" Israel and claimed they are doing nothing to further the cause of peace. The speech given to the Labour Friends of Israel group stands in stark contrast to comments made by Mr Corbyn in which he supported "targeted" boycotts of some Israeli goods. Relations between the pair are strained, with previous divergences over Israel, Brexit and Mr Corbyns continued leadership. In his speech, Mr Watson hit out at people he claimed had been "celebrating" recent fires in Israel, posting on Twitter using the hashtag "IsraelIsBurning". He went on: "And those in this country who campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions seek to demonise and delegitimise the worlds only Jewish state. "Let me be clear. The BDS movement is morally wrong. It is failing. And it does nothing to advance the cause of peace or advance a two-state solution." The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, or BDS, movement describes its work as campaigning to "end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law". Mr Corbyn came under pressure during the Labour leadership campaign to state his position on boycotts, following reports that he backed them. Clarifying his position in a letter in August, he said: "I am not in favour of the academic or cultural boycott of Israel, and I am not in favour of a blanket boycott of Israeli goods. "I do support targeted boycotts aimed at undermining the existence of illegal settlements in the West Bank." Earlier this month Mr Watson and other MPs toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum following an invitation from Israels Labour party, but it came just months after Mr Corbyn had declined a similar invitation due to a busy schedule. Mr Watson, who has previously asked Mr Corbyn to stand down, also intervened at the start of November to say Labour would not block the Government from triggering Brexit talks, after Mr Corbyn gave an interview setting out "bottom lines" for any EU withdrawal deal. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jeremy Corbyn will miss a House of Commons vote on whether to order a fresh probe into allegations that Tony Blair misled Parliament over the Iraq War. Wednesdays vote has split the Labour parliamentary party, with the Shadow Cabinet facing down calls by backbenchers for all MPs to be ordered to oppose it. Instead, Labour MPs face only a one-line whip not a strict three-line whip which means it is not essential to them to attend and vote. Some Labour MPs were furious, believing their party should have been ready to take disciplinary action against any MP failing to reject the motion, drawn up by the SNP. It demands a new investigation by a Parliamentary committee that could even result in Mr Blair being stripped of his Privy Council membership. The Independent has learned that Mr Corbyn will miss the vote altogether, because he is committed elsewhere. In July, when the Chilcot report was published, Mr Corbyn told Parliament that the evidence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction was flimsy and confected. And he said: We now know that the House was misled in the run-up to the war and the House must now decide how to deal with it 13 years later, just as all those who took the decisions laid bare in the Chilcot Report must face up to the consequences of their actions, whatever they may be. The September 2002 dossier, which warned of weapons that could be made ready in 45 minutes, was the only most notorious of many deceptions, he added. It was suggested at the weekend that some senior Labour MPs will vote with the alliance of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Green party co-leader Caroline Lucas. But several former ministers in the Blair and Brown government are expected to turn out to defend the former Prime Minister from the charge that he knowingly misled Parliament. Ms Lucas piled pressure on Mr Corbyn to attend the debate and vote for the investigation, saying he had opposed the war and had called for those who led us into the disastrous conflict to be held to account. She added: To now back away from taking the action to match their words would be deeply disappointing and would damage the prospects of learning serious lessons from what went wrong in the run up to war in Iraq. Labour should not shy away from their role in Iraq, and shouldnt be protecting Blair and his allies from being held to account for the actions which led this country into military intervention. The debate is expected to focus on revelations that the Chilcot inquiry was designed by senior civil servants to avoid blame and reduce the risk that individuals and the government could face legal proceedings. Documents released under freedom of information laws, also showed that officials involved in planning the inquiry - including current Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood - were involved in the events that led to war. Labour refused to comment about whipping arrangements, but one source said the Shadow Cabinet had decided to oppose the SNP motion. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Schools are being let down in the fight against sexual harassment and sexual violence by the Government, a committee of MPs have warned. It comes after MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee in Westminster concluded earlier this year that sex education in schools was inadequate and exposed widespread sexual harassment and violence in schools. In a report they found an alarming inconsistency in how schools dealt with harassment, and a lack of guidance and support for teachers to deal with these issues effectively. After hearing evidence MPs claimed that almost a third or 29 per cent of 16-18 year-old girls said they have experienced unwanted sexual touching at schools. While the Government took some welcome steps to understand the severity of the problem following the report, the committee members urge officials to go much further. In response to one recommendation to make Sex and Relationship (SRE) a compulsory subject the Government had replied: We are conscious that the existing SRE guidance was last updated in 2000 and the case for further action on PSHE and SRE delivery is actively under review, with particular consideration to improving quality and accessibility. Maria Miller, the former Culture Secretary and now chair of the Women and Equalities Committee in Westminster, said the scale of the problem of sexual harassment in schools demands a robust and urgent response from those who take responsibility for our childrens safety when they are at school Ms Miller added: Schools are responsible for fostering the best environment for young people to learn; fear of sexual harassment, or worse, should not be part of that. We will continue to scrutinise action in this area and work with others to hold those responsible to account for any failure to ensure that all our children are safe and can thrive at school. In particular the Government needs to prioritise action to ensure Sex and Relationship education reflects the realities of the 21st century rather than the pre-smartphone age when guidance was last updated. The Committee will hold a follow-up inquiry on the Governments response to its report. It will examine what progress has been made in tackling sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools and open for evidence in the summer of 2017. Commenting on the Governments response to the report from the Women and Equalities Committee, Sarah Champion MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities said: The Tories response to the concerns laid out by the Select Committee is inadequate and the Government have been called to task by the Chair of the Committee, herself a former Conservative Women and Equalities Minister. The Government can no longer bury its head in the sand on acting to ensure that there is up-to-date, statutory, age-appropriate relationships and sex education. The Government must bring in legislation to ensure every school takes action to prevent and respond effectively to sexual harassment and sexual violence. The findings of the Committee demonstrate that the Governments failure to do so is putting children and teenagers in the way of physical and psychological harm. The Women and Equalities Committee is now the fifth House of Commons Committee to call on the Government to introduce high quality, age-appropriate relationships and sex education. The Government can't continue ignoring this expert advice. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} On Monday, a man plowed his vehicle into a group of students at Ohio State University before exiting his vehicle and stabbing several others with a butcher knife, within minutes, the 18-year-old suspect was shot and killed by a campus police officer. Eight students suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are all recovering at local hospitals. In the hours following the attack, the suspect was identified as Abdul Razak Cali Artan, a freshman student at the university. Authorities are currently pursuing search warrants to investigate the students home and personal information. Over the summer, on his first day on campus, the suspect spoke with the universitys student newspaper The Lantern in its Humans of Ohio State section. He had just transferred from Columbus State and praised the community college for the prayer rooms offered to students and admitted that he was afraid to pray in public at his new university. I mean, Im new here. This is my first day. This place is huge, and I dont even know where to pray. I wanted to pray in the open, but I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. Im a Muslim, its not what the media portrays me to be, he said in the interview. Ohio State University shooting Show all 16 1 /16 Ohio State University shooting Ohio State University shooting Crime scene investigators collect evidence from the pavement as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting Ohio State students duck under police tape after a shelter-in-place notification was lifted following an attack Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP) AP Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP Ohio State University shooting AP Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. / AFP / Paul Vernon (Photo credit should read PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Images) PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting A law enforcement official motions for people to leave the area outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Ohio State University shooting Members of the Columbus SWAT team work the scene around a parking garage on the campus of The Ohio State University Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. ) AP Photo/Jay LaPrete Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings as police respond to an attack on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting SWAT teams and police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting Students leave buildings surrounding Watts Hall as police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus at Ohio State University, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Ohio State University shooting Law enforcement officials are seen outside of a parking garage on the campus of Ohio State University as they respond to an active attack in Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016. Eight people were injured when an attacker apparently drove into a crowd at Ohio State University on Monday, triggering an hours-long lockdown before authorities declared the campus secure. Law enforcement shot and killed one suspect, according to local television station WBNS, which reported that police led two people out in handcuffs from a garage they had surrounded on the university's main campus in Columbus. PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. But, I dont blame them. Its the media that put that picture in their heads so theyre just going to have it and it, its going to make them feel uncomfortable. I was kind of scared right. But I just did it. I relied on God. I went over to the corner and just prayed. Late Monday, investigators discovered a Facebook message that the teenager posted on online before the attack in which condemned the treatment of Muslims around the world, news agencies reported citing law enforcement officials. If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace, the suspect wrote. We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Retired US Army General David Petraeus, now considered a leading contender for the role of Secretary of State in the Trump administration, is a decorated military commander who led US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and thoroughly modernised the way America wages war. Recommended Republicans cast doubt over Mitt Romney as secretary of state He is also a scandal-hit former CIA chief, who resigned from the agency in 2012 after an extra-marital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, was revealed. Last year, he accepted a plea agreement in which he admitted sharing classified documents with her and lying to the FBI. Thus, Petraeus admitted to precisely the kind of crime that Donald Trump tried to pin on his opponent, Hillary Clinton, for the duration of the 2016 presidential campaign. After meeting with Petraeus at Trump Tower on Monday, the President-elect tweeted that he was very impressed by the 64-year-old four-star general, which puts him in the same company as two previous Commanders-in-Chief. It was George W Bush who picked Petraeus to lead the so-called surge of US troops in Iraq in 2007, which allowed Bush to claim a kind of victory in the long and messy conflict, and which made Petraeus the most celebrated military leader of his generation. In 2010, President Barack Obama tapped Petraeus to command the US-led international forces in Afghanistan. A year later, Petraeus retired from the Army after being appointed the new director of the CIA. His first civilian job would be short-lived, however. At the time, Broadwell was working on a biography of Petraeus, who was her mentor before he was her lover. The book, All In: The Education of David Petraeus, would be released in January 2012, shortly before the truth about its composition came out. In August 2011, Petraeus had given Broadwell eight black notebooks that contained classified information from his time as a top military commander, including intelligence secrets, war strategies, the names of covert operatives and even his meetings with the President. Ex-commander and CIA director David Petraeus sentenced in military leak case Petraeus, who had said in a recorded conversation that the notebooks contained highly classified material, at first denied having given them to Broadwell in interviews with the FBI. Threatened with a criminal trial, in 2015 he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour: mishandling classified material. A federal court fined Petraeus $100,000 and put him on probation for two years. Some Republicans pointed to his case in relation to Ms Clintons careless handling of some classified information on her private email server when she was Secretary of State. But FBI Director James Comey, who found no cause to prosecute Ms Clinton, explained the difference between the two cases at a congressional committee hearing in July. Unlike Ms Clinton, he said, Petraeus admitted he knew that was the wrong thing to do. Trump appeared not to appreciate the distinction, telling supporters at an October rally that Petraeuss life had been destroyed for doing far, far less than Clinton. Since exiting public life in disgrace in 2012, Petraeus has worked as chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which analyses global trends for the New York Investment firm KKR & Co. The Obama administration has continued to seek his counsel, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Monday. Obviously, maintaining any sort of informal advisory role is a lot different from being nominated secretary of State for the United States, Earnest said. Petraeus told the BBC last week that he would willingly accept a role in the Trump administration. His meeting with Trump comes amid the President-elects increasingly public deliberations over whom to pick for the most prominent post in his cabinet. Trump is set to have a private dinner with Mitt Romney on Tuesday, Politico reported. The 2012 Republican presidential nominee is also under consideration to lead the State Department, despite his very public criticism of Mr Trump during the campaign and despite the opposition of many top Trump loyalists to his prospective appointment. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Republican Senator Bob Corker, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are also said to be in the frame for the role of America's top diplomat. Another General, James Mattis, is thought to be a potential candidate for Secretary of Defence. Speaking to reporters after what he said was a very good conversation with Trump, Petraeus said the businessman had demonstrated a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Delta Airlines has banned a passenger for life after he went on an explicit pro-Donald Trump and anti-Hillary Clinton rant on his flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pennsylvania. The individual displayed behavior that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers, Delta Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said in a message to employees on Monday. He will never again be allowed on a Delta plane. The airlines statement follows widespread criticism on social media over the companys lack of discipline for the passenger after footage of the incident surfaced online. Social media users pointed out that the man, who is white, was not ejected from the flight but passengers who are Sikh, Muslim, African-American, and other ethnicities have been kicked out of flights due to safety concerns following complaints from passengers and staff. In a video posted on Facebook last Tuesday, the passenger in question is shown yelling at fellow passengers on Flight 248. Donald Trump, baby, he yelled while standing up and clapping his hands. We got some Hillary b*tches on here? Come on, baby. Trump! The video, posted by a user named Emma Baum, has generated more than 2,360,000 views on Facebook. She told The Morning Call that she noticed the man shouting pro-Trump slogans in the middle of the terminal while she was waiting to board her flight. She said she had been out of the country and when she asked about the election, he started jumping out of his seat. Donald Trump, he yelled. Its your president. Every goddamn one of you. If you dont like it, too bad. President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpis victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP I also want to make sure all of you know we have your backs, Mr Bastian continued in the memo. The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities. We must stay true to Deltas core values and treat one another with dignity and respect. We also must remain committed more than ever to the safety of our customers and our crew members. We will not tolerate anything less. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps senior administration team have had their work cut out this week explaining the President-elects dramatic flips on policy, as Fox news pundit Chris Wallace put it. Since being named White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus has already had to explain several of the President-elects about turns the latest being Mr Trumps vacillating stance on climate change. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump famously described climate change as a total hoax invented by the Chinese to undermine US manufacturing. Following his election Mr Trump made a surprise U-turn during a news conference, conceding there is some connectivity between human activity and climate change, and said he would keep an open mind on the issue. Now it seems Mr Trump has completed a full 360 degree turn. In an interview Mr Priebus confirmed climate change denial would remain Mr Trumps default position. Speaking to Fox News, Mr Priebus said: As far as this issue on climate change the only thing he was saying after being asked a few questions about it is, look, he'll have an open mind about it but he has his default position, which most of it is a bunch of bunk, but he'll have an open mind and listen to people. I think thats what hes saying. A tweet from Donald Trump in 2012 that claimed climate change was made up (Twitter) Mr Trump has repeatedly said he wants to cancel the Paris Agreement on climate change and repeal Americas Clean Power Plan. He has even promised to resuscitate the USs collapsing coal industry. And despite telling reporters he would keep an open mind on the issue, Mr Trumps has begun filling Cabinet positions with a cabal of climate sceptics. Mr Priebus last year called on President Obama to stop the war on coal, after the President introduced green policies. He also said Islamic terrorists pose a greater threat to America than climate change, Mother Jones reports. Democrats tell us they understand the world, but then they call climate change, not radical Islamic terrorism, the greatest threat to national security, he said last year. Look, I think we all care about our planet, but melting icebergs aren't beheading Christians in the Middle East. Mr Priebus was selected as Mr Trumps chief of staff over Steve Bannon, the founder and chairman of far-right news website Breitbart. Mr Bannon has instead been appointed as chief White House strategist for Mr Trump, and is also an energetic climate change denier. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan Mr Bannon described the incumbent US governments support for alternative energy madness. Writing on Breitbart last year he said: Do you agree with the pope and President Obama that [climate change] is absolutely a path to global suicide, if specific deals are not cut in Paris [at the international climate negotiations], versus focusing on radical Islam? Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} President-elect Donald Trump has met with a potential chief of Homeland Security who has advocated suspending the right to a trial and sending a million suspected terrorism supporters to Guantanamo Bay. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. is known for his brash, outspoken tone and hard line conservative views. He met with the President-elect on Monday at Trump Tower in New York and has been tipped as a possible head of the Department of Homeland Security. Unlike his current job at the low crime Milwaukee County, where Mr Clarke is in charge of 618 people, the Department of Homeland Security has 240,000 employees. The organisation has a wide remit, encompassing many key organisations, including the Secret Service, Coast Guard and Transport Security Administration. In December 2015, Mr Clarke suggested suspending the right to a trial under the invocation of Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution, which allows for the suspension of habeas corpus in the event of rebellion or invasion. "We have no idea how many people out there have pledged allegiance or are supporting Isis, giving aid and comfort, but I would suggest hundreds of thousands, I would suggest maybe a million. It's just a guess," Mr Clarke said during a radio show he presents. "And then you take the known terrorists that are here, and you think we're going to arrest all these people and put them in jails and then sentence them to prison? It's idiotic. [Send them to] Gitmo and hold them indefinitely under a suspension of habeas corpus. We're at war. This is a time of war. Bold and aggressive action is needed." 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 Mr Clarke has said he would serve in the Trump administration if asked by the President-elect. After the meeting on Monday, a spokesperson for the sheriff declined to comment on the meeting, but a Facebook post criticising the local media later appeared on the Milwaukee County Sheriff Facebook page. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has long followed the hard line sheriff, who identifies politically as a conservative but ran for his position as a Democrat, according to the newspapers reports of comments made in Mr Clarkes book, Cop Under Fire. In the book, he also wrote that suspected terrorists in the US should be treated as enemy combatants and should be processed by a military tribunal, rather than a civilian court. Mr Clarkes fitness for the job of Department of Homeland Security chief has been questioned by advocacy groups. "This guy, who spends more time chasing media appearances than doing his job, has no business anywhere close to a job with responsibility for protecting national security," said Scot Ross, of liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now to the Sentinel. Mr Clarke has also made waves for his frequent attacks on the Black Lives Matter, saying the group would join forces with terrorist group Isis and its activists must be eradicated. He also drew criticism for saying, there is no police brutality in America. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The New York Times has publicly accused Donald Trump of lying after he claimed millions of people had voted illegally in the US presidential election. The President-elect had responded to the fact he trails Hillary Clinton in the popular vote by tweeting: In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally. "Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem! Donald Trump's four biggest U-turns Recommended Trump ally says Clinton increases prosecution risk asking for recount He offered no explanation for his claim and there appears to be little evidence of illegal voting having taken place. However, the President-elect later resumed his Twitter tirade, this time attacking journalists who had questioned his assertions. The New York Times used an editorial on Monday to attack Mr Trumps claims. In the piece, published under the byline of the papers Editorial Board, it said: This is a lie, part of Mr. Trumps pattern, stretching back many years, of disregard for indisputable facts. "There is no evidence of illegal voting on even a small scale anywhere in the country, let alone a systematic conspiracy involving 'millions'. In addition to insulting law-abiding voters everywhere, these lies about fraud threaten the foundations of American democracy. They have provided the justification for state voter-suppression laws around the country, and they could give the Trump administration a pretext to roll back voting rights on a national scale. 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 Mr Trump clearly feels threatened by the fact that 54 per cent of voters did not support him, the paper suggested. It said: So maybe his touchiness is understandable. Like most people, Mr. Trump senses the fundamental unfairness of awarding the presidency to the loser of the popular vote. But if hes truly worried about the legitimacy of the 2016 election, why doesnt he call for a recount? Mr Trump currently trails Mrs Clinton by 2.3 million votes in the popular vote, with the final total likely to exceed 2.5 million once the last remaining postal votes have been counted. He won the presidency, however, after victory in the Electoral College, which sees each state assigned a number of votes that go to the candidate who wins the public vote in that state. In 2012 Mr Trump called the Electoral College a disaster for democracy after mistakenly thinking it would lead to President Obama losing the popular vote but retainaing the White House. Following his election victory, however, the billionaire businessman praised the genius of the system. CNN Reporter calls Trump a 'sore winner' Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked the New York Times, which endorsed Mrs Clinton for President. A week after his election he claimed the newspaper was failing and said its writers looked like fools. He had earlier said it was losing thousands of subscribers because of [its] very poor and highly inaccurate coverage of the Trump phenomena. The paper responded saying it had actually seen a rise in subscriptions. The row is the latest of Mr Trumps attacks on US media outlets. On Tuesday he criticised news station CNN, tweeting: I thought that CNN would get better after they failed so badly in their support of Hillary Clinton however, since election, they are worse!" "CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do." Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump will violate the terms of a key contract with the US government from the moment he is inaugurated, according to legal scholars, in a clear conflict of interest between two of the hottest properties in Washington DC. One of those properties is the Trump International Hotel, located in the citys Old Post Office pavilion, which the President-elect obtained on a 60-year lease in 2013. The other is the White House. According to two experts, the terms of Mr Trumps lease on the Old Post Office could not be clearer - he cannot occupy both buildings at the same time. Thats because he will, as President, be responsible for appointing the head of the General Services Administration (GSA), the body which oversees the business of the federal government. Recommended Donald Trump says anyone who burns US flag should lose citizenship The GSA is also the body which Congress ordered to redevelop the Old Post Office in 2008 - it negotiated the lease for what is now the Trump International Hotel, and it will continue to negotiate any change to its conditions. It has previously been speculated that Mr Trump will breach the very terms of the Constitution when he takes power on 20 January 2017. His extensive holdings overseas and his domestic business empire could defy whats known as the Emoluments Clause, part of the Constitution which is designed to prevent public officials receiving gifts from foreign influencers. The point is open to interpretation and would require analysis of how each of his business entities receives money, where applicable, in other countries. But the issue with the Old Post Office is so clear-cut, such an unprecedented and intolerable conflict of interest, argue the two scholars, that it leaves the GSA no choice but to immediately withdraw the President-elects lease for the Trump International Hotel. Steven Schooner and Dan Gordon, two George Washington University law professors and procurement policy administrators in the Clinton and Obama administrations respectively, wrote in an op-ed for Government Executive magazine that the language of the Old Post Office lease contract could not be any more specific or clear. No... elected official of the Government of the United States... shall be admitted to any share or part of this Lease, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom, it reads. The suggestion Mr Trump could fix the issue by simply handing over his business interests to his adult children, the pair argue, would confront what any reasonable person would view as the appearance of a conflict of interest. The fact he has made his children key members of his transition team only makes this point more evident, they suggest. And Mr Trumps most recent insistence that the law's totally on my side, the president can't have a conflict of interest is also, simply, wrong. While the President and Vice President are exempt from some of the ethics statutes, including some of the prohibitions related to conflicts of interest, many of the statutes that prevent conflicts of interest and corruption do constrain the president, they argue. Based on the agreements express terms, we believe that Trump has breached the contract. World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty Schooner and Gordon call on the GSA to immediately break off the contract, suggesting that the worst-case scenario for the public purse would be having to pay monetary damages which would be nominal at best. Regardless, it would be a price worth paying to preserve the integrity of our government and its contracting system. The faster GSA ends its business relationship with the Trump Organization, the better, they conclude. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A longstanding Donald Trump ally and Republican strategist has claimed Hillary Clinton is more likely to face criminal prosecution under the President-elects administration because she is supporting a recount of votes in battleground states. I think Hillary increases her chances of prosecution by acting this way, Roger Stone said on The Steve Malzberg Show on Newsmax TV. Former Green Party nominee Jill Stein called for a recount in Wisconsin and Pennsylvannia and is reportedly planning to request one in Michigan. The Clinton campaign announced on Saturday it would support the drive to recount votes. General counsel for the campaign Marc Elias said that while it had not yet found evidence of sabotage, the campaign felt an obligation to the more than 64 million Americans who cast ballots for Hillary Clinton. We certainly understand the heartbreak felt by so many who worked so hard to elect Hillary Clinton, Mr Elias said, and it is a fundamental principle of our democracy to ensure that every vote is properly counted. In the run-up to the election, Mr Trump vowed to appoint a special prosecutor to go after Ms Clinton. But since winning the vote he has indicated he has little interest in doing so, saying earlier in November he would rather not "hurt" the Clinton family. Recommended Jill Stein supporters file challenges in 100 Pennsylvania precincts And the FBI has twice recommended against bringing charges against the Democrat for her use of a secret email when she was Secretary of State. If the property tycoon were to order the prosecution of Ms Clinton when he entered office as a means of political retaliation, it would be a major breach of the Justice Department's independence from the White House. Yet Mr Trump's senior adviser, Kellyanne Conway, has also connected the issue of the recount with the potential prosecution of Ms Clinton. She told CNN: Hes been incredibly gracious and magnanimous to Secretary Clinton at a time when, for whatever reason, her folks are saying they will join in a recount to try to somehow undo the 70-plus electoral votes that he beat her by." World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty During his TV interview on Monday, Mr Stone also accused the left of being hypocritical for ridiculing Mr Trump's complaints of voter fraud before the election and then claiming the vote was rigged after the result. They crucified Donald Trump because he wouldnt say unilaterally he would support the winner of the election until he knew whether thered be fraud and inappropriate voter manipulation, he said. Now, the shoe is suddenly on the other foot. Now suddenly, [Green Party presidential nominee] Jill Stein, who couldnt raise two cents, has now raised $5.5 to $7 million. Mr Stone a long-serving Republican strategist who first rose to prominence under President Richard Nixon told the broadcaster we have to presume the money funding the Ms Steins drive for a recount either came from billionaire business magnate George Soros, or from Ms Clinton. Mr Stone did not support his claims with any evidence. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shares the loss with Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz (Photo: VNA) Fidel Castro, former First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Partys Central Committee and former President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers, passed away on November 25th (Havana time) at the age of 90. Mourning the loss with Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong conveyed his boundless sorrow and deepest sympathy to the Party, State and people of Cuba and the leaders family. Writing in the funeral book, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong recalled the late leaders famous saying For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to donate blood, and affirmed the solidarity of Vietnam with Cuban people. Meanwhile, President Tran Dai Quang wrote on the funeral book that Fidel Castro is a great and close friend, a comrade and brother of Party, State leaders and people of Vietnam during the past 50 years. The burning passion and great courage of the revolutionary leader left a strong impression on those who had the honour to meet him, including me, he wrote. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a Government delegation, including Deputy PMs Vuong Dinh Hue and Trinh Dinh Dung, paid a floral tribute to the Cuban leader. The PM wrote: the life and revolutionary career of leader Fidel Castro is a great symbol of the spirit of resilient and brave struggle for national independence and freedom of Cuba as well as the liberation movement and struggle against imperialist and racial discrimination for peace and justice in the world. For Vietnamese people, Fidel Castro is a close and loyal friend who made great contributions to the foundation, enforcement and development of the fraternal ties, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between Vietnam and Cuba. He accompanied Vietnam during the hard years of the struggle for national independence and reunification as well as the national construction and development, wrote the PM. The same day, various delegations from ministries and sectors, representatives from embassies and international organisations and individuals who have studied and worked in Cuba, paid homage to the revolutionary leader at the Cuban Embassy. The Cuban Embassys funeral book commemorating Fidel Castro will remain open until December 4th./. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has posted a series of innaccurate and nonsensical tweets attacking the media, in a late night tirade in response to reports criticising his claim that millions of people voted illegally. Retweeting messages of his supporters, some of them not old enough to vote, the President-elect targeted senior CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny in five separate posts over the course of 40 minutes. Mr Zeleny had reported that Mr Trump was showing signs of being a sore winner and had zero evidence to support his claim of mass voter fraud in favour of Hillary Clinton. The Democratic candidate has now convincingly won the popular vote by at least two million ballots, but the Electoral College system means Mr Trump still took the presidency. An in the latest example of the billionaire businessman's sensitivity to media criticism, he posted the first in his series of tweets at 9.14pm New York time, adding "do your job" to one of his supporter's posts. Mr Trump has still delivered no evidence to support his earlier claim that millions of people voted illegally. He said: "In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally." It was later reported that the false claim may have been based on an unverified tweet spread by far-right and conspiracy websites. 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 number of pro-Trump websites claimed three million illegal immigrants voted in the US election, but did not provide any solid evidence to back the claim up. Instead, the majority referred to a tweet posted in the days following the election by a man called Greg Phillips, who identified himself as the founder of an "election fraud reporting app". Anger among Trump supporters on Twitter was reignited after Green Party candidate Jill Stein called for a recount of votes in Wisconsin. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Almost 1,000 students and campaigners are planning to protest the arrival of Breitbart executive chairman turned Donald Trumps chief strategist at Harvards political conference. Stephen Bannon, who has been widely criticised for his white supremacist news platform, is expected to attend the three-day conference in Boston alongside Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook and Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. The Harvard alumnus is not expected to give a speech but is listed on the program as a confirmed participant, alongside dozens of journalists and campaign advisors, according to the student newspaper. At the time of writing, 949 people have said they are going to the event, called Protest Stephen Bannon and Trump Advisors at Harvard, on Facebook. The organisers wrote on social media that the protest would be peaceful. "Trump brought racist ideologues into the mainstream. By treating this situation as normal, Harvard is normalising what Bannon stands for. We do not accept hate and bigotry as normal or legitimate. Come peacefully protest. Then help us organise." President Trump protests Show all 20 1 /20 President Trump protests President Trump protests Patrons hold a sign as people march by while protesting the election of Republican Donald Trump as the president of the United States in downtown Los Angeles, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators rally following the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators march following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States expressing shock and anger over Donald Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the presidency AFP/Getty Images President Trump protests Demonstrators protest outside the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois Getty President Trump protests A police officer aims a launcher after demonstrators threw projectiles toward a line of officers during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests An officer examines a vandalized police vehicle as demonstrators riot in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators take over the Hollywood 101 Freeway just north of Los Angeles City Hall in protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests A woman holds up a sign reading 'Trump you are an Idiot' as demonstrators gather during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump outside the City Hall building in Los Angeles, California EPA President Trump protests A masked demonstrator gestures toward a police line during a demonstration in Oakland, California Reuters President Trump protests Demonstrators protest against the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States, near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, Nevada Reuters President Trump protests Musician Lagy Gaga stages a protest against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on a sanitation truck outside Trump Tower in New York City Getty President Trump protests A woman yells as she takes part in a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A man dressed in red-white-and-blue sits on the curb during a protest against President-elect Donald Trump in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests A protester sets off fireworks during a protest against President-elect Donald Trumpin Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood AP President Trump protests University of California, Davis students protest on campus in Davis, California, U.S. following the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States Reuters President Trump protests An Oakland police officer checks out damage after a window was broken by protesters at a car dealership in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests A protester faces a police line in downtown Oakland, Calif AP President Trump protests President-elect Donald Trumpis victory set off multiple protests AP President Trump protests A fire burns during protests in Oakland, Calif AP Harvard Kennedy School officials defended their decision to invite Mr Bannon to the institute of politicss conference, which has been held every four years since 1972. Dean Doug Elmendorf will tell attendees on Wednesday, as reported by the Boston Globe, that guests are welcome even if their actions of words "are abhorrent to some members of our community or are in conflict with the values of the Kennedy School itself". He added: In fact, the school takes no positions on specific issues in public policy beyond those directly relevant to the School itself, so we never endorse speakers or conference participants views, and we deliberately invite guests who represent a wide range of views on many issues. "Moreover, the school stands proudly and firmly for its values as an institution: We believe resolutely in the worth of each person regardless of their race, gender, religion, ethnicity, and other characteristics, so we support inclusiveness and reject prejudice." Mr Trump has also defended Mr Bannon, claiming if he thought his chief strategist-to-be was a white supremacist he would not have hired him. The discussion about the campaign at Harvard will be aired on CNN on Sunday evening. Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Southern Poverty Law Centre has documented close to 900 incidents of harassment and intimidation in just 10 days after the US presidential election. The spike in abuse, mostly against immigrants, people of colour, women and LGBT people, comes after the president-elects 18-month campaign of heated rhetoric, a promise to build a wall along the US-Mexican border and a slow disavowal of white supremacy. Immigrants bore the brunt of the abuse, found the report. Anti-immigrant attacks accounted for 280 of the total number. Anti-black incidents reached 187, the second highest number. People reported a spike in the use of the n-word, references to slavery, swastikas graffitied onto cars and houses, and a black doll hanging by a noose in an elevator at a New York college. Students have been harassed and sent threatening texts. Congregants at churches, mosques and synagogues have reported being targeted while leaving their places of worship by people waiting outside in their cars, shouting racial slurs and promising they would be deported. Anti-semitic reports came to 100, while there were 95 anti-LGBT incidents and 49 reported incidents against Muslims. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, however, found the number of attacks against Muslims who are often characterised as terrorists to be much higher. Many harassers invoked Trumps name during assaults, making it clear that the outbreak of hate stemmed in large part from his electoral success, the report found. Since the president-elect was exposed in a 2005 video saying he had the right to grab women by the genitals, anti-women street harassment appeared to have risen. In Arlington, Virginia, a woman was crossing the street when two white men yelled from their car: You better be ready because with Trump, we can grab you by the pussy even if you dont want it. The biggest number of hate-related incidents 202 was reported on 9 November, the day after the election. Since Mr Trump appointed Breitbart executive chairman Stephen Bannon as his chief strategist, the Ku Klux Klan has celebrated, and attention has been drawn to the alt-right, an extreme right-wing movement in the US that espouses white nationalist views. There were also 23 reported anti-Trump incidents, including a man wearing a Trump hat who was grabbed by the neck while riding on the New York subway. The report admitted there might be more anti-Trump incidents but said Trump supporters were less likely to report them to the SPLC. Data was collected from media accounts and the SPLCs page to report harassment, and excludes online abuse and hoaxes. The 897 number, however, was deemed to be a small fraction of hate-related incidents, as the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that two-thirds of hate crimes go unreported. The FBI said that there were 5,479 hate crimes in 2014, and 5,818 such crimes last year. Schools were the most common place for these incidents to take place. My 12-year-old daughter is African American, a Colorado woman told the SPLC. A boy approached her and said, Now that Trump is president, Im going to shoot you and all the blacks I can find. Peoples homes and places of worship were also frequent targets. Letters of hate were sent to at least five mosques in California and one in Georgia. Hate crimes have always happened in the US, but the SPLC is viewing the recent spike as a worrying new trend. Incidents before the election were a harbinger of what was to come. A week before the election, a black church in Greenville, Mississippi, was set on fire and its walls were spray-painted with the phrase Vote Trump. This kind of attack happened in the 1950s and 1960s, Greenvilles mayor Errick Simmons said at the time, but it shouldnt happen in 2016. Mr Trump, in his first post-election interview on CBS, said he was surprised to hear of hate crimes. He offered to look into the camera and speak to the perpetrators directly. Stop it. Just stop it, he said. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The US has admitted that mistakes led to a deadly strike on Syrian troops - an incident that highlighted the chaotic situation of a conflict involving multiple factions and forces. Yet it has claimed the strike did not constitute a war crime because the mistake was unintentional. In September, the US acknowledged that coalition warplanes had carried out airstrikes that led to the deaths of at least 62 troops, injured a further 100 and opened the for an attack by Isis. On Tuesday, Pentagon officials said the attack, involving aircraft from the UK, US, Denmark and Australia, had been intended to hit Isis forces. The operation was halted following intervention from Russia, which informed the US they were hitting Syrian forces. Brig Gen Richard Coe claimed that because the mistake was not deliberate or a result of negligence, the attacks were not illegal under international law. According to USA Today, Mr Coe said the mistake had its genesis in the fact that the forces the coalition warplanes struck, looked like Isis fighters. In many ways, these forces looked and acted like the Daesh forces the coalition has been targeting for the last two years, he said. The decision to strike these targets was made in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement. But we concluded based upon post-strike analysis that a number of human factors resulted in incorrect identification of forces on the ground. US spokesperson loses temper with RT journalist over Syria bombing questions The Pentagon said that US military officials had already begun to change procedures based on what happened in the September 17 incident. It said that at least 15 people had been killed, though the Russian military said the total number of dead was 62. In this instance, we did not rise to the high standard we hold ourselves to, and we must do better than this each and every time, Lt Gen Jeff Harrigian, commander of US air forces in the Middle East, said in a statement. The killing of the Syrian forces took place as the US and Russia continued to dispute efforts to bring about a ceasefire in the five-year conflict that has killed up to 500,000 people and displaced - either internally or abroad - 12m. Each country accused the other of violating terms of the cease-fire. Secretary of State John Kerry said at the time that the airstrike was a mistake, but he claimed that Russia would not admit that Syrian or Russian warplanes had struck an aid convoy attempting to get to the rebel-held city of Aleppo. We did it, a terrible accident, Mr Kerry said. Within moments of it happening, we acknowledged it. We didnt put out a bunch of obfuscating facts. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps reported nominee for the position of Health Secretary is a man who has spent more than six years trying to abolish Obamacare. Tom Price, a former orthopaedic surgeon who now represents part of Atlanta in the House of Representatives, has been attempting to replace Mr Obamas Affordable Care Act since it was first introduced in 2010. Mr Price is the President-elects choice to lead the US Health Department, according to The New York Times quoting a Trump transition team official. As Health Secretary he will be responsible for a department with a $1 trillion budget, the health insurance of 100 million Americans and agencies that fund medical research and regulate drugs. Most Republican representatives opposed the Affordable Care Act, which sought to extend health insurance to more Americans, but Mr Price has gone further still. He tabled bills in Congress proposing a detailed replacement of the policy in every year since 2009, when the Obama administration first started working on the plan. Mr Price, who is 62 and has been a congressman since 2005, has previously criticised a stifling and oppressive federal government and said Obamacare interferes with the right of doctors and patients to make medical decisions. Having practiced as a doctor for 20 years, he entered politics after becoming frustrated at Washington officials with no medical training making decisions on health policy. He currently chairs the House of Representatives Budget Committee. Speaking in 2010, shortly after Obamacare was introduced, Mr Price said: Congressional Democrats and the Obama administration blatantly ignored the voices of the American people and rammed through a hyperpartisan piece of legislation that will have a disastrous effect on our nations health care system." Since then he has said: Premiums have gone up, not down. Many Americans lost the health coverage they were told time and time again by the president that they could keep. Choices are fewer. Its important that Washington not be in charge of health care. The problem that I have with Obamacare is that its premise is that Washington knows best. World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty President Obamas Affordable Care Act nicknamed Obamacare introduced a number of changes designed to help Americans access health services. It banned insurers from refusing to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions, mandated that all Americans must have health insurance, scrapped lifetime limits on what insurers will pay out and required companies with more than 50 full-time employees to offer health insurance. The law also expanded the Medicaid programme that enables poorer Americans to access medical cover. An estimated 22 million people would lose medical insurance if Obamacare is repealed. Critics, however, say the legislation places too many costs on businesses and constitutes an excessive intrusion by the state into peoples private lives. Republicans made several attempts to challenge Obamacare in the Supreme Court on these grounds but they were all rejected. Donald Trump shifts his position on Obamacare during CBS 60 minutes interview Under Mr Prices proposals for an Obamacare replacement, the state would instead give families tax credits to help them purchase private insurance policies. The Republican is a staunch opponent of abortion and has consistently voted against state funding of abortion services. He opposed requirements that insurers cover the cost of contraception without additional up-front costs, and has also said the legalisation of same-sex marriage was a sad day for marriage. Mr Trump is currently in the process of appointing his cabinet ahead of his swearing in as president on 20 January. Dr Ben Carson, who ran against Mr Trump for the Republican nomination, is rumoured to be announced as Housing and Urban Development Secretary later today, while General James Mattis, who previously said its fun to shoot some people is expected to be made Defense Secretary. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump will once more feel the love that unexpectedly propelled him to victory over Hillary Clinton three weeks ago with a so-called Thank You Tour of public appearances starting with a giant rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Thursday night. While there is so far no published tour schedule, the director of Mr Trumps advance planning team, George Gigicos, has said that that the president-elect will be traveling obviously to the states that we won and the swing states we flipped over. While some will see it as Mr Trump looking to indulge in a victory lap around the country, Mr Gigicos insisted that it was about giving thanks to those voters who helped him on his way to his Electoral College victory on 8 November, against the expectations of nearly all the main polling organisations and of the Clinton campaign as well. However you choose to characterise it, the tour will only compound the feeling among some that the election campaign isnt really over, at least in the mind of Mr Trump who still hasnt foregone his habit of airing his every passing thought - and grievance - via the medium of Twitter. That sense has also been kept alive by the lingering squabble over recounts petitioned for by Green Party leader Jill Stein in three states where his margin of victory was tiny - Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan - and Mr Trumps subsequently claim that he would have won the popular but for alleged fraud in three other states, California, Virginia and New Hampshire. Thursday nights event is planned for the gaping US Bank arena in downtown Cincinnati in western Ohio, another midwestern state that helped put Mr Trump over the top. The decision to launch the tour is also an expression of Mr Trumps belief it was his succession of boisterous rallies that first won him the Republican nomination last summer and then took him all the way to victory on election day. He was often faulted by political hands who argued he was putting all his energy into the rallies at the expense of paying attention to more nuts-and-bolts requirements of a campaign, like the get-out-the-vote effort at the grassroots level. How he pitches his message to his supporters will be closely watched. Any return to his familiar campaigning form, when he mixed a nationalist populist message with grievances about the rigged establishment ranged against him, will dismay those in the Republican Party who have been grasping at any signs of a moderation of tone since he has become president-elect. Any suggestion that the tour is meant to rub salt into the wounds sustained by Democrats and those who had hoped for a Clinton victory will also deepen anxiety that Mr Trumps words about unifying the country after one of those bilious campaigns in modern history will prove empty. Certainly it is an unusual project. Mr Trump already has a full plate completing his choices for his cabinet and other top positions in Washington and keeping his transition from descending into chaos, as it has already threatened to in recent days, not least the tug of war that has erupted over his courtship of Mitt Romney as a possible Secretary of State. And even if Mr Trump believes he can spare the time to return to the hustings even though the election is over, it is unclear who would be paying the costs of renting spaces as large as the US Bank Arena and covering all the other associated costs of major rallies. Clearly, the tour will not be paying visits to those states that remained unflinchingly blue, like New York or California. But other states in the heartland that could be identified for future stops are likely to include Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, notwithstanding any recounts that could conceivably challenge his narrow victories in each of them. He is expected also to bring Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who is currently running the transition effort, along to the Cincinnati event. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} South Korea's embattled President has said she will resign if parliament produces a plan for the safe transfer of power. Park Geun-hye's stunning announcement follows massive protests calling for her removal amid a mounting scandal. Opposition parties have been closing in on an impeachment motion against her, and even her allies in the conservative ruling party have called for her to step down honourably rather than face impeachment. Ms Park previously rejected calls to leave office and dismissed prosecutors claims that she colluded with a confidante who allegedly manipulated power from the shadows and extorted companies to amass an illicit fortune. Hundreds of thousands have gathered in Seoul each Saturday for the last five weeks to demand that Ms Park step down. She would be the first South Korean leader to resign since the countrys first President, Syngman Rhee, quit then fled to Hawaii amid a popular uprising in 1960. The succeeding government was overthrown by a coup by Ms Parks late father, the military dictator Park Chung-hee, whose rule also abruptly ended after he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. I will leave the matters about my fate, including the shortening of my presidential term, to be decided by the National Assembly, Ms Park said in a live address to the nation, referring to parliament. If the ruling and opposition parties discuss and come up with a plan to reduce the confusion in state affairs and ensure a safe transfer of governments, I will resign from the presidential position under that schedule and by processes stated in law. An impeachment vote had been planned for Friday and the countrys two largest opposition parties were also planning yesterday to nominate a special prosecutor to independently investigate the allegations. 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 At the heart of the scandal is Choi Soon-sil, Ms Park's long-time friend and the daughter of a late cult leader, who allegedly meddled in state affairs and pressured companies to donate millions of dollars to foundations controlled by her at the request of Ms Park. Prosecutors have so far indicted Ms Choi, two ex-presidential officials, and a music video director known as a Choi associate for extortion, leakage of confidential documents and other charges. Ms Park, who has immunity from prosecution while in office, has refused to meet prosecutors and her lawyer, Yoo Yeong-ha, has described prosecutors accusations as groundless. The countrys largest opposition group, the Minjoo Party, called Ms Parks address a ploy to avoid an impeachment vote and said it would continue to push for impeachment as planned. PA For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A right-wing trade union has caused controversy in Austria by suggesting Muslim workers should not be entitled to Christmas bonuses on account of their religion. The Free Workers of Upper Austria group conducted a poll on its Facebook page with the title, Soon new Christmas bonuses will come into force. Muslims will also be eligible, who deny Christian festivals and traditions. What do you think of this? The poll asked the pages 14,000 followers whether they thought everyone was entitled to a bonus regardless of their religion, or whether Muslim workers should be denied the extra money if they are against all Christian traditions. Last week, the Austrian government voted to give an additional 100 to each of the countrys 1.8million pensioners at Christmas, to boost the pre-arranged festive bonus given to workers by their former employers. It is estimated the scheme will cost the country up to 179 million. The union, which is closely linked to Austrias far-right FPO party, appeared to suggest Muslim residents should not be eligible for the planned payment, but quickly deleted the poll after it was criticised. Out of 600 respondents, a majority of votes in the poll had argued for Muslims to be denied the payment at the time of its deletion, according to the Local. Gerhard Knoll, national chair of the Free Workers union, said the poll was not intended to be discriminatory and the group merely wanted to discuss the new payments. We wanted to open a discussion, pointing out a double standard: many Muslims have a problem with the word Christmas and there was a discussion about whether to rename winter markets because it annoyed them, Mr Knoll told der Standard. With the Christmas bonus, suddenly Muslims have no problem with the word Christmas. But we are not demanding that the government denies them payments, that would be really discriminatory. 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 have taken the poll off the internet, it was overdone and this kind of discussion does not fit the peaceful nature of the festive season. Islam is the second most widely observed religion in Austria, practiced by 7% of the population according to a report from 2014. The largest proportion live in the capital Vienna. In September this year, a leading Austrian cardinal courted controversy by claiming many Muslims were trying to conquer Christian Europe by importing their practices. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} It's been a year of turmoil in Europe with many predicting another 12 months of discord to come. But two countries, at least, have shown just how national disputes can be managed in a perfectly civil manner. Following years of negotiations, Belgium and the Netherlands have agreed to peacefully change their borders. The Netherlands gained the most from the deal, taking around 25 hectares from Belgium. But Belgium will take around five hectares from its neighbour. The deal is significant in a continent which, historically, has seen numerous and frequent conflicts over territory. Highlighted in red, the former Belgian territory on Dutch land. In blue, the land gained by Belgium from the Netherlands. (Google ) (Google) It came about because adjustments made to the River Meuse which runs along the border between the two countries - for navigational purposes in the 1960s inadvertantly left Belgian land, Presquile de Lllal and Presquile dEijsden, on the Dutch side of the river. This meant the Dutch police had no jurisdiction over the land, while the Belgian police had no easy access and the area degenerated into lawlessness, known for sex work and drug use. But catalyst for changing this was the discovery of a headless corpse on the land in 2012. It was reported to the Dutch authorities but the whistleblowers were told that it was job for the Belgian police. The difficulty and inconvenience experienced by the Belgian investigators in accessing the land officials could only pass through the Netherlands with special permission spurred on negotiations over the land. In June, an agreement was reached and it was signed on Monday. The border now runs smoothly against along the river, with the small Dutch territory of Presquile Petit-Gravier having been given to Belgium. The negotiations were proof that borders can be redrawn in a peaceful way, according to Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders. 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 Marcel Neven, mayor of the Belgian commune of Vise, added: Whats important to underline is that today, in Europe, were able to modify the borders without using weapons. However, unlike some strongly contested borders, the relations between the countries involved were strong, there were no valuable resources in the vicinity and it was in the mutual interest of the countries to make the trade-off. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} German citizens want Angela Merkel to offer the UK harsh exit negotiations over Brexit, according to a new poll. Fifty-eight per cent of the public think Berlin should offer no compromises over Britains withdrawal from the European Union, the Korber Foundation revealed. A hardline approach is particularly popular with supporters of Ms Merkels own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, with 64 per cent supporting such an approach. Support for a compromise deal is strongest among the right-wing Eurosceptics Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), with only 44 per cent backing the tougher stance. The results come amid reports Mrs Merkel blocked a request by Theresa May to guarantee the rights of EU citizens already living in Britain before Brexit negotiations begin next year. The Prime Ministers attempt at a reciprocity deal, which would have enshrined the rights of 1.2 million British people living on the continent, were rebuffed earlier this month. Worryingly for supporters of a soft Brexit, the survey indicates the German chancellor now has a mandate to drive a hard bargain. What experts have said about Brexit Show all 11 1 /11 What experts have said about Brexit What experts have said about Brexit Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond The Chancellor claims London can still be a world financial hub despite Brexit One of Britains great strengths is the ability to offer and aggregate all of the services the global financial services industry needs This has not changed as a result of the EU referendum and I will do everything I can to ensure the City of London retains its position as the worlds leading international financial centre. Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Yanis Varoufakis Greece's former finance minister compared the UK relations with the EU bloc with a well-known song by the Eagles: You can check out any time you like, as the Hotel California song says, but you can't really leave. The proof is Theresa May has not even dared to trigger Article 50. It's like Harrison Ford going into Indiana Jones' castle and the path behind him fragmenting. You can get in, but getting out is not at all clear Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Michael OLeary Ryanair boss says UK will be screwed by EU in Brexit trade deals: I have no faith in the politicians in London going on about how the world will want to trade with us. The world will want to screw you that's what happens in trade talks, he said. They have no interest in giving the UK a deal on trade Getty What experts have said about Brexit Tim Martin JD Wetherspoon's chairman has said claims that the UK would see serious economic consequences from a Brexit vote were "lurid" and wrong: We were told it would be Armageddon from the OECD, from the IMF, David Cameron, the chancellor and President Obama who were predicting locusts in the fields and tidal waves in the North Sea" PA What experts have said about Brexit Mark Carney Governor of Bank of England is 'serene' about Bank of England's Brexit stance: I am absolutely serene about the judgments made both by the MPC and the FPC Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Christine Lagarde IMF chief urges quick Brexit to reduce economic uncertainty: We want to see clarity sooner rather than later because we think that a lack of clarity feeds uncertainty, which itself undermines investment appetites and decision making Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Inga Beale Lloyds chief executive says Brexit is a major issue: "Clearly the UK's referendum on its EU membership is a major issue for us to deal with and we are now focusing our attention on having in place the plans that will ensure Lloyd's continues trading across Europe EPA What experts have said about Brexit Colm Kelleher President of US bank Morgan Stanley says City of London will suffer as result of the EU referendum: I do believe, and I said prior to the referendum, that the City of London will suffer as result of Brexit. The issue is how much What experts have said about Brexit Richard Branson Virgin founder believes we've lost a THIRD of our value because of Brexit and cancelled a deal worth 3,000 jobs: We're not any worse than anybody else, but I suspect we've lost a third of our value which is dreadful for people in the workplace.' He continued: "We were about to do a very big deal, we cancelled that deal, that would have involved 3,000 jobs, and thats happening all over the country" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Barack Obama US President believes Britain was wrong to vote to leave the EU: "It is absolutely true that I believed pre-Brexit vote and continue to believe post-Brexit vote that the world benefited enormously from the United Kingdom's participation in the EU. We are fully supportive of a process that is as little disruptive as possible so that people around the world can continue to benefit from economic growth" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Kristin Forbes American economist and an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England argues that the economy had been less stormy than many expected following the shock referendum result: For nowthe economy is experiencing some chop, but no tsunami. The adverse winds could quickly pick up and merit a stronger policy response. But recently they have shifted to a more favourable direction Getty A tough negotiation strategy is most popular in the former West Germany, with the support of 64 per cent of the electorate, while German men are more hardline than German women. Only five per cent of the country's citizens now see Britain as the countrys most important foreign policy ally, compared with 60 per cent for France. Brexit agreement 'impossible' within two-year period But overall the survey showed Germans views the EU in a much more positive light than Britons, with 79 per cent of respondents believing the union a project for peace. The event titled Vietnams Hoang Sa, Truong Sa - Historical and legal evidence is being held by the Ministry of Information and Communications in coordination with Military Zone 9 High Command to affirm the countrys sovereignty over the two archipelagoes. The exhibits include documents in Chinese, Nom (old Vietnamese writing using Chinese characters), modern Vietnamese and French issued from the 17th to the 20th century by the Vietnamese feudal states and the French government in Indochina (on behalf of the then Vietnamese state). Cutting ribbon to open the exhibition (Source: mic.gov.vn) The map displayed at the exhibition (Source: baocantho.com.vn) Visitors to the exhibition (Source: baocantho.com.vn) There are also four atlases published by China and a six-volume atlas by Western countries also proving Vietnams sovereignty over the islands, together with the woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty and official documents approved by Nguyen kings relating to Vietnams exercise of sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. Addressing at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Dinh Tao, chief of Representative of the Ministry of Information and Communications in Southern region, said that the event was one of important activities to provide information about sea and islands to cadres and soldiers in Military Zone 9 and people around the zone. This would contribute to educating patriotism and improving awareness and responsibilities of cadres, soldiers and people in national construction and defence. The exhibition will run until November 29th./. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Angela Merkel has called for a burqa ban in Germany while making her pitch for a fourth term as Chancellor. The full-face veil is not acceptable in our country, she told members of the CDU party. It should be banned, wherever it is legally possible. Thomas de Maiziere, the German interior minister and one of Ms Merkels closest allies, previously proposed a partial burqa ban in August and called the veils contrary to integration. He said the law would apply in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence including government offices, schools and universities, courtrooms and demonstrations. Here is the status of the garment in other European countries: Netherlands Dutch MPs have voted overwhelmingly to ban the full-face Islamic burqa in some public places, such as schools and hospitals and on public transport. The legislation, which passed the lower house in November and now has to be approved by the Senate, bans the wearing of burqas, helmets and face masks on public transport as well as education, healthcare and government buildings. The bill was proposed by Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk last year, as he believed clothing that covered the face hindered communication in public services and could pose a security threat. Violations could result in a fine of up to 410 (350). France The first European country to ban the full-veil in public spaces with a law banning the hiding of the face in public spaces, with a law that took effect in April 2011. The European Court of Human Rights upheld the burqa ban in 2014, rejecting arguments that outlawing full-face veils breached religious freedom. The law has resulted in around 1,500 arrests in the past five years, and violations can result in fines of up to 150 euros (120). In mid-2016, several French towns sought to ban burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit. The move was successfully challenged in all but one case on the island of Corsica. Ban will not be enforced on the streets in the Netherlands, but will apply to public transport (REUTERS) Belgium The wearing of the full veil is governed by a 1 June 2011 law. It prohibits appearing in places accessible to the public with a face masked or hidden, in whole or in part, in such a way as to be unidentifiable. Exceptions exist, in particular where the workplace requires the face to be hidden, or for the carnival season. Violations can result in fines and/or up to seven days in jail. Bulgaria In September, Bulgarian MPs approved a law that bans wearing in public clothing that partially or completely covers the face, with exceptions for health or professional reasons. Initial violations result in a fine of roughly 100 (85), while subsequent violations are fined the equivalent of 750 (640). Italy There is currently a debate over a 1975 law aimed at protecting public order that makes it illegal to cover one's face in public places and the provision applies to the veil, as well as motorcycle helmets and other masks. The anti-immigrant Northern League presented in October a draft law in the Lombardy region around Milan that would ban the burqa, niqab and burkini. Switzerland Switzerland's lower house narrowly approved in September a draft bill on a nationwide burqa ban, but the measure remains far from becoming law. In the southern Tessin region however, the burqa has been forbidden since 1 July and violators face a minimum fine of 100 Swiss francs (80). The countries with anti-women laws Show all 5 1 /5 The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws The countries with anti-women laws Britain There is no law restricting the wearing of garments for religious reasons. However in March 2007 the education ministry published directives allowing directors of public establishments and denominational schools to ban the niqab veil. Judges have on occasion refused to hear veiled women because they could not verify their identity. Norway Education Minister Torbjorn Roe Isaksen said in October that the government was seeking regulations prohibiting the full-face veil in schools and universities. Scandinavian neighbours such as Denmark and Sweden have allowed schools, administrations and companies to decide the issue for themselves, while there is no ban in Finland. Others Three other countries that have not banned the burqa are among those closest to the Middle East or North Africa; Greece, Portugal and Spain. AFP For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Angela Merkel has called for a burqa ban in Germany while making her pitch for a fourth term as Chancellor amid calls for Islamic veils to be banned in several other European countries. The full-face veil is not acceptable in our country, she told members of the CDU party. It should be banned, wherever it is legally possible. Thomas de Maiziere, the German interior minister and one of Ms Merkels closest allies, previously proposed a partial burqa ban in August and called the veils contrary to integration. He said the law would apply in places where it is necessary for our society's coexistence including government offices, schools and universities, courtrooms and demonstrations. Studies suggest that only a small minority of women in Germany wear Islamic veils but calls to ban the garments have grown - following the example of European countries such as France and Belgium. Debates on similar bans have been raging across Europe in recent years, with Dutch MPs recently approving a partial bans as several politicians link the issue to immigration and integration. But recent research has shown that several Muslim-majority countries prefer women to have their faces and hair uncovered. Despite restrictive laws governing how women must dress in public, almost half of Saudi Arabians believe women should wear what they want, according to a survey by the University of Michigans Institute for Social Research. (Statista) A study found that while residents of the country and several other Muslim-majority nations said veils covering the hair were appropriate in public, many supported increased freedom of dress. When asked if they agreed with the statement that it was up to a woman to dress whichever way she wants, 56 per cent of Tunisians respondents replied with the affirmative, followed by 52 per cent of Turks and 49 per cent of Lebanese people questioned. The figures were lower in the other Muslim-majority countries surveyed, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, a chart by Statista showed. Saudi Arabia is among the few nations to legally impose a dress code on women, stipulating that they must wear the abaya a loose floor-length dress in public and a headscarf. Iran enforces similar rules, as does the United Arab Emirates, although Western women are not routinely expected to follow the same regulations as locals. (Statista) The University of Michigans research, carried out in 2014, showed that on average across the seven countries surveyed, the majority of respondents preferred women to cover their hair with a veil. Lebanon was the exception, while a third of Turkish people also said uncovered hair was appropriate for women in public, and only Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had a majority of respondents in favour of the niqab, which also covers the face. Intense debate continues to rage in several European countries over the prospect of new burqa bans in line with those brought in by Belgium and France. Germany is considering the move, while the Netherlands has approved a partial prohibition on face-covering Islamic veils and Barcelona outlaws burqas in some public spaces. Several other countries also restrict the right to wear religious clothing or symbols in some circumstances, including the US, Australia and India, as shown by the above map created for The Independent by Statista. (Statista (Statista) A recent survey by YouGov found the British public wanted a universal ban by an overwhelming margin of more than two-to-one. When asked if they would support or oppose a law against the burqa in the UK, 57 per cent of respondents said they were for and just 25 per cent opposed. To what extent would you support or oppose a law that bans people from wearing the burqa in the UK?" Although the question related specifically to the burqa, which covers the entire face and hair with a mesh panel in front of the eyes, the veil is often confused with the niqab or hijab, which leave part or all of the face uncovered. In France, several court cases are underway regarding bans on burqinis a type of swimwear worn by some Muslim women to cover the body and hair brought in by several Rivera resorts. The State Council, Frances highest administrative court, set a national precedent by ruling one of the first bans illegal but judges in lower courts have upheld the by-laws in some cases. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} MPs in the Netherlands have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban on wearing face-covering Islamic veils in some public places, including schools, hospitals, government buildings and on public transport. The rule which will outlaw all face coverings including ski-masks and helmets was approved by 132 members of the 150-seat house. It will now go before the Senate, where it must be approved before becoming law. Few women in the Netherlands wear Islamic veils such as the niqab and burqa but the issue has been hotly debated for years. Under the law, the burqa could still be worn on the streets. But an outright ban is one of the central demands of the anti-Islam opposition Freedom Party, which is leading in polls ahead of parliamentary elections in March. Freedom Party founder Geert Wilders called the limited ban, "a step in the right direction", adding that he will push for a complete ban if his party is elected next year, The Associated Press reported. "Face-covering clothing will in future not be accepted in education and healthcare institutions, government buildings and on public transport," the government said in a statement last year after the cabinet backed Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk's bill. It said it had "tried to find a balance between people's freedom to wear the clothes they want and the importance of mutual and recognisable communication." The ban only applies "in specific situations where it is essential for people to be seen" or for security reasons, Prime Minister Mark Rutte told journalists at the time. "The bill does not have any religious background," he added. Those caught flouting the ban can be fined up to 405 euros (343). Afghan men wear burqas in support of women's rights The Netherlands joins several other European countries that have introduced restrictions on Islamic veils, despite numerous challenges from those who say the laws restrict religious expression. Surveys have found that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally. 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 France introduced a ban on women wearing the burqa in 2010, resulting in only a handful of arrests since then. The European Court of Human Rights last year supported the French ban, rejecting arguments that banning veils breached religious freedom. Under the French legislation, women wearing full-face veils in public spaces can be fined up to 150 euros (127). Belgium and some parts of Switzerland have followed France's lead and similar bans have been considered in other European countries. Under a Bulgarian law, introduced this year, women who wear a burqa or niqab face a fine of 770 (665) and benefit sanctions. The move was condemned by Amnesty International as "part of a disturbing trend of intolerance, xenophobia and racism in Bulgaria". The Norwegian government is considering banning the burqa from schools and universities, despite there being few women who wear face-covering Islamic dress in the country. Senior politicians in Germany have also hinted at the possibility of a similar ban, while a recent YouGov poll revealed around 57% of the British public would be in favour of the government outlawing the burqa. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} France has said goods from the Israeli occupied Palestinian territories must be labelled as such, prompting Israel to accuse the country of aiding a boycott of the Jewish State. Paris published guidelines on enforcing European Union (EU) regulations on produce from the West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, which the international community considers occupied Palestinian land, and the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967. The EU ruled that products from Israeli settlements should be clearly labelled a year ago, but France is the first member state to enforce the decision, which sparked a diplomatic crisis with Israel at the time. An advisory notice on the French Government website said: "Under international law the Golan Heights and the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, are not part of Israel." It said labelling goods simply as "from the West Bank" or "from Golan Heights" without providing more details is "not acceptable". Instead goods must be clearly marked as coming from an "Israeli settlement," when that is the case, to avoid "the risk of misleading the consumer". The Israeli Foreign Ministry responded by saying it "regrets that France, which actually has a law against boycotts, is advancing measures that can be interpreted as encouraging radical elements and the movement to boycott Israel". It accused France of a "double standard" by focusing on Israel and "ignoring the other 200 territorial disputes around the world", the Local reported. In November 2015, the EU infuriated Israel by adopting a motion declaring that products from settlements would have to be labelled as such across the bloc. The country suspended some co-operation with the union and a minister called the decision "disguised anti-Semitism". European diplomats admitted in private that the strength of the Israeli response made many member states wary of issuing their own specific guidelines, the Local reported. Hugh Lovatt, Israel coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told the news site France was the first member state to act on the EU decision. Mr Lovatt said France's frustration in recent months at Israel's refusal to attend a Paris-led peace conference, together with Israel's continued expansion of the settlements, could have motivated the move. He added there had also been concerted action by French civil society and lawmakers. 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 question is whether other member states follow the French example," he said. "EU states tend to act like a herd so yesterday's move may lead others to follow suit." The guidelines come after Paris attempted to organise an international peace conference, in a bid to kickstart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which stalled in early 2014. Israel refused to take part, saying an agreement should only be negotiated bilaterally between the two sides. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Germany's spy chief has warned that Russian hackers are pelting his country with disinformation that could undermine a national election next year. Bruno Kahl, who leads the Federal Intelligence Service, told Tuesday's edition of the daily Suddeutsche Zeitung that his agency knows of cyber attacks that have no other point than causing political insecurity. He said that Europe is in the focus of this attempted disruption, and Germany in particular. US authorities have concluded Russia was responsible for hacking Democratic National Committee emails, which Russia denies. Mr Kahl said he has indications it comes from those quarters. He said its technically difficult to assign blame to any state actor but that some things speak for it being at least tolerated or wished for on the part of the state. The perpetrators have an interest in delegitimising the democratic process as such whomever that later helps, Mr Kahl was quoted as saying. I have the impression that the outcome of the American election isn't causing mourning in Russia so far. Traces left on the internet suggest that those responsible wanted to demonstrate what they can do, and not just in the US elections, he said. These attempts to interfere focus on Europe, and on Germany especially, Mr Kahl added. A kind of pressure is being exercised on public discourse and democracy here, which is unacceptable. The head of Germany's domestic BfV intelligence agency said earlier this month that authorities were worried that Russia may try to interfere in Germany's elections next year by using misleading news stories. 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 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she could not rule out Russia interfering in the vote through internet attacks. Last week she also warned that bots software programmes that bombard media websites might manipulate public opinion by spreading fake news. Ms Merkel faces a growing challenge from the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has said the EU should drop sanctions on Russia and that Berlin should take a more balanced position towards Moscow. Some critics say a proliferation of fake news helped sway the US election in the favour of Republican Donald Trump, who has pledged to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton accused Mr Trump of being a Putin puppet. Deutsche Telekom has blamed disruptions experienced by hundreds of thousands of its customers on Monday on a failed hacking attempt to hijack consumer router devices for the purpose of a wider Internet attack. The German Office for Information Security (BSI) said on Tuesday it believed organised crime was behind the attack and involved Mirai, a malicious software designed to turn network devices into remotely controlled bots that can be used to mount large-scale network attacks. Both Ms Merkel and Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said there was no information on where the attack had come from. Mr de Maiziere said, however, that Germany had suffered attacks from private individuals and criminal groups in the past as well as from states like Russia and China. There is much to suggest that attacks in the past, for example on the German lower house of parliament were initiated by Russia, he said. Responding to the growing cyber threat, Germany approved an IT security law in 2015 that orders 2,000 providers of critical infrastructure to implement minimum security standards and report serious breaches or face penalties. Mr de Maiziere said Germany was exposed both to technical attacks like those on infrastructure and to intelligent attacks that can manipulate opinion. He said Germany wanted to avoid machines sending out 10,000 protest emails - a typical bot operation - and was working on ways to combat this, partly through greater transparency. Behind every opinion, we want there to be a person and we need to explain who is driving these attacks, how they come about and what affect they have, he said. Reuters and Associated Press For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch will no longer sell weapons to countries which are corrupt, undemocratic, or not affiliated in some way to Nato, a senior employee has said. Heckler & Koch, which produces handguns, military rifles and submachine guns, has adopted the new policy because it is difficult to obtain export permits from the government when dealing with such countries. The move, which would rule out arms deals with Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, India and even Nato member Turkey, is also an attempt to improve the companys image, said the source, according to German newspaper Die Welt. 11 most corrupt countries in world We only want to supply stable countries, that is, those which are unquestionably democratic, clearly not corrupt and in Nato or close to Nato, the anonymous manager is reported to have said. Heckler & Koch will only supply countries on a green list which fit these criteria, said the employee, while countries such as Turkey rated by the country as yellow would be removed from the companys books. The company sued the German government last year over a dispute regarding the export of gun parts to Saudi Arabia, saying it had waited more than two years for approval. (Statista) Germany approved a controversial but lucrative deal in 2008 allowing Heckler & Koch to sell parts so the G36 assault rifle could be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters. However, it changed tack in 2013 following media criticism over arms companies fuelling tensions in the middle east. Recommended Vince Cable says Ministry of Defence misled him over Saudi arms deals Germany is the worlds fifth largest arms exporter and Heckler & Koch is said to have produced the assault rifle used by the US army to kill Osama Bin Laden. The company, which is based in Oberndorf in south west Germany, faced criticism last year when it was accused of illegally exporting assault rifles to Mexico, reported Deutsche Welle. A report from the Customs Criminal Office in Cologne alleged Heckler & Koch had delivered around 4,800 guns to states where exports are prohibited due to suspected police corruption and human rights abuses. 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 It said the firm was responsible for bringing about, encouraging, or at least approving the sale of guns to these states between 2003 and 2011. In response to these claims, Heckler & Koch said it was working with investigators and had dismissed two of its staff, Reuters reported at the time. The Independent has approached Heckler & Koch for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man in the Netherlands has been allowed to die because he could no longer carry on living as an alcoholic. Mark Langedijk chose the day of his death and was telling jokes, drinking beer and eating ham sandwiches with his family hours before he passed away. He was killed by lethal injection at his parents home on 14 July, according to an account of the ordeal written by his brother and published in the magazine Linda. The Netherlands introduced a euthanasia law 16 years ago, which is available to people in unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement. Marcel Langedijk wrote his brother had a happy childhood and was loved by both his parents, and only found out he had an addiction eight years ago. I was particularly angry at Mark, he said. At first we did what most people do; help. My parents especially have done everything humanly possible to save Mark. His parents continued to believe in a happy ending despite eight years of help and 21 stints in rehab. Eventually, Mr Langedijk told his family he wanted to die, but the family originally took the news with a grain of salt. But his brother had no second thoughts. His application for euthanasia was approved by a doctor from the Support and Consultation on Euthanasia in the Netherlands. Terry Pratchett interview on assisted dying On the day of his death, he laughed, drank, smoked, ate ham and cheese sandwiches and soup with meatballs until his doctor arrived at his parents home at 3.15pm. His doctor explained the procedure, before telling Mr Landedijk to get into bed and to stay calm. At this point, they all started crying, my parents, everyone actually, even Mark. We cried, told each other that we loved each other, that it would be all right, that we would care for each other, that we would see each other again, we held each other, he said. If it was not so terrible, it would have been nice. Mark's eyes turned away, he sighed deeply. His last. Dr Marijke injected the third syringe. His face changed, lost color. My little brother was dead. Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Show all 9 1 /9 Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal USA Assisted Suicide is legal in the states of California, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Vermont Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal The Netherlands Human euthanasia is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Belgium Human euthanasia is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Colombia Human euthanasia is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Luxembourg Human euthanasia is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Switzerland Assisted suicide is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Germany Assisted suicide is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Japan Assisted suicide is legal Getty Countries where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal Canada Assisted suicide is legal Getty More than 5,500 people ended their life using Hollands euthanasia laws last year. One of those who died was a sex abuse victim who suffered severe anorexia, chronic depression and hallucinations. Fiona Bruce, a Conservative MP, told the Daily Mail news of Mr Landedijk's death was "deeply concerning and yet another reason why assisted suicide and euthanasia must never be introduced into the UK". What someone suffering from alcoholism needs is support and treatment to get better from their addiction which can be provided not to be euthanised," she added. It is once again a troubling sign of how legalised euthanasia undermines in other countries the treatment and help the most vulnerable should receive. Responding to Mrs Bruce, Marcel Langedijk told the Independent: "You can close your eyes to it and keep telling yourself everyone is curable but the fact remains, not everyone is. "My brother suffered from depression and anxiety and tried to 'cure' it with alcohol. He's from a normal family, he did not want this to happen. He did not take an easy way out. Just a humane one. "If that's troubling for Mrs Bruce that's a pity. I am just glad my brother did not have to jump in front of a train or live a few more years in agony before dying of his abuse. "Alcoholism and depression are illnesses, just like cancer. People who suffer from it need a humane way out. "It's not like we go around killing people in Holland. It took my brother a year and a half and many struggles to get it done." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A quarter of people living in Europe believe rape is justified in some circumstances, research has suggested. The figures have been published in a report commissioned by the European Union nto gender-based violence. Researchers asked 30,000 citizens of different EU countries whether they thought forcing someone to have sex against their will was acceptable under a number of circumstances, such as if a person is wearing revealing clothes or if they are incapacitated with alcohol consumption. As shown in the chart above, created for the Independent by Statista, 27 per cent of respondents across the EU thought forced sexual intercourse was acceptable in at least one set of circumstances. 12 per cent said it was acceptable if the victim had taken drink or drugs, 11 per cent said it was acceptable if the victim voluntarily went home with someone, 10 per cent said it was acceptable if they didnt clearly say no or physically fight back. Protests in Turkey over child rape law The figures vary by country, with 60 per cent of people living in Romania telling researchers that they felt it was acceptable in at least one set of circumstances. Among UK respondents, 22 per cent of people think the criminal offence is acceptable in some circumstances, with 12 per cent citing a victims drink or drug intake as a reason. It is estimated that around 1 in 5 women are raped at some point in their lives, while around one in 71 men will be raped. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Swiss village which declared it would pay thousands of euros to deny asylum to refugees has reversed its decision and agreed to host a family from Syria. After months of resistance, the council of Oberwil-Lieli in north Switzerland announced it was willing to accommodate a family of five refugees and provide them with welfare benefits. In May, the village declared it would rather pay a $300,000 fine than allow any refugees to live among its residents. The council is now asking locals to come forward if they are able to offer accomodation. At the time, one resident of the village told MailOnline: We do not want them here it is as simple as that. We have worked hard all our lives and have a lovely village that we do not want it spoiled. We are not suited to take in refugees. They would not fit in here. The reason for the unexpected u-turn is currently unconfirmed, although Swiss media have linked it to a recent visit by right-wing council leader Andreas Glarner to refugee camps in Greece. Earlier in the year, authorities in the Swiss canton of Aargau, in which Oberwil-Lieli lies, declared every village should accept at least 10 refugees. Mr Glarner and the council initially rejected the quota, and will now only agree to accommodate half that number. The decision was agreed unanimously during a town meeting for residents, and the council additionally agreed to donate 50,000 Swiss francs (39,400) to a charity assisting refugees in Turkey and Greece. Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants arriving in Italy on MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie DeardenI Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing health checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants undergoing security checks after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily Refugees and migrants being fingerprinted after disembarking from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Refugees and migrants arriving in Catania, Sicily A man being taken to hospital from MSF rescue ship the Bourbon Argos in Catania, Sicily Lizzie Dearden Oberwil-Lieli is a wealthy municipality in which counts as many as 300 millionaires among its residents. It currently has a population of around 2,200 people. The town authorities own one apartment but it will not be free until July 1 next year, and no residents have so far responded to the councils call for aid in sheltering the refugee family. In April 2016 there were 1,748 applications for asylum in Switzerland compared to 1,376 for the same month the previous year. In the early summer, the Swiss Government pledged to resettle 3,000 Syrian families fleeing Isis and the civil war in the country. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said Isis does not have the guts to continue its resistance in Mosul for much longer, despite unleashing a stream of car bombs that have killed both Iraqi soldiers and civilians. Six weeks into their offensive, government forces say they have captured almost half of eastern Mosul and killed nearly 1,000 jihadis, but their progress has slowed as they move into into the city proper where one million residents remain. The Iraqi government asked civilians to stay in their homes, after humanitarian groups said they could not cope with hundreds of thousands displaced from the area. The battle for Mosul Iraqs second largest city now looks set to continue well into 2017. But despite the slowing pace of the invasion, both military and government leaders have said the Isis fighters were losing momentum. We have seen the whole organisation collapsing in terms of standing in the face of our own armed forces, Mr Abadi told The Associated Press. The success of liberating a huge area indicates that Daesh [Isis] does not have the guts now or the motivation to fight as they were doing before, he added. Mr Abadi said Mosul was now completely encircled and that the speed with which the area was secured had surpassed his expectations. He declined to say how many government troops have been killed since the operation began six weeks ago, but said the rate of battlefield losses was sustainable. Recommended Hundreds of bodies discovered in mass graves near Mosul Major General Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, a top commander in the Iraqi special forces, told Reuters 990 militants had been killed in fighting in the east so far. We have made changes to plans, partly due to the changing nature of the enemy ... Daesh [Isis] is not based in one location, but moving from here to there, he said. Tanks don't work here, artillery is not effective. Planes from the coalition force and the air force are restricted because of the civilians. Since Prime Minister Abadi took office two years ago, Iraqi forces have retaken more than half of the territory Isis held at the peak of its power, when the jihadis controlled a third of the country. 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 Mosul is the last urban stronghold Isis has in Iraq and Mr Abadi said liberating it would lead to the extremist groups eventual demise, since it would decrease its ability to recruit foreign fighters and attract financing. This is like a snake, if you hit it in the middle or the tail, it's no use. I have to hit it on the head, he told The Associated Press. And the head of this terrorist organisation is Mosul. If I remove Mosul from them, this is a huge blow [...] to its efforts to recruit young people from different countries of the world. The Iraqi Prime Minister added that he believed Donald Trumps administration would increase logistical support for his government forces. Additional reporting by The Associated Press and Reuters The Mekong Delta has been a major focus for Australian assistance in Vietnam for more than 20 years. Since 1991, around AUD670 million has been directly invested in the delta, making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the region. Australia and Vietnam have close and important links in the Mekong Delta, including through our security partnership, economic partnership, and innovation partnership. I am excited to be visiting this region for the first time and to re-confirm Australias commitment to supporting its prosperity and sustainable development, said Ambassador Craig Chittick. Perspective of Cao Lanh bridge, Dong Thap province They will see Australian development projects by visiting five localites: Can Tho city, An Giang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap and Bac Lieu provinces, meet with local Government leaders, education institutions, and Australian alumni; and discuss opportunities for strengthening our business partnerships. The first half of the tour will be jointly conducted with a delegation from Germany, led by the German Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Christian Berger. The delegation will travel along the Mekong river in Kien Giang and An Giang provinces to see the impacts of climate change on the Delta and how the Integrated Coastal Management Program (jointly funded by Australia and Germany) helps with innovative approaches and solutions to address those issues. They will then inspect the progress of Australias largest aid project in mainland Southeast Asia, the Cao Lanh bridge, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2017, with Australias contribution valued at AUD160 million. The delegation will also meet with local beneficiaries of the Southern Coastal Corridor project, which has been jointly funded by ADB, the Republic of Korea, Australia and Vietnam. The Australian team will also visit the Viet-Uc Seafood Company, a prominent Australian investor in the Mekong Delta, to learn about the role of Australian aquaculture technology in its commercial success and the development of sustainable economic growth in the local community. Besieds, the delegation will host a reception for alumni of Australian institutions, who have returned to the Mekong Delta and are making a valuable contribution to regional development./. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} It has been warned Aleppo is experiencing a "descent into hell" and could witness one of the worst massacres since the Second World War as the Syrian government continues its brutal offensive on the city. After four months of siege and a bombing campaign which has brought the rebel-held east to its knees, civilians are fleeing across the frontline in their thousands to escape President Bashar al-Assads attempts to crush the citys rebels for good. A sweeping advance by the Russian-backed Syrian army and allied militias has displaced thousands of people, the UN said on Tuesday, leaving residents unsure where to turn to for safety as the frontline fighting rapidly moves and rebels struggle to maintain control of key neighbourhoods. The true figure once those who have fled to government areas is included is likely to be much higher. On Wednesday, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting in New York to discuss the humanitarian crisis. Ahead of that meeting, the French UN ambassador, Francois Delattre, warned: "France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War Two". Russia, meanwhile, has claimed that the regime air strikes and ground assault on east Aleppo have managed to liberate the area. Half of the territory in parts of eastern Aleppo occupied by militants in recent years has been completely freed, Russian defence ministry spokesperson Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov told reporters. Most importantly, more than 80,000 Syrians have been liberated, tens of thousands children. Many received for the first time water, food, medical care from Russian humanitarian centres, he stressed. Our Western counterparts are showing surprising blindness when it is time to assess the real situation in Aleppo. Activists on the ground, for their part, have condemned what they see as a continued silence from Western politicians in the face of what a World Food Programme spokesperson described as the citys slow descent into hell. Doctor Abdul, working out of a makeshift facility, said that the decimated medical services east Aleppo has approximately 30 doctors left were struggling to cope. The Bustan al-Basha neighbourhood in east Aleppo has seen heavy destruction in the assault (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images) Another sent pictures to The Independent of what he said were the bodies of casualties from overnight still lying on the streets. Wissam Zarqa, a teacher and rebel activist, also sent Whatsapp recordings to journalists on Tuesday saying that while the opposition has managed to accommodate hundreds of fleeing families in their rapidly shrinking territory, tripling the occupancy of some buildings, the fate of many of those who crossed into government-held areas or stayed put as the Syrian army retook their neighbourhoods is unknown. He is worried about two people he knows well who have been arrested. "Hopefully they will be OK but I am not optimistic about that now, he said. Fear of arrest and interrogation by the army or Syrias infamous mukhabarat, or secret police, has long been one of the major factors stopping the 250,000 people trapped inside east Aleppo from leaving, despite regime and Russia exhortations it is safe do so. 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 Death continued to come from the skies too, the White Helmets rescue service reported, in the form of renewed air strikes including crude barrel bombs dropped overnight and on Tuesday. At least 10 people were killed by the shelling, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, with the death toll likely to rise as dozens of people are still wounded or missing. Aleppo, once the countrys most populous city and its economic powerhouse, has been roughly divided into a government-held west and rebel-controlled east side since 2012. Once known as the Jewel of Syria, it has been subject to some of the most brutal fighting in the five-year-long civil war. Retaking the city for good will be a military and symbolic victory for Mr Assad, effectively removing the last so-called moderate rebels from Syrias cities and relegating the opposition to the far north and south of the country. Boy asks if he will die after alleged chlorine attack in Aleppo Speaking from Brussels on Tuesday, the UNs envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said he could not say how long rebels would be able to hold out against the massive new assault. This is a military acceleration and I can't tell you how long eastern Aleppo will last, he told the European Parliament. There is a constant increase of movement on the military side. Moscow and Damascus have stepped up the campaign in order to finish the battle for Aleppo before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, a senior Syrian government official reconfirmed on Tuesday. Approximately 400,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict to date, the UN estimates, and more than half of the countrys population has been driven from their homes. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The bomb packed into a car exploded with deafening noise, spraying shards of metal and glass through the air and gouging a crater into the road. The victims were families who had gone out in the winter sunshine on Sunday and young children were among the 15 dead and wounded. This was the first suicide bombing in al-Rai since the town was recaptured from Isis by Syrian opposition fighters and the Turkish military. It took place two days after the Islamist terrorists had fired missiles into the same area spreading, came the panicked claimed, poisonous chemical gas. Tests carried out by Turkish doctors and scientists in Killis across the Turkish border on those affected failed to find any chemical traces, but evidence, instead, of a tear gas like substance which caused temporary illness. The injuries from the bomb were much more severe, with some of those treated at the local hospital not expected to survive. Kurds capture Isis fighter The attacks, less than a mile from the Turkish frontier, are in reaction to what is unfolding 30 miles to the north. Three forces which have been engaged in a bitter struggle against each other in Syrias civil war are closing in on a city which is a strategic prize for an offensive on Raqqa, the capital of the caliphate proclaimed by Isis. Rebel Sunni Arab fighters of the FSA ( Free Syrian Army) with Turkish military backing; A Kudish led alliance with American advisors and air support and the regimes army with Russian backing are closing in on al-Bab in Aleppo Province, fighting each other as well as Isis on the way. Al-Bab, or The Gate, is the last remaining significant stronghold left for Isis before Raqqa and unlocking the hold of the Islamists on the city and the routes along it is viewed as essential in launching the final campaign against the group and the killing or capturing of its leaders. What happens in al-Bab will not only have a major bearing on the future of Raqqa, but also events in Aleppo and the aftermath of the operations there as the Assad regime carries out a push to take the rebel held east of the city. Al-Bab supplied the largest contingent of fighters during the battle for Aleppo in 2012 and was subsequently in the forefront in the struggle against Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria and Isis. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly declared that he wants the rebels his government is supporting with a 10,000 strong Turkish force, Operation Euphrates Shield, to move to the city. Gaining possession would not only provide a natural defence point for the 5,000 square kilometre security zone Ankara wants to establish, but act as a check on expansion of regime forces if and when they take Aleppo. In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish tanks driving to the Syrian-Turkish border town of Jarabulus yesterday AFP/Getty In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish-backed gather on the outskirts of Jarabulus, Syria, ahead of an offensive on 24 August 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish army tanks make their way towards the Syrian border town of Jarabulus, Syria August 24, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish soldiers return from Syria to Turkey with tanks after a military operation at the Syrian border as part of their offensive against the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria, Karkamis district of Gaziantep, Turkey, 25 August 2016 EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish army tanks and Turkey-backed Syrian opposition forces move toward the Syrian border as pictured from Karkamis, Turkey, AP In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Turkish tanks on their way to the Turkish-Syria border during an operation against Isis on 24 August 2016 EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria Syrian opposition fighters being transported during preparations to enter Jarabulus in Karkamis, Turkey, on 24 August 2016. EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria An air strike hitting Isis-controlled territory near Jarabulus, near the Turkish border, on 24 August 2016. EPA In pictures: Turkey launches operation in Syria A Turkish army tank and an armoured vehicle stationed near the border with Syria. Turkish media reports say Turkish artillery has launched new strikes at Isis targets across the border AP Opposition fighters supported by Turkish armour and warplanes captured the villages of Umm Shukyaf, Umm Adshah and Anifiyah at the weekend, while at the same time launching attacks against the American backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in nearby Sab Wiran and Sheikh Nassir. The results of the attacks were inconclusive and the SDF, led supposedly by the Kurdish militia YPG with Arab groups in the ranks, claimed to have destroyed a Turkish tank. Meanwhile the SDF continued its offensive, backed by US air strikes, against Isis, capturing the villages of Tal al-Jijan and Tal Unayb, west of al-Bab after prolonged and intense clashes. Regime forces, while continuing its offensive to capture the eastern part of Aleppo from rebels, advanced towards al-Bab, taking the villages of Khirbat Duwayr, Amad Taltinah, Shaalah and Tal Al-Khashkhashat. Hizbullah and the pro-Damascus Kurdish group, Kafr as Saghir Martyrs, took part in the fighting. Turkish backed rebels maintain that the SDF provided fire support for the regime forces more evidence, they insisted, to back their charge of collusion between Bashar al-Assad and the Kurds. Boy asks if he will die after alleged chlorine attack in Aleppo The complex and violent tapestry on the ground holds the increasing risk of outside players being sucked further into the conflict. President Erdogan called Vladimir Putin at the weekend after air strikes by Assad regime warplanes, had killed four Turkish soldiers and injured nine others near al-Bab. The two leaders, say Turkish officials, are in regular contact with each other over Syria, a process started by the rapprochement which the confrontation following the shooting down of a Russian plane by the Turks last year. There seems little prospect, however, of the accusations and recriminations on the ground coming to an end. Motassim Khalid Abdullah, an officer with a Free Syrian Army (FSA) acting alongside Turkish troops in Syria spoke of his bitterness about the activities of the SDF. They are Kurdish, YPG (a Kurdish militia) controlled. They say they are fighting Daesh (Isis) but they are also fighting us and it is for definite that they are helping Bashar when it suits them he declared. We have proof that they were using their artillery when the regime advanced on al-Bab at Amad Taltinah and Shaalah. We are not saying they want Bashar to get al-Bab. They have already said they want al-Bab themselves. They want to create a Kurdistan out of Syria, Iraq and Turkey. The Turks know this and that is the reason they are in Syria. The Americans must also know this, but they keep on supporting the Kurds. It is some kind of a game the Americans are playing. US officials announced recently that the SDF would withdraw from Manbij, another town recently captured from Isis, leaving it to the FSA and Arab tribal militias. The Kurds, however, still maintain a presence there and have accelerated operations to gain territory nearby. This lays the ground for another scenario. The outside powers would lose interest a very real possibility in the case of America under a Trump presidency or rein back having reached their strategic objectives. The groups they had fed and watered will meanwhile carry on their vicious internecine strife, making the prospect of peace in Syria even more remote. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The civil war in Syria has evolved into a series of alliances on the ground with outside powers increasingly drawn into the conflict, backing opposing sides, but also nominal allies who often turn on each other. The five-and-a-half-year conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced 11 million others, fuelling the refugee crisis. The Syrian regime Bashar al-Assads regime is backed by Russian air power and Iranian and Hezbollah Shia militias on the ground. It also receives the backing of some Kurdish factions and tribal Arab militias opposed to the rebels. Last week, the UNs Syria envoy, Steffan de Mistura, left Damascus with a warning that time was running out amid intensifying military operations in Aleppo. By Christmas ... due to military intensification, you will have the virtual collapse of what is left in eastern Aleppo; you may have 200,000 people moving towards Turkey that would be a humanitarian catastrophe, he said. The regime has been accused of killing more civilians than Isis and has been severely criticised for indiscriminately using barrel bombs on civilian areas. Isis and Jabhat al-Nusra Sunni Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have been accused of backing Islamist extremists, Isis and Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the past. The support for Isis has ended, but al-Nusra is still said to be receiving private funding from wealthy backers. Al-Nusra is fighting the regime and other rebel factions. The militant group has warned it will flourish and survive if it is defeated in Syria and Iraq by rebuilding its strength in other countries and carrying out insurgent attacks. Turkish forces The Turks now have a substantial force, including armour and air power, inside Syria. They are giving active military support to elements of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) while intent on establishing a security zone inside Syria under Ankaras effective control. The Turks and the FSA have been fighting Isis. The FSA has been fighting the regime, but they have also carried out attacks against Kurdish militias with Turkish backing. In August, Turkish armed forces directly intervened in Syria, launching an operation to dislodge Isis from the border between the two countries and prevent the expansion of Kurdish militias. Kurdish militias YPG, a Syrian Kurdish militia, is backed by the Americans who have found them to be the most effective allies against Isis. Last month, Turkey struck several Syrian Kurdish militia targets in the north of the country, killing up to 200 soldiers. Turkey views the Kurdish movement as an extension of the Turkey-focused Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist group by Turkey and many other Western nations. The Syrian opposition The Syrian Defence Force (SDF) is a Kurdish and Arab force battling Isis with US backing. Their opponents, including the Turks, say they are controlled by the YPG. The SDF has been in combat against the FSA and the Turks as well as the regime. They currently fear a regime offensive could split the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo city in two. In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Children play underground in Syria In pictures: Children play underground in Syria A child plays in the ball pit at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Abdulaziz, 10, plays in the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Boys look through a show window inside the tunnel that provides a safe passage for children between the two basements that form the 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children play at the underground 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Two girls play at the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children on the ride on a ferris wheel at the 'Land of Childhood', an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Seven-year-old Massa at the "Land of Childhood" underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children wait in line to buy sweets at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef Capturing Aleppo would represent a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Ive been to some wacky parades in my time from a gay pride flotilla on Amsterdams canals to a pirate procession in Florida but never in my life have I seen anything like this. Im standing on the sidelines of a maelstrom of movement, surrounded by the smoke and din of a thousand firecrackers. In front of me, people in colourful robes are streaming, barefoot, down the street at such a pace that its hard to take everything in. Some of them are mouthing prayers, others make animal noises; but its what the majority have done to their faces that makes this so utterly arresting. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, an annual event here on Thailands largest island, turns out to be so much more than a celebration of tofu and salad. The highlight of the nine days is the remarkable parade Im watching. Its purpose is to bring good luck and drive out evil spirits; and to better intimidate those spirits, participants put on a show of strength by getting extreme facial piercings. Participants sink into a trance before skewering their faces (Getty Images) Its mind-boggling to observe. Some bear a single spike decorated with fruit or carved dragons though their cheeks. Multiple spikes are more popular, with seemingly no limit to their number. One mans mouth is so filled with long needles that he looks like a game of KerPlunk. Even more striking are those with especially daring facial adornments. I see swords, cleavers, rifles, chains and daggers inserted through peoples cheeks. Some carry parasols through their bottom lips; and more than a few look as if theyve accessorised with anything they could find in the knife drawer. As they file past, firecrackers fizz and spark noisily around their heads and feet. Incredibly, nobody flinches. Indeed, theres no blood, nor anything to suggest that their lacerated faces cause them pain. This, Im told, is because participants sink into a state of trance before setting out. Embodying the gods, they are fearsome and fearless as they take to the streets, terrorising the demons by brandishing weapons and ceremonial whips. Faced with such an alarming sight, its no wonder the spirits dont linger. Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival Show all 10 1 /10 Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston Phuket Vegetarian (and facial piercing) Festival James Litston The Phuket Vegetarian (or Nine Emperor Gods) Festival is celebrated by the islands ethnic Thai-Chinese population, whose ancestors came to work in 19th-century Phukets tin mines. They brought deep-rooted traditions with them, including the custom of going meat-free once a year to promote spiritual cleansing. They sought further purity through ritual face-piercing and walking on hot coals, both of which add an air of circus and drama to the modern-day festival. Those early immigrants also built temples for worshipping their gods. A total of 24 lie scattered in towns and villages across the island, and each celebrates the Nine Emperor Gods with its own fire-walking and parade. Im catching the action in Phuket Town, where several temples, including the largest come together to create the festivals biggest and loudest parade. It starts and finishes at the main temple, so as the procession begins to thin out I follow along to its conclusion. Some show their devotion to the gods through fire-walking (Getty Images) The parade snakes its way through Phuket Towns historic centre, where pastel-painted terraces of Sino-Portuguese shophouses are strung with red paper lanterns to symbolise good fortune. Lining the streets are dozens of altars, also dressed in red for good luck. Theyre laden with offerings for the gods being channelled by some of the parades participants. As they pass, these spirit mediums pause at the altars to consider their offerings. Onlookers, wearing white to represent purity, gather round with palms pressed respectfully together and bow their heads in thanks as the spirit mediums distribute their blessings and move on down the street. Phuket Town (James Litston) (James Liston) The pace slows considerably on the final approach to the temple. The streets around here are filled with food stalls selling dumplings, noodles, stir-fries, curries and leaf-wrapped parcels of sticky rice all vegetarian, of course. Theres no time to try anything, though, as by now Im beneath the paper lanterns and long silk flags of the temples forecourt. In contrast to the hubbub in the streets, the atmosphere here seems suddenly muted. I watch as participants remove their piercings and enter the temple to expel the spirits. Back outside and released from their trance, they look at once beatific yet dazed, though some are clearly spent and need to be helped from the scene by their cohorts. Phukets Jui Tui Shrine during the festival (Getty Images) I take this as my cue to leave and head back to the sanctuary of my hotel. Later, realising Im hungry, I reach for the room service menu; but as I pick up the phone to place my order, I find myself battling my conscience. After everything Ive seen today in pursuit of vegetarianism, would it be okay to order a chicken pad Thai? Travel essentials Getting there Next years festival falls in the last week of October. Scott Dunn (020 8682 5060; scottdunn.com) offers a weeks B&B at Paresa Resort (paresaresorts.com) in October 2017 from 2,085pp, including flights and transfers. More information tourismthailand.org Click here to view Asian tours and cruises, with Independent Holidays. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} If you think of the European Union as a house party, Britains behaviour has been nothing short of legendary. It was Britain that brought the booze and drugs (the single market Thatchers invention). Britain invited a load of people it then decided it didnt like (the UK played a central role in making the EU wider not deeper when 11 new nations, most of them Eastern European, joined in 2004). Now Britain has stood on a table, loudly abused everyone, declared its got a better party to go to, in India or Chanada or Ausmerica or somewhere, and staggered off in the direction of the exit. But will it make it? Even if Britain makes it out the front door in a blizzard of slurred vituperation, the chances of Juncker, Verhofstadt, Merkel and the rest coming down at dawn to find it collapsed in the flower bed has grown suddenly more likely. Theresa May said in her conference speech that there would be no attempt to stay in by the back door, a phrase interpreted by the financial markets and others to mean it would leave the single market (a degree of interpretation was required, given that remaining in something you are already in, via its exit, is not technically possible). Farage says Brexit led to trump Quite how this newly ebullient Britain might remain at the party is the subject of a seemingly newly discovered Article 127, a document that may appear to keep Britain in the EU, not quite by the back door but the outside toilet. You can still hear the music, and while there might not be central heating, there is at least a roof overhead (and, if it comes to it, a plentiful supply of water that might just be okay to drink). Its legally complex, which should come as no surprise, but Article 127 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, somebody has just noticed, would keep Britain within the single market even after the triggering of its attention-seeking sibling, Article 50. The European Economic Area, you almost certainly know, includes the EU as a whole plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. It was designed as an escalator leading towards full EU membership. No nation has ever attempted to run down it, and under the influence too, but theres a first time for everything. It requires acceptance of the EUs four freedoms of goods, services, capital and, crucially, people and as such would provide for a Brexit so soft as to be barely noticeable. In Norway, migrant workers pick strawberries for appallingly low wages, and the country pays in to the EU budget while exerting no influence over how it is spent. 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 But if, next week, the Supreme Court decides it agrees with the High Court, that the triggering of Article 50 can only be done by Parliament, there is every reason to imagine the same view will be taken with Article 127. Leaving the European Union is something the nations 650 MPs will almost certainly get on board with. Leaving the single market is another matter. The Tory MP Stephen Phillips, himself a Leave voter, stood down as an MP three weeks ago, in protest at his partys teetering towards a more radical exiting of the European Union than he had imagined. The idea that there is a mandate for leaving the single market is highly questionable. 52 per cent voted to leave, 48 per cent voted to remain. There does not need to be a very large contingent of people among that 52 to share Phillipss opinion for the question to become very difficult indeed. That the Brexit question bites with great jaws at the flanks of both the main parties is what is causing both of them to accept it without protest. Conservatives and Labour alike will have to do some very deep thinking over whether rejecting Article 127 betrays or serves their Brexit-backing voters. Thats the kind of question that needs a very clear head indeed. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Like the best science fiction baddies and video game bosses, Ukip knows how to channel its enemy. In its fight against what it deemed to be The Establishment" the "wealthy metropolitan elite", the "big banks" and "the political class" it was led by a private schoolboy turned City boy, turned career politician. (Nigel Farage, the great anti-Westminster elite hero, first stood for election to parliament at the age of 29, and carried on doing so for twenty five years). And, at least according to itself, it won. Now, its raison detre (or should that be reason for being?) apparently achieved, it has set its sights upon the Labour Party and it has elected a working class boy from Bootle to do it. That alone is cause for Labour to be very worried indeed. Paul Nuttall was elected Ukips latest new leader yesterday, barely three months since its last leader, Diane James, stood down, and the new favourite for the job, Stephen Woolfe, was very publicly hospitalised after an altercation with a Ukip MEP in Strasbourg. In a bold and certain victory speech, Nuttall did not, strictly speaking alter Ukips priorities. But he did reorder them. Paul Nuttall: Who is Ukip's new leader? My ambition is not insignificant, he said. I want to replace the Labour party and make Ukip the patriotic voice of working people. Labours heartlands were never on board with Tony Blairs "Third Way" Islington politics. They are even less on board with Jeremy Corbyns radical politics. And, as every last one of their MPs knows, enough of their core vote is pro-Brexit enough for any hint of Brexit denial to leave them as decimated in the north as they are in Scotland. Today the Labour Party has ceased to speak the language or address the issues of working people, Nuttall said. They have a leader who will not sing the national anthem, a shadow chancellor who seems to admire the IRA more than he does the British Army, a shadow foreign secretary who sneers at the English flag and a shadow home secretary who seems to advocate unlimited immigration. There aint no party like a Ukip youth party Show all 5 1 /5 There aint no party like a Ukip youth party There aint no party like a Ukip youth party There aint no party like a Ukip youth party There aint no party like a Ukip youth party There aint no party like a Ukip youth party There aint no party like a Ukip youth party Nuttall made a plea for unity, too and in trademark Ukip style. If you dont want the kind of unity Nuttall is offering, "your time in Ukip is coming to an end." The referendum was meant to be the end of Ukip, win or lose, but especially win. Dont believe a word of it. It might still be divided, it might, possibly be on the verge of bankruptcy, but its support is not wavering, it has a new cause now, and the appearance of someone quite capable of leading that cause. And, to slightly amend the words of the man who will forever main their spiritual leader, if anyone out there is still laughing at them, well they really shouldnt be laughing now. Opinion is hardening in EU member states against the position of the UK because the latter is not being clear about what it wants, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said. Ms Sturgeon said other EU governments were hearing comments from Britain that suggested the UK wanted to have its cake and eat it, keeping elements of the EU that it wants, and jettisoning those it doesnt like. The First Minister also told business leaders that she would be in favour of a Celtic corridor of closer cooperation between Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic. Of course there will be an element of bad feeling and frustrations that a country has chosen to leave the European Union, Ms Sturgeon said. But I dont believe and Ive never believed that it inevitably has to be an acrimonious process. I think what is happening though is that there is a hardening of opinion on the part of other European member states against the position of the UK. I guess thats because the UK is still not being clear as to what it wants. In addition to that, other member states are hearing comments that suggest the UK can have its cake and eat it. There are lots of frustrations that the position of EU nationals living in the UK is still uncertain and hasnt been resolved. And of course some of the rhetoric that came out of the Conservative Party conference some weeks ago were very unhelpful. Ms Sturgeon was attending a business event hosted by Ibec. It is her second and final day in Dublin. Responding to questions, Ms Sturgeon said she liked the idea of a Celtic corridor of the Republic, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Expand Close The Minster for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD, and the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Photo: Maxwells Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Minster for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD, and the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Photo: Maxwells Dublin I think theres a lot of potential around that, she said. She said there was also strong joint interest and cooperation between the three UK devolved administrations. Ms Sturgeon said she does not believe that a second EU referendum will happen, or that it will fly politically. Its really important to try to influence the direction of travel now to try and get things going down a direction now that is more sensible than the one we appear to be going down just now, she said. Scotland should have another independence referendum if it faces the "cliff edge" of a hard Brexit, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said. Addressing students at The Philosophical Society at Trinity College tonight, Ms Sturgeon said she believes Scotland will secure independence "well within" her lifetime. She said Scotland wants to persuade the UK government to stay within the single market. "If Scotland is faced with the prospect of not just being taken out of the European Union against their will but being taken out of the single market, effectively taken off a hard Brexit cliff edge, with all of the implications for our economy and our society and our place in the world, that's not the prospect that we voted for in 2014," Ms Sturgeon said. "If that's the prospect we face now then I do think that the people of Scotland will have the right to vote again and decide whether that's what it wanted. We're not there yet but ... I think it's likely and I've always believed Scotland will become an independent country well within my life time." Ms Sturgeon's address to The Phil was her last engagement of her first day in Dublin. Tomorrow she will address a business meeting at IBEC as well as the Seanad. A majority of people in Scotland, and Northern Ireland, voted to stay in the EU at the June 23 referendum, while a majority in England and Wales voted to leave, setting the UK as a whole on the path to an unprecedented divorce the European Union and potentially straining relations between the UK's constituent parts. Ms Sturgeon described the Supreme Court hearing next week as a result of the appeal by the UK government to the High Court decision that the British parliament must have a say on the triggering of Article 50 as the "most important and significant constitutional case" that has been before the UK courts in her lifetime. "All eyes will be on the Supreme Court next week," she said. Earlier, after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, Ms Sturgeon said Scotland wants to retain access to the single market. And she said the Scottish government is fully supportive of efforts to make sure that the issue of the border between north and south is resolved. She said she agrees with Taoiseach Enda Kenny that it would be impossible to agree the Brexit negotiations in two years. "I believe very strongly that given the complexities of the Article 50 process it would be sensible for the UK to very explicitly make clear that it is seeking a transitional arrangement before the UK formally exits, but that is a matter for the Prime Minister and the UK government, " she said. "But with every day that passes the complexity of this process and the difficulties of contemplating a prices of exit and agreeing a new relationship being concluded within a two year period are becoming more and more obvious." Scotland may vote on its independence again if it is taken off a "hard Brexit cliff edge", the country's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said. The Scottish electorate voted against independence in 2014 but Ms Sturgeon told RTE's Morning Ireland that if Britain takes a hard line in its Brexit negotiations the vote may be put to the people once more. Being forced out of the European Single Market would trigger another vote as Ms Sturgeon said "it is not what we (the Scottish people) voted for". "If Scotland was taken out of the EU against their will then the Scottish parliament would have the right to propose another referendum in these circumstances. "We will explore all options to protect Scotland's interests. But if we get to a situation where Sctoland is being taken off a hard Brexit cliff edge with seriously damaging implications for our economy, jobs, investment, living standards, then I think in those circumstances Scotland would have the right to decide," she said. The first minister, who is on a two-day visit to Ireland, also criticised the UK Government for not having a plan when it came to Brexit negotiations, saying it doesn't have a "clear idea" as to what it wants. Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan led the Vietnamese delegation to pay tribute to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro at the Jose Marti Memorial (Photo: VNA) Writing on the funeral guestbook, the top Vietnamese legislator expressed the deeply sorrow of the Vietnamese Party, State and people at the passing away of Fidel Castro, the prominent leader of the Cuban revolution, the great friend and faithful and close comrade and brother of Vietnam. She affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people never forget his great contributions to establishing and continuously developing the special brotherhood, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the two Parties, States and peoples over the past more than half a century. She also reiterated Vietnams consistent support for the Cuban peoples just revolutionary cause as well as its determination to continue strengthening and deepening the special bilateral relationship. NA Chairwoman Ngan praised Fidel Castros enormous contributions to world communist and workers movements over the past over five decades, stressing that his name, career and humanitarian revolutionary thought will live forever in the revolutionary cause of Cuba and Cuba as well as in the hearts of peace and justice loving progressive nations around the world. The same day, the NA leader visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community here./. The Irish subsidiary of US vulture fund Cerberus paid under 1,900 in tax on the 77m profit it made here last year, it has been reported. According to a report in The Irish Times, the firm that controversially purchased Nama's Northern Ireland loans, known as Project Eagle, paid 1,598 (1,870) in tax here last year. Promontoria Eagle, Cerberus' Irish arm, earned a profit of 65.9m (77m) in 2015 and minimised its tax bill thanks to the way it's structured. The company is devised in such a way as to take advantage of a tax break, titled section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The tax break allows companies to write off the loans that are used to buy the assets against their own tax bills. The deal has allowed Cerberus' Irish division to write off both loan and interest payments off the company's profits. The sale of the Project Eagle loans to Cerberus could have lost the taxpayer up to 200m, according to a report from the Comptroller & Auditor General Seamus McCarthy. BUSINESSMAN Harry Crosbie "entirely repudiates" claims by a Nama company he is obstructing its efforts to establish his assets for the purpose of recovering a 77m judgment, his lawyer has told the Commercial Court. National Asset Loan Management Ltd (NALM) has received 31m from sales of Mr Crosbie's secured assets but estimates a likely shortfall of 43m, plus costs, after selling the remaining assets. In court documents, it says its only recourse is to the remaining assets of Mr Crosbie, including Dublin's Vicar Street music venue, and other properties. Information from Mr Crosbie last month, not previously disclosed to NALM, showed he received 1.8m from Vicar Street between 2012-2015, it said. Mr Crosbie had yet to clarify the nature of his interest in Vicar Street and has "failed to assist in any real way" in identifying what property or means he has to satisfy the judgment, it added. In an affidavit, Nama Asset Recovery Manager Kevin Coakley said a July 12, 2016, deadline for Mr Crosbie to provide an updated statement of affairs and undertaking not to dissipate assets was extended to facilitate the businessman's advisers. A statement of affairs and accompanying documents provided in late July did not address all NALM's queries and it also received a "qualified" undertaking not to dissipate assets. Some further information provided since was of concern to NAMA, Mr Coakley said. "It appears that the defendant has diverted significant income over a number of years." That claim was disputed by solicitors for Mr Crosbie. Kelly Smith BL, for NALM, said while there has been some engagement by Mr Crosbie, that was "not fulsome" and her side had concerns, including that Mr Crosbie had previously said he had a single source of income but now says he has a variety of income sources. Nama was concerned it does not have a "proper picture" of his assets and liabilities. Michael McDowell SC, for Mr Crosbie, said NALM was using a "sledgehammer" approach when Mr Crosbie and his advisers were willing to meet with NAMA and provide documents. The claims of obstruction against his client were "entirely repudiated" and, while he did not wish to use the word "bullying", the Nama approach was "excessive". Mr Justice Brian McGovern said NALM cannot be accused of bullying when a substantial part of the debt remains outstanding. The judge said he would wish to give any debtor the opportunity to deal outside court with a creditor "as long as everyone is upfront". He adjourned an application for hearing on December 19 but told both sides meet by December 14. A judge has expressed concern about the future for 55 workers at a Co. Donegal meat plant being occupied in a dispute involving the premises' owners and a bank appointed receiver. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the High Court Tuesday (November 29) expressed his concern after being told workers at Edenmore Farm Meats Ltd, which leases the plant at Lifford, had been threatened and intimidated. The plant has not been operating after a number of people allegedly illegally barricaded themselves into it in a dispute about the take-over of the premises by receiver Luke Charleton who was appointed by AIB. Last week, AIB and Mr Charleton were given permission by the court to serve at short notice proceedings against the former owner of the plant Liam McGavigan, his brother Ciaran and unknown others allegedly occupying the plant. When the matter returned before Mr Justice Gilligan, Andrew Walker Bl said he represented Edenmore Farm Meats and the company's 55 employees are "not working". They had been subjected to threats of violence and would return to the premises until "matters are sorted out", counsel said. His client had forewarned the receiver in October the premises could be occupied. Mr Justice Gilligan agreed to allow the company be joined as a notice party in the case. The Judge adjourned the matter to next week. The receiver is seeking orders preventing interference with his ability to run and dispose of the plant as part of AIB's proceedings to recover debts to it by Liam McGavigan relating to three properties, the main one being the meat plant. It is claimed the two McGavigans, along with others, have effectively shut down operations there by the sit-in. Tensions are mounting between the key players in the delivery of the 150m low-interest loan package to farmers. While the main banks admit privately that they will be under pressure to get the EU-backed programme in place by early spring, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SCBI) has insisted that monies should be available to farmers by the end of January. The SBCI expects that the first loans under this initiative will be available by the end of January, a spokesman told the Farming Independent. He described as incorrect speculation that the loans scheme might not be operational until March. The January target date has been openly communicated to the market on a number of occasions, he pointed out. However, banking sources maintained that getting the initiative up and running by January will be a massive challenge. Well be making one serious push to have the scheme in place by the end of the January but we can't rush this, a senior official with one of the pillar banks said. We cant launch a loans scheme that is not considered and not fully vetted. We will be taking the time necessary to get things right, the official insisted. We are into the product development side now but we still have some process details to work out, he added. All of the main pillar banks have committed to being involved in the delivery of the new loans scheme. However, none have stated publicly when the loans will be available to customers. If things go according to plan we will have the loans package ready to go in February, another bank representative claimed. However, the senior official conceded that the loans scheme could be delayed until March if they encountered problems. But we know there would be hell to pay if that happens, he said. The proposed package will offer unsecured loans at 2.95pc for farmers up to a maximum of 150,000 for up to six years. The facility can be used for some existing debt and to fund future working capital requirements. Getting the initiative up and running as early as possible in the New Year is viewed as vital as the full 150m must be utilised before the end of September 2017 under EU rules. However, bank sources are confident that the full 150m allocation will be drawn down by the September deadline. Bank officials report strong farmer interest in the initiative. What sort of food and agriculture policy the UK decides to follow outside the EU will determine a lot for Irish agri-food exports The former Taoiseach John Bruton has said that the impact on the Irish agri-food sector of Brexit will all hinge on what sort of food and agriculture policy the UK decides to follow outside the EU. "Will they go for a cheap food policy like they had before they joined the EU 40 years ago or will they retain current supports for farmers and rural life?" he asked at the ICMSA AGM where he was keynote speaker. Bruton, a former EU Ambassador to the US, said that there is no indication so far as the what choice they will make, at least after 2020. But he said that the Future Framework negotiation will have a direct relevance on the agri-food sector as it will determine whether or not the EU Common External Tariff will have to be levied on agricultural products coming into Ireland from the UK, or Northern Ireland. "How the origin of imports from the UK will be verified to ensure that they are not dumping third country products on our market and how veterinary and food safety standards will be verified, and how and by whom smuggling will be suppressed," will have to be addressed, he said. He also questioned whether or not geographic indicators will be recognised and if there will be a tariff free quota to allow existing trade levels to continue or if all trade will bear the appropriate tariff. "The tariff issue will be particularly difficult in the food sector, because this is the sector in which the EU has the highest tariffs, and restrictions, on third country imports in order to protect the incomes of EU farmers." Negotiations about product safety, rules of origin, and related issues will arise with all products and services, even those to which no tariff applies, because once it has left the EU, the UK will be free to depart from recognised EU standards, Bruton said. "If the UK rejects the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, as Prime Minister May says she will, there will no longer be a referee to interpret the rules of the shared market, and all markets need a referee." As well as tariffs and trade, that agreement had to cover product testing and standards as well as ICMSA President John Comer said Brexit presents the biggest single challenge that the Irish agri-food sector has faced in decades. "But we have to keep reminding ourselves that were not entirely bystanders in this process: we have a voice and we should be articulating our national interest right now early and often. The Irish Government, the UK Government and the EU all have it within their powers to ensure a relatively smooth transition and they need to announce that as their ambition." He said an agreement is needed between the EU and the UK that protects both economies and protects the livelihoods dependent on trade between the two parties. "Ireland has a centuries-old food export trade with England particularly and that has to continue." Road safety arguments for changes to hedge cutting laws are a "red-herring" and will "wipe out" endangered bird populations, say wildlife groups. Conservationists describe the proposed changes as a "retrograde step" in terms of sustainable farming. Alex Copland, senior conservation officer with BirdWatch Ireland said the proposals were illogical. "The current Wildlife Act already allows for hedge cutting at any time of the year for road safety so the proposals don't make any sense, so we don't believe road safety is Minister Humphrey's primary concern," he said. "We believe the real reason is to allow tillage farmers to cut their hedges in August so they can sow crops in September but unfortunately the legislation makes no reference to that," he added. Copeland believes the impact on wildlife and biodiversity could be enormous. "August is the month when blackberries are ripening and hawthorn is coming on. Allowing farmers to cut their hedges will remove all those critical food sources. It's beyond belief that this would be justified," he said. "The yellowhammer is red listed and populations have declined in Ireland by 90pc over the last 25 years. It's a species that nests very late in hedges up to the end of August," he said. "To allow hedge cutting in August could see a quarter of all nesting birds wiped out. They say it's a two year pilot but if the yellowhammer is completely wiped out after two years what then? They won't be coming back." The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland (HLAI) also claim the road safety arguments are a "red-herring". Neil Foulkes, HLAI spokesman, said: "There is adequate provision and oversight in the existing legislation for road safety issues to be dealt with throughout the closed period." The HLAI stressed that agricultural arguments for the changes could be addressed through modified management regimes. "There is no necessity for hedge cutting in August to facilitate re-seeding of grassland as hedges could be cut on a two- or three-year rotation leaving them uncut during the period of cultivation," he said. Qatar Airways will start the new service next year Qatar Airways has confirmed it will operate flights between Dublin and Doha from next year. The airline owns 20pc of IAG, the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. Earlier this year, Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh said that either the Irish airline would begin flying to Doha, or Qatar Airways would launch the service. "Now we have not just a shareholder, but also a partner, with a competitive network in Qatar," he said in June. "We would connect into the Qatar hub either on our metal (aircraft) or Qatar metal. "It's a natural way of exploiting the opportunities that both parties can bring." Dublin Airport managing director Vincent Harrison said: "We are delighted that Qatar Airways has confirmed its plans to launch a new service to Dublin" . The launch of the Dublin-Doha service will put pressure on Qatar Airways rivals Etihad and Emirates. They serve Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively from Dublin. John and Patrick Collison, the Limerick brothers that set up micro-payments firm Stripe, have become Ireland's youngest billionaires after their latest funding round, which raised $150m at a $9bn valuation. The pair own just under 30pc of the business and according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index the net worth of their stake in the firm is valued at $1.1bn each. A report from the Wall Street Journal suggests CapitalG and General Catalyst Partners led the most recent round of investment. Previous investors include Tesla's Elon Musk, Sequoia Capital, and Peter Thiel. Patrick, 28, and his younger brother John, 25, are now placed amongst the world's most-exciting young billionaire founders, including Snap's Evan Spiegel and Uber's Travis Kalanick. The pair's business has developed software that allows companies to accept payments online from a range of services that include Bitcoin and Android and Apple Pay. Set up six years ago the firm has soared in value to boast major US clients like Facebook and Target. Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (Photo: Reuters) The decision was made by the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee basing on the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba. Fidel Castro, who was Commander-in-chief of the Cuban revolution, former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPC), and former President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, died on November 25th night (Havana time) at the age of 90. Cuba announced nine days of national mourning for him from November 26th to December 4th. Fidel will be interred in a cemetery in Santiago city on December 4th. He was born on August 13th, 1926, in Oriente province (now Holguin), eastern Cuba. He led the Cuban revolution to victory, seizing the administration on January 1st, 1959. He served as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976. He held the position as First Secretary of the CPC Central Committee from 1965 to April 2011. From 1976 to 2008, Fidel Castro was a member of the parliament and was elected as President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers. On July 31st, 2006, due to health reason, he handed over the power to Raul Castro, the then Second Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and First Vice President of the Council of State. In February 2008, Fidel Castro declared not to run for election to the seventh National Assembly and State leadership positions. He also resigned from his post as First Secretary of the CPC Central Committee at the sixth Congress of the CPC in April 2011. Cuba and Vietnam established the diplomatic ties on December 2nd, 1960. Since then, Fidel Castro, Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and following leaders of the two countries have continually nurtured the solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the two Parties, States and peoples. Fidel Castro made three visits to Vietnam in September 1973, December 1995, and February 2003. He was the first foreign leader to visit the newly-liberated area in the central province of Quang Tri in September 1973. He was also a country leader who took the lead in international movements to support Vietnams struggle for national independence and reunification, along with national development and defence. With all his great contributions, Fidel Castro was presented with the two noblest orders of the Vietnamese State: Golden Star Order in 1982 and Ho Chi Minh Order in 1989./. Gervaise Slowey is stepping down after four years at the helm Communicorp Group, which operates radio stations including Newstalk and Today FM as well as broadcasters in the UK and Bulgaria, has appointed former Orion Media boss Adrian Serle as its new ceo. He'll take over from Gervaise Slowey, who is stepping down from the company after four years at the helm of the Denis O'Brien-owned group. Ms Slowey, who will remain as ceo until the end of the year, said her time at the firm had come to a natural end. "Communicorp is made up of a strong dynamic team of incredibly brilliant people across all the businesses and functions who have been truly inspirational to work with. "I would like to thank Lucy Gaffney, the board and the management team for the opportunity and support over the years and I wish them every success as they embark on the next phase," she said. Communicorp chairwoman Lucy Gaffney thanked Ms Slowey for her time at the business. "She has been a great chief executive and I would like to wish her the very best in her future career. "I am very happy that we have found an excellent successor to Gervaise and I can confirm that Adrian Serle will be joining the company in the New Year," Ms Gaffney said. Incoming ceo Mr Serle said he was thrilled to be joining one of the country's largest media firms. "The ever-changing landscape of media consumption and the way that consumers are engaging with brands, enjoying a social and multi-platform experience, creates huge opportunity and I can't wait to get started, working with the teams to exploit this potential," he said. The English executive previously headed Orion Media, a radio group sold this year to Bauer Media by private equity owner LDC for 50m. Orion has a weekly audience of 1.25m. The customers were ovecharged between 100 and 68,000, with many ending up in arrears and others being subjected to legal threats. Photo: Reuters A SUBSIDIARY of Permanent TSB has been hit with a massive fine for denying its customers good-value tracker mortgage rates. Sub-prime lender Springboard has to pay the Central Bank 4.5m, in what is one of the largest fines imposed on a financial institution by regulators in this country. The lender did not put 222 customers back on tracker rates they were entitled to when they came off fixed rates. The customers were overcharged between 100 and 68,000, with many ending up in arrears and others being subjected to legal threats. The average over-charged amount was 19,000. No customers lost their homes as a result of the overcharging, a spokesman for Springboard insisted. But some people ended up being over-charged for almost seven years. The fine is the largest ever levied. Both Quinn Insurance and Irish Nationwide Building Societies were fined 5m each for regulatory breaches, but the fines were not actually levied as the two institutions were then owned by taxpayers. The big fine for Springboard means that Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank, which are both subject to enforcement actions by the Central Bank over tracker over-charging, are facing much larger fines. The Bank can now impose fines of up to 10m. This year alone the Central Bank has levied 12m in fines. The director of enforcement at the Central Bank, Derville Rowland, said Springboard had overcharged its customers 5.8m, which has now been paid back to the customers in interest refunds and compensation. Compensation amounts are understood to amount to 10pc of total interest that was overcharged. Tracker rates are typically set at 1pc over the European Central Bank rate, which means they are a fraction of variable rates. At one stage the Springboard variable rates were more than 6pc. Springboard's loans have been sold to Mars Capital, but it is still a subsidiary of Permanent TSB even though it has not issued any mortgages since 2009. Ms Rowland said the lender failed to act with due care towards its customers. "The consequences for impacted customers were serious and totally unacceptable. All 222 customers paid more than required, some fell into mortgage arrears and some were subjected to legal proceedings." It comes as the first batch of 2,000 Ulster Bank customers are to be written to from next month telling them they are being put back on trackers, and that they are due refunds. And AIB has almost finished restoring 3,300 customers to tracker rates, and is due to outline details to them in the coming weeks about refunds and compensation. The consequences for impacted customers were serious and totally unacceptable. A new 70m funding package that will allow small Irish businesses to borrow specialist equipment and vehicles at a lower cost has been announced. SMEs can avail of a 1.57pc discount for specialist machinery as part of the scheme from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and FEXCO Asset Finance. The product offering from FEXCO, which has become the SBCIs 8th lending partner, currently covers 68 different asset types including fixed equipment, plant and machinery, production lines, medical/dentistry and green energy. The more traditional leasing of vehicles, cars and van is also covered under the funding package that allows Irish SMEs more access to lower-cost finance. Mike OHalloran,CEO FEXCO Asset Finance is "delighted" with the collaboration with SBCI and said that the fund "will be available to SMEs for the finance of business assets which can support growth while facilitating improved cash flow management". Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said that the partnership shows how the Government can work with domestic business to support the SME sector. Read More "Todays announcement is another example of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to increase the availability of credit for SMEs and the provision of supplementary sources of finance, he said. SBCI has provided funding to four new lenders, Ulster Bank, First Citizen, Bibby Financial Services and FEXCO this year, announcing in July that it had facilitated more than 8,600 loans since being established in early 2015. We are pleased to close out 2016 by partnering with FEXCO whose product offering will cover, in particular, asset types which have traditionally been more difficult for businesses to finance such as fixed equipment and plant machinery," CEO Nick Ashmore said. "Looking ahead to 2017, we will continue to play our part in supporting growth in Irish businesses through the management of the Credit Guarantee Scheme, launching the new Agri Cash Flow Support loan for farmers, and driving awareness of our lower cost finance. The man was placed on an employee improvement plan An Amazon employee jumped off a 12-story company building in what has been described as a "suicide attempt". It is understood that the man leaped off the rooftop at Amazon's Seattle headquarters after sending an e-mail to hundreds of co-workers. The missive, which reached the mailbox of CEO Jeff Bezos, criticised the company's handling of his recent transfer request. The man was placed on an employee improvement plan after requesting to move to another department within the company, Bloomberg reports. An employee's contract can be terminated if their performance fails to improve on this plan. In his email, the man also reportedly suggested that he may cause himself harm. Police have said that the man was taken to a Seattle hospital after surviving the fall, which occurred shortly before 9am (local time) on Monday. Our thoughts are with our colleague as he continues to recover, Amazon said in a statement. Hes receiving some of the best care possible and we will be there to support him throughout the recovery process. Last year, the New York Times published an article that appeared to show just how gruelling life in Amazon can be. Amazon employs around 1,700 in Ireland, with half of them at its data service centre in Ballsbridge. Others provide customer support at a centre in Cork. Anyone who is affected by issues in this article can contact Samaritans Ireland Free on 116 123. Three Irish students have created a Christmas Carol using Irish Sign Language to highlight an important issue. Amy Durkin, Abbie O'Neill, and Joanne O Donnell are students in the Centre for Deaf Studies in Trinity College; Abbie and Joanne are training to be interpreters. The three women have come together to create a Christmas carol using Irish Sign Language (ISL) in order to highlight a very important issue. "This video is for Deaf adults and especially Deaf children so that they can watch this and be included in festivities like songs at this time of year," Ms O'Neill told Independent.ie "Currently ISL isn't officially recognised in Ireland, which is unbelievable as it is the second indigenous language of Ireland. It's actually recognised in Northern Ireland (where they use both Irish Sign Language and British Sign Language) but not here. "It not being recognised means that Deaf people don't have services or representation that they should be entitled to, such as interpreters and access to government websites through their first language." More than a year after the Seanad rejected a bill to legally recognise ISL, county and city councils, all over the country, passed a motion on the issue in October to "help put pressure on local TDs". In 2008, the Irish government signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which contains duties towards native sign language. To date, Ireland remains one of the few European countries that have not ratified the convention into law. "There is a bill being processed at the moment which would recognise ISL. It's gone to the third stage of being processed by the government but has a long way to go before it's put in legislation, and it's vital that it's recognised, as there are over 5000 Deaf people in Ireland who don't share the same language rights as hearing people do, and this needs to end," said Ms O'Neill. "We hope that people watching this video might learn a few signs, lots of our friends already have! Members of the Deaf community have asked us to interpret more Christmas songs which we plan to do very soon." Alan Hughes, pictured with his partner Karl Broderick, at the VIP Style Awards 2016 Alan Hughes has insisted TV3 is doing better than ever in the wake of the news that RTE is set to outsource its young people's television to independent production companies. The station was recently acquired by Virgin Media along with UTV Ireland and with many changes afoot, the Ireland AM star reckons Ballymount is in a good place these days. "At the moment, we've just been taken over by Virgin so everything is really positive in TV3. "We've got the soaps back and it's a really exciting time and I am delighted to be there," he told the Herald. The Dubliner revealed he has signed a new contract with the station guaranteeing him a place on the small screen for the next two years. "I've just signed a new two- year contract so that's all finalised so I'll be on your screens, like me or hate me, for another two years," he said. Things are not as rosy for the staff of UTV Ireland with the fledgling station netting a loss of 19.5m in 2015 and they have recently lost soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale to TV3 with Virgin Media's acquisition. Alan reckons RTE's move to outsource its much-loved children's programmes may not be such a bad thing because the shows themselves will not change much under new management. Expand Close Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh. Photo: Gerry Mooney However, he did acknowledge that it may be a worrying time for the presenters who are not on full-time contracts with the national broadcaster as well as behind-the-scenes staff who are set to lose their jobs with the change. Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh said many staffers were "very disappointed" by the news while Two Tube's Blathnaid Treacy labelled the move as "dreadful news". Expand Close RTE presenter Blathnaid Treacy. Picture: Brian McEvoy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp RTE presenter Blathnaid Treacy. Picture: Brian McEvoy "I don't know whether things are going to change. Just because they outsource the programmes doesn't mean the programmes are going to change," he said. "The staff presenters are the staff presenters but when you outsource a department, it might mean you get better programming. Video of the Day "I know it's sad and it's an uncertain time for presenters. It could be a good thing, we'll have to wait and see." In the wake of the shock news RTE was forced to reassure staff that soap favourite Fair City was staying in Montrose. However the broadcaster is currently reviewing other output. With TV3 and UTV Ireland having now joined forces under the one company, Alan reckons the stations together could give rival RTE a run for its money in the ratings department. "I can definitely see them beating some RTE One shows in the ratings, definitely. "We've always done our own thing," he said. Businessman Denis O'Brien's legal action against a Dail committee is set to begin in the High Court in Dublin this morning. Lawyers for the telecoms and media tycoon will argue that statements made by TDs in the Dail about his banking affairs breached his rights. Mr OBrien has made the allegation in relation to statements made by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty in the Dail in May and June 2015. The two TDs made claims about his banking affairs with IBRC after Mr OBrien secured an injunction preventing RTE from broadcasting such information. Mr O'Brien claims his rights were breached as he was forced to concede in the High Court in June 2015 that the matters subject to the injunction were by then in the public domain. The Dail Committee on Procedure and Privileges (CPP), in response to complaints by Mr OBrien, later found neither TD had breached the standing orders governing debate in the Dail. He is suing the committee, the clerk of the Dail, and the Attorney General. Mr OBrien is expected to give evidence himself during the proceedings. The case is likely to centre on Article 15 of the Constitution, which states that TDs and senators shall not, in respect of any utterance in either House, be amenable to any court or any authority other than the House itself. In effect, this means that a TD or senator cannot be sued for anything they say in the Oireachtas. But Mr OBrien claims there is no absolute privilege attaching to the statements made by the two TDs, on grounds including utterances in the House must not usurp the judicial domain. Ms Murphy and Mr Doherty made reference to alleged banking arrangements when questioning the purchase by Mr OBriens Millington company of Siteserv, a firm involved in the installation of water meters and now known as Actavo. A manslaughter trial has been told that an Offaly GP gave her 11-year-old, disabled daughter a toxic level of a sedative before taking an overdose herself. The Central Criminal Court jury was hearing the opening speech in the trial of 58-year-old Bernadette Scully. Ms Scully is charged with unlawfully killing Emily Barut at their home at Emvale, Bachelors Walk, Tullamore. Its alleged that she killed her by an act of gross negligence involving the administration of an excessive quantity of chloral hydrate on September 15th, 2012. She has pleaded not guilty and went on trial this morning. Tara Burns SC opened the case for the State, telling the jury that the prosecution had to prove that Ms Scully had a duty of care to the deceased on the basis of being both her mother and GP, and that she was in breach of that duty. She said the prosecutions case was that there was gross negligence. She said that Ms Scully would have realised, if she thought about it at all, that there was a risk of harm. She explained that Emily was born with profound physical and learning disabilities, including microcephaly and epilepsy, and that her mother had acted as her GP throughout her life. Expand Close Bernadette Scully / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bernadette Scully Emily was very well cared for at home, she said. She said that, two weeks before her death, Emily had a surgical procedure to replace a peg in her stomach, through which she was fed and given her medication. She was in a lot of pain and sleeping poorly following this. She said that Ms Scully was in an exhausted state as a result. She said that on September 15th, Ms Scully sent her partner to the pharmacy for anti-depressants and sedatives. He hadnt seen Emily before going. When he returned, she sent him out for food. He still hadnt seen Emily when Ms Scully went to have a sleep that afternoon. He found Ms Scully in a deep sleep around 7pm, but didnt wake her. He checked on Emily two hours later and found her cold. He called an ambulance and both mother and daughter were taken to hospital, where Emily was pronounced dead. Ms Scully had taken an overdose, explained the barrister. A post-mortem exam was carried out on Emily and a metabolite of her prescribed sedative, chloral hydrate, was found in her blood at a level of 200 micrograms per ml. Ms Burns said that, if given at the correct dose, a level of between 10 and 20 micrograms would be expected. But 200 was found. Youll hear that level is beyond the therapeutic level and within the toxic range, she said. Ms Burns said that Ms Scully went to a garda station a few days later and gave an account of what had happened in the early hours of that Saturday. She said that Emily was upset, crying in pain and woke at 2am and 6am. She administered chloral hydrate both times. She said Emily had a significant fit at 11am and that she gave her chloral hydrate again. She accepted she gave her too much, said Ms Burns. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that she carried out the post-mortem exam. She knew that Emily was severely disabled from birth, that she was cared for at home by her mother and attended a special needs school daily. She had been told that she was on a number of medications and that chloral hydrate was one of the medicines found at the scene. She examined the childs body and found that her brain showed maldevelopment. She also found that her lungs were water-logged. Another expert examined her brain and found damage resulting from multiple seizures, along with evidence of a hypoxic episode in the six to eight hours before her death. Toxicology tests showed that she had 220 micrograms of trichloroethanol in her blood. She said that deaths had occurred with levels of 20 to 240 micrograms. She said there was no evidence of pressure sores or contractions of the limbs, which could occur when a patient had limited movement. She appears to have been very well cared for and was developing normally despite her disabilities, she said. She said that death was due to chloral hydrate intoxication. She explained that this was a sedative used for the treatment of epilepsy. She said that children may be given a maximum single dose and that the half life in children was 10 hours. She said that Emily was at risk of a potentially fatal seizure at any time and that epilepsy was not excluded as a possible cause of death. However, the level of chloral hydrate in her blood was such that she gave the cause of death as chloral hydrate intoxication. Contributory factors were microcephaly, abnormality of her brain, epilepsy and acute inflammation of the lungs. Under cross examination by Kenneth Fogarty SC, defending, she agreed that her expert colleague had found evidence of a hypoxic episode at least six hours before her death. He noted that his client had told gardai that her daughter had three seizures, at 2am, 6am and 11am Any one of those seizures could have resulted in the damage to the brain, said the professor. The seizure didnt cause her death, but was a very significant seizure that caused this hypoxic change That would be a major seizure. He asked if she could have passed away from the seizure, notwithstanding the chloral hydrate levels. Yes, she could have had a terminal seizure, she replied. She said that a seizure could cause death at the time or some time later. She said that the waterlogging in her lungs could be due to heart failure, which could be due to the chloral hydrate but could also be due to hypoxic changes in the brain. She was asked if chloral hydrate was taken out of the equation, was there still sufficient there to cause her death. Yes, she replied. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven women and five men. Turbines of the plant (Photo: VGP) Situated in Tuy Phong district and invested by the Thuan Binh wind power company, the project has an investment of over VND1 trillion as loan from the German Development Bank (KFW). All the devices of the plant are imported from Denmark and Sweden, and its technical support comes from Germany. The first phase of the plant, inaugurated on July 27th, 2015 and completed on September 19th, included 12 turbines producing 2 MW each. The plant is expected to provide over 59 million kWh per year and be connected to the Phan Ri - Ninh Phuoc 110kV line. The completion of the plants first project is considered an important step toward satisfying the increasing demand for energy from green energy source. It also marks one of the key contents of cooperation between Vietnam and Germany. In the upcoming time, the second phase of the plant will be carried out, producing 126 MW./. The Court of Appeal has ruled two young children can return to Australia with their mother after their father claimed they should stay in Ireland. (Stock photo) The Court of Appeal has ruled two young children can return to Australia with their mother - after their father claimed they should stay in Ireland. The three-judge court overturned an earlier High Court decision. The children were in Ireland since earlier this year when the Australian mother and Irish father returned here to live. The President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Sean Ryan, said it was barely necessary for the court to say how distressing all of this had been for everybody concerned. The judge said the children had been born and brought up in Australia to an Irish father and an Australian mother. They had returned to Ireland earlier this year, and the wife maintained she reluctantly agreed to move here in circumstances where the husband said they would return to Australia if things did not work out. After the couple separated, the husband began legal proceedings in which he sought sole custody of the children - but the wife initiated High Court proceedings. After a full hearing, a judge held the children were habitually resident in Ireland and further proceedings may proceed in this jurisdiction. The mother was restrained from taking any further steps before the courts in Australia. She appealed the High Court decision. Mr Justice Ryan said in this case there was not a decisive concord between husband and wife to abandon Australia for good to live in Ireland. He also said the time spent by the children in Ireland was inadequate to establish a change of habitual residence to Ireland. In those circumstances, he overturned the High Court decision. Richard O'Brien (57) of Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee, who was removed from his sentencing hearing after shouting at his victim, who he was convicted of raping This is the convicted rapist who had to be removed from court during his sentence hearing after calling his victim - a grandmother in her 50s - a filthy prostitute. Richard OBrien (57) of Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee, lured his victim to a caravan in Dublin before raping her, assaulting her and biting her during a sustained and vicious attack on March 19, 2011. He then fled to the UK, where he was also wanted by the London Metropolitan Police after he failed to sign on the sex-offenders registry on a number of occasions for a previous serious sexual assault. OBrien was extradited back to Ireland in 2013 and was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm. At the start of his sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, OBrien repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, ordering prosecution barrister Anne Rowland SC to get her facts straight, before turning on his defence barrister, Damien Colgan SC, and telling him: On your bike. After giving OBrien several warnings, Mr Justice Tony Hunt ordered that he be removed from court. As he was led away, OBrien turned towards his victim and verbally abused her. The sentence hearing continued after the judge asked Mr Colgan to continue to represent OBrien. He has already sacked at least one legal team and is the client from hell, Mr Justice Hunt said. Garda Ruth Brett told Ms Rowland that the victim, who can not be named for legal reasons, was having birthday drinks with friends in a Dublin pub when OBrien offered to buy her a drink. He then invited her back to a house party, telling her it was his sisters birthday. However, when the woman arrived at the home, she became uneasy and asked to get a taxi home. OBrien invited her into a caravan at the back of the property on the pretext of ordering her a cab, but once inside he told her, Theres no effing sister and theres no effing taxi either. He then pushed her on to the bed, punched her repeatedly, bit her on the chest and neck and raped her. The woman fainted at one point during the attack, which went on for some time, the court heard. It ended only after two men entered the caravan and stopped OBrien. The woman fled the scene and was picked up by a couple in a car who took her to a garda station. She was then taken to a sexual assault treatment unit. One of the men who entered the caravan also made a detailed statement to gardai about what he had seen. In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said she has had nightmares every night for the last five years. She said the attack led to the breakdown of her 23-year relationship and she had suicidal thoughts. She said her relationship with her children and grandchildren has suffered as a result. For the last five years of my life I have been existing, not living, she said. The court heard OBrien has a previous conviction for rape and false imprisonment of a woman. He left school at the age of 15 and worked in the UK as a labourer and truck driver. Mr Colgan said he suffers from arthritis and sciatica and has recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer. He has been married twice and has seven children, but is estranged from his family. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter for two weeks, saying he needed to consider sentencing. This woman was beaten up as well as raped. Its a very bad set of facts, he said. The judge also expressed concern at OBriens behaviour in court, saying one gets a very real flavour of his character. This man, even in the context of the Central Criminal Court, appears to have difficulty restraining himself. That is very worrying, he said. He adjourned the matter for sentencing on December 12. A convicted rapist was removed from court during his sentence hearing after he tried to sack his barrister and called his victim, a grandmother in her fifties, a "filthy prostitute". Richard O'Brien (57), of Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee, Co Kerry, lured his victim to a caravan in Dublin before raping her, assaulting her and biting her during a sustained and vicious attack on March 19, 2011. He then fled to the UK before being extradited in 2013. He was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm. At the start of his sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court, O'Brien told prosecution barrister Anne Rowland SC to "get her facts straight", before turning on his defence barrister Damien Colgan SC, and telling him: "On your bike". After giving O'Brien several warnings, Mr Justice Tony Hunt ordered that he be removed from court. As he was led away, O'Brien turned towards his victim and verbally abused her. The judge asked Mr Colgan to continue to represent O'Brien. He has already sacked at least one legal team and is "the client from hell", Mr Justice Hunt said. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter for two weeks. "This woman was beaten up as well as raped. It's a very bad set of facts," he said. The judge also expressed concern at O'Brien's behaviour in court, saying "one gets a very real flavour" of his character. "This man, even in the context of the Central Criminal Court, appears to have difficulty restraining himself. That is very worrying," he said. Garda Ruth Brett had outlined how the victim was in a Dublin pub when O'Brien offered to buy her a drink. He then invited her back to a house party, telling her it was his sister's birthday. However, when the woman arrived at the house, she became uneasy and asked to get a taxi home. O'Brien invited her into a caravan at the back of the property, but once inside he told her: "There's no effing sister and there's no effing taxi either". He then pushed her on to the bed, punched her repeatedly, bit her on the chest and neck and raped her. The woman fainted at one point during the attack, which went on for some time, the court heard. It ended only after two men entered the caravan and stopped O'Brien. In a victim impact statement, the woman said she had nightmares for five years. She said the attack led to the breakdown of her 23-year relationship. A man has been jailed for two and a half years for the "degrading" and "unrelenting" abuse of his stepdaughter when she was a child. George Crombie (47) threatened victim Laura Johnston and said there would be "murder in this flat" if she told her mother about the abuse, which began when she was 10 years old. The court was told that on one occasion the 47-year-old put a dog lead around her neck while he sexually assaulted her. Last week Laura Johnston, now in her twenties, read her victim impact statement to the court in which she condemned Crombie for "betraying her trust and love in him". "How could I ever get over what my stepfather, who I loved and trusted, did to me as a 10-year-old girl," Ms Johnston said. The court heard she wished to waive her right to anonymity. Expand Close George Crombie. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George Crombie. Photo: Tony Gavin Crombie, with an address on Bloomfield Ave, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of sexually assaulting Ms Johnston in their Ringsend home between February 2004 and December 2006. Garda Sandra Fitzgerald agreed with Dean Kelly BL, prosecuting at last week's hearing, that Crombie had been with Ms Johnston's mother since she was a small child and Ms Johnston had a number of younger half-siblings. The court heard Ms Johnston thought Crombie was her real father until she was aged 10, when her mother told her he was in fact her stepfather. When told the news, Ms Johnston showed her support for Crombie by ripping up the birth cert that said he was not her real father. "She indicated she saw (Crombie) as her real father and she had no difficulty with the news she had received," Mr Kelly said. However, shortly after finding out Crombie was not her father, he started acting differently towards her, the court heard. "He started questioning her about her friends and boys," Mr Kelly said. Crombie then started going into her bedroom when her mother and siblings were asleep and touching Ms Johnston while she was lying in bed, the court heard. The abuse happened every Thursday and Saturday night, when Crombie had been out drinking. He entered her bedroom and touched her stomach, legs and bottom while she lay in bed. She believed he had a fetish for stomachs and bottoms, Mr Kelly said. "(Ms Johnston) said this became as regular as clockwork," Mr Kelly said. The abuse stopped after the incident with the dog lead, Mr Kelly said. Shortly afterwards, the relationship between Crombie and Ms Johnston's mother broke down and they split up. Ms Johnston later confided in her mother, who organised counselling for her. She went to gardai in 2015. "It has affected my relationship with my sisters, who don't wish to believe the horrific truth of what their own father did to their sister," Ms Johnston said. Judge Melanie Greally yesterday said it was clear Crombie was satisfying a particular sexual fetish during the assaults and referred to the use of the dog lead as "degrading". She said Ms Johnston had regarded Crombie as her natural father and that as such the "breach of trust was monumental". She described the abuse as "unrelenting" occurring every Thursday and Saturday. Judge Greally said having heard the victim impact statement it was clear Ms Johnston would continue to struggle with the "premature loss of innocence" and "blight on her childhood that can never be removed". She acknowledged Crombie made admissions and spared his victim a trial before she imposed concurrent sentences totalling two and half years. A convicted robber who was one of eight inmates involved in a jail riot during which a fellow prisoner was held hostage has been sentenced to four and half years in prison. Thomas Lennon (24) and seven others caused 33,748 worth of damage to the prison and 11 prisoners were hospitalised following the incident. A 21-year-old Afghanistan inmate, who was held captive, was punched, kicked and stabbed with a broken piece of Perspex. He was later treated for superficial cuts to his face, hands and arms but gardai accept Lennon didn't stab him. Lennon of Derry Park, Crumlin, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder, false imprisonment, assault causing harm and criminal damage at Cloverhill Prison on July 29, 2015. Garda Donal Daly told Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting that during the riot Lennon was heard threatening to jab any staff member who came into the yard and after taking the prisoner hostage shouted; You think Isis are bad? We are going to behead him. Gda Daly said riot officers were ultimately called in and the captured inmate made a break. A female prison officer who became isolated during the riot was kicked and forced to the ground. Lennon was captured on CCTV kicking this woman. Lennon was on remand awaiting sentence for robbery at the time. He received a three year term for this offence in December 2015 and had been due for release in May 2018. He has 34 other previous convictions. Judge Melanie Greally imposed imposed concurrent sentences totalling four and half years, which she said must be consecutive to the term he is currently serving. The final 18 months of the sentence was suspended on strict conditions including that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years upon his release. The judge described the offence as wanton destruction and violence which was targeted towards the prison officers and the property in Cloverhill. She said the assault, which she said had racial undertones, was terrifying for the man and added that members of the prison staff were exposed to very direct physical danger. Olan Callanan BL, defending told Judge Greally that his client had asked him specifically to apologise for his behaviour towards the victim. Counsel said having viewed the footage of the riot; Lennon said he was ashamed of himself and his actions. I am disgusted with myself over this. The other offences were to feed my cocaine addiction. There is no reason for this and I am sorry, said Lennon. Mr Callanan said Lennon left school at the beginning of fifth year but previous to that had done really well in school and had been selected to go on a student delegation to the European Council in Strasbourg. He then started to hang around his old housing estate and started to abuse cocaine. By the time he was 17 he abused drugs daily and began to commit crime to get money to fund his habit. Counsel said Lennon had spent all bar six months of the last six years in custody. Details of riot The riot began in the exercise yard of the B wing in Cloverhill at 11.15am when the goalpost were forcibly removed by a number of prisoners. The posts were then used to break the windows of a secure office which prison guards used as a vantage point to monitor the prisoners while on the yard. Prison staff left the office, fearing for their safety and secured the door behind them leaving the yard sealed off with all CCTV cameras focused on it. The governor then arrived and remained behind turnstiles at the yard with other prison officers to try and ascertain what the issue was. Lennon used the goalposts to unhook razor wire from the roof of the office before wrapping it around the turnstiles, telling staff he was going to wreck this f**king place. Two prisoners tried to climb onto the office roof but were discouraged by the use of a hose. A negotiator was called in and some prisoners, who were sick and needed insulin, were allowed to leave the yard while Lennon shouted that if two specific officers were sent over the riot would come to an end. The prisoners then took a hostage. He was stabbed with a shaved piece of curved Perspex and kicked and punched a number of times. Lennon didn't stab the man but did assault him. He was also at one point caught on CCTV cleaning blood off the victim's hand. Lennon was arrested in January 2016 but he made no admissions during the subsequent garda interview. Gavin Sheehan is led into Cork Circuit Criminal Court, where he was found guilty of the shot that seriously injured Ciara Sheehan. Photo: Provision A young father has been convicted of a shooting which left a woman fighting for her life with a bullet wound to the neck. Gavin Sheehan (29) was convicted of the reckless discharge of a firearm and assault causing serious harm to Ciara Sheehan (21) by a Cork Circuit Criminal Court jury. Mr Sheehan, who is no relation to the injured party, was convicted by a unanimous jury vote after three and a half hours' deliberation following a week-long trial. He had pleaded not guilty before Judge Sean O'Donnabhain and the jury of seven women and four men to a total of four charges. The defendant, of Laurel Ridge, Shanakiel, Cork, denied assault causing serious harm to Ms Sheehan on May 15 last at Hollywood Estate off Cork's Blarney Road. He also denied the discharge of a firearm on May 15 at Hollywood Estate, being reckless as to whether any person was injured or not. Expand Close Ciara Sheehan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ciara Sheehan The jury convicted him by unanimous vote on all four charges. Judge O'Donnabhain remanded Mr Sheehan in custody for sentencing on February 14 next. The defendant remained silent as the verdict was delivered but shook his head as he looked towards his family in the public gallery before being taken into custody. The court was told by Donal O'Sullivan BL, for the State, that victim impact statements will be involved and instructions are required in relation to two of the charges from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Ms Sheehan suffered a bullet wound to her neck as she sat in a property that night watching TV alongside her boyfriend. The young shop worker and Cork College of Commerce student was inside a friend's home when she was injured shortly after 12.30am. She had to be rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where she underwent emergency surgery. Ms Sheehan is now making a good recovery. The defendant had also denied possession at his Laurel Ridge home of a Smith & Wesson Model 6096 semi-automatic pistol with a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. Mr Sheehan was also charged with possession of a round of 9mm calibre ammunition, with a similar inference he did not have it for a lawful purpose. The charges were brought under the Firearms Act, 1964 and the Firearms and Offences Weapons Act, 1990. Fourth class pupils ranked ninth out of 49 countries in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) (picture posed) Irish 10-year-olds have improved their performance in maths over the past four years, according to a new international survey. But there is still cause for concern about the outcomes for Ireland in maths and science, with certain consistent weaknesses identified Fourth class pupils ranked ninth out of 49 countries in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) - up from 17th out of 50 in 2011. However, they were placed 19th out of 47 countries in science, showing very little improvement from 22nd place four years earlier. In the same study, Irish second year students ranked ninth out of 39 countries, and 10th in science. There is no recent comparison, as it is 20 years since Ireland last participated in that element of TIMSS. The TIMSS data allows for comparisons both on the average performance of pupils and how higher and lower achieving students compare with their counterparts in other countries. Education Minister Richard Bruton said while the trends were encouraging there is major room for improvement in maths and science. While there has been some progress, it is clear that we have a long way to go if we are to achieve our ambition of being the best in Europe." One of the worrying findings is that higher-achieving students in Ireland are underperforming relative to students elsewhere. The minister said the results from TIMSS 2015 pointed to the need to focus on stretching the performance of higher-achieving students and better developing students skills and knowledge in areas such as geometry and physics. Dr Aidan Clerkin of the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra Dublin, one of the authors of the report on Ireland, said improvements in TIMSS were particularly notable among lower achieving students. His colleague, Rachel Perkins, said one area where Irish students, in both fourth class and second year, showed a relative strength was in Earth science. A woman viciously attacked in her home remains in an induced coma with severe burn injuries. Gardai are investigating if hot water was used in the assault on Simone Lee (37) in her Limerick city home over the weekend. She suffered severe burns, stab wounds to her head and back, and was struck a number of times. Gardai have not yet been able to speak to the victim, who is being treated in University Hospital Limerick. The incident happened on Saturday night and Ms Lee is understood to be in a stable condition. Arrested Expand Close Garda forensic officers at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate, in Limerick where Simone Lee was attacked on Saturday night. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda forensic officers at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate, in Limerick where Simone Lee was attacked on Saturday night. Photo: Frank McGrath A 28-year-old man, also from Limerick, was arrested by investigating officers. He was quizzed at Henry Street garda station and released without charge yesterday. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The course of the Garda investigation will be determined once investigators are able to interview Ms Lee. Expand Close Garda forensic officers at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate, in Limerick where Simone Lee was attacked on Saturday night. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda forensic officers at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate, in Limerick where Simone Lee was attacked on Saturday night. Photo: Frank McGrath Officers from the Garda Technical Bureau are expected to examine the scene at the first-floor apartment at Hassetts Villas in Thomondgate on the northside of Limerick again today after spending several hours there yesterday. A specialist team of investigators from Dublin are assisting local garda personnel in gathering evidence in the case. Ms Lee was discovered by paramedics in the apartment at 12.40am on Sunday morning. Gardai have not yet established when exactly and how Ms Lee was assaulted or if she had been asleep when the incident occurred. One theory being investigated is that hot water was used in the assault. However, investigations to date have not yet concluded and this has yet to be fully determined. A friend who worked nearby said all were thinking of Ms Lee and described her as a "lovely, quiet lady". "We are very concerned for Simone and hope she pulls through this. It is shocking that this has happened," she said. "We have spoken with Simone's family and naturally they are very distraught about what has happened. "Our thoughts are with them all. "It is hard to believe that this could happen so close to us here in the centre of Limerick." The scene on the city's northside remained sealed off yesterday and gardai conducted house to house inquiries in the area. Members of the Garda Technical Bureau could be seen photographing the interior of the building and around the smashed upstairs window at the front of the flat. Glass from the broken window littered the street below. Family members are being kept informed of any change in Ms Lee's condition, and it is understood her medical team at University Hospital Limerick has liaised with colleagues in Cork University Hospital regarding the treatment of her burns. Investigations are ongoing but it is understood gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to the assault. Gardai at Mayorstone garda station (061456980) have appealed for information from members of the public or anyone who was in the Thomondgate area at the time. 'Cutting-edge, revolutionary drugs are becoming increasingly unaffordable for publicly- funded health systems like Irelands'. Stock photo: Getty Cutting-edge, revolutionary drugs are becoming increasingly unaffordable for publicly-funded health systems like Ireland's. While the current spotlight is on Orkambi, described as a game-changer treatment for many people with cystic fibrosis, there are more so-called new miracle medicines for cancer and heart failure coming down the line. For the patients who are desperate for these drugs - that may have the power to increase their lifespan but have exorbitant prices - the demand that governments fund them is perfectly understandable. How can greater life expectancy be reduced to a finite sum of money? But in a world of health rationing, paying too high a price for these drugs means other services may suffer. In the case of Orkambi, the annual cost per patient may be up to 150,000 and around 500 people with cystic fibrosis believe they should be allowed to try it. However, Ireland is not alone in reaching a cost-benefit analysis that, based on that price, it is unsustainable. Patients in the UK, Canada and other countries have been delivered the same bad news. The decision to turn down funding for the drug looks set to be the conclusion of the HSE's drug committee, which assesses drugs. The hope is that some more price negotiation or method of making the drug more economically viable is found soon. The HSE executive makes the final decision, but it is unlikely to overrule the decision of its committee of experts. Under a protocol agreed earlier this year, the Health Minister can ask Cabinet to give the go-ahead to fund a new drug. But that only applies where the HSE recommends a medicine and cannot pay for it out of its current funds. Dr Michael Barry, who heads the pharmacoeconomics section of the HSE, yesterday urged the drugs company Vertex, makers of Orkambi, to put the patient first. But Vertex, like a lot of drugs companies that produce these drugs, wants its payback for the years of scientific legwork that went into its formulation. It has cited several reasons, including the small patient population the drug will be suitable for. It needs to generate enough return to invest in researching new medicines. It also argues that on the patients it works on, the drug has the ability to treat the underlying cause of the disease. The company was set up 26 years ago and has only turned a profit once. It recently emerged that the chief executive of Vertex, Jeffrey Leiden, earned a total package of around $36m (34m). It's eye-watering remuneration and a clear message from shareholders that they expect performance. The investment gamble by even global giants developing new medicines does not always pay off. In recent days, this was borne out when Pfizer cancelled a planned 400m expansion of its Dublin plant due to the failure of a late-stage pipeline drug to lower cholesterol. "We are currently awaiting a response from the HSE on our latest proposals," a spokeswoman for Vertex said yesterday. She said in the meantime, all people currently receiving Orkambi via clinical trials or compassionate use will continue to receive it until agreement is reached. Philip Watt, of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, said yesterday this includes around 40 people, 25 of whom have it on compassionate grounds. Dr Barry suggested that just 125 of the 500 patients will benefit from the drug. He called for an arrangement where Vertex is paid full price only for those patients on whom it works. It may be one way of securing these and other blockbuster drugs for patients. Gardai are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a student on University College Dublins campus. A garda spokesperson confirmed to Independent.ie that no arrests have yet been made and the investigation is ongoing. Gardai are investigating an alleged sexual assault at UCD on Thursday November 24 between 10am and 11.30pm, the spokesperson said in a statement. It is believed that the student had been out socialising with friends on the day the alleged assault took place on the Belfield campus of the Dublin 4 university. A UCD spokesman said: "Please be advised that we have brought all reports of a sexual assault on campus to the attention of the University Registrar, Campus Services, Campus Security and Student Support Services. "These college authorities are now in contact with An Garda Siochana." UCD Students' Union took to social media to remind students of their "walk safe" service. Independent.ie contacted the Union in relation to the alleged incident but they have not made any comment at the time of writing. "Walk Safe is a campus service which students and staff can use by calling 01 716 7000. "Use Walk Safe for a member of UCD Security to escort you from one campus location to another (eg. from the Library to your car) "This service is available during Autumn and Winter Semesters from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 7 days a week." Photo for illustration It was followed by the Republic of Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Asia, which were markets with sharp growth in the number of tourists to Khanh Hoa in the ten months. Russian tourists to Nha Trang saw signs of recovery when the city greeted over 200,000 arrivals in the ten months, up 114% compared to the same period last year. Russian holidaymakers often flocked to Nha Trang during their winter vacation, and Nha Trang received a higher number of tourists from the market in October than the previous month, at 28,500 compared to 25,000, respectively. Currently, hotel room occupancy in Nha Trang is not as high as in summer months. The coastal city has about 25,000 hotel rooms, including about 15,000 rooms in three to five-star hotels. According to the Khanh Hoa provincial Department of Culture, Nha Trang welcomed 975,000 foreign tourists in the first ten months of the year, a year-on-year rise of 125%./. Plans for a Mary Robinson Presidential Library in her hometown of Ballina, Co Mayo, have been abandoned after the former President decided to donate her archive of documents to NUI Galway university. Mrs Robinson also indicated she will not be availing of a tax credit worth 1.2m for donating the archive, estimated by Mayo County Council to be worth 2.5m. Controversy had surrounded the plans for a presidential library by the Victoria House Foundation, which has been working to develop a centre at Ms Robinson's childhood home. In a statement this evening, the foundation said the former president had said she would not avail of tax credits that may be available to her when she donates her archive. A statement from the board last night said: "The Board and its project partners Mayo County Council and NUI Galway reiterated their commitment to the vision to use Mary Robinson's legacy at a location in Ballina to inspire and foster personal leadership in the service of promoting human rights, gender equality and women's leadership." Mayo County Council will have "full access to any part of the collection required to support the mission of the centre in Ballina," it said. Developing her childhood home into a special centre will be one of a number of options to be explored by the board before coming to a decision by the end of next March. Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway, said the university was honoured to accept the archive. "It is a tremendous gift to the West of Ireland. NUI Galway, which has on its own campus recently built state-of-the-art archival facilities with an established team of experienced archivists and librarians, is privileged to receive such a wonderful gift," he said. Mr Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, said he looked forward to a phased development of a centre in Ballina. Food chain McDonald's are investigating after an Irish woman said she was stunned at the treatment of a homeless man at one of their Dublin city centre restaurants on Monday morning. Alicia Gayson, a psychotherapist who raises money and food vouchers for the homeless in her spare time, met James on OConnell Street. He explained that he had been beaten up in front of the GPO the previous night and had his phone stolen; he said he had no way to contact the Freephone number for emergency accommodation. Alicia brought James to McDonalds and checked with the security guard before they went in, as James said that the restaurant would not let him in because he is homeless. I thought that sounded very strange, so I checked with the security guard, who was a gentleman and he said it was fine, Alicia told Independent.ie. Alicia said the pair were sitting and eating for a few minutes when a member of staff told them to move as she had to clean the area. Alicia said that they would leave when they finished eating, but the member of staff and manager continued to say the area needed to be cleaned. The place was absolutely spotless; I couldnt understand it, Alicia said. During the argument, Alicia noticed that cleaning in progress signs had been placed around the section of tables they were sitting at. Upset and embarrassed by the incident, James left the restaurant and thanked Alicia for the meal and for speaking up for him. Alicia posted about the incident on Facebook yesterday, and the post has since gone viral. McDonalds Restaurant's of Ireland released a statement stating that neither customer was asked to leave, stating that the customers chose to leave. It said: "Following a post on social media concerning our OConnell Street restaurant, we have reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed staff on duty to investigate the matter." "We would like to clearly state that McDonalds operates an inclusive policy of welcoming all customers into their restaurants, including members of the homeless community, and that at no stage were either of these customers asked to leave. "As part of a routine clean in the store, our employees asked the customers to move to a different table whilst a section of the restaurant was closed off. This was met with an adverse reaction by the customers who then chose to leave the store." Alicia's online post reads: The tears of humiliation and shame he cried outside your restaurant for being ejected from your premises (albeit not forcibly) made my heart sad and my spirit angry. Angry for the injustice in this world, angry for those kids who become homeless through no fault of their own. But the prevalent emotion I felt was embarrassment. Embarrassment that one of the largest franchise' in this country, if not the world, could employ a policy that shames the rejected and dejected and makes them feel even more worthless than society in general does already. Alicia stated in her post that she does not blame the staff members, but the company. I blame [McDonalds] for not ensuring that your staff aren't adequately trained to know that it is the height of ignorance and bad manners to put "caution - cleaning in progress signs" around the seats that contained myself and James (in an almost empty restaurant) as if we had contaminated the area by our mere presence in your restaurant. I was ashamed and embarrassed that a fellow countryman, a fellow human being, cried outside your store today. It was a heartbreaking sight. To anyone who has donated McDonald's vouchers to my appeal, I thank you. To those who donated cash, I'll now be spending it in Burger King or KFC on your behalf instead, her post finished. Since the post, the reviews section of the McDonalds Facebook page has been inundated with negative reviews. Alicias post has been shared over 13,000 times and donations to her appeal keep coming. She also got in touch with the management at the restaurant to discuss the matter with them and try to turn this negative experience into something positive. Alicia has said that anyone who wishes to help with her appeal can donate through Paypal to aliciagayson@hotmail.com; all funds from this account will go to The Light House on Pearse Street, who feed and clothe Dublins homeless. The wife of bust developer Sean Dunne has accused Nama of conducting a "campaign of harassment" against her. Former gossip columnist Gayle Killilea claimed the agency had hired investigators to spy on her and abused its power by leaking information to the media. She also said she had filed a criminal complaint with gardai over her alleged treatment. The allegations were made in papers filed with a US court, where Ms Killilea is fighting efforts by a bankruptcy trustee to recover tens of millions of euro in assets transferred to her by her husband. Sean Dunne filed for bankruptcy in Connecticut in 2013. As part of the discovery process involved in court proceedings there, Ms Killilea and her stepson John Dunne have agreed to provide the trustee with bank statements, financial records and "sensitive" commercial business information. But Ms Killilea has applied to the court seeking an order restricting bankruptcy trustee Richard Coan from sharing the "private and sensitive information" with her husband's creditors, Nama and Ulster Bank. In an affidavit, lawyers for Ms Killilea, who now works as a property developer, made a series of allegations against Nama. Chief among these is a claim Nama used the media "as a lever" in connection with its pursuit of her husband's debt. She alleged investigative agencies had been hired to spy on her, her family and her young children. "This harassment has had a severe negative impact on her business affairs, financial affairs and banking relationships. Killilea believes Nama has sought to destroy her business reputation and her personal life by making consistent, but vague and unsubstantiated allegations of fraud," the affidavit said. The document claimed Nama had consistently depicted "legal transfers" from her husband to her between 2005 and 2008 as fraudulent, despite the fact Sean Dunne was worth hundreds of millions of euro at the time. Lawyers for Ms Killilea and John Dunne, with whom she is involved in a residential development in New York, said they had already permitted the inspection of around 20 bankers boxes of documents and were also prepared to provide around 10,000 electronic documents to the trustee. Ms Killilea is facing similar proceedings in Ireland, where her husband was declared bankrupt in 2013. Last week, the High Court in Dublin ruled she must disclose her tax returns between 2005 and 2014, as well as other documents. Austin Stack (left) and brother Oliver speak to media outside Leinster House about the shooting of their father, chief prison officer at Portlaoise Prison Brian Stack on March 25, 1983. Photo: Frank McGrath Gerry Adams has named a number of senior Sinn Fein figures suspected of the 1983 murder of prison officer Brian Stack in an email sent to Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan. Three of those named by the Sinn Fein President are well-known politicians, while a fourth man is a suspected former IRA boss, the Irish Independent can reveal. In the email to Ms O'Sullivan, Mr Adams claims he was supplied the names by the victim's son, Austin Stack, and that was passing them on "in order to remove any uncertainty". However, Mr Adams is facing serious questions after Mr Stack last night insisted he never provided names to the Sinn Fein President. The email was sent three days before the General Election - and has now been passed on to detectives investigating the brutal killing. The three politicians are household names and are currently serving. The fourth man is suspected of having held a very senior role in the IRA, and is currently facing other charges that are unrelated to IRA membership. Expand Close Brian Stack. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian Stack. Photo: PA The decision by Mr Adams to name party colleagues in connection with a serious crime is highly unusual. It is understood gardai will interview a number of those included. Austin Stack, who is the deputy governor at Portlaoise Prison, gave a fresh statement to gardai on Wednesday. He told the Irish Independent last night that by naming senior Sinn Fein figures, Mr Adams and his party have "very serious questions to answer in relation to a live murder inquiry". He said that in any other organisation, the individuals named by Mr Adams would have been suspended pending the investigation's outcome. Expand Close Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams denies any further knowledge. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams denies any further knowledge. Photo: Collins Mr Stack met Mr Adams prior to the General Election - but insists at no point did he supply any names. In the email, sent on February 23, Mr Adams says that in "recent days elements of the media and other politicians claim that I am withholding information relevant to the case." "I have no information," he adds. "He (Austin Stack) told me that he had been given these names by Garda and journalistic sources," Mr Adams wrote. He added: "Austin asked me if I would ask these individuals if they would meet with him to ascertain if they had any information that might assist the family. "I am sending these names to you in order to remove any uncertainty about this. "Is mise, Gerry Adams TD." Following a series of queries, Mr Adams released a statement to the Irish Independent. "I responded extensively to this issue when it was raised during the election campaign," the Louth TD said. "I expressed my sympathy to the Stack family - I did my utmost to assist them, and I said that the killing was wrong. "That remains my position," he added. Brian Stack, who was the chief prison officer at Portlaoise, was shot in the back of the neck by the IRA in Dublin in 1983. He died from brain injuries 18 months later. In 2013, the IRA admitted to the murder during a meeting with the Stack family at an undisclosed location close to the border. The meeting was arranged by Mr Adams. The controversy resurfaced during the election campaign after Austin Stack claimed to have been given credible information that two senior members of Sinn Fein were involved in the murder. The victim's widow, Sheila Stack, has called on Mr Adams to come clean with the truth. During Sinn Fein's final press conference before polling day, Mr Adams claimed to have spoken to two individuals whose names he said were given to him by Austin Stack. At that time, Mr Stack denied he gave the names to Mr Adams - and stands over this position. Households will no longer face the burden of water charges and will only have to pay bills if they engage in "wasteful usage", according to the Independent Water Commission. The commission's draft report recommends that the State becomes a "customer" of Irish Water and that families' supply is paid for through general taxation. However, the commission says that the Government should consider the introduction of a "water tax" in order to keep the public utility afloat. "The question of whether there should be a dedicated taxwould be a matter of budgetary policy and outside the scope of this report, but is worthy of further consideration," the report states. On the issue of ownership, the commission says there is "overwhelming support" for retaining Irish Water as a public utility. And it says there is "considerable merit" in the staging of a referendum to ensure it cannot be privatised in the future. The decision by the commission to recommend against the re-introduction of a charging regime for all households will be seized upon by the anti-water charges movement. It also means that Fine Gael will be forced to significantly row back on its previous policy that charges should remain in place. But the authors of the report insist its central proposal - whereby households only pay if they use water above a certain limit - does not amount to "a free allowance". The report states: "Rather, the water utility will provide water to all citizens and the cost of that water will be recovered from the State." Two options are outlined in the draft report for determining what equates to "normal usage", beyond which households will be billed. The first option would see the water required for everyday activities such as washing and cooking being calculated following a detailed analysis. The second option would essentially involve dividing the amount of water used every day by the population in order to determine the normal usage rate. The report states that the final level of allowance should be set following a consultation involving the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Public Water forum. But charges for commercial customers should remain in place, the report states. Special provision should be made for those with special needs, the reports says. It adds that there should be an exceptional waiver scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. It is recommended that the funding model for investment may have to be "fundamentally" reassessed given the ongoing need to pay for infrastructure. In relation to the hundreds of thousands of households who have paid, the commission recommends that "necessary measures" should be introduced to ensure those who have paid to date "will be treated no less favourably than those who have not." However, the commission - led by Kevin Duffy - does not state whether this should involve refunds or the introduction of tax credits. Those on group water schemes and households using private wells are also specifically mentioned. It is stated that these schemes have proven effective in reducing consumption and addressing leakage and that such groups should be assisted through "greater subsidy or other means". In relation to metering, the commission states that meters have been "highly effective" in detecting leakages. But the commission says that metering will not be "technically feasible" in the likes of apartments and that it is "reasonable and fair" to assume that such households do not consume water in an excessive fashion. It is also recommended that Irish Water "renew its efforts to develop a positive engagement with consumers" on the back of a series of PR disasters in recent years. The final report is due to be sent tomorrow to the 20-person Oireachtas committee, which will sit for up to three months. The Dail will then vote in the spring in relation to the options put forward. President Michael Higgins and his wife Sabina sign the book of condolence for the late Fidel Castro at the Cuban Embassy on Pearse Street, Dublin. Photo: Kyran O'Brien The decision not to send a minister to Fidel Castro's funeral signals Government dismay at President Michael D Higgins's lavish praise for the former Cuban dictator. It is also an attempt to defuse controversy caused by the President's effusive tribute to the man who ruled Cuba for 50 years. Minister Leo Varadkar said the Government possesses a more "nuanced view" of Castro's "mixed legacy". However, Mr Varadkar acknowledged President Higgins's right to freedom of expression. "There is a long-standing tradition of government ministers not criticising the President because he's above politics, and the President not criticising the Government for exactly the same reason," Mr Varadkar said. "What I would say though, when it does come to Castro, the Government, and certainly I as an individual, would take a more nuanced view on Castro's legacy." He acknowledged Castro's health and education achievements and also his stance against American aggression. Expand Close The book of condolence / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The book of condolence Mr Varadkar described Castro as an unelected dictator whom nobody in Cuba ever voted for. "He handed over power to his brother, executed and imprisoned his opponents and even put people in mental institutions for disagreeing with him. So, it's a mixed legacy at best," Mr Varadkar said. In an official statement issued after Castro's death, President Higgins praised Castro's health and education achievements, and noted the unjust and prolonged US economic embargo. The only reference to Castro's infamous regime of repression was to note that economic and social reforms were "at the price of a restriction of civil society, which brought its critics." Expand Close The late Fidel Castro. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The late Fidel Castro. Photo: Reuters President Higgins concluded that Fidel Castro was "a giant among global leaders" who sought freedom for his own people and oppressed people across the world. Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath was scathingly critical of the President, saying his "moral authority was in tatters". Meanwhile, the Taoiseach and his Fine Gael Ministers have spent three days avoiding direct criticism of the President. However, they have all struck a determinedly different tone to the President. The Taoiseach has avoided any comment whatsoever on former President Castro's death or political legacy. Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan took the lead in commenting on the issue, noting Castro's "mixed legacy", stressing a different view to the unconditional approval of President Higgins. Labour leader Brendan Howlin offered guarded support, saying his former party colleague was a life-long human rights advocate. "His comments on the passing of Fidel Castro cannot be divorced from his career-long history of passionate activism for human rights causes," Mr Howlin said. Speaking in Rome, the Taoiseach said the President "is entitled to make his comments" but again did not offer any view of his own on Castro's passing. Ireland's Ambassador to Mexico, Sonja Hyland, will represent the Government at the funeral. "Most countries will be represented by an ambassador, some may send other representatives... Ambassador Hyland will represent us," Mr Kenny said. Transport Minister Shane Ross has described criticisms of his performance as "utter nonsense". Mr Ross made the comments at a farcical press conference in Dublin yesterday. The Independent Alliance TD repeatedly refused to answer questions on the issue of judicial appointments amid accusations that he is holding up the filling of a number of vacancies. Mr Ross was attending a Tourism Ireland event in Ballsbridge. Members of the media were told at the start of the press conference by Mr Ross's media adviser that questions should be confined to the issue of tourism. No reason was given as to why other issues could not be raised. Asked about criticism about his own brief, Mr Ross rejected it outright. "Any criticisms I'm not spending enough time in the tourist portfolio are complete and utter nonsense," he said. "There is simply no evidence provided by anybody to support that, not one scintilla of it." Meanwhile, Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said 2016 is set to be the best year on record in terms of visitor numbers. Some 10.5 million people will have visited the island of Ireland by the end of this year, the agency said. This represents an 11pc increase on visitor numbers in 2015. Is Austria next in line after Brexit and Trump? Voters in Austria have a choice between a far-right and a Green president. No matter who wins, populism is gaining ground in the country. GALLERY Vienna (dpa) - Europe will look to Austria on Sunday to see if the small but wealthy country will elect Western Europes first far-right president, giving a fresh boost to populists in the wake of Britains Brexit vote and Donald Trumps win in the United States.But even if rightist Norbert Hofer loses and his left-leaning Green rival Alexander Van der Bellen wins the hotly contested presidential race, populism would only suffer a temporary setback rather than a defeat.This is because Hofers Freedom Party is poised to win the next parliamentary election, and its anti-immigration views have been adopted by mainstream parties.Sunday will provide 45-year-old Hofer a second chance to win Austrias top job.In May, 72-year-old Van der Bellen looked certain to become Austrias president when he won the run-off election against Hofer by a narrow margin of 0.6 per cent.However, the opposition Freedom Party successfully challenged the vote in the Constitutional Court by bringing evidence that ballots were counted without proper oversight in many towns.The court ordered a repeat election, which was planned to go ahead in October but had to be pushed back to December after the envelopes for postal votes were found to be manufactured with substandard glue.Hofer, one of the deputy presidents of Austrias parliament, has won support from half of the voters by criticizing the government for allowing 90,000 migrants to enter the country last year.The former aviation engineer has also chided German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her welcoming stance in the face of the wave of migrant arrivals."By announcing We can do it, she [Merkel] encouraged many people to undertake very, very dangerous journeys across the sea," he said in a recent television debate. Austrian taxpayers were footing Germanys bill as many of these migrants ended up in Austria and needed to be housed and fed here, he said.Following Britains referendum decision to leave the European Union, Freedom Party leaders welcomed Brexit and said that Austria should hold a similar vote if Turkey were to be admitted into the European Union, or if the bloc proved to be incapable of reforming itself.However, Austrians have little appetite for exiting the bloc, and the EU-sceptic Freedom Party has since backpedalled.Hofer told dpa that he sees the EU as "a project that is in urgent need of development." However, he sticks to the view that a referendum remains a measure of last resort.Former Green party chief Van der Bellen is pro-European. He keeps warning that Hofers recent soft EU stance only masks his wish to destroy the bloc, in line with like-minded populist movements in France and Germany.On the migration issue, Van der Bellen stands by the many Austrians who have spontaneously formed grassroots projects to help arriving migrants."Do we want to see Austria as a friendly, open, bright country?" the economic scholar said in a speech. "Or do we want to see it as a country that is threatened by conspiracies, where fears take over, where everything is terrible?" he said, challenging the Freedom Partys world view.Although polls predict another neck-to-neck result on Sunday, his position is an increasingly lonely one.Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz has been successful with his strategy of closing down the Balkan migration route, pushing for restrictive immigration policies and demanding the end of Turkeys accession talks with the EU.Kurz currently tops Austrias popularity rating for politicians.The Social Democrats, who form the government coalition with Kurzs centre-right Peoples Party, have gone along with Austrias immigration about-turn and have reluctantly supported a cut-off limit for the number of asylum seekers that can enter per year.An increasingly vocal wing in the Social Democratic party has been mulling cooperation with the Freedom Party after the next parliamentary election, which is due in 2018 at the latest.The Freedom Party has led the polls for more than a year and currently enjoys the support of 35 per cent of voters, according to the latest survey published by the tabloid Oesterreich in early November. "Nothing and no one will stop us," Hofer said at an election rally. Two more public service unions are set to ballot for industrial action if the Government refuses to commit to new year talks on pay rises for their members. Unite and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) are the latest to issue the threat, after Siptu warned it will authorise ballots from this Thursday without agreement to negotiations by February 1. Siptu members in the health, education, local authority and state industrial sector could begin balloting within two weeks. The Civil, Public and Services Union will today also discuss its strategy after some of its members called for ballots. The unions' calls for talks to accelerate "restoration" of the 2bn pay cuts suffered during the financial crisis were made after gardai were offered a 50m deal. They warned demands for talks will "come to a head" following a Cabinet meeting today. The Government is expected to discuss the unions' demands for further pay rises than have already been promised under the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA). General Secretary of INMO, Liam Doran, said the clock is ticking as unions wait for the Government's decision on talks. "I don't think any union in the public service can accept the timeframe that's already there," he said. "From the INMO point of view, the scenario makes it absolutely a requirement that there has to be acceleration. In the absence of that, we will certainly be looking to take action to secure that." Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly said his union will put arrangements in place for ballots if the Government is "waffling" and fails to agree to open negotiations before the Public Services Committee meeting next week. The Government has set aside 290m for public sector pay rises agreed in the LRA next year, but must find 50m to fund the deal being balloted on by gardai, which would be paid from January 1 if accepted. Leo Varadkar has predicted that controversy over water won't "be put to bed easily", despite the report of the Independent Commission recommending the effective scrapping of charges. The Commission's draft report says that householders will only have to pay bills if they engage in "wasteful usage". Read More It also recommends that the State becomes a "customer" of Irish Water and that families' supply is paid for through general taxation. Mr Varadkar didn't concede that water charges will be all but gone in light of the Commission's report. He said he hasn't seen the report yet and that: "Obviously Fine Gael as a party will have to discuss that with our TDs and Senators before we respond to it." Mr Varadkar said his understanding of the proposals is that "water charges be paid for through general taxation up to a certain amount, that amount being determined by the regulator and after that people would be charged for the excess". He again pointed out that he hasn't seen the report and said that Fine Gael will consider its recommendations. He said all parties must be allowed "to discuss it and respond to it in due course". Asked if the Commission's report will finally put the issue to bed, Mr Varadkar replied: "I think given the nature of Irish politics its not an issue that will be put to bed easily. "But what's more important than putting any political issue to bed in terms of controversy is doing the right thing for the country in the long term. "And that means having the resources to invest in our water network, invest in our sewerage network, which is the other side of this which is often not talked about, to conserve water and to be fair in the way we pay for it." Mr Varadkar was speaking at the West Dublin plant of US pharmaceutical company West where he was joined by jobs minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor. The firm this morning announced 100 new jobs in Ireland. Ms Mitchell O'Connor welcomed the announcement of 700 new jobs three different companies in Dublin today. Voxpro is to employ 400 more staff and there will be a further 200 jobs at LinkedIn Teachers on strike at in St David's in Greystones A breakthrough may have been reached between teachers unions and the government early this morning during coalition talks. Union leaders told RTE News that a document was being finalised as they left the talks around one oclock this morning. They did not confirm whether talks would resume or elaborate on the content of the document In a statement today the ASTI confirmed: "Talks aimed at ending the current industrial relations disputes between the ASTI and the Department of Education and Skills adjourned early this morning. "It is expected that documents will be finalised shortly and will be issued by the chair of Teachers Conciliation Council Ms Anna Perry for consideration by the parties." These talks included the ASTI, the TUI and the INTO, as well as the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It is understood that the document is now being circulated to the three unions. It will now need to be approved by the ASTI Standing Committee. The dispute between the ASTI and the Department of Education stems from a range of issues including pay restoration for new teachers, pay for supervision and substitution hours, and the ASTIs rejection of the new Junior Cycle framework. The dispute saw hundreds of secondary schools close for a number of days during October and November. The ASTI halted strike action when this set of talks began earlier this month. The closures affected as many as 8,000 students, and the dispute over the Junior Cycle could see students lose 10pc of their English marks if they are unable to undertake the new classroom-based assessment. Transport Minister Shane Ross has backed down in the row over judicial appointments, with the Cabinet agreeing to recruit four new judges to fill vacancies in the District Court. There is also set to be a reallocation of three judges currently dealing with insolvency cases to help plug gaps which have emerged in the Circuit Court. The decision comes just days after the President of the Circuit Court, Judge Raymond Groarke, said he could not uphold the law as he did not have enough judges. Until today, Mr Ross had been steadfast in his insistence that no new judges would be appointed until the selection process is reformed. He has claimed the current process is an outlet for political patronage and fought to get a new system included in the programme for government. However, concerns were raised about his stance as the legislation required for the new process will not be passed until at least next summer, by which stage there is expected to be a considerable number of vacancies. Warnings were issued by the Law Society and the Bar Council that backlogs would occur in the courts if vacancies went unfilled. As well as agreeing to the immediate recruitment of new judges, the Cabinet also agreed today to publish a scheme for its Judicial Appointments Bill in the next ten days. It also committed to expediting the drafting of the legislation, with a view to having it published in January. Mr Ross said he only agreed to the appointments after getting assurances on a timeline for the new legislation. On the basis that I received an absolute timeline on the forthcoming Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, I agreed that this re-assignment should proceed and that the District Court appointments be made, he said. Read More They said the Cabinet remains committed to introducing a new commission to advise the Government on appointments which will have a majority of members from a non-legal background. This has raised concerns among senior judges, who wrote to Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald expressing a preference for a commission with a majority made up of judges and legal professionals. The judges have also voiced concerns over plans to appoint a lay chairperson, insisting that the position should go to the Chief Justice. The commitments in the programme for government remain and a decision was taken that the process of putting these in place needs to be speeded up, said an informed source. Parents of premature babies are now given "beads of courage" at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin to celebrate the infant's progress and milestones. The idea originated in the US. Parents are given a bead bag, a piece of string and beads that spell out their baby's name, along with a bead journal to document their journey. They can make note of procedures, treatments and milestones that babies endure when born prematurely, receiving colourful beads to represent the different stages. Examples of these beads include; phototherapy, sleepover at the hospital, parental firsts, such as the first bath. It can also involve first feed, first cuddles and one of the biggest achievements for a baby in the neonatal unit - discharge home. The beads can be shown to the baby later in life to highlight their fighting spirit. Four out of five of us have experienced it at some stage: a terrifying paralysis just as you enter or exit sleep, where an otherworldly presence is seemingly heard, seen or felt in the room, only you are unable to move, scream or get rid of it. Welcome to the world of sleep paralysis. You're not alone, but neither are you "witnessing" paranormal presences best left to the X-Files team. According to Dr Jonathan Egan, director of clinical practice at the School of Psychology in NUI Galway, the main features of sleep paralysis are "the inability to move, a perception that there is someone or something in their room, that the person is being touched or being strangled or sat on or molested, and that there can be a sense of movement of self or bedsheets. Hearing noises or voices or breathing is also common". Along with trainee clinical psychologist Michelle Tomas, Egan has just directed the largest survey on sleep paralysis ever completed in Ireland or Europe. Out of 1,770 starters, 1,199 people living in Ireland completed the online cross-sectional study earlier this year. Health & Living magazine can reveal that about 80pc of respondents reported at least one experience of sleep paralysis in their lives. Eighteen percent reported one to three episodes of sleep paralysis; 19pc reported four to 10 episodes; 15pc reported 11-20 episodes, and more than a quarter (27pc) reported over 20 such experiences in their lifetime. "Sleep paralysis is associated with movement into and from the Rapid Eye Movement [REM] stage of sleep," says Egan. "With sleep paralysis, however, the person is both awake and also still in REM. Therefore the content of their dream state and the environment they awaken into become merged. "REM sleep is associated with paralysis, in order to prevent people from acting out their dreams. So most people can only move their eyes when they experience an attack of sleep paralysis and they feel like shouting out for help, but their vocal chords cannot respond to the need." In fact, a previous online survey in the US found that 98pc of those who experienced sleep paralysis reported the experience as frightening, especially since it can last from mere seconds to 20 minutes, in some extreme cases. The NUI survey found that half of respondents reported that they thought there was something wrong with their physical well-being or that they were losing their mind, while only 10pc thought that "an alien or magical entity" caused their experience. Furthermore, the paralysis appears to be only tentatively related to anxiety, mood, stress, worry, previous/current mental health difficulties or sleep hygiene (i.e. the "recommended behavioural and environmental practice that is intended to promote better quality sleep," according to one definition). For at least centuries, sleep paralysis appears to have been near-universal. However, its interpretation - much like our interpretation of dreams - is heavily weighted towards cultural environment (including propensity for superstition) and/or religion or belief system. Worldwide, these experiences have cemented their place in respective national folklores. In Mexico, the folk expression for this phenomenon translates as, "a dead body climbed on top of me," whereas in Japan the expression "Kanashibari," translates as "metal bands binding a person." In Thailand (where the experience goes by "Pee ahm" - pee meaning "ghost") some people wear monk-blessed amulets to ward off such spirits each night, while China, Canada, South Africa and South America have their own cultural tags and twists in naming and explaining the hallucination. Closer to home, in Slavic and Germanic folklore a "Mare" is best described as an evil omen or spirit which sits upon sleepers' chests, inducing terrifying nightmares, from which the Swedish word "mardrom" comes (literally, "mara-dream"). However, in traditional Irish folklore, the closest we have appears to be its very distant and ancient cousin, the handsome Gancanagh, or Gean Canach, meaning "Love Talker." This supposedly charming, well-dressed male fairy was famed for seducing sleeping women, resulting in it being misinterpreted by non-Celtic cultures as an Irish incubus (an evil male spirit that lies upon sleeping women, forcing sex upon them). For those people who have frequently experienced sleep paralysis, viewing it through the lens of a post-traumatic stress disorder might be a more helpful way to address it, according to Egan and Tomas. "These people often report that they fear they are going to die during an attack," says Egan. "Therefore, the episodes might be viewed akin to a person experiencing a real-life physical or sexual assault." If experiencing such regular paralysis, Egan recommends trying cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), addressing sleep hygiene and cutting out any stimulants or alcohol. If on medication, perhaps check with your GP if it could be contributing to the hallucinations, but also look at having a child light on in your room overnight. "Others find moving their extremities, toes and fingers, helps them move out of a sleep paralysis episode," Egan says. Sleep paralysis according to survey participants The sensed presence "I woke up on my back [] in the early hours, and felt trapped in my body. I couldn't move at all. I slowly became aware of someone (something?) else in the room, possibly more than one. There was a dark figure with no visible features. It did not move, but was standing in the corner of the room and was very sinister and frightening." The intruder with no face "I am aware of a rustling sound towards the foot of my bed and I am able to strain my eyes to look toward the sound. I see a small man standing there flicking through a newspaper - this is the rustling sound. [] I realise he has no face, just a black void. Without actually seeing him move, he is suddenly right next to me. He is bent 90 from the waist, and his empty black face is right up in my face and it is then that I begin violently trying to wiggle my fingers and toes to 'break' the paralysis. This is usually effective after a little moment, and I wake up fully to my empty bedroom." The old woman or hag There was an old woman in the top right corner of my room. She just stared at me for what seemed like ages. She made her way to me in bed and sat on my chest. I could feel her sitting on my chest and looking at me. I tried very hard to move, to no avail." The child The first time I felt I was awake and there was a little boy of seven-years-old standing at the foot of my bed. I felt panic but I couldn't wake up [] I eventually awoke after what seemed like one or two minutes. The second time I was lying in bed and there was a little girl lying beside me in bed with a white and red dress on. She seemed to also be about seven-years-old. She was stroking my hair but again I was paralysed and I couldn't wake myself up." Multiple attackers I remember something waking me. I looked down at the end of my bed to see a tall figure looming over me, bending over me with the room. And four other figures to its side. I then could feel some invisible creature kneeling on my chest choking me. It felt as if there were others holding down my limbs." Unable to scream "I woke up early in the morning, the bedroom was bright, my eyes were open, but I could not move or speak. I saw a moving dark shadow in the corner of the bedroom, tried to scream and move but couldn't. Then it felt like something was sitting on my chest and it was getting harder and harder to breath. I kept trying to scream and move but couldn't and then I finally woke up after what felt like ages." - Extracts from sleep paralysis survey conducted by the School of Psychology in NUI Galway Top 5 sleep paralysis signs 1. Sensed Threat: a presence in the room, being touched and/or unusual sounds 2. Dissociation: you temporarily leave your body and are looking down on yourself from above 3. Somatic: unusual smells, erotic arousal, body moving/spinning/lifting 4. Fear of Death: sense of being strangled, smothered or pressure on chest 5. Immobility: unable to speak or open eyes. - Data from sleep paralysis survey conducted by the School of Psychology in NUI Galway Despite its reputation for being a rich man's playground, affordable luxury is possible in Dubai, says Richard Jones. The fiery red sun is sinking beneath desert dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see in every direction. The only noises piercing the eerie silence are the revs of 4x4 engines, followed by the laughter of our driver and gasps from passengers as we climb another dune. We are taking part in one of Arabian Adventures' Sundowner Desert Safaris - a magical evening that begins with a thrilling journey over the sand dunes in the Dubai Conservation Reserve, and ends with a Middle Eastern feast under the stars at a traditional Bedouin-style camp. Although we had only arrived in the UAE a few hours earlier, the forest of shiny skyscrapers, network of busy highways, and hustle and bustle of the city that greeted us now seems a million miles away. "Largest in the world", and "world record holder" are phrases that I hear quite often on my five-day trip to Dubai. Expand Close Arabian Adventures' Sundowner Desert Safaris. PA Photo/Handout. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Arabian Adventures' Sundowner Desert Safaris. PA Photo/Handout. Construction work is taking place everywhere, and it's even been suggested that 25 per cent of the world's cranes are situated in the city, as it continues to expand both horizontally and vertically. But despite being the world's fastest growing urban area, Dubai is still in touch with its traditions and Arabian way of life, and visitors can easily find areas rich in history and culture, as well as modern luxuries that won't break the bank. Of course, it is totally free to visit Dubai's old town, but for just 155 Dirhams (37) per person, an Arabian Adventures guide will take you on a Merchants' Tour around the cobblestoned streets of the Fahidi Historical District, across the Dubai Creek and on to the famous spice and gold souks. Almost everything you can think of is for sale at these markets, some of it authentic and valuable, but most not. However, it's great fun finding out what's what - bartering and bantering with the shopkeepers, and trying out the local delicacies, including camel milk chocolate. For Western visitors to the UAE, it is also worth popping down to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Expand Close The Palm Jumeirah. PA Photo/Handout. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Palm Jumeirah. PA Photo/Handout. At the SMCCU, we join a pair of Emirati hosts for a traditional Saturday breakfast (100 Dirhams/24 per person) to talk about a variety of topics, including the Muslim dress code, the Arabs' role in the world and even the abstinence of pork and alcohol. In fact, the two hosts encourage us to ask them absolutely anything - the more outrageous and controversial the better, as they attempt to (and succeed in) opening the eyes of the handful of tourists in their audience. Nevertheless, despite Dubai's rich history, it is the 21st-century hotels, shopping malls, beaches, clubs and bars that have made the city into of the most popular tourist destinations on Earth. And although many visitors are bound to make a beeline for the high-rise hotels down on Jumeirah Beach or at the Marina, boutique hotels such as Manzil Downtown Dubai and Vida Downtown Dubai, offer a similar level of service, luxury and comfort, but in a more scaled-down fashion. And with a much more digestible price tag of around 190 per night for a deluxe double room. Both Manzil and Vida ooze style, and from their location on the palm-tree laden Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, they have amazing views of mega-tall skyscraper the Burj Khalifa, and are a stone's throw away from the Dubai Fountains and Dubai Mall. Manzil, from the Arabic word meaning 'home', is the slightly more traditional of the two, and with its white, brown and beige decor, has more of an Arabian theme. The ultra-hip Vida, meanwhile, has fashionable urban styling throughout its six floors and the cabana-surrounded pool is the place to be on a Friday afternoon. Before I arrived in Dubai, I had heard all about the legendary all-you-can-eat-and-drink Friday Brunches that take place throughout the city's hotels. But nothing could have prepared me for Vida's weekly Urban Picnic event. With packages starting at 295 Dirhams (70) per person, it is one of the best value brunch events in the city, especially compared to most of the larger hotels on Jumeirah Beach, which usually charge upwards of 135. Expand Close The Burj Khalifa. PA Photo/Handout. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Burj Khalifa. PA Photo/Handout. After a sophisticated first hour with a banquet of food in the cool air-conditioned 3In1 restaurant, the action soon spreads out into the cabanas, where (with a 27 upgrade on the basic drinks package), Moet & Chandon and ice buckets are the order of the day. A great place to visit any night, but particularly post-brunch at Vida, is the sky lounge NEOS Bar over the road at The Address Downtown Dubai - where you can take a lift to the 63rd floor and enjoy surprisingly reasonably-priced beers or cocktails, with views of the glittering city below. The cream-coloured taxis are dirt cheap as well in Dubai. Fifty Dirhams (12) will get you from any area of central Dubai to another, meaning even if you're on a budget, you can still see most parts of this amazing city. On our final day, we leave the steaming hot city, desert and old town behind, and head to Jumeirah Beach for a cooling afternoon of watersports at Watercooled, adjacent to the Doubletree By Hilton Hotel. We cruise around the bay on a Hobie catamaran (just 200 Dirhams, or 48, between a small group for half an hour), while the others try stand-up paddleboarding (100 Dirhams for an hour), all in the shadow of the enormous Manhattan-style skyline created by the luxury big-name hotels. There is also work going on erecting a London Eye-style ferris wheel just off Jumeirah Beach, but as with the Big Ben replica and most other things in the city, it will be significantly bigger than the original. And speaking of size, on our final evening in Dubai, we get to see what all the fuss is about - and take the 124 floors up to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa. The 829m skyscraper is a wonder of modern technology. It took six years to complete, with 20,000 people working on the tower in its final weeks of construction. The overall cost eventually reached more than 1.3bn, so the 125 Dirham (30) entrance fee to scale the world's tallest building hardly seems extortionate. Neighbouring Saudi Arabia is currently in the process of building something even bigger - the Kingdom Tower. But if there's one thing I learn from my weekend in Dubai, it's that no expense will be spared to topple the world record again. And that's the thing about Dubai, although there is cash, construction and sheer extravagance everywhere, Arabian adventure and affordable luxury is also within your grasp. The real jewels in Dubai's crown are still relatively inexpensive and, as the stunning sunset over the desert proves, the best things in life are free. Get there Richard Jones was a guest of Dubai Tourism. For more information about Dubai call +44 020 7321 6110 or see visitdubai.com. Return economy flights with Emirates (emirates.com/ie) from Dublin are available from 509, going to press. Arabian Adventures offers the Sundowner Desert Safari from AED 360 (86) per person, and the half-day City of Merchants Tour is priced at AED 155 (37) per person. arabian-adventures.com The World Meeting of Families is one of the Catholic Church's biggest gatherings. It is held every three years at a different location around the world, and last year Pope Francis announced that he had chosen Dublin to be the next venue. The Catholic faithful attend this event in their tens of thousands from every corner of the globe. Logistically, it will be harder to plan for this papal visit than it was for the last one in 1979. Forty years ago, Ireland was the jewel in the Catholic crown in Europe. There was no real vocations crisis, the clerical abuse scandals had yet to erupt and aggressive secularism was something people linked with Communist Russia, not Mother Ireland. A massive turnout was guaranteed for John Paul II, who was the first ever pope to visit Ireland. The main challenge then was catering for numbers such as the 1.25 million who turned up in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Security was another major issue, as the Troubles raged. The planned visit to the North, as we know, had to be shelved as the Pope's security couldn't be guaranteed, and so he went to Drogheda instead. In 2018, security will still be an issue, but instead of the Troubles, Islamic terrorism will be uppermost in the security forces' minds. Other headaches include possible indifference to a papal visit as the Church in Ireland today is a much diminished institution compared to 1979. "Ireland is a very different place from the Ireland John Paul visited and the Irish Church is in a humbler and less arrogant place," according to Fr Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests. Mass attendances have plummeted, vocations to the priesthood are in freefall, and the Church is still grappling with people's anger over the mishandling of allegations of clerical abuse. Pope Francis's age is another factor which could militate against plans for a visit. Hence the Vatican's coyness in officially confirming a visit - leaving the planners in Rome and Dublin guessing. Then there is the Pope himself - noted for his willingness to tear up the rulebook. Francis could very well decide to come to Ireland and visit the peripheries, and restrict his pastoral outreach to things like homeless projects, eschewing any large-scale gatherings. No one knows what his plans are. One area that will have seen great changes since 1979 is the better relations between the various Christian Churches across the island of Ireland and the better political relationships north and south of the Border, and between Britain and Ireland. At this juncture, the programme for the World Meeting of Families has not yet been put together and so there is no indication of whether we are talking about a papal mass in Croke Park or the Phoenix Park, or a visit to something like the Capuchin Day Centre. The International Eucharistic Congress in 2012 may perhaps serve as some kind of a template - but as to whether Pope Francis will come for all four days between August 22-26, 2018, or one day is anyone's guess. For Francis, a visit to Ireland in 2018 would not be the first time he has set foot on Irish soil. In 1980, he spent a couple of months in Milltown Park in Dublin studying English. An entry in the bursar's ledger for February of that year notes Fr Bergolio SJ received 7 for cassettes and 14 for English grinds. Donal Neary SJ, editor of 'The Messenger' magazine, remembers the Pope when he stayed in Milltown. He says he doesn't expect the same kind of crowds as those that came out when John Paul II visited in 1979, but he still thinks there will be a great welcome. "Whatever happens, and no matter where he goes, there will certainly be a warm welcome for him," said Mr Neary. Mr Kenny has rejected the notion that he had gone to Rome cap in hand. Photo: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino For centuries, the Catholic Church here was not just a part of the life of the people, it ruled much of the life of the country. From how people lived, what they thought, and even ate, was all covered by doctrine. Such obedience to the force of the word that came first from Rome and filtered from pulpit to pew is hard to fathom today. Inevitably, this relationship would be challenged; tested by new thinking, technology and science. But the paedophile scandals, and their subsequent cover-ups, meant that the Church lost much of its authority. In 2011, Taoiseach Enda Kenny unleashed an angry tirade on the Vatican for its failures. There followed a period of coolness and distance which Mr Kenny's warm engagement yesterday with Pope Francis sought to end. The announcement that Pope Francis will visit Ireland in 2018 will be welcomed by most. The vast majority of clergy in this country have done an invaluable service to the State; their vast contribution should never be forgotten. But Ireland is a far more secular society than that which Pope John Paul found in 1979. The boundaries between Church and State are far clearer. A more diverse society asserts the right to examine and assert its own values. The Catholic Church will always have a contribution, but it will not be the sole arbiter. Pope Francis will attend the Vatican's World Meeting of the Family in Dublin in August 2018. There must be no clash between the Papal visit and any proposed vote surrounding abortion, this would serve nobody's interest. Mr Kenny has rejected the notion that he had gone to Rome "cap in hand". He also described Pope Francis as "a very special person . . . I would say, though, that Church-State relations in Ireland are in better shape now than for very many years". Mr Kenny's trip to Rome has probably helped repair damaged bridges, but judging such matters in absolute terms is probably futile. As Talleyrand wrote: "A diplomat who says 'yes' means 'maybe', a diplomat who says 'maybe' means 'no', and a diplomat who says 'no' is no diplomat." Brooklyn Beckham has amassed millions of fans across his social media accounts Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, is set to release a book of his photography next year. The 17-year-old's debut book will be called What I See and will feature up to 300 pictures captured and curated by himself in order to give readers a look at the world from his "unique" point of view. An aspiring photographer, Beckham has amassed millions of fans across his social media accounts, with just under nine million on his frequently updated Instagram page alone. Penguin Random House Children's UK will publish the book in May 2017. Managing director Francesca Dow said: "At Penguin Random House Children's we are delighted to be publishing What I See, a title from one of the most influential and interesting young adult voices in the UK today. "Brooklyn Beckham's images inspire a generation across the globe, and this book will give his fans a broader insight into the world seen through his unique and creative perspective." Earlier this year, the teenager shot the images for a Burberry Brit fragrance campaign and he has also found work as a model, appearing in campaigns and in magazines on the other side of the camera. It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Georgia congressman Tom Price, a fierce critic of Obamacare, to oversee the nation's health care system and Elaine Chao, a veteran of George W Bush's cabinet, to lead the Department of Transportation. Both have long ties to Washington. Mr Price, picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services after more than a decade in Congress, helped craft House Speaker Paul Ryan's plan to privatise Medicare - a position Mr Trump opposed in the campaign. Medicare is a federal health insurance programme for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with permanent kidney failure. Ms Chao, who was the first Asian-American woman to serve in a president's cabinet, is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Mr Trump announced his choice of Mr Price, while the selection of Ms Chao was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the decision but not authorised to speak publicly. The selections came as Mr Trump spent another day with advisers in his Manhattan skyscraper, racing through meetings with prospective administration hires as high-profile vacancies loom - none bigger than secretary of state. As conservatives largely praised Tuesday's picks, Mr Price's selection raised questions about the incoming president's commitment to Medicare, among other popular entitlement programmes he repeatedly vowed to preserve before the election. The Georgia congressman led GOP efforts on Capitol Hill to transform Medicare into a voucher-like system, a change that if enacted, would likely dramatically reduce government spending on the health care programme that serves an estimated 48 million elderly and another nine million disabled people. Mr Trump did not address Mr Price's position on Medicare in a statement released by his transition team. The team did not respond to subsequent questions about it. "Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on health care policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity," Mr Trump said. "He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible health care to every American." Mr Trump, in a 2015 interview promoted on his campaign website, pledged not to cut expensive entitlement programmes that Republicans have fought for years to cut to help reduce the federal deficit. "I'm not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican. And I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid. Every other Republican's going to cut," Mr Trump told the Daily Signal. He later changed his mind on Medicaid, embracing the GOP concept of turning the programme over to the states with a fixed amount of federal "block grant" funding. Like any Cabinet official, Mr Price would carry out the wishes of the president. And a sweeping Medicare initiative would have to go through Congress with some Democratic support, which would be unlikely. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, a leading Democratic voice on health care, called Mr Price a leader of the movement to privatise Medicare. She said his selection "will result in the complete undermining of our nation's health care system". Like Mr Price, Ms Chao is well-known in Washington, having led the Department of Labour for several years under Mr Bush. Her record at the Labour Department suggests she would bring a light hand to safety enforcement as transportation secretary. Under Ms Chao, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration did not issue a single significant new safety regulation for four years. Mine safety inspectors were cut and inspections reduced. Whether it is integrating drones into the national airspace, deploying self-driving cars or "some other new technology, she's not going to be especially inclined to second guess the industry when they say that this will be safe", said Thomas McGarity, a University of Texas law professor and author of Freedom To Harm, a book about the Labour Department that includes Ms Chao's tenure. Both Mr Price and Ms Chao would require Senate confirmation. Major Cabinet vacancies remain. The president-elect summoned former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to New York for dinner on Tuesday night to discuss the secretary of state job for a second time. He was also meeting with Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who is getting new attention from Mr Trump's team. On Monday, Mr Trump spent an hour with former CIA director David Petraeus, another contender. Transition aides said Mr Trump was likely at least a few days away from a decision. Even as he weighed crucial Cabinet decisions, Mr Trump appeared distracted by outside issues - or eager to create distractions himself. He took to Twitter early on Tuesday to declare that "nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag". He warned that those who do should face "perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Mr Trump offered no context for his message. The Supreme Court has ruled that flag burning is protected by the First Amendment, and Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Tuesday he does not support Mr Trump's approach. "I support the First Amendment," he said. The president-elect spent the weekend tweeting his opposition to recount efforts in up to three states led by Green Party candidate Jill Stein and joined by Hillary Clinton's team. He also claimed that millions of people had voted illegally in the presidential election but provided no evidence. AP Donald Trump yesterday threatened to reverse the restoration of diplomatic ties between the US and Cuba unless the Cuban regime makes concessions to Washington. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the US as a whole, I will terminate deal," the president-elect said in a warning on Twitter. That deal was struck in 2014 by President Barack Obama and Raul Castro, the Cuban president, and led to embassies being restored, expanded trade and an increase in travel between the two countries after a half century of frozen relations. In the days after the death of Fidel Castro - Raul's brother and the Cuban leader for a half century - Mr Trump and his top advisers have foreshadowed a hawkish approach to the Communist island. It came as tens of thousands of Cubans poured into Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana yesterday, queuing in the baking sun for hours to pay their respects to Castro. Standing solemnly in a line that snaked on two sides around the plaza, winding out of the square like giant tentacles, many had arrived at the scene hours before dawn broke - bringing umbrellas for shade, photos, and placards proclaiming their adoration. With his ashes under lock and key in the ministry of defence across the road, a shrine had been set up inside a chamber beneath the giant statue of Jose Marti, Cuba's independence hero. Flanked by a purple curtain and protected by ornately-dressed military guards, a wreath of white flowers was placed beside a black and white photo of Castro in his guerrilla days, gazing out across the mountains. Canons were fired on the hour to mark the day of mourning, blasting out from the fort at the mouth of the bay of Havana and echoing along the Malecon seafront. "Fidel was my first love," Teresa Avello Bardez (80) said, who had queued since 6.30am to file through the square. "I give him eternal thanks. He was a giant of humanity, and can never be forgotten." The carefully orchestrated scene in the plaza had been many years in the planning, and will be continued today - his revolution in essence coming full circle, with Castro bidding farewell from the same square where he proclaimed himself Cuba's leader. Tomorrow, a procession of his ashes will set out from the plaza, travelling 1,100km, the length of Cuba, for burial on Sunday in Santiago. The route will retrace his "Caravan of Liberty" - the journey he made from Santiago to Havana in 1959, to announce that his guerrilla army had taken over. Precise points on the voyage were yet to be confirmed, but it was expected to pass through historical sites such as the Bay of Pigs, Santa Clara - scene of an epic battle led by Che Guevara - and his birthplace of Biran, 100km north of Santiago. World leaders are split over whether to attend the funeral. Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, announced yesterday that he would not attend, days after his warm comments about Castro caused a backlash. British PM Theresa May will not be travelling to Cuba, and last night Mr Obama's spokesman confirmed he would stay away. Mr Trump condemned Castro on Saturday as a "brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades". "Fidel Castro's legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights," he said in a statement. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] The academic who was accused by Sotheby's of having had a "direct impact" on the failure of the sale of a Beethoven manuscript has said it would have been "irresponsible" to not air his expert views on the item. The London-based auctioneer became embroiled in a heated dispute over the validity of the manuscript for Beethoven's Allegretto In B Minor with Manchester University's Professor Barry Cooper. The academic said that the piece was not written by the composer himself and argued his point during a heated discussion with Sotheby's director of books and manuscripts Dr Simon Maguire on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. The handwritten score was expected to fetch up to 200,000 at auction but failed to sell during Tuesday's Music and Continental Books and Manuscripts sale. Prof Cooper was dubbed "irresponsible" by Sotheby's because he had not inspected the document himself. But he has maintained that it would have been more irresponsible to refrain from sharing his doubts about the manuscript's authenticity when examining the composer's handwriting from afar. He said that his "over 40 years" of studying Beethoven's manuscripts put him in solid stead to state they were not the handiwork of the composer himself. Prof Cooper told the Press Association: "I cannot see how it can be regarded as irresponsible to point out, as a Beethoven expert who has been studying his manuscripts for over 40 years, that certain features in this manuscript do not match Beethoven's handwriting anywhere else, and that the only plausible conclusion is that he did not write it himself; it is simply a careful copy of his autograph score. "It would in fact be irresponsible not to point this out. Of course I took into account its provenance and inscription, but they do not alter the details of the handwriting. "Moreover, although a personal inspection would enable me to study the paper type and the nature of the ink, handwriting features are perfectly evident in a good photocopy such as I have. "Sotheby's have not named a single world-renowned Beethoven scholar who considers the writing to be Beethoven's. On the other hand, I could easily name six Beethoven scholars who are convinced this is not his own handwriting, and I have not yet encountered a single one who disagrees. "Sotheby's are well aware that one outstanding Beethoven scholar inspected the manuscript in person last week and confirmed that doing so made no difference at all. He was appalled that they were trying to sell it as genuine when it quite clearly was not." He concluded: "I am happy to agree with Sotheby's that this manuscript is an authentic and important piece of musical history; but it was not written by Beethoven, and I notice that their latest statement does not actually assert that it was, if read carefully." A Sotheby's spokesman said: "We believe it was irresponsible for a third party to raise doubts about Beethoven's Allegretto In B Minor manuscript when they had not inspected it first-hand or taken into account its provenance and the inscription by an English vicar confirming that it was composed and written by Beethoven. "This unfortunately had a direct impact on the auction sale, but Sotheby's stands by its description of the manuscript as an authentic and important piece of musical history and Sotheby's view is shared by the majority of world-renowned Beethoven scholars who have inspected the manuscript personally." The manuscript has been described as Allegretto In B Minor For String Quartet composed and written by Beethoven on November 29 1817 in Vienna. Prof Cooper disputed "several aspects which prove absolutely that it couldn't possibly be Beethoven's hand" on the BBC Radio 4 programme prior to the auction. Dr Maguire said two world-class specialists had examined the document to assess and verify it and claimed Beethoven experts "think it is more a matter of Prof Cooper misreading the manuscript than anybody else, let alone Beethoven". "I don't agree with his analysis of what the manuscript says," he said. In the increasingly heated exchange on air, Dr Maguire said the professor had "resolutely refused" to visit the auction house to look at the manuscript. Prof Cooper said there was no need to make the journey to London because he was able to see "perfectly clearly" that it was not penned by the composer, and branded the situation ''absurd''. Politicians in the Dutch parliament have approved a limited ban on "face-covering clothing" including Islamic veils and robes such as the burqa. Politicians in the lower house of the Dutch parliament have approved a limited ban on "face-covering clothing" including Islamic veils and robes such as the burqa and niqab. The legislation, approved by a large majority in the 150-seat lower house, must now be approved by the upper house of parliament before it can be signed into law. Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders called the limited ban, "a step in the right direction" and said he will push for a full burqa ban if his Freedom Party wins elections in March. Studies suggest that only a few hundred women in the Netherlands wear niqabs or full-face burqas, but successive governments have attempted to ban the garments - following the example of European countries such as France and Belgium. The Dutch proposal, described by the government as "religion-neutral", does not go as far as the complete bans in those countries. It applies on public transport and in education institutions, health institutions such as hospitals, and government buildings. In a debate last week that paved the way for Tuesday's swift vote, Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk acknowledged that debate about the burqa had played a major role in the ban. But Mr Plasterk, who is from the centre-left Labour Party, said that in a free country like the Netherlands people should be allowed to appear in public with their faces covered, if they want to - but that in government buildings, schools and hospitals people need to be able to look each other in the face. The maximum fine for breaching the ban, which also covers ski masks and full-face helmets, is just over 400 euro (340). AP Paul Price, the stepfather of model Katie Price, at Chichester Crown Court where he is standing trial accused of rape Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Model Katie Price spoke of her love for her stepfather amid allegations he twice raped a woman following a group night out in a seaside resort, a court has heard. The television personality described Paul Price, 53, as a "loving" and "fun" person who despite not being her biological father she regards as "my dad". Her feelings for her father were read in a statement to Chichester Crown Court in West Sussex, where Price denies two counts of rape. In the statement, read in her absence by defence counsel Abigail Penny, Ms Price said: "My dad Paul Price has always been so loving and such a fun person to be around. Expand Close Sophie Price, the daughter of Paul Price, leaves Chichester Crown Court where her father is standing trial accused of rape Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sophie Price, the daughter of Paul Price, leaves Chichester Crown Court where her father is standing trial accused of rape Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire "He is always supportive in all situations and always puts us family first. "Although he is not my biological dad, he took me and my brother on from a young age and I regard him as my dad. "I know he is there for me for everything. In fact you can't keep people away - he is a people person." Ms Price, 38, also told how Price was "amazing" with his grandchildren, including her son Harvey, who has disabilities. Expand Close Paul Price, the stepfather of model Katie Price, is accompanied by his wife Amy Price as he arrives at Chichester Crown Court, where he is standing trial accused of rape Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Price, the stepfather of model Katie Price, is accompanied by his wife Amy Price as he arrives at Chichester Crown Court, where he is standing trial accused of rape Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire Her statement went on: "I want to come to court to support my dad but because of the media interest it's best I don't attend as I don't want a media circus." Her statement was read after Price's 27-year-old daughter Sophie Price broke down in tears as she defended her father, describing him as "fun" and "nice". Asked by Ms Penny how she feels about her father in light of the rape allegations, she told the court: "The same, fine, normal. I don't look at him any differently. "I love my dad." Expand Close Katie Price (right) with her mother Amy, stepfather Paul and then-boyfriend Peter Andre, as the model spoke of her love for her stepfather amid allegations he twice raped a woman following a group night out in a seaside resort, a court has heard Credit: Ian West/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katie Price (right) with her mother Amy, stepfather Paul and then-boyfriend Peter Andre, as the model spoke of her love for her stepfather amid allegations he twice raped a woman following a group night out in a seaside resort, a court has heard Credit: Ian West/PA Wire Price, a fence erector, is alleged to have twice raped a woman following a group night out in Worthing on March 21 last year. Prosecutors claim he raped the alleged victim first after following her out of a taxi when she complained of feeling sick en route to his home. It is then alleged a second rape occurred in woodland after the pair got back into a taxi and got dropped off near Price's home in North Drive, Angmering. He said on both occasions he could not get an erection. The woman has said she feared Price was going to kill her as he had his hands round her throat, telling jurors: "The ferocity with which he grabbed me was shocking." In his defence, Price said she consented to sex, that she never resisted or told him to stop and that she returned with him to his house following the alleged attacks where she and her husband were staying that night. Price told jurors they had been laughing and joking after getting out of the taxi, then started to cuddle, kiss and hold hands before she told him: "I haven't had sex for a year." Summing up, prosecutor Gabrielle Henty said the alleged victim was in "an impossible position" and was "terrified" about what Price would do if she did not submit to him. Ms Henty addressed the jury on evidence that the complainant returned to Price's home following the alleged rapes by him. She told jurors: "Her fear is the key to understanding her behaviour. She was alone, she couldn't get anyone on the phone and she was desperate to get back to (Price's) house where her husband was." She went on: "A state of panic, a state of trauma can have a strange effect on people. They can do things that in the cold light of day is an illogical thing." Ms Henty said Price "knew full well what he wanted and what he was doing" and that he used force to sexually attack her. She said: "Perhaps the reality of the situation was that his inhibitions were lost and he simply ignored the feelings and wishes of (the alleged victim) who at that particular moment in time was the object of his attentions." Ms Henty spoke of suggestions that the alleged victim had "commercial" reasons for bringing the rape claims, and pointed to evidence that she was initially reluctant to report the incident to police in case it harmed her livelihood. "She is right when she tells you that she did not consent to what went on," Ms Henty told jurors. In her closing speech, defence counsel Abigail Penny questioned why the woman got into a taxi with Price after he allegedly raped her. And she queried why the complainant did not ask the taxi driver to call the police to tell them she had been attacked. Ms Penny pointed to claims made by the alleged victim that Price was a sex addict, a claim that was ruled out by his GP in a letter to the court. And Ms Penny said "another proven lie" by the complainant was to a doctor when he questioned her about her alcohol consumption on the night of the alleged rapes. She told the doctor that she had drunk two vodkas when "even on her own account" she had drunk more, Ms Penny said. She also added it was "pure fantasy" for the alleged victim to claim she incurred neck injuries from being wedged between two tree trunks. Ms Penny said her account was "implausible" and "untrue". And she said: "The defence say to you, you cannot be sure that she was telling the truth." Ms Penny went on: "Let me be frank - I can't tell you why she made these allegations. "There are all sorts of possibilities. You may think the fact that she made reference to the allegations on Facebook may suggest she is attention-seeking." Ms Penny asked jurors to consider whether the woman also might be "a bit unhinged" - pointing to her alleged reference in the Chinese restaurant to having a microchip in her back to enable her to alert London gangsters to her whereabouts. And Ms Penny said the woman had "disgraced" herself in the restaurant by talking about gangsters, stabbing a member of their group with a fork and making remarks about "transvestites". Concluding her closing speech, Ms Penny added: "I suggest to you that you consider these two charges in the context of two consenting adults who had drunk too much and had lowered their inhibitions." The jury will retire on Wednesday. The case was adjourned to 11am. General view of the cordoned-off scene around Charles Street, in Hull, where a 31-year-old man was shot and injured by police. Photo: Amy Murphy/PA Wire General view of the cordoned-off scene around Charles Street, in Hull, where a 31-year-old man was shot and injured by police. Photo: Amy Murphy/PA Wire General view of the cordoned-off scene around Charles Street, in Hull, where a 31-year-old man was shot and injured by police. Photo: Amy Murphy/PA Wire General view of the cordoned-off scene around Charles Street, in Hull, where a 31-year-old man was shot and injured by police. Photo: Amy Murphy/PA Wire Police in the UK have shot a man following a serious incident in Hull. umberside Police said the incident happened after armed officers were sent to the Holderness Road area of Hull on Tuesday morning "following reports of concerns for the safety of the public in relation to a man" near a post office. A force spokesman said: "The man, who cannot be named, is now receiving medical attention. "An investigation is under way and the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is standard practice in such incidents. "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this time." The area around Charles Street, near Hull city centre, was cordoned off on Tuesday morning and there was a large police presence. Fire officers could be seen erecting large screens in a car park in Francis Street and there appeared to be a red and white screen in place outside a building. Office workers stood outside the building watching as police stood guard at the cordons. A man near the scene, who did not want to be named, said he believed the injured man was his cousin. He said his cousin suffers from mental health issues and has problems with drugs. He said: "All I've heard is one of my friends rang me and said 'Your cousin's been running around with an axe and he's been Tasered and they've shot him'. That's all I know. "I'm going to go and find out how he is now." The cause of the fire is unknown A fire at a student dormitory for girls in the southern Turkish town of Aladag has killed 12 people and wounded 22 others, according to a Turkish governor. Adana Governor Mahmut Demirtas was quoted by Turkey's state-run news agency on Tuesday night as giving the death toll and saying the wounded were taken to a hospital. The Anadolu Agency also reported that the fire took place in a middle-school dormitory for girls. The cause of the fire is unknown. Turkish television showed flames rising from a multiple-storey building in the town and firefighters deployed at the scene. AP A passenger makes a phone call in an airport as pilots of German Lufthansa airline went on a two day strike for higher wages (AP) Pilots at German airline Lufthansa are on strike again after a two-day break in their campaign of walkouts. The company has cancelled 816 short-haul flights scheduled for Tuesday. The walkout by the Cockpit union is to be followed on Wednesday by a strike hitting both short-haul and long-haul services. Lufthansa has cancelled 890 flights scheduled for Wednesday. The strikes follow four consecutive days of walkouts last week. Lufthansa and Cockpit are far apart in a pay dispute which has dragged on for more than two years. The airline failed to persuade a Munich court to issue an injunction blocking the latest strike. The company said around 82,000 passengers will be affected by Tuesday's walkout, and 98,000 by Wednesday's. Closed-door session: The lift shuts on Tom Price as he arrives at Trump Tower in New York (AP) Closed-door session: The lift shuts on Tom Price as he arrives at Trump Tower in New York (AP) US president-elect Donald Trump has selected Georgia congressman Tom Price, a leading critic of Barack Obama's sweeping health care law, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a person familiar with the decision. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Price, 62, will play a central role in Republican efforts to repeal and replace the current health care law. Mr Trump has pledged to move quickly on overhauling the landmark measure, but has been vague about what he hopes to see in a replacement bill. The president-elect has said he favours keeping provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents' health insurance and prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. Mr Trump is expected to announce Mr Price's nomination as early as Tuesday, the source said. Mr Price, a six-term congressman and orthopaedic surgeon, has chaired the House of Representatives' Budget Committee for the past two years. A bookish conservative from the Atlanta suburbs, he has worked closely with house speaker Paul Ryan to assemble Republican budgets aimed at reducing the annual deficit. Last week Mr Price said whatever Republicans do to replace Mr Obama's health care law would bear a "significant resemblance" to a 2015 measure vetoed by the president. That bill would have gutted some of the health care law's main features: Medicaid expansion; subsidies to help middle-class Americans buy private policies; tax penalties for individuals who refused to get coverage; and several taxes to support coverage expansion. The bill would have delayed implementation for two years. Mr Price insisted that Republicans could keep the protections for those with existing medical conditions without mandating that all individuals carry coverage or pay a penalty to support an expanded insurance pool. He said Republicans wanted to address "the real cost drivers" of health care price increases, which he said were not necessarily sicker patients, but a heavy regulatory burden, taxes and lawsuits against medical professionals. AP Last week Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi had confirmed that he will soon start shooting with Thala Ajith for 'AK57' directed by Siva. The 'Saathiya' actor has reached Bulgaria today and has posted a video from the location where everything is covered by snow fall.It is apparently taken from window of his hotel suite where he landed today. In the video he says "Romba Nalla Irukku" (It is very good to be here) without revealing his getup. He is expected to joint 'AK57' unit from tomorrow (November 30). The third and final schedule of 'AK57' has been progressing in Bulgaria and it will go on till January 2017. The film produced by Sathya Jyothi Films banner is expected to hit the screens in April 2017. Markets see a day in red Indian equity markets saw a day in red today. Nifty 50 ended the day, down by 62.55 points. Sensex ended the day, down by 215.26 points. Top Gainers today were Hindalco, Sun Pharma, ITC. Top Lo... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 4:08 pm Pudumjee Paper PBT rises 57% during Q2FY23 Pudumjee Paper Products Limited (PPPL), has reported impressive results for the six-month period ended September 30, 2022. During the six-month period ended September 30, 2022, the C... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 3:23 pm Airtel crosses 1 million customers on it 5G network Bharti Airtel on Wednesday has announced that it has crossed the 1 million unique 5G user mark on its network. The company achieved this milestone in less than 30 days of its commercial la... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 2:50 pm Rupee declines 12 paise against the dollar In morning trade on Wednesday, the rupee lost 12 paise to 82.71 against the US dollar due to a flat trend in domestic stocks. Forex traders reported that the rupee started the day flat before t... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 2:45 pm Markets near day's low with Nifty below 18,100 Domestic benchmark indices trading in the red after a gap-down opening on Wednesday. Both the Sensex and Nifty benchmarks are marginally lower in the afternoon market session. Moreover, globall... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 2:00 pm The Daily Haze on YouTube: Interview with Standing Rock woman who was shot in the face with a tear gas canister by police Tensions continue to escalate after the Obama administration opened up the largest #NoDAPL campsite to continued persecution and prosecution by hostile authorities in North Dakota. According to an "emergency" directive signed by Dalrymple on Monday , the thousands of people living and working at Oceti Sakowin Seven Council Fires ) "are ordered to leave the evacuation area immediately, and are further ordered not to return to the evacuation area." The order brought a quick rebuke from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe . Chairman Dave Archambault II called it a "blatant attempt by the state and local officials to usurp and circumvent federal authority." "If the true concern is for public safety than the governor should clear the blockade and the county law enforcement should cease all use of flash grenades, high-pressure water cannons in freezing temperatures, dog kennels for temporary human jails, and any harmful weaponry against human beings," Archambault said in a statement I'm back online and doing well - thank you for all the kind messages of concern and support! These photos are from the... Posted by Rob Wilson Photography on Sunday, November 27, 2016 #NoDAPL Photos by Rob Wilson [GoFundMe] The dehumanizing tactics cited by Archambault have been well documented by the media tribal leaders and hundreds of people on the ground in North Dakota. But Kirchmeier, whose efforts are supported by the non-Indian political structure in the county, has shown no signs of pulling back his militarized forces. A lawsuit that was filed in federal court on Monday seeks to put an end to the brutal campaign, which has grown in force since early August. The class action accuses Kirchmeier of violating the civil rights of hundreds of people who have traveled to the region to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline "Defendants conduct caused serious injuries to numerous water protectors," a request for an emergency order against the sheriff and his forces reads. "Eyewitnesses reported that defendants aimed highly dangerous SIM at protesters heads and fired at close range," it continued, referring to the use of Specialty Impact Munitions , such as stinger grenades, water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and other less lethal weapons. "Defendants shot some water protectors squarely in the head, sending them to the hospital for CT scans or to have head wounds closed with stitches or staples," the court filing stated. "Defendants SIM and tear gas canisters struck water protectors, knocking some of them unconscious. Some water protectors hit with these munitions vomited blood or suffered seizures." The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit is Vanessa Dundon . She is a member of the Navajo Nation who was shot in the face by a tear gas container at close range during a particularly violent confrontation on November 20 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it is establishing a "Free Speech Area" south of the Cannonball River in North Dakota while closing public land north of the river to the largest #NoDAPL encampment. Source: U.S. ACE Even though she may lose the use of her right eye because her retina was severely injured, Dundon has no plans to abandon the #NoDAPL movement. She wants to stop Kirchmeier from continuing to inflict harm on pipeline resisters. "I worry that I will be subjected to further abuses if I continue to participate in actions to protect the water in Morton County," she stated in a sworn declaration . "As a result of the actions of the Morton County Sheriff and assisting agencies, I am afraid and nervous about participating in further First Amendment activity in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline in Morton County even though I want to gather and assembly peacefully with others who share my views." In the past, the wealthy backers of the Dakota Access Pipeline have complained about the #NoDAPL campsites, claiming they posed a risk to construction crews. But they haven't said anything about the increasingly brutal efforts of law enforcement. Instead, the firm has focused on completing the pipeline even though it lacks an easement for work near the encampment. A cross-claim filed in federal court earlier this month claims a right to drill under the Missouri River, not far from the Cannonball River. The Army Corps says it is establishing a "Free Speech Area" south of the river. That would put pipeline resisters even further away from Dakota Access construction sites. Join the Conversation Related Stories Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti have discussed joint efforts to privatize state-owned enterprises in Ukraine, in particular, Odesa port-side chemical plant. According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, at a meeting on November 28 the sides discussed and agreed the agenda of further cooperation. "The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is our financial partner, an extremely important investor in Ukraine. We deeply appreciate the cooperation with you," Groysman said. The premier thanked the EBRD for practical work associated with thrusting the arch on the Shelter object, as well as for the EBRD activities as an administrator of the Chornobyl Shelter fund and the Nuclear Safety Account. During the meeting the parties also discussed joint efforts for privatization of state enterprises in Ukraine, in particular, Odesa port-side chemical plant, as well as cooperation in reforming the management of state-owned enterprises. Adult colouring books are quite the rage these days and according to therapists, these help one relax and unwind. A recent study has found that everyday creative activity may lead to an "upward spiral" of increased wellbeing and creativity in young adults. myvietdoctor.com In the new research from New Zealand University, Department of Psychology, led by Dr Tamlin Conner, researchers asked 658 university students to keep a daily diary of their experiences and emotional states over 13 days. After analysing the diaries of the researchers, Dr Tamlin Conner found a pattern of participants feeling more enthusiasm and higher "flourishing" than usual, following days when they were more creative. Flourishing is a psychological concept that can be described as increasing positive growth in oneself. While the current study did not specifically ask the university students to record the nature of their creative activity, the researchers had collected such information informally in an earlier study. kitchener.ctvnews.ca They found that the most common examples reported were songwriting, creative writing (poetry, short fiction), knitting and crochet, making new recipes, painting, drawing, and sketching, graphic and digital design, and musical performance. Dr Conner says she and her team wanted to find out if engaging in everyday creative acts makes people feel better emotionally. "There is growing recognition in psychology research that creativity is associated with emotional functioning. However, most of this work focuses on how emotions benefit or hamper creativity, not whether creativity benefits or hampers emotional well being," Dr Conner says. www.fractuslearning.com The researchers found that "positive affect" (PA) -- which encompasses feelings such as pleasurable engagement, happiness, joy, excitement, and enthusiasm -- on a particular day did not predict next-day creative activity. "Our earlier research found that PA appears to increase creativity during the same day, but our latest findings show that there is no cross-day effect. Rather, it is creative activity on the previous day that predicts wellbeing the next," she says. Even when controlling for next-day creative activity, the previous day's creativity significantly predicted energised PA and flourishing. Dr Conner and her co-authors write that: "this finding suggests a particular kind of upward spiral for wellbeing and creativity. Engaging in creative behavior leads to increases in wellbeing the next day, and this increased wellbeing is likely to facilitate creative activity on the same day. They conclude that "overall, these findings support the emerging emphasis on everyday creativity as a means of cultivating positive psychological functioning." Recently, Eric Schmidt appeared on stage at the Summit at Sea conference and was given some brainteasers. For those who don't know much about this meeting, the summit convened the brightest people in business and culture for a voyage across international waters, for a fancy, four-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. While at it, Schmidt was asked to answer brain teasers, something extremely common in Google interviews. droid It was- Youre the captain of a pirate ship and you find a chest of gold. Your crew gets to vote on how the gold is divided up. If fewer than half of the pirates agree with you, you die. How do you recommend apportioning the gold in such a way that you get a good share of the booty but still survive? In his response, Schmidt stood stunned. He asked for the question to be repeated and clarified, acknowledging that it was a really bad question. Anyway, his answer wasn't all that bad. It seems to me that if more than half are happy, I survive. I propose, that we give 49 percent of the pirates stock in internet companies, and 51 percent gets the gold, he said. twitter Google is famous for having the weirdest questions on offer and a standard Google interview is full of them. Over the years, many people have confirmed that Google follows the artistic way of hiring people. They pitch some of the most grilling and mind-boggling questions for interviewees instead. Here's a list of a couple of questions that were asked before: #1 If you could only choose one song to play ever time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? #2 How many cars travel across a bridge every day? #3 How many piano tuners are there in the entire world? #4 Why are manholes cover round? Anyway, Google abandoned the practice years ago, after realising that this is certainly not the best way to weed out suitable candidates for a given job. The investigation of Sunday's Nabha jail break is throwing up contradictory information about who actually planned the escape of Khalistan Liberation Force chief Harminder Singh, alias Mintoo, who was rearrested later, or Parminder Singh, alias Painda, who had met Mintoo during a stint in the same prison. ANI Painda, the arrested "mastermind" of the escape, has contradicted the Punjab government's claim that the incident was a terrorist act. He revealed during interrogation on Monday that he, a gangster named Prema from Jalandhar and one Harry from Batala had gone to free their aides and that freeing the KLF chief had been a "friendly favour". Parminder was arrested by UP police in Shamli on Sunday evening en route to Dehradun. Also Read: Punjab Police Gun Down A Woman After Her Car Jumps Security Barricade Meanwhile, in New Delhi, top officials said their investigations revealed that the escape of Mintoo, along with a gang of criminals, may not have been a coincidence and that there are indications that Mintoo planned the whole operation by exhorting the others to do something bigger for the "faith". ANI Arrested in November 2014 upon arrival from Thailand, Mintoo was desperate to escape and saw an opportunity after regularly interacting with gangsters Vicky Gounder, Gurpeet Singh Sekhon, Amandeep Singh, alias Dhotian, and Kulpreet Singh, alias Neeta Deol, in Nabha Central Jail. Also Read: 24 Hours After Punjab Jailbreak, Khalistan Liberation Front Terrorist Harminder Mintoo Arrested In Delhi According to sources, Mintoo, an old hand at planning and executing terror-related activities, exhorted the gangsters in the name of their faith. "He told them, 'Ye chote chote kaam kab tak karte rahoge... yahan se bahar niklo aur dharam ke liye kuch bada karo (How long will you go on commiting these petty crimes... get out of here and do something big for the faith)'," said a top official. ANI Mintoo had originally planned to escape during a court hearing, sources said. But, as luck would have it, his case had not come up for hearing for the past four months. "He was the initiator of the plan. He put the idea in their minds and that's why he was the first one near the jail gates when the escape operation began on Sunday, and he was the first to board the Fortuner car," said a top official. Sources in Central intelligence agencies say Mintoo was very close to Pakistan-based terror leaders, the ISI and the Pakistan Army's India operations supervisors before his arrest and, if he had managed to escape, it would have been a huge embarrassment for the Punjab government ahead of the Assembly elections. ANI Mintoo has apparently admitted to the Delhi police special cell that he was prepared to flee to Germany after breaking out and to reunite there with associates from his organisation and the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International. He was supposed to travel to Mumbai from Delhi and then to Goa where he would meet Kashmir Singh (he, too, had escaped along with Mintoo but they separated in Delhi) and take him along. From Goa he was supposed to travel to Nepal, then Malaysia, and then to Germany. Mintoo claimed during interrogation by Delhi police's special cell that on the day of the jailbreak he and five others who escaped had been out in the open within the jail premises as a 'bhandara' (public feast) was being organised at the gurdwara inside. Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Badal had expressed the possibility of the jailbreak having been orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI. He had said Pakistan was desperate to revive terror after the Indian Army's surgical strike across the LoC and could have facilitated the Nabha jailbreak to free KLF chief and equip him to create trouble in Punjab. ANI Prema is wanted by police in connection with several criminal cases. His aides had been arrested in 2015. Parminder had befriended Prema's associates in Nabha jail. Imprisoned for the murder of ASI Gurudeo Singh, Parminder had escaped from judicial custody in March and had contacted Prema. "Parminder said during his stay in jail he grew familiar with Harminder Singh, alias Mintoo, the dreaded KLF chief who too wanted to escape along with other members of the Prema gang," said DIG (Saharanapur range) Jitendra Kumar Shahi. He said the information extracted from Parminder contained no indication he had any link with any terror group in India or across the border. "But we are looking into the call details of the four cellphones we have recovered from him," he said. Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) chief, Harminder Singh aka Mintoo, who fled Nabha Central Jail on Sunday morning, following a daring jailbreak, was nabbed again from Nizamuddin area by the Delhi Police Special Cell within 24 hours of his escape. He was planning to flee to Mumbai. PTI How the entire operation was carried out The Delhi Police was put on high alert after the sensational jailbreak. The Special Cell anti-terror wing of the city police was also tasked to develop information and apprehend them. PTI An information was received that one of the criminals, identified as Palwinder Singh alias Pinda, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police in Shamli district on Sunday evening. During interrogation, he disclosed that Mintoo and Kashmeer Singh were dropped by him at Kaithal in Haryana from where they might go to Delhi. "A message was given to all police personnel to be on lookout for any suspicious movement. Photographs of escapees were also shared with all police stations. Cops were deployed on probable hideout areas, checking of guest houses was undertaken and search was conducted at bus terminals, railway stations, etc, said Special Cell DCP PS Kushwah. PTI He said a team of Special Cell sleuths deployed at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station noticed that a man wearing Patka head cover generally worn by Sikhs on his head and having his beard trimmed improperly. He was looking conscious which raised suspicion. He bought tickets and came outside the building. As he was moving out, he was apprehended by the team deployed there and the pistol he was carrying was snatched, said the DCP. How the escape was planned and executed According to police, the escape from the high security prison, as confessed by Mintoo, was planned and executed at the instance of his co-inmates Gurpreet Singh Shekhon and Harjinder Singh aka Vicky Gonder. They are members of a criminal gang. PTI On the day of incident, all the inmates who escaped on Sunday were out in the open inside the jail premises as a bhandara (common kitchen) was being organized at the Gurudwara inside the jail premises. As already planned, they reached near the exit gate of the jail at the time when the 14 gunmen dressed in police uniforms stormed the jail in four cars a Toyota Fortuner, a Honda City, a Hyundai I20 and a Hyundai Verna. They opened indiscriminate fire and freed four of their gang members Gurpreet Singh Shekhon, Harjinder Singh @ Vicky Gonder, Kulpreet Singh @ Nitin Deol and Amandeep Singh @ Dhotian. Police said that Mintoo and Kashmeer Singh, were aware of the jailbreak plan. The duo decided to join them. After having escaped from the jail, Mintoo, and Kashmeer Singh boarded the Toyota Fortuner along with Shekhon and Dhotian. Shekhon was driving the vehicle. Around 24 km before district Kurukshetra, Mintoo and Kashmeer Singh got down. They were given Rs 19,000 by Shekhons brother Mani. Both of them hid themelves in a sugarcane field for sometime. PTI From Kurukshetra, they reached Panipat by bus and then changed another bus to ISBT, Delhi. To avoid apprehension, they moved separately toward Nizamuddin Railway Station with an aim to leave for Goa where Mintoo had lived for 18 years. Who is KLF chief Mintoo Mintoo was born in Dalli village of Jalandhar District in April 1967, his family shifted to Goa in 1989. AP Mintoo was earlier the member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). He left BKI in 2009 and revived Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). He used to operate from Thailand and Malaysia before he was arrested by police from IGI airport in 2014. He was using a fake Malaysian passport and documents to travel. He also allegedly travelled to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar to set up a base of the KLF and mobilize funds for the banned pro-freedom Sikh bodies. He allegedly used to visit Pakistan frequently and there are reports that he had a backing of Pakistans ISI, which is being investigated. He is involved in 12 terror-related cases, including the attack on Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2008 and recovery of explosives at Halwara Air Force Station near Ludhiana in 2010. While US President-elect Trump is planning to deport almost 3 million undocumented immigrants, Assam has been working on a similar program called 'Detect-Delete-Deport' for over 2 years. BCCL 20 million illegal immigrants from Bangladesh may be deported from Assam after they are tagged on a registry. Illegal Immigrants In Assam Can Buy An Indian Citizenship For As Little As Rs 10,000! "The Hindu rate of population growth is declining. But the Muslim rate is rising. Most of the Muslims here are from Bangladesh. If this continues, the Assamese Hindus will become a minority soon; we will lose our language, our culture, our identity," Himanta Biswa Sarma, finance minister in the Assam government told the Washington Post. BCCL Apart from preserving cultural identity, it is the most immediate fears of terrorist groups from Bangladesh, a nation known to shelter radical Islamism. "Our detect-delete-deport campaign is even more important because now Islamic extremist groups from Bangladesh are also sending their people to India along with the immigrants on this route," said Samujjal Bhattacharya, a longtime activist. BCCL It is hard, however, to track the Bangladeshi population here. Many have managed to get local identification papers via forged documents. To counter this, officials are looking not only into individuals but also their family trees, in a $138 million project. An ecosystem of middlemen, facilitators and corrupt officers help Bangladeshi easily cross the border Illegal immigration is by far the biggest issue in the Assam primarily because sneaking into Assam from Bangladesh is fairly easy. The size of the Brahmaputra varies through the year, making it almost impossible to fence the border. Thus, a large part of the district is unfenced, making it easy for illegal migrants along the border to sneak into Assam. In February, BJP national president Amit Shah had said that the party's victory would stop illegal immigrants' entry into the state. The party would go on to win the state. "The Narendra Modi government has done an agreement with Bangladesh and soon the borders with Bangladesh will be fenced. Already this government has started identifying illegal immigrants; around 60,000 such illegal immigrants are identified," he had said. In June this year, The National Register of Citizens (NRC) investigation has found that there are 27,000 illegal immigrants in Dhubri (one of the district's in Assam) alone. BCCL As per sources, it was found out that it was ridiculously easy for a foreign national to acquire Indian citizenship by submitting fake documents or by paying as little as Rs. 10,000 to acquire one. Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM), an NGO against the infiltration of migrants, is of the view that the Assam government was not doing its bit to tackle the illegal migration issue from Bangladesh. The PVM has urged the Centre to intervene while alleging that documents are fraudulently being acquired by immigrants in Assam for including their names in the updated National Register of Citizenship (NRC). "There is large-scale fabrication of documents, birth certificates, identity proof, land documents etc which needs to be uncovered by a central agency as such papers will be the basis for asking citizenship," PVM Convenor Upamanyu Hazarika told reporters Reliance Jio Infocomm is understood to have filed a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), accusing Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular of acting as a cartel in the telecom market. Reuters The Mukesh Ambani-led telco, which has been engaged in a bitter war with incumbent operators since its launch in early September, has filed a complaint with the fair-play watchdog to push forward its argument that there were attempts to disrupt its launch. "A complaint has been filed with the CCI," sources said, without providing further details. Jio's complaint makes a reference to the recent order of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) which had also made observations on purported anti-competition practices followed by the trio when dealing with Jio. AFP Airtel, Vodafone and Idea did not comment on the development. In its order issued against the three operators on October 21, Trai had said that actions taken by the three operators, when dealing with Jio, were aimed at stifling competition in the market and "willfully" violate the (telecom) license conditions. Trai had recommended a penalty of Rs 3,050 crore on Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular for not providing adequate interconnect points to Reliance Jio. The regulator had said the three incumbents were guilty of anti-consumer behaviour, in violation of mobile licence terms and conditions. Reuters In September, Jio had also accused the trio of acting as a cartel when it was seeking higher interconnect points for its service. In a letter written to the telecom ministry, regulator Trai, COAI and all the operators on September 25, Jio said that activities of the "incumbent dominant operators" (IDOs) through industry body COAI were in violation of competition law. "There is no doubt that COAI, in the garb of an independent platform, is being flagrantly misused by the IDOs to freely indulge in cartelization, abuse their dominant position, thwart competition, and act against the public interest," Jio had said. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will invest EUR 400 million in Ukraine in 2016, bank president Suma Chakrabarti has said at a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. "In 2016 the bank will invest EUR 400 million in Ukraine, and next year this amount could be increased. In particular, the EBRD will focus on reforms at ministries and departments to strengthen and develop their institutional capacity," a government press release reads. As reported, in 2015 the bank exceeded the threshold of EUR 1 billion in investment in Ukraine. EBRD Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Francis Malige in mid-February 2016 expressed hope such a volume of funding could be maintained in 2016. "This is our "investment capacity," we can invest about as much in Ukraine, but success will depend on the coordinated work of all the branches of power and the availability of reforms. Otherwise, it's not worth expecting active work. This does not mean the bank is going to curtail its activities, but the volume, of course, will suffer from that," he said. Six years after 11 tribal families were evicted from their homes by the forest department for allegedly constructing them on encroached land, the families got back their houses again. The incident has taken place in the Kalahandi district of Odisha. A government probe by National Human Rights Commission found that they had rights on the land under the Forest Rights Act 2006. The government restored the properties to them and provided them with the record of rights for the land. The homes of the tribal were burnt down as there was no record of the existence of the village in the Forest Department records. Dillip Kumar Das/Facebook Dillip Kumar Das, Chairman of Antodaya - an NGO which helped get the tribal back to their home, spoke to Indiatimes. "We have been able to obtain rights of 11 families to return to their land of the 23 families of the village that was burnt down by the forest officials," he says. "I feel that there is a serious lack of sensitivity on the part of the officers working at the grassroots level. There are preconceived notions about their way of life and they are always considered backwards. This needs to change." "The tribals of this region live on limited resources with limited aspirations. They do not have wooden chairs or stylish beds that are considered basic necessities in the city. They have a charpoy handed down by generations which they use as a bed or for sitting. The people worship the forest and their entire way of life revolves around the understanding that the health of the forest is important for their sustenance," Das explains. "Tribal people live the original sustainable lives that the West aspires to achieve." Antodya "The case was brought to Antodya's notice only in June 2011, the village was removed in October 2010. I had no clue how to file a case and fight for the rights of the villagers but a friend, based in Singapore and has been working on similar cases there, helped me out with the process of lodging the complaint with the National Human Rights Commission," he says. "It has taken about five years to get the villagers the justice and now we are hoping that the Indira Awas Yojana can be utilised to rebuild the homes that were destroyed in 2010." Das also highlights the fact that the fight has only just begun to ensure that the tribal get the rights they deserve under the Indian Constitution. "We need to create more awareness of the rights and entitlements of the people. The government has initiatives in place but the villagers are not aware of them." For the people living in cities, Das says, "A strong behavioural change is required. We need to be proud of the rich and diverse tribal culture India has. Their way of life has lasted for centuries." Dillip Kumar Das/Facebook It is true that people shy away from their tribal roots once they are in the city. Das explains, "In the tribal settlements, people still do not use the money. They barter their agricultural produce and cattle to obtain their necessities but there has been a steady shift in their patterns with more and more people settling down in a single place and moving away from shift cultivation. A lot of the youth have also moved to the cities and do not wish to return to the 'backwards' roots." "If the government's initiatives can reach the people of the tribes, the need to relocate to town and cities will reduce. It is important to retain the understanding between the tribes that guard the forests and its lands," he concludes. The West Bengal police have rescued 13 babies and discovered the skeletons of two infants while conducting raids at homes for the elderly and mentally disabled, as a probe into a suspected international human trafficking ring. Ten infants, all under one year old, were found on Friday in a home for the mentally disabled run by a charity in the impoverished district of South 24 Parganas. While in another raid in the neighbouring district of North 24 Parganas, the remains of two infants were found in office premises of a charity which ran an adoption centre. ALSO READ: 10 Baby Girls Rescued From Old-age Home In Bengal, Suspected To Be Linked With Child Trafficking Network HT The raids come after the discovery of three newborn babies on earlier this month hidden inside cardboard biscuit boxes in a locked storeroom in a nursing home, where women would come to deliver or have an abortion. Rajesh Kumar of West Bengal's Crime Investigation Department (CID), said 18 people had been arrested for taking the newborn babies and trafficking them for adoption in India and overseas. "It is a huge network of NGOs, nursing homes, doctors and middlemen dealing in illegal adoption and baby trafficking that the police have busted. Our men are now building on the huge leads they have already got in this case," Kumar, CID's Additional Director General said. Initial investigations revealed that unmarried girls and women who visited the clinics for an abortion were persuaded by staff to give birth and sell their babies. The police did not give a price, but local news reports said the mothers were given 300,000 rupees ($4,380) for a boy and 100,000 rupees ($1,460) for a girl. TOI Babies were also stolen from women who delivered at the clinics, but who were told by staff their children were stillborn. Some were even given the bodies of stillborn babies preserved by the clinics to dupe parents, police said. The babies were then smuggled in biscuit containers to adoption centres, homes for the mentally disabled and elderly people, where they were kept until their adoption was organised. Those arrested included the owners of the clinics, midwives, doctors, owners of the charities, as well as court clerks who are accused of forging documentation for the babies. ALSO READ: Did Doctors Declare Your Newborn Dead? Traffickers May Be Selling Your Baby For A Lakh Or More TOI Following last Monday's raid on the nursing home in Baduria, 80 km (50 miles) from Kolkata, interrogation of clinic staff led police to conduct over 20 raids in what police say appears to be a highly organised human trafficking racket. They included a swoop on the offices of an adoption centre run by a charity in Machlandapur, 25 km (15 miles) away, where police on Friday found the skeletal remains of two infants, who are suspected to have died there while awaiting sale. The same day police also found ten babies lying on a sheet on the ground on the second floor of a charitable home for mentally disabled people in Behala. The infants showed signs of malnourishment and some had chest and skin infections. Two Indian soldiers were reportedly killed in what is said to be a suicide attack on an army unit in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, in the early hours of Tuesday. The army is still engaged in a gunfight with the terrorists who are still inside the camp, even though the number of the gunmen is not yet clear. According to reports the terrorists threw grenades at the camp in Nagrota, the headquarters of the army's 16 Corps, at 5.30 a m and opened fire. ANI The administration ordered schools in Nagrota to shut, after exchange of fire between Army and terrorists began. In a separate incident the BSF is engaged in gun battle with terrorists who tried to infiltrate at Ramgarh in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba sector. At least two of the infiltrators have been gunned down by the BSF. The twin attacks on Tuesday is the latest in a series of strikes by terrorists in Kashmir in the recent months targeting the Army, the most high profile being the ambush on the Uri Army Camp. There has also been an escalation in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC and international border, which they have used as a cover to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists. According to the government there were around 200 active terrorists in the state till September. Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said of these, 105 terrorists had infiltrated into the Indian side of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir this year. The latest incident also comes at a time when the top leadership of Pakistani army is changing. General Qamar Javed Bajwa was on Saturday announced as the successor of General Raheel Sharif who is a know India hater. Aman Tandel, one of the four Thane youths who are suspected to have joined the Islamic State group in Syria in 2014 has been killed, his family has said. Tandel's family said they received a call from an unidentified caller on Saturday night, telling them that he was martyred. We were having dinner when we got a call on our landline. The caller said Aman was martyred in an air strike. Amans father Naeem answered the call but when he asked who the caller was, he hung up, a relative said. He is believed to have been killed in a Turkish air strike inside Syria. Of the four youths who joined ISIS Areeb Majeed, was brought back in November 2014, while the fate of the others are unclear. One of them, Sahim Tanki, was reportedly killed in a suicide bombing in January 2015. Earlier this year, an ISIS video purportedly showing Aman among others and threatening to avenge the killings of Muslims in Kashmir, Gujarat and Muzaffarnagar, had surfaced. Screen grab The video showed groups of militants aboard small boats brandishing Kalashnikov with an ISIS black flag in the background. It shows the bearded faces of most of the militants. Calling Indians infidels, one of the youths urges Indian Muslims to fight those who worship cows, trees, the sun, the moon, and then, the jihadist vows he will return to India. On Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the special rural wi-fi services for 11 gram panchayats. The districts that stand to benefit from the services are Mysuru, Tumakuru, Gadag, Ballari, Kalaburgi and Bagalkot. The access of the concessional wi-fi is made available to the people by concessional vouchers. The state-owned body, Keonics, will be in charge of implementing the project. BCCL The move was launched at the ongoing three-day flagship event of the state named BnegaluruITE.biz. The event will focus on artificial intelligence, IoT, robotics, big data, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), electronics system design, animation, visual effects and gaming, apps development, startups and entrepreneurship development among many others. The Grand Challenge Karantaka, an initiative to help startups find technology oriented solutions to existing problems, was also launched at the event. BCCL "Our endeavour would be to create impact beyond our shores, by building an ecosystem, which is forever innovating and inclusive in its reach and impact, and thus lead the country in 'Defining the Next'," he said. Industries minister RV Deshpande appealed to the IT companies to invest in Karnataka's tier-II cities such as Mangaluru, Mysuru, Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum and Kalaburgi, and replicate the IT ecosystem they have created in Bengaluru. "The government is already working on the ongoing upgrading of Bengaluru's infrastructure and we will see tangible changes as we go along." India has arrested 24 Inter Service Intelligence agents in 2015, the government of India today told in Loksabha. "In addition to these 24 agents, one Pakistani spy agent detected in October 2016 was Pakistan High Commission's New Delhi-based intelligence officer Mehmood Akhtar," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying a written question. While nine of them have been intercepted in Rajasthan, six have been caught in Punjab. Two each were nabbed from Gujarat and J&K while one was caught in UP. Four were also nabbed from Delhi. PTI Ahir said some of the staff posted in Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi is suspected to be involved in running espionage network. The official who was apprehended by the Delhi Police for spying was consequently declared persona-non-grata by the Indian authorities. "The Government is taking adequate steps to counter such incidents in future. The Government is resolutely committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure the security of the nation and the safety of our citizens," he said. While the opposition parties back home are leaving no stone unturned to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of demonetisation. Malik Riaz, arguably the richest man in Pakistan has backed Modi's idea and even has urged his PM, Nawaz Sharif to follow Modi. According to a report published in The Financial Express, Riaz has urged Sharif to follow Modi and demonetise rupees 5000, 1000 and 500 notes. Dawn During an interview with Geo TV, Malik pointed out that currency ban the best way to contain corruption and increase tax collection in Pakistan. I have said it earlier also that this (currency ban) is a billion dollar idea. We can end corruption from the country by adopting this," Malik was quoted in FE. According to Malik corruption is the biggest bane affecting economy of Pakistan along the non-collection of taxes. Appreciating PM Modis move, Malik said, I had suggested solution of both the problems (to PM Sharif. That was to ban currency note of 5000, 1000 and 500 from the country. End price bonds, announce amnesty in the country for 50-60 days. Billions of dollars would come. Even announce amnesty for overseas Pakistani citizens. AFP He further said, I have been told that India has so far collected 228 billion dollars. Even we (Pakistan) could have collected at least 10-15 billion dollars. Although experts including ex- PM Manmohan Singh, have lambasted this demonetization and have said that it mightn't end the black money and corruption, what Malik said on the issue is quite interesting. Malik said that even if a person converts black money into white for the time being, he would have to pay tax the next time if he has do transaction only through the banks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the Members of Parliament of BJP and Member of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) across the country to give the details of the bank transactions made after 8 November to party President Amit Shah, on 1 January 2017. The decision has reportedly been taken in Parliamentary meeting presided by PM himself. Now the MPs and MLAs of the party will have to submit the details of transactions made between November 8 and December 31, to party president Amit Shah. AFP "PM has asked party members including MLAs and MPs to help in his fight with black money,"Anant Kumar, minister of state for parliamentary affairs was quoted in Bhaskar.com. The details of the transactions has to submitted on January 1, 2017. The government has been flake from opposition over the issue. Though the Bharat Bandh of 28th November didn't get mch support from the public, but in parliament, the opposition seems to have made government's life a bit difficult as it seeks PM's presence when the subject of demonetisation gets discussed. It's going to get worse before it gets any better. There are more than 50 million children in the world who are refugees right now, and close to 5,00,000 are under siege in Syria. Syria, a place that's touching a new low with gross human rights violations, is the epitome of the world's failures. The war, that has entered its 6th year, has separated millions from their families, killed lakhs of people and sabotaged the everyday lives of so many more. reuters The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has now asked for help, and an immediate uplift of the siege, which has kept more than 5,00,000 children refugees. All these children are living in the midst of escalating violence and it's beyond frightening. ( Also read: More Than Half Of The World's Refugee Children Are Not Going To School) The number of children living under siege has doubled itself in less than one year, Xinhua news agency quoted UNICEF as saying in a press release. "Nearly 500,000 children now live in 16 besieged areas across the country, almost completely cut off from sustained humanitarian aid and basic services," it added. "For millions of human beings in Syria, life has become an endless nightmare -- in particular for the hundreds of thousands of children living under siege," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. Children are living under extreme horror and fear, after seeing that many of their friends are being killed and injured. They're afraid to go to school and are surviving with little food and hardly any medicine. (Also read: Did You Know There's 50 Million Children Who Are Refugees In The World Right Now? 50 Million.) As a result, a lot of them have turned to basement playgrounds, schools and hospitals to continue playing, learning and seeking medical care when necessary. AFP However, a lot of good work from volunteers is bringing children to play. In one siege area, they built a playground by linking basements, which brought close to 200 children together. At another place, an underground school provides 250 girls with the chance to keep learning. UNICEF is thus asking for immediate humanitarian access to all areas across the war-torn country. It has been over six weeks since the joint operation to drive Islamic State militants out of their Iraqi stronghold, Mosul. While the operation has lost its initial momentum and the ISIS fighters are digging in, the Iraqi army is still upbeat. With the army taking control of most areas of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, they are confident of taking the city from ISIS soon. The Study of War Elite Iraqi troops, known as the "Golden Division", are the only brigades to have entered Mosul from the east, with Iraqi army, federal police and Kurdish Peshmerga units surrounding the city to the north and south. Shi'ite militias are trying to complete the encirclement from the west. The Study of War "Progress was faster at the start. The reason is we were operating before in areas without residents," Major General Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, a commander of the special forces told Reuters. As the urban combat continue the army said they have slowed down for the safety of the civilians caught up in the crossfire. "We have arrived in populated districts. So how do we protect civilians? We have sealed off district after district," Asadi added. AFP Iraqi military estimates initially put the number of insurgents in Mosul at 5,000 to 6,000, facing a 100,000-strong coalition force. But Asadi said the figure for the Islamic State presence may have been too high. The Iraqi Army claims to have eliminated more than 990 ISIS fighters, while they haven't disclosed the casualties on their side. AFP Asadi added that the ISIS have lost a considerable amount of their attacking capacity "The force left in front of us is small, unable to stop our advance. Their spirit is broken." Meanwhile the Iraqi government has asked civilians in Mosul to stay at home during the offensive, as humanitarian organizations say they cannot cope with an influx of hundred of thousands of people displaced from the city. Reuters More than one million people are believed to remain in the city, the largest in northern Iraq. Defeating Islamic State in Mosul, Islamic State's last major bastion in Iraq, is seen as vital to destroying the "caliphate" declared by the group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, from the pulpit of Mosul's Grand Mosque in July 2014. Ukraine can make components for aircraft industry or buy them in other countries - Groysman Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has stated the Ukrainian aviation industry could both produce components for aircraft independently and buy them in other countries, but not from the Russian Federation. "As for components, we can approximate location to a maximum of 100%, as well as now we have the possibility of buying components not in Russia but in other countries. There is no problem here," he told reporters during a visit to Antonov State Enterprise (Kyiv). According to Groysman, Ukraine has all opportunities for the revival of aircraft building. The premier said the government is now engaged in restructuring the debt of Antonov State Concern (Kyiv) and supports it, placing state orders. As the fierce battle continues in the streets of Syria's historic city Aleppo, scores of people once again are left with a question of survival. As many as 16,000 civilians have fled parts of eastern Aleppo as the rebels lost all of the northern neighbourhoods of their stronghold, the UN said Tuesday. Several international reports and independent agencies have described the current situation as "chilling". Reuters "The intensity of attacks on eastern Aleppo neighbourhoods over the past few days has forced thousands of civilians to flee to other parts of the city," UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said in a statement. People from the city are looking to find some livelihood in the districts held by the government or Kurdish forces. Some of them are heading south into areas still under opposition control. Reuters The situation in eastern Aleppo is dire, with intensified ground fighting and indiscriminate aerial bombardment reportedly killing and injuring many civilians, said O'Brien. "There are no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished". Meanwhile, Syria has rubbished the claims made by the Western countries regarding the use of chemical weapons against the civilians. Syrias deputy foreign minister, Faisal Muqdad said, The multitude of accusations made in some Western circles as to the responsibility of the Syrian government in cases of uses of toxic chemicals are but a part of a coordinated and repeated campaign of lies. According to a report by the Syrian-American Medical Society published in March 2016, nearly 1,500 people were killed in chemical weapons attacks in the five-year civil war in Syria. The attacks, the report concluded, was a strategic policy to displace civilians in opposition-controlled territory. However, Assad has consistently denied the governments use of chemical weapons in Syria. Indiatimes is getting ground reports from the city with our correspndents sending the images and videos from ground zero. you can watch the videos here. With inputs from al-monitor Syrian government forces seized a swath of what was once rebel territory in Aleppo Monday, in one of the most dramatic shifts in more than 5 years of civil war. The divided northern city has paid dearly as a central theatre of the war. In the past two weeks alone, over 250 civilians have been killed by intense bombardment of the city's rebel-held eastern zones. AP This Chilling Photo Of A 5-Year-Old Syrian Boy Has Become The Face Of The Aleppo Airstrikes A photo of 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh confused and covered in dust and blood as he sat in an ambulance after being rescued in August from the rubble of a building became a haunting image in the unforgiving struggle. A look at Aleppo Reuters Aleppo Was Just Hit By The Heaviest Bombardment Of Fire Since The War Began 6 Years Ago A SHATTERED HISTORICAL TREASURE Inside Syria Part 2: Aleppo, Once A Thriving Cultural City, Today Deserted Of Life And Joy THE KEY TO VICTORY Reuters With rebel defenses crumbling in eastern Aleppo, Assad is on the brink of regaining full control of the city. A government victory, aided by the interventions of his Russian and Iranian allies, would significantly bolster his position in the international arena. Rebels still hold other pockets around Syria, but any movement to unseat Assad will have to reckon with the reality that he holds the country's four largest cities and its coastal region. More Bloodshed Reported As Nearly 500 Killed In Aleppo Bombings, UN Says Food Running Out A SUFFERING CITY Reuters The government's push has laid waste to Aleppo's rebel-held eastern neighborhoods. An estimated quarter-million people are trapped in dire conditions in those districts since the government besieged the enclave in late August. Food supplies are running perilously low, the U.N. has warned, and a relentless air assault by government forces has damaged or destroyed every hospital in the area. But its western neighborhoods have suffered, too. After rebels moved into the eastern districts in 2012, residents in the west withstood repeated attacks that drained their fuel and food stores. Shelling from the east and from the surrounding countryside, while far less-intense than government bombardment, has been constant. Hundreds of civilians, including children, have died in their homes and schools. 10 Disturbing Before-And-After Images Of Syria That Show Just How Badly War Destroyed The Beautiful Nation THE WARRING PARTIES Reuters The main Kurdish militia, known as the People's Protection Units, or YPG, controls several predominantly Kurdish northern neighborhoods. The main insurgent groups in the city are the Nour el-Din Zenki brigade, the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group and the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front. Government forces are backed by thousands of Shiite militia fighters from Lebanon, Iraq and Iran, and augmented by Russian air power as well. Italy sets a new record with the highest number of refugees and asylum seekers arriving on its shores in 2016, interior ministry said today. Reuters Most of the migrants arrived by boat and were from North Africa. The number has increased since the agreement between the European Union and Turkey to curb the number of people fleeing to Greece was implemented. According to Italys Interior Minister, as of November 28, around 1,71,299 boat migrants had reached Italy's shores in comparison to 2014s number of 170,100. Reuters The upward slope of people coming into the country has put more pressure on its asylum process and facilities. Most of the migrants who have arrived this year are from Africa including 36,000 Nigerians, 20,000 Eritreans and 12,000 Guineans. Thanks to social media, we've all become extremely outgoing and bold with our views and presumptions. But we never really let go of our bigoted notions. Standing somewhere in what we'd still call the start of the 21st century, we're still quite shy with our POVs when it comes to LGBTQ issues, transphobia, or even sexuality. But now, in an attempt to neutralise stigma, Pakistan-based transgender model Kami Sid, along with stylist Waqar J. Khan and make-up artist Nighat Misbah, has posted some amazing photographs. The shoot comes as an eye opener in a time where more than half the population remains silent on such issues. Moreover, it is dedicated to transphobia, present at large in the country, and aimed at breaking the stereotypes attached to it. #1 Stylist #waqarjkhan make-up #nighatmisbah photography #haseebsiddiqui transgender activist #kamisutra A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 24, 2016 at 9:35am PST #2 Transgender activist #kamisutra Stylist #waqarjkhan Make-up #nighatmisbah Photography #haseebsiddiqui A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 24, 2016 at 9:37am PST #3 Transgender activist #kamisutra Fashion stylist #waqarjkhan Make up #nighatmisbah Photography #haseebsiddiqui A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 24, 2016 at 10:29am PST #4 #kamisutra transgenderactivist/model #waqarjkhan fashion stylist #nighatmisbah make-up artist #haseebsiddiqui photographer A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 24, 2016 at 11:03am PST #5 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 3:43am PST #6 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 3:45am PST #7 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 3:44am PST #8 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 3:45am PST #9 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 3:54am PST #10 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 4:13am PST #11 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 4:13am PST #12 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 5:05am PST #13 #translivesmatter #celebratingtransbeauty #transphobia #breakingstereotypes #fashionforcause Transgender activist Kami Sid Fashionstylist WaqarJKhan Make-up Nighat Misbah Photographer Haseeb Siddiqui. A photo posted by Waqar J Khan (@waqar_j_khan) on Nov 27, 2016 at 5:05am PST Let's learn to be more acceptable, and tolerant towards a choice different than ours. In order to put forth tangible proof that backs the multiverse or 'Many Worlds' theory, scientists have finally confirmed that parallel universes exist and that they have already started interacting with ours. Scientist Howard Wiseman of Griffith University, Australia, is spearheading a project that proposes a landmark theory suggesting that these parallel universes operate in the same time and space as our own. What's even more interesting is that they are interacting with ours on a quantum level, as reported by IFL Science. matthewmunson The multiverse theory debunks the 20th-century single verse theory that suggested only one universe existed. However, the 'Many Worlds' theory proposes to explain the inexplicable aspects of quantum mechanics - a field of physics that deals with the structure and behaviour of matter as well as our physical world at the small scale of fundamental mechanics. Higher Perspective However, even the 'Many Worlds' theory doesn't show the interaction between these universes. According to its traditional interpretation, several universes came to life after a celestial event occurred - like an asteroid hitting the Earth. The Reality Files The alternative and a more believable theory is that of the 'Many Interacting Worlds' theory that suggests that these worlds not only overlap but constantly connect with one another in the same space and time. While some researchers think this is a 'huge waste of time', others have called it a 'very nice analysis'. But if the 'Many Interacting Worlds' theory holds true, we are in for many worlds of surprise! One of the most powerful men in Pakistan, General Raheel Sharif officially handed over command to Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday. AFP/ File The change of guard comes at a time when the country's eastern border is on the boil with regular skirmishes with India. This had raised speculations that Gen. Sharif's tenure could be extended in wake of the tension. But putting the speculations to rest the Nawaz Sharif government on Saturday appointed Gen. Bajwa as the new army chief. AFP General Sharif, who had throughout his career never shied away from getting under the skin of Indian government and Army did the same even on his last day in office. "I want to make it clear to India, that taking our policy of patience (in Kashmir) as a sign of any kind of weakness will prove to be dangerous to it," said General Raheel Sharif. He also blamed India for the recent spike in tensions between the two countries, especially over Kashmir. "Unfortunately in recent months, the rising state terrorism in Kashmir and India's aggressive steps have put regional peace at risk," said Sharif. The comments also follow another aggressive remark by Gen. Sharif a couple of days ago, in the context of the Indian surgical strike in PoK in September. If Pakistan were to launch surgical strikes, India would not be able to forget it for generations to come, Gen Sharif had said. This is even while Pakistan officially continue to deny that any such strike even took place, as it would be an embarrassment for the Army,especially Gen Sharif who is more popular than the political leadership of the country. AFP/ File Even though he has left office, many analysts believe that he might be around the corridors of power in some form. Some want him to be made a field marshal, while others feel that he might venture into politics, in the near future. The struggles of a refugee's life are inexplicable. Living a life where you're constantly harassed and attacked just for existing is heartbreaking. Take the Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar - the Rohingya refugees - who are the subject of harassment. The group, already so small in number, is reducing to an even smaller number because they have practically nowhere to go. Fleeing to Bangladesh to escape the violence of Myanmar's soldiers, they're starving, being raped, and abused. The group is settled in the southern coastal region of Bangladesh, but most of them are being turned back since Bangladesh is only accepting a few of them. ( Also read: Turned Down By Myanmar And Bangladesh, Rohingya Refugees Reveal How They Were Raped By The Army) "We're almost starving here. But at least no one is coming here to kill or torture," said one of the escapees. ( Also read: Did You Know There's 50 Million Children Who Are Refugees In The World Right Now? 50 Million.) Jane Alam, a 6-month-old, is the latest victim of this debacle. Suffering from starvation and pneumonia, the baby died minutes after making it to the place where she was supposed to live. metro What's even more shocking is that the military is denying all such allegations. The claims of "Helicopter gunships, torching hundreds of homes, carrying out arbitrary arrests and raping women and girls" has been nullified. Reuters Jane's mother, Noor Begum, was hiding in the hills for 20 days, with barely any food. Her son was constantly starving all this while, and he passed away just minutes after the family arrived to relative safety. metro They then buried the body in a graveyard on a hillside. metro metro The wrongs against the Rohingya tribe have been prevalent for quite some time. However, the current revolt is the aftermath of an attack on Myanmar army border posts on October 9. Kyiv's Pechersky district court has arrested seven compressor stations managed by Karpatygaz LLC under the joint operation agreement signed with state-run company Ukrgazvydobuvannia: Khrystyschenska, Yuliyevska (both based in Kharkiv region), Skhidno-Poltavska, Rozpashnivska and Abazivska (all three in Poltava region), Letnianska and Svydnytska (both in Lviv region). According to a court ruling dated November 18, 2016, it was issued under a request of investigator of the major investigations department of Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) Y.Danych. In addition, three compressor stations that would be built have been also arrested: Chervonodonetska (Kharkiv region), Mashevska and Chutovska (both in Poltava region) and Bytkiv-Babchynska (Ivano-Frankivsk region). "The pretrial investigation has established that in the period from February 25, 2011 until July 1, 2016 officials of Ukrgazvydobuvannia acting under collusion with managers from Karpatygaz LLC and abusing power produced 2.93 billion cubic meters of natural gas, 124,350 tonnes of gas condensate and 78,316 tonnes of oil from Ukrgazvydobuvannia's wells and embezzled it. They caused damage of UAH 626.528 million to the national budget. This is a large amount of money," the court said. Among other accusations is sale of products in Ukraine via commodity exchange in 2013 reducing VAT liabilities by UAH 20.25 million, tax infringements during the implementation of transactions with contractors in 2011-2013 resulted in non-payment of UAH 330,000 of profit tax and UAH 26.3 million of gas royalty. PGO said that the joint operation agreement (No. 3) was signed in March 2002. Initially it envisaged operations at well 36 of Letnianske gas field. In February 2011 an addendum was signed. Sweden's Misen Energy was involved in the operations. The Swedish company became owner of Karpatygaz in 2010. Joint operations were expanded later via signing other addendums. Misen Energy said that Karpatygaz would challenge the court ruling. The Swedish company and Karpatygaz said that these accusations are groundless. They deny them and ready to confirm the lawfulness of economic operations under joint operation agreement No. 3. Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. Ukraine is asking its international partners to assist dismantling the fourth power unit of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine's Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Ostap Semerak told journalists on Thursday. "The government is preparing an appeal to international partners about our vision of cooperation. I would like to say that we expect technical and scientific assistance to dismantle the fourth power unit," he said. Semerak noted it is difficult for Ukraine to cope with the task independently. As earlier reported, the new safety shield, called the New Safety Confinement (NSC), has been placed over the fourth power unit at Chornobyl nuclear power plant. It is planned to test all NSC systems and put it into full operation before November 2017. Ukraine is expected to dismantle unstable areas of the structure and remove radioactive materials from the structure in order to ensure ecological safety. The Kogi State Police Command said on Tuesday that two people lost their lives in a communal clash in Ikende community in Bassa Local Government Council Area of Kogi State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, told journalists in Lokoja that the clashes occurred between the Ebira and Bassa kwomu speaking people of the community on November 26 and November 28. He said that corpses of the two victims were recovered by police officers deployed to the area, adding that four other persons were seriously wounded in the clashes. According to him, 15 houses, five vehicles and 15 motorcycles were burnt by the warring groups. Mr. Aya said that the situation had been brought under control, saying that no arrest has yet been made. The spokesperson said that Ikende town had been deserted by residents who are now hiding in the bush. He said that anti-riot police officers will remain on ground until the safety of lives and properties can be guaranteed, adding that investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the clashes has commenced. The minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, yesterday performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a 10MW solar power plant estimated to cost N4 billion naira at Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria. The project, located at Biye Village, Sabongari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is expected to be completed in six months and is meant to address the energy needs of the university. It was designed, initiated and financed by ABU in collaboration with Nigeria-German Energy Partnership with assistance from Tertiary Education Trust Fund. During the foundation laying ceremony, the minister commended the university for its foresight and urged it to sustain the tempo. Mr. Adamu who was represented by Fatima Jidda-Ahmed, the Director, Tertiary Institutions in the Federal Ministry of Education expressed hope that the institution would take advantage of the partnership with Germany, not only in power generation, but in encouraging engineering students gain from the partnership. In his speech, the German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Regina Hess, said the partnership was based on the passion Germany had for university education in Nigeria. She said universities would perform better if the education budget was used judiciously. With this project, our passion for Germany has become the passion for Nigerian government too, she said. Mrs. Hess promised to train engineers from the ABU to become experts in the field of solar energy. Jeremy Gains, the Coordinator, Nigeria-German Energy Partnership, recalled that the project started in 2008 in Berlin when the late President Umaru YarAdua and his wife visited Germany. Both YarAdua and his wife were alumni of the university. He met Chancellor Martha and she asked how Germany can help Nigeria. The late president said wisely in just three words and those three words were; power, power, power, adding that electricity is the key to development, he said. Mr. Gains said another alumni of ABU who also facilitated the project was the late Rilwanu Lukman, when he was both minister and Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. German company will come to Nigeria to create power stations while in return, Nigeria will guarantee energy security in the form of gas, he noted. Earlier, the ABU Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Garba, said ABU, the largest university, not only in Nigeria but in West Africa, had high demand for electricity. He said the university spent about N85 million monthly on electricity, thats why we need our own power source to use and probably sell out to consumers out there. Mr. Garba said, all things being equal, the project, which initial cost stood at N4 billion naira would be completed in the next six months. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, Senator Ben Murray Bruce has disclosed that his committee will propose a total ban on the importation of second-hand cars into the country. Senator Ben Murray Bruce made the comments while his committee paid a working visit to the assembly plant of the Volkswagen Of Nigeria Automobile Limited in Lagos. Senator Bruce said that automakers should have long-term payment plans for low-income earners so as to facilitate their acquisition of new vehicles. Nigeria is one of the highest importers of motor vehicles and it is not the first time in the nations history the government will attempt to ban second-hand cars. Poor power supply and the sheer difficulty of doing business in Nigeria has meant that over the years, many manufacturers can only assemble vehicles in Nigeria at prices beyond the reach of the common man. An 8-foot venomous cobra was found in an apartments toilet bowl in South Africa. A resident of the apartment building filmed a snake handler attempting to remove the snake from the toilet bowl. A video posted to YouTube by an Anton Meijer shows a snake handler, Barry Greenshields, using a catch pole to lift the front end of a giant cobra out of a residents toilet bowl in the Glenletta Courts apartment block in the Lynnwood Glen area of Pretoria. The handler attempted to remove the cobra from the toilet, but the serpent kept its grip on something and was able to flee down the toilet drain. Residents said the snake has yet to reemerge since going back into the toilet last week, and they fear it could still be somewhere in the buildings pipes. We have put cameras in the pipes to look for it. Residents are still worried and some of them are feeling like if it comes up they want to kill it which is something I dont want. I hope he has left through the pipes, Greenshields told News24. An American businessman in the state of Florida, who made a name for himself as a debt counsellor during the Great Recession, has filed for bankruptcy. Timothy McCallan listed over $100 million in liabilities after being hit with a judgement in February for $107 million in an Alabama bankruptcy for a large debt settlement law firm, Allegro Law, which was shut down by a judge six years ago as a massive fraud. Court investigators in the Allegro case have been pursuing McCallan, because his companies, Americorp and Seton Inc., provided record-keeping and data services to Allegro. A bankruptcy judge in Alabama had McCallan arrested and jailed for a time, after declaring that McCallan had committed a fraud on the court. Thousands of customers signed up for debt settlement services offered by McCallan and paid him more than $100,000,000. Almost none of the money was paid to creditors of the customers as promised by McCallan, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge William R. Sawyer wrote in an opinion entered in February. McCallan has been ordered to turn over records related to the Allegro firm. McCallan claimed in court fillings that he did turn over records, but investigators said the data was worthless and incomplete. Most recently, McCallan told the court hed been delayed because of damage to his home during Hurricane Matthew, which buzzed the Florida coastline in early October. But investigators in the Allegro case said they later learned McCallans home suffered no damage. McCallan will be represented in his Florida bankruptcy case by attorney R. Scott Shuker who claimed his client hadnt been represented in the Allegro case for the last few months. A passenger who disrupted a flight to Pennsylvania, USA, by rudely professing his support for the countrys president-elect Donald Trump, has been banned for life by Delta Airlines. Few days ago, a video showing the male passenger involved in an argument with others on the flight to Atlanta went viral. The man yelled at supporters of Hillary Clinton, and also insulted them. He can be heard saying in the clip: We got some Hillary b*tches on here? Then referring to Trumps victory, he says: If you dont like it, too bad. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pKccj9KOmHA The American airline company, which has already apologised over the incident, came under criticism by the public for not kicking the man off the flight. Delta Airlines CEO, Edward Bastian, says in an internal memo dated Monday that the airline is refunding the cost of tickets for other passengers on the November 22 flight. The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has offered to employ women (lady) mechanics to work in his administration by maintaining government vehicles. The governor said as part of his administrations strategic plans for competitive advantage, female drivers and mechanics would be encouraged to study at the Benin Technical College after retooling and rehabilitating the school. Obaseki spoke yesterday in Benin, the state capital, during the graduation of 25 female mechanics said, I want to throw an offer to you today. In the Government House, we have a workshop. We would like you to come and take a look at it and see if you can take over the maintenance of the vehicles in the Government House. The governor said his administration would partner the Lady Mechanic Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to promote youth employment, in line with his electioneering campaign promises. The challenge we face today, the challenge of unemployment, the challenge of rebuilding our communities and society is not the challenge that rests on one arm of government or one set of institution alone. It is a challenge that all of us must unite to deal with whether you are in government, whether you are in the civil society, whether you are in the private sector. That is why as Governor of Edo State, once I realized that this initiative had taken root, I said the least we could do was to come here and participate in the graduation ceremony of the last 25 of the 100 students this programme started with. I hope that the sponsor, Coca-Cola, will not terminate this programme with this set. I am going to make a passionate appeal, and if you need me to come to your headquarters, I will come so that this programme can be extended. The Governor who assured that government will rebuild and develop the Benin Technical College said, My first official assignment when I resumed on Monday, the 14th of November was to visit the Benin Technical College. First, to send certain signals that I campaigned on the fact that we will create a minimum of two hundred thousand jobs I meant it. So, my first assignment was to go to that institution that historically we had set up to develop manpower for industry and our economic life. I was really disappointed with what I saw, but from every disappointment comes challenges, and we are committed. And as I speak to you now, there is a team at the Benin Technical College doing survey, re-establishing the size of the land, with designs and working out plans so that within the next thirty days, we would have awarded the contract for the redevelopment of that school. Benin city is a transportation hub that is why the automobile business in this state is quite large. And as part of our strategic plan to make sure we have that competitive advantage, we would like to have institutions or initiatives like this that feed into our own plans. As you know, under the ECTS Edo State Transport Service, with the Comrade Bus initiative, most of the drivers are female. We want to put more money into that initiative, and more importantly, we want to give them the capacity not only to drive those buses, and the new ones we are going to purchase, but to also maintain this process. We in Edo State Government will support and we will get other partners to support it, the Governor promised. In her remarks, the founder and coordinator of the female mechanic initiative, Mrs. Sandra Aguebor said she has been able to train and empower over one thousand female mechanics in Nigeria since inception in five states Lagos, Benin, Kaduna, Kano and Abuja. Your Excellency, we are here to work with you. That burning passion that has been there for a long time, I can see that these girls will do more than we have done today. Coca Cola has just prepared the ground, she stated. We want to scale up on what we are already doing. Your Excellency, Sandra Aguebor is here to support your administration. I have not got one sponsorship from the government of Edo State, but this time, I am very optimistic that it will happen. We want to be part of your administration, and a lot of these girls already have jobs. I think with you today, I also perceive that you are going to give employment to some of them, she added. GSM subscribers in Nigeria, would pay more for data with effect from December 1. Although the telecoms companies have not officially made any announcement, a source has confirmed to PUNCH that the order came from the Nigeria Communications Commission. The NCC issued the directive late last week on the orders of the Federal Government. We have not announced it yet because most of the major telcos have been meeting the NCC on how to reverse this policy, because it will be too harsh for Nigerians, a senior management employee of Etisalat Nigeria said. However, we further gathered that the Federal Government took the decision having discovered that data rates are very low-priced in Nigeria, compared to other countries, including nearby African countries. The government might have also taken the decision given that Nigerian subscribers have been kicking against the proposed nine per cent Communication Tax, whose bill is currently in the National Assembly, he added. An MTN employee also revealed: What this means is that MTN, Airtel, Etisalat And Globacom will increase their data rates as from December 1, 2016. A data plan of N1,000 for 1.5 Gigabytes will now be increased to N3,000 at N1,000 per 500 Megabytes. MTN has already sent out an SMS to its subscribers, intimating them about the plan to increase tarriffs. The text message read: Dear customer, please be informed that from 1st of December, some MTN data tariffs will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC for operators. Thank you. An NCC representative however denied being aware of such plans by the operators and claimed MTN will be queried. We are unaware of it. I just asked my bosses; they are unaware. We will forward your query to MTN for appropriate attention, she said over the telephone. However, in a letter by the NCC to the operators, the commission stated, This rate will subsist pending the finalisation of the study on the determination of cost-based pricing for retail broadband and data services in Nigeria. In order to provide a level playing field for all operators in the industry, small operators and new entrants to acquire market share and operate profitably, small operators and new entrants are hereby exempted from the price floor for data services. It added, For the avoidance of doubt, a small operator is one that has less than 7.5 per cent market share and a new entrant is an operator that has operated less than three years in the market. All operators are to ensure that subscribers are not automatically migrated to pay-as-you-go platform. Also, note that effective date for the interim price floor is December 1, 2016. Source: Dailypost The Nigeria Police has adopted an attitude of lies and misinformation to cover its maltreatment of police officers who served in the recently concluded election in Ondo State, PREMIUM TIMES can report. Thousands of police officers were deployed from neighbouring states to join their colleagues in Ondo to provide security for the election, which was described as largely peaceful, free and fair by election observers. First to make a false claim was the police spokesperson in Ondo, Femi Joseph, who on Monday claimed that no police officers protested their poor treatment during the election. Scores of police officers protested at the Funbi-Fagun area of Ondo Town on Monday. The protesters, comprising regular and mobile police officers, barricaded the popular Ondo/Ile-Ife Expressway with patrol vehicles used for the Saturday election. The blockade resulted in heavy traffic snarl on the highway which lasted several hours and left motorists and travellers stranded. Some of the police officers who spoke to journalists, but refused to have their names mentioned, accused senior officers of the force of denying them their entitlements for the election. They said as a result, they were left stranded 48 hours after the conclusion of the election. They refused to pay our allowances after the election, we all believed that the money was released by the Federal Government to our Oga at the top but they refused to release the money to us, one officer said. We will cause trouble and make them realize that they are the ones encouraging corruption in this country. The protesters later dispersed after their senior officials prevailed on them not to embarrass the government and that they would be paid soon, one of them told PREMIUM TIMES. Despite pictorial evidence of the protest, and witnesses and participants narrating what they saw, Mr. Joseph, the Ondo spokesperson, claimed no protest held. There was no protest anywhere, it was the senior officer that was addressing the junior ones in Ondo for performing successfully well during the last Saturdays election, he said. In such a situation they may be shouting for joy and so some people thought it was a protest. A few hours after Mr. Josephs claim, the man who speaks for the Nigerian police, Dan Awunah, made a similar claim. No Police man went on rampage or protest on the street in Ondo town over non-payment of the election allowance, Mr. Awunah said in a statement released to the media. However, the claim that there was no protests fades in the face of another made by Mr. Awunah, a deputy commissioner of police. The spokesperson said the police officers who participated in the election were being paid their allowance through the banks, in line with the federal government Treasury Single Account (TSA) Policy to ensure transparency and accountability. The payments commenced few days to the election and most of the personnel confirmed receipt of payment alerts into their accounts before the election, Mr. Awunah said. However, those personnel who submitted incomplete accounts details and moribund accounts numbers have been rectified and they have started receiving their money. The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations for the election is currently in Ondo State and has debriefed the personnel after the election duties, he said in the Monday statement. Contrary to Mr. Awunahs claims, however, majority of the police officers deployed for the election from neighbouring states have not been paid a dime. PREMIUM TIMES spoke to police officers who were deployed to Ondo from states like Oyo, Ogun and Osun State. They all sought anonymity for fear of victimisation. They were part of the 26,000 that the police deployed for the election. Nobody from Osun State has received a dime before or during the election, one of the about 500 officers deployed from the state told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. How can the police claim there were problems with account numbers. Is that not the account we use in receiving our salaries, he said. Other police officers, who partook in the protest, also made similar confirmations. I left Ondo yesterday (Monday). I arrived on Sunday. For one week, no accommodation was provided, no feeding, no allowance. That is bad. Its like the police hierarchy deliberately encourage us to be corrupt, another officer deployed from Oyo State said. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how some police officers slept on the floors of police stations, on streets and with families and friends for the week they were in Ondo as the authority made no provision for them. Source: PremiumTimes Employees of state-run enterprise Zorya-Mashproekt (Mykolaiv) have sent an open letter to Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman asking to personally control the signing of contracts with the winners of the tender of public joint-stock company Ukrtransgaz to modernize three compressor stations in Ukraine for UAH 4.12 million by the due date. The press service of the enterprise spread the open address where engineers reminded that Sumy Machine-Building Science and Production Association (Sumy NPO). The cost of Zorya-Mashproekt's equipment of the total cost of the project is around 30%. "The tender was absolutely transparent in line with Ukrainian legislation. The ProZorro procurement system accepted the results of the tenders. Despite all circumstances, the contract has not yet been signed. Due to reasons we do not know the signing of the contract has been postponed," the press service said. "This week the term of signing will expire. The employees of Zorya-Mashproekt ask you to take the situation under personal control," the company said. The Nigerian Senate has approved President Muhammadu Buharis request to amend the 2016 budget by re-assigning N208.821 billion to critical recurrent and capital items. The Senates approval followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Appropriations led by Danjuma Goje on Tuesday. Buhari described the virement fund as critical recurrent and capital items for the execution of key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. He had requested for virement of N180.8 billion in the 2016 budget for provision of needed votes for some sectors as well as to provide for inadequacy in the provision for the National Youth Service Corps in the 2016 budget. However, the House of Representatives increased the virement fund request from N180 billion to N208.821 billion. Nigerias Central Bank has expressed optimism that come 2017, Nigeria will begin exporting rice to other countries. The Acting Director, Corporate Communication, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, made the assertion on Tuesday during a sensitization/awareness program for farmers in Bayelsa State on the apex banks Anchor Borrowers Programme. We started a pilot program in Kebbi State with 78,000 farmers, cultivating an average of one hectare and that was when President Muhammadu Buhari launched the program in March last year. The program was to enable farmers to plant three times in year two dry seasons cropping and one rainy season cropping. I am telling you now that Kebbi State has exceeded one million tons of rice. Not only Kebbi, Ebonyi State has keyed into it. We were there last week and Ebonyi is to give us over 1.2million tons of rice in one year. They are harvesting now, they are bagging and they are milling. Nigerians are booking their Christmas rice in Abakaliki. Abia State has ordered rice from Ebonyi State Government. Other states are keying in. In Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Cross River, rice is coming up. Nigerians are planting rice, producing rice. You need to taste Nigerian rice, it is fresh. Not the nine-year-old rice from Vietnam, Thailand, and India. Let us feed ourselves. Our rice is healthier, it is not preserved with chemicals. We have been to Anambra, Niger, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Cross River and Ebonyi just to ensure that this is not another talk show. We have seen the harvest of rice which brought me to say that the harvest of rice for this year has so far outstripped our projections. By the end of 2017, Nigeria will not only meet our national demands which are between six and seven tons per year, but we will exceed it that we will have rice to export to other countries. C++ remains the go-to language for the highest-end, hardest-core, and most pedal-to-the-metal applications. But compiling a large C++ project means dealing with agonizing wait times. Israeli software outfit Ceemple Software Ltd. recently concluded a round of beta testing for what it hopes to be a major fix for that problem: Zapcc, a compiler that can cut compilation times for many C++ projects by half or more. Zapcc uses the Clang compiler, part of the LLVM compiler framework, and outfits it with a cache that preserves information about each compilation run so that it can be reused in subsequent passes. The cache runs as a server on the same system, but the amount of memory it uses can be adjusted by the developer if it becomes a problem. Zapcc works by caching header files (with an .h extension), since the size and complexity of those tend to be the biggest reason why C++ projects have long compilation times. Header files also rarely change, so caching them provides one of the most efficient ways to speed up the compilation process. Regular .c and .cpp files aren't cached, but it's possible to add them to the cache if the need arises. (Compiling regular C apps, as opposed to C++, doesn't yield any speedup, though.) Benchmarks released by Ceemple Softare claim speedups of anywhere from two to five times for most projects. With some larger projects, where the changes are confined to one file, the speedups can approach a factor of 50. Baptiste Wicht, a developer in Fribourg, Switzerland, claims to have participated in the Zapcc beta program and wrote about his experiences with Zapcc versus generic Clang and GCC. On the whole, he observed Zapcc to be about three times faster than Clang and twice as fast at GCC when compiling debug builds. With release builds, the speedup went down to about 1.2 to 1.4 times faster than Clang and 1.1 to 1.3 times faster than GCC. Overall he was impressed, especially since Zapcc can replace Clang as-is. Zapcc isn't available for release yet, but the proposed licensing may give some people pause: It'll be released under a commercial license only, with no word of an open source version. Clang itself is open source, albeit released under the BSD license, so this kind of commercial repurposing of the project is permitted. Other software vendors are also working on speeding up their C++ tools. Microsoft unveiled plans earlier this year for a set of sophisticated optimizations to its Visual C++ compiler, although most of Microsoft's improvements there revolve around the performance and footprint of binaries generated by the compiler, rather than compilation speed itself. For Hewlett Packard Enterprise, turnabout is fair play in the cloud. HPE originally pitched its Synergy line of "composable" IT infrastructure as a way to bring the flexibility of cloud services to on-premises systems. Now it's turning that story around, putting those same Synergy components -- and some new ones -- into the public cloud with the goal of simplifying hybrid IT management. The new components of Synergy made their debut in London on Tuesday at HPE Discover, an event for the company's customers and partners. Among the new offerings are a software update for the HPE Hyper Converged 380 server, and a new version of HPE Helion CloudSystem. Both incorporate new cloud management functions intended to simplify the automation of repetitive tasks. There are also two new ways to pay for it all, HPE Dynamic Usage for Hyper Converged Systems, and HPE Flexible Capacity Service, and some deft financial engineering to move some of the business risks onto partners. HPE's goal is to allow IT departments to act as service providers for their organization, rather than maintaining infrastructure. "The most efficient way to deal with the cloud point of view is to take it from an application perspective, start with the workload, and derive the infrastructure to support it," said Matt Foley, HPE's director of cloud presales in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Hyper Converged 380 is essentially just an ProLiant DL380. What turns the server into a "software-defined virtualization solution," as HPE calls it, is its Hyper Converged Operating Environment, an updated version of which HPE revealed in London. The new version, when it is released in the first quarter next year, will add integrated analytics and multi-tenant workspaces. Together, HPE says, these will allow IT departments to manage servers as a single resource pool, composing and recomposing virtualized environments for individuals or workgroups, and to predict future needs. "It's an upgrade to the management subsystem," said Foley. "It's a headless OneView, a friendlier management console for setting up virtual machines. ... It also provides a friendlier front-end for storage systems," he said. HPE Synergy with HPE Helion CloudSystem 10 is a bit of a mouthful, but HPE clearly hopes it will be easier to use than to say. Although it won't be generally available until the first quarter next year, some customers have had access to CloudSystem 10 for a while now, Foley said. "We're seeing more success in terms of customer usage than we did in previous versions," he said. "Products have ups and downs in their lifecycle, and this one's on an up." One advantage of CloudSystem 10 is in lower licensing costs: "In CloudSystem 9, if you were using VMware as a hypervisor, the licensing terms were expensive," Foley said. The new version works with a less expensive VMware license, he said. HPE has rolled in its OneView Composer infrastructure automation management software, and Version 10 also pulls in more OpenStack services: "We are able to use KVM from OpenStack rather than from a third-party vendor," Foley said. One of HPE's aims is to simplify not just the management of infrastructure, but also of applications. It's doing this by developing templates for common apps. "There's a certain amount of work we can simplify, such as installation," Foley said, but "There's other work that's harder to simplify, such as customization. Work there never really goes away. That's why we have been working with partners to build templates." HPE is preloading templates for common apps onto Synergy systems, but has to strike a delicate balance between overstuffing servers with too many templates and leaving some customers unsatisfied that there aren't enough. "This idea that 80 percent of it is the same, it hasn't been true," Foley said. Even if HPE did at some point manage to provide 80 percent coverage of the applications used by its customers, it would be forever playing catch-up because, Foley said, applications age over time, or fall out of favor. When it comes time to pick up the check, HPE has a couple of new options to offer. HPE Flexible Capacity Service will make it easier to scale up and scale down capacity -- and to charge business units per virtual machine for their use of on-premises infrastructure, just as they would pay for cloud services. The other payment innovation is HPE Dynamic Usage for Hyper Converged Systems, a new tool that IT service providers can use to bill for multi-tenant workspaces based on virtual machine usage. The canny company has also found a way to offload some of the risk of investing in hybrid cloud infrastructure. Today, HPE's Technology Services group leases cloud infrastructure owned by the company's Financial Services group, renting it out to customers piecemeal and hoping to make a profit from the difference. But in the future, Foley said, HPE will allow partners to take on that risk, living on whatever margin they can make from renting out HPE-owned infrastructure. "It's extending the capability to do consumption-based pricing to partners," Foley said. HPE has a packed program for its Discover event, so this is unlikely to be the last news coming out of London this week. Microsoft wants to stop supporting its Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) because all of the security features have been baked into Windows 10. A vulnerability analyst says Windows with EMET offers additional protection not available in standalone Windows 10. "Even a Windows 7 system with EMET configured protects your application more than a stock Windows 10 system," said Will Dormann, a vulnerability analyst with the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Software Engineering Institute. Originally introduced in 2009, EMET adds exploit mitigations, including address space layout randomization (ASLR) and data execution prevention (DEP), to Windows systems to make it harder for malware to trigger unpatched vulnerabilities. Since Windows 10 includes EMETs anti-exploit protections by default, Microsoft is planning to end-of-life the free tool in July 2018. CERTs Dormann said Microsoft should keep supporting the toolkit because Windows 10 does not provide all of the application-specific mitigations available in EMET. Windows 10 does indeed provide some nice exploit mitigations. The problem is that the software you are running needs to be specifically compiled to take advantage of them, Dormann said. OS-level vs application-level defenses Dormann argues that Microsoft should keep supporting the toolkit -- currently EMET 5.51 -- because it provides both systemwide protection and application-specific mitigations that make the toolkit relevant for Windows security, even on Windows 10 systems. EMETs systemwide protections include the aforementioned ASLR and DEP, Structured Exception Handler Overwrite Protection (SEHOP), Certificate Trust (Pinning), and Block Untrusted Fonts. EMETs application-specific protections include DEP, SEHOP, ASLR, Null Page Allocation, Heapspray Allocations, Export Address Table Access Filtering (EAF), Export Address Table Access Filtering Plus (EAF+), Bottom-up Randomization (BottomUP ASLR), Attack Surface Reduction (ASR), Block Untrusted Fonts, and Return-Oriented Programming mitigations. Microsofts principal lead program for OS security, Jeffrey Sutherland, recently said that users should upgrade to Windows 10 since the latest operating system natively includes the security features provided by EMET. That is true to some extent, as DEP, SEHOP, ASLR, BottomupASLR, and ROP mitigation (as Control Flow Guard) are part of Windows 10, but many of the application-specific mitigations are not. What Sutherland neglected to consider was that most Windows administrators rely on EMET to apply all of the available exploit mitigations to applications. Consider that a Windows 10 system with EMET properly configured has 13 additional mitigations -- the application-specific controls -- than a standalone Windows 10 system. "It is pretty clear that an application running on a stock Windows 10 system does not have the same protections as one running on a Windows 10 system with EMET properly configured," Dormann said. Application defenses still lagging Windows 10 may be the most secure Windows ever, but the applications have to be compiled to utilize the exploit mitigation features to actually benefit from those enhanced security features. For example, if the application isnt designed to use Control Flow Guard, then the application doesnt benefit from Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) defenses, despite the fact that Control Flow Guard is part of Windows 10. "Out of all of the applications you run in your enterprise, do you know which ones are built with Control Flow Guard support? If an application is not built to use Control Flow Guard, it doesn't matter if your underlying operating system supports it or not," Dormann said. The problem isnt limited to third-party and custom enterprise applications, as there are older -- but still widely used -- Microsoft applications that dont access the advanced exploit mitigations. For example, Microsoft does not compile all of Office 2010 with the /DYNAMICBASE flag to indicate compatibility with ASLR. An attacker could potentially bypass ASLR and exploit a memory corruption vulnerability by loading a malicious library into the vulnerable applications process space. Ironically, administrators would protect the application from being targeted in this way by running EMET with application-specific mitigations. "Because we cannot rely on all software vendors to produce code that uses all the exploit mitigations available, EMET puts this control back in our hands," Dormann said. Dont pick sides; do both Microsoft says to start migrating to Windows 10 and stop using EMET by 2018. A senior engineer at CERT, tasked by the United States Department of Homeland Security to make security recommendations of national significance, says EMET still offers better security than standalone Windows 10. What is a Windows administrator to do? The answer, according to Dormann, is to follow both recommendations: Upgrade to Windows 10 to take advantage of native exploit mitigation features, and install EMET to apply application-specific mitigations. EMET will continue to keep working even after its end-of-life date, which means administrators can still use the tool to protect unsupported software against possible zero-day vulnerabilities. Several other Microsoft applications are nearing their end-of-life dates, including Microsoft Office 2007. Administrators can continue to use EMET to protect these applications from attacks looking for zero-day vulnerabilities. With such out-of-support applications, it is even more important to provide additional exploit protection with a product like EMET, Dormann said. Its possible that with Microsofts new Windows-as-a-service model, the remaining EMET defenses will be added to Windows 10 before the end-of-life date, at which point Windows 10 would be able to handle the application-specific protections without EMET. Until then, EMET is still an important tool to help prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities, Dormann said. Indianapolis, Indiana Klipsch Group, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the Southern District of Indiana. It alleges infringement of several trademarks protecting the Klipsch mark. Listed as sole Defendant in this lawsuit is Robert Pignari of Costa Mesa, California, who does business as Main St. Electronics. Pignari also maintains an Amazon.com presence under the name Audio Video Sales Guy. Klipsch accuses Defendant Pignari, who is not an authorized Klipsch distributor, of selling Klipsch products without its permission. Pignari is further accused of removing the correct serial numbers from the shipping boxes of the Klipsch products he sells and replacing them with fake serial numbers. Because Klipsch voids a products warranty in such cases, Pignaris customers have purchased Klipsch products advertised as brand new but which carry no warranty from Klipsch. An Indiana trademark attorney for Plaintiff Klipsch contacted Pignari demanding that he cease selling gray market goods, asserting that his actions violated 15 U.S.C. 1114 and 15 U.S.C. 1125(a). No agreement was reached regarding the disputed conduct and this litigation ensued. In its complaint, filed in Indiana federal court, Klipsch contends that Pignari has infringed its rights in the Klipsch trademarks, as protected by U.S. Trademark Reg. Nos. 978,949; 2,917,215; and 3,863,511. Two claims are made: Count I: Federal Trademark Infringement in Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1114 Count II: Federal Unfair Competition in Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1125(a) Plaintiff seeks damages, including treble damages, as well as injunctive relief, costs and attorneys fees. The case was assigned to District Judge Sarah Evans Barker and Magistrate Judge Debra McVicker Lynch in the Southern District of Indiana and assigned Case No. 1:16-cv-03043-SEB-DML. 01-main Livestock Report Walsh Trading - 18 minutes ago Hogs retreat, test support Shootin' the bull about volatility Swift Trading Company - 35 minutes ago At the onset of inflation, the Fed considered it "transitory". Today, their fear is "entrenched". They were incorrect on transitory as the inflation remains. They are believed incorrect on entrenched,... Nat-Gas Prices Surge on Forecasts for Colder U.S. Temps Barchart - 1 hour ago Dec Nymex natural gas (NGZ22 ) on Wednesday closed up +0.554 (+9.70%). Dec nat-gas Wednesday rallied sharply on forecasts for colder U.S. weather, which would boost heating demand for nat-gas. The Commodity... NGZ22 : 6.190 (+8.33%) Crude Rallies on Chinese Energy Demand Optimism and a Drop in EIA Inventories Barchart - 1 hour ago Dec WTI crude oil (CLZ22 ) on Wednesday closed up +1.63 (+1.84%), and Dec RBOB gasoline (RBZ22 ) closed up +10.27 (+3.96%). Crude oil and gasoline prices Wednesday rallied, with crude climbing to a 3-week... CLZ22 : 89.39 (+1.15%) RBZ22 : 2.6886 (+3.63%) Cocoa Moderately Higher as Dollar Weakness Fuels Technical Buying Barchart - 1 hour ago December ICE NY cocoa (CCZ22 ) on Wednesday closed up +31 (+1.32%), and December ICE London cocoa #7 (CAZ22 ) closed up +27 (+1.40%). Cocoa prices Wednesday rallied moderately, with NY cocoa posting a... CCZ22 : 2,379s (+1.32%) CAH23 : 1,922s (+1.26%) DXY00 : 112.120 (+0.57%) Sugar Moves Higher on Brazil Production Concerns Barchart - 1 hour ago March NY world sugar #11 (SBH23 ) on Tuesday closed up +0.04 (+0.22%), and Dec London white sugar #5 (SWZ22 ) closed up +4.10 (+0.77%). Sugar prices Wednesday posted moderate gains, with London sugar climbing... SBH23 : 18.47s (+0.22%) SWZ22 : 536.80s (+0.77%) CLZ22 : 89.39 (+1.15%) Coffee Prices Jump on Dollar Weakness and Smaller Central American Exports Barchart - 1 hour ago December arabica coffee (KCZ22 ) on Wednesday closed up +7.55 (+4.32%), and Jan ICE Robusta coffee (RMF23 ) closed up +43 (+2.34%). Coffee prices Wednesday rallied sharply. A weaker dollar Wednesday sparked... KCH23 : 176.95s (+3.97%) RMF23 : 1,882s (+2.34%) Canada has imposed sanctions on 15 Russian nationals, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said. "These sanctions are in response to the September 18 election of officials residing in Crimea to Russia's State Duma. Canada does not support the legitimacy or the outcome of these elections," the statement posted on the ministry's website said. It said the blacklisted persons would be "subject to an asset freeze and dealings prohibition." The purpose of the sanctions "is to maintain pressure on Russia to implement its Minsk commitments," it said. "Today's announcement of additional sanctions underscores Canada's unwavering commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine," the statement said. Update 1/10/17 Global has completed its acquisition of two self-storage facilities and a commercial property from Tuxis. The company agreed to pay $6.9 million, which includes $5.925 million in cash and $975,000 in common stock. An additional $900,000 in cash is conditional based on expansion and redevelopment approvals and other factors, according to a press release. Global has already submitted permits to redevelop and expand the Millbrook facility. The addition of these stores is expected to have an immediate accretive impact on our property revenues, net operating income and funds from operations, Winmill said. The expansion opportunity at the Millbrook property has the potential to further increase the stores revenues and net operating income. The deal brings the number of self-storage facilities in Globals portfolio to 11. 11/29/16 Global Self Storage Inc., a self-storage real estate investment trust, has agreed to purchase the two storage facilities operated by Tuxis Corp., a real estate development company and affiliate of Global, for $7.8 million. The properties in Clinton, Conn., and Millbrook, N.Y., comprise a combined 40,705 square feet in 327 units. The deal includes an adjoining 1,875-square-foot commercial property that will be used to expand the Millbrook facility, according to a press release. Global President and CEO Mark C. Winmill will discuss the companys self-storage business with investors next month during the LD Micro Main Event in Los Angeles. The Tuxis Self Storage property in Clinton is at Heritage Park. It comprises 25,705 square feet in 185 units. The Millbrook Commons location in Millbrook is a mixed-use facility comprising 15,000 square feet in 142 climate-controlled units, including wine storage and rental office space. Global will pay Tuxis $5.925 million in cash, along with $975,000 in Global common stock. An additional $900,000 in cash is contingent on certain conditions, including the expansion of the Millbrook asset, the release stated. The deal is also contingent on approval by Tuxis shareholders. "Both of these facilities fit our current acquisition criteria, as they are performing well and located in secondary and/or tertiary cities where new development is muted," Winmill said. "After a thorough review and evaluation by a special committee of independent directors, we believe these two stores will be very complementary to our existing portfolio of self-storage facilities." Winmill also serves as president, CEO and director of Tuxis. Though the development companys primary source of revenue has been through the two self-storage facilities, this transaction will allow Tuxis to pursue other real estate development and management opportunities, Winmill said. Winmill will represent Global during the 9th annual LD Micro Main Event investor conference, Dec. 6-8, at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles. Hell present to investors on Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. PT and then hold one-on-one meetings throughout the day, according to a press release. The LD Micro Main Event is designed for small and microcap firms and will feature 240 presenting companies. Founded in 1983, Global focuses on the acquisition, development, operation, ownership and redevelopment of storage facilities in the United States. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, it currently owns and operates nine properties in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The company changed its name from Self Storage Group Inc. in January. Self-storage properties are constantly changing hands, and Inside Self-Storage is regularly notified of these market transactions. Many are covered in detail on the ISS website and available for viewing on the Real Estate topics page. Following are additional acquisitions and sales that werent covered. 38th Street Mini Storage in Tulsa, Okla., was sold to a private investor. The property at 7711 E. 38th St. was built in 1960 and comprises 37,350 square feet of storage space in 354 units. The buyer and the seller, a limited-liability company, were represented in the transaction by Trey Hammond, an investment associate, and Michael Mele, senior director, of Marcus & Millichap. American Mini Storage and Office Complex in Port St. Joe, Fla., was sold for $3.2 million. The property at 141 Commerce Blvd. comprises 76,900 rentable square feet of storage space in 181 units and 128 vehicle-storage spaces. The facility also includes 12 office suites with adjoining warehouse space. The seller was represented in the transaction by Bill Barnhill and Stuart P. LaGroue Sr. of Omega Properties Inc., who are the broker affiliates for the Argus Self Storage Sales Network in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. Butte Self-Stor in Mount Shasta, Calif., was sold for approximately $1 million to Celine Properties LLC, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company. The property at 5201 Truck Village Drive sits on 4.6 acres and includes eight single-story buildings as well as an office. It comprises 36,425 net rentable square feet of storage space in 305 units. The buyer and the sellers, Dick and Connie Beith, were represented in the transaction by Bobby Loeffler and Tyler Skelly of The Loeffler Self-Storage Group. Climate Masters Self Storage in Saraland, Ala., was sold to an out-of-state investor. The property at 425 Saraland Blvd. S. includes 46,750 rentable square feet of storage space in 361 climate-controlled units. The facility also includes 20 outdoor vehicle-parking spaces. The seller was represented in the transaction by Barnhill and LaGroue. The Duncan Mini Storage portfolio in Duncan, Okla., was sold for $1.7 million to a local investor. The transaction includes two main locations and two annex sites comprising 84,898 rentable square feet of storage space. The sites also include land for expansion. The seller was represented in the transaction by Jared Jones, director of Tulsa, Okla.-based Porthaven Partners, whos an Argus broker affiliate for Oklahoma. Glendale Self Storage in Sparks, Nev., was sold for $1.2 million to Sparks Valley View LLC, a Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based company. The property at 940 Freeport Blvd. sits on 1.5 acres and includes two single-story buildings as well as an office. It comprises 25,148 net rentable square feet of storage space in 216 units. The buyer and the seller, Gusher 940 LLC, were represented in the transaction by Loeffler and Skelly. A Happy Boxes Self Storage facility is under construction on a 1.8-acre undeveloped lot in the Lynnhaven North Shopping Center in Virginia Beach, Va. The three-story facility at 608 S. Lynnhaven Road will comprise 108,000 square feet of climate-controlled storage space. The exterior will be similar to an office building, according to a source. National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSAT), a Maryland real estate investment trust specializing in self-storage, acquired Lakewood Storage in Bradenton, Fla., for $7.6 million from Michael E. Edwards, owner of Manatee River Groves Inc. The property at 2709 Lorraine Road comprises more than 57,000 square feet of storage space and outdoor vehicle-storage parking. The deal also included separate parcels totaling 20 acres. Park N Shade Boat & RV Storage at 7935 W. Tangerine Road in Marana, Ariz., was sold for $4.5 million to an international investment fund. The buyer was represented in the transaction by Jeff Gorden, vice president of brokerage services for Eagle Commercial Realty Services, whos an Argus broker affiliate for Arizona. Two Self Store-It properties in Northern California were sold as part of a multi-property disposition for a local, family-owned operation. Storage Solutions, a NSAT company, purchased Self Store-It in Manteca, Calif., which contains 53,250 net rentable square feet of storage space in 497 units and serves as a U-Haul truck-rental dealer. The company plans to add 4,000 square feet of portable-storage units to the property, according to a press release from Argus, the real estate firm that brokered the deal. Self Store-It in Modesto, Calif., was purchased by Don Pensotti, a local appraiser and first-time storage investor. The facility comprises 17,840 net rentable square feet of storage space in 111 units and includes nine vehicle-parking spaces. Pensotti plans to add portable-storage units, the release stated. The seller was represented in the transaction by Tom de Jong, vice president of Colliers International, an Argus broker affiliate for Northern California. Stor-More in Elgin, Ill., was sold to a private investor. The property at 796 Bluff City Blvd. consists of five buildings containing 22,800 net rentable square feet of storage space. The buyer and the seller, a limited-liability company, were represented in the transaction by Mele and Sean M. Delaney, vice president of investments for Marcus & Millichap. West Palm Beach Self Storage in Riviera Beach, Fla., was sold to an out-of-state private investor. The 3-acre property at 3895 Westroads Drive comprises 40,665 net rentable square feet of storage in 491 units as well as 31 vehicle-parking spaces. The buyer and the seller, also a private investor, were represented in the transaction by Mele as well as Brian Baldwin, investment associate, and Luke Elliott, associate vice president of investments, in the Marcus & Millichap Tampa, Fla., office. Windmill Center Self Storage in Edgewood, Wash., was sold to a limited-liability company for $4.3 million. The property at 2222 Meridian Ave. E. sits on 5 acres with land for expansion. In addition to 37,093 square feet of self-storage, the facility contains 50 vehicle-parking spaces and a three-tenant office building. The buyer and the seller, also a limited-liability company, were represented in the transaction by Jacob Becher, Christopher R. Secreto and Aaron Sher, investment specialists in the Seattle office of Marcus & Millichap. Yuba City 99 Self Storage in Yuba City, Calif., was sold for $5.9 million to Auburn Ravine Investors LLC and YC 99 Storage LLC. The property at 1268 Stewart Road sits on 4.7 acres and includes 13 single-story buildings as well as an office and managers residence. It comprises 95,820 net rentable square feet of storage space in 743 units. The buyer and the seller, 1268 Stewart LLC, were represented in the transaction by Loeffler and Skelly. Argus is a Denver-based network of real estate brokers who specialize in storage properties. Formed in 1994, the company has 36 broker affiliates covering nearly 40 markets. Happy Boxes operates eight facilities in North Carolina. The Loeffler Self-Storage Group specializes in self-storage real estate in California and Nevada, having closed more than 80 transactions in those states. Founded in 1971, Marcus & Millichap is a commercial-property investment firm with more than 1,500 investment professionals in offices throughout Canada and the United States. The firm closed more than 8,700 transactions in 2015 with a value of approximately $37.8 billion. Headquartered in Greenwood, Colo., National Storage Affiliates Trust is a self-administered and -managed real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition, operation and ownership of self-storage properties. Storage Solutions operates 1.8 million square feet of storage space in Arizona and Nevada. Californias insurance regulator said Zenefits has agreed to pay as much as $7 million over licensing violations. The human resources startup will pay $3.5 million upfront and will be on the hook for the rest if additional violations are found or if it fails a follow-up compliance test in 2018, the insurance department said.The fine is the largest single penalty assessed against Zenefits, the regulator said. Fines from other states this year totaled about $1 million, Zenefits said. The company said its resolved issues in 17 states.Zenefits has faced a spate of controversies in the last year after some employees used software to skirt training requirements and sold health insurance without the necessary licenses. The company has slashed head count and agreed to reduce its valuation to $2 billion in exchange for shareholders agreeing not to sue the company. Zenefits has raised more than $580 million from backers including Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity Investments and TPG Capital.We are pleased to reach a settlement with the California Department of Insurance, which recognized our remediation efforts by suspending half the fine, Jessica Hoffman, a spokeswoman for Zenefits, wrote in an e-mail. We now have a clean bill of health from our lead regulator as well as 16 other states. New management has righted the ship at Zenefits.About a quarter of the more than 8,000 insurance policies Zenefits sold to Californians from January 2014 to November 2015 were done without the proper licenses, the regulator said. The fine was reported earlier by BuzzFeed.Our enforcement action has resulted in Zenefits paying substantial monetary penalties for their licensing violations and ensures Zenefits complies with all of Californias insurance laws and regulations or they will face additional automatic penalties and sanctions, Dave Jones, Californias insurance commissioner, said in a statement.About half of the California fine involves the use of unlicensed brokers and the other half is for not following training procedures. Zenefits has said founding Chief Executive Officer Parker Conrad developed a program called the macro that allowed some employees to appear to be engaged in training software even when they were away from their desks. The agreement doesnt preclude the regulator from taking action against Conrad directly. Zenefits agreed to cooperate with any potential investigation into its former CEO as part of the settlement.Copyright Bloomberg 2016 The Australian Insurance Law Association ( AILA ) has announced a new president following a board meeting last week.Current New South Wales president Angus Kench was elected by the board and will replace Sue Vidler in the role.Kench, who is currently assistant vice president, casualty claims Asia Pacific, with Liberty International Underwriters, has been an AILA member for more than two decades before landing the top job.I look forward to working with the board and the state and territory branches so the strength of our national association supports them and assists in delivering vibrant and engaging seminars and events at branch level, Kench said.We are very fortunate to have dynamic and passionate branches, without which AILA could not deliver the enormous array of activities we do.Stephen Williams, from Perth-based Kott Gunning, has been elected vice president while Vidler will take the role of treasurer as Melbourne barrister Kim Bradley will continue her role as secretary.Kench praised Vidler for the enormous amount of drive and commitment she has given to AILA during her term and will take over planning the inaugural Asia Pacific Insurance Conference set to be held in Singapore next year.Singapore is at the centre of much change in insurance in the Asia-Pacific region and a very important place for insurers, brokers, service providers and others to visit and experience, Kench continued.Before joining LIU, Kench was general manager at Cerno, following the purchase of Aspeck Holdings where Kench worked alongside his father developing a niche loss adjusting, third party administrator and investigation business. For Aviva CEO Mark Wilson, the age of insurance agents has come to an end, at least in some Asian countries.In an interview with Bloomberg, Wilson said that the number of insurance agents in some of Asias most developed markets could decrease by 50% over the next three years.Wilson said insurance in these markets is ripe for disruption and digital sales are starting to eat into the commissions of insurance agents.The number of insurance agents will also decline as more of these insurance professionals approach retirement age, Wilson added.He also believes that financial advisers will increasingly replace agents as sellers of insurance.Most of the Asia growth story has been on the back of agency, Wilson told Bloomberg. The agency era in a lot of those markets is now over; you have extraordinarily high commissions and an ageing agency force.Aviva does not rely on agents to sell products in Asian countries including China, Hong Kong and Singapore, where it opened a Digital Garage to sell insurance directly to the customer online.Wilson told Bloomberg that in Singapore, Aviva is becoming the home for mature agents who have 20 years of experience and want more freedom and independence. He added that older agents in Asia dont want to be in tired pyramid agency structures.But not everyone in the industry agrees that the days of insurance agents are numbered, Bloomberg noted. According to the news agency, British insurance giant Prudential told investors earlier this month that it has boosted its recruitment of agents in Asia. Tower has reported a full year 2016 loss of $21.5 million, with a $25.3 million impact from additional Canterbury provisions prompting the direct insurer to take drastic action.Board chairman Michael Stiassny revealed the continuing legacy of Canterbury had prompted the company to propose creating a separate company called RunOff Co which would be dedicated solely to Canterbury claims resolutions.This, coupled with a proposed investment in a new, modern core insurance platform, would give New Tower the platform required to take on the large, incumbent Australian brands, Stiassny said.It would also amplify the results of Towers underlying business and realise the potential in the Pacific.Each entity would have its own very clear and distinct mandate and strategy, he said during the companys full year 2016 results presentation.New Tower would realise its potential to become a high performing general insurer, while RunOff Co would manage the legacy liabilities relating to Canterbury.RunOff Co would own all Canterbury related liabilities and assets and would be managed by a team of experts charged with making the hard calls.The company would be tasked with settling the remaining 564 claims and maximising the disputed recoveries which currently sat at $43.7 million for Peak Re and $57.6 million for EQC.Stiassny said the strategy required to separate into two entities was largely complete with a number of additional steps to be actioned before a final decision could be made.It was also subject to RBNZ requirements, he said, but he hoped to bring a proposal to shareholders for their approval at the annual shareholders meeting in March 2017.Tower CEO Richard Harding said while the Canterbury situation remained a complex and difficult one for all insurers, and increasing Canterbury provisions had become the new normal,Tower being the only listed pure New Zealand general insurer gave it the most visibility.We are the canary in the coalmine, Harding said.Over the course of the year, gross claims costs had increased by $78 million to reach $870 million. This had resulted in a net impact on Tower of $35.1 million pre-tax, or $25.3 million post-tax.This continued cost escalation was primarily driven by EQC and litigation claims.Since Tower had announced an increase in provisions on 8 September, a further $7 million post tax had been added. Towers appointed actuary, Deloitte , had recommended an increase in risk margins to reflect the continued uncertainty, he said.As at 1 October 2015, Tower had 703 property claims remaining. In the intervening 12 months to 30 September 2016, 534 of those claims were closed.However, in the interim 297 completely new claims were received, and 98 claims have been reopened, he said.Of the 564 remaining properties, there were 311 which were the most complex and challenging to resolve.This was why the singular focus of a specially skilled management team was crucial to deal with them, he said.Also, separating the company this way would allow the value of new Tower to become more transparent.The Board believes that separation will draw a line under Canterbury, and enhance the prospects of Towers strong underlying business, he said.The company reported underlying profit after tax of $20.1 million with an improved second half performance of underlying profit growing from $7.6 million in 1H16 to $12.6 million in 2H16.Business initiatives were driving improvements in core metrics which was providing confidence in strategy and future performance targets.He cited a reduction in management expenses, a return to positive policy growth in the core New Zealand book, a 2.6% improvement in Tower Direct retention rates over the year, supply chain initiatives curtailing claims cost growth in the second half, and investment in new products and digital capability.The company also suffered a $14.1 million impact from impairment of technology assets which had been announced in the first half following a review of the IT infrastructure.Harding put forward medium term (3-5 years) strategic targets of 4-6% GWP growth, less than 35% expense ratio and ROE of 12-14% through the cycle which would be underpinned by Towers digital transformation strategy.RELATED ARTICLES: Criticism by mental health advocates of the way the insurance industry deals with people with mental health issues has been backed up by the industry itself, according to the response to an Insurance Business article published earlier this week.Workers from both broking and underwriting in Australia and New Zealand have joined a growing chorus outside the industry who have questioned the approach to mental health which was outlined in an ABC news report recently.In Australia, broker David Stott said the exclusions were way too broad and common, but brokers could play a crucial role in improving things.The concerns raised by the advocates are valid in that once this target has been put on your back, the insurance industry will not forget, he said.It was hard to understand it being an uninsurable risk when it was being readily addressed by workers compensation, income protection and health insurers, he continued.As brokers we might play a part in explaining the nature and effect of these exclusions to clients.If its a concern and its fed back to insurers, they may come up with alternatives. I recall that flood was treated with the same broad brush until recently and now that its in place its hard to recall what all the fuss was about.He stressed that were in the business of protecting people from risks.Its a shame that one thats so personal and potentially devastating is being swept under the carpet.While the insurers may have protected their bottom line by utilising an exclusion, it doesnt mean that the risk should be ignored.One underwriter said there were many instances where mental illnesses would be covered.Years ago, I managed two claims concurrently for individuals suffering schizophrenia.As an underwriter, sure there are reasons why you dont want to write such risks, but those need to be measured against the overall portfolio.One commenter, John, said: The industry needs to do something about this.I wouldnt get life insurance if I applied through underwriting and answered the questions truthfully, nor would half of my family and friends.But another broker, Robert Cooper, said mental illness was too widespread and insurance coverage would put premiums out of reach.Mental illness needs to be treated under our Medicare system and loss of income with Social Security, and [so as not to] put income protection policies and other personal accident and illness covers including travel out of reach for the other events we need coverage for, he explained.I, for one, would gladly like to see our Medicare levy increase to include better services in this area.In New Zealand, insurance adviser J-P Hale described the industry as being quite bi-polar in its approach which resulted in misunderstandings and challenges for retail consumers who did not understand the different approaches underwriters had for general insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and travel insurance.Insurers tend to be very harsh when it comes to arranging cover when there has been some sign of mental health challenge in a consumers past, he suggested.However, if there is unencumbered cover, my experience has been insurers take a very proactive approach to engaging the right answers and support for clients at claim time.Its this very black and white approach that confuses consumers. We need to find a happy medium to enable consumers to move and acquire coverage for mental health conditions where there has been some level of stress or depression history in their past.Hale said many sufferers often responded better after an intervention to how they did prior.This should be seen as an improved risk rather than an increased risk, in the same way that insurers now look at cholesterol and blood pressure for clients, he said.While he accepted there would be certain situations where it wouldnt work, he said a loaded approach rather than an exclusion approach needed to be considered.Where a client is able to demonstrate they have been compliant with their medical treatment for a mental health condition and this has resulted in an improved outcome and life experience, if this is applied in the window three-five years post recovery and treatment, it could be workable. "This presents an ideal opportunity for the insurance industry" The foreign ministers of the 'Normandy Four' countries (Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia) are unlikely to agree upon the Donbas settlement roadmap at their meeting in Minsk on Tuesday, Ukrainian representative to the political subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group for Donbas Olha Aivazovska said. "The low probability of having an efficient meeting in Minsk today is evidenced by the problem of the absence of a coordinated document which representatives and heads of the foreign ministries could formalize," she told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday. The November consultations between advisors bore no fruit, the Ukrainian representative said. "This is because every side, primarily, Ukraine and the Russian Federation, has its own tasks. So, the meeting is likely to compare positions of foreign ministry officials [...] rather than approve a single document, which has yet to be elaborated," Aivazovska said. She noted that the foreign ministers had not met since the meeting of the 'Normandy format' leaders in Berlin in October. Ukraine has drafted its roadmap, Russia has a draft of its own, and France and Germany are elaborating a joint roadmap, Aivazovska said. The Department of Buildings of the City of New Yorks (DOB) recent move to better regulate crawler crane operations in New York City has led to concern for some in the insurance industry that a stricter regulatory environment could make a difficult coverage area even more challenging for insurers, according to several industry participants. The new requirements resulted in an ongoing lawsuit filed last month against the DOB and its commissioner, Rick D. Chandler, claiming they are too burdensome for crane manufacturers and operators a criticism echoed by some in the insurance industry. With this new regulation, claims could theoretically improve, therefore improving underwriting, but administrative costs will go up as well. I do not personally believe insurers will hustle back into New York due to these new regulations, said Jeffrey Haynes, senior vice president and crane and rigging practice leader at USI Insurance Services. This will not be a positive thing for insurers to want to jump back into writing cranes. The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York by the Building Trades Employers Association on behalf of its members, comes after the DOB issued a June 2016 Commissioners Order containing new requirements for crawler cranes. The order was issued in response to a February crane collapse in New York which killed one person. Following the crane collapse, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio formed a new working group, the Crane Safety Technical Working Group, to recommend policies to improve crane safety. The Citys crane rules are there to protect peoples lives, a DOB spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Insurance Journal. We look forward to reviewing this action and are confident we will prevail. Challenges for Carriers Several insurance industry participants have expressed concern, however, that higher costs associated with regulatory compliance and recordkeeping, coupled with an already present risk for insurers of construction projects involving cranes in New York City, could push insurance carriers out of this coverage area. The market of carriers available to cover projects that involve cranes in New York is already very small, said Anthony Kammas, Professional Insurance Agents of New York (PIANY) secretary and principal at Skyline Risk Management. This regulation is putting more burden on the crane manufacturers and operators, which in turn adds additional cost to their underlying insurance. The premiums are going sky high, and a lot of the carriers are putting crane exclusions on their policies because they dont want to deal with anything that involves cranes. If that continues, there will be a tremendous increase in premiums. New York is an already risky place for construction projects due to its density, and a stricter regulatory environment could negatively impact the risk/reward profile for insurers of construction projects involving cranes, according to Allen Wolff, shareholder at Anderson Kill. Its a big question mark right now, and a lot of people in the industry are legitimately concerned they may face this increased expense but see no significant decrease in accidents, he said. At that point, regulations are burdensome and impose additional cost with no real reward. New York has always been a place where insurance is expensive and difficult to obtain, and there are some insurance companies that are probably disinclined to take that risk in this environment, whereas they might be more inclined to take that risk in a different environment. Push for Flexibility One aspect of the order that many in the industry view as particularly burdensome is a one-size-fits-all approach, according to Wolff. He pointed to one example in the lawsuit highlighting a rule in the Commissioners Order, which restricts crane operations in winds of 30 mph or greater. Although this DOB rule has been in place since 1968, it has rarely been enforced, according to the court document. Crawler cranes come in all shapes and sizes they can be small enough to reach a three- or four-story building or tall enough to go up to a 15- or 20-story building, Wolff said. To apply the same standard across the board doesnt seem, at face value, the most prudent way to go about it. Enforcement of the 30 mph rule could significantly increase construction costs without providing much corresponding benefit, since frequently returning cranes to non-operational mode can be risky, according to the Building Trades Employers Association in its court filing. High winds can cause a crane payload to act like a sail and move unexpectedly, imperiling the lives of workers and the public, the DOB spokesperson outlined in an email regarding the rule. Beyond Cost Although some are calling for a more flexible approach to regulating crawler crane operations in New York, it is too early to tell if the current regulations will raise premiums, Haynes said. That said, any move to improve the safety of crawler crane operations in New York should look beyond cost, Kammas added. Obviously, regulations can be good, because no one wants to go out there and put anybodys lives in jeopardy, he said. No one wants anyone to get hurt, and when the situation arises, you cant think of dollars and cents. You need to think of how to get it resolved as safely as possible. One benefit that could be seen if fewer insurance companies begin entering the marketplace is unexpected upside while the industry adjusts to regulatory changes, Wolff said. If fewer insurance companies are coming in to underwrite the risk, it may turn out that there is such a need in the industry and such a market opportunity in underwriting, that with a few tweaks, exclusions or modifications, insurers can re-enter the marketplace, he said. Some insurance companies may have a really great upside. Although it is too early to predict any potential outcome, the best way for the insurance industry to determine how to move forward is to watch what happens with the regulations as a result of the current lawsuit, Wolff explained. It is possible that one of the by-products of this will be a renewed effort to have discussions and meaningful engagement around this topic, he said. If it gets city administrators and the DOB directly in contact with industry participants, it could lead to some modifications to these regulations that make them more palatable to the industry and yet satisfy the concerns of regulators following the accident. No one wants to see injury or catastrophe not the industry or the city but there has to be a balance. Topics Carriers Legislation New York Market Construction Authorities say a steel beam being hoisted at a New York City construction site fell after a cable apparently snapped, killing a crane operator and a co-worker. The beam was being lifted when it came loose Tuesday afternoon in the Briarwood neighborhood of Queens. Department of Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler told WABC-TV the 6,500-pound beam fell from the fourth floor onto the crane, crushing the workers. He says rigging rope may have failed. The cause of the accident is still being investigated, but Chandler said wind does not appear to be a factor. Chandler said the crane was last inspected in June. Police identified the victims as 47-year-old crane operator George Smith, of Brooklyn, and 43-year-old Alessandro Ramos, of Queens. A residential building is going up at the site. Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York Workers have spent weeks restoring a central Indiana county governments computer system that was hacked by an unknown group demanding a ransom payment. Madison County officials decided to pay the undisclosed ransom following the Nov. 4 hacking that locked up county computers. Officials then received decryption keys to unlock the files. Staffers have worked many hours of overtime restoring links between the computer software and county files that were broken in the hacking attack, county information technology director Lisa Cannon told The (Anderson) Herald Bulletin. Although Cannon wouldnt discuss the strain of ransomware or explain how it was introduced to the countys computers, she said it wasnt from a malicious email or fake website advertisement, which are the most common ways malicious software gets on computers. Work has included adding more computer security and creating a backup system that would make it much easier to recover from another ransomware or virus. We have taken steps to stop it from happening again, Cannon said. But we had what we thought were up-to-date safety precautions. County Administrator Dan Dykes said it would have been far more costly and time consuming to fight the malicious software. We were told by the Indiana State Police that it could take from now until the end of time to actually break the encryption, he said. Officials are negotiating with the countys cyber insurance carrier on covering some of the hacking-related expenses, which includes the employee overtime, cost of new software and systems, and the rental of computer equipment. Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Cyber Indiana President-elect Donald Trump said hell nominate U.S. Representative Tom Price, one of the main architects of legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare, to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the first of multiple Cabinet announcements expected Tuesday. He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible health care to every American, Trump said in a statement. Trump also announced Seema Verma, founder of health policy consulting firm SVC Inc., as his pick for administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Verma has extensive experience redesigning Medicaid programs, Trumps office said in the statement including in Indiana, where she worked with Governor Mike Pence, now the vice president-elect. The two nominees are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans, Trump said. Another Cabinet announcement will be made this afternoon, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said on CNN. Orthopedic Surgeon Price, 62, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, was one of the original House Tea Party caucus members and has served since 2015 as chairman of the House Budget Committee, where he was a leader of efforts dismantle the health law, also known as the Affordable Care Act. Trump said during the campaign that he wants to get rid of the law. There is much work to be done to ensure we have a health care system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit, Price said in a statement. If Price is confirmed for the HHS job by the Republican-controlled Senate, his departure from Congress would cap a congressional career that began in 2005 after his election by an Atlanta-area House district. Price had served previously as a state lawmaker, rising to become Senate majority leader. Price grew up in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan and its medical school. He worked for almost 20 years as a surgeon. His wife, Betty Price, was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in July 2015. Obamacare Replacement Price was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of the most conservative members in the U.S. House, in 2009 and 2010. In May 2015, he proposed a bill to replace Obamacare that focused on tax credits, expanding health savings accounts and revising laws governing medical malpractice. Incoming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said in a statement Prices nomination is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house. Congressman Price has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want when it comes to Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and Planned Parenthood, Schumer said. Medicare Overhaul Trumps nominees likely will have to manage an overhaul of Medicare, the health-care system for the elderly and disabled, thats planned by Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, has proposed to privatize Medicare and provide seniors with vouchers to help cover health-insurance premiums. Price said Nov. 17 that Republicans plan to use a procedural measure known as reconciliation to make the changes to Medicare in 2017. Price is a member of the Doctors Caucus, which recently has raised concern over a proposal from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a new payment system for physicians. The group said the system has the potential to overcomplicate an already burdensome and complex system. In early 2011, the House Ethics Committee announced it had dropped an investigation of Price and two other lawmakers into their fundraising appeals to Wall Street firms at the same time they were considering legislation to overhaul financial regulation. The independent Office of Congressional Ethics had asked the committee to look because each of the three had solicited or accepted contributions in a manner which gave the appearance they were linked to an official act. Yet the Ethics Committee concluded that their positions on the legislation were not connected to fundraising activities. Pence Ally Verma was the architect of Pences signature health-care plan who quietly shaped much of Indianas public health-care policy for more than a decade, according to a 2014 report by the Indianapolis-based IndyStar on concerns about potential conflicts of interest in her consulting work with a division of Hewlett-Packard Enterprises Co., one of Indianas largest Medicaid vendors. Verma said she had no role in HPs state contracts, according to that report, and a Pence spokeswoman said Vermas advice and counsel was appreciated. She received a masters degree in public health with a concentration in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelors degree in life sciences from the University of Maryland, according to the announcement. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation Indiana The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Texas financier Robert Allen Stanfords bid to overturn his conviction and 110-year prison sentence for running what prosecutors called a $7.2 billion Ponzi scheme that bilked investors in 113 countries. The justices left in place the imprisoned Stanfords appeal of an October 2015 ruling by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld his 2012 conviction and sentence arising from one of the largest such frauds ever uncovered in the United States. Federal prosecutors said he ran a scam for two decades that defrauded some 30,000 investors and centered on the sale of fraudulent high-yielding certificates of deposit through his Antigua-based Stanford International Bank. They said he used investor funds to make risky investments, pay bribes and fund a lavish lifestyle including mansions, yachts and private jets. Authorities uncovered the scheme in 2009. Once considered a billionaire but later declared indigent, Stanford was convicted by a Houston jury in March 2012 on charges of conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, obstruction and money laundering. I didnt defraud anybody, he said at his sentencing. Stanford, 66, is housed in the high-security Coleman II federal prison in Sumterville, Florida. He is not eligible for release before 2105, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The appeals court rejected his arguments that he was not competent to stand trial, prosecutors did not prove their case, the sentence was too long, and the trial judge was biased. A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation promising high rates of return with low risk to those who invest. Ponzi scheme operators skim investor cash into their own pockets, while paying early investors with money from later investors. A Ponzi scheme requires a constant flow of new investment money or the whole thing collapses. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed related civil charges over Stanfords fraud. A court-appointed receiver has been liquidating Stanfords companies. In a separate Stanford-related case, the Supreme Court in 2014 ruled that investors in the Ponzi scheme can sue lawyers, insurance brokers and others who worked with him. In September, insurance brokerage Willis Towers Watson Plc agreed to pay $120 million to settle one of the lawsuits brought by former investors. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) Topics USA Fraud A new border security approach promoted by the Texas Department of Public Safety has yielded at least one result: a bumper crop of traffic tickets. Traffic stops in Starr and Hidalgo counties on the Texas-Mexico border accounted for nearly 8 percent of all traffic tickets issued in Texas in September, an analysis by The Dallas Morning News found. The analysis comes as the Department of Public Safety is preparing to ask the Texas Legislature for an unprecedented $1.1 billion in border security funding for the next two years. The state began intensified border enforcement in 2014 in response to a surge of illegal immigration and cartel activity. Last year, the Legislature committed $800 million to back that enforcement campaign, including the hiring of 250 more state troopers to work the border. The department actually had made fewer traffic stops recently in response to complaints from local officials along the border, resulting in a drop in the number of warnings issued. But the number of citations being issued along border-zone highways remains undiminished. For that level of scrutiny on your driving habits, what are we getting? said state Rep. Poncho Nevarez, a Democrat from Eagle Pass and vice chairman of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw has no regrets. If a trooper sees a traffic violation, they are going to respond to it, he said. Furthermore, drug cartel scouts deliberately engage law enforcement on our roadways as decoys, he said. The intensified border enforcement resulted in fewer traffic citations and warnings in parts of Texas away from the border. The number of traffic citations rose 30 percent and warnings spiked 160 percent in Starr and Hidalgo counties, while 21 percent fewer citations and 25 percent fewer warnings were issued elsewhere in the state. Its not fair that families in Starr County are being scrutinized at a greater level than families in pretty much any other county in the state, said Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande Valley. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged a strict approach to border security. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says that could lessen the burden on the states resources. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Texas Agribusiness The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) is appealing a court order invalidating its approved 14.5 rate increase on Florida workers compensation rates that was set to take effect Dec. 1. OIR filed its Notice of Appeal on Nov. 28 with the First District Court of Appeal in the Fee v. National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI)/Office court case. The appeal is in response to a court order issued on Nov, 23, 2016, which invalidated the 14.5 percent overall combined statewide average rate increase approved by OIR on Oct. 5, 2016. Based on the OIR filing its Notice of Appeal, the rate halt is on hold until the case is reviewed by the First District Court of Appeals. The challenge to the rate increase was brought by James Fee, a Miami attorney who represents injured workers. Fee claimed, and Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers agreed, that NCCI was in violation of Floridas Sunshine Laws in holding multiple, non-public, secret meetings internally and with the OIR over the rates. NCCI claims it has complied with applicable open meeting and other Sunshine Laws on transparency and noted after the judges ruling that it would appeal. NCCI is very disappointed in the decision of the Leon County Circuit Court. We continue to believe that NCCI and the Florida OIR have fully complied with the law, NCCI said in a statement. The increase scheduled to take effect applies to both new and renewal workers compensation insurance policies in Florida. NCCIs rate filing was originally submitted in May of this year and then amended in June to address the impact of two Florida Supreme court case decisions (Castellanos v. Next Door Company and Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg) and legislatively-mandated updates to the Florida Workers Compensation Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual. The Castellanos ruling invalidated the states mandatory attorney fee schedule, while Westphal ruling found the 104-week statutory limitation on temporary total disability benefits unconstitutional. Topics Trends Florida Legislation Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends A Kentucky lawmaker is the new president of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators. Rep. Steve Riggs of Louisville began his yearlong tenure this month during the groups annual meeting. He has previously been the groups vice president, secretary, treasurer and committee chairman. Riggs said in a news release that the organization has led in writing model legislation and helping it get approved by states. He says the work ranges from better protections for consumers after natural disasters to providing support for the sharing economy that includes businesses such as Airbnb and Uber. Riggs is vice chairman of the Kentucky House Banking and Insurance Committee and chairman of the chambers Local Government Committee. He works as an insurance broker in Louisville. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Training Development Kentucky (Bloomberg) -- Aviva Plcs Chief Executive Officer Mark Wilson said the number of insurance agents in some of Asias most developed markets could halve over the next three years as digital sales start to eat into their commissions. The agents, used by some Chinese mainlanders to avoid capital controls, have been a key driver of earnings for insurers in Asia including in Hong Kong, where people have flocked to buy policies. Wilson, a former CEO of Hong Kong-based AIA Group Ltd., said numbers will also fall as more experienced agents approach retirement age. His comments contrast with competitors including Prudential Plc, which generate about half of its earnings in Asia, much of that from its 500,000-strong agency force. Most of the Asia growth story has been on the back of agency, Wilson said in an interview at Avivas headquarters in London. The agency era in a lot of those markets is now over; you have extraordinarily high commissions and an aging agency force. Aviva, which doesnt rely on agents to sell its products in Asia, competes with both AIA and Prudential in seven markets in the region including China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Wilson, a 50-year-old New Zealander who has spent 14 years working in Asia, says its ripe for disruption. That should lower costs and boost profits for insurers in some markets including Singapore, according to Panmure Gordon & Co. analyst Barrie Cornes. A typical commission for the first five years of a 20-year life insurance contract in Hong Kong could be anywhere from 100 to 160 percent, industry figures show. Consultancy firm EY says the average age of an agent in Asia is about 45 with the most successful senior agents closer to 55. Chinese Clampdown In China, agents face an additional threat. Regulators are making it harder for mainlanders to buy insurance from an agent in Hong Kong, where there are 59,000 registered, to try and prevent them from moving money there. Capital outflows from China reached $1 trillion last year, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates. Still, not everyone in the industry agrees that the agents days are numbered. Prudential, the U.K.s largest insurer, said at an investor day in London earlier this month that it had ramped up its recruitment in the region. AIA, which operates in 18 countries, has more than 5,600. Aviva has stepped up its investment in technology, opening a Digital Garage in Singapore to help it sell insurance directly to the customer online. Wilson is also betting that financial advisers will increasingly replace agents as sellers of insurance. The U.K. company, which lost its bancassurance deal with Singapores DBS Group Holdings Ltd. in 2015, launched a financial-advisory firm in the city-state in July. It started with 280 former insurance agents who can sell Aviva products and those of its competitors. They cost Aviva 10 percent of what they had offered to pay DBS to sell policies, Wilson said. Mature Agents In Singapore, we are becoming the home for mature agents who have 20 years of experience and want more freedom and independence, Wilson said. Older agents in Asia dont want to be in tired pyramid agency structures, he said. Theres also a high turnover of younger advisers whove lost enthusiasm, according to EY. Even so, Wilson isnt looking to put a lot of capital into the region that accounts for less than 10 percent of Avivas operating income. The CEO has repeatedly said he will only do smaller deals after buying Friends Life Group Ltd. in 2015. Still, that didnt stop his appointment of Chetan Singh as head of mergers and acquisitions this year from fueling speculation that Aviva may have bigger ambitions. Singh previously led deal-making for financial institutions in Southeast Asia for JPMorgan Chase & Co. While Wilson has reduced Avivas markets to 16 since joining in 2013, some businesses including Spain, Italy, Taiwan and Friends Providential International may still be put up for sale. The company operated in 28 markets in 2011. I will sell as much as I buy this year, he said. Everyone assumes that I will go and buy stuff in Asia and I havent. Im pragmatic. Ukraine cannot accept the roadmap drafted by Russia in case it has a provision on ending the military operation in Donbas, Ukrainian representative to the political subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group for Donbas Olha Aivazovska said. "I think that security measures are the source of biggest differences. This is because the Russian Federation has declared in various formats the possibility of ending the anti-terrorism operation as roadmap provision No 1, including in the roadmap published at the beginning of the year," Aivazovska told the press in Kyiv on Tuesday. "We cannot speak about its acceptance by Ukraine if this provision remains suggested for the document," she said. Ukraine has its own draft of the roadmap, Aivazovska said, noting that the sides mostly differed over security measures. The 'Normandy format' foreign ministers will meet in Minsk on November 29. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said he intended to present the Ukrainian draft of the Donbas settlement roadmap at the meeting of the foreign ministers. Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese. Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa. Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista. E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta. A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito. HSA Contribution Limits Individual Family 2021 $3,600 $7,200 2022 $3,650 $7,300 But there is a sticking point. If you use the last-month rule to contribute more than the prorated amount, you must remain HSA-eligible for that month as well as the following 12 months. Otherwise, you'll have to pay income tax on your contribution amount and pay a 10% penalty on the money (unless you become disabled or die.) Taking the Tax Deduction The entire amount deposited is tax-deductible on returns for that year, even for filers who do not itemize deductions. Contributions by an employee directly from paychecks are made with pretax dollars, reducing their gross income. Employer contributions are deducted from taxable income by the employer, so they do not need to be itemized by the employee. Using the Money in the Account Funds in the account can be used to pay for a wide-ranging list of qualifying healthcare expenses. These include prescriptions, doctor visit copays, mental health and addiction treatment, dental care, and vision care. The list also includes the costs of alternative healthcare treatments such as acupuncture or chiropractic services. Fertility treatments, smoking cessation programs, service animals, and long-term care insurance premiums all are covered, as are many health-related products. The IRS periodically updates its list of the allowed (and not allowed) expenses. IRS Publication 502 has the current list and most insurers provide their customers with one. Note: You can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason. It's your money, after all. However, if the expense isn't on the IRS-approved list and you're not at least age 65, you'll owe taxes and possibly a 20% penalty for the withdrawal that year. No Expiration Date Unlike flexible spending accounts, HSAs have no use-it-or-lose-it deadline. The money rolls over into the following year. The account is portable and stays with an individual if they change jobs. This makes the HSA a great savings vehicle even for the youngest and healthiest people, who may face increasingly expensive medical care in future years. A bonus benefit is that the account owner, after the age of 65, may take distributions from the HSA for any purpose, health-related or not. They will pay regular income tax but no penalty on withdrawals for non-medical costs. Benefits of an HSA HSAs stand to benefit many taxpayers, especially in light of the fact that a typical couple turning 65 today will pay an average of $300,000 in out-of-pocket medical costs during their retirement years, according to a 2021 study by Fidelity Benefits Consulting. With that in mind, investing the money in the HSA account may be the best course. Money In Your Account Can Be Invested Account-holders who invest some of the assets in their accounts tend to have significantly higher average balances, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI)$22,496, compared with $2,296 for non-investors. Investors also had higher contribution amounts than non-investors ($3,619 and $1,495). A 55-year-old who contributes the maximum amount to an HSA every year until age 65 could see a balance of $60,000 from total contributions of about $42,000, assuming a 5% rate of return, the EBRI notes. An aggressive, high-earning 45-year-old saving the maximum, including catch-up contributions when eligible, could see a balance of $150,000 at age 65. If the rate of return is 7.5%, which is feasible, the balance rises to $193,000. Of course, an HSA is not intended primarily as a retirement savings vehicle. It's there so that you can cover out-of-pocket medical costs from year to year. But it's worth considering, as each unexpected medical bill arrives, whether you should tap into your HSA or leave it for a possible greater need down the road. Tax Savings Every Year Millennial entrepreneurs take note: An HSA owner in the 28% tax bracket who began at age 25 and earned 7.5% on the account over time could have saved nearly $350,000 in federal income taxes alone, not to mention state taxes or other payroll taxes. If you are at least age 65, you can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason without taxes or penalties. Another big advantage is the savings on medical expenses. Lets say you earn $50,000 at a 36.40% tax rate. Youd have to earn $4,716 to pay for a $3,000 medical procedure such as laser eye surgery, but just $3,248 if you use an HSA. (Note that HSA contributions are generally subject to state tax.) Thats a savings of $1,468. Who Benefits Most From Having an HSA? The short answer: nearly everyone. You don't need a high income to benefit from an HSA, says Carolyn McClanahan, a certified financial planner and founder of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Fla. Even if you're unable to contribute the maximum amount allowed, "there is value in putting anything away, and little savings add up," McClanahan says. This is especially true for younger people, she notes, since getting into the habit of taking advantage of an HSA can be a good way to form good savings habits. Something to keep in mind, McClanahan says, is that high-deductible health plans, which you must have in order to be eligible for an HSA, have changed a lot. "The copay plans used to be a better deal, but now I think theyve constructed them so theyre not," she says. Even a person with significant health issues might find that a high-deductible plan, coupled with the ability to save tax-free in an HSA, is a better deal. "Where people get into trouble is if they have a really high deductible [they can't meet]." In that case, they need to either save up that money in the HSA or choose a plan with a lower deductible. Choosing an HSA Administrator If you don't have an HSA through an employer, you can open your own account through many financial institutions. The options have improved over the years, so you can shop around for the best HSA administrator for you. That means an institution that offers investment options that match your risk tolerance. Even if you're self-employed, you can reduce your taxable income by paying health insurance premiums out of pocket and saving the HSA funds for the future. Who Benefits Least From Having an HSA? People who have a lower income can benefit from having an HSA, if they can manage to stash at least the amount of their insurance deductible in the account. McClanahan recommends funding the account every year. "If you dont use it, it builds up," she notes. If money is really tight, you need to run the numbers. If your health insurance costs are subsidized through a state or federal Affordable Health Care Exchange website, you may not have an urgent need to save even more for your health care costs through an HSA. Those subsidies are even more generous, at least temporarily, through the American Rescue Plan passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Act increases premium tax credits for all income brackets for coverage years beginning in both 2021 and 2022. Most people across all household income levels will see lower premiums as a result of receiving more tax credits to reduce plan prices. The factors to input into a calculator are the cost of premiums, compared with those of a lower-deductible plan with higher premiums; whether your employer is contributing anything to the HSAthat's free moneyand the total of any regular, expected healthcare costs, not including annual wellness visits and preventive care, which carry no cost in a high-deductible plan. You can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason, but if it's not to cover an approved healthcare cost you'll owe income taxes and a 20% penalty. You shouldn't use it lightly, but it is your money. Some Affordable Care Act plans are not HSA-eligible: The plan will state whether it can be used with an HSA. How Does an HSA Tax Deduction Work? If you get an HSA through an employer, the employer will handle the tax paperwork. Your payments into the account will be deducted from your gross income, reducing the amount of federal taxes you pay. If you get an HSA on your own, you can take the deduction when you file your income tax return. You don't need to itemize deductions to get it. It is recorded on Form 8889 and included with your Form 1040. If you invest the money in your HSA and earn interest on the account, that money is not taxable. How Do I Get Reimbursed From an HSA Account? The short answer is, send in a receipt to your HSA provider and you'll get reimbursed for the expense. There are many companies offering HSA accounts, and their procedures vary. The best HSA providers make it easy for you to open an account, pay money into it, keep on top of your available balance, and get money out of it. How Can I Make Sure an Expense Is Covered? IRS Publication 502 has the latest list of medical and dental expenses that are covered in an HSA, plus a list of expenses that aren't eligible. (The list of eligible HSA expenses is basically the same as the list of medical expenses that are tax-deductible for those who itemize.) Your HSA provider will have its own list. Can I Use My HSA to Pay Family Medical Expenses? Yes. The money is available for medical expenses incurred by you, your spouse, your children, and any other dependents you claim on your federal tax return. They don't even have to be covered by your health insurance plan. If a Family Member Contributes to an HSA, Who Gets the Tax Deduction? The account holder is the owner of the account and is responsible for making the contributions and getting the reimbursements. That person takes the tax deduction, whether an individual or a family is covered by the plan. The Bottom Line Even if you're maxing out your 401(k) plan or IRA contributions, you shouldn't ignore the advantages of saving a bit more on taxes in a health savings account. That triple tax advantage makes it an excellent choice for putting away a bit of money for your health-related needs. You can use it immediately if you need to, or you can let it grow into a tidy sum for your retirement years. As they have grown increasingly popular, many more options are available, especially for people who want to invest the money in order to add some tax-free profits to their healthcare nest egg. Financial advisors are not required to have university degrees. However, they are required to pass certain exams administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, which is responsible for governing business between the investing public and brokers to ensure advisors are qualified. A majority of advisors do in fact have bachelor's degrees in finance-related fields at a minimum. Those who want to further advance their careers tend to go the Master of Business Administration (MBA) route. FINRA Requirements FINRA requires those interested in becoming licensed financial advisors to pass either the Series 65 exam by itself, or the Series 7 exam along with the Series 66. The type of financial advice you want to provide determines which exam fits your career goals. Passing the necessary FINRA exam is vital to becoming a successful financial professional, more so than having a degree. Passing the Series 65 Exam does not qualify a professional to sell any securities but rather to provide clients with investment advice and financial planning. Also, those financial professionals with Series 65 licenses may only work on a non-commission basis by charging clients hourly fees for their services. The Series 7 exam is the most general securities license available to those interested in becoming financial advisors. Passing the Series 7 allows financial professionals to sell any type of security other than commodities futures, real estate and life insurance. However, in addition to the Series 7, obtaining the Series 66 license qualifies a candidate as an investment advisor representative and as a securities agent. What Is Phishing? Phishing is a method of identity theft that relies on individuals unwittingly volunteering personal details or information that can be then be used for nefarious purposes. It is often carried out through the creation of a fraudulent website, email, or text appearing to represent a legitimate firm. A scammer may use a fraudulent website that appears on the surface to look the same as the legitimate website. Visitors to the site, thinking they are interacting with a real business, may submit their personal information, such as social security numbers, account numbers, login IDs, and passwords, to this site. The scammers then use the information submitted to steal visitors' money, identity, or both; or to sell the information to other criminal parties. Phishing may also occur in the form of emails or texts from scammers that are made to appear as if they are sent from a legitimate business. These fake emails or texts may install programs like ransomware that can allow scammers to access a victim's computer or network. Key Takeaways Phishing is a type of data theft that involves people unknowingly volunteering their personal information to a bad actor. A phishing attempt may utilize an official-looking website, email, or other forms of communication to trick users into handing over details like credit card numbers, social security numbers, or passwords. Phishing websites can appear identical to official websites, prompting users to input their real credentials on the malicious website. 1:35 What Is Phishing? Understanding Phishing Phishing scammers create a false sense of security for their targets by spoofing or replicating the familiar, trusted logos of well-known, legitimate companies, or they pretend to be a friend or family member of their victims. Often, the scammers attempt to persuade victims they need personal information urgently, or the victim will experience a severe consequence, such as frozen accounts or personal injury. A classic example of phishing is an identity thief setting up a website that looks like it belongs to a major bank. Then, that thief sends out many emails that claim to be from the major bank and request the email recipients to input their personal banking information (such as their PIN) into the website so the bank may update their records. Once the scammer gets a hold of the needed personal information, they attempt to access the victim's bank account. $44.2 million Phishing scams are some of the most common attacks on consumers. According to the FBI, more than 323,972 people fell victim to phishing scams in 2021. Collectively, they lost $44.2 million. Protecting Yourself from Phishing Attacks The following highlights signs of phishing, and how to protect yourself. Exceptionally good deals or offers. If an email touts offers that are too good to be true, they probably are. For example, an email claiming you've won the lottery or some other lavish prize may be luring you in to get you to click a link or relay sensitive personal information. Unknown or unusual senders. Though phishing emails may look like they originate from someone you know, if anything seems out of the ordinary, be cautious. When in doubt, hover over the email address of the sender to ensure the email address matches the email address you expect. Place a phone call to the company if you are unsure of an email or website. Don't respond to emails with any personal information. (See the image below for an example of an unusual sender's email address). Hyperlinks and attachments. These are particularly concerning if received from an unknown sender. Never open links or attachments unless you are confident they are from a safe sender. Type in the link address rather than clicking the link. Incorrect spelling in the web address. Phishing sites often use web addresses that look similar to the correct site, but contain a simple misspelling, like replacing a "1" for an "l". Immediate pop-ups. Be wary of websites that immediately display pop-up windows, especially those asking for your username and password. Use two-factor authentication, a browser with anti-phishing detection, and keep security on your systems up-to-date. A phishing email. Note the suspicious return email address that has nothing to do with Netflix. Phishing Attempts According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishing emails and text messages frequently tell stories to trick people into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. For example, phishing attempts may: Rumors have been swirling for some time that AT&T had plans to launch its own TV streaming service, with packages of channels to choose from. That is now officially official. AT&T has confirmed that its streaming service packages will be under the DirecTV Now banner, and that prices start at $30 per month. For that price, customers will get 60+ channels, Here are the pricing breakdowns: Live A Little: $30 per month for 60+ Channels Just Right: $50 per month for 80+ Channels Go Big: $60 per month for 100+ Channels Gotta Have It: $70 per month for 120+ Channels Its worth noting that AT&T is running a limited-time promotion that will see new customers net the Go Big channel package option for only $35 per month, compared to the standard $60 per month. AT&T says that as long as a new customer signs up in time, they can keep that price for as long as they remain a subscriber. And subscriptions are not tied to long-term commitments or contracts. All of the major network providers have been signed on at this point, with the notable exceptions of CBS and Showtime. AT&T says negotiations with those providers are still ongoing, so it sounds like those channels will be added at some point in the future. Customers can watch two streams simultaneously, and HBO and Cinemax can be added to any package for $5 per month each. As far as compatibility, DirecTV Now is available on all the major platform options, not including Roku, which has support launching sometime in 2017. There is a free 7-day trial that new customers will be able to access as well. It launches on November 30, this Wednesday, and its available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows 10, the Amazon Fire TV, and the Chromecast. There are a few missing features to take note of: The initial iteration of DirecTV Now will not support cloud-based DVR, and the isnt an ability to pause what youre watching, either. AT&T, does, however, plan on launching a full DVR feature at some point next year, though. And, as some rumors had suggested, AT&T is indeed offering a free Apple TV ($139 variant) that includes three months of DirecTV Nows Go Big plan at $35 per month. Five Ukrainian army servicemen suffered injuries in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said. "The hostilities did not kill any Ukrainian servicemen in the past day, but five soldiers of ours were wounded," he told a press briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday. Portuguese construction company, Somague Engenharia and Co Mayo-based civil engineers Wills Brothers, who established a joint venture to bid for the project, came second in the tendering process for the 5.6km of track linking the existing Green and Red Luas lines and extending to Cabra. The winners were another joint venture, Sisk Steconfer, comprising Dublin-based construction company, John Sisk & Son and Steconfer, a Portuguese construction company specialising in railway works. Somague/Wills claimed the tender competition was vitiated by serious errors and breach of the rules on public procurement. It was accepted by them that it was primarily about damages and no application has been made that the contract be suspended pending the determination of their proceedings. The case was against Transport Infrastructure Ireland which was formed by the merger of the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency, under 2015 legislation. The main grounds for the challenge by Somague/ Wills main were that Transport Infrastructure Ireland applied inapplicable and/or identified criteria to its qualitative assessment in relation to the tie-in of the new line with the existing Red Line to Tallaght. It was also claimed that Transport Infrastructure Ireland failed to apply certain identified and applicable criteria or to properly engage a process involving the most economically advantageous tender. Transport Infrastructure Ireland denied the claims and opposed the application for judicial review. Ms Justice Marie Baker yesterday refused the Somague/Wills application She found there was no manifest error in how the tenders were evaluated. The sanction involves 220 mortgage accounts and has been imposed for breaches under the Central Banks Consumer Protection Codes. The move is the first such sanction imposed on any lender following the start of the Central Bank probe into tracker rates and is something of a declaration of intent by the regulator because the fine is relatively large in terms of the number of accounts involved. It suggests that when the Central Bank completes its investigation that the separate fine for Permanent TSB, which involves 1,152 customers, and fines for other banks which are found to have breached the codes, will be substantial. The probe into the trackers will extend into next year. The full amounts to be paid by the lenders under restitution schemes to wronged customers will not be known for some time. Some other banks involved in the Central Bank investigation have put aside tens of millions of euros to cover potential fines and any restitution costs. Other lenders involved in the Central Bank investigation include AIB, Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland, and KBC Bank. In the Springboard case, the Central Bank said the lender was involved in three suspected contraventions of its old consumer code and two suspected contraventions of its most recent code, updated four years ago. That update meant the regulator was given greater powers to increase fines. It said Springboard admitted breaking the consumer codes and had agreed to the 4.5m penalty. The Central Bank had widened its investigation into other lenders following the probe into Permanent TSB. In July last year, three senior managers at Permanent TSB publicly apologised for the failures of the bank in not informing customers about their mortgage rights. Permanent TSB revealed at the time some customers had either lost their homes or investment property because of the actions by the bank. The bank said it had found no evidence the failures were as a result of a deliberate policy or that customers were mis-sold products. It said its failures included not informing the customer fully and not applying the correct mortgage rates. The group said that 1,372 customers were affected across Permanent TSB and its Springboard unit because the bank had wrongly informed them about their rights under their contracts when they had requested changes to their mortgages between 2006 and 2011. The US activist hedge fund, which owns 0.6% of Samsung, called on the South Korean tech giant to divide itself into a holding vehicle for ownership purposes and an operating company, as well as pay out 30 trillion won (24.5bn) in a special dividend. The Seoul Economic Daily, citing an unidentified source, reported yesterday the firm will say it plans to consider a split. Samsung declined to elaborate further on its plans, although it said last month it is considering buying back more shares. A split in two has long been a subject of market speculation with analysts noting such a move could help the Samsung Group founding family heirs to boost their control of the worlds top maker of smartphones, memory chips and televisions. Its difficult to argue with the logic of Elliotts proposals, said David Smith, head of corporate governance at Aberdeen Asset Management Asia. A simpler structure is preferable, and yes most would agree they can afford to pay out more. What is important is these changes should benefit all involved, including family, group, and minority shareholders. Samsung is also keen not to alienate investors at a time when it is reeling from a disastrous withdrawal of the fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphone that the firm projects will cost 6.1 trillion won over three quarters. Its offices have also been raided by prosecutors as part of a widening political scandal involving a confidante of President Park Geun-hye. Other measures proposed by Mr Elliott, which unsuccessfully challenged a controversial 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates, includes the return of at least 75% of free cash flow to investors and the appointment of some independent directors. New shareholder return plans would also follow a tightening of control by de facto Samsung leader Jay Y Lee, who took over the reins after his father and Samsung patriarch was incapacitated following a May 2014 heart attack. Reuters Little wonder when you watch this stunning drone footage captured Eoin O'Hagan, the owner and creator of the Clare tourism site www.clarevirtually.ie, that there are growing calls for Pope Francis to make Inis Cealtra, aka the Holy Island on Lough Derg, a stop on his visit. As part of the Sacred Centre of Ireland the island is truly a sight to behold and when you bring a drone into the equation the only word that comes to mind is ... spiritual. It is the first fine the regulator has imposed as it continues to investigate most lenders which sold tracker home loans here. The results of the full probe will not be known for some time. However, based on the Springboard case, the fines on other mortgage lenders may likely be substantial. However, he ruled out any potential referendum or divisive debate around one impacting on the Popes confirmed visit to Ireland in 2018, as the trip will be made in August when no such votes are traditionally held. Mr Kenny outlined how during his private talks with Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin, he explained how the Citizens Assembly will examine potential changes to the countrys existing laws or whether to recommend the abolition of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. I spoke afterwards to Cardinal Parolin, Archbishop Paul Gallagher [secretary of state for relations] in regard to the question of the amendment, I gave them an up-to-date account of the background to the Citizens Assembly and the work that it is doing. But also the complexity of the arguments that are there for the 99 citizens who are attending on that. The confirmation of the 2018 trip by the Pontiff prompted a mixed reaction from ministers as to whether it will be impacted on by any debate around abortion. The assembly has nine months to finish its work, potentially producing a report by the middle of next year. An Oireachtas committee will then examine the issue before final recommendations are made. These could include a proposal to hold a referendum on liberalising the abortion laws. Asked about the planned visit yesterday, Transport Minister Shane Ross said: I just think, simply, there may be better times to come than in the middle of a controversial matter in which he might get embroiled. But Transport Minister Leo Varadkar disagreed. Speaking at a separate Dublin event, he said: When it comes to any decision on a referendum on the Eighth Amendment, I think thats a totally separate issue and shouldnt affect the timing [of the visit] in any way. I think people will be able to have a debate about that issue [Irelands abortion laws] separate to the visit of anybody from overseas, he said. Mr Varadkar said the reception for the Pope was certain to be different to that of Pope John Paul II in 1979 . But hundreds of thousands if not millions of people would still attend the visit as he is a very popular Pope, and the visit is very welcome as well. The exact details of the trip have yet to be agreed by the Vatican. But the Pontiff is expected to spend at least two days in Dublin, to join in the World Convention of Families. Pope Francis previously attended the same event when it was held in 2015 in Philadelphia, but turned his visit into a six-day tour of the US. When asked yesterday whether the August 2018 visit would clash with any debate around abortion or the referendum, Mr Kenny responded: In a general sense obviously you would not hold any referendum in the month of August in Ireland. Dr Peter Boylan, chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) needed a separate governance model with a separate CEO because the existing CEO, Tony McNamara, had lost the confidence of consultant staff. Dr Boylan said Mr McNamara, had lost the dressing room and that his players no longer support him. This was due to ongoing failure to address the crisis in the maternity hospitals gynaecology service where almost 4,200 women are currently awaiting outpatient appointments, of whom approximately 800 are waiting more than a year-and-a-half. Dr Boylans comments follow revelations in yesterdays Irish Examiner that a group of approximately 20 consultants at CUMH wrote to Mr McNamara warning they would no longer take responsibility for women who suffered adverse outcomes as a result of excessive waiting times. They have repeatedly warned in letters seen by this newspaper that womens lives are being put at risk as a result of delayed cancer diagnosis and other serious gynaecological illnesses because they are not being treated on time. Dr Boylan said CUMH was an exemplar of how maternity services should not work and how they dont work well. He said it was very unusual for a group of consultants to write to the CEO of the hospital that they are working in to express their unhappiness, but that they had been stonewalled for a considerable time. Labour TD Sean Sherlock, who raised the matter in the Dail recently, said Health Minister Simon Harris needed to intervene directly to ensure proper governance is in place and that no one person is operating within his own silo. This issue [gynaecology waiting lists] exposes the flaws in the CUH group management structure. This isnt necessarily about finances, its about people protecting personal fiefdoms in the HSE, Mr Sherlock said. Fianna Fail health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said he intends to again raise the need for greater investment in CUMH in the Dail this week. He said more resources were needed in the short-term, but that structural changes may be required in the long term. Mr Kelleher and Mr Sherlock are among the TDs and Senators from Cork city and county who have received a political briefing from Independent Senator Colette Kelleher on the crisis at CUMH on the advice of a lead consultant. The briefing, seen by the Irish Examiner, says the long waiting times have devastating consequences for women and their families and that the situation at CUMH is unprecedented and worthy of national attention. Among the solutions consultants are seeking is the opening of a second gynaecology theatre five days a week; a gynaecology day unit (drawn up and costed in 2013 but still on the capital projects waiting list for prioritisation); the building of a gynaecology one-stop shop, costed as part of the Gynaecological Cancer Service Plan in 2014 to facilitate extra gynaecology clinics, and the employment of a minimum of four additional consultant gynaecologists. A statement from the South/SouthWest Hospital Group of which CUH and CUMH are part, said the area of obstetrics and gynaecology is a vital service for the group and a high priority issue as evidenced by the establishment of a group clinical directorate for the service. It said the provision of a second gynaecology theatre at CUMH was part of the group plan for the service and that management at CUMH was satisfied that the way to maximise gynaecology activity is through an integrated approach with other departments in the hospital. Speaking on RTE radio, Dr Boylan described the statement as saying an awful lot, but it actually says nothing. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on November 29 attended the ceremony of completing the coverage of the destroyed fourth power unit of Chornobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) with a new safety shield, called the New Safety Confinement (NSC). "This is the world's largest movable structure ever built by the mankind. The coalition consisting of 28 countries in support of Ukraine has collected more than EUR1.417 billion to build it together with Ukraine," Poroshenko said at the ceremony of completing the skidding of the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement Sarcophagus. According to him, 10,000 workers from many countries participated in building the NSC, 40 states are involved in the project. "Everyone knows how difficult times are now in Ukraine. No one could imagine that the Chornobyl tragedy will not be the worst one Ukraine had to pass through. And that Ukraine is building the arch and the safe confinement in conditions of war, when it opposes Russian aggression," Poroshenko said. The president thanked the international community for its support and solidarity with Ukraine. EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti being present at the ceremony, in turn, said the NSC in a year will be transferred to the balance sheet of Ukrainian authorities. National Asset Loan Management Ltd (NALM) has received 31m from sales of Mr Crosbies secured assets but estimates a shortfall of 43m, plus costs, after sale of the remaining secured assets. In court documents, it says its only recourse for the shortfall is to the remaining assets of Mr Crosbie, including Dublins Vicar St music venue, income from that venue, and his interest in various properties. The culprit was jailed for four months yesterday for obstruction of a drugs search. Judge Olann Kelleher imposed that jail term on Stephen McCarthy, aged 35, at Farnahoe, Innishannon, Co Cork. McCarthy was the frontseat passenger in the car which was driven away by another party in the Togher area on June 9. Shortly after 9pm on that date, the car came to a stop and Garda John Deasy approached the passenger side. Garda Deasy testified at Cork District Court yesterday that he saw the accused take up a large quantity of cannabis weed and put it in his mouth. He kept chewing the cannabis and ingesting it, said Garda Deasy. I attempted to stop him and as I leaned into the car, he leaned over to the drivers side. There was a German shepherd loose in the car. Mr McCarthy put the German shepherd between me and him. The accused got out of the Berlingo. Garda Deasy managed to keep the dog in the car as he was dealing with McCarthy. Garda Deasy said his opinion was that the quantity of cannabis swallowed by the accused was large. McCarthy was arrested and taken to Togher Garda Station. His condition deteriorated following his arrest. This was believed to have resulted from the ingestion of the cannabis. A doctor had to be called to the station for the treatment of the accused. Cash of 450 was also confiscated from the defendant. Garda Deasy was of the opinion that the money represented the proceeds of selling illegal drugs. The accused had 34 previous convictions including counts for drug possession. He also got a two-year jail term for crimes including assault causing harm. Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle suggested it might have shown a greater degree of criminality if the accused had thrown the drugs out the window of the car as the driver drove away from gardai but he had not done so. His life has been put at significant harm as a result of his drug abuse, said Mr Boyle. When he was serving a sentence his cellmate died in tragic circumstances. That has left a significant imprint on him. The solicitor said the accused had made enquiries about getting on a drug rehabilitation programme. Unworn clothes with their labels on, designer gear, and unopened gift sets are the fastest-selling items on Enable Ireland shop shelves, according to Aghna Harte of the charity. What we dont want is broken toys and we have more than enough books, said Ms Harte. What we want is things in decent condition that other people can get use out of. Pope Francis yesterday confirmed to the Taoiseach he will visit Ireland in August 2018, after the two held a 30-minute private meeting in the Apostolic Palace. After arriving with an Irish delegation, including his wife Fionnuala, he held a private meeting with Pope Francis, discussing issues from Brexit to unemployment and Church-State relations. Mr Kenny outlined past concerns relating to clerical sex abuse. I explained to him my own difficulties with the Church some years ago and I was happy to confirm to him that Church-State relations are in a better shape than they were for very many years, he said. Mr Kenny said there were more safeguards now. During separate private talks with Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Mr Kenny discussed the citizens assembly examining Irelands abortion laws. On whether the Popes visit in August 2018 would coincide with an abortion referendum, Mr Kenny said there are no votes in August. Mr Kenny and Cardinal Parolin also briefly discussed Irelands yes vote on marriage equality last year. The cardinal faced criticism then when he declared the vote a defeat for humanity. Mr Kenny said he told the cardinal he was entitled to his views, but on the yes vote, added: I think thats a signal around the world that, about the nature of population now, the way they feel about it, the happiness that surrounded that decision and the fact that it allowed so many people who lived in limbo or shadows to now play their full part in society. He [the cardinal] understands that very clearly and accepts that utterly. The itinerary for the pontiffs visit has yet to be fixed . Citing Pope John Pauls visit which was curtailed by the Troubles he added: If it transpires that the Pope wants to go to Northern Ireland for a visit that we will cooperate and work with the executive. Leaders in the North last night called for the Pope to visit there during his visit. He was one of 16 Irishmen known to be among the 150- strong British garrison which fought off an attack by up to 4,000 Zulu warriors. The 1964 film Zulu was based on this battle, regarded as one of the most epic defences in military history. No less than 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for the defence of the mission station the former trading post of Irish merchant James Rorke. Minihan was the right-hand man in the front rank of B Company, a soldier who knew his drill and helped maintain the discipline that held the embattled garrison together during the ferocious hand-to-hand fighting at Rorkes Drift on January 22-23, 1879. He was highly regarded by his officers and received several testimonials of good character, including one from Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, his company commander, who won the VC at Rorkes Drift. Michael Minihan was the sort of man who every officer wants under his command at moments of crisis, said Nimrod Dix, a director of auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb, leading specialist salespeople of coins, tokens, medals, militaria, paper money and jewellery. He was brave, steady and knew the business of soldiering well. Amid the bloodshed of Rorkes Drift and the flames that engulfed part of the mission station, he remained calm and focused, at one stage bayoneting a Zulu warrior who had grabbed him by the leg. Michael Minihan is the man on the left in the circle. Born in Castlehaven, Co Cork, in 1845 Michael Minihan enlisted in the 24th Foot at Bandon in October 1864. He saw service in India, South Africa and the Mediterranean. In 1879 the 2nd Battalion of the 24th Foot was part of the British Army that invaded the then independent kingdom of Zululand. B Company was detailed to garrison Rorkes Drift, which had been turned into a supply depot and hospital. They thus avoided the fate of many regimental comrades who were killed when the Zulus overwhelmed a British force at Isandlwana. The victorious Zulus then headed for Rorkes Drift where the tiny garrison, some of whom were hospital patients, found themselves in a desperate battle for survival. Their gallantry was immortalised in the 1964 film Zulu starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine. Minehan was posted in the cattle kraal, which formed part of the defensive perimeter and eventually had to be evacuated. Captain William Penn-Symonds, an officer in the 24th who was part of the force which relieved Rorkes Drift knew the Irish soldier well and later wrote: Minihan was a great pal of mine; he was righthand man, front rank of B Company, who knew his drill well and had often kept me straight. The day after the battle Private Minihan, who was so exhausted that he could not speak, took Penn-Symonds to the corner of the kraal where he had been stationed. He indicated the body of a Zulu, partly hidden under the straw. During the siege, the Zulu had crawled under the straw and grabbed Minihan by the leg. Minihan had thrust his bayonet into the straw killing his assailant. The South Africa medal awarded to Michael Minihan. After his service in the Zulu War, Michael Minihan was posted back to India. In 1884 he contracted cholera, was sent back to England and discharged as medically unfit. He died in May 1891 and is buried in Castletownsend. The grave marker, a cross of wrought iron, was inscribed Michael Minihan, Late of the 24th Regiment and one of the gallant defenders of Rorkes Drift. His campaign medal for South Africa, 1877-79 with clasp 1877-8-9 is being sold at Dix Noonan Webb by a private collector and is estimated at 26,000-30,000 (30,000-35,200). The decision will ultimately rest with Education Minister Richard Bruton as to who should be patron of the eight-class school due to open next September. It is one of three scheduled to open in 2017 for which applications to become patron have been invited, the others being in Dun Laoghaire and Pelletstown in Dublin. The Fine Gael leader sought to end the controversy as Mr Higgins and hundreds of Irish citizens signed a book of condolences for the Cuban revolutionary in Dublin at the same time as a senior government minister described Castro as an unelected dictator. Speaking at the Vatican days after Mr Higgins controversially focussed on Cubas social progress instead of human rights abuses in his statement on Mr Castros death, Mr Kenny said Mr Higgins is entitled to make his views clear on the high-profile figures legacy. He told reporters that Minister for Foreign Affairs [Charlie Flanagan] pointed out quite correctly that the President is entitled to make his comments and there is no issue with this position. However, despite the diplomatic remarks, the disagreement continued yesterday with one senior Government minister saying describing Mr Castro as an unelected dictator and opposition TDs staunchly defending Mr Higgins views. Speaking at an event in Dublin, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said there was a long standing tradition of the Government and President not criticising each others actions as the presidential office is above politics. However, he added that if he had been asked to respond to Mr Castros death at the weekend he would have been more nuanced than Mr Higgins and while Cuba has witnessed social progression the revolutionary was an unelected dictator. What I would say is that when it comes to Castro the Government, and certainly me as an individual, would take more of a nuanced view on Castros legacy. He stood up to American aggression and certainly made some changes to his country which were significant in relation to access to education and healthcare, but he was an unelected dictator. No one in Cuba voted for him. He handed over power to his brother, executed and imprisoned his opponents, and even put people in mental institutions for disagreeing with him. So its a mixed legacy at best. Mr Higginss remarks were supported by Skills Minister John Halligan and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams yesterday, with both saying the President was right to express his opinion. However, he continued to be criticised by Independent Senator Ronan Mullen, Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon, and others over the remarks. Asked to respond to claims from Mr Mullen that Mr Higgins had ignored human rights abuses in Cuba in his statement, Mr Adams who travelled to Cuba yesterday said opponents had some cheek to make the remark. His record on human rights is second to none, and for anybody to suggest that he wouldnt raise those issues is a downright lie, said Mr Adams. Meanwhile, hundreds of Irish citizens signed two books of condolences for Mr Castro at the Mansion House and the Cuban embassy in Dublin yesterday. They were joined by Mr Higgins, who was the first to sign the document at the embassy on Pearse St, writing: On behalf of the people of Ireland to express their sympathy to the people of Cuba on the passing of former head of state Fidel Castro Ruz. Con la simpatico de la gente [with the sympathy of the people]. The Government will be represented at Castros funeral this week by Irelands non-resident ambassador to Cuba, Sonja Hyland, who is based in the Irish embassy in Mexico. World: 8 Editorial: 10 Peter Thornton, QC, one of Britains most senior coroners, said: I commend the application for legal funding for those who are considering them. There is a compelling case for proper legal representation. Mr Thornton indicated he wanted the funding issue to be settled by early next year. Yesterday, the coroner convened the first pre-inquest hearing into the 1974 double bombings in Birmingham, in a bid to establish the scope of the proceedings. He also said he had neither the power nor the authority to order funding to be put in place. On the night of November 21, 1974, the IRA planted two bombs which ripped through two Birmingham pubs, killing 21 people and injuring 182 others. The botched police investigation into the atrocity led to the wrongful convictions of the Birmingham Six. Also in court was human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce, believed to be representing the surviving members of the Birmingham Six. Mr Thornton said: I have in mind the gravity of events, the scale of the number of deaths, the investigations to date, the complexity of the investigations and the need for the families participation which is very important. For those reasons, I support the application for funding. He expressed hopes funding would be granted at the latest six weeks before the provisional date for the next preliminary hearing on February 23. He also stressed the need for the hearings to be an independent process. The original inquests, convened in the 1970s, were overtaken by the criminal inquiry by West Midlands Police and never restarted. The force had opposed the holding of new inquests, despite evidence coming to light that police may have allegedly ignored two tip-offs of an imminent IRA attack. Lawyers for the families have been working for free, while legal teams for the police and other government branches have been taxpayer-funded. West Midlands Police has already set aside 1m (1.17m) to cover its legal costs. The UK government had rejected a call from the families for a special funding model similar to that used in the Hillsborough stadium disaster inquiry. Instead, British home secretary Amber Rudd backed the relatives making an application, under existing arrangements, through the Legal Aid Agency. However, under rules governing the UKs separate legal jurisdictions, the families Northern Ireland-based lawyers, KRW Law, would need to partner with an English law firm to secure legal aid. In court yesterday, Christopher Stanley, of KRW Law, told the coroner such an agreement was unworkable. Mr Thornton also made a public appeal to eight families who have never made contact with the Birmingham coroners office to do so if they wanted to be kept informed about the inquests. Full inquest hearings are not likely to start before the end of September 2017. Richard OBrien, aged 57, of Arlington Lodge, Church St, Tralee, Co Kerry, lured his victim to a caravan in Dublin before raping her, assaulting her, and biting her during a sustained, vicious attack on March 19, 2011. He then fled to the UK, before being extradited in 2013. He was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment, and assault causing harm. At the start of his sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court, yesterday, OBrien repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, ordering Anne Rowland, prosecuting, to get her facts straight, before turning on defence barrister Damien Colgan and telling him: On your bike. After warning OBrien several times, Mr Justice Tony Hunt ordered that he be removed from court. As he was led away, OBrien turned towards his victim and verbally abused her. The hearing resumed after the judge asked Mr Colgan to continue representing OBrien, who has already sacked one legal team and is the client from hell, said Mr Justice Hunt. Garda Ruth Brett told Ms Rowland that the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was having birthday drinks with friends in a Dublin pub when OBrien offered to buy her a drink. He then invited her back to a house party, allegedly for his sisters birthday. When the woman arrived at the house, she became uneasy and asked to get a taxi home. OBrien invited her into a caravan at the back of the property, on the pretext of ordering her a cab, but, once inside, he told her: Theres no effing sister and theres no effing taxi, either. He then pushed her onto the bed, punched her repeatedly, bit her on the chest and neck, and raped her. The woman fainted during the attack, which went on for some time, the court heard. It ended only after two men entered the caravan and stopped OBrien. The woman fled the scene and was picked up by a couple in a car, who took her to a garda station. She was then taken to a sexual assault treatment unit. One of the men who entered the caravan made a detailed statement to gardai about what he had seen. In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said she has had nightmares every night for the last five years. She said the attack led to the breakdown of her 23-year relationship and she had suicidal thoughts. She said her relationship with her children and grandchildren has suffered. For the last five years of my life, I have been existing, not living, she said. The court heard OBrien has a previous conviction for rape and false imprisonment of a woman. He has been married twice and has seven children, but is estranged from his family. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to December 12, saying he needed to consider sentencing. This woman was beaten up, as well as raped. Its a very bad set of facts, he said. The judge also expressed concern at OBriens behaviour in court, saying one gets a very real flavour of his character. This man, even in the context of the Central Criminal Court, appears to have difficulty restraining himself. That is very worrying, he said. Kyiv to demand release of 57 prisoners by DPR, LPR at meeting of 'Normandy Four' foreign ministers Ukraine will demand at the Minsk meeting of the 'Normandy Four' foreign ministers that nearly 60 prisoners held in districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions uncontrolled by Kyiv be released, Verkhovna Rada First Vice-Speaker and Ukrainian representative to the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Gerashchenko said. "Ukraine insists on the soonest release of hostages, and we will prioritize this issue. We demand that 57 hostages confirmed by the individual districts be released right now. Ukraine will also raise the question of hostages held in Russia," she said on Facebook on Tuesday before a meeting of the 'Normandy Four' foreign ministers in Minsk. According to the Ukrainian Security Service, the self-proclaimed republics are holding 108 Ukrainians hostage, but have confirmed the detention of only 57 persons as of yet, Gerashchenko said. "We also insist on the immediate access of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the search for the missing; as of today, there are 495 names on that dreadful list," she said. Ukraine is worried about daily violations of the truce and "will present convincing facts of those violations" and of the presence of Russian military hardware in Donbas, Gerashchenko said. "Another important subject is an environmental catastrophe caused by Russia in Donbas, from water supply [there has been no water supply to Toretsk for a week] to similar situations, which the minister and the Ukrainian delegation will speak about today," Gerashchenko said. Edward McCormack, aged 62, of 20 Bishops Park, Wexford, pleaded guilty before Judge Barry Hickson at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court to having cannabis resin for sale or supply on November 15, 2011, at Ballymurn, Enniscorthy . He also pleaded guilty to the same offence at The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, on November 6, 2013. He issued the staunch defence during a Tourism Ireland press conference in which he was repeatedly questioned about recent media criticism of him, the judiciary row and other matters. With Independent Alliance colleague junior minister John Halligan warning it would be a fatal error for Enda Kenny to sack Mr Ross from cabinet, Mr Ross said he did nothing wrong. He said it would be nonsense to suggest he was not performing in his role at a time when tourism figures are surging. Ill be absolutely straightforward, its been a record year for tourism which were absolutely proud of. I think therell be another record year next year which were absolutely proud of as well, so any criticism Im not spending enough time in tourism and sport is complete and utter nonsense. There is simply no evidence produced by anybody to support that, not one scintilla, he said. Mr Ross had also been criticised for a perceived slowness in appointing officials to State boards. However, the 36 vacancies left on boards under his control is the same as that left by his predecessor, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe. On February 23, three days before the general election and before the Independent Alliance entered power, there were 36 vacancies on transport-related State boards, the same figure as on November 23. Mr Ross has also been criticised in recent months for clashes with the Taoiseach and others on Irelands neutrality, abortion, the independence of the judiciary and other matters. However, while the friction has frustrated a number of Fine Gael ministers, Mr Halligan said it would be dangerous for Fine Gael to remove him from cabinet. Speaking at a separate event yesterday, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said while ministers, in general, speak for themselves they are also part of a collective while in cabinet. He was speaking after Tourism Ireland revealed 2016 is set to be the best ever year for Irish tourism, surpassing all previous records. By the end of the year, 10.5m people will have visited the country, north and south, an 11% increase over 2015 with growth recorded in all markets. Revenue generated by international visitors is expected to be 5.4bn, a 10% increase over last year that is helping to sustain about 263,000 jobs across the country. Tourism Ireland plans to increase overseas tourism revenue by 4.5% to 5.7bn next year. The aim of the all-Ireland body is to strengthen this years results and welcome 10.6m overseas visitors in 2017. Some factors have been working in Irelands favour, including new flights from the US, Germany, and Scandinavia as well as expanded services via the Middle East from long-haul countries. Mr Ross said preparations were continuing at both a political and official level to deal with the challenge posed by Britains referendum vote to leave the EU. Models are being considered for all possible eventualities, particularly in the tourism sector, he said. We have got several plans to deal with Brexit, but I tell you quite simply we will have to see how it works out. When we see how Brexit works out on the British side we will be able to adjust our models accordingly. The chief executive of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons, said key messages highlighted next year would be the depreciation of sterling against the euro and the ease of travelling to Ireland. As our nearest neighbour and our largest market for overseas tourism, Britain will remain a priority for us, he said. However, Brexit did pose some competitive challenges. It means that we will have to offer real value for money, he said. Next summer, there would be over 230,000 airline seats and 40,000 car spaces on ferries between Britain and Ireland. It is still going to be very easy to get here from Britain and we will be doing our best to promote that, said Mr Gibbons. Mr Ross, meanwhile, described as complete and utter nonsense claims he was not spending enough time on the tourism portfolio. There is simply no evidence produced by anybody to support that not one scintilla, he said. The woman, who hid from the authorities for almost five years after deportation orders had been issued, cannot be identified for legal reasons. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys yesterday placed a four-week stay on the injunction discharge order so the mother and child can pursue any consequential orders and put their affairs in order. Last May, the judge rejected claims made by the woman and her child the deportation should be revoked. The mother took the action on grounds including the childs educational rights not being properly considered. Dismissing the case, the judge found the childs educational rights, such as the right to free primary education while in the State, are not a barrier to deportation. An appeal against that decision is pending before the Court of Appeal. At the time, a temporary injunction was secured preventing the State from deporting them. They wanted the injunction continued until their case has been determined. They claimed a recent Court of Appeal judgment supported the injunction application, particularly their argument the child should not be identified with the mother going into hiding after the deportation orders were issued. The State sought to have the injunction discharged. In a ruling yesterday, Mr Justice Humphreys said he was satisfied to discharge the injunction. When considering the balance of justice, he said it was not unjust to deport the applicants before the appeal is heard. The applicants could progress their appeal without being present in Ireland, he said. He said the main factor against refusing to grant the injunction was the disruption to the child. However, he said he did not regard that argument as being decisive. He said he had to have regards to the public interest in enforcing deportation orders, the weak nature of the applicants case, the lack of any legal basis for the applicants to be present in Ireland and the mothers misconduct. Simone Lee, aged 37, was found semi-naked in her apartment at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate, early on Sunday morning after local people contacted emergency services and gardai. A man in his mid-20s was arrested and held at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was released without charge yesterday and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Ms Lee received at least one stab wound to the back. She also suffered extensive burn wounds to the head and upper body and these may have been caused by boiling water, a domestic washing up liquid, or acid. Gardai from the forensic section in Dublin carried out an examination of the scene yesterday. However, according to a source, the scene was in such a state that the forensic detectives would have to return there today to continue their investigation and to gather material. According to a senior garda source: This will give us a clearer idea of what was used in the attack. The apartment was cordoned off after the victim was removed by ambulance and a man arrested. We are going through CCTV from the general area to try and find out what the movements of the victim were in the hours before she was assaulted. This was a very serious assault and the victim received multiple injuries. Gardai had dismissed reports that she had been stabbed up to 30 times. When ambulance emergency technicians got to the scene, they found the woman in a semi-conscious state. She was semi naked and showing signs of hypothermia. A window in the apartment was smashed and a kitchen appliance was found on the street. To smack or not to smack is still a divisive issue in Western society. Last year the Pope caused controversy when he suggested smacking children by parents could be loving if a childs dignity was maintained, the Australian book the Slap and the subsequent 2015 US television series of the same name, sparked debate on both continents where smacking children is still permitted, and our closest neighbours, the UK still permit smacking if it doesnt leave a mark on a childs skin. Here in Ireland we have only recently followed the lead of Sweden which introduced the worlds first smacking ban of children in 1979. Its been one year exactly since, under Irish law parents can no longer slap a child and say it was their parental right as they were only using, reasonable chastisement. But one year on, do the majority of parents know the law has changed? Have parents altered behaviour, have cases come to court, have parents from different countries living in Ireland been informed and are there enough supports to allow parents find alternatives to smacking? Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Childrens Rights Alliance believes, the majority of people in Ireland do not know the law has changed. There hasnt been any public education. Firstly, we didnt seek an outright legal ban on smacking we just removed the right to reasonable chastisement. What legal bans have done in other countries is theyve acted like an advertising campaign and made a public statement that smacking is wrong. Id like to see some national awareness happening through support services and potentially translated into different languages too. Tanya Ward is chief executive of the Childrens Rights Alliance. Ms Ward stresses the UN Human Rights Committee, while welcoming Irelands change to the law, has also called for Irish parents to be educated on alternative forms of discipline and to be supported more in parenting. Parents need to be mentored and unless you as a parent go looking for a support programme, and a lot of people dont have access to one, its difficult. Ms Ward believes existing structures also need to be used more frequently and differently. In particular she believes better use could be made of public health nurses who could assist on health, language and bonding techniques especially since the Growing Up in Ireland Report 2011 showed it is the under 3s who are most in danger of being smacked. So far nobody has been taken to court for just smacking a child in Ireland. The gardai can use their discretion on whether to proceed further. If a child is subject to physical punishment, and there are reasonable grounds to suspect it is abusive Child and Family Agency, Tusla says incidents can also be reported to them. According to the Childrens Rights Alliance feedback from other European countries is that its the more serious abuses which are usually prosecuted. The reason why the law was changed was to change attitudes, people will respect the law and in other countries it is shown public support tends to increase with time, says Ms Ward International literature on smacking shows that it reduces childrens self-esteem and can even cause unwanted behaviour to escalate. Heino Schonfeld, Early Years Development Manager at Barnardos says he understands a lot of Irish people may have been smacked as children and that they might slip and smack their own child, that most of these slips are due to, parental stress but it doesnt mean that he can ever accept smacking and that parents need to understand smacking is now illegal. He agrees that the majority of parents are probably unaware of the legal change and that we need to now do a public information campaign where children are also informed. Heino Schonfeld. I think in Irish politics and in Irish public administration and policy theres a reluctance to interfere in the family, its not something thats easily done in the country. If you compare to Sweden or Germany, legislation change like this would be followed up with information aimed at children as well. "We should inform children that their rights have changed, that they dont have to accept physical punishment, although this information has to come with supports for parents as well. I ask is there not a danger that smacking will go underground as a result of the legal change and that in the privacy of the home children might still be smacked, and even if they know the law they might be afraid to report in case parents get into trouble. "Mr Schonfeld says, in particular the most serious forms of punishment have always been hidden in the home. "With changed attitudes smacking may be seen less in public places but that doesnt mean it doesnt happen at all, he agrees. In a statement, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children confirms that children who call Childline are, confused in relation to the law surrounding chastisement. The ISPCC says their support line can also receive calls from parents who, have just smacked their child or who have considered smacking their child. If this happens our staff respond by thanking the parent for their honesty and talking through what caused them to smack the child or consider smacking the child. We would work through with them how they reached this particular point, about what was the triggers and bring the parent to the conclusion that smacking doesnt work. A 2013 ISPCC/Behaviour and Attitudes study showed parents were confused about the law even before the recent changes as 62% of parents thought in 2013 it was already illegal to smack a child. Anything that helps with public education will always be a good thing but the change in the law has to come with investment in prevention and early intervention services, parents need information and support on alternatives to smacking, says CEO of the ISPCC Ms Grainia Long. Grainia Long, ISPCC. Sheila OMalley of Practical Parenting, Dublin, says that kinder alternatives dont always come naturally to parents though. Shouting is the new smacking. Its rare now to see a child smacked in public, but shouting and losing it is common. I dont think people realise how harmful shouting is. Sheila says when a parents shouting theyre really shouting for help. You need to be the calm you want to see; you need to set the tone in your home, if you scream everybody else needs to scream to be heard. Even in a small space parents can walk the room and breathe, it can be an activity that kids can join in to calm down collectively. Sheila says, shes a big believer in parents keeping their, cup full and not doing anything that leads to unnecessary stress. For example big family days out can be stressful, maybe everyone would be happier pottering around the garden or going for a walk? she says. Practicalparenting.ie offers 1-to- 1 parent support , parenting talks and courses. www.barnardos.ie keeps a database on parenting courses around the country and have free parenting publications, Tusla offer parenting advice on www.parenting247.ie. Asia Thailand's Cabinet Acknowledges Appointment of a New King, says Defense Minister Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends an event at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thailand, October 23, 2016. / Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters BANGKOK Thailands cabinet on Tuesday acknowledged the appointment of a new king, Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said, more than one month after the death of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The death of the much-loved King Bhumibol on Oct. 13 plunged the Southeast Asian nation into mourning. Most Thais have known no other monarch. According to procedure, the cabinet will ask the president of parliament to invite Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become king. The prince will then have to accept the invitation in order for him to be proclaimed king. After this, we enter the parliamentary process, Prawit told reporters. We expect an audience [with the prince] within the next one to two days. Reuters reported exclusively on Oct. 31 that Thailand was making preparations for the crown prince to ascend the throne on Dec. 1. King Bhumibol, who was the longest-serving head of state in the world when he died at the age of 88, played a stabilizing role during decades of often violent conflict in Thailand. The crown princes invitation to become monarch will likely allay some public concerns the succession might not go according to plan. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said last month the prince had asked to delay the succession in order to grieve with the public. The prince has not spoken publicly since his fathers death and news about his plans has come through the government. Rama X The prince, who will be known as King Rama X, or the 10th king of the 234-year-old Chakri Dynasty, can only be formally crowned after his fathers royal cremation, which will take place next year. Thailand will begin building the funeral pyre for the late King Bhumibol next year, the government said last week, adding that 8,000 people will be involved in the cremation ceremony. The prince, who is in Germany, will fly back to Thailand later this week so an audience with the president of parliament can then take place, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Today we are waiting for the government to send a letter to parliament. We expect this to happen imminently, said a member of the National Legislative Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media. In a departure from the usual Tuesday cabinet meeting, members of the cabinet and the junta met jointly at Bangkoks Government House on Tuesday, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene. Prayuth, who took power from an elected government in a 2014 coup, has said that a yearlong mourning period for the king will not affect a general election the junta has promised to hold in 2017. The military, which has traditionally portrayed itself as he ultimate defender of the monarchy, is widely expected to remain a key power broker even after the 2017 general election. A Thai lese-majeste, or royal insult, law criminalizes anything that is deemed to be an insult to the monarchy. The law has curbed public talk about the succession or criticism about the crown prince, who has spent much of his adult life abroad and does not command the same level of devotion as his father. Burma Child Law Revised to Increase Punishment for Offenders More than 2,000 supporters joined a campaign on Sunday in Rangoons Kandawgyi Park to stop sexual violence against children. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy RANGOONSocial Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister U Win Myat Aye said the ministry is revising the existing 1993 Child Law, which would up the punishment handed out in rape cases in which the victims are minors. The ministers response at an Upper House session on Monday came after a recent series of child rape cases prompted widespread public outrage and campaigns calling for the death penalty or harsher sentences against child sex abuse offenders. U Win Myat Aye said rape cases are the most common crimes committed against minors following murder, adding that the police force was working in tandem with the ministry to reduce the number of offenses against children. The 1993 Child Law didnt mention offenses or punishment regarding sexual abuse cases. In the recent revision, we added a set punishment for child rape cases of 10 to 20 years, along with a fine, he told lawmakers. He said the ministry sent the revision to the Union Attorney-Generals office to get recommendations and the office replied that they were also working to increase the penalties and would send back revisions with harsher punishments. The minister added that the revisions would be submitted to Parliament soon. Currently, child rape cases are charged under Article 376 of Burmas Penal Code, which states that those convicted of rape shall be punished with up to 20 years imprisonment or for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Lawyers and activists have pointed out that because the law does not mention a minimum sentence, many perpetrators of child rape cases have been handed short prison sentences. In one case in which a victim was locked up and raped, the rapist only received two years imprisonment in township court. After an appeal to the district court, the sentence was extended to five years, said lawyer U Robert San Aung. He said even if the punishment were increased in the revised Child Law, the maximum punishment would need to be put into practice in the courts. U Robert San Aung also said the polices delay to accept rape cases and the courts processwhich can take more than a year until sentencingneed to be changed to reduce the number of rape cases waiting to be heard. From January to September 2016, the Burma police force recorded a total of 761 rape casesof which 461 were committed against minors under the age of 16. Burma Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Visit Singapore Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong leave the opening ceremony of ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos on Sept. 6, 2016. / Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will open the Cities and Kings: Ancient Treasure from Myanmar exhibition at Singapores Asia Civilization Museum on Thursday as part of celebrations to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Burma. The State Counselor will visit Singapore from Wednesday to Friday this week at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who invited her during his trip to Burma in June. The Prime Minister will be present together with the State Counselor at the exhibitions opening event. The exhibition displays art and cultural heritage of Burma and will be open to the public for three months, according to Burmas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have been commemorating 50 years of relations between the two countries this year and this trip also marks the anniversary, said U Kyaw Zay Ya, the foreign affairs ministry spokesperson. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis visit coincides with the launch of visa exempt travel for 30 days between Myanmar and Singapore effective Dec. 1, said U Kyaw Zay Ya. The two countries reached the visa agreement during the Singaporean Prime Ministers visit to Burma earlier this year. The State Counselor will be accompanied by representatives from the ministries of commerce and national planning and finance but it is not likely that new treaties or memorandums of understanding will be signed during this trip. The two countries are in negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and the renewal of a memorandum of understanding on the Avoidance of Double Taxation agreement. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will also meet some of the more than 100,000 Burmese nationals living and working in Singapore. Singaporean support for vocational training in Burma and further bilateral agreements on tourism and trade are also under discussion. Singapore is the second largest investor in Burma after China so far this year with a total of S$17.7 billion (US$13 billion) investment between January and April of 2016. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin before the talks of the foreign ministers in the 'Normandy format' in Minsk has declared his readiness to invite colleagues from Germany and France - Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault to the Zolote checkpoint (Luhansk region) which was blocked since the end of March 2016 by the ORDLO (occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions) to promote the launch of its work. "The Ukrainian side expressed outrage on the fact that Zolote hasnt been opened and was blocked since March 2016. The minister said he is ready today to invite to the Zolote opening his colleagues Steinmeier and Ayrault, hoping the Russians will give the go-ahead to the ORDLO not to humiliate the civilian population and to finally open the checkpoint," Verkhovna Rada First Vice-Speaker, Ukrainian representative to the Trilateral Contact Group's humanitarian subgroup Iryna Gerashchenko said on her Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon. As reported, the 'Normandy format' meeting of foreign ministers will be held in Minsk on November 29. It is expected that the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault and the head of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will take part in the meeting. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin said that at the meeting of foreign ministers he intends to present the Ukrainian version of the plan to resolve the situation in the east of Ukraine. The Zolote checkpoint in the Luhansk region is fully equipped and ready to pass people from March 31, 2016. Its opening was coordinated in the TCG (Trilateral Contact Group) framework last autumn. All the consultation parties gave their consent. Some 2,000 cars and 5,000 pedestrians can cross this checkpoint daily. In Minsk on November 9 the TCG meeting entrusted to open Zolote checkpoint before November 23. In the morning of November 23 employees of the State Border Service of Ukraine started registration of people and vehicles that cross the disengagement line in the Luhansk region through Zolote checkpoint. However, the LPR (the Luhansk People's Republic) militants did not allow persons and vehicles cross the checkpoint on their part in the result of which the transportation hasnt been recovered. On November 23 the TCG preliminary agreed to open the Zolote checkpoint until December 10. Burma Education Ministry Wants to Take Back Rangoon Land from Property Developer The project site of Marga Landmark at its new location near Inya Lake in June. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Burmas Ministry of Education now wants Parliament to help it take back a valuable parcel of land that the former government gave away to international developer Marga Landmark. The 17.7-acre tract, situated in a prime location close to Rangoons Inya Lake and the Sedona Hotel, once belonged to the Ministry of Science and Technology. But in February, during the final months of ex-President Thein Seins administration, the Myanmar Investment Commission handed the property to Marga Landmark. The government gave the land to Marga as compensation after it cancelled a separate project, the US$300 million Dagon City 1 commercial development, in July 2015. Dagon City 1 had to be halted when Buddhist monks and lay people complained about the projects proximity to Shwedagon Pagoda, Burmas holiest Buddhist site. In April, when the National League for Democracy (NLD) government assumed power, it renamed the Ministry of Science and Technology as a department within the Ministry of Education. Since that time, the Ministry of Education has complained about the land deal. According to the ministry, the land was designated for use as Burmas first research center on metrology, the scientific study of measurement. In June, government officials said that Marga Landmark would release nearly half of the 17.7-acre property back to the government. But the land issue was raised again on Tuesday in Parliaments Upper House by NLD lawmaker U Maung Maung Ohn, who requested Margas development project be relocated once again, this time to a site in the outskirts of Rangoon. U Win Maw Tun, the Deputy Minister of Education, replied that his ministry does not favor the development project being carried out on its land. We want all 17.7 acres back to use for education and research. I would like to make a request to the Parliament to help make that happen, said U Win Maw Tun. U Maung Maung Ohn suggested that the Inya Lake site should be reserved only for scientific research and development, as it was once planned. Leasing this land which was designated for a research center is like smashing the countrys future. Thats why I raised this issue, he told the The Irrawaddy. The NLD lawmaker added that he was not pleased with the response to his question. I feel bad because the education ministry said they are relying on Parliament to solve this issue, said U Maung Maung Ohn. This shows there is no collaboration between the ministries. As a peoples representative, I think first there should be a debate in the Parliament to decide if the land should go to the developer. After that, the issue can be passed on to the Rangoon divisional government. The Irrawaddys reporter Htet Naing Zaw contributed reporting from Naypyidaw. Burma Four Inmates Riot in Pathein Prison Pathein Prison. / Salai Thant Zin / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Four inmates rioted inside Pathein Prison, located in Irrawaddy Divisions capital city Pathein, on Saturday, and the division correctional department will bring new charges against them, a correctional director said. Previously, these inmates had been transferred to Pathein from Rangoons Insein Prison and Mon States Moulmein Prison. All four were serving long-term sentences for murder, according to the correctional department. First the prisoners had a quarrel, and they got into a fight. Then they picked a fight with a prison staff member, and they burst open the jail cell and shouted things as they ran toward the main jail, director U Min Soe of the Irrawaddy Division Correctional Department told The Irrawaddy. Now we have shackled them in accordance with the prison manual, and we have opened a case against them with the police station, he added. Prison staff member Ko Myo Min Aung arrived at the scene during his duty shift, where he found the inmates were arguing. The four prisoners argued with Ko Myo Min Aung, and then they busted open their jail cell and chased after him. The four ran into the main jail, and there they tried to grab a set of keys from Cpl Aung Win, another staff member on duty. Eventually, prison staff members were able to restrain the four prisoners, reported Pathein Police Station. The correctional department has filed a complaint with the police against those four inmates. So, we will go to the prison and investigate them, Sub-Lt Thein Zaw Oo of the Pathein Police Station told The Irrawaddy. The four men will face charges of causing a riot, holding lethal weapons in a riot, and harming civil servants who suppress a riot. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Burma Global Companies Linked to US-Sanctioned UWSA Tin Mine Man Maw tin mine in Shan States Wa territory / Soe Zeya Tun / The Irrawaddy RANGOON & WASHINGTON, United States From a remote corner of northeastern Burma, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the worlds largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Burmas border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found. The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters. This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid direct or indirect dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving US official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement. Several sanctions experts said the US government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Burma tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said US sanctions generally prohibit US companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances. The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex. Following a 2012 US regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa. But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones. Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfill those regulations they looked to an audit program designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). A CFSI program director said the group was aware of tin exports from Burma to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Burma. The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas. Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa. Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible, she said. Civil War Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating. The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high-grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal. The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Burma in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organization to do so. Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by US and other international companies. Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Burmas peace process. There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning, the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. Its the biggest source of income. While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Burma, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents. Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the US Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence. The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved, Kucik said. Two companies in Apples supply chain, the worlds No. 1 tin producer Yunnan Tin Co Ltd and leading Taiwan-based solder maker Shenmao Technology, told Reuters that some tin they bought was from the Wa mine. Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from Chinas leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine. Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of US sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A US government official involved in Burma policy consulted on Reuters findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA. Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said. Supply Chain The chain connecting some of the worlds best-known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys a long-term, stable strategic partnership with the UWSA statelet. YCII declined several interview requests. YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the worlds top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan. Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co and, indirectly, Pegatron Corp, whose clients include Apple. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, also a supplier to Pegatron. Burma is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSIAs long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, thats acceptable for us, said Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, who said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from US-based trade tracking company Panjiva. More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Two members of Yunnan Tins board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a portion of the companys tin came from the UWSA-operated mine. We certainly buy tin indirectly from Burma, Pan told Reuters. We dont specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from. Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste. That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tins purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons. Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain. While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Burma in our products, well continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights, it said. Foxconn said it enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers. It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a single, non-US-based customer. Pegatron Corp said it carried out annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains. Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly, the company added. From Jewelry to Appliances Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals. Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a very small amount of tin from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewelry and hollowware. The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy. Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops. The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Burma, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures. A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners. A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was committed to responsible business conduct. We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this, the statement said. Burma Police Remain Tight-Lipped About Rangoon Explosions A bomb squad car was seen entering the Rangoon divisional government compound on Friday after reported explosions. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Police remain tight-lipped and have not yet delivered an official explanation to the public regarding an investigation into a number of minor explosions that recently occurred in commercial capital Rangoon. The police have reportedly arrested suspects involved in the explosions but refused to take questions from reporters since the last incident occurred at the immigration department of the Rangoon divisional government on Friday. Four energy drink bottles suspected of being explosives were found at Rangoon International Airports Terminal 1 on Tuesday, according to a Facebook statement posted by the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services. The statement commented that the act was intended to elicit fear. The police force and the State Counselors Office Information Committee later released a statement on Facebook that said the bottles contained no explosive chemicals but only painkiller fluid, according to an initial investigation. Four blast incidents occurred in the former capital during the last three weeks two at shopping malls and another two targeted immigration department offices. The detonations were caused by homemade explosives made from M150 brand glass energy drink bottles filled with chemical liquids, and there were no casualties and no reported injuries in the blasts, according to police sources. Wire news agency Agence France-Presse reported on Saturday that the police had arrested three Muslims for planting home-made bombs around [Rangoon] and were investigating their links to terrorists in Rakhine [Arakan] State, quoting an anonymous police official. Local English-language newspaper Myanmar Times stated that the police force deleted their Facebook statement posted on its official page on Saturday, which initially announced that three suspects who were linked to the explosions in the government compound were arrested. Since then, photos of an alleged arrested suspect and seized bomb-making materials, which bear the watermarks of the police forces logo, have circulated on social media. The Irrawaddy was unable to verify the authenticity of the photos with the police force. Rangoon regional lawmakers told The Irrawaddy that they have no updates about the suspects or the arrest. President Offices spokesman U Zaw Htay told The Irrawaddy on Monday that an official announcement would be released after police procedures were finalized. Opinion In Rangoon, There is Plenty to be Afraid of A bomb squad team member on site at the Rangoon divisional government office compound after an explosion on Friday afternoon. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Burglaries, muggings, stabbings in the streets and child abuseRangoon seems to have everything it needs to terrify its residents. Sadly, there is more. To add to the citys fear, the latest threat to the city of more than five million people this month is a series of improvised devices exploding in four different places over the last two weeks. On Tuesday morning, a bomb squad disposed of four energy drink bottles initially suspected of being filled with explosives found at Rangoon International Airports Terminal 1. The citys explosions havent caused any casualties, but their shockwaves have instilled fear in the citys residents, particularly when two devices exploded at the Rangoon Divisional Government Office last Friday. Fridays blast raised serious questions over the security of the city and the safety of its residents as it took place in one of the most secure places in Rangoona government compound housing the divisional parliament and Rangoons police headquarters. Its shameful for authorities that the residence of Rangoon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Theinthe most powerful government official in Rangoonwas just meters from where the devices exploded. Despite the severity of the issue and to the dismay of the public, Rangoon police have remained tight-lipped on the situation. They have not acted so far as to conjure an excuse for their silencewhen reporters call for information they simply slam the phone down. State-run newspapers have dutifully shunned publishing any related new. Rangoon Chief Ministers Facebook, where Rangoonites have come to expect prompt updates on city happenings, has been in radio silence. This is not the response expected from the democratic government we enthusiastically voted for just one year ago. The government is accountable for the safety of its people and if it fails to protect them, they should be told the reason behind this failure. The government must be transparent. With alleged attacks from Muslim militants in Arakan State and ongoing conflict with ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State, the Rangoon government cannot that naive that it fails to see how its stony silence will fuel rumors and suspicion among the populace. If the over-active rumor mill continues it could derail national reconciliation and the peaceful coexistence of different communities. The explosions at Rangoon Divisional Government Office in particular are challenges to the countrys rule of law and a shocking testament to how loose the security in the city is. The government should spare no effort to bring the culprits behind the explosiveswhoever they areto justice. The criminals should be behind bars for the sake of everyones safety. When Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was on the campaign trail across the country last year, she promised rule of law if her party came to power. Eight months into her governments term, mysterious explosions on the streets of Rangoon prove that she is yet to accomplish this mission. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has summoned former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych for questioning as a suspect in the case of treason and infringement on the territorial integrity of the country. Yanukovych must come to an office of the investigative department head of the Main Military Prosecutor's Office of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office to participate in questioning and carry out other procedural actions in criminal proceedings on December 5 and December 9, 2016, the Prosecutor General's Office said on its website in the 'Summonses' section on Tuesday. Three of Yanukovych's residential addresses are mentioned in a summons: in Kyiv, in the village of Novi Petrivtsi, Kyiv region, and in Rostov-on-Don. On November 28, 2016, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko notified ex-Ukrainian President Yanukovych of suspicion under two articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, 110 and 111 (treason and infringement on the territorial integrity of the country). "Considering that Yanukovych is outside Ukraine, effectively hiding from Ukrainian law enforcement authorities, the content of the suspicion was declared orally, and the notice of suspicion itself was sent out today, an hour ago, to all of Yanukovych's known addresses and will also be handed to the latter's lawyer," Lutsenko told the Sviatoshynsky District Court of Kyiv. Tuesday, November 29th, 2016 (7:51 am) - Score 3,487 Bad news for BT today. Ofcom confirms that it has been unable to reach a voluntary agreement over the future of Openreach and would now force the operator to adopt legal separation. A new UK framework for the next decade of telecoms and broadband regulation will now be established. Openreach is responsible for managing access to and upgrading BTs national telecoms and broadband network, which theyve been required to do on a functionally separate basis since the last review in 2005. The outcome of that review loosened BTs control and fuelled the rise of ISPs like Sky Broadband, TalkTalk and many others, which also made related services cheaper. However the regulators most recent Strategic Review, which posted its initial proposals in February 2016 (full summary) and an update in July 2016 (here), found evidence to show that Openreach still had an incentive to make decisions in the interests of BT, rather than BTs competitors, which can lead to competition problems. Ofcom added that BT had failed to sufficiently consult rival ISPs, specifically those that piggyback off its network, on investment plans that affect them. Ofcom also appeared to support the view of a cross-party inquiry (here), which claimed that BT has been under-investing in its network by hundreds of millions of pounds. BT denied that accusation and pointed to their plan for deploying 300Mbps G.fast broadband to 10 million UK premises by 2020, with most of the UK likely to be done by 2025. On top of that BT aims to roll-out 1Gbps FTTP to 2 million UK premises by 2020 and the operator hopes to invest 6bn over the next three years, although this includes their vast mobile business under EE and that covers a lot of existing commitments. However BTs critics want to see significantly more FTTP and less hybrid-fibre G.fast. The new agreement therefore hopes to find a way forward by giving rivals easier access to BTs national network of cable ducts and poles (details), as well as a more independent governance structure for Openreach, tougher minimum service quality standards, new consumer protection measures and better information sharing. Ofcoms Statement Our proposal requires Openreach to become a distinct company with its own Board. This would comprise a majority of non-executive directors, including the Chair, who are not affiliated with BT. Openreach would be guaranteed greater independence to make decisions on strategic investments, with a duty to treat all of its customers equally. We are now preparing to notify the European Commission of our intention to implement these plans, requiring the legal separation of Openreach to make it more independent. Throughout this process, we remain open to BT bridging the gap between its proposal and what is required to address our strong competition concerns. Around 94,000 people responded to our consultation via an online campaign. Some 90,000 of these were identical responses written by the [Fix Britains Internet] campaign, calling for action to improve the UKs telecoms infrastructure; including the full, structural separation of BT. A few responses shared positive experiences of BT and urged no further action. A significant number of the 4,000 non-standard responses raised concerns about slow broadband speeds, the availability of fibre broadband and the quality of service from major service providers. Most concerns related to BT, with a smaller number of complaints about other providers including Sky Broadband, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. One of the biggest stumbling blocks to a voluntary agreement has stemmed from Ofcoms call for Openreach to become a ring-fenced, wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, with its own purpose and board members. As part of that they also wanted Openreach to be allowed to have confidential discussions with its customers (i.e. without oversight by BT). However BT has been bitterly opposed to Openreach becoming a legally separate company (no CEO likes to lose full control over part of their business, even if the BT board would still have a say). Furthermore BT also complained about the related risks and costs of moving staff and pension liabilities to the new company. In the end Ofcom has forced through legal separation, which is not the nuclear option of full structural separation that many of BTs rivals had been demanding. Ofcom sees their approach as being able to deliver all of the benefits that stem from full separation, albeit without many of the complexities and costs. Structural separation could generate materially greater costs and risks compared to models based on legal separation. This includes the costs of physically separating the two businesses, and effects on the BT pension scheme, said Ofcom. However most stakeholders who responded to their consultation felt as if BT had overstated the impact on their pension scheme. Ofcoms Legal Separation Statement We have continued to discuss with BT potential changes to its voluntary proposal. Although we have made some progress, BT has so far failed to offer proposals that would adequately address our concerns. BTs proposals still fall short in important areas. These include the transfer of people and assets, and the level of influence that BT Group executives could exert over the management of Openreach. Our current view is still that an effective and robust form of legal separation, with Openreach as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT, is likely to achieve the greatest improvements for everyone in the shortest amount of time. Therefore, this is the approach with which we are minded to proceed. Our model will include proposals to publicly scrutinise and monitor its effectiveness against several measures of success. The most direct will be whether Openreach Board decisions are taken independently, without undue influence from BT Group. If Ofcoms monitoring suggests that legal separation is not delivering sufficient benefits for the wider telecoms industry and its customers, we will return to the question of structural separation fully breaking up the companies. As an operator BT has always faced somewhat of a conflict between public expectation and investment reality. On the one hand they are of course a commercial company, not a charity, and one that quite understandably must take account of what shareholders and the business case deem to be the best course of action for their bottom line. On the other hand BTs private interests often seem to have become increasingly different from what the public and cross-party MPs expect. A large part of this divide could perhaps be expressed as both a product of historic regulation and key political decisions, not least former PM Margaret Thatchers move in 1991 to stall BTs early fibre optic roll-out due to competition concerns. Another problem is that new services (e.g. ultrafast broadband) cost more to deliver and it can sometimes be difficult to get people to pay the extra for those when we all exist in an aggressively competitive market, one where consumers expect to get a fast and good quality Internet connection for very little money; todays deal probably wont change that reality. Ofcom will thus be hoping that their changes are just enough to redress the balance by boosting competition, accountability and service quality, albeit without completely turning the market on its head. Suffice to say that we might well be back to this same question again in another 10 years time, but a lot can happen in a decade. In the meantime Ofcom said that they remain open to further voluntary proposals from BT to address their outstanding concerns, but were pressing forwards regardless and expect to consult publicly on a submission to the European Commission during early 2017. A BT Spokesperson said: We note Ofcoms announcement this morning, updating on the next steps of the Digital Communications Review. We put forward proposals in July that we believe are fair and sustainable, and that meet Ofcoms objectives without disproportionate costs. We are implementing these proposals, and have just appointed Mike McTighe to be the first chairman of Openreach. We are in discussions with Ofcom on two outstanding issues, the reporting line of the Openreach CEO and the form of legal incorporation. We will continue to work with Ofcom to reach a voluntary settlement that is good for customers, shareholders, employees, pensioners and investment in the UKs digital future. Its no coincidence that Openreach has today appointed Mike McTighe to be its first ever Chairman. BT said that McTighe, who will take up his role from January 2017, is an experienced telecoms executive and regulator who spent eight years on the Board of Ofcom. He will oversee the new Openreach Board, which will operate from early 2017, and be instrumental in selecting further independent members to join that Board. But Openreach knows that it will soon have to go a lot further. Sir Michael Rake, BT Chairman, said: I am delighted that Mike has agreed to be the first Chairman of Openreach. He has extensive experience and I am sure Openreach will benefit from his detailed industry and regulatory knowledge. We promised in July to create an Openreach Board and we are delivering on that promise. I remain hopeful this significant move by BT can help to underpin a sustainable, proportionate and fair regulatory settlement that is in the interests of the whole country. We should add that the Strategic Review also covered a number of other service improvement proposals, such as the push for a new automatic compensation requirement when consumers suffer a fault that causes a loss or reduction of service and we must not forget the forthcoming 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation (USO). Many of these service improvement measures are being defined and consulted upon as part of the wider Digital Economy Bill 2016-17. Wed argue that these will probably have a much more obvious impact upon consumers than the above decision. Ofcom is effectively trying to help the market to become more competitive and fair, but this will take many years to foster and wont be something that is immediately apparent to most end-users. Now heres a quick recap of Ofcoms original proposals and you can also read the latest UPDATE NOTE on their website. Comments from ISPs are at the bottom of this article. Summary of the Key Openreach Changes * Openreach will be required to give rival ISPs easier access to their national network of telegraph poles and cable ducts, which can be used to install faster broadband services. The Duct and Pole Access (DPA) solution is effectively an enhanced and more flexible version of their old Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product. As part of this Openreach must provide comprehensive data on the nature and location of its ducts and poles. * Tougher minimum service requirements, which aim to push Openreach into repairing faults and installing new lines / services more quickly. Ofcom will monitor and report on related progress. * Openreachs governance structure will be overhauled so that the operator can take its own decisions on budget, investment and strategy. The new management will be required to serve all wholesale customers equally, and consult them on its investment plans. This includes greater transparency over how costs and assets are allocated between Openreach and the rest of BT. Related Governance Changes * Openreach to become a distinct company. Openreach should be a legally separate company within BT Group, with its own Articles of Association. Openreach and its directors would be required to make decisions in the interests of all Openreachs customers, and to promote the success of the company. * Openreach to have its own Board. The new Board should have a majority of non-executive directors, including the Chair. These non-executives should not be affiliated to BT Group in any way, but would be both appointed and removed by BT in consultation with Ofcom. * Executives accountable to the new Board. Openreachs Chief Executive should be appointed by, and accountable to, the Openreach Board not BT Group. The Chief Executive would then be responsible for other executive appointments. There should be no direct lines of reporting from Openreach executives to BT Group, unless agreed by exception with Ofcom. * Greater consultation with customers. Openreach would be obliged to consult formally with customers such as Sky and TalkTalk on large-scale investments. There should be a confidential phase during which customers can discuss ideas without this being disclosed to BT Group. * Staff to work for Openreach. Ofcoms principle for the new model is that people who work for Openreach should be employees of the new company, rather than BT Group. This would prevent any real or perceived conflict of interest, and allow Openreach to develop its own distinct organisational culture. * Openreach to own assets that it already controls. Openreach should own its physical network. This would allow the Openreach Board to make decisions that depend on investing in, and looking after, Openreachs assets. There may be costs in transferring assets or people to Openreach, which would need to be mitigated. * A separate strategy and control over budget allocation. Openreach should develop its own strategy and annual operating plans, within an overall budget set by BT Group. * Independent branding. Openreach should have its own brand, not affiliated with BT Group, to help embed the organisational culture of a distinct company. UPDATE 8:56am Added a comment from BT above. UPDATE 9:33am Now its TalkTalks turn to comment. Dido Harding, CEO of TalkTalk, said: Openreach has been letting consumers down for far too long, unable to meet promises of even minor improvements and becoming a household name for all the wrong reasons. However, we welcome the fact that the regulator has finally made a decision, and while we do not think legal separation goes far enough to deliver the broadband consumers deserve, they are at least a step in the right direction. Consumers will be keen to understand how these changes will improve their service and by when. We will continue to push Ofcom to ensure the plans deliver real, meaningful improvements quickly, and if major changes cannot be delivered, then they should move to structurally separate Openreach once and for all. UPDATE 10:13am Some more comments. Charles Trotman, CLA Senior Business Adviser, said: Any formal break between BT and Openreach must not lose sight of the goal to deliver broadband to rural areas. Ofcom must make it clear that the conditions of the separation include guarantees for future investment to further support rural digital connectivity. A Sky Spokesperson said: Lets not forget why we are here BT Openreach has continued to fail consumers. This is why we have always said that we want a solution that is clear and executable and in the best interests of consumers and industry. We will now watch closely as to how Ofcom executes its proposals. Matthew Howett, Ovum Analyst, said: This announcement will undoubtedly come as a blow to BT, which thought it was making progress with Ofcom; however, the door remains open for both sides to reach a voluntary agreement. In many ways, a voluntary agreement remains a better outcome than a forced legal separation, not least because the EU route is uncertain, untested, and likely to take much longer to achieve. It is also made more complex by the decision from the UK to leave the EU. In the summer of 2016, BT and Ofcom appeared to be close to reaching an agreement. Today, it is clear that the issues around the transfer of people and assets, and the level of influence that BT Group executives could exert over the management of Openreach remain sticking points, including complex issues surrounding BTs pension scheme. These will be the areas that BT needs to focus on to avoid the imposed legal separation Ofcom stands ready to implement. In the time between the July consultation and todays announcement, there have been repeated calls for a full structural separation of Openreach from the BT group. Ofcom has once again reiterated that structural separation is off the agenda. Only if Ofcoms monitoring suggests that a legal separation is not delivering sufficient benefits for the wider telecoms industry and its customers, will it return to the question of structural separation. UPDATE 11:06am Telecoms operator Vodafone has chimed in to claim in a new report that BTs excess profits from regulated services increased to more than 1 billion in the last financial year. Apparently the Frontier report also shows that BT made returns of 70% from the regulated wholesale broadband services used by around 1.8 million customers living in rural parts of the country, where it faces little or no network-based competition. Vodafone claims this means that rural customers, who make up 9.5% of UK premises, provided BT with average excess profits of 93.84 per customer per year. Helen Lamprell, Vodafone UKs Director of External Affairs, said: We, along with broadband customers across the country, share Ofcoms disappointment at BTs performance and at its reluctance to undertake the transformation necessary to ensure the UK has the competitive fibre networks it needs for the future. We will analyse the detail of what Ofcom proposes and BTs response to those details very carefully. We believe Openreach should be separated from BT as soon as possible so BTs customers and other providers can be better protected from the excessive charges highlighted in this Frontier report. UPDATE 30th Nov 2016 Just a comment from Fluidata (FluidOne). 5 Essential Elements in Building an Agile Data Center Its a happy accident for IT departments and the companies for whom they work that cloud computing has become so popular. The cloud, among its other attributes, is a potent and powerful tool for disaster recovery and business continuity (DR/BC). IT departments certainly realize this. Data security firm Zetta released research earlier this month that found that 90 percent of IT professionals who include cloud in their DR mix are confident of their strategy. While companies using on-premises solution approaches are also confident, their certainty isnt quite as great: The study found that 74 percent of IT professionals who approach DR in this manner feel confident. Organizations that didnt get the message certainly are catching up. This month, Transparency Market Research released research that paints a picture of a growing and increasingly fragmented marketplace. Cloud-based DR, which is marketed as disaster recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS), has exploded from a handful of established vendors. Now, the company says, those providers have been joined by a large number of startups and traditional DR vendors. The expansion of revenues is as impressive. Transparency predicts that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between this year and 2024 will be 35.7 percent. That would mean that the segments value will grow from $1.29 billion last year to $21.55 billion in 2024. North America will lead the charge, the press release says. The cloud is used in different ways for DR, according to SearchDataCenter. Two are in colocation centers and one on the public cloud. The colo versions are unmanaged companies essentially lease space and equipment and run things themselves, or else arrange for monitoring, management and DR services to be included. The public cloud version gives organizations the ability to set policies that are implemented by the provider. Understanding the different flavors of cloud-based DR is only one of the preparatory steps, according to Data Center Dynamics. Experts suggest that organizations create a strategic plan for migration, widely involve staff, and train and prepare staff carefully. Be prepared for a long transition, since moving DR to the cloud involves more than just flipping a few switches. The move of DR to the cloud is nothing new. Indeed, one of the key elements of DR has always been geographic diversity, which is use of the cloud by another name. Clearly, however, the cloud is changing. IT departments must approach use of DR with great care and foresight. Nine out of 10 IT professionals arent wrong in that the cloud makes a safer and more reliable DR platform. But it only does so if it is done correctly. Carl Weinschenk covers telecom for IT Business Edge. He writes about wireless technology, disaster recovery/business continuity, cellular services, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and other emerging technologies and platforms. He also covers net neutrality and related regulatory issues. Weinschenk has written about the phone companies, cable operators and related companies for decades and is senior editor of Broadband Technology Report. He can be reached at cweinsc[email protected] and via twitter at @DailyMusicBrk. With NASA's quest to better study the Red Planet in 2021, Dr Gale Allen, NASA's Deputy Chief Scientist, has announced on Sunday that the US space agency will be teaming up with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Space Agency to put communications capability on the UAE's Mars spacecraft Hope. The partnership, as per Dr. Allen, is part of an "umbrella agreement" for collaboration between the two agencies. NASA And UAE's Space Agency For 2021 According to the Indian Express, Allen, who was in the UAE for the UN-UAE High Level Forum on "Space as a Driver for Socio-Economic Sustainable Development" was quoted to have said that they are aiming to work very closely with the UAE on any other missions going forward. Moreover, Dr. Allen has also claimed that for the Mars probe, one of things that is very interesting for them is the fact that they will have the opportunity to put communications capability on the probe. What matters most for them, is that they would be able to send humans to Mars in the 2030s. Dr. Allen has also highly emphasized that the Mars probe is the first step in their plan of collaborating with the space agency for a long-term partnership. Meanwhile, as per I4U News, in terms of what NASA authorities consider as "umbrella agreement," it was found that NASA has wanted to collaborate in future space exploration missions. The Hope spacecraft, as revealed by authorities, will have to travel more than 60 million km in its nine-month journey, which was found to also coincide with the UAE's 50th anniversary in 2021. Ultimately, reports have revealed that the mission will be supervised by the UAE Space Agency and developed by Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), with support from international partners. American car brand Ford, is about to unveil one of its hottest hatchbacks and the sibling to the Focus, the 2017 Ford Fiesta. However, the American market may not be so fortunate since it is rumored that the Fiesta will only be sold in Europe, South America and in Asia. The reason being that small car are not a big hit in North America and does not show any promise of a good sell. What's New With The New Ford Fiesta? According to Jim Farley, Ford Europe Chief, "The new Fiesta will be our best expression of Ford, lovable, sporty and fun to drive with an unmatched personality true to the spirit of the iconic small car that has delighted generations of customers for the past four decades. The 2016 Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in the United Kingdom currently. It is expected to build on more success with its 2017 model with a more premium feel. Dimension wise, the New Fiesta will not veer off too much from its current model and will likely be the same size on the outside, but will have a roomier interior. The next generation will still have the trademark grille at the front but with a lower nose similar to that of a Focus. New horizontal taillights will also be added o give a wider look. The interior will feature a more premium feel with new materials and the latest SYNC 3 touch screen system will most likely be offered as an option. The latest safety systems such as lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring will also be added. The A4 Sized Turbo Engine Is Still Expected With The New Version Although still unofficial, the 2017 Ford Fiesta will still give options to have either its three cylinder or four cylinder engines. The smaller 1.0 Turbo EcoBoost engine will still be offered due to its popularity in both economy and performance. A Fiesta ST version is expected to be announced soon. The new Ford Fiesta will be announced in Cologne, Germany on November 29 at the Go Further event. The Google Home,Amazon Echo and Apple HomeKit already offering the dream of the truly smart home edges ever closer to reality and mass adoption. That's the place we come in. From fee to compatibility and, of course, style, here is the details on the choices from Apple, Amazon, and Google: how they differ, how plenty they cost, and all the basics you want to know. The Amazon Echo When Amazon entered the clever home ecosystem fray in November of 2014, it made pretty an impression. For one, the Amazon Echo is a Bluetooth-connected speaker that additionally performs music from Spotify and Pandora. But Echo went beyond the usual automated-control-of-lights-and-HVAC home tech paradigm with a voice-activated virtual assistant, Alexa. The Echo is an appropriate choice for track fans who also prefer the clever home ride and are down with attempting voice-activated smart domestic interfaces. The Apple HomeKit When Apple HomeKit was once introduced in 2014, there really weren't many well-suited products available. Now that the requisite thermostats, door locks, and lightbulbs are, in fact, on the market and available to consumers, the new Home app rolled out with iOS 10 is first-rate as a one-stop save for toggling said lights on and off, checking the temperature in your home, and working heating and cooling systems or your home's protection cameras-remotely.Apple HomeKit is the preference for iPeople-folks who already have iOS 10-equipped or iOS 10-ready cellular gadgets (that's a lot of us) or a new Apple TV from the company. If you use an Android device, HomeKit in all likelihood isn't the fine option for you. The Google Home Google Home, too, is voice-activated ("OK Google"), can play the track (from your Google Play, Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, or TuneIn account), set alarms, spout dictionary definitions, and, of course, control lights and thermostats. Google Home is brilliant for people trying to shop 50 bucks (it will retail for $129.99, in contrast to Amazon Echo's $179.99) and people who dig the customizable, colorful speaker grilles handy for each unit. It's additional quality for these who don't mind the rather constrained wide variety of products it's well suited with at least for now. Russia has amassed some 55,000 troops near its border with Ukraine, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Ihor Dolhov said. "Currently, Russia has gathered around 55,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, in close proximity. In Ukrainian territory, Russia is represented by regular army units of 5,000-7,500 people. In Crimea, the Russian army's military presence amounts to 23,000 people, of which around 9,000 troops are located right on the administrative border with mainland Ukraine," Dolhov said in Kyiv on Tuesday. Talking to an audience at the Southbank Centre in London, Sir Roger, who is the longest serving MI6 agent actor to play, denied he had received any offers. But he did not say appearing in a future Bond film for a cameo role, saying it would give him the chance to "expand the family coffers". Sir Roger Moore Said He Could Appear On Another James Bond Movie Sir Roger, 89, paid tribute to Daniel Craig and Sean Connery who he portrayed as the best actors to have filled the tuxedo of the world's most famous spy. He told the packed auditorium: "I think that Sean was obviously the great Bond. "He was obviously the right person, he brought the right personality to the performance, otherwise Bond would not have gone on past the first six that he did. He was a tremendous Bond." "Today, I think we're very lucky to have Daniel Craig because he is quite extraordinary, I always say that Sean looked like a killer - but Daniel Craig would finish it off." "When I saw Casino Royale, I thought that Daniel Craig did more action in the first seven minutes than I did in seven movies." Sir Roger began his talk by moving up on the stage holding a large plastic poppy which he said was a protest Fifa's decision to ban players from having the ceremony symbol on their shirts. He then took a seat on a chair bragging about a cushion with the British flag on it and announced: "Nicola Sturgeon, eat your heart out." Sir Roger went through his career and his time working beside some of the biggest names in cinema. He said that though he had played one of the most desired roles in the film industry, there was one character he wished he could have played - Lawrence of Arabia. He said: "I remember Bob Baker and I going to see Lawrence of Arabia and coming out both being very depressed and saying 'we might as well give up the business', because they had made the best movie that had ever been made." "Gilmore Girls" fans waited a decade for the revival, to get some closure on the characters' storylines. However, it seems like they still weren't satisfied on how the series ended, and are now wondering if there will be part two to the revival. Is There A Possibility To Have A Reboot On The Reboot Of The Famous "Gilmore Girls?" It can be recalled that ever since the "Gilmore Girls" revival was confirmed and announced, it has been one of the most anticipated returns on television. The series ended about ten years ago and creator Amy Sherman-Palladino admitted that she was not able to end it in a way that she had planned. Thus, she assured the fans that the show will get the ending that it deserves during the revival, providing the "last four words." Finally, the controversial last four words were finally said during the end of the revival that aired last November 25. "Mom," "Yeah?" "I'm pregnant." Those were the most controversial four words that the fans have been waiting for ever since "Gilmore Girls" ended on its seventh season. Even though Amy Sherman-Palladino have been waiting for this moment ever since she wrote the series, the fans felt like it wasn't closure enough for their favourite television show. According to Palladino, they had a specific journey in their minds for "Gilmore Girls" and they were finally able to fulfil that. However, she said there will always be something more to it, hence the way she ended the show. Scott Patterson Agrees To Another Journey For "Gilmore Girls" If It Comes To Light It is unclear whether or not she indicated a possible part two to the revival of "Gilmore Girls" but if she did, one actor was definitely down for it. In an interview with actor Scott Patterson who played Luke, he said that he will definitely love to do it again. He would love to see the aftermath of that moment between Rory and Lorelai, and even doing it again yearly sounds like a great idea for him. Nevertheless, the fans will have to wait again for any announcement to be made on that. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is headed for a split should some of its shareholders' wishes or demands be met. Elliott Management, an activist hedge fund from the United Sates that owns 0.6 percent of Samsung, is pressuring the company to divide itself into two - a holding vehicle to help the owners and an operating company. The U.S. fund's call was made back in October after the company was deluged with problem after problem during the year, especially during the third quarter. Some analysts believe that a split could help the heirs of the founding Samsung Group members to gain more control of the company. In fact, 2016 is not one of the best years for Samsung. And that may be an understatement. The much-publicized debacle that is the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 took a huge toll on the company. Samsung's losses due to the exploding Galaxy Note 7 is estimated to reach around $3.1 billion. A month or so later, the Korean tech giant also announced a recall involving its top-load washing machines. An estimated 2.8 million washers had to be taken back for repairs after more than 700 reports stated that the machines excessively vibrated t the point that the lids flew off. The issue injured at least nine people. To make matters worse, Samsung's headquarters in Seoul was involved in a political scandal. South Korean prosecutors raided the headquarters in relation to a corruption charge involving the company and Choi Soon-Sil, who is close to President Park Geun-hye. The two previous incidents paved the way for Samsung to publish full-page ads on newspapers to signify its regrets and offered an apology to everyone who was affected. Of course, the company is not stopping with the apology. Samsung is in the process of analyzing different measures to keep the company from falling even more. One measure being a look at the return of 75 percent of free cash flow to investors. Another potential move is to appoint independent directors in the board. As of now, the rumored split remains just that - a rumor. While there are indeed calls for the move from some of its shareholders, Samsung is focusing more on other steps to insure the company will remain an important player n the tech industry. It has recently been reported alleged that Taylor Swift's friendship with Selena Gomez has already gone down the drain, after the latter is making communication with ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber again Taylor has always been against the relationship, having witnessed the pain that he has put Selena through. Selena Gomez And Justin Bieber Communicating Again Even After Getting Out Of Rehab? Selena Gomez recently made her come back to her fans during the last AMAs, wherein she gave one of the most emotional speeches ever heard, especially from someone as young as her. She has spent the last few months in a rehabilitation facility, coping up with her struggle in depression. However, rumor has it that while in rehab, ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber has allegedly made contact with her. This has dismayed many of Selena's family and friends, knowing well enough that Justin was partly to blame for what happened to her. Selena's Best Friend Taylor Swift Against Bieber And Selena Getting Back Together, Cuts Best Friend Off? Before getting into rehab, Selena got into a feud with Bieber on the comment section of the latter's instagram account, under the photo of him and his new girlfriend at the time. Selene called him off for having cheated on her countless of times and for complaining about the bashers on his post. Shortly after, Selena checked herself into the facility. As for her best friend, Taylor Swift, she has been with Selena through all the good times and the bad, explaining why she has always been against her relationship with Bieber. She reportedly listened through Selena complaining about being cheated on but witnesses her friend still coming back to him. Reportedly, Taylor got full of it and decided to cut Selena off permanently. However, there are contradictories to these rumors as well. Taylor even invited her to Thanksgiving, but she declined since she went home to Texas to spend the holidays with her family. Also, Taylor even cheered Selena on during her speech at the AMAs, even though she did it from home. She still showed her support for her friend, implying they are still indeed on good terms. After the divorce of couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was announced, there have been numerous speculations and follow-up reports on the matter. Currently, rumor has it that the latter is reportedly dating someone new already: actress Kate Hudson. Is Brad Pitt Secretly Dating Actress Kate Hudson? One of the most controversial divorces in Hollywood is the one of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, which they announced last September. They have been one of the most looked upon couples in the industry, and their separation has devastated their supporters probably as much as the couple has. However, it looks like there is no way of reconciling the two at any point now. Rumor has it that Brad is allegedly dating actress Kate Hudson. There hasn't been any supporting evidence to these allegations thus the public should just take this news lightly. Brad is allegedly just seeing the actress secretly in public for a few weeks now and has been named the mystery woman of Brad. However, due to lack of supporting proof to the matter, it is highly likely that rumors are false. The actor is now allegedly focused on his work and trying to work out a custody arrangement with Jolie with regards to their kids. Former Bodyguard Reveals Brad Pitt Was So Much Happier With Jennifer Aniston Than Angelina Jolie In other news, former bodyguard to Brad Pitt recently revealed that the actor was happier with Jennifer Aniston than he ever was with Angelina Jolie. According to him, he was happiest when he was with Jen and the fights were so rare to come. While together, there were never any rumors on him cheating on her, until he met Angelina Jolie. Brad and Jen separated in 2005 and Jolie announced her pregnancy in 2006. She and Brad then made their relationship public since then. However, the couple were allegedly fighting more, explains their short-term marriage. Now, it is unlikely that they will ever get back together again, neither will Brad go back to Jen since she is now currently happily married to Justin Theroux. AT&T has made it official. DirecTV Now will be launched on Nov. 30. During an event in New York City, AT&T officially unveiled the live TV streaming service which was first announced back in March along with two other plans, DirecTV Mobile and DirecTV Preview. At the time, the company indicated that all three new services will be available during the last quarter of 2016. Fast forward to today and AT&T is just a couple of days shy of finally offering internet TV streaming to its customers. DirecTV Now will provide more than 100 channels which customers can view on their smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers without the need for a cable box. New customers who want to check the service first can take advantage of the seven-day free trial. Those who buy any 2016 LeEco TV will get one year of DirecTV Now service for free. A free Apple TV set-top box is also in the offing for those who pay three months worth of the service. DirectTV Now will be available in four different subscriptions. Those who "Go Big" can avail of the 100 channels for only $35. This offer, however, is for a limited time only so it is highly suggested for those interested to take this offer now. The "Live a Little" offer also pays $35 a month for access to around 60 channels. The "Just Right" subscription requires a monthly payment of $50 for 80 channels while the "Gotta Have It" offer pays $70 a month for more than 120 channels. "It's really important to understand, this is the foundation for how we're going to do things in the future. For the first time in our history, we have control of our full stack." DirecTV will compete with other established streaming services such as PlayStation Vue from Sony and Sling from Dish. Hulu, a popular on demand internet video service in the United States, is also aiming to become the first of its kind to have live streaming TV channels in its library. The company acquired DirecTV in 2015 for a sum of $48.5 billion. AT&T is also in the midst of another major purchase. Its proposed merger with Time Warner, however, is in the doldrums after president-elect Donald Trump indicated during his campaign trail that he will block such mergers. It was September when Apple officially released the brand new iOS 10 to the public. Since then, Pangu has not released its jailbreak tool, despite claims that the group was in possession of such. With iOS 10.2 already in the works and the holidays coming closer and closer, the Chinese hacking team no longer has an excuse to hide behind. According to Neurogadget, it is possible that Pangu will release the jailbreak tool right in time for the holidays. The timing is reportedly ideal because Apple is expected to release its latest update - iOS 10 - sometime within the next few weeks. Reportedly, this will work in favor of the group, since the took will be valid for a longer time. The last tool that Pangu released was for iOS 9.3.3, despite claims from the Cupertino-based company that it had already fixed the bugs found in iOS 9.3, which allowed the jailbreak in the first place. There is, therefore, plenty of hope in the smartphone market that a jailbreak tool will be released even amidst claims that Apple's security features cannot be penetrated. The demand is certainly there as well, so the group still has an audience to answer to. Morning News USA adds that iOS 10.2 is likely to be out by December, since it is already on its third beta. Once it is released, the clamoring public should be able to get is hands on the first iOS 10 jailbreaking tool. The publication goes go on to say, however, that Apple is completely unfazed by this threat. The company has claimed more than once that their latest OS is unbreakable. And while there have been select individuals who have showed off their jailbreak successes, nothing has been made public. Logically, it does seem like iOS 10 cannot be broken into. However, all these things may change within the next few weeks. Now that Microsoft has already unveiled the Surface Studio, it looks like it is now prepping up for the Surface Phone release. The company may not have been very generous when it comes to details regarding the alleged Microsoft phone, but rumor has it that the launch of the anticipated device is already imminent. With that said, here's our hopeful expectations as to what the Surface Phone should be. Microsoft Surface Phone Wishlist First up, it would be nice if Microsoft is able to do something about the lack of popular apps. Well, it actually depends whether or not Microsoft is keen to gather more audiences come Surface Phone time. If the company is still sticking to specific markets like business and education, then there may be no need to incorporate mainstream apps into the Windows mobile. However, if the goal is to take some users from Android and iOS, it might be difficult to do so with such limited set of apps. Needless to say, that's just one thing that could make the Surface Phone better than expected. Furthermore, if Microsoft could also make the said smartphone more premium-looking and sophisticated, it would also be a nice addition. We've all known and loved Windows phones for their ultimate PC features and straight to the point look. However, now that more and more premium flagships are entering the market, it's hard to imagine how a simple looking smartphone can compete physically. The LG V20, iPhone 7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge all have elegant exteriors. With that, it would be really nice if Microsoft also releases something that looks first-rate. Overall, these are just some of the things that could make the Surface Phone better than expected. Of course, it is already almost sure that this phone is top-notch specs-wise. It's just a bit of a downer if Microsoft would repeat everything it did on the Lumia series. Hopefully, the Surface Phone could help the company get back to the smartphone market with a bang. Microsoft Surface Phone Rumors As of now, a bunch of Surface Phone rumors have already spread online. These include having a Snapdragon 835 processor, 6 GB worth of RAM and Quick Charge capability. There has also been news saying that the Surface Phone could come in three variants which mean that there could also be a 4 GB RAM model. Furthermore, it has also been mentioned that the next Microsoft phone could have a 5.5 inch display. GSM Arena's report suggests that this new phone is slated for a 2017 announcement. Nevertheless, the company hasn't confirmed any of these yet. What they have confirmed is that Microsoft isn't backing out of the smartphone market and that they are yet to launch the "ultimate smartphone". In an interview with AFR, Microsoft's Satya Nadella said that they will continue their presence in the smartphone market, ONMSFT reported. However, he said that this existence will not be the same way as what today's market leaders do. Instead, Nadella said that their smartphone market presence will be about what they can uniquely do in what would become the "ultimate mobile device". With that said, it looks like the abovementioned wish-list could be thrown out of the window, but still we're excited to see what Microsoft has in store for us fans. Apple seems to be working double time to present a number of impressive devices come 2017. Aside from the rumored iPhone 8, Apple will possibly release at least one new iPad next year. According to rumors, Apple's new tablets will get a major redesign starting with the ditching of the home button. One of Apple's most familiar and popular symbols is the now-iconic home button. To get rid of this is something that has not been met with open arms. However, the idea that Apple will be replacing the home button with an integrated one is something that piques the interest of many. According to MacOtakara, a Japanese blog dedicated to everything Apple, at least one of the company's yet-to-be released tablets will be all screen. Business Insider suggests Apple could possibly place the home button at the back of the device. It also speculated that this could be done with the iPhone 8 which is also rumored to be getting rid of the home button. This has been done before with some Android devices. Another possible move by Apple is to integrate or embed the button in the display, as mentioned above. This will turn the physical home button into a "virtual button". One of the technologies behind home button-less devices will likely be the recently patented Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor. Apple applied for the patent in October. A set of recent rumors indicate that Apple is planning on releasing not just one but possibly three new iPads. According to the rumor, Apple is developing a 10.5-inch version of the iPad to compete with the popular large tablets in the market. This iPad variant will sport the A10X processor which Apple itself developed. The previous device to have the said processor was the 12.9-inch iPad Pro which is considered a high end tablet. Another rumor says a 10.9-inch or even a thicker 12.9-inch tablet is also on the way. The new iPads will come out in the first half of 2017, if rumors prove true. "Riverdale" is on its way to the CW and it is not a regular adaptation of the Archie comics on the small screen. Created by "Dawson's Creek," "Supergirl," and "Arrowverse" writer and producer Greg Berlanti, the new series will follow the adventures of the high-schooler Archie (KJ Apa). The TV version of Archie needs to navigate his sophomore year while uncovering the mystery surrounding a murder. The CW's "Riverdale" Teaser "Riverdale" is the new show to watch out for in The CW's midseason lineup. The network's new series may be based on the "Archie" comics but Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the executive producer explains that the series is a "little bit" weird, complex, and darker than the usual. The EP's words have been confirmed when the first promo teaser for the series was released. Based on the preview, Archie will have a hot body and the series might be less wholesome than the comics. The women vying for Archie's attractions, Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes), would be something to look forward to. Archie's friend, Jughead (Cole Sprouse), will also play an important role in the series. "Riverdale" Pilot Episode Spoilers Based on the newest "Riverdale" preview, the series will not be another "Gossip Girl" copycat although it might have a similar vibe. Archie needs to deal with a good dose of high school drama as the new girl in town, Veronica, tries to vie for his attention. Of course, Betty will try to hold Archie's interest. On top of the girl drama going on, they have to deal with the death of the tragic passing of Archie's classmate, Jason Blossom. The police tape and the ambulance lights suggest that this death -- which will be featured on the pilot episode of "Riverdale" -- will play a vital role in the plot. "Riverdale" will air on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 9 p.m. right after "Supernatural" on The CW. OSCE mission again complains about limited access to all sections of forces disengagement in Donbas The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) again reports limited access of the patrols on all three sections of disengagement of forces and military hardware on the contact line of the warring sides in Donbas. "Today again only limited access for OSCE SMM to Pervomaisk/Zolote, Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske/Bohdanivka disengagement areas - UAF, 'LPR', 'DPR' have failed to guarantee SMM's security [possible mines]. The SMM's access remains restricted in all three areas, but the Mission is able to partially monitor them," the mission said in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday. "SMM is ready/able to monitor, but needs access. JCCC should assist in ensuring safe & unhindered access for SMM, co-ordinate demining," the mission said. The European Parliament (EP) plans to consider a visa suspension mechanism in the first reading on January 18, 2017. The official website of the EP has announced a preliminary date for consideration of a European Union visa suspension mechanism. Its been scheduled for January 18, 2017. As reported, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (Coreper) on behalf of the EU Council on Thursday reached an agreement on a position in the talks on the liberalization of visa regime for Ukraine. As noted in the issued EU communique, the Committee confirmed the European Commissions proposal to provide a visa free regime for Ukrainian citizens when traveling to the EU for a period of stay up to 90 days during the 180 day period. In addition, the EU Council believes that the liberalization of the visa free regime for Ukraine and the new mechanism for the suspension of the EU visa free regime with third countries should simultaneously come into effect. On the basis of this mandate, the EU Council leadership will begin negotiations with the European Parliament. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. Close France is ready to extend sanctions against Russia to demonstrate its commitment to support Ukraine, French Ambassador to Ukraine Isabelle Dumont has said. "Of course, European sanctions that were imposed against Russia have a negative impact on the French economy, in particular, due to the introduction of retaliatory sanctions by Moscow, primarily in agriculture. You definitely know that this branch of the French economy is going through difficult times, and in this case the victims are French farmers. Despite this, France is ready to extend the sanctions to demonstrate our commitment to support Ukraine," she said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. At the same time, she said that the French people need to feel that Ukraine is determined to find a way out of the conflict. The diplomat said: "France has a clear position: the sanctions are related with the annexation of Crimea, the war in Donbas and the implementation of the Minsk agreements." Businesses do not limit their cost-cutting tactics through profit maximization and tax avoidance. More often than not, they cut a few more stems in the employee payroll and these unfair trimmings become part of the company's profit. Almost everywhere, employees suffer unpaid overtime and unfair salary deductions not just because of employers with bad accounting habits but due to employees not knowledgeable about their legal rights or are working under pressure. Unpaid overtime is a frequent issue amongst employees in Japan. According to Japan Times, 40 percent of Japanese workers will put in about 16 hours of unpaid overtime due to long work hours. The news website mentions that work hour regulation is lax in the country. Unpaid overtime is not just a long shift but also the actual shop door-closing and accounting conducted by employees. According to The Market Mogul, employees cannot close the shop as long as a customer is inside -- even if it is way past the indicated closing hours. Post-closing, managers and employees will still need to account for the day's activities and perform maintenance tasks as needed, which can take from 15 minutes to an hour of unpaid work. The Employment Rights Act 1996 Section 13-16 allows employers to deduct on employee wages if they are anything government-mandated -- such as income tax or student loan deductions and the existence of a contract signed by both employer and employee specifies a deduction for a certain benefit the employer will provide. Any other deductions out of bounds is considerable unfair deductions While the ERA 1996 is limited to the United States, other countries often have similar employment rights. The US enforces these laws faithfully on both ends. The efficacy of this legislation in other countries depends on a government's dedication to protect employees -- often a hot debate topic among employees and politicians. In most cases, managerial pressure, and "leverages", are common reasons for employees to fail to report discrepancies. For example, managers give leeway to employees who "forgive" a little occasional mismanagement including unfair bonuses to themselves taken from another employee. It may also be peer pressure or fear of unemployment that drives the employee to avoid filing a report. After Donald Trump's victory on winning the 2016 US Presidential election, Jill Stein from Green Party raised money to continue the vote counts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Hillary Clinton supported the recount. Green Party raised almost $6 million in donations last November 25. Petition was filed to Wisconsin Elections Commission to recount the votes on Wisconsin. Clinton's legal team confirmed that they will join the said recount. A report from CNN, the general counsel of the Clinton's campaign, Marc Elias, stated that they will join the recount and assure that everything will be fair in all manners. He further added about the discrepancies of votes in Wisconsin; the reason why Green Party filed for a recount last Friday. The state's election board approved the party's request. The former Republican candidate, Donald Trump, says that the people has already spoken and the election is already over. He added that people should just accept the result and look at the future, after Clinton conceded during the election night. In another report, Trump called the recount as "ridiculous," and tweeted about the Green Party's "scam" as Stein was trying to raise money to support the recount. "In addition to winniting the Electoral College landslide; I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally," the United States President-Elect tweeted again last Sunday. However, there is no evidence to prove that this might be true, according to The Telegraph, Recently, Jobs & Hire also reported regarding Clinton and Trump's popular vote in which the Democratic candidate is winning and the gap between the two is over 1.5 million. As of now, the popular vote gap is still increasing, and is expected to expand to more than 2.5 million. The ballots from other states like California continues its counting; Hillary Clinton is still on the lead as per USA Today. The rumors about Prince William and Kate Middleton's divorce continue to spread. There are also new reports about the Duke of Cambridge's approval of the relationship between Prince Harry and the "Suits" actress Meghan Markle. For the past weeks, the rumors between Prince William and Kate Middleton filing for divorce is very visible to the public. It is frequently reported about the issues regarding the status of their marriage. Jobs & Hire previously reported about Prince William indirectly humiliated his wife (referring to being materialistic), though it is not really clear if he really meant it in that way. But in the interview, he wants Prince George and Princess Charlotte to grow up simple; never blinded about the materialistic side of the world. According to GameNGuide, Prince William approves the relationship between Prince Harry and the "Suits" actress; which caused for Kate Middleton to be depressed. In another report, the Duchess of Cambridge does not want Markle to be part of the royal family and to inherit the throne. Celebrity Dirty Laundry also reported that Middleton thinks Meghan Markle's charitable and humanitarian act is not genuine; she's only doing these to make a good image and impression to the public. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth thinks that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge does not deserve the throne and become the next rulers of the Kingdom. According to the Queen, Prince Harry and Markle are more qualified and deserving, as they were more engaged to charity works. Furthermore, the Queen also thinks that the Duchess of Cambridge is just using Prince George and Prince Charlotte to avoid her royal duties, as reported by HNGN. The royal couple are reportedly to have a fight because of these issues. So, is the news surfacing about their divorce true or not? The Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge remains silent; there's no confirmation from them and it is still considered as a rumor. Meghan Markle made headlines early this month when the world got wind that she has won the heart of Britain's most eligible bachelor. But it seems that the early romance between the two has fizzled out just as quickly: Prince Harry has reportedly gone back to his early playboy ways and has been cheating on the "Suits" actress. GossipCop, however, was quick to shoot down the rumors. It turns out that the woman in question was 54-year-old Avis Collis, one of the villagers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who got to meet the Prince during his Caribbean trip. The woman shook hands with him and affectionally said "I love you!" and the Prince responded in kind. These kinds of rumors perpetuated by web tabloids, along with numerous accounts of the press's invasion of privacy, is the main subject of Kensington Palace's post on Nov. 8, 2016. In the official statement concerning his romantic interest, Prince Harry says he is "worried over Ms. Markle's safety" and hopes that the paparazzi will "pause and reflect before any further damage is done." There have also been reports that surfaced of conflicts between Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William. The latter allegedly did not support Prince Harry's decision to disclose his romantic affairs to the public. Palace insiders claim that Prince William believes that his younger, more open brother did not help matters and simply made himself vulnerable to public attacks with his emotionally-charged statement. These claims were again refuted by Kensington Palace. On Nov. 26, Telegraph reports that Prince William has in fact given the go-signal for his younger brother to release the statement. He believes that the situation calls for it and immediate action needs to be done. Furthermore, the Duke of Cambridge "absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him." It's very likely that Markle will follow the footsteps of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, as a "commoner" who found her happy-ever-after and was thrust into royalty. As per Jobs & Hire, wedding bells might soon be on the way for the actress and her prince. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. A dispute over children being blocked from playing with the youngsters next door erupted into a fatal shooting that left two people dead and a Winston-Salem man facing murder charges this year, according to search warrants filed in the Forsyth County clerks office. Steven Richard Salsman, 37, was shot to death along with his girlfriend, Meghann Rae Stubbs, 33, during an altercation at their neighbors house at 2427 Stockton St. around 12 a.m. on June 17. Zachary Wilson Hobbs, 32, has been charged with one count of murder in Stubbs death. He has not been charged with Salsmans death. Detectives have been trying to determine if Hobbs acted in self-defense in shooting Salsman. North Carolinas Castle Doctrine said people can legally use deadly force against an intruder in their home, motor vehicle or workplace, and they dont have an obligation to run away. According to search warrants, Hobbs told Winston-Salem police that he looked up the Castle Doctrine online before the shooting. Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill said Monday that he has not made a decision on whether to charge Hobbs with Salsmans death. Hobbs attorney, J.D. Byers, said Monday that he could not comment because he has not received any other evidence in the case other than the search warrants in the file. An autopsy showed that Salsman was shot at least seven times, including once in the chest and twice in the back. He was also shot twice in the right forearm, with one bullet going through his arm to his abdomen. He was also shot in the upper arm and in the head. According to several search warrants, Salsman and Stubbs were angry at Hobbs and his girlfriend, Jessica Paterson, because Paterson had locked a gate and not allowed Stubbs children to play with Patersons kids. Paterson told Winston-Salem police that on June 16, Stubbs children took chalk from Patersons children. Paterson took the chalk back, and she and Stubbs began arguing. Hobbs had worked for Salsman, who owned Steves Handyman Services Inc., and had said Salsman owed him money. But the money had nothing to do with the dispute that led to the fatal shooting, Hobbs and Paterson told police, according to the search warrants. Tempers rose during the day June 16, with Stubbs sending threatening messages through Facebook to Hobbs, Paterson and Patersons mother, Tracy Paterson, the search warrants said. Stubbs also sent threatening text messages. Tracy Paterson also lived at Hobbs house. Later that day, Stubbs and Salsman went to Hobbs house and continued arguing. Hobbs told Winston-Salem police that Salsman kept trying to fight him and tried to get Hobbs to come off the front porch of his house. Mr. Hobbs said that Mr. Salsman was holding Ms. Stubbs back, Winston-Salem Police Detective Ken Burns wrote in one of the search warrants. Hobbs said Salsman used profanity and made threats that he was going to beat him up. Mr. Hobbs said that is when he feared for his life and shot Mr. Salsman twelve (12) times. Jessica Paterson told Winston-Salem police that Salsman pushed past Stubbs and came at Hobbs, using a profanity and saying Im coming for you. Hobbs later told police that he shot Salsman six times and intentionally shot at Ms. Stubbs the other six (6) times, according to the search warrant. Tracy Paterson was shot in her right shoulder, it says. Winston-Salem police found Salsman lying on the front porch. Stubbs was lying on the stairs leading to the porch, search warrants said. Jessica Paterson was inside with four children. In one of the search warrants, Burns wrote that Hobbs told police that Stubbs was never a threat to him. Salsman and Stubbs were the 13th and 14th homicides in the city this year. Hobbs is in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed. He is scheduled to appear in Forsyth District Court on Dec. 15. Roy Cooper moved significantly closer Monday to surpassing the 10,000-vote margin necessary to remove one of two recount options from Gov. Pat McCrory. The latest count on the State Board of Elections website has Cooper with a 9,716-vote lead over McCrory out of more than 4.7 million votes cast. However, Cooper campaign attorney Marc Elias said it is unlikely Coopers lead will exceed 10,000 when the state board certifies the governors race, which was originally scheduled for today but now may not take place until Dec. 7. In statewide races, election results must show a difference of no more than 10,000 votes or a margin of victory of no more than 0.5 percent whichever is less before the trailing candidate can request a recount. Coopers lead is now by a 49.0 percent to 48.8 percent margin. On Nov. 22, McCrory announced his plans to call for a statewide recount. McCrorys re-election bid received another significant blow Monday evening when the Republican-controlled state board rejected Republican-sponsored voter protests in 52 counties. A hearing was held Nov. 22 in which both campaigns and state parties presented evidence. A protest typically involves claims of violations of election law, irregularity or misconduct involving ballots but not to dispute the eligibility of a voter. The state board determined that in most instances, what were submitted as protests were instead voter challenges submitted after the deadline for such motions. This is a devastating blow to the McCrory campaign and further evidence that there is no path to victory for Gov. McCrory, said Trey Nix, Coopers campaign manager. Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the N.C. Republican Party, offered today a conciliatory tone in response to the state boards decision. He thanked county election officials for their best efforts to ensure an accurate count of the votes. It is clear that most aspects of the 2016 election are ready to be concluded, Woodhouse said. Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, said today that "it is important that citizens have faith and trust in our election system, and that our election officials have been ready and willing to press ahead to insure proper election results." Republican officials and supporters have claimed rampant fraud, such as voting by convicted felons, individuals casting votes in North Carolina and out of state, and counting votes by people who cast an absentee ballot but died before Election Day. If a county board discounted a ballot because of an ill-timed challenge, the state board ordered it to amend its canvass and include the vote. Republican claims of voter fraud have been routinely rejected by members of their own party, Nix said. Woodhouse said some serious shortcomings must be addressed. He cited concerns about allowing same-day registrants to vote without address verification. It is clear that we need serious bipartisan solutions to address these issues, which will still linger long after the current results are certified, Woodhouse said. Krawiec said the state has "seen the problems that exist and the changes that must be made. We must make certain that all votes are accurately counted and that only those legally registered to vote are allowed to cast votes. We should always be open to improvements." Coopers nearly 2,000 gain in votes Monday came primarily from late-absentee and certified provisional votes in Mecklenburg County. Elias, who says he serves in an election protection role, said during a 1 p.m. teleconference that Cooper had a 9,133-vote lead based on the campaigns observations of ballot canvassing by county elections boards. Elias said Cooper had a net gain of 411 late absentee votes in Forsyth, which hasnt been officially confirmed. There is very little vote left to count, and we expect very little fluctuation, Elias said. The Cooper campaign declared victory on Nov. 9 when the states 2,704 precincts reported that complete but unofficial results had him with a lead of 4,987 votes. Mitch Kokai, a policy analyst with conservative think tank John Locke Foundation, said Monday that Roy Cooper and his team obviously want to emphasize the sense of inevitability of his election, and the latest vote gap between Cooper and McCrory fits with that narrative. Still, he said, he doesnt think the narrative of an inevitable victory works with the margin being below 10,000 votes. The state board will hold later this week an appeal focused on how the Durham County elections board processed more than 94,000 ballots on Election Day. The Durham board is controlled by Republicans. Thomas Stark, the N.C. Republican Party attorney who was representing himself as a registered Durham County voter, has cited the potential for ballot malfeasance in the Durham tabulation. Stark asks the state board to take authority over the Durham ballot process after the Durham board found no evidence of error in the governors race. The McCrory campaign said in a statement Saturday that if a Durham County recount provides the same results as earlier posted, the McCrory committee will be prepared to withdraw its statewide recount request in the governors race. As of Monday, the state board had not received a formal letter from the McCrory campaign stating that offer. Robin Hayes, chairman of the state GOP Party, said today that its position has not changed "that Durham County must recount all of their votes in an open, transparent and accurate fashion before the statewide election results are considered final." Elias also addressed recent legal developments involving the governors race. He labeled as baseless and frivolous a lawsuit filed Wednesday by Francis De Luca, president of the right-leaning Civitas Institute. De Luca wants federal Judge James Dever III to issue a preliminary injunction that prevents the state board from certifying results until it has verified the mailing addresses of more than 90,000 same-day registrants during the early voting period. Dever has set a hearing for 11 a.m. Friday on the motion. Dever said Monday he will conduct an expedited hearing on the request of three same-day registrants, including two Appalachian State University students, to intervene as defendants in the De Luca lawsuit. Elias said that while the Cooper campaign is preparing for a statewide recount, we do not foresee the need to prepare for a potential appeal by McCrory to the Republican-controlled General Assembly to intervene in determining a winner. There is no basis for that kind of appeal, Elias said. A potential late certification date of the vote could be used by the McCrory campaign to justify an appeal. Under state law, the legislature can intervene if it can be proven that the winning candidate is ineligible or unqualified to serve, or that there are errors in vote tabulation. McCrory said he filed for the recount in part with serious concerns of potential voter fraud emerging across the state. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, has not ruled out intervening if the McCrory campaign requests it. McCrory would have to put forward some evidence which we havent seen yet that so many people cast fraudulent votes, or that so many of Coopers votes were otherwise illegitimate, that lawmakers should step in to resolve the election, Kokai said. Its time to kick off the charitable season today with Giving Tuesday, now that shoppers have had, maybe, a chance to catch their breaths after Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. This is Winston-Salem State Universitys third year of participating in Giving Tuesday. Our one-day goal is $45,000, said Regina Craven, interim director of Annual Fund at WSSU. All the money raised will go to support the WSSU General Scholarship Fund for our students. Were again reaching out to the entire university community faculty, staff, alumni, students, parents and the community to get them engaged. Last year on Giving Tuesday, Winston-Salem State University had a goal of $25,000 but raised more than $35,000 online for the scholarship fund. Giving Tuesday is that one day each year when people can make a huge difference in the lives of our students, Craven said. Our theme this year is more that a gift. Were asking the university community to give more this year and also to ask others to give. She said that its important for people to give during this event because some students cant afford a higher education. We want to make the opportunity available to as many as possible, Craven said. Wake Forest University is participating in Giving Tuesday to raise money for the Wake Forest Fund, which provides unrestricted funding dollars to benefit the university. This year, our efforts are in conjunction with the Pro Humanitate Path and the Wake Forest Fund will be honoring those who have made a gift, said Blake Absher, executive director of the Wake Forest Fund. On Dec. 4, Wake Forest University will adorn campus roads with luminaries featuring the names of donors who gave to the Wake Forest Fund from July 1, 2016, through November 29, 2016. Giving to the unrestricted Wake Forest Fund allows the university the flexibility to address a variety of needs as they arise, Absher said. We are thanking current donors for what they have done and focusing on stewardship this year as we ask donors to help light up campus as part of the Pro Humanitate Path. He said that during last years Giving Tuesday campaign, 1,079 donors contributed $197,259, which triggered a $100,000 match, for a total of $297,259. New Winston Museum promoted Giving Tuesday in an email, stating that because the museum is 100 percent privately funded, every gift makes a difference. Becoming a member of NWM will help sustain us into the new year as we move into a new location and work toward the future of your community history museum, stated New Winston Museum. On social media and online, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is encouraging people to give to local nonprofits, specifically those that have impacted their mind, body and spirit in 2016, said Catherine Heitz New, the art councils chief advancement officer and deputy director. The arts council is also helping in this effort by sending out an e-blast email today to its constituents throughout Forsyth County. A number of groups that are participating in Giving Tuesday can be found at https://www.givingtuesday.org/whats-happening-near-me, but your favorite charity might not be on that list. Weve had all of our member organizations sign up for that, Heitz New said of the national Giving Tuesday website. The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is also highlighting its Community Enrichment Mini-grants. Those are all about arts as a means to bring the community together, Heitz New said. Steady rain today and Wednesday will provide some relief for drought-striken areas in Forsyth County and Northwest North Carolina, forecasters say. At the same time, the rain might help firefighters with a forest fire in Watauga County. The Triad should receive about 1 inch of rain, said Keith Sherburn, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Raleigh. The area has received 0.07 inches of rain so far this month, which is 3 inches below normal. The U.S Drought Monitor shows that the western half of Forsyth County is in moderate drought while the eastern half is abnormally dry. Most of Northwest North Carolina is in moderate drought while Watauga County is in severe drought. The rain will provide some relief in Forsyth, but dry conditions should remain, Sherburn said. A large, upper level low pressure system over the Midwest will combine with a cold front to produce the rain, the weather service said. Watauga County and other areas in Northwest North Carolina should receive 2 to 3 inches of rain, said Mike Sporer, a weather-service meteorologist in Blacksburg, Va. It should be a good little precipation event for them, Sporer said. But, its not a drought-buster. The rain should help about 100 firefighters battling a forest fire that has burned 1,450 acres near Blowing Rock and north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, said Sporer and Shoshana Cooper, a spokeswoman for the Horton Fire Incident Management Team. That fire, which started on Nov. 21, is 85 percent contained. Steve Sudderth, the Watauga County fire marshal, said that the rain will be beneficial. We are looking forward to the rain to finally put it out, Sudderth said. The fire in Watauga County is one of several wildfires still burning in western North Carolina. The N.C. Air Quality Division has issued a code green alert today for the Triad and Northwest North Carolina. That alert means that the air quality will produce no adverse health effects. State officials have maintained their ban on open burning in 47 counties including Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties. Todays forecast in Winston-Salem calls for a 70 percent chance of rain with a high temperature near 66 degrees. In Mount Airy and Boone, there is a 100 percent chance of rain with a high temperature of 66 in Surry County and a high near 61 in Watauga County. Tonights low temperatures will range from 60 degrees in Forsyth County to around 54 in Surry County and around 54 in Watauga County. Rain is predicted for all of these areas. WASHINGTON With the end of Fidel Castros nasty life Friday night, we can hope, if not reasonably expect, to have seen the last of charismatic totalitarians worshiped by political pilgrims from open societies. Experience suggests there will always be tyranny tourists in flight from what they consider the boring banality of bourgeois society and eager for the excitement of sojourns in progressive despotisms that they are free to admire and then leave. During the 1930s, there were many apologists for Josef Stalins brutalities, which he committed in the name of building a workers paradise fit for an improved humanity. The apologists complacently said, You cant make an omelet without breaking eggs. To which George Orwell acidly replied: Wheres the omelet? With Castro, the problem was lemonade. Soon after Castro seized power in 1959, Jean-Paul Sartre, the French intellectual whose Stalinist politics were as grotesque as his philosophy was opaque, left Les Deux Magots cafe in Paris to visit Cuba. During a drive, he and Castro stopped at a roadside stand. They were served warm lemonade, which Castro heatedly said reveals a lack of revolutionary consciousness. The waitress shrugged, saying the refrigerator was broken. Castro growled (Sartres approving description): Tell your people in charge that if they dont take care of their problems, they will have problems with me. Sartre swooned: This was the first time I understood still quite vaguely what I called direct democracy. Between the waitress and Castro, an immediate secret understanding was established. She let it be seen by her tone, her smiles, by a shrug of the shoulders, that she was without illusion. And the prime minister ... in expressing himself before her without circumlocution, calmly invited her to join the rebellion. Another political innovator, Benito Mussolini, called his regime ennobled democracy, and as the American columnist Murray Kempton mordantly noted in 1982, photographs of Castro cutting sugar cane evoke the bare-chested Mussolini plunged into the battle for wheat. Castros direct democracy was parsimonious regarding elections but permissive of shrugs. It did, however, forbid acts of public destruction, meaning criticism of communism. This charge condemned Armando Valladares, then 23, to 22 years in Castros prisons. Stalins terror was too high a price to pay for a great novel, but at least the world got from it Arthur Koestlers Darkness at Noon. And although Castros regime, saturated with sadism, should never have existed, because of it the world got Valladaress testament to human endurance, his prison memoir Against All Hope. Prison food was watery soup laced with glass, or dead rats, or cows intestines filled with feces, and Castros agents had special uses for the ditch filled with the sewage from 8,000 people. On April 15, 1959, 15 weeks after capturing Havana, Castro, then 32, landed in Washington at what is now Reagan National Airport. He had been in America in 1948, when he studied English and bought a Lincoln. This time, on April 16, in a concession to bourgeois expectations, he dispatched an aide to buy a comb and toothbrush. His connections to communism? None, he said. He endorsed a free press as the first enemy of dictatorship, and said free elections were coming soon. Then he was off to a Princeton seminar and a lecture in the chapel at Lawrenceville prep school, well received at both places. By July red stars were being painted on Cuban military vehicles. Three years later, Soviet ballistic missiles were arriving. A year after that, a Castro admirer murdered the U.S. president whose administration had been interested in, indeed almost obsessed with, removing Castro. U.S. flings at regime change in distant lands have had, to say no more, uneven results, but the most spectacular futility has been 90 miles from Florida. Castro was the object of various and sometimes unhinged U.S. attempts to remove him. After the Bay of Pigs debacle, the Kennedy administration doubled down with Operation Mongoose, which included harebrained assassination plots and a plan skeptics called elimination by illumination having a U.S. submarine surface in Havana harbor and fire star shells into the night sky to convince Catholic Cubans that the Second Coming had come, causing them to rebel against Castro the anti-Christ. Nevertheless, Castro ruled Cuba during 11 U.S. presidencies and longer than the Soviet Union ruled Eastern Europe. Socialism is bountiful only of slogans, and a Castro favorite was socialism or death. The latter came to him decades after the former had made Cuba into a gray museum for a dead utopianism. SAN DIEGO Recently, there have been stories about how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to shake up the immigration debate by targeting so-called sanctuary cities. You may know the term. These are liberal places run by Democrats where, as legend has it, illegal immigrants can go to escape deportations by federal authorities. The list of cities includes Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, New York and others. And you have local officials like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel advancing the legend by vowing to protect their cities and the undocumented people who live there from any attempt by the dastardly Trump administration to deport them. Careful with that one. Emanuel is no friend to illegal immigrants. After pushing for deportations when he worked for two presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and helping to keep immigration reform off the congressional agenda while serving as a top lieutenant to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he holds the distinction of actively thwarting the interests of the undocumented at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. I see three problems with the whole notion of sanctuary cities. First, this is not nearly the tense standoff that the media would like it to be. No one is blocking the schoolhouse door. Does anyone seriously believe that there is this mythical land where immigration law doesnt apply? Can you imagine if any of this were actually true? The marketing campaigns on Spanish-language television would call out to illegal immigrants: Move to San Francisco, and live out the rest of your days free from the worry of ever being deported! Mi city es tu city. Just as there is no city in America that is off-limits to the Internal Revenue Service or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the reality is that there no place in this country where illegal immigrants can hide from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Second, its true that some of these cities have lawyered up and approved carefully worded ordinances that stop police officers from cooperating with immigration agents unless certain conditions are met. But beware of the word unless. Youd be surprised how easily these conditions can be met. When you take a closer look, youll see that these ordinances in addition to being non-legally binding, symbolic and largely meaningless were also written in such a way as to allow for plenty of cooperation between local and federal authorities. In Chicago, the statute prohibits police from providing ICE officials with access to undocumented people in custody, unless officers are acting pursuant to a legitimate law enforcement purpose that is unrelated to the enforcement of a civil immigration law. So police arent supposed to turn over illegal immigrants to immigration officials unless they are wanted on a criminal warrant or have serious criminal convictions. Thats an awfully broad exception that could apply to a lot of people, including anyone who has ever been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, since the Chicago ordinance allows for cooperation to deport criminals, it should fit in nicely with what Trump seems to be planning: a targeted deportation effort aimed squarely at those illegal immigrants who have criminal records. Dont believe the hype. Youve heard of show trials in court, or show votes in Congress. Well, many of these are show ordinances. These stunts allow liberals to feel good about themselves, and they advance the falsehood that cities and municipalities can boss around the federal government. Yet theyre not worth much. And third, immigrant advocates worry that Trump will deny federal funding to these localities until they stop obstructing the federal government. See above: Thats not happening. The Obama administration managed to get around these laws well enough to find and deport nearly 3 million people in eight years, including many who resided in the sanctuary cities. There are many loopholes, and cops and politicians are experts at taking advantage of them. No one is losing any funding over sanctuary cities. That would require action from Congress. And what is Congress anyway, but a collection of representatives from various localities who were sent to Washington to protect and serve the folks back home? Even if it were serious about the funding threat, the White House would likely never get the votes to carry it out not even from Republicans. The myth of sanctuary cities isnt a legal concoction, but a political one. As such, it shouldnt be taken seriously. We wouldnt call it a Christmas miracle, but its a very selfless act. A group of school bus drivers recently asked the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system to distribute state bonuses in a fashion that would likely benefit others at their expense. Theyre more interested in fairness and teamwork than personal benefit. They should be commended for their stance. More than 30 bus drivers attended a school board meeting earlier this month to ask the board to simplify the tiered merit-based bonus plan for non-teaching employees proposed last month, the Journals Arika Herron reported. All classifications should have the same amount of merit bonuses and the same criteria for (receiving) merit bonuses, veteran bus driver Beth Huggins said at the meeting. It takes a team working together. All classified employee jobs are important. One group cannot work without another and giving one group more of a merit bonus can cause employees to have animosity (toward each other). The money comes from a one-time distribution from the state of about $650,000 for non-teaching school employees in our system. The bonuses are designated as merit-based, so they cant be spread evenly to all such employees, but must be distributed according to standards determined by individual school systems. Still, theres some leeway for the school system to make its own decisions about how the bonuses are distributed. The bus drivers bonuses were originally slated to be awarded on the basis of attendance perfect attendance through the rest of the current semester then again for the second semester or longevity. But the bus drivers recognize that all of our school employees work hard, and they want all classified employees to be judged on the same criteria and everyone who meets that criteria be given a flat dollar amount that is the same for everyone, the Journal reported. Theyd also like to see more recently hired employees be eligible for the bonuses. Its highly commendable for one group of employees to advocate for the rest of the team. We hope the school board will go along with their proposal when it meets today. China expressed concern Monday over the detention of a large number of Chinese citizens in the Philippines during a crackdown on online gambling, and urged the Philippine government to handle the matter fairly and in accordance with the law. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a report that the Philippine Immigration Bureau detained a large number of Chinese nationals last week suspected of being involved in online gambling at a casino complex north of Manila. "Some of the detainees have already been released, and the rest are waiting further investigation," Geng said. The Chinese embassy demanded the Philippines properly settle the issue, accelerate identity verification, release those with legal identities as soon as possible, and guarantee the safe, humanitarian treatment of the detainees, Geng said. He said that China always requires Chinese overseas to abide by the laws and regulations of local countries and not to become involved in such activities as illegal gambling that may endanger them. I met Bagpiper Michael Hostler a few months ago when my beau Ron Gills band, The Lowbillies had a gig in Hutchinson Square. Michael has had quite a life. He grew up across from Kent State University. He was at the KSU Commons (N. end) as a teen when he saw and heard the infamous shots rin Read moreInterview with Bagpiper/Musician Michael Hostler The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office recently announced bringing a murder suspect into custody related to an Oct. 20 incident that transpired at 107A Roberta Drive in the Greenhurst subdivision of Summerville. Read moreS'ville homicide under investigation As part of a concerted effort to mitigate the opioid crisis on a local level, the Summerville Medical Center and Summerville PD coalesced on Oct. 29 to collect opiate varieties that are either expired and/or no longer needed by individuals they were originally prescribed to. Read moreCrushing the opioid crisis Reddit Email 0 Shares By Adil E. Shamoo and Bonnie Bricker | Foreign Policy in Focus | A fraudulent campaign has resulted in the election of a fraudulent president. What can be done to save American democracy? The recent presidential campaign season brought political pornography to the American people. Donald Trump and Steve Bannon, his senior counselor and chief strategist, have ushered in a new dark age of American politics. As the former head of the alt-right, nationalist website Breitbart News, Bannon helped Trump construct a campaign of lies and more lies, fake stories, denigration and debasement of opponents and vicious chanting in his rallies. With coded language and symbols intended to wink at the alt-rights racist, misogynist, and anti-Semitic base, this challenge to our democracy was met with barely a peep from the news media. Like the naif exposed to pornographic material for the first time, the mercenaries of broadcast media (especially the morning shows) could not seem to get enough during the first three months of the campaign. Trumps outlandish tirades were given hours and hours of free time worth millions of dollars. CNN provided live coverage of most of the initial Trump rallies where the candidate unfolded his campaign of hate. The television media, hooked on sleaze-inspired ratings, became the chief enabler of the Trump campaign. Pundits advised Trump on communication strategies and urged him to stick to his script. The implication to viewers was that the optics of the campaign are far more important than policies, ethics, or fitness to serve. Instead of a countdown of days since Trump was asked for tax returns, by the end of the campaign this grievous lack of disclosure was barely mentioned. But the fault does not lie solely with the media. Political operatives brought their valuable wares to Trump with no regard to the damage he could bring. While this may be nothing new, Trumps staff managed to forgive his alleged sexual assaults on women, his bad business deals, and his breaking of numerous contracts. They normalized his refusal to share tax returns, along with his comments about grabbing womens genitals, and John McCain being a loser for becoming a POW. Most troubling were the pundits who declared Trump somehow rehabilitated if he managed to get through a public event without insulting someone or egging on his crowd to throw a punch. Trumps campaign aides were constantly on screen re-explaining, re-stating, or softly changing Trumps statements as part of launching Trump 2.0, 3.0, and all subsequent versions, ad nauseam. The reality was a disturbed punditry and public, being asked to accept corrections of a lie with another lie as the media gave each side equal time Functioning as the loud speaker for falsehoods, corporate social media like Twitter and Facebook amplified and spread lies. They then hid behind the First Amendment as fake stories spread with abandon and ads from fake news sites increased their revenues. Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook has belatedly agreed that his company needs to address the perpetuation of false news. The United States needs new campaign regulations that hold candidates to truth telling, tax disclosure, and financial requirements. Otherwise, our democracy will be at risk of having a lying president with an entire machinery behind him or her to perpetuate falsehoods, intimidation, downright threats, and personal financial enrichment. Without such regulations, the Constitution will be reduced to a series of hollow words. Lies are not the only concern. Many of Trump appointments so far have been beyond the pale. General Michael Flynn, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Trumps pick for national security advisor has far-right, anti-Islamic, and anti-Semitic leanings. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Trumps pick as director of the CIA, has expressed views that flout human and civil rights. Senator Jeff Sessions, the pick for attorney general, has called civil rights groups un-American. This normalization, along with diminished expectations of such a president only adds to an erosion of our democratic ideals. Yes, Trump has made some reasonable statements. He will not prosecute Hillary Clinton; climate change may be real, and after a chat with General James Mattis, a prospective pick for secretary of defense, he decided that waterboarding is not such a good idea after all. The press appeared relieved when Trump picked Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina to be the United Nations representative. Despite her total inexperience, she seems sane by comparison to his other picks. Mitt Romney, the Republican 2012 presidential candidate went to the crux of the matter as he tried to dissuade voters from supporting Trump in 2016: Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud, His promises are worthless as a degree from Trump University. Hes playing members of the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat. Trump replied that he could have said: Mitt, drop to your kneeshe would have dropped to his knees. And now, in the remnants of our American democracy, Romney meets with Trump to be considered for Secretary of State. This fraudulent campaign has resulted in the election of a fraudulent president. Soon we will accept a fraudulent presidency. Democracy is fading, and many seem not to have noticed. History is full of national leaders who were tyrants, dictators, fraudsters, and hucksters. Some rule even today. The people of these countries are reduced to feeling grateful when these rulers do something good for the people. They accept worse actions with the knowledge that under the powers of their more fascistic rulers, their dissent will not be tolerated. Are we witnessing the beginning of the total destruction of American democracy? Not yet. But, without question, the chipping off of some of the pillars of democracy has begun. Its not too late to turn it around, but wed better get started. Reddit Email 0 Shares by Mohammed Nuruzzaman | (Informed Comment) | US President-elect Donald Trumps bluster about the Iran nuclear deal has created a lot of confusions and uncertainties about the fate of the deal. The anti-deal statements he made during and after the race to the White House election campaign ranged from direct threats to tear up the deal to renegotiate it, making it clear that he would not accept the nuclear deal with Iran, officially dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as it is. In reactions, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the deal was not a bilateral agreement with one side being able to ditch it. He averred that Iran had options if the USA unwisely decides to move away from its obligations under the agreement. IranUS tensions over the JCPOA, not to speak of their brewing hostilities after the 1979 Islamic revolution, have remained high, since the deal was concluded in mid-July 2015. As I have argued elsewhere, the deal was more a marriage of convenience between Iran and the US, less a political and diplomatic accord to address the long standing strategic divergences between the two countries. Iranian leaders agreed to scale back their nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, while the thorny issues of Irans claimed pre-eminence in the Persian Gulf neighborhood, Americas unqualified support to Irans Gulf adversaries or recognition of Tehrans strategic interests in Iraq, Syria and ties to Hezbollah remained unaddressed. Symptoms of adversarial relations, despite hope for a reset the button, soon resurfaced. The imposition of new sanctions by the US in October last year over Irans testing of suspected nuclear capable ballistic missiles, the US Supreme Courts order to seize Iranian assets in US banks, Irans detention of ten American sailors who strayed into Iranian territorial waters last January etc., largely derailed the expected bonhomie in post-deal IranUS relations. President Trumps threats to sabotage the deal may not be that hollow, in view of Americas past record of violations of international agreements and treaties. In the last one and-a-half decades, the US has walked away or partially pulled out of nearly a dozen bilateral or multilateral agreements or pacts, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) being some notable examples. President George W. Bushs administration withdrew from the 1972 ABM Treaty with the Soviet Union, citing national security reasons; the NPT mandates the nuclear-weapon-states not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states but the Bush administration insisted it retained the option to nuke non-nuclear states; the US and four other signatories (Britain, France, Germany, and Japan) have breached certain provisions of the CTBT by building or supplying materials to build laser fusion facilities to conduct lab-based thermonuclear explosions, which are not sanctioned by the CTBT. A 2003 report entitled Rule of Power or Rule of Law, sponsored by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, charged the U.S. with drifting away from rule of law to rule of power, as Washington abides by or violates global security-related treaties and agreements based on its perceptions of self-interests. Prior to launching the invasion of Iraq, President Bush was on record as ditching on international law: I dont care what the international lawyers say, we are going to kick some ass. He was responding touchily to the legal obstacles to his plan to invade Iraq and topple the Saddam Hussein regime. The nuclear deal with Iran appears more vulnerable to unilateral US actions as it is neither a lawful treaty nor a major agreement ratified by the US Senate; the deal is simply a US (and also Iranian) political commitment to honor the JCPOA as long as both parties maintain their trust in it. The deal has, however, an international dimension it was enshrined in a UN Security Council Resolution and its major signatories (China, France, Russia, UK plus Germany) so far remain committed to defend it, either because of their growing business interests in Iran or because of too high risks to bury it altogether. There is a series of US domestic and international factors that militate against the deal. That President Trump is an Islamophobe and, by implications, an Iranophobe is an open secret. In a bit of ominous signal, he is selecting like-minded people to fill his foreign and security policy cabinet. On top of that, a host of lobbies and institutes, including the Israel lobbies and the so-called Foundation for the Defense of Democracies have renewed their efforts to kill the deal finally, after failing to scuttle nuclear negotiations between the Obama administration and Iran. The House Republican Israel Caucus has recently introduced and authorized a new bill to extend the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act, due to expire by the end of the year, for another ten years. The House has also passed a resolution to block the sale of Boeing and Air Bus civilian aircrafts to Iran. Added to this anti-deal domestic frenzy is the issue of Americas perceived and real decline in the Middle East, which the Trump administration hopes to reverse, at least psychologically, by dealing harshly with Iran. There hardly exist any viable options for Washington to force Russia to reduce its role in Syria while Iran remains a relatively soft target to turn the heat on. Whatever the reasons are, the Iran deal melodrama looks set to unfold in the coming weeks and months. House and Senate Republicans, if not the Democrats, are expected to line up behind President Trump to put the deal in the line of fire. Similarly, the Iranian hard-liners who opposed the deal with the Great Satan but nonetheless accepted it due to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis blessings for it are happy to see Trumps anti-deal tirade. Their mouthpiece Kayhan International, a newspaper close to the Supreme Leader, called Trump a shredder of the JCPOA, an agreement which had zero benefit for Iran. This much echoed the Supreme Leaders statement made last July concerning a possible breach of the deal by the US: We will not violate the JCPOA, but if the opposite side violates itif they tear up the JCPOA, we will burn it. The Revolutionary Guards sees Trumps electoral victory as a welcome step to corner the Iranian moderate political forces united under President Hassan Rouhani and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, who swept to power in the June 2013 presidential election and further consolidated their hold onto power through the February 2016 parliamentary elections. The unfolding American threats to the deal under the Trump administration, and Iranian hard-liners reactions to that, present three possible scenarios. Given President Trumps highly negative views on the deal and domestic pressures created by the pro-Israel lobbies, the first scenario may be a total rejection of the deal by the US, whatever may be the costs incurred in the process. That means a return to the old-style hostility and confrontation with Iran par excellence. This option is replete with high risks and uncertainties since the Trump administration is highly unlikely to draw the support of even its close European allies, let alone that of China and Russia Americas contemporary peer-competitors. But a go alone policy by the new freaky president cannot be totally ruled out. The second scenario may hinge on seeking some changes to the deal, what Walid Phares, Trumps electoral campaign advisor on the Middle East, told the BBC radio on November 11. This would involve some changes the US would seek to make to the agreement the restoration of some issues or the change of some issues (most probably a demand to ban Irans ballistic missile program) to exclusively favor Americas and Israeli security interests. Irans stand on such a possibility is revulsive, however. Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Irans National Security Council, has recently said, apparently to oppose Walid Phares disclosure, that They (US leaders) cannot sit in glass palaces saying they would [either] tear up the JCPOA or renegotiate it. This is a totally no-option for the Revolutionary Guards who defines and views ballistic missiles as effective deterrents against American or Israeli aggressions. At the same time, a complete refusal by Iran to renegotiate the deal, which sounds rational from Iranian viewpoint, may push the US down the road to adopt the first scenario as a possible option. The third scenario sticking to the post-deal status quo is more favorable to Iran. The Rouhani administration negotiated the deal by defying powerful conservative opponents and remains committed to observing the terms and conditions of the deal. If President Trump opts to walk away from the deal, he can do so at the risk of getting global flak but Iran stands to reap benefits from such actions: Iran will continue to hold the global moral ground, and would be free to do business with European and Asian partners, despite continued unilateral US sanctions which the nuclear deal was not meant to dismantle. Whether the Trump administration ditches the deal or not, Washington can no longer force Iran to return to a pre-deal situation of international economic isolation. Still, some reckless or even accidental military actions by either the US or Iran may seriously destabilize the whole Middle East region. Mohammed Nuruzzaman is Associate Professor of International Relations, Gulf University for science and Technology, West Mishref, Kuwait; E-mail: nuruzzaman.m@gust.edu.kw ; Research Webpage Subscribe to Informed Comment by email and never miss a posting! Related video added by Juan Cole: Euronews: What will Trumps presidency mean for the Iran nuclear deal? China's navy revealed for the first time that all three Chinese naval fleets - South Sea, East Sea and North Sea fleets - had conducted a joint large-scale exercise in September, amid the controversy over South Korea's deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. [Photo: 81.cn] China's navy revealed for the first time that all three Chinese naval fleets - South Sea, East Sea and North Sea fleets - had conducted a joint large-scale exercise in September, amid the controversy over South Korea's deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. The exercise involved more than 100 vessels and tens of warplanes in a combat drill using live ammunition in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, according to an article posted on the Chinese Navy's official website on Monday. The article also mentioned two other large-scale drills in the South and East China seas in July and August, which were earlier reported. When asked why the navy kept the September secret until now, Li Jie, a Beijing-based military expert, told the Global Times that China was pressuring South Korea but avoided going too far to provoke Seoul, because the US ally at that time had not decided on the THAAD deployment. Li said China was hoping South Korea would decide not to deploy THAAD. Japan has set up a commission, headed by State Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiya, to examine the potential benefits of placing THAAD systems on its territory to increase its defense capabilities against a potential North Korean ballistic missile threat, Reuters reported on Friday. China Monday urged Japan to act prudently in the military and security fields and avoid unsettling regional stability, the Chinese foreign ministry told the Global Times on Monday. "We were concerned about the news reports. China's position on the deployment of the THAAD is very clear and remains unchanged," Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said. Japan's military and security activities are watched closely by its Asian neighbors and the international community because of its history, he said. "We hope Japan [will] play a constructive role in boosting regional peace and stability, and not to the contrary," said the spokesperson. He called the current Korean Peninsula situation "complicated and sensitive." Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Jimmy Carter wrote and NYT op-ed yesterday in which he called on Barack Obama to arrange for the UN Security Council to recognize Palestine and pass resolutions reaffirming the illegality of Israeli squatting on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Carter points out that there are 600,000 such Israeli squatters on stolen Palestinian land. He knows that likely Trumps election marks the end of the US cover story that it is working toward a two-state solution. With all due respect to Carter, who deserves a lot of respect, there is no evidence whatsoever that the US has done anything at all to implement a two-state solution. Washington has occasionally hosted Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, but when the Israeli side insulted the US Secretary of State and the president and refused to cease aggressively colonizing Palestine even while they supposedly were parlaying over it, the US just acquiesced in Israeli intransigence. The Wikileaks cables from 2006 and 2007 show US embassy officials slavishly following Israeli policy initiatives like the boycott on Gaza. Carter is speaking out because a Trump policy on Israel-Palestine puts in doubt the legacy of his Camp David accords of 1978-79. Indeed, if the occupied Palestinians end up living in the hell of a decades-long Apartheid under the Israeli jackboot, then Camp David looks more and more like just a separate peace in which Egypt extricated itself from further confrontations with expansionist Israel, receiving back the Sinai, and leaving the poor weak Palestinians and Lebanese to their oppressive fate. Not only is it right to rescue millions of Palestinians from statelessness, but resolving this issue would resolve 70% of Americas terrorism problem in the region. So how plausible is Carters proposal to Obama? Oh, it could easily be done. The other members besides the US of the UN Security Council (Britain, France, Russia, and China) would be perfectly happy to pass a resolution condemning the Israeli squatting on Palestinian territory, if they were sure the US would not simply veto it, as it almost always does. The US itself could present a resolution, and Ive heard that Obamas team have crafted one as a contingency. The trick is political will. The US would have to avoid exercising its veto. It always vetoes resolutions sanctioning or criticizing Israeli aggression and colonization. Each president behaves in this way because the Israel lobbies have traditionaly helped fund political campaigns (John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt estimated that these lobbies provide as much as a third of the campaign funding for the Democratic Party.) You wonder if all this will change with the new Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump models crowdfunding a campaign on the one hand and just having a billionaire buy the presidency with his own money. Sanders could take a more even-handed stance on the occupation of the stateless Palestinians precisely because he did not owe any big donors anything. In contrast, Hillary Clinton was deeply indebted to fanatical Israel-firsters like Haim Saban, and her speeches on the Mideast might as well have just been written by the Netanyahu government of Israel. Trump took a little money from Sheldon Adelson toward the end but not much, I think it was like $3 mn., which presumably did not buy much. So the danger is that if Obama lifts his standing veto on UNSC resolutions on the occupied Palestinian West Bank and Israeli colonization policy, single-issue pro-Israel lobbies will decline to support the Democratic Party in 2020. Obama, as the leader of the Democratic Party, cant very well chase away a third of the partys funding for the next presidential race. (Even though, as I said, Sanders and Trump have introduced new models that could allow the sidestepping of single-issue lobbies like AIPAC). But this juncture is special, and Carter is right that Obama could take the lead here. First of all, where are the pro-Israel donors going to go? To Trump? Can they really trust someone who is openly appointing known Neofascists and white supremacists? So this is the one time where Obama could probably cross the Likud Party without harming Democratic Party fundraising down the line. Of course there is also the issue of the pro-Israel vote in Florida and elsewhere, but they couldnt stop Trump in Florida or Pennsylvania so they are not as crucial as AIPAC keeps proclaiming. So it seems to me that Obama can indeed act, and what I hear is that he is actively contemplating this step. Trump would not easily be able to reverse a UN Security Council resolution that imposed sanctions on Israel for breaking international law by its galactic theft of Palestinian territory and its demotion of the Palestinian people to stateless objects of foreign military rule. He could go back to vetoing new resolutions, but was done would be done. In fact, if Obama does not do what Carter is calling for, he could end up having no legacy at all. The Iran deal is fragile, as is Obamacare, and those were his only real achievements aside from a slew of executive orders that can be reversed by the incoming administration. But of course the fate of 12 million Palestinians is rather more important than whether one politician is remembered for anything in the history books. Related video: AJ+: The Struggle Of Palestinian Farmers Under Occupation Rhys Bowen : When I read the first book in D.E Ireland's series featuring Eliza Doolittle as a sleuth I thought what a brilliant idea it was (and also why didn't I think of it first!) These books are such fun and I'm looking forward to reading GET ME TO THE GRAVE ON TIME that debuts this month. And I'm happy to have the two ladies who write under the joint pseudonym come to visit on Jungle Red today. Take it away ladies: D.E IRELAND: With the third book in our Eliza Doolittle/Henry Higgins series debuting this November, we thought it both fitting and gracious that Jungle Reds has invited us to visit for a third time. The series latest installment, Get Me To The Grave On Time is an Edwardian version of Four Weddings And A Funeral. Naturally, brides and murder take center stage. While our heroine Eliza is not saying I do anytime soon, she does find herself a bridesmaid or a guest at all the nuptials. However, given the events that transpire in the first three books, Eliza is not quite the young woman she was at the beginning. Nor should she be. Wed like to examine how everyones favorite Cockney flower girl can transcend not only her circumstances, but her creators original intentions. Hold up a kaleidoscope, look through the eyepiece, and marvel at the delightful array of colors. Now imagine that colorful mosaic as a character in a book and twist the kaleidoscope again. The colors fall into a different pattern, one just as lovely and intricate. A literary character can also change with only a few twists of the writing kaleidoscope. When that character is one of the main protagonists in a series, the author has to be careful not to rearrange the pieces too much, or else the original character might become unrecognizable. As co-authors of the Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins mystery series, we decided early on that the kaleidoscope known as Eliza Doolittle would include more colors and surprises than her creator George Bernard Shaw ever dreamed of. When we first had the idea of using Shaws characters, we were aware that much of the initial hard work was done for us. Shaw had already created Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins, the stars of his play Pygmalion and the popular musical it inspired, My Fair Lady. And he also gave us the remarkable transformation of his main character Eliza Doolittle. Due to Professor Higginss desire to win a wager he made with his friend Colonel Pickering, and Elizas equally fierce determination to better herself, this guttersnipe flower girl is turned into an elegant lady by the end of the play. According to Shaws essay on the subject, he never intended Eliza and Higgins to become a romantic couple. Instead, Shaw envisioned Eliza marrying the hapless Freddy Eynsford Hill; the young couple go on to open a flower shop, but their lack of business sense land them in financial trouble, requiring the kind assistance of Colonel Pickering. We thought this seemed a banal future for the resourceful and unstoppable Eliza Doolittle. So we twisted the kaleidoscope. Pygmalion, Eliza the ideal woman in Shaws view announces that she wants her independence. Well, we gave it to her. In Wouldnt It Be Deadly, the first book in our series, Eliza has gone off to teach phonetics with Emil Nepommuck, one of Higginss biggest scholarly rivals. When the Hungarian is murdered, Higgins finds himself the prime suspect, leaving Eliza to track down his killer and save the Professor from prison. At the end of the book, Eliza is truly on an equal footing with the irascible, stubborn, and demanding Henry Higgins. At the end of, Eliza the ideal woman in Shaws view announces that she wants her independence. Well, we gave it to her. In, the first book in our series, Eliza has gone off to teach phonetics with Emil Nepommuck, one of Higginss biggest scholarly rivals. When the Hungarian is murdered, Higgins finds himself the prime suspect, leaving Eliza to track down his killer and save the Professor from prison. At the end of the book, Eliza is truly on an equal footing with the irascible, stubborn, and demanding Henry Higgins. We twisted the kaleidoscope once more in Move Your Blooming Corpse , when we brought Eliza back to 27-A Wimpole Street. This time, she takes up residence as a fellow phonetics instructor, not a student. Given the political climate of 1913, we also created a female character devoted to the suffrage movement. Through her, Eliza becomes involved with the suffragettes and deepens her understanding of the larger world. While her teaching fees have given Eliza more financial security than shes ever known, we wanted to widen her prospects even more. Time for another change in the kaleidoscope pattern. The obvious choice would have been to introduce her to an aristocratic young man; wedding bells would follow, allowing Eliza to become a lady indeed, titled and privileged. But that seemed too Edwardian, and 1913 is on the cusp of the modern era. So we used Book Two to involve Eliza in the horse racing world, beginning the fun at Royal Ascot. When Eliza winds up as part owner of a winning racehorse, she is at last financially independent. A far cry from Shaws vision of her as a penurious shop owner with a boyish husband who lacks ambition and ability. Get Me To The Grave On Time, Eliza will find herself not only caught up in murder, but in the fun and furor of four weddings. Inspired by all the bridal couples, her suitor Freddy becomes increasingly ardent. But Eliza realizes that she is far too young to settle down, despite the cultural norm at the time. For now, our Eliza wants nothing more than to enjoy her new life, which includes politics, teaching, romance, and spending her money on lots of fashionable clothes. She is, after all, only twenty years old. We have no plans to stop changing the patterns of her character. In our most recent book,, Eliza will find herself not only caught up in murder, but in the fun and furor of four weddings. Inspired by all the bridal couples, her suitor Freddy becomes increasingly ardent. But Eliza realizes that she is far too young to settle down, despite the cultural norm at the time. For now, our Eliza wants nothing more than to enjoy her new life, which includes politics, teaching, romance, and spending her money on lots of fashionable clothes. She is, after all, only twenty years old. th century, such a character deserves an ever changing pattern of colors and complexity. And we have no intention of putting down the kaleidoscope. In many ways, Eliza represents the new century: brash, energetic, bold and pioneering. Like the 20century, such a character deserves an ever changing pattern of colors and complexity. And we have no intention of putting down the kaleidoscope. Author Bio D.E. Ireland is the pseudonym of long time friends and award-winning authors, Meg Mims and Sharon Pisacreta. In 2013 they decided to collaborate on a unique series based on George Bernard Shaws witty play Pygmalion, which inspired the musical My Fair Lady. At work on Book Four of their Agatha nominated series, they also pursue separate writing careers. Currently both of them write cozy mysteries for Kensington under their respective new pen names: Sharon Farrow and Meg Macy. Sharons Berry Basket series debuted in October 2016, and Megs Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear series will be released in May 2017. The two Michigan authors have patient husbands, brilliant daughters, and share a love of tea, books, and history. Follow D.E. Ireland on Facebook, Twitter, and www.deireland.com RHYS- Did you know that Shaw's original play had Eliza marrying Freddie? What was he thinking! Now I'm wondering if Eliza and Henry will ever be a romantic couple. Do you think that would even be possible, given his impossible nature? JURIST Guest Columnist Markus Rauschecker of University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law discusses the effects of a new Chinese cybersecurity law and the need for response by the US Congress Chinas Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress recently adopted [Chinese] a new comprehensive cybersecurity law. Throughout its drafting the law has been heavily criticized by businesses as well as human rights groups. Businesses have expressed their dismay that the law is overly broad and vague, making compliance difficult. Moreover some of the laws requirements would establish real barriers to conducting business. Human rights groups are also concerned about the laws breadth and vagueness. Some of the laws provisions may be used to suppress activities deemed contrary to Chinese state interests. Even more troubling is that the law explicitly establishes censorship of certain online expression. The Chinese government has continually argued that it needs to do more to secure against the barrage of cyber threats and also protect national security. As expressed in Article One of the cybersecurity law, the laws intent is to ensure network security, to safeguard cyberspace sovereignty, national security and the societal public interest, to protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations, and to promote the healthy development of economic and social informatization. To understand business and human rights groups concerns about the law, it is helpful to look at some of the more significant provisions of this extensive cybersecurity law. From a business interest perspective, one of the most troubling provisions of the cybersecurity law is the requirement that data generated within China by critical information infrastructure operators, must be stored in China [Chinese]. The current lack of a clear definition of, critical information infrastructure operators means it is uncertain which businesses would have to store data in China and which businesses would be exempt from this obligation. The law does provide that, upon review, the state may grant exemptions to this data provision if there is a business need to store information outside of mainland China. Nonetheless, this legal requirement will be a significant burden to companies that operate internationally and rely on the ability to transfer data across borders. The new law also establishes an even greater basis for government involvement in business practices. With the justification of protecting national security, the Chinese state is requiring businesses [Chinese] that purchase network products and services that might impact national security to go through a national security review organized by the State network information departments and relevant departments of the State Council. Additionally, the law requires businesses to provide technical assistance to law enforcement [Chinese] in matters of national security and in criminal investigations. These provisions all raise questions and uncertainty for businesses about their legal obligations. Will businesses be required to provide Chinese authorities with source code, or propriety information, or backdoor access into encrypted data? The answers to these questions are unknown at this time, but, based on the broad language of the law, it is likely that businesses would have to comply with such governmental requests. Businesses who violate the law [Chinese] may face penalties in the form of fines or even the temporary suspension of operations, a suspension of business for corrections, closing down of websites, cancellation of relevant operations permits or cancellation of business licenses or the freezing of assets. Foreign technology companies have been very outspoken in their opposition to the new law. James Zimmerman, the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said the controversial provisions are vague, ambiguous and subject to broad interpretation by regulatory authorities. This past August over 40 business groups from the US, Europe and Asia sent a letter [PDF] to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to voice their concerns about the cybersecurity law. In their letter, the business groups asserted that the new law would not create any additional security benefits and would actually create a barrier to entry and trade for companies. Moreover the businesses are concerned that the laws data retention and law enforcement assistance requirements could actually expose system and personal information to malicious actors. Of course the business requirements described above immediately raise human rights concerns as well. Leading human rights organizations have criticized the law. Human Rights Watch [official website] has called the new law a regressive measure that strengthens censorship, surveillance, and other controls over the Internet. Moreover, while many of the laws measures are not new, most were previously only informally applied or defined in lower-level regulation. Elevating these powers in the cybersecurity law sends a signal that the government may enforce the requirements more strictly, leaving less leeway for tech companies to avoid implementation. Most troubling is that the law explicitly provides for censorship of activities and speech that the Chinese state finds objectionable. Article Twelve provides that: any person and organization using networks shall abide by the Constitution and laws, observe public order and respect social morality; they must not endanger network security, and must not use the network to engage in activities endangering national security, national honor and interests, inciting subversion of national sovereignty, the overturn of the socialist system, inciting separatism, undermining national unitycreating or disseminating false information to disrupt the economic or social order. Remarkably the law also requires [Chinese] that users of Internet services must provide their real names and identities when signing up for services. This requirement will likely effectuate censorship in that individuals will be extremely cautious in expressing their views if they lack anonymity. During a public comment period, Amnesty International [official website] issued a report on the draft legislation [PDF] in which it argued that the cybersecurity law would legalize censorship and surveillance in the name of national security beyond the requirements set out in international law, including strict tests of necessity and proportionality. The Chinese cybersecurity law is set to go into effect in June 2017. Until then, and beyond that time, the business community, human rights organizations and other stakeholders should continue to speak out against the laws distressing provisions. However the Chinese law should also be seen as a call to action for the US Congress. Countries around the world are grappling with cyber threats. Yet different countries have very different views on how to best address these threats. Technological abilities, legal structures, and fundamental values all affect the varying approaches to cybersecurity. As countries are evolving in their ways of advancing cybersecurity, it is imperative that the US proposes an alternative to the Chinese model. A law passed by Congress will not only help to address some of the cybersecurity challenges that exist within the US, but it would also serve as a powerful counterexample to the Chinese law. Congress must pass a law that demonstrates how to address cybersecurity, while appropriately balancing the interests of security, business, civil liberties and privacy. Certainly this is no easy task. Yet the adoption of Chinas cybersecurity law makes it more important than ever that Congress makes comprehensive cybersecurity legislation a priority. Markus Rauschecker is the Cybersecurity Program Manager at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security (CHHS) and is Adjunct Faculty at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Currently, he teaches a Law and Policy of Cybersecurity course and a course in Cyber Crimes. Suggested citation: Markus Rauschecker, Chinas New Cybersecurity Law is a Call to Action for Congress, JURIST Academic Commentary, Nov. 26, 2016, http://jurist.org/forum/2016/11/Markus-Rauschecker-Chinas-new-cyersecurity-law-is-a-call-to-action-for-congress.php JURIST Guest Columnist Professor John B. Quigley of the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law argues that international changes to approaching and monitoring Irans nuclear program have made recent congressional action unnecessary The Iran Sanctions Extension Act was adopted by the US House of Representatives on November 15, and it may be passed by the US Senate shortly. The Act would extend a statute originally enacted in 1996 that provided for a regime of sanctions that can be implemented by the President, related primarily to the possibility that Iran might build nuclear weapons. The current Act includes a sunset provision that makes it expire on December 31, 2016. Congressional supporters of the Extension Act are numerous. It passed the House on a vote of 419 to one. A Senate vote could be just as lopsided. So even if President Barack Obama were to veto, the two chambers could likely override. The question is whether an extension is warranted or advisable. The nuclear arrangement, reached with Iran in July 2015 and entitled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, seems to be working, despite minor hiccups. In a report [PDF] released in September, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated that it had access to Iran to carry out verification by installing equipment that allows it to monitor uranium enrichment remotely on a 24-hour basis. The arrangement was reached in July 2015 between Iran on one side and the five UN Security Council member states plus Germany on the other. The deal is structured in a way that favors the outside powers over Iran. It is not a treaty, a point made clear by Secretary of State John Kerry while the parties were negotiating. If Iran does not comply with the Plan, sanctions the Security Council had previously imposed on Iran over uranium enrichment can be instituted. Secretary Kerry described the deal as self-enforcing. By a side understanding between Iran and the IAEA in July 2015, Iran agreed to inspections that are more intrusive than what is otherwise required of Iran as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 1968. The UN Security Council maintains oversight of the deal. Shortly after the parties came to terms on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which provisionally lifted sanctions previously imposed by the Council subject to compliance by Iran with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In Resolution 2231, the Security Council did not cancel its call on states to impose sanctions on Iran. Had it done so, a re-imposition of sanctions would require a new Security Council resolution, and such a resolution would be subject to veto by any one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. As the deal reads, however, a vote to be taken in the Security Council would be a vote to lift sanctions, hence a vote that the United States could veto. Resolution 2231 also provided for a multi-layer system of oversight involving the Security Council and the IAEA. In a one-year anniversary review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in July 2016, the Security Council heard extensive reports. While there were no allegations of Iranian violations on the central issues, there was concern expressed that Iran tested ballistic missiles in March 2016, but these were apparently of a type that cannot deliver nuclear weapons. There is still no proof that Iran is on its way towards nuclear weapons. The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has been lobbying Congress to extend the Sanctions Act, but the chance that Iran might fire a potential nuclear weapon at Israel seems remote. Iran is more seriously at odds with Saudi Arabia than it is with Israel. Another consideration is that the Sanctions Act is written so broadly as to be open to abuse. It was invoked against Mahmoud Reza Banki, an Iranian-American who worked for a management consulting firm in New York. Banki transferred funds from his own familys assets in Iran. He was prosecuted by the US Attorney in New York in 2010 and spent 22 months in federal custody before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that family remittances are not covered by the regulations adopted under the Sanctions Act. The outside powers, the United States included, would be in a stronger posture to pressure Iran if they were complying with their own phase-out obligation under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Of the six outside powers who signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, all but Germany possess nuclear weapons. None of the five shows any sign of scrapping them, even though they are parties to the 1968 treaty. Article 6 requires contracting states to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament. The Marshall Islands, a party to the 1968 treaty, tried to raise the Article 6 issue in 2014 in the International Court of Justice by suing the UK, plus Pakistan and India, for failing to negotiate with the other nuclear powers to get rid of their nuclear weapons. The Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands remains uninhabitable because of hydrogen bomb tests conducted there in 1954. The Court never reached the issue, however. It found jurisdictional reasons to dismiss the case and did so a few weeks ago. Russia has just test-launched a supersonic missile that can deliver nuclear weapons more rapidly than prior delivery systems. The United States anticipates spending $1 trillion over the next thirty years to upgrade nuclear weapons and delivery systems. With these moves, one should not be surprised if Iran views itself as being singled out for special treatment since it has no nuclear weapons and denies an intent to acquire them. Making the difference in treatment even starker, Israel possesses nuclear weapons but is not party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and does not acknowledge the existence of its nuclear arsenal. Israel has submarines capable of firing its nuclear weapons. No international measures have been taken against Israel like those against Iran. From Irans standpoint, the tough stance of the US Congress is seen against the background of interference by the United States, dating from 1953 when the Central Intelligence Agency engineered an overthrow of a democratically elected government in Iran. After the 1979 revolution in Iran, we backed Iraq in waging war against Iran in a decade-long conflict that took the lives of a million Iranians. The Iran Sanctions Extension Act, to be sure, does not require any sanctions to be imposed presently against Iran. It keeps in place a framework within which the Executive could re-impose sanctions that have been lifted. So it brings no present change in the current posture of the United States. It is not a repudiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. At the same time, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act is a statute for which there is no present need. John B. Quigley is a Professor of Law at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in Columbus, Ohio. He earned his LL.B., M.A. and A.B. from Harvard University. Suggested citation: John B. Quigley, The Iran Sanctions Extension Act: Enforcement Overkill, JURIST Academic Commentary, Nov. 28, 2015, http://jurist.org/academic/2016/11/john-quigley-iran-sanctions-extension-act-enforcement-overkill.php. Sean Merritt, an Assistant Editor for JURIST Commentary. Please direct questions or comments to him at commentary@jurist.org This article was prepared for publication by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull [official website] on Monday named Susan Kiefel [official profile] Australias chief Justice, marking the first time that a woman will hold the highest position on the High Court since its inception in 1903. The vacancy was created after Chief Justice Robert French [official website] announced that he would step down from the court in January. Kiefel did not have the typical path to becoming chief justice, dropping out of school [ABC report] at the age of 15. She then entered a technical college where she learned secretarial skills. She held multiple jobs while finishing high school, then studied law at night. She is now the longest serving member on the High Court, which also includes two other women. The High Court of Australia [official website] has been in the center of the asylum seeker controversy just off its mainland. The High Court ruled in February that the offshore detention policy [JURIST report] was legal. Since this decision the country has been embattled in a series of reports from different rights organizations. Guest columnists Anna Talbot and Greg Barns discuss [JURISTop-ed] the legality of the offshore asylum process on Manus Island. In May detainees from Manus Island brought a challenge [JURIST report] to the Australian courts. All of which has led up to Australia announcing last month that it was going to review new legislation [JURIST report] over refugees. [JURIST] A group of German lawyers on Monday announced the filing of charges against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, alleging that he committed war crimes in Aleppo. As Germany has the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to sue foreigners for international crimes, they are allowing the suit on that ground. The lawyers, citing reports from Amnesty International [advocacy website], allege [Zeit report, in German] that there is overwhelming evidence that Assad has committed war crimes such as bombings of hospitals, attacks on civilians, and forced expulsions [AP report]. One lawyer was quoted saying that [w]ere experiencing genocide in Aleppo in slow motion. The conflict in Syria [JURIST backgrounder] has continued more than five years in a civil war surrounding the legitimacy of Assad. For much of that time attacks have taken place on humanitarian convoys, medical facilities and other forms of critical civilian aid. Earlier this year Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected suggestions [JURIST report] that his country could face war crimes charges because of its role in the airstrikes in Aleppo, Syria, primarily responding to remarks from French President Francois Hollande that the airstrikes were tantamount to war crimes. Earlier the same week French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated [JURIST report] that France intends to pursue avenues for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate an investigation into the alleged war crimes committed by Syrian and Russian forces in Aleppo. Last month US Secretary of State John Kerry made a similar call [JURIST report] for an investigation into the alleged war crimes of Russia and Syria in Aleppo. In September the EU called attacks in Aleppo a breach of international humanitarian law [JURIST report], denouncing the targeting of a humanitarian convoy hit by an airstrike the week prior. That same month the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria urged parties in the Syrian conflict to return to the negotiation table after a new report highlighted an increase of violence suffered by civilians [JURIST report]. The report noted that along with summary executions, forced displacement, and indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes the Syrian people lack sufficient access to life-saving medical services. The Green Party [partywebsite] filed a lawsuit [document, PDF] on Monday in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania contesting the presidential election results [PA results] tallied on November 8. The claim offers as grounds for its motion news articles from the New York Times, NBC, Wired, the Chicago Tribune and others alleging hacker involvement in the election as well as the affidavit of J. Alex Halderman [official website], a professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, who states that there were unprecedented cyberattacks in the 2016 election. The suit calls for a full recount of the 2016 Presidential Election throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Led by its presidential nominee Jill Stein [campaign website], the Green Party also filed suit for a recount in Wisconsin [WSJ report] set to start on Thursday. On Saturday Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton [campaign profile] joined the Wisconsin recount [JURIST report] initiative. The recount motions come as an inversion of the pre-election status quo where President-elect Donald Trump campaigned [NYT report] on the charge of a rigged vote and refused to commit [Washington Post report] to the election results before he saw them. UN Secretary-General-elect Antonio Guterres said while visiting Beijing on Monday that he wants UN peacekeepers to be better trained and more respectful of human rights. Guterres stressed [Reuters report] the need to make sure that there is an effective combination of human rights, of the civil and political rights and the economic and social rights in a balanced way. Guterres praised Chinas efforts in UN peacekeeping missions saying, China can play a very important role in the diplomacy for peace that the world badly needs today. China is the biggest contributor [AP report] of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the Security Council having sent more than 30,000 on 29 separate missions. Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to set up a permanent peacekeeping force of 8,000 to be deployed whenever necessary. The UN is currently facing allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, particularly in Central African Republic (CAR) and Congo. Three peacekeepers accused [JURIST report] of sexual misconduct in the CAR went to trial in April. The current UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official website] stated [JURIST report] that it is important to address the issue and that the troops sent to protect the area acted in a despicable manner with a depraved and dark hearts. In March Ban released [JURIST report] a report that recommended increased measures to be taken for all countries involved in the rise of allegations against UN peacekeepers of sexual abuse and exploitation. The report documents a total of 99 allegations in 2015, 69 from countries with peacekeeping missions. The US Supreme Court [official website] on Monday denied certiorari [order list, PDF] in the case of Allen Stanford, a former financier convicted in 2012 of defrauding investors. Last October the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit [official website] upheld [order, PDF] the 110-year prison sentence for the conviction on 13 out of 14 counts related to running a Ponzi scheme. Stanford had appealed based on 10 separate issues, including: (1) that the district court lacked jurisdiction; (2) that the indictment was defective and was constructively amended at trial; (3) that the district court erred in denying his request for continuance; (4) that simultaneous civil and criminal proceedings constituted double jeopardy; (5) that authorities seized certain evidence in violation of the Fourth Amendment; (6) that the trial court erred in instructions to the jury; (7) that his sentence was based on improper enhancements; (8) that the district court was not impartial and showed favoritism to the government; (9) that cumulative error denied him a fair trial; and (10) that the government failed to provide exculpatory evidence. All of these issues were rejected by the court of appeals. In denying certiorari, the Supreme Court leaves in place the appeals court ruling, which upheld the conviction and sentence. Federal prosecutors believe that Stanford defrauded [Reuters report] 30,000 investors over 20 years through his venture, Stanford International Bank. This is the latest ruling in a line of legal developments related to Stanfords Ponzi scheme. In February 2014 the Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that the victims of the Ponzi scheme were allowed to file a class action lawsuit. In August 2013 a federal judge in Florida dismissed [JURIST report] a lawsuit against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) [official website] over the agencys alleged failure to report Stanfords Ponzi scheme to the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) [official website]. Stanford was sentenced [JURIST report] in June 2012. [JURIST] The UKs Investigatory Powers Bill [text, PDF] was given royal assent and became law on Tuesday. The bill gives the UKs intelligence agency a wide variety of tools to monitor the online activity of all UK citizens. The bill will require Internet providers and phone companies in the UK to retain logs of every citizens communications and online activity in a massive database for one year. The bill makes it lawful [legislative materials] for authorities to access communications data without judicial approval, except to uncover journalistic sources. The government defined communications data as the context, but not the content of a communication. It also allows for targeted equipment interference (EI), accessing specific devices such as mobile phones and computers, with the approvals of a law enforcement chief and judicial commissioner. Another section allows agencies to seek communications data or EI in bulk by applying for a warrant. The bills supporters argue [Reuters report] that the bill is necessary for enforcement agencies to keep up with the rapid technological advancements being made all over the world. Critics of the bill, however, have already began circulating a petition [official petition] calling for it to be repealed. The petition is nearing 140,000 signatures, passing the 100,000 signature threshold required to compel a discussion on the matter by Parliament. Data collection and government surveillance continues to be a contentious issue worldwide since Edward Snowden revealed [JURIST report] the scale of bulk data collection in the US and the UK in 2013. Earlier this month a federal judge rejected [JURIST report] the New York Police Departments proposed settlement of a lawsuit accusing the department of improperly surveying the Muslim community. In February the US Department of Justice filed a motion to compel [JURIST report] Apple to unlock the encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters. In January the Ontario Superior Court ruled [JURIST report] that police orders requiring telecommunications companies to hand over cellphone user data breached the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Last November the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an order allowing the NSA to continue compiling telephone records of a California-based law firm, just one week after a federal judge ruled [JURIST reports] against the part of the agencys surveillance program involving the bulk collection of domestic phone records. The Philippines reaffirms commitment to AIIB Presumptive Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference in Davao Province, the Philippines, May 16, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua] Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration on Monday reaffirmed the country's commitment to the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters that the Philippines is "ready to subscribe" this year and next year. "Definitely, we want to be a member of the AIIB," he said. The previous Philippine administration has approved the country's participation in the AIIB. The indicative paid-in capital of the Philippines is 196 million U.S. dollars, payable in five years or 39 million U.S. dollars per annum. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) [official website] on Monday urged [text, PDF] the Burundi government to allow UN police officers into the country to monitor potential human rights abuses. CERD says it has deep concerns about the Burundi governments responses to reports of armed militia intimidating civilians, the use of hate speech by government officials to incite ethnic violence and the growing number of Burundi citizens leaving the country to seek refuge in neighboring countries, among other things. The document urges the Burundi government to: abide by its international human rights obligations, in particular those arising from the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and refrain from taking any action that exacerbates the ethnic tensions in the country; take prompt and effective action to protect civilians, including through the immediate admission of the police officers approved by the Security Council; and promptly reengage with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. CERD Chairperson Anastasia Crickley said [press release], [w]e therefore call on the Government to step back from any actions that risk stoking ethnic conflict and that could even be a precursor to mass atrocities. Burundi has been the object of much international scrutiny over potential human rights abuses. In October the National Assembly of Burundi [official website, in French] voted [JURIST report] overwhelmingly to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the midst of an ICC investigation against President Pierre Nkurunziza [official website, in French]. The UN Independent Investigation in Burundi (UNIIB) in September expressed its grave concern about potential human rights abuses. Three human rights experts from UNIIB in June echoed [JURIST report] previous calls for a stop to ethnic violence after their second visit to the country. Consumer industry investors across the world are betting big on the ESG trend to pick up in the future and are focusing on backing the start-ups and emerging companies working in the meat-alternative products category. The top two deals in this category were the $500 million investment raised by Impossible Foods and the $347 million investment deal for Future Meat Technologies. GlobalDatas Venture Capital Investments Consumer 2021 will help you d ive into the capital raising landscape across regions and themes. Use the report to identify emerging signals and trends across Consumer, formulating winning strategies for the road ahead. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which fell on Friday, Cao Bo (a pseudonym) finally opened up about why he divorced his wife. "For years I lived in fear of my ex-wife's emotional and physical outbursts," Cao said. "From a young age men are taught that they must tolerate and protect women. The unspoken rule is that victims of domestic abuse are women or children, as a man, it was not a topic I felt comfortable talking about." China's law against domestic violence, the first piece of legislation in the country specifically dealing with domestic abuse, took effect in March. Even though the law clearly stipulates that all victims should be treated equally, the sad reality is that male victims are even more likely to be overlooked than their female fellow victims. According to Sichuan Province's Women's Federation, of the 1,845 cases of domestic violence reported in the southwestern province in 2015, 2 percent involved adult male victims. Moreover, a report published by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control said one in four adult men in the US will become a victim of domestic violence during his lifetime. That's upward of 3 million male domestic violence victims every year, or one man in America abused by an intimate or domestic partner every 37.8 seconds, The Huffington Post reported in 2015. Stay quiet "Weighed down by traditional views, men are more inclined to stay quiet, let alone seek legal support," said Ouyang Yanwen, an expert on anti-domestic violence at Hunan Police Academy. While the new law has been lauded for defining what constitutes domestic violence, there are still gray areas. "Legally, there is no such crime as emotional abuse," said Ouyang. "It is just too hard to define and even harder to collect evidence." Article Three of the domestic violence law "forbids domestic violence of any form," which, according to Yang, covers emotional or non-verbal abuse. While physical abuse often leaves marks, emotional abuse inflicts invisible scars, but the victim is damaged nonetheless. Cao has been divorced for four years but he has since struggled to establish close relationships with women. Any attempt at dating has reopened the wounds of his past relationship. Due to a lack of evidence, Cao lost the divorce lawsuit and had to settle with his ex-wife. "Usually the court is inclined to protect women and children. A doctor's certificate doesn't even hold up in court," Yang said, adding that the new law needs to be continuously revised and improved. Wu Ning, a psychologist at the No.187 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, said male victims of abuse often struggle with anger, fear, anxiety and depression. "If not properly dealt with, such emotions could deteriorate and hurt the spousal relationship, or most commonly, be unleashed on the children at home," Wu said. The Anti-Domestic Violence Law has helped educate the public about the definition of "appropriate behavior" and gives victims legal backing should they want to file criminal charges against their abuser, Ouyang said. Take it seriously Courts in many Chinese provinces including Hunan, Hubei, Anhui and Guangdong have issued protection orders to male victims of abuse. Ouyang said the law clearly outlines the responsibilities of various departments, and will help multi-institutional cooperation. "In practice, it has been noted that intervention and prevention needs the support and coordination of all levels of society. The abused must know their rights, the abusers must understand the legal consequences, and law enforcers must take the offences seriously." The government of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, planned to open a new shelter for victims of domestic violence where both men and women will be accepted, media reported in February. "Adult male victims can also seek help from us," an official with the Chengdu relief station was quoted by the Chengdu Business Daily as saying. The shelter also said female victims can take their underage children to the shelter, which will make arrangements for assistance from social workers and other professionals and may even help find foster families if necessary. Cai Yiping, a Beijing-based anti-domestic violence expert, told the Global Times previously that domestic violence shelters should also offer help for gay men and women who may be victims of violence by their partners. Cai said the law should protect victims in any intimate relationship, including but not limited to marital relations. Singapores Court of Appeal has dismissed a move by Nestle to overturn an earlier ruling in the country that said the companys trademarks on the shape of its Kit Kat bar must be removed. Nestle has been in a trademark dispute with Singapore-listed confectioner Delfi since 2013 after the worlds largest food maker issued a lawsuit over its rivals Take-It chocolate bar. The Swiss group claimed the shape and packaging of the two- and four-finger TakeIt chocolate wafer had infringed its Kit Kat trademarks. A year later, Delfi filed its own counter-claim in a bid to register the KitKat trademarks invalid. Last November, Singapores High Court ruled in favour of Delfi, prompting an appeal from Nestle. John Chuang, Delfis CEO, said: This has been a long and drawn-out process but we feel vindicated and extremely pleased that the Court of Appeal has ruled in our favour and upheld the decision of the High Court. With this confirmation, we continue to provide all our consumers with great tasting chocolate products. In a statement, Delfi said Singapores Court of Appeal had backed the High Courts finding that the rectangular shape and grooves of the chocolate bar were features that were necessary to create a functional shape for cost-effective and efficient commercial mass production and packaging. Delfi added: They were also essential characteristics inherent to the generic functions of a chocolate bar that consumers look for, including ease of breaking it apart for consumption. A spokesperson for Nestle said: Kit Kat is much loved and the iconic shapes of the two and four-finger bars, which have been used and sold for several decades in Singapore and abroad, are popular with consumers. We are naturally disappointed with the outcome, but we continue to protect and defend our intellectual property around the world. PepsiCo has launched a cottage cheese product under its Merry Milkman brand in Kyrgyzstan with the start-up of a new production line at its Bishkeksut facility in the country. Free Report Unilever- A Deep-dive into Product Launches and Advertising Strategy Track product launches by FMCG companies to get an understanding of the product-level strategies including geographic concentrations, innovation types, product claim, category focus and more Monitoring the advertising strategies of various brands and gain insights into channel focus, regional focus, and more Perform company-level analysis to understand business model, size, and geographic focus Dont miss out on key market insights that can help optimize your next investment read the report now. Unilever product advertising is mainly through mainstream TV channels. Out of the products advertised so far at least 50% (over 850) of ads have been run on TV, while print media comes second with 496 ads. Unilever also utilizes social media platforms for advertisement. Unilever products are categorized by innovation ratings and tags in our product launch database. The North American region consists of almost 74 products with innovations related to the formulation of the product. Europe and other regions also have more products categorized under formulation-related innovation, followed by the packaging and positioning of the products. Most Unilever products are tagged with High Vitamins, Recyclable, and Natural tags to understand what the product differentiator is from other products available in the market. The majority of products belong to the personal care industry with a total of 5,788 products to date. This report, through the Unilever Example, illustrates how GlobalData Explorer enables you to:Dont miss out on key market insights that can help optimize your next investment read the report now. by GlobalData Enter your details here to receive your free Report. 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Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address. Thank you.Please check your email to download the Report. The new fully-automated production line has the capacity to produce around 7,000kg of cheese daily and follows the significant modernisation of the plant over several years, PepsiCo said in a statement. The Bishkeksut facility produces a range of Merry Milkman and other branded dairy products, PepsiCo said. The US group said it cooperates with three large farms and more than a thousand private producers, purchasing around 19,000 tons of milk annually. Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov, who attended a ceremony marking the launch of the new production line, said the facility is now set to expand its range of products. It is encouraging that Bishkeksut uses local raw materials and supplies its dairy products not only in the domestic market but also for export. Related Companies 48 Hours in Paris I love Paris. Jadore Paris. The first time I visited was in 2002 as a young, impressionable foreign exchange student living in Spain. One of my classmates and I decided to head to Paris for a long weekend to meet up with another one of my friends who was living in France. Fortunately, she spoke French because I was at a loss all weekend with my extensive Spanish but little-to-no French conversational skills. But you know what? It didnt matter. I fell in love with the vibrant city and have been fortunate enough to return multiple times since then. These days, Paris holds some very special memories. Will and I were engaged next to the Eiffel Tower in February, 2014 and we recently celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary in September. Where else could we go if not Paris?! But sentimentality aside, Paris is a beautiful city that gets under your skin and draws you in over. And over. And over again. While it is ideal to spend at least a week wandering its streets, Ive been able to pop in and out for various weekend trips while traveling to other places in Europe. Of course, when you only have 48 hours, it can be tough to decide on an itinerary. I dont believe in mashing everything into two days just because and instead prefer to focus on a few bits every time. Guess that means youll have to go back again! Read on for my perfect 48 hours in The City of Lights. Enjoy! Friday Night Lodging: The Quirky-Yet-Classic Hotel Esmeralda Let me be straight: Hotel Esmeralda isnt for everyone. If you prefer modern hotels with spacious rooms and a flawless infrastructure, Esmeralda is not for you. But if are more interested in a charming, history-filled, adorable old building with a kick-ass location, consider this spot. Will and I stayed at Esmeralda back in September and we both fell in love with it! PC: Will Rochfort. And yes, I coordinated my top with the wallpaper Built in 1640, this building is old but that is part of its charm. There is no elevator; instead, a very narrow, windy staircase carries guests up multiple flights of floors. The hallways are beyond narrow and Will and I struggled to fit our large {shared} rolling duffel through the doorway. But the style is very French Provincial and the wallpaper was so damn cute and quirky. While dated and creaky from years of use, the rooms are very clean and well kept. Character is spilling out of this place. Esmeralda is located directly across the river from Notre Dame {literally 100 yards}, so the views are incredible. I snapped this while hanging out of our hotel window Id highly recommend snagging a top floor room if possible, and I heard #12 is the best. We lucked out and got a top floor room and the views of the cathedral were absolutely breathtaking. Added bonus: the hotel is in the Latin Quarter, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris. If you stay here, your just a few steps from a whole lot of restaurants and bars! Friday: A Late Dinner in the Latin Quarter Did I mentioned Esmeralda is just a hop, skip, and a step from the Latin Quarter?! Many argue that the Latin Quarter has been gentrified, losing a lot of its character from past years. And while that may be true, I still love this neighborhood! Filled with cafes, bistros, bookstores, and fancy-as-hell students, the Latin Quarter has a unique Bohemian vibe that I adore. Once you check into your room at Esmeralda, walk out the front door, take a right turn, and adventure into the depths of the Latin Quarter for a late dinner. If youre into seafood, seek out one of the moules-frites dinners. Parisians love to pair mussels with french fries and it is tasty! Saturday Once youve slept off a bit of your jet lag {unlikely!}, get dressed and head outside for a day of walking! First things first: grab some breakfast! Esmeralda is located smack next door to Shakespeare & Company, the best bookstore on the planet. You can grab a quick {but overpriced} breakfast at the Shakespeare & Company Cafe {attached to the bookstore} or at a nearby cafe. Either way, swinging through this English-language bookstore is a must if you love literature! Breakfast at Shakespeare & Company Founded by American George Whitman in 1951, the building is much older and was originally a monastery in the 17th century. It became a gathering spot for writers and continues to be a hub of letters to this day. The bookshop is known for its Tumbleweeds: individuals who roll through town and end up sleeping at the store. For the lodging, only three things are asked of a Tumbleweed: read a book a day, help out at the store for a few hours every day, and write a one-page autobiography. Whitman passed in 2011 and his daughter now runs the shop, but Will and I still love the cozy atmosphere. We make a point to purchase a new book for our collection every time we visit. In September, we grabbed a hardback copy of Hemingways A Moveable Feast. Im looking forward to reading it this winter! Once youre done at the bookstore, crossed the river to check out a noon mass at Notre Dame. If you arent Catholic {Im not}, it is still a worthwhile experience. The building itself is beyond beautiful and the architecture is absolutely breathtaking. Most people know the cathedral thanks to The Hunchback stories, but really save some time to hang out in the square and admire the building. I love the gargoyles spotting the outside perimeter! After lunch, walk down the river and spend a few hours at the Musee dOrsay. Yes, I know: I didnt say the Louvre! Truthfully, both museums are beautiful but the Louvre can be absolutely overwhelming with its EIGHT MILES of corridors to wander and thousands upon thousands of people. Of course, the art is beautiful but I would recommend visiting the Louvre when you have more than 48 hours. Instead, pop into the dOrsay. This building is filled with Impressionist art and most of the known stuff is on the fifth floor. My personal favorites are the ballet paintings by Degas; cant get enough! Once the sun begins to set, catch the Metro or walk down to the Eiffel Tower. Ive heard that Parisians dislike the tower at night but I think its beautiful! Pay the money to hike up to the viewing deck, and Id encourage you to buy the second ticket that gets you on the elevator to the top floor. The views from the top are stunning and it is pretty cool to see where Gustave Eiffel lived {he designed the tower with a private apartment for himself at the top.} For dinner, Im going to give you two suggestions: Le Volant or Ciel de Paris. Le Volant is what I would imagine a traditional French restaurant to look like at the turn of the century. Its a single room, packed with tables that are very close together. The room is filled with riotous conversation and laughter but the food itself is cozy, warm, and incredible. There are tons of wild game options with copious amounts of wine, so this isnt a place you want to go for a cup of coffee or a small dessert. Go big or go home! Your other option is Ciel de Paris. This dinner wont be cheap, but the views from the top of the Montparnasse Tower make the sticker shock worth it. More than anything, we were impressed by the service! After our engagement, our hotel concierge spent a lot of time trying to nab us a celebratory reservation for dinner. He recommend this place, called ahead, and Will and I were treated to one of the best evenings either of us can remember! The wait staff was beyond friendly and the manager spoke enough English to entertain us with stories from his various trips to Florida for some techno raves {yes, seriously!} They even brought us a celebratory bottle of champagne along with a handful of desserts to say congrats on our engagement. Its been almost three years since we last ate at this spot, and we both remember it dearly. Sunday After a busy Saturday, I prefer to lay a little low. Wake up in Esmeralda and walk through the Latin Quarter up to the Jardin du Luxembourg. This beautiful park is full of people lounging in the sun, sipping on coffee, and chatting with friends. Will and I love to grab some crepes with nutella before settling underneath a tree to devour them. Truthfully, this park has some of the best people watching Ive experienced! We parked it under a tree for a solid two hours this past September, simply watching people and enjoying the scenery. In the afternoon, Id suggest making the trek out to the Sacre Couer basilica in the Montmartre neighborhood. Construction began in 1875 and finished in 1914; can you imagine watching a building go up over the span of 40 years?! Sacre Couer is situated on top of of butte Montmartre, the highest point in Paris. Climbing the stairs up to the basilica makes you realizes how darn flat Paris is with just a few minutes of climbing, youre at the highest point! Personally, I think the views from the Eiffel Tower are better *but* it sure is nice to watch the sunset behind the Eiffel Tower itself! ******************** Have you ever been to Paris? What would you add to your dream itinerary? Yang Faming, chairman of the Islamic Association of China, talks to journalists after the association's 10th national congress in Beijing on Monday. ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY Official says halal must be correctly understood, abuse of signs to end Top political adviser Yu Zhengsheng has urged the Islamic Association of China to step up the development and resolutely resist the infiltration of extremism, as the association elected its new leadership at the closing of its national congress on Monday. Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said in a meeting with delegates to the congress that the IAC should also strengthen its self-building and improve its work style. He said that the IAC's newly elected leadership should inherit and expand the patriotic, law-abiding and tolerant traditions of the religion in China. The closing of the IAC's national congress, which is held once every five years, saw members of its clergy convening in Beijing to elect its new leadership. Yang Faming, vice-president of the Islamic Association of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, was elected president of the IAC. Yang, 51, is also a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC. The IAC also passed a newly amended constitution, which highlighted the importance of opposing extremism. Wang Zuo'an, head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, also urged the IAC to step up the training of clergy and develop more talents that can take up teaching positions at Islamic institutes. The IAC should attach importance to developing Islamic institutes, improving the quality of teaching and making institutes the front line in opposing religious extremism, Wang said at the congress. Yang said the IAC will try to curb a trend seeking to expand the Islamic concept of "halal" and better protect the legitimate interests of Muslims. At the opening of the congress, Wang urged the IAC to lead Muslims to a right understanding on the concept of halal, while adding that the abuse of halal signs must stop. In China, halal food producers must have their products certified by local ethnic affairs commissions under regulations passed by provincial and regional lawmakers. If they meet the standards, producers are allowed to display a halal logo, designated by their province or region, on their packaging and products. Dallas, 11/29/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/ In Texas, semi-trucks can be no longer than 59 feet, including the trailer. In many motorists minds, this is plenty long enough. As a state with some of the heaviest truck traffic in the country, Texas highways are already dominated by huge 18-wheelers. Now imagine a semi-truck thats up to 175 feet long. It may sound ridiculous, but it is reality in Australia. Known as road trains, these supersized semis are actually banned in many parts of Australia. In the Outback, however, they are frequently used to cross sparsely populated terrain to deliver freight to the more densely populated urban areas along the coast. Prior to the vehicle age, people who wanted to ship goods across the Australian continent did so on camelback or by sailing along the coast. However, this was a costly and time-consuming process. With a road train, semis can haul freight across thousands of miles within a few days instead of the weeks it would take to ship by water. American semi-trucks typically weigh up to 40 tons and have a maximum length of 80 feet depending on the state. In Australia, road trains can be up to 175 feet longand length is unlimited for road trains that travel private roads, such as those found in large mining operations. A fully loaded road train can weigh up to 220 tons. Furthermore, road train drivers can remain at the wheel for up to 21 hours straight. The Australian Road Train Associationan industry advocacy organizationrecommends road train drivers restrict their driving time to 14 hours at a stretch. Road Trains Around the World Although the term road train is sometimes used in the U.S. to describe a semi with a triple trailer, road trains usually refer to the longer combination vehicles used in Australia. These mega semi-trucks also operate in parts of Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. In the United States, just a handful of states, including Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and parts of Ohio and Indiana, permit semis with three trailers to operate. Eberstein & Witherite, LLP: Texas Truck Accident Lawyers If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck crash, call the 1800 Truck Wreck Lawyers at Eberstein & Witherite, LLP 24/7 to speak to an experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer about your case. Lawyers are available to speak to you today. You can reach us through our online contact form, or by calling 1-800-TRUCK WRECK (1-800-878-2597). Media Contact Lucy Tiseo Eberstein & Witherite, LLP Phone: 800-878-2597 Email: [email protected] www.1800truckwreck.com Connect with Eberstein & Witherite on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter source: http://www.1800truckwreck.com/road-trains-australias-mega-semi-trucks.html Social Media Tags:1800 Truck Wreck Lawyers, Australias Mega Semi-trucks, Road Trains, Texas Truck Accident Lawyers Newsroom powered by Online Press Release Distribution SubmitMyPressRelease.com Like Us on Facebook It's only fair to share... Pinterest Linkedin email Print (Xinhua) 09:42, November 29, 2016 China welcomes the World Trade Organization(WTO) dispute settlement body's appointment of Chinese national Zhao Hong as a new member, a commerce ministry spokesperson said Monday. Zhao Hong was elected one of the seven members of the body on Nov. 23, along with newly-elected Kim Hyun-chong from the Republic of Korea, to join five others from the United States, Belgium, India, Mauritius and Mexico. The dispute settlement body makes decisions on international trade disputes, adjudicated by the WTO. Zhao Hong, a doctor of law, serves as deputy director of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and worked for the commerce ministry from 1996 to 2015. China Eastern Airlines apologized to passengers yesterday after one of its shuttle buses took about 60 travelers to the wrong apron at Hongqiao airport, causing a minor delay to their flight. The shuttle bus took the passengers booked on flight MU2469 to Wuhan in central Hubei Province to the nearby flight MU5565 bound for Xiamen in southeast Fujian Province around noon. China Eastern said the error occurred because despatch information had been changed, but the shuttle crew failed to check the updated details. The flight to Wuhan was delayed 17 minutes by the mix-up. Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro passed away on November 25. People from around the world offered condolences for his loss, paying tribute to his legendary life and immortal spirit. Over the past half century, Castro has been regarded as a symbol that represented the pursuit of justice. He has devoted all his life to the Cuban people's great cause of struggling for national liberation, safeguarding state sovereignty and building socialism, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his message of condolence to his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. He has made immortal historic contributions to the Cuban people and to the world socialism development, Xi added. Calling Castro "a great figure of our times," he said that Comrade Castro will be remembered by history and by the people as well. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, lauded Castros contribution, saying that he was a strong voice for social justice in global discussions at the UN General Assembly and international and regional forums. Over the past 60 years, Castro has fought for revolution, socialism development, national independence, as well as world justice both in Cuba and the world arena. Speaking of Cubas attitude toward the US, Castro said that Cuba will never kneel down to the US with its people unified together. Cuba is not opposed to finding a solution to its historical differences with the US, but no one should expect Cuba to change its position or yield to its principles. Cuba is and will continue to be socialist, he stressed. The loss of such a legend also drives the world to review history and explore the future. Since equity and justice are always required to realize human development, each nation should strive for these two goals for the sake of civilization of the mankind in each era. However, people have to admit that not all humans are enjoying equity and justice so far. It's natural for every country to seek for sovereign equality and its own independent development, but challenges and obstacles still hinder this process. As some countries never give up the ambition and attempt to monopolize international affairs in the global system, there is still a long way to go before the final democratization of international relations. In terms of human development, the widening gap between the rich and the poor tests the world. About 800 million people are living in extreme poverty, 6 million children under the age of 5 die every year, and nearly 60 million children are left uneducated. Against those harsh facts, people have to reconsider the global development vision and approach, lay more focus on equity and justice and pursue a more inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization process. The world should never stop its exploration of the development path. Let us remember Castro's call at the closing of the 7th Cuban Communist Party National Congress several months ago. "We will change what needs to be reformed in the country while maintaining our loyalty and unity just like our independence heroes Marti, Maceo and Gomez," the veteran leader declared his resolution. The spirit of Fidel Castro lives for eternity. Today, the world is also learning from his wisdom for a better future while mourning over the death of this great fighter. Li Keqiang speaks at the meeting on Nov. 21. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has asked grassroots government departments to think of the common people when carrying out bureaucratic tasks. He said administrations should aim for win-win interactions with the public, and that instead of being indifferent, government departments should be heartfelt. Li delivered his message to senior officials from 11 provinces and cities at a meeting about simplifying administrative procedures and delegating power. The meeting took place on Nov. 21 in Shanghai. The owner of A Da Scallion Pancake Shop. Li's remarks came after two popular but unlicensed shops in Shanghai had been shut down since August 2015. One was 34-year-old A Da Scallion Pancake Shop, and the other was a 20-year-old family wonton shop on Menghua Street. The scallion pancake shop gained a large following after it was featured in a BBC news story. The shutdown of the two shops caused a major stir in China. Now, Li has asked relevant departments to reflect on how to stimulate the market by creating a friendly environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Li Keqiang chats with a staff member in a bookstore. The premier has lately been focused on small businesses in China. On April 25, he made a visit to Width Alley in Chengdu, Sichuan province, where he bought several souvenirs and books and introduced a foreign visitor to Tsingtao beer. Yang Liwei, the first person sent into space by the Chinese space program, recently described his experience in space, mentioning strange noises he heard during his mission. Yang tried to take notice of every single detail from his voyage. He said he saw a very bright light shining for a split second during the short night in space, but when he tried to find its source, the light quickly disappeared. Nothing appeared amiss with the dashboard in the space lab. Another strange phenomenon Yang encountered was randomly-occurring knocking noises, which didnt last for long and followed no discernible pattern. According to Yang, the knocking didn't sound like it was coming from inside the spacecraft, but rather like someone was knocking at the exterior with a wooden hammer. Scientists tried to recreate the sound after Yang returned to Earth, but the efforts never succeeded. Nevertheless, he reassured astronauts who came after him that there was no need to panic if they came across similar phenomena. The work of astronauts is full of difficulties and hardship, testing the mental and physical strength of the pioneers. The experience and skills accumulated in Chinese space science come only thanks to hard work done by earlier generations of astronauts. LINCOLN Nebraska prison officials have proposed reviving the states lethal injection procedure by giving the corrections director sweeping flexibility to carry out executions, including the authority to select the types of drugs and shield their sources from the public. The Department of Correctional Services on Monday announced a proposed overhaul of the lethal injection protocol that Nebraska has found unworkable since it was adopted in 2009. The proposal would allow the kinds of secrecy provisions that have helped states such as Missouri, Texas and Georgia execute inmates in an era when obtaining the necessary drugs openly has become extremely difficult. The proposal, which will require a Dec. 30 public hearing before it could be implemented, comes less than three weeks after 61 percent of Nebraska voters cast ballots to reinstate capital punishment in the state. The vote reversed the 2015 death penalty repeal enacted by state lawmakers. Nebraskans were decisive in their choice to maintain the death penalty, and it is now our duty as elected officials to carry it out, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Monday in a statement. Several lawyers predicted that any adopted changes will trigger new court challenges by some of the 10 inmates on Nebraskas death row. Danielle Conrad, executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska, promised to fight attempts to limit transparency. Both death penalty supporters and opponents should be able to agree that the most extreme use of state power should absolutely not occur in the shadows, Conrad said. Nebraskas existing procedure requires authorities to use three drugs in the following order: sodium thiopental, which makes the inmate unconscious; pancuronium bromide, which causes paralysis; and potassium chloride, which stops the heart. Nebraska officials settled on those drugs, in part, because they were identical to the lethal injection drugs used by the federal government. But Nebraska hasnt been able to use the three-drug process, mostly because of legal problems related to how it has obtained sodium thiopental. The state last executed an inmate in 1997 when the method was electrocution. Nebraskas most recent attempt to obtain sodium thiopental through a broker in India was stymied when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration blocked the drugs importation. These proposed changes in protocol balance appropriate inmate notification with the flexibility to utilize various constitutionally approved drugs, so political maneuvers at the federal level cant circumvent the will of the people, Ricketts said Monday in a clear reference to the FDAs action. Federal officials have said that they were required to block delivery of foreign sodium thiopental to comply with federal court rulings. The proposal issued Monday would make numerous changes and additions to the 13-page lethal injection procedure contained within the Nebraska Administrative Code. Among the key changes: Prison officials would no longer be bound to specific types or numbers of lethal substances. It would be up to the corrections director to decide what drugs to use and in what doses. The director also could opt for a single drug, as long as it rendered the inmate unconscious and resulted in death without the unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain. The corrections director would be required to notify the condemned inmate of the types and quantity of substances the state intended to use at least 60 days before the attorney general sought a death warrant from the Nebraska Supreme Court. Corrections officials may obtain drugs through any appropriate source, including from a compounding pharmacy. The corrections director may maintain confidentiality of any records or information that identifies a person, company or entity supplying the execution drugs. The state must employ a chemical analysis of the drugs at least 60 days before requesting a death warrant. As pharmaceutical manufacturers have increasingly refused to sell their medications for lethal injections, some death penalty states have turned to independent compounding pharmacies to obtain execution substances. But many such pharmacies dont want their identities known, fearing pressure from death penalty opponents or a potential backlash from some customers. At least a dozen of the 31 death penalty states have procedures or statutes that shield the identities of drug suppliers, said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. Nebraskas proposal is similar to those states but goes even further in granting the Corrections Department an unrestricted authority to select the execution drugs. It would provide Nebraska with more flexibility, but the degree of flexibility that is written into this proposal is itself an invitation for additional litigation, Dunham said. State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, who sponsored the Legislatures repeal law, said Monday that he had not seen the proposed protocol. But he said if the proposal oversteps the intent of lawmakers who passed the lethal injection law, it could be struck down. They are playing politics now, Chambers said. When a political move is made, they go overboard. Theyre playing to the crowd. Mike Flood of Norfolk, the former speaker of the Legislature who led the effort to replace Nebraskas electric chair with lethal injection, said it was his intent to leave details of the execution protocol up to corrections officials. But he also said he wanted the process to be carried out in the light of day. This should be an open and transparent process, given the severity of this sanction, said Flood, who supports the death penalty. But thats for a court to determine ultimately whether or not the protocol has had the benefit of due process. In some cases in other states, judges have found secrecy rules unconstitutional, but those rulings have so far been overturned by federal appeals courts, Dunham said. The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet taken up the question but could discuss it in an Alabama death penalty case scheduled for review next month. Kent Scheidegger, legal director of the pro-death penalty Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, agreed that the changes proposed in Nebraska are open ended and unusual in not spelling out a list of permitted execution drugs. Death penalty opponents would undoubtedly attack that provision if it is adopted. The flexibility is necessary because the states have to get around these boycotts of the drug companies, he said, referring to the work of some anti-death penalty activists. Im sure theyll scream about it, but basically they caused the problem. Lincoln attorney Bob Evnen, who helped lead the effort to overturn Nebraskas repeal law, said he thinks the confidentiality provisions are necessary to protect people who participate in the lethal injection process from harassment. Eric Berger, professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law who advocated for the repeal of the death penalty, said the states desire for flexibility in carrying out executions could make the procedure vulnerable to legal challenges. Is it possible the state will be able to carry out execution in a year or two? Yes its possible, but its also possible executions will be on hold many years pending the outcome of litigation, he said. The department will hold a public hearing to gather input on the proposed revisions from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 30 at the State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall, in Lincoln. Written comments must be submitted by Dec. 27 to NDCS, PO Box 94661, Lincoln, NE 68509 or they may be emailed to mark.boyer@nebraska.gov. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form FILE - In this July 17, 2016 file photo, former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., check out the stage during preparation for the Republican National Convention inside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elaine Chao to become transportation secretary, according to a Trump source. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The White House, is one of the fifty-six LEGO gingerbread houses, one for each state and territory, displayed in the trees in the State Dinning Room at the White House during a preview of the 2016 holiday decor, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Washington. Each of the LEGO gingerbread houses are a one-of-a-kind creation and feature colors, architecture styles and details that pay tribute to each state or territory. This house was made for the District of Columbia. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (File photo) China could further ease its visa policies to facilitate labor flow from ASEAN countries into China's aging society, suggested a consultant of the State Council. Addressing the annual Conference on Chinas Economy and International Cooperation in Beijing, the consultant, Wang Huiyao, proposed that a demonstration zone of China-ASEAN free labor flow be established. China has an aging society, while ASEAN countries are rich in labor population. There are maybe 200,000 more Filipino housekeepers in China, who may not be holding work visas. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese technicians are working in Guangxi. All this shows that we have a sound cooperation basis with ASEAN countries for mid- and high-level work forces, Wang said. Cooperation on human resources could be the biggest growth opportunity for China-ASEAN cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, added Wang, who is also director of the Center for China and Globalization. By easing visa policies, Wang explained, the inflow of human labor could solve the labor shortage facing some coastal cities in China. Wang stressed that tourism will be an additional key component of promoting the Belt and Road Initiative among ASEAN countries. Former Liberal organizer Jacques Corriveau waits to hear the judge's instructions to the jury before they begin deliberations in his trial on charges of influence peddling, money laundering and forgery, at the Montreal courthouse in an October 27, 2016, file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz Aircraft from the Chinese Air Force flew over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait on Nov. 25 during a West Pacific drill. The drill indicates that the remote sea combat capability of the Chinese Air Force has significantly improved, and that forces can simultaneously meet combat requirements in two different directions, said military expert Yin Zhuo in an interview with Peoples Daily Online. The drill involved "multiple types of warplanes," meeting the set target, said Shen Jinke, an Air Force spokesperson, responding to media inquiries on Nov. 26. The Chinese Air Force is a strategic military force, and its strategic power should match national interests, said Shen. The Air Force will continue to conduct regular remote sea drills to further its capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and peaceful development. Some media pointed out that, although the Chinese Air Force has conducted seven remote sea drills, this is the first time warplanes flew over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait at the same time. "It is indeed a big challenge for Chinese Air Force warplanes to fly over different straits at the same time," said Yin. The warplanes had to fly almost 1,000 kilometers to reach the Bashi Channel, even from the nearest airport. What's more, the climate and sea conditions were complicated. According to Yin, Chinas armed forces will gradually develop an integrated joint operational system in which all elements, including command, control, information, communication and security, are seamlessly linked. Under this system, all operational platforms will perform independently but in coordination with one another. This is in line with requirements for responding to potential future wars. [File photo] The trial of a German couple accused of brutally raping and killing a Chinese student has once again sparked public concern over the safety of overseas Chinese. The hearing, which took place on Nov. 25, investigated claims that 21-year-old Sebastian F. and 20-year-old Xenia I. raped and attacked Li Yangjie, a 25-year-old Chinese student in Dessau, Germany, in May. According to Deutsche Welle, a German broadcaster, the male defendant is also implicated in another rape case from 2013. The female defendant allegedly helped her boyfriend rape the victim in an effort to save their relationship, due to her own inability to satisfy the male defendants sexual appetite. It is then alleged that the pair lured Li into an abandoned house while she was jogging and raped her repeatedly, leaving her with injuries that the couple believed to be fatal. When they returned to find the girl still alive, they hid her in a pile of underbrush, according to Deutsche Welle. The hearing ended after one hour. The two defendants have opted not to publicly address the allegations against them for the time being, AFP reported. Li Yangjie. Since the two defendants were under 18 when the rape took place, the court could view the case as either a juvenile criminal offence or adult criminal offence, which respectively boast maximum sentences of 15 years in prison or life imprisonment, said court spokesperson Frank Straube during an interview with AFP. The trial has led to fierce online debate across Chinese social media. The hashtag MissingChineseGirlInGermany has garnered over 35 million page views as of press time, with most comments criticizing the defendants and expressing sorrow for the victim. This is not the first time that Chinese students, in particular females, have been victims of violence and sexual abuse in Germany. In November, a Chinese student was raped while on her way home. The Chinese consulate in Dusseldorf confirmed the incident on Nov. 18, urging German authorities to investigate the case. That incident also incensed the Chinese public, garnering 110 million page views under its own hashtag as of press time. The victim and Chinese consulate in Dusseldorf could not be reached for comments as of press . We just want justice from the German authorities. I have heard about several cases of Chinese girls being sexually harassed in Germany, but the local police could not offer enough help and protection. I hope Lis case will raise public awareness about the safety of overseas Chinese, Yan Hao, a Chinese student studying in Dusseldorf, told Peoples Daily Online. 45 Shares Share As a physician and mom, I hate the work culture that generates the glass ceiling for women. Like many professional environments, Medicine is a hierarchical culture dominated by men. The leadership positions are mostly filled by men- including the hospital CEOs, department chairpersons, and medical school deans. This reality begs the question: if nearly half of medical school graduates are women, why dont we see more female physicians at the top? The answer is complex, and is a combination of factors wherein workplace culture makes it difficult for women to become leaders. I recently learned a simple way to approach this common problem, while attending the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago. Heres how to improve work culture for women: 1. Gather the hard data. 2. Propose solutions. 3. Implement changes. Allow me to set the background for you: Academic meetings are very important for physicians to attend for many reasons. Firstly, its a great way to stay in the loop regarding advances in the medical field. Important new ideas are shared at these meetings, including medical and drug developments. For example, Joe Biden spoke at the 2016 ASCO annual meeting regarding his Cancer Moonshot Initiative, because its the largest and most important cancer meeting in the world with an attendance of nearly 40,000. Secondly, doctors try submit their research to a conference, and if accepted, are invited to present their findings. Speaking at a meeting is considered a great honor and therefore a great way to further ones career. Thirdly, many leadership positions require the physician to attend a conference because thats where the medical committees meet. So if a physician wants to obtain a leadership position, they often need to attend the meeting. Fourthly, a medical conference is the optimal place for doctors to network. As an oncologist, I really wanted to go ASCOs annual meeting this year, which took place in Chicago. As a mom of three (and wife to a physician), I had difficulty arranging childcare and had to bring my kids along if I wanted to go. When I arrived at the conference with my kids in tow, I wondered how well were women represented? How difficult was it for other mothers to attend the meeting despite its importance? I decided to conduct an informal poll of my female oncologist colleagues (many also mothers). So I embarked on step 1 of my formula: Gather information I posted the question: What was the most important decision-making factor in whether or not you attended the annual meeting this year? Nearly sixty percent of the 56 women polled reported that the number one decision-making factor in whether or not they attended the annual meeting was childcare. I was shocked! What about other important considerations like whether or not they were presenting their research at the meeting? Or whether they could get travel funding? It turns out that none of these were as important than childcare. So, I shared my findings on my ASCO blog. Then, I took step 2: Propose solutions I recommended that ASCO track the gender of all its attendees. ASCO does track a lot of information regarding the registrants at the meeting, including primary professional role (physician, researcher, nurse, etc) and country representation (10 different countries are listed). But ASCO has never collected the hard data of what percentage of its attendees are women. Given the importance for women doctors to attend the conference with the goals as above of professional development, education, and networking shouldnt we pay attention to how many women are actually going? How else can we properly characterize the problem of so few women at the top in Medicine? Tracking gender at a conference is quite easy, because all attendees have to register beforehand anyway. Another idea I proposed was for ASCO to offer childcare services at their conference. If childcare is the number one concern for many female doctors, perhaps alleviating this stress would encourage more women to attend. Step 3: Implement changes Within days of my publishing my findings, ASCO reached out to me. They publicly agreed to proactively address the above issues. They will now be tracking attendees gender on all registrations for their annual meeting. ASCO promised they are investigating childcare options for the conference and will make conference rooms more readily available for nursing mothers. Wow! I was happily shocked how quickly an organization as large as ASCO mobilized to my call to action. While the childcare struggle may seem obvious to many parents, this issue simply has not been studied enough to date. Kudos to ASCO for taking this seriously. Heres to hoping that the glass ceiling shatters along with the real work culture changes we so desperately need. Miriam A. Knoll is a radiation oncologist. She can be reached on Twitter @MKnoll_MD. This article originally appeared in the Huffington Post. Image credit: Shutterstock.com [File photo] A nurse in Xian, Shaanxi province was forced to resign from her job after becoming pregnant, as her pregnancy would disrupt the hospitals working plans. The 35-year-old woman, surnamed Guo, was forced to make a choice between going through with her second pregnancy and keeping her job at Tangdu Hospital. Due to a staff shortage, Guos department required her to sign a letter of commitment in March, pledging not to become pregnant in 2016 as it could disrupt the hospitals operation. Although Guo signed the letter, she then discovered her unexpected pregnancy in July, which upset the hospital administration. I signed the letter in March, as several of my colleagues had already applied for maternity leave, which the hospital deemed a disruption. But I did not expect that my second child would come in April, and I dont want to give it up, Guo told Thepaper.cn. Wang He, director of Guos department, told Thepaper.cn that the hospital did ask Guo to choose between her child and her job, which they considered fair since Guo broke her promise to the hospital. There are 14 nurses in our department, and four got pregnant this year. We did not interfere with their pregnancies because it was the first child for each of them. But this tendency should be stopped, or our department will be shut down for good, Wang said. We never prevent our nurses from getting pregnant, but they should talk to us in advance so a thorough plan can be made to avoid labor shortages, Wang added. The letter of commitment Guo signed is not legally binding, so the hospital cannot legally fire Guo for getting pregnant. The hospital can negotiate with Guo, but they cannot force her to accept their decision, said Wu Youshui, a lawyer specializing in family planning. The hospital had allowed Guo to return to work as of press time, without committing to a course of action. Guos experience has attracted mixed reactions from Chinese netizens. Under the hashtag XianNurseGotSackedForPregnancy which had garnered over 1.2 million page views as of press time, many netizens have shown support for Guo, arguing that its her fundamental human right to give birth to a child. I think the hospital is heartless. How can you force a woman to give up her baby just for a job? This is so barbaric and inhuman, one Internet user wrote. But others held different opinions, criticizing Guo for being dishonest and irresponsible. If everyone acted like Guo, the hospital would shut down and patients would have nowhere to seek treatment. She already promised not to have a second child [in 2016], and she can still have another kid in the future if she talks to the hospital first, another Internet user commented. A local man loses his life in the hospital after being hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. Twenty-seven-year-old Alvaro Garza Junior died Tuesday night after being airlifted to a San Antonio hospital. According to police, Garza was hit by a woman driving a green Lexus at the intersection of McPherson and Taylor on Monday night. The woman was cited for failing to yield at an intersection. A Texas federal judge blocks an Obama Administration regulation to extend mandatory overtime. This regulation was supposed to take effect this Thursday, but was stopped. We spoke to a member of the city on what their plans are now after the change, and she says the city has been prepared for the regulation changes to salary and exempt employees - but are now putting those plans on hold. "We were going to move forward with that in accordance with the December 1 deadline, but now that there has been a change and there has been a federal temporary restraining order put into place, we are on hold with those regulations," says Blasita Lopez. "But as soon as we know more out of that court decision, then we'll move forward with whatever the federal government requires us to do as an employer." Lopez goes on to say there were eleven employees that would have been affected by these regulations, but they are keeping to their regular routine of punching in their hours until the federal government reaches their final decision. Test line for ultra-high-speed vacuum maglev train to be built in 2017 A test line for the ultra-high-speed vacuum maglev train will be built in China in 2017, experts revealed at a rail transportation conference on Nov. 27. At the conference, professor Zhang Weihua of Southwest Jiaotong University showcased the latest technologies in high-speed rail transportation, including evacuated-tube high-temperature superconducting maglev trains. High-speed maglev trains boasting speeds of up to 600 kilometers per hour are being developed in China, attendees learned. The first medium-low speed maglev line, independently developed by China, is now operating smoothly in Changsha. This is a good model for the promotion of maglev technology. Currently, we are actively developing high-speed maglev trains, said Qian Qingquan, an academician with Chinas Academy of Engineering. The second generation evacuated tube developed by the team. According to previous report by Chengdu Business News, Southwest Jiaotong University has completed a test of the evacuated-tube HTS maglev system, which was developed by Professor Zhao Yong and his team. We think the speed of maglev trains will reach 600 to 1,000 kilometers per hour, fast enough to replace airplanes, Zhao said. The team successfully lowered pressure in the tube to 1,335 pa or just 1 percent of air remaining in the tube. They also increased the average speed of the maglev train to 82.5 kilometers per hour under normal pressure. As of May, work on the system was progressing well. The speed has been increased to 100 kilometers per hour under normal pressure, Zhao explained. With improvements of the vacuum technology, speeds will continue to increase dramatically. Zhao and his team developed the world's first evacuated-tube HTS maglev test line in 2011. The tube is 3 meters in diameter with a lowest pressure of 2,000 pa. In his second-generation system, tracks were "hung" on the wall of the tube, which increases centripetal force on the running train, as well as speed and stability. Tracks are "hung" on the wall of the tube. However, Shen Zhiyun, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, expressed concern about the high costs associated with building vacuum trains. There is no big problem technically, but the cost is too high. One kilometer of subway costs 800 million RMB, and even 1 billion is not enough to build 1 kilometer of evacuated-tube HTS maglev tracks, he said. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. When I was growing up, I asked a male financial advisor about how to invest my money. I knew there had to be more to it than moving funds from checking to savings every payday, but his answer surprised me. He tapped me on the head (literally! Can you believe that?) and said, "Don't worry about money. Just find a good man, and he will take care of you." I knew in that moment that I wanted to help women understand money. Life happens, and if you've been around for any period of time, you know getting a man isn't the answer to your financial plan! Subscribe to Kiplingers Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Save up to 74% Sign up for Kiplingers Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplingers expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplingers expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Sign up In fact, in some families, the women, not the men, are the ones who meet with a financial professional like me. In other cases, with both male and female clients, I do a lot of teaching about why it's important to understand family finances, even if you're not the one who understands numbers and investing. Here are five things you must understand about money: 1. Money is an emotional topic. Many people are uncomfortable talking about moneyand women are especially prone to think of the subject as taboo. But avoiding the subject means missing opportunities to learn more about it take control of your finances. Especially with your financial professional, don't be shy. She needs to understand your budget (income, expenses and debt), money-related goals (buying a house, paying off debt) and current investments. Be honest so they can provide an accurate plan. More importantly, you and your spouse need to communicate about money whether it's the joint checking account, paying off debt, monthly spending or planning for the future. No financial plan is going to work if you're not communicating. 2. Reviewing beneficiaries is important. When was the last time you reviewed beneficiaries? If you can't remember, it's time to go through every bank and investment account and insurance policy. Many women don't take care of themselves as they should. They end up being the primary caregivers of not only their children, but also their aging parents, yet they fail to think about what will happen financially with their children and parents should they pass away. This is especially true if you've gotten divorced. You wouldn't want to die and have your ex get your hard-earned money! Not sure where to start? Call a financial professional to guide you. 3. Everyone needs an estate plan. What's your legacy? All too often I hear women and couples tell me that estate planning is only for people who have a lot of money, but that's simply not true. An estate plan includes directives for your care should you become incapacitated and where money and other assets are to be dispersed in the event of your death. Again, we come back to taking care of ourselves as women. We need to think about what we want for ourselves should we become incapacitated and unable to make those decisions for ourselves any longer. Additionally, we have to make sure our assets and valuables go to the people we hold dearest to our hearts. Otherwise, anything we own, goes through probate before our loved ones have any say in what happens to our personal belongings. Most importantly, an estate plan gives your loved ones peace of mind about your wishes. 4. Saving for retirement should be a priority. If I had to guess, I'd say that you don't want to work until you take your last breath, but you also can't just pick a date to stop working. Having a retirement plan that will fund the lifestyle that you desire is vital. So many women do not have the savings they need in order to maintain their lifestyles through their retirement years, and unfortunately, many women live in poverty during that time of their lives due to lack of planning and saving. Many people begin with an employer sponsored plan and a conversation with a financial professional. Taking the time to plan and start saving as soon as possible is absolutely vital, and finding a financial planner who understands you will help you feel comfortable when discussing this topic. 5. Financing adult children should not be a priority. This is one of my pet peeves. While I understand there are times when parents take care of adult children or support them financially, your goal as a parent should be to have your children able to support themselves financially. As a mother, you will always feel an obligation to ensure your child is safe, happy and secure, but your children need to be responsible for their own financial wellbeing at some point. You can't fall into the trap of supporting your adult children. Otherwise you will be spending your retirement financing adults who could be supporting themselves. As women we're often told that a financial plan includes a rich husband but we know that's not reality. We've created our own businesses, raised our children and created a lifestyle that no one can take from us. It's time to take money matters into our own hands and create a financial future of our dreams! With the help of a financial professional, you're well on your way! Shanna Tingom is a Registered Representative, securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor, Cambridge and Heritage Financial Strategies are not affiliated. SYDNEY, Nov. 29 -- China Eastern Airlines Flight MU777 hit turbulence resulting in several injuries to passengers and crew members while landing at Sydney International Airport on the afternoon of Nov. 29. There were 212 passengers on the flight. Five passengers and two crew members were taken to the hospital after arriving in Sydney. China Easterns General Manager for Oceania told Peoples Daily Online that China Eastern had confirmed that all affected passengers were in stable condition after receiving treatment for their injuries. The airline has also contacted the families of injured passengers. The MU777 flight utilized an A330-200 aircraft. The aircraft is currently in good condition and will operate an on-time return flight this evening. China state banks step up support for yuan, sell dollars onshore for 2nd day - traders SHANGHAI, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Chinese state-owned banks were seen selling dollars in the onshore foreign exchange market for a second straight day on Tuesday, in what traders said appeared to be a bid to support the yuan currency after its recent slide to 8-1/2-year lows. The yuan strengthened to 6.8922 per dollar as of 0413 GMT, 161 pips firmer than the previous late night close of 6.9083. (Reporting By Winni Zhou and John Ruwitch; Editing by Kim Coghill) 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 29 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0058 GMT. Nov 29 Nov 28 USD/VND mid-point 22,121 22,132 USD/VND interbank 22,700/22,710 22,715/22,720 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.63/35.85 35.62/35.84 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 quotes are indicative bid/ask prices. One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co, the gold manufacturer. Interbank offered rates are indicative, quoted from market sources. For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom) HANOI, Nov 29 (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 0416 GMT. Nov 29 Nov 28 USD/VND mid-point 22,121 22,132 USD/VND interbank 22,708/22,710 22,715/22,720 USD/VND unofficial 22,820/22,840 22,800/22,830 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.60/35.82 35.62/35.84 Interbank offered rates Overnight 2.4-3.3 1.8-3.3 1 week 3.0-3.4 2.0-3.4 1 month 3.6-3.9 2.8-3.9 3 months 4.7-5.0 4.2-5.0 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) ROME, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Italy holds a referendum on Dec. 4 on the government's plan for a comprehensive reform of the constitution. Opinion polls are banned in the last two weeks of campaigning. Before the blackout started on Nov. 18, the final battery of surveys all showed the 'No' camp well ahead, but with up to 25 percent of voters still undecided. Here are some central questions thrown up by the ballot. WHAT IS THE REFERENDUM ABOUT AND WHY DID RENZI CALL IT? The vote is on Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's plans to abolish the elected upper house Senate and replace it with a chamber of regional representatives which will have much reduced powers. The government is also proposing taking back some key decision-making powers from the regions. Renzi got parliamentary approval for the overhaul, but failed to secure the backing of two-thirds of lawmakers. As a result, because this calls for a change to the constitution, he had to call a referendum to get the reform passed into law. WHY MIGHT VOTERS REJECT IT? Critics say the reforms risk undermining democratic safeguards put in place after World War Two to prevent the rise of a new strongman. However, many people are likely to vote 'No' simply to register their dissatisfaction with Renzi, who has struggled to revive economic growth, rather than because they oppose the proposed revamp. WHAT HAPPENS ON THE POLITICAL FRONT IF IT'S A 'NO'? Renzi has repeatedly said he will resign if the 'No' camp wins, so he will almost certainly offer his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella. The head of state might urge him to rethink his decision for the sake of political and market stability. One possibility would be for Renzi to accept a new, limited mandate to oversee an essential electoral reform and open the way for elections in the first half of 2017, a year ahead of schedule. If Renzi refuses, the president could ask a technocrat, such as Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, or an institutional figure, such as Senate speaker Pietro Grasso, to lead a new government. As head of the largest party in parliament, Renzi would have a strong say on who is chosen. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT'S A 'YES'? Renzi's position would be considerably strengthened within the country and his own feuding party. Some have suggested he might look to cash in and seek snap elections, but one senior government source categorically ruled that out to Reuters, saying there was too much to do in 2017 including hosting G-7 world leaders and a European Union summit. Renzi will also emerge highly bolstered on the European stage. With both France and Germany likely to be distracted in the coming months by national elections, Italy will be in a strong position to push its anti-austerity message in Brussels. WHY WOULD 'NO' BE BAD NEWS FOR ITALY'S BANKS? Italian banks hold some 360 billion euros ($381 billion) of bad loans, roughly 40 percent of all bad loans across the euro zone. A number of lenders are financially shaky, with the third-largest lender, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, set to launch a 5-billion-euro cash call next week. Investors are not expected to sign up if political instability prevails, meaning the state would have to intervene to stave off collapse. Analysts worry a meltdown at Monte dei Paschi could damage confidence in the entire banking system and trigger a full-blown crisis that could take down several lenders. HOW ARE FINANCIAL MARKETS VIEWING THE RISK OF 'NO'? Financial markets have lost ground recently as the likelihood of a 'No' vote has risen. Given that, a Reuters poll last week said there might be only a muted response to confirmation of such a result, with investors expected to demand an extra 25 basis points in yield to hold Italian debt over its German equivalent if the reform is rejected, and the euro expected to dip 1.25 percent. However, they did not see much upside in a 'Yes' vote. Clearly any banking crisis could trigger selling on the financial and stock markets, too. The European Central Bank is ready to temporarily step up purchases of Italian government bonds if the result of a crucial referendum on Sunday sharply drives up borrowing costs for the euro zone's largest debtor, central bank sources told Reuters. IS THE 5-STAR MOVEMENT POISED TO TAKE POWER? Opinion polls show the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement beating Renzi's Democratic Party under the terms of Italy's new, two-round voting system, which would put it in pole position to win the next national elections. However, all parties say that this law must be changed before a general election, so whatever happens on Dec. 4, Italy will not be heading to a snap election at breakneck speed. Instead, the parties will try to thrash out a new election law and it is certain that the main centre-right and centre-left blocs will want a system that does not favour 5-Star. So the 5-Star's route to power looks likely to get more complicated after the referendum. COULD THE VOTE DEAL ANOTHER SETBACK TO THE EU? Italian's faith in the EU took a battering during the recent financial crisis, and both the 5-Star Movement and opposition Northern League are against the euro currency. The 5-Star has called for a referendum on membership of the single currency, although it does not question membership of the EU. However, a poll published last week by La Stampa newspaper found 71.1 percent of Italians thought leaving the euro would make the economy worse, with just 16.7 percent seeing it as a boon. The same poll showed 67.4 percent support for the EU. Given that, the threat to the EU and euro comes more from the possibility of a banking crisis in a heavily indebted country, which analysts say is too big to save and too big to fail. ($1 = 0.9437 euros) (Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Pravin Char) (Adds UK Business Secretary comments) LONDON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Britain denied on Tuesday that a document photographed in the hands of a Conservative Party official which said the strategy for Brexit talks was to "Have cake and eat it" accurately reflected its plans for forthcoming EU divorce negotiations. The handwritten note, which also said Britain would be unlikely to stay in the EU's single market, was pictured being carried by an aide to Mark Field, vice-chairman of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party, after a meeting with Brexit officials in Downing Street. The photograph was printed in newspapers on Tuesday and showed the memo contained the lines: "What's the model? Have cake and eat it" and "It's unlikely we'll be offered single market". May has promised to trigger formal divorce talks with the European Union by the end of March but has so far been tight-lipped about what Britain is seeking to achieve in the two-years of talks which will then follow. "These individual notes do not belong to a government official or a special adviser," a government spokesman said. "They do not reflect the government's position in relation to Brexit negotiations." The handwritten note suggested a deal on manufacturing would be "relatively straightforward" to achieve but one on services would be harder. The government was "loath" to bring in "transitional" arrangements, it said, and suggested Britain could seek a "Canada Plus" deal, a reference to a trade deal agreed between Canada and the EU last month after seven years of talks. It also warned "French likely to be most difficult". Business Secretary Greg Clark said he did not recognise any of the memo's contents. "I was interested and amused to see it because it doesn't reflect any of the conversations that I've been a part of in Downing Street," told BBC radio. Asked if "have cake and eat it" was indeed government strategy, he said: "It would be nice to have but it's not the policy." (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) (Adds context) By Robert Hogg Nov 29 (IFR) - The State of Kuwait has sent a request for proposals for a potential debut international bond, according to sources. The sovereign is expected to issue next year, most likely in the US dollar market, continuing the spree of Gulf sovereign bond deals. In October, bankers said that Kuwait was in no rush to fund overseas, according to Reuters. Finance Minister Anas al-Saleh had said in July the government planned to sell as much as US$10bn in conventional and Islamic bonds in international markets to help plug Kuwait's budget deficit for the current fiscal year, which will end on March 31 . Several Gulf sovereigns have sold bonds in the international markets this year, led by Saudi Arabia's record breaking US$17.5bn triple-tranche offering in October. Other notable deals from Gulf sovereigns in 2016 include Oman's return after a 20-year absence, Qatar's US$9bn trade and Abu Dhabi's US$5bn transaction. Kuwait, however, will be a new name for investors, though corporates and banks from the country have outstanding US dollar bonds. This year holding company Kipco printed a US$500m 2023 bond at a yield of 5% in March, while Burgan Bank printed the first ever senior US dollar deal from a Kuwaiti bank in September. Burgan, Boubyan Bank and National Bank of Kuwait also have outstanding subordinated bonds. Timing for the sovereign's debut issuance remains unclear. Kuwait is rated Aa2 negative/AA stable/AA stable. (Reporting by Robert Hogg; editing by Alex Chambers and Sudip Roy) Commissioners weigh banning gun shows at Fairgrounds The city of Bremerton earlier this year made an agreement with the operator of its conference center to discontinue shows there as well. Photo taken on Nov. 28 shows 40 middle school students attending an archaeology course at Yuanmingyuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace, in Beijing. Zhang Zhonghua, an archaeologist with the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Relics, lectured at the head of the class, explaining basic archaeological knowledge to curious students. (Photo: Cui Nan/China News Services) Chris Trotter writes: BRYCE EDWARDS AND JOHN MOORE have taken the country-and-western melodies of populism and over-dubbed them with their own revolutionary lyrics. But, the resulting songs will never be sung by populists. Revolutionaries, too, are unlikely to find the Edwards/Moore mash-up inspirational. In the final analysis, revolution should be about overturning and replacing the existing order. Populism, in almost every instance, is about restoring the old one. This is a good point. Populists such as Peters and Trump love to hark back to the past. Which brings us, of course, to New Zealands present prime minister, John Key. For Edwards and Moore, Keys National-led Government is the establishment against which the flaming-torch-bearers and pitchfork-shakers of populism are massing menacingly. But in this they are, I believe, entirely mistaken. Key and his government remain preternaturally popular because they represent, for a substantial plurality of New Zealanders, the most persuasive attempt, so far, at describing what the national community of twenty-first-century New Zealand looks like. Keys version of the national community is animated by the same virtues of resilience, hard work and self-sufficiency that characterised its earlier iterations. Wrapped around these core attributes are the traditional benefits of a happy family life, a good education, gainful employment and home ownership. Ethnicity, gender and sexuality only matter on Planet Key when they become a barrier to accepting the values and aspirations of the average New Zealander. It was John Keys promise to make the nation once again recognisable to the average New Zealander that propelled him and his party into office in 2008. Like another extremely wealthy businessman-turned-politician we are all learning to live with, Keys message was one of restoration. Helen Clarks politically-correct, nanny-state establishment would be dismantled and replaced by the old order (tricked out for the punters in the glad rags of a brighter future). Busy-body public servants and the undeserving poor would be firmly but fairly put back in their proper places, and New Zealands rightful rulers would return to MAKE NEW ZEALAND [a] GREAT [place to bring up kids] AGAIN. This is what Edwards and Moore cannot seem to see. That an anti-establishment, authoritarian and nativist government actually took office more than eight years ago. That the national/National community is an accomplished political fact. That Populism has already won. Four students from Guangzhou Nanyang Polytechnic have invented a piece of equipment that can accomodate 12 cars while only taking up the space of two and a half cars. The equipment was granted a practical patent by Chinas State Intellectual Property Office last month. A photo of the model reveals a mini version of a ferris wheel. It has two components, each with six enclosed carriages. "The parking robot has combined a rotating structure with new technology. Its enclosed carriages offer rolling parking, which not only saves space but also adjusts parking locations based on users needs," said Zhou. The parking robot was inspired by ferris wheels at amusement parks. The team has four members. Design director Zhou Yubo is a junior in the university's electro-mechanical department. Zhou said the invention was developed from mechanical design homework he completed as a freshman. His parking robot was singled out by the teacher and he was asked to keep working on the design. It wasn't easy for the team to develop the robot from its original concept all the way into the version that just received a patent. They had to find parts in hardware stores, create components from scratch and even use 3-D printing technology. Guangzhou Nanyang Polytechnic promised to help the students transform their patent into a real, usable device. One member of the Philippine Presidential Security Group is injured in an ambush Tuesday morning in Marawi City and sent to hospital. [Photo: Chinanews.com] MANILA -- Seven members of the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) and two soldiers were injured in an ambush Tuesday morning in Marawi City which is due to be visited by President Duterte on Wednesday. Armed Forces public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the PSG men were on a convoy of military trucks with local troop escorts when they were hit by the improvised explosive device (IED) explosion at around 10:45 am in Barangay Matampay. PSG spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said it was still too early to say if the attack specifically targeted the president, or was a result of ongoing security-related operations in the area including the campaign against the Maute group. Duterte announced Monday that he would be going to Marawi to meet with the troops amidst the ongoing campaign of the government against the Maute group that occupied parts of Butig town in Lanao del Sur over the weekend. He was set to visit Marawi City on Nov. 30. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Maute Group may have mistaken the PSG personnel as government reinforcements in the ongoing military operations against the Maute group. "We do not have reasons to believe that they (PSG personnel) were the targets. Its just that they were onboard a military vehicle and probably the perpetrators, whoever they were, took advantage" he said. Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) Chairman Shin Myoung-jin speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the KOIMA building in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Lee Hyo-sik The association of 8,000 importers here will send a trade delegation to the United States and take other steps to ease growing U.S. pressure on Korea to import more from, and export less to, the world's largest economy, its representative said Tuesday. In an interview with The Korea Times, Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) Chairman Shin Myoung-jin said he will lead the delegation, vowing to play a crucial role in defending Korea's interests in a possible looming trade battle with the United States. "Everybody is concerned that Korea's outbound shipments to its second largest export market could decline after Donald Trump becomes the U.S. president next January," Shin said. "Korea will certainly face growing pressure to import more from the United States. As a preemptive step, KOIMA is encouraging its members to increase imports so that local exporters will be hit less by Trump's protectionist trade policies." The chairman, who took office March 1, said he has been organizing the delegation, stressing that it will change the perception of Korea among U.S. politicians and businessmen that Asia's fourth-largest economy imports as much as it exports to the United States. "Our member firms, who account for more than 85 percent of Korea's imports, are moving to conduct more dealings with U.S. firms. This will significantly help alleviate any looming trade pressure on the country," Shin said. "We want the public to know that importers are as important as exporters for open economies like Korea." The country must import raw materials and other items to manufacture a range of industrial products and ship them to foreign markets, the chairman said, stressing that importers are the backbone of its trade-oriented economy. "KOIMA and its members have been underrated over the years. I think it is time for us to step up efforts to publicize who we are and what we do. When people know what role we play, KOIMA will be able to do more to support its member companies and create a more favorable trade environment for local exporters," Shin said. The association has also been acting as a gateway to Korea for foreign companies looking to do business in Asia's fourth-largest economy. "KOIMA is the most frequently visited business association by foreign envoys here because many companies in their home countries want to export goods to Korea," the chairman said. "In addition, many trade ministers and other government officials visiting Korea come to us to find new business opportunities for their firms back home. KOIMA members wield huge buying power but only a few people know this." KOIMA, established in 1970, expects more than 250 foreign envoys and heads of its member firms will attend its 46th anniversary celebration, Dec. 13. "Of the 103 foreign ambassadors to Korea, we expect about 60 to attend the event, showing our close relations with the foreign diplomatic community," he said. "KOIMA will continue to nurture win-win partnerships with the foreign envoys, as well as create new opportunities for our members and their foreign partners." Shin then called on the government to extend more support to KOIMA, stressing that it works hard to improve Korea's trade imbalance with its partners. "The country's many trade partners complain about their trade deficits with Korea. That's where importers come in and balance the trade to a certain degree," the chairman said. "KOIMA has dispatched groups of importers to many countries that post chronic trade deficits with Korea. Our members' dealings have smoothed their complaints and improve the business environment for local exporters. The government should extend greater financial and other support so that we can do more." By Jhoo Dong-chan The Korean branches of Nissan, BMW and Porsche allegedly obtained sales approval for their vehicles by submitting "false reports" to the government. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) said in a press release Tuesday that a total of 10 models one from BMW, two from Nissan and seven from Porsche Korea models were involved. "However, we can't say at this point whether their reports were intentionally fabricated," a ministry official said. The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), a ministerial agency in charge of vehicle inspections, said it will hold a hearing on the cases in mid-December. The MOE will then decide on whether to impose punitive measures, including levying fines or a sales ban on the affected models, based on the degree of any wrongdoing. Of the three brands, Porsche Korea voluntarily spoke of its false reports to the prosecution and the ministry during a NIER inspection. Porsche is one of the Volkswagen Group's affiliates, and has been long suspected of possible emissions cheating similar to its parent company. Its seven models the Macan S Diesel, Cayenne SE Hybrid, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne GTS, 918 Spider, 911 GT3 and Panamera SE Hybrid were found to have defects in their certification documents. Nissan Korea's affected models are the Infiniti Q50 and Qashqai. A NIER official said Nissan Korea is most likely to have "cheated" on emissions tests. "Nissan Korea said in documents that it carried out emissions test for the Infiniti Q50 in Japan. Based on our investigation, the model has never undergone such a test in Japan," he said. "We will hear from them soon, but the evidence is quite solid." For BMW Korea, it allegedly used data of the X6 M SUV model for the X5 M certification process. BMW Korea said they used the same data because the two models share the same engine and emissions reduction device. The German automaker's local unit said they will explain further at the hearing. The two models do share the same engine and emissions reduction device, but the design and weight are different. Finding that Volkswagen obtained sales approvals for its vehicle by using faked reports on noise levels, fuel efficiency and emissions results, the MOE banned sales of the German carmaker's 80 models and revoked their certifications in August. It also carried out inspections on 23 foreign carmakers to check whether they obtained sales approvals in a similar manner. By Nam Hyun-woo The Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. (KDIC) said Tuesday it will pay deposit insurance benefits to clients within seven days inthe case of savings banks they deposited get suspended. The KDIC announced that 12 savings banks here have launched an integrated deposit guarantee network system. Of 79 savings banks here, the 12 had been running their own individual networks. By integrating their networks, the savings banks will deliver their financial information to the KDIC, which allows the state-run deposit insurer to shorten the period for calculating deposit benefits to within seven days. Currently, it takes up to five months for depositors to receive their deposit benefits when a savings bank they transact with is suspended from operation. In 2008, 67 savings banks provided a deposit guarantee system using the Korea Federation of Savings Banks' computer network, but the remaining 12 used their own deposit guarantee networks. This has caused concerns over potential delays in delivering deposit insurance benefits to clients. Last December the KDIC signed a deal with those banks to develop an integrated network for them and announced the completion on Tuesday. "By setting up the network, the KDIC could enhance its guarantee scheme and better meet international standards," an official at the KDIC said. Mariss Jansons / Courtesy of Vincero By Yun Suh-young Mariss Jansons will conduct the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) on Dec. 4 and 5 at Seoul Arts Center. It is his third visit to Seoul in four years since his 2012 and 2014 visits with the BRSO and his sixth visit in total since his Korea debut in 1992. This is also his second performance in Korea with violinist Gil Shaham following their 2010 collaboration with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Gil Shaham will be performing on Dec. 4. The Dec. 4 repertoire includes Beethoven Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 and Stravinsky Firebird Suite No. 3 (1945 version). On Dec. 5, Jansons will stage Haydn Symphony No. 100 in G Major, Hob.I:100 "Military" and R. Strauss' An Alpine Symphony (Eine Alpensinfonie), Op. 64. Shaham who will be playing on Dec. 4 has performed several times with the Latvian conductor and retains the same high quality in his performances in comparison to violinists of similar age. He has released 30 albums but has never recorded a Beethoven Violin Concerto and the live performance will be a unique opportunity. Firebird, the main repertoire for Sunday, is one of the most noted works by Stravinsky that brought him fame. For the audience, it will be an interesting opportunity to compare BRSO's performance with the Stravinsky performances of other German philharmonic orchestras. Through the previous two performances in Korea, the BRSO proved to Korean audiences that the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is not the only great orchestra from Germany. The BRSO's bright resonance, a unique color of southern Germany, distinguishes them from orchestras from other regions of Germany. "Military" by Haydn, a composition that boasts softness and wit, has been released as an album by Jansons and the BRSO. Strauss' "Alpine Symphony" maximizes the technical skills of the BRSO and shows the conducting mastery of Jansons. Jansons is known as a Strauss expert for his unique approach of seeing the big picture instead of focusing on details. Jansons mentioned in a previous interview with the media that Strauss is one of the composers he respects most and that he feels excited every time he performs Strauss. Jansons joined the BRSO as a permanent conductor in 2003 and is still active in the global arena at the age of 73. He also worked with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (2004-2015), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (1997-2004), London Philharmonic Orchestra (1992-1997), and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (1979-2002). Jansons completed his musical education at the Leningrad Conservatory in violin, piano and conducting and studied in Vienna under Hans Swarowsky and in Salzburg under Herbert von Karajan. In 1971, he won second prize at the Karajan International Conducting Competition and the same year was appointed to assistant conductor of the Leningrad Philharmonic with recommendation from Evgeny Mravinsky. Since then he took up several posts within the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. The following is the President Park Geun-hye's complete speech in her national address from Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 29. ED. Dear respected citizens, Once again, I apologize for causing you enormous troubles because of my carelessness. As I see the citizens suffering heartache due to this issue, I think it is evident that I must apologize even hundreds of times. But despite such efforts, all the disappointment and fury that I have caused you cannot be resolved and that wrenches my heart. Citizens, as I recall the past 18 years that I spent with you, the time has been all the more thankful and precious. From 1998, when I began politicking for my inauguration as the President and finally to this very moment, I have invested all my efforts in serving the country and citizens. Not for a single moment have I ever pursued my own interest, nor even thought about it. The series of events that have occurred now are a result of my pursuit of public benefit for the nation. And I did not take a single benefit during the process. By Jung Min-ho Hyun Ki-hwan A former presidential secretary has been questioned by the prosecution over alleged corruption involving a large-scale construction project in Busan. If the allegation is proven true and other government officials are found to be involved, this could become another critical blow to the Park Geun-hye administration, which is already reeling from the "Choi Soon-sil scandal." Hyun Ki-hwan, who served as senior presidential secretary between July 2015 and this June, was questioned at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, Tuesday, over the allegations that he received bribes from Cheongan Construction CEO Lee Young-bok in return for removing administrative barriers to help construct LCT, a complex of skyscrapers in Busan. The residential and commercial complex with a 101-story building near Haeundae Beach was permitted on the site, where residential buildings were not previously allowed, and was largely paid for by foreigners who wanted investment immigration to Korea thanks to the exceptional approval by Busan Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Justice. Prosecutors believe that Hyun, who was also a Busan-based lawmaker from 2008 to 2012, was behind the dubious project, which is expected to be completed in 2019. Prosecutors reportedly confirmed that Hyun received cash and expensive gifts from Lee. But Hyun and Lee have claimed the cash and gifts were not for any specific favors, in an apparent attempt to avoid bribery charges. Lee has already been indicted on charges of siphoning off 70.5 billion won ($60 million) from the company. The dramatic part of the so-called LCT corruption scandal may not have unfolded yet. Many believe that Hyun is one of many politicians lobbied by the businessman. It is said the prosecution has already secured a list of dozens of politicians and high-ranking government officials suspected of receiving bribes from Lee from the mid-2000s until recently. Prosecutors are now analyzing all the evidence to get a clear picture of the alleged crime and how many people have been involved. Ban Ki-moon By Yi Whan-woo U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will return to Korea on Jan. 22 at the earliest after his U.N. tenure expires in December, sources said Tuesday. Without elaborating, the sources said Ban may deliver a message to the public upon his return, which is likely to rekindle speculation over his possible presidential bid. Ban's bid has reportedly been backed by President Park Geun-hye and her supporters in the ruling Saenuri Party. "Ban does not want to be viewed as affiliated with a specific political faction," a source said. If this is true, Ban may try to distance himself from Park, who has been under mounting calls to resign over a corruption scandal surrounding her and her friend Choi Soon-sil. Ban's popularity has been falling as well in recent polls on potential presidential candidates after the scandal erupted in late October. "It will take about two to three weeks for him to return to Seoul after his U.N. term ends because he will still need to wrap up lots of other things after that," a source said. "He may come to Seoul on Jan. 22 at the earliest or Jan. 25 at the latest. He will make an announcement immediately upon his return." Some sources speculated Ban will mainly focus on reporting his work at the U.N. in his message, although he may also address issues in Korean politics. The outgoing U.N. chief expressed "deep concerns" about the domestic political situation, according to the sources. Ban repeatedly left open the possibility of his 2017 presidential bid, fueling speculation he may run in the election as a pro-Park candidate for the Saenuri Party. But he does not want to be categorized as a member of a certain political faction, the sources said. Ban won support of 18.1 percent in a survey conducted by JoongAng Ilbo last week of potential presidential candidates. He trailed former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, Moon Jae-in, who garnered 21.5 percent. In a September poll, Ban had 32.7 percent support against Moon's 17.3 percent. Ban plans to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during his remaining term to discuss security issues on the Korean Peninsula and global climate change, according to some Korean lawmakers, Sunday. They were among the Korean delegation who attended the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Morocco on Nov. 22. By Kim Bo-eun Controversy is growing over two military nurses who were working at Cheong Wa Dae on the day of the Sewol ferry disaster. This is in relation to President Park Geun-hye's seven hour absence from her official duty that day. The issue surrounding the nurses is based on suspicions that Park was receiving a cosmetic procedure at the presidential office on the day of the deadly Sewol disaster on April 16, 2014. She was unable to explain her absence during the critical hours immediately after the incident occurred. Cheong Wa Dae had initially denied a report from a local broadcaster that there was a record of entry of the military nurses from the Armed Forces Medical Command to the presidential office on the day of the disaster. However, the Ministry of National Defense said Monday that military nurses work at the presidential office every day. "The nurses were not dispatched, but worked there as regular staffers," defense ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said. However, Moon declined to elaborate as to why Cheong Wa Dae needed them to work there. Cheong Wa Dae acknowledged Tuesday that this was true. "We said there was no entry record of the military nurses because they work here," presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said. He added, "Neither of the two nurses or any other medical staffers performed any procedures on the President that day." This account has only added greater suspicion as to why Cheong Wa Dae is giving such inconsistent explanations. Last week the presidential office issued a refutation of rumors with a timeline of the President's reaction to the ferry disaster. However, the explanation only generated greater suspicion, as it showed she only received reports via phone calls and documents and did not convene an emergency meeting for seven hours. Suspicions about the military nurses' involvement in a cosmetic procedure arose after a former doctor from Chaum, an anti-aging clinic, who allegedly prescribed Park's medication to her scandal-ridden confidant Choi Soon-sil, said that military nurses were in charge of giving intravenous shots to the President. The doctor, Kim Sang-man, who became a medical advisor to the President, said he sometimes went to Cheong Wa Dae to give Park injections. Meanwhile, the military nurses have not provided their account, as one is receiving training in the U.S. and another is working at a provincial hospital. Suspicions have also been raised that the nurse who is overseas was provided favors in being selected for the training because she worked for the presidential office. The defense ministry dismissed this allegation. Rep. Choo Mi-ae, third from right, chairwoman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and other DPK lawmakers sign a motion at the National Assembly Tuesday to impeach President Park Geun-hye, after watching Park's national address. The opposition bloc is likely to put the impeachment motion to a parliamentary vote Friday. / Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo President Park Geun-hye is highly unlikely to finish her term, so political parties must begin preparing for an early presidential vote, analysts said Tuesday. Park indicated Tuesday in a national address she will not step down voluntarily, but said she will quit if the National Assembly reaches an agreement on the transfer of power. The opposition parties plan to submit a motion to impeach Park. Whatever the case, Park is not likely to complete her term that is scheduled to end in February 2018, so the country needs to hold a presidential election earlier than December 2017 when it is scheduled, analysts said. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and two minor opposition parties _ the People's Party and the Justice Party _ have been calling for Park's resignation and impeachment over the corruption scandal surrounding her confidant Choi Soon-sil. "Given the circumstances, Park will not be able to complete her five-year presidency in February 2018, meaning an early presidential election will be inevitable," said a law school professor at Sogang University, asking not to be named. He speculated that a presidential election could take place as early as April. "The parties will need at least a couple of months to hold a primary, pick their presidential candidates and run a presidential campaign," he said. By Kim Hyo-jin The opposition parties are to push for a National Assembly vote to impeach President Park Geun-hye, Friday, despite her proposal to step down according to a schedule and procedure determined by the parliament. The parties interpreted this as a tactic to delay the vote, saying that they will move ahead as scheduled. "When unconditional resignation is the only way to normalize state affairs, the President did not mention it and instead shifted the responsibility onto the National Assembly. It is a mere strategy to disturb the ongoing move toward impeachment," main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae said during an emergency party meeting. "We will never falter in pushing for the impeachment process." Rep. Park Jie-won, interim leader of the minor opposition People's Party, also reiterated the party's intention to push for the impeachment. "President Park said she will follow the National Assembly's decision, knowing that the opposition cannot make any agreement with the current pro-Park leadership of the ruling party," he said on a Facebook post. "We will just proceed with the impeachment along with other opposition parties and conscientious Saenuri Party lawmakers." The remarks came after the President said in her third public address that she would follow any Assembly decision including the shortening of her presidency. Park has been under pressure from the opposition parties and the public to resign due to the corruption scandal involving her and her friend Choi Soon-sil. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: The sixth meeting of the Azerbaijan-UAE intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation has been postponed, Azerbaijans Ambassador to the UAE Dashgin Shikarov told Trend. The UAE government offers to hold the meeting in January 2017. The exact dates of the meeting will be specified later through diplomatic channels. Earlier, it was planned to hold the meeting on Nov. 28-29 in Abu Dhabi. Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev and the UAE Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri are co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission. It is expected that the meetings agenda will include discussions on prospects of development of the cooperation in trade and economy, in particular mutual investments, cooperation in transportation, information and communications, tourism and other spheres. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UAE stood at $50.6 million in January-July 2016, an increase by more than 40 percent as compared to the same period of 2015, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. President Park Geun-hye leaves the Cheong Wa Dae briefing room, Tuesday, after delivering a national address that she would follow any National Assembly decision on whether she should step down. / Yonhap President's gambit distracts lawmakers from impeachment By Jun Ji-hye President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she will leave the decision on the timing and method of her resignation up to the National Assembly, rejecting calls for her to step down immediately. In response, the opposition parties criticized her, saying she was attempting to delay a parliamentary vote on impeaching her and hang on to power. They added she must resign voluntarily and "stop playing tricks." In her third address to the nation since the corruption scandal involving her and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil erupted in late October, Park said she will follow any measures drawn up by the Assembly to minimize any confusion arising from the unexpected transition of government. "I will leave all decisions, including the shortening of my presidential term, up to the Assembly," she said. "Once the ruling and opposition parties draw up a measure to stably turn over the reins of government, I will step down from the office in line with that timetable and legal procedures." Park's term ends in February, 2018. The remarks were construed as Park calling on the Assembly to determine the details to follow before her resignation, such as selecting a bipartisan prime minister who will lead the interim Cabinet and arranging the schedule for an early presidential election. As Park was leaving the briefing room after finishing the 5-minute speech, several reporters attempted to ask questions. One reporter asked: "Do you admit to the prosecution's allegation that you are a co-conspirator in the scandal?" To the question, she made no comment, but only said: "I will reveal the details soon. You can ask questions, then." A Cheong Wa Dae official later said Park will hold a press conference very soon possibly next week. People watch President Park Geun-hye's televised address to the nation over a political scandal involving her and her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil at Seoul Station, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Kim Jae-kyoung Robert Schwarz SINGAPORE President Park Geun-hye should submit to questioning over allegations that she allowed her friend Choi Soon-sil to meddle in state affairs and extort millions of dollars from conglomerates, according to a German expert on democracy and governance. Robert Schwarz, a project manager at Bertelsmann Stiftung, a private research foundation based in Germany called for the prosecution to investigate President Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil in a proper manner in order to get the country back on track. "The scale of alleged crimes makes it hard to believe that people around the President had no clue. The investigation of Choi should be conducted properly and in due time," he said in an interview. "But it would be even more important that the President complies with the judicial authorities. The real scandal is that President Park gave someone like Choi access to the highest political and economic spheres of power in the first place." Citing her record low approval rating which fell to 4 percent last week, Schwarz said that President Park should step down as soon as possible. At a speech to the public, Park made it clear Tuesday that she will not step down on her own. She said she will follow the National Assembly's decision. "If recent reports incriminating President Park of complicity with Choi's actions prove true, I see no politically feasible alternative to her resignation," he said. He pointed out that delaying this will only buy her a few months time until the investigation against her opens. "She has no political capital left worth clinging to power to until the very last day of her five-year term," he said. "Whether she is personally capable of realizing this, is an entirely other matter." In order to fix the ongoing political mess and help the country move forward, he said that the political and economic elite should first win back trust. "In the short term, the judicial fallout from the investigations into the political scandal, including those targeting the current president herself, should be respected," he said. He believes that any deals with potential successors allowing Park to escape judicial indictment would further damage public confidence in the political system. "In the medium term, bipartisan agreement on constitutional reform curbing the power of the president is needed," he added. "Finally, somebody else has to fulfill Park's original campaign promise of economic democratization." Schwarz, who was previously a research fellow with the Korea Foundation, stressed that Park should take the candlelit protests more seriously. "The massive rallies are a remarkable wake-up call for the country. A strong civil society is the backbone of Korean democracy, especially in times like these," he said. "Obviously it is one thing for people to mobilize against an incompetent president, but another thing to bridge interests and ideological differences across the political spectrum for a shared positive vision." Schwarz said Korea has taken a detour on its road toward full democratic consolidation. "The corruption charges against some of President Park's closest aides and involving senior big business leaders have exacerbated the already existing public distrust in political and economic institutions," he said. Since 2006, the research firm has released the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), the only cross-nation index that analyzes and monitors the quality of democracy, the market economy and governance in 129 developing and transformation countries on a regular basis. Schwarz pointed out that the quality of Korea's democracy had been worsening before the Park administration, citing the 2016 BTI. "We have noted a decline of certain democratic qualities since the Lee administration took office in 2008," he said. "This concerns a wide array of issues ranging from government meddling with staffing policies of TV broadcasters to the National Intelligence Service's (NIS) interference in the previous presidential election," he added. "In light of these developments, many Koreans disapprove of existing democratic institutions." The BTI assessments are based on country reports authored by 250 experts from top international universities and think tanks. In its 2016 report on South Korea, the firm highlighted President Park's non-delivery on campaign promises and insufficient policy communication as negative governance results, and the limitation of democratic and civil rights. Park Young-soo and Cho Seung-shik South Korea's opposition parties on Tuesday recommended two former prosecutors as candidates for the independent counsel to investigate an influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidante. The main opposition Democratic Party and the splinter People's Party said they have picked lawyers Cho Seung-shik and Park Young-soo. The president is supposed to select one by Friday. Her spokesman said she will finalize the appointment without any delay. Prosecutors have named the president as an accomplice in the case centering on her confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of meddling in state affairs and pressuring businesses to donate to nonprofit organizations she controlled. The independent investigation team, consisting of 105 members including 20 prosecutors, is expected to begin work next month. It has a mandate to investigate the case for 90 days, which can be extended by 30 days. (Yonhap) By Kim Bo-eun, Kim Se-jeong President Park Geun-hye's address to the people Tuesday failed to quell public anger as her third apology was not seen as sincere in the eyes of most people. In the nationally televised speech about the influence-peddling scandal surrounding her confidant Choi Soon-sil, Park implied that she believes she herself did not commit any wrongdoing and will not willingly step down. The President's remarks came even after the prosecution labeled her as an accomplice and criminal suspect in Choi's extorting funds from conglomerates for Choi's benefit and for letting her see state documents. "I have never worked for my personal interest, but for the country and its people for the past 18 years since I became a lawmaker," Park said. "The series of events that have occurred are a result of my pursuit of good for the nation. And I did not take the slightest bit of benefit during the process." This showed little change in her recognition of the scandal from the previous speech 25 days ago, when she also said that a few figures around her sought personal profit. "Saying she only worked for the country and never pursued her own interests it's remarkable how she has not changed one bit since the scandal broke out," said Park Soo-yeon, a 26-year-old in Seoul. Another office worker surnamed Jin, 31, said, "I was absolutely shocked that she said she had never pursued her personal interest. How could she say that after all the media reports on massive corruption allegations?" Ahn Jin-geol, secretary-general of the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, said, "She is deceiving the people again with excuses. It was all clearly disclosed that Park is the main culprit, but she is still blaming others. Who will believe her?" Park said she will leave it up to the National Assembly to decide on whether she should resign. The Assembly is moving to vote on an impeachment motion against Park as early as Friday. The President said she would give a detailed explanation about the corruption allegations later, indicating she would allow questioning by an independent counsel who is set to start work in December. Opposition parties recommended two former prosecutors as candidates for the counsel lawyers Cho Seung-shik and Park Young-soo and the President must select one by Friday. Many citizens said that referring the decision on resignation to the Assembly was just a tactic to buy time. "She says it's not her fault. And she says she'll follow the Assembly's decision concerning her fate. She doesn't look like a leader at all," said Suh Young-a, a graduate student from Daejeon. "It is very irresponsible of her to leave her resignation up to the Assembly. It is as if she will merely sit there and watch lawmakers fight," said Lee Min-soo, a 27-year-old office worker in Seoul. The people still want the Assembly to push for her impeachment and have vowed to continue candlelit protests. "What she seems to want is to move pro-impeachment lawmakers' minds. Her speech makes me want to go to the rallies until she gets impeached," Roh Jang-ho, 32, from Seoul, said. "Park can resist the Assembly's decision just as she broke her promise to comply with the prosecution's investigation." "I know the ruling Saenuri Party has something else in mind, but don't forget that people are watching you," a Facebook user surnamed Hong wrote on a news feed. The President refused the prosecution's final call for face-to-face questioning the previous day. Prosecutors indirectly denounced Park's comment that she promoted projects for the public good and did not seek anything for her personal benefit. "Please read the indictment documents of Choi and other figures involved," a prosecutor said. In the documents, prosecutors stated that Park was an accomplice. By John Redmond The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (CanCham Korea) will host a breakfast session titled "Business without Borders" at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, Dec. 9. The event will feature Christopher K. Wood, general manager of Estee Lauder Korea (ELCA Korea), who will share his insights and knowledge in marketing through a presentation. Wood has spent about 30 years in the field of prestige cosmetics and has served as general manager of ELCA Korea for 10 years. Formed in 1995, CanCham Korea is a member-driven, nonprofit organization that provides an extensive networking platform for its members with business interests in Canada, Korea and the broader Asia-Pacific region. The session is from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. It costs 50,000 won for members and 60,000 won for nonmembers. Payment must be made by Dec 6. Visit canchamkorea.org or email info@canchamkorea.org or rsvp@canchamkorea.org for more information. Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson By Jun Ji-hye U.S. defense corporation Lockheed Martin has denied allegations it has been helped by the scandal-ridden confidant of President Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil, in receiving business favors from the Park government. In a statement sent to The Korea Times, Tuesday, the company said recent reports claiming Lockheed has had engagements with Choi or Linda Kim with regards to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) or F-35 fighter jets were "false." Linda Kim was an influential arms lobbyist until the early 2000s, and is suspected of being a friend of Choi. "Lockheed Martin would like to clarify that our Chairman, President and CEO Ms. Marillyn Hewson has never visited Korea and has never met with Choi Soon-sil," the statement said. "We also refute the allegations that Lockheed Martin paid for a go-between to stay in the United States six years ago." The U.N. Security Council plans to adopt a new package of sanctions on North Korea on Wednesday with a focus on significantly cutting the North's exports of coal, a key source of hard currency for the regime, a report said. The United States and China worked out the resolution last week after months of negotiations. It has since been circulated among other members of the 15-member council, including the three other veto-holding permanent members, Britain, France and Russia. Wednesday's session is expected to be a formality as all have agreed to the resolution, sources said. According to Reuters, the new sanctions center on putting a cap on North Korea's total exports of coal at 7.5 million tons or $400.9 million. That would represent more than a 60 percent or some $700 million cut in the North's annual exports of coal, one of the biggest sources of foreign revenues. The resolution also added copper, nickel, silver and zinc to the list of minerals the North is banned from exporting. The previous resolution, adopted in March in response to the North's fourth nuclear test, banned exports of coal, gold, titanium, vanadium and rare earth metals. In addition, the resolution tightens screws in the maritime and financial sectors, which could cut the North's revenues by about $100 million a year, according to the report. In total, the resolution could reduce the North's annual revenues by $800 million, the report said. The new resolution also imposes sanctions on 11 North Korean officials and 10 entities, including Pyongyang's ambassadors to Egypt and Myanmar, and bans the North's exports of statues, another source of foreign money, according to the report. It also requires U.N. member nations to reduce the number of officials at North Korea's foreign missions and limit the number of bank accounts to one per North Korean diplomatic mission and one per diplomat, according to the report. Should the resolution be adopted as scheduled on Wednesday, it would come 82 days after the North's fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9. That underlines the difficulty in persuading China to agree to strong sanctions on its provocative communist neighbor. After the North's fifth nuclear test, the Security Council immediately vowed to impose fresh sanctions on Pyongyang, but has been unable to do so as the U.S. and China have struggled to narrow differences on how strong new sanctions should be. The main point of contention in the negotiations was the U.S. demand for banning all of North Korea's exports of coal, including exports for "livelihood purposes," which was excluded in the previous sanctions. Closing the loophole was the main U.S. goal in the negotiations, but China has balked at it. (Yonhap) By Dan Paul Rose What goes best with kimchi? All variables aside, let's be optimists. Let's be reasonable to real, but let's remain positive. Because if I don't like it, I should leave instead of bellyaching and blurting, "We don't do it that way back home." Be advised this writer is not at home. That's okay, and by choice. I'm in South Korea. I'm part of this culture that prizes straight-As on the report card, respect for elders and inexpensive mass transit. It also likes to drink soju en masse. Nothing wrong with that; it's for those who are still captivated by marketing myths. I meant "realistic" when I used the word real. Moreover, I've been pondering two aspects of Korean life I most admire. First and simply, I love Korean BBQ. This style of eating is interactive. Everyone helps out cooking at the table, or should. It's also a great opportunity to learn some practical Korean phrases, such as, "give me some more," or, for the advanced foreigner, "that's so delicious with roasted garlic inside those sesame leaves." I know BBQ is a national pastime, and now I know why. It's very communal. Recently I celebrated a Chinese friend's birthday with a Greek colleague and a North Korean transplant over samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), and we couldn't have been more satiated. Second, the safety issue is to be duly noted. A pack of middle school girls coming home at 10 p.m. after their private lessons with no chaperone, no fear and little risk of a dangerous weirdo crossing their path at the last dark intersection, is impressive. It's truly commendable, and an honorable testament to this culture. This happens primarily because South Korea is one of the most homogenous countries on earth. You are all Korean, for the most part. I'm Caucasian, but you'd be hard-pressed to know from my appearance that I'm a mix of four distinct European cultures who, like Korea and Japan, are not always so amicable. Being the same instills a national family atmosphere. Even if Koreans are not always friendly to each other, they generally don't walk away from a heated dispute mumbling, "Damn those Koreans! Why don't they go back home?" Security is what occurs in the absence of guns and drugs. There are no thugs, no gangs, to my visible knowledge. Could you imagine strolling through Gangnam on a Saturday night chock-full of uniquely clad, fully armed gang members? It would be an ugly and surreal scene. Visit the south side of Chicago where Obama lived, and you'll get a pretty nasty view of it. If Koreans manage to keep out the drugs and guns, they'll surely remain a more civil society. Let them in, and before long, all hell breaks loose, because drugs and guns are a bad marriage of two destructive forces. Having the U.S. military here is not absolutely necessary, but as of this morning, it's prudent, seeing the position North Korea has put itself in. Kim Jong-un is a ruthless dictator who will eventually be usurped by a coup within North Korea. That's my prediction and hope. Failed states can't last forever. Kim Jong-un has nothing to gain from democratization and everything to lose, so don't anticipate a renaissance of thinking on his part. He's a caricature trapped in his own bleak story. But as his childhood Japanese sushi chef confided, and I paraphrase, Kim is not the smartest person in the room, nor is he suicidal. He knows he can't win a shootout with the West. Conclusion? Don't worry too much about him. Besides, I generally trust people like the Japanese chef who has nothing to gain from sharing his insights, no axe to grind and years of firsthand knowledge with the Dear Leader. Then again, who knows for certain about this Kim lineage? In my experience the U.S. military members I've met are exemplary people, and often sensitive individuals. We could wander and argue endlessly in the wide pastures of politics, but the U.S. military is here foremost to keep South Korea safe and stable from its northern neighbor. It's a security blanket for South Korea, and a strategic outpost for the Americans: a mutual benefit. Finally, in liking I see it's universal for all Koreans: Everything goes with kimchi. The writer is an English instructor at Yongin University. Write to danpaulrose@hotmail.com. By Lee Seong-hyon The existing paradigm of U.S.-China relations was largely observed and analyzed in the context of "China's rise" (zhongguo de jueqi), where China's actions challenged American supremacy. The election of Trump, who is difficult to predict and has changed his campaign pledges as many as 141 times, may mean that Sino-American relations, from now on, are likely to be driven by U.S. variables rather than Chinese variables. The temptation by China's strategic community in seeing the politically inexperienced Trump as "an easy game" adds complications. The direction of the relationship between the U.S. and China under Trump can be largely determined by the following three elements: the gap between Trump's words and actual policy, relational dynamics between Trump and his advisers and China's inevitable temptation to test Trump who has no political experience. Many Chinese experts expect Trump will be more focused on domestic politics and therefore he won't spare much time in power competition with China or critiquing China's human rights issues. With Trump primarily minding his own business, China will be less under U.S. adult supervision and have more breathing room that may foster China's rise, their thinking goes. They expect the two sides will reach agreements more easily in areas of disagreements too. Essentially, China sees Trump as someone with whom they can conduct business with and make a "deal" at least easier than with Hillary Clinton. There is a view in China that a "coarse merchant" (culu de shangren) is easier to deal with than a "hypocritical politician" (xuwei de zhengzhijia). Many Chinese scholars also argue that Trump's decision to designate China as a currency manipulator and slap a hefty 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports was simply a campaign message for American voters. A barking dog never bites, they say. Taken together, China sees the Trump administration as a rare historic opportunity to promote the shift of power in U.S.-China relations. "China has finally got a chance to lead," a Chinese observer said. Trump, however, may not turn out to be the pushover as China expects. Trump's political mentor, Peter Navarro, explains Trump's foreign policy this way. Trump took a very critical stance on Obama's "pivot to Asia" policy, not because it was done, but because it was done not strong enough. As a result, he argued, Obama incurred China's challenge to American supremacy. The Trump camp accused Obama of "talking loudly but carrying a small stick" with China. In particular, Trump, who labeled Obama as the "worst president" during his presidential campaign, may try to differentiate himself from Obama during his first few months in office. Trump emphasized he would "rebuild the military" and advocated for a "strong America" and "strong military," as part of his motto to "make America great again." Trump is renowned for changing his words, but it is worth noting that he has been highly consistent in his commitment to building a strong military. Some argue Trump's view is aligned with the traditional Republican ideological orientation, especially Ronald Reagan's, to maintain "peace through strength." Trump himself also used this term in his Sept. 7 speech. It would be however reasonable to believe that Trump's views reflect his own personal trait for venerating "power," rather than Republican values. It should be remembered that Trump used to be a Democrat. For instance, when the Chinese People's Liberation Army suppressed citizens during the 1989 Tiananmen Incident, Trump blurted a sense of inadequate awe when he said: "That showed you the power of strength." To North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, Trump also said Kim deserves "credit" for how he took over the country at such a young age. It would be reasonable to analyze Trump as a person with a Machiavellian spirit who is vindictive about absolute and strong power, not based on ideology or that he is sympathizing with communism or dictatorship. He simply admires power and control. This also matches Trump's style of business negotiation. He is not an ideal sage who pursues a win-win, but a brutal realist who wants to be a winner who takes it all. Books based on the retrospective recollections by people who knew him also portray him as self-centered, with a strong desire to pursue his interests and control others rather than cooperate. There is a view in China that Trump pursues "isolationism" and will be focused on the development of the country. If the U.S. intervention tendency in international conflicts such as the South China Sea is trimmed under Trump, this will naturally make room for China's expansion. However, the United States of Trump that admires "power" is still likely to continue the "unipolar supremacy strategy." Trump's vision is to make America so strong, that China will not even try to challenge the U.S. An implication for South Korea is that Trump, who reveres power, is likely to continue the U.S. monolithic hegemonic strategy. The key to this strategy is to maintain a global military alliance and leverage the U.S. leadership by ratcheting up the alliances' burden-sharing costs. If that is the case, Trump's America is likely to maintain U.S. forces in South Korea yet ask for an increase in the maintenance costs. Lee Seong-hyon, Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. Reach him at sunnybbsfs@gmail.com The Ministry of Education has unveiled the draft versions of state-authored history textbooks one year after it announced plans to require schools to use only state-issued books. In a press conference Monday, Education Minister Lee Jun-sik said the new textbooks will help students have a balanced view of the state, noting that they are based on historical facts and constitutional values. But the drafts drew criticism for highlighting the achievements of former dictator Park Chung-hee, the father of the incumbent President Park Geun-hye, while neglecting descriptions of his brutal autocracy and pro-Japanese record. The list of writers for the new textbooks also included mostly right-wing scholars and teachers, prompting criticism that they are dedicated to the senior Park, prepared by his daughter. The new state-authored history textbooks are meaningful, given that privately published textbooks have been criticized for being biased to the left. Some of the current books define the Republic of Korea as having a failed history led by pro-Japanese collaborators and those who helped prolong dictatorships. The books are also accused of being too uncritical of North Korea, with one textbook using the term "dictatorial" only twice when writing about the North, but 28 times about South Korea. The new textbooks are not without problems. Among other things, they describe South Korea as being founded on Aug. 15 1948, three years after its liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. This unnerved liberal scholars who believe that the country was established in Shanghai in 1919 as a provisional government. The education ministry said it will adhere to its earlier plan to adopt the state-issued textbooks after collecting feedback from the public. But it's doubtful if such a plan is feasible, considering the people's strong antipathy toward President Park's signature policies amid the unprecedented corruption and influence-peddling scandal. But it was anachronistic from the outset for the government to try to monopolize an interpretation of history by "nationalizing" textbooks. So the education ministry needs to abolish the new textbooks sooner rather than later. To resolve the controversy over ideological biases in textbooks, it's necessary to strengthen the verification procedure of privately published books. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Azerbaijan and Mexico are successfully cooperating in trade, Mexican ambassador to Azerbaijan Rodrigo Labardini said at a press-conference in Baku Nov. 29. Labardini recalled that the Azerbaijani embassy opened in Mexico in 2007, while the Mexican embassy in Azerbaijan launched its activity in 2014. The ambassador said that the opening of diplomatic missions contributed to an increase in the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Mexico. By reaching its peak after the opening of embassies, the trade volume between Azerbaijan and Mexico remains at a high level, he said. Labardini recalled that according to the Azerbaijani side, the mutual trade between Azerbaijan and Mexico amounted to about $22 million in 2015. He said that Mexico ranks second in the volume of economy in Latin America, and Mexicos economy is the 14th largest economy in the world. Mexico's exports reached $381 billion in 2015, he said. Labardini said that Mexico is a big producer of electrical appliances, pipes and various equipment used in the oil industry. Mexico is one of the biggest exporters of beer and other food products and is ready to offer these products to Azerbaijan. The ambassador added that Mexico supplied a large batch of sugar to Azerbaijan in 2015. Park should realize it is meaningless to cling to power President Park Geun-hye delivered her third national address Tuesday amid an impeachment push by opposition parties. In a five-minute speech, Park said that she will quit according to procedures set by the National Assembly. The address came on the back of a recommendation by some of her loyalists to resign in an honorable manner rather than being stripped of her office through impeachment. Although belated, Park's announcement that she is willing to leave office before the end of her term in February 2018 should be an occasion to restore decency at Cheong Wa Dae and normalize state affairs. There are two things wrong with what Cheong Wa Dae said is Park's final message on the influence-peddling scandal. First, Park once again put herself ahead of the nation by not announcing her immediate resignation. She mentioned "resignation procedures within the boundaries of law," including cutting short her term. It is irresponsible for the President to leave the decision of her fate to the Assembly rather than being clear about when she will leave office. It is regrettable that Park is sticking to her unilateral ways even in the final phase of her presidency. Park deserves harsh criticism from civic groups and opposition parties that the third address is merely a tactic to cling to power rather than a sincere intention to step down. The ambiguity of her address on the timing of her departure will only lead to extensive political wrangling. After the address, the ruling Saenuri Party called on the opposition parties to terminate their push for an impeachment motion. But the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said it will still pursue impeachment procedures regardless of Park's announcement to leave office early. With Park in office, the nation cannot move forward. The parties should consider what is best for the country at a time when Korea faces grave challenges on security and on the economy. The Assembly should reach an agreement on the swift removal of the shamed president so that the nation can get ready to elect a new President as soon as possible. Another glaring problem of Park's address is that it reflected the President's lack of understanding of the gravity of her wrongdoings. The prosecution accused Park of conspiring with her friend Choi Soon-sil, who has been charged with abuse of power. But Park still defended herself by saying that she has never sought personal gains throughout her political career and stressed that she has only worked for the national interest. It was not the time and place to make such excuses when the people are furious with her for refusing to be questioned by state prosecutors. She should deliver a full account of her part in the Choi scandal in the forthcoming independent counsel probe. Today is Wednesday, November 30, the 335th day of 2016. There are 31 days left in the year. 1782 Britain signs agreement recognizing U.S. Independence 1803 Spain cedes her claims to Louisiana Territory to France 1804 Impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase begins 1864 Battle of Franklin, Tennessee 1866 Work begins on first U.S. underwater highway tunnel, Chicago 1885 The opera "Le Cid" is produced (Paris) 1886 First commercially successful AC electric power plant opens, Buffalo 1887 First indoor softball game (Chicago) 1907 Pike Place Market dedicated in Seattle Youn Yuh-jung was named the Woman in Film of the Year at the 2016 Women in Film Korea Festival, Monday. / Courtesy of organizing committee of the Women in Film Korea Festival By Baek Byung-yeul Veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung has been honored with the Woman in Film of the Year award at the 2016 Women in Film Korea Festival, Monday, for her role in 2016 film "The Bacchus Lady." The organizing committee said it chose Youn, 69, as the recipient of the award, recognizing her "passion to acting as she is still active in playing such dignified and sophisticated roles." Directed by E J-yong, well known for directing "An Affair" (1998), "Untold Scandal" (2003) and "My Brilliant Life" (2014), "The Bacchus Lady" revolves around 65-year-old prostitute So-young, played by Youn, who sells her body to old men at a park in downtown Seoul. In Korea, old prostitutes are often referred as "Bacchus ladies" because they sell small bottles of the popular energy drink Bacchus while selling sex. Since its release in October, the film earned strong reviews in a society where prostitution is banned. With the film, Youn also recently won the Jury Grand Prize at the 10th Asia Pacific Screen Awards on Nov. 24. Kim Dong-ho, chairman of the Busan International Film Festival and a jury member of the awards, said "the role was very difficult, and her performance was outstanding." Youn made her acting debut in 1966 and was recognized as one of the leading actresses in Korea for her role in director Kim Ki-young's 1971 film "Woman of Fire." With the film, she won the best actress award at the Blue Dragon Awards, one of Korea's top film honors that year. The Women in Film Festival has recognized notable female filmmakers and actresses who have contributed enormously to the country's film industry since 2000. Emceed by Yoona, actress and a member of popular K-pop girl band Girl's Generation, this year's award ceremony will take place at Megabox Artnine Theater in Seoul, on Dec. 7. Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it has been reviewing the "possibility" of creating a holding company structure to improve the company's corporate structure and enhance its transparency. In a statement, Samsung said it will also increase total dividends in 2016 by 30 percent on year, bringing the annual dividend amount to 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion). "Samsung Electronics has taken steps to simplify its business to concentrate on core capabilities in the past several years and the company continues to review opportunities to optimize long-term value," Samsung said in the statement. "This includes the possibility of creating a holding company structure and the potential benefits and feasibility of listing the company's shares on additional international exchanges," it said. Samsung said it will take about six months for the review to be completed. "The review does not indicate the management or the board's intention one way or another. The process is expected to require at least six months and Samsung Electronics will make a decision only after the review is complete," it said. The announcement came shortly after Samsung's board of directors held a meeting earlier in the day, amid growing calls to improve shareholder value. U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management proposed in October that Samsung split itself into two publicly listed firms -- a holding company and an operating company -- and pay a special dividend of 30 trillion won to "remedy" the company's "excessive and inefficient capital structure." Currently, Samsung is moving to limit the damage done by the global recall of the Galaxy Note 7 at a time when Vice Chairman and heir apparent Lee Jae-yong has taken key leadership roles. "We are committed to enhancing sustainable long-term value for our shareholders and to remaining good stewards of capital," Kwon Oh-hyun, vice chairman and CEO of Samsung, said in the statement. (Yonhap) It's amazing how k-pop idols can change from one look to another in such a short period. One moment they all look so innocent and sweet but then in a blink of an eye, they would transform into masculine men. One example of such a transformation would definitely be BamBam of GOT7. Everyone knows BamBam as the GOT7 member with the boyish charm and because of this, he is actually mistaken as his group's maknae (BamBam is second youngest). But as of late, fans have begun to notice the subtle changes that had occurred with BamBam's look and the transformation is truly wonderful to look at, Koreaboo reports. This is the BamBam that the fans have been accustomed to. Notice his boyish smile and charming innocence? But as of late, it would seem that BamBam had shed out his innocence into a more daring and sophisticated look; one that oozes out masculinity. Although you can say that transformations like these are necessary especially for idols. An idol can't always look the same way or else people would get tired of their looks. You can also say that back when he first debuted with GOT7, BamBam was only a few months shy of his 17thth birthday which means he was really young at the time and now that he has been with his group for almost three years, there will definitely be changes to his appearance. In other news, GOT7 is scheduled to travel to the US for a series of fan meets this coming January. The group had just released their latest album "Flight Log: Turbulence" not too long ago and the album's lead single "Hard Carry" has already accumulated millions of views on YouTube. According to iTech Post, this would be the second time that the group would be visiting the US after their "Fly" concert tour back in July. GOT7 is set to visit five US destinations mainly Florida, Washington D.C., Illinois, Texas and California and not only that, it has been reported that several fans from Washington and Seattle have started online petitions to ask the producers to stop by their locations for a side tour. This just means that GOT7 is finally gaining traction in the US and they are now making the effort to expand it. What do you think of GOT7's latest achievement? Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: Such young democratic countries as Azerbaijan and South Africa must work together and develop cooperation in all areas, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South African minister of international relations and cooperation, said at a press-conference in Baku Nov. 29. Azerbaijan and South Africa intend to actively develop political consultations, Nkoana-Mashabane said. "Both countries intend to raise the political cooperation to a higher level." South Africa also intends to expand and strengthen the legal framework, the minister said, adding that around seven draft agreements on bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed. "South Africa is also ready to expand economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, Nkoana-Mashabane said. We intend to establish an intergovernmental commission and hope that this cooperation will be mutually beneficial for South Africa and Azerbaijan." Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 Trend: Azerbaijans Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov left for Moscow to attend the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS member-states, to be held on November 30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a message November 29. According to the message, during the visit, Hasanov is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Army General Sergey Shoigu. Various aspects of the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, regional security issues will be discussed at the meeting, the message said. According to the message, the cooperation plan for 2017 is planned to be signed between the Azerbaijani and Russian Defense Ministries. Moreover, Hasanov is expected to meet with defense ministers of several other countries. Details added (first version posted on 10:53) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Maite Nkoana-Mashabane Nov. 29. We extend to you greetings of your friend, President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma, said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane during the meeting. She noted that her country is interested in expanding relations with Azerbaijan, adding there is great potential for this. The minister said she will hold discussions on the development of cooperation between the two countries during the visit. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane noted that people in South Africa have a positive attitude towards Azerbaijan. She also hailed the fact that several South Africans study in the field of high technologies in Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev said the Republic of Azerbaijan is interested in developing cooperation with the Republic of South Africa. The head of state stressed the importance of the visit of the South African minister in terms of defining priority areas of cooperation between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings of President Jacob Zuma and asked the minister to communicate his greetings to the president of the Republic of South Africa. They also exchanged views over a range of issues of mutual interest. Details added (first version posted on 11:39) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by minister of information and communications technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran, co-chairman of Azerbaijan-Iran state commission on economic, trade and humanitarian spheres, Mahmoud Vaezi, in Baku Nov. 29. The head of state hailed the importance of the Iranian ministers participation in BakuTel 2016, the 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies. The president said the visit also creates a good opportunity for discussing bilateral relations. Hailing successful development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations in all areas, President Ilham Aliyev praised Mahmoud Vaezis role as the co-chair of the intergovernmental commission in this regard. The head of state highlighted the global nature of the projects jointly implemented by the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Iran have recently addressed a number of issues relating to bilateral relations, adding that the two countries successfully continue their cooperation. The head of state expressed his hope that a large number of issues which are still on the agenda will also be addressed and that the two countries will be able to achieve their goals. Mahmoud Vaezi conveyed sincere greetings of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani to President Ilham Aliyev. Mr. President Hassan Rouhani asked me to extend his gratitude to you for the condolences to him and the people of Iran over the casualties caused by a railway crash in the country, said the Iranian minister. Hailing mutual confidence between the two countries, Mahmoud Vaezi noted, If we are able to take necessary steps in the best interests of our peoples today, this has become possible thanks to support from both presidents. The Iranian minister informed the head of state about the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. President Aliyev thanked for the greetings of President Hassan Rouhani, and asked the minister to communicate his greetings to the Iranian president. A 19-year-old woman from Springfield is accused of stabbing her boyfriend after she let him cut her arm and suck her blood. After he did that, the woman told police, she and the man, whom she described as drunk, got in an incoherent argument that preceded her stabbing him several times. She also told a detective that she thinks she has the capacity to become a serial killer. Victoria Vanatter was charged on Thanksgiving with second-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action after being arrested the previous day at a home in Springfield. Vanatter is in the Greene County jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond. A Springfield police officer was dispatched to the home shortly after 1 p.m. after a crying woman told a 9-1-1 call-taker that someone was bleeding. The first officer on the scene knocked but a bleeding man would not let him inside, told the officer that he didnt need help, and slammed the door. The officer could hear a woman inside the home, and tried to force his way through the door. Thats when Vanatter opened the door, according to the probable cause statement used as the basis of the charges against her. The officer saw Vanatter also was covered in blood. After making sure no one else was in the house, the officer noticed a heart written in blood on the living room wall and an Im sorry message with a heart on the kitchen counter that also was written in blood. Other officers arrived but the man wouldnt tell them what happened; they described him as uncooperative. He had an open wound on the front and back of his left shoulder, a bleeding cut on his lower back, and a cross drawn in blood on his chest. He said all his injuries were self inflicted because he was upset at Vanatter, according to the probable cause statement. Vanatter had a cut on her forearm, which she said was caused by the man. She told officers that the cut was consensual because she and her boyfriend had been talking about vampires and (he) wanted to suck someones blood. Vanatter said she told (him) he could suck her blood and he cut her forearm with a box cutter razor and drank her blood in the kitchen. An argument ensued, according to the probable cause statement. Vanatter told officers that the man struck her several times so she became disoriented and her ears started to ring. Vanatter admitted she punched (him) in the face with an open hand to get him to stop. The argument continued but Vanatter could not say what they were arguing about but said that neither one of them made sense. She said she picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed her boyfriend in the back. After losing that knife, she said she grabbed a second knife and stabbed him in the front of his shoulder. Vanatter said she stabbed (him) the third time and then came to and realized (he) was hurt bad, so she called 9-1-1. A Springfield police detective wrote that Vanatter told an officer that she believed she needs to go to jail. After being treated at a hospital for her injuries, thats where she went. The next day, she talked to the detective and said again she let the man cut her forearm so he could drink her blood. Vanatter admitted to being a cutter and enjoyed drinking her own blood. Vanatter said (her boyfriend) was intoxicated and they were arguing with each other, according to the probable cause statement. That led to the physical fight and the stabbings. She told the officer that she realized he needed to go to a hospital but said she at first tried to keep the man from leaving because she didnt want to go to jail. She said she stabbed him until he was able to get the knife away from her. Vanatter told the detective that she called 9-1-1 but her boyfriend grabbed the phone from her, but a call must have gone through since an officer soon arrived. She told the detective that she was the one who drew the heart and message in blood. Vanatter admitted to me that she was a threat to society and we need to take her seriously. Vanatter also mentioned that she believed she could be a serial killer in the future, the detective wrote. A prosecutor wrote in his request for the $150,000 bond that Vanatter was already on probation after being convicted on two assault cases one in Vernon County for two counts of second-degree assault and one in Boone County for second-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon. He also said Springfield police arrested her last Oct. 11 for unlawful use of a weapon. The Defendants history of convictions for violent assaultive crimes demonstrates that she is an ongoing danger to the community, wrote Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Wyatt Dameron. Two restrooms on the top floor of the student union at Missouri State University are now for use by both males and females. The university calls them "multi-stall gender neutral." Large signs near the restroom entrances say the change allows "anyone, at any time, to use either restroom." Restrooms on other floors of Plaster Student Union remain assigned by gender. Missouri State President Clif Smart told the Springfield News-Leader that the move is part of the university's ongoing effort to make people feel welcome. He says it's not a major change since there have been 30 to 50 single-stall gender-neutral bathrooms across campus for some time. He says those are sometimes referred to as family bathrooms. Republic Police officers arrested a man on Monday night for the false bomb report on Nov. 11 at Republic High School. Honz Ladd, 17, who told a detective that he is homeless, was charged on Tuesday with making a terroristic threat. Ladd is not a student at Republic High School but used to attend Republic schools before transferring to another school. On Nov. 11 at approximately 1:15 p.m., Republic Police received information from the Syracuse (NY) Police Department of a threat of an explosive device at Republic High School. The information was received by the Syracuse Police Dept. earlier in the day through its city website. Approximately 1,400 students and staff were evacuated from Republic High School due to the threat. After an exhaustive search of the facility, no suspicious devices were located. Later that evening, a search warrant was served at a home in Republic that led to the seizure of several pieces of electronic equipment as evidence in the case. Ladd was identified as a person of interest early in the investigation through numerous tips from the public. He was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on Monday night and consensually agreed to be interviewed by investigators. After his interview (see probable cause statement attached at the right), a probable cause statement was sent to Greene County prosecutors for a formal charge. The probable cause statement indicates that Ladd tried to make it seem as if someone else made the bomb threat and that he was just passing it along to police. He said he posted the online threat from a convenience store in central Springfield. He told police that he used public WiFI services because he is homeless. Issa Aremu, General Secretary, National Union of Textile and Garment Workers of Nigeria, on Monday urged ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole to shun the N200 million pension approved for him by the Edo State Assembly. Mr. Aremu made the appeal in a press statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN on Monday in Kaduna. Following the trend in other states, the Edo assembly recently approved a pension benefit for a residential building worth N200 million for immediate past governor of the state, while N100 million was approved for his Deputy among other benefits. We appeal to former Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to make a positive difference by not collecting the life pension benefit as approved by the state assembly. Comrade Oshiomhole had beaten the governors to good governance as evidenced by his globally acknowledged record of achievements as governor of Edo state. He should therefore not join the former governors on unjust pension that is unnecessary and unsustainable in a recession. Edos governance report since 2008 points to Nigerias renewed optimism. Indeed we have witnessed a renaissance which defeats the old pessimism according to which nothing would work. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates EY Azerbaijan held its annual seminar for clients on the latest updates to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at the Four Seasons Hotel Baku on 24-25 November 2016. The seminar was led by EY IFRS specialists led by Valentina Khromova, EY Moscow Assurance Senior Manager, and Dmytro Iurgelevych, EY Tbilisi Assurance Manager. Major international and local companies participated in the seminar, including banks operating in Azerbaijan. The presentations focused on recent IFRS updates and their practical implementation. The participants discussed how to resolve practical issues during the session. Valentina said: On my part I can say that it is always extremely useful both for our clients and us as their auditors to stay in touch and be on the same page by updating our knowledge. This year it was an especially useful event in view of the dramatic changes that are to happen in accounting in the upcoming years and, hopefully, it was helpful for our clients to get prepared. The organization and spirit of the event were absolutely amazing. It was a pleasure to deliver an annual IFRS update to our banking clients. The agenda was driven by clients' requests and was focused mostly on the standards that will become effective in the future, like IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. I was pleased to see that the management of our clients pay a great deal of attention to the upcoming standards in order to proactively assess and manage their effect on the financial statements, said Dmytro as he shared his thoughts on the event. Nigar Aliyeva, Head of Internal Audit and Compliance Director at Pasha Construction, added: It was a very useful, detailed and at the same time concise presentation of key changes in IFRS that businesses will have to apply in the near future. The practice materials were very helpful in understanding the changes discussed. The most interesting aspect for me comprised the changes in accounting for leases, which is a significant change and, as such, the transition should be planned well ahead. And off course it was a very pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Thank you! EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY works together with companies across the CIS and assists them in realizing their business goals. 4,800 professionals work at 20 CIS offices (in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Togliatti, Vladivostok, Almaty, Astana, Bishkek, Baku, Kyiv, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Minsk, and other locations). EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. EY made a major commitment to Azerbaijan and the region with the opening of our office in Baku 22 years ago. Today, in addition to being the leading audit firm in Azerbaijan, it is the leading professional services firm in the region. Because of its experience and depth of knowledge EY has been able to assist both domestic and international companies as well as state-owned entities in growing and in facing the challenges of the international economy. EY currently has more than 180 staff in its Baku office serving clients in Azerbaijan. EY's strength in the Caspian Region and the firm's commitment of resources are important to the entities operating in the region. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: A Mexican consulate has opened in Baku, says Mexican ambassador to Azerbaijan, Rodrigo Labardini. From now on, there is no need to apply to the Mexican embassies in Moscow and Istanbul for getting a visa to Mexico, the ambassador said in a press conference in Baku Nov. 29. The consulate was opened in September, but technical procedures took some time, Labardini said, adding that issuance of visas has already started. The ambassador added that a multiple entry visa costs $36 and a visa is issued for six months. Upon arrival in Mexico, the visa holder is permitted to stay in the country for a certain number of days within the visa validity period, he said. Labardini added that tourism cooperation between Azerbaijan and Mexico is growing. Some 148 Azerbaijani citizens visited Mexico in 2015 and the number of tourists is expected to increase to 500 in 2016, he said, adding the number of Mexican tourists willing to visit Azerbaijan also increased. Labardini added that Mexico is among nine most popular tourist destinations in the world, with 32 million tourists visiting Mexico annually. Speaking about the possibility of launching the Baku-Mexico direct flight, the ambassador stressed that it has not been planned yet. Labardini said that Mexico is far away from Baku and there are some difficulties for launching a direct flight. Moreover, the Mexican airports are very busy today, he said, adding, however, a new airport is being built now, and after its commissioning, Mexico will rank third in the world for the number of airports. Labardini added that it is possible to get from Baku to Mexico through Frankfurt, Paris, London or New York. The ambassador said negotiations are underway to launch the Mexico-Istanbul direct flight. If the talks are successful, Azerbaijanis will be able to fly to Mexico through Istanbul, he said. The price of LITRO gas cylinders would be further reduced in the first week of November in accordance with the Read more The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary Read more Mr. Jayhun Mollazade, president of Azqtel LLC is attending a GTI (Global TDD LTE Initiative) sponsored Work Shop in Osaka, Japan. The conference is being held from November 28 to November 29. This workshop is being organized into a topic-oriented structure including a plenary session to share the latest progress from GTI Workshop groups and several joint sessions focusing on the latest progress on the key technologies of TDD and its evolution to 5G. Topics of discussion include the usage of existing infrastructure to deliver high speed internet connectivity, voice over LTE, global phone which will work in different technologies and frequencies. Fifth generation (5G) wireless networking technology envisages delivering internet connectivity to users with speeds up to 1 Gigabit/sec. These speeds will be required to delivery video and other value added services in the foreseeable future. Information obtained from this conference will help Azqtel LLC to formulate strategies for evolution from fourth to fifth generation in the nearest future. In the midst of another bizarre night of tweets from Donald Trump's account, Los Angeles City Council member Jose Huizar dropped a little bomb of his own. A t-bomb, you might say. We have tyrant as the President-elect. If we acquiesce to his falsehoods, we fall victim to tyrannical government. We should not let up. Jose Huizar (@josehuizar) November 29, 2016 Far as I can find, this is the first time that Huizar has called the president-elect a "tyrant." He's only saying what a lot of Americans (and by now, probably some Trump voters and many foreign observers) fear the most about the erratic future leader. But still, this is coming from an elected official in the city of Los Angeles, one of the cities that seems most destined to clash with Trump's administration, whoever turns out to be actually running it in the long run. Mayor Eric Garcetti, for instance, was on CNN tonight with Don Lemon talking about LA and Trump. In the short run, I have to expect Huizar will be in for some ugly immigrant-baiting from the angriest men among the Trumpists. That's what they do. The liberal Democrat from Boyle Heights who represents the Eastside and downtown was first elected to the City Council in 2005 and reelected in 2007, 2011 and 2015. He was on the school board before that. As his bio notes (in English and Spanish), Huizar is an immigrant to America. Jose Huizar was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, a Masters degree in Public Affairs and Urban Planning from Princeton University and a Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law. He is the first Mexican immigrant elected to the City Council in Los Angeles history and in 2004, he became the first Latino to serve on the Princeton Board of Trustees. Huizar lived in the village of Los Morales in the municipality of Jerez, and immigrated with his parents at the age of three. He grew up here in Boyle Heights. Meanwhile, Trump himself posted five tweets tonight pushing his voter fraud claim, again without offering supportive evidence. Instead, he quotes the angry tweets of Trump supporters -- one of them a 16-year-old kid. Included in Trump's programming for tonight was this bit of child-like desperation, demanding that CNN prove a negative: "what PROOF do u have DonaldTrump did not suffer from millions of FRAUD votes?" What unhinged Trump this time was apparently something on CNN, because he sputtered in his final tweet of the night (for the record, the 34,046th tweet of Trump's long and odd Twitter career): .@CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 This all elicited a right-on-point retort from Chicago Tribune reporter Dawn Rhodes: It is genuinely confounding the president-elect is having the same meltdown over the election results we expected him to have if he'd lost. Dawn Rhodes (@rhodes_dawn) November 29, 2016 There's been a lot of analysis the past few days of the recent Trump twitter mania. James Fallows at the Atlantic is conducting an ongoing discussion that centers this week on the question: "A man who will literally have life and death power over much of humanity seems not to understand or care about the difference between truth and lies. Is there any way for democratic institutions to cope?" It all seems to call for the New Yorker cartoon that's been going around. Show me on the doll where the media hurt you. And because I always like pics of Los Angeles politicians on horseback, here is Huizar at this past weekend's East Los Angeles Christmas Parade. From his Facebook page: PRESS RELEASE Greece Is Not Going To Join Cold War Against Russia Nov. 28, 2016 (EIRNS)In an interview with RIA Novosti, Dimitris Velanis, foreign policy advisor to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, said Greece will not join any "cold war" against Russia. "We appreciate the friendly policy of cooperation pursued by Putin toward Greece.... That is why Greece will never agree to play a cold war against Russia," Velanis said, further elaborating that no other countries had made attempts, particularly the United States, to engage Greece in anti-Russia policy as the media reported following lame-duck U.S. President Barack Obamas visit to Greece earlier in November. "Speaking about Greek-Russian relations, about those bans by the United States, that have been actively discussed in the media ... I can say with all responsibility, there has been no attempt to implement a ban.... There was no pressure and, moreover, no ban, and would not ever be." Velanis, who also advises Tsipras on Russian affairs, also discussed Greece and Russias relations: "We are preparing major projects to create joint ventures in the field of shipbuilding and ship repairs in Greek and Russian shipyards. The enterprises themselves will announce details of this cooperation themselves" Velanis voiced support for the Russian position on sending oil tankers to Syria for supplying its military operations and asserted that these were not a violation of sanctions against Syria as some Western countries have claimed. He also said that Greece was not considering a ban on such ships passing through Greek waters or ports. "We understand that Russia, by placing its Navy and Air Force in Syria, should of course refuel them," Velanis said. "The appropriate Greek authorities are taking a certain position. I think the issue of a ban is not on the table at all." PRESS RELEASE South Korean Opposition Plan for North Korea Based on Development Nov. 28, 2016 (EIRNS)As the failed Park Geun-hye government disintegrates, leading figures in the opposition parties and opposition press have come together around a "peace through development" perspective for reunification with the North, reports the Hankyoreh, which generally supports the opposition. On Nov. 24, Seoul mayor Park Won-soon of the opposition Minjoo (Democratic) Party, summarized his policy plan for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula based on a development perspective of the North. "President Park Geun-hye talks about unification as a bonanza,, but with inter-Korean relations at such an impasse, this is more like bankruptcy," Park Won-soon said. To bring about the shift toward a policy of peace, Park argued, the South should start doing what can be done right away. The starting point, he said, was "immediately rescinding the May 24 Measures [sanctions barring inter-Korean trade] and resuming humanitarian aid." The forum was one of a series around the country organized by the opposition to move the current anger against President Park into a focus on peaceful development and reunification. Mayor Parks northern "new deal" represents the idea of using North Korea as a bridge to expand into Eurasia. "Given that the South Korean economy is stuck in a low-growth morass, expanding to the north is no longer optionalit's essential," the mayor said. Citing news reports suggesting that plans are underway to use bridges and tunnels to link Russias Trans-Siberian Railway to the Japanese island of Hokkaido, Park expressed concerns that this would make not Japan but South Korea the real island, Hankyoreh reports. Park criticized the current administration for being "fools or unpatriotic race traitors" for squandering the opportunity to move north by weakening relations with North Korea. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 Trend: President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has visited the Heydar Aliyev Center. He was informed that the center is a cultural complex designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. The center houses a conference hall with three auditoriums, a library and a museum. The project is intended to play an integral role in the intellectual life of the city. Located close to the city center, the site plays a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Baku. The center is engaged in studying and promoting the statehood policy and heritage of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The Belarusian president was told that the center implements projects to popularize history and culture of Azerbaijan all over the world. An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design. The building was nominated for awards in 2013 at both the World Architecture Festival and the biennial Inside Festival. Alexander Lukashenko signed the guest book of the center. Not since 2010 has California felt itself politically so out of step with the times. That year the state resisted the nationwide wave of anti-incumbent, anti-regulation and anti-big government voting to elect Jerry Brown as governor, ease the passage of big-money state budgets and turn away a challenge to its pioneering greenhouse gas regulations. This election day, California voters tightened gun control, extended taxes on the rich, hiked cigarette taxes, legalized marijuana, boosted multilingual education and of course provided Hillary Clinton with all of her winning margin of 2 million popular votes, and then some, in her losing campaign for president. Its impossible to look at the Trump campaign and not see a direct threat to the civil liberties and dignity of California citizens. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer Advertisement No wonder the election has inspired talk of Californias seceding from the United States. The nascent campaign, organized under the banner of the Yes California Independence Campaign and heralded by the Twitter hashtag #Calexit, has been energized by remarks by Brown, and others, that a Trump election would necessitate building a wall around California to preserve its forward-looking policies against a reactionary federal regime. And why not, the argument goes. After all, with a gross domestic product of $2.5 trillion, the states economy ranks sixth in the world, sandwiched between Britain and France. Secession talk is more valuable as a pointer to all the ways that California and federal policies are likely to come into conflict during the next few years than as a formula for practical politics. Its impossible to look at the Trump campaign and not see a direct threat to the civil liberties and dignity of California citizens, says Tom Steyer, the progressive billionaire who in recent years has focused his energy on combating climate change via his organization NextGen Climate. To dispense with the prospect of Californias seceding from the union: On the gonna-happen scale, its a Not. Wed either have to win the ensuing civil war or have Congress kiss us goodbye, says Joel D. Aberbach, director of the Center for American Politics and Public Policy at UCLA. There isnt a procedure for seceding in the Constitution. The very notion of the U.S. as a divisible entity was settled by the Civil War. A constitutional amendment is the longest of long shots. It must be approved by a two-thirds majority in each house of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 of the 50). But the conflicts between state and federal policy will be serious. Heres a look at what may be some of the most important. Climate change: California has been among the national leaders in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and as recently as September strengthened its policies with a law mandating the reduction of climatologically harmful emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Its auto emission rules traditionally have set a benchmark for the auto industry and federal regulators. During his campaign, Trump dismissed climate change as a Chinese hoax and pledged to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which already has been ratified by 113 of the 197 signatory countries. The U.S. ratified the agreement by presidential order on Sept. 3. The single biggest achievement of the Obama administration in energy and climate was to get those countries to agree, Steyer said. It was an example of the best kind of American leadership moral, technical, financial. Since the election, Trump has backed off his assertions about climate change and his promise to withdraw from the Paris pact. If he makes good on his threat, however, American leadership on climate change will pass to the states. Brown has pledged to keep California in the forefront of that movement, and earlier this month sent a state delegation to a U.N. climate change conference in Marrakech, Morocco. That just continues the sort of state-level leadership that has emerged in recent years. Over the past decade, Congress has not passed a single bill that takes direct aim at climate change, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg observed in a recent speech. Yet at the same time, the U.S. has led the world in reducing emissions. Trump could stifle federal funding for crucial research on climate change. One of his science advisors says he plans to eliminate NASA spending on earth science, calling it politically correct environmental monitoring and refocusing the agency exclusively on space research. That mirrors congressional Republicans approach to NASA, whose role in climate monitoring they disdain even though it has made crucial contributions to understanding of global warming. Immigration: Trump campaigned on a pledge to cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities as part of his crackdown on illegal immigration. His chief of staff-designate, Reince Priebus, reiterated the policy in an interview after the election. These are cities whose police departments arent required to check the immigration status of people they stop or arrest or to notify U.S. immigration officials of the status of undocumented persons they release from custody. The roster of sanctuary cities includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Oakland; an estimated 1 million of the nations 11 million immigrants without legal status, many of whom Trump has threatened to deport, live in L.A. County. Leaders of those cities have pledged to keep protecting immigrants and fight Trumps proposed cuts in federal funding cuts, which would require congressional action. The stakes are high: Los Angeles receives about $500 million a year in federal funding for such municipal services as port security and homeless shelters. But there are practical as well as moral reasons for cities to steer clear of immigration enforcement. Complicity with immigration agents shatters trust in police in immigrant-rich communities, complicating street-level patrolling. And with undocumented immigrants part of the fabric of diverse communities, rigorous enforcement can have bad economic consequences. Trumps anti-immigrant stance has spurred calls to action to protect potential deportees. The Los Angeles Unified School District says it will rebuff any federal request for students immigration status. Cal State University Chancellor Timothy P. White, whose system includes as many as 10,000 students without legal documentation, has said that campus police wont honor federal requests for deportation holds. Last week University of California President Janet Napolitano stated that UC campus police departments would not involve themselves in investigations of the immigration status of individuals on campus and ruled out joint efforts on immigration with federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. She said the university aimed to vigorously protect the privacy and civil rights of the undocumented members of the UC community. An estimated one in three of the 742,000 Dreamers young people who were brought to this country by their parents without documentation and granted protection from deportation under the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA lives in California. Trump has pledged to shut down the program. Healthcare: Few states gave the Affordable Care Act, which Trump and congressional Republicans pledge to repeal, support as full-throated as California. The state has enrolled about 1.4 million people in Obamacare health plans via its statewide individual insurance exchange, Covered California, and added about 3 million low-income residents to Medicaid rolls via the laws Medicaid expansion, the cost of which has been 100% paid by the federal government. Its doubtful that this record could be maintained if Trump and congressional Republicans repeal the ACA. Repeal would eliminate the federal tax credits that reduce premiums on Covered California plans and other costs for about 90% of enrollees. That would drive many of them off coverage. The state would surely be unable to make up those subsidies. California would also suffer from the loss of the ACAs consumer protection elements, including a ban on exclusions for preexisting conditions and on annual or lifetime benefit limits. A study published last June by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation forecast that without the ACA, the ranks of the uninsured in California would soar by 2021 to 7.5 million, compared with only 3.4 million if the ACA remains in place. Among the dangers in the GOP plans is uncertainty. The party has promised to replace the ACA with something that works better, yet has never coalesced around an alternative in more than six years of trying. But doubts that Covered California and other ACA marketplaces will eventually stabilize could drive more big insurers out of the market and force prices higher. The prospects of disastrous tampering with healthcare were heightened Monday with Trumps nomination of Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) as secretary of Health and Human Services. Price, an orthopedic surgeon, is a sworn enemy of the Affordable Care Act. Hes the author of an alternative law that could throw older and sicker patients out of the insurance pool and make insurance all but unaffordable for women of child-bearing age. The Price plan would repeal Obamacare and replace it with something resembling the pre-2010 individual insurance market, when overpriced, low-benefit plans were the norm for anyone except young, healthy males. Republican proposals to convert Medicaid to a block-granted programalmost certainly a prelude to cutting the federal share of its budgetcould pose a particular problem for House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield. In his district, which largely spans Kern and Tulare counties, roughly half of all residents are enrolled in Medi-Cal, the states Medicaid program. Efforts to trim the program would have a direct effect on them. Gun control and marijuana: Voters on election day flouted federal policy in both areas. Proposition 63 mandates background checks for ammunition sales and outlaws high-capacity ammo magazines. Proposition 64 legalizes marijuana. Trump established himself as an ally of the National Rifle Assn. during the campaign, but White House policy may not be the biggest problem for the states firearms policy: the courts would be. In rulings in 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court extended the reach of the 2nd Amendments protection of the right to bear arms. Within a day of the election, the NRA was talking about challenging Proposition 63 and related state laws before the courts. Trump hasnt expressed strong objections to the legalization of marijuana, but as the biggest state to legalize pot, California could find itself in the crosshairs of revived anti-marijuana enforcement by his administration. Obamas Justice Department took an indulgent approach to the wave of state legalizations of the drug, declaring in 2013 that although it was still illegal under federal law, its prosecutors would focus chiefly on preventing sales to minors and to keeping profits out of the hands of criminal gangs. But Trumps attorney general-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), stated in April that marijuana is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized, it ought not to be minimized, that its in fact a very real danger. One anti-pot activist described him to the Washington Post as by far the single most outspoken opponent of marijuana legalization in the U.S. Senate. How he plans to enforce federal law in a legalization state as big as California is still a mystery. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. ALSO Trump speaks with Taiwans president, which could provoke China For 11 years, hed never felt like hed been targeted for the way he looked. Donald Trumps victory changed that California lawmakers want to reform a bail system they say punishes the poor for being poor Orange Countys new homegrown congressman plans to bring an immigrants perspective to Washington In a scene reminiscent of old-fashioned labor activism, workers and their supporters marched Tuesday through Los Angeles International Airport and in airports and restaurants across the U.S., demanding higher pay and union representation for low-wage workers. The protests were peaceful, but they may just be a prelude of battles to come, as unions face a new administration in Washington and efforts to roll back labor victories. In recent years, California and other states and cities have increased their minimum wages. A federal ruling put employers on the hook for labor violations, even if they used workers hired by another business. And another federal ruling sped up the union election process. Advertisement But labor economists say that under the Trump administration, and a Republican-controlled Congress, some of these issues, as well as unionization in general, could be curtailed. Theres a whole set of areas where I think well have to expect rollbacks, said Chris Tilly, an economist and professor of urban planning at UCLA and former director of the universitys Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. Labor will hope the Democrats fight for some of these things, but some of them are very much under the discretion of the administration and their appointees. One of these is the makeup of the National Labor Relations Board, the five-member, quasi-judicial federal agency that enforces employees rights to organize or dissolve unions, and also makes decisions in cases involving unfair labor practices in the private sector. In a scene reminiscent of old-fashioned labor activism, workers and their supporters march Tuesday through Los Angeles International Airport and in restaurants across the U.S., demanding higher pay and union representation for low-wage workers. Immediately upon entering office, Trump will be able to fill two vacancies on the board. Another spot will open up in 2017, when board member Philip Miscimarras term expires. The last two members terms expire in 2018 and 2019. The board currently has a liberal majority, but labor experts expect that to change with the new Trump appointees. That move could change key decisions the board made during the Obama administration, such as its ruling in 2015 that loosened the definition of a joint employer to include companies that use staffing agencies, contractors or even fast-food franchises, or its decision that graduate students who help teach or do research at private universities are employees and have union representation rights. Its quite likely, with conservative appointees to the board, that we could see ... reversals in a number of areas, which could mean further obstacles to unions organizing through the law, said Ken Jacobs, chairman of the UC Berkeley Labor Center. Trumps new appointee to the Supreme Court could also have implications for public unions. In March, the justices deadlocked on a lawsuit that would have struck down mandatory fair share fees that cover the cost of collective bargaining for municipal employees, transit workers, teachers and college instructors in California and 22 other mostly Democratic states. These fees are prohibited in Southern states and some in the Rust Belt that have right to work laws. The Supreme Court tie kept the mandatory fees in place -- for now. The practical effect has got to be to weaken unions considerably, and to force them to pile a lot of resources into retaining membership, said Tilly of UCLA. That would be a very serious obstacle to any attempts by labor to maintain its power and flex its muscles. One issue unlikely to lose steam is the effort to boost the minimum wage. This has been a long-standing issue for conservative groups, which say boosting the minimum wage could force small businesses to shutter or cut worker hours. But labor experts say an increase in the minimum wage has proven to be a popular issue with voters of all political parties. Though Arizona voted for Trump on election day, it joined Colorado, Maine, and Washington in passing referendums to increase the minimum wage. Earlier this year, California and New York passed laws to gradually boost the states minimum wage to $15 an hour. And in 2015, the Los Angeles City Council and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved a law to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. Where weve seen most of the action in recent years is at the state and local level, and I expect that to continue, Jacobs said. The Fight for $15 has really brought that issue out into the public eye in a very effective way and changed peoples understandings of whats needed and peoples sense of whats possible, he said. The nationwide day of disruption protests held Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of a New York City fast-food workers strike that launched the fight for a $15-an-hour minimum wage. A major backer of the campaign, and the latest protests, is the Service Employees International Union. In Los Angeles, about 40 people were arrested after refusing the LAPDs call to disperse from an intersection near downtown Los Angeles. They were among a larger peaceful demonstration of more than 200 people outside a McDonalds at East 7th and Alameda streets. Later that day, about 600 people marched through LAX and surrounding streets. The group, which included airport workers as well as child-care, healthcare and fast-food workers, met in front of the airport around noon at Century and Sepulveda boulevards before marching through the airport and into some of the terminals. The demonstration lasted about an hour and police said no arrests were made. LAX officials said no service was disrupted, though traffic slowed in front of some terminals. Trumps plans to cut taxes sharply for those with high incomes could make the issue of raising the lowest wage more powerful and compelling, said William Gould IV, a professor emeritus at Stanford Law School, current chairman of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board and a former chairman of the NLRB. In an era of inequality, it seems to me that will provide more fuel to organizations representing low-income people, he said. Kendall Fells, the national organizing director of the Fight for $15 campaign, said the coalition has seen exponential growth in the last couple of months, and that there is a renewed sense of urgency because of the election. He emphasized that the group would have protested, regardless of who won the election. Even within all of the constraints I think there will continue to be efforts by unions to continue to organize, Jacobs said. People will continue to look for and find ways to organize and express their collective power. Times staff photographer Brian van der Brug and Times staff writer Natalie Kitroeff contributed to this report. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com For more business news, follow me @smasunaga UPDATES: 5:05 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with analysis from labor economists. 2:05 p.m.: This article was updated with details about the noon protest at Los Angeles International Airport. This article was originally published at 9:10 a.m. The chairman of the California Senates banking committee blasted Wells Fargo on Monday for failing to answer questions about the banks accounts scandal and for not sending Chief Executive Tim Sloan or another representative to a committee hearing. Committee Chairman Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) said he called for Monday mornings hearing only after the San Francisco bank failed to adequately answer questions he put to bank officials over the last six weeks. Those questions, which echo inquiries by lawmakers on Capitol Hill, include when executives first knew about the creation of unauthorized customer accounts and why the banks board and investors were not notified about the practice sooner. Glazer said he invited Sloan to address those questions at Mondays hearing, but neither Sloan nor any other Wells Fargo executive attended. Advertisement Their unwillingness to stand before this committee is a sign of bad faith with their customers and all of California, Glazer said, comparing the bank to Enron, which did not send a representative to a 2002 Senate committee hearing about the companys role in manipulating energy prices. It is sad to see Wells Fargo join this elite hall of shame. In a statement, Wells Fargo spokeswoman Erika Reynoso said the bank wants to be responsive to lawmakers questions and noted that a regional executive testified at a state Assembly Committee hearing last month. But she said the bank is limited in what it can say because of an internal investigation into the accounts scandal. The committee continues to raise legitimate questions, but unfortunately some of them cannot be answered at this time due to an ongoing internal review, Reynoso said. Wells Fargos board of directors in September hired law firm Shearman & Sterling to investigate the sales practices that regulators say pushed Wells Fargo bank workers to open as many as 2 million accounts for customers without authorization. That investigation is being overseen by the independent members of Wells Fargo & Co.s board that is, board members other than Sloan, who replaced embattled former Chief Executive John Stumpf last month. At Mondays hearing, Aeisha Mastagni, a portfolio manager for the California State Teachers Retirement System, which owns about 10 million Wells Fargo shares, said the pension fund has concerns about the independence of that investigation. Mastagni noted that many Wells Fargo directors have been on the board for more than a decade, meaning their tenure includes years when unauthorized accounts were being created. The so-called independence of many members may be compromised, she said. Mastagni said CalSTRS has raised that issue and other corporate governance concerns with Wells Fargo in the wake of the banks accounts scandal, which broke in September when the Los Angeles City Attorneys office and federal regulators announced a $185-million settlement with the bank. She said CalSTRS still wants to know why board members were not informed years ago about the widespread creation of unauthorized accounts. Like Glazer, Mastagni said she hasnt gotten answers. What level does [a problem] have to be at before its raised to the board level? We have many questions left unanswered, she said. Mondays hearing is yet another sign that, nearly three months after regulators announced their settlement with the bank, Wells Fargo continues to deal with the fallout over unauthorized accounts. This month, the bank confirmed that it is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thats on top of investigations by the federal Labor and Justice departments, congressional committees and various state agencies, including the California Department of Justice. Also this month, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, one of the bank regulators that settled with Wells Fargo, hit the bank with new sanctions. In a Nov. 18 order, the OCC said it was canceling parts of its settlement agreement that would have shielded the bank from the kind of additional oversight usually reserved for the most troubled banks. That means, among other things, that Wells Fargo will have to provide the OCC with written notices if it plans to replace board members or bank executives. That change appears to apply only to Wells Fargo Bank, which has a separate board from corporate parent Wells Fargo & Co. The bank is also subject to a handful of lawsuits, from former employees who say they were fired for reporting or not participating in fraudulent sales practices, from investors who say the bank misled them about its financial performance and from customers who say they were wronged. Customers have tried to sue the bank over unauthorized accounts before, but unsuccessfully. When customers open accounts, they sign a contract saying any dispute with the bank will be handled in private arbitration rather than in court. Wells Fargos attorneys have argued that those so-called arbitration clauses cover all consumer disputes with the bank, including ones over unauthorized accounts. During a pair of bruising congressional hearings this fall, members of the House and Senate banking committees asked then-CEO Stumpf whether Wells Fargo would allow customers to sue or continue to use arbitration clauses to block those suits. Stumpf said the bank would stick with arbitration. Though Stumpf retired last month, the bank has not changed its position. Last week, the bank asked a federal judge in Utah to toss a class-action suit filed by bank customers a week after regulators announced their settlement with Wells Fargo. The banks attorneys, as in other cases, argue that the plaintiffs signed contracts obliging them to go to arbitration. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren Television and radio host Darren McMullen of The Voice Australia fame has sold his pied-a-terre in a historic West Hollywood building for the asking price of $950,000. Found within the Colonial House, a 1930s building designed by noted architect Leland Bryant, the one-bedroom condominium has a view of the Hollywood Hills and city lights. Advertisement The cozy unit, offering just 780 square feet of living space, is light and bright with white walls, built-ins and large picture windows. A living room with a wood-burning fireplace, an updated galley-style kitchen and a breakfast nook are among the common areas. The lone bedroom features a wall of closets and a shower decorated in subdued period tile. Outdoors, a central courtyard has a swimming pool, a brick patio and mature landscaping. One assigned parking spot was included with the unit. McMullen bought the property two years ago for $720,000, records show. Jill Galloway of John Aaroe Group was the listing agent. Galloway also represented the buyer in the sale. The Scottish-born McMullen is known for hosting The Lair on MTV Australia, the reality series Love in the Wild and the vocal competition series The Voice Australia. He currently hosts the television game show The Big Music Quiz on Australias Seven Network. neal.leitereg@latimes.com Twitter: @NJLeitereg MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY: Ricky Martin snaps up a Gregory Ain design in Beverly Crest for $13.5 million Former Niner Vernon Davis looks to catch a buyer for his Bay Area home A pair of Real Housewives make real estate moves in the L.A. area Craftsman offers an update on a traditional look in Venice Former San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, now with the Washington Redskins, has put his home in San Jose on the market for $2.849 million. Sited on a hillside of more than an acre, the three-story Mediterranean takes in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and city lights. Advertisement The updated home, with vaulted ceilings and Brazilian wood floors, features a chandelier-topped entry that opens on one side to the formal living room and on the other to the dining room. Five fireplaces, two family rooms, a wine cellar and a billiards room with a wet bar also lie within 7,250 square feet of living space. The master suite has a two-way fireplace, a custom closet and French doors that open to a terrace balcony. Theres also a gym and a private office/den with its own entrance. Outdoors, a loggia opens to a patio with a hot tub. Elsewhere, a covered pavilion holds an outdoor kitchen. Davis, who sold another Bay Area home earlier this year, bought the property two years ago for $2.3 million. Robert R. Fernandez of Atlas Realty holds the listing. Davis, twice a Pro Bowler, was drafted by the 49ers in 2006 and spent the better part of 10 seasons with the team. The 32-year-old was traded by San Francisco to Denver last year and signed with Washington this past off-season. neal.leitereg@latimes.com Twitter: @NJLeitereg MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY: Former Chargers coach Norv Turner moves on from Mission Beach condo Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan buys a scenic spread in Ojai for $5.7 million Mission: Impossibles Barbara Bain parts ways with home in Mid-Wilshire Palm Springs home has ties to Sears, Roebuck and Co. fortune and The Wizard of Oz Music app maker Smule doesnt want to be counted out of the battle of mobile live-streaming services. Facebook, Twitter and Musical.ly and likely soon YouTube and Snapchat are among major mobile app brands that want people to broadcast video from their smartphones. Live video can attract a widespread and focused viewership, something that video advertisers covet but isnt yet easy to find on social networks. Smule, which develops popular apps such as Magic Piano and Sing! Karaoke to make and share music videos, declined to go into details about potential live-streaming features. But during a recent vist to Los Angeles, Chief Executive Jeff Smith said going live is more than a fad. Advertisement Smule has sought to provide software tools that encourage any person regardless of musical talent to record a performance. About 50 million people take advantage each month, producing 500 million works of art. The San Francisco companys apps can turn users normal speech into a rap, enable them to sound as if theyre playing the guitar, or guide them through a duet with a pop star. On Sing! Karaoke, users record video of themselves while lyrics scroll by. There are tens of thousands of well-known songs to choose from. Steering people into doing any of that live could be a challenge. But Smith says live streaming plays right into the companys goals. Live performances tend to be less polished, and the lower standard could reduce user inhibition. With the tools in hand, people actually could be more willing to perform live. Live can teach us its OK to imperfect, he said. Smith has made a second career out of studying why people engage in music and what can be done to bring inhibition to create to zero. After a string of Silicon Valley tech jobs and ventures, he earned a doctorate degree at Stanford University researching how different approaches to the pacing in piano songs traced back to certain cultures. Smule grew out of Smiths research. It could help bring more people together through art, give people a safe place to express themselves through art, he said. The ultimate goal is to end up with what Smith describes as a social network for music where its not just professionals that are doing the creating and posting. What you learn from Twitter is that one broadcasting to many wont draw the same engagement as the more intertwined conversations found on Facebook, Smith said. So besides live features next year, the company could release new audio and video filtering features aimed at making people more comfortable on their virtual stage. Smule still wants top-tier artists interacting with fans though. And it has two people in a Los Angeles office working on industry and artist relations. But the masses are what the company needs for its business model to work. Smule currently collects about $25 million a quarter mostly from subscribers who pay a few dollars a month for special effects and additional songs. The company has raised about $70 million from investors. Smith said the company could pursue an initial public offering as early as next fall. Pathmatics acquires WhatRunsWhere Online ad buyers sometimes have such a difficult time figuring out which websites their ads appear on that they pay other firms for tracking. Pathmatics goes further, shedding light on where an ad buyers competitors are placing ads and analyzing how much theyre spending and what messaging theyre using. That competitive intelligence has turned out to be valuable to big-name advertisers, large ad agencies and even salespeople at online media companies wondering whom to target. Now, Pathmatics is betting that smaller advertisers and boutique agencies will find tracking data lucrative too. The Santa Monica start-up announced last week the acqusition of WhatRunsWhere.com for an undisclosed amount of cash and stock. Both companies say they are profitable. WhatRunsWhere has more than 500 customers of the mom-and-pop shop variety. The Toronto start-up will retain its branding, separate office and all but one of its seven employees. It hadnt raised any money from investors, but Pathmatics has picked up about $5 million. Pathmatics Chief Executive Gabe Gottlieb said the transaction came together after he and WhatRunsWhere counterpart Max Teitelbaum found themselves referring potential customers to each other. Together, they expect their distinct customer bases to benefit from new perspectives. The smaller users desire different views of data because theyre focused on different measures than advertisers with larger budgets and less tactile goals. For example, Gottlieb noticed both Pathmatics and WhatRunsWhere have data about how many days a competitors ad campaign lasted. But WhatRunsWheres service provides an immediate ranking of campaign length, whereas Pathmatics users dont have simple sorting options. Its something they would likely welcome though. Marketers are overwhelmed with data, but its up to tools like Pathmatics to help them make sense of it, Teitelbaum said. Pathmatics has about 35 employees and analyzes data from more than 700 ad services. Cloud9 e-sports gets fundraising start A Cloud9 Call of Duty team participates in a match held at a Burbank studio in April. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times ) Leading e-sports franchise Cloud9 recently received about $2.8 million from 21 investors, according to a regulatory filing. The Santa Monica company fields teams in professional tournaments for seven video games, including League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Founded in 2012, its among North Americas best-established franchises, with consistent performance and online media production fueling a globally recognized brand. The latest financing likely values Cloud9 at well above $15 million, based on recent investments in other e-sports teams. Its also possible the company could continue to raise additional funds in the coming weeks. Chief Executive and owner Jack Etienne, the former vice president of sales at anime streaming service Crunchyroll, hasnt responded to requests to comment. Cloud9s paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission points to one of the potential investors. Daniel Fiden, whose LinkedIn profile describes him as chief strategy officer at mobile game maker Funplus, is listed as a Cloud9 board member. Earlier this year, Funplus said it planned to invest about $50 million into gaming businesses. Fiden didnt respond when asked if he invested personally or if his company participated in the financing. Elsewhere on the web Santa Monica start-up Vrideo, a streaming service for 360-degree and virtual reality videos, shut down, according to VentureBeat. In an email to The Times, Vrideo Founder and Chief Executive Alex Rosenfeld said he had ideas on how to compete less directly with behemoth video apps including YouTube and Facebook. But Vrideos early label as the YouTube of VR was hard to escape in conversations with investors. And many traditional venture capitalists remain hesitant about leading any virtual reality investments, Rosenfeld said. An investor who says he helped a start-up that sold to Snapchat and laid the groundwork for the companys Spectacles sunglasses says he hasnt properly been paid back, according to Business Insider. Pasadena business incubator Idealab is helping a company that wants to create a price-comparison tool for ride-hailing services, according to Geekwire. Activision Blizzard Chief Executive Bobby Kotick lowered his salary, but hell be eligible for tens of millions of dollars in stock awards based on performance, according to the Financial Times. Real estate investment service PeerStreet received $15 million in a financing led by Andreessen Horowitz, according to L.A. Biz. In case you missed it Snapchats top users have a strained relationship with the company, whose aloof behavior projects an elite image but can also come off as arrogant to users, employees and business partners. Former Dodgers outfielder Shawn Green co-founded a tech company developing social media marketing software. Chinese tech firm LeEco is using a pop-up shop at a popular Los Angeles mall to introduce itself to U.S. shoppers. Coming up An international drone conference comes to the Los Angeles Convention Center Dec. 9-10. Speakers include representatives from leading drone makers, start-ups, media companies and investment firms. paresh.dave@latimes.com Twitter: @peard33 Californias insurance regulator will collect a $3.5-million fine from a San Francisco employee benefits start-up that cheated state education requirements for sales agents. Zenefits admitted to regulators nationwide this year that would-be agents used software to circumvent online classes they needed to take to be licensed. In recent months, the firm agreed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle licensing violations in several states. The California penalty, announced Monday, marks the largest one yet, according to state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. Zenefits would pay an additional $3.5 million, for a total of $7 million, if it falls out of compliance with the settlement over the next two years. Advertisement Zenefits is an example of an Internet-based start-up whose former leaders created a culture where important consumer protection laws were broken, Jones said in a statement, describing the tactics as a bad strategy that other start-ups should avoid. Founded in 2013, Zenefits lures in small businesses as users with a free online app for managing payroll, vacation time and other employee benefits. Zenefits generates revenue by collecting a commission when it sells insurance to its customers and by charging for extra features. Investors backed the company with nearly $600 million. But the licensing scandal, uncovered by BuzzFeed last year, sent the company in turmoil. Reports emerged of a disorganized company, rife with partying and an anything-goes culture. Chief Executive Parker Conrad resigned, and long-time Silicon Valley executive David Sacks took over. Hundreds of employees suffered layoffs. Investigations surrounded the company. Some of those state inquiries are ongoing, but California regulators decision to waive the second half of the fine signaled theyre pleased with the remedies enacted since Conrad left. Zenefits said Monday that new management has righted the ship. paresh.dave@latimes.com / PGP Twitter: @peard33 Your dream of traveling through a real-life warp pipe is one step closer to being realized. Nintendo-themed attractions are headed to Universal theme parks in the U.S. In a video released by Nintendo, the companys creative fellow Shigeru Miyamoto and Universal Creative President Mark Woodbury shared their excitement and some details about their collaboration. They also announced that Nintendo world is headed to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, in addition to Universal Studios Japan (which is located in Osaka). Woodbury said the themed areas will be immersive and interactive, and Miyamoto explained that the goal is to create attractions enjoyable for fans of all ages. One such attraction is essentially the video game world of Mario brought to life, so for fans (and Mario) it should feel like coming home. Advertisement See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour As part of a global partnership between Universal and Nintendo, the new themed areas will also feature shops and restaurants (think the Wizarding World). Though details are sparse, Nintendo has revealed that the planning and creative work are well underway, and the areas will open separately over the next several years. Each Universal theme park will release more information detailing its Nintendo-themed areas, with the first announcement coming soon. tracy.brown@latimes.com Twitter: @tracycbrown 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Azerbaijans Energy Minister Natig Abbasov met with representatives of EU Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Energy Ministry said in a message. The parties discussed the issue of Central Asian countries joining the Southern Gas Corridor and mulled the prospects of energy cooperation. The EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Malena Mard said the Southern Gas Corridor project will further strengthen the energy relations between the EU and Azerbaijan. She reminded that a mandate was issued to commence talks on a new EU-Azerbaijan agreement. Mard also highlighted the significance of defining and discussing the energy issues. Natig Abbasov, in turn, said that every signed document must secure cooperation development if the interests of the two sides are maintained. The parties also discussed the possible impact of the Turkish Stream project on the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, energy cooperation with Iran, as well as energy efficiency issues. Casey Affleck has questions. Kenneth Lonergan also has questions. Together, they found more questions that, in the asking, came to feel something like answers. Affleck is the lead actor and Lonergan the writer and director of Manchester by the Sea, a deeply felt examination of grief and guilt. The film has been receiving powerful reactions since its premiere earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and recently opened in limited release to strong per-screen averages on its way to expanding across the country. The film also just received five Spirit Award nominations including Affleck for best male lead and Lonergan for best screenplay following its earlier four nominations from the Gotham Awards. (Affleck would win the Gotham for lead actor.) In Manchester, Affleck plays Lee Chandler, a handyman and emotional hermit who returns to his seaside Massachusetts hometown after his older brother suddenly dies. There he discovers that his brothers will specifies for him to adopt his teenage nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). While attempting to work out the logistics of the situation, Lee must confront long-pushed-down feelings for his ex-wife, Randi (Michelle Williams) and the tragic event that drove them apart. Advertisement What I loved about the script was that the script did many things at once, Affleck said recently. It was deep and complicated, it was funny and sad, it was intricately crafted with a story in two different time periods and it was also very naturalistic sounding. More than anything, I believed, understood and cared about the characters. Considering the awful tragedy that informs the films center, many reviews have made special notice that Manchester by the Sea is somehow both deeply serious and unexpectedly funny, lightened in part by the initially antagonistic dynamic between Lee and his young charge. I havent had many people talk about the film as if its a heavy oppressive experience, Lonergan said. I like people to know the film has humor in it. When I read it I laughed out loud but I was also very moved, added Affleck. And they happen sometimes right next to each other, which is a neat trick. Manchester By The Sea stars Kyle Chandler, Michelle Williams and Casey Affleck. Affleck and Lonergan were recently sitting for an interview together on a patio near the pool of a hotel in Beverly Hills. Affleck, a longtime vegan, was asking a waitress about dishes heading to other tables and inquiring about the coconut milk in a virgin pina colada. Lonergan teasingly asked if there was vegan water available. When the chips and guacamole Affleck ordered arrived, Lonergan dug in. You can make fun of him, Lonergan said, but you cant argue with the results. The same might be said of their working dynamic as well, as a playful sense of camaraderie belies a deeper artistic simpatico. Affleck recalled that the two first met when he was turned down for a number of roles in Lonergans plays not so much turned down as passed over, corrected Lonergan before finally being cast in a 2002 London production of This Is Our Youth. And they have been friends ever since. The success of Manchester by the Sea has revived the profiles of the both of them. Affleck, 41, was nominated for an Oscar for 2007s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford but has always seemed to keep mainstream success at arms length. Just this year, he also appeared in the commercial historical drama The Finest Hours as well as the purposefully pulpy cop thriller Triple 9. The infamous 2010 faux documentary Im Still Here that Affleck made with his then brother-in-law Joaquin Phoenix resulted in settlements for sexual harassment lawsuits from two women who worked on the film. The lawsuits have become a source of renewed media interest in the wake of the acclaim for Manchester, as well as the fate that befell another Sundance 2016 alum, The Birth of a Nations Nate Parker. (Affleck later could not be reached for comment on the matter.) Lonergan, 54, is a celebrated playwright who was nominated for an Oscar for his 2000 debut film, the family drama You Can Count On Me. He then saw his second feature Margaret, a portrait of teenage angst and traumatic anguish, mired in editing room controversies and a protracted lawsuit that overshadowed its eventual release in 2011. I like people to know the film has humor in it because I dont want it to sound like its an oppressive, heavy thing. Kenneth Lonergan As much as the role of Lee Chandler in Manchester by the Sea now seems tailor-made for Affleck, highlighting his quixotic mixture of the physical and the emotional and an uncanny ability to convey a wary, weary interiority, the part was not originally intended for him. Lonergan first wrote the screenplay based on an idea brought to him by Matt Damon and John Krasinski. After a few other permutations Damon to direct Krasinski, Lonergan to direct Damon were thwarted by scheduling conflicts, the role landed with Affleck. (Damon is credited on the film as producer, Krasinski as executive producer.) Lonergan was well prepared for Afflecks habit of constant questioning, both before shooting and during. Rather than seeing his own inquisitiveness as somehow getting in the way of making the movie, Affleck sees it as a vital part of the process, never getting to one hard and fast answer, but just better and better questions bouncing back and forth. Its part of the actors job to show up with a head full of steam, to have their own take on this, Affleck said. So that way youre not relying on, OK, tell me how to do it. If youre a director and someone shows up and asks how I do it, Id imagine as a director youre like, Man, Ive got a million decisions to make, can you show up with an idea for the scene? This brings an appreciative, positive affirmation from Lonergan. Affleck attempted to further explain their onset dynamic by comparing the screenplay to a mountain planted with nuggets of gold for the actors to find and mine further, with Lonergan occasionally pointing the way. Thats a really generous metaphor, but I do like it, I have to say, Lonergan said. And without extending that metaphor that its a mountain of gold, you are occasionally saying, If you look over here you might find something. Affleck sees his methods as creative, not confrontational, underscored by a relentless drive to simply find the best version of a given moment. Its really fun when a scene doesnt work, said Affleck. There were a couple very long nights where people had been working for like 15 hours and the scenes not working, and it must be something wrong with me, but that is really when I start to have a blast. Its a collision of all these people eager to make something and all bringing their best work. Even as they continue promoting the movie together, Affleck and Lonergan seem to simply be continuing the series of conversations that led to the creation of Afflecks performance in the movie, poking and prodding at their respective ideas, turning them over looking for something more. Sometimes wed have two totally different takes on it because wed been in separate houses that night thinking about it separately, said Affleck. Sometimes, on the best days, you do it both ways or you find some weird blend, you inspire one another to a new idea, but other days, one guy is just right. And usually its the person that wrote it and is directing it. Added Lonergan, I agree with all of that except the last sentence. SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter Mark.Olsen@latimes.com Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus Paul Verhoeven and Isabelle Huppert lean into the incendiary revenge of Elle Enter the mesmerizing world of magic, sex and Anna Billers The Love Witch Warren Beatty talks Madonna, Ishtar, his conquests, his new movie and just about everything else To most, being invisible is something to balk at, to complain and protest about. After all, an individuals humanity rests, in part, on being seen as themselves for themselves. But to writer-director Cheryl Dunye, ones invisibility for her, as a black queer woman can be a benefit. Her film, 1996s The Watermelon Woman, is proof of that, of what you can do when youre invisible, she said. Not being seen gave her a bit of freedom to craft a uniquely black and lesbian tale on camera during a time period when black lesbians were nowhere to be found on film or television. But its been 20 years, and as Hollywood has surely changed, it too has remained very much the same: There is still a dearth of black lesbian, and gay, bisexual and transgender, representation. I think [the film] lives on for that reason, because people still dont know what a black queer person looks like, unless its a farcical, drag queeny, commercial way, said Dunye, 50. Thats not all that we are. Were a varied, beautiful rainbow of identities. Advertisement To celebrate the films 20th anniversary and digital restoration (it will hit DVD in January), Los Angeles locals can visit the Hammer Museums film program How to Love a Watermelon Woman (running through Wednesday and returning Dec. 20-31) and the exhibition Memoirs of a Watermelon Woman at the ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC through Dec. 22. The Watermelon Woman, which was the first feature directed by a black lesbian, follows the efforts of a young black lesbian filmmaker, played by Dunye herself, to find out everything she can about a black actress known as the Watermelon Woman, who played maids in 1930s black-and-white films. Following various leads, the main character slowly discovers the history of the actress and the fact that she had a long affair with a white woman who was one of Hollywoods few female directors. Dunyes character ironically begins to develop a romantic interracial relationship herself, with a character played by Guinevere Turner (who went on to write American Psycho and The Notorious Bettie Page). Captured in what Dunye calls the Dunyementary style a hybrid of narrative, documentary, comedy and autobiography, with talking heads, man-on-the-street interviews and Dunye herself as a character or narrator the film challenged both the genres of black cinema and the then-budding queer cinema. Tons of people were in black cinema toms, coons, mulattoes, mammies and bucks, she said, quoting the title of historian Donald Bogles foundational 1973 text analyzing the history of black people in American film. There had to be a gay person in there. But its written out of that text and all the books. Flip to [the history of] lesbian and gay cinema, what you do get is women, but not women of color. Somebody existed [during those times], just nobody cared. That gave me the chance to say, I want to see somebody like me who existed. To do that, Dunye, along with artist Zoe Leonard, made archival material for the film, inventing a historical, Hollywood lineage for black lesbians. (Though they might have been able to find real archives through the Library of Congress, licensing and research fees were too costly. Some of the archives created used photos from lesbian playwright Ira Jeffries.) Perhaps for this very reason how the film blurs the lines of fact and fiction, feature and documentary, all the while providing cultural critique Watermelon Woman is experiencing a wave of renewed interest amid a now persistent, industry-wide conversation about diversity and representation. Twenty years later, it still feels so urgent, very contemporary, like it was made yesterday, said Erin Christovale, curator of the Hammer program. I think that says a lot about [Dunyes] legacy and her foresight about issues that still arent resolved in the film industry and media making. Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, program director of Outfest, which screened the film during its initial release, agreed, highlighting the importance of preserving films like Watermelon Woman, which won the coveted Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1996. Were losing these really vital stories from the queer canon and these representations of LGBTQ individuals are just disappearing throughout history, she said. Taylor Morales, manager of the festivals Legacy Project, which, in partnership with UCLAs Film & Television Archive restored the film, added: The Watermelon Woman redresses the historical erasure of African American lesbians from both mainstream and LGBT histories. This mirrors the work the Legacy Project is doing to capture the diversity of the LGBTQ community. Like the films we choose to create, the films we choose to preserve impact the historical record. And though Dunye, now a professor at San Francisco State, was invited to become a member of the film academy earlier this year its largest and most diverse class to date its important to her to remain dedicated to working outside the traditional system. Its a decision that came after her second feature, Miramaxs My Babys Daddy in 2004. It took me over the edge and I said Im not going to do this [ever again], she said about the studio experience. Since, shes made two other features, serving as writer and director of indies The Owls (2010) and Mommy Is Coming (2012). While doing so hasnt been easy, the struggle is a byproduct of her choice to make cinema, as opposed to making movies. Movies are about making money, she said. But when youre in it to make cinema and statements and art and media that matters in a different way, youre saying that its going to take a while, that Im not going to have money, but Im going to make a mark. And because too many filmmakers want to make movies and not enough want to make cinema, 20 years after her first feature, the industry hasnt substantially changed. Hollywood is exactly the same as it was, she said. They still are not letting us in. And when you do go in, as everyone is magnetized to go in, you get white-washed. But Dunye isnt interested in being anything other than the person she is: a black queer woman, or what Mukerjee-Brown calls a triple threat to the establishment. Luckily, Dunye finds herself re-inspired by my own creativity doing the press tour for the Watermelon Womans 20th anniversary. The anger and invisibility she experienced earlier in her career, however, are still present. As she funnels that into her next piece of cinema, titled Black Is Blue, an Afro-futuristic tale centered on a black transman in Oakland, she hopes the new generation of filmmakers and creators being introduced to The Watermelon Woman is inspired to push the bounds of what black queer imagery looks like. There are a lot of stories to tell, she said. I think The Watermelon Woman is there for someone to say I can do better than that. Get your life! Follow me on Twitter: @TrevellAnderson. As he frequently reminded the Gotham Awards room, Barry Jenkins took an eight-year hiatus before shooting his new movie Moonlight. Hes making up for lost time. The writer-director and his drama cleaned up at the indie film ceremony Monday night, winning the top prize of best feature as well as the audience and screenplay awards, along with a special jury ensemble honor. When you go eight years without making a [new] film, Jenkins said at one point, referencing his micro-budgeted prior film Medicine for Melancholy, you assume no one is going to watch it. Advertisement The director and his cast came to the stage repeatedly throughout the night. By his last speech, Jenkins was running out of people to thank and turned his attention to his third grade teacher, and CAA. The film even managed to work its way into unrelated moments. Cate Blanchett, presenting another award, interrupted herself during a different point. Speaking of extraordinary, that Moonlight is extraordinary, she said. 1 / 14 Benjamin Millepied, left, and Natalie Portman attend the 26th Gotham Independent Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press) 2 / 14 Amy Adams attends IFPs 26th Gotham Independent Film Awards. (Matthew Eisman / Getty Images for IFP) 3 / 14 Krysten Ritter, Natalie Portman, left, and Greta Gerwig, Mike Colter at the Gotham Awards. (Left and right - Jemal Countess/Getty Images | Center - Matthew Eisman/Getty Images) 4 / 14 Katie Holmes (Matthew Eisman / Getty Images for IFP) 5 / 14 Leslie Mann and Maude Apatow (Jemal Countess / Getty Images ) 6 / 14 Ben McKenzie, left, and Morena Baccarin (Evan Agostini / Invision / Associated Press) 7 / 14 Margot Robbie (Matthew Eisman / Getty Images for IFP) 8 / 14 Keegan-Michael Key hosted the 2016 Gotham Awards in New York. (Jemal Countess / Getty Images for IFP) 9 / 14 Janelle Monae, left, and Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Sasha Lane (Left - Evan Agostini/Invision/Associated Press | Center - Matthew Eisman/Getty Images | Right - Jemal Countess/Getty Images) 10 / 14 Susan Kelechi Watson (Jemal Countess / Getty Images for IFP) 11 / 14 John Leguizamo (Jemal Countess / Getty Images for IFP) 12 / 14 Neve Campbell (Matthew Eisman / Getty Images for IFP) 13 / 14 Malin Akerman (Matthew Eisman / Getty Images for IFP) 14 / 14 Aziz Ansari (Matthew Eisman / Getty Images for IFP) The New York-based Gothams, a kind of East Coast version of the Spirit Awards, are regarded as one of the first of the award-season events that in the coming months will also include the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Though its small jury pools of stars and filmmakers do not encompass the diverse bodies of people that will vote for those prizes, the ceremony has proved prescient of late: the 2015 and 2014 best feature winners (Spotlight and Birdman) each went on to win best picture at the Oscars. That should bode well for Moonlight. Based on a Tarell Alvin McCraney play, the film is a tri-partite coming-of-age story, spanning more than a decade, about a young gay black man in Miami. The movie, funded and distributed by A24, stars Trevante Rhodes, Andre Holland, Janelle Monae, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome, Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali, all part of the cast that won the jury prize Though its early, the film seems to be following in the footsteps of Boyhood two years ago an intimate movie about growing up, told across multiple time frames, that has captivated tastemakers and voters. After a successful late-summer festival run, Moonlight has also begun attracting commercial audiences, grossing nearing $10 million so far mainly on the strength of word of mouth. Cheers for the movie at the Gothams were noticeably louder than for any other film. It also seems to be tapping into a political zeitgeist, or counter-zeitgeist. Accepting the feature prize, Jenkins said, These are marginal people and marginal lives. Its [great] theres a platform to center these stories, because theyre needed now more than ever. Jenkins comments were hardly the only ones with a political charge Monday. Presenter Damian Lewis cracked an electoral-college joke. The film that receives the most votes is the winner! What a brilliant idea! he said of the audience prize. And Nick Kroll noted that Gentlemen, if you dont win, take solace in the fact that you didnt win because the Russians interfered in ways we dont understand. Host Keegan-Michael Key also quipped about all the events that he thought the country would be celebrating on this night but wasnt after the election (celebrating diversity, breaking a glass ceiling). Diversity stories were, however, celebrated across the ballot; O.J.: Made in America, Ezra Edelmans race-themed docuseries for ESPN, notched a win for best documentary. For his part, Oliver Stone encouraged newer filmmakers to push back against government oversight. The mechanism is in place so when there is another attack, the next president will have the authority to close down the system, he said, citing Edward Snowden. This is a major issue in our time. I hope you young people will not forget this in your work. Please address it. Stone was one of several people to receive tributes; the group also included Arrival and Nocturnal Animals star Amy Adams (If youre always trying to be normal youll never know how amazing you can be), Born to be Blue lead Ethan Hawke (after saying hes been declared washed up several times, The only thing I know for certain is I will be washed up again very soon), and the longtime producer Arnon Milchan, who was feted by Danny DeVito (He loves movies and he is rich, DeVito said, after leading the room in a chant of Milchans name). Most surprising among the winners was Elle star Isabelle Huppert, who knocked off front-runners Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Annette Bening (20th Century Women) for best actress, though in a fiercely competitive year even Hupperts Oscar nomination in the category is not assured. Huppert seemed truly shocked as she took the stage. They all told me its a very American award and youre very French, she said. In surprising news to the winner if not those in the audience, best actor went to Casey Affleck for his role as a tortured handyman in Kenneth Lonergans New England-based drama Manchester by the Sea. [Darn it], I wish I had something to say, Affleck hesitated. This feels really good. I didnt think I cared that much. Just as off the cuff, if more comedic, was Aziz Ansari. After accepting the Made In NY Prize for his city-based show Master of None, the performer offered some improv about the modest size of the plaque, his penchant for swiping snacks from rival craft services tables and the generally constructed nature of award shows. I was told a few months ago, he said as he came to the lectern to accept the honor. But I tried to forget about it so I would be surprised. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour On Twitter: @ZeitchikLAT 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 including 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. Advertisement 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. It arrives on the heels of Alex Gibneys HBO documentary Going Clear, which was based on New Yorker staff writer Lawrence Wrights meticulously researched book of the same name, and is a companion piece of sorts to Reminis memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, released last year. While the single episode made available to critics covers little new ground and employs an unsophisticated documentary style, its focus on Scientologys toll on families is an effective strategy that will likely resonate with many viewers. Remini, who starred for nine seasons on the popular Kevin James sitcom The King of Queens, was once one of Scientologys most enthusiastic proponents but has become one of its highest-profile celebrity defectors. (She is also an executive producer on Scientology and the Aftermath.) The first episode opens with an abbreviated recap of Reminis involvement in the church, which she joined as a child and provided a support network for her mother following a painful divorce. As Reminis career thrived, she became, as she puts it, a thought leader in the organization. With clips of Remini making hyperbolic claims about the power of Scientology we are the most ethical group youre ever going to find, she gushes in a 1999 interview the series is frank about her role in promoting and defending the church. All of which lends greater heft to Reminis eventual denunciation. Her disillusionment began in 2006 at Tom Cruises wedding to Katie Holmes, where Remini was rebuked for inquiring as to the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, wife of church leader David Miscavige. After she and her family were submitted to expensive interrogations, she publicly broke with Scientology in 2013. The premiere episode focuses on the churchs harsh treatment of apostates like Remini and its policy of disconnection shunning friends and family members whove left the organization. It tells the story of former executive Amy Scobee, who joined Sea Org, the churchs quasi-military religious order, as a teenager and for decades barely had any contact with her father. She ascended the ranks and eventually ran the Celebrity Centre where, among other tasks, she was responsible for making sure everyone around Cruise, down to household staff, was a Scientologist. Scobee walked away from Scientology in 2005, forcing her mother, a still-devout parishioner, to disconnect. Her painful experiences are echoed by Mike Rinder, former spokesperson for the church, who says his greatest regret is introducing his estranged children to Scientology. Scientology and the Aftermath takes a human-interest approach to its subject, barely delving into the origins of the religion or its more bizarre teachings (e.g. Xenu, the prehistoric space tyrant spoofed in a 2005 episode of South Park). Its aimed at relative newcomers, using graphics to define lingo like suppressive person. Unlike Gibneys Going Clear, this series is a strictly basic-cable affair that relies on some regrettable reality-TV conventions. There are hokey re-creations, lots of generic stock footage, an interview with Remini that has the look and feel of a Real Housewives confessional and superfluous montages highlighting the drama in episodes ahead. The show is also punctuated with a truly ridiculous number of disclaimers and directs viewers to a Scientology website that issues strenuous denials regarding allegations. As the church surely knows firsthand, Remini is an effective ambassador for her cause. Though she moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles as a teenager, she still has the sassy, straight-talking demeanor of an outer-borough New Yorker. She comes off as authentic, even if Scientology and the Aftermath can also seem self-serving. (Her name is in the title, after all.) Remini may have paid a price for speaking out but leaving the church has also undeniably boosted her visibility. And however well-intentioned Remini seems to be, theres something a tad ironic about an investigation of a celebrity-driven cult that plays like a star vehicle. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath Where: A&E When: 10 p.m. Tuesday Rating: TV-14-DL (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14 with advisories for suggestive dialogue and coarse language) Follow me @MeredithBlake ALSO Leah Remini gets emotional about Katie Holmes in interview on Scientology Kanye West remains hospitalized, reportedly not stable enough to go home Tom Cruise re-creates his entire film career for James Corden Review: Life after Scientology is contentious for church leaders father ClubM, a San Diego company specializing in the doorstep delivery of curated cannabis products, is going after the truly high-end consumer with the launch of a limited-edition luxury box just in time for the holidays. Dubbed the M1K, the production run of the boxes is extremely limited were talking less-than-a-dozen limited at launch and are available only to ClubM subscribers. Although California recently legalized adult recreational use, the subscriptions require both an invitation and valid recommendation paperwork issued by a California-licensed physician (both of which can be arranged through the services website). If youve cleared those two hurdles, the next one may be the hyper-premium price tag of $1,000 more than 10 times the cost of the companys monthly themed boxes (but half of what the assortment would cost if purchased separately). Advertisement That buys the discriminating cannabis connoisseur an assortment of products (flower, edibles and vapes) and related accessories (such as rollers, grinders, dabbing tools) delivered in the customers choice of either a custom humidor made by L.A.-based Apothecarry (similar ones retail for $259) or a leather AnnaBis purse with a scent-proof lining (approximate retail value $245). In a news release announcing the M1K, ClubM co-founder Chris Husong said there was demand for a super-premium offering. Frankly, its product most people cant afford, but ClubM members are clamoring for it, he said. There are some really beautiful luxury cannabis products, [and] this is about discovery of the best of the best. ClubM isnt the only SoCal brand catering to the deep-pocketed pot-smoking crowd either. Another is jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche who, just last month, threw a weed-themed party at her Beverly Hills showroom to publicize the launch of an expanded collection of pot-leaf-emblazoned jewelry and apparel that included $440 snakeskin blunt travel cases and $7,000 crocodile clutches. Now that recreational adult use and possession of marijuana has been legalized in the Golden State (though buying it if you dont hold a doctors recommendation isnt yet an option) you can be sure that the gold rush to offer luxury level accessories and accouterments to the moneyed marijuana set is just beginning. For more musings on cannabis culture and commerce, follow me @ARTschorn. ALSO ClubM throws a one-year anniversary party in L.A. Now what? Reflections on Californias new pot law A fine-dining chef focuses on marijuana plant-to-table cuisine HSN is jumping on the wellness train. The network is launching products from the Golden Door Luxury Resort & Spa the famed Escondido, Calif.-based mind and body retreat starting in January. The business hosts about 40 people per week on its 600-acre property who then focus on exercise, nutrition and spa treatments. Both Golden Doors natural beauty products and artisanal food products will be sold on the network. The brand will launch its Soothing Cleansing Foam, Bamboo Face Scrub, Moisture Rich Serum, Golden Peel-A-Way Mask and Daily Renewal Treatment on the channel, as well as additional products, like the Hydrating Cleansing Milk, Soothing Toner, Hydrating Moisturizer, Yuzu Body Oil and other products online. The HSN distribution for both food and skin care could add between $1 million and $2 million in sales to Golden Door, according to industry sources. Advertisement Its all about health, inner beauty and outer beauty, said Alicia Valencia, senior vice president of beauty merchandising at HSN, talking about Golden Door. Our platform at HSN is really about helping women feel better and more confidentthis is a brand that is totally on that platform. Its a really interesting conversation to take a world famous resort spa and have the wellness conversation about your skin and your body with us, said Kathy Van Ness, chief executive officer at Golden Door. We have a real story to tell because we do this every single weekwe want to be able to communicate with guests beyond the golden doorstheres this way of taking what we do here on the property and extending it externally, Van Ness said. We are a luxury property, said Van Ness. Its cool, and with our charitable arm, this is a really interesting new platform to be able not only to have a strategic partner on the revenue side, but also one on the giving side. (Golden Door started a foundation in 2013 that donates to a handful of charities.) The networks interest in Golden Door products was piqued after Valencia made a visit to the spa in April, she said. Its a beautiful place but the luxury is in how they treat their guests and the message, Valencia said. When we really sat down with the [research and development] folks and tried the productswe were quite frankly surprised that they were using a lot of natural ingredients and that they were able to get the clinicals and the claims they were able to getwhat is really compelling is when you show before and afters. Now that youve survived Thanksgiving, heres what you can look forward to in the L.A. food and drink world: Glendale ramen king: Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles, arguably the best ramen-ya in SoCal, is opening a location at the Americana at Brand in Glendale called the Tsujita Artisan Noodle. Starting Wednesday, youll be able to order the brands signature tsukemen and tonkotsu. The Glendale restaurant is 2,700 square feet with 53 seats. Heres hoping the lines arent as long as the ones at the locations on Sawtelle Boulevard. The restaurant joins a growing list of newcomers to the center, including Shake Shack (now open) and Eggslut (coming soon). 889 Americana Way, Glendale, (818) 553-3822, www.thetsujita.com. Hungry Cat farewell: The Hungry Cat in Santa Monica has closed, and according to the company website, the Santa Barbara location is next. Owner David Lentz posted a note on the site announcing that after 10 years in Santa Barbara, the restaurant will close at Christmas. Cited reasons for the closing include declining business and the current economic climate, along with Lentz being based in Los Angeles with three young children. Happily, the original location in Hollywood will remain open. These are very challenging times for small independent restaurants increased labor costs, the California minimum wage (which unlike most states does not have an exception for tipped employees), increased sick pay (which is sometimes abused), insurance costs that have doubled since last year and higher payroll taxes, wrote Lentz in a statement to the Times. He also said hes working on a to-be-announced new project. Test kitchen party: Crafted Kitchen, a large culinary incubator that offers chefs a space to prepare food, will open in downtown L.A. on Dec. 8. Located in a 96-year-old brick warehouse, Crafted Kitchen will have a 675-square-foot test kitchen, a 1,700-square-foot shared kitchen and four private kitchen studios. Chefs with a Crafted Kitchen membership will be able to use the spaces to test menus, prepare food for food trucks, etc. 672 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 477-1127, www.craftedkitchenla.com. Advertisement Holiday shopping: If youve started your holiday shopping, Smorgasburg L.A. has some ideas. The weekly Sunday food and shopping event at the Alameda Produce Market has launched its holiday market, which will run through Dec. 18. Expect plenty of edible gifts, including cookie sampler packs from Cookie Captain, beef jerky from Three Jerks Jerky and Filipino brioche from Ensaymada Project. Many small boutiques and clothing vendors will also be selling items at the market. 785 Bay St., Los Angeles, la.smorgasburg.com. The new OC butcher: The Butchery, a full service butcher shop with two locations in Orange County, will open another location at the Crystal Cove Shopping Center in Newport Beach on Dec. 10. Expect more of the meats, cheeses and sandwiches the shop is known for, as well as craft beer and wine. 8058 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Coast, (949) 715-3383, www.butcherymeats.com. Still hungry: Salazar in Elysian Valley is now serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Josef Centenos P.Y.T. and LALA Farm will host a dinner to benefit students at Los Angeles Leadership Academy on Sunday. And every Monday night is Industry Night at Doheny Room in West Hollywood, with 25% off dinner for those who work in the restaurant industry. ALSO: And now for some red wines to pair with falls bountiful food This chocolatier adds caramel, toffee and cannabis to her chocolates This Sherman Oaks restaurant is inspired by the Hamptons, but with hookah and plenty of Nutella UPDATES: 10:12 a.m. This article was updated with additional comments from David Lentz regarding Hungry Cat in Santa Monica closing. This article was originally published at 9 a.m. Good morning. Its Tuesday, Nov. 29, the day you can own the home that once housed the Los Angeles Times powerbrokers for only $50 million. Or just keep reading Essential California for whats going on around the state: TOP STORIES Taxpayers take a hit on the 405 Advertisement The widening of the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass just got a lot more expensive. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has agreed to pay nearly $300 million to the projects contractor. The settlement, approved by Metros directors in closed session earlier this month, will increase the cost to more than $1.6 billion, about 55% higher than its original budget. And data show all the work has done little to improve traffic flow. Los Angeles Times End to an infamous case Another shoe dropped in the long-running L.A. County Sheriffs Department scandal. Two former deputies were sentenced to federal prison Monday for beating a mentally ill inmate and falsifying reports to cover up the attack. They are the latest department officials to face imprisonment in connection with the countys jail abuse scandal. Los Angeles Times California pushes back on Trump Donald Trumps allegation without any proof that there was widespread voter fraud in California and elsewhere sparked an angry backlash. Not only is Trumps statement untrue, officials said, but it hurts the integrity of the system. Broad-brush allegations of voter fraud and illegal voting serve only to undermine the publics trust and confidence in the elections process and run the risk of further deflating voter participation, said Dean Logan, registrar of voters in Los Angeles County and president of the statewide association of elections officials. Los Angeles Times L.A. STORIES Surfer gang fortress: Work got underway Monday to demolish an illegal stone and wood shelter built by a group of territorial surfers who are accused of using intimidation and violence to keep non-locals away from the well-shaped waves at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates. Los Angeles Times New museum: An inside look at Los Angeles newest museum, from Guess co-founder Maurice Marciano. Its slated to open inside the famed Wilshire Boulevard Scottish Rite Masonic Temple and shares some similarities some to the Broad. Wall Street Journal Star power: Meet an unlikely YouTube star, a Los Angeles sex education therapist. ABC News Daily call: In San Pedro, a daily bugle call remains an old-fashioned form of patriotism. Daily Breeze POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT Issa survives: One of the GOPs most outspoken members of Congress, San Diegos Darrell Issa, has won his ninth term after fending off a challenge from a Democrat. It was the closest race of Issas political career. San Diego Union-Tribune Towering controversy: A conflict is brewing over plans for a 25-story luxury condo tower in Newport Beach. The politically powerful Irvine Co. has come out against the project, saying it could block views from apartments it owns. Orange County Register Netflix tax: Always looking to raise more money, some California cities are now turning their attention to Nexflix and other streaming services for taxes. New York Times Obama in California? How serious are the recurring rumors that the Obamas are moving to Rancho Mirage? Desert Sun CRIME AND COURTS Shooting aftermath: Who will gain custody of the child left behind by the San Bernardino terrorists? Washington Post Kidnapping drama: A mystery surrounds the Redding woman who was abducted weeks ago and then found beaten on the side of the road on Thanksgiving Day. Police are looking for two women who may have kidnapped her, but many questions remain unanswered. ABC News Star in trouble: Breakfast Club actor Anthony Michael Hall is facing a charge of felony battery with serious bodily injury after he allegedly shoved a neighbor to the ground and broke the neighbors wrist, according to authorities. Los Angeles Times DROUGHT AND CLIMATE Good start: This is the wettest beginning of the rainy season in decades in Northern California. But as is so often the case with Californias drought, the wet spell doesnt guarantee you anything, as one expert said. Sacramento Bee Tree dangers: Will giant sequoias such an iconic part of the California landscape survive the great drought? The Atlantic CALIFORNIA CULTURE Holiday tragedy: Officials say three people have died and five were hospitalized after a community Thanksgiving dinner in Northern California. The eight people were described as elderly and all lived in the same residential facility. Los Angeles Times Loving California more: How California has become a safe space for some trying to process the election results. LA Review of Books Hippy hangouts: From Bolinas to Mill Valley to Berkeley to Arcata, a guide through Northern California chillest hippy communities. SF Gate Surfer love: Tributes are pouring in for an unlikely California surfing hero. Dana Brown paddled out to the Huntington Beach Pier, fulfilling a long-awaited journey that began in Florida. But when a large wave slammed him into one of the piers pillars, he suffered fatal injuries and died in a hospital four days later. Los Angeles Times Cuban connection: The complicated bonds between Chicanos, Fidel Castro and the Cuban American experience. OC Weekly CALIFORNIA ALMANAC Los Angeles: Sunny and in the high 60s through the middle of the week. Bay Area: Temperatures hovering around 60 with partly cloudy skies. Sacramento area: Cloudy in the mid-50s through much of the week. AND FINALLY Todays California memory comes from Marlene Johansing: The secret sauce on the burgers at the Flying Saucer on Cochran and Wilshire, rye bread at Browns bakery next door. Thrifty Drugstores food counter across the street on Cochran. Desmonds and Silverwoods to the west on the Miracle Mile. Farther south, where LACMA now stands, the La Brea tar pits. An untamed, uncultivated, uninhabited piece of land with a couple of large tar pits. The perimeter was ringed by intertwined bushes and twisted trees a perfect place to play. This section of Los Angeles was my hood in the 40s and 50s. 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 Shelby Grad. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has agreed to pay nearly $300 million more to the contractor of the 405 Freeway widening project, capping a years-long dispute over responsibility for schedule delays, design changes and cost overruns. The settlement will push the cost of the controversial Sepulveda Pass project above $1.6 billion, about 55% higher than the original budget. The $297.8-million agreement follows years of disagreements between Kiewit Corp. and Metro over how the freeway widening was managed. Kiewit has said in legal filings that Metros repeated changes to the projects design and failure to identify and relocate utilities added significantly to delays. Advertisement The 10-mile northbound carpool lane through the Sepulveda Pass opened more than a year behind schedule. Its construction caused five years of traffic headaches on one of the nations most congested corridors. Metros directors approved the settlement in closed session earlier this month. They will be asked Thursday to formally increase the project budget to nearly $1.61 billion. Frankly, there were deficiencies, said Duarte Mayor John Fasana, the chairman of the Metro board, referring to how the agency handled the project. Metro could have continued to negotiate the settlement, he said, but we had some culpability, and it was time to move forward. In a report to directors, staff members wrote that the significant lessons learned from the 405 Freeway settlement included the importance of detailed underground utilities investigations before beginning a billion-dollar project. Metros board of directors approved the settlement less than two weeks after voters approved a new half-cent sales tax to fund transit operations, highway projects and a dramatic expansion of the county rail network. The expansion will include a multibillion-dollar, high-capacity rail tunnel through the Sepulveda Pass. The plans have already raised eyebrows among some Westside residents who endured five years of construction. Still, advocates point out, the tunnel would provide a crucial link between the Westside and the San Fernando Valley and would create more capacity than the 405s carpool lane, which studies suggest has not significantly changed traffic flow. In an email, Kiewit spokesman Bob Kula said the firm had been working positively with Metro to resolve key issues on the project, and declined to comment further. Kiewit filed suit against Metro in 2014 in the same month the carpool lane opened, seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in reimbursements. The Omaha-based construction company said in court documents that the design changes made after work began, as well as tasks that were not included in their original contract, created staggering expenses. The bureaucratic quagmire at Metro, the company said, forced Kiewit to double to 300 the number of employees on the project. Rather than litigate the claims, Metro and Kiewit agreed to nonbinding arbitration, Metro spokeswoman Pauletta Tonilas said. The settlement agreement doesnt acknowledge fault on the agencys part so much as it is acknowledging the substantial scope changes that happened, she said. Metro was pleased to finish arbitration relatively quickly and settle for less than Kiewits original claim of $518 million, she said. The settlement will be funded through the sale of bonds financed by Proposition C, a half-cent sales tax that Los Angeles County voters approved in 1990, she said. Saving on legal fees and settlement costs, she said, will make Metro the best possible steward of the taxpayer dollar we can be, given the challenges that came up. Those challenges include utility relocation. In a 140-page claim sent to Metro in 2013, the company said seven of the 13 main causes for schedule delays came from problems with third-party utility companies. Crews discovered more than nine miles of utility lines buried in the Sepulveda Pass. In one instance, they said, protecting a drainage culvert that had not been included in the bid documents added nearly $30 million to the projects cost. After Kiewit began work, it learned that Metros agreements with companies that control access to gas pipelines, data cables and electrical lines in West Los Angeles did not apply to the 405 projects, creating further delay. If only one of these third parties fails or falls behind, there is a domino effect that impacts everything else, project director Richard Raine wrote in the claim. laura.nelson@latimes.com For more transportation news, follow @laura_nelson on Twitter. ALSO L.A. County sheriffs deputies sentenced in jailhouse beating and coverup Jackhammers arrive for demolition of accused surf bullies fort on Palos Verdes Peninsula AT&Ts DirecTV Now streaming service is targeting cord-cutters and young adults Leaders of Californias three systems of public higher education sent a joint letter to President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday urging him to allow students who are in the country illegally to continue their educations without fear of deportation. These sons and daughters of undocumented immigrants are as American as any other child across the nation in all but the letter of the law, do not pose a safety threat and have contributed to their communities, wrote University of California President Janet Napolitano, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White and Eloy Ortiz Oakley, chancellor-designate of California Community Colleges. They represent some of the best our nation has to offer, the three continued. They should be able to pursue their dream of higher education without fear of being arrested, deported, or rounded up just for trying to learn. we implore you to let them know they are valued members of our communities and that they will be allowed to continue to pursue the American dream. Advertisement Trump said during his campaign that he would reverse an Obama administration program that deferred deportation proceedings against certain young people who were brought to the country illegally as minors but stayed in school and out of trouble. That program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, has approved applications nationally from nearly 742,000 people 214,000 of them live in California, the most of any state. The California entreaty comes after more than 300 college presidents signed an open letter to the countrys leaders pushing for DACA to be continued and expanded as a moral imperative and a national necessity. That earlier letter was initiated by Pomona College President David Oxtoby and signed by leaders at campuses including Yale, Harvard, Stanford, USC, UC Davis, Occidental College, Pitzer College and Scripps College. It is not clear that students face immediate risk, however. Terry Hartle, senior vice president of the American Council on Education, said that Trumps recent statements suggest he may focus first on building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and on deporting criminals. California university officials say they also are heartened by state laws that provide some of the nations strongest protections to students who entered the country illegally giving them access to drivers licenses, state financial aid and in-state tuition, for instance. Tens of thousands of these students have turned to UC, Cal State and California community colleges for a shot at higher education. The systems do not track students immigration status, but the closest rough estimate comes from Assembly Bill 540, a 2001 state law that enables some California students who are in the U.S. illegally to qualify for in-state college tuition. Last year, AB 540 waivers were issued to about 61,000 students at community colleges, 10,000 at Cal State and 3,700 at UC. Overall, the three systems educate 2.8 million students. Administrators say the DACA program, which also gives access to work permits, empowered more students to come out of the shadows. At UC, for instance, the number of students who qualified for AB 540 waivers jumped from 885 in 2011 to 3,765 last year. Community colleges, Cal State and private campuses such as Pomona also reported significant increases. Students who are in the country illegally account today for about 4% of Pomona Colleges 1,600 undergraduates. DACA not just for Pomona, but for the whole country has encouraged high school students to take their studies more seriously and get into college, Oxtoby said. Before DACA, they didnt see the reason to go on, because they didnt see a future. Oxtoby has personally assured students that Pomona will fill any financial aid gaps should Trump end the program and their access to work permits. Pomona also brought in an immigration lawyer to speak to students seeking legal advice and advised those without legal status not to study abroad next semester because we just dont know what will happen when they try to return, Oxtoby said. Ray Murillo, director of student programs at Cal State, the nations largest public university system, said students who are in the country illegally have, since the election, feared deportation the most but also worry about their ability to keep their jobs and pay for school. Before DACA, he said, students had to find under-the-table work, typically with lower pay and poorer working conditions. Now, he said, students can fill campus jobs, compete for internships and study abroad activities that help them feel more connected to their schools. One oasis of support for such students is the Titan Dreamers Resource Center at Cal State Fullerton, which opened in 2014 the first of eight such Cal State centers. On Monday, it was filled with students doing homework and bonding with classmates who shared their anxieties about the future. Brenda Villa, a third-year undergraduate studying broadcast journalism and economics, walked past hand-painted canvases that proclaimed UNDOCUMENTED AND UNAFRAID and hugged a classmate. The threat that Trump would end DACA has brought students closer together, she said. She said the uncertainty of the future for herself, her friends and her family hit her the morning after the election. She is trying to lead by example and motivate her two younger sisters to succeed in college. I just started crying. It felt like someone close had died, she said. She hoped to study abroad in 2018 and to graduate on time. Now she worries that wont be possible. One young woman who would give only her first name, Jessica, for fear of being identified, said she graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2012 without DACA, working 18 hours a week under the table as a waitress to pay for school and help her parents with rent. But she was devastated to find she could not accept a job offer at the Head Start program that helped her when she was in preschool because she had no legal work permit. Under the DACA program, she was able to go back to Head Start and get the job. She worked there three years and went on to graduate school well on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a social worker in high schools or even starting her own practice. My biggest concern now is, whats going to happen after I graduate? she said. And then of course, theres that fear of deportation what could happen to my whole family. Henoc Preciado, the centers coordinator, said the Trump victory triggered a sense of hopelessness among many of the hundreds of students who visit. Some began skipping classes and work; he referred one student to counselors after he spoke of having suicidal thoughts, and said many others have sought mental health services. Estela is one of the students working on her studies at the Titan Dreamers Resource Center. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times ) For these students, when they dont yet know how theyre going to protect themselves or their family members, school is going to be secondary, he said. [DACA] is not just a policy, its not just an executive action. These are people whose lives are in limbo. Napolitano, who heads the 10-campus, 252,000-student UC system, has a particular interest in DACA, which she devised in 2012 when she was U.S. Homeland Security secretary under President Obama. At the time, she said, the administration was stymied by congressional inaction in its efforts to reform the nations immigration laws and offer a path to legalization for those here illegally. In an interview Monday, Napolitano said she wanted Trump and others to understand that the program is not a blanket amnesty as some have labeled it, but requires an individual case review to screen each candidate for potential safety threats, age requirements and other criteria. Nearly 65,000 cases were denied as of June, according to federal immigration data. Napolitano has convened a task force to examine the potential effect on students of any actions by the incoming administration. All UC campuses have support centers for students in the country illegally, offering academic aid, legal advice and a wide variety of scholarships, fellowships and grants. We want to do everything we can to protect DACA students, Napolitano said. They have done everything society has asked of them except they were brought here as children undocumented. rosanna.xia@latimes.com teresa.watanabe@latimes.com ALSO Hire judges, boost prosecutions and cut funds: What Jeff Sessions could do on immigration as attorney general For many L.A. blacks, Trumps supporters and advisors stir ugly memories and new fears California mayors have a message for Trump about the border UPDATES: 2:05 p.m.: This article was updated to add the names of additional schools that signed an open letter to the countrys leaders. 7:04 a.m.: This story was updated with additional data. This article was originally published at 5 a.m. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The success of OPECs upcoming Vienna meeting is above 90 percent, Cyril Widdershoven, a Middle East geopolitical specialist and energy analyst, a partner at Dutch risk consultancy VEROCY and SVP MEA-Risk, told Trend Nov. 29. Main players are willing to get their act together, in which Saudi Arabia and Russia are showing their power at present, he said. In September, OPEC producers agreed during an 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. The expert pointed out that Saudi Arabia is very much interested in this deal, as it will push valuation of its ARAMCO IPO in 2017 to higher levels. A crude oil price increase will be bringing in additional billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia, which all parties involved are very much interested in, Widdershoven added. As for non-OPEC countries, the expert said that main issues for Moscow are Saudi Arabian and other Arab OPEC producers requests that non-OPEC countries, such as Russia, Canada and the US, cut at the same levels. Russia will try to have a geopolitical assessment in place, in which it will give into the requests of Arab OPEC members to cut, as this will additionally give it some positive feedback from Saudi-UAE and possibly others on MENA-related (Middle East and North Africa) issues at present, he said. However, the expert believes that the US will not commit itself to production cuts. In a free-market situation, the US government is not at all able to force production cuts on its privatized companies or IOCs (international oil companies), explained Widdershoven. But shale oil will not be making such a large impact on the market in which production is even expected to fall in 2017-2018 due to very low investment or capital expenditures in the last 3 years, according to the expert. Decline of production is imminent in large parts of the world, so oil prices will be hitting higher levels for sure. Cuts at present are just to show the power of OPEC and non-OPEC members to have a say in the market, he added. Widdershoven pointed out that success is however a small issue, as the market is looking for guidance and some positive news to look forward to higher price levels and lower excess oil volumes in 2017. It is needed, to keep production levels at volumes needed, as more and more it is becoming clear that production and supply are reaching a breaking point, he said, adding that supply will be lagging behind, while demand is growing steadily. Somewhere in the next months we will see more and more information that the oil glut is over. We are reaching a different situation very soon, said the expert. Work got underway Monday to demolish an illegal stone and wood shelter built by a group of territorial surfers who are accused of using intimidation and violence to keep non-locals away from the well-shaped waves at Lunada Bay in Palos Verdes Estates. City officials used a helicopter throughout the day to airlift jackhammers, an air compressor and other equipment to the site below steep cliffs on the northwestern part of the bay. The demolition, removal of debris and final cleanup are expected to be completed Friday. Advertisement The Bay Boys began building the so-called fort 30 years ago, on the rugged shoreline of Rocky Point, at one of Southern Californias best and most notorious surf spots. They cemented in stone retaining walls and a patio with a stone table, fire pit, rock bench and wood canopy. An adjacent seating area contains a wooden bench covered by a wood frame with palm fronds. Witnesses and accounts filed in pending lawsuits accuse the group of congregating at the structure for years and bombarding outsiders with dirt clods, slashing their tires and assaulting them in the water. The attacks, witnesses said, were sometimes coordinated with small radios and phone messages. Police reports over the years also show that the shelter, which was constructed without permits near the waters edge, has repeatedly been the scene of drug and alcohol use. That the city is moving forward with plans to take down the fort is indeed a good first step, said Noaki Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the California Coastal Commission, which sought to have the shelter removed. We will continue to work to make sure measures are put in place to ensure the public is not discouraged from enjoying Lunada Bay. In June, the commission threatened to take legal action against Palos Verdes Estates to improve public access to the bay and told the municipality to develop a plan to dismantle the shelter or seek permits for it. A month later, the City Council unanimously approved the removal of the structure. The council awarded a $61,511 contract to AMPCO Contracting Inc. to dismantle the Bay Boys shelter and another unpermitted bench and retaining wall on the south side of the bay at Resort Point as well debris around a storm drain. City officials said the razing furthers their effort to remove unauthorized encroachments in park lands and supports the goals of maintaining a pristine coastline. dan.weikel@latimes.com ALSO Authorities are searching for the authors of threatening letters sent to California mosques Search for escaped inmates leads police to Gilroy hotel Can a child who starts kindergarten with few reading or math skills catch up? A 37-year-old homeless woman accused of scrawling anti-Donald Trump graffiti on several Los Angeles County buildings pleaded not guilty Monday to four felony counts of vandalism. Victoria Jayne Bay, who was arrested Nov. 22, faces four counts of felony vandalism over $400 damage, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. Bay spray-painted anti-Trump messages at the Hall of Justice, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Hall of Records and the countys Central Heating and Refrigeration Plant on Nov. 20, the criminal complaint alleges. Advertisement Authorities originally estimated the damage at about $9,000. Surveillance cameras had filmed a woman as she used a can of blue spray paint to deface four buildings in downtown L.A. on a Sunday. She scrawled vulgarities about Trump and other writings about the president-elect, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Officials released surveillance images of the woman, who was wearing a plaid shirt and had a distinct mop of blue hair. On Nov. 22, Los Angeles Police Department officers on patrol near 1st Street and Soto Avenue stopped a woman for having an open container in public and recognized her as the suspect from the graffiti investigation, officials said. Officers arrested Bay on suspicion of felony vandalism. If Bay is convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of five years in jail. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. brittny.mejia@latimes.com Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia ALSO Ex-NFL star Darren Sharper sentenced to 20 years in prison as rape victims in L.A. speak out Sherri Papini was found with a bag over head, beaten and weighing just 87 pounds, husband says Woman vandalizes car for six hours as bystanders watch in amazement Even though Hollywood Boulevard is bustling and full of tourists eager to shop, take photos and eat, the pizza shop Stefanos Two Guys From Italy is empty, its red leather booths vacant. Stefania Alberti, owner of Stefanos, steps away from the counter. Its been like this for months, she says, after the hot dog vans began selling food right outside her front door. I sell pizza by the slice; they have hot dogs, Alberti says. Tourists stop there before they come here. Since early September, a quiet battle has been brewing between storekeepers and street hot dog vendors all eager to nab a piece of the lucrative tourist trade along a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard between North McCadden Place and North Las Palmas Avenue. Advertisement A hodgepodge of issues concerning transportation and health codes, law enforcement and cultural and language barriers has stymied a resolution. The dispute is part of a long history in Los Angeles of fractious relations between shop owners and mobile vendors, including sidewalk peddling, which is currently illegal. This battle is significant because its happened on one of Los Angeles most storied streets, which has seen a major revitalization in recent years with a slew of new upscale development. The boom is bringing more tourists and visitors back to the boulevard, and that has the street vendors and regular merchants fighting for business. Many of the businesses on the block the punk store Hot Rock next door, the food market on the corner and others say the vendors selling hot dogs, snacks and drinks are direct competition, and they are seeing the impact on their bottom line. We called the city, we called parking enforcement. Weve been complaining and complaining, and nothing happens, Alberti said. They park there all the time, they stay overnight. Theyre covering their [health inspection] grades. Its killing our business, as slow as it is. They shouldnt be in front of our restaurant. Kelly Kight, who manages Hot Rock and the clothing store Rock Town, also on the block, began taking pictures of the street vendors in September to gather evidence for city officials. Kight recently started a petition that proposes two solutions: making Hollywood Boulevard a no-food-truck zone from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and reenacting a law that prohibits food vendors from operating in front of businesses. The petition has more than 50 signatures from local shop owners and workers. She said the food vendors exploit Los Angeles Department of Transportation regulations by parking in the same spot every day and paying parking fines instead of moving. 1 / 5 A food truck is set up outside the Hollywood Boulevard pizza shop Stefanos Two Guys From Italy. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 5 Stefania Alberti, right, and Kelly Kight say food trucks have hurt their Hollywood Boulevard businesses for months. Alberti runs the pizza shop Stefanos Two Guys From Italy; next door, Kight manages Hot Rock and the clothing store Rock Town. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 5 Rosa Bustamante works at a food truck on Hollywood Boulevard. She says the mobile vendors are there for the same reason as the brick-and-mortar stores: to take care of their families. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 5 Food trucks set up on a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard thats often dense with tourists. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 5 Stefania Alberti, left, runs the pizza shop Stefanos Two Guys From Italy. Kelly Kight manages Hot Rock and the clothing store Rock Town. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) According to Kight and Alberti, one street vendor, La Sabrosa Estrada, in front of their stores hides its health rating, leaves food sitting out and does not have proper refrigeration. A woman working at the Estrada van declined to comment. Rosa Bustamante, who works at a neighboring food vendor, said shes never had a discussion with the shop owners and only recently learned there was an issue over her location. They dont want to understand us, Bustamante said. We have a right to sell here, we have to pay taxes to the city each year for the business. Were here for the same reasons. I have to take care of my family. According to Bustamante, her boss who owns two food vans pays taxes and parking violations totaling $24,000 a year. [The shop owners] call the parking enforcement, they call the police, they take photos and videos, Bustamante said. The street is free, we simply need to work. Many contend that the street vendors add vibrancy and healthy competition to the community and should be treated like any other business owner trying to make a living. Matt Geller, chief executive of the Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Assn., has worked over the years advocating for food trucks. In 2010, his organization was part of the citys Mobile Food Truck Task Force to address the then-burgeoning food truck industry and conflicts with local businesses. Imagine if Blockbuster wanted to block any home within 1,000 feet of its business from ordering Netflix, Geller said. In this country, we dont want our government to get into that type of regulation. We want competition. We want small businesses exposing holes in the market that they can exploit for their gain. The public has been very vocal; they dont want to be told where they can eat food. Food vendors are regulated by Los Angeles Countys Street Vending Compliance Program. It is a complaint-based program, said Graceline Shin, environmental health services manager for the county Department of Public Health. Investigations are done based on complaints that are received. They can come from anywhere public, business owner, consumer. Permitted vendors who are cited during an inspection are given the opportunity to correct the violations depending on severity, she said. Said Kight: Its affected our business because theres no parking for our customers. The smell of hot dogs is just permeating in our store; its causing our merchandise to smell. No ones going to want to spend $300 for a leather jacket that smells like hot dogs. Two weeks ago, Kight and other representatives from Hollywood businesses gathered in Stefanos for a conference call with city officials, including Daniel Halden, Hollywood field deputy for Councilman Mitch OFarrell; and Steve Houchin, the city attorneys neighborhood prosecutor for Hollywood. We are working with the local business community and the city attorney to ensure that parking regulations can be effectively enforced and that Hollywood Boulevard can remain an open, equitable and safe place for everyone, OFarrell said. According to Kight, language barriers prevent the business owners and street vendors from having productive conversations. Two blocks away from Stefanos is Aguilars Hot Dogs, a vendor thats been on Hollywood Boulevard for six years. The owner, Fermin Rivera, is friendly with the other vendors down the street but is staying out of the conflict. Riveras van is parked across the street from the nearest restaurant. They shouldnt be doing that, Rivera said about vendors parked in front of restaurants. But according to California vehicle code and the citys municipal code, mobile food vendors have a right to park in front of restaurants. A law preventing food trucks from parking within 100 feet of a restaurant was overturned in 1979. And in 2006, Los Angeles passed an ordinance requiring food trucks to move from a commercial zone every 60 minutes. However, it was challenged by a group of UCLA law school student advocates and overturned in 2009. One block over on Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and McCadden, there are no street food vendors in sight. The curb is red, with the exception of a few passenger loading zones, prohibiting food trucks and anyone else from parking on the street. The red curb is the result of efforts by Kamal Abdou, owner of Yogi Dog, a brick-and-mortar hot dog restaurant. Abdou faced the same competition from hot dog vendors outside his business. I went to the City Council and complained. I told them there was food trucks right in front of the meter, Abdou said. Kight is hoping for another solution. We could get this area painted red, and theyre just going to migrate to the next block, she said. Theres got to be some kind of equal ground. makeda.easter@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @makedaeaster ALSO Ex-NFL star Darren Sharper sentenced to 20 years in prison as rape victims in L.A. speak out Sherri Papini was found with a bag over head, beaten and weighing just 87 pounds, husband says Woman pleads not guilty to scrawling anti-Trump graffiti on government buildings An oddly persistent vandal spent six hours smashing, scratching and jumping up and down on a single parked car in Koreatown on Thanksgiving Day as bystanders and surveillance cameras documented the holiday spectacle, according to authorities. Stacy Omelianoff had left her Buick Lucerne parked in front of a friends apartment on Thanksgiving, before heading off to a celebration in Chino, KCBS reported. While she was away, the black sedan apparently caught the eye of a homeless woman walking through the area. A security camera on an nearby apartment building recorded the woman as she tore off one of the cars windshield wipers and used it to carve letters and scribbles into the paint. The woman then used a metal pipe and a piece of wood to scratch, smash and graffiti the doors, hood and roof of the car over a period of hours. Advertisement Video showed the woman at times sitting on the hood and walking onto the roof and jumping up and down. Omelianoffs tires were flattened and the grill of the car yanked out, she told KCBS. People who saw the woman vandalizing the car did nothing to help, Omelianoff told KCBS. They would come by, stop, back up, take pictures, video, and just take off, she said. Omelianoff didnt discover the vandalism until the next day when she was notified by the LAPD, who had arrested the woman after a witness called police, KCBS reported. Im angry, Im hurt, frustrated, and at the same time I understand that she has a mental problem, Omelianoff said of the assailant. She said video showed the woman vandalizing the car in two different time periods over the holiday, for a total of six hours. The woman was arrested and taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation, news outlets reported. Joseph.serna@latimes.com For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. ALSO Ex-NFL star Darren Sharper sentenced to 20 years in prison as rape victims in L.A. speak out Sherri Papini was found with a bag over head, beaten and weighing just 87 pounds, husband says Woman pleads not guilty to scrawling anti-Trump graffiti on government buildings A Los Angeles police officer shot and killed a man Monday after a short chase that ended with gunfire behind a South L.A. home, police said. The incident began about 1 p.m., when officers with the L.A. Police Departments Metropolitan Division were driving near 27th Street and Maple Avenue, Det. Meghan Aguilar said. The officers were in the neighborhood as part of the departments crime suppression efforts in which Metro officers monitor certain areas for potential criminal activity. The officers spotted a man who they believed was about to burglarize a vehicle, Aguilar said. They stopped driving to investigate, she said, and the man took off running. Advertisement The officers left their vehicle and chased him to the back of a nearby house, Aguilar said, where one officer shot the man. It was not immediately clear what happened in the moments before the shooting or why the officer fired, Aguilar said. Investigators found a handgun near the mans body that they believe was his, she added. It was also not clear why the officers thought the man intended to burglarize the vehicle. By midafternoon, she said, investigators had not yet interviewed the officers about what led to the deadly encounter. The mans name has not been released by authorities. Aguilar said police believe he was in his 20s. Aguilar said investigators would canvass the area for any surveillance footage that may have captured the chase or shooting. The officers did not have body cameras or a camera in their vehicle, she said. No officers were injured. Investigators blocked off Maple Avenue with yellow police tape Monday afternoon, drawing the attention of neighbors and children walking home from school. Aguilar said investigators expected the area to be closed for several hours. kate.mather@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @katemather Four people, including a teenage boy, were wounded in a shooting Monday evening in San Pedro, police said. The shots were reported about 6:15 p.m. in the 300 block of West 2nd Street, said Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Three people were taken to a hospital by paramedics, and one person was rushed to a hospital in a private vehicle, police said. Advertisement Lopez said the victims were two women, one man and the boy. Their identities were not released, and Lopez said they were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Its unclear what motivated the shooting, and the gunman remained at large late Monday. A description of the shooter was not released. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. A former U.S. Marine was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday for the murder of a pregnant woman whose body was found in the bottom of an abandoned mine shaft outside Twentynine Palms in 2014. Christopher Brandon Lee, 27, was convicted on Nov. 3 of killing 19-year-old Erin Corwin, who was married to another Marine. In addition to finding Lee guilty of first-degree murder, the jury also found true a special sentencing enhancement that Lee had lain in wait for Corwin. Advertisement Im glad the victims family was able to get some sense of peace, prosecutor Sean Daugherty said. I think the defendants cold-blooded actions here were just devastating to that family. Lees conviction came just days after he admitted to the killing in court. According to the Desert Sun newspaper, Lee testified that hed been distraught, in part, because he was denied deployment, and also because he suspected Corwin had molested his daughter, according to the newspaper. On Tuesday, Daugherty dismissed Lees claims of abuse. It was clear throughout the trial that what he would do is craft a story around a set of facts, Daugherty said. I think that allegation, that assertion, was nonsense and meant simply to try and mitigate any punishment. Investigators said Corwin and Lee, who were next-door neighbors at the Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms, were having an affair. Corwin was pregnant with Lees child when she was killed. Corwins husband reported her missing on June 28, 2014, when she did not return home from a trip to Joshua Tree National Park. A day after search crews found Corwins body on Aug. 16, 2014, Lee was arrested in Alaska, where he and his family had moved after he was discharged from the Marines in July of that year. brittny.mejia@latimes.com Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia Three people have died and five were hospitalized after eating at a community Thanksgiving dinner in Northern California, officials said Monday. The eight people who fell ill attended a dinner Thursday at an American Legion Hall in Antioch, said Marilyn Underwood, director of environmental health for Contra Costa County Health Services. The eight people were described as elderly and all lived in the same residential facility, according to Dr. Louise McNitt, the director of infectious diseases for the county health department. Advertisement Health officials were trying to identify what caused the illnesses and said it was unclear whether the Thanksgiving meal or some other source led to the sicknesses. They could have gotten sick from the food they prepared at their living facility, Underwood said. At this point, we have no reason to conclude it was the food at the event. The eight people, none of whom were identified, were among about 835 people who attended the holiday meal at the American Legion Hall, officials said. The event, hosted by Golden Hills Community Church, was open to members of the public and welcomed families, homeless people and residents of adult care facilities. The meal included traditional Thanksgiving fare such as turkey, mashed potatoes and green beans. They fed anybody that wanted to come, Underwood said. Its all sort of folks that come to the event. On Friday, the Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch admitted eight people from the elder care facility. Their symptoms included nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. A spokesman for the medical center confirmed to The Times that of those admitted, three died, four were treated and released, and one remained hospitalized on Monday. Officials said the incident was not believed to be an outbreak of food-borne illness because the eight affected people identified thus far were associated with each other. McNitt asked members of the public to come forward if they attended the Thanksgiving event and also felt sick. Were interviewing people that we know are ill and also trying to find people that may have had some symptoms but did not seek any healthcare, McNitt said. Health officials were continuing to investigate and said there was not a threat to the general public. Were saddened that this incident occurred during what should be a festive time, McNitt said. Our hearts go out to the families affected. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. Redding mother Sherri Papini was found on the side of a road beaten, chained, with a bag over her head and weighing only 87 pounds, her husband said in his first comments on her abduction. In a statement to Good Morning America, Keith Papini also strong rejected Internet speculation that Sherri was not actually kidnapped. We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs, he wrote. I understand people want the story, pictures, proof that this was not some sort of hoax, plan to gain money, or some fabricated race war. I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Advertisement Authorities investigating the case have also said they have no reason to disbelieve her story. Detectives were delving into the victims past as they try to piece together details of the bizarre episode. The 34-year-old woman was found bound by restraints along Interstate 5 in Yolo County. Officials were called about 4:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day after Papini flagged down a motorist. The mother of two was treated for injuries and reunited with her husband. Officials said they were not aware of a motive for the apparent kidnapping. Sheriff Tom Bosenko also said it was not clear whether Papini knew her abductors. Bosenko provided more details about how she was found, telling the Redding Record-Searchlight that she was found injured on the road and taken to a hospital. But he declined to offer specifics. Were not providing the details, other than they were non-life threatening and that she was treated and released, he told the paper. Before Papini was found, police had filed about 20 search warrants in court related to the investigation. Many were filed under seal, the Sacramento Bee reported. ABC reported that detectives were also looking through Papinis computer records, investigating past relationships and seeking video surveillance camera footage that might offer clues. Papini disappeared Nov. 2 while she was out for a jog in the small town of Mountain Gate in Shasta County. Her husband reported her missing after he came home from work and found that she hadnt picked up their children from daycare. Her cellphone and headphones were found near where she had last been seen, about a mile from her home, investigators said. Her disappearance made national news, and the community launched an aggressive manhunt to find her. Her story was shared on social media, and volunteer searches were launched. In his statement, Keith Papini said he was shocked by his wifes condition when she was found. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see upon my arrival at the hospital, nor the details of the true hell I was about to hear, he writes. My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of repeated beatings, the bridge of her nose broken. To read the article in Spanish, click here ALSO Ex-NFL star Darren Sharper sentenced to 20 years in prison as rape victims in L.A. speak out Woman pleads not guilty to scrawling anti-Trump graffiti on government buildings Woman vandalizes car for six hours as bystanders watch in amazement UPDATES: 10:30 a.m.: This story was updated with new information from Sheriff. Texas reported a locally transmitted case of the Zika virus on Monday, making it the second U.S. state believed to have mosquitoes that spread the disease. Lab tests confirmed last week that a woman who lives in Brownsville, Texas, was infected with the virus, state health officials said in a statement. The woman had not recently traveled to Mexico or any other region with an ongoing Zika outbreak. The statement also said she was not pregnant, a significant detail because infection during pregnancy can lead to serious brain defects in fetuses. Advertisement The virus was detected in her urine but a blood test was negative, indicating that the virus can no longer be spread from her by a mosquito, the statement said. Zika virus spreads to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti species mosquito but can also spread during sex by a person infected with Zika to his or her partner, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus has swept through several Latin American countries over the last year, including Brazil, Colombia and Honduras. In July, authorities announced four cases in which mosquitoes in Florida had transmitted the virus, the first such instances in the continental United States. Puerto Rico has reported 31,944 locally contracted cases of Zika to the CDC. Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services, said there was no indication that the Texas patient had contracted the virus through sexual transmission, meaning that mosquitoes were almost certainly the culprit. We certainly have been preparing for this since getting reports of the virus out of South America, he said. This is something we have been planning for and have been expecting to see for some time. It was a matter of when, and not a matter of if. Van Deusen said there were no other cases of suspected local transmission. Unlike in some of the developing countries where Zika is ongoing, the extensive use of air conditioners and window screens, among other factors, would probably prevent the virus from becoming widespread in Texas, he said. Texas health authorities are working with the CDC to pinpoint how and where the infection occurred. Van Deusen said an environmental assessment had been conducted at the patients home and mosquitoes were being trapped and tested. Health workers would also be going door-to-door in the patients neighborhood to collect urine samples in a search for other infections, he said. They would also help people to detect and minimize potential mosquito breeding sites on their property. Texas is doing the right thing by increasing local surveillance and trapping and testing mosquitoes in the Brownsville area, CDC Director Thomas Frieden said in a statement. No vaccines or treatments are available to treat or prevent Zika infections. As of Nov. 23, a total of 4,444 infections, including more than 1,000 in pregnant women, had been reported to the CDC from U.S. states. Of those, 182 were the result of local spread by mosquitoes, the agency said. Van Deusen encouraged Cameron County, Texas, residents to take precautions such as using insect repellent, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts to cover exposed skin and removing standing water in and around homes. People need to be aware and vigilant, he said. But there is no need to panic. ann.simmons@latimes.com For more on global development news, see our Global Development Watch page, and follow me @AMSimmons1 on Twitter Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak doesnt plan to take part in OPECs Vienna meeting on Nov. 30. This is not necessary. We need OPEC to hold a meeting. Of course, if a consensus is reached there and OPEC makes a decision, we will hold talks soon, RIA Novosti quoted Novak as saying Nov. 29. In September, OPEC producers agreed during an 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. Earlier, Russias President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is ready to freeze output. This is while leading Russian oil companies, responsible for three quarters of output in the world's largest producer, say they will boost output next year after reaching record levels in recent months. The US bank JP Morgan believes that there is a 60-percent chance of a successful OPEC meeting in Vienna. Assuming OPEC implements the deal we expect to be agreed in late November, oil markets could start to recover in the second quarter of 2017, as tighter supplies and continued demand growth tighten balances, said the JP Morgan analysts. If OPEC fails to reach an agreement then JP Morgan expects prices collapse to between $35-$40 per barrel, depending on extraneous factors, such as weather and broader financial market stability. Edwin Chester Hopkins casket was draped with an American flag that had hung above the state Capitol. Boy Scouts saluted as the motorcade weaved around the colonial town square to the cemetery, where a military bugler readied to play taps in the dappled sunlight of a cool autumn day. It was a grand funeral, one of the most memorable this New England town had witnessed, for a young man who had perished just past his 19th birthday. All that was lacking were the copious tears one would expect for someone whose death was so tragic and premature. None of the several hundred mourners had met Hopkins, not even his near relatives. He was truly an unknown soldier, but the sense of loss, of what might have been, was still palpable. Hopkins was one of 2,403 Americans killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the date that would live in infamy. Advertisement His ship, the Oklahoma, suffered five torpedo hits, capsized and rolled over with its mast touching the bottom. By the time crews salvaged it two years later, the nation was in the thick of World War II, and nobody had the time, inclination or technical means to sort out the entangled remains of the 429 crewmen dead. Hopkins funeral in mid-October this year was the result of decades of lobbying by family members and POW advocates, as well as leaps in forensic science. As the nation prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the surprise attack, more and more of those who died that day are finally returning home. This year alone, the remains of more than 20 sailors from the Oklahoma have been identified and reburied with full military honors some at Arlington National Cemetery and others at their hometowns. Eddie Hopkins was 18 in 1940 when he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Navy. His older brother, Frank, had joined six months earlier. Their decisions were motivated as much by pragmatism as patriotism. Although their postcard-perfect hometown, renowned for its brilliant fall foliage, now draws thousands of weekend tourists to its quaint bed-and-breakfasts, back then it was barely recovered from the Great Depression. There were dairy farms, cornfields, a woolen mill and a small company that manufactured crates and buckets, but hardly any jobs for a young man with ambition. Hopkins wrote on his enlistment papers that he had chosen the Navy because he wanted to learn a trade. After three months of training in Detroit and Chicago, he earned the rank of fireman third class. His last communication, dated Sept. 9, 1941, as he was about to board a train to San Francisco harbor, was a postcard of the Oklahoma, the message scrawled in a childish cursive that scrunched up to save space at the bottom, and he mailed with a 1-cent stamp. Dear Folks. Here is the picture of the ship I am going to be on. We are all ready to leave tonight at nine oclock, Love Eddie. 1 / 8 The remains of Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins is carried off a C-130 military plane after being flown around the area in honor before landing at Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Keene, N.H. Hopkins died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. (Richard Messina / For The Times) 2 / 8 This photo is of Edwin Hopkins taken early in 1941 after he finished basic training. Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. (Richard Messina / For The Times) 3 / 8 After a memorial service for Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins at the Dillant-Hopkins Airport in Keene, N.H., the casket containing his remains is transported to the hearse. (Richard Messina / For The Times) 4 / 8 Pallbearers remove the flag from the casket holding the remains of Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins at Woodland Cemetery in New Hampshire. (Richard Messina / For The Times) 5 / 8 After placing a flower on the casket, Faye Hopkins-Boore of Delaware, niece of Edwin Hopkins, kisses her hand before placing it on the casket of the uncle she never met. (Richard Messina / For the Times) 6 / 8 Memorabilia of Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins on a table during his memorial service. (Richard Messina / For The Times) 7 / 8 After the funeral, a note that reads Home at Last is lowered with the casket containing the remains of Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins. (Richard Messina / For The Times) 8 / 8 After the casket carrying the remains of Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin Hopkins was set in place, his pallbearers removed the flag. Hopkins died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. (Richard Messina / For The Times) :: Hopkins brother, Frank, had three children, and they knew little about the uncle killed at Pearl Harbor. It was a topic their father, a taciturn man, and grandparents, flinty Yankees, were reluctant to discuss. It was the white elephant in the room. Nobody talked about it, said Edwin Hopkins Jr., 72, a retired Navy yard worker who lives in New Jersey and was named after the uncle he never knew. My grandparents were New Englanders who hid everything inside and covered it with a smile, said Faye Hopkins-Boore, 70, his sister, who lives in Lewes, Del. The unspoken death haunted the family. I bought a Subaru when I was 35 years old, and I was afraid to tell my grandmother, Hopkins-Boore recalled. Each year when Dec. 7 rolled around, she would switch off the radio and television to avoid reminders of the anniversary. It was not that Hopkins death was forgotten. Dillant-Hopkins Airport, adjacent to Keene, had been named for Hopkins and another local son killed in World War II. But the man, or the boy as it were, was something of a cipher. Had he ever been in love? What were his ambitions? There were only a handful of photos of the teenage Eddie, skinny and jug-eared with a long nose and a cowlick sprouting from the back of his head. An energetic, take-charge type, Hopkins-Boore had time on her hands after she retired as an operating room nurse, and decided to make it her mission to find out more about this uncle and what happened to his remains. Each time her grandparents had moved, first from the farmhouse to downtown Keene, and then to Florida, she rummaged through drawers and suitcases looking for old letters. She found nothing only that last postcard with the picture of the Oklahoma. But as her father aged, slipping into dementia in his final years, it was like opening a time capsule of the past. The memories spilled out: The one-room schoolhouse he and Eddie attended as children. The frozen stream where they ice-skated. How Eddie raised a calf for the 4-H club and named it Helicopter Petunia. The way Eddie on a dare hiked to the top of nearby Mt. Monadnock and then did it again on another dare. The brothers were nothing alike in appearance or personality. Frank was barrel-chested, quiet and cautious the family thought the result of post-traumatic stress from the war. Eddie was a smart aleck and, by all accounts, the more charismatic brother. He had a bit more personality. My grandmother loved him to death, said Edwin Hopkins Jr. Having no other siblings, the brothers had been extremely close, sharing a bedroom under the eaves of their farmhouse, camping out on the screened front porch on summer nights. They had hoped to be assigned to the same ship, mostly likely the Hornet. The most surprising story the family heard concerned their grandmother, Alice Sanderson Hopkins, whose lineage could be traced to the Mayflower. The year after Pearl Harbor, she hired a psychic to hold a seance to communicate with her son. Somebody is in the room, all wet with his hair standing up, the psychic told the grieving mother, which according to Hopkins-Boore surely referred to Hopkins cowlick. Alice Hopkins died in 1987 at age 93. She had ordered a family gravestone that listed the names of her parents; her husband, who had predeceased her by 20 years; and at the very bottom: Edwin Chester, their son, F 3/C U.S. Navy, killed Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. :: Aside from the Arizona, the Oklahoma suffered the most damage and highest casualties in the Pearl Harbor attack. When the ship was turned upright and drained of water in 1943, the salvage crew literally just shoveled the remains out, said Natasha Waggoner, a spokeswoman for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Then workers did something that modern forensic scientists find inexplicable. They sorted the skeletons by like body parts. They had been underwater for two years so there was no flesh left. They put skulls with skulls, arm bones with arm bones, Waggoner said. The various body parts were buried as unknowns in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, nicknamed the Punchbowl for its setting in an extinct volcano in Hawaii. Hopkins-Boore had started going regularly to Hawaii, strolling through the graves of about 2,760 unknown soldiers from Pearl Harbor and other conflicts. In 2008, just a few months after her father died, she learned something shocking. An elderly Pearl Harbor survivor, Ray Emory, had been meticulously combing through mortuary documents and found that the Navy knew all along where some of the casualties were buried. Hopkins was among 22 Oklahoma victims who had been tentatively identified through their dental records in 1943 but buried with unknowns because there was no second source of identification. I think if my grandparents and my father had known back then where he was buried, their grieving process would have been easier, Hopkins-Boore said. I cant imagine losing a child and not knowing what happened. A part of you might believe maybe they made a mistake, maybe he is in a nursing home with amnesia. Without knowing where the body is, it is a big puzzle in your head. At first, the families encountered stiff resistance from the Navy. But after a bureaucratic fight that dragged on for years, Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work in 2015 issued an order allowing for the Oklahoma remains to be disinterred as part of the Pentagons commitment to its sacred obligation to achieve the fullest possible accounting for U.S. personnel lost in past conflicts. It has been painstaking work for the forensic anthropologists in the laboratory in Hawaii to put the skeletons back together. For example, DNA testing revealed that one casket thought to contain five sets of remains actually held remains of about 100 people. Due to the commingling, we are still working on trying to individuate remains back to specific people, said Debra Zinni, the laboratory manager and forensic anthropologist, who has also worked on mass graves in the Balkans. Her staff starts with the skulls, which are relatively easy to identify with dental records, then moves on to the limbs, taking accurate measurements to make sure the left and right side are close to mirror images. DNA samples ensure matches are accurate. Bringing back Hopkins also brought the scattered family members together. The laboratory needed mitochondrial DNA, which comes only from the maternal line, so the family tracked down a distant cousin, a Vermont dairy farmer. Yet another cousin in Connecticut, whom Boore-Hopkins had never met before, had better political connections, so he was deputized to write the nagging letters to various members of Congress to push for the process to be expedited. On Oct. 15, Hopkins was buried next to the family tombstone his mother had commissioned decades earlier. Naval officials flew in from around the country and veterans of war roared in on motorcycles. Firetrucks put their ladders together to suspend a huge American flag over the entrance to the parking lot at the airport bearing his name. Delivering the final eulogy, Hopkins-Boore struggled to evoke memories of the unknown sailor. Id like to tell you what he looked like, how he carried himself. Did he like to whistle like my dad? Did he jingle his keys in his pocket when it was time to go home? she said. All unanswerable questions. Despite that, or maybe because of it, a few tears came from the crowd of strangers. Then she addressed her uncle directly. Most of all Id just like to say, welcome home, Uncle Ed. Welcome home. barbara.demick@latimes.com ALSO Missing for 95 years, wreckage of the Navy tugboat Conestoga is found off California coast Relatives of Pearl Harbor victims want military to identify remains Republicans became known as the party of no during the Obama years because of their frequent efforts to block the presidents initiatives. As congressional Democrats prepare to deal with a Republican White House, they appear ready to take the opposite approach, effectively challenging President-elect Donald Trump by finding opportunities to say yes. The goal is to strategically engage with the White House on common objectives and at the same time try to drive a political wedge between Trump and those Republicans anxious about his costlier ideas, such as rebuilding infrastructure, aiding blue-collar workers and expanding paid family leave, a pet project of daughter Ivanka Trump. Advertisement Leading the strategy on Capitol Hill is new Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, who is expected to clear her internal party election Wednesday for a return as party leader. In her first phone call with the president-elect this month, Pelosi was already working on Trump, reminding him of shared acquaintances and speaking about the importance of family leave. Then Trump put his daughter on the phone, and Pelosi chatted with Ivanka. We have responsibility to find common ground, Pelosi said later. But, she added, Democrats would stand our ground when we cant. Scope of Donald Trumps falsehoods unprecedented for presidential candidate To be sure, Democrats and Trump are preparing to fight over many issues, including his Cabinet choices, which will face tough Senate confirmation. Democrats oppose Trumps promises to repeal the healthcare law and build a border wall with Mexico. They abhor his coziness with Russia and are concerned his campaign has emboldened white nationalists. But unlike Republicans, whose preference is to shrink the size and scope of government, its in the DNA of Democrats to put government to work fixing the nations problems, something that Trump has endorsed at times. Trump has called for a $1-trillion infrastructure program to rebuild roads, bridges and airports. Hes promised to reopen factories and prevent jobs from fleeing overseas because of trade deals. And he has spoken against cutting entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Such campaign promises appealed to many blue-collar voters who traditionally align with Democratic lawmakers, and left small-government Republicans cringing over the president-elects apparent embrace of deficit spending to finance government job creation. This is Bernie Sanders plan to lead Democrats out of the wilderness Its no accident that the Democratic strategy for dealing Trump may only deepen the GOPs internal fractures. Were far more on his side than the Republican senators and the Republican establishment, Schumer said recently on Fox News. We challenge him: You won blue-collar voters, President-elect Trump, because you happened to support a lot of Democratic issues. Dont break your promise to the blue-collar voter. Work with us. By taking a seat at the table rather than boycotting the White House as many Republicans did under President Obama, Democrats sense an opportunity to graft their priorities onto those of the president-elect, believing they may be able to sway the businessman, a former Democratic supporter whose views are less partisan. To pass big-ticket items in Congress, Trump will almost surely need Democratic votes if GOP lawmakers remain split between their conservative and moderate camps. With an expected 52-seat Senate majority next year, Republicans will lack the 60 votes needed to advance most bills. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) warned over the weekend that there will be pitchforks and torches in the streets if Republicans fail to deliver on conservative priorities now that they have control of the White House and Congress. But Pelosi has privately joked that Republicans in Congress will likely be reduced to little more than a lounge act, overshadowed by Trump. One fertile area for compromise between Democrats and the new administration is family leave, championed by Ivanka Trump. The 35-year-old working mother stunned Republicans at the party convention in Cleveland and Democrats watching at home by outlining her interest in paid family leave, which has long been a Democratic priority. She has since met with Republican women on Capitol Hill and been in close contact with the No. 4 Republican in the House, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the mother of a child with special needs. Rodgers recently paid a visit to Trump Tower. Well take a look and see if the trains meet any place, said Rep. Lois Frankel, (D-Fla.) a former West Palm Beach mayor and incoming co-chair of the bipartisan Womens Caucus. Frankel, also an ally of Pelosi, once worked with Trump on an airport issue in Florida. Details will matter to some Democrats. For example, would a Trump administration also provide paid family leave for working fathers or same-sex parents? Frankel has been meeting with her GOP counterpart in the Womens Caucus, Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), who is also eager to find areas of possible common ground. What I like about Trump and the Trump leadership team is they love to negotiate to wheel and deal. That bodes well for moving legislation forward, Brooks said. Many Republicans approached Obama with the intent of making him a one-term president, wielding their minority status and later their majority to block and oppose his initiatives, even when they tried to incorporate GOP ideas. Democrats are betting that working with Trump might be a better strategy a way to achieve some of their goals or, if not, hold the new president accountable for the promises he made to working-class voters. Rep. Tim Ryan, the Ohio Democrat who has launched an uphill challenge to unseat Pelosi as minority leader, warned that Trumps infrastructure plan tax breaks for companies, rather than direct investment looked like a bunch of smoke and mirrors. He predicted many Democrats would oppose that approach. And if Trump attacks Democratic priorities such as funds for Planned Parenthood and Medicare, we are going to have a Youngstown street fight in the Capitol, Ryan told CNN. But, the Democrat added, If he has other opportunities where we can grow the economy, where we can invest in the working-class people, knowing that a third of working-class people are people of color, so this is our broad coalition, then we will look for places to work with him. lisa.mascaro@latimes.com Twitter: @LisaMascaro ALSO Despite talk of GOP unity, Trumps programs face fight from Republican budget hawks Believe me: People say Trumps language is affecting political discourse bigly Trumps rise draws white supremacists into political mainstream: I am winning, says David Duke More coverage of Congress Live coverage from the campaign trail On a small and skinny lot wedged behind its historic city hall, Santa Monica is trying to accomplish something that has never been done before in California. By 2020, the city hopes to construct a 50,000-square-foot city services building that will meet the requirements of the International Living Future Institutes Living Building Challenge the most stringent environmental building standard in the world. As if building on an odd-shaped lot next to a protected landmark isnt difficult enough, constructing a Living Building requires net-zero energy and water usage; buildings must generate all of their own power sustainably, as well as collect and treat their own water. Beyond these conservation imperatives, Living Buildings must also be equitable and beautiful. Imagine a building designed and constructed to function as elegantly and efficiently as a flower, as the challenge reads, and you can begin to grasp the scale of the task. If all goes well, Santa Monica will have built the most sustainable structure in Californias history. Advertisement So far, only 11 projects in the world can boast Living Building certification though not for a lack of will. Building green, as it turns out, is far more challenging than simply finding a willing developer. I visited the worlds largest Living Building, Seattles Bullitt Center, earlier this year. A six-story office owned by the conservationist Bullitt Foundation, it has a frame made of locally sourced, responsibly managed timber and built to last 250 years. Its restorative greywater system and composting toilets conserve water and repurpose all the buildings human waste. In lieu of car parking, it has a 29-bicycle garage and accessible showers in every bathroom. No workstation is more than 30 feet from an expansive, heat-regulating window. And 575 solar panels allow the Bullitt Center to generate more energy than it uses even in rainy Seattle. The real triumph of the Bullitt Center, however, arguably has less to do with its sustainable technology than its ability to overcome onerous regulations. To produce enough energy to offset the buildings use, the Bullitt Foundation had to get creative; they designed a large overhanging roof to fit as many solar panels as possible. In the process, however, they found out theyd have to lease the sidewalk underneath city laws label such awnings as obstructions of the public right-of-way. When that proved too costly, the building had to negotiate an exception to the municipal code to preserve its solar canopy. Should the city succeed it will prove that net-zero water is possible in our arid climate, even in a drought. Net-zero water, too, proved a serious problem one that the project still hasnt completely solved. Though the Bullitt Center is fully capable of catching rainwater, storing it in a cistern and treating it to potable standards, city and state regulations dont allow a commercial building to disconnect from the municipal water system. Until the Bullitt Center negotiates exemptions, it will continue to rely on a chlorinated municipal water system it doesnt technically need. The biggest bureaucratic obstacles were reserved for the buildings most innovative ideas such as its greywater filtration system, which funnels sink and shower drain water through a constructed wetland and into the soil for reuse. Though this helps the Bullitt Center recycle 60% of its water, city officials had pollution concerns, and conducted months of inspections before giving the green light. Three years later, the building is still subject to routine water testing. Green building regulatory challenges are even more daunting in Southern California. Several months into its design phase, Santa Monica is just starting to navigate the regulatory landmines it will have to negotiate before groundbreaking. Net-zero water is undoubtedly the most problematic for a variety of reasons, not least of which Southern Californias drought. Beyond the challenging environmental conditions, though, collecting rainwater for treatment and reuse would be a first for California. Santa Monica has to design a system that isnt just workable, but allows Californias Division of Drinking Water to permit its use. Joel Cesare, a sustainable building advisor for the city of Santa Monica and a rep for the project, says that although the 2013 California Plumbing Code allows rainwater collected onsite to be a source for potable water, there have not been any systems permitted in the state to date. Though you might expect solar power to be the least of the projects worries, given L.A.s near-constant sunshine, achieving net-zero energy will be a challenge. Rooftop solar on the building alone wont produce enough electricity to power the entire facility. While planners hope to install additional panels elsewhere like on the parking lot and roof of city hall they face potential pushback about preserving the historic landmark and its facade. Even the Bullitt Centers foam-flush toilets, which would save Santa Monica more than 270 thousand gallons of water a year, need to be approved by Santa Monica Building and Safety and the L.A. County Health Department before Santa Monica can even consider installing them. How planners handle these challenges will set precedents for other green buildings in Santa Monica, L.A. County and California as a whole. According to Cesare, regulators are receptive to making the project happen. Should the city succeed it will prove that net-zero water is possible in our arid climate, even in a drought and that if were serious about staving off the effects of drought and climate change, we should settle for no less. It will also familiarize code officials with new innovations, making it easier for developers to build sustainably. Should Santa Monicas project fail to jump its hurdles, however, it could signal to sustainable developers around the world that Californias red tape is tougher than its commitment to going green. During my visit to Seattles Bullitt Center, I met with Denis Hayes, chief executive of the Bullitt Foundation. Though proud of his organizations accomplishments, he made it clear that the Bullitt Foundation has no interest in standing alone on top of a green hill. Last year, we produced 54% more electricity on the rooftop of a six-story building in the cloudiest major city in the contiguous United States than we used, he said. Then he quipped, So, whats up, Los Angeles? Ali Swenson is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. Follow her on Twitter @AliSwenson. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook There is a safe somewhere in the Central Intelligence Agencys headquarters in Langley, Va., that very likely contains a sort of tribute to Fidel Castro. Its a Cohiba, the cigar favored by the Cuban leader, dusted with one of the worlds most lethal poisons botulin toxin. Merely putting one in the mouth would do the job, John Earman, an inspector general of the CIA, wrote in 1967. By job he means assassination. Under orders from Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, the CIA devised numerous plots to kill Castro. The revolutionary turned communist survived White House enmity for half a century. The Cohiba was found after CIA Director Richard Helms ordered Earman to get the truth behind rumors in the press of the assassination attempts. Earmans little-noticed 1967 report was finally made public in 1998. Advertisement The toxic stogie was the work of Dr. Edward Gunn, chief of medical services of the CIAs operations division. Gunns career defied the Hippocratic pledge: First, do no harm. At the dirty tricks division, according to Earmans report, Gunn was Dr. Do Harm. Gunn carved out the guts of a Paper Mate ballpoint pen. Inside, he placed a syringe so fine that Castro would feel only a slight nick as poison was injected. In 1961, Gunn had prepared a box of 50 poisoned cigars, meant to land on Castros desk in Havana. They were never delivered, and all but one were destroyed in 1963. The Cohiba that remained in the agencys permanent repository was a matter of some pride for the doctor. Although six years old, it was still 94% effective, the inspector generals report said. It could still have caused Castro a quick and horrible death. Gunn devised other attacks as well. In 1960, the CIA hired two certified mobsters Sam Giancana of Chicago and Johnny Roselli of Las Vegas, the report said. Both patriots refused the $150,000 CIA assassination fee. But they balked at blasting Castro during a speech in Revolutionary Square. They insisted on poison that would be slipped by their Havana agent into Castros teacup. Gunn had trouble with the poison pill. Instead of instantly dissolving, it was still there after a night in a water glass. When tested, it failed to kill the guinea pigs. Finally, Gunn managed to send a monkey to a screeching death. Although the pill arrived in Havana, Giancana reported his agent got cold feet. Kennedys failure to overthrow Castro in the 1961 Bay of Pigs fiasco produced constant Republican attacks on his leadership. It resulted in what the inspector generals report termed severe pressure by Kennedy to eliminate Castro. Once more, Giancana and Roselli were recruited, and once again Gunn provided the means. This time, the poison was inserted in a pencil with a secret compartment carved by the good doctor. Once more, Havana agents failed. The plot was aborted and the pills returned, the inspector general said. By 1963, Desmond Fitzgerald had taken charge of the CIAs Cuban Task Force. Fitzgerald became renowned at Langley for the laughter his schemes produced. They never got out of the lab. There was the midget submarine for planting explosives in a sea mollusk near Castros favorite skin-diving area. And a plot to dust the interior of a skin-diving suit with bacteria that would cover his body in Madura-foot tumors, and another to infect his underwater oxygen system with tuberculosis bacteria. The fruitless and, in retrospect, often unrealistic plotting should be viewed in that light, Earman wrote. The final attack was planned but never carried out in 1963 after one of Castros closest associates was approached by the CIA. He was Major Roland Cubela Secades, a bearded student revolutionary who is pictured alongside Castro and Che Guevara in post-revolution victory photographs in 1959. According to his CIA handler, Nestor Sanchez, Cubela hoped for American recognition as Castros successor once his former comrade was dispensed with. He asked for explosives and automatic weapons with telescopic sights to do the job. As a physician, Cubela said, he could devise other methods as well. Gunn helped out. In his CIA lab, Gunn carved out the guts of a Paper Mate ballpoint pen. Inside, he placed a syringe so fine that Castro would feel only a slight nick as poison was injected. Cubela was not impressed with Gunns handiwork when Sanchez delivered it to him in a Paris hotel room. Even so, he placed it in his pocket. Cubela said he would devise his own poison for the syringe. It was Nov. 22, and as Sanchez and Cubela walked downstairs to the hotel lobby, they learned Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas. According to Sanchez, Cubela was rocked by the news. Why do bad things happen to good people? Castros would-be assassin asked his CIA handler. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Patrick J. Sloyan is the author of The Politics of Deception: JFKs Secret Decisions on Vietnam, Civil Rights and Cuba. He is working on a book about Ronald Reagan. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook After attacking the North American Free Trade Agreement repeatedly during his campaign, Donald Trump notably failed to include NAFTA on his agenda for his first day in the Oval Office. Perhaps he has learned that the Constitution prevents the president from terminating our trade agreements by himself. Upon taking office, the new president will enjoy broad powers in foreign affairs. He will have the right to set U.S. policy toward other nations and to terminate treaties. In 2002, for example, President George W. Bush called off the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty between the United States and Russia without any input from Congress. But trade agreements are different. Like all modern trade pacts, NAFTA is a congressional-executive agreement created by statute, not treaty. Trump cannot terminate it or even renegotiate it without the approval of Congress. Advertisement Under the Constitutions Commerce Clause, only Congress may alter our tariff, tax and customs laws. The Constitution grants to the president the power to make treaties, subject to approval by two-thirds of the Senate. Our nations most significant obligations take this form, such as the North Atlantic Treaty that created NATO and the San Francisco Treaty that ended World War II in the Pacific. Presidents also have made some limited international compacts all on their own, though the Constitution doesnt acknowledge this power. President Obama concluded the Paris climate accords and the Iran nuclear deal without the approval of the Senate or House of Representatives. Because Congress never cemented these deals into law, Trump can reverse them with the stroke of a pen on Day One. But trade deals are different, because under the Constitutions Commerce Clause, only Congress may alter our tariff, tax and customs laws. Congress first authorizes the president to reach a trade agreement with certain countries within limited parameters. Once the deal is struck, the president sends it to Congress for enactment into U.S. domestic law. No trade agreement goes into force until Congress passes the statutes that carry out the trade deals obligations. The upshot is that President Trump cannot on his own terminate U.S. participation in NAFTA or, for that matter, in the World Trade Organization. Congress enacted both agreements as statutes, so they can be reversed only by another, repealing statute enacted by the House and the Senate and then signed by the president. This constitutional balance of power effectively means that NAFTA and the WTO are here to stay. Both houses of Congress are more friendly to free trade. In the Senate, a minority of just 40 Senators could successfully filibuster any effort to terminate NAFTA. Trump is unlikely to persuade a new Congress to thoughtlessly throw the U.S. into recession and spark retaliatory trade sanctions against American products. If Trump simply announced that the United States was pulling out of NAFTA, all the U.S. laws that implemented it would remain unchanged. Trump would have effectively freed Mexico and Canada to impose trade barriers against our products while leaving in place our preferential treatment of theirs the worst trade deal in American history. Even if Trump wants to merely renegotiate NAFTA, he is required to first seek congressional approval. No nation will even discuss trade agreements with the United States unless Congress is already on board. Presidents must first seek fast-track authority, a promise of swift congressional consideration of trade agreements with no amendments, before negotiations begin. Any amendments to NAFTA would likewise have to be enacted by Congress. Moreover, a unilateral Trump decision to leave NAFTA would almost certainly be challenged in federal court immediately. In 1980, the Supreme Court avoided deciding a legal challenge to President Carters termination of a defense treaty with Taiwan because no one had the proper standing to bring a case. That wont be the case this time. Importers or exporters directly affected easily could show they suffered individual harm. A lawsuit could derail any attempt by Trump to withdraw from NAFTA or at the very least, drag out the process for years. The Constitution still preserves presidential initiative in foreign affairs. Trump can refuse to negotiate or sign new trade agreements, such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, which is why TPP is probably dead on arrival under the new administration. But the Constitution makes undoing a trade agreement, once enacted into law, as difficult as it was to make it in the first place. Whether the United States should leave NAFTA is an issue open to political debate. But who gets to decide to leave is not. The Constitution requires that the president and Congress must jointly agree whether to leave NAFTA. Julian Ku is a law professor at Hofstra University Law School. John Yoo is a law professor at UC Berkeley and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook At his second debate with Hillary Clinton, Donald J. Trump said that I am looking to appoint judges very much in the mold of Justice [Antonin] Scalia. But on Tuesday the itchy-thumbed president-elect tweeted this: Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! Apparently Trump is unaware that Scalia was in the majority when the Supreme Court held in 1989 and again in 1990 that flag-burning as a political protest is expressive conduct protected by the 1st Amendment. Advertisement And that might not be Trumps only blind spot when it comes to Scalias jurisprudence. Trump does seem aware that Scalia had a robust view of an individual right to keep and bear arms under the 2nd Amendment. But does he also know that Scalia was a champion of free speech generally (not just in the flag-burning context) as well as a supporter of the 4th Amendments protection against unreasonable police searches and a defender of due process for Americans accused of terrorism? (My guess: No.) Its not clear why Trump suddenly decided to tweet about flag burning. True, American flags were set on fire during anti-Trump protests shortly after the election, but Trump isnt known for sitting on a grievance. (One theory floated on Twitter was that Trump was impelled to tweet by a Fox News report about a protest at Hampshire College in Massachusetts, which stopped flying Old Glory after a flag-burning that might have been related to the election.) On the other hand, it wouldnt be surprising if Trumps supporters believed that re-criminalizing desecration of the American flag would help make America great again. In fact, support for outlawing that form of protest remains widespread and isnt confined to Trumps political base. A 2006 USA Today/Gallup poll found that 56% of Americans supported a constitutional amendment that would allow Congress or the states to make it illegal through a statute to burn the American flag. There was less support 45% for a constitutional amendment that would directly outlaw flag desecration. In a 2011 survey by the First Amendment Center, 39% of respondents supported the latter sort of amendment. Also, Trumps tweet puts him in a long line of politicians from both parties who have played to the crowd on this issue. In 2005 Hillary Clinton, then a senator from New York, introduced a federal statute to criminalize flag-burning. (The headline of a scathing New York Times editorial was: Senator Clinton, in Pander Mode.) Of course, Trump suggested not only making criminals out of flag-burners but stripping them of their citizenship, a penalty that also might be beyond Congress power to impose, given Supreme Court precedents. The justices ruled in 1967 in that the government cannot revoke an Americans citizenship without his or her assent. If such a law were enacted, the Supreme Court would have the final say. Which raises another question: When Trump selects a nominee for the Supreme Court, will he look for another Scalia or for a judge who shares his views about consequences for burning the flag? Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook UPDATES: 2:40 p.m.: This article was updated with information about a protest at Hampshire College in Massachusetts after it stopped displaying the flag. This article was originally published at 1:55 p.m. To the editor: The last time I was in Havana was June 2007. I was working at the United States Interest Section interviewing people for eligibility to emigrate to the U.S. People came from all parts of the island. They wore their best clothes. I heard many stories of life under El Comandante Fidel Castro. There was hope in the eyes of these Cubans, hope for a new life. The beautiful old colonial buildings in Havana had been divided up into many apartments. Here and there, one would see a typical Soviet-style building, which clashed with the colonial architecture. All of these buildings were in disrepair. Cubans waited patiently in line for food or for the bus. They never complained. This was the life they knew for more than 50 years. On Friday nights, the neighborhoods came alive. There was the sound of salsa music from old transistor radios, and the men set up tables in the street and played dominoes. People would come out on their balconies, looking out with their elbows on the railing. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something to happen, waiting for the wind to change. Advertisement With Castros passing, the waiting may be over, for the wind has changed course. Alba Farfaglia, San Clemente .. To the editor: I am appalled at the expressions of praise and sadness by several world leaders after the death, finally, of one of the worst tyrants in recent history. Castro swept to power like so many Latin American politicians promising a better future and more freedom. Yet he delivered neither while helping to nearly plunge the world into nuclear war. Castro bragged about Cubas literacy rate and healthcare system, which were nice except that his people had zero freedoms and otherwise lived in abject poverty while he, his family and his cronies consolidated their power and wealth. Those who criticized Castro were arrested or sometimes executed. This resume does not a statesman make. His country did not progress but languished and fell further and further behind. These world leaders who today mourn Castro should have their judgment called into question and recall more than anything he recklessly put us all on the brink of extinction in the fall of 1962 by challenging President Kennedy and the West in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Castro had zero respect for human rights, human dignity or human life. Guy R. Gruppie, Arcadia .. To the editor: I am so proud of President Obama for his brilliant diplomacy that ended decades of harmful and unnecessary U.S. hostility toward Cuba. Now, we read of a primitive comment by President-elect Donald Trump (Fidel Castro is dead!) and face the danger that Obamas careful efforts might be undone by the new administration. Immigration, environmental protection, Obamacare, the Iran deal, free trade and now Cuba: Its getting more and more painful each day to hear Obama speak about Trump in the White House with the Republicans in charge, all so eager to reverse the presidents important legacy for America and the world. The Times should do its best to help us not lose it all. Liselotte Millauer, Los Angeles .. To the editor: I was taken aback by the number of young people in Miamis Little Havana who were celebrating Castros death. I wonder how many have heard of the brutal dictator Fulgencio Batista or have studied the conditions in Cuba prior to Castro that led to his rise to power. Have they examined the role the CIA and the United States played in keeping Batista in power and planning the failed Bay of Pigs debacle? Perhaps after reviewing a bit more history, these celebrants might think a little differently. Bob Constantine, Placentia 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. 29 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic will sign a memorandum on mutual understanding in the energy sector in January 2017, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry said in a message November 29. According to the message, the signing of the document was discussed at the meeting between Natig Abbasov, Azerbaijani deputy energy minister, and the Czech delegation, consisting of Martin Pospisil, director of the department of foreign economic policy of the Czech Republics Industry and Trade Ministry, Olga Kalinova, secretary of the Azerbaijan-Czech joint commission on economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation and Vitezslav Pivonka, Czech ambassador to Azerbaijan. "The document has been prepared for signing in Baku January 17-19, 2017 within the meeting of the Azerbaijan-Czech joint commission at the ministerial level," the message said. From the rhythms of jazz to the beats of hip hop, the staff of Corona del Mar Middle and High schools brought their best moves to the fourth annual Dancing with the Teachers event. Twelve teachers, high school Principal Kathy Scott and former CdM teacher Dave Sizer teamed up with members of the schools dance team Orchesis for their routines. They performed for a full house Thursday night at the high schools big gym. Its really important for me and the girls to build community, so we brought together the teachers and the students for something really positive, Orchesis director Cami Marseilles said. Its a chance to see the teachers have fun outside the classrooms and to promote school spirit. Marseilles was part of the judging panel for Thursdays dance performances. Audience members could also submit votes for their favorite team. After the dancers gave their all on the floor, two teachers each took home a mirror ball trophy. Spanish teacher Elisa Ramirez took the title for the nights fan choice while Nelson Rojas, also a Spanish teacher, was honored with the judges choice. This was Rojas second year dancing in the event. The first time was a lot of fun, so I wanted to do it again, Rojas said. And the girls are amazing. Theyre professional, studious and they love what they do. Ramirez has participated in Dancing with the Teachers each year since the event started at the school. Its a chance to work with students in a different environment, Ramirez said. You can be silly, funny and just have a good time. Each year, the funds raised from the event go toward the schools dance program. The effects of sober-living homes on Orange County communities took center stage in Costa Mesa on Monday evening, with a panel of area politicians giving their opinions and lawyers explaining the complicated legal framework surrounding the issue. More than 150 people attended the town hall meeting at the Neighborhood Community Center. It was the second forum on the topic this year co-sponsored by the Assn. of California Cities-Orange County and the Orange County Assn. of Realtors. Another held in May in Laguna Hills attracted more than 600 people. Sober-living homes, which house recovering drug and/or alcohol addicts and typically offer them various medical and non-medical services, have become prolific in Orange County in the past decade. Costa Mesa is reputed to be an epicenter of the addiction treatment industry. Some City Hall estimates say Costa Mesa has at least 150 sober-living homes and related facilities, though local activists have argued that the figure is considerably higher. Officials at Mondays meeting noted Costa Mesas recent laws regulating the homes. Those efforts have been challenged in court. U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) criticized the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of recovering addicts as disabled and therefore a protected class of people. Experts say that makes enforcement efforts against the sober-living industry problematic. This is not about bad operators, Rohrabacher said. This is about drug addicts and drunks being put right in our residential neighborhoods. ... What we have here is a basically bad idea that has led to bad policy that has led to a bad outcome. Surprise, surprise. He also criticized the notion of addiction as a sickness and argued that treating it as such takes away the idea of personal responsibility and [makes] the situation worse. Rohrabacher said he supports a bill by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, HR 6070, introduced in September. The San Diego County Republicans proposed law aims to give state and local governments more regulatory controls over sober-living homes through zoning and licensing measures. State Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach) noted three recent failed attempts in Sacramento to regulate sober-living homes. The measures didnt gather enough support from the Legislatures Democratic majority, he said. Harper called for more government regulation of the sober-living industry and for local organizations to network throughout the state to push for legislative reform. If there is a citizen movement to be able to pass this legislation, then it can be done, he said. Heather Stratman, chief executive of the Assn. of California Cities-Orange County, said her organization has an idea for a bill that would allow cities to jointly fund a state investigator based in Southern California, not Sacramento. The investigator, under the Department of Health Care Services, could more quickly respond to licensing issues for area sober-living homes, Stratman said. She said 40% of sober-living homes in California are in Orange County. We have our work cut out for us, she said. Patrick McNamee was 17 when the car he was driving crashed in Illinois in 1954, killing his best friend. After pleading guilty to reckless homicide and serving time in jail plus probation, McNamee went on to join the Marines and Air Force, flying some 1,700 missions in Vietnam and earning more than 75 air medals. But the conviction stayed with him. But last week, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner granted a clemency request from the now-79-year-old Huntington Beach resident, who said he applied partly because he wasnt able to get a concealed-carry firearm permit because of his felony record. In 11 years in the service, I always carried a weapon. That didnt make much sense to me, McNamee said. He said he considered asking for clemency for about 10 years before he did so in 2014. I just didnt want to die and have that hanging over my head, he said. McNamee said he was a stupid 17-year-old kid when the crash occurred more than 60 years ago in DuPage County, Ill. Jason Sweat, chief legal counsel for the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, said paperwork filed with McNamees clemency petition showed he was driving too fast when he lost control and hit a bridge abutment on the side of a road. His friend was a passenger in the vehicle. McNamee pleaded guilty to reckless homicide almost immediately, Sweat said. He was ordered to serve probation in addition to 30 days in jail. In 1957, the prosecutor and judge in the case wrote letters on McNamees behalf to help him get into the military, calling him forthright and honest and saying he would make a good pilot, Sweat said. They also said they had found no criminal intent and that McNamee cooperated with authorities. The judge added that he was like hundreds of our DuPage County boys who make mistakes but are good citizens. McNamee served six years with the Marines and 5 years with the Air Force and had a top-secret intelligence clearance, according to documents submitted with the petition. The Distinguished Flying Cross was among the honors he earned. After leaving the military, McNamee worked almost 30 years as a commercial pilot and had no other criminal convictions, Sweat said. McNamee said he and his family do a lot of traveling now, driving across the country and staying in hotels, and he wanted to be able to carry a gun for protection. When he was denied a permit in Texas, he was told the only way to get one was to have his record expunged. Rauners action Nov. 23 allowed McNamee to go to court to seek the expungement. The petition was one of eight that Rauner granted that day. His office said he denied 208 others. Burnett writes for The Associated Press. What appeared to be a marital dispute in Costa Mesa ended Monday morning with detectives finding a man dead in his car in Long Beach, police said. Police responded around 8:20 a.m. to a report of a man threatening a woman with a gun in the 300 block of Wilson Street in Costa Mesa. A witness told officers that Francisco Parra-Garcia, the 60-year-old womans estranged husband, was rummaging through his wifes vehicle outside her home, police said. Parra-Garcia and his wife began arguing when she approached the car, Lt. Paul Beckman said. Police did not identify her by name. Beckman said the disagreement escalated when Parra-Garcia, 62, pulled out a small-caliber handgun. In response, the woman pepper-sprayed him. Parra-Garcia tried to fire the gun, but it did not discharge, Beckman said. Parra-Garcia left before officers arrived. Costa Mesa police asked the Long Beach Police Department to check for Parra-Garcias 1998 Mitsubishi Montero near 10th Street and Bennett Avenue in Long Beach, where they believed he may have gone after the altercation. Detectives found the car parked in the area a short time later and found Parra-Garcia slumped over in the back seat, Beckman said. He did not respond when detectives tried to rouse him, Beckman said. Long Beach firefighters pronounced Parra-Garcia dead at the scene. The cause of death was not immediately known, Beckman said. He had not been shot, and the handgun was not found, Beckman said. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Costa Mesa police Det. Rob Dimel at (714) 754-5363. Police are saying a Glendale man threw a gun into a residential street before being pulled over for a traffic stop. Grigor Tosunyan, 30, was riding in a car driven by 32-year-old Edvin Karapetyan when the vehicle was pulled over in the 1500 block of Dixon Street around 1:48 a.m. on Nov. 20. Karapetyan was not wearing a seat belt and did not have a rear license plate displayed, according to Glendale police. Additionally, police said the North Hollywood resident was driving on a suspended license. He was searched and was found in possession of Xanax pills and over $300. A search of Tosunyan yielded a white substance resembling methamphetamine. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Karapetyans vehicle was then searched and more drugs were found as well as three cell phones, $461 and over 60 rounds of ammunition. During the stop, authorities said a 24-year-old man on Dixon Street had called 911 after finding a gun in front of his home. Not knowing if the gun was real or fake, police said the man decided to point it into the air and pull the trigger. When nothing happened he pulled the slide back, which placed a round into the guns chamber, squeezed the trigger and fired a shot into the air. Policed recovered the gun and eventually determined Tosunyan was the owner based on where the firearm was found in relation to the vehicles position. He was arrested for possessing a controlled substance while armed with a handgun. Meanwhile, Karapetyan was arrested for possessing narcotics with the intent to sell, possessing methamphetamine and driving on a suspended license. -- Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc The luxury Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is offering discounts on more than 20 cruises in Europe and Russia next year. Its a sweet deal for the line that Travel + Leisure picked as 2016s best in the world for river cruising, saying Uniworld has some of the most stylish ships at sea. The deal: Uniworld calls this sale Our Best Offer Ever. Prices vary depending on when you go; here are some sample trips and sale prices. Advertisement Paris & Impressions of the Seine starts at $3,080 per person, which represents a discount of $1,319. The 10-day cruise travels up the Seine to Normandy, stopping in six towns along the way, including Versailles and Rouen. Rhine-Main Discovery & Munich starts at $3,160 per person, a savings of $789. The cruise, also 10 days, sails from Munich to Cologne with an emphasis on Germanys Jewish heritage. (Prices are based on double occupancy.) When: You must reserve by Dec. 31 to take advantage of this offer. Details: Uniworld river cruises are all-inclusive, meaning the price includes all meals, plus special receptions and galas aboard ship; unlimited beverages (wine, beer, soft drinks, etc.); land excursions; Wi-Fi and other extras. International airfare is extra. Info: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, (800) 257-2407 or contact a travel agent. ALSO Want more bang for your vacation cruise buck? See which lines U.S. News says deliver value Cruise Critic editors select Carnival Vista as 2016s best new cruise ship; Seabourn, best luxury line Fantasizing about life on a yacht? Welcome to vessel/crew dating services that could make your dreams come true Jacob Zuma has survived a bid to topple him as South African president, the governing African National Congress party announced Tuesday. ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the partys national executive committee held a no-holds-barred debate on calls for Zuma to stand down. But in a combative three-day meeting, the party leadership did not support the move. The no-confidence debate did not go to a vote, Mantashe said, with members of the committee instead relying on consensus and persuasion, eventually agreeing to work for the unity of the party. Advertisement The meeting of the executive committee, which has the power to remove the president, has exposed deep divisions in the government over Zumas leadership, with senior ministers divided: Some called for Zumas departure while others supported him. It was Zumas most difficult leadership battle and his survival, despite strong opposition, testified to the political toughness of a man who once served as head of the ANCs underground military and intelligence wing during the apartheid era. Mantashe declared Tuesday the questions about Zumas leadership were now closed, an apparent warning to the presidents opponents to cease plotting against him. This issue was debated openly, robustly and was sometimes very difficult for the members themselves, Mantashe said at a news conference at ANC headquarters. It was discussed sufficiently, exhaustively. Its a closed matter now. He said the concerns raised during the debate would be dealt with, not swept under the carpet. But he added that the most serious threats against the ANC were not negative perceptions of Zuma, but sexism, racism, ethnic nationalism and monopoly capital. Shortly after the meeting ended, Zuma flew to Cuba in the early hours of Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cubas revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. Opposition to Zuma in the ANC is focused on concerns about a network of corruption and patronage under his leadership, notably claims that he allowed a powerful business family to influence cabinet appointments and to benefit from government contracts. Zumas links to the wealthy Gupta family, who are in business with his son, Duduzane Zuma, were exposed in a report by South Africas public protector an ombudsman-like figure earlier this month. The report by Thuli Madonsela stopped short of accusing Zuma of breaking the law but called on him to set up a judicial inquiry into the influence in government of Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, who have interests in mining, the arms industry and media. The Gupta family have denied any wrongdoing. Pressure on Zuma has grown after the ANCs disastrous performance in municipal elections in August, which saw the party lose control of several key cities, including Johannesburg and Pretoria. The countrys economic growth has been sluggish, at less than 1%, while unemployment remains stubbornly high, at more than 27%. Zuma, 74, has also been weakened by successive controversies, including a scandal over his use of public funds to fund a portion of upgrades to his personal home in Nkandla. The constitutional court ruled in March that Zuma breached the constitution by ignoring a recommendation by the public protector that he repay the funds. He has since repaid the money, about $540,000. In recent months, senior ANC figures have broken with ANC tradition and openly campaigned for Zumas departure. They include a former finance minister, Trevor Manuel, apartheid struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada, and two former government ministers, Barbara Hogan and Ronnie Kasrils. In a symbolic move, the Nelson Mandela Foundation set up by the countrys revered former president said last month that Zuma had failed the test of national leadership. It called on the governing party to put the country in safe hands. Zuma is due to remain in office until elections in 2019, but the party will hold a national conference next year to select a new party leader who will take over the national presidency in 2019, assuming the ANC retains power, as is likely. The two strongest leadership rivals are Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and African Union commission chairman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Zumas ex-wife. Zuma, the illiterate son of a domestic worker, was head of the ANCs underground military intelligence wing during the apartheid era and was jailed alongside Mandela. A popular figure among ANC prisoners, he learned to read in prison on Robben Island. The president has survived several no-confidence votes in the parliament. The ANC has dominated South Africas parliament since the first democratic vote in 1994 and its support in national elections hasnt dropped below 60%. The August municipal elections marked the first significant drop in support, which fell to about 54%. robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT As thousands of Cubans lined up Monday in Havana to say good-bye to Fidel Castro, Donald Trump threatened to end Washingtons diplomatic thaw with the one-party state. If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal, the U.S. president-elect tweeted. President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro renewed diplomatic ties in 2014 after a half-century of Cold War hostility. Since then, through a series of executive orders, Obama has eased restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba and U.S. firms doing business there. Advertisement In a case of bizarre timing, U.S. airlines this week began offering regularly scheduled commercial flights between the United States and Havana for the first time since 1961. The first, an American Airlines flight from Miami, landed on Monday. In Havana, Cubans from across the country stood in three lines, each leading past an identical shrine to the revolutionary leader and former president, who ruled for 49 years. Each featured a large photograph showing Castro as a young, black-bearded guerilla soldier and arrangements of white roses and his various military and civilian decorations. Mourners, most of them senior citizens, women and children, said they were disappointed to not see the urn holding his ashes. It makes me very sad to not see the remains, said 51-year-old Raul Torres. But Im happy to be here and to tell him how much we appreciate him. Claudia Romero, 65, arrived at 4 a.m. to pay her respects to Castro. He fought so that we could have a better life, she said, wiping away tears. I will always be grateful. Castros death on Friday at age 90 is unlikely to usher in quick political change on the island nation of 11 million. Under his brother Raul, citizens have been allowed to travel more easily and to engage in limited private enterprise, but there have not been significant political reforms. As for Cubas future relationship with the U.S., it was not clear what Trump meant by a better deal. An email seeking clarification from his transition team was not answered. Previously, Trump has called for the release of political prisoners and more open space for free expression of opinions and dissent. The Obama administration has made the same demands while choosing not to delay economic progress. From a legal standpoint, Trump could easily reverse Obamas executive orders with little more than a signature. Politically, however, renewed estrangement would be more complicated and would isolate the U.S. as the only country in the world that does not recognize the Communist-led government in Havana. Trump and his top aides have sent conflicting signals over his likely Cuba policy. His staff released a statement Saturday saying a Trump administration would do all it can to help Cubans achieve prosperity and liberty. But it did not mention reversing Obamas actions to expand ties. While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve, Trump said. Kellyanne Conway, a top Trump advisor, told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday that nothing is definite when it comes to Cuba. But Trumps soon-to-be White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, said that Trump would be looking for some movement in the right direction to keep the opening of Cuba on course. Conservative Republicans oppose detente with Cuba as long as any Castro continues to rule. But a growing number of Cuban Americans, as well as most Democrats and a substantial segment of the business community, want better ties and opportunities for economic exchange. Staff Writer Tracy Wilkinson reported from Washington. Sanchez, a special correspondent, reported from Havana. A U.S. military investigation has found that unintentional human errors led to a coalition airstrike that mistakenly killed dozens of Syrian-backed troops this fall, but it did not recommend disciplining anyone for the deadly attack. The Sept. 17 air raid on a garrison in the eastern Syrian town of Dair Alzour is one of the worst coalition errors to emerge since the Obama administration began an air war against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria in mid-2014. The attack, which was in an area also frequented by Russian forces, led to sharp criticism from Moscow after it emerged that Russian attempts to use a communications hotline to stop the attack were not answered for nearly half an hour. Advertisement Russias defense ministry has said the attack killed 62 Syrian troops, wounded 100 more and opened the way for an Islamic State offensive in the area. It also helped destroy an already fragile U.S.-Russian cease-fire. A four-page redacted summary of the investigation that was released Tuesday concluded that the botched bombing did not violate international laws of armed conflict. Warplanes from the United States, Australia, Denmark and Britain bombed and strafed what the pilots thought was a concentration of Islamic State fighters for nearly an hour. Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard Coe, the lead investigating officer, told reporters at the Pentagon that the ground forces looked and acted like militants, but were probably Syrian government troops or militias aligned with President Bashar Assad. The ground forces were not wearing formal military uniforms, flags or other indicators that would clearly establish their identity, Coe said. We concluded based upon post-strike analysis that a number of human factors resulted in incorrect identification of forces on the ground, Coe said. U.S. investigators said at least 15 people were killed, but Coe acknowledged that estimate may be low. He said U.S. investigators did not have access to the site and could not be certain of the total. The error began after U.S. reconnaissance drones began tracking a vehicle believed to belong to an Islamic State militant. The vehicle drove through militant-held territory in eastern Syria before arriving at the garrison in Dair Alzour. The early assessment colored later analysis and resulted in invalid assumptions that led to faulty identification of the ground forces, Coe said. One analyst had concluded that the ground forces, based on their behavior and equipment, were not likely to be Islamic State fighters. But that dissent did not reach commanders who authorized the airstrike. U.S. analysts watched the site for two days, and the target underwent what the military calls a thorough assessment, review and validation process, Coe said. U.S. and coalition commanders at the air operation center in Qatar decided it was an Islamic State target and ordered an attack with F-16s, F/A-18s, A-10s and armed drones. Because the area was frequented by Russian and Syrian forces, the U.S. military used an emergency communications line to warn Russian authorities in Syria of the pending attack. It was the first time such a warning had been given, Coe said. But the U.S. officials provided ground coordinates more than two miles from the target, investigators found. After the bombing began, the Russians tried to use the hotline to warn the U.S. commanders they were killing Syrian forces by mistake. But the U.S. official authorized to speak on the calls was not available, Coe said. So the Russians hung up and called back until they finally reached the U.S. official 27 minutes later. In this instance, we did not rise to the high standard we hold ourselves to, and we must do better than this each and every time, Lt. Gen. Jeff Harrigian, commander of U.S. air forces in the Middle East, said in a statement. U.S. investigators said unintentional human errors occurred. They recommended improvements to the hotline system to ensure critical information is given more quickly to available personnel. The Obama administration opposes Assads continued rule but the U.S. military does not deliberately target Syrian troops. Russia entered the war last year to support Assad in the countrys complex civil war. william.hennigan@latimes.com Twitter: @wjhenn ALSO: Climate change is real: Just ask the Pentagon Overweight, tattooed, stoned? The Pentagon may still want you Captured battlefield cellphones, computers are helping the U.S. target and kill Islamic States leaders Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Indonesia is still undecided as to whether it will join any OPEC deal on reducing or freezing the oil output, said the countrys Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan. "The feeling today is mixed," Reuters quoted Indonesian Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan as saying when asked about the prospects of a deal. "I don't know. Let's see, said the minister stressing the importance of a "fair deal" for all members. Earlier, Russias Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he doesnt plan to take part in OPECs Vienna meeting on Nov. 30. This is not necessary. We need OPEC to hold a meeting. Of course, if a consensus is reached there and OPEC makes a decision, we will hold talks soon, he added. Moreover, a few days ago, Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) said that the country is not going to participate in OPEC oil cuts for the foreseeable future. NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla has explained this with the dangerous economic situation in Libya. 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. In two of the Mideasts most devastating urban conflicts Aleppo in Syria and Mosul in Iraq civilians who were already facing deprivation and danger are confronting harsh new threats brought about by recent battlefield events, humanitarian groups and international organizations say. In Aleppo, dramatic gains by government forces have sent whole families fleeing rebel-held areas though few havens have awaited them. Images released by the government and opposition activists alike showed droves of weary-looking adults with children in tow dragging bundles and suitcases through ravaged, detritus-filled streets. By Wednesday, the exodus had swollen to 50,000 people, according to the British-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Advertisement In Mosul, the scene of a 6-week-old offensive by U.S.-backed Iraqi troops, there is increasing desperation and a fast-growing casualty count among city residents who, willingly or not, have followed Iraqi government instructions to shelter at home while the fighting rages around them. More than 1 million people are thought to be trapped in areas still held by the Sunni Muslim militants of Islamic State. The two cities crossroads of ancient empires, each a bustling and modern metropolis before war closed in are considered crucial strategic prizes, even as both have become crucibles of suffering for hundreds of thousands of people. The eastern sector of Aleppo is the main urban redoubt of rebels seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, and losing it would leave the opposition in dire straits. Rebel-held districts, under government blockade since July, have been pummeled for months with airstrikes by Syrian and Russian warplanes, a prelude to the punishing ground offensive now underway by government-allied militias. Rescue workers reported dozens of deaths in east Aleppo on Wednesday, including some civilians who were trying to flee the front lines. In advance of an urgent U.N. Security Council session Wednesday the latest in a series of so-far-fruitless diplomatic initiatives the world bodys special envoy Staffan de Mistura told European lawmakers: I cant tell you how long eastern Aleppo will last. Mosul, on the plains of northern Iraq, has been under the medieval rule of Islamic State for the past two years, and its fighters are waging a ferocious battle to retain their last big-city stronghold in the country. American-backed Iraqi forces have seized outlying areas and about one-quarter of Mosul proper, but their advance into dense inner districts has been agonizingly slow. Nearly 75,000 people have already fled the Mosul fighting since the start of the offensive, with some 1,000 arrivals every day at camps for the displaced set up outside the battle zone. With freezing nighttime temperatures settling in across northern Iraq, the U.N. has asked for 1.2 million winter kits for families who may spend months longer in tents and shelters. In both Aleppo and Mosul, tactics such as seizing territory and cutting off supply lines are spurred by military aims but a principal side effect is leaving civilians homeless and hungry. Mosuls front lines in the citys east are fraught with danger for civilians, the U.N. humanitarian coordinators office said Wednesday, with mortar fire and gunshots continuing to claim civilian lives. In Aleppo, rebels in the past week have lost almost half of the eastern sector they had held since 2012. On Tuesday, having overrun the northern part of the rebel pocket, pro-government forces opened a new front from the south as a hodgepodge of opposition fighters tried desperately to hold new battle lines, according to groups monitoring the fighting. Those fleeing had few options. Some headed for Kurdish-held areas on Aleppos outskirts; others retreated deeper into rebel territory. Some headed for government-controlled territory, but with deep trepidation. Many civilians wont go out to government-controlled areas, Dr. Ghaith Suleiman, a pediatrician in a rebel-held neighborhood, said in an interview via social media. Theyre afraid of being arrested or tortured or accused of being terrorists. Food and the lack of it has been a weapon of war in both cities. In Mosul, the price of basic supplies skyrocketed over the past week, after Shiite Muslim militias severed the western supply route connecting the city to territory held by Islamic State in Syria. Opposition-held parts of Aleppo, meanwhile, have received only sporadic humanitarian shipments, with food stocks reported by aid groups to be all but exhausted. Its a slow-motion descent into hell, Bettina Luescher of the World Food Program told reporters this week. The U.N. food agency appealed Tuesday for unconditional, unimpeded, sustained and safe access for food deliveries to besieged areas in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria. Medical treatment, too, has become a casualty of war and a nearly unimaginable luxury, even for the most gravely injured. In eastern Aleppo, hospitals and clinics have been hit repeatedly, and by Tuesday, few people could make their way to the few remaining medical facilities. I had very few patients today, Dr. Salem Abu Nasr, a dentist who works in a general-practice clinic, said in a phone interview. They are afraid to leave their houses due to the shelling. Mosul, for its part, still has many of the attributes of a functioning city, including working hospitals, but field clinics in newly liberated areas are overwhelmed with war-wounded patients. And Islamic State fighters in the Mosul theater appear to be using medical facilities as shields. Human Rights Watch called for an investigation of the deaths of eight people, including an elderly man and two of his grandsons, who died when coalition airstrikes targeting Islamic State hit a clinic south of Mosul where the militants had established an outpost. Adding to civilian misery, water and electricity supplies have been hit, sometimes deliberately targeted and sometimes wrecked in the heat of battle. Some 650,000 people living in and near Mosul lost their water supply after a pipeline was struck during fighting, the Reuters news agency reported Tuesday. In Aleppo, a key pumping station previously held by the rebels changed hands this week, falling under government control. Aleppos plight has drawn repeated diplomatic pleas for a cease-fire. The latest of those came in a statement Tuesday from Frances foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, seeking an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council. More than ever, he said, we need to halt hostilities and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid. laura.king@latimes.com @laurakingLAT Special correspondent Bulos reported from Amman, Jordan, and Times staff writer King from Washington. UPDATES: 11:35 a.m. Nov. 30: This article has been updated with new figures for civilians leaving Aleppo, Syria, and Mosul, Iraq, a comment from the United Nations and additional details. This article was originally published Nov. 29 at 2:15 p.m. All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. Are beautiful girls walking on the catwalk in swimsuits? That's common in a beauty queen contest. However, how if there is a Muslim contestant who consistently wears hijab in such a pageant world? Wow, it is unusual. The video of Halima Aden, a Somali immigrant living in Minnesota competing as Miss Minnesota in Miss USA, proves that the hijab is common in a beauty contest full of sexy ladies in short dress. When others were wearing swimsuits, Aden was wearing a burkini, a swimsuit that covers most parts of the body. Despite not winning the competition, Aden earned lots of praises and appreciation on social media, as reported by Daily News. Aden made to Top 15 before being eliminated. However, she has a mission by joining that pageant.During the Miss USA pageant, which is part of the Miss Universe organization formerly owned by U.S President-elect Donald Trump, Aden sent a message that wearing a hijab is a choice, not a sign of oppression. She joined the competition to defy wrong perceptions about Islam. Aden was born in a Kenyan refugee camp and her family moved to the U.S when she was seven. Aden now is a freshman at St.Cloud University and wants to be a U.S ambassador in the future.She said to Star Tribune that she wanted to be herself and women wearing hijab should be able to seen everywhere.Her mom, Rukia Aden, didn't initially have a plan to watch her daughter in the competition. But she later changed her mind after her relatives told that the prize was a scholarship. She said she supported her daughter and she felt happy to live in the U.S where people can wear and do what they want freely. The teen's appearance in the contest at least has succeeded in proving that hijab is the choice, not an oppression. Wearing hijab doesn't limit Muslim women from exploring their potentials. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Huseyn Veliyev Trend: Bakutel 2016, the 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies kicked off Nov. 29 in Baku. Every year for over 20 years, Bakutel, the largest exhibition in the region, has been bringing together leading players of the communications market. As the main arena for presenting IT products and services, Bakutel has acquired status as the main business platform where contacts are made and new businesses are created. Official support to the Bakutel 2016 exhibition is provided by the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers') Organizations of the Azerbaijan Republic and the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) are also among the local establishments that support this exhibition in Azerbaijan. The international prestige of Bakutel is well proved by the support of the international industry institutions, including the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC), as well as by the quality mark from the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). This year Austria, Belarus, Iran, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia and France are showcasing the leading companies, innovation projects, and organize the presentation of ICT products and services at their national stands. More than 200 companies from Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Russia, Turkey and other countries have been brought together for Bakutel 2016. Forty percent of exhibitors are regular exhibitors. There are leading ICT companies, mobile operators, communications operators, internet providers, system integrators, and distributors of well-known brands among exhibitors. The exhibition features national stands from a number of countries, actively supported by the Ministry of Communications and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Thus, the pavilion of the Ministry of Communication will present the innovations in post, communication and e-government. Presentations of such projects as Audio library for visually impaired children and Digitalization of museums Google Art Project and also start-up projects will be made at the event. At the same time, a number of conferences and forums will be held on the side-lines of the exhibition. Thus, Bakutel, as the main industry event, is long awaited in Azerbaijans ICT industry. In addition to business meetings and talks, all visitors and exhibitors will be able to participate in competitions and quizzes, and get various surprises. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Huseyn Valiyev Trend: Azerbaijans Ministry of Communications and High Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkeys Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications. The memorandum was signed after the first meeting of ICT ministers of member-countries of the Turkic Speaking States Cooperation Council, held as part of BakuTel 2016, the 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies. Under the memorandum, the sides agreed on cooperation in the postal service. During the meeting, it was agreed to hold the second meeting on ICT of the Turkic Speaking States Cooperation Council in Turkey in 2017. BakuTel 2016, the 22nd Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and Information Technologies kicked off in Baku Nov. 29. BakuTel 2016 has brought together more than 200 companies from Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Russia, Turkey and other countries. There are leading ICT companies, mobile operators, communications operators, internet providers, system integrators, and distributors of well-known brands among exhibitors. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: Turkey wants to share its experience in telecommunications with Southern Caucasus, Turkish Minister of Transport, Shipping and Communications Ahmet Arslan said in Baku. We want to share our experience with the entire region. Today, we had meetings with representatives of Azerbaijans Ministry of Communications and High Technologies, as well as with ministers of Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Georgia, Arslan said. The minister reminded that Azerbaijan and Turkey are working together within the Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway (TASIM) project. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: Ankara wants to strengthen cooperation in the sphere of information and communication technologies (ICT) with the member-countries of the Turkic Speaking States Cooperation Council - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey Ahmet Arslan said in an exclusive interview with Trend Nov. 29. He was commenting on the first meeting of ICT ministers of member-countries of the Turkic Speaking States Cooperation Council held in Baku Nov. 29. Nowadays, information and communication technologies are developing at a terrific speed and have great potential, he said. The Turkish minister added that by developing cooperation, the countries of the council will be able to get a great benefit in this sphere in Asian and the European regions. We want to carry out joint projects in the field of e-government and cyber security, as well as share our experience, Arslan said. Cooperation in the field of ICT will make Azerbaijan and Turkey stronger, he said. I am confident that the first meeting of ICT ministers of member-countries of the Turkic Speaking States Cooperation Council will benefit our countries, said Arslan. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade The South Bethlehem Historical Society is celebrating the 25 th anniversary of its Ethnic Christmas Trees exhibit in South The ethnic Christmas tree exhibit is on display in the lobby of the Comfort Suites in Bethlehem. Volunteers from several South Bethlehem church and ethnic organizations gather each year to decorate the trees that represent many of the cultures that settled in the neighborhood. The decorated trees line the length of the lobby at the the Comfort Suites and sport festive lights, ornaments and angels made in a variety of styles. Included in the display is information on the various Christmas traditions of the cultures represented. Represented in the tree display are Polish, German, Lithuanian, Slovakian, Irish, Portuguese, English, Latino, Hungarian, Italian, Grecian, Carpatho-Rusyn, Ukrainian, African-American, Slovenian and Windish traditions. The 18 trees will remain on display in the lobby of the Comfort Suites at 120 W. 3rd St. in Bethlehem, until January. Sue Beyer may be reached at sbeyer@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sbeyer_photo. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook. UPDATE: Pedestrian struck twice in Bethlehem Twp. was headed to work A pedestrian was struck just after 7 a.m. Tuesday crossing Freemansburg Avenue between Third and Fourth streets in Bethlehem Township, township police report. The woman was hit by an eastbound vehicle and then a second vehicle, becoming pinned underneath, police said. Visibility in the area was poor at the time of the crash, police said. Freemansburg Avenue was closed on either side of the crash, police said. The road reopened just before 9 a.m. The woman was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, police said. The police accident reconstruction team was working at the scene, a news release said. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann contributed to this report. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Chief Executive Officer of Kazakh National Atomic Company Kazatomprom Askar Zhumagaliev discussed cooperation with Chinese atomic companies during his visit to China, Kazakh company reported Nov. 29. In particular Kazatomproms CEO held negotiations with Director General of China General Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC) Zhang Shanming and President of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Qian Zhimin. The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to nuclear power development and underlined a good progress in cooperation between the companies and successful efforts on joint uranium mining projects. They also shared their opinions on the supplies of Kazakhstans high value added uranium products to China and uranium transit through China. Kazatomprom is the national operator of Kazakhstan for export of uranium and its compounds, rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special purpose equipment, technologies and double-use materials. Kazakhstan is the biggest uranium producer in the world. In 2015 the country produced 23,800 tons of uranium. Meanwhile there is no nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan and it sends all the produced uranium for export. Portlaoise man Austin Stack, the son of murdered Chief Prison Officer, Brian Stack, has confirmed he has been shown an e-mail which Gerry Adams sent to the Garda Commissioner in which Deputy Adams names three current Sinn Fein politicians as suspects in his fathers murder. The Irish Independent has reported that the e-mail was sent by Deputy Adams secretary from her Oireachtas e-mail account on 22 February 2016 and was signed Gerry Adams. In the mail it alleged that the Sinn Fein leader names four suspects, three of whom are current SF politicians, and alleges that he received these names from Austin Stack. It is claimed in the mail that Deputy Adams alleges that Mr Stack received his information from the Gardai and journalists. Mr Stack says he was made aware of the e-mail late last week. It is beyond incredible that we have a political leader naming three senior colleagues as murder suspects. In naming three of his Party colleagues as suspects in my Dads murder it has become abundantly clear that Adams and his colleagues have very serious questions to answer in relation to a live murder inquiry. "Why Adams and his organisation have applied different standards to themselves by not suspending these individuals pending the outcome of the murder inquiry. This is what would happen in any other organisation, he says. In addressing the issue as to where Deputy Adams got his information from, Mr Stack said: It certainly was not from me and for him to say so is untruthful in the extreme. Mr Stack said he did not reveal any information that he had to Deputy Adams despite him asking me him to do so at meetings in 2013. He said his brother Oliver was present at meetings. Mr Stack accused Deputy Adams of breaching the confidentiality. Mr Stack said he continues to campaign for a victim-centred truth recovery process but he says the Sinn Fein leader has clearly shown that he is not interested in delivering truth or in reconciling with victims. "Victims are the real peacemakers as we are the ones who have suffered most and gained least from the peace process, however we are still prepared to do our bit for reconciliation on our Island if we have access to the truth, he said. Brian Stack was shot near the National Stadium in March 1983. He died some months later as a result of the injuries sustained. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 29 By Demir Azizov Trend: The mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) started its work on monitoring the presidential election in Uzbekistan Nov. 29, the countrys Central Election Commission (CEC) told Trend. The mission includes 20 representatives of the legislative, executive and electoral authorities of the SCO member states, as well as officials of the SCO Secretariat. SCO Secretary General Rashid Alimov heads the observer mission. During their monitoring activity, the observers plan to visit the greatest possible number of polling stations in all electoral districts of Uzbekistan. The SCO observers will conclude their work by announcing a statement on the results of the monitoring of the preparation and conduct of the election. The conclusions will be based on the SCO missions own observations, official information, factual material provided by the electoral commissions and public authorities, which ensure the preparation and conduct of the election, data obtained from interviews with the participants of the electoral process, as well as screening questionnaires. More than 80,000 local observers and nearly 600 international ones will be monitoring the election in Uzbekistan. Currently, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the CIS missions started their work. The missions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) are expected to arrive in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is to hold an early presidential election December 4 due to the death of ex-president Islam Karimov, who passed away after suffering a stroke at the age of 79 on Sept. 2. Candidates from four political parties of Uzbekistan participate in the presidential election - Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDeP), People's Democratic Party (PDPU), Milly Tiklanish (National Revival) Party, and Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party. Among the presidential candidates are the countrys Acting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev from UzLiDeP, Sarvar Otamuratov from Milly Tiklanish Party, Nariman Umarov from Adolat Party, and Hotamzhon Ketmonov from PDPU. Top Irish stand-up Neil Delamere has announced details of his brand new tour Handstand, which is coming to The Heritage Hotel on January 20, 2017. Audiences can expect the usual banter and quick-witted, well-observed comedy at Handstand as they have come to expect from Delamere, who has been described by critics as a master (The Scotsman) and a wryly brilliant live performer (Sunday Times). The star of RTEs The Panel, 2nd Republic, BBCs The Blame Game, Fighting Talk and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow is renowned for delivering powerhouse, sell-out performances, whether its at Dublins Vicar Street, or further afield at high-profile international festivals such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. An accomplished broadcaster as well as comic, Neil is the host of his own hugely-popular two-hour weekend show on Today FM, Neil Delameres Sunday Best (Sundays on Today FM 11am-1pm). Neil also made a welcome return to TV screens this autumn in the ever-popular panel show The Blame Game on BBC, which celebrates a decade on TV screens. Follow Neil on www.neildelamere.com, Facebook Neil Delamere, Twitter @neildelamere. Handstand kicks off in The Moate Theatre, Naas on December 27 and concludes in Dundalk on April 29. For ticket and tour info for Handstand visit the website www.neildelamere.com/gigs. The death of Cuban revolutionary, dictator and hard left cause celebre, Fidel Castro has reopened a debate on his legacy. Tim Farron released the following statement There is no doubt that Fidel Castro was a vastly significant 20th century leader, but even as we respectfully acknowledge this on his passing, we must not overlook the appalling human rights abuses including brutal summary executions for which he was responsible As expected Jeremy Corbyn was among the more fulsome in praise, to objections from progressives: Fidel Castros death marks the passing of a huge figure of modern history, national independence and 20th century socialism. From building a world class health and education system, to Cubas record of international solidarity abroad, Castros achievements were many. For all his flaws, Castros support for Angola played a crucial role in bringing an end to Apartheid in South Africa and he will be remembered both as an internationalist and a champion of social justice. If anybody knows how sending Cuban troops to Angola brought about the end of apartheid, do please explain in the comments. In the United States, reaction from Donald Trump and Barack Obama struck very different tones heralding a likely reversal of Obamas policy of engagement, while both expressing hope that Cuba will now emerge from poverty and oppression. The most shockingly warm tribute from beyond the hard left came from Justin Trudeau who emphasised the health and education schtick and his family connections to Castro. So the formula seems to be: talk about either health and education or human rights according to your preference. And blame either the USA or Cuba for Cuban domestic policy and economic performance, according to your preference. This perhaps misses much of the picture. What does a fuller legacy look like? The overthrow of the Batista regime. Ill give Castro this one. Cant argue with that. The failure to call elections, the suppression of dissent, mass imprisonment, torture, executions. Dissidents, poets, journalists, LGBT people. No excuse. America did not make you do it. Foreign policy. The documentary Fidel Castro: Americas Nemesis reports Castro to be the most belligerent player of the Cuban missile crisis, suggesting to Kruschev that the thing with these missiles is that you have to use them first. This comes alongside Che Guevara seeing the USA bogged down in Vietnam, wishing to create more Vietnams. This is warmongering to make the USA and USSR look like angels. Economic policy. Cuba is one of the poorest countries of South America as a result of a) socialist economic policy and b) the American trade boycott. Emphasise either according to your preference but America will be damned whether they boycott a tyranny or engage with it, so they cant win. Whatever America did, Cubans would have benefited had their government allowed them to earn honest livings in a greater variety of ways. Health and literacy. This is quite good if you believe Cuban government statistics, which you shouldnt. The overall picture? Some good, some bad? At least Mussolini made the trains run on time? (He didnt actually.) No, the overall picture is of resisting freedom, democracy, human rights and prosperity, and instead having tyranny, sharing non-existent wealth out equally, and warmongering. This is not the price of good healthcare, and if Corbyn wants to try paying British doctors and nurses as little as Cuban ones are paid he will get a shock. Old lefties like Corbyn support Castro not because what he did was any good, but because he was against the West. This was wrong in the Cold War, and it still is today. Working people are better off with freedom, democracy and human rights than we are without, unequivocally. * Joe Otten was the candidate for Sheffield Heeley in June 2017 and Doncaster North in December 2019 and is a councillor in Sheffield. LIMERICKS elected representatives are at odds over paying tribute to Fidel Castro, the recently deceased Cuban leader. Yet the meeting of councillors agreed to roll out the red carpet for Pope Francis in the event of a visit to Limerick on his now confirmed trip to Ireland in 2018. So, remarked Cllr John Gilligan at Mondays meeting of Limerick City and County Council, we are welcoming the Pope and ignoring Fidel Castro. Earlier, Cllr Eleanor Hogan had suggested that Limerick City and County Council extend an invitation to Pope Francis to come to Limerick during his visit to Ireland in August 2018. And this was agreed without any dissension. But Limericks councillors resolutely refused to do anything to mark the passing of Cubas Fidel Castro. Instead, they voted down in large numbers a proposal by Sinn Fein councillor Seighin OCeallaigh to hold a minutes silence and to open a book of condolences. This is not a place for left and right, Cllr OCeallaigh said as he made his proposal. The people of Cuba, he pointed out, had lost their founding leader, an historic world figure, and he felt it should be marked. But Mayor Kieran OHanlon said he did not share Cllr OCeallaighs views and put the proposal to the floor where it was roundly defeated by more than three to one. That is the end of that so, Seighin, the Mayor said. Nobody, however, remarked on the fact that Pope Francis himself had extended condolences to the people of Cuba on the death of Fidel Castro, saying it was a sad day. THE UL Hospitals Group has launched an exclusive plan of action, equipping its hospitals to help tackle disasters such as transport accidents, explosions, pandemics, building collapses and other major emergencies, should they occur in the Mid-West. The Major Emergency Plan is the first action plan of its kind in the country, and will provide regional hospital staff with the roles and responsibilities in the event of the declaration of a major emergency. A major emergency is defined as any incident, usually with little or no warning, which overwhelms the ability of an organisation to respond. Launching the plan this week, group chief Colette Cowan said: This document provides staff across UL Hospitals with a plan of action in the event of a major emergency being declared and is also a guide on how to implement that plan in a structured, coordinated and timely manner. It is aligned with the regional and national major emergency plans within the health services including our colleagues in HSE MidWest Community Healthcare and with the equivalent interagency plans with An Garda Siochana and local authorities. Critical to the plan is that it takes an all hazards approach. That means the plan can be applied across a range of different scenarios that, while we must hope they never happen, we must nonetheless prepare and plan for, Ms Cowan explained. Some such emergencies are universal, whether it might be a major transport accident; an explosion; a building collapse; a pandemic and so on. While the plan assesses these universal emergencies, it also looks at risks specific to this region; a region where we have an international airport, where we have large crowds gathering for sporting and other events; and a region where we have power plants, chemical plants, fuel depots and other sites defined as hazardous under the Seveso directive. The Seveso directive is a European Union law, established in 1982, to improve management and safety of sites that contain large quantities of dangerous substances. The nature of unforeseen events is such that it would be foolish to claim to be 100% prepared for them. But I am glad to welcome the fact that UL Hospitals has as robust and detailed a document as possible that will not only serve the staff of UL Hospitals Group well but will also assure everyone in the MidWest region that when the worst happens, it will bring out the best in us, she added. Ms Cowan expressed gratitude to the UL Hospitals Group board and its chairperson Prof Niall OHiggins for recognising its importance; and to former and current staff, Frank Keane and Lorraine Varley, for delivering the plan. BISHOP of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said that it would be magnificent if Pope Francis were to come to Limerick and retrace Pope John Paul IIs footsteps. Speaking following the announced that the Pontiff is to visit Ireland in August 2018, Bishop Leahy said that the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland in 2018 is hugely significant in a national and church context. With regard to the potential for a repeat of Pope John Paul IIs visit to Limerick, Bishop Leahy said: It is highly unlikely Pope Francis, who will be 25 years older in 2018 than Pope John Paul II was when he visited, will take on an itinerary as busy as in 1979. But we can never say never and will certainly be hoping he will come to Limerick. I do know that on the three occasions I met him since he became Pope, his eyes lit up when I mentioned Limerick so it is possible that he stayed here at some stage. He certainly has an affection for Limerick. So many people in Limerick remember Pope John Paul IIs visit here in 1979. Pope Francis visit to Ireland in 2018 will trigger much nostalgia around that but, moreover, will help bring us forward as a Church and, indeed, nation. For those of us who will be fortunate enough to have witnessed two popes visiting Ireland, we will be, indeed, privileged. Bishop Leahy said that Pope Francis decision to visit Ireland, in particular, is significant. Europe has not been a place that has featured very high on his agenda in terms of nations visited. Yet he chose Ireland for the World Meeting of the Families and has now confirmed he will attend," said Bishop Leahy. There is something in this for sure. I believe he is being guided towards Ireland. He recognises what his visit can do for his people here and, particularly, those on the margins. He is also very much aware that people have suffered at the hands of representatives of the church and that theres much healing still to do. "He is very much a universal pastor and his presence here will certainly help with that healing. Welcoming the announcement of the Popes planned visit, Bishop Leahy said that it will bring to these shores one of the worlds most inspiring and admired leaders. Pope Francis visit is hugely exciting for the Church, of course, but will also be a hugely significant moment for the nation. While we have a much changed Ireland since 1979 and we wont be expecting the same type of numbers as then, there are few figures in the world, if any, that will attract the type of crowds that will want to see the Pope. Specifically for the Church, his visit is more than timely. We are now and will be in 2018 at a time of great change in the world and for our Church, following a very difficult period. "We are very much in a process of regenerating the Church in Ireland so that it serves the needs of its faithful as they are today and will be tomorrow. "Pope Francis visit here in 2018 will inject new energy into that process, which will be beneficial for the faithful but will also prompt those who are disillusioned with the Church to look at it again and see it as the Church of mercy and caring that Pope Francis wants it to be. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG SA) is eyeing various Iranian projects in gas and oil sector, however, at this moment in case of Iran, it focuses on the Sumar oil project, the company told Trend Nov. 28. PGNiG signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation on exploring the Sumar oil deposit in Iran. The company is to carry out an analysis of geological and formation data of the Sumar field. PGNiG declined to give further details about the deal, but National Iranian Oil Companys Deputy Chief for Development and Engineering Affairs Gholam-Reza Manouchehri told SHANA Nov. 5 that "the Polish party will have a six-month deadline to complete the study on the field and provide the NIOC with the result." Manouchehri went on to say that a final decision on development of the field will be made once the studies are complete and the main strategy of the NIOC is to offer the project for development through a tender. Sumar field, located in the operation area of Iran Central Oil Fields Company, is a brown field with 441 million barrels of oil in-situ and 500 barrels per day production from one well. The field was studied in a 2D seismic exploration. The API degree of the fields reserve is 44. The field was discovered in 2006. Production on it started in 2012. As for the low oil price and its effect on investments in upstream sector, PGNiG told Trend that it usually takes a few years from the moment the company starts exploration until the production starts, and it is hardly possible to predict oil prices in that timeframe. "We believe that good projects defend themselves no matter the current oil price. That is why we are focusing on good projects in prospective areas," said PGNiG. PGNiG had sealed a preliminary deal with Iran to develop Lavan gas field as well, worth $7 billion, but Iran announced in 2011 (after four years) that the company was excluded from the project due to missing several deadlines. The reserves of Lavan field are estimated to be around 280 billion cubic meters. Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told Trend in June that "due to the scope of activities and financial capabilities of Polish oil and gas companies, we do not aim at full-scale competition with major global players in terms of big investment contracts, which are a priority for the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum, but still there is a big field of cooperation in the framework of some smaller contracts, mainly in services sector: geophysical assessment and exploration, drilling, on-surface infrastructure construction and maintenance." He added that PGNiG's sister companies have significant experience in executing such international contracts and Iran could be their partner. "The talks are ongoing and we are optimistic about their progress," said Waszczykowski. Tehran, Iran, November 28 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: As the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) prepare for a meeting in Vienna on November 30, a positive atmosphere prevails, former Iranian representative to OPEC Mohammad Ali Khatibi said. The OPEC members are ready to decide and establish a firmer grip on the market, Khatibi told Trend November 28. Anticipating the meeting, trading turned choppy after prices tumbled more than 3 percent on November 25 as doubts grew over whether the OPEC would reach agreement to help curb a global supply overhang that has more than halved prices since 2014. Khatibi said that if non-members join OPEC members in their decision, a firmer ground will be made to manage the market. On October 27, Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said the oil market would balance itself in 2017 even if producers did not intervene, and that keeping output at current levels could therefore be justified. A week earlier, Irans Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said hopes were high that the members would reach some agreement in Vienna. Iran has been shunning calls to join a freeze to output plan, citing long-lasting deprivation of its market under sanctions that were lifted only in January. Irans crude export under sanctions stood at 1 mbpd, but soared back to its pre-sanctions level of 2.5 mbpd a few months after sanctions were lifted. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. Tehran, Iran, Nov. 28 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Foreign investors coming to Iran face many challenges in a country that has been closed to international businesses for many years due to sanctions, says Siamak Goudarzi, founder of Open Iran Group, which helps foreign companies end up with successful investments in Iran. There is a lack of awareness about the business culture in Iran, how things are done, the pace, the most effective ways, etc., Dr. Goudarzi told Trend November 28. "Companies also need to have access to reliable information in a simple language. Much information we find on many websites that are supposed to serve foreign investors is translated word by word, and is not in simple English." "Foreign companies are also complaining that email communication in Iran is not as they are used to, even coming up with accounts that they sometimes do not get responses at all," he said, adding many of these small issues matter to international companies. Asked what kinds of investors are visiting Iran to start a business, the international business law expert classified them in three categories: not interested, looking with a possibility to invest, and those who already decided and are now looking for hot deals. On the most sought-after sectors, he said, "We have seen interest in the energy sector, of course oil and gas is awaiting the big companies to step in, and interests in the tourism industry, health, renewable energy, transportation, ICT, water and waste water, and also retail. There is interest from the construction business sector for road and urban development as well." On efforts by the Iranian government to help foreign investment, he said, "The government is doing all it can to facilitate foreign investment, but it is starting from the point of a country beginning to come out of many years of sanctions. There is always one step to go back before taking couple of steps forward and this is partly due to the unsteady international political climate." He also commented on Irans post-sanctions retail market and said, "Shopping malls are being built, with a lot of none registered brand names on the top of shops, waiting that those brands will finally step in formally. We have seen few major brands already retailing in Iran. Not many big brands have started yet, some are still waiting." Elsewhere in the interview, Goudarzi commented on how foreign investment can be facilitated in Iran, and announced the formation of a data center for foreign investors. "By experience, we know what types of services, advice and assistance international companies require, and for this reason we have created the first knowledge and service center in Iran that can meet all those needs." Goudarzi's team has connected many foreign businesses with Iranian counterparts, such as in Heavy Iran 2016, with heavy transport international companies, Focus Iran 2016 on September 26-27 that brought together over 200 companies together in many fields, especially finance, as well as Renpower Iran 2016 that took place in November at the Ministry of Energy, an event that gathered many big names in the energy industry. The government has called on Iran to invest in Indonesias oil refinery projects as the oil-rich country can supply local refineries from its reserves, The Jakarta Post reported. "We have asked [Iran] to invest either in Bontang refinery [in East Kalimantan] with [state-owned oil and gas firm] Pertamina or establish its own refinery as we already allow 100 percent [foreign] ownership in the business," Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry director general for oil and gas IGN Wiratmaja Puja said on Monday. The request, Wiratmaja said, had been conveyed last week to a visiting Iranian delegation led by Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi. Wiratmaja added that Indonesia currently bought liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran and was also planning to buy crude oil from there as well. "Should Iran invest in refineries here, it can supply the refineries with its crude oil," he said. Previously, the government successfully invited Saudi Arabias Aramco to invest in the Cilacap refinery revitalization project in Central Java. After the plant begins its operations in 2022, Aramco will supply most of its crude oil. Tehran, Iran, November 29 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: An Iranian company and a Romanian company have signed an MoU on the joint-venture (JV) construction of a 1000-megawatt power plant in Mehran, western Iran. The document was signed during a recent trip by an Iranian business delegation to Romania and headed by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, IRNA news agency reported November 29. The power plant will be used to export power to Iraq. Mohammad Azadi, CEO of Pichak Sanat Ilam, the Iranian party to the MoU, said the construction of the power plant will start in February 2017. He added the project will be complete in three years. The budget needed for the project is $700 million, 70 percent of which will be provided by the Romanian company and the rest by the Iranian side. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 By Farhad Daneshvar Trend: Two Iranian financial organizations, Exchange and Securities Organization and Bank Mellat, have reached an agreement on cooperation. Under the agreement, Irans Bank Mellat will provide foreigners, who invest in the countrys capital market, with banking services, Mehr news agency reported. The head of Irans Exchange and Securities Organization, Mohammadraza Mohseni, has said that Bank Mellat will carry out trades on behalf of foreign investors in Irans capital market through its branches in the country and abroad. According to the report, the agreement paves the way for foreigners, including South Koreans to invest in the countrys capital market. Tehran, Iran, Nov. 29 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: After US defense officials said an Iranian vessel had pointed weapon at a US helicopter in the Persian Gulf, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Marine Force has responded harshly. Do not poison the atmosphere, the problem is your unnecessary and unprofessional presence, Sepah News of the IRGC quoted an unnamed source from the IRGC Marine Force as having said November 29. A small IRGC vessel pointed its weapon at a US military helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz November 26, two US defense officials said November 28. The real problem in the Persian Gulf today is the presence of Americans, who try to show that situations are unnatural. Other countries are observing international rules to frequent the area day and night, the source said, adding, We will not heed to such moves and will calmly pursue our missions at our territorial waters and leave the judgment to the audience. The incident is the latest in a series of similar ones this year, but the first reported since Republican Donald Trump won the US presidential election on Nov. 8. During his campaign, Trump vowed that any Iranian vessel that harasses US Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf will be shot out of the water, if he was elected. Trump is due to take office on Jan. 20. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident took place when a navy MH-60 helicopter flew within half a mile (0.8 km) of two Iranian vessels in international waters. One of the vessels pointed a weapon at the helicopter, the US officials said. Tehran, Iran, November 29 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani discussed the latest developments in Syria and agreed to coordinate efforts concerning global oil and gas markets over the telephone on November 28. The presidents agreed to coordinate the steps on the global hydrocarbons market, including in the framework of the energy dialogue between Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a statement by the Kremlin said November 29. The OPEC members are going to meet November 30 in Vienna, Austria, hoping to reach some agreement to handle production and shore up prices. The presidents discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed to continue close cooperation aimed at ensuring long-term normalization of the situation in Syria, said the message from the Kremlin. Iran and Russia back President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian conflict, while Arab and Western states urge that Assad steps down as Syrias president. Tehran and Moscow demand that he be part of a political process whereby a democratic government is elected. Nearly 400 years after the first Thanksgiving, researchers have uncovered evidence of the Pilgrims' original 1620 settlement in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Archaeologists discovereda calf's remains and 17th-century artifacts at an archaeological site on Burial Hill in Plymouth thought to be the location of the first Pilgrim settlement. The bones of the calf, dubbed Constance, were found buried in a deep pit and offered the first clear evidence that the dig site was the original settlement, because Native Americans did not have domestic cattle, said David Landon, an archaeologist at the University of Massachusetts and leader of the dig. Constance, therefore, would have lived and died within the original Plymouth settlement, according to the researchers. [Plymouth Rock to the Blarney Stone: The World's 6 Most Famous Rocks] "Oftentimes success in the colony depended on herds of cattle. It became a centerpiece of the economy," Landon said in a statement. "So the calf does connect us to that story." Since 2013, Landon has led a group of students for five weeks each summer to hunt for evidence of the original Pilgrim settlement. The researchers had set a goal to find evidence of the original settlement by 2020, to coincide with the Plymouth Colony's 400th anniversary. Along with Constance, the archeological digs also uncovered 17th-century artifacts at the site. The researchers said pottery, tins, beads and musket balls were found in an area distinguished by remnants of the early settlement's "post and ground construction" structures essentially, holes for wood and dirt. "While we're digging, we're constantly in the process of trying to interpret what we're finding," Landon said. "It's about much more than the artifacts it's about trying to pin down soil color and trying to understand constructed features that are no longer there." Details of where the settlement was located and what kinds of items the Pilgrims owned and used will help further refine scientists' understanding of early Colonial activity, said Kathryn Ness, curator of collections at Plimoth Plantation. Evidence of the original 1620 Plymouth settlement has the potential to "change dramatically our understanding of early European colonization," Ness said in a statement. Researchers and students are still at work cleaning, labeling and researching this summer's discoveries. Another group of students will join Landon next summer to continue the dig, he said. "We've opened the first window but we want a bigger view. We want the bay window," Landon said. "We want to see if we can find other components." The research at Plymouth is a collaborative effort of the Plimoth Plantation museum, and the University of Massachusetts Boston's Andrew Fiske Memorial Center for Archaeological Research and the Institute for New England Native American Studies. Original article on Live Science. Head of the Iranian parliamentary delegation to Asian Parliamentary Union (APU) Fatemeh Zolqadr said on Tuesday that Iran and Turkey bolster solidarity and adopt identical stand to help restore the regional peace and security, IRNA reported. The Iranian delegation met Turkish parliamentary delegation on the sidelines of the 9th Asian Parliamentary Union in Cambodia. She recalled the failed coup attempt in Turkey, saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran was among first countries who condemned the coup. Iran and Turkey as two powerful countries in the world Muslim call for expansion of parliamentary cooperation within APU, she said. The two sides should also broaden parliamentary cooperation, she said. A new HIV vaccine is now being tested in South Africa in a study that aims to enroll several thousand people, officials announced today. The study is the first in seven years to test the effectiveness of a vaccine against HIV, said the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is funding the study. "If deployed alongside our current armory of proven HIV-prevention tools, a safe and effective vaccine could be the final nail in the coffin for HIV," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a statement. "Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly decrease the burden of HIV disease over time in countries and populations with high rates of HIV infection." In South Africa, more than 1,000 people contract HIV each day, the NIH said. The last HIV vaccine to show promise was tested in Thailand starting in 2003. In 2009, researchers from that study announced that the vaccine was 31 percent effective at preventing HIV infection over 3.5 years.In other words, the rate of infection was 31 percent lower in the group that got the vaccine, compared to the group that got a placebo. The new South African study will use an HIV vaccine that is similar to the one used in the Thai study but that has been modified to provide greater and longer-lasting protection, the researchers said. The researchers want to enroll 5,400 sexually active men and women ages 18 to 35 who do not have HIV, and results are expected in 2020, the NIH said. "HIV has taken a devastating toll in South Africa, but now we begin a scientific exploration that could hold great promise for our country," study researcher Glenda Gray, president and chief executive officer of the South African Medical Research Council, said in a statement. [27 Devastating Infectious Diseases] In the Thai study, researchers used two vaccines: one called ALVAC-HIV, which consisted of a bird virus that had been modified to contain three HIV genes, and another vaccine called a protein subunit vaccine, which contained a genetically engineered version of a protein found on the surface of HIV. The South African study will use these two vaccines, but with some key changes. Both vaccines in the new study have been modified to protect against a subtype the virus known as HIV subtype C, which is found in especially high numbers in South Africa. In addition, the protein subunit vaccine used in the new study will contain a different adjuvant (an ingredient added to a vaccine to boost its effects) than the one used in the Thai study. And the South African study will include a booster shot after one year, with the hopes of prolonging the protective effect, the researchers said. Participants in the new study will be randomly assigned to receive either the study vaccines or a placebo. If any participants become infected with HIV, they will be referred to local medical staff for care, and will be counseled on how to reduce their risk of transmitting HIV, the NIH said. Sanofi Pasteur will supply the ALVAC-HIV vaccine, and GlaxoSmithKline will provide the protein subunit vaccine. Original article on Live Science. An Antarctic mountain with a unique, pyramid-like shape is suddenly internet-famous, with countless theorists contemplating its origin. Some are wondering whether an ancient civilization created the rocky, pyramidal structure, and others are pointing toward outer space, speculating about the involvement of aliens. But Occam's razor the idea that the simplest explanation is usually the right one points to a far more mundane cause: Those steep, pyramid-like sides are likely the work of hundreds of millions of years of erosion, experts told Live Science. "This is just a mountain that looks like a pyramid," Eric Rignot, a professor of Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, told Live Science in an email. "Pyramid shapes are not impossible many peaks partially look like pyramids, but they only have one to two faces like that, rarely four." [Photos: The World's Weirdest Geological Formations] The pyramidal mountain, which doesn't have a formal name, is one of the many peaks that make up Antarctica's Ellsworth Mountains, which were discovered by the American aviator Lincoln Ellsworth during a flight on Nov. 23, 1935, according to a 2007 research paper that was published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). More specifically, the unnamed mountain located at 795839.25"S 815732.21"W is in the southern part of the Ellsworth Mountains in an area called Heritage Range, which is known for its extraordinary fossils, including those of Cambrian-period trilobites from more than 500 million years ago, according to a 1972 USGS report. The mountain isn't that tall by planetary standards just 4,150 feet (1,265 meters) or a little less than one-fifth the height of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, according to Google Earth. The mountain may not have Denali's height, but its unique pyramidal shape sets it apart, said Mauri Pelto, a professor of environmental science at Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts. Freeze-thaw erosion likely led to its pyramid-like shape, Pelto said. This happens when snow or water fills up cracks within a mountain during the day. When night falls and temperatures drop, the snow freezes and expands, turning into ice. The expanding ice causes the cracks to grow, Pelto said. This freeze-thaw erosion happens countless times, leading to the creation of larger cracks that can, eventually, cause entire rock sections to break off, he said. These forces likely also shaped other pyramidal mountains, including the Matterhorn in the Alps, he said. A pyramid-shaped peak called Matterhorn in the Alps. (Image credit: Ekaterina Grivet, Shutterstock.com) Three of the mountain's four sides appear to have eroded at about the same rate. "It suggests, since it came out so evenly, that the rock type is fairly uniform," Pelto said. "You don't have any rock layers that are harder to erode." In other words, the nameless mountain is likely "all in one rock layer," Pelto said. "It's not a very big mountain, so it's not that surprising." However, the eastern ridge of the mountain is decidedly the black sheep of the family. Instead of descending downward like the other ridges, that fourth side extends east, rising toward even higher terrain, Pelto said. "The erosion probably wasn't as uniform [on the eastern side]," he said. Pelto added that although some news outlets are saying that the mountain is newly discovered, that's very unlikely to be the case. There's a research base for climate scientists to the south of the mountain in an area known as the Patriot Hills. "You can actually probably see this mountain from up there in the Patriot Hills," Pelto said. As for the conspiracy theorists who are wondering about the mountain's pyramidal shape, "at least they're thinking about something," he said. "In the end, maybe they'll learn something in the process." Original article on Live Science. Great Smoky Mountain National Park is closed, and thousands of residents in the nearby towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, have fled their homes after a wildfire from the park turned into a rapidly spreading inferno last night (Nov. 28). At least 14,000 people have evacuated from the two resort towns, and hundreds of structures have been damaged or destroyed, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. But how did a forest fire spread so rapidly that it trapped some visitors inside a local hotel, filming the flames as the blaze approached the parking lot? [Natural Disasters: Top 10 US Threats] Two words: drought and wind. Dry year Most of East Tennessee has been in exceptional or severe drought all summer, said Sam Roberts, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service forecast office in Morristown, Tennessee. At the Knoxville, Tennessee, airport monitoring station, precipitation is down 10.29 inches (26 centimeters) from the annual average, Roberts told Live Science. In the state's Tri-Cities area, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) from Gatlinburg, precipitation is down 9.65 inches (25 cm) over the yearly average. And in Chattanooga in the far southeast corner of the state, precipitation has been a whopping 21.5 inches (55 cm) below average. "If they don't get too much more rain, this will be the driest year on record for them," Roberts said. A ridge of high atmospheric pressure parked over the U.S. Southeast has kept rain at bay over the summer, Roberts said, setting the stage for the current conflagration. As of Nov. 23, a small section of the northeastern corner of Tennessee is in moderate drought, while the rest of the state struggles under severe, extreme or exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. [Dry and Dying: Images of Drought] Sudden spread Wildfire activity has been above normal in the eastern part of the state, Roberts said, but even without precipitation, firefighting efforts seemed to have controlled the situation in recent days. "Over the past week or so, things had started to settle down a little bit," he said. That is, they had until Monday night. On Sunday, a fire started at Chimney Tops, a popular hiking peak inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The blaze had spread to around 500 acres in size when a strong front traveling from the southwest brought gusty winds to the area, Roberts said. "They were getting gusts up there to 40, 50, 60 mph [64 to 97 km/h]," he said. "Because the fuels were so dry because of the drought, the wind just absolutely accelerated these fires at a very, very fast pace." The winds also sent the fire racing downslope, which is relatively rare, said Brad Panovich, the chief meteorologist at WCNC-NBC TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Heat rises and so you tend to get fire burning up the slope," Panovich said. "It tends to burn downslope real slow." But in Gatlinburg, the twin pressures of wind and blowing dry leaves sent the blaze downhill, with flaming leaves sparking the fire's spread. The winds also knocked over power lines, sparking new fires, Panovich told Live Science. Nature offered a slice of relief between midnight and 7 a.m. local time today, as Gatlinburg got between an inch and three-quarters inches of rain [1.3 to 2 centimeters], Roberts said. That precipitation helped dampen ground fuels like leaf litter, but large logs, timber and structures are still hot, he said. "Right now, things are in much better shape than they were last night, but they are still dealing with some hotspots," Roberts said. The greatest danger to Gatlinburg and surrounding areas now is another front that will bring in gusts of winds of between 15 and 30 mph (24 and 48 km/h) tonight (Nov. 29), Roberts said. Perhaps an inch of rain will follow those winds, starting after midnight, and this should help firefighting efforts, he said. "The precipitation will come in," Roberts said. "It's just [that] we're going to have to deal with the winds first." Original article on Live Science. The Syrian government forces and the allied militia regained control over the entire north-eastern part of the city of Aleppo, a militia source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday, Sputnik reported. "The army and the militia managed to regain control over the districts of Sheikh Khodr and Sheikh Fares. Thus, we can say that the north-eastern part of Aleppo is completely under the control of the Syrian army," the source said. Thousands of civilians have been trapped in Aleppo for months, without access to food, water, electricity or medical assistance as Syrian government troops and rebel forces continue to fight for its control. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. NASA has announced the discovery of a colossal mass of underground ice on Mars that could hold as much water as Lake Superior, the second-largest lake on Earth. The body was found in a region of the red planet called the Utopia in an area some 2,050 miles in diameter, roughly the size of New Mexico, and running about 560 feet below the surface, Sputnik reported. The discovery was made by the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) orbital instrument, which passed over Utopia some 600 times.The ice is protected by a layer of soil, as water cannot exist on the surface of Mars, and it is believed that the deposit is close enough to be accessed by astronauts. Jack Holt, who co-authored the study said on NASAs website that, "This deposit is probably more accessible than most water ice on Mars, because it is at a relatively low latitude and it lies in a flat, smooth area where landing a spacecraft would be easier than at some of the other areas with buried ice." Joe Levy, another co-author said that scientists may be able to better understand Mars history of climate change because of the discovery, and could possibly discern whether the planets water supply could have sustained life. He said, "We don't understand fully why ice has built up in some areas of the Martian surface and not in othersSampling and using this ice with a future mission could help keep astronauts alive, while also helping them unlock the secrets of Martian ice ages." Cassie Stuurman of the Institute for Geophysics at the University of Texas, Austin told NASA that, "This deposit probably formed as snowfall accumulating into an ice sheet mixed with dust during a period in Mars history when the planet's axis was more tilted than it is today." It was a large and interested crowd that greeted writer John Waters when he visited the Longford Library on Wednesday, November 16. The former columnist delivered a talk entitled; 'The Second Coming of the Page: a Reflection on the Importance of Paper in the future of Democracy, Literature and Humanity'. Co-organised by Ardagh Book Club, the event proved to be educational and entertaining in equal measures. Described by County Librarian Mary Carleton Reynolds as fearless and fascinating, the Castlerea native told the audience about the division between imaginitive and factual writing. I've stopped being a journalist now in the last year and a half and I'm glad of that in many ways but not least because I actually don't think it's possible to write fiction while you're occupied with journalism; while you're constantly preoccupied with what's going on in the world. You're looking for ideas, you're listening to the radio, you're watching TV. Speaking about advances in technology, and the effect that they have had on writing and on the media, Waters first made the point that there is a distinction between the internet and the world wide web; the former being the technology and the latter being a culture that has developed through that technology. Waters shared his belief that the relationship between the writer and the reader has changed because of the web, and he illustrated this point by comparing the letters section in a newspaper to the comments that are left on websites and social media. He also added that there was a neurological difference between reading on screen and on the page, and the effect that hyperlinks have on the way you read and remember an article or story. Describing the media as the 'fourth estate', Waters predicted that all newspapers, with the exception of freesheets, will be gone within a decade, but he is hopeful of a resurgence of the printed page. Waters ended the evening with a lively question and answer session, during which he spoke about his experience in Chicago as the results of the US Presidential election unfolded. This could be a bit controversial, he laughed. I have been observing the American election for over a year now and it's been absolutely fascinating when you go right into it. And here, having slagged off the internet for the last hour, I want to now say that the internet is at this level, a very useful tool if you know how to use it. Revealing that he had been moved by some of President Elect Donald Trump's speeches, Waters revealed his opinion that Trump will make a great President. He has a lot to prove and nothing to lose, he reasoned. Thanking the esteemed writer for his time, Chairperson of Ardagh Book Club, Mary Lyons then addressed the crowd. It's always interesting to hear the voices that challenge our world view and shake us out of our comfort zone and John generally does that very well, Mary said. I think he managed it spectacularly here this evening, she added, to much laughter. Paying tribute to County Librarian Mary Carleton Reynolds for her constant, unfailing support and enthusiasm, Mary revealed that the County Librarian was celebrating her 25th year in the role. Mary, I'm sure I speak for other book clubs in the county, as well as the writers groups, artists, historians, researchers, students, children and readers who use the library services, when I say that we are very fortunate indeed to have you as our County Librarian To mark this incredible achievement, Ms Carleton Reynolds was presented with a framed copy of the highlights of her 'Day in the Life' interview with the Irish Times. Fifth year student from Lanesboro Community College competed among the top young scientific minds at SciFest 2016 and he was awarded an Excellence in STEM award, for his project The Digitalisation of Farming. Will Dennigan was one of 58 students involved in the exhibiting of 31 STEM projects at the national final held in the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin recently. SciFest is an all-island STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) initiative which fosters active, collaborative and inquiry-based learning among second level students. The aim of Wills project is to bring farming into the digital era. To do this Will used various methods such as creating Herd Checker by developing a web database app using HTML and using python scripts run through the Raspberry Pi to create an automated feeder. He explained; This allows farmers to get up to date medical information about their livestock, as well as feed their cattle from over half the world away! Sheila Porter, SciFest CEO, said: The standard at SciFest is always extremely high and this year is no exception. The aim of SciFest is to foster and develop a love of STEM, and to imbue every student with the skills of self-directed learning. In that regard, this year has been a huge success. Ruth Freeman, Director of Strategy and Communications at Science Foundation Ireland said: I wish to congratulate Will and all the students as well as their families and friends. Ireland is a global leader in many aspects of STEM and if we wish to build on this success in the future, we must encourage a love of STEM among our young people. Ms Freeman concluded, I am sure that some of the students that reached the national final will be the leading scientists, technology experts, engineers, and mathematicians of the future. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 29 Trend: Turkey can avoid problems the developed countries are currently struggling with only if its identity and independence are preserved, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Istanbul, Anadolu Agency reported Nov. 29. The Turkish president noted that the human values should be taken into account in the economic development of any country. The president added that the developed countries of the West currently cannot overcome the stagnation. Increase in demand is the most important thing in economic development, and this increase is provided not at the expense of machines or financial institutions, Erdogan said. He noted that consumers form the demand, therefore, the path to sustainable development is only through improving the welfare of the population. Victory, both in the military and the economy sphere, is determined by the human factor, the president said. It is impossible to build a healthy global future without ensuring population growth, without creating a financial system that stimulates investment and production, not taking into account the factor of justice. The people who prevented the treacherous coup, an attempt of the countrys occupation, who suffered bloody terrorist attacks, can resist economic pressure as well, said the Turkish leader. 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 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 Oct. 3. Erdogan further commented on the situation with the migrants in Europe and Turkey. While Europe cannot accept a few hundreds of migrants, Turkey has placed three million refugees on its territory and maintains them at its own expense, he said. The European Parliament's latest decision on Turkey recognizes this. The European Parliament adopted a temporary motion on Nov. 24 recommending suspending the discussion of Turkey's EU membership. The European Parliaments resolution was adopted by 479 votes "for" and 37 "against", 107 MPs abstained from voting. According to the resolution, the European Parliament is concerned about the measures taken in Turkey as part of the emergency situation in the country. According to the document, if the death penalty is restored in Turkey, Turkey's EU membership will be fully suspended. Turkey cancelled the death penalty in 2001. Reinstating the death penalty was discussed after the military coup attempt of July 15, 2016. Moreover, according to the European Parliaments resolution, Turkey has not fulfilled seven of 72 conditions for visa-free regime within the EU. Of course, we are upset by the EUs offensive attitude, Erdogan added. Despite this, we havent ceased relations with the EU yet. Unfortunately, the situation doesnt allow to think positively for now. However, we shouldnt forget that Turkey as a lot of alternatives and the country can continue its path by choosing one of them. Castro Marks 45th Anniversary Of Revolution (Photo : Getty Images) Since China and Cuba share a common form of socialism, it was but natural for Chinese President Xi Jinping to pay tribute to a fellow communist leader who just passed away. Xi called on Saturday the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro a great figure of our times. He said Castros death meant China lost a great comrade and sincere friend. Xi added that Castros glorious image and great achievements will be part of history, Chinadaily reported. The Chinese president visited Castro in Cuba in 2011 and 2014. Advertisement Besides Xi, Premier Li Keqiang, who talked with Castro in the Cuban capital city on Sept. 25, sent a message of condolence on behalf of the country to Raul Castro, Fidels brother and successor. In his message, Li credited Fidel Castro with being the founder, defender and propeller of ties between Cuba and China. Fidel Castro passed on power to his younger brother in 2006 after ruling Cuba for almost 50 years. However, he stepped down because of failing health. On Saturday, hours after the Cuban strongman died on Friday, China Central Television broadcast a documentary wherein Castro was seen asking Cubans who gathered at the Revolution Square in Havana on Sept. 2, 1960 if they want the country to establish diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. The Cubans said Yes. Before the month ended, Cuba opened diplomatic ties with China, the first country in the west to link with China which had just turned communist then. In Cuba, the government is planning a nine-day mourning period, Duelo Nacional or national pain, to mark the death of the 90-year-old leader. While Havana is quiet over the death of their former leader, the New York Times reported that Cuban exiles in Miami are celebrating the death of Fidel Castro. Karasuno vs. Shiratorizawa - Haikyu Season 3 live stream (Photo : Haikyu) The moment of truth has finally arrived for Karasuno High School as they are about to kick off their Spring Inter-High campaign against Kanagawa's prefecture best volleyball team - Tsubakihara Academy. What to expect in Haikyuu!!! Chapter 233: -Tsubakihara Academy will get its full introduction in the manga series. Little is known about this particularly volleyball team, but we all know they are an elite club since they have managed to come out of the Inter-High preliminaries in Kanagawa. Advertisement All eyes will be on the three main players of Tsubakihara. The laud-mouth captain which appears to be in the middle, the nervy bald head who's for some reason another Ryunosuke Tanaka's clone, and the owl-like tall guy who's probably the blocker of the squad. -It seems Hitoka Yachi will have his first solo flight as manager of Karasuno. Kyoko Shimizu, who entrusted the role to Hitoka in order to find Hinata's missing bag, has been preparing her for months for this particular job. And finally the time has come to prove her worth as the next manager for the crows. I expect Hitoka's clumsiness to be a comedy relief, and at the same time, a distraction for Karasuno in the first match. Eventually, she will get used to her role and become a key member of the team. -Lastly, Karasuno's dynamic duo of Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama will be making their presence felt right away. They will show the opposing team's how deadly Karasuno's offense when they are clicking as a tandem. Then, you have the Crow's super-libero Yu Nishinoya. Keep in mind that Nashinoya is playing with a chip on his shoulder after learning about the no.1 libero in Japan Kimori Motoya. We all know Nashinoya is super competitive, and that's why he will have some moments in the upcoming chapter. The jihadist flag flying over the town hall of Butig, Lanao del Sur. (Source: ABS-CBN News) Elite Filipino troops have been deployed to the restive southern Philippines province of Lanao del Sur to wrestle back control of a town that recently fell to Islamic State-loyal forces. The group, dubbed the Maute Group in local media, is also called the Islamic State in Lanao. The jihadist group captured the town of Butig on Nov. 24 after raising its flag over the town hall. The Filipino military has stated that around 300 fighters are occupying the town. Over the weekend, up to 35 members of the jihadist group and several troops were purportedly killed in clashes near the town. According to local reports, troops from the Philippines elite Joint Special Operations Group have been deployed near Butig to assist regular army troops in battling the jihadist forces for control over the town. An army spokesman said that Yes, [we started the offensive] at dawn today. The mission is to flush out the group and neutralize the enemies and to bring back normalcy to the area. Before we can achieve that, there will be a series of operations. Earlier today, a convoy containing Philippines President Rodrigo Dutertes security team was struck by an improvised explosive device in Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur. 11 people, including nine within Dutertes security team, were wounded in the attack. Filipino authorities have stated that this attack was likely a diversionary tactic by the so-called Maute Group. The Islamic State in Lanao formed earlier this year after announcing its presence on social media. It has released several videos showing clashes with Filipino troops, as well as photos showing the beheadings of captured soldiers. Many of these conflicts have occurred near Butig, which has been a highly contested area. In one photo release, members of the group were seen manning a checkpoint somewhere in Lanao del Sur, but likely near Butig. In a video release earlier this year, it identified its leader as Abu Hassan, while in another video a senior leader is identified as Abu Hafs al Mashriqi. Mashriqi usually indicates someone from the Levantine region of the Middle East. At least one training camp has been showcased by the group, as well. Videos and reports of Filipino groups pledging bayah (allegiance) to the Islamic State have emerged since 2014, shortly after Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State, claimed the creation of a caliphate. These groups include several battalions from the Abu Sayyaf Group, including the overall leader Isnilon Hapilon, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Ansar Khilafah in the Philippines, Islamic State in Lanao, Jamaat al Tawhid wal Jihad (a group formerly loyal to al Qaeda), and parts of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based in Lanao del Sur. These groups operate in several other provinces of the Philippines, including the southern areas of Basilan, South Cotabato, Sulu, Sarangani, and the northern province of Isabela. Hapilon has been appointed the overall leader of Islamic State forces in the Philippines, according to the jihadist groups weekly magazine Al Naba and later confirmed in a video released from Raqqah, Syria. Official Islamic State media has produced content both from and about the Philippines, including a statistical report from the Amaq News Agency. Edit: Article changed to reflect that President Duterte was not in the convoy attacked by an IED in Marawi City. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The Islamic States Amaq News Agency has released a short statement claiming that yesterdays attack at Ohio State University was the work of its soldier. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a Somali refugee, drove his car into a crowd of people before exiting the vehicle and using a knife to assault his victims. Eleven people were hospitalized as a result. Artan was quickly shot dead by a campus police officer. Amaq claims that Artan carried out the operation in response to calls to target the nationals of the international coalition countries. Amaq has used the same phrasing after previous attacks in both Europe and the US. For instance, Amaq released a nearly identical statement after another native Somali, Dahir Adan, stabbed multiple people at a mall in Minnesota in September. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, Islamic State claims its soldier was responsible for stabbings in Minnesota.] US officials contacted by FDDs Long War Journal in October said that Adans digital trail was still being investigated. Prior to his demise in August, Abu Muhammad al Adnani repeatedly called upon the so-called caliphates members and supporters to strike the coalition of nations targeting its territory in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. Adnani was the Islamic States spokesman and oversaw the groups external operations before he was killed in an American airstrike. The language in Amaqs claims is intended to emphasize that the terrorists are acting in accordance with both Adnanis and the Islamic States directives. Authorities are currently investigating Artans life to see if he had any real connections, including online, to the group or was inspired by its propaganda. CNN has published some of the text that was purportedly found in a Facebook post written by Artan. If you want us Muslims to stop carrying out lone wolf attacks, then make peace with Dawla in al sham, the post by Artan reportedly reads. Make a pact or a treaty with them where you promise to leave them alone, you and your fellow apostate allies. The phrase Dawla in al sham is likely a reference to the Islamic State. The text published by CNN contained other jihadi references. Anwar al Awlaki, an al Qaeda ideologue who was killed in an American airstrike in Sept. 2011, was described as our hero Imam. It is not unusual for aspiring jihadists to be influenced by both Awlaki and the Islamic State. This was the case with both the couple responsible for the shootings in San Bernardino in Dec. 2015 and the jihadist responsible for planting bombs in New York and New Jersey in September. Amaq has repeatedly described terrorists as soldiers of the Islamic State Amaq and other Islamic State propaganda outlets frequently describe the terrorists who carry out such deeds as soldiers of the caliphate. An Islamic State claim of responsibility doesnt prove that the group had direct ties to the attacker. However, authorities have found that terrorists had digital ties, or were at least inspired by the Islamic State, in a number of cases. Islamic State operatives have also orchestrated a series of plots in the West. For example, the Islamic State described the May 2015 shooters in Garland, Tex. and the couple who assaulted a holiday party in San Bernardino, Calif. as the groups soldiers. The San Bernardino terrorists were also labeled supporters. The shooters in Garland, Tex. reportedly communicated with Junaid Hussain, a key Islamic State operative who was killed in an American airstrike last year. And the husband and wife jihadists responsible for the massacre in San Bernardino pledged their allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi on Facebook prior to their demise. The team of jihadists that carried out the Nov. 2015 assault in Paris was hailed as a group of believers from the soldiers of the Caliphate. In that case, the jihadists were directly dispatched by the Islamic States mother organization in Syria. The Paris attacks were different from the other, small-scale attacks claimed by the Islamic State and carried out by individuals in Europe. Omar Mateen, who repeatedly pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi the night of his shooting at an LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Fl. in June, was described as a fighter for the organization. Amaq said Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who drove a truck into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, was a soldier of the Islamic State. The same wording was also used to label a young slasher in Wurzburg, Germany. After the Nice, Wurzburg, Ansbach (Germany) and Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray (Normandy, France) attacks, Amaq also emphasized that the men responsible had acted in response to calls to target countries belonging to the crusader coalition. And after the operations in Wurzburg, Ansbach, Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray and Balashikha (Russia), Amaq disseminated videos of the terrorists swearing allegiance to Baghdadi. The videos were recorded beforehand, demonstrating that the jihadists had at least some digital ties to the Islamic States operations. Indeed, European officials discovered that a series of plots have been remote-controlled by the Islamic States digital operatives. American authorities have also found that the so-called caliphates men had virtual connections to a number of recruits who were intercepted before they could carry out their murderous acts. 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. Apple unveiled its mobile operating system, iOS 10, during WWDC 2016. (Photo : YouTube/EverythingApplePro) Will iOS 10 jailbreak release happen anytime soon following the latest move from Apple? The tech giant just issued version 10.2 for fourth public beta testing, available OTA or download through iTunes, which many in the jailbreak community see as possibly the signal for Chinese hacking group Pangu to finalize its JB tool. Advertisement On the surface, beta four of iOS 10.2 is a preview of the things to come once the software becomes official. Per MacRumors, these are mainly what to expect: "Along with new emoji, iOS 10.2 includes new wallpaper, new Music sorting options and buttons for Repeat and Shuffle, new "Celebrate" and "Send with Love" Screen Effects, an option for preserving camera settings, a TV widget and TV settings, Single-Sign On support for watching live TV via apps, and the official "TV" app." But it goes without saying that the upcoming iOS instalment will include bug fixes and security patches, which are the areas that concern most devs like Team Pangu. The beta build provides an entry-point for jailbreak providers to check if the OS is open for modifications and when the master copy is finally out, it will confirm if the exploits remain, thus paving the way for the next jailbreak. And this appears to be the Pangu jailbreaking playbook, according to Neurogadget. "Pangu's strategy seems to be to wait for Apple to launch the iOS update and at the same time launch their jailbreak tool so that Apple can't instantly add a security patch to prevent it's user from using the tool," the report said. In other words, the Chinese hackers are holding out for the next big iOS update if only to check that their jailbreak work so far hasn't been quashed. And it will be a go if everything checks out. This would have been the case as early as the iOS 10.1 but the consensus among the jailbreak fans is that the door that the team had been working was shuttered down by the update, and further locked by version 10.1.1. However, independent developer Luca Todesco has recently demonstrated that versions 10.1 and 10.1.1 are both open for jailbreaking, which likely has been passed on to those willing to finish the work and issue a public jailbreak. And the usual suspect to wrap up what Todesco has demoed is totally workable is none other than Team Pangu. In recent days, report emerged that Pangu is in collaboration with the same security engineer that was responsible for unlocking iOS 9.3.4, which should be a solid indicator that the group is working on something that will likely produce concrete results soon. And if Cydia creator Saurik is to be believed, Team Pangu so far has the credibility to provide the next public jailbreak. And the dev recently revealed that he'd seen Pangu's JB work progressing just fine into a possible iOS 10 jailbreak release that is happening real soon. As it ever has been, as yet unseen products coming some day from Microsoft are the best. Writing for the Forbes contributor network and elf on a shelf fan fiction den, Ewan Spence says Microsofts Surface Phone Could Be The Ultimate Mobile Device. (Tip o the antlers to Peter Ryan.) 2017 will see Microsoft release what CEO Satya Nadella describes as the ultimate mobile device. Well, if the CEO of Microsoft described this unseen device that way must be! Pundits about Apple: Phones are commodities now! No one will continue to pay for Apple devices! Pundits about Microsoft: ZOMG EXCITING NEW PHONEZ! Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, he talks about how Microsoft missed getting on the first mobile train Dont worry! Theres always a mobile train leaving the mobile train station! but is determined to deliver something unique, and will continue to be in the phone market. Were they ever really in the phone market? For many people the ultimate mobile device is the one they currently have in their pocket Which is to say, not something made by Microsoft. Microsofts current focus on the cloud could mean making that mobile device ultimate by getting that user signed up and using Microsoft apps such as Outlook or OneNote. So, ultimate for Microsoft, not the user. Got it. The Surface devices are pretty nice, although it helps them stand out in the Windows world that their competition can be best described as plastic tied up with a bow of crapware. Now take all those [Surface] design touches and put them in a smartphone chassis. Now give it a stylus. Put a cupholder on it. Ship it in brown. There. Perfection. Dont worry about meeting a low price to reach a significant number of consumers, just worry about making it the best smartphone possible and if that means it wont sell tens of millions of units so be it. Does that sound like some other company to you? Spence was all about market share when it was Apple that was supposedly losing it to Microsoft. That really would be an ultimate mobile device. And I expect Microsoft to deliver on its vision in the first half of 2017. Future Microsoft products can never fail! Aw, man. The Macalope wishes he was a future product from Microsoft. Thatd be amazing. Actor Toby Regbo (L) and actress Adelaide Kane attend The CW's 'Reign' exclusive premiere screening and panel during Comic-Con International 2014. (Photo : Getty Images/ Ethan Miller / Staff) "Reign" Season 4 will reportedly be the show's final and last run, and is expected to culminate with the fall of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth's eventual victory over Scotland. So far, "Reign" has stayed true to most of the historical facts on which it is primarily based. "Reign" Season 3 showed the untimely death of Mary's husband, King Francis, due to an assassination. Interestingly, Francis suffered a terrible ear infection which was initially prophesied as the cause of his death. His illness, however, was cured by magic, but he was not able to cheat death a second time when Francis and Mary were attacked in a clearing. Advertisement "We definitely take liberties with history but there is an element of history that we felt beholden to," showrunner Laurie McCarthy told EW staying true to the books. With that said, it is likely that soon enough fans will have to see Mary's defeat. This has led to speculations that "Reign" Season 4 will be the end of the line for the period drama, with Elizabeth finally taking over Scotland. However, before the intense conflict between the royal houses ensues, "Reign" Season 4 spoilers suggest that the upcoming episodes will also focus on Mary securing a strategic marriage, which will help strengthen Mary's campaign to protect Scotland and to claim the English throne. Meanwhile, according to TVLine, the show has cast actors to play Mary's new suitors in "Reign" Season 4. One of the characters is named Lord Danley, a nobleman who has a blood-claim to the English throne. He wants to become Mary's second husband, and form a union which "could take down Elizabeth, giving [the couple] not just one nation, but two." Another character that will try to win Mary's heart is Bothwell, who is described as a "warm-hearted bad boy" deeply in love with Mary. The character is based on a real historical figure of the same name. The only catch though is that Bothwell, as told in history books, was accused of murdering someone very close to Queen Mary. "Reign" Season 4 will premiere on Feb. 10, 2017 on The CW. See "Reign's" fan-made trailer below: 4.10 Leadership lessons The day's final panel discussed leadership development. Some advice shared by the six-strong panel (moderated by Bhanu Sadisavan of McDermott Will & Emery) was: Don't be afraid; go back and thank those who helped you; take time to recharge and build relationships ( Kate Drakos, Microsoft ) Don't wait to be called a leader; embrace opportunities; factor in me-time as well as work and family time ( Kieran Kieckhefer, McDermott ) Work out what you're passionate abut; look for volunteering opportunities ( Laurie Charrington, Intel ) Have a best friend at work to recharge with; make time to be impactful; acknowledge there's life outside of the office ( Elizabeth McBride, Applied Materials ) Leadership is about influence not just roles; make friends with people in other teams (Sanam Saaber, Box) The panel also discussed "diversity of thought" in the workforce, and the role diversity and inclusion plays in selecting outside counsel. 3.45 Coffee break Cheese and pizza at the afternoon networking break! 2.50: Privacy and data protection Speakers from various companies discussed the challenges of addressing privacy, data protection and ownership issues in agreements - and provided useful practical tips on negotiating agreements and contracts. Debbie Rosenbaum of AdRoll said she recommends telling the other party about your company and how you operate right at the start of the negotiation: "That's super helpful, especially on privacy when everyone's on eggshells." Endorsing this emphasis on building trust, Nicole Campbell of InsideView said: "Whether or not there is highly sensitive data is the first question ... Some of what I do is talking people off the ledge." She also recommended using the "Comment" function in Word to explain why you are making changes to a document, to improve communication with the other party. When it comes to IP rights, said Deborah Davis Han of Zynga, an important question is: what are you getting the rights to? "Business folks don't necessarily appreciate the nuances of what they're going after." For example, if you are licensing a song, or the recording of a song? "There may be different steps you need to take them through ... there may be many different rights owners." Not only may the copyright owners be difficult to locate, but they may all want preferential terms. "Being upfront with people about how their content will be used gets you a long way," added Rosenbaum, The panel also featured Doris Hines and Lily Lim of Finnegan Henderson. Lim discussed the problems that can arise where licensors and licensees don't agree about enforcement: "It's not clear what you can put in the agreement but perhaps you can put time limits on when the licensor needs to act." 2.00: In-house counsel discuss arbitration Post-lunch, a panel of in-house counsel from Toyota Motor Sales, BlackBerry, Samsung Research Americas and Edgewater Networks led a wide-ranging discussion on IP in arbitration. Christine Lofgren, Mary Huser, Charlotte Falla and Priya Venkat covered questions such as: what kinds of IP disputes are suitable for arbitration? What the pros and cons compared to litigation? One arbitrator or three? Will decisions (including on invalidity) be recognised? There were lots of questions from the audience, some of whom also shared their experiences and war stories from arbitrations, including on issues such as venue, applicable law, discovery, carve outs and pitfalls to avoid. The conclusion was that arbitration can be valuable, but is of most benefit where there is an existing relationship, such as a contract or licence, and in particular where there is an enforceable arbitration clause. By contrast, only an estimated 5% of IP infringement cases are arbitrated. 1.00: Lunch After a busy morning, it's time for lunch! 12.10: PTAB The hot topic of PTAB was the subject of the pre-lunch session, with a show of hands revealing that many of the audience have experience before the PTAB, either as patent owner or petitioner. Judge Tina Hulse of the USPTO provided an insight into how cases proceed and offered tips for practitioners with respect to petitions, patent owner responses and oral hearings. Gabrielle Higgins of Ropes & Gray said she has been impressed by the knowledge of judges: "This is not a jury trial. It's not about telling a high-level story. You need to know your case cold, and know the weaknesses." Leslie Spencer of Ropes & Gray reviewed various PTAB stats and some of the practical issues that cases raise, such as: "You have a technical expert, but do you also need an economic expert for secondary considerations? And if so what will the interplay be?" She also addressed forum shopping, and the need for a consistent approach in parallel proceedings, for example in claim construction. The moderator, and question master, for this interactive session was Karna Nisewaner of Cadence Design Systems. 11.20: The UPC rollercoaster The last six months (since the UK Brexit vote) have led to great uncertainty for Europe's planned Unitary Patent and UPC system, said Bethan Hopewell of Powell Gilbert. But much progress has been made with 11 ratifications so far and much work on the IT system, the Rules of Procedure and the financing. The latest news, she added, is yesterday's announcement by the UK government that it will proceed with ratification of the UPC Agreement. "What needs to be worked on now is establishing certainty for industry so that the UPC is not undermined when the UK leaves the EU," she said, adding that the UK's role in the system post-Brexit remains to be seen. Deanna Kwong of Hewlett Packard Enterprise said that despite the progress made there remains a lot of "uncertainty": "I don't know whether it will be a more favourable forum or not ... at the outset it may be a more plaintiff-friendly forum to legitimate it as a forum." Hopewell predicted it will be "fertile ground" for NPEs in the early years. Kwong highlighted some differences between the UPC and the US system, including less emphasis on expert evidence, faster injunctions and the possibility to amend claims. "Fee shifting is a really big factor - hopefully that will be a counter-balance to the patentee-friendly aspects of the UPC," she added. 10.50: Networking The morning coffee break included a speed networking session led by Microsoft! 10.00: The social media revolution Social media and user-generated content are transforming communication, marketing and advertising - and raising all sorts of legal issues, said moderator Pamela Church of Baker & McKenzie, introducing today's second panel. "Marketers are totally bananas for millennials," added Patricia Svilik of eBay. Svilik said key legal topics to consider in this area are: permissions, copyright, trademark and immunity under hte DMCA and Communications Decency Act. She also addressed risk mitigation measures. The panel discussed celebrity (and non-celebrity) endorsement and the right of publicity, and potential tensions with the First Amendment. Church set out the different approaches to publicity rights in US states, asking: "How is it determined which law applies? At least in some cases, it doesn't matter where you die." If you want a celebrity endorsement, she concluded: "Get consent if you can." Lisa Rosaya of Baker & McKenzie addressed advertising (including native advertising) issues, including the Lord & Taylor case, warning that FTC orders can last for 20 years: "If you're a growing company, it might have a material impact on how much money you can raise." The session also introduced the audience to the social trend that is the "mirror selfie", and discussed the Prince (Dancing Baby), Richard Prince (artist) and monkey selfie cases. 09.00: Practical tips on protecting software Today's first panel discussed recent cases and practical strategies for protecting software in the U|S in the light of Federal Circuit and Supreme Court guidance (especially Alice). The first practical step, said Julie Kane Akhter of Microsoft, is to learn from cases where the patent has been upheld, such as Enfish, Bascom and Planet Blue. "In the Enfish patent, for example, they were actually improving the operation of the computer itself," she stressed. Lessons from the Enfish decision included: the specification was really important; consider identifying the technical problem in the specification; and avoid being too high level in the claims. She said Enfish provides several practical strategies for applicants: utilise the interview; talk about the technical improvement; and cite Enfish! Lessons from Bascom are: consider discussing prior solutions and their drawbacks; highlight lack of preemption; and keep drafting software applications! And tips from Planet Blue are: argue the examiner has determined the idea in the claims at too high a level; argue the claim is specific enough and improves the technology; and draft claims with realistic scope and technical effect. Michelle Holoubek of Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox had additional advice for small companies in this field: "Be strategic, don''t expect to get a broad patent without work; think about what distinguishes your company and matches your story - and draft a patent application that corresponds to it." "There's been a concerted effort in the USPTO to issue guidance that is increasingly meaningful" but there will still be inconsistencies between examiners given the progress of the case law, said Laurie Self of Qualcomm. She also predicted that further legislative proposals on Section 101 would be forthcoming: "There is a sense that the pendulum has swung too far" against patent applicants. Moderator Tracy-Gene Durkin of Sterne Kessler concluded the panel by discussing the merits of design patents for protecting software innovations (see an article by Durkin on this topi - subscription/free trial required) and previewing the pending Microsoft v Corel case. Holoubek added some comments about using trade secrets to protect software. Note: as at all our events, panellists speak in a personal capacity and their views don't necessarily reflect those of their employers. Democratic pundits are calling on their party to court working-class and non-coastal whites in the wake of this months electoral rout. But the Democratic Party is now dominated by identity politics, which defines whites, particularly heterosexual males, as oppressors of every other population in the United States. Why should the targets of such thinking embrace an ideology that scorns them? In truth, the Democratic Party is now merely an extension of left-wing campus culture. The most absurd Democratic meme to emerge from the partys defeat is the claim that its Donald Trump, rather than Democrats, who engages in aggressive, racialized discourse, in the words of a Los Angeles Times op-ed. By contrast, President Obama sought a post-racial, bridge-building society, according to New York Times reporter Peter Baker. Obamas post-racial efforts have now given way to an angry, jeering, us-against-them nation, writes Baker, in a front-page news story. Tell that valedictory for post-racial bridge-building to police officers, who have been living through two years of racialized hatred directed at them in the streets, to the applause of many Democratic politicians. Black Lives Matter rhetoric consists of slogans like: CPD [Chicago Police Department] KKK, how many children did you kill today? Fk the police, and Racist, killer cops. Officers have been assassinated by Black Lives Matter-inspired killers who set out to kill whites in general and white police officers in particular. Gun murders of law-enforcement officers are up 67 percent this year through Nov. 23. Obama welcomed Black Lives Matter activists several times to the White House. He racialized the criminal-justice system, repeatedly accusing it of discriminating, often lethally, against blacks. At the memorial service for five Dallas police officers gunned down in July 2016, Obama declared that black parents were right to fear that something terrible may happen when their child walks out the door that the child will be shot by a cop simply for being stupid. Obama put Brittany Packnett, a leader of the Black Lives Matter movement, on his Presidents Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Packnetts post-election essay on Vox, White People: what is your plan for the Trump presidency?, is emblematic of the racial demonology that is now core Democratic thinking. Packnett announces that shes tired of continuously being assaulted by her country with its pervasive white supremacy. She calls on white people to deal with what white people cause, because people of color have enough work to do for ourselves to protect, free, and find joy for our people. In truth, the Democratic Party is now merely an extension of left-wing campus culture; few institutions exist wherein the skew toward Democratic allegiance is more pronounced. Black students at Bard College, an elite school in New Yorks Hudson Valley, called last year for an end to systemic and structural racism on campus . . . so that Black students can go to class without fear. If any black Bard student had ever been assaulted by a white faculty member, administrator or student, the record does not reflect it. These claims of structural racism and institutional oppression, in the words of Brown Universitys allegedly threatened black students, overlook the fact that every selective college in the country employs massive racial preferences in admissions favoring less academically qualified black and Hispanic students over more academically qualified white and Asian ones. Every faculty hiring search is a desperate exercise in finding black and Hispanic candidates whom rival colleges have not already scooped up at inflated prices. To combat alleged white supremacy, Democratic administrations have built permanent bureaucracies dedicated to the proposition that white males discriminate against everyone else. Evidence of such discrimination is by now exceedingly rare, however, so disparate impact analysis steps into the breach. Police and fire departments, public and private employers, bank lending officers, landlords, insurers, school administrators and election officials have all been found guilty of discrimination despite following race-neutral procedures. The mandated remedy is a race-conscious policy crafted to favor non-white, non-male identity. Trumps sally during the first Republican primary debate that this country doesnt have time for total political correctness sent a signal that the reigning presumptions about oppression were finally vulnerable. The message resonated. Democrats will have to do much more than invoke traditional Democratic class warfare to convince non-elite white voters that the party does not see them as one of Americas biggest problems. This piece originally appeared in the New York Post and was adapted from City Journal. ______________________ Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith fellow at the Manhattan Institute, contributing editor at City Journal, and the author of The War on Cops. Filmmaker George Lucas (L) and writer-director J.J. Abrams attend the Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Frazer Harrison) The more recent "Star Wars" movie franchise, starting with "Stars Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" and soon "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," makes a big shift by putting a woman in a lead role. Women are going to be more well-represented in the "Star Wars" franchise both on screen and off screen as reports reveal that female directors and screenwriters are being considered to work on future "Star Wars" films. Advertisement In an LA Times article about gender inequality in Hollywood, Adriana Alberghetti revealed that she has booked meetings for four female directors and three female screenwriters who were reportedly in the running to helm future "Star Wars" movies. "Behind closed doors, people at the studios are saying, 'we know we have a problem. How do we get more women behind the camera?" Alberghetti commented about getting female writers and directors more opportunities. Given that Rian Johnson is already confirmed to be working on "Star Wars: Episode VIII" while Phil and Chris Miller for the "Han Solo" movie, it is likely that the still unnamed female director and screenwriter will work on a third "Star Wars" anthology movie. The project is said to arrive a year after the release of "Star Wars: Episode IX," which will come out in 2019. "Star Wars was always a boys thing and a movie that dads could take their sons to, and though that's still very much the case, I was really hoping that this would be a movie that mothers could take their daughters to as well," "The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams told The Hollywood Reporter about his hopes for the franchise. The new "Star Wars" film now have a stellar cast of actress. Joining Carrie Fisher are Daisy Ridley, Lupita Nyong'o and Gwendolyn Christie. In December this year, fans will see Felicity Jones as the lead of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Meanwhile, "Star Wars: Episode VIII" release date has been scheduled for Dec. 15, 2017. It is rumored that Luke Skywalker will return to train Rey to become a Jedi. There is also a lot of concern regarding how Leia will move forward after learning that her very own son, who now goes by the name Kylo Ren, killed Han Solo. The European Council has extended Operation Atalantas mandate to deter, disrupt and repress acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia through December 31, 2018. Operation Atalantas two-year mandate extension, enacted on November 25, 2016, comes amidst concerns within European Union Member States that whilst pirate attacks on merchant ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are currently suppressed, pirates still have the intent and capability to go out to sea and mount an attack. The most recent pirate incident occurred on October 22, 2016, when a chemical tanker, CPO Korea, was attacked by six armed men 330 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia. The attack was confirmed after a thorough investigation into the incident. EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) (Somalia) was launched in December 2008 following a surge in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. At the same time, the World Food Program (WFP) was increasingly concerned about the safety of its much-needed humanitarian aid deliveries to Somalia. Since then EU NAVFOR warships and maritime protection teams have escorted over 1 million metric tons of humanitarian aid for the Somali people and, together with their international partners, have helped to reduce pirate incidents significantly. At the height of piracy in January 2011 more than 700 hostages and 32 vessels were being held by Somali pirates, with huge ransoms demanded for their release. Today, no vessels or hostages are being held by Somali pirates. As part of Operation Atalantas mandate, EU NAVFOR crews also assist sister EU missions and instruments working within Somalia and the wider region to strengthen maritime domain awareness, security, local governance and the rule of law. A recent example of this was the maritime training that EU NAVFOR sailors and marines provided to the Bosasso Port Police, in close partnership with a team from EU mission, EUCAP Nestor. In the coming year, EU NAVFOR commanders will be working with regional partners and the shipping industry to look at what measures will need to be put in place beyond December 2018 to ensure that Somali-based piracy remains suppressed. The US Is Undemocratic by Its Very Nature George Friedman : The final irony in an election filled with irony is the refusal of some voters to accept President-elect Donald Trumps victory. This group includes more than mere protesters. There is a good-sized movement to persuade the Electoral College to vote for Clinton instead of Trump. The irony is that it was Trump who said he would refuse to accept the results of the election. The Clinton camp charged that Trump was fighting against the sanctity of democracy. Now each has adopted the others position. Clinton herself, though, has not sought to overturn the election. Irony aside, it should be borne in mind that asking electors to vote differently than they had pledged to is completely lawful. The president of the United States is not elected by popular vote. Nor is the president elected by the number of electoral votes. Presidents are elected by electors. These are the people voters actually cast their ballots for on Election Day. All electors are chosen by the parties to whom it is assumed they will be loyal. But legally, their vote is theirs. They are empowered by the Constitution to use their judgment as they see fit. The US was founded as a republic The founders chose this method, and I think it is a pretty good one. You see, the US was not founded as a democracy. The founders created a republic. A republic is a system in which voters do not govern directly. Instead, they vote for representatives to speak for them. And the representatives are not bound to uphold public opinion. They are to use their own judgment. The founders knew that passions could sway the public. They feared that national policy might become hostage to these passions. Therefore, they wanted men (always men) to mediate between public opinion and national policy. And they wanted these men to be rich. They figured rich men would have more to lose from error and also be more difficult to corrupt. This mirrors Trumps argument that he is less corruptible because of his wealth. So, the founders did not believe in direct democracy at all. They founded a republic, a very different creature. The Electoral College comes from this idea of representation. The founders were trying to solve a serious problem. Nor did the founders want political parties. They feared that would create factions. What could have occurred, and what might yet happen, is complete gridlock. They saw that having parties could lead to an instance when there might be many candidatesnone with the majority of either the popular vote or the electoral votes. An entity was needed that could negotiate, compromise, and create a coalition to elect a president by majority. These people had to be free to change their votes in the course of negotiations. Hence, the Electoral College. Candidates must consider what each state wants The US was a coalition of sovereign states. Thats why it is called the United States. Each state is required to have a republican government. The US is not a direct pact with the people. We the people are the foundation of the republic, but the states are the legal foundation. The states wanted to be sure that one state would not override the interests of the others. And they did not want any state to be excluded. Thus, each stateregardless of sizewas given two senators. That way, all states were equally powerful in one house of Congress. In the other house, representatives would be apportioned by the size of the population. The House of Representatives would work for what the people want. The Senate would work for the interests of the states. Thus, the Senate would limit the passions of the people by blocking the House. The Electoral College gives each state the same number of electors as their two senators, plus the number of representatives apportioned to them. No state has less than three electors. Therefore, any state could potentially decide an election. And all regions, no matter how lightly settled, must be considered. Since any state might make the difference, every candidate must consider each states interests. The system the founders produced compels all candidates to pay attention to states with fewer people. In this election, highly populated states like California, Texas, and New York overwhelmingly supported Clinton or Trump from the beginning. So, smaller states like Nevada or New Hampshire became important. Without the Electoral College, the interests of small states would have been ignored. Then a broad national marketing campaign that did not take into account regional differences would decide the result. But with the Electoral College, even those in the less populated states get to have their say. Every state is different The US is a geopolitical invention. The 13 original colonies were very different from each other. As the nation expanded westward, even more exotic states became part of the union. Constantly neglecting or offending smaller states could undermine the national interest. The Senate and the Electoral College both stop that from happeningor at least limit it. Any state can matter in any election. You might charge that this is undemocratic. It is. It was intended to be. There is a good reason the founders did not create a direct democracy. It would have prevented the US from emerging as a stable union. They created a republican form of government based on representation and a federal system based on sovereign states. Because of that, a candidate who ignores or insults the flyover states is likely to be writing memoirs instead of governing. Prepare Yourself for Tomorrow with George Friedmans This Week in Geopolitics This riveting weekly newsletter by global-intelligence guru George Friedman gives you an in-depth view of the hidden forces that drive world events and markets. Youll learn that economic trends, social upheaval, stock market cycles, and more are all connected to powerful geopolitical currents that most of us arent even aware of. Get This Week in Geopolitics free in your inbox every Monday. John Mauldin Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. President Trump Is Facing Lenins Dilemma George Friedman: When the Bolsheviks took power during the Russian Revolution in 1917, their intention was to create the dictatorship of the proletariat. They formed an army to fight a civil war against a counterinsurgency of monarchists who intended to destroy the Bolsheviks. Vladimir Lenin, who led the revolution, appointed Trotsky to form the Red Army. One problem was that he had never served in an army, let alone commanded one. But Trotsky was chosen not because he had experience building an army. He was chosen because Lenin trusted Trotsky wouldnt betray him. In a revolution, the hardest thing to know is who will betray you. So, Lenin had no choice but to use the same people who made the old regimes mechanisms worknot all of them, but enough to get it off the ground. The revolution succeeded, but in the end, it was bogged down by the dizzying choice between loyalty and competence. Lenins problem for Trump Trump is not Lenin and should not be compared to him. But in a very real sense, he has launched a revolution, made speeches, and inspired masses. He promised to drain the swamp, which isnt a bad idea. But to drain the swamp, he must have people who understand how the swamp works. Trump is not Lenin, but now Trump has Lenins problem. In order to carry out his program, Trump must have people both loyal and knowledgeable about various subjects. The federal government is vast and inefficientnot so much because of the people there, but because of its size. The federal government also is essential to society, because if Social Security checks dont arrive, there will be chaos. Trump cannot simply dispense with what the government does any more than Lenin could. He must purge the system without crashing it. Strong resistance within the government Very few people who havent worked in a federal department know its levers and processes. Given Trumps condemnation of government programs, I would guess most federal government employees voted against him and dont wish for him to succeed. While professors have studied the governments myriad departments and programs, few actually know how they operate. Those few are not enough, even if they agree to do the work. This is the problem Trump faces. He cant simply appoint an agency director or department secretary. Such people normally dont do much, and when they do, they develop policies that thousands beneath them carry out. Trump promised fundamental changes in how the government works, so he needs people who can make it happen. For that, he needs experts. He needs to figure out who is loyal to his plan and who will sabotage it. There is no expectation Trump alone will recognize this expertise. No president can. But he must gather around him a group of people to select those at the top who are both competent and loyal to his vision. In past transitions, this wasnt difficult. The difference in viewpoints between presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Clinton and George W. Bush, and George W. Bush and Barack Obama was not all that fundamental. They disagreed on things, but no one came into office expecting a massive reorientation of government. Even Obama, who made speeches on how different he would be, turned out to be not so different. The decisive moment If Trump is serious, then this is the moment that will determine whether he succeeds. His advisers must be able to identify top-level people who know how Washington works and oversee them as they pick the next two levels down, to make sure those people are competent and loyal. The problem is that all of those people have worked in Washington for years and likely see Trump as a mad interloper. They will do whatever they can to sabotage him. The point to focus on is this: In October 1917, the people Lenin selected to serve near him determined the future of the Soviet Union. On the whole, it was pretty wretchedbut wretched preferred loyalty and fear over expertise, and Lenin pretty well got what he wanted. It is possible to break the gridlock in Washington. Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan both did it. The US was born out of the most conservative revolution in history. The regime was designed to moderate ambitions by blocking them. Trump can achieve some of what he wants, while other issues will be left to Washington. But he can achieve those things only if those around him know where the bodies are buried and who buried them. In other words, Trump understands knife fights in Washington. Having knife fights among advisers is not a great start. Watch George Friedman's Ground-breaking Documentary, Crisis & Chaos: Are We Moving Toward World War III? Russian adventurism. An ailing EU. Devastation in the Middle East. These are just three symptoms of a systemic instability engulfing a region thats home to 5 billion of the planets 7 billion people. In this provocative documentary from Mauldin Economics and Geopolitical Futures, George Friedman uncovers the crises convulsing Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and reveals the geopolitical chess moves that could trigger global conflict. Register to watch the documentary now. John Mauldin Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Can President Trump Really Drain the Swamp? The glorious and providential intervention that provided the courage and motivation for millions of ordinary Americans to vote AGAINST the globalist system, which is the epitome for national betrayal is a once in a lifetime opportunity to eliminate the traitors in our society. Donald J. Trump is only a man. He is not the savior of our civilization, nor is he a miracle worker. Yet his election provides the last best hope that the forces of human enslavement, within our own power structure, can be defeated. Citizens who actually participate in the political process need to practice RealPolitik, when it comes to influencing or shaping public policy. Never forget that the swamp is the establishment. The timid and cowardly Congress has been a pathetic body of bought and paid for toadies that serve the interests of their donors and rarely function as public servants. A comprehensive analysis of the policy positions, statements and white papers that Trump released during the campaign, illustrate a dramatic departure from business as usual. But will this new and different direction get implemented? The so called shift to a presidential demeanor after the election has many reliable Trump supporters worried. Before a premature panic sets in, people need to appreciate two fundamental events must take place. First, Trump needs to be certified by the Electoral College as the 45th President. Second Trump needs to be sworn in and take the oath of office as the next President. Between now and the realization of both events, his primary objective is to stay alive. Make no mistake about the evil nature of the globalists that hate any displacement of their rule, even a minimal shift towards a truly America First government where all options to prevent Trump from supplanting their inside game of destroying an independent nation and limited government, governed under constitutional restrains. Trumps most serious opposition comes from within the GOP and specifically entrenched Republican neoconservatives. Speaker Paul Ryan and especially Senator Mitch McConnell pose more resistance to fundamental reclamation from sucking the scum from the beltway cesspool, than the Marxist progressives, who suffered a major rebut at the ballot box. Newly selected minority leader Senator Chuck Schumer may well be Trumps best buddy to apply pressure on the Senate to actually enact some common ground compromises that are long overdue. This evaluation should not be viewed as selling out to the left, but should be seen as using presidential leadership to deal with numerous issues that have been ignored by past administrations. Barry Soetoro used illegal executive orders to enact despotic fiat over negotiating a balance compromise with House and Senate republicans. Trumps challenge is to put into motion HIS agenda and rally the necessary political capital to get RINO Republicans to change their corporatist ways. The resounding approval of Reince Priebus as chief of staff from the GOP party stalwarts alarms many hard right purists. However, Trumps immediate task is to push through as many of his bold and transformative initiatives within the first hundred days as possible. Passing these laws will set the direction and tone for his entire administration. Now Trump will not get even one day of a honeymoon from the Leftist Loons who wants a civil war. Nor will the establishment careerists, like Mitch McConnell allow any notion that term limits for Congress will see the light of day. When working the levers of legislative sausage, internal warfare does not help. The first order of business is to get your appointees approved by Congress. Let Stephen K. Bannon script the agenda, strategy and be the gatekeeper of ideological consistency. Inside palace intrigue entertains but does little to achieve a true meaningful restoration of national greatness. Understand the message in What Does it Mean To Be A Radical? and What It Means To Be A Reactionary to comprehend and appreciate what needs to be done for a Trump administration to be successful. All the whining shrieks for just getting along are foolish and naive. Middle America does not want a progressive society. Any move to incorporate a collectivist agenda into a Trump administration would be deemed duplicity and destroy confidence. Since the globalist response is to use the walking dead zombies for social justice to cause violent chaos by disrupting the positive Trump efforts for rebuilding our country, only the most ignorant will still deny that the street theater is produced and funded by the banksters from the international finance establishment. While the K Street lobbyists jockey for relevance and a way to maintain their influence in a sanitized Trump access pay to play environment, the old guard of raw power still retain their roller deck of cronies. A successful redevelopment of the corridors of bureaucratic agencies requires a wholesale purge of DC institutional loyalists and the infusion of dedicated reformers, who are not looking to make government service a lifetime appointment. Is this possible as long as federal budgets, benefits, programs and agencies remain the only growth industry? So far, the public has not been open to a significant downsizing in government. The people want a reinvigorated economy whereby they can all share in a better future. The old slogan by Herbert Hoover, A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage just does not appeal to the masses when they are on food stamps and hitch a ride on Uber. They want more, much more. And only a dramatically growing economy can ever offer the promise, much less the opportunity to narrow the gap between the uber-rich and the struggling remnant of a much poorer working class. Before the Ivy League prima donna and equal rights contingent start their chants, Redistribute the Wealth, the system does what it is best at. Namely, play on the latest excuse to expand the size and scope of their government behemoth. Add to the monumental economic dilemma and the uncontrollable debt clock ticking to oblivion is the most challenging rats nest in the District of Criminals. Foggy Bottom, the home of State Department traitors is the most despicable collection of anti-America First maggots in the entire quagmire in all of Washington. Trumps foreign policy is his most dubious flaw. If only he is a genuine non-interventionist? His pick of General Michael T. Flynn and KT McFarland proves that the adults will be in the inner circle. However, those reported up for Secretary of State have the stench of NeoCon decay and disloyalty. America cannot afford to maintain a greater Israel policy nor can we allow Zionist subversive operations embedded within our own government. Somehow the prospects of disinfecting the proponents of perpetual war to expand the empire seem very remote. The Pentagon and the entire military-industrial-security-complex stands as a sharp sword ready to defend the power elite. Conversely, the psychopaths who purport to engage in diplomatic conduct are the driving force behind destroying the moral standing of America as a beacon of liberty, while they continue their war crimes against humanity. President elect Trump has the enthusiastic support of the most devoted patriots and a reasonable opportunity to prevail against the globalists. However, it will take a total commitment of Middle America to place maximum demands on Congress to fully adopt the profound renewal of the spirit of individual liberty and inherent autonomy, upon which this nation was founded. The Mainstream Media Fake News outlets will never relent from their all out assault on the Trump Nation. Only with the complete demise of their last smidgen of credibility can and will ordinary citizens finally begin to realize the extent and harm from the many decades of lies, which has allowed the general public to accept a false and fictional story line that their government is believable and trustworthy. Donald Trump has created a true revolution in thought and vision. Acting upon these ideas and implementing an actual plan and programs to combat and replace the establishment quislings with God fearing and honorable nationalists is the mission for saving our country. The shadow government, which is the sub Rosa power behind every decision to diminish our national well being totally rejects making America Great again. The long struggle to recapture our rightful identity as a country worthy of our allegiance starts in earnest with the Trump inaugural. The bottom feeders in the ranks of a unionized government workforce will never voluntarily want to see the establishment system contract and become accountable. Therefore, the populist movement that Trump spearheaded must become more vocal and confrontational when required. This is no game or a reality program. What is at stake is the very survival of America and a life worth living. When the chronicles of the historic record are authentically written, whatever success the Trump government achieves will come from the populace, whose desire for essential changes was demonstrated at his rallies. Are there enough good men and women left in this country to overthrow the agents for globalism that have captured our government? If this becomes a failed experiment, the enemy will remove any amicable option to achieve true independence. Source: http://batr.org/reactionary/112916.html Discuss or comment about this essay on the BATR Forum http://www.batr.org "Many seek to become a Syndicated Columnist, while the few strive to be a Vindicated Publisher" 2016 Copyright BATR - 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. Tomb Raider is getting a much-awaited reboot with Alicia Vikander taking over the role of Lara Croft, which was previously played by Angelina Jolie. (Photo : Getty Images/John Phillips / Stringer) "Tomb Raider" is getting a much-awaited reboot with Alicia Vikander taking over the role of Lara Croft, which was previously played by Angelina Jolie. The "Tomb Raider" reboot is expected to be released in 2018. Producer Graham King reveals all the juicy details about the "Tomb Raider" reboot in an interview with Hey U Guys. The "Tomb Raider" reboot will go "back to the roots story" of Lara Croft. Advertisement "This is a young Lara Croft in search to see if her father is dead or alive, so it has a very emotional part to it and i think that's what Alicia found so interesting about it," King shares about the "Tomb Raider" reboot plot. "I think the storytelling is really good and I think we've got the right crew and a great director and I think it's going to be really fun making a film like this." The story will be based on the 2013 "Tomb Raider" video game. Unlike the earlier "Tomb Raider" films, King's version will be more character-driven as opposed to action-heavy and explosive. Vikander is also hoping to put her own spin on the title role that was made popular by Jolie in the early 2000s. She tells Digital Spy that she's "hoping we can do something fresh and new" to the upcoming "Tomb Raider" reboot. "This is quite a different take on it," she adds. Lara Croft is a British character with posh British accent. While Vikander admits she has not started practicing that accent yet, she is hopeful she can nail it quickly. Given her experience playing the role of Vera Brittain in "Testament of Youth," perfecting her posh British accent should be easy for the Oscar-winning actress. The role of Lara Craft is coveted among young actresses including Daisy Ridley, Emilia Clake, Cara Delevigne and Saoirse Ronan, who were all rumored to play the part at some point. Vikander, however, seems to be the perfect choice, considering her experience in action films such as "Jason Bourne" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." The "Tomb Raider" reboot has been schedule for a March 16, 2018 release date. MARTINSVILLE-A bond hearing was postponed Monday after the defenses witnesses failed to show up in court. Michael Jimmi Simacek faces one count of rape, two counts of forcible sodomy and multiple counts of aggravated sexual battery in the city, all involving three girls under the age of 13. Martinsville Circuit Court Judge G. Carter Greer told Perry Harrold, Simaceks lawyer, to notify the court if he wants to reschedule the hearing. The charges against the 51-year-old Collinsville resident stem from alleged incidents that the prosecution says took place between 2010 and 2014, when all of the girls were under 13 years old. Simacek, who was arrested Nov. 7 after being indicted, is being held without bail. Also in Martinsville Circuit Court on Monday, Teresa Lillian Manns, 48, of Ridgeway, pleaded no contest to felony shoplifting. Judge Greer told her a no-contest plea has the same force and effect as a guilty plea, and after hearing a summary of the prosecutions evidence by Commonwealths Attorney Clay Gravely, Greer found Manns guilty of felony shoplifting. Judge Greer ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. Felony shoplifting carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, Greer said. Gravely alleged that on March 5, a security officer at Belk, at 240 West Commonwealth Blvd. , was watching through store video surveillance cameras and observed Manns removing items, including jewelry, from store shelves, removing security tags from the items and concealing the items on her person. Manns was in the store at least two hours doing this, putting items in her pockets, and she left the store without paying for the items, Gravely alleged. When confronted, Manns confessed to taking the items and gave them back in resalable condition, Gravely alleged. He added the items were valued at a total of $325.98. Also in Martinsville Circuit Court on Monday, Judge Greer denied a request to set bail for David Lamont Hairston of Martinsville on a felony charge of possess firearm by felon. Hairstons lawyer, Perry Harrold, had asked Greer to reconsider granting bail because some other charges against Hairston have been dropped. Greer said the felony charge of possess firearm by felon was the most serious offense Hairston was charged with and has a presumption against bail. Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin and can be reached at paul.colllins@martinsvillebulletin.com. MARTINSVILLE - The city wants the states help to keep the Henry County Public Service Authority (PSA) from reopening its mothballed Lower Smith River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The city now treats most of the countys sewage. If the PSA was to reopen the plant and start treating its own sewage again, Martinsville would lose about $1.3 million in revenue per year, according to Assistant City Manager Wayne Knox and Henry County Deputy Administrator Dale Wagoner, the authoritys deputy manager. In a statement added to its proposed legislative agenda for 2017, Martinsville City Council declares it opposes the PSAs efforts to reopen the treatment plant without a regional study showing it would be in the best interests of city and county taxpayers, the authoritys customers, local economic needs and state environmental policy. The PSA has applied to the Virginia Clean Water Financing and Assistance Program for a $23,659,400 loan for a possible project to put the plant, which has been out of service for many years, back into operation. In December, the state Water Control Board is to decide which localities statewide will receive loans for potential projects. PSA officials have said there is no definite plan to reopen the facility. Rather, they just are examining options for providing better sewer service to the authoritys current and future customers, they have said. The issue is being placed on the legislative agenda, Knox said Monday, because city officials want lawmakers to urge the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to recommend that the PSA not receive a loan. It would hit us pretty hard, he said, to lose the revenue that the authority pays the city. Martinsvilles treatment plant processes roughly 4 million gallons of sewage per day although is permitted by the state to treat and discharge up to 8 million gallons per day. At least 50 percent and maybe more of the sewage treated at the plant is the countys, Knox said. City continues to push for transportation authority Also added to the proposed agenda is a statement that the council seeks legislative approval of the concept of a transportation authority for southern Virginia, with a dedicated revenue stream for the construction of I-73 and other transportation priorities. At the urging of state Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, the council recently adopted a resolution asking the General Assembly to create a regional transportation authority like ones in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Those authorities control revenue generated from state sales tax hikes and put it toward transportation needs. Interstate 73 would run through Henry County. Yet the countys board of supervisors has opted not to approve a similar resolution. According to County Administrator Tim Hall, there is no guarantee that the governing board of a transportation authority would let money collected in the county stay in the county. That argument is echoed by the way the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia authorities operate. The money collected by each is put into a pool and then the group as a whole votes on where it goes. Therefore, there would be no guarantee that any of the money would go toward building the interstate. Knox made similar comments during a recent council meeting. Without the countys support for a transportation authority, I just dont know if its going to happen, said Councilwoman Sharon Brooks Hodge. The concept is good, Knox said, but the chance of it coming to fruition without Henry County is a long shot. To convince the state to approve it, you need a true unified (regional) authority, he said. Still, Councilmen Gene Teague and Mark Stroud said they think the statement should be in the agenda. Weve adopted a resolution of support for the authority, Teague said. Thats our position on it. The way that the statement is worded, he said, there is nothing committing Martinsville to supporting a sales tax increase or any particular way of generating revenue to get I-73 built. State officials could create anything as far as a tax or another type of revenue stream, Teague said. The council plans to discuss the legislative agenda more during its Dec. 13 meeting before considering approving it. Actors Channing Tatum (L) and Jenna Dewan Tatum attend the 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 1, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Jason Merritt) Three years after giving birth to daughter Everly Elizabeth Maiselle, Channing Tatum and wife Jenna Dewan are reportedly ready to expand their little family even more. The couple is said to be actively trying to get pregnant with a second baby. The exciting news came to light when a source told Life & Style Weekly that Tatum and Dewan want to get pregnant as soon as possible. It is said that the couple is trying all that they can for another pregnancy. Advertisement As per the source, the "Magic Mike XXL" actor has always been interested in having more babies, but his hectic schedule and work commitments keep getting in the way. Nonetheless, Dewan already explained to him that he will always be busy and there will never be a 'right time', the source added. "[Jenna] wants to get pregnant in 2017 and give Everly a sibling to play with," the source added. "This time, they're hoping for a boy." Tatum and Dewan, who began dating in 2006, tied the knots in July 2009 at the Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu, California. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2013. Meanwhile, Tatum and the "500 Days of Summer" actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt are making a musical movie together. Speaking to Tom Green on "The Hits" radio breakfast show, as cited by The Daily Star, the latter said he and Tatum have wanted to do a musical for years, hoping that the as-yet-untitled project works out. Levitt then revealed the script of the as-yet-untitled project is being written by Michael Bacall, whose previous projects include the 2012 action-comedy film "21 Jump Street." However, just because the script is being written by Bacall, it does not mean the project will end up hitting the big screen, he stressed. Check out Tatum and Dewan as Tyler Cage and Nora Clark in the 2006 film "Step Up" here: In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com We asked MassLive readers where to find the best cupcake in Massachusetts, and readers did not disappoint. Between comments on MassLive, suggestions on Facebook, nominations via Twitter and input from social media influencers, a total of 50 cupcake businesses were nominated. Now it's time to vote your favorite Massachusetts cupcake shops into the Top 10. Starting today and running until Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 12:01 a.m., readers can cast votes for up to 10 of their favorite cupcake shops in the state once per day. Once the poll closes, Best Of Mass judges will visit the five most popular cupcake shops in Western Massachusetts and the five most popular cupcake shops in Eastern Massachusetts to rank the Top 10 and crown the winner. Want to make sure your favorite cupcake shop makes it to the Top 10? Make sure to vote every day and spread the word to friends. Keep up with the latest from the Best Of Mass Cupcakes contest at masslive.com/bestofmass. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge price slashed massively by $310; Is it the best deal ever? A Samsung Galaxy S7 is seen during its worldwide unveiling on February 21, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo : Getty Images/David Ramos) The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Duos is now available with a massive discount of $310. The Galaxy S7 Duo can now be purchased for $130. U.S. customers who are looking forward to purchase dual-SIM version of Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge can now head on to eBay to get both the smartphones with attractive discounts. The eBay seller, mobilepros1 that has a positive feedback score of 97.8 percent is selling the unlocked Galaxy S7 Edge DUOS for $589. Advertisement The list price of the Galaxy S7 Edge Duos is mentioned as $899.99 which indicates that the seller is offering the 32 GB variant of the smartphone with a huge discount of $310. The Galaxy S7 is available with a price cut of $130 over its list price of $649. As far as color options are concerned, both the smartphones are available in only Gold color, GSM Arena reported. One should be aware of the fact that the unlocked Galaxy S7 Duos and Galaxy S7 Edge Duos are international variants that only supports GSM networks. Since these are GSM devices, customers can make use of SIM cards from AT&T and T-Mobile. These smartphones do not support CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint. After the discontinuation of Galaxy Note 7 because of its faulty battery issue, Samsung has been marketing its Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones aggressively. In various markets, the South Korean company has been replacing Galaxy Note 7 units with Galaxy S7 and S7 Edges smartphones along with price difference refund. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones both come with water-resistant chassis. The S7 has a 5.1-inch Quad HD screen whereas the S7 Edge has a 5.5-inch Quad HD dual-edge curved screen. Both the phones are powered by Exynos 8890 chipset and 4 GB of RAM. Both smartphones come features such as 12-megapixel rear shooter and 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The S7 and S7 Edge are the first smartphones to receive Android 7.0 Nougat update. Both the devices also feature USB Type-C port andfingerprint sensor. The Galaxy S7 is packed with 3,000 mAh battery whereas the S7 Edge has a 3,600 mAh battery. Both the batteries carry support for wireless charging. Here is the review of Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: Shelley Hennig, Tyler Posey, Cody Christian, Khylin Rhambo and Dylan Sprayberry arrive at MTV's 'Teen Wolf' and 'Sweet/Vicious' Premiere Event on November 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Joshua Blanchard) With the "Teen Wolf" final season nearing to its air date, executive producer Jeff Davis makes it a point to share some spoilers about the most-anticipated ending of the fan-favorite MTV television series. This includes giving Malia Tate (Shelley Hennig) more screen time in the final season. Advertisement Warning: This article contains spoilers. Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O'Brien) remains at the core of the "Teen Wolf" Season 6, however, other cast members will be given a chance to shine in the final season. As per Davis, one its highlights is to focus on Tate to show her prowess and funny side without involvement from any relationship, including Nathan (Ross Butler) and Stilinski. "We really wanted to give Malia a lot to do this year," Davis told TVLine. "I told my writers to make a list of everything we really wanted to do this season, and one of those things was to give Malia a really good storyline." Davis emphasized that the "Teen Wolf" final season will see Tate as a bit of a player, like a wild animal. Tate, the biological daughter of Peter Hale and Corinne, the Desert wolf, will have more human interaction in the Beacon Hills. Davis teased the death of a major character in "Teen Wolf" Season 6. In an interview with Screener TV, he said that the demise of one of the characters is in the talks for the final season to make it more epic. However, he also warned that it may be the death of one or two characters at the end of the show. It may be safe to say that Stilinski, Scott McCall (Tyler Posey), Lydia Martin (Holland Roden) and Tate are not candidates for the unexpected deaths that Davis is talking about in the "Teen Wolf" final season. However, Jordan Parrish (Ryan Kelley), who was under the power of the hellhound, may likely meet his demise in Season 6. McCall, Tate and Martin will continue to search for something that they are missing. Stilinski still remains far from the pack. They are not aware that it was Stilinski that is binding them together all the while. The "Teen Wolf" final season will also see McCall preparing Liam (Dylan Sprayberry) as the next caretaker of the Beacon Hills. He also wants him to have his lacrosse expertise because it is a long time dream for Liam to be the team captain. Check out the latest updates on "Teen Wolf" Season 6: An advertising slogan like "A Diamond is Forever" may be eternal, but the same cannot be said about some comparative advertising claims. If a company advertises its product as superior to a competitive product, the ad claim may need to be re-assessed and potentially modified or withdrawn if the competitor upgrades or begins selling a new product. The risks of not updating advertising claims become even greater if a company advertises that its product is better than all other competitive products in the market, thereby dramatically expanding the range of products that should be monitored to determine if the ad claim is still true. Full Story: https://clients.dorsey.com/rs/vm.ashx?ct=24F76F1FDFE342A9CCDD88A5DB2A961BDFF055B2DF8E0BD15EE5636069FFCB1CDB7A3A9C4 "Poldark" Season 3 is expected to premiere in 2017 on BBC One. (Photo : Getty Images/Karwai Tang) Before "Poldark" Season 2 made its debut, fans have been warned of a possible rekindling between Ross and his former lover Elizabeth. Moving forward to "Poldark" Season 3, new photos suggest that Elizabeth may be pregnant and that the father is rumored to be none other than Ross himself. Advertisement In the "Poldark" Season 2 finale, Ross and Elizabeth's arc reach a dramatic climax in a passionate sexual encounter. Actor Aidan Turner describes the act as "consensual, and it just seems right." Ross' wife, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), did find out about his cheating, but did not punish him for it. However, Demelza grew to despise Elizabeth even more and there is even more tension between the two ladies, especially since Ross and Elizabeth's affair now leaves the possibility of bearing a child. Indeed so, new photos of Elizabeth show the character sporting a baby bump. Actress Heida Reed teased that that Elizabeth and Ross' actions in Season 2 would lead to consequences that will come into play in "Poldark" Season 3. When asked if Elizabeth's romantic entanglements with Ross will continue, Reed answered in the affirmative. "Yes, absolutely. That triangle only grows, there are people that join us," Express UK quoted Reed as saying. "That triangle continues. Let's just say there are some actions and consequences." Come the third season, fans will see Elizabeth married to George Warleggan (Jack Farthing), who is Ross' biggest rival. The big mystery, however, is whether Elizabeth's baby belongs to George or to Ross. Even if the child is not Ross, his relationship with Demelza is nevertheless in a state of crisis. Meanwhile, new characters will appear in "Poldark" Season 3. Elizabeth's cousin, Morwenna, will be played by Ellsie Chappell. According to The Daily Mail, actor Josh Whitehouse will be playing Hugh Armitage. "We're thrilled to be kicking off series three with a fantastic array of new characters and a story which scales new heights of conflict, feuding, passion and drama," script writer Debbie Horsfield said about what's to come in "Poldark" Season 3 spoilers. "Poldark" Season 3 is expected to premiere in 2017 on BBC One. Earlier this month, Singularity University (SU) held a summit in Christchurch, New Zealand, to discuss exponential technologies and their potential impacts. This was the first time one of the Silicon Valley think tanks summits was held in the Southern Hemisphere. Despite a 7.8 magnitude quake striking 95 km from Christchurch the night before the opening day, the three-day event kicked off as planned before a sellout albeit slightly sleep deprived crowd. New Atlas managed to corral a few of the speakers for one-on-one interviews and the first (autonomous) cab off the rank was Brad Templeton. Darren Quick Full Story: http://newatlas.com/autonomous-cars-future-brad-templeton-singularity-university/46647/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b58017b2ee-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-b58017b2ee-92465361 Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, mark an International Day of the Girl Child through their Educating Linda program, which supports girl education (#yesforGirl Education) and ending child marriage (#EndChildMarriage) through helping young girls who are unprivileged but brilliant to continue their education. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and also an Executive Director of the song expressed, We at Merck Foundation mark Girl Child Day every day through our continuous efforts with our partners, African First ladies to implement Educating Linda program in their countries, which is a part of our More Than a Mother campaign. I strongly believe that an educated girl will lead a healthy life, save lives, build a stronger family, earn a better income, make informed choices, empower her community, lift her country and reduce inequalities. However, it has been seen that many girls drop out of the school due to many challenges such as: lack of necessities such as fees and uniforms. Therefore, as a part of Educating Linda program, in partnership with the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother campaign we have contributed to the future of 1000s of girls by providing with scholarships and essential school items in many African countries. Moreover, I am very happy and excited to share that to mark this important day, H.E. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia, also the Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, distributed essential school items to over 450 school-going girls in Liberia. The items were provided by Merck Foundation as a part of our Educating Linda project. More will be distributed in the near future, moreover we will provide scholarships to 20 unprivileged but brilliant Liberian girls to continue their school education. added Senator Rasha Kelej. As a part of Educating Linda Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with the African First Ladies has provided scholarships for young girls in many countries like Burundi, Central African Republic, DRC, Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Merck Foundation has also provided 3,000 sets of essential school items for girls schools in many countries like Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia. Each of the recipients gets a set containing 1 Ruler, 3 Pencils, 2 Erasers, 1 Sharpener, 1 Pen, 6 Color Pencils, 1 Triangular Ruler, 1 Protractor, and 1 Fabric Bag. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej further emphasized, In partnership with the African First Ladies, we have been building healthcare capacity through providing training to healthcare providers in many medical specialties. More than 1470 medical graduates have benefitted from this program so far. I am very proud that out of these over 650 are female medical graduates. This is close to 50% of the total beneficiaries, which is a great milestone for us. Moreover, we have emphasized on the importance of supporting girl education through Our Africa by Merck Foundation, a pan-African Tv program broadcasting across the continent and available on our social media. Merck Foundation has also announced the MARS Awards to appreciate and recognize Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researcher. The aim is to empower women and young African researchers, advance their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Ivan Collendavelloo a repondu a la Private Notice Question de Xavier Luc Duval sur les soucis deau dans la region de Curepipe. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 45 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires The Honourable Second Member for Port Louis South and Port Louis Central (Mr Uteem) To ask Dr the Honourable Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Whether, in regard to the proposed setting up of a manufacturing plant for the local production of COVID-19 vaccines and other pharmaceutical products in Mauritius, he will state if any company manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation has been approached therefor? Mr Speaker, Sir, From the very outset, I wish to state, that the objective of the Government is to develop pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing into an industry that can potentially emerge into a growth pole for the Mauritius economy. The emphasis on this industry was outlined during the 2021-2022 Budget whereby a seed funding of Rs 1 billion was earmarked for internationally renowned pharmaceutical and vaccine laboratories to set up manufacturing activities in Mauritius. We also made provision for the setting up of the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), with a view of channelling this funding into projects that meet the conditions set forth by Government. Accordingly, pending the setting up of the MIB, the Economic Development Board (EDB) launched an Expression of Interest (EoI) on 19th June 2021 for the Development of a pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in Mauritius in priority areas of vaccines and pharmaceutical products in speciality areas. The EoI, was diffused, through key local and international media, as well as through our embassies in Europe, USA and Asia. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that 40 firms showed interest in the EoI exercise, which comprised not only vaccine manufacturing but also the production of generic pharmaceuticals and medical devices, amongst others. As far as vaccine manufacturing is concerned, nine interests were received and five submitted their business proposals. As part of the evaluation exercise, the EDB had enlisted the services of Dr Deoraj Caussy, an independent expert in epidemiology and virology, to assess the five proposals received. The expert report was submitted on 27th October 2021, and this includes recommendations on the proposals that may be considered by the authorities concerned. The experts report will be submitted to the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology Ltd for its consideration. Mr Speaker, Sir, In parallel to this exercise, discussions are also being held with companies producing COVID-19 WHO-approved vaccines, in India and USA. The MIB Ltd which has recently been set up, will oversee the implementation of this budgetary measure. Fathers (Photo : Lovetitude Production/YouTube) Has China become less homophobic? After authorities banned the depiction of gays on TV and ordered the axing of a gay-themed online drama Addiction in February, some changes took place after a few months. In April, the Chinese media watchdog allowed the showing of the trailer of Seek McCartney, a gay movie, although the movie has yet to be shown in China. In August, a Mr. Gay China contest was held in the conservative country. Advertisement In September, Shiru Bushiding, a new Chinese gay drama, was launched online and got more than 100 million views online and more than 1 billion reads on Weibo. On Sunday, Nov. 27, Fathers, a Thai gay film was shown over Tianfutaiju, or Heavenly Thai Drama, Whats on Weibo reported. It is a platform in China that promotes Thai pop culture through Weibo and other social media sites in China. Tianfutaiju has more than 1.8 million followers on Sina Weibo. Heavenly Thai Drama released with Chinese and English subtitles Fathers on Bilibil.com, its video platform in China. The movie revolves around a same-sex male couple who struggles to build their family while grappling with legal challenges and societys prejudice. The pair, Phoon and Yuke, adopted Butr, an orphan boy, according to Platphol Mingpornpichit, the movies director. Because Butr has gay dads, he is often teased at school. Fathers which runs for 95 minutes - premiered in China six months ago. Hours after Fathers was released, it was shared more than 690 times in social media, indicating the gay genre has gained more acceptance in China. However, in Thailand, where Fathers was produced, it is not just gay movies that proliferate but also gay culture. The country is known as the gender reassignment capital of Asia where males and females who want to become a woman or a man could undergo surgery at a much lower cost than if the procedure is done in the U.S. or other western nation. Justin Sullivan wanted a silencer for the gun he planned to use to kill hundreds of people in North Carolina or Virginia on behalf of the Islamic State. So he had one built from a flashlight and delivered to the Morganton, N.C., house he shared with his parents. When his parents asked what he planned to do with the silencer, he tried to have them killed. The person he offered money to murder his parents, and who sent him the silencer, was an undercover FBI employee. Sullivan, 20, who was arrested soon after the silencer arrived, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to attempting to commit acts of terrorism. According to court documents, Sullivan began watching videos of Islamic State beheadings and other atrocities on his laptop in September 2014. He converted to Islam, announced his support for the Islamic State to his parents and destroyed some of their religious objects. "I liked IS from the beginning then I started thinking about death and stuff so I became Muslim," he later told the FBI employee, the indictment in the case said. By June 2015, Sullivan had made contact with Junaid Hussain, an Islamic State recruiter who was reported killed in a drone strike in Syria two months later. A British hacker turned militant, Hussain encouraged severalattempted terrorist attacks in the United States. It was to Hussain that a Kosovo-based hacker passed on personal information about U.S. military personnel. According to authorities, Hussain asked Sullivan to film a video of his deadly attack for use by the Islamic State. Sullivan agreed. "I'll kill people this month," he told the FBI agent on June 7, 2015. Sullivan said he would carry out his attack in a bar, club or concert, where he hoped to kill as many as 1,000 people. He was arrested two weeks later. Sullivan is also accused of killing a 74-year-old neighbor, John Bailey Clark, to get enough money to finance his terrorist attack. Sullivan admitted that he stole a .22-caliber rifle from his stepfather's gun cabinet, and forensic testing linked the rifle to Clark's death. According to court documents, Sullivan also said that the $689 he planned to use to buy an AR-15 rifle and ammunition at a gun show came from Clark. But he has not confessed to the murder. Prosecutors said Sullivan has agreed to a sentence of life in prison, the maximum penalty for attempting to commit terrorism. The second annual School Counselor's Day was recently hosted by the McDowell Economic Development Association (MEDA), McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC), Workforce Development Board and McDowell County Schools. The purpose of the event was to express appreciation to school counselors, as well as to create awareness of the employment and career opportunities in McDowell County. A strong and well-educated workforce is critical to the continued growth of the community, and counselors play a critical role in communicating these opportunities to students," said Chuck Abernathy, executive director of MEDA. Eddie Shuford, director of NCWorks Customized Training and Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center, welcomed the school counselors, and coordinated three MTCC speakers during lunch which included, Wayne Stines, machining instructor; Jamie Ward, welding; and Steve Robertson, robotics. The information they shared about their program gave incite to their course and how students are being prepared for the workforce. "The partnership that we have with MTCC, MEDA, the Workforce Development Board and other industry partners is priceless. We appreciate so much their support and collaborative effort to help bring about awareness of career opportunities here in McDowell not just to our faculties but also to our students, "said Director of Student Services Natalie Gouge. Shuford also organized and coordinated a tour of the manufacturing operation of Tilson Machine Inc. Counselors said the tour was a valuable learning experience. The collaboration with community leaders increased my knowledge of the career opportunities available to graduating seniors and citizens of McDowell County. I can now better assist students in career counseling, which will benefit families and the community at large, said McDowell High School counselor Autumn Rumfelt. Jerry Broome, of the Region C Workforce Development Board, shared with the group the Made in McDowell Video. This promotional video can be found on You Tube and shows local middle school students talking about their perceptions on manufacturing, and real life examples from local manufacturing companies. Broome urged the counselors to share the video with their students and parents. Broome also presented a new concept being devolved targeting this years senior class. A high school manufacturing academy will work with local manufactures and businesses to place successful students in jobs after graduation. Gouge and Mary Finley, career and technical education director, will work with local workforce partners and employers to develop this exciting new opportunity for our graduating seniors. "The day was filled with great speakers and education that will help us impact student success in our various settings. McDowell County has many positive opportunities being provided by the collaborative effort of our school system, MTCC, MEDA, Workforce Development Board and our local industries, said Marion Elementary counselor Jill King. It is an honor to be a part of the McDowell County School System where students and their success are first and foremost." The Egyptian justice ministry's Asset Recovery Committee reportedly approved on Monday a settlement deal with Mubarak-era former minister of trade Rashid Mohamed Rashid that could end his criminal troubles with the government, state news agency MENA reported, citing judicial sources. According to MENA's sources, the committee agreed on reconciliation with Rashid after reviewing official reports that exonerated him of all charges regarding how he obtained his assets and wealth. The sources said that these reports showed that his personal and family assets and investments pre-date his appointment as trade minister in 2004, which absolves him of charges that he abused his post for profit. Other judicial sources told Ahram Online that the reconciliation was reached on 21 November. The sources added that the committee initially asked Rashid to give up nearly EGP 1.6 billion to the government as a condition for reconciliation, though this figure was later reduced to EGP 500 million. According to the reported settlement, all criminal charges against Rashid would be dropped. After the ousting of ex-president Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, Rashid left the country. He was later accused in cases of squandering public funds and illicit gains during his tenure as trade minister from July 2004 to January 2011. In 2011, the former minister was sentenced in absentia to 5 years in prison over graft and corruption charges; and15 years and a fine of EGP 1.4 billion for squandering nearly EGP 600 million in public funds after issuing questionable licenses to steel business tycoon and former NDP leading figure Ahmed Ezz. In 2013, Rashid paid EGP 15 million to the government in relation with two cases. In March 2014, Egypt's Illicit Gains Authority referred Rashid to court on corruption charges, accusing him and his daughter Alia of illicit gains and of illegally transferring EGP 500 million to private accounts in Cyprus. Rashid's lawyer Gamil Said told Ahram Online he could not comment on the reported deal, saying he is merely responsible for handling Rashids court cases, not any settlement with the state. Rashid is the latest high-profile Mubarak-era figure to reportedly reach a settlement in criminal cases with the Egyptian government. In recent months, Egyptian business tycoon Hussein Salem, a former close associate of Mubarak, reached a financial settlement with the government in which charges against him were dropped in exchange for EGP 5.3 billion (approx. $596.5 million). Article 18 of the penal code allows the countrys top prosecutor to form a reconciliation committee upon defendants' requests. The Illicit Gains Authority has received 26 requests from other Mubarak-era figures for reconciliation with the government, according to Adel El-Saied, a justice ministry aide. Search Keywords: Short link: The court also issued a 3 year sentence in absentia against Hamza Zobaa, an Egyptian TV presenter on a reportedly Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Turkish channel, for broadcasting false news and inciting violence against the state A Giza court issued on Monday prison sentences of three to five years for 11 people on criminal charges related to street protests on 11 November, according to Al-Ahram Arabic website. The defendants , who were arrested in Imbaba, a densely populated working-class neighbourhood in Cairo. were convicted of protesting without a permit, inciting violence and disrupting public transportation. In a related case, the court issued a three-year sentence in absentia against Hamza Zobaa, an Egyptian TV presenter on a Turkish channel, which is reportedly affiliated with the banned Muslim Brotherhood, for broadcasting false news and inciting violence against state institutions. The call for demonstrations on 11 November were first circled in September by a little-known Facebook page named the "Revolution of the Poor" to protest against economic hardships. The Egyptian Ministry of Interior accused the Muslim Brotherhood of sponsoring the call. Small numbers of individuals took part in a limited number of demonstrations on the day designated for protests. None of Egypt's political parties or social movements publicly heeded the call to protest. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian government submitted Monday two appeals against an administrative court's November decisions which upheld a June 2016 court ruling that affirmed Egyptian sovereignty over the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir. The June ruling voided an April 2016 agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia which placed the islands under Saudi sovereignty. A number of citizens and lawyers, including rights lawyer Khaled Ali, had filed a lawsuit with Egypt's administrative court at the State Council against the maritime deal, asking the court to rule the islands are Egyptian. Two weeks ago, the administrative court issued verdicts on two separate motions by the government and lawyers defending the June ruling. First, the judges rejected the government's request to suspend the execution of the June ruling, and fined it EGP 800. Second, the court accepted a request filed by Ali and defence lawyers to compel the state to execute the June verdict. The State Lawsuits Authority, the legal body representing the government, have challenged the two decisions on behalf of the cabinet, the presidency and parliament. The November administrative court's verdict would not end legal questions on the status of the two islands, as the High Administrative Court and Supreme Constitutional Court, the country's highest court, are hearing various motions in the dispute. The government has appealed June's administrative court verdict before the High Administrative Court and Supreme Constitutional Court. The High Administrative Court's next session to continue hearings into the government's appeals is scheduled for 5 December. In late September, the Court for Urgent Matters accepted a government challenge to the jurisdiction of administrative courts over issues of sovereignty, and voided the June decision. The Egyptian government said that the Islands had always belonged to Saudi Arabia and that Egypt had been merely administering them on behalf of the kingdom since the 1950s. The decision to transfer the two strategic islands at the southern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba to Saudi Arabia has sparked widespread public outcry in the country. Search Keywords: Short link: by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, November 28, 2016 Minute Maid is using video, social media and fill-in-the-blanks, shareable letter templates to encourage offspring of all ages to send their parents messages of love and gratitude this holiday season. The campaign is an extension of an ongoing Doin Good (#doingood) campaign, which seeks to underline that Minute Maid is a family brand by conveying warm, reassuring messages from kids to stressed-out, self-doubting parents. The campaign was launched in spring 2015. The new creative includes a 3-minutes-plus video (below) showing five sons and daughters of various ages handwriting heartfelt letters to their folks, and basking in their reactions as their parents read the letters. To film the vignettes, Minute Maid and agency Doner set up a Nothing to Sell Store devoted to attracting shoppers in to write the letters, which were then gift-wrapped for delivery. advertisement advertisement The video is being used to drive viewers to an area of the Minute Maid site where users can create a letter using one of three fill-in-the-blanks templates, and share it via Facebook or Twitter. The video has drawn more than 120,000 views on YouTube since being posted there on November 22. It is also being featured on the Coca-Cola brands social media sites. The note-writing campaign and site also are being promoted through a personal post on the Minute Maid blog by Mama Knows It All blogger Brandi Jeter Riley. by Aaron Baar , November 28, 2016 Samsung is looking to make this holiday season a virtual one, with a heavy push for its Virtual Reality headsets through the holiday season. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Samsung launched a video ad in heavy rotation showing different families gifting Samsung Gear VR headsets to other family members, then watching them react upon using them. As the receivers put on the headsets, they react in wonder to the things around them (unseen by the audience), reaching out to touch certain objects and jumping back from other surprises. Onscreen text encourages people to Give the gift of Galaxy. At Samsung, we believe that technology is so much more than a device its an experience, wrote Samsung Electronics USA chief marketing officer Marc Mathieu in a letter explaining the campaign. This holiday season, we want to bring that power to connect, delight, and inspire to everyone, and to show them whats possible with our mobile products. advertisement advertisement To jumpstart VR adoption, Samsung over the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend was offering a free Gear VR headset and bonus content free with the purchase of a Galaxy S7 edge or Galaxy S7 mobile device. The company is also getting into the holiday spirit by offering a VR experience of Santas sleigh ride. Details of how consumers will be able to partake in that experience were not immediately available. We want this holiday season to be special for all our customers, and were using Samsung technology to make it happen one smile, one gift, and one magical experience at a time, Mathieu wrote. by Tanya Gazdik , November 28, 2016 JetBlue is adding nonstop service to Havana from New York, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood. The first flight from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport took off Monday morning. JetBlues service to Havana from Orlando begins Nov. 29 and and service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood begins Nov. 30. JetBlue flight 243 was the first commercial flight to Cuba from the New York area since scheduled service resumed this year and marked the first day of U.S. commercial service to the Cuban Capital in more than 50 years. The New York metropolitan area is home to the second-largest Cuban-American population in the U.S. The launch of Havana service also marks a major milestone for JetBlue as the Cuban capital becomes the airlines 100th destination in 22 countries. advertisement advertisement JetBlue now serves four destinations in Cuba. With its inaugural flight to Santa Clara in August, JetBlue became the first U.S. carrier to operate commercial flights between the U.S. and Cuba in more than 50 years. Earlier this month, JetBlue began serving the cities of Camaguey and Holguin. Other airlines flying from the U.S. to Cuba including Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit and United. Along with JetBlue, they plan to operate a combined 155 flights. However, under President-Elect Donald Trump, the fate of the thaw between the United States and Cuba is far from clear. Mauricio Claver-Carone, a fierce critic of Cuba who leads a pro-embargo political action committee, has been named to Trumps transition team for the Treasury Department. The move could indicate that Trump is considering altering the regulations that the current administration put in place to ease trade and commercial restrictions against Cuba. But travel analyst Henry H. Harteveldt says its unlikely that the president-elect will try to stop commercial flights between the two countries. There is so much business opportunity in Cuba that if Trump tried to backtrack, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce would howl, says Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group. I don't think we'll go backwards; what I suspect is that we may not see the same degree of progress. JetBlue is taking a number of steps unique to its Cuba launch to set it apart from competitors such as including Cuban government-required health insurance coverage for all travelers on all Cuba-bound flights so that customers do not have to worry about obtaining the insurance separately. Under U.S. regulations, every customer traveling to Cuba must complete an affidavit affirming the customer is going for one of 12 reasons of approved travel from the U.S. Department of Treasury. JetBlue has built the completion of the affidavit right into the booking process so it can be finished in only a couple of clicks. Separate from the U.S.-regulated 12 categories, Cuba requires visitors to obtain an entrance visa onto the island. For customers who qualify for a Cuban Tourist Visa (Tourist Card), JetBlue will make those available for purchase upon check-in at one of its gateway airports or at the gate for connecting customers on the day of travel. All travelers to Cuba should make their own determination with respect to the appropriate type of visa required by Cuba for their purpose of travel. by Jess Nelson , November 28, 2016 Email and data solutions provider Return Path announced the acquisition of San Diego-based startup Email Copilot on Monday. Return Path plans to acquire the company's technical assets and existing business as a part of the deal. No financial details of the agreement were disclosed by the time of writing. Email Copilot is an email startup founded in 2011 to ease the anxieties of pressing the "send" button of an email marketing campaign. The company provides real-time monitoring reports of email deliverability, relaying the information with dynamic visualization. The Email Copilot technology will now be integrated into Return Paths existing Email Optimization solutions, granting marketers a more detailed view of the performance of their email marketing campaigns. Email Copilot relays real-time analytics on email performance and deliverability to help email marketers pinpoint any issues that are presenting a challenge to their return on investment. With this new technology, our clients and partners will be able to connect disparate data sources to understand when deliverability problems occur, whats causing those problems, and how to fix them all in real time, writes Matt Blumberg, Return Paths CEO, in a blog post announcing the news. advertisement advertisement Blumberg further explains how the Email Copilot team plans to stay on board at Return Path as the integration comes into fruition. Over the next few months, well be working with the Email Copilot team including co-founders Al Bsharah and Bryan Hall, and data scientist Colin Jemmott to complete the transition, writes Blumberg. FM Sameh Shoukry will be meeting with his counterpart John Kerry as well as several congressmen, Egypt's Foreign Ministry announced Egypt's Foreign Minister embarks on a several day visit to Washington on Tuesday, the first since the election of Donald Trump as US president. FM Sameh Shoukry will be meeting with his counterpart John Kerry as well as several congressmen, Egypt's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu-Zeid announced. The visit aims to "promote Egyptian-American relations" and "present Egypt's vision on regional issues." Shoukry will discuss with Kerry US aid to Egypt and the country's economic reform programme, said Abu-Zeid. Earlier this month, Egypt freely floated the Egyptian pound as part of a set of reforms aimed at alleviating a dollar shortage and stabilising the country's flagging economy. The government's economic reform programme includes cutting subsidies and a value-added tax. Last week, Egypt received an initial $2.75 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the boards approval of a $12 billion loan to the country to be delivered over three years. Crises in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, will be discussed in the meetings as well as efforts to combat terrorism. Shoukry will also be meeting with UN General Secretary-designate Antonio Guterres in New York. During a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump in September, the then-Republican candidate said "under a Trump Administration, the United States of America will be a loyal friend not simply an ally that Egypt can count on in the days and years ahead." El-Sisi invited the US president-elect to visit Cairo. Search Keywords: Short link: by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 28, 2016 Campaign for Accountability (CfA), a 501(c) project that uses research to expose misconduct in public life, released a report Monday detailing Googles support for Hillary Clinton. It noted how executives at the company hoped to extend its influence into the next administration. The review shows at least 57 Google or related employees were affiliated with Clinton in her presidential campaign, in her State Department, at her family foundation. The report suggests Google also spent heavily wooing Republicans. About 10 people who worked under Clinton at the State Department later joined the New America Foundation, a Google-friendly think tank where Google Chairman Eric Schmidt supported the foundation as one of its top donors. advertisement advertisement What can marketers expect from Google when it comes to the incoming political administration? Although it's too early to tell, mostly because the administration is less liberal, the report provides insight into ways a "corporation can influence our democracy beyond simple financial donations." One way points to the list of former Google executives working for the Clinton campaign, such as Stephanie Hannon, Clinton's chief technology officer; and Osi Imeokparia, Google's chief product officer. Two other staffers included Derek Parham and Jason Rosenbaum. Google-connect companies also played a role. Civis Analytics and The Groundwork, two companies that compile data and polling on voters for the campaign, were funded by Google's Schmidt. The Groundwork was responsible for building data, analytics tools and infrastructure to target voters for fundraising, advertising and outreach, according to the CfA. Hillary for America paid the company more than $590,000 for technology services from July 2015 through Sept. 12, 2016, according to FEC disclosures. But despite the company's support of Clinton, the company may benefit from a Trump administration, per the CfA. "Joshua Write, a former FTC commissioner, could return as chairman, for example," per the report. "Wright is currently at Google's main antitrust law firm, Wilson Sonsini, and previously wrote Google-funded papers arguing the company should not face antitrust action." The report names a long list of possibilities, all of which would benefit Google even in the new administration. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, November 28, 2016 Regulators in France are setting a dangerous precedent by directing Google to carry out the so-called "right to be forgotten" by censoring its search results worldwide. That's according to the Center for Democracy & Technology, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups. The organizations are backing Google in a battle with French regulators over the scope of the "right to be forgotten." That right, created by European judges, requires Google to remove links to embarrassing information about people at their request, after weighing people's right to privacy against the public interest in the information. Google argues that it can comply with the ruling by preventing links from appearing in the results pages of search engines aimed at specific countries, like Google.fr, for French residents. But the French authorities say Google must delete the links from all of its search engines, including Google.com in the U.S. Earlier this year, France's CNIL rejected Google's position and fined the company $112,000. Google is now appealing that ruling, and the Center for Democracy & Technology and others are backing Google's position. advertisement advertisement The CDT argues in a blog post that authorities in one country shouldn't be able to decide whether particular search results are available in other countries -- especially given that authorities in some parts of the world often object to material that's perfectly legal in many nations. For instance, Pakistan authorities recently asked Google (unsuccessfully) to take down videos that satirized politicians, while Thai authorities unsuccessfully asked Google to remove YouTube clips that allegedly insulted the royal family. Google itself has argued that no one country should be able to censor the Web internationally. "In the end, the Internet would only be as free as the worlds least free place," global privacy counsel Peter Fleischer wrote on the company's blog last year. What's more, the "right to be forgotten" doesn't exist in the United States, where free speech principles protect the right to publish accurate information. But the CNIL ruling would still prevent U.S. residents from accessing truthful information through Google. "While the French government may decide to limit French citizens access to lawfully published information under certain circumstances, it doesnt have the jurisdiction to limit access by people outside of France to information lawfully published outside of France," the group writes in a blog post. "A non-EU resident, for example, searching on Google.com for information that appeared in a US newspaper article, does not have any expectation that the CNIL could interfere with her access to that information." by Barry Janoff , November 28, 2016 For the second consecutive year, Snickers has satisfied its hunger by signing a deal to become the exclusive presenting partner for WrestleMania, which is scheduled to take place on April 2 in the Orlando Citrus Bowl. The Mars Inc. brand, a long-time WWE partner, was the exclusive presenting partner for WrestleMania 32 this past April, receiving some 1.5 billion media impressions from the effort. Financial terms of the pact were not shared. When it comes to displaying the 'hunger symptoms' that Snickers satisfies, nobody embodies them better than WWE Superstars, said Allison Miazga-Bedrick, director for Snickers Brand. Were back for a second consecutive year as the presenting sponsor of WrestleMania 33 to once again share our 'Youre Not You When Youre Hungry' message to an extremely engaged WWE fan base in unique ways. advertisement advertisement Snickers will up the ante on marketing support from WrestleMania 32, when several WWE personalities were featured in the brands trademark Youre Not You campaign, which included Paige, Roman Reigns, Michael Cole (WWE Announcer) and Ric Flair. According to Snickers, a new Youre Not You When Youre Hungry effort will be anchored by TV to encompass WWE Network, which has more than 1.8 million subscribers worldwide; and such WWE flagship TV programs as Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live on USA Network. Snickers lead agency is BBDO. As part of its Internet, social media and retail efforts, Snickers said it would activate a complete brand takeover of WWEs YouTube channel the day of WrestleMania 33 and custom digital and social content, including a Snapchat live story. In addition, WWE will involve its Twitter (8.4 million followers) and Facebook (34.7 million Likes) destinations. As part of the WWEs new strategy to bundle its jewel events, Snickers will have a presence at WWE live events the week prior to WrestleMania 33. They are scheduled to include WrestleMania Axxess, WWEs four-day, interactive fan festival in the Orange County Convention Center; and the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, NXT TakeOver, Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live, all scheduled for Orlandos Amway Center. WWE and Snickers will also join in more than a dozen activities designed to give back to the host community, including Be a Star anti-bullying rallies, hospital visits and Make-A-Wish events. WWE and its marketing partners saw tremendous response to WrestleMania 32. The event generated a WWE record $170.4 million in economic impact from spending by visitors to the Dallas/Arlington region. In addition, the crowd of 101,763 fans in AT&T Stadium (home to the NFLs Dallas Cowboys) made it the best-attended event in WWE history. Orlando Citrus Bowl seats about 70,000, so WWE will fall short of setting an attendance record. Nonetheless, both WWE and Snickers are hungry for WrestleMania 33, which is expected to see the participation of such icons as Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Roman Reigns, John Cena and The Rock; and possibly UFC champion Conor McGregor. by Jess Nelson , November 28, 2016 Email ranked as one of the top three traffic drivers on Black Friday, according to new shopping data released Monday by Adobe Digital Insights (ADI). Online shopping this past Friday hit a record $3.34 billion, per ADI -- or $5.27 billion when Thanksgivings sales on Thursday are also included. This equates to an increase in Black Friday ecommerce sales of 21.6% year-over-year and a jump in combined Thanksgiving and Black Friday online sales of 17.7% year-over-year. Adobes Digital Insights team compiled the Black Friday report based on aggregated and anonymous data from 22.6 billion visits to retail Web sites. The company claims to measure up to 80% of all online transactions from the top 100 retailers in the United States. Email marketing was the third-highest ecommerce driver, according to the study, with 17.8% of online sales derived from a consumers inbox. advertisement advertisement Search ads contributed the highest amount of shopping traffic through Black Friday, followed by direct traffic. Email marketing came in third. An additional 16.5% of sales came from shopper helper sites such as RetailMeNot, according to ADIs study. Only 1.2% of online sales came from a display advertisement, and less than 1% of online sales derived from social media. Black Friday 2016 also became the first day in retail history to drive more than one billion dollars in mobile revenue. Mobile sales generated $1.2 billion on Black Friday, according to ADIs report -- an impressive growth of 33% year-over-year. More than half (55%) of all visits to retail Web sites on Black Friday occurred on a mobile device, according to ADI, with the vast majority of traffic derived from smartphones and 10% from tablets. Mobile accounted for 36% of all sales, with 11% derived from tablets. ADI's data closely aligns with the Black Friday shopping data collected by Salesforces Social Studio and Commerce Cloud, which pinpointed mobile as accounting for 56% of traffic and 37% of orders. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 28, 2016 Vizio is pressing a federal judge to dismiss a class-action complaint accusing the company of violating privacy laws by allegedly sharing data about consumers' TV-viewing habits. The company contends in court papers filed last week that it would be "fundamentally unfair" to apply a 28-year-old video privacy law to its smart TVs. Vizio's newest argument comes in response to a lawsuit alleging that the company runs afoul of several statutes, including the Video Privacy Protection Act, by tracking TV viewers and then sharing data about them with companies that send targeted ads to people's phones, tablets and other devices. The Video Privacy Protection Act, passed in 1988, prohibits video providers from disclosing "personally identifiable information" about people's video-viewing history without their explicit consent. Congress passed the measure after a newspaper in Washington, D.C. obtained and printed the video rental records of Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert Bork. The law's restrictions apply to providers of videotapes or "similar audiovisual material." advertisement advertisement Vizio, which recently agreed to be acquired for $2 billion by Chinese tech company LeEco, argued in papers filed earlier this year that the consumers' claim should be dismissed on a variety of grounds, including that it's a manufacturer, not a "video provider." The consumers countered that Vizio is a video provider, because it "brings the video rental store into the home, allowing plaintiffs to access video on demand through Vizios proprietary interface." Vizio is now striking back at the consumers' contention, arguing that their theory could have far-ranging consequences. "Computers, blu-ray players, and many cars are equipped with software that allows consumers to access video content. None of them are video providers because none of them rent, sell, or deliver videos," Vizio argues in papers filed with U.S. District Court Judge Josephine Staton in Santa Ana, California. "There is no meaningful difference between Vizio and a computer manufacturer," the company adds. "And if Plaintiffs interpretation is adopted, then thousands of device manufacturers would suddenly be swept within the reach of a statute that was initially passed for the purpose of regulating Blockbuster and the local video store." Vizio also says it had no notice that the video privacy law might apply to its business. "It would be fundamentally unfair -- and a legally improper and unprecedented expansion of a narrowly crafted statute -- for Vizio to be swept within its reach," the company argues. In addition, Vizio says the data it allegedly transmits isn't "personally identifiable." The consumers argued that the information Vizio allegedly disclosed -- including iIP addresses, MAC (media access control) addresses, and product serial numbers -- is unique and therefore, personally identifiable. Vizio counters in its new papers that the consumers' concept of personally identifiable is too broad. "Any piece of information, in combination with some other information, could allegedly divulge a persons identity," the company says. Courts throughout the country are struggling to determine what type of information is personally identifiable. Earlier this year, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Gannett potentially violated the video privacy law by allegedly transmitting users' device identifiers, GPS data and video-viewing history to Adobe. But other courts have dismissed lawsuits against video distributors that allegedly transmitted "anonymous" information to outside companies. In one recent dispute, a judge in Seattle dismissed a lawsuit by Roku user Chad Eichenberger, who accused ESPN of sending his Roku serial number, combined with data about videos watched, to Adobe. Eichenberger has appealed that matter to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where the case is pending. The battle between the consumers and Vizio dates to last November, shortly after ProPublica published a report about the company. Lawyers for Vizio and the consumers are expected to argue their cases to Staton at a hearing on December 18. "The new administration in the U.S. does actually provide a pretty good opportunity for the AP to do strong accountability journalism, but also to be very fair and even-handed and objective toward the new president," Sally Buzbee told Brian Stelter during an appearance on CNNs "Reliable Sources" on Sunday. "That's going to be a very high priority. To do a good job." Buzbee, previously the AP Washington bureau chief, will take over as executive editor from Kathleen Carroll in January. Carroll announced in July that she would step down at the end of the year after 14 years as APs top editor, to spend more time with her family. advertisement advertisement In the CNN interview, Buzbee also said the AP is "completely interested in sitting down with the President-elect in all formats, including video and text. We definitely have concerns about access, but we are taking a one step at a time approach, she said. A challenge for many news organizations in the future, she added, is to alter their elitist tone to appeal to a wider audience. A few weeks ago, Buzbee told The Washington Post that one of her goals is to help newspapers survive in the future. She cited "the pressures on the newspaper industry in the United States as an "incredibly important for the wire service. AP will also focus on meeting a demand from its members, a result of the immediacy of online news access: a faster news cycle. As soon as we get news, we pop it out short and fast; it works for our digital customers, she said. Better yet, awareness of Amazon Echo among U.S. Amazon customers increased dramatically in the past 12 months, the research firm finds. CIRP estimates that for U.S. Amazon customers, awareness of Amazon Echo increased to 69% as of September 30 of this year -- up from 20% as of March 31 of 2015. Amazon continues to expand Echo, introducing two new models this year, the Dot and Tap, Josh Lowitz, cofounder and partner at CIRP, notes in a new report. Amazon also promotes it heavily, with special pricing on multiple Echo device purchases and Echo devices bundled with compatible speakers and home automation devices. Amazon also offers deals available only to Amazon Prime members exclusively through Echo, it added. advertisement advertisement Customers use Amazon Echo for various purposes, with one-third using it as an information provider responding to questions, and over 40% as an audio speaker listening to streaming music. Our research shows that more than half of Echo owners use the device as more than a voice-controlled music speaker, added Lowitz. Users report asking about weather and news, and increasingly controlling other connected devices. CIRP bases its findings on surveys of 3,500 U.S. subjects who made a purchase at Amazon.com in the period from January of 2015 through September 2016. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 29, 2016 Family members of two people killed by ISIS are appealing a judge's recent decision dismissing a lawsuit against Twitter for allegedly encouraging terrorism. The widows of Lloyd Carl Fields, Jr. and James Damon Creach -- who were both killed by a terrorist last year in Amman, Jordan -- sued Twitter for allegedly providing support to ISIS by allowing members to create accounts on the service. Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick in the Northern District of California dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the Communications Decency Act immunizes Twitter from liability based on users' activity. "In substance, plaintiffs aim to hold Twitter liable as a publisher or speaker of ISISs hateful rhetoric," Orrick wrote in a 19-page decision dismissing the case. "Such liability is barred by the CDA." Late last week, the widows of Fields and Creach filed a notice of appeal with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The family members aren't expected to submit their written arguments until March 2017, at the earliest. advertisement advertisement Twitter, Google and Facebook still face a separate lawsuit over allegations that they assist ISIS. That matter was brought by California resident Reynaldo Gonzalez, whose daughter, Nohemi Gonzalez, was killed in terrorist attacks last year in Paris. That case, which was filed in June, is pending in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu in Oakland, California. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, November 29, 2016 The future is grim in the Syfy series called Incorporated. This new drama series, premiering Wednesday night (November 30), is straight out of the its only going to get worse school of futuristic science fiction. It is very entertaining. Think we have problems now? Multiply them about 10 times (or maybe more) and you get the future envisioned in this series. Among other things, the warnings we hear everyday about environmental cataclysms spurred by climate change have come true in Incorporated, which takes place in the 70s -- the 2070s, that is. By that time, says the show, the East and West Coast power centers California and New York (and possibly Washington, D.C.) -- have been submerged by rising oceans and rendered uninhabitable. In Incorporated, the megalopolis that is now the center of economic and corporate power is well inland -- Milwaukee. In this show, multinational corporations are more powerful than governments. In fact, in the future world of Incorporated, corporations largely control the entire globe. While they thrive, most of the worlds governments have gone bankrupt and collapsed. The year is 2074, says some introductory copy show on-screen at the outset of the first episode of Incorporated. Climate change has ravaged the planet, causing widespread famine and bankrupting governments. In their place, multinational corporations have risen in power and now control 90% of the globe. These corporations fight a covert war for market share and dwindling natural resources My goodness! Things are so bad in the United States that one newscast overheard on the show reports that immigrants from the U.S. are flooding into Canada, in spite of the fact that Canada has apparently constructed a border wall as a bulwark against illegal immigration. Sound familiar? Well, it is probably supposed to sound that way. The worldwide economy has helped the planet to devolve into a have vs. have-not world. Those with white-collar jobs in the corporate power structure live and work within gleaming, modern green zones that are patrolled by heavily armed corporate security forces. The have-nots all live outside the Green Zones -- in vast lawless slums known as Red Zones. Its risky to venture out into the red zones, but that also happens to be where all the fun is -- recreational drugs, nightclubs featuring ultimate fighting matches in cages, prostitutes, that kind of thing. The main storyline in Incorporated involves the devious mid-level executives in one of the multinationals, whose president and CEO is a powerful woman played by Julia Ormond. Dennis Haysbert is the only other name cast member in the show. He plays a sinister corporate torturer. The corporate headquarters are heavily guarded and each employee thoroughly vetted. However, spies and evildoers manage to infiltrate it anyway. And thats where the shows story springs from. The best feature of Incorporated, and the thing that makes it work, is the attention paid to details. While its OK to quibble here and there with some of the characteristics of the future world that this shows designers envision, the milieu feels correct. We who live now in 2016 can recognize much of the world of 2074 depicted in this show. And yet at the same time, everything is completely different. I had a chance to watch just one episode of Incorporated, but will definitely watch more. The show is a winner for Syfy, which isnt all that surprising since this channels track record in the development of original content is one of TVs most notable success stories. Incorporated premieres Wednesday (Nov. 30) at 10 p.m. Eastern on Syfy. by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, November 29, 2016 Even before he takes office, every day of Donald Trumps impending presidency offers up an exciting new phenomenon. In the latest twist, ordinary folks can become instant social media stars by hurling themselves into the midst of the president-elects many pissing matches with the mainstream media over their unfair coverage. On Monday, a 16-year-old Trump supporter from California joined the candidates attacks on CNN journalist Jeff Zeleny, who had asked Trump to provide evidence backing up his claim that widespread vote fraud occurred in the 2016 presidential election, denying him a majority of the popular vote. The teenaged supporter, using the Twitter handle @Filibuster, tweeted at Zeleny in a style very similar to Trumps own: Pathetic - you have no sufficient evidence that Donald Trump did not suffer from voter fraud, shame! Trump later copied and pasted (rather than re-tweeting) the text from the tweet, including Zelenys handle, which was in turn shared by his many Twitter followers. advertisement advertisement In good social media fashion, the teenage Twitter user soon became the main story, with mainstream news journalists expressing incredulity that the president-elect was rallying teenage conspiracy theorists to his banner, while on the other side Trumps social media followers celebrated @Filibusters pluckiness and mocked reporters for their patronizing attitude towards non-journalists and young people. Inevitably @Filibuster himself got in on the act, criticizing the press for focusing on his background rather than the allegation of voter fraud, again mimicking Trumps famous telegraphic style: Dishonest @CNN continues to show my tweet. Why is my age relevant? I thought that I was allowed to freely voice my concerns. As with many other subjects, Trumps statements on social media regarding voter fraud present an interesting philosophical assault on the traditional factual basis of news journalism. Many mainstream news orgs have noted that Trump has not provided any evidence that voter fraud occurred, but as @Filibusters tweets demonstrate, his supporters do not consider an absence of evidence to be evidence of absence instead, it is simply proof of the news medias refusal to find and report the evidence, reflecting its collusion with the political establishment in general, and Hillary Clintons campaign in particular. While it is hardly surprising that Trump supporters take this view, its difficult to imagine any amount of proof being sufficient to dispel the allegations of voter fraud, given their entrenched distrust of the news media. Thus any apparent engagement by Trump and his followers with mainstream journalists, as for example with @Filibusters tweets to Zeleny, should be seen as part of a continuing effort to shape his followers views and stamp his interpretation of events on the news, rather than actually engage in debate or dialogue. Cairo criminal court sentenced on Tuesday 8 defendants to life in prison over charges of joining an lawful group and communicating with a terrorist organisation, in the case publicly known as "Daesh (IS group) in Cairo." Three of the defendants were tried and convicted in absentia. The charges also included attacks on public and private property. A life sentence amounts to 25-years in jail, according to Egypts penal code. In November 2014, Egypt banned and designated the IS group as a terrorist group. Egypt's army and police have been battling an Islamist insurgency in parts of North Sinai by the IS-affiliated Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis since 2013. Deadly militants attacks against security forces have left hundreds of security personnel killed. The army says it also killed hundreds of militants. Islamist militants have also carried out several attacks on public institutions and assasinations of public figures in Cairo and other cities. In mid-October, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi extended a state of emergency in designated areas of the North Sinai governorate, which was originally declared in certain areas of the restive province in August 2013, for three months. Search Keywords: Short link: by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 29, 2016 Consumers spent 12.1% more online this year, compared with last, bringing Cyber Monday revenue to an all-time high of $3.45 billion. It marks the most lucrative online sales day in history, and 2.6% above original prediction from Adobe Digital Insights. ADI analysts forecast consumers will spend $91.6 billion online during the holiday season, Nov. 1 - Dec. 31, 2016. Search ads continued to drive consumers to retail sites on Cyber Monday, contributing 38.5% to sales. Direct to Web sites followed with 25.3%. Referral sites like RetailMeNot drove 16% of sales and email drove 18.1% of sales. Purchases through smartphones and tablets started strong early in the day, but slowed in the evening. Revenue from mobile rose 34% year over year (YoY) to $1.07 billion, but at the end of the day came in $130 million less than Black Friday. Mobile drove 47% of visits to retail Web sites, about 38% came from smartphones and 9% from tablets. Smartphones also drove purchases with 22% share, compared with 9% from tablets. advertisement advertisement Conversions were well above holiday averages, with smartphones at 2.8%, tablets at 5.1% and desktops at 6.3%, compared to holiday averages of 1.3%, 2.9% and 3.2%, respectively, according to ADI. The average order value (AOV) on iOS smartphones came in at $141, which remained slightly higher compared with Android smartphones at $128. Since Nov. 1, 2016, which ADI marks as the start of the holiday season, consumers have spent $39.97 billion online, up 7.6% from 2015. The findings are based on aggregated and anonymous data from 23 billion visits to retail Web sites. Consumers looking for great deals found them in televisions, tablets, toys, pet care and computers. The highest price drops were seen for televisions with an average discount of 21.4%. Tablets followed with 21.1%; toys, 14.6 %; pet care, 11.8 %; and computers, 11.1%. Novembers shakeup at Bloomberg Businessweeks editorial department also eliminated positions on its business side, letting go of its publisher Michelle Bosso. Bosso had served as publisher of the magazine since last March. The magazine is creating a new role publishing director to lead the business side of the brand. Hiring is underway. Marc Siegel is also out as global head of audio sales, according a report from the New York Posts "Media Ink." In the editorial shakeup announced earlier this month, 30 newsroom staffers were let go as Bloomberg made public its plans to relaunch Businessweek in the second quarter of 2017. The magazines top editor, Ellen Pollock, is leaving and will be replaced by Washington bureau chief Megan Murphy. advertisement advertisement Other media companies have cut the publisher role this year. Earlier this month, New York magazines publisher, Larry Burstein, announced he would step down after serving 13 years in the role. His replacement will instead be called Chief Revenue Officer. In July, Time Inc. said the days of publishers overseeing individual magazine titles were over, eliminating the role from its corporate arrangement and consolidating the organization of its sales and marketing teams. Time Inc. hopes to package multiple, powerful brands together for big advertisers and rely on well-known titles to draw in more ad dollars. Mark Ellis, Time Inc. president and COO for sales and marketing, explained: We were looking at the title of publisher, which everyone thought was fairly antiquated, because it denoted a print-centric company. Were moving to being a digital-first company and we wanted the titles and sales structure to reflect that. This article has been updated. A new study warns that marijuana use may increase susceptibility to Alzheimers disease, after finding the drug severely reduces blood flow in an area of the brain affected by the illness. Share on Pinterest Researchers suggest marijuana use may increase susceptibility to Alzheimers by reducing blood flow in the hippocampus. Published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, the study reveals that individuals with a marijuana use disorder showed reduced blood flow in nearly all areas of the brain, compared with healthy controls. What is more, the research team including co-author Dr. Elisabeth Jorandby of Amen Clinics Inc. in California found that the hippocampus saw the largest reduction in blood flow with marijuana use. The hippocampus is the brain region associated with learning and memory, and it is the first region to be affected in patients with Alzheimers disease. In the United States, marijuana is becoming increasingly legalized for recreational and/or medicinal use. With this in mind, researchers are in agreement that it is more important than ever to understand the possible harms of marijuana use, and Dr. Jorandby and colleagues caution that reduced brain blood flow may be one such effect. Almost every brain region affected by marijuana use When blood flow in the brain is reduced, this causes a reduction in the amount of oxygen that reaches brain cells, which can cause brain tissue damage and death. According to the authors, few previous studies have assessed the effects of marijuana use on blood flow in the brain. To address this research gap, the team used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to measure the blood flow and brain activity of 982 individuals who had been diagnosed with a marijuana use disorder, alongside 92 healthy controls. SPECT was used to measure participants brain blood flow and activity during a mental concentration task and when at rest. Compared with the healthy controls, the researchers found that subjects with marijuana use disorders showed significantly reduced blood flow in almost all brain regions, but the hippocampus fared worst. In particular, the team identified abnormally low blood flow in the right hippocampus of subjects with marijuana use disorders as they completed the concentration task. Talking to Medical News Today, study co-author Dr. Cyrus Raji, of the University of California-San Francisco, said the team was surprised by just how much marijuana use affected brain blood flow. Prior papers have suggested that marijuana can damage the brain. What surprised [us] was how low blood flow was in the brains of our cohort virtually every brain area had reduced blood flow on perfusion imaging in relation to marijuana use, he told us. Diabetes is a serious condition that affects over 29 million Americans. Obesity also affects a large part of the United States population. A new scientific breakthrough may have found a way to prevent both of these disorders. Share on Pinterest Researchers have isolated a protein that in the future may stop the development of diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 36.5 percent of the American population are obese. Obesity has been associated with a variety of serious conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also widespread, with the CDC reporting that more than 29 million Americans are living with the condition, and an additional 86 million have prediabetes. Diabetes can lead to severe complications, and the illness is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, scientists are investigating several possibilities, including pancreas transplantation and genetic manipulation. Researchers at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium may have made a breakthrough by discovering a protein that could soon halt the development of diabetes and obesity in humans. Researching the bacteria Akkermansia in mice For the past 10 years, researchers led by Patrice Cani, a WELBIO researcher at the Louvain Drug Research Institute of the University of Louvain, and Willem de Vos, professor at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, have been working on a bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila. Akkermansia are one of the most common bacteria, accounting for 1-5 percent of the gut microbiota. Cani and team have shown, for the first time, that Akkermansia muciniphila may be crucial in the fight against obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers hypothesized about the key role of Akkermansia in 2007 and confirmed their hypothesis in 2013. Until then, it was known that type 2 diabetes and obesity are characterized by altered gut microbiota, inflammation, and gut barrier disruption, but the exact mechanism responsible for this was unknown. In their 2013 study, Cani and team isolated Akkermansia muciniphila a mucin-degrading bacterium that resides in the mucus layer. They noticed that levels of this bacterium were lower in obese rodents. They also administered an Akkermansia-based treatment to mice, which reversed several metabolic disorders. Studying pasteurized Akkermansia in humans Now, the researchers have decided to produce Akkermansia and test it on humans. The trials have been ongoing since December 2015 at the Saint-Luc clinics of the University of Louvain. For now, researchers have shown that using the bacterium on humans is safe. However, the scientists still need to prove that the positive effects demonstrated in mice in 2013 also apply to humans. During their research, Cani and team accidentally discovered that pasteurization has positive effects on Akkermansia: Unexpectedly, we discovered that pasteurization of A. muciniphila enhanced its capacity to reduce fat mass development, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in mice. Scientists were trying to facilitate the production of Akkermansia by finding a way to make it inactive without destroying its properties. Pasteurization was one such way, as it makes the bacterium stable and easier to administer. However, after pasteurizing it, researchers found that its efficacy had doubled. Akkermansia became so effective that it prevented the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice. This is the first time that scientists have shown pasteurized Akkermansia effective against these metabolic conditions in mice. Results were published in the journal Nature Medicine. As neuroimaging technology is improving, neuroscientists can investigate more and more aspects of our emotional and intellectual lives. A team of researchers now examines what happens in the human brain during a deeply religious experience. Share on Pinterest Researchers find that a religious experience activates the same reward circuits as love, sex, drugs, and music. For many of us, religion brings comfort and is a crucial part of our mental and emotional well-being. In fact, a recent survey reports that 63 percent of Americans believe in God with absolute certainty. Neuroscientists have been studying the effect religion has on our brains using neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A new study published in the journal Social Neuroscience investigates how brain networks are activated when a group of believers has deeply spiritual experiences. Researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine, led by Dr. Jeff Anderson, Ph.D., created an environment conducive to religious experience and examined the brains of 19 young adult Mormons using neuroimaging techniques. Were just beginning to understand how the brain participates in experiences that believers interpret as spiritual, divine or transcendent, says lead author Dr. Jeff Anderson. In the last few years, brain imaging technologies have matured in ways that are letting us approach questions that have been around for millennia. Assessing the brain activity of Mormons The researchers selected a group of participants that were more likely to experience recognizable spiritual feelings in a controlled environment. As such, they excluded individuals who did not report experiencing spiritual feelings on a daily basis or who did not report going to church regularly. Participants had the average age of 27.4 years. Seven of the participants were women and 12 were men. All of the participants were former religious missionaries. The Mormon religious practice consists of prayer, scripture study, audiovisual presentations of religious music, and teaching of church leaders and authorities. To simulate these practices in a controlled environment, researchers designed a 1-hour session, which is the typical length of a Mormon religious service. Participants were exposed to religiously evocative audiovisual material while their brains were scanned using multiband fMRI. Recreating religious experience in a controlled environment The test treated each participant as their own control, so the intensity of religious experiences was compared with their own individual baseline. The session started with a 6-minute resting state, where participants were asked to close their eyes and let thoughts go through their mind without focusing on anything in particular. Then, for 6 minutes, devotees looked at a video detailing membership statistics of their Mormon church and the details of an internal financial audit. This was meant as an audiovisual control. For the following 8 minutes, participants were exposed to 24 quotations by Mormon and non-Mormon world religious leaders. Share on Pinterest The top screen shows a participant inside an fMRI machine. The lower left screen shows brain scans, and at the lower right is a video of a religious leader that the participant is watching. Image credit: University of Utah Health Sciences Each quotation was displayed for 10 seconds and followed by the question: Are you feeling the Spirit? Answers ranged from 1 not feeling, 2 moderately feeling, 3 strongly feeling, and 4 very strongly feeling. Participants had been instructed before the test to select an answer by pressing a button. This was followed by another question: How spiritually meaningful is this quotation to you? Responses ranged from 1 less spiritually meaningful, 2 moderately spiritually meaningful, 3 very spiritually meaningful, and 4 deeply spiritually meaningful. The visual stimuli, including the questions and answer options, were synchronized with the brain scanning process, which used blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) contrast. The questions enabled scientists to later separate the cognitive effects of decision-making and button-pressing from the neuroimaging results. Participants were then asked to close their eyes and pray for 6 minutes. Next, subjects were told to read familiar passages from the Book of Mormon for 8 minutes. Each scriptural passage was shown for 20 seconds and then followed by the questions: Are you feeling the Spirit? and How spiritually meaningful is this passage to you?, with appropriate answer scales. Subsequently, participants were exposed for another 12 minutes to audiovisual content, namely a video of family, biblical scenes, and other religiously evocative content produced by the church. Participants could press only one button when feeling the peak of a religious experience, or press it multiple times if the feelings were more intense. Finally, the session ended with 8 minutes of the last 24 quotations, designed and administered the same way as the first time. Ensuring the accuracy of the results Before the imaging session, participants were asked to self-report on their religious behavior using a questionnaire. After the neuroimaging session, each of the subjects also took part in a debriefing session where they were asked to describe and rate the quality of the religious experiences had during the brain-scanning session. This enabled scientists to compare the religious practice in the scientific environment with the feelings typically experienced in regular religious practice. As the authors mention, the results indicate the experiences felt during the scanning session conformed in quality and magnitude with meaningful experiences in private and group religious practice. Throughout the functional imaging sessions, researchers also recorded physiological responses in the participants, such as heart rate and respiratory rate. These data were synchronized to the beginning of the BOLD imaging. Spiritual experience activates same reward circuits as sex and drugs Religious devotees reported progressive and sustained subjective experience during the scan. They identified feelings of peace and physical sensations of warmth. When our study participants were instructed to think about a savior, about being with their families for eternity, about their heavenly rewards, their brains and bodies physically responded, says co-lead author Michael Ferguson, Ph.D. Religious experience, equated with feeling the spirit, was associated with brain activation in areas commonly associated with reward. These areas are the bilateral nucleus accumbens, as well as the frontal attentional and ventromedial prefrontal cortical loci. Participants hearts beat faster and their breathing deepened as they were experiencing peaks of religious experience. The study shows that religious and spiritual experiences activate the same brain reward circuits as love, sex, gambling, drugs, and music. The striatum was also activated during prayer, an area that had been associated with the practice in previous studies. A medical device for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) sufferers which lessens their exposure to infections resulting in fewer doctors' visits, reduced antibiotic usage and shorter hospital stays, is expected to be market ready within two years. University of Limerick (UL) inventors recently secured funding for the new percussion device that helps remove mucus from the airways and will, they hope, greatly improve the quality of life for cystic fibrosis patients. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world and CF is the most common, fatal hereditary disease in the United States. Professor Colum Dunne, who is Foundation Chair and Director of Research at UL's Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS), explained the background to the development of the product. "Patients with respiratory diseases use various devices, which help the removal of mucus from the airways and the improvement of pulmonary or lung function. One example that we have focused on here is the CF patient airway, which is defective in ciliary function; resulting, due to ineffective removal, in a mucus-rich environment favouring growth of bacteria. These bacteria include potential pathogens, associated with chronic infection, decreased lung function and accelerated respiratory disease". Currently, there are percussion-based chest physiotherapy devices on the market, but according to Professor Dunne, these "can sometimes become reservoirs for the bacteria that cause infections in Cystic Fibrosis patients". Because the new device, SoloPep, is disposable, it poses no threat of reinfection. "In our research, we have observed that compliance with hygiene practices for reusable devices, by patient, is potentially poor. As such, despite even excellent compliance with prescribed antimicrobial regimens, the devices may become colonised with problematic or opportunistic pathogenic microbes," Professor Dunne outlined. "The devices may, therefore, function as a reservoir that does not come into contact with the antimicrobial agents. Subsequently, re-infection may occur post-antimicrobial cessation by microbes present in the reservoir. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel inexpensive, single-use devices," he added. "Ireland has the highest per capita incidence of Cystic Fibrosis globally. Because of this, it is reasonable to expect treatment innovations generated by Irish researchers and carers. In this case, our studies included patient involvement from the outset and allowed us to develop something that is truly technologically disruptive. The design of this new positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device is clever and focused on the end user from the beginning. It removes significant risk for patients by improving their microbiology hygiene and safety," Professor Dunne added. Dr Leonard O'Sullivan from UL's School of Design is co-principal investigator for this device. "SoloPEP is a good example of user-centred design and it will have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of cystic fibrosis patients in a sector with significant commercial opportunity," he said. The Limerick-based team, which recently secured 500,000 in Enterprise Ireland funding for the development of the product, involves microbiologists, product designers and medical doctors who specialise in treating both paediatric and adult respiratory illness. The team includes Professor Deirdre McGrath (UL GEMS and Respiratory Consultant at Barrington's Hospital) and Dr Barry Linnane (Senior Clinical Lecturer and Paediatric Consultant University Hospital Limerick). "This product has the potential to improve the lives of Cystic Fibrosis and other patients. But for that to happen the product must actually be available to them," Professor Dunne concluded. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) are calling on policymakers and leaders throughout the world to provide robust and sustained funding for cancer research. The two organisations say that there has been a significant increase in our understanding of how cancer develops and that without consistent funding, healthcare organisations will be unable to capitalise on these insights to improve cancer survival rates around the world. In a time of tight health budgets, they also say that it is vital that a major goal of funding for research should be to tackle the challenges of the increasing numbers of people living with cancer as populations age. This research should continue to cover all aspects of the disease from understanding how cancer starts at the molecular level all the way through to patient trials. Speaking at a press conference to mark the launch of the 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Munich, Denis Lacombe, MD, MSc, Director General of the EORTC, said: "There has never been a more exciting time in cancer research. With the surge in molecular biology developments and a growing consideration for cost-benefit balance from a public health perspective, there is an increasing need to invest in cancer research and improved international partnerships to validate new targets and technologies, ensuring they provide real-world benefits to patients." Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Chief Executive Officer of the AACR, said: "We are in an unprecedented era of scientific discovery that holds enormous promise for new advances in cancer treatment and prevention that could save lives around the world. Failure to capitalise upon these scientific opportunities is simply not an option. Now is the time for policymakers worldwide to prioritise and invest in lifesaving cancer research." The two organisations say that research improves survival and quality of life for people around the world through new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure the 200 types of cancer. However, despite improvements in survival rates, cancer continues to be an enormous public health challenge globally. Worldwide, there were 15.2 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2015 alone and 8.2 million cancer deaths. Unless concerted efforts are made to address this growing problem, these numbers are expected to rise by 2035, to 24 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 14.6 million cancer deaths. In Europe, there were 3.4 million new cases and 1.76 million deaths from cancer in 2012. Survival rates have improved substantially for many types of cancer, but improvements in survival vary between countries. In the US, the overall cancer death rate fell 1.5 percent each year from 2003 to 2012, and the number of cancer survivors rose from about 10 million to 13.7 million during the same period. Dr Lacombe said: "In 2015 there were nearly 600 cancer compounds in the late stages of development; new treatments account for 83% of improvements in survival, and 80% of cancer drugs in the pipeline are first-in-class medicines. However, new oncology drugs still have the lowest rate of success, as these technologies require better alignment with current molecular and technical knowledge. More resources need to be dedicated to building partnerships and infrastructures to develop these approaches so that patients can benefit from improved treatments." Dr Foti said: "In the US, unwavering, bipartisan support from Congress and the President's administration, in the form of sufficient funding increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is vital if we are to accelerate the pace of progress against cancer for the benefit of patients and their loved ones everywhere. Unfortunately, before this past fiscal year in the US, the biomedical research community had faced more than a decade of stagnant federal investments in the NIH and NCI." Douglas Lowy, MD, Acting Director of the US NCI, said: "In the US, our national investment in biomedical research and advanced technologies has enabled us to increase our understanding of cancer and develop innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it. Cancer is a global health problem, and high quality cancer research is conducted in many countries. To maximise impact and leverage resources, we must ensure that collaborations among researchers, industry and health organisations also span borders, so we can accelerate progress against cancer for all nations." The 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics brings together representatives from academia, industry, and other scientific organisations from across the globe to discuss the latest innovations in drug development, target selection, and the impact of new discoveries in molecular biology. The conference will bring unique insight into the new challenges and latest developments in cancer drug development. Nov. 29, 2016 Jack Jaroh Camp Hill, Pa. Central Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley Gary D. St. Hilaire Ann Arbor, MI. Detroit Camp Hill, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa. Pueblo, Co. Carlisle Harrisburg, Pa. Central Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley HARRISBURG, Pa.,/PRNewswire/ -- Capital BlueCross today announcedas the company's new senior vice president of commercial group sales. Jaroh previously was vice president of Client Management at Highmark Blue Shield inJaroh brings to Capital BlueCross more than 30 years of sales and executive leadership experience in the health insurance industry. In his new role, he will lead the company's commercial group sales team, with a focus on developing and implementing sales strategy to drive revenue and membership growth. Jaroh also will strengthen and maintain key stakeholder relationships with business executives, the producer community and public officials."We are delighted that Jack has joined the Capital BlueCross team. A seasoned and proven sales leader with decades of experience, Jack will continue to improve upon our client service model and enhance our market position inand the," said, president and CEO of Capital BlueCross. "His diverse and extensive background will further enable us to bring new and innovative solutions to our commercial group customers to improve the health of their employees and reduce health care costs."Jaroh began his career at Care Choices Health Plan inPrior to his 15 years with Highmark Blue Shield, he also held leadership positions at Blue Care Network in; Keystone Health Plan Central in; Pennsylvania Physicians Care in; and Benesight inJaroh is active in the community as a board member of The Children's Miracle Network, graduate of Leadership Harrisburg Area, member of the Pennsylvania Health Underwriters, and community sponsor of an international military family studying at the United States Army War College inCapital BlueCross, headquartered in, is the leading health solutions and insurance company inand the. A partner in the community's health for nearly 80 years, Capital BlueCross offers health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind to consumers and promote health and wellness for our customers.More than a health insurer, the company delivers innovative solutions through a family of diversified businesses that is creating a healthier future and lowering health care costs. Among these solutions are patient-focused care models, leading-edge data analytics, and digital health technologies. Additionally, Capital BlueCross is growing a network of Capital Blue stores that provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit capbluecross.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capital-bluecross-announces-new-senior-vice-president-of-commercial-group-sales-300369721.html SOURCE Capital BlueCross Egypt's Doctors Syndicate announced in a statement on Tuesday that its deputy head and former chairman Mona Mina has been summoned to appear before the general prosecution on Saturday for undisclosed reasons. Mina is an outspoken proponent of better wages and working conditions for doctors and an advocate for healthcare reform. She recently stirred controversy after publicly stating that hospitals in the country have substandard hygiene practices, an assertion that has been backed by the Doctors Syndicate. A statement of solidarity with Mina has been signed by over 500 prominent figures and activists as well as a number of professional syndicates following a backlash over her comments. In 2012, Mina, a long-time leftist activist, became the first woman to become secretary-general of the Doctors Syndicate. Mina, a founding member of the Egyptian activist group Doctors Without Rights, has also been politically active beyond the scope of her profession, participating in anti-regime protests since the era of former president Hosni Mubarak. Search Keywords: Short link: RAMAT GAN Israel November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EarlySense, the market leader in contact-free continuous monitoring solutions, announced today that it has been named a "Deloitte 2016 Technology Fast 50" company. The annual program recognizes the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Israel, based on growth percentage during the last four years. Fueled by growing sales in the United States, Europe and Asia, EarlySense had a Composite Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 163% in revenue during that period. Herman Miller-Nemschoff Avner Halperin Ellie Hanson Hila Peleg "Companies on the Technology Fast 50 list not only understand the global market but are able to adapt to inevitable changes that occur in such a disruptive and fast-paced environment," said Shally Tshuva Technology, Media & Telecommunications Industry Leader at Deloitte Israel. "EarlySense's accelerated growth over the last four years demonstrates the need for their advanced sensing and analytics platform in hospitals, nursing homes as well as at home."EarlySense's clinically proven contact-free health monitoring solutions are used in medical facilities around the world. In addition, EarlySense has successful medical solution partnerships with Welch Allyn andThe company has also adapted its medical technology for consumer home use, further accelerating its growth. EarlySense technology powers Samsung's SleepSense, Beurer's SE 80 SleepExpert, the iFit Sleep Sensor, and Verlo's SmartWake. The company is also set launch its own home Digital Health solution in 2017.EarlySense's technology uses a unique wireless sensor placed under a mattress to monitor and track patient heart rate, respiratory rate and movement. The solution assists healthcare professionals in early detection of potentially serious events, enabling improved care for patients while providing important financial benefits for facilities."Our global growth is the product of years of clinical research focused on providing highly accurate, real-time healthcare data that enables clinicians to achieve direct measurable improvements," said, CEO of EarlySense. "Our products cater to the entire continuum of healthcare - hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities, as well as people at home. EarlySense will continue to be widely adopted to help improve patient outcomes, save hospitals money, and enable families to care for their loved ones at home, as we bring the power of digital health to every household."EarlySense provides contact-free, continuous monitoring solutions for the medical and consumer digital health markets. EarlySense's patented sensor and advanced algorithms monitor and analyze cardiac, respiratory, sleep and motion parameters. Used in hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide, EarlySense assists clinicians in early detection of patient deterioration, helping to prevent adverse events, including code blues, preventable ICU transfers, patient falls and pressure ulcers.The myEarlySense smart home-compatible consumer solution brings hospital-proven technology to the home, providing valuable data regarding wellness and sleep. myEarlySense OEM technology is at the core of wellness and sleep products marketed by international partners including Samsung, Beurer and iFit. EarlySense was founded in 2004 and has offices in Waltham, MA, and Ramat Gan, Israel.For more information, please visit http://www.EarlySense.com and http://www.myEarlySense.com.Follow EarlySense onLinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.SOURCE EarlySense Advertisement Blood-thinning medications such as heparin are used to reduce the formation of blood clots in the arteries. These drugs should be given in the required amount as a high dose can result in hemorrhaging and low dose can prevent the recurrence of thrombosis.Zhen Gu, associate professor in the joint biomedical engineering program at North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill says, "Our goal was to generate a patch that can monitor a patient's blood and release additional drugs when necessary; effectively, a self-regulating system."Caterina Gallippi, co-author and associate professor in the joint biomedical program, said, "Two years ago, I spoke with Zhen Gu about the significant clinical need for precise delivery of blood thinners.""We, together with Professor Yong Zhu in the mechanical engineering department at NC State, assembled a research team and invented this patch."Smart patch is made of microneedles containing hyaluronic acid and heparin in a polymer. This polymer in turn will respond to thrombin enzyme (an enzyme which initiates blood clotting).When the increased level of thrombin enzyme comes in contact with the microneedles of the smart patch, heparin is released into the bloodstream.Yugi Zhang, a student from Gu's Lab said, "The more thrombin there is in the bloodstream, the more Heparin is needed to reduce clotting.""So we created a disposable patch in which the more thrombin there is in the blood stream, the more Heparin is released."Jicheng Yu, another student in Gu's lab, said, "We will further enhance the loading amount of drug in the patch. The amount of Heparin in a patch can be tailored to a patient's specific needs and replaced daily, or less often, as needed.""But the amount of Heparin being released into the patient at any given moment will be determined by the thrombin levels in the patient's blood."The research study was conducted by testing the Hyaluronic acid - Heparin smart patch in a mouse model. Large doses of thrombin were injected, this when untreated would result in a life-threatening blood clot condition in the lungs.Two experiments were carried out, in the first one the mice were left untreated, few were subjected to heparin shots and hyaluronic-heparin smart patch. The study results found untreated mice died when compared to the heparin shots and smart patch treated mice.In the second experiment, thrombin was injected after 6 hours of treatment, all the mice which received hyaluronic acid - heparin smart patch after 15 minutes were found to be fine, while the 80% of the mice which received heparin injection died.The author concludes that the smart patch will help to treat patients by cutting down the treatment costs. "This paper represents a good first step, and we're now looking for funding to perform additional preclinical testing," he added.Source: Medindia It is caused due to a defective hunting gene which leads to the production of Huntington RNA that is defective. The defective Huntington RNA and protein molecules are found to affect the various cellular processes. The loss of nerve cells in the striatum and the cerebral cortex is believed to lead to cognitive problems like memory loss and mood swings. The defective Huntington gene in the skeletal muscle is believed to be the reason for muscle rigidity and involuntary movements. Child with an affected parent has a 50% chance of acquiring this disease 30,000 symptomatic Americans 200,000 are at risk of inheriting this neurodegenerative disease Advertisement Mood swings, memory loss, changes in the personality Slurred speech Difficulty in swallowing Weight loss Changes in gait This disease condition is a fatal genetic disorder that is characterized by progressive damage to the nerve cells.Andrew Voss and colleagues from Dayton's Wright State University, Ohio, and California State Polytechnic University in a previous study examined this disease in mice. They found that there was skeletal muscle damage during the later stages of the disease along with a decrease in function of a protein called ClC-1. This protein is involved in the conduction of chloride ions into the cell. The loss of function of the protein was ascertained to be due to improper RNA or due to the death of neurons in the skeletal muscles. This lead to hyper excitability and other motor function disability.In the current study, the researchers found that both in the control mice as well as in mice with Huntington's disease, The RNA that codes for ClC-1 was misprocessed when the mice were young. When the mice grew older, the healthy mice started processing the RNA correctly leading to functional ClC-1. The study highlighted that there was lowered functional ClC-1 in mice with Huntington's disease which occurred even before the onset of motor disease. This was determined to be due to an absence of muscle maturation in mice with Huntington's disease.Andrew Voss surmised his study and said "Our results support the idea that HD is a myopathy as well as a neurodegenerative disease and may provide a new opportunity to improve patient care by targeting skeletal muscle tissue."In humans, the symptoms of this disease usually occur between 30 to 50 years of age. As the stage of the disease advances, there is worsening of symptoms over a period of 10 to 15 years. Everyone with the expanded inherited HD gene will develop symptoms for the disease and lose their ability to speak, carry out normal function and lose their memory.The symptoms of the disease includePeople with this neurodegenerative condition ultimately succumb to conditions like heart failure or pneumonia. In the current study, the loss in function of skeletal muscle cells shows the prospective use as a good target for therapy that will restore at least a part of the function, enabling better control over motor abilities. Apart from this, the study highlights the use of skeletal muscle cells as biomarkers that can be used for staging the disease, instead of brain tissue study.Source: Medindia Advertisement "Similar to studies of civilian samples, we found that cancer, stroke and cardiac disease were strong predictors of five-year mortality. But, even after controlling for the impact of these comorbid conditions, we still found a substantial effect for epilepsy," said lead author Mary Jo Pugh, professor of epidemiology, biostatistics and medicine at the UT Health Science Center. "After controlling for comorbidities, IAVs with epilepsy were about 2.6 times more likely to die during the follow-up period than similar veterans without epilepsy."Causes of death were not available from federal databases at the time the study was conducted, Dr. Pugh said. Therefore the report does not speculate on cause of death such as suicidality, car accidents, heart attack, cancer and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.The report makes it clear, however, that deaths and comorbidities were more frequent in the highly vulnerable group of Iraq-Afghanistan veterans with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a complex condition, and the addition of these comorbidities presents health care providers with competing demands, Dr. Pugh said."If you have a patient who comes in and is having seizures, that is often the focus of care because persistent seizures can be life threatening and have a substantial effect on quality of life," she said. "But chronic disease management for other conditions is also needed. We need to take a holistic approach in epilepsy care. We need to take care of epilepsy and other conditions that affect patients' health, quality of life and, ultimately, mortality."This is the first published study to examine mortality in veterans with epilepsy, and is unique compared to studies of epilepsy-related mortality in the United States. Civilian studies in the United States have consisted of small samples in localized areas, not a national population such as the population of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, Dr. Pugh said.However, the growing availability of electronic health records nationally makes this type of study in civilian settings more feasible. Dr. Pugh is developing a plan to examine similar questions in large data sets such as i2b2 locally, and eventually with data from the Great Plains PCORnet Collaborative.Source: Eurekalert Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends. Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice. On October 30, and on November 13, the first and second rounds of the Moldovan presidential elections took place. The pro-Russian and Euro-skeptic leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), Igor Dodon, was the victor with 52% of the votes.[1] Dodon's challenger, the pro-European reformer Maia Sandu of the Action and Solidarity Party, Igor Dodon claimed that the election was marred by numerous irregularities and requested that it be invalidated. About 1,000 demonstrators, gathered in the central square of the Moldovan capital of Chisinau to protest the presidential election outcome, chanting: "I refuse, I resist, I am anti-Socialist."[2] Dodon's election aroused concern in the European Union and Romania, whose political relations with Moldova have been complicated ever since Moldova attained independence in 1991. Moldova on the map. Demonstration against Dodon's election in Chisinau on November 14, 2016 (Source: YouTube) On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moldova's election results demonstrate broad electoral support for Dodon's platform of "bringing socioeconomic stability to the country and pursuing balanced foreign policy goals." Putin expressed his hopes for constructive dialogue and joint activity in promoting Russian-Moldovan relations in accordance with the bilateral Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation.[3] Putin invited Dodon to visit Russia and wished him success as Moldova's head of state.[4] It is worth noting, that Moldova's pro-Russian separatist and largely Russian-speaking region of Transdniester will also conduct presidential elections on December 11, 2016. Transdniester broke away from Moldova in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. It is an unrecognized self-proclaimed republic occupying a strip of land on the left bank of the River Dniester, and is officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. In 1992, tensions with Moldova's central government escalated into armed conflict. On July 21, 1992, a cease-fire agreement was signed by Russia's first president, Boris Yeltsin and Moldovan president Mircea Snegur. Following the agreement, a Russian peacekeeper contingent was stationed in the conflict area, where it has remained to this day. A 2014 picture showing Putin with Dodon, and former Moldovan prime minister Zinaida Grechany . (Source: Kremlin.ru, November 5, 2014) Dodon: Three Main Issues Decided The Elections In an interview with Russian TV journalist Vladimir Soloviev on the Russia 1 channel, Dodon said that he viewed Russia as a strategic partner and expressed euro-skeptic views. Dodon said that three main issues decided the elections: First- the 2015-16 social demonstration in Moldova protesting the political corruption scandals. Second - the unprecedented lack of confidence in euro-integration. Seven years ago, 70% of Moldova's population supported integration, whereas today, due to the economic crisis, only 35-40% of the population supports EU integration. Third - public distrust of the authorities as 80% of the population believe that the government was moving in the wrong political direction. Dodon explained that previously, pro-European political forces were in power, and this helped attract EU and US investments in Moldova. Dodon however claimed that the EU political and financial aid came with strings attached designed to advance the EU's own geo-political interests. Moldova's pro-Western politicians had done nothing to improve living conditions for ordinary people, and the West had supported a corrupt oligarchic system in Moldova. He also stated that the presidential elections victory is just an intermediary success, and called for moving up parliamentary elections so the pro-Western government could be replaced.[5] Dodon stressed the importance of restoring ties with Russia and Moldova's participation in economic integration with Moscow and the Eurasian Economic Union. The restrictions on the import of Moldovan goods to Russia were introduced after Moldova began its rapprochement with the EU. Before Moldova initialed the association agreement with the EU in 2013, Moscow banned Moldovan wine. After it signed the associating agreement in 2014, Moscow extended the ban to fruit and vegetables as well. In his last televised pre-election confrontation with pro-European candidate Maia Sand, Dodon said that once elected, he would make his first official visit to Russia, where he would discuss opening the Russian market to Moldovan producers and the plight of Moldovan labor migrants in Russia. Dodon said: "Without the Russian market, Moldova's economy will not survive."[6] However, the Russian media cautioned that Dodon's intent to ease Russian-Moldovan relations would encounter opposition from Moldova's parliament and government that are still controlled by the Democratic Party. That party is associated with the oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc and its leaders are unsympathetic towards Russia.[7] Dodon interviewed by Russian TV journalist Vladimir Soloviev (YouTube.com) Moldova-EU Relations During the electoral campaign, Dodon pledged to cancel the association agreement with the EU[8] to facilitate Moldova's joining the Eurasian Economic Union. After the election Dodon backtracked and explained that Moldova cannot afford to cancel the EU agreement. Radio Romania International commented as follows: " Aware that half of the electorate that had voted for [Dodon's] opponent, pro-European reformer Maia Sandu, would not tolerate a brutal reversal of the foreign policy vector, Dodon says that the republic [of Moldova] does not need [to become] what he called a Ukrainian 'waste land'hinting at the large-scale demonstrations which in early 2014, triggered the collapse of the pro-Moscow [Yanukovych] regime in Kiev and the instatement of a pro-Western administration. However, he demands that the European Union replace the free trade regime stipulated under the association agreement with an asymmetrical trade regime, which would enable the Republic of Moldova to export goods on the community [single] market without paying customs dues."[9] Moldova-NATO Relations Dodon said that he will insist on the resignation of Moldova's Defense Minister Anatol Salaru, who wants Moldova to abandon its neutrality status and join NATO. Dodon amplified: "Under the constitution, the president can decree the dismissal of a government member. It is possible for a minister to resign at the prime minister's initiative and by a presidential decree. But the president is the supreme commander-in-chief of the National Army, so, I will insist on the earliest resignation of such a person as Salaru." Dodon accuses Salaru of violating Moldova's constitutional neutrality by urging the country to join NATO. The Russian news agency Tass wrote: "[Salaru] sanctioned military drills with the participation of NATO countries on the territory of [Moldova]. Apart from that, he called on NATO to help transform the peacekeeping operation in Transdniester involving Russian, Moldovan and Transdniesterian forces into an international mission of civil monitors. Several days ago, the Moldovan defense minister said he had agreed with his Ukrainian counterpart, Stepan Poltorak, to draft a joint plan for the withdrawal of Russian troops and weapons from Transdniester, which would provide for the establishment of a 'green corridor'across Ukrainian territory for them. Dodon's Party of Socialists has twice launched parliamentary initiatives to have Salaru dismissed.. Aside from allegedly violating the constitution, the party accuses the defense minister of large-scale embezzlement. The pro-European parliamentary majority refused to back the Socialists'move out of fear of a possible split in the ruling coalition."[10] Dodon also plans to exclude Liberal Party leader Mihai Ghimpu from the Supreme Security Council. Moldova-Romania Relations - Dodon: Washington Wants To Achieve Moldova-Romania Unificaton After the elections, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said that Dodon should exercise his mandate with 'wisdom and balance'. Iohannis'communique read: "The Romanian President reaffirms...the firm support of our country for the European path of the Republic of Moldova and highlights Romania's support for the further development of the bilateral Strategic Partnership for European integration of the Republic of Moldova and for the continuation of the bilateral cooperation between the government and the local authorities in the Republic of Moldova, in line with its citizens' expectations."[11] However, Dodon's presidency could provoke a deterioration of Moldova's relations with Romania. Radio Romania International stated that Dodon already threatened to proscribe organizations that seek unification with Romania, to strip certain Romanian nationals of their citizenship, and change Moldova's national flag, which is almost identical to the Romanian one.[12] However, Dodon recently stressed that his rhetoric is neither anti-Romanian, nor anti-Unionist (i.e. against the union of Romania and Moldova).[13] In February 2016, Dodon accused Washington of organizing a plot to unite Moldova with Romania in 2018. Dodon said: "Now, the Americans have another plan, much more scaring, called 'the Union 2018,'which is the unification of the Republic of Moldova with Romania to mark one century from the Great Union of 1918 [i.e. the union of Bessarabia with the Kingdom of Romania that happened in 1918]."[14] On March 2016, thousands of people demonstrated in the streets if the Moldavian capital Chisinau, calling for Moldova's reunification with EU-member Romania. The demonstrators stated that reunification with Romania would imply joining the EU and that would be the way to fight corruption in Moldova. In October 2016, a rally took place in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, calling as well for Romania's reunification with Moldova.[15] The head of the Bucharest-based Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning, Professor Iulian Chifu, said: "We are talking about a different reality when it comes to the Republic of Moldova. This was a rift state to begin with, and Igor Dodon's election is not the best news for Bucharest, considering his past, his election rhetoric, and his electoral platform. However, we are talking about good neighborhood, a neighboring state, as well as a government and parliament that continue to be pro-European, even if President Dodon wants early elections and wants to take over power completely. We should ponder over the next period how the policies of these two states lie, but again, as long as there is continuity for the big actors, there is little probability to see things that powerful."[16] Russia's Deputy PM Rogozin: 'Preexistent Extreme Westernism [In Moldova] Is Discredited' On July 5-6, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin visited Moldova, after two-year interval. The visit was an opportunity to present to Chisinau a "road map" towards the restoration of trade and economic relations between Russia and Moldova. However, he complained that Moldova's government was interested only in having Russia remove certain trade barriers, using the word "embargo" to describe Russia's ban on Moldova's products. During the official visit, Rogozin explained to the Russian newspaper Kommersant how Russia would want to restore trade and political relations with the Moldova. Rogozin said: "What do we need? We need to have Moldova as a friendly state, participating in economic integration with Russia and the Eurasian Community, and we need Moldova to consistently follow the policy oriented towards removal of huge political, economic and other disagreements, including those with the left bank of the Dniester [i.e. Transdniester]. Because there are not only half a million our compatriots living there, but also 200 thousand Russian citizens, and we will have to fight for them and defend them in every way. That is why, despite the low weight of Moldova in the entire complex of Russia's relations with the outside world, there are some really deep scratches here that make us keep the Russian bandage in place."[17] Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin (Source: Kommersant.ru) Concerning Russian military interests in Moldova, Rogozin said: "Moldova is a country with a conflict on its territory - the Transdniester conflict. Talking about the need to change the form of the peace-keeping mission now is a grave mistake [in July 2016, Moldova talked about replacing the Russian peacekeeping forces in Transdniester with an international mission of civil observers under UN's control];[18] it's nonsense, because the status of the peace-keeping mission is the last business in the long line of affairs we will have to touch upon in our relations...If Russia has to keep its military contingent and its peace-keepers far from its own territory, especially given that we have to support them over the head of Ukraine with its hostile government, it means that our interests in Moldova are serious enough. And these interests are connected to the blood that was spilled here. And we will do everything so that blood would not flow in the Dniester again."[19] The Transdniester region. Discussing Moldova-EU relations, Rogozin stated already back in July: "The tone has clearly changed. There are no more stupid - excuse me for being so blunt - and sweeping statements to the effect that tomorrow Moldova will join the European Union and therefore it does not need anybody anymore; this is definitely not happening now. Plus our colleagues have another heavy anchor attached to their feet - it is the statistics of trade relations both with Brussels and with Moscow. All their hopes for easy victory, for fast advance to the heights they had in their sight, evaporated. Trade relations with Russia dropped by 40%, and with the EU - by 20%... I think that it is evident that the preexisting rampant Westernism is discredited, and the people who come to power in Chisinau now have more ties to business, to the real economy. These people, if they have come to stay, by virtue of their education and life experience cannot take risks the way the extreme Westernists did. That is why a balanced position of Moldova in its relations with Russia and the West is a critical necessity, and any political fore that aspires to power will realize it."[20] Discussing Moldova-Romania relations, Rogozin mentioned that upon his arrival in Moldova, he received a text message on his mobile, stating "Welcome to Romania". Rogozin commented: "I read the SMS and I proceed from what I read. I start looking into the window, to see where I have arrived. What if there is an emergency and we have landed in Bucharest? So, this is a question of Moldovan politics. If they want to be part of Romania, it's better to let Transdniester go amicably, the easy way; if they don't want to be part of Romania, if they want to remain a sovereign state, a smart state that will protect all its citizens, then they will need years, but those years will not be wasted in vain. They will be used to restore Moldova's territorial integrity...I may say whatever I wish, so may any other politician, but the fact remains the same, and it is undeniable even for the most fervent advocates of unification with Romania. If Moldova makes a step towards Romania, Transdniester will fall out on this steep curve."[21] Rogozin: Talking About Returning Transdniester To Moldova 'Recalls The Japanese Talking About The Return Of The South Kuril Islands' Discussing Moldova relations with the pro-Russian separatist region of Transdniester, Kommersant correspondent Vladimir Solovyov mentioned that the former Prime Minister, Valery Strelets, when he stopped being Prime Minister, said that if Transdniester had agreed to return to Moldova, Chisinau wouldn't have been ready, because there was no plan for that contingency. To that, Rogozin answered: "If we count the years that have passed since Transdniester became autonomous, it's almost 26 years, which is more than one generation; a new generation has grown in Moldova, which does not know Transdniester, does not consider it 'theirs', does not understand what re-integration means. And a new generation has grown in Transdniester, which does not see anything interesting in Moldova either. They are interested either in Russian citizenship and working in Russia, or in being a labor migrant in the European Union. There are young men who strive to obtain European citizenship. So, if we keep sitting on the fence watching the constant change of governments in Moldova, some more time will pass and then this problem will disappear by itself. These two territories will simply cease to have even a minimal number of features that could unite them in one state. And all the talks about returning this territory to Moldova recalls the Japanese talking about the return of the South Kuril islands. They perform this ritual talk, but they understand that in reality it's impossible."[22] Kommersant's correspondent remarked that Rogozin always differentiates Transdniester from the right-bank Moldova in his words, telling the deputy PM that he talks about [the capital and administrative center of Transdniester] Tiraspol with warmth, but about Chisinau rather coldly. Rogozin answered the correspondent that he does not feel that way and that he should not "provoke" him on this subject. Rogozing then added: "The problem is of another kind. Naturally, I am irritated by crazy people who may appear in any country's politics, including Moldova. I am irritated by some people on the Russian political scene, that's normal. I have my principles, I am Russian, I am not some cosmopolitan. That's why when I speak of such people in Moldova's politics, I speak coldly." The Kommensant correspondent insisted that Russia helps Transdniester and does not help the right-bank Moldova. "The bias is obvious. In Transdniester there are construction projects, social facilities, and in Moldova - nothing of the kind," said the correspondent. Rogozin answered: "As far as I know, Moldova is not in a state of isolation and economic blockade...We understand that if we don't help Transdniester, it will not manage on its own. Without Russian aid, Transdniester will not survive, I am absolutely convinced of this. As for Moldova, it will survive, because it is not isolated. In fact, we help the people of Transdniester a lot, but Moldova also gets significant help from Russia. It's quite obvious. Labor migration - just think how much money in foreign currency is added to the budget of Moldova from 700 thousand labor migrants." The Kommersant correspondent remarked that this can be "hardly called help," since those 700 thousand labor migrants work and earn money. Rogozin then commented: "And what do you think we are, a revolving door for migrants? We can make any decisions that are related, for example, to diversification of labor migration. Or, vice-versa, to welcome some people more than others. We want Moldovans to work in our economic entities, we think that they are close to us in their views, faith, joint traditions of living in the same state. And we will never do anything to hurt them; I always take care to ensure that in our Russian part of the intergovernmental commission the issues of migration are always raised in a positive way. Therefore, talking about help, it is great help when the absolute majority of labor migrants have chosen Russia with their head, their hands and feet, their labor. Paradoxically, despite this labor migration, certain political forces in Moldova are starting to turn in the opposite direction."[23] Rogozin: 'It's As If [Local Oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc] Is A Former Bad Guy Who Became A Good Guy Because He Caved In To The Great America' Vladimir Plahotniuc (Source: Protv.md) The Kommersant correspondent mentioned that when Rogozin arrived to the Chisinau airport, he was greeted with slogans "Invader" and other epithets. Solovyov added: "But Moldova itself is called 'an invaded state' by European politicians. It is thought that Moldova is ruled by the controversial oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, who is behind the Prime Minister Pavel Filip and the Deputy Prime Minister Octavian Calmic." Rogozin then said jokingly that those who screamed "Invader" confused him with Plahotniuc. Vladimir Plahotniuc is a Moldovan oligarch and he is considered to be a sort of eminence grise behind the Democratic Party, which rules the country. Plahotniuc's name has been connected to accusation of corruption.[24] Rogozin stated: "If there is any invader here, it is definitely not I. Let them look for invaders within themselves. I repeat, I know various people but I am not inclined to give them any evaluations, including negative ones. People tend to change. We shall see; if there are pragmatic and cynical puppeteers - and they may have different names - who thought it necessary to set Moldova on a more pragmatic course, we will react to that as well." The Kommersant correspondent then added: "In Washington, Mr. Plahotniuc is treated as a real decision maker, as opposed to Filip or Calmic and other cabinet members." Rogozin answered: "We do not want to know such subtleties. We prefer to deal with the official leadership." Commenting further on Plahotniuc, Rogozin said: "Criminal Moldova, naturally, worries us. We cannot negotiate with frauds and renegades. Americans can. To Americans, if it's their lowlife, it's their lowlife. It's as if he's a former bad guy who became a good guy because he caved in to the Great America [referring to Plahotniuc, who visited Washington in May, 2016]." Endnotes: Kuwaiti researcher Ghadeer Jamal said that a husband was allowed to beat his wife in order to reform her if she is rebellious, so long as he does not do it out of revenge and does not leave marks on her body. Speaking on the Kuwaiti Alkout TV channel on October 13 and 15, she said that denial of the husband's marital rights and leaving the house without the husband's permission were the two cases of a wife's rebelliousness. Following are excerpts Ghadeer Jamal: Rebellion on the part of a wife might occur in two cases, in which she is disobedient in matters defined by Allah: The first is denying the husband the pleasure he has the right to derive from her, and the second is stepping out of his house without permission. [...] The husband is allowed to beat his wife, if there is hope that this will make her obedient again. He is allowed to do it to the minimal extent that may have the desired effect. The beatings must not continue after the goal has been achieved. Otherwise, the beatings will only grow stronger. [Beating is permitted] as long as it is not hard, leaving black or red marks on her body. It must be for the purpose of reform, not for the sake of revenge. If the beating goes beyond that, it becomes a felony, and the husband must pay a fine, according to both the shari'a and the law of the state. Thus, the issue of wife-beating is a double-edged sword. If the husband beats his wife and leaves marks on her body, if her skin color changes - becoming red or black - or if she bleeds, he must pay financial compensation, as determined by Islamic law. [...] All this is assuming that there is a possibility that beating will make the wife mend her ways. If the husband knows that there is even a 5% possibility that it will not reform her, he must not beat her. [...] Egypt's interior ministry called on citizens in a Tuesday statement to be "cautious" about participating in any survey or poll conducted by foreign media companies. "Citizens should be careful about the twisted ways [foreign entities use] to garner information about the situation inside the country with the aim of harming national security," the ministry said in an online statement. The ministry said that there have been increased complaints by citizens who say they have received phone calls from foreign media companies asking for their opinion about economic, political and security issues "under the pretext of preparing media reports and opinion polls." Search Keywords: Short link: As we get closer to the end of yet another year, Mumbai is opening up doors to newer cafes and bars for us to try out, just in time for the party season to kick in! From the Greek taverna all the way from Goa to a travel-inspired barthere is something for every wandering soul. Here is a list of the ten best newly opened places across the city to get you in the party mood, just before party season! 1. Thalassa, Khar Thalassa Opened 10 years ago in Goa, this iconic restaurant has brought the same great vibe, along-with the same smell of the sea, to the city and we cant be happier. The menu comprises of traditional Greek comfort food along with healthy vegetarian selections. Some of the must-haves include Mini Chicken Souvlakis, Lamb Kebab, Beef Gyros, Moussakas, Spana Karizo and Chocolate Baklava. Signature cocktails like Mykonos Blue and Corfu Sunset are a must-try. Where: 21st Street, Khar (W), Off Carter Road Cost for two: Rs. 1500+ 2. Blanco Bar and Eatery, Lokhandwala Blanco Blanco has been widely appreciated for its ambience which is fashioned after the cafes in Santorini. They have an open terrace space, low Pouf-seating and three private cabanas. The food is majorly inspired from the Mediterranean cuisine and the cocktails are specially curated for Blanco, which are thematically designed. Must-haves include Cold Pizza, Sprout Khichdi and shots like Cokane and the Smoking Bong. Where: Blanco 201-202, Samarth Vaibhav co-op housing society ltd, off link road, Oshiwara, Andheri west, Near Sykz Gym Cost for two: Rs. 1400 with alcohol 3. Luna Nudo & Luna Gusta, Lower Parel Luna Nudo St. Regis known for its unsurpassed luxury and bespoke services launched a modern European restaurant on Level 37, Luna Gusta, along-with the pulsating infusion Bar Luna Nudo. The cocktail menu is the stuff that good drama is made of. A must-try is the Personified Moon and Lady of Eclipse. Where: St. Regis, Palladium, Lower Parel Cost for two: Rs. 6000+ with alcohol 4. Reise All day Bar and Kitchen, Andheri (E) Reise This is a travel-inspired bar designed to transport guests to other worlds entirely from the moribund monotony of a metropolis. It has an extravagant F&B menu showcasing multiple cuisines and a well-balanced menu from around the world. Must-haves include Kundan Tara and Thepla Tocitos; for drinks, try the Mudslide and the Dark & Stormy. Where: 45,Tarun Bharat Society, Near Cigarette Factory, Chakala, Andheri East Cost for two: Rs. 1200+ with alcohol 5. Hideout Cafe and Bar, Lower Parel Hideout They call it the ultimate hideaway where you can unwind and enjoy a wide array of exotic sheeshas, drinks and food, at some great prices. This one is typically known amongst the SoBo crowd, for their long happy hours . Must-haves include the Grilled Roasted Baby Potatoes, Chicken Dynamite, Cheesy Chicken and signature cocktails such as Pomegranate Pizzaz, Siamese Twins. Where: Unit 9&10, Block 16, High Street Phoenix, Opposite Sky Zone, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel Cost for two: Rs. 1300+ with alcohol 6. Independence Brewing Company, Andheri (W) Independence Brewing Company This microbrewery has a very upscale casual ambience with a rich and classy look. They screen major sporting events. There's 8 craftbeers to choose from while you catch up with your friends, or play board games like Scotland Yard, Cluedo, Truth or Dare, Jenga, etc. Their newly launched items are a must-try: Raspberry Pie, Method to Madness, Ixcacao, Bournbon Oak Aged Brown Ale with some good food like Balsamic Brushetta, Stuffed Baked Chicken and the Veg Platter. Where: Boolani Estate Owners Premises Co-op. Soc. Ltd. B-41, Unit 001 and 101, New Link Road, Opp Citi Mall, Andheri (West) Cost for two: Rs. 2000 with food and beers 7. Magazine RestoBar, Bandra Magazine Ever wondered what it would be like to be inside a magazine? The textured walls, wooden chairs and gold-themed bar give you a feeling of luxury. Choose from a lip-smacking assortment of Mexican, Chinese and Continental cuisine along with uniquely crafted cocktails. Must-haves include Grilled Chicken Dry Red Chilli, Chipotle Paneer with Magazine Bull and Bo-Po. Where: 155, Waterfield Road, Bandra West Cost for two: Rs. 1200+ with alcohol 8. Asia Kitchen and Bar, Andheri (E) Asia Kitchen & Bar This one promises you a gastronomic adventure. Their in-house concoctions are packed with a punch and are delicious.They are also presented in a very unique way that is sure to get one asking for more. Must-haves include Fried Tuna rolls, Seabass and Truffle oil dumpling, Barbeque Chicken Bao, Asian Pizza with Oriental Greens and the Sake Sangria. Where: Asia Kitchen & Bar, Sakinaka Junction, Andheri Kurla Road, Sakinaka Cost for two: Rs. 1200+ 9. Craftbar, Bandra (E) Craftbar The not-so-hippy eastern Bandra gets its own new gastropub finally, and not along the lines of BKC. A fusion menu consisting of Kasundi Chicken Kulfi, Chicken Barta with Bun, Solkadi Shots with Prawn Golgappa along-with cocktails like Mogambo Khush Hua, Silencer, and Matchfixing, Where: Hallmark Buisness Plaza, Guru Nanak Hospital Road, Bandra (E) Cost for two: Rs. 2000+ with alcohol 10. The Tipsy Townhouse, Fort Tipsy Townhouse They call it the friendly neighborhood bar for friends, colleagues and more to meet, network and socialize while not worrying about the pockets. Must-have drinks include Tipsy Way, Fishbowl, Walking Zombie and Sin Where: #16, Murzban Road, Near Sterling Cinema, Fort Cost for two: Rs. 1200+ Love triumphs us all, is imperative for peace to prevail and some people seem to go all out to stand for it. Dalcolm Rodriguez-Goldstein is trying to make this world a better place in his own sweet way. He is convincing the world for appointing Mia Khalifa as the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "Mia Khalifa has a proven track record of bringing people together", he explains. He has started the petition on Change.org and is garnering a lot of support, which comes as no surprise. The petition has already received more than 1300 signatures and is probably being signed by many more as you read this. This appeal to Donald Trump has been received with great fervour by the residents there but the main question is whether Trump will give his nod or not. HTTfuckingR A photo posted by Mia Khalifa (@notthefakemiakhalifa) on Nov 20, 2016 at 1:56pm PST What do you think; will peace prevail if Khalifa takes charge? Just few days ago, 2015 UPSC topper Tina Dabi declared her relationship with Athar Amil-ul-Shafi Khan on social media. Athar had ranked second in the exam and had lost the first rank to Tina. They received immense support from well wishers and many people congratulated them on their marriage plans. Allegedly, The Hindu Mahasabha or the moral police of India do not approve of this relationship and are definitely not happy about this news. The national secretary of The Hindu Mahasabha wrote a letter to Dabis parents saying that while he was happy about Tinas hard work and achievements, Dabis father should reconsider the match. He also wrote that Dabis father consider making Athar undergo Ghar Vapsi. All this because Dabi is a Dalit and Athar is a Muslim! The Hindu Mahasabha has declared their relationship to be Love Jihad Facebook The couple first met at the Department Of Personnel And Training (DoPT) in Delhi and started going out soon after. This is what Tina had to say about the matter- "As any freethinking independent woman I am entitled to certain choices. I am very happy with my choice and so is Aamir. Our parents are happy too. But there will always be those elements, that small minority who will always pass negative comments about dating someone from another religion. It is just that 5%. The majority are very happy. You would have seen in my Facebook timeline that most of the comments are encouraging, The increasing amount of road accidents in Japan courtesy of elderly motorists is turning into a menace for the Japanese police and after numerous attempts; they seem to have come up with a suitable solution that might be beneficial. Now, elderly drivers can get discounts on ramen noodles if they surrender their drivers license. Twitter Around 17 million Japanese drivers are above the age of 65 and it only makes sense they surrender their licenses, rather than just continuing to drive out of pride. If only every country had such interesting perks for giving up driving when one hits 65, this world could get rid of unwanted accidents pretty soon. Imagine someone giving old citizens free butter chicken for life here in India, if they surrender their licenses and give up driving for good. We can only hope, right? If someone is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21, the whole world comes down crashing for them and some people die the moment the doctors tells them there is little time left. For Kanika Tekriwal, her cancer diagnosis not only made her stronger, but also helped her to achieve her dreams fearlessly. Now at the age of 28 and fully recovered, Kanika is the Founder and CEO of JetSetGo, an online booking company that controls the chartering of 80% of Indias private jet and helicopter fleets. JetSetGo is considered to be Indias first and possibly the only marketplace for private jets and helicopters that enables the users to search and charter aircrafts across India. She started her company in the year 2013 and it has been growing ever since. CNN Kanika Tekriwal is from Bhopal and an alumna of the Jawaharlal Nehru School, BHEL. She finished her graduation in Mumbai and MBA in England. Kanikas company manages assets worth nearly $70 million and contracts running into $20 million. Check out this video here where she talks about her achievements and why her company stands out from the crowd. JetSetGo So how does JetSetGo work? If you want to hire an aircraft, you can go to the site and fill up your requirements post which you will be taken to the list of options available for you. The website further provides details of the aircrafts and airstrips where the aircraft can operate. In fact, the company goes all out to ensure that you get the best of facilities. This young entrepreneur was also featured in the 30 under 30 achievers of Asia list in the Forbes Magazine. The inspiring story of Kanika Tekriwal is proof that if you set out to do something, nothing, not even the fear of death can stop you from achieving it. Source: CNN Money Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki stressed on Tuesday the importance of launching a joint committee aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in all fields between the two countries, a statement by the Egyptian presidents office read. The two leaders also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in different fields, including agriculture and fisheries, as well as continued technical assistance to Eritrea from the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD). The EAPD, established by El-Sisi in June 2014, aims to support African development by dispatching experts in several fields to African countries. The Egyptian president praised the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in international forums, stressing on the importance of increasing coordination and discussions on the regions peace and stability related issues. Afwerki expressed his appreciation for the leading role that Egypt plays in pushing development plans in Africa. Egypt received over the past few weeks multiple African leaders who expressed readiness to boost bilateral cooperation. Search Keywords: Short link: The law gives existing NGOs one year to adjust their legal status and creates a new regulatory body Two thirds of Egypt's MPs approved on Tuesday a new 89-article law aimed at regulating the operations of NGOs in the country. The law, drafted by parliament's social solidarity committee, will give the existing NGOs one year to adjust their legal conditions instead of six months as it was proposed in an earlier draft last week. The law, which was reviewed in legal and constitutional terms by the State Council, also stipulates that the president will be exclusively empowered with naming the secretary-general of the National Foreign NGOs Regulation Apparatus (NFNRA) would regulate the operations of foreign NGOs in Egypt and monitoring all their sources of foreign funding. The parliaments speaker, Ali Abdel-Aal, told MPs that "the State Council recommended that article 75 of the law be amended to indicate in clear terms how the secretary-general of the NFNRA will be named." "As a result," said Abdel-Aal, "parliament's social solidarity committee proposed that article 75 of the law be amended to safeguard the president's constitutional right to name heads of regulatory bodies, including a head of the NFNRA. The law, according to article 70, stipulates that foreign NGOs seeking to operate in Egypt must secure prior approval from the NFNRA. The Ministry of Social Solidarity opposed the creation of the new body, arguing that the ministry itself can perform regulatory activities "since it has a long experience in this field." Last week, the ministry warned the in a letter sent to parliament that the creation of the NFNRA would be a costly and bureaucratic move especially at a time when the government is struggling to reduce budget deficit and implement administrative reform. MPs, however, rejected the ministry's request, insisting that the new body primarily aims to prevent suspicious foreign funding of any disruptive political activity which could be conducted under the pretence of promoting democracy. MPs also argued that the work of the new body would prevent foreign funding from being used to fund terrorist activities. Article 70 states of the new law stipulates that the NFNRA would carry out its duties under the jurisdiction of Cabinet. "This regulatory body will take charge of overseeing all the activities of foreign NGOs in Egypt, including all forms of their cooperation with governmental and non-governmental institutions inside the country, as well as supervising all forms of foreign funding given to local Egyptian NGOs and civil society organisations." After gaining the approval of the overwhelming majority of MPs, Abdel-Aal said Egypts parliament has taken a historic move towards regulating the operations of NGOs on a new basis that would safeguard national security and prevents chaos. The 89-article NGOs law gained initial approval from MPs in a plenary session on 15 November, after which it was referred to the State Council-affiliated Department of Legislation and Fatwas to be revised in constitutional and legal terms. Joining forces, Abdel-Hadi Al-Qasabi, chairman of parliament's social solidarity committee which drafted the law, expressed dismay that "some foreign players attempted to exert pressure on parliament to change some of the articles of this law. "But we rejected all of these attempts and worked day and night to issue a law that will secure Egypt's national security and close the doors of any suspicious funding." The head of parliament's pro-government coalition Support Egypt, Mohamed El-Sewedi, said that the law would help NGOs operating in Egypt focus on development activities. "We have done our best to guarantee that this law was issued in a way that will be satisfactory to all those working in the NGO field," said El-Sewedi. El-Sewedi said the parliament drafted the new law while keeping in mind proposals from the State Council and the General Union of NGOs. "We also accepted some of the amendments proposed by the social solidarity ministry," said El-Sewedi. He explained that "one of the key last-minute amendments was that heads and board members of NGOs will be under the supervision of the Central Auditing Agency not to the Ministry of Justice-affiliated Illicit Funds Apparatus. El-Sewedi said that they responded to the demand of the ministry of social solidarity that NGOs currently operating in Egypt be allowed a one-year grace period instead of six months to adjust its legal status. The ministry said the number of NGOs registered in Egypt stands at 48,500, saying such large number requires time to adjust to new legal provisions. Another last-minute amendment to the draft came in article 7 raised the minimum capital required to register an NGO to 50.000 EGP up from 10.000 EGP. "This was a recommendation from the General Union of NGOs which said 50,000 EGP will weed out unserious requests for licensing," said El-Qasabi. Last week 22 NGOs and 6 political parties issued a statement criticising the law saying it would end civil society by putting it under the control of government and security bodies. The statement also attacked the law for putting in place penalties of jail sentences of up to 5 years in jail as well as hefty fines for violators. MP Haitham El-Hariri, a member of 25/30 coalition issued a statement on his official Facebook page Tuesday asking President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi not to ratify the law. El-Hariri has been vocal against the NGO law. Search Keywords: Short link: SOCAR talks implementation of AGRI project The Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) project is not dead, but its implementation needs time, Suleyman Gasimov, vice-president for economic issues at Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, said, Romanian media reported.Gasimov said that the project requires big investments.It is necessary to build a terminal in Georgia, and then another one in Romania, he noted.Currently, SOCAR participates in other projects the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) which envisage the supplies of Azerbaijani gas to Europe.However, SOCAR's vice-president said that the AGRI project may be implemented if all its parties support the projects implementation.AGRI project envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the Black Sea coast of Georgia via gas pipelines. Azerbaijani gas delivered to Georgia's Black Sea coast will be liquefied at a special terminal and following this, it will be delivered in tankers to a terminal at the Romanian port of Constanta.Furthermore, it will be brought to the gaseous state and sent via Romanian gas infrastructure for meeting the demands of Romania and other European countries.The cost of the project is estimated to be between 1.2 billion euros and 4.5 billion euros, according to the preliminary estimations.The participants of the AGRI project are the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Georgia's Oil and Gas Corporation, as well as MVM (Hungary) and Romgaz (Romania).The parties established the SC AGRI LNG Project Company SRL in February 2011 for the implementation of the project. Turkey's ruling AK Party is close to finalising its proposal on constitutional reform and will meet with the nationalist opposition one more time to iron out the details, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in a speech in parliament on Tuesday. Devlet Bahceli, leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said earlier he believed the bill - which would pave the way for the executive presidency long sought by President Tayyip Erdogan - could be sent to the constitutional commission once "one or two" issues are overcome. After the commission stage, the bill would be put to parliament's general assembly which will vote on whether to take the issue to a referendum. Search Keywords: Short link: Hundreds of members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement are gathering in the West Bank for a special leadership conference that is expected to cement the rule of the longtime leader. Delegates will be voting for membership in Fatah's two main decision-making bodies. While the election is expected to bring some new faces into the leadership structure, it is largely seen as an attempt to block the return of Abbas' exiled rival, Mohammed Dahlan. Dahlan has reportedly forged close ties with the leaders of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the region. In recent months, Abbas has come under growing pressure from several Arab leaders to reinstate Dahlan. Instead, Abbas decided to schedule Fatah elections, effectively excluding Dahlan. Abbas is scheduled to address the gathering this evening. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: The Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for Greek Diaspora Affairs, Terens Quick, met today with the President of the Centre for the Greek Language, Emeritus Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Ioannis Kazazis. Mr. Kazazis briefed Mr. Quick on the Centre for the Greek Language and its activities, putting particular emphasis on the Centres role as the sole agency of the Greek state responsible for certification of knowledge of the Greek language, as well as on the actions the Centre has undertaken for qualitative promotion of the teaching and learning of Greek as a foreign or second language. The Deputy Minister agreed with Mr. Kazazis that the Foreign Ministry will support the effort towards maximum promotion of the programme for certification of Greek language learning abroad, both at centres where Greek is taught as a foreign language and among Greek communities abroad. It is noted that the Centre for the Greek Language is responsible for carrying out the examinations for attainment in Greek, which are held every May at over 150 accredited examination centres around the world. The Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for Greek Diaspora Affairs, Terens Quick, had a courtesy meeting today with the Romanian Ambassador to Greece, Lucien Fatu, at the latters request. During the meeting, the excellent level of bilateral relations in all fields was reaffirmed, while emphasis was put on the existence of a large Greek community in Romania, part of which has historical roots and a long-standing presence in the country. Reference was also made to the new Greek community, members of which have developed business activities, benefiting from advantages of the Romanian market in various sectors. Deputy Foreign Minister Quick stressed that Greek communities everywhere are of great importance to the country, adding that he is scheduling meetings with the Greek community in Romania during his visit there in 2017. N. KOTZIAS: We picked up the thread of foreign policy over the last two-to-three years overall. We came to re-strengthen our relations with Libya and to talk with my colleague, the countrys Foreign Minister, about matters of political, economic, cultural and educational cooperation. We looked at ways in which we can help Libya to improve its communication and intensify its relationship with the European Union. We talked about and agreed on forms of cooperation on all levels, as concerns the two Foreign Ministries, and we discussed the prospects we will have for cooperation between the two states, Greece and Libya, in tourism and in the management of the major migration problem. It is well known that Libya doesnt send migrants. In fact the migration flows pass through this country and, as such, right now there are over a million people from Central Africa on Libyan territory. JOURNALIST: With regard to the migration problem, what controls can Libya implement? N. KOTZIAS: Libya had put together a programme two years ago; a programme that needed a large investment of over 600 million -- today, perhaps 1 billion -- for electronic monitoring and control of its southern borders. The European Union has yet to find the money or the willingness, but it needs to do so for this programme to be implemented in collaboration with Libya. JOURNALIST: With regard to the other major issue, the strengthening of Libyas territorial integrity and unity? N. KOTZIAS: We stressed the need for there to be cooperation between forces that are against terrorism, and, in fact, we said that we are always at the disposal of Libya and other states in the region for mediation. As you know, our country very often facilitates talks between third countries, without publicity, and I think that we once again strengthened the ties of friendship we have had with this region and its people since antiquity. JOURNALIST: When will the Greek Embassy in Libya be opening, Mr. Minister? N. KOTZIAS: Our Secretary General, Mr. Paraskevopoulos, went and saw it today. It is in a very good location, I would say, in comparison with other Embassies. It is situated between the Libyan supreme court and a large police station, so there is security, and in December we will send a technical committee to look at issues of water supply, electricity supply, etc., which have to be settled. At the beginning of next year we will proceed to the appointment of an Ambassador to Libya. JOURNALIST: Is there a prospect of a trilateral cooperation configuration with Libya, Mr. Minister? N. KOTZIAS: We want to do it, but we have to overcome a number of problems -- not our problems, but Libyas. JOURNALIST: Concerning the cooperation we proposed with regard to the training of the Libyan coast guard? N. KOTZIAS: Yes, we have already started, and, in fact, they proposed that we also help them train the Presidential Guard. In general, as you know, our country has a tradition of training military officers from many North African countries. The training actions strengthen the friendship between Greece and Libya a great deal. I formulated a proposal and I told them that we are also prepared to contribute with two scholarships for persons who want to study European affairs and do a graduate degree in Greece. JOURNALIST: Are discussions taking place regarding the EEZ? N. KOTZIAS: For Libya, the EEZ is not an issue to be dealt with at this time, but we will certainly deal with it in the future. JOURNALIST: Thank you very much. N. KOTZIAS: I am very thankful to Mohamed and to Mr President for the hospitality. The people of Libya and Greece have a very long, common history, many common elements in their culture and in their civilization. Today I talked with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Libya about our cooperation in many sectors, about cooperation on economic goals we have set together, the training of the coastguard of Libya, the creation of networks with universities, research centres. The core of our discussion was the cooperation between our two Ministries, specifically in areas that concern European integration. We have invited groups of people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Libya to visit Greece, to use our knowledge and expertise on issues concerning the European Union. We discussed the situation in our region and our common interests in security and stability in the Mediterranean. I invited my colleague to come to Athens. It would be a great pleasure to have him with us. And once again I would like to express how thankful I am for this invitation today and the opportunity I was given to visit Libya. JOURNALIST: Question on Greek-Libyan relations. N. KOTZIAS: First, I have to mention that in 2017 we intend to reopen our embassy here in Tripoli. Second, about Egypt, we have a very long standing, friendly relationship with this countrys people. As I always say to our European and American friends, we are linked with all these countries in the Mediterranean region by about 5 to 7 thousand years of common history. We have done everything with them: wars, peace, treaties, conferences. Every kind of feeling, every kind of action. Nowadays we are friends and we try to be friends with all of these countries. Its a win-win situation. Everybody wins because we are friends with all of them, we are always here to help and to facilitate the relations between countries whether they are friendly or not. We can be a very useful actor and friend for everybody, for Egypt, for Libya and we can be very useful for the stability and security in the region. But we can also be a good advocate of Libya and Egypt. Regarding Libya we discussed this today too we also examined Libyas relations with the European Union. You know the parents, mothers and fathers, they sometimes have not just one child but many children and they love all of them. So we can love everybody here in the area. JOURNALIST: What is the point of view of Greece regarding the political agreement inside Libya? N. KOTZIAS: We are friends of Libya and we are supporting everything that is bringing peace and stability in this country. And thats the reason why we are supporting the government of Libya. Islamist insurgents killed four pro-government Somali soldiers and injured 11 others when a roadside bomb destroyed a military pickup in the north of the country on Tuesday, the military said. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in the Galgala hills, an insurgent stronghold about 30 km (20 miles) to the southwest of Bosasso, the largest city in the region. "A roadside bomb destroyed our pickup as we drove from Galgala hills today. We lost four soldiers, including a female soldier, and 11 men from our forces were injured," Major Mohamed Ibrahim, a military officer in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, told Reuters. Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's military operation spokesman told Reuters by telephone: "We completely destroyed the military pickup outside Bosasso - none escaped - all 17 soldiers on board perished." The insurgency routinely exaggerates the number of casualties killed in its attacks. The deaths come as hundreds of forces allied to the Western-backed government prepare to retake the northern port town of Qandala from a group that has splintered from al Shabaab and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. Qandala is about 70 km to the east of Bosasso and has been under the control of Abdiqadir Mumin, a Somali insurgent leader, for about a month. "We are also evaluating the situation and we shall attack the IS as soon as possible," Jamac Mohamed Khurshe, the mayor of Qandala told Reuters on Tuesday. Hundreds of pro-government militia began moving towards Qandala on Monday. Somalia has been riven by civil war for more than 25 years. Al Shabaab, which has ties to al Qaeda, is fighting the government to impose their own strict version of Islamic law but has lost much of the territory they used to control. Mumin's group, which renounced al Shabaab in favour of Islamic State, is not thought to number more than a couple of hundred fighters. It has no publicly known operational links to Islamic State in the Middle East. Search Keywords: Short link: The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Tuesday or Wednesday on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Aleppo, diplomats said. France's UN ambassador Francois Delattre said Tuesday that Paris is working with the government of Senegal, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the council, to convene the meeting on providing relief to the besieged Syrian city. "We hope we'll be able to schedule it by tomorrow," Delattre told reporters. "France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be the biggest massacre of civilian population since World War II," the French diplomat added. "We need to find a way to get the humanitarian aid to the population." France called for an immediate UN Security Council session amid fighting that has seen the Syrian army capture a third of opposition-controlled east Aleppo in recent days. Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft, voiced support for the emergency meeting. He said the council would discuss plans for the UN to deliver much-needed food and medicine into Aleppo and evacuate the sick and wounded. "Russia complained that the opposition had not agreed to this plan. Now they have, so I call on Russia to make sure the Syrian regime agrees," Rycroft said. "The future of Aleppo is in the hands of the regime and Russia, and we urge the regime and Russia to stop the bombing and let the aid go through." Diplomats hope to finally address the need for desperately needed assistance to the city, which is besieged by a government offensive trying to recapture parts of it held by rebels. Fighting has prompted an exodus of terrified civilians, many fleeing empty-handed into remaining rebel-held territory, or crossing into government-controlled western Aleppo or Kurdish districts. The UN has said nearly 16,000 people have fled the assault and more could follow. Search Keywords: Short link: Germany's foreign intelligence service chief warned Tuesday that Russia could seek to disrupt next year's elections in Europe's biggest economy with cyber attacks. "Europe is in the focus of these disturbances, and Germany particularly so," Bruno Kahl told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily in an interview published a day after Deutsche Telekom said hackers disrupted internet services for almost one million of its clients. Kahl said there are indications that "cyberattacks are taking place with no reason other than to sow political uncertainty." Asked if he agreed with Washington's assessment that Russia had sought to interfere in the US elections through cyber attacks, Kahl said that "there are indications that that came from this front." "Attributing to a state actor is technically difficult. But there is some evidence that this is at least tolerated or desired by the state," he added. Chancellor Angela Merkel had said early in November that Russia could try to influence Germany's general elections next autumn through cyber attacks or disinformation campaigns. Meanwhile, hackers brought down or partially disrupted internet services for around 900,000 of Deutsche Telekom clients on Sunday. Quoting unnamed security experts, Tagesspiegel daily said the attack may have been carried out by Russian hackers. Germany has been the target of repeated cyber attacks in recent years. In September, several political parties were targeted with fake emails purporting to be from NATO headquarters but which in fact contained a link that installed spying software on victims' computers. The German parliament also fell victim in a 2015 attack that security services have since blamed on Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: South African President Jacob Zuma survived an attempt to oust him from office after a "robust" and "difficult" debate within the ruling ANC party, an official said Tuesday. Zuma has been weakened by corruption allegations, but his supporters were taken by surprise at the bid to unseat him at a weekend meeting of the African National Congress's executive committee. The rebellion, led by at least four ministers, was the most serious threat to Zuma's hold on power since he became president in 2009. It also shook the ANC party, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994 but recently suffered a sharp setback in local elections. "Following robust, honest, candid and at times difficult discussions, the (ANC executive committee) did not support the call for the president to step down," Gwede Mantashe, the ANC secretary general, told reporters. "All members of the (executive committee) had an opportunity to raise, in the meeting, the issues they feel are hurting the movement and the country." Local media said the meeting -- which was extended into Monday -- was tense, with tempers flaring and some ministers threatening to resign if Zuma stayed. But the president launched a fierce defence of his position, and his loyalists eventually headed off the attempt to oust him. "The president told us that he will never step down, as it would be like handing himself over to the enemy, and that there are people who want to see him in jail," an unnamed source at the closed-door meeting told the News24 website. Zuma left South Africa early on Tuesday to attend the funeral of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The president has been hit by multiple corruption scandals and damaging court rulings this year, while the ANC performed poorly in local polls in August and unemployment has hit a 13-year high. Zuma has been under renewed pressure since a graft probe earlier this month unearthed fresh allegations of misconduct. The probe by the country's top watchdog uncovered evidence of possible criminal activity in his relationship with the Guptas, a business family accused of wielding undue political influence. However Zuma, 74, retains strong loyalty among many rank-and-file ANC party members, as well as its lawmakers. He easily survived a vote of no confidence in parliament on November 10. "Zuma will only leave when the patronage faction around him decide it is time," Peter Montalto, analyst from Nomura bank, said in a briefing note. "The ANC may well be tired of Zuma but it's not clear it is ready to conclude anything on succession yet." Zuma is due to stand down in 2019 after serving the maximum two terms. Search Keywords: Short link: The following companies are subsidiares of ABB: ABB (China) Investment Limited, ABB (China) Ltd., ABB (Hong Kong) Ltd., ABB (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd., ABB (P.J.S.C.), ABB (Private) Ltd., ABB (Pty) Ltd., ABB (Pvt) Ltd., ABB A/S, ABB AB, ABB AG, ABB AS, ABB AUTOMACAO LTDA, ABB AUTOMATION AND ELECTRIFICATION (VIETNAM)COMPANY LIMITED, ABB AUTOMATION HOLDINGS (THAILAND) CO. 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The army in a statement said four of its soldiers were killed in the initial assault after heavily armed militants wearing police uniforms stormed the base early Tuesday firing small arms and hurling grenades. Three army men were killed in a rescue operation after the militants took 16 people hostage inside two buildings used by the families of the army officers. Two women and children were among the hostages, the army said. "In this rescue attempt one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives," it added Three bodies of the attackers have been recovered and operation to sanitise the complex continues, the statement said. One of the dead soldier was a major while the rank of another officer remained unclear. Earlier a senior local police officer said all four militants were killed in the counter-attack by security forces. "Now the search operation is going on inside the premises," the officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. The base is one of four command centres in the restive region and home to over 1,000 officers. The attack came as Pakistan's hugely popular military chief General Raheel Sharif handed over to his successor on Tuesday with a warning to India not to mistake his country's "restraint" for weakness. It also comes days before a scheduled visit to India by Pakistan's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz for a weekend conference on Afghanistan. "It clearly suggests there is an attempt by certain groups to sabotage the apparent peace outreach by Pakistan's government," said Mohan Guruswamy, head of the Centre for Policy Alternatives think-tank in New Delhi. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of sponsoring militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which it blames for the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Separately, Indian authorities said three militants were killed in a shoot-out with security forces after crossing into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated since the September 18 attack on an Indian army base, the deadliest in a decade. India said after that attack it had launched "surgical strikes" on militant bases across the heavily militarised de-facto border known as the Line of Control (LoC) in disputed Kashmir, a claim Islamabad has denied. India and Pakistan both claim the region in full and their troops regularly exchange fire across the LoC, but they rarely send ground troops over the line. Since then there have been repeated incidents of cross-border shelling and gunfire from both sides, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including civilians. Pakistan said last week that at least nine people had been killed when a shell fired from the Indian side hit a bus. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said last week he was "deeply concerned" by the deterioration in the security situation in Kashmir and urged both countries to work together to "reach durable peace". Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both claim the territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region. Search Keywords: Short link: Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a life sciences company, focuses on the provision of preparedness and response solutions that address accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats (PHTs) in the United States. The company's products address PHTs, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; travel health; and emerging health crises and acute/emergency care. It offers BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; ACAM2000, a smallpox vaccine; Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent to treat botulinum disease; vaccinia immune globulin intravenous that addresses complications from smallpox vaccine; raxibacumab for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax; Anthrasil to for inhalational anthrax; reactive skin decontamination lotion kits; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate. The company also provides NARCAN, a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vivotif, an oral vaccine for typhoid fever; and Vaxchora, a single-dose oral vaccine to treat cholera. In addition, it is developing AP003, a Naloxone multidose nasal spray; AP007, a sustained release Nalmefene injection for treatment of opioid use disorder; AV7909, an anthrax vaccine; CGRD-001, a pralidoxime chloride/atropine auto-injector; CHIKV VLP, a chikungunya virus VLP vaccine; COVID-HIG for the treatment of SARS-CoV2; EGRD-001, a diazepam auto-injector; SIAN, an antidote for the initial treatment of acute poisoning of cyanide; and UniFlu, a universal influenza vaccine. Further, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services comprising drug substance and product manufacturing, and packaging, as well as technology transfer, process, and analytical development services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It holds 100% interests in the Palmarejo gold and silver mine covering an area of approximately 67,296 net acres located in the State of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico; the Rochester silver and gold mine that covers an area of approximately 43,441net acres situated in northwestern Nevada; the Kensington gold mine comprising 3,972 net acres located to the north of Juneau, Alaska; the Wharf gold mine covering an area of approximately 3,243 net acres situated in the northern Black Hills of western South Dakota; and the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine comprising 97,298 net acres located in northern British Columbia, Canada. In addition, the company owns interests in the Crown and Sterling projects located in southern Nevada; and the La Preciosa project located in Mexico. Further, it markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc. in May 2013.Coeur Mining, Inc. was incorporated in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. CA, Inc., doing business as CA technologies, develops, markets, delivers, and licenses software products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Mainframe Solutions, Enterprise Solutions, and Services. The Mainframe Solutions segment offers solutions for the IBM z Systems platform, which runs various mission critical business applications. Its mainframe solutions enable customers enhance economics by increasing throughput and lowering cost per transaction; increasing business agility through DevOps tooling and processes; increasing reliability and availability of operations through machine intelligence and automation solutions; and protecting enterprise data with security and compliance. The Enterprise Solutions segment provides a range of software planning, development, and management tools for mobile, cloud, and distributed computing environments. It primarily provides customers secure application development, infrastructure management, automation, and identity-centric security solutions. The Services segment offers various services, such as consulting, implementation, application management, education, and support services to commercial and government customers for implementation and adoption of its software solutions. The company serves banks, insurance companies, other financial services providers, government agencies, information technology service providers, telecommunication providers, transportation companies, manufacturers, technology companies, retailers, educational organizations, and health care institutions. It sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through various partner channels comprising resellers, service providers, system integrators, managed service providers, and technology partners. The company was formerly known as Computer Associates International, Inc. and changed its name to CA, Inc. in 2006. CA, Inc. was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in New York, New York. The IS group group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for an attack at Ohio State University in which a man ran down pedestrians in a car and stabbed others with a butcher's knife. The attacker, a Somali immigrant student at the university, injured 11 people in Monday's attack before he was shot dead by a police officer. The Islamic State news agency AMAQ posted a photo of Abdul Razak Ali Artan wearing a blue shirt and sitting with greenery in the background. It described him as a soldier of the group. "Brother Abdul Razak Ali Artan, God accept him, implementer of the Ohio attack, a student in his third year in university," the caption read. Artan, born in Somalia, was a U.S. permanent resident who arrived in the country in 2014, said a federal official, who asked not to be identified. Investigators believe Artan may have lived for as long as seven years in Pakistan, said the federal official also declined to be named because of the investigation. Somali refugees often spend some time in Pakistan before coming to the United States, another official said. Members of Columbus' Somali community have denounced the attack. Search Keywords: Short link: PNM Resources, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The segment generates electricity using coal, natural gas and oil, nuclear fuel, solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had owned or leased facilities with a total net generation capacity of 2,168 megawatts; and owned 3,426 miles of electric transmission lines, 5,751 miles of distribution overhead lines, 5,765 miles of underground distribution lines, and 250 substations. The segment also owns and leases communication, office and other equipment, office space, vehicles, and real estate. The TNMP segment provides regulated transmission and distribution services. As of December 31, 2021, the segment owned 983 miles of overhead electric transmission lines, 7,297 miles of overhead distribution lines, 1,408 miles of underground distribution lines, and 113 substations. The segment also owns and leases vehicles, service facilities, and office locations throughout its service territory. The company serves approximately 806,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers and end-users of electricity in New Mexico and Texas. PNM Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1882 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. KAR Auction Services, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides used vehicle auctions and related vehicle remarketing services for the automotive industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, ADESA Auctions and AFC. The ADESA Auctions segment offers whole car auctions and related services to the vehicle remarketing industry through online auctions and auction facilities. It also provides value-added services, such as auction related, transportation, reconditioning, inspection, title and repossession administration and remarketing, vehicle research, and analytical services, as well as data as a service. This segment sells its products and services through vehicle manufacturers, fleet companies, rental car companies, finance companies, and others. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had a network of approximately 70 vehicle logistics center locations in North America. The AFC segment offers floorplan financing, a short-term inventory-secured financing to independent used vehicle dealers; and sells vehicle service contracts. The company provides wheel repair and hail catastrophe response services. It serves vehicle manufacturers, vehicle rental companies, financial institutions, commercial fleets and fleet management companies, and dealer customers. The company was formerly known as KAR Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to KAR Auction Services, Inc. in November 2009. KAR Auction Services, Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. Egypts international cooperation ministry has dismissed reports that its minister said that certain state-run utility companies, specifically water and electricity companies, will be privatised. The ministrys statement, issued earlier this week, aimed to clarify comments made by minister Sahar Nasr in an article published in the Wall Street Journal that were interpreted as meaning that water and electricity companies will be publically traded. In the 23 November article titled 'Egypt is charting a new economic course,' Nasr aimed to address the international community to explain the governments economic and social programme approved by the parliament, according to the ministry. Through public offerings, Egypt will be partially divesting from several state-owned enterprises and banks. For the first time, this will cover public utility companies, which have historically been excluded from divesture as a strategic sector, the article by Nasr read. The ministry said that Nasr did not mention water and electricity companies in her article. A number of megaprojects, mainly in infrastructure, are being carried out in Egypt as public-private partnerships. The objective is not only to keep the private sector as a main stakeholder, but also to ensure a crowding-in rather than a crowding-out effect. The ministry said that the article aimed to explain that the government encourages private sector participation in the service sector, including the financial sector and state-owned enterprises, and that the government is interested in implementing development projects through public-private partnerships. Nasrs article, which went viral over the week, led to several responses by the cabinet and parliamentary members. Egypts parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al said during a heated debate at the House on Nasrs article that there will be no selling of banks or utility companies. He added that the opinion article might have been mistranslated or that any selling may be of shares owned by the state in such companies. Search Keywords: Short link: Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company offers peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and additional dialysis therapies and services; intravenous therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets, and drug reconstitution devices; remixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services; parenteral nutrition therapies and related products; biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention; and continuous renal replacement therapies and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit. It also provides connected care solutions, including devices, software, communications, and integration technologies; integrated patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies to help diagnose, treat, and manage a various illness and diseases, including respiratory therapy, cardiology, vision screening, and physical assessment; surgical video technologies, tables, lights, pendants, precision positioning devices and other accessories. In addition, the company offers contracted services to various pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Its products are used in hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors' offices, and patients at home under physician supervision. The company sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through independent distributors, drug wholesalers, and specialty pharmacy or other alternate site providers in approximately 100 countries. It has an agreement with Celerity Pharmaceutical, LLC to develop acute care generic injectable premix and oncolytic molecules. Baxter International Inc. was incorporated in 1931 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. The Army has authorized Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) increases for five additional job classifications beginning Jan. 1 for enlisted soldiers above the rank of E-3. The additional programs eligible for special pay include The Old Guard/Caisson Platoon at Arlington National Cemetery; The Old Guard/Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers; Asymmetric Warfare Group operational advisers, E-7 to E-9; United States Army Pacific Command Northern Warfare Training Center instructors; and the Secretary of Defense Security Team. Special Duty Assignment Pay begins at SD-1 at $75 per month extra and increases by $75 increments to SD-6 at $450 per month. All of the five newly covered programs will receive SD-3 increases of $225 per month except Northern Warfare Training Center instructors, who will receive SD-2 of $150 per month extra, the Army said. Army officials stressed that soldiers with questions about the pay changes should speak to the human resources specialists in their unit to see what duty assignments are approved under the new policy. In other changes, Special Duty Assignment Pay for the Medical Command at Warrior Transition Units will be adjusted downward from SD-3 of $225 per month to SD-2 of $150 per month. One program -- SDAP for Criminal investigation Command/CID Military Occupational Specialty 31D -- will be terminated effective March 1, 2017, and phased out over a 12-month period, the Army said. Recruiters and drill sergeants, who already receive Special Duty Assignment Pay, will also see pay increases. Levels for drill sergeants will increase from SD-4 of $300 per month to SD-5 of $375 per month "based upon service as a drill sergeant, completion of a certification program and approval by their battalion commander," the Army said. There are also a number of changes to special duty pay levels for recruiters based upon position: Production Recruiters are initially authorized SD-4 of $300 per month. Upon completion of 12 months of recruiting duty, successful completion of the Advanced Training Program, and their commander's favorable recommendation, they will then be authorized for SD-5 of $375 per month. Recruiting station commanders assigned to a recruiting center or station; recruiting guidance counselors; recruiting battalion operations noncommissioned officers; recruiting battalion master trainers; and recruiting company first sergeants will be authorized for SD-5 of $375 per month. Recruiter personnel (MOS 79R) assigned to staff positions are authorized for SD-1 pay of $75 per month. On Nov. 23, the Army announced plans to increase special incentive pay starting Jan. 1 for enlisted soldiers with the rank of E-3 and above who are deemed to have "extremely demanding duties." Additional details were released over the weekend. In a release, the Army said, "This change in policy translates to an increase to some programs' pay and new eligibility for others." Special Duty Assignment Pay is described as "a discretionary incentive pay that eligible enlisted soldiers, serving in grades E-3 or higher, may receive based on the characterization of their duty assignment." Special duty assignments are "those designated to have extremely demanding duties requiring extraordinary effort for satisfactory performance or an unusual degree of responsibility." The changes were approved by the Army's Special Pay Panel, which meets twice a year. "The goal of the Special Pay Panel was to validate recommendations of challenging positions that require soldiers to consistently perform in an 'above and beyond' manner and then make recommendations concerning levels of incentive payments," said Larry Lock, head of the 2016 Special Pay Panel. Last June, the Navy approved Special Duty Assignment Pay increases for about 1,700 sailors, including instructors at Afloat Training Groups; naval military instructors at Training Support Center Great Lakes, Illinois; and qualified non-nuclear sailors in carrier reactor departments. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. The two U.S. bomb disposal experts recently killed in Syria and Iraq were probably more at risk in the demanding task of clearing enemy improvised explosive devices than other U.S. troops in the region, the top U.S. commander in Iraq and Syria said Monday. All of the several thousand U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria are to some degree in harm's way but the Iraqi Security Forces and the local forces in Syria advised by the U.S. were especially reliant on the skills and bravery of the explosive ordnance disposal teams, said Army Lt. Gen Stephen Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. The result was that the EOD specialists "will be at an increased risk, I think," Townsend said from Baghdad on C-SPAN's Washington Journal program, but it was "important for the U.S. and important for the entire world" to eliminate the threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. On Thanksgiving Day last week, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton, 42, of Woodbridge, Va., was killed near Ain Issa, about 35 miles northwest of the Islamic State's self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa. It was the first time a U.S. service member had been killed in Syria since U.S. Special Forces deployed there in October 2015. Dayton was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. On Oct. 20, Chief Petty Officer Jason Finan, 34, was killed outside Mosul in northern Iraq. Finan was also a bomb disposal technician and had been working with a team of Navy SEALs when he was killed. Finan was the first U.S. service member killed in the offensive on Mosul, which began on Oct. 17. To date, a total of five U.S. service members have been killed in combat since U.S. troops began returning to Iraq in the summer of 2014. Townsend described the Mosul offensive as "going pretty well" with Iraqi forces slowly expanding a foothold in the eastern sector of the city. The coordination of the Iraqi Security Forces with the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and disparate local forces was further evidence of a "pretty remarkable turnaround" by the ISF, Townsend said. "If you think about it, two years ago it was a defeated army, barricading the gates of Baghdad," Townsend said. However, the elite Counter Terrorism Service units, considered the best trained and equipped forces in the ISF, were now acting independently from the Iraq army under new authorization "just recently" approved by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Townsend said. The CTS led the way into Mosul but progress was slow against ISIS car bombs, snipers and improvised explosive devices. "We must continue to advance because we suffer fewer casualties than if we hold still and wait for other units to advance in their sectors," said Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil of the CTS said, the Associated Press reported. "We are trying to advance cautiously to minimize casualties, and we are convinced that we will eventually be asked to liberate the western sector of the city when we are done here," Fadhil said. In Washington, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said he was "encouraged by Iraq's great determination in the face of the difficult fight" in Mosul. "I'm confident that ISIL's days in Mosul are numbered," Carter said, using another acronym for ISIS. Carter spoke ahead of talks with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on the campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Human error was the cause of the Sept. 17 airstrike that killed more than 60 Syrian troops near Dayr Az Zawr, U.S. Central Command officials said Tuesday. After nearly three months of review, investigators determined U.S. and coalition forces mistakenly concluded the targets were affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, according to a statement from the command. While the strike was based on a "reasonable interpretation" of available information and conducted without "deliberate disregard," an American general acknowledged it was a mistake and likely hit forces aligned with the government of Syria. "In this instance, we did not rise to the high standard we hold ourselves to, and we must do better than this each and every time," Lt. Gen. Jeff Harrigian, head of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, said in the statement. Harrigian has ordered changes to improve the targeting process, including better information sharing among analysts and more frequent use of a U.S.-Russia hotline designed to prevent accidents and miscommunication in the war zone. Hotline Used During a phone call with reporters, Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard Coe, the investigating officer, said the day of the strike the Russians actually used the phone line to help stop the attack. "It's because we called the Russians with the information that we'd be striking [Dayr Az Zawr] area that the Russians had the chance to call back to the [Combined Air Operations Center] on that phone line and pass us critical information that could halt the strike," he said. It wasn't immediately clear why, if U.S. forces communicated with their Russian counterparts before the mission, they weren't warned against carrying it out. Coe noted the Russians aren't responsible for helping the U.S. and its allies validate targets on the ground. "That's the coalition's job," he said. At the same time, Coe acknowledged the strikes would have continued were it not for the second call from the Russians. U.S., Australian, U.K and Danish aircraft participated in the bombing run, including F-16 fighter jets, A-10 ground-attack jets, F/A-18 fighter-attack jets and drones, Coe said. The warplanes released 34 precision-guided bombs, and 380 rounds of 30 mm ammunition, he said. Targets included vehicles, fortified locations, tunnels, tents and personnel, he said. At the time, the Russian defense ministry stated coalition aircraft killed more than 60 Syrian troops and wounded roughly 100 more. Investigators couldn't determine "with certainty" the number or identity of those killed or wounded, but it's highly likely that those struck "were aligned with the Syrian government," Coe said. "We could only substantiate 15 deaths, but we know the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 83 were killed on the day of the attack," Coe said. "We certainly believe more than 15 were killed in the attack." Investigators received testimony from more than 70 U.S. and coalition personnel and reviewed intelligence reports and surveillance images to determine what went wrong, Coe said. Contributing Factors Teams at the time were following a vehicle "for many hours" through overhead surveillance, Coe said. As surveillance planes gathered intelligence from the skies, markings on equipment on the ground "were still indistinguishable," he said. In addition, the forces on the ground were not wearing recognizable military uniforms, and coalition officials didn't observe identifying flags or unit markings. "In many ways, these forces looked and acted like the Da'esh forces the Coalition has been targeting for the last two years," he said. Even so, at least one intel analyst remarked at the beginning of the operation, "what we're looking at could not possibly be ISIL," Coe said, using another name for ISIS. "But at the time, that data analysis was not pushed to a larger group, nor to the final decision-makers," he said, "because people were already certain that the target was fully validated." Also playing a role in the incident was the use of multiple targeting methods -- deliberate and dynamic -- in a single mission, Coe said. Deliberate or pre-validated targets are assessed over days or weeks, while dynamic or coveted targets of opportunity are considered in real-time. "Blending these two processes seems to have allowed the planners to not fully and critically second-guess their conclusions as the situation developed," Coe said. Another contributing factor was simple miscommunication. The first strike location described to the Russians was off "by several kilometers," Coe said. The CAOC official in the first phone conversation with a Russian counterpart mistakenly said airstrikes would begin "nine kilometers south of the Dayr Az Zawr airfield when in fact they were planned nine kilometers south of the city," which is north of the airfield, he said. What's more, the Russian official who called back to notify the CAOC of the misguided strikes waited to speak to his usual point of contact instead of the colonel who answered, Coe said. By the time his counterpart had come to the phone, 27 minutes had passed before a ceasefire was called, he said. Ultimately, confirmation bias, invalid assumptions, and misidentification of forces on the ground led to the errant strike, Coe said. Russian officials didn't participate in the investigation, the general said. Russian Reaction Russia's initial response through the Kremlin-funded news outlet RT was to cite previous condemnations of the airstrikes by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "It was not an accident by one airplane, it was four airplanes which kept attacking the position of the Syrian troops for nearly one hour or maybe a little bit more," Assad said in September. The head of the regime charged that the U.S. coordinated the airstrikes with ISIS. He noted that the militants attacked Syrian troops immediately after the airstrikes. RT also cited Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem as charging that "it was a deliberate attack, not a mistake -- even if America says the opposite." The attacks came as Secretary of State John Kerry was trying to extend a fragile "cessation of hostilities" in Syria's civil war. Before the Dayr az Zawr airstrikes, the U.S. had charged that Russian and Syrian bombing of hospitals and a United Nations aid convoy were endangering the cessation of hostilities. The cessation fell apart shortly after the coalition airstrike on the "Syrian aligned" forces. A spokesman for the British Defense Ministry backed up the U.S. version of the airstrikes, saying they were "made in good faith," the BBC reported. "We welcome the coalition's report and its conclusion that the decision to identify the targets as Daesh (ISIS) fighters was reasonable," the ministry said in a statement. "We would not and did not intentionally strike known Syrian Regime military units." -- Richard Sisk contributed to this report. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go. Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune... The Marine Corps became the last service in the Defense Department to release a policy governing transgender troops this month, in preparation to comply with a Pentagon order that will allow transgender recruits to join the military by next July. The six-page policy, signed by Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, deputy commandant for Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and released as a Marine Corps bulletin on Nov. 22, leaves a number of questions unanswered. In addition, key details, such as how to accommodate troops who are concerned about privacy, are left to unit commanders to handle. The service also reserves the right to separate Marines whose ability to serve is adversely affected by medical conditions or medical treatment related to their gender identity, the policy states, adding that these Marines would be treated "in a manner consistent with a Marine whose ability to serve is similarly affected by medical condition(s) unrelated to gender identity or gender transition." What constitutes an adverse impact on a Marine's ability to serve, however, is not detailed. "For all of DoD, not just the Marine Corps, everyone's blazing a trail on this," said Maj. Garron Garn, a spokesman for the department. "A lot of scenarios are being discussed. It's so new and we're breaking ground." He suggested that a Marine's inability to meet the height and weight or fitness standards of the gender to which he or she has transitioned would be cause for separation under the policy. According to that policy, transgender Marines must meet all uniform, grooming, height, weight, and physical fitness standards appropriate to their preferred gender, and must comply with the same drug testing rules. Marines still in boot camp, officer candidates school, or primary job training may be separated if medical treatment associated with gender transition interferes with training, the policy states. Marines who are unable to meet standards when transitioning can apply for an exception to policy, which would be adjudicated by the deputy commandant for M&RA on a case-by-case basis, according to the document. The policy gives wide berth to unit commanders to find ways to provide appropriate privacy for Marines and sailors under their command. While the Navy addressed privacy and comfort concerns in its policy by requiring troops to maintain a basic level of modesty in berthing and shared bathroom and shower facilities, the Marine Corps gives commanders the option to spend money to modify base showers and bathrooms to "provide reasonable privacy." Commanders may also rearrange sleep and shower schedules to achieve "reasonable privacy in the accomplishment of all missions," the policy states. How much money might be spent to build more private facilities and what the parameters are for these kinds of modifications are not detailed in the document. "Each case is really going to be unique and individual and it's going to be case-by-case," Garn said. On top of this, leaders of Marine Corps Installations and Logistics and Marine Corps Combat Development Command are tasked specifically with modifying shower facilities for the privacy of all recruits, officer candidates, and Marines, meaning that open shower bays at boot camp and other facilities could soon become a thing of the past for the service. The Corps will take advantage of mobile training teams to educate commanders at installations, as it did with the integration of women into combat roles, according to the document. Garn said dates for these training sessions have not been set, but said the training will likely be complete by spring, ahead of the deadline to accept transgender recruits. The Corps has received a small number of requests from transgender troops to begin the transition process, a step that requires a diagnosis from a military medical provider and approval from the chain of command, an official said. The service, however, is not releasing specific numbers of transition requests. The issue of accommodating transgender troops has received direct attention from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, Garn said. "He and several key senior leaders are meeting in the coming weeks to talk about these scenarios with the intent of taking care of Marines," he said. "I have not heard from anywhere that Marines are pushing back against this. The decision has been made and the Marines will execute." --Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Many veterans enter the civilian world not looking to work to make someone else rich, but to branch out on their own through entrepreneurship. One way to have a business with fewer hassles is through a franchise. Much goes into the decision to go the franchise route. Before jumping in, do your research, and make sure owning a franchise is a good financial fit for you. Franchises vary on how much startup capital is needed, so your current financial situation will likely play a large part in this decision. You will be required to fill out a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) when applying for your franchise, but this document will help you estimate potential earnings, to decide if it will be worth it for you. To further delve into this topic, we had the opportunity to speak with two franchise owners and asked them to share their experience and lessons learned. Ramon Morales is the owner of a Mr. Transmission/Milex store in Highland, Indiana, which specializes in repair and installation of a vehicle's transmission systems as well as overall automotive repair services. He has been a member of the National Guard for the past 15 years. He also served in the active-duty Army, twice being stationed overseas for a year. His most recent deployment came from 2007 to 2008, when he was stationed in Baghdad and worked as a mechanic on military vehicles and assisting with recovery services. John Blanton served as an E-4 in the Coast Guard from 1992 to 1996. His Alta Mere franchise store offers a complete selection of aftermarket high-tech automotive accessories and driver safety products. It provides premium automotive features such as security and radar detection systems, remote starters and keyless entry, and hands-free Bluetooth phone systems. It also specializes in exterior services such as custom, state-of-the-art window tinting and paint protection applications. An Interview with Two Franchisees Q: What was it about the idea of owning a franchise that appealed to you? How about this specific franchise? Ramon Morales: I liked the idea that the startup costs were minimal as well as the shorter amount of time it takes to start seeing a return on investment. With the Mr. Transmission/Milex franchise, I liked the idea that they were willing to work with me on having a limited amount of funding. John Blanton: I have owned an independent business for five years, and I was looking for a way to expand and diversify my business holdings. One of the most appealing aspects about owning a franchise is that most of the important legwork is done for you. The corporate partners build the brand, negotiate with the vendors, have market research, and have the resources you need to leverage your potential success. The primary reason I was excited to open an Alta Mere franchise through the Moran Family of Brands was because the products and services offered through Alta Mere complement our existing business. I thought that by adding Alta Mere to our automotive shop, we would have a loyal customer base to start out. As both businesses grow, so will the potential. My wife and I own Alta Mere together, and we appreciate the support we receive from the corporate partners and the other franchise owners. Q: What early steps did you take toward owning a franchise, and what hurdles did you face? Morales: The main hurdles I faced were mostly financial, but I was also faced with learning how to operate a business. I took steps toward ownership by doing a lot of research and due diligence. Blanton: I did years of research before I purchased Alta Mere. I also used a franchise consultant who helped identify appropriate opportunities for me. I would highly recommend a franchise consultant. I would also recommend utilizing the small business resources in your area, and building a business plan based on your interests, expertise and finances. Q: For other veterans considering the entrepreneur/ franchise route, what high-level advice do you have? Morales: I would say not to underestimate how much money you will need to start with. Whatever number you come up with, add 10 percent more. Blanton: The best advice I have for anyone, no matter the career path they choose, is to be disciplined. No business grows overnight by wishing it to be so. The only way to be successful is to be disciplined, determined, strategic, consistent, and patient. Q: How do you feel owning a franchise has been different than if you had pursued a traditional career? How about compared to your time in the military? Morales: The difference would have to be in accountability. You are responsible for the success or failure in every single aspect associated with the business. It's like raising a child, in that everything you do reflects upon yourself and no one else. Blanton: I appreciate that I get to be my own boss -- master of my own destiny. I also like being able to offer people jobs and create a good work environment for our employees. It gives me pride to offer secure jobs for people, especially other veterans. Just like in the military, you devote your life to it because others are counting on it. If you eat, breathe, and never stop being dedicated 100 percent to business, you have a greater chance of success. Q: Based on your experience, what did you learn in the military that has set you up well for this career choice? Morales: The military taught me about dedication, even through the toughest of times. It also taught me what the reputation this industry has and gave me ideas on how to change it for the better. Blanton: When I was in the military, I was a mechanic so I learned a lot about that is relevant to the industry I am in now. I also learned a great deal about organization and discipline. Q: Do you have any other general advice for veterans who are still trying to figure out the right path for them? Morales: I would have to say think about it a lot. It takes a special type of dedication to run a business. It is definitely not for everyone. Blanton: My best advice is to follow your heart and find a way to do what you love. If you absolutely love what you do, you won't mind working so hard to make great things happen. Be sure you know what you are getting into, and consider whether thefranchise route is best for you. Maybe you have your own ideas for astartup, or prefer the typical 9-5 job -- both are perfectly great options. But if you're ready, consider theseseven tips to building a first-time franchise. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) called on the UK government Tuesday to lift the ban on UK flights to Sharm El-Sheikh. In a letter to British Prime Minister Theresa May, the two organisations stressed the importance of resuming flights to the Egyptian coastal resort, saying that the ban is having devastating effects on Egypts economy and social stability. The UK flight ban was put in place after the October 2015 crash of a Russian airliner in Sinai shortly after it took off from Sharm El-Sheikh. Travel and tourism is vital to Egypt's economy and social peace, contributing 11 percent of the country's GDP and 2.6 million in jobs in 2015, the letter said, adding that the drop in tourism has created huge employment losses. The country's biggest concern is how the lack of employment opportunities, especially for young men and women, has instilled a desperate disposition and thus vulnerability to radicalisation or to fleeing on a refugee boat, the letter said. The letter added that Egyptian authorities have taken significant measures to step up the level of security in airports and the surrounding areas. Search Keywords: Short link: Shamma is most celebrated for giving the traditional string instrument a more contemporary sound A launch concert for Lemma La? ("Why Not?"), a new album by renowned Iraqi oud player and musician Naseer Shamma is set to take place at the Cairo Opera House main hall on Tuesday 6 December. The album, which was two years in the making, comprises 10 new instrumental compositions by Shamma. An orchestra especially founded for this album project will be accompanying Shamma on stage during this album launch concert. According to the events Facebook page, Lemma La? marks a new stage in the vocation of the famous oud player, who in this album merges the oud sound with a modern orchestra to speak to the current moment all the while preserving the instrument's identity as well as the essence of maqamat (the Arabic musical scale and modal structure). Over the years, Shamma has come to be celebrated for giving the traditional string instrument a more contemporary sound. He established Beit Al-Oud Al-Arabi (The Arabic Oud House) to teach people how to play what he calls the "grandfather" of stringed instruments. He has introduced the oud to dozens of young musicians, with many of them describing Shamma as a "free spirit" and innovative, open and "forceful artist." Programme : Tuesday 6 December, 8pm Cairo Opera House, main hall, Zamalek, Cairo For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: (Beijing) The universal version of Uber's app in China has been replaced by a new edition that operates solely in mainland China. Four months after Didi Chuxing made its landmark acquisition of Uber's operations in China, Uber China has been severed from the international ride-sharing company it had branched from. On Sunday, users who were still using the earlier version of the Uber app were moved over to the new one, the iOS version of which is developed by Didi Chuxing. Abandoning the original global app is a sign that Didi is steering toward total integration with Uber, said Zhang Xu, an analyst at consulting firm Analysys. "This shows that Didi wants Uber China to be independent from its former international parent, and to resemble Didi more." The new home-grown app will also give Didi more control over Uber's marketing and promotion in China, Zhang added. Although Uber's app remains separate from Didi's, the new app, introduced a month ago, shares backend data, which means that trip requests sent from passengers using either Didi or Uber reach the same pool of drivers. Anti-monopoly lawyer Wei Shilin warns that the decision to fuse the two apps backstage is jumping the gun because the deal is still pending review from regulators, who will decide whether the merger requires a go-ahead from antitrust authorities. One key criterion when assessing whether the deal is subject to scrutiny from antitrust authorities is "actual control over the acquired company," said Wei, director of the Antitrust Committee in Beijing's Lawyers Association. "If the two are sharing the same backstage, it makes it hard to argue that Didi does not claim actual control," he said. Wei added that even if Didi were to succeed in persuading regulators of Uber's operational independence, "backstage integration is essentially sharing of competitive information, which is another breach of anti-monopoly laws." "Either way, this move could put Didi in a difficult position with the authorities," Wei said. Didi states that sharing orders and drivers across two platforms will increase the number of drivers available and "enhance transport capacity," and slash waiting times and price surges, which have been on the rise as drivers drop out amidst slumping subsidies. The new app caters to a domestic market rather than foreign travelers and short-term foreign residents. Users without a mainland cellphone number are effectively cut off from using Uber in China, and credit cards issued from outside China are no longer accepted. Didi said English-language functions are still in the pipeline. Non-Chinese-speaking users complain that the new app contains huge hurdles. "Shutting off the English interface excludes many expats, but the other restrictions also cut Didi off from the market of people who are traveling to China for business or holidays," said Mike Shaw, a public relations professional in Beijing. When Didi acquired Uber China in August, it promised the latter independent branding and business operations to "ensure stability and continuity of service for passengers." Contact reporter April Ma (fangjingma@caixin.com); editor Kerry Nelson (Kerry@caixin.com) (Beijing) The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has stepped into the turf war between China UnionPay, the country's only authorized bank-card payment system, and foreign rivals such as Visa and MasterCard, as the central bank took action that boosts UnionPay's dominance in its market. The PBOC is discouraging the issuance of dual-logo bank cards, the result of which will be that UnionPay now will clear both domestic and overseas payments made through most Chinese credit cards. The PBOC is also cracking down on attempts by international card companies to indirectly offer yuan clearance. PBOC officials last week summoned executives of several commercial banks and told them to phase out all dual-logo cards, which carry the logos of both UnionPay and a foreign player such as Visa or MasterCard. The banks must replace such bank cards with a single-logo card of a company authorized to clear yuan-denominated payments once the cards expire, sources who were part of the meeting told Caixin. UnionPay currently is the only entity licensed to clear yuan-denominated payments, although the government opened up the market to foreign players in June. The restriction comes as UnionPay expands abroad and competes with foreign bank-card companies to clear overseas payments. Currently, someone with a dual-logo card issued by a Chinese lender can choose to clear their foreign currency payments with either UnionPay or a foreign clearance service. But several cardholders said that because UnionPay has already expanded its global presence to 160 countries, including the U.S. and U.K., the second, foreign-company logo on many Chinese bank cards has become unimportant. The central bank also rapped Chinese lenders for turning a blind eye to activities of foreign bank-card companies that have tried to skirt yuan-clearance regulations when processing payments in China. Under current regulations, transactions conducted by foreign bank-card associations that have not acquired domestic bank-card clearing licenses should be denominated in foreign currencies, and sellers who accept foreign cards must pay 2% to 4% in commissions per transaction to have the payment clear. Many Chinese merchants are reluctant to accept credit cards bearing only the logo of a foreign card company for this reason. To get around this issue, Visa and others have been using exchange rates of the Chinese banks they work with to convert the values of foreign-currency-denominated payments to yuan, and allowing settlements in yuan. This way, merchants need to pay only 1% of the transaction value as commission. But this indirectly allows foreign bank-card operators to engage in the yuan-clearance business in China without a license. Contact reporter Dong Tongjian (Tongjiandong@caixin.com); editor Poornima Weerasekara (poornima@caixin.com) The surrender of China's most-wanted economic fugitive, Yang Xiuzhu, marks a victory for anti-graft fighters who have been doggedly pursuing her for years. Yang, 70, spent 13 years on the run across the world and was the top name on a list of 100 most-wanted corruption suspects that Beijing had asked Interpol to help apprehend. A former deputy mayor of Wenzhou, in the booming eastern province of Zhejiang, Yang was accused of embezzling over $40 million from city construction projects. Her return to face trial in China shortly after a high-level Communist Party meeting the Sixth Plenum of the party's 18th National Congress showed that the anti-graft net cast by Xi Jinping was closing in on suspects both at home and abroad, and there were no safe havens to hide in anymore. The party's attempts to weed out corruption also include efforts to strengthen institutional arrangements that can discourage officials from taking bribes or abusing power and deter all forms of corrupt behavior. Intensifying the international manhunt for graft suspects sends a strong warning signal to those with passports in hand, anxious to jump ship. China has come down hard on economic fugitives with Operation Fox Hunt, which was later expanded to Sky Net in 2015. This has led to the return of over one-third of China's 100 most-wanted economic criminals to face trial in the country, after Interpol issued "red notices," the closest instrument to international arrest warrants, against them in April 2015. China had also doggedly worked to create a broader international consensus on the need to repatriate corruption suspects, and its once lone battle has now won more international support. All of these successes serve as a powerful deterrent to those fattening their pockets with misappropriated public funds. So far, China has inked cooperation deals with at least 89 countries and regions. This includes 44 extradition treaties and 57 judicial assistance agreements. While some extradition treaties may take years to take effect, these gains re-emphasize the need to strengthen the institutional mechanism to bring suspects to justice and to nip corruption in the bud. The return of Yang is a result of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in China and the U.S. Yang was detained in the U.S. in 2014 after she tried to enter the country using a fake Dutch passport. But it has taken nearly two years for Yang's return due to the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries. The U.S. is a key destination for Chinese officials hiding from the party's graft busters. About 40 suspects in Interpol's list are believed to be in hiding there. But even judicial-level cooperation between the two countries is difficult because of the vast differences between their judicial systems. Despite divergent views, the two sides have adopted a pragmatic approach and sought to cooperate in selective cases through the U.S.-China Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation (JLG). Since its establishment in 1998, the JLG has held regular meetings to study specific cases and collaborated on investigations. This arrangement can serve as a model for legal cooperation with other countries. Pursuing suspects on the run and confiscating their ill-gotten assets hidden overseas not only requires international cooperation, but also better coordination among government agencies at home. In the past, inadequate information sharing and a lack of a clear division of responsibilities among state agencies meant that even in cases where clear evidence existed, authorities failed to take action because they were confused about who should do what. Policymakers are hoping to fix these problems by fine-tuning institutional design. A special office designated to investigate economic fugitives has been set up by eight central government agencies, including the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The office has also set up branches at provincial and city levels, and asked them to report any findings to the central office within 24 hours. Such a coordination mechanism ensures a rapid response to cases where a suspect was seeking to leave the country or when hunting for those who have already fled. There is still much to be done to enhance the anti-corruption drive to prevent suspects from leaving the shores of China. A fundamental solution would be to strengthen the rule of law and curb corruption through institutional arrangements. The central government's recent pilot program to reform the system used to supervise civil servants will have a profound impact on identifying corrupt behavior. Stricter measures are needed to ensure that the central government's reform efforts bear fruit so that the scourge of corruption can be nipped in the bud. These measures should also aim to enhance checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power and increase awareness of the value of integrity. Corruption can tarnish the reputation of a country and spill beyond its borders. In addition to efforts to hunt down economic fugitives, eliminate fake identification documents, shut down underground banking networks and recover illicit assets hidden overseas, strong institutions must be built to sweep out this menace and ensure that offenders have no place to hide. Hu Shuli is the chief editor of Caixin Media. (Beijing) A shriveling appetite for one of China's most popular snack foods, the instant noodle, is prompting one leading player to sell off that part of its business, as another reported soggy sales in its latest financial report. The waning fortunes of cheap instant noodles, known locally as fangbian mian, is the result of rising Chinese incomes that are fueling demand for higher-end, more-nutritious products. Shifting tastes have also hit other cheap-eats purveyors, prompting fast-food giants McDonald's and KFC to reinvent themselves as more-upscale dining options. Leading noodle maker Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. reported this week that revenue from its core noodle business slid 12% in the first nine months of 2016, the steepest drop among all its units. That drop led to a broader 9.4% decline for Tingyi's overall revenue, which fell to $6.9 billion in the same period. Another food giant, the state-owned China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corp. (COFCO), said it will sell its instant-noodle subsidiary, Wugudaochan, due to the unit's sluggish performance. COFCO said the unit lost 192 million yuan ($27.7 million) last year and 50 million yuan in the first three quarters of 2016. COFCO's sale will include equity of the noodle affiliate, according to a statement issued by the company on the Beijing Equity Exchange announcing the sale. "Instant noodles is a declining industry," said Liu Chang, food and beverage analyst at Tianfeng Securities, adding that Chinese consumers have become more aware of food nutrition. Liu said the popular snack food may also be suffering due to speedier travel times in an era of growing air and high-speed rail trips, since instant noodles are a major supplement during long train rides in China. The recent rise of home-delivery food services, which are both convenient and offer far more options, has also undermined the standard noodle. Instant noodle sales grew steadily in China over the last two decades, cresting in 2013 when 46.2 billion packs of the snack food were sold, according to ZhiYan Consulting. But sales have dropped for the two years since then, and were down more than 10% from the peak to 40.4 billion packages last year. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Wugudaochan had 53 million yuan in debt. Contact reporter Coco Feng (renkefeng@caixin.com); editor Doug Young (dougyoung@caixin.com) you are here: Global markets are keenly awaiting the outcome of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting in Vienna on Wednesday. Two months ago, the 14-member oil body had agreed upon a production cut between 32.5 million barrels per day (bpd) and 33 million bpd, without details on how much each member nation will reduce output. There has been a lot of backroom drama in the run up to the Vienna meeting, with many members lobbying to be exempt from the production cut. As of now, confusion and uncertainty persists and that is reflecting in crude prices which are down around 2 percent after the OPEC experts meeting on Monday. Take a look at the various scenarios likely to emerge after the meeting. > If the talks do not result in an agreement to cut output, crude prices will fall. Some experts estimate it could drop to around USD 42/barrel. Inability to agree on the production cut will undermine the credibility of OPEC as well as its ability to influence crude prices.> If the members agree on the production cut details, it would be the first one since 2008, and this could push prices above USD 50 a barrel in a knee-jerk reaction.OPEC might just do a paper deal rather than not doing anything at all or it could do a temporary deal for say 3-6 months. Remember, the deal has to be acceptable to all members. In September, OPEC had agreed to cut output to between 32.5bpd and 33 million bpd, but in last 2 months, production has only risen. So if OPEC keeps to that number, then crude oil prices will rally above USD50 Still, oversupply may still persist as the US is likely to add 1 lakh barrels a day by 2017 as per forecasts from the US Energy department. The US rig count has surged 50 percent from the lows. The other non-OPEC oil producers like Russia, North Sea etc have reported an increase in output. Another factor the OPEC would consider is Donald Trump's policy on energy. This factor was not in play during the Algiers meeting when OPEC had decided on an output cut. Trump has been vocal on plans to ease regulations on energy sector and make US energy independent. So it is a tough decision that the OPEC will have to take, balancing its members interests as well as market dynamics. Live | Inflation Target Missed: What RBI will explain to the govt now | RBI MPC Meeting (Beijing) Many private fisheries in Tianjins Tanggu riverside district are using illegal chemicals to keep their farmed fish alive, a report said on Tuesday. Commercial fish farms in Tanggu can contain up to 6,000 fish per acre, a fishery owner speaking under the pseudonym Chen Ming told the Beijing News. Fish reared in such crowded conditions are especially vulnerable to contagious diseases, so each farm receives seven or eight rounds of chemical treatments a year, Chen said. These treatments include disinfectants, antibiotics, and drugs meant for plants. We never eat our own fish, Chen said. Tanggu has over 100 fish farms. The news comes as live fish have been vanishing from the capitals supermarkets after word got out that the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) was planning to conduct random inspections on aquaculture products in 12 Chinese cities. On Thursday, the CFDA responded to rumors about the disappearing fish by releasing a detailed plan of their upcoming inspections. Agency staff members told Caixin that dwindling fish stocks were due to supermarkets worries over the inspections, and not large-scale contamination of live fish. The planned CFDA inspections of live freshwater fish will include tests for traces of malachite green, an antimicrobial compound used in dyes. Livestock producers in China are banned from using malachite green on their animals. But fishery owners in Tanggu can easily get away with using it because their fish are rarely inspected, the Beijing News said. Malachite green has been linked to cancer and DNA damage, according to the European Food Safety Authority. The overuse of antibiotics by fishery owners could also present a great risk to humans by encouraging the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, Beijing Yujing Biotechnology Co. executive Jiang Huojin told Caixin. A single 10-acre fishery in Tanggu can produce more than 10,000 kg of fish. The fish are sold at markets in Tianjin and in neighboring provinces and cities, the Beijing News reported, without saying if Beijing was one of the bordering cities where Tanggu fish were sold. Contact editor Calum Gordon (calum@caixin.com) Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, PLYMOUTH Jack-o-lanterns might not trigger thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner. But Conshohocken-Plymouth-Whitemarsh Rotary Clubs recent pumpkin-carving party at Conshohocken United Methodist Church was all about making sure local families have enough food for the upcoming holiday. And beyond. Admission to the festive gathering in Jillians Cafe at Conshohocken United Methodist Church was a non-perishable for [] Ex-choir director in Bucks County pleads no contest to molesting two students, secretly filming another Meitu Inc., maker of a photo-enhancing app, believes it can break even as soon as next year, the company said in an updated prospectus filed late Monday, as it seeks to win over skeptical investors ahead of its Hong Kong IPO that could raise up to $710 million. The money-losing company boasts a huge user base, but so far is both revenue- and profit-challenged as it looks for ways to translate its 400 million subscribers into real business. According to its updated prospectus, Meitu believes that e-commerce could be the answer to its profit problems. The tech company, which lets users enhance selfies to make themselves look better, currently relies on smartphone sales for 95 percent of its modest 585 million yuan ($84.5 million) of revenue in the first half of this year. It reported a 2.2 billion yuan loss during that period. Meitu expects to strongly boost that figure with the launch of a new e-commerce platform before July, as it aims to "diversify revenue streams and explore other monetization opportunities," according to the prospectus filed with the Hong Kong stock exchange. Meitu plans to spend as much as 217 million yuan next year on a social e-commerce platform with a 120-person team. More than 200 merchants have expressed interest in promoting themselves through the platform, the company said in its revised filing. Analysts and investors have been concerned that Meitu could be classified as a hardware company, rather than a more attractive high-growth online firm worthy of an IPO that typically only internet giants enjoy. Meitu may raise as much as $710 million through the offering next month, making it the market's biggest high-tech IPO in nearly a decade, according to Bloomberg. The company has set a price range of HK$8.50 ($1.10) to HK$9.60 for the offering and will set a final price on Dec. 8, Bloomberg said. "It's trying to sell the idea that it's a platform to boost its valuation, when it really is a just a tool. Meitu's apps lack social networking or user community functions, which are prerequisites for any e-commerce vertical nowadays," said Zong Ning, an independent consultant and tech-blogger in Beijing. Meitu said that its large user base and strong relationships with online celebrities will give it leverage to target female users with cosmetics and apparel, and even sell customized T-shirts and mugs through selfie apps. But Zong said he remains skeptical that Meitu is serious about e-commerce. "It's an extremely fragmented market at this stage, among a multitude of existing players, he said. "Meitu has no advantage. What makes it think it can achieve what WeChat couldn't?" he said, referring to Tencent's popular mobile messaging app that boasts an even-larger user base than Meitu's. Contact reporter April Ma (fangjingma@caixin.com); editor Doug Young (dougyoung@caixin.com) (Beijing) Chinese regulators have awarded the fourth license this year to investors seeking to set up a bank another step to allowing private capital into the banking sector and boosting the growth of the real economy. The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) on Monday approved the establishment of Fujian Huatong Bank in a free-trade zone in the southeast coastal province of Fujian. Chongqing Fumin Bank, Sichuan New Hope Bank and Hunan Sanxiang Bank were licensed earlier this year. Huatong Bank has amassed 2.4 billion yuan ($347 million) from eight privately owned enterprises in Fujian in its registered capital. Yonghui Superstores Co. Ltd., a supermarket operator, is the top shareholder, holding 27.5% of the equity stake after contributing 660 million yuan. Yango Holdings Group is the second-largest shareholder after injecting 630 million yuan and securing a 26.25% stake. Chen Dekang, the former deputy president of Industrial Bank, will become the chairman of Huatong Bank, and Zheng Xinlin, former deputy president of WeBank, will serve as the new bank's president. The approval comes as China is encouraging private banks as a way to channel more of the country's 148.52 trillion yuan in savings to smaller companies that are thirsty for funds. By contrast, many giant state-run companies are having difficulty paying off their bank loans. The eight shareholders of Huatong Bank are in such industries as retail, education, health care and real estate. Recruitment advertisement posted online earlier this year by Huatong Bank shows that the privately owned bank positions itself as a financial technology company, and seeks to conduct core business around financial technology, innovative payment solutions and technology-based supply chain finance, which links sellers, buyers and financial institutions to lower financing costs and increase transaction efficiency. The bank also said it will focus on online financial services. China kick-started the pilot program to establish banks by private investors in March 2014. So far, five privately owned banks that have secured license in 2014 are all in business, including WeBank, co-founded by Tencent Holdings; and MyBank, co-founded by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., two of the county's largest Internet companies. Contact reporter Dong Tongjian (tongjiandong@caixin.com); editor Ken Howe (kennethhowe@caixin.com) Women are still widely underrepresented in fund management across the globe, and there's been little improvement since the 2008 financial crisis, according to new data compiled by Morningstar. Morningstar began formally studying fund managers by gender in 2015 after observing first-hand over decades that there are disproportionately fewer women in the fund industry. We studied the rates of women managers in three countries, the United States, Spain, and Hong Kong, and found that women are vastly outnumbered by men in fund-management ranks not only in absolute terms but also relative to other professional industries, including law and medicine. In this latest look at fund managers by gender, we harnessed Morningstar's global database of mutual funds and their managers to consider fund managers across 56 countries, and the trends we saw in the U.S., Spain, and Hong Kong are repeated globally: Women are not often tapped to manage mutual funds, regardless of geography. Globally, about one in five fund managers is a woman, and that management rate is largely unchanged since 2008. These numbers suggest that the fund industry as a whole is not becoming more gender-inclusive. Taking a deeper look at the data, we found there are geographic bright spots in the industry. Women have been named fund managers at a relatively higher rate in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Spain, and Israel. At least 20% of fund managers are women in these markets. But elsewhere, women are behind the global norm. In larger financial centres, such as Brazil, India, Germany, and the United States, the local rate of women-managed funds is below the global standard. How the Figures Stack Up To study women fund managers, we considered 26,340 managers of funds registered in 56 countries, all of which are included in Morningstar's global database, making this study the most comprehensive of its kind. Morningstar indicated the gender of 15,996 of those managers primarily through information supplied to Morningstar by those managers' employers. For the remaining 10,344 managers, we identified each manager's gender by examining his or her first name. We ran those first names through an algorithm that assigns the probability of being a woman based on local census data. When the algorithm assigned more than 50% probability that the first name is female, we assumed the manager is a woman. To audit the results, we manually verified managers' gender in cases where Morningstar's gender data did not match the algorithm's gender probability. We did the same for managers with gender-neutral first names, and in regions where the algorithm may not be sufficiently sensitive to local naming conventions. For example, in France, Patrice is more often a man's name, while in the U.S., Patrice skews feminine. To manually verify gender, we looked to professional photos, biographical descriptions, and titles and pronouns such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., he, she, his, or her. However, we were not able to include all countries. We did not include countries where first names are locally reflected by characters but then are translated into letters for storage in Morningstar's database or countries where first names typically are not associated with a specific gender. As such, we excluded China, Japan, and Taiwan from the study. Once we determined each manager's gender, we began looking at the managers assigned to mutual funds and exchange-traded funds by listed domicile. Some funds, such as Templeton Global Bond, are domiciled in multiple countries, so these managers and their funds were included multiple times in the study. That said, each country's data reflects the funds and managers registered in that market. It is also worth noting that Morningstar's manager data is more complete in some countries than others. In the United States, public documents reflecting fund managers' names are widely available and changes are reflected quickly in Morningstar's database. Not all markets are as transparent, however. There may be cases where the management information on a given fund is outdated. Even so, the broad trends hold true: Women are underrepresented in fund-management ranks globally. Maintaining independence and editorial freedom is essential to our mission of empowering investor success. We provide a platform for our authors to report on investments fairly, accurately, and from the investors point of view. We also respect individual opinionsthey represent the unvarnished thinking of our people and exacting analysis of our research processes. Our authors can publish views that we may or may not agree with, but they show their work, distinguish facts from opinions, and make sure their analysis is clear and in no way misleading or deceptive. To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research. Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process. The governments case against Bank of Americas Countrywide unit is officially dead, according to a Wall Street Journal report. In 2012, the government accused Countrywide of selling toxic mortgage-backed securities during the run-up to the financial crisis. The government had originally leveled a $1.27 billion-dollar penalty against Bank of America, but that penalty was thrown out by the Second US Circuit Court of Appeals in May, according to the Journal. The appeals court ruled that Countrywides actions hadnt amounted to fraud. The court also voided a fraud verdict against former Countrywide executive Rebecca Mairone (now Rebecca Steele), one of the few individuals prosecuted for her alleged role in the financial crisis. Like Countrywide, Steele had been accused of knowingly pushing shoddy mortgage bonds on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Manhattan US attorneys office asked the appeals court to reconsider, but the court denied that request. While the government could have asked the Supreme Court to take up the case, it missed the Monday deadline to do so meaning the case is officially dead. We won. Its over. Justice is done, Steeles lawyer, Marc Mukasey, told the Journal. South Carolina real estate agent and suspected serial killer Todd Kohlhepp has been charged with three new counts of murder in addition to the four hes already facing, according to an NPR report. Kohlhepp, 45, has already confessed to all seven of the murders, according to NPR. Kohlhepp was arrested Nov. 3 after Spartanburg County, S.C., deputies found a missing woman, 30-year-old Kala Brown, chained like a dog on the real estate agents wooded property. Brown, who had been missing along with her boyfriend, Charles David Carver, since Aug. 31, told authorities she had been held captive for two months. Further investigation of the property led to the discovery of Carvers body buried in a shallow grave. Investigators searching the property have since found the bodies of a married couple Meagan Leigh McCraw Coxie and Johnny Joe Coxie who have been missing since last year, according to NPR. Authorities believe Kohlhepp shot and killed Johnny Joe Coxie on Dec. 19, 2015, the same date he kidnapped Meagan Coxie. He then allegedly shot her either the following day or several days later. Kohlhepp has also confessed to murdering four people in 2003 at a motorcycle shop in Chesnee, S.C., shedding light on a locally prominent cold case. Kohlhepps official bio as a real estate agent touted his accomplishments and education bachelors degrees in both business administration and computer science, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society membership, a pilots license. But that was only his public face. Privately, Kohlhepp had a much darker history. A registered sex offender, Kohlhepp had been convicted in the 1986 rape of a teenage girl in Arizona, according to the Washington Post. When he was 15, Kohlhepp went to a neighbors house, held a gun to a 14-year-old girls head, and forced her to come back to his home, where he bound and sexually assaulted her. He struck a bargain at trial, pleading guilty to only the kidnapping charge, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to the Post. He was released in 2001. Todays local economy has seen a slowdown in auto sales, but Texas Certified Motors is investing in the future. The used car dealer will break ground on its new showroom at 4700 W. Wall St. at 11 a.m. today, with friends, family, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and other representatives expected to be in attendance. The event not only marks a continuing transition for the dealership, which now has five locations in West Texas, but also for Chief Financial Officer John Wade, who recently traded in the banking business for the car business. Wade told the Reporter-Telegram that the move has been pretty seamless, given the similarities between the two. The banking business is dollars and numbers, and the car business is dollars and numbers, he said. Wade worked 21 years as a loan officer and three years as a bank examiner before opting to change careers. Banking has changed, and for me, at least, it wasnt fun anymore. He said the banking experience itself is valuable to anyone who wants to run a company because you get exposure to many types of businesses. His favorite aspect of business is customer service, which he called the easiest part because all it takes is genuine concern on behalf of the customers needs. At Texas Certified Motors, those needs center on connecting customers with quality used cars. The company generally has between 25 and 30 cars on the lot and typically sells model years between 2010 and 2016. Wade said Texas Certified Motors targets people who budget for used cars, particularly blue-collar workers. If they can afford a new car, great. But if they cannot, thats who our primary customer is: the workingman who is budgeting less and not at a new-car price. Wade said business has been off a bit during the prolonged economic downturn here. Just like all businesses out there, were not blowin and goin, but were staying steady, he said. Were definitely not twiddling our thumbs here. Texas Certified Cars has two locations in Midland, two in Odessa and one in Lubbock. Its Wall Street location is not only getting a new showroom, but a second building is being constructed for lease to prospective tenants. Tuesdays groundbreaking will feature food, drinks and a DJ playing classic car tunes, such as Wades favorite, Drive My Car by The Beatles. Its also a chance to meet Texas Certified Motors staff, who Wade said focuses heavily on serving its clients. If you have good customer service, you will always do well. Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes. Frank Ocean released his first album in over four years in August and in typical Ocean fashion went right back into hiding without any sort of press or live tour. That may change. He has announced his first shows in three years - a pair of European festival gigs in London and Denmark at Lovebox Festival and NorthSide Festival respectively. His first gig will take place in Aarhus, Denmark at NorthSide Festival. It will be his first show in Denmark since a gig in 2013 in Copenhagen. He will perform on Friday, June 9. At the festival Ocean will be joined by Radiohead, Run The Jewels, Bastille, M, Veronica Maggio, Liss, Bisse and Phlake. He will also perform at Lovebox Festival in Victoria Park in London. Ocean is the only announced act thus far on the bill. According to NorthSide's website, Ocean won't be doing many festival gigs over the summer, which isn't all that surprising. In his recent New York Times interview, it was clear that he was still grappling with the consequences of fame and how to manage the expectations of life, while also going about day-to-day routines. "It's hard to articulate how I think about myself as a public figure. I've gotten used to being Frank Ocean," he said. "A lot of people stopped me on the street when I hadn't put music out in a while, literally would yell out of an Uber, 'Frank, where the album?'" The decision to perform in London and Denmark could have come from Ocean's acute understanding of the business side of his music. "I know exactly what the numbers are. I need to know," he remarked. "I need to know how many records I've sold, how many album equivalents from streaming, which territories are playing my music more than others, because it helps me in conversations about where we're gonna be playing shows, or where I might open a retail location, like a pop-up store or something." 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New members inducted into Institute of ... Florida's days of plenty could be nearing an end in rapid fashion, the new speaker of the state House is warning, a development that could force lawmakers to tackle a budget deficit of up to $1 billion as soon as next spring. Florida budget deficit of up to $1 billion possible House speaker feels projected surplus will be wiped out by next session Gov. Scott wants $85 million in business incentives Between rising Medicaid costs, underperforming state investments and the yet-to-be-seen economic fallout from this year's Zika crisis, House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O'Lakes) believes a projected $7.5 million surplus will be wiped out by the time the legislature convenes its regular session in March. "The budget, I think, is going to be difficult," Corcoran told reporters last week. "I think once we see the Zika effect in our sales tax revenues, my hunch is that when we hit session in March that we're going to be pretty...at best, flatlined, and at worst, we could have a deficit." State economists have been forecasting a $1.3 billion deficit in 2018. If Corcoran's prediction holds true, it would signal a faster deceleration of economic growth than had been expected. Democrats have assigned much the blame for the state's deteriorating revenues to Gov. Rick Scott, who along with Republican legislators, has championed billions of dollars worth of tax cuts primarily benefiting corporations. The cuts haven't led to significant reinvestment in Florida's economy, they say. A 2017 deficit could doom Scott's request for $85 million in business incentive funding but, in comments that could presage a showdown with Corcoran, the governor says the speaker's prediction of a budget crisis is premature. "Tourism is continuing to grow, jobs are continuing to grow, our labor force is continuing to grow, so, no, this state is on a roll," Scott said Monday. "There's no place like Florida." Indeed, a record 85 million people visited Florida during the first nine months of the year, indicating that widespread fears about the Zika virus may not have impacted tourism, after all. But numbers aside, the fundamental difference between Scott and Corcoran may be philosophical in nature. Corcoran has assumed the speaker's gavel with an eye toward eliminating the sort of "corporate welfare" spending that has come to define Scott's agenda. "We have a spending problem in this state, and so, we're going to address that spending problem," the speaker said. Attorney General Kamala Harris will intervene in case against a California law requiring criminal defendants to post bail to be freed while awaiting trial, a system that is being challenged in a lawsuit as unfair to the poor. Harris office agreed to step in after San Franciscos city attorney and sheriff refused to defend the law, questioning its constitutionality and even-handedness. Kristin Ford, a spokeswoman for Harris, said Monday the attorney general would seek approval from a federal judge in Oakland to intervene in the San Francisco case. Harris proposed intervention had been announced earlier in the day in a court filing by City Attorney Dennis Herreras office. Bail bond companies also want to enter the case and defend the cash-bail system, a request opposed by the group that is challenging the law. The state law requires courts in each county to set bail in varying amounts depending on the seriousness of the crime. Those who post bail are set free while awaiting trial, but defendants who cant pay the prescribed amount, or the 10 percent fee charged by bond companies, remain in jail until they are formally charged and arraigned, usually 48 hours after arrest. At that point, a judge sets conditions for pretrial release, often including bail, based on their assessments of the risk to public safety and the chance that the defendant might flee. The nonprofit Equal Justice Under Law has challenged cash-bail systems in a number of states, including suits in San Francisco and Sacramento opposing the California law, and has won support from the Obama administration. The suits contend the law setting bail amounts for specific crimes discriminates against low-income defendants. Bail bond companies say the system promotes public safety by giving defendants an incentive to show up in court. Opponents of the system argue that judges can protect the public just as well by evaluating defendants individually and setting conditions for supervised pretrial release. San Francisco Sheriff Vicki Hennessy had been the sole defendant in the case. But on Nov. 1, Herrera, who had represented Hennessy, said he considered the bail law unconstitutional and would not defend it in court. Hennessy said the law was arbitrary and unfair but she would continue to enforce bail in the amounts set by San Francisco judges until courts said otherwise. At the same time, Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, said he would introduce legislation to eliminate bail requirements that punish poor people simply for being poor. Harris office has defended the law in a separate suit in Sacramento, where a federal judge has rejected claims of discrimination. The attorney general was originally a defendant in the San Francisco case as well, but she was dismissed as a defendant in February when U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that the Constitution barred such a suit against the state. Harris has chosen to re-enter the case, however, since the citys opt-out left the law without a defender. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egedlko Starting in 2019, San Antonio will no longer be an Ikea-barren land and, though years stand in the way of the grand opening, local interior decorators can't box up their excitement. On Tuesday, the Swedish furniture giant announced plans to open the first San Antonio-area location in Live Oak at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Interstate 35. Vandals have struck the "I love tacos so much" wall again, splattering it with one of President-elect Donald Trump's vulgar quotes overnight. The wall, at 109 W. Grayson St., has touted multiple messages throughout the year. The original iteration read "I love tacos so much," was accidentally painted over, then defaced to say "I love cocaine so much," then reworked to say "I love The Coyote so much," then vandalized with spray-painted penises and overnight, the wall was almost entirely painted over to say "Grab her by the p----." San Antonio's lush Christmas display may have taken a different vibe this year with the 55-foot White Fur moving to Travis Park, but that just means there are more destinations to visit for your holiday light fix. Several places from San Antonio to the Hill Country go big this time of year by drenching houses, parks and prominent landmarks with millions of sparkling lights. A former North Country judge who traded leniency for sex now faces a felony charge that could land him behind bars for 7 years, according to the state attorney general's office. A grand jury indicted Delmar House on charges that he used his position as a judge to reduce a fine for a defendant who appeared in front of him in exchange for sexual favors. The former West Carthage village justice was charged with bribe receiving and receiving a reward for official misconduct. The first charge has a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison. "Any court official who exploits their position to elicit sexual favors shows blatant disregard for the wellbeing of their victim, the trust of the public, and for the judicial system as a whole," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement released by his office. According to court documents, House, 49, of Carthage agreed in April 2015 to reduce a defendant's fine for traffic violations in exchange for sexual favors. House was arraigned in Jefferson County Court. He pleaded not guilty and was released from custody. Earlier this year, the Watertown Times reported House resigned and agreed he'd never seek judicial office again due to "alcohol-fueled misconduct." The allegation was made by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates the conduct of judges in New York. The newspaper reported House consumed alcoholic drinks at a local bar and then "engaged in public conduct both inside and outside the bar with another patron that was inconsistent with his ethical obligations to act at all times in a manner that protects the integrity of the judiciary and the dignity of his judicial office." Bethlehem Bethlehem Central School District voters approved a $32.2 million bond on Tuesday. The money will be used for 111 different renovation projects through the school district. The vote was 1,154 (65 percent) to 621 (35 percent). The bond will add $16 to the average annual tax bill. Much of the construction project will be reimbursed by the state. Voters also approved a measure that allows the district to use $5 million from the reserve fund to offset the cost of the capital improvements. "The Board of Education is grateful to the community for its continuing support of the school district," said President Matt Downey. "We are fortunate to have active, involved residents who recognize their schools are the heart of their community and who help us meet our goal of delivering knowledge, character and value to students and families." The largest project is a $7 million renovation of the high school auditorium. Work on the Bethlehem Central capital improvements is expected to begin as early as summer 2018 and is projected to be completed by November 2020. BRIDGEPORT A local man will serve more than 10 years in prison for a robbery spree in 2014. Derrick Gilliam, 30 was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 121 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Gilliam brandished and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at employees during each of the seven robberies, according to statements made in court. Court documents indicate that: Gilliam, Lancelot Supersad and others committed an armed robbery of the CVS Pharmacy on Grasmere Avenue in Fairfield,on April 26, 2014, stealing about $2,376, court officials said. On May 3, 2014, Gilliam, Supersad and others attempted an armed robbery of the Mobil Gas station on Noble Avenue and on May 10 they held up the Webster Bank branch on Main Street, stealing about $4,170. On June 1, 2014, Gilliam, Supersad and others committed an armed robbery of a Pizza Hut on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport, stealing approximately $250. On June 26, 2014, Gilliam, Supersad, Anthony Santiago and others committed an armed robbery of the Residence Inn on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, stealing approximately $200. On July 2, 2014, Gilliam, Supersad, Santiago and others attempted an armed robbery of the Sikorsky Financial Credit Union on Oronoque Lane in Stratford. On the same day they held up the TD Bank on Post Road East in Westport. Hall ordered Gilliam to pay $12,100 in restitution. The defendant has been detained since his arrest on July 3, 2014. On July 28, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to affect commerce by robbery. Supersad and Santiago pleaded guilty to the same charge and await sentencing. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Attempted murder charge after shooting ALBANY A 21-year-old man was charged Saturday with attempted murder after a Thanksgiving shooting that sent one man to the hospital. About 12:45 p.m. Thursday, police were called to a Clinton Avenue home, where a 35-year-old man had been shot in the torso, Albany police spokesman Officer Steve Smith said. Police arrested Kevin C. Douglas at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Smith said Douglas used a handgun to shoot a resident in a Sheridan Hollow apartment. The victim was taken to Albany Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Douglas also tried to steal property from the Clinton Avenue home, but fled with nothing, Smith said. The shooting stemmed from a domestic-related incident, Smith said. Douglas is charged with five felonies: second-degree attempted murder, criminal use of a firearm, burglary and two counts of robbery. Emily Masters Pair facing weapon, marijuana charges COLONIE A traffic stop led to the arrest of two people on charges of illegally possessing a handgun. Colonie police stopped a 2004 Toyota Camry at 11:47 p.m. Saturday near Latham Farms. The officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana, and both occupants admitted to recently smoking the drug. A search of the car turned up a loaded 9mm handgun and a small amount of marijuana. Driver Atorya I. Carter, 19, of Rensselaer and passenger Maliem E. Murphy, 20, of Troy were charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. Murphy also had 3 grams of crack cocaine and faces an additional weapons possession charge as well as a count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies. Carter also faces two vehicle and traffic violations. Both men were arraigned in Colonie Town Court and sent to Albany County jail pending preliminary hearings Monday. Carter's bail was set for $20,000. No bail was set for Murphy. Tim O'Brien Putting accelerant in fireplace injures man COLONIE A Latham man suffered minor burns Monday after trying to throw an accelerant on a fire in his fireplace, town spokeswoman Sara Wiest said. Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze at 56 Laura Drive. The resident was treated at the scene by Colonie EMS and was not taken to a hospital. The man was having trouble starting a fire at 1:22 p.m. Wiest said, and poured on a mix of gas and citronella. "The flames leapt up, and the stuff in the can caught fire," she said. The man ran outside with the can, burning his hands and catching curtains on fire, Wiest said. A Verizon employee happened to be at the home and used a fire extinguisher from his truck to douse the curtains. The Latham and Verdoy fire departments responded. "I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone to use only seasoned firewood in your fireplace and never use flammables in a fireplace," town senior fire detection specialist Joseph Bisognano said. Tim O'Brien Missing boater found alive on Center Island TROY A missing boater was found alive Sunday night on Center Island in the Hudson River. Search crews started combing the river for Roger Zalucky of Troy in the late evening, Troy police spokesman Capt. Daniel DeWolf said. The fisherman had been last heard from in the afternoon. Authorities discovered the man's empty, overturned boat at 11:30 p.m. About 15 minutes later, Zalucky, 69, was found on the island in the Hudson between Troy and Green Island. It is technically part of Green Island. He was treated by paramedics from the Troy Fire Department and taken to a hospital. Troy police and fire departments worked with the State Police Aviation unit on the search. Emily Masters Man charged with felony assault of girl QUEENSBURY A 20-year-old man faces a felony assault charge after State Police investigated a child's injuries. Troopers began investigating after the girl's arm was treated at Glens Falls Hospital. Bradley Johnson of Queensbury was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. He was taken to Warren County Jail after failing to post bail, State Police said. Emily Masters GREENWICH The Board of Education will discuss seeking interim appropriations to pay for improvements to the Hamilton Avenue School playing field and for testing and development of a remediation plan for Western Middle Schools fields during a meeting Thursday. Board members will also revisit electing a chairman, which left them deadlocked at their last attempt. Managing Director of Operations Jim Hricay has proposed an interim appropriation of $250,000 to pay for the job at Western, which includes soil sampling and delineation of lead, chlordane and PCB contamination. The extent of contamination by the first two substances has been determined. Engineers are still working to determine the extent of PCB contamination. The work, by the firm Langan Engineering, has been ongoing this fall. In October, the board approved $50,000 to be transferred from its maintenance budget to fund Langans work. The board does not yet have a dollar amount for the project at Hamilton Avenues field, but Hricay described the playing area as sub-optimal in his appropriation proposal. The field has a five foot difference in elevation from one end to the other and a bumpy playing surface because it was used to store materials during the construction of the school. Leveling the field would require the excavation and movement of soil, which in turn would necessitate testing the soil before any work began, said Director of Facilities Ron Matten. Both appropriations have been a subject of debate this fall as board members disputed whether the town or the school district should have responsibility for the cost of fixing soil contamination. In October, Board member Jennifer Dayton insisted on interim appropriations to pay for the needed work on the fields at both schools as soon as possible, regardless of what testing might be needed at Hamilton Avenue. Board Vice Chairwoman Barbara O'Neill said, "I don't think it's the board's responsibility to do anything more than level the field. ... We know we are going to have to test, and the chances of finding something there are pretty good. So we have to consider this: Is this really something we want to take on, or is this something for DPW and Parks and Rec?" Also on the Boards agenda Thursday, among other items, will be a vote for the new chairman of the Board of Education. ONeill, a Republican who served as chair from 2013 to 2015, is challenging current chair and Democrat Laura Erickson, who assumed leadership in November 2015. I am running because I have recognized leadership skills: a good listener, team player and tireless worker, said ONeill. I know what we need in a new superintendent: I worked under 10 superintendents as a teacher and with three as a board member. Erickson countered this year is not a natural leadership transition point. She hopes to retain her office because, Its my pleasure to serve this board, this district and this community. I have the time, the energy and the skill set that it takes to fulfill the duties of the position. The board members voted for chairman at their Nov. 16 meeting, but no candidate received a five vote majority because of a partisan 4-4 split. A new chairman must be elected by Dec. 16, according to board policy. Thursdays meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Havemeyer Building on Greenwich Avenue. emunson@hearstmediact.com; @emiliemunson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GREENWICH Third grader Ava Sanchez was drafting a petition. With her notebook in her lap, she sat cross-legged on the carpet of her classroom in New Lebanon School, ready to share her work. Im writing about how everyone should stop animal abuse, said Ava, before launching into her reasons why. Jessica Mazzone, a professional staff developer from the Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, leaned over Avas notebook and pointed to her sentences. What else are you doing as a writer? she said to Ava, and then discussed how to elaborate on her reasoning. Sitting just a few feet away on the carpet was a trio of third-grade teachers, drinking in the conference and planning to bring the teaching skills to their classrooms. Throughout the school day, New Lebanon third-, fourth- and fifth-grade teachers had a chance to talk teaching strategies, watch Mazonne model a lesson and then put her tips into practice in two-hour workshops with New Lebanon students. Mazzone focuses her teacher training toward what educators are demanding to learn in this case, how to teach to a variety of abilities in one classroom. It really allows you to just pause and reflect on your teaching, said third-grade teacher Lisa Moore. In reflecting, personally it allows me to see what Im doing thats effective and also to see how I can tweak or better my practices. It also gives me foresight and allows me to better plan the next steps for the children. It provides me with ideas that I probably wouldnt have come up with on my own. Teachers at New Lebanon, Julian Curtiss, Cos Cob, Hamilton Avenue and Western and Eastern middle schools will meet with Teachers College staff five times this year for similar workshops. Staff at these schools have explicitly said they want to improve reading and writing instruction in their school improvement plans, explained Pre-K to 12 Humanities Coordinator Antoinette Fornshell. These schools also posted some of the lowest English scores on the Smarter Balanced Assessments last year. At New Lebanon, Hamilton Avenue and Julian Curtiss Schools, fewer than 60 percent of students met expectations on the test. All teachers in the district may have the opportunity to work with Teachers College staff on professional development days. I always felt like in my own teaching that having professional development was the biggest tool that I had, the biggest chance to try out new things and learn from your colleagues, said Mazzone. I think that sometimes when youre in your own classroom day to day, you can get sort of into your own routines and habits, and its nice to step outside. The district was on a wait list for several years to receive staff support from Teachers College. Fornshell said it was worth the wait, especially how the teachers are responding. Theyre just communicating at a different level, she said. They are talking about things in a different way. This year is the third that Teachers College has worked with Greenwich Public School teachers. Fornshell said collaboration between teachers in schools has increased, even across grade levels. In addition, she suggested that the teaching models that her educators were learning were causing students to be more productive in the classroom. She pointed to the students scrawling away in their notebooks as evidence. We are very lucky to have them here, she said about the Teachers College. Principal of New Lebanon School Barbara Riccio, who participated in the teachers workshops, described the partnership with Teachers College as ideal. Its very rich teaching, she said. When youre teaching all the time, you dont get to sit and digest it. So they can talk to each other, they can say what they are stressing over... they can bring specific questions... It has just lots of good stuff. I could go on and on. Third-grade teacher Colleen Flynn said that while she collaborates with her fellow teachers, Teachers College gave her new ideas to bring to her classroom. Its very helpful to watch her model the lesson, she said. Its cool to watch because were all different and she might think of some strategy on the fly that I wouldnt have thought of... Its a constant learning process. emunson@hearstmediact.com; @emiliemunson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Hoosick Falls Central School District has shut off three faucets at the junior-senior high school after tests of the water showed elevated lead levels. Two of the faucets that were used for cooking showed levels as high as 450 parts per billion, which is 30 times the limit allowed by the state. The district was one of seven in the Capital Region to post results of water testing over the past week that showed lead contamination of water fountains, sinks, showers and other places. Results will continue to come in this year as schools across New York comply with a new state law requiring the testing this year and every five years thereafter. The Times Union is posting these results on its Schools blog, http://blog.timesunion.com/schools. Hoosick Falls schools have taken extra precautions to protect their water over the past year following the discovery of widespread PFOA contamination in the public water supply. Although the school district is not connected to the municipal water system and pumps water from wells located on campus, it installed a carbon filtration system this spring as a preventive measure. That system does not protect water from lead contamination, said Superintendent Kenneth Facin. "Lead is a whole different ballgame," he said. "Contamination occurs, not at the point of entry, but as it moves through the infrastructure, from the pipes and fixtures with lead solder. So that's what's going to make this a very complex fix across the state. We were very fortunate to have only a few sources come back elevated." A new state law has been shining a spotlight on the prevalence of lead-contaminated water in schools by requiring all public schools in New York to test water for lead at any outlet that is currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking. If a source shows lead levels above 15 parts per billion, a district is required to shut it off, and develop and implement a remediation plan whether that be replacing pipes, faucets and other parts, or making bottled water available to students. Most contaminated water has come from classroom and bathroom sinks meant for hand washing or lab experiments, according to results posted on the district websites. The following schools had contaminated drinking or cooking water: Ballston Spa, Malta Avenue Elementary School: room 21 fountain (20.4 ppb), gym room 19 fountain (15.3 ppb) (Note: These fountains have been out of use since July 2013) Ballston Spa, Milton Terrace Elementary School: room 38 bubbler (34.5 ppb), room 24 bubbler (16.5 ppb) Berlin Elementary School: kitchen boiling pot (24.4 ppb) Bethlehem Central High School: drinking fountain No. 2 in F-wing (17.3 ppb), drinking fountain No. 1 in F-wing (17.2 ppb) Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School: World Languages hallway fountain (43.3 ppb), Business hallway fountain (18.9 ppb) Hoosick Falls Junior/Senior High School: two kitchen faucets used to fill soup pot and steam kettle (450 ppb), exterior spigot outside loading dock used to fill water bottles and coolers (18.5 ppb) Saratoga Springs High School: L-wing white gym north end fountain (36.2 ppb), technology wing fountain (21.7 ppb), D139 hallway fountain (17.3 ppb), lower G-wing room 131-133 fountain (15.6 ppb) Schenectady High School: main gym fountain (48.8 ppb), weight room fountain (30.1 ppb), main hallway fountain across from auditorium #2 (15.7 ppb) Schenectady, Washington Irving Adult and Continuing Education Center: first floor hallway fountain next to main office (386 ppb) New York became the first state in the nation to require comprehensive water testing in schools when the law was enacted on Sept. 6. Districts had until Sept. 30 to test elementary schools, and must post the results within 10 days of receiving them. They had until Oct. 31 to test all other schools. Lead exposure is particularly harmful to young children, even at low levels. Prolonged exposure can result in lower IQ, behavioral problems and brain damage. The toxic material enters drinking water when pipes containing lead corrode, especially if the water running through them has high acidity or low mineral content. Human skin does not absorb lead in water, so sinks that are used for washing are not cause for worry, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump A New Haven man was sentenced in U.S. District Court on Monday for his role in a drug trafficking ring that was investigated by police from Greenwich, Milford, Shelton and Wilton. Raymond Morales, 33, was sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by three years probation, for organizing a scheme to obtain oxycodone pills through fraudulent prescriptions. Eleven people have been charged as a result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agencys tactical diversion squad, which draws from area police departments. According to court documents and statements made in court, the DEA unit began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that manufactured fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and distributed the drug in the greater New Haven area. As part of the conspiracy, members of the organization obtained the personal identifying information of medical practitioners and used the information to create fraudulent prescriptions, court documents show. Members also purchased legitimate prescriptions for oxycodone from individuals. The organization then used runners to fill the fraudulent prescriptions at pharmacies throughout Connecticut. Morales recruited runners to fill fraudulent prescriptions, and had a close associate who worked as a pharmacy technician at a pharmacy in New Haven and assisted Morales in filling the fake prescriptions, the investigation showed. Between February 2013 and September 2015, the organization stole the personal identifying information of more than 50 doctors and medical professionals and fraudulently obtained more than 80,000 oxycodone pills. Investigators identified more than 800 fraudulent prescriptions passed by members of the organization using more than 270 different patient names. Nearly all of the runners employed by the conspiracy held state-sponsored medical insurance, so the costs of the prescriptions were billed to Medicaid. Members of the drug trafficking organization then sold the oxycodone for $20 to $30 per 30 milligram pill. Morales pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. MALTA A 21-year-old Milton man pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a serious three-car accident that occurred in Malta in February, the Saratoga County District Attorney's Office said. Ryan A. Pappalau pleaded guilty to felony vehicular assault and misdemeanor driving while impaired by drugs following the incident, attorneys said. Robert Hunter was raped in the Navy when he was 19, a memory he repressed for 32 years. When the memory returned, he drank heavily and endured mental health problems. After receiving help from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, he decided to build something good from something horrible and bring attention to men who are sexually assaulted in the military. The Connecticut veteran co-founded a national advocacy group called Men Recovering from Military Sexual Trauma (Mr. MST) because, he said, male victims arent taken seriously. Dr. Jerome Brodlie, head of psychology at Greenwich Hospital, said men feel they will be demeaned if they report sexual assault. Guys are supposed to suck it up, sit in a fox hole, hold your ground, Brodlie said. Hunters organization has spent the last three years raising awareness and lobbying for health care for military victims of sexual assault, meeting with top government decision makers, participating in White House policy discussions, speaking at events for military sexual assault victims and joining women survivors in advocating for removing the prosecution of military sexual assault from the chain of command. In the military, where men comprise 85 percent of the population, more men than women are sexually assaulted. The most recent Pentagon estimates show 10,600 men and 9,600 women were assaulted in 2014, representing 1 percent of active duty men and 4.9 percent of women. Men rarely report military sexual assaults, tell anyone, or get care for associated problems, according to a study by the Rand Corporation, a research organization. Just 13 percent of men report a sexual assault compared to 40 percent of women, the Rand study showed. Servicemen are more likely than women to: be repeat victims, be assaulted on duty and by multiple offenders in one incident, and endure physical injuries and threats of violence during sexual assaults, according to Rand. Alcohol is usually not involved in male assault, Rand found. The Department of Defense (DOD) only started addressing the issue of male sexual assault in 2014, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress. Until recently, DOD leadership was not comfortable raising male victims as an area of focus, the GAO reported. This discomfort and the fact that men dont report assaults are rooted in a military culture where male strength is revered, mental health professionals say. Shame and distrust At the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans who apply for health care are asked if they are military sexual trauma (MST) victims. In Connecticut in the last year, 1.4 percent of men and 29.9 percent of women replied affirmatively, said Dr. Jason DeViva, MST coordinator at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. He said some veterans eventually disclose their assaults years after their first VA visit. But many victims dont go to the VA because they see it as part of the government that was running the military when they were assaulted, he said. DeViva said most perpetrators are men, causing male victims to question their sexual orientation and feel ashamed. The VA has been providing free services for veterans who are victims of MST since 1992 for women and 1994 for men, regardless of their discharge status. Victims dont need to show proof of their assault or meet eligibility requirements as they do for other VA services. They are offered individualized medical care and group sessions. There are now two MST groups for men and two for women at the West Haven VA, DeViva said. Educational materials are gender specific, he said, including citing effects of trauma on ones sense of masculinity. But while VA health care is offered to sexual trauma victims, VA disability payments are typically denied them. Help from Yale legal clinic Hunter, the Connecticut veteran, is applying for such compensation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder attributed to his rape. The Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School is handling his case. Edward Wittenstein, a volunteer lawyer with the clinic, said the VA has a history of dual discrimination against male MST claimants. The VA denies MST-based PTSD claims more often than other PTSD claims, and male MST claims more often than female MST claims, Wittenstein said. Hunter, 54, of Torrington, said the memory of his rape was triggered three years ago when he was meeting with a Connecticut congressman on behalf of the Veterans of Foreign War. Speaking about military sexual assault, he blurted out to his own shock, It happened to me. He felt like he had been gut punched, he said. A week later, after a drinking binge, he sought help at the Newington VA. He still sees a psychiatrist there and a psychologist at the Rocky Hill Veterans Center, and has participated in group therapy for mental illness. He is now pursuing a masters degree in social work at Smith College to become a psychotherapist and work with veterans. He takes a service dog with him to class. Hunter, who recently spoke at a Congressional briefing, said in an interview that he believes support from Congress is key in getting male victims more help and giving them the confidence to seek help. It takes steady pressure building an alliance of legislators, steady pressure keeping people who can do the real fighting informed, he said. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (www.c-hit.org). A police investigation that targeted underage drinking in Albany County nabbed two Stewart's Shops store clerks for selling alcohol to underage patrons, State Police said. The sweep was carried out over the Thanksgiving weekend. Troy The community school movement shows no sign of slowing down in New York. But do the schools, which aim to tackle non-academic barriers to learning like poverty, hunger and family strife, actually boost performance? A new report from the New York State School Boards Association finds they do, and highlights Troy City School District's School 2 as proof the community school model can work. The elementary school is one of a growing number of schools across the state that have shifted to the model, which looks beyond academics to the social, emotional and physical issues that keep kids from succeeding in school. Community schools address these issues with partners from the community, by opening health clinics or providing mental health counseling, after-school programs or parent support services right on school grounds. In its second year under the model, School 2 seems to be showing progress, the report found. The percentage of students passing the state reading exams increased from just 11 percent in 2013 and 2014 to 17 percent in 2015 and 2016, and the percentage of students passing the state math exams increased from 10 percent to 16 percent over the same period. Other community schools, like P.S. 15 Roberto Clemente in New York City, saw even larger academic gains over the same period, the report found. Nationwide, community schools in Chicago, Cincinnati, Hartford and Portland have reported similar gains. State officials have come to embrace community schools as an important weapon in the fight against poverty, a leading cause of academic disparity nationwide. The 2016-17 state budget included $175 million for the development of community schools a funding stream educators are hoping will continue beyond the current school year. "Community schools have the potential to be a great equalizer, especially for children in poverty," the NYSSBA report states. "But, just like any reform, they have to be developed and implemented with great foresight and care." The gains in Troy occurred after the district had applied for and received a three-year, $500,000 state grant to transform School 2 into a community school. About two-thirds of the school's 334 students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy measure for poverty. With the grant money, the school began partnering with community groups to provide various supports for these students and their families. A partnership with the Commission on Economic Opportunity, a local nonprofit, helps support families with career development, health services and groceries. Rensselaer County provides on-site mental health services. Capital Roots provides nutritional information to students. And Girls, Inc. offers programs designed to build self esteem among students. The school also launched morning breakfast clubs a time each morning for students to get help with their uniforms, receive snacks, review the upcoming day, and participate in activities like yoga. Students are also learning how to manage their emotions through various wellness programs, the report found. Such programming requires funding, and community schools have worked best when that funding comes from a variety of sources, including local, state and federal governments, foundations, businesses and community-based organizations, the report found. Funding alone won't ensure success, though. Shared leadership between school officials, community partners and parents is just as important, the report says. To view the full report, visit nyssba.org bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump WACO -- Texas farmers and ranchers will address policy issues like transportation, the right to repair agricultural equipment and agricultural liens at the 83rd annual meeting of Texas Farm Bureau Dec. 3-5 in San Antonio. Members from the states 206 county Farm Bureaus will work together to craft policy positions and prepare for the challenges agriculture faces. Agriculture and rural Texas are facing some challenges, TFB President Russell Boening said. Our policy discussions will look to address ways to help continue to make agriculture sustainable and profitable, while always ensuring we have a nutritious and affordable food and fiber supply. Approximately 1,000 Texas farmers and ranchers are expected in San Antonio during the annual meeting to discuss the latest agricultural issues, recognize successes from the past year and evaluate the organizations policies. As a grassroots organization, the decisions we make regarding policy reflect the needs of our members and the needs of Texas agriculture, Boening said. That policy will guide Texas Farm Bureaus efforts in the coming year as we work to raise awareness and fight for farmers and ranchers in Austin and Washington, D.C. The meeting will begin at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel Dec. 3 with registration at 10 a.m. Saturdays events include TFB member services and benefits exhibits, the Free Enterprise Speech Contest, Discussion Meet and the Young Farmer & Rancher Social. The meeting will continue Sunday, Dec. 4, with a devotional, followed by membership recognition awards, Pioneer Award presentations and the naming of the 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher and Excellence in Agriculture award winners. Former TFB Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Vernie R. Glasson III will accept the Distinguished Service Award from the agricultural organization. Sunday afternoon will feature the presidents annual address to the TFB delegates. The TFB Annual Meeting will conclude Monday, Dec. 5, with the organizations annual business session. For more information about the 83rd annual meeting, visit www.texasfarmbureau.org. A Hail Mary pass from Californias higher-education leaders on Tuesday seeks some unlikely benevolence from President-elect Donald Trump on immigration: They want him to save a program that shields thousands of state students from deportation. Since 2012, a federal law has allowed people under age 31 who were brought to this country illegally as children to avoid deportation if they are in school, finished high school or served honorably in the military and have no serious criminal record. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program covers thousands of college students in California, and state education officials are asking the immigration hard-liner to preserve it. These sons and daughters of undocumented immigrants are as American as any other child across the nation, in all but in the letter of the law. ... They are constructive and contributing members of our communities. They should be able to pursue their dream of higher education without fear of being arrested, deported, or rounded up for just trying to learn, says the letter to Trump sent by University of California President Janet Napolitano, California State University Chancellor Timothy White, and incoming California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley. Jon Cordova, Trumps spokesman in California, referred requests for comment to his presidential transition team, which did not respond. But Trump has made plain his views on people living in this country without documentation. Last month he proposed an End Illegal Immigration Act and reiterated his idea to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. For those here illegally today who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and one route only, he said in August. To return home and apply for re-entry like everybody else under the rules of an immigration system he has outlined that includes blocking federal funding for cities like San Francisco that offer sanctuary to those without documentation. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, allows students to work legally in this country. It covers only students who arrived before turning 16 and came before June 2007. They must reapply every two years. Californias public colleges and universities dont ask students their immigration status and cant say precisely how many of their students are participating in DACA. But UC estimates that it enrolls about 3,700 students without documentation on its 10 campuses. CSU estimates that about 8,000 students without documentation are enrolled on its 23 campuses. Community colleges, with 113 campuses and more than 2 million students, estimate that tens of thousands are in this category. Nationally, more than 1.5 million people have asked to participate in DACA since 2012, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Of those, 606,264, or 39 percent, have been accepted. Im not sure how much effect the letter will have, said Valeria Suarez, a UC Berkeley sophomore who arrived in this country on her own from Peru at age 16 too old to qualify for DACA. At the same time, some students say that while DACA has been helpful to some, its also led some in the program to become complacent about fighting for the rights of those who dont qualify. University officials are more focused on its benefits, which they say are substantial. One of the things DACA has done for our students is to give them the opportunity to work on campus, which gives them (scheduling) flexibility and higher pay, said Sabrina Sanders, student affairs director for the CSU system. What Im hearing from our campuses is that it gives students a sense of comfort. Knowing theyre validated more than staying in the shadows or being caught and deported. Losing the program could cost many students their ability to earn a degree, Sanders said. One of these students may be the next to discover a cure for a disease. Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov The director of a coalition seeking to restore a balance of state and federal power is in Midland this week garnering support for a constitutional amendment he believes provides the fastest and most reliable way to rein in power of regulators in Washington. The Regulation Freedom Amendment specifically says: Whenever one quarter of the members of the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate transmit to the president their written declaration of opposition to a proposed federal regulation, it shall require a majority vote of the House and Senate to adopt that regulation. Roman Buhler, director of The Madison Coalition, said the proposed constitutional amendment is backed by a bipartisan coalition, including more than 900 state legislators, six governors, the American Farm Bureau and a unanimous vote of the Republican National Committee. He said 19 state legislative chambers have passed resolutions urging Congress to propose the amendment. Those in attendance Monday at Gerardos Casito, included prominent businessmen, members of the Midland City Council and five current or former mayors. Many said during the meeting that regulations been a thorn in the side of producers and other industry officials in the Permian Basin and around West Texas. Those regulations are not exclusive to the energy sector, Buhler explained, but also already impacted or could later impact sectors including farming, community banking, religious freedoms, the Second Amendment and free speech. He described the current regulation-without-representation environment as a dagger officials in Washington can hold over anyone, and specific to the energy industry, can depress energy investment. The power to regulate is the power to destroy, Buhler said. The administration can unilaterally destroy an industry. The effort to amend the Constitution is not an easy one. The Constitution, with its 27 amendments, has been amended only 17 times since the first 10 which make up the Bill of Right were ratified in 1791. The last amendment ratified the 27th happened in 1992. The so-called Article V movement to have the states call a constitutional convention is also taking place. Buhler believes there is room for both, although a constitutional convention is likely to take longer and open up problem areas that can be avoided by passing a Regulation Freedom Amendment. Buhler said his process would require two-thirds of the states to pass resolutions that would force Congress to propose the amendment as early as 2017. Passage would require two-thirds votes in the House and Senate. It is the blueprint that has worked three times in our countrys history, including the Bill of Rights, Buhler said. Polling shows that voters, by a 2-to-1 margin, favor the amendment, according to Buhler. Some might argue that the proposed REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act which would require a vote on every new regulation costing more than $100 million per year would do what the Regulation Freedom Amendment proposes. However, the bill appears stalled in the Senate and lacks the support to override a presidential veto, which is expected no matter who occupies the Oval Office. Buhler also said the law could be challenged in court or repealed by a future Congress. Buhler said now is the time for the proposed amendment as Novembers election result will put people in charge in Washington who understand that the end goal is to take power out of Washington. For the past eight years, people have been worried that if they were involved in an effort to take power out of Washington that certain factions would punish them that they would pay a price for their efforts, Buhler said. Second, the voters repudiated not just the specific policies of the last four years, but the whole philosophies of the last four years which is Washington knows best and we in Washington will dictate whether or not you like it because we are smarter than you. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Two Jefferson County deputies are still on administrative leave following a 47-mile police chase last week that ended with the fatal shooting of a Beaumont rapper. The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the deceased man as Ivory C. Pantallion III, 36. The incident began just after 8:50 a.m. Nov. 22 in Jefferson County on westbound I-10 near the Goodyear plant, said Deputy Marcus McLellan of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office last week. Deputies tried to stop the driver of a sport utility vehicle for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to pull over, McLellan said. The officers followed the Mercedes SUV as the driver sped along the freeway into Chambers County. Troopers with the Department of Pubic Safety and deputies with the Chambers County Sheriff's Office joined the chase. "While evading, the driver displayed a weapon to deputies, making it known that he was armed," DPS Lt. Craig Cummings told reporters on Nov. 22. At one point, officers attempted to deploy spikes to put an end to the chase. Then about 30 minutes after the chase started, the suspect crashed near North Main and the freeway in Baytown. "The Mercedes came to a stop after crashing," Cummings said. "The driver displayed a firearm in view of law enforcement again." At that point, troopers and deputies opened fire, but it's unclear whether the suspect fired back before he was fatally shot. He died at the scene. The Texas Rangers will be heading the investigation, Cummings said. It was not known why the man refused to stop when officers initially tried to stop the SUV. According to previous Enterprise reports, Pantallion was arrested on human trafficking and kidnapping charges in Louisiana in 2013. In that incident, he was accused of kidnapping a woman from Huntsville, Ala., and bringing her to Beaumont before heading east to Louisiana. According to a September 2013 news release from the Lake Charles Police Department, the woman left Huntsville willingly, but when she arrived in Beaumont, she decided she wanted to leave. The release states that after traveling to Lake Charles, Pantallion created a personal web page advertising the woman as an escort in the area. Officers were able to locate the woman after she contacted her mother and told them where she was, according to the release. Pantallion performed under the stage name Ivory P and has released music under UGK Records, started by Port Arthur natives Bernard "Bun B" Freeman and Chad "Pimp C" Butler, who died in 2007. SFlores@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/_saraeflores As you likely know, we Americans once relied on three TV networks and a few local newspapers or radio stations to keep up with events going on in the world around us. When I first started working for TV stations in the mid-'90s, I felt that I had a sacred trust to help build newscasts that local residents could rely on to stay informed. Related: Facebook, Twitter Join Network to Tackle Fake News However, as the internet has evolved, weve come to a crisis of sorts. News is available 24 hours a day and comes from a wide variety of sources. But now we sometimes dont even know if the news we read is true or not. Social media makes it easy for friends to get news from one other, and now people have begun confusing legitimate news with completely fabricated stories designed as click bait. As a result, the information landscape has grown murky, with no real end in sight. The problem has become so widespread that both Facebook and Google have announced crackdowns on fake news. However, they cant thoroughly control the links people share with one other through social media. They can only take measures to reduce ads and search rankings. This places the responsibility for separating legitimate news from manufactured news heavily on you. Did you ever think, growing up, that youd have to become a news expert? Our grandparents, more often than not, learned to depend on the judgment of others for determining what was truth. We of course now live in a post truth society, so its time to develop our own tools to determine whats trustworthy. This guide will help you learn to detect fake news whenever you come across it. Traditional news In journalism school, professors emphasize the importance of ethics, with graduates expected to take those principles with them into the newsroom. Whether they work for TV stations, newspapers, magazines or websites, true professionals carefully report only the facts, revealing the source for every secondhand piece of information they convey. In some cases, journalists are asked to rework pieces that come from news services like the Associated Press, whether that means simply rewriting them or conducting their own investigative reporting. Journalists may learn that an event has happened over the wire, for instance, but decide to investigate and add their own reporting to their outlets' news coverage. Professional journalists do more than search for information online. They make phone calls, send emails and travel to the scene of the events theyre covering, tracking down the information to report it as fact. Related: Google, Facebook Move to Restrict Ads on Fake News Sites Branded content According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, PR professionals outnumber journalists five to one in this country, which means that journalists are consistently being bombarded with requests to cover product launches, company activities and more. In addition, branded content is growing in popularity, filling the internet with information produced and distributed by businesses. A personal injury law firm is likely behind that article a consumer is reading, on pedestrian accidents, which may be on that firms blog or in a third-party publication. As a result, consumers arent entirely sure whether a reporter or marketer wrote the content. In many cases, readers dont even care, as long as the information is helpful. Unfortunately, some of this branded content may contain erroneous information, pulled from material the writer got from a random internet search. In some cases, businesses have sponsored studies that produce statistics they can then use to promote their products or services. This underscores the need to check the source, sample size and survey methods behind any statistics you plan to use. Manufactured news One of the biggest problems in the most recent presidential election was manufactured news, similar to those unverified stories found in tabloid publications. Many of us still don't quite understand how extensive the problem is, or just what effect these stories had on the results, if any. Fake news is designed to encourage sharing on social media using the most sensational headlines possible. With each click, a site has an opportunity to make more ad revenue. Although celebrities have long been targets of fake news stories, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been the most recent topics of interest. Many of these stories originate from overseas companies, whose members cite income as the primary motivating factor. Manufactured news may not have any basis whatsoever, yet still may get shares and clicks as though it did. Sometimes, fake news is shared much more than real news is. Spotting fake news Often, what news consumers see on social media is a combination of truth and fabrication in varying degrees. In some cases, a site hasnt verified the news or has used unreliable sources. The first step in determining whether a story is reliable or not is its source. Although classic media outlets like CNN, NBC and the New York Times may face criticism, they employ professional journalists trained to fact check information before going live with it or publishing it. This is at least a good starting point. Readers should stay away from known fake news sites or pages that try to trick people into believing their content is legitimate. You should also be aware that headlines are often written in a bombastic manner to generate clicks. Its important to look beyond a headline to the story itself before sharing content. Perhaps, most importantly, before sharing, check the author of the piece, especially when you're looking at unfamiliar sites. The articles author should have credentials that make him or her an appropriate authority to be reporting the information. Remove your own bias. Above all, watch your own opinion and how its influencing what you read. Are you inclined to read only news from sites that correspond with your current opinions? Are you more inclined to think a story is factual because youre happy to hear the information in it? You should consider the possibility that you may not actually know if what youre reading is true unless youve seen it multiple times from completely different sources. I know, that sounds inconvenient and time intensive. However, its the price you have to pay if you want facts, not garbage, to inform your opinions. Related: Elon Musk Trolls Fake News Writer, and 12 Other Times He Had the Best Response While fake news can often be well disguised, now that consumers are aware of the issue, they can hopefully become more mindful of it. Over time, discriminating readers will know the importance of verifying that theyre getting their news from professional journalists working for credible sites. Perhaps only then will we all be sure we're being accurately informed. Related: U.S. Economy Sees Best Performance in Two Years Jeweler Tiffany, Fueled by Global Demand, Posts First Sales Rise in Eight Quarters Uber Defends Business Model in Europe in Landmark Case Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Benicia Police Department / / Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Benicia Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Police nabbed a suspect who shot two men during an altercation over the weekend in a Benicia bar, officials said Monday. The intense episode, which was captured on security video, happened around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, when 33-year-old Daniel Lopez of Vallejo walked into the Bottom of the Fifth bar on Military East, police said. Washington In his latest comment on Cuba since the death of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would end Washington's diplomatic thaw with the island unless Cuba makes "a better deal." "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump tweeted. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro renewed diplomatic ties in 2014 after a half-century of Cold War hostility. Since then, through a series of executive orders, Obama has eased restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba and U.S. firms doing business there. Castro has made it easier for Cubans to travel and to engage in limited private enterprise. However, Castro has not enacted significant political reforms, and the death Friday of his brother Fidel, former president and leader of the revolution, at age 90, is not likely to usher in quick change. It was not clear what Trump meant by a "better deal." An email seeking clarification from his transition team was not answered. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK A decade in planning, the rebuilding of Washington Village got under way Monday morning with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Day Street attended by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and about 150 others. Its been a project that really should have been executed many years ago, but for want of funds and want of partnerships it didnt move forward the way it could and should have, but now we are celebrating a number of things, Malloy said. The governor said Washington Village, once rebuilt, will provide residents larger and better apartments while preserving affordable housing, bringing market-rate housing to the neighborhood and making people safer as a result of moving their units, their homes, out of (above) the floodplain. Eighty new apartments The first phase of the Washington Village Transformation Plan spearheaded by the Norwalk Housing Authority, developer Trinity Financial, LLC and general contractor Dimeo Construction Co. will result in 80 new apartments being built on the city-owned parcels at 13 and 20 Day St. in South Norwalk. The actual groundbreaking will occur in mid-December after Trinity Financial closes on financing for the estimated $44 million undertaking and the Housing Authority purchases the parcels from the city. After construction, Trinity Financial will lease the properties from the Housing Authority. In accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Choice Neighborhoods program, the new apartments will serve a variety of households. Forty units will be for public-housing residents, 18 will be for moderate-income households and 22 will be priced as market-rate units. Thomas J. Ivers, Choice Neighborhoods director at the Housing Authority, anticipates the three-story building at 13 Day St. opening for residents at the end of 2017 and the five-story building at 20 Day St. opening in the first quarter of 2018. Marie Sellers, a Washington Village resident for more than 30 years, said she was happy and proud that the reconstruction project was finally moving forward after a number of delays. Its going to be a better place to live in and you dont have to worry about the flooding anymore and the place is going to be bigger and better, Sellers said. Flood protection Raymond Dunlap, president of the Washington Village Tenants Association, recalled Superstorm Sandy as one of many reasons to raze and rebuild the complex. The object was to make sure that they residents have a place to stay because of the floods that went on during Sandy and everything else, Dunlap said. In October 2012, Superstorm Sandy struck Norwalk and flooded parts of Washington Village one of the oldest public-housing complexes in Connecticut. Built in the early 1940s, the roughly 300-resident complex has flooded on numerous occasions due to its proximity Norwalk Harbor. The Washington Village Transformation Plan calls for building apartments above and parking below. About 150 people largely elected officials and those engaged in the project attended a ceremonial groundbreaking, which was followed by a speaking program in a large tent. J ames J. Reed, regional administrator in HUDs Boston Office, credited Washington Village residents and the Norwalk Housing Authority for initiating the project in 2008. Eight years ago, we had you in our minds, Reed said. Five years ago, the department provided some seed money to put some plans together. The Housing Authority first secured a $250,000 planning grant from HUD to develop the Washington Village Transformation Plan and later a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant. Five such grants have been awarded nationwide, Reed said. More than bricks and mortar The Choice Neighborhoods program was developed to replace distressed public housing with quality mixed-income housing while providing residents job training, educational opportunities and other support services. This isnt just building a number of buildings but a comprehensive package put together to take a look at true economic development, said Rep. Bruce V. Morris, in whose district Washingto n Village is located. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling, State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, state Reps. Fred Wilms, R-Norwalk, and Terrie E. Wood, R-Darien, Norwalk Community College President David Levinson and Connecticut Housing Commissioner Evonne M. Klein were among the other officials at the event. Rilling recalled visiting cousins at Washington Village when he was a child. It was tired then. Its tired now and the people who live there deserve to have housing of which they can be proud, Rilling said. Trinity Financial had planned to break ground last year but a lawsuit filed by the Friends of Ryan Park halted that schedule. The neighborhood organization argued against rebuilding in a floodplain. A judge earlier this year ruled in favor of allowing the development to proceed. Speakers described the project as a partnership between the Housing Authority, Trinity Financial, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and local, state and federal governments. Klein counted the project as among $1 billion of investment that has created or refurbished 18,500 housing units statewide and generated $3 billion of economic activity. We are building a Connecticut where everyone will have a place to call home, Klein said. A homeless woman in Los Angeles' Koreatown spent six hours of her Thanksgiving weekend destroying a Buick Lucerne as curious and confused bystanders looked on. Stacy Omelianoff decided to park her black sedan in front of a friend's apartment over the holiday weekend while she visited family in Chino, California. Soon thereafter, Omelianoff received a phone call from the LAPD informing her that a homeless woman had been arrested for destroying her Buick. A security camera on a nearby building caught the whole thing on videotape. A Midland man was arrested Nov. 22 after he allegedly assaulted a woman, according to court documents. Tanner Hayden Hitchcock, 19, was being held Tuesday on a $25,000 bond for a third-degree felony charge of assault of a family/house member with a previous conviction and a $10,000 bond for a third-degree felony charge of stalking. A Midland police detective received a report of multiple alleged assaults on Nov. 21. Hitchcock was at a house with a woman on Nov. 21 when he bit her, according to his arrest affidavit. Hitchcock assaulted the woman three other days in October and November, causing her multiple injuries, according to the affidavit. If convicted of a third-degree felony charge, Hitchcock could face up to 10 years imprisonment. With President-elect Donald Trump taking aim at Obamacare, the health care spotlight is on Washington. But Texas companies want health care changes in Austin, too. The Texas Association of Business, which calls itself the state chamber of commerce, is pushing for a telemedicine law that would allow more patients to visit doctors remotely, usually with a smartphone or other device. Texas is one of three states with tough restrictions on the practice, and previous bills have failed to win approval. "For us, it's about saving time and money," said Bill Hammond, CEO of the association for more than 18 years. "It's entirely an option. If you want to see a doctor in person or go to the ER, fine. But for a lot of workers, especially with children, if you can call a doctor over the phone, it's a win-win." The business group, which has more than 4,000 members, also wants action on free-standing emergency room clinics, which are an expensive way to get routine treatment. And it wants tougher rules on balance billing, a payment method that often leads to higher out-of-network expenses for some specialties. "Health insurance is always in the top three [issues] for large and small businesses," Hammond said. "This is a way to reduce those costs." While his group doesn't represent every company, its goals usually reflect the leading concerns for businesses in the state. TAB's legislative agenda is 42 pages long, so it covers a lot of territory. It wants to keep tax breaks and other economic development tools, and increase investment in research and education -- as long as accountability rises, too. TAB opposes a higher minimum wage and local ordinances for a so-called living wage. They would punish the people they're supposed to help, said Hammond, who is retiring from TAB at the end of the year, when he'll be 69. Hammond met recently with The Dallas Morning News editorial board to discuss priorities for the Legislature, which begins in January. He primarily talked about telemedicine, education and accountability in public schools. Health insurance premiums and deductibles have increased significantly in the past decade, increasing the burden on workers and their bosses. This year, employers paid an average annual premium of $12,865 for a worker's family health plan, up from $8,508 in 2006, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. For those plans, workers contributed $5,277, up from $2,973 a decade ago, Kaiser said. Telemedicine can relieve some pricing pressure. A remote visit with a doctor is $40 to $45, half the price or less of most in-person consultations. The savings can be much greater if patients avoid a trip to the emergency room or urgent care center. Last year, Texas employers saved an estimated $79 million in health care costs because workers utilized remote visits with Teladoc, the industry leader, according to testimony cited in a TAB report. In Texas, Teladoc has over 3 million members and expects to handle 224,000 visits this year. That's despite a strong effort to restrict the business. The Texas Medical Board, led largely by physicians, has put up roadblocks that make Texas one of the most hostile states toward telemedicine. Teladoc has gone to court repeatedly to prevent the board's rules from taking effect. The company said it has won eight favorable rulings, allowing it to operate in the state that provides 13 percent of its revenue. In October, the medical board dropped an appeal, paving the way for settlement talks, said Adam Vandervoort, Teladoc's chief legal officer. Still, it wants a law enacted. "The medical board could change its mind in the future unless a statute is in place," Vandervoort said. "While we'd like a settlement, we support legislative action." One concern is that a new law would set rates that undercut the price advantage of telemedicine. While doctors want remote visits to be covered by insurance, Teladoc wants to be free to charge less than in-person treatments. Stoking more competition is one of TAB's objectives, Hammond said, so its members oppose price-setting. The convenience factor is also important, said Brett Graham, who runs a Sherman company that provides parts and services for large trucks. He believes many of his 42 employees will access more health care after telemedicine becomes more common in insurance plans. "They don't like going to the doctor," said the CEO of Graham International. "This gets them more comfortable with the process and keeps them at work. It keeps them income-producing." TAB proposes other ways to curb health costs. Lowering the cutoff on the state's balance-billing rules would allow insurance companies to negotiate lower rates for more patients. Free-standing emergency room clinics should be subject to a similar process, Hammond said, along with requirements for more disclosure on costs. Hundreds of ER clinics have cropped up in recent years, and many people mistake them for inexpensive drop-in clinics. A member of TAB's board went to an ER clinic for a bad sinus headache and left with a $2,500 bill, Hammond said. It's not covered by insurance. "This is unfair to consumers," Hammond said. "They think they're doing everything right and then they're hit with these bills." ER clinics have popped up primarily in high-income neighborhoods. And many people need more explicit warnings. "Flashing red lights would be my solution," Hammond said. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency National nonprofit Operation Homefront is accepting nominations for the 2017 Military Child of the Year awards through Dec. 5. Six winners from 8 to 18, representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard, will receive $10,000 each. They will be picked based on scholarship, volunteerism, leadership and extracurricular involvement. A seventh award, open to those 13 to 18, is the Military Child of the Year Award for Innovation. The winner shows the power of innovative thinking, including a new invention, improvement to existing technology or the creation of a nonprofit. The award recipient will receive $5,000 and a mentorship by technology management company Booz Allen Hamilton to advance the winners project. Winners will be flown to Washington, D.C., with a parent or guardian, to get the awards. Anyone, including family members, who knows of a deserving military childs talents may nominate online. Go to militarychildoftheyear.org and click the nominate tab. San Antonio Downtown Holiday lighting contest on the way Businesses in the downtown area are encouraged to create holiday storefront displays and compete in Mayor Ivy Taylors 6th Annual Light Up Downtown Holiday Contest. Between Nov. 25 and Dec. 20, members of the public are invited to vote for their favorite lighting displays in four categories. Residents and visitors also are asked to pose for a selfie amid the downtown holiday displays and lights and post it on Facebook (facebook.com/LightUpDowntown) using #SAMayorLUDT. Taylor will choose her favorite displays as well as the best selfie posted. Winners will be announced Dec. 21. For more information, to see which buildings are participating and to vote, go to lightupdowntownsa.com/ Big Red offering design contest for Fiesta Big Red has announced its 2017 Fiesta medal design contest. Entries will be accepted through Dec. 7. Designs should be submitted at bigred.com/fiesta, where fans can view, vote on and share their favorite designs on social media. The top three designs chosen by the publics online votes will advance to a final round to be judged by Big Red. The winning medal will be produced as the official 2017 Big Red Fiesta medal. All design submissions will be available online for the public to see and cast their votes. For more information about the contest, go to bigred.com/fiesta. SAMMinistries starts holiday challenge for kids As a part of its annual holiday wish program for homeless children, SAMMinistries is launching the first Kid2Kid Christmas Challenge. The challenge encourages kids across Bexar County to either sacrifice one gift of their own and donate one instead or make a monetary donation to help SAMMinistries purchase gifts for homeless children. SAMMinistries is asking donors of all ages to participate in the challenge by visiting SAMM.org/give/kid2kid. From there, they can either make a monetary donation or commit to shopping for a homeless child. All toy donations are due by Dec. 3 to SAMMinistries Donation Station, 5246 Blanco Road. South Side Santa volunteers who will call children sought Volunteer Santas are needed to make calls to children during the holiday season. The volunteers will make calls between 6:30-8 p.m. from Dec. 13 to 15, engaging the children in brief conversations. The project supports the Volunteer Services Council of the San Antonio State Hospital, whose mission is to provide goods and services not funded with traditional state dollars. A $10 donation is requested for one child or a $15 donation for two or more children living at the same residence. If you would like to pay by credit card, go to the Eventbrite page and register for a call, at www.eventbrite.com/e/phone-calls-from-santa-2016-tickets-28609030380 Those who prefer to pay with cash or check can email or call Stephanie Weimer for a form and mailing address at Stephanie.weimer@dshs.state.tx.us or 210-531-8004 Library donations needed The Mission Branch Library is seeking donations for its biannual book sales. Items sought include adult and childrens books, specialty books, DVDs, VCRs, cassette tapes and magazines. Items must be in good condition. All proceeds help fund library programs. Call for pick-up service for large donations. Call Oscar Gonzalez at 210-207-2704 for more information. West Side Compiled by Melissa Renteria This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN ANTONIO A 29-year-old San Antonio man is now accused in the gruesome slayings of four women, ranging in age from 15 to 46, over a period four months. Johnny Avalos was indicted on capital murder charges Tuesday by a Bexar County grand jury. He is accused of killing Natalie Chavez, 15, in Dec. 2014; Rosemary Perez, 28, in January 2015 and Celia Lopez, 29, and Genevieve Ramirez, 46, in April 2015, according to a news release issued by the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. RELATED: Christian Bautista, accused of killing San Antonio runner, stared down, blew kisses at women Avalos was taken into custody by the San Antonio Police Department on April 22, 2015 and initially charged in connection to the death of Chavez, whose naked body was found under a bridge at Apache Creek and Vera Cruz Street on the West Side around 10 a.m. in December 2015. There was evidence of a struggle and sexual assault. When Avalos was initially booked, detectives said they believed he also had killed Lopez, whose body was found in a vacant lot in the 4400 block of South Presa Street that month three days after being reported missing by family. Investigators believed she had been dead for several days. A witness told police Avalos confessed to killing Lopez and taking money from her while the witness and suspect were traveling together in a car. Avalos, who denied knowing Lopez to police, was charged in that case a few months later. Police believe Avalos assaulted Ramirez nearby in the "same scheme and course of conduct," according the news release. She was found alive but unresponsive, with trauma injuries, in an alley along the 100 block of Avondale on April 3, 2015. She died from her injuries two months later, the release said. RELATED: Women, children shown in eerie photos taken by serial killer from San Antonio On Tuesday, the grand jury included a fourth capital murder charge in the case of Perez, whose body was "found wrapped in a sheet along a sidewalk in the 2100 block of San Fernando" in January 2015, according to the release. The district attorney's office plans to pursue the death penalty. Avalos is scheduled to appear in the 437th District Court on Dec. 19 for a preliminary hearing, the release said. The alleged serial killer's last known address is at a South Side home near Hot Wells, records show. Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com kparker@mysa.com Twitter: @KoltenParker AUSTIN The Texas Legislature's two most powerful leaders are at odds over a contentious transgender bathroom bill, with House Speaker Joe Straus saying Tuesday the issue is far from a main concern of his for the upcoming legislative session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, has championed the idea publicly for months and recently announced it as a top 10 priority for next year. WASHINGTON Texas U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, who advised Donald Trump on national security issues in the 2016 election, met Tuesday with the President-elect at the Trump Tower in New York. "I just had a very substantive and productive conversation with the president-elect, Donald Trump, regarding homeland security issues, national security issues, the most important issues facing this nation," McCaul told reporters afterwards. "I look forward to working with him and this administration moving forward in this next ... term to work with the president and the administration on the most important issues facing the nation." McCaul, whose district stretches from Houston to Austin, has expressed interest in heading the Homeland Security Department, which he oversees as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. "I've expressed my interest, and I think the process is taking place," McCaul told POLITICO earlier this month. "I think I have both a good skill set, and I know the department very well, know what needs to be done." McCaul is at least the fifth high-profile Texan to visit with Trump since the Nov. 8 election. Both U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and former Gov. Rick Perry have made the trip to New York, as has U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling from Dallas. On Monday Trump also met with Kathleen Hartnett White, a former chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and vocal critic of President Barack Obama's climate change policies. She is a leading candidate to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Cruz had been considered a potential pick for U.S. Attorney General, though that job went to Alabama U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, a close Trump ally during the campaign. Cruz was highly critical of Trump during the Republican primaries, as was Perry. Since then, Perry has expressed interest in an administration post running the Department of Veteran Affairs. Hensarling, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has been considered a strong contender for Treasury Secretary, though some press reports suggest Trump is looking elsewhere. McCaul, hailing from a border state, could be seen as a good fit for Trump's aggressive immigration policies, although he has called Trump's plan for a massive border wall a "simplistic and knee-jerk response" that "won't solve the problem completely." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Kin Man Hui/Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Laura Skelding/Staff Photographer Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Sara D. Davis/Stringer Show More Show Less 5 of 5 AUSTIN The Texas Legislature's two most powerful leaders are at odds over a contentious transgender bathroom bill, with House Speaker Joe Straus saying Tuesday the issue is far from a main concern of his for the upcoming legislative session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, has championed the idea publicly for months and recently announced it as a top priority for next year. In the days before Thanksgiving, Donald Trump held two summit conferences with Big Media. The first was a disaster for television news executives and anchors but a success for Trump. The second was a success for The New York Times and maybe for Trump, too. Important personages from ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News went to Trump Tower for an hour-long meeting with the president-elect. They said OK to having it be off-the-record, meaning participants would not disclose what had been said. Afterwards, Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway described the session as very cordial. Unnamed sources told other news outfits something different. Yes, they said, Trump seemed receptive to the request that he and his administration be accessible to the news media. But, said the sources, Trump went on a rant against the networks, declaring, Were in a room of liars, the deceitful, dishonest media who got it all wrong. The next day, Trump went to The New York Times building for a short off-the-record chat with publisher Arthur Sulzberger and a long luncheon with 23 editors, columnists and reporters, which the Times insisted be on the record. A Times staffer posted a running account of the meeting on Twitter. Trump said The Times had been rough on him but added that the newspaper, which he had often called failing, is a great American jewel. He also said he has no interest in prosecuting Hillary Clinton. He wonders whether waterboarding is useful. He has an open mind on climate change. He condemns and disavows the white supremacist movement. All that was news. His comments were played up not just by The Times but by the news media in general. Was Trump becoming less brash and more thoughtful? I assume Democrats were surprised, moderate Republicans were relieved and his base was disappointed. I think the TV people were suckers to go along with the condition that their meeting with Trump be off the record. They put themselves in an impossible situation: Either refuse to talk to their own reporters or break their word. The Times was correct to tell Trump that an off-the-record conversation with the publisher had to be followed by an on-the-record session with journalists. The public deserved to know what he said. When I was a newspaper editor I was wary of hearing anything off the record. If tell you something, will you keep it off the record? I was asked from time to time. Sure, I responded. Unless its newsworthy. Usually the person told me, anyway. Had I been invited to join other news people in an off-the-record meeting with someone just elected to office, I would have declined. Then I would have told the newsroom to find out what the winning candidate said at the meeting and do a story. Paul Janensch, of Bridgeport, was a newspaper editor and taught journalism at Quinnipiac University. His weekly Memo on the Media can be heard on wqun.com. he can be reached at paul.janensch@quinnipia.edu. First I had to deal with the president-elect scolding. During his interview with the New York Times last week, Donald Trump chided me twice for being too tough on him. Sitting next to our publisher, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., Trump invited everyone around the table to call him if they saw anything where you feel that Im wrong. You can call me, Arthur can call me, I would love to hear, he said. The only one who cant call me is Maureen. She treats me too rough. Then I had to go home for Thanksgiving and deal with my family scolding me about the media misreading the country. I went cold turkey to eat hot turkey: no therapy dog, no weaving therapy, no yoga, no acupuncture, no meditation, no cry-in. The minute I saw my sisters Trump Champagne and a Cersei figurine as the centerpiece my brother, Kevin, nicknamed Hillary Cersei during this years brutal game of thrones I knew I wasnt in a safe space. My little basket of deplorables, as I call my conservative family, gloated with Trump toasts galore, and Kevin presented me with his annual holiday column with an extra flourish. My colleague Paul Krugman tweeted Friday that affluent, educated suburbanites who voted for Trump are fools. What else is there to say, he asked. Well, here is what Kevin, an affluent, educated suburbanite, has to say in his column, titled an Election Therapy Guide for Liberals: Donald Trump pulled off one of the greatest political feats in modern history by defeating Hillary Clinton and the vaunted Clinton machine. The election was a complete repudiation of Barack Obama: his fantasy world of political correctness, the politicization of the Justice Department and the IRS, an out-of-control EPA, his neutering of the military, his nonsupport of the police and his fixation on things like transgender bathrooms. Since he became president, his party has lost 63 House seats, 10 Senate seats and 14 governorships. Preaching and pandering with a message of inclusion, the Democrats have instead become a party where incivility and bad manners are taken for granted, rudeness is routine, religion is mocked, and there is absolutely no respect for a differing opinion. This did not go down well in the Midwest, where Trump flipped three blue states and 44 electoral votes. The rudeness reached its peak when Vice President-elect Mike Pence was booed by attendees of Hamilton and then pompously lectured by the cast. This may play well with the New York theater crowd but is considered boorish and unacceptable by those of us taught to respect the office of the president and vice president, if not the occupants. Here is a short primer for the young protesters. If your preferred candidate loses, there is no need for mass hysteria, canceled midterms or safe spaces. You might understand this better if you had not received participation trophies and undeserved grades to protect your feelings. The Democrats are now crying that Hillary had more popular votes. That can be her participation trophy. If any of my sons had told me they were too distraught over a national election to take an exam, I would have brought them home the next day, fearful of the instruction they were receiving. Not one of the top 50 colleges mandate one semester of Western Civilization. Maybe they should rethink that. Trump received over 62 million votes, not all of them cast by homophobes, Islamaphobes, racists, sexists, misogynists or any other ists. I would caution Trump deniers that all of the crying and whining is not good preparation for the coming storm. The liberal media, both print and electronic, has lost all credibility. I am reasonably sure that none of the mainstream print media had stories prepared for a Trump victory. Here is a final word to my Democratic friends. The election is over. There will not be a do-over. So let me bid farewell to Al Sharpton, Ben Rhodes and the Clintons. Note to Cher, Barbra, Amy Schumer and Lena Dunham: Your plane is waiting. And finally, to all the foreign countries that contributed to the Clinton Foundation, there will not be a payoff or a rebate. As Eddie Murphy so eloquently stated in the movie 48 Hrs.: Theres a new sheriff in town. And he is going to be here for 1,461 days. Merry Christmas. Maureen Dowd is a columnist for the New York Times. Cuban leader Fidel Castro made his island nation a brutal prison absent civil liberties and material security. He represented a major impediment to dismantling all that. The question, post-Fidel Castro, is whether the island can get there as easily with Donald Trump as U.S. president. Castro died late Friday. Afterward, Trump and his incoming chief of staff, Reince Priebus, indicated a hardening of posture from the thaw undertaken by President Barack Obama. They go there in recognition that civil liberties are indeed significantly absent in Cuba. But any potential hardening of relations threatens to return the two countries to circumstances that benefit neither nation. This would be a step in the wrong direction. The two nations reopened embassies. And Obama allowed the export of Cuban cigars for personal use, made it easier (and cheaper) for commercial airline travel to and from Cuba, and U.S. cruise ships can now dock there. Over the weekend, Trump and Priebus signaled that the U.S. will be seeking a better deal. But a better deal doesnt start by taking steps backward. In his campaign, Trump threatened to dismantle Obamas executive actions on Cuba, though he did not explicitly repeat that threat this weekend. The problem with hardball is that there is, after all, still a Castro Fidels brother Raul in charge. And if the Castros have been consistent in anything, it is self-defeating defiance in the face of U.S. disapproval. Ultimately, this hurts the very people Trump and Priebus say they want to help. Under Raul Castro, anti-American rhetoric and marches have diminished and there has been some modicum of entrepreneurial private-sector opportunities. A hardening of relations could mean a crackdown on dissidents, a revoking of even these small steps, and a return to casting the U.S. as the boogeyman responsible for all the island nations ills. Understand, Fidel Castro has been the major architect of those woes, with his virulent anti-Americanism that shut the door on commerce with a neighbor 90 miles away, an alignment with the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, his export of revolution abroad, brutalization of his own people, and his failure to liberalize either political or economic structures. This is not to say, however, that the embargo on Cuba which only Congress can lift has helped matters. It has not, and it is hypocritical, to boot. The U.S. trades with other countries with less than sterling human rights. The fact is that better deals are made with better carrots. Trump should ask Congress to lift the embargo. Thats a deal that benefits everyone. A 68-year-old former Connecticut resident, who moved to Ireland, may soon be spending the next decade behind bars in federal prison. Thats because Maryanne Stephens pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing about $126,000 in Social Security benefits by forging her dead mother-in-law signature. According to court documents and statements made in court, Stephens mother-in-law began receiving Social Security retirement benefits in 1971. Her mother-in-law died in October 1998. However, approximately $204,000 in Social Security retirement benefits were directly deposited into her mother-in-laws bank account after her death. In pleading guilty, Stephens admitted that from approximately March 2004 to December 2010, she forged her mother-in-laws signature on bank checks in order to fraudulently obtain approximately $126,000 in Social Security retirement benefits that were deposited into the dead womans bank account after her mother-in-law had died. Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Stephens pleaded guilty Monday before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of theft of public money for stealing Social Security retirement benefits that had been deposited into her deceased mother-in-laws bank account. Hall scheduled sentencing for Feb. 28. Stephens faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution in the amount of $125,938. Stephens, a former Rocky Hill resident, wont be returning to Ireland any time soon. She surrendered her passport and has been released on a $200,000 bond since her arrest on April 20. Supervisor David Campos on Tuesday plans to propose spending $5 million to provide legal representation to immigrants living in the country without documentation who face deportation. Its the first test of whether San Francisco officials will stick to their pledge to remain a sanctuary city when Donald Trump becomes president. Campos spent much of Monday huddled in his office with Public Defender Jeff Adachi, immigration advocates and others to hammer out details. Campos is hopeful there will be a vote on the legislation by the Board of Supervisors by Dec. 13, his last scheduled meeting before being termed out of office and less than six weeks before Trumps inauguration. The president-elect has vowed to deport up to 3 million undocumented immigrants who have criminal records and decide later what to do with the rest of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country without legal standing. He has also pledged to strip all federal funding from sanctuary cities like San Francisco, which shield such immigrants from federal immigration agents. In San Francisco, that could total $1 billion a year. Immediately after Trumps election, Mayor Ed Lee and the Board of Supervisors were adamant that San Francisco would remain a sanctuary city despite Trumps threats. There are an estimated 44,000 immigrants living in the city without proper documentation. Campos legislation is the first concrete proposal to his fellow politicians to make good on that pledge. Backfilling a $1 billion loss of federal funds could be a challenge as city officials grapple with funding shortfalls caused by higher-than-expected pension costs and the failure of a proposed sales tax increase on the November ballot. This is part and parcel of being a sanctuary city, making sure we are prepared for what we know is coming, what the president-elect has said is coming, said Campos, who as a child entered the country illegally with his family from Guatemala, but is now a U.S. citizen. You cant on the one hand say youre going to defend sanctuary and then on the other hand not take concrete steps to make that happen. Deirdre Hussey, Mayor Ed Lees spokeswoman, said the mayor supports additional funding for legal support for immigrant communities, and he will review Campos legislation to ensure community-based organizations are funded sufficiently. Campos wants to give $2.6 million to the public defenders office to hire 10 attorneys, five paralegals and two legal clerks to represent detained immigrants facing deportation whose cases are assigned to the San Francisco Immigration Court. Francisco Ugarte, an immigration attorney in Adachis office, said he wants attorneys at the immigration court every time new cases are heard. Somebody should not be fighting their case in handcuffs and in jail without an attorney, he said. Thats our goal. The California Coalition for Universal Representation, a coalition of immigration groups, recently published statistics showing that 68 percent of detained immigrants in California have no lawyer. Those who do have legal counsel are five times as likely to win their cases than those without it, it reports. Its unclear whether the money would be enough to provide representation for every detained immigrant. Campos said it should be enough to provide representation for at least 60 percent of them. Adachi said he is in talks with foundations, including the San Francisco Foundation and the Bigglesworth Family Foundation, to provide additional private money. Adachi said other jurisdictions, including Santa Clara County and Oakland, have also expressed interest in helping. He said that coordinating the project will be a Herculean effort, but that New York Citys universal representation program provides a model for how to do it. Campos proposal would give another $2 million to community legal groups to hire 13 attorneys and six education and outreach staff, plus provide for shared office space and administration costs. Their charge would be representing immigrants facing deportation who are not being detained and providing education about legal rights to other immigrants who dont have proper documentation. The rest of the funding, about $400,000, would go to nonprofits to staff a hotline and provide emergency legal representation in the case of immigration raids at workplaces, homes or elsewhere. San Francisco is one of more than 300 sanctuary cities and counties nationwide. It adopted sanctuary status in 1989 to encourage undocumented victims and witnesses of crime to come forward without fear of deportation. San Francisco has strict limitations on when federal immigration agents are notified that an immigrant living in the country illegally is in County Jail. In July 2015, an immigrant without proper documentation who had a criminal record and five previous deportations was released from San Francisco County Jail with no notification to federal agents. He allegedly went on to shoot and kill Kathryn Steinle as she walked on Pier 14 with her father. Trump mentioned Steinles death regularly on the campaign trail as an example of a flawed immigration system. My opponent wants sanctuary cities, he said in July. But where was the sanctuary for Kate Steinle? Proponents of sanctuary city status, though, say its crucial to ensuring that immigrants without proper documentation cooperate with police and also have access to health and education services, which benefit society as a whole. Norma Ortiz, a 37-year-old resident who works as a cashier in Daly City, knows that firsthand. She came to the U.S. from Mexico illegally when she was 21 and was jailed in 2010 after calling police to report that the father of her son was abusing her. The man told police she was hitting him, and both were jailed. Under the now-defunct Secure Communities Program, she was fingerprinted and that information was shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She was taken to an ICE holding cell and faced deportation, but obtained free legal representation from Ugarte and was released. She was able to obtain a U-visa for victims of crime and is now living in the country legally. She said Monday the legal representation was essential. I didnt know my rights, Ortiz said. He helped me legally, but also as a person. Ana Herrera, an attorney with Dolores Street Community Services, said that there are roughly 36,000 deportation cases in the San Francisco Immigration Court, and that 1,500 of those defendants are being detained while their cases proceed. The court hears cases from around the region, not just San Francisco. Herrera said these numbers are likely to rise significantly under Trump, which is why passage of Campos legislation is needed as soon as possible. Its a need we already have right now, and its only going to get worse, she said. We need to be prepared for everything. Heather Knight is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf By Andrew J. Bacevich, a professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University. His most recent book is Americas War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History. Originally published at TomDispatch President-elect Donald Trumps message for the nations senior military leadership is ambiguously unambiguous. Here is he on 60 Minutes just days after winning the election. Trump: We have some great generals. We have great generals. Lesley Stahl: You said you knew more than the generals about ISIS. Trump: Well, Ill be honest with you, I probably do because look at the job theyve done. OK, look at the job theyve done. They havent done the job. In reality, Trump, the former reality show host, knows next to nothing about ISIS, one of many gaps in his education that his impending encounter with actual reality is likely to fill. Yet when it comes to Americas generals, our president-to-be is onto something. No doubt our three- and four-star officers qualify as great in the sense that they mean well, work hard, and are altogether fine men and women. That they have not done the job, however, is indisputable at least if their job is to bring Americas wars to a timely and successful conclusion. Trumps unhappy verdict that the senior U.S. military leadership doesnt know how to win applies in spades to the two principal conflicts of the post-9/11 era: the Afghanistan War, now in its 16th year, and the Iraq War, launched in 2003 and (after a brief hiatus) once more grinding on. Yet the verdict applies equally to lesser theaters of conflict, largely overlooked by the American public, that in recent years have engaged the attention of U.S. forces, a list that would include conflicts in Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. Granted, our generals have demonstrated an impressive aptitude for moving pieces around on a dauntingly complex military chessboard. Brigades, battle groups, and squadrons shuttle in and out of various war zones, responding to the needs of the moment. The sheer immensity of the enterprise across the Greater Middle East and northern Africa the sorties flown, munitions expended, the seamless deployment and redeployment of thousands of troops over thousands of miles, the vast stockpiles of material positioned, expended, and continuously resupplied represents a staggering achievement. Measured by these or similar quantifiable outputs, Americas military has excelled. No other military establishment in history could have come close to duplicating the logistical feats being performed year in, year out by the armed forces of the United States. Nor should we overlook the resulting body count. Since the autumn of 2001, something like 370,000 combatants and noncombatants have been killed in the various theaters of operations where U.S. forces have been active. Although modest by twentieth century standards, this post-9/11 harvest of death is hardly trivial. Yet in evaluating military operations, its a mistake to confuse how much with how well. Only rarely do the outcomes of armed conflicts turn on comparative statistics. Ultimately, the one measure of success that really matters involves achieving wars political purposes. By that standard, victory requires not simply the defeat of the enemy, but accomplishing the nations stated war aims, and not just in part or temporarily but definitively. Anything less constitutes failure, not to mention utter waste for taxpayers, and for those called upon to fight, it constitutes cause for mourning. By that standard, having been at war for virtually the entire twenty-first century, the United States military is still looking for its first win. And however strong the disinclination to concede that Donald Trump could be right about anything, his verdict on American generalship qualifies as apt. A Never-Ending Parade of Commanders for Wars That Never End That verdict brings to mind three questions. First, with Trump a rare exception, why have the recurring shortcomings of Americas military leadership largely escaped notice? Second, to what degree does faulty generalship suffice to explain why actual victory has proven so elusive? Third, to the extent that deficiencies at the top of the military hierarchy bear directly on the outcome of our wars, how might the generals improve their game? As to the first question, the explanation is quite simple: During protracted wars, traditional standards for measuring generalship lose their salience. Without pertinent standards, there can be no accountability. Absent accountability, failings and weaknesses escape notice. Eventually, what youve become accustomed to seems tolerable. Twenty-first century Americans inured to wars that never end have long since forgotten that bringing such conflicts to a prompt and successful conclusion once defined the very essence of what generals were expected to do. Senior military officers were presumed to possess unique expertise in designing campaigns and directing engagements. Not found among mere civilians or even among soldiers of lesser rank, this expertise provided the rationale for conferring status and authority on generals. In earlier eras, the very structure of wars provided a relatively straightforward mechanism for testing such claims to expertise. Events on the battlefield rendered harsh judgments, creating or destroying reputations with brutal efficiency. Back then, standards employed in evaluating generalship were clear-cut and uncompromising. Those who won battles earned fame, glory, and the gratitude of their countrymen. Those who lost battles got fired or were put out to pasture. During the Civil War, for example, Abraham Lincoln did not need an advanced degree in strategic studies to conclude that Union generals like John Pope, Ambrose Burnside, and Joseph Hooker didnt have what it took to defeat the Army of Northern Virginia. Humiliating defeats sustained by the Army of the Potomac at the Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville made that obvious enough. Similarly, the victories Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman gained at Shiloh, at Vicksburg, and in the Chattanooga campaign strongly suggested that here was the team to which the president could entrust the task of bringing the Confederacy to its knees. Today, public drunkenness, petty corruption, or sexual shenanigans with a subordinate might land generals in hot water. But as long as they avoid egregious misbehavior, senior officers charged with prosecuting Americas wars are largely spared judgments of any sort. Trying hard is enough to get a passing grade. With the countrys political leaders and public conditioned to conflicts seemingly destined to drag on for years, if not decades, no one expects the current general-in-chief in Iraq or Afghanistan to bring things to a successful conclusion. His job is merely to manage the situation until he passes it along to a successor, while duly adding to his collection of personal decorations and perhaps advancing his career. Today, for example, Army General John Nicholson commands U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan. Hes only the latest in a long line of senior officers to preside over that war, beginning with General Tommy Franks in 2001 and continuing with Generals Mikolashek, Barno, Eikenberry, McNeill, McKiernan, McChrystal, Petraeus, Allen, Dunford, and Campbell. The title carried by these officers changed over time. So, too, did the specifics of their mission as Operation Enduring Freedom evolved into Operation Freedoms Sentinel. Yet even as expectations slipped lower and lower, none of the commanders rotating through Kabul delivered. Not a single one has, in our president-elects concise formulation, done the job. Indeed, its increasingly difficult to know what that job is, apart from preventing the Taliban from quite literally toppling the government. In Iraq, meanwhile, Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend currently serves as the count em ninth American to command U.S. and coalition forces in that country since the George W. Bush administration ordered the invasion of 2003. The first in that line, (once again) General Tommy Franks, overthrew the Saddam Hussein regime and thereby broke Iraq. The next five, Generals Sanchez, Casey, Petraeus, Odierno, and Austin, labored for eight years to put it back together again. At the end of 2011, President Obama declared that they had done just that and terminated the U.S. military occupation. The Islamic State soon exposed Obamas claim as specious when its militants put a U.S.-trained Iraqi army to flight and annexed large swathes of that countrys territory. Following in the footsteps of his immediate predecessors Generals James Terry and Sean MacFarland, General Townsend now shoulders the task of trying to restore Iraqs status as a more or less genuinely sovereign state. He directs what the Pentagon calls Operation Inherent Resolve, dating from June 2014, the follow-on to Operation New Dawn (September 2010-December 2011), which was itself the successor to Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 2003-August 2010). When and how Inherent Resolve will conclude is difficult to forecast. This much we can, however, say with some confidence: with the end nowhere in sight, General Townsend wont be its last commander. Other generals are waiting in the wings with their own careers to polish. As in Kabul, the parade of U.S. military commanders through Baghdad will continue. For some readers, this listing of mostly forgotten names and dates may have a soporific effect. Yet it should also drive home Trumps point. The United States may today have the worlds most powerful and capable military so at least we are constantly told. Yet the record shows that it does not have a corps of senior officers who know how to translate capability into successful outcomes. Draining Which Swamp? That brings us to the second question: Even if commander-in-chief Trump were somehow able to identify modern day equivalents of Grant and Sherman to implement his war plans, secret or otherwise, would they deliver victory? On that score, we would do well to entertain doubts. Although senior officers charged with running recent American wars have not exactly covered themselves in glory, it doesnt follow that their shortcomings offer the sole or even a principal explanation for why those wars have yielded such disappointing results. The truth is that some wars arent winnable and shouldnt be fought. So, yes, Trumps critique of American generalship possesses merit, but whether he knows it or not, the question truly demanding his attention as the incoming commander-in-chief isnt: Who should I hire (or fire) to fight my wars? Instead, far more urgent is: Does further war promise to solve any of my problems? One mark of a successful business executive is knowing when to cut your losses. Its also the mark of a successful statesman. Trump claims to be the former. Whether his putative business savvy will translate into the world of statecraft remains to be seen. Early signs are not promising. As a candidate, Trump vowed to defeat radical Islamic terrorism, destroy ISIS, decimate al-Qaeda, and starve funding for Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. Those promises imply a significant escalation of what Americans used to call the Global War on Terrorism. Toward that end, the incoming administration may well revive some aspects of the George W. Bush playbook, including repopulating the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and if its so important to the American people, reinstituting torture. The Trump administration will at least consider re-imposing sanctions on countries like Iran. It may aggressively exploit the offensive potential of cyber-weapons, betting that Americas cyber-defenses will hold. Yet President Trump is also likely to double down on the use of conventional military force. In that regard, his promise to quickly and decisively bomb the hell out of ISIS offers a hint of what is to come. His appointment of the uber-hawkish Lieutenant General Michael Flynn as his national security adviser and his rumored selection of retired Marine Corps General James (Mad Dog) Mattis as defense secretary suggest that he means what he says. In sum, a Trump administration seems unlikely to reexamine the conviction that the problems roiling the Greater Middle East will someday, somehow yield to a U.S.-imposed military solution. Indeed, in the face of massive evidence to the contrary, that conviction will deepen, with genuinely ironic implications for the Trump presidency. In the immediate wake of 9/11, George W. Bush concocted a fantasy of American soldiers liberating oppressed Afghans and Iraqis and thereby draining the swamp that served to incubate anti-Western terrorism. The results achieved proved beyond disappointing, while the costs exacted in terms of lives and dollars squandered were painful indeed. Incrementally, with the passage of time, many Americans concluded that perhaps the swamp most in need of attention was not on the far side of the planet but much closer at hand right in the imperial city nestled alongside the Potomac River. To a very considerable extent, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, preferred candidate of the establishment, because he advertised himself as just the guy disgruntled Americans could count on to drain that swamp. Yet heres what too few of those Americans appreciate, even today: war created that swamp in the first place. War empowers Washington. It centralizes. It provides a rationale for federal authorities to accumulate and exercise new powers. It makes government bigger and more intrusive. It lubricates the machinery of waste, fraud, and abuse that causes tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to vanish every year. When it comes to sustaining the swamp, nothing works better than war. Were Trump really intent on draining that swamp if he genuinely seeks to Make America Great Again then he would extricate the United States from war. His liquidation of Trump University, which was to higher education what Freedoms Sentinel and Inherent Resolve are to modern warfare, provides a potentially instructive precedent for how to proceed. But dont hold your breath on that one. All signs indicate that, in one fashion or another, our combative next president will perpetuate the wars hes inheriting. Trump may fancy that, as a veteran of Celebrity Apprentice (but not of military service), he possesses a special knack for spotting the next Grant or Sherman. But acting on that impulse will merely replenish the swamp in the Greater Middle East along with the one in Washington. And soon enough, those who elected him with expectations of seeing the much-despised establishment dismantled will realize that theyve been had. Which brings us, finally, to that third question: To the extent that deficiencies at the top of the military hierarchy do affect the outcome of wars, what can be done to fix the problem? The most expeditious approach: purge all currently serving three- and four-star officers; then, make a precondition for promotion to those ranks confinement in a reeducation camp run by Iraq and Afghanistan war amputees, with a curriculum designed by Veterans for Peace. Graduation should require each student to submit an essay reflecting on these words of wisdom from U.S. Grant himself: There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword. True, such an approach may seem a bit draconian. But this is no time for half-measures as even Donald Trump may eventually recognize. Yves here. This Real News Network program discusses how Trumps climate change denialism, which he has admittedly moderated a tad, puts him in conflict with the Pentagon, which has depicted it as a looming source of international conflict and political instability since the early 2000s. Please note that the rush transcript had typos, mainly the absence of apostrophes. I did a quick pass of cleaning that up but the odds are high that some glitches remain. Sincere apologies. PAUL JAY, TRNN: Welcome to the Real News Network. Im Paul Jay. This is the Wilkerson Report and now joining us is Larry Wilkerson. Larry is the former chief of staff for US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Currently an adjunct professor of government at the College of William and Mary and a regular contributor to the Real News Network. Thanks for joining us again Larry. LARRY WILKERSON: Thanks for having me Paul. JAY: The Trump administration is reason for great concern on a lot of accounts. Whether its the potential attack or aggression against Iran. Whether its who knows what in Syria, oppression of political rights in the United States, targeting of Hispanics, Latinos. All of these things are potentially horrendous but perhaps the most threatening is virtually an existential threat is the attitude towards climate change and climate change denial and the idea that any attempt even though it was pretty modest to begin with by the United States to deal and to live up to the Paris Accords and really it was necessary to go further, 7 of the leading climate scientists prior to the Trump victory said that by 2050 we would already reach 2 degrees of warming from preindustrial rates which is a rather critical threshold. Whats your take on where this White House is on the issue of climate change and where the republican party is because so far, certainly all Ive heard from almost all the republican party is more climate denial. WILKERSON: I think were making some progress in that regard Paul. I think a president having signed the national security memorandum connecting national security with climate change was a major move forward, as was Paris. I agree with you that we are playing with a loaded deck here because these temperatures have been set and so forth, even if we were to meet them, might not be sufficient in the long run. But I think were making progress. Were going to make more progress at Marrakech, I think. The Paris Accord is coming to being a lot faster than people thought. So, Marrakech is really going to be a rush. JAY: But the Paris Accord itself was certainly not sufficient. This number I said about 2% by 2050, if all governments had pledged WILKERSON: A lot more sufficient than what we had in the past though. Copenhagen was a joke. Paris was at least a step forward. JAY: No, I agree. Im not saying it was nothing. Im saying the report led by the scientists by Robert Watson, the former chair of the IPCC, was that if all the governments that pledged in Paris, lived up to all the pledges, were still hitting 2% by 2050. Like 30-40 years from now. WILKERSON: 2 degrees. JAY: 2 degrees Im sorry. Yea. How does one see, certainly thats not happening now with the Trump victory. Youve been on the hill talking to some republicans and others about climate change. What are you hearing? WILKERSON: Im hearing that the republican party has some people who are [inaud.] of this issue, particularly on the national security front, understand that it has ramifications like for example, the largest shipyards on the east coast, the ones that host Ford class aircraft carriers and so forth, are going underwater. They understand that in the recent North Carolina flooding, there were US army units who couldn deploy, who couldnt move because the roads were flooded. They understand that Langley Airforce Base couldnt take off its fighter aircraft for periods of time when its runways were underwater. So these national security ramifications of climate change particularly sea rise, are putting these people in the know, if you will, about what climate change pretends from a national security point of view. From that point of view, I think weve been able to make some progress in changing some minds about whats happening. What we have not been successful in with all of them so far is to convince them that humans are actually by their actions, CO2 emissions and so forth, contributing to this change and therefore we have an ability to mitigate as well as to just adapt to whats happening naturally. But thats coming. Im somewhat optimistic about the fact that Ive been across the country and seen what were doing in the states regardless of Washington. Regardless of what Trump might say or what Pence might say or James Inhofe from Oklahoma whos a Luddite on this issue because he gets money from Exxon Mobile. Were not really caring out there in the inner land, what Washington says or does. Theyre actually doing it. I was for wind power and solar power right now and in another few years theyll be completely off the grid. Other states are doing other things. Particularly coastal states where a majority of the population is and where a lot of the military instillations are. Take New Orleans. New Orleans shouldve moved. It shouldve picked up and moved after Katrina. If we have another category 4 or god forbid a 5, New Orleans will have to move. These sorts of things are going to be profound and theyre going to take the James Inhofes of the world and rub their face in climate change. So Im not saying were going to do it fast enough, but I am saying weve got some momentum going now and I do hope that momentum continues. I dont see Donald Trump being stupid enough to ignore this completely. Not when Royal Dutch Shell, for example, has made billion dollar decisions based on its understandings of where were going with climate change and other private concerns like Shell. So I know theres a lot of opposition. I know the Mercers and the Koch brothers and others are funding that opposition. But I think the scientists and the facts are winning ultimately, I just hope its in time. JAY: Yea I mean Robert Mercer whose daughter Rebecca is on the Trump transition team and was the guy who installed Bannon and Kellyanne Conway in the Trump campaign that essentially saved the campaign and made Trump president. Mercers a major funder of climate denial institutes. As far as I know, hes about second to the Koch brothers in terms of the amount of money spent on climate denial. Theyve had some effect. In a recent Yale study, when people were asked do they think theres global warming, 70% said yea but only 53% of those thought it was caused by humans. When asked how urgent it was, only 16% thought it was urgent and would effect them and their family directly. I think this also explains why this wasnt so much of a priority for the Obama administration even though they did something. It was far from what the scientists said needed to be done. And they just didnt think it was politically expedient to make such an issue out of climate change and then Hillary Clinton mentioned it but thats all it ever was, a mere mention. Never with any seriousness. It seems to me that if theres some forces out there that are getting it, they better speak up. Theres not a lot of time left here. WILKERSON: Well I think theres quite a bit of time left. Im not as pessimistic as you are. I was until I saw what was going on all across the country and what were doing already and I understand what other countries are doing in that regard too. Im not as cynical and as pessimistic as I was. We do have time and we have time to do this in a better way right now. In other 10 or 15 years, well probably be up and against the gun. What does that mean? It means in essence that the anecdote Ill describe to you that happened over in Norfolk recently is going to be the profound waker upper. Its the women who when I was talking about this, rose in the back of the theater in Norfolk and said, Tell me about it. I know about it. The waters in my backyard. Well when the waters in everybodys backyard as it was in Cedar Raids recently, as it was in North Carolina recently, then well be seized of the issue. The question is, will it be too late? JAY: Well why are you saying weve got a lot of time when scientists are saying prior to the Trump administration the models they were getting and this is two different scientific institutes, not just this one of 7 leading scientists, Im talking about another climate science institute in of North Carolina, these first group came up with 2050, the other came up with 2051, hitting 2 degrees. The 2 degree threshold is pretty critical because its not just the effects of how serious climate change effects droughts, flooding, severe weather and such. Crossing the 2 degree threshold means its very much more difficult not to get to the 3 and 4 degree threshold. The warmer it gets, the more difficult it is to pull back. Now theres predictions of 4-6 degrees by the end of the century and some even higher than that. Those are catastrophic if the scientific predictions of what happens there. The recent report that Im citing here which is called The Truth About Climate Change, if people want to look it up and look up Robert Watson is connected with it. Theyre saying theres no time and this is prior to Trunp. Theyre already talking about the need to havfe a serious look at geo-engineering which they themselves acknowledged is very untested and untried. But still the situation is so dire, so grave, so threatening, theyre saying were going to have to have a very serious look at geoengineering, plus theyre saying if we want to stop getting to 4 and 6 degrees by the end of the century, we by 2065 have to be 0 fossil fuel and were nowhere near on that route. With this administration were going backwards not forward. Geoengineering in the situations that weve run proved rather catastrophic whether youre doing the aerosols in the atmosphere or youre doing the giant [inaud.] or whatever. We dont want to get to the point where were so desperate as we did in one simulation that Center for Naval Analyses ran where were 2050-2060 and were actually so desperate that were doing these things that rebound on themselves and actually create more problems than were solving. So geoengineering I dont the not right now the technology Ive seen is the answer. But again I dont mind a 2 degrees 4 degrees and so forth as being inevitable. If we begin to work and we begin to work at least somewhat in accord of what was decided in Paris and I assume will be furthered in Marrakech. We do have a chance. This science is not perfect. The models are not perfect. The scary thing about the models is when they show their imperfections, they generally show them in a negative way, not a positive way. That is to say, the ice melt or the sea rise is faster, not slower than the model predicted which is somewhat frightening. But basically I think we still have an opportunity to do something about whats happening to us. Were going to have a period year poll where North America is in fine shape. Were going to have longer growing periods, were going to have higher yields were going have more food, more profits, were also going to have a lot more water and the floodings to be difficult to deal with, challenging. But were going to raising crops year round in the southern parts of the providences of Canada. Crops year round probably as far as midway in places like Saskatoon and British Colombia, and Manitoba and so forth. Whats going to be the problem there our models tell us is that in the south particularly in western Asia where youre seeing right now with the 200 thousand Syria farms who had no water for 2 years in and contribute to this conflict thats so bloody in Syria today. What youre going to see there is these massive migrations. So what we see in our models is that the peer power is along the northern hemisphere. The United States being prominent amongst them. Were meeting our boarders with machine guns and walls, Donald Trump come true. Because these millions of people who have no food or water are on the move looking for food and water and weve got it. So, there are plenty of dire scenarios in this and they again as you said take shape around midcentury, thats in my grandchildrens lifetime so its not out there where I dont have to worry about it. Everybody has to worry about it. But I come back to my original point. When the waters up to your knees, everybody will be seized to the issue. I just hope thats not too late. JAY: Alright thanks for joining us Larry. WILKERSON: Thanks for having me. JAY: And thank you for joining us on the Real News Network. The future of electronics is light (Nanowerk News) For the past four decades, the electronics industry has been driven by what is called Moores Law, which is not a law but more an axiom or observation. Effectively, it suggests that the electronic devices double in speed and capability about every two years. And indeed, every year tech companies come up with new, faster, smarter and better gadgets. Specifically, Moores Law, as articulated by Intel cofounder Gordon Moore, is that The number of transistors incorporated in a chip will approximately double every 24 months. Transistors, tiny electrical switches, are the fundamental unit that drives all the electronic gadgets we can think of. As they get smaller, they also get faster and consume less electricity to operate. In the technology world, one of the biggest questions of the 21st century is: How small can we make transistors? If there is a limit to how tiny they can get, we might reach a point at which we can no longer continue to make smaller, more powerful, more efficient devices. Its an industry with more than US$200 billion in annual revenue in the U.S. alone. Might it stop growing? A basic design of a light-based chip. (Image: Arnab Hazari) Getting close to the limit At the present, companies like Intel are mass-producing transistors 14 nanometers across just 14 times wider than DNA molecules. Theyre made of silicon, the second-most abundant material on our planet. Silicons atomic size is about 0.2 nanometers. Todays transistors are about 70 silicon atoms wide, so the possibility of making them even smaller is itself shrinking. Were getting very close to the limit of how small we can make a transistor. At present, transistors use electrical signals electrons moving from one place to another to communicate. But if we could use light, made up of photons, instead of electricity, we could make transistors even faster. My work, on finding ways to integrate light-based processing with existing chips, is part of that nascent effort. Putting light inside a chip A transistor has three parts; think of them as parts of a digital camera. First, information comes into the lens, analogous to a transistors source. Then it travels through a channel from the image sensor to the wires inside the camera. And lastly, the information is stored on the cameras memory card, which is called a transistors drain where the information ultimately ends up. Light waves can have different frequencies. (Image: maxhurtz) Right now, all of that happens by moving electrons around. To substitute light as the medium, we actually need to move photons instead. Subatomic particles like electrons and photons travel in a wave motion, vibrating up and down even as they move in one direction. The length of each wave depends on what its traveling through. In silicon, the most efficient wavelength for photons is 1.3 micrometers. This is very small a human hair is around 100 micrometers across. But electrons in silicon are even smaller with wavelengths 50 to 1,000 times shorter than photons. This means the equipment to handle photons needs to be bigger than the electron-handling devices we have today. So it might seem like it would force us to build larger transistors, rather than smaller ones. However, for two reasons, we could keep chips the same size and deliver more processing power, shrink chips while providing the same power, or, potentially both. First, a photonic chip needs only a few light sources, generating photons that can then be directed around the chip with very small lenses and mirrors. And second, light is much faster than electrons. On average photons can travel about 20 times faster than electrons in a chip. That means computers that are 20 times faster, a speed increase that would take about 15 years to achieve with current technology. Scientists have demonstrated progress toward photonic chips in recent years. A key challenge is making sure the new light-based chips can work with all the existing electronic chips. If were able to figure out how to do it or even to use light-based transistors to enhance electronic ones we could see significant performance improvement. When can I get a light-based laptop or smartphone? We still have some way to go before the first consumer device reaches the market, and progress takes time. The first transistor was made in the year 1907 using vacuum tubes, which were typically between one and six inches tall (on average 100 mm). By 1947, the current type of transistor the one thats now just 14 nanometers across was invented and it was 40 micrometers long (about 3,000 times longer than the current one). And in 1971 the first commercial microprocessor (the powerhouse of any electronic gadget) was 1,000 times bigger than todays when it was released. Diamonds - the ultimate semiconductors (Nanowerk News) "While we think of diamonds as very expensive jewelry, they can actually be made using methane and hydrogen. Diamonds are really just carbon, a light and simple element. Their simple yet unique characteristics create significant potential for use in a wide range of purposes, including generation of environmental energy and biological applications," says Professor Mutsuko Hatano. Professor Mutsuko Hatan Professor Mutsuko Hatan Hatano joined Tokyo Tech with the goal of developing diamond-based semiconductors for use in power electronics and sensors. Diamonds, although nonconductive, can be altered to function as semiconductors with the addition of phosphorus and boron. Silicon, the most common semiconductor, is widely used in memory devices and microprocessors. It is also used in power devices. As power devices are key for social infrastructure that facilitates smart grids, high capacity is required. As a result, the demand for high-capacity power production with minimal loss during power conversion calls for the development of new semiconductor materials. The thermal conductivity of diamonds is 14 times greater than that of silicon, and electrical field resistance is 30 times greater. High thermal conductivity allows the release of heat, which can reduce the size of cooling systems normally required during the generation of increased levels of electric power. High electrical field resistance suppresses power conversion losses. With these characteristics, diamonds are the ultimate semiconductors for electronic devices that require several kilovolts (kV) of power, such as those used in electric vehicles, railways, and power transmission. Although the formation of diamond-based n-type semiconductors, whose conduction carriers are electrons, and p-type semiconductors, whose conduction carriers are electron holes, has been achieved, the difficulty has traditionally lain in the formation of the lateral p-n junction, which is the basic structure of devices. Collaborating with researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Hatano established a lateral p-n junction, which was then applied to a junction field effect transistor (FET) prototype. This was the world's first high-voltage power device, whose application to power supply optimization in smart grids is significantly reducing environmental impact. Diamond sensor with high potential for biological applications Hatano is now focusing on the development of a diamond sensor, which has attracted attention around the world due to its potential application to biology. In a diamond crystal, carbon atoms can be replaced by nitrogen atoms to create nitrogen-vacancy complexes (NV centers). Negatively charged NV centers exhibit a magnetic property called electron spin*. Green light radiation causes the emission of red fluorescence. Depending on the magnetic field, fluorescence processes change, and magnetic field strength and direction can be detected. Diamond sensors apply these characteristics, and the imaging of a magnetic field is enabled. Diamond sensors are superior to other sensors because they allow a wider range of spatial resolution from nanometers to millimeters and have a high magnetic sensitivity. Another outstanding characteristic is that while SQUID magnetic sensors conventionally require a low temperature, diamond sensors operate at room temperature. Diamond sensors enable scalable application to spatial resolution, which is required for the nanometer-level analysis of protein structures, submicron cell measurement applied to drug delivery and immunological testing, and micron-level analysis of medical imaging, medicines, foods, and noninvasive measurement. Hatano wants to address issues in both the dynamic use of diamond sensors in power device semiconductors and the application of diamond sensors at the nanoscale. In order to do so, she facilitates integration of research in areas such as the life sciences, theoretical physics, materials sciences, and her specialty electronics and electrical engineering and promotes collaboration with overseas researchers. Massive impact of cooperation in the United States Hatano's research on diamonds is an outgrowth of her general interest in science, something that was sparked during her early childhood. On her fourth birthday, she received Virginia Lee Burton's Life Story from her grandfather. This children's story of the history of Earth impressed her deeply. Hatano's parents both have science backgrounds, and she often talked with her father about things such as which atoms made up the food they were having for dinner. She was also excited by the experiments in her elementary school science class. The professor looks back happily on her childhood. She says that the educational environment at home and school worked well for her, considering Japan's need to compete globally in the field of science and technology in order to compensate for its lack of natural resources. At Hitachi, Ltd., where she was hired after graduating from university, Hatano was engaged in fundamental research on superconductivity and quantum effect devices for 12 years. During her employment, she also earned her doctorate. She then worked as a project leader in research and development for the commercialization of mobile displays, and projects related to environmental energy electronics. Hitachi sent her to participate in joint research at University of California, Berkeley (UCB) for three years in 1997. That experience had a great impact on her way of thinking and approach to research. Her specialty was electronics, but she chose to collaborate with a professor specializing in machine engineering. Through the accumulation of research on heat, they deepened their mutual understanding and discovered a new field, something that was extremely meaningful for her. "Coming from different backgrounds, our discussions had a synergistic effect that led to the establishment of a new field. Changing specializations and jobs is common in Silicon Valley. Through such mobility, technology and know-how are expanded to a wide range of locations. This leads to the establishment of new startup companies," Hatano says. The professor was exposed to a wide range of stimuli living in a different culture. When she moved to UCB, her firstborn was an elementary school student while her second daughter was in nursery school. At that time, Silicon Valley was experiencing its peak period of new startups. The elementary school attended by her first daughter had students from over ten different countries, reminding Hatano that Silicon Valley was attracting specialists from around the world. The infrastructure, however, was struggling to keep up with the rapid growth in population, and schools had reached capacity. In an effort to counter this, Hatano was involved in the establishment of a new elementary school in cooperation with other companies in the region HP Inc., Xerox Parc, and numerous startups. Some of the classes were taught by employees from universities, NASA, and major enterprises. "My daughter's classmate's mother was a professor at Stanford University. She dissected a cow's eye for the students, which wowed everyone. Until then, my daughters had only had the chance to dissect frogs, making that an unforgettable experience for them," Hatano reminisces. Opening new doors with scrap and build "I came to Tokyo Tech with a clean slate," Hatano says. The professor moved from Hitachi Ltd. to Tokyo Tech in July 2010, a change she made after deciding to shift her focus to education. Although her work at Hitachi was fulfilling and secure, she chose a completely different environment because she dislikes complacency, opting instead to follow a scrap-and-build life. At first, she felt the stark contrast between private enterprise and university. Sharing her struggle with students, however, she was able to show that, regardless of the occasional ups and downs, anyone could start from zero at any time. Hatano has a message for Tokyo Tech students. "It has become increasingly important to create new and innovative value rather than simply focus on problem solving. Tokyo Tech students should apply their knowledge to the creation of new value and the design of a new society through cooperation with people specializing in a wide range of fields. With mutual understanding and cooperative competition, things that you simply can't create alone emerge." NASCAR details changes to Next Gen car in 2023 Listen as NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran discusses the ongoing testing and upgrades being done to the Next Gen car for the 2023 season. Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum. A record forty one patients are on trolleys at South Tipperary General Hospital,more than in any other hospital in the country today. The situation was degrading and dangerous for the patient and impossible for staff according to Consultant Paud O Regan. The consultant described the situation as absolutely disgraceful and unpardonable and said it was a crisis created by the HSE and Department of Health who seemed incapable of making a decision to provide a rapid solution to resolve the problem. In a statement issued by the HSE management at the hospital appealed to members of the public to only attend South Tipperary General in the case of a genuine emergency, advising that, where possible, a GP or Caredoc out-of-hours service be consulted in the first instance. Unfortunately, this has led to the postponement and/or rescheduling of a number of planned (non-emergency) inpatient procedures. Those who have had their procedures postponed will be contacted with a new appointment date as soon as possible. STGH wishes to reassure people, that while the hospital is extremely busy at present, patients are being seen and cared for appropriately.The management at South Tipperary General Hospital apologies for any inconvenience caused. concluded the statement. Forty one patients are accommodated on trolleys at the Clonmel hospital which was visited by Health Minister Simon Harris last month. The number of patients on trolleys at Clonmel was way ahead of hospitals in the major cities on Tuesday morning.Forty one patients were on trolleys in Clonmel, thirty one on trolleys in the corridors of the Emergency Department and ten on trolleys in wards. Cork University Hospital and Limerick Regional Hospital were next on the table with both hospitals accommodating thirty patients on trolleys, eleven less than what Clonmel had to cope with. Duiring his visit to Clonmel just over a month ago Minister Harris said three options for temporary accommodation wer ebeing examined and a decision would be made by the end of the year on what was the best one to proceed with. The options inolude the fitting out of a unit above a new CT scan unit that was due to open in Decemnber,a new modular unit and a patient hotel pilot project.A November 15th deadline existed for the submission of tenders for the proposed hotel pilot project. Minister Harris said E700,000 was avilable to spend this winter on providing temporary accommodation and he also wanted to see the HSe examine ways of how Clonmel and Ou Ladys Hospital in Cashel , which has undergone refurbishment in excess of E12m, could work together . An exhibition of watercolour, acrylic and collage paintings by Raymond Osborn and Anne Hill Osborn is currently running in Clonmel Library and continues until this Saturday December 3rd. Raymond, a full-time painter has exhibited in the town regularly in recent years and his sales in this area are an indication of the popularity of this most collectable artist, who as usual has included many works of local interest. For most of his career Raymond worked in commercial design and painting was his way to unwind but for the past 15 years he has been a professional artist. His preferred medium is watercolour. He has exhibited in many Dublin galleries over the years, as well as the Archangel Gallery in Listowel and the Kenny Gallery in Lahinch. He exhibits annually in the Mother of Fair Love School during the Kilkenny Arts Festival, moving his studio into the school, painting and enjoying the interaction with the public. In recent years he has been invited to be one of the participating artists at Art in Action in Townley Hall, Drogheda and Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. He has also exhibited at Eigse in Carlow. His work is in corporate and private collections throughout the world and in 2004 he was commissioned by the OPW to produce a series of paintings of St. Stephens Green, Dublin. He is an award-winning member of the Water Colour Society of Ireland and has work in the permanent collection of the society, which is held by the University of Limerick. He also has work in the collection of the County Museum in Clonmel. Anne Hill Osborn was born in Dublin and studied calligraphy at the National College of Art and Design and art at KCAT in Callan. She designed stationery and taught calligraphy for many years. For some time she sold her work on Merrion Square in Dublin but now exhibits annually in the Mother of Fair Love School during the Kilkenny Arts Festival. Clonmel adopted Frances ODwyer celebrates her 100th birthday this Saturday, December 3. She remains in good health, full of love, happiness and gratitude for lifes simple things. Frances attends Clonmel Day Centre for the Elderly in Irishtown three days a week, and is looking forward to spending Christmas by her cosy electric fire in her home. Her birthday coincides with the centenary of the 1916 Rising, born just months after such a major event in Irish history. Originally from Kerry, Frances was initially very disappointed when her parents decided to move the family to Clonmel 74 years ago. Her father John ODwyer, a native of Ardmayle near Cashel, wanted to return to his roots in county Tipperary when he retired as a stationmaster. My father John, mother Annie, brother John, sisters Annie, Cissy and LuLu, and I lived together in this house when we first moved here, she remembers. Frances missed her friends and made regular trips back to the Kingdom County on holidays for catch ups. However, she soon settled into life in Clonmel when her brother John's wife Anne Barry got her a job in Devlins (now Easons) on Gladstone Street. I spent all my life working in Devlins and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I never married because it was mostly girls I palled with, Frances smiles. Frances sadly recalls her father John being confined to bed with a heart condition following his dream return to Tipperary. My father was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery when he died. My mother, brother and sisters have all passed away too, she continues. But Frances continues to soldier on, praising her carer Winnie Ryan, family, friends and neighbours for their daily support. "They are the secret behind keeping me alive," she laughs. Thanks be to God I haven't an ache or pain but Im stone deaf. I had a funny thing in both my eyes but I got it checked out and Im fine now. For a minute I was beginning to think I was going blind as well as deaf," she jokes. Its great that I have a carer who understands me. I get up at 10am, have my breakfast and Winnie comes to see if Im alive, she jests. Winnie makes my bed, prepares dinner, asks me what I want to do for the day and puts me to bed at night. I wouldnt be here without her, Frances adds. Happy Birthday Frances, from all at The Nationalist and South Tipp Today. John Allison, former chairman and chief executive officer of BB&T Corp., speaks during a news conference in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, March 2, 2012. A poll analysis by Job Creators Alliance stated 57% of adults believe tax and regulatory burden on businesses are slowing job creation. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** John Allison Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg If President-elect Donald Trump selects former banker and libertarian John Allison as his Treasury secretary, it's a clear indication that he intends to drastically deregulate the financial serves industry. Allison is a staunch opponent of the Federal Reserve Board, the Basel international accords, the government's support of the housing finance industry and the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. The former head of the Cato Institute has suggested that federal deposit insurance should be eliminated or curtailed, and that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac caused the financial crisis along with the actions of the Federal Reserve. "I am absolutely certain that the policies of the Federal Reserve, both the monetary policies and regulatory policies, were major contributors to the recent crisis," said Allison in July while testifying before the House Financial Services Committee. Whether Allison will get the job is still unclear. He met with Trump on Monday, and there are several other candidates still in the running, including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling. But Allison would come to the job with an impressive resume, one that would reassure many bankers who feel they have been abandoned or misunderstood by Washington. The 68-year-old was chairman and chief executive officer of BB&T from 1989 to 2008 and grew the bank from $5 billion to $152 billion in assets despite pulling back on merger and acquisition activity in 2003. He became president and CEO of the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in 2012 and stepped down three years later. He is now on the board of directors and chairman of the Executive Advisory Council at the Cato Institute's Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives and has authored two books on free-market philosophies. He has been outspoken that regulatory policies have been counterproductive for the economy, frequently contributing to American Banker's BankThink page on the subject. While rejecting Basel III's complicated capital regime, he has favored higher capital requirements for certain institutions, saying they should equal 20% of shareholders' equity in relation to risk-weighted assets. "That stance aligns him withHensarling," wrote Ian Katz, a director at Capital Alpha Partners in a recent note to clients while pointing out that the Texas Republican has introduced legislation that would allow banks with a simple leverage ratio of at least 10% to opt-out of certain Dodd-Frank requirements. However, while Allison's deregulatory stance would be welcomed by the industry, Katz said "banks, particularly large ones, have been unenthusiastic about the tradeoff of higher capital in exchange for much less regulation. They would push back hard if a proposal along those lines advances in Congress." Mark Calabria, director of financial regulation studies at the Cato Institute said that while dismantling Dodd-Frank "will be high on [Allison's] listhis concerns about financial regulation certainly pre-date Dodd-Frank." He "also cares a lot about the budget issues and our long term fiscal imbalances," Calabria said, noting that tax reform will be one of Trump's top priorities. Allison aligns with Trump in some key respects. During the campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed the Fed was propping up the economy to help President Obama. Allison has also criticized the Fed as a "political institution." But Allison has espoused even more controversial views as well. For one, he has suggested eliminating federal deposit insurance because it "destroys market discipline." He wants to create a private insurance pool, a position that is unpopular with many community banks who have generally favored increasing deposit insurance levels and consumers. Allison also said in an interview for The Federalist Society - a conservative nonprofit group that he would get rid of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "The agency has not protected consumers, in fact the outcome has been the exactly the opposite particularly for low income consumers," said Allison. "Through their rulings and related regulations they have made it more difficult for low end consumers to get credit. I hope that we will have an opportunity to roll back the consumer protection agency. I think that could be included in legislation to significantly amend Dodd-Frank which I believe has been very destructive for the economy." Additionally, Allison has been a critic of Securities and Exchange Commission fair-value accounting rules and in an interview with American Banker in 2009 said, "Personally, I would just get rid of it tomorrow." He views the Community Reinvestment Act and the government-sponsored enterprises as the primary causes of the financial crisis a popular idea within conservative circles that has been challenged elsewhere. If nominated and confirmed as Treasury secretary, Allison would play a key role in deciding the fate of Fannie and Freddie, which were seized by the government in 2008. He's already outlined a solution, one likely to roil the mortgage markets at least temporarily. "The best strategy would be to simply announce that in one year, Freddie, Fannie, and the FHA will quit making home mortgage loans," wrote Allison in an American Banker op-ed. "Market participants will quickly fill the home finance gap. Financing homes is an excellent business." He warned that the GSEs are "are taking risks that market participants will not take" and that "we might get lucky, but these are not risks that a rational investor would take." Such a view stands on the far right of possible solutions to the GSE issue. Even many fellow Republicans are likely to balk at total privatization of Fannie and Freddie, fearing that doing so would eliminate the 30 year fixed-rate mortgage. The National Association of Home Builders and National Association of Realtors, both powerful organizations that hold sway with Republicans, have opposed privatization plans in the past. Allison has also criticized the international Basel accords, though his views on that are more solidly in line with other Republicans. "What we don't want is systematized risk, forcing everybody to the same standards, which is what a Basel does, forcing everybody to take the same risks, which is what affordable housing does, is when you get systematic problems instead of individual failures," he said in the July hearing. Overall, Allison has pledged to take a complete look at the current regulatory system, examining regulations that can be eliminated to help spur economic growth. "If I were in charge, I would go across the whole spectrum," Allison said in July. "I think a lot of regulations are counterproductive for the economy and counterproductive for the people they're supposed to help." NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller led the ambassadors to the North Atlantic Council in a visit to NATOs Joint Force Command Headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands and to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Headquarters in Geilenkirchen, Germany on Monday (28 November 2016). In Brunssum, the Deputy Secretary General and Ambassadors were briefed on plans for NATOs multinational enhanced forward presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. In Geilenkirchen, they visited the E-3A Component: NATOs fleet of Airborne Early Warning and Control radar aircraft, also known as AWACS. NATO AWACS are essential to monitoring Allied airspace and are critical assets for NATO missions and operations. Since October 2016, NATO AWACS have supported the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL with air surveillance and situational awareness. There was never any serious recount strategy... it was all the selling of another "false hope" charade to gullible leftists You've lost. Grow up. Learn to behave like an adult. (NaturalNews) The 2016 election has certainly been revealing. After having discovered that the DNC is a disgrace and the mainstream media is a disgrace, we are now observing the childish behavior of those who lost the election in discovering that, too.Her "recount" effort -- dubbed a "recount to nowhere" -- is nothing more than a fraudulent moneymaking scam to fleece disgruntled liberal voters by selling them false hope. Even the way it was promoted by Stein -- first asking for $2.5 million in donations, then $4.5 million, and then finally $7 million -- exposes the "big lie" that her supposed costs for recount attorneys magically rose, without explanation, in perfect parallel to the donations that kept pouring in.The effort also selectively targeted only those states where Donald Trump achieved narrow victories, completely ignoring the states where Hillary Clinton won similarly narrow victories. This pattern of cherry picking certain states to challenge utterly obliterates Jill Stein's claim that this is all an effort to "ensure the integrity of our elections." If that were true, she would be questioning the outcome in the pro-Clinton states as well.Unless Jill Stein is shockingly ignorant of how elections work, she had to have been fully aware that the recount effort was a non-starter from day one. Not only did she miss the deadline for filing in Pennsylvania , surely she must have been aware that the task of acquiringby the end of the day yesterday was nearly impossible to logistically achieve. Importantly, the near impossibility of this task was never explained on her multi-million-dollar donation page. Instead, disgruntled voters were encouraged to donate thousands of dollars under a false premise of a genuine recount that might, the page implied, overturn the entire election.But that was all part of the Stein recount scam. It doesn't even appear that Stein made a genuine effort to meet the hurdles required by state laws to initiate a recount in all three states. As even TheHill.com explains If Jill Stein's disgraceful recount scam isn't a serious effort to challenge the outcome of the election, then why was it pursued at all?The answer, of course, is found in the very same corruption that American voters rejectedat the ballot box: Jill Stein's effort is all about politics and money.As The Hill explains:And then there's the matter of the nearly $6.4 million dollars that has so far been raised in the online fundraising drive . All the "extra" money not used in the false hope effort to overturn the election results in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin is being pledged to "election integrity efforts and to promote voting system reform," a laughably nondescript and non-binding assertion that effectively whitewashes almost any vectoring of the funds after the recount effort fails.For all we know, only $0.4 million will be used to pay lawyers, while $6 million will go to Jill Stein's own pocket to fund a nationwide "education tour" consisting of Powerpoint slide presentations to half-empty rooms in downtrodden public libraries. There is literallyof where the remaining funds will go.Above all, this scammy, shady effort by Stein underscores the psychological state of sheer delusion under which far too many liberals in America now operate., preferring to live inside their sad bubbles of totalitariatopian intolerance and false hope.Scammers like Jill Stein exploit this psychological frailty of leftists, promising them a path toward the light if they only whip out their wallets and donate $2700 to the recount effort. It's nothing short ofand the kind of non-profitthat defined the Clinton Foundation, a RICO Act racketeering crime organization if we ever saw one.Much like Hillary Clinton and Debbie Schultz, Jill Stein is casting immense shame upon the Democratic party and all those who support it. She is shamelessly funneling millions of dollars into her personal control while setting up her donors and supporters for yet another psychological avalanche of bad news trauma when all these people find out... and Stein knew it from the start.Shame on you, Jill Stein, for posing as a "recount puppet" for the disgraced Hillary Clinton. And shame on you for exploiting the gullibility of all the depressed, fractured souls in this nation who, for once,The era of the snowflake is over. It's time for political leaders on the left to stop pandering to the weakest minds in America and start figuring out how to help America move forward as a united country under President Donald J. Trump. End your shameful, delusional recount scam,, and try harder to be someone the American people might voluntarily want to represent them in the next election. Europe has already been the target of Islamic extremist attacks for more than a year How can an American tourist predict or stop a terrorist attack in Europe? (NaturalNews) Just as it has continuously done since taking power eight years ago, the Obama administration is continuing to traffic in fear, because after all, if you're scared, you're more willing to give up your rights.As Thanksgiving approached and as the holiday season in general kicked off, there was Obama's State Department, issuing warnings to Americans to be leery of traveling to Europe over fear of terror attacks.As The Daily Sheeple reported , the warning stated that there was a "heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe," particularly through the holiday season, with officials advising travelers to "have an emergency plan of action ready" whatever that means.The warning said that Americans should "exercise caution" if they decide to attend any holiday events and festivals, outdoor markets or any other venue, really. The department said that it had "credible information" that the Islamic State, Al Qaeda and various terrorist affiliates were continuing to plan attacks across Europe, and that there was especially a focus on the upcoming, Christian-themed holidays.State Department officials added that American citizens should also be alert to the possibility that extremist sympathizers or those who become "self-radicalized" (again, a misleading term, considering that someone or some cause has to be the reason someone becomes"radicalized"), may launch attacks with little or no warning (of course because when has a terrorist group announced when and where it would attack?), "using both conventional and non-conventional weapons," while targeting official and private-sector interests.The Islamic State may have begun in Syria and Iraq, but the group has since expanded to Libya and even Afghanistan. The group has taken responsibility for several high-profile attacks in major European cities over the past two years, notably in Paris and Brussels.In its warning, the State Department reminded U.S. citizens that Islamic extremists have carried out attacks in France, Belgium, Germany and Turkey over the past year, adding that officials were particularly concerned that Europe could be hit again.The travel alert expires Feb. 20, 2017. It also advises Americans to be cautious when visiting tourist sites, large holiday events, using public transportation or attending religious services at places of worship.A Dutch counterterrorism official also warned that between 60 and 80 ISIS operatives are in Europe now, and are preparing to carry out attacks. The official further warned that the terror group is asking its operatives to forego traveling to Syria or Iraq and instead take the fight to the European continent.At present, warned Dick Schoof, the Netherlands' National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, there are between 4,000 and 5,000 European terrorist fighters in Iraq and Syria, adding that "the chance of attack in the Netherlands is real."This is all well and good, but honestly it's pretty worthless as well. First of all, there is nothing an American can do while traveling in Europe to protect him- or herself, because European nations don't permit the carrying of firearms for self-defense and even if they did, they wouldn't allow foreigners to do so.Secondly, any "plan of action" won't be dependent upon the American tourist, but instead on whatever emergency measures will be taken by the government of the nation the tourist happens to be in at the time. And really,will depend on any given situation and set of circumstances, so it's hard to plan in advance.In addition, the State Department basically warned Americans to refrain from doing all the things they normally travel to Europe to do see the sites, attend events, engage in commerce and visit landmarks and famous places. Really, what would be the point of going?There may very well be new attacks in Europe in the coming weeks, just as there have been over the past several months that Islamic radicals would seek to disrupt a Christian-themed holiday season should be obvious but there is nothing an American traveler can do to prevent them. Is Zika being weaponized to destroy the male species? (NaturalNews) Prepping the populace for an eventual rollout of a vaccine for Zika virus , medical experts are trumpeting a new warning for men everywhere: If you should happen to get bitten by a mosquito carrying the disease, you may suffer serious damage to your reproductive organs, including mass shrinkage of your testicles.Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, recently conducted a study in which it was found that male mice exposed to Zika suffered serious adverse effects in the fertility department. Not only could the male mice no longer get their female counterparts pregnant, but their endocrine systems basically collapsed and their gonads shrunk by an astounding 90 percent.According to reports, the mosquito-borne virus can live inside the testes of men for many months, even after it has supposedly cleared from the body via blood and urine. One man,, continued to harbor Zika for three months after the virus is said to have left his body, and traces of the RNA that compose Zika have reportedly been found in other males' sex organs up to six months after infection.Male testes appear to be a type of breeding ground for Zika , in some cases massively increasing the viral load even beyond the levels present at the time of infection. For this reason, experts have been warning men who travel to Zika-affected areas to always use condoms when having sex, and for a period of at least six months after potential exposure, just to be safe.For the study, researchers looked at how long it took for the Zika virus to invade the testes of infected mice. They found that the transfer occurred within just one week following exposure. After two weeks, the mice's Sertoli cells these are responsible for secreting the androgen hormones that make a man a man were all either dead or in the process of dying, and the mice's testes had shrunk to just a fraction of their original size.Since Sertoli cells are also responsible for nourishing developing sperm cells and keeping a proper blood-testes barrier in place to protect these new cells during this important development phase, their loss further undermines the male essence. The end result is a cascading failure of testosterone production and a complete loss of "maleness" in those affected.Zika was found to defy this protective barrier, resulting in the complete destruction of Sertoli cells in the affected mice . And because Sertoli cells don't regenerate, these mice were left permanently impotent with shrunken testes and an inability to reproduce."There is a blood-testes barrier that immune cells don't normally cross unless something is very wrong," co-senior author of the study and associate director of WU's Center for Human Immunological and Immunotherapy Programs, Dr. Michael Diamond, told. "And you don't want them to cross because you don't want to eliminate germ cells, which are going to propagate the species."Some have speculated that Zika virus might have been a weaponized tool of depopulation from its origins, the reasoning behind this being that a 1947 patent held by the Rockefeller Foundation shows that the virus was extracted from the blood of rhesus monkey in Uganda, and is now owned by one of the richest foundations in the world. Regardless, the threat to men is still the same."While our study was in mice and with the caveat that we don't yet know whether Zika has the same effect in men it does suggest that men might face low testosterone levels and low sperm counts after Zika infection, affecting their fertility," Dr. Diamond added. The violent, thuggish political Left won't accept its loss Here's hoping Attorney General Sessions prosecutes these cowardly losers (NaturalNews) It sickens me to know that far too many of my fellow Americans actually believe the hoax mainstream media's claims that supporters of President-elect Donald J. Trump are ill-behaved, racist, bigoted and violent thugs seeking to impose their views on the rest of the country.It sickens me becauseDuring the campaign, Trump supporters were regularly blamed for creating scenes and causing violence during campaign events. But as we and others in the independent media have reported, it was supporters of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton who were responsible for much of the violence (see a video compilation of Clinton Left-wing allies committing violent acts here ).And that violence hasn't stopped since the election, either. Despite the fact that Trump beat Clinton fair and square, the harassment and threats of new violence from the left continues. In fact, as(WND) reported, the violence has escalated to actual threats of death against Electoral College members who are tasked with casting their ballot for Trump.One of Michigan's 16 electors who is to be called upon to cast a vote that validates Trump's victory in the state (and its electoral votes), has said on video that he and others in his state are receiving "dozens and dozens of death threats " from supporters of Clinton, who are in turn urging them to violate their oath and cast a ballot instead for the loser.The Electoral College convenes Dec. 19 to cast their votes for either Trump or Clinton, depending on which state they are from. While there is no constitutional provision requiring electors to cast ballots for the presidential and vice presidential candidates who won their states, historically, electors have always voted the way their state went.That said,noted that more than a dozen states have no laws that make it illegal for electors to change their votes, while still others have only implemented minor penalties such as a fine for doing so.Enter the left-wing radicals and sore losers who are now attempting to disrupt this process because they cannot accept what most of the rest of the country accepts: Trump won and Clinton couldn't close the deal. If they can get enough of the 163 electors from states that Trump won to switch their votes to Clinton, thenAnd at, we may very well see some violence from Trump supporters.But that doesn't matter for the dark Leftists who arrogantly think only their political goals and objectives are the right ones. They would rather steal the election for Clinton and plunge the nation into chaos, than accept the election resultsMichigan elector Michael Banerian, 22, toldthat he has received threatening emails many of them from people telling him to vote for Clinton instead of Trump, the latter of whom he is pledged to support."You have people saying 'you're a hateful bigot, I hope you die,'" he said. "I've had people talk about shoving a gun in my mouth and blowing my brains out. And I've received dozens and dozens of those emails. Even the non-threatening-my-life emails are very aggressive."reported that it had verified one message that contained a death wish and another containing a bona fide death threat, in which the sender told Banerian he would "put a bullet" in his mouth. The young elector said he deleted the rest of the emails and messages, "because as you can imagine they're clogging up my email."The political science senior at Oakland University went on to say that he wouldn't change his ballot even if he could, because "the people of Michigan spoke, and it's our job to deliver that message."Asnoted, electors in other states, including Georgia and Arizona, have also been harassed and threatened.If he survives this unorthodox challenge and actually gets to the White House, here is hoping that Trump's attorney general-select, Sen. Jeff Sessions, takes the time to track these cowards down and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law for the threats to the lives of electors and to the integrity of our political system. Patients' constitutional rights violated Rally in Austin planned for December (NaturalNews) It looks like the red state of Texas, once known for its fierce independence and as the guarantor of its citizens' freedom, is becoming something of a medical police state , having launched scores of investigations against licensed and non-licensed practitioners, many of whom are reporting being harassed by the Texas Medical Board (TMB).According to a press release from Texas Right to Know , a service designed to inform and connect people in the community regarding local and state issues that affect their basic necessities of life, the group is organizing the Texas Medical Freedom Initiative in response to the investigations. The group says Texas residents should know they have a right to seek complementary and alternative healthcare The group says that many healthcare practitioners have complained that the state medical board is carrying out investigations and implementing sanctions against non-licensed health practitioners that are not warranted. These include NDs, CCNs and others.But the actions are also being taken against DOs, MDs and other traditionally licensed professionals who practice under Title 22, Part 9, Chapter 200 of the Texas Administrative Code: Standards for Physicians Practicing Complementary and Alternative Medicine, that was passed in 1997. The law says that the purpose of the chapter "is to recognize that physicians should be allowed a reasonable and responsible degree of latitude in the kinds of therapies they offer their patients."The statute also states that the medical board understands patients have the right to seek alternative and complementary forms of treatment. But Texas Right to Know says that the TMB should also recognize that residents in the state have a right to complementary and alternative therapies and treatments without their providers being hassled by regulators. That includes frivolous investigations that cost taxpayer dollars and boost the cost of healthcare generally, because practitioners are forced to raise prices to cover legal expenses."I have been in contact with numerous physicians who have shared with me their unjust treatment by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) when their practices were under investigation," said Texas state Rep. Bill Zedler. "Wrongful actions of the TMB include the violation of the physician's right to know their accuser, their right to due process and their patients' 4th amendment right to privacy."Texas Right to Know noted that a court ruling from the 24th District Court,, is clearly a reprimand to the state medical board for their "bad faith actions" in launching these investigations.In part, the ruling states that the court found that the TMB "acted in bad faith" when it joined with law enforcement to conduct a search of the defendant's business. The court found that the board's "interest in serving the subpoenas upon the defendant was not a legitimate pursuit of the administrative authority" the board has, but rather "an exercise to circumvent both the Texas and US Constitutions' requirement for a warrant." The court ruled in behalf of the defendant.Texas Right to Know (TRTK), in response to the public's and healthcare practitioners' growing concerns about health and medical freedom in the state, will be organizing a new awareness campaign called "TMB, Don't Mess With Me," in a nod to the popular "Don't Mess with Texas" mantra.The group says anyone who is concerned about maintaining medical freedom should come to the Texas Capitol in Austin Dec. 9 for a rally and day of lobbying. TRTK said that every 10 to 15 years Texas bureaucracies are evaluated on their performance by the Texas Sunset Commission, and there is to be a meeting of that commission Dec. 9 at 9:00 a.m. in room E1.030 at the Capitol.A rally on the Capitol's south steps is set for 2:30 p.m., TRTK said in its press release. (NaturalNews) Are you hooked on social media or use it to promote your business or cause, but are sick and tired of the Left-wing tyrannical censorship of either your posts or those of real news organizations that Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo and others have arbitrarily deemed "fake?"Never fear. Therealternatives already out there, with more on the way. Besides that, these current and forthcoming sites arewhere you can say and post whatwant, without the fear that it will be censored by the communist nannies who run those other "mainstream" sites.Launched last year by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger and founder/editor of, this alternative media-friendly search engine has been growing in popularity ever since. GoodGopher.com is Adams' attempt to build the Internet's largest search engine for those looking to find information and news about liberty, natural healing, central banks, food freedom, advancedscience and several other topics that are not allowed in search sites controlled by zealous, censoring Leftists working with the NSA.GoodGopher is the world's first search site that is privacy-protected and which filters out corporate media propaganda and government misinformation. The site:-- Willon users-- Includesdisguised as "news" and "information"-- Features an "Honest Relevancy Algorithm" that is applied and weighted equally across all sites, playing no favorites or blocking legitimate reporting and science from independent sources-- Never includes any promotion of Big Pharma or other toxins/poisons-- IsAnd if you're an independent media owner or journalist, you can submit your own sites to be indexed by GoodGopher's search algorithms.Developed by free-speech advocate Andrew Torba, GAB.ai is a Twitter-style network that combats censorship by allowing users to post whatever they want, saying what they want and expressing themselves as they want."If I had to pick a single event that pushed me over the edge to take action, I would have to say it was the suppression of conservative sources and stories by the incredibly biased Facebook Trending Topics team," Torba said in an interview with Charlie Nash ofRight now the site is very much in its beta form and there is a waiting list of at least 186,955 after this writer signed up to join. So clearly, as the site gains more attention and the focus on free, unlimited speech grows, so, too, will GAB.ai.Another social media site that continues to grow because of its dedication to free speech and privacy is Seen.life . Its creators vow to never gather and/or sell users' personal information, and "we don't let search engines data mine your posts if you want to make that choice," the site notes. Creators also want users to know that once they delete a post on Seen.life,, because they don't retain it.The site also features "Unity," a "reward token" redeemable on Seen.life that is built for sharing elsewhere as well. You can also chat live and get free Internet calling.Adams says that's not all."We will be launching a YouTube alternative before the end of this year," he noted, giving users an alternative to the censorship that takes place on Twitter (which banned Breitbart Tech editor Milo Yiannopoulos , a gay, vocal supporter of President-elect Trump and a strident conservative)."The Internet is rapidly fracturing, polarizing into two separate universes. On the left side, rooted in delusion and censorship , you have Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube," said Adams, noting that NaturalNews.com is one of the sites targeted in recent assaults on free speech. "On the right, you have respect for free speech, intelligent discourse and practical problem solving to contribute to a better society." The Shanghai Wildlife Park has stopped the picture-taking with tiger cubs after a video of a zookeeper allegedly abusing the cub went viral. The video that angered netizens shows the male animal keeper placing the cub on the lap of the boy who pushed the animal, causing the cub to fall to the ground. After the incident, the staffer went on forcing the cub to open its eyes even hitting its head to pose with other incoming visitors for photos. The photo-taking program has been a regular feature of the Shanghai zoo where tourists can pay for 30 yuan or $4.30 to have selfies with cubs of tigers, bears, and lions. The video has taken too much heat online but the park denied any abuse to the baby tiger and the rest of the animals. It is still under investigation by the Shanghai Forestry Bureau. In a report by Shanghai Daily, a park employee surnamed Ni confirms that "such interactive programs are a popular practice in overseas wildlife parks as well because visitors want to get close to animals." Last 2013, a performance for Jinan Animal Carnival Festival's which suggested acrobatic shows including animals was canceled when it was tipped off to the authorities. Citizens asked to boycott the said circus since it was prohibited under the Chinese law. In 2011, the Chinese government has issued a total ban prohibiting live animal shows and circuses across 300 state-owned zoos which are part of the China Zoo Association. The circus act ban which was passed by the China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development passed in September 2010 earned PETA Asia's Advancement in Animal Welfare Award. The ban has closed two zoos which had circus acts. Other than live animal shows, the ban also covers the elimination of shops and restaurants that sell animal parts or animal dishes. Africa is set to launch its first private satellite into space this May 2017, courtesy of the design from two teenage girls from Cape Town, South Africa. Brittany Bull and Sesam Mngqengqiswa, high schoolers from Cape Town, have designed and built payloads for such a satellite that will orbit over the planet's poles and scan Africa's surface. According to CNN, Mngqengqiswa said she wants to experience discovering space and seeing Earth's atmosphere, something she said not a lot of black Africans are able to do. She added she wants to show fellow girls that they don't need to "sit around or limit [them]selves." The two are being mentored by satellite engineers from Cape Peninsula University of Technology as part of one of the several programs that are encouraging young women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. It is also part of South Africa's Meta Economic Development Organization.Trials now involve the two girls programming and launching small satellites using high-altitude weather balloons that can collect thermal imaging data, which was interpreted for early flood and drought detection. According to Outer Places, the satellite launch is not just symbolic but crucial as well. It will be tasked to collect information on agriculture and food security within the continent, as information to be received from the satellite twice a day will go towards disaster prevention. An El Nino-induced drought this April 2016 has led to a shortfall of 9.3-million tons of Southern Africa's maize production, and the continent is expected to import between 3-million and 4-million tonnes of maize to meet the shortfall this year. This is just one among many strides of Africa towards space travel. Other projects include South Africa's Square Kilometer Array project that aims to build the world's biggest radio telescope in the hopes of giving more detailed views of some of space's farthest reaches. A supercolony of ants found in Ethiopian forests is set to invade the globe, a new study suggests. According to the researchers, the infamous ant species, Lepisiota canescens, is displaying signs of supercolony formation and this could be a global threat. Fox News reported that supercolony formation is used to describe the ability to expand limitless. Ants that form supercolony can invade homes and other structures, as well as damage crops, and can cover thousands of miles, United Press International reported. "The species we found in Ethiopia may have a high potential of becoming a globally invasive species," study author D. Magdalena Sorger, a postdoctoral researcher at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, said in a statement. "Invasive species often travel with humans, so as tourism and global commerce to this region of Ethiopia continue to increase, so will the likelihood that the ants could hitch a ride, possibly in plant material or even in the luggage of tourists. "All it takes is one pregnant queen," she added. "That's how fire ants started." The supercolony of L. canescens was found in the ancient church forests of Ethiopia. The largest they found is one that stretches to roughly 24 miles in length. This could be the largest supercolony documented in an ant species living in its native habitat, the researchers noted. The researchers also discovered that the ants are also moving to other areas such as beyond forest boundaries, into neighboring agricultural fields, and along recently constructed roads and other urban structures. CNBC notes that ants that form supercolonies are rare because in general, ants are territorial. In fact, of the hundreds of thousands known ant species, only 20 have shown this kind of behavior behavior. Details about the new dominant ant species was described in a new paper published in the journal Insectes Sociaux. L. canescens has previously caused trouble in South Africa's Kruger National Park and has temporarily shut down Australia's Darwin Port. Months after what is considered to be the worst bleaching event of the Great Barrier Reef to be recorded, researchers from Australian Research Council (ARC) Coral Reef Studies finally have the clear picture of the damage. According to the report from Washington Post, the northern part of the reef that is considered to be the most pristine suffered the most damage in the last bleaching event. About 67 percent of the shallow-water corals in the 700 kilometers (435 miles) of the northern area have died in the past eight to nine months. "Most of the losses in 2016 have occurred in the northern, most-pristine part of the Great Barrier Reef," explained Professor Terry Hughes, Director of ARC's Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, in a press release. This region escaped with minor damage in two earlier bleaching events in 1998 and 2002, but this time around it has been badly affected." The Far North part of the reef might have fared better than the northern part. However, the damage is still alarming at 26 percent mortality rate. On the other hand, the central and southern part of the reef only experienced a small loss, with about six percent and one percent of their corals dead. The 2016 bleaching event is not the first coral die-off in the history. The mass death of corals in the Great Barrier Reef also occurred 1998 and 2002. It might take about 10 to 15 years without another bleaching event for the reef to be fully recovered. However, researchers warned that a fourth and fifth bleaching event may happen during the recovery period of the reef. After the bleaching event, corals in the northern part still have a difficult time recovering due to the disruption in the balance of predation. Despite having more than half of its coral dead, the number of predators feasting in them did not decrease. This just makes the recovery of the northern part to be more difficult and lengthy. Most of the technology available nowadays would seem unfathomable for anyone alive a century ago. At present, sending a message does not require using pen and paper. Likewise, you can access the troves of human knowledge and history from a device that fits snuggly in the palm of your hands. Technology has come a long way especially when it comes to the field of medicine. Nevertheless, there are certain things, like regeneration, that remains science fiction. It might, however, not be too long before humans can regenerate parts of their bodies - at least considering a recently published study from the University of Washington. In a paper published on the December issue of Developmental Dynamics, Shawn Luttrell, a doctoral student from UW, discovered that acorn worms, arguably human's closest invertebrate relative, are able to regenerate every major part of their body. In fact, acorn worms can regenerate from being sliced in half. Luttrell is hopeful that unlocking the secrets of animals like the acorn worms would make human privy to the process of regeneration. "We share thousands of genes with these animals, and we have many, if not all, of the same genes they are using to regenerate their body structures. This could have implications for central nervous system regeneration in humans if we can figure out the mechanism the worms use to regenerate" quipped Luttrell as reported by Science Daily. Billie Swalla, senior author of the paper, also expressed her hopes for what their research has uncovered. She explains that the ability to regenerate allows for immortality: "Regeneration gives animals or populations immortality," At present, the researchers involved in the study are trying to discover which specific cells the acorn worms use in order to regenerate. They speculate that stem cells might have a hand in promoting regrowth or directing cells to accomplish the task of regrowing tissue. After quitting the European Union, the British government has expressed its utmost support to the European Space Agency. In a written response to questions from the UK Parliament's Science and Technology Committee published on November 24, the government said, "The UK's investment in the European Space Agency is an important part of our overall investment in space, from which we obtain excellent value. "[ESA] is a membership organization which contains members from both within and outside the European Union, and the UK will continue to be a member of the European Space Agency after the UK leaves the European Union," Space News reports. While this declaration of support from the British government, which comes a mere week before ESA ministers head to Lucerne, Switzerland to defend its multi-year funding package worth $12 billion, came as good news to the 22 nation-strong space agency, some Brits, however, feel otherwise. Talks about Britain building its own spaceport have been making rounds in headlines of British press. But it seems that the government has other things in mind. In June, Members of the Parliament moved for a national space program for UK. Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, Nicola Blackwood, MP said, "The UK has, so far, only taken small steps towards launching a national space programme that would enable our innovative space and satellite industries to get the 'flight heritage' they need. Now is the time to take a confident leap towards that goal and build on the foundations of the National Space Technology Programme," the House of Commons reports. It also pointed out that 75 percent of UK Space Agency's funds go through ESA, and although it acknowledges the fact that it does offer perks via industry contract awards, they still believe that a homegrown space program can deliver "an even greater return" on investment than what is realized through ESA, an article by the Aviation Week writes. Previously, UK has rejected a parliamentary proposal stating that a national program should get its fair share of the government's space budget as well. The European Space Agency announced that Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli will be launched to the International Space Station next year, through an official statement released on November 24. Nespoli will be launched on a Soyuz vehicle in May 2017 on a five-month mission, which is part of a barter agreement between NASA and Italy's ASI space agency involving ESA astronauts, according to ESA. Aside from naming Nespoli, the space agency also unveiled the mission's name and logo. "Vita stands for Vitality, Innovation, Technology and Ability and was chosen by Italy's ASI space agency, which is providing the mission through a barter agreement with NASA. In Italian, "vita" means "life", reflecting the experiments that Paolo will run and the philosophical notion of living in outer space - one of the most inhospitable places for humans," ESA said in a statement. Developed by ESA, ASI, and Nespoli himself, Vita's logo is a circular shape and a bright blue color, which represents our home planet, Earth. It also prominently features the Third Paradise symbol by Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto linking the mission's main messages. The colors of the Italian flag can also be spotted in the Vita logo to show Nespoli's country of origin. "Three elements stand out: a strand of DNA as a symbol of life and science, a book as a symbol of culture and education, and Earth as a symbol of humanity. The Third Paradise is a reformulation of the symbol for infinity. The two opposing ovals contain elements of the scientific and cultural activities Paolo will perform in space. Their meeting in the centre represents the evolution of Earth and benefits for humankind," ESA explains, Space Daily reports. Mission Vita is Paolo Nespoli's third space flight. His ESA profile shows that in 2007, Nespoli flew as a mission specialist on Space Shuttle Discovery for the STS-120 flight to the ISS, and in 2008, for Expedition 26/27. Last year, Paolo was given his third spaceflight as part of Expeditions 52 and 53 to the ISS. Researchers have found evidence of the oldest red pigment in the feathers of a 130-million-year-old bird. A study titled Molecular evidence of keratin and melanosomes in feathers of the Early Cretaceous bird Eoconfuciusornis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America found fossil evidence of feather structural protein (beta-keratin) surrounding microscopic pigment pods called melanosomes. Eoconfuciusornis is a genus of the extinct bird that lived 131 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous of China. These prehistoric birds have pointed toothless beaks and long legs. The discovery of the old pigment shows that original molecules may be preserved for longer periods of time. Researchers have long debated over the small round structures found in the fossils to be melanosomes, but without enough evidence, it may just as well be microbes which coated fossilized feathers over time. Co-author Mary Schweitzer, NC State professor of biology with a joint appointment at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, stated, "If these small bodies are melanosomes, they should be embedded in a keratinous matrix since feathers contain beta-keratin," Schweitzer says. "If we couldn't find the keratin, then those structures could as easily be microbes or a mix of microbes and melanosomes -- in either case, predictions of dinosaur shading would not be accurate." To settle the argument, a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences composed of paleontologists from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology (NIGPAS), the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP), Linyi University, and North Carolina State University led the research. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the team took note of microscopic details of the feather's external and internal structure. They also adopted various molecular and chemical methods, including immunogold labeling, wherein gold particles are attached to antibodies that bind to particular proteins in order to make them visible in electron microscopy, to show that filaments within the feathers were keratin. In a report by North Carolina State University, Yanhong Pan, corresponding author of the study, explained that "the study is the first to demonstrate evidence for both keratin and melanosomes using structural, chemical, and molecular methods." He added that "these methods have the potential to help us understand -- on the molecular level -- how and why feathers evolved in these lineages." The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit has learned representatives from Airbnb and the city of San Francisco met privately in federal court Tuesday in hopes of settling a bitter lawsuit that has gone on for months. The two sides were scheduled to discuss ideas for how home-sharing websites, like Airbnb, might be able to verify which of their users completed San Franciscos mandatory registration process for hosts, which is required of anyone looking to rent out a home for less than 30 days at a time. The issue is of particular concern to home-sharing companies since pending legislation in San Francisco could leave websites vulnerable to hefty fines and criminal penalties if they allow unregistered hosts to post their rentals online. As the Investigative Unit reported in June, San Francisco lawmakers passed legislation that would allow the city to begin issuing fines and criminal penalties to home-sharing companies. Airbnb, however, filed a lawsuit in June to block the new law. By law, individuals wanting to rent out their San Francisco home on a short-term basis must remain the primary resident of that home and register with the citys Office of Short-Term Rentals, which requires a $250 fee every two years. In May, however, the Investigative Unit found that thousands of short-term rental hosts across the city continue to break the law. While homeowners can face hefty fines and misdemeanor penalties, the Investigative Unit discovered most violators are able to skirt any sort of punishment. Following the Investigative Unit report, lawmakers passed legislation to extend those penalties to the actual websites that are used to post the rentals online. Two weeks ago, a federal judge ordered those penalties be put on hold until San Francisco and Airbnb can undergo mediation to develop a detailed enforcement plan. During that hearing, the judge requested an agreement be reached by mid-December. He instructed both sides to outline exactly how home-sharing companies, like Airbnb, would be able to check whether a rental is registered in order to purge illegal rentals from their websites. The Investigative Unit has spent months looking into illegal rentals and the impact to communities across San Francisco. You can read and watch our series of reports by clicking the links below. ______________________________________ Watch the entire series in this NBC Bay Area investigation: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Northern California sheriff said Monday that investigators have conducted their first lengthy interview with a woman who disappeared while jogging three weeks ago and then turned up on the side of an interstate, beaten and chained to a "heavy object.'' Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said he hadn't yet talked in detail with those investigators, who are still reviewing their interview with 34-year-old Sherri Papini. But Bosenko says he still has no reason to doubt her harrowing abduction tale. Bosenko said investigators are searching for two women who released Papini about 140 miles south of where she had last been seen near Redding, California. Authorities have released few details of the case, citing the "critical and active investigation.'' Here's a look at what we know, plus some of the outstanding questions about the case. ___ WHAT HAPPENED? On Nov. 2, Papini donned a pink running shirt, grabbed her cellphone and earbuds and went for a jog in her rural neighborhood near Redding, about 160 miles north of Sacramento. Her husband, Keith Papini, started looking for her when he returned home from work that evening and neither his wife nor their two young children were home. The couple's daycare provider told Keith Papini his 34-year-old wife didn't pick up their children that afternoon. Using an iPhone app, Keith Papini found her phone and earbuds about a mile away, but his 5-foot 3-inch, 100-pound wife was nowhere to be found. He called the Shasta County Sheriff's Department, which launched an intensive land and air search involving hundreds of volunteers, family and friends and multiple law enforcement agencies. A $50,000 reward was offered for her safe return. WHEN WAS SHE FOUND? Sherri Papani was found before dawn Thanksgiving Day along Interstate 5 near Sacramento. Shasta County Sheriff Bosenko says Sherri Papani flagged down a passing motorist despite her hands being bound. Responding California Highway Patrol officers reported that she was chained to a heavy object, but authorities have not elaborated on the nature of her restraints. Bosenko says the woman was ``very emotional'' and battered when found. He said she was treated and released from an area hospital, where her husband was ``at her side.'' The sheriff has declined to discuss details of Papani's injuries. ARE THERE SUSPECTS? Bosenko said authorities are looking for two Hispanic women armed with a handgun and driving a dark-colored SUV. On Thursday, he called on potential witnesses to contact authorities and said investigators were working through more than 400 tips. He said investigators have ``sensitive information'' that hasn't been discussed publicly because the incident is ``still a critical active investigation.'' WHAT ARE AUTHORITIES AND FAMILY SAYING? Before Sherri Papani was found, police had filed at least 20 search warrants in court linked to the investigation. Many remained sealed. ABC News reported investigators were also looking through her computer records, probing past relationships and seeking surveillance footage that could offer clues. "Obviously she was emotional and quite upset, but elated to be freed, and so we were able to get some information from her,'' Bosenko told ``Good Morning America.'' Later, the sheriff told ABC News that police have no reason to disbelieve the woman's story. "She was assaulted and had injuries which she was treated for,'' Bosenko said. Sherri Papani's sister, Sheila Koester, told The Associated Press the family was "very thankful and very ecstatic'' about her safe return. Speaking separately at a news conference, Koester declined to answer questions about her sister's disappearance and the investigation, saying she knew no details. "Right now she's been through a very traumatic event, and needs time with her family,'' 36-year-old Koester said. WHAT ELSE IS UNCLEAR? Authorities have not said where they believe Papini was held during her three-week disappearance, nor have they discussed possible motives. The Papinis are not wealthy and no ransom was sought for her safe return. IS THE COMMUNITY ON EDGE? Sandra Oswald, a 29-year-old community organizer in Redding, had helped run search groups to look for the missing woman. Oswald is a runner, like Papini, and said her sudden vanishing hit close to home. "It was just the biggest blessing, not only for the family but for the community that's been trying to find her,'' Oswald said of Papini's return. "Now, it's just praying for them and her recovery.'' In the wake of Papini being found, the sheriff has urged the community to "be cautious.'' The first case of locally transmitted Zika virus in Texas has been reported in the Rio Grande Valley, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports. We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a Zika case spread by a mosquito in Texas, said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. The patient is a Cameron County resident who is not pregnant and who was confirmed last week by lab test to have been infected. She reported no recent travel to Mexico or anywhere else with ongoing Zika virus transmission and no other risk factors. Laboratory testing found genetic material from the Zika virus in the patients urine, but a blood test was negative, indicating that the virus can no longer be spread from her by a mosquito. Through last week, Texas has had 257 confirmed cases of Zika virus disease. Until now, all cases in the state had been associated with travel, including two infants born to women who had traveled during their pregnancy and two people who had sexual contact with infected travelers. There are no other cases of suspected local transmission at this time, but health officials continue to conduct disease surveillance activities as part of the state's ongoing Zika response. Cameron County, DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working together to investigate and respond to the case. Further investigation will be necessary to attempt to pinpoint how and where the infection occurred, and health officials are also responding in a number of other ways. DSHS has activated the State Medical Operations Center to support the response and is providing expertise, personnel and equipment for activities from disease investigation to mosquito surveillance to public education. Cameron County and the City of Brownsville, with help from DSHS, have conducted an environmental assessment at the patients home and have been trapping and testing mosquitoes to learn more about activity in the area. The samples collected will be tested at the DSHS laboratory in Austin. Brownsville has recently sprayed for mosquitoes in the area and will continue to take action to reduce the mosquito population. Health workers from Cameron County and DSHS will be going door to door in the area around where the case lived beginning this evening to educate the public about Zika, help people reduce potential mosquito breeding habitat on their property, and collect voluntary urine samples to determine whether other infections are present. Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito, though sexual transmission can occur. The four most common symptoms are fever, itchy rash, joint pain and eye redness. While symptoms are usually minor, Zika can also cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly, and other poor birth outcomes in some women infected during pregnancy. Protesters starting off East Oakland marched along International Boulevard on Tuesday, mirroring what others across the country were fighting for by chanting and holding signs that said: "Fight for $15 Day of Disruption. The Bay Area News Group reported that the protesters shut down the intersection at International Boulevard and 98th for a time early Tuesday morning. In Oakland, the current minimum wage is $12.25 an hour. On Jan. 1, it goes up to $12.86 an hour. "It's not just a stepping stone," Rico Johnson, a Taco Bell worker told NBC Bay Area after protesting in Oakland. "People rely on this. I myself have a college degree. But because of my childcare issues, Im stuck where Im at right now. Id like to maintain a respectable standard of living." A second Bay Area protest was held at San Francisco International Airport. San Francisco's minimum wage is now $13 an hour. That will rise to $15 an hour in July 2018. The sentiment from drivers, fast-food workers, maids and airport employees across the nation for better pay and healthcare were the same and being played out with similar actions in New York, Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles to Chicago and other cities. All of it was part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly minimum wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. While the protests were largely peaceful, there were reports of arrests across the country. About 25 protesters were arrested in lower Manhattan after linking arms and sitting on a lower Manhattan street. They were among about 350 people at the rally. Participants chanted "We shall not be moved" and waved signs that read "We won't back down" and "Strike for $15 and our future." Fast-food worker Alvin Major, 51, of Brooklyn, said he supports four children and a wife recovering from cancer. "Fifteen dollars is just a number," he said. "If we could get one dollar and one dollar could take care of our health care, housing, food and everything, that's what we need." New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation last April that gradually raises New York's minimum wage. Workers across Chicago, including at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, began to walk off the job over union rights and an hourly wage of $15. About 500 workers at O'Hare committed to strike on Tuesday. They include cabin cleaners, janitors, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers. The workers are employed by private contractors. Strike organizers say many work for minimum wage. They're trying to unionize with the help of Service Employees International Union Local 1. Organizers say they expect delays and disruption, particularly for United and American airlines. But Chicago Department of Aviation officials say they don't anticipate disruptions. There were also reports of protests in Charlotte, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Minneapolis in addition to many other cities across the U.S. Thirty-four Boston-area workers were arrested after protesters gathered in Central Square in Cambridge, at Logan International Airport. In Los Angeles, the first protest began at 6 a.m. in downtown L.A. with another rally scheduled for noon at Airport and Century boulevards just east of Los Angeles International Airport. Officers made several arrests. NBC Bay Area's Pete Suratos contributed to this report. Parishioners sent up prayers for the three people who died and the 14 others who were sickened following a Thanksgiving dinner put on by a Brentwood church. Golden Hills Community Church Senior Pastor Larry Adams said the parish in Brentwood, California has been serving holiday meals for decades and was deeply saddened by the tragic turn at a charitable event that turned accidentally deadly. "No one's ever gotten sick in more than 30 years," he said. Last week's deaths were "more than heartbreaking," Adams said. But in the aftermath, he said, his concern is "not us or our reputation. It's people." There were still many unanswered questions than answers on Tuesday, a day after Contra Costa County health officials announced that eight people were taken to Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch on Friday and Saturday after eating the church-hosted turkey- and stuffing-meal at the American Legion Hall in Antioch. Health officials initially said five people had been sickened, but that number rose to 14 Tuesday evening. The Contra Costa County Coroners office has not yet identified the three who died. The three people who died came to the event from two assisted living facilities, Minervas Place and Minervas Place IV, according to the Department of Social Services. No one would speak to a reporter at one of the facilities, but health inspectors were seen walking into one of the residences. Contra Costa County Public Health Dr. Louise McNitt said at a Monday news conference that there was no concrete evidence yet that a food-borne illness sickened the people, but "that's usually what it is." She said norovirus had been ruled out. A total of 835 people ate the meal. All the patients ate food from the same holiday event, health officials said Tuesday. Investigators said they were busy collecting biological samples for testing at county and state public health labs. Adams said he is anxiously awaiting the test results to come back: "First of all, we don't even know that our dinner was the source of the problem. But that doesn't matter because precious people died. So we're concerned about that -- no matter what the source -- which is why we're trying so hard ... to help County Health find the source because if it was from us, we want to fix it. And if it wasn't from us, then we still want to help the people who hurt." Seattle-based food expert attorney William Marler said he suspects, from what hes heard and read, that the most likely culprit is a bacteria called Clostridium perfringens, which is often mistaken for the 24-hour flu. The majority of outbreaks are associated with undercooked meats, often cooked in large quantities and which sit out for long periods of time. Its rarely fatal, but it can be. Its not unusual for just a few people to get sick out of hundreds, Marler said in an email to NBC Bay Area. They may have been the only ones that ate the tainted portion or perhaps had underlying health issues that made them more vulnerable. Marler said it reminds him of a case in Iowa years ago where only a few people got sick and one died during a Thanksgiving dinner for the elderly. On Monday, Dr. Marilyn Underwood, environmental health director for Contra Costa County Health Services, said she did not know who was responsible for preparing the food, but they did say some of the food was brought in from other facilities and some was prepared at the hall. She added that after interviewing the food handlers about food safety techniques, "they all sounded very appropriate." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 6 Americans or 48 million gets sick every year from food-borne illnesses, commonly referred to as food poisoning. NBC Bay Area's Stephen Ellison, Sharon Katsuda, Gonzo Rojas and Terry McSweeney contributed to this report. The Richmond community is in mourning following the murder of William Sims, an aspiring musician who was gunned down earlier this month in what appears to be a racially-motivated attack. Local restaurants, community organizations and city leaders have all stepped forward to pay respects to Sims, who was at the Capri Club in El Sobrante on Nov. 12 when three men robbed and shot him outside the bar, apparently because he was black, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorneys office. The three suspects Daniel Porter-Kelly, 31, Ray Simons, 32, and Daniel Ortega, 31 are white men who live in the East Bay. So far, police have arrested Porter-Kelly, who on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and robbery, with a hate crime enhancement. The other two suspects remain on the loose and a manhunt has been underway since the brutal slaying. Ray Simons, alleged shooter in killing of East Bay musician William Sims is in custody.He'll be arraigned on murder/hate crime charges today pic.twitter.com/3SpH5rAXZf Jodi Hernandez (@JodiHernandezTV) December 12, 2016 Meanwhile, the Richmond and El Sobrante communities have been rallying support for the Sims family. A fundraiser was held on Sunday at Mountain Mikes Pizza on San Pablo Dam Road, with 25 percent of sales proceeds going to a fund to help pay for funeral expenses. Later that night, at around 5:30 p.m. on Appian Way, a community vigil that included a performance of Hallelujah from Jazzology, a Contra Costa College musical group to which Sims belonged, drew more than 250 people. Heaps of flowers lined the Appian Way fence at the vigil, along with signs that condemned racism and violence. Speakers took to a microphone and talked about the importance of ensuring Sims legacy lives on, both through music and community activism. The 28-year-old played five instruments and enjoyed karaoke at the Capri Club. He was taken down by some idiots, said a speaker at the vigil. Some hateful people that didnt understand his power. This power will not die. Wills power is eternalWere going to keep speaking his name. And when we play our music, and when we sing our songs and were in the community, when were marching through the streets of El Sobrante, Richmond, Oakland, were going to keep his name going. Thats what its about. Others who knew Sims well spoke about his proclivity for helping others out of stressful situations. Will was my best friend, Brett Murphy said. He helped me out when I was going through my divorce, and was really the first person that I became friends with when I came here. He was an exceptional human being. He always made sure that others were having as much fun as he was. A slate of other vigils are planned in the coming days. On Tuesday, a community remembrance vigil at La Moine Valley View Park will honor Sims and other victims of gun violence. A silent vigil is also planned for Dec. 3 at the Hilltop Green Club House. Online efforts also have benefited from the outpouring of support, with a GoFundMe page raising more than $13,000 at the time of posting. For the Sims, who have hired a lawyer and are worried about security because of the two suspects still on the loose, the donations are helping ease some of the financial burdens. Our thoughts and hopes are that the community will continue to provide the love and support that weve seen so far," said James Harris, a family friend who is speaking on behalf of the family. "What they are also hoping for is that this level of support translates to individuals in the community contacting the sheriffs department with information leading to the arrests of the two outstanding suspects." Other community organizations are also helping raise awareness about the crime. Theresa Greenwood, the founder of Richmond Street Angels, a group that plans vigils and helps families struggling with loss, said that rallying support helps show that hatred and bigotry wont be tolerated in the city. "The community is unifying and coming together to show the people who are doing these things that we are not going to tolerate it, Greenwood said. Its shocking, disgusting, and repulsive what happened to Will Sims. We have to show people who think they can get away with it that they wont. Not in our city or in the Bay Area. The timing of the incident less than a week after the contentious 2016 Presidential Election has also caused some community members and commenters in the Twittersphere to fear that the attack on Sims was motivated because of sentiments President-elect Donald Trump ratcheted up on the campaign trail. Hate-tracking groups have also made similar claims, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, which said that hate crimes were being reported at an alarming rate since Election Day. Greenwood said she suspected that the election rhetoric could partly be to blame, while Richmond Mayor Tom Butt explicitly connected the crime to nationwide surge of vitriol in a statement. His passing has left our community stunned and seeking justice for a young man who will be remembered as a talented musician and a kindhearted member of our community," Butt said. "I urge Richmond residents to maintain our citys values of respect and care for one another, especially during a time when we are experiencing a nationwide surge in hate-filled hostility and threats to public safety... Gillian Edevane covers Contra Costa County for NBC Bay Area. Contact her at Gillian.Edevane@NBCuni.com or at 669-289-2895. Yet another Bay Area city is toying with the idea of adopting rent control policies. Concords City Council will vote on Tuesday whether to adopt a temporary moratorium on rent hikes and evictions. If passed, the measure will place a 45-day ban on rent increases over 3 percent per year, establish a board to mediate rental disputes between landlords and tenants and create a hotline for tenants facing eviction. In order to pass, the moratorium will need to garner supermajority support of at least four council members. Tenants and landlord groups have been sparring over rent control for the past year. In previous discussions, it was revealed that a whopping majority more than 8,500 units out of about 9,400 would be affected by the moratorium. The remaining units are likely those protected by state law, which stipulates that condos and single-family homes are exempt from rent control, as are units built after 1995. Groups like Tenants Together have argued that rent control can bring stabilization and slow displacement in the Bay Area, a region that is seeing even its low-income cities struggle with gentrification. Those groups put forth testimonials from people who have seen their rents rise more than triple digits, while opponents used statements from some economists and landlords claiming rent control unfairly punishes ethical landlords. After hearing those pleas, city leaders tabled the discussion to do more research on the topic. In Concord, data show that rents have been climbing, depending on the type of unit: Rent Jungle, a website that tracks market trends, found that the average apartment rent has increased $61 per month since April. However, two-bedroom apartments have actually seen a decrease of $26 per month on average. The website found that rents in the city are hovering around $1,972 per month. Other cities throughout the Bay Area have implemented rent control policies, including Berkeley, San Francisco and, more recently, Richmond. But in San Mateo and Burlingame, voters struck down rent control measures by a wide margin on Election Day. Gillian Edevane covers Contra Costa County for NBC Bay Area. Contact her at Gillian.Edevane@NBCuni.com. Authorities in the East Bay are investigating the slaying of a young black man as a possible hate crime amid growing concern over racially motivated incidents and attacks nationwide. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department arrested one white suspect and is searching for two others thought to be involved in the Nov. 12 killing of a 28-year-old musician. Investigators say Will Sims was robbed, beaten and shot to death in the wee hours outside an El Sobrante bar near his hometown of Richmond. Investigators say Sims worked as a retail clerk, had no gang ties and a clean criminal record. Authorities arrested 31-year-old Daniel Porter-Kelly and charged him with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement. Authorities are searching for 32-year-old Ray Simons and 31-year-old Daniel Ortega and didn't elaborate on the hate crime allegations or the details of the homicide. Richmond mayor says city will not tolerate hate crimes as suspect pleads not guilty to deadly hate crime that left Richmond musician dead pic.twitter.com/YJtmGDHYiy Jodi Hernandez (@JodiHernandezTV) November 29, 2016 Porter-Kelly remains jailed without bail. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges in court on Monday. Porter-Kelly's attorney, Seth Morris, said his client is innocent, noting the Richmond father comes from a diverse background. The Southern Poverty Law Center says it has documented 701 "reports of hateful incidents of harassment around the country" since the presidential election. Since then, the Council on American-Islamic Relations says it has documented about 100 "anti-Muslim" incidents, including an anonymous letter mailed to several California mosques saying President-elect Donald Trump will exterminate Muslims. The population of Richmond is 36 percent black, making it the largest ethnic group in the city. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt said Sims' slaying appeared to be a hate crime and urged community restraint. "I urge Richmond residents to maintain our city's values of respect and care for one another, especially during a time when we are experiencing a nationwide surge in hate-filled hostility and threats to public safety,'' Butt said Saturday in a statement. One person died and three were injured in a shooting late Monday night near a restaurant in Union City, police said. The shooting occurred between 9 and 9:30 p.m. at Dyer Road and Courthouse Drive in the parking lot of the Union Landing shopping center near a Texas Roadhouse restaurant. Two of the injured victims were transported to a local hospital. Police said three suspects have been detained, and there's no danger to public safety. They said the shooting may be connected to a sideshow gathering in the parking lot. Union City police said they have had a rash of sideshows in the area, and a police suppression team was in the vicinity when the shots were fired. Those officers rushed to the scene to find one person dead in a car riddled with bullets. No further details were available. NBC Bay Area's Cheryl Hurd contributed to this report. Civil rights activist Dorothy Height, who dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality, is among 12 new additions to the U.S. Postal Service's 2017 forever stamps. Height will be featured on the 40th stamp in the Black Heritage series, according to a release from the Postal Service. A Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, she was a leading member of the civil rights movement. Height also founded the National Women's Political Caucus with Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm and Betty Friedan in 1971. She worked with the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis on civil rights initiatives, too. [NATL] New Postal Service Stamps for 2017 "Although she rarely gained the recognition granted her male contemporaries, she became one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century," the organization said of Height. Also featured on one of the new stamps will be Robert Panara, "an influential teacher and a pioneer in the field of deaf studies." Panara will be featured on the 16th stamp in the Distinguished Americans series with a photo of him signing the word "respect." "During his 40-year teaching career, Panara inspired generations of students with his powerful use of American Sign Language," the Postal Service said. The statehood anniversaries of Nebraska and Mississippi will be celebrated as part of the Statehood stamp series. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More "2017 will be an exciting year for the Postal Services stamp program," said Mary-Anne Penner, the director for stamp services in a statement. "This amazing collection of stamps features beautiful art, distinguished Americans and historic events." Other forever stamps feature images of flowers, such as the "celebration boutonniere" and the "celebration corsage." Stamps paying tribute to nature and pollinators, like bees and butterflies, will also debut. Henry David Thoreau, an acclaimed American thinker and writer, will also be featured on a 2017 forever stamp. "With his personal example of simple living, his criticism of materialism and the questions he raises about the place of the individual in society and humanity's role in the natural world, Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) continues to inspire readers," the Postal Service said. Ezra Jack Keats' book "The Snowy Day" will appear in a stamp booklet as well, along with a Christmas Carols booklet. Artist Andrew Wyeth's paintings will also be featured on a stamp. A pedestrian was seriously injured Monday evening after being struck by a vehicle in Westwood, Massachusetts. Police say the elderly woman was hit by a female driver at about 4 p.m. at the intersection of Weatherbee Drive and Adams Street. "When we arrived we found a single car which seemed to have lost control and struck a pedestrian who was walking in the neighborhood," said Westwood Police Chief, Jeffrey Silva. Police said the driver drove up on the lawn. At this point in the investigation, the crash may have been due to some type of medical emergency. Authorities also said the victim was not crossing the street but walking near her house. "I'm not sure if she was walking in the sidewalk but there's no indication she was walking in an area where she wouldn't normally be visible," said Silva. A medical helicopter landed at the nearby Hanlon School to take the victim to a Boston-area hospital. She is said to be suffering with life threatening injuries. "Certainly were all praying and pulling for her. Amazing testimony to her personal strength that she was able to survive the accident in the first place," Silva said. According to police, the driver was "not hurt or had seemingly minor injuries." The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. The victim of a horrific hit and run accident caught on camera early Friday morning outside The Spot nightclub in Brockton, Massachusetts has died. Sergio Licona was just 25 years old, a married father of three children who had come to Brockton two years ago from Honduras in search of job opportunities to support his family back home. The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Friday. Witnesses told police Licona was leaving the club with a group of people when he was struck while crossing the street. According to witnesses, the driver failed to stop and drove up North Main Street. His widow, Lizeth Mejia, told us by phone from Honduras that Licona had planned to come home soon. He left his three kids, he left me, he left his parents in search of new opportunities and new dreams," she said. When we spoke to Mejia, she believed Licona was still in a coma at Beth Israel Hospital, where he was taken after the accident. He passed away Monday morning. This is something I still dont believe," she said, "something that we would like to think that it is a dream, that he will be alive and he will come back. The district attorneys office said state police have identified the driver of the 2012 Jaguar SUV that struck Licona and then left the scene. He is not being identified publicly pending charges. Giovanni Perez, a friend of Liconas who also moved to Brockton from Honduras, said he is devastated that someone would hit him and leave him in the road to die. When we saw the video, when he was hit, I felt something terrible, Perez said. It is unclear when the driver involved in the hit and run will be arraigned, but the district attorneys office did say charges are pending. Police are searching for a 9-year-old boy who disappeared Monday from the South Side Grand Boulevard neighborhood. DNario Brown went missing about 3:45 p.m. from the 4200 block of South St. Lawrence, according to a missing person alert. DNario is described as a 4-foot-5, 100-pound black boy with a medium complexion, brown eyes and black hair, police said. He was last seen wearing a navy coat, a Pelle Pelle yellow shirt, navy khakis, black gym shoes and a black and green backpack. Anyone with information should call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380. Four guards at the Illinois Youth Center in west suburban St. Charles have been accused of encouraging juvenile residents to attack each other. Johan O. Asiata, 30; Michael M. Klimek, 40; Andre L. McFarland, 31; and Elliott J. Short, 34, were indicted on numerous felony charges by a grand jury on Nov. 22, according to the Kane County states attorneys office. The guards, led by Klimek, encouraged certain residents to physically attack other residents, facilitated the attacks and stood idly by to watch as they happened, prosecutors said. The attacks involving 10 victims happened Jan. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 28. The allegations were reported to the Illinois Department of Corrections in late January and IDOC asked Illinois State Police to handle the investigation, prosecutors said. The guards were arrested on Nov. 22 and 23 and have since posted bond to be released from the Kane County Jail. Per policy guidelines, as soon as [the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice] was notified of the allegations, the Department put the staff involved on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, a department spokesman said. These indictments are the culmination of that investigation, and the Department will continue to cooperate with state partners to address any structural problems identified during this process. Klimek, of Yorkville, faces 53 felony counts of official misconduct, 18 of aggravated battery, three of unlawful restraint, one of mob action and one misdemeanor count of theft, prosecutors said. His next court date is Dec. 5. McFarland, of Rockford, was charged with eight felony counts of official misconduct and one of aggravated battery, prosecutors said. His next court date was set for Nov. 30. Asiata, of Channahon, faces five felony counts of official misconduct, two of aggravated battery and one of unlawful restraint, prosecutors said. His next court date is Dec. 8. Short, of St. Charles, was charged with four felony counts of official misconduct and two of aggravated battery. He is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 7. If convicted of the most serious offense, each faces a sentence of probation or between two and five years in prison, prosecutors said. Chicago Cubs fans will soon be able to dine at Shake Shack after a game at Wrigley Field. The burger chain told the Chicago Tribune it will open a fourth Chicago location in the new Wrigleyville development slated to finish construction in mid-2018, near the intersection of Addison and Clark streets and just south of the ballpark. Being built by M&R Development and Bucksbaum Retail Properties, the massive development will cover 2.3 acres of the North Side neighborhood and also include an upscale 10-screen movie theater and about 150 condos. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and developers broke ground on the project in early August. New York-based Shake Shack first came to Chicago in 2014 with a location in the River North neighborhood. Since then the fast food favorite has opened additional locations in the Loop and at Old Orchard Mall in suburban Skokie. Shake Shacks Wrigleyville location will be at 3535 N. Clark St., the Chicago Tribune reports, where the old Goose Island bar and restaurant used to be found. It is expected to open in 2019, according to the Tribune. Supporters have rallied around a Michaels store manager after video of an incident at a Chicago location the day before Thanksgiving went viral. The footage, which had been viewed more than 590,000 times as of Monday afternoon, showed an angry customer yelling at an employee claiming she was discriminated against while checking out Wednesday. By Tuesday morning, more than 2 million people watched the footage. In the video, the white customer is seen calling a black employee at the Lakeview store an animal and telling one employee to shut your face. She claims an employee discriminated against her and mumbled that she must have voted for Donald Trump, but the employee is heard in the video denying that claim. And I voted for Trump, so there, she said. What? You want to kick me out because of that? And look who won. Look who won. The woman vows to report the employees to their corporate headquarters and yells at bystanders filming the incident before calling the police. An employee can be heard in the background telling the woman she was not discriminated against, but that the employee asked if she would like to buy a reusable bag. "When I asked for my things to be bagged, and I don't care about the size of the bag, this other woman makes a big deal about it, coming around," she says in the video. "She's screaming at me from across the store, screaming at me." Jessie Grady, who witnessed and filmed part of the 30-minute ordeal, posted the footage to social media and started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the employee targeted in the so-called rant. Grady said the employees did nothing to provoke this verbal attack and in fact treated all customers with professionalism and courtesy. I was so shocked by this unprovoked attack that I captured 17 minutes of it on video on my phone, Grady wrote on the GoFundMe page. I am starting this gofundme [sic] because Id like to do something to try to make it up to the employee who was the main target of this racist attack. Id like to show her that many people are horrified by how this woman treated her, and that we stand with her and appreciate her hard work. She inspired me because despite the hateful words that were being hurled in her direction, she stood in that entranceway calm and unmoving to protect her staff and customers. As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $9,000, well above Gradys goal of $400. Both the woman in the video and bystanders called police to report the incident. Police confirmed officers were called to the store Wednesday, but when they arrived, the woman was gone and no police report could be filed. Michaels said in a statement it does not tolerate discrimination or racism of any kind against our team members or customers. We regret that our customers and team members were affected by this unfortunate incident and are grateful for the leadership of our store team in working to resolve it without further escalation, the statement read. The company also tweeted Monday, We appreciate the outpouring of support for our Chicago-based team member. As lawmakers prepare to reconvene in Springfield Tuesday for the final string of veto sessions, some pivotal measures remain on the table. Perhaps most importantly, state leaders are expected to resume budget negotiations Monday. Last week, Gov. Bruce Rauner explained that he had amended his 44-point turnaround agenda" to a simple five-point plan, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rauners plan is now focused solely on workers compensation reform, education reform, pension reform, term limits and a property tax freeze. In addition, the Republican is also championing reforms that would grow the states struggling economy, although he is open to finding a compromise with House Speaker Michael Madigan on the issue. No one particular reform has to be on the table, Rauner said during a Monday interview with NBC 5. Ill be flexible on whatever we do. The critical thing is, we have to send a message to job creators around the country and around the world that its a new day in Illinois." Additionally, Rauner has made it clear that he's willing to negotiate a property tax freeze. According to the State Journal-Register, Rauner is now open to a property tax compromise that isn't necessarily tied to giving local governments the right to restrict collective bargaining to control costs, a caveat the Democratic-controlled General Assembly has opposed. This week, there are also some important House hearings. On Monday, a House committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on a measure filed by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin that looks to cut costs by overhauling workers compensation, according to the State Journal-Register. Durkin criticized the timing of the meeting, calling it premature in a letter to Democrats, which was obtained by the State Journal-Register. Our goal should be to use the legislation as a starting point for discussion at our leaders meeting, Durkin said in the letter. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown disagreed, claiming a committee hearing was an effective way to get feedback on the issue, according to the report. Instead, Brown suggested that the House was willing to work from 2011 reforms to save money. On Wednesday, a separate House hearing is scheduled to address the findings of a 2015 report of the Local Government and Unfunded Mandates Task Force. Implementing recommendations from the report could help control statewide costs, the State-Journal Register reports. John Patterson, spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton, told the paper that the Democratic leader is currently reviewing the report's findings. Rauner distributed the report at the last leaders meeting earlier this month. I believe there were several piece of legislation filed and past (last spring) in the Senate as a result of that report, Patterson told the State Journal-Register. Another important issue on this weeks docket is a push to save the states struggling nuclear power plants. The plan, which is being considered a corporate bailout by consumer advocates, would grant billions in subsidies to power companies in order to keep plants open, according to the Associated Press. Rauner warmed to the proposal after a peak-demand pricing plan was dropped. The company claimed seven in 10 customers would have saved money, but critics said it would create unpredictable price spikes. Rauner has said that he wants to protect jobs, but fears increased power rates. We cant have our energy costs go through the roof or well lost more jobs, Rauner said in Chicago last week. If we raise the energy costs for entrepreneurs that need to consume a lot of energy, they have to lay people off. Saving some jobs at a plant wont matter. So we need a balance. The legislation was still being reworked last week and spokesmen for Madigan and Cullerton said the Democratic leaders arent yet ready to sign onto the plan, according to the State Journal-Register. This week, lawmakers will also have the chance to override some of Rauners vetoes. During this months first veto sessions, the Senate voted to override Rauners vetoes of seven bills. This includes vetoes on automatic voter registration and legislation that would increase the pay of home health care workers from $13 an hour to $15 an hour, the State Journal-Register reports. According to the report, Madigans Democratic House supermajority attempted to override the governors vetoes on four House bills earlier this month, but failed. The Senate-approved overrides will now be sent to the House for approval. If the House cant override those vetoes, the bills will be dead. Two men were shot by the employee of a store they were trying to rob Sunday night in the West Rogers Park neighborhood on the North Side. About 9:45 p.m., the men, ages 18 and 20, entered the store in the 7400 block of North Western and announced a robbery, according to Chicago Police. A male working at the store at the time then discharged his weapon, striking both men before they left the scene. The men were taken into custody a short time later, along with a third male suspect, police said. The 18-year-old was shot in the right forearm and was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. The older man suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and had his condition stabilized at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The store employee, who has a valid concealed carry license, suffered minor injuries in the incident, but refused medical attention, police said. Workers across Chicago, including at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, began to walk off the job Tuesday morning over union rights and an hourly wage of $15. By 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, crowds of workers had gathered outside a McDonald's restaurant near Chicago and Damen Avenues on Chicago's West Side. Protesters told NBC 5 they were planning on blocking traffic and were willing to get arrested in the fight for $15 an hour and their right to unionize. Chicago police said at least 50 demonstrators had been ticketed at the McDonald's rally by 8:30 a.m. Further details on the citations were not immediately made available. The group joined about 500 workers at O'Hare who have also committed to the strike. They include cabin cleaners, janitors, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers. The workers are employed by private contractors. Strike organizers say many work for minimum wage. They're trying to unionize with the help of Service Employees International Union Local 1. Organizers said they expect delays and disruption, particularly for United and American airlines, during the strike, but Chicago Department of Aviation officials said service was not disrupted at O'Hare Tuesday. In a statement, United Airlines said it was "taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe and on-time operation for its customers." The strike is part of a nationwide campaign for higher hourly wages, including for workers at other airports and fast-food restaurants. Thousands plan to walk off the job at McDonald's restaurants alone. The Somali-born student who went on a car-and-knife rampage at Ohio State University railed on Facebook against U.S. interference in Muslim lands and warned, "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace" with the Islamic State group, a law enforcement official said Tuesday. The posts from Abdul Razak Ali Artan's account came to light after Monday's violence, which left 11 people injured. Investigators are looking into whether it was a terrorist attack. "America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," he wrote, using the Arabic term for the world's Muslim community. Despite Artan's social media posts referencing ISIS, the Islamic State and deceased al Qaeda cleric Anwar Awlaki, there are no known contacts between Artan and ISIS or any other foreign terror organization, two U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News. In one post on Facebook, Artan reportedly exhorted fellow Muslims to "honor Anwar Awlaki, our hero imam," officials said, but so far they are looking at Monday's incident as an attack inspired by a terror organization, not directed by one. The posts were recounted by a law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation but wasn't authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. "Every single Muslim who disapproves of my actions is a sleeper cell, waiting for a signal. I am warning you Oh America!" Artan also said. Dozens of FBI agents began searching Artan's apartment for clues to what set off the rampage. Artan drove a car up onto a sidewalk and plowed into a group of pedestrians shortly before 10 a.m. He then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot to death by a campus police officer. Most of the victims were hurt by the car, and two had been stabbed, officials said. One had a fractured skull. Three remained hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, and all are expected to make full physical recoveries. One victim, Ohio State engingeering Professor William Clark, was outside at the time of the attack due to a fire alarm having gone off in the building in which he was teaching. He said that the incident happened very quickly. "I was walking, and I suddenly heard a shout, then a tremendous crash," he said Tuesday afternoon. The crash was the sound of the attacker's car hitting a large concrete planter, Clark said. The engineering professor said he was flipped up into the air by the car and landed on his back. He also received two lacerations on his leg, he thinks from jagged edges on the vehicle after it had crashed. Clark said that he heard the crash and within what seemed to him like only 15 to 30 seconds heard the three gunshots, presumably fired by Officer Alan Horujko, who shot and killed the attacker. The professor praised the quick actions taken by the 28-year-old officer, who Clark said is an acquaintance of his daughter's. "If he were here right now, I'd put my arm around him," Clark said. "I'd tell him he's going to have a lot to cope with. He did what he was supposed to do." Horujko has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, as is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. Clark said he did not hear Artan say anything when he got out of the vehicle and would not speculate as to the motivation for the attack. Artan was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent U.S. resident, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on condition of anonymity. A law enforcement official said Artan came to the United States in 2014 as the child of a refugee. He had been living in Pakistan from 2007 to 2014. It is not uncommon for refugees to go to a third-party country before being permanently resettled. Upon arriving in the U.S., Artan was referred for a secondary Customs and Border Protection inspection, but nothing abnormal was found, according to a U.S. official who was briefed on the investigation but was not authorized to discuss it and spoke on condition of anonymity. A secondary inspection is often routine and based on someone's travel history and length of stay in certain countries. Artan started college that fall and graduated with honors from Columbus State Community College last May, earning an associate of arts degree. A video of his graduation ceremony shows him jumping and spinning on stage and smiling broadly, drawing laughs, cheers and smiles from graduates and faculty members. Classes for the 60,000 students at Ohio State, where Artan began taking classes this fall, were canceled after the attack but resumed Tuesday. The school planned a vigil for Tuesday night. Students said they were nervous about returning and planned to take precautions such as not walking alone. "It's kind of nerve-wracking going back to class right after it," said Kaitlin Conner, 18, of Cleveland, who said she had a midterm exam to take. Ohio State's student newspaper, The Lantern, ran an interview in August with an Artan in which he criticized the media's portrayal of Muslims and expressed concern about how he would be received on campus. "I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. I'm a Muslim, it's not what media portrays me to be," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. But I don't blame them. It's the media that put that picture in their heads." Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the act bore the hallmarks of an attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized. In recent months, federal law enforcement officials have raised concerns about online extremist propaganda that encourages car or knife attacks, which are easier to pull off than bombings. The Islamic State group has urged sympathizers online to carry out lone-wolf attacks in their home countries with whatever weapons are available. Artan reportedly said in another social media post: "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace with 'Dawla in al sham,'" which officials said is a reference to the Islamic State. Still, U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News that there are no known contacts between Artan and ISIS, the Islamic State or any other foreign terror organization. They are looking at Monday's incident so far as an inspired attack, rather than a directed one. Artan was not known to the FBI before Monday's attack, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. Neighbors said he was always polite and attended daily prayers at a mosque on the city's west side. Leaders of Muslim organizations and mosques in the Columbus area condemned the attacks while cautioning people against jumping to conclusions or blaming a religion or an ethnic group. Surveillance photos showed Artan in the car by himself just before the attack, but investigators are looking into whether anyone else was involved, police said. After the release of the highly anticipated "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" on Netflix, "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie sat down with stars Lauren Graham, Kelly Bishop and Scott Patterson. "It just felt like a release to finally be able to talk about (the episodes) and share them with people," Graham said. "We were so excited when we did it and we've been asked about it for so many years that to finally have it out there is really fun." Only one of the Gilmore Girls made it to set however. Alexis Bledel got caught in traffic on her way to the studio. But she called in and said she hoped the final episodes provide some closure for fans. A 30-year-old Bridgeport man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for an armed robbery spree in 2014. Authorities said Derrick Gilliam, 30, of Bridgeport, and others were involved in a robbery at CVS on Grasmere Avenue in Fairfield on April 26, 2014 and stole $2,376. The next robbery was on May 3, 2014 at the Mobil Gas Station on Noble Avenue in Bridgeport, followed by a robbery at Webster Bank on Main Street in Bridgeport on May 10, 2014, according to federal officials. On June 1, 2014, Gillam, Lancelot Supersad Jr., of Bridgeport, and others robbed Pizza Hut on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport and stole $250, according to federal officials. Gillam, Supersad and Anthony Santiago, of Bridgeport, robbed The Residence Inn at 1001 Bridgeport Aven. in Shelton on June 26, 2014 and stole $200, according to federal officials. On June 2, 2014, they tried to rob Sikorsky Financial Credit Union on Oronoque Lane in Stratford. and did rob the TD Bank located on Post Road East in Westport, federal officials said. Gilliam was accused of pointing what appeared to be a gun at employees during all the robberies and was ordered to pay $12,100 in restitution. Supersad and Santiago were arrested in July, pleaded guilty and have not yet been sentenced. The attack at Ohio State University is top of mind for security leaders on campuses here in Connecticut. As we continue to learn what may have led to the attack at Ohio State. College students and public safety officials are reminded that something like this can happen anywhere. Even at their own university so campus safety is top of mind tonight. Another one, its definitely heartbreaking, said UConn student, Callie Lanning. UConn student Lanning has been following the story out of Ohio State University. I have a few friends that go there I have a lot of family out in Columbus which is right outside of Ohio States campus. My cousins went there so it definitely hits close to home for me, said Lanning. And it hits home for other students in a different way thinking about their safety on campus. The UConn Police Department has policies and procedures in place in the event of a threat or serious incident on campus, including sending text and email alerts to students. One main message UConn shares with Ohio State? The Run, Hide, Fight" philosophy run if you can, hide and be out of the suspects view; and if it comes down to it fight to save your life. Theyre also testing out high-tech gunshot detection system on the Storrs campus. I think itd be very beneficial especially in a big campus like this where an isolated event can be more easily identified, said UConn student, Kaneha Vali. Its a system thats already in place on Central Connecticut State Universitys campus in New Britain. Along with an extensive network of 800 surveillance cameras to keep an eye on things. Looking towards the future of public safety the CCSUs police officers will all have body cameras next semester, although theyre looking into a special system for dispatchers to watch live, real-time video feeds from those cameras. Many times body cameras are post. You review the video after. We are looking for not only just having it post, but actually as theyre on the scene the ability to view whats going on, said Dr. Richard Bachoo, the chief administrator office at CCSU. UConn's police chief said whenever incidents like what happened at OSU occur, the department reviews the entire event to make sure they are better prepared in case something similar happens on their campus. President-elect Donald Trump declared on Twitter last week that he had reached out to executives with Carrier to discuss its decision to move a factory and thousands of jobs from Indiana to Mexico. Trump then said, "will know soon," regarding progress on his talks. Then, over the weekend, Independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, whose presidential bid for the Democratic nomination fell short, said he wants Trump to make good on his word. "I call on Mr. Trump to make it clear to the CEO of United Technologies that if his firm wants to receive another defense contract from the taxpayers of this country, it must not move these plants to Mexico," he wrote in a statement on his website. United Technologies, the parent company of Carrier, declined to comment Monday. Carrier told employees last February it had planned to move the facility to Mexico. Economic observers opined that the decision had everything to do with cost. There were some estimates that one day of work per employee in a Mexican plant would equal an hour of work per employee in the United States. Sen. Chris Murphy disagreed with linking federal defense spending to an individual company's other business interests. "You cant approach this on a company by company basis in which you bully companies or threaten them into staying here. You have to look at the policies that cause these companies to go overseas," he said. Murphy said the President-elect would find common ground with Democrats when it comes to rolling back trade deals like NAFTA, which allowed for good to be made cheaper in other countries to then be imported to the United States at lower costs. Sen. Richard Blumenthal concurred, saying, "We need to change the laws so that there are no rewards for companies who offshore jobs." Murphy said the notion of hurting a major defense contractor like UTC, would do far more harm than good not just to the company, but for the country. Murphy said, "The idea that youre going to stop buying jet engines from Pratt and Whitney in order to punish Carrier for moving jobs, its just ridiculous." He added, "You would compromise our countrys national security if you started holding back money for jet engines if you wanted to send a message to some other wing of the company." A New London man seriously hurt in an attack Thursday morning has died of his injuries, police said Tuesday. Police said the Marlon Beasley, 38, was found unconscious in a fourth floor apartment at 127 Hempstead Street around 3:34 a.m. Sunday. Beasley had serious trauma to the face and head and was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment. He died Monday evening, police said. On Monday, police arrested Edgar Sanchez-Valencia, of New London, 44, on assault charges. Police identified Sanchez-Valencia as a suspect in Beasleys attack with help from the community. Sanchez-Valencia was initially charged with second-degree assault and held on a $200,000 bond. Police said the charges will be updated following Beasleys passing. Several Hamden families were displaced after a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex Monday night. Hamden fire officials said they responded to the fire at 649 Mix Avenue around 10 p.m. When they arrived they found flames and high heat coming from a two-story multi-family structure in the complex. Everyone made it out of the building safely. Neighbors were evacuated while firefighters worked. The fire was determined under control around 11 p.m. Fire officials said the fire started in a kitchen on the first floor and spread up to the second floor and attic. Four units in 649 Mix Avenue were damaged by fire and water and four units in 655 Mix Avenue were affected by loss of heat and electricity. Twenty people were displaced. One firefighter suffered a minor arm injury and one resident was evaluated on scene for smoke inhalation. No one was taken to the hospital, officials said. The fire marshal determined the fire was started by a pot of boiling water that ignited by accident. The Red Cross was called in to assist the residents. The trial has begun for a Hartford man accused of setting up a robbery that led to the fatal shooting of a man selling items on Craigslist. The Hartford Courant reports 25-year-old Rashad Moon went on trial Monday on charges of felony murder, robbery and conspiracy. He's being represented by a New Haven attorney and has been jailed since his June 17, 2013 arrest. Police said 23-year-old Marvin Mathis fatally shot 40-year-old Felix DeJesus III, of Cromwell, as DeJesus was waiting to meet a prospective buyer on the night of May 8, 2013 in Hartford. DeJesus, a 1992 graduate of Cromwell High School, left his home on May 8, 2013 to meet a man who was interested in buying a tablet he had offered for sale on Craigslist. According to DeJesus' father, the man contacted DeJesus several times to set up the meeting. When police responded to a 911 call at 8 p.m. that night, they found DeJesus, the father of two young children, with a single gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead just before 4 a.m. the next morning. Court records say Moon is accused of getting Mathis to carry out the crime. Mathis' attorney has said his client has a range of intellectual and psychiatric issues. Mathis faces the same charges as Moon. Some of Connecticut's members of Congress made it a point Monday to call on the incoming Trump administration for more details on what its infrastructure plan looks like. "The devil is in the details," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The President-elect discussed during the campaign the need for a $1 trillion package aimed at spurring investment in road, bridge, and public transit projects which he said would lead to economic growth. The issue for Connecticut elected leaders is that the bulk of the plan considered private funds as the way forward, rather than the federal government borrowing money to pay for projects. "You cannot rebuild Connecticuts infrastructure based on private financing alone," said Sen. Chris Murphy. "You simply cannot toll the thousands of roads and bridges that need work." One of the projects that has received the most urgent calls for replacement from Gov. Dannel Malloy and Congressman John Larson has been to re-engineer I-84 through Hartford and East Hartford. The plans in the works recently have been to change some of the routing of the highway, while placing what amounts to a cap above the roadway, creating new commercial and greenspace at street level. Larson's plan would create a new tunnel entirely that would take the interstate below ground, beneath the Connecticut River and resurfacing near East Hartford. It's estimated the tunnel plan could cost as much as $10 billion while the covered alternative would cost less than half that. Blumenthal said of the project, "I'm in favor of any project that reduces congestion, improves infrastructure, and keeps jobs in Connecticut and I commend Rep. Larson for this effort." Murphy also voiced support for the project, but said it's hard to start planning for anything unless and until Congress acts. "Absent a major new investment in infrastructure, those kinds of big projects cant get done." Murphy said he and Blumenthal want to see a public-private partnership where investors back major road and bridge projects, while the federal government uses its clout to borrow money. He said if the government doesn't act soon, it could get even more expensive for taxpayers. "If youre going to be borrowing money, do it now because rates are going and if you dont start borrowing money today to pay for infrastructure its going to get a whole lot more expensive once these bridges do start falling down." What to Know Abdul Razak Ali Artan came to the United States in 2014 He was a student at Ohio State University Artan was a refugee who lived in Pakistan after leaving Somalia before coming to America Investigators are looking into whether a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University that injured 11 people was an act of terror by a Somali-born student who had once criticized the media for its portrayal of Muslims. The attacker, identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus shortly before 10 a.m. Monday, and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot to death by a campus police officer, authorities said. A motive was not immediately known, but police said they were investigating whether it was a terrorist attack. Artan wrote on what appears to be his Facebook page that he had reached a "boiling point," made a reference to "lone wolf attacks" and cited radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, NBC News reported. "America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially Muslim Ummah [community]. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," the post said. Two hours before that, a post appeared, saying: "Forgive and forget. Love. Artan was born in Somalia and was a legal permanent U.S. resident, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The FBI joined the investigation. Ohio State University police Chief Craig Stone said Artan deliberately drove his small gray Honda over a curb outside an engineering classroom building and then began knifing people. Officer Alan Horujko, 28, who was nearby because of a gas leak arrived on the scene and shot the driver in less than a minute, Stone said. Angshuman Kapil, a graduate student, was outside Watts Hall when the car barreled onto the sidewalk. "It just hit everybody who was in front," he said. "After that everybody was shouting, 'Run! Run! Run!'" Eleven victims were taken to three Columbus hospitals. Most had been hurt by the car, and two had been stabbed, officials said. One had a fractured skull. Several prayer vigils were held Monday night to support the victims and the community. Classes at OSU were canceled after the attack, but were scheduled to resume Tuesday. Students said they were nervous about returning and planned to take precautions such as not walking alone. "It's kind of nerve-wracking going back to class right after it," said Kaitlin Conner, 18, of Cleveland, who said she had a midterm exam to take Tuesday. Rep. Adam Schiff, of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the act bore the hallmarks of an attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized. Ohio State's student newspaper, The Lantern, ran an interview in August with a student named Abdul Razak Artan, who identified himself as a Muslim and a third-year logistics management student who had just transferred from Columbus State in the fall. He said he was looking for a place to pray openly and worried about how he would be received. "I was kind of scared with everything going on in the media. I'm a Muslim, it's not what media portrays me to be," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. But I don't blame them. It's the media that put that picture in their heads." In recent months, federal law enforcement officials have raised concerns about online extremist propaganda that encourages knife and car attacks, which are easier to pull off than bombings. The Islamic State group has urged sympathizers online to carry out lone-wolf attacks in their home countries with whatever weapons are available to them. Artan was not known to the FBI prior to Monday's attack, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Dozens of FBI agents began searching Artan's apartment Monday night. Neighbors said he was always polite and attended daily prayer services at a mosque on the city's west side. Leaders of Muslim organizations and mosques in the Columbus area condemned the attacks while cautioning people against jumping to conclusions or blaming a religion or an ethnicity. Surveillance photos showed Artan in the car by himself just before the attack, but investigators are looking into whether anyone else was involved, the campus police chief said. Arlington city officials released a detailed timeline about the construction of a planned $1 billion ballpark for the Texas Rangers. Voters in Arlington gave it a big thumbs up. Now, for the first time since the election, the city council will discuss the new $1 billion retractable roof stadium for the Texas Rangers. City staff will brief council members on the project during their workshop scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday. Among the topics of discussion will be a preliminary timeline for the project the most detailed timeline that's been revealed. According to city staff reports, the Rangers plan to hire an architect by the end of this year so they can get into the heart of the design process by Spring 2017. Those designs will be finalized no later than Fall of 2017, which is when they hope to begin construction on the new ballpark on the south side of Randol Mill Road. The goal is to open the new ballpark for the start of the 2020 season. During the meeting, city leaders will also lay out the city's role in the development of the ballpark. The Rangers will take the lead on the project, but several top city officials will be part of a steering committee that will help oversee the project. Meanwhile, the Rangers continue to ask people to visit their website and fill out an online survey to let them know what fans want to see in the new ballpark. // Informal Staff Report Texas Rangers Working Group ISR 112916 (PDF) Informal Staff Report Texas Rangers Working Group ISR 112916 (Text) On Monday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported the state's first case of locally transmitted Zika virus. The 43-year-old woman, who lives in Brownsville, tested positive for Zika. Officials say she reported no recent travel to any areas where local Zika transmission is prevalent. According to the state, further investigation will be necessary to attempt to pinpoint how and where the infection occurred. Cameron County Health Administrator Esmeralda Guajardo spoke with NBC 5 about the possibility of local transmission two weeks ago. "Im surprised that we dont have a local acquired case at this point," she told NBC 5's Bianca Castro in mid-November. Travel back and forth to Mexico is a way of life for Rio Grande Valley residents, she says and until now late November, all Zika cases in Cameron County have originated from Mexico. "When 80 percent of the people who have Zika do not have symptoms, we have to think about the possibility that a lot of us here are walking around with it," she said. She also talked about concerns on handling a possible increase in babies born with microcephaly, the birth defect linked to Zika. "We dont have the resources that other areas do where they have universities, where they have big hospitals. We have minimal number of hospitals, minimal number of providers. We are a medically-underserved area and so to give a patient the care that they need, that is my fear," she said. Her department has been working with local municipalities to conduct mosquito spraying and vector control. She has also coordinated with hospitals and clinics to assure medical providers have the latest information on Zika transmissions. According to DSHS, Cameron County and the City of Brownsville have conducted an environmental assessment at the patients home and have been trapping and testing mosquitoes to learn more about activity in the area. Health workers from Cameron County and DSHS will be going door to door in the area around where the case lived to educate the public about Zika. They will help people reduce potential mosquito breeding habitat on their property and collect voluntary urine samples to determine whether other infections are present. Health officials warn that pregnant women should not travel to Mexico and should avoid sexual contact or use condoms with partners who have traveled there. Officials believe the patient in Brownsville is the only locally transmitted case in Texas so far. The Dallas City Council has invited five candidates to interview for the position of City Manager next week. The candidates are: We had more than 100 people apply for the job of Dallas city manager and I believe we have selected highly qualified individuals to come interview with the City Council, said Mayor Mike Rawlings in a statement. We look forward to getting to know them better next week. The candidates will be invited on a tour of Dallas to be hosted by city staff on Monday, Dec. 5. On Dec. 6, they will interview with small groups of council members at City Hall. That night, the public is invited to a meet and greet with the candidates from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second-floor atrium of City Hall. On Wednesday afternoon, each candidate will interview individually for an hour with the full City Council. The candidates are then invited to a private meet and greet with representatives from numerous chambers of commerce and community groups that evening. On Friday, the City Council will convene a Special Called Meeting to discuss the candidates and determine next steps in the process. Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, who was ousted in the first round of the conservative primary, and Juppe had both been given far better odds of winning the ticket at the start. Both men rallied behind Fillon after his triumph. Fillon, 62, easily saw off Juppe, another former prime minister, by securing two-thirds of the vote Sunday. "When a candidate wins with a score of that size -- two thirds -- it creates a natural momentum, a center of gravity and a unifying force," Bruno Ratailleau, a Fillon ally and senator from western France, told RTL radio. Opinion polls show, though, that whoever does run for the left is likely to come a very distant third behind Fillon and the National Front (FN) leader Le Pen in the election's first round next April. The ruling Socialists, meanwhile, sought to quell talk of a fallout between deeply unpopular President Francois Hollande and his prime minister, Manuel Valls, over which of them should seek the party ticket in their primary set for January. Fillon, a former prime minister who vowed to change France's "software" with an assault on public-sector spending, moved one step closer to the Elysee by securing a resounding victory over Alain Juppe in the Les Republicains primary vote Sunday. France's center-right rallied behind free-market reformist Francois Fillon as its candidate for president on Monday after a snap opinion poll showed him clear favorite to beat far-right leader Marine Le Pen in an election showdown next year. Glimmer of Opportunity But Fillon's hard-line reform plans -- cutting public spending by 100 billion euros over five years, scrapping a tax on the wealthy and pushing the retirement age to 65 and cutting public sector jobs -- hand a glimmer of opportunity to Hollande and his Socialists, and the broader French Left. His plans also set him apart from the anti-euro, anti-immigration, more pro-worker policies of Le Pen. Fillon is solidly pro-European while Le Pen says she would seek a Britain-style referendum on European Union membership with a view to leading France out of the bloc -- something which, if it happened, could sound the death knell for the union. By contrast, his socially conservative views such as his deep reservations about abortion and gay marriage could win him votes at her expense in a traditionally Catholic, if formally secular, country. Under the leadership of Le Pen, who took over from her father Jean-Marie in 2011, the FN has switched from an economically liberal, pro-small business party to one that promises to lower the retirement age and guarantee France's generous welfare safety net. Fillon's social and economic policies could also push more centrist voters toward the left -- if there was a rallying candidate. Fillon, an admirer of late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, pledged on Sunday to introduce radical change. "I will take up an unusual challenge for France: Tell the truth and completely change its software," Fillon, a racing car enthusiast who lives in a Loire valley chateau, told supporters. French voters are angry about unemployment -- stubbornly high at 10 percent -- and fearful after a wave of Islamist militant attacks. Next year's presidentials in the euro zone's second-largest economy are shaping up to be another test of the strength of anti-establishment parties in Western countries after Britain's vote to quit the EU and the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. Divided Left After five torrid years in power, marked by high unemployment and security worries caused by the attacks, the Socialists and the broader left are deeply divided. Though close aides expect Hollande to run despite his deep unpopularity, there are signs Valls is considering his own bid to challenge his boss for the Socialist party ticket in a primary due for next January. The Elysee and the government sought to paper over the cracks when the two men met Monday for lunch. A presidential source said their two-hour meeting had been "very cordial" and workmanlike, but gave little clue of their exchanges regarding the Socialist primary. Valls was quoted by an aide as saying that given the security threat, neither side sought a "political confrontation" now. Government spokesman Stephane Le Foll sought to dismiss media speculation of a possibly damaging Valls-Hollande contest. "To those who say there could be a primary election with the president and prime minister, I say there won't be a primary between the president and the prime minister," Le Foll told Europe 1 radio. The left's headaches do not end there. Valls' former economy minister Emmanuel Macron has launched his own campaign targeting centrist voters, while firebrand left-winger and former Socialist party member Jean-Luc Melenchon has also set off independently on the campaign trail. A Harris opinion poll Sunday had each of these rebels winning more than 13 percent of votes each in next April's first round of the presidential election, while either Hollande or Valls would be in single figures. In the same poll, Fillon and Le Pen were seen coming out on top in the first round with 26 and 24 percent respectively. In the resulting second round run-off, Fillon was seen winning with 67 percent to Le Pen's 33. Dallas police arrested a man and charged him with murder in connection with the fatal assault of another man earlier this month. Police said 57-year-old Frank Blaes assaulted 58-year-old Jerry Norman at about 1 p.m. Nov. 18 in the 5200 block of Harry Hines Boulevard. Norman was hospitalized until his death Nov. 22. On Nov. 23, Dallas police arrested Blaes and transported him to the homicide unit for an interview. Blaes waived his Miranda rights and confessed to his role in the assault that led to Norman's death. Blaes was charged with murder and is being held on $250,000 bond. Police have not said what led to the assault or released any further information. Dallas City Council Members Monday narrowed the field to five finalists from 100 people who applied to replace retiring City Manager A.C. Gonzalez. Mayor Mike Rawlings said the finalists were invited to Dallas for interviews next week. Im excited about how were going to do this, Rawlings said. Were going to interview them once. The citizens are going to get a chance to meet them. City Council Member Philip Kingston said members want a replacement chosen before Gonzalez retirement takes effect in January. We cant go fast enough, Kingston said. It is the most important job in the city. Were not getting the service we need right now. The sooner we rectify that, the better. Under the Dallas form of government, the Mayor is just one vote in the 15-member City Council. The City of Dallas has released a survey to tap into the publics opinion of what makes for a good city manager. The Council hires a City Manager who runs daily operations and hires nearly all the city staff including the Police and Fire Chiefs. Its one of the best cities in the nation and it presents one of the best city management challenges in the nation, said Kingston. Only Phoenix and San Antonio are larger that use the same system. Gonzalez received a $400,000 a year contract for the chief executive job in a unanimous vote of the Dallas City Council in January 2014, but lost favor with some members since then amid ongoing city problems. He was promoted after serving as an Assistant Dallas City Manager from 1988 to 1995 and again from 2006 to 2014. He announced his retirement in May of this year. During his time in the top job, Dallas loose dog problems peaked with the death of a woman from a dog attack. Huge East Dallas flood threats remained unchecked after bidding problems with a big project to build a solution. A New York Times front page article last week said Dallas is flirting with bankruptcy. The Wall Street Journal has also reported on Dallas financial problems. The city has billions of dollars in unfunded liability from a Police and Firefighter Pension fund and back pay lawsuits. On top of that, Dallas also has billions of dollars in unfunded street and building problems. Dallas bond ratings have been cut, increasing the citys cost of borrowing. Southern Methodist University Political Science Professor Cal Jillson is a veteran observer of Dallas City Manager selections. The fact that a city has problems is an opportunity for a City Manager, Jillson said. We do have a boom town going and that helps a lot. But these long term financial issues are very real and demand resolution and theyll be hard to resolve. Council Member Jennifer Gates said national publicity about the problems did not scare these candidates. Theres a lot of other great reasons to come to Dallas. Were in the middle of a state thats thriving and a Metroplex thats thriving, Gates said. We have lots of applicants, so we know that there is a desire. The finalists include one Dallas City Hall insider and four from outside, but the names were to remain confidential until Tuesday. I think the people who want to go outside will be a little bolder and louder this time around, said Jillson. Gates declined to say whether she supports an outsider but does expect changes in the way Dallas City Hall is run. I do think theres a still an appetite to do things in a new manner, Gates said. Rawlings said he wants a chief executive with strong leadership skills. Somebody that is not just waiting there to be an order taker, but has a vision and can pull us together, Rawlings said. The mayor said the finalists are diverse but he declined to be specific until names are released. The city also released a public survey asking for input on the next city manager. The candidates will host a meet and greet Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Dallas City Hall. Online Survey: https://www.research.net/r/affionpublic Giving Tuesday is the unofficial start of the Season of Giving for many across the country and several North Texas nonprofit organizations are hoping to use the day to raise money and awareness for their causes. In Dallas, the United Way is leading a coalition of more than 60 nonprofit groups to maximize efforts. The group is tracking their Giving Tuesday efforts at BigDGives.org. The group also plans to deliver 1,000 meals to home-bound community members. In Tarrant County, many organizations are hoping charitable hearts help out on Giving Tuesday. Recycled Love Animal Rescue has been in operation since 2014. They are a small group making a big difference. "The rescue has 25 [dogs]. We have about 4 or 5 foster homes. We also have about 25 cats," Vicki McClure explained. McClure said days like Giving Tuesday are important for smaller nonprofit organizations that dont traditionally get a lot of attention. "We always need money and we need foster families to help have the little dogs in their house to get them used to being touched. Some of them have never been touched, she said. Learn more about opportunities to give and volunteer in North Texas and nationally: #GivingTuesday A man is being questioned by police Tuesday morning after officials with Brookhaven College say an emergency caller reported someone threatening to shoot students in the school parking lot. After the call was received, Brookhaven College, which is part of the Dallas County Community College District, was placed under a brief lock down at the request of the Farmers Branch Police Department. In a tweet from the Brookhaven College Twitter account, officials said "ALERT: Lock down on campus. All outside doors are locked. No entry or exit into the building. If not at campus stay away." Less than 10 minutes later, the school tweeted that the lock down had ended. No injuries were reported among the 12,400 or so students enrolled at the college. Brookhaven spokeswoman Meredith Danfort said campus police took a man into custody and after an interview determined he was the one making threats. Custody of the man, whose identity has not yet been revealed, is being turned over to the Farmers Branch police. Danfort added that the man, who is not enrolled at Brookhaven or in the DCCD, and was not carrying a weapon. The lock down comes a day after a Somali-born student, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, used a car and knife to injure 11 people on the campus of Ohio State University. Artan plowed his car into a group of pedestrians on campus shortly before 10 a.m. Monday, and then got out and began stabbing people with a butcher knife before he was shot to death by a campus police officer, authorities said. Investigators are asking for help identifying two women seen with a man who died of apparent "homicidal violence," Dallas police say. Brian Sample, 46, was found dead in his room at Le Meridien Dallas Hotel in the 13000 block of Noel Road at 5:19 p.m. Sunday, police said. Sample was last seen with two women whom police need help identifying. They are also interested in identifying two men captured on surveillance cameras at the hotel. Police said there were signs of homicidal violence to Samples body which leads them to think it could be a murder case. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for anyone with information leading to a suspect or arrest. Police said anyone with tips should contact the Dallas Police Homicide Unit at 214-671-3661 or Detective Chaney at 214-671-3650 or derick.chaney@dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us. Tuesday night Dallas residents have an opportunity to help shape the future of Flag Pole Hill Park. The park, which sits along Northwest Highway just north of White Rock Lake, is known for its wide open spaces, beautiful trees, its reputation as a popular place to sled during the rare North Texas snowfall and its annual free Memorial Day concert put on by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lake Highlands Recreation Center, is part of the effort to develop an updated Master Plan for Flag Pole Hill. The last master plan update that included Flag Pole Hill was in 1987, according to Lake Highlands Improvement District executive director Kathy Stewart, and Tuesdays meeting is the first opportunity to generate real public input about what neighbors like about the park and what they would like to see improved upon. Ron Bernaldo lives nearby and regularly comes to the park for walks with his wife and their dog. Its a nice spot where you dont have to be clear out of the city to find the woods, Bernaldo said. So we really enjoy that part of it. I wish they would just leave this whole area just like it is, because its beautiful. According to Dallas Parks and Recreation board member Robb Stewart, a longtime Lake Highlands resident, there has been no formal plan developed by the city. This is truly a meeting for community input and feedback. This is the first of a couple of community input meetings, Stewart said. Stewart was quick to dispel a rumor that he has heard from some neighbors and through social media regarding an expansion of bike trails through the park. There was a series of public meetings earlier this year on the Flag Pole Hill Trail extension from where it dead ends near Northwest Highway and Goforth Road east to the Muchert Building, just east of the Dallas Police Departments Northeast Substation. That segment has been planned some time and is not the same as the 'bike trails' that were proposed several years ago, Stewart indicated. Unlike social media reports there will not be a roll out of those bike trails. It was June 5, 2014 when a young teenager named Abul Razak Ali Artan arrived in Dallas with his mother and six siblings. A little more than two years before he was the suspect in a violent knife attack on the Ohio State campus. "We gave them aid and comfort and some shelter as part of the government resettlement program," explained Catholic Charities C.E.O. Dave Woodyard. The Somali immigrants arrived from Pakistan at D/FW International Airport via JFK International Airport. Catholic Charities says someone from the organization likely picked the family up from the airport when they arrived. According to Catholic Charities of Dallas records, the family was in temporary housing in Dallas for 23 days, leaving June 28, 2014. "Then they emigrated. Left, and moved onto Columbus, Ohio," Woodyard said. "And that's when we closed our file." Woodyard said that file will now be shared with the Columbus Police Department in its investigation of Monday's attack. Woodyard points out that refugees are vetted by the U.S. Department of State before they arrive in the United States and that organizations like Catholic Charities are there to help them assimilate and start new lives. "Most of them are successful," he said. Dozens of people were arrested Tuesday as they participated in protests nationwide for a $15 per hour minimum wage. Fast-food restaurant workers and home and child-care workers rallied in cities including Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and New York. In many cities the protesters blocked busy intersections. In Chicago, hundreds of protesters at O'Hare International Airport chanted outside terminals: "What do we want? $15! When do we want it? Now!" Police gated an area to allow travelers room to walk. As many as 500 workers at the airport participated in an unfair labor practices strike, according to officials from Service Employees International Union Local 1 who have been organizing the workers. "We're not asking for special treatment, we're asking for decent treatment. We're asking for decent wages," said Kisha Rivera, an airplane cabin cleaner at O'Hare. "We're demanding respect." Thousands planned to walk off the job at McDonald's restaurants, organizers said. The efforts are part of the National Day of Action to Fight for $15. About 25 protesters were arrested in lower Manhattan after linking arms and sitting on a lower Manhattan street. They were among about 350 people at the rally. Participants chanted "We shall not be moved" and waved signs that read "We won't back down" and "Strike for $15 and our future." Fast-food worker Alvin Major, 51, of Brooklyn, said he supports four children and a wife recovering from cancer. "Fifteen dollars is just a number," he said. "If we could get one dollar and one dollar could take care of our health care, housing, food and everything, that's what we need." New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation last April that gradually raises New York's minimum wage. In New Jersey, airport workers marched between two terminals at Newark Liberty International Airport. Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka has called on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, to raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour at its facilities and take steps to hire more Newark residents. At a McDonald's in Denver, about 100 people, including about 60 striking fast food workers from around the metro area, picketed. Protesters briefly shut down a downtown St. Louis McDonald's restaurant, blocking the drive-thru for about 30 minutes. In Massachusetts, a state senator was among nearly three dozen people arrested after they sat down on a Cambridge street during a demonstration. Detroit police say they arrested about 40 protesters who blocked traffic. In the San Francisco Bay Area, ride-hailing drivers, fast-food employees, airport workers and others shut down an Oakland intersection. Earlier this year, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will lift the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. Raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $12 would lift pay for 35 million workers, or 1 in 4 employees nationwide, according to the liberal Economic Policy Institute. The conservative-leaning, nonprofit Employment Policies Institute think tank said it believes minimum wage increases will result in lost jobs, reduced hours and business closures. A burglary suspect was fatally wounded Monday in a police shooting in South Los Angeles. No officers were injured in the shooting, which was reported just after 1 p.m., according to Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section. The suspect, a man believed to be in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the LAPD. Officers from the LAPD's Metro Division were on a crime suppression detail in the area when they saw what they believe was a car being burglarized, police said. They pursued the suspect on foot and that's when one officer fired at the suspect, who was struck and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the LAPD. "A handgun was recovered at the scene, which investigators believe belonged to the suspect," according to a police statement. A couple had all of their belongings stolen just hours after moving to San Diego. Nathaniel and Maria Castro had just moved into their apartment at Countryside Village in El Cajon Saturday night from Colorado. They said it was late, so they didn't unpack their trailer and left it locked in the parking lot. the apartment manager woke them up a few hours later, and said someone had just stolen their trailer. it was filed with thousands of dollars worth of belongings, including the couple's social security cards and passports. We had all of our personal belongings. We had clothes, woodwork that we did, wood that we brought. We had a lot of just personal items," said Nathaniel Castro. The trailer has Colorado license plate on the back- OQX-178. Any information, you're asked to contact the owners at (858) 336-6230. Israel says it will buy 17 more highly sophisticated F-35 fighter jets from the United States. The purchase, approved by the country's security cabinet, will bring the total number of the advanced aircraft in the Israeli fleet to 50. The first jet of the new purchase order is expected to be delivered in just a few weeks. Lockheed-Martin builds the F-35, which is designed to avoid enemy radar even while flying at supersonic speeds. It also is one of the most expensive pieces of military equipment the U.S. military has in its arsenal. A project which hopes to put streetcars back onto roads in downtown Los Angeles cleared a hurdle Tuesday with the Los Angeles City Council signing off on a preferred route for the line and the findings of an environmental impact study. The council voted 13-0 to approve a 3.8-mile route that loops between the Civic Center, which includes Grand Park, and the Convention Center and the Fashion District in the South Park area. "We've reached a very important milestone in what will be a transportation project that will link our regional transit system with destinations downtown," Councilman Jose Huizar, whose district includes downtown Los Angeles, said prior to the vote. City officials say the project will restore a form of transportation that had been popular in downtown Los Angeles during the early half of the last century. The streetcar was a staple in LA during the early and mid-1900s, and was at one point the largest electric railway system in the world. The streetcars were eventually pushed out by the construction of highways and bus systems throughout the city, said Shane Phillips, the project director of LA Streetcar Inc., a nonprofit working with the government on the project. "People drive downtown and go, 'What do I do now?' Phillips said, "They have to drive all around to find parking. We want you to be able to get around downtown without that." The proposed route is expected to have stops near downtown sites such as the theaters and shops along Broadway, Grand Central Market and several hotels. City officials will next finalize the cost estimate for the project based on new information about engineering and utility relocation costs, according to council aides and public works officials. A estimate from last year indicated the streetcar could cost about $282 million to build. City officials say they are hoping to raise funds through partnerships with private entities, and to line up federal grants and other sources of funding to pay for the streetcar's construction and operation. The streetcar project is expected to receive about $200 million in sales tax revenue from Measure M, which was approved by voters earlier this month, as well as funds from a prior transportation sales tax increase approved under Measure R. Construction on the streetcar is expected to begin in 2018 and be completed in 2020, council aides said. The driver in the 2014 crash that injured actor Tracy Morgan pleaded guilty Tuesday. Kevin Roper, 37, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated assault for the June 7, 2014 crash. Under the terms of his plea, Roper will enter a pre-trial intervention program that will allow him to avoid prison for the time being. If Roper completes the 36-month program, which includes community service and other conditions, the charges will be dismissed. If not, he faces possible jail time. Roper was driving a Wal-Mart truck in June 2014 when he crashed into Morgan's van on the New Jersey Turnpike. The group was returning from Morgan's show in Delaware. The 37-year-old Jonesboro, Georgia, resident had also faced an aggravated manslaughter count, which is punishable by a 10-to-30-year prison term on conviction. Vehicular homicide carries a 10-year maximum prison sentence. Comedian James McNair died and Morgan and three other passengers were injured in the crash. Morgan suffered a broken leg, broken ribs and head injuries. The former "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" star made his first public appearance after the accident in June 2015 and made a surprise appearance at the Emmys three months later. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. settled separate lawsuits in 2015 brought by Morgan and by McNair's two children. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded Roper hadn't slept in the 28 hours before the crash, a finding his attorney disputed. The report concluded Roper failed to slow down immediately before the crash despite posted warning signs on the turnpike where construction work was in progress. It found the truck was going 65 mph in a 45 mph zone until about 200 feet before impact. The board also faulted Morgan and other passengers in the limo van for not wearing seat belts and for adjusting headrests, which it said contributed to the severity of their injuries when the limo was struck from behind. [[238904721, C]] 'Tis the season of giving. Donors doled out millions of dollars to honor Miami-Dade College President Dr. Eduardo Padron on this 'Giving Tuesday'. Three organizations surprised the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with a gift of $2.25 million. The Badia Spices Inc. donated $1 million to create a scholarship in Padron's name for deserving students with financial need. Another $1 million was given by the Mitchelle Wolfson Sr Foundation to start the Eduardo J. Padron Innovation Fund. The Knight Foundation also donated $250,000 to the same fund. The donations were made on Giving Tuesday, which is a national campaign to fund raise for charities on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Just last week, President Barack Obama bestowed the highest civilian honor on Dr. Padron at the White House. Police and fire crews responded to an early morning shooting outside a Northwest Miami-Dade home as a result of a botched home invasion. Officials confirmed that they did take one person to the hospital as a result of the shooting at the home, located off Northwest 2nd Avenue and 142nd Street shortly after 5 AM. Police say the suspect, a 22-year-old, tried to force his way into the home when he was shot by the homeowner. That suspect was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition. The homeowner and his family, including wife and kids, were not hurt in the incident. The home owner did not want to speak with reporters, but neighbors say they have had similar problems at their homes. This latest shooting comes one day after a Sunrise man shot at three people who broke into his home, killing one of the robbers. The other two were later caught and are now being charged with both burglary and murder - which happens under Florida law since the third man was killed. South Florida based rapper Kodak Black has been extradited to South Carolina to answer to a charge of criminal sexual conduct after serving a drug case sentence in Florida. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports the Atlantic Records artist, whose real name is Dieuson Octave, was set to be released from jail in August after pleading no contest to robbery and other counts. But authorities found outstanding warrants on a drug charge in Florida and the South Carolina case. The Sentinel reports the 19-year-old Pompano Beach native was sent to South Carolina last week after serving time in the drug case. The Florence County Sheriff's Office tells the newspaper that Octave is accused of sexual battery during an incident in February. Octave's lawyer Gary Kollin says he's convinced Octave will be vindicated.'' Kodak Black signed a deal with Atlantic Records in 2015 and has been featured with several top hip hop artists, including Drake and French Montana. A teen got onto his school bus after being shot on his way to school in Wilmington, Delaware, Monday morning, authorities said. The incident played out along N Van Buren Street near 27th Street around 6:50 a.m., according to Wilmington police. The Red Clay School District confirmed the boy is a ninth grader at John Dickinson High School on Milltown Road in Wilmington. The boy and a group of other teens boarded their normal yellow bus and then the other children alerted the driver that the boy was shot, said Jay Brock, spokesman for bus company First Student. The driver called dispatch which then called police. Police then came on the bus and took the boy off the bus, Brock said. Medics rushed the boy to A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital where doctors treated him for gunshot wounds to his arm and abdomen, police said. The boy was listed in stable condition. "He's very, very fortunate," said the teen's father, who did not want to be identified. At least one bullet struck the windshield of a car parked nearby. It wasn't immediately clear how many shots were fired. James Harrison told NBC10 he heard the gunshots. "We just heard gunfire, five rounds at least and then sort of people kind of hollering and running," Harrison said. First Student said the bus driver followed all protocol and that no one else on the bus was injured. "Couple of the other kids are kind of shaken up," said parent Royal Conquest. He said the shooting was difficult on parents as well. No word yet on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The teen's father said he didn't know of any conflicts his son had with anyone. "Absolutely none," he said. "Just nothing to do. No direction, nothing to do." The father also said he recently moved his son down to Wilmington from Philadelphia because he believed it would be safer. "With just the flick of the switch anything can happen real, real fast," he said. Police asked anyone with information to contact Det. A. Ford at 302-576-3606. The school district planned on launching its "Corner-to-Corner" program where volunteers and paid staff keep an eye on bus stops. That program will be launched, with help from police, on Tuesday, said that district.[[238427591, C]] Time is running out for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign or veto a bill that would decriminalize many folding knives that have caused thousands of arrests in New York City. Artisans and tradespeople have been handcuffed and booked simply because they were spotted carrying pocket knives they assumed were legal, the I-Team has reported extensively. Assemblyman Dan Quart (DManhattan), who sponsored the knife reform bill, says it's unfair that working New Yorkers are allowed to buy folding blades at hardware stores, but risk arrest for carrying them even when they have no intent to use them violently. "From 2004 to 2013, sixty thousand people maybe even more have been prosecuted for possession for nothing more than a folding knife," Quart said. For about six months, Cuomo has resisted stating a public position on the knife reform bill, which overwhelmingly passed both the Assembly and Senate last summer. With just about a month left in 2016, supporters of the bill urged him to sign it. "Were calling on the governor to look at this from the perspective of someone who has a lot of common sense," said Sen. Diane Savino (DStaten Island), who co-sponsored the knife bill. "Sign this bill. Apply common sense. Allow working men and women to go to work in New York City and New York State without threat of being arrested for just doing their job." Dani Lever, a spokeswoman for Cuomo, declined to characterize the governors posture toward the knife reform bill. "The bill is under review," Lever wrote in an email to the I-Team. Earlier this year, Cuomo told the I-Team he sees both sides to the argument. "A lot of New Yorkers dont think other New Yorkers should be walking around with knives." Cuomo said. "The other side of it is many working people carry knives as part of their jobs." If Cuomo ultimately decides to veto the knife bill, it will put him in agreement with Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has become the highest profile opponent of the decriminalization. "An easily deployed blade is an inherently dangerous weapon and has no place on city streets," said Austin Finan, a spokesman for de Blasio. "Any effort to decriminalize these knives runs counter to the hard work officers are doing to keep our city safe." Joining de Blasio in his opposition to the knife reform bill are district attorneys from Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx as well as Police Commissioner James ONeill and the Patrolmens Benevolent Association. Quart said he expects to send the knife bill to the Governors desk in the next three weeks. Even if Cuomo takes no action on the bill failing to sign or veto will have consequences. If the legislation hits Cuomos desk before the session ends, not signing the bill within 10 days will result in the laws automatic passage. According to rules posted on the New York Senate webpage, if a bill is sent to the governor when the legislature is out of session, inaction will kill the legislation. At such times, the Governor has 30 days in which to make a decision, and failure to act ("pocket veto") has the same effect as a veto, the website says. A Queens woman is begging for the burglar who broke into her home last week to return her dog, which she says is old, blind and frail, and needs his medications. The woman, who lives on 110th Road in St. Albans, says someone broke into her house last Tuesday and stole three electronic tablets, a laptop, cash and jewelry, along with her 12-year-old Yorkie. The dog, named Karnack, weighs only five pounds, the owner told NBC 4 New York. He has hearing problems and knee issues, and takes multiple medications. "He has eye issues, ear issues, he has knee issues. Sometimes his knee pops out and I have to pop it back in," said the owner, who asked not to be named. The owner was emotional as she described how she had Karnack and another Yorkie from the same litter, Cairo, since they were puppies. The two pups were named after cities in Africa, which she's dreamed about visiting all her life, she said. Cairo died last year. The owner says Karnack would never leave the house without her, and doesn't believe he ran out if the burglar or burglars had left the door open. "I don't want to imagine him in the street because he's not a street dog. He wouldn't last in the street. Cats are bigger than him," Karnack's owner said. "So I'm just afraid of him being outside. He does not have a sweater, he doesn't have a jacket, he does not have any of those things." A Facebook group for missing dogs, called Find Shadow, is assisting the woman in trying to find Karnack, and has posted a number for any tips: 917-633-7191. The reward is now $1,000 for the safe return of Karnack. "Please just bring him back, give him to somebody. No questions asked," Karnack's owner said. Obama had been working with Castro and others in the Cuban government for nearly two years to re-start relations between Cuba and the U.S., culminating earlier this year in the first direct flights between the two countries in 50 years and the reopening of embassies. "Repression, open markets, freedom of religion, political prisoners -- these things need to change in order to have open and free relationships," said Priebus. "There's going to have to be some movement from Cuba in order to have a relationship with the United States." Trump's chief of staff on Sunday said the president-elect is "absolutely" willing to reverse Obama's opening to Cuba. Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Reince Priebus said the future of U.S.-Cuba relations depends on whether Havana makes "movement in the right direction" on human rights. The tweet is consistent with what Trump has said for months about the U.S.-Cuba deal, which he views as one-sided in favor of Havana. The matter has received renewed attention following the death last week of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro. "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump said in a Twitter message Monday. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to reverse President Barack Obama's warming of relations with Cuba, the clearest indication yet that the historic restoration of ties is under threat. When Trump was asked early during his presidential run about the United States' warming of relations with Cuba, his response was largely positive. "I think it's fine," Trump told The Daily Caller in a September 2015 interview. "We should have made a better deal, [but] the concept of opening with Cuba -- 50 years is enough," he said, referencing Washington's longstanding economic and diplomatic sanctions against the socialist country. Fast forward a year, and President-elect Trump's public stance on the issue has almost completely reversed. Now, when Trump talks about President Barack Obama's efforts to normalize relations with Cuba, it is almost entirely in negative terms. That trend continued following the Friday death of Cuba's revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. In a statement, Trump slammed Castro as a "brutal dictator" who oversaw "firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty, and the denial of fundamental human rights." Though Trump did not reveal any details about his plans for Cuba policy, he promised his administration will do "all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty." The statement stood in stark contrast to that of President Obama, whose statement largely spoke of Castro in neutral terms and once again reasserted that Washington extends a "hand of friendship to the Cuban people." The relaxed regulations introduced by Obama made it easier for Americans to bring products back from Cuba, allowed more access for doctors to work with Cuban researchers on medical investigations and ended the 180-day ban on ships docking at U.S. ports after leaving Cuba. Obama also visited Cuba earlier this year, marking the first time a U.S. president had stepped foot in Cuba since Calvin Coolidge did in 1928. At the time of Obama's announcement, national security adviser Susan Rice was asked whether a new administration would be able to alter the new rules, to which she said: "It would be profoundly unwise and counterproductive to turn back the clock." But during that September campaign stop, Trump said he would roll back Obama's executive orders unless Cuba met his demands, which include "religious and political freedom for the Cuban people and the freeing of political prisoners." John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, said it would be easy for a Trump administration to eliminate the flights to Cuba, calling them "an additional measure of normalcy in an anything-but-normal" relationship. "Individuals associated with the president-elect, both officially and unofficially, will not be enthusiastic about the resumption of the flights; they will view each flight as a satchel of United States currency traveling on a one-way journey to Cuba with no meaningful measurable return other than to perpetuate abhorrent commercial, economic and political systems," he said. Although Trump's comments on Cuba may have been inconsistent during the presidential campaign, the businessman does have a long record of criticizing Castro. In a 1999 opinion piece in the Miami Herald, Trump explained why he was unwilling to form partnerships that would allow him to build casino-hotels in the Cuban capital of Havana. "If I formed a joint venture with European partners, I would make millions of dollars. But I'd rather lose those millions than lose my self-respect. I would rather take a financial hit than become a financial backer of one of the world's most-brutal dictators, a man who was once willing to aid in the destruction of my country," Trump said. "To me the embargo question is no question at all," he continued. "Of course, we should keep the embargo in place. We should keep it until Castro is gone." City leaders and lawmakers met Monday to discuss the future of Citi Bike across the five boroughs and how best to expand the bike-share program. The current expansion of the program -- called Phase 2 -- is bringing Citi Bike into parts of Astoria, Harlem and Crown Heights. By the end of next year, there will be more than 100 new stations and 2,000 new bikes in New York City. City officials said Phase 3 is not yet planned but they have their eye on getting into the Bronx and Staten Island eventually. Right now, there are only Citi Bike stations in midtown and lower Manhattan, northern Brooklyn and western Queens. New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg made her case to the City Council Monday. The biggest issue involves logistics, she said -- making sure stations aren't in the way of sidewalks and parking spots, and that there are always bikes available. "You have a lot of things on the street: fire hydrants, loading zones, building entrances," she said. "As the system gets bigger and bigger, making sure you have the bikes in the places where people need them is one challenge, and the other discussion we have is about when we put in public dollars you heard a lively discussion of when would you do that, what would be appropriate," she added. The DOT is trying to bill Citi Bike as an affordable and convenient commuting method for New Yorkers. Trottenberg said that a monthly Citi Bike membership costs about $15, while a monthly MetroCard is more than $150. But Astoria resident Basma Edid was skeptical. "It would be great to get people up and moving, I would benefit from it, but I also don't think I would actually use Citi Bike," he said. "I'm not sure if this is a Citi Bike neighborhood." Elise Goldin of Crown Heights noted changing demographics could spur the popularity of the bike-share program, however: "Probably more of the people who are moving into the neighborhood recently, rather than the long-term tenants." The City Council is currently not on board with using city money to fund the bike share program. Though Citi Bike is prepared with private funding for its expansion plan through next year, it's not yet clear how the expansion into the Bronx and Staten Island will be paid for. Days after a humpback whale in a Long Island bay was euthanized, biologists examined its remains, trying to understand why it became stuck on the sandbar. They found bruises on the juvenile female whale that got stuck in Moriches Bay on Nov. 20, but can't say if those injuries played any role. "The fact that we found trauma already points in one direction but what that meant, we'll have to wait and see," said David Morin of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Morin says anything from illness to bad luck could have prompted the tragedy. Samples from the necropsy were being sent to a lab for testing, and results aren't expected back for another two to four weeks, according to NOAA. The whale got stuck on the sandbar in the bar, just east of the Hamptons, two weekends ago and had been in the area for more than a week before that. A veterinary team from NOAA found the whale thin, limp, weak and minimally responsive, and ultimately euthnanized with injectable medications last Wednesday, saying it was the most humane option. Federal officials now say it was more than 29 feet long and weighed some 15 tons -- so big that a tow strap used to pull its remains to shore snapped Sunday. Spectators and activists who had watched the whale from the shore for days were devastated when it was euthanized, and some held a vigil for it on Sunday. Mike Busch was among the group, and argued that federal officials should have gotten to the whale sooner and done more to save her. The NOAA team arrived three days after the whale first became stuck on the sandbar. Humpback whales are common in the region. One recently has been seen swimming in the Hudson River. The New Jersey State House is about to get a major facelift. Gov. Chris Christie announced $300 million in renovations to one of the nation's oldest state capitols, which was built in 1792. "This building will be completely evacuated right after the budget is done," he said. Christie said that the building had many structural and superficial deficiencies, including an office that is hazardously sinking into a server room a floor below, window panes that are "literally falling out." He added that work would begin as soon as the budget was completed in July and it would be about 4 years before staffers, legislators and others who work in the State House would move to another space in Trenton until the work was completed. "I have been urging this for years," he said of the renovations. "I am not going to leave here without it being done." It comes less than a month after the state raised the gas tax from 14.5 cents per gallon to 37.5 cents. Christie also chided reporters at the State House who attended the announcement, saying "I think you thought I was announcing something else." The New Jersey governor is a longtime supporter and onetime surrogate of President-elect Donald Trump and has been rumored to be in consideration for a number of top posts in the billionaire businessman's White House administration. Christie insisted that he was "completing his term" as governor despite speculation that he could be headed to Washington. "If I was announcing that I was going to go work in the Trump administration, would I really do that in the rotunda of the State House?" he said. A large fire ripped through a vacant Newark building Monday evening, displacing two families living in a neighboring home. Newark firefighters responded to the blaze in the abandoned two-story wood-frame building at 62 Telford Ave., near South Orange Avenue, at about 5 p.m., according to fire officials. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 40 minutes, but crews were still dousing hot spots. One firefighter fell through the floor while battling the blaze, but was quickly rescued and continued to fight the fire, fire officials said. "It is a mind-boggling situation, but the men and women of the fire department are well-trained and equipped to handle a situation like that," said Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson. No injuries were reported in the fire, and a neighboring home sustained minor damage. The two families living in that home -- three adults and seven children in total -- were relocated after officials determined there was smoke and water damage. "They told us, 'get out of the house, get out of the house. The house is on fire,'" said Shavone Guinyard. Arson investigators are looking for sources of the ignition in the abandoned building. Newark Assistant Public Safety Director said the arson squad can begin examining the building once firefighters are finished dousing all the hot spots. A Pennsylvania man incarcerated in the murder of his wife has been sentenced to another 20 years in the cold case murder and rape of a 14-year-old girl found dead in a gutter in the Bronx in 1998. James Martin was already imprisoned in the 2005 murder of his wife in Pennsylvania when the NYPD Cold Case Bureau reopened its investigation into Marley Cruz, a runaway from a group foster home who was found dead on Valentine Avenue on Feb. 23, 1998. She had been strangled, authorities said, and investigators were not able to be identify her until April 1998, through dental records. Evidence collected from the sexual assault kit was re-examined, and technology advances allowed forensic experts to pull a full DNA profile, which was loaded into a database. The DNA matched that of Martin. Martin pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and a judge Tuesday ordered his 20-year sentence to begin after the completion of his Pennsylvania prison term. When asked if he had anything to say, Martin said no. Actress Shailene Woodley spent her Thanksgiving continuing to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), which is being built on sacred grounds of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. Woodley, who was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing in October during a protest, said she was compelled to spend the holiday at the site because she felt few truly understood the true violent history behind Thanksgiving. "Today is a day that many call Thanksgiving. It's a day where elementary school kids across America are taught false narratives about our native brothers and sisters," an emotional Woodley said. "None of our children know the truth about what happened to Native Americans when westerners decided to colonize this country." Woodley continued, "We're here on Thanksgiving...a day that no one knows the history about. Thanksgiving was founded on a massacre. And we're here with these cops and snipers with rubber bullets. I'm just sick of it." Dakota Access Pipeline protesters vowed Saturday to remain in their camp after the Army Corps of Engineers told them to leave the federal land they've occupied. Activists protesting the continued construction of the pipeline were told to shut down one of their camps by Dec. 5 in a letter sent to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's leader by the Army Corps. But tribal leader Dave Archambault and other protest organizers said intend to stay in the Oceti Sakowin camp one of three camps near the construction site which would have been shut down by the encampment. The protests stem from a continued demonstration against a 1,170-mile oil pipeline. Thousands have flocked to North Dakota to aid the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who believe the pipeline could contaminate their water source, the Missouri River, and desecrate the tribe's sacred sites. 'Westworld' star Evan Rachel Wood took to Twitter Monday evening to share harrowing details of previous sexual assaults, one which occurred at the hands of an unnamed boyfriend. "Yes. I have been raped. By a significant other while we were together. And on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar," Wood wrote. Well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to @RollingStone in its entirety. #NotOk pic.twitter.com/0FSP1gsE36 #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) November 28, 2016 "The first time I was unsure that if it was done by a partner it was in fact rape, until too late. Also who would believe me," she wrote. "And the second time, I thought it was my fault and that I should have fought back more, but I was scared." Wood's Twitter post coincides with a recent Rolling Stones interview where she shared she felt demonized for years for her past relationship with shock rocker Marilyn Manson when she was 18 and he was 36 and married to Dita Von Teese. "People would call me a whore when I walked down the street, and you can't not be hurt by that," Wood told Rolling Stone. Wood said she felt compelled to share her story of sexual abuse now because "I don't believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer." "I am still standing. I am alive. I am happy. I am strong. But I am still not ok," the actress wrote. The disruptive Trump supporter who went on an expletive-laced rant on board a Delta flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been barred from flying with the airline, CEO Edward Bastian said Monday. In a company memo sent to Delta employees, Bastian wrote that the disruptive passenger who was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers on Flight 248 will never again be allowed on a Delta plane. A video posted on Facebook by a passenger on the Nov. 22 flight shows a man standing in the aisle, calling passengers Hillary b----es when his boisterous salute to the president-elect received a tepid response from most of the 101 other passengers. "He's your president. Every goddamn one of you. If you don't like it, too bad," he went on to say of Trump before taking his seat. The man has not been identified. Bastian noted if crew members had "witnessed firsthand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft." The Atlanta-based airline had previously apologized over the incident, and Bastian added Monday that passengers onboard the flight would get a full refund of their tickets. "The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities," Bastian said. Philadelphia Police vowed to find the driver in a hit-and-run that killed a young girl in the city's Overbrook neighborhood earlier this month while the girl's mother begged the driver to surrender. The wreck at 63rd Street and Lansdowne Avenue left Jayanna Powell, 8, dead. Her family and friends laid her to rest Monday. On Tuesday, accident investigators updated their investigation while the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police announced a $15,000 reward -- mostly from private donors -- for information leading to an arrest of the driver. Mayor Jim Kenney's office also put up $10,000. [[403455146, C]] "I just want to talk to the person who hit my daughter," said Jayanna's mother, Ayesha Poole. "It may have been an accident, I don't know, I just ask you to turn yourself in. "I had to lay my baby to rest yesterday -- the hardest day in my life," Poole said. "I don't get a prom, I don't get a graduation, no marriage, no grandkids, no nothing, so, just turn yourself in. Make it better on everybody -- please turn yourself in." Jayanna and her siblings were walking home from school around 3:15 p.m. when a car slammed into the 8-year-old. "We was just crossing the street just to get the bus," Jayanna's 12-year-old brother Hassan Cox said. [[401993186, C]] Cox said he was holding his sister's hand as they crossed 63rd Street when they were struck by a driver speeding through the intersection trying to catch a yellow light. The force of the impact was so strong that the girl was thrown 20 feet, her family said. A witness said the girl's backpack also tore open, splaying paper and books all over the street. Cox was knocked into a nearby car, the family said. Jayanna was rushed to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with serious injuries. She died a short time later, police said. Police have been searching for a gray or silver 2009 to 2016 Nissan Altima or Maxima with damage to the headlights and grill. The car was last seen heading southbound on 63rd Street. Cox described what the driver looked like. [[402770276, C]] "He was bald. He had a half-beard at his chin," Cox said. "He had white glasses on." "We need the public's assistance in finding the person responsible," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross. Anyone with information about the driver or whereabouts of the car is asked to call accident investigators at 215-685-3180 or 3181. Lawyers for Pennsylvania education institutions, including the state teachers union and three associations for school administrators, have described it as staggering and judicial meddling. A ruling by a Montgomery County judge in August threw out Lower Merion School Districts most recent tax increase and, in turn, ignited debate across the educational landscape. At stake, according to briefs filed in Commonwealth Court in recent weeks, is the independent governing power of local school boards. The showdown pitting the affluent Montgomery County district against a handful of residents, led by local attorney Arthur Wolk, will emerge back in court Dec. 15 in Harrisburg. The districts appeal is asking the higher court to overturn Judge Joseph Smyths decision, which forces Lower Merion to rescind its 4.4-percent tax increase. It has the potential for untold disruption to public education across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and two other statewide organizations wrote in support of the appeal by Lower Merion. In his decision, Smyth agreed with Wolks assertion that the district has enough in reserve accounts to pass a smaller tax increase. Lower Merion had a state-mandated cap on any new tax increases -- 2.4 percent in the 2016-2017 budget. But the district was granted exemptions by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. But in a brief filed ahead of the upcoming hearing, an attorney for the district claims that the surplus cash is dedicated to special education and employee pension payments. The district has consistently argued that its tax increase above the cap was approved, as required, by the state DOE, for the costs of capital improvements, special ed and pensions. In its pre-hearing brief, Lower Merion's attorney, D. Alicia Hickok, argued that Smyth found nothing illegal about the tax increase. She reiterated what has become the broader appeal to Smyths ruling: the judiciary should not step in and override local taxing authorities that act lawfully and through proper public notification. The disputes Plaintiffs have with the (Lower Merion Education) Board reflect philosophical and policy differences, Hickok wrote. This is not the kind of subject matter that translates to an abuse of discretion. Wolk, in a brief filed Monday, refuted the arguments by Lower Merion and the state education groups that support the district. He asked that the higher court not look at the case through a larger lens, but focus as Smyth did on Lower Merion's spending. This graph represents the average size of each school districts budgeting error between the 2009 and 2015 school years. Source: Each districts audited financial statements. "The Appellant and its surrogates ... want to try and make this case about something it is not. They want to make this case about the Court 'usurping' the roles of the school districts of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Department of Education," Wolk wrote. "This is a case about reining in abuses by a school district in levying unlawful and excessive taxes." Beyond the boundaries of Lower Merion, the dispute has also raised the spectre of loose oversight by the state Department of Education in its enforcement of state-mandated caps on tax increases. One in three districts in Pennsylvania received exemptions to raise property taxes above their state-mandated caps this year, according to documents provided to NBC10.com by the state DOE. The number of districts that received approvals, 178 this year, has increased from 165 in 2014-2015 and 173 in 2015-2016, the documents show. It is unclear how many used the exemptions to raise taxes above their caps. All you have to do is complete the form. Thats it, Springfield Township, Montgomery County, school budget chief Ken King told NBC10.com. We dont use exemptions. We dont like to use them. But you start the budget process in October with very little known. There are a lot of things outside our control. Just to be safe, we file for exemptions. It's at the town level that decisions about public education funding should be made, Hickok wrote for Lower Merion, because locally elected school boards are most familiar with needs and future expenses. The Supreme Court has said that elected officials both those in the General Assembly and those on school boards should be the ones making decisions about educational policy and educational funding, she argued. Plaintiffs Amended Complaint and the courts injunction order would replace both legislative and administrative with judicial. The public interest is in reserving these questions to the people elected to address them. Education groups in support of Lower Merion went so far to claim Smyths ruling encourages risky and unsound financial practices if schools cant plan ahead by putting money in reserve accounts. This case strikes at the heart of local control of education programming, (and) interjects the judiciary into education policy making clearly reserved to the people and the ballot, the PSEA wrote in its amicus curiae brief. Wolk, however, said the lower court came to its conclusion by simply following the money. "Not a single dollar of tax increases collected over an eleven year period was needed by the Appellant to meet every cent of its bloated and out of control budget," Wolk wrote. "The now more than $60 Million in the bank is a product of fraud, pure and simple, and proved in the Court below." An incumbent president cannot be tried for offenses other than treason or insurrection. In a public address on Nov. 4, Park vowed to cooperate with the investigation, but she has refused four times since then to respond to prosecutors' requests to question her. "The president has scheduling difficulties as she prepares for urgent tasks, including who to appoint as an independent counsel, with candidates expected to be recommended by tomorrow," Yoo claimed. "We regret that we are unable to cooperate with face-to-face questioning." President Park Geun-hye's lawyer Yoo Yeong-ha said Monday that the beleaguered president will not appear before prosecutors to be questioned about her role in a massive corruption scandal. Prosecutors had asked Park to submit to questioning in person by Tuesday. Park's refusal seems to stem from being named as an accomplice in the snowballing crony scandal and possibly facing charges of soliciting bribes. Prosecutors said they expected the president to refuse but do not buy her excuse. "It looks like a ploy to avoid being charged with bribery," said one prosecutor based outside Seoul. Prosecutors are now looking into whether Park offered specific favors in one-to-one meetings with conglomerate owners where she allegedly leaned on them to donate huge sums to two dodgy foundations controlled by her crony Choi Soon-sil. Prosecutors are out of ammunition since there is less than a week left before the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate the charges against her. A prosecution source said, "The probe by the independent counsel will probably be an extension of the investigation conducted by prosecutors." Prosecutors say they can already prove charges that Park and Cheong Wa Dae pressured big businesses to cough up money for the dubious Mir and K-Sports foundations, which were staffed with Choi's drinking buddies and awarded lucrative contracts to her paper companies. Of particular interest now are Woo Byung-woo, Park's former senior secretary for civil affairs, and former Cheong Wa Dae chief of staff Kim Ki-choon. Both were in office in November 2014 during a scandal involving Choi's former husband, Chung Yun-hoi, and allegedly played a key role in trying to influence the prosecution's probe of the incident. Chung was then also accused of meddling in state affairs although he had no official position. He had been Park's personal secretary when she was a lawmaker. That means that the independent counsel's investigation could double back on prosecutors themselves. One prosecution official said, "There is a lot of interest in which prosecutors were influenced by Woo and Kim." But some legal experts forecast a rocky road for the independent counsel because Park has only agreed to be questioned by a "neutral" investigator, while Kim and Woo, who are no strangers to legal affairs, had plenty of time to cover their tracks. Challenges created by Philadelphia's old architecture led Chicago-based restaurant group out to the suburbs for its first Pennsylvania location, opening a City Works restaurant and bar in King of Prussia. JBG Cos. of Maryland has curated a list of food-and-beverage tenants at the King of Prussia Town Center, a 260,000-square-foot lifestyle shopping destination located a short drive from the King of Prussia Mall. The next restaurant to open is a concept called City Works by Chicago's Bottleneck Management. A grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 10, coinciding with the Town Center's inaugural Winterfest. A number of restaurants have already opened at the project: Naf Naf Grill, b.good, honeygrow, Davios Northern Italian Steakhouse, Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar, and Fogo de Chao. The King of Prussia Town Center location will be the first Pennsylvania restaurant for the City Works concept after its first outpost opened in Minneapolis earlier this year. Others are planned for Doral, Florida; Frisco, Texas; and Pittsburgh. To read full article, click here. For more business news, visit Philadelphia Business Journal. A teen girl was rescued after she fell off the Ben Franklin Bridge Monday afternoon. Police say the 16-year-old girl fell off the Ben Franklin Bridge at 200 N. 5th Street at 4:20 p.m. She was then spotted in the water near the Independence Seaport Museum at 211 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard at Penn's Landing screaming for help. The police marine unit then pulled her out of the water. The teen was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital where she is being treated for hypothermia. She is currently in stable condition. A group of masked men tried to abduct a man off a Philadelphia street overnight, shooting him as he ran for his life, said Philadelphia Police. Police rushed to the 2500 block of S Robinson Street, near Elmwood Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia around 11 p.m. Monday to find a man in his late 20s or early 30s on front steps suffering from gunshot wounds to his abdomen and a graze wound to his head, said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. The man was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition where doctors said the man who had no identification on him was expected to survive, said Small. "Just prior to the shooting, five males wearing (masks) covering their faces attempted to pull the shooting victim into a van," said Small. Police spent overnight searching for clues. "We know that at least 16 shots were fired from a semiautomatic weapon," said Small. "It appears that the shooter may have been chasing the victim round some parked vehicles." No word yet on a motive for the attempted abduction and shooting. Tuesday night is looking quite alright in San Diego. I remember back in the day seeing Bauhaus' Peter Murphy at 4th and B, and in the past couple years he's done super intimate shows, including the Casbah and the Irenic in recent months. But now he's stepped it back up with a show at the Observatory and if you saw those other two shows, you know how special they were. Meanwhile, if you love your electronic music no matter what night of the week it is, you should head to Valley View Casino Center for Porter Robinson & Madeon. At the Casbah, it's a punky surf-rock kinda night with the Fink Bombs, and husband-and-wife folk duo Over the Rhine play the Belly Up. For an extra special show, check out Arc Iris at Soda Bar, the solo project of the Low Anthem's Jocie Adams. Tuesday, Nov. 29: Peter Murphy, PGM (featuring Adem Murphy and Utku Tuzlu) @ The Observatory North Park Porter Robinson & Madeon, San Holo @ Valley View Casino Center Alive & Well, the Montell Jordans, Plane Without a Pilot @ The Merrow The Fink Bombs, Alvino & the Dwells, Secret Samurai @ Casbah An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine @ Belly Up Part Time (Cult Records), Minor Gems, Nite Lapse, Mezzanine, DJ Amnesia @ Blonde Tiki Tuesday @ Bar Pink Arc Iris, Qais Essar, Blood Ponies @ Soda Bar Dorado Schmitt & the Django All-Stars @ The Scripps Research Institute Trivia Night @ The Loft, UCSD Meeting of the Meyends wth the Skyler Lutes Band, the Jefferson Jay Band @ Winston's Open Mic @ Brick 15 "Do Not Resist" (film) @ Che Cafe Karaoke @ The Bancroft True Bass Presents: Ramsey/Shadowman/Byrd #Trapped @ The Office Robin Henkel @ Crossroads, House of Blues (free) Missy Andersen @ Humphreys Backstage Live Rad! Karaoke! @ U-31 Karaoke @ Riviera Supper Club Open Mic Hosted by Gaby Aparicio @ Java Joe's El Dorado Fall/Winters Menu Release Party @ El Dorado Karaoke @ Riviera Supper Club '50s/'60s Dance Party @ Henry's Pub High Tech Tuesdays @ Kava Lounge Irieality @ 710 Beach Club Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah and writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly. Sleigh bells by the sea, anyone? A festive tradition returns to the streets of La Jolla this weekend, filled with bright lights and holiday cheer. The 59th Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival takes place Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street. The parade starts at 2 p.m. and ends around 4:30 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center at 615 Prospect St. There, the Holiday Festival awaits revelers with the 4:30 p.m. lighting of the Community Christmas Tree on the lawn, live music and dance performances, a Kids Zone and lots of fun activities. This years theme is Christmas in the Future. The festival schedule, seen in full here, includes an hour for photos with Santa Claus, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., too. The events website includes a map of the parade route and information about No Parking zones, which include the following areas to avoid on the day of the parade: Both sides of Ivanhoe Avenue, between Ivanhoe Avenue East and Torrey Pines Road Both sides of Girard Avenue, between Torrey Pines Road and Kline Street. Both sides of Kline Street, between Ivanhoe and Fay avenues. Both sides of Herschel Avenue, between Torrey Pines Road and Silverado Street. Both sides of Torrey Pines Road, between Herschel Avenue and Virginia Way. Both sides of Girard Avenue, between Kline and Prospect streets. Both sides of Prospect Street, between Girard Avenue and La Jolla Boulevard. Both sides of Draper Avenue, between Silverado and Kline streets. The parade will include grand marshals and local dignitaries, including San Diego Police Department Chief Shelley Zimmerman and San Diego City Council President Sherri Lightner. With twinkling lights galore, Chula Vista will kick off the holiday season this weekend with its longtime Starlight Parade in the heart of the community. The Chula Vista Starlight Parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Third Avenue Village, on Third Avenue between E and H streets. The free community event going strong for more than 50 years features dozens of local school groups, bands, dance groups, car clubs and more marching downtown. Parade participants compete for trophies in 12 categories including first, second and third place marching band, best presentation of a holiday theme, best use of lights and best dance, to name a few. Organizers say this years parade will feature a snack alley where vendors will sell treats from popcorn to funnel cake. From noon to 5 p.m., kids of all ages can play in the snow in an area dubbed Frostys Snow Hill near the parade route. The Starlight Parade is the highlight of a day filled with festive events in Chula Vista. Prior to the parade, the Third Avenue Village Association (TAVA) will host its 5th annual Holiday in the Village festival from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park and at some participating merchants along Third Avenue. The fest includes live music including a 2:45 p.m. performance by the San Diego Youth Symphony crafts and photo opportunities for the little ones with holiday characters. Attendees can also take part in an Ugliest Holiday Sweater Contest at 3:45 p.m. A full grown horse was attacked and mauled to death by two pit bulls in San Marcos over the holiday weekend, a San Marcos family confirmed to NBC 7 San Diego. The attack happened Saturday around 9 p.m. off Woodland Parkway when Bri Valdivia, a resident and horse owner, heard an unfamiliar bark outside her family's home on Fulton Road. As Valdivia approached the noise, she realized there were two pit bulls attacking the family's horse, Smokey. The dogs had somehow wiggled into the family's yard. When the dogs growled at her, she ran back to the home and came back with her grandfather, who was armed with a bat and flashlight. The family scared off the dogs. Valdivia said she could see what appeared to be a trail of blood leading from her house to a nearby park. As they rushed to call a vet to come to the home, however, the dogs returned and tried to continue the attack. Her grandfather scared off the dogs. The two pit bulls were on the loose overnight, but officials told the family the dogs were found Monday morning. They were released to their owners, who were cooperating to give up the dogs. However, when Humane Society officials came to get the dogs, they discovered the animals had escaped again. At this time, the two dogs remain on the loose. San Diego Humane Society's Kelli Schry said officers are searching for the dogs. Once they are found, a medical team will see if the dogs are a match to the ones who attacked the horse. "Public safety is the ultimate priority right now," Schry said. Anyone with information on the dogs is asked to call San Diego Humane Societys Humane Law Enforcement division at (619) 243-3466. Meanwhile, Animal Control officials removed the horse's body Monday. Neighbors have been stopping by the home as the family grieves, putting up balloons and setting up a vigil at the home. No other information was immediately available. A Lake Murray family is asking for the public's help to find a hit-and-run driver who they say struck their father and left him for dead. Ronald Barrios, 51, was found lying in a gutter just two days after Thanksgiving with head injuries that left him brain dead. Police say Barrios, a father of four, had been out walking just after 6 a.m. when he hit near the intersection of Jackson and Blue Lake drives on Saturday. The Barrios family told NBC 7, Barrios remains on life support so that he could perform a final act of kindness--donating his organs so that others might live. His family says, he was often introduced himself as "El Ronald," or, The Ronald. The person that keeps us happy and keeps us laughing, his daughter, Ashley Barrios said. He taught that family is always first and he was like glue to our family, his son Ronald Barrios told NBC 7. Barrios was found lying in a gutter with traumatic brain injuries, broken ribs and a collapsed lung. It's crazy. It's something you see on the news or read online and you wouldn't expect that to happen to you, Martha Soto, Barrios' neice said. With no identification on him, Barrios was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital and admitted as John Doe. I just made phone calls. No one knew anything about him and hadn't heard from him, his daughter said. After nine hours and several calls to San Diego hospitals, the family said they found Barrios. As soon as they gave us the description of John Doe from earlier that day, we knew, Soto said. The family is still waiting for police to make an arrest of the person who had been behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck Barrios. At this time, police do not have an accurate description of the vehicle involved, nor the driver. Investigators estimate Barrios was found by a passerby, more than a half hour after the suspect fled the scene. The family is raising money for funeral costs. If you would like to donate, click here. A pediatrician who has served generations of people in one San Diego community was honored with a letter from President Barack Obama as he retired Monday. Youre not from Southeast if you dont know Dr. Kelley, one patient told NBC 7 at the celebration for Dr. Leon Kelley who practiced medicine in the same community for 47 years. Patient Larry Milton said Kelley has been his doctor since he was 11 years old. Now at 62, Milton said he described the 77-year-old pediatrician as an angel who has been a support to his family and the community for decades. He has done so many things and has inspired so many people that its amazing, Milton said. Among his accomplishments, Kelley launched a process for sickle cell anemia testing in southeast San Diego which colleagues credit with saving thousands of lives. He often saw patients seven days a week, sometimes without pay and treated area families for decades. I have grandparents who bring their grandchildren the grandparents were my patients, he said. At his retirement party, someone read a personal letter to Kelley from President Barack Obama, thanking him for his years of service and touching thousands of lives. Kelley said it's a momento he will cherish. Kelley is retiring because Childrens Primary Medical Group has an age limit for their doctors a policy the doctor doesnt dispute. Hell still be involved with CPMG but in a new role as mentor or advisor. My goal is to always have something here to be present in this community, Kelley said. Volkswagen will start recalling 126,000 cars as early as next month over an emissions-cheating scandal. The Environment Ministry on Monday said Volkswagen has now come up with modified emissions software that has been shown to meet Korean environmental and mileage regulations. Around 25,000 Tiguan SUVs will be recalled first, followed by around 100,000 other models. In November last year, the German automaker was found to have installed emissions-cheating software in cars sold since 2007. It switched on diesel emissions controls during tests but disabled them under normal driving conditions, causing large amounts of nitrogen oxide to be released into the air. With the new software, Volkswagen avoids having to provide owners with brand-new cars instead. "We conducted repeated driving tests of the Tiguan, even with the air conditioner on, and most of the emissions software functioned normally and the vehicles did not exceed Euro 5 emissions specs of less than 0.18 grams of nitrogen oxide per 1 km," a ministry spokesman said. Tests last year showed Volkswagens emitting up to 31 times more nitrogen oxide than allowed. When it comes to fuel economy, the cars performed in line with the automaker's initial claims despite keeping emissions down. Under Korean law, automakers are required to compensate car owners if their vehicles show fuel efficiency levels that veer beyond five percent of what has been advertised. Volkswagen owners in Korea have demanded new cars if the improved emissions software ends up damaging fuel efficiency. Popping noises, not the installed smoke alarms, alerted a Paradise Hills homeowner when fire broke out inside her home. Jose Fletes said a loud noise awakened his wife Tuesday morning. He credits his wife for nudging him from going back to sleep, lulled by the smoke. If it wasnt for her, Id probably be dead right now because she woke me up, Fletes said. Their home was filled with thick, black smoke and there were flames in their kitchen so they went to a neighbors home to call for help. San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Steve Salez said the homeowner told firefighters he had a fire in the fireplace but they have not determined the cause of the fire. The couple has lived in the home on Calle Trepadora for 27 years. A lot of stuff in the living room that I had is destroyed, Fletes said. A lot of memories. Fletes said he thanks God he survived the fire. He said the home does have a smoke alarm but he didnt check the battery on the alarm recently. Salez said homeowners should check the batteries on their smoke detectors when the time changes in the fall. Its a good reminder for everyone to look things over and just be fire safe, Salez said. Fletes agreed. Make sure that they check their batteries, he said. It could save your life. Although the rain is much needed in San Diego, along with it comes the issue of potholes. In 2015, a report released by TRIP, a transportation research company based in Washington, D.C., stated that San Diego's roads were ranked the eighth roughest in the nation. The City of San Diego launched an effort to fix 1,000 miles of streets over a period of five years. A reported by Cartegraph Systems Inc. released in 2016 showed that the condition of local streets had risen by more than 20 percent in the past several years. It was the city's first assessment since 2011. But San Diego residents are still concerned over the numerous potholes that still make for a bumpy ride on many local roads. "They're terrible. They need to be fixed in this town," said Leslie Bently, a resident of La Jolla. Like many other residents NBC 7 spoke with, Bently said she was worried the potholes were messing up the alignment on her car. "There are too many of them and we're not doing enough to fix them," said Del Sur resident Roger White. "My sister was visiting from Georgia and she said 'why are your roads in such bad condition?'" La Jolla resident Rebecca Jorgenson said. The City says it recognizes the issue but they can't fix potholes without knowing where they exist. They have set up a hotline and a website where residents can report potholes. Many drivers told NBC 7, they were not aware of such a program but would make use of it from now on. To report a pothole, click here or call the hotline at (619) 527-7500. Protesters in San Diego joined others in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago as workers took part in a National Day of Action to Fight for $15. The campaign seeks higher hourly minimum wages, including for workers at fast-food restaurants and airports. A group of protesters ended Tuesday by marching with signs through Downtown San Diego after a day of protesting across the County. The event was part of a larger national effort by the Service Employees International Union, in over 20 cities in the U.S. The local protest was put on by local unions and organizers from "Fight for Fifteen." "Fifteen dollars an hour won't be until 2022 and right now it's ten-fifty an hour and that's poverty wages," said Mickey Kasparian, President of the San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council. While the protests were largely peaceful, there were reports of arrests across the country. Workers demonstrate for $15 min wage outside Barrio Logan McDonalds pic.twitter.com/pvHVuSQiL9 Chris Chan (@ChrisChanSD) November 29, 2016 About 25 protesters were arrested in lower Manhattan after linking arms and sitting on a lower Manhattan street. They were among about 350 people at the rally. Participants chanted "We shall not be moved" and waved signs that read "We won't back down" and "Strike for $15 and our future." Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler sent a "cease and desist" letter to the White House demanding that President Donald Trump stop playing the band's songs at its rallies, Variety reported. The letter came after "Livin' on the Edge" played at Trump's West Virginia rally on Tuesday. Tyler's attorney argues that playing the song in a public arena misleads people into thinking Tyler endorses Trump's presidency. "MY MUSIC IS FOR CAUSES NOT FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OR RALLIES," Tyler tweeted. Aerosmith's recording company has pulled the public performance rights of another of their songs, "Dream On," after Trump used it in his presidential campaign. Workers across Chicago, including at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, began to walk off the job over union rights and an hourly wage of $15. About 500 workers at O'Hare committed to strike on Tuesday. They include cabin cleaners, janitors, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers. The workers are employed by private contractors. Strike organizers say many work for minimum wage. They're trying to unionize with the help of Service Employees International Union Local 1. Organizers say they expect delays and disruption, particularly for United and American airlines. But Chicago Department of Aviation officials say they don't anticipate disruptions. A group is calling for shoppers to boycott Target this holiday season because of the retailers stance on LGBTQ equality. The movement is called AnywhereButTarget. NBC 7s Omari Fleming reports. Thirty-four Boston-area workers were arrested after protesters gathered in Central Square in Cambridge, at Logan International Airport. In Los Angeles, the first protest began at 6 a.m. in downtown L.A. with another rally scheduled for noon at Airport and Century boulevards just east of Los Angeles International Airport. Officers made several arrests. Although he died with no known family, the sanctuary at Indiana's Allisonville Christian Church was nearly full Saturday afternoon for one veteran's funeral service. In San Diego, the protesters chanted "Si se puede" and held up signs demanding an increase in the minimum wage. They argue $10.50 is not enough money to live in a city with such a high cost of living. "Considering the fact that I do have things such as rent, I guess $10.50 would be okay if I don't have those things but unfortunately I do," said fast-food employee Bobby Jones. In the City of San Diego, all employers must pay each employee $10.50 an hour worked under the current minimim wage ordinance. That wage will increase to $11.50 on January 1, 2017. That is $.50 higher than the minimum wage under state law. Rev. Beth Johnson with the Interfaith coalition for Worker Justice marched with the group. "The disparity between what the CEO's get and what the workers get it's phenomenal," Johnson said. "It's not going to hurt them to pay a living wage." In a statement, McDonald's spokesperson Terri Hickey said the company, " takes seriously our role in helping strengthen communities as we and our franchisees separately employ hundreds of thousands of people, providing many with their very first job." She went on to say the company supports employees as they finish their education and develop the skills necessary to start a career within or outside the restaurant chain. Get ready to power up. Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, Yoshi and the gang are heading to Universal Studios. Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts jointly announced Tuesday that new attractions are coming to Orlando, Hollywood and Osaka, Japan as "expansive, highly themed environments." "Imagine the fun of stepping into a larger-than-life Nintendo adventure," read the statement. "Gigantic Piranha Plants spring to life. Question blocks, power-ups and more surround you. And Mario and all his friends are there to pull you into a brand-new world." A partnership between the Japanese game-maker and Universal Studios was announced last year. The creative planning of the new attractions is already underway, the statement said, but no specifics about the possible rides or other attractions was released. A timeline for construction and opening dates will come later from each of the individual parks. Editor's Note: Universal Parks & Resorts is owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of this site. A college president can be expected to spend some money to travel, but some students and staff at Montgomery College think their president is spending too much and asked the News4 I-Team to dig into the colleges spending records to find out where their tuition and county tax dollars are really going. With more than 56,000 students each year, Montgomery College is the biggest community college in Maryland. A lot of people are on financial aid or theyre working, student Thomas Linonetti said. He was one of several students waiting to catch a bus home when the I-Team asked them about how they pay for tuition. They all agreed they pay about $2,000 per semester. I saved a bit from high school and Im currently working right now, said Sky Rehman. Another student, Tochi Chinyere, said he also works after class because, Im working hard at school and after I get out to stay in school." Staffers Sent Letters Complaining to I-Team The News4 I-Team started investigating Montgomery College after receiving multiple letters from staffers throughout the summer complaining about the schools president, Dr. DeRionne Pollard, and how much she spends on travel and transportation, including an armed driver recently hired by the school to protect her. The I-Team obtained a copy of Dr. Pollard's contract after filing a public records request with the school, and it shows she receives a $281,000 salary with a possible 5 percent annual bonus, along with an additional $3,000 housing allowance each month for her home in Germantown, Maryland. According to the contract, the school's Board of Trustees also agreed to pay for all of her work-related travel -- and for all of her wifes travel costs anytime she accompanied her on business trips. The records show Dr. Pollard spent more than $70,000 since 2013 traveling to cities like Napa, California; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and almost 40 other destinations, averaging 13 trips per year within the past two years. The I-Team even found a hotel receipt showing a $1,792 charge for a five-day stay at the Marriott Wardman in northwest D.C. -- about 20 miles from her home. A college spokesman said the stay was necessary because Dr. Pollard helped host a conference there. Flight Upgrades, Extra Baggage and Room Service While county and federal policy prohibits employees from using taxpayer money to upgrade their flights, the I-Team found the rules at Montgomery College are different. Credit card receipts and expense reports submitted by Dr. Pollard show she spent more than $6,000 upgrading seats for both herself and her wife. The schools spokesman said Dr. Pollard needs the upgrades because she needs to use her laptop and her wife has pain from knee replacement surgery. The couple also spent at least $3,700 paying for extra and overweight baggage. One example dates from the summer of 2015, when Dr. Pollard spent more than $3,400 on airfare and upgraded seats to fly both herself and her wife to Honolulu and then Austin, Texas, for back-to-back conferences. They spent an additional $495 on luggage fees for their five additional bags. After spending $2,776 for a hotel room at the Moana Surfrider in Honolulu, they spent another $2,753 at the Four Seasons in Austin, racking up $500 on room service, including an $80 breakfast and a $49 dinner on the same night Dr. Pollard submitted a receipt for another $127 dinner at an Austin restaurant. Students like Linonetti were surprised at these costs. That's ridiculous, he said. It should be going back here to the people who are actually paying, the professors who are working hard." $850 Car Lease Plus a Car Service The I-Team also found at least 40 receipts for a pricey car service to transport Dr. Pollard and her wife, including multiple trips to local airports, for as much as $175 a pop one way. A 15-mile ride to D.C.s public radio station WAMU-FM, when Dr. Pollard was interviewed by radio show host Kojo Nnamdi about how many of her students rely on federal Pell grants and how to make community college more affordable, cost $292. A round-trip taxi ride would have cost less than a third the price, according to calculations made by the I-Team using popular taxi websites. Student Maiyra Holmes, who said she was looking for a part-time job because her financial aid wasnt enough to cover the cost of her tuition, said she was let-down by this type of spending. We're all working towards paying the tuition, Holmes said. And the fact she has all this money is ridiculous." Students also questioned why Dr. Pollard was even using the car service when the college is also paying $850 a month on her lease for an Infiniti Q70. According to her contract, the school also pays for all her gas, maintenance, parking and insurance. Reimbursement records obtained by the I-Team showed the school has spent more than $45,000 on her vehicle expenses since 2013. Students like Rehman said they think that money should go 110 percent back to the students. Chinyere agreed. Someone works for all that money, he said. No one gets money for free. Board of Trustees Supports President Both Dr. Pollard and the Board of Trustees declined requests for on-camera interviews. Spokesman Raymond Gilmer initially said he would do an on-camera interview but later explained the president and the board went behind closed doors and decided no one from the college would speak about the spending. Gilmer did tell the I-Team the college can afford the president's trips, which he explained in a subsequent email have "improved the college's visibility" and helped "foster strategic opportunities and partnerships that yield grants, scholarships, employee training agreements and more." In a written statement, the board told the I-Team, "The Montgomery College Board of Trustees greatly values Dr. DeRionne Pollards vision and leadership of the College, which serves 56,000 students a year as the most affordable higher education choice for Montgomery County residents. The Board resolutely supports Dr. Pollards management initiatives, strategic partnership advances here at home and abroad, and stewardship of resources in service to our students and community. Questions About Armed Driver The I-Team also received complaints from staffers who want to know why the college is now paying about $10,000 per month to rent yet another vehicle, this time an SUV, and pay for an off-duty police officer to pick Dr. Pollard up at home and drive her to work each day. Even though the college has its own unarmed campus security, records obtained by the I-Team show that starting in February, the college began paying $52 per hour for this armed driver to work between 10-to-15 hours a day. While drivers are not unusual, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement said, "There are very few university or college presidents who have armed details on a daily basis." The college initially said it hired the driver as part of a pilot program after "credible threats" were made against Dr. Pollard. When the I-Team pressed for details, the school showed records about a man who appeared to be homeless and tried to walk into the colleges administrative offices last fall, as well as a website that used a racial slur against Dr. Pollard when she first became president six years ago. Since hiring the armed guard, the college said Dr. Pollard has also seen a tweet and a separate Facebook post containing insensitive comments about her. The college asked us not to publish these documents, citing safety concerns. County Executives Take on Guard and Spending According to its website, Montgomery College receives 50 percent of its funding from county taxpayers, so the I-Team asked County Executive Ike Leggett to get his take on armed security. "It's not something you can take lightly, and you don't want to second guess this, Leggett said. So, the amount of money we're talking about is relatively small if you end up with incidents that can lead to greater harm." When the I-Team asked if Leggett was planning to review Dr. Pollards travel and transportation expenses since the I-Team received multiple complaints, he said on-camera that he was not alarmed by the expenses because there was transparency and they were approved by the board. But several people have asked me to take a look at it again, and I will certainly look at it, Leggett concluded. But a few days later, and just a couple of hours before publication, Leggetts spokesman sent a statement saying the county executive did not see any substantive issues of concern about Dr. Pollards expenses, explaining Leggetts previous on-camera comments were hypothetical because if folks had asked him to look at it, he would -- but to date no one has. The Grand Total In all, records show Dr. Pollard spent about $160,000 on travel, meals and transportation since 2013, the equivalent of a semesters tuition for about 80 students. That number does not include the $70,000 the school has spent on her private security. The I-Team did reach out to multiple higher education associations to find out how Dr. Pollard compares when it comes to other college presidents and whether other schools pay for spouses to travel, but so far, it appears no one is keeping track of that information. So what do you think? Tell us in the comments below. Reported by Tisha Thompson, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Jeff Piper. An adult and child were hurt when a car crashed into a liquor store in northwest D.C. Monday night, according to D.C. police. D.C. Fire and EMS responded to a report that a car crashed into a business in the 5200 block of Georgia Avenue NW just before 5:45 p.m. Police did not say how seriously the 28-year-old man and 3-year-old child were injured. They were taken to a hospital. Nearly 50 families facing eviction from their mobile homes in Northern Virginia are pushing officials to give them more time to relocate. Residents of East End Mobile Home Park in Manassas, Virginia, were stunned to hear in August that they would need to vacate their homes within six months. The owner told the city they could not afford to repair problems with the water and sewer system for the park. The city of Manassas will buy the property, disconnect the system and clean up the site. Families were told they needed to leave by the end of February. As that deadline approaches, residents will ask for an extension at a city hall meeting Monday night, wearing T-shirts that read, "Save our homes! Save East End Mobile Home Park!" The group wants to postpone the eviction date until August. Resident Melissa Watson said that would help minimize the impact on children who will have to change schools. "We're going to be moving them when they're prepping for these tests, and that's going to be detrimental to their education," she said. Community activity Nancy Lyall said an extension until August would allow the community to try to find alternative buyers for the property. "They put their life investments into these homes, and to just have that taken away from them we think is ridiculous and inhumane," she said. Moving the mobile homes that residents own would be financially impossible for many people; Watson said it would cost $15,000 to move her double-wide unit. Finding somewhere to put it also would be rough, she said. Neighbor Helen Sorto is helping even though she lives across the street from the trailer park, not in it. She said that when she heard about the eviction notices, she knew she had to help. "I told the residents that I would be fighting for you every step of the way. This is my country and I don't like the way they're treating many of these residents," she said. Watson said she was hopeful her family may be able to stay within the mobile home park. "I'm determined to help my family and help my entire community. I don't want to see anybody be homeless," she said. City officials declined to be interviewed on camera. A representative said the eviction date is not their decision because they do not yet own the property. #GivingTuesday is on track to shatter records as eager philanthropists and global citizens support the charities and causes they hold close to their hearts. Observed annually on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Since its inception in 2012, the movement has engaged over 10,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide and impacted over a million individuals in more than 70 countries. Here are some organizations you can help in the D.C. area: The College of Southern Maryland is using donations received on #GivingTuesday to launch its "Make An Impact" campaign. Donate here. The Salvation Army hopes to boost contributions on Giving Tuesday to provide for the financially disadvantaged during the holidays. Donate here. Donations to Marthas Table will go toward helping families in need. Donate here. Miriams Kitchen asks for donations to help end chronic homelessness in D.C. Donate here. Goodwill of Greater Washington is celebrating Giving Tuesday by raising money for job training programs. Donate here. A donation to the D.C. Diaper Bank will help ensure babies and toddlers grow up healthy with the diapers they need. Donate here. DC SCORES has a goal to serve every student in D.C. deserving of a team. Donate here. A donation to N Street Village will help hundreds of homeless and low-income women in D.C. Donate here. Help keep D.C. safe by giving to Collective Action for Safe Spaces, which aims to fight gender-based violence in D.C. Donate here. The Housing Initiative Partnership in Prince Georges County donations will help create housing and economic opportunities for low to moderate income families. Donate here. A donation to Kids R First will help more than 28,000 kids who struggle to afford school supplies in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Donate here. A donation to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault funds efforts to end sexual violence in Maryland. Donate here. Prince Georges Community College Foundation, Inc. has a list for ways to give, including cash donations, gifts and other methods. Their list of suggestions is here. The Friends of Guest House provides a list of ways to donate and support their work. Donate here. Donations to St. Coletta of Greater Washington will help provide a variety of hands-on learning opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Donate here. After three years of waiting, book lovers in Laurel, Maryland finally have a brand-new library to call their own. The Laurel Branch Library on 7th Street held its grand opening ceremony today. "It's amazing. We've been watching the construction for months and months and looking at the plans online and that sort of thing, so to see it finally open is just wonderful," said visitor Sarah Llewellyn, who brought her one-year-old daughter Ellie. "I'm excited, too, because they have reading programs for little kids, so I can come here and read to her." The new library replaces an old one that was built in 1965 and had asbestos problems. While the new one was being built, Laurel residents had been using a temporary library on Sandy Spring Road. The new library is 31,000 square feet and features over 50,000 books, DVDs and magazines. It has a dinosaur-themed "Childrens Room" that includes dinosaur replicas, toys and an interactive SMART table. There are also a number of environmentally-friendly features in the building: solar panels on the roof, electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot and a living plant wall in the study room that helps purify the air. Michael Gannon, chief operating officer for the Prince George's County library system, said he wants the library to be a "destination." "It's full of books because studies still show that children need to learn with physical books before they learn to read," Gannon said. Visitors today expressed excitement at finally being able to explore the new building. "I'm very excited. I've been waiting for this for a long time. It's so much bigger than the old one, and it's a lot closer to our house. So it'll be really nice to be able to walk or bike here," said visitor Grace Pollock. Another young visitor, Catherine Norton, said she plans to come back "a lot." "Everything looks so nice and there's a ton of books. I love reading," she said. For local author Richard Friend, who has written a book called Lost Laurel about the history of Laurel, today had special significance. "I used to work at the library years ago and I was hoping to finish my book before the old one was torn down, but I said I'm going to actually come here and shelve books like I used to. This is me shelving my book for a change," Friend said. Prince William County police have charged a Manassas man with murder after a fatal stabbing Thanksgiving night. Guillermo Estaban Urrego, of 10800 Daisy Court in Manassas, is being held without bond. Police say he knew the victim, Samuel Enrique Godoy-Figueroa, 27, who also lived in Manassas. They believe the two got into a fight behind a local business before the stabbing. Police found Godoy-Figueroa in the 8000 black of Stream Walk Lane at 8:20 p.m. He died from his injuries at the hospital. Water agencies are monitoring a sheen that is floating down the Potomac River, causing a river intake to close. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission said the Potomac Water Filtration Plant has an intake where the plume is expected to reach early Tuesday morning. In an abundance of caution, a boom has been placed in the river to divert water flow away from the intake, and the intake has been closed until the plume passes. WSSC does not expect any water supply shortage or any bad effects to its drinking water quality. The origin and makeup of the sheen is unknown, but early testing indicated it could be something similar to a hydraulic fluid or lubricant. It was first spotted near Point of Rocks, Maryland, on Sunday. Thousands of people are planning to participate in a demonstration in D.C. the day after Donald Trump becomes president -- but when and where they will be able to go on the National Mall is still up in the air. The organizers of the Women's March on Washington submitted an application for use of the Mall on Nov. 16, National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst said. But at least eight other groups already had applied for use of the same space on the same day, Saturday, Jan. 21. Organizers of the march likely will not get approval for as many as 200,000 people to march from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House, as WTOP reported. Permits are being issued on a first come, first served basis. But the Park Service will work with the group to find an alternate location and time, as it does for all groups, Litterst said. "We'll do everything we can to make sure they get a permit to exercise their First Amendment right," he said. Janaye Ingram, executive director of the civil rights organization the National Action Network, is handling logistics for the march. She said organizers knew when they applied for the demonstration permit that other groups already had applied. "We knew that going in and we were fine with that," she said. More groups than ever want to send the incoming presidential administration a message in the days surrounding the inauguration. The Park Service has received at least 15 applications for free speech events; that's more than they have received for any inauguration, Litterst said. Groups that have applied for use of the National Mall on Jan. 20 or Jan. 21 told the Park Service they plan to demonstrate against Trump, for Trump, against abortion, for women's rights, against war and for national unity. If every permit were approved, more than 337,000 people would be allowed onto the Mall to participate in demonstrations and other permitted events. The Park Service receives more than 3,000 applications per year for use of land on the National Mall and elsewhere in the region. Applications are accepted up to a year in advance. Demonstration organizers said on Facebook that their intent is to "join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore." "We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health and our families -- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country," a post by the organizers says. After Trump's win, several people said on Facebook that they would demonstrate in D.C. the day after the inauguration. They organized online, and within hours, tens of thousands of people said they would participate. "It's the most organic thing you've ever heard of," organizer Bob Bland told DCist. "We made the decision to collaborate and consolidate [on Nov. 10] -- right after we found out about each other." As of Tuesday morning, more than 124,000 Facebook users said on the march's national page that they were going to the march. More than 217,000 Facebook users said they were interested. And others said on individual state pages that they would go. Eataly Boston opened Tuesday at the Prudential Center. "Boston was a no brainer," said CEO Nicola Farinetti. Farinetti said when he visited the North End, he was inspired to build an Eataly in Boston. He also pointed to the city's college scene as an excellent way to reach young people. "It's a good age to try and make them understand what you put into your body is more important than what you put outside your body," said Farinetti. Celebrity chef and Eataly partner Mario Batali also explained that Eataly is not just a store, it's an experience. "You can come in and taste a million things, try a thousand wines, but it's really about the education," he said. "It's about informing the customer on how to make their own decisions. There is also a cooking school inside Eataly Boston, so you can learn how to use the ingredients you can buy in store." Walking around Eataly, you'll see there are individual sections devoted to cheese, wine, pasta and meats. Since this location is in Boston, there's also a seafood section, which encourages shoppers to try different fish in hopes of creating a more sustainable fishing environment. Famed Boston Chef Barbara Lynch was personally brought in by Mario Batali to consult on the seafood element of Eataly Boston. She says she was happy to share her knowledge of the local fishing industry. "This is a commitment to the public," Lynch said. Farinetti said the Boston Eataly hired over 650 workers at the restaurant. It's also working with local farms and vendors to supply the store with plenty of locally sourced goods. A Central Falls, Rhode Island, man has been arrested after police allege he shot and killed a man and disposed of and burned his body in a Lincoln field. Nineteen-year-old David DeLeon was ordered held without bail on a murder charge Monday at his arraignment in Providence. He is being held as a bail violator on a drug charge from September. Police said Monday they believe DeLeon fatally shot the man on Nov. 20 in Providence and got rid of the victim's body in Lincoln. Firefighters discovered the body that night after putting out a brush fire. Police worked to confirm whether that incident was connected to the Providence shooting. The Providence Journal reports that DeLeon's attorney didn't immediately return a request for comment. DeLeon is due back in court Dec. 12. The victim has still not been identified, according to WJAR. Two Connecticut residents are facing felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $1,000 worth of products at Yankee Candle Village over Thanksgiving weekend. Police in Deerfield, Massachusetts, say the pair, whose names have not yet been released, were first noticed by Yankee Candle staff as they were smuggling the candles out of the store in canvas bags. Staff members attempted to stop them, but the two fled in a vehicle. The employees were able to get an exact license plate number and vehicle description, and then alerted police. The pair was ultimately stopped by Whately police as the suspects were turning on I-91 southbound, and Deerfield police say officers were able to recover all of the stolen products. Deerfield police say they're seeking felony larceny charges against the Connecticut residents. A Massachusetts man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit and run crash over the weekend. Plymouth district attorney's office say they arrested Nilton Goncalves, 39, of Brockton was arrested Tuesday morning. He's due in Brockton District Court on charges in connection with the death of 25-year-old Sergio Licona of Brockton. It's unclear if Goncalves has an attorney. Police say Licona, a married father of three who came to the U.S. two years ago from Honduras to support his family back home, was hit outside of a nightclub early Friday morning. He died from his injuries Monday morning at Beth Israel Hospital. Goncalves turned himself in to police on Monday as well, according to the D.A. Baggage handlers and cabin cleaners are scheduled to go on strike Tuesday at Logan International Airport. The workers are calling on their employer, a contractor with the airport, to raise wages to $15 an hour, and to stop retaliating against workers who are fighting for union rights. Organizers said the strike will primarily impact Terminals C and E, but officials with Massport said the picketing is not expected to impact any flights in a major way. The strike is among several taking place at major airports including Chicago OHare International. The strike will also coincide with rallies across the country by fast food workers, hospital workers and Uber drivers as they fight for $15 dollars an hour in wages. Connecticut State police are investigating after a body was pulled from Halls Pond in Willington Tuesday morning. Police said the body was found in the pond off Route 32 around 10:35 a.m. Police are investigating the case as an untimely death. The victim has been identified as Tamara A. Harvey, 37, of Willington. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) conducted a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death and confirm her identity. Police said there is no criminal aspect to the untimely death. Icy weather caused some slick road conditions, leading to numerous crashes on highways in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont on Tuesday morning. Freezing rain and winter weather advisories were in effect in parts of all three states through about 10 a.m. Tuesday. That made for a messy morning commute in some areas. In New Hampshire, state police reported crashes on Interstate 93 in Northfield and on Route 123A in Acworth. The speed limit on the Maine Turnpike was reduced from 70 mph to 45 mph from Falmouth to Augusta on Tuesday morning. Crashes were reported in the southbound lane in Lewiston and Auburn, and officials asked drivers to use caution. Vermont State Police said icy conditions throughout the central and eastern parts of the state had them fielding numerous reports of cars off the road and other crashes. The north side of Interstate 89 was blocked between exits 8 and 7, causing significant traffic delays. Route 2 in Marshfield and Interstate 91 in the Sheffield Heights area were also experiencing serious congestion as a result of the weather conditions. No serious injuries were reported. Four kittens that were stuck in a storm drain at Quinnipiac University have been reunited with their mother and will be available for adoption. Jen, a student, said a group of people were trying to help get the kittens from the storm drain on campus Monday and the kitten rescue continued the next day. Jen said Hamden police and fire told the students that they were "too busy" to respond Monday night. A Quinnipiac University spokesman told NBC Connecticut that school workers opened the storm drain grate and got the kittens out on Monday but the kittens went back inside shortly after. School officials said the kittens were not trapped and could come and go as they please. Rescue group Super Paws Rescue Inc. told NBC Connecticut a student reached out to them Tuesday morning and that they were looking into the situation. Police said the assistant animal control officer received a message at 7 a.m. Tuesday university public safety staff, responded and rescued two of the kittens. Because of rain, police contacted public works crews to obtain sand bags to keep the storm drains from flooding. Super Paws Rescue also provided a tarp and university staff set up a canopy over the storm drain. A local contractor brought a camera to place into the drain and the two other kittens walked into netting and were rescued. The kittens are at Super Paws in Fairfield and will be checked out and spayed or neutered. They will likely be available in five to six weeks. For information, call 203-578-6396. On Wednesday, school officials said the mother cat was reuinited with the kittens at SuperPaws. See more pets available at Super Paws here. A judge in Maine has ordered two pit bulls euthanized after a brutal attack that injured one woman, and killed a puppy in Winslow last summer. The pit bulls owner, Danielle Jones, was found guilty of two counts of keeping a dangerous dog on Tuesday. Her dogs Bentley and Kole broke out of their fencing and attacked Jones neighbor, Sharron Carey, back in August. Carey suffered injuries to her hands that require surgery, and watched her Boston Terrier puppy, Fergie, die. It was a nightmare, said Carey. It still is. Prosecutors presented evidence that the pit bulls had attacked unprovoked before, while Jones defense attorney argued that the pit bull breed was being unfairly demonized, and that the court case was politicized. Jones took the stand in her own defense, and blamed the August attack on the actions of a fourth dog, who is seen in security camera footage running in the same area as the pit bulls. Jones said her pit bulls were provoked, and when they got out of the fencing, they went after the first dog they saw which happened to be the terrier. This was about justice for Fergie, said the victims husband, Bill Carey. Jones has 30 days to comply with the judges order to euthanize. Police in Maine are searching for a man who they say could be possibly armed and dangerous. According to the Berwick Police Department's Facebook page, Bo Rodden, 25, is wanted for domestic violence assault and domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. Rodden, who's last known address was in Rindge, New Hampshire, allegedly threatened that he was armed with a firearm. Anyone with information on Rodden's whereabouts, is asked to contact Berwick Police at 207-698-1136. Another Massachusetts congressman has officially thrown his support behind U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan's bid to unseat Nancy Pelosi as Democratic leader in the House. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday that Americans sent a clear message in the recent election that the status quo isn't working. He says the Democratic Party must respond to challenges posed by Republican President-elect Donald Trump. Ryan, an Ohio Democrat, announced plans earlier this month to challenge Pelosi, the California Democrat who served four years as speaker before Republicans won back the House in 2011. Moulton's endorsement wasn't surprising. He previously led a successful effort to delay the leadership vote, which is now scheduled for Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, a Boston Democrat, announced his support for Ryan Monday. The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife said a robot assisted wardens in busting a man accused of shooting a rifle from the drivers seat of a truck. Justin Andrews, 22, of Colchester, is accused of firing from the vehicle Sunday afternoon. The department occasionally uses deer decoys with animated heads to catch people firing from public roads, which is illegal in Vermont. Permitted hunters must be at least 25 feet off the road before discharging their firearm, said Jeremy Schmid, a game warden with the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife. When you have someone shooting within 25 feet of a public highway or from a vehicle, it becomes a huge safety concern, Schmid told necn. Especially when they get that tunnel vision: when they see a deer, they dont know what their backstop is. They dont know what theyre shooting towards, that could really become a serious issue. Schmid said he had one of the robo-bucks out this past weekend in rural Lamoille County following complaints from residents in the area about people shooting from their vehicles. It was during that operation Schmid said he saw Andrews fire from his truck. The suspect also is accused of speeding from the scene after game wardens announced their presence, Schmid said, but they caught up with him a few miles down the road following a pursuit. Andrews was cited to appear in court in January to answer to the charges. If he is convicted, he could be fined, lose his hunting and fishing privileges in Vermont, and may have to forfeit the rifle to the state, fish and wildlife officials said. Andrews is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Vermont state records show in 2015, there were 135 complaints of people shooting from public roadways. Wardens said deer are the most common targets, but other animals are also targeted, including foxes or turkeys. Its not sportsmanlike and it is unethical, Lt. Carl Wedin of the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife said of shooting from ones vehicle on a public road. Wedin said the robotic deer decoys are only used in secure areas with backdrops such as trees that can catch bullets fired toward them. The operations are closely monitored, he said, to ensure safety in the area. Wedin indicated his hope is that the realistic-looking lures can protect real deer and the public from illegal shooting from cars and trucks, both by serving as a deterrent when people learn of the tools, and by helping catch offenders. It gives huntersthe real huntersa bad name, Wedin said of firing at animals from a vehicle. Theres a lot of people out there that do things the right way and make hunting a sport, which is what its all about. And theres other guys that dont do it so ethically. Wedin and Schmid said in addition to utilizing the robotic deer on occasions, they also monitor live deer if they see the animals grazing or hanging out in a field in an area where there have been reports of shooting from the road or night poaching. If they come upon such a scene, Wedin and Schmid said wardens may remain on the side of the road until the animals have moved along, watching to see if anyone attempts to shoot at the animals from vehicles or the side of the road. SV Krishna Chaitanya By Express News Service CHENNAI: With just two days left for IIT placement season to begin, it seems startups have lost their flavour this year. It is learnt that only 20 startups have confirmed their participation in the placement at IIT Madras this year, while last year 97 had lined-up making 285 offers. This is the norm at all IITs across the country, according to the All-IITs Placement Committee. E-commerce giant Flipkart preferred to stay out with the obligation of honouring last years recruitment commitment. However, the good news is that core companies are filling up the vacuum left by the startups. A record 402 companies have booked a slot at IIT Madras and it is estimated that close to 1,400 offers would be up for grabs. A total of 1,206 students are in contention. On December 1, the day one of placement season, 22 companies would lure the cream. And no startup is on the list on Day one. Besides startups turmoil, Chennai floods in December last has hampered the recruitment drive. Only 216 companies out of 300-odd firms registered ended visiting the IIT Madras making 872 offers, which was way below par. Kaustubha Mohanty, All-IITs Placement Committee (AIPC) convener, told Express that Flipkart hasnt yet absorbed students previously hired. The company has committed to take onboard all the students by December 1. We will wait till December first week and if the company fails to keep its word, AIPC will blacklist Flipkart, Mohanty said. Earlier this month, Nitin Seth, Chief Administrative Officer of Flipkart, released a statement saying the firm has 175 students from IITs interning and will make PPO offers to some of them. We had deferred joining of about 250-odd students from IITs and IIMs who will join us in mid-December, he added. To a query, the AIPC convener confessed that there was a dip in startups participation across all IITs. We dont want these firms to play with the careers of our students, he said adding that AIPC had blacklisted 30 companies, including 28 startups, for one year in August following last years mess-up. Also, 12 other companies were issued warning letters. These 12 companies are also not taking part in placement drive this season and are under the scanner like Flipkart. CHENNAI: With just two days left for IIT placement season to begin, it seems startups have lost their flavour this year. It is learnt that only 20 startups have confirmed their participation in the placement at IIT Madras this year, while last year 97 had lined-up making 285 offers. This is the norm at all IITs across the country, according to the All-IITs Placement Committee. E-commerce giant Flipkart preferred to stay out with the obligation of honouring last years recruitment commitment. However, the good news is that core companies are filling up the vacuum left by the startups. A record 402 companies have booked a slot at IIT Madras and it is estimated that close to 1,400 offers would be up for grabs. A total of 1,206 students are in contention. On December 1, the day one of placement season, 22 companies would lure the cream. And no startup is on the list on Day one. Besides startups turmoil, Chennai floods in December last has hampered the recruitment drive. Only 216 companies out of 300-odd firms registered ended visiting the IIT Madras making 872 offers, which was way below par. Kaustubha Mohanty, All-IITs Placement Committee (AIPC) convener, told Express that Flipkart hasnt yet absorbed students previously hired. The company has committed to take onboard all the students by December 1. We will wait till December first week and if the company fails to keep its word, AIPC will blacklist Flipkart, Mohanty said. Earlier this month, Nitin Seth, Chief Administrative Officer of Flipkart, released a statement saying the firm has 175 students from IITs interning and will make PPO offers to some of them. We had deferred joining of about 250-odd students from IITs and IIMs who will join us in mid-December, he added. To a query, the AIPC convener confessed that there was a dip in startups participation across all IITs. We dont want these firms to play with the careers of our students, he said adding that AIPC had blacklisted 30 companies, including 28 startups, for one year in August following last years mess-up. Also, 12 other companies were issued warning letters. These 12 companies are also not taking part in placement drive this season and are under the scanner like Flipkart. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Top leaders, including DMK treasurer MK Stalin, were arrested by the police here on Monday when they resorted to a spirited stir against demonetisation of `500 and `1,000 currency notes. A large number of DMK men led by Stalin gathered near the head office of Indian Bank at Parrys Corner here in the city raising slogans against the currency ban which has put the people in distress. They staged a demonstration despite the police refusal of permission. M K Stalin addressing DMK cadre | D sampathkumar The policemen, who were deployed in large numbers, rounded up the DMK members once Stalin concluded his address and took them away. Finally, Stalin, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, was whisked away in a police vehicle from the protest venue, along with legislators including PK Sekarbabu , Ma. Subramanian, J Anbalagan and S Sudarsanam who were also arrested. Former Union Ministers TR Balu and Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan also courted arrest. Congress stir The activists of the Congress party, which spearheads the stir against demonetisation at the national level, staged a demonstration near the head post office on Anna Salai. The cops detained several including Tamil Nadu Congress Committee's S Thirunavukkarasar. Road blockade disrupts traffic The SBIs local head office in Nungambakkam witnessed a spirited protest as activists of the Left parties, VCK and traders federation resorted to a road roko against demonetisation. The protest lead to disruption of traffic on the arterial College Road. Tension and panic prevailed as a group of cadre barged into the SBI office. The cops and the security personnel of the bank chased them out of the premises. Top leaders G Ramakrishnan (CPM), R Mutharasan (CPI), S Kumarasamy (CPI-ML), A Rangasamy (SUCI) and D Ravikumar (VCK) were detained by the cops following the protest. The president of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peravai T Vellaiyan joined the Left and the VCK in the protest against demonetisation while AM Vikaramaraja, president of rival organisation Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peramaippu would stage a separate demonstration on Tuesday. The arrested leaders and cadre of political parties and other organisations were released in the evening. CHENNAI: Top leaders, including DMK treasurer MK Stalin, were arrested by the police here on Monday when they resorted to a spirited stir against demonetisation of `500 and `1,000 currency notes. A large number of DMK men led by Stalin gathered near the head office of Indian Bank at Parrys Corner here in the city raising slogans against the currency ban which has put the people in distress. They staged a demonstration despite the police refusal of permission. M K Stalin addressing DMK cadre | D sampathkumar The policemen, who were deployed in large numbers, rounded up the DMK members once Stalin concluded his address and took them away. Finally, Stalin, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, was whisked away in a police vehicle from the protest venue, along with legislators including PK Sekarbabu , Ma. Subramanian, J Anbalagan and S Sudarsanam who were also arrested. Former Union Ministers TR Balu and Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan also courted arrest. Congress stir The activists of the Congress party, which spearheads the stir against demonetisation at the national level, staged a demonstration near the head post office on Anna Salai. The cops detained several including Tamil Nadu Congress Committee's S Thirunavukkarasar.Road blockade disrupts traffic The SBIs local head office in Nungambakkam witnessed a spirited protest as activists of the Left parties, VCK and traders federation resorted to a road roko against demonetisation. The protest lead to disruption of traffic on the arterial College Road. Tension and panic prevailed as a group of cadre barged into the SBI office. The cops and the security personnel of the bank chased them out of the premises. Top leaders G Ramakrishnan (CPM), R Mutharasan (CPI), S Kumarasamy (CPI-ML), A Rangasamy (SUCI) and D Ravikumar (VCK) were detained by the cops following the protest. The president of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peravai T Vellaiyan joined the Left and the VCK in the protest against demonetisation while AM Vikaramaraja, president of rival organisation Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankankalin Peramaippu would stage a separate demonstration on Tuesday. The arrested leaders and cadre of political parties and other organisations were released in the evening. Ram M Sundaram By Express News Service CHENNAI: A crisis that has hit the Christian community the hardest. Short of space, Chennai cemeteries have hit a dead end. The cemeteries in the city have been running short of space for years now, forcing them to deny space to any except those families that have a burial spot. Facing severe space crunch, it was the oldest and biggest cemetery at Kilpauk that decided on innovation by introducing the 450-unit multi-tier vault system in 2007. However, in just eight years, this has also been filled, forcing the Madras Cemeteries Board Trust to approach the Chennai Corporation seeking permission to open the vault to clear the remains. But there is a catch: as per norms, the vault is supposed to be opened only once in 13 years. That is 2020, still four long years to go. The trust wrote to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner, D Karthikeyan, last month allowing them to open vaults. But there has been no response from the authorities. Without their nod, we cant break open the sealed doors, said D Bosco Alangar Raj, secretary of the trust. Local body authorities, on the other hand, maintained that they were bound by rules. As per government norms, we are allowed to unseal the vault only once in 13 years, said a senior Corporation official. Pointing out to the serious crisis that the community is facing to bury its dead, Alangar Raj said the authorities should provide poromboke land for burial if special permission cannot be granted to open the vaults once in seven years. The once-sprawling cemeteries began feeling the shortage in the last decade or so. The Kilpauk cemetery even had to shut down 11 years ago for the same reason, after which burials were limited to those families that have space. Relatives of the deceased had a tough time in finding a burial ground amid all grief and trauma that followed their deaths. With the cemeteries at Foreshore Estate, Purasawalkam, St Thomas Mount and Poonamallee too, reaching full capacity, families have to travel all the way to Kasimedu, the only Corporation-run crematorium with hardly 15 per cent space left. Alangar Raj added that with hardly any space left in the five-acre Kasimedu cemetery - only to accommodate 150-200 more bodies, there will be a crisis among the Christian community in coming months to bury their dead. CHENNAI: A crisis that has hit the Christian community the hardest. Short of space, Chennai cemeteries have hit a dead end. The cemeteries in the city have been running short of space for years now, forcing them to deny space to any except those families that have a burial spot. Facing severe space crunch, it was the oldest and biggest cemetery at Kilpauk that decided on innovation by introducing the 450-unit multi-tier vault system in 2007. However, in just eight years, this has also been filled, forcing the Madras Cemeteries Board Trust to approach the Chennai Corporation seeking permission to open the vault to clear the remains. But there is a catch: as per norms, the vault is supposed to be opened only once in 13 years. That is 2020, still four long years to go. The trust wrote to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner, D Karthikeyan, last month allowing them to open vaults. But there has been no response from the authorities. Without their nod, we cant break open the sealed doors, said D Bosco Alangar Raj, secretary of the trust. Local body authorities, on the other hand, maintained that they were bound by rules. As per government norms, we are allowed to unseal the vault only once in 13 years, said a senior Corporation official. Pointing out to the serious crisis that the community is facing to bury its dead, Alangar Raj said the authorities should provide poromboke land for burial if special permission cannot be granted to open the vaults once in seven years. The once-sprawling cemeteries began feeling the shortage in the last decade or so. The Kilpauk cemetery even had to shut down 11 years ago for the same reason, after which burials were limited to those families that have space. Relatives of the deceased had a tough time in finding a burial ground amid all grief and trauma that followed their deaths. With the cemeteries at Foreshore Estate, Purasawalkam, St Thomas Mount and Poonamallee too, reaching full capacity, families have to travel all the way to Kasimedu, the only Corporation-run crematorium with hardly 15 per cent space left. Alangar Raj added that with hardly any space left in the five-acre Kasimedu cemetery - only to accommodate 150-200 more bodies, there will be a crisis among the Christian community in coming months to bury their dead. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The cascading effect of demonetisation would impact the real estate sector in the city with property prices not easing in the coming months. If experts from the field are to be believed, the prices are set to soar with the roll out of Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in 2017. However, the property prices will not see any significant change for the time being, says Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI). The city has low inventory of property than other metros in the country that are yet to be sold. Most of the big projects in the city are still under construction. If the property prices go down any further in Hyderabad, we cant afford to do business, said P Ramakrishna Rao, general secretary, CREDAI. The sector is in a revival mode and RERA is expected to bring confidence among buyers. With demonetisation, more money is being deposited with the banks and this is expected to bring out EMI for the buyer, he added. With roll out of GST and RERA in 2017, the price of real estate is expected to go up. For property buyer, its not good news. Both Telangana and AP has low VAT taxes. GST is expected to be set at 18 per cent but a 7 per cent property value for stamp duty, a two per cent property value for transfer fee and 0.5 per cent as registration fee could result in the buyer paying close to 27.5 per cent in taxes, say experts. The real estate buyers in Hyderabad are mostly salaried employees who form 95 per cent of the mid-segment housing, said S Ram Reddy, president, CREDAI. The pricing most preferred by this group range between `25 lakh to `1 crore, he added. The funding by home buyers are mainly through bank loans. The organised real estate sector in the city had moved to cashless transactions a few years back. The industry is funded mainly through banks and financial institutions. HYDERABAD: The cascading effect of demonetisation would impact the real estate sector in the city with property prices not easing in the coming months. If experts from the field are to be believed, the prices are set to soar with the roll out of Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in 2017. However, the property prices will not see any significant change for the time being, says Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI). The city has low inventory of property than other metros in the country that are yet to be sold. Most of the big projects in the city are still under construction. If the property prices go down any further in Hyderabad, we cant afford to do business, said P Ramakrishna Rao, general secretary, CREDAI. The sector is in a revival mode and RERA is expected to bring confidence among buyers. With demonetisation, more money is being deposited with the banks and this is expected to bring out EMI for the buyer, he added. With roll out of GST and RERA in 2017, the price of real estate is expected to go up. For property buyer, its not good news. Both Telangana and AP has low VAT taxes. GST is expected to be set at 18 per cent but a 7 per cent property value for stamp duty, a two per cent property value for transfer fee and 0.5 per cent as registration fee could result in the buyer paying close to 27.5 per cent in taxes, say experts. The real estate buyers in Hyderabad are mostly salaried employees who form 95 per cent of the mid-segment housing, said S Ram Reddy, president, CREDAI. The pricing most preferred by this group range between `25 lakh to `1 crore, he added. The funding by home buyers are mainly through bank loans. The organised real estate sector in the city had moved to cashless transactions a few years back. The industry is funded mainly through banks and financial institutions. Purnima Sriram By Express News Service Arey beta, there is only 50 percent probability of divorce when girls get married before 25 years. The meddlesome aunts screechy stance made the audience watching the Alia Bhatt-starrer Dear Zindagi roll their eyes. Every family has such aunts. But the shrewd reply of Kaira (played by Alia Bhatt) on how one can totallty avoid divorce by not getting married at all cracked up everyone. Much like this new age movie directed by Gauri Shinde and starring Shah Rukh Khan, marriage is the most debated and hated word of the generation. Rememeber the line, Bachpan tho gaya, jawaani bhi gayi, ab bas ek pal jeene do jeene do! Just when the graduates celebrate the good riddance to algorithms, thermodynamics and Trignomtery, they are exposed to other institution called the marriage. While a few argue that it is the right age that matters in having a successful marital ride, a few others deliberate that its the maturity in understanding the magnitude of the relationship that matters. The new generation, of course, believe that the self-confidence infused by a flourishing career is what helps one face the googlies marriage throws at them. Really, what is the right age to marry? Richa Khetawat, clinical psychologist and online counseller with familycounselling.co.in, says that embarking on the nuptial journey in early twenties is too early, in a few cases.In individual cases, when a person is sure and has found the right match and wants to take it forward, there is no problem. Family pressure in early 20s is too early. But then, pressure to marry itself not a good idea, at any age. A woman has to be and feel independent before getting married. Otherwise she may face an identity crisis and find it difficult to face marital challenges. She would also be more vulnerable to emotional abuse. She may also find it difficult to manage and express her emotions appropriately. This could lead to marital rifts, she informs. Richa adds that age is not the best factor to decide whether or when to get married. She says every girl has her own personality/goals and value system. A girl with a low self-esteem will not be treated fairly in a marriage. She is bound to live with insecurities which makes it difficult to have a healthy marital life. A womans worth does not lie in the fact that she is married or not, this is just a cultural illusion in India. If this was the case, then every married woman in India should have been high on self- esteem as they are worthy of it. But that is not exactly the case, she explains. Hema Balasubramanian, owner of Color d Earth terracotta jewellery line, says she got married at 22 and feels it was too early. Being financially independent should be the single most important criteria for a girl to get married. This definitely paves the way for greater mutual respect in both partner, which is the foundation for a sound marriage, she gives her insight. Sarvamangala Chavali, another successful entrepreneur, who is known for her brands Anagha and Saran, also says there is no right age to get married; age is just a number. On should check the relationship they share within themselves, so that help it will help us identify when we might be ready for marriage, she adds. Young girls in the film industry like Ritu Varma and Nivedha Thomas feel girls should establish a career for themselves and feel empowered before taking up matrimony on their shoulders. I think girls should get married when they feel they are ready for it and not because theyre under the pressure of their parents or relatives, says the Pellichoopulu actress. Interestingly, she walks this talk in her recent blockbuster movie too. She puts her foot down to tell her dad that first she wants to realise her career dreams. Saumya Tandon, the prime time face of soap operas, voices that marriage needs a lot of patience and maturity. When we are young, a lot of things are difficult to handle and understand. Age and experience plays a pivotal role in choosing our partner and for the right reasons, she opines. Arey beta, there is only 50 percent probability of divorce when girls get married before 25 years. The meddlesome aunts screechy stance made the audience watching the Alia Bhatt-starrer Dear Zindagi roll their eyes. Every family has such aunts. But the shrewd reply of Kaira (played by Alia Bhatt) on how one can totallty avoid divorce by not getting married at all cracked up everyone. Much like this new age movie directed by Gauri Shinde and starring Shah Rukh Khan, marriage is the most debated and hated word of the generation. Rememeber the line, Bachpan tho gaya, jawaani bhi gayi, ab bas ek pal jeene do jeene do! Just when the graduates celebrate the good riddance to algorithms, thermodynamics and Trignomtery, they are exposed to other institution called the marriage. While a few argue that it is the right age that matters in having a successful marital ride, a few others deliberate that its the maturity in understanding the magnitude of the relationship that matters. The new generation, of course, believe that the self-confidence infused by a flourishing career is what helps one face the googlies marriage throws at them. Really, what is the right age to marry? Richa Khetawat, clinical psychologist and online counseller with familycounselling.co.in, says that embarking on the nuptial journey in early twenties is too early, in a few cases.In individual cases, when a person is sure and has found the right match and wants to take it forward, there is no problem. Family pressure in early 20s is too early. But then, pressure to marry itself not a good idea, at any age. A woman has to be and feel independent before getting married. Otherwise she may face an identity crisis and find it difficult to face marital challenges. She would also be more vulnerable to emotional abuse. She may also find it difficult to manage and express her emotions appropriately. This could lead to marital rifts, she informs. Richa adds that age is not the best factor to decide whether or when to get married. She says every girl has her own personality/goals and value system. A girl with a low self-esteem will not be treated fairly in a marriage. She is bound to live with insecurities which makes it difficult to have a healthy marital life. A womans worth does not lie in the fact that she is married or not, this is just a cultural illusion in India. If this was the case, then every married woman in India should have been high on self- esteem as they are worthy of it. But that is not exactly the case, she explains. Hema Balasubramanian, owner of Color d Earth terracotta jewellery line, says she got married at 22 and feels it was too early. Being financially independent should be the single most important criteria for a girl to get married. This definitely paves the way for greater mutual respect in both partner, which is the foundation for a sound marriage, she gives her insight. Sarvamangala Chavali, another successful entrepreneur, who is known for her brands Anagha and Saran, also says there is no right age to get married; age is just a number. On should check the relationship they share within themselves, so that help it will help us identify when we might be ready for marriage, she adds. Young girls in the film industry like Ritu Varma and Nivedha Thomas feel girls should establish a career for themselves and feel empowered before taking up matrimony on their shoulders. I think girls should get married when they feel they are ready for it and not because theyre under the pressure of their parents or relatives, says the Pellichoopulu actress. Interestingly, she walks this talk in her recent blockbuster movie too. She puts her foot down to tell her dad that first she wants to realise her career dreams. Saumya Tandon, the prime time face of soap operas, voices that marriage needs a lot of patience and maturity. When we are young, a lot of things are difficult to handle and understand. Age and experience plays a pivotal role in choosing our partner and for the right reasons, she opines. By IANS LONDON: The way women look at things may differ significantly from how men see. Researchers have found that women and men look at faces and absorb visual information in different ways. "This study is the first demonstration of a clear gender difference in how men and women look at faces," said lead author Antoine Coutrot from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The study suggests there is a gender difference in understanding visual cues. "There are numerous claims in popular culture that women and men look at things differently - this is the first demonstration, using eye tracking, to support this claim," co-author Isabelle Mareschal from QMUL's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences added. The researchers used an eye tracking device on almost 500 participants over a five-week period to monitor and judge how much eye contact they felt comfortable with while looking at a face on a computer screen. They found that women looked more at the left-hand side of faces and had a strong left eye bias, but that they also explored the face much more than men. The team observed that it was possible to tell the gender of the participant based on the scanning pattern of how they looked at the face with nearly 80 per cent accuracy. Given the very large sample size the researchers suggested that this was not due to chance. "We are able to establish the gender of the participant based on how they scan the actors' face, and can eliminate that it wasn't based on the culture of the participant as nearly 60 nationalities have been tested. "We can also eliminate any other observable characteristics like perceived attractiveness or trustworthiness," Coutrot noted. The findings, published in the Journal of Vision, suggest the gender difference in scanning visual information might impact many research fields, such as autism diagnosis or even everyday behaviours like watching a movie or looking at the road while driving. LONDON: The way women look at things may differ significantly from how men see. Researchers have found that women and men look at faces and absorb visual information in different ways. "This study is the first demonstration of a clear gender difference in how men and women look at faces," said lead author Antoine Coutrot from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The study suggests there is a gender difference in understanding visual cues. "There are numerous claims in popular culture that women and men look at things differently - this is the first demonstration, using eye tracking, to support this claim," co-author Isabelle Mareschal from QMUL's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences added. The researchers used an eye tracking device on almost 500 participants over a five-week period to monitor and judge how much eye contact they felt comfortable with while looking at a face on a computer screen. They found that women looked more at the left-hand side of faces and had a strong left eye bias, but that they also explored the face much more than men. The team observed that it was possible to tell the gender of the participant based on the scanning pattern of how they looked at the face with nearly 80 per cent accuracy. Given the very large sample size the researchers suggested that this was not due to chance. "We are able to establish the gender of the participant based on how they scan the actors' face, and can eliminate that it wasn't based on the culture of the participant as nearly 60 nationalities have been tested. "We can also eliminate any other observable characteristics like perceived attractiveness or trustworthiness," Coutrot noted. The findings, published in the Journal of Vision, suggest the gender difference in scanning visual information might impact many research fields, such as autism diagnosis or even everyday behaviours like watching a movie or looking at the road while driving. By Express News Service MADURAI: Based on specific intelligence inputs, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in collaboration with Tamil Nadu and Telangana police on Monday arrested three Al Qaeda suspects from Madurai and Chennai where they were running 'The Base Movement' of the terror outfit. The agencies have also arrested a fourth suspect who is yet to be formally arrested. The three arrested include Abbas Ali, 27, resident of 11/23, second floor, 4th street, Ismailpuram, Munichalai Road, Madurai. He is VIII standard dropout and worked as a painter. He also runs a library in the name of Darul Ilm at Madurai and Suleiman, 23, presently residing at Chennai. He originally hails from Karimsa Pallivasal, Madurai. He works in a software firm and was the mastermind of the terror gang. File photo of Mohammed Ayub (23) of Athikulam of Madurai, who is one among three youths arrested by NIA | Special arrangemnt by EPS The third arrested person is Samsun Karim Raja is a resident of Viswanatha Nagar, K. Pudur, Madurai. He is a B. Com graduate and runs a chicken broiler shop at Kannimara Koil street in Madurai. The fourth one apprehended is Mohammad Ayub Ali, 25 and is a resident of Island Nagar, Madurai. He is a Public Liaison Officer for a hearing aid company. The arrested trio and the apprehended fourth suspect are being questioned jointly by the sleuths of Intelligence Bureau and NIA. They will be taken to Bengaluru for further investigation, a senior NIA official said here. In the last 24 hours, in a joint operation with Tamil Nadu police and Telangana police, the investigators of NIA have apprehended four youths for their involvement in the blasts at court complexes. During sustained examination, they have confessed their involvement in these blasts, the NIA said in a statement. Searches yielded certain digital devices like mobile phones and hard discs from their possession, the NIA said. The agencies are searching for two other suspected Al-Qaeda operatives, Hakeem and Dawood Sulaiman, agency sources said. The three arrested accused will be produced before local courts in Chennai and Madurai for seeking transit remand for taking them to NIA Special Court at Bengaluru. The NIA case relating to Mysuru blast case has been registered, the NIA statement added. A top IB official here said all the three arrested persons were involved in bombing at courts, including Mysore, Chittoor, Kollam, Nellore and Malapuram. According to preliminary questioning, the trio was allegedly planning to attack 22 top leaders of the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A series of five bomb blasts occurred in South India since April this year. These blasts included the one at vehicle parking at District Court Complex in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh on April 7, 2016, car parking area of CJM Court Complex, Kollam, Kerala on June 15, 2016, Court Complex Mysore, Karnataka on August1, 2016, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh on September 12, 2016 and toilet complex of Judicial Court, Malappuram, Kerala on November 1, 2016. Subsequently, the Centre had entrusted the Mysore Police Station case no 63/2016 under sections relating to criminal conspiracy, Explosives Act under the IPC and certain provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act among others to the NIA for investigation. The NIA registered the case September 20 vide case number RC-03/2016/NIA/Hyderabad in connection with the blasts at Mysore Court Complex. The responsibility of the blasts was claimed by an organisation called The Base Movement in its propaganda material circulated through pen drives and pamphlets, left behind at the crime scenes of the blasts at Nellore and Malappuram court premises. MADURAI: Based on specific intelligence inputs, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in collaboration with Tamil Nadu and Telangana police on Monday arrested three Al Qaeda suspects from Madurai and Chennai where they were running 'The Base Movement' of the terror outfit. The agencies have also arrested a fourth suspect who is yet to be formally arrested. The three arrested include Abbas Ali, 27, resident of 11/23, second floor, 4th street, Ismailpuram, Munichalai Road, Madurai. He is VIII standard dropout and worked as a painter. He also runs a library in the name of Darul Ilm at Madurai and Suleiman, 23, presently residing at Chennai. He originally hails from Karimsa Pallivasal, Madurai. He works in a software firm and was the mastermind of the terror gang. File photo of Mohammed Ayub (23) of Athikulam of Madurai, who is one among three youths arrested by NIA | Special arrangemnt by EPSThe third arrested person is Samsun Karim Raja is a resident of Viswanatha Nagar, K. Pudur, Madurai. He is a B. Com graduate and runs a chicken broiler shop at Kannimara Koil street in Madurai. The fourth one apprehended is Mohammad Ayub Ali, 25 and is a resident of Island Nagar, Madurai. He is a Public Liaison Officer for a hearing aid company. The arrested trio and the apprehended fourth suspect are being questioned jointly by the sleuths of Intelligence Bureau and NIA. They will be taken to Bengaluru for further investigation, a senior NIA official said here. In the last 24 hours, in a joint operation with Tamil Nadu police and Telangana police, the investigators of NIA have apprehended four youths for their involvement in the blasts at court complexes. During sustained examination, they have confessed their involvement in these blasts, the NIA said in a statement. Searches yielded certain digital devices like mobile phones and hard discs from their possession, the NIA said. The agencies are searching for two other suspected Al-Qaeda operatives, Hakeem and Dawood Sulaiman, agency sources said. The three arrested accused will be produced before local courts in Chennai and Madurai for seeking transit remand for taking them to NIA Special Court at Bengaluru. The NIA case relating to Mysuru blast case has been registered, the NIA statement added. A top IB official here said all the three arrested persons were involved in bombing at courts, including Mysore, Chittoor, Kollam, Nellore and Malapuram. According to preliminary questioning, the trio was allegedly planning to attack 22 top leaders of the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A series of five bomb blasts occurred in South India since April this year. These blasts included the one at vehicle parking at District Court Complex in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh on April 7, 2016, car parking area of CJM Court Complex, Kollam, Kerala on June 15, 2016, Court Complex Mysore, Karnataka on August1, 2016, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh on September 12, 2016 and toilet complex of Judicial Court, Malappuram, Kerala on November 1, 2016. Subsequently, the Centre had entrusted the Mysore Police Station case no 63/2016 under sections relating to criminal conspiracy, Explosives Act under the IPC and certain provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act among others to the NIA for investigation. The NIA registered the case September 20 vide case number RC-03/2016/NIA/Hyderabad in connection with the blasts at Mysore Court Complex. The responsibility of the blasts was claimed by an organisation called The Base Movement in its propaganda material circulated through pen drives and pamphlets, left behind at the crime scenes of the blasts at Nellore and Malappuram court premises. Anand S T Das By Express News Service PATNA: Police in Jharkhands Dumka district on Monday recovered a huge cache of traditional weapons usually wielded by tribal people from the boys hostel of SP College and detained six boarders of the hostel. Nearly 20,000 bows and arrows, iron axes, pickaxes and machetes along with liquor bottles and bombs were recovered at the hostel run by the State tribal welfare department, said police. The boarders at the hostel, most of them students of the college under Sidho-Kanhu University, are suspected of having perpetrated violent acts during the Statewide bandh against the Raghubar Das-led government on November 25. The weapons, police believe, had been stored with the intent to start an attack on the government later. District police and Rapid Action Force jawans raided the hostel after a tip-off and discovered the weapons. We have detained six hostel boarders, who may be arrested depending on verification and interrogations, said Dumka SP Prabhat Kumar. The detained hostel boarders are suspected to have led a mob of students and public in setting at least eight lorries afire during the shutdown called by Opposition parties to protest amendments to the CNT Act and SPT Act effected by the State government. It is being verified if the hostel houses outsiders who are non-students and habitual offenders. All the boarders have been asked to vacate. After verification of personal and academic details of the boarders, action would be taken, said Dumka deputy commissioner Rahul Sinha. PATNA: Police in Jharkhands Dumka district on Monday recovered a huge cache of traditional weapons usually wielded by tribal people from the boys hostel of SP College and detained six boarders of the hostel. Nearly 20,000 bows and arrows, iron axes, pickaxes and machetes along with liquor bottles and bombs were recovered at the hostel run by the State tribal welfare department, said police. The boarders at the hostel, most of them students of the college under Sidho-Kanhu University, are suspected of having perpetrated violent acts during the Statewide bandh against the Raghubar Das-led government on November 25. The weapons, police believe, had been stored with the intent to start an attack on the government later. District police and Rapid Action Force jawans raided the hostel after a tip-off and discovered the weapons. We have detained six hostel boarders, who may be arrested depending on verification and interrogations, said Dumka SP Prabhat Kumar. The detained hostel boarders are suspected to have led a mob of students and public in setting at least eight lorries afire during the shutdown called by Opposition parties to protest amendments to the CNT Act and SPT Act effected by the State government. It is being verified if the hostel houses outsiders who are non-students and habitual offenders. All the boarders have been asked to vacate. After verification of personal and academic details of the boarders, action would be taken, said Dumka deputy commissioner Rahul Sinha. Santwana Bhattacharya By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Terming the Centres sudden demonetisation as an anti-people move that has thrown life in urban and rural India out of gear, prominent non-BJP and non-NDA leaders took to the street and courted arrest across the country on Monday. AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal first got into a Twitter war with Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma over how much money he was spending on his sons wedding. His old friend, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, however, managed to finally carry his party, the JD(U), away from the protest itch, leaving his partys prominent parliamentarians such as Sharad Yadav and K C Tyagi missing in action. In Patna and elsewhere in Bihar, the protests were held by the JD(U)s allies the RJD, Congress and the AAP in an indication of a slight change in the political matrix. a protester with placards of banned notes during a protest in Mumbai on Monday | AFP In Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took out a parallel protest march to outdo her Left rivals, where she threatened to storm Prime Minister Narendra Modis residence to oust him from the seat of power, for causing unending miseries to the common man. She demanded the restoration of the old notes till enough new currency notes flow into the market. Mamata, however, seemed as much up against the Modi government as against her local rival, the Left Front. Though she marched on the streets of Kolkata, megaphone in hand, she ensured the Left-inspired bandh failed. Surprisingly, the Left march led by CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury in New Delhi was far bigger than the one his politburo colleagues Biman Bose and Suryakanta Mishra took out in the partys old citadel, Kolkata. By all accounts, the bandh got best observed in the Left-ruled Kerala and Tripura, as expected. The Congress made it clear that it was only expressing aakrosh (anger) and not supporting any bandh. And the partys biggest protest marches took place in Jammu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The NDA ally Shiv Sena, which had played footsie with the Opposition for a while, decided to restrict their critique on demonetisation to verbal attack and avoided street protests. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling AIADMK lit into the Centres ill-conceived and badly implemented currency reform in a scathing article in its mouthpiece, and demanded a statement from the Prime Minister in Parliament. But the Jayalalithaa-led party refused to be drawn into the street politics of its rival, the DMK led by M Karunanidhi, Congress and the Left parties. Leaders of the latter group protested and courted arrest. NEW DELHI: Terming the Centres sudden demonetisation as an anti-people move that has thrown life in urban and rural India out of gear, prominent non-BJP and non-NDA leaders took to the street and courted arrest across the country on Monday. AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal first got into a Twitter war with Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma over how much money he was spending on his sons wedding. His old friend, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, however, managed to finally carry his party, the JD(U), away from the protest itch, leaving his partys prominent parliamentarians such as Sharad Yadav and K C Tyagi missing in action. In Patna and elsewhere in Bihar, the protests were held by the JD(U)s allies the RJD, Congress and the AAP in an indication of a slight change in the political matrix. a protester with placards of banned notes during a protest in Mumbai on Monday | AFP In Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took out a parallel protest march to outdo her Left rivals, where she threatened to storm Prime Minister Narendra Modis residence to oust him from the seat of power, for causing unending miseries to the common man. She demanded the restoration of the old notes till enough new currency notes flow into the market. Mamata, however, seemed as much up against the Modi government as against her local rival, the Left Front. Though she marched on the streets of Kolkata, megaphone in hand, she ensured the Left-inspired bandh failed. Surprisingly, the Left march led by CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury in New Delhi was far bigger than the one his politburo colleagues Biman Bose and Suryakanta Mishra took out in the partys old citadel, Kolkata. By all accounts, the bandh got best observed in the Left-ruled Kerala and Tripura, as expected. The Congress made it clear that it was only expressing aakrosh (anger) and not supporting any bandh. And the partys biggest protest marches took place in Jammu, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The NDA ally Shiv Sena, which had played footsie with the Opposition for a while, decided to restrict their critique on demonetisation to verbal attack and avoided street protests. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling AIADMK lit into the Centres ill-conceived and badly implemented currency reform in a scathing article in its mouthpiece, and demanded a statement from the Prime Minister in Parliament. But the Jayalalithaa-led party refused to be drawn into the street politics of its rival, the DMK led by M Karunanidhi, Congress and the Left parties. Leaders of the latter group protested and courted arrest. By PTI AHMEDABAD: In a boost to BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move, the party has captured two municipalities and one taluka panchayat in local bodies polls, the results of which were declared today. In the ongoing vote counting, BJP is also ahead on 23 out of 31 other seats of various municipalities, taluka and district panchayats where by-polls were held. As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress in the recently held polls to this local body. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP. Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 31 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayts across the state. The bypolls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons. Though final results are yet to be announced, BJP is running ahead on almost 23 seats. The result assumes significance for the BJP in the run up to the state elections next year, and that they were held just after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre. Taking a potshot at Congress over the results, Gujarat BJP's media convener Harshad Patel said the result has once again proved that the entire state is with BJP. "Regular as well as by-polls were held in different parts of Gujarat. Right from Vapi in south Gujarat to Gondal in Saurashtra region, people have chosen BJP over Congress. The opposition party should now understand that people are really unhappy with them," Patel said. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. "We accept our defeat. BJP must not forget that it was only by-polls on some seats. Congress has always raised issues concerning people like notes ban and we will continue to do so," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani hailed the victory as people's endorsement to Modi's two recent steps - surgical strikes across the LoC and demonetisation. "This is truly a grand success of BJP, as elections took place in different parts of state representing people from different communities. Thus, we can say that every section of society accepted BJP," said Rupani. "BJP's victory in Gujarat can be seen as people's endorsement to Modi's two recent steps - surgical strike across LoC and the demonetisation move to wipe out black money from the system," he said. BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that this is a vote for demonetisation decision of the BJP and negative approach of the Congress to oppose the anti-black money move. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. The opposition party also downplayed BJP's victory, claiming that people's mood can't be judged from such local body polls. "We accept our defeat. But, BJP must not forget that it was only bypoll on some seats. Results of these polls cannot be taken as the litmus test of people's mood. We will introspect on these results. We will continue to raise issues concerning people," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. AHMEDABAD: In a boost to BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move, the party has captured two municipalities and one taluka panchayat in local bodies polls, the results of which were declared today. In the ongoing vote counting, BJP is also ahead on 23 out of 31 other seats of various municipalities, taluka and district panchayats where by-polls were held. As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress in the recently held polls to this local body. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP. Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 31 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayts across the state. The bypolls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons. Though final results are yet to be announced, BJP is running ahead on almost 23 seats. The result assumes significance for the BJP in the run up to the state elections next year, and that they were held just after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre. Taking a potshot at Congress over the results, Gujarat BJP's media convener Harshad Patel said the result has once again proved that the entire state is with BJP. "Regular as well as by-polls were held in different parts of Gujarat. Right from Vapi in south Gujarat to Gondal in Saurashtra region, people have chosen BJP over Congress. The opposition party should now understand that people are really unhappy with them," Patel said. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. "We accept our defeat. BJP must not forget that it was only by-polls on some seats. Congress has always raised issues concerning people like notes ban and we will continue to do so," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani hailed the victory as people's endorsement to Modi's two recent steps - surgical strikes across the LoC and demonetisation. "This is truly a grand success of BJP, as elections took place in different parts of state representing people from different communities. Thus, we can say that every section of society accepted BJP," said Rupani. "BJP's victory in Gujarat can be seen as people's endorsement to Modi's two recent steps - surgical strike across LoC and the demonetisation move to wipe out black money from the system," he said. BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that this is a vote for demonetisation decision of the BJP and negative approach of the Congress to oppose the anti-black money move. Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. The opposition party also downplayed BJP's victory, claiming that people's mood can't be judged from such local body polls. "We accept our defeat. But, BJP must not forget that it was only bypoll on some seats. Results of these polls cannot be taken as the litmus test of people's mood. We will introspect on these results. We will continue to raise issues concerning people," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: BSF Director General KK Sharma on Tuesday briefed Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi on the anti-infiltration operation in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. Four BSF personnel including DIG BS Kasana and a policeman were injured in a blast at the site. The blast took place at the encounter site after elimination of three infiltrating terrorists in Chamliyal forward area along the international border in Samba district. The BSF is learnt to have told the Home Secretary that its anti-infiltration operations along the International Border are conducted on a regular basis and the terrorists who hit the armys 16 Corp in Nagrota might have been hiding in the Valley. A senior BSF official said it is a matter of investigation how the terrorists reached the Nagrota army base. NEW DELHI: BSF Director General KK Sharma on Tuesday briefed Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi on the anti-infiltration operation in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. Four BSF personnel including DIG BS Kasana and a policeman were injured in a blast at the site. The blast took place at the encounter site after elimination of three infiltrating terrorists in Chamliyal forward area along the international border in Samba district. The BSF is learnt to have told the Home Secretary that its anti-infiltration operations along the International Border are conducted on a regular basis and the terrorists who hit the armys 16 Corp in Nagrota might have been hiding in the Valley. A senior BSF official said it is a matter of investigation how the terrorists reached the Nagrota army base. Express News Service NEW DELHI: Sending a loud and clear message through early morning strike on Indian army establishment, terrorists conveyed it to Pakistan army that it will be business as usual on the Line of Control and International border despite the change at the helm. Lt. General Qamar Javel Bajwa on Tuesday took the reign of powerful Pakistan army replaced Raheel Sharif. Terror strike gained significance as delegation level talks is scheduled between leaders of Indian and Pakistan on the sidelines of Heart of Asia Conference to be held weekend at Amritsar. Pakistan already announced the visit of Sartaz Aziz, Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs to India for the conference. Though Lt. Gen Bajwa in his address promised to improve the tense situation on the Line of Control soon, but his predecessor warned Indian security forces against adopting an "aggressive stance" in Kashmir and asserted that mistaking Pakistan's "policy of patience" for weakness would be "dangerous. This year has already been termed as the bloodiest year, as at least 75 security personnel have lost their lives in multiple terrorist operations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir since 2009. Nearly 400 ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army have taken so far since the surgical strikes besides militants infiltrating and mutilating the bodies of two Indian soldiers in two separate incidents. The Indian Army retaliated and destroyed four Pakistan Army posts after the first incident of mutilation in October end followed by intense fire assaults after the second incident took place a fortnight back. Pakistan Army Director General Military Operation (DGMO) called his Indian counterpart last week to protest against the killing of civilians in Neelam valley but the India denied and maintained the Army was only retaliating to Pakistans cross-border firing. Indian army has already made apprehensions that the winter months will be hot and violent. According to an official, a change in guard of Pakistan will hardly change stand of terrorists operating from Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Though Bajwa assured that he will try to normalise the LOC, officials said the new chief was heading the Rawalpindi base 10 Corps a few years back. This Corps looks after the LOC and militancy in Kashmir and therefore it will be unwise to expect a dramatic change in Pakistan Armys policy vis-a-vis Kashmir, they maintained. In fact, during Bajwas stint in 10 Corps, Special Service Group (SSG) commandoes of Pakistan army had carried beheading of two Indian soldiers in January 2013. Bajwa, an expert in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) affairs, told media persons after taking charge as the Chief that "the situation at the LOC will improve soon." He sought support from the media to play a role in the keeping the morale of troops high adding he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Before the new assignment, he had served as Inspector General of the Training and Evaluation and as a major general led the Force Command Northern Areas. Bajwa also served in a UN mission in Congo as a brigade commander alongside former Indian army chief General Bikram Singh, who was also there as a division commander. NEW DELHI: Sending a loud and clear message through early morning strike on Indian army establishment, terrorists conveyed it to Pakistan army that it will be business as usual on the Line of Control and International border despite the change at the helm. Lt. General Qamar Javel Bajwa on Tuesday took the reign of powerful Pakistan army replaced Raheel Sharif. Terror strike gained significance as delegation level talks is scheduled between leaders of Indian and Pakistan on the sidelines of Heart of Asia Conference to be held weekend at Amritsar. Pakistan already announced the visit of Sartaz Aziz, Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs to India for the conference. Though Lt. Gen Bajwa in his address promised to improve the tense situation on the Line of Control soon, but his predecessor warned Indian security forces against adopting an "aggressive stance" in Kashmir and asserted that mistaking Pakistan's "policy of patience" for weakness would be "dangerous. This year has already been termed as the bloodiest year, as at least 75 security personnel have lost their lives in multiple terrorist operations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir since 2009. Nearly 400 ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army have taken so far since the surgical strikes besides militants infiltrating and mutilating the bodies of two Indian soldiers in two separate incidents. The Indian Army retaliated and destroyed four Pakistan Army posts after the first incident of mutilation in October end followed by intense fire assaults after the second incident took place a fortnight back. Pakistan Army Director General Military Operation (DGMO) called his Indian counterpart last week to protest against the killing of civilians in Neelam valley but the India denied and maintained the Army was only retaliating to Pakistans cross-border firing. Indian army has already made apprehensions that the winter months will be hot and violent. According to an official, a change in guard of Pakistan will hardly change stand of terrorists operating from Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Though Bajwa assured that he will try to normalise the LOC, officials said the new chief was heading the Rawalpindi base 10 Corps a few years back. This Corps looks after the LOC and militancy in Kashmir and therefore it will be unwise to expect a dramatic change in Pakistan Armys policy vis-a-vis Kashmir, they maintained. In fact, during Bajwas stint in 10 Corps, Special Service Group (SSG) commandoes of Pakistan army had carried beheading of two Indian soldiers in January 2013. Bajwa, an expert in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) affairs, told media persons after taking charge as the Chief that "the situation at the LOC will improve soon." He sought support from the media to play a role in the keeping the morale of troops high adding he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Before the new assignment, he had served as Inspector General of the Training and Evaluation and as a major general led the Force Command Northern Areas. Bajwa also served in a UN mission in Congo as a brigade commander alongside former Indian army chief General Bikram Singh, who was also there as a division commander. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Assam's BJP-led coalition government on Monday directed all government-run madrasas and (Islamic) schools in the State to function every Friday and observe Sunday as a holiday. The madrasas in the State will have to function normally on Fridays. Like any other educational institute, they will remain closed on Sundays, Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media on Monday. He said there were no laws that made (permitted) the madrasas to remain closed on Fridays. Madrasas remain closed on Fridays in Pakistan and Bangladesh. We have to follow the laws of the land. According to Indian laws, Sunday is a holiday for educational institutes. Therefore, if a (government-run) madrasa in the State is found closed on Friday, the government will place its principal under suspension, warned Sarma. However, his diktat drew criticism from former Assam minister Siddique Ahmed of the Congress who termed it as communal. He is behaving like a leader of RSS-VHP. Through such a move he is trying to disturb communal harmony, alleged Ahmed, and appealed to the people to reject the minister. Assam has more than 1,000 madrasas, of which some 100 are government aided. GUWAHATI: Assam's BJP-led coalition government on Monday directed all government-run madrasas and (Islamic) schools in the State to function every Friday and observe Sunday as a holiday. The madrasas in the State will have to function normally on Fridays. Like any other educational institute, they will remain closed on Sundays, Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media on Monday. He said there were no laws that made (permitted) the madrasas to remain closed on Fridays. Madrasas remain closed on Fridays in Pakistan and Bangladesh. We have to follow the laws of the land. According to Indian laws, Sunday is a holiday for educational institutes. Therefore, if a (government-run) madrasa in the State is found closed on Friday, the government will place its principal under suspension, warned Sarma. However, his diktat drew criticism from former Assam minister Siddique Ahmed of the Congress who termed it as communal. He is behaving like a leader of RSS-VHP. Through such a move he is trying to disturb communal harmony, alleged Ahmed, and appealed to the people to reject the minister. Assam has more than 1,000 madrasas, of which some 100 are government aided. By PTI KOLKATA: Fire broke out for the second time today in a building of the state-run SSKM hospital here within a span of 10 days, though it was doused in a few minutes. The fire broke out at the Woodburn Ward of the SSKM Hospital, the main referral hospital of the state, at around 5.58 pm, caused by a minor electrical fault, a senior Kolkata Police officer said. The flames were put out at 6.02 pm by a combined team of fire brigade, local police and officials of the CESC, the officer said. "There was no report of any human injury or casualty," he said. On November 21, a fire had broken out inside a library on the sixth floor of Ronald Ross Building within the hospital complex which was doused after 19 fire tenders battled for an hour. Soon after the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that since SSKM was a big hospital, a permanent fire station would be set up within the complex with two fire tenders and a ladder to boot. KOLKATA: Fire broke out for the second time today in a building of the state-run SSKM hospital here within a span of 10 days, though it was doused in a few minutes. The fire broke out at the Woodburn Ward of the SSKM Hospital, the main referral hospital of the state, at around 5.58 pm, caused by a minor electrical fault, a senior Kolkata Police officer said. The flames were put out at 6.02 pm by a combined team of fire brigade, local police and officials of the CESC, the officer said. "There was no report of any human injury or casualty," he said. On November 21, a fire had broken out inside a library on the sixth floor of Ronald Ross Building within the hospital complex which was doused after 19 fire tenders battled for an hour. Soon after the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that since SSKM was a big hospital, a permanent fire station would be set up within the complex with two fire tenders and a ladder to boot. By PTI JAMMU: Jammu region was rocked by two terror attacks today in which 7 army personnel, including two Major-rank officers, were killed and eight other securitymen, including a BSF DIG, were injured, before six heavily-armed terrorists were eliminated in the separate fierce encounters. In one incident, a group of heavily-armed terrorists in police uniform stormed an army unit in Nagrota, about three kms from the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city this morning, triggering an intense gunbattle that lasted for hours. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in this attack before three terrorists were killed in an armed stand-off which also involved a hostage-like situation with 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children being held captive. All were rescued, army spokesman said. Three terrorists were gunned down by BSF in Ramgarh area of Samba near the International Border after an encounter that lasted several hours and was followed by intense cross-border firing by Pakistani troops. Four security personnel, including BSF DIG, were injured in this incident. The two terror incidents in Jammu came on a day Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa took over as Chief of Pakistan Army from Gen Raheel Shareef. Giving details of the Nagrota attack, army spokesman said in the early hours of today, a group of heavily-armed terrorists, disguised in police uniform, targeted the army unit located three kms from the Corps Headquarters. "The terrorists forced their entry into the Officers' Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries," the spokesman said. "In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers of the army were martyred," he added. "The terrorists entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men, which "led to a hostage-like situation", he said. "The situation was very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation, all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children," the spokesman said. "However, in this rescue attempt, one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives," he added. The two officers who died fighting the terrorists were Major Gosavi Kunal Mannadir (33), a resident of Maharashtra's Solapur district, and Major Akshay Girish Kumar (31), a resident of Bengaluru in Karnataka, a defence spokesman said. The other soldiers who were killed in the encounter were Havildar Sukhraj Singh (32), a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab, Lance Naik Kadam Sambhaji Yeshowanttro (32), a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra, Grenadier Raghvendra Singh (28), a resident of Dholpur in Rajasthan, and Rifleman Asim Rai (32), a resident of Khotang in Nepal. The details of the seventh solider were not given by the army saying his family was yet to be informed. In the gunbattle, three terrorists were killed. "Bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area," the spokesman said. JAMMU: Jammu region was rocked by two terror attacks today in which 7 army personnel, including two Major-rank officers, were killed and eight other securitymen, including a BSF DIG, were injured, before six heavily-armed terrorists were eliminated in the separate fierce encounters. In one incident, a group of heavily-armed terrorists in police uniform stormed an army unit in Nagrota, about three kms from the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city this morning, triggering an intense gunbattle that lasted for hours. Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in this attack before three terrorists were killed in an armed stand-off which also involved a hostage-like situation with 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children being held captive. All were rescued, army spokesman said. Three terrorists were gunned down by BSF in Ramgarh area of Samba near the International Border after an encounter that lasted several hours and was followed by intense cross-border firing by Pakistani troops. Four security personnel, including BSF DIG, were injured in this incident. The two terror incidents in Jammu came on a day Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa took over as Chief of Pakistan Army from Gen Raheel Shareef. Giving details of the Nagrota attack, army spokesman said in the early hours of today, a group of heavily-armed terrorists, disguised in police uniform, targeted the army unit located three kms from the Corps Headquarters. "The terrorists forced their entry into the Officers' Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries," the spokesman said. "In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers of the army were martyred," he added. "The terrorists entered two buildings which were occupied by officers, families and men, which "led to a hostage-like situation", he said. "The situation was very quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation, all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children," the spokesman said. "However, in this rescue attempt, one more officer and two jawans sacrificed their lives," he added. The two officers who died fighting the terrorists were Major Gosavi Kunal Mannadir (33), a resident of Maharashtra's Solapur district, and Major Akshay Girish Kumar (31), a resident of Bengaluru in Karnataka, a defence spokesman said. The other soldiers who were killed in the encounter were Havildar Sukhraj Singh (32), a resident of Gurdaspur in Punjab, Lance Naik Kadam Sambhaji Yeshowanttro (32), a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra, Grenadier Raghvendra Singh (28), a resident of Dholpur in Rajasthan, and Rifleman Asim Rai (32), a resident of Khotang in Nepal. The details of the seventh solider were not given by the army saying his family was yet to be informed. In the gunbattle, three terrorists were killed. "Bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area," the spokesman said. By Express News Service KOCHI: It was a tip off to the Kochi office of the NIA that led to the joint operation that the agency undertook along with the Tamil Nadu police to nab the quartet accused in the recent low-intensity bomb blasts in various parts of South India, on Tuesday. NIA officials said this group had collected explosives, mostly gun powder, which was suspected to have been used in the low intensity blasts in various court complexes at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, Mysuru in Karnataka, and Kollam and Malappuram in Kerala. Official sources said the agency would take over the probe on the Malappuram and Kollam blasts if the role of the group behind those blasts is confirmed. All the cases except the bomb blast in Mysuru court compound are now being probed by the respective state police forces. "We are still interviewing the accused persons. The group operated claiming they were a part of an Al Qaeda module in South India. But we are looking at whether the group had any connection with Al Qaeda leadership," an official said. NIA's Kochi unit received the tip-off about the group during a probe in connection with an IS South India module. During the probe, they had received information about a group in Tamil Nadu that was procuring gun powder from Sivakasi. This led the agency to alert police agencies in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The team led by SP Rahul Nair and DSP Shoukat Ali coordinated with counterparts in Tamil Nadu. NIA officials said that the accused are likely to be produced before a Sessions Court in Chennai which has jurisdiction of NIA cases in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. They are also likely to be taken to a Sessions Court in Bengaluru in connection with the blast at Mysuru court. KOCHI: It was a tip off to the Kochi office of the NIA that led to the joint operation that the agency undertook along with the Tamil Nadu police to nab the quartet accused in the recent low-intensity bomb blasts in various parts of South India, on Tuesday. NIA officials said this group had collected explosives, mostly gun powder, which was suspected to have been used in the low intensity blasts in various court complexes at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, Mysuru in Karnataka, and Kollam and Malappuram in Kerala. Official sources said the agency would take over the probe on the Malappuram and Kollam blasts if the role of the group behind those blasts is confirmed. All the cases except the bomb blast in Mysuru court compound are now being probed by the respective state police forces. "We are still interviewing the accused persons. The group operated claiming they were a part of an Al Qaeda module in South India. But we are looking at whether the group had any connection with Al Qaeda leadership," an official said. NIA's Kochi unit received the tip-off about the group during a probe in connection with an IS South India module. During the probe, they had received information about a group in Tamil Nadu that was procuring gun powder from Sivakasi. This led the agency to alert police agencies in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The team led by SP Rahul Nair and DSP Shoukat Ali coordinated with counterparts in Tamil Nadu. NIA officials said that the accused are likely to be produced before a Sessions Court in Chennai which has jurisdiction of NIA cases in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. They are also likely to be taken to a Sessions Court in Bengaluru in connection with the blast at Mysuru court. By PTI JAMMU: Militants today opened heavy fire at an army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of the city, leaving two jawans injured, one of them critically. A fierce gunbattle is underway at the site, a senior police officer said. Nagrota is the headquarters of the Army's 16 corps. In view of the attack, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for traffic in the area.The district administration has closed all schools in Nagorta tehsil as a precautionary measure. "We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack", Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. An alert has been sounded in Jammu city. JAMMU: Militants today opened heavy fire at an army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of the city, leaving two jawans injured, one of them critically. A fierce gunbattle is underway at the site, a senior police officer said. Nagrota is the headquarters of the Army's 16 corps. In view of the attack, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for traffic in the area.The district administration has closed all schools in Nagorta tehsil as a precautionary measure. "We have ordered closure of all schools and education institutions in Nagrota tehsil in view of the terror attack", Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said. An alert has been sounded in Jammu city. By PTI NEW DELHI: The terror attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir today is a "message" sent by Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh said. "We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said. "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted," he said. The BJP MP's remarks came after militants in police uniform attacked an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured. Singh said Pakistan continued to "bleed" India through such terrorist attacks, adding that the recently conducted PoK surgical strike by the Indian Army was not a "one-off" event. "It was a statement of policy...Our policy is that we will hit you back every time you hit us. We will hit you back harder. So, I think a couple of more time we hit them back, it will certainly settle in their mind," he said. The BJP leader added that India needed to "follow up on its policy of imposing cost" and that the "Army should revisit the security procedure in general, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir." NEW DELHI: The terror attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir today is a "message" sent by Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh said. "We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said. "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted," he said. The BJP MP's remarks came after militants in police uniform attacked an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured. Singh said Pakistan continued to "bleed" India through such terrorist attacks, adding that the recently conducted PoK surgical strike by the Indian Army was not a "one-off" event. "It was a statement of policy...Our policy is that we will hit you back every time you hit us. We will hit you back harder. So, I think a couple of more time we hit them back, it will certainly settle in their mind," he said. The BJP leader added that India needed to "follow up on its policy of imposing cost" and that the "Army should revisit the security procedure in general, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir." By PTI NEW DELHI: The Bihar government today told the Supreme Court that it is not "averse" to shifting of controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to Tihar prison here. The state government, in which RJD is a coalition partner, concurred with a stand of CBI which has already agreed to the suggestion of the apex court that alleged history-sheeter be shifted to Delhi as his continuous presence in Bihar may adversely impact the trials in various pending criminal cases against him. The government told the bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy that Shahabuddin has been facing trial in 45 cases including one in Jharkhand. "We are not averse to shifting of the accused (Shahabuddin) to Tihar jail but the court should also decide the mode of trial of pending cases against him," the counsel representing the Bihar government said. During the hearing, the bench said, "You (the Bihar government) file the list of all the cases against him including in which he has been convicted or acquitted". The counsel said that the list has already been filed and is on the apex court records. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Siwan-based Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons have been killed in two separate incidents, said that all these incidents have taken place when Shahabuddin was in Siwan jail. He also informed the bench that Shahabuddin had alleged that lack of means while seeking legal aid counsel to defend him in various cases. The plea was allowed by the trial court. Dave further said that interestingly, the state government challenged the order in the Patna High Court which in turn stayed the trial court order leading to stalling of proceedings in all criminal cases against Shahabuddin. "Since the legal aid counsel was looking all his 45 cases, the trial eventually got stayed after the Patna High Court order," Dave said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, said that he is in jail for past 11 years, how can he hire a private lawyer to defend himself. The hearing, however, remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. The apex court had yesterday mulled shifting the RJD leader from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the national capital, saying it is test case for the "concept of fair trial and witness protection". NEW DELHI: The Bihar government today told the Supreme Court that it is not "averse" to shifting of controversial RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to Tihar prison here. The state government, in which RJD is a coalition partner, concurred with a stand of CBI which has already agreed to the suggestion of the apex court that alleged history-sheeter be shifted to Delhi as his continuous presence in Bihar may adversely impact the trials in various pending criminal cases against him. The government told the bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy that Shahabuddin has been facing trial in 45 cases including one in Jharkhand. "We are not averse to shifting of the accused (Shahabuddin) to Tihar jail but the court should also decide the mode of trial of pending cases against him," the counsel representing the Bihar government said. During the hearing, the bench said, "You (the Bihar government) file the list of all the cases against him including in which he has been convicted or acquitted". The counsel said that the list has already been filed and is on the apex court records. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for Siwan-based Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons have been killed in two separate incidents, said that all these incidents have taken place when Shahabuddin was in Siwan jail. He also informed the bench that Shahabuddin had alleged that lack of means while seeking legal aid counsel to defend him in various cases. The plea was allowed by the trial court. Dave further said that interestingly, the state government challenged the order in the Patna High Court which in turn stayed the trial court order leading to stalling of proceedings in all criminal cases against Shahabuddin. "Since the legal aid counsel was looking all his 45 cases, the trial eventually got stayed after the Patna High Court order," Dave said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, said that he is in jail for past 11 years, how can he hire a private lawyer to defend himself. The hearing, however, remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow. The apex court had yesterday mulled shifting the RJD leader from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the national capital, saying it is test case for the "concept of fair trial and witness protection". By Express News Service NEW DELHI: In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Union home ministry said four terrorists had hit the Pathankot air base earlier this year, contradicting Home Minister Rajnath Singhs earlier statement in March that six terrorists were involved in the attack. The gaffe came in a written reply from Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir to a question from Congress MP Ravneet Singh, grandson of slain Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial Road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village and attacked air force station in Pathankot, Ahir said in a written reply. Soon after the faux-pas came to light, the Centre scrambled to correct the mistake and blamed bureaucratic goof-up for the reply. The official figure of terrorists involved in the attack is still six and it was nothing but a drafting mistake. We have pulled up the official who drafted the written reply and it was unintended. We will request the Speaker tomorrow to rectify the mistake, said a senior North Block official. Sources said top officials in the ministry got together to prepare a clarification to be given on the matter in Parliament on Wednesday. The gaffe came a day after National Investigation Agency got the Home Ministrys nod to prosecute Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, the alleged mastermind of the terror attacks on Pathankot airbase and three other Pakistani nationals. It shows the government is yet to resolve the row over the number of attackers killed in firefights at Pathankot airbase. This is bound to happen when security agencies are still not sure about the exact number of attackers, a home ministry official said. In March this year Union home minister Rajnath Singh had said six terrorists were killed, a figure also later put out by defence minister Manohar Parrikar. NIA which is probing the case have said that while the bodies of four had been found, the remains of the other two had not. Sources in National Security Guard had maintained two of the six terrorists were neutralized by firing the cannon of a BMP II armoured personnel carrier into an airmens billet. But their clothes, weapons or human remains were not traced. In May last year the Centres statement in Lok Sabha that it did not know Dawood Ibrahims whereabouts had rocked Parliament, with the Opposition accusing the Narendra Modi government of tarnishing the countrys image as India had always maintained that the mafia don was hiding in Pakistan. Similarly the gaffe had come in a written reply to a question on the possible extradition of Dawood, a 1993 Bombay blasts suspect. Later the home ministry had to issue a clarification. NEW DELHI: In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Union home ministry said four terrorists had hit the Pathankot air base earlier this year, contradicting Home Minister Rajnath Singhs earlier statement in March that six terrorists were involved in the attack. The gaffe came in a written reply from Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir to a question from Congress MP Ravneet Singh, grandson of slain Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial Road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village and attacked air force station in Pathankot, Ahir said in a written reply. Soon after the faux-pas came to light, the Centre scrambled to correct the mistake and blamed bureaucratic goof-up for the reply. The official figure of terrorists involved in the attack is still six and it was nothing but a drafting mistake. We have pulled up the official who drafted the written reply and it was unintended. We will request the Speaker tomorrow to rectify the mistake, said a senior North Block official. Sources said top officials in the ministry got together to prepare a clarification to be given on the matter in Parliament on Wednesday. The gaffe came a day after National Investigation Agency got the Home Ministrys nod to prosecute Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, the alleged mastermind of the terror attacks on Pathankot airbase and three other Pakistani nationals. It shows the government is yet to resolve the row over the number of attackers killed in firefights at Pathankot airbase. This is bound to happen when security agencies are still not sure about the exact number of attackers, a home ministry official said. In March this year Union home minister Rajnath Singh had said six terrorists were killed, a figure also later put out by defence minister Manohar Parrikar. NIA which is probing the case have said that while the bodies of four had been found, the remains of the other two had not. Sources in National Security Guard had maintained two of the six terrorists were neutralized by firing the cannon of a BMP II armoured personnel carrier into an airmens billet. But their clothes, weapons or human remains were not traced. In May last year the Centres statement in Lok Sabha that it did not know Dawood Ibrahims whereabouts had rocked Parliament, with the Opposition accusing the Narendra Modi government of tarnishing the countrys image as India had always maintained that the mafia don was hiding in Pakistan. Similarly the gaffe had come in a written reply to a question on the possible extradition of Dawood, a 1993 Bombay blasts suspect. Later the home ministry had to issue a clarification. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: The jailbreak at the Nabha high-security prison in Punjab has left the entire security establishment of the State red faced. Details are emerging of the poor state of security measures in the prison and the tardy response to advance intelligence inputs suggesting a conspiracy to spring prisoners from the jail. Police sources said that a week before the jailbreak on Sunday, the Bathinda police had arrested five alleged gangsters and learnt from them that they had been in regular touch with gangster Kulpreet Singh alias Neeta Deol who was lodged in Nabha until his escape with five others on Sunday. The phones seized from the gangsters were found to have been used to make some 20 WhatsApp calls to Kuldeep Singh in a short span of time. However, the police did not act on the information. The conspiracy to escape was hatched by gangsters Harjinder Singh Bhullar alias Vicky Gondar and Kulpreet Singh, and they roped in fellow gangster Gurpreet Singh Sekhon. Sekhon asked his contact on the outside, Palwinder Singh, to mastermind the escape. After the early morning breakout, Palwinder was arrested later in the day by the UP police while on his way to Nepal. A few days back another gangster Navdeep Chadha was arrested by the police and it was discovered that he was in touch with Deol and Gondar. He too had made a few WhatsApp calls to them. The other shocking lapse that has come to light is that Nabha jail superintendent Paramjit Singh Sandhu and deputy superintendent Karanjit Singh Sandhu were not present in the jail on Sunday. They and a few other jail staff had gone to attend a social function without having informed higher officials, sources said. Both the jail officials have been dismissed. The Nabha jail has more than 200 staff and some 550 prisoners. According to a source, Nabha prisoners freely used phones, operated social media accounts and managed gang operations from the inside. They also planned the killing of a gangster, he added. Sources said the Facebook account of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon had a picture of him in jail, taken on Saturday. He wrote in the status column, Kaam aisa kro K naam ho jaye. Neeta posted his picture from the jail on his Facebook wall on November 23, three days before the escape and got some 900 likes. In May this year, Gondar posted on Facebook about the killing of gangster Jaswinder Singh alias Rocky in Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh, and challenged Bathinda senior superintendent of police P Swapan Sharma to take action. The murder was reportedly executed by gangster Jaipal on instructions of Gondar and Deol. CHANDIGARH: The jailbreak at the Nabha high-security prison in Punjab has left the entire security establishment of the State red faced. Details are emerging of the poor state of security measures in the prison and the tardy response to advance intelligence inputs suggesting a conspiracy to spring prisoners from the jail. Police sources said that a week before the jailbreak on Sunday, the Bathinda police had arrested five alleged gangsters and learnt from them that they had been in regular touch with gangster Kulpreet Singh alias Neeta Deol who was lodged in Nabha until his escape with five others on Sunday. The phones seized from the gangsters were found to have been used to make some 20 WhatsApp calls to Kuldeep Singh in a short span of time. However, the police did not act on the information. The conspiracy to escape was hatched by gangsters Harjinder Singh Bhullar alias Vicky Gondar and Kulpreet Singh, and they roped in fellow gangster Gurpreet Singh Sekhon. Sekhon asked his contact on the outside, Palwinder Singh, to mastermind the escape. After the early morning breakout, Palwinder was arrested later in the day by the UP police while on his way to Nepal. A few days back another gangster Navdeep Chadha was arrested by the police and it was discovered that he was in touch with Deol and Gondar. He too had made a few WhatsApp calls to them. The other shocking lapse that has come to light is that Nabha jail superintendent Paramjit Singh Sandhu and deputy superintendent Karanjit Singh Sandhu were not present in the jail on Sunday. They and a few other jail staff had gone to attend a social function without having informed higher officials, sources said. Both the jail officials have been dismissed. The Nabha jail has more than 200 staff and some 550 prisoners. According to a source, Nabha prisoners freely used phones, operated social media accounts and managed gang operations from the inside. They also planned the killing of a gangster, he added. Sources said the Facebook account of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon had a picture of him in jail, taken on Saturday. He wrote in the status column, Kaam aisa kro K naam ho jaye. Neeta posted his picture from the jail on his Facebook wall on November 23, three days before the escape and got some 900 likes. In May this year, Gondar posted on Facebook about the killing of gangster Jaswinder Singh alias Rocky in Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh, and challenged Bathinda senior superintendent of police P Swapan Sharma to take action. The murder was reportedly executed by gangster Jaipal on instructions of Gondar and Deol. By PTI MUMBAI: Indrani Mukerjea was a "schemer and a lady of dominant nature" who used to interfere in the affairs of a media group through her husband Peter who was the CEO, though not being on payroll, a 'secret witness' in the Sheena Bora murder case has claimed. Peter was arrested in November last year on the charge of murder conspiracy. A special court today opened the statement of 'secret witness' Ravina Raj Kohli, former president of Star News, from a sealed cover and handed it over to the defence lawyers. On November 21, the CBI had told the Bombay High Court that it will give a copy of the secret witness's statement, withheld so far by the agency, to Peter and other accused after deleting a portion of it. "To my understanding, Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and a lady of dominant nature," Kohli said in a four-page statement recorded on February 10. Sheena, daughter of Indrani from her previous relationship, was killed in a car on April 24, 2012, and her body was later dumped and set afire in neighbouring Raigad district. Police had last year arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai for murder and destruction of evidence. Rai later turned approver. Peter and Indrani were said to be against Sheena's relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, Peter's son from his former wife. Kohli stated that before Indrani's marriage with Peter, she had received a message from her saying that the latter had settled everything with Khanna. "In my view it (the message) was sent by her (Indrani) to avoid any problem in her marriage with Peter," Kohli told CBI. Peter was the chief executive officer of Star India network from 1999-2007. He and Indrani got married in 2002. After leaving Star in 2007, Indrani established news channel INX News, and Peter managed its two channels, 9X and 9XM. Peter and Indrani exited the company in 2009. Kohli stated that Indrani had told her she was running a recruitment agency in Kolkata before shifting to Mumbai. Indrani later opened branch offices of the agency in Delhi and Bengaluru. "In due course, she (Indrani) started providing HR support to Star and at the time of her marriage with Peter, she was providing maximum human resources to Star. "I came to know from my sources that Indrani had manipulated this contract of recruitment with Star through Peter by throwing the threat of poaching to the media company," Kohli said. Kohli claimed Peter was allowing Indrani to 'interfere' in the affairs of the company (Star) so much that she used to influence all major decisions of his, despite being not on the payroll. "Once I had an occasion to interact with Peter about Indrani and during the discussion Peter mentioned about Indrani as his retirement plan. It was the reason that she was being promoted by Peter in media business circle," she said in her statement. She claimed Peter had 'controlled' all activities of Star and used to 'manipulate' things according to his choice and in a manner which used to be beneficial to him. "Indrani was taking advantage of his power on her personal benefit," according to Kohli. She said Peter resigned from Star in 2006-07 and floated INX media along with Indrani. "In fact, Peter and Indrani had planned to create this media company (INX Media) with he was still with Star. Before floating the company, he also did management diploma from Chicago," Kohli stated. She further said that since Peter was a British national and there was a non-compete clause in the agreement with Star Channel, Peter made Indrani as CEO of INX Media. According to Kohli, though the planning and execution of concept of launching the firm was conceived by Peter, he kept Indrani as the face of the company but himself used to run the day to day functioning. "The company did not succeed mainly because of funds problem but Indrani's inexperienced background of this profession also played a major role," she stated. In her statement, Kohli also said Peter contacted her to join the company but she refused because they were giving her a "low profile job". "But I came to know from sources that my name was shown by them in their media company records. Moreover, Indrani was not interested in keeping me in their company," she claimed. Kohli told the CBI that she had learnt through her sources in media that Indrani and Peter had siphoned off money of their media company "through kickbacks" and parked the amount in some unknown bank accounts abroad, which she said "may be HSBC Singapore or Hong Kong." "I came to know that Indrani and Peter used the company money to receive kickback from the dummy production companies (sic)," Kohli said. In 2009, Peter and Indrani both left India and settled in UK, although they kept coming to India. "I heard that Peter and Indani were planning to again start their media business in India and in this regard, they had arranged New Year Party in 2013-2014," she stated. Kohli's statement also said that Peter and Indrani were known as "Bunty and Babli" (names of the characters of con artists in the 2005 Bollywood movie). She further told CBI that she never met Sheena but came to know from media sources that she was daughter of Indrani, who used to project Sheena as her sister. "It was also a rumour that Indrani and Peter had floated some company in the name of Sheena and both of them had parked huge money in the bank accounts in India and abroad," Kohli added. MUMBAI: Indrani Mukerjea was a "schemer and a lady of dominant nature" who used to interfere in the affairs of a media group through her husband Peter who was the CEO, though not being on payroll, a 'secret witness' in the Sheena Bora murder case has claimed. Peter was arrested in November last year on the charge of murder conspiracy. A special court today opened the statement of 'secret witness' Ravina Raj Kohli, former president of Star News, from a sealed cover and handed it over to the defence lawyers. On November 21, the CBI had told the Bombay High Court that it will give a copy of the secret witness's statement, withheld so far by the agency, to Peter and other accused after deleting a portion of it. "To my understanding, Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and a lady of dominant nature," Kohli said in a four-page statement recorded on February 10. Sheena, daughter of Indrani from her previous relationship, was killed in a car on April 24, 2012, and her body was later dumped and set afire in neighbouring Raigad district. Police had last year arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and former driver Shyamvar Rai for murder and destruction of evidence. Rai later turned approver. Peter and Indrani were said to be against Sheena's relationship with Rahul Mukerjea, Peter's son from his former wife. Kohli stated that before Indrani's marriage with Peter, she had received a message from her saying that the latter had settled everything with Khanna. "In my view it (the message) was sent by her (Indrani) to avoid any problem in her marriage with Peter," Kohli told CBI. Peter was the chief executive officer of Star India network from 1999-2007. He and Indrani got married in 2002. After leaving Star in 2007, Indrani established news channel INX News, and Peter managed its two channels, 9X and 9XM. Peter and Indrani exited the company in 2009. Kohli stated that Indrani had told her she was running a recruitment agency in Kolkata before shifting to Mumbai. Indrani later opened branch offices of the agency in Delhi and Bengaluru. "In due course, she (Indrani) started providing HR support to Star and at the time of her marriage with Peter, she was providing maximum human resources to Star. "I came to know from my sources that Indrani had manipulated this contract of recruitment with Star through Peter by throwing the threat of poaching to the media company," Kohli said. Kohli claimed Peter was allowing Indrani to 'interfere' in the affairs of the company (Star) so much that she used to influence all major decisions of his, despite being not on the payroll. "Once I had an occasion to interact with Peter about Indrani and during the discussion Peter mentioned about Indrani as his retirement plan. It was the reason that she was being promoted by Peter in media business circle," she said in her statement. She claimed Peter had 'controlled' all activities of Star and used to 'manipulate' things according to his choice and in a manner which used to be beneficial to him. "Indrani was taking advantage of his power on her personal benefit," according to Kohli. She said Peter resigned from Star in 2006-07 and floated INX media along with Indrani. "In fact, Peter and Indrani had planned to create this media company (INX Media) with he was still with Star. Before floating the company, he also did management diploma from Chicago," Kohli stated. She further said that since Peter was a British national and there was a non-compete clause in the agreement with Star Channel, Peter made Indrani as CEO of INX Media. According to Kohli, though the planning and execution of concept of launching the firm was conceived by Peter, he kept Indrani as the face of the company but himself used to run the day to day functioning. "The company did not succeed mainly because of funds problem but Indrani's inexperienced background of this profession also played a major role," she stated. In her statement, Kohli also said Peter contacted her to join the company but she refused because they were giving her a "low profile job". "But I came to know from sources that my name was shown by them in their media company records. Moreover, Indrani was not interested in keeping me in their company," she claimed. Kohli told the CBI that she had learnt through her sources in media that Indrani and Peter had siphoned off money of their media company "through kickbacks" and parked the amount in some unknown bank accounts abroad, which she said "may be HSBC Singapore or Hong Kong." "I came to know that Indrani and Peter used the company money to receive kickback from the dummy production companies (sic)," Kohli said. In 2009, Peter and Indrani both left India and settled in UK, although they kept coming to India. "I heard that Peter and Indani were planning to again start their media business in India and in this regard, they had arranged New Year Party in 2013-2014," she stated. Kohli's statement also said that Peter and Indrani were known as "Bunty and Babli" (names of the characters of con artists in the 2005 Bollywood movie). She further told CBI that she never met Sheena but came to know from media sources that she was daughter of Indrani, who used to project Sheena as her sister. "It was also a rumour that Indrani and Peter had floated some company in the name of Sheena and both of them had parked huge money in the bank accounts in India and abroad," Kohli added. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: As Parliament remained in a gridlock for the eighth day in a row, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. NDA floor managers and a section of the Opposition claimed the key to unlock the Parliamentary gridlock lay with the Lok Sabha, and a long speech of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is on the cards. Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were marred by ruckus even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitely introduced The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, which seeks to tax undisclosed amounts through Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, at 2 pm in the Lok Sabha. After repeated disruptions, both Houses were adjourned for the day. The Congress and the Trinamool Congress leaders have been learnt to have discussed a way out. The government will not agree to a debate on demonetisation under Rule 56, which entails adjournment and voting. The BJD floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahatab, has shown the way by suggesting that the debate could be held under Rule 184 with voting but without an adjournment. Mahatabs formula could be the possible way out, said a senior TMC leader. Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Lok Sabha that the Prime Minister would speak if the House took up demonetisation for discussion. The clear indication of resolution of the impasse came from the floor leader of the TMC in the Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who argued that Parliament should resume normal functions, asking what else the House is for? NEW DELHI: As Parliament remained in a gridlock for the eighth day in a row, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. NDA floor managers and a section of the Opposition claimed the key to unlock the Parliamentary gridlock lay with the Lok Sabha, and a long speech of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is on the cards. Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were marred by ruckus even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitely introduced The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, which seeks to tax undisclosed amounts through Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, at 2 pm in the Lok Sabha. After repeated disruptions, both Houses were adjourned for the day. The Congress and the Trinamool Congress leaders have been learnt to have discussed a way out. The government will not agree to a debate on demonetisation under Rule 56, which entails adjournment and voting. The BJD floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahatab, has shown the way by suggesting that the debate could be held under Rule 184 with voting but without an adjournment. Mahatabs formula could be the possible way out, said a senior TMC leader. Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Lok Sabha that the Prime Minister would speak if the House took up demonetisation for discussion. The clear indication of resolution of the impasse came from the floor leader of the TMC in the Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who argued that Parliament should resume normal functions, asking what else the House is for? By Express News Service PATNA: As the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday witnessed chaos due to unruly protests by legislators of both the ruling alliance and Opposition parties, two lady MLAs accused each other of engaging in unseemly push and shove and both claimed to have received injury. Gayatri Devi, an MLA of the main Opposition BJP, said she got a rude jolt from Prema Chaudhary, an MLA of RJD, a constituent of the ruling alliance led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. She banged my hand hard on the table. It was so bad. I received an injury, said Devi to journalists while talking about the time when both ruling alliance and Opposition MLAs rushed into the well of the Assembly shouting slogans in support of their contentions. That is not true. It was she who pushed me back hard with her elbow. That gave me an injury. It was very rude of her to do so inside the Assembly, said Chaudhary. Very little business was transacted by the state legislature as lawmakers of the ruling grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress and the Opposition parties led by BJP kept throwing loud allegations against each other. While the ruling alliance legislators demanded a probe into the purchase of 31 parcels of land in 25 districts of Bihar allegedly by taking illegal advantage of the demonetisation move, the BJP legislators attacked the state government over the rapidly declining law and situation in the state. Interestingly, though MLAs of the ruling alliance stood together in the well of the House, they were chanting different slogans with different demands. Some legislators of Congress, RJD and BJP were seen climbing atop the tables of the reporters, too. RJD legislators demanded apology from BJP legislators for taking the names of some leaders such as RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi who were not members of the state legislature. With ruckus prevailing continuously in both the Houses, they were adjourned frequently, leading to little business of the day having been transacted. PATNA: As the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday witnessed chaos due to unruly protests by legislators of both the ruling alliance and Opposition parties, two lady MLAs accused each other of engaging in unseemly push and shove and both claimed to have received injury. Gayatri Devi, an MLA of the main Opposition BJP, said she got a rude jolt from Prema Chaudhary, an MLA of RJD, a constituent of the ruling alliance led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. She banged my hand hard on the table. It was so bad. I received an injury, said Devi to journalists while talking about the time when both ruling alliance and Opposition MLAs rushed into the well of the Assembly shouting slogans in support of their contentions. That is not true. It was she who pushed me back hard with her elbow. That gave me an injury. It was very rude of her to do so inside the Assembly, said Chaudhary. Very little business was transacted by the state legislature as lawmakers of the ruling grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress and the Opposition parties led by BJP kept throwing loud allegations against each other. While the ruling alliance legislators demanded a probe into the purchase of 31 parcels of land in 25 districts of Bihar allegedly by taking illegal advantage of the demonetisation move, the BJP legislators attacked the state government over the rapidly declining law and situation in the state. Interestingly, though MLAs of the ruling alliance stood together in the well of the House, they were chanting different slogans with different demands. Some legislators of Congress, RJD and BJP were seen climbing atop the tables of the reporters, too. RJD legislators demanded apology from BJP legislators for taking the names of some leaders such as RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi who were not members of the state legislature. With ruckus prevailing continuously in both the Houses, they were adjourned frequently, leading to little business of the day having been transacted. By PTI NEW DELHI: Two youths were today arrested for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old to death as he had asked for the phone number of the girlfriend of one of the accused in west Delhi's Nihal Vihar area, police said. Shamshad (20) allegedly stabbed Salauddin with a knife "more than 25 times" on November 26, while Sunil Pal (19) was an accomplice in the crime, said DCP (West) Vijay Kumar. Salauddin's friend Monu, who had rushed him to the hospital, told the police that on the fateful day, they were consuming alcohol when the deceased got a call from Pal who told him that he had got into a brawl with the local boys at DDA Park and called him for help, said the officer. "Four of them reached DDA Park where Pal took Monu and the two other friends to one side, while Shamshad asked Salauddin why did he want his girlfriend's mobile number. He did not wait for Salauddin's reply and attacked him with a knife. Monu and the other friends tried to intervene but were threatened by Pal," said Kumar. The friends rushed Salauddin to the hospital but he was declared "brought dead". A police team was formed to nab the accused and raids were conducted at their houses and other probable places but in vain, the officer said. Acting on a tip-off, the police today arrested Shamshad and Pal from near the Chander Vihar cremation ground, he added. "During interrogation, Shamshad confessed that he and Salauddin were close friends. Last year, the two had gone to Mubarakpur village in Kirari where Shamshad had befriended a girl. The deceased knew about their friendship and after getting the girl's mobile number from Shamshad's phone, he had started calling and harassing her," Kumar said. The girl told about this to Shamshad who helped her change her phone number and warned Salauddin against calling or meeting her, he added. "On November 25, Shamshad met Pal at a wedding ceremony where the latter told him that Salauddin was asking for his girlfriend's mobile number. Subsequently, Shamshad arranged for a knife and hatched a plan to kill Salauddin," said Kumar. NEW DELHI: Two youths were today arrested for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old to death as he had asked for the phone number of the girlfriend of one of the accused in west Delhi's Nihal Vihar area, police said. Shamshad (20) allegedly stabbed Salauddin with a knife "more than 25 times" on November 26, while Sunil Pal (19) was an accomplice in the crime, said DCP (West) Vijay Kumar. Salauddin's friend Monu, who had rushed him to the hospital, told the police that on the fateful day, they were consuming alcohol when the deceased got a call from Pal who told him that he had got into a brawl with the local boys at DDA Park and called him for help, said the officer. "Four of them reached DDA Park where Pal took Monu and the two other friends to one side, while Shamshad asked Salauddin why did he want his girlfriend's mobile number. He did not wait for Salauddin's reply and attacked him with a knife. Monu and the other friends tried to intervene but were threatened by Pal," said Kumar. The friends rushed Salauddin to the hospital but he was declared "brought dead". A police team was formed to nab the accused and raids were conducted at their houses and other probable places but in vain, the officer said. Acting on a tip-off, the police today arrested Shamshad and Pal from near the Chander Vihar cremation ground, he added. "During interrogation, Shamshad confessed that he and Salauddin were close friends. Last year, the two had gone to Mubarakpur village in Kirari where Shamshad had befriended a girl. The deceased knew about their friendship and after getting the girl's mobile number from Shamshad's phone, he had started calling and harassing her," Kumar said. The girl told about this to Shamshad who helped her change her phone number and warned Salauddin against calling or meeting her, he added. "On November 25, Shamshad met Pal at a wedding ceremony where the latter told him that Salauddin was asking for his girlfriend's mobile number. Subsequently, Shamshad arranged for a knife and hatched a plan to kill Salauddin," said Kumar. Santwana Bhattacharya By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Opposition expressed Jan Aaakrosh on Monday. Branding the Central Governments sudden demonetisation move as anti-people, throwing life in urban and rural India out of gear, the prominent non-BJP, non-NDA leaders took to the street, marched in protest and also courted arrest. Inside Parliament too, they raised deafening slogans demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his presence in the House while they debated the issue. Modi, since his Nov 8 national address on demonitisation, has spoken to the public directly several times, but not in any of the Houses of Parliament. The opposition, thus, was united in anger. Though divided in the manner they protested. If Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi gathered MPs of his and a few opposition parties, like DMK and NCP, under the Gandhi statue in Parliament forecourt, and raised slogans, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury with other Left leaders marched from Jantar Mantar to Mandi House and gave a fiery speech. We believe the Prime Minister has brought the country to a standstill. He has imposed deshbandi (holding country hostage) with notebandi (demonetisation). 90 per cent of our people do cash transactions every day. Their lives have been hit quite hard. We are protesting against all this, Yechury said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal first got into a Twitter war with Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, over how much he was spending on his sons wedding. NEW DELHI: The Opposition expressed Jan Aaakrosh on Monday. Branding the Central Governments sudden demonetisation move as anti-people, throwing life in urban and rural India out of gear, the prominent non-BJP, non-NDA leaders took to the street, marched in protest and also courted arrest. Inside Parliament too, they raised deafening slogans demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his presence in the House while they debated the issue. Modi, since his Nov 8 national address on demonitisation, has spoken to the public directly several times, but not in any of the Houses of Parliament. The opposition, thus, was united in anger. Though divided in the manner they protested. If Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi gathered MPs of his and a few opposition parties, like DMK and NCP, under the Gandhi statue in Parliament forecourt, and raised slogans, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury with other Left leaders marched from Jantar Mantar to Mandi House and gave a fiery speech. We believe the Prime Minister has brought the country to a standstill. He has imposed deshbandi (holding country hostage) with notebandi (demonetisation). 90 per cent of our people do cash transactions every day. Their lives have been hit quite hard. We are protesting against all this, Yechury said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal first got into a Twitter war with Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, over how much he was spending on his sons wedding. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Where is Jai? A group of parliamentarians Tuesday in Lok Sabha raised serious concerns about the missing tiger, one of the biggest in the country, from last six months in Maharashtra. One of the parliament members even demanded the Centre to take Interpol help to check the cases of tiger poaching in the country. The matter of 250-kilogram Jai, who has been missing since April this year from Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary of Nagpur was raised in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour. The male tiger was the star attraction of Sanctuary. Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Shiv Sena MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg raised concerns that despite huge allocation under Project Tiger to Maharashtra, the big cat has been missing and questioned Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave about action taken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority under the environment ministry. Dave accepted that Jai has been missing for the last six months and all efforts are being made to search him. According to state forest officials, his radio collar also stopped working after he went missing. Adult tigers have a sprawling territory of 100 square kilometer and it is not easy to search him. Now that the monsoon season is over so we are searching him. However, there is no evidence that the tiger has been killed and it might be alive, Dave told the parliament. Nana Patole, BJP MP from Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra demanded that the Centre should take help of Interpol to stop tigers from being poached. The minister had said earlier that the Centre would seek help from Interpol if needed. Jai has been poached as there is demand for tiger parts, said Patole. Dave assured the house that as of now there is no information on the missing tiger. There is demand for tiger parts in Southeast Asia and China and we keep a tab on such activities. We also take help of Interpol whenever need arises, said the minister. India is home to largest tiger in the wild. According to 2014 Census, their numbers stand at 2226, which is 70 percent of worlds population. NEW DELHI: Where is Jai? A group of parliamentarians Tuesday in Lok Sabha raised serious concerns about the missing tiger, one of the biggest in the country, from last six months in Maharashtra. One of the parliament members even demanded the Centre to take Interpol help to check the cases of tiger poaching in the country. The matter of 250-kilogram Jai, who has been missing since April this year from Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary of Nagpur was raised in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour. The male tiger was the star attraction of Sanctuary. Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Shiv Sena MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg raised concerns that despite huge allocation under Project Tiger to Maharashtra, the big cat has been missing and questioned Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave about action taken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority under the environment ministry. Dave accepted that Jai has been missing for the last six months and all efforts are being made to search him. According to state forest officials, his radio collar also stopped working after he went missing. Adult tigers have a sprawling territory of 100 square kilometer and it is not easy to search him. Now that the monsoon season is over so we are searching him. However, there is no evidence that the tiger has been killed and it might be alive, Dave told the parliament. Nana Patole, BJP MP from Bhandara-Gondiya in Maharashtra demanded that the Centre should take help of Interpol to stop tigers from being poached. The minister had said earlier that the Centre would seek help from Interpol if needed. Jai has been poached as there is demand for tiger parts, said Patole. Dave assured the house that as of now there is no information on the missing tiger. There is demand for tiger parts in Southeast Asia and China and we keep a tab on such activities. We also take help of Interpol whenever need arises, said the minister. India is home to largest tiger in the wild. According to 2014 Census, their numbers stand at 2226, which is 70 percent of worlds population. By ANI MUMBAI: After a series of legal battles that lasted for five years, women activists on Tuesday entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah. Prior to 2011, the dargah did not discriminate against women and allowed free entry of people across religions. However, in March 2011, the dargah's board of trustees imposed a ban on womens entry calling it a grievous sin. On October 24, the Haji Ali Dargah Trust had told the Supreme Court that it was ready to implement the Bombay High Courts order to allow womens enter to the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine located in South Mumbai and had sought four weeks for infrastructural changes to make arrangements for it. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur was hearing a plea by the Haji Ali Dargah Trust challenging the Bombay High Courts ruling to provide equal right of entry to both women and men in the dargah's sanctum sanctorum. On August 26, the Bombay High Court held that the ban imposed by the Trust, prohibiting women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah, contravened Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution and said women should be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum like men. Noorjehan Fiaz and Zakia Soman, founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had petitioned the Bombay High Court against the ban, calling it unconstitutional. Bhumata brigade chief Trupti Desai had also said the Supreme Court's decision should act as a guidance for the nation to allow the entry of women in all temples. Speaking to ANI, Desai said, Those trustees who opposed our movement and did not allow us to enter the dargah, they had to bow down in front of us. The decision of the Supreme Court should act as an inspiration for the nation and to all temples where women are dishonored and not treated at par with their male counterparts. When we will receive the dates of Haji Ali, we will let you know. We will begin our rally from the place where we were stopped," she added. MUMBAI: After a series of legal battles that lasted for five years, women activists on Tuesday entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah. Prior to 2011, the dargah did not discriminate against women and allowed free entry of people across religions. However, in March 2011, the dargah's board of trustees imposed a ban on womens entry calling it a grievous sin. On October 24, the Haji Ali Dargah Trust had told the Supreme Court that it was ready to implement the Bombay High Courts order to allow womens enter to the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine located in South Mumbai and had sought four weeks for infrastructural changes to make arrangements for it. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur was hearing a plea by the Haji Ali Dargah Trust challenging the Bombay High Courts ruling to provide equal right of entry to both women and men in the dargah's sanctum sanctorum. On August 26, the Bombay High Court held that the ban imposed by the Trust, prohibiting women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah, contravened Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution and said women should be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum like men. Noorjehan Fiaz and Zakia Soman, founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had petitioned the Bombay High Court against the ban, calling it unconstitutional. Bhumata brigade chief Trupti Desai had also said the Supreme Court's decision should act as a guidance for the nation to allow the entry of women in all temples. Speaking to ANI, Desai said, Those trustees who opposed our movement and did not allow us to enter the dargah, they had to bow down in front of us. The decision of the Supreme Court should act as an inspiration for the nation and to all temples where women are dishonored and not treated at par with their male counterparts. When we will receive the dates of Haji Ali, we will let you know. We will begin our rally from the place where we were stopped," she added. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A junior home minister said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that only four terrorists had taken part in the Pathankot airbase attack, contradicting Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar statements that six ultras were involved in the terror strike, prompting government officials to issue a clarification saying the number was still six. Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial Road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village and attacked the air force station in Pathankot, Minister of State Hansraj Ahir said in his written reply to a question from Congress MP Ravneet Singh. Soon after the mismatch was pointed out, officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs scrambled to correct the mistake, which they blamed on bureaucratic goof-up. The official figure of terrorists involved in the attack is still six and it was nothing but a drafting mistake. We have pulled up the official who drafted the written reply and it was unintended. We will request the Speaker tomorrow to rectify the mistake, said a senior official at North Block, which houses the ministry. However, another ministry official had a different take. It shows the government is yet to resolve the row over the number of attackers killed in Pathankot. This is bound to happen when security agencies are still not sure about the exact number of attackers, the official said. According to the National Investigation Agency, while the bodies of four were found, the remains of the other two werent. Sources in the National Security Guards, which led the counter-terror operation following the attack, had maintained that two terrorists were neutralised by firing from the cannon of a BMP II-armoured personnel carrier into an airmens billet. But their clothes, weapons or even remains couldnt be traced. The apparent gaffe came a day after the NIA got the home ministrys go-ahead to prosecute Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot attack that killed six soldiers, and three other Pakistani nationals. In March Rajnath said the number of terrorists killed in Pathankot was six, a figure that was corroborated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. NEW DELHI: A junior home minister said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that only four terrorists had taken part in the Pathankot airbase attack, contradicting Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar statements that six ultras were involved in the terror strike, prompting government officials to issue a clarification saying the number was still six. Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial Road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village and attacked the air force station in Pathankot, Minister of State Hansraj Ahir said in his written reply to a question from Congress MP Ravneet Singh. Soon after the mismatch was pointed out, officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs scrambled to correct the mistake, which they blamed on bureaucratic goof-up. The official figure of terrorists involved in the attack is still six and it was nothing but a drafting mistake. We have pulled up the official who drafted the written reply and it was unintended. We will request the Speaker tomorrow to rectify the mistake, said a senior official at North Block, which houses the ministry. However, another ministry official had a different take. It shows the government is yet to resolve the row over the number of attackers killed in Pathankot. This is bound to happen when security agencies are still not sure about the exact number of attackers, the official said. According to the National Investigation Agency, while the bodies of four were found, the remains of the other two werent. Sources in the National Security Guards, which led the counter-terror operation following the attack, had maintained that two terrorists were neutralised by firing from the cannon of a BMP II-armoured personnel carrier into an airmens billet. But their clothes, weapons or even remains couldnt be traced. The apparent gaffe came a day after the NIA got the home ministrys go-ahead to prosecute Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot attack that killed six soldiers, and three other Pakistani nationals. In March Rajnath said the number of terrorists killed in Pathankot was six, a figure that was corroborated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. By PTI PATIALA/NEW DELHI: Three persons, including an assistant superintendent and head warden of Nabha jail were today arrested for criminal conspiracy in Sunday's jailbreak incident even as a joint team of Punjab and Delhi police interrogated KLA chief Harminder Mintoo, who was among the escapees. Assistant jail superintendent Bhim Singh, head warden Jagmeet Singh and a sweet shop owner Tejinder Sharma have been arrested on the charges of abetment and criminal conspiracy in the jailbreak case, police said. Singh had allegedly met the accused a day before their daring escape and his mobile phone was claimed to have been used for plotting the jailbreak. Police have booked 29 people, including nine jail officials, under relevant sections of IPC in connection with the incident, officials said. Meanwhile, a joint team of Delhi and Punjab police quizzed Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) militant Mintoo, who was apprehended at the Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi on Monday. It has emerged during the interrogation that Mintoo had access to mobile phone in the Nabha jail, sources said. "He is claiming it was a common cell phone used by other inmates also," the source said. Mintoo said he used the phone to "call only his family members" but sources said police will examine through the Call Data Records if he was in contact with ISI. "Also we will be examining if he had access to social media and Skype as one of the escapees was a regular on Facebook from inside the jail," sources said. Sources said Mintoo will be questioned about whether he was planning to revive the activities of his outfit and shift to Malaysia or Germany. "Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He told us many things but maintained silence on many. Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case and how it was planned. We will also be questioning him about where the others (escapees) could be hiding," said a senior police officer privy to the probe. Meanwhile, several teams of Delhi Police, including Special Cell and Crime Branch, are looking for leads with regard to the whereabouts of Kashmir Singh, another escapee, who had accompanied Mintoo to Delhi and separated from him at Kashmere Gate bus stop, said a senior police officer. Two close aides of alleged mastermind of the jailbreak Parminder Singh alias Penda have been arrested in Dehradun with police suspecting that the incident may have been plotted at their hideout in the city. Parminder was arrested with a cache of firearms near Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district on Sunday evening itself. Geeta Arora, wife of Penda's friend Sunil Arora with whom the jailbreak mastermind was staying in a rented accommodation in the city's Raipur area and an aide Aditya Mehra were arrested from their hideout yesterday, SSP, Dehradun Sadanand Date said. However, Sunil Arora along with another accomplice managed to escape, he said. Sunil is a close friend of Penda who was staying with the Aroras for six months till he left the city five days before the jailbreak. Date said the jailbreak in all likelihood was plotted at their hideout in the city. Several fake vehicle number plates, voter IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, bullets, material used for making bomb and Rs two lakh cash have been recovered from the house where the duo was arrested, the SSP said. Meanwhile, Parminder, who was lodged in a jail in Muzaffarnagar, was sent to Punjab following a production warrant from an Ambala court. On Sunday, Mintoo, another militant Kashmir Singh, besides gangsters Amandeep Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol were freed by a group of armed men in police uniform amid a fusillade of gunfire. PATIALA/NEW DELHI: Three persons, including an assistant superintendent and head warden of Nabha jail were today arrested for criminal conspiracy in Sunday's jailbreak incident even as a joint team of Punjab and Delhi police interrogated KLA chief Harminder Mintoo, who was among the escapees. Assistant jail superintendent Bhim Singh, head warden Jagmeet Singh and a sweet shop owner Tejinder Sharma have been arrested on the charges of abetment and criminal conspiracy in the jailbreak case, police said. Singh had allegedly met the accused a day before their daring escape and his mobile phone was claimed to have been used for plotting the jailbreak. Police have booked 29 people, including nine jail officials, under relevant sections of IPC in connection with the incident, officials said. Meanwhile, a joint team of Delhi and Punjab police quizzed Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) militant Mintoo, who was apprehended at the Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi on Monday. It has emerged during the interrogation that Mintoo had access to mobile phone in the Nabha jail, sources said. "He is claiming it was a common cell phone used by other inmates also," the source said. Mintoo said he used the phone to "call only his family members" but sources said police will examine through the Call Data Records if he was in contact with ISI. "Also we will be examining if he had access to social media and Skype as one of the escapees was a regular on Facebook from inside the jail," sources said. Sources said Mintoo will be questioned about whether he was planning to revive the activities of his outfit and shift to Malaysia or Germany. "Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He told us many things but maintained silence on many. Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case and how it was planned. We will also be questioning him about where the others (escapees) could be hiding," said a senior police officer privy to the probe. Meanwhile, several teams of Delhi Police, including Special Cell and Crime Branch, are looking for leads with regard to the whereabouts of Kashmir Singh, another escapee, who had accompanied Mintoo to Delhi and separated from him at Kashmere Gate bus stop, said a senior police officer. Two close aides of alleged mastermind of the jailbreak Parminder Singh alias Penda have been arrested in Dehradun with police suspecting that the incident may have been plotted at their hideout in the city. Parminder was arrested with a cache of firearms near Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district on Sunday evening itself. Geeta Arora, wife of Penda's friend Sunil Arora with whom the jailbreak mastermind was staying in a rented accommodation in the city's Raipur area and an aide Aditya Mehra were arrested from their hideout yesterday, SSP, Dehradun Sadanand Date said. However, Sunil Arora along with another accomplice managed to escape, he said. Sunil is a close friend of Penda who was staying with the Aroras for six months till he left the city five days before the jailbreak. Date said the jailbreak in all likelihood was plotted at their hideout in the city. Several fake vehicle number plates, voter IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, bullets, material used for making bomb and Rs two lakh cash have been recovered from the house where the duo was arrested, the SSP said. Meanwhile, Parminder, who was lodged in a jail in Muzaffarnagar, was sent to Punjab following a production warrant from an Ambala court. On Sunday, Mintoo, another militant Kashmir Singh, besides gangsters Amandeep Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Neeta Deol were freed by a group of armed men in police uniform amid a fusillade of gunfire. M Venkaiah Naidu By The lack of public response to the call of the Left, Congress and some other Opposition parties for observing Jan Akrosh Diwas bandh on Monday clearly showed that the Opposition parties completely lost the plot and failed to read the pulse of the people, who are overwhelmingly backing Prime Minister Narendra Modis move to eradicate corruption and black money. The fact that the Opposition parties could not reach unanimity whether to call for a bandh or organise protests also proved that they were a confused lot with different parties pulling in different directions. With the activists of Opposition parties holding protest rallies, the bandh turned out be a political theatre of the absurd. Shockingly, the Left government in Kerala instead of upholding the rule of the law, abdicated its constitutional responsibility and acquiesced silently with the protesters in causing disruption and immense suffering to the people. In West Bengal too, the Left appears to be in a hurry to render itself redundant, as there were no takers to its bandh call. Similarly, the Left, Congress and a few other Opposition parties are disrupting the proceedings in both the Houses without any rhyme or reason. AMIT BANDRE The government repeatedly assured that the Prime Minister would intervene during the course of the debate, but the Opposition parties frequently changed their goalposts and did not allow the House to function. It is unbecoming on the part of the members of these parties to raise slogans every time. For whom was the so-called Jan Aakrosh Diwas called? Is it not the moral duty of these political parties to strengthen the fight against corruption and black money instead of trying to mislead the people of the country? The fact that there was not a single law and order problem for the past 20 days after the withdrawal of `500 and `1,000 currency notes from circulation, proves that the people are behind the government in spite of the temporary inconvenience caused to them. It is a well-known fact that the Congress-led UPA and its allies had only served the interests of the rich and neglected the poor, while in power. It is inconceivable to understand why they are protesting against demonetisation if they are truly wedded to the cause of common man. No doubt, political parties have the right to reflect the anger on any initiative of the government, but any such protest should mirror peoples anger and not the frustrations of a handful of disgruntled parties. In fact, the Prime Minister had made it clear during the announcement on November 8 that there would be some difficulties to the people and sought their cooperation to cleanse the system. It should be noted that the landmark decision announced by the Prime Minister was a clarion call for a cultural revolution against the decadent culture of corruption. With single-minded focus to bring in total transparency, the Prime Minister had unveiled a multi-pronged strategy to cleanse the system of all the ills as past experience showed that it was completely manipulated to serve the ends of certain groups and individuals, who had scant and contemptuous disregard for the common man. Modi is trying to create a new normal in which the financial institutions would cater to the needs of the poor, common man and the middle classes, who constitute the vast majority of the society. The Prime Minister is keen to bring about a behavioural change in the people and build a new and resurgent India through Swachh Bharat in terms of Tan, Man and Dhan cleanliness also in thoughts and actions. It is apparent that the Left and the Congress parties are completely out of sync with the peoples mood and the latters desire to stamp out corruption and black money. P eople have realised that demonetisation would bring in more money into the formal economic system and this would enable increased funding for welfare schemes. It is obvious that the Prime Ministers initiatives were aimed at erasing the impression that India was corrupt country. He wants to change the impression that corruption is rampant in India and build a Clean India image globally. It should be noted that increased investments and enhanced economic and business activities would benefit millions of unemployed youth. Enhanced revenues to the Centre and states would ultimately benefit the poor. The new initiatives would herald a modern India on the lines of advanced countries wherein financial payments and transactions will not require carrying cash. The Prime Minister has undertaken a monumental challenge. This initiative is akin to a second freedom struggle against corruption, black money and exploitation of the people. The path-breaking decision is aimed towards building a resurgent India by implementing the NDA governments vision of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas. People even in remotest villages are hailing the Prime Ministers move. If the BJPs political rivals are not questioning demonetisation or remonetisation, what is it that they are objecting to? Apparently, the Opposition parties are confused and afraid to have a threadbare discussion in Parliament. Worried that they would get thoroughly get exposed, they stalled the debate from concluding in the Rajya Sabha and commencing in the Lok Sabha. These parties will pay a heavy price if they continue to champion wrong causes. People say that left can never be right. Thats why, the Left parties are being gradually left out by the people. The lack of public response to the call of the Left, Congress and some other Opposition parties for observing Jan Akrosh Diwas bandh on Monday clearly showed that the Opposition parties completely lost the plot and failed to read the pulse of the people, who are overwhelmingly backing Prime Minister Narendra Modis move to eradicate corruption and black money. The fact that the Opposition parties could not reach unanimity whether to call for a bandh or organise protests also proved that they were a confused lot with different parties pulling in different directions. With the activists of Opposition parties holding protest rallies, the bandh turned out be a political theatre of the absurd. Shockingly, the Left government in Kerala instead of upholding the rule of the law, abdicated its constitutional responsibility and acquiesced silently with the protesters in causing disruption and immense suffering to the people. In West Bengal too, the Left appears to be in a hurry to render itself redundant, as there were no takers to its bandh call. Similarly, the Left, Congress and a few other Opposition parties are disrupting the proceedings in both the Houses without any rhyme or reason. AMIT BANDREThe government repeatedly assured that the Prime Minister would intervene during the course of the debate, but the Opposition parties frequently changed their goalposts and did not allow the House to function. It is unbecoming on the part of the members of these parties to raise slogans every time. For whom was the so-called Jan Aakrosh Diwas called? Is it not the moral duty of these political parties to strengthen the fight against corruption and black money instead of trying to mislead the people of the country? The fact that there was not a single law and order problem for the past 20 days after the withdrawal of `500 and `1,000 currency notes from circulation, proves that the people are behind the government in spite of the temporary inconvenience caused to them. It is a well-known fact that the Congress-led UPA and its allies had only served the interests of the rich and neglected the poor, while in power. It is inconceivable to understand why they are protesting against demonetisation if they are truly wedded to the cause of common man. No doubt, political parties have the right to reflect the anger on any initiative of the government, but any such protest should mirror peoples anger and not the frustrations of a handful of disgruntled parties. In fact, the Prime Minister had made it clear during the announcement on November 8 that there would be some difficulties to the people and sought their cooperation to cleanse the system. It should be noted that the landmark decision announced by the Prime Minister was a clarion call for a cultural revolution against the decadent culture of corruption. With single-minded focus to bring in total transparency, the Prime Minister had unveiled a multi-pronged strategy to cleanse the system of all the ills as past experience showed that it was completely manipulated to serve the ends of certain groups and individuals, who had scant and contemptuous disregard for the common man. Modi is trying to create a new normal in which the financial institutions would cater to the needs of the poor, common man and the middle classes, who constitute the vast majority of the society. The Prime Minister is keen to bring about a behavioural change in the people and build a new and resurgent India through Swachh Bharat in terms of Tan, Man and Dhan cleanliness also in thoughts and actions. It is apparent that the Left and the Congress parties are completely out of sync with the peoples mood and the latters desire to stamp out corruption and black money. P eople have realised that demonetisation would bring in more money into the formal economic system and this would enable increased funding for welfare schemes. It is obvious that the Prime Ministers initiatives were aimed at erasing the impression that India was corrupt country. He wants to change the impression that corruption is rampant in India and build a Clean India image globally. It should be noted that increased investments and enhanced economic and business activities would benefit millions of unemployed youth. Enhanced revenues to the Centre and states would ultimately benefit the poor. The new initiatives would herald a modern India on the lines of advanced countries wherein financial payments and transactions will not require carrying cash. The Prime Minister has undertaken a monumental challenge. This initiative is akin to a second freedom struggle against corruption, black money and exploitation of the people. The path-breaking decision is aimed towards building a resurgent India by implementing the NDA governments vision of Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas. People even in remotest villages are hailing the Prime Ministers move. If the BJPs political rivals are not questioning demonetisation or remonetisation, what is it that they are objecting to? Apparently, the Opposition parties are confused and afraid to have a threadbare discussion in Parliament. Worried that they would get thoroughly get exposed, they stalled the debate from concluding in the Rajya Sabha and commencing in the Lok Sabha. These parties will pay a heavy price if they continue to champion wrong causes. People say that left can never be right. Thats why, the Left parties are being gradually left out by the people. Try explaining this: both the ruling and the Opposition parties in the state decided to observe a hartal on December 31, 2006. Both had decided to tread international waters, and denounce the imperialist designs of the US which was manifest in the hanging of Iraqs former President Saddam Hussein. It mattered little that bandhs were banned way back in 1997, as it returned with a vengeance as a hartal. On Monday, it was only natural that the Bharat Bandh spared much of the country, even as it brought Kerala to a standstill. It was another nothing-to-do day for a bulk of the public, already groaning under the weight imposed by demonetisation. Ironically, the hartal was called against the ills of demonetisation on the co-operative banking sector! The long queues in front of the Beverages Corporations liquor retail outlets and heavy rush in front of poultry shops, during every hartal, is quite revealing. Spare a thought for the hapless residents of Thrissur district where the people enjoyed three holidays, with a hartal by the Congress party against a lathi-charge by the police on Saturday, had already set up the weekend. With no clarity on how the cooperative banking sector will benefit from the hartal, it appears to be another knee-jerk protest, more out of habit, than ensuing from any constructive thought. Curiously, as if extending an olive branch, more and more services keep getting exempted from the hartal. This time, it was the turn of tourism and banking institutions to get added to a swelling list. The regular exemption list includes hospitals, weddings, milk and newspapers. It is a matter of debate whether the newly exempted tourists will enjoy a state, paralysed by hartal, just as it is a mystery as to how banks can be up and running when public transport is a casualty and the public is cautious of using their own vehicles. The hope now is that the next list of exemption from the rigours of hartal would include public transport. Try explaining this: both the ruling and the Opposition parties in the state decided to observe a hartal on December 31, 2006. Both had decided to tread international waters, and denounce the imperialist designs of the US which was manifest in the hanging of Iraqs former President Saddam Hussein. It mattered little that bandhs were banned way back in 1997, as it returned with a vengeance as a hartal. On Monday, it was only natural that the Bharat Bandh spared much of the country, even as it brought Kerala to a standstill. It was another nothing-to-do day for a bulk of the public, already groaning under the weight imposed by demonetisation. Ironically, the hartal was called against the ills of demonetisation on the co-operative banking sector! The long queues in front of the Beverages Corporations liquor retail outlets and heavy rush in front of poultry shops, during every hartal, is quite revealing. Spare a thought for the hapless residents of Thrissur district where the people enjoyed three holidays, with a hartal by the Congress party against a lathi-charge by the police on Saturday, had already set up the weekend. With no clarity on how the cooperative banking sector will benefit from the hartal, it appears to be another knee-jerk protest, more out of habit, than ensuing from any constructive thought. Curiously, as if extending an olive branch, more and more services keep getting exempted from the hartal. This time, it was the turn of tourism and banking institutions to get added to a swelling list. The regular exemption list includes hospitals, weddings, milk and newspapers. It is a matter of debate whether the newly exempted tourists will enjoy a state, paralysed by hartal, just as it is a mystery as to how banks can be up and running when public transport is a casualty and the public is cautious of using their own vehicles. The hope now is that the next list of exemption from the rigours of hartal would include public transport. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Evelyn Mary Roy (38), wife of ATM cash van driver Domnic Roy who fled with `1.37 crore in an ATM cash delivery vehicle last Wednesday, was lured to the city by the police. Evelyns elder son Ryan works with a wedding decoration shop in Lingarajapuram. A senior police officer said, We managed to contact him. He contacted his aunt in Chennai to track the three of them. After stealing the money on Wednesday, Domnic went to his house in Kariyanapalya, Lingarajapuram and told his wife about the stolen money. Domnic planned to flee the city and Evelyn agreed to accompany him. That very day, the couple and their minor son took a train from Cantonment Railway Station to Coimbatore where they stayed in a hotel. On Thursday, Evelyn visited her younger sisters house in Coimbatore and the three of them stayed there for a day. On Saturday morning, the family took a train to Chalakudy, Kerala and stayed at a religious retreat centre for two days. Police said Evelyn was also in contact with her father-in-law but used the cell phones of co-travellers. On Friday, Evelyns elder son managed to contact her over the phone and convinced her to return to the city. He assured her that police had no clue about her whereabouts. On Sunday, the family took a bus from Chalakudy back to Bengaluru. She took an autorickshaw to reach home when police nabbed her at Kullappa Circle near Banaswadi around 10.30pm. Evelyn is being questioned to know the whereabouts of Domnic who has `13 lakh now. She revealed that he had thrown away his SIM card soon after the incident.She has been handed over to judicial custody.. Last Wednesday, Domnic who worked as a driver for Logicash escaped with the cash van carrying Rs 1.37 crore when it had stopped at a Bank of India branch on K G Road. On Thursday morning, the vehicle was found abandoned near Mount Carmel College in Vasanth Nagar. Police recovered `45 lakh cash from the van and the security guards gun from the vehicle. BENGALURU: Evelyn Mary Roy (38), wife of ATM cash van driver Domnic Roy who fled with `1.37 crore in an ATM cash delivery vehicle last Wednesday, was lured to the city by the police. Evelyns elder son Ryan works with a wedding decoration shop in Lingarajapuram. A senior police officer said, We managed to contact him. He contacted his aunt in Chennai to track the three of them. After stealing the money on Wednesday, Domnic went to his house in Kariyanapalya, Lingarajapuram and told his wife about the stolen money. Domnic planned to flee the city and Evelyn agreed to accompany him. That very day, the couple and their minor son took a train from Cantonment Railway Station to Coimbatore where they stayed in a hotel. On Thursday, Evelyn visited her younger sisters house in Coimbatore and the three of them stayed there for a day. On Saturday morning, the family took a train to Chalakudy, Kerala and stayed at a religious retreat centre for two days. Police said Evelyn was also in contact with her father-in-law but used the cell phones of co-travellers. On Friday, Evelyns elder son managed to contact her over the phone and convinced her to return to the city. He assured her that police had no clue about her whereabouts. On Sunday, the family took a bus from Chalakudy back to Bengaluru. She took an autorickshaw to reach home when police nabbed her at Kullappa Circle near Banaswadi around 10.30pm. Evelyn is being questioned to know the whereabouts of Domnic who has `13 lakh now. She revealed that he had thrown away his SIM card soon after the incident.She has been handed over to judicial custody.. Last Wednesday, Domnic who worked as a driver for Logicash escaped with the cash van carrying Rs 1.37 crore when it had stopped at a Bank of India branch on K G Road. On Thursday morning, the vehicle was found abandoned near Mount Carmel College in Vasanth Nagar. Police recovered `45 lakh cash from the van and the security guards gun from the vehicle. By Express News Service KOTTAYAM: A 54-year-old trader committed suicide on Monday allegedly due to financial difficulties and crisis in business caused by the demonetisation drive. The deceased, C P Narayanan Namboothiri of Cheerakkatt Illam in Vazhappally near Changanassery, was a wholesale dealer of Modern Breads in Changanassery. According to police, Namboothiri, who went to his shop at around 6 am on Monday, hung himself from the ceiling fan in the shop. The incident came to light when his wife Sushama sent their driver to the shop after Namboothiri didnt turn up for breakfast and couldnt be reached by mobile. Namboothiris relatives said his business had run into rough weather post demonetisation. He had also been worried for quite some time as he could not ensure sufficient amount in his bank account against a cheque he had presented to Modern Breads. It is said Namboothiri had borrowed `1.5 lakh from his driver and was bound to repay it before December 4, the wedding date of the drivers daughter. All his attempts to get a bank loan went in vain, allegedly prompting him to take the extreme step. Changanassery police registered a case. Namboothiri is survived by wife and two sons, Krishnadas Namboothiri (Chennai) and Haridas Namboothiri (Bengaluru). KOTTAYAM: A 54-year-old trader committed suicide on Monday allegedly due to financial difficulties and crisis in business caused by the demonetisation drive. The deceased, C P Narayanan Namboothiri of Cheerakkatt Illam in Vazhappally near Changanassery, was a wholesale dealer of Modern Breads in Changanassery. According to police, Namboothiri, who went to his shop at around 6 am on Monday, hung himself from the ceiling fan in the shop. The incident came to light when his wife Sushama sent their driver to the shop after Namboothiri didnt turn up for breakfast and couldnt be reached by mobile. Namboothiris relatives said his business had run into rough weather post demonetisation. He had also been worried for quite some time as he could not ensure sufficient amount in his bank account against a cheque he had presented to Modern Breads. It is said Namboothiri had borrowed `1.5 lakh from his driver and was bound to repay it before December 4, the wedding date of the drivers daughter. All his attempts to get a bank loan went in vain, allegedly prompting him to take the extreme step. Changanassery police registered a case. Namboothiri is survived by wife and two sons, Krishnadas Namboothiri (Chennai) and Haridas Namboothiri (Bengaluru). Baibhav Mishra By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: I chose Odisha as my holiday destination after a colleague informed me about the architectural marvel of temples and applique work of Pipili. But I have to return back disappointed after being unable to buy any souvenir of these monuments or handicraft, said Elina Brandi, a Brazilian tourist who was on a four-day trip to the State, while flying from Bhubaneswar airport to Delhi. Elina was let down right from the day she landed in Delhi. Though her travel was scheduled during the peak season, demonetisation played a spoilsport with her plans. After realising that there was no support at Indira Gandhi International Airport to exchange Brazilian Real for Indian Rupee, she called up her travel agent at Bhubaneswar. However, the travel agent was out of cash, foreign currency exchanges were shut down fearing IT and ED raids and the banks provided little help. While the banks opened a day after demonetisation move, the staff were busy attending to customers and exchanging illegal tenders. They had no time to even listen to foreign travellers. I was a solo traveller and did not want to waste two precious days from my itinerary running from pillar to post for Indian currencies, said Elina. Though Odisha witnesses a footfall of 3,500 to 4,000 tourists in a normal November, the number saw a drop of 25 per cent this year. A number of online bookings was cancelled and those who stuck to their travel plans found themselves in a difficult situation. The demonetisation process was executed without keeping any facilities to assist the travellers and tour operators who found themselves in a helpless situation, senior travel industry expert Benjamin Simon said. As per reports, travel plans of a seven-member group from Austria, 13 tourists from Australia, 13 from Italy, 18 from Belgium and 10 from Netherlands were badly hit as they had landed in Bhubaneswar just after `1000 and `500 currency was nullified. On the other hand, the handicraft industry also bore the brunt of the note ban. We toil during the off-season expecting high sales during the peak tourist period. This year, weavers and applique artists had to face major losses due to shortage of Indian currency as foreign tourists are our principal customers, said Ramhari Das, a Chandua-maker of Pipili. Ancillary units for travel like local restaurants, local transporters and even rickshaw pullers were also affected. Australian tourist Val Finkelstein said it was a huge disappointment as currency exchange facility was defunct in banks, hotels and other agencies.Though we would have loved to enjoy the local cuisine and sight-seeing on a rickshaw, these were not possible due to lack of Indian currency, Val added. Usually, local tour operators arrange cultural shows by hiring troupes to perform Gotipua, Odissi, Paika Nacha and a variety of tribal dances for the tourists. This time, we were unable to organise such events due to shortage of cash, Shantanu Maharana, a tour guide said. BHUBANESWAR: I chose Odisha as my holiday destination after a colleague informed me about the architectural marvel of temples and applique work of Pipili. But I have to return back disappointed after being unable to buy any souvenir of these monuments or handicraft, said Elina Brandi, a Brazilian tourist who was on a four-day trip to the State, while flying from Bhubaneswar airport to Delhi. Elina was let down right from the day she landed in Delhi. Though her travel was scheduled during the peak season, demonetisation played a spoilsport with her plans. After realising that there was no support at Indira Gandhi International Airport to exchange Brazilian Real for Indian Rupee, she called up her travel agent at Bhubaneswar. However, the travel agent was out of cash, foreign currency exchanges were shut down fearing IT and ED raids and the banks provided little help. While the banks opened a day after demonetisation move, the staff were busy attending to customers and exchanging illegal tenders. They had no time to even listen to foreign travellers. I was a solo traveller and did not want to waste two precious days from my itinerary running from pillar to post for Indian currencies, said Elina. Though Odisha witnesses a footfall of 3,500 to 4,000 tourists in a normal November, the number saw a drop of 25 per cent this year. A number of online bookings was cancelled and those who stuck to their travel plans found themselves in a difficult situation. The demonetisation process was executed without keeping any facilities to assist the travellers and tour operators who found themselves in a helpless situation, senior travel industry expert Benjamin Simon said. As per reports, travel plans of a seven-member group from Austria, 13 tourists from Australia, 13 from Italy, 18 from Belgium and 10 from Netherlands were badly hit as they had landed in Bhubaneswar just after `1000 and `500 currency was nullified. On the other hand, the handicraft industry also bore the brunt of the note ban. We toil during the off-season expecting high sales during the peak tourist period. This year, weavers and applique artists had to face major losses due to shortage of Indian currency as foreign tourists are our principal customers, said Ramhari Das, a Chandua-maker of Pipili. Ancillary units for travel like local restaurants, local transporters and even rickshaw pullers were also affected. Australian tourist Val Finkelstein said it was a huge disappointment as currency exchange facility was defunct in banks, hotels and other agencies.Though we would have loved to enjoy the local cuisine and sight-seeing on a rickshaw, these were not possible due to lack of Indian currency, Val added. Usually, local tour operators arrange cultural shows by hiring troupes to perform Gotipua, Odissi, Paika Nacha and a variety of tribal dances for the tourists. This time, we were unable to organise such events due to shortage of cash, Shantanu Maharana, a tour guide said. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Technology should act as a leveller by bridging socio-economic differences. While the idea of digital inclusion largely refers to a wage earner possessing a smart phone and having access to the Internet, it is a limited perspective, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday. Addressing NASSCOMs Executive Council here, Naveen said it is high time health, education and water reached the common man with the power of technology. Beyond creation of unicorns, stakeholders in the industry and administration need to focus on value addition and market capitalisation, he added. Addressing mediapersons on the occasion, NASSCOM president and CEO R Chandrasekhar said the world is witnessing a lot of turbulence because of both economic and political factors as well as major changes in technology. Today, clients across the world are expecting a lot more from the IT industry than just information technology expertise, he said. NASSCOM chairman CP Gurnani said in Odisha, components such as the education policy, skill development, start-ups, digital Odisha and Smart City Bhubaneswar have to co-exist and work in tandem to attract major investment for the IT industry. The State Government has decided to provide 5000 to 10,000 sq ft floor area to NASSCOM for setting up its start-up centre at OCAC. The centre will help to mentor local entrepreneurs, Principal Secretary IT and Electronics Department Pradip Jena said. BHUBANESWAR: Technology should act as a leveller by bridging socio-economic differences. While the idea of digital inclusion largely refers to a wage earner possessing a smart phone and having access to the Internet, it is a limited perspective, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday. Addressing NASSCOMs Executive Council here, Naveen said it is high time health, education and water reached the common man with the power of technology. Beyond creation of unicorns, stakeholders in the industry and administration need to focus on value addition and market capitalisation, he added. Addressing mediapersons on the occasion, NASSCOM president and CEO R Chandrasekhar said the world is witnessing a lot of turbulence because of both economic and political factors as well as major changes in technology. Today, clients across the world are expecting a lot more from the IT industry than just information technology expertise, he said. NASSCOM chairman CP Gurnani said in Odisha, components such as the education policy, skill development, start-ups, digital Odisha and Smart City Bhubaneswar have to co-exist and work in tandem to attract major investment for the IT industry. The State Government has decided to provide 5000 to 10,000 sq ft floor area to NASSCOM for setting up its start-up centre at OCAC. The centre will help to mentor local entrepreneurs, Principal Secretary IT and Electronics Department Pradip Jena said. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Continuing its investigation into the blasts at court premises across south India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly arrested two more persons from Madurai on Tuesday. Sources in the district police confirmed one arrest, while details are not clear about the second person. The arrests came a day after the agencys Kochi Unit nabbed four alleged members of 'Base Movement', a little known Islamist outfit that had claimed responsibility of the blasts at Kollam and Malappuram in Kerala, Chittoor and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, and Mysuru in Karnataka on a tip-off. The previously arrested terror suspects have been identified as Abbas Ali, a painter by profession who also runs a library named Darul Ilm at Madurai, Suleiman- the alleged master mind behind the blast, Samsum Karim Raja-a B.Com graduate who runs a chicken shop at Kannimara Koil street in Madurai. Another person named Ayub Ali, also a resident of Madurai was detained for questioning, however it was not confirmed if he is one of the arrested. Of the four, the alleged ring leader, an employee with a leading Indian IT company, was caught in Chennai. The three others arrested from Madurai will be presented before a local court in Melur later today. The arrested members are also expected to be taken to the court in Karnataka where the Mysuru blast case is registered. The NIA is investigating this case, while the rest of the blast cases are probed by local police forces in those states. Five bomb blast incidents were reported in southern India this year, and all of them had targeted courts. The equipment and the materials used in all the cases bore resemblance, indicating that the gang had the same modus operandi. In all cases, the investigating officials state that pressure cookers, timers, gunpowder and Potassium Chlorate were used for engineering the blast. The investigating officials stated it to be Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). All of them were low intensity bombs. NIA had registered the Mysuru court complex blast case on 29 September this year under the sections 120B, 121, 121A of IPC, Section 3, 10, 13,15,16,18 and 20 of UA(P) Act, 1967, section 3, 4 and 5 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. However, local police are yet to receive information in this regard. Incidents Chittoor April 7: At around 12 PM, a bomb placed in a TVS scooter by unidentified individuals went off in the parking area of Chittoor court premises. Two were injured in the incident. Initially investigating officials suspected that Chandrasekhar alias Chintu, the prime accused in the double murder of Chittoor mayor Katari Anuradha and her husband Katari Mohan was the target of the bomb blast but later police ruled it out. Kollam June 15: At around 10.30 AM a suspected country-made 'steel bomb' kept under an unused jeep exploded at the collectorate-cum-district courts complex injuring a 61-year old man. Mysuru August 1: Two people escaped with minor injuries after a low intensity bomb exploded outside the district court at 4 PM. Nellore September 12: A low intensity bomb exploded in Nellore court premises at 2 PM. No one was injured in the incident. Malappuram November 1: An explosive went off inside a parked vehicle on the premises of judicial first class magistrate court in district court complex at 1 PM. CHENNAI: Continuing its investigation into the blasts at court premises across south India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly arrested two more persons from Madurai on Tuesday. Sources in the district police confirmed one arrest, while details are not clear about the second person. The arrests came a day after the agencys Kochi Unit nabbed four alleged members of 'Base Movement', a little known Islamist outfit that had claimed responsibility of the blasts at Kollam and Malappuram in Kerala, Chittoor and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, and Mysuru in Karnataka on a tip-off. The previously arrested terror suspects have been identified as Abbas Ali, a painter by profession who also runs a library named Darul Ilm at Madurai, Suleiman- the alleged master mind behind the blast, Samsum Karim Raja-a B.Com graduate who runs a chicken shop at Kannimara Koil street in Madurai. Another person named Ayub Ali, also a resident of Madurai was detained for questioning, however it was not confirmed if he is one of the arrested. Of the four, the alleged ring leader, an employee with a leading Indian IT company, was caught in Chennai. The three others arrested from Madurai will be presented before a local court in Melur later today. The arrested members are also expected to be taken to the court in Karnataka where the Mysuru blast case is registered. The NIA is investigating this case, while the rest of the blast cases are probed by local police forces in those states. Five bomb blast incidents were reported in southern India this year, and all of them had targeted courts. The equipment and the materials used in all the cases bore resemblance, indicating that the gang had the same modus operandi. In all cases, the investigating officials state that pressure cookers, timers, gunpowder and Potassium Chlorate were used for engineering the blast. The investigating officials stated it to be Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). All of them were low intensity bombs. NIA had registered the Mysuru court complex blast case on 29 September this year under the sections 120B, 121, 121A of IPC, Section 3, 10, 13,15,16,18 and 20 of UA(P) Act, 1967, section 3, 4 and 5 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. However, local police are yet to receive information in this regard. Incidents Chittoor April 7: At around 12 PM, a bomb placed in a TVS scooter by unidentified individuals went off in the parking area of Chittoor court premises. Two were injured in the incident. Initially investigating officials suspected that Chandrasekhar alias Chintu, the prime accused in the double murder of Chittoor mayor Katari Anuradha and her husband Katari Mohan was the target of the bomb blast but later police ruled it out. Kollam June 15: At around 10.30 AM a suspected country-made 'steel bomb' kept under an unused jeep exploded at the collectorate-cum-district courts complex injuring a 61-year old man. Mysuru August 1: Two people escaped with minor injuries after a low intensity bomb exploded outside the district court at 4 PM. Nellore September 12: A low intensity bomb exploded in Nellore court premises at 2 PM. No one was injured in the incident. Malappuram November 1: An explosive went off inside a parked vehicle on the premises of judicial first class magistrate court in district court complex at 1 PM. By AFP OTTAWA, CANADA: Justin Trudeau will not attend Fidel Castro's funeral, the Canadian prime minister's office said Monday, after he was rebuked for calling the late Cuban strongman and family friend a "remarkable leader." Instead, Governor General David Johnston will represent Canada at the commemoration in honor of the former Cuban president in Havana Tuesday evening. Trudeau described Castro after his passing as "a legendary revolutionary and orator." His kind words for Castro, however, were sharply criticized by the opposition and American conservatives who said he was praising a cruel dictator. Pressed on the matter, Trudeau acknowledged the opposition's concerns, saying: "He certainly was a polarizing figure, there certainly were significant concerns around human rights." OTTAWA, CANADA: Justin Trudeau will not attend Fidel Castro's funeral, the Canadian prime minister's office said Monday, after he was rebuked for calling the late Cuban strongman and family friend a "remarkable leader." Instead, Governor General David Johnston will represent Canada at the commemoration in honor of the former Cuban president in Havana Tuesday evening. Trudeau described Castro after his passing as "a legendary revolutionary and orator." His kind words for Castro, however, were sharply criticized by the opposition and American conservatives who said he was praising a cruel dictator. Pressed on the matter, Trudeau acknowledged the opposition's concerns, saying: "He certainly was a polarizing figure, there certainly were significant concerns around human rights." P K Balachandran By Express News Service COLOMBO: Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, a former top LTTE military commander who later became Deputy Minister of National Integration in the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, was arrested on Tuesday by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) for alleged misuse of a bullet proof luxury government vehicle. He was remanded till December 7 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate. According to Daily Mirror the FCID had commenced investigation after police discovered a super luxury bullet proof vehicle valued at approximately LKR 800 million from Batticaloa, Karunas hometown in the Eastern Province. But misuse of a state vehicle given to Karuna when he was a Deputy Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation in the previous government, is a minor charge compared to the many allegations made against him by domestic and international human rights organizations including the UN. The most widely quoted allegation against Karuna after he defected from the LTTE in 2004 and joined the Sri Lankan government side, is that he had forcibly recruited nearly 500 child soldiers to fight against the LTTE in the Eastern province in collaboration with the Sri Lankan army. The Rajapaksa government took Karuna under its wings because his 6000-strong group, with which he defected, had reduced the power of the LTTE in the Eastern Province to such an extent that by 2006 government troops were able to establish complete dominance in the East. He also knew the mind and tactics of LTTE Chief Prabhakaran well, having been his bodyguard at one time and Special Commander of the LTTE in charge of Batticaloa and Amparai districts later. After defection from the LTTE, Karuna, along with his deputy, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, formed a political party cum armed militant group called Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (Tamil Peoples Liberation Tigers) which became a force in the Eastern province so much so that Pillayan could become Chief Minister of the province in alliance with Rajapaksas Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Since the LTTE was out to assassinate Karuna, he fled to the UK in 2007 on a fake diplomatic passport. But he was arrested, jailed and deported to Sri Lanka in 2008. However, in 2009, Karuna was appointed a Deputy Minister of National Integration by President Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, the Karuna group of gun totting militants, it is alleged, continued to carry out assassinations of pro-LTTE leaders in collaboration with Sri Lankan military intelligence units. Court proceedings reveal that members of the Karuna group might have been involved in the assassination of the Tamil National Alliance MPs N.Raviraj in Colombo in 2006 and Joseph Pararajasingham in Batticaloa in 2005. Pillayan is in jail these days in the Pararajasingham assassination case. Karuna is married to Nira, a fighting cadre of the LTTE,who now lives abroad with their children. COLOMBO: Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, a former top LTTE military commander who later became Deputy Minister of National Integration in the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, was arrested on Tuesday by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) for alleged misuse of a bullet proof luxury government vehicle. He was remanded till December 7 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate. According to Daily Mirror the FCID had commenced investigation after police discovered a super luxury bullet proof vehicle valued at approximately LKR 800 million from Batticaloa, Karunas hometown in the Eastern Province. But misuse of a state vehicle given to Karuna when he was a Deputy Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation in the previous government, is a minor charge compared to the many allegations made against him by domestic and international human rights organizations including the UN. The most widely quoted allegation against Karuna after he defected from the LTTE in 2004 and joined the Sri Lankan government side, is that he had forcibly recruited nearly 500 child soldiers to fight against the LTTE in the Eastern province in collaboration with the Sri Lankan army. The Rajapaksa government took Karuna under its wings because his 6000-strong group, with which he defected, had reduced the power of the LTTE in the Eastern Province to such an extent that by 2006 government troops were able to establish complete dominance in the East. He also knew the mind and tactics of LTTE Chief Prabhakaran well, having been his bodyguard at one time and Special Commander of the LTTE in charge of Batticaloa and Amparai districts later. After defection from the LTTE, Karuna, along with his deputy, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, formed a political party cum armed militant group called Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (Tamil Peoples Liberation Tigers) which became a force in the Eastern province so much so that Pillayan could become Chief Minister of the province in alliance with Rajapaksas Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Since the LTTE was out to assassinate Karuna, he fled to the UK in 2007 on a fake diplomatic passport. But he was arrested, jailed and deported to Sri Lanka in 2008. However, in 2009, Karuna was appointed a Deputy Minister of National Integration by President Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, the Karuna group of gun totting militants, it is alleged, continued to carry out assassinations of pro-LTTE leaders in collaboration with Sri Lankan military intelligence units. Court proceedings reveal that members of the Karuna group might have been involved in the assassination of the Tamil National Alliance MPs N.Raviraj in Colombo in 2006 and Joseph Pararajasingham in Batticaloa in 2005. Pillayan is in jail these days in the Pararajasingham assassination case. Karuna is married to Nira, a fighting cadre of the LTTE,who now lives abroad with their children. By AFP WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama will not attend Fidel Castro's funeral, the White House said Monday, demurring on the question of who would lead the US delegation. "The president will not be traveling to attend the funeral of Fidel Castro," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. Obama has sought to thaw tensions with Cuba, but stopped short of meeting Castro during a landmark trip to Havana earlier this year. WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama will not attend Fidel Castro's funeral, the White House said Monday, demurring on the question of who would lead the US delegation. "The president will not be traveling to attend the funeral of Fidel Castro," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. Obama has sought to thaw tensions with Cuba, but stopped short of meeting Castro during a landmark trip to Havana earlier this year. By Associated Press BEIRUT: Renewed airstrikes killed at least 20 civilians as they fled government advances in Syria's besieged eastern part of Aleppo Tuesday, opposition groups reported. The United Nations said up to 16,000 people have already been displaced in recent days of fighting. France called for an urgent Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in Aleppo, where ferocious fighting continued as government forces closed in and sought to break down rebel defenses in the deeply divided city, once Syria's thriving commercial center. Government forces pushed their way into a new neighborhood on the edge of the rebel-held areas to the east, near the Aleppo airport road, according to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based Observatory and government allied media reported pro-government troops were also battling opposition fighters on the western edge of government-controlled Aleppo, seeking to secure the areas and repel opposition fighters from them. The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders also known as the White Helmets, said airstrikes hit a group of civilians fleeing to Bab al-Nairab district from government advances in the north, killing 25. The activist-operated Halab News Network posted footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes, saying at least 20 from three different families were killed. The footage showed body parts strewn along a road full of debris, and families grieving over the corpses of their relatives as rescue workers attended to them. At one point, a warplane roamed overhead. The Observatory put the death toll at 10, but said it was likely to rise, as dozens were wounded and missing. In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition-held eastern Aleppo in the last couple of days, setting off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Many of the fleeing civilians headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held zones. The U.N. Humanitarian Chief Stephen O'Brien said he was "extremely concerned" about the fate of civilians, saying new displacements are likely. He called the situation in Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." "There are no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished in eastern Aleppo," O'Brien said in a statement. "It is likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue to spread and intensify over the coming days." Residents of the besieged, eastern part of Aleppo reached by telephone reported thousands of civilians have moved to its southern district, cramming into alleyways and empty or deserted buildings. Farida, a gynecologist who goes by her first name only for fear of reprisals by the government, said the situation has become "unbearable" in eastern Aleppo. "Many people are escaping to government areas," she said, rushing back to her patient in labor, in one of the few functioning clinics in the enclave. Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who has remained in rebel-held Aleppo, said many of the displaced have squatted in his nearly empty apartment building. Alhamdo said 11 empty apartments in his building were already occupied by the newly displaced, many of them women. "They are not safer from airstrikes, but are at least seeking refuge from the government gangs," said Alhamdo. He said many of the fleeing civilians fear revenge attacks, amid reports of arrests from people living in government-held areas. "Those (fleeing) have escaped death miraculously," he told The Associated Press from Aleppo, where airstrikes and shelling continued. "They called it a death trip." Amnesty International said it has received reports of Syrian security forces detaining men in Aleppo areas recaptured by the government. The London-based human rights group warned of the potential for revenge attacks, arbitrary detention and torture against people formerly living under opposition control. The reports could not be independently confirmed. The U.N.'s O'Brien said civilians in western government-held Aleppo have also come under indiscriminate shelling by opposition groups violence that has displaced about 20,000 people in recent weeks. "The parties to the conflict in Syria have shown time and again that they are willing to take any action to secure military advantage even if it means killing, maiming or starving civilians into submission in the process," O'Brien said. The government has imposed a tight siege on the eastern districts of Aleppo since July, with no aid going in for the last four months while punishing aerial bombings have been hitting hospitals and infrastructure. A brief breach by the rebels lasted nearly two weeks amid fighting around the area. The U.N. estimates that 275,000 people are trapped in the rebel-held enclave, which the new government advance has cleaved into two areas. The Russian Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that "half" of eastern Aleppo has been "liberated," estimating that 80,000 people living there were "freed." On Tuesday, Baraa al-Shami, a spokesman for the opposition fighting group al-Jabha al-Shamia, said opposition fighters are clashing with government forces on the edge of the Sakhour neighborhood from which they were repelled Monday. "The rebels are prepared and they have organized new defense lines because of the new situation on the ground. Military work is primarily defense but we are working on offensives," al-Shami said. He added that there was intense government bombing of nearby al-Shaar neighborhood, which houses a number of the now defunct Aleppo hospitals. France's foreign minister called for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to try to stop the fighting in Aleppo and bring in humanitarian aid. Jean-Marc Ayrault said he will meet Wednesday in Paris with the head of Aleppo's district councils, Brita Haj Hassan. "More than ever, it is urgent to put in place a stop to hostilities and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid," the French foreign minister said. France has supported Syrian opposition groups resisting Assad's Russian-backed forces. BEIRUT: Renewed airstrikes killed at least 20 civilians as they fled government advances in Syria's besieged eastern part of Aleppo Tuesday, opposition groups reported. The United Nations said up to 16,000 people have already been displaced in recent days of fighting. France called for an urgent Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in Aleppo, where ferocious fighting continued as government forces closed in and sought to break down rebel defenses in the deeply divided city, once Syria's thriving commercial center. Government forces pushed their way into a new neighborhood on the edge of the rebel-held areas to the east, near the Aleppo airport road, according to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based Observatory and government allied media reported pro-government troops were also battling opposition fighters on the western edge of government-controlled Aleppo, seeking to secure the areas and repel opposition fighters from them. The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders also known as the White Helmets, said airstrikes hit a group of civilians fleeing to Bab al-Nairab district from government advances in the north, killing 25. The activist-operated Halab News Network posted footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes, saying at least 20 from three different families were killed. The footage showed body parts strewn along a road full of debris, and families grieving over the corpses of their relatives as rescue workers attended to them. At one point, a warplane roamed overhead. The Observatory put the death toll at 10, but said it was likely to rise, as dozens were wounded and missing. In swift and dramatic advances, Syrian government and allied troops pushed their way into northern parts of opposition-held eastern Aleppo in the last couple of days, setting off a wave of panic and flight from the besieged enclave. Many of the fleeing civilians headed to government and Kurdish-controlled areas while others were driven deeper into the remaining rebel-held zones. The U.N. Humanitarian Chief Stephen O'Brien said he was "extremely concerned" about the fate of civilians, saying new displacements are likely. He called the situation in Aleppo "deeply alarming and chilling." "There are no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished in eastern Aleppo," O'Brien said in a statement. "It is likely that thousands more will have no choice but to flee should fighting continue to spread and intensify over the coming days." Residents of the besieged, eastern part of Aleppo reached by telephone reported thousands of civilians have moved to its southern district, cramming into alleyways and empty or deserted buildings. Farida, a gynecologist who goes by her first name only for fear of reprisals by the government, said the situation has become "unbearable" in eastern Aleppo. "Many people are escaping to government areas," she said, rushing back to her patient in labor, in one of the few functioning clinics in the enclave. Abdulkafi Alhamdo, a teacher who has remained in rebel-held Aleppo, said many of the displaced have squatted in his nearly empty apartment building. Alhamdo said 11 empty apartments in his building were already occupied by the newly displaced, many of them women. "They are not safer from airstrikes, but are at least seeking refuge from the government gangs," said Alhamdo. He said many of the fleeing civilians fear revenge attacks, amid reports of arrests from people living in government-held areas. "Those (fleeing) have escaped death miraculously," he told The Associated Press from Aleppo, where airstrikes and shelling continued. "They called it a death trip." Amnesty International said it has received reports of Syrian security forces detaining men in Aleppo areas recaptured by the government. The London-based human rights group warned of the potential for revenge attacks, arbitrary detention and torture against people formerly living under opposition control. The reports could not be independently confirmed. The U.N.'s O'Brien said civilians in western government-held Aleppo have also come under indiscriminate shelling by opposition groups violence that has displaced about 20,000 people in recent weeks. "The parties to the conflict in Syria have shown time and again that they are willing to take any action to secure military advantage even if it means killing, maiming or starving civilians into submission in the process," O'Brien said. The government has imposed a tight siege on the eastern districts of Aleppo since July, with no aid going in for the last four months while punishing aerial bombings have been hitting hospitals and infrastructure. A brief breach by the rebels lasted nearly two weeks amid fighting around the area. The U.N. estimates that 275,000 people are trapped in the rebel-held enclave, which the new government advance has cleaved into two areas. The Russian Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that "half" of eastern Aleppo has been "liberated," estimating that 80,000 people living there were "freed." On Tuesday, Baraa al-Shami, a spokesman for the opposition fighting group al-Jabha al-Shamia, said opposition fighters are clashing with government forces on the edge of the Sakhour neighborhood from which they were repelled Monday. "The rebels are prepared and they have organized new defense lines because of the new situation on the ground. Military work is primarily defense but we are working on offensives," al-Shami said. He added that there was intense government bombing of nearby al-Shaar neighborhood, which houses a number of the now defunct Aleppo hospitals. France's foreign minister called for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting to try to stop the fighting in Aleppo and bring in humanitarian aid. Jean-Marc Ayrault said he will meet Wednesday in Paris with the head of Aleppo's district councils, Brita Haj Hassan. "More than ever, it is urgent to put in place a stop to hostilities and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid," the French foreign minister said. France has supported Syrian opposition groups resisting Assad's Russian-backed forces. By Associated Press Wisconsin election officials are preparing to begin a recount of the state's presidential vote this week. Here are answers to the most significant questions about the pending recount: WHO WON WISCONSIN? Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by 22,170 votes, or about 1 percent of the vote, based on unofficial results. Wisconsin Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen, a Democrat, said he expected Trump to still be the winner after the recount. "It may not be 22,170, but I don't doubt that the president-elect is going to win that vote," Thomsen said. WHO IS ASKING FOR THE RECOUNT AND WHY DO THEY WANT IT? Both Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein and Independent candidate Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente requested the recount on Friday, although Stein is the only one who was actively raising money to pay for it. She alleged in a filing with the state that irregularities with the Wisconsin vote indicated potential tampering. That, combined with "well-documented and conclusive evidence of foreign interference in the presidential race before the election," call into question Wisconsin's results, Stein alleged. WHAT EVIDENCE DOES SHE HAVE? University of Michigan computer scientist J. Alex Halderman said in an affidavit attached to Stein's recount request that hackers could spread malware into voting machines in battleground states and their work would be virtually undetectable. The only way to determine if an attack took place is to examine the paper trail to ensure votes cast match the results determined by the machines, he said. WHAT DO WISCONSIN ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY? There is no evidence that any voting machines were hacked, said Thomsen, the Elections Commission chairman. Wisconsin's decentralized voting system 1,854 municipal clerks who count votes and the fact that the equipment in question is not connected to the internet makes a widespread attack "very unlikely," said Wisconsin Election Commission administrator Mike Haas. Halderman said whether the machines are connected to the internet is irrelevant since election workers typically copy ballot designs from a computer that's connected online and transfer the designs to the machines using memory sticks. HOW WOULD THE RECOUNT BE DONE? The recount would include an examination of all ballots, poll lists, absentee applications, rejected absentee ballots and provisional ballots. At least 31 of Wisconsin's 72 counties told the Elections Commission they planned to do a hand recount whether it's ordered by a judge or not. Others will re-feed paper ballots into vote-tabulating machines. About 95 percent of ballots cast in Wisconsin are on paper and most are tabulated by optical scanners. About 5 percent are cast on touch-screen machines. Recounting those votes involves examining a paper audit that is created. NOT EVERYONE WILL HAND RECOUNT? Stein filed a lawsuit Monday asking a judge to order a statewide hand recount, after the commission said it would allow Wisconsin's 72 counties to determine how to proceed. The lawsuit argues a hand recount is the only way to know if the results were hacked. Wisconsin state law says in order for there to be a hand recount the person requesting it must present evidence electronic equipment tabulated the vote incorrectly, that a hand recount would be more accurate and that the result is likely to change by doing a hand recount. "That seems to be a high burden of proof for any candidate," Haas said. WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS? Stein and De La Fuente are on the hook for the $3.5 million cost of the recount since the election wasn't close enough for taxpayers to pick up the bill. They faced a Tuesday deadline to pay in order for the recount to proceed. HAS WISCONSIN EVER BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE? Wisconsin's last statewide recount was for a state Supreme Court race in 2011. The recount showed Justice David Prosser defeated challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg by 7,004 votes, just 312 votes less than the unofficial results showed. That effort took more than a month and involved about half as many votes as the nearly 3 million votes cast in this year's presidential election in Wisconsin. WHEN WILL IT BE DONE? The deadline for counties to report their recounted vote totals is 8 p.m. Dec. 12. The Elections Commission will review the totals before certifying the vote on Dec. 13, the federal deadline. Electors meet on Dec. 19 this year. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STATE DOESN'T FINISH BY THE DEADLINE? The state could lose control of how its electoral college voters cast their ballots. Congress would then step in and decide which candidate gets the state's 10 votes. Wisconsin election officials are preparing to begin a recount of the state's presidential vote this week. Here are answers to the most significant questions about the pending recount: WHO WON WISCONSIN? Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by 22,170 votes, or about 1 percent of the vote, based on unofficial results. Wisconsin Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen, a Democrat, said he expected Trump to still be the winner after the recount. "It may not be 22,170, but I don't doubt that the president-elect is going to win that vote," Thomsen said. WHO IS ASKING FOR THE RECOUNT AND WHY DO THEY WANT IT? Both Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein and Independent candidate Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente requested the recount on Friday, although Stein is the only one who was actively raising money to pay for it. She alleged in a filing with the state that irregularities with the Wisconsin vote indicated potential tampering. That, combined with "well-documented and conclusive evidence of foreign interference in the presidential race before the election," call into question Wisconsin's results, Stein alleged. WHAT EVIDENCE DOES SHE HAVE? University of Michigan computer scientist J. Alex Halderman said in an affidavit attached to Stein's recount request that hackers could spread malware into voting machines in battleground states and their work would be virtually undetectable. The only way to determine if an attack took place is to examine the paper trail to ensure votes cast match the results determined by the machines, he said. WHAT DO WISCONSIN ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY? There is no evidence that any voting machines were hacked, said Thomsen, the Elections Commission chairman. Wisconsin's decentralized voting system 1,854 municipal clerks who count votes and the fact that the equipment in question is not connected to the internet makes a widespread attack "very unlikely," said Wisconsin Election Commission administrator Mike Haas. Halderman said whether the machines are connected to the internet is irrelevant since election workers typically copy ballot designs from a computer that's connected online and transfer the designs to the machines using memory sticks. HOW WOULD THE RECOUNT BE DONE? The recount would include an examination of all ballots, poll lists, absentee applications, rejected absentee ballots and provisional ballots. At least 31 of Wisconsin's 72 counties told the Elections Commission they planned to do a hand recount whether it's ordered by a judge or not. Others will re-feed paper ballots into vote-tabulating machines. About 95 percent of ballots cast in Wisconsin are on paper and most are tabulated by optical scanners. About 5 percent are cast on touch-screen machines. Recounting those votes involves examining a paper audit that is created. NOT EVERYONE WILL HAND RECOUNT? Stein filed a lawsuit Monday asking a judge to order a statewide hand recount, after the commission said it would allow Wisconsin's 72 counties to determine how to proceed. The lawsuit argues a hand recount is the only way to know if the results were hacked. Wisconsin state law says in order for there to be a hand recount the person requesting it must present evidence electronic equipment tabulated the vote incorrectly, that a hand recount would be more accurate and that the result is likely to change by doing a hand recount. "That seems to be a high burden of proof for any candidate," Haas said. WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS? Stein and De La Fuente are on the hook for the $3.5 million cost of the recount since the election wasn't close enough for taxpayers to pick up the bill. They faced a Tuesday deadline to pay in order for the recount to proceed. HAS WISCONSIN EVER BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE? Wisconsin's last statewide recount was for a state Supreme Court race in 2011. The recount showed Justice David Prosser defeated challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg by 7,004 votes, just 312 votes less than the unofficial results showed. That effort took more than a month and involved about half as many votes as the nearly 3 million votes cast in this year's presidential election in Wisconsin. WHEN WILL IT BE DONE? The deadline for counties to report their recounted vote totals is 8 p.m. Dec. 12. The Elections Commission will review the totals before certifying the vote on Dec. 13, the federal deadline. Electors meet on Dec. 19 this year. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STATE DOESN'T FINISH BY THE DEADLINE? The state could lose control of how its electoral college voters cast their ballots. Congress would then step in and decide which candidate gets the state's 10 votes. Austrian H1 tourism revenue at record half-year high: central bank 2016-11-29 10:47 VIENNA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tourism revenues in Austria for thefirst half of 2016 reached a record-high 9.3 billion euros (9.88billion U.S. dollars), the National Bank of Austria stated in apress release Thursday. The result represents a 6.3-percent increase and marks thehighest sum ever recorded in a half-year period. The central bank said German guests were once again the mostimportant for the domestic tourism industry, staying overnight athotels and guesthouses 4.9 percent more than the year prior. Thisbrought their total number of overnight stays to 27 million, of atotal 53.2 million recorded from all foreign guests. The number of domestic guests staying overnight also increased3.3 percent to 17.6 million. The central bank said the average amount of money spent pernight stayed also increased, notably from Swiss visitors (up 15.2percent), Dutch (up 9.4 percent), and Chinese (9.4 percent). Itnoted that this occurred as hotel and gastronomy costs had alsoincreased. The central bank also observed continued dynamic growth amongstthe Chinese visitors. With spending of 56 million euros, Chinaranked the 18th place in spending by origin country, ahead of Japanwhich ranked the 23rd. Enditem Roundup: Norway's DNB funds sell stakes in companies building Dakota Access pipeline 2016-11-29 10:47 OSLO, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The funds of Norway's largest bank DNBhave sold stakes in companies that are building the Dakota AccessPipeline in the United States, a project that are accused by bothindigenous groups and environmental organizations, newspaperAftenposten reported Thursday. DNB's information director Even Westerveld confirmed the sales,but the bank will keep its loan commitments in the project untilfurther notice, according to the report. The move came after questions are risen around the relationshipof the 1,825-km-long underground U.S. oil pipeline to theindigenous people on one of the areas where the pipeline will bebuilt. The pipeline, estimated to be finished in January next year,would cross the Missouri River, which is the main drinking watersource for the Standing Rock Sioux Indians. According to Aftenposten, DNB funds' stakes had a value ofaround 3 million U.S. dollars. The fund DNB Global Indeks invested around 1.7 million dollarsin the company Phillips 66. The same fund has also some minorholdings in other companies involved in the pipeline project. In addition to this, the interest fund DNB Global Credit hasplaced around 1 million dollars in Sunoco Logistics Partners, whichmakes 0.04 percent of he interest fund's investments. Arild Hermstad, head of Norwegian non-profit organization "Thefuture in our hands," is pleased with the DNB's sell-off. "This is a gratifying first step on the way out of DakotaAccess. However, the extract is a very small part of the DNB'sinvolvement. We expect that DNB completely withdraws from theproject," Hermstad told Aftenposten. DNB's involvement in the pipeline consists of the threedifferent loans given to the project. The total value of theinvestment is 2.8 billion kroner (330 million dollars), which isalmost 10 percent of the project's budget of around 3.7 billiondollars. The loans are several times bigger than the value of the soldstakes. "The goal of all investors should now be to shelve the project,both for indigenous people, environment and climate sake," Hermstadsaid. The bank said it has taken the initiative to independentlyevaluate how the rights of the indigenous people are safeguarded inthis process. "We have also intensified the dialogue with the customers to useour position as a bank to influence a solution to the conflict,"Westerveld said. "We have always been clear that we will only finance projectsthat meet the DNB's requirements for environmental and socialconditions. In case these initiatives do not give satisfactoryanswers and results, we consider selling our part of the financingof the project," he said. "It is very easy to sell small shareholdings in listedcompanies. It is much more demanding and takes longer time to sella loan that is given to such a project, because we first need tofind a buyer," Westerveld said. Enditem BHP's Samarco restart still under cloud 2016-11-29 10:47 SYDNEY, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- BHP Billiton is still uncertain when its Samarco joint venture will restart as complex negotiations with all stakeholders continue. "It has to make economic sense, and have a practical set of approvals in place, and we continue to work through these processes," BHP Billiton Chief Executive Andrew Mackenzie told the company's annual general meeting in Brisbane on Thursday. On Nov. 5 last year, Samarco's three tiered tailings dam collapsed, destroying nearby villages and towns, killing 19 people and leaving over a quarter of a million people without potable drinking water. Scientists were shocked at the level of devastation caused by the "equivalent of 20,000 Olympic swimming pools" of sludge that entered the Rio Doce river, killing thousands of fish and flowing into the ocean. BHP and Vale reached an agreement with the Brazilian government in March to pay clean-up costs, compensation to the affected population and long-term penalties, but a restart is needed to pay off mounting debt. Last week, president of operations at BHP's Minerals Americas, Daniel Malchuk told Reuters that he is confident of a 2017 restart, but it must have agreement with Vale, Samarco employees, regulators and financial stakeholders. The companies are also fighting off ongoing litigation and criminal charges against BHP Billiton Brazil and a number of its current and former employees over the disaster. "We will defend the charges against he company and fully support the affected individuals in their defence of the charges against them," BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser told the meeting. Nasser said a new global standard for the company's tailings dams across BHP's portfolio, including at its joint venture projects that draws on best practice is also being developed. Mainland films win Golden Horse From:Agencies | 2016-11-28 10:16 Films from Chinas mainland won this years Golden Horse Film Awards in Taiwan, considered the Chinese-language equivalent of the Oscars, with two social dramas scooping up top honors. Director Zhang Daleis black-and-white film, The Summer Is Gone, was the biggest dark horse of Saturday night, winning the coveted best picture award. What should I say? I really wasnt expecting this. Its unbelievable... its like a pilgrimage for me coming to Taipei, Zhang said. Ten-year-old Kong Weiyi was awarded best new performer for his role in the film, which follows a boy growing up in a small town in western China during the 1980s and 1990s. Feng Xiaogang took best director for I Am Not Madame Bovary which stars top actress Fan Bingbing playing a peasant who sues her swindler ex-husband. I want to thank Bingbing. She is a star and acts in this art film without taking any payment, Feng said after he received the award from French actress Juliette Binoche. I hope to encourage more stars to use their influence to get the audiences to go to the theaters to watch movies. The film scooped the best picture prize at Spains San Sebastian film festival in September, with Fan winning the best actress gong. But Fan, known to overseas audiences for her appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past, lost the Golden Horse best actress award to fellow Chinese stars Zhou Dongyu and Ma Sichun, who shared the honor for their performances as friends who fall for the same man in Soul Mate. The mainlands Fan Wei was another surprise winner as he saw off Hong Kong rivals Tony Leung Kai-fai and Jacky Cheung as well as Taiwans Kai Ko to win best actor for his role as a slick farm manager in Mr No Problem. Critically-acclaimed immigrant drama The Road to Mandalay suffered the biggest upset of the night, scooping only one award for outstanding Taiwanese filmmaker of the year despite being tipped to win in major categories. Food deals, seals and the 'Karate Kid': Can't-miss events this weekend Get your fill at area restaurants, watch some seals, laugh at a comedy show, take in a concert and maybe even leave Newport County for some fun. This video, supplied by the Mahomet Police Deptartment and edited by The News-Gazette for time and language, shows Mahomet officer Ryan Rich's traffic stop of Dracy Clint Pendleton on May 7, 2016. After receiving a written warning, Pendleton drives off while yelling at the officer. It triggered a weeklong incident that ended with Pendleton's death in southern Illinois. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Beckman Coulter has launched two automated systems in the UK to ease rapidly increasing workloads in microbiology and virology departments. The DxN VERIS Molecular Diagnostics system, for same-day molecular viral load testing, and the MicroScan Microbiology Systems for microorganism identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), both rapidly and accurately identify therapeutic pathways for patient management. This high-throughput testing significantly streamlines laboratory workflows, and reduces time to patient therapy diagnoses. The launch marks the advent of a significant investment in the UK microbiology market by Beckman Coulter with further product introductions scheduled. The UK launch of the systems was celebrated with a showcase event - the first in a new series of educational events designed to provide a platform for interested parties to learn about new technologies. At the initial event, attendees had the opportunity to; speak to individuals using the new automated platforms, evaluate data in the form of presentations, and speak with technical experts to answer queries and gain a greater depth of understanding. Duncan Whittaker, Laboratory Manager Virology at the Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, spoke at the event about his experience with the DxN VERIS - which provides fast and accurate viral load assays by consolidating extraction, amplification and detection onto a single platform. The DxN VERIS is the kind of instrumentation that will help the laboratory to meet long terms goals for improved services with faster turnaround times and greater productivity, he commented. The easy-to-use DxN VERIS system saves both hands-on time and space in the laboratory. Results are available rapidly - facilitating fast decision making and positively impacting patient treatment. Duncan confirmed, Training staff is very quick and straightforward, taking just 20 minutes. Initial comments have been that faster results for certain viral load assays could be life-saving in some instances. Attendees also heard from Michael Dawson, Senior Biomedical Scientist, from the William Harvey Hospital where two MicroScan WalkAway 96 Plus systems are in use as part of the East Kent Microbiology Service. The systems have improved workflow and streamlined processes through the rapid delivery of ID and AST with gold-standard accuracy. The easy-to-use walkaway systems allow simultaneous processing of conventional, rapid, and specialty panels. In addition, the MicroScan offers true Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) technology with visual read capability, which enables the detection of emerging resistance in real-time, without reliance on historical data. Michael spoke about his Trusts decision to move to the MicroScan platform for AST in particular. For us the need to move to an automated microbial screening system was clear. Our previous multipoint testing methods, supported by disc diffusion testing, were non-reproducible, unreliable and inaccurate. In addition to the lack of standardisation, they were time consuming and whilst we screened for many agents, MIC determination required a further manual method. He went on to describe his experience of the MicroScan platform. Time and accuracy are important factors for us as we screen over 160 isolates a day, seven days a week. Weve found that the accuracy and reliability of MicroScan means that fewer isolates need further testing, reducing unnecessary manual work and delivering results in a predictable and consistent timeframe. We are particularly impressed with the quick and very easy-to-use standardised PROMPT inoculation system and the fact that the MicroScan has the fewest clinically significant limitations in regard to antibiotic and micro-organism combinations. This is great as fewer limitations mean we dont have to revert to a manual method - which lengthens the process and delays the final results for the patient. Also, weve found the LabPro software to be very user friendly. Theres an excellent rules database which is flexible and allows us to tailor the final interpretation to our requirements. In particular, the Alert Rules and comments are helpful as they provide a failsafe mechanism when validating results and reporting. We are now looking forward to upgrading to the HighFlexX middleware solution which will allow us to integrate reporting from our MicroScan systems and MADLI-TOF, which is now used for ID requirements. Michael Dawson, Senior Biomedical Scientist, William Harvey Hospital When asked about his experience with Beckman Coulter, Michael Dawson said, Beckman Coulter have a really enthusiastic, motivated and focused team working with us. They are attentive, listening to our concerns, and are responsive to our needs. A team of scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), led by Prof. Francisco Sanchez-Madrid, has characterized a cell signal that impedes intercellular communication and could play a central role in biomedical strategies such as gene therapy, vaccine design, and immunotherapy. The study, published today in Nature Communications, characterizes a signal that impedes the secretion of nanovesicles called exosomes. Cells secrete exosomes as a means of intercellular communication; however, certain viruses can use exosomes as "Trojan horses" to facilitate their propagation and entry into neighboring cells. The signal, called ISGylation, has in the past been viewed mainly as an antiviral signal, although some studies show that it can also be activated by other stimuli such as a lack of oxygen, aging, or cancer. "In these situations, the secretion of exosomes, and therefore communication between cells, can be affected by this modification," explains Dr. Carolina Villarroya. The research team is dedicated to decoding the processes that control exosome secretion and exploring potential biomedical applications. As Dr. Sanchez-Madrid explains, "as well as acting as messengers in intercellular communication, exosomes are potential tools for gene therapy, vaccine design, and immunotherapy." Several clinical trials are underway to assess new treatments using this approach. The Nature Communications article describes how an antiviral signal activates the programmed degradation of proteins involved in exosome degradation. According to Villarroya, this signal "marks specific proteins located in endosomes, the place where exosomes are formed. This mark redirects these proteins toward the degradation pathway and impedes exosome secretion." Sanchez-Madrid points out that this newly identified mechanism, through which cells defend themselves against infection by activating the degradation of their own proteins, "could also be exploited by external agents for their propagation." Source: Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (IAVs) with epilepsy were more than twice as likely to die between 2011 and 2015 as were similar veterans without epilepsy. A study published Nov. 11 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that IAVs were found to have a higher prevalence of mental and physical comorbidity and to have substantially higher mortality than were veterans without epilepsy. The study from investigators at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, the CDC and several other VA facilities examined records of more than 320,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans receiving VA care in 2010 and 2011, and found 2,187 who met the criteria for epilepsy. Examination of mortality over the next five years revealed that approximately five times more IAVs with epilepsy died by the end of 2015 than similar IAVs without epilepsy. Because IAVs with epilepsy were also significantly more likely to have conditions such as cardiac disease, stroke, cancer and mental health conditions that may also be associated with death, a second analysis controlling for these co-occurring conditions was conducted to determine if epilepsy uniquely contributed to mortality. "Similar to studies of civilian samples, we found that cancer, stroke and cardiac disease were strong predictors of five-year mortality. But, even after controlling for the impact of these comorbid conditions, we still found a substantial effect for epilepsy," said lead author Mary Jo Pugh, Ph.D., RN, professor of epidemiology, biostatistics and medicine at the UT Health Science Center. "After controlling for comorbidities, IAVs with epilepsy were about 2.6 times more likely to die during the follow-up period than similar veterans without epilepsy." Causes of death were not available from federal databases at the time the study was conducted, Dr. Pugh said. Therefore the report does not speculate on cause of death such as suicidality, car accidents, heart attack, cancer and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. The report makes it clear, however, that deaths and comorbidities were more frequent in the highly vulnerable group of Iraq-Afghanistan veterans with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a complex condition, and the addition of these comorbidities presents health care providers with competing demands, Dr. Pugh said. "If you have a patient who comes in and is having seizures, that is often the focus of care because persistent seizures can be life threatening and have a substantial effect on quality of life," she said. "But chronic disease management for other conditions is also needed. We need to take a holistic approach in epilepsy care. We need to take care of epilepsy and other conditions that affect patients' health, quality of life and, ultimately, mortality." This is the first published study to examine mortality in veterans with epilepsy, and is unique compared to studies of epilepsy-related mortality in the United States. Civilian studies in the United States have consisted of small samples in localized areas, not a national population such as the population of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, Dr. Pugh said. However, the growing availability of electronic health records nationally makes this type of study in civilian settings more feasible. Dr. Pugh is developing a plan to examine similar questions in large data sets such as i2b2 locally, and eventually with data from the Great Plains PCORnet Collaborative. Walking is a milestone in development for toddlers, but it's actually only one part of the complex cognitive task known as gait that includes everything from a person's stride length to the accompanying swing of each arm. A Mayo Clinic study recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that problems associated with gait can predict a significant decline in memory and thinking. Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, Mayo Clinic researchers examined medical records of Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents, who were between ages 70 to 89 as of Oct. 1, 2004. The analysis included 3,426 cognitively normal participants enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging who had a complete gait and neuropsychological assessment. Using computerized analyses, researchers measured gait parameters, such as: Stride length Ambulatory time Gait speed Step count Cadence Stance time Arm swing Alterations in several gait parameters were associated with decline in memory, thinking and language skills, and visual perception of the spatial relationship of objects. The study results also supported the role of computerized analysis because the computer tool detected modifications before impairment was detected with a standard neuropsychological test. "The presence of gait disturbances increases with advancing age and affects the independence of daily living, especially in the elderly," says neurologist Rodolfo Savica, M.D., lead author on the study. "Computerized gait analysis is a simple, noninvasive test that potentially could be used to identify patients at high risk for cognitive decline and to target appropriate therapies." Scientists from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in cooperation with colleagues have worked out a safe, not that expensive and highly efficient method, which allows to speed up and improve searching of new germicides. They have elaborated a system, which measures antimicrobial activity, along with determining the mode of action of a new material. The research results are published in a top-rated journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The research has been conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology and Gause Institute of New Antibiotics. An antibiotic dilemma Bacteria constantly become resistant to antibiotics, what compels mankind to search for new materials, which could solve this problem, over the last decades. The main search method is high throughput screening -- namely testing of a huge number of materials from chemical libraries, as well as of new natural compounds. However, such experiments don't provide with any data regarding the mode of action. In order to improve technique efficiency it's necessary to search for ways of decreasing reagent costs, process automation and the reduction of this activity stages number. There are already strains of a wide range, which help in identification of the activity of different antibiotic types. Combination of these strains could provide a benefit by accelerating the search process of necessary compounds and operating principle understanding. However, this requires plenty of each material testing. So, scientists face a dilemma: whether to simultaneously test many materials according to one characteristic or many characteristics of one material in order to understand, which impact it has. Both ways aren't perfect, however, Russian scientists have made an attempt to make a compromise by combination of these two approaches' advantages. Ilya Osterman, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, a researcher of the Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, who is the research author, informs: "We've worked out an approach, which allows to in vivo determine not only the mode of action of new promising antimicrobial agents, but also their efficiency. Approach automation has allowed to analyze thousands of compounds per day". Once Katushka appears, tryptophan stops synthesizing The created reporter system (a term, used in molecular biology, in order to describe reporter gene or markers, inserted into an organism, which help to measure, how actively other genes work) is based on genes, which code two fluorescent proteins. One of them is a far-red protein Katushka2S, which is a marker for a termination of translation -- namely, protein synthesis. Its light could be seen in case protein production terminates cause of a stop of ribosome movement along the RNA chain. Upstream Katushka2S protein gene there was inserted a regulatory component of a tryptophan operon, which contains in its genome instructions of tryptophan amino acid biosynthesis. An operon is a functional group of genes, one part of which codes proteins, providing some work together. The other part regulates the number of these proteins, intensifying of suppressing their synthesis, when required. A tryptophan operon contains an attenuator -- a genome portion, where in case of tryptophan excess, transcription stops. Lab Diagnostics & Automation eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Genes of tryptophan biosynthesis were replaced with a Katushka2S protein gene. The attenuator itself was also changed: namely, an alanine codon was inserted instead of a three letter codon of a tryptophan amino acid in the structure of the coded enzymes. This modified attenuator stopped reacting to tryptophan concentration, however, it became dependant on antibiotics, which disrupt protein synthesis -- in their presence the amount of Katushka2S protein gets large. Ilya Osterman shares: "At the first stage there was elaborated a gene engineering design, which included two fluorescent proteins. First protein expression depended on the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors, while expression of the second one -- on the presence of DNA synthesis inhibitors. Afterwards, with the help of a hyperresponsive strain of coliform bacteria there was created a reporter, aimed at the detection of corresponding antibiotic types". Provide DNA synthesis with red light What was the second fluorescent protein? It turned out to be RFP - a red fluorescent protein. It's interesting that color also matters: both protein shine in the same range (of red and far-red), which is allowed to pass through human tissues quite well. A RFP gene was inserted in such a way that it started working during SOS-response -- namely, cell reaction to stress, uncomfortable conditions, which require alertness from DNA damage and repair system. According to the scientists' idea, this process should start the synthesis of a red fluorescent protein, which, like warning red light, could give a notice that there is something wrong inside a bacterium cell. The more light there is, the stronger effect an antibiotic has. How one should assemble such a reporter system? Scientists have put a RFP gen right after the sulA gen promoter, namely the area, where the main organoid of protein synthesis -- a ribosome, -- moving along the chain, gets learnt the sequence start, where protein is recorded. SulA gen starts at the last stages of SOS-response and suppresses cell division. So, once sulA gen starts operating, a red fluorescent protein also begins synthesizing in conjunction with it. Katushka2S operated in the same way in a tryptophan operon, it only warned with the help of red light with different wave length about a termination of protein synthesis and not DNA synthesis. This system of two reporters has already been tested on activity clarification of a new antibiotic -- amicoumacin, -- along with some other antibiotics. The target, which amicoumacin hits, has been unknown before. The leading author of the research further notices: "So far, with the help of this approach we've analyzed more than 50 thousands of compounds, discovered new inhibitors of protein and DNA synthesis, which could become the basis of new germicides in the future. The process of screening will be continued". While most primary care physicians would provide some information about a medical error, only a minority would fully disclose important information about potentially harmful medical errors to patients, a new survey shows. Most of the nearly 300 primary care physicians would provide only partial disclosure of a medical error for two hypothetical cases involving cancer diagnoses they were asked to evaluate. Most would offer only a limited or no apology, limited or no explanation and limited or no information about the cause. The researchers report disclosure by physicians in this study falls short of patient expectations and national guidelines. The findings are published in the journal BMJ Quality and Safety. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which primary care physicians' perceptions of event-level, physician-level and organization-level factors influence their intent to disclose a medical error in challenging situations. The strongest predictors of disclosure were perceived personal responsibility, perceived seriousness of the event and perceived value of patient-centered communication. "The intent to disclose was not as frequent as we thought it might be," said Dr. Douglas Roblin, professor in the Division of Health Management and Policy in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University and researcher at the Center for Clinical and Outcomes Research at Kaiser Permanente Georgia. "The two vignettes gave pretty consistent findings. The majority would not fully disclose, and we were hoping for full disclosure because that is the ethical expectation." Full disclosure of harmful errors to patients, including a statement of regret, an explanation, acceptance of responsibility and commitment to prevent recurrences, has been the standard for physicians in the United States for nearly a decade. However, researchers said there is evidence that effective disclosure often doesn't occur. An absent or poor response by clinicians can make a bad situation much worse, while full disclosure could lessen the negative impact. Understanding the factors affecting providers' tendency to disclose is important to developing effective interventions to improve physician-patient communication. Participants in this study were primary care physicians from three integrated healthcare delivery systems in Washington, Massachusetts and Georgia, which were part of the HMO Cancer Research Network's Cancer Communication Research Center. A total of 333 primary care physicians out of 630 responded to the survey. The majority of respondents (71 percent) had been in practice for more than 10 years, over half (55.6 percent) indicated they often questioned whether the demand of their practice was worth the toll and over a third (36.7 percent) often thought about leaving practice. In the vignettes, physicians were asked to evaluate two difficult, but realistic, hypothetical cases: 1) a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer and 2) a care coordination breakdown that caused a delayed response to patient symptoms. Both cases involved oncology diagnoses and multiple physicians sharing responsibility for the error. Each vignette was followed by four questions asking what the physician would be likely to say with respect to an apology, an explanation, information about the cause of the event and plans for preventing recurrences. Physicians could choose from non-disclosure, partial disclosure and full disclosure responses. Participants also assessed event-level, physician-level and organization-level factors for each vignette. Event-level factors include personal responsibility for the event, beliefs about the seriousness of the event and predictions as to whether the patient would file a lawsuit as a result of the event. Physician-level factors include the value placed on patient-centered communication, self-efficacy with respect to communication and feelings about practice. Organization-level factors include perceived support for communication and time constraints. The study found the majority of respondents would not fully disclose a harmful medical error in either vignette situation, providing only a limited or no apology, limited or no explanation and limited or no information about the cause. When asked what they would tell the patient about the cause of the error, 77 percent of physicians for the case involving delayed diagnosis of cancer and 58 percent of physicians for the case involving a care coordination breakdown would offer either no information or make vague references to miscommunications. In both cases, more than half would not volunteer an apology or would offer only a vague expression of regret. Physicians would be more forthcoming in the care coordination breakdown compared to the delayed cancer diagnosis, but most would provide only partial disclosure after either of the events. The researchers conclude that in order to make meaningful progress toward improving disclosure, physicians, risk managers, organizational leaders, professional organizations and accreditation bodies need to understand the factors that influence disclosure. This insight, which could be achieved by using vignette-based surveys, is necessary to update institutional policies and provider training. Women and men look at faces and absorb visual information in different ways, which suggests there is a gender difference in understanding visual cues, according to a team of scientists that included psychologists from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The researchers used an eye tracking device on almost 500 participants at the Science Museum over a five-week period to monitor and judge how much eye contact they felt comfortable with while looking at a face on a computer screen. They found that women looked more at the left-hand side of faces and had a strong left eye bias, but that they also explored the face much more than men. The team observed that it was possible to tell the gender of the participant based on the scanning pattern of how they looked at the face with nearly 80 per cent accuracy. Given the very large sample size the researchers suggest this is not due to chance. Lead author Dr Antoine Coutrot from QMUL's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences said: "This study is the first demonstration of a clear gender difference in how men and women look at faces. "We are able to establish the gender of the participant based on how they scan the actors' face, and can eliminate that it isn't based on the culture of the participant as nearly 60 nationalities have been tested. We can also eliminate any other observable characteristics like perceived attractiveness or trustworthiness." The participants were asked to judge how comfortable the amount of eye contact they made with the actor in a Skype-like scenario. Each participant saw the same actor (there were eight in total) during the testing period, which was around 15 minutes. At the end of the session the researchers collected personality information about the participants through questionnaires. Co-author Dr Isabelle Mareschal also from QMUL's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences added: "There are numerous claims in popular culture that women and men look at things differently - this is the first demonstration, using eye tracking, to support this claim that they take in visual information in different ways." The team describe their findings in the Journal of Vision and suggest the gender difference in scanning visual information might impact many research fields, such as autism diagnosis or even everyday behaviours like watching a movie or looking at the road while driving. Whilst I admire the writers of LOTR, Harry Potter & Animal Farm I've "NEVER" read these books(@ the cost of soundin even dumber!)Not my kind SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) November 28, 2016 ..So recommending them to kids is out of the question! Obviously some misunderstanding..Don't want to get into it.This too shall pass. SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) November 28, 2016 So Mom says ,When you are a Celebrity "Never complain and Never Explain". Love must be https://t.co/u4y9WP5tid SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) November 28, 2016 So Mom says ,When you are a Celebrity "Never complain and Never Explain". Love must be unconditional.. mine stays A photo posted by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@officialshilpashetty) on Nov 28, 2016 at 5:55am PST "The Fault In Our Stars" is a book where two tragic lovers can't marry because their kundlis didn't match. #ShilpaShettyReviews Sholay Kid (@Ayamang) November 28, 2016 Hamlet is a good read too, teaches people about road safety and wearing hamlet #ShilpaShettyReviews That Little Feminist (@Vibz_Singh) November 28, 2016 PS, I Love You would encourage more kids to buy Play Stations. #ShilpaShettyReviews Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) November 28, 2016 Fifty shades of Grey is an instruction manual for dot matrix printers #ShilpaShettyReviews Fahad R. Bhatti (@frbhatty) November 28, 2016 All kids must read The Kite Runner. Handy during Vasant Sankranti.#ShilpaShettyReviews WolfMomma (@wolfmiaow) November 28, 2016 Half Blood Prince is about a prince with haemophilia #ShilpaShettyReviews PT (@peeteeonyou) November 28, 2016 Pride and Prejudice is my favourite book about a group of lions and racism. #ShilpaShettyReviews Purva Scamander (@thatobesewoman) November 28, 2016 "The Diary of a Young Girl" is about a diary of what girls think and feel. Perfect to make them understanding women. #ShilpaShettyReviews Vivek Tejuja (@vivekisms) November 28, 2016 Shilpa Shetty Kundra has slammed Twitteratis for mocking her over her misinterpretation of George Orwell's novella 'Animal Farm'.The actress who was massively trolled on Twitter on Monday after she misinterpreted George Orwell's Animal Farm , took to Twitter to respond to her trolls.In a series of tweets the actress said that although she admires the writers of The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Animal Farm, she hasn't read any of the mentioned books, therefore, recommending them to kids was certainly out of question. She added, that there probably was a misunderstanding.The 41-year-old actress concluded by tweeting that her mother always told her, 'when you are a celebrity, never complain and never explain'.On Monday, Shetty, while reacting to the recent decision of Council of School Certificate Examination (CISCE) to include Harry Potter series in the English Literature syllabus for junior and middle school students, starting from 2017-18, said, "I think having books like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter as part of the syllabus is a great move because it cultivates imagination and creativity at a young age. I think books like Little Women would also encourage respect towards women at a young age. "Even Animal Farm should be included as it will teach the little ones to love and care for animals."Orwell's Animal farm, based on a dystopian society and the Russian Revolution of 1917, is a social commentary on the Stalinist era in Soviet Union.So, just after Shetty's comment, #ShilpaShettyReviews started trending on Twitter with people posting jokes about other books.We aren't very sure what Shetty means when she says that there was a misunderstanding. Was she misquoted? Did she never mention the books at all in her statement or did the interviewer not get what she tried to say about Animal farm? Srinagar: Gunbattle between the terrorists and security forces at Nagrota Army camp and Samba sector in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Tuesday evening. As per the latest updates three soldiers and four terrorists have been killed. In the gunbattle, four jawans and a policeman were also received bullet injuries. According to preliminary reports, three terrorists were seen close to an ammunition depot of White Knight Corps Army Unit in Nagrota. J&K: Exchange of fire between Army and terrorists in Nagrota. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/HfuMVb0TWT ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 The entire area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation is underway. Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here. Kolkata: Police in West Bengal have rescued 13 babies and discovered the skeletons of two infants in raids on homes for the elderly and mentally disabled, as a probe into a suspected international human trafficking ring widened on Monday. Ten infants, all under one year old, were found on Friday in a home for the mentally disabled run by a charity in the impoverished district of South 24 Parganas. While in another raid in the neighbouring district of North 24 Parganas, the remains of two infants were found in office premises of a charity which ran an adoption centre. The raids come after the discovery of three newborn babies on Nov. 21 hidden inside cardboard biscuit boxes in a locked storeroom in a nursing home, where women would come to deliver or have an abortion. Rajesh Kumar of West Bengal's Crime Investigation Department (CID), said 18 people had been arrested for taking the newborn babies and trafficking them for adoption in India and overseas. "It is a huge network of NGOs, nursing homes, doctors and middlemen dealing in illegal adoption and baby trafficking that the police have busted. Our men are now building on the huge leads they have already got in this case," Kumar, CID's Additional Director General said on Monday. Initial investigations revealed that unmarried girls and women who visited the clinics for an abortion were persuaded by staff to give birth and sell their babies. The police did not give a price, but local news reports said the mothers were given 300,000 rupees ($4,380) for a boy and 100,000 rupees ($1,460) for a girl. Babies were also stolen from women who delivered at the clinics, but who were told by staff their children were stillborn. Some were even given the bodies of stillborn babies preserved by the clinics to dupe parents, police said. The babies were then smuggled in biscuit containers to adoption centres, homes for the mentally disabled and elderly people, where they were kept until their adoption was organised. Those arrested included the owners of the clinics, midwives, doctors, owners of the charities, as well as court clerks who are accused of forging documentation for the babies. BABIES, SKELETONS, FOREX FOUND South Asia, with India at its centre, is one of the fastest-growing regions for human trafficking in the world. Gangs sell thousands of victims into bonded labour every year or hire them out to exploitative bosses as domestic servants, or sectors such as farming and manufacturing. Many women and girls are sold into brothels. Following last Monday's raid on the nursing home in Baduria, 80 km (50 miles) from Kolkata, interrogation of clinic staff led police to conduct over 20 raids in what police say appears to be a highly organised human trafficking racket. They included a swoop on the offices of an adoption centre run by a charity in Machlandapur, 25 km (15 miles) away, where police on Friday found the skeletal remains of two infants, who are suspected to have died there while awaiting sale. The same day police also found ten babies lying on a sheet on the ground on the second floor of a charitable home for mentally disabled people in Behala. The infants showed signs of malnourishment and some had chest and skin infections. Kumar said one of the doctors arrested on suspicion of involvement in the baby smuggling racket had over $3,200 in U.S. dollars, euros and Hong Kong dollars in his possession, suggesting the infants were being sold overseas. "The seizure of this foreign currency is a definite indication that the racket may have its tentacles spread into foreign countries and foreign couples who were interested in baby adoption," he said. One of rescued infants has been reunited with its parents, who had been told by clinic staff that their baby was stillborn, he said, adding that police were trying to locate other parents as well as those who had adopted the children. Senior government officials said the rescued babies were being treated at government hospital. "I have asked the South 24 Parganas district child welfare officer to look into the case and arrange for proper care and upkeep of the babies," Sashi Panja, West Bengal's Minister for women and child welfare told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. New Delhi: Exploring effective ways to combat terrorism, particularly that emanating from Pakistan, and helping Afghanistan achieve peace and stability will be the focus of the two-day Heart of Asia (HoA) conclave in Amritsar beginning Saturday which will be attended among others by Islamabad's representative Sartaj Aziz. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are among leaders who will attend the annual conference. The previous such conclave was held in Islamabad last year. India has been non-committal on a bilateral meeting between Aziz and its representative at the conclave. With Afghanistan still facing regular attacks from Pakistan-based terror groups, the war-ravaged country is likely to press for an effective counter-terror strategy to deal with the menace. India will also articulate its position to contain terrorism and extremism at the conference. "Definitely, combating terror will be a major focus area," diplomatic sources said. India is also likely to ask contries in the region to show strong resolve to contain terrorism. As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is not keeping well, the government is likely depute a senior Cabinet Minister to represent India at the key deliberations. MoS in Ministry of External Affairs V K Singh and M J Akbar are also attending the meet. Afghanistan, the chair of HoA, had circulated a draft among member countries for dealing with major challenges like terror. The participating countries will deliberate on it. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates. Swaraj had attended last year's conference in Islamabad. The platform was floated with an aim to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours. The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US. During the deliberations, the leaders are also expected to discuss the need to speed up support to Afghanistan so that peace and stability returns to the war-ravaged country. The Afghan President will also have a bilateral meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the conference. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on Friday two fresh petitions along with other pending PILs challenging Centre's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. While 14 cooperative banks of Kerala seek a nod to transact business like banks, a BJP leader, who is also a lawyer, has moved the apex court seeking demonetisation of currency notes higher than Rs 100 denomination. A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur fixed the two pleas, which were mentioned for urgent listing on Tuesday, for hearing on December 2 when it will also hear a batch of petitions along with the Centre's transfer plea on the issue. The plea filed by the cooperative banks have sought the apex court's nod to handle cash on par with state-run banks, claiming that the move did not allow the district cooperative banks to exchange old notes, which was discriminatory as they operated according to the RBI's guidelines. The plea also contended that allowing the private banks to exchange old notes while restricting district cooperative banks from doing so, amounted to discriminatory practice. The plea filed by Delhi BJP spokesperson and Supreme Court advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay sought recalling of the higher denomination currency above Rs 100 claiming it necessary for curbing corruption, plugging blackmoney generation and to control terrorism, naxalism, radicalism, gambling, smuggling, money laundering, bribing and extortion. "Black money holders would be forced to deposit their unaudited money into banks and it will take years to generate that amount of black money again, thus in a long way it will help in putting an end to black economy," it said. The petition, which made the Centre, Prime Minister's Office and the Reserve Bank of India as parties in the matter, also sought appropriate steps to restrict the cash transaction up to the limit of Rs 5000 and withdraw the online/credit card transaction charges to promote cashless transaction. "Take appropriate steps to withdraw all direct and indirect taxes except custom and import duties; and implement a banking transaction tax on receiving/credit account," the plea said while also seeking a citizens' charter in every department "to ensure time bound delivery of goods and services and redressal of grievances in spirit of Article 21 of the Constitution". "If Government recalls higher denomination currency above Rs 100 and restricts the cash transaction up to the limit of 5000 rupees, it could lead to an increment of 4 per cent in the annual growth rate. "It could lead to cleaning up of our electoral process, which is dominated by blackmoney of high denomination currency and thrives on a cycle of large black investments, capture of power through foul means, use of political strength to amass private wealth, all with disdain of the citizen," it claimed. New Delhi: How many terrorists attacked the Pathankot air base earlier this year? The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday flip-flopped over the answer with Minister of State Hansraj Ahir first telling Parliament that the number was four, and red-faced MHA officials scrambling hours later to clarify that he had got his facts wrong. Ahirs statement was contrary to what Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha on March 16, that six terrorists had attacked the air base. Later in the day, MHA sources told CNN-News18 that a clarification will be issued on Wednesday sticking to the number in Rajnaths statement. Singh had then said that the confusion over the number of terrorists allegedly killed by security forces at a billet whose remains could not be found had been resolved. He claimed that two terrorists were killed there. Some charred remains were found there (billet). A forensic report about them has been received. The report makes it clear that those inside the building were two terrorists, Singh had said. Ahir made the revelation while responding to Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu. "Four terrorists entered via Ravi river bridge, Junial Road in Gulpur Simli village, Akalgarh, and attacked air base," he said. On day one of the Pathankot attack, Singh had tweeted that 4 terrorists had been killed and the operation was over. Government later said that two more terrorists were hiding and the operations were extended by four more days. Recently, the government had ordered NDTV India channel to go off the air for disclosing information about the remaining two terrorists even as the operation was underway. Guwahati: Government-run madrassas in Assam will not be allowed to keep their institutions closed on Fridays and during the month of Ramzan as it is against government rules, state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said. However, the madrassas in the state will be allowed one-hour break on Friday for prayers. The minister said there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. Making it clear that there cannot be two holidays in a week for madrassas, the minister said that as the teachers get salary for working on Fridays from the government they cannot on their own give unrecognised and unscheduled holidays going against government sanctions. The state government would soon issue an order for the madrassas to remain open on Fridays as per rules, Sarma said. "This Friday holiday is not officially recognized. We will not allow the closure of madrassas on Fridays. We will make provisions for one hour break for jumma namaz' (Friday prayer) to be offered instead of a day's holiday for it as there is no official sanction for this". "If the madrassas want a holiday on Friday besides Sunday holiday, they could give a representation to the effect to the state government which will forward it to the Central government for action," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting here today. Observing that this trend was being observed especially in Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Morigaon districts, he said, "Friday is neither an officially recognised holiday nor is it a government-scheduled holiday. Sunday is the government-scheduled holiday". At a press meet here yesterday, the minister had said, "As far as I know, there is no law in India which recognises Friday as a holiday. No circular was also issued by the Assam government about a Friday holiday. We are not against any religion. We are only enforcing the law". On former Congress minister Siddique Ahmed's comment that the minister's move was a "communally divisive agenda" and his appeal to Muslims to boycott Sarma's public meetings, the minister said every religion in India has government -recognised scheduled holidays on days of religious significance. Terrorists, dressed as policemen, mounted a pre-dawn, fidayeen style attack at the Army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu. Seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed in the attack. Soldiers have cordoned-off the area and combing operations are underway. As many as 42 army jawans have been killed in several terror attacks in 2016. Here are examples on how some other countries protect their borders and the steps they take to prevent cross-border terror attacks. FLAWS IN INDIAN FENCING The BSF presently has an anti-infiltration obstacle system (AIOS) in place that includes border fence, electric live wires, sensors, sirens, foot patrols, floodlights, other surveillance devices including hand held thermal imagers The AIOS, which costs Rs 8 crore per km, gets buried in winters under heavy snow and then it becomes easier for the infiltrators to walk over and enter India. BEST TECHONOLOGY AND INDIAS PLANS Israel, hailed to have the best border protection system in the world, depends more on technology than humans to protect its border -- like high-quality long-range day cameras along with night observation systems, third generation thermal imagers, long-range detection radars, electronic touch and motion sensor An Israel firm, Elbit Systems, designed the Israel border fence and was also roped in by US to build a modern fence on the US-Mexico border. Madhukar Gupta Committee set up by MHA in April 2016 suggested has urged a grid-based system along the border, wherein, at vulnerable stretches, centre oks smart fencing post Pathankot Attack. EXPECTED TIME FOR INDIA TO COMPLETE FENCING ALONG PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH BORDER The fence work along Indo-Pakistan Border is proposed to be completed by December, 2018 through physical or non-physical barriers. The ongoing fence work along Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) is targeted for completion by March, 2019 WHAT India CAN LEARN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES Egypt and Gaza Strip To stop smugglers from using tunnels, the Egyptian government started building an underground metal wall in 2009. Israel and West Bank Israel started building a 420-mile-long wall that separates the country from the West Bank. It is five to eight meters tall and varies in form. Some parts are built with concrete, others with wire. U.S. and Mexico In 2006, construction started on a border fence separating the United States and Mexico after violence, drug-related crimes as well as illegal immigration surged. President Obama suspended all such projects in 2010 but Trump decided to build 2000 mile wall. Morocco and Western Sahara A disputed territory in North Africa is sealed from Morocco by a sand wall. It was built in 1987 to stop attacks from separatist troops in Western Sahara Bostwana and Zimbabwe The border between Botswana and Zimbabwe is separated by an electrified fence. Patiala/New Delhi: Three persons, including an assistant superintendent and head warden of Nabha jail were today arrested for criminal conspiracy in Sunday's jailbreak incident even as a joint team of Punjab and Delhi police interrogated KLA chief Harminder Mintoo, who was among the escapees. Assistant jail superintendent Bhim Singh, head warden Jagmeet Singh and a sweet shop owner Tejinder Sharma have been arrested on the charges of abetment and criminal conspiracy in the jailbreak case, police said. Singh had allegedly met the accused a day before their daring escape and his mobile phone was claimed to have been used for plotting the jailbreak. Police have booked 29 people, including nine jail officials, under relevant sections of IPC in connection with the incident, officials said. Meanwhile, a joint team of Delhi and Punjab police quizzed Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) militant Mintoo, who was apprehended at the Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi on Monday. It has emerged during the interrogation that Mintoo had access to mobile phone in the Nabha jail, sources said. "He is claiming it was a common cell phone used by other inmates also," the source said. Mintoo said he used the phone to "call only his family members" but sources said police will examine through the Call Data Records if he was in contact with ISI. "Also we will be examining if he had access to social media and Skype as one of the escapees was a regular on Facebook from inside the jail," sources said. Sources said Mintoo will be questioned about whether he was planning to revive the activities of his outfit and shift to Malaysia or Germany. "Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He told us many things but maintained silence on many. Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case and how it was planned. We will also be questioning him about where the others (escapees) could be hiding," said a senior police officer privy to the probe. Meanwhile, several teams of Delhi Police, including Special Cell and Crime Branch, are looking for leads with regard to the whereabouts of Kashmir Singh, another escapee, who had accompanied Mintoo to Delhi and separated from him at Kashmere Gate bus stop, said a senior police officer. Two close aides of alleged mastermind of the jailbreak Parminder Singh alias Penda have been arrested in Dehradun with police suspecting that the incident may have been plotted at their hideout in the city. Parminder was arrested with a cache of firearms near Kairana in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district on Sunday evening itself. New Delhi: The terror attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir today is a "message" sent by Pakistans newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh said. "We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said. "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted," he said. The BJP MPs remarks came after militants in police uniform attacked an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured. Singh said Pakistan continued to "bleed" India through such terrorist attacks, adding that the recently conducted PoK surgical strike by the Indian Army was not a "one-off" event. "It was a statement of policy...Our policy is that we will hit you back every time you hit us. We will hit you back harder. So, I think a couple of more time we hit them back, it will certainly settle in their mind," he said. The BJP leader added that India needed to "follow up on its policy of imposing cost" and that the "Army should revisit the security procedure in general, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir." Srinagar: Pakistan on Tuesday night violated border ceasefire in Uri sector in north Kashmir's Baramulla district by resorting to unprovoked firing, Army said. "Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing on our posts in Uri sector," an army official said. There was no damage in the firing, he said, adding that further details are awaited. @bhushan19101989 let me see what I can do. This is a humanitarian issue Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) November 28, 2016 @LodhiMaleeha please mam help me 29 sept 2016 pak Army capture was Chandu chavan soldier. Chandus mom dad are already death, Just 6 year. Bhushan Chavan (@bhushan19101989) November 22, 2016 Amid rising tension between India and Pakistan, here is a story of a brother, who is currently serving the Indian army, trying to get back his brother from Pakistan.Chandu Chavan, a soldier with the Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir, had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on September 29. Since then, his brother Bhushan Chavan has not left any stone unturned to get his brother back. On November 28, Bhushan received a tweet from the permanent representative of Pakistan in United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi.Bhushan made an appeal to Lodhi on Twitter with the picture of a letter, requesting her to get his brother back to his country, to which Lodhi replied, "@bhushan19101989 let me see what I can do. This is a humanitarian issue (sic)."Speaking toon phone, Bhushan said, "She acknowledged my concern, she called it a humanitarian issue. Chandu must be getting tortured in Pakistan. He needs to be rescued. I have written to the PMO, Sushma Swaraj and the defence minister of India."Bhushan now plans to meet Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan prime minister's adviser on foreign affairs, once he comes to Amritsar on December 3."I am planning to hand over a letter to Aziz personally. I know it is not going to be easy as I am a serving soldier in the Indian Army. There is a strong possibility that the army will not grant me leave for this reason," he added."For the time being, I'm very hopeful of Maleeha Lodhi. She thinks it is a humanitarian issue, therefore, I think that she will try to do something," Bhushan said.Bhushan and Chandu's grandmother died of a heart attack in September after getting the news of Chandu's capture. The family said that the moment she heard about Chandu's news of being captured in Pakistan, she went into stress and could not take it for long and suffered a heart attack. Chandu's parents had died when he was a kid.Bhushan, who is currently posted on duty (location and name of the regiment not disclosed for national security reasons), has been trying his best to get in touch with his brother Chandu since day one of his captivity."Although I know that my brother is alive, I have not been able to get in touch with him. There has been hardly any reply from Pakistan before Maleeha Lodhi's tweet," Bhushan added. He said that from the Indian government, he has been speaking to Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre, to know about the steps taken by the government to get his brother back. With the Opposition making it a point that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain the rationale behind the demonetisation in the House, it is expected that the latter may oblige them. The PM is likely to speak in the House today. The Opposition held a Jan Aakrosh Rally on Monday to press home the point. Stay tuned for Live updates Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with an eight-member Indian delegation - comprising representatives of different political parties - left for Cuba to attend the pre-funeral commemoration of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. Leaving New Delhi for Havana. Shall attend the funeral of towering Cuban leader Fidel Castro with the Indian delegation & pay tributes to him, Rajnaths tweet reads. The team is expected to return on Thursday evening, official sources said. After two days of commemorations in Cuba's capital Havana, Castro's ashes will go on a four-day island-wide procession starting Wednesday, before being buried in the southeastern city of Santiago de Cuba on December 4. Castro died on November 25 at the age 90, after defying the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule and surviving the eclipse of global communism. Castro, whose 1959 revolution toppled a dictatorship with the promise of bringing justice and equality to his Caribbean island, was a major 20th century figure. (With PTI Inputs) New Delhi: The handloom sector is getting a push as many designers and brands are launching handwoven lines, and to give credit to the weavers, the central government is thinking of revising a agrication model, says Handloom Development Commissioner Alok Kumar. Handloom is in the forefront of the fashion scene. Considering that, how have situations changed for weavers in today's time? Kumar told IANS: "There are two aspects. First is the demand and supply so, if there is a good demand, supplier will get a good price." "Secondly, I had a meeting with the Cloth Manufacturing Association of India in Mumbai and they have asked us to revise a model for agrication as it's difficult for reputed brands to go from cottage to cottage. So, we are working on that model." "Some credible government agencies can provide that platform as it will benefit weavers. This whole approach of Ministry of Textiles is to connect producers directly with the final buyers," he added. Kumar was in the capital at the launch of Peter England handloom wear line for men. The menswear brand from the house of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRIL) announced the strategic collaboration with the central government's Handloom Brand to work together to promote the handloom industry in the country. He says that many brands are opting for handloom line and this is a good move. "On August 7, which we celebrate as National Handloom Day, we did an activity with around 10 reputed brands which are into garments manufacturing. They went to Benaras and made a public announcement of association with textiles." "We did it with Biba, Allen Solly and many other brands. ColourPlus is in the pipeline and Reliance Trends has also shown interest. So, we hope that by next year, a lot of reputed brands become bulk buyers of handloom fabrics," he said. Toronto: Children exposed to tobacco smoke in early childhood adopt anti-social behaviour, engage in proactive and reactive aggression, and face conduct problems at school, even drop out at age 12, a research has showed. Exposure to tobacco smoke is toxic to the developing brain at a time when it is most vulnerable to environment input, the researchers said. "Young children have little control over their exposure to household tobacco smoke, which is considered toxic to the brain at a time when its development is exponential," said lead author and Professor Linda Pagani from the University of Montreal in Quebec, Canada. Parents who smoke near their children often inadvertently expose them to second- and third-hand smoke. Abnormal brain development can result from chronic or transient exposure to toxic chemicals and gases in second-hand tobacco smoke. These compounds eventually solidify and create third-hand smoke. In the study, the researchers found compelling evidence that suggests other dangers to developing brain systems that govern behavioural decisions, social and emotional life as well as cognitive functioning. Anti-social behaviour is characterised by proactive intent to harm others, lack prosocial feelings, and violate social norms. Such behaviours include aggression, criminal offences, theft, refusal to comply with authority, destruction of property and is also associated with academic problems in later childhood. "These long-term associations should encourage policy-makers and public health professionals to raise awareness among parents about the developmental risks of second-hand smoke exposure," Pagani said. For the study, published in the journal Indoor Air, the team examined 1,035 boys and girls born in 1997 and 1998. Their parents reported whether anyone smoked at home when their children were aged 1.5 to 7.5 years. At age 12, their children self-reported their anti-social behaviour and academic characteristics. Mumbai: American television actor Blaire Underwood has praised her Quantico co-star and actress Priyanka Chopra and says it is fascinating to work with her. "I have had a number of conversations with Priyanka Chopra about being number one on the call sheet being the star of the show. She downplays that, but she is the main protagonist, we watch the show through her eyes and her perspective, so she is very much the star of the show and she carries it with a plum," Underwood said in a statement. "She is very gracious, she is very humble, she is always prepared, she is professional she is about her business," Underwood added. The actor says he told Priyanka that she is "emotionally full". "It's always fascinating to work with her, because she trusts her emotions and if you look in her eyes there is always an emotion in her eyes without trying to do too much," he said. Underwood, who is seen playing the role of CIA officer in the show, which airs on Star World, says "what makes this show really work is that you really get into the characters". "And she sets the tone in terms of the standard of the work we are doing, the depth of the work we're doing," he added. .@iamsrk ki film aa Rahi hai . Date Maine decide kar di hai . Title tum log decide kardo . Best of luck @AnushkaSharma #ImtiazAli pic.twitter.com/kjBSkjIMC2 Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) November 29, 2016 Absolutely. Aur bhai @BeingSalmanKhan ne jab commitment kar di hai toh ab hum kaun hote Hain. 11th Aug 2017 it is! https://t.co/wPeOxq2zlU Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 29, 2016 Even though Imtiaz Ali's next film doesn't have a name yet, but the Shah Rukh Khan- Anushka Sharma starrer film's release date has been decided. The film's working title is The Ring and the Salman Khan shared the first look of the film which is all set to release on 11th August 2017.The lead actors, in fact, indulged in a twitter conversation around the release date of the film and even included Alia Bhatt and Salman Khan in their conversation.Set in Portugal, the film has SRK playing a tour guide, if grapevine is to be believed. Imtiaz Ali's signature style is evident in the photo as there is a hint of travel within the photo. Both SRK and Anushka have in the past shared photos from the sets of the film. New Delhi: Taking a dig at Opposition, after BJP sweeped the local body elections in Gujarat, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said "honest people are voting for honest party and honest leader." Stating that the winning spree of BJP continues, Naidu asked the opponents, whom he said are "day dreaming", to "understand the mood" of the nation. "BJP sweeps local body elections in Gujarat. Compliments to CM Shri Vijay Bhai Rupani, DyCM Shri Nitin Bhai Patel, BJP State President Shri Jeetu Bhai Vaghani," the Union Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting minister said in a tweet. Naidu said BJP won municipal polls in 41 out of 44 seats in Vapi, 27 out of 28 in Kanakpur-Kansad and 18 out of 22 in Gondal Taluka Panchayat. "The winning spree of BJP continues. BJP becomes victorious in Madhya Pradesh, Assam Parliament and Assembly by-polls. West Bengal, Tripura commendable performance of the party. "Yesterday, it was turn of Maharashtra where BJP has won more than 55 local body polls on its own and made in roads and gains in new areas. Today its Gujarat. "Honest people are voting for honest party and honest leader. Hope our opponents who are day dreaming understand the mood of the nation," he said. In a shot in the arm for BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move and ahead of Gujarat elections next year, the party swept local bodies elections by capturing 107 seats out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of Gujarat. New Delhi: Citing its win in civic elections in Maharashtra and Gujarat, BJP on Tuesday said it should be an "eye-opener" for the opposition as people have indicated their support for demonetisation and dislike for those protesting against it. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said BJP's big gain in Maharashtra is an indication of which way the wind is blowing. "It is clear that people did not like the opposition's protest against the Modi government's action against black money and supported the (demonetization) decision. "The result is an eye-opener for the opposition and an indication of which way the wind is blowing," the leader from Maharashtra told a press conference. Wisdom should now dawn on the opposition parties stalling Parliament and impasse should be resolved, he said. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya projected the BJP's win in Gujarat, the state he hails from, as a reflection of people's support to Modi and policies of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who had taken over in August this year. Asked if BJP sees the results as a referendum on demonetisation, Javadekar said, "These were small but immediate elections after demonetization. So it was significant." In the polls to 147 municipalities in Maharashtra, BJP won 52 chairpersons' posts against eight it did in 2011 and its members won 980 seats against 298 earlier. "These areas were a bastion of Congress and NCP. The picture has changed now," he said, adding that "BJP, which was the number four party, is now number one. In Gujarat, Mandaviya said the party won 109 out of 125 seats against 64 earlier while the Congress' tally dropped to 17 from 52. In Tripura bye-elections, BJP's vote share jumped to 35 per cent from 1.5 and it emerged as the second biggest party, replacing Congress, he said. BJP's Parliamentary Party in its meeting held earlier in the day hailed the Maharashtra unit for its win, Javadekar said. Patna: Indian socialists over the years have shown an uncanny knack and remarkable flexibility to devise a working relationship with both the BJP (Bhartiya Jan Sangh in its earlier avatar) and communists. The seamless transition from one end of the ideological spectrum to the other is so very unique to samajwadis and their innumerable offshoots, that no other political grouping has ever been able to match it in contemporary politics. Thus, it wasnt without reason that the proverbial cat was set among the political pigeons once Bihar CM, an inveterate socialist himself, vouched support for the midnight demonetisation call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putting aside the acrimony of a bitterly contested election twelve months ago, BJP President Amit Shah was quick to appreciate the gesture. The mutual admiration was construed in so many different ways. Some interpreted it in an attempt by Nitish Kumar to contain fledging ambitions of its alliance partner Lalu Yadavs RJD which, despite being the single largest party in the grand alliance, is a junior partner in the government. While others saw it as a game of one-upmanship being played amongst regional satraps as they jostle for space in the run up to the next general elections. An article by Harivansh, JD(U) MP and former editor of Ranchi-based daily Prabhat Khabar gives an interesting peek into what could possibly be the reason behind Nitish Kumars decision to break ranks from the opposition on this issue. Writing for the Firstpost last week, Harivansh quoted Marx averring, it is economic decisions that forge historical narrative; and that in India politics has become a 24-hour vocation for all the political parties. Every step is evaluated in terms of personal and political gains. Harivansh then cites Bihar CMs support to demonitisation and calls him an exception to this rule. That Kumar is trying to be the exception to the rule has been evident in the last one year since his victory over BJP in Bihar polls. In his politics, Kumar has shown a distinct predilection to chart his own course both in political narrative and in implementation of policies and programmes which is independent of and un-hinged to what BJP does in general and Modi does in particular. Political discourse in India, willy-nilly in the last five years has revolved around either un-qualified support for Modi and his politics; or on a visceral opposition to anything he does or says - an us vs. them binary. This trajectory of views at large has come handy to the BJP to dumps all the others in them category. In other words, Kumar has attempted to delink himself from the political binary of Modi vs. others. And there seems to be sound logic behind it. In the process hes sought to create his own narrative, independent of and impervious to the general cacophony around. For instance, amidst the current impasse both inside and outside Parliament, political parties have come around to the view that they do not per se oppose any attempts to weed out un-accounted wealth in the system. Their objection is limited to the implementation of the scheme. The question arises why to oppose the government decision from day one. If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, let the pudding be served to the people. Some supporters of Bihar CM have likened the current note-ban with the liquor ban imposed by the state government since assuming office. It was a key promise made by the grand alliance to the people, especially the women of the state which unto itself is almost an independent constituency now, beyond class and caste considerations. Despite murmurs of opposition, Nitish Kumar brought in stringent law causing huge loss to the exchequer. Irrespective of the loss to the state revenues, can anyone, any political party afford to oppose liquor ban against aimed at weeding out a social evil? The same goes with the note-ban. Learning from the analogy, Kumar, unlike most of his political contemporaries was quick to assess the situation and react accordingly. But in doing that hes also had to do a fine balancing act to underscore his commitment to the grand alliance hes been leading in Bihar. Which is why, when things went a little out of hand, he had had to intervene to assert his commitment by accusing the Opposition of spreading canards to politically assassinate me. In the run up to the 2019 general elections, the field is wide open. And everyone, it seems it giving it a try. Manila: Seven military bodyguards of President Rodrigo Duterte and two other soldiers were wounded on Tuesday in an ambush by suspected Islamic militants on the eve of his planned visit to the southern Philippines, the military and president said. Military spokesmen said a bomb hit the soldiers' convoy as it drove on a road in a southern region where an armed group which had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group operated, wounding nine. "My advance party was ambushed a while ago. The Presidential Security Group was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device)," Duterte said in a speech during a visit to a northern Philippines military camp. "But I'm going there. The advice was to postpone it (the trip), but I said no. We are taking the same route if possible," Duterte added without explaining the purpose of his trip. The convoy that was attacked in Marawi city also included local troops as well as staff members of the presidential communications office, though no civilians were hurt, military officials said. The planned Duterte visit came days after the military began operations against dozens of armed members of the Maute group holed up in an abandoned government building in the mainly Muslim rural town of Butig on Mindanao island. Butig is about 800 kilometres south of Manila, and an hour-long drive from Marawi. Fifteen soldiers were injured in the fighting while 35 militants were killed, military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla told AFP. The ambush came a day after the police said the Maute group left a bomb near the US embassy in Manila which authorities later safely exploded. The Maute gang was also blamed for a bombing in Duterte's home town in the southern city of Davao in September that killed 15 people. Padilla said it was likely the Maute group was behind the ambush. "We know their supporters are surrounding the area and possibly planted bombs on the side of the roads to disrupt the movement of troop reinforcements," Padilla said. Muslim groups have waged a decades-long armed independence struggle in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that is believed to have claimed more than 120,000 lives. Yesterday, Duterte said IS, which controlled vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, had linked up with the Maute gang, a departure from previous military denials of formal links between IS and local extremist groups. Kampala: Amnesty International denounced as "shocking" weekend clashes between security forces and royal guards in Uganda which left 62 dead, saying many victims appeared to have been executed. The bloodshed, which took place in a traditional kingdom in the west, broke out when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards in the town of Kasese. The clashes continued into Sunday until police stormed the palace, arresting King Charles Wesley Mumbere of the Rwenzururu kingdom. Speaking to AFP on Monday, police spokesman Andrew Felix Kaweesi said the initial death toll of 55 had risen to 62, including 16 police officers and 46 royal guards. The royal guards are believed to be part of a militia agitating for the creation of an independent republic straddling Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Police said the king had been taken into custody in Kampala, with another spokesman telling NTV television that 139 royal guards had been arrested, The violence drew a sharp reaction from the London-based rights watchdog, which said emerging evidence suggested some of the victims had been shot after their arrest. "The full picture of the weekend's events is yet to emerge, but there appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests," said Abdullahi Halakhe, Amnesty International's East Africa Researcher. "In a shocking display of heavy-handedness, many people appear to have been shot dead and their bodies dumped." Uganda's main opposition leader Kizza Besigye shared gruesome images circulating on social media which appeared to show dozens of bodies piled up in front of the palace gates, condemning the "massacre" on Twitter. Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo said researchers were still trying to determine exactly what had happened. "Although we have been unable to determine exactly what happened yesterday, we are concerned about the excessive loss of life," he said. He also said Joy Doreen Biira, a local journalist covering the violence, had been arrested on charges of "complicity with terrorism" with police searching her home for photographs. Brigadier Peter Elwelu of the Ugandan army told NTV that the militia had been carrying out sporadic attacks on the government and civilians since 2014. "We kept on watching this group, we kept on reaching out to them. Things were not working out and we had to take a decision," he said. Elwelu said President Yoweri Museveni had phoned the king on Sunday morning and ordered him to rein in his guards. "We gave him an hour, it elapsed. So the president again called - gave him two more hours (saying) 'please, sort this out'," said Elwelu. "So we had no option, after that we had to storm the palace and get these terrorists, and that is what we did." The king has denied any links to the separatists. Interior Minister Jeje Odongo accused him of wanting to start a war. "From what was recovered from the palace, the weapons used and the people, you clearly see that King Mumbere wanted to wage a war against the government," he said. Paris: French foreign affairs minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called on Tuesday for an immediate United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo, which has been devastated by fighting. "More than ever before, we need to urgently put in place means to end the hostilities and to allow humanitarian aid to get through unhindered," Ayrault said in a statement. The Syrian army and its allies announced the capture of a large swathe of eastern Aleppo from rebels on Monday in an accelerating attack that threatens to crush the opposition in its most important urban stronghold. Capturing eastern Aleppo would be the biggest victory for President Bashar al-Assad since the start of the uprising against him in 2011, restoring his control over the whole city apart from a Kurdish-held area that has not fought against him. Baghdad: Iraq's prime minister says his country will agree to cut its own oil production as part of a plan by OPEC to push crude prices higher. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told The Associated Press that current prices are not sustainable for oil-producing countries. Al-Abadi's comments could be critical because Iraq along with Iran has been reluctant to go along with cuts, creating an obstacle for an OPEC deal, according to published reports. Al-Abadi said he understands that OPEC members will agree to reduce production by between 900,000 and 1.2 million barrels per day that would be a cut of between 2.7 per cent and 3.6 per cent from October levels. He said it would be enough to push prices up. "Yes, we will take our share and we agreed to this," he told the AP. Benchmark international oil rose USD 1, or 2 per cent, on Monday to close at USD 48.24 a barrel. Al-Abadi said for every dollar oil prices rise, Iraq gains about USD 1 billion. In late 2014, as crude prices tumbled from more than USD 100 a barrel, OPEC countries decided not to intervene they expected falling prices to drive high-cost producers in the US out of business. But a worldwide glut of oil has persisted and OPEC has been pumping at record levels. Now the cartel is trying to regain some of its historical ability to affect prices. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's prime minister has expressed support for strict Islamic laws as he seeks to consolidate support of ethnic Malay Muslims at a party meeting this week, as frustration over graft and the economy cloud prospects for the next election. Prime Minister Najib Razak has battled calls to resign over the last 18 months, as a scandal at his pet project, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), drew the anger of the public, opponents and members of his own United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) ruling party. A new opposition party led by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and a former deputy prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, who Najib sacked for questioning his handling of 1MDB, is threatening to split the majority Malay vote that has handed UMNO victory in every election since independence in 1957. Ahead of the annual party meeting, Najib said it was the responsibility of Muslims to support a plan by the rival Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party to push for the adoption of hudud, the Islamic penal code, that sets out punishments such as amputation and stoning. "We want to develop Islam," Najib said in an interview with pro-government broadcaster TV3. "Non-Muslims must understand that this is not about hudud but about empowering the sharia courts." With rising prices and poor economic prospects for next year, Najib is expected to bank on ethnic and religious sentiment to woo majority Malay voters. An election is due by 2018. Najib said his policy speech at this year's UMNO meeting would focus on the interests of Malays and Islam. "This is my speech as UMNO president, so my main audience are UMNO members and the Malays and bumiputera," he said, using a term that roughly translates as sons of the soil, and includes Malays but not members of the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. "It doesn't mean we don't care at all about the others, but this is an UMNO assembly," he said. Najib faced the biggest challenge to his leadership last year after reports that hundreds of millions of dollars was misappropriated from state fund 1MDB, which he founded. He acted swiftly to preserve his position - sacking critics in his administration and closing a graft investigation. Nevertheless, the scandal clouds prospects for an early election that Najib could call to cement his position, with multiple international investigations going on and a suit related to the case filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. Adding to his troubles is the plunge of the ringgit currency after Donald Trump's U.S. election win. It is Asia's worst performing currency, shedding nearly 7 percent over the past two weeks. "Najib's big problem is market confidence," said James Chin, director at the University of Tasmania's Asia Institute. "Tycoons will move against him if the ringgit keeps going down, but more importantly, SMEs and traders will go to the wall as prices will go up 20 percent across the board," he said, referring to small- and medium-sized enterprises. Washington: Gen Raheel Sharif, who retired as Pakistan's army chief on Tuesday, was an important partner of the US in the war against terror, said a top Republican Senator. Sharif has been an important partner for the US in battle against terrorism, Senator John McCain, Chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee said. Since taking office in November 2013, Sharif has made a concerted effort to target terrorists operating within the borders of Pakistan and has carried the fight to the northwest frontier provinces of Pakistan, McCain said. Sharif has demonstrated that taking action against extremist groups is firmly in the national security interests of Pakistan, he said. "I wish General Sharif well as he enters a well-earned retirement. I know he will continue to serve the cause of Pakistan," he said. McCain said Pakistan must demonstrate that the commitment to fighting domestic terrorism is not dependent on a single individual. "I look forward to working with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's selection to be the next Chief of Army Staff," he said. "I congratulate Pakistan on carrying out a second consecutive transition of power in the military according to the processes established by the civilian government," McCain said. Bajwa took over Raheel as Pakistan's new army chief today. Raheel in January had declared that he would not seek an extension. While scrolling through social media posts eyeing holiday pictures and purchases, keep an eye on the hasthtag, #GivingTuesday. The social media moniker represents a movement meant to harness Christmastime consumerism embodied in the Black Friday blitz and steer it toward charity at least for today. #GivingTuesday, which started with one New York City cultural center is now a global day of giving reaching all 50 states and 71 countries, according to the organization. A growing number of Lynchburg-area nonprofits are participating in the event geared toward online philanthropy. It is driven by social media and its official name bears a hashtag, an identifier used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Most donations are gathered through individual nonprofit websites, which can be found at givingtuesday.org. The website allows people to search by locality, although many other organizations participate independently. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will be updating its Facebook page with donations raised throughout the day, according to Communications Director Abena Foreman-Trice. The stats will be translated to the number of meals it can provide, she said. "It has a very digital kind of presence," Trice said of #GivingTuesday. "There are a host of ways this engages with our digital lives." The United Way of Central Virginia tried to raise extra money through #GivingTuesday for the last few years, but hasnt had much luck with the burgeoning philanthropic holiday, according to Director of Marketing and Special Events Tabitha Abbott. The nonprofit is one of many organizations considering how best to promote their missions through #GivingTuesday. This year, United Way of Central Virginias website lists gives examples of what a donation will buy, such as $6 to provide a weekend of food through the United Way Backpack initiative. The donor can contribute in any amount and designate what program the money will support, which is meant to encourage small donations from new donors and target specific programs that need assistance, Abbott said. It makes you kind of understand where your money is going, Abbott said. ... You dont have to give a $200 donation. Thats not what were looking for on Giving Tuesday. In 2015, nonprofits raised more than $117 million on #GivingTuesday through more than 1 million online contributions, according to the organization. About 20 official Lynchburg-area participants are listed on givingtuesday.org, although many others use the idea and advertise on their own. #GivingTuesday has grown from 2,500 registered organizations in 2012 to more than 40,000 last year, according to the organization. Some nonprofits, both official and unofficial, hope to encourage new or occasional donors by coordinating with high-dollar or regular donors to match up to a certain amount. The James River Association is using #GivingTuesday to launch a 40-hour fundraising campaign at 6 a.m. today lasting until 10 p.m. Wednesday for its 40th anniversary. An anonymous donor pledged $4,000 to JRA if 50 people give gifts of $40 or more during this time, according to the association, a nonprofit dedicated to river advocacy. For every dollar donated to Society of St. Andrew out of Big Island, the farmers who regularly work with the nonprofit will donate 10 pounds of potatoes. The organization and its network pool fresh food from farmers for distribution to those in need. A group of regular donors to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, which serves a wide swath of Virginia, including the Lynchburg area, pledged to match the first $5,000 donated online to the organization today. Other organizations hope to reach out through general methods for donation requests. Girls on the Run of Central Virginia, a mentorship organization, mostly reached out through social media and newsletters, according to Director of Development Debbie Hendrickson. The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation operates with a small staff and does not have marketing position, but hopes to pull in additional money to tell the story of Virginias first elected governor and founding father at Red Hill in Brookneal, according to Development Coordinator Myra Trent. This is just a way for the public to hear about us, Trent said. As a nonprofit, #GivingTuesday is a way for people to donate who dont always have contact with our organization. Its a way to get recognized and to preserve Patrick Henrys legacy. A man police believe is responsible for a series of bank robberies in the Richmond area apparently killed himself in his jail cell Monday, officials at Riverside Regional Jail said. Artur Kharendzyuk, dubbed the "Soul Patch Bandit" for the small tuft of facial hair directly below his lower lip, was found unresponsive around 6:45 p.m., jail officials said. Efforts to revive Kharendzyuk by Prince George EMS personnel were unsuccessful. Petersburg police arrested Kharendzyuk, 26, on Nov. 22 after he allegedly robbed a Wells Fargo bank branch at 3360 South Crater Road. In addition to being suspected in the bank robberies, Kharendzyuk also was accused of killing his 1-year-old son in Newport News. Prince George County police are investigating Kharendzyuk's death, and the jail also has initiated an internal inquiry as required by policy, officials said. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of Kharendzyuk's death. Col. Jeffrey Newton, superintendent of Riverside Regional Jail, declined to release additional details about Kharendzyuk's death. "I will not be providing any further information other than what has been provided in my press release at this point in time," Newton said in an email. In inmate deaths, many local jails typically will disclose where the deceased inmate was found and under what circumstances, and whether they were on suicide watch. In addition to the bank on South Crater Road, Kharendzyuk also was suspected in the following robberies: Oct. 18: Wells Fargo branch in the 80 block of South Airport Drive in Henrico. Oct. 28: Wells Fargo branch in the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville. Oct. 29: Wells Fargo branch in the 5600 block of Brook Road in Henrico. Nov. 7: Union Bank & Trust in the 3100 block of the Boulevard in Colonial Heights. Nov. 14: Wells Fargo branch at 1390 Gaskins Road in Henrico. Staff writer Mark Bowes contributed to this story. After President-elect Donald Trumps 10-15 minute scheduled get-to-know-you with President Obama ran an hour and a half, too many of my friends who ought to know better contacted me with some variant of maybe everything really is going to be OK after all. No. It really isnt. SNLs Dave Chappelle says hes going to give Trump a chance. We should not. Trumps wide-eyed expression as he sucked in his new D.C. digs brought it home: the barbarians are at the gate. Do not be fooled by what the media is attempting to present as a smooth transition of power, a quirky one to be sure, but generally falling within American political tradition. Do not believe Trumps condescending tweet damning liberal protesters with faint praise. President Trump cannot end well. Remember how, the morning of the election, The New York Times gave Trump a 15 percent chance of winning? Given that Ive been saying The Donald had an excellent chance of winning for many months, maybe you should be scared when I tell you what I think theres really a 15 percent chance of another presidential election in four years. Heres how I think the early years of the Trump administration will play out, and why. Before we get started, forget impeachment. Impeachment is a political process, not a legal one. With Republicans in control of both houses of Congress, the chances of Republicans impeaching a Republican president are pretty much zero. Second, forget constitutional checks and balances. Weimar Germany had a lovely constitution, in many ways better than ours, but constitutions are mere paper unless theyre enforced by people. If Trump and his henchmen want to trash legal and political precedent, nothing institutional will stop them. Finally, Democrats who place their hope in recapturing Congress in two years need to get real. Trumpism is here for at least four years. I use the method used by some authors to write character-based novels in order to game out presidential administrations. Rather than outline the plot in advance, these novelists develop characters, throw them into a situation and watch what they do. As with those novels, it isnt hard to predict how a president and his closest advisers will respond when faced with a given political development. All you have to do is consider their personalities, resumes and policy preferences. Looking at Ronald Reagans 1981 cabinet, which included a dentist as secretary of energy and an anti-environmentalist as secretary of the interior, it was obvious that the U.S. government wouldnt lift a finger to slow down the raping of the planet. While invasion of Iraq wasnt exactly predestined, it came as little surprise that a Bush administration full of neoconservatives who had called for the invasion of Iraq saw the 9/11 attacks as a reason/excuse for what they wanted to do all along. Its already clear that Donald Trumps cabinet and closest advisers will come from the fringes of the paranoid far right. Among the highlights: Joe Arpaio, the racist 84-year-old torture sheriff fired by Arizona voters, has been shortlisted as Secretary of Homeland Security. Ben Carson, who was considered to head the Education Department, doesnt believe in evolution. Chris Christie, currently facing criminal charges over Bridgegate, is up for attorney general; so is Rudy Giuliani, a fascist who wants to force Muslims to wear electronic monitoring tags or bracelets so the government can track their whereabouts. Then theres possible Secretary of State Newt Gingrich, who wants to deport Muslims who believe in Sharia law, and Interior Secretary Sarah Palin, who thinks shooting wolves from a helicopter is sporting fun. Ive examined all the lists of cabinet prospects. Not a liberal or a leftist among them. No centrists either. At best, well wind up with a few relatively sane right-wingers mixed into a majority of complete lunatics. These, headed by the delightfully clearheaded and thoughtful Donald Trump, are the characters of our story. Now add the situation. Imagine six to 12 to 18 months from now, when these characters face the inevitable political crisis: terrorist attack or natural disaster or economic meltdown or race riot or a nuclear crisis. These arent personalities predisposed to respond to these challenges with introspection or compromise. Beginning with Trump himself, these are people with a cop mentality who, like a hammer, see everything as a nail to be pounded into submission. Bear in mind, theyll be one to 12 to 18 months inside the Washington Beltway bubble. Trumps canny campaign instincts, his intuitive understanding of populist anger that got him elected, will have been dulled by lack of interaction with the public. Moreover, Team Trump will be six to 12 to 18 months into an unprecedented period of constant left-wing criticism and street protest. Think Richard Nixon: Theyll be deep inside a bunker mentality. Everyone in the cabinet room will favor moves to curtail civil liberties: tracking and cracking down on leftists, preventative detentions, new police forces to protect the state and ferret out illegal immigrants and those who hide them, the use of drones to kill Americans on American soil (something Obama said was OK), even more abusive NSA surveillance. In my book Trump: A Graphic Biography, I described the president-elect as an accidental authoritarian. He thinks of himself as a patriot, a good man. He hasnt been planning to lead a plot against America. Trumps fascism will come about naturally, caused by the perfect storm of his ego, his CEO mentality, the politics and personalities of the men and women with whom he is surrounding himself, and a set of developments that are all but inevitable. Canceling the next election? For these characters, it will be an easy call. Rall is a syndicated writer and cartoonist for ANewDominion.net and Skewed.net. His latest book is Trump: A Graphic Biography, an examination of the life of the Republican president-elect in comics form. Contact him through his website, Rall.com. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership decided not to wait to hire a new leader for a state agency that is under intense legislative scrutiny for the way it spends taxpayer dollars to attract and retain major business prospects. The partnerships board of directors on Monday named Stephen Moret, a former secretary of economic development in Louisiana, as president and chief executive officer at VEDP, more than eight months after the abrupt resignation of Martin J. Briley. Moret served as Louisianas economic development secretary from 2008 to 2015, when he became president and CEO of the LSU Foundation at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Stephen Moret is one of the top economic development leaders in the country, VEDP Chairman Dan Clemente said in an announcement of the appointment. He combines a unique blend of experience, energy and leadership, and we are extremely excited to have him coming to Virginia to lead the VEDP. The board made the appointment two weeks after the release of a highly critical report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which said the lack of policy and procedures for providing financial incentives to economic development prospects put the state at risk of fraud and wasted money. VEDPs board of directors, which the JLARC report criticized for its lack of oversight at the agency, filled the vacant leadership job despite warnings by legislative leaders to wait until the General Assembly has had the opportunity to make changes in the way the agency is governed. The boards decision to hire a new CEO now took legislative leaders by surprise, but they said it would not alter their plan to consider significant changes to VEDP in the next two General Assembly sessions. The entire structure and organization (of VEDP) is going to still be under scrutiny by the General Assembly, Senate Finance Co-Chairman Emmett W. Hanger Jr., R-Augusta, said Monday after a meeting of the Governors Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates. Hanger and House Appropriations Chairman S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, who are both members of JLARC, said the partnerships board had progressed further in its search than they realized. Jones has been particularly blunt in warning the board not to act prematurely, but he said Monday that Morets appointment would offer an opportunity to work within the confines of the JLARC report to rebuild confidence in VEDP. Hanger and Jones also said they are confident that the VEDP board understands the magnitude of legislative concern over an agency that receives about $27 million a year, almost all of it from general tax funds, to attract and retain economic development prospects and promote Virginia business interests abroad. They are keenly aware of the expectations of the legislature, Jones said. Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who has made economic development the top priority of his administration, endorsed the VEDP boards choice of Moret to lead the agency but acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge the new CEO faces. There is no question that VEDP is in serious need of strong leadership, reform and increased accountability, McAuliffe said. As we continue to review and analyze the findings and recommendations of the (JLARC) report on VEDP, Stephen will be responsible for strengthening management within the organization as well as working with my administration and the General Assembly to make additional necessary changes to its structure and oversight, he said. Moret also acknowledged the critical findings of the report. I look forward to addressing the important JLARC findings in collaboration with the General Assembly, as well as working with VEDP staff and others to make VEDP the best state economic development agency in the nation, he said in a statement. The General Assembly created the partnership as a semi-independent authority in 1995 under then-Gov. George Allen. Briley had been named CEO in 2011 by then-Gov. Bob McDonnell and continued under Gov. Terry McAuliffe. The board of directors moved to change the agencys leadership in April after an investigation by The Roanoke Times found that the partnership had given $1.4 million in incentives to a Chinese company for a manufacturing operation in Appomattox County that never materialized. The JLARC report confirmed that the partnership had given the incentives to the Lindenburg Industry without conducting background checks for due diligence. The report said the agency has lacked written policies and procedures for its incentive programs since its inception more than 20 years ago. Moret succeeds Dan Gunderson, the partnerships chief operating officer, who has served as interim president and CEO since Briley left the job just after the assembly adjourned in early March. The VEDP board said Moret had made Louisiana one of the top-performing economic development agencies in the U.S., before becoming president and CEO of the LSU Foundation in March 2015. Former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal praised Moret in a statement released by VEDP. Working collaboratively with local, regional and state officials, Stephen and his team were able to attract a wide variety of high-quality economic development projects, many of which would have seemed like remote possibilities only a few years before, Jindal said. He built one of the finest workforce development programs in the nation; and, by the end of his tenure, all of Louisianas business climate rankings were higher than they ever were prior to his appointment, he said. Morets appointment drew a quick endorsement from Barry E. DuVal, president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, who said the board had chosen a well-qualified CEO with the right experience in economic development and site relocation and expansion to lead VEDP during this time of transition. Stephen Moret has a stellar reputation for getting results in economic development in Louisiana. DuVal said. The business community looks forward to working with him to apply fresh ideas and reform VEDP to more effectively attract new business and foster economic growth in Virginia. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. EBC under fire UNC candidate and former councillor for the Freeport/Chickland electoral district, Anil Balliram, complained about receiving news of a change in a polling station from Freeport Presbyterian School to Upper Carapichaima on Friday. Is it a plot by the EBC to disrupt the electoral process? asked Balliram. Balliram said the Friday notice did not give his party enough time to inform potential voters, many of whom still went to Freeport Presbyterian to vote. They did not even have the courtesy to put up a sign to direct voters to the new location, he said. Balliram crafted a sign on bristol board himself and hung it on the gate of Freeport Presbyterian School. A similar discrepancy occurred in polling stations 3190 and 3185 which were historically placed at Esperanza Presbyterian School and Dow Village Government Primary School respectively, but were switched at the last minute, according to UNC candidate Ramchand Rajbal. Unlike Balliram, Rajbal said they were only notified yesterday morning, adding, All the personnel at the EBC have the candidates numbers. A telephone call would have rectified the situation and we would have lived with that. Rajbal raised his concerns with officials and asked that the stations be reverted to their original locations, but EBC officials decided against it as ballots had already been cast at both polling stations. Speaking with the media outside her partys office, political leader of the Independent Liberal Party, Rekha Ramjit, also complained of the late notice of location changes. We got our information on Sunday while the UNC received the info on Friday. I do not know when the PNM received their information...We are very close to where the returning officer is yet we received ours on Sunday. In a press statement, the EBC placed responsibility for the sudden changes on an administrative error made by the presiding officer and apologised for the inconvenience. Meanwhile in Charlieville, both UNC and PNM mock stations were ordered to be dismantled after they were discovered to have been within the 100 yards of polling stations at Charlieville ASJA Primary and Charlieville Presbyterian Schools. UNC lawyer Saddam Hosein brought the location of the PNMs mock station to the attention of the ASJA Primary stations presiding officer. After measurements were taken, it was found that the PNM and the complaining UNC were within the limits. Both parties blamed their unlawful placement on the failure of the EBC to mark the 100-yard limit. PNM lawyer Christophe Brathwaite said, An EBC representative yesterday said the commission could not respond to the issue of mock stations being moved as no reports had been made about it. However, responsibility for the marking of the 100-yard limit was placed again on the presiding and roving officers for the polling stations. PTSC GM reinstated He was reinstated this morning (yesterday). The thing about it is that Mr Forde had some leave inside which we had asked him to take. He was on a contract and there is a certain amount of days that you can accumulate, so we have asked him to take the days. I had just simply asked them to bring back out Mr Forde until we deal with the issue. I will meet with him and the PTSCs Board tomorrow (today) concerning his leave and to resolve whatever misunderstanding they had, Sinanan explained. However Forde told Newsday he could not say whether he was reinstated because he did not receive any indication from the Ministry and felt numb about the entire matter since last Friday when he was sent home. I have not seen an official letter, neither did anyone from the Ministry contact me concerning the matter. He continued, It was not a good feeling at all last week Friday when I found out that I was suspended. Generally it was not a good feeling to know that you have lost your job because you have gone before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) and be factual about the state of the PTSC and it is all for the betterment of the PTSC. Everything I said was for the improvement of the PTSC. Santa comes to MovieTowne Approximately 1500 of the nations children were treated to a movie, snacks and toys courtesy MovieTowne. Three hundred guardians also accompanied the children on their trip. The cineplexs marketing manager and Film Buyer, Lisa Sadler, said children from orphanages, childrens homes and underprivileged communities such as the St Marys Home, Lady Hochoy Home and from as far as Blanchisseuse and as near as Laventille attended yesterdays treat. The children ranging in ages from two to 15, Sadler told Newsday, were transported to and from the event and saw movies such as Troll, Storks and Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children. The treat, now in its 14th year, was the initial brainchild Sadler said, of Derek Chin and other members. It is something close to our hearts. The cineplex also had support from Coca Cola, HADCO, SM Jaleel among others to host the treat. Althea Baptiste, a guardian for children of the Laventille Sunday School, described it as being good. She added she enjoyed seeing the childrens reaction to the movie. Miss Andrews (she wished not to have her full name identified) said 37 children from the St Marys Home attended. It was good to see the children enjoying the movie, she said. Andrews added the children were satisfied with the treats and gifts they received. It Took Heidi Klum 2 Years to Look Like This (Newser) Pet grooming is an unregulated business and requires no license, and a PETA spokesperson tells the San Francisco Chronicle that the organization gets complaints "all the time" from people who say their pets were injured or even killed during grooming at PetSmart. Now a California couple whose dachshund Henry died at a San Mateo PetSmart in May are filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the retailer and a groomer not for money, they say, but for "systematic" changes. "We want these people to be trained," says Stefan Zier, who with his partner Terrie Peacock has been mourning Henry's death ever since. "I was helplesshe was dying right in front of us," Peacock says. "It's been a living nightmare." According to police, groomer Juan Zarate emerged three minutes after taking the 1-year-old dog into the grooming room for a routine nail trimming to say that Henry was having a medical emergency. The dog had two broken ribs and a punctured lung, was bleeding out of his mouth, and died in minutes. Zarate, who was charged with felony animal cruelty after police ruled that his "deliberate actions ... likely contributed to the animal's death," pleaded not guilty, posted bail, and is still awaiting trial, according to the couple's attorney. They allege that since 2010, reports of animal abuse at the national chain range from severe cuts and overheating to strangulation, which is how an autopsy ruled Henry died, reports CBS Local. (One man sued PetSmart for $1 million over a bit of dog poop.) (Newser) Police say officers fatally shot a man outside a suburban Kansas City, Kan., retail store after he hit one of them with a long wooden rod, the AP reports. Lenexa police spokesman Dan Friesen says the man was shot near a Walmart in Olathe around 10:30pm Sunday after striking an officer. Friesen, speaking on behalf of Olathe police, says the rod resembled a martial arts bo stick. He says officers responded to a report of a man with a weapon and tried to use non-lethal force to subdue him, including an attempt to use a stun gun, but those measures were not effective. The officer hit with the stick was treated and released at a hospital. The man was IDed as being 50 years old, per KMBC, which also notes a special investigative team is looking into the man's death. Friesen says his identity was being withheld while authorities searched for next of kin. (Read more police shooting stories.) (Newser) Dennis Hastert is serving a 15-month prison term in a hush-money case that stemmed from his sexual abuse of students when he taught at an Illinois public school over 35 years agoand the ex-US House speaker is now pointing to a technicality to argue that a state body should restore his $17,000-a-year teacher's pension that it yanked after his April 27 sentencing, the AP reports. A recent letter from the 74-year-old's lawyer to the agency overseeing the pensions notes his conviction was not for sexual abuse when he was at Yorkville High School from 1965 to 1981: It was for one count of violating banking law by withdrawing cash from 2010 to 2014 as he sought to pay one victim $3.5 million to ensure his silence. On those grounds, the letter argues, his teacher's pension can't be revoked. State law is clear that pensions can be revoked for serious crimes teachers committed as teachers. The revocation of Hastert's teacher's pension by the Teachers' Retirement System was "improper, invalid, and unconstitutional," in part because he was charged with banking crimes that occurred over three decades after he was in teaching, Mark DeBofsky wrote in an August 29 letter released this month. It also challenges an order that Hastert pay back $222,000 he already withdrew in teacher's pension money. Had Hastert been convicted of abusing students, there would be no question that withdrawing his pension was legaland prosecutors made clear that, if they could have charged Hastert with sexual abuse, they would have, had the statute of limitations not expired decades ago. Hastert's attorneys will get a chance to present arguments and even call witnesses during an administrative review. If the TRS board refuses to restore the teacher's pension, he could take the matter to court. (Read more Dennis Hastert stories.) (Newser) The suspect shot dead at Ohio State University Monday is believed to have posted an anti-America rant on Facebook just minutes before attacking fellow students with a car and a knife. "I can't take it anymore. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah [community]," reads the post that appeared on Abdul Razak Ali Artan's page three minutes before the rampage, ABC News reports. "We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that." The post also described radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a "hero," reports NBC News. "If you want us to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace," the post says. "We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims." Police haven't commented publicly on a motive for the attack, which injured 11 people. CNN reports that Artan, an 18-year-old Somali refugee who left his homeland for Pakistan in 2007 and came to the US in 2014, was profiled in the university newspaper's "Humans of Ohio State" feature in August. He told the Lantern that he had just transferred from Columbus State and didn't know where to pray yet. "I wanted to pray in the open, but I was scared with everything going on in the media," he said. "I'm a Muslim, it's not what the media portrays me to be." (Read more Abdul Razak Ali Artan stories.) (Newser) He should have left the politics on the ground: Delta says a "loud, rude and disrespectful" man who taunted his fellow passengers about Donald Trump's election victory has been banned for life, NBC News reports. The man was filmed standing up on a Nov. 22 flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pa., yelling Trump's name and asking: "We got some Hillary b--tches here?" "Trump! It's your president," the man says. "If you don't like it, too bad." In a letter to employees seen by CBS News, Delta CEO Edward Bastian describes the man's behavior as "loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers." "If our colleagues had witnessed firsthand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft," Bastian writes. "He will never again be allowed on a Delta plane." "The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities," writes Bastian, who says the airline has apologized to the customers on the flight and refunded the full cost of their tickets. Emma Baum, the passenger who filmed the man, tells the Allentown Morning Call that before getting on the plane, she noticed the man in the terminal shouting about making America great again. She says that after the outburst that she filmed, a flight attendant took the man away for few minutes. When he returned, he said, "This is what I get for being a patriot" and behaved himself for the rest of the flight, Baum says. (A United passenger in Houston jumped out of the plane before it reached the terminal.) (Newser) Suspected serial killer Todd Kohlhepp was hit with seven new criminal charges Mondayincluding the murders of three people who were found buried on his property in South Carolina. NBC News reports that the 45-year-old was charged with the murder of Charlie Carver, whose girlfriend was rescued from a container on Kohlhepp's property earlier this month. The charge sheet shows just how lucky she is to be alive: Kohlhepp is also charged with murdering 29-year-old Johnny Coxie in December last year, then murdering his wife, 25-year-old Meagan Coxie, on Christmas or Dec. 26 after holding her captive for a week. Kohlhepp was also charged with three counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and one count of kidnapping, reports the Greenville News. A police spokesman says Kohlhepp hasn't been charged with kidnapping in the Coxie murders because at this stage in the investigation, it appears that the couple went to his property voluntarily. Kohlheppwho waived a bond hearing Monday night, per the APis now charged with seven murders, including the killings of four people at a motorcycle shop in 2003. (Kohlhepp's mother says he carried out the quadruple murder because he was "bullied and embarrassed" in the store.) (Newser) Texas health officials knew it was "only a matter of time," and that time has arrived, they now say: The state has logged its first case of Zika likely spread by a local mosquito, the Guardian reports. This news puts Texas alongside Florida as the only other state in which this has occurredall of the other 257 reported Zika cases in Texas had been tied to either sexual transmission or travel. CNN and the Washington Post report the infected patient, confirmed via a lab test, is a non-pregnant 43-year-old female from the border town of Brownsville (various communities in Mexico have been battling local transmission) who hadn't recently gone to a known Zika region or otherwise been exposed. Per a state health department press release, the virus was detected in her urine but not her blood, meaning a mosquito can't transmit the disease from her. The CDC says it's working with health officials to up surveillance and carry out insecticide measures in the area, per Reuters. Although the spread of mosquito-carried disease is somewhat hampered in Texas by the common use of AC and window screens, the city of Brownsville is a hot spot for virus-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, reports the New York Times. And some say the problem overall could be understated. "There's probably a lot of transmission going on in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida that we're not aware of because we're not really doing active surveillance," Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. Peter Hotez tells the Guardian. Meanwhile, Dr. John Hellerstedt, the state's health commissioner, says in the release that officials don't think "the virus will become widespread in Texas," but he warns people should still protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in the milder parts of the state where mosquitoes remain active during colder-weather months. (Read more Zika virus stories.) (Newser) Time is running out before the Oval Office changes hands, and in Jimmy Carter's mind, that leaves a limited window for one major thing on America's to-do list: helping Palestine receive UN membership by granting diplomatic recognition before President Obama leaves the White House. In his opinion piece for the New York Times, the 39th president lays out his argument, starting with the Camp David Accords signed during his own administration in the late '70s, meant to jump-start a lasting peace between Israel and Egypt and, therefore, the entire Middle East. Carter notes how Obama has tried to keep to that code, as well as to the UN Security Council resolution it was based on after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, by standing firm on 1967-dictated borders and against illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory. Now, however, "the commitment to peace is in danger of abrogation," Carter laments, pointing out even more settlements are being built and that Israeli settlers are able to enjoy citizenship and legal benefits their Palestinian counterparts don't"hastening a one-state reality that could destroy Israeli democracy and will result in intensifying international condemnation of Israel." And so he's calling for a Security Council resolution to guarantee peace for both sides, which, combined with UN membership and US recognition, would "bolster moderate Palestinian leadership" while simultaneously assuring Israel the world is looking out for its security, tooa two-state solution he says has been a long time coming. "I fear for the spirit of Camp David. We must not squander this chance," he notes. Carter's whole argument is here. (Russia recently took credit for a Mideast peace "breakthrough.") We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy (Newser) Texas women came forward earlier this month to tell their miscarriage and abortion stories to fend off proposed new funerary rules for embryonic and fetal tissue, but sharing their experiences apparently fell short of the mark. Per state health officials, starting Dec. 19, hospitals, abortion clinics, and other facilities will be banned from disposing of fetal remains in sanitary landfills, the Texas Tribune reports. Instead, they'll be required to bury or cremate the remains, no matter the gestational agea move spurring "intense outcry" from reproductive rights advocates, as well as from medical providers. "The state [Health and Human Services Commission] has once again ignored the concerns of the medical community and thousands of Texans by playing politics with people's private health-care decisions," Heather Busby, director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, says in a statement. But health officials say they've addressed the major concerns brought up during what the Washington Post calls "months of controversy" since the initial July proposal. In terms of privacy, birth or death certificates aren't required, and miscarriages or abortions at home don't have to comply. As for the costs, the medical care facilities will pay, with costs "offset by the elimination of some current methods of disposition," per the health department. The commission notes the rules will lead to "enhanced protection of the health and safety of the public," but women's rights advocates say it's nothing more than a veiled attempt to restrict abortion access, per the Dallas Morning News. "These new restrictions reveal the callous indifference that Texas politicians have toward women," a Center for Reproductive Rights lawyer says, adding the rules will "almost certainly trigger costly litigation," per the Tribune. (Read more Texas stories.) (Newser) For 10 days, 7-year-old Ryan Alexander Lovett laid in bed while his mother fed him dandelion tea and oil of oregano. He died as a result, according to prosecutors. In a trial that began Monday in Calgary, Alberta, prosecutors accuse Tamara Lovett, 47, of failing to provide the "necessaries of life," as well as criminal negligence causing the death of her son, who died of organ failure in 2013, reports Global News. Prosecutors say Ryan first developed a streptococcus infection before coming down with meningitis and pneumonia, yet Lovett never sought medical advice or antibiotics. In fact, Ryanwho had no birth certificate or health cardhad never visited a doctor in his life as his mother "did not believe in conventional medicine or doctors," a prosecutor says, per CBC News. Prosecutors say a friend recommended Lovett take Ryan to the doctor on March 1, but she refused, per the Calgary Sun. A day later, Lovett called 911, telling dispatchers that her son wasn't breathing. Lovettwho has pleaded not guiltylater told police Ryan had been sick for two weeks and collapsed while trying to reach the bathroom. Paramedics who arrived described a "lifeless" boy covered in vomit on the floor of a squalid apartment. "He was cold to touch," a paramedic says, while an officer notes he "appeared emaciated" with "a deformed shoulder and arm" and "some bruising about the ears." After Ryan was pronounced dead, a detective says Lovett told her son, "I'm sorry. I failed you. I didn't do enough." (A Canadian judge delivered an unusual sentence in a similar case.) (Newser) An irate customer in a Chicago Michaels store created what NBC Chicago calls a "30-minute ordeal" that has since gone viral. Another customer, Jessie Grady, caught part of the incident on her phone, showing the white customer berating two black employees for what she says was an attempt to strong-arm her into buying a reusable shopping bag and for discriminating against her. She also claims one of the employees accused her under her breath of voting for Donald Trump (a claim the employee can be heard denying in the video). "And I voted for Trump, so there," the customer yells in the video. "What? You want to kick me out because of that? And look who won." She also calls the employee a "liar" and another one "an animal," and her diatribe also covered Grady and her family. Grady was so incensed at what she says was this "unprovoked attack" that she created a GoFundMe page for the worker who took the brunt of the customer's wrath (nearly $30,000 has been raised so far). "I'd like to show her that many people are horrified by how this woman treated her," Grady writes. In a statement, Michaels said it doesn't "tolerate discrimination or racism of any kind" and was "grateful for the leadership of our store team." In a Monday tweet, it also expressed thanks for the "outpouring of support for our Chicago-based team member." The customer in the video left before cops arrived. (Read more Chicago stories.) (Newser) Donald Trump believes in free speech and that flag-burning should be illegal. In what the Washington Post is calling "Donald Trump v. the First Amendment, part five," the president-elect decried flag-burning in a tweet on Tuesday, noting those guilty of the practice should perhaps spend a year in jail or even lose their US citizenship. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flagif they do, there must be consequences," Trump said. Though flag-burning remains controversial, the Supreme Court declared the practice to be a protected form of free speech in 1989 and 1990, reports CNN, which Trump bashed Monday night. Even conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scaliawhom Trump has called "one of the best of all time"believed flag burning should be protected based on a "textual" reading of the First Amendment. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Sean Duffy expressed similar sentiments Tuesday. A Trump transition rep notes "the President-elect is a very strong supporter of the First Amendment, but there's a big difference between that and burning the American flag." Though flag-burning is legal, Trump's desired punishment is not. A 1958 Supreme Court decision banned the stripping of US citizenship as a criminal penalty, reports Politico. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) Japan had a rough relationship with the United States in the past, but the two powerful nations have had an amicable alliance since the war. It's inevitable, therefore, that US leaders are mentioned in Japanese art. Keisuke Itagaki , the "mangaka" or artist and author of "Baki the Grappler" or "Baki-Dou" took it a step further, however, when he not only included a Barack Obama character, but also that of Donald Trump, current US President-Elect. In one of the volumes is a character named George W. Bosh who drove Baki's father around in a limousine. There is also Barack Ozuma who obviously represents the United States' out-going president. Ozuma is relatively in good terms with Baki's father, the world's strongest fighter. When the US 2016 Elections finished, Itagaki wasted no time writing about Donald Trump in the series. In the Nov. 24, 2016, issue of the Weekly Shonen Companion, a character with perfectly coifed hair named "Mr. Torampu" or Mr. Trump talking to the US president about his new duties as leader of the United States. "Baki-Dou" Chapter 135 titled "Greatness" opens with a fair-haired man asking the incumbent president, Barack Ozuma, why powerful nations have agreed to a non-aggression declaration for Yuujiro Hanma, Baki's father. In the comics, Mr. Trump expresses disgust that such a powerful nation must bow down to the wishes of one man. Determined to "make America great again," as was the original Republican candidate's campaign slogan, Mr. Trump goes to meet Baki's father, intending to put a stop to the non-aggression declaration. Instead, he wets himself, takes out the Holy Bible and performs a Nazi salute. According to Anime News Network, Itagaki did this "to honor the upset of the country" at the election results, which left many Democrat voters reeling, and also because Itagaki finds Trump's hairstyle interesting and frustrating (it can be noted that Trump's introduction in the comics is a panel featuring his head). Internet connection is not the only and major problem space workers tackle when out in space. NASA is working on how to limit the loads that astronauts carry on these space missions. And as a way to do this, scientists are currently developing food bars for deep-space missions by Orion astronauts. How do these space food bars taste and where are they made of? A single journey to Mars may take a long time and the astronauts need their daily dose of nutrients to keep them packed and energized, reports VOA News. However, food packs brought in space have caused certain concerns in the past. Usually, these issues involve the taste, storage time, nutrition, packaging, and adequacy. The NASA was challenged by these concerns, pushing them to develop new food innovations that can keep up with long, deep-space missions. Aside from that challenge, NASA wants to come up with food items that will not only be lightweight and easy to pack but will also be healthy for the astronauts. Something that will not let them gain weight. Although these edible items won't be literally fresh, the scientists aim for food bars that will not be categorized as junk food. Orion's missions are entirely different from what the International Space Station does. This means that the food to be served could only be those that last for longer periods of time, can easily be digested, and will not produce too much waste or trash. Unlike with the ISS astronauts who may pick from a vast array of about 200 food items, the Orion astronauts with missions to Mars only have limited choices, shares International Business Times. According to a NASA statement, one of the goals they want for these food bars' outcome was for the astronauts to have a variety of flavors to choose from. These food bars are well studied on so that the effectiveness of what the astronauts can have during breakfast, lunch, and dinner will not be far from what the ISS crew gets. Also, NASA develops a certain way on how Orion astronauts can warm their main meals for the day. Apart from flavors like barbecue nut or orange cranberry, Space Food Systems Laboratory scientists also aim to produce these food bars with high calories, enough to energize and keep the astronauts' strength at work. The scientists also came up on how to package these high-calorie food bars, because according to them, whatever size a food bar with 700-900 calories, it is still heavy. The food bars they are developing recently are made for breakfast consumption. These "breakfast bars" are expected to be readily available for the Orion crew before they go on their first Mars mission on 2021. New Delhi: Google on Tuesday paid homage to American novelist and poet Louisa May Alcott on her 184th birth anniversary. Alcott is best known for her novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Done by artist Sophie Diao, the Doodle portrays the girls from the March family Beth, Jo, Amy and Meg as well as Jos best friend Laurie, their neighbour (who later goes on to marry Amy) from Alcotts semi-autobiographical book Little Women. Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Hillside, later called the Wayside, in Concord, Massachusetts and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters. Incidentally, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was on Monday quoted by a newspaper saying that Alcotts Little Women should be included in school curriculum. Also read: Shilpa Shetty reviews: 15 hilarious tweets you shouldn't miss Here's what Shipa Shetty says about Geeorge Orwell's Animal Farm For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Two armymen were killed on Tuesday as terrorists opened fire at army camp in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, the district administration has ordered to shut down schools in Nagrota as a precautionary measure. The terrorist opened fire at the army camp at around 5:30am and gunbattle is still on, ANI reported. More details awaited. Also read | Jammu and Kashmir: BSF jawan injured in gunbattle with infiltrating militants Here are the updates: Jammu and Kashmir: Security on high alert in Katra following #Nagrota terror attack pic.twitter.com/dG0qD5eAhT ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Udhampur is on high alert following #Nagrota terror attack, inputs came early the moment attack started: Shailendra Mishra, SSP pic.twitter.com/LGmKFMDYGm ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Udhampur (J&K): Security beefed up, area on high alert following #Nagrota attack pic.twitter.com/H4KkRTFHtY ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 #NagrotaEncounter We have issued high alert in Katra region including Vaishno Devi shrine & other religious places: Sanjay Rana (SP, Katra) pic.twitter.com/FEebOCCWil ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 #No civilian has been targeted as they seek local support. PM has been briefed on it: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Nagrota attack #Statistics have shown attack is on military installations. Civilians not being targeted: Manohar Parrikar on Nagrota attack #When challenged, BSF patrol was fired upon by miscreants holed up in a tube well pumphouse,firing been retaliated: BSF #In general area of Border Out Post Chamliyal,Samba(J&K) suspicious movement was noticed.Immediately area was cordoned off: BSF For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After Prime Ministeras major announcement of curbing black money by the means of demonetization, the government has taken an array of measure to provide relief from the cash crunch and move towards becoming a cashless economy. Amid long queues outside banks and ATMs getting easily exhausted, the mode of payment in the country has become a hot topic of discussion. With the availability of various payment channels such as Credit card, Debit card, Net banking and even Mobile banking has been the major relief to public. Even mobile wallets have emerged as a good option to pay for basic needs. Soon smartphones will double up as virtual debit cards and youall be able to send or receive money instantly. Further, now the government is aggressively promoting the use of mobile phones in the form of another payment option. How? Itas really simple. The government has also released an advisory on how to use mobile as a bank, a wallet without the use of cash, which also includes the introduction of unified payment interface (UPI). What is UPI? Unified Payments Interface is a system that powers multiple bank accounts, several banking services features like fund transfer, and merchant payments in a single mobile application. UPI is an initiative by National Payments Corporation of Indiaas (NPCI), set up with the support of the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Banks Association (IBA). With the help of few easy steps you can use your mobile phone for all the cashless transactions online: >> It is as easy as sending a message from your bank. Every bank has its own mobile app so itas possible to transact on your smartphones >> Register your mobile number in the bank or ATM. >> Download the UPI app on your mobile. >> Create a unique user ID >> Set your PIN >> You can now transact from everywhere. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will on Tuesday speak to the public through a special radio show Shiv Samvad to mark the 11 years of his government in the state. Inspired from the response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat', MP CM Chouhan will share his ideas with public through a radio chat show. "It is a unique idea, which could generate good response and the chief minister is willing to share his views directly with people," said principal secretary to chief minister SK Mishra. 'Shiv Samvad' will be a half-an-hour address by the chief minister who looks forward to sharing his thoughts on a number of themes and issues involving public interest, he said. "I wish to share my views with the public and hope to get a good response. We are planning to start the radio programme by the November-end, but November 1, when Madhya Pradesh observes its foundation day, is also a suitable date," Chouhan told media earlier. In Madhya Pradesh, more than 95% of population has an access to radio, be it through government-run All-India Radio (AIR) or any private FM radio station. The private radio stations will be allowed to broadcast recording of chief minister's address as and when they choose it, officials said. Later at 1pm on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will answer peoples questions directly in a special exclusive programme on News Nation TV. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Day 10 of Winter Session of Parliament is set to begin with BJP Parliamentary party will meet at 9.30 am, followed by opposition parties meet at 9.45 am. On Monday, the parliament opened in a stalemate as the protests on the streets by the opposition rocked the House proceedings with frequent disruptions. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha ran into chaos over demands of Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence in the House by the opposition parties to debate the governments move scrapping Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley introduced a bill in Lok Sabha to amend the Income Tax law on Monday. The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 proposes to amend Section 115 BBE of the Income Tax Act to provide for a punitive tax, surcharge and penalty on unexplained credit, investment, cash and other assets. Also read | Recap of Day 9 of Winter Session of Parliament | Congress slams PM Modi While several Left and Opposition leaders took to streets to observe Pratibad Divas and the Jan Aakrosh Diwas, the Opposition parties rallied inside the Houses too, causing adjournments for the day before 3pm. Live Updates: #Taxation Bill passed by Lok Sabha without debate; Houses adjourned for the day 3:00pm: Speaker moves Taxation Bill for consideration and passing 3:00pm: Speaker dispenses with debate on taxation laws (amend) bill due to disruptions. 3:00pm: LS: Fin Minister moves taxation laws (amend) bill for passing. Disruptions in the house continue. 2:55pm: Govt moved amendments in Income tax law after it saw that a few people were still trying to convert black money into white post-demonetisation: FM Jaitley in LS 2:55pm: PM made a huge announcement on November 8 to fight the menace of black money and corruption in the country: FM Jaitley in LS 2:35pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 AM tomorrow after uproar in the House over demonetisation issue 2:04pm: Rajya Sabha resumes session; Lok Sabha adjourned till 2:30pm amid ruckus 12:07am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2:00pm 12:05pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2:00pm 12:00pm: Both Houses resume session amid ruckus over demonetisation 11:37 am: Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon after uproar 11:35am: I cant understand why Opposition is not ready to debate, aakrosh rally was a flop, people made fun of them: Venkaiah Naidu 11:15 am: PM Modi asks all BJP MPs and MLAs to give details of their bank accounts to Amit Shah from Nov 8 to Dec 31. Have to submit by Jan 1: Sources 11:14 am: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11:30 am & Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon after uproar over demonetisation 11:13 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12:00pm 11:00 am: Houses begin session amid Opposition's continued attack on PM 10:19 am: JDU, BSP, DMK skip meet as Opposition decides to continue attack on govt over demonetisation 10:11 am: RJD, NCP join opposition parties in meeting ahead of Winter Session debate on demonetization 10:00am: Opposition leaders in meeting decide to reiterate demand for PM apology for his remarks, and for discussion under rule 56 in LS, says sources 9:50 am: Opposition meeting starts with Left, TMC, SP leaders; Gulam Nabi Azad also presnet in the room; before entering the meeting, Mallikarjun Khade said, "We will continue our demand as usual in House." 9:40am: BJP Parliamentary party meeting begins; PM, Amit Shah along with other senior leaders present For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jammu: Four BSF jawans were injured while trying to remove the dead bodies of three terrorists killed in a gunbattle earlier on Tuesday in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. A BSF DIG is among those injured in the blast. Three terrorists were killed and a BSF jawan was injured on Tuesday in a gunbattle with an infiltrating group of militants along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. BSF troops picked up the movement of a group of suspected militants in Chambiliyal-Ramgarh sector of Samba district during pre-dawn time, a senior BSF officer said. There was a firefight in which one BSF jawan suffered minor injuries, he said, adding the suspected militants have been trapped in an area and the gunbattle is underway. (With Inputs from PTI) Also read | 2 Jawans injured as terrorists open fire at army camp in Nagrota in J&K For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Karimnagar: Police have arrested seven members of a currency exchange gang and seized Rs 8.20 lakh in valid notes from them, a senior official said on Monday. The gang was allegedly involved in exchanging banned notes on commission basis for valid currencies in Peddapalli district, he said. Acting on a tip-off about the gang, a Police Sub-Inspector, G Vijender, was sent as a decoy customer looking to exchange old notes worth Rs 11.50 lakh for new ones to one of its members, Poorna Chandra Sekhar, said K Vijayender Reddy, Deputy Commissioner of Police at a press meet in Peddapalli. Sekhar promised Vijender to give valid notes of Rs 8.20 lakh in exchange of banned currencies of Rs 11.50 lakh and asked him come to Peddapalli railway station to complete the deal, he said. The moment Sekhar and six of his gang members reached the spot, they were apprehended last evening, Reddy said, adding the police seized Rs 8.20 lakh in valid notes and some mobile phones from them. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday strongly advocated for cashless economy and demonetisation policy implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on an exclusive chat show on News Nation TV, MP CM Shivraj Chouhan recounted the important landmarks of 11 years of his term in the office. During the live show, the CM interacted with public and took questions about his personal and political life. On this day in 2005, Shivraj Singh Chouhan assumed the office of chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and has gone on to become the longest serving CM of the state. Also read : CM to speak to public through radio show Shiv Samvad | Know all about longest serving Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Here are the live updates: #First Opposition suggested bandh, when people did not support it, they turned it into an Akrosh rally, but even that flopped as people stand by PM on this: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Protest against demonetisation in only political, public stands with PM: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Cashless transactions will create a transparent system in economy and enable rich and poor alike to be part of progressive India: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Demonetisation was a risky and brave decision by PM Narendra Modi but very important to curb black money, corruption and terrorism: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Want to see entrepreneurs like Tatas-Birlas to rise and shine from the land of Madhya Pradesh; we have built venture funds for this purpose: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Skill India is an important scheme for a nation with so many young brilliant minds: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Life is more peaceful and joyous in India as compared to foreign nations: Shivraj Singh Chouhan # I respect all religions equally as every religion means good human values: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Conditions of labourers has concerned me since childhood: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #If you will not save daughters how will you progress, thus Beti Bachao Yojna is crucial for MP: Shivraj Singh Chouhan #Have done farming with manual methods myself. I understand the dedication and hardships faced by famrers: Shivraj Singh Chouhan For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Rameswaram: Three persons from Tamil Nadu were on Monday arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of attempting to smuggle 60 kgs of ganja in a boat, police said. The three men from Nambuthulai, about 60 km from Rameswaram, in Ramanathapuram District were arrested after Sri Lankan Naval personnel intercepted their boat and found the narcotic, police said quoting information received by them. The ganja, worth lakhs of rupees, was grown in Kerala and allegedly being smuggled to Sri Lanka from here, they added. In September last, six people, including an Indian, had been arrested by Sri Lankan Navy with over two kgs of heroin in their possession. Following this, the Lankan Navy had stepped up vigil in its northern seas to prevent smuggling of drug mainly from Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Navys northern Commander Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva had then said 612 kg of Kerala ganja coming to Lanka from India had been detected during the last 18 months. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday foiled an infiltration bid along the International Border in Ramgarh sector of Samba district and killed three terrorists on Tuesday. One BSF jawan was injured in the encounter, which took place at Fatwal village in Chamliyal area. 3-4 terrorists stormed into an Army base in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu at around 5:30 am even as the operation was underway. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian Army carried out 'surgical strikes' across LoC on the intervening night of September 28 and September 29. A series of attacks from Pakistani side have been reported after the surgical strikes and Tuesday's twin attacks are the latest in the series. Here is a timeline of all the major attacks following the surgical strikes: November 29: Terrorists stormed the premises of 166 army unit at Nagrota-based 16 Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu. They have reportedly killed two soldiers. The BSF foiled an infiltration bid and killed three terrorists along the IB in Samba. A BSF jawan was injured in the encounter. November 25: An encounter broke out in Naidkhai area in which an army jawan and three terrorists were killed. In another incident in Baramulla, a local terrorist was apprehended by the Indian Army and J&K police following a gun battle in Tujjer village of Sopore. ALSO READ | Samba Infiltration bid: BSF DIG among 4 injured in IED blast November 22: J&K Polices Special Operations Group and Armys 13 Rashtriya Rifles, in a joint operation, killed two militants in Bandipore district. November 16: An encounter broke out in north Kashmir's sopore in which a cop with the J&K Polices elite counter insurgency force was killed. The militants managed to escape after a brief gun battle. November 9: Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Machhal sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir, leaving one soldier killed. In retaliation, India targeted many Pakistani posts using heavy weapons. In another incident, two terrorists were gunned down by security forces in Sopore area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. November 8: Shelling from Pakistani side in Naushera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu left an army jawan martyred and two others injured. November 7: Security forces gunned down a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. Two jawans were also injured in the gun battle. November 6: Indian troops foiled two infiltration bids along LoC in Krishna Ghati Sector. November 1: Unprovoked mortar shelling from across the border left 8 civilians dead in Arnia and Rajouri. The BSF claimed that it destroyed 14 Pakistani posts opposite Arnia sector in retaliation. October 30: Security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in the forest area of Kupwara after information about presence of terrorists in the area. October 10: Militants attacked a government building (Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute) in Sempora area of Pampore. October 8: Terrorists attacked a police post in Shopian sector, killing a policeman and managed to escape. October 7: Heavy shelling and gunfire at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu region were reported from the Pakistani side. October 6: Terrorists attacked an army camp in Langate in Kupwara. Three terrorists were gunned down. October 5: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire four times and carried out heavy firing and shelling on Indian Army posts and civilian areas in Poonch, Rajouri and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir. October 4: A police station in Yaripora, Kulgam in Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by suspected terrorists. Pakistani troops opened fire in Kalsiyan, Kalal and Baba Khori area of Naushera sector. BSF and Army camps were attacked by militants in Baramulla town. One BSF soldier was killed and another was injured in the attack. October 3: Pakistani troops carried out mortar shelling and firing on Indian Army posts with four ceasefire violations. Civilian areas and Army posts were targeted in several sectors of Poonch. October 2: Pakistai troops launched firing and shelling along the LoC in Pallanwala sector of Jammu and Kashmir. October 1: Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pallanwalla sector of Akhnoor. September 29: Pakistani troops opened fire at Chapriyal and Samwan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector. September 28: Unprovoked firing was carried out by Indian posts at Sawjian. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After winning a legal battle over the entry of women in inner sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah, around 80 women on Tuesday paid homage, in a first to the holy shrine. Women activists of Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) fought a long battle to achieve an unprecedented reversal of thoughts and ideologies. Earlier Trupti Desai with some other activists have tried to enter the shrine claiming the right of women to visit dargahs and other religious places like men do. ALSO READ: (Entry of women in Haji Ali: Supreme Court extends stay on Bombay HC order) The quest to regain the rights began in 2011 when Dargah trustee denied women right to enter the grave and in 2012 co-convener of BMMA, Noorjahan Safia Niaz, was stopped from entering the shrine. BMMA filed a PIL at Bombay High Court in August 2014 against gender discrimination asking court to allow all people who want to visit the dargah. Earlier, in August 2016 the HC allowed women to enter the inner sanctum of the Dargah saying that trustees of the shrine do not have power to change the decorum of it. ALSO READ: (Mumbais Haji Ali Dargah informs SC its ready to allow women entry in sanctum sanctorum) The shrine trust appealed to Supreme Court challenging Bombay High Court. However, on October 24, 2016 the apex court ruled that women will be allowed to enter the shrine just as men can. Colombo: Vinayagamurthi Muralitharan, who was the former deputy leader of the LTTE and a trusted aide of the slain Velupillai Prabhakaran, was arrested on Tuesday for alleged financial irregularities during the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Muralitharan alias Karuna, who was also a minister in the previous government, was asked to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) to record a statement on the alleged misuse of a government vehicles. He was arrested after he appeared before the FCID, officials said. He later became a deputy minister in the Rajapaksa government in 2010. In January last year, when the new government took office Karuna lost his place in the government and later in Parliament. He has been accused by human rights groups and UN agencies of being involved in human rights abuses during the civil war that ended after nearly three decades with the defeat of the LTTE in 2009. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Tokyo: Astronomers, who are searching for signs of alien life, have observed the transit of an Earth-like extrasolar planet which is potentially habitable. The planet is located 150 light-years away from the Earth. A transit takes place when a planet passes in front of its parent star. During transit, the planet blocks a small amount of light from the star like the planets shadow. How the observation was done? The transit of K2-3d was observed by the researchers, including those from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the University of Tokyo. The MuSCAT instrument on the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory 188-cm telescope was used to observe the planet. The next generation of telescopes like TMT may play a significant role in helping the scientists search the planets atmosphere for molecules related to life, such as oxygen. Flaws in previous space telescope observations Previous space telescope observations were not capable of calculating the orbital period of the planet precisely. It makes the task of scientists to predict the exact times of future transits more daunting. This research group has now successfully measured the orbital period of the planet with a high precision of about 18 seconds. This has also greatly improved the forecast accuracy for future transit times. Astronomers will now be able to know exactly when to look out for the transits using the next generation of telescopes. This research result is also an important step towards the search for extraterrestrial life in the future. What is K2-3d? NASA K2 mission had discovered the K2-3d, an extrasolar planet. The planet, which is located 150 light-years away, is 1.5 times the size of the Earth. The host star of the planet is half the size of the Sun. The planet orbits the star with a period of about 45 days. Compared to the Earth, the planet orbits close to its host star (about 1/5 of the Earth-Sun distance). However, because the temperature of the host star is lower than that of the Sun, calculations show that this is the right distance for the planet to have a relatively warm climate like the Earths. What makes K2-3d potentially habitable? Liquid water could possibly exist on the surface of the K2-3d planet. This raises the tantalising possibility of extraterrestrial life. K2-3ds orbit is aligned so that as seen from Earth, it transits (passes in front of) its host star. This causes, short, periodic decreases in the stars brightness, as the planet blocks some of the stars light. This alignment enables researchers to probe the atmospheric composition of these planets by precise measurement of the amount of blocked starlight at different wavelengths. Since it is closer to Earth and its host star is brighter, K2-3d is a more interesting candidate for detailed follow-up studies. Potentially habitable planets discovered so far About 30 potentially habitable planets that also have transiting orbits were discovered by the NASA Kepler mission, but most of these planets orbit fainter, more distant stars. (With inputs from PTI) For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Residents of the Delhi's Sukhdev Vihar area told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday that Okhla waste-to-energy plant in South Delhi should be immediately shut down as it violates the Delhi Master Plan 2021. The counsel for the residents told a bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar that the plant is situated in the midst of the habitation and residential area which is strictly impermissible under the master plan. Senior advocate Amit Chadha, appearing for Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association, alleged that large number of trucks carry thousands of metric tonnes waste to the plant cause traffic and pollution problems in the area which has hospitals also. "A petition challenging construction of waste-to-energy plant was filed way back in 2008 prior to commencement of the project. We have been fighting the legal battle in the Delhi high court since all these years. The project cannot be allowed on the ground of 'fait accompli' (leaving with no option but to accept it) as it violates all the rules and regulations," the senior lawyer said. Referring to solid waste management manual prepared by the urban development ministry, he said incineration plants should be located at least 300 to 500 metres away from residential areas. The area was marked to be a district or city park in the master plan and not as a landfill site or a site for waste processing, he added. "Schedule III (of municipal solid waste rules 2000) provides that waste processing facilities should be integral part of landfill sites and have to be away from habitation. This is because, the environmental safeguards required for a landfill site would also have to be ensured by a waste processing plant as they are likely to cause the same environmental hazards," he said. The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on Wednesday. The tribunal had earlier rapped the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over "inaccurate" data on various kinds of waste generated in the national capital daily. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Sukhdev Vihar Residents Welfare Association praying for closure of waste-to-energy plant alleging that it uses illegal mass burning technology, causing air pollution. In its application, the association had also told NGT that as per observations of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, mass burning technology should be stopped immediately. New Delhi: Seeking to neutralise political turmoil over demonetisation within and outside Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is likely to shortly notify a committee of chief ministers to suggest ways to make India less dependent on cash. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has already spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to head the chief ministers' panel, for which Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik are also being co-opted. Sources said Jaitley had spoken to all the three chief ministers. Incidentally, the three were among the first to back Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of junking old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The panel, which will be notified by the PMO, will also review the ground-level situation following the decision to demonetise high-value currency and suggest possible ways to ease hardships and inconvenience. Besides assessing the public impact, it is to come up with a road map for a less-cash economy. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would also be part of the committee. However, there is no decision on who will be picked from Congress and Left-ruled states. The sources said names of chief ministers of Puducherry and Uttarakhand, V Narayanasamy and Harish Rawat, respectively, have been mooted from among the Congress fold. The final call on the issue will have to be taken by the party, they said, adding that Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar is also believed to be in the reckoning from among Left states. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A joint team of Punjab and Delhi Police on Tuesday interrogated Khalistan Liberation Front chief Harminder Singh Mintoo, who was arrested at Nizamuddin railway station here after escaping from Nabha Central jail. During the interrogation, Delhi Polices Special Cell sleuths and Punjab Police officer cross-verified the facts about the daring jailbreak case on November 27. Mintoo is a cool-headed and tactful person. He had told us many things but maintained silence on many. Whatever he has told us, we will check with Punjab Police to get more details about the jailbreak case and how it was planned and we will also be questioning him about where the others could be hiding, said a senior police officer privy to the probe. ALSO READ: (Nabha jailbreak: Punjab Police arrest 2 jail officials, shop owner for facilitating attack) The Punjab Police team arrived here this evening. It has emerged during the interrogation that Mintoo had access to mobile phone in the Nabha jail, sources said. He is claiming it was a common cell phone used by other inmates also, the source said. Mintoo said he used the phone to call only his family members but sources said police will examine through the Call Detail Records if he was in contact with ISI. Also we will be examining if he had access to social media and Skype as one of the escapees was a regular on Facebook from inside the jail, a source said. Mintoos claim that he tagged along when others were escaping will also be verified, the source said. He will also be questioned whether he was planning to revive the activities of his outfit. The police will also be questioning him whether Delhi was only a transit point or there were some other plans, the source said. Yesterday, police had said Mintoo was planning to move either to Malysia or Germany and there are chances he was planning to shift his network to either of the two countries, sources said. ALSO READ: (Harminder Singh Mintoo chief of Khalistan Liberation Front nabbed hours after escape from Punjab jailbreak) Meanwhile, several teams of Delhi Police, including Special Cell and Crime Branch, are looking for leads that could throw any clue on Kashmeer Singh, who had accompanied Mintoo to Delhi and separated from him at Kashmere Gate bus stop, said a senior police officer. Railway stations, bus stops, guesthouses and other possible hideouts are being scanned for Kashmeer Singh, who like Mintoo, had trimmed his beard to conceal his identity, he said. The 48-year-old was nabbed from Nizamuddin railway stations parking area, marking the second arrest in the sensational jailbreak case of November 27 morning in which eight people had stormed the prison to free six inmatestwo militants and four dreaded criminals. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked BJP MPs and MLAs to submit details of their bank account transactions between November 8 and December 31. All the ministers have been asked to submit their details to party president Amit Shah by January 1. Reacting to this announcement, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a video message urged PM Modi to form an independent committee for an indiscriminate inquiry into the bank accounts of all MPs and MLA in the last five years. He also asked PM to get the accounts of all political parties checked. Kejriwal demanded an inquiry into land purchase by BJP leaders in the last few months. ALSO READ: (PM asks BJP MPs, MLAs to submit account statement post currency overhaul) Taking a jibe at PM Modi for waving of bank loans, he asked him to also get their records checked. Not only this, Kejriwal asked the PM to obtain account details of PayTM and Big Bazaar. Kejriwal had earlier alleged that many BJP leaders were tipped off about notes ban and purchased lands in order to cover their unaccounted money. .@ArvindKejriwal propose PM Modi that account statements of all lawmakers & pol parties of last 5 years be scrutinised by High level comm. pic.twitter.com/KeGY6khF9z Akshay Malhotra (@Akshay1Malhotra) November 29, 2016 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Republican Congressman Tom Price, a fierce opponent to President Barack Obama's health care law, as his Health and Human Services Secretary. A former orthopaedic surgeon, 62-year-old Price is currently chairman of the House Budget Committee. "Chairman Price, a renowned physician, has earned a reputation for being a tireless problem solver and the go-to expert on healthcare policy, making him the ideal choice to serve in this capacity," Trump said. "He is exceptionally qualified to shepherd our commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare and bring affordable and accessible healthcare to every American. I am proud to nominate him as Secretary of Health and Human Services," said the president-elect. If confirmed by the Senate, Price would play a key role in Republican efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare. Also, Indian-American Seema Verma was picked to become administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Price said he is humbled by the "incredible challenges that lay ahead" and enthusiastic for the opportunity to be a part of solving them on behalf of the American people. "There is much work to be done to ensure we have a healthcare system that works for patients, families, and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit," Price said. First elected to the US House of Representative in November 2004, Price previously served four terms in the Georgia State Senate as Minority Whip. In 2002, he was a leader in the Republican renaissance in Georgia as the party took control of the State Senate, with Price rising to become the first Republican Senate Majority Leader in the history of Georgia. In Congress, Price is a proven leader, tireless problem solver and go-to Republican on quality healthcare policy, the Trump Transition Team said in a statement. He also serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. In the 114th Congress, Price was named Chair of the House Committee on the Budget. In previous Congresses, he has served as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and Chairman of the Republican Study Committee. Committed to advancing positive solutions under principled leadership, Price has been a fierce opponent of government waste and devoted to limited government and lower spending. For nearly 20 years, Price worked in private practice as an orthopaedic surgeon. Before coming to Washington he returned to Emory University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor and Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, teaching resident doctors in training. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India on Tuesday has made serious allegation AAP government has been selling new autos worth Rs 1,85,000 at Rs 4,50,000 in connivance with "finance Mafia" in the national capital. The party also demanded that a CBI inquiry be ordered into the "auto scam" and asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to come clean on the issue. "If an unemployed person decides to buy an auto rickshaw,he is made to pay anywhere between Rs 4,50,000 and Rs 4,70,000. Whereas the fact remains that the actual cost of a new auto is Rs 1,85,000, which goes on record as white money," party spokesperson Anupam claimed. "The Transport Department then issues a no-dues certificate on verifying the scrapping certificate. Delhi government's transport department issues the LoI (Letter of intent) for buying the auto. The complete process followed is in clear violation of Supreme Court order. He alleged that under the "nexus" between the "finance mafia and the government", an old auto is first transferred to some other license holder before it is scrapped. "Almost all autos in Delhi are sold on finance, where the financiers play the role of coordinators of this 'auto scam'. In this nexus, orders of the Supreme Court are also brazenly violated," he claimed. However, the Delhi government declined to comment on the matter. Mumbai: Members from two rival groups of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday clashed during a meeting here and some of them reportedly brandished weapons, police said. The clash erupted this evening between the supporters of NCP leaders Nawab Malik and Sanjay Dina Patil during the meet at Deonar in eastern suburbs, they said. A scuffle broke out between two factions of NCP workers. Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Ashok Dudhe, spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner of Police. Some persons reportedly brandished weapons, police said. Initial reports suggested there was a firing at the event, but Dudhe denied such an incident. Malik, a spokesperson of Maharashtra unit of NCP, was present at the meeting, while Patil reportedly arrived late at the venue. The altercation broke out after supporters of Malik and Patil, a former Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai, began shouting slogans against each other, police said. Late in the night, supporters of both NCP leaders gathered outside Deonar Police Station. Malik alleged that Patil resorted to firing at the event and he was injured in attack by sword-wielding supporters of the latter. Sanjay Dina Patil tried to attack me and he had pistol in his hands. I was attacked with swords by his people, Malik said. However, Patil rejected Maliks allegation and claimed that it was he who was attacked with swords when he was coming to attend the meeting. Patil said his bodyguard took out his weapon but did not open fire. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Israelis voted on Tuesday for an unprecedented fifth time in four years to break the political impasse that has paralysed the country. President-elect Trump threatens to end thaw between US and Cuba Following the death of the communist leader Fidel Castro, president-elect Donald Trump threatened to negate a deal reached in 2014 between Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro. The agreement restored diplomatic ties and removed travel and trade restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba. The deal also removes Cuba from a list of state terror sponsors. Trump tweeted on Monday: If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 During the campaign, Trump said that he would overturn Obamas overture if the Cuban government did not restore religious and political freedom for the Cuban people and the freeing of political prisoners, Fox News reports. In September, however, Trump said the deal was fine, although he thought the United States should have gotten a better deal, CNN reported. Trump also said he is considering opening a hotel on the island. His opinion changed while campaigning in Florida, a swing state with a large Cuban population. Were not going to have a unilateral deal coming from Cuba back to the United States without some changes in their government, said Trumps chief of staff, Reince Priebus, according to The Telegraph. Priebus is chairman of the Republican National Committee. If Trump rolls back the deal, it will have an economic impact on American corporations. U.S. airlines resumed flights to Cuba in August, and a number of companies and hotels have begun doing business on the island in anticipation of an increase in travelers. Its not going to be easy to all the sudden [sic] say, thats illegal, Madeleine Russak, communications director for Engage Cuba, told The Hill. John S. Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, said that it would be relatively easy for Trump to end commercial flights to Cuba. He also said that there would likely be legal repercussions if the deal were to be terminated. Companies with business interests in Cuba could go to court and say, we implemented services, we invested shareholders funds based upon on good faith efforts. And if youre now going to disrupt that, were either going to seek to prevent you from doing so, or going to seek damages, Kavulich said. Sources: FoxNews.com Edition.CNN.com Telegraph.co.uk TheHill.com Submit a correction >> Twitter verifies official terrorist Muslim Brotherhood account Twitter has been a source of controversy for the past year or so for due to the fact that they keep making questionable decisions in regards to free speech. While Twitter, as a privately-owned business, has the right to do whatever they want within the confines of their social network, it is extremely disingenuous to portray itself as being a voice for everyone, when in reality it is merely a voice for those who believe in the liberal agenda. There is no better example of this being the case than Twitter banning conservative journalists like Milo Yiannopoulos while allowing radical Islamic extremists to push their agenda freely. Recently, this reached a new level of corruption when a terrorist organization known as the Muslim Brotherhood was verified by the company in order to deem them as legitimate. While this may sound like a minor issue and in the grand scheme of the world, it definitely is it serves as the first step of many in creating problems for the conservative movement. Lukas Mikelionis of Heatstreet reports, The Muslim Brotherhood account, however, has been openly aligned with another designated terrorist organization Hamas which seeks the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people and has been linked to numerous terror attacks. Back in April, Twitter shut down accounts associated with Hamas. The now-verified Muslim Brotherhood account once compared Israel to South Africas apartheid system. An organization like Twitter, which is well respected among impressionable millennials, treating the Muslim Brotherhood as a group that is worth honoring is twisted. It promotes the idea that radical Islam is something that should be celebrated, when in reality it should be treated as one of the worlds greatest threats. The Regressive Left needs to accept the fact that there are members of the religion of Islam that are not peaceful people. There are Muslims in the world that want to enact Sharia Law all over the planet and that is a direct threat to democracy. Twitter should be doing more to promote freedom and American values and less to defend the reputations of terrorists. They arent legally required to do so, sure, but that doesnt mean that they shouldnt be doing just that. It is time for our country to come together now more than ever, this is clear and a lot of that has to do with pointing out who the true enemies of freedom are. These Muslim extremist groups definitely are. Sources: Breitbart.com HeatSt.com Submit a correction >> For many people with a student loan, making the repayments is hard enough, let alone thinking about getting a mortgage. The state of Maryland is offering a new program to help these borrowers buy a house and pay off student debt at the same time. The SmartBuy scheme was rolled out last week. This program was developed to enable those with student loans to get into the real estate market. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford said, "Traditionally, people in their twenties and thirties would account for a substantial share of Maryland's first-time homebuyers, but we've seen a little difference in that demographic over the years, and it's believed that student loan debt is a part of the challenge." SmartBuy works by paying fifteen percent of the home's value towards outstanding student debt. For example, someone buying a house worth $200,000 would receive $30,000 towards their loans, leaving them responsible for repaying any outstanding sums. A 5 percent deposit is required, and with $10 million available, the initiative should allow many first-time buyers to get into the real estate market. To qualify for the SmartBuy scheme, buyers need to have debt of at least $1,000 and be up to date with their loan repayments. House purchases need to be financed via the Maryland Mortgage Program, and buyers must stay in their property for a minimum of five years. Also, the only homes eligible are those owned by Maryland's housing department. A spokesman for the department, Michael White, said there are almost twenty move-in-ready homes available, with prices between $70,000 and $310,000. Find out quickly at what rate you can refinance your student loan. Finally Shivaay as its enters the 100 Crore Club Bollywood, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 NI Wire Ajay Devgn's big Diwali release Shivaay has finally gross 100 crore in India . The films collection would have been better if it had not been clashed with Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Shivaay has got praise and critical acclaim for its jaw dropping well choreographed action scenes and great father daughter emotional drama . Shivaay's story and screenplay is its strength. Shivaay is extensively shot in Bulgaria and Mussorie. Ajay Devgn played a tourist guide and mountaineer named Shivaay in this film and he take foreigners and tourist for tracking in Himalayas. During one such trip Shivaay and the Bulgarian girl Olga were caught in the snow storm and Shivaay saved her life. They both fell in love for each other. Olga became pregnant and she did not want to become mother as she has some unfinished work in Bulagria. But on Shivaay's request she gave birth to girl and left for Bulgaria. The story deals with a girl named Gaura in search of her mother and during which even got separated from her father. The film's only disadvantage was its extensive length on which the film's director immediately acted and edited 15 minutes of it. After that the Audiences strength at theatres increases considerably. Past week Ajay Devgn completed 25 years in Bollywood last Tuesday as he debuted in with Phool Aur Kante in 1989. This is Ajay's 6th film to gross 100 crores in India. Fresh lease of life for IBSA Delhi,National,Diplomacy,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) grouping seems to have got a fresh lease of life with the launch of a fellowship programme by an Indian think-tank with support from the Ministry of External Affairs. Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries, chaired by former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, launched the IBSA Visiting Fellowship Programme here on Monday that will have two scholars each from Brazil and South Africa conducting research in India for three-to-six months. But at the same time, RIS has received a host of applications from Indian scholars as well. A committee that has been set up by RIS will select the scholars. The IBSA Dialogue Forum brings together three large pluralistic, multicultural and multiracial societies from three continents as a purely South-South grouping of like-minded countries. IBSA was formalised and launched through the adoption of the "Brasilia Declaration" in June 2003. Though five IBSA summits have been held till date, the last one was held way back in 2011 in South Africa. Now, India is set to host the next summit in 2017. At the launch of the fellowship programme, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said IBSA brings together three like-minded countries that were committed to inclusive and sustainable development in pursuit of well-being for their people and other developing economies. "The IBSA Facility Fund for Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger, which was established in March 2004 and became operational in 2006, is funded by a contribution of $1 million annually by each of the three countries," she stated, adding that the fund was operated by the UNDP. She said the fund has contributed to development interventions and capacity building in several countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. "It has been widely recognised as a successful experiment of South-South cooperation," Preeti Saran said. As an example, she said that a rice research programme in Vietnam, where she served as Ambassador, has greatly benefited from the IBSA Fund. "I can tell you that the amount of goodwill and appreciation that Vietnam has expressed to us for something they received as funds from South-South cooperation... from developing partners was deeply appreciated." Speaking on the occasion, Shyam Saran said that IBSA comprised three emerging countries which were all democracies. "IBSA is not competing against any grouping," he stressed. Shyam Saran said the new fellowship programme would allow scholars from the member countries to study new challenges like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris climate agreement signed at the end of 2015. Ben Joubert, Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa, said the fellowship programme was a good initiative that would give scholars adequate funding for their studies. "IBSA is a value-driven initiative between working democracies," Joubert said. Claudia Vieira Santos, Deputy Chief of Mission of Mexico, said: "India, Brazil and South Africa can contribute substantially to the implementation of the SDGs." --IANS ab/dg Himachal allows Singapore firm to develop town near Shimla Himachal Pradesh,National,Business/Economy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Shimla, Nov 29 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) on Tuesday gave green light to a Singapore company for developing a smart integrated township on the outskirts of Shimla town to decongest it, said a state minister. Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma told IANS the HIMUDA board, of which he is chairman, at its meeting here accorded approval to sign the MoU with Singapore Cooperation Enterprises for developing a smart and livable township at Jathiadevi near Jubbarhatti airport, some 20 km from here. The development of the integrated township is an ambitious project which would go a long way in decongesting this highly populated city, he said, adding there has been 10-fold increase in the population of Shimla that has resulted in congestion and over utilisation of infrastructure. Initially, Shimla was developed by the British colonial rulers for 25,000 people. HIMUDA has acquired 32 hectares of land for developing the township at Jathiadevi, which is connected by three national highways. The state government had on September 8 signed a preliminary pact with the Singapore firm for developing the township. The HIMUDA board also approved the proposal of allowing five percent discount to the allottees of flats on deposit of tentative cost in lumpsum. --IANS vg/vd Second Indian American picked for important role in Trump administration United States,Politics,Diaspora,Health/Medicine, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS New York, Nov 29 (IANS) President-elect Donald Trump selected a second Indian American, Seema Verma, on Monday for a high-level position in his administration, assigning her "to the dream team that will transform our healthcare system," a major campaign promise. Verma, who has worked closely on healthcare with Vice President-elect Mark Pence in Indiana state, is to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services overseeing government health insurance programmes. With a track-record of developing Republican-friendly healthcare programmes, she will play a crucial role in carrying out the high-priority Trump campaign promise of scrapping President Barack Obama's healthcare programme, popularly known as Obamacare, and replacing it with "something better." Last week Trump announced that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, a cabinet-level post. Although Verma's job is not of cabinet rank now, it has great political importance and she will be in the national spotlight because she will be working on the controversial Republican vow to end Obama's signature healthcare programme, which attempts to make affordable health insurance available to all, and come up with a new model. "I look forward to helping him tackle our nation's daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way," Verma said after Trump's announcement. The Medicare programme that she will oversee provides insurance for over 46 million retirees and senior citizens, who are a politically powerful block, and Medicaid, which covers the poor, has about 60 million people enrolled in it. Together they are about a third of the US population. Additionally now, she will have to help shape a programme for those who are outside of these two programmes and do not get health insurance from their employers. Her appointment was welcomed by Ajay Lodha, the president of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin. "The Indian community of physicians is very excited by the appointment of an Indian American to this high-level position by Present-elect Trump," Lodha told IANS. "We will support her endeavours," he added. "We expect her to make Medicare more patient-friendly, especially in reforming the part of it that provides medicines." There are nearly 60,000 doctors of Indian descent working in the US, making them an important constituency for healthcare reforms. Verma will be working with Congressman Tom Price, the House Budget Committee Chairman, who is to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services, a cabinet-level position. Announcing his intent to nominate them, Trump said: "Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans." About Verma, Trump said: "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems." "She has ideas on how to make healthcare more affordable and available to all in line with the Republican Party goals," A.D. Amar, president of Indian Americans for Trump, told IANS. Trump has said that while he wants to abolish Obamacare, he gave the assurance that Americans will not be left by the roadside, Amar said. Verma who has pioneered in healthcare reforms in Indiana, will make sure that there is a replacement model that meets Trump's aspirations, he added. Verma, who heads a healthcare consulting company, SVC Inc., helped develop a public healthcare system in Indiana for implementing Obamacare. Among other things, it requires those using it to make contributions to it, even if it is a dollar for the poorest, which is opposed by many Democrats. She has also consulted with other Republican-run states on healthcare issues. Verma was awarded the Indiana state award, Sagamore of the Wabash, by Pence. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) --IANS al/vd Trump wants to see freedom in Cuba: official United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Tue, 29 Nov 2016 IANS Washington, Nov 29 (IANS) Amid uncertainty of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Cuba policy, a transition team spokesman said Trump wants to see freedom for the Cubans and is aware of the "nuances and complexities" in Cuba, media reports said. "To be clear, the president-elect wants to see freedom in Cuba for the Cubans and a good deal for Americans where we aren't played for fools," Trump's communications director, Jason Miller said . He added that Trump is "aware of the nuances and complexities" in Cuba, but he will address the situation on the island once he takes office, Efe news agency reported. Former Cuban President Fidel Castro's death at age 90 last Friday has not changed the billionaire New York real estate developer's stance on policy toward Havana, Miller said. "Our priorities are the release of political prisoners, return of fugitives from American law, and also political and religious freedoms for all Cubans living in oppression," he said. The White House weighed in on Trump's comments, warning that disengagement with Cuba would be difficult and carry a high cost at this point. "It's just not as simple as one tweet would make it seem," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. "There are significant diplomatic, economic (and) cultural costs that will have to be accounted for if this policy is rolled back," Earnest said. Earnest said reversing course on relations with Havana would have an economic impact on Cubans. "There will be an economic impact in the US and Cuba of unwinding that policy," the White House spokesman said. --IANS vgu/ TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Unwrap tangled turtles from discarded fishing nets, deliver a festive feast to a recently freed bear and give stray dogs comfort and joy this holiday. You can do all this and more with a World Animal Gift from World Animal Protection. We all know the important role animals play in our lives. Our pets become part of the family, millions of the world's poorest people depend on animals for their lives and livelihoods, and we consider our precious wildlife a vital part of the ecosystem we all share. Isn't this the perfect time of year then, to give back to the animals around the world and delight the animal lovers on your list? Give gifts of love and security, comfort and joy by giving a charitable World Animal Gift this holiday. There are so many great gifts to choose from: Make little hearts flutter with joy just $15 can give 4 hens a healthier life. Instead of a bottle of wine for the party host, why not help hens strut their stuff. Really get tails wagging help vaccinate 25 dogs against rabies and give them each a bright collar for $25. You'll save their lives and help them live in harmony with the community. Do it all this holiday for $100 you can fill furry bellies, rush to rescue animals from a natural disaster or provide live-saving medical care to an animal in need. This gift does it all. The gift of freedom for the true animal lover, $566 will give a captive bear the gift of freedom and dignity. Free a beautiful bear from a lifetime of suffering. See more proof of the joy these great gifts can bring to animals and gift givers alike. Because really, when was the last time you got this excited about giving a scarf? How it works: Visit WorldAnimalGifts.ca and choose from over 30 life-saving gifts and choose from over 30 life-saving gifts Order a printable PDF or e-card for your loved one Your gift protects animals in need About World Animal Protection: World Animal Protection, formerly known as the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), is active in more than 50 countries. From our offices around the world, we work with businesses, governments, local partners and animal welfare organizations to find practical ways to prevent animal suffering worldwide. www.worldanimalprotection.ca SOURCE World Animal Protection Image with caption: "A rescued bear walking in the snow in the World Animal Protection funded sanctuary, Romania. Credit: AMP (CNW Group/World Animal Protection)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161129_C3614_PHOTO_EN_827257.jpg For further information: Beth Sharpe, Communications Director at World Animal Protection, [email protected], T: 1 416 369 0044, M: 1 647 268 8122 CALGARY, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) is helping unemployed Canadians manage their finances with a free new book: Survive and Thrive Move ahead financially after losing your job. The practical guide is the result of CPA Canada's long-standing working relationship with the Calgary Public Library in Alberta. Leslie Adams, the Library's community learning advocate, sought CPA Canada's assistance to help fill an information void for down-to-earth resources. "CPA Canada has created an incredibly valuable resource for those who find themselves without work and coping with financial stress," says Adams. "Calgary Public Library is pleased to partner with CPA Canada to provide Calgarians with a way forward through job loss." The book is being officially launched today at the Library with a special workshop for those who are unemployed by the book's author, David Trahair, CPA, CA. "Losing your job is never easy but there is much that can be done to lessen the financial and psychological trauma," says Trahair. The book covers use of Tax Free Savings Accounts and Registered Retirement Savings Plans; unlocking "locked in" pension accounts and debt management strategies. This includes leveraging lines of credit; transferring credit card balances; signing up for non-profit credit counselling, submitting a consumer proposal and, in dire circumstances, filing for bankruptcy. The guide also focuses on dealing with the emotional shock of job loss. "Putting feelings of depression, low self-worth and panic into perspective is the all-important first step to transitioning to a better future," explains Trahair. "These emotions are normal, but, if they are not dealt with, they can impair financial planning and decision making." Other matters addressed in the book include finding a new job, considering self-employment and going back to school. Resume and cover letter templates are included as well. "Our financial literacy program is all about helping Canadians," says Cairine Wilson, vice-president, corporate citizenship, CPA Canada. "By responding to a need identified by the Library, there is now a helpful resource available to support Canadians, not only in Calgary but also across the country, who are facing financial stress because of job loss." Recognizing the current need in Alberta and reinforcing their commitment to the financial well-being of all Canadians, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life contributed funding for the development of Survive and Thrive Move ahead financially after losing your job. To download a free copy of the book, visit cpacanada.ca/surviveandthrive About CPA Canada The new Canadian designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), is now used by Canada's accounting profession across the country. The profession's national body, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), is one of the largest in the world with more than 200,000 members, both at home and abroad. The Canadian CPA was created with the unification of three legacy accounting designations (CA, CGA and CMA). CPAs are valued for their financial and tax expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership. CPA Canada conducts research into current and emerging business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. CPA Canada also issues guidance and thought leadership on a variety of technical matters, publishes professional literature and develops education and professional certification programs. cpacanada.ca About Calgary Public Library Calgary Public Library, with 550,000+ members, has been inspiring the life stories of Calgarians for more than 100 years. It is currently the second largest library system in Canada and the sixth largest municipal library system in North America, with Calgarians borrowing more than 16.1 million physical and digital items and with 6.2 million in-person visits last year. Preparations are underway for the awe-inspiring 240,000 sq. ft. New Central Library, to open in late 2018. About Great-West Life Great-West Life, together with London Life and Canada Life, serves the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Year-round, the companies support a range of community priorities, including the need for greater financial literacy among Canadians. Take time to read more in our 2015 Public Accountability Statement. SOURCE CPA Canada For further information: Tobin Lambie, Principal, Media, CPA Canada, T: 416-204-3228, C: 647-302-3761, [email protected]; Diana Sorace, Manager, Media Relations, CPA Canada, T: 604-694-6700, C: 604-551-4487, [email protected] VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Fireswirl Technologies Inc. (TSXV: FSW), "the Company", today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. All figures are quoted in Canadian dollars. Financial statements and accompanying MD&A are available on SEDAR. Financial Highlights for Q3: For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , total operating revenue from continuing operations was $137,541 and $382,880 , respectively compared to $274,932 and $640,621 for the same periods in 2015. Net loss from continuing operations was $319,429 and $1,197,768 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively compared to a net income of $2,975,218 and $4,785,415 for the same periods in 2015. The net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was a result from the gain recognized on the sale of the Shenzhen e-commerce platform in an amount of $3,250,000 and $6,200,385 , respectively. If the gain from the disposition of the Shenzhen e-Commerce Platform was excluded, the Company would have had a loss from continuing operations of $274,782 and $1,414,970 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. , total operating revenue from continuing operations was and , respectively compared to and for the same periods in 2015. Net loss from continuing operations was and for the three and nine months ended , respectively compared to a net income of and for the same periods in 2015. The net income for the three and nine months ended was a result from the gain recognized on the sale of the e-commerce platform in an amount of and , respectively. If the gain from the disposition of the e-Commerce Platform was excluded, the Company would have had a loss from continuing operations of and for the three and nine months ended , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company had a net loss from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of the Company of $319,429 and $1,197,768 , respectively compared to a net income of $2,975,218 and $4,785,415 for the same periods in 2015. , the Company had a net loss from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of the Company of and , respectively compared to a net income of and for the same periods in 2015. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company had a net income from discontinued operations of $22,775 and a net loss of $1,166,278 , respectively compared to a net loss of $88,551 and a net income of $68,767 for the same periods in 2015. , the Company had a net income from discontinued operations of and a net loss of , respectively compared to a net loss of and a net income of for the same periods in 2015. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company had a total loss attributable to shareholders of the Company of $308,042 and $1,780,907 , respectively compared to a net income of $2,930,943 and $4,819,799 for the same periods in 2015. If the gain from the disposition of the Shenzhen e-Commerce Platform was excluded, the Company would have had a loss attributable to shareholders of the Company of $319,057 and $1,380,586 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. "The management team continues to look into different business opportunities." Stated Lawrence Ng, CEO, "We are very excited about the new prospects as we head into the new year." About Fireswirl Fireswirl Technologies Inc. (TSXV: FSW) is focused on creating transactional revenue by engineering electronic and mobile commerce solutions for content providers. The Company's technology has broad applications for solutions requiring multiple payment interfaces, multicurrency and multi-language capabilities. Our solutions can be adapted to any industry seeking high volume or micro-payment solutions involving a wide base of users through internet or wireless applications. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Fireswirl Technologies Inc. with respect to its performance, business and future events. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those relating to changes in the market, potential downturns in economic conditions, foreign exchange fluctuations, general demand, competition and our ability to implement our business plans and strategies in a timely manner or at all. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Fireswirl Technologies Inc. does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements. SOURCE Fireswirl Technologies Inc. For further information: Further information can be found on the company at: www.fireswirl.com or contact: Fireswirl Technologies Inc.: Ji Yoon, Interim CFO, Telephone: 604.216.7304, Fax: 604.677.6613, Email: [email protected], Website: www.fireswirl.com TSX-V: ERG LAVAL, QC, Nov. 28, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Ergoresearch Ltd ("Ergoresearch" or "the Company") based in Laval and known under the Equilibre, ortheses et biomecanique banner announces its results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2016. All dollar amounts in the present release are in Canadian currency. The net profit for the quarter ending September 30, 2016 amounted to $204,193 compared to a net profit of $22,594 for the same quarter last year. The earnings before income taxes amounted to $204,193 for this quarter compared to $30,594 last year. Cash flow from operating activities amounted to $427,897 for the first quarter of Fiscal year 2017 compared to $(505,364) for the same period last year. This improvement in the result is related to efficiency gains that have helped to improve our gross margin, reduce our supplying costs and reduce our selling and administrative expenses. Revenues reached $3,414,452 for the first quarter of Fiscal 2017, a decrease of 3.4% from last year. After the decline in sales observed in the previous quarters, we noticed a recovery of the situation. The revenues were negatively affected by the discontinued sales of the "home care" product line, the evolution of the market, and changes in the organization of health care in Quebec. Concerning the balance sheet, the Company paid its long-term debt and still has a cash equivalent of more than $8 million. Ergoresearch announced on November 11, 2016, that it obtained the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange to proceed with a public offer share repurchase in the normal course of business. Thus, for the period of 12 months starting November 11, 2016 and ending November 10, 2017, Ergoresearch will be authorized to purchase for cancellation from time to time and as it deems fit, a maximum of 3,625,452 common shares, representing approximately 5% of the common shares issued and outstanding. Development and perspectives Our current priorities and development plans include the following objectives: Strengthened by our cash position, pursue the exploration of potential acquisitions or partnership in Quebec and across Canada . and across . Deploy the "Equilibre" brand in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary concept through the opening or designation of the super-clinics in Quebec . . Continue to develop the marketing of our technology platform and derivative orthotic related specialty products. Continuing our investments in Research and Development (R&D) About Ergoresearch Ergoresearch is a Canadian company that designs and manufactures cutting edge technologies for the orthopedic industry. The Company is a trend-setter in creating custom orthotics and speciality orthotics for the orthopedics market and holds a portfolio of patents in the orthopedics field and in human bionics. The mission of our banner "Equilibre ortheses et biomecanique" is to keep people active and moving. "EQUILIBRE", driven by its proprietary technologies and the expertise of its professionals, offers a range of products, treatments and services in order to relieve pain, restore motor function and optimize performance. This document is not intended to encourage the purchase of securities listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. TMX Group and its affiliates do not endorse or recommend any of the securities referenced here. Please seek professional advice to evaluate specific securities. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this Press Release contain forward-looking statements and information that may entail certain risks related to uncertainties. Such statements are not historical facts and are based on current management's expectations. We ask the reader to note that these statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could affect the potential future results, circumstances or events and may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, those related to the Company's ability to finance its activities, competition, ability to negotiate and maintain partnerships, the market acceptance of the Company's product, the strength of intellectual property, the success of research and development programs, the trust invested in sub-contractors or their core personnel as well as other risks and uncertainties that are put forth every now and then by the Company in the documents filed with various Canadian securities and exchange commissions and made available at www.sedar.com. The reader should not give great importance to forward-looking statements as (i) the results may differ from conclusions, predictions or projections contained in such forward-looking statements; and (ii) certain important factors or hypotheses taken into account in reaching conclusions or the preparation of a projection or prediction may prove to be incorrect in fact. These statements are correct only on the date on which they were written, and Management disclaims any obligation to revise these statements after any event, circumstance or other situation, except as required by law. All figures are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified. 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 Ergoresearch Ltd For further information: Source: Sylvain Boucher, President and CEO - Ergoresearch Ltd., Tel.: 450-973-6700, ext. 213, [email protected] Takeda Canada partners with Marvel Custom Solutions to launch IBD Unmasked, featuring an IBD Super Hero Team and graphic illustrations to highlight the strength of, and inspire confidence in, those living with IBD OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - If someone with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were a Super Hero, what would that hero look like? What would they stand for? Perhaps bravery, strength, determination three characteristics demonstrated by the IBD community members who battle this disease every day. Takeda Canada Inc. today launched IBD Unmasked, a first-of-its-kind global initiative designed to raise awareness of the unsung Super Heroes of the global IBD community, and celebrated through a unique collaboration with the creative geniuses at Marvel Custom Solutions. The new Super Heroes are taking on what has been called Canada's 'national disease', since Canada has among the highest rates of IBD in the world. Nearly 250,000 Canadians live with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), the two most common types of IBD. For these Canadians, many of whom are young, everyday activities like getting together with friends and family or going out to the movies may be challenging.i IBD Unmasked features a new team of IBD Super Heroes, and a graphic illustration series developed by Marvel Custom Solutions and an international panel of people with IBD to highlight the physical and emotional challenges of living with IBD. The new graphic novel series appears online at www.IBDunmasked.com and features interactive quizzes, facts and infographic, and an expert Q&A. Visitors can also create and share their own Super Hero avatar, take part in quizzes and download resources to help them feel empowered when they talk to their doctor, family or friends about their condition. Follow along in the story and conversation on the Twitter handle, @IBDunmasked, and via #IBDunmasked. Chantel Wicks, 29, Canadian living with IBD for the past nine years IBD Unmasked contributor: "Two things have helped me manage my journey with Crohn's and colitis strength and positive thoughts. It's great to see these same attributes reflected in these new IBD Super Heroes. They will help others get through the inevitable really, really tough times of pain, guilt and anger that everyone with Crohn's and colitis faces. It's gratifying to see our thoughts, struggles and efforts portrayed in such a positive way." Mina Mawani, President and CEO, Crohn's and Colitis Canada: "When someone has Crohn's or colitis, they often face an invisible barrier to living a normal life. Yet the many Canadians who have IBD find ways to manage their condition, and not only cope with the disease, but thrive in spite of it. That's heroic in itself. IBD Unmasked is a creative way to bring visibility and understanding to these often invisible diseases, which is sure to spark more open conversations about Crohn's and colitis between friends and families." Gail Attara, Co-founder, President and CEO, Gastrointestinal Society: "IBD Unmasked is a great way to take the conversation about IBD to a new level and with new audiences. It will help those living with IBD build confidence and help other Canadians learn the challenges that these conditions cause. Through listening and understanding, we will build support and compassion for these brave individuals." Chatrick Paul, General Manager, Takeda Canada Inc.: "Takeda is focused on providing continued support to the Canadian IBD community. IBD Unmasked taps into the power of visual storytelling to raise awareness and help people living with IBD feel more confident expressing themselves to their family, friends and others. We hope it will help spark productive conversations, shift perceptions and improve understanding of the impact of these diseases, in order to provide ongoing support for people with IBD." About ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are marked by inflammation in the GI tract. UC impacts the large intestine only, which includes the colon and the rectum. The most common symptoms of UC include abdominal discomfort and blood or pus in diarrhea. CD can impact any part of the digestive tract and common symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever. There is no known cause for UC or CD, although many researchers believe that the interaction between genes, the body's immune system, and environmental factors play a role. The aim of UC and CD treatments is to induce and maintain remission, or achieve extended periods of time when patients do not experience symptoms. Nearly 250,000 Canadians are living with UC and CD and more than 10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, typically in patients in their 20s, though it can be diagnosed at any age, including in children.ii Takeda's Commitment to Gastroenterology Takeda is a global leader in gastroenterology. With expertise spanning more than 25 years, the company's dedication to innovation continues to evolve and have a lasting impact. Beginning in the 1990s, Takeda pioneered gastroenterological breakthroughs in proton pump inhibitors. Since that time, Takeda's global capabilities have expanded into the specialty care market in gastroenterology and biologics with a focus on ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Takeda's expertise also remains focused on therapeutic agents that work to reduce the production of acid in the stomach, and options for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and opioid-induced constipation. Through specialized and strategic in-house development, external partnerships, in-licensing and acquisitions, Takeda currently has a number of promising early stage GI assets in development, and remains committed to delivering innovative, therapeutic options for patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. About Takeda Located in Osaka, Japan, Takeda is a research-based global company with its main focus on pharmaceuticals. As the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and one of the global leaders of the industry, Takeda is committed to strive towards better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Additional information about Takeda is available at takeda.com. Takeda Canada, located in Oakville, Ontario, is the Canadian sales and marketing organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Takeda Canada is transforming to become an agile specialty pharmaceutical company, focusing on gastroenterology and oncology, while continuing to meet a number of important primary care needs. Additional information about Takeda Canada is available at takedacanada.com. ______________________________ i Lonnfors S. et al. IBD and health-related quality of life discovering the true impact. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis. 2014;4(8):1281-1286. ii Crohn's and Colitis Canada, The impact of inflammatory bowel disease in Canada, 2012 final report, page 7, accessed at: http://www.isupportibd.ca/pdf/ccfc-ibd-impact-report-2012.pdf SOURCE Takeda Canada Inc. For further information: Media contact: Natacha Raphael, Corporate Communications, Takeda Canada Inc., Tel: 905-465-4149, [email protected] Norman Reedus Norman Reedus attends the Live Special Edition of "Talking Dead" at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Richard Shotwell | Invision | AP) "The Walking Dead" star Norman Reedus has escaped from Negan's jail cell and found refuge in Upstate New York. Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon on AMC's zombie drama, was spotted eating lunch at the Millbrook Diner in Millbrook, N.Y. A waitress named Danielle told Albany radio station Q103 that the 47-year-old actor was eating lunch by himself and exploring the area, about halfway between New York City and the Capital Region. "She waited on him and said he was very friendly," rock DJ Tigman recounted. "After he was done eating, she had the chance to chat with him for about 20 minutes and he revealed that he recently bought a house in the Hudson Valley area, but he had never been to Millbrook, so he was checking it out." ...walking dead is following my wife around apparently. Posted by Mike Rutigliano on Monday, November 28, 2016 Reedus, currently in his seventh season with "The Walking Dead," is also known for roles in "The Boondock Saints" and "Blade II." He also stars on AMC reality show "Ride," exploring biker culture around America on his motorcycle. Recent "TWD" addition Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays new villain Negan, also has an interest in the area. The actor has a home in the northern part of Dutchess County and co-owns a candy shop with "Ant-Man" star Paul Rudd in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Other recent celebrity sightings in Upstate N.Y. include James Franco in Albany, Will Smith and his son Jaden in Glens Falls and Kate Hudson in Niagara Falls. Ben Stiller was also spotted in Dannemora, sparking rumors he'd be filming a movie about last year's prison escape from Clinton Correctional Facility. China will invest 946.3 billion yuan ($140 billion) by 2020 to relocate its poorest citizens from remote, inland regions to more developed areas, the state planner said on Monday. The mass relocation is part of a strategy to lift 10 million people out of poverty by 2020, with 2 million estimated to be moved this year, the state council said in May. The funds will be used mainly to construct homes, support facilities and basic public infrastructure, with the rest going to the restoration of vacated lands, state planner National Development and Reform Commision (NDRC) said in a document. The investment will be financed mainly by Chinas two policy banks China Development Bank and Agricultural Development Bank of China, who will provide 341.3 billion yuan in long-term loans and 50 billion yuan in construction bonds as well as by local governments, who will provide 285.8 billion yuan. Local governments will also raise up to 100 billion yuan through bonds, while the central government in Beijing will allocate around 80 billion yuan. Relocated villagers are expected to contribute 21.5 billion yuan. Chinas poor make up about 5 percent of a population of 1.4 billion, living mostly in the countryside and earning less than 2,300 yuan a year, according to the government and state media. Some of the villagers will move to areas with better social services, such as schools and hospitals, while others in remote areas will move to places with better roads and water supply. China aimed to lift all its 70 million poor above the poverty line by 2020. More than 12 million people were moved in earlier relocation efforts as of the end of last year, the NDRC said. OPEC officials failed on Monday to bridge their differences on an agreement to cut production and revive oil prices, following comments from Saudi Arabia that output curbs arent essential. With just two days left before ministers from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meet to finalize the first decline in production in eight years, the foundations for a deal are looking increasingly shaky. A proposed deal would trim production by 1.2 million barrels a day from October levels, though it remains unclear whether the idea has the support needed for approval On Sunday, Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi oil minister, for the first time floated the possibility of leaving Vienna without an agreement. Saudi Arabia and Iran are all playing very strong negotiation tactics, said Abhishek Deshpande, chief energy analyst at Natixis SA in London. The problem for Saudi Arabia is that this isnt the 1980s and 1990s, when it could use its clout and expect others to follow. Today members like Iran and Iraq are equally strong and their agenda is to ensure they get a large market share. Without an OPEC cut, the International Energy Agency predicts that the oil market will remain in surplus for a fourth year in 2017, which could cause prices to fall. Brent crude rose 2.1 percent to $48.24 a barrel Monday in London. As OPEC tries to resolve its own differences, the group is also asking other big producers including Russia to reduce output by as much as 600,000 barrels a day. The Kremlin so far has resisted OPECs request that it joins the cut, offering instead to freeze production at its current level. SOURCES- Bloomberg A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was at the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission... A former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, was at the Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday where he agreed to testify against Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and his aide, Mr. Abiodun Agbele.A reliable source said, Senator Obanikoro came to the EFCC office on Monday morning as part of investigations into the N4.7bn. Since he has confessed that he was the one who collected the N4.7bn and distributed it, he is in the best position to testify in court.The EFCC wants him to testify against Agbele which will also build a strong case against Fayose who currently enjoys immunity. Obanikoro has agreed and will be listed as one of the EFCC witnesses.If Agbele is convicted, it automatically means that Fayose will also be convicted once he is charged in 2018. So let Fayose continue to play games. Omisore and Obanikoro are cooperating and returning money. Their troubles will end soon while Fayoses own will keep getting worse.When contacted, Obanikoros lawyer, Mr. James Onoja (SAN), said he was not aware that his client was with the EFCC but promised to find out.I have been in court all day so I was not aware that he (Obanikoro) was with the EFCC. I will find out, he said.However, a source told our correspondent that the EFCC could still charge Obanikoro to court if he failed to cooperate with the EFCC.He said, Obanikoro has returned N104m and has pledged to return N480m in instalments every four months but if he cannot cooperate with the EFCC, then he and his sons may be charged along with the others.Plea bargain and negotiation are a standard practice in criminal justice across the world.Obanikoro had told the EFCC in his statement of oath that he received N4.7bn from the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki in June 2014.In his statement, the ex-minister told the EFCC that he handed N1.3bn to the then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore; while N1.219bn was given to Fayose through his aide, Agbele, during the build-up to the Ekiti governorship election which Fayose won.Obanikoro was said to have converted a remainder of the money into $5.377m and handed it to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado Ekiti, in the presence of the then Ekiti State PDP Secretary, Tope Aluko, and other party stalwarts.The ex-minister is believed to have kept about N785m for himself, an action which is said to have angered Fayose.Agbele is currently standing trial before Justice Dimgba Igwe of a Federal High Court for allegedly receiving N1.219bn on behalf of Fayose.At the last sitting, Mr. Alade Sunday, a manager and branch Head of Zenith Bank, narrated how the money was disbursed on the instructions of Agbele.He had also said it took the cashiers about 10 days to count all the money.Sunday had said Obanikoro flew the cash to Akure Airport and the money was loaded onto a bullion van.He had said, When we got to the airport, we waited for some minutes before the aircraft arrived. When the aircraft offloaded its passengers, one of them appeared to me to be Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and the other one appeared to be his ADC, Adewale.Agbele walked up to them and had a discussion with them. Thereafter, he signalled to me to bring the van. Bags loaded with cash were loaded into the van and Obanikoros ADC, Agbele and I drove back to the bank.When we got to the bank, we bundle counted the cash and it was N724,500,000. Agbele told us that more money was still coming and then, Obanikoros ADC left for the airport immediately.In the evening, all of us left for the airport a second time. After the passengers disembarked, we offloaded the cash bags into our bullion van and drove back to the bank to ascertain how much the cash was. The second tranche was N494,990,000, bringing the total to about N1.219, 490,000.We headed straight to our zonal head office where instructions were given by Agbele on how the funds were to be credited to various accounts. Controversial Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose was recently spotted at a public event wearing white shorts. Controversial Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose was recently spotted at a public event wearing white shorts.In the meeting with traders, Fayose promised to re-open within the next 48hrs Fayose GSM Market, Ado-Ekiti that has remained under lock and key for more than one week if his conditions on cleanliness and decorum are met by the traders.The governor said this after a meeting with traders from the market at the government house on Monday. The governor had directed the closure of the market about two weeks ago after some unscrupulous elements in the market stabbed a government official who was on official duty in the market.Here are snippets from the meeting:1. Mr. Kehinde Badmus, President, Fayose Market Traders' Association(FMTA) expressed regret that a representative of the government was attacked and promised such will never repeat itself.2. Badmus said they were at the government house to beg the governor for forgiveness. He thanked the governor for his effort at upgrading the market to one of the best in Nigeria(he described the market as the second largest phone market in Nigeria after the popular computer village in Lagos).3. Governor Fayose in his response said he will not compromise standard in making the market one of the best in Nigeria. He said he would not allow anyone destroy his handiwork while alive. He recalled how he tarred the parking lots in the market within his first 100 days in office during his second coming. He said, "I started the renovation of that market, if you want to enter that market before during rainy season, you have to roll up your trouser, nobody dare park inside that market, it had become a shanty, I came, I renovated the market and put asphalt everywhere."I brought that bank(Access Bank) to make life easier for you, did I ask you to contribute money? (No). I gave #2.1m to the ministry of Water resources to run a pipe directly from waterworks to the market, we are only awaiting connection. I didnt ask you to pay for all these, you are the ones doing business and making profit in that place but I say I want a market that is well kept, you can't take that away from me, I will keep closing that market until you get it right.4. The governor condemned practices such as cooking inside shops(which could cause fire outbreak), dumping of refuse inside canal and indiscriminate placement of containers in the market stressing that he won't allow sanitation and neatness be compromised in the market.5. Governor Fayose charged the leadership of the market to stand firm and enforce discipline. "If you have any problem implementating good policies in the market, come to me, I will close that person's shop. Tell the bad elements within the market that they can't operate in the market anymore. Anyone giving you problem will be banned from the market, two masters doesn't stay in a ship", the governor told the president.6. The governor said a day must be set aside for sanitation.7. Governor Fayose directed that one of the two gates leading to Irona be blocked to enhance security. He called on traders to give him genuine information about touts and bad elements in the market with a promise to flush them out immediately.8. Contributions and suggestions from traders.9. Chief Mrs. Funke Anjorin who affirmed that Cleanliness is next to Godliness in her vote of thanks reiterated the traders' love and support for the Fayose administration. She thanked the governor for his efforts at making the market an enviable model in Nigeria.See photos: Osinbajo Nigeria spent a whopping sum of $1bn as subsidy on kerosene last year, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said. Osinbajo Nigeria spent a whopping sum of $1bn as subsidy on kerosene last year, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.According to the Vice President, the massive dependence on kerosene and firewood by millions of households across the country made the Federal Government to spend such huge funds subsidising the commodity.Osinbajo, who spoke at the Domestic Liquified Petroleum Gas Stakeholders Forum in Abuja on Tuesday, explained that the low level consumption of LPG by Nigerians was a major reason for the high demand of kerosene and firewood.He said, The low LPG consumption in Nigeria has resulted in heavy dependence on kerosene and firewood as primary domestic cooking fuel. The government has undertaken huge subsidy of over $1bn spent in 2015 on kerosene subsidy.This, he said, was not beneficial for Nigeria economically and health-wise, as data at the disposal of government showed that thousands of women and children had died as a result of diseases caused by firewood and kerosene polluted air. President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba has blamed the delay in securing an upward review of the national minimum wage ... President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba has blamed the delay in securing an upward review of the national minimum wage on the disunity in the organised labour.Wabba spoke to newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday on the prospects of getting a review of the existing N18,000 minimum wage for workers.The present N18,000 national minimum wage was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2011.It is time to review the N18,000 minimum wage. If we had been united, this issue would have been resolved, the NLC president said.He said that since 2015, when the organised labour submitted a formal demand for the review of the minimum wage, no technical committee had been set up to look into the issue. According to Wabba, the committee is to start the process of negotiations, where the concerned stakeholders will gather at a round table to drive the process.For the minimum wage to be reviewed, it has to be tripartite. The employers organisation will be present, governments representatives and the organised labour, he said.The NLC president stressed that the current minimum wage could no longer sustain workers as the five-year cycle for review of workers income was due and the value of money had also depreciated.He assured that there was hope of getting an increment in the minimum wage but added that workers must be ready to fight for their right.Everything that we have gotten as workers over the decades is through collective struggle. Government did not offer it on a platter of gold.These are the issues that have caused delay in resuming negotiation on review of new minimum wage for workers, he said.Wabba said that the Federal Government and labour could look at ways of implementing a new strategy for the new minimum wage with the economic recession not hindering the discussions.Labour is committed to driving the process of an increment in minimum wage for workers and we assure you that we will defend your interest.On the issue of recession, the NLC will soon arrive with an alternative to enable the government solve its economic problem, the NLC president said. Oil prices dipped Tuesday as expectations dimmed of an OPEC agreement to reduce the cartels gushing of crude into the massively saturated... Oil prices dipped Tuesday as expectations dimmed of an OPEC agreement to reduce the cartels gushing of crude into the massively saturated global market by around a million barrels per day.Prices were also hit as non-OPEC Russia confirmed it would not send a delegation to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting in Vienna on Wednesday.In late morning European trading, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January was down 73 cents a barrel to $46.35, in what market analyst Jasper Lawler at CMC Markets called heebie-jeebies on the eve of the talks.Brent North Sea crude was down 0.72 cents to $47.52.Analysts expect further falls if OPEC fails to agree on Wednesday its first joint output cut in eight years in an effort to reduce the global glut and so lift prices.The groups big players Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq disagree on what size cuts each member will make, and the cartel wants non-OPEC countries like Russia to reduce production too.Russia is currently pumping some 11 million barrels per day, a level not seen since Soviet days. Hit hard by the low price and Western sanctions, Moscow has said it is ready to freeze output but not to cut it.While making life cheaper for consumers and businesses, two years of low prices have wreaked havoc with the public finances of OPEC member states, even in the wealthy Gulf states.But Iraq and Iran, OPECs biggest producers after Saudi Arabia, on Monday continued to express objections to a proposal to cut up to 1.2 million barrels per day from October levels, Bloomberg News reported, citing an OPEC delegate.In a 10-hour meeting, Iran said it might be ready to freeze production at about 200,000 barrels a day above its current output of around 3.975 million bpd, Bloomberg said.Saudi Arabia hit back, saying Tehran should freeze its production at just over 3.7 million bpd more or less its current level.Iran has consistently said it wont cut production until it has reached pre-sanctions levels. It is also a fierce regional rival of Saudi Arabia, engaged in a proxy war in Yemen and backing different sides in Syria.Iraq meanwhile has said it will cut output but that it is short of money needed to fight Islamic State extremists. It also disputes with OPEC the level of its current output.OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia added to the pessimism about prospects for a deal on Sunday by appearing to say it could live without an agreement.Recovering demand, said Energy Minister Khaled al-Falih due in Vienna later Tuesday would stabilise prices in 2017 anyway.Prices had made a slight recovery Monday after Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi sounded an upbeat note as he arrived in Vienna, saying he was optimistic that the 14-country group would strike an accord.Algeria, which is trying to mediate a deal, on Monday proposed a compromise with Iran capping its production at 3.795 bpd, delegates said, according to Bloomberg.However, there has been no indication that any such proposal will actually be accepted when the oil ministers meet on Wednesday.Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at top Nordic corporate bank SEB, said that the chances of an output cut are now very low.The best possible result, at this stage, was that the club would end up with a face-saving deal while kicking the can to the next OPEC meeting in half a years time, Schieldrop said. Three suspected armed robbers were on Monday shot dead by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force during a shootout at the busy UTC Jun... Three suspected armed robbers were on Monday shot dead by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force during a shootout at the busy UTC Junction in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.One of the hoodlums, who escaped being killed by a special intelligence team from the Inspector General of Police, said they had planned to attack a plane belonging to a popular airline in the country.It was also learnt that the suspects were forced to stop by the traffic light as they queued behind other vehicles waiting for their turn to get the green light to move.One of the suspects, according to the eyewitness, alighted from the car and opened fire on some policemen at the junction.It was gathered that attempts made by the armed robbers to escape after noticing the superior fire power of the policemen proved futile as three of them were gunned down while the fourth sustained gunshot injuries.When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, adding that the IGP Intelligence Team intercepted the armed robbers following a tip-off.Omoni said, On interrogation, the suspect said they were on a mission to attack an Arik plane.Identifying the injured suspect as Peter James, Omoni said the suspect confessed to being one of the members of a gang that killed a police corporal during the All Progressives Congress rally in Okrika in 2015.Today, November 28, 2016, the IGP Intelligence Response Team, working on credible intelligence, intercepted this gang of armed robbers, who were heading to Arik Airline.Then there was an exchange of fire at the end of which three of them were killed and one was arrested. The arrested suspect, who gave his name as Peter James, 30 year old, and a native of Bayelsa State, is currently helping us with our investigation, Omoni said. Jolted by the sophistication and employment of high technical skills in their actions, President Muhammadu Buhari has feared that those bl... Jolted by the sophistication and employment of high technical skills in their actions, President Muhammadu Buhari has feared that those blowing up pipelines were not ordinary Nigerians.The President who was in doubt about the sophistry of the perpetrators felt that the militants were getting help from highly skilled engineering personnel who were inclined to using their skills negatively.According to him, going into the sea for almost 70 kilometres to blow pipelines with ease were not ordinary.The President spoke, Tuesday, after his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), led by its President, Mrs. Joanna Maduka, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said: If I will go in the negative side, how can an ordinary Nigerian go into the sea, 70 kilometres or more, go down two meters and blow up oil installations that cannot be an ordinary Nigerian.So, I hope you will appeal to your colleagues to make sure that what we have built, they should regard it whether they are working with multi-nationals or the government.President Buhari however stated that his administration would utilize talents and skills of local engineers to rebuild ailing infrastructure across the country, describing the engineers as competent and cost effective.The President noted that local engineers contributed more than 90 percent to the design and realization of two refineries, 2,500 km of pipelines and 20 depots in the country during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum in the mid-1970s, adding that the success of the Petroleum Trust Fund was largely hinged on their skills.President Buhari said individual political leaders should be blamed for Nigerias ailing infrastructure, not the engineers who had always been willing to contribute to national development. By insisting that we must be cost effective in building infrastructure, we will utilize Nigerian engineers.I respect them a lot, and I know it takes time to be trained as an engineer. Somehow, every time and anywhere I have served in this country, we found it cost effective to use Nigerian engineers, and we relied on their capacity to understudy, learn and deliver. It will be wrong to fault Nigerian engineers for the failure of refineries. You should blame the political leadership. How can you build and not know how to maintain an asset.I think that if Nigerian Engineers are denied their roles, it is not the fault of the profession. It is the fault of some individual governments. Other governments have done their best and found Nigerian Engineers competent and cost effective. Nigerian Engineers are very quick in uptaking and performing in the filed, the President said.Earlier in her remarks, the president of the NAE, Maduka noted that in the last one year, Nigerian engineering companies had made remarkable feats in the procurement and construction of a 600 megawatt power generating plant and a 330KV switching station, the biggest in the national grid.He also solicited the assistance of government for the Academy to fully realize its objectives. Countries like China, USA, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are examples of nations that have harnesses the benefits of their engineering academies for economic progress.Fellows of the Academy of Engineering are Engineers who have reached the peak of their careers and are invited to join. This effort is very germane to the development of our nation. For this to be done effectively and efficiently, inputs are required from all cadres of engineering disciplines.The physical indices of development of any country are engineering based like roads, railways, water supply, power, housing and other infrastructure. However, Nigerian Engineers are underutilized for the tasks and challenges of nation building.For the country to attain sustainable growth status, the Nigerian engineers need to be adequately engaged in planning, policy formulation, consultancy and construction as well as industrial processes of production and manufacturing.Furthermore, the fact is that Nigeria is grossly under-engineered as there are insufficient engineering professionals taking the population per capita basis.For example, in China, between 2000 and 2013, all the nine members of the Standing Committee (Ministers) of the Politburo were trained engineers. Currently, about half of the cabinet ministers in Singapore are engineers and in China, 70 per cent of the cabinet are engineers.Maduka commended the anti-corruption fight of the Federal Government, saying it would turn around the fortunes of the economy. She also hinted that Nigerian Academic Engineering was currently made up of 140 fellows.Those who attended the brief ceremony were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir Lawal and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu amongst other senior government functionaries and presidential aides. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed the five big telecoms operators in the country to increase their data tariffs fr... The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed the five big telecoms operators in the country to increase their data tariffs from Thursday, December 1.The idea behind the rationale is to allow small operators and new entrants to acquire market share and operate profitably.An NCC official who confided in newsmen on Monday said the regulator came up with the new data regime after some new entrants into the market complained that there was no way they could break even if they operated on same data regime with the likes of MTN, Glo, Etisalat and Airtel.He said NCC yielded to their pressure when last month it notified the operators of the new rate. BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Police are searching for two armed men who forced their way into a Burlington Township apartment early Tuesday and robbed several people. The home invasion happened around 4:20 a.m. in the Polo Ridge Apartments complex on Route 130, police said. Two men armed with handguns forced their way into the home and robbed several of the occupants of cash and electronic devices. They then fled the apartment on foot toward Route 130 and got into a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Suburban or GMC Yukon. No injuries were reported, police said. Both suspects are described as about 5-foot-11 with a skinny build and in their late teens to early 20s. One was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, while the other had a grey hooded sweatshirt with a different colored hood. Police believe one of the suspects might be known by his street name, "LB." Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Marc Carnivale at 609-239-5859 or mcarnivale60@burltwppd.com. Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook. CAMDEN -- Two New Jersey men will spend years behind bars after being convicted of various crimes related to the planned robbery of a drug den, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman announced in a release Monday. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. (AP File photo) Robert "Born" Smith, 43, of Trenton, and Derrick "Little D" Adams, 30, of Florence and Willingboro, received 360 months and 120 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the heist, Fishman said. According to authorities, in January 2014, Smith, Adams, and four other men were recorded discussing their plan for an armed robbery of kilograms of cocaine from a drug stash house. They planned to carry out the robbery while posing as law enforcement officers, officials said. Smith was recorded saying he'd kill the stash house occupants during the robbery, if necessary, authorities said. When the men met up in Maple Shade on Jan. 30, 2014, they were met by federal agents, who searched them and found five guns, including a sawed-off shotgun and two stolen handguns, ammunition, and other robbery paraphernalia, Fishman said. In April of this year, Smith was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possessing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon, authorities said. In November 2015, Adams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, officials said. Three of the other conspirators, Daquon Basnight, 25, Jamiil McFarlane, 24, and Morris Muse, 36, all from Trenton, have already been sentenced. The fourth, Sean Forman, 43, of Willingboro, is awaiting sentencing. Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK-- No one was hurt but 10 people were displaced by a fire Monday at an abandoned home near South Orange Avenue, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. Fire broke out at 62 Telford Ave. around 5 p.m. and was brought under control in less than an hour. One firefighter fell through a floor while battling the blaze and continued to fight the fire after being rescued, Ambrose said. The American Red Cross is assisting two families, with three adults and seven children between them, who lived at an adjacent home that suffered smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire was under investigation by the NFD arson squad and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Ambrose also said. Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- One person was killed and two others hurt in shootings occurring just hours apart Monday night, authorities said. A 20-year-old man was shot and killed around 4 p.m. in the 100 block of S. 10th Street, Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly and Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. Devion Burch was found inside a home by police responding to a report of a shooting. Burch, who had suffered a gunshot wound, was rushed to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:24 p.m. Anyone with information about the fatal shooting is being asked to call the prosecutor's tip line, 877-847-7432. About four hours later, two males were shot at Grafton Avenue and Riverside Court, Ambrose said. The victims were taken to University Hospital where they were listed in stable condition. The shooter, or shooters, were last seen fleeing the area in what was believed to be a gray Jeep Cherokee. A motive was still under investigation Monday, Ambrose said. Anyone with information about the Riverside shootings is being asked to call the department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers' tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). Tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward. Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- The Bayonne woman charged with stabbing her husband to death was covered in blood when police responded to the couple's home early on Thanksgiving morning. That detail, among others, surfaced this afternoon when Margaret T. Mazurczyk, 50, made her first court appearance on weapons offenses and the murder of Stanley Mazurczyk, her 54-year-old husband. Police responded to the third-floor apartment on Kennedy Boulevard at 31 st after getting an 11:58 p.m. 911 call Wednesday from "a witness indicating that the defendant stated she had killed her husband." Police also said a large kitchen knife was near the victim's body, according to the criminal complaint. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez said today in court that Mazurczyk told the responding police officers she had stabbed her husband. Officials said Stanley Mazurczyk had several stab wounds and was unresponsive when he was found. He was taken to Bayonne Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 12:27 a.m. Thursday, authorities said. Neighbors in the building told The Jersey Journal that the couple had a volatile relationship and argued often. One neighbor said Margaret Mazurczyk often threw her husband out and he would sleep in his car. At the hearing, Hernandez argued that the strength of the evidence and the potential life sentence made Mazurczyk a flight risk. He asked the judge allow Mazurczyk's bail to remain at $500,000 cash or bond. But Defense attorney Johnny Cardona argued that Mazurczyk has been a Hudson County resident her entire life, lived in the couple's current apartment for six years and has no criminal record at all. He asked for the bail to be reduced to $250,000 cash or bond. In the end, Hudson County Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable said that after weighing all the factors in the case, the bail as set was "fair and appropriate." Mazurczyk's next court date is on Jan. 12 before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale. She appeared today in Central Judicial Processing court via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny. She spoke privately with Cardona for a few minutes at the hearing but said nothing during the hearing. WHill.jpg William Hill, 46, of Newark, appears in court in Jersey City yesterday, Nov. 28, 2016, on charges he stole running and unattended vehicles on three occasions in Kearny. JERSEY CITY -- A 46-year-old Newark man who finished his most recent prison sentence on Oct. 1 is back in trouble with the law after allegedly stealing unattended vehicles on three occasions in Kearny. William D Hill, who is described as homeless, is charged with three counts of burglary and theft for allegedly taking running vehicles on Nov. 4, Nov. 19 and Nov. 21, the criminal complaint states. Probable cause for the charges in each incident is listed as "security video of William Hill committing the act," the complaint says. Hill has 27 prior arrests, six disorderly persons convictions and criminal convictions for aggravated assault, larceny, theft, two counts of burglary, two counts of resisting arrest and three counts of receiving stolen property, according to the complaint. Hill was in state prison from Feb. 14, 2006 to May 31, 2010 and from Sept. 7, 2012 to Oct. 31, 2016, according to state corrections records. His bail was set at $75,000 cash or bond when he made his first appearance on the new charges yesterday in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny. AnixCooper.jpg Arron Enix 23, (on left) and Davon Cooper, 23, appear in court in Jersey City yesterday, Nov. 28, 2016, on charges they attempted to murder a man who was shot 19 times on Sunday in Jersey City. JERSEY CITY -- A city man who is in critical condition at a Jersey City hospital was struck 19 times in a Sunday night shooting, according to court documents. The 24-year-old was shot just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday night on Claremont Avenue near Clerk Street, Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said. Aaron Enix 23, of Van Nostrand Avenue, and Davon Cooper, 23, of Bayview Avenue, have been charged with attempted homicide. Cooper's bail was set at $250,000 cash only but was being held without bail on another pending case. Enix's bail was set at $500,000 cash only. Enix and Cooper, who made their first appearances on the charge Monday, have both served state prison sentences for firearms offenses, a spokesman for the state Department of Corrections said this morning. The victim's condition has remained critical since he was brought to the Jersey City Medical Center Sunday night. He was wearing a monitoring bracelet on his ankle when he was shot, Morrill said, noting that the 24-year-old was arrested in April on a gun charge. Police responded to the scene quickly and located the two men who matched the description of the gunmen in the area of Wilkinson and Arlington avenues. Two handguns believed to be used in the shooting were found by investigators in a backyard on Clerk Street, consistent with the direction the shooters were believed to have fled, Morrill said. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the bail information for the two suspects. JERSEY CITY -- A 24-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot multiple times by two men in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood last night, officials said. The shooting was reported at about 9:30 p.m. on Claremont Avenue near Clerk Street, Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said. Shortly after the gunfire erupted, police spotted two men who matched the description of the suspects near Wilkinson and Arlington avenues. Arron Enix, of Van Nostrand Avenue, and Davon Cooper, of Bayview Avenue, were arrested, and two guns were recovered on Clerk Street, Morrill said. The victim was shot multiple times and remains in critical condition at Jersey City Medical Center. Morrill said the victim was wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet. Enix and Cooper, both 23, were charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assaulted resulting in serious bodily injury, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. They were expected to make their first court appearance on the charges this afternoon. Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. UNION CITY -- Celebrating what they hope will be a better future for Cuba following Fidel Castro's death, about 100 political refugees, local officials and others joined in a Cuban flag raising in Union City Monday afternoon. "This is an opportunity for a new democracy in Cuba," said Ino Martel, who was one of more than 100,000 Cubans who came to the United States during the Mariel Boatlift in 1980. Martel joined local officials including Mayor Brian Stack in hoisting the bandera cubana during a 4 p.m. ceremony across Palisade Avenue from City Hall. Union City, along with surrounding North Hudson communities, has one of the largest Cuban-American populations in the United States, and Stack's office organized the ceremony after Cuban state media announced Castro's death Friday. He was 90. His brother, Raul Castro, who took over leadership of the island a decade ago amid Fidel's failing health, continues to rule at age 85. Monday's ceremony included the singing of the U.S. National Anthem by John J. Herbert, followed by a performance of the Cuban anthem on the flute by Xavier Gonzalez Porta, as Stack and former Cuban political prisoners hoisted the red, white and blue Cuban flag. There were remarks by Catholic clergy, Union City commissioners, and Union City's own poet laureate, Jorge Luis Seco, who spoke in Spanish. As despised as Fidel Castro was by many in North Hudson, participants said the celebration was not of his death, but of the possibility that Cubans might soon be free to speak their minds and pursue their dreams. There was even a Castro present. Robert Castro, an employee of the Union City Public Works Department, is a second-generation Cuban-American, who said his parents immigrated to the United States in 1955. Castro, who is middle aged, has never been there. But he said he was planning to visit. With Fidel finally gone, Castro said, "I hope the Cuban people will become free." Aristide Economopoulos can be reached at aeconomopoulos@njadvancemedia.com and you can follow him on Twitter at @AristideEco and Instagram at @aeconomopoulos Find NJ.com on Facebook EJorge.jpg Edvin A. Jorge, 28, of West New York, appears in court in Jersey City today, Nov. 28, 2016, on charges he had sex with a 14-year-old girl who became pregnant. JERSEY CITY -- A 28-year-old West New York man has been charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl and getting her pregnant. Edvin Jorge was arrested on Nov. Friday and charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the criminal complaint says. Authorities say the girl told investigators she had sex with Jorge and became pregnant. The 28-year-old also gave a statement in which he admitted having sex with the girl about 10 times, the complaint says. Jorge's bail was set yesterday in Superior Court at $125,000 and he was ordered to have no contact with the girl. He told the court he is from Guatamala and he is in the United States illegally when he made his first court appearance on the charges yesterday in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny. 1129HCDLance.JPG Congressman Leonard Lance speaks to eighth-graders at Readington Middle School. (Courtesy of Pat Lewandowski) Eighth grade students at Readington Middle School learned firsthand about their state and federal governments when the school hosted Congressman Leonard Lance and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli during National Education Week. On November 14, Assemblyman Ciattarelli became teacher for the day in Mindy Bennington's and Will Daly's first period Social Studies classes. The Assemblyman described how he became involved in politics, his start on the Raritan Borough Council to his current role in the New Jersey Legislature, and his decision to run for governor in 2017. While fielding questions from the students, Ciattarelli discussed a host of topics including the structure of New Jersey's government, in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, property taxes, school funding, the new gas tax, and how bills become laws. He encouraged the students to stay open-minded, to stand on their principles, and to learn from their failures. Congressman Lance led an eighth grade assembly on November 18. The Congressman reviewed with the students the three branches of government, the Senate and House of Representatives, the recent Presidential election, and the Electoral College. The eighth graders challenged Lance with a wide range of questions regarding his views on legalizing marijuana, immigration, same-sex marriage, abortion, gun control, terrorism, Black Lives Matter, North Korea, bullying, and the Green Party. Upon being asked by one student, "How is your day going?", Congressman Lance responded that his day was going quite well, although, as usual, it was a very busy one. "We were so excited and grateful to have Assemblyman Ciattarelli and Congressman Lance at RMS," commented teacher Will Daly. "Our students benefited from hearing about the importance of government at both the state and federal levels. The 8th grade teachers were so impressed with fantastic questions our students posed throughout the presentations." This item was submitted by Pat Lewandowski. Woman on flight from N.O. to Houston jumps from moving plane, newspaper reports Watch: KL Rahul Makes a Stunning Direct Hit From The Deep to Run Out Litton Das on 60 IND vs BAN: 'For Such a Young Guy to Come And do it is Not Easy' - Rohit Sharma Lauds Arshdeep Singh 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. PHILADELPHIA The nation's three busiest commuter railroads which together serve nearly 1 million riders in the New York City area each day continue to lag behind many smaller commuter lines in installing sophisticated train-control technology that's seen as an antidote to crashes involving speeding and other human factors, federal regulators said Monday. The Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit and Metro-North all made scant progress on implementing GPS-based positive-train control in the quarter ending Sept. 30, according to new Federal Railroad Administration data. The railroads say the federal data doesn't fully reflect their progress and that they are still on track to meet a December 2018 deadline to install the technology, which is designed to automatically slow or stop trains that are going too fast. Smaller commuter railroads, such as the South Shore Line, operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, are expected to have an easier time meeting the end of 2018 completion deadline. During the summer, NICTD General Manager Michael Noland told his board of trustees the South Shore maintains its goal of meeting the deadline. It has contracted with Parsons Corp., an engineering firm headquartered in California, to install PTC in each of its trains and along its 75 miles of tracks. NICTD sold bonds to finance the $80 million project. Still, the railroad's most recent report to the Federal Railroad Administration shows work has not been completed in any major installation category, although positive train control-capable recorders have been installed on some locomotives. On the other side of the border, Metra, a much larger commuter railroad, has told federal officials in an alternative plan that it will not fully implement positive train control until 2020. However, according to a chart published on Metra's Web site testing is already in progress or about to start on some lines. Components are being installed on 154 Metra locomotives and switch engines, 187 cab cars and 26 Highliner cars. 160 new cars recently delivered to Metra are already PTC-compliant. Officials on the East Coast also contend they are moving ahead aggressively. "Metro North and LIRR have aggressively and diligently moved forward to fully implement PTC on both railroads before the Congressionally mandated deadline," said Tom Prendergast, the chairman of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The LIRR and Metro-North say they've installed PTC equipment on more than 300 train cars and placed more than 2,000 transponders along their tracks. NJ Transit says it's awaiting federal approval to acquire a slice of required radio spectrum and has testing scheduled for next year on a 6-mile stretch of track. Federal investigators have listed the lack of PTC as a contributing factor in at least 25 crashes over the last 20 years, including a Metro-North wreck in New York City in 2013 that killed four people and one involving Amtrak in Philadelphia last year that killed eight people. In both crashes, trains entered sharp curves at more than double the speed limit. Investigators are now looking at whether PTC could have prevented a fatal crash in September, in which a train plowed into a station going double the 10 mph speed limit. The railroad industry dropped opposition to PTC after a Metrolink commuter train whose engineer was texting ran a stop signal and collided head-on with a freight train near Los Angeles in 2008, killing 25 people. Metrolink, which carries about 40,000 daily riders, is now among the nation's leaders in PTC implementation. The railroad has the system operating on all but 3 miles of track that it owns. Amtrak has installed positive train control on most of the 450 miles of track it owns between Washington and Boston. A 56-mile state-owned stretch between New Rochelle, New York, and New Haven, Connecticut, still doesn't have the technology. Freight railroads, which own the vast majority of track in the U.S., had PTC active on 12 percent of their tracks as of Sept. 30, up from 9 percent last quarter, according to the federal data. The federal government has taken the final step toward allowing the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to take control of 166 acres in South Bend, giving its approval to a plan to build a casino and hotel along with a tribal village there. Officials from the tribe and city marked the occasion at a Tuesday press conference in South Bend. The Pokagon Band has lived in this region for thousands of years and we have been working with the BIA since May 2012 to reestablish our sovereign land in Indiana," Pokagon Chairman John Warren said. The official action involved the U.S. Department of the Interior taking into trust about 166 acres east of the intersection of Ind. 23 and U.S. 31, and approving the Pokagons' preferred alternative for its development. That alternative includes a single-story gaming facility with 216,000 square feet of gaming floor, 20,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, 24,000 square feet of offices, and 48,000 square feet of housing and casino support. The 18-story hotel would have 500 rooms. Four thousand parking spaces would be available. A casino of the size proposed would displace Hammond's Horseshoe as the state's largest, and the hotel would be about the same size as Ameristar's in East Chicago and Blue Chip's in Michigan City, offering additional competition in an industry that's seen declining revenue in recent years. In a 2014 report prepared for the Casino Association of Indiana, the Spectrum Gaming Group wrote that "another casino in a state that is already facing increasingly fierce competition will significantly affect the investment climate and the competitive landscape. Additionally, an Indian casino would presumably be free from many of the rules and costs governing Indiana riverboats, which would create even more formidable competition." Construction of the Tribal Village for Pokagon Band members will start immediately. Warren said Tuesday he wouldn't comment on gaming plans, saying he wanted to focus on an Indian tribe having sovereign land in Indiana for the first time in 200 years. The federal government's Record of Decision to take the land into trust was published last week, concluding a four-year process. Taking the land into trust on behalf of the Pokagon Band will help "remedy the decades the Tribe endured as the Federal Government shirked its trust and treaty responsibilities," according to an Interior Department official's letter accompanying the Record of Decision. The Pokagon Band can immediately open a gambling facility offering bingo and "non-banking" card games, in which players play one another without the house acting as a "bank." To open a full-fledged casino with slot machines and other table games, the tribe must enter into a gaming compact with the state of Indiana. An important part of tribal-state compacts is the payments they will make in lieu of taxes. The Four Winds in New Buffalo was subject of a 1998 compact between the Pokagon Band and Michigan. That compact requires the tribe to pay 8 percent of its net win on electronic gambling devices to the state, and another 2 percent to local government. The compact was amended in 2008 to allow "satellite" Four Winds casinos in Hartford and Dowagiac. In fiscal year 2016, Indiana casinos paid about 27 percent of their total gaming win in wagering and admissions taxes alone. The Indiana General Assembly during its 2015 session passed a wide-ranging casino law requiring any compact negotiated between a tribe and the governor's office be ratified by the legislature. A resolution called on the U.S. Congress to amend federal law to deny the right of a tribe to operate a casino in Indiana. But one observer of the state's casino industry said the state will have little leverage. "The governor will be entering into compact talks in a no-win situation for the state, with both hands tied behind his back," said Ed Feigenbaum, publisher of the Indiana Gaming Insight newsletter. "If the governor asks for too much, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians can simply ask the Bureau of Indian Affairs to intervene on their behalf, and they are likely to be successful in being backed by the feds." He suggested the state would be fortunate to get a deal similar to Michigan's, "and since the Pokagons have already worked out a deal with the local community, the governor will be under pressure from folks in St. Joseph County to keep the deal moving." GARY Four people have been arrested and $10,000 worth of drugs were seized in connection with a four-month investigation into heroin distribution in Lake County. The Lake County Drug Task Force issued a statement Monday afternoon saying it worked in coordination with Porter County Drug Task Force, LaPorte County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Agency during the investigation. Authorities said the Lake County Drug Task Force conducted a search warrant on Nov. 22 at a residence in the 1900 block of West 14th Avenue in Gary. Police said a Gary man identified as Deandre Lil Terry, 36, was known to reside at the address. He was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail on charges related to heroin distribution. As a result of the search, investigators reportedly discovered approximately 2 ounces of heroin, approximately 1 ounce of cocaine with a combined street value in excess of $10,000 as well as three loaded firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Four suspects were taken into custody, some of whom are believed to be convicted felons, police said. Lake County Sheriff John Buncich said in a news release the rate of heroin overdoses in Lake County and elsewhere is tragic. "The Law Enforcement community is aware of the ever present and tragic results of the heroin use," he said. EAST CHICAGO A 15-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting Friday in the West Calumet Housing Complex, police said. East Chicago police responded about 3:15 p.m. to the 4800 block of Gladiola Street for a gunshot victim. The boy told police he was standing outside his residence when he heard a gunshot and realized he'd been shot, Detective Terence Fife said. The boy was shot in the hand and buttock area and taken to St. Catherine Hospital. He told police he didn't see who shot him. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Justin Orange at (219) 391-8318. To remain anonymous, call (866) CRIME-GP. GARY Two men were wounded in separate shootings last weekend, police said. Gary police were dispatched about 1:30 a.m. Friday to a local hospital where an 18-year-old man was being treated for gunshot wounds to his chest and leg, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said. The man, who was home from college for a visit, was shot in the 1100 block of Delaware Street, police said. Witnesses told police the man and three friends were sitting in a car when another man pulled up and asked who was in their car. The man, who the group didn't know, came around another time before opening fire on the car, police said. The group drove the 18-year-old to the hospital. In the second incident, about 3 a.m. Friday, police were called to the Blue Room in the 200 block of East 16th Avenue for a report of gunfire and a fight. Police arrived and found a 34-year-old Gary man with a gunshot wound to his leg, Westerfield said. Witnesses told police the fight erupted because of a car crash, she said. The gunshot victim refused to talk to police. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment, she said. Anyone with information about either shooting is asked to call Detective Sgt. Daniel Callahan at (219) 881-1210. To remain anonymous, call (866) CRIME-GP. INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Supreme Court issued two rulings Tuesday clarifying when police can stop or enter a vehicle after receiving a third-party report of a motorist in danger. Around 1 a.m. on Dec. 14, 2014, Fishers police were called by a gas station attendant and told that a woman, later identified as Mary Osborne, was "stuck underneath her vehicle in the parking lot." Officer Jason Arnold was dispatched to the gas station but arrived just as Osborne was driving away, according to court records. He followed Osborne, and even though she did not commit any traffic infractions or criminal conduct, Arnold pulled her over based on his concern for her well-being. Records indicate that Osborne was cooperative with police, showed no signs of physical injury and explained that her car appeared to roll over her because she forgot to engage the parking brake on her manual transmission. However, during the traffic stop, Arnold noticed Osborne displayed several signs of alcohol impairment. Tests subsequently confirmed that her blood alcohol level was over the legal limit and she was arrested for misdemeanor drunken driving, records indicate. Osborne argued the traffic stop that led to her arrest was unconstitutional and therefore all evidence of her drunken driving must be suppressed. The Supreme Court agreed. It ruled 5-0 that while police can stop a motorist, or enter a home without a warrant, when an officer has an objectively reasonable basis to believe urgent medical care is needed or people are in danger, the facts of Osborne's case did not justify a traffic stop. Specifically, the justices noted that after leaving the gas station Osborne operated her vehicle normally and within the law, leaving no emergency authorizing police involvement. In the second case, Indianapolis police responding to a 2013 call of a suspicious vehicle parked and running outside a house for 30 minutes found Eduardo Cruz-Salazar passed out at the wheel. After police knocked repeatedly on the car window and Cruz-Salazar did not respond, an officer opened the door to check on his welfare. He was drunk, according to court records, and later arrested. The Supreme Court said the facts of that case did create an objectively reasonable belief that Cruz-Salazar needed assistance, and the court found police were justified in entering his vehicle without a warrant. PORTAGE There are so many exemptions in the city's door-to-door solicitation requirements, few people need a city license. That may change. Members of the City Council's Ordinance Committee recently considered a revamping of the "transient merchants" law at the urging of Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham, who told the committee there have been some issues with the ordinance. "It is seemingly a major overhaul, but in reality it doesn't change very much. It cleans up more than it changes. The key to the ordinance is it makes more clear who is and isn't required to get a permit," Stidham said. "Overall, this is a smart change to the ordinance to ensure we're staying on top of who is going door to door in Portage." The proposed amendments, will limit exemptions to getting a door-to-door solicitation permit to people involved in either protected political or religious activities or by nonprofit organizations exempt from the Indiana Gross Retail Tax. "This will narrow the circumstances for exemptions. Right now even people with a retail merchant license from the state are exempt," said Stidham, adding the current ordinance also has no penalty section. The penalties division will allow the city to fine an exempt solicitor $50 per day for violations and seek a restraining order against the solicitor. The penalties are cumulative, and the city can collect attorney fees, court costs and other costs if necessary. The proposed ordinance also will shorten the time period solicitors can go door to door from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Currently, solicitors can begin at 9 a.m. Stidham said there also have been issues involving street vendors who don't obtain licenses before selling their merchandise or food on city street corners. The street vendors, unless they are setting up at a fair or festival, must also seek a solicitation license from the city. The amended ordinance will be on the agenda for the City Council's next meeting, at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Woodland Park. GRIFFITH Dogs and cats needing TLC will soon find shelter from lifes storms at a new facility being constructed here thanks to support from the community, area businesses and organizations. The no-kill shelter at 121 Wood St. replaces a temporary site thats been in operation for the 18 months, said Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance. The Griffith Police Department oversees the operations of the Griffith Animal Control and its care of the dogs and cats who are in need within our community, Mance said. This new building will be a big improvement from our previous building. A first look for anyone wishing to view the new shelter will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday. The shelter will open officially in January, he said. Built by volunteers in 1963, Griffiths original animal shelter was constructed to house 8 to 10 animals and became a no-kill shelter under the animal control division. However, the Enbridge pipeline ran directly under that building, which had to be demolished during the pipeline upgrade, the police chief said. Enbridge provided immediate funding for replacement of the building at that site, Mance said. To keep serving the needs of both strays and pets that owners give up, a building that was once an auto repair shop was retrofitted as a temporary shelter. Sandra Litke, who serves as Griffiths animal warden, made certain the temporary shelter met the animals needs, Mance said. Griffiths new animal shelter became a reality when the neighboring pole barn structure that was once a warehouse for concrete became available, he said. That gave us a blank canvas, Mance said. With the help of Precision Builders of Gary, the new shelter has been taking shape over the last four months. Centsible Heating & Cooling of Griffith installed an upgraded HVAC system that provides a clean and healthy environment for the animals, he said. They donated the manpower and gave us materials at cost. That system will keep airborne pathogens from sick animals from circulating throughout the building, he said. The Griffith Rotary Club donated all the landscaping for the new shelter, and The Mansards provided a sizeable donation, Mance said. When completed, the new shelter will feature 10 indoor/outdoor kennels for larger dogs; a separate small dog area; an open healthy domesticated cat room with climbing perches; a closed cat room designed for feral cats; and a sick room. We partner with Treasured Friends to run the shelter, Mance said. Treasured Friends Rescue is a nonprofit, foster-based animal rescue serving Northwest Indiana and surrounding Illinois suburbs. An adoption center staffed by Treasured Friends associates will also be part of the shelter. To run a no-kill shelter is expensive. We rely on their fundraising efforts. They take donations, he said, adding, We recently had a comedy event that raised $9,000. Were still trying to raise funds. In addition to caring for stray dogs and cats, the new shelter will take in pets that owners must give up in a hardship, Mance said. It was important to build a shelter that is modern and easier to maintain, he said. Were looking to this addition to our community. HAMMOND Residents and businesses in Hammond and Munster are still expected to see large rate increases in their sewer bills, but they may not be imposed as quickly as officials had originally planned. Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. said that instead of bringing a proposed rate hike to the city councils of Hammond and Munster for approval as originally planned, the Hammond Sanitary District will instead file a rate case with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. McDermott announced the plan at Monday's Hammond City Council meeting. The Hammond Sanitary District Board is expected to take a formal vote to take that action soon. The sanitary district earlier voted on raising rates for Hammond and Munster customers by 160 percent over the next two years to help pay for an anticipated $250 million improvements needed to minimize sewer overflows into the Little Calumet and Grand Calumet rivers. The improvements are expected to be included in a long-term control plan that is being put together in conjunction with a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Under the initial proposal, the first rate increase would be about 70 percent above the current rate. The second rate increase of more than 50 percent was anticipated to take place on Oct. 1, 2017. That was based on the city councils approving the rates this year, but there was some disagreement from Munster officials about the way the rates were calculated. McDermott said instead of paying for another independent study, it was decided to just take the case to state regulators to determine if the rates were appropriate. The process, however, means the rate increases may not take place until late next year. As a result, McDermott thinks the rates will be increased all at once instead of being phased in with a two-step process. As he has said in the past, McDermott once again emphasized that the district does not have a choice when it comes to making the improvements. "If I don't sign the consent decree we will be sued," he told the council. McDermott suggested it is possible that the cost to the district of $250 million over 17 years may be lessened under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has been critical of the U.S. EPA's regulations and talked about cutting funding to the agency. He said, however, that the cost of improvements was still going to be in nine figures. IN OTHER ACTION The City Council Monday also voted to give themselves and McDermott 2 percent raises for the coming year, but decided to take out the proposed raise for the city judge position. McDermott, who has been critical of Gov. Mike Pence's appointment of a person from outside the city to the position, supported the council's action. McDermott, who has also criticized appointee Amy Jorgensen for a lack of legal experience, said there were a number of qualified attorneys within Hammond, both Democrat and Republican, who could have been appointed. City Councilman Pete Torres, D-2nd, voted against the motion to remove the raise for the incoming judge. He said she may prove to be a good judge and has indicated she will move into the city. MICHIGAN CITY Preparations are being made just in case a need arises to relocate City Hall to enhance revitalization of the downtown. A study is being conducted to determine what should be contained in a potential new City Hall and where it should be located. City Hall, at 100 E. Michigan Blvd. on the north end of downtown, opened in 1979. It's still in very good condition, city officials said. However, it's adjacent to the old police station and former News-Dispatch building. Those sites immediately west of City Hall, near the lakefront, are targeted for redevelopment. Both of those structures are being gutted in anticipation of spring demolition, officials said. City Controller Richard Murphy said moving City Hall is simply an option in case a developer with plans to build on the two adjoining parcels wants the City Hall site as well. "As of now, City Hall is not going anywhere. However, this gives us flexibility to have these discussions in the event a developer would be interested in a larger concept," Murphy said. Murphy believes whatever goes up will have a theme reflecting the site's close proximity to both the lakefront and the growing downtown arts district. If it is relocated, he prefers City Hall remain in or near the downtown to help businesses with the traffic it draws all year. Mayor Ron Meer cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the future of City Hall. He said the study will help determine things like the square footage of a new City Hall and where it should be located so work leading up to construction can start quickly if a developer wanting all three parcels does come forward. "We just want to be prepared," Meer said. Nothing is set in stone right now, but uses envisioned for the parcels by City Hall are facilities containing residential and commercial developments. There's also been some talk of a hotel at the site. Councilman Chris Schwanke said the study is a good idea but questions if additional lodging is needed just a short distance from the two hotels at Blue Chip Casino. "To me, that would be almost a direct competition with Blue Chip Casino. I don't want to compete with them. That's not what we should be here as a city to do," Schwanke said. Meer anticipates the study taking about eight to 10 weeks to complete. Civil rights groups say police officers are targeting working city residents who use knives for their jobs. NY1 Criminal Justice Report Dean Meminger told us about this story last month, now pressure is building on the governor to change the law, which has resulted in thousands being arrested each year. A knife fight of sorts over what many workers call utility knives, but the NYPD and the mayor call them illegal gravity knives. Andrew Siconolfi says he was unfairly slapped in handcuffs. "I have never even seen a knife opened in the fashion when they did it, when they demonstrated it in front of me," said Siconolfi. "I complied and now I am here without a job that I lost because of my involvement with this crime." Civil rights groups and public defenders gathered at City Hall to say the decades-old law governing gravity knives must be changed. Thats a knife where the blade is in the handle, but opens quickly by the force of gravity. The groups say cops are forcing the utility knives open with an aggressive flick of the wrist. "The knives weren't designed to be flipped open that way, but the police officer was trained to open it that way," said Martin LaFalce, a Legal Aid attorney. "To be blunt, this law is a way for the NYPD to make numbers." "I spent ten days on Rikers Island until a judge released me on my own recognizance," said Levele Pointer. Advocates say 86 percent of those arrested are Black and Latino. The state legislature has voted to change the gravity knife law which would make it harder to arrest people for utility knives. It's up to governor Cuomo to sign the bill by the end of the year. But the NYPD and Mayor Bill de Blasio are urging the governor not to do it. "An easily and quickly deployed blade is an inherently dangerous weapon and has no place on city streets," said Austin Finan, a spokesman for the mayor. "Any effort to decriminalize these knives runs counter to the hard work officers are doing to keep our city safe." But state law makers say utility knives are not being used for crimes. "From 2003 to 2103, 60,000 people may be even more have been prosecuted for possession of nothing more than a folding knife," said Manhattan Assemblyman Dan Quart. "And this is the only mayor that is asking for the governor to veto this bill," said Staten Island Senator Diane Savino. "So the rest of the state feels this is an unjust law." When it comes to the knife legislation, the governor's office would only say it is looking at the issue. The U.S. attorney's office for the southern district of New York has confirmed that a trial date for the alleged Chelsea bomber has been set for March 27 of next year. Ahmad Khan Rahimi is accused of setting off a bomb on West 23rd Street in September that left more than 30 people hurt. Earlier this month, the 28-year-old pleaded not guilty to eight federal charges in connection with the case. He was indicted on charges that include using a weapon of mass destruction and bombing a place of public use. Investigators also believe Rahimi set off a pipe bomb before a 5K run in New Jersey on the same day as the bombing in Chelsea. Rahimi was injured days later in a gunfight with police in Linden, New Jersey. In October, he pleaded not guilty to the charges of attempted murder related to that shootout. President-elect Donald Trump continued to fill his cabinet Tuesday and continued to hold transition meetings in New York. Josh Robin filed the following report. Mitt Romney, a fierce critic of Donald Trump months ago, may yet wind up as his chief emissary to the world. But John Kerry, the outgoing secretary of state, will be watching no matter who is chosen. "So we're going to have one hell of a debate over the course of the next few years, I assure you," Kerry said. "And I can promise you this. I am not going to go quietly into the night." Citing climate change and the nuclear deal with Iran, Kerry spoke at a foreign policy conference at a time of uncertainty inside and outside the nation over trump's inauguration. "We cannot survive as a fact-free nation," Kerry said. Picking Romney may calm some critics, but Trump is mulling other candidates: former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who slipped through a side door Tuesday afternoon, and Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, who sounded like he knows the anti-Romney argument. "The Secretary of State's role is so important to a president," Corker said. "He needs to choose someone that he's very comfortable with, and he knows that there's going to be no daylight between him and them." Trump has made other cabinet picks. Reportedly for Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, a Hollywood financier with no government experience who was Trump's national finance chairman. The pick was met with a response from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Twitter. Finally, the worlds largest banks will have a voice in Washington, D.C. https://t.co/9YbdESGnNQ Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) November 29, 2016 For Transportation Secretary, the former Labor Department Secretary Elaine Chou. She is also wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Choosing a veteran signals he may intend a major infrastructure plan. Trump's pick to lead the health and human services department is more controversial. Tom Price, a Georgia congressman and physician, wants to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. What Trump wants is unclear. He's dialed back his Obamacare opposition since the election. But incoming Democratic Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer says putting Price in charge is like the fox guarding the hen house. "Congressman Price has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want when it comes to Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood," Schumer said. Trump reportedly plans a celebration rally Thursday in Ohio. This week, he's been out of sight but for his Twitter feed, railing against flag-burning and continuing to insist the popular vote would be his, and not Hillary Clinton's, were it not for fraud. Fact checkers say that's false. Fellow Republicans don't agree, either. In addition to Secretary of State, other high-profile cabinet posts Trump also has yet to name include secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security. Nearly three weeks after the election, Donald Trump has been declared the winner of Michigan's 16 electoral votes. State election officials say the president-elect won by nearly 11,000 votes, becoming the first Republican to win Michigan since 1988. It gives Trump a final tally of 306 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton's 232. 270 are needed to win the presidency. This comes as former Green Party candiate Jill Stein has raised more than $6 million for vote recount efforts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Winsconsin. The move is being supported by Clinton's camp. Trump alleged the election he won was marred with widespread voter fraud. He said he "won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally". On Monday, the president-elect met with retired General David Petraeus, who is being vetted for a cabinet position. On Twitter, Trump wrote he is "very impressed" by him. Just met with General Petraeus--was very impressed! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 "He basically walked us around the world, showed a great grasp of the variety of the challenges that are out there, and some of the opportunities as well. So a very good conversation, and we'll see where it goes from here," Petraeus said. Trump is also expected to meet again with former Republican GOP nominee Mitt Romney this week about a potential cabinet post. This is a powerful ploy because our memories of a queuing experience, to use an industry term, are strongly influenced by the final moments, according to research conducted by Ziv Carmon, a professor of marketing at the business school Insead, and the behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman. When a long wait ends on a happy note the line speeds up, say we tend to look back on it positively, even if we were miserable much of the time. Conversely, if negative emotions dominate in the final minutes, our retrospective audit of the process will skew toward cynicism, even if the experience as a whole was relatively painless. Professors Carmon and Kahneman have also found that we are more concerned with how long a line is than how fast its moving. Given a choice between a slow-moving short line and a fast-moving long one, we will often opt for the former, even if the waits are identical. (This is why Disney hides the lengths of its lines by wrapping them around buildings and using serpentine queues.) Perhaps the biggest influence on our feelings about lines, though, has to do with our perception of fairness. When it comes to lines, the universally acknowledged standard is first come first served: any deviation is, to most, a mark of iniquity and can lead to violent queue rage. Last month a man was stabbed at a Maryland post office by a fellow customer who mistakenly thought hed cut in line. Professor Larson calls these unwelcome intrusions slips and skips. The demand for fairness extends beyond mere self-interest. Like any social system, lines are governed by an implicit set of norms that transcend the individual. A study of fans in line for U2 tickets found that people are just as upset by slips and skips that occur behind them, and thus dont lengthen their wait, as they are by those in front of them. Surveys show that many people will wait twice as long for fast food, provided the establishment uses a first-come-first-served, single-queue ordering system as opposed to a multi-queue setup. Anyone whos ever had to choose a line at a grocery store knows how unfair multiple queues can seem; invariably, you wind up kicking yourself for not choosing the line next to you moving twice as fast. But theres a curious cognitive asymmetry at work here. While losing to the line at our left drives us to despair, winning the race against the one to our right does little to lift our spirits. Indeed, in a system of multiple queues, customers almost always fixate on the line theyre losing to and rarely the one theyre beating. Fairness also dictates that the length of a line should be commensurate with the value of the product or service for which were waiting. The more valuable it is, the longer one is willing to wait for it. Hence the supermarket express line, a rare, socially sanctioned violation of first come first served, based on the assumption that no reasonable person thinks a child buying a candy bar should wait behind an old man stocking up on provisions for the Mayan apocalypse. Americans spend roughly 37 billion hours each year waiting in line. The dominant cost of waiting is an emotional one: stress, boredom, that nagging sensation that ones life is slipping away. The last thing we want to do with our dwindling leisure time is squander it in stasis. Well never eliminate lines altogether, but a better understanding of the psychology of waiting can help make those inevitable delays that inject themselves into our daily lives a touch more bearable. And when all else fails, bring a book. The contemporary art world in New York is not known for its political cohesion or conviction, at least in recent years. But more than 150 artists, curators and gallery workers turned out Monday night to march in front of a Downtown Manhattan building where Ivanka Trump, the future first daughter, has an apartment and is believed to keep some pieces of a notable contemporary collection. The quiet, orderly protest in front of the Puck Building, owned by the family of Ms. Trumps husband, the developer and investor Jared Kushner, drew well-known artists like Cecily Brown, Rob Pruitt, Ryan McNamara, Jonah Freeman, Dan Colen and Marilyn Minter, whose work is the subject of a retrospective now on view at the Brooklyn Museum. Nate Lowman, an artist whose work Ms. Trump is known to collect, also marched, along with the art dealer Bill Powers. The culture changes, and fascism rears its ugly head every so often and thats whats happening now, said Ms. Minter, marching with a battery-powered candle and a sign that made a comically profane reference to Donald J. Trumps claim to have grabbed womens genitals. We wanted to do something to start to the ball rolling, to grow a protest, and were artists, so we know how to make posters. For the last week, Ms. Trump has been the subject of a new Instagram account called dear_ivanka, which posts generally glamorous social-media or publicity pictures of the president-elects daughter alongside captions addressed to her that express fears about Mr. Trumps policy positions, about the potential for political corruption because of the Trump familys international business interests and about the racist and xenophobic views of some of Mr. Trumps supporters. David Hamilton, the British photographer whose diaphanous images of prepubescent girls blurred the line between art and pornography, was found dead on Friday in his Paris apartment, one week after a former model accused him of raping her in 1987 when she was 13. He was 83. The police said that the cause appeared to be suicide but their investigation was continuing. Beginning with Bilitis in 1977, Mr. Hamilton directed five erotic movies that largely centered on blossoming sexuality in flower-crowned girls. The films were shot in the dreamy soft-focus style that also defined his photographs for fashion and advertising assignments in the 1960s and 70s, and for more than two dozen books. When his photographs were shown in the late 1970s at Images Gallery in Manhattan, Gene Thornton wrote in The New York Times that they reveal the kind of ideal that regularly was expressed in the great paintings of the past. The World Trade Organization ruled on Monday that a tax break from Washington State to help Boeing develop its new 777X jetliner was a prohibited subsidy. The ruling was a setback for the aerospace giant as it seeks victory in a parallel case against its European rival, Airbus. The trade organization said the subsidy came in the form of a renewed cut in Washington States main business tax for aerospace. The state agreed to the tax cut in 2013, when Boeing was considering where to assemble the latest member of its long-haul jet family. It is the third time that taxpayer support for Boeing or Airbus has been faulted by the World Trade Organization in a trans-Atlantic trade spat dating back 12 years and involving mutual accusations of tens of billions of dollars of aid. The ruling can be appealed by either side. The United States is considering sanctions against the European Union over Airbus subsides that were previously ruled illegal. When The Washington Post published a profile last week of Richard B. Spencer, a prominent leader of the so-called alt-right, readers were quick to respond. By Monday, the article had drawn more than 2,600 comments. Many of them had a similar message. Please, please stop referring to a white Christian supremacist movement as the alt-right a phrase that sounds like a subgenre of rock music, one reader wrote. Another was more pointed: STOP CALLING THEM ALT-RIGHT. THEY ARE RACISTS, WHITE SUPREMICISTS, NAZIS. With the election of Donald J. Trump and his subsequent appointment of Stephen K. Bannon, a former chairman of the right-wing website Breitbart News, as his chief White House strategist the term alt-right has emerged as a linguistic flash point. Generally deployed by news organizations to describe a far-right, white nationalist movement known for its aggressive online expression, the term has attracted widespread criticism among those, particularly on the left, who say it euphemizes and legitimizes the ideologies of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and white supremacy. TUESDAY PUZZLE This is the time of year when it seems almost impossible to get away from food. Personally, I dont have a problem with that, being one of those people who not only subsists on the stuff, but who revels in it. It just seems fair to warn you that if you are still stuffed from Thanksgiving and you are still digesting Andrew Zhous NON-KOSHER puzzle from last week, todays puzzle by Jacob Stulberg will fill you up even more, but youll at least walk away happy. Todays Theme The revealer at 40A, THE JOY OF COOKING, pretty much spills the proverbial beans on todays theme. Mr. Stulberg has cooked up three theme entries (one of which is split between two entries) that all end with synonyms for JOY. Tricky Clues 9A: Ah, COEDS. An artifact of the past, as the clue notes. Today, of course, Sorority sisters, e.g. would just be known as students. A high-ranking prosecutor in the Brooklyn district attorneys office was arrested this week on charges that she used an illegal wiretap to spy on a police detective and one of her colleagues in what a law-enforcement official described as a love triangle gone wrong. The prosecutor, Tara Lenich, was taken into custody on Monday and fired after investigators in the district attorneys office learned over Thanksgiving weekend that she had conducted the illicit surveillance because of a personal entanglement between her and the detective, according to the law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the delicate nature of the case. The authorities did not release the name of the detective, a man, or Ms. Lenichs colleague, a female assistant district attorney. Ms. Lenich was arraigned on Monday night and released on $25,000 bail. Before her arrest, Ms. Lenich, 41, was a deputy chief of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau in the district attorneys office; it specializes in using tactics like wiretaps to combat criminal gangs and drug organizations. This is a lie, part of Mr. Trumps pattern, stretching back many years, of disregard for indisputable facts. There is no evidence of illegal voting on even a small scale anywhere in the country, let alone a systematic conspiracy involving millions. But this is the message that gets hammered relentlessly by right-wing propaganda sites like InfoWars, which is run by a conspiracy theorist who claims the Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax and whose absurdities Mr. Trump has often shouted through his megaphone, which will shortly bear the presidential seal. Mr. Trump added more fuel to the fire with the false claim of serious voter fraud in California, Virginia and New Hampshire all states that went for Hillary Clinton. In addition to insulting law-abiding voters everywhere, these lies about fraud threaten the foundations of American democracy. They have provided the justification for state voter-suppression laws around the country, and they could give the Trump administration a pretext to roll back voting rights on a national scale. And why is Mr. Trump so hung up on the popular vote in the first place? After all, he won where it counts in the Electoral College. And yet, in the three weeks since his victory, Mr. Trump has already admitted at least twice that he would prefer the presidency be determined by the popular vote, and not by 538 electors. Its clear he feels threatened by Mrs. Clintons popular-vote lead now more than 2.3 million and expected to exceed 2.5 million; as a percentage of the electorate, that is a wider margin than five presidents enjoyed. With support for third-party candidates added in, 54 percent of voters rejected Mr. Trump. So maybe his touchiness is understandable. Like most people, Mr. Trump senses the fundamental unfairness of awarding the presidency to the loser of the popular vote. In fact, he made that argument himself, back on election night in 2012, calling the Electoral College a disaster for democracy when he believed, incorrectly, that President Obama would lose the popular vote and still win re-election. (In recent weeks hes changed his tune, calling it a genius idea.) What Mr. Trump may not know, given his lack of interest in American history, is that the Electoral College was designed specifically to enhance the influence of white voters in Southern states, which were allowed to factor in their large slave populations. Donald J. Trump continues to say that there were millions of illegal votes in the November election, costing him a popular-vote victory. Were resurfacing an Upshot article from November that debunked the claim. Usually, the burden of proof for an outlandish claim rests on the person making the assertion. But Donald J. Trump is a master of making big claims, challenging others to disprove them and benefiting from the debate. On Sunday, he alleged that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote because of millions of illegal votes, presumably many of them cast in California, which is still counting votes and which is providing her with much of her two-million-plus-vote advantage. He said there was serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California. Mr. Trump has offered no evidence for this statement. Thats because there isnt any. Californias turnout was low. WASHINGTON In one of the most sweeping and rare bipartisan acts of this Congress, lawmakers will move this week on a $6.3 billion bill to increase funding for research into cancer and other diseases, address problems in the nations mental health systems and enact potentially far-reaching regulatory changes for drugs and medical devices. The bill, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, is the product of years of debates over health care policy issues, including how to track the federal drug regulatory structure with the fast-paced world of biotechnology, streamline the unwieldy mental health care system, and stem the widespread and intractable problem of opioid drug abuse. But critics say the act contains a number of regulatory changes that could profoundly reshape the way some drugs and medical devices are approved in the United States, making the process less costly and time consuming for companies, but also potentially less safe for patients. This is all in the category of dumbing down the criteria for drug approval, said Dr. Jerry Avorn, a professor of medicine at Harvard. Its a lower bar and shorter race. Representative Darrell Issa, a well-known Obama administration tormentor, has narrowly won re-election to his Southern California congressional seat. After fighting his first seriously competitive race in more than 15 years, Mr. Issa, 63, a Republican, holds a slight but convincing lead in the race for Californias 49th District north of San Diego, according to The Associated Press, which called the race for him on Monday. He defeated Doug Applegate, a retired Marine colonel who served in Iraq. I am eager to continue working to advance the best interests of the American people and restoring the focus of Washington where it belongs: economic prosperity, national security and government accountability, Mr. Issa, often cited as one of the wealthiest members of Congress, said in a statement provided to The A.P. Mr. Issa, who was first elected to Congress in 2000, frequently criticized President Obama, whom he once called one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times before apologizing for the remark. President-elect Donald J. Trump is well into filling out his cabinet and picking key advisers. But a move to challenge the vote tallies in three swing states an extreme long shot to reverse his Electoral College majority is advancing in the background, creating a noisy distraction on Mr. Trumps Twitter feed and raising last-ditch hopes of some Hillary Clinton supporters. In Wisconsin, elections officials said on Monday that a recount of the states nearly three million votes would most likely begin on Thursday. In Pennsylvania, Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, who initiated the recounts, filed a legal challenge of the results in state court. And the Stein campaign said it planned to request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday. Neither Ms. Stein nor the Clinton campaign has found evidence of election tampering in any of the three states, where Mr. Trump beat Mrs. Clinton by a combined margin of only about 100,000 votes. But once Ms. Stein seized on the issue last week, the Clinton campaign said it, too, would join in the efforts to seek recounts. Mrs. Clinton has been urged by her supporters to challenge the results, but she has done so only in a passive way. A campaign lawyer said that her team would participate in a manner that ensured fairness, but that it had not uncovered any actionable evidence of hacking or other interference. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald J. Trump met on Monday with David H. Petraeus, the highly decorated but scandal-scarred former military commander, who has emerged as a new contender for secretary of state after days of bitter internal feuding over who will get the coveted post. Mr. Petraeus, a retired general and former C.I.A. director, spent an hour with Mr. Trump at his offices in Trump Tower in Manhattan and told reporters afterward that the president-elect had given him a tutorial on world affairs. He basically walked us around the world, Mr. Petraeus said. Showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well. Very good conversation, and well see where it goes from here. In a Twitter post 15 minutes later, Mr. Trump said, Just met with General Petraeus was very impressed! Mr. Trump spent the day in back-to-back meetings after a quiet Thanksgiving weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. In addition to seeing Mr. Petraeus, he met with Frances Fragos Townsend, a Homeland Security official in the Bush administration, and with David A. Clarke Jr., the Milwaukee County sheriff. Both are candidates for secretary of Homeland Security. WASHINGTON In the first few months of Donald J. Trumps presidency, if recent history is any guide, intelligence officials will meet to discuss a terrorism suspect living abroad. This suspect might become the next target for the nations not-so-secret drone force. Or maybe, Mr. Trumps advisers could decide, he is worth trying to capture. Under President Obama, security officials have followed a familiar script once they have taken someone into custody. They ask an allied country to conduct the interrogation, or instead question the suspect aboard an American warship using military interrogation techniques, then turn him over to the Justice Department for prosecution in a civilian court inside the United States. Mr. Trump campaigned on a promise to bring back waterboarding, a banned method previously used by C.I.A. interrogators, and allow unspecified practices he called a hell of a lot worse. The president-elect said in an interview last week that he had heard compelling arguments that torture was not effective, though it is not clear whether he intends to retreat from his position. If he moves ahead to fulfill his campaign pledge, it will not be easy. Federal law, international pressure and resistance from inside the C.I.A. stand in his way. Even if he overcomes those obstacles, the toll of Americas agonizing treatment of captives has left a legacy of harm that will make it harder for Trump administration lawyers to justify resuming use of the tactics. OTTAWA More than a quarter of women in the Canadian military have been sexually assaulted during their careers, according to a survey by the governments statistical agency. The survey, conducted by Statistics Canada and released on Monday, was commissioned by the armed forces and followed a scathing 2015 report that found that the culture of the military was hostile to women and L.G.T.B.Q. members and conducive to more serious incidents involving sexual harassment and assault. But only 23 percent of those who said they had been assaulted reported what had happened, most often to their military supervisor, according to Statistics Canada. Just 7 percent filed reports with the military police or the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. The fact that some wont report or havent reported or are concerned that their report wont be taken seriously is a huge concern for me, Gen. Jonathan Vance, the chief of the defense staff, said at a news conference on Monday. There will not be negative consequences. The negative consequences will be for all those who are perpetrators, not those who report. CAIRO An Egyptian soldier crawls across hot sand in his underwear while his comrades stand at attention. Other soldiers say they are subjected to almost constant verbal and physical abuse and ordered to run personal errands for their superiors. Those accusations and images, part of a documentary broadcast this week, would have been provocative enough on their own. But the program was broadcast by Al Jazeera, the television network owned by the Qatari government, and it has inflamed already tense relations between Qatar and Egypt. The film, titled The Soldiers, was also viewed nearly 450,000 times in its first 24 hours on YouTube. It features interviews with Egyptian soldiers detailing what they say are the inhumane conditions that conscripts are forced to work under, and it accuses the army of failing to train its troops properly and feeding them bad food. Within two hours of the documentarys release on Sunday, a spokesman for Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs was denouncing it on Egyptian television. NATAF, Israel When Ramas Kitchen, an earthy and much-loved restaurant in the small Israeli village of Nataf, was burned last week by one of the wildfires that raged in the area, the last civilians who stayed to fight the blaze were two Palestinian brothers from Qatana, a village nearby in the occupied West Bank. Now, the Israeli police are investigating the possibility that the fire may have been started by a firebomb thrown from Qatana over the Israeli security fence. Fanned by strong, dry winds from the east, the fire was soon rampaging through the wooded hills around Nataf. The flames have been mostly extinguished, but passions in Israel were still smoldering on Monday, mainly over indications that at least some of the fires resulted from politically motivated arson. A police spokesman said that 23 suspects were in detention in connection with the fires 18 Arab citizens of Israel and five Palestinians from the West Bank. Right-wing politicians in Israel have called for the government to demolish the homes of any convicted Palestinian pyro-terrorists and to strip any Arab-Israeli arsonists of their citizenship. But buttressed by Russian air power, Iranian expertise and recruits that include Iran-trained Iraqi and Afghan militias and fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the Assad government has reversed the tide, steadily regaining ground it lost earlier in the war. The Russian and Iranian intervention has completely changed the dynamic for Assad, said Robert S. Ford, a former American ambassador to Syria and now a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. Look at the fighting in Aleppo, he added. There are at least as many Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi-Iranian militia fighters as there are soldiers born in Syria, so the war of attrition that was going against Assad is no longer doing that because of Iranian manpower. But the darker side is what kind of country would be left. So Assad stays there and the Russians and Iranians prevail, but they govern over a half-dead corpse, and Syria is just this gaping wound that stretches as far as the eye can see, Mr. Ford said. Mr. Assad would also be beholden to his two sponsors, Russia and Iran, reviled by many of his own citizens in the Sunni-majority country and rejected by some of the main Sunni powers in the Middle East. That could mean he would face efforts from Iran to solidify its regional reach by expanding Shiite influence in Syria and demanding a role in conquered areas such as Aleppo, perhaps even assigning Iranian-backed Shiite militias there, some experts said. Still, he is ascendant now, in a limited fashion. The rebels lack consistent military aid particularly with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump expressing doubts about the current level of American support for them and they are divided among a bewildering array of groups, including Qaeda aspirants and Kurdish separatists. They have witnessed a decline not only in fighters but in community support, always a critical factor for guerrilla movements. When Russia entered the Syria conflict last year, President Obamas security team predicted that it would become trapped in a quagmire. Almost the opposite has happened: Russia now looks strong and, along with Iran, has given the Syrian government the resources it needed to make military headway. SANA, Yemen The Houthi movement and its allies formed a new government in Yemen on Monday, a surprise that angered their Saudi-backed rivals and complicated United Nations efforts to end a conflict that has ravaged the Arab worlds poorest country for much of the past two years. The announcement of the new government, reported by the Houthi-run state television and Saba news agency, said it was formed from all walks of the political spectrum who are anti-aggression. The reference was a swipe at the coalition led by Saudi Arabia that supports Yemens president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was driven into Saudi exile in 2014 after the Houthis routed him from Sana, the capital. The Houthis control a large portion of Yemen including Sana. The Saudi coalition has been bombarding Houthi positions in Yemen since March 2015 with thousands of airstrikes that have raised worldwide criticism over civilian deaths and destruction. Its the billionaire version of in for a penny, in for a pound: The Miami real estate developer Jorge M. Perez is announcing a large new gift to the institution that already bears his name. Mr. Perez is giving $10 million in cash and a collection of more than 200 works by Cuban artists valued at some $5 million to the Perez Art Museum Miami, including the painter Hernan Bas, the installation specialist Carlos Garaicoa and the conceptual collective Los Carpinteros. The cash comes with strings attached. The gift stipulates that $5 million will go to the museums endowment, $1 million toward Cuban art and $4 million to Latin-American art generally. I think if one place should have a strong Cuban collection, it should be Miami, said Mr. Perez, 67, who is of Cuban descent, although he was raised in Argentina and Colombia. In 2011, he gave $40 million in cash and art and helped finance the construction of the museums 2013 building, by the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, and its transformation from its former identity, the Miami Art Museum. There could not, on first glance or listen, be two artists more different than John Zorn and Agnes Martin. Mr. Zorn, 63, a longtime fixture of downtown Manhattan, is known for composing frenzied, explosive music, riots of psychotically bright colors. Martin who lived alone in the New Mexico desert for decades, died in 2004 at 92 and is currently the subject of a quietly majestic retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum made paintings of serene subtlety. Mr. Zorn stated the obvious question as he walked on Monday morning around the Guggenheims rotunda, where a series of his Martin-inspired works will be played on Thursday and Friday evenings. Crazy John Zorn and Agnes Martin, the spiritual, the saint, he said. Where does it connect? In fact, the connections go back to Mr. Zorns teenage years in New York, when he first encountered Martins painting Red Bird, with faint lines in colored pencil on a putty-toned background, at the Museum of Modern Art. I was completely hypnotized by it, he said. Long-delayed plans for the Metropolitan Opera to present a new opera by Osvaldo Golijov, a celebrated composer whose output has slowed in recent years, have fizzled. The opera house and the composer were circumspect about why the project, which was more than a decade in the making, had been called off. The Met said in a statement this week that it had parted ways with Mr. Golijov because of conflicting schedules but would not elaborate. Mr. Golijov declined a request for an interview; his publisher, Boosey & Hawkes, cited an unspecified difference in artistic vision for the demise of the project. Mr. Golijov, 55, has become known for missing deadlines. A violin concerto that he was supposed to write for Leonidas Kavakos in 2011 was not finished in time for planned performances in Los Angeles, Berlin, Philadelphia and London, and remains uncompleted. In a 2012 interview with The New York Times he acknowledged being late with commissions. Composers shouldnt be judged by being late, he said at the time, but by being good. Commissioning a new opera by Mr. Golijov, whose Pasion Segun San Marcos was a major success when it had its premiere in 2000, was one of the first initiatives Peter Gelb announced in 2006 as he prepared to become the Mets general manager. In Drunk History, Lin-Manuel Miranda presents a sloshed interpretation of the Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr duel. Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath explores what happened after Ms. Remini left the church. And Dolly Parton and Meryl Streep sing. Whats on TV DRUNK HISTORY 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central. Lin-Manuel Miranda takes a swig or three as he reimagines the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, with the help of Alia Shawkat and Aubrey Plaza. Elsewhere, Mr. Mirandas mockumentary Millennials: The Musical, which he created with Dwayne Johnson a star of Disneys Moana, for which Mr. Miranda contributed songs debuts on YouTube. THE VOICE 8 p.m. on NBC. Dolly Parton performs Jolene with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, and Pentatonix before singing the debut of her single Circle of Love with Jennifer Nettles and the Top 10 competitors. The growth of index funds has been phenomenal, but Mr. Cernich expects that actively managed mutual funds will try to distinguish themselves and their returns by taking more proactive stances with public companies. He has seen at least two such investment funds run proxy contests in the last year: Harvest Capital Strategies in California, which targeted Green Dot, and Neuberger Berman in New York, which aimed at Ultratech. This could be the way actively managed mutual funds convince the public that passive index funds are too passive. As active fund managers become more engaged, corporate governance is expanding, not evolving, he said. Increasingly shareholder activism is about the health of balance sheet and income statement. Shareholders are more confident in giving direction to public companies on their business. To be sure, shareholders are not always successful. He cited the four successive proxy contests at Cracker Barrel. The company resisted the onslaught from the activist investor Sardar Biglari and brought in a new executive team, but it took years for the stock to rebound and the value of the company to rise three to four times. In this situation, patience was crucial. Mr. Cernich supported Cracker Barrels boards fight with Mr. Biglari, but you had to put your faith in the evidence of their preparation, not a trendline of irrefutable results. Proxy contests are to be avoided. After the battle over DuPont in which eventually seemed to accede to everything the activists wanted there is just not the appetite to fight the shareholders. Instead, companies will settle, but increasingly, the mutual funds want to make sure that the settlement does not favor one party. As Mr. Cernich put it: The days when an activist could swoop in with a plan to leverage a company and pay a dividend to shareholders were over. Few of those activists funds survived, he noted. Mr. Cernich noted that hedge funds these days have become too evangelical in their attempts to convince everyone that their conviction is the right one, with the presentations growing into hundreds of densely detailed pages. Despite their bigger role, institutional shareholders are wondering how to express their newfound power. As Mr. Cernich put it, Vanguard is struggling to figure out what role they should take going forward, referring to Vanguards suggestion that boards create shareholder liaison committees. And State Street wants to put out a framework for settlement of proxy contests to ensure that shareholders are treated equally. Leaders of the labor-financed Fight for $15 campaign say they have improved the lives of millions of workers at the bottom of the nations pay scale, helping to raise the minimum wage in California, New York State and a host of cities. Now, four years into their crusade, the movements leaders are signaling a determination to expand their reach beyond the urban working poor, who were among the chief beneficiaries of their earlier efforts. Among their new targets: working-class Americans frustrated by an economy that is no longer producing the middle-class jobs they or their parents once held. Many of these workers voted for Donald J. Trump. A whole bunch of us out there are not doing well, Scott Courtney, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union and one of the chief architects of the Fight for $15 campaign, said in an interview last week. In red states, blue states; black, brown, white people are hurting, he said. Sixty-four million of them dont make $15 per hour. Is the battle to contain global warming now lost? With the election of Donald Trump, it certainly looked that way to many of the shellshocked diplomats gathered in Morocco earlier this month at the first climate summit following the breakthrough agreement in Paris last year to contain greenhouse gas emissions. During the campaign, the president-elect of the worlds second largest polluter claimed that climate change is a hoax, threatened to drop the Paris accord, committed to kill the Clean Power Plan at the center of President Obamas emissions reduction strategy, and promised a new dawn for the fossil fuel industry. Dont give up just yet. True, international diplomacy will become more difficult as China and India weigh their own energy policy commitments in the light of the possibility that the United States will walk away from its promises. But President Trumps climate policy or his lack of one could work out in surprising ways. Ted Nordhaus and Jessica Lovering, in a report published on Tuesday by the Breakthrough Institute, pointed out that real progress on reducing carbon in the atmosphere has been driven so far by specific domestic energy, industrial and innovation policies, not emissions targets and timetables or international agreements intended to legally constrain national emissions. Two days after Donald Trump was elected president, Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Facebook, sat onstage at a Ritz-Carlton outside San Francisco and spoke of his deep understanding of the feelings of American voters. He was appearing at Techonomys annual retreat, a meeting of thought leaders in the worlds of technology, government, academia and business, and he was responding to a common criticism the notion that Trumps unconventional path to victory had benefited from a detour through Facebook, where a filter bubble distorts the flow of information and fake news stories loom large. There is a certain profound lack of empathy, he said, in asserting that the only reason why someone could have voted the way they did is because they saw some fake news. If you believe that, then I dont think you have internalized the message that Trump supporters are trying to send in this election. When asked to articulate that message, he dodged the question. Empathy is one of Facebooks all-time favorite buzzwords. For years, Zuckerberg has hopped from conference to conference in a selection of muted hoodies and T-shirts, delivering variations on the same pitch. More people are using Facebook to share more stuff, he said in 2010. That means that if we want, theres more out there that we can go look at and research and understand whats going on with the people around us. And I just think that leads to broader empathy, understanding just a lot of good, core, human things that make society function better. If you think Facebook may have had a hand in tipping popular opinion toward Trump, Zuckerberg seemed to suggest at the Ritz, then something was wrong with you something that could be fixed by spending more time on Facebook. He is not the only one shopping empathy as a cure for what ails us. In recent months, the Inspired Life blog of The Washington Post suggested empathy for Trump voters. In a Times Op-Ed article, Glenn Beck wrote, Wouldnt we all benefit from trying to empathize with people we disagree with? It all feels like a bit of a throwback: Just as many of our modern, scientific mechanisms for gauging the national mood things like public-opinion polling and data journalism failed to predict Trumps victory, there has been a call for Americans to reach out and touch one another more directly. But there is a curiously strategic underpinning to these calls for empathy, too. Empathy, after all, is not sympathy. Sympathy encourages a close affinity with other people: You feel their pain. Empathy suggests something more technical a dispassionate approach to understanding the emotions of others. And these days, it often seems to mean understanding their pain just enough to get something out of it to manipulate political, technological and consumerist outcomes in our own favor. In a brutal war of attrition, the winning side is not the one that inflicts the most pain but the one that endures the most suffering. That concept is forcefully reiterated in Brendan J. Byrnes documentary Bobby Sands: 66 Days, a stirring but impersonal political biography of Sands, a martyr to the Irish Republican Army cause who, demanding better treatment of I.R.A. inmates, refused food for 66 days and died in prison on May 5, 1981. He was 27. The outrage and grief that his sacrifice engendered led the British government to accept most of the demands of Sands and his fellow inmates (they wanted to be recognized as political prisoners instead of common criminals) and helped galvanize violent resistance against British rule. He was the first of 10 hunger strikers to perish at the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. Versions of his story have been told in fiction features like Terry Georges Some Mothers Son (1996) and Steve McQueens Hunger (2009), in which he was portrayed by Michael Fassbender. But 66 Days is the first full-length documentary about Sands. Moonlight, Barry Jenkinss celebrated, intimate portrait of a gay youngster growing up in a drug-ridden Miami neighborhood, rode into the awards season on a wave of momentum Monday night, scooping up four Gotham Awards, including best feature. Its a tough film, with a bit of hope in it, Mr. Jenkins told the Bagger as celebrators and journalists swirled around him, offering hugs and congratulations after the show. I love that people come out of it with a sense of hope. Whatever we did, its getting into people, and they see themselves in it. Held at Cipriani Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, the star-studded Gothams attendees included Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Janelle Monae and a delightfully potty-mouthed Danny DeVito signal the beginning of the movie awards season. The prizes for Moonlight it also won best screenplay, best ensemble and the audience award firm up early forecasts that it would be a strong player in the awards race this year. Though the Gothams are not necessarily predictive of the Oscars, its winners for best feature from the previous two years, Birdman and Spotlight, went on to receive the Academy Award for best picture. Old Stone, a tough, bitter serving of straight-up naturalism, opens on a street and closes at the edge of the abyss. Between start and finish, it follows the nightmarish ordeals of a Chinese taxi driver, Lao Shi (Chen Gang), who struggles to do the right thing after hitting a motorcyclist. His first mistake is reporting the accident; his second is trying to help the bleeding victim instead of splitting. No good deed goes unpunished in this vision of contemporary China, a dog-eat-dog world in which the strong dont just consume the weak, they also suck the marrow out of every last bone. The Chinese-Canadian director Johnny Ma, making his featured debut, ably sets the dire scene and agitated mood right from the get-go. Even with some needless narrative zigzagging, the kind thats turned into an art-film tic, Old Stone runs a fast, austere 80 minutes, which doesnt give you much time or space to worry about Lao Shi or reflect on Chinas sociopolitical reality. For the most part, Mr. Ma just pulls you along, keeping you close to Lao Shi with focused storytelling and agitated camerawork, creating a sense of intimacy that can border on the claustrophobic. Youre at first a bystander and, over time, an occasional, reluctant companion. Shortly after the movie opens, Mr. Ma gets down to business on a jammed street scene bordering on the chaotic. A motorcyclist is on the ground bleeding, surrounded by a shouting, surging crowd that as accusations ring out and fingers thrust and point appears on the verge of becoming a mob. Lao Shi is the man apart, both visually and existentially: After calling in the accident to the police, he feverishly tries to decide what to do next as the crowd pushes around him and the fallen man. He ends up driving the motorcyclist to the hospital, whereupon hes hit with one bill after another. Lao Shis decency rapidly undoes him. Hes the victimizer (he did plow into the motorcyclist, though extenuating circumstances materialize), but he soon becomes the accidents other victim. The police abuse him, as do the taxi company and the insurance company. The hospital makes him pay and pay again, as does the victims remote (emotionally, geographically) family. His wife, Mao Mao (Nai An), who runs a day care center out of their apartment shes preoccupied with opening a bigger business grows to resent him. About the only place Lao Shi finds peace is in the hospital room where the comatose motorcyclist is bleeding him dry, one mechanically assisted breath at a time. Much of Kevai Joness life has been spent in the Bronx, where she was raised by a single father and with the heavy guidance of her grandmother. Yet, Ms. Jones yearns for a life down South, after getting a brief taste of it twice. She spent her freshman year of high school with her godmother in Loganville, Ga. During 11th grade, Ms. Jones attended school in North Carolina, where she lived with an aunt. Schools down there are better, Ms. Jones, 19, said. I went to school every day, sick, tired, whatever. While she was in North Carolina, her father, Kevin Jones, was hospitalized as a result of complications from multiple sclerosis. He was unable to continue to help cover his daughters living expenses, forcing Ms. Jones to return to New York and to a school system she described as challenging and full of unengaged teachers. In 2015, Kathleen Elvin, who had been tasked with revitalizing John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, and who in 2013-14 gave nearly a fifth of the teachers the lowest possible rating, was removed after an investigation found that students had received credit for makeup courses in which they completed packets of work but received no instruction, in violation of department policy. This year, an arbitrator dismissed all the charges against Ms. Elvin, saying that the department itself had ruled in an audit that the courses met its guidelines. Michael Wiltshire was brought in to run Boys and Girls High School in 2014, while also overseeing the high-performing school he had long run, Medgar Evers College Preparatory School; both schools are in Brooklyn. After battles with staff members and alumni, and several investigations by the Education Department, he went back in June to running only Medgar Evers. Around the same time, Caterina Lafergola, the principal of Automotive High School in Brooklyn, left that school to become the principal of a high school on Long Island. Ms. Lafergola said this summer that she left because she no longer enjoyed her job, in part because of a steady stream of accusations directed against her by staff members. The investigation of Mr. Taveras, conducted by Richard J. Condon, the special commissioner of investigation for New York City schools, had three major findings. The first was that Mr. Taveras had changed certain courses on students transcripts from required credits to elective credits in cases where administrators had mistakenly enrolled the students in the same course twice. The report cited Mr. Taveras as saying that he did not want the students to be punished for those mistakes. Second, it found that Mr. Taveras had in four cases changed students grades, from failing to passing, in violation of department policies. In one case, the student said she had a medical condition that had forced her to miss many days of school. She said that her global history teacher had agreed that if she completed a supplemental work packet and passed the Regents exam, she would get a passing grade. The girl did the work and passed the exam, but the teacher gave her a grade of No Show. The girl spoke to Mr. Taveras about it over the summer. He emailed the teacher, but did not hear back from her and changed the grade himself. Lastly, the investigation found that Mr. Taveras had told an assistant principal that he was going to give him a poor rating and recommend that he be terminated unless he found a job somewhere else. Mr. Taveras did give him a low rating. Then, after the assistant principal found a job at another school, he changed it. To the Editor: Re When Doctors First Do Harm (Op-Ed, Nov. 23): M. Gregg Bloche quotes memos from the Central Intelligence Agencys Office of Medical Services that made clear what was expected of its doctors at clandestine interrogation sites: to flout medical ethics by deceiving and brutalizing detainees and generally collaborating in abuse that included designing a waterboarding method more extreme than the one condoned by lawyers in the George W. Bush administration. That is, engineering and participating in torture was expected behavior for C.I.A. doctors. There was thus created what can be called a malignant normality in a subculture of torturers. For me this is reminiscent of Nazi doctors, whose more vast and systematic participation in torture and murder I studied some decades ago. The doctors in charge of the gas chambers in Auschwitz had not killed anyone before their assignment to that death camp. They, too, had been socialized to a subculture of killing in what was also a manifestation of the normalization of evil. President-elect Donald Trump has advocated waterboarding and other forms of torture, but you report (front page, Nov. 29) that if he seeks to resume it, he would meet with resistance from within the C.I.A., and especially from its medical professionals. So far, some kind of standard Republicanism looks more likely. Trump doesnt seem to enjoy policy detail and may defer to Congress. His tax plan is classic trickle-down economics, with a modest middle-class tax cut that would probably lift growth temporarily. His early appointments are mixed, variously nodding to the party establishment, wealthy businesspeople and white nationalists. They offer little indication of a conservative, working-class agenda to match his rhetoric. Yet there are still two reasons to wonder if he will take steps away from traditional Republican economics. First, not only has he suggested he would, but some of his advisers, like Stephen Moore, have said so explicitly. Moore recently told congressional Republicans that, as The Hill phrased it, they should no longer think of themselves as belonging to the conservative party of Ronald Reagan, but instead to Trumps populist working-class party. That party, Moore explained, would need new positions on trade, immigration and infrastructure. The second reason is that the outlines of a conservative, working-class agenda do exist, scattered among think tanks and publications. Im skeptical that these ideas would do more good than, say, the Obama economic proposals that Congress has refused to pass. But the reformist conservative agenda is a vastly more serious attempt to address working-class stagnation than another trickle-down tax cut. Reihan Salam of National Review has called for sharply reducing low-skilled legal immigration (and increasing high-skilled immigration) to reduce the competition for working-class jobs. Avik Roy, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, advocates an overhaul of Obamacare that doesnt require throwing millions of people off of health insurance. Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute is full of ideas to encourage work: less occupational licensing, a lower payroll tax, more apprenticeships, a disability system that no longer incentivizes idleness. These proposals try to use a market-based philosophy to help working-class families which is quite different from the recent Republican emphasis on comforting the comfortable. Presidents may not be able to directly control the economys growth rate, but they do have enormous influence on which groups benefit most from government policy. News organizations like my own publication make these judgments a million times a day. And we sometimes get them wrong. But we are checked by the power of our competitors and, for news organizations with a subscription business, by readers who stop paying us if we fail them. To be sure, this business model is under great stress as people lose trust in news organizations. But I dont believe the solution is to give up on it, particularly if the alternative is to cede the power of authentication to companies like Facebook. Im not comfortable trusting the truth to one gatekeeper that has a mission and a fiduciary duty to increase advertising revenue, especially when revenue is tied more to engagement than information. Facebook continues to consider, for example, how it can win approval to enter the Chinese market, including by censoring content. For the company, business can come before truth. No matter how many editors Facebook hired, it would be unable to monitor the volume of information that flows through its site, and it would be similarly impossible for readers to verify what was checked. The minute Facebook accepts responsibility for ferreting out misinformation, users will start believing that it is fact-checking everything on the site. And what about more private content in groups or messages? For that to be fact-checked, Facebook users would have to trade their privacy (as an analogy, imagine AT&T fact-checking phone calls). That isnt a position I think Facebook would ever want to be in. The second reason I am fearful of Facebook as fact checker is what it will do to journalism. If you dont believe that Facebooks policies could sway the news industry, you havent been paying attention over the past five years. Publications have been suckered into tweaking their content and their business models to try to live off the traffic Facebook sends them. Theyve favored Facebook clicks over their core readers, and are no closer to addressing plummeting print revenues. What would happen if the distribution of their articles on Facebook was tied to submitting data about their sources or conforming to some site-endorsed standards about what constitutes a trustworthy news source? My fellow reporters and editors will argue that I am letting Facebook off too easy. While my husband did work there for a brief period, my position isnt a defense of the company, which I have covered critically for years. I simply dont trust Facebook, or any one company, with the responsibility for determining what is true. OPENING CREDIT A film by Amy Nicholson FADE IN Tom & Debbie Nicholson on a couch in their home. (Debbie) I miss Pickle. (Tom) Yeah, I guess I miss him but, you know, its like do you miss a toothache, you know? I mean you know. (Debbie, laughing) Yeah, well, Pickle was interesting. (Tom) He was interesting, but after a while, I mean how ... how interesting can a fish be that lives standing up in a sponge because he cant swim? (Debbie Laughs) Long shot of chickens coming out of hen house. MAIN TITLE Pickle Factory chickens being loaded onto truck. Tom Nicholson (VO) The first animal that Debbie brought home was a Purdue chicken that had fallen off a truck. Tabletop shot of raw chicken in package. And she stopped and picked it up. Chicken truck driving away. It ate everything in sight, it grew bigger and bigger and bigger, Tom Nicholson on couch at home. until that chicken was the size of a large turkey. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. And I tried to put her on a diet, and she ... she would just eat anything. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. It ate plastic, it ate corn, it ate ... one time a rat got in the pen; it killed the rat because it didnt ... it was afraid it was gonna eat its food. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. She laid one egg, and then she died of a heart attack because she was so obese. INSERT: Amateur photo of duck and chicken. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. And then I got another rescue chicken, but the same thing; he just got so fat and he had a heart attack and died. Animation of ambulance and paramedic chickens attempting to resuscitate chicken. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. So then I decided that I was gonna raise chickens. Debbie Nicholson driving in car with chicken. INSERT: Amateur wedding Photo of Tom & Debbie Nicholson in 1991. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Debbie and I got married in 1991. And at the time, only pet I had was a Newfoundland dog, Reggie. INSERT: Amateur photo of Tom with Newfoundland. He weighed 170 pounds. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. And he had that dog for 16 years, and, uh, the dog would have lived longer, but a pack of wild dogs came on the farm and he had a heart attack and died. Footage of farm marsh in the rain. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Debbie had two Siamese cats, Tiny and Sam, for Samantha. INSERT: Amateur photo of Siamese cats. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. (Giggles) Sam was never a real healthy cat. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. It had the meanest, nastiest disposition. And it couldnt retract its claws. INSERT: Amateur photo of Siamese cat. It was emaciated; it kept throwing up its food, cross-eyed, fangs that stuck out. And it whined all the time. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Meow-w-w. (Giggles) Tom Nicholson (VO) Which really made it a fun cat to be around. INSERT: Amateur photo of Siamese cats. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. There was one point where Sam was really, really sick and I thought that that was the end. And I called the vet up, and I was crying, and I said: Sam needs to be put down. TITLE (Sam was already 18 years old) INSERT: Amateur photo of Debbie with Siamese cat. And sure enough, she recovered. So she lived another five years! Animation of aging Siamese cat in rocking chair. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. We\u2019ve had a number of ... of different fowl. In addition to the mockingbird ... INSERT: Amateur photo of mockingbird. ... we\u2019ve had three starlings, numerous chickens. I dont know how many chickens. Footage of chickens in pen. INSERT: Amateur photo of ducks in bathtub. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Well, we had ducks at one time, too. We had about a dozen ducks. And then it got to be less and less and less. Animation of fox dining on duck carcasses. Tom Nicholson (VO) One at a time, the fox would get the ducks. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Until we ended up with one duck. Footage of chickens in hen house; chicken sitting on eggs. We had the duck in with the chickens. Well, the duck thought that those chicken eggs were hers, and she sat on them and hatched them out, and s- ... she thought that they were her babies. She loved those little chickens. But then the black snake came and ate the little chickens. Animation of black snake eating chicks off duck\u2019s back. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Yeah. It was sad. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Oh, I forgot about the geese. Tom and Debbie walking down path on their farm. Tom Nicholson (VO) I always wanted a pair of geese that looked like the goose in the Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Tabletop shot of Mother Goose book. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. This big, plump goose. Tom and Debbie walking down path on their farm. Tom Nicholson (VO) We searched for months til we finally found a pair that was for sale, and we bought em. INSERT: Amateur photo of Debbie with geese in pen. Debbie Nicholson (VO) And then these other two geese showed up. So we had four geese at one time. Tom & Debbie arrive in clearing; dig hole. Tom Nicholson (VO) And unfortunately, an otter got that first pair. Animation of otter eating goose carcasses. Downy box next Tom & Debbie in clearing; Tom digging; Debbie watching. Debbie Nicholson (VO) So we ended up with a pair of geese, and just recently the boy goose lost the ability to make the oil that gives them the water repellant. He went down into the pond and he went swimming, but then he couldnt get out. Goose pond. And he ended up drowning. Animation of goose drowning being nibbled by fish. So now we\u2019re down to one goose. Tom placing box in hole; Debbie sprinkling corn on box. Trumpet player steps in to scene to play taps. Goose in pen; Tom covers box; Tom and Debbie walk back down path. Goose in pen; wild geese in sky. Tom trims giant goose topiary in yard (Cha Cha music under.) Tom and Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. (Tom) We got Squeaky and .. (Debbie) Peanut. (Tom) \u2026 Peanut, and another cat ... (Debbie) Butterscotch. (Tom) ... Butterscotch, yeah. All at once. Butterscotch died. Squeaky had somethin wrong with it. Animation of small black cat. (Debbie) She had a kink in her neck. (Tom) Oh that\u2019s right. (Debbie) Her head was tilted. (Tom) That\u2019s right. Squeaky got carried off by the owl. Animation of owl carrying off small black cat. Tom and Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. (Debbie) Right. (Tom) In the middle of the night. (Debbie) Yeah. (Tom) We found her the next day in the neighbor\u2019s yard about a mile away. Dead End sign along road with neighbor\u2019s house in background. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Sometimes theres a tragic death. INSERT: Amateur photo of quail in pen. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. We never talk about the quails. We had one quail in particular; his name was Mr. Bean. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. And this little quail, just a little ball of fur, kept jumpin all around, like a jumping bean. Animation of jumping quail. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. I ... I loved Mr. Bean. Well, one day a red-tail hawk swooped down and took Mr. Bean. Animation of hawk eating quail; burping. Well, one day a red-tail hawk swooped down and took Mr. Bean. So that was the end of Mr. Bean. Pavarotti, the little rooster \u2026 Animation of singing rooster - hawk flies in and eats rooster. When the hawk took him, that was hard to take. Animation of singing hawk. Tom Nicholson opening door to barn workshop; closes door. Tom Nicholson (VO) The animal I miss the most is ... its a tossup between Pogo and Peanut. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Peanut had a lot of the characteristics that Tom has. When you give him a treat, he didnt eat all of the treat. Tom carving wooden headstone. And Tom is like that; he always leaves a little something on his plate. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Every so often, he would bring me a mouse without its head. Tom carving wooden headstone. And the first time I took him to the vet, the vet said: You better listen to this cat\u2019s heart, and the cat sounded like ... (SLURPING NOISE) Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. And the vet told us that he wasn\u2019t gonna live any more than six months. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. We wanted to make sure Peanut was comfortable, so I built a condominium for Peanut so that he could scratch and he could climb and ... and put it all in the shed. Shot of cat condominium; outside of shed; woodstove fire being stoked. I had a old wood stove, uh, and I put that in there so Peanut wouldnt get too cold. He had a bed with a down comforter in it. INSERT: Amateur photo of tabby cat on bed. Tom sweeping shavings off headstone. Peanut finally died 13 years later. We found him one morning in the driveway. He had been hunting all night and ... Outline of dead cat in driveway. well, not all night, cause sometime during the night, he expired. Tom at gravesite leaning over headstone. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. This is Ginger, and Ive had Ginger in the hospital now probably for about a year. Debbie lifting Ginger out of cage in house. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Which is a pen in the house, of course. Animation of chicken with bad leg and cane. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Ginger developed bumblefoot. Its a very serious staph infection, and I hate to think about it Debbie entering house with Barney (dog). but I think maybe either Ginger or Barney might be the next to go. Barney\u2019s not in the best health. Debbie entering elevator with Barney. Tom Nicholson (VO). In fact, Barney\u2019s gotten so that he cant see 20 feet. Debbie shutting elevator door on Barney\u2019s nose; riding in elevator; exiting elevator. Debbie Nicholson (VO). And Ginger never completely recovered from that foot problem. Uh, it ... its weakened her. INSERT: Amateur photo of chicken on kitchen counter with bandage on leg. TITLE Ginger had amputation surgery and passed away 3 months after filming. Shot of marsh at sunset. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Theres a joke that possums are born dead on the side a the road, because thats the only place you ever see em. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. We rescued a possum, and that was Pogo. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. The possum had all kinds of bugs on him and he was tore all up, and he was ... INSERT: Amateur photo of sick possum in box. oh, he was a mess. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. And we fell in love with him. INSERT: Amateur photo of paraplegic possum in pen. Tom Nicholson (VO) His two back legs had both pulled out of the socket, so he was never, ever gonna walk again. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. Pogo was a paraplegic possum (Laughs). Tabletop shot of possum skateboard. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. I made him a little skateboard that he laid on, and it held him up about as high as a possum is off the ground in the wild. Animation of possum in wheelchair bumping into furniture. Debbie Nicholson (VO) And he used to wheel all over, because we have hardwood floors. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. The only problem was I found when he got to the edge of a carpet, INSERT: Amateur photos of possum on skateboard in house. the wheels would kind a bump, and he\u2019d slide off the front of it, so I made a little seatbelt to hold him on there. Tabletop shot of stuffed possum being strapped onto skateboard. Debbie Nicholson (VO). Every night, he got watermelon. INSERT: Amateur photo of possum with watermelon. Tom Nicholson (VO). He wanted berry blast for yogurt. Shots of Tom scrambling eggs in kitchen at home. Debbie Nicholson (VO). Gruyere cheese. Tom Nicholson (VO). Scrambled eggs and butter. But he wasn\u2019t supposed to have scrambled eggs and butter; youre not supposed to feed that to possums. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Some nights Id give him a full shampoo and, y\u2019know, dry him and blow-dry him; but not every night. Tom at water\u2019s edge pulling boat into dock. I\u2019m not sure I would have attempted to save Pogo, but once he was saved, he certainly did enjoy life. Tom pushes boat off dock. Montage of Tom driving boat on water, fishing. Tom Nicholson (VO). Debbie found this deformed fish. We were raising fish. And if it would a been me, Id a thrown it in the trash. Debbie Nicholson (VO). He was a friendly fish. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. At any rate, we kept this fish, called him \u2018Pickle\u2019 because he had ... he was in a real pickle. Montage of Tom driving fishing boat on water. Tom Nicholson (VO). The fish had a condition called \u2018stumpbody.\u2019 Its where the head forms normally and the tail forms normally, but the body doesnt form at all. So he couldnt stay upright. Kept fallin over and sinking to the bottom and laying there. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Well, we couldnt have that. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. So Tom made a little foam enclosure for him, Tabletop shot of foam with wooden fish demonstration. and we used to slide him in there and he would stay there all day long. Tom Nicholson on couch at home. And we would drop food down right in front of him so he could get it. Shots of Tom on water driving fishing boat. And thats how Pickle spent his whole existence. Debbie Nicholson (VO). And we had him for six years, but the aquarium heater malfunctioned. Animation of hair dryer electrocuting fish in sponge. Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. And it burned him up. (Laughs) Tom Nicholson on couch at home. Poor old Pickle died of electrocution, I\u2019m afraid. Long shot of gulls feeding in bay. We didnt bury him. We took him down to the riverside, and threw him in. And I guess the crabs ate him. Tom Nicholson (VO). People think about animals as livin forever, but most animals don\u2019t live very long. I think that anything, when it dies, just dies and thats it, you know. Tom and Debbie Nicholson on couch at home. (Debbie) I don\u2019t. I believe its one huge ball of energy. And I think that all living things go back there. Interior shot of aquarium. END CREDITS Directed by Amy Nicholson Editor John Young Cinematographer Jerry Risius Composers Joel Shelton & Tim Schadt Sound Recording Jose\u00b4 Araujo Sound Design Weston Fonger Animation The Brothers McLeod Animation Sound Design Tom Angell Color Correction Josh Bohoskey Thank You Bruce Amdur Marlene Bartos Tim Case Ashima Dayal Lance Doty Heather Fullerton Liz Hurd Matthew Turke Executive Producer Kathleen Lingo Coordinating Producer Lindsay Crouse Supervising Editor Andrew Blackwell Copyright 2015 Myrtle & Olive To return now to the failed approach of the past would be worse than counterproductive. All you have to do is travel the half-hour from Jose Marti International Airport to central Havana to see the propaganda billboards that blame the embargo for all the shortages and hardships suffered by the Cuban people. The trade ban is undeniably the most effective prop the Castro regime has to avoid taking responsibility for every ill in Cuba. I grew up witnessing the profound pain of all that my family lost when we came to this country. I watched my mother, Adela, struggle to create a future for her 10 children in a new country. And I grew up lamenting the loss of a life I never knew, a culture and identity that we, her children, were cut off from. So I understand, too well, the arguments of political leaders like Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz against normalizing relations with Cuba. They and other politicians aligned with influential hard-line Cuban-Americans argue that while the Cuban government continues to violate human rights, suppressing free speech, unrestricted travel and economic opportunities for its people, the United States should maintain pressure on the regime by upholding the trade embargo. Recently, however, and for the first time after historically casting no votes, the United States simply abstained from a vote at the United Nations to lift it. A door has been cracked open. To push it completely open requires the courage to reassess our true intentions and how best to achieve them. The possibility now exists for artistic collaboration and cultural exchange. To be sure, human rights abuses do continue in Cuba, most notably in the constraint of freedom of expression. Though Cubans are freer to travel outside the country, the state still restricts unfettered travel, even within the island. And while the Castro regime defends its stumbling economic reforms, opportunities for its citizens are limited to about 200 sanctioned nonstate jobs, which include, somewhat surreally, the profession of clowning. But when one strategy fails, it is only logical and human to explore another. Both the Cuban exile community and Cubans on the island are hungry for change, but part of that change must be to rethink our demands of past decades. One issue we must revisit is the idea of reparations for families like mine that fled or were driven into exile. In Cuba, generations of families have made their homes in the houses nationalized by the revolutionary government when Cuban citizens fled the country. For many born since the revolution, those are the only homes they have ever known. Meanwhile, Cuban-Americans of my generation have been the beneficiaries of the American dream; generally, we have achieved a much higher quality of life than our counterparts on the island. Throughout the campaign, there was dissent even within the ranks of evangelicalisms most conservative institutions. While the old guard, like the Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, were ardent Trump supporters, the best-selling evangelical author Max Lucado and the Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore were both early critics. At Liberty University, the largest evangelical college in the country, thousands of students signed a petition denouncing the support of its president, Jerry Falwell Jr., for Mr. Trump and insisting that they were more interested in being Christian than in being Republican. Andy Crouch, the executive editor of Christianity Today, criticized both candidates, writing that enthusiasm for Mr. Trump gives our neighbors ample reason to doubt that we believe Jesus is Lord. He added, They see that some of us are so self-interested, and so self-protective, that we will ally ourselves with someone who violates all that is sacred to us. As white male evangelists, we have no problem admitting that the future does not lie with us. It lies with groups like the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, led by Gabriel Salguero, or the Moral Monday movement, led by William Barber II, who has challenged the news media on its narrow portrayal of evangelicals. For decades, we have worked within evangelicalism to lift up the voices of these other evangelicals. But we cannot continue to allow sisters and brothers who are leading Gods movement to be considered other. We are not confident that evangelicalism is a community in which younger, nonwhite voices can flourish. And we are not willing to let our faith be the collateral damage of evangelicalism. We want to be clear: We are not suggesting a new kind of Christianity that simply backs the Democratic Party. Jesus is neither a Democrat nor a Republican even if, as William Sloane Coffin Jr. once said, his heart leans left. Many faithful Christians did not vote for Hillary Clinton because of their commitment to a consistent pro-life agenda. True faith can never pledge allegiance to anything less than Jesus. As Cubans continued either to mourn or to celebrate the death of Fidel Castro, President-elect Donald Trump issued a vague ultimatum to the Cuban government on Monday. If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal, Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter. While Cuba is hardly the most pressing foreign policy challenge Mr. Trump will inherit in January, he is facing calls to roll back the Obama administrations policy of engagement, a move that would be extremely shortsighted. President Obamas opening with Havana in 2014 hasnt been an instant catalyst of democracy, freedom and prosperity. But it has helped establish conditions for ordinary Cubans to have greater autonomy in a society long run as a police state. It has also enabled Cuban-Americans to play a larger role in shaping the nations future, primarily by providing capital for the islands nascent private sector. While the Cuban government and the Obama White House continue to have profound disagreements on issues such as human rights, the two governments have established a robust bilateral agenda that includes cooperation on environmental policy, maritime issues, migration, organized crime and responses to pandemics. These hard-won diplomatic achievements have benefited both sides. As a businessman, Mr. Trump explored the possibility of investing in Cuba during the 1990s, in violation of the trade embargo. As a presidential candidate, he spoke approvingly of engaging with Cuba, before taking a more hard-line position during the final days of the race in the pursuit of Cuban-American votes in Florida. $13 MILLION 771 Ninth Avenue (between 51st and 52nd Streets) and 406 West 52nd Street (between Ninth and 10th Avenues) Manhattan These two vacant buildings in Hells Kitchen, joined in the rear, offer frontage on Ninth Avenue and West 52nd Street. No. 406 was designed in the Queen Anne style in 1888 by C. Abbott French & Company. It has five apartments and a ground-floor retail space. No. 771 has a two-floor retail space. The buildings offer 8,530 square feet in air rights. Owner: Nelst Realty Company Brokers: Joe Koicim, Peter Von Der Ahe, David Lloyd and Logan Markley, Marcus & Millichap Lapo Elkann, an Italian fashion designer and scion of one of Italys largest industrial dynasties, was arrested in Manhattan on Sunday on suspicion of making a false police report. Shares in Italia Independent, a design company specializing in high-end eyewear and other lifestyle items, which Mr. Elkann co-founded in 2007, fell sharply after news of the arrest emerged. The shares are traded on Milans secondary stock exchange. Mr. Elkann, 39, was arrested on Sunday morning after police officers were called to a public housing complex on East 28th Street, in the Kips Bay neighborhood. Mr. Elkann, who was with a 29-year-old man, told the police that he had been unlawfully imprisoned, the police said. But officers subsequently determined that his story was not true, and Mr. Elkann was arrested, the authorities said. Zika fears and the postelection comedown couldnt stop the annual pilgrimage to Art Basel Miami Beach. As they say in the business, the show must go on; and in fact, that seems to be the predominant theme for this years Miami art week. The most dedicated attendees exhibitors began touching down on Sunday for the weeklong gauntlet, which runs through Dec. 4. Those collectors and visitors who scheduled early enough flights got the chance to see Tide by Side, a confetti-fueled parade featuring local dancers, musicians and performers who inaugurated Faena District Miami Beach, the citys new, billion-dollar art and residential complex, on Sunday afternoon. The fanfare continued on Monday night when Faenas ringleader, the Argentine developer Alan Faena, opened the doors of the Faena Forum, a 50,000-square-foot performance space designed by OMA/Rem Koolhaas and Shohei Shigematsu, to a crowd of V.I.P.s eager for a glimpse of its interior. On Tuesday, the events begin ramping up. During the day, eager shoppers are splitting their time between the previews for Untitled and Design Miami, while others are headed to the de la Cruz Collection and the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse to see the blue-chip holdings of Miamis top collecting families. The real surprise came from the Rubell Family Collection, which announced it will be moving to a new Selldorf Architects-designed space in Miamis Allapattah neighborhood. The new museum is slated to open in December 2018. On Tuesday night, guests will flow toward Miamis Design District for a night of cocktails hosted by fashion boutiques like Maison Margiela and Dior. Piggybacking off their successful collaboration last year, Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch will once again take over the Moore Building with a group show named Desire curated by Diana Widmaier Picasso, the granddaughter of the late art icon. The sequence continues with the opening of Art Basel Miami Beach tomorrow, with V.I.P.s vying for earlier time slots. (Wednesday at 11 a.m. is the art worlds equivalent of Black Friday.) The week isnt just a prolonged bout of deja vu. Wednesday night will provide a platform for young art. The stylist David Casavant and artist friends like Eric Mack and Stewart Uoo will launch a new zine celebrating his substantial archive at MRKT Avenue Deux, a luxury concept boutique. Concurrently, Artsy will unveil a trio of new works by digitally minded artists like Jon Rafman, Jacolby Satterwhite and Rachel Rossin under the new Faena art dome allowing guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a virtual realm. With his increasingly expansive vision came a change in residence as well, in June, to Manhattan. Instead of opting for one of the many amenity-rich new developments, Alhadeff and his partner, Jason Duzansky, who is the art director at the studio of the photographer Steven Meisel, gut-renovated a 1,300-square foot co-op on the Lower East Side. The architecturally undistinguished complex was built in the 1950s, financed partly by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, as a middle-class cooperative, and although its now spruced up, like much of Lower Manhattan, the buildings are still home to plenty of original tenants, now elderly, whose design ethos is more bric-a-brac than Bauhaus. As always, says Alhadeff, its about the mix. Gone are the pink walls of Williamsburg, replaced by various shades of green, some silvery, some mossy and deep. There are vintage pieces he bought at auction, including Pierre Cardin suede sling chairs at the dining table and a Chinese Deco rug, but many of the objects in his home track the Future Perfects evolution, and thus both the birth of Brooklyn style and the history of how America came to be taken seriously in 21st-century high design. He still has the I Was There table and Matt Gagnons 2005 acrylic lamp made from hardboard. Above a sofa hangs the limited-edition Meissen baboon mask that once held a place of honor near the giant exposed fuse box in his Williamsburg living room. In the entryway, an iconic Cherry Bomb chandelier by Lindsey Adelman (still among his closest friends) illuminates a black-stained timber Rooms console from a recent collection. It is placed against a stretch of vividly impressionistic wall covering from Dimore. Alhadeff may have left Brooklyn as it outgrew its bohemian ethos, but you can never quite squeeze the borough out of the boy, it seems. In addition to finding a Manhattan apartment as close to Brooklyn as you can get without actually living there right on the East River, with 180-degree views from the wraparound terrace he cant quite let go of the Williamsburg loft. There it sits, largely unoccupied, a bubblegum-hued monument to a bygone era. I just like to know its there, he says. Its cheap, remember, like Brooklyn was. And so much happened there. Just thinking of all that makes me happy. Florida is upping its chic quotient with the importing of two New York City institutions. Sant Ambroeus, the Italian restaurant that has outposts on the Upper East Side as well as in SoHo, the West Village and Southampton, has arrived in Palm Beach with executive chef Marco Barbisotti in tow. Hell cook up menu mainstays such as veal in a tuna and caper sauce and saffron-flavored risotto, while also taking advantage of the towns proximity to the sea. Meanwhile, the team behind the Smile has joined forces with the night-life impresario David Grutman and Design Miamis Craig Robins to open OTL in the booming Design District. Sleeker than the Smiles rustic Manhattan locations, its a sprawling two-story restaurant and cafe that will host events and showcase local designers for those, Robins says, who want a bit of culture with their coffee. It has not been a banner month for Facebooks moral compass. First, the company faced blunt accusations that it turned a blind eye to fake news being shared on its service. It didnt help that Mark Zuckerberg, Facebooks chief executive, infuriated critics when he publicly doubted that fake news had much effect on the recent presidential election. A few days later, Mr. Zuckerberg, sounding a bit chastened, wrote a post saying the company was looking into ways to deal with the problem. Then The Timess Mike Isaac reported that Facebook, long shut out of China because of the countrys strict publishing restrictions, was working on a tool that would help the Chinese authorities censor posts. Image While all that has been going on, the company has also been scrapping with the German authorities over hate speech. Local Jewish institutions and Israeli-owned businesses were included in a map published to Facebook under the banner Jews Among Us, in bright yellow Gothic script. LUXEMBOURG Uber asserted on Tuesday that it was helping to bolster Europes digital economy as part of its defense in a long-awaited hearing to decide how the popular ride-hailing service should be able to operate across the region. The case at the European Court of Justice comes as the American company continues to push aggressively into overseas markets, often butting heads with local lawmakers and taxi associations that say the company flouts transportation and competition rules. Uber has expanded into more than 300 cities across six continents and has an estimated value of $68 billion. Europes legal challenge represents a direct attack on how Uber operates in the region, one of its most important markets. It also raises questions about the companys growth plans as it looks to expand beyond ride-hailing to food delivery and other online services. In its defense at the hearing, the company framed itself as a new player in Europes often lackluster digital economy, offering users and drivers new ways to connect and helping to support cities existing transportation networks. If you think that traveling by train isnt your idea of a fun vacation, think again, says Eleanor Flagler Hardy, the president of the Society of International Railway Travelers, a Louisville, Ky.-based travel agency specializing in trips by rail. Traveling by train is a fabulous way to see any country unfold, and you can truly relax onboard because youre not worrying about driving, directions or traffic, she said. Here, she shares her top tips on planning an enjoyable train trip. PICK THE RIGHT TRAIN Theres a train journey for just about every type of traveler. For example, VIA Rail Canada and Rocky Mountaineer, both Canadian companies, offer the option of two- to three-day trips that are suited for families with younger children. Active travelers will appreciate the Gornergrat Bahn or the Glacier Express in Switzerland because their itineraries have the option to disembark and take hikes through the surrounding mountains, while those seeking a longer, more relaxed journey should consider Golden Eagles 21-day Silk Road, which travels between Beijing and Moscow, or Rovos Rails 15-day journey between Cape Town and Dar es Salaam. ALL BUDGETS ARE WELCOME Train vacations can accommodate both luxury and cost-conscious travelers. Pricey train trips with high-quality service, multicourse meals paired with premium wines and deluxe accommodations include the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which goes through various destinations in Europe, the Belmond Royal Scotsman, through Scotland, England and Wales, and the Eastern & Oriental Express, which includes a Bangkok-to-Singapore itinerary. For more affordable trips, Ms. Hardy recommended select Amtrak itineraries in the United States and any sleeper trains in Europe. You get the same gorgeous scenery and reliable service for a fraction of the price of a luxury train, she said. PACK LIGHT Minimizing your luggage is essential on a rail vacation, said Ms. Hardy, because most trains have limited storage space. Also, unless youre on a luxury journey, youre responsible for managing your own bags, and the fewer you have, the easier they are to handle. Ms. Hardy recommended taking no more than one small roller bag and small backpack per person. Beyond Ms. Chao, Mr. Trump on Tuesday formally tapped Representative Tom Price of Georgia, an orthopedic surgeon who has been a fervent opponent of the Affordable Care Act, to be his secretary of health and human services. Steven Mnuchin, a hedge fund financier who headed Mr. Trumps campaign finance committee, is expected to be named Treasury secretary as soon as Wednesday. Representative Lou Barletta, a Pennsylvania Republican who made his name as the anti-immigration mayor of Hazleton, emerged from Trump Tower Tuesday afternoon to say he is discussing the post of labor secretary with the president-elect. And word is that Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington is getting a hard look as secretary of the interior. Mr. Price, who has focused much of his work in Congress on trying to insulate physicians from the dictates and price controls of agencies that would be under his control if he is confirmed, responded on Tuesday: There is much work to be done to ensure we have a health care system that works for patients, families and doctors; that leads the world in the cure and prevention of illness; and that is based on sensible rules to protect the well-being of the country while embracing its innovative spirit. Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, the incoming minority leader, was not happy: Congressman Price has proven to be far out of the mainstream of what Americans want when it comes to Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood. Thanks to those three programs, millions of American seniors, families, people with disabilities and women have access to quality, affordable health care. Nominating Congressman Price to be the H.H.S. secretary is akin to asking the fox to guard the hen house. But because Senate Democrats gutted the filibuster rule for presidential appointees, there may be little opponents can do to stop Mr. Prices confirmation. In his first two years in office, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan raged and there were many wounded, Mr. Obamas trips to Walter Reed were three- and four-hour slogs during which he donned fresh hospital gowns and gloves outside every fifth room to see patients clinging to life days or weeks after being blown apart. He returned to the White House visibly drained, aides said. More recently, he has done push-ups and other exercises with newly minted civilians who, instead of struggling to live, are trying to find ways of coping without arms, legs or equilibrium months and years after being wounded. The first term, our visits would last for hours because there would be 25, 50, 75 folks that wed be seeing, going room to room, many with devastating injuries, Michelle Obama, who has made her own trips to Walter Reed, said recently. And now, today, just last week he went to visit, and he was there for 30 minutes because there are fewer of our men and women who are being injured in war. The afternoon excursions from the White House have served in many ways as the counterpoint to Mr. Obamas 15 trips offering condolences after mass shootings, when he has openly grieved with families, tears on his face. At Walter Reed, his goal has been to thank and uplift the wounded and their families, whose sacrifices he sees as almost holy, and among whom expressions of grief are often unwelcome. If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere, read one handwritten sign outside a soldiers door, now framed and installed on the soldiers ward. Reggie Love, a former aide to Mr. Obama who accompanied him on nearly all of his trips to military hospitals in the first three years of his administration, said the president was good at reading the rooms he entered. Not everyone wanted an upbeat message. WASHINGTON Steven Mnuchin, a financier with deep roots on Wall Street and in Hollywood but no government experience, is expected to be named Donald J. Trumps Treasury secretary as soon as Wednesday, people close to the transition say. Mr. Mnuchin, 53, was the national finance chairman for Mr. Trumps campaign, and his selection would elevate a wealthy loyalist to a pivotal economic post. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he became a partner, before creating his own hedge fund, moving to the West Coast and entering the first rank of movie financiers by bankrolling hits like the X-Men franchise and Avatar. If confirmed, Mr. Mnuchin would play a critical role in carrying out Mr. Trumps promised economic policy changes, including the enactment of a large package of tax cuts, sweeping changes to foreign trade agreements and the fulfillment of a huge new infrastructure spending program. He could also help lead any efforts to roll back President Obamas nuclear deal with Iran and the administrations opening to Cuba by reimposing sanctions on Tehran and Havana. Mr. Mnuchins selection fits uneasily with much of Mr. Trumps campaign attacks on the financial industry. Mr. Trump, in a campaign ad intended as a closing argument, portrayed the chief executive of Goldman Sachs as the personification of a global elite that the ad said had robbed our working class. Even if Mr. Trump were to persuade Congress to enact a criminal statute, a dramatic shift in the balance between government power and individual freedom, anyone convicted and sentenced could point to clear Supreme Court precedents to make the case for a constitutional violation. The obstacles include the precedent that the Constitution does not allow the government to expatriate Americans against their will, through a landmark 1967 case, Afroyim v. Rusk. They also include a 1989 decision, Texas v. Johnson, in which the court struck down criminal laws banning flag burning, ruling that the act was a form of political expression protected by the First Amendment. David D. Cole, a Georgetown University law professor who co-wrote the Supreme Court briefs in the flag-burning case and who is about to become national legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union, said he wondered if Mr. Trumps strategy was to goad people into burning flags in order to marginalize the protests against him. But he also called Mr. Trumps proposal beyond the pale. To me it is deeply troubling that the person who is going to become the most powerful government official in the United States doesnt understand the first thing about the First Amendment which is you cant punish people for expressing dissent and also doesnt seem to understand that citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away, period, under any circumstances, he said. Two trials here in Charleston focused on treating combat veterans, sexual assault victims, and police and firefighters with PTSD who had not responded to traditional prescription drugs or psychotherapy. Patients had, on average, struggled with symptoms for 17 years. After three doses of MDMA administered under a psychiatrists guidance, the patients reported a 56 percent decrease of severity of symptoms on average, one study found. By the end of the study, two-thirds no longer met the criteria for having PTSD. Follow-up examinations found that improvements lasted more than a year after therapy. We can sometimes see this kind of remarkable improvement in traditional psychotherapy, but it can take years, if it happens at all, said Dr. Michael C. Mithoefer, the psychiatrist who conducted the trials here. We think it works as a catalyst that speeds the natural healing process. The researchers are so optimistic that they have applied for so-called breakthrough therapy status with the Food and Drug Administration, which would speed the approval process. If approved, the drug could be available by 2021. Under the researchers proposal for approval, the drug would be used a limited number of times in the presence of trained psychotherapists as part of a broader course of therapy. But even in those controlled circumstances, some scientists worry that approval as a therapy could encourage more illegal recreational use. It sends the message that this drug will help you solve your problems, when often it just creates problems, said Andrew Parrott, a psychologist at Swansea University in Wales who has studied the brains of chronic Ecstasy users. This is a messy drug we know can do damage. When contacted for a copy of the report, Sergeant Kyle Evans, a spokesman for the Murfreesboro Police Department, referred calls to the district attorneys office. The case has drawn attention to strict abortion laws, and in some cases the criminalization of the procedure, as President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take office. During his presidential campaign, Mr. Trump pledged to roll back the abortion rights guaranteed by the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, and he suggested punishment for abortion providers and their patients. In his first prime-time television interview after he won the presidency, he repeated his desire to see Roe v. Wade overturned and said, of women seeking abortions, Well, theyll perhaps have to go theyll have to go to another state. I think that this is a very shocking case and one that is incredibly tragic, said Allison Glass, the director of Healthy and Free Tennessee, which promotes sexual health. This is not a common case for Tennessee, but with the threat of Roe being overturned, she added, that is absolutely where we are headed. Tennessee Right to Life representatives did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The baby was initially placed in foster care. Last week Rob Johnson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services, said by telephone that the child was safe but no longer in state custody. Citing confidentiality, he declined to answer further questions. The law in Tennessee permits abortions after 24 weeks about the limit for fetal viability outside the womb, doctors say if the womans life or health is at risk. It also requires women to receive state-directed counseling and wait 48 hours before the procedure, which necessitates multiple trips to a clinic. Ms. Glass said that only four out of 95 counties in Tennessee had abortion clinics, and that Rutherford County was not one of them. Lynn M. Paltrow, the executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, which is helping with Ms. Yoccas defense, said the case was one of several high-profile instances showing what can happen when prosecutors apply criminal law to womens pregnancies. Mr. Wood said he had initially hoped to attract about 500 veterans; he had to stop sign-ups when they reached 2,000. He said volunteers are from diverse backgrounds: We have every age, we have every war. An online fund-raiser has drawn over $570,000 in pledges as of Tuesday afternoon to pay for food, transportation and supplies for the veterans muster, which was planned for Dec. 4-7. One veteran, Loreal Black Shawl, said the mission to support the protesters was intensely personal. Ms. Black Shawl, 39, of Rio Rancho, N.M., is a descendant of two Native American tribes, the Oglala Lakota and Northern Arapaho. She served in the Army for nearly eight years, finishing her career as a sergeant. O.K., are you going to treat us veterans who have served our country in the same way as you have those water protectors? Ms. Black Shawl said, referring to the protesters. Were not there to create chaos. We are there because we are tired of seeing the water protectors being treated as non-humans. The authorities have used rubber bullets, pepper spray and water cannons against demonstrators, hundreds of whom have been injured, according to protest organizers. The clashes have been highly contentious, with the police and demonstrators leveling accusations of violence at each other. JOHANNESBURG Top leaders of South Africas African National Congress said on Tuesday that they had rejected calls for President Jacob Zuma to step down, reaffirming their support for the unpopular, though still powerful, leader. Officials confirmed for the first time that some members of the partys national executive committee, which has the authority to remove Mr. Zuma as the countrys president, had introduced a motion urging Mr. Zuma to resign during a three-day meeting that ended on Monday night. No vote was taken, though committee members directly debated the issue, officials said. In a possible sign of Mr. Zumas unpopularity, however, three A.N.C. leaders declined to say at a 90-minute news conference why the committee had decided to back the president. There was a robust debate in the N.E.C., for and against, the partys secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, said, referring to the committee. At the end of that, there was a decision taken. That is what we are reporting on. WASHINGTON President Obama will not send a formal delegation to Cuba to attend the funeral of the former Cuban strongman Fidel Castro, but instead will dispatch a top White House aide. Benjamin J. Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, will attend the funeral, as will Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the top American diplomat in Cuba, to represent the United States, said Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary. The administration decided that the relationship between the two countries remained quite complicated, Mr. Earnest said. There are many aspects of the U.S.-Cuba relationship that were characterized by a lot of conflict and turmoil, not just during the Castro regime. Mr. Earnest said the administration continued to have significant concerns about the Cuban government, including its poor protection of basic human rights. Mr. Mounk and Mr. Foa developed a three-factor formula to answer that question. Mr. Mounk thinks of it as an early-warning system, and it works something like a medical test: a way to detect that a democracy is ill before it develops full-blown symptoms. The first factor was public support: How important do citizens think it is for their country to remain democratic? The second was public openness to nondemocratic forms of government, such as military rule. And the third factor was whether antisystem parties and movements political parties and other major players whose core message is that the current system is illegitimate were gaining support. If support for democracy was falling while the other two measures were rising, the researchers marked that country deconsolidating. And they found that deconsolidation was the political equivalent of a low-grade fever that arrives the day before a full-blown case of the flu. Venezuela, for instance, enjoyed the highest possible scores on Freedom Houses measures of political rights and democracy in the 1980s. But those democratic practices were not deeply rooted. During that apparent period of stability, Venezuela already scored as deconsolidating on the Mounk-Foa test. Image Yascha Mounk, a Harvard lecturer. Since then, Venezuelan democracy has declined significantly. In 1992, a faction of the Venezuelan military loyal to Hugo Chavez attempted a coup against the democratically elected government. Mr. Chavez was elected president in 1998 on a wave of populist support, and he immediately passed a new constitution that consolidated his power. His government cracked down on dissent, imprisoned political opponents and shredded the countrys economy with a series of ill-planned economic overhauls. Likewise, when Poland joined the European Union in 2004, it was hailed as an especially strong example of a post-Communist country making the transition to consolidated democracy. But Mr. Mounk and Mr. Foa found strong signs of deconsolidation during that period: As early as 2005, nearly 16 percent of Poles said they believed democracy was a bad or fairly bad way of running the country. By 2012, 22 percent of respondents said that they supported army rule. And in the mid-2000s, a series of antisystem parties began to gain traction in Polish politics, including Law and Justice, Self-Defense of the Republic of Poland, and the League of Polish Families. BEIJING China extended a warm welcome this week to the incoming United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres, praising the world body and making clear that it wants a greater role there, at a time when Donald J. Trumps election to the White House has many wondering whether American involvement will recede. China supported Mr. Guterres in his campaign for secretary general, and President Xi Jinping, who met with him in Beijing on Monday, hailed the United Nations work and noted Chinas support for the Paris Agreement on climate change. Mr. Trump has suggested that he will withdraw the United States from the accord. Mr. Guterress visit, which ended on Tuesday, was another chance for China to promote its growing role in global governance, on matters as varied as the nuts and bolts of peacekeeping to high-level forums like the Group of 20 economic summit meeting, which was held in September in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. China wants to step in and make the international system work, said Baohui Zhang, a professor of political science at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. Xi wants to present China as the new force that will sustain the post-World War II architecture by becoming the indispensable power. In a possible escalation of a campaign against a separatist movement, the Hong Kong government appears ready to take steps to bar a third opposition politician from the semiautonomous Chinese citys legislature. The Justice Department said the city government would issue proceedings against the legislator, Lau Siu-lai, who was sworn into office this month. The department declined to be specific, but pro-democracy politicians said it was most likely because Ms. Lau had read her oath of office very slowly, in an apparent act of protest. The move against Ms. Lau, a teacher who participated in 2014 protests for freer local elections but who has not called for separation from China as had the two legislators who were denied their seats on the Legislative Council has raised concerns about a broader crackdown on opposition politicians, beyond separatists. Nathan Law, a prominent student leader in the 2014 protests who, at 23, is the youngest-ever member of the legislature, said the government had declared war against all pro-democracy parties. NEW DELHI Tensions between India and Pakistan were raised again on Tuesday, when a group of heavily armed militants disguised as police officers attacked an Indian Army unit in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, killing seven soldiers, the Indian government said in a statement. The assault began early Tuesday in the officers dining hall at Nagrota, about two miles from the armys regional headquarters for the countrys northernmost state, which has been at the center of a nearly 70-year dispute with neighboring Pakistan. After killing four soldiers there, the militants moved on to two other buildings, where they held hostage a group of 16 soldiers and relatives, including two ladies and two children, the statement said. All of the hostages were rescued, the government said, but an officer and two soldiers were killed in the operation, along with three militants. HONG KONG When protesters disrupted an art exhibition by Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, a political cartoonist, at the George Town Literary Festival in Malaysia on Saturday, he assumed that the police would want his help identifying those responsible. Instead, said Mr. Zulkiflee, who goes by the name Zunar, he was questioned by the police, detained for a day and informed that he was under investigation for producing cartoons that purportedly defamed Prime Minister Najib Razak. It was not the first time Mr. Zulkiflee, who already faces nine charges of sedition and is barred from leaving the country, has courted trouble with his pen. His cartoons frequently target Mr. Najib, who is accused of taking millions of dollars from a state investment fund. Mr. Najib has faced widespread calls to resign, most recently at an anticorruption demonstration this month that drew tens of thousands in Kuala Lumpur, the capital. In an interview, Mr. Zulkiflee, 54, discussed how social media has become an increasingly important channel for political dissent in Malaysia, and why he continues to use his art to investigate corruption and injustice without dwelling too much on the risks. SEOUL, South Korea President Park Geun-hye of South Korea said Tuesday that she was willing to resign before her term ends, in an effort to head off a pending impeachment vote over a devastating corruption scandal. I am giving up everything now, she said in a dramatic, five-minute televised address, offering her third public apology for the scandal that has paralyzed her government for weeks. It was the first time South Koreans had heard from their cloistered leader since a previous televised public apology on Nov. 4. But opposition lawmakers immediately rejected the offer, calling it a ploy meant to divide her political opponents and allow Ms. Park to survive in office, and they vowed to proceed with impeachment efforts. But their plan to call for an impeachment vote on Friday has been cast into doubt. Members of Ms. Parks party who had supported impeachment have now suggested that the vote be delayed until Dec. 9, to give rival parties time to negotiate a date for Ms. Parks resignation instead. The opposition needs the support of those governing party lawmakers to pass an impeachment bill. VIENNA In his office in Austrias grand old Parliament, Norbert Hofer, the man who would be Austrias next president, presents himself as anything but a threat. He enters with a pronounced limp as a result of a 2003 paragliding accident. He air-kisses a visitors hand. He then spends much of the next hour professing that he is not nationalist and certainly not anti-Semitic, insists that he is too young to have anything to do with Nazism and says that he is no part of any populist wave. Yet Mr. Hofer, 45, also flashes a boyish grin and can hardly help but betray an extra air of confidence these days. In a year of political shocks, this may be the shape of the next. Mr. Hofer, a leading light in the right-wing Freedom Party, is counting on Austrians to make him the first far-right head of state in post-World War II Europe when they vote on Sunday, the final act in a yearlong tussle that has turned into a contest to mold the fate of the Continents heart. MOSCOW Resembling an aircraft hangar, a giant arched shelter was slid into place over the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site in Ukraine on Tuesday. The shelter, the worlds largest land-based moving structure, is a feat of engineering decades in conception and years in the making. The arch, which was first designed more than two decades ago and has been under construction since 2010, covers the deteriorating steel and concrete sarcophagus that had been hastily built after a botched test at the power plant led to an explosion and fire that sent plumes of radioactive ash across Europe 30 years ago. LONDON Its official or is it? The British strategy for its divorce from the European Union is to have your cake and eat it, something critics have derided as delusional. Ever since voting to leave the bloc, Britons have been trying to figure out whether their government has an actual plan for negotiating its exit, or Brexit, and what that plan might be. This week, an open notepad, surreptitiously photographed in the grip of an aide leaving the aptly named Department for Exiting the European Union, has offered at least a glimpse into the fog. About halfway down, this line appears: Whats the model? Have cake & eat. Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary and leading pro-Brexit campaigner, once notoriously claimed that Britain could leave behind everything it did not like about the European Union (like immigration from other European countries) but keep everything it did like (such as unencumbered trade with European countries). My policy on cake is pro having it and pro eating it, Mr. Johnson once cheerfully proclaimed. So popular has the analogy become that Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, warned Britain in October that there will be no cakes on the table for anyone only salt and vinegar. RAMALLAH, West Bank Under fire at home and abroad, President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority moved on Tuesday to solidify his decade-long hold on power with a party conference that had already been purged of most of his opponents. The carefully selected delegates wasted little time in formally re-electing Mr. Abbas as the leader of Fatah, the party that controls the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Everybody voted yes, a spokesman for Fatah, Mahmoud Abu al-Hija, told reporters who had not been allowed into the conference hall for the decision. The conference, Fatahs first in seven years, comes as the Palestinians face economic troubles, violent clashes among competing clans and the continuing Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Critics complain that Mr. Abbass leadership has grown insular and out of touch. He convened the conference to demonstrate his continued grip on the Palestinian Authority and to restock the Fatah party leadership with allies. It represents a renewal of legitimacy; there is no doubt about that, Nasser al-Kidwa, a former Palestinian foreign minister, said in an interview. Mr. Kidwa is a nephew of Mr. Abbass predecessor, Yasir Arafat, who is still revered by many Palestinians. The vote at the conference, Mr. Kidwa said, turns the page on some of our internal problems that have existed in recent times. BEIRUT, Lebanon The ferocious ground assault and aerial bombardment in eastern Aleppo has forced some 16,000 people to flee for their lives in the last few days, according to Stephen OBrien, the United Nations under secretary general for humanitarian affairs. The parties to the conflict have shown time and again they are willing to take any action to secure military advantage even if it means killing, maiming or starving civilians into submission in the process, Mr. OBrien warned on Tuesday, calling the siege of the city a deeply alarming and chilling situation. On Monday, forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad captured about a third of the territory in Aleppo that had been held by rebels. Planes have dropped leaflets over the rebel-held areas in the eastern part of city. If you dont leave these areas quickly you will be annihilated, the leaflets warn. Save yourselves. You know that everyone has left you alone to face your doom and have offered you no help. Hisham al-Skeif, a member of a council of rebels and civilians in eastern Aleppo, said by telephone on Tuesday that warplanes had hovered closely over the area, steadily dropping barrel bombs, as a delegation of civic activists explored the idea of using so-called safe routes to leave the city, though many were not confident they could escape with their lives. NYTimes.com no longer supports Internet Explorer 9 or earlier. Please upgrade your browser. SHAKTOOLIK, Alaska In the dream, a storm came and Betsy Bekoalok watched the river rise on one side of the village and the ocean on the other, the water swallowing up the brightly colored houses, the fishing boats and the four-wheelers, the school and the clinic. She dived into the floodwaters, frantically searching for her son. Bodies drifted past her in the half-darkness. When she finally found the boy, he, too, was lifeless. I picked him up and brought him back from the oceans bottom, Ms. Bekoalok remembered. The Inupiat people who for centuries have hunted and fished on Alaskas western coast believe that some dreams are portents of things to come. But here in Shaktoolik, one need not be a prophet to predict flooding, especially during the fall storms. Shaktoolik River Shaktoolik Norton Sound Tagoomenik River Kivalina ALASKA Area of detail Anchorage 2 Miles Shaktoolik River Shaktoolik Tagoomenik River Norton Sound Kivalina ALASKA Area of detail Anchorage 2 Miles Laid out on a narrow spit of sand between the Tagoomenik River and the Bering Sea, the village of 250 or so people is facing an imminent threat from increased flooding and erosion, signs of a changing climate. With its proximity to the Arctic, Alaska is warming about twice as fast as the rest of the United States and the state is heading for the warmest year on record. The government has identified at least 31 Alaskan towns and cities at imminent risk of destruction, with Shaktoolik ranking among the top four. Some villages, climate change experts predict, will be uninhabitable by 2050, their residents joining a flow of climate refugees around the globe, in Bolivia, China, Niger and other countries. These endangered Alaskan communities face a choice. They could move to higher ground, a wrenching prospect that for a small village could cost as much as $200 million. Or they could stand their ground and hope to find money to fortify their buildings and shore up their coastline. At least two villages farther up the western coast, Shishmaref and Kivalina, have voted to relocate when and if they can find a suitable site and the money to do so. A third, Newtok, in the soggy Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta farther south, has taken the first steps toward a move. But, after years of meetings that led nowhere and pleas for government financing that remained unmet, Shaktoolik has decided it will stay and defend, at least for the time being, the mayor, Eugene Asicksik, said. We are doing things on our own, he said. The Next Big Storm The tiny Cessna carrying two visitors touches down lightly on the thin gravel strip that in Shaktoolik serves as an airport. It is mid-September, and with the commercial fishing season over, the village is preparing for winter. Moose meat simmers on the stove in the house of Matilda Hardy, president of the Native Village of Shaktoolik Council. Jean Mute, the pastors wife, stoops to pick cranberries for preserves in a field just outside town. By the river, a fisherman works on his boat, preparing it to hunt beluga whales in the shallow waters of the Norton Sound. In the evening, a boy outside the snack shop where children drink fruit slushies and munch on Kit-Kat bars proudly holds up a fat goose he shot in the days hunting expedition. The ocean is calm, but bad weather is already on peoples minds. Im wondering what our fall storms will bring, Ms. Hardy says. As of late November, there had been one high tide, but no severe storm. In Shaktoolik, as in other villages around the state, residents say winter is arriving later than before and rushing prematurely into spring, a shift scientists tie to climate change. With rising ocean temperatures, the offshore ice and slush that normally buffer the village from storm surges and powerful ocean waves are decreasing. Last winter, for the first time elders here can remember, there was no offshore ice at all. The battering delivered by the storms has eaten away at the land around the village, which occupies 1.1 square miles on a three-mile strip of land. According to one estimate, that strip is losing an average of 38,000 square feet or almost an acre a year. Flooding from the ocean and the swollen river waters has become so severe that the last big storm came close to turning Shaktoolik into an island. That was pretty scary, said Agnes Takak, the administrative assistant for the villages school. It seemed like the waves would wash right over and cover us, but thankfully they didnt. To Stay or to Go? As Shaktoolik and other threatened villages have discovered, both staying and moving have their perils. The process of relocation can take years or even decades. In the meantime, residents still need to send their children to school, go to the doctor when they are sick, have functioning water lines and fuel tanks and a safe place to go when a severe storm comes. But few government agencies are willing to invest in maintaining villages that are menaced by erosion and flooding, especially when the communities are planning to pull up stakes and go elsewhere. Its a real Catch-22 situation, said Sally Cox, the states coordinator for the native villages. Interested in keeping up with climate change? Sign up to receive our in-depth journalism about climate change around the world. Even announcing the intention to relocate can scuttle a communitys request for financing. Some years ago, when Shaktoolik indicated on a grant proposal that it was hoping to move, it lost funds for its clinic, said Isabel Jackson, the city clerk. Shaktooliks leaders have identified a potential relocation site 11 miles southeast, near the foothills. But some residents say they fear that their culture, dependent on fishing and hunting, will suffer if they move. And Edgar Jackson Sr., a former mayor, said that the government turned down applications for money to build a road that would serve both as a way to get building materials to their new home and as an evacuation route. Residents currently have no reliable way to escape quickly in an emergency. We called it an evacuation road, a relocation road, Mr. Jackson said. The state and federal government didnt like those two words. Tight Vote Decides Villages Fate Shaktoolik the name means scattered things in a native language has been forced to move twice before in its history. The Eskimo tribes that traveled from the north into the region in the mid-1800s found an Eden of berry fields, tundra where moose and herds of caribou grazed and waters where salmon, seals and beluga flourished. By the early 1900s, they had settled into a site six miles up the Shaktoolik River. But in the 1930s, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, responsible for providing educational services to Native Americans, built a two-room schoolhouse on the coastal sand spit, and the residents were compelled to move there if their children were to go to school. The old site, as village residents call it, was where many elders in Shaktoolik grew up; the skeletal remains of the buildings are still standing, a ghost town that sits three miles from the village. But that location, chosen by the federal government, put Shaktoolik at the mercy of the fierce storms that barreled into the sound from the Aleutian Islands. After a series of close calls in the 1960s one severe storm destroyed boats and left the airport littered with driftwood, making it impossible for planes to land another move seemed inevitable. Two new sites were proposed, one on higher ground near the foothills, the other the spot the village now occupies. At a series of three public meetings, the residents debated the choices. Mr. Jackson, who was mayor at the time, recalled that he and his wife were in favor of moving to higher ground. That would have solved our problems, he said. But majority ruled. We were short three votes. An Undeniable Link When the fall storms come, they almost always come at night, the waves hurling giant driftwood logs onto the beach like toothpicks, the river rising, the wind shaking the windows of the houses that sit in two orderly rows along Shaktooliks single road. Children who in summer play outside long after dark hunker down with their parents, listening to the CB radio announcements that serve as the villages central form of communication. Big storms on Alaskas west coast are different from those that threaten Miami or New Orleans. They can carry the force of a Category 1 hurricane, but their diameter is five to 10 times greater, meaning that they affect a larger area and last longer, said Robert E. Jensen, research hydraulic engineer at the Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center. Theyre huge, he said. Some residents here say that the storms are becoming more frequent and more intense, although scientists do not have data to confirm this. But there is no question that higher ocean temperatures have resulted in less offshore ice, allowing storm surges and waves to hit with greater force and bringing more flooding and erosion. The loss of sea ice, said David Atkinson, a climate scientist at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, is undeniably linked to a warming climate, as is the rising level of the sea as a result of melting glaciers, the increased volume of water lending even more strength to the oceans assault. Fifty years ago, when the beach was a quarter of a mile away, the increasing violence of the ocean might not have bothered Shaktooliks residents. But now the sea is almost at their doorsteps. Stopgaps, Not Solutions At one time, Ms. Hardy, the council president, could see the beach from her window. Now she looks out instead on a berm, a mile-long, seven-foot-high mound of driftwood and gravel built by the village as a barrier against an angry ocean. Two state engineers came up with the idea, but they ran out of money before they produced a design. Mayor Asicksik decided to go ahead anyway. Local men hauled the gravel from the mouth of the river in old military trucks bought for $9,000 each and finished the project in less than four months. Residents here are proud of the berm: It is a symbol of their determination to fix their own problems without help from the government. But most also realize that the makeshift barricade is only a stopgap; some question whether it will last even through one big storm. It hasnt been tested yet, Ms. Hardy said. Shaktoolik faces other threats that will be difficult or impossible to ward off without assistance. Erosion is threatening the villages fuel tanks, its airport and its drinking water supply, which is pumped from the Tagoomenik River. The boundary between river and sea has been so thinned by erosion in some spots that salt water from the ocean, normally a benign source of sustenance, briefly overtopped the bank and poured into the river during a recent storm. The land continues to disintegrate. The Army Corps of Engineers assessment, while cautioning that its conclusions were based on limited data, estimated that the spit that Shaktoolik sits on could lose 45 acres by 2057, with rising water threatening fuel tanks, commercial buildings and the air strip. But the most urgent challenge is keeping village residents safe in the event of a disaster. Shaktooliks current emergency plan calls for people to gather inside the school. But the school building, which sits on the ocean side of the road, is itself likely to be flooded and is not large enough to comfortably accommodate everyone, even if it stays dry. Some families have said that in a severe storm they would flee up the Shaktoolik River. They keep their boats stocked with supplies. But the river, Mayor Asicksik and others said, would almost certainly be ice-filled and treacherous, and any attempt to escape would likely end in a search and rescue operation. Even the airport is risky. Carven Scott, Alaska regional director for the National Weather Service, who recently visited Shaktoolik, said that after Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast in 2011, the service conducted an assessment for future storms and concluded that the several million people who lived in vulnerable areas of the Northeast could be evacuated in about 12 hours. A similar evacuation in Shaktoolik, Mr. Scott said, might take five days. With bad weather conditions and low light, the chances are we could not get a sizable aircraft in there far enough in advance to evacuate, he said. Youd have to take people out in groups of 10 or less. Yet if it is to stay put, the village must find a way to prevent loss of life, if not the loss of property. They do not want to move and I have to accept that, said David Williams, a project engineer for the Alaska division of the Corps of Engineers and a member of an interagency group that is helping endangered villages plan for the future. But if they want to live here, Mr. Williams said, they have to have a way to get out of Dodge when getting out is required. A $100 Million Wish List Kirby Sookiayak, the villages community coordinator, sits in his office and ticks off the communitys wish list: an evacuation road; improvements to the water system and the fuel tank farm; increased fortification of the berm; floodlights and lighted buoys for the river; a new health clinic; a fortified shelter for residents in a storm. The estimated price tag for these improvements? Well over $100 million, according to Shaktooliks recently completed strategic management plan. And while state and federal agencies will finance some routine work, it will not even be close to what is needed. No one knows where the additional money will come from. Despite years of government reports calling for action, sporadic bursts of financing and a visit to the region by President Obama last year, the hundreds of millions of dollars it would take for Alaskas threatened villages to stay where they are or to move elsewhere have not materialized. In Kivalina and Shishmaref, the Corps of Engineers was able to build sturdy rock revetments to armor the villages, authorized by Congress in 2005 to do so at federal expense. But the law was rescinded four years later, and the corps can do nothing more without the villages coming up with matching funds of their own. The state of Alaska which in the past provided some funds to Newtok, allowing the Yupik community to begin its move across the river to safety is in a fiscal crisis, its economic health tied to oil revenues. And a federal lawsuit filed by one village against oil and coal companies, seeking relocation money as compensation for their air pollution, went nowhere. Shaktoolik is scheduled to receive $1 million from the Denali Commission, an independent federal agency created in 1998 to help provide services to rural Alaskan communities. But the money will not go far: some will help pay for a new design to fortify the berm, while the rest is intended to help protect the villages fuel tank storage. Perhaps the largest potential contribution is the $400 million allocated for relocating threatened villages in the Obama administrations proposed 2017 budget. But with a new administration, the fate of that allocation is at best uncertain. I wish theyd come and spend one day in one of our storms, Axel Jackson, who sits on the village council, said of politicians in Washington. The federal government spends billions on wars in foreign countries, he said. But they still treat us like were a third world country. Mr. Trump has said that, if elected, he would instruct his attorney general to reopen criminal investigations into Mrs. Clintons use of a private email server. (After the election, he appeared to soften his position, saying, I dont want to hurt the Clintons.) Mr. Trump will have the legal power to tell his attorney general to open or close investigations, though doing so would violate political norms. But his suggestion that the president has the unilateral power to jail people for federal crimes overstates the presidents authority. Presidents acting alone do not adjudicate criminal cases or send people to jail. By contrast, the Constitution does grant the president the unilateral power to show leniency. If Mr. Trump targeted only those with serious offenses, the number becomes even smaller. About 690,000 of the 820,000 were convicted of felonies or serious misdemeanors. There are about 820,000 unauthorized immigrants who have been convicted of crimes , according to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research group. But that number included more than a million immigrants who were here legally, with green cards or temporary visas. Unauthorized immigrantsLegal immigrants Mr. Trump may be basing this number on a 2012 government estimate that there were 1.9 million removable criminal aliens. After the election, Mr. Trump vowed to quickly deport two million to three million unauthorized immigrants who he said have been convicted of crimes. The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday announced details to expel immigrants more aggressively. The tiny figures here represent the estimated 11 million immigrants who are in the United States illegally. Early in the campaign, Donald J. Trump said he would deport all of them. (Each figure represents about 5,000 people.) Its unclear if Mr. Trump could carry out the deportations he has proposed without violating due process, especially at the scale and speed he has suggested. The last time the United States carried out mass deportations was when President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized military-style roundups to expel hundreds of thousands of Mexicans in 1954. What Mr. Trump proposes is much larger than Eisenhowers deportation program, which was controversial at the time. Mr. Trump would likely need help from local law enforcement, but many cities and counties have limited their cooperation with federal authorities. Counties with policies limiting cooperation WASH. MINN. ORE. MASS. N.Y. WIS. R.I. CONN. IOWA PA. N.J. NEB. NEV. ILL. MD. COLO. CALIF. KAN. KY. N.M. GA. LA. TEX. FLA. WASH. ORE. MINN. MASS. N.Y. WIS. R.I. CONN. IOWA PA. NEB. N.J. NEV. ILL. MD. COLO. KAN. KY. CALIF. N.M. GA. TEX. LA. FLA. WASH. ORE. MINN. MASS. N.Y. WIS. R.I. CONN. PA. IOWA NEB. NEV. N.J. ILL. MD. COLO. KAN. KY. CALIF. N.M. GA. TEX. LA. FLA. Cook County in Illinois, which includes Chicago, adopted an ordinance that generally bars county police officers and jails from detaining unauthorized immigrants to be turned over to federal agents, unless the agents have specific warrants. San Francisco is a so-called sanctuary city that issues local ID cards to unauthorized immigrants so they can have access to municipal services. Democratic mayors of some major cities recently said they would do all they could to protect residents from deportation. Mr. Trumps plans are more aggressive than President Obamas deportation program, which prompted sharp criticism from advocacy groups. During Mr. Obamas first term, about 400,000 immigrants were deported per year. Deportations by year 400 thousand Immigration violators 300 300 200 100 Convicted criminals 35% 59% FY 09 FY 15 The Obama administration has already pursued policies that focus on removing people with criminal records. In 2015, the majority of people deported were convicted criminals. Heres a roundup of restaurant and retail news from across Orange County. Take a look at the slideshow for more details on each. Brodard: The family behind the popular Brodard restaurants in Orange County is building a new location in Fountain Valley. Construction is underway at the corner of Edinger and Brookhurst (formerly a Burger King) for another Brodard, a Vietnamese mainstay famous for its spring rolls. Fashion Island: Alice + Olivia and AG are coming to Fashion Island. Alice + Olivia is in The Celects former location; AG is at the former Kate Spade store; both are across from Bloomingdales. Outlets at Orange: Five stores have opened at the Outlets at Orange: Timberland, Polo Ralph Lauren Men, Under Armour, Gap Factory Store and Owl Fish. Fast-fashion brand Owl Fishs store is temporary. Laguna Beach Beer Co.: The brand, with no brewery in Orange County, recently struck a deal to buy Cismontane Brewings production facility and tasting room in Rancho Santa Margarita. The deal allows the 2-year old Laguna Beach Beer Co. to have its beers made locally instead of contract brewing. Gunwhale Ales: A brewery and taproom opened this month in Costa Mesa. One of the co-founders is Justin Miller, who left his position as executive chef of Pizzeria Ortica in Costa Mesa. Though hes an avid home brewer, Miller is not leading the brewing efforts at Gunwhale. That job goes to head brewer Derek Testerman, who was previously at the shuttered Beach City Brewery. Gunwhales is serving sasions (pale ale), ales and IPAs at its tasting room, 2960 Randolph Ave. in Costa Mesa. Beachwood Brewing & BBQ: The popular Long Beach brewpub Beachwood Brewing & BBQ recently took over the old Beach City Brewing location in Huntington Beach. The new brewery will allow Beachwood, which started off as a barbecue restaurant in downtown Seal Beach, to meet distribution demand for its core beers. The brewery and tasting room are 7631 Woodwind Dr., Huntington Beach. What about food? Beachwood owner and founder Gabe Gordon is hoping to bring the companys core cue to the brewery next year. He is looking into launching a Beachwood BBQ food truck to park at the brewery. Pieology: The Rancho Santa Margarita-based company opened a new restaurant this month in Cypress. The build-your-own pizza pioneer, founded by local resident Carl Chang in 2011, now has 128 restaurants. Address: 9543 Valley View St., Cypress. Cava Grill: The restaurant opened last week at Crossroads shopping center in Irvine. A Mediterranean version of Chipotle, the fast-casual chain offers a customizable menu with more than 50 ingredients. Customers can build their own rice bowls, pita sandwiches and soups using toppings such as dips, spreads and a main protein. Address: 3972 Barranca Parkway, Irvine. Rubys Diner: The Newport Beach-based company is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a Burger Day deal next month. Each diner will offer a Ruby Burger with fries for $2.99 on Dec. 7. The company said $1 of each sale will benefit The Ruby Dooby Foundation, dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of children. The Butchery: The full-service butcher shop known for selling premium meats and cheeses, has opened its third Orange County location at the Crystal Cove Shopping Center in Newport Coast. Address: 8058 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Send any retail updates to hmadans@ocregister.com and any restaurant news to nluna@ocregister.com. Contact the writer: nluna@ocregister.com Dont forget Castro horrors Lets hope liberal amnesia doesnt dominate the news of the Cuban dictators death. The internet reveals that when Cubas 11.1 million inhabitants are compared to the 330 million in the United States on an equivalent basis, over 100,000 of our citizens would have faced the firing squad and more than 5,000 of us would be political prisoners. Dave Wilson, Huntington Beach Who has done more damage? Juxtaposing the tyranny unleashed by Fidel Castros reign in Cuba with the viciousness of Richard Nixons carpet bombings during the Vietnam War, or to the inhumane state executions overseen by then-Govs. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and George W. Bush of Texas, dares me to wonder which countrys policies have been most damaging to its citizens and to the world. At least Cuba is left with a legacy of high literacy and universal health care. How does the United States compare on those important matters? Ben Miles, Huntington Beach A sinner and a saint For some, Fidel Castro freed Cuba from corruption, organized crime, immorality and imperialism. They saw him as a bold and visionary leader and a revolutionary who introduced needed reforms, like modernizing education and health care and improving race relations. Others saw him as a cruel and brutal tyrant who tortured, imprisoned and killed countless people, who repressed freedom of speech, freedom of the press and other civil liberties, who took property away from its rightful owners, who tore families apart and forced people to leave their homeland, who destroyed the countrys cherished Catholic religion, who drove the island into poverty and who took the tiny island on the dangerous course of communism. So he is a hero and father figure to some and a devil to others. Kenneth L. Zimmerman, Huntington Beach A tyrant to the end Let this be the epitaph of Fidel Castro: He was a lesser man than Augusto Pinochet. Both men were cruel tyrants responsible for many deaths but one thing sets them apart: When the people of Chile voted for the restoration of democracy, Pinochet stepped down; Castro stood against freedom and human rights in Cuba to the very end. Jay Peterson, North Tustin Donald Trump is perhaps receiving more attention than any United States president-elect in history. In particular, his vast wealth and empire are raising numerous questions from onlookers and opponents alike. More than any previous president, Trump has business holdings large and widespread enough to pose the potential for numerous conflicts between his personal and official interests. Are President-elect Trumps possible conflicts a real concern? Thats our Question of the Week for readers. Anti-conflict-of-interest laws that apply to most government officials generally dont pertain to the president. But the Constitutions prohibition on all public officials taking payments from foreign leaders could apply to Trump-owned businesses and real estate overseas that receive favorable treatment from host governments. Looking at Trumps billions of dollars in businesses in the U.S. and abroad, and outstanding loans to his businesses by foreign banks, some critics warn that his presidency could get bogged down in constant conflict-of-interest accusations if he doesnt take action to liquidate his assets and put the money in a blind trust under independent management. During the campaign, Trump said that if he won, he would transfer control of The Trump Organization to his adult children. Would that be enough? Should Trump take more drastic steps to avoid conflicts? Should laws be changed to apply to presidents as well as lower-level officials? Much discussion of potential conflicts of interest during the campaign focused on Hillary Clinton and foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation. Is Trumps situation different from Clintons? Would Clinton have received the same criticism and scrutiny as Trump had she been elected? Voters certainly knew of Trumps vast business interests, and knew some details were missing because he did not release tax records. Is the media just sensationalizing the story or is there justifiable reason to be concerned? Email your thoughts to letters@ocregister.com. Please include your full name and city or community of residence. Provide a daytime phone number. Or, if you prefer, share your views in the comments section that accompanies this article online. Well publish as many responses as possible. Bartering the environment for growth: the worst policy VietNamNet Bridge - Regarding environmental protection, Vietnam ranked 98th out of 137 economies and 123rd for air quality. Vietnam is not an industrialized country yet but its pollution is already serious, senior economist, Dr. Le Dang Doanh, has said.VietNamNet is introducing the first part of a roundtable discussion titled "What is the price of swapping the environment for growth?" with the participation of Dr. Le Dang Doanh, former director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, a member of the Development Policy Committee of the UN and MSc Le Quang Binh (Princeton University), former Director of the Institute for Social-Economic and Environmental Research, now chairman of the working group "For the involvement of the people". Mr. Le Quang Binh (left) and Dr. Le Dang Doanh Dr. Le Dang Doanh: Firstly, the environmental incident in the central region from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien Hue was a very serious case and it will leave chronic effects. Not only fish but also other creatures in the sea were dead, even at deeper layers, affecting the balance of organisms. And this incident will also have a serious impact on the lives of local people. Of course, at this time there is no evidence and no government agency has released a conclusion that fish died because of Formosas waste water. But clearly this incident contains many uncertainties that must be acknowledged thoroughly and we must learn painful lessons from it. It must be emphasized that in this case the supervision of state agencies is very poor. The environmental monitoring center of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ha Tinh Province did not perform independent measurements, but got data from the environmental monitoring center of Formosa. Meanwhile, in the world today, we have technology called "internet of machine to machine", i.e., devices that automatically measure the air, temperature, environment, and waste and then upload the data to social networks. That is the automatic connection between the machine and machine. So the question is, why was the supervision of the State so loose? We all know that the steel industry is among the biggest polluting industries. Yet we gave them the right to measure and provide data to us. If they did not provide any data, then we would have not known anything. The media reported that Formosa imported hundreds of tons of chemicals and Formosa admitted to using chemicals to clean its pipes. So why didnt we know that from the beginning? And the last point, the role of the people here was nearly zero. I did not see the role of mass organizations like the youths, womens associations, trade unions, veterans association in this case. In economics, it has been discovered the paradox of imbalance: the polluter benefits while the effects of pollution cause suffering to the whole society. But economics does not have a tool to punish and prevent acts of pollution and there is no mechanism to compensate those harmed by pollution. It is very unreasonable. MSc. Le Quang Binh: In fact, in the world, there is a theory called environmental justice, which means that when a project is carried out, the people involved not only share in terms of economic benefits but also environmental costs in an equitable way. Mr. Le Quang Binh To do this, the involvement of the stakeholders is very important. Suppose that in the case of pollution in the central region, the fishermen, fish breeders and those who earn their living from tourism suffered the most. Perhaps, fish breeders in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces could not imagine that someday an industrial project in Ha Tinh province could have such a great impact on them. Therefore, in the process of evaluating an investment project, all stakeholders must have a say. One of the very important aspects is monitoring waste water. As Doanh has said, the monitoring must be independent and objective. By law, before getting licence, all projects must undergo assessment of environmental and social impact. But why do such cases like Vedan polluting the Thi Vai Riiver, and now the case of Formosa still occur? Dr. Le Dang Doanh: The environmental impact, in theory, is included in the investment profile. I must say, the monitoring and evaluation of a project on the environment aspect requires the participation of professional and responsible organizations. Obviously, even though we have the consideration and supervision of the National Assembly, in my opinion it is still not enough. Also, I would like to emphasize that, at present, sustainable development is considered to be sustainable economically, socially and environmentally. Lets examine the environmental price that China had to obtain high economic growth. According to the World Bank, China's current environmental damage is minus 6.5% of GDP. The WB calculated the impact of environmental pollution on traffic because environmental pollution causes air pollution and limited vision, so planes cannot land or take off, cars cannot go fast, the number of accidents increases significantly, and transportation costs rise. The impact of environmental pollution is also the corrosion of bridges, machinery, vehicles, and roads, which result in the increase of attrition of assets. Environmental pollution also affects peoples health, leading to high healthcare cost. All of these losses are equivalent to -6.5% of GDP. China is paying a very expensive cost. That is an example for us. So, in policies and strategies, on paper, we have always emphasized our policy of sustainable development, ensuring a cleaner environment and control of environmental pollution, but in fact, we ranked 98th out of 137 economies for environmental protection, 123rd for air quality. Vietnam, thus, has been suffering serious pollution even though it has not yet become an industrialized country. Lets look at some examples, the environment at craft villages has been severely damaged. People in the villages of copper casting, battery processing, waste collection, and plastic processing can get rich quickly, but the ratio of cancer an dill children also increased highly. Therefore, on this occasion, I earnestly ask the National Assembly to consider environmental issues and sustainable development fully and seriously. But many argued that this is a tough choice for Vietnam. We are still a low middle-income country so we need to attract investment and growth while projects in heavy and polluting industries like oil refining, iron and steel can create thousands of jobs, contribute thousands of billions VND to the local budget. From the perspective of economic managers, what do you think about this choice? Dr. Le Dang Doanh Dr. Le Dang Doanh: Lets me emphasize, in terms of words, the policy is always correct but the distance from the text to the action is very far. In this case, the responsibility of the enforcement agency and of the supervisory authorities is huge. Mr. Nguyen Ba Thanh (late Party Secretary of Da Nang) rejected a textile investment project in Da Nang because dyeing and weaving would lead to pollution. But then, another province welcomed this project. They even lowered the local environmental standards and as a result, this project is causing pollution. The pollution is not only in the host province but spreads to surrounding locations. Therefore, environmental monitoring is very important task. I think the weight of environmental and economic sustainability must be reviewed and supplemented in assessing the success of each provincial economy. Each province is a small economy and such economies must be reduced from excessive dependence on a single product, which causes pollution. Our industry depends heavily on polluting industries, such as the mining industry. We need to redefine the weight of each indicator and the evaluation of these indicators must be considered comprehensively. If provinces are only interested in GDP growth, the achievement of these provinces is not highly appreciated because their economic growth causes environmental harm to neighboring locations. Mr. Le Quang Binh, what do you think about a situation like this: in a coastal area or a rural area, where local residents are very poor. If now there is a huge project that can change local peoples life and bring about hope for them, and if you are a local, what is your choice? Le Quang Binh: I think it is a problem for developing countries like Vietnam and it is also true for provinces in Vietnam. The problem is how to improve the living standard, the welfare of the people while the environment is well protected and culture is well preserved. It is not easy to solve the problem. If it was easy, we would have not had discussions like this. Secondly, the process of decision-making is very important. Does the decision of anyone, of leaders or the people, come from sufficient information? If we just look at one side, that we are going to have a big project investing in our province, usually we will start imagining things like how much the budget will increase, how many jobs will be created? However, that is only part of the story. And the side that not many people want to see is the price we have to pay. If all those things are considered prudently, publicly and transparently, with the participation of economic, environmental, social, and cultural factors, that decision will be more balanced. So returning to the question what is important to this country, what is important to provinces, to the people, it must be discussed thoroughly. I think nobody wants to see such a serious polluting case like the case of Formosa in the central region but it gave us an opportunity and the entire society to discuss. And then, all of social intelligence will be gathered to find the most reasonable solution. And it comes to the only way: the Government, the National Assembly must reconsider the criteria for assessing how a good provincial chairman or party secretary is so that not only GDP growth is taken into account but also environmental and cultural environment. All that has to be brought up for discussion. And if we still follow the model of development of the last 10 years, we will surely reach the point of economic, environmental and social collapse because of unsustainable development. And then certainly we will fall into the trap wherein not only investors will leave but we will also have to face all the problems that we created. To be contined VietNamNet Wind and solar power proponents hope to appeal to Republican President-elect Donald Trumps desire for economic growth to persuade him to support their industries. They hope to counter some of what Trump said about wind and solar energy during his presidential campaign. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, promoted alternative energy development as a way to counter global warming. But Trump has called global warming a hoax invented by the Chinese despite scientific consensus that the problem is real. In a radio interview with conservative activist Herman Cain last month, Trump said: Solar is very, very expensive. Wind is very, very expensive, and it only works when its windy. He also said Riverside Countys San Gorgonio Pass area looks like a junkyard because of aging wind farms. Its the worst thing youve ever seen, he said. Trump also vowed to slash environmental regulations to bolster the oil, gas and coal industries. Yet alternative energy experts, along with local and state officials, said they dont expect to see a slowdown of residential or commercial solar energy development in California. The industry has too much momentum to be slowed by a cold shoulder from the White House, they said. Trumps rhetoric is cloudy. In the interview with Cain, the president-elect left the door open to more wind and solar development by adding: Im not saying Im against those things. Im for everything. Im for everything. Tim Clark, Trumps California campaign director, referred questions about Trumps energy policy to his transition team. The teams website asks that press inquiries be sent by email. No one on the team responded to an inquiry for this report. Jack Pitney, a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College, said clean energy probably will do fine if Trump can be convinced of its economic viability. He is a climate skeptic, so I wouldnt emphasize climate change, Pitney said. If I am a lobbyist for the solar industry, I would say this is an effective form of energy and people can make a lot of money selling it, and hed be OK with it. Two days after the election, about 70 energy, state and local officials gathered in the desert near Blythe to celebrate the opening of two neighboring solar plants. The McCoy and Blythe facilities blanket more than 6 square miles of federal land in eastern Riverside County and create enough electricity for about 181,000 households. The new projects exemplify a maturing industry still on the upswing. Like several other large-scale solar projects, they were built on federal land with federal tax credits that covered 30 percent of the $1.2 billion development cost. In a deal approved by Congress last year that also helped the oil industry, those credits for solar will stay at 30 percent through 2019. Theyll be phased down to 10 percent by 2022. Scott Busa, executive director of development for NextEra Energy, said these credits, plus already obtained land-use entitlements from the federal Bureau of Land Management, will allow for the Blythe and McCoy projects to expand in the coming years and more than double energy output. We are only about halfway there, and we look forward to future expansion, he said. Karen Douglas, a member of the California Energy Commission, also was at the Nov. 10 ceremony in the desert. She said policies may shift in Washington, but Californias commitment to clean energy that began in the 1970s is unwavering. This is going to continue, said Douglas, standing by a sea of solar panels extending deep into the desert landscape. California, she said, must meet its own clean energy mandates, which require that half the states electricity come from carbon-free sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal facilities. Industry officials are confident Trump will see the economic benefits that they say make clean energy competitive with coal, oil and natural gas. Greg Wetstone, president and chief executive of the American Council on Renewable Energy, said demand for solar and other forms of alternative energy is increasing as the costs are coming down. The organization estimates that the renewable energy industry attracts $44 billion a year in investments, creating thousand of jobs. We are looking at continued growth and investment, Wetstone said. Dan Whitten, a spokesman for the Solar Energy Industries Association, said proponents should appeal to Trumps call for jobs and energy security. Doing that could help the solar industry thrive during his administration. We dont see where he has a motive to stop this train from rolling forward, Whitten said. Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit said he hopes eastern Riverside County will continue to benefit from solar development. His district includes the nations largest solar development zone on public land. The zone runs along the I-10 corridor between Desert Center and Blythe. But Benoit remains concerned about Trumps knowledge of alternative energy, saying much of the president-elects rhetoric is in serious error. For instance, in the Cain interview, Trump said that thousands of birds are lying on the ground near Palm Springs wind farms. And he said that wind farms kill eagles by the hundreds. Wind turbines do kill birds but not on the scale described by Trump. A 2013 report by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials documented 85 eagle deaths (six bald eagles and 79 golden eagles) at 32 wind farms in 10 states that occurred from 1997 to 2012. The number may be higher because coyotes and other scavengers may remove the carcasses before they are found, wildlife officials have said. Still, wind and solar development creates jobs and has zero impact on air quality, said Benoit, a Republican. I would hope that his rhetoric will be tempered by business realities. Contact the writer: 951-368-9471 or ddanelski@scng.com SANTA ANA A man convicted of helping his best friend conspire to murder an Anaheim Hills family was sentenced Monday to 25 years to life in prison. The sentencing brings to an end the years-long legal saga following the high-profile killings in 2007 of Jayprakash and Karishma Dhanak, which Orange County District Attorneys Office officials have described as among the most brutal murders in the countys history. Vitaliy Krasnoperov agreed to give up his right to appeal the conspiracy conviction in return for the prosecutor dropping two murder charges and an attempted murder charge. In accepting the deal, Krasnoperovs attorney, Michael Garey, noted his client will have a chance at being released from state prison in the future, while risking a retrial and possible conviction on the murder and attempted murder charges could have resulted in a sentence of life without parole. On May 21, 2007, Jayprakash Dhanak, his daughter, Karishma, and his wife, Leela, were attacked at their Anaheim Hills home as they returned home. Jayprakash and Karishma Dhanak were abducted, their house was set on fire and Leela Dhanak was left to die with a slashed neck. Leela Dhanak survived the brutal attack; she was found by firefighters on a neighbors lawn. The bodies of Jayprakash and Karishma were found in Irvine; investigators said they had been beaten, stabbed and set aflame. Shayona Dhanak, Murtazas ex-girlfriend, was not at the home at the time. Iftekhar Murtaza, Krasnoperovs friend and the man convicted of carrying out the killings, is on death row after being found guilty of murder and attempted murder. Charles Anthony Murphy Jr., who aided Murtaza with the assault and murders, was also convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. This is basically the end of the line, Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Goethals, who has presided over the trials of all three defendants, said on Monday. Krasnoperov has been tried three times. The first ended in a mistrial. In the second trial, Krasnoperov was convicted of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. That conviction was overturned by a Santa Ana appellate court, which found prosecutors had improperly used information Krasnoperov provided them in a proffer agreement. That agreement was meant to allow Krasnoperov to speak freely with authorities during discussions about a potential plea deal without fear of evidence being used against him. That plea deal never came to fruition. Krasnoperovs third trial, which began earlier this year, ended with jurors convicting him of a conspiracy charge, but deadlocking on the murder and attempted murder allegations. The murders were sparked by Murtazas messy breakup with Shayona Dhanak, which Murtaza blamed on her parents. During a series of online conversations with Murtaza following the breakup, Krasnoperov fed his friend ideas on how to kill the Dhanaks, according to records presented in court. At various times, Krasnoperov suggested burning the Dhanaks house down, using a sniper rifle to shoot them from far away or hiring someone to kill the family. Krasnoperov also offered to reach out to Russians he claimed to know who would be willing to carry out the murders for hire, but there is no evidence that he ever actually contacted anyone. After the murders, prosecutors say Krasnoperov lied to police about his role in the lead up to the killings. During the latest trial, Garey argued that Krasnoperov wasnt involved with the actual slayings. Garey described the online conversations between Krasnoperov and Murtaza as at-times silly and at other times far-fetched. Judge Goethals acknowledged Krasnoperov wasnt present for the actual murders, but said he still played a key role in setting the killings in motion. We will never know what would have happened between Mr. Murtaza and the Dhanak family had the conversations between Mr. Murtaza and Mr. Krasnoperov never occurred, Goethals said during Krasnoperovs sentencing. But it is impossible to believe they didnt play some role in Mr. Murtazas ultimate decision. The judge noted the pain the attacks and subsequent trials had on the Dhanak family, as well as Krasnoperovs family. Both Leela Dhanak, the survivor of the killings, and Krasnoperovs own mother have regularly attended the court hearings. You caused that and it is something you have to live with, Goethals told Krasnoperov on Monday. Leela Dhanak has continually declined to comment on the trials, convictions or sentencings. Shayona Dhanak did not attend Krasnoperovs trial or sentencing. Krasnoperov was given credit for time served for the more than nine years he has already spent behind bars. Contact the writer: semery@scng.com When she became a faculty member in 1965 at what was then California State College at Fullerton, Irene Lange was a 25-year-old female trying to break into the male-dominated world of university teaching. Fifty-one years later, Lange, now 77, is Cal State Fullertons longest-serving faculty member. Lange who has served as the chairwoman of the Department of Marketing for the past 41 years was one of 49 female CSUF faculty members in the fall semester of 1965; there were 245 faculty members at that time. Throughout her time at the university, she has seen generations of students graduate. Langes goal on her first day as a professor and today remain the same provide the best possible education and opportunities for business students, in partnership with her fellow CSUF faculty and staff, she said. I look for different opportunities or interests for students, Lange said.If you are not enjoying what you are doing, it is not going to work. An atypical upbringing Lange was born in 1939 in Lithuania. Growing up during World War II, she spent a portion of her childhood living in refugee camps. At age 11, Lange and her mother immigrated to Boston and settled in Chicago. On the boat ride to the United States, Lange collected gratuity for her English translation services. I was the interpreter for other people, she said. They gave me all this money because they were so enchanted. It was her early exposure to a number of languages Lithuanian, Russian, German and English that would eventually spark her interest in international business and marketing. In Chicago, Lange attended private middle and high schools. She went on to earn marketing and economics undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees at the University of Illinois. She credits her graduate school professors with inspiring her to take on a role as a professor. I admired (my professors) and I liked what they were doing, she said. The thought of working closely with college students and helping to further their career aspirations was appealing to her. Overall I liked going to school; I never wanted to leave, Lange said. I think I would have just been going on and on until my mother said, When is this going to end? When are you going to get a job? she chuckled. When looking for faculty career opportunities, she found that many of the job openings were specifically for men. I was so used to working in the male world that it did not faze me at all, Lange said. Nonetheless, she kept applying and interviewing at universities on the West and East coasts. An interview at California State College at Fullerton with then-chairman of marketing Donald S. Tull ultimately led to Lange landing the job of assistant professor in the then-Department of Marketing and Decision Sciences. I must have talked up a storm because they hired me right on the spot, Lange recalled. So I thought, Ok, I might stay a while. Flash forward more than half a century and Lange is still teaching and excited about the possibilities CSUF holds. I could see everything was in the future both for me and the school, Lange said. I decided I really like it here. 51 years of imparting knowledge When Lange joined what is now CSUF, there were 6,426 students enrolled. This semester, more than 40,000 students are enrolled. While Lange lauds the university for its expansion and growth, she nostalgically speaks of days when the campus was a sliver of its current size, when she was able to create interpersonal connections with her students. And while certainly much has changed in the more than 50 years shes spent at the university, also not much has changed, she said. Her motivation and passion for her career and students remain, as does the essence of the marketing field. The central idea of providing value to customers is still the foundation of marketing, Lange said. What has changed tremendously over time is consumer interest, delivery and promotion. More recent is the transformation of web and social media marketing. All of that has become digital, Lange said. That really has changed the way education is presented because now students really need to learn different skills for those entry positions. For example, doing marketing research in those days, you would do some sort of survey; you collect the information and make predictions from that. Now its almost instantaneous, she said. Lange has been and is involved in a number of university programs and initiatives. Most notably, Lange led the efforts along with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences to create, develop and expand the universitys international business program. In fact, she cites forming and developing this program as the proudest moment of her CSUF career. Another thing that has remained the same over the past 51 years? Langes pride in the high number of first-generation students that graduate each year at CSUF. Fifty years (later) and we are still graduating a large percentage of first-time college students, Lange said. That means we are providing a lot of value to that population. I like education; I like being around young people, she said. It feels good to listen to their ideas, their dreams and aspirations. Looking forward to retirement next year, Lange is impressed by the departments faculty who will shape the incoming generations of marketing gurus. Now I am looking forward to my younger colleagues taking over and going into the next phase of the technology area, she said. And as for what has kept her at CSUF for her entire career, Lange credits the universitys atmosphere of opportunity. I think its just the whole environment the small school with a lot of opportunities for growth and innovation; and the student has always been the focus, she said. Contact the writer: amarcos@scng.com Five California mosques received threatening letters this month that appear to be written by the same person, the FBI said at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. Islamic centers in Signal Hill, L.A.s Koreatown neighborhood, Northridge, Claremont and San Jose all received copies of a handwritten letter addressing Muslims as the Children of Satan, and calling them vile and evil. So far, no Orange County mosques have reported receiving the letter, but local mosque leaders are on alert. Based on the post office from where the letters were mailed, members of the LAPD Counter Terrorism Special Operations Bureau said they are confident they can track down the person who wrote and sent them to the Koreatown and Northridge mosques, which fall under LAPD jurisdiction. Both were postmarked Nov. 19. We know where they sent the letters from, said LAPD Commander Horace Frank during a news conference held at the Islamic Center of Southern California in Koreatown, which received one of the letters. The letters prompted Islamic leaders to ask police for more vigilance and to call on members of the Muslim community to notify authorities if they are the target of acts of hate. The letters mark an increase in anti-Muslim incidents reported since the Nov. 8 election. The letter states that President-elect Donald Trump who during his campaign proposed making Muslims register and blocking people of the Muslim faith from entering the country is going to cleanse America. Hes going to do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews, the letter said. You Muslims would be wise to pack your bags and get out of Dodge. The letter is signed Americans for a Better Way. More than 100 such events have occurred across the country over the past few weeks, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington, D.C.-based civil rights organization. Orange County mosque administrators say they are taking all possible steps to keep their congregants safe. We have been taking a number of steps over the last several weeks and months to improve security, said Mahboob Akhter, a board member of the Orange County Islamic Foundation mosque in Mission Viejo. The mosques door is now open only during prayer times and is monitored with security cameras. The door to the school next door is always locked. Akhter said the mosques administration has also decided to take measures that minimize attention. We dont want to be more visible than we already are, he said. Many mosques did not initially report the letter because they are unfortunately used to receiving hate mails and threatening messages, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Anaheim-based Los Angeles chapter of CAIR. The only reason this became a bigger issue is because many mosques in California and across the country received the letter. CAIR has issued a booklet with information about how mosques can increase security awareness among their congregants. These steps include always reminding congregants to use common sense and to be vigilant, Ayloush said. Dont come by yourself in the dark. Walk in groups and report any suspicious activity around the mosque. Meanwhile, local police departments are engaging with mosques in their cities, officials said. In light of the recent threats, we have been in contact with the leadership at the Islamic Center of Irvine to assure them that we are aware of the threats and the concern these types of incidents may cause in their community, said Deputy Chief Julia Engen of the Irvine Police Department. Staff writers Jeremiah Dobruck and Monica Rodriguez contributed to this report. COSTA MESA Police were searching for a man who led officers on a short, high-speed vehicle pursuit early Tuesday, but got away. The incident began around 2:35 a.m. when officers pulled over a Honda Accord for a vehicle code violation near the intersection of 17th Street and Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa police Sgt. B. Lee said. A man driving the vehicle sped off, leading officers on a 10-minute, high-speed chase that ended in the 2900 block of Raymar Street in Santa Ana, police said. The driver ran from the vehicle that was later found to have been stolen, Lee said. Costa Mesa and Santa Ana officers searched, but could not find him. Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@scng.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline President-elect Donald Trump met with retired General David Petraeus Monday, as a senior official with the transition said the former CIA director is being considered for secretary of state amid open infighting among Trumps advisers about who to pick for the post. Just met with General Petraeus was very impressed! Trump said in a Twitter post after their session at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Petraeus, a celebrated four-star general who left government under a cloud for sharing classified documents during an extramarital affair, told reporters that Trump showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well. So a very good conversation, and well see where it goes from here. The possibility that Trump might instead tap former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who is scheduled to meet with the president-elect again Tuesday, has fueled an extraordinary public lobbying campaign against him. Kellyanne Conway, who managed Trumps campaign and is now a senior adviser to his transition, said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press that she is just astonished at the breathtaking volume and intensity of blowback that I see against the possibility of Romney serving as the nations top diplomat. In the last four years, I mean, has he been around the globe doing something on behalf of the U.S. of which were unaware? Did he go and intervene in Syria where theyre having a massive humanitarian crisis? she asked on CNNs State of the Union. Two generals A top transition official said that many in Trumps camp support having Petraeus fill the position. Trump is inclined to pick Petraeus, according to the official, yet he is weighing whether its a good idea to have two retired generals heading the State Department and Pentagon. General James Mattis has been under consideration to lead the Defense Department. Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee whos also been mentioned as a possible State Department pick, is among those due to meet with Trump or Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Tuesday. Frances Townsend, a national security expert who served in President George W. Bushs administration, was among those who visited Trump Tower on Monday. Since leaving the CIA, Petraeus has been teaching and working as chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which analyzes global trends for KKR & Co., the New York-based investment firm. The role took him around the globe to Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. He also made frequent presentations to the firms existing and potential investors, and he was promoted to a partner of KKR in December 2014. Some stock analysts have said Petraeuss unit has helped differentiate KKR from its publicly traded peers. CIA resignation If Petraeus is nominated and wins Senate confirmation, it will represent one of Trumps boldest appointments and a remarkable comeback for the 64-year-old general who won acclaim overseeing military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq before serving as director of the Central Intelligence Agency under President Barack Obama. The Senate voted 94-0 to confirm him for that post. Petraeuss government career collapsed after revelations that he had an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, and shared classified documents with her. He resigned from the CIA in November 2012 and avoided a criminal trial by agreeing to a plea deal in April 2015. It required him to serve two years on probation and pay a $100,000 fine on a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized possession of classified information. Lives destroyed While that may create the unusual prospect of a Cabinet secretary who could still be on criminal probation for his first months in office, Trump said during the presidential campaign that Petraeuss violations paled compared to those of Trumps opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who shared classified information on a private e-mail server. Other lives, including General Petraeus and many others, have been destroyed for doing far, far less, Trump said at a rally in October. This is a conspiracy against you, the American people, and we cannot let this happen or continue. FBI Director James Comey, who oversaw both the Petraeus and Clinton investigations, disagreed. In a July 7 hearing, he told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that Petraeuss behavior was worse than Clintons, saying that he deliberately lied when first questioned by investigators. So you have obstruction of justice, you have intentional misconduct and a vast quantity of information that was highly classified, Comey said. He admitted he knew that was the wrong thing to do. That is a perfect illustration of the kind of cases that get prosecuted. Obamas administration continued to seek occasional advice from Petraeus on strategy in Iraq. White House press secretary Josh Earnest noted his record of service in justifying the decision to still rely on his counsel despite the scandal. Before the scandal, Petraeus was lauded as one of the most brilliant generals of his generation and the go-to choice of presidents George W. Bush and Obama. Willing to serve Bush tapped him in 2007 to lead the surge of 21,000 U.S. troops into Iraq to rescue the crumbling U.S. war effort there. He revamped U.S. strategy in Iraq to emphasize using counterinsurgency tactics and flooding Iraq urban centers with troops to protect them. The new strategy was credited with reducing violence in the country and sparing the U.S. a humiliating defeat. In an interview with the BBC, Petraeus had said he would serve in the Trump administration if asked by the president-elect. Ive been in a position before where a president has turned to me in the Oval Office in a difficult moment, without any pleasantries, and said Im asking you as your president and Commander in Chief to take command of the international security force in Afghanistan, Petraeus said. The only response can be: Yes, Mr. President. Strategic surprise Despite Trumps praise of Petraeus on the campaign trail, the two have not always aligned on policy. Petraeus disagreed gently with Trump on one issue during the campaign, rejecting the candidates criticism of the Pentagon for announcing in advance that it was readying the long-promised campaign to retake Mosul in Iraq from Islamic State terrorists. What is going on here is, in a sense, a distinction between so-called strategic surprise, which is not possible when youre moving tens of thousands of troops and thousands of vehicles and logistics and everything else, and then tactical surprise, which I think probably was achieved to some degree when the Iraqi forces launched the original operation several days ago, Petraeus said Oct. 20 on the PBS NewsHour. At a conference on U.S.-Arab ties in Washington last month, Petraeus advocated a no-fly zone in Syria and more military support for Syrian groups that are fighting against President Bashar al-Assad as well as those combating Islamic State. He also said that the U.S. should be ready to face down Assads Russian backers, while Trump has suggested the U.S. could work more closely with Moscow to fight Islamic State. I think that it is inaccurate to say, as some do, that there is no military solution to this problem, Petraeus said. At the very least, Im not sure that Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin have gotten that memo. But Petraeus had also clashed with Obama before the president took office. During a 2008 campaign visit to Iraq, the then-senator and Petraeus had a heated debate over troop levels in the country, according to a book by Obamas campaign manager, David Plouffe. President-elect Donald Trump is well into filling out his Cabinet and picking key advisers. But a move to challenge the vote tallies in three swing states an extreme long-shot to reverse his Electoral College majority is advancing in the background, creating a noisy distraction on Trumps Twitter feed and raising last-ditch hopes of some Hillary Clinton supporters. In Wisconsin, elections officials said Monday that a recount of the states nearly 3 million votes would most likely begin Thursday. In Pennsylvania, Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate who initiated the recounts, filed a legal challenge of the results in state court. And the Stein campaign said it planned to request a recount in Michigan on Wednesday. Neither Stein nor the Clinton campaign has found evidence of election tampering in any of the three states, where Trump beat Clinton by a combined margin of only about 100,000 votes. But once Stein seized on the issue last week, the Clinton campaign said it, too, would join in the efforts to seek recounts. Clinton has been urged by her supporters to challenge the results, but she has done so only in a passive way. A campaign lawyer said that her team would participate in a manner that ensured fairness, but that it had not uncovered any actionable evidence of hacking or other interference. The Clinton campaign will pay to have its own lawyers present at recount sites, but it is not contributing money to the effort, campaign officials have said. Stein said she invited every candidate, including Trump, to join her calls for recounts, but she is not seeking money or legal input from the remnants of the Clinton campaign. Trumps spokesman, Jason Miller, said in an email that the mere talk of a recount by someone who got less than 1% Stein is a joke. The recount push irked Trump, who said on Twitter that Democrats were joining what he called a scam by the Green Party to fill up their coffers by asking for impossible recounts. The president-elect also returned to the issue of voter fraud over the weekend, advancing the baseless charge that millions of people voted illegally. He singled out California, Virginia and New Hampshire for serious voter fraud prompting a rebuff from Alex Padilla, the California secretary of state, who said on Twitter that Trumps reckless tweets are inappropriate and unbecoming of a president-elect. Stein, who finished a distant fourth place in the popular vote on Nov. 8, as of Monday had raised about $6.3 million of a $7 million goal to cover the costs of recounts in the three states. To begin the recount in Wisconsin, the state must receive payment of $3.5 million by Tuesday afternoon to cover the estimated costs, the Wisconsin Elections Commission said Monday. The commission approved a schedule, which includes county clerks and canvass members being briefed on procedures Wednesday morning, with the recount beginning Thursday and being completed by Dec. 12 and certified on Dec. 13. The Electoral College votes on Dec. 19. Stein asked that the recount of ballots be done entirely by hand, but the elections commission rejected that request, instead allowing counties to determine whether they should be counted manually or using tabulating equipment. Stein said Monday that she would sue to demand the hand count. In all three states, the Stein campaign is seeking to answer the question of whether the vote was hacked, by introducing malicious software into voting machines. The possibility was raised by J. Alex Halderman, a computer science professor at the University of Michigan. Although no evidence of hacking exists, Stein wants to compare paper records of votes with electronic tallies of voting machines, and to subject touch-screen machines (which dont leave a paper trail) to forensic analysis. In Pennsylvania, the hurdles are much higher in terms of the number of votes necessary to reverse Trumps victory, as well as the procedures for initiating a recount. The state, where Trump holds a lead of 70,638 votes or 1.1 percent, allows any three voters to petition to recount their local precinct. But despite a call from Stein on Facebook on Sunday for thousands of Pennsylvanians to file the paperwork, in many cases the deadlines have come and gone, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. There are more than 9,000 voting precincts in Pennsylvania. Wanda Murren, a spokeswoman for the Department of State said she was aware of petitions in only a handful of Pennsylvanias 67 counties. The Stein campaign said that as of Monday voters had filed recount petitions in 120 precincts, including more than 70 in Philadelphia, where the county has not yet certified the vote and petitions can still be accepted, according to Ilann Maazel, a lawyer for the campaign. In Michigan, a candidate can request a recount by citing fraud or errors, said Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for the Michigan secretary of state. But other candidates, like Trump, could potentially object to such a request by appealing to the Board of State Canvassers. At a meeting Monday, where the canvassers certified the election results, a representative for Stein said her campaign planned to request a complete hand recount by a deadline Wednesday. The campaign would need to pay estimated costs of $800,000, and a recount could start as early as Friday. People will be working well after 5 p.m. and on the weekends, Woodhams said. It will certainly be very challenging, and potentially, it could be expensive. The 800k will cover a lot of the work, but potentially not everything. Keywords: BC-ELECTION-RECOUNT-ART-NYT Category: Nation Publisher: NYT Urgency: Regular Category (wire): a Supplementary category (wire): tta-z Transmission reference: Edit status: Used in (by): 1129.ELECTION-RECOUNT-NYT (Susan Jacobs) Copied by: // CHINO A newly released audit of high-performing charter school Oxford Preparatory Academy, which has two campuses in Orange County, alleges the schools founder set up education-related entities with the intent of laundering school funds for personal profit. The 45-page audit report, released last week, was prepared by the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team, a collective that helps California school districts with financial and management advice and assistance. The audit concludes by suggesting San Bernardino County of Schools Superintendent Ted Alejandre get in touch with law enforcement. Notify the governing board of Oxford Preparatory Academy charter school, the governing board of the Chino Valley Unified School District, the State Controller, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the local district attorney that fraud, misappropriation of assets or other illegal activities may have occurred, the report says. RELATED: Chino Valley Unified votes to close Oxford Preparatory Academy In Orange County, Oxford has campuses in Mission Viejo, overseen by the Capistrano Unified School District, and in Lake Forest, overseen by the Orange County Department of Education. (The schools have no relation to Oxford Academy in the Anaheim Union High School District.) Both agencies released statements Monday saying they take the audit results very seriously and are reviewing the report. We take reports from (the auditor) very seriously as it is their sole responsiblility to identify issues that could comprise the financial health of a school or district, said Ian Hanigan, spokesman for the Orange County Department of Education. AUDIT REQUESTED The county board approved on appeal the Oxford Preparatory Academy-Saddleback Valley charter in Lake Forest in October 2015, after the Saddleback Valley Unified School District rejected a petition for the new K-8 school. Oxford Preparatory Academy-South Orange County in Mission Viejo, meanwhile, has been open since 2011. In Chino Valley, the audit was initiated at Alejandres request this summer. The county school board had been considering Oxford Preps appeal after the Chino Valley Unified school board rejected a five-year charter extension for the school in March. Charter schools are publicly funded and are overseen by a board of their own as well as the school districts that grant them their charter. In rejecting Oxford Preps request for five more years, Chino Valley Unified staffers cited its entanglement with Oxford Prep founder Sue Roches private company, Edlighten Learning Solutions of Yorba Linda. Edlighten handles management services, such as human resources, for charter schools. Founded by former Chino Valley Unified Principal Roche, Oxford Preparatory has been operating a K-8 school in Chino since 2010 and later spread to Orange County, with campuses in Mission Viejo and Lake Forest. The schools broke off relationships with Roche and Edlighten in May. In response to the audit, Oxford distributed a letter to parents Wednesday. We concur that the FCMAT findings are of great concern, Oxford Preparatorys board chairman, Michael Delgado, writes. OPA has already implemented numerous changes to address many of the issues that have been raised. DIVERTING FUNDS? According to auditors, Roche intentionally created a system of loose oversight, a daisy chain of payments between for-profit companies staffed by family and friends, and obscured the financial operations from Chino Valley officials, auditors and Oxford Preparatory staff to divert public school funds to her and her associates bank accounts. Oxford Preparatory, Edlighten and another spinoff, Nevada-based Educational Excellence, employed relatives and longtime friends of Roche, including two of her children and a cousin. Interviews indicate that following the petition renewal in 2012, the founder created a complex structure of charter management corporations that exercised significant influence over transactions and contracts between these entities, and secured considerable financial benefit through contracts that charged management service fees up to 10 percent, funneling charter school dollars from OPA schools and charging for services that already existed, the audit report reads in part. To service all three campuses, Oxford Preparatory paid Edlighten $4.2 million in management fees from January 2013 to June 2016, according to the audit $821,490 in 2013, $1.2 million in 2014, $1.3 million in 2015 and $834,522 in 2016. They found sufficient evidence that affiliated and/or related party organizations were intentionally created to divert and launder funds from Oxford Preparatory Academy, the report reads. Its disheartening for me and Sue to see the defamation by FCMAT of the founder of an incredible foundation and school, Roches attorney, Marc Greenberg, said Friday. They started with a conclusion and went out to prove it. Greenberg said the money given to Edlighten for management services wasnt public funds because Edlighten was a vendor. If you hire someone to paint the school, once you pay them, what that company does with the money is up to them, he said. Greenberg said management companies charging Oxford Preparatory millions of dollars might look bad to a layperson and that the contracts could have been written more clearly. Youre always going to have people say you should have spent the money this way or that way, Greenberg said. Its just the way it is. He added that charter schools eat a lot of funds their first few years. CUTTING TIES Oxford Preparatory distanced itself from Roche in the schools response to the audit. The current OPA board and administration had no knowledge of Mrs. Roches inappropriate expenditures and had zero authority over the way in which Edlighten spent its funds, wrote Oxford Preparatorys board chairman, Michael Delgado. News of this apparent mismanagement of funds specifically FCMATs allegations of money laundering by (Edlighten Learning Services) is shocking and disappointing to all of us. The current board and administration were kept in the dark about the activities during Mrs. Roches tenure and outraged by the revelations in the FCMAT report. After Oxford Prep cut its ties to Roche and Edlighten, it is prioritizing accuracy, transparency and efficiency, Delgado wrote. Oxford Prep has regularly been one of the top-scoring schools in San Bernardino and Orange counties. In the classroom, our results speak for themselves, Delgado wrote. Weve twice been ranked the top-performing school in San Bernardino County, and we were named a California Distinguished School the very first year we were eligible. Our students consistently outperform their district peers in California state tests, and in July, we earned initial accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Edlightens dealings with another Orange County charter school also are under scrutiny. The Orange County Department of Education is looking into complaints by Anaheim educators against Epic Charter School, an online program based in Anaheim but affiliated with an Oklahoma school of the same name. Officials with two Anaheim school districts asked the county to rescind their approval of Epic, saying it provides an unsound educational program and raising concerns about predatory marketing practices, among other things. Kelly Gaughran, the administrator for Orange Countys charter schools, asked Epic in a Sept. 26 letter to supply contracts, agreements and memorandum of understandings between Epic and various organizations and to identify the relationship they have to Epics cofounder, Ben Harris. Emails between Harris and Roche are quoted in the FCMAT audit, discussing moving personnel between Oxford Preparatory and the management companies to avoid legal trouble. Harris denied the allegations in the audit in an email Monday. Nobody affiliated with Epic Charter School has been contacted or interviewed by FCMAT, he wrote. There is no relationship past or present between Oxford Preparatory Academy or Edlighten Learning Solutions and Epic Charter School. In the past, prior to starting the authorization process with the Orange County Department of Education, some individuals affiliated with Epic Charter School provided services that were mentioned in the report. Those services were discharged legally and ethically and ended more than a year ago. Barbara Black, executive director of Oxford, has asked to make a presentation to the Orange County board at its Dec. 14 meeting, Orange County Trustee David Boyd wrote in an email Monday. While the report raises very serious concerns, we should keep an open mind at this time, Boyd wrote. These types of reports often dont include all relevant information. Alejandre has followed the FCMAT recommendation and forwarded the audit to the district attorneys office, according to a spokesman for his office on Monday. Nothing they said showed ill-intent on the part of Sue, Greenberg said. She worked herself to death for those kids. Contact the writer: byarbrough@scng.com and rkopetman@scng.com Zillow announced Monday it had agreed to pay $6 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by an Irvine employee accusing the firm of failing to pay overtime and pressuring employees to skip meal and rest breaks. The Seattle-based online real estate company had announced the settlement in May, but hadnt disclosed the terms until Monday. The settlement had been contingent on a U.S. Labor Department review of Zillow and future compliance with the Federal Labor Standards Act, the company filing said. The firm and the Labor Department reached an agreement Monday on terms of future compliance, which affects ad sales persons in California and the state of Washington. Zillow agreed that it will establish and maintain certain procedures to promote future compliance with the labor standards act. Despite the settlement, Zillow still does not admit any wrongdoing regarding treatment of its employees. The settlement was one of four reached last spring with Irvine employees. Three other lawsuits accused the Seattle-based firm of of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and maintaining a frat house atmosphere at its Irvine sales office. Contact the writer: 714-796-7734 or jcollins@ocregister.com Jake Shimabukuro and his ukulele are a perfect illustration of the powerful bond between a musician and his instrument. The Hawaiian-born ukulele master said he and his Kamaka brand tenor, which he performs and records with, have a unique relationship that has developed over time. He describes it as a good pair of jeans that stretches and molds to ones body until it fits perfectly. I feel like the more you play one instrument, you become more familiar with all the slightly unique characteristics of it, said Shimabukuro, who will return to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Friday. Every instrument can be made out of the same exact tree and its going to be different, and this sounds a little funny, but I also feel like the instrument is playing you and learning your style and how you respond. The relationship has proven to be a strong one, taking Shimabukuro to music halls and stages around the world, and landing collaboration gigs with famous performers, including Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Ziggy Marley and Chris Botti. The 40-year-old Japanese American has had many achievements in the last 10 years, including performing for the queen of England. Compared with the likes of Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix, Shimabukuro revolutionized the four-stringed instrument by performing some of the most intricate and popular songs ever written, including Queens Bohemian Rhapsody and George Harrisons While My Guitar Gently Weeps which was the tune that launched his career after his street performance of it was recorded and posted on YouTube in 2006. His past albums and performances have consisted of cover songs that ranged from pop to rock to jazz to hip-hop. In September, Shimabukuro teamed with bassist Nolan Verner and drummer Evan Hutchings to record his first album of original music, Nashville Sessions. At Cerritos, he will perform a variety of his original songs, but the majority of his set list will still be recognizable tunes. Bassist Verner will also join him on stage. Lately Ive been doing a tribute to Leonard Cohen, so we are going to do Hallelujah. Im a huge Beatles fan, so we have several new songs from them as well, and some other surprises, said Shimabukuro, who said performing his original stuff can be a little nerve-wracking. Its scary because this is my first all-original record. Theres kind of a comfort in doing covers because people are a lot more engaged. When you start playing and the first three notes are recognized, theyre already in it. But when its something new, it takes a little more patience and trust to endure and listen. Out of all the instruments, Shimabukuro said the ukulele is not taken as seriously and he has found that to be a good thing. Having been born and raised in Hawaii, where the ukulele is a respected instrument and an important part of the culture, he said it is amazing how many people all around the world laugh at him when he tells them what he plays. The thing is Ive never felt offended; Ive actually always admired that about the instrument. People arent intimidated by it, said Shimabukuro, I wish people would have that same attitude with playing other instruments. Its such a wonderful thing to make music; it changes you and brings so much joy in your life. I feel like we all owe it to ourselves to experience the joy of creating music. Shimabukuro said the instrument is quickly becoming more popular, including in Cerritos, where he said there is a large ukulele community that is very supportive of him and the equipment. Not only does he love coming to the Cerritos Center for the great acoustics of the theater, but he has a lot of family and friends from Orange County who come out to the venue, so it is like a reunion every time. Itll be a fun show. I always love coming back to California; theres always a good vibe and energy, so its great when we get invited back, said Shimabukuro. Although his music career has continued to flourish for nearly two decades, he still feels humbled that he and his ukulele have gotten this far. I still cant believe that I get to do this as my career, because its what I love to do, he said. Theres something that happens when you are performing in a venue with great acoustics and sounds amazing and you play one note and that note resonates across the hall or theater and makes that connection with the people. Its something so incredible; its kind of a rush that I look forward to every time. Contact the writer: jmoe@ocregister.com The day after Donald Trump was elected president, students at UC Irvine organized a cry-in. This is an actual event, posted an Asian student group at the school. It was also, perhaps, just a start. In what might be shaping up as an echo of the 1960s, campuses in Southern California and around the country are responding to a pending Trump presidency with all manner of mourning and protest. Cry-ins, class walkouts, marches all have become routine parts of campus life in recent weeks, a response to the election of a candidate who denied climate change, repeatedly made statements viewed as misogynistic, and called for building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. And, most of all, many college students (and some faculty and university presidents) are pushing back against Trumps highest-profile promise mass deportations. Schools locally and nationally are rallying around the idea of sanctuary campuses, a loosely defined concept that, at its core, means schools will do nothing to help the federal government in any organized effort to deport undocumented immigrants who are college students or employees. The anti-Trump push isnt universally welcome. Polling data show that people under 30 werent monolithic in their support of Hillary Clinton only about half the demographic voted and, of those, 38 percent backed Trump. And as school protests continue, some conservative students are frustrated that many of their classmates along with teachers and alumni and administrators are vocally opposing Trump before he even takes office. Its really unprofessional and immature for people in positions of power to reject the president-elect and to reject the laws and rules that America has followed since the beginning of our country, said Ariana Rowlands, president of the College Republicans at UCI. A group cry-in? Its ridiculous, Rowlands said. But others suggest Trump could fundamentally change American culture. In their view, opposition is imperative. On Nov. 22, Georges Van Den Abbeele, dean of UCI School of Humanities, spoke to a crowd of about 150 protesting students. That days event targeted Trump and the current administrations effort to squelch protest of an oil pipeline in North Dakota. When he was done, Van Den Abbeele explained that he sees Trump as nothing less than an existential threat. The future of the university as an institution of free research and free exchange of ideas is at stake. SANCTUARY PUSH Even as students and others debate the merits of anti-Trump protests, the idea of sanctuary campuses is spreading across the country. The demands vary from campus to campus. A petition to UCI administrators, signed by more than 1,000 students, faculty members and alumni, said, Many people feel under siege and live in fear of deportation. It asks school administrators to protect all students and workers regardless of their immigration status; provide confidential counseling services for undocumented students, staff and their families; and provide legal services for the same groups. So far, those demands havent been met. Neither of Californias biggest university systems has adopted a sanctuary campus policy. Still, the petition and the sentiment behind it echoes what leaders at the University of California and Cal State systems have already suggested. In a statement issued just after the election, UC President Janet Napolitano wrote: We know there is understandable consternation and uncertainty among members of the University of California community. We remain absolutely committed to supporting all members of our community. Earlier this month, Napolitano told the Board of Regents that she formed a group to address potential changes to immigration policies that a Trump administration might adopt that could affect students living in the country illegally. Meanwhile, at schools such as UCI, UCLA and UC Riverside campus police already dont detain, question or arrest individuals solely because they lack documentation, and they do not inquire about students immigration status. And, in California, public schools can offer financial aid for academically qualified students who are undocumented. Cal State schools work under similar policies. We are deeply committed to fostering a campus community that is safe and welcoming for everyone, said Timothy White, chancellor of the Cal State system, during a recent meeting in Long Beach. The Cal State system, the largest in the nation, with campuses in Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge and San Bernardino, is not in the business of enforcing federal immigration laws, White said. Such comments comfort some; others argue its not enough. We need something more than just a statement, Van Den Abbeele said. That might not be far off. Pomona College President David Oxtoby is leading a national protest effort thats gained the support of more than 300 college and university presidents. Theyve signed a petition asking for the continuation of the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Essentially, DACA offers temporary work permits and other relief from deportation for people who were brought into the country as children. As of 2015, there were nearly 250,000 undocumented undergraduate students in the the United States, according to a UCLA report, The UndocuScholars Project. More than 1,500 undocumented students attend UC Riverside, UCLA and UCI, while hundreds more are at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Los Angeles. Though Trump has said his administration initially will target criminals for deportation, he promised repeatedly during his campaign that he would repeal DACA and, so far, has said nothing to indicate hes changed that goal. Oxtobys petition describes the continuation and support of DACA students as a moral imperative and a national necessity. BEYOND IMMIGRATION College administrators look at the protests and see frustration about the coming Trump presidency that goes beyond immigration. Many of our students are feeling anxiety and some are literally experiencing feelings of hopelessness, said Jim Sandoval, vice chancellor for student affairs at UC Riverside. Its not only minority students fearful of the anti-Muslim, anti-Mexican rhetoric that dominated Trumps campaign, Sandoval added. A lot of students at the campus are very attuned to environmental issues and sustainability, and have directed their studies to that, Sandoval said. I literally heard a student say the other day, I dont know about my future any more. Thomas Parham, UCIs vice chancellor for student affairs, publicly urged more conversation and less argument. In a campuswide email he suggested people of all political views find ways to support each other. Some members of our community will find the results distressing if not traumatizing, Parham wrote of the election. Conversely, other members of our Anteater family will want to celebrate the outcome and the opportunity this election presents to move particular agendas forward. We also want to acknowledge their feelings of joy, delight, relief, gratitude, and even surprise at the outcomes we have all realized as a nation. They too will need safe spaces to express their thoughts and feelings, and experience the moment in individual and collective ways. Since the election, there have been reports of increased hate crimes across the country, many on college campuses. A coalition of organizations, including Palestine Legal, an organization dedicated to the Palestinian cause, sent a letter last week to UC leader Napolitano saying anti-Muslim harassment and violations of free speech have increased since Trumps election. They blame Trumps election rhetoric as well the UC Regents own policies and called on the board to repeal or rewrite its Statement of Principles against Intolerance, among other things. Meanwhile, the Amcha Initiative, a Santa Cruz-based organization that tracks anti-Semitism at colleges, said since the election it had recorded nearly 40 anti-Semitic incidents on U.S. campuses, including UC San Diego, the University of Florida and New York University. For many students, protesting or not, the election remains a constant maybe even a growing point of contention. We need to protect the people who are being targeted, said Taylor Chanes, a member of UCIs Associated Students governing board, who has attended some of the protests on the Irvine campus. But UCI Republican club leader Rowlands is increasingly frustrated with the protesters. The schools Republican club wants to share information about the GOPs immigration policies with the campus community: Its not just Deport the Mexicans. That is not at all what (the GOPs) immigration policy is, she said. In the coming months, as Trumps policies unfold, the club plans to post information But instead of using a website or social media, the information will be posted in the heart of UCI. Were going to build a wall, Rowlands said. On campus. Contact the writer: Twitter@roxanakopetman and rkopetman@scng.com Rock band Weezers frontman Rivers Cuomo is on a one-man mission to support and spread his admiration and passion for William Shakespeare to all generations. Over the past couple of years, the Harvard graduate has been hosting Nerd Nights where he privately screens or pays for his fans to attend a screening of a film adaptation of a Shakespeare play at various Los Angeles theaters. Cuomo was also an active audience member at The City Shakespeare Company (City Shakes) in Santa Monica before it closed. Now, Cuomo has teamed up with Shakespeare Orange County by donating four prime Weezer concert tickets and a Fender guitar signed by the band for the company to hold a sweepstakes drawing to raise money for its 2017 season. The sweepstakes is currently running through July 15. SOC announced a prize package Monday in hopes of attracting Weezer fans around the globe, which will also include airfare and lodging for four to the location of the concert. The entries can be purchased on the SOC web site, starting at $20, with all the proceeds supporting the theater. We are hoping to extend our reach beyond Southern California Shakespeare lovers to an audience that might not normally consider donating to a theater company, but that loves the band Weezer, said SOC writer, producer and actress Allison Volk. Many of the City Shakes members migrated south to work at SOC, which inspired Cuomo to get involved with and donate to the Orange County theater. The American rock band Weezer formed in Los Angeles in 1992, consisting of Cuomo, Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell and Scott Shriner. The band has sold 9.2 million albums in the U.S. and over 17 million worldwide. We are very grateful to Rivers Cuomo and the band Weezer for their incredible support of the arts, Volk said. Contact the writer: jmoe@ocregister.com Millennials (people born between the early 80s to the mid 90s) are often labeled as lazy, spoiled and unable to act mature enough to handle adulthood, but a new adulting school in Portland, Maine, is trying to change things by teaching millennials the skills required to function as real adults. Unless you spend a considerable amount of time online, the word adulting probably sounds very strange, but Ill have you know that in 2015 it was nominated for word of the year by the American Dialect Society. It has used by a number of high profile websites in the titles of popular articles, and several big brands have used adulting in their marketing campaigns. But youll mostly find the word on social media, relating to things usually associated with adulthood. The verb adulting currently has two meanings 1. to behave in an adult manner; 2. to make someone behave like an adult. Growing up was never easy, but some people seem to think that it is particularly difficult for adults. One of these people is Rachel Weinstein, co-founder of the Adulting School, who got the idea for the project while working as a psychotherapist. I noticed as a therapist that a lot of my clients well-being seemed to be affected by a lack of some really important skills, she said. And I know over the decades with teaching to the test, and other changes in education, schools have had to cut a lot of Home EC classes. And thats some of the stuff that people really need to learn and arent necessarily taught unless parents really impress those skills upon them. So Weinstein teamed up with former public-school teacher Katie Brunelle to create a platform that could help millennials pick up the skills usually required to function as adults. The Adulting School was created to help fill in the gaps in our adult know-how, the schools official website states. You knowthe stuff we wish wed learned in high school or college and never did. So many of us are doing well overall, but have been limping along with patched-together systems for financial management or organization that dont work all that well. The schools Premiere Adulting Summit took place on November 13 and featured various workshops on everything from how to handle money and finances, career development, time management and paying off school, to personal relationships and communication. But it also addressed more practical issues, like how to make yourself a meal. We did a happy hour workshop on how to be an improv cook, Rachel Weinstein said. How do you open up our refrigerator and make a meal from what you have? The Adulating Schools first summit was attended by over 50 people, some of which were just sent there by their parents, but most of which actually paid the $30 attendance fee because they thought it would help them deal with various problems. Credit card stuff, which I didnt think I would have at this age, a 29-year-old student said. And I really dont have the skill set, how to pay for our rent, and our food, on top of paying off that debt. I find myself feeling anxious a lot, that Im not doing what I should be doing, said Allison Morrill, another attendee of the Adulting School. Many of those who have attended Adulting School classes, where professionals try to help them acquire various skills and teach them how to handle grownup problems, say that they are happy to have a dedicated place where they can get their adult life in order. The Adulting School hopes to open in other cities across the United States soon, and already has online classes available. So if you want to learn how to be a proper adult in this day and age, now you can. Sources: The Adulting School, NY Mag, Maine Public Over 300,000 in funding has been allocated for Birr Castle under the REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative. The 316,870 will be put towards the provision of an Education Centre at the castle. Projects in Banagher and Kilcormac will also benefit under the scheme. SEE ALSO: Kilcormac receives almost 50,000 in funding under REDZ initiative SEE ALSO: 50,000 in funding for Banagher under REDZ initiative Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, TD, announced details of the 5.3 million REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative, which aims to stimulate economic development in rural towns and their hinterlands. Under the 2016 REDZ scheme, just over 5.3 million is being approved to 41 projects nationwide, with 1.9 million going to projects in the North and Western Region, 1.3 million for projects in the Southern Region and 2.1 million for projects in the Eastern and Midlands Region. Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said, The REDZ scheme aims to improve links between rural towns and their hinterlands to stimulate activity at a local level. It is one of a number of schemes which my Department has been rolling out to boost economic activity and improve living standards across rural Ireland. Kilcormac has been awarded funding of 48,000 for funding under the REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative. The funding will be used to promote and market awareness of Kilcormac as The Gateway to Lough Boora Discovery Park. The Park is one of the main tourist amenities in Offaly. Funding has also been provided for projects in Birr and Banagher. SEE ALSO: Over 300,000 funding boost for Birr Castle SEE ALSO: 50,000 in funding for Banagher under REDZ initiative Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, TD, announced details of the 5.3 million REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative, which aims to stimulate economic development in rural towns and their hinterlands. Under the 2016 REDZ scheme, just over 5.3 million is being approved to 41 projects nationwide, with 1.9 million going to projects in the North and Western Region, 1.3 million for projects in the Southern Region and 2.1 million for projects in the Eastern and Midlands Region. Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said, The REDZ scheme aims to improve links between rural towns and their hinterlands to stimulate activity at a local level. It is one of a number of schemes which my Department has been rolling out to boost economic activity and improve living standards across rural Ireland. #PM-apology PM apologizes for quip at press briefing on Itaewon tragedy Prime Minister Han Duck-soo issued an apology Wednesday for making a quip at a media briefing with foreign journalists with regard to the Halloween crowd crush in Itaewon. "Re... #football Tottenham's Son Heung-min leaves Champions League match early after collision Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur was forced to leave his club's latest UEFA Champions League match early following a collision with an opposing defender. Son was subbed out in... Last month at the nations largest nursing conference, an award-winning Omaha nurse stood onstage, her image magnified on a huge video screen. In that very public setting in Orlando, Florida, she recalled a most private moment years before in Omaha: The first time she sat with a woman who had been raped, Anne Boatright said, she lacked the training to support her in the worst moment of her life. That experience, she told the audience, inspired me to seek formal education and training to become a sexual assault nurse examiner, which has changed the course of my life. Today, as coordinator of the Methodist Heidi Wilke Forensic Nurse Examiner program, Boatright, 32, has helped transform the way care is provided to victims of sexual and domestic violence in the Omaha area. And on Oct. 6 at the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Conference, attended by more than 10,000, she received the transformational leadership award as one of five national nurses of the year. That thrilled none other than Heidi Wilke of Omaha, whose survival of rape nearly 15 years ago led to a $1.7 million fundraising campaign that created the nurse examiner program. Annie has taken that program to a level I never envisioned, Wilke said. And she has so much compassion. More than a well-deserved national honor, the award calls attention to advances in the treatment of victims though Boatright and others say much work remains to change a culture that leads to sexual violence. Millions have experienced these crimes, Boatright said in an Omaha interview. I hope as a country that we start to create a culture where we support victims. Thats the key to all of this. In collaboration with other local agencies, Boatright has stayed busy, speaking across the state on a human trafficking task force organized by Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson. The sessions, drawing between 75 and 160 people, were set in Scottsbluff, North Platte, Hastings, Norfolk, Lincoln and Omaha. The forensic nurse program she leads is at Methodist and Methodist Womens Hospitals. It not only collects evidence for potential prosecutions, but also provides an atmosphere of comfort and care. That kind of atmosphere is what Wilke found lacking 15 years ago, and what led to creating the unit, sometimes called SANE-SART, for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Sexual Assault Response Team. The most important thing I wanted to do, Wilke said, was to try to make the hospital experience better for others. That happened from the start in 2003. Boatright joined the unit in 2009 and later became coordinator, working with other groups, such as the Womens Center for Advancement, the former YWCA, which has long assisted assault victims. Amy Richardson, the WCAs president and CEO, said Boatright has been a great collaborator, open to ideas that help patients. The unit, for example, has expanded to include victims of domestic violence. Richardson also suggested that during nights and weekends, her organizations trained advocates be allowed to set up full time at the hospital emergency room. Boatright took the idea to the hospital administration and gained approval. Its not uncommon across the country for advocates from nonprofit agencies to be called to ERs to help counsel victims, but Richardson said the overnight on-site presence at Methodist is unusual. Were about a year into it, Richardson said, and its unheard of. You might not find another hospital in the U.S. that allows that. Said Boatright: Im grateful to work at a place where people support your passion and your dreams and never take the wind out of your sails. Treatment of survivors is crucial, the two leaders said, but so is educating everyone, including men on college campuses, that they have no right to take advantage of women under any circumstances, including if they have been drinking. Most perpetrators are known to their victims, and so Wilke was in the minority she was attacked by a stranger. (He was convicted and sentenced to 30 to 75 years.) But she is a prime example that rape can happen to anyone. A great-granddaughter of Henry Doorly, for whom Omahas zoo is named, and a granddaughter of Dr. Richard Young, Wilke is the daughter of Dr. William Hamsa, who was board chairman of Physicians Mutual. She was in her car leaving a board meeting of the then-Richard Young Hospital at 6 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2002. She was attacked near 25th Avenue and Douglas Street. That horrible experience, and her determination to help others, led to improvements in the way sexual assault victims are treated and to national recognition last month for what Omaha is doing. Joining honoree Boatright in Orlando were her husband, Colin Boatright, and her parents, retired World-Herald photographer Jim Burnett and his wife, Peggy. All the agencies working to help sexual and domestic violence victims try to make certain that they dont feel they are mere statistics. But collectively, statistics add to the story and the numbers are up. At the WCA, for example, calls to the 402-345-7273 crisis hotline went from 4,475 in 2013 to 7,749 last year. They are on pace for 8,600 this year. The forensic nurse examiner program at Methodist saw 137 patients in 2013, and this year will see more than 400. Im encouraged that more people know we exist and are coming forward, Boatright said. But this is still one of the most underreported crimes. We know there are a lot more people out there who dont come in and dont have this kind of support. She notes the irony that the numbers are increasing, though the long-term goal of her work is for far fewer attacks and much lower numbers. Id love, she said, to work myself out of a job. As the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium counted down to its 2 millionth visitor for the year, a first, zoo Director Dennis Pate wondered about who that lucky No. 2 million might be. Would it be someone from out of town? Would they come right before the zoo closed its gates for the day? As it turned out, No. 2 million was a mom, Jacque Keys, and her two young kids, who live right here in Omaha. They showed up just after noon Tuesday. It was pretty amazing, Keys said. We thought we would probably be too late to be the 2 millionth. Pate welcomed Jacque, 32, daughter Kierra, 5, and son Kyan, 1, at the front gate. Then, he escorted the family into the Wildlife Kingdom Pavilion, where nearly 100 clapping members of the zoo staff were gathered, forming a line to a stage with a banner reading Welcome 2 Millionth Visitor. All this hoo-ha, as Pate put it, is to celebrate a milestone for the zoo. This is the first time in the institutions history that it passed 2 million annual visitors, something only about a dozen American zoos do each year. Omaha is the smallest market zoo to surpass 2 million annual visitors, joining the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio as the only zoos to hit such a mark in a metropolitan area ranked outside the top 20 in the country. Even then, the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area is ranked 27 spots behind Columbus. We feel pretty special, said Keys, a zoo member who takes her kids to the zoo or the Simmons Safari Park about once a week. On the pavilion platform was a porcupine, a tortoise, a snake, a bird and an opossum, but the kids were immediately drawn to a white-haired terrier named Watson. They petted the pooch while mom chatted with Pate, who hand-delivered the generous prize package. The prizes include a $500 zoo gift card, a zoo-themed gift basket, a personal photographer for the day at the zoo and a two-year patron-level zoo membership. In total, its all worth about $4,000. The patron membership includes free admission to the zoo, the safari park and the zoos Imax theater for two adults and up to six children or grandchildren plus two additional guests with every visit. The membership also includes discounts on concessions and in the gift shop, and other perks, including a seat at the zoos patron parties. I didnt ever really forecast to 2 million, but some of our board members did, to push us to here, Pate said. And we did it. It feels like a really big achievement. This years opening of the African Grasslands and the Alaskan Adventure splash ground, as well as a few unseasonably warm weekends, helped boost the zoo to the record mark. Pate said the extra revenue this year from higher attendance will be used to pay for infrastructure improvements and to repair or replace dated elements of exhibits. It has already helped pay for a new roof in the Lied Jungle. The zoo has broken monthly attendance records in eight of 11 months this year. It surpassed its previous high attendance 1.7 million set in 2012 in September. The zoo hit 1 million at a record pace too, in July. About 30 percent of that traffic came from out of state, Pate said, and thats by design. The zoo ramped up spending on regional advertising this year. Pate said he doesnt expect the zoo to surpass 2 million in 2017, but he hopes itll get close. The more people that come, the better I feel about our opportunity to influence how people feel about wildlife, Pate said. That never ends for me. I want to keep seeing more and more people, I want to do more education, I want to increase our conservation activities so this zoo can really make a difference for animals in the wild. LINCOLN Four long-running lawsuits against the former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, Kermit Brashear of Omaha, have been settled out of court. Terms of the settlement were not made public, and both Brashear, who served in the Legislature from 1995 to 2007, and the lawyers who sued him declined to comment on Monday. Im required to have no comment, said Brashear, 72. Thats the most careful way I can observe the settlement. The lawsuits were filed in 2013 and 2014 over the default on loans made to the senator from a trust associated with the late Richard Dick Herman, an Omaha businessman and longtime Republican Party supporter. Herman had been Brashears legal client for three decades. The Herman Trust, an entity established by Brashear as Hermans attorney, also accused the former legislator of legal malpractice. The claims arose out of two loans made by the Herman Trust to Brashear: of $264,000 in 2010 and an additional $500,000 in January of 2011. Three of the lawsuits, filed in March of 2013, claimed that Brashear had defaulted on the loans and owed the Trust $764,000 plus about $15,000 in interest. The trust also accused Brashear, in a January 2014 malpractice lawsuit, of failing to advise Herman to hire an independent attorney before making the loans and never having Herman sign a waiver for Brashears conflict of interest in representing both the lender and the loan recipient. Brashear, the Herman Trust claimed, had also misrepresented the amount of equity he had in the office building used as collateral for the loan and failed to reveal that other creditors claimed the building, at 711 N. 108th Court, as collateral for other loans. In August of 2012, the Herman Trust terminated Brashear as its legal representative. The lawsuits followed. One of the lawyers representing the Herman Trust, Chris Tjaden of Omaha, said he would have no comment on the settlement, which required each party to pay their own legal costs. The future of the 24,000-square-foot office building at the center of the lawsuit was not revealed by either party. The building was listed for sale in 2015 for $3.25 million, but was taken off the market at the end of that year. Brashear, on Monday, said that his law firm still occupies a portion of the building. The firm, he said, includes two attorneys and two paralegals. During an interview in March of 2013, just after the first lawsuits were filed, Brashear said he was surprised by the legal action but hoped a settlement could be reached. Im sorry that its come to this, he said. Mr. Herman has always been very good to me. Hes a man of great accomplishment. Herman, who operated a trucking company and a Budweiser beer distributorship, died in July 2015. He served as a national committeeman for the state GOP, and was political adviser to numerous presidents and Republican presidential hopefuls. Brashear, at that time, characterized the dispute as involving a real estate investment gone bad. He had purchased the building on 108th Court for $950,000 in 1998. It is currently valued for tax purposes at $1.96 million. In 2015, when it was listed for sale, one third of the building was vacant. In real estate investment, sometimes things dont work out exactly as youd like, Brashear said back in 2013. Rebecca Fleming knows its a landfill. But for years Fleming has been dreaming of a future where the mounds of trash at the Sarpy County landfill are instead a park with grassy hills. It would be a place for children to play. A place for closure. Thirteen years after her sons death, Fleming still considers the landfill her sons final resting place. We didnt get the opportunity to take him out, so thats Brendans grave, Fleming said. Brendan Gonzalez was 4 when he disappeared from his Plattsmouth home on Jan. 6, 2003. Ivan Henk, Brendans father, told investigators in June of that year that he killed the boy and threw his body in a Bellevue trash bin. A search at the Sarpy County landfill began in June 2003 and lasted for 30 days, but Brendan was never found. Henk is serving life in prison. Through the years, Fleming tried to spark new search efforts for her son but was told that an exhaustive search already had been done and that authorities would need new information to look again. Although others, including her mother, have doubted that the boy was in the landfill, Fleming said she always believed her son was in there somewhere. After Henk confessed, police were led to the outdoor trash bin. Blood evidence was found by former Douglas County CSI chief David Kofoed, which later embroiled the case in new controversy. Kofoed was later convicted of planting evidence in another case. And a Cass County District Court and the Nebraska Supreme Court determined that Kofoed falsified evidence in the Gonzalez case as well. Henk has appealed his conviction in light of that fact. Now the Sarpy County landfill is in the process of shutting down, and the countys trash will be trucked to a landfill in David City, Nebraska. But the site isnt right for a park, said Scott Bovick, deputy Sarpy County administrator. Ongoing operations make it not feasible for that sort of public access, he said. Infrastructure needed to continue monitoring wells and collect gas will still be at the site, as will a transfer station for Sarpy trash. That station means residents will still be able to take trash to the site, and it will also mean that trucks will be traveling in and out of the property. The county owns some additional land around the landfill, but there are plans to store tree debris and other things there in the event of storms and emergencies, Bovick said. Sarpy County Board member Jim Warren said hes working to find out what can be done to memorialize Brendan, but options might be restricted because of State Department of Environmental Quality requirements at the site. Warren said he understands the need for closure and will do his best to see that something is done for the family. Bovick and Warren both said they would be open to a plaque or something similar. Fleming said that if the site cant be turned into a park, then she would like to see a tree planted or another type of permanent memorial to her son. Five years after Brendans disappearance, the Plattsmouth community raised money for a cemetery plot and monument in the shape of a teddy bear for the boy. Its just blocks away from where Brendan was killed, and Fleming said she cant bring herself to visit. Personally, my life took a turn there, she said. Its very difficult to go back. Since Brendans death, Fleming said shes had to completely start over. Everything is different, Fleming said. You become a completely different person. Fleming left Nebraska for a job opportunity in 2005 and now lives in Houston. Living in Omaha became too painful, Fleming said. People knew her from the news coverage of Brendans death. Everyone recognized me, she said. It was really hard. I couldnt get a job because everyone expected me not to work. I didnt understand how I could live without working. She marks Brendans birthday, death date and Christmas by making toy donations to shelters or planting plants. Fleming said she just wants people to remember her son and their own kids. Stuff does happen that is out of our control, she said. We need to appreciate our children. Preserve. Change. Focus. Expand. Be inclusive. Be tough. Eighty-five people addressed a chancellor search committee Tuesday in sessions that launched the pursuit of the University of Nebraska at Omaha's next leader. Most were staff and faculty members. Although divergent views about what is needed were expressed, many had a common theme. They said UNOs next chancellor must grasp what it means to be a metropolitan university as opposed to a land-grant university such as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. An urban university, some said, serves a high percentage of nontraditional students, students of diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic positions, and must pay attention to all corners of the city. We have lots of students who are working full time, sometimes full time-plus, said Vanessa Hatfield-Reeker, a UNO staffer who works with transfer and nontraditional students. NU President Hank Bounds attended the listening sessions, as did NU Executive Vice President Susan Fritz. Most members of the 15-person search committee attended, some for short stints over the approximately 4 hours of meetings at UNOs Milo Bail Student Center ballroom. Its a great way to kick it off, Bounds said. A teenager and a man were injured early Tuesday in Omaha when they were struck by a car during a disturbance. They were injured near North 33rd Street and Fowler Avenue around 4:50 a.m., police said. Initial reports from the scene indicated that the two were pedestrians and they were injured during a personal-injury traffic accident, police said. The case became a felony-assault investigation after officers reported to the location, police said. DAngelo Cotton, 17, was found by officers in the street in front of 3139 Fowler Ave., police said. An investigation found that Cotton, Trenquel Dismuke, 19, and a 20-year-old man who is being sought in the case were involved in a disturbance, police said. During the altercation, the 20-year-old got into a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo and intentionally drove into Dismuke and then backed into Cotton, police said. The 20-year-old fled from the area in the Monte Carlo, police said. Cotton, who was critically injured, and Dismuke, who was seriously injured, were taken by rescue squads to Creighton University Medical Center. Police said their investigation into the matter continues. The online world is a whirlwind, tossing out material in extraordinary volume. Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other sites are constantly abuzz. Theyre increasingly interwoven with the daily lives of millions of Americans. Much online material is accurate and valuable. Many other items are innocuous and trivial. But some material is false and misleading sometimes intentionally so. Studies are increasingly turning up deliberately misleading tweets and news reports both here and abroad, peddled by a wide array of sources. One of the most ambitious ongoing disinformation efforts is by the Russian government. U.S. researchers have independently found that Russian authorities have put together a well- coordinated network to peddle false material, with an eye toward promoting that countrys foreign policy goals. One recent aim was undermining Hillary Clintons election chances. A Washington Post article about two new studies referred to Russias increasingly sophisticated propaganda machinery including thousands of botnets (automatic-response software), teams of paid human trolls and networks of websites and social-media accounts. One of the reports identifies more than 200 websites as routine peddlers of Russian propaganda during the election season, with combined audiences of at least 15 million Americans, the Post reported. The researchers estimate that stories planted or promoted on Facebook by the disinformation campaign were viewed more than 213 million times. No wonder the Rand Corp., a national security think tank, has labeled Russian disinformation efforts a fire hose of falsehood. Organized disinformation efforts by Russia and, before it, the Soviet Union have a long history going back to the 1920s. During the Cold War, the Soviet government devoted great resources and creativity to spreading false reports, including forgeries that purported to be letters, memos and reports from U.S. officials and agencies. A 1986 article in Parmeters, the journal of the U.S. Army War College, provided a long list of anti-American Soviet forgeries. Examples in the 80s included bogus U.S. military war plans in Europe; a purported U.S. plot to overthrow the Greek government; made-up American scheming to destabilize Poland; and false descriptions of U.S. plans to assassinate officials in Nigeria. In that era, the main way for the Soviets to peddle their disinformation was by planting it in foreign newspapers or through pamphlets. These days, the Internet unfortunately provides extraordinary, unprecedented ability for distribution. There are no easy solutions to the problem. Facebook and Google are attempting to adjust their software so that, for example, disinformation isnt automatically labeled a significant trending item. But even those large companies acknowledge the difficulty. One needed response is that adults must act like adults by not automatically believing every dramatic revelation thats peddled online. The key to progress in this matter lies less with computers and software than with human judgment and maturity. Bengaluru- How Dominic planned and executed the ATM van heist Bengaluru oi-Anusha Bengaluru West division police announced the arrest of Dominic Roy, the man behind the ATM van heist on Tuesday. In a span of one week, the man shuttled between 4 states giving the police a run for their money. With Dominic in their custody, the police are yet to recover Rs 12.92 lakh. "We started tracing him the moment he dropped his family off in Bengaluru. Our men were posted in places recorded as those that he frequented and we were successful in arresting him. We are yet to recover part of the stolen money", said M N Anucheth, DCP West division. How Dominic pulled the heist off On November 23 Dominic drove away with a cash-laden ATM van from K G Road of Bengaluru. He abandoned the vehicle in Vasanthnagar and carried 2 boxes filled with new currency notes. He left behind Rs 45 lakh in locked in another box. He headed to a flourmill where he broke open the box and transferred the notes into a bag and headed home. Evelyn and their son were packed and ready to leave. The family headed to Shivajinagar locality and then proceeded to Shantinagar bus terminal. On a bus to Vellore, the family decided to keep shifting base. It was Chennai from Vellore, and then Coimbator and then Thrissur in Kerala. All this while Dominic carried the notes casually in a bag. From Thrissur they proceeded to Vijayawada where they checked into a lodge. After consulting an advocate on Evelyn's advice, they decided to return to Bengaluru. The advocate suggested that they surrender which wasn't agreeable to Dominic. Dropping Evelyn and their son in Kullappa circle of Bengaluru, Dominic made his way to Salem from where the police arrested him. [Also Read: Bengaluru ATM van heist- Driver still at large, cops arrest wife, recover Rs 79.08 lakh] Rs 12.92 lakh still missing Along with Rs 45 lakh that was left behind in the vehicle and Rs 79.08 lakh recovered from Evelyn on Sunday, the police are yet to trace Rs 12.92 lakh. Apart from spending money for their travel and lodging, the couple is said to have cleared loans that they had taken earlier with the stolen money. After the arrest of Dominic's wife Evelyn on Sunday, Bengaluru police traced Dominic all the way to Salem in Tamil Nadu. Exactly a week after the heist the police have the accused, his accomplice and Rs 1.24 crore however, Rs 12.92 lakh remains missing. Sources from the police department reveal that the couple had informed relatives that they were to receive huge amount of money from sale of a property a couple of days before their heist. They had also claimed that they will go incommunicado for a few days. Police sources claim that Dominic could have very well joined a cash management and transport company with the intent of a heist. OneIndia News Bengaluru: Residents of Defence Colony fight encroachment as cops keep mum Bengaluru oi-Anusha Rattled by an unauthorised compound wall in their park, residents of Defence Colony in Bengaluru are fighting to save their space. Making the fight harder is the fact that they are up against a Congress leader. A board put out near the allegedly encroached space proudly declares it the property of a state Congress member. The Bengaluru district secretary of INCTU to be precise. In a complaint letter to the BBMP as well as the police, citizens have accused unidentfied persons of attempting to encroach their park and open space within the colony. Residents first noticed the encorachment on November 12 when fencing was spotted at an open space within the colony. Neither the police nor the BBMP officials have done anything to clear the encroachment. "We have written letters to everyone but no action to clear the encroachment has come about. No FIR has been registered so far despite a complaint being filed on November 13. No action has come from the BBMP as well", said Col (Retd) Raj Mannar, the President of the residents' association. The residents fear that the compound will adversly effect residents and public who use the space as a park and playground. "Since no action has come from either the police or the BBMP, the entire space has been fenced up and a board now hangs there calling it the property of a private person", he added. The residents deem the fence illegal since the said land is a subject matter of litigation in the Karnataka High Court. The HC has asked for status quo to be maintained on the property and the constuction is in violation of the HC order, the residents allege. OneIndia News Karnataka BJP cancels NIMHANS protest against Ramya Bengaluru oi-Anusha After making a grand announcement that they would protest against actor turned politician Ramya, the state BJP has now cancelled its plans. The BJP, however, refused to divulge the exact reasons behind their sudden U-turn. Calling it a unique protest, BJP Karnataka was all set to protest against former Congress MP and Cine Actress Ramya, outside NIMHANS in Bengaluru. The slum board of the BJP planned to protest outside the reputed institute for mental health on Wednesday. With no apparent reason, the protest was called off later. The BJP had accused the former MP of making baseless allegations against the party. Calling Ramya's criticism of demonetisation irresponsible, the BJP had decided to protest against her. Ramya had recently said that the BJP leaders were in the know of demonetisation much before it was announced and had put the information to good use. To register their opposition to her statements and criticism of the Modi government since demonetisation move was announced, the BJP had decided to protest. OneIndia News Mysuru blast- 2 more from Base Movement secured by NIA Chennai oi-Anusha The NIA on Tuesday arrested more accused persons in connection with the Mysuru blast case. Shamsudeen and Mohammed Ayub, both aged 25 were arrested from Madurai. NIA has so far arrested 5 people in connection with the Mysuru Court complex blast case. The NIA on Monday had secured 3 accused, Samsun Kareem, Suleiman and Abbas Ali said to be part of the Base Movement outfit or the erstwhile al-Ummah In connection with the Mysuru court complex blast case. With these arrests the NIA claims it has cracked 5 different cases where explosions took place outside courts in South India. The accused are likely to be produce before a magistrate in Meloor court for a transit order following which they are expected to be taken to special NIA court in Bengaluru. [Also Read: 3 arrested as NIA cracks 5 court blast cases] The Base Movement Soon after the blast outside Mysuru, the police started studying the similarities between the other blasts. The police learnt that the blast could have been the handiwork of a group called the Base Movement. The police had found a letter signed by the Base Movement with a photograph of Osama Bin Laden outside the court at Kollam and Chittoor. However no such letter was found outside the Mysuru court. The Base Movement is not a new outfit. In fact it was the al-Ummah which changed its name as the heat on it was getting high. The al-Ummah has been a radical outfit targeting Hindu leaders. It was also responsible for the blast outside the BJP office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru. OneIndia News 24 ISI agents arrested in 2016: Govt India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29: As many as 24 ISI agents have been arrested for spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency so far this year, the Lok Sabha was informed today. "In addition to these 24 agents, one Pakistani spy agent detected in October 2016 was Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi based intelligence officer Mehmood Akhtar," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying a written question. Of those, who were arrested so far this year, nine were detected in Rajasthan, six in Punjab, two in Gujarat, two in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Uttar Pradesh and four in Delhi. Ahir said some of the staff posted in Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi is suspected to be involved in running espionage network. The official who was apprehended by the Delhi Police for spying was consequently declared persona-non-grata by the Indian authorities. Pakistan's trade official was an undercover ISI agent in India "The Government is taking adequate steps to counter such incidents in future. The Government is resolutely committed to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the nation and the safety of our citizens," he said. PTI 4 ISIS recruits: 2 dead, 1 returned, 1 to go India oi-Vicky Indian agencies are verifying information which suggests that Aman Tandel, one of the four youth from Maharashtra who joined the ISIS is dead. Tandel along with four others had left Kalyan in Maharashtra for Syria last year. A call received by one of the family members suggested that Tandel had died in an air strike. The caller the family suspects is of Turkish origin. The police were informed about this call and an investigation is now underway. According to the caller Tandel had died in an air strike. It was an accident he reportedly told the family. He refused to divulge any further details. The National Investigation Agency which is handling the case relating to the four Kalyan youth will now seek a report from the local police regarding the same. It may be recalled that Areeb Majeed who was one of the youth who joined the ISIS returned to India. He had said that he was given menial jobs to do and was treated shabbily as a result of which he returned to India. Another youth, Fahad Shaikh who is in Syria had a few months called his parents and told them he was happy. I am happy doing Jihad he told his parents at Kalyan over phone. Shaikh during his conversation said that the other operative Shaheem Tanki was dead. He confirmed the news stating that Tanki had died in an air strike in Syria. OneIndia News 469 naxals have surrendered after demonetisation was announced on Nov 8 India oi-Vicky By Vicky New Delhi, Nov 29: 564 naxalites and their sympathisers have surrendered in the past one month. This is in fact a huge number and 70 per cent of the surrenders have been reported from Malkangiri district in Odisha. Statistics would also show that since November 8, 469 naxalites have surrendered. There is a need to stress on November 8 since this was the day the Prime Minister announced that the Rs 500 and 1,000 notes will cease to be legal tender. Why are naxalites surrendering in such large numbers? There are various factors attached to the high number of surrenders that have taken place in the past 28 days. Off late many naxalites have come out complaining that the ideology is hollow. The other factor is that there is rapid development taking place in the naxal belts as a result of which the villagers have fewer complaints. When villagers have fewer complaints, naxalites have no rallying point to get them on board and seek out local support. Lastly the 469 surrenders of naxalites since November 8 could also be attributed to demonetisation. Let us rewind to last Friday when the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the naxalites were desperately trying to survive demonetisation. While the fading ideology of the naxal movement is one major reason for several of them surrendering the other aspect is that there is a solid cash crunch as well. Only recently the police recovered a bag with Rs 500 and 1,000 notes amounting to Rs 42 lakh abandoned at the Kondagon district. The naxalites had entered the village with the bag and threatened the villagers to get them exchanged. Howevever when the villagers refused to do so, they abandoned the bag and left. This is just one known incident of naxal money going down the drain. A similar cash crunch is faced by them in other belts as well. An estimate would suggest that the naxalites have lost over Rs 1,000 crore following the decision to demonetise currency. The maximum loss that has been incurred by them is in the Bastar region and estimates suggest that the amount is anywhere between Rs 400 to Rs 600 crore. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 8:46 [IST] Do RAW, others get a raw deal in the name of 'intelligence failure'? Keep it clean, keep it safe: How the federal agencies raided the PFI A meeting held in Dubai discussed a sinister plot against India India oi-Vicky New Delhi, Nov 29: A meeting in Dubai held on November 6 has come under the scanner of the intelligence bureau. The meeting was held to discuss the plan on how to avenge the killing of the SIMI activists who had escaped from the Bhopal jail recently. The meeting that was conducted in the Deira area in Dubai discussed the complete details of a sinister plot on how to carry out a major attack in India. The attack would be focused on avenging the killing of the SIMI activists following which the Indian Mujahideen would get into revival mode. During the meeting which was attended by a few residents of Bhatkal it was decided that the Indian Mujahideen had to be revived at any cost. They felt that in the absence of revenge attacks, the police were killing innocents in the name of terrorism. This has to be avenged at any cost and hence a strong outfit is needed in India, the meeting decided. The Great SIMI escape: Who inside the jail helped them? Further the meeting also decided that a donation drive would be undertaken. The money would then be given to the families of the slain SIMI activists. The intelligence bureau is however not impressed and says that this is another attempt at recruitment and the intention clearly is to expand the reach of the IM. The IM has been making attempts to revive itself and this meeting is only an indicator of that the Intelligence Bureau official also said. OneIndia 40 down and counting: Forces on the verge of wiping out Pakistani terrorists in Valley J&K: Alert sounded in Vaishnodevi town following terror attack India oi-PTI Jammu, Nov 29: Authorities today sounded an alert and stepped up security in and around Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. "We have sounded an alert. Security has been beefed up at Katra and other areas of the shrine after the terror attack at army camp in Nagrota," a police officer of Reasi district said. Police and security men have been asked to remain vigilant, he said. Katra town, which is nearly 30 km from Nagrota, is thronged by over one crore pilgrims annually. "Security along the shrine track and around it has been stepped up," he said, adding "checking and frisking has been increased and people should cooperate with us". PTI Base Movement: How did this Tamil Nadu based terror group get its name India oi-Vicky By Vicky Chennai, Nov 29: On Monday the National Investigation Agency arrested three persons in connection five different blasts which were carried out in the court premises. The outfit to which these persons belonged to is known as the Base Movement. The Base Movement according to an Intelligence Bureau dossier is another name for the al-Ummah an outfit which is strong in Tamil Nadu. While many media personnel on Monday reported that those men belonged to the al-Qaeda, the fact is that they are not part of the outfit but derive inspiration from it. The Base Movement has been specifically targeting the courts and this according to investigators is a way of sending a message to the judiciary. These members are upset with the courts as they feel justice has not been done to them. What is the Base Movement? In Tamil Nadu, an outfit called the al-Ummah was born several years back. This outfit has primarily targeted Hindu leaders and was also responsible for the Coimbatore blasts. The outfit also recently carried out a blast outside the BJP's office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru. However with the heat quotient soaring, the outfit decided to rebrand itself and call it the Base Movement. The reason why this group decided to call itself Base Movement too has an interesting story behind it. It is a well known fact that this group derives inspiration from the al-Qaeda. After the court blasts, the group would leave behind a letter with a stern message and a photograph of Osama Bin Laden. The group says that it supports the al-Qaeda in the Sub-Continent (AQIS) which was launched in the year 2014. The name Base Movement is derived from the AQIS. The official name of the AQIS is Jamaat Qaidat al-jihad fi'shibhi al-qarrat al-Hindiya. When you translate this into English it becomes Organisation of the Base of Jihad in the Indian Sub-Continent. OneIndia News Do not implement Ken-Betwa project: Sonia Gandhi writes to Prakash Javadekar Will raise our climate ambitions but not under pressure: Javadekar Now Ferraris and Lamborghinis can test in India: India gets Asias longest high speed track Shouldn't worry about 2024, instead think of 2029 polls: Javadekar's advice to Opposition BJP claims demonetisation victory after results in Maha, Gujarat local polls India oi-Vikas By Vikas New Delhi, Nov 29: Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday described BJP's performance in the local polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat as people's support to Centre's fight against black money. "Results of local body polls in Gujarat and Maharashtra show that people of the country support Government's fight against black money," Javadekar told reporters. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray congratulated the BJP on its performance in Maharashtra civic body polls. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray congratulates the BJP on their victory in Maharashtra local body elections. pic.twitter.com/V6zixsT1vB ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani took to Twitter to express her happiness over BJP's performance in Gujarat local polls. Abhinandan @BJP4Gujarat for the splendid victory in local body by-polls & gratitude to the people of Gujarat for their continued support. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 29, 2016 In Gujarat district panchayat, taluka panchayat and Nagarpalika bypolls the BJP wons 23 seats and Congress could manage just 8 seats. In Vapi Nagarpalika polls, BJP wons 41 seats out of 44, while Congress won three seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged as the single largest party winning 851 seats in the Maharashtra municipal council polls conducted in 164 civic bodies which includes 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats. Shiv Sena stood fourth in the tally winning 514 seats, behind Congress which won 643 seats and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) winning 638 seats. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 14:01 [IST] BJP's gain in Maha local polls a victory of old notes: MNS India oi-PTI Mumbai, Nov 28: Taking a dig at the BJP which has emerged as a major gainer in the first phase of municipal council polls, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray today dubbed the ruling party's performance as the "victory of old notes and not of the note ban." "Ha notabandicha vijay nasun junya notancha ahe (This is the victory of old notes and not of the note ban)," Thackeray said in a brief statement, apparently trying to convey that BJP's political plank of demonetisation of high value tenders didn't work for the party in polls. Out of 3,705 seats, spread over 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats, that went to polls yesterday, the results for 3,510 seats have been declared so far. Counting for rest of the seats was still on. While BJP has won 851 seats, Shiv Sena won 514, NCP 638, Congress 643, MNS 16, BSP 9, local coalitions 384, CPM 12 and Independents 324 seats. MNS was not a serious contender in the polls and Thackeray had kept himself away from any campaigns. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the result as the "win for pro-poor and development politics of BJP", party president Amit Shah has said that "the result should be a wake up call for opposition attempting to mislead people on demonetisation." PTI Chemical attack mock drill conducted at Delhi Metro station India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29: A multi-agency mock drill, comprising 300 security personnel, was today conducted at a major Delhi Metro station here to effectively combat a chemical attack-like scenario. As many as 10 agencies, led by paramilitary CISF, undertook a 1.5 hour-long operation at the Jawahar Lal Nehru station here. The drill was reviewed by Central Industrial Security Force chief O P Singh along with senior officials from the Delhi Metro security unit of the force. While 180 CISF personnel were roped in for the task, 120 men and women from other agencies like the counter-terror force NSG, Delhi Police, NDRF, Fire service, DMRC, disaster management and Intelligence Bureau also participated. Also read: Delhi Metro runs spl train with 'Swachh Bharat', festive theme Officials said elaborate arrangements were made while multiple facilities were activated to conduct the drill, which enacted a scenario where a chemical attack, perpetrated by a terrorist-like element, was unleashed on the rapid transport network of the national capital region. They said such drills are done to check the operational preparedness of multiple stakeholders that work to keep Delhi Metro, used by almost 26 lakh commuters daily, safe and secure. PTI Complete probe against builders in 90 days, HC tells police India oi-PTI Mumbai, Nov 29: The Bombay High Court has directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to evolve a mechanism to ensure that investigation of offences, particularly pertaining to complaints against builders and developers, should get over within 90 days as stipulated in the Criminal Procedure Code. A division bench of the High Court headed by Justice V M Kanade also directed the Police Commissioner to call for explanation from the investigation officer in cases where the chargesheet is not filed within the stipulated 90 days. "An explanation should be called from the investigation officer as to why the investigation is not completed within a reasonable period of time and why chargesheet had not been filed in the stipulated period," said the bench. The Judges also opined that if the explanation in this regard is not found to be satisfactory, then adverse remarks should be made in Confidential Records of such officers. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by a city developer and other respondents seeking to quash a complaint filed by a resident of a building who was promised a flat after its reconstruction but was sold to another person. "In the present case, we are informed by the instructing officers that hand writing expert's opinion was not obtained in time and, therefore, the chargesheet was not filed." The bench expressed that this explanation is not satisfactory and opined that directions should be issued to the Police Commissioner to make an enquiry in this case. However, it refrained from passing any orders because it did want the complainant and her husband to be harassed further and also because if such investigation is made again, they may have to run from pillar to post and visit the office of Police Chief. "On this ground alone, we do not propose to give such directions," the Judges said in a recent order. One of the petitioners and builder Rajendra Jain, who was present in the court, voluntarily agreed to donate an amount of Rs one lakh to Tata Cancer Research Institute of Mumbai. The court accepted his offer but directed that the amount should not be paid in currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination as these have been forfeited by the government in the recent demonetisation move. PTI Continue protests against demonetisation: CPI-M India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Nov 29: The CPI-M on Tuesday hailed the "lakhs of people" for taking to the streets a day earlier against demonetisation but clarified that there never was a Bharat Bandh on Monday. "The CPI-M greets the ... people who came onto the streets to protest against the attack on their livelihood and the burdens imposed upon the people through the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes," it said. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had misleadingly called the national protest day on Monday as a 'Bharat Bandh'. "None of the opposition parties which joined the protest had called for a Bharat Bandh. In fact it is the Modi government which has imposed an economic bandh on the country through demonetisation." The CPI-M urged all opposition parties and trade unions to continue the protests to ensure that people can use the old notes for all transactions till adequate alternative arrangements were made. The November 8 demonetisation has triggered an unprecedented cash crunch in the country. IANS Burqa clad woman who hurled bomb at CRPF camp is member of rabid Asiya Andrabi headed Dukhtaran-e-Milat X, Y, Z, Z+ and SPG: The whys and hows of security categories in India In a first, CRPF appoints 2 women cadre officers as IG of RAF, Bihar sector CRPF donates chairs to a school in Srinagar India oi-Jagriti Srinagar, Nov 29: The 132 Battalion of paramilitary CRPF has donated classroom chairs to a school facing shortage of furniture to conduct classes. The chairs were donated to Hindu High School located in Kralkhud in Srinagar. The school was facing acute shortage of chairs after its furniture got damaged in 2014 floods. Students of the school have expressed their gratitude towards CRPF for donating chairs. In September 2014, the Kashmir region which lies in India and Pakistan, witnessed disastrous floods across majority of its districts caused by torrential rainfall. J&K: 132 Battalion of Paramilitary CRPF donates classroom chairs to a school in Kral Khud(Srinagar), furniture was damaged in 2014 floods pic.twitter.com/TvoghKDTR5 ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 Can't express how thankful we are to CRPF for donating chairs, it was difficult to study due to furniture shortage: Muskan Sajjad,Student pic.twitter.com/Sp5XX2xsVd ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 OneIndia News Nitish Kumar has been affected by his age: Prashant Kishor Could not care less: Nitish on Amit Shahs jibe Prashant Kishor claims Nitish Kumar in touch with BJP says don't be surprised if he joins hands with it again Demonetisation Politics: Nitish Kumars JD (U) to join NDA? India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, Nov 29: Things are fast changing in Indian politics. In the wake of demonetisation, political alliances are likely to undergo a few changes in the coming days. The first visible sign of a shift in partnership is between Bihar's Janata Dal (United) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. To everyone's surprise, Nitish Kumar, JD (U) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister, openly supported the demonetisation of high-value currency notes, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8. [Also Read: Demonetisation: India is going to face serious recession, predicts economist Prabhat Patnaik] Now, there are indications that the Bihar CM is likely to sever his alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and join the BJP-led NDA government. In Bihar, Kumar has forged an alliance with the RJD before the assembly elections in 2015. Prior to that, JD (U) was part of the NDA coalition. "We welcome Nitish ji's stand on demonetisation, also if he wants to join the NDA again then the BJP has to decide on that," said Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution and president of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). The LJP is an alliance member in the NDA government. These kinds of statements by a senior member of the NDA coalition can't be ignored so easily. At a time when the Opposition is trying its best to protest over the demonetisation issue, Kumar has "strategically" decided to support PM Modi's economic decision. The JD (U) on Monday did not join the Jan Aakrosh Diwas, hosted by several opposition parties across the country. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 9:37 [IST] SC notice to Centre on plea against supply of electoral roll to candidates Punjab polls: EC asks AAP to furnish its poll manifestos India oi-PTI Chandigarh, Nov 29: The Election Commission has asked the AAP to submit its manifestos for Punjab, including the ones it released on dalits and farmers, as it is mandatory for parties. The matter was raised by the Election Commission recently in a meeting with representatives of the political parties in poll-bound Punjab. "It is mandatory to submit the manifestos to the Election Commission once they are released. Since the Aam Aadmi Party was the first one to release the manifesto, we have asked them to furnish two copies of each of their manifestos," a senior EC official said. Punjab Assembly elections: SAD announces second list of candidates Last week, the AAP had come up with a dalit manifesto in Punjab, a state that has over 25 per cent of the population from the community. AAP Convenor Arind Kejriwal had also announced that the deputy chief minister of the state would be a dalit. Apart from dalits, the party has until now released manifestos on farmers, traders and youth. PTI Efforts being made to minimise man-animal conflicts: Anil Madhav Dave India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29 There is no evidence that Jai, dubbed as Maharashtra's biggest and most-famous tiger who has been missing since April from a wildlife sanctuary near Nagpur, is dead and search is on to trace him, government said today. "Till now, there is no evidence that the tiger is dead... The tiger could be alive, we have not declared it dead," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in Lok Sabha in reply to questions, adding that all efforts are being made to find him. Seven-year old Jai had gone missing from Umred Karhandla wildlife sanctuary in Gondia-Bhandara district and apprehensions have been expressed by several quarters including the local MP that he could have fallen to poachers. Named after Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan's character in the hit 1975 film 'Sholay', Jai came into limelight after embarking on an epic hike of nearly 150 kms from Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve and entering Umred forest in September 2013, crossing several villages, rivers and even the Mumbai-Kolkata national highway in pursuit of a mate. The tiger's electronic collar stopped transmitting his location in April. Noting that there is a lot of demand for tiger parts in South East Asia and China, Dave said a close watch is kept to ensure that no trade in tiger parts takes place and at times the help of Interpol is also sought, the Minister added. Efforts are being made to minimise man-animal conflicts as well as those between animals and also to sensitise people about it, Dave said against the backdrop of rise in such incidents, adding that efforts are being made to ensure that the animals remain within their habitat in the forests. "Efforts are being made to minimise man-animal and animal-animal conflicts," he said during Question Hour, adding people should also be sensitised so that the factors that result in such conflicts are taken care of. However, Dave also said there are limitations and Interpol is roped in to plug the loopholes. In a written reply, the Minister said Rs 233.57 crore have been released under Project Tiger to the tiger range states till November 23 of this fiscal. Project Tiger, which is implemented in 50 tiger reserves spread across 18 tiger range states, is one of the most successful conservation programme in the world that has brought the "endangered tiger on assured path of recovery", he said. "Adequate funds have been provided to the tiger range states for various activities prescribed under the Tiger Conservation Plan of respective tiger reserves. "Funding assistance is provided to the tiger range states/tiger reserves under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger and is based on Annual Plan of Operations received from the concerned states," he said. PTI Global bidding to select O&M partners for airports: Jayant Sinha India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29 Airports Authority of India (AAI) will come out with a global competitive bidding process for selecting partners to carry out operation and maintenance works at some airports, the government said today. "AAI has decided for selection of O&M (Operation & Maintenance) partners through a global competitive bidding after obtaining approval of the competent authority," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Rajya Sabha. The transaction documents for O&M process are in place, he added. He was responding to a question on whether the government is considering international bidding process for choosing entities to operate and maintain some of the domestic airports. To a query, Sinha said the proposed partnership with Singapore's Changi Airports International for O&M contracts for Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports "could not materialise as the fee demanded by them was not found financially viable to AAI". The national airports' operator has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise for cooperation in various areas of the civil aviation sector. One of the areas of cooperation under the MoU includes implementation of O&M at Indian airports. "In terms of the MoU, the Singapore government nominated Changi Airports International as an O&M contract partner for the Ahmedabad and Jaipur airport projects," the Minister said. However, the partnership could not materialise due to financial viability issues. PTI There is no 'one-size-fits-all' to curb poverty Skeletons from the past: Kin of missing women approach cops after human sacrifice case COVID-19 responsible for pregnancy-related deaths in the US With these 5 changes, breast cancer survivors can live longer, healthier Group of women activists set to enter Haji Ali dargah after 5 years India oi-IANS By Ians English Mumbai, Nov 29: After five years, a series of legal battles and agitations, a group of women activists will enter the famous Haji Ali Dargah here on Tuesday afternoon. A group of around 75-80 women from all over India would visit the shrine for prayers around 3 p.m., said the activist expressing the intent to enter the dargah on the rocks off Worli in the Arabian Sea. "It will be routine now, we have not informed the police or the Dargah trust. We shall pay our respects and come out," Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) co-founder Noorjehan S. Niaz told IANS. Till June 2012, women were allowed entry upto the sanctum sanctorum comprising the grave (mazaar) of revered Muslim saint, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, but suddenly it was stopped. In 2014, the BMMA and others challenged the move of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust in the courts. On August 26, Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice Revathi Mohite-Dhere had ruled in favour of the petitioners and directed the trust to allow equal access to women, which the trust challenged in the Supreme Court. [Also read: Bombay HC permits women inside Haji Ali dargah] The Supreme Court on October 24 delivered its verdict on grounds of equal access to men and women, even as the trust expressed readiness to allow women inside till the sanctum sanctorum. The Trust authorities sought four weeks time to make certain infrastructural changes and alterations to accommodate the women devotees, who would now throng the shrine. Niaz said the women would offer floral tributes, 'chadars' and pray for peace at the Dargah today. "It was a fight for equality, ending gender bias and our Constitutional rights. We are happy that it has resulted in women and men getting equal unrestricted access right till the sanctum sanctorum," Niaz pointed out. [Also read: Trupti Desai offers prayers at Haji Ali Dargah] A trustee of the Dargah, Suhail Khandwani said that there would be separate entries to the shrine for men and women and henceforth nobody would be allowed to touch the peer's tomb. Under the new arrangements, all devotees would wait and pray nearly two metres away from the tomb with rights of equal access to all. IANS India to brief new US team at the earliest: Nirmala Sitharaman India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29 Seeking greater economic cooperation with the US, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said India would look at the "earliest opportunity" to brief the new administration about all outstanding issues which are of concern to the domestic industry. "I would look at the earliest opportunity for our officials to talk with the new team and clearly brief them on all the outstanding issues which are of concern for India," Sitharaman told PTI. US President-elect Donald Trump would assume charge on January 20. Issues which India has repeatedly raised with the US include high visa fees in America, increase in customs cooperation, greater market access for domestic goods and early conclusion of social security agreement. Asked about Trump's statement that he would scrap the mega trade deal Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the minister said, "We have to wait as in what first step he takes on trade and with regard to TPP." She had earlier said that TPP would certainly have an impact on India's exports in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles and chemicals. The TPP is a trade agreement among 12 countries -- Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam. The agreement has been concluded but is not yet ratified for implementation by the participating countries. India too is negotiating a similar mega deal - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with 15 countries. The 16-member RCEP bloc comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six free trade agreement partners -- India, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. To a question on the view of some RCEP members who want to include certain provisions of TPP in the trade pact, Sitharaman said, "I think that RCEP would go on with vigour and we will have to wait and see what decision the new US government takes on TPP." Trade ministers of RCEP group met recently in the Philippines. "The meeting went very well. We have shifted from the three-tier to single-tier (tax structure) and here in the Philippines, the discussions went further to say what would you (RCEP members) offer if you are moving away from three- tier and you are going to only one. "...We want different staging periods (for phasing out tariffs) and that this staggering will definitely be helpful and also that we want differential treatment for some countries," she added. PTI From being a victim of terrorism to exploring global solutions: India praised at UN's Counter Terrorism meet Cabinet approves MoU between India, Denmark in field of Water Resources Development and Management Dr. Rinky Kapoor- One of the best celebrity cosmetic dermatologists No one has guts...: Junior defence minister's reply to China question India's trade deficit with China rises to $53 bn India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Nov 28 India's trade deficit with China rose to $52.69 billion in 2015-16, from $48.48 billion in the year before, Parliament was informed on Monday. Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that during the April-September period of the current fiscal, the deficit stood at $25.22 billion. "Increasing trade deficit with China can be attributed primarily to the fact that Chinese exports to India rely strongly on manufactured items to meet the demand of fast expanding sectors like telecom and power," she said. She also said that as India and China are both members of the World Trade Organisation, any trade restrictions imposed requires to be WTO compliant. No blanket ban can be imposed on China, or any other member country, under the WTO framework, she said. In a separate reply, the minister said that the government has not yet decided on granting relaxation of sourcing condition in the single brand retail sector to three companies. "Only 3 companies have sought relaxation of sourcing condition. No decision has been taken by the government in this regard," Sitharaman said, without disclosing the names of the companies concerned. Under Indian foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, proposals involving foreign investment beyond 51 per cent are required to source 30 per cent of the value of goods purchased from within India. IANS JNU Students Union to go on indefinite sit-in over missing student India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, Nov 29: The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) on Tuesday decided to stage an indefinite sit-in at the Administration Block of the varsity, accusing the university of scuttling the process of justice for missing student Najeeb Ahmed and depriving them of their protest space. Also read: In Pics: Missing JNU student's mother protests at Jantar Mantar "Today, after getting no reply from the adminstration, JNUSU has decided to go for indefinite sit-in at the admin block against scuttling of protest space and scuttling Justice in Najeeb's case," JNUSU President Mohit Pandey said in a statement. He also gave a reply to a letter addressed to him by the Registrar of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Monday, which had asked them to not stage any protest at the ad-block, citing trouble caused to the nearby residents and employees at the building. "Protest at the admin block has been a tradition of this university. We never saw such suppression of dissenting voices in the university. Bother focussing on the issue for which we are protesting," Pandey said in his reply to Pramod Kumar, Registrar of the University. "We will keep on protesting until we get justice for Najeeb," he added. It has been 45 days since Ahmed has been missing after being beaten by a mob of students affiliated with the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), an RSS student wing. He was attacked by them at his Mahi-Mandvi hostel in the campus on the intervening night of October 14-15, and went missing the next day. Pandey also raised with the university the issue of not punishing those students, who assaulted Ahmed, even after being found guilty in the internal enquiry. IANS Banks to remain closed for next 4 days; ATMs likely to run out of cash Know how VHP, Bajrang Dal cadres are set to spread PM Modis cashless mission India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, Nov 29: The cadres of Hindu right-wing groups--Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal--are all set to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission to turn India into a cashless or lesscash economy. In his November 27 Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked youngsters of the country to join his campaign of turning Indian economy into a "cashless"one. In the wake of the demonetisation of high-value currency notes, the country is facing severe cash crunch. Both the VHP and Bajrang Dal on Monday expressed support to the Centre's demonetisation policy and said they are going to train their cadres in spreading awareness about "a cashless economy". "The VHP and Bajrang Dal have decided to take necessary steps to train its cadres on this issue. After getting trained, the Bajrang Dal volunteers will also arrange training for common people. [Also Read: Dial *99#: Goa takes big step towards becoming 1st cashless society in India] "It is also visible that the problems faced by the public due to sudden demonetisation are also being sorted out by the government quickly. The cashless transactions will definitely prove to be an important tool to ease the people's burden and fight against black money," said VHP's International Joint secretary general Surendra Jain. Speaking in his monthly radio broadcast "Mann Ki Baat" on Sunday, Modi has said: "Take pledge to be a part of a cashless society from today. Not only this, you will also have to take time to educate at least 10 families everyday. Educate them on how to download apps, how to spend money using mobile phones, how to make payments. How to do business." OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 11:11 [IST] Amit Shah to chair two-day 'Chintan Shivir of Home Ministers'; Mamata to skip the meet In India terror down by 34%, civilian deaths by 90% since Art 370 scrapped: Shah Only those from political families can eye a CMs post in Congress: Amit Shah Maharashtra civic polls: A thumbs up for demonetisation? India oi-Vikas By Vikas Mumbai, Nov 29: With the BJP emerging as a major gainer in the first phase of municipal council polls in Maharashtra, party chief Amit Shah has said that it should serve as a "wake up" call for the opposition, which is misleading people on the issue of demonetisation. The Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged as the single largest party winning 851 seats in the Maharashtra municipal council polls conducted in 164 civic bodies which includes 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats. Shiv Sena stood fourth in the tally winning 514 seats, behind Congress which won 643 seats and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) winning 638 seats. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) won 16 seats, CPM won 12 , BSP 9 seats and others won 708 seats. Maharashtra result should be a wakeup call for opposition attempting to mislead people on #Demonetisation, a decision in national interest. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 28, 2016 I thank people of Maharashtra for placing their faith in BJP in local body polls. This is a win for pro-poor & development politics of BJP. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2016 I laud BJP Karyakartas, CM @Dev_Fadnavis & @raosahebdanve. Their grassroot level work ensured people place their valued trust in BJP. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2016 Results for 3510 out of total 3733 seats of councillors and municipal council presidents have been declared so far. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 10:17 [IST] Modernisation of police force helped in controlling crime in UP: CM Yogi BJP leader booked for threatening doc at gun point in UP UPSSSC PET 2022 results to be declared soon: Steps to check scorecard Mamata Banerjee calls Narendra Modi a dictator India oi-IANS By Ians English Lucknow, Nov 29: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a dictator. Addressing a public rally here, the Trinamool Congress chief made the charge following Modi's refusal to roll back his decision to demonetise the old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. She added that the demonetisation had led to a nationwide cash crunch and resulted in an "emergency like situation". "Now the Samajwadi Party and Trinamool are one," she told the rally, also attended by several Samajwadi Party leaders. "Uttar Pradesh has led the country in every fight. Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders who emerged after him are from this state," she said, explaining her decision to travel to the state. Will take Modi out of Indian politics whether I live or die-Mamata Banerjee Banerjee vowed to hold mass protests against demonetisation in other parts of the country as well. She earlier addressed two rallies in Delhi including one with AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Although Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav did not attend the rally, he received Mamata Banerjee when she flew into Lucknow on Monday evening. A large number of Samajwadi Party workers at the rally began to leave when they came to know that Akhilesh Yadav would not come. IANS Induction of Congress MLAs into BJP is death of Parrikar's legacy, says outgoing Goa deputy CM Manohar Parrikar to visit Bangladesh, first visit by an Indian defence minister News oi-Lisa By Lisa New Delhi, Nov 29 Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will tomorrow embark on a two-day visit to Bangladesh during which he will call on the top leadership there and firm up defence cooperation initiatives ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's trip here next month. Parrikar, who will be the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Bangladesh, will call on President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka tomorrow and hold talks with the Security Advisor to Prime Minister, officials said. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to embark on a 2-day visit to Bangladesh tomorrow; will meet B'desh Pres. & Security advisor to B'desh PM ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 They said that Parrikar was originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh much earlier this month but the visit was delayed. They also ruled out any link between the visit and the sale of two submarines by China to Bangladesh. Hasina announced the plan to purchase two submarines in 2013 as part of her government's move to build a modern navy. When Bangladesh Navy chief Muhammad Farid Habib had visited India in November last year, he had said Bangladesh is going to buy two used submarines from China for "training" its surface crew and Sonar crew in anti-submarine warfare. "Since the delimitation of maritime border problem has been solved, we are now trying to cooperate. We are trying to patrol in our areas. So in our sea, we also expect lot of gas and oil," Habib had said then. He also said Bangladesh wants to work with the Indian Navy as there are many "non-traditional threats" in sea, a reference to piracy, floating armouries among others. "We cannot tackle those threats alone. It requires cooperation so that we can together fight non-traditional threats and make the area peaceful," the visiting Navy chief had said. Areas of naval cooperation that are proposed include option of coordinated patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), bilateral exercises between both navies, joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone and cooperation in hydrography. (With agency inputs) OneIndiaNews For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 15:50 [IST] J&K: Two militants killed in encounter in Kulgam J&K: Another Kashmiri Pandit shot dead by terrorists in Shopian Militants attack army camp in J&K India oi-IANS By Ians English Jammu, Nov 29: Militants attacked an army camp in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning, officials said. The area has been cordoned off. Exchange of firing is going on between the militants and security forces. According to reports, at least two-three suicide attackers are holed up in the area. Administration has ordered shutting down of schools in Nagrota after exchange of fire between Army and terrorists. #UPDATE: Administration orders shutting down of schools in Nagrota(J&K) after exchange of fire between Army and terrorists ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 #UPDATE Nagrota(J&K) attack: Terrorists attacked Army unit at 5.30 am today, two jawans injured. Firing continues ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 IANS Will the General walk the talk: Pak Army Chief wants peaceful resolution to Kashmir issue Nagrota attack is Pak army chief's message to India: Singh India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29: The terror attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir today is a "message" sent by Pakistan's newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh said. "We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessor...We (also) need to send across a message to him," he said. "India will hit back harder every time it is targeted," he said. The BJP MP's remarks came after militants in police uniform attacked an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured. Singh said Pakistan continued to "bleed" India through such terrorist attacks, adding that the recently conducted PoK surgical strike by the Indian Army was not a "one-off" event. "It was a statement of policy...Our policy is that we will hit you back every time you hit us.We will hit you back harder. So, I think a couple of more time we hit them back, it will certainly settle in their mind," he said. The BJP leader added that India needed to "follow up on its policy of imposing cost" and that the "Army should revisit the security procedure in general, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir." PTI Prashant Kishor claims Nitish Kumar in touch with BJP says don't be surprised if he joins hands with it again Not all well between Nitish, Lalu; Bihar govt will not run long: Ram Vilas Paswan India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29: Claiming that all was not well between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said the coalition government in Bihar will not run for long. Paswan, who thanked Kumar for welcoming the Centre's demonetisation, said that the government in Bihar was "under pressure". "Any party, be it NDA or UPA, if someone joins, it strengthens the party. Whatever Nitish Kumar wants, it is his prerogative. To take him or not, it is up to the BJP. "We are allies. I had said Nitish Kumar has welcomed the revolutionary step and I had thanked him. I had also said that he (Kumar) is under pressure in Bihar. And whoever, Lalu Yadav has gone with, has not been spared. That is why, this government (Bihar) will not run for long," Paswan said. Paswan had yesterday said he will welcome Kumar into the NDA and claimed that the JD(U) chief was apprehensive that his ally Lalu Prasad of the RJD would weaken his party. The Union minister had also lauded Kumar for his support to the Centre's demonetisation step, saying he had taken a "bold decision". Paswan's Lok Jantantrik Party is part of the ruling NDA coalition at the Centre. Paswan had claimed that Kumar, whose party JD(U) was a former BJP ally and now a bitter rival, was working "under the pressure of Prasad" who had a "history of weakening his allies". Earlier, BJP chief Amit Shah had also praised Kumar, setting tongues wagging in the political circles. PTI Pak off the FATF grey list doesn't mean it's not under scrutiny anymore: MEA secretary Imran Khan again targets Pakistan's establishment on Day 2 of protest march; govt rules out talks over snap polls Amid turmoil at home, Pakistan PM Sharif to visit China to felicitate Xi for his record win Shehbaz Sharif arrives in China on maiden visit to felicitate President Xi Jinping on his record win Pak terrorists left behind US night vision goggles after beheading Indian soldier India oi-Vicky New Delhi, Nov 29: Search and leads indicate Pakistan's complicity in an attack in which 3 Indian soldiers were killed. Three Indian soldiers were killed and one of the bodies was mutilated in Jammu and Kashmir's Machil sector. The Northern Command IA had posted on its Twitter profile that retribution will be heavy for this cowardly act. On the army's twitter page, it was posted that search leads and recoveries indicate Pakistan's complicity in the attack. The army also posted two photographs on its Twitter handle to suggest Pakistan's role in this gory attack. One pair of night vision goggles with US Government property marked on it and another of the supplies with Pakistan marked on it was posted on the Twitter handle by the Northern Command. Following the gory incident on November 22 there was heavy retaliation by India which led to escalation of tensions. Pakistan claimed that 11 civilians and 3 soldiers had been killed in heavy shelling by Indian forces. This led to a call from Pakistan's Director General Military Operations in which he sought to reduce tensions. During the unscheduled hotline interaction between the two DGMOs, India made it clear that Pakistan must behave and stop resorting to unprovoked firing along the border. OneIndia News Always admired his zeal, energy: PM Modi greets VP Naidu on his birthday PM Modi bids farewell to VP Naidu, hails new leadership born in 'Independent India' People made fun of Opposition on Jan Akrosh Divas: Venkaih Naidu India oi-Jagriti New Delhi, Nov 29: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today hit out at united Opposition over their failed protests against demonetisation. "The common man of the country have made fun of Opposition on its call on Jan Akrosh Divas against the government move," said Naidu. While talking on issue of debate on demonetisation he said that I cant understand why Opposition is not ready to debate, aakrosh rally was a flop, people made fun of them. The demonetisation move announced by government on November 8 has brought all opposition parties together in Parliament. Demonetisation: BJP organises Jan Abhaar Divas against shutdown The united Opposition led by Congress had called for a nationwide protests, rallies and shutdown on November 28 to oppose the demonetisation of high currency value notes. I cant understand why Opposition is not ready to debate, aakrosh rally was a flop, people made fun of them: Venkaiah Naidu ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 OneIndia News UK PM Liz Truss resigns after 45 days in office, successor to be elected next week PM needs to answer people on terrorism: Surjewala India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, Nov 29: In the wake of infiltration bids and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala has raised the question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy in dealing with terrorism emanating from Pakistan. It's time PM must answer people how is he going to crush terrorism emanating from Pak? What is his policy regarding same," Surjewala was quoted as saying. Heavily armed suicide bombers stormed an army camp in Nagrota town near Jammu on Tuesday, triggering a fierce gunfight that left two attackers dead and six soldiers injured, officials said. Two more militants died in another shootout near the International Border in Jammu. J&K: 3 terrorists killed, 3 jawans injured as BSF foils infiltration bid in Samba Militants carrying automatic weapons and explosives entered the field regiment camp around 5.30 a.m. They started firing indiscriminately at the Officers' Mess inside the camp in Nagrota. It's time PM must answer ppl how is he going to crush terrorism emanating from Pak? What is his policy regarding same: RS Surjewala #Nagrota pic.twitter.com/i2I8L6aHhl ANI (@ANI_news) November 29, 2016 OneIndia News (With inputs from IANS) Raman Singh woos US investors to Chhattisgarh India oi-PTI New York/New Delhi, Nov 29: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has invited US companies to the resource-rich state and invest in "sunrise sectors" like IT and defence, assuring them of a secure environment and investor friendly policies. Singh, currently on an official tour of the US, will meet investors, experts and companies in Chicago, New York and San Francisco inviting investments in the mineral rich Chhattisgarh. "We are here to inform investors and American firms that Chhattisgarh is the best destination for investment not just in the core sectors of mines and minerals but also in sunrise areas like IT, engineering and solar energy," Singh told PTI here. He said investors may not be fully aware of the investment opportunities in the young state and his visit aims to not only invite investments but also assure American industries of a safe and secure environment for their investments. Given that the state came into existence only 16 years ago, Singh said investors need to be informed about the tremendous potential across sectors in the state, particularly the sunrise sectors. "We want the investors to know about the investment potential of the state. We will also allay concerns that the companies might have about the security situation in the state," he said. Singh added that the government is committed to improving infrastructure in the Naxal-hit regions of the state like Bastar, where a three million tonne steel plant is coming up. Drawing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, which he said is a catalyst for boosting investment and creating a business-friendly ambience, Singh emphasised that his government has initiated 'Make in Chhattisgarh'. While the state's core strengths lie in its mines, minerals, steel and aluminum sectors, Singh said his government's focus is inviting investments in the "sunrise sectors" of IT, electronics, defence, engineering, food processing, pharma, textile and solar energy. "These new focus sectors will help us in diversifying our state's economy and attain new and untapped growth opportunities," he said. Singh also emphasised that ease of doing business is emerging as a key differentiator in investment decisions and his government has implemented reforms and put in place policies that provide a conducive business environment that is important to boost industrial growth. Singh also termed the Indian government's demonetisation move as a "very big reform" which will not only stem the generation of black money but will also cut the flow of resources through which the Naxals procured arms and ammunition. He said reforms like demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax will help the Indian economy in the long-term, attracting investments and boosting economic growth across states. PTI SC asks Centre to take decision on making Yoga compulsory in schools India oi-Madhuri By Madhuri New Delhi, Nov 29: The Supreme Court has asked the centre on Tuesday to take a decision on making yoga compulsory in schools for students in the age group of 6 and 14 across the country. Earlier, on November 7, a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao had agreed to hear on December 2 the PIL that seeks inclusion of Yoga as a compulsory subject in the curriculum on grounds including that its "secular" and right to health was an integral part of right to life. The plea, filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a lawyer and Delhi BJP spokesperson, has sought a direction to the Ministry of Human Resources Development, NCERT, NCTE and the CBSE to "provide standard textbooks of 'Yoga and Health Education' for students of Class I-VIII keeping in spirit various fundamental rights such as right to life, education and equality. It also sought a direction to the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Social Justice and Empowerment to declare 'First Sunday' of every month as 'Health Day' on the lines of 'Polio Day' to make the people aware about health-hazards and health-hygiene." The plea also said that a court at California had held that "yoga is secular". OneIndia News People of J&K hate corruption, I always felt their pain: PM Modi 40 down and counting: Forces on the verge of wiping out Pakistani terrorists in Valley Terror attack on army camp at Nagrota, J&K: Seven soldiers martyred India oi-Vicky Srinagar, Nov 29: Seven soldiers were martyred in a terror attack near an army camp at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack took place at 5.30 AM this morning at Nagrota which is around 20 kilometres away from Jammu. A gun battle is on between the terrorists and the security personnel. The army has cordoned off the entire area. School have been ordered to remain shut as a precautionary measure. According to sources, three terrorists carried out the attack. The terrorists were seen close to the ammunition depot of the White Knight Corps Army Unit Nagrota. Additional forces have been rushed to the spot and counter terror operations are underway. Initial assessment conducted by the Intelligence Bureau suggests that these terrorists are part of a fidayeen squad. While the suspicion is on the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, IB officials say that they are looking for more information. OneIndia News Three from TN held by Lankan navy for 'smuggling' ganja India oi-PTI Rameswaram (TN), Nov 29: Three persons from Tamil Nadu were today arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on the charge of attempting to smuggle 60 kgs of ganja in a boat, police said. The three men from Nambuthulai, about 60 km from here, in Ramanathapuram District were arrested after Sri Lankan Naval personnel intercepted their boat and found the narcotic, police said quoting information received by them. The ganja, worth lakhs of rupees, was grown in Kerala and allegedly being smuggled to Sri Lanka from here, they added. In September last, six people, including an Indian, had been arrested by Sri Lankan Navy with over two kgs of heroin in their possession. Following this, the Lankan Navy had stepped up vigil in its northern seas to prevent smuggling of drug mainly from Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Navy's northern Commander Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva had then said 612 kg of Kerala ganja coming to Lanka from India had been detected during the last 18 months. PTI UN Secy Gen Ban ki-Moon expresses concern over Gaza crisis India oi-PTI New Delhi, Nov 29: The demolition of Palestinian houses by Israeli forces have doubled this year as compared to 2015, UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon said today, terming the on-going situation in Gaza "a humanitarian emergency," which is fuelling tension and conflict throughout the Middle East. Expressing concern over the deteriorating situation, the UN chief regretted that conflict in other parts of the world was also diverting the attention of international community from the Israel-Palestine issue, which is making "matters worse" with prospects of a two-nation solution slipping away out of reach. He said the international community must make it clear that it remains committed to helping the two sides to rebuild trust and create conditions for meaningful negotiations. The UN Secretary General's message was read by Rajiv Chandran, national information officer at the UN information centre here, on the occasion of 'International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People'. The day is observed by the United Nations on or around November 29 each year, in accordance with General Assembly mandates contained in resolutions adopted under agenda item "Question of Palestine." "Gaza remains a humanitarian emergency, with 2 million Palestinians struggling with crumbling infrastructure and a paralysed economy, and tens of thousands still displaced, awaiting reconstruction of homes destroyed by conflict," Ban said. Adnan Abu Haija, Ambassador of the State of Palestinian, said the incumbent Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not serious about the peace process. B Bala Bhaskar , Joint Secretary (West Asia and North Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said India's empathy with the Palestinian cause and its friendship with the people of Palestine have become an integral part of our time tested foreign policy. Bhaskar said India was the first non-Arab state to recognise PLO as a sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974. India was the first country to recognise the state Palestine in 1988 and in 1996 India opened its representative office in Gaza which later shifted to Ramallah in 2003. "India has always played a pro-active role for garnering support for the Palestine cause in multilateral fora," Bhaskar said. "India also voted in favour of Palestine as a full-member of UNESCO at the United Nations on November 29, 2012," he said. PTI Blast injures 7 presidential guards in Philippines International oi-IANS By Ians English Manila, Nov 29: At least seven members of the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG) were injured on Tuesday after a homemade bomb exploded in the city of Marawi, a day ahead of the President's visit. PSG spokesman Lt. Colonel Michael Aquino said the explosion took place around 10.45 a.m. (local time), and seriously wounded one person, Efe news reported. Aquino added the blast was being probed but said it was yet to be ascertained if the attack was directed at President Rodrigo Duterte or was linked with clashes between the military and Maute Group Islamist rebels. The seven injured PSG personnel were part of a delegation of 50 persons who were visiting Lanao del Sur to organise Duterte's visit. Duterte's visit on Wednesday was meant to show support to the personnel fighting the jihadists. The Philippine Armed Forces since November 26 were clashing with the Maute Group that laid siege to Butig. The clash left 35 rebels dead and 13 soldiers injured. Authorities suspect the same insurgent group was also responsible for the bomb recovered from near the US embassy in Manila on Monday. Maute Group is an armed Muslim organisation based in Lanao del Sur, which emerged on the national stage in 2012 with the name Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM). According to the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, KIM is currently led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute Romato. IANS US Coast Guard ship in Chennai to mark India ties Poland chooses US firm to build first nuclear power plant Team Donald Trump: Controversial ex-CIA chief could be US State Secretary International oi-IANS By Ians English Washington, Nov 29: President-elect Donald Trump will meet former CIA Director David Petraeus furthering speculation about a possible job as Secretary of State, media reports said. The meeting was announced on Monday by transition team officials, the Washington Times reported. Petraeus, a four-star general, also served as CIA director from 2011 to 2012 when he resigned after he admitted sharing classified information with his biographer, whom he had an extramarital affair with. The other top candidates for the job are former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who have been met with criticism. Asked if the president-elect was nearing the end of his search for a secretary of state, a spokesman said,"He'll complete that when he's ready. He's going to pick the person that he thinks will do the absolutely best job." IANS Cheetahs from South Africa go to parks in India, Mozambique Death toll in Mozambique tank explosion rises to 96 International oi-IANS By Ians English Maputo, Nov 29: Health authorities said that death toll in the fuel tanker truck explosion in Mozambique's Central Tete province had reached 96, media reports said. "8 out of 47 patients receiving treatment at the provincial hospital are still under intensive care. All of them are children," Xinhua news agency quoted Celma Issufo, a doctor in a local hospital. "The prognosis for most patients is good, but there are still some troubles for them to go through," said Issufo. The inquiry commission created by the Council of Minister to investigate the causes of the explosion is in the scene, left with only a week to release its report. The Council of Minister said accountability will be charged in case it is found that there are criminal faults in the explosion. On October 18, a tanker truck was en route transporting petrol to Malawi from Mozambican port city of Beira. It blew up when local residents were gathering around the vehicle to buy fuel. IANS Donald Trump suggests jail time for those who burn the American flag International oi-Sandra Marina Fernandes Washington, Nov 29: US President elect Donald Trump has indicated that those burning the American flag can face strict punishment including jail time. "Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!" Trump tweeted. Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag - if they do, there must be consequences - perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 However, the US Supreme Court said that burning the flag was a form of free speech. It not clear though what prompted Trump to tweet the statement. The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag-burning is "expressive conduct" protected by the First Amendment. Local media reports point to the possibility that he could be referring to the recent burning of a flag at Amherst University in Massachusetts on November 10 as part of a student protest after his election victory two days before. (with agency inputs) OneIndia News Take a look at EWS flats at Kalkaji to be inaugurated by PM Modi [Photos] Modi leads Trump, Putin in Time's 'Person of the Year' poll International oi-PTI New York, Nov 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading an online poll of readers' choice for Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' in 2016 honour, which has contenders like US President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing US leader Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. For the fourth year in a row, Modi is among the contenders for Time's 'Person of the Year' honour, which the US publication bestows every year to the one "who has most influenced the news and our world in the past year, for good or ill." Last year German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Time's 'Person of the Year'. While each year Time's editors make the ultimate decision as to who from among world leaders, presidents, protesters, astronauts, pop icons and disrupters should be person of the year, it also asks readers to cast their votes and decide who they think most shaped a particular year. Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016. According to initial votes cast in the readers' poll, Modi is leading with 21 per cent voting in his favour. For a while Wikileaks founder Julian Assange had overtaken Trump for the lead in the online poll, getting 10 per cent of all the "yes" votes cast by participants, Time had said. However, Modi has so far got 21 per cent votes, way ahead of Putin's 6 per cent, Obama's 7 per cent and Trump's 6 per cent. It remains to be seen if Modi will maintain his lead as votes polled may change by the time voting on the reader's choice poll ends on December 4. Time also analysed the moments from 2016 when this year's poll contenders were most talked about. For Modi it was October 16, when the Indian leader had suggested during a summit of BRICS nations in Goa that Pakistan is the "mothership" for terrorism. Among the contenders this year are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, FBI Chief James Comey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, parents of slain Muslim-American soldier Humanyun Khan, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Modi had won the readers' poll of Time's Person of the Year in 2014, securing more than 16 per cent of the almost five million votes cast. He was again among the contenders for the annual honour in 2015 but was not among the final eight candidates shortlisted by Time magazine editors for the title. "In 2016, the news and our world were subject to a wide range of influences. A presidential campaign in the United States exposed deep-seated fissures and led to the election of a president without precedent in the nation's history. Elsewhere, leaders like Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded the spotlight on a global stage," Time said. PTI New Pakistan Army chief: Will there be a change of narrative? International oi-IANS By Ians English Islamabad, Nov 29: A new chapter was heralded in Pakistan's history on November 29 when, for the first time in two decades, the incumbent Chief of Army Staff relinquished office on the appointed date. Despite best efforts by ousted dictator Pervez Musharraf and an appeal by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif refused to succumb to pressure and exercised his constitutional power to appoint a new Chief of Army Staff. It would have been a very difficult decision to make for Nawaz Sharif because he has not been very lucky in his earlier choices for the same post. While Musharraf overthrew him in a military coup and exiled him, the civil-military balance remained tilted in favour of the latter during the tenure of outgoing COAS, Gen Raheel Sharif. Raheel Sharif almost made Nawaz Sharif a lame duck Prime Minister as far as foreign relations and matters military were concerned. Nawaz Sharif's authority was confined to routine domestic affairs and social development projects. Why Pakistan's 'Doable' Kashmir policy will fail While Nawaz must be heaving a temporary sigh of relief and keeping his fingers crossed, the exit of Raheel Sharif and appointment of Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as his successor has aroused keen interest in India at a time when relations between the two countries are in their worst phase. Though in Pakistan the constitutional executive head is the Prime Minister, de-facto control of the nation's defence and security policies, domestic security, strategic assets and the all-powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) rests with the army -- meaning the COAS. Raheel Sharif not only exercised all these powers but also remained in a state of constant conflict with the Nawaz Sharif government leading some to believe that he harboured post-retirement political ambitions. This only time will tell. Despite Nawaz Sharif's attempts to improve relations with India, Raheel Sharif maintained a strong anti-India posture and scuttled all his efforts. After the Panama Gate leaks, Nawaz was forced to toe the army line and give up any hopes he had of improved subcontinental relations. While Raheel Sharif launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb for eliminating terrorism within Pakistan, he continued to support "terrorism" as a low-cost war-fighting doctrine against India. Most of the terror attacks during the tenure of Raheel Sharif were aimed at the Indian Armed Forces or the police, thereby signalling the Pakistan Army's intent to avenge the humiliating defeat suffered by it during 1971. Will Gen Bajwa be able to backtrack from this? After the surgical strikes by the Indian Army, Raheel Sharif's professional reputation was badly hit and in order to restore his self-pride he brought India-Pakistan relations under severe stress through repeated ceasefire violations amounting to nearly 200 and barbaric acts of their Border Action Teams (BAT). He earned the distinction of being India's bete noire. Gen Bajwa will inherit this legacy of his predecessor. Will he alter it? It is believed that Gen Bajwa is a thorough professional with an image of being apolitical and one who believes in not interfering much in matters of the civilian government. He has been appointed by Nawaz Sharif superseding three other contenders. It is believed that Nawaz rejected the candidature of Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Multan Corps Commander and a favourite for the job, for being overbearing. The reputation of being humble and rooted to the ground has tilted the balance in favour of Bajwa. By appointing Gen Bajwa as COAS, Nawaz Sharif is trying to restore the delicate civil-military balance in Pakistan. We, in India, hope that he succeeds this time around because it is near-mandatory for restoring peace and normalcy in the subcontinent. This is the reason the appointment of the new COAS has evoked lot of interest and debate in India. Gen Bajwa is reported to believe that internal extremism is more dangerous for Pakistan than India. Therefore, it is certain that he will go hammer and tongs after the extremist elements at home. He will also need to address the menace of growing radicalism within the army that is affecting its professional elan. He will definitely carry forward his predecessor's fight against domestic extremism and terrorism forcefully. One hopes that he would no longer consider the India-specific terror groups as "strategic assets" and "force multipliers" but treat them as "liabilities" Pakistan can ill-afford to support. Given India's firm stance and denouncement of the policy of "strategic restraint", Pakistan will not be able to bear the consequences of another attempt like 26/11 or Uri. Gen Bajwa will, therefore, not only have to cut the wings of Hafiz Sayeed or Azhar Masood and their terrorist groups but also rein in the ISI. Indian policymakers will keenly watch this critical issue. Given his vast experience of serving as Commander FCNA (Force Command Northern Areas) of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Chief of Staff as well as GOC 10 Corps (the Pakistani Corps responsible for operations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir), he would be well versed with Kashmir affairs and the nuances of the management of the LOC. It is hoped that he would bat for a fresh ceasefire agreement between the two neighbours to bring an end to cross-border/LOC firing which has continued unabated since September this year. But true to his professional reputation, he will fight back with full force in case he feels that India is unrelenting and is threatening to dismember Pakistan. As far as Kashmir is concerned, it appears that there will be no change in the policy of the Pakistan Army under Gen Bajwa. But he is likely to permit the civil government to put the issue on the back-burner so that talks with India can be resumed. India seized the initiative from Pakistan after the successful surgical strikes on the terror launch pads and put the latter on the back foot. India rightly feels that the onus now lies with Pakistan to stop using terror as an instrument of state policy. Pakistan's offer of Army DGMO-level talks should be welcomed and used to turn the tide. The proposed visit of Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz to attend the Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar on December 3-4, may also be utilised provided it is backed by certain assurances from Pakistan. The intent of Pakistan has always been in doubt and now is an opportunity for Nawaz Sharif to change the narrative if he is really interested in development and prosperity of his country, which is well-nigh impossible without peace and stability in the region. (Brig Anil Gupta (Retd) is a Jammu-based political commentator, columnist, security and strategic analyst. The article is in special arrangement with South Asia Monitor/www.southasiamonitor.org) IANS Ohio University attacker lived in Pak for seven years International oi-PTI Washington, Nov 29: The Somali-born student, who injured 11 people in a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University before being shot and killed, had lived in Pakistan along with his family for about seven years. The 18-year-old attacker, identified as Abdul Razak Ali Artan, was a Somali refugee who left his homeland with his family in 2007, lived in Pakistan and then came to the United States in 2014 as a legal permanent resident, NBC News quoted law enforcement officials as saying. He temporarily lived in Dallas before settling in Ohio. He rammed his car into a crowd at Ohio State University yesterday and attacked them with a butcher knife, injuring 11 before police fatally shot him. Investigators are investigating whether the attack was an act of terror by Artan, who had once criticised the media for its portrayal of Muslims. In a magazine in August, he was quoted as saying that he is scared to pray in the public because of media coverage of the religion. "Im a Muslim, its not what the media portrays me to be. If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I dont know what theyre going to think, whats going to happen. But, I dont blame them. Its the media that put that picture in their heads," Artan had aid. He also appears to have made an anti-US posting on Facebook minutes before the attack, on a page that was quickly disabled or taken down by authorities, US media said. "I can't take it any more. America! Stop interfering with other countries, especially the Muslim Ummah. We are not weak. We are not weak, remember that," the post quoted by ABC television said. "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace," the post reads. "We will not let you sleep unless you give peace to the Muslims." Officials said 11 people were being treated at local hospitals for stabbing wounds and injuries from the motor vehicle. None of their injuries were life-threatening. PTI Trump nominates Indian woman to top administration post International oi-PTI Washington, Nov 29: US President-elect Donald Trump today nominated an Indian-American woman to a top administration position, making her in charge of a federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. "I am pleased to nominate (Dr) Seema Verma to serve as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services," Trump said in a statement. The announcement came along with Trump's nomination of Congressman Tom Price as his Health and Human Services Secretary. A leading expert in the country on Medicare and Medicaid, Verma would serve as Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems. Together, Chairman Price and Seema Verma are the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans," Trump said. "I am honoured to be nominated by President-elect Trump today," said Verma, who met Trump in New York last week. "I look forward to helping him tackle our nation's daunting healthcare problems in a responsible and sustainable way," she said. Verma currently is the President, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc, a national health policy consulting company. Also read:Trump to nominate Obamacare critic as Heath Secretary: report Based in Indianapolis, Verma has supported Indiana through development of the historic programme since its inception in 2007, from development of the enabling legislation, negotiating the financing plan with the state's hospital association, developing the federal waiver, supporting federal negotiations and leading the implementation of the programme, including the operational design. For more than 20 years, she has worked extensively on a variety of policy and strategic projects involving Medicaid, insurance, and public health, working with Governors' offices, state medicaid agencies, state health departments, state departments of insurance, as well as the federal government, private companies and foundations. "Verma has extensive experience redesigning Medicaid programmes in several states. Verma is the architect of the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the nation's first consumer directed Medicaid programme under Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana and then-Governor Pence's HIP 2.0 waiver proposal," said the presidential transition team. Verma received her Master's degree in Public Health, with a concentration in health policy and management from Johns Hopkins University, and her Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from the University of Maryland. She served as the state of Indiana's health reform lead following the passage of Obamacare in 2010. PTI Kerala CM accuses Gov of 'acting as RSS tool' on his order to VCs to resign Graft case returns to haunt Kerala Chief Minister Thiruvananthapuram oi-Anusha The Kerala High court on Tuesday agreed to hear a petition filed by the CBI in a graft case involving Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The CBI had filed a revision petition in a case where the Kerala Chief Minister is accused of fraudulently executing a contract with SNC Lavalin, a Canadian company, to renovate Pallivasal, Sengulam, and Panniyar hydroelectric projects in the State. The Kerala High Court will hear the petition on December 15. A special court in Kerala had exonerated him in 2013 following which the CBI approached the appellete court against the order. Vijayan who was then Power Minister, was accused of entering into an agreement with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin in 1997 to repair three generators which caused a loss of Rs 266 crore to the exchequer. Vijayan was arraigned as 7th accused by the CBI. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 17:44 [IST] 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. by Graham Pierrepoint 'Sniping' jokes at the expense of Boris Johnson should stop as they could undermine his position as Foreign Secretary -- Hes arguably one of the British governments most enduring personalities one that has drawn criticism and humor alike and Boris Johnson has managed to grab headlines this year for a whole host of new reasons as he led the leave campaign that eventually saw the UK choose to leave the European Union. During this time, it also became apparent that Johnson would not pursue succeeding David Cameron as Prime Minister despite widespread assumption that he would. Johnsons presence in the media has largely been one of humor he arguably came to public presence via TV panel show Have I Got News For You before being elected as Mayor of London. Further to this, some members of the Conservative Party view Johnson as something of a joke figure his appointment to Foreign Secretary by current Prime Minister Theresa May has drawn derision from a number of his peers and contemporaries as well as his critics and, as he goes, he often finds himself in a number of photo opportunities that have drawn humor from those in the UK media. However, according to one MP, it is high time that the jokes at Johnsons expense should stop. Conservative MP Jake Berry has spoken out this past week against jokes made against the former London Mayor, claiming that his critics are effectively sniping and that they could be undermining his position as Foreign Secretary certainly, as discussed, its a role that has earned him divisive comments in the media and public eye but Berry feels that other members of his own party may be undoing important work that he is undertaking in Europe ahead of Brexit. Certainly, Johnson has been put to task after spearheading the leave campaign along with Liam Fox and David Davis, who have been assembled by May to prepare for the UKs exit in a few years time. Brexit is going to be no mean feat and the government arguably knows this and perhaps it is time for us to rein in the Johnson jokes in attempt to let him carry out the work he needs to carry out. However, as others have been keen to point out, the Foreign Secretary often manages to find amusing opportunities all on his own and his perhaps muted return to frontline politics this year are symbolic of the momentous task he is helping to undertake. KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas 02 Feb 2021 Delta airlines has banned 950 passengers for violating its mask mandate. The announcement comes as the CDC mask order goes into.. Rumble 05 Aug 2022 These people got to hang out with a bear on their last evening of vacation in Gatlinburg! Check it out! FOXNews.com 19 Oct 2022 Comments by Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is running for Senate in Wisconsin, have resurfaced in which he expressed contempt for.. BBC Local News 21 Sep 2022 BBC Local News: Coventry and Warwickshire -- Tom Price takes four second-innings wickets to put Gloucestershire on course for their.. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Learn more New Illegal Gambling Crackdown in China: Police Bust $72 Billion Gambling Ring Published November 29, 2016 by Ivan P China continues to clamp down on illegal gambling activities: 94 individuals arrested suspected of being involved with $72 billion-worth gambling ring. The government of China has been relentless in their efforts to put a stop on illegal gambling activities in the country and abroad. Since gambling was banned in China in 1949, many groups have been created facilitating access to gambling facilities outside the country's borders for wealthy Chinese gamblers. One such group was busted a few days ago, with 94 individuals being detained on illegal gambling charges. $72 Billion Illicit Gambling Ring According to reports from Xinhua news service, the ring was providing services for wealthy Chinese whales who traveled abroad looking for gambling thrills. The reports mention 400 players who used the services of the ring to reach gambling destination in Myanmar and Laos, spending the equivalent of $72 billion dollars combined. The police have been keeping a close eye on the ring since 2013, when they caught the attention of the authorities following a murder motivated by unpaid gambling debts. The authorities had spent next few years gathering evidence and collecting facts, finally leading to a huge clamp-down. Immense Popularity of Gambling in China Despite it being illegal in the country, gambling remains one of the favorite pastimes of Chinese people, particularly the wealthy ones. Since they can't find what they are looking for within China's borders, they turn to alternative methods provided by illegal gambling rings like the one that was shut down a few days ago. These recent arrests are a continuation of increased efforts of Chinese authorities to stop foreign agents from luring players to gambling establishments across the border. In October, the police even arrested 17 employees of the Crown Resorts and proceeded to raise charges against three of them based on illicit gambling activities. One of the Crown Resorts employees facing charges is supposedly a senior VIP manager in charge of high roller customers. 1,200 Chinese Citizens Detained in Philippines China is not the only Asian country waging war on illegal gambling. Last Friday, the police in Philippines raided Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino, arresting more than 1,200 Chinese citizens suspected of being call agents for an illegal online casino. A number of these employees have been found to be working in Philippines illegally, further complicating the situation. The Philippines' authorities released a statement saying that all arrested individuals will be properly processed, charged, and deported. At the same time, Chinese government requests individuals with proper paperwork to be released. Opalesque Industry Update - Nectar Financial AG, a Swiss financial technology company for wealth and asset management, has announced that it has hired two key senior leaders to spearhead its digital asset management efforts. The company also announced that it has entered into a cooperation with Fundbase, to support the launch of the first Fintech-driven systematic Alternatives portfolio that will serve as an initial module of its intelligent investment engine. Nectar Financial provides middle and back office services for more than 30 family offices, independent asset managers and banks and supports them in managing assets in excess of CHF 35 billion. After the rebranding of the former Etops AG to Nectar Financial, the company is on a rapid technological expansion course and is about to launch its own Wealth Management platform. The platform will enable wealth managers, family offices ,asset managers and banks to replace fragmented and complex IT systems with an integrated solution. The Nectar Financial solution will simplify customer and portfolio management, enable users to automate and efficiently meet all regulatory requirements domestic and cross border, as well as providing institutional investment content. In order to offer its clients the choice of a seamlessly integrated intelligent digital investment engine, Nectar Financial has built up an in house investment team. Steven Kaufmann as Chief Investment Officer and Andreas Gilgen as Head Alternatives Intelligence will lead the team to support Nectars clients to improve investment results where possible, for the benefit of their end-clients. Steven Kaufmann joins Nectar Financial from AXA Winterthur, where he managed their CHF 3.3 billion pension fund and co-managed the CHF 90 billion insurance assets. As a CIO, Steven successfully pioneered a modern core-satellite asset allocation. Under his management, the pension fund was differentiated by the fact that it resembled more the US endowment model than that of a typical Swiss pension fund. Among other modules, Steven implemented a stable allocation in Hedge Funds, Real Estate, Private Equity, ILS and Structured Credit while always putting great emphasis on cost-efficient implementation. This has proven to yield excellent risk/return results for the pension fund. Steven has managed sizable portfolios for over a decade with the rigor developed from his Masters degree in Mathematics from ETH Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich and his early career experience in Electrical Engineering and IT. Steven Kaufmann said: I am thrilled to join Switzerlands biggest and most dynamic Fintech and help our clients get access to a fully institutional investment engine and content from the most modern digital platform. We are delighted to have Steven in our team. He has a proven track record in implementing an institutional asset management concept and forming a world class investor out of a large pension fund, says Nectar Financial co-founder and CEO Michael Appenzeller. Andreas Gilgen joins Nectar Financial to head the efforts to build smart and efficient institutional alternative portfolios for the global wealth management market. Prior to Nectar Financial, Andreas was the Head of Research and CIO at GL Funds for nine years, managing up to CHF 2 billion in multi-manager products. Andreas also worked as a consultant to numerous hedge funds and has vast experience in institutional asset management. He has a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from Zurich University of Applied Sciences and Art and a certified EFFAS Financial Analyst. Andreas will lead the process for the assessment of each portfolio holding and for this purpose will work in very close cooperation with Fundbase, the leading Alternatives Fintech platform. Andreas Gilgen said: Fundbase has a built-in information advantage to source and assess alternative investment strategies. Combining this with decades of hands-on due diligence and manager assessment experience will be a winning combination to generate uncorrelated and superior returns. Michael Appenzeller CEO and Co-Founder of Nectar Financial said: Andreas is a veteran in the alternative and hedge fund industry. Over the last two decades he successfully weathered the challenges our industry has seen. Andreas will be a key asset in our strategy to support our clients to manage risks and improve investment results. With more than 55 employees and a proven track record, Nectar Financial is one of the largest and most successful Fintech companies in Switzerland. Nectar Financial is the technology partner of some of the largest family offices, multi-family offices, banks and sophisticated asset managers for the outsourcing of business-critical middle office processes, reporting, system solutions, data management and business projects. There's a threat to the future of Democracy, which I believe is highly dependent upon alternative media casting light on truth and challenging the Top Down establishment's lies, distortions, false claims and omissions. That threat is manifesting as a fake news perpetrated by the mainstream media, which claim to be fighting fake news and propaganda. OpEdNEws has been listed, by an anonymous website, registered using a proxy registrar to maintain anonymity, among 200 sites they claim are Russian propaganda sites. That would not be significant if the Washington Post had not featured a headline article citing this anonymous website, propornot.com. I consider this pathological journalistic malpractice. It's really worse than that. This latest salvo by the mainstream media appears to be an attack against alternative media, an effort to kill alternative news voices. OpEdNews is not alone. Many progressive, left of liberal sites are being listed, such as counterpunch, wikileaks, nakedcapitalism, thiscantbehappening, PaulCraigRoberts, antiwar, BaltimoreGazette, blackagendareport, consortiumnews, globalresearch, truth-out, truthdig, whatreallyhappened And libertarian/conservative websites are also listed: Drudgereport, prison planet ronpaulinstitute. An Observer article, Clinton Distraction Circus Hits Panic Mode Over Russia And 'Fake News', suggests this is a ploy of Hillary Clinton's pathetic campaign team, saying, " Panic over "Fake news" is being manufactured by Clinton partisans as another attempt by mainstream media outlets to avoid accountability and responsibility in elevatingDonald Trump, and improving their coverage to better reflect the issues Americans actually care about." "A part of this "fake news" narrative as merged with the Russian propaganda narrative. The Washington Postpublished an article on November 25 in which they interviewed the Executive Director of a new website, PropOrNot, who claimed, without any supporting evidence or describing their methodology, that the Russian Government circulated pro-Trump articles before the election. The blacklist the site has come up with include progressive outlets Counter Punch, Truth-Out (which Clinton Campaign Chair John Podesta received newsletters through his email from), Truth-Dig, and others, alleging the journalists at these publications committed treason. Based on these publications making the list, PropOrNot's criteria for Russian propaganda includes any dissent to corporate mainstream media. "We strongly suspect that some of the individuals involved have violated the Espionage Act, the Foreign Agent Registration Act, and other related laws, but determining that is up to the FBI and the DOJ," notes the PropOrNot website. InfoWars and other conservative media outlets were cited as well. Though these sites often publish inaccurate stories, the mainstream media does as well (the Washington Post published an allegation that Russia poisoned Hillary Clinton so she collapsed on 9/11), and these sites are based in the United States, funded U.S. sources, and many of them pre--date Putin. As a Clinton Campaign strategy, blaming Russia didn't work in the general election, but now these same Clinton propagandists are pushing anti-Russia narratives as a smokescreen to push false narratives, without having to provide actual evidence to substantiate their claims. The enigma of Russia provides a convenient source for these conclusions." There are questions about who's behind this new McCarthyist red-baiting 2.0 combined with the narrative that's evolving on fake news. I believe this is extremely dangerous to alternative media, to journalists, journalism and democracy. Google has announced it will de-monetize ad revenues for websites that are accused of providing fake news. Facebook is also involved in "dealing" with "fake news sites." That is a huge threat to all alternative media. Who decides who or which site is a fake news or propaganda site? According to the Washington Post, some anonymous site which does not define the criteria it uses is who. This is dangerous. The WaPo and the NYTimes, even NPR are going after fake news sites like McCarthy went after people they accused of being communist sympathizers. Now WaPo is going after websites that criticize the US government's policies on Russia. The First Amendment is under greater threat than perhaps any time since the early colonial days when people were charged with sedition. These are dangerous times in so many ways. We really don't know if these efforts are originating with sleaze ball Clinton campaign people, as the Observer article suggests, or whether this is a strategy by neocons and neoliberals to silence alternative media on moth ideological sides which question the establishment's narrative. Or/and this could be a strategy by the MSM to get rid of their competition, the Bottom Up alternative media that more and more of the people are believing instead of the Top Down sources. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have both mistreated the mainstream press. Imagine if the messaging onslaught the mainstream media is echoing-- that the Russians and the fake news purveyors corrupted the election-- actually works. If they take down all the sites on the propornot list, they will have silenced many of the major voices questioning the story the mainstream media has been supporting. That silencing will make it much easier for Trump, for the neoliberal, failed Democratic leadership to sell their story and their narrative. I don't have an answer on what to do about this. Maybe you do. That's part of makes the Bottom Up alternative media so essential to the future of Democracy. YOU get a voice in the conversation. Why, after 16 years, is the media taking election fraud concerns seriously? For the past 16 years, concerns about election fraud have either been completely ignored or shoved aside as conspiracy nuttery. Volusia County's negative votes awarded to Al Gore were simply an "error". The stolen 2004 Ohio election was quickly dismissed, and the media never reported on the statistical proofs or evidence of tabulation fraud. Concerns about insecure electronic voting systems received sparse coverage. Even as late as June 2016, the NYTimes ran a blatantly false article purporting to debunk the obvious fraud in the Democratic primaries. And I don't recall EJUSA's comprehensive 100-page report on that fraud in July even getting mentioned. The media has never been on the side of election integrity. So when they suddenly give credence to the idea of a recount, that should raise eyebrows. Instead, the election integrity community, which has often railed against the media, is rushing headfirst into a recount effort being taken up by Jill Stein. I don't trust the media's motives at all. How did their agenda change from covering up election fraud to supporting an effort that risks exposing it? Somehow, the media's corporate owners intend for the recount to benefit their own agenda. And that should be concerning to all of us. To understand the recount, we need to know what kind of fraud went on in the general election. Almost everyone agrees it was fraudulent, but the direction of the rig is controversial and surprising. It was pretty clear that the Democratic primaries were stolen from Bernie. So naturally, most progressives and alt-righters expected a repeat of Hillary's installation during the general: massive election fraud against Trump to ensure she won. This was the logical conclusion to make, given Hillary's support from the establishment and her past record of stolen elections. Some of us, myself included, essentially believed November 8 was a foregone conclusion - she'd win no matter what. Well, it didn't turn out that way. Donald Trump pulled off a shock victory. The initial assumption was that Trump was strong enough to overcome Hillary's fraud. But exit poll analysis found the opposite. In nearly every state, Hillary did much better in exit polls than vote counts. In some states, this red shift was enough to reverse the winner. The exit polls led to a schism in the election integrity community. Most election integrity analysts were inclined to trust them, but Richard Charnin believed they were falsified to obscure fraud for Hillary. In his theory, the pollsters made it look like Hillary was the denied winner to trick election integrity researchers. Certainly possible, but the assertion needs evidence, and Charnin's case was flawed. Still, a lot of people have hung on his words. Beyond Charnin's failure to show the exit polls were wrong, there's more reason to believe a "Trump shift" is legitimate: A red shift also appeared in Senate and governor's races, often corresponding closely with the presidential red shift. Historically, electronic election fraud has always benefited Republicans, with Hillary as the one exception. So while it's conceivable that the presidential red shift is fabricated, the downticket ones almost certainly aren't, and the match between the presidential and downticket shifts hints at the presidential ones being correct too. in Senate and governor's races, often corresponding closely with the presidential red shift. Historically, electronic election fraud has always benefited Republicans, with Hillary as the one exception. So while it's conceivable that the presidential red shift is fabricated, the downticket ones almost certainly aren't, and the match between the presidential and downticket shifts hints at the presidential ones being correct too. I did a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation for Ohio's exit polls, and found that the sampling of strong Democratic areas might have been too low . While I'd like to redo this more rigorously with certified data and more states, this hints at the exit polls not being manipulated to favor Hillary. . While I'd like to redo this more rigorously with certified data and more states, this hints at the exit polls being manipulated to favor Hillary. Some cumulative vote share (CVS) graphs in Ohio and North Carolina hint at least at a clean election, and quite possibly fraud for Trump. In Cleveland OH and Mecklenburg County NC, there's a ~5% uptick for Trump and ~5% downtick for Hillary when large precincts are added. There's a good case for fraud in Trump's favor. But that still seemingly defies common sense. It makes no sense for the establishment to rig the election against Hillary, the favorite of the corporate elite and deep state. Especially when they already rigged the Democratic primaries for her. Hillary and the DNC clearly didn't expect to lose either. They were supremely overconfident throughout the campaign. Democrats were so assured of a landslide that they treated the presidency and Senate as a given, wondering whether they might retake the House. And if there was even a chance that Hillary might suffer from fraud, why would she insist that challenging elections was dangerous to democracy? These maneuvers only make sense if you know your victory is assured. All of this hints at an interesting conclusion: the election was rigged in Trump's favor, but that wasn't how the establishment initially planned it. They originally intended to rig the election for Hillary, which explains the Democrats' hubris. Something, however, changed very late, and Trump was installed in her place. This last minute change of plans is supported by suspicious Clinton campaign behavior before and on election night: Early on November 8, the Clinton campaign cancelled a fireworks celebration in New York. Why would they call it off at the last minute, unless they learned that the expected landslide wasn't happening after all? If someone told them the fix was off, it could provoke that response. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Now that I've discussed most of the variables and the root causes of the Democratic Party's failures and challenges in the aftermath of the Trump Route of the 2016, its time to address the final bogeyman that the party MUST confront in order for it to progress and grow in the short term and possibly transform itself in the long term. It's a necessary precondition for the party to once again regain its progressive, people-centered path, and an important structural wall -- yes, it needs to build a wall -- that protects "we the people, the ORDINARY American people" from that enduring "thing" that's at the very core, the foundation, of what has kept America from achieving genuinely true greatness. It's called Racism. Particularly an entrenched, unbending, conscious and unconscious, ingrained belief and perception by white Americans that they are superior to ALL non-white peoples, especially Black and Brown people. The Democratic Party, for all of its inherent flaws, is still the most qualified and competent organization to take on this most urgent of issues and tasks. Yes, I can hear you speaking about the lesser of two evils and it's that thinking that has shoved the Democratic Party from rejecting and building on FDR's "New Deal," and into a new fawning, meritocracy and haven for DINOS -- Democrats In Name Only. In the 2016 Presidential Elections the party could not speak coherently to blue collar Republicans AND Democrats. It focused on the population centers in both the North East and West and paid little attention to working class America. Democrats were "not with them." The party's meritocratic wing took over running a "know-it-all" campaign, failed to really attack Trump on issues, and had very little consideration for the working poor -- Hillary Clinton did not "feel their pain." But even with all that and the fact that it's easy to point out the failure of the Hillary Clinton campaign to win the election, the reality is both simple AND complex -- Trump's victory, driven mostly by white voters was a reaction based on fear of the future and white racism -- white, CHRISTIAN AMERICAN RACISM. Its something that very few political leaders or any stripe want to address. Yet, it's there ugly, sinister and enduring. You see, what CNN, Fox 5 et all won't ever admit or tell you is that in Donald Trump's deep red and totally white America, the white God is the Lord, Master and King, both figuratively and literally. In these areas, rabid and rigid religious fundamentalism is what has shaped most of their belief systems for centuries. Built on this unbending framework of fundamentalism and Biblical literalists there is no room for questioning, change, learning or introspection. In these regions and climate open criticism is considered sacrilege, taboo, especially from "outsiders" not belonging to the tribe. It is not encouraged or welcomed. So in this climate -- a clash between the enlightened North West and East and more educated Americans -- the issue is that "Northerners" can speak until they are blue in the face and make ABSOLUTELY NO IMPACT on rural Americans. They will not listen to ANYONE outside of their "Christian, God-fearing communities." These are well-meaning Americans who genuinely believe that Black people became so because of the Biblical Curse of Ham. They believe that they are the superior human race as ordained by God and written in the Bible. That's the kind of drivel that is preached in most churches in rural white America -- every day, especially on Sundays. Problem is this kind of belief, entrenched and reinforced by this brand of intolerant religious fundamentalism, drives blind white racism and its difficult to erase because people genuinely believe what is articulated by their holy book and by preachers. Rural white Americans will never entertain any information that contradicts their entrenched beliefs, no matter how sound, how unquestionable, how obvious, they WILL NOT even entertain the possibility that it might be true. Education is the enemy of religious fundamentalism because fundamentalism, by its very nature, is not built on facts. Education and learning are only valued up to a certain point. Once it reaches the level where what you learn contradicts old, established doctrines and core fundamentalist arguments, and long-held beliefs, it becomes dangerous. It therefore is no major surprise that Donald Trump has become the darling of rural, white America. He's THEIR CHAMPION -- racist, loud mouth, not too educated (in their eyes), has a disparaging view of women (keep them in their places) and thinks that foreigners and non-white people are bad, criminals and will rape their "pure white" maidens. Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party by contrast are over-educated, condescending North Eastern liberals who want to take away their guns, don't too care for the Bible, and support gay marriage that God says is an "abomination." But rural, Christian, white Americans are also racists. And, no we're not talking about white hood wearing, cross-burning, dirty talking, lynching racists. We're talking about people who deep down in their hearts genuinely and truly believe they are superior to others because they are white. To them their white God made them in his "image and likeness" and everyone else is a less-than-perfect version, flawed, and cursed who can be beaten, brutalized, and killed without redress. And before you start thinking that I'm off my rocker try visiting these Southern churches where versions of these racist screeds are published, preached, and sermonized EVERY SUNDAY. Yes, some of the more odious racist positions have been boiled down these days but many people still hold on to these claims though sensible enough to not parade or air them openly. For them this racism is entrenched by a belief, passed on to each generation, that non-whites are the color they are because of their sins and those of their ancestors. So Black people don't have dark skin because of where they lived and evolution. No, they have dark skin because they are cursed and cursed people don't deserve the things God's blessed whites with. God cursed them for His reasons and it isn't proper to question them. If God cursed them, then treating them as equals would be going against God's Will. It is really easy to justify treating people differently, poorly, if they are cursed by God, will never be as good as you no matter what they do because of some predetermined status given to them by an almighty God. Once you hold this view, it is easy to lower the outside group's standing, worth, value and rationalize as acceptable any and all unjust and unfair levels of mistreatment. One of the reasons why Hillary Clinton lost is not because she and her campaign failed to speak to blue-collar rural America but because of this constituent's tone-deaf approach to ANYTHING that contradicts its entrenched, deep and rigid fundamentalist beliefs. Coastal elites, in their view, deal with such "un-Godly things" that run contrary to "Good Christian teachings and the Bible." To them Democrats are doing Satan's work because they are pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-education (because it does not teach creationism) and believe "this nonsense" about women's equality. The Democratic Party therefore was locked into an argument that the party and Hillary Clinton could not win because they were arguing with and against God. For white, Christian, blue-collar America that's an unwinnable argument and no amount of reasoning will make them suddenly abandon their fundamentalist beliefs or even countenance a limited opening to reason and facts. See why Donald Trump appealed so "bigly" to this constituent? Finally, here are the Democratic Party's challenges - some which contributed to Hillary Clinton's losing the 2016 Presidential Elections. Both campaign and party failed to answer these crucial questions. Number one was (and is) how do you make issues like climate change a personal thing for someone who believes that ONLY God can change the weather? Number two, how do you make racial equality up-close and personal to individuals who believe that ALL white people are naturally superior to non-whites? Number three, how do you make gender equality personal to people who believe that ALL women, no matter how qualified or educated, are supposed to be subservient to men by God's command as written in the Good Book? Number four, how do you get someone to view Black people and other minorities as non-threatening to people who don't live around and never interacted with them? And five, how do you make personal the fact that massive Republican tax cuts and cutting back government hurts their economic situation when they've voted for these for decades? These are the Democratic Party's challenges. If the party is to embrace progressive millennials, be a place for baby boomers to become engaged and their experiences respected, and fess up and man up to its own shortcomings, then and only then will the party be transformed into the vanguard of "we the people." Maj. Gen. Thomas Spoehr and Col. David Carey Serve Thanksgiving Day Meal by 29th CAB - Public Affairs (Image by 29th CAB - Public Affairs) Details DMCA During Thanksgiving Weekend 2016 Although President-elect Donald Trump has castigated the administration of President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the US regime change wars that have brought death and destruction to the Middle East, these genocidal prosecutable crimes against humanity continue even as Americans gave thanks for their own well being as usual in utter disregard or ignorance of what was being done in their name to millions of innocent children, women and men. For the criminal lies and half truths in CIA fed corporate media a majority of ordinary Americans, often symbolized as Mr. and Mrs. America, have always celebrated their Thanksgiving assuming that the rest of the world is grateful for all America's humanitarian military invasions and bombings of bad guys. Reality is something else. Families in Afghanistan were not giving thanks that Americans leading a coalition of every single nation of Caucasian population, even tiny Lichtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, continue a murderous sixteen year occupation of their beloved country to support the drug lord government it installed at gun point, which among other crimes has brought the production of opium poppies to a record high, while their previous Taliban government had all but eliminated poppy cultivation before the American 2001 invasion.[1] Families in Iraq were not giving thanks that Americans continue to bomb their beloved country, presently under the pretense of attacking terrorist Islamic groups the US itself created to destroy its Shiite government and the government of neighboring Syria. Horrific memories of a prosecutable genocidal conquering of their entire innocent nation, bringing death to at least one and one half million of their country's children, women and men by Americans claiming to help by eliminating the president of their oil rich land.[2] Families that have managed to stay together in an utterly destroyed Libya, which by the UN Quality of Life Index of the year before its destruction, was not only the highest ranked in Africa, but higher than nine countries in Europe including Russia, were not giving thanks that American bombing along with bombing by Libya's former bloody colonial rulers, the British and the French, had brought about the assassination of their beloved revolutionary leader who had brought Libya up from the poorest nation in Africa with the oil profits he had confiscated from those same British and French colonial thieves, who upon the falsification of a popular uprising, annihilated Libya.[3] Those few families in vastly destroyed Syria that have been able to continue to live in their homes, are unable to be thankful for the genocidal efforts of Americans, with allies Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, EU and even the US controlled United Nations sponsoring armed terrorist efforts to overthrow their Syrian government causing millions of their countrymen to flee to Europe with their families - leaving behind a half million murdered Syrians.[4] Families in Yemen cannot be thankful that Americans for years striking from the air, have had their ally Saudi Arabia bombing them killing a thousand of their brothers and sisters desperately trying to protect the lives of their children, hundreds of whom have already perished, other hundreds cruelly maimed; for many years the US drone struck Yemeni at will.[5] Families in what is left of Somalia after nearly two decades of starvation caused by US and NATO air strikes in support of proxy armies of allies Ethiopia, Kenya, the United Nations all to protect a hated government of warlords acceptable to powerful investors on Wall Street, could not possible be thankful to Americans for overthrowing their wonderful Islamic Courts government and continuing to bring death and maiming to their country.[6] Families in South Sudan suffering in an unbelievably savage, regularly horrific and genocidal civil war, where mass murder has greatly reduced the population, cannot not be thankful to Americans for continuous investing in deathly military havoc since oil was discovered in the 1970s.[7] "The U.S. seems to make the same kind of mistake again and again," said Nate Haken of the Fund for Peace. "We catalyze major change without understanding, or at least grappling with, the long-term implications -- whether it's Iraq or Libya or whether it's South Sudan. [by WorldTribune Staff, June 13, 2016] "The greatest crime since World War II is US Foreign Policy."[The Fire This Time - US War Crimes in Iraq by Ramsey Clark Families in Iran will not give thanks to the America they call Great Satin, whose leaders in government have for years called for the bombing, even nuclear bombing of their country, for overthrowing their democratic government in 1953, for installing, and then supervising, their murderous Shah for twenty-six years, and for supporting Saddam Hussain's million death eight year invasion war in the 1980s. [8] The above mentioned seven nations represent where America's present regime change atrocities and covert violence have been taking place, military atrocities and covert violence that Martin Luther King said have been taking place "on three continents since 1945 to maintain unjust predatory investments, which King held all Americans responsible for refusing to give up the privileges and pleasure that come from the immense profits that come from [these unjust] overseas investments."[sermon Beyond Vietnam - a Time to Break Silence] [9] Families in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Congo, Guatemala, El Salvador, Haiti, Panama, Dominican Republic and families in every other country in Latin America whose governments were overthrown either by invasion or otherwise were never thankful for the total of tens of millions of deaths, of millions maimed, of malformed babies, destruction and theft of their countries' natural resources. [10] In a future multipolar world, the absurdities, illogic and insanity that justifies US NATO UN genocide will no longer be successfully propagated. These outrageous fabrications just wont wash when exposed to the light of day by new major international sources of information beaming by satellite from Asia, Africa and Latin America as economic power shifts Eastward and Southward The shift of world economic power to the East and South will bring about the end of the ability of Western monopolized sources of information to criminally mis-inform, dis-inform and instill the fraudulent fears that have built an infantile acceptance of continual neocolonial genocide as necessary, even good. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). (Image by School Choice Week) Details DMCA By the time Betsy's father Edgar Prince died in the mid-90s, he had an auto parts supply company worth a billion dollars thanks in part to the now ubiquitous lighted sun visor which he patented.1 When, in 1988, a new "conservative evangelical organization" called the Family Research Council needed funds to advance its agenda of "banning gay marriage, promoting school vouchers for Christian schools, and outlawing abortion and stem-cell research" co-founder Gary Bauer turned to Betsy's father. Bauer said of Edgar Prince, "[He]was not an empire builder. He was a Kingdom builder " For him, personal success took a back seat to spreading the Gospel and fighting for the moral restoration of our society." 2 Betsy's brother is the infamous evangelical Erik Prince, founder of the private, for hire mercenary army Blackwater used by the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan. While Blackwater became known for its indiscriminate killing of civilians, Erik himself came under investigation in 2009 for "Murder[ing] or facilitate[ing] the murder of individuals cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company." One former employee described the younger Prince as "a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe." 3 In 1981 Betsy Prince married into the DeVos family, owner of the Amway Corporation, a union that would make her one of the richest women in the world. Laurie Bennett of Forbes Magazine writes, "Other than possibly the Koch brothers, few billionaires have a more established place in conservative America than the DeVos clan.4 In 1994 Amway "gave the biggest corporate contribution ever recorded to a political party for a single election: $2.5 million to the GOP," which helped bring "Newt Gingrich and a radical right-wing agenda known as the Contract with America to power in Congress." 5,6 Former Amway distributor Karen Jones said of the corporation, "They tell you to always vote conservative no matter what. They say liberals support the homosexuals and let women get out of their place"They say we need to get things back to the way it's supposed to be." 7 In 1998 Betsy and her husband Dick launched the DeVos Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization motivated by "faith" that works to expand school choice. 8 According to Source Watch, a "national watchdog group that conducts in-depth investigations into corruption and the undue influence of corporations on media and democracy," the foundation's American Federation for Children "is a conservative 501(c)(4) dark money group that promotes the school privatization agenda via the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other avenues." 9,10 DeVos puts it this way: Successful advocacy requires coordinating a lot of moving parts: identifying potential legislators, educating them about the issue, getting them elected, helping them craft and pass legislation, and then, once the laws are passed, helping them with implementing the programs to ensure they work for children ... So a few years ago, we reorganized a number of the key players. We formed the American Federation for Children as a 501(c)(4). It is the umbrella organization that is affiliated with the Alliance for School Choice--still a (c)(3)--and AFC's political action committee, the American Federation for Children Action Fund. Now that our efforts are better organized, it's been working really, really well.11 In a 1997 Op-ed for the Capital Hill newspaper Roll Call, DeVos wrote: [M]y family is the largest single contributor of soft money to the national Republican party"I have decided, however, to stop taking offense at the suggestion that we are buying influence. Now, I simply concede the point. We expect to foster a conservative governing philosophy consisting of limited government and respect for traditional American virtues. We expect a return on our investment; we expect a good and honest government. Furthermore, we expect the Republican party to use the money to promote these policies, and yes, to win elections." 12 Education scholar Diane Ravitch writes that DeVos is "a 'reformer' who does not hide her contempt for public schools " She wants privatization, period." 13 The destruction of public education all but guarantees a cast system for our children, but for billionaires of DeVos' ilk, as long as these future untouchables are not gay and come to Jesus, America will be great again. Sources Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). A world expert on horseshoe crabs is worried about their extinction after 455 million years of life on Earth--largely because of the crab having become a delicacy in nations in Asia. Dr. John T. Tanacredi first became familiar with horseshoe crabs as a boy from Brooklyn coming to Babylon, Long Island in summers and learning to swim off a beach along the Great South Bay. In that period, the early 1960s, the beach was "filled" with horseshoe crabs. The shores of the New York Metropolitan Area especially Long Island and the wetlands they embrace have been an active habitat for horseshoe crabs. Back in Brooklyn, as a young man volunteering as a docent at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, he began studying what he speaks of as this "alien-looking, strange-looking creature." The aquarium had an exhibit featuring horseshoe crabs and Dr. Tanacredi speaks of the impact on him of the writings of the aquarium's director, the Dr. George Ruggieri, a marine biologist and a Catholic priest, he noted. Dr. Ruggieri's writings told of how horseshoe crabs, beyond being an extraordinary life form in themselves--"living fossils," said Dr. Tanacredi--have provided "pharmaceuticals from the sea." The blue blood of the horseshoe crab has been and remains indispensable in the detection of bacterial endotoxins in medical applications. Horseshoe crabs are widely harvested for this medical purpose. It's a $300 million industry globally, he said. The animals are bled, the blue blood collected and used for this medical purpose. Most of the crabs survive upon being returned to the sea. But horseshoe crabs were killed on a massive scale for years to become fertilizer. And they are still taken to be used as bait, especially to catch eels and whelk or conch. Some states forbid or restrict the taking of horseshoe crabs. In New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation has been setting yearly quotas--allowing 150,000 to be taken this year. Can that number be appreciably lowered? "Habitat loss and habitat degradation," says Dr. Tanacredi, have been impacting on horseshoe crabs. Shoreline development has had a major effect. "They go to the same beach every year to mate," he notes. And now horseshoe crabs have become "an exotic food" in parts of Asia--eating them has become especially popular in Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia--and this is exacerbating the survival of the horseshoe crab as never before. "In a decade, they could be extinct," says Dr. Tanacredi. The number of horseshoe crabs in the world--there are four species of them--has been "dramatically decreasing," he relates. "The next decade will be critically important." "Extinction," he said, can "happen all of a sudden." He speaks of the passenger pigeon of which there were an estimated three billion in the world in the 19th Century. They were heavily hunted, and in 1914, the last one, named Martha, died in her cage at the Cincinnati Zoo. Horseshoe crabs "survived the five mass extinction events" that have occurred on the Earth through their 455 million years of existence, said Dr. Tanacredi. "They are a wonderful organism. They are so important to human health--and this would be lost forever, too. It is sad testimony to how we treat other species on this planet." Dr. Tanacredi, a Melville, Long Island resident, has since 2013 been director of the Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Oceans Monitoring (CERCOM) of Rockville Centre-based Molloy College. The center is located at what had been the Blue Point Oyster Hatchery in West Sayville on Long Island. At CERCOM, "about 10,000 juvenile horseshoe crabs" are produced each year. Dr. Tanacredi is a full professor at Molloy, teaching courses that include Ecology and Marine Biology. Before that, for 13 years, he was a professor and chairman of the Earth Marine Sciences Department at Dowling College in Oakdale, Long Island--which this year closed. Dowling underwent extinction itself. Earlier, for 24 years Dr. Tanacredi was a coastal research supervisory ecologist for the National Park Service. He also worked for the U.S. Coast Guard. And he served as a "hurricane hunter" for the U.S. Navy and in that job "cut my teeth on the impacts of hurricanes on coastal environments." For 12 years he was deputy director of the Aquatic Research and Environmental Assessment Center at Brooklyn College. And he has been chairman of the New York Marine Sciences Consortium and also the Suffolk County Wetlands Management Work Group. He holds a doctorate in environmental health engineering from NYU-Polytechnic Institute. He has had 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers published and has authored five books. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Alon Ben-Meir Website The following presentation is one I have just made in front of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs as part of a hearing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The two other speakers who joined me are French Special Envoy Pierre Vimont and Fernando Gentilini, EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been with us for over seven decades. I wish I could be more optimistic in offering some kind of solution that could in fact be implemented and lead to the ultimate goal of reaching an agreement based on a two-state solution. Unfortunately, given the political environment in the region and the reality on the ground in Israel and Palestine, a solution that could answer the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians seems ever more difficult, and every day that passes, the conflict is becoming more intractable while new facts created on the ground are becoming extremely difficult to reverse. I'd like to first point out six elements that have and will continue to hinder finding a solution, what measures can be taken to improve the peace process, and what role the EU can play in the context of the French initiative: 1) Trump and the US role I want to begin with the changing of the guard in the United States. Although President-elect Trump has recently stated that he would like to forge an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, which he considers to be a major achievement, his incoming administration has no plan (that we know of) to resume the negotiations and on what basis at any time in the near future. President-elect Trump will largely be occupied with the many issues, both domestic and foreign, that he raised during the campaign (such as defeating ISIS and resolving the Syrian conflict). Based on what I know, he does not see an urgency to tackle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at this particular juncture. It seems to me that Mr. Trump would not want to delve into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict unless he feels that his chance of success is rather promising, as he certainly does not want to attach his name to another failed negotiation. In the interim, we can expect President Trump to follow the policy of his predecessors by fully supporting Israel. No one should expect that the Trump administration will exert any pressure on the Netanyahu government in the foreseeable future to change its direction. 2) The Israeli government The Netanyahu government is simply not committed to negotiate a peace agreement based on a two-state solution. Although Netanyahu repeatedly states that he is in favor of a two-state solution, I do not believe that he would take any significant measures that would lead to the emergence of a Palestinian state under his watch. Moreover, several members of his coalition government do not see eye-to-eye on any particular solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and opinions range from those who demand an immediate annexation of the West Bank (specifically Area C) like Education Minister Naftali Bennett, to those like Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who wants to redraw the map completely to ensure a greater concentration of Jews within the eventual Israeli borders. Anyone who attended the most recent Jerusalem Post conference and listened to the speeches of various top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and those mentioned above, will realize how deep the gap is between the positions of the various members of the coalition. The only thing they agree upon is that the time is not ripe for any serious negotiations, as none believe that the Palestinian Authority is in a position to negotiate in earnest. 3) The Israeli opposition There is no political opposition in Israel that can in fact galvanize its forces to provide an alternative to the current government's policy regarding the Palestinians. The various political parties, especially the Zionist Union led by Isaac Herzog, Yesh Atid led by Yair Lapid, and others, are disorganized, do not see eye-to-eye with one another, and lack the fundamental consensus about the need to reach a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians based on a two-state solution. As they stand today, they present no threat to the Netanyahu government, which is expected to serve its full term ending in 2019, and will most likely win the next election because of the growing shift of the Israeli public to the right-of-center. 4) The Arab States The Arab States, specifically the Sunni states (led by Saudi Arabia) and the Gulf states, are focused largely on the Iranian threat and their own national security concerns, given the turmoil in the region. They have put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the back burner, and in fact, they see Israel as the front line that would defend the region from Iranian encroachment. Over the last few years, the Arab states (in addition to Egypt and Jordan, who are at peace with Israel) have developed extensive security and intelligence cooperation with Israel, and for them, such cooperation assumes top priority. However, given the opportunity, they will certainly support a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as long as the framework for the peace negotiations is based on the Arab Peace Initiative (API). 5) The Palestinian Authority President Abbas, though he occasionally says and demonstrates his willingness to negotiate a peace agreement with Israel based on a two-state solution, is politically weak and will not be able to deliver any significant concessions that will receive public support. Unfortunately, there is not one single strong successor to Abbas, and should new elections be held, it remains a serious question as to who might succeed him, and what policy he or she might follow. Hamas, on the other hand, continues to call publicly for the destruction of Israel, and does not see eye-to-eye with the Palestinian Authority. It is not likely that both sides could come to terms with one another and join hands in the search for a permanent solution to their conflict with Israel. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Trump (Image by IoSonoUnaFotoCamera) Details DMCA In countries such as Canada and the U.K., the office of head of state (Governor-General, Queen) is distinct from the chief executive (prime minister). People there can loathe their prime ministers (who come and go with the political tide) without disrespecting the head of state who represents the nation itself. Because our chief executive is also the head of state, we have just elected a morally unfit person to represent our country to our citizens and the world. To judge by the public record of his statements during the primary and presidential campaigns, Trump is a liar, misogynist and racist. His supporters have tried to dismiss these statements as just "campaign talk" designed to fire up his "base" and tap into the fears and resentments of people who feel oppressed by the liberal establishment and its political correctness. This defense completely misses the point. Even if you buy the story that Trump doesn't "really" regard females as inferior, his public behavior has been openly contemptuous of women and is a model for his admirers. Even if he doesn't "really" believe Mexicans are especially prone to criminal behavior and the Muslim-American community is a network of terrorist sleeper-cells, he has reinforced these prejudices in one mass rally after another, often with a national TV audience. Anti-Muslim prejudice is not just religious intolerance. It is also thinly disguised racism--a cover for white antipathy to the various ethnicities and skin colors that comprise most of the global Muslim community. "Make America great again" is to some extent a dog whistle for "make America white again." Trump is a misogynist, not just a sexist. As Naomi Wolf points out, sexists "can like women quite a lot in person but be very happy to support systematic discrimination against them." Misogyny has undertones of contempt and violence; it comes from the subhuman part of the male soul that gives rise to the twin meanings of the f-word: sexual intercourse and harming someone. On Dec. 21, Trump mocked Clinton for being slow to get back to the podium during the first debate. As the Washington Post noted, he asked the crowd four times where she had gone: "I know where she went -- it's disgusting, I don't want to talk about it," Trump said, screwing up his face, as the crowd laughed and cheered. "No, it's too disgusting. Don't say it, it's disgusting." What's really "disgusting" here is the spectacle of a 69-year old man asking thousands of people to share a juvenile peeping-tom fantasy--cringing at the image of a 68-year old woman using the toilet. He is notorious for publicly insulting women for their physical characteristics, including his fat-shaming of Rosie O'Donnell and Alicia Machado (1996 winner in Trump's Miss Universe competition). According to USA TODAY, "In a 2006 interview on The Insider, Trump called O'Donnell 'a disgusting person inside and out' and . . . a 'slob' with a 'fat, ugly face'." Clinton mentioned in the first debate that Trump had called Machado "Miss Piggy" for her weight gain soon after winning the Miss Universe title. Trump justified his language on Fox and Friends the next day: Machado was "the worst we ever had. The worst. The absolute worst. . . . she gained a massive amount of weight." The irony of his own overweight was lost on him. For him, a male's body is not his destiny. Trump sees women as bodies for him to enjoy. If these bodies don't meet his standards, they lose his respect. During a Rolling Stone interview (9/15) Trump noticed Carly Fiorina (a rival in the GOP primary) speaking on a nearby TV screen. His "expression sours in schoolboy disgust as the camera bores in on Fiorina. 'Look at that face!' he cries. 'Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!'" Trump is quick to spot promising female bodies at a young age. The Chicago Tribune reports that in 1992 Trump asked two girls in a youth choir what their ages were. "After they said they were 14, Trump said 'Wow! Just think -- in a couple of years, I'll be dating you.'" Would he have felt free, two years later, to do to them what he boasted about to Billy Bush in 2005: "grab them by the p*ssy"? Kristen Anderson claims he did that to her in the early nineties at a Manhattan nightspot. Ten other women have come forward this fall with similar complaints about Trump. His habit of repeatedly and brazenly lying combined with his racism to promulgate for five years the lie that Obama was not born in the United States but in Kenya. He falsely claimed that he had people investigating it. This was a potent slur, since it implied Obama's presidency was illegitimate, reminded racists of his African origins and further suggested he was a Muslim. What he says in person and in spews on Twitter is so full of lies and contradictions that it deserves a new category: fake speech. Ordinarily, when people speak, we take it as expressing what they believe or intend. Not with Trump. He recklessly says what a particular audience wants to hear on a given day, then takes it back the next day, even expressing surprise or irritation at being taken at his word. Will he represent the new American normal? We can hope he will be less harmful than we fear, but how can we respect him? Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market Headed for Growth and Global Expansion by 2022 PMR Report Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Cancer Market, Cancer http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/9680 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9680 www.persistencemarketresearch.com Nasopharyngeal is a type of cancer which takes place in head or neck. It happens in nasopharynx, which is a upper part of the of the throat behind the nose. It is also called nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). It has also been linked with Epstein-Barr virus.Request for TOC @In 2015, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) estimated 3200 to be diagnosed with NPC in U.S. The prevalence rate is fairly rate, as one in out of every 100,000 population are diagnosed with this chronic disorder. However, over the last few years, there has been a dramatic rise in prevalence rate of nasopharyngeal cancer. This is mainly attributed to increasing tobacco and alcohol consumption. The global prevalence of nasopharyngeal cancer is likely to peak by the end of forecast period. In developing region, nasopharyngeal cancer is widely prevalent in South East Asia such as China. Various symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer are lump in the neck, hearing loss, stuffiness, numbness, frequent headaches, fatigue, blurred, weight loss etc.Increasing geriatric population, rise in consumption of tobacco, increasing health awareness, changing lifestyle, are key driving factors for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment market. Also, rapid adoption of technologies in healthcare premises is expected to further boost nasopharyngeal cancer treatment market. This trend is likely to be seen in developing regions where healthcare expenditure is increasing at a significant rate. Developed regions are witnessing since accessibility for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment and procedure is easily accessible and available, the demand for nasopharyngeal cancer market has increased. Companies are investing heavily in developing regions to offer effective treatment solutions for higher care quality, greater efficiency and better patient outcomes.With so many advantages of nasopharyngeal cancer market, it has few disadvantages too. High cost of the treatment and side effects are acting as a barrier for nasopharyngeal cancer market.Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market is broadly classified on the basis of the following segments Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market by Treatment: Surgery Radiation ChemotherapyNasopharyngeal Cancer Market by Product Type: Keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma Nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma Undifferentiated or poorly differentiatedThe nasopharyngeal cancer market has grown substantially at a healthy CAGR due to increasing number of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer. With rapid technological advancement and innovation, nasopharyngeal cancer market is expected to grow globally. North America is the largest market for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment, however, Asia Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period.The nasopharyngeal cancer market is expected to register a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, nasopharyngeal cancer market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America along with Europe is expected to dominate the global nasopharyngeal market throughout the forecast period, however, Asia Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period. Increasing healthcare awareness along with increasing spending on IT and healthcare technologies in developing regions is expected to boost overall demand for effective treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer market. Though there has been an alarming increase in incidence rate of nasopharyngeal in Latin America, ineffective public policy formulation mechanism along with low healthcare expenditure has led to moderate growth in the region. Latin America and MEA are expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period.Request for Sample Report @Some of the key market players for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market market are Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Sanofi, Merck & Co., Inc., CELGENE CORPORATION, BioDiem LtdThe report covers exhaustive analysis on: Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market Segments Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market Dynamics Historical Actual Market Size, 2013 - 2015 Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market Size & Forecast 2016 to 2022 Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies involved Nasopharyngeal Cancer Market Drivers and RestraintsRegional analysis includes North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East and AfricaReport Highlights: Shifting Industry dynamics In-depth market segmentation Historical, current and projected industry size Recent industry trends Key Competition landscape Strategies of key players and product offerings Potential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective towards market performanceAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Point of Care Test Market is Expected to Witness a Steady Growth by 2022 Point of Care Test Market, testing market http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/9851 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9851 www.persistencemarketresearch.com The point of care tests is the test done outside the laboratory near the site of patient care. The point of care testing allows expedite clinical decision making and patient loss to follow-up while waiting for test results by bringing easy and convenient method to test immediately and conveniently. It also facilitate delivery of care outside traditional healthcare settings and require less complex infrastructure and training. The point of care device is usually membrane-based test strip often enclosed by plastic test cassette. The point of care testing can be used for self-testing like pregnancy test kit & glucose monitoring kit, it can also be used for community testing with a minimally trained worker for malaria, HIV & dengue, also for testing in clinics by a healthcare provider, testing of In-patient in the hospitals and testing in the peripheral Laboratory.Request for TOC @Point of care (POC) test can be any of the following as mentioned below: Pregnancy & Fertility Test kit Blood Glucose Testing kit Cholesterol Test kit Coagulation Drug of Abuse Test Kit Infectious disease Test Kit Urine Testing Kit Oncology Test Kit Cardiac Marker Kit Blood Gas/ Electrolyte Test Kit Saliva Test Kit Hematology Test Kit Food Pathogen Test Kit Allergy Test Kit Fecal Occult Test Kit Miscellaneous TestingPoint of care market is growing due to advancement in technology and demand for quick test results. Also rise in prevalence of infectious disease and lifestyle disease like cardiac disease and diabetes along with rise in aging population is increasing demand of point of care diagnostics manifold. Awareness among people for the easy and convenient way to get faster test results is increasing the demand also physicians are preferring POC for their quick decision making to prescribe a disease specific drug unlikely previously when doctor start symptomatic treatment as test procedure take long time for the results. POC has a tremendous demand in Americas region and pool the largest share in POC market also due to increase in awareness Asia-Pacific region will show tremendous growth in future with highest population countries in Asia will drive it tremendously adding to the market share. Traditional method of clinical testing required skilled labor while POC required minimal training hence reducing the cost required in training along with the time consumed to perform the test. The major restrain for Point of care test market is unwillingness to change traditional treatment practice.Point of care market can be segmented on prescription mode as follows: Over-The-Counter (OTC) Test Kits Prescription Based Test KitsThere are several POC kits available in the market Over-The-Counter, the HIV rapid test kit is one such example which require either blood sample or the oral fluid, testing with the oral fluid require swabbing the device against the upper and lower gums and then inserting it into the buffer vial later results can be seen after 20 min. Also available are the various pregnancy and blood glucose testing kits since long and are used in almost every home nowadays, other available test kits are urinary tract infection test kits, drug of abuse test kits, allergy test kits, cholesterol test kits & thyroid level testing kits which reduces frequent doctor visits and longtime wait.Point of care test has become an integral part of day today test including home healthcare and by healthcare providers. Point of care test is essential so as to provide the patient with quick and accurate treatment hence avoiding different drug side effects caused pertaining to drug prescribed pertaining to non-surety of disease. Point of care market is well established in the developed countries with giving world largest market share, however developing countries like in Asia-Pacific have huge potential due to high population and growing awareness for POC. Market is majorly driven by demand and awareness for quick and easy results.Depending on geographic region, point of care test market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.Request for Sample Report @Some of the key market players in global point of care test market are Roche, Alere, Abbott, Beckman Coulter, Quigen, Thermofisher Scientific, Cepheid, Hologic, Gen-Probe, Orasure, Corgenics, DRG Diagnostics GmbH to name a few.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Hyperpigmentation Treatment Market is Expecting Worldwide Growth by 2022 PMR Study Hyperpigmentation Treatment Market, Hyperpigmentation Treatment http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/9983 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/9983 www.persistencemarketresearch.com Hyperpigmentation refers to darkening of the skin characterized by excess production or accumulation of melanin, a pigment which primarily determines the skin color. Hyperpigmentation can be a diffuse (spread over large area of a body) or focal (restricted to certain body part) and can affect any part of the body, mostly face, hands and chest. Hyperpigmentation is clinically harmless condition but it can be of concern cosmetically. Some of the common causes of hyperpigmentation include inflammation, skin injury, phytophotodermatitis (photo toxicity), lentigines, melisma, melanoma or even it can be a drug-induced condition. Hyperpigmentation can be treated by two approaches viz. Drug/Pharmacological treatment and Cosmetic treatment.Request for TOC @Expanding aging population and increasing incidence of skin disorders are the primary contributors to the growth of global hyperpigmentation treatment market. Moreover, growing demand for the skin lightening, upgraded lifestyle, global climate changes and global warming, rising number of smokers, increasing disposable income can drive the global hyperpigmentation treatment market. In spite of this stringent regulatory policies and safety concerns associated with the use of cosmetic products for skin lightening can hinder the growth of global hyperpigmentation treatment market.The global hyperpigmentation treatment market has been segmented on the basis of treatment type, retail sales channels and geography.Based on treatment type, the global hyperpigmentation treatment market is divided into following: Pharmacological therapyo Synthetic Origin Hydroquinone Topical Corticoids (steroids) Azelaic acid Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)o Natural Origin Kojik acid Liquorice extract Citrus Extracts Non-pharmacological/Cosmetic Therapyo Laser treatmento Chemical peels and bleacho Microdermabrasiono Skin grafting/Plastic surgeryBased on retail sales channels, the global hyperpigmentation treatment market is divided into following: Skin Clinics Drug and Cosmetic Stores Hypermarkets and SupermarketsThe global hyperpigmentation treatment market is expected to grow with a significant CAGR due to availability of various treatment options and rapid adoption of new technologies. The non-pharmacological or cosmetic therapy sub-segment is expected to contribute more to the global hyperpigmentation market owing to their quick results. Customer demand for the skin brightening products is expected to increase during the forecast period of 2016-2021 due to increasing aesthetic concern.Geographically, the global hyperpigmentation treatment market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America will continue to hold the largest share in global hyperpigmentation treatment market because of rising aging demographics. Asia Pacific is expected to be the most lucrative region for the new entrants in the global hyperpigmentation treatment market.Request for Sample Report @Some of the major players in the global hyperpigmentation treatment market include Biocosmetic Research Labs, Episciences, Inc., Vivier Pharma, Inc., La Roche-Posay, Pierre Fabre Dermo Cosmetique, Bayer AG, Alvogen, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Obagi Medical Products Inc., SkinCeuticals International, Loreal Paris and others.The report covers exhaustive analysis on: Hyperpigmentation Treatment Market Segments Hyperpigmentation Treatment Market Dynamics Historical Actual Market Size, 2013 - 2015 Hyperpigmentation Treatment Market Size & Forecast 2016 to 2022 Hyperpigmentation Treatment Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies involved Hyperpigmentation Treatment Drivers and RestraintsRegional analysis includes North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & AfricaReport Highlights: Shifting Industry dynamics In-depth market segmentation Historical, current and projected industry size Recent industry trends Key Competition landscape Strategies of key players and product offerings Potential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective towards market performanceAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global fracture fixation product Market Share, Growth, Segment, Trends and Forecast, 2015 2021 Global fracture fixation product Market http://bit.ly/2gdpvh4 http://atozresearch.com/global-fracture-fixation-product-market-share-growth-segment-trends/ http://bit.ly/2fKY6mc http://atozresearch.com/ Fracture Fixation Product Market (Internal Fixation Product and External Fixation Product) for Metallic Fixators,Bioabsorbable Fixators and Others: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Segment, Trends and Forecast, 2015 2021The report analyzes and forecast fracture fixation product market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2015 along with a forecast from 2016 to 2021 based on revenue (USD Billion). Assessment of market dynamics gives a brief thought about the drivers and restraints for the fracture fixation product market along with their impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the fracture fixation product market on a global level.Request Sample Report:The report gives a transparent view of the fracture fixation product market; we have included a detailed competitive scenario and portfolio of leading vendors operative in fracture fixation product market. To understand the competitive landscape in the market, an analysis of Porters Five Forces model for the fracture fixation product market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein type segments and composition segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.The study provides a crucial view on the fracture fixation product by segmenting the market based on types of product and composition of the product. All the type and composition segments of fracture fixation product market have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2015 to 2021. Key type segments covered under this study includes internal fixation product and external fixation product. Key composition segments market covered under this study includes metallic, bioabsorbable and other. The regional segmentation comprises the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa for fracture fixation products.Browse detail report at:The competitive profiling of key players of this market includes company and financial overview, business strategies adopted by them, their recent developments and product offered which can help in assessing competition in the market. Key players included in the report are Stryker Corporation, Zimmer Biomet Holdings,DePuySynthes Companies, Neosteo SASand Smith & Nephew amongst others.This report segments the global of fracture fixation product market as follows:Fracture Fixation Product Market: Type Segment AnalysisInternal Fixation ProductExternal Fixation ProductFracture Fixation Product Market: Composition Segment AnalysisMetallic FixatorsBioabsorbable FixatorsOthersFracture Fixation Product Market: Regional Segment AnalysisRead Report TOC:North AmericaEuropeAsia PacificLatin AmericaThe Middle East & AfricaAbout A to Z ResearchA to Z Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations. A to Z Research is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact US3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442, USATel: +1-386-310-3803GMTTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-465Email: martin@atozresearch.comWebsite: Global Maleic Anhydride Market 2016- Huntsman, Ashland, Polynt, Lanxess and BASF. Maleic Anhydride http://bit.ly/2gQzqKv http://bit.ly/2gCHEBL Global Maleic Anhydride Industry 2016The research report Global Maleic Anhydride Market 2016 is a market study examining and profiling the current state of the Maleic Anhydride industry in a professional manner.The report systematically categorizes the Maleic Anhydride market, elucidating the definition of Maleic Anhydride before making clear the classification of the market by the many parameters employed by market experts. The multiple applications of Maleic Anhydride in the global industrial scenario are profiled along with an explanation of the industry supply and value chain developed around it. The regional segments of the global Maleic Anhydride market are also examined and data gained from this analysis presented. The development trends in and competitive landscape of the Maleic Anhydride market are also assessed and data regarding the same is presented in the report.Click Here to Request Sample Report @Other industry-related processes about the Maleic Anhydride market, such as a detailed explanation of the manufacturing structure, the financial background of the market, supply and demand dynamics, trade figures, and production value margins are also analyzed in the report. Prime development policies and plans concerning the Maleic Anhydride market are examined with regard to their impact on the market in the forecast period.The strong trends shaping the growth pattern of the Maleic Anhydride market are examined in the report in detail, in addition to the numerous marketing channels for the industry and their respective importance. In accordance with this information detailing the various aspects of the Maleic Anhydride market, the report examines the links between the Maleic Anhydride industry and the Maleic Anhydride market, including an upstream raw materials and downstream demand analysis.Analysis of major players in the market is also presented in the report in great detail, leading to valuable insight into market attractiveness. The important aspects of companies in the Maleic Anhydride market are analyzed, including product information such as product catalog, production cost and profitability, and business processes.Browse Full Report at @About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651 Global Emulsion Polymer Market 2016- AkzoNobel, BASF, Dow and Arkema. Emulsion Polymer http://bit.ly/2gCHfPZ http://bit.ly/2fL0lWt Global Emulsion Polymer Industry 2016The study on the Emulsion Polymer market provides forecasts, market size, trends, growth drivers and restraints based on primary and secondary research. An in-depth geographical analysis forms an integral part of the study on the Emulsion Polymer market. The report highlights regions that will emerge as the most prominent Emulsion Polymer markets over the forecast period.For the purpose of the study, the Emulsion Polymer market has been segmented and sub-segmented on the basis of applications/end-users, and products/services/technology. Imminent trends and new products that are expected to bring in breakthroughs in the Emulsion Polymer market are also identified and discussed in the report.Click Here to Request Sample Report @This report provides a complete understanding of the competitive scenario in the Emulsion Polymer market based on the key attributes of companies on the following fronts: Company history, product/services portfolio, revenues, and recent developments.An industry chain analysis forms an important part of the report, and is presented in great detail. This Emulsion Polymer market report is based on industry-leading guidelines and authors of the report have referred to the most reputable databases used in the industry.The findings of this market study will prove to be a valuable decision-making tool for suppliers, vendors, OEMs, service providers and other companies working in the periphery of the Emulsion Polymer market. In conclusion, the report on the Emulsion Polymer market contains a section dedicated to Company Profiles of top market participants.Browse Full Report at @About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651 Defoamers Market worth USD 3.6 Billion and CAGR 4.3% by 2021,Globally https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/defoamers-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/102 https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/defoamers-market https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/defoamers-market http://www.zionmarketresearch.com Zion Research has published a new report titled Defoamers Market (Water Based, Silicone Based, Oil Based, and Others) Paper & Pulp, Paints & Coatings, Water Treatment, Food & Beverages, and Other End-user: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Segment, Trends and Forecast, 2015 2021. According to the report, the global defoamers market was around 4100-kilo tons in 2015. The global defoamers market revenue accounted for approximately USD 2.8 Billion in 2015 and is expected to reach approximately USD 3.6 Billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of around 4.3% between 2016 and 2021.Get a copy of free Sample Report @Foam is a substance which is formed as a result of trapping pockets of gas in a liquid or solid. Foam blocks the transfer of oxygen from air and hampers the flow of liquid. Thus, the formation of foam affects many industrial processes. Defoamers help to reduce and hinder the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. Defoamers are insoluble in the foaming medium and have surface active properties. An essential feature of a defoamer product is a low viscosity and a facility to spread rapidly on foamy surfaces. Thus, the defoamer is used in multiple end-user industries where the formation of foam possesses a significant threat.Based on product type, the global defoamers market can be classified into silicone-based defoamers, water-based defoamers, oil-based defoamers and others (EO/PO-based defoamers, etc.). Oil based defoamers have an oil carrier. The oil might be mineral oil, vegetable oil, white oil or any other oil that is insoluble in the foaming medium, except silicone oil. Water based defoamers are different types of oils and waxes dispersed in a water base. Silicone-based defoamers are polymers with silicon backbones. These might be delivered as oil or a water based emulsion. Silicone based defoamer is one of the major type of defoamer used globally accounting for more than one-third of the global defoamers market share. While, water based defoamers are expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period.Request for Customization Report @The global defoamers market can be segmented into end-user segments viz. paper & pulp, food & beverages, waste water treatment, paints & coatings, and others. Paper & pulp industry dominated the global defoamers market in 2015, as foam formation is one of the major hindrances in paper & pulp industry. Defoamers help to improve the drainage in sulfite stock and kraft pulp stock in the pulp mill. Waste water treatment is expected to be second largest end-user industry for global defoamers market. Food & Beverages end-user industry is expected to grow at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Increasing demand for defoamers from brewery industry has predominantly contributed for the growing use of defoamers in food & beverages end-user industry.Increasing demand from paper & pulp industry especially in Asia Pacific region is expected to drive the demand for the defoamers market during the forecast period. Moreover, increase demand from food & beverages and paints & coatings end-user industries are some others factors driving the growth of global defoamers market. However, stringent regulations on VOC containing defoamers, and concerns regarding the health problems that they cause may curb the defoamers market in the near future. Nonetheless, growing demand for defoamers in Asia Pacific region is expected to open new avenues for the market over the years.Browse detail report with in-depth TOC @Asia-Pacific was the largest regional market for the defoamers in 2015. Asia Pacific accounted for more than 30% share of global defoamers market. Europe followed Asia Pacific in terms of demand for defoamers globally. However, strict regulations concerned with the use of VOC containing defoamers are impeding market growth in this region. Moreover, sluggish growth of paper & pulp industry in this region is expected to hamper the growth of defoamers market in this region. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest regional market for defoamers due to large consumption base, the growth of various end-user industries, and lenient governmental regulations. Countries such as China, India and Japan are predominantly contributing for the growth of defoamers in this region. North America is expected to witness moderate growth. Latin America is expected to witness noticeable growth, while the Middle East & Africa is estimated to expand at a slow growth rate.Major market players in this industry are Wacker Chemie AG, Bluestar Silicones, Elementis plc, Clariant, KCC Basildon, BASF SE, Dow Corning Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Ashland, Inc., Kemira Oyj, and Evonik Industries AG are prominent players of the defoamers.Know more before buying this report @About UsZion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact US:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Antibodies Market: Key players are Biocon ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Vaccinex, NovelMed Therapeutics, and others http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=67199 http://bit.ly/2da5dWl http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/epidermal-growth-factor-receptor-egfr-antibodies-market-global.html http://bit.ly/2da5ecM http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com EGFR is the primary receptor recognized in a group of receptors and is a cell surface protein that binds to epidermal growth factor. EGFR is a cell membrane growth factor receptor characterized by tyrosine kinase receptor which plays very important role in the control of key cellular transduction pathways in both normal and cancerous cells. EGFR is the first molecular target against which monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been developed in cancer therapy.Get a copy of free Sample Report @On the basis of types, the global epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies market is segmented into cetuximab, panitumumab, and nimotuzumab. Cetuximab and panitumumab are the most favored EGFR antibodies which are utilized for treatment of cancer. Nimotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes the EGFR antibody. These antibodies are used in the treatment of colorectal tumor as single chairmen and in a mix with routine chemotherapy.Get in-depth TOC (Table of Contents) with Tables and Figures @The report covers forecast and analysis for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2015 along with a forecast from 2016 to 2021 based on revenue (USD Million). The report also offers detailed competitive landscape of the global epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies market. It includes company market share analysis, the product portfolio of the major industry participants. The report provides detailed segmentation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies market based on type segment. Cetuximab, panitumumab, and nimotuzumab are the different type of EGFR antibodies.Increasing rate of cancer around the world and advancement in the treatments are few drivers for EGFR antibody market. Prevalence of cancer is high in North America specifically in U.S. Cancer cases globally are escalating at an alarming rate. Cancer represents a key challenge to development, undermining economic and social advances all over the world. Breast cancer is most common diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of death amongst women in the U.S. According to World Cancer Report, produced by the WHO's specialized cancer agency, predicted that new cancer cases would rise from 14 million annually in 2012 to 22 million within two decades.Geographically, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. EGFR antibody market was dominated by North America followed by Europe. Key players in this market are Biocon Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Vaccinex, NovelMed Therapeutics, Janssen Biotech (J&J), Merck, Angiochem , Bio-Synthesis, Antibody SystemsEpidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Antibodies Market: Type Segment AnalysisBrowse detail report @CetuximabPanitumumabNimotuzumabEpidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Antibodies Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East & AfricaInquire more before buying this report @About US:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suite #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@SyndicateMarketResearch.comWebsite: Luxury Goods Market Size, share, 2015 2020 detailed in new research report http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=50310 http://bit.ly/2cOxyxQ http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/luxury-goods-market.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com The demand for luxury goods is increasing due to rising disposable income. The products which are not essential to survive but which make life more pleasant for a consumer are called as luxury goods. Luxury goods are also called as superior goods. The growth of luxury goods market is directly proportional to the income elasticity. The way of purchasing luxury goods also affect the luxury goods market. Being able to recognize the right channel for marketing, purchasing way of luxury consumers and choose the beneficial way of shopping in-store vs. online will be a key focus for luxury brands going forward. These factors are strongly associated with the growth of luxury goods market.Request Sample Report:The report includes the detailed competitive landscape of the global luxury goods market. It includes company market share analysis, the product portfolio of the major industry participants. The report provides detailed segmentation of the luxury goods market based on product segment and region. Luxury cars, luxury watches & jewelry, apparels and leather goods, luxury personal care & cosmetics, wines/champagne and spirits, fragrances and others (tableware, luxury pens etc.) are major product segments of luxury goods market. The apparel and leather goods segment was the leading product segment in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period.Request TOC (Table of Contents) of this report:Major regional segments analyzed in this study include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. This report also provides further bifurcation of a region on the country level. Major countries analyzed in this reports are U.S., Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. Luxury goods market was dominated by Europe due to strong per capita expenditure on luxury goods. Europe is followed by North America. Increasing consumption of luxury goods in emerging economies such as China and India triggers the luxury goods market. Additionally, due to growing consumer disposable income and luxurious lifestyle is expected to exhibit the rapid growth of this market in Asia Pacific region.Browse report atThe report covers detailed competitive outlook including company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include LVMH Group, Kering S.A., Rolex S.A., LOreal Group, Tiffany & Co., Coty, Inc., The Swatch Group Ltd., Prada S.p.A, Compagnie Financiere Richemont S.A., Hermes International SCA, Graff Diamonds, Burberry Group plc, Revlon, Inc., and Avon Products, Inc.The report segments the global luxury goods market into:Global Luxury Goods Market: Product Segment AnalysisLuxury CarsLuxury Watches & JewelryApparels and Leather GoodsLuxury Personal Care & CosmeticsWines/Champagne and SpiritsFragrancesOthers (Tableware, Luxury Pens etc)Global Luxury Goods Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeGermanyFranceUKAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East and AfricaAbout US:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suite #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@SyndicateMarketResearch.comWebsite: Bathroom Vanities Market 2015-2020: Major market players are MasterBrand Cabinets, Avanity Corporation, RSI Home Products, and others http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/request-for-sample.html?flag=S&repid=55999 http://bit.ly/2cCiyoa http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com/market-analysis/bathroom-vanities-market-global-industry-perspective-comprehensive-analysis.html http://www.syndicatemarketresearch.com Bathroom vanities are the counter-tops that available in a wide range of materials such as glass, wood, laminate, polyethylene and others. Bathroom vanities and sink console are typically the focus of toilet style. The bathroom vanities can fit in either small or big sized bathroom. Vanity with added amenities such as pull-out drawers and intrinsic chips allow multiple usages at one platform.Request Sample Report at:Surging construction industry and developing sophisticated infrastructure facilities is the key driving factor of global bathroom vanities market. In addition, growing demand for new housing and renovation activities due to changing lifestyle is also expected to accelerate the market growth. Shifting inclination towards recycled material is also likely to offer potential opportunities to bathroom vanities market. However, expensive bathroom designing is expected to impede the growth of the market.The global bathroom vanities market is segmented on the basis of material, application, and region. Based on different material used for bathroom vanities include c stone, ceramic, glass, wood and metal. Furthermore, application segmentation includes residential and non-residential applications of bathroom vanities.Get in-depth TOC (Table of Contents) with Tables and Figures @The report provides a comprehensive view on the bathroom vanities we have included a detailed competitive scenario and product portfolio of key vendors. To understand the competitive landscape in the market, an analysis of Porters Five Forces model for the bathroom vanities market has also been included. The study encompasses a market attractiveness analysis, wherein application segments are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.Application segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends, and the market has been estimated from 2015 to 2020 in terms of revenue (USD Million). Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand of bathroom vanities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). The report also includes further bifurcation into major countries including U.S., Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. This segmentation includes demand for bathroom vanities market based on individual application and material in all the regions and countries.Asia Pacific is a dominating region for global bathroom vanities market and it further predicted to witness significant growth owing to the emerging economies such as China and India. North America is likely to have lucrative growth for bathroom vanities market due to increasing demand for premium bathroom features during the forecasted period.Browse the full report at:Key players of the bathroom vanities market include MasterBrand Cabinets, Avanity Corporation, RSI Home Products, American Woodmark, and Foremost Group, among others.Key segments of the Global Bathroom Vanities MarketGlobal Bathroom Vanities Market: Material Segment AnalysisStoneWoodMetalCeramicGlassGlobal Bathroom Vanities Market: Application Segment AnalysisResidentialNon-ResidentialGlobal Bathroom Vanities Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia-PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilMiddle East & AfricaAbout US:Syndicate Market Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Syndicate Market Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with the one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suite #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@SyndicateMarketResearch.comWebsite: China Market For Data Center To Advance At 13% CAGR Between 2016 And 2020 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/794155 The study, titled Data Center Market In China 20162020, provides an unbiased assessment of this market by evaluating its historical and current performance thoroughly. Researchers have also taken the key factors, trends, driving forces, opportunities, challenges, and growth prospects of this market into consideration in a bid to determine its future status.According to the research report, the growing demand for cloud storage, thanks to its declining cost for Chinese consumers, is driving the market for data centers in China. The increasing number small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in China is also expected to boost this market significantly over the next few years. Researchers anticipate this market to progress at a healthy CAGR of 13% during the period from 2016 to 2020.The report studied the China market for data centers on the basis of the cooling solution and security. Based on the cooling solution, the market has been classified into rack/row-level cooling and room-level cooling. The demand for room-level cooling solutions has been higher than rack-row level cooling solutions since the last few years is expected to remain so over the forthcoming years. Analysts expect the room-level cooling solutions segment to account for nearly US$365 mn by the end of the forecast period. However, the rack/row cooling solutions segment will also gain significant traction among data center operators in China in the near future, states the research report.For Sample Copy, click here:Based on the security, the report has segmented the China data center market into logical security and physical security. The physical security segment has been leading the market for data centers in China and is projected to reach a value of nearly US$280 mn by the end of the forecast period. The rising uptake of new technologies among SMEs is likely to influence the growth of this segment positively, as it will encourage colocation providers to expand their businesses by constructing data centers with upgraded security mechanisms, notes the market study.The research report also presents an assessment of the competitive landscape of the China data center market. As per the study, this Chinese market demonstrates a highly competitive landscape due to the presence of a number of well-established multinational as well as domestic vendors. Alibaba, China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile are the leading players in this market. Other prominent market players mentioned in this research study are Amazon, 21Vianet Group, Baidu, AT&T, CenturyLink, Fujitsu, Equinix, NTT Communications, Telehouse (KDDI), Singtel, and Tencent.To order report Call Toll Free: 866-997-4948 or send an email on sales@marketresearchreports.bizMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments. We have built a veritable reputation for our commitment to fulfilling our clients' exacting market research solutions.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Automatic Gate Opening System Market: Global Market Snapshot by 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11152 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11152 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Automatic Gate Opening System Market: IntroductionWith the increasing need for automation in industrial and residential sectors automating gates has become one of the primarily concerns for end-users. Also increasing urbanization and infrastructural development such as shopping malls, hyper & super markets has also led to increase in the demand for automated equipments in order to reduce the overall labor cost. Automatic gate opening systems can be defined as gate integrated with electronic components such as proximity sensors, actuators and controlling software primarily to reduce human effort in opening and closing of gates. These systems are primarily used in traffic areas where opening and closing frequency of gate is high such as shopping malls, theaters, industrial warehouses and electronic toll collection systems.Request for Sample Report:Automatic Gate Opening System Market DynamicsIncreasing need for automation in industries combined with technological advancements in automatic gate opening systems is primarily increasing their adoption in industrial and commercial applications. Also road infrastructure development resulting in increased road transportation with the improvement in connectivity between cities and towns is also driving the growth of global automatic gate opening systems market.Key players are integrating secondary components such as counters and tire killer in automatic gate opening systems providing additional applications which in turn is likely to increase their adoption over the forecast period.High installation cost combined with high operating maintenance cost resulting in long payback period is primarily restraining the growth of global automatic gate opening systems market.Request for Table of content:Automatic Gate Opening System: Regional OutlookGlobal Automatic Gate opening systems market is segmented into seven key regions namely North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA and Japan. By region, APEJ market is expected to represent a significant CAGR primarily due to increasing infrastructure development. Increase in the number of vehicles owing to increase in consumer spending is primarily driving the growth of Automatic Gate Opening Systems market in North America.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: South Africa Corrosion Protection Coatings & Acid Proof Linings Market expected to reach US$ 318.4 Mn in 2016 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-za-1767 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-za-1767 www.futuremarketinsights.com The undue exposure to chemical and mechanical abrasion continues to distress the operational efficiency in several end-use industries, fuelling demand for effective corrosion protection coatings and durable acid proof linings in South Africa. In 2016, the corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings market in South Africa is expected to reach US$ 313.1 Mn, growing at a y-o-y growth of 4.3% over 2015. Additionally, the rising trend of adopting technologically-advanced corrosion coatings has induced the need for developing materials that can sustain highly-volatile deterioration.In addition to the eminent need for protecting industrial surfaces against exterior erosion, the increasing focus on safeguarding the operational performance in South African end-use industries is considered to be a major driver for the growth of the regions corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings market. The growing automation in the manufacturing of automobiles and chemicals has resulted in the demand for enhanced coatings that provide a permanent solution to mechanical as well as chemical corrosion. On the other hand, the growth of the South Africa corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings market is curbed due to the recent downfall of the regions mining and quarrying industry, which has been recognised to be the foremost end-user industry for corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings.Request Free Report Sample@By product-type, polymer coatings are expected to witness robust growth, with total revenues expected to reach US$ 227.6 Mn in 2016. Moreover, the demand for waterborne polymer coatings is expected to surpass the demand for solvent-based coatings owing to growing VOC emission regulations.Based on the end-users, the oil & gas industries and the chemical manufacturers in South Africa are expected to register impressive growth in 2016. Due to the decline in mining sector, the end-user consumption of corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings in metallurgy industries will endure a noticeable decline. Further, the automotive and construction segment will continue to increase its market share to 17.7% by the end of 2016.The change in manufacturing paradigm of corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings will exhibit the growth in production of eco-friendly coating materials, inciting the consumption of such coatings among several end-users. Key manufacturers include, BASF SE, The Weir Group PLC, Ferro South Africa (Pty) Ltd., and SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd., among others. PUMBA LININGS, J&J Rubber Linings (Pty) Ltd. and Thermalloy (Pty) Ltd., are among the leading service providers, whereas The Dow Chemical Company, Ashland Inc., and AMPA Plastics represent the raw material suppliers for corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings in South Africa.Send An Enquiry@Long-term Outlook: In terms of market value, the South Africa corrosion protection coatings and acid proof linings market will expand at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period 2016-2026.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: The Leading Hosting Service Provider Hostgiri.Com Introducing Their Cheap Web Hosting Packages in India https://hostgiri.com/ https://hostgiri.com/ https://hostgiri.com/ https://www.prlog.org/ https://www.hostgiri.com We offer Linux Hosting Service.Cheap Linux Web Hosting plans by HostGiri are unique regarding quality, price, along with support. Linux Web Hosting Plan rates are beginning from INR 50.00. 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We are leading Indian hosting company, focuses on helping small businesses build an online client base with an extensive range of services.HostGiriAddress: Siliguri, West Bengal, India, 734001Email: info@hostgiri.comPhone: +91 9851040903Website: Global Chromatography Resins Market: Set to Grow Exponentially During the Forecast 2016 - 2024 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4408 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4408 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Chromatography resins are used in the purification and separation of proteins and other bio-molecules in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food manufacturing, and environmental analysis.Chromatography resins are of three types: Synthetic, natural and inorganic media. Natural polymers include agarose, cellulose and dextran, among others, while synthetic resins include ion exchange resins. The natural and synthetic typesare the more preferred chromatography resins as compared to inorganic media. Chromatography resins are used in affinity, mixed-mode, ion-exchange,hydrophobic interaction and size exclusion techniques.In terms of revenues,Protein A resins accounted for the highest share of the market.In technology terms, ion-exchange chromatography witnessed the highest consumption in the past few years. On the other hand, affinity chromatography resins held the key share by revenue largely due to the higher selling costsassociated with affinity resinsRequest for Sample Report:The main driver for the chromatography resinsis huge demand for monoclonal antibodies.There has been a huge demand for monoclonal bodies owing to a growing number of critical diseases resulting in thesetypes of therapeutics to swiftly gain significance.Food analytics is also one of the major drivers for the chromatography resins market. Chromatography resins are used in nutraceuticals and nutritional chemistry. Chromatography resins are used to detect food additives (adulteration) which has been major issue in the food industry. Biotechnology & pharmaceuticals are the leading end-users for chromatography resins and are likely to gain more importance in the near future.Chromatography resins are also used in industrial applications such as water treatment and environmental analysis. Some of the academic uses of chromatography resins are in genetic engineering and drug recovery which can provide various opportunities for the chromatography resins market. In spite of numerous applications, regulations associated with these applications can act as a major restraint for the chromatography resins market in the coming years.In terms of demand, North Americawas the leading region for the chromatography resinsmarket. The demand in this region was mainly driven by biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications. The U.S. exhibited a major demand for chromatography resins and this regions increasing health expense trendshave been indirectly driving the market for chromatography resins.Europe was the other leading market for chromatography resins in the past few years and is expected to show good growth numbers over the near future. Pharmaceuticals and food analytics were the major applications for the chromatography resins in this region. The major European countries such as Germany, UK, France and Italy were the major consumers of chromatography resins in the past decade. There is currently a huge demand for chromatography resins in Asia Pacific, particularly from China, South Korea and India due to the growing pharmaceutical industry in these countries.Additionally, the emergence of CMOs and CROs is further driving the chromatography resins market in the Asia Pacific region. The Rest of the World is likely to exhibit stable demand for chromatography resins market over the forecast period. South America and The Middle East region are anticipated to be the potential markets for chromatography resins.Request for Table of content:Some of the key players in the chromatography resins market are Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., GE Healthcare Life Sciences, Tosoh Corporation, Merck KGaA, Life Technologies Corporation, Repligen Corporation, and Pall Corporationamong others.Lower prices with higher productivity and new innovative products had been the key strategies for the manufacturers to gain the competitive advantage in the market. Life Technologies is expected to unveil POROS chromatography resins in Biopharmaceutical Development & Production Week Conference (BPD) to be held in California. Purolite International Ltd. announced its plans to develop bio-separation chromatography resins based on the agarose media. The new product line is likely to meet growing demand of the biomolecules market.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 Chromium Carbide Market: Explores New Growth Opportunities By 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4417 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4417 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Chromium carbide also known as trichromium carbide is a grey colored ceramic compound with different chemical compositions and crystal structure. Chromium carbide is corrosion resistant, retains its strength at higher temperature levels and is extremely hard making it preferred additive in metal alloys. Chromium carbide is manufactured through exothermic reaction of aluminum, graphite and chromium oxide. Chromium carbide finds applications in surface treatment, thermal spraying, as an additive in cutting tools, welding electrodes and coating and surfacing among others. Chromium carbide is mixed with Nickel powder to form nickel-chromium matrix which is used in aerospace applications. These metal matrix coatings can be used for machinery, hydraulic valves and rod mandrels among others. Chromium carbide overlay plates are used in variety of applications such as power generation, mining, steel production, cement, waste management, paper and pulp and glass production among others.Request for Sample Report:The market for chromium carbide was driven by variety of applications such as surface coatings, thermal sprays, overlay plates and chrome plating among others. Chromium carbide offer wear resistance coatings as well as corrosion resistance to the surfaces when blended with metal matrix. In welding electrodes, chromium carbide is preferred over carbon contain electrodes as they provide superior results. In addition, chromium carbide offers abrasion resistance to the surfaces. In thermal spray applications, chromium carbide is used along with nickel to form nickel chrome metal matrix which is used in protection of aluminum parts and other machinery. Along with tungsten chromium carbide is used to manufacture cutting tools. Chromium carbide is used in cutting tools to avoid formation of grains during sintering process. In spite of so many applications, health issues associated with chromium carbide due to its toxicity and fluctuating prices is likely to hinder the growth of the global chromium carbide market in next few years to come.In terms of demand, Asia Pacific was the leading region in chromium carbide market in 2013. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing markets for chromium carbide due to increasing demand for surface coatings and thermal spray wielding applications. China had the largest demand in chromium carbide market in Asia Pacific region. Other countries such as India, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea are likely to exhibit more demand for chromium carbide in upcoming years. Asia Pacific was followed by North America. Increasing demand from metal surface coatings and rising demand from aerospace industry is driving the demand for chromium carbide in this region. The U.S. had the largest demand for chromium carbide owing to huge demand aerospace applications. In terms of demand, Europe had the third-largest demand for chromium carbide market in 2013. Increasing demand for chromium carbide from surface coatings, chrome plating and cutting tools has been driving the market for chromium carbide in Europe. Germany had the highest demand for chromium carbide in European region. Other major countries with higher demand for chromium carbide in this region are Sweden, the UK and France among others. Rest of the World market is anticipated to show positive growth for the chromium carbide market in near future. Latin America and the Middle East are likely to be major market for chromium carbide in this region owing to growing surface coating market in next few years.Request for Table of content:Some of the key manufacturers in the chromium carbide market are Oerlikon Metco, SSAB Wear solutions LLC, SAS Global Corporation, ZhuZhou GuangYuan Cemented Material Co., Ltd. among 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: Cigar Market: Global Market Snapshot by 2021 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6949 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6949 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com 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: Fitness Equipment Market size to exceed USD 13.9 billion by 2023 http://bit.ly/2grcWMQ http://bit.ly/2fkrigc http://bit.ly/2gdBYRO Fitness Equipment Market size is set to reach USD 13.94 billion by 2023; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.Growth in sedentary lifestyle of the population on a global scale has resulted in a rise in heath related illnesses such as cancer, depression, and heart & circulatory disease. Growing obese population in developed regions, such as the U.S. and Europe, is the key factor responsible for this adoption. The obese population segment drives the usage of cardiovascular equipment for weight management.Request for a sample of this research report @Considerable initiatives from the corporate sector to undertake health and wellness programs will also drive fitness equipment market size. The decline in the well-being and general health of the population is of significant concern and the resultant impact is evident across the organization through higher stress levels, staff turnovers, increased absence and sickness, poor job satisfaction, and reduced productivity. Large numbers of organizations invest in developing effective corporate wellness program, and setting up health clubs and gyms in their office premises. Increasing adoption of such initiatives will drive the fitness equipment market size.Modern day devices use internet 4.0 enabled sensors to monitor and collect health related data such as calories burned, sleep duration, and steps taken, thereby providing digital connectivity. Green gym products are being developed, which do not require electricity to power the device. Mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy, thus reducing the energy consumption costs and carbon footprint. U.S. fitness equipment market share will continue witnessing innovation-led measures for maximizing profitability and product differentiation.Browse key industry insights spread across 84 pages with 30 market data tables & 26 figures& charts from the report, Fitness Equipment Market Size By Application (Gym/Health Clubs, Home/Individuals, Hospitals, Offices, Hotels), By Product (Strength Training Equipment, Cardiovascular Training Equipment, Activity Monitors, Body Analyzers), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 - 2023 in detail along with the table of contents:Key insights from the report include: Cardiovascular fitness equipment market size will exceed USD 8 billion by 2023. Demand for treadmills, stationary bicycles, rowing machines, etc. for personal and medical purposes will continue driving revenue across the segment in the coming years. Majority of strength training equipment market share originates from adoption in health clubs and gymnasiums. Consumers have become increasingly fitness conscious, which is intensified by the increasing availability of statistics backing the upkeep of a healthy lifestyle. Growing urbanization will benefit China fitness equipment market size. Increased disposable income and growing availability of these products in commercial spaces such as hotels, enterprises, and hospitals are forecast to drive growth. As per the standards set in the U.S., newly designed and constructed, and altered exercise equipment and facilities must meet the stringent standard requirements as stated by The United States Access Board such as the provision of clear floor or ground space near the equipment for the safety of the user. Apart from conventional products, manufacturers occupying fitness equipment market share are investing heavily in R&D to introduce technological advancements such as compatibility with mobile devices, to gain competitive advantage. Key participants include Nautilus Inc., Johnson Health Tech, Technogym, Torque Fitness, Brunswick Corporation, etc. Raw material suppliers are increasingly investing in R&D to develop new properties such as resiliency, crosslink densities and control aimed at the enhancement of product operation. Companies form multi-brand strategies to expand in existing markets, target distinct customer segments, and diversify into new regional industries.Make an inquiry for buying this report @Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.29L Atlantic Avenue, Suite L 105,Ocean View Delaware 19970 United StatesPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.com Malaysia Medical Tourism Analysis & Forecast Report http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/206438 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ Malaysia has emerged as a strong competitor in the global health and medical tourism sector. Given the potential of medical tourism as a foreign exchange earner, the Malaysian government has taken a series of proactive measures to enhance Malaysia as a preferred health tourism destination. Malaysia offers a wide choice of stateoftheart private medical centers boasting an impressive array of sophisticated diagnosis, therapeutic and inpatient facilities. These establishments are wellequipped and staffed to ensure the highest level of professionalism, safety and care to patients. Malaysia is a popular destination for medical tourists because of its low cost, efficient staff and medical facilities that are on par with western standards. Some hospitals even offer luxurious accommodations with personal butlers and fulltime nurses. Popular medical procedures include eye surgeries, orthopedics, cosmetic, urology, neurology, rheumatology, endocrinology, obstetrics & gynecology, oncology, and cardiology.The total number of medical tourist arrivals in Malaysia reached to 700 Thousand in 2013, backed by factors, such as availability of good healthcare infrastructure, government support through promotional programs, and wellskilled medical professionals. Indonesia is the largest source market for Malaysia medical tourism. United States, China & Hong Kong, Japan Australia are also good revenue generators for Malaysia. The emerging source country for Malaysia medical tourism market is China, Japan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and many others.This is 2nd edition report on Malaysia Medical Tourism by Renub Research. Report titled "Malaysia Medical Tourism Analysis & Forecast provides a comprehensive analysis of the Malaysia medical tourism market covering in detail various aspects such as medical tourists arrivals and spending from top 20 countries.Download Sample copy of Report atThis 91 page report with 80 Figures provides a complete analysis of top 20 countries who visited Malaysia for medical treatment. All the 20 countries in the report have been studied from 2 viewpoints.I. Medical Tourists Arrivals in Malaysia from the year 2006 2018II. Medical Tourists Spending in Malaysia from the year 2006 2018The 20 Countries covered in the report are as followsUnited StatesUnited KingdomIndonesiaChina & Hong KongLibyaNepalJapanIranAustraliaIndiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaMyanmarPhilippinesVirgin Islands, BritishBangladeshGermanyKoreaFranceOthersMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Global Timber Harvesting Equipment Market: Facts, Figures and Analytical Insights 2016 - 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11284 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11284 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Timber harvesting is a modern term for logging described as cutting down of trees from forest. The process for harvesting is cutting trees and collect trees and gather at a place and then load them into a truck. The whole process is done by timber harvesting equipment which includes delimber, feller buncher, forwarder, harvester and skidder. Some of the transporting material from the stump to the landing are chainsaw, log truck, feller-buncher, rubber-tired skidder, whole-tree chipper & chip van, knuckle-boom loader, slasher, forwarder, processor and tub grinder. Three industrial methods identified for harvesting are tree-length logging, whole tree logging and cut-to-length logging. Timber harvesting industry is growing with the changing economic conditions, which is anticipated to fuel the demand for timber harvesting equipment globally. Also, various factors considered while selecting timber harvesting equipment include tree size, slope of the ground, volume of wood to be removed, and soil type among others.Request for Sample Report:Timber Harvesting Equipment Market Segmentation:On the basis of product type, timber harvesting equipment market is segmented into trailers, chain-saws, winches, chippers, harvesters, and skidder cranes.Geographically timber harvesting market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America, Latin America holds significant opportunity. In Asia Pacific excluding Japan region, demand for timber harvesting equipment is growing in countries such as, Australia and China.Timber Harvesting Equipment Market Dynamics:Increasing mechanization of operations related to forests across emerging economies is driving the demand for timber harvesting equipment market. Also, improved economic & growing industrial sector are expected to leads towards harvesting more timber, thereby fueling the timber harvesting equipment market growth in the near future. Owing to benefits associated with timber harvesting such as maintenance of overall lower logging costs and bringing extra income in short period of time, better control over timber harvesting, companies are engaged in timber harvesting. This is predicted to bolster the demand for timber harvesting equipment during the forecasted years. Technological advancements in timber harvesting equipment such as use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the help of global positioning system (GPS) helps to identify and locate the plot location and other information including latitude, longitude, and altitude. This is gaining significant traction among the companies in order to offer better accessibility of the equipment to the user.However, there are some factors which restrain the timber harvesting equipment market growth such as initial risk associated with the timber harvesting process and high cost of the equipment.Changing economic changes have a due impact on labour cost associated with use of machinery, capital, and labour during entire production year. Increasing application of timber harvesting equipment is expected to reduce the labour cost, thus leading towards increasing use of timber harvesting equipment by companies operating in timber harvesting equipment market. Moreover, new innovations in timber harvesting equipment products such as walking forest machine has very high growth opportunity in the global timber harvesting equipment market.Request for Table of content:Timber Harvesting Equipment Market Key Players:Some of the key players operating in the timber harvesting equipment market are CNH Industrial NV, Doosan Infracore Company Limited, CLAAS KGaA GmbH, Concern Tractor Plants, Hitachi Limited, Hyundai Heavy Industries Company Limited, Komatsu Limited, Husqvarna AB (publ), KOBE STEEL, LTD., SENNEBOGEN Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Xiamen XGMA Machinery Company Limited and YAMABIKO Corporation.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: Photonic ICs (PIC) Market Growth, Trends, Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 |The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/photonic-ics-pic-market http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000109 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000109 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000109 Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC), functions analogous to electronic ICs, utilizes photons instead of electrons to carry data. Photons, unit of light, travels comparably much faster than other data carriers, hence data transfer speed has increased dramatically. Global photonic ICs market is expected to rise at a remarkable rate as it offers substantial enhancements in system size, power intake, cost, and dependability.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Photonic ICs (PIC) Market to 2025 @On the basis of uses, the global photonic IC market is segmented into biophotonics, optical communication, sensors, optical signal processing and nanophotonics. The global photonic IC market is further segmented on the basis of integration methods deployed into monolithic integration, hybrid integration, and module integration. In addition, the global photonic IC market is segmented on the basis of components, namely: modulators, lasers, multiplexers/demultiplexers, detectors, optical amplifiers and others (such as attenuators, wavelength converters, etc.). The market is segmented on the basis of materials, namely: lithium niobate (LiNbO3), indium phosphide (InP), silicon (Si), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and silicaonsilicon.Ongoing limitation of electronic ICs in search of adding more transistors over a single silicon substrate has pressured the industry to invent a substitute. Furthermore, existing principal players have developed monolithically combined InP-based photonic ICs that assimilates more than 600 components/utilities in a single chip. As a result, there is an enormous competition in the marketplace as every single player is aiming at inventing photonic IC-based products which would be capable of integrating large quantities of functions/utilities at low cost. Budget and magnitude saving accomplished by integrating diverse optical modules, including modulators, detectors, and lasers, into a single package is the key focus area for the players within the photonic ICs market. Rising demands for high speed communication combined with developing application zones, specifically in the arena of sensing, optical communications, and biophotonics have powered the progress of the global photonic ICs market. In addition, high power efficiency, inexpensive fabrication, improved reliability, and high data transfer rates offered by photonic ICs are factors which are expected to propel this market. The use of photons for the drive of offering high-speed information processing, computation, and data transmission offers a sound prospect intended for the development of photonic ICs market.Request Sample Copy @Optical sensors application is an emerging application in this marketplace, which is utilized in fields like aerospace, defense, transportation, energy, and medicine. Quantum computing, a technology soon to be commercialized, is another segment that promises significant utilization of photonic ICs. Photonic ICs are similarly used in biomedical arena, wherein InP-established use of definite photonic ICs are being utilized for the diagnostic examination of opaque skin tissues.Optical communications is a leading application sector in the photonic IC market, whereas biophotonics and sensing are the other key application segments. Even though the present-day input from optical signal processing segment is the minimum, it is anticipated to witness strong progress post the commercialization of quantum computing.Make an Inquiry @North America leads the global photonic IC market, trailed by Europe and Asia Pacific. While North America is the chief photonic IC market, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness strong growth, overtaking Europe and eventually North America. The development in Asia Pacific can be majorly credited to growing demand from optical communications and biophotonics applications. The worldwide photonic IC market is extremely disjointed and is branded by the presence of large number of players. Some of the top players in the marketplace comprise Alcatel-Lucent S.A., Infinera Corporation, JDS Uniphase Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Avago Technologies Ltd., Intel Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Ciena Corporation, Emcore Corporation and NeoPhotonics Corporation.Few Key Points from Table of ContentGlobal Photonic ICs (PIC) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 ComponentsModulatorsLasersMultiplexers/DeMultiplexersDetectorsOptical AmplifiersOthers (Attenuators, Wavelength Converters, etc.)Global Photonic ICs (PIC) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 ApplicationsBiophotonicsOptical CommunicationSensorsOptical Signal ProcessingNanophotonicsGlobal Photonic ICs (PIC) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 IntegrationMonolithic IntegrationHybrid IntegrationModule IntegrationGlobal Photonic ICs (PIC) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 MaterialsLithium Niobate (LiNbO3)Indium Phosphide (InP)Silicon (Si)Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)SilicaOnSiliconGlobal Photonic ICs (PIC) Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Geographical AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)Middle East & Africa (MEA)South America (SAM)Global Photonic ICs (PIC) Market, Key Company Profiles Included Key Facts, Business Description, Financial Overview, SWOT Analysis and Key DevelopmentsAlcatel-Lucent S.A.Infinera CorporationJDS Uniphase CorporationHuawei Technologies Co. Ltd.Avago Technologies Ltd.Intel CorporationNeoPhotonics Corporation.AGILENT TECHNOLOGIESCIENA CORPORATIONEMCORE CORPORATIONInquire 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 Food & Grocery Retail Industry of Top 5 Emerging Countries Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 10.7% by 2020 Industry Analysis http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=871799 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/food-and-grocery-retail-top-5-emerging-markets-industry-guide-2016-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com Albany, New York, November 29, 2016: The rapidly expanding food and grocery retail market is the focus of a new report added to the colossal archive of Market Research Hub (MRH). The report titled as Food & Grocery Retail Top 5 Emerging Markets Industry Guide-2016 examines the emerging food and grocery retail industry in top 5 countries along with an analysis on market size & segmentation data, textual & graphical analysis of market growth trends and leading players. The report compares data in these emerging countries such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. The top 5 emerging countries are expected to reach a value of $5,492,449.3 million in 2020, with a CAGR of 10.7% over the 2015-20 period. China is currently the leading country among the top 5 nations with market revenues of $2,456,363.9 million.Request For a Free Sample Report:The research studies that, health and nutritional concern among consumers are the major factors fueling the growth of the food retail market. In Brazil, growing number of millionaires and emerging middle class will continue to make it a major retail location. It is well known that, China and India are among the countries witnessing a rapid growth in their middle class population. Convenience stores and gas stations are set to remain the major channel for food and grocery sales; however online retailers are growing at a faster pace. Due to busy life schedules many working class people have less time to shop for food items. Consequently, increasing online retail shopping through online retail formats such as in-store pickup and pure-play online grocers is expected to drive the food retail market in the coming years.In the next section, the report studies the market growth and how it was in the previous years. China has already overtaken the U.S. as the worlds largest food retail market and the future forecast states that all BRIC nations will be in the top five grocery markets. China is further estimated to lead the food & grocery retail industry in the top five emerging nations with a value of $4,171,203.1 million in 2020, followed by India and Brazil with expected values of $692,902.2 and $332,890.8 million, respectively.Browse Full Report with TOC in a PDF Format:The report also contains the description of the leading players including key financial metrics and competitive pressures within the market. This report is prepared using five forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and hence attractiveness of the emerging market of food and grocery. In addition to this, buyer will be able to understand the future growth prospects of the emerging food & grocery retail market with a five year forecast from 2015- 2020.Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite: Public Cloud Market Growth, Trends, Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 |The Insight Partners http://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/public-cloud-market http://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000170 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000170 http://www.theinsightpartners.com/discount/TIPTE100000170 Cloud services act as the storage or third party vendors where the data of organization is stored for various purposes. The stored data is then retrieved for analytical purposes. The public cloud domain denotes, the cloud services offered over a public network that can be accessed remotely. The biggest advantage of having the public cloud model is that organizations will have limited concerns regarding the storage and maintenance of data. The setup is off-premise and the architecture type is multi-tenant where a number of organizations share the computing space of the third-party vendor. SME`s will be gain more benefits as they outsource the storage and maintenance of their data to third-party cloud vendors and thus save a lot on capital investments in setting up infrastructure. Cost savings, rapid building, testing and lesser time-to-market the product has attracted a lot of businesses across various verticals to adopt the public cloud technology.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Public Cloud Market to 2025 @Over the past decade, the software industry has witnessed massive changes. The deployment of cloud models by organizations being the foremost of them due to the stated advantages it offers. Highly scalable nature of businesses prompt them to opt for cloud based services as the data at storage centers can be scaled up and down as per the user requirements. Additionally, the pricing structure followed by the public cloud vendors model is generally pay-as-per-use. The organizations especially SMEs do not have to pay huge amounts in one go and thus makes it highly desirable for them to deploy public cloud model for their business operations. Core competency of businesses is maintained and hence allows them to stay competitive in this highly dynamic market.Reduced operational costs and the plethora of solutions that are business specific offered from a single source are the primary drivers for the public cloud services market. Need for a scalable, flexible, easy and efficient IT infrastructure is also driving this market considerably. Human errors are minimized as the operations are totally machine operated and eventually attracts the organizations to adopt the public cloud services. The above drivers are the reasons behind the exponential adoption of this market.Request Sample Copy @In spite of being significantly adopted in developed countries of the world, the growth of public cloud services has experienced few constraints. Security concerns regarding the privacy of data has been the major restraining factor for this market. The internet connectivity requirements for this cloud model is high and in countries with poor connectivity will impact the implementation of public cloud. Also, the integration of the model with the legacy systems has been a restraining factor. The other restraints for this market include outages and data mobility.The global public cloud market has been segmented by types into hardware, software and services. Further the public cloud market has been fragmented on the basis of delivery model into SaaS, PaaS and IaaS. In addition, this market has been further segmented based on end-users, namely: SMEs and large enterprises. Public cloud market segmentation is also done on the basis of industry verticals that includes BFSI, Telecommunications, Hospitality & Retail, Government, Manufacturing and Healthcare.Make an Inquiry @North America leads the global public cloud market due to remarkable technological advancements and socio economic development of the region.. Europe which is another major industrial hub has been contributing to the growth of public cloud market. The NORDIC region in Europe with many small industries has largely contributed to the European market share for the public cloud market. Additionally, steadily catching up with these regions is the APAC region with developing countries like India and China gradually investing in public cloud technologies. Some of the key players operating within the global public cloud market include Microsoft Corporation, Salesforce.com, Cisco Systems, Inc., VMWare, Google, Inc., Oracle Corporation, and Eucalyptus among others.Few Key Points from Table of ContentGlobal Public Cloud Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 TypesHardwareSoftwareServicesGlobal Public Cloud Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Delivery ModelsSoftware as a Service(SaaS)Platform as a Service(PaaS)Infrastructure as a Service(IaaS)Global Public Cloud Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Industry VerticalsBFSITelecommunicationsHospitality & RetailGovernmentManufacturingHealthcareGlobal Public Cloud Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2025 Geographical AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)Middle East & Africa (MEA)South America (SAM)Global Public Cloud Market, Key Company Profiles Included Key Facts, Business Description, Financial Overview, SWOT Analysis and Key DevelopmentsSalesforce.comIBM CorporationMicrosoft CorporationVMWareOracle CorporationCisco Systems, Inc.Google, Inc.EucalyptusInquire 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 High Barrier Packaging Films Market - Future Trend, Growth, Forecast & Opportunities in the Coming Years http://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-239 http://www.decisiondatabases.com/ip/239-high-barrier-packaging-films-market-report http://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-239 www.decisiondatabases.com DecisionDatabases.com offers High Barrier Packaging Films Market Research Report. This Report covers the complete Industry Outlook, Growth, Size, Share and Forecast Till 2021.Get Free Sample Copy @High barrier packaging films are flexible films with a gauge size of 250 micrometers. High barrier packaging films are a suitable substitute for food packaging. They increase shelf life, serve as printing substrate and reduce the need for preservatives. The use of plastics as packaging films is consistently decreasing as they allow exchange of gases through them and compromises with the food quality. However, this has positively influenced the growth of the global high barrier packaging films market.Global high barrier packaging films market is segmented based on technology, materials, products, applications and geography. Technologies covered in this report are polymer nanocomposites, multi-layer film, ORMOCER, sustainable barrier coatings, melamine-based barrier coatings, besela barrier film and others. Based on materials, the report covers biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and cast polypropylene (CPP), biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET), biaxially oriented polyamide (BOPA), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metalized films, transparent high barrier films, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), high barrier coatings, organic liquid coatings, polyvinyidene chloride (PVdC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), inorganic vapour deposition high barrier coatings, silicon oxide (SiOx), and aluminium oxide (AlOx).Products such as bags and pouches, stand-up pouches, tray lidding film, forming webs, wrapping film, and blister pack base webs segment the global high barrier packaging films market. Applications market segment covers fresh food, retort convenience food, dried food, processed chilled food, snack foods and confectionery, cheese, baked goods, drinks, pharmaceutical and medical, personal care and cosmetics and other.Stand-up pouches are the leading product segment of the global high packaging barrier films followed by tray lidding films and forming webs. The growth rate of wrapping films in the global high barrier packaging films market is relatively less, but they are expected to grow at a higher rate in the later stage of the forecast period. In addition, pharmaceuticals also find variety of applications in high package barrier films. High barrier packaging films are susceptible to degradation, difficult to recycle and expensive. These factors serve as major constraints to the growth of their market.For More Information about this Report:Major players assessed in the report are:> Amcor> Bemis> American Pouch> Sealed Air> BERNHARDT Packaging and Process> ClearBags> Flair Flexible> Packaging> HPM Global> Krehalon UK> Oliver-Tolas Healthcare Packaging> Prairie State Group> Shako Flexipack> The Vacuum PouchDecisionDatabases is involved in providing research reports and company profiles in the global high barrier packaging films market in terms of revenue and output/volume. Market drivers, opportunities and restraints are thoroughly studied which influences the market. This study is further utilized for the overall analysis of the market. The high barrier packaging films market is segmented based on the global applications, geographic presence, by products and ingredients. We offer an inclusive category-specific market outlook. We provide access to a comprehensive collection of companies in the industry. The companies can strategize and execute business operations through our competitor analysis. Find the global industry analysis, market size, share, growth, and trends information in our high barrier packaging films profiles.Major Table Of Contents:1. INTRODUCTION2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY3. MARKET ANALYSIS OF HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS4. HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS MARKET ANALYSIS BY TECHNOLOGY5. HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS MARKET ANALYSIS BY MATERIALS6. HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS MARKET ANALYSIS BY PRODUCTS7. HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS MARKET ANALYSIS BY APPLICATIONS8. HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS MARKET ANALYSIS BY REGION9. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE OF HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS COMPANIES10. COMPANY PROFILES OF HIGH BARRIER PACKAGING FILMS INDUSTRYOrder a Complete High Barrier Packaging Films Market Research Report @DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research reports provider, enriching decision makers and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.3rd Floor,Fountain chambers,Nanabhai Lane,Fort, Mumbai - 1E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.comPhone: +91 99 28 237112Web: Cartilage Degeneration Market: Evolving market trends and dynamics http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cartilage-degeneration-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=13229 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Cartilage Degeneration Market: OverviewCartilage is the tough, complex but flexible living tissue that covers the bony surface of joints. Articular cartilage, fibro cartilage and elastic cartilage are the three different types of cartilage present in the body. Articular cartilage is the one which covers joint surfaces, elastic cartilage is found in the outer ear and fibro cartilage is present in the vertebral disc and knee meniscus. All these three cartilages in the body are distinguished by elasticity, structure, and strength. It is responsible for providing shock absorption, and thus enables the joints to bear the weight associated with the daily activities as well as in various kinds of sports.The most common type of cartilage damage is that of articular cartilage, and may be caused due to injury or degeneration. Articular cartilage cells may heal depending on the extent of degeneration, and location of injury, however only in cases where an injury penetrates into the bone beneath the cartilage. Self healing capacity of the cartilage reduces since the cartilage has no direct blood supply, so little or no capacity to repair itself.Read Full Report:Cartilage is also responsible for providing shape and support to other parts of the body, such as nose, ears, and windpipe. Cartilage also provides protection to the bones by preventing them from friction against each other. Pain and restricted movement is observed in cases of injured, inflamed or damaged cartilage including joint deformity in some cases. There are several causes for cartilage problems which include genetic, trauma (injuries), nutritional, mal alignment and meniscus tear. According to a medical center in the U.S., more than 12 million people visit doctors due to knee pain each year, 50 % of them are diagnosed with cartilage damage.Cartilage Degeneration Market: Treatment TrendsOsteoarthritis is a leading cause of cartilage damage. Osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease is characterized by a loss of cartilage, the bodys attempt to repair the cartilage and, ultimately the destruction of the bone underneath the articular cartilage. Since the cartilage tissue does not contain blood vessels or nerves, treating this degeneration pose a challenge and have a limited ability to re-grow. Various treatment options for cartilage degeneration, such as, arthroscopy, drug therapy and joint replacement, have yielded mixed results of regenerating the damaged cartilage.Medical researchers are also conducting various clinical studies in the U.S. of innovative stem cell therapy for repairing knee cartilage degenerated due to causes such as trauma, aging, or even arthritis. Cartistem is one such example by Rush University Medical Center which is developed from mesenchymal stem cells derived from allogenic umbilical cord blood. This Cartistem is administered surgically into the area of cartilage damage following an arthroscopic surgery. Studies and research on exploring various biological solutions to treat cartilage degeneration is currently one of the fastest growing area of research and development.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:Cartilage Degeneration Market: SegmentationThe global cartilage degeneration market can be segmented based on therapy type and pipeline assessment on the basis of target site, molecule type, mechanism of action and route of administration. Therapy type can be classified as monotherapy or combined therapeutics. Various drug molecules in pipeline for cartilage degeneration include sprifermin, chondrogen, and MSB-CAR-001 amongst various others. The alternative for the drug treatment includes minimal invasive procedures such as arthroscopy. The other regeneration procedures include autologus chonrocyte transplantation, cell based cartilage resurfacing, meniscus transplant, micro fracture, osteochondral allograft, and mosaicplasty.Calzada Limited, Merck KGaA, Mesoblast Limited, Sanofi and Thrasos, Inc., are some of the key players contributing to the global cartilage degeneration market.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth insights, understanding market evolution by tracking historical developments, and analyzing the present scenario and future projections based on optimistic and likely scenarios. Each research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology developments, types, applications, and the competitive landscape.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.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: Paper Diagnostics Market: Technological breakthroughs, Value chain and stakeholder analysis up to 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/paper-diagnostics-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12500 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=12500 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Paper Diagnostics Market: OverviewPaper diagnostics are a group of diagnostic procedures that can be performed with cheap, user-friendly, and robust devices in locations where advanced diagnostic procedures may not be available or affordable. Advanced diagnostic equipment also usually requires a trained staff, in the absence of which paper diagnostics can be an excellent solution for making point-of-care treatment available in remote locations.Paper diagnostics work on the same principle as litmus or pH papers, that is, a chemical reaction between the coating on the paper and the substance to be tested produces a distinct visible result, which can be used for diagnosis. Due to the clear guidelines regarding the meaning of each visible result, paper diagnostics can even be used by untrained patients. This has resulted in a steady demand for paper diagnostics from patients suffering from conditions that require regular self-diagnosis.Read Full Report:The report provides detailed information about the global paper diagnostics market, including a clear review of the markets historical trajectory, in order to provide reliable insights into the expected trajectory of the market in the coming years. The major segments of the paper diagnostics market have been analyzed to provide a granular view. The regional and competitive dynamics of the market have also been elaborated upon in the report to provide pointers regarding the leading players in each regional segment.Paper Diagnostics Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe primary driver for the global paper diagnostics market is the increasing prevalence of diseases that can be diagnosed or monitored with paper diagnostics. The rise in the prevalence of diabetes, in particular, is a major driver for the global paper diagnostics market. Diabetes can be effectively self-monitored with paper diagnostics, which eliminates the need for hospital visits and expensive medical tests.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:The increasing prevalence of liver disorders, several infectious diseases, and cancer has also propelled the global paper diagnostics market. The growing number of patients suffering from these diseases in remote locations has driven the demand for point-of-care testing, thus driving the demand for paper diagnostics. The increasing environmental pollution has also contributed to the increasing prevalence of such diseases.The high reliability of paper diagnostics, obtained at costs much lower than diagnostic devices, is also responsible for the growing demand for the same. Paper diagnostics are less complex due to the lack of technological sophistication, which has also driven the demand for the technology in remote regions.Paper Diagnostics Market: Regional AnalysisAsia Pacific is expected to emerge as a major regional player in the global paper diagnostics market in the coming years. The increasing prevalence of various cancers and diabetes, along with the lack of widespread medical facilities, is expected to drive the market for paper diagnostics in this region. The growing preference for home healthcare over hospitalization is another major factor driving the Asia Pacific paper diagnostics market.Request For Custom Research:Paper Diagnostics Market: Competitive LandscapeThe competitive landscape of the global paper diagnostics market is fragmented to a high degree and marked by intense competition as a result. Mergers and acquisitions, particularly in developing economies, have become the go-to strategy for major players in the paper diagnostics market, as they allow companies to expand their operations in regions showing immense promise. Major players in the global paper diagnostics market include Siemens Healthcare, BiognostiX, Navigate Genetic Science, Bio-Rad Laboratories, and Alere.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.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: Biodegradable Stents Market: A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/biodegradable-stents-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=12464 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=12464 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Biodegradable Stents Market: OverviewStents are extensively used for treating blocked arteries. These tiny and expandable mesh tubes help to keep the arteries open. Metallic stents are the most commonly used stents for the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery diseases. However, these stents have limitations such as the risk of stent thrombosis or a mismatch between the stent and the size of the vessel. While stent thrombosis requires prolonged anti-platelet therapy, the mismatch of a stent with the vessel size leads to a smaller lumen after stent implantation. Furthermore, metallic stents interfere with modern imaging technologies such as multi-slice computerized tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As a result, the demand for biodegradable stents has increased as these stents significantly reduce the risks of adverse thrombotic events and completely degrade after a certain period.On the basis of material, the global biodegradable stents market can be segmented into metallic alloy and polymeric biodegradable stents. Magnesium and iron are commonly used in the manufacture of metallic alloy biodegradable stents. The biocompatibility of the metallic alloy biodegradable stents depends on numerous factors. Biodegradable stents made of magnesium are gaining popularity as they have lower degradation time. Polymeric biodegradable stents are usually made of Poly D, L-lactide/glycolide copolymer (PDLA), Poly-L-Lactic acid (PLLA), polycaprolactone, and Polyglycolic Acid (PGA).Read Full Report:Global Biodegradable Stents Market: TrendsThe growing prevalence of peripheral and coronary artery diseases has boosted the demand for biodegradable stents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral arterial disease, coronary heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, and congenital heart disease are the primary cause of natural death across the globe. In 2012, an estimated 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular diseases, which translates to 31% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, about 7.4 million were due to coronary heart disease. The rising popularity of biodegradable stents for cardiovascular disease management has propelled the growth of the global biodegradable stents market. Biodegradable stents eliminate the need for dual anti-platelet therapies and treat coronary artery diseases effectively.The slow adoption rate of stents is the major hindrance in the expansion of the global biodegradable stents market. Furthermore, there are drawbacks associated with the implantation of biodegradable stents. For example, the strength of polymeric biodegradable stents is lower compared to conventional metallic stents. Unfavorable reimbursement policies have also been detrimental to the growth of the market. The global biodegradable stents market has a significant opportunity to grow with extensive research and development activities being carried out by key market players.Download exclusive Sample of this Report:Global Biodegradable Stents Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global biodegradable stents market has been segmented into four key regions: Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and Rest of the World. The growing adoption of biodegradable stents for the treatment of coronary ailments has boosted the growth of the market across North America. The U.S. and Canada are driving the demand for biodegradable stents in North America. In Europe, the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany are contributing significantly to the growth of the market.During the forecast horizon, Asia Pacific is anticipated to emerge as a potential market for biodegradable stents due to the growing prevalence of various coronary and peripheral heart diseases in the region. India, China, and Japan are the prominent markets for biodegradable stents in this region.Request For Custom Research:Some of the key players in the global biodegradable stents market are Arterial Remodeling Technologies SA, American Medical Systems Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cordis Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Abbott Laboratories, Amaranth Medical Inc., Kyoto Medical Planning Co. Ltd., REVA Medical Inc., BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, Tepha Inc., Xenogenics Corporation, Eurocor GmbH, and Elixir Medical Corporation.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.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 Cochlear Implants Market 2016 Shares, Prolific Company Investments, Growth Elements & SWOT Analysis http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=861180&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-cochlear-implants-market-research-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Global Cochlear Implants Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The research study offers an in-depth analysis on the global Cochlear Implants market intended to help the existing players and other stakeholders in determining the primary factors that are likely to influence the growth of the overall market. In addition, the research study helps in understanding the key business strategies and policies that have been widely adopted by the players operating in the market in order to increase their market penetration in the coming years.The research study offers information related to historical information of the global Cochlear Implants market, along with the forecast figures from 2016 to 2021 in terms of volume and revenue. Additionally, the expected statistics, market size, and share of each segment studied in the research study have been discussed at length in a scope of the research report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Some of the key questions related to the global Cochlear Implants market have been addressed in the research report. These comprise:Which are the key regional segments of the global Cochlear Implants market?What are the latest developments in the global Cochlear Implants market over the last few years?What are the estimated statistics for the global Cochlear Implants market throughout the forecast period?What is the expected size of the global Cochlear Implants market?Which segment of the global Cochlear Implants market is anticipated to witness robust growth in the near future?Furthermore, the research report offers a thorough overview of the global Cochlear Implants market, focusing on the latest trends, promising opportunities, and predicted growth rate of the market. The research study further offers an in-depth competitive analysis of the global Cochlear Implants market and presents a list of all the leading players operating in it.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Cochlear Implants Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Cochlear Implants1.2 Cochlear Implants Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Cochlear Implants by Type in 20151.2.2 Unilateral1.2.3 Binaural1.2.4 Type III1.3 Cochlear Implants Segment by Application1.3.1 Cochlear Implants Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.3.4 Application 31.4 Cochlear Implants Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Cochlear Implants (2011-2021)2 Global Cochlear Implants Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Cochlear Implants Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Cochlear Implants Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Cochlear Implants Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Cochlear Implants Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Cochlear Implants Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Cochlear Implants Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Cochlear Implants Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Cochlear Implants Production by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Cochlear Implants Production Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Cochlear Implants Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.5 North America Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.6 Europe Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.7 China Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.8 Japan Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.9 Southeast Asia Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.10 India Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)4 Global Cochlear Implants Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global Cochlear Implants Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Cochlear Implants Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.3 Europe Cochlear Implants Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.4 China Cochlear Implants Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.5 Japan Cochlear Implants Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.6 Southeast Asia Cochlear Implants Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.7 India Cochlear Implants Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Cochlear Implants Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Cochlear Implants Production and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.2 Global Cochlear Implants Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.3 Global Cochlear Implants Price by Type (2011-2016)5.4 Global Cochlear Implants Production Growth by Type (2011-2016)6 Global Cochlear Implants Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Cochlear Implants Consumption and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)6.2 Global Cochlear Implants Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesFor Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.QYResearchreportsContact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States+1-518-621-2074866-997-4948USA-Canada Toll freesales@qyresearchreports.com Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales Market 2016 Elite Services, Shares, Applications & Leading Manufacturer Analysis http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=877033&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-medical-sterilization-equipment-sales-market-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.The report on global Medical Sterilization Equipment industry is a comprehensive study of the market dynamics, which is expected to have a lasting impact on the market from 2016 to 2021. It gives a detailed introduction of the global Medical Sterilization Equipment industry, its past status, and also the current state of the market. The past and present market size are then utilized to forecast the future growth of the global Medical Sterilization Equipment market. The report is collated by expert analysts and market professionals who have made use of primary and secondary research methods to make a detailed and useful study on the market for Medical Sterilization Equipment. This study is expected to be highly useful for those investors planning to invest their money in the Medical Sterilization Equipment market. It gives important information regarding the growth trajectory of the industry and is beneficial for both new entrants and well-established players.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report makes a list of all the factors that have led to the growth of the market and studies these drivers in detail. In addition to this, the impact analysis of each of the drivers in the coming years has been carried out. Similarly the challenges faced by the players in the global Medical Sterilization Equipment industry have been discussed along with the impact analysis. The study of challenges help players and investors to brace themselves for the likely problems they will face and devise plans and tactics to overcome these problems or prevent them altogether.The report includes a competitive landscape wherein key players in the market are profiled and the collective share of the top three players in the market are also given. The business overview of the companies, coupled with the financial overview, their joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships have all been discussed.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Medical Sterilization Equipment Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Medical Sterilization Equipment1.2 Classification of Medical Sterilization Equipment1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.2.3 Type III1.3 Application of Medical Sterilization Equipment1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Medical Sterilization Equipment Market by Regions1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Medical Sterilization Equipment (2011-2021)1.5.1 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.3.2 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.4 Global Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume) by Application3 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Application4 China Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Value (2011-2016)4.1.1 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.2 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.3 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)4.2 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 China Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Application5 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Value (2011-2016)5.1.1 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.2 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.3 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)5.2 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Application6 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Value (2011-2016)6.1.1 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)6.1.2 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)6.1.3 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)6.2 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers6.3 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Medical Sterilization Equipment Sales and Market Share by ApplicationFor Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.QYResearchreportsContact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States+1-518-621-2074866-997-4948USA-Canada Toll freesales@qyresearchreports.com Global Equipment for Neurosurgery Market Report Research, Emerging Companies, Elite Services & Forecast - 2021 http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=705052&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-equipment-for-neurosurgery-industry-2016-market-research-report.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Global Equipment for Neurosurgery Industry 2016 Market Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, Technology, Applications, Growth, Market Status, Demands, Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020.Global Equipment for Neurosurgery market is driven by various factors, a detailed assessment of which is included in the report. The study provides an in-depth analysis of the global Equipment for Neurosurgery market, highlighting the various growth drivers and restraints influencing the marketas trajectory between 2016 and 2021. It calculates the impact of the Porteras five forces on the market. Using the industry-leading analytical tools the report gauges the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers. The analysis also helps evaluating the threat of new entrants and the degree of competition prevailing in the market.Considering the dynamic consumer choices, it is imperative for companies to plan their marketing strategies better. The report provides valuable recommendations intended to help companies create winning strategies. It thus includes exhaustive information aimed at giving a better perspective of the global Equipment for Neurosurgery market to its stakeholders. Besides this, the report also studies the marketas vulnerabilities to the latest domestic and international policies. For meticulous insights, the global Equipment for Neurosurgery market has been segmented based on various parameters. Factors impacting the marketas growth across the segments are analyzed in detail and opportunities are reviewed.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @To study the vendor landscape prevailing in the global Equipment for Neurosurgery market, the report has included profiles of some of the leading companies operating therein. The product portfolio, financial reports, and strategies adopted by the companies are analyzed in detail. Furthermore, SWOT analysis is conducted to identify the opportunities and threats that these companies are forecast to witness over the course of the forecast period. The analysis also highlights the weaknesses and strengths of the companies profiled.The report therefore compiles exhaustive information on the global Equipment for Neurosurgery market. The data is obtained from various trusted industrial sources. It also includes insights from the industry experts.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.1 Definition and Specifications of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.1.1 Definition of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.1.2 Specifications of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.2 Classification of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.3 Applications of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.5.1 Industry Overview of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery1.7 Industry News Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2.4 Other Costs Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Equipment for Neurosurgery Major Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Equipment for Neurosurgery Major Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Equipment for Neurosurgery Major Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Equipment for Neurosurgery Major Manufacturers in 20154 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions, Types and Manufacturers4.1 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions 2011-20164.2 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Equipment for Neurosurgery 2011-20164.3 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Types 2011-20164.4 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Manufacturers 2011-20165 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions, Types and Manufacturers5.1 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions 2011-20165.2 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Types 2011-20165.3 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Manufacturers 2011-20166 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions, Types and Applications6.1 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions 2011-20166.2 Global and Major Regions Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Growth Rate of Equipment for Neurosurgery 2011-20166.3 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Types 2011-20166.4 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Applications 2011-20166.5 Sale Price of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Regions 2011-20166.6 Sale Price of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Types 2011-20166.7 Sale Price of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Applications 2011-20166.8 Market Share Analysis of Equipment for Neurosurgery by Different Sale Price LevelsFor Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.QYResearchreportsContact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States+1-518-621-2074866-997-4948USA-Canada Toll freesales@qyresearchreports.com Germany Outbound Tourism Market: Outbound Tourists Visit, Tourists Spending & Forecast https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/germany-outbound-tourism-market-outbound-tourists-visit-tourists-spending-forecast https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=2269 ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Germany Outbound Tourism Market: Outbound Tourists Visit, Tourists Spending & Forecast to its growing collection of premium market research reports.Germany presents an attractive set of conditions making investment possible.Despite a Global recession, Germany has not been in bad shape in Germany outbound tourism market. The number of Germany outbound tourists is forecasted to reach nearly 5 Million by 2020. Additionally, Germany outbound tourists spending was nearly 11 Billion in 2015.Germany Outbound Tourists Visit Analysis: United States has emerged as the most popular tourist destination for German travelers. It is predicted that United States will be leading destination for the German travelers by the year 2020. China and Singapore were at the 2nd and 3rd popular destination for German travelers in 2015.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:DPI Research report entitled Germany Outbound Tourism Market: Outbound Tourists Visit, Tourists Spending & Forecast provides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-evolving, high-growth Germany outbound travel industry.This report provides a complete analysis of top 10 countries worldwide for German tourists. All the country in the report has been studied from three view points1) Germany outbound tourists to top 10 countries2) Germany outbound tourists market (spending) in top 10 countries3) Germany outbound tourists purpose of visit (Business, Holiday/Leisure, VFR & Others)Countries AnalysedTop 10 Countries: Singapore, United States, Australia, China, Japan, South Africa, Korea, New Zealand, Cambodia and IndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @About ReportsWorldwide.comReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com United Kingdom Outbound Travel Market - Trips & Spending to 2020 - US$ 70 Billion projection by 2020 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/united-kingdom-outbound-travel-market-trips-spending-to-2020 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=2272 ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title United Kingdom Outbound Travel Market - Trips & Spending to 2020 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.United Kingdom is one of the largest tourist generating region in the world. United Kingdom outbound tourism market is projected to reach nearly US$ 70 Billion by 2020. A relatively high income per capita, coupled with strong currency, making UK one of the top five spenders on international tourism in the world.Outbound travel volume from United Kingdom will likely to reach nearly 80 Million in 2020. The proximity and cultural similarities, Europe still accounted for majority of all outbound trips made by UK travelers in 2015. Spain and France were the most popular destinations for the UK travelers followed by United States.United States has emerged as the most popular tourist destination for the UK travelers in the 10 destinations which we covered in the report. In 2015, XX% of the total UK outbound tourists visited United States. It is expected that United States will be popular destination for the UK travelers by the year 2020. India and Australia were at the 2nd and 3rd popular destinations for UK travelers with XX% and XX% share respectively.DPI Research report ""United Kingdom Outbound Travel Market - Trips & Spending to 2020"" provides detailed information on the top outbound tourism markets. This report analyzes market data and provides a better understanding of tourism flows and tourists expenditure. Market outlook in value terms for the forecasted period for United Kingdom outbound travel market has been detailed in the report. This report also entails a detailed description of growth drivers and challenges of the United Kingdom outbound travel market.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:All the country in the report has been studied from 3 view points United Kingdom outbound tourists to 10 countries United Kingdom outbound tourists market (spending) in 10 countries United Kingdom outbound tourists purpose of visit (Business, Holiday/Leisure, VFR & Others)United Kingdom Outbound Travel Market - Trips and Spending to 2020 - 10 Countries Covered1. United States2. India3. Australia4. Singapore5. Japan6. China7. Cambodia8. New Zealand9. South Africa10. KoreaReasons to Buy Make strategic business decisions using historic and forecast market data related to United Kingdom outbound travel & tourism sector Understand the demand-side dynamics within the industry to identify key market trends and growth opportunities Direct the promotional efforts on most promising markets by identifying the key source and destination countriesTo Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @About ReportsWorldwide.comReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com Thailand MICE Industry & Forecast to 2022 - over 1.3 Million MICE travelers to drive US$ 4 Billion in revenues by 2022 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/thailand-mice-industry-forecast-to-2022 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=2273 ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Thailand MICE Industry & Forecast to 2022 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The MICE industry is one of the key sectors that Thailand intends to develop in order to stimulate quality visitors both within the country and abroad. Thailand is one of the most important and popular MICE destination worldwide.Thailand is famous MICE destination due to its solid basic infrastructure, strategic location, developed transportation systems, international connectivity, a well-trained private sector, continual government support and sound regulations. Each year, it stages numerous meetings, seminars, and world-class exhibitions, and welcomes numerous visitors led by the worlds leading tour companies. Thailand has plans to develop more MICE-related amenities, especially convention centers and venues that can stage mega events, growing its capacity to serve an expanding market and rising demand for meetings, conventions and exhibitions.It is forecasted that Thailand will attract more than 1.3 Million MICE travelers and generate nearly about US$ 4 Billion revenues by 2022.Meetings are the most popular segment in the Thailand MICE Industry. Meetings controls a lions market share of around 75% for the year 2015 and it is expected to continue its dominance till 2022.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:East Asia is the major source of MICE travelers in Thailand. East Asian countries representing XX% of all overseas MICE travelers. Europe and South Asia have shown its potential to become 2nd and 3rd popular MICE travelers region. The Americas is the fourth leading source market for Thailand MICE industry. It is predicted that East Asia will continue its #1 position in the Thailand MICE travelers by the year 2022.In Thailand MICE traveler Inflow, China holds the highest share in 2015, and it is expected that China will maintain its position in the forecasting period. Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam hold the 2nd, 3rd and 4th best source countries for MICE traveler visits to Thailand.In Thailand MICE travelers revenue, China contributed XX% share in 2015 and likely that China will be best country to generate the maximum revenue to the Thailand MICE industry. Other countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and India are also the important source countries for the Thailand MICE industry.DPI Research report titled ""Thailand MICE Industry & Forecast to 2022"" provides detailed information on the Thailand MICE Industry. This report analyzes market data and provides a better understanding of MICE travelers flows and revenue to Thailand. Market outlook in value terms for the forecasted period for Thailand MICE Industry has been detailed in the report.This report also entails a detailed description of growth drivers and challenges of the Thailand MICE Industry.Thailand MICE Industry have been analyzed from 4 viewpoints:1. Thailand MICE Travelers Inflow, Revenue & Forecast - Regional Analysis (2012 - 2022)2. Thailand MICE Travelers Inflow, Revenue & Forecast - Country Wise Analysis (2012 - 2022)3. Thailand MICE Travelers Inflow, Revenue & Forecast - By Industry Analysis (2012 - 2022)4. Thailand MICE Industry Growth Drivers & ChallengesThailand MICE Industry & Forecast to 2022 - By Industry Analysis1. Meetings2. Incentives3. Conventions4. ExhibitionsThailand MICE Industry & Forecast to 2022 By Regional Analysis1. East Asia2. Europe3. The Americas4. South Asia5. Oceania6. Middle East7. AfricaThailand MICE Industry & Forecast to 2022 - Countries Wise Analysis1. Cambodia2. Indonesia3. Loas4. Malaysia5. Myanmar6. Philippines7. Singapore8. Vietnam9. China10. Hong Kong11. Japan12. Korea13. Taiwan14. France15. Germany16. Russia17. Italy18. United Kingdom19. USA20. Canada21. Brazil22. Bangladesh23. India24. Pakistan25. Sri Lanka26. Australia27. New Zealand28. Isreal29. UAE30. South Africa31. Other CountriesTo Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @About ReportsWorldwide.comReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com Voters' choices ... www.univie.ac.at/en http://www.fwf.ac.at/en http://www.prd.at/en More and more voters decide on the basis of issues. Just how credibly political parties make such issues their own and communicate them will determine their success. A group of researchers from Vienna documents developments and decision-making processes with support from the Austrian Science Fund FWF.The welfare state, the economy and integration these topics are mainstays of Austrian election campaigns. This was the case in 2008, again in 2013, and they will most probably be at the forefront in the next parliamentary elections. "These issues, mainly social justice and the economy, were also significant in the past, notes the political scientist Sylvia Kritzinger from the University of Vienna. So they already were in the 1970s and before. And yet, something has changed fundamentally.From camp-followers to swing voters"In the past, people used to vote more consistently along ideological lines, in accordance with the so-called class cleavages'. Someone with a working-class background would on the whole have no doubts about who to vote for. The same was true of farmers and entrepreneurs. The outcome of elections was much more predictable then, states Kritzinger. Since the 1970s, however, strict voter allegiance has been eroded. "This is linked to the emergence of the middle-class, whose members do not feel aligned with just one party and its issues and have thus evolved from loyal camp-followers to swing voters. For this group, issues and the importance assigned to them impact their voting behaviour.Relationship triangle: Parties, media, votersElections are considered the epitome of democracy. They represent the focus of public debate, they shape the political agenda, and they influence the composition of parliaments and governments. In some ways they may be seen as a temperature chart of political dissension. Elections help crystallize a notion of what is important and what people are concerned about. At the same time they are a highly complex process in which parties and their candidates act on the supply side, voters on the demand side and the media as facilitators and these three groups are in constant interaction.Election studies reveal transformationsWhile it is a tradition in well-established democracies for elections to be analysed by social scientists, an integrative analytical approach based on the relationship triangle described above is unexplored territory. With the support of the Austrian science fund FWF, the Austrian National Election Study (AUTNES), has set out on this endeavour. "Our research demonstrates that the significance of a given issue has an increasing influence on which party someone will vote for, explains Kritzinger, who heads the sub-project "Voting Behaviour in the FWF project.This is not necessarily a simple process from the voters' standpoint. "There may be people for whom job security is important, for instance. And they may see that issue to be linked with migration, putting increased pressure on the labour market because of immigration, notes Kritzinger. In this case all depends on which issue is of greatest significance from the point of view of the individual. "Cross pressured vote is the technical term given to this phenomenon, when voters need to pick a key issue.Fight for thematic leadership"This is why political parties try to become issue owners', meaning that they try to demonstrate the highest competence in a certain area and take possession of it so convincingly that no other party can undercut them. In addition they can stake out new issues, which makes them issue entrepreneurs'. If they do that successfully, that strategy will give them the highest level of credibility, observes Kritzinger. If this happens, all that is left to their political opponents is to react, putting them at a strategic disadvantage."It's just like in the business world, whoever launches a product first will dominate the market, so runs the comparison with the economy that Kritzinger uses. And just as in the world of business, market gaps may emerge. "By going into a coalition with the SPD, the CDU has exposed its right flank by strategically backing leftist positions, the scientist comments regarding the situation in Germany. "This provided an opening for the right-wing AfD to seize certain positions and issues.In the case of Austria, the scholar notes how one can currently see issues being revived. Here the Social Democrats (SPO) are strongly refocusing on traditional positions through the new party leadership, in order to emphasise their ownership of certain issues. "Politics is all about the art of theme setting, is how Kritzinger sums up the process.Monitoring of the societyThe data collected by AUTNES since 2008 for national and European Union elections enable the scientists to observe these developments and understand them more fully. "There is a continuous monitoring of our Republic and Austrian society, so we are able to show which issues are important, whether they emerge domestically or come from the outside, for instance from the EU. Sometimes local issues may also have a surprising impact on national elections. "In 2013, the issues were the economy, the welfare state and migration, but in Vienna the pedestrian zone set up in Mariahilfer Strasse was perceived as an important issue. Even though it was not negotiated in Parliament, the conversion of this major shopping street did feature strongly in the awareness of many voters.In this way, the work of AUTNES creates something like a detailed psychological profile of Austria and its society, charting developments and changes. "We are at the beginning of a long-term project which will make it possible 20 years from now, or even later, to answer questions such as why attitudes change, how issues gain or lose significance, and what factors played which role.FWF Austrian Science FundThe Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is Austria's central funding organization for basic research.The purpose of the FWF is to support the ongoing development of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. In this way, the FWF makes a significant contribution to cultural development, to the advancement of our knowledge-based society, and thus to the creation of value and wealth in Austria.Scientific contactProf. Sylvia KritzingerDepartment of GovernmentUniversity of ViennaRooseveltplatz 3/11090 WienT +43 / 1 / 4277-49902E: sylvia.kritzinger@univie.ac.atAustrian Science Fund FWFMarc SeumenichtHaus der ForschungSensengasse 11090 Vienna, AustriaT +43 / 1 / 505 67 40 - 8111E marc.seumenicht@fwf.ac.atDistributionPR&D Public Relations for Research & EducationMariannengasse 81090 Vienna, AustriaT +43 / 1 / 505 70 44E contact@prd.at At a CAGR of 9.82%, Global Mammography Equipment Market to rise over Forecast Period 2015-2019 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=297095 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=297095 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Albany, NY, Nov 29: Mammography equipment for the early detection of breast cancer. Mammography can be used for either screening or diagnosis. Diagnostic mammogram is used to determine the evolution of abnormalities in either men or women. Doctors recommend that women undergo mammograms at regular intervals for the early detection of breast cancer.The global mammography equipment market to grow at a CAGR of 9.82% over the period 2014-2019. The report includes the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global mammography equipment market for the period 2015-2019. The market can be segmented into two product categories: Film screen mammography and full-film digital mammography, including 2D digital mammography and 3D tomosynthesis.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, Global Mammography Equipment Market 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Americas, APAC, and EMEA; it also covers the landscape of the global mammography equipment market and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key Regions- Americas- APAC- EMEAKey Vendors- Fujifilm Medical Systems USA- GE Healthcare- Hologic- Philips Healthcare- Siemens HealthcareOther Prominent Vendors- ADANI- Allengers Medical Systems- AMICO JSC- Angell Technology- BMI Biomedical International- Bracco Imaging- Carestream Health- EcoRay- Fischer Medical Technology- General Medical Italia- General Medical Merate- Imaging Equipment- Internazionale Medico Scientifica............Enquiry at:Key Questions Answered in this Report- What will the market size be in 2019 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?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: China Elevator Market Developments Lead to Excessive Industry Sales by 2021 Industry Analysis http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=871924 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/development-and-market-of-elevator-in-china-2016-2021-proposal-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ Albany, New York, November 29, 2016: China is known for its elevator manufacturing and also manages the worlds largest market for all types of elevators. It is a fully marketization and complete competition industry. There are a lot of developments in the market over the years which have been observed by a new study. A latest report focusing on the developments in the elevator market has been added to Market Research Hubs vast portfolio of research reports, titled as Development and Market of Elevator in China 2016-2021 Proposal. This study provide the readers with a comprehensive and in-depth information of Chinese elevator product industry and its growth in coming years. The regional market development of elevators are also included in the report. It covers three prime regions: Yangtze River region, Pearl River region and Bohai Rim region.Request For a Free Sample Report:According to the study, fast paced urbanization, improvement in the living standard of the people, expanding migration to the metropolitan cities mainly on the east coast of China tied with the incidence of affordable housing has indeed turned the necessity of development in the residential sector over the past few years, thereby providing significant impetus to the market for elevators and escalators in China. With these modern urbanization progressing, the demand of renewal elevators had been increased. Due to this growth, industry sales will also achieve a hike from 5%-10%.The research study is based on the statistics from China Elevator Association, which describes that elevator industry has been developed rapidly since 2000 in China. In 2015, the total elevator output has reached 760 thousand units a growth rate of 7.34% year after year. Due to the manufacturing & installation standards and transformation license as well as testing procedures of continuous improvement, the elevator failure probability decreased with every passing year. These factors will also improve the thresholds for consent into the elevator industry and speed up industry concentration, especially among domestic brands. The structure of the industry has now improved, the market share ratio of internationally famous brands and domestic brands has changed from 60%: 40% to 55%: 45%.The report also analyzes the market import/export of elevator product industry. The elevator manufacturers are becoming more conscious about enhancing their product offerings in terms of energy efficiency and maintenance cost in order to utilize the growth opportunities present in the market. The current market for elevators in China has been majorly dominated by gearless technology elevators which dominates a large share in the market of new installations.Access Full Report with TOC:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite: Exchange Data International Improves its Worldwide Adjustment Factor Feed Service New Version Available Now Exchange Data International (EDI), a provider of global security corporate actions, reference data and end-of-day pricing, are pleased to announce today the new Version.2 of its Worldwide Adjustment Factor feed service.EDIs Worldwide Adjustment Factor service allow its clients to compare a stocks performance with adjusted pricing data, which considers distributions and corporate actions. Clients can compare historical pricing data with current prices and conduct detailed analysis with either EDIs adjusted closing prices or adjustment factors data feeds. Now clients can benefit even more from the new additions to the updated adjustment factor feed.The new Version.2 will include the following three major additions:Inclusion of FIGI codes. FIGI codes have been added which allow clients to crosscheck data sets.The fields that were sub-fields in the Detail field of the previous version now have their own fields. For example, DivType was in the Detail field (event description) as DIVPERIOD= This will allow for easier integration of the data.The Reason codes are different, expanded to 3 characters enabling higher level groupings of reasons. For example, all dividend reasons begin with "01", with the 3rd character depending on whether it is cash, script or both. This allows greater granularity when deciding to apply or not.Jonathan Bloch, CEO of Exchange Data International commented EDI is constantly enhancing its existing product set to add data and features requested by our clients. Version.2 of the adjustment factor feed makes improvements requested by our users.About Exchange Data International:Exchange Data International (EDI), a provider of global security corporate actions, reference data and end-of-day pricing, are pleased to announce today the new Version.2 of its Worldwide Adjustment Factor feed service.EDIs Worldwide Adjustment Factor service allow its clients to compare a stocks performance with adjusted pricing data, which considers distributions and corporate actions. Clients can compare historical pricing data with current prices and conduct detailed analysis with either EDIs adjusted closing prices or adjustment factors data feeds. Now clients can benefit even more from the new additions to the updated adjustment factor feed.The new Version.2 will include the following three major additions: Inclusion of FIGI codes. FIGI codes have been added which allow clients to crosscheck data sets. The fields that were sub-fields in the Detail field of the previous version now have their own fields. For example, DivType was in the Detail field (event description) as DIVPERIOD= This will allow for easier integration of the data. The Reason codes are different, expanded to 3 characters enabling higher level groupings of reasons. For example, all dividend reasons begin with "01", with the 3rd character depending on whether it is cash, script or both. This allows greater granularity when deciding to apply or not.Jonathan Bloch, CEO of Exchange Data International commented EDI is constantly enhancing its existing product set to add data and features requested by our clients. Version.2 of the adjustment factor feed makes improvements requested by our users.About Exchange Data International:Exchange Data International helps the global financial and investment community make informed decisions through the provision of fast, accurate, timely and affordable data reference services. EDIs extensive content database includes worldwide equity and fixed income corporate actions, dividends, static reference data, closing prices and shares outstanding, delivered via data feeds and the Internet. The firm covers all major markets with special emphasis on emerging and frontier markets e.g. Africa, Asia, Far East, Latin America and Middle East. EDI is based in London, with offices in New York, India and Morocco5 High Gate Road, London, NW5 1JYinfo@exchange-data.com Increasing Demand from Home-Care and Self-Care Patients Driving Infusion Pumps Market http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Infusion-Pumps--Accessories-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/sample12 http://www.sa-brc.com/report/Global-Infusion-Pumps--Accessories-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2015-2019/12 www.sa-brc.com This report provides analysis of the global infusion pumps market in terms of four perspectives; product types, end-users, applications and geography. It provides estimates of market value with 2013 & 2014 as base years and forecast of 2015-2019. Infusion pumps and infusion techniques have saved countless lives across the world and have been adopted since centuries. One of the first major breakthroughs in infusion pump devices was the ambulatory infusion pump Watkins Chrono-Fusor which delivered 5-flurouracil. The power source was a mechanical keyed wind-up watch motor, much like a grandfather clock. The pump utilized a rotary peristaltic mechanism, identical to some of today's pumps. The market began growing considerably when homecare and home infusions increased in demand. During the 1990s some of the ambulatory infusion pumps, marketed for humans in Europe, were being used in laboratory animal infusion market as they provided features that researchers were looking for that were not available in a single device. The global infusion pumps and accessories market was valued at US$ 5,874.3 million in 2014 and expected to grow to US$ 7,539.0 million by 2019 at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2015 to 2019.Market Drivers: Increasing demand of infusion pumps from home-care and self-care patients. Growing disease burden in diabetes, oncology and chronic pain across the world. Advent of smart pumps and wireless connectivity. Growing number of nursing centers, geriatric care facilities and assisted living institutions.Market Challenges: Significant history of recalls and dosing errors. Interoperability woes of infusion pumps.Free Sample Report@Types of Products Covered In This Report: Volumetric Infusion Pumps Patient Controlled Analgesia Pumps Syringe Infusion Pumps Disposable Infusion Pumps Implantable Infusion Pumps Insulin Infusion PumpsEnd-Users Market Covered In This Report: Hospitals Home/Self-Care Clinics & Infusion Centers Nursing & Geriatric Care Facilities Government Institutional Care FacilitiesMedical Applications of Infusion Pump Covered In This Report: Pain Management Insuling & Diabetes Oncology & Chemotherapy Nutrition Management Infection Management Pediatric InfusionClick For Full Report@About UsSpearhead Acuity Business Research & Consulting Private Limited (SA-BRC) is a premium Life Science business intelligence and data analytics firm. SA-BRC team offers a wide range of business intelligence services to multiple stakeholders such as Medical Device Manufacturers, Service Providers (Hospitals, Payers, etc.), Suppliers, Group Purchase Organizations, Distributors and all other individuals in the entire value chain of healthcare industry. Our research and consulting capabilities extend across several sub-domains within the sphere of Life Sciences such as Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices, Veterinary Sciences, Wellness Products and Pharmaceuticals.Contact UsJohn Whitmore10685-B Hazelhurst Drive,Suite 17411Houston, Texas 77043,United StatesPhone: +1(832)-426-3701Email: sales@sa-brc.comWebsite: United States Cork Stoppers Market 2016, Analysis, Research, Share, Growth, Sales, Trends, Supply, Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/glfr800/united-states-cork-stoppers-market-by-manufacturers-type-and-application-forecast-to-2021 http://www.marketintelreports.com/purchase.php?id=glfr800 www.marketintelreports.com Cork stopper is a stopper made of cork. Cork is an impermeable buoyant material, a prime-subset of bark tissue that is harvested for commercial use primarily from Quercus suber (the Cork Oak), which is endemic to southwest Europe and northwest Africa.Cork is composed of suberin, a hydrophobic substance and, because of its impermeable, buoyant, elastic, and fire retardant properties, it is used in a variety of products, the most common of which is wine stoppers. The montado landscape of Portugal produces approximately half of cork harvested annually worldwide, with Corticeira Amorim being the leading company in the industry. Cork was examined microscopically by Robert Hooke, which led to his discovery and naming of the cell, especially a bottle stopper.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Cork Stoppers in United States market. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, type and application.Check complete report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Nomacorc Cork Supply Corticeira Amorim MaSilva Lafitte Rich Xiberta Portocork America WidgetCo Jelinek Cork GroupMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)Latin America, Middle East and AfricaMarket Segment by Type, covers Natural Cork Stopper Agglomerated Cork Stopper OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Wine Crafts Special bottled liquidThere are 11 Chapters to deeply display the United States Cork Stoppers market.Chapter 1, to describe Cork Stoppers Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Cork Stoppers, with sales, revenue, and price of Cork Stoppers, in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 4 and 5, to show the market of Cork Stoppers by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 6, Cork Stoppers market forecast, by type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2016 to 2021;Chapter 7, to analyze the Cork Stoppers market development potential except United States, covering China, Southeast Asia, India, Latin America etc.Chapter 8, 9, 10 and 11, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, market effect factors, appendix and data source.Order a copy of 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 Studies.Mayur S.Sales Manager2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statespr@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343 Research details developments in Global Aloe Vera Juice Industry 2016 Market Applications http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=878570&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-aloe-vera-juice-market-research-report-2016.htm http://www.qyresearchreports.com/press-releases.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research reportGlobal Aloe Vera Juice Market Research Report 2016 to its huge collection of research reports.The report on the global Aloe Vera Juice market is intended to help stakeholders a better perspective of the prevailing trends and vulnerabilities of the market. It comprises exhaustive information to provide a 360 degree overview of the global Aloe Vera Juice market. Besides analyzing the growth drivers and restraints influencing the markets trajectory between 2016 and 2021, the report also provides an assessment of the various regulatory policies influencing the market through the course of the forecast period.Information thus compiled in the report is obtained using primary and secondary research techniques. Besides the financial records of the prominent companies operating in the market, data is sourced from the Aloe Vera Juice markets historical statistics, insights from industry veterans, and other trusted industries sources. Using Porters five forces the report has gauged the bargaining power of buyers and suppliers alike, the threat of new entrants, and from close substitutes available in the market. The analysis also helped the report calculate the degree of competition prevailing in the global Aloe Vera Juice market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Apart from segmentation based on various parameters, the global Aloe Vera Juice market is also classified regionally. This is intended to identify the most lucrative regions contributing significantly to the markets growth. In addition, the report presents a complete round-up of the vulnerabilities, which leading players need to avoid in order to continue enjoying sustainable growth.To ensure that the report provides an executive-level blueprint of the global Aloe Vera Juice market, the profiles of the leading companies operating therein are included. Analysis is conducted using industry-leading tools to provide information regarding strengths and weaknesses of the companies profiled. The analysis, also enabled the study present details pertaining to the threats and opportunities that the global Aloe Vera Juice market is projected to witness during the aforementioned forecast period.Table of ContentsGlobal Aloe Vera Juice Market Research Report 20161 Aloe Vera Juice Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Aloe Vera Juice1.2 Aloe Vera Juice Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Aloe Vera Juice by Type in 20151.2.2 Type I1.2.3 Type II1.2.4 Type III1.3 Aloe Vera Juice Segment by Application1.3.1 Aloe Vera Juice Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.3.4 Application 31.4 Aloe Vera Juice Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Aloe Vera Juice (2011-2021)2 Global Aloe Vera Juice Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Aloe Vera Juice Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Aloe Vera Juice Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Aloe Vera Juice Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Aloe Vera Juice Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Aloe Vera Juice Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Aloe Vera Juice Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionBrowse Complete Report with TOC @3 Global Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Aloe Vera Juice Capacity and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Aloe Vera Juice Production and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Aloe Vera Juice Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.5 North America Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.6 Europe Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.7 China Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.8 Japan Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.9 Southeast Asia Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.10 India Aloe Vera Juice Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)4 Global Aloe Vera Juice Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global Aloe Vera Juice Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Aloe Vera Juice Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.3 Europe Aloe Vera Juice Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.4 China Aloe Vera Juice Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.5 Japan Aloe Vera Juice Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.6 Southeast Asia Aloe Vera Juice Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.7 India Aloe Vera Juice Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)For Latest QYResearchreports Press Release Visit @About Us :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.Contact US:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Award Winning Author Dana Lyons Announces Epic Paranormal Thriller Novel, 'The Rosetta Coin' Author Dana Lyons http://www.paranormalromancebookauthor.com Award winning author Dana Lyons has announced a recent epic paranormal thriller release, 'The Rosetta Coin'.Dana Lyons creates stories no one else could write. Her books feature reincarnated lovers, time traveling souls, and an epic battle against ancient powers and alien forces. All of her books are fast paced, engaging and enlightening, written in contemporary time with modern elements as well as scenes from the ancient past. She takes her readers to worlds both ancient and contemporary for adventures of the heart, mind, and spirit.This paranormal thriller, 'The Rosetta Coin' revolves around an artifact many have died for, leading to an adventure that could change the world.In the heart of Londons elite social scene, Madelyn Fox has obtained an ancient artifact that could change humanitys view of science, religion and mankind. If she shares her discovery with the wrong person, she risks joining those who have died in connection with the coin.For centuries, the full wealth of the St. Germain family has been behind the protection of a secret so immense, so powerful, not even Solomon St. Germain knows the extent of it. Nicholas Alexander Carter, a descendant of the worlds most famous Egyptologist, also possesses a rare piece of this archeological puzzle.Mercilessly tracked by a terrifying ancient enemy, the three unite in a white-knuckle chase through gritty streets, marble estates and underground bastions as their treasure trove of knowledge faces an explosive disclosureor destruction."THE ROSETTA COIN is written from the heart...a heart filled with hope and faith a better day awaits humanity," Dana stated. "Aside from the adventure and discovery in The Rosetta Coin, what's important is the inspirational message I explore. In my heart I envision a human potential for something better, something beyond the wars and chaos and manipulation that seems to be our current human goal. Abandoning this legacy and establishing a new one is the big truth behind The Rosetta Coin."Dana Lyons' books have received rave reviews posted on line. One about The Rosetta Coin said, " I loved the imaginative variety and interesting dynamic of the well-written characters. The underlying message was one that hinted at the greater possibilities of our human potential and it left me contemplating our mysterious existence. Most of all, The Rosetta Coin left me anticipating the upcoming sequel.Another said, "As soon as I picked it up, I was swept into another world of mystery, intrigue, and hope. The rapid character development and story line left me unable to put it down."Dana has been named as a finalist in the 2016 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Book Awards. Her honors came as a result of her appearance on The Authors Show. She was chosen as one of the best from a large number of authors through a public voting process. She was previously a winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Awards.Her body of work also includes:'The Road to Babylon', a paranormal thriller revolving around a power so secret, even its possessor had been unaware and a prophecy so ancient, the world had long forgotten it.'A Love Reborn', a modern tale of ancient love, magic and betrayal.'Heart Of The Druae', a time travel romance featuring a love that bridges the past and the future.Dana Lyons is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at author.danalyons@yahoo.com. All of Dana's books are available at Amazon and other online retail outlets. Members of the public who would like to vote for her entry in the 2016 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Awards can cast their votes at The Authors Show site. More information is available at her website.Dana Lyons lives with her husband and cats in the mountains of western North Carolina. She has been writing since 2002.PO Box 1613Shallotte, NC 28459 Medical Devices Report On Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Assessment, 2016 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/879226 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/879226 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Medical Devices Pipeline Assessment, 2016 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"GlobalData's Medical Devices sector report, Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Medical Devices Pipeline Assessment, 2016" provides an overview of Endoscopy Visualization Systems currently in pipeline stage.The report provides comprehensive information on the pipeline products with comparative analysis of the products at various stages of development. The report reviews major players involved in the pipeline product development. It also provides information about clinical trials in progress, which includes trial phase, trial status, trial start and end dates, and, the number of trials for the key Endoscopy Visualization Systems pipeline products.This report is prepared using data sourced from in-house databases, secondary and primary research by GlobalData's team of industry experts.View Report AtScope- Extensive coverage of the Endoscopy Visualization Systems under development- The report reviews details of major pipeline products which includes, product description, licensing and collaboration details and other developmental activities- The report reviews the major players involved in the development of Endoscopy Visualization Systems and list all their pipeline projects- The coverage of pipeline products based on various stages of development ranging from Early Development to Approved / Issued stage- The report provides key clinical trial data of ongoing trials specific to pipeline products- Recent developments in the segment / industryReasons to buyThe report enables you to -- Formulate significant competitor information, analysis, and insights to improve R&D strategies- Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage- Identify and understand important and diverse types of Endoscopy Visualization Systems under development- Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies- Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying major players with the most promising pipeline- In-depth analysis of the products current stage of development, territory and estimated launch dateDownload Sample copy of this Report at :Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 61.2 List of Figures 92 Introduction 102.1 Endoscopy Visualization Systems Overview 103 Products under Development 113.1 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Stage of Development 113.2 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Territory 123.3 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Regulatory Path 133.4 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Estimated Approval Date 143.5 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Ongoing Clinical Trials 154 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products under Development by Companies 164.1 Endoscopy Visualization Systems Companies - Pipeline Products by Stage of Development 164.2 Endoscopy Visualization Systems - Pipeline Products by Stage of Development 185 Endoscopy Visualization Systems Companies and Product Overview 205.1 Aequorea Vision Medical, Inc. (Inactive) Company Overview 205.1.1 Aequorea Vision Medical, Inc. (Inactive) Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 205.2 Agfa HealthCare NV Company Overview 235.2.1 Agfa HealthCare NV Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 235.3 Aix-Marseille Universite Company Overview 255.3.1 Aix-Marseille Universite Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 255.4 Augusta University Company Overview 275.4.1 Augusta University Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 275.5 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Company Overview 285.5.1 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 285.6 Boston Scientific Corp Company Overview 295.6.1 Boston Scientific Corp Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 295.7 Endopix Ltd. Company Overview 315.7.1 Endopix Ltd. Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 315.8 Flex Film Kinetics Company Overview 325.8.1 Flex Film Kinetics Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 325.9 Hannover Medical School Company Overview 335.9.1 Hannover Medical School Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 335.10 Imperial College London Company Overview 345.10.1 Imperial College London Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 345.11 John Hopkins University Company Overview 355.11.1 John Hopkins University Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 355.12 KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America Inc Company Overview 375.12.1 KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America Inc Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 375.13 King's College London Company Overview 385.13.1 King's College London Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 385.14 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Company Overview 395.14.1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 395.15 Minimally Invasive Devices, LLC Company Overview 415.15.1 Minimally Invasive Devices, LLC Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 415.16 NanoLite Systems, Inc. Company Overview 425.16.1 NanoLite Systems, Inc. Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 425.17 Novadaq Technologies Inc. Company Overview 435.17.1 Novadaq Technologies Inc. Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 435.18 NovoGI LTD Company Overview 495.18.1 NovoGI LTD Pipeline Products & Ongoing Clinical Trials Overview 495.19 Nvision Medical Corporation Company Overview 51MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Worldwide Hemophilia A and B Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets Growth Driven by Increasing Treatmen to 2022 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/879379 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/879379 https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketresearchreports-biz http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Hemophilia A and B Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets to 2022 - Growth Driven by Increasing Treatment-Receiving Pool, Launch of Long-Acting Replacement Therapies and Non-factor Therapy provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Hemophilia is a rare disease affecting more than 400,000 people worldwide. Hemophilia A is four times as common as hemophilia B, and more than half of patients with hemophilia A have a severe form of hemophilia. Males have a much higher chance of developing hemophilia because they only receive one copy of the X chromosome from their mother.The mainstay of treatment for hemophilia is to replace the missing factor VIII or factor IX, produced using plasma-derived or recombinant methods. Some patients develop inhibitors to factor VIII or factor IX treatment and need a bypassing agent, such as factor VIIa, to resolve bleeds. Patients of hemophilia A or B often require lifelong treatment to prevent and control bleeding episodes, and this therefore represents a lucrative market opportunity.The current marketed products landscape comprises replacement factor therapies, such as recombinant therapies and new long-acting recombinant products. The current pipeline shows strong promise, as it shows a gradual shift from short-acting recombinant factor VIII or factor IX to long-acting recombinant factor VIII, and from factor replacement therapies to non-factor therapies. Nevertheless, significant unmet need remains for products that can avoid the development of inhibitors in patients with hemophilia.Though late-stage pipeline for treatment of hemophilia seems promising, the main market restraint is likely to be low penetration of new long-acting recombinant therapies in India and China, owing to their high expected prices.View Report AtScopeThe Hemophilia A and B Asia-Pacific market will be valued at $699.1m and $112.9m respectively in 2022, growing from $444.9m and $76.3m in 2015, at compound annual growth rates of 6.7% and 5.8%.How will non-factor therapies contribute to the growth?What will be the impact of the new long-acting recombinant factor VIII and recombinant factor IX products in the hemophilia A and B market sales?The pipeline contains a range of molecule types and molecular targets, including both those that are well established in hemophilia A and B, and novel targeted therapies.Which molecular targets appear most frequently in the pipeline?Will the pipeline address unmet needs such as less frequently administered therapies and risk of inhibitor development for hemophilia A and B patients?What are the most promising first-in-class targets for hemophilia A and B?Will the current first-in-class targets have a broader therapeutic potential across the Asia-Pacific markets?Various drivers and barriers will influence the market over the forecast period.What are the barriers that will limit the uptake of premium-priced recombinant factor VIII and recombinant factor IX therapies in the assessed countries?Which factors are most likely to drive the market in these countries?Co-development deals are the most common form of strategic alliance in hemophilia A and B, with total deal values ranging from under $10m to over $280m.How do deal frequency and value compare between target families and molecule types?What were the terms and conditions of key co-development deals?Download Sample copy of this Report at :Reasons to buyThis report will allow you to -Understand the current clinical and commercial landscape by considering disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and the treatment options available at each stage of diagnosis, including a clinical comparison of marketed therapies.Visualize the composition of the hemophilia A and B market in terms of the dominant therapies for each patient subset, along with their clinical and commercial standing. Unmet needs are highlighted to allow a competitive understanding of gaps in the current market.Analyze the hemophilia A and B pipeline and stratify pipeline therapies by stage of development, molecule type and molecular target. There are promising signs in the pipeline that the industry is seeking novel approaches to treating hemophilia A and B.Understand the potential of late-stage therapies, with extensive profiles of products that could enter the market over the forecast period, highlighting clinical performance, potential commercial positioning, and how they will compete with other therapies.Predict hemophilia A and B market growth in the five Asia-Pacific markets with epidemiological and annual cost of therapy forecasts across India, China, Australia, South Korea and Japan, as well as individual contributions of promising late-stage molecules to market growth.Identify commercial opportunities in the hemophilia A and B deals landscape by analyzing trends in licensing and co-development deals.Follow us on LinkedIn:Table of Contents1 Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 51.1 List of Tables 81.2 List of Figures 92 Introduction 112.1 Disease Introduction 112.2 Epidemiology 122.3 Symptoms 122.4 Etiology and Pathophysiology 132.4.1 Hemophilia A 132.4.2 Hemophilia B 132.5 Diagnosis 142.6 Diagnosis of Inhibitors 142.7 Disease stages 152.8 Prognosis 152.9 Treatment Options 152.9.1 Management of Bleeding with Factor Replacement Therapy 162.9.2 Antifibrinolytic Medication 183 Marketed Products 213.1 Overview 213.2 Marketed Products - Hemophilia A 213.2.1 Advate (octacog alfa) - Baxalta 213.2.2 Adynovate (rurioctocog alfa pegol) - Baxalta 233.2.3 Xyntha/ReFacto AF (moroctocog alfa) - Pfizer 243.2.4 Kogenate FS (octacog alfa) - Bayer 253.2.5 Kovaltry (octacog alfa) - Bayer 263.2.6 Eloctate (efmoroctocog Alfa) - Biogen 283.2.7 Nuwiq (simoctocog alfa) - Octapharma 293.2.8 NovoEight (turoctocog alfa) - Novo Nordisk 303.2.9 GreenGene F (Beroctocog Alfa) - Green Cross 323.3 Marketed Products - Hemophilia B 333.3.1 Alprolix (Eftrenonacog alfa) - Biogen 333.3.2 BeneFix (nonacog alfa) - Pfizer 343.3.3 Rixubis (nonacog gamma) - Baxter 363.3.4 Idelvion (albutrepenonacog alfa) - CSL Behring 363.4 Marketed Products - Hemophilia A and B 383.4.1 Feiba NF (anti-inhibitor coagulant complex) - Baxter 383.4.2 Byclot (freeze-dried-activated human blood coagulation factor VII concentrate containing factor X) - Kaketsuken 393.5 Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Marketed Products 404 Pipeline Analysis 424.1 Overview 424.2 Pipeline by Stage of Development, Molecule Type, Route of Administration and Program Type 424.3 Pipeline by Molecular Target 444.4 Promising Pipeline Candidates - Hemophilia A 454.4.1 BAX-801 (susoctocog alfa) - Baxalta 454.4.2 CSL-627/NBP-601 (Lonoctocog alfa) - CSL Behring 474.4.3 Emicizumab (ACE-910/RG6013) - Roche 494.4.4 N8-GP (turoctocog Alfa Pegol) - Novo Nordisk 514.4.5 BAY94-9027 (damoctocog alfa pegol) - Bayer 534.5 Promising Pipeline Candidates -Hemophilia B 554.5.1 N9-GP/NN-7999 (nonacog beta pegol) - Novo Nordisk 554.6 Promising Pipeline Candidates -Hemophilia A and B 574.6.1 BAX-817 (recombinant activated factor VII BI) - Baxalta 574.6.2 CSL-689 (recombinant activated VII-FP) - CSL Behring 584.7 Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Pipeline Products 594.8 Product Competitiveness Framework 605 Clinical Trial Analysis 635.1 Failure Rate 635.1.1 Overall Failure Rate 635.1.2 Failure Rate by Phase and Molecule Type 645.1.3 Failure Rate by Phase and Molecular Target 645.2 Clinical Trial Duration 655.2.1 Clinical Trial Duration by Molecule Type 655.2.2 Clinical Trial Duration by Molecular Target 665.3 Clinical Trial Size 675.3.1 Patient Enrollment per Product by Molecule Type, Molecular Target and Stage of Development 675.3.2 Patient Enrollment per Trial by Molecule Type, Molecular TarMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Hepatitis B Therapeutics in Major Developed Markets Analysis And Increasing Number of Migrants from High-Prevalence Regions to Drive Market Growth 2021 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/373001 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/373001 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Hepatitis B Therapeutics in Major Developed Markets to 2021 - Increasing Number of Migrants from High-Prevalence Regions to Drive Market Growth provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"DescriptionHepatitis B is an infectious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the liver. Despite its status as a vaccine-preventable disease, it remains a serious global health concern. Incidence tends to be higher in countries with a significant number of migrants from medium and high-prevalence countries. Approximately 350 million people worldwide are infected with chronic hepatitis B, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. Around 780,000 patients die from hepatitis B each year, of which 650,000 deaths are due to complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Despite this, diagnosis and treatment rates are poor, stemming from its asymptomatic nature.Globally, the hepatitis B therapeutics market is served moderately well by the available products, of which Baraclude and Viread are the most frequently prescribed. However, both have received black-box warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning that the market has a high level of unmet need.View Report AtScopeThe current hepatitis B market contains mainly nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors, nucleotide analogs, and interferons.Will these drugs continue to dominate hepatitis B treatment?With 81 active pipeline molecules, most of the investigational drug candidates are small molecules and vaccines, comprising 64% of the pipeline.What are the most prominent small molecules and vaccines in the pipeline?Do the pipeline molecules offer advantages over commercially proven mechanisms?Analysis of clinical trials since 2006 has identified a high rate of attrition in hepatitis B products.How do failure rates vary by product stage of development, molecule type, and mechanism of action?How do other factors such as average trial duration and trial size influence the costs and risks associated with product development?Over the 2014Download Sample copy of this Report at :Table of Contents1 Table of Contents 51.1 List of Tables 71.2 List of Figures 82 Introduction 92.1 Classification 92.2 Pathophysiology 92.3 Etiology 112.4 Symptoms 122.5 Diagnosis 122.6 Epidemiology 132.7 Treatment and Management 152.8 Prognosis 162.9 Co-infection 172.9.1 HBV-HIV Co-infection 172.9.2 HBV-HDV Co-infection 172.9.3 HBVHCV Co-infection 173 Marketed Products 183.1 Viread 183.1.1 Study 0102 183.1.2 Study 0103 183.2 Entecavir 193.2.1 Nucleoside-Inhibitor-Naive Subjects with Compensated Liver Disease (Studies AI463022 and AI463027) 203.2.2 Lamivudine-Refractory Subjects with Compensated Liver Disease (Study AI463026) 213.3 Pegasys (peg interferon a-2a) 233.4 Adefovir dipivoxil 253.4.1 Study 437 (HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients) 253.4.2 Study 438 (HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Patients) 253.4.3 Adefovir Treatment beyond 48 Weeks 273.4.4 Study 435 (Pre- and Post-liver Transplantation Subjects) 273.4.5 Study 461 (Clinical Evidence of Lamivudine Resistance Patients) 273.5 Tyzeka per Sebivo 283.5.1 NV-02B-007 GLOBE Trial 283.5.2 HBeAg-Positive Subjects 283.5.3 HBeAg-Negative Subjects 283.6 Comparative Efficacy and Safety 304 Pipeline Analysis 324.1 Overall Pipeline 324.2 Pipeline Analysis of Therapeutic Vaccines 334.3 Clinical Trials 354.3.1 Failure Rate 354.3.2 Failure Rate by Molecule Type 364.3.3 Failure Rate by Mechanism of Action 374.3.4 Patient Enrollment and Clinical Trial Size by Molecule Type 384.3.5 Duration 394.4 Competitive Clinical Trials Metrics Analysis 414.5 Promising Drug Candidates in Pipeline 414.5.1 GS-7340 (tenofovir alafenamide fumarate) 414.6 Therapeutic Vaccines in Pipeline 424.6.1 GS-4774 Therapeutic Vaccine with Oral Antiviral Treatment 424.6.2 ABX203 Therapeutic Vaccine with Nucleos(t)ide Analogs against HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B 424.6.3 HB-110E Therapeutic DNA Vaccine 424.6.4 Therapeutic (Synthesized Peptide) HBV Vaccine (ePA-44) 434.6.5 INO-1800 with or without INO-9112 in Entecavir/Tenofovir-Treated HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients 444.6.6 TG1050 Therapeutic Vaccine 455 Market Forecast to 2021 465.1 Geographical Markets 465.2 Global Market 465.3 North America 475.3.1 Treatment Usage Patterns 475.3.2 Annual Cost of Therapy 485.3.3 Market Size 495.4 Top Five EU Markets 505.4.1 Treatment Usage Patterns 505.4.2 Annual Cost of Therapy 515.4.3 Market Size 525.5 Japan 535.5.1 Treatment Usage Patterns 535.5.2 Annual Cost of Therapy 545.5.3 Market Size 555.6 Drivers and Barriers in the Disease Market 555.6.1 Drivers 55MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Visit the w3Education website in case you have doubts about your career choices http://www.w3education.org Students usually find themselves at crossroads on completing their intermediate examinations. They have a variety of choices. They do not know which one to make. A wrong choice can break a promising career. They require someone to help them out at this point. Browsing the website of w3Education would enable the students to make a perfect choice. 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You get information about the online degrees as well. Students would find this website very useful.Contact :Casella Postale 143,Castagnola, Ticino6976, SwitzerlandPhone : 0041794207743Fax : 0041794207743 United States Eye Wash Station Market 2016, Analysis, Research, Share, Growth, Sales, Trends, Supply, Forecast to 2021 http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/glfr804/united-states-eye-wash-station-market-by-manufacturers-type-and-application-forecast-to-2021 http://www.marketintelreports.com/purchase.php?id=glfr804 www.marketintelreports.com Eye Wash Station is a unit that attaches to a water supply and provides a gentle stream of water; used for emergency irrigation to remove contaminants from the ocular area.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Eye Wash Station in United States market. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, type and application.Check complete report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Guardian Speakman Bradley Haws Honeywell Hughes Safety Showers Encon Chicago Faucets Opti-Klens Sellstrom VssiMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)Latin America, Middle East and AfricaMarket Segment by Type, covers Vertical Combination Eye Wash Station Wall-Mounted Portable OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Chemical Industry Electronic Industry Pharmaceutical Oil & Gas OthersThere are 11 Chapters to deeply display the United States Eye Wash Station market.Chapter 1, to describe Eye Wash Station Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Eye Wash Station, with sales, revenue, and price of Eye Wash Station, in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 4 and 5, to show the market of Eye Wash Station by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 6, Eye Wash Station market forecast, by type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2016 to 2021;Chapter 7, to analyze the Eye Wash Station market development potential except United States, covering China, Southeast Asia, India, Latin America etc.Chapter 8, 9, 10 and 11, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, market effect factors, appendix and data source.Order a copy of Report @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. 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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 Studies.Mayur S.Sales Manager2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statespr@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343 Continuous Lifecycle London Final call for speakers http://continuouslifecycle.london/ http://www.theregister.co.uk http://www.heise.de Calling all CIOs, architects, developers, and ops gurus, speaker proposal submissions need to be in by 30th November 2016 for Continuous Lifecycle London. Continuous Lifecycle London is the conference that hosts the leading thinkers and pioneering users in the Continuous Delivery, containerisation and DevOps community. Additionally, early bird tickets are now on sale and are available until 31st January, for savings of hundreds of pounds.The conference brought to you by Heise Medien and The Register brings together the cream of the continuous lifecycle world to reflect on ecosystem changes, learn from peers, and discuss the tools, techniques, and strategies driving software development in the worlds fastest moving and most successful organisations. The conference runs across three parallel tracks on two days, with a third day of hands-on, practical workshops.Last year saw a heavy-weight line-up of leading thinkers in the field, from Continuous Delivery guru Jez Humble, who discussed software delivery in the 21st century, to Etsy senior engineer and ops veteran Katherine Daniels, who discussed the roll-out of a DevOps culture across the entire organisation.The program committee is still considering speaker applications. The committee is made up of leaders in the field: Dave Farley, a thought-leader in the field of Continuous Delivery, DevOps and Software Development, co-author of the Jolt-award winning book Continuous Delivery; Chris Jackson, the Director of Cloud Product Engineering at Pearson; Luke Marsden, head of Developer Experience at Weaveworks; Katrina McIvor, Principal Technologist for DevOps at QA; Joe Fay, group editor at The Register; and Julia Schmidt, engineer and an editor at the German publishing house Heise Medien.The calibre of the committee ensures high quality and valuable discussion across the conference and workshops. Last year they reviewed over 140 proposed papers. Tickets for the workshops will be released in the New Year.Joe Fay, group editor at The Register says: Continuous Lifecycle London 2017 will bring together the doers and decision-makers of the DevOps, containerisation and Continuous Delivery world. The conferences holistic approach not only addresses concepts, processes and tools, but we also get to hear from real world experts on their practical experiences.Joe continues: The DevOps community works hard and plays hard, and the event will feature the sort of hospitality The Registers readers have come to expect from its previous events, such as its CIO roundtables, and The Register Christmas and Summer Lectures.Early bird tickets for the two-day conference are available until 31st January and cost 665 + VAT. Tickets for the workshops will be available after the call for papers.Attendees can take advantage of the offer by visiting the Continuous Lifecycle website:. For up to date information, check us out on twitter @ConLifecycleLonENDSAbout The RegisterThe Register () is a leading online news publication for IT professionals, who form one of the most vocal and influential communities in the tech world.About Heise MedienPublishing group Heise Medien publish telephone books, directories and magazines both print and digitally. Heise Medien is known for its two renowned IT magazines c't and iX, as well as for its technology magazine Technology Review. The IT news site heise online () has consistently been one of the most widely-used IT news services in Germany since 1994. Heise Events organise conferences and workshops for IT specialists.Bright BeeThe Light Bulb1 Filament WalkWandsworthLondonSW18 4GQ Elvas: the Municipality that communicates with tourists www.mobinteg.com www.mobinteg.com Lisbon, November 29th, 2016 - The Municipality of Elvas, in partnership with mobinteg and Skillmind, presents the app CM Elvas Patrimonio Mundial. Available for free for Android and briefly for iOS this will allow tourists and citizens to have access, in one place, to news, events, points of interest and pedestrian routes within the municipality.One of the differentiating and pioneering factors of this solution is that it is innovative both nationally and transnationally. This is because it is a technology that values the user experience, who can, through mobile devices, receive useful and current information about the municipality, automatically, whenever approaching a beacon (Apple iBeacon and Google Eddystone).For example, in the case of the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Graca, the user will have access to information inside and outside the monument, so that no details of the history of the building remain to be told. In addition, citizens and tourists will be able to see other points of interest in the surrounding area and thus choose which one to explore next.The CM Elvas app is based on SMIITY - SMart Interactive Citys platform and was developed in close partnership between the Municipality of Elvas and mobinteg, a company specialized in the development of mobile solutions with national and international experience, which is part of the Skillmind group, with experience in design and management of projects, consulting services, development and marketing of software, design and web services.About mobinteg:Located in Lisbon, mobinteg () is a company specialized in the development of mobile and Internet solutions of Things. These solutions are created for both the corporate and consumer segments, seeking to respond to customers real needs and valuing the speed, efficiency and safety in the relationship with the consumer.For more information, please contact:Raquel Santosrsantos@mobinteg.commobintegRua Castilho, 39 - 8 C Edificio Castil 1250-068 Lisboa FOEX Announces New Partnership with Turkish-based System Integrator, Sentora http://www.tryfoexnow.com FOEX GmbH announced a new partnership with the Turkish-based system integrator, Sentora Bilisim. The agreement is part of FOEX's partner program and aims at developing a strong customer base on the Turkish market."We have partnered with a system integrator that has significant experience on the Turkish market and a good knowledge of developing and implementing innovative solutions using Oracle technologies. This makes us confident that our collaboration will produce great results for both sides and enable us to establish a strong presence in this area" said Peter Raganitsch, Chief Executive Officer of FOEX GmbH.Markus Lauda, the Sales Director of FOEX later continued "We see in Sentora a reliable partner for the Turkish market, with a successful track record of delivering complex web applications and provide a great level of support to its existing customers. These are the things that we typically are looking for in each of the system integrators that we intend to work with. Partnering with them was an easy decision as this collaboration plays to the strengths of both companies."This partnership enables both companies to pursue new business development opportunities in the region and leverage the benefits of using the FOEX Plugin Framework, a low-code rapid application development solution which helps developers specialized in working with Oracle technologies to build enterprise-level web applications fast and with ease."As being keen followers of FOEX technologies, when the chance of being a partner with FOEX occurred, we definitely saw the potential of significant success for both of the parties ahead of us. Now it is time to present FOEX's benefits and capabilities to our region and make our customers benefit from this partnership" added Kerim Korkmaz, Owner & Co-Founder of Sentora Bilisim.About FOEX GmbHFOEX GmbH is an Austrian IT company founded in 2012 and based in Perchtoldsdorf (near Vienna, Austria). We are experts in developing plugins & add-ons which enhance the standard Oracle APEX platform, allowing developers to build the best products imaginable without the overheads from traditional software development.Our mission is to simplify the way enterprise-level applications are being built and provide a robust platform which enables developers to create such applications in a fast, easy and secure way. By using the FOEX Plugin Framework developers can significantly reduce the complexity of creating and maintaining data-heavy web applications, thus lowering IT costs and increasing efficiency.To learn more about FOEX, please visitAspettenstrae 48, Perchtoldsdorf, 2380 Austria Christmas is coming: Choose the right monitor according to your needs www.mmd-p.com Ideas from MMD for a perfect gift under the Christmas treeAmsterdam, 29 November 2016 - Just in time for Christmas, MMD, the leading technology company and brand license partner for Philips Monitors, offers several interesting and innovative displays for home users. A perfect gift for everyone according to his or her needs, whether they are professional or not.Philips UltraColor displays are now available and promise a brilliant year: perfect for online shopping, semi-professional photographers, filmmakers and designers an explosion of colours.All feature an edge-to-edge screen and a narrow border for a seamless appearance and minimal viewing distraction. The sleek lines are enhanced by a front panel that is totally free of touch buttons: instead, there is a discreetly placed EasySelect toggle key on the rear to make quick adjustments to monitor settings.For those who want to experience truly excellent colour performance are well-advised with this product line, offering incredibly realistic images with more natural-looking green, vivid red and deeper blue. The two new models with 24 and 27 inches, 246E7QDAB and 276E7QDAB, have a glossy black finish and fit in any environment thanks to the elegant design. Supporting a wider gamut 85% of the NTSC gamut as opposed to the typical 72% UltraColor offers more true-to-life images.With the accuracy of colours of UltraColor displays, even online shopping becomes more precise: people can see the true colour of the product they are buying, be it a car, clothing or a new kitchen. In addition, by connecting your smartphone or other devices with an MHL cable, users can stream photos and videos straight to the 246E7QDAB and 276E7QDAB displays, and play mobile games or view photos and videos in Full HD UltraColor quality accompanied by full digital sound.The new 246E7QDAB and 276E7QDAB monitors are available for the RRP 159 and 229.The ideal gift for professionals is the Philips 272B7QPTKEB display with a popup webcam for enhanced collaboration and ease of use. Professionals, who consider the webcam as a vital tool to maintain face-to-face contact and thus improve collaboration in the office or at home, will fully appreciate the features of the new business line of Philips monitors. In addition, the webcam blocks the visual channel against hackers by popping up only when needed and tucking away when it isnt.Philips 272B7QPTKEB is not only elegantly designed with a panel which is almost borderless on three sides but also extremely functional. Crystal-clear images with Quad HD resolution, the extra-wide viewing angles of IPS panel technology, super-speed USB 3.0 for faster data transfer, as well as PowerSensor technology for eco-friendly productivity. The new Philips 272B7QPTKEB display will be available at an RRP of 599.About MMDMMD is a wholly owned company of TPV established in 2009 through a brand license agreement with Philips. MMD exclusively markets and sells Philips branded LCD displays worldwide. By combining the Philips brand promise with TPVs manufacturing expertise in displays, MMD uses a fast and focused approach to bringing innovative products to market. MMD serves the Western European markets from its headquarters in Amsterdam. The Eastern European and CIS markets are served by a local office in Prague. Through its network of local sales teams MMD works with all major IT distributors and resellers. The companys design and development centre is located in Taiwan.Press contact:united communications GmbHElena StrzelczykTel.: +49 30 7890760Philips.Displays@united.deCompany contact EMEA:MMDIvilina BonevaTel.: +31 20 5046945Ivilina.Boneva@tpv-tech.com CCSO Milwaukie homicide tweet photo.jpeg Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies closed Southeast River Road to investigate a homicide on Nov. 27, 2016. (CCSO) UPDATE: Suspect in Clackamas County killing was agitated before shooting: ex-wife A man suspected of shooting an acquaintance in the back of the neck Sunday night -- before flipping his car and admitting to killing someone -- also tried to kill his ex-wife, authorities allege. Deputies said Gregory R. Siegberg is suspected of killing Melissa Elaine Vargas and shooting at Debra S. Kusch-Siegberg near Milwaukie on Sunday. Washington state troopers responded about an hour later to a single-car crash on Interstate 5 in Ridgefield and found Siegberg alone and uninjured in his car. Siegberg, 62, told troopers he "just killed someone," Trooper William Finn, a Washington State Patrol spokesman, said in a news release. Siegberg was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver and was later arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. He remains in the Clark County Jail on a temporary warrant for murder and attempted aggravated murder, Sgt. Brian Jensen, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman, said in a news release. Clackamas County deputies responded to a reported shooting at a home in the 13600 block of Southeast River Road around 7:30 p.m. Sunday and found Vargas dead. Vargas, a 53-year-old Gaston resident, was acquainted with Siegberg and his ex-wife, who live at the home, Jensen said. Kusch-Siegberg, 61, said her ex-husband came downstairs and shot Vargas once before firing multiple times at her as she ran to a neighbor's house, according to Jensen. Kusch-Siegberg called 911 from the neighbor's house, Jensen said, and Siegberg left in his 2015 Subaru before deputies got there. Troopers found Siegberg in a car resting on its roof on Ridgefield Port of Entry property after responding to the crash around 8:30 p.m., Finn said. Siegberg was driving north when his car veered to the right and left the interstate before hitting and rolling over a jersey barrier, Finn said. He told a trooper he had been drinking heavily, according to a probable cause affidavit. While in custody Monday, he reported having alcohol and methamphetamine problems. The Columbian reports Siegberg was wearing a suicide-prevention smock when he appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court. He didn't object to extradition, the newspaper reported. Court records show Siegberg and his ex-wife divorced earlier this year, citing irreconcilable differences. They had been married since 1997. He reported while in custody that he lived with Kusch-Siegberg but was moving out. Siegberg also reported working for Stanley Black & Decker as a senior inspector. Jensen urged anyone who has information about Siegberg or the homicide investigation to contact the sheriff's office online or at 503-723-4949. Tipsters should reference case No. 16-32525. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Tony Hernandez of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report Lightbar1 A man impersonating a police officer handcuffed a woman and put her inside his car in a kidnapping attempt in Vancouver on Nov. 27, 2016, police said. (The Oregonian/OregonLive/file) A man impersonating a cop handcuffed a woman and put her inside his car during a kidnapping attempt Sunday in Vancouver, police said. The woman was looking to meet up with a man from social media at the time of the attempted kidnapping, according to Vancouver police. A car with flashing lights came up behind the woman and a male companion who drove her to the meeting when they arrived around Maxon Road and Southeast 19th Street shortly before midnight, police said in a news release. The driver stopped, and a man dressed in what appeared to be a police uniform came up to the car and pulled the woman outside, according to police. He handcuffed her and put her inside his car, and she realized right away he wasn't a real officer. The woman and her companion ran away, police said, and the man impersonating an officer left in his car. He's described as being in his 30s, having a medium build and being 5-foot-8. He doesn't have any facial hair. The woman and her companion weren't seriously injured, police said. Other instances of men impersonating officers in the Portland metro area have made headlines this year. A Portland State University football player who pretended to be an officer when he pulled over a female driver in Tigard this past March was sentenced to a year of probation about three months later. And Beaverton police released a composite sketch of a man who was allegedly posing as an officer and trying to pull people over on an August night. Vancouver police ask anyone who has information that may help their investigation to call the department's tip line, 360-487-7399. -- Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Kachka, the popular Russian restaurant from Bonnie and Israel Morales, is opening a second Portland restaurant next year. The restaurant has signed a lease in the upcoming Goat Blocks building from Killian Pacific for a 2,980-square-foot space outfitted with patio seating and parking, according to a press release. By summer 2017, the second Kachka is expected to open with a larger dining room, kitchen and private dining space, along with a small retail area for lunch and deli goods from the restaurant. You'll be able to buy bottles of Kachka's Troika Spirits vodka and possibly, Bonnie hints, the restaurant's beloved dumplings there. The menu at the second space won't be vastly different from the original restaurant, Bonnie said in an interview with The Oregonian. The larger kitchen will allow room for a permanent mangal, the slim, open flame grill, to help expand hot food offerings and showcase lighter Russian dishes, especially in the summer months on the patio. The couple's first restaurant will continue to serve "core items" like those dumplings, as well as expanded bar offerings in a more casual, reservation-free space. "We're outgrowing our space is the simplest way to explain it," Bonnie said of the expansion. "It's a great problem to have, but it does mean we turn away a lot of people who aren't willing to wait 2 hours...it's not that the 720 S.E. Grand space is going to morph into something unrecognizable, we just want to make it available to everybody." Kachka 2.0 will be located at 960 S.E. 11th Avenue. -- Samantha Bakall sbakall@oregonian.com Follow @sambakall 1mckean.jpg.jpeg Interim Portland Public Schools Superintendent Bob McKean speaks during a public meet and greet session prior to a meeting of the Portland School Board on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. (Bethany Barnes/Staff) An attorney who pleaded no contest to violating Florida's public records law rescinded his acceptance of a conditional job offer to be the top lawyer for Portland Public Schools. The withdrawal comes after shock in Portland over Wes Bridges' 2009 criminal conviction, along with other concerns around transparency, while serving as general counsel for the Polk County School District in Florida. The issue is especially sensitive for Portland Public Schools, which has admitted to struggling with getting information to the public in the wake of a lead controversy and a management exodus. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office recently ordered the district to improve how it handles records. News about Bridges' job offer broke last week when The Ledger newspaper in Polk County reported he resigned as general counsel for the Polk County School District. Portland officials confirmed last week that interim Superintendent Bob McKean had asked Bridges to be the district's top lawyer, a job that oversees public records. At that time, McKean said in a statement from a spokeswoman, he was, "pleased that Mr. Bridges has agreed to join Portland Public Schools, bringing with him 18 years of experience." But soon after, Portland school board members pushed back. In emails exchanged with a concerned parent, obtained by The Oregon/OregonLive, Steve Buel said he didn't think the hire would go through. Asked why, Buel wrote that he, school board chair Tom Koehler and board member Paul Anthony were "dead serious" about tackling the district's ongoing problems. "This guy didn't seem to fit with those goals," wrote Buel, who declined to elaborate on the email Tuesday. Until Tuesday, district administrators refused to address Bridges' 2009 criminal conviction for violating Florida's public records law, answer questions or release any records related to his hire. Spokeswoman Courtney Westling said the district did not want to provide answers or do interviews until the hiring process, meaning a background check, was complete. The Oregonian/OregonLive has been unable to reach Bridges, whose legal name is Charles Wesley Bridges II. In an interview Tuesday, McKean blamed Bridges for the public turnabout, saying he was told not to indicate he had a conditional job offer. The district was waiting for Bridges to sign a waiver for an in-depth employment investigation, he said. Bridges' resignation, allowing his local paper to break the news, "jeopardized" Portland Public Schools' process, McKean said. Based on Bridges' interviews, resume and answers to written questions, McKean said he though Bridges was an excellent candidate. But he also stressed that officials would have been free to ask more questions based on the background check. Bridges' conviction, as well as other divisive issues, were chronicled in news reports and easily available through internet searches. And yet McKean said the district did not know about Bridges' conviction until The Oregonian/OregonLive pointed it out last week. McKean said he was told public records came up in one of Bridges' interviews, and that Bridges had mentioned an issue involving records -- but not his conviction. He declined to say whether the district would have rescinded its offer if Bridges hadn't withdrawn. McKean said he's now looking at "the Google search issue," though changes could pose problems. Stephanie Harper, the district's interim general counsel, said internet searches done before job candidates receive conditional offers are "legally risky." Harper said someone could claim officials illegally excluded them from a job because of information gleaned from the internet that they'd otherwise not be allowed to consider. "The more extra information you get on the front end, then the riskier your selection process is," she said. Portland Public Schools has stumbled over a similar issue before. In 2012, the district rescinded a job offer after The Oregonian/OregonLive reported the candidate had been reassigned at work while under investigation. Although officials did a background check and an internet search, they missed reports on the investigation from The Miami Herald and The Huffington Post. Westling, the district spokeswoman, said Bridges paid for his own flight to Portland and was one of six candidates interviewed. Bridges spoke with a panel of 12 district administrators, including Westling, principals, school board member Pam Knowles, Harper and other high-level employees. According to Bridges' cover letter, his friend Jollee Patterson, who served until this summer as the district's longtime general counsel, suggested Bridges apply for the job. Wesbridgesletter (PDF)
Wesbridgesletter (Text) Although Bridges' criminal conviction for breaking Florida's public records law dates to 2009, he remains controversial. A newly elected school board member in Polk County campaigned on his ouster this fall. "The Polk County School District has a very serious problem with its attorney," Billy Townsend wrote on his website, according to The Ledger. "Indeed, if I am elected, I will have little to no confidence in anything School Board Attorney Wes Bridges tells me." Townsend told the Ledger he felt Bridges was hostile to teachers. He also cited a 2011-12 court case in which the district was ordered to pay $3.5 million in back pay to teachers over a dispute over bonus pay for teachers with master's degrees. Bridges told The Ledger he hadn't spoken with Townsend about his concerns and that Townsend's victory wasn't a factor in his planned move to Portland. Bridges also drew scrutiny by requiring that people show identification before entering buildings where public meetings were being held. He argued that was different than requiring ID to attend meetings, which is against the law in Florida. The Ledger reported Tuesday that Bridges has asked to stay on at Polk County. Since the school board had not voted on whether to accept Bridges' resignation, the school board chair told the Ledger she expected he'd be able to stay in his role. -- Bethany Barnes Correction appended Gresham police found a car believed to be driven last week by a homicide suspect, and Crime Stoppers of Oregon announced a reward Tuesday for information leading to the man's arrest. Demarco "Buddy" Streeter Detectives are looking for Demarco "Buddy" Streeter, 30, of Portland in connection with the homicide of Harry Donte Brogdon Jr., 29, on Nov. 23 in the 18500 block of Stephens Circle. The Police Department identified Streeter as a suspect Friday and announced officers were searching for a black sedan with an "SS" emblem on the passenger door. The emblem commonly identifies Chevrolet cars, such as Impalas, that carry a Super Sport performance package. "It was found (Monday) morning," said police spokesman John Rasmussen. "Investigators are not currently releasing any additional details." The department has released few details about the shooting, which happened about 11 a.m. When officers arrived they found Brogdon, who died from a gunshot outside a home, police said. A detective last week declined to provide any further information citing the ongoing investigation. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers up to $2,500 rewards for information that helps unsolved homicides, such as this case. The nonprofit describes Streeter as 5-feet-9-inches, weighing 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He's considered armed and dangerous. The nonprofit accepts anonymous tips. Tipsters can contact the nonprofit by texting "823HELP" followed by their tip to CRIMES (274637.) They can also call 503-823-4357, submit a tip online or use the TipSubmit app for iPhone or Android. -- Tony Hernandez thernandez@oregonian.com 503-294-5928 @tonyhreports This post was updated to correct the suspect's height. Last July, a man shot and killed five white officers and wounded seven others, including two civilians, in Dallas, Texas at the end of a peaceful protest against police shootings of African Americans. The shooter, an African American, set out to kill white cops. He succeeded: Most of the victims were white. Dr. Brian Williams of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, worked in the ER that day. He responded as a professional, helping to save the lives of the injured. But afterwards that day hit him hard. He is the only African American in his group. He's never talked much about race before but now he's on a mission to encourage an open and respectful discourse. Dr. Brian Williams He'll share his thoughts at noon on Wednesday in a public talk at Oregon Health & Science University auditorium on the Marquam Hill campus, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239. The Oregonian/OregonLive talked with him beforehand. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Q. What happened that day in Dallas for you personally? A. That day basically changed my life. There was this convergence of race and violence and medicine and all that intersected with my personal and professional life in a rather profound and dramatic way. It really forced me to re-examine the life that I was living and my role in society in the midst of all this chaos. Q. In what way did it change your life? A. I had my own life experiences dealing with racism. I had my own experiences with police encounters. I had an awareness of what was going on with other African Americans in this country, but I'd never really discussed these openly, never felt any call to action to speak out about it or do anything about it. After that day, it was impossible for me to continue to remain detached from the reality of what was happening. Q. Anything else? Those many years of keeping silent and internalizing a lot of the issues and concerns I had about this escalation of violence that was occurring and this lack of discussion about race - that is no more. I'm more open talking with my friends and my colleagues and I'm doing some speaking engagements as well. It's forced me to examine my life and my role and the contributions I make to humanity. Q. What do you think should be learned from that shooting? A. I want to be very clear that I abhor the retaliatory violence against police officers. I grieve for those officers and their families but I'm grieving for everyone who was involved with this event. For society, I would hope what (people) take from this is that racism still exists. There's an undercurrent that existed for this adverse event. We have to talk about it openly and respectfully in order to move forward. It is not going to go away by ignoring it. Q. What is the main message you're bringing to OHSU? A. The main message that I want everyone to take away from this is that this is a challenge for everyone. Do some introspection and ask yourself (about) your silence and how you want to end it, even if this means having a dialog with yourself about your own biases. Everyone has a story and if you know someone's story it is difficult to fear or hate that person, but in order to get that story you must first talk, listen without judgment and really put yourself in that other person's shoes. Q. We have a new president-elect, Trump, who's been accused about being a racist. What are your thoughts about that? A. I won't comment on Trump being a racist but if we talk about the election and racism and the discourse that emerged from that, I think it's pretty clear that it has shown to a lot of people in the country (that racism) still exists. It's difficult because Americans may have perceived our country to be one way and now many are learning that there is still this other identity and that they don't match up. That's a challenging issue to have to see, to have to admit and have to address. Now that it's out in the open, I think there is a real opportunity to collectively move forward on that. -- Lynne Terry lterry@oregonian.com @LynnePDX This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Saginaw Valley State University student with a passion for public speaking recently continued an impressive streak in earning honors for his ability. Erik Breidinger was named winner of SVSUs 27th Annual Sims Public Speaking Competition in November. The victory earned him $400. The title of his presentation was Feeling Lucky? The Descent into Google-ocracy. The communication and geography double major also won the contest in 2015. In the competitions history, the Auburn native is the sixth student to win twice and the third person to do so in consecutive years. Breidinger has excelled in competitions outside of campus as well. In October 2016, he earned top honors for presenting his community-minded research on the Kawkawlin River. The first-place win came in the undergraduate paper presentation category at the American Association of Geographers East Lakes/West Lakes conference hosted by Northern Michigan University. In February 2016, he won first place in the informative category of the Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League Novice States Tournament at Hillsdale College. In total, six students earned prizes during the 2016 Sims Public Speaking Competition: Melinda Dinninger, a communication major from Saginaw, who earned $250 for a second-place finish Shafayat Alam, a management major from Bangladesh, who earned $150 for a third-place finish Cody Bromberg, a communication major from Essexville, who earned $100 for a fourth-place finish Melanie Frasca, a communication/theatre education major from Waterford, who earned $75 as a finalist Cheyena Pettaway, a communication major from Saginaw, who earned $75 as a finalist The competition is endowed by Larry and Linda Sims, long-time supporters of SVSU. Linda currently serves as senior executive assistant to the president/executive director for communications and external affairs at SVSU. One newspaper headline called him a hero. An American journalist said that he will be revered for bringing education, social services and health care to Cubans. The New York Times stated that he dominated his country with strength and symbolism. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Castro a legendary revolutionary and orator, adding that the late Cuban leader was a controversial figure. This is what is called revisionist history at its absolute worst. Fidel Castro was no hero unless you want to call a cruel, communist dictator a hero after he tortured, imprisoned and killed political dissidents under his reign in Cuba. He certainly isnt revered in south Florida, where many Cuban-Americans danced in the streets a few days ago upon hearing of his death at the age of 90. Him dying represents the end of something awful that happened to us, one Cuban woman from Florida told the New York Times. Its actually him not anybody else who caused this. Its because of him that we lost our opportunity to have a life in our country. Another Cuban-American said: Its a moment that weve been waiting for for 55 years. Were free at last. The man that caused so much suffering, so much people to be sad in my country ... has passed away. Castros regime jailed and killed political opponents, suppressed civil liberties and wrecked the islands economy. Many risked their lives trying to flee Cuba in the early years of Castros rule, including thousands of unaccompanied Cuban children sent by their parents to Miami between 1960-1962 in a mass exodus known as Operation Pedro Pan (Peter Pan). On July 13, 1994, there was the infamous Tugboat Massacre, in which Castros forces killed 37 would-be escapees, most of them children and their mothers, as they tried to flee the island for the United States. There are many more examples of Castros cruel treatment of the Cuban people. So ignore the political and journalistic spin that is coming from many these days following his death. Castro ranks up there with the worlds worst dictators over the past 100 years. Listen to the voices of those whose families were destroyed by his heavy-handed rule. Their voices tell the truth about this man. BLOOMINGTON The Grand Cafe, one of Bloomingtons oldest restaurants, will close next month but is expected to reopen following a remodeling in 2017. We will close as of Dec. 31, said Shanna Brown, a manager at the 95-year-old Chinese-American restaurant located at 615 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington. The plan is to reopen. Brown confirmed there are plans to remodel but declined further comment and referred all questions to owner Ike Chiu. Efforts to reach Chiu were unsuccessful. As of Tuesday, there were no remodeling permits for the address filed with the city of Bloomington or the McLean County Health Department. The restaurant was founded in 1921 by Charlie B. Lum, a Hong Kong native who arrived in Chicago in 1918 and created a menu with Asian dishes that were modified to appeal to area residents. The original site was the second floor of a building at 204 N. Center St. In 1948, the restaurant moved to 106 W. Front. Lums son, Peter, and his wife, Jill, took over the business a few years later. In 1970, Jills brother, Pong Chiu, a native of China, joined the staff. Two years later, the city moved Front Street businesses to make way for the McLean County Law and Justice Center and the Grand Cafe was moved to a temporary location at 422 N. Main St. Pong Chiu then took over ownership from Peter Lum, who retired. In 1976, the restaurant moved to its current location, adding a bar and lounge area. Currently, it can seat more than 200 people. Pong Chiu died in 2003 and Ike Chiu took over ownership. The restaurant was recognized for having the best Chinese food in Bloomington-Normal in this year's Pantagraph Readers' Choice contest. BLOOMINGTON The state's child welfare agency will be ordered to turn over records related to a woman who has accused a man of raping her during an on-campus orientation event at Illinois State University. Shawn Childs Jr., 19, of Chicago is charged with sexual assault and abuse of an incoming student on July 19 at Hewett Hall during Preview. Childs, also a prospective new student at the time, came to the event with his father Shawn Childs Sr., 40. Neither Childs Jr. nor the alleged victim ended up enrolling at ISU. The state has opposed a request by defense lawyer Stephanie Wong to subpoena the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for the alleged victim's records. Assistant Attorney General Anapama Parachuri argued Monday that ISU police have provided the defense with several pages of records related to the woman's conversation with her DCFS caseworker after the incident. Further disclosures of documents about the woman, who has been a ward of the state since 2010, are inappropriate and irrelevant, said Parachuri. In comments supporting the subpoena request, Wong outlined alleged inconsistencies in the woman's statements to authorities. Several hours after the alleged rape, the woman, 19, told a police officer she saw Childs Jr. drop a capsule into her drink which she consumed, said Wong. An hour later, in an interview with another officer, that accusation changed and she identified a second man was identified as the person who put something in her drink, according to the defense. Initially, Childs Jr.'s father was charged with possession of Ecstasy the drug believed to have been put in the drink but those charges were amended after lab results showed the substance was a different synthetic drug, cathinone. Childs Sr. pleaded guilty Nov. 4 to a reduced drug offense and was placed on probation. Childs Sr. admitted to police that he purchased alcohol for the underage minors. Wong said police also heard two versions of what happened inside the alleged victim's dorm room. The woman claimed Childs Jr. barred her roommate from entering the room during the incident, an account that differs from the roommate's recollection that the alleged victim refused her entry, said Wong. The fact that the second man also spent time in the woman's room after Childs Jr. and recorded their interaction for a posting on social media is another factor that must be taken into consideration, Wong argued. Before she was taken to the hospital several hours after she reported the incident to police, the woman told her DCFS case worker "she was OK and there was no sexual assault," said Wong. The DCFS records could contain information of any previous claims of sexual assault made by the alleged victim against others, according to Wong. "We are entitled to determine the credibility of this young woman. My client has the absolute right to confront his accuser," said Wong. Drazewski ruled that he will review the confidential state records and decide what if anything will be submitted to the defense. Any documents provided to Wong will be sealed under a protective order. A Jan. 25 hearing is set to review the status of the case. Childs Jr. remains free on $10,035 bond. EUREKA A Bloomington woman accused in the Oct. 16 stabbing death of her husband will remain in Woodford County Jail on $1 million bond after a judge denied a request to lower the amount, saying he had concerns that she could harm herself if freed. Sarah Mellor, 30, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Mark Mellor, 31, who died from a stab wound to the chest at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. The incident occurred about 11:45 p.m. Oct. 15 at a Woodford County campground near Carlock. Sarah Mellor would have to post 10 percent, or $100,000, to be released. Her defense lawyer, Stephanie Wong, argued in court Tuesday that the former Spanish teacher at Bloomington High School would not pose a threat to the community and asked that her bond be lowered to $200,000, meaning she would have to post $20,000 to be released. Sarah Mellors mother, Carolyn Sutter of Bloomington, testified on her daughters behalf, telling Judge Michael Stroh that the family would be willing to liquidate some assets in an effort to raise the bail. She would live with us in Bloomington, she said, while the family attempts to fix up a house on Lee Street where Sarah and Mark Mellor lived. We would then sell it or rent it out. Wong also submitted a letter from the victims mother, Jerri Andrew, who encouraged the judge to lower Sarah Mellors bond. She writes Sarah all of the time and has visited her on a couple of occasions, too, Wong said. Wong told the judge that after her arrest, Sarah Mellor emailed her bosses at Bloomington District 87, submitting her resignation because that is in the best interests of the students at this time. She added that her "state of mind" would also be the subject of testimony at trial, but did not elaborate. In arguing against the bond reduction, States Attorney Greg Minger said the couple got into an argument because Sarah Mellor wanted to leave the campground. Minger said evidence would show that she grabbed a hunting knife with a 4.5-inch blade and threatened him with it. The couple struggled and she stuck the knife into her husband, believing it would break off or bend, he said. We acknowledge there was no criminal history leading up to this, Minger said, but that is what makes her dangerous. It was unpredictable. Wong said the incident was out of character for Sarah Mellor. This isnt a whodunit, she said. Sarah drove him to the hospital in their truck. She has cooperated with police and never attempted to evade. Wong also emphasized Sarah Mellor's long and established ties to the community. She grew up in Bloomington, attended Illinois State University, and except for one year when she taught in Champaign-Urbana, has lived in Bloomington-Normal all of her life. While Stroh said he took those factors into consideration, he denied the request, saying he had concerns about her personal safety. It appears she and Mark had a loving relationship prior to this and this incident was very traumatic for her, as well, he said. I am concerned she may harm herself. Sarah Mellor is due back in court Dec. 27 for a status hearing. The judge previously set a Jan. 17 jury trial date, but that likely will be delayed because lawyers are still exchanging records and working through pretrial matters. NORMAL The opportunity to earn an associates degree in computer science before graduating high school is now on the table for select McLean County Unit 5 students and officials in local technology fields are excited about the development. Through a collaboration between Unit 5 and Heartland Community College, current eighth-grade students will be the first available class to apply for the accelerated program. Students, who must attend Normal Community West High School due to its proximity to Heartland, will enter the program as freshmen and take regular high school courses the first two years. The summer before their junior year, they will begin taking classes on Heartlands campus and dual-credit classes will be added to their high school schedule. The dual-credit classes will be free, but students will pay regular tuition for courses on the college campus. In-district tuition currently is $135 per credit hour. They would essentially get an associates degree for half the price, said Laura ODonnell, director of secondary education at Unit 5. ODonnell thinks this is the first program of its kind in Central Illinois, but stressed it is still in the developmental stage and changes could arise. About 15 students are expected to take part initially, and ODonnell said adults who work in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field will likely mentor the students. Sarah Diel-Hunt, associate vice president for academic affairs at Heartland, said the program will be selective, with students who are interested and eager and who demonstrate math and science skills, a strong grade point average and a record of diligence, with recommendations from teachers. It's not an easy program. There are going to be various exit points along the way, said Diel-Hunt, and some students likely will filter out in the first two years. However, even if they decide computer science is not the career they want to pursue, the students will have their general education requirements completed, she said. It's flexible enough that they could have a complete change of heart and not be behind the eight ball, said Diel-Hunt. Kevin Reeves, STEM director for the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, said a fresh wave of graduates interested in technology would be a good aid for the current aging workforce." Weve got millions of baby boomers who are retiring now through the next 15 years, said Reeves. The scary thought is, with them retiring from many of these critical positions in information technology or engineering, there just isnt a back fill or enough students prepared to go into college and the workforce in those positions. Reeves said businesses want to see a better-prepared applicant pool and colleges want to see high school students graduating with more computer science skills. Its a trickle-down effect we want to continue all the way to elementary school, said Reeves. Many of these students who earn the associates degree out of high school will have enough skill sets to jump right into real-world professions, but we encourage them to continue their education. Reeves said through programs like this, the EDC hopes to see the STEM initiative grow further in the community by working closely with school districts and businesses. April Schermann, computer science teacher at Normal West, said the accelerated degree program is a great opportunity for students who want to take a big step in their education career. Data shows the number of jobs requiring computer science or information technology skills far exceeds the number of students who will graduate college with those necessary skills, said Schermann. "There are more jobs than there are qualified people. Schermann said since she started teaching at Normal West 15 years ago, the interest in computer science in teens has clearly increased. Now we offer four different courses, we have clubs like Girls Who Code and we host the Hour of Code event in December. The exposure of computer science has grown for high school students and the information they can receive now is tremendous, she said. The deadline for Unit 5 eighth-graders to apply to the high school program is Dec. 20. There will be an information session at Normal West and Normal Community prior to freshman orientation on Dec. 7. BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington firefighter has been placed on paid administrative leave after domestic battery charges were filed against him in connection with a Nov. 9 incident the same day he was honored with a Good Samaritan Award from a local organization. BFD Firefighter/paramedic Jon Caponi was placed on leave with pay after the incident involving his 29-year-old girlfriend. Bloomington Fire Chief Brian Mohr confirmed the firefighter's leave, but declined to provide further details of what he considers a personnel issue. "However, the public can rest assured that the City of Bloomington Fire Department's number one priority is public safety," Mohr said in response to questions about the paid time off. According to the charges, Caponi repeatedly kicked and pushed his girlfriend at the home the two share in the 700 block of West Mulberry Street in Bloomington. Caponi, who has worked for the city department for eight years according to court records, pushed the woman down the stairs, according to a statement read in court by a McLean County prosecutor. The victim suffered multiple abrasions and injuries to a rib, said the prosecutor. Earlier on Nov. 9, Caponi received a Good Samaritan Award from the American Red Cross Serving Central Illinois during its Saluting Our Heroes breakfast. The honor recognized Caponi for building a ramp for a disabled Bloomington woman. The woman has hired Bloomington lawyer John Prior to represent her interests in the domestic battery case. Under Illinois law, victims can ask that they be kept informed of developments in a case, including any plea offers extended to a defendant. NORMAL A large flock of Redbirds appeared Tuesday on the plaza between the Bone Student Center and Milner Library. Each Redbird sticker placed on a large board represented a donor to Illinois State University's Giving Tuesday. Last year, 1,473 donors gave on Giving Tuesday. This year, the university hoped to get at least 1,500 donors, said Lora Wey, ISU's executive director of annual giving. The university also wanted to surpass last year's total of $585,000 in donations, she said. Late Tuesday night, the goal for donors was achieved and the money total was in reach. Staff from the development office kept track in a command center at the ISU Alumni Center on North Main Street. By 9:30 p.m., the campaign website listed 1,524 donors pledging a total of $584,032. To reach its goal, ISU used a variety of avenues, from direct e-mails, Twitter tweets and Facebook posts to special challenges, videos and a large thank-you card for students to sign on the plaza. We appreciate people that are supporting us, said Katy Haag of Pontiac, a sophomore in biology, after signing the card. It's a little thing we can do. Giving Tuesday is a global idea that started in 2012 to kick off the charitable giving season right after the shopping frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many non-profit agencies and schools have embraced the concept. Others take a more low-key approach. Illinois Wesleyan University focuses on its April event, All In for Wesleyan, although it did make some social media and email appeals on Giving Tuesday. Likewise, the Heartland Community College Foundation is taking part in an email and social media campaign. This is the third year that ISU has made a major push on Giving Tuesday. In addition to campus-wide promotions, individual colleges, divisions and other ISU entities such as the laboratory schools and WGLT public radio also make special efforts. The first challenge came from former professors Joe and Charlotte Talkington, who pledged $68,000 to Illinois State University if 500 people gave gifts. David Martin and the family of Mardell Martin also pledged to give a total of $60,000 split between University High School and Thomas Metcalf School after the 500-donor mark was reached. Both of those challenges were met by 10:20 a.m. A more light-hearted challenge came from Levester Johnson, who went above, if not beyond, his duties as vice president for student affairs by agreeing to climb the wall at the Student Recreation Center if 100 people donated to the Student Affairs Division. Those 100 donors also unlocked a $10,000 gift from Mike Schermer. But the effort is about more than raising money on one day. Participating in Giving Tuesday is helping to change the culture of philanthropy at Illinois State, said Wey. For that reason, every gift is important, she said. Freshman Caitlin Massey, a music education from Newton, stopped at the giving table at the plaza to make a cash donation. I like to give when I can, said Massey. I heard today was Giving Tuesday, so I gathered up my ones and came here. Seniors who donated, such as Mackenzie Kaiser of Lexington, received a bucket list T-shirt. Included on the list is making a gift to ISU. Kaiser, a communication major, designated her gift for the Fell Arboretum tree fund. I think it's really neat as a student to be able to give to the college to keep it beautiful and keep it going, she said. For some, it was a classroom project. Instructor Tom Lamonica's public relations class went on Facebook Live, with individuals talking about how they have been helped by donations to ISU. Noting that institutional public relations is a growing field, Lamonica said the students' involvement was a learning experience. He also challenged his students to give by saying he would match their donations. Challenging myself is the best way to challenge them, said Lamonica, who brought a plastic baggie filled with $188.61 in paper money and change to the Alumni Center, which he matched to make the total $377.22 Today is about not only learning more about what's good public relations, it's about feeling a little more connected to the university, Lamonica said. BLOOMINGTON A consultant will draft a redevelopment plan for the proposed tax increment financing district north of downtown Bloomington that could include two city-owned properties. The City Council on Monday voted 5-1 to authorize a $17,500 payment to St. Louis-based Peckham, Guyton, Albers and Viets (PGAV), for work on the proposed North Main Street/Chestnut Street TIF district. A TIF district diverts increased property tax revenue generated by improvements in the district into a dedicated fund to pay for redevelopment costs in the district. In conducting a previous eligibility study that the state requires for the creation of a TIF district, PGAV found the area qualifies for the economic redevelopment tool because of blighted conditions and buildings that need to be conserved in the proposed area. Ward 1 Alderman Kevin Lower, who cast the sole dissenting vote, said the site of the demolished former Mennonite Hospital/Electrolux headquarters at 807 N. Main St. qualifies, but he questioned the need for a TIF district. "I don't think most of our citizens are willing to commit tax dollars, which indirectly is exactly what we're doing, if we understand that this likely would develop on its own without government intervention," he said. Initially, the proposed TIF district on the north side of Chestnut Street along North Main Street included the city-owned Electrolux site, three adjacent parcels owned by Illinois Wesleyan University, and the former Quinn's Shell service station 802 N. Main St. PGAV and the city staff recommended adding the city-owned Creativity Center, 107 E. Chestnut St.; the Burr House Bed & Breakfast, 210 E. Chestnut St.; and Taqueria El Porton Restaurant, 901 N. Main St. If approved, the TIF district could provide a redevelopment tool to assist private developers in the acquisition or renovation of those sites. In 2011, the Creativity Center, a former medical office building, was slated for $5.2 million in renovations, to be paid for with donations and grants. Nearly $1 million in private money has been raised toward the goal. In October, the council passed a resolution that does not call for any city money going into renovation of the facility, but it does obligate the city to take on a maintenance role. Mayor Tari Renner said the projects would not involve the city giving out any money it currently receives. Ward 6 Alderman Karen Schmidt recused herself from voting because she is employed as IWU's head librarian. Renner, an IWU political science professor, did not recuse himself because as mayor he only votes in the event of a tie. Once the proposed redevelopment plan is completed, the council will vote on whether to accept it. If it does, it then will establish dates for a public hearing and for the meeting of a joint review board consisting of the five taxing authorities in the proposed area to review and vote on whether to confirm that the consultant's analysis was done appropriately and conformed with state law. In April, the council could consider adopting the three ordinances that would create the TIF district. The council also approved making applications to the Bloomington-Normal Area Economic Development Council to use the local One Voice lobbying effort in Washington, D.C., to seek federal money for two major road projects: a Hamilton Road extension from Bunn Street to Commerce Parkway; and widening and upgrading Main Street/U.S. Business 51 between Olive Street at the southern edge of downtown Bloomington and College Avenue in Normal. Lower cast the lone dissenting vote related to the Main Street portion because he believes the project should be limited to just repairing the pavement and not widening the street. SPRINGFIELD Members of an Illinois House committee on Monday spent a portion of their hearing on a proposed workers compensation overhaul debating whether the hearing should have been held at all. Following a meeting earlier this month among Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the four top leaders of the General Assembly, the House Labor and Commerce Committee scheduled a hearing on a long-dormant bill from House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs. With a stopgap spending plan thats funding most state operations set to expire after Dec. 31, Rauner has said he wants business-friendly changes to the states workers compensation laws to be part of a comprehensive compromise to end the ongoing budget stalemate. Durkins bill, which was introduced in July 2015 to reflect Rauners position at the time, would tighten the standards for what counts as an on-the-job injury and reduce the fees doctors and hospitals receive for treating injured workers, among other changes. But Republicans on the committee, including state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the bill doesnt reflect progress made last spring in negotiations among a bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers. I dont know what were going to accomplish today, Brady said, noting that Republicans did not ask for the hearing and that Durkin was in a meeting with Rauner and the other legislative leaders at the same time. In fact, Durkin sent a letter to House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, objecting to the hearing after it was scheduled more than a week ago. I believe it is premature to hold a hearing on the matter, Durkin wrote. Our goal should be to use the legislation as a starting point for discussion at our Leaders meeting that day. Durkin said workers compensation was part of Mondays discussion among the leaders behind closed doors. As for the hearing on his bill that was taking place at the same time, Durkin described it as political theater. If were going to solve work comp, its not going to be done in that committee; its going to be done in that room over there, he said, pointing to the governors Capitol office, between the four leaders and the governor. Without going into much detail, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said following the meeting that Democrats would come back to a scheduled Tuesday meeting with counterproposals on workers compensation and pension reform. Madigan, however, made no such commitment in his comments to reporters, saying only, Thats fine, in response to Cullertons remarks. State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, chairman of the House Labor and Commerce Committee, said the hearing was necessary to establish where the discussions stand. Hoffman said a working group of lawmakers hasnt talked about the issue since June, something he blamed on the governor. The hearing showed that little has changed in the interim. Republicans and their allies in business want stricter requirements for workers to prove that injuries occurred on the job, among other changes they say will reduce costs for employers and make Illinois more competitive. Democrats, meanwhile, argue that a 2011 workers compensation overhaul has been effective at cutting costs, but they say insurance companies have held on to those savings rather than passing them along to customers in the form of lower premiums. The 2011 law also cut the payments doctors and hospitals receive for treating patients with workers compensation claims. Representative for medical providers warned against further fee cuts like those proposed in Durkins bill. Additional cuts could drive providers to stop accepting new workers compensation patients, they said. The bottom line here is that access to care for injured work would suffer, said Patrick Gallagher, a vice president with the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. Fortress Paper Announces Hemicellulose Separation Project at its Dissolving Pulp Mill Nov 29, 2016 - Fortress Paper Ltd. today announced a strategic supplement to the already announced birch usage project (the "Birch Project") at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill in Thurso, Quebec, Canada, aimed at extracting hemicellulose from underutilized species such as birch (the " Hemicellulose Project"). The Hemicellulose Project will allow the company to advance its research and development in hemicellulose derivative products. Hemicellulose is a cellulosic sugar, which when extracted and processed, has high value-added by-product potential such as for biofuel and biomaterial feedstock. Fortress anticipates that its development in hemicellulose products will provide it with an opportunity to enter the growing renewable raw materials market. As part of the Hemicellulose Project, Fortress plans to install a new accumulator at the Specialty Cellulose Mill which will allow for the collection of hydrolysate. By separating the hydrolysate from the liquor stream it can be further processed to produce a number of bio-products, including xylose and furfural. Currently, the hydrolysate is neutralized and mixed with weak black liquor, sent to the evaporators and then fired in the recovery boilers. If the hydrolysate is removed from the liquor cycle and processed separately it will offload the evaporators and recovery boilers. It is expected that by offloading the evaporators and recovery boilers, the Specialty Cellulose Mill will able to utilize more of its incremental digester capacity. The Birch Project and Hemicellulose Project are expected to cost approximately $23.4 million in aggregate, of which $3.65 million is in respect of the Hemicellulose Project. The Ministry of Forests, Wildlife, and Parks of Quebec (the "Ministry") has agreed to assist with funding the projects. The Ministry has committed to provide Fortress Paper with a $2.5 million non-repayable contribution from the budgetary measure for innovation announced in the 2016-2017 Quebec budget to support the forestry industry. As well, the Low Quality Hardwood Consumption Program has committed to provide an additional $1 million non-repayable contribution to assist with funding the projects. The Company expects to finance the remainder of the Hemicellulose Project's total cost with cash on hand. Yvon Pelletier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Paper, commented: "Extracting hemicellulose is the first step to entering the emerging renewable raw materials space which is an appealing new market opportunity with significant upside potential. The two planned projects at the Fortress Specialty Cellulose Mill demonstrate our continued commitment to developing new revenue streams that increase long-term shareholder value. Fortress Paper would like to thank the Provincial Government of Quebec for their support and confidence in the projects." Fortress Paper operates internationally in two distinct business segments: dissolving pulp and security paper products. To learn more, please visit: www.fortresspaper.com. SOURCE: Fortress Paper Ltd. Books are the road to a new journey, an entrance to a new world. Words have the power to create magic in the minds of the readers. Books can inspire, educate and most importantly cam make people visionary. In this time of overwhelming technology, the love for books should be preserved. It is indispensable to teach young children the value of reading. The New York Times shares a story of such a man, who not only loves books but also a huge advocate for encouraging children to do the same. A librarian, Colbert Nembhard has been voluntarily reading stories and singing songs for homeless children in a shelter house, Cortonna Inn for the past eight years. New York city is accused of not providing proper education to homeless children but the Bronx librarian is setting examples for others that teaching children the love of books and pointing them in the right direction is actually practicable. Mr Nembhard is very famous among kids and they eagerly wait the new stories and songs from their book friend. Mothers of these children and the coordinator of the shelter home find Nembhard's work inspirational and fun filled. The librarian shares a special bond with all the children and also wanted them to have a special relationship with the libraries. A huge number of parents and children became members of the library where Nembhard's been working. Libraries are evolving, truthout tells that a library in San Fransisco city Lafayette, has became more than just a library, it is serving as a community centre. The library building is huge and has areas where presentations and classes could be held. People can benefit in many ways from these buildings. City council meetings are also held in the library. A new form of libraries is also becoming popular, a pop up library which can be made by taking the books to an open area for a limited time and putting them in order, so that anyone who is interested in borrowing a book can be benefitted. A United States Federal judge has ruled that Dylann Roof, a white supremacist who is the primary suspect in the shooting to death of nine black South Carolina church parishioners last year, is mentally competent for trial. Defense attorneys earlier questioned the capability of Roof to understand the case filed against him and help his lawyers defending him. In last Friday's order, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said the 22-year old Roof was evaluated by a respected psychiatrist and he has considered the latter's testimony as well as the lawyers' arguments in coming up with the decision. The Huffington Post said the judge has refused to make public the decision to avoid jeopardizing the right of Roof to a fair trial. Roof has been slapped with several cases for the massacre which happened at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. "A criminal defendant is not competent to stand trial only if the Court finds 'that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect' that renders him 'unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense," the Judge said according to Business Insider. Judge Gergel said to determine the defendant's mental competency, he must not only be able to understand the ongoing proceedings but must also be capable of consulting with his defense lawyers. These conditions were found to be present in the case of Roof, thus he was declared competent to be tried in court. NPR said Roof, who is facing the death penalty, is expected to plead not guilty. NPR and other media organizations have objected to the judge's decision against the release of the details of the competency hearing. Included in the details that is being kept from the public is the reason why Roof's lawyers believe that he is not mentally capable of standing trial. The parents of a 15-year-old boy in Auckland, New Zealand are enraged that an Uber driver agreed to buy alcohol for their son. The incident has already been reported to the New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) and an investigation is being conducted. Uber is said to be cooperating with the authorities as well and has expressed it will terminate the services of the driver if the allegations are proven true, New Zealand Herald reports. It's still unclear how the teen was able to book the service or if his parents were aware of it. The incident might as well mirror what could also happen in the United States as Uber service is fast-becoming a necessity for many families. The Washington Post reports that app-based car services like Uber appeal to busy parents because of the conveniences. With just a tap on the app on their smartphone, they can book a ride for their children to take them to practices, after-school events and other activities. They do not have to worry about parking, traffic or being late for appointments with this affordable service. Best of all, they can keep track of their kids via the Uber app. It gives the parents a sense of safety and security. Along with the conveniences, however, come several downsides, including the fact that technically, Uber isn't supposed to service riders below the age of 18 as written in their guidelines, according to Huffington Post. Yet digital-savvy teenagers have the Uber app on their smartphones as well and it's easy to open an account as there is no age limitation prompts. Teenagers can simply input their parents' credit card numbers and use Uber service before their moms even find out about it. According to CBS News Cleveland 19, Uber leaves it up to their drivers to enforce the rule against kids below 18-year-old who have booked their services. As the news outlet discovers, most drivers aren't even aware they cannot allow minors unless the ride has been booked by the parents themselves. Do you use Uber? Do you use the services for our kids and are you aware of what can likely happen? Share your experience in the comments below! A 7-year-old boy gets to have a new skull after falling from a hill in California a couple of years ago. He almost lost half of his skull from the accident, but fortunately, doctors found a way to make his life healthy again by using a 3D printer. In an article published by Fox News, Teddy Ward's life was a victim of an accident that caused him to have a traumatic brain injury. His life was never the same since then because he almost lost half the part of his skull. They tried to fix it through a surgery the first time, but they were unsuccessful to do so. Fortunately, the doctors didn't give up on him, as they wanted the kid to live a normal life after that dreadful fall still. According to CBS LA, Teddy had to use a helmet to protect his skull. His parents weren't even able to let him attend birthday parties nor was he allowed to play like an average kid outside. They were afraid that something bad would happen to him with the condition of his skull. But thanks to 3D printing, Teddy was given a new skull that made him no longer wear a helmet. He is now able to live like an average kid. Teddy's mother, Lisa Ward, said she was devastated by what happened to her child and she wouldn't want him to live without a skull. Good thing that doctors at CHLA found a solution by using a 3D printer along with a material known as the PolyEtherEtherKetone or PEEK. It is not exactly a plastic material, but it looks like one. After successfully applying it to Teddy's head, the kid is now back to normal that his parents even made a huge announcement that he is now available for playdates. Share this story if you have been inspired by Teddy Ward and the miracle of technology. Make other people realize that indeed nothing is impossible. When going through difficult times people tend to look for ways to help them get better or at least lighten the burden. But unfortunately, medical facilities and services in Florida is not something worth dependent for. In fact, more and more people are already pleading for the state to create a change. Kim Muszynski, mother of Abby, a 5-year-old girl who was diagnosed with congenital brain defects and microcephaly, shared how disappointed she is when it comes to Florida's medical facilities. "Florida was unable to meet the needs of our medically fragile child," Kim Muszynski said. For six months Abby stayed in Florida for medication hoping for her to get better but unfortunately her condition only got worse. Until a doctor advised them to take a chance and use a high-THC marijuana instead, as posted by My Suncoast. Marijuana during that time was not legal in Florida. That made Abby's family fled to another state where they can avail the drug. The process of transferring Abby to another state was not easy. According to Kim, their plea for a private air emergency transport was not entertained by the Florida officials. It was only then when they have asked support from influential people that it was granted as reported by CNN. The family arrived in Colorado Springs in September 28. "We were so fearful of losing her," Kim added. With the new medication Abby has been getting, her situation became better. In fact, the medical marijuana even helped her control her seizures. Kim shared how she was so amazed with the incredible results. Despite Kim's testimony, the Director of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration Mallory McManus said, the state was still able to provide everything Abby's family needs for support. He also added that helping Floridians is their goal so they do their best for that. Unfortunately, to Abby's family and other people who have experience such struggles, the Florida's medical team's effort are still not enough. Joan Alker, executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, said that Florida should do something about the problem. The state of Florida should be making it easier" for these families, and not the other way around. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions To say that Apple is having trouble getting Apple Pay off the ground successfully in Australia would be an understatement. Back in December 2015 it was reported that Apple was struggling to persuade Australia's big banks to sign up for its Apple Pay mobile payment system. The banks went to the Australian Commission to force Apple to open up their Apple Pay APIs so that they could have their own financial wallets on Apple's iPhone. This was all covered in our report titled "Apple Tells Australian Commission that Three Top Banks are in a Cartel to Dictate Terms for Apple Pay." Under Australian law, bargaining cartels can be formed as long as they have permission from authorities, and the banks are seeking the ability to offer their own digital wallets in Apple iPhones - the first major challenge to Apple Pay of its kind. The saga continued in October when with Fintech Australia interposed itself in the war between Apple and the nation's banks, arguing that the dispute highlights the need for open access in all areas of financial infrastructure." This was after the Korean Fintech industry filed a complaint with their Fair Trade Commission with the same argument. We had reported back in September that South Korea's Financial Technology (Fintech) companies were "going ahead with an action against Apple which does not open its application programming interface (API) for near field communication (NFC) at the Korean Fair Trade Commission. The Korean fintech firms claimed at the time that Apple's policy not to open its closed API is denying them NFC-based fintech business opportunities such as simple mobile payment, transportation cards and user identification. This issue will draw much attention as the Korean fintech companies are expected to lock horns with Apple, a global IT giant over opening the latter's API for NFC. While all of this was happening, Australia's ANZ bank signed on with Apple Pay and those who want this service in Australia can have it if they switch to ANZ. Their ad is presented below. ANZ captured the country's tension surrounding Apple Pay in a hilarious way. Today, the Australian banks didn't get good news. According to Reuters, Australia's antitrust regulator said on Tuesday it is likely to deny four local banks permission to collectively bargain with Apple Inc in relation to its mobile digital payments system. But the preliminary decision was "finely balanced" and could be reversed if the banks make a convincing case before a final opinion is due in March, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims told Reuters. Losing the case would be a setback to the banks' hopes of bypassing Apple's in-house payments system and rolling out their own iPhone versions free of competition from the Silicon Valley giant, which has the biggest smartphone market share in Australia. Back in August, Foad Fadaghi, managing director of technology research firm Telsyte told Reuters that "The banks here feel like they've done the hard work in bringing contactless payments already to Australia and Apple is just going to come in...and eat their lunch." On the flip side however, Apple is the first technology company to have figured out how to create a digital wallet that consumers feel safe enough to use. Apple made it easy to set up. All previous digital wallet efforts failed. So now the Australian banks just want to now scoop in and just demand that Apple offer their digital wallets on the iPhone to bypass Apple Pay. It's as arrogant as it gets. Why aren't the Australian banks simply bypassing the iPhone and choosing to put their digital wallets on Android phones bypassing Google Pay or Samsung Pay? Are they having any luck on those Android phones? Or is it that the majority of the bank's customers have iPhones and that it's them that are demanding that they offer Apple Pay service with their bank cards? Unless Australia is becoming a communist state I'm a little baffled that the banks simply refuse to deal with Apple rationally like U.S. and Canadian banks have done. This holy position of theirs is the laughing stock of the world. Here's to hoping that ANZ continues to win customers from these stubborn banks and takes them to the cleaners. It's called capitalism and two thumbs up for ANZ. 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. In October Patently Apple posted a report titled "Court Rules Samsung Intentionally Infringed Apple Patents & Orders Increased Judgement to be considered." The verdict issued in October was even close. "In an 8-3 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said that a three-judge panel was wrong to throw out the $119.6 million verdict in February. Instead, it ordered the trial judge to consider whether the judgment should be increased based on any intentional infringement by Samsung." The case involved the infringement of Apple's 'quick links' patent, and that two other patents covering the iPhone's slide-to-unlock and auto-correct features. Today, according to a California legal publication, "Samsung Electronics Co. will not get an en banc do-over against Apple Inc. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Monday rejected without comment Samsung's bid for a second rehearing in its appeal of a $119 million patent infringement verdict. Absent U.S. Supreme Court intervention, the decision ends Samsung's quest to overturn the verdict from the companies' second smartphone trial, held in 2014 in San Jose. Samsung complained that the en banc court trampled on its own internal operating procedures. But the company got meager support from the technology industry. Only the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) filed an amicus curiae brief, citing blogger conspiracy theories [from Florian Mueller's FOSS Patents] to make its case for damage to the court's prestige. Obviously the court didn't think much of FOSS Patents theories. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. Theres been quite a debate about the appropriate response to Castros death. Most seem to feel gloating over his death and hoping he burns in hell for eternity is over the mark. Most also, however, feel that gushing with praise and adoration for him while minimizing those pesky human rights violations is also inappropriate. With that said, there are naturally those on both extremes. After all, with people youll always have extremes. What matters, however, is what our leaders do. Hence the attention that was paid to Trump when he sang the praises of Putin. It wasnt just concern about any ties to Russia, but the idea that a presidential candidate would heap praise on an obviously brutal dictator. Enter Justin Trudeau. Trump merely said Putin was a strong leader in that system. He didnt address the problems with human rights one way or another. Trudeau, on the other hand, did everything but declare eternal love for Castro while notably sweeping any human rights concerns to the side as mere trivialities for eggheads to ponder down the road. Leaving history to possibly absolve Castro maybe? Donald McClarey takes on this tendency those who lambasted Trump for praising dictators have for praising dictators. The same thing happened, if you recall, during Gorbymania in 1987. Against all hope, Reagan didnt nuke the world and destroy humanity by 1982. Instead, after the economy had rebounded and America regained a level of pride in itself that was sorely lost in the 70s, Reagan went east and met, and befriended, Mikhail Gorbachev and began a process that would end with the peaceful resolution to the Cold War. Well we cant let that happen, can we? Anything but Reagan! So when Gorbachev and his wife came to America in 87, it was like the Beatles arriving at JFK. The press, and not a few Americans on the whole, to the left of center sang the praises of Gorbachev who was, at that time, still head of the Soviet Union, Americas sworn enemy. And not just praise, but full credit for all reform suddenly dropped at his feet. Solidarity? Pope John Paul II? Margaret Thatcher? Never heard of them. It was Gorbymania all the way, the man who would single-handedly bring peace to the world and an enlightened end to the Soviet regime. So yeah, when I heard all the outrage aimed at Trump for doing what many on the Left did in 87, and at least some to the Left are doing with Castro now, I pretty much yawned and moved on. Do I disagree? Sure do. With those in 87, with Trump, and with Trudeau and company. But theres no sense getting myself in a tizzy over one person praising this or that dictator when it seems to be all the rage. Resources and Recent Catholic Repentance Dave & Judy Armstrong in the underground tunnel tour next to the current Western or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem (October 2014): exploring the ancient temple retaining walls built by Herod, in Jesus time. [photograph by Margie Prox Sindelar] *** (7-7-08) *** Suggested Examples of Patristic Anti-Semitism St. Ignatius of Antioch (98-117 A.D.) Epistle to the Magnesians For if we are still practicing Judaism, we admit that we have not received Gods favorit is wrong to talk about Jesus Christ and live like Jews. For Christianity did not believe in Judaism, but Judaism in Christianity. * St. Justin Martyr Dialogue with Trypho (Between 138A.D. and 161 A.D.) We too, would observe your circumcision of the flesh, your Sabbath days, and in a word, all you festivals, if we were not aware of the reason why they were imposed upon you, namely, because of your sins and the hardness of heart. The custom of circumcising the flesh, handed down from Abraham, was given to you as a distinguishing mark, to set you off from other nations and from us Christians. The purpose of this was that you and only you might suffer the afflictions that are now justly yours; that only your land be desolated, and you cities ruined by fire, that the fruits of you land be eaten by strangers before your very eyes; that not one of you be permitted to enter your city of Jerusalem. Your circumcision of the flesh is the only mark by which you can certainly be distinguished from other menas I stated before it was by reason of your sins and the sins of your fathers that, among other precepts, God imposed upon you the observance of the sabbath as a mark. * Origen of Alexandria (185-254 A.D.) We may thus assert in utter confidence that the Jews will not return to their earlier situation, for they have committed the most abominable of crimes, in forming this conspiracy against the Savior of the human racehence the city where Jesus suffered was necessarily destroyed, the Jewish nation was driven from its country, and another people was called by God to the blessed election. * St. John Chrysostom (344-407 A.D.) From Homily I of his Eight Homilies Against the Jews * Many, I know, respect the Jews and think that their present way of life is a venerable one. This is why I hasten to uproot and tear out this deadly opinion. I said that the synagogue is no better than a theater and I bring forward a prophet as my witness. Surely the Jews are not more deserving of belief than their prophets. You had a harlots brow; you became shameless before all. Where a harlot has set herself up, that place is a brothel. But the synagogue is not only a brothel and a theater; it also is a den of robbers and a lodging for wild beasts. Jeremiah said: Your house has become for me the den of a hyena. He does not simply say of wild beast, but of a filthy wild beast, and again: I have abandoned my house, I have cast off my inheritance. But when God forsakes a people, what hope of salvation is left? When God forsakes a place, that place becomes the dwelling of demons. (2) But at any rate the Jews say that they, too, adore God. God forbid that I say that. No Jew adores God! Who says so? The Son of God says so. For he said: If you were to know my Father, you would also know me. But you neither know me nor do you know my Father. Could I produce a witness more trustworthy than the Son of God? (3) If, then, the Jews fail to know the Father, if they crucified the Son, if they thrust off the help of the Spirit, who should not make bold to declare plainly that the synagogue is a dwelling of demons? God is not worshipped there. Heaven forbid! From now on it remains a place of idolatry. But still some people pay it honor as a holy place. * St. Augustine (c. 354-430 A.D.), Confessions, 12.14 How hateful to me are the enemies of your Scripture! How I wish that you would slay them (the Jews) with your two-edged sword, so that there should be none to oppose your word! Gladly would I have them die to themselves and live to you! A Guest Post by xCCC When Satan took Jesus up to the highest mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world and offered them in return for worship, lets talk about what Jesus didnt do. He didnt decide that He wanted to rule the kingdoms of the world in order to force His will on everyone. He didnt desire political power in order to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. He didnt bow to His human desires for power, prestige, efficiency or comfort. He basically told Satan to fuck off. Jesus came to heal the sick, feed the poor, care for the homeless and to upend the religious establishment. He came to plow through the bullshit of the religious leaders in order to offer up something better: Love. Compassion. Empathy. Community. I was born-again as a sophomore in high school. I prayed for Jesus to forgive my sins and make me like Him. I was a devout believer through high school and college. Since I literally believed that people needed Jesus more than anything, I felt I had no choice but to devote my life to ministry. I joined the staff of a very prominent college campus ministry immediately after college sure that sharing sharing the love of Christ was the ultimate use of the life I had been given. In three short years, however, it became very clear to me that the ministry for which I was working (and the entire evangelical machine of the 1980s) was trying desperately to climb that highest mountain on which Satan tempted Jesus. Ministry was all about obtaining results using any means necessary. Walking up to strangers and pretending to take surveys in order to launch into the ridiculous 3 Spiritual Laws presentation about having a relationship with God. Scheduling events during school hours on public high school campuses with the pretense of offering academic information but the intent of converting students to Christ. Inviting students to ice cream socials or fun parties without mentioning the sermon they would have to endure if they came. Raising vast sums of money to send students to preach the gospel to the unchurched on the beaches of Florida, San Diego and Hawaii. Lying to government officials in foreign countries about teaching English with untrained evangelists only there to evangelize. Ministry was about numbers. It was a pyramid scheme. You tell two friends and they tell two friends and so on. That student you talked to who had no use for your religious ideas but needed someone to talk to about her abusive home situation? A waste of time. It was the early 90s and we were part of the New Life 2000 Plan. By Y2K a coalition of evangelical ministries would saturate the world with the Gospel. There was no time for people with real problems. We were much too busy climbing to the top of the mountain so that all the kingdoms of the world would be ours. I left the ministry in the early 90s. I eventually left the faith completely. I could no longer be a part of what I have come to call the seedy underbelly of the corporate evangelical machine. Anything that could win converts was sanctioned. The ends always justified the means. No matter how dishonest. No matter how dismissive of love, compassion or justice. Y2K came and went but the evangelicals kept climbing. 20 years later, the corporate evangelical machine is no different. Having worshipped at the foot of Donald Trump, evangelicals finally have their means to climb that highest mountain. They see their path to rule the kingdoms of the world and establish their Kingdom of God on Earth. They cant wait to impose their will and feel their power. How I wish I could believe that Jesus was here to tell them to fuck the hell off. Book lovers are a picky bunch. What were really after is more books, but we also want a deeper connection to the authors we love, and to share our love of books with our friends. With that in mind this is a list of 15 Great Gift Ideas for Book Lovers the 2016 edition. 01. A Biography of their Favorite Author If your book lover is indeed a book lover, then they mostly want more books. So heres a good place to start. If they love J.D. Salinger, then buy them the story of his life. 02. Bookish Coffee Mugs One of the real joys of being an avid reader is the opportunity to correct other peoples grammar. Why not do it with a coffee mug? These are actually pretty hilarious. My favorite is, Im figuratively dying for a cuppa. Also a big fan of Theyre there for their afternoon tea. also love this I like big books and I cannot lie mug. 03. Signed Copies & First Editions Some of these are surprisingly easy and affordable. If the author is alive, a politely worded note tucked in the box of their own book, with a prepaid padded return envelope will usually do the trick. 04. Creative Collections If they have a favorite book buy them a copy of that book in every edition of the hardback, paperback, graphic novel, childrens edition, and movie. Email your book lovers hero or mentor and contact them. Ask them to write out a list of 10 great books. Give your book lover a copy of the list, along with a copy of each of the books. 05. Library Check-out Card Phone Cover There are a bunch of these to choose from, but this one is my favorite. 06. Letter shaped decorative books. Each individual letter-shaped book is bound and finished just like a real book. Its versatile. Hang it on the wall, place in on a table or desk, or on the end of a shelf of books as a bookend. 07. Book Shelves or bookstands Desktop bookshelves come in all shapes and sizes, and they are nearly always welcomed by the reader. This is a good portable book stand. I love the triangle book stand at the top of the post. Im also a big fan of the old fashioned Manhasset Music Stand. 08. Posters of their Favorite Book Lots of online companies produce nice looking posters of the cover of books, like these. A few dos and donts: dont buy the movie version of a poster, or one for too recent a book. Best to stick with classic novels and a vintage look. 09. Book Ends One can never have too many cool bookends. Everything from the standard metal bookend to a more artistic, personal, or ornate option. Bookends always come in handy. This The End book end is one of my favorites. 10. Book Weight Most people wouldnt think of this as a big deal, but the Book Weight is essential equipment for the reader who often takes notes or types with a book open. The book weight is a leather covered lead weight which will keep even a very stiffly bound book open on a flat surface. It works great in tandem with a books stand, or just as a way to prop a book open while you read or take notes. Every nerdy book lover needs one of these. You can also by a clear acrylic one that seems pretty handy. 11. Book Clock Ive seen several versions of this, but I really like this one. It might seem a little cheesy, but Ive never known a reader who doesnt also watch the clock. 12. Library of Congress Card Catalog Notecards This is a (I think cardboard) replica card catalog box with tabbed dividers, each card features a different beloved work of literature straight from the storied collection of the Library of Congress. 13. The Invisible Book Shelf Urban Outfitters has a unique books shelf that deserves a look. The shelf is easy to install and it disappears into the bottom book. Stack more on top of it & the books look like theyre floating on the wall. Works for me. 14. Lamp, Shelf, Bookmark Combo This is a pretty interesting way to outfit the reader who likes to read in bed. It goes on the wall & functions as a bookshelf with a lamp, which is nice enough. But the peak of the shelf is meant to store your current read. Its pretty cool. 15. Bookshelf Chair Ive seen versions of this over the years and nothing has ever looked as good as this. It cant be comfortable. Its made to order and costs about $3,000. But it would look great in any library. Honorable Mention: News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Ayatollah Montazeri's son receives a 21 year sentence for disclosing audio tape about mass execution of Iranian political prisoners in 1988 11/28/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh Ahmad Montazeri the son of a high-ranking political and religious cleric has received a 21 year prison sentence for publishing an audio file belonging to his father that proves state involvement in the execution of 4000 political prisoners in Iran in the year 1988. In the text of the judgment Ahmad Montazeri's sentence has been reduced from 21 years to 6 years in prison because his brother is a martyr. Ahmad Montazeri sits in front of a portrait picture of his late father Hossein Ali Montazeri On 27 November 2016, Ahmad Montazeri spoke with Zamaneh Media and confirmed his sentencing to 21 years in prison. He was tried in the city of Qom where he resides and at the Special Clerical Court, as he himself is a cleric. On 9 Aug 2016, Ahmad Montazeri, son of Hossein Ali Montazeri who passed in 2009 released an audio file for the first time revealing the conversations of the late ayatollah with a number of high ranking officials in the Islamic Republic regime that all played key roles in the mass execution of political prisoners in Iran in the year 1988. In the audio file, the late Montazeri objects to the mass killings of political prisoners and the officials each have their say on the subject: mostly apologetic, they justify the executions. Read More: IRI involvement in mass execution of 4000 political prisoners in Iran After the publishing of the audio file, Ahmad Montazeri was immediately interrogated and pressured to remove the file from his late father's website. By the time Ahmad Montazeri was arrested, the file disseminated widely in the social media and media outlets outside of the Iran. Ahmad Montazeri spoke with Zamaneh Media's Freshteh Ghazi and said that the sentencing has left him astonished: "I was notified of the court's decision today. I have 20 days to appeal the decision. The court that tried my case was headed by an honorable judge who talked to me and I think he was satisfied with the answers I gave. I was hoping for an acquittal. It took them a while to deliver judgment and I thought maybe this is a sign of acquittal. But I guess the sentence was dictated from elsewhere because the judge with the qualities I know of him could not have ruled for this sentence." In the text of the judgment Ahmad Montazeri's sentence has been reduced from 21 years to 6 years in prison because his brother is a martyr. The court has also ruled that his clerical status is defrocked for disciplinary measure for three years. Ahmed Montazeri says the reduction in his sentence is as much illegal as the sentence itself: "Which law is it that allows for 15 years reduction of a sentence for a convict based on the martyrdom of their sibling?" Ahmad Montazeri believes that Special Clerical Court and the intelligence officials that interrogated him are trying to scare him away from publishing the rest of the files he has: "They want to prevent the release of more files and documents." The late Ayatollah Montazeri The file that was leaked in Aug 2016 is important evidence that documents the voice of those carrying out a massacre of prisoners and captives without due process or trails. It is important because those involved with the executions are still in power and because initiatives to challenge state impunity with regards to the execution of political prisoners in 1980s Iran are ongoing. Ahmad Montazeri says the 21 year sentence will not silence him or stop him from releasing other documents he has in his possession: "If I feel I am obligated to deliver on my duty, I will do so. It depends on the time and the conditions in the future. Maybe if I am in prison the files will be published sooner than intended." Read More: House of Khomeini and Mass Executions of 88 Commenting on the main concerns of the court, Montazeri says: "the court was deciding if my publishing of the audio file is leaking of regime's secrets. This is despite the fact that my father had already written about this meeting with details in his book. So my publishing of the audio file was not exactly a leak." He goes to it say that the text of the judgment and the final ruling was not all about the audio file: "for example my interviews with you [Zamaneh Media] and others were also included in the text of the judgment." The court therefore decides that based on Montazeri's interviews, his most recent speech in a memorial event for his late father, and his constant support for the Green Movement leaders he is not really sorry about the publishing of the audio file. In 1988, over the course of two months, some estimates suggest that between four to five thousand prisoners were killed. Ahmad Montazeri's father because of his oppositions to these killings and the state principle of the Rule of the Jurist (Velayat-e Faqih) in IRI, was put under house arrest from 1997 to his death in 2009. Ahmad Montazeri has released the audio file in a time that IRI still executes political prisoners in masses and without due process or a trial. Iran: Shocking Montazeri Sentence Reveals a Prosecution Lacking Legal or Moral Legitimacy 11/29/16 Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran Ahmad Montazeri Will Appeal "Ugly" Six-Year Prison Sentence Ahmad Montazeri The six-year prison sentence handed down to Ahmad Montazeri for publishing an audio tape on the mass execution of political prisoners in the 1980s, by a clerical court whose Lead Prosecutor is one of the officials implicated in the tape, reflects a profound conflict of interest and arbitrary ruling that renders the verdict completely illegitimate. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran strongly condemns the prosecution of Montazeri, which demonstrates the lack of freedom of expression, and the verdict, which reflects the lack of an independent judicial process and rule of law in Iran. Ahmad Montazeri was issued the prison sentence on November 26, 2016, after he published a 1988 audio file in which Grand Ayatollah Hosseinali Montazeri, who was his father and one-time heir to the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Khomenei, bitterly condemned the execution of thousands of political prisoners in the summer of 1988. "It is a travesty of justice that Montazeri was put on trial to begin with," said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Campaign. "But this complete disregard for the most basic standards of an independent and fair judicial proceeding makes a mockery of justice in Iran." "I was charged with three offenses for publishing the audio file and condemned to 21 years in prison. Then they commuted ["takhfeef"] my sentence [to six years] because my brother [Mohammad Montazeri] was a martyr but I don't think commuting a sentence for being the brother of a martyr is part of the law. All together this sentence and commutating it is very strange and unfair," Montazeri said in an interview with the Campaign right after the ruling. The extraordinary sentence was handed down by the Special Court for the Clergy in Qom, a court formed by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 to discipline clerics, which is independent of the Judiciary and under the direct authority of the supreme leader-now Ali Khamenei. Compounding the arbitrary nature of the ruling was a clear conflict of interest: Ebrahmi Raeesi, who is now the lead Prosecutor of the Special Court, was one of the members of the special tribunal that oversaw the extrajudicial execution of thousands of prisoners in 1988. In the audio recording, Grand Ayatollah Hosseinali Montazeri condemns the executions, directly warning Raeesi and the other members of the tribunal who had ruled to execute an estimated4,000-5,000 prisoners, that they would be remembered as "cruel criminals." The Court sentenced Montazeri to 10 years in prison for "acting against national security," another 10 years for "publishing a secret audio file" and one more year for "propaganda against the state," and then commuted the sentence to six years, "taking into account his age and lack of prior criminal record," the judge said in his verdict. The Court also demanded that Montazeri defrock, but suspended the order for three years. Montazeri represented himself without a defense lawyer in the Special Court, in a trial that lasted four hours, on October 19, 2016, because he was prevented from choosing his own lawyer. "I will submit my objection to the verdict within the 20-day appeal deadline," Montazeri told the Campaign. "I hope by then officials will realize their mistake in issuing such an unfair verdict, otherwise it will be a very ugly page in their judicial record... This verdict is indefensible." "I was very optimistic about the trial," he added. "The judge listened to my defense and accepted my logic. I thought I would be acquitted. But unfortunately, I must say that the judgment appeared to be dictated to the judge. I have a copy of the six-page verdict which I will publish soon. It contains things that were never mentioned during the trial." Montazeri continued, "The law says that the classified nature of an audio file is determined by those who produce it and we at the office of Ayatollah Montazeri never marked the recording as secret. Yet the Intelligence Ministry representative in Qom has expressed the view that the recording was classified as secret. This is not a lawful position." In addition, Montazeri had noted in an earlier interview with the Campaign that all of the content contained in the audio recording had long been known and available in his father's published memoirs. "What I'm insisting on is that eventually the state manage and settle the issue about the 1988 executions instead of trying to hide it," continued Montazeri. "If the Islamic Republic is transparent about it, and forms a truth commission, as suggested by [Member of Parliament] Ali Motahhari, and possibly rectifies any wrongdoings, it would be a big step in restoring the greatness of the Islamic Republic." Ahmad Montazeri posted the 40-minute audio file on his father's official website on August 9, 2016. In the August 15, 1988 meeting, the grand ayatollah told the tribunal, which consisted of Raeesi, then-Judge Hosseinali Nayeri, then-Tehran Prosecutor Morteza Eshraghi, and then-Intelligence Ministry's representative in Evin Prison Mostafa Pourmohammadi, "I don't want Mr. Khomeini to be judged and called a bloodthirsty, cruel and brazen figure 50 years from now." The tribunal reported directly to Ayatollah Khomeini. "I believe this is the greatest crime committed in the Islamic Republic...and history will condemn us for it. This action has been carried out by you, good and pious figures in the judicial administration," Hosseinali Montazeri is heard saying. Between July and September 1988, thousands of prisoners, mostly affiliated with Mojahedin-e Khalgh (MEK) and Fadaian-e Khalgh opposition groups, were executed and buried in mass graves, including Khavaran cemetery in south Tehran. In September 2016 more than 100 prominent Iranians living outside Iran called on the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court to recognize the massacre as a crime against humanity. "Until the Islamic Republic is able to come to terms with its past acts and wrongdoings-whether it's the mass executions of the 1980s or the violent repression of the 2009 presidential election protests," said Ghaemi. "it will not be able to achieve the national reconciliation the country needs." Iran Claims To Have Thwarted Islamic State Attack In Tehran 11/29/16 Source: RFE/RL Iran's intelligence minister has claimed that his agents prevented a planned Islamic State (IS) terrorist attack in the capital, Tehran. cartoon by Payam Borumand, Iranian daily Shargh Speaking on November 29, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said a "terrorist group" had been identified and "liquidated." He added that explosives had been confiscated. Alavi gave no further information about the purported attack and did not identify the suspects. Alavi also said an alleged high-ranking IS militant named Abu Ayesheh Kurdi had been killed somewhere near Iran's border with Iraq. Shi'ite Iran is one of the main enemies of the Sunni IS terrorist organization. Iranian security officials regularly claim to have thwarted planned IS attacks in the country. Based on reporting by dpa and ISNA Kofax Power PDF review TechRadar Pro Kofax has a handful of multi-platform apps to help you alter and annotate PDFs. Standard is likely the one best suited for most needs, and is the software well be exploring in this review. Its common knowledge that if you decide to go all Windows 7 in Windows 10 and create a local user account, you get shut out of the Windows Store. You can open the Store of course, but you cant download anything without signing in with a Microsoft Account. That changed recently, as first noted by Into Windows. Its not clear when the change took place: Microsoft couldve quietly added this ability over the summer with the Anniversary Update, or only just recently just flipped the switch for everyone. Whatever happened, you no longer need a Microsoft Account to download free apps from the Windows Store. If this feature doesnt work for you, try updating your version of Windows 10 to make sure youre on the latest stable build. Installing apps without a Microsoft Account works with most, but not all, free apps. I had no trouble downloading Asphalt 8 and Cut the Rope 2, for example, but Microsofts free Halo 5: Forge Bundle required a Microsoft Account sign-in. Theres really no trick to this process. All you do is create a local user account (or use one thats already been created), and then peruse the Windows Store. If you see a free app you like, try to download it. Most of the time you should be able to get the app without a problem, but you may run across some restrictions. This feature doesnt appear to exclude Windows Store games that tie into Xbox Live, by the way. Keep in mind that if you use the Windows Store without an account, you lose out on a number of features such as the ability to maintain a list of previously owned apps across devices. Purchases are also impossible without a loginas is the ability to tie your gameplay into Xbox Live. Nevertheless, if you want the thrill of free Windows Store apps without the hassle of tying your desktop to a Microsoft Account, you can now do it. YARNELL, Ariz. A memorial park and a hiking trail were dedicated Tuesday to 19 elite Arizona wildland firefighters who died in 2013 in a brush choked box canyon while battling one of the states most devastating wildfires. Two of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots, Chris MacKenzie and William Billy Warneke, grew up in the Hemet area. Relatives of the firefighters gathered at a trailhead for the somber ceremony dedicating the site as an Arizona state park, where Gov. Doug Ducey said the 3-mile trail and memorial would serve as a lasting tribute to the fallen firefighters heroism. The 320-acre park will open to the public Wednesday. May this always be a sacred place for this community and for this state to honor the lives of those who died protecting us, Ducey said. And may it always serve as testament to the danger firefighters everywhere face every day. We will never forget. Only one member of the team, a lookout, survived the June 30, 2013, Yarnell Hill fire after shifting winds trapped the firefighters near the small town of Yarnell in central Arizona, about 25 miles southwest of Prescott, where the hotshot crew was based. It was the deadliest day for U.S. fire crews since 9/11 and the worst for wildland firefighters since the 1933 Griffith Park fire of Los Angeles, which killed 29. Dan Parker, whose son Wade died in the fire, said his return to the site was moving and that he wants to bring others there so they can remember and honor him. Our hearts are grateful for everything that everybodys done for us and the fact that the state would put a state park here for a place for us to come and reflect and just come be with our son, said Parker, a retired firefighter. Because this is where he spent his last day. The trail is lined with memorial plaques for each firefighter. It zig-zags from the highway up a steep slope to a ridgeline, then follows the ridgeline to a spot with a view into the canyon where the firefighters were killed. The trail then descends into the canyon to a memorial site with 19 wire baskets filled with rocks marking the locations where flames overcame the crew. A flagpole is set in the center of a memorial site. Ducey in an interview encouraged people to hike the trail, saying its strenuous and its long, but youll really learn the stories of these young men. DREAM CAREERS Both Warneke and MacKenzie grew up wanting to be firefighters. Warneke, 25, who came from a military family, enrolled in the Junior Air Force ROTC at Hemet High School. After graduating in 2005, he served four years in the Marine Corps. He rekindled a relationship with his high school girlfriend, Roxanne, whod moved to Tucson, and they married in December 2008. Roxanne was four months pregnant when her husband died. After Warneke left the military, he began training to be a firefighter. Hed started with the Granite Mountain Hotshots two months before the Yarnell Hill fire. MacKenzie a 2001 graduate of Hemet High followed his father into the field: Mike MacKenzie was a Cal Fire captain in Moreno Valley but had moved out of state at the time of his sons death. Chris MacKenzie had worked for various firefighting agencies before one of his former captains recruited him to Prescott. He worked there about two years. Warneke was buried in Arizona, while MacKenzies remains were returned to Hemet; thousands paid their respects during a procession and ceremony at the Ramona Bowl. Although both men had attended the same high school, they hadnt known each other before they ended up in the same fire department, their families said. FIRE INVESTIGATIONS On the day they died, the firefighters were stationed in a relatively safe position on a ridge top. But for unknown reasons and without notifying anyone, they moved down the mountainside through an unburned area where they were trapped by a wall of flames when winds shifted the fire toward them. State workplace safety regulators blamed the firefighters deaths on the Arizona Forestry Division, saying it put protection of property ahead of safety and should have pulled crews out earlier. A state investigation found that fire officials lacked key personnel to battle the Yarnell Hill fire at critical moments. An earlier investigation commissioned by the Arizona Forestry Division found that state fire officials communicated poorly but followed proper procedures. The state paid a dozen families who sued over the deaths, including relatives of both Warneke and MacKenzie, $50,000 each and promised to change how Arizona responds to fires and trains its fire crews. The survivors also received insurance and other benefits. In a June 2015 news conference after the settlement was announced, Warnekes widow, Roxanne, recalled a visit to the site two weeks after her husband died: I had remembered a saying that my husband had once told me when we were deer scouting two years before, she was quoted as saying in the Arizona Republic newspaper. He said to never go into a canyon. That inside a canyon would be thick brush, and how wind travels through a canyon. I know my husbands military and firefighter training. Descending into that canyon went against everything he had ever been taught I was enraged. The fire also burned 127 homes, and people who lost them have sued the state. Information from Press-Enterprise archives was included in this report. A man walked into Riverside Community Hospital on Tuesday morning, Nov. 29, with second-degree burns on his arms that firefighters say are from butane exposure. It isnt immediately clear how or where the man was exposed to the chemical. Riverside firefighters were called to the hospital at 4445 Magnolia Ave. about 7:30 a.m. because the facility had been exposed to the chemical the man brought in, according to a news release from Battalion Chief Mike Staley. When firefighters arrived, hospital staff had decontaminated the patient and were treating him for his burns. Staley said over the phone Tuesday that the patients friends drove him to the hospital after he was exposed to it at his home. The hospital has been cleared of any contaminant and is running as usual, Staley wrote in the release. Riverside County sheriffs deputies investigated what caused the mans butane burns, but found no evidence that anything illegal took place, said Deputy Michael Vasquez. A judge ruled Monday, Nov. 28 that a Cathedral City woman was guilty of grand theft and other charges for posing as an immigration consultant and defrauding her clients. Sara Arcelia Salcido, 40, was convicted of six counts of grand theft, two misdemeanor counts of petty theft and one misdemeanor count of illegally representing a client during an immigration hearing. Two other grand theft charges were dismissed for falling outside of the statute of limitations. Riverside County Superior Court Judge John G. Evans delivered the verdict Monday, concluding a brief trial abbreviated by both sides waiving the presence of a jury. Salcido remained out of custody following the verdict, but will return to the Larson Justice Center in Indio for sentencing Jan. 20. She faces up to five years and four months in county jail, according to DAs spokesman John Hall. Evans said that Salcido was not qualified to provide immigration services, but outwardly represented herself as an immigration consultant whether through advertising, word-of-mouth, her actions and activities with her clients, and maintaining an office which indicated she provided immigration services. Evans said her clients paid her money and relied on defendants representations or pretenses that she was an immigration consultant. Salcido denied advertising herself as an immigration consultant during the trial, testifying that she told her clients she was a paralegal. Deputy District Attorney Bryan Boutwell alleged Salcido did not comply with two major requirements to operate as an immigration consultant: registering with the California secretary of state, which requires such businesses to pass a background check and be properly bonded, and posting a $100,000 surety bond. Salcido testified that she only became aware of the requirements in 2013, and could not afford to pay the $6,000 premium for the bond. She said that as a single mother, her choices were: Either pay for food for my kids or the license. Evans said he did not believe that she discovered she was out of compliance in 2013, because she testified at an April preliminary hearing that she learned of the requirements in 2015. Further, Evans said Salcido was in violation of several requirements of the states Business and Professions Code, even if she had been properly bonded and licensed. Evans said code violations expose offenders to harsh civil penalties, leading him to rule that she must have been aware of the potential legal consequences, considering her training as a paralegal. Salcido testified that she assisted clients in trying to secure U-Visas and other immigration petitions, but a number of those were never completed. Salcido said some of the clients were denied U-Visas by immigration authorities or would have never qualified for a number of reasons, including past deportations, while others never had their petitions processed by law enforcement agencies who must approve the visas. She also testified that her arrest kept her from being able to complete a number of other cases that were in progress. The case began with a consumer complaint filed last year with the DAs office. Salcido was charged with taking more than $35,000 from 10 alleged victims listed in a criminal complaint. In August 2015, investigators from the Riverside County District Attorneys Office served search warrants at her home and business, Immigration and Court Services of the Desert, located at 68-783 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City. Strong Santa Anta breezes blowing through the Inland area are expected to die down Tuesday evening, Nov. 29. The winds kicked up Monday night at speeds of 15 to 25 mph and theyre expected to be slightly higher Tuesday as folks take to the roads for the morning commute. Gusts as high as 40 mph could blow through the area, prompting the National Weather Serivce to issue a wind advisory for the area. The advisory has been extended by two hours and will now expire at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Folks just south of the Cajon Pass and near the coastal foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains should take extra caution, as they are expected to see the strongest winds, the weather service reports. The morning hours are expected to be the windiest. Winds will gradually die down as the afternoon approaches. As always, a wind advisory has special implications for motorists in the Cajon and San Gorgonio passes and people driving through mountains and deserts. These individuals are cautioned by the weather service to be mindful of their speed and watch for flying debris. Temperatures Tuesday are expected to top out near 68 in parts of the Inland Empire. Other areas will see highs near about 62, according to the weather service. Lows bottom out in the 30s and 40s. These temperatures are the anticipated norm for the week, according to the NWS, but Sunday could be an outlier with highs in the mid-70s. MORENO VALLEY State and local officials will gather on Tuesday, Nov. 29, for a groundbreaking ceremony at March Air Reserve Base to celebrate the start of construction of a high-tech operations center for Cal Fire. This new state-of-the-art facility will support Cal Fire and our partner agencies with critical emergency coordination efforts on a daily basis, as well as during Californias large and damaging disasters, Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott said. According to Pimlott, the facility, which will be on Z Street in the non-fenced eastern quarter of the base, will serve as the new Southern Region Coordination Center, where management of major wildfires and other multiple incident emergencies affecting Southern California will take place. Along with Cal Fire staff, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Interior will have employees assigned to the facility. The current Cal Fire location in Riverside holds the departments operations, administrative support, organizational management, technical services, resource management, grant coordination and predictive services programs, which will all move over to the new facility once it is complete, according to an agency statement. The current ops center is at 2524 Mulberry St. in downtown Riverside. There was no word on when construction of the new facility will conclude. A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson, 11 days after he failed to turn himself in to begin serving a 151-day sentence in the Riverside County sheriffs work-release program, jail and court records show. Chad Peter Wagner was arrested in Temecula on Saturday, Nov. 25 by Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department investigators. No details were immediately available Monday on the fire that Wagner is accused of setting. Wagner had been convicted Oct. 12 of two felony counts of resisting arrest and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs. He has two previous misdemeanor convictions of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Wagner was supposed to report to work-release by Nov. 14. He also failed to pay a fine, court records show. The nations three busiest commuter railroads which together serve nearly 1 million riders in the New York City area each day continue to lag in installing sophisticated train control technology thats seen as an antidote to crashes involving speeding and other human factors, federal regulators said Monday. But their West Coast counterparts appear to be on track with the long-sought-after safety feature. Metrolink, the Southern California commuter line that carries about 40,000 daily riders, is now among the nations leaders in installing positive train control a computerized GPS system that automatically stops trains from speeding or crashing into each other. Metrolinks system is now operating on all but three of the 249 miles of track it owns in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Metrolink also expects 65 miles of BNSF Railway track it uses to have the safety system in place in the coming months. said Serita Coffelt, a Metrolink spokeswoman. In all, Metrolink trains run on 534 miles of track, including track owned by BNSF and Union Pacific. We are pleased to know that our passengers are benefiting from some of the safest technology in the country, Coffelt said by telephone. U.S. railroads now face a December 2018 deadline to install the technology, including on the other 220 miles of track used by Metrolink. Positive train control was called for in 2002 when a freight train crashed into a stopped Metrolink train in the Orange County city of Placentia, killing three Southern California residents and injuring another 200 people. The idea gained political traction in 2008 after a Metrolink train collided head-on with a freight train in Chatsworth because the engineer ran a stop signal while texting. Twenty-five people were killed. The railroad industry dropped its opposition to the technology and Congress voted to require it. Last year, Metrolink officials demonstrated how it works: The engineer starts by logging into the computer system. He then makes sure the system has the latest information about a trains route, including any temporary slower speed limits for special situations, such as when a maintenance crew is working on a segment of track. A computer screen to the engineers left tracks the trains actual speed as well as the speed limit. If the train exceeds the speed limit, a yellow bar flashes, compelling the engineer to slow down. If the engineer fails to slow down, a red light flashes and the system activates the brakes, halting the train. Positive train control also stops trains when they are headed toward a collision. But new information from the Federal Railroad Administration shows the big East Coast lines the Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit and Metro-North all made scant progress on implementing the GPS-based positive train control in the quarter ending Sept. 30. Over the past three months, the LIRR and Metro-North have trained more employees on the system, the data show, but neither they nor NJ Transit installed it on any tracks. The railroads say the federal data dont fully reflect their progress and that they are still on track to meet the deadline. Metro North and LIRR have aggressively and diligently moved forward to fully implement PTC on both railroads before the Congressionally mandated deadline, said Tom Prendergast, the chairman of New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The LIRR and Metro-North say theyve installed PTC equipment on more than 300 train cars and placed more than 2,000 transponders along their tracks. NJ Transit says its awaiting federal approval to acquire a slice of required radio spectrum and has testing scheduled for next year on a 6-mile stretch of track. Federal investigators have listed the lack of PTC as a contributing factor in at least 25 crashes over the last 20 years, including a Metro-North wreck in New York City in 2013 that killed four people and one involving Amtrak in Philadelphia last year that killed eight people. In both crashes, trains entered sharp curves at more than double the speed limit. Investigators are now looking at whether PTC could have prevented a fatal crash in September, in which a train plowed into a station going double the 10 mph speed limit. Besides Metrolink, other West Coast railroads are moving forward. San Franciscos Caltrain, San Diegos Coaster and Seattles Sounder commuter railroads all have PTC equipment installed on their locomotives, but none of them have the system fully implemented. Even the busiest West Coast commuter railroad, Caltrain with about 57,000 daily riders, is tiny compared with the East Coast behemoths. Caltrain owns 52 miles of track and has 67 locomotives, according to the federal data. The Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and Metro-North each owns more than 300 miles of track, and together they operate more than 1,500 locomotives. Freight railroads, which own the vast majority of track in the U.S., had positive train control active on 12 percent of their tracks as of Sept. 30, up from 9 percent last quarter, according to the federal data. Ed Greenberg, of the Association of American Railroads, said the industry has spent more than $7.1 billion on positive train control technology and expects final costs to reach about $10.6 billion by the time it is fully operational on about 60,000 miles of track. The FRAs latest status update illustrates the complexities involved in developing, installing and then thoroughly testing this complex, revolutionary technology to ensure it is providing additional safety benefits, Greenberg said. MTN Ghana Foundation, the Corporate Social Investment wing of MTN Ghana is celebrating nine years of impactful social investment and brightening lives. The MTN Ghana Foundation was launched on 24th November 2007 and marks its anniversary every year in November to celebrate the impact of its projects on the lives of people in communities across Ghana. Since its establishment nine years ago, the MTN Ghana Foundation has positively impacted the lives of over three million people directly and indirectly through 135 major projects worth GHs22.2M in the areas of education, health and economic empowerment. Out of the 135 projects, the Foundation has implemented 75 educational projects, 50 health initiatives and 10 economic empowerment projects. MTN Foundation has improved access to healthcare by building hospital blocks and CHPS Compounds and donated medical equipment. They have also improved access to education by providing scholarships to over 1,000 students and created conducive learning environments by building classrooms for children in remotes communities. Through the work of the Foundation students studying in dilapidated structures have been provided classrooms with better learning facilities. The Foundation has also improved the livelihood of families and communities through the provision of seed capital and skill training under the economic empowerment portfolio. Commenting on the anniversary celebrations, the Sustainability & Social Impact Senior Manager of MTN Ghana Foundation, Mr. Robert Kuzoe expressed his gratitude to MTN customers, partners and stakeholders for their continuous support over the years. We are glad that apart from connecting people through innovative telecommunications solutions, we are also able to brighten their lives through impactful Corporate Social Investments. As we celebrate our ninth anniversary, we remain committed to the goal of giving back to our communities in the coming years, he added. Aside the three focus areas, the MTN Ghana Foundation has also instituted several themed projects such as the MTN Heroes of Change, Teacher Improvement Awards Project, MTN Reading Club project and Save a Life initiative (nationwide Blood Donation exercises). Others include the celebration of World Malaria Day celebrations and the recent Disability day. These and many others are all aimed at extending the work of the Foundation to more beneficiaries. The MTN Foundation has undertaken projects in all 10 regions of Ghana. Some of the projects include, a three unit classroom blocks for Akim Asafo SHS and Akatsi, an eight unit dormitory blocks for Apam SHS and Owerriman SHS, a boys dormitory block for Akropong School for the blind, a six-unit classroom block for Kodjonya Millennium School, 108 Seater Library at Tsito Senior High School, 30 bed ward for the Sene District Hospital, construction of a maternity ward for Ejisu Hospital, the provision of a theater and recovery ward for the Fomena Hospital and the construction of an ICT center & library for the Tsito community. Others include the construction of CHPS compounds for Dinkra and Azuribisi communities and the provision of seed capital and skill training for the Tizaa Dini and Sung Suma Shea Butter processing projects. The MTN Foundation recently provided support to St. Theresas Handicap Center at Abor and donated equipment to the Caring Sisters Vocational School at Keta. For these and other initiatives, the MTN Ghana Foundation has been awarded by several institutions for its contribution to the development of the country. MTN Ghana Foundation was recently adjudged the overall CSR Company of the Year for the second consecutive time at the Ghana CSR Excellence Award. MTN Foundation in 2015 won the Best CSR Award for Sustainability, Environment & Social Impact at Ghana CSR Excellence Award. The Foundations flagship project Heroes of Change won the 2016 IPR Best Community Relations Programme of the Year, MTN Gold Winner Corporate and Services Category at the Gong Gong Awards and CSR Program of the Year at the Head of States Award Scheme (HoSA) 2015. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Eighteen year old Mawuenya Kpodo has a dream of joining Ghanas military in the future and that dream starts in Agorde. Kpodo and his siblings, like many other children in the town, have to swim their way through two rivers in a quest to gain access to education at Tsavanya, the nearest community with classroom facilities. They put their uniforms and books in basins they hold carefully as they swim across the river. Speaking to GHOne News, Kpodo said although it is more dangerous especially during rainy seasons; they have no choice but to bravely navigate the waters to school. Under the circumstances, those that are lucky enough to meet a canoe provided by the district assembly some years ago, cross the river using the canoe. The canoe is sometimes taken away by some fisher folks in the town, forcing children that cannot swim to use another deadly means of getting to the other side of the river. They hop and walk on the logs and big branches of trees along the banks to cross to the other side and this requires a lot of experience. That however is one hurdle. Another barrier is walking for more than seven kilometers to get to their school. The other nearest town to Agorde is Torve, where some other pupils also attend school. The situation does not get any better for those who attend the Torve Basic School. They have to walk for about one hour thirty minutes as well as cross two different rivers before getting to school. The time these pupils have to spend each morning travelling to school, consumes much of the time they need to be in the classroom. They therefore end up studying for just a few hours. The pupils we met on our way narrated their ordeals to the news team, saying that they get stressed out before getting to school and that negatively impacts their academic performance. Some of the pupils find it difficult to express themselves in English. A child in Agorde needs to be ten years or more before starting school in the closest communities. This report by GHOne News Alice Aryeetey examines the state of education in these parts and what authorities are doing about it. Source: ghonetv.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Spokesperson for the John Mahama campaign Joyce Bawa Mogtari has appealed to the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo-Addo to give way for a much younger person to lead the party. According to her, the former attorney general has contributed his bit to the growth of the country and must bow out now for other people in the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition to continue. Speaking on the Morning Starr Wednesday, the deputy transport minister said Nana Addo will be retired from politics in December when Ghana goes to the polls. I think it is time for a change over in the type of politics the NPP runs. I think it is time for Akufo-Addo to give way to a younger version of himself. It's time for the President to retire Nana Addo so we can congratulate him for the good fight fought. I think Nana Addos time was with Kufuor, she said. She added that even though the President faced severe challenges in the initial part of his administration, he handled them with finesse. Though the NDC has faced some challenges Mahama has handled them professionally and it shows he is a leader. Anyone who has encountered the President and his vice President will tell you about their quality and the kind of ideas they espouse. Commenting further on the NDCs boycott of the IEAs debate, Mrs. Mogtari said the IEA has a history of bias against the ruling party and they will not allow it to continue. We raised concerns about bias and certain past conduct of the IEA and those issues are serious to us. There are issues we raised that they have not been able to respond to. Our participation in the IEA will give the IEA some credibility...in future, we might participate in the IEA debate but not now, she said. Source: starrfm 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 Citizen vigilante, Martin Amidu has urged Ghanaians to vote out the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the only way to retrieve monies paid fraudulently to business man Alfred Agbesi Woyome and construction firm Waterville. "Fellow citizens, help me in the name of the Constitution to retrieve your money that was looted by voting for a new President. Let us protect our Constitutional rights and not be hoodwinked by electioneering ploys. Let us get our GHC51, 283, 483. 59 back," the statement read. Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a financier of the governing party has been ordered to refund a whooping 51.2 million cedis paid to him in 2010. Martin Amidu wondered why Woyome will pay 4 million cedis as part payment of the 51.2million cedis he looted to EOCO, an institution which is not party to the case, when he could so easily have paid the amount to the Finance Ministry or to the Supreme Court. The former Attorney General has said government has shown no interest whatsoever in recovering the monies to the state but has invested time and resources in deceiving Ghanaians that it is committed to doing same. Read below full statement by Martin Amidu: GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO RECOVER THE WOYOME/AUSTRO-INVEST LOOT: IT IS ALL JUST ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGN BY MARTIN A. B. K. AMIDU Does the Ghana Government believe us to be so easily fooled that they concoct Woyome part payments of the judgment debt as smoke and mirrors for their election campaign? The people of Ghana should demand to know from Government how its Attorney General can - in enforcing the order of the Supreme Court for Woyome to refund the unconstitutional payments made to Woyome to the Republic of Ghana - accept a cheque of GHC4,000,000.00 drawn by Woyome dated 4th November 2016 in favour of the Economic and Organized Crime Office as part payment of the monies ordered by the Court to be refunded. The Attorney General accepted the Economic and Organized Crime Office cheque from Woyome and gave a receipt acknowledging the payment as part payment for the Judgment Debt of GHC51, 283,483.59. The Access Bank (GH) East Cant cheque number 890081 and the Attorney Generals receipt which were exhibited to the Attorney Generals affidavit sworn by the Attorney General herself on 9th November 2016 as Exhibits AG 7 and AG7A are attached herewith in PDF for the public to judge how any Attorney General, worth the name, can accept a cheque drawn on the Economic and Organized Crime Office which was not party to the action as part payment of the refund ordered by the Court on 29th July 2014 for the Republic. I say with all the strength at my disposal that a cheque drawn by Woyome in favour of the Economic and Organized Crime Office, which was not a party to the action or the judgment creditor, cannot be a cheque in part payment of the unconstitutional monies ordered by the Court to be refunded to the Republic. The acceptance of the Economic and Organized Crime Office cheque by the Attorney General and the deception of the public by the Attorney General that it is part payment for the refund ordered by the Court brings into question the competence of the Attorney General and the Government in pursuit of the interest of the Republic. The whole scheme appears to have been cooked to defeat my application for leave to examine Woyome orally on oath. In the hurry of the Government and Woyome to defeat my application they could not even cover their tracks with a cheque drawn on the Ministry of Finance or the Accountant-General as custodian of the consolidated fund. The cheque could also have been drawn on the Registrar of the Supreme Court and paid into court for the Republic. The foregoing is evidence, if evidence be needed, that the Attorney General and the Government are determined to kill the non-refund of the judgment debt as an election issue by cooking up the deceptive cheque and receipt to allow the status quo to continue. They are purposefully deceiving the electorate that efforts are being made to retrieve the unconstitutional loot by Woyome jointly with Austro-Invest, the client of Lithur-Brew and Co, a law firm in which the Attorney General was a partner. The law firm is also the Presidents personal lawyer. I am a senior and foundation member of the NDC, the Governing party. But I am compelled to put Ghana First and to defend the 1992 Constitution by saying that the only way Ghanaians can have the Woyome/Austro-Invest joint loot refunded is to change the Government that created, looted and shared the loot with them during the Presidential elections this year. A new Government will prosecute Woyome under Article 2(3) and (4) of the 1992 Constitution for High Crime should he delay any further in refunding the unconstitutional loot. The new Government will also enforce the Waterville judgment debt of over Euro 47million loot or prosecute it for High Crime. This is the only way out for Ghanaians to stand up for their Constitutional rights and to retrieve the unconstitutional monies created, looted and shared by this Government with its political party supporters who are now unconstitutional judgment debtors to the Republic. As a loyal NDC member, I will support most of my political partys parliamentary candidates who have shown honesty and integrity to the Constitution. But I cannot in good conscience and in defence of the Constitution support its Presidential candidate to continue leading the looting of the public purse. Fellow patriotic citizens, I fought for two long years for justice for the Constitution and for all of us and the Supreme Court eventually vindicated the publics interest by ordering the refund of the unconstitutional loot to the Republic of Ghana. Unfortunately, the Government as the leading looter has put obstacles in our way in enforcing the orders of the Court. Fellow citizens, help me in the name of the Constitution to retrieve your money that was looted by voting for a new President. Let us protect our Constitutional rights and not be hoodwinked by electioneering ploys. Let us get our GHC51, 283, 483. 59 back. Defend the 1992 Constitution by voting for a new President on 7th December 2016 to get our money back. God bless Ghana and put Ghana First! Martin A. B. K. Amidu 15th November 2016 Woyome's Cheque Woyome's Cheque 0 Source: Martin A. B. K. Amidu 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 Former General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as Sir John has called the bluff of renowned pollster, Ben Ephson. Ben Ephson, in a recent poll, has predicted a first round victory for President John Dramani Mahama in the December polls. Mr. Ephson's latest polls indicate that the President will win by 52.4% while Nana Addo, flagbearer of the NPP, will poll 45.9% and the other parties are expected to claim 1.7% in the elections. Ben Ephson also reportedly predicted victory for US Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton prior to the country's November Elections. It however turned out to be false as her contender; Donald Trump was elected President of the State. Responding to Ben Ephson's latest poll on the December 7 elections, Sir John called on Ghanaians not to take the polls seriously. He rubbished the polls claiming Ben Ephson is not an authority to determine who wins or loses the elections. Sir John also challenged Mr. Ephson to come out and explain to Ghanaians why his polls on the US Elections backfired. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Sir John stressed that even if Ben Ephson "likes, he should conduct a survey and say that John Mahama polled 90% and the rest have 10%, it will result in nothing . . . What Ben is saying; i think he's basking in the sunny atmosphere and using his mouth to weed. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana 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 Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akomea, says the dubious nature of the National Democratic Congress government is typified by President Mahama himself. According to him, the presidents penchant to lie to Ghanaians has attained unassailable heights, adding that the NPP is not surprised that lies are being continued by the Minister of Communications, Omane Boamah. This, Nana Akomea added, makes the Mahama government masters in lies, deception and propaganda. The NPP Director of Communications was reacting, through a press release, to an earlier Meet the Press session addressed by Omane Boamah. According to Nana Akomea, President Mahama in 2013 told Ghanaians that the Election Petition had no effect on his government but quickly turned around in 2016 to say the petition had an effect on his governance for a year. The release stated: He gave Ghanaians over a dozen dates for Dumsor to be over, including prophesying in church before God. In the event, Ghanaians had to endure Dumsor for four years and now Dumsor is now an international word for load shedding. He told Ghanaians in 2008 that comparison of development projects was petty and exercise in mediocrity. In 2016, he tells Ghanaians that projects were sure one touch victory. Nana Akomea further disclosed that the deception of President Mahama was again brought to full light when he stated in an interview with the BBC this year that he had never received a bribe but later turned out that he had received a Ford as bribe from a Burkinabe Contractor in 2012. Turning his attention to the NDC, Nana Akomea revealed that the party in 1999 lied to the IMF/World Bank which led to the country paying a penalty of $32 million. In the 2008 campaign season, their lies reached s peak. They published bank accounts of NPP stalwarts which turned out to be fabrications. At the parliamentary vetting in 2008, NDC nominee after nominee begged for forgiveness for these lies they had told Ghanaians in 2008. An NDC deputy minister for information instructed public servants to twist facts and tell lies to help the NDC government. From 1992 up till this year, NDC was the only political party in Ghana that officially had a Propaganda Secretary, Nana Akomea said. He added that even though the Minister of Communications claims Nana Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the NPP, lied about the cost of the Kasoa Interchange and the 2015 presidential diaries, he is yet to tell Ghanaians what value for money audit was done for the Kasoa lnterchange. Omane Boamah denies the costing for the 2015 Presidential diaries, but he doesn't tell Ghanaians the cost. While claiming others are lying, neither Omane Boamah nor the ndc government up till today, over one year after the diaries have been published, told Ghanaians what the cost of the diaries are! So who is lying? he queried. Nana Akomea again challenged Omane Boamah to publish result of the value for money audit done by the Crown Agents Company on the Ridge hospital expansion. He added: It is indeed strange that the 600 bed Teaching Hospital at Legon negotiated by the University of Ghana is cheaper than the 400 bed Ridge Hospital expansion. That there was bloating in the cost of the Ridge Hospital expansion is not in doubt. Nana Akomea said the President had on a number of occasions contradicted himself and that the NPP finds it laughable that Omane Boamah is touting the achievements of the NDC based on infrastructure. As for Omane Boamah's touting of projects, his boss President Mahama in 2008 admitted that the President Kufuors NPP government had done wonderful infrastructure . He added however that touting that a governments achievements is based on infrastructure is petty and an exercise of mediocrity as every government is supposed to provide infrastructure he stressed. Nana Akomea stated that the attempts by the Minister of Communications to make it look like the NPP didnt do anything when in government is unfounded when it is the NDC that had turned GYEEDA into a vehicle for corruption. But the record will show that the NDC's record in job creation has been criminal. The National Youth Employment Programme, a vehicle fashioned to bring relief to young job seekers, was turned into a vehicle for gargantuan corruption and stealing of taxpayers monies, using it to siphon over $100 million dollars of taxpayers monies. No wonder the overwhelming cry of millions of Ghanaian youth today is for jobs, jobs, jobs, he stated. Source: The New Statesman 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 Government has vowed to collect every penny that was wrongly paid to anybody, including businessman, Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome. It will also ensure that the state 'purse' is saved to ensure judicious spending and from further borrowing. The Minister of Communications Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, said this in Accra yesterday, when his ministry took its turn at the Meet-the-Press series. Flanked by his deputies, Ato Sarpong and Felix Ofosu Kwakye, as well as Presidential Staffer, James Agyenim-Boateng and George Loh, Member of parliament for North Dayi and member often Government communications Team, the Minister said government was determined "to collect a dime wrongfully paid." He described as unfortunate, the misinterpretation, and twists associated with the Attorney Generals quest to collect the money from Mr. Woyome. Explaining that "the 51 million was not paid under the guise of President Mahama," he said it was time people appreciated efforts being made by the government to ensure that the money was refunded to the state. Dr. Boamah said government had also ensured that those implicated in corruption-related cases were investigated, and some put before court to serve as deterrent to others. He commended the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, for saving the country colossal amounts of money which would either have gone into the drain, or as cost that could had gone against the stated. He urged journalists to delve more into issues that would better the lives of the people rather than on Woyome's case. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Founder and President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach (WMO) Dr.Pastor Lawrence Tetteh has made a staggering revelation about the upcoming December 7 polls by asserting that there could be war if care is not taken. The spiritual leader was answering a question in connection with whether he sides with comments made by people on radio and the social media that there could be war during the December polls when he was briefing Hot Fms news team about his upcoming prayer rally which will come on at the trade fare Centre on Saturday 3rd December, 2016 to intercede on the December polls. Explaining the motive behind his assertion,Dr Lawrence Tetteh emphasised that he travels alot to Rwanda,Liberia ,Congo,Ivory Coast,Angola ,Kenya which are war torn countries and immediately you arrive from these countries the most prudent thing you should do is to give thanks to God that you are a Ghanaian because one mistake triggered the wars in those countries. Pastor Tetteh continued: We have to remind ourselves that one mistake by any of us could also trigger a war so we should be mindful and advise ourselves. Dr Tetteh urged Ghanaians to be resolute in their quest for the peace in the nation, saying a massive united front is the way forward for Ghana in our bid to have successful and peaceful elections. Source: Razzonline 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 National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma South constituency in the Greater Accra region is promising to build a sardine factory at Chorkor, a suburb in the community. According to Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye, the initiative is part of efforts to create jobs for constituents should he be elected the Member of Parliament for the area. Mr. Vanderpuye who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) made the promise during a campaign rally over the weekend. He indicated that, history will be made when Chorkor, a fishing community in the Ablekuma South constituency begin the production of locally made Sardines. I have told you people over and over again that the Chorkor Sardine will be made and produced in Chorkor. The whole of Accra will eat the Chorkor Sardine he told the cheering crowd. The Accra Mayor indicated that, majority of the locally made sardines will be exported to generate more revenue for the fishermen. He also revealed that, a part from millennium schools being built in every town, a vocational institute will be established to decrease unemployment in the society. We are not done yet with the construction of the millennium city schools because we will support and create more jobs for the youth by constructing a vocational school in Korle Gonno, to assist them in enhancing their skills in vocation he stressed. Okoe Vanderpuye promised of more road construction in the towns if the Mahama-led government is retained in power. We are going to connect the old Winneba road to the Chemu lagoon to ensure smooth and quick movement to other neighbouring towns. Source: abusuafmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Following news that an eighth person, Ranjith Peiris, has died and one remains in intensive care from Melbournes thunderstorm asthma epidemic, experts are surveying the fallout from what has quickly become the worst event of its kind in world history. A number of government inquiries and working groups have already been established, largely into the states handling of the outbreak, which saw some people wait an hour for ambulances, and what it can do to prepare for any future events. And whatever the government findings, the medical and scientific communities have already begun investigating the mysterious epidemic, with some doctors suggesting that medical advice could change for patients who arent normally asthmatic but still experience hay-fever. Respiratory physician and allergist at Epworth Hospital Dr Michael Sutherland described the event as by far the worst in global history and said that it could prompt doctors to prescribe more preventative medicines. Sutherland also said anybody who experienced symptoms such as wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath throughout the storm should be tested for both asthma and allergies, which could open them up to other risks. On the research end, the state government has announced a working group of health authorities, meteorologists, botanists, and doctors looking into other contributing factors, i.e. fungal spores and pollutants, and setting up a warning system for any future events. But University of Melbourne botanist Ed Newbigin said that while weather and pollen forecasts can help experts broadly predict the chances of thunderstorm asthma, its much harder to say whether an event will be catastrophic: We dont know what it is that causes a major event because in Melbourne we might get thunderstorm asthma events once every four or five years but not all of them are major catastrophic events like the one from Monday. Is it something about the nature of the storm or the type of the storm, or the humidity? Or is it a particular type of wind that is produced by the thunderstorm? As the group continues looking into everything from storm data to fungal spores, you can bet the epidemic is going to have some long-lasting scientific and social repercussions. Source: The Age. Photo: Facebook. Working for the Sydney Opera House? Thats iconic. Luckily for all you digital natives, the cultural powerhouse is hiring a Digital Programming Associate, Talks & Ideas (SYD). Digital content and social media are integral to the Sydney Opera Houses programming strategy, allowing them to connect with existing and new audiences in new and creative ways. An active contributor of ideas and a true collaborator, this role is responsible for the implementation of digital and social media initiatives, including but not limited to long and short-form video pieces; live streams; podcasts; blogs; apps; image galleries; and social media activity under the overall curatorship of the Head of Talks & Ideas. This role is responsible for managing and growing the online community for the Talks & Ideas area, and also supports marketing and publicity initiatives for projects, ensuring that digital content is embedded within every campaign. Youll also be managing the administration and budget tracking for all digital initiatives within the program stream. To tick all the boxes for this sick role, youll need to be an ideas machine, have experience with social and video, killer communication, research and analysis skills and have a passion for the performing arts. Right this way, ppl apply here. Is lifestyle content your jam? If youve got experience producing promos and are looking for your next sweet gig, come along and join the fun Foxtel are on the hunt for a brand new Senior Promo Producer Lifestyle Channels (SYD). The LifeStyle Group is looking for a gun creative with a quick & agile work ethic, a taste for risk-taking and skills across editing, writing, producing, directing and shooting to join them in creating content for social, digital, TV and print. If selected for this role, youll work across four on-air LifeStyle Channel brands and the LifeStyle digital portal, taking briefs from the Creative Director and translating them into the kind of ads that would make hearts sing. Your editing skills will be top notch, as you craft engaging stories for social spots, 2-3 minute longer form content for the website and 30 TV promos. Youll need to be able to write good, punchy copy that commands the audiences attention, and conceptualise crazy ideas and turn them into cohesive, on-brand content for clients. Your interpersonal skills will be fire, and of course, possess a can-do attitude, organisational skills to boot and attention to detail like to no other. If this sounds like your element, apply here. Does a diverse and dynamic role at a luxe sleep & wellness brand sound like a dream to you? Say hello to The Goodnight Co, who are looking for a Marketing and Sales Coordinator (BRIS) to join their driven, innovative and entrepreneurial team. This role sees you providing administrative support to help with the smooth running of the business, as well as the support and execution of all marketing initiatives, and sales support where needed. This means youll be juggling everything from writing blog posts, coordinating online promos, monitoring competitor activity and industry trends, maintaining social media channels, customer service and business development. Sound like fun? To get a look in for this one, youll need to have experience writing and editing content for the web and social media aimed at a range of demographics, as well as knowledge of campaign implementation and measurement. Youll need to have a solid understanding of digital marketing techniques, including SEM, SEO and social media. Exceptional attention to detail will also work in your favour, as well as demonstrated experience in ROI and lead generation. If youre all about putting your head down and getting the work ~done~, youll fit right in. Go forth and apply here. No money no time? Here are more of todays top job picks in 140 characters or less. Dream job feels. Got bold ideas and not afraid to use them? You could be the passionate UX Front End Designer (SYD) that Bookmarc needs, apply here. Arts = love, arts = lyf? Its time to apply to be Designer & Marketing Coordinator (VIC) at Footscray Community Arts Centre over here. If youve got attention to detail, a knack for numbers & Junior Warehouse Assistant (BRIS) at PQ Collection here. All about nailing digital marketing strategies? Luv food? Apply to be Social Media Account Manager (MELB) at Milk Bottle Projects here. Love luxe retail? If youve got the comms & sales experience to match, apply to be Assistant Store Manager (MELB) at A-ESQUE here. Dream big babes. All deets courtesy of Pedestrian Jobs. Dont let your dream job slip you by Love your work! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and get yourself signed up to our Daily Job Alerts. Ah, boobs. Bosoms. Chesticles. Norks. Whatever you decide to call them, they are fabulous. A Sunshine Coast resident certainly made it known that he is well aware of their sanctity, when he turned a prosthetic chest implant in to Maroochydore Police. In a sealed plastic bag and everything. What an upstanding bloody citizen. Obviously, whoever has misplaced their holy boob must be in absolute despair because how does one lose track of their boob, exactly? I suppose today will not be the day we learn the answer to that vital question, folks, because our mate who was just tryna do right by the law had not quite handed in a breast implant. He handed in a jellyfish. Look. This is an easy mistake to make. Breast implants are gooey and mesmerising. They are also an electric blue colour and have the capacity to sting, so we can understand how this came to be. Serious props to Aussie citizen of the year, who, it was revealed, had brought the hallowed object to coppers as evidence because he thought it might belong to a dead body. You did the right thing, mate. This actually isnt the first time this has happened. I used to think that those chicken fillet things people put in their bras were actual chicken. Source and photo: Sunshine Coast Daily. The best part about Australias small and provincial media sector is that when one of them make a joke, all of them make exactly the same joke within an hour. Which is why today, when the story that Australia had slipped backwards in global education rankings to the point that we are now behind Kazakhstan, literally every report somehow mentioned Borat. A nation with a rich history and a solid post-Soviet education infrastructure and most of the reporting was about LOL BORAT. Like the Daily Tele: Aaaand Fairfax: Even the noble ABC described Kazakhstan as a Central Asian country well-known for the satirical film Borat and with a population smaller than ours. Has any media outlet been able to report the Kazakhstan- education story without mentioning Borat? It was in the lead of ABC News radio. Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) November 29, 2016 But hey its not just the media, who were probably obviously going to pick a funny angle on a country that doesnt have a great deal of recognition around here. And they were never going to pick one of the other countries weve slipped behind in science and maths, like Bulgaria. It was also the guy literally responsible for our education system at a federal level Education Minister Simon Birmingham also had a crack: I dont want to denigrate Kazakhstan, or indeed their artistic skills with movies like Borat. I think though Australia should be seeking to be amongst the best in the world and declines like this are unacceptable and that we need to be working hard to turn it around. Artistic skills with movies like Borat. Is Birmo aware that Borat is, shockingly, not actually a Kazakhstani film? Or that Kazakhstans education system and national literacy rates are by any measure quite advanced? Or that Borat is fictional? Eh, I give up. Very nice. My wife. As a card-carrying and extremely proud Tasmanian, I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty: We are all certifiably mad. Living on your own little island will do that to you. Isolation breeds strange creatures. But what it might not breed, what might not actually be among those creatures as it turns out, are foxes. For literal decades now, the paranoia about preventing foxes entering Tasmania, and eradicating any that may have slipped through the cracks, has been very real down there. Course with most things pertaining to Tassie, its all about who you talk to. For as long as there have been people convinced that the European red fox is walking amongst the Tasmanian wilderness as we speak, there have been just as many if not more utterly adamant that someones merely taking the piss. Nonetheless, from 2001 until around 2014 the Tasmanian State Government in conjunction with the Federal Government poured money directly into the issue, with the fox eradication program receiving some $50million over the years. The only problem with that is that all evidence pointing towards active fox activity in Tasmania might well have been one giant hoax. A new report obtained by the ABC points to much of the evidence used to justify the programs continued operations is potentially suspect-at-best, and a flat-out hoax at worst. Back in October, for example, a fox carcass found on the side of the highway was ruled to have been brought in from Victoria by Biosecurity Tasmania. Since then, a further four carcasses were found on Tasmanian roadsides. All ruled hoaxes as well. According the report compiled by zoologist Simon Fearn, 57 alleged poops from Tasmanian foxes were asked to analysed. Of those, the report ruled that 26 of those samples were potentially hoaxes, and a further 11 were more than likely the product of other animals. The report, which was compiled in 2011, cast severe doubt on the evidence that the Government program was based on, suggesting instead that the hoax work could have been undertaken by someone internally who was keen to keep the program running. All of the poo samples collected that were ruled to be hoaxes were collected by the same official. Sufficient evidence exists to suspect that some hoaxing has occurred via mainland fox scats being placed in the landscape. Now, it needs to be stated pretty firmly here that the threat of fox activity in Tasmania is still pretty real, and any foxes who escape into Tasmania could have devastating effects on the states endangered birds and animals. The push for calling fox activity in Tasmania a hoax has its largest voice in the form of state independent MP Ivan Dean, who has firmly stated that Tasmanias fox threat is a massive porky pie. Dean, for whatever its worth, also once held up proceedings in the Launceston City Council for nigh on a full week after he thought he heard someone call him a dickhead. The evidence being produced since 2002 or 2000 is all very questionable, and in actual fact a lot of it has certainly been hoaxed and been fraudulent. Hmm. Dean, the former Tasmanian police commissioner, actually went so far as to file a criminal complaint detailing the allegations of fox-related fraud earlier this year. Police threw the complaint out in September, but the state Integrity Commission is currently considering its own investigation into the matter. So are there foxes in Tassie, or is the threat of them entering the state and wreaking havoc on the local ecosystem quite present and real? Or is the more likely scenario someone literally flying to the mainland to pick up dead foxes and various samples of frozen poo, sneaking them back into the state, and placing them in convenient finding places in order to fraudulently misappropriate federal funding? I tell ya pals, its a dog act either way. Source: ABC News. Photo: Arterra/Getty. In yet more proof that we should just leave the ocean the fuck alone already, a man has serious hand injuries after catching a shark off of Victorias Queenscliff. The 73-year-old fisherman pulled the 1.5-metre shark, believed to be a broadnose sevengill, into his boat at around 11:00AM this morning while fishing at Port Phillip Bay, east of Geelong. The shark attacked the as yet-unnamed-mans arm and hand as he pulled it into his boat, but, while he lost a lot of blood, the deadset legend managed to call his wife and drive 2 kilometres back to the marina, where paramedics were waiting for him. This is the 5 ft 7 gill shark that bit fisherman @abcnewsMelb pic.twitter.com/L8qwjKaVjf Joanna Crothers (@jocrothers) November 29, 2016 The fisherman was then flown to The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he remains in a stable condition. And the shark, for its efforts, is dead, and was brought back to sea to be disposed of once the man had been looked after. Source: 7 News. Photo: Twitter / Joanna Crothers. Its only been officially off the air since March, but theres already a smouldering blast crater in the world of TV where MythBusters once recklessly stood, detonator-in-hand. Fortunately for those of you totally addicted to wanton well-filmed destruction (aka everyone), the highly beloved Build Team from the series has not left the world of blowing shit up altogether. Kari Byron, Tori Belleci, and Grant Imahara are back together for the spin-off series White Rabbit Project, which is set to hit Netflix in a mere matter of days. The shows exactly what youd expect from the trio and the format: Science, ridiculous machines, and copious amounts of blowing shit well-and-truly up. The series was at least partly filmed right here in Australia, taking advantage of our many expansive plains and ability to set off large explosions far out of earshot of any authority-types. Ahead of the release of the series, Netflix has dropped a trailer full of quite literal fire. Get your eyes around it below: If you missed it, it would appear that the team is continuing the theme of busting myths, and by the looks of it theyre set to tackle the legendary DB Cooper yarn, among others. That alone is gonna be worth a watch. White Rabbit Project hits Netflix in full on December 9th. Source: YouTube. Weve partnered with the legends at Telstra to bring you some of the tastiest tech content youve ever laid your dang eyes on. How tasty, you ask? Well, it just so happens that theyre very well placed in the tech scene, so buckle up and get a load of this. Even if you think youve got the hottest scoop on the tech world, theres always something going on under your nose that you likely have no damn idea about. Recently, we got a tour of one such hidden gem Telstras centre for innovation and all things technically rad, Gurrowa. Located in Melbournes CBD, the futuristic destination is a breeding ground for innovation and new ideas across a spectrum of cool shit. The name Gurrowa is an indigenous word from the Wurung language which means interchange, and thats what we aim to do here; have an interchange of ideas, Frank Arrigo, Tesltras API evangelist told PEDESTRIAN.TV. The lab has been designed as an environment that encourages open collaboration. We have project zones; and amazing capabilities including fully equipped mechanical and electronics workshop plus experts in lean startup, design thinking, rapid prototyping, technology and innovation. A prime example of this smooth brand of innovation is a recent collaboration with NAB, resulting in a beautiful lovechild named Proquo a platform for businesses to trade or swap services with each other. Small business owners tell us they are continually looking for new ways to do business and we think Proque will provide them with a unique way to network and grow their business, said NAB Executive General Manager of Micro and Small Business, Leigh ONeill. Strategic partnerships like this one with Telstra, to combine the capabilities of two of Australias biggest companies, creates a really innovative business option for the small business community. Yes, of course thats a tablet-controlled coffee tap. Why do you ask? Featuring a room exclusively for virtual reality and a workshop for creating dope wares, the space isnt just for Telstra products, as you may expect theyd be. The company is a pretty big wheel in the Startup scene and to strengthen those ties, they allow alumni from startup incubator muru-D to work from the space. Right now we have the CTO of Simpla working from here. We see this as a good way to strengthen the relationship between the startup world and the corporate world, said Arrigo. As well as encouraging and nurturing the startup community, he says there is a strong humanitarian approach to some of events they hold. We like doing hackathons that have a strong purpose, he said. A hackathon is a collaborative event that generally revolves around computer programming and working to solve a particular problem. Sometimes we dont just do it at Gurrowa, but we go out to support the community. An example of has been the involvement with Techfugees , which started in the UK the tech communitys response to the needs of refugees, which has spread around the world, including Australia. One such innovation is technology that helps refugees connect with their community in Australia, helping them to create broader social connections outside of their immediate family. So keep your beady little eyes pealed for many more slick innovations that are sure to be shot right at you from the technological cannon that is Gurrowa. You. Copping all the tech. Photo: Supplied. Drs. Neelima and Mukul Parikh.jpg Pictured left to right: Drs. Mukul and Neelima Parikh, recipients of the 2016 Humanitarian Award, presented by United Way of the Capital Region's Tocqueville Society. (Submitted) Two Mechanicsburg anesthesiologists were recently honored with the 2016 Humanitarian Award by the United Way of the Capital Region's Tocqueville Society. During a reception, the couple was honored for their commitment to improving lives through volunteerism. Drs. Neelima and Mukul Parikh have practiced anesthesiology locally since 1984; Neelima at West Shore Anesthesia, Mukul at Riverside Anesthesia Associates. Both have served in leadership positions within their profession. Mukul has served as chairman of the Anesthesia Department at PinnacleHealth System and as president of Central Penn Anesthesia. Since the 1980s, they have used their medical skills on medical mission trips to parts of Africa, Haiti, India, the Philippines and Thailand. They use their vacation time and finance the trips themselves. They strive to complete two mission trips a year. The couple established a private foundation in 2005 to help support the educational, health care, religious and community service activities they support. In 2013, the Parikhs founded the nonprofit organization, Operation Medical, to provide medical care and education to the world's most at-risk communities. Mukul and Neelima conduct surgeries, help secure financial resources, medical supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals, and inspire others to join their life-changing work. On its website, Operation Medical states its vision is to "become recognized as a leading organization in central Pennsylvania for supporting a strong and varied network of healthcare providers and other individuals dedicated to providing medical care and supplies to individuals for whom such care is problematic." A nine-day trip to Kasturba Hospital in Valsad, India is planned for January, 2017. A total of 31 individuals, including surgeons, anesthesia, nurses and ancillary help, will participate. In a quote taken by United Way, the Parikhs state, "We are humbled and grateful to receive this honor from United Way's Tocqueville Society, which we hold in the highest regard. For us, our work is simply about performing a duty to the world we share with others." The United Way of the Capital Region's Tocqueville Society includes donors contributing $10,000 or more annually. Contributors since 1984, the Parikhs last year donated $100,000 - the largest gift from individual(s) that year. They also are active with the Hindu American Religious Institute. Neelima served as the first female president of HARI and on its board of directors. Mukul has served as chair of the board of HARI. For more information on the Tocqueville Society, or the Humanitarian Award, contact United Way at 717-732-0700. Pappy Van Winkle The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has announced details of the limited-release lottery for Pappy Van Winkle products. (Provided) For $2,000, a collection of coveted Pappy Van Winkle bottles in a custom wooden box can be yours. That is as long as you win the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's limited-release lottery. For the second year, the LCB is hosting a lottery for the sought-after bottles of bourbon and whiskey produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. On Nov. 28, the agency announced the lottery to both consumers and individual licensees. It runs through 11 p.m. Dec. 3 with 1,601 bottles up for grabs. For the first time the lottery includes boxed sets of Pappy Van Winkle products as well as individual bottles. The products include: Four packages (two for individual consumers, two for licensees) with six 2016 Pappy releases: Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 Year, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 15 Year, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, Van Winkle Special Reserve, and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year. Price per six-bottle package is $1,999.99. Six packages (three for individual consumers, three for licensees) consist of four Pappy Van Winkle bottles each, including Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 Year, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 15 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve, and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year. Price for each four-bottle package is $1,199.99. Thirty packages (15 for individual consumers, 15 for licensees) consist of three bottles each, including Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve, and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year. Price for each three-bottle package is $999.99. Individual bottles: Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, $159.99 each - 20 bottles - 15 for retail customers, 5 for licensees; Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 Year, $399.99 each - 56 bottles - 42 for retail customers, 14 for licensees; Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 15 Year, $149.99 each - 95 bottles - 72 for retail customers, 23 for licensees; Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 Year, $249.99 each - 176 bottles - 132 for retail customers, 44 for licensees; Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, $79.99 each - 356 bottles - 267 for retail customers, 89 for licensees; and Van Winkle Special Reserve, $99.99 each - 760 bottles - 570 for retail customers, 190 for licensees The annual Pappy Van Winkle release prompts a near-frenzy among whiskey aficionados around the nation. Fans have been known to enter raffles, wait in long lines and even risk Pappy Van Winkle scams to buy bottles. That's because the bottles are limited and in high demand. Two years ago the LCB encountered computer glitches when it hosted an online sale of the bottles. Last year, the agency held the lottery for the first time, a practice it uses throughout the year for other limited-release products. The LCB said this year it will hold drawings for the multi-bottle packages first followed by the drawings for the individual bottles. To enter the lottery, participants must register a customer account on www.FineWineandGoodSpirits.com. Update: As of noon Tuesday, fire hadn't damaged the aquarium More than a dozen fires have erupted in and around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., fanned by high winds and drought. Smoke and fire led to the mandatory evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Emergency officials said 30 structures have been set ablaze, including a 16-story hotel, and the fire was at the edge of the Dollywood theme park. CNN reports the fires started with a wildfire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: "Strong gusts scattered embers across long distances, starting fires that fed off drought-stricken trees. The winds also knocked down power lines, igniting new fires, according to authorities." Workers at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies were evacuated Monday night, leaving behind the thousands of creatures inside. WBIR reports: Tennessee Ripley Attractions General Manager Ryan DeSear said he wasn't sure if flames reached Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. DeSear said the aquarium's live web camera was still active, and the building was still standing. "As long as we have fuel in our generators, that aquarium can run on its own," DeSear said. DeSear said a "raging fire" was about 50 yards away from the aquarium when workers were evacuated on Monday night. WATE in Knoxville says people are trapped inside the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, surrounded by fire. The sous chef at the hotel shared a video of what it's like inside: Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed all facilities in the park Tuesday, the Tennessean reported. This video of Michael Luciano's escape from the #Gatlinburg fire from his home is absolutely terrifying! https://t.co/8UGC2wAhg6 Gatlinburg Life (@GatlinburgLife) November 29, 2016 Sharon Pinyan, leaving Gatlinburg, reports Evacuated Gatlinburg. A car behind us caught on fire due to the flames jumping the road. pic.twitter.com/qislDoxpl0 James Spann (@spann) November 29, 2016 The GM from Ripley's Aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg shared this photo showing fire near the popular attraction https://t.co/YdybYadNoY pic.twitter.com/QaHjGk3DZo WBIR Channel 10 (@wbir) November 29, 2016 Reports coming in of well over 100 structures that caught fire near downtown overnight.#Gatlinburg pic.twitter.com/FqXe67skeE Everything TN (@Everything_TN) November 29, 2016 #BREAKING Ober Gatlinburg, Black Bear Falls and Westgate Resorts reportedly destroyed in Sevier County fire https://t.co/cJLY6hn5WR Tennessean (@Tennessean) November 29, 2016 The Associated Press contributed to this story. Airlines Delays FILE - In this July 28, 2014 file photo, a Delta Air Lines jet takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/The Associated Press) ALLENTOWN -- Delta Air Lines is banning for life a passenger who rudely professed his support for Republican President-elect Donald Trump and insulted those who didn't on a flight to Pennsylvania, the company's CEO said Monday. Edward Bastian said in an internal memo that the airline is also refunding the cost of tickets for other passengers on the Nov. 22 flight from Atlanta to Allentown. A video posted on Facebook by a passenger shows a man standing in the aisle, yelling and insulting supporters of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The man asks loudly: "We got some Hillary bitches on here?" He proceeds to clap and yell Trump's name a few times while other passengers seemingly try to ignore him, some staring at phones and tablets, others with arms folded. Referring to Trump's victory, he says: "If you don't like it, too bad." The Atlanta-based airline had previously apologized over the man's outburst. Bastian said the crew questioned the man and made the best decision they could, given the information they had, and allowed him to remain on the flight. "However, if our colleagues had witnessed firsthand what was shown in the video, there is no question they would have removed him from the aircraft," he wrote Monday. "He will never again be allowed on a Delta plane." Traffic 1129.jpg (PennDOT) Update: The crash was cleared. A crash on Interstate 83 in Fairview Township is affecting traffic. The crash has shut down the northbound lanes on I-83 between Exit 36, the exit for Route 262 - Fishing Creek and Exit 39A, the exit for Route 114 - Lewisberry Road. The crash was reported around 10:40 a.m. by PennDOT. For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources. Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here. Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com. Lou Barletta Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., talks with reporters after a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci) The Transportation slot didn't work out for Rep. Lou Barletta but it looks like he is in the running for another post. Barletta, the Republican representative for Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district, on Tuesday afternoon told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower that he met with President-elect Donald Trump and discussed becoming his labor secretary, according to breaking news from Reuters. "We talked about secretary of labor," Barletta told reporters. Trump on Tuesday chose former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as his Transportation Secretary, putting to rest rumors that he was considering Barletta for that cabinet post. Chao, who ran the Labor Department under former President George W. Bush and is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Barletta sits on the House Homeland Security and Transportation committees. He was an early Trump supporter who became a campaign surrogate and was eventually tapped to serve in his transition team. Mitch McConnell,Elaine Chao President-elect Donald Trump is reported to announce on Tuesday his pick of former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as his Transportation Secretary, The Hill is reporting citing multiple reports. Chao is pictured here with her husband Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. during preparations for the Republican National Convention in July. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (Matt Rourke) President-elect Donald Trump is set to on Tuesday announce his pick of former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao as his Transportation Secretary, The Hill is reporting, citing multiple reports. Chao, who ran the Labor Department under former President George W. Bush, is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-11) Rep. Lou Barletta (R-11th) was last week rumored to have been in line for consideration for the cabinet post. Barletta had been scheduled to meet with Trump on Monday, but the meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday. It is not clear if the two met. Barletta's district includes portions of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties. The Hill cited Trump transition team spokesman Jason Miller as having told Fox Business Network earlier Tuesday that the president-elect will make an announcement about his pick for the next Transportation Secretary later in the day. "We're excited with how the administration is coming together and we think this is gonna be a great day," Miller said. "And don't forget we also have another cabinet selection coming early afternoon today as the pres-elect continues to move forward." When pressed on which cabinet position will be announced in the afternoon, Miller simply replied, "Transportation." In addition to Barletta, other names that were bounced around in the Transportation running included: Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, former Federal Transit Administration head James Simpson, former National Transportation Safety Board chairman Mark Rosenker and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). Captain Thomas McQueen is shown in this undated handout image. A military funeral for an Air Force pilot killed during a training exercise near the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary is set to take place in Ontario on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canadian Armed Forces Imagery MANDATORY CREDIT Sanctuary-seeker Jose Figueroa speaks during a press conference in front of the Fraser Building, Faculty of Law, at the University of Victoria in Victoria B.C., Monday, November 28, 2016 prior to a federal court hearing examining a CBSA decision labelling him a terrorist. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Military cadets hold pictures of Fidel Castro during a rally at the Revolution Plaza in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Regional leaders and tens of thousands of Cubans filled Havana's Plaza of the Revolution Tuesday night for a service honoring Fidel Castro on the wide plaza where the Cuban leader delivered fiery speeches to mammoth crowds in the years after he seized power. Fidel Castro passed away Friday Nov. 25. He was 90.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) This undated photo released by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department shows Daniel Ortega. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department arrested one white suspect and is searching for two others thought to be involved in the Nov. 12, 2016, killing of a 28-year-old musician near Richmond, Calif. Authorities arrested 31-year-old Daniel Porter-Kelly and charged him with robbery and murder with a hate crime enhancement. Authorities are searching for 32-year-old Ray Simons and 31-year-old Daniel Ortega and didn't elaborate on the hate crime allegations or the details of the homicide. (Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department via AP) FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2016, file photo, Dominique Perez, a former Albuquerque police officer and SWAT member, looks on during his trial in Bernalillo County Court in Albuquerque, N.M. A special prosecutor has dismissed a second-degree murder charge against Perez, one of two former Albuquerque police officers who fatally shot a homeless man during an hourslong standoff. Special Prosecutor Randi McGinn filed the notice to dismiss the charge against Perez Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in the March 2014 shooting that killed camper James Boyd. (AP Photo/Juan Labreche, Pool, File) More days of rain, snow predicted for this winter The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently predicted that the Great Lakes region will have more frequent precipitation than usual this winter. French ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne delivers the keynote speech at the awards ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Two pieces of translated writings were named as the prestigious winners of the 8th Fu Lei Translation and Publishing Awards at the Temple Hotel in Beijing on November 26. The Locust Tree written by Claude Simon and translated by Jin Jufang won the top award for literature. The Consolations of the Forest from famed French adventurer and writer Sylvain Tesson and translated by Zhou Peiqiong won the title of Best New Translator. There was no winner in social science fiction this year. To promote the Fu Lei awards, contemporary French writer Sylvain Tesson came to Beijing for the event. According to Tesson, translators serve as a bridge to connect two cultures. Without them, many wonderful works would not be fully presented to readers. For eight years, the Fu Lei Translation and Publishing Awards, founded by the French Embassy in China in 2009, has been dedicated to honoring prominent Chinese translators who work hard to introduce French literature to Chinese readers. The 8th Fu Lei Translation and Publishing Awards unveiled 12 finalists - six under the category of "social science" and six under "fiction" - at the French Culture Center in Beijing on Tuesday, which were selected from over 50 candidates who submitted applications before April this year. The finalists are chosen based on criteria of both the importance of the books in French literature and the translators' language level, Sylvie Gentil, a judge, said at Tuesday's news conference. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sen. Bernie Sanders is urging Americans to stand up and come together in a national movement to stop Donald Trump and the GOPs undemocratic vision for America. In response to the President-elects baseless claims of voter fraud, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said in a statement: The threat to American democracy under Republican control is two-fold. First, they will likely move to go beyond the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision and end all campaign finance limitations. Right now, the Koch brothers and the billionaire class can spend as much as they want only on independent expenditures. The Republican leadership wants more. They want billionaires to be able to contribute directly to the candidate and, in essence, make the candidate a full-fledged employee of wealthy contributors. Secondly, the Republicans will likely move aggressively to expand their current voter suppression efforts. When Trump talks his disgraceful and unfounded nonsense about millions of people voting illegally, he is sending a very clear signal that the Republicans will move to make it harder for people of color, the elderly, immigrants, young people and poor people to participate in elections. Our job: State by state and at the federal level, resist all efforts at voter suppression. We must do everything we can to make it easier for people to participate in the political process, not harder. States like California, Vermont and others have already moved effectively in that direction. Others must follow. For many Republicans leaders, democracy means billionaires buying elections and poor and working people being disenfranchised. Too many Americans have fought and died to defend American democracy. The Republican anti-democratic vision is not a future we will allow to happen. Sanders has perfectly diagnosed what Trump intends to do as president. Under Donald Trump, the Voting Rights Act will cease to be enforced at all. Democracy will be looked at as an entitlement for the wealthy, and everyone who isnt rich will be disenfranchised. The Senator from Vermont was also correct that with Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell leading the Republican-controlled Congress, Citizens United may look like childs play compared to what comes next. Republicans and their billionaire backers have been dreaming about getting rid of all campaign finance laws and they are going to get their chance once Trump takes office. Popular organization at the local, state, and federal level is the best weapon that the majority will have at their disposal to fight back. Sen. Sanders is calling for a national movement to protect our democracy. Without a Democratic president to act as our firewall, it is up to the American people to make sure that voting rights are protected for all. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Is it just me, or are Donald Trump supporters even angrier following their candidates Electoral College victory earlier in the month? That appears to be the case for at least one pro-Trump woman from Chicago who unraveled into a racist tirade at a Michaels craft store recently after an African-American employee wait for it offered her a $1 reusable carrying bag. According to the unhinged Trump voter, the black store clerk forced her to purchase it because she was a white woman and because she voted for Donald Trump. Video: And I voted for Trump, so there. You want to kick me out because of that? And look who won, the angry woman shouted. Once the unidentified woman realized she was on camera, she directed her Trump-like tantrum to the woman filming her, who also happened to be white. I was just discriminated against by two black women and you being a white woman and you literally thinking thats okay, the woman said. Why dont you go home to your husband whos cheating on you. She then called the police, telling them over the phone that shes been ganged up by a bunch of people. Two black women will not ring me up because, because, I dont even know why, the Trump voter said It was a disturbing scene, indeed, but not all hope is lost. According to the Chicago Patch, a GoFundMe page titled Stand Strong Against Racism has been created for the Michaels clerk and has raised over $12,000. The incident took place just days after another Trump voter disrupted a Delta flight with an angry, pro-Trump rant of his own, which prompted the airline to ban him from ever again boarding one of its flights. If this is how Trump voters are behaving after their candidate won the election, just imagine how they would be acting if he had lost. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trumps attack on the free press had an underlying message for America. The man that they have elected to be the next president is showing signs of mental instability. Trump once again displayed his contempt for the First Amendment by tweeting: "@HighonHillcrest: @jeffzeleny what PROOF do u have DonaldTrump did not suffer from millions of FRAUD votes? Journalist? Do your job! @CNN" Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 "@JoeBowman12: @jeffzeleny just another generic CNN part time wannabe journalist !" @CNN still doesn't get it. They will never learn! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 "@FiIibuster: @jeffzeleny Pathetic you have no sufficient evidence that Donald Trump did not suffer from voter fraud, shame! Bad reporter. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 .@CNN is so embarrassed by their total (100%) support of Hillary Clinton, and yet her loss in a landslide, that they don't know what to do. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016 These tweets are not coming from staff. The retweets are in Trumps style of using quotes around the tweet he is retweeting because he doesnt know how to use the retweet button. Take a step back and understand what is happening. The next President Of The United States is attacking journalists and media outlets on Twitter. Donald Trump has no respect for the Constitution and even less respect for the freedom of the press. The president-elect is demonstrating the sort of need to control the media that is seen in dictatorships and authoritarian regimes. Trump has an endless need to micromanage his coverage. As president, there should be no doubt that Donald Trump will use his platform to try to bully the media, and silence any dissent or criticism. This is not normal presidential behavior. Trumps tweets should be a giant red flag to the American people that the candidate who won the presidential election may not be mentally well. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print According to Bill OReilly, the white power movement is a mythological situation created by a liberal press furious that Donald Trump won the election and now eager to put out absurd storylines designed to denigrate those who voted for Mr. Trump. OReilly, always a Trump apologist, claimed his purpose was to dispel this myth but it was actually to lie about it by not admitting to any relevant facts. So we will do that here. OReilly exclaimed, Creating a mythological situation, that is the subject of the third Talking Points memo. The liberal press furious that Donald Trump won the election, so now they are putting out absurd storylines designed to denigrate those who voted for Mr. Trump. The top one is that somehow the white power movement is gaining momentum in the U.S.A., because of Trump. You may remember that on November 19th about 275 hapless nuts showed up for a white nationalist conference in Washington, D.C. 50 reporters were there to greet them. Let me give you that again, 275 morons covered by 50 journalists. That meeting got more press than a Louis Farrakhan rally ever has. Watch courtesy of Media Matters for America: Bill OReilly is right in stating that there were 275 attendees of the National Policy Institute conference in D.C. and he correctly identified those attendees as hapless nuts. And that is all he got right as he sought to defend his hero, Donald Trump from attacks on his ties to white supremacists. OReilly then claimed, extreme rhetoric is not unusual in a country of more than 330 million people. That may be. But it is unusual coming from a presidential candidate, then nominee, and finally, president-elect. And it is unusual when that candidates campaign gives important jobs to white supremacist extremists like Steve Bannon, a guy who believes some people are genetically superior to others on account of race. There is nothing normal about that. The Washington Post tells us that those attendees exalted at the recent pronouncements from Trump Tower, particularly the nomination of officials whose views they said aligned with their own: retired general Michael Flynn as National Security adviser, former Breitbart News chairman Stephen K. Bannon as White House chief strategist and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as attorney general. And this is where OReillys reasoning goes astray. It is less important how many people did the exalting as why they exalted those picks. Their joy is because their own have attained important positions in the Trump White House; because Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Jeff Sessions, are white supremacists. If the white power movement is a myth, why did Trump give three of their most prominent heroes key places in his cabinet? And obviously, if the people cheering are hapless nuts then how much more so must be those they were cheering? Namely, Flynn, Bannon, and Sessions and ultimately, Trump himself, who selected them? Trumps cabinet picks mean, at the very least, tacit approval of the conferences host, Richard Spencer, who was seen there shouting Hail Trump! The SPLC calls Spencer a radical white separatist and an academic racist. Spencers declaration at the end of the dinner that closed the conference, says the Post, was Lets party like its 1933. OReilly claims, That doesnt sound exactly sound like a Nuremberg rally, does it? Yet, folks like those are routinely demonized by left-wing media as racist, or whatever. Truth is, there is no substantial white power movement in this country. Donald Trump won the election because of economics, but the press will never tell you the truth. Instead, they continue to brook rubbish. The truth is, many of Trumps rallies did sound like Nuremberg rallies, particularly when he demanded personal oaths of loyalty from his followers and when they enthusiastically gave him the Hitler salute. You know, like those hapless nuts OReilly identified at the National Policy Institute conference in D.C. Same salute; different venues. Then there is Trumps rhetoric, filled with Nazi tropes like secret meetings and international banks. Even his Make America great again echoes Hitlers Make Germany great again. Having ignored all the relevant facts, including explaining how the thousands who went along with this racist nonsense at Trump rallies are not also hapless nuts, OReilly went on to pronounce his investigation closed: Summing up, the press is trumping up, pardon the pun, a white power movement storyline that simply doesnt exist. Its vile to suggest that it does. Individual nuts are everywhere, assigning them status is grossly dishonest. I am so tired of this I cant tell you. And thats the Memo. The only thing vile is OReillys attempt to cover up the racist facts. The white supremacist movement does exist and Donald Trump has a deep relationship with the white supremacists OReilly claims are not a thing. Up through July alone Trump had retweeted white supremacists a whopping 75 times. So yes, Trump supports the white supremacists and they support him and it is no accident but affinity. He is their guy. It is not a myth. The media did not invent it. The media reported on it. If OReilly doesnt want to see his hero associated with white supremacists, he should tell Trump to stop palling around with white supremacists. And if the white power movement, as OReilly calls it, is a fringe movement still, it is a fringe movement that now has members about to have jobs in the cabinet of the next president of the United States, a fringe movement that has taken heart their own words, mind you at the election of Donald Trump. Pizza has been a constant in Brian Kesslers life, from the time he got a job in a pizzeria as a teenager until the day he met his wife in a pizza joint. Read moreIggy's Pizza Shop is now open in Mount Pleasant Charleston, SC (29403) Today A few clouds. Low 59F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 59F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Emanuel AMEs former secretary is suing the church and the Rev. Norvel Goff for ending her employment after she questioned the handling of donations that poured into the church after a gunman killed nine worshippers. Read moreFormer secretary at Emanuel AME sues for unpaid wages The Federal Reserve pumped up its benchmark interest rate Wednesday by three-quarters of a point for a fourth straight time to fight high inflation but hinted that it could soon reduce the size of its rate hikes. Read moreFed unleashes another big rate hike but hints at a pullback Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. 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 Updated at 2:19 p.m. with Brede comments. Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede has vetoed the City Council's revocation of the permit for the skyway between 318 Commons and the former Paine Furniture building, according to City Administrator Stevan Kvenvold. In his veto message to the council, Brede said that the University of Minnesota Rochester has agreed to play a role in a "mediated process" between all parties. Here's the email he sent to council members: "I understand the frustration in not being able to resolve the issue of certain easement rights regarding 318 Commons, adjacent property and the City of Rochester. (But) to revoke the skyway permit that provides the University of Minnesota Rochester access to the Paine Building from 318 Commons would be very detrimental to UMR and their future. To that end UMR will commit to develop a plan for a mediated process between all parties in 30 days. An additional 120 days would be needed for UMR to seek a resolution between parties. ADVERTISEMENT "I am confident that UMR will be engaged throughout the process, being mindful that the lender responsible for the financing of 318 Commons will need to approve final agreement." With cooler weather coming, warmer beverages sound better every day. Still, you can drink only so much coffee, and some of us are perhaps already a little, um, overcaffeinated. Maybe it's time to consider a cup of tea, the world's second-most-popular beverage (after water), according to the Tea Association of the U.S.A., with about one-third of coffee's caffeine. With hundreds of teas out there, you reasonably might conclude they must come from many different plants. Fact is, all tea actually comes from one plant: Camellia sinensis, a species of evergreen that grows worldwide in warmer climates. Tea's wonderful variety results from the terroir where the plant grows and the way the leaves are processed. All tea leaves start out green and become darker as they oxidize, a process that brings out and concentrates flavors. Here are six classic teas to check out: Assam. If you're transitioning to drinking less coffee and more tea, Assam is a good gateway beverage that's hearty and deep-flavored. Named after its home region in northeastern India, this malty brew is used in Irish and German breakfast teas, an indication of its potential, similar to coffee, to stimulate. ADVERTISEMENT Pu-erh. A reddish-black Chinese tea from Yunnan province, pu-erh is aged, hardening as it dries, then pressed into regular shapes for shipping. Similar to wine, pu-erh improves with age. You'll sometimes see vintages on the packaging, and because pu-erh's so dry, you can hold it for a little longer than most teas, and it even may continue to improve with age. Darjeeling. A product of West Bengal, India, darjeeling is usually a black tea, but when the leaves are very young, they can be used to make a white tea, which is much lighter in taste. Compared with Assam and pu-erh, Darjeeling tea leaves yield a lighter liquor, with a flowery nose and slight astringency. Sencha. A rich, fresh-tasting green tea from Japan with low astringency, sencha, as with most green teas, can be re-infused two or more times. Aficionados appreciate the changes the tea goes through after each successive infusion. Gunpowder. Several types of tea may be called "gunpowder," which refers to the tight balls into which the tea is sometimes rolled to preserve the fresh taste of the tender leaves. This is rare green tea, sometimes with a grayish cast and an almost sweet aroma and taste. Oolong. Kind of a cross between green and black tea, oolong leaves are more oxidized than green, less oxidized than black, which means it's somewhat stronger and more astringent than green tea but less strong and astringent than black tea. If you usually prefer black tea, oolong is a fine place to start experiencing what green tea offers. Some good teas come in bags, and we've liked Rishi and Mighty Leaf, both available at Whole Foods. We prefer to shop for whole leaf tea at smaller tea shops, where you can discuss personal preferences with the tea merchant. To brew whole leaf tea, use a tea ball or preformed tea bags (T-Sac is a reliable brand). Fill about halfway, so all the leaves will be exposed to water. Black tea and oolong require boiling water and should be steeped 3-5 minutes; if your black tea is getting too strong, don't steep it less time; rather, use less tea because adequate steeping in boiled hot water is needed to bring out black tea's flavors. Green tea requires not-quite-boiling water, 175-180 degrees, and should be steeped about 2 minutes. White tea is steeped at a lower temperature 160 degrees or so for 7-10 minutes. ADVERTISEMENT There are a lot of teas out there, and it could be a long winter, so you'll have plenty of time to learn about teas as you enjoy their immense, incredible variety. Dear Answer Man, what's the next step for the natural gas pipeline planned for Rochester? There were public meetings recently but they didn't get much coverage. No, they didn't, but the process is steaming ahead, and a big ruling is expected on Wednesday. First, the basics . It's a 13.1-mile natural gas pipeline around the west and south sides of the city, costing about $44 million and proposed by Minnesota Energy Resources Corp. As I reported in September , the plan was announced in January, it's now going through the regulatory mill, and if approved, construction would next year and high-pressure gas would flow by 2020. The Rochester project is part of a larger project with Northern Natural Gas, which is spending $60 million on a transmission line to get the gas to Rochester. Two routes are being considered. The company's "preferred route" starts at the west end of 19th Street Northwest, just east of 70th Avenue Northwest, goes south along 70th Avenue to Olmsted County Road 25, then goes east, zigzags down to near 48th Street Southwest east of the mighty South Fork Zumbro River, continues east to U.S. Highway 63 area and ends close to 40th Street. ADVERTISEMENT The terminus is not far northwest of what I now call Answer Man Creek, the unnamed east fork of Willow Creek. There's an alternate route that runs farther east of 70th Avenue and sticks closer to 48th Street. About 340 property owners were notified in advance of the public comment period , which closed Sept. 27. One of my many Answer Man I-Team members talked today with Amber Lee, a spokeswoman for Minnesota Energy, and Amber said a state administrative law judge is expected to issue a finding on Wednesday on the rate recovery for the project. Don't ask for more detail on this, but Amber says, "If the ALJ approves our project tomorrow and the Public Utilities Commission eventually adopts the recommendation, then we'll go ahead with (finalizing) the route." I asked if there was much debate in the public comment process regarding the two routes around Rochester and she acknowledged there were many comments, pro and con. An administrative law judge finding on the route is expected in January, she says, and that could go to the PUC in March. At that point, it would be a done deal and construction would begin. I'll attach a map and documents to this file online. It'll be like a Christmas tree of public documents by the time I'm done with it. Dear Answer Man, has there ever been a Rhodes Scholar from Rochester before Ahmed M. Ahmed? -- Richard Hurt Great question, and the Post Bulletin "morgue," our vast library of clippings, microfilms and digital files going back to the dawn of time, provides no easily accessible evidence. ADVERTISEMENT I have a request for information in to the Rhodes Trust at the University of Oxford, England, and I also have checked with the Rochester public schools, though I'll be a graybeard before getting an answer from those sources. For now, I'll assert that I find no evidence of a previous Rochester Rhodes winner. If you have information, please share. Ahmed, a 2013 John Marshall graduate who came to Rochester from Somalia by way of a refugee camp in Kenya, is a senior at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He's among 32 American students who will receive Rhodes scholarships for graduate study at Oxford, and his story is an especially inspiring one . A former Rochester woman is missing, a man charged with first-degree attempted murder skipped his court appearance last week and the two might be connected. Kayla Petersen, 25, was last seen celebrating Thanksgiving with her family in Rochester, leaving that evening for her home in Austin. Other than some text messages on Friday, she hasn't been seen or heard from since, said her father, Tom Petersen. Meanwhile, Kristian Ivan Miranda, 27, who faces murder charges in Olmsted County, posted $150,000 conditional bail last week. Miranda, whom authorities considered a flight risk, was scheduled to appear Wednesday in Olmsted County District Court, but failed to show up, prompting a warrant for his arrest. Tom Petersen fears his daughter, who has two children with Miranda, may be headed to Mexico with him. He reported her missing during the weekend. She is described as a petite, white female with blondish-white hair, 5 feet 3 inches, weighing about 120 pounds. "He's taken her three times across the border to Mexico," Petersen said Monday. "My wife has always kept contact with her. We always had a safe word, we said, to let us know you're OK." ADVERTISEMENT After sending several texts Friday asking about her safety, Tom Petersen said, there was no contact; Austin police pinged her cell phone, which indicated it was near Wichita, Kan. No foul play is suspected in Kayla's disappearance, Austin authorities said. In addition to the attempted murder charge, Miranda, of Opa-locka, Fla., also faces one count each of dangerous weapons drive-by shooting and second-degree assault. All are felonies. The charges stem from a Nov. 6 incident that involved a high-speed car chase on Broadway Avenue in Rochester. Miranda is accused of firing shots at an acquaintance's car. Police arrested Miranda shortly after the incident. According to court documents, a search of his SUV recovered a loaded .380 handgun between the driver's door and the driver's seat, in addition to loaded Glock 9 mm magazines and several boxes of 7.62 rifle ammunition. Anyone with information about Petersen's whereabouts is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 507-437-9400. Those with information about Kristian Miranda or his brother, 23-year-old Victor Miranda, who allegedly was part of the incident but also is believed to have fled this area are encouraged to call the Rochester Police Department at 507-328-6800. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Authorities are investigating after a 17-year-old reported she'd been stopped by someone she suspected was impersonating a law enforcement officer. The incident allegedly occurred about 1 p.m. Sunday as the teenager was driving near Olmsted County Roads 6 and 8, west of Stewartville. She said she was pulled over by a man driving a dark car with a light bar on the top; red and blue lights were activated for the stop, said Capt. Scott Behrns of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. The man was described as white, 6 feet tall and chubby, in his 40s, with dark hair, stubble and an "irregular" scar above his right eyebrow, wearing a navy blue uniform. The girl said he didn't identify himself or his agency, nor did he give her the reason he stopped her, the report says. He initially spoke in broken Spanish, Behrns said, perhaps because he believed the 17-year-old was Hispanic. ADVERTISEMENT The man had a name tag of some sort, but the teenager couldn't provide the name, Behrns said. The suspect took her driver's license and proof of insurance, went back to his car, then returned it to the girl. She believes he drove away on County 6, the report says. There was no information about any agency markings on the vehicle he drove. "I have no reason not to believe this happened," Behrns said. "Law enforcement passing through this area on business is very common; it happens every day. We'd just like to hear from whoever this might have been." How does an earlier back-to-school date sound to you? Rochester Public Schools is asking for public opinion on two possible calendar options for next year, both of which have an Aug. 30, pre-Labor Day start date. A survey, posted on the district's website Nov. 22, and which was sent out to parents Monday , provides two options for next year's school year, but there is no schedule option resembling the 2016-17 school year calendar. The two options end at the typical time in early June, but the first includes a one-week break in February. The second offers a three-day break in February, and one Monday off in November and another in January; those extra days are placed to create two additional four-day weekends. The traditional Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks are included. The school district said it received a lot of feedback when it was considering expanding the 45/15 schedule to include more breaks during the school year. While the options aren't a drastic calendar change, like a 45/15 option, some parents are still upset with the new options. ADVERTISEMENT "When we sat down and started working on the calendar, we were trying to develop a calendar that would address that," said Superintendent Michael Munoz on Monday. "There's no guarantee it's going to be the same year in and year out." The district's "Meet & Confer" group adjusted the calendar based on the feedback, and will adjust it again after the survey results are in. The group, which has been responsible for setting the calendar for years, Munoz said, is made up of teachers, cabinet members, and one board member, Deborah Seelinger. The survey will close on Dec. 6, and the calendar could be a topic of discussion at the Dec. 13 school board meeting, depending on the response RPS gets. Right now, these are the only two options the district is considering, Munoz said, but if there is enough feedback for the traditional calendar, then the district could consider that as well. Under both options, school would start on Aug. 30 and end at the traditional time, Munoz said, because the district didn't think parents would want to go an additional week into June. The district is bringing the calendar options up now earlier than in previous years because state law specifies districts cannot begin before Labor Day , unless the district qualifies for an exemption. The special application would be due by February. Munoz said the district would need to make a request to the Minnesota Department of Education for special approval under an exemption for schools doing more than $400,000 worth of construction. "We believe that we would qualify for an exception to that because of the amount of construction that we do every summer," Munoz said. "The construction projects, they're always an issue for us." But some parents in the district aren't happy about the shift because they've already made plans and put in for competitive paid time off. ADVERTISEMENT Jennifer Gangloff, a Mayo Clinic employee and parent of two elementary students, said she opposes it because it seems like it was sprung on families with no explanation, and no real legal standing. "The district seems intent on changing the school calendar in some manner look at what just unfolded with the 45-15 schedule proposal despite the clear wishes of the community to leave the calendar alone," she said. As a Mayo employee, Gangloff said just finished the annual open enrollment, planning for child care expenses and paid time off. She said that although the number of school days may remain the same, the timing of them is important. "I can find cheaper and more readily available child care during the summer such as through the YMCA summer camp that runs right up until Labor Day than I can find in the middle of winter," Gangloff said. Eric Berg pointed to summer activities, such as students involved with FFA and the State Fair, and summer camps, which would potentially overlap with this schedule. "I wish the district would start looking at things that actually impact our children's education and stop messing with the calendars," Berg said, pointing to things such as later start times with a proven impact on achievement. Berg also noted that he feels the survey isn't fair because it only offers two options and not a third, more traditional post-Labor Day start option for families to select. Donna Desjardins, a parent of two elementary students and a Mayo Clinic employee, said she wishes the district would have provided more forewarning, so plans for things such as childcare and PTO could have been considered. ADVERTISEMENT She said the biggest issue for her family will be child care. She may have to have family members travel from out of town to care for her children during breaks. "I think the biggest thing is, there needs to be more thought about those who have dual working parents and what those people are going to do with their children," Desjardins said. Despite initial concerns, Munoz said the district will consider feedback from the community. "I think some districts just create a calendar and say, 'Here it is,' " Munoz said. "I think the district has demonstrated that we do seek input from our stakeholders and this is an opportunity for stakeholders to have input on the calendar and we do take that seriously." ST. PAUL Seeking formal recognition by the federal government to be consulted with on land issues, three members of the Prairie Island Indian Community and the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on Nov. 23. Erick G. Kaardal, an attorney with Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson in St. Paul, said the case, which cites the Administrative Procedures Act, was filed against the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Kaardal said the issue is the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota long have been acknowledged by the U.S. government, beginning with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. However, the tribe is looking to be formally recognized by the federal government. That, he said, would give the tribe the rights to be consulted with on land issues. The MSIM have never submitted a constitution to become federally recognized. Recently, the Department of the Interior has taken a position that it need not consult with the MSIM regarding 12 square miles of remaining reservation land located west of New Ulm in Redwood, Renville and Sibley counties and on federal land assignment issues at Prairie Island. The lawsuit seeks for the MSIM the right to be consulted by the Department of the Interior, and it seeks the 12 square mile reservation and land assignment rights at Prairie Island, Kaardal said. In addition, the MSIM seeks to be recognized as a separate tribe away from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the Prairie Island Indian Community in the state of Minnesota and the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the state of Minnesota. Those tribes are federally recognized due to a constitution being submitted, and their members receive federal benefits, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The individual plaintiffs on the case are Margo Bellanger, Tina Jefferson and Michael J. Childs Jr., Kaardal said. The lawsuit also recognizes more than 7,000 genealogically identified lineal descendants of the tribe, he said. Most of those members are located in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, he said. Kaardal said he hoped the judge on the case, Rudolph Contreras, would issue a summary judgment. "It would restore the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota to their tribal status," Kaardal said. "The 1863 acts enacted in response to the Sioux uprising of 1862 terminated the treaties but not the tribes. The Sisseton-Wahpeton tribe has survived. The Mdewakanton tribe has survived. We just want what the Sisseton-Wahpeton have." ST. PAUL The 13 people shot and killed by police so far this year could be the highest number of fatal shootings in state history. An MPR News analysis of data from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, combined with research from retired FBI agent Larry Brubaker, goes back as far as 1981. The previous high of 12 fatal police shootings occurred in 2015. Twelve of the decedents are men, one was a woman. Two of the shootings became highly publicized after videos from the incidents were made public. In March, Burnsville police officers killed Map Kong, 38, after he bolted from a car carrying a knife. The body camera footage showed Kong waving the knife wildly in his car before he ran. ADVERTISEMENT A Dakota County grand jury cleared the three officers who shot Kong of any criminal charges. However, Kong's family filed a civil lawsuit, claiming that Kong was suffering from a mental illness and needed to be hospitalized, not killed. In July, Philando Castile, 32, was fatally shot by St. Anthony Police officer Jeronimo Yanez. Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, live-streamed the immediate aftermath of the shooting. In what is likely an unprecedented move, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against Yanez. Law enforcement officials say a non-fatal officer-involved shooting last week shows the danger police face everyday. The chief of the Eden Prairie Police Department said two city officers were fired upon before they shot and wounded a man following a car chase, which ended in Edina. The officers were not injured. No Minnesota law enforcement officer has been fatally shot in the line of duty so far in 2016. Here's a list of the fatal police shootings so far in 2016, organized by incident date, name of decedent and law enforcement agency involved: Feb. 10 - John Birkeland - Roseville Police Department. Mar. 17 - Map Kong - Burnsville Police Department. ADVERTISEMENT Mar. 29 - Denise Fairchild - Aitkin County Sheriff's Office. Apr. 4 - Raul Heraldes - Minneapolis Police Department. May 9 - Jaffort Smith - St. Paul Police Department. May 26 - Eugene Smith - St. Paul Police Department. Jul. 6 - Philando Castile - St. Anthony Police Department. Aug. 2 - Adam Jo Kimek - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Aug. 28- Justin Kulhanek Derks - Eagan Police Department. Sept. 17 - Dahir Adan - Avon Police Department. ADVERTISEMENT Sept. 26 - Jamie Joseph Lewis - Burnsville Police Department. Oct. 24 - Kristofer Youngquist - Rochester/Olmsted Emergency Unit. Oct. 28 - Jay Johannes Holmgren - Stevens County Sheriff's Office. We see that you have javascript disabled. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Claire Buss' mission should be embraced by communities throughout Southeast Minnesota. The Rochester woman is working to implement the first Little Free Pantry in two weeks outside Forager Brewery, aiming to provide a source of non-perishable food and household goods, including toothpaste, garbage bags, deodorant and toilet paper, for those in need. Taking the lead from the Little Free Library movement that has sprouted up in front yards throughout the region and country, the pantry version aims to tackle a growing need food insecurity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly one in 10 Minnesota households are food insecure, meaning they don't have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food. Southeast Minnesota is included in that count. Too many area residents are unsure where their next meals are coming from. Thankfully, we have Channel One Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Community Food Response and similar efforts to provide for the bulk of those needing food. ADVERTISEMENT Yet, there are those among us who struggle with accessing such programs. Either they are physically unable to reach them or may not know where to turn with last-minute needs. It's those people who we expect the Little Free Pantry concept will help from the start, but we see the benefits digging deeper into the community. Like the libraries that came before them, we see Little Free Pantries as providing an opportunity to educate the community. As people see items come and go from the pantry outside Forager, hopefully their eyes will be opened to the need, prompting them to help, whether by filling a little pantry or giving to a larger agency. We also see a benefit for partnerships with food shelves and other organizations helping those who may struggle to find their next meal. In addition to offering food and other staples of daily living, the pantries can be equipped with information, pointing the way to better-stocked resources and services aimed at fighting poverty. There are those who may be skeptical of an honor system when it comes to providing pantry items, but Buss' early efforts show some community members are ready to embrace the idea, and we anticipate more will sign on quickly, potentially making her goal or four to five pantries in the city by April a reality. It's small efforts like these can grow and fill gaps in our communities, as well as build new partnerships that strengthen existing efforts, While Buss' goal is to fill little panties, her mission is already filled with overflowing potential. ADVERTISEMENT You can help If you'd like to sponsor a Little Free Pantry either the structure, the contents, or both email Claire Buss at LittleFreePantryRochMN@gmail.com or send her a message on Little Free Pantry-Rochester, MN . The Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors, or PARS, created in 2002, advocates for Guams inclusion in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 (RECA) as downwinders, due to exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear testing conducted on the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1962. Although the group has lobbied for executive action from President Obama, the group's efforts were acknowledged in a single letter and no action has been taken. Without immediate action, the group's pleas will fall to President-elect Donald Trump or the newly elected Republican majority in Congress for a legislative remedy. The issues surrounding the groups request have largely remained classified for decades under national security concerns while survivors pass away without receiving compensation they feel is owed to them. PARS President Robert Celestial met with radiation-exposure survivors, cancer advocates, members of the legislature and the media last Saturday at the Tamuning Senior Center. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. 'Kept secret' "I was stationed in Enewetak Atoll to clean up the post debris from all the nuclear testings, and later on I found out in 1998 and did research until 2000 and reported to our government that Guam was exposed to radiation fallout and was kept secret for many, many years," Celestial said. He gave an overview of the history of the issue and the group's findings, noting years of evidence and testimony showing that in the late 1940s, Guam was downwind from the Enewetak Atoll and other sites around the Marshall Islands archipelago where several atomic and hydrogen bomb tests were being conducted. Guam is about 10 degrees north latitude of the equator - with trade winds that travel predominantly from east to west at that latitude - and is located roughly 1,200 miles west from those detonation test sites. In November 2002, a blue-ribbon panel created by then-Sen. Ben Pangelinan concluded that between 1946 and 1958, the atomic energy commission detonated 66 nuclear devices in the Marshall Islands. The report was presented to the National Academy of Sciences Board on Radiation Affects Research committee. In 2005, the National Research Council determined that Guam received fallout from atmospheric testing from nuclear weapons in the Pacific and recommended that people living on island during that period be compensated under the RECA. Under RECA, uranium mill workers, miners, transporters and on-site workers in states across the West are all eligible for compensation. In Nevada, Utah and Arizona, downwinders and on-site workers at nuclear test sites including those working at White Sands Missile Range are also eligible. However, New Mexican downwinders are not covered. They hope New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall will make it right. 'Significant fallout' "We were able to find a military individual, Lt. Bert Schreiber, who was actually the radiation monitoring person here. And so when we had the nuclear test in the Marshall islands, his Geiger counter on Guam went off and registered such high radiation exposure and he documented that in an affidavit and plus the other information he was able to gather from documents that were declassified under President George Bush and President Clinton we were able to find official government reports that measure radiation on Guam and documented that there was indeed significant fallout, Pangelinan stated in a resolution he introduced to petition for Guam's inclusion in the RECA. According to Schreiber's testimony, "The saddest part of this story is that the Guamanians, for a large part, had only rainwater for drinking, especially out in the 'boonies' or jungle, and they were drinking highly contaminated radioactive water and I could not tell them to stop nor would the Navy inform them not to do so. Madness." "However, even when the military was forced to admit that it had detonated that bomb and it had thrown some quarter of a cubic mile of radioactive dust into the atmosphere, they still did not warn any of the Pacific island natives not to drink the water but from coconuts or deep wells. How many died horribly from cancer later, will never be known. It was that dust which had drifted down over the whole Pacific which had 'rained down' on Guam, which I detected. Why I was told to keep quiet then became clear," said Schreiber. Dr. B Speaks! It always seems impossible until it's done. That is the way Nelson Mandela put it. His quote motivates mission-driven people to accomplish d Read moreTeacher assistants help support teachers and students to learn This morning, Abdul Razak Ali Artan drove his car into a group of students at Ohio State University and then jumped out of the vehicle to slash others with a butchers knife. Ten people were hospitalized as a result. A campus police officer finally put an end to the attack by shooting Artan dead. Artan was a student at OSU and a resident of Franklin Township, Ohio. According to neighbors, his family had immigrated to the Columbus area from Somalia. Discussing the attack, Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther made no reference to Artans ethnicity or background. Rather, indulging in civic boosterism left-wing style, he boasted that Columbus is warm and welcoming to immigrants and refugees. We welcome people from all over the world, he said. But should they? In September, a Somali-American stabbed nine people at a St. Cloud, Minnesota mall. And Scott Johnson has tirelessly reported on the exploits of Somali jihadists in the Twin Cities. Nonetheless, the U.S. continues to accept immigration by Somalis at a rate believed to be around 700 per month. And liberal Democrats like Ginther continue to boast about it. Im confident that most of the Somali immigrants are peaceable folk simply looking to improve their lot. But there can be little doubt that members of this community participate in terrorism at a hugely disproportionate rate compared to immigrants from most other countries. If so, it seems seriously misguided at best to keep permitting mass Somali immigration to the U.S. If we want to be compassionate, why not give the Somalis slots to poor immigrants whose nationality shows them to pose essentially no risk of engaging in terrorism? If we want to be hard-headed, why not cut back on immigration by the number of places currently given to Somalis? I agree with Jeremy Carl. There is no valid excuse for allowing the mass immigration to America of a group whose members have few economic prospects and are disproportionately likely to engage in attacks on Americans. Donald Trumps willingness to advance this common sense position is one of the reasons why hes our president-elect. Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute is Americas premier expert on the intersection of policing and race. Her book The War On Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe is the last word on the subject. A week from Thursday, December 8, the think tank that I run, Center of the American Experiment, will host a lunch forum featuring Heather. If you live within driving distance of the Twin Cities, you shouldnt miss it. The forum will be at noon at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. We are expecting a crowd of around 500, of whom 150 to 200 will be law enforcement personnel representing a variety of Minnesota agencies. We will honor them symbolically, on behalf of all Minnesota law enforcement. Heather will, of course, speak on the policing issues that are the subject of the book. In addition to recognizing the officers present, a prominent law enforcement official will deliver a brief thank you to Heather Mac Donald, for her courageous service on behalf of the law enforcement community and citizens generally. It promises to be a great event, and we expect it to sell out. So if you want to come, it would be good to order your tickets now. You can go here to order tickets online through EventBrite. Complete information about the lunch forum is here. Hope to see you on December 8! Remember two days ago when I advanced the outrageous proposition that greenhouse gas emissions will fall faster under President Trump than they would have under Madam President Hillary? Yes, I was partly trolling the climatistas, but there is a serious point that much climate policy posing is unserious, counter-productive, and beside the point. Well guess who has caught up with Power Line? Todays New York Times! Trumps Climate Policies May Work Out in the Planets Favor By Eduardo Porter Is the battle to contain global warming now lost? With the election of Donald Trump, it certainly looked that way to many of the shellshocked diplomats gathered in Morocco earlier this month at the first climate summit following the breakthrough agreement in Paris last year to contain greenhouse gas emissions. . . Dont give up just yet . . . President Trumps climate policy or his lack of one could work out in surprising ways. Ted Nordhaus and Jessica Lovering, in a report published on Tuesday by the Breakthrough Institute, pointed out that real progress on reducing carbon in the atmosphere has been driven so far by specific domestic energy, industrial and innovation policies, not emissions targets and timetables or international agreements intended to legally constrain national emissions. . . . As Robert Stavins of Harvard University put it, The most important factor in terms of carbon emissions in the United States is the price of natural gas. And for all the hand-wringing over the future of the Clean Power Plan, its demise might not even make that much of a difference. The shift from coal to gas will continue to happen anyway. . . Most importantly, climate objectives could mesh with Mr. Trumps goal of energy independence. According to the 2016 edition of the International Energy Agencys World Energy Outlook, the United States could pretty much become energy independent by 2040 reducing its annual oil imports to 1 million barrels a day from 6 million in 2014 as long as Washington sticks to current policies. One implication is that we dont need the climate community. This is one reason I spend less and less time keeping up with these losers. Heh. PR-Inside.com: 2016-11-29 23:56:02 EVRAZ North America Applauds the Government of Canadas Approval of Pipeline Projects Supporting Canadian Jobs and Industry. Company Contact: Christian Messmacher VP Strategy and Communications - EVRAZ North America mediainquiries@evrazna.com 312-533-3520 EVRAZ North America applauds the Government of Canadas decisions to approve construction of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion Project and the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Program in Canada. We appreciate the balanced decision the Government has made and congratulate them on the approval of these pipeline projects. These will be among the most technically advanced and environmentally safe pipelines in the world, said Conrad Winkler, EVRAZ North America President & CEO. These projects will be among the largest infrastructure programs in North America, bringing in millions of dollars in tax revenues and contributing billions to the GDP of Canada and the U.S., directly and indirectly. There is no better example of supply chain and indirect job impacts than with EVRAZ. As a partner of Enbridge, and the largest producer of steel Large Diameter pipeline-pipe in North America, EVRAZ is proud to say that the vast majority (if not all) of the pipe for the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project will be made in Canada by Canadian members of the United Steelworkers union at our Regina, Saskatchewan facility. At this site, we have over 1,000 Canadians with well-paying, highly-skilled middle class jobs. Making this pipe in Canada also represents the best way to minimize the carbon footprint of the project. Our Regina facility not only makes steel at a fraction of the CO 2 emissions of Asian steel producers, it is also the largest recycler of steel scrap in Western Canada and given its proximity to the project also minimizes emissions due to transportation. Enbridges Line 3 Replacement Program and Kinder Morgans Trans Mountain Expansion represent an ongoing commitment to safety and efficient pipeline operations. At EVRAZ, we also make Safety our #1 priority, for employees and in our products. We believe that our pipe offers the safest solution in the world, and continues to improve with the application of many advanced processes/technologies. As part of this commitment, we are investing over $220 million U.S. dollars of investments that upgrade the Large Diameter pipe making and steel production capabilities at the Regina site. We also established a Research and Development partnership with Enbridge in March 2015 to share technologies and best practices in pipeline development, with the goal of applying our joint technology in continuing to develop the state-of-the-art in safety. About EVRAZ EVRAZ North America (the Company) is a wholly owned subsidiary of EVRAZ plc, one of the largest vertically integrated steel and mining businesses in the world. The Company is a leading North American producer of engineered steel products for rail, energy and industrial end markets. The Company has six production sites located in the USA (Portland, Oregon; Pueblo, Colorado) and Canada (Regina, Saskatchewan; Calgary, Camrose and Red Deer, Alberta). EVRAZ is a registered trademark of EVRAZ Group S.A. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201611290063 Przepraszamy! Ogoszenie na stanowisku: Cash Collector with Dutch wygaso z dniem 2016-12-27 Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Accenture Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia oferty to: propozycja zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z serwisu praca.egospodarka.pl rekruter zakonczy proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc pracownikow ogoszeniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc ogoszenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem url dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych bedny adres WWW ogoszenia Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Finanse, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Finanse Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Cash Collector with Dutch, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Cash Collector with Dutch Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: Warszawa, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Warszawa Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj. Inne ogoszenia, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan: Przepraszamy! Ogoszenie na stanowisku: PTP Junior Accountant with German wygaso z dniem 2016-12-27 Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Accenture Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia ogoszenia to: oferta zozona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z naszych zasobow ogoszeniodawca zakonczy proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc zgoszen zleceniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc ogoszenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem url dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych niewasciwy adres url ogoszenia Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Finanse, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Finanse Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku PTP Junior Accountant with German, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca PTP Junior Accountant with German Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: Warszawa, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Warszawa Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj. Inne oferty, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan: A boppy video within Liptons Green Tea Fit Cart marketing initiative shows an intriguing shopping cart handle that tracks physical activity. An energetic woman featured in the clip can be seen zipping around a grocery store as her cart counts calories burned, steps taken and heart rate. The video went live on YouTube on Oct. 26 and has more than 1.1 million views. A post on Hubspot.com says Lipton wants to encourage consumers to make healthier choices while shopping: Aimed at people too busy for regular exercise, the cart is intended to show consumers how many calories they can burn just by walking around at the grocery store. The hope is that theyll also think twice about what they put in their shopping cart if they can see the calories theyre burning in real time. The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, on Tuesday said that the tourism sector generated over $1.1 billion in 2015. Mr. Mbanefo disclosed this during a two-day Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition. The forum is being organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, in collaboration with NTDC and the National Institute for Hospitality and NIHOTOUR in Abuja. The theme of the forum is Tourism: Tool for Economic and Development. According to her, the tourism sector generated the revenue from the related expenditure incurred from the more than 6.01 million tourists that visited the country in 2015. She stated that another $853 million was generated from 4.8 million tourists that visited in 2014. In 2014, about 4.8 million people arrived and the related expenditure was 853 million dollars. While in 2016, about 6.01 million came into Nigeria and we generated over $1.1 billion as the expenditure related to their arrival in this country. This is an economic indication of the value that tourism can have in any economy where the government and the private corporate sector give value to it. The D-G said that Nollywood had created job opportunities for more than two million persons, 30,000 were working in restaurants and over 11,000 were in the hotel business. She, however, listed some of the challenges affecting the sector to include access to gathering statistics, epileptic power supply, inadequate infrastructure, poor access to visa, as well as absence of uniformed standardisation and classification for hotels nationwide. She therefore stressed the need for investors to tap into the abundant opportunities that abound in the sector, adding that it had also created job opportunities and unified the diverse cultures in the country. Also speaking, the National President, Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Thomas Obiefule, reiterated the commitment of traditional leaders towards improving the tourism sector. We are living in a challenging time, yet tourism continues to bring us hope. In spite of slow and uneven global economy recovery, growing geopolitical challenges, health scares and security concerns, there is hope. In spite of the Nigerian economic recession facing us, there is hope for tourism to create jobs, reduce poverty and make life meaningful to the rural dwellers. We the traditional leaders will join hands making the Change Agenda work for the tourism industry in spite of the economic recession, culture and tourism will help Nigeria to come out from recession, he said. Mr. Obiefule also commended the efforts of the organisers in providing a platform for stakeholders to exhibit their wares and proffer solutions to revamp the tourism sector. (NAN) The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics will do a census of businesses, industries and agricultural farmlands next year to help capture the countrys comprehensive gross domestic product. The Statistician General of the Federation, Yemi Kale, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Abuja. The exercise would be a follow up to the rebasing of the Nigerian economy conducted in 2014, he said. The 2014 rebasing exercise put Nigerias economy as the largest in Africa with total GDP of over $510 billion, against South Africas $384.3 billion. But it did not capture small businesses and industries that constitute about 20 per cent of the countrys gross domestic product. Last August, Nigeria was reported to have lost its position as Africas biggest economy to South Africa, following the recalculation of the countrys GDP. But, the International Monetary Fund in its World Economic Outlook for October put Nigerias GDP at $415.08 billion, from $493.83 billion in 2015, while South Africas was put at $280.36 billion, from $314.73 billion in 2015. Regardless, Mr. Kale who said he expected Nigerias GDP to be slightly more than South Africas, disclosed that the census of businesses and industries would enable the statistics agency to capture the small businesses. I dont think Nigerias GDP is comprehensive enough. We will conduct a formal sector study of small businesses, industries and agricultural farmlands, crops, fisheries and their locations, he said. The census has not been conducted over the last 30 years. It would enable the Bureau capture about 20 per cent of the countrys GDP left out during the 2014 rebasing of the Nigerian economy. I think we are still missing some few trillions of Naira here and there. The only way we can capture them is to expand our household survey. Many of these hawkers and small businesses are usually family businesses. The way we capture them is to go to their houses. With the census of business and industries, we want to go round the country to map out every business, from mama put to printing and every business that has a physical location. The objective is to ensure that government knows where every single business is located, such that if government wants to support vulcanizers, it would know where they are. We will also conduct agricultural census. We want to go round all farmlands in Nigeria, whether it is for crops or fisheries, to have them properly mapped, with their locations and everything. He said there was limited information about what has been produced from every farmland in the country, pointing out that the census would help the Bureau develop a map to show locations where certain crops could grow. Such information, he explained, would enable government advise those growing certain crops in certain locations know the particular locations that are good to boost yield. The census map will help government in the allocation of farm inputs like fertilizer. It would help know easily where fertilizer was required. With the census, we will be able to capture these small businesses, which constitute about 10-20 per cent of the countrys GDP, which we could not capture during the rebasing exercise in 2014. Mr. Kale lamented the negative impact of poor funding on data collection, production and usage, but said the situation has improved significantly in recent times. He said his ambition is to build a professionalised statistics agency with the capacity to provide proper data driven analysis of the cost-benefit of every government policies before they were approved. Besides, Mr. Kale said his dream is to leave behind a world class electronically driven statistics office where at least 80 per cent of Nigerias data needs were provided at the touch of a button, with all the MDAs inter-connected electronically to its system. Ahead of Wednesdays crucial meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, pessimism persists whether members would reach a consensus on last Septembers output cut resolution to stabilize crude oil market and push up prices. The meeting scheduled for Vienna, Austria is expected to decide on the implementation of an agreement to reduce crude oil production by about one million barrels per day (bpd), from about 33.82 million bpd in October. During the September meeting, a high level committee was constituted to develop a framework for consultations between OPEC and non-OPEC producing countries towards the implementation of the Algiers Accord on output cut by November 2016, to stabilize prices. At the opening of the first meeting of the committee in October, OPEC Secretary General and Nigerias Mohammed Barkindo, underlined the need for OPEC and non-OPEC members to unite and take a coordinated and timely action for the common good of the group. Since then, Mr. Barkindo had embarked on a series of diplomatic shuttles to key member-countries to consult and secure the buy-ins of the two factions, as well as the urgent action to build a formidable consensus ahead of the meeting on Wednesday. Part of the urgent action, he explained, included the development of a long-term framework for regular, structured and sustainable consultation with non-OPEC producers. On November 19, Mr. Barkindo met with the Iranian Minister of Petroleum, Bijan Zanganeh, in Tehran to solicit his continued support for the implementation of the Algiers Accord and the need for cohesive action by OPEC and non-OPEC producers in the spirit of equity, fairness and transparency. The OPEC scribe also made a similar trip to Caracas, where he met with the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, to discuss the need to bring forward the oil market rebalancing and return stability to the market. Urging OPEC members to be flexible, by giving due consideration to the collective interests of the group, Mr. Barkindo said there was sufficient will to agree to develop new mechanisms and strategies to stabilize the market. Equally, during a similar meeting with Ecuadors President, Rafael Correa, in Quito, discussions centred on the need for commitment for cohesion and consensus among OPEC members resolve for a sustainable market stability. But, a pall of pessimism still hung in the air on Tuesday about a positive consensus on the issue on Wednesday, as key OPEC members and non-OPEC producers appear to be disagreeing over some sticky issues. Iran and Iraq are resisting pressures from Saudi Arabia to cut oil production in line with the Algiers Accord. During the September resolution, Iran was one of three countries exempted from the proposed output cut, for various reasons. Nigeria was exempted to afford it the chance to recover from the negative impact of incessant attacks on its oil facilities by armed militant groups in the Niger Delta region, which resulted in a massive cut in its production and exports. Libya was granted exemption for a similar reason, following series of attacks on its oil facilities by terrorists groups operating in that region in recent months, while Iran was excluded to allow it settle down and recover, after serving years of U.S.-imposed sanctions, including restrictions on its oil production and exports. Ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, the Russian Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, had already announced he would not be attending the meeting. Agency reports said a meeting of experts in Vienna on Monday failed to resolve disagreement on the details of the proposed cut between Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, reputed to be OPECs biggest oil producers. While Iran wants to raise production from about 4 million bpd to 4.2 million bpd, to regain lost market supply capacity as a result of the U.S.-imposed sanctions, Iraq said it needed to produce more to boost its earnings to finance the war against the militant group, Islamic State. The pervading pessimism is already impacting crude oil prices negatively at the international oil market, with Brent crude price dropping by about 1.8 per cent, from $48.81 per barrel sold on Monday, to about $47.45 per barrel on Tuesday. The lack of consensus by OPEC and a possible impact on price if there is not output cut on Wednesday is not good news for developing economies depending on oil, including Nigeria, currently struggling with the negative impact of declining global crude oil prices on its revenue base. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, said on Tuesday in Abuja that massive investment in infrastructure is the surest way to get the countrys economy out of the current recession. Mr. Udoma, who was addressing the annual forum of laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit, during their 9th Award Winners Lecture, said the government was looking at various strategic ways of mobilizing revenue to get the economy back on the path of sustainable growth. The Minister said in spite of the revenue shortfalls experienced during the 2016 budget year, N753.6 billion has so far been released for capital expenditure, targeted principally at the key infrastructure development ministries, namely Power, Works and Housing, as well as Transportation. This, in fact, exceeds the aggregate capital expenditure budget for 2015, Mr. Udoma added. Justifying the priority given to infrastructure, the Minister said there is no doubt that government-led investment in public infrastructure is one of the fastest ways to get an economy out of recession. Government, the minister noted, has been having difficulties funding the Budget because of the disruptions of oil production by Niger Delta militants. Notwithstanding the current challenges, he said government must find ways to increase the level of its spending on infrastructural development. At one time, almost half our production was shut in, because of pipeline vandalism. This compounded our economic situation and pushed us into the current recession we are experiencing in the country. We are looking at ways to restore our revenues and get the economy out of recession and back on the path of sustainable growth, he said. The resultant epileptic income stream, he said also affected exchange rate stability, pointing out that this was another issue which has to be addressed if the country was to succeed in its development drive. According to him, exchange rate stability has been a major issue the Federal Government has been grappling with as a result of the reduction in foreign exchange earnings caused by the fall in crude oil exports. He said the Federal Government would welcome every genuine idea from experts on how to address these economic challenges, adding that he was looking forward to the various recommendations from the lecture, some of which might be directly integrated into the National Recovery and Growth Plan which is currently being tidied up. With the implementation of some of government reforms, some strategic sectors were beginning to witness improvement, with agriculture and solid minerals recording a 4.5 per cent and 7 per cent growth respectively in the third quarter of 2016. A development economist and one-time Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obodiah Mailafia, traced the roots of the current economic situation to dependence on a mono-cultural economy, fiscal indiscipline and delay in implementing enabling policies. Mr. Mailafia explained that the reckless fiscal indiscipline subsequently resulted in massive dollarization of the economy which eventually snowballed into recession. South Africas ruling African National Congress, ANC, on Tuesday said its National Executive Committee had debated a call over the weekend for President Jacob Zuma to step down. ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said this at a news conference in Johannesburg. However, Mr. Mantashe noted that the decision-making group had not supported the motion. The NEC did not support the call for the President to step down. This issue was debated openly, robustly and, as we said, sometimes it was very difficult for members themselves, Mr. Mantashe said. (Reuters/NAN) Uganda on Tuesday rejected charges by rights group Amnesty International that security forces carried out extra-judicial killings during clashes with the royal guards of a tribal king at the weekend. Officials say no fewer than 46 guards and 16 police died when security forces stormed the palace of Charles Mumbere, the King of the Rwenzururu region, near Ugandas border with Congo. Jeje Odongo, Ugandas Internal Affairs Minister, told a press conference in Kampala that security forces were being attacked, they had to defend and protect themselves. Security agencies do not have a shoot-to-kill policy. What happened is a situation of self-defense, Mr. Odongo said. Uganda has several tribal kings, who have a largely ceremonial role with some modest regional powers. The Bakonzo, the dominant tribe in Rwenzori, have longstanding, colonial-era grievances against Ugandas central government. However the latest wave of unrest began shortly after Ugandas disputed presidential elections in February. Voters in the area overwhelmingly favoured Kizza Besigye, who ran against long-ruling President Yoweri Museveni. Museveni was declared the winner, but Besigye rejected the results and his supporters insist he won the overall poll. On Monday, rights group Amnesty International accused security forces of using disproportionate force, saying many people appear to have been summarily shot dead. The organisation said the government should ensure that police and soldiers observe restraint and desist from extra-judicial executions. International rights watchdog Human Rights Watch also said on Monday that the government needed to investigate the conduct of security forces during the clashes. Some opposition officials and critics have accused Musevenis government of provoking unrest in the region as punishment for its support for Besigye. Mumbere who was detained on Sunday, is being held at a prison in eastern Uganda and 149 of his guards have been arrested. When asked what the kings fate was, Odongo said that they were investigating the circumstances, adding that if we are able to establish responsibility, charges will be preferred. (Reuters/NAN) The United States Government on Tuesday expressed concern over protests in Bamenda and Buea communities of Cameroon that later resulted in peoples deaths, injuries and destruction of property. John Kirby, U.S. Department of States Assistant Secretary and spokesperson said in a statement that his government would want the Cameroonian Government to protect and defend the peoples rights. The United States is deeply concerned by the loss of life, injuries and damage as a result of protests that turned violent in Bamenda and Buea, in Cameroon. We are also concerned over the recent Cameroonian governments actions to restrict free expression and peaceful assembly. We call on all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from further violence, and engage in dialogue, for a peaceful resolution to the current protests. The United States also urges the Government of Cameroon to protect and defend human rights and fundamental freedoms, ensure that all voices are heard and respected, he said. The U.S. official also said that his government was also worried over the ten-year prison sentences for persons who exchanged texts referencing Boko Haram. Mr. Kirby also said the U.S. was concerned about the arrest of 54 members of the opposition Cameroon Peoples Party, while they were peacefully holding their partys meeting. The constitution of Cameroon guarantees freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly. We believe that non-threatening rhetoric and activities, especially private conversations and gatherings, warrant neither prosecution nor government censure, he added. (NAN) Nine members of the military were wounded, including seven from the countrys elite Presidential Security Group (PSG), in a roadside explosion in southern Philippines on Tuesday. Military spokesman Restituto Padilla said the attack occurred in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province. He said that the troops were part of an advance party ahead of the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to the area, which might not go ahead now for security reasons. They (troops) were heading towards the military headquarters when they were hit by a roadside explosion caused by an improvised explosive, Padilla said, adding that one PSG member and another soldier were seriously injured. Padilla said a presidential chopper airlifted five soldiers to a hospital in the nearby city of Cagayan de Oro. The military said the attack might be related to the ongoing conflict between troops and the Maute terrorist group who have occupied the centre of the nearby town of Butig since Thursday. (dpa/NAN) Activities at the first day of the HIV/AIDS preventive conference which started Tuesday in Abuja was disrupted as people living with the disease staged a protest. Members of the Society for Women and Children Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, SOWCHAN, who trooped out in scores, ran towards a podium where the Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire, was billed to declare the event open. The event, organized by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, and other local and international partners to help prevent the spread of the disease, was put on hold. The leader of the group, Enya Attah, who has lived with the disease for two decades, but has three of her children negative to the disease, said the protest was a wake-up call on Government to take full ownership of HIV funding. Nigeria is among countries that have not yet met the Abuja declaration target of 15 per cent of national budget commitment to health, she said. The 2016 approved budget for health is 4.13 per cent. Out of the amount allocated to health, 88.54 percent is allocated to current expenditure, while only 11.46 percent is allocated to capital project. There should be political will by both federal and state governments to truthfully implement the many strategic plans and research recommendation developed by NACA. Nigerias heavy dependence on external donor of 75 per cent, while domestic financing is 25 per cent; there is dwindling global funding for HIV in developing countries. Nigeria government must bridge this funding gap, she said. She asked President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint one of the people living with HIV to an office to be created by the government. She said the office should be known as office of special adviser to the president on HIV/AIDS. That is the person who will be providing the president with true situation on HIV response, she stated. A non-governmental organization, Public and Private Development Centre, on Tuesday in Abuja presented a dismal picture of the state of primary health care infrastructure in Nigeria from its inspection of facilities in seven states across the country. The organization had carried out findings on the performance of contracts for the construction of primary health care centres in Benue, Delta, Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Osun and Ogun States that were awarded in 2014. The chief executive officer of the organisation, Seember Nyager, at a press briefing to report on the findings, said the operational status of the centres her group visited ranged from non-functioning, abandoned construction, and absence of buildings at given addresses. She said the active ones also faced significant challenges of staffing, supplies and weak infrastructure. State government officials present at the event said a common problem was lack of synergy between the federal, state and local governments in the area of communal needs assessment and staffing. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, Olasupo Adeola, said while the output of Nigerian doctors at the tertiary level was impressive, they were being overburdened by cases that should have been taken care of at the primary health care centres. Mr. Adeola, who is also a member of the House Committee on Health Institutions, however reassured participants of his commitment to rectifying issues at the primary health care level. The Public and Private Development Centre is a non-governmental organization involved in citizens engagement in public and private sector processes. Present at the press briefing were members of the House of Representatives, and officials from the Health Department of Bwari Area Council, Osun state Primary Health Care / Disease Control, and Oyo State Primary Health Care Development Agency. Officials at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) are brazenly and fraudulently bypassing Nigerias public procurement law to award multi-billion naira contracts to handpicked contractors, a month-long investigation by PREMIUM TIMES has shown. At least N717 billion in juicy contracts have so far been illegally awarded to one contractor alone. Under Nigerian Public Procurement Law (PPA), contracts of such magnitude should go through open competitive bidding. The PPA Act, enacted in 2007, prescribes principles by which public procurement entities within the various Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies should conduct their affairs. The principles, which include honesty, integrity, transparency, accountability, fair competition, economy and efficiency and value for money, apply to all transactions, large or small, and describe the behaviour expected of every public officer in the conduct of public procurement. The spirit of the Act is to offer all interested contractors, suppliers and consultants a level-playing field on which to compete and thereby, directly expand the purchasers options and opportunities. It is also to serve as a key deterrent to collusion and corruption, submission of inflated or deflated tenders, followed by delayed or defective performance. The law also frowns at procurement officials betraying and abusing public trust for personal gain. To avoid these pitfalls, the Procurement Act stipulates that bids shall be invited only from qualified/approved contractors/suppliers competent to do the work or provide the services to the nominated standards. It also says that contracts shall be awarded to the lowest evaluated responsive bidder, and shall meet all technical requirements and standards on the basis of competitive tendering unless overriding technical grounds exist to justify any other course of action. Impunity unparalleled NPA officials have however ingeniously found a way of circumventing Nigerias procurement regulations, carefully engineering what appears a fraudulent process of disguising contracts as Joint Venture projects between the authority and companies of their choosing. The processes of choosing the joint venture partners are never thrown open, and so also are the procedures for awarding contracts to them. One company that featured prominently in the so-called joint venture arrangement is Bonny Channel Company Limited. In its own official document, Bonny Channel Company Limited (BCC) describes itself as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the NPA and The Channel Management Company, through a joint venture agreement signed on June 23, 2014. The Channel Management Company, TCMC, is itself described as a technical consortium made of Dredging International, Vinci and IPEM. The share structure arrangement gives 60 per cent to NPA and 40 per cent to TCMC. BCC says it creates and maintain a safe navigational passage for all marine users to and in the eastern ports of Bonny Island, Onne, Okrika and Port Harcourt. For 10 years, beginning from 2006, BCC carried out two major contracts a year; one in Rivers Port and the other in Onne Port. In 2006, the contract sum awarded without passing through the standard procurement process was 127 million dollars. Total contract figure was 163.2 million dollars in 2007; 195.4 million dollars in 2008; 143.4 million dollars in 2009 and 192.1 million dollars in 2010. In 2011 the sum of contracts awarded to BCC for projects in Rivers and Onne ports respectively was 327 million dollars. Total contract sum was 300.2 million dollars in 2012; 296.3 million in 2013; 328.6 million dollars in 2014 and 286.2 million in 2015. Curiously, the same contract of Capital and Maintenance Dredging is awarded to the BCC Joint Venture year after year. The company was awarded a total of $2.4 billion (or N717.3 billion) contracts in 10 years, in disregard for the nations procurement law. The Procurement Process There are nine essentials steps in public procurement in Nigeria. They include (1) efficient procurement plan driven by needs assessment; (2) adequate appropriation; (3) advertisement: (4) transparent prequalification /tender; (5) bid submission /opening; (6) bid evaluation technical and financial; (7) tender board /FEC approval; (8) contract award /execution; (9) project implementation. The fine details of this process are captured in sections 17 and 24 of the Public Procurement Act. The transparency steps for procuring goods, works and services must begin with the public posting of procurement notices and solicitations on a Notice Board located in a public area. The Requests for Proposals (RFPs) must also be advertised in at least two national newspapers of general circulation and the Federal Tenders Journal. The same announcement must be made in the government official gazette and by placement on the procuring entities website. The name of the procuring entity must be stated; also the name or nature of the contract; items to be procured; contact information for obtaining tendering documents; cost of the tendering documents; place and deadline for tender submission; Required Bid security amount and format; the place, date and time of tender opening; and the minimum qualifications bidders must meet. Others are transparent pre-qualification of bidders; submission/receipt of tenders; evaluation of tenders; comparison of tenders; recommendation of the winning bid to Tenders Board /FEC; issuance of Certification of No Objection to Contract Award by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP); debrief the bid losers on request; resolve complaints and disputes, if any; obtain and confirm the validity of any performance guarantee; announce and publicize contract awards; and execute all contract agreements. To forestall cases of sweetheart deals and protect the integrity of the process, formulators of the Procurement Act found it pertinent to include a provision forbidding communication with bidders. It says: At no stage shall the composition, names or any other details of any of the above committee members (the Technical and Financial Evaluation sub-committees) be divulged to the bidders. Other than when direct negotiations are required with the bidders, members of the above named committees shall not communicate directly with the bidders. All such communications shall be done through the procuring entity. NPA has superior ideas to the Procurement Law The Procurement Act may have spelt out statutory procurement guidelines for all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, but the NPA does not appear to think much of the law. If anything, the parastatal sees it as a clog in the wheel to be avoided as much as possible. Justifying the joint venture, six reasons are given by BCC (that is NPA top managers and TCMC Consortium), one of which is the need for an uninterrupted project (that may arise) from frequent bidding and due processes which are common in one-off government contracts. The agency gave a second reason for the joint venture saying it provides the additional technical capacity, mainly with regards to capital and maintenance dredging, bathymetric survey, buoys maintenance and surveillance, continuous monitoring of the access channel, wreck removal, training, planning and management. These are supposed to be the statutory duties of the NPA but they are routinely contracted out under a joint venture. Given that maritime is the second largest revenue earner for the nation after oil, all NPA contracts should pass through the eye of the needle under the Procurement Act, an NPA insider said. That the NPA has cleverly resisted by resorting to what is called restricted tendering method or in some cases single bid method, none of which subjects the procurement process to any form of competition. The only competition that exists is among the different companies or consortium begging to give an arm just to be NPAs joint venture partner. Although the Procurement Act makes provision for direct contracting, it expects that that would only apply only in exceptional cases. For example when the contractor is needed for early delivery of essential goods in emergency operations. Or when an equipment required is proprietary and there is only one source and no alternative equipment or products with equivalent performance characteristics are available. Direct contracting is also recommended when there are only a few known suppliers or exceptional reasons such as emergency actions related to a major natural disaster which may justify the waiving of advertising of competitive bids. Other joint venture partners PREMIUM TIMES gathered that BCC is not the only joint venture partner the NPA uses in circumventing the nations procurement laws. Investigations by this newspaper showed that the agency arbitrarily awards N750million worth of contracts annually to SeaView Properties Ltd, another so-called joint venture, to provide various categories of environmental services. The company in turn awards these contracts in batches of N2million to sub-contractors. The contract award by the sub-contractor is done through an internal advert process that is not subjected to the public procurement law. The threshold is maintained at N2million to retain the award threshold to domicile with the MD of the company and below what is required for public tender, a top official of the authority told PREMIUM TIMES. The small lots of N2million are inefficient and cumbersome, the scope does not seek to maximize value for money but just to ensure that the contract award is not subjected to public tender. The parastatal also set up joint venture structures that gave birth to such companies as Lagos Channel Management (LCM) and Calabar Channel Management Limited (CCM). PREMIUM TIMES found that the same CCM has a working relationship with another company called Nigeria West Minister Dredging Marine Limited. It is these handpicked companies, some of them amorphous, that NPA parades to give a semblance of compliance with the Procurement Act under its restrictive tendering. Other times it is just single bid process involving only one company. The Lagos Channel Management Company manages the Lagos Pilotage District. It was incorporated in August, 2005 by NPA with an equity shareholding of 60 per cent and 40 per cent equity to the Joint Venture partner, Depasa Marine International. Another NPAs joint venture is called Continental Shipyard Limited. This is described by NPA as a joint venture partnership between the Nigerian Ports Authority and Dockyard Engineering Service Limited of Geneva Switzerland. The primary purpose for the establishment of the Joint Ventures is to turn around the Dockyard as a lucrative commercial enterprise through operating, up-grading and modernizing the facility to provide essential support for construction, repair manufacturing and maintenance of vessels, crafts, rigs etc., the NPA stated on its website. The Calabar Channel Management Company Limited is stated as a newly established Joint Venture arrangement between Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited with the Nigerian Ports Authority for what is described as Management Contract on Dredging of Calabar Channel. The NPA holds 60 percent equity while the consortium led by Messrs Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited has 40 per cent shareholdings. Yet another of NPAs joint venture, although incongruous with the organizations core competence, is Agura Hotels Limited in Abuja which is listed as the agencys joint venture in the hospitality industry. There are no available information on how much contracts the NPA has so far awarded to the Calabar Channel Management Company Limited under the joint venture arrangement. None too for Continental Shipyard Limited and the Lagos Channel Management Company. The N717 billion naira is the value of contracts awarded to just one joint venture partner, Bonny Channel Company (BCC) over ten years. Explaining its joint venture arrangement with the NPA, BCC (NPA and TCMC) says the works it undertook were carried out at a cost effective way based on the fact that competitive rates charged to NPA are more or less within the same range with that for third-party jobs carried out by BCC Industry watchers queries NPAs claim to competitive rates saying it is the statutory duty of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), not that of NPA or BCC to determine what is a good price for a contract. In fact the BPP itself, alarmed by the manipulations and total lack of transparency at NPA has stepped forward to say that the NPA joint venture agreements contained terms that were skewed and disadvantageous to the financial interest of the Nigerian Ports Authority. NPA Reacts In August 2016, the new Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as saying there was need to look at some of the funds expended on capital and maintenance dredging. She said the funds used for such dredging projects in the past should not be that high. Its good time for us to compare capital dredging and maintenance dredging, NAN quoted the managing director as saying. When contacted Tuesday, Ms. Bala Usman said she had been taking stock of affairs at the NPA since she assumed duties in July, and that one of the areas her team was scrutinising was the procurement system in the agency. We will surely overhaul the procurement system here to ensure it complies with the PPA and Bureau of Public Procurements regulations, she said. For instance, at the second board meeting of Seaview Properties last week, I directed that henceforth contracts will be classified into lots that are efficient and the authority will advertise them in line with BPP and if the subsidiary or joint venture wants to bid, they can, alongside other companies. We will commence the process of the new lot sizes and scope. Then we will have a public tender process of awarding the contracts. We believe by 1st quarter 2017 the process will be complete and new contractors that have gone through a public tender process will emerge and take over. We are hoping to do that with other joint ventures and subsidiaries going forward. The Senate and an aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Okoi Obono-Obla, on Monday squabbled over the latters nomination as a non-executive commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Mr. Obono-Obla, currently Mr. Buharis special assistant on prosecution attached to the Ministry of Justice, was one of seven persons nominated by the president in August for the NCC board, Nigerias regulatory agency for the telecoms sector. Others were Olabiyi Durojaiye, nominated for the position of chairman; and Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management. Then, like Mr. Obono-Obla, four others Ifeanyi Ararume, Clement Baiye, Ezekiel Yissa and Aliyu Abubakar were nominated as non-executive commissioners. On Monday, Mr. Obono-Obla told PREMIUM TIMES that the Senate President Bukola Saraki included his name among those not confirmed by the Senate after the legislative body had cleared and confirmed him. PREMIUM TIMES obtained Mr. Sarakis letter to the President, saying that three persons Messrs. Yissa, Abubakar and Obono-Obla were rejected by the Senate. This (that he was confirmed) was graphically captured in the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in pages 880-891 of Thursday 17th November, 2016, Mr. Obono-Obla said. Surprisingly and curiously, the Senate President , Senator (Dr) Abubakar Bukola Saraki in a letter dated 22nd November, 2016 to President Muhammadu Buhari titled Confirmation of Appointments) falsely stated that the Senate did not confirm the following nominees thus: Aliyu Saidu Abubakar; Pastor Ezekiel Yissa and Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla. But the Senate, through its spokesperson, Sabi Abdullahi, later on Monday rejected Mr. Obono-Oblas claim that his confirmation was unilaterally reversed by Mr. Saraki. In its reaction, the Senate said it acted in error in initially including Mr. Obono-Obla among nominees that were confirmed as recommended by the Committee on Communications chaired by Gilbert Nnaji. It explained that it reversed itself the following legislative day by amending the votes and proceedings of the previous day. The Senate said, For the avoidance of doubt, the nomination of Mr. Obla was never confirmed or voted for since no decision of the Senate is said to be approved if not adopted during the consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate at the next legislative day. The Senate also wishes to note that the business of the Senate can only be binding when the votes and proceedings have been adopted and approved without any objection. The implication of the directive by the Senate President to the Secretariat is that Senator Garbais observation or correction was correct and therefore the votes and proceedings should be amended to reflect the true situation. On that fateful day, November 22, 2016, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai, objected to the alleged confirmation of the nominee, saying, My name is Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai representing Borno Central Senatorial District. Mr. President, what is actually reported in the votes and proceedings is not a true reflection of what transpired on Thursday with regards to the confirmation of one of the commissioners under NCC, Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla. The decision then was a resounding Nay. So, because of that, it was a mistake. Fact-Check However, this newspaper can authoritatively report that the committee that screened the nominees indeed recommended Mr. Obono-Obla for confirmation alongside Messrs. Durojaiye, Dare, Ararume and Baiye. PREMIUM TIMES is in possession of the committees report. After the report was presented, Mr. Saraki called for voice votes to approve nomination of each of the five persons recommended for confirmation. As he did in the cases of other recommended nominees, Mr. Saraki ruled the ayes have it and that Mr. Obono-Obla should be confirmed. PREMIUM TIMES witnessed the Senate vote to approve Mr. Obono-Obla for the NCC job and the video is also available online. But the following legislative day, Tuesday, November 22, the Senate amended the previous days votes and proceedings, reversing itself on the earlier confirmation of Mr. Obono-Obla, following concern raised by Mr. Garbai. However, Mr. Garbais claim that there was a resounding nay in the Mr. Obono-Oblas case is untrue. Aye was more audible in the chamber when the Senate President put the matter to voice vote, and Mr. Saraki indeed ruled the ayes have it! Undercurrents Mr. Obono-Obla hinted at possible reasons for his rejection. He said he reliably gathered that after his confirmation, the Senate President was put under intense pressure by two PDP Senators from Cross River State; John Owan Enoh (Cross River Central) and Gershom Bassey (Cross River South) which the Senate President balked. The two Senators, he continued, blackmailed and fed the Senate President with lies concerning Chief Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla who is also from Cross River State. The duo told the Senate President that Obono-Obla is behind his legal travails. The presidential aide did not say why two Senators from his home state would be interested in seeing him fail his confirmation hearing. Mr. Obono-Obla, as the presidential assistant on prosecution attached to the Ministry of Justice, had said the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, owed the Senate no explanation when the Minister was summoned to explain why he instituted forgery charges against Mr. Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Nigerian legislators from the Senate and House Committees on Health, Appropriation, and National Planning who are attending a legislative retreat in Johannesburg, South Africa, on budgeting for health, remarked on Monday that bureaucracy is the key obstacle to implementing the mandatory 15 per cent budgetary allocation to the health sector. The meeting, which theme is Legislative Retreat on Budgeting for Health, is holding at the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, Johannesburg as a joint initiative between the Nigerian Institute of Legislative Studies [NILS] and its south African counterpart. The Nigerian delegation is led by Ladi Hamalai, the Director General of NILS based in Abuja. The African Union in its famous 2001 Abuja Declaration proposed a 15 per cent budget spending to the health sector as a condition to achieve a universal and better healthcare services in each country of the continent. Emphasising the challenge of bureaucracy, Sonni Ogbuoji, deputy chairman of Nigerias Senate committee on Appropriation told PREMIUM TIMES at the Pan African Parliament venue of the programme, in Midrand, Johannesburg, that We need to rejig and retool our implementation process so that we can get at least a fair measure of whatever a budgetary allocation that is given to health. Mr. Ogbuoji stressed that If you say we are budgeting below the 15 per cent as recommended for health and our budget is say 8 per cent, we need to see 8 per cent on ground so we can tell ourselves that if we improve it to 10 per cent we shall get 10 per cent and if we now make it 15 it will be Eldorado Jones Onyereri, chairman of Nigerian House committee on banking and finance added, in a more optimistic tone, that while it behoves on Nigeria to respect the Abuja declaration on 15 per cent allocation to the health sector, the legislators are mindful of the enormous challenges the Nigerian economy is facing at the moment. However, Mr. Onyereri believes that the House of Representatives will get close to the vision of the Abuja declaration in the 2017 appropriation, hinting that I believe that this wont be a waste of time, in reference to the retreat with compatriots from South African countries. Nigerian civic sector actors in the public health community have run a three-year aggressive advocacy led by the Partnership for advocacy in child and family health [PACFaH] in the believe that expanded and increased health sector appropriation in Nigeria will help enable a universal health coverage and efficient primary health delivery in the country. Nigerias current health sector appropriation is 4.64 per cent of the annual budget, according to Nigeria Health Watch. This is 10 per cent lower than the budget cap recommended by the African Union in its famous 2001 Abuja Declaration. PREMIUM TIMES data team, working on ten years of Nigerian and South African health data [20062015] say that, based on proportion of national budget appropriated for healthcare, both countries have failed to achieve the threshold spending of the Abuja Declaration. However, the South African government has increasingly shown better parliamentary leadership through oversight and allocation to the health sector, two reasons which earned South Africa the hosting right for the study tour. As the data below indicates, only in 2010 and 2015 did South Africa top Nigeria in health spending between 20062015 but its increase since 2012 had shown measured and continuous rise. With the graphic presentation, it is evident that funds committed to the health sector by the Nigerian government between 2006 and 2015 always hovered around 5 per cent but never got close to the recommended 15 per cent by the African Union standard. The 2010 appropriation was the worst over time with 3.9 per cent and has continued to decline since 2012. South Africa Performed Better by Health Indicators Despite Nigerias eight times lead in health appropriation over South Africa, data is leading to realisation that the problem is even more complicated than a mere case of financing. South Africa, performed better on the World Health Organisation [WHO] ranking of Health systems performance in 2015 ranking 175 out of 190 as against Nigerias 187th position. Over the years the government of South Africa have had a consistent health plan which successive government had followed through. Analyzing available data and narrowing them to specific health indicators in four important primary health issues, nominal health budget proportion favours Nigeria, however the health output or indicator performance was unmistakably in favour of South Africa. Healthcare experts believe that South Africas modest but steady performance in its health spending and outcomes owe more to the commitment of every stakeholder, ranging from the political to technocrat class, as evidenced in the commitments of the ruling political party as highlighted in a 2011 DFID report. Malaria deaths The malaria chart shows that while South Africa continues to persistently experience a decline in their malaria related deaths, Nigeria on the other hand continues to experience an upsurge, peaking at over ten thousand deaths in 2014. However, 2015 data shows a percentage decrease of 35.9 reported deaths signifying a great leap. While within the same time frame South Africa experienced a huge percentage increment 57.4 reported deaths. Neonatal Deaths Neonatal deaths in Nigeria still remains a major source of concern. It has continued on a scary increase compared to South Africas managed record of 15,000 in 2011 that stabilized at 14000 over the last two years while Nigeria continues to record hundreds of thousands in deaths. Maternal Deaths Perhaps one area where the south Africans may want to listen to their Nigerian visitors is how Nigeria is winning the war against maternal mortality. Based on World Bank data on both countries, Nigeria has made nominal progress in curtailing maternal deaths from 2005 while South Africa is still struggling to keep its decline in check. Under 5 years Mortality With respect to Under 5 deaths, data is revealing that both Nigeria and South Africa have good stories with the nominal decline. A major direction for Nigerian legislative delegate to South Africa might be to seek insight on how oversight function and budget implementation monitoring has enhanced outcomes for South Africa than Nigeria. Download the data used for this story here and you can also view full infographics here. Data Sources: Nigeria Budget Office, South Africa National Treasury, World Health Organization, and World Bank The Super Falcons of Nigeria are set to battle the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the second semi-final of this years Africa Womens Cup of Nations, AWCON. In the history of the AWCON tournament, this is the fourth time the Falcons will be facing South Africa in the semi-final. The Nigerian ladies emerged victorious in three of the four previous semi final clashes and will hope for another win today. Stay with us for live updates of the clash. Kick off time is 7 p.m. The starting line-ups of both teams are now out as we get set for the Nigeria Vs South Africa semi final clash. Super Falcons Starters Vs Banyana Banyana: Alaba Jonathan, Faith Ikidi Michael, Ugo Njoku, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde, Rita Chikwelu (c), Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, Asisat Oshoala Reserves: Ibubeleye Whyte, Rita Akarekor, Ebere Ngozi, Gladys Akpa, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Glory Iroka, Ijeoma Obi, Chioma Wogu, Uchechi Sunday, Esther Sunday Banyana Banyana Starters Vs Super Falcons: Dlamini; Mabatle; Van Wyk(C); Mbane;Smeda; Vilakazi; Jane; Makhabane; Matlhalo ; Ngubane; Mcgoyi Reserves: Tsawe, Boks, Matlou; Motau; Nyandeni; Matlhalo; Kgatlana; Nogwanya Nigeria and South Africa anthem sang in the largely empty Cameroonian stadium Both teams are in their traditional colours; Nigeria in all green while the South Africans are in yellow. South Africa with the kickoff!!! Nigeria gets the first throwing South Africas Mbane commits the first foul of the game, as the Falcons are gradually finding their feet The South Africans are surging forward and causing the Falcons defense headache Oparanozie gets a warning from the referee as she placed the ball into the net after the whistle.. Its being more of the South Africans in these early exchanges.. will they cause another upset like they did in 2012? Ngozi Okobi tries a shot but goes just inches away from goal. Chance Nigeria come close to breaking the deadlock Oparanozie and Okobi denied by the goalkeeper. Free kick for South Africa.. Can they make the most of the chance? A flick into the Nigeria box But the Falcons avert danger as South Africa win another free kick. Lucky!!! South Africas goal has been disallowed for offside. Cameroonians at the stadium cheering the Bayana Bayana. They really want the Super Falcons to lose tonight #Beef. Cameroon are already through to the final after beating Ghana 1-0 earlier in the day. One minute extra time for the Nigeria vs South Africa tie Still 0-0. First Half over in Limbe. Nigeria 0-0 South Africa. Teams are back and Falcons kick off the second half. Goal !!!! Oparanozie puts Nigeria in front with a thunderous free kick. First sub of the match by South Africa Thembi in for Shingile. Coach Florence Omagbemi shouting on instructions to the Falcons as they keep a slim one goal lead. Chance!!! The South Africans could not bury the fine opportunity for an equaliser as goalkeeper Alaba Johnson picks up the ball. Nigeria and South Africa have played seven times in the history of the AWCONNigeria with six wins while the South Africans have a solitary win from these past meetings. Handball by Nigeria and free kick for the South Africans. Nigeria temporarily playing with 10 players as Ohale Osinachi is been attended to by medics on the sidelines. South Africa get a free kick inside their box after goal scorer oparanozie is found guilty of a hard tackle A couple of South African players warming up in the sidelines Can any of them salvage the day for Bayana Bayana. Asisat Oshoala with six goals to her name have been kept in check so far in this game. South Africa make another change as Shiwe comes in for Motalo. Yellow card to Njoku for time wasting! First sub for Nigeria. Francesca Ordega off for Wogu Success. Njoku almost with a own goal but goalkeeper Alaba stops the ball. Oshoala brought down but referee denies penalty call. Three minutes added time Can Nigeria hold on to this slim lead? Chance for Oshoala to kill off the game but she has lost the ball to the South Africans. Final whistle. Nigeria qualify for 10th AWCON tournament final. The Nigeria Police has adopted an attitude of lies and misinformation to cover its maltreatment of police officers who served in the recently concluded election in Ondo State, PREMIUM TIMES can report. Thousands of police officers were deployed from neighbouring states to join their colleagues in Ondo to provide security for the election, which was described as largely peaceful, free and fair by election observers. First to make a false claim was the police spokesperson in Ondo, Femi Joseph, who on Monday claimed that no police officers protested their poor treatment during the election. Scores of police officers protested at the Funbi-Fagun area of Ondo Town on Monday. The protesters, comprising regular and mobile police officers, barricaded the popular Ondo/Ile-Ife Expressway with patrol vehicles used for the Saturday election. The blockade resulted in heavy traffic snarl on the highway which lasted several hours and left motorists and travellers stranded. Some of the police officers who spoke to journalists, but refused to have their names mentioned, accused senior officers of the force of denying them their entitlements for the election. They said as a result, they were left stranded 48 hours after the conclusion of the election. They refused to pay our allowances after the election, we all believed that the money was released by the Federal Government to our Oga at the top but they refused to release the money to us, one officer said. We will cause trouble and make them realize that they are the ones encouraging corruption in this country. The protesters later dispersed after their senior officials prevailed on them not to embarrass the government and that they would be paid soon, one of them told PREMIUM TIMES. Despite pictorial evidence of the protest, and witnesses and participants narrating what they saw, Mr. Joseph, the Ondo spokesperson, claimed no protest held. There was no protest anywhere, it was the senior officer that was addressing the junior ones in Ondo for performing successfully well during the last Saturdays election, he said. In such a situation they may be shouting for joy and so some people thought it was a protest. A few hours after Mr. Josephs claim, the man who speaks for the Nigerian police, Dan Awunah, made a similar claim. No Police man went on rampage or protest on the street in Ondo town over non-payment of the election allowance, Mr. Awunah said in a statement released to the media. However, the claim that there was no protests fades in the face of another made by Mr. Awunah, a deputy commissioner of police. The spokesperson said the police officers who participated in the election were being paid their allowance through the banks, in line with the federal government Treasury Single Account (TSA) Policy to ensure transparency and accountability. The payments commenced few days to the election and most of the personnel confirmed receipt of payment alerts into their accounts before the election, Mr. Awunah said. However, those personnel who submitted incomplete accounts details and moribund accounts numbers have been rectified and they have started receiving their money. The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations for the election is currently in Ondo State and has debriefed the personnel after the election duties, he said in the Monday statement. Contrary to Mr. Awunahs claims, however, majority of the police officers deployed for the election from neighbouring states have not been paid a dime. PREMIUM TIMES spoke to police officers who were deployed to Ondo from states like Oyo, Ogun and Osun State. They all sought anonymity for fear of victimisation. They were part of the 26,000 that the police deployed for the election. Nobody from Osun State has received a dime before or during the election, one of the about 500 officers deployed from the state told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. How can the police claim there were problems with account numbers. Is that not the account we use in receiving our salaries, he said. Other police officers, who partook in the protest, also made similar confirmations. I left Ondo yesterday (Monday). I arrived on Sunday. For one week, no accommodation was provided, no feeding, no allowance. That is bad. Its like the police hierarchy deliberately encourage us to be corrupt, another officer deployed from Oyo State said. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how some police officers slept on the floors of police stations, on streets and with families and friends for the week they were in Ondo as the authority made no provision for them. Following persistent attacks on villages bordering the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, by unknown gunmen, authorities of the institution have suspended academic activities indefinitely. A statement issued on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the college, Danlami Aduwu, said the suspension of academic activities was informed by the need to safeguard the lives and properties of staffers and students. The statement directed staffers and students to vacate the campus. It urged all staffers to report to the temporary site of the institution at Kafanchan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all staffers and students of the college have since deserted the Gidan Waya campus for fear of losing their lives. Villages surrounding the institution such as Godogodo, Pasakori, Mile One and Tudun Wada, have been serially attacked by unknown gunmen. (NAN) The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Itse Sagay, has said that countries like Switzerland, United State, and the United Kingdom cooperated with the Nigerian government in the recovery of looted assets. Speaking with journalists at the Committees interaction with the media and civil society organisations in Lagos on Tuesday, Mr. Sagay declined to state how much of the assets have been recovered. Switzerland has cooperated very effectively, United States of America has done so, and the UK has also done so, said Mr. Sagay. He said there was a tendency for Nigerians not to realise that they too are victims of corruption. We are, in fact, putting final touch to a national anti-corruption plan which will show everybody once theres corruption, there is a portion of our resources being taken away by someone somewhere illegitimately, so whatever is left is less for the rest of us to enjoy. We need to relate whats happening to us to corruption, the bad roads that lead to accidents in which close relations, the poor hospitals that are ill equipped in which our mothers and sisters die during childbirth, the poor schools that are not well funded, producing semi-literates who cannot cope with the demands of a modern technologial world. We need to relate all that is happening in terms of looting to what we are aexperiencing individually as Nigerians. Mr. Sagay further said the national action plan would be implemented early next year. We are going to invite Nigerians to take control of it, to be part of it, he said. Governments come and go, Nigerians are there forever. I dont want Nigerians to look at it a government programme, it is a peoples programme, and it is the only way we can rescue ourselves from the clutches of thwse leeches who have destroyed our collective patrimony. President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja on Tuesday that his administration would use skill of indigenous engineers to build the countrys infrastructure nationwide. President Buhari stated this at his investiture as Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers, NAE, at the State House. He said Nigerian engineers were competent and cost effective. According to him, the well-trained and highly experienced engineers have contributed immensely to the infrastructural development of the country and, therefore, remain indispensable. The President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the NAE at the ceremony, said both military and civilian administrations over the years depended on Nigerian engineers for designs and constructions across the country. By insisting that we must be cost effective in building infrastructure, we will utilize Nigerian engineers. I respect them a lot, and I know it takes time to be trained as an engineer, he said. The President noted that local engineers contributed more than 90 per cent to the design and realisation of two refineries, 2,500 pipelines and 20 depots in the country during his tenure as minister of petroleum in the mid-1970s. He added that the success of the Petroleum Trust Fund was largely hinged on their skills. President Buhari said individual political leaders should be blamed for Nigerias ailing infrastructure, not the engineers who had always been willing to contribute to national development. Somehow, every time and anywhere I have served in this country, I found it cost-effective to use Nigerian engineers, and we relied on their capacity to understudy, learn, and deliver. It will be wrong to fault Nigerian engineers for the failure of refineries. You should blame the political leadership. How can you build and not know how to maintain an asset, he said. In her remarks, the President of NAE, Joanna Maduka, said science, technology and innovation were the key drivers of growth across the globe. She urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the multiple engineering talents in the country for more purposeful results. For the country to attain sustainable growth status, the Nigerian engineers need to be adequately engaged in planning, policy formulation, consultancy and construction, as well as industrial process of production and manufacturing, she noted. She noted that in the last one year, Nigerian engineering companies performed laudably in the procurement and construction of a 600 megawatt power generating plant and a 330KV switching station, which she described as the biggest in the national grid. (NAN) The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government not to increase the cost of data to avoid further pressure on mobile telephone users. Bobooi Kaigama, the president of the congress, made the call in a statement in Lagos. Mr. Kaigama said that the decision of government to jerk up the cost of data could increase insecurity, adding that it is unacceptable. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that telecommunication companies have been sending out messages to clients that it will increase data rate on December1, in line with the Nigeria Communications Communication order. Mr. Kaigama said that the increase in rate would further frustrate the people who were already burdened by high cost of goods and services. We feel worried about the move because data is one of the cheapest ways to empower the teaming youth. This move if allowed will make it unaffordable. This is insensitive on the part of the parties involved, the TUC President said. He further said that government should increase awareness for citizens participation in Information Communication Technology (ICT) rather than dampen their spirit to embrace the technology. According to him, the decision if implemented will obstruct the drive to increase youths participation in ICT. What then will be the benefit of the policy to the self employed who depend on data for their businesses? Cheap internet data is a vehicle to economic development. It is very unfortunate and inhuman to come up with such idea at a period of recession, he said. Mr. Kaigama said that any call for increase in prices of goods and services at the moment was uncalled for. He therefore urged the government to create policies that would encourage investment and stimulate growth and boost businesses instead. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family, friends and professional colleagues of veteran journalist and renowned social commentator, Abdulkarim Albashir, who died on Monday. President Buhari joined the government and people of Kaduna State, where he lived, Adamawa his place of birth and the Nigerian Union of Journalists in mourning the loss of the brilliant broadcaster and writer, who used his talent to promote the cause of the poor and the helpless. The president commended the fearlessness and forthrightness of Mr. Albashirs columns in tackling social ills, noting that the years he spent in the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and as Editor-In-Chief of the Democrat Newspapers were most historical and remarkable in developmental journalism. President Buhari said he believes his legacy of giving voice to the voiceless will be long remembered. The President prayed that the almighty God will grant the deceased eternal rest, and comfort his family. Also, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday paid tribute to Mr. Albashir. Mr. El-Rufai, in a statement by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, described Mr. Albashir as a thorough journalist who practiced journalism according to the best ethics. He said Mr. Albashirs death has created a big vacuum in Nigerias journalism, considering the enormous professional challenges and the battles for Nigerias unity and stability. He was a man of vision; foresight and commitment to the unity of Nigeria throughout his over 40 years in journalism. His demise has created a big vacuum in Nigerias journalism and the Nigeria Project, the governor said. An Abuja High Court on Tuesday granted bail to a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed. Mr. Mohammed was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 24, on allegations of fraud. He remained in the custody of the commission despite an earlier administrative bail granted him by the EFCC. Justice Hussein Yusuf had on November 25 adjourned hearing of an application for Mr. Mohammeds bail. The former ministers lawyer, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the court granted the application. The bail was granted this afternoon, with the same conditions in the administrative bail. He is expected to produce two sureties; who must be of the directorate cadre in the Nigerian Civil Service. They are also expected to have landed properties in Abuja, said Mr. Uche. Efforts to reach the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, to confirm the bail and whether the commission would release Mr. Mohammed once the conditions are met, were unsuccessful. His telephone line was switched off. Mr. Mohammed was Abuja minister in the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Sources in the EFCC had told PREMIUM TIMES that the commission is investigation several petitions accusing the former minister of hundreds of billions of naira land fraud while in office. The House of Representatives on Tuesday raised alarm over what it called, the spate of land grabbing by foreign companies in guise of investing in the countrys economy. The House raised the concern, following a motion under matters of urgent national importance moved by Sani Zorro (APC-Jigawa), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. Moving the motion, Mr. Zorro alleged that Lee Group, a Chinese company, planned to seize 15,000 hectares of farmland in Jigawa. Mr. Zorro said that a lot of people had been displaced by foreign companies under the pretext of investing in Nigeria. He said that he was disturbed by the land-grabbing activities by Messrs Lee group in many states in the North, the latest being its incursion into Jigawa. The lawmaker said that it was a ploy by the company to forcefully acquire over 15,000 hectares of farmland. According to Mr. Zorro, the development will dispossess more than 10,000 peasant farmers of their farm lands in over 35 farming communities in Gagarawa Local Government of his constituency. The company plans to grow sugar cane against the will of majority of the people who own farmlands. There is tension and threats of breakdown of law and order in the area, consequent upon the companys audacity to proceed with an illegal compensation since Tuesday, November10. This is in spite of a law suit and stiff resistance by owners of the farmlands. We cannot build our nation if we continue to elevate the citizens of other nations above our own citizens, Zorro said. The lawmaker said that as public office holders, they had the duty to protect lives and property of the citizens of the country. He, therefore, urged the authorities and the Jigawa government to resist any intent of dispossessing Nigerian citizens of their land and resources. The Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, while ruling on the motion, referred it to the House Committee on Judiciary for advice on the next step to be taken on the matter. (NAN) The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said on Tuesday that the to fight against economic crimes is not the exclusive preserve of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. At a House of Representatives hearing on the raids of judges home Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Malami said the State Security Service, being one of several law enforcement agencies in the country, had the backing of the law to crackdown on sharp practices in public service. There is no provision in the Economic and Financial Crimes Act that gave exclusivity to the EFCC as far as crimes are involved, Mr. Malami told the committee chaired by Garba Datti, a lawmaker from Kaduna State. Mr. Malamis appearance quelled a showdown that lawmakers promised would ensue if he failed to honour the committees invitation today. After Mr. Malami was absent for two consecutive days last week, lawmakers threatened to issue a warrant for his arrest. For the most part of the session Tuesday, the nations top law officer sparred with lawmakers about the legality of the SSS raids of senior judicial officers homes last month. Even though legal scholars remain divided about the legality of the unprecedented action by the SSS, Mr. Malami stated in no uncertain terms that the constitutionality of the clampdown was not up for debates. Mr. Malami said the functions of the EFCC, SSS, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, the police and other security agencies are interspersed as far as criminal cases are concerned. In most cases, these offenses cut across jurisdictions and many of them could have elements of economic crimes or even elements of terrorism, Mr. Malami said. Some have elements of narcotics and other associated crimes in them. Therefore, there is no exclusivity as far as the powers of investigation are concerned, Mr. Malami said. The AGF said Nigerias criminal laws enabled all law enforcement agencies to collaborate on most cases, a provision he described as good, fine and okay. In a nationwide sweep on October 7, the SSS raided the homes of judges, including two judges on the Supreme Court. Critics raised questions about the legality of the raids as well as the dangers of allowing a department that was hitherto known for keeping strictly internal intelligence orders. Mr. Malami immediately justified the actions of the secret police, a position he has maintained. Gunmen on Monday ambushed and killed four workers of a mining company, including a Chinese at Alongani village in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the killing to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lafia on Tuesday. Mr. Idirisu said the victims were returning from their mining site in a company truck at about 4p.m. when the assailants shot them from different directions. Mr. Idirisu said a Chinese, a police escort and two others, were killed during the ambush while another Chinese survived with bullet wound and was being treated in a hospital. He said the Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, had deployed officers to the area to work in collaboration with other security agencies as well as the vigilantes to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime. According to Mr. Idirisu, the commissioner of police had visited the Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area and the mining company. The commissioner called on the people of the state to encourage foreigners willing to do business in the state rather than attacking them. He reiterated the commitment of the police to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and assured that the command would not relent in its effort to rid the state of crime and criminality. (NAN) A philanthropic organisation, the Sarkin Fulani Foundation, plans to build 50 boreholes in Gombe state at a cost of N40 million. The chairman of the foundation, Adamu Mohammed, told PREMIUM TIMES in Gombe on Tuesday that the boreholes would be distributed across the state to assist government in improving water supply to the people. Mr. Mohammed said the foundation had also donated 30 hospital beds, an electricity generator and drugs worth N400,000 to the snake bite treatment centre in Kaltungo town of the state. The organisation had also assisted over 2000 pregnant women across the state in prenatal care, he added. Our aim is to help in alleviating the suffering of the masses, Mr. Mohammed said, as he called on the well to do in the state to emulate the gesture of the foundation. President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that the two million Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in refugee camps across the country must be properly resettled if the country was to avert possible social discontent. The President gave the warning when he met with the world leader of Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement, Sharif Ibn Mohammad, at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday. A statement by Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, stated that Mr. Buhari also expressed regret over the destruction of public institutions in the north-east by Boko Haram insurgents. He said government is faced with the problem of rebuilding schools, health centres and whole towns. We must renovate or rebuild schools and recruit teachers, otherwise, they will become tomorrows Boko Haram. President Buhari reiterated the importance of justice in the affairs of governance, emphasising that men and women in authority must show kindness and justice to all the people under their care. He commended the religious group for the prayers it rendered for three days in Yola, Adamawa State, for the recovery of the economy and for peace in the country. Buhari observed that the problem of oil production in the country and in global markets had made agriculture imperative for Nigerians. We are learning the hard way. The mistake we made was to abandon agriculture. We came at a time of difficulty which the country never experienced since the civil war, he said. President Buhari also requested the religious leaders to persuade Nigerians to embrace hard work, endurance and patience, and gave the assurance that the present administration would not relent in its efforts to achieve self-reliance and security. In his remarks, the cleric commended President Buharis sense of justice and concern for the people of Nigeria. He assured the President that the Tijjaniyya movement was in support of the administration and would continue to pray for its success. (NAN) The Kogi State Police Command said on Tuesday that two people lost their lives in a communal clash in Ikende community in Bassa Local Government Council Area of Kogi State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, told journalists in Lokoja that the clashes occurred between the Ebira and Bassa kwomu speaking people of the community on November 26 and November 28. He said that corpses of the two victims were recovered by police officers deployed to the area, adding that four other persons were seriously wounded in the clashes. According to him, 15 houses, five vehicles and 15 motorcycles were burnt by the warring groups. Mr. Aya said that the situation had been brought under control, saying that no arrest has yet been made. The spokesperson said that Ikende town had been deserted by residents who are now hiding in the bush. He said that anti-riot police officers will remain on ground until the safety of live and property can be guaranteed, adding that investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the clashes has commenced. (NAN) Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, on Monday performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a 10MW solar power plant estimated to cost N4 billion naira at Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria. The project, located at Biye Village, Sabongari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is expected to be completed in six months and is meant to address the energy needs of the university. It was designed, initiated and financed by ABU in collaboration with Nigeria-German Energy Partnership with assistance from Tertiary Education Trust Fund. During the foundation laying ceremony, the minister commended the university for its foresight and urged it to sustain the tempo. Mr. Adamu was represented by Fatima Jidda-Ahmed, Director, Tertiary Institutions in the Federal Ministry of Education. He expressed the hoped that the institution would take advantage of the partnership with Germany, not only in power generation, but in encouraging engineering students gain from the partnership. In his speech, the German Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Regina Hess, said the partnership was based on the passion Germany had for university education in Nigeria. She said universities would perform better if the education budget was used judiciously. With this project, our passion for Germany has become the passion for Nigerian government too, she said. Mrs. Hess promised to train engineers from the ABU to become experts in the field of solar energy. Jeremy Gains, the Coordinator, Nigeria-German Energy Partnership, recalled that the project started in 2008 in Berlin when the late President Umaru YarAdua and his wife visited Germany. Both YarAdua and his wife were alumni of the university. He met Chancellor Martha and she asked how Germany can help Nigeria. The late president said wisely in just three words and those three words were; power, power, power, adding that electricity is the key to development, he said. Mr. Gains said another alumni of ABU who also facilitated the project was the late Rilwanu Lukman, when he was both minister and Secretary-General of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. German company will come to Nigeria to create power stations while in return, Nigeria will guarantee energy security in the form of gas, he noted. Earlier, the ABU Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Garba, said ABU, the largest university, not only in Nigeria but in West Africa, had high demand for electricity. He said the university spent about N85 million monthly on electricity, thats why we need our own power source to use and probably sell out to consumers out there. Mr. Garba said, all things being equal, the project, which initial cost stood at N4 billion naira would be completed in the next six months. (NAN) The Kano State Government has invested more than N1 billion on the payment of school fees and scholarship allowances to its students in tertiary institutions. Mustapha Fagge, the National Chairman of Kano State Amalgamated Management and Parents Forum of five universities, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Tuesday in Katsina. Mr. Fagge said that the state government had paid over N1 billion as tuition fees to students in five foreign universities. We also have students in various private universities across the country, including Niger Republic, and we have paid their school fees. The state government has set aside the sum of N500 million for the payment of students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The state government has directed the state scholarship board to present its financial requirements for the complete payment of scholarship allowances to all students in Nigerian universities. The governor has approved the payment of the allowances and other upkeep of the home based students. We are ready to settle all the home based students as the foreign students had been settled, he said. Mr. Fagge said that Kano State officials were in Katsina to monitor the performance of Kano sponsored students at the Al-Qalam and Umar Musa YarAdua universities. We are aware that Al-Qalam University is planning to establish parent/management forum to introduce some levy for developing the university, he said. Besides, the chairman said, the Kano State government would pay all the development levies introduced in Al-Qalam University for its students in the institution. (NAN) Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara on Tuesday in Abuja briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the security situation in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that about 155 people were killed and 40 others kidnapped within the last three months when bandits invaded some villages in Zamfara State. The kidnapped persons were, however, later rescued following a negotiation between the state government and the kidnappers. Yari, who spoke to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, commended the President for promptly deploying security agents to the state to address the security challenges. I am here to brief him (President Buhari) on the security situation in the state. The operation is ongoing and is going on successfully. I am rushing back there so that the GOC and myself will visit the troops that are on ground in order to boost their morale. We will be with them throughout the week. In this kind of situation, you have to be with the people in order to show them that you are concerned as a leader. I believe the troops and other security agencies are doing their best and we will continue as government to give them the support needed to make the operation successful. The governor expressed the hope that the military would remain in the state for longer time, assuring that the state government would continue to take care of their logistics. The problem we have is that the state is surrounded by forests. The military men there are currently in about six camps. We hope they will stay there for a while, he stated. Yari dismissed social media reports that compensation was paid before the release of the 40 people kidnapped by the bandits in Maru Local Government area of the state. He said: We thank God that the 40 people are back with their families. We have rescued them from their abductors and we have returned them to their families without any injury. We also did not pay any ransom. (NAN) A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Yau Tukur, to death by hanging over the death of a man he doused with kerosene and set ablaze. The presiding judge, Usman Naaba, said it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence sometimes in 2013 at Dandago quarters of Kano State. Mr. Tukur was accused of pouring kerosene on Garba Shehu and setting him ablaze following an argument on a minor issue, leading to Mr. Shehus death. Justice Naaba, while ruling in the trial that lasted three years, said the accused committed the offense with the intent to kill and therefore sentenced him to death by hanging. The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has promised to engage female mechanics in the maintenance of government vehicles in the state. In Nigeria, car repairs and maintenance business is dominated by the men; women are rarely seen working in auto-workshop. But Mr. Obaseki, apparently excited to witness the graduation ceremony of 25 female mechanics in Benin City, appears willing to change the phenomenon in the state. I want to throw an offer to you today, the governor said on Monday at the graduation ceremony. In Government House, we have a workshop. We would like you to come and take a look at it and also see if you can take over maintenance of the vehicles in Government House. Mr. Obaseki said he was willing to partner the Lady Mechanic Initiative, a non-governmental organization which trains the female mechanics. Its in line with my agenda for job creation and youth empowerment, said Mr. Obaseki who lauded the initiative. Mr. Obaseki said as part of his administrations strategic plans, he would encourage female mechanics, as well as female drivers, to study at the Benin Technical College, after the school is rebuilt by his administration. Mr. Obaseki said combating unemployment and re-building communities should be the responsibility of the government, the NGOs, and the private sectors. We would like to have further discussions with you. I know you said you have a piece of land somewhere to develop as a one-stop mechanic village, but we would like to review and see if we can locate that workshop at the premises of the Benin Technical College, so that we can begin to relate to practical technical training with the training we receive in school, the governor said. Benin city is a transportation hub that is why the automobile business in this state is quite large. And as part of our strategic plan to make sure we have that competitive advantage, we would like to have institutions or initiatives like this that feed into our own plans. Sandra Aguebor, the founder and coordinator of the female mechanic initiative, told the governor that the girls had the passion to work. She appealed to the governor to offer employment to the girls. A former chairman of the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, Adesola Adebayo, has denied reports that he was on the run over an investigation the Lagos State House of Assembly is conducting into alleged corrupt sales of the councils properties during his tenure. Mr Adebayo, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES from Canada, where he claimed to be holidaying, on Tuesday, said the report that he was on the run was false and orchestrated by his political enemies bent on a witch-hunt. The P.M News on Monday had published a report alleging that Mr. Adebayo fled to Canada after he refused to honour the invitations of the assemblys Committees on Public Accounts for Local Government, and Local Government Administration. The report stated that Mr. Adebayo was invited to explain how the councils properties in highbrow Ikoyi and Victoria Island were leased for a fraction of their real value during his administration. The committees had invited Mr. Adebayo following petitions they received from unnamed individuals from the council. According to the P.M News report, Mr. Adebayo allegedly leased out a storey building on 15 Temple Road, Ikoyi, for between N190, 000 and N200, 000 annually. He also allegedly gave out a block of six flats on 37b Glover Road, Ikoyi, a bungalow in Igbo-Efon Village, Victoria Island, a storey-building shopping complex on Payne Crescent, Apapa for prices way below the market price. All the leasing was done in such a shady manner that raises a lot of questions which he must clarify. How can you lease out such buildings in major areas of the country for such low prices and for between 17 and 20 years? the newspaper quoted an unnamed member of one of the committees. Mr. Adebayo, in a telephone chat with PREMIUM TIMES, said he was being witch-hunted for supporting a different faction from Muyiwa Jimoh, the member of the House of Assembly representing Apapa-Iganmu constituency. He said the problem was political and there was an agreement that it required a political solution. He wondered why they were unearthing the allegation after two years. He said he had planned to return to the country on Friday but would move his arrival date forward if he could. He added that he had honoured the invitations of the committees voluntarily on three occasions and wondered why he would choose to abscond because of this new invitation. He also threatened to sue P.M News for alleging that he was on the run. Some people want the APC chairman of the local government to go. They no longer want him. Hon. Muyiwa Jimoh, the deputy majority leader, from the Apapa-Iganmu is on a different faction concerning the resolution of the crisis. He is on the side of people who wants the chairman to stay. I want the chairman to go. They know I have a strong followership there so they took up a matter that has been in the assembly for almost two years now and that we agreed that it was a political problem and it needs a political solution. He is just using his temporary power to cause problem there. It is just a pity that in a country like that people will use their positions to harass other. And because I have had issues with him he is now using the house to harass me. It cant work that way. They said they asked me to come to the House of Assembly, I have been there more than three times and I went there voluntarily. They want to use the house to blackmail me. There is no worry. I am not in the country right now but if I can change my ticket, I will come back to come and face them and then I will sue the PM News for that kind of libellous information. He suggested that he could not be held responsible for the lease of the properties and they followed due process and other officials also approved the lease to go ahead. He wondered why those other officials are not being probed. There are so many wild allegations that they made there? If they are hoping to probe a former chairman, are they just going to probe a section of it? If the chairman is the head of the place, can the chairman alone disposed of the councils property without an estate or surveyor or the council valuer? Are there no council managers there? Are there no lawyers there? Are there no treasures there? he asked. I plan to be back on Friday. But if I can change my flight I will be there tomorrow. He said before he travelled for holiday a week ago, he did not get any letter of invitation from the House of Assembly. I didnt get any letter. If they had a letter, who did they give it to? Who received the letter on my behalf? Who received from them? It is just a case of using the house to witch-hunt me because I dont agree with what they are doing. I will come back. I cant run away from my country. They should not use the house to spoil peoples name. Prices of foodstuff were forcefully reduced at markets in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday by a taskforce led by the President of the Market Womens Association, Omowaye Oso. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the team visited the Oja Oba and the Bisi Egbeyemi markets, both in the state capital. Ms. Oso ordered the stoppage of foodstuff sold at exorbitant prices, after which she personally sold to buyers at lower prices. Buyers had accused the sellers of deliberately selling at excessive prices on the excuse of the non-appreciation of the American dollar. Some of the commodities forced to sell at reduced prices included garri, beans, local rice and palm oil. Consequent, a measure of garri, which used to sell for N200, was reduced to N100. A 20-liter container of palm oil which sold at N22,000 was reduced to N15,000, while a measure of local rice, which initially sold at N500, was reduced to N400. Ms. Oso said she had henceforth ordered that small measure of Okro and locust beans be sold at N20 as against N50. She said the raid was supported by the state government and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Adeyemo Adejugbe. Both the Ewi of Ado Ekiti and the state government are concerned about the exorbitant prices of goods and services in the town. The cost of goods, especially foodstuff, is too high in Ado Ekiti, whereas, as the state capital, prices of goods and services should be the cheapest here. The market men and women should have mercy on the poor because things are too expensive here, unlike other towns and villages in Ekiti State. It is very unfortunate that market women in other communities dont want to sell at their places anymore; they now bring their wares to Ado, believing they will sell at twice the price of what they sell in their communities. As the Iyaloja, one of my responsibilities is to ensure price control of goods and todays exercise shall be a continuous one and shall be repeated in all markets in Ado. It is unfortunate that 20 liters of palm oil which sells at N14,000 in Ikole is being sold at N22,000 in Ado, but we have sold it at N15,000. Ado is now developing a bad reputation for high prices of goods and services, but we will not allow this to continue; the Kabiyesi has said he does not want hardship for the people of Ado. We will continue to carry out our raids until our market women comply and anyone who cannot comply, must look elsewhere to sell her wares. If you cant sell your palm oil at lower prices, dont bring it down to Ado again, she said. NAN reports that buyers at the market and other residents commended the market raid, describing it as a respite to the poor and hungry people. (NAN) Polish President Andrzej Duda, accompanied by Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz, on Tuesday attended ceremonies marking the 98th anniversary of the rebirth of the Polish Navy. The main ceremonies took place in the city of Gdynia on the Baltic coast. The president arrived at a port pier hosting the Blyskawica museum ship to take part in a military roll call and observe a parade. In a speech during the ceremonies, the president said that the tradition of the Polish Navy continues in a free country after decades of communism and the ravages of World War II, when most of its fleet was destroyed. Andrzej Duda also remarked that the Navy is in need of modernisation "after 27 years of neglect and underinvestment." The president expressed his belief that the process of modernising the naval fleet will be carried out "wisely" and "effectively" in the next few years. Soon a Polish ship, the ORP Kontradmiral Xawery Czernicki, will take over command of a group of NATO ships operating in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas and known as Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2), Andrzej Duda noted. After the roll call and parade, the president and a group of military and regional officials laid flowers at a monument to fallen Polish navy men. The ceremonies ended with a customary gun salute from aboard the ORP Blyskawica museum ship moored at the pier. The Polish Navy was revived on Nov. 28, 1918, soon after the country regained independence, under a special decree issued by the countrys leader at the time, Marshal Jozef Pilsudski. Today Poland has a fleet of 40 naval vessels and more than 40 airplanes and helicopters, including patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and anti-submarine and rescue helicopters. Every year Polish naval forces take part in several dozen NATO exercises and operations in different seas. In mid-November, officials announced that more than PLN 470 million would be set aside for the modernisation of the Navy in 2017-2019. PAP Pobierz zdjecie Przeczytaj o zasadach pobierania zdjec Polish Presidential Couple are going to Sweden (photo by Andrzej Hrechorowicz / KPRP) (1) Andrzej Duda and Agata Kornhauser-Duda starts an official visit to Sweden. The president will be received by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Duda will also meet with the Swedish PM. The talks are to cover innovation and safety. The visit is to focus on three aspects of Polish-Swedish relations, presidential Minister Krzysztof Szczerski has told. - First of all on economic diplomacy which President Duda is strongly emphasising as one of the pillars of his foreign policy," said the minister. The president will be accompanied by representatives of Polish start-ups. Young Polish entrepreneurs will take part in a forum devoted to innovation. The Polish president will hold a series of meetings with representatives of "large Swedish investors, large Swedish companies, with the Swedish Chamber of Industry and with companies that are also present in Poland," said Krzysztof Szczerski. The second pillar involves political talks which the president will hold with top Swedish politicians including Riksdag Speaker Urban Ahlin and Prime Minister Stefan Loefven, said Krzysztof Szczerski. He noted that Poland and Sweden are closely bound by security policy cooperation. "The safety of the Baltic Sea [region] is our common concern. The dynamics of the security situation in the Baltic Sea is negative," said Szczerski. He noted that although Sweden is not a NATO member, it is a very active partner of the alliance playing an especially important role as regards the security of the Baltic Sea states. President Duda's talks are to cover issues related to the future of Europe and the Eastern Partnership programme. The president is also to present Poland's negative opinions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline initiative and on the European Commission's recent decision on the OPAL gas pipeline. PAP Polish President Andrzej Duda and German President Joachim Gauck on Monday visited the headquarters of NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin (north-west Poland). During the visit, Andrzej Duda said that this NATO command centre "works very dynamically" as its level of readiness is being raised for quick response in the event of a threat to countries on the eastern edges of the Atlantic alliance. According to Andrzej Duda, the Corps work requires "harmonisation and coordination" because it involves soldiers from 25 different countries, each of which has its own command system "so that the soldiers are able to interact with each other very well." The Multinational Corps Northeast "functions very well, fulfills its role perfectly and is increasingly better prepared to perform tasks related to the implementation of the decisions of NATO summits in Newport and Warsaw," Andrzej Duda told a news conference. He also remarked that military cooperation between Germany and Poland "is becoming stronger all the time" as part of NATO and otherwise. When asked to expand, the Polish president said that bilateral military cooperation was one of the topics of his talks with Joachim Gauck. He added that there are "several big areas" of cooperation, "apart from the Multinational Corps Northeast." Andrzej Duda also voiced his belief that Poland and Germany were both interested in building a "security infrastructure for the defense of a certain system of values, especially in the context of all those threats that are potentially lurking from the south and east, not to mention the terrorist threat." The two presidents also talked in Szczecin "about how European issues will look further down the road in the context of the upcoming elections in France and Germany," according to Andrzej Duda. "We talked about how further cooperation between the European Union and NATO should look, which [both of us] believe should still be strengthened," said Andrzej Duda. Before meeting with reporters, Andrzej Duda and Joachim Gauck visited the Corps command post and talked with soldiers serving in the unit. Joachim Gauck told the news conference that the Multinational Corps Northeast plays an important role "at a time when politicians and the public have concerns about security in Europe." He added that the defence policies of Germany and Poland "are very close to each other." The Multinational Corps Northeast was established in 1999 under a letter of intent signed between Poland, Germany and Denmark. Officers from the three countries are the most strongly represented in the Corps and hold the highest commanding and staff positions on a rotating basis. In all, 25 countries are currently represented in the Multinational Corps Northeast, including the United States as well as NATO non-members Finland and Sweden. Following the decisions of a NATO summit in Newport, Wales in 2014, the Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin is raising its level of readiness level to respond to security challenges on NATO's eastern flank, with a special focus on Poland, the Baltic states, Slovakia and Hungary. PAP Mainland Regional High School will accept 31 students from other municipalities in 2017-18. Ocean City High School can accept 49. The deadline to apply for admission to a choice district for the next school year is Thursday. But many districts already have more applications than seats. Despite ongoing and even growing interest statewide, there are no plans to expand the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program to accommodate them. The program is stagnant, said Valarie Smith of the N.J. Interdistrict Public School Choice Association. Weve been trying to work with the state for the last year, but the caps are holding the districts back. The choice program started small, with just one district in each county. But it exploded once the state allowed its expansion in 2010, and this year 129 districts have enrolled about 5,000 students from other districts. The state provides districts with additional aid for the choice students, about $50 million a year, but as the cost rose faster than anticipated, the state responded with an enrollment cap in 2012-13 that only allows choice districts to replace choice students who leave or graduate. Since most of the students in the last expansion of the program are graduating in 2017, that has opened up more seats in districts such as Ocean City and Mainland. Ocean City has done more promotion this year, and about 160 people attended the High School Open House, up from about 100 last year. The district will have 39 seats for freshmen and 10 for sophomores, according to data posted on the New Jersey Department of Education website. Mainland Regional is staggering its open seats for next year to try to spread them among grades 9 through 11. Coordinator Nathan Lichtenwalner said the district already has more applications than seats, with 50 applications just for the 15 ninth-grade openings. If the district cannot fill the seats for 10th and 11th graders, it will open them to ninth graders. If a district gets more applications than seats, it must by law hold a lottery to decide who is admitted. Those not chosen can stay on a waiting list in case someone drops out. Districts can also give preference to siblings of current choice students, which in some districts will use up most, if not all, of the open seats. Lawrence Township in Cumberland County has eight open seats, but many will be filled by siblings, supervisor Heather Burkhart said. Cape May has no open seats next year because of the cap but still gets applications for the waiting list, Superintendent Victoria Zelenak said. Port Republic, Atlantic City, West Cape May and Vineland will also have no open seats for next year. Lower Cape May Regional has received 20 applications for 12 open seats, Superintendent Christopher Kobik said. Folsom, the first choice district in Atlantic County, has 24 open seats, most in kindergarten, and has already received 38 applications. Robert Garguilo, a former superintendent in Folsom who championed the choice program statewide, is now interim superintendent in Estell Manor, which has just three open seats in kindergarten next year. If we did not have the cap, I could take many more students and I know there would be an interest, Garguilo said in an email. I do not see any movement on this issue. A quirk in state aid funding allows some districts to get double aid for choice students, a problem Smith said they have tried to resolve with the state in a way that could instead allow the program to expand. Why should some districts get multiple funding for the same kids, when instead they could have another seat for a new student? Smith said. More and more parents are interested, but its not a state priority. The choice regulations expire in December, but the recommendation to the state Board of Education in November was to renew them with no changes. NJDOE spokesman David Saenz said in an email that there are no proposed changes for 2017-18. Smith said the program has helped diversify districts and provided many students the opportunity to attend a school more suited to their needs, all within the public school system. The program is great for students who need a fresh start, she said. She said there may be more interest in choice under President-elect Donald Trump, and New Jerseys program could be a national model for providing options beyond charter schools. We are hoping to get the program back on track, she said. Information on applying to a choice district is online at www.state.nj.us/education/choice/parents. Many choice districts also have the information on their websites. Choice districts Atlantic County: Atlantic City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hammonton, Mainland Regional, Port Republic. Cape May County: Cape May, Lower Cape May Regional, Lower Township, Middle Township, Ocean City, Upper Township, West Cape May, Wildwood Crest, Woodbine. Cumberland County: Cumberland Regional High School, Downe Township, Lawrence Township, Maurice River Township, Vineland. Southern Ocean County: Beach Haven, Long Beach Island, Pinelands Regional, Stafford Township, Tuckerton. Keith Bader had been hosting wine classes at the Washington Inn in Cape May for a few years before the program stopped. This year, the inn asked for him to come back for an encore. On Saturday, Bader will host Cape May Wine School at the Washington Inn. Bader will talk specifics about wine and how different types of wine are made. He also will discuss how to pair your wine with food and what type of palate is best with each wine. Students in the class will be able to sample some wine while learning. The cost is $40 per person. Its a chance to try different types of wine in a casual setting, said Bader, 64, of Cherry Hill. Baders love of wine began when he met his wife in 1973 at Michigan State University. Bader, who had always enjoyed the more generic wine, would be questioned by his wife if he knew of different tastings and types. Bader fell in love with wine so much that he switched his major from general business to hotels and restaurants. What hes learned to love most about wine is the diversity. Its the styles and grapes and countries, he said. Its always striving to learn as much as you can. Bader works for the wine distributor Lauber Selections, a subsidiary of Fedway Associates Beverage Media Group. He manages a sales team of nine people. Besides managing his staff, Bader goes around the region making wine lists and seminars and educational tastings. Besides the class at the Washington Inn, Bader will host a wine dinner at the Mad Batter in Cape May on Dec. 9. Often, Bader and another wine aficionado will each bring five wines to the venue and the audience will decide which one they like best. We take shots at one another and have a good time, he said. Hes been doing dinners and classes like these for nine years, and hes learned the louder the crowd, the better hes doing. If I cant calm the crowd down three-quarters of the way through the dinner then I know Ive done a good job, Bader said. Bader treats the classes and dinners just like he would if an audience member was coming to visit his own home the price of the wine doesnt matter. To him, its more about trying something you havent tasted before. I dont have a go-to wine. If you enjoy wine, theres nothing I wont open for you. If youre coming over to drink expensive wines, Ill do something different. If you want to explore, to me the most enjoyment is just sharing with people, he said. ATLANTIC CITY The family of a city man who went missing more than a month ago is still hoping for him to return home. Police said in November they were seeking the publics assistance in finding Dashand Stokelin, 36, of Atlantic City, who had not been in contact with his family since Nov. 23. He was last seen at 1:45 a.m. that Wednesday near the 200 block of N. North Carolina Avenue, and his family has not been in contact with him since, police said. Police and family members said Stokelin was driving a 2016 blue Subaru Legacy with a New Jersey license plate C79-GVK. Police said Stokelin frequents Camden, Jersey City and Philadelphia. Stokelins grandmother, Nancy Stokelin, also an Atlantic City resident, said last month she created fliers with his family members to aid in finding him. She said he previously took her vehicle, and never returned that night. I know hes grown, but still, hes a human being, she said. He would have come back. Anyone who knows where Stokelin is or anything about the vehicle he was driving should call the Police Departments Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766. People can also anonymously text information to tip411 (847411), starting the text with ACPD. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP The investigation continued Monday into the shooting outside Macys on Black Friday that killed a 21-year-old Atlantic City man and injured his older brother. Demond Cottman and his brother Shadi Cottman, 26, of Clayton, Gloucester County, were in the parking lot outside Macys at the Hamilton Mall about 1 a.m. Friday when Demond was fatally shot. Shadi Cottman was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, in Atlantic City with a gunshot wound to the leg. A spokeswoman for the hospital declined to release information on Shadi Cottman. Macys was open for Black Friday shopping. The Hamilton Mall, where the Macys is located, was closed at the time. Cottman was a 2013 Atlantic City High School graduate. He graduated from U.S. Air National Guard basic training in 2014. On Sunday, hundreds attended his funeral at the All Wars Memorial Building in Atlantic City before heading to Lincoln Memorial Park in Mays Landing for burial. Jay McKeen, a spokesman for acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton, declined to give additional information, descriptions suspects or vehicles. McKeen refused to say if there was any surveillance footage from the mall that captured the shooting. They have not disclosed why the shooting happened. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7666 or Hamilton Township police at 609-625-2700. {child_tagline} {/child_tagline} Seabrook House co-founder Margaret Peg Diehl, of Ocean City, died Saturday surrounded by her family. She was 89. Friends, family and colleagues remembered her as the woman who, with her late husband Jerry, founded a rehabilitation center in South Jersey for people looking to get help with addiction. Diehl was responsible for the original design and implementation of the family treatment program. This is taking a toll on the person and family, financially and in every way. I also feel its important to work with young children of chemical dependents, Diehl said in a 1998 interview with The Press. The Diehls founded Seabrook House in Bridgeton in 1974 after Jerry faced his own battle with alcohol addiction. Since then, the alcoholism and drug addiction treatment organization has expanded to include outpatient programs in Northfield, Cherry Hill, Camden County and Morristown, Morris County. A counseling center is soon coming to Monmouth County, according to Seabrook officials. Throughout her 36 years with Seabrook House, Diehl served as director of residential treatment and director of outpatient services and performed family interventions. She was an active member of the Al-Anon Family Program for more than 50 years. Diehls career ambitions went beyond her roles at Seabrook. She was among the first Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) in the state in 1977 and later became an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. In 2004, Diehl became one of the first licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselors in New Jersey. The career woman and mother of five sons received many accolades and awards for her work in the field of addiction and recovery. Diehl was the recipient of the Denis Mansmann Memorial Award in 2003, the C.R. Bard Outstanding Women in Treatment Award and Alumna of the Year Award of Little Flower High School in 2007 and the Women Making a Difference Award in 2008. Diehl received the Community Leadership Award by the Caron Foundation and the Standish F. Hansell Award for Excellence in Addiction Treatment in 2012. Long before she retired, the New Jersey Womens Task Force on Substance Abuse named Diehl Woman of the Year for 1997. Even in her 70s, she showed dedication for her work that would continue on for another decade. Its important to me to keep going because I feel I can still make a difference in peoples lives, she said. Diehls son, Edward, serves as the organizations president. He took over the position shortly after his father died in 1989. The Diehl family is inviting friends and community members for a viewing and Catholic Mass at St. Augustine Church of the St. Damien Parish in Ocean City at 13th Street and Wesley Avenue beginning 10 a.m. Friday. A luncheon and celebration of Diehls life will follow at the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City at 12 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Seabrook House Foundations Matrix Family Program at 133 Polk Lane in Bridgeton. 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. 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. SINGAPORE, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia risks losing its competitiveness on the world stage if it continues to neglect the development of its own business talent, a major new study has shown. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161124/442730-INFO ) For the second year in a row the region has just one representative in the top 10 of the World Talent Ranking, produced by leading global business school IMD. The annual report assesses how 61countries develop, attract and retain the talent pool necessary for businesses to maximize their performance. Of 61 countries, Hong Kong claims 10th spot in this year's ranking, gaining two positions since 2015, but every other Asian economy has lost ground during the past 12 months. Singapore - the region's only top-10 entry last year - has fallen five places to 15th, Malaysia from 15th to 19th, Taiwan from 23rd to 24th and Thailand from 34th to 37th. Despite its standing as one of the world's most powerful economies, mainland China is down in 43rd - a fall of three positions - with Indonesia a further place behind. Professor Arturo Bris, Director of IMD's World Competitiveness Center, which publishes the report, identified lack of investment in local talent as a crucial failing. He said: "There's no doubt that many Asian countries, Singapore arguably chief among them, remain among the very best attractors of talent from abroad. "There's no doubt, too, that they're able to improve their overall competitiveness as a result of the knowledge and experience this foreign talent brings. "But this isn't enough to compensate for the lack of development of local talent, particularly with regard to the paucity of public sector investment in education. "This and related issues mean Asian countries perform poorly in some of the most important measures that we use to gauge an economy's overall competitiveness." Rankings are aggregated from performance in three categories - investment/development, appeal and readiness - compiled from a wide range of factors. These include education, apprenticeship, employee training, worker motivation, language skills, cost of living, quality of life, pay, tax rates and brain-drain. Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg and Hong Kong - just ahead of Germany - make up the 2016 top 10. Professor Bris said Singapore's slide out of the elite over the past year was driven mainly by its failure to invest sufficiently in both primary and secondary education. Explaining China's consistently poor ranking, he added: "Despite increasing business opportunities, China still isn't a big attractor of foreign talent when compared with talent competitiveness countries. A full breakdown of the IMD World Talent Report 2016 is available at: http://www.imd.org/uupload/IMD.WebSite/Wcc/NewTalentReport/Talent_2016_web.pdf About IMD The IMD World Competitiveness Center is a part of IMD business school and also publishes the annual World Competitiveness Yearbook. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook has been published since 1989 and is widely acknowledged as the leading annual report on the competitiveness of countries. CONTACTS: Matthew Mortellaro, +41-21-618-0352, matthew.mortellaro@imd.org Singapore Lynette Wong, +65-9027-7015 lynette.wong@mslgroup.com SOURCE IMD International VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Market Insights presents an analysis of the U.S lime market in a new publication titled "Lime Market: U.S. Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026." The consumption of lime in the U.S. was pegged at 19,600 KT in 2015 and this is expected to increase to 27,074 KT by the end of 2026. The U. S lime market is projected to represent incremental $ opportunity of US$ 1,096.8 Mn between 2016 and 2026. In this report, Future Market Insights throws light on the various drivers and restraints likely to influence the market during the forecast period (2016 - 2026). (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161020/430874LOGO ) Increasing use of lime to remove impurities during metallurgical operations is expected to boost overall growth of the U.S lime market in the next 10 years. Developments in the metal industry have led to a significant rise in the demand for lime and the market is forecast to register healthy growth over the coming years. Another key driver impacting the demand for lime in the U.S. market is its increasing use for producing precipitated calcium carbonate. Growing prominence of lime alternatives such as limestone, calcined gypsum, magnesium hydroxide etc. are expected to pose challenges to its market growth in the country. Besides, less storage time is another challenge faced by market players in the U.S. lime market. Lime, when stored for more than six months, changes its physical and chemical characteristics due to absorption of carbon dioxide and moisture, and the product becomes unsuitable for use. These factors are likely to restrict revenue growth of the U.S lime market over the forecast period. Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-us-2209 Segmentation highlights The U.S lime market is segmented on the basis of Product Type into Quick Lime and Hydrated Lime; and on the basis of Application into Cement Manufacturing, Metal Manufacturing, Chemical (Water Treatment, Flue Gas, Others), Fertilizer, Pulp & Paper, and Others. The Quick Lime product type segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 83.3% by 2016 end and is expected to gain 90 BPS over the forecast period The Hydrated Lime product type segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 16.7% by 2016 end and is estimated to be pegged at 2,967 KT in terms of volume by 2016 end The Metal Manufacturing application segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 32.8% by 2016 end and is estimated to be pegged at 6,614 KT in terms of volume by 2016 end The Chemical application segment is estimated to account for a market value share of 33.3% by 2016 end and is anticipated to be pegged at 6,724 KT in terms of volume by 2016 end Preview Analysis on U.S Lime Market Segmentation By Product Type - Quick Lime and Hydrated Lime, By Application - Cement Manufacturing, Metal Manufacturing, Chemical (Water Treatment, Flue Gas, Others), Fertilizer, Pulp & Paper and Others: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/us-lime-market Regional projections The U.S lime market is segmented into the key regions of Northeast, Midwest, South, and Western. The Northeast U.S. lime market is estimated to account for a value share of 7.1% of the U.S lime market by 2016 end. Demand for lime in the Northeast U.S lime market is expected to be driven by water treatment plants. The Western U.S. lime market is estimated to account for a market value share of 16.7% by 2016 end, owing to an increasing production in the pulp and paper industries. Speak with Analyst for any Report Related Queries: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-us-2209 Vendor insights The report profiles some of the leading companies operating in the U.S lime market such as CARMEUSE, United States Lime & Minerals Inc., CHENEY LIME & CEMENT COMPANY, Lhoist, Linwood Mining & Minerals Corporation, Pete Lien & Sons Inc., Mississippi Lime Company, Graymont Limited, and Valley Minerals LLC. Top market players are expanding their production facilities and introducing latest technology and equipment to meet market demand, besides adopting strategies such as acquisitions and alliances to expand their presence and retain market share. More From FMI's Cutting-edge Intelligence: North America Fresh Meat Packaging Market Segmentation By Material Type - PE, PVC, BOPP, PA, EVOH, PP and Others; By Layer Type - Monolayer, 3-Layer, 5-Layer, 7-Layer And 9-Layer; By Packaging Format - MAP, VTP, VSP and Others; By Meat Type - Beef, Pork, Poultry and Others: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/north-america-fresh-meat-packaging-films-market Temperature Controlled Pharmaceutical Packaging Solutions (TCPPS) Market Segmentation By Product Type -Insulated Shippers, Insulated Protective Shippers, Insulated Containers; By Application - Frozen, Chilled, Ambient: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/temperature-controlled-pharmaceutical-packaging-solutions-market Textile Floorings Market Segmentation By Material Type - Synthetic Textiles, Animal Textiles and Plant Textiles; By Product Type - Rugs and Carpets; By Technology - Tufting, Woven and Needlefelt; By Application - Residential, Commercial and Others: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/textile-floorings-market About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Chemicals and Materials Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): +44-207-692-8790 Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press@futuremarketinsights.com Website: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com SOURCE Future Market Insights LAUSANNE, Switzerland, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A major global study - the 3rd annual World Talent Report from IMD business school has identified crisis-riddled Europe as home to nine of the 10 economies best equipped to develop, attract and retain business talent. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161124/442750 ) The continent as a whole may well be struggling to deal with issues such as sovereign debt, migration, terrorism and the rise of populism and Euro-skepticism. Yet only Hong Kong challenges its hold on the first 10 places in the latest World Talent Ranking, a prestigious annual report by leading global business school IMD. Switzerland and Denmark still comfortably hold first and second spots, as they did last year, with Belgium rated third, Sweden fourth and the Netherlands fifth. Finland, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg and Hong Kong complete the top 10, with Germany (11), Iceland (16), Ireland (18) and the UK (20) also featuring in the first 20. Many prominent economies fare disappointingly, with the US 14th - as it was in 2015 - Japan 30th and mainland China slipping further down the rankings to 43rd. Professor Arturo Bris, Director of IMD's World Competitiveness Center, which publishes the report each year, said: "Talent is one of the competitive pillars of Europe. "It's true that the region generally continues to face a number of problems, including poor economic growth, declining momentum and negative expectations. "But the quality of its education systems and its commitment to developing talent from a very young age to retirement should preserve its long-term competitiveness." The objective of the World Talent Report is to assess how countries around the globe sustain the talent pool necessary for businesses to maximize their performances. The research draws on more than two decades' worth of competitiveness-related data, including an in-depth survey of thousands of executives in the 61 countries studied. Rankings are aggregated from performance in three overarching categories - investment/development, appeal and readiness - compiled from a wide range of factors. These include education, apprenticeship, employee training, worker motivation, language skills, cost of living, quality of life, pay, tax rates and brain-drain. Each country's evolution in the various aspects is also assessed over the course of the past decade - during which Switzerland has placed first every year. Professor Bris, an expert in the fields of finance and global competitiveness, said: "The effects of the economic crisis on many parts of Europe can't be denied. "Germany, for instance, has been hit hard. Worsening business sentiment and a decline in both the education system and quality of life have seen it fall out of the top 10. "Yet Northern Europe in particular has generally retained its 'powerhouse' reputation and still represents the world's greatest concentration of business talent hotspots. "It's especially striking that nearly every Nordic nation features in the top 10. This is mainly because their education systems feed the economy with the required talent. "Language barriers and a high cost of living mean these countries aren't really big attractors of foreign talent, yet they invest public resources in developing the right competencies. "The opposite situation applies to many Asian countries. They might be amazing attractors of foreign talent, but they don't invest enough in nurturing local talent." Speaking about the talent conditions in the US, Professor Bris added: "The US hasn't featured in the top 10 since 2008, and we've remarked before that economic power and talent don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. "Indeed, it's well worth noting that small can be beautiful when it comes to talent management, as it's harder for larger countries to adopt and adapt effective systems. A full breakdown of the IMD World Talent Report 2016 is available at: http://www.imd.org/uupload/IMD.WebSite/Wcc/NewTalentReport/Talent_2016_web.pdf This is the third edition of IMD's World Talent Report. The second, published in 2015, produced a top 10 of Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Canada, Belgium and Singapore. IMD also publishes an annual World Competitiveness Ranking. The 2016 edition's top 10 consisted of Hong Kong, Switzerland, the US, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada. The World Competitiveness Ranking has been published since 1989 and is widely acknowledged as the leading annual report on the competitiveness of nations. About IMD The IMD World Competitiveness Center is a part of IMD business school and also publishes the annual World Competitiveness Yearbook. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook has been published since 1989 and is widely acknowledged as the leading annual report on the competitiveness of countries. CONTACTS: Matthew Mortellaro, +41.21.618.0352, matthew.mortellaro@imd.org SOURCE IMD International AIX EN PROVENCE, France, November 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AEVI and Welcome Real Time, a Collinson Group Company, today announced their partnership to offer a new loyalty app solution on AEVI's Global Marketplace. At Store mPOS, the real-time reward application, is now available for banks and merchant acquirers to offer to small merchants. This additional service will enable retail merchants to offer their customers bespoke loyalty rewards, and in so doing regain a competitive advantage over larger, more established brands. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151026/280732LOGO ) Welcome Real Time, is extending the range of high quality value-added apps and services available on AEVI's Global Marketplace, the white-labelled, business-to-business app store that enables banks and acquirers to offer merchants complete business solutions on a range of AEVI-enabled smart mPOS devices. "We are delighted to collaborate with AEVI. At Store mPOS fits perfectly in AEVI's Marketplace as the leading app for real-time payment-integrated loyalty," says Pierre Boces, Head of Product Marketing and Consulting for Welcome Real Time. "With At Store mPOS for AEVI, Welcome Real Time continues to put loyalty at the heart of every payment interaction." Offering an empowering, fully customisable, loyalty solution, At Store mPOS allows merchants to be more in control of their marketing initiatives, track customer spending, and provide real-time rewards to their customers designed around their spending habits. Customers are rewarded seamlessly right at the point-of-sale, and without the need for unnecessary additional cards. "We are thrilled to be collaborating with Welcome Real Time and are very happy to welcome them as a valuable partner for our Global Marketplace," says Mike Camerling, Chief Product Officer at AEVI. "So often small merchants don't have the resources to compete with big brand loyalty scheme, but through At Store mPOS our customers will be able to provide their retail merchants with a simple and tailor-made loyalty solution increasing their choice and flexibility." SOURCE WRT, Collinson Group ABU DHABI and DUBAI, UAE, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- World Islamic Banking Conference draws leading stakeholders to discuss issues facing the segment, including cyber security DarkMatter, an international cyber security firm headquartered in the UAE, announces its participation at the forthcoming World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) 2016, taking place between 5 - 7 December, 2016 at the ART Rotana Hotel, Amwaj Islands, Manama, Bahrain. DarkMatter is the Cyber Security Innovation Partner to the event. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443648 ) Celebrating its 23rd year of existence, the conference theme this year is "Economic Uncertainties: Vigilance & Growth". WIBC 2016 is aimed at enabling Islamic finance to converge, strengthen and grow as an ecosystem whilst equipping leaders with breakthrough insights to navigate the complexity of the global financial system, and securing digital assets is part of that mandate. The banking and finance sector is of strategic significance to DarkMatter and is clearly an economic area heavily targeted by cyber criminals looking to steal, extort, or corrupt digital information with the view to benefiting financially. In the Middle East, cyber security generally remains an area of concern with a recent industry report estimating that the financial cost of cyber crime to the UAE alone has reached US$1.4 billion to date this year, an increase of 4.9 per cent year-on-year. Globally, the financial cost decreased by 16 per cent to US$125.9 billion during the same period, the report estimates, highlighting that in the UAE, and indeed other markets across the region, financial institutions need to take pro-active steps to defend and secure their digital assets from internal and external cyber threats. During its participation at WIBC 2016, DarkMatter is keen to emphasise the requirement for financial institutions to assume heightened security postures, with Harshul Joshi, Senior Vice President of Cyber Governance, Risk and Compliance set to make a keynote address considering 'Cyber Security Challenges Facing The Banking Industry in the Middle East'. Rabih Dabboussi, DarkMatter's Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development is set to offer his insights on why 'Cyber Security is an imperative in the Digital Banking Era', during a presentation to the assembled audience, where he will focus his comments on the requirement for the banking sector to develop a strong cyber security posture as institutions continue to adopt new technologies and advanced processes at a fast pace. Commenting on DarkMatter's participation at WIBC 2016, Rabih Dabboussi said, "The banking and finance community is well aware of the cyber threats their industry attracts, and our interest in being present at this important meeting of Islamic financiers is to bring home the message that there are technologies, tools, processes and specialists who can help them navigate this potentially hazardous landscape." WIBC is a premier gathering for top-level, global Islamic finance and banking industry figures drawn from institutional investors, asset managers, policy makers, and academics among other stakeholders. Key features for WIBC 2016 include a Governors' power table; specialised streams focused on banking leadership opportunities and asset management best practices; thought leadership from leading strategy consultants; and panel sessions focused on SMEs and entrepreneurs considering the impact of innovation in financial technology. About DarkMatter DarkMatter is transforming the cyber security landscape. Headquartered in the UAE and operating globally, we're the region's first and only fully integrated digital defence and cyber security consultancy and implementation firm. Our elite team of global experts deliver advanced, next-generation solutions to governments and enterprises across the cyber security spectrum. We help clients simplify the enormous complexity of today's ever-evolving cyber threats. Our vision is to secure the future by protecting its technologies. Innovation and Research are cornerstones to our development and the activities in these areas underpin our entire range offerings, including Secure Communications, Public Key Infrastructure and Big Data & Analytics products. They also extend to our activities in Governance, Risk & Compliance, Cyber Network Defence, Managed Security Services, Infrastructure & System Integration, Test & Validation Labs, and Smart Solutions. For further details, visit http://www.darkmatter.ae SOURCE DarkMatter LAUSANNE, Switzerland, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe is home to nine of the 10 economies worldwide that are best equipped to develop, attract and retain business talent, a major new study has highlighted. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161124/442725 ) Only Hong Kong challenges the continent's grip on the top spots in the latest World Talent Ranking, a prestigious annual report by leading global business school IMD. The research suggests established economic powers such as Germany, the UK and France are playing only minor roles in sustaining the region's pre-eminence. Instead Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands occupy the top five places in the rankings - the first two retaining their standings from last year. Finland, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg and Hong Kong complete the top 10, with Germany 11th, Iceland 16th, Ireland 18th, the UK 20th and France down in 28th. Professor Arturo Bris, Director of IMD's World Competitiveness Center, which publishes the report each year, said: "Talent is one of the competitive pillars of Europe. "It's true that the region generally continues to face a number of problems, including poor economic growth, declining momentum and negative expectations. "But the quality of its education systems and its commitment to developing talent from a very young age to retirement should preserve its long-term competitiveness." The objective of the World Talent Report is to assess how countries sustain the talent pool necessary for businesses to maximize their performances. Austria was one of the biggest movers over the past 12 months, climbing 11 places to break into the top 10, while Belgium rose by six positions to take third spot. By contrast, Germany slipped out of the elite, dropping from 7th to 11th, after being impacted especially heavily by the economic crisis affecting much of Europe. Professor Bris, an expert in the fields of finance and global competitiveness, said: "Germany has been hit particularly hard, as is reflected in its loss of top-10 status. "This is due to a combination of worsening business sentiment, which lessens the country's appeal to talent, and a decline in both education investment and quality of life. "Times change, and the fact that Northern Europe offers the world's greatest concentration of business talent hotspots is now largely due to the Nordic countries. "It's especially striking that nearly every one of these features in the top 10, and this is mainly because their education systems feed the economy with the required talent. "It's also worth noting that small can be beautiful when it comes to talent management, as it's harder for larger countries to adopt and adapt effective systems." A full breakdown of the IMD World Talent Report 2016 is available at: http://www.imd.org/uupload/IMD.WebSite/Wcc/NewTalentReport/Talent_2016_web.pdf About IMD The IMD World Competitiveness Center is a part of IMD business school and also publishes the annual World Competitiveness Yearbook. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook has been published since 1989 and is widely acknowledged as the leading annual report on the competitiveness of countries. CONTACTS: Matthew Mortellaro, +41-21-618-0352 matthew.mortellaro@imd.org SOURCE IMD International DUBLIN, Nov 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Light Vehicle Roof Systems Market - Forecasts to 2031" report to their offering. The top 14 markets accounting for over 98% of global light vehicle production Updated in the last quarter, this report has been extracted from motor industry information and intelligence platform QUBE and provides a comprehensive overview of the global OE roof systems sector, major suppliers, top 14 markets, technology trends and market size forecasts. Based on exclusive interviews, primary research and proprietary data this global market study includes: - Automotive OE roof systems (large roof systems, retractable hard tops, retractable soft tops, conventional sunroofs) fitment and market size data for the top 14 - car roof markets - A review of the latest technological developments and market trends (including car rooves, large roof systems, retractable hard tops, retractable soft tops, conventional sunroofs, optional roofs, panorama roofs, polycarbonate, solar roofs, bonding systems) - Regional supplier market share data tables and commentary - Exclusive interviews with OE suppliers including Valmet Automotive, Magna Steyr, Inteva (news and interviews only available in QUBE) - Updated profiles of the major automotive roof system suppliers including their strategies and prospects - Sector PESTER (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Regulatory) analysis. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Pester analysis 3. Companies - Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. - ASC Inc - Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts Co - Heuliez - Inteva Products, LLC - Magna International Inc. - Pininfarina - Valmet Automotive - Webasto AG 4. Forecasts - Conventional-sized sunroofs - Convertible roofs - - Retractable hard-top roofs - - Retractable soft-top roofs - Large sunroofs 5. Markets - Emerging markets - Market shares 6. Technologies - Other - - Bonding system from Dow Automotive - - Polycarbonate roof systems - - Smart Fortwo foam roof - - Webasto's Multi Optional Roof System - - World's largest openable one-piece panorama roof - Retractable hard-top roofs - - BMW Z4 - - Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet - - Renault Wind - Retractable soft-top roofs - - Chevrolet 2015 Corvette Z06 - - Ferrari California - - Valmet Automotive's soft-top sound insulation roof system - Solar roofs - - Solar sliding roof from Webasto - - Toyota Prius solar roof - - Webasto's solar roof 7. Archive - Ferrari Superamerica - Nissan 370Z Roadster - Solar roofs from Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5pt3x7/global_light Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets Sell Meeting Packages Online on Hotel Websites without Commissions DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GroupRevMax today launched GroupRevMax Meeting Booker, a component that enables hotel websites to sell complete meeting packages including guest rooms, meeting space, Food & Beverage, and Audio Visual Equipment online and enable credit card payments. While the largest hotel franchises have this on their website, the rest of the industry has been lacking this and is at a competitive disadvantage and GroupRevMax hopes to level the playing field with this release. "We are in an era where a lot of people value instant results over human interaction and this feature will satisfy the need while also reducing the load on sales teams, who no longer have to send proposal, contracts, etc. for small meetings booked online," said SVP of GroupRevMax, Ram Mohan. "Many small meetings are organized by busy executives, so we also have other time saving features like rebooking a meeting based on a past meeting that we think will improve repeat business." Comparing the current scenario to the birth of online travel agencies, Mr. Mohan added, "While comparing hotels were the prime reason, OTA growth was also fueled by the fact that hotels at the time lacked a good booking engine on their own website. Now the industry is focusing on direct bookings while a similar process is underway in the group segment with third parties allowing meeting booking online and charging hotels a commission. So, hotels have to allow small meetings to be booked online sooner rather than later." Hotel Industry so far hasn't been able to do this since the third parties were the same companies offering this solution and were charging a commission for sales that originated on the hotel's website. The alternative of developing something in-house for group sales was also not viable for most hotels since they lack the IT capability. GroupRevMax solves this problem by offering the solution commission free. Another reason for lack of adoption was that while the industry has adopted automatic guest room pricing, pricing a meeting package still remains a manual task at most hotels. GroupRevMax solves this problem with a rules based pricing engine that is already used by sales teams in many hotels to price the sales that come through the existing RFP route. About GroupRevMax GroupRevMax is an innovative provider of solutions to the hospitality industry. GroupRevMax first launched a group sales system that automated the process for group sales teams at hotels end to end while focusing each activity on generating more revenue and profit for the company and already integrates with leading PMS systems, which enables the company to provide a truly unique solution for online meeting booking. Learn more about GroupRevMax Meeting Booker at https://grouprevmax.com/web-meeting-booking.html Related Links https://grouprevmax.com/web-meeting-booking.html SOURCE GroupRevMax AMSTERDAM, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dryden Euro 44 EURO CLO 2015 B.V. has its registered office in The Netherlands. For the purposes of the Transparency Directive (Directive 2004/109/EC) as amended by the Transparency Directive Amending Directive (Directive 2013/50/EU), Dryden Euro 44 EURO CLO 2015 B.V. has chosen the Republic of Ireland as its Home Member State and the Central Bank of Ireland as its competent authority. SOURCE Dryden Euro 44 EURO CLO 2015 B.V. DURHAM, North Carolina, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Micell Technologies, Inc. (Micell) announced enrollment of the first patient in DESSOLVE J: a prospective, randomized, balanced, controlled, double-blind, multi-center study comparing MiStent SES Sirolimus Eluting Absorbable Polymer Coronary Stent System (MiStent) to XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System (Xience) in Japan. Shigeru Saito, M.D., Vice Director, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital and Director of Cardiology and Catheterization Laboratories, is the principal investigator. DESSOLVE J is an all-comers trial with a primary endpoint of target lesion failure (TLF) comparing 12-month clinical outcomes between MiStent and Xience. Candidates for trial participation suffer from symptomatic coronary artery disease, including those with chronic stable angina, silent ischemia, acute coronary syndromes and those who qualify for percutaneous coronary interventions. Enrollment is planned at approximately 10 clinical sites throughout Japan. "We are pleased to enroll the first patient in this important study," said Dr. Saito. "This study is a historic one for Japan. It will provide us with valuable insights into the potential benefits of MiStent's unique pharmacokinetic profile, with a rapidly absorbing polymer and extended elution of crystalline sirolimus." DESSOLVE J is intended to provide Japanese-specific data that is supportive of DESSOLVE III, an all-comers clinical study that includes 1,400 patients randomized to MiStent or Xience at 20 sites in Europe. DESSOLVE III completed enrollment in 2015. Following the completion of DESSOLVE J, Micell intends to file a pre-market approval application with Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for approval by its Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. Micell's patented supercritical fluid technology allows for a rigorously controlled coating of the drug and polymer, whereby the drug is applied to a bare-metal stent in a dry powder, crystalline form. This preserves its morphology and optimizes its pharmacokinetic (distribution and absorption) profile. MiStent also leverages the benefits of a cobalt chromium coronary stent system -- a state-of-the-art, ultra-thin-strut metallic stent that has demonstrated excellent deliverability, conformability and flexibility. Arthur J. Benvenuto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Micell said, "Cardiovascular disease poses a significant health risk in Japan and even with recent improvements in coronary artery disease treatment, additional advances in drug-eluting stents are still needed. Studies of MiStent to date have demonstrated a desirable lack of late lumen loss over 18 months, a characteristic that makes MiStent a clinically meaningful improvement that could provide clinicians and patients worldwide with enhanced treatment options." About MiStent MiStent is designed to optimize healing and clinical performance in patients with coronary artery disease. The rapidly absorbable coating of MiStent, which contains crystalline drug (sirolimus) and an absorbable polymer, is intended to precisely and consistently provide for extended local drug delivery and limit the duration of polymer exposure. These characteristics potentially reduce the safety risks associated with currently commercially available drug-eluting stents and improve long-term clinical outcomes. EU approval of MiStent was supported by clinical data from two studies, DESSOLVE I and II, which demonstrated superior in-stent late lumen loss rates and an excellent safety profile. Micell also completed enrollment in December 2015 of DESSOLVE III, a 1,400 patient, 20 center, randomized clinical trial comparing MiStent to Xience Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System (Xience). DESSOLVE III is a prospective, balanced, randomized, controlled, single-blind, multi-center study comparing clinical outcomes between MiStent and Xience in a "real world, all-comers" patient population. Patients in the trial suffered from symptomatic coronary artery disease, including those with chronic stable angina, silent ischemia, or acute coronary syndrome, and qualified for percutaneous coronary interventions. The primary endpoint for this trial is a non-inferiority comparison of target lesion failure (TLF) of the MiStent group versus the Xience group at 12 months post-procedure. The 12-month primary endpoint results for DESSOLVE III are expected to be released in the first half of 2017. MiStent has received CE marking, but is not approved for sale in the United States. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements include words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes" and words and terms of similar substance in connection with the results of a post-marketing clinical program and the commercialization and sale of MiStent in Europe and other markets. We caution readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are predictions based on our current analysis of, and expectations about, future events and speak only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following: the results of any further clinical trials and studies; our ability to obtain regulatory approval of the MiStent in other jurisdictions; the successful development and commercialization of MiStent in Europe and other markets; the ability of MiStent to effectively and successfully compete with current commercially available drug-eluting stent technologies in Europe and other markets; and our ability to maintain and protect our proprietary stent coating technology. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. Micell, Micell Technologies, the Micell Logo, MiStent and MiStent SES are among the trademarks of Micell Technologies, Inc. Contact for Micell Technologies Arthur J. Benvenuto, Chairman & CEO +1 (919) 313-2104 SOURCE Micell Technologies, Inc. DUBAI, UAE, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mundipharma, an international pharmaceutical leader in pain management, hosted its third Cancer Care Summit in Morocco on the 21st and 22nd of October, to share major developments in the understanding and the management of cancer patients' care, and highlight the need to commit to innovating and developing ground-breaking treatments in cancer care medicine. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443726 ) The Mundipharma 3rd Cancer Care Summit attended by over 180 global healthcare professionals, including Oncologists and Palliative Care experts from 12 countries across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), who shared clinical expertise as well as the latest evidence-based research on these commonly experienced cancer-related problems. The Summit, which was accredited by the American Association of Continuing Medical Education (AACME), included discussions and presentations by several experts in the fields of cancer pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and peripheral T-Cell lymphoma, and highlighted the major developments in the management and understanding of these diseases in recent years. Mundipharma also presented examples of successful multidisciplinary team approaches for effective treatment of cancer. "We are committed to innovating the way cancer care is perceived and have managed and to help healthcare providers design, deliver and maintain cancer care services while improving patient experience. We have synergized our efforts through combining different disease areas together and emphasized our commitment to supporting cancer care and improving the patient's overall quality of life" commented Dr Ashraf Allam, Regional Vice-President of Mundipharma for Middle East and Africa region The Summit's aim was to encourage more proactive management of cancer treatment side effects and challenges patients facing due to cancer for better patient care and was an excellent opportunity for Mundipharma to partner with a team of global renowned experts and provide a forum for open dialogue and communications of results and ideas in the field of cancer treatment. Patients with cancer suffer a number of symptoms and impairments that can undermine their quality of life. Mundipharma recognises and appreciates the critical importance of pain management as part of routine cancer care. The prevalence of chronic pain is estimated at 30-50% among patients with cancer who are undergoing active treatment for a solid tumor and 70-90% among those with advanced disease. Prospective surveys indicate that as many as 90% of cancer patients could receive adequate relief with simple drug therapies.[1] This Summit was an excellent opportunity for Mundipharma to collaborate with a team of internationally-renowned experts and to discuss innovative ways to relieve pain during cancer treatment and provide a venue for the communication of results and ideas in the field of cancer science. About Mundipharma Mundipharma's independent associated companies are privately owned entities covering the world's pharmaceutical markets. Mundipharma is a prime example of a company that consistently delivers high quality products while standing by the values that represent the company. Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of patients with cancer and non-cancer pain and to substantially improve their quality of life. Mundipharma is dedicated to bringing to patients with severe and debilitating diseases the benefit of novel treatment options in fields such as pain, oncology, oncology supportive care, ophthalmology, respiratory disease and consumer healthcare. For more information, please visit: http://www.mundipharma.com.sg 1. Portenoy R.K, Lesage P. "Management of cancer pain", Lancet 1999; 353: 1695-1700 SOURCE Mundipharma HATFIELD, England, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FOR EMEA MEDIA ONLY - NOT FOR SWISS/AUSTRIAN/US JOURNALISTS Eisai highlights 17 new data abstracts for eribulin in metastatic breast cancer at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), San Antonio, USA, 6-10 December. Eribulin is indicated in the European Union for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed after at least one chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.[1] "Eribulin has previously demonstrated a clinically meaningful overall survival benefit in two pivotal studies in advanced breast cancer and advanced sarcoma. Eisai remains fully committed to continue developing eribulin and we look forward to the presentation of these results at the SABCS," comments Gary Hendler Chief Commercial Officer, Global Oncology Business Group and Chairman & CEO EMEA. The continued development of its oncology portfolio underscores Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission, the company's commitment to innovative solutions in disease prevention, cure and care for the health and wellbeing of people worldwide. Eisai is committed to the therapeutic area of oncology and to address the unmet medical needs of people with cancer and their families. ---- Abstract Name A phase II, open-label, multicentre, translational study for biomarkers of eribulin mesylate: evaluation of the utility of monitoring epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (emt) markers on tumour cells in the malignant plural effusion of patients with metastatic breast cancer (expect-study) Watanabe et al Poster: OT1-01-01 Session Title: Ongoing Trials - Chemotherapy Session Date: 7/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name PAINTER: Evaluation of eribulin tolerability and correlation between a set of polymorphisms and neuropathy in patients with metastatic breast cancer La Verde et al Poster: OT1-01-05 Session Title: Ongoing Trials - Chemotherapy Session Date: 7/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name PIQHASSO: Open label, non-randomised, multicentre phase I/IIb study investigating safety and efficacy of PQR309 and eribulin combination in patients (pts) with locally advanced (LA) or metastatic HER2 (-) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (study PQR309-007) Lopez et al Poster: OT1-01-06 Session Title: Ongoing Trials - Chemotherapy Session Date: 7/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name A phase II study of eribulin followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as preoperative therapy for HER2-negative inflammatory breast cancer Overmoyer et al Poster: OT1-01-07 Session Title: Ongoing Trials - Chemotherapy Session Date: 7/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name A phase II, multicentre, randomised trial of eribulin plus gemcitabine (EG) vs. paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (PG) in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer as first-line chemotherapy Park et al Poster: OT1-01-12 Session Title: Ongoing Trials - Chemotherapy Session Date: 7/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Efficacy and gene expression results from SOLTI1007 NEOERIBULIN phase II clinical trial in HER2-negative early breast cancer Prat et al Poster: P1-09-09 Session Title: Prognostic and Predictive Factors: Response Predictive Factors - Clinical Testing and Validation Session Date: 7/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name A randomized, open-label, multicentre, phase Ib/II study of eribulin mesylate in combination with PEGylated recombinant human hyaluronidase in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, high-hyaluronan metastatic breast cancer Alvarez et al Poster: OT2-02-02 Session Title: New Approaches and Agents Session Date: 8/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Eribulin induces vascular remodelling and reoxygenation in advanced breast cancer patients: A comparative study with bevacizumab Ueda et al Poster: P4-02-01 Session Title: Detection/Diagnosis: Breast Imaging - Other Methods Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 7.30 - 9.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Eribulin impairs TGF type I receptor localization and signaling in BT549 cells Kaul et al Poster: P4-04-04 Session Title: Tumour Cell and Molecular Biology: Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 7.30 - 9.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Phase Ib/II study to evaluate eribulin mesylate in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer Tolaney et al Poster: P5-15-02 Session Title: Treatment: Advanced Chemotherapy Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name A phase II study of eribulin as early-line treatment for HER2- MBC: Evaluation of efficacy, toxicity, and patient-reported outcomes Metzger et al Poster: P5-15-08 Session Title: Treatment: Advanced Chemotherapy Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Eribulin mesylate (eribulin) showed inhibitory effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumours of metastatic breast cancer patients. First preliminary report of a prospective study Utsumi et al Poster: P5-15-10 Session Title: Treatment: Advanced Chemotherapy Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Eribulin should be a candidate strategy in combination with pertuzumab plus trastuzumab for taxane pretreated HER2 positive advance breast cancer Araki et al Poster: P5-15-11 Session Title: Treatment: Advanced Chemotherapy Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Utilization and outcomes of eribulin in triple negative metastatic breast cancer: real-world findings Kish et al Poster: P5-15-16 Session Title: Treatment: Advanced Chemotherapy Session Date: 9/12/16 Session Time: 17.00 - 19.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name High reduction of circulating tumour cells in HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (LAMBC) patients treated with eribulin as third line chemotherapy (ONSITE study) Manso et al Poster: P6-07-21 Session Title: Tumour Cell and Molecular Biology: Biomarkers Session Date: 10/12/16 Session Time: 7.30 - 9.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name CASCADE study: Rapid survival decline per treatment line in metastatic breast cancer Garcia et al Poster: P6-09-33 Session Title: Prognostic and Predictive Factors: Prognostic and Predictive Factors - Other Session Date: 10/12/16 Session Time: 7.30 - 9.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Abstract Name Efficacy results of a phase 1/2 study of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist mifepristone (MIFE) in combination with eribulin in GR-positive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) Han et al Poster: P6-12-15 Session Title: Treatment: New Drugs and Treatment Strategies Session Date: 10/12/16 Session Time: 7.30 - 9.00 Location: Hall 1 ---- Notes to Editors About Metastatic Breast Cancer More than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Europe every year and about one third subsequently develop metastatic disease.[2] At this advanced stage, the cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body. About Halaven (eribulin) Eribulin is the first in the halichondrin class of microtubule dynamics inhibitors with a novel mechanism of action. Structurally eribulin is a simplified and synthetically produced version of halichondrin B, a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. Eribulin is believed to work by inhibiting the growth phase of microtubule dynamics that prevents cell division. The European Commission approved in May 2016 a variation to the terms of the Marketing Authorisation of eribulin for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable liposarcomas who have received prior anthracycline containing therapy (unless unsuitable) for advanced or metastatic disease. Eisai in Oncology Eisai is committed to the development and delivery of highly beneficial new treatments for people with cancer. The development of therapeutic options in oncology is a major strategic area for Eisai in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Oceania (EMEA). In the European Union, Eisai currently has three marketed treatments across four indications: Lenvima (lenvatinib) is indicated in the European Union for the treatment of adult patients with progressive locally advanced or metastatic, differentiated (papillary, follicular, Hurthle cell) thyroid carcinoma (DTC) refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI). (lenvatinib) is indicated in the European Union for the treatment of adult patients with progressive locally advanced or metastatic, differentiated (papillary, follicular, Hurthle cell) thyroid carcinoma (DTC) refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI). Kisplyx (lenvatinib) is indicated in the European Union in combination with everolimus for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy. (lenvatinib) is indicated in the European Union in combination with everolimus for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy. Halaven (eribulin) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have received at least one chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting, unless patients were not suitable for these treatments. Halaven (eribulin) is also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable liposarcomas who have received prior anthracycline containing therapy (unless unsuitable) for advanced or metastatic disease. About Eisai Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. With over 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realise our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products in multiple therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs, including Oncology and Neurology. As a global pharmaceutical company, our mission extends to patients around the world through our investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing and emerging countries. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit http://www.eisai.com. References 1. EMA, Halaven. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/human/medicines/002084/smops/Positive/human_smop_000955.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001d127. Accessed November 2016 2. World Health Organisation. Atlas of Health in Europe. 2003. World Health Organization, Regional Office of Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark. November 2016 Eribulin-EU0208 SOURCE Eisai ALBANY, New York, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The North America Porcine Vaccines Market for features an essentially fragmented marketplace, with the presence of a large number of small and large players. The market, however, is dominated by few; the top four players, namely Merial Animal Health, Zoetis, Inc., Elanco Animal Health, and Merck Animal Health, for instance, collectively held nearly 74% of the overall market in 2015, observes a recent report by Transparency Market Research. Factors such as diverse product portfolios, extensive geographical presence, and perceptive acquisitions, as well as intensive research and development and the timely introduction of new vaccines have kept these players ahead of the intense competition. Instances are: The launch of two new swine vaccines by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in 2015: Ingelvac and ReproCyc. The vaccines have been launched to fight against the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. Zoetis' November 2016 launch of Fostera PCV Metastim, a monovalent killed vaccine that protects against porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD). Transparency Market Research estimates that the North America Porcine Vaccine market will exhibit a 5.3% CAGR from 2016 to 2024 and rise from a valuation of US$540.9 mn in 2015 to US$926.2 mn by 2024. Download PDF Brochure of Research Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16976 In terms of disease indication, the diarrhea vaccines segment dominates the North America porcine vaccine market and is expected to account for nearly 55% of the market by 2016. The segment is expected to exhibit a healthy 7.3% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2024 and gain a much larger, nearly 60% of the overall market, by 2024. In terms of geography, the North America porcine vaccines market is dominated by the U.S., which accounted for over 63% of the overall market in 2015 and is expected to remain the dominant market over the forecast period as well. Rising Consumption of Meat and Gelatin to Remain Key to Market Growth The market for porcine vaccines in North America is chiefly driven due to factors such as the rising prevalence of swine diseases and the continuously increasing demand for meat and gelatin in the global market. Owing to globalization and rapid climate changes, the rate of outbreak of various animal diseases, some of which are also transmissible to humans, has picked up pace. Swine being a highly popular source of meat, consumed in increasingly high volumes worldwide, the impact of zoonotic diseases emanating from this class of livestock can be highly devastating for livestock as well as human lives. North America is the third largest consumer of pork globally. As a result, concerns regarding the spread of zoonotic diseases from swine and related products are well-founded and are rising. These concerns will be key to the increased focus on the health and wellness of swines from livestock farmers and will drive the overall North America porcine vaccine market. High and Rising Cost of Storing Vaccines to Obstruct Growth Appropriate storage and handling of vaccines play a key role in ensuring high success rate of a vaccine against any vaccine-preventable disease. The need to strictly adhere to proper storage and handling procedures, lest incur losses worth thousands of dollars in revaccination and wasted vaccine, requires maintaining proper cold chains. Such cold chains are required to be maintained across all nodes of the supply chain, starting from the manufacturers to the healthcare providers. The high costs of maintaining these storage and handling conditions, which continue to rise with every passing day, are one of the key challenges faced by the North America porcine vaccine market and are expected to restrain the market's growth to a certain extent over the forecast period. Get Discounts on Report Purchase: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=16976 This review of the market is based on a recent market research report published by TMR, titled "Porcine Vaccine Market - North America Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024." For the study, the North America porcine vaccine market is segmented into: North America Porcine Vaccine Market, by Disease Indication Diarrhoea Swine Influenza Arthritis Bordatella Rhinitis Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRSV) Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) Others North America Porcine Vaccine Market, by Technology Nuclear Reactors Cyclotrons North America Porcine Vaccine Market, by End-user Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Diagnostic Centers Others North America Porcine Vaccine Market, by Region U.S. Canada Browse Related Research Report: Nuclear Medicine Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/nuclear-medicine-market.html Veterinary Vaccines Market (Animal Type - Companion Animals (Equine, Canine, and Feline) and Livestock Animals (Bovine, Ovine, Porcine, and Poultry); Technology Type - Inactivated Vaccines, Live Attenuated Vaccines, Conjugate Vaccines, and Toxoid Vaccines) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/veterinary-vaccines-market.html About Us: Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S. based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMR's global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. Contact Us: Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Blog: http://www.tmrblog.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research AMERSFOORT, Netherlands, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- High-value on-farm validation trial on offer In its continuous quest for innovation in animal nutrition and aqua feed, Nutreco is launching a new way to kick-start breakthrough solutions with the Nutreco FeedTech Challenge. Centred around the question 'What is your breakthrough innovation - that CANNOT wait?' Nutreco calls for the brightest minds to help realise sustainable food production for a growing world population. The winner receives a unique prize in the form of a scientific on-farm validation trial in one of Nutreco's research farms. Nutreco has been at the forefront of some of the major breakthrough innovations that have made food production more sustainable. With a world population growing to over 9 billion by 2050 and finite natural resources, the animal nutrition and aqua feed industry needs to step up its efforts. The Nutreco FeedTech Challenge offers a 'greenhouse & pressure cooker' environment aimed at identifying, nurturing and enriching high potential concepts in pilot or proof-of-concept phases. On-farm validation Nutreco CEO Knut Nesse points out that the validation trial for the winner is the biggest boost any start-up could wish for. "At Nutreco we focus on bringing new science and technologies to farmers, faster and more effectively. We know that validation and knowledge on how to apply new technologies in a real farm environment are crucial for farmers to embrace innovation." "This challenge and in particular the validation trial can provide a significant contribution to introducing new breakthrough innovations into real life. For start-ups it is a great opportunity to accelerate the development of their innovations, possibly even leading to a funding offer from Nutreco or one of our partners." Open platform Over a competition period of two months, contestants will participate in an online platform where entries are open for comments, discussions and contributions from others. This provides a unique opportunity to connect with other start-ups, industry experts, scientists, and ultimately with farmers and the rest of the world. In that respect, the Nutreco FeedTech Challenge is different from most other start-up competitions. Also because the winner is not rewarded with a cash prize, but with a high-value and rare opportunity for a scientific on-farm validation trial. Challenge themes Centred around the question 'What is your breakthrough innovation - that CANNOT wait?', the Nutreco FeedTech Challenge hopes to inspire start-ups with breakthrough innovations in the following three areas: nutrition against antimicrobial resistance feed-to-farm efficiency young animal nutrition More information on the themes can be accessed via http://www.nutrecofeedtechchallenge.com. International jury The international jury is chaired by Prof. Dr. Ir. Daniel Berckmans of KU Leuven. He is an expert in animal and human health engineering, and one of the pioneers of precision livestock farming. The other members of the jury are: Adam Anders ; managing partner at Anterra Capital, a specialist venture capital investor operating in the food & agricultural sectors. ; managing partner at Anterra Capital, a specialist venture capital investor operating in the food & agricultural sectors. Prof. Dr. Johan Verreth ; professor at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), where he leads the aquaculture and fisheries group within the WUR. He has a particular interest in the ecological sustainability of fish farming. ; professor at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), where he leads the aquaculture and fisheries group within the WUR. He has a particular interest in the ecological sustainability of fish farming. Dr. Jason Clay ; senior vice president market transformation at WWF and the author of 15 books, more than 300 articles and 700 invited presentations. ; senior vice president market transformation at WWF and the author of 15 books, more than 300 articles and 700 invited presentations. Viggo Halseth ; Chief Innovation Officer at Nutreco. Every contestant will be a winner The Nutreco FeedTech Challenge is set up in such a way, that every contestant is a winner. In the first phase from 29 November 2016 until 17 January 2017, entries receive valuable feedback and enrichment from industry experts and scientists. An expert jury will then select ten finalists, who will receive further feedback and training in pressure cooker sessions during the two-day Nutreco FeedTech Challenge Event on 22 and 23 February in The Netherlands. At this event, the winner will be selected and receives a scientific on-farm validation trial in one of Nutrecos research farms, including a validation report. Video-link: https://vimeo.com/19343257 About Nutreco Nutreco is a global leader in animal nutrition and aqua feed. Nutreco's advanced feed solutions are at the origin of food for millions of consumers worldwide. Quality, innovation and sustainability are guiding principles, embedded in the Nutreco culture from research and raw material procurement to products and services for livestock farming and aquaculture. Experience across 100 years brings Nutreco a rich heritage of knowledge and expertise for building its future. Nutreco employs approximately 11,000 people in 35 countries with net sales of 5.7 billion in 2015. Its two global company brands Skretting (aqua feed) and Trouw Nutrition (animal nutrition) have sales in over 90 countries. Nutreco is a wholly owned subsidiary of SHV Holdings N.V., a family-owned multinational with net sales of 18.1 billion in 2015. http://www.nutreco.com SOURCE Nutreco LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, but new research reveals it might be worth thinking twice before splashing your cash on gifts, as spending big doesn't necessarily lead to gift satisfaction. Wasted presents According to the ING International Survey Special Report - Christmas 2016, which asked 13,500 people in Europe, the USA and Australia about their finances at Christmas, nearly one in seven (15%) people in Europe who received a gift last year had at least one they didn't want, didn't appreciate or couldn't use. A further eight per cent couldn't even remember whether they liked the gifts they received. This is the equivalent of at least 81 million unwanted gifts[1], at an estimated 45 each. Across Europe, people in the United Kingdom were the least likely to appreciate or remember if they liked their gifts (29%), closely followed by those in Italy (28%) and Romania (27%), though people in the Czech Republic were the most likely to forget how they felt about their presents altogether. Driving into debt for Christmas While an estimated 3.7 billion[2] was effectively wasted on unappreciated presents last year, one in 10 (10%) people in Europe drove themselves into debt to pay for Christmas. The countries that were least likely to appreciate their gifts also tended to be more likely to go into debt, with Romania (19%) and the United Kingdom topping the list (17%), indicating that they could be parting with their hard earned cash for a limited return. On a positive note, more people in Europe are planning ahead for their festive spending, with two in five (41%) now saving ahead for Christmas, up from 33% in 2015, indicating that people are starting to make smarter financial decisions. This may help explain why only a small proportion is falling into debt as a result of the holiday season. Feeling the pressure While gift giving is an important part of many cultural frameworks, it seems society could be piling pressure on to consumers, and even leading some into debt, as more than two in five (42%) people in Europe admitted they feel forced to spend money on Christmas festivities. However, cultural differences mean that some countries feel significantly less pressure than average, particularly in areas where other Christmas festivals take precedence. For example, the Netherlands and Belgium focus on early December's Sinterklaas, which leaves them least likely to feel forced to splash out on Christmas later in the month. The research found that seven in 10 (70%) people in Europe actually feel that Christmas has become too focused on spending money. The growing commercialisation of the holiday, highlighted by early Christmas sales, and shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, could be adding to the pressure many feel, encouraging people to panic-purchase gifts that might not be appreciated. Ian Bright, Senior Economist, at ING commented: "Although more people are planning ahead and saving especially for Christmas, there are still some putting themselves into debt to please their family and friends, who may not even remember what they received a year later. "There are many different ways to give at Christmas. Consumers may want to pause and think about the longer-term effect of their spending, before succumbing to pressure and purchasing expensive gifts that might go to waste. " SOURCE ING SYDNEY, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Unitec Institute of Technology, based in Auckland, has selected Real Asset Management's (RAM) (http://www.realassetmgt.com.au) solution to improve the quality of asset information and tracking procedures at its campuses. With many different departments and buildings, the institute identified the need to ensure that information could be communicated quickly and effectively across all areas of the organisation. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160201/327800LOGO ) Unitec is the largest institute of technology in New Zealand and currently has over 20,000 people enrolled on its extensive range of courses and study programmes. It provides a world class learning and teaching environment, driven towards delivering its students the platform they need to achieve success and provides extra services to help pupils find post graduation employment. Before implementing RAM's asset tracking software, the institute had a number of processes in place to manage the information. Kristo Fallas, Business Manager at Unitec explains, "Each department treats assets in a unique way, which has led to the creation of multiple systems tailored to very specific requirements. This has resulted in an information silo and meant that crucial details were not always available when required. The new software will collate and centralise all of this data into a common structure and will ensure that each department can access what it needs. "We wanted a solution that was intuitive, simple to implement and use, cloud-based and scalable," Fallas continued. "RAM's software met all of the criteria that we outlined and the system will allow us to consolidate data into a single source. The first phase of the project was to establish a verified asset register for all classrooms. The mobile app has made this a simple process and has been extremely easy to implement on both iOS and Android devices. We have site-wide Wi-Fi coverage and students have helped us to capture information by scanning items spread across over 170 buildings. The polished user interface of the app has made it simple for anybody to pick it up and understand how to operate it. "We chose RAM because it is an established provider of asset management software that offered us a solution that completely met all of our requirements," Fallas said. "The scalability on offer also influenced our decision as the option to expand our use of the system, should we need to, was essential. The web-based hosted platform provides crucial flexibility for the different information types that will be imported and the ability to upload text and image data to the cloud on a large scale is a big benefit to the institute. Previously, we would use external verification services to capture asset information. We have now made this an internal process using RAM's solution, which will save us money and improve the quality of data. "Creating a database to manage all assets within the Institute of Technology was not an easy task, but every person I've spoken with at RAM has been a pleasure to work with," Fallas concluded. "The support we have received at each step of the process has been great and completely driven towards delivering excellent service." Real Asset Management (RAM) is a leading provider of fixed asset management and logistics software & services. Over the last 30 years, its products have been implemented by more than 3,000 organisations in over 70 countries. With offices across the world, servicing customers in Australia/New Zealand, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas, RAM offers a range of products and consultancy services which enable organisations to effectively track and report on their assets. Its Series4000 solution offers fixed asset accounting, capital project control, lease accounting, asset budgeting, asset tracking (utilising barcodes/RFID) and computerised maintenance management/facilities management. For further information, please contact: Richard Exley Real Asset Management Tel: +61(0)292-748-828 Email: rexley@realassetmgt.com Twitter: @RealAssetMgt SOURCE Real Asset Management DUBLIN, Nov 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "India Table Sauces Market Overview" report to their offering. This report contains the strategic analysis of the table sauces market in India for which the estimates are provided for different segments, categorized on the basis of product type, characteristics, trends, drivers and limitations, main players, etc and a forecast for its progress in the upcoming years. According to India Table Sauces Market Overview, India's table sauces market is predictable to increase at a CAGR of 18% over six years. Nestle's Maggi, Kissan, Heinz, Ching's, Fun Foods, Remia, Del Monte, Sil, Tops and Tabasco are driving the organized table sauces market. Tomato ketchup & sauce dominates the table sauce market, followed by chinese sauce along with its various variants. Metro cities of India account for a considerable market share in the sales of table sauces products, with various variants are growing rapidly among upper middle class consumers. The report includes the segmental market analysis by product type which is categorized as follows: India Table Sauces Market, By Product Type - Tomato Ketchup & Sauce - Chinese Sauces - Hot Sauces - Pizza, Pasta & Barbeque Sauces - Mayonnaise - Salad Dressing Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. India Table Sauces Market Outlook 3. India Tomato Sauce Market Outlook 4. India Chinese Sauces market Outlook 5. India Hot Sauces Market Outlook 6. India Pizza, Pasta & BBQ Market Overview 7. India Mayonnaise Market Outlook 8. India Salad Dressing market Outlook 9. Company Profiles - Nestle India Limited - Hindustan Unilever Limited - FieldFresh Foods Private Limited - Capital Foods Limited - Dr. Oetker India Pvt. Ltd. - Cremica Food Industries Pvt. Ltd. For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dzgmhl/india_table Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SOURCE Research and Markets LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inteco Beteiligungs GmbH, an Austrian company owned by Russian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist Yelena Baturina, continues the expansion of a project to generate, use and market renewable energy in Europe. In October, her structures completed the acquisition of a solar park near the city of Farsala in Greece. Experts state that energy produced by this relatively small solar park in Farsala may help avoid the emission of 800 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually. According to the plans, the total investment into the project by Yelena Baturina's structures could reach 20 million in the coming year. The representatives of the company evaluate the profitability of the acquired park at 500 thousand per year. The venture is responsible for the construction and commercial operation of solar parks in the south and south-east of Europe. Before the acquisition in Greece the company also purchased a solar park in Italy. Currently the company is considering a number of proposals to expand the capacities; the next acquisitions under consideration are in Greece and Cyprus. Earlier this year, in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Wirtschaftsblatt, Yelena Baturina said: "We see the future of the project not just in expanding the capacities or producing more energy. We are now developing a subproject that consists in applying the technology that allows saving the energy obtained from renewable sources, which constitutes a whole new system of wise energy consumption". Another trend within the energy project which is no less interesting is, "constructing and servicing individual solar parks located mostly on the roofs of enterprises - the consumers of energy". Ms Baturina indicated that a few such projects will be launched soon, "and considering all that, we are about to exceed the amount of investment we named before." SOURCE Press office for Yelena Baturina SANY C10 rotary drilling rigs are available with a wide range of operating capacities, including small and medium size rigs models SR155C10, SR205C10, SR235C10, 265C10 for civil construction, SR285RC10, SR360RC10 and SR365RC10 rotary drilling rigs for rock drilling, SR405RC10 large size rotary drilling rigs, and SR235W10, SR285RW10 full stroke rotary drilling rigs. The performance of C10 series rotary drilling rig has been enhanced and modified with enlarged pile diameter, extended pile depth, stronger engine power and faster speed line of the main winch. The 5th generation rotary drive with multi-gear control has been adopted to increase the drilling efficiency. New design of the main winch, low fuel consumption and environmental friendly engines from Isuzu or Cummins, unique tailor-made chassis all contribute to their efficient and stable operation. Moreover, the spacious cab with panorama sunroof is designed to give the operator a more comfortable environment and wider visibility. High strength SANY Kelly bar and auto center lubrication systems ensure a longer service life of the drilling machine. "We will never stop our pace to create the value for customers, carry out technological innovation as always, provide more cost-effective pilling machines, and the most comprehensive after-sales service to all of you," said Mr. Xiong Yiqun, general manager of SANY Heavy Machinery Beijing branch. The launch ceremony for the C10 series was also one part of the SANY First Global Dealer Summit, which was held on Nov 20-21, to drive forward the company's international development in cooperation with dealers and partners across the globe. The dealers who attended the ceremony were impressed by the newly launched C10 series. As one of SANY's main partners overseas, the RTC Company designed a special drilling bar together for the foundation work in northern Russia, with that the optimized rotary drilling rigs are able to start and operate efficiently even at minus 50 Celsius degrees in the Arctic and can be operated for 24 hours without any kind of technical breakdown. Also with SANY's extensive service network, customers are avail of spontaneous technical and spare parts support. About SANY Group SANY Group (SANY), which has its global headquarter in China, is a world leading heavy machinery manufacturer with plants in the US, Germany, Brazil and India, and business covering over 100 countries and regions worldwide. The company has been recognized as one of the most innovative and successful companies in the world, and its concrete machinery is ranked No. 1 globally. For more information, please visit: www.sanyglobal.com, or follow SANY Group on Facebook and YouTube. For more information contact: Rebecca Zhou +86-10-6073-7480 zhouyy5@sanygroup.cn Related Links http://www.sanyglobal.com SOURCE SANY COLOGNE, Germany, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- - Survey of 5,000 adults reveals how people would pass time in self-driving cars - Relaxing and enjoying the view are top choice for four out of five Europeans - Most would catch up with loved ones, surf the net, tuck into a meal - Self-driving cars seen as best for going out for drinks - and commuting - No more "school-run mum"? 1 in 6 are happy to let kids travel alone - Data shows Europeans spend ten days a year in their cars - Ford to start testing autonomous cars on European roads next year Self-driving cars may still be a way down the road but many people can already foresee the life-changing difference they will make to how we travel. In a new Ford-commissioned survey, many Europeans felt time behind the wheel would be better spent catching up with nearest and dearest, gazing out the window, or having a nap. * It could even spell the end of the "school-run mum" - as 16 per cent would let kids travel alone. Ford today announced European testing of autonomous cars will start in 2017. And of 5,000 adults surveyed, 80 per cent look forward to relaxing and enjoying the scenery, 72 per cent will chat on the phone, 64 per cent would have a bite to eat. Books and movies were close behind. "People are really beginning to think about exactly what autonomous vehicles could mean to their day-to-day lives," said Thomas Lukaszewicz, manager, Automated Driving, Ford of Europe. "Many of us neglect time for ourselves and for our loved ones in the face of other demands. Self-driving cars will revolutionise the way we live, as well as the way we travel." On average, European drivers spend up to ten days each year in their cars ** and a previous survey showed people in major cities find their commute more stressful than their job. *** This latest poll showed a preference for autonomous vehicles over traditional cars when it comes to going out for drinks and commuting - and nearly half thought driverless cars would be safer. "We have already announced plans to use an autonomous vehicle for a ride-sharing service in the U.S. in 2021 and it is important that we extend our testing to Europe," added Lukaszewicz. "Rules of the road vary from country to country here, traffic signs and road layouts are different, and drivers are likely to share congested roads with cyclists." * Survey conducted for Ford Motor Company in France, Germany, Norway, Spain and the U.K., by Penn Schoen Berland during November 2016. ** http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3433488/5298273/KS-SF-07-087-DE.PDF/0d50ff3c-a042-4c49-85e8-5333c92a7186 *** Survey conducted for Ford Motor Company by Opinion Matters during April 2015 https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/feu/en/news/2015/04/27/for-europeans--the-journey-to-work-causes-more-stress-than-their.html Editor's notes: Ford is currently expanding into both an auto and a mobility company; as such the company is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility - its plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. The company is committed to making self-driving cars available for millions of people and earlier this year announced in the U.S. the intention to have a high-volume, fully autonomous SAE level 4-capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service. The testing of autonomous vehicles on European roads expands upon Ford becoming the first to test autonomous vehicles in the snow, at night, and at Mcity, a 32-acre, full-scale simulated real-world urban environment at the University of Michigan, in the U.S. About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company's core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit http://www.corporate.ford.com. Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 - the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911. Contacts: Borbala Nagy, Ford of Europe, +49-221-9018781, bnagy12@ford.com Monika Wagener, Ford of Europe, +49-241-9421212, mwagener@ford.com SOURCE Ford Motor Company HELSINKI, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe's leading startup and technology conference Slush is organized for the 9th time this week. The event gathers 17,500 attendees including 2,336 startups, 1,146 investors and 610 journalists to Helsinki. There are over 2,300 volunteers building the event. This year, Slush is more international than ever. Global community events have already been organized in Tokyo, Singapore and Shanghai. The Slush year culminates this week, as the two-day startup and tech event kicks off in Helsinki on Wednesday. In addition to the main event, there are over 300 side events organized in the Helsinki metropolitan area. 60 percent of the attendees arrive from outside of Finland - from a total of 124 countries. The countries with the most participants, after Finland and Sweden, are the United States, Great Britain and Russia. Slush focuses on creating an event that brings the highest value to startups. The team goes all-in to create an event that generates opportunities for founders and investors to connect. "There is a record-high number of investors and growth companies coming to Slush 2016. We are expecting close to 7,000 pre-booked startup-investor meetings, whereas last year we had 6,000 of them," says Marianne Vikkula, CEO of Slush. Speakers of Slush 2016 include Daniel Ek, Founder of Spotify, the Crown Prince of Norway Haakon, Arielle Zuckerberg, Partner of KPCB, Danae Ringelmann, Co-Founder of Indiegogo, as well as Steve Jurvetson, Partner at Draper Fisher Jurvetson. "This year, our stages are more conceptualized, enabling to tell entrepreneurial stories from various different angles. The main themes on stage will be survival plan for Planet Earth, the next 100 years of your life, as well as the mind of an entrepreneur," says Katariina Helaniemi, Chief Program Curator of Slush. Playing a crucial role for the program of Slush is the direct flight from San Francisco, which lands at the Helsinki Airport this afternoon. Slush bought a direct flight from SF to bring 300 investors, entrepreneurs and speakers from Silicon Valley to Helsinki. "Investors from over 60 countries are coming to Slush this year. These investors represent 1 billion euros worth of venture capital. A significant part of this capital is brought to Slush on this flight," says Marianne Vikkula. Slush 2016 is organized at the Expo and Convention Centre Helsinki (Messukeskus) on Nov 30-Dec 1. http://www.slush.org SOURCE SLUSH Adds to Growing Manufacturing Footprint in Ireland DUBLIN, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, today announced the completion of a 60,000 square foot expansion at its contract manufacturing facility near Mulhuddart, County Dublin. The expansion is in response to customer demand for medical device manufacturingespecially in the area of diabetesand represents West's most recent investment in Ireland, where the Company is also building a new pharmaceutical component manufacturing facility. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443296LOGO West also announced that its contract manufacturing businessformerly known as The Tech Groupwill now align with the West brand and do business as "West." This transition reflects the significance of contract manufacturing in West's long-term strategy as a leader in integrated packaging and delivery for injectable medicines. The additional capacity in Dublin will make it possible to better service the Company's growing healthcare and medical device contract manufacturing business, which is focused on supplying high-quality molding and assembly solutions for the production of medical devices such as auto-injectors and continuous glucose monitoring systems. West anticipates 100 new jobs will be added to the business over the next five years as a result of the expansion. "As the healthcare market becomes increasingly complex, West is advancing our core competencies in the development, manufacturing and final packaging of complex drug delivery systems and diagnostic devices for our customers," said Karen Flynn, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, West. "We are excited about the growth and expansion we are experiencing in both our contract manufacturing business in Dublin as well as our proprietary products business in Waterford, both of which will support increasing demand from our global customer base." Along with the expansion of its Dublin facility, West is also growing its proprietary product business in Waterford, Ireland. The Company previously announced the construction of a centre of excellence for its proprietary elastomeric sheeting and injectable component product lines. The new plant is expected to begin full commercial operations in 2018. "We are very pleased with West's commitment to furthering operations in Ireland," said Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD, Ireland's Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation. "With this most recent expansion in Dublin and the company's previously announced investment in Waterford, West is affirming its presence as an important employer in Ireland. I am delighted with this new investment, which strongly aligns with the Government's ongoing strategy to attract investment in high-quality, high-value, medical device manufacturing to Ireland. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with West." Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said, "IDA's life science sector continues to grow from strength-to-strength and this investment by West is a good example of the potential for convergence across the life sciences sector. Ireland has seen hundreds of millions invested in recent years in the development and manufacturing of new injectable drugs for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and cancer. The patients who will benefit from these exciting new drugs will also benefit from West's innovation in drug delivery devices. IDA welcomes this investment and looks forward to continuing to work with West and their partner biotech companies in further developing the Irish cluster." Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "should," "could," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases, which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Examples of these forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) West's statements with respect to planned manufacturing capabilities and job creation. While forward-looking statements reflect West's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. Furthermore, except as required by law, West disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions, new information or other changes. Known material risks, uncertainties and other factors that can affect future results are discussed or incorporated by reference in periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed by West from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About West West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of packaging components and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products. Working by the side of its customers from concept to patient, West creates products that promote the efficiency, reliability and safety of the world's pharmaceutical drug supply. West is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, and supports its customers from locations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. West's 2015 sales of $1.4 billion reflect the daily use of approximately 110 million of its components and devices, which are designed to improve the delivery of healthcare to patients around the world. About Contract Manufacturing West is a global contract manufacturer of pharmaceutical and medical devices and diagnostics. With eight locations in North America and Europe, West's contract manufacturing business is focused on serving the needs of healthcare companies by providing a single-sourced solution from product conceptualization and rapid prototyping through high-volume manufacturing and final packaging. West and the diamond logo and By your side for a healthier world are registered trademarks or trademarks of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., in the United States and other jurisdictions. Media Contact: Emily Denney Global Communications, West + 1-610-594-3035 Emily.Denney@westpharma.com SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Press Foundation announces winners of eight journalism awards ranging from innovation in journalism to lifetime achievement. Winners will receive their awards at NPF's annual journalism awards dinner on Thursday, Feb. 16, in Washington, D.C. Information on sponsorships to the dinner is here. The 2016 award winners are: Martha Raddatz, ABC News correspondent, winner of the Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Judges said: "Martha Raddatz is an intrepid correspondent who has excelled in reporting on complicated national security issues. She goes where the trouble is, leading by courageous example." More information here. Peter Kovacs, editor of The Advocate in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, winner of the Benjamin C. Bradlee Editor of the Year Award. Judges said: "Peter Kovacs has demonstrated great leadership in extremely challenging times. He has twice rallied his staff to perform heroic journalism in the aftermath of historic flooding. Kovacs skillfully steered coverage of the police shooting of a black man in Baton Rouge that roiled the community." More information here. Clark Hoyt, winner of the W.M. Kiplinger Distinguished Contributions to Journalism Award. NPF judges said: "Clark Hoyt has been a steadfast champion of free, independent and responsible news media throughout his career at Knight Ridder, The New York Times and Bloomberg." More information here. The Washington Post, winner of the Best Use of Technology in Journalism Award, for a multimedia presentation about the tide of refugees washing up on Europe's shores, titled "The Waypoint." Houston Chronicle, winner of the Feddie Award for Reporting on Federal Rules and Local Impact, for a project about shoddy regulation of chemical plants, titled "Chemical Breakdown." Darrin Bell, winner of the Clifford K. & James T. Berryman Award for Editorial Cartooning. Bell's winning work, seen here, is distributed by The Washington Post News Service & Syndicate. The Washington Post, winner of the Innovation in Journalism Award, for a project that methodically tracked police shootings, adding facts to an emotionally-charged narrative. Jay Newton-Small, winner of the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress, for work published in ELLE Magazine that showed the influence of women in the U.S. Senate. The National Press Foundation is an independent nonprofit whose sole mission is to educate practicing journalists about today's most pressing issues and critical toolbox training. Learn more about NPF here. SOURCE National Press Foundation Related Links http://www.nationalpress.org PHOENIX, DALLAS and PUNE, India, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd Annual Phoenix Data Conference, one of the largest big data events in Arizona, successfully concluded on October 29, 2016 at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix. The conference hosted some of the leading companies and speakers in Big Data. The focus of the sessions and discussion was on successful big data use cases from leading analytics companies like Cloudera, SAP, Clairvoyant, MapR, StreamSets, Microsoft, Confluent, SnapLogic, Wells Fargo and others. Over 350 technologists, business leaders, data analysts and engineers attended the 2016 conference. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443552LOGO ) The intent of the conference was to encourage the local analytics community to come together and learn from leading practitioners and experts in this field. With Big Data implementations becoming mainstream across industries and customer expectations driving businesses to embrace data driven solutions the need for talent has become a critical factor today. The 3rd Phoenix Data Conference reinforced the belief that an active big data community with exposure to new trends and developments will help improve the local talent base and provide opportunities for everyone. Discussions around data ingestion, new developments in big data, security, predictive analytics, IOT, leveraging Hadoop and Spark, machine learning and successful customer use cases clearly showed that the Hadoop environment is now mainstream across enterprises. Practical and ROI driven implementations across business were highlighted by many of the speakers. Attendees gained thorough knowledge on Big Data implementation into business operations, better understanding their customers through self-service analytics, gained insights in making better informed decisions for improved user experience from over 25 prominent speakers. The Phoenix Data Conference was sponsored by industry leaders in the big data space - Cloudera, Clairvoyant and SAP (Platinum Sponsor), PRISM (Gold Sponsor), StreamSets and SnapLogic(SIlver), Data Torrent, MapR, Confluent, Zoom Data and MemSQL(Bronze). About Us: Clairvoyant is an innovative company that is helping businesses redefine their operations and decision making processes by changing their business data into actionable outcomes. Through innovative products and services, Clairvoyant facilitates the journey to cloud computing in a cost-effective and agile manner. We provide best in class services and solutions that leverage big data and continually meet and exceed client expectations. Our deep vertical knowledge helps support purpose-built solutions to meets our client's unique business requirements. For more information, Please visit: http://www.clairvoyantsoft.com or call us on +1 - 623-282-2385. Media contacts: Vikram Bhalchandra Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Clairvoyant LLC [email protected] SOURCE Clairvoyant LLC LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- 3D printed medical devices are state-of-the-art medical devices that involve a process of developing three dimensional solid objects from a digital model. Patient specific treatment is the main advantage of 3D printing technology in the healthcare industry. In the domain of healthcare, 3D printing technology is used to develop medical devices such as dental implants, orthopaedic implants, prosthetics, and hearing aids. Furthermore, hospitals and academic institutes use 3D printing technology to develop various models for training purposes. 3D printed medical devices considered in the report typically use technologies such as stereolithography (SLA), selective layer sintering (SLS), digital light processing (DLP), fused deposition modelling (FDM), polyjet / inkjet 3D printing, and electronic beam melting (EBM). In terms of revenue, the global 3D printed medical devices market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 17.7% during the forecast period and is projected to be valued at US$ 1469.4 million by the end of 2026. Increasing geriatric population and a rise in the number of accidents is fuelling the global market for 3D printed medical devices Growth of the global 3D printed medical devices market is principally driven by increasing geriatric population across the globe, thus increasing the risk of diabetes-related gangrene cases, peripheral vascular disease, and osteoarthritis among elderly individuals. Additionally, increasing incidence of accidents due to rapid modernisation, use of fast moving machinery, and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to fuel market growth over the forecast period. However, relatively low adoption of 3D printing technology and regulatory considerations may hinder the growth of the 3D printed medical devices market over the forecast period. Market Segmentation By Material By Application By Technology By Distribution Channel By Region Plastics Thermoplastics Photopolymers Biomaterial Inks Polymers Ceramics Hydrogels Metals and Alloys Orthopaedic Implants Dental Implants Cranio-maxillofacial Implants Internal and External Prostheses Stereolithography (SLA) Liquid Based 3D Printing Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Powder Based 3D Printing Digital Light Processing(DLP) Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Plastic Filament Extrusion Based Technology Electronic Beam Melting (EBM) PolyJet / InkJet 3D Printing Hospitals Diagnostic Centers Ambulatory Surgical Centres (ASCs) North America Latin America Western Europe Eastern Europe APEJ Japan Middle East and Africa (MEA) The plastics segment is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period In terms of revenue share, the plastics material segment dominated the global 3D printed medical devices market in 2015 and is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period. The plastics segment is expected to account for 72.0% market share of the global 3D printed medical devices market in 2016. In terms of value, the biomaterial Inks segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 20.1 % during the forecast period. Orthopaedic segment is the largest segment by application In terms of revenue share, the orthopaedic implants application segment dominated the global 3D printed medical devices market in 2015 and is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period, registering a higher CAGR as compared to other application type segments. The orthopaedic segment is expected to account for 19.9% market share of the global 3D printed medical devices market in 2016. Polyjet/Inkjet 3D printing to be the dominant segment by technology type In terms of revenue share, the SLS technology segment dominated the global 3D printed medical devices market in 2015 whereas the polyJet / inkJet 3D printing segment is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period, registering a steady CAGR. Hospital segment is the largest segment as per the distribution channel segment In 2016, the hospital segment is estimated to account for the highest market share, expected to reach a value of US$ 862.1 Mn by 2026, and is anticipated to remain the dominant segment during the forecast period. North America to be the largest market for 3D printed medical devices In terms of value, North America is expected to be the dominant regional market by 2016 end, and is expected to register a CAGR of 19.2% over the forecast period. Western Europe is expected to be the second fastest growing market registering a CAGR of 18.5% over the forecast period followed by Eastern Europe, APEJ, and Japan. global 3D printed medical devices market Key players are focussing on introducing innovative marketing strategies to increase their market share Some key players in the global 3D printed medical devices market are 3D Systems, Inc., Arcam AB, Stratasys Ltd., FabRx Ltd., EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, EnvisionTEC, Cyfuse Biomedical K.K., and Bio3D Technologies. Increasing mergers and acquisitions and introducing innovative marketing strategies are some of the important steps taken by key market players to increase their consumer base. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4394425/ 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 DENVER, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital marketing agency Adtaxi has earned the 2016 Google Channel Sales Innovator Award - U.S. during the recent Google Partner Summit in San Francisco. This prestigious award, the only one in the innovation category presented to a U.S. company, recognizes the leading edge technology of Adtaxi's Magellan Optimization Tool. Magellan is an agile, flexible tool that allows Adtaxi's search engine marketing specialists to gain strategic insight into clients' campaigns. Pulling from Google AdWords, Magellan places data into an easy-to-understand dashboard that highlights fluctuations in pacing or performance so optimizations can be prioritized. The tool will allow for identifying drops or increases in key performance indicators, such as conversions, calls, click-thru rate or average position, allowing for optimizations to focus on the metrics that matter most to the client. "Being recognized by Google as the 2016 Channel Sales Innovator Champion for the U.S. is truly an honor," said Chris Loretto, executive vice-president of Digital for Adtaxi. "It is a significant achievement when you consider the amount of innovation happening in the digital space." With marketers looking for more transparency around performance and spend, Magellan is designed to aid in scheduling budgets in advance using flexible date ranges, and can auto-calculate roll-over of any unspent resources. The tool will also allow users to easily inform clients and account managers about current account performance in a visual way that is clear, precise and easy-to-interpret. "The award validates our belief that people matter as much as technology and this was a full team effort across our development, product, and ad operations groups," Loretto added. "I am very proud of my teams as they are so talented, tenacious and passionate about our mission to deliver exceptional results for our customers. We look forward to continue solving complex marketing challenges for our customers with custom, performance-driven solutions. " According to Megan Beam, vice president of search and social, Adtaxi has been a Premier Google Partner since 2014 because of its focus on transparency and results. "As part of the partner program, we benefit from Google's dedicated resources for account management, technical support and product and industry expertise. This provides us with deeper knowledge of search marketing best practices and allows us to deliver great service and stronger performance for our clients." About Adtaxi Founded in 2010 within Digital First Media, Adtaxi made its mark in programmatic advertising before expanding into search, social, email and native. Over time, Adtaxi has refined and perfected its conversions-based approach, which became the foundation of the Magellan optimization technology launched in 2015. Adtaxi functions as a true partner with its clients, acting as a single point of contact and support through multi-platform campaign cycles. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160803/395368LOGO SOURCE Adtaxi Related Links https://www.adtaxi.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Africa's pan-regional MNOs continue jockeying for market position Mobile telephony is by far the dominant telecom platform across Africa, accounting for more than 90% of all telephone lines in the region. As a consequence, mobile internet also accounts for a similar proportion of all internet connections. Given the size and range of markets on the continent, market penetration is varied between countries. By the end of 2016 the highest mobile penetration was found in countries including Libya (155%), Botswana (176%) and Gabon (190%), which reflects the popularity of consumers having multiple SIM cards. By contrast, a number of countries have a penetration rate less than half of this level. In many countries the recorded number of subscribers has fallen since 2015 as regulators step up efforts to compel mobile network operators to enforce provisions by which dormant SIM cards are taken off their books, and services are ended for non-registered SIM cards. The latter is intended to address fears that crime and civil disturbances can be facilitated or orchestrated via mobile phones. The introduction of prepaid services was a catalyst for strong mobile subscriber growth across Africa. By late 2016 the prepaid sector accounted for up to 99% of the overall subscriber base in many markets. The steady decline in tariffs, encouraged by competitive pressure, has meant that a greater proportion of the continent's estimated population of 1.34 billion can afford a mobile phone, and so make use of voice and data services which are in many areas cannot be accessed via fixed-line networks. Mobile services are also increasingly contributing to the growth of national economies, stimulated by productivity and efficiency gained brought about by the increased take-up of a range of services, as also by tax revenue. Although there are a large number of network operators across the continent, as also smaller niche MVNO players, there are also a small number of pan-regional network operators. These include Millicom, Orange Group, Vodacom and Bharti Airtel. Some rationalisation of their operations continues as these players adjust their strategies to fit in with market positions and expectations. Thus Orange Group in late 2015 sold its entire 70% stake in Telkom Kenya, having sold its local Ugandan unit in the previous year, when it became clear that it was unlikely to gain market share and become at least the number two player. Focussing on core markets was also the reason Millicom exited Botswana in mid-2016. Although ARPU remains relatively low for operators, considering the level of disposable income in the region, Africa remains a key area for investment among players. In coming years much investment will be geared towards securing licences and spectrum as well as to upgrading networks to take better advantage of the capabilities of LTE infrastructure as LTE coverage expands. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4364870/ 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 MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aireon LLC, FlightAware and SITAONAIR today announced a new partnership to provide SITAONAIR's airline customers with Aireon's space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data. Starting in 2018, SITAONAIR airline customers with ADS-B Out equipped aircraft will have access to 100 percent global flight tracking data, in real time, through SITAONAIR's AIRCOM FlightTracker product. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443280LOGO The partnership also means that airlines already using SITAONAIR's AIRCOM FlightTracker product will automatically begin seeing the new AireonSM data appear in their systems without the need for new avionics or for aircraft modifications. Additionally, prospective customers can be up and running to receive the new data in as short as one week. The Aireon data will be delivered to SITAONAIR via FlightAware, which provides a secure streaming data feed of flight positions and flight status data via a combination of worldwide air traffic control data, ground-based ADS-B, and aircraft datalink information. "At SITAONAIR, our focus is on products and solutions with specific value for the aviation community, particularly when it comes to aircraft tracking," says Paul Gibson, portfolio director, AIRCOM at SITAONAIR. "The addition of Aireon's space-based ADS-B data is a perfect evolution of this. It will allow us to help airlines achieve truly global flight tracking in a cost-effective way, by making use of the pre-existing ADS-B capability on aircraft of all shapes and sizes, without the need for additional avionics. Our partnership with Aireon and FlightAware helps further establish SITAONAIR's AIRCOM FlightTracker as an innovative, cutting-edge and value-add solution for airlines. It strengthens SITAONAIR's position as a leader in safety-related IT and communications products and services for the industry." Currently, AIRCOM FlightTracker is an ACARS and terrestrial surveillance-based system that provides regular flight position updates and requires no modification to aircraft. The solution works by gathering data from multiple global sources, complementing active Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) Future Air Navigation System activity with additional automatic dependent surveillance-contract connectivity. The addition of Aireon's space-based ADS-B data will for the first time provide 100 percent global coverage in real time, thereby resolving all data feed coverage gaps that may remain. "This partnership brings together best-in-class companies to create a massive technological leap forward at the flick of a switch. The ability to provide 100 percent global flight tracking will address and solve a well established problem," said FlightAware Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Baker. "This holds particularly true for narrow-body aircraft that are not equipped with SATCOM datalink for oceanic tracks, nor capable of meeting even the most basic GADSS requirements. The ability to add Aireon's space-based ADS-B data to SITAONAIR's existing and proven tracking solution will allow aircraft operators to go from either no oceanic or remote position updates, or 15 minute updates, to minute-by-minute updates all with no additional avionics required." Aireon's space-based ADS-B system will offer a global solution that works for ADS-B Out equipped aircraft everywhere. Currently, operators engage in a costly, time consuming process of indexing all their aircraft, noting what types of equipment each had installed. With various ADS-B Out mandates passed by ANSPs and industry governing bodies around the world, operators will automatically know that their aircraft are properly equipped. "We're proud to work with both FlightAware, our existing partner, and SITAONAIR, our new partner, in delivering this cutting-edge capability. SITAONAIR and FlightAware are industry stalwarts, and this partnership shows how industry leaders can come together to create a more cost-effective, simple to implement and more efficient flight tracking capability than ever before," said Aireon Vice President of Aviation Services, Cyriel Kronenburg. "We are particularly excited to expand coverage to the oceans and especially polar airspace, which will have complete surveillance even before the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation is fully completed." About Aireon LLC Aireon is deploying a global, space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft over the entire globe. For the first time, Aireon will provide real-time ADS-B surveillance to oceanic, polar and remote regions, as well as augment existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. Aireon will harness next generation aviation surveillance technologies and extend them globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), ENAV and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon will have an operational, global, space-based air traffic surveillance system by 2018. For more information about Aireon, visit: aireon.com. About FlightAware FlightAware is the world's largest flight tracking data company and provides over 10,000 aircraft operators and service companies as well as over 12,000,000 passengers with global flight tracking solutions. FlightAware leverages data from air traffic control systems in over 55 countries, from FlightAware's network of over 8,000 ADS-B ground stations in over 140 countries, and using global datalink. For more information about FlightAware, visit: flightaware.com About SITAONAIR SITAONAIR is the SITA Group's nose-to-tail Connected Aircraft business, providing the complete range of products and services an airline needs to realize the full potential of the connected aircraft with products and services designed for Passengers, Cabin Crew, Cockpit Crew, Aircraft Data and Maintenance operations, Flight Operations and Air Traffic Control. It provides cockpit communications to over 400 airline customers and on over 14,000 aircraft worldwide, and has also more than 30 aircraft operator customers who enjoy the benefit of connectivity solutions in the cabin across a wide range of aircraft types. The SITA Group is airline-owned and airline focused. PRESS CONTACTS: Jessie Hillenbrand Aireon +1 (703) 287-7452 [email protected] Ashley Guinard FlightAware +1 713 456 3079 [email protected] Daisy Blacklock SITAONAIR +44 (0) 117 980 6388 [email protected] SOURCE Aireon LLC Related Links http://www.aireon.com NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. The New York City Chapter is dedicated to ensuring local delivery of comprehensive care and support services for the thousands of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease throughout the five boroughs, and helping to advance Alzheimer's disease research. To meet the growing needs of New York City, Chapter Executive Director Christopher Smith stated, "We are pleased to announce the newest members of our Program Department. Reporting to Program Director Dr. Anafidelia Tavares, they will bring care and support in the preferred languages of underserved populations with Alzheimer's, their caregivers and all others affected by the disease. This multilingual, multicultural approach allows us a greater opportunity to exchange information and solve problems within individual communities." Licet Valois, LMSW, MPS, appointed Care and Support Program Manager Valois is a bilingual social worker who has been practicing in the field of dementia care for 14 years. She has a Master's in Social Work from Hunter College and a Master's in Clinical Counseling from New York Institute of Technology. She frequently lectures on dementia-related topics, healthy brain aging and caregiving issues, and has experience in supportive counseling, case management, outreach, education and advocacy. Valois previously worked with the NYC Chapter as Latino Outreach Manager and with the NYU Memory Clinic and Cornell Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic. Eve Vaval, MSW, assumes the role of Care and Support Program Manager Vaval has been working in the non-profit and social services field for 19 years and speaks fluent English, Haitian Creole and French. She served as Assistant Director of Field Operations and as Executive Director at BHRAGS Home Care Corporation and is experienced in outreach to community-based and social service organizations that provide needed services for clients. Vaval earned a Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and a Master's in Social Work from Stony Brook University. Pamela Skinner, LMSW, appointed Care and Support Program Coordinator Skinner brings a diverse background to the position, having worked in consumer banking, retirement planning, financial services and legal marketing, most recently as a geriatric care manager. She earned a Master's in Social Work, Research from Fordham University and has served as an adjunct instructor in the Health and Human Services department at St. John's University. She worked with several issue-oriented non-profits, health and social service agencies and at a senior center in Queens prior to joining the Alzheimer's Association. This personal outreach complements the comprehensive services available online at www.alz.org/nyc, including: 24/7 Helpline Offers confidential support and information by master's level clinicians and specialists on a variety of Alzheimer's-related topics. Help is available all day, every day at 800.272.3900, in more than 200 languages. Offers confidential support and information by master's level clinicians and specialists on a variety of Alzheimer's-related topics. Help is available all day, every day at in more than 200 languages. Alzheimer's Navigator Creates customized action plans of information and support. Creates customized action plans of information and support. Community Resource Finder Allows caregivers to find local resources by zip code. Allows caregivers to find local resources by zip code. ALZConnected Connects caregivers with others to share common problems, challenges and potential solutions. SOURCE Alzheimers Association - NYC Chapter LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Business Software Inc. (ABS), developers of The Mortgage Office and The Loan Office software, is excited to announce a major update to its signature loan servicing software The Mortgage Office. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443199 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443200 Applied Business Software, Loan Servicing software industry leader. The Mortgage Office, most used software in Private Lending The Long Beach based software company, the industry leader in loan servicing software, released this extensive update with dozens of enhanced features to its world-wide customer base. Consistent with Applied Business Software's development approach, below are some of the highlights included in version 2.1.7.60. Text Messaging : Customers can now send text message notifications alerting their borrowers and lenders of upcoming scheduled transactions such as auto-payments, payments received, ACH deposits to lenders and much more. : Customers can now send text message notifications alerting their borrowers and lenders of upcoming scheduled transactions such as auto-payments, payments received, ACH deposits to lenders and much more. GeoMapping : In a partnership with MapQuest, ABS has created the ability to generate interactive location maps for all or selected loans in The Mortgage Office. : In a partnership with MapQuest, ABS has created the ability to generate interactive location maps for all or selected loans in The Mortgage Office. New Electronic Payments Partner : ABS has partnered with Payment Data Systems to offer its customers multiple options for real time Credit Card and EFT payment processing, both within The Mortgage Office and through ABS's web portal site: borrowersviewcentral.com . : ABS has partnered with to offer its customers multiple options for real time Credit Card and EFT payment processing, both within The Mortgage Office and through ABS's web portal site: . New Prepayment Penalty : This added feature calculates guaranteed interest through the expiration date. Payoff can now include outstanding months of guaranteed interest. : This added feature calculates guaranteed interest through the expiration date. Payoff can now include outstanding months of guaranteed interest. Billing Statement Notes: Include user-defined notes on line of credit, commercial and construction billing statements. Include user-defined notes on line of credit, commercial and construction billing statements. Closing Statement Notes: Include user-defined notes on line of credit, commercial and construction closing statements. Include user-defined notes on line of credit, commercial and construction closing statements. Logically Group Attachments : Easily organize auto-created attachments by using a user-defined tab metaphor. : Easily organize auto-created attachments by using a user-defined tab metaphor. Military State Codes: Seven US Military/State Abbreviations added. Seven US Military/State Abbreviations added. Lender/Purchaser Disclosure Statement : Updates to the LPDS RE851A and LPDS RE851D documents with BRE changes from revision on 8/16. : Updates to the LPDS RE851A and LPDS RE851D documents with BRE changes from revision on 8/16. Auto-Pay Email Notification: A new email template has been added to notify borrowers of a pending ACH debit (auto-pay). A new email template has been added to notify borrowers of a pending ACH debit (auto-pay). Updated 2016 Tax Forms: The IRS forms 1098, 1099INT and 1099MISC have been updated to comply with IRS changes for tax year 2016. The IRS forms 1098, 1099INT and 1099MISC have been updated to comply with IRS changes for tax year 2016. And much, much more. Jerry Delgado, CEO & Co-Founder, commented: "We are thrilled with the latest release of The Mortgage Office features and enhancements to our software. We take pride in the work that we do to meet our customers' evolving needs. We know we operate in a changing regulatory business and thousands of our clients depend on us keeping up with the industry's changes and new regulations. We take pride in continuing to produce world-class software." About Applied Business Software Applied Business Software, founded in 1978, is a market leader and global provider of software systems and solutions to the lending industry. ABS offers a complete suite of software products designed from the ground up to specifically address the needs of those who originate and service loans. All our products are consistently rated superior in design, system interface, expandability, and ease of use. ABS is based in Long Beach, California. For additional information about ABS's products and services, visit www.themortgageoffice.com, www.theloanoffice.com or call (800) 833-3343. Press Contact For Applied Business Software, Inc.: Elizabeth Morales Business Development, Director (800) 833-3343 [email protected] www.themortgageoffice.com SOURCE Applied Business Software, Inc. Related Links http://www.themortgageoffice.com REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Appnique, a leader in audience targeting for app marketers, today announced a major enhancement to the company's successful Intelligent Audience Targeting Technology. Now, in addition to being able to build high-affinity precise interest groups for Facebook app install campaigns, app marketers can quickly discover a large volume of relevant keywords for their Apple Search Ads or Google Play search campaigns. "Our unique keyword discovery technology has been a core background component of our Intelligent Audience Targeting platform since 2013. We are excited to now give app marketers direct access to the high-affinity keyword lists that have driven millions of quality app installs for our customers," reported Appnique CEO, Jai Jaisimha. "Unlike other keyword discovery tools, Appnique has proven technology that allows marketers to discover unobvious app affinities that take search ad targeting to the next level." The extension of Appnique's offering comes shortly after Apple announced the general availability of Apple Search Ads, giving app marketers the ability to now run paid search campaigns in both Apple's app store and on Google Play. The company's technology helps app marketers find quality keywords for their app install search campaigns, by analyzing millions of data points to uncover user-affinity signals. Unstructured data sources, including app stores and social media platforms, are mined for keywords, and patent-pending algorithms marry those keywords with user behavior, such as installing or reviewing an app. This unique approach uncovers terms with high-affinity for the app being analyzed, helping app marketers increase the volume and quality of their app store search campaigns, while minimizing expensive trial and error. "We've been using Appnique's Smart Keyword Discovery tool for some time now in our Google Play search campaigns, and lately in Apple Search Ads. We're very pleased with the volume and quality of traffic from both channels, and Appnique's targeting has contributed to our growth and helped us win conversions across a wide range of search queries," said Noah Godfrey, General Manager, Checkout 51 at News America Marketing. In contrast to app store 'screen-scraping' keyword discovery utilities, Appnique's solution is powered by sophisticated algorithms that factor in user intent and behavior. In addition, Appnique allows the marketer to target search traffic for all relevant apps - competitive, complementary or those from other app categories that appeal to the same audience. "We have several years of conversion data to power our keyword suggestions, and our machine-learning capabilities mean that our ability to surface high-affinity search terms is constantly improving," said Aloke Gupta, Appnique's CTO. "We believe this, combined with our rich heritage in ASO, will give our customers an important head start, as they look to Apple Search Ads and Google Play search campaigns to grow their user base." Visit appnique.com for more information, or to schedule a demonstration of Appnique's Smart Keyword Discovery tool. Contact: Kim Carlson, Appnique VP, Revenue, 425.652.3098, [email protected] About Appnique Appnique builds Intelligent Audience Targeting Technology that helps app marketers, make the most of your their ad spend and find more of their best customers on Facebook, Apple Search Ads, Google Play, Pinterest, AdColony, and other ad platforms. The company also offers Managed Performance campaign services for companies wishing to outsource their paid UA campaigns. SOURCE Appnique Related Links https://www.appnique.com CENTRAL LAKE, Mich., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Lake Armor Express, Inc. ("Armor Express"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor solutions, announced today two strategic hires as the Company continues to expand its presence in the Federal Law Enforcement market. These hires follow the Armor Express' previously announced $94 million Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity contract award with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Joining Armor Express as the new Director of Federal Sales is industry veteran David Jones. He has been brought onboard to lead the Company's Federal Sales initiatives, which include sales strategy, client management and overall market expansion programs. Mr. Jones joins the Company after a distinguished 20-year career, having most recently served as Sales Director for Saxon Security, Inc. In this position, he was responsible for product marketing and sales, client service and channel management, working with prestigious customers including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI SWAT, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF), Amtrak Police Special Operations, HIDTA (U.S. Federal Drug Task Force), and numerous police departments. Previously, Mr. Jones held the position of Sales Manager, Law Enforcement at Hesco Group, where he oversaw sales of hard armor products to both U.S. and Canadian Law Enforcement. Earlier in his career, he was the Business Development Manager at ALM Tech Corporation, responsible for setting sales and distribution strategies and securing strategic partnerships in support of the Company's Federal, domestic law enforcement and Special Forces business units. Mr. Jones is a graduate of Penn State University, with a B.S. in Finance. Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Jake Hayes as Federal Sales Manager. He will be responsible for developing and servicing Federal agency contracts and working with the team to expand the Company's reach. Before assuming this role, Mr. Hayes served as Sales Specialist for the Federal Government market at Code 3, Inc., where he oversaw Government Services Agency (GSA) contracts and worked with procurement agents from various agencies, including the FBI, CIA, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, DEA, National Park Service, NASA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and U.S. Air Force. He also held sales management positions with Blue Eagle Investigations, One Call Care Management and Northstar Alarm Services. Mr. Hayes received his B.S. in Marketing from Eastern Illinois University. Commenting on these appointments and the Company's continued growth initiatives, Scott Wyatt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, stated, "On behalf of our team, I would like to welcome both David and Jake to Armor Express. They both bring extensive experience servicing and protecting the Federal law enforcement community and have deep-seated relationships that will serve our Company and our customers well. These hires are especially meaningful given the timing, as we have recently expanded our customer base and are currently developing new body armor systems designed specifically for Federal officers. Knowing agency requirements and being in position to develop solutions that address their specific needs is paramount to our product development initiatives and positions us well for future opportunities." As federal agencies across the country seek to advance their capabilities, Armor Express has directed its resources to developing new and enhanced ballistic packages, carrier designs, hard armor plates, and accessories. This incorporates the most innovative technologies and industry best standards to better protect and enable officers to perform their jobs at the most optimal level. Thousands of federal agents nationwide have depended on Armor Express' solutions, including those from the U.S. Marshals, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. About Armor Express Armor Express is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor systems. Founded in 2005, the Company has grown to become one of the largest providers of soft and hard armor products and accessories, serving the domestic and Federal law enforcement market, U.S Military and America's allies around the world. Through its strategic partnerships with technology innovators and its unwavering commitment to advance research & development, the Company's customers benefit from state-of-the-art protective solutions and best-in-class service. For more information, please visit www.armorexpress.com. Company Contacts: Glenn Wiener and Dionne Manchester GW Communications (for Armor Express) Tel: 212-786-6011 / 212-786-6068 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Armor Express Related Links http://www.armorexpress.com The Art Institute of Chicago, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Beyeler, Fondation Cartier, Guggenheim Museum, Hauser & Wirth, ICA Miami, LACMA, MAXXI, Tate and Walker Art Center, among others, will be the first to launch websites on .ART LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- .ART, the first domain created exclusively for the global art community, is pleased to announce that more than 60 world-renowned museums and arts organisations will launch dedicated websites on the new top-level domain, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Beyeler, Fondation Cartier, Guggenheim Museum, Hauser & Wirth, ICA Miami, LACMA, MAXXI, Tate and Walker Art Center, among others. As early adopters of .ART, these organisations have exciting plans to activate their new domains, some of which include fully migrating or consolidating their existing websites to .ART, while others are launching new dedicated websites to showcase unique content from their artists and/or collections. "Our mission is to preserve the cultural legacy of the global art world. We are honoured that so many respected institutions from all over the world share our vision and conviction that .ART will transform the arts community's relationship with the internet and help protect their brand's heritage online," explains Ulvi Kasimov, Founder of .ART. John Matson, CEO of .ART continues, ".ART provides a new way for the art world to identify online. The domain is short, simple, memorable, and has immediate association with the arts. For our Early Adopters, a .ART domain is a natural expression of their brand." Early adopters will be given first access to .ART domain names, and thus, have the opportunity to launch content on their respective websites in advance of domains being available for purchase by the general public in summer 2017. .ART's early adopters shared their enthusiasm: Tate's Digital Director, Ros Lawler, says the museum is "delighted to take part in the launch of this new domain, which will help promote some of the world's greatest art collections, galleries and museums." Benoit Parayre, Director of Communication and Partnerships at the Centre Pompidou explains, "A domain name for the art world has been long overdue and will now allow many cultural industry leaders, museums, art centres, galleries, collectors, etc. to have more relevant domain names to promote their collections and programming." "The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain is excited to become a part of .ART's new digital neighbourhood and evolve its programs even further," says Digital Manager, David Desrimais. Anton Vidokle, artist and founder of e-flux, adds, "The internet carries profound educational potential, and a reliable and informative domain dedicated to art will provide an invaluable source of knowledge. The art domain will become an effective platform that dignifies the excellent work of art organisations and artists from all parts of the world for all who love and care about the arts." Dominique Chevalier, President of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires (SNA), which organizes the Biennale des Antiquaires at the Grand Palais in Paris, explains "For us, and for our galleries, '.com' is too commercial and '.fr' is too generic. The problem with most domain names is that they don't say anything about the business that you do, '.ART' solves that." Lelia Pissarro, co-owner of Stern Pissarro Gallery and great-granddaughter of artist Camille Pissarro, adds, "The internet has had the biggest impact on the global art market. It has brought art to every corner of the world. The way forward in terms of domain names is clearly to categorize industries. We feel that with what the Pissarro names represents, marrying it with '.com' lacked elegance. Having the possibility to now use 'pissarro.art' is simply the perfect solution. It fills a long lasting gap in our marketing strategy and the way we project ourselves." The early adopters have wide-ranging plans for their respective sites: Tate, LACMA, Multimedia Art Museum, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, will create websites highlighting various aspects of their collections, while the Fondation Cartier will use the domain to make its collection available to the public for the first time ever. Meanwhile, Centre Pompidou will launch a dedicated website with helpful information in English and other languages for its foreign visitors. Hauser & Wirth will celebrate the gallery's 25th anniversary with the launch of an interactive website featuring a visual chronology detailing the gallery's nearly three-decade history. In addition, Canesso Gallery, Galerie Meyer Oceanic & Eskimo Art, Galerie Perrin, Tomasso Brothers Fine Art, Stern Pissarro Gallery, and Venus will fully migrate their existing websites to their new .ART domains. Beginning in February 2017, .ART domain names will be available for registration to professional members of the art world, ensuring that key stakeholders are given the opportunity to secure their desired domains first. For a full list of .ART's early adopters, visit http://www.art.art. For more information, contact: [email protected]. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160525/372735LOGO SOURCE .ART Related Links http://www.art.art NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Arvinas LLC, a private biotechnology company creating a new class of drugs based on protein degradation, today announced that data were presented by Dr. Kevin Coleman, Vice President of Exploratory Biology, during an oral presentation at the 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium being held November 28 December 2, 2016, in Munich, Germany. "The data presented today support the ongoing work from our research team in building out a new paradigm in medicine with the PROTAC platform. We believe that protein degradation confers key mechanistic benefits over inhibition leading to efficacy improvements, and these data further show this, where the intermittent IV dosing of our BET PROTAC leads to potential safety improvements over BET inhibitors," said Manuel Litchman, M.D., President and CEO of Arvinas. Highlights from the data presented today include: Tumor cell lines representing different tumor types are consistently more sensitive to BET protein degradation than BET protein inhibition BET PROTACs cause robust BRD4 degradation and more prolonged suppression of oncogene c-Myc in vitro and have greater efficacy in vivo compared to BET inhibitors and have greater efficacy compared to BET inhibitors Intermittent dosing in vivo of BET PROTACs causes tumor regression or stasis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer xenograft models This presentation was part of Plenary Session 1, "Degradation Based Therapeutics," which was co-chaired by Dr. Craig M. Crews, Lewis B. Cullman Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University, and Arvinas Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor. Dr. Coleman's presentation is available on the Arvinas website under Publications at www.arvinas.com. About Arvinas Arvinas is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing new small molecules known as PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) aimed at degrading disease-causing cellular proteins. Based on groundbreaking research conducted at Yale University by Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. Craig Crews, the company is translating innovative protein degradation approaches into novel drugs for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. The company's new PROTAC-based drug paradigm induces protein degradation, rather than protein inhibition, and offers the advantage of potentially targeting "undruggable" as well as "druggable" elements of the proteome. This greatly expands the ability to create drugs for many new, previously unapproachable targets. For more information, visit www.arvinas.com. SOURCE Arvinas Related Links http://www.arvinas.com The Concierge retail platform will enable retail store associates at Ashley HomeStore stores to have mobile access to all available products, customer data, and delivery information. Furniture shoppers will soon be able to browse an endless aisle of products that are available online and in-store, with related product recommendations while also experiencing a mobile-enhanced checkout process. Ashley Furniture plans to roll out the Concierge retail platform to store associates nationwide and internationally in 2017. "We are excited to work with the Ashley Furniture team to transform their retail stores and empower their retail store associates with mobile capabilities," said Mad Mobile CEO Bruce Bennett. "The Concierge retail platform will dramatically enhance the shopping experience at Ashley HomeStores." To learn more about Concierge, visit the Mad Mobile website. Ashley HomeStore is committed to being your trusted partner and style leader for the home. This commitment has made Ashley HomeStore the No. 1 furniture retailer in the U.S. and one of the world's best-selling furniture store brands with more than 670 locations in 35 countries. Start designing your dream home today. Visit Ashley HomeStore online at www.ashleyhomestore.com. "Like" Ashley HomeStore on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram , or see our design-focused boards on Pinterest. Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is one of the largest manufacturers of home furnishings in the world. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world's best home furnishing values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyfurniture.com. About Mad Mobile Mad Mobile is transforming retail with mobile solutions that empower store associates to engage with customers, enhance the in-store shopping experience, and sell more. Concierge is a mobile retail platform that connects store associates with valuable customer and product information from enterprise systems (ECOM, ERP, CRM, DOM, POS) to unleash powerful functionality for clienteling, assisted selling, and mPOS. Top clients include Talbots, Books-A-Million, Ashley Furniture, Aeropostale, Sysco, AutoNation, and Payless Shoesource. Offices in Tampa (HQ), NYC, Buenos Aires, and London. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443337 SOURCE Mad Mobile, Inc. Related Links http://www.madmobile.com BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Forty-six percent of bank executives and directors responding to Bank Director's 2017 Bank M&A Survey indicate that their institution is likely or very likely to purchase another bank by the end of 2017. However, this expectation co-exists with a more pessimistic outlook for the bank M&A market. Just 45 percent believe that today's environment is more favorable for deals, down 17 points from last year's survey. The 2017 Bank M&A Survey is sponsored by Crowe Horwath LLP, which assisted in designing the survey and interpreting the results, and was conducted in August and September 2016, before the U.S. presidential election. Survey respondents also reveal mixed views on the economy, with 31 percent predicting an economic downturn or recession in the U.S. by the end of 2017. One-third are unsure. Bank Director surveyed online 206 chief executive officers, chief financial officers, chairmen and directors of U.S. banks in August and September. Fifty-eight percent of survey respondents who have made a past acquisition reveal that attractive markets are the most important attribute of a potential acquisition target. Lending teams are also highly prized: Forty-one percent of respondents say that the opportunity to acquire lending talent is highly important, which can be attributed to a competitive environment for commercial lenders. Other key findings include: Just one-quarter of respondents say their bank is likely or very likely to purchase a branch or multiple branches by the end of 2017. When asked about the attractiveness of branch acquisitions compared to five years ago, attitudes are mixed: One-third believe that buying a branch is more attractive than five years ago. Twenty-eight percent believe that branch acquisitions are less attractive. Twenty-five percent report that they're open to selling their institution, considering a sale or actively seeking an acquirer. Of these potential sellers, 54 percent cite regulatory costs as the reason they would sell the bank, followed by shareholder demand for liquidity (48 percent) and limited growth opportunities (39 percent). Price, at 38 percent, followed by cultural compatibility, at 26 percent, remain the two greatest challenges faced by boards as they consider potential acquisitions. Price is also identified as the top reason that potential buyers and sellers have walked away from a deal in the past three years. Forty-five percent report that they are seeing deterioration in loan underwriting standards within the industry, leading to possible credit quality issues in the future. Concerns about the quality of loan underwriting standards at the target institution caused 28 percent to walk away from a potential acquisition. Eighty-eight percent believe that interest rates will rise by the end of 2017. Most respondents, at 46 percent, expect a modest increase of less than half a percent. Full survey results are available online at BankDirector.com, and will be featured in the 1st quarter 2017 issue of Bank Director magazine. ABOUT BANK DIRECTOR Since 1991, Bank Director has served as a leading information resource for the directors and officers of financial institutions. Through its print and digital editions of Bank Director magazine, executive-level research, annual conferences and its website, BankDirector.com, Bank Director reaches the leaders of the institutions that comprise America's banking industry. Bank Director is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. ABOUT CROWE HORWATH LLP Crowe Horwath LLP (www.crowehorwath.com) is one of the largest public accounting, consulting, and technology firms in the United States. Crowe uses its deep industry expertise to provide audit services to public and private entities while also helping clients reach their goals with tax, advisory, risk and performance services. Crowe is recognized by many organizations as one of the country's best places to work. Crowe serves clients worldwide as an independent member of Crowe Horwath International, one of the largest global accounting networks in the world. The network consists of more than 200 independent accounting and advisory services firms in more than 120 countries around the world. Contact: Michelle King, chief brand officer, (615) 777-8465, [email protected] SOURCE BankDirector.com Related Links http://www.bankdirector.com INDIANOLA, Pa., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer announced today the full launch of its U.S. Radiology myORDERS eCommerce website at the 2016 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting in Chicago. The launch is part of Bayer's RSNA activities showcasing its full suite of radiology solutions for contrast media, magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography (CT) and informatics. In addition, Bayer has established a new collaboration with the non-profit organization RAD-AID International to help advance its mission to increase and improve radiology technology and medical imaging in developing and impoverished countries around the world. The myORDERS digital ordering platform one of the first of its kind in radiology will allow customers to place and track shipments of radiology-related disposables, such as syringes and tubing, online. Customers also will be able to use the site to access Bayer's full catalog of radiology supply offerings. The site will provide customers expanded control over their orders and help limit the potential for human error associated with manual data entry. "We've heard from our radiology customers that they want to streamline how they engage with us and are eager for new ways to connect digitally," said Dennis Durmis, Head of Commercial Operations, Radiology Americas at Bayer. "myORDERS is the first of multiple eCommerce tools that Bayer is building as part of our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of hospitals, radiologists and patients. We will continue to move forward with technologies that improve our customers' workflow, always with a focus on what will be best for serving the patient." As part of its long standing commitment to the radiology community, Bayer's ongoing collaboration with RAD-AID will help support training and resourcing for radiology services in hospitals in low-resource regions around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately half of the world's population does not have access to radiology technologies such as x-rays, MR imaging (MRI) or CT scans and is at risk for widespread losses and deaths that could potentially be avoided or treated, if radiology were available.i.ii "This collaboration between RAD-AID and Bayer substantially reinforces global radiology charitable efforts for medically underserved populations of the world by leveraging RAD-AID's international volunteer networks and on-site in-country hospital teams with Bayer's expertise and resources in radiology health services," said Daniel J. Mollura, MD, President and CEO of RAD-AID International. About Bayer's Radiology Business As a true life science company, Bayer is a global industry leader in radiology with a strong presence across all regions worldwide. Bayer provides radiologists with a portfolio of diagnostic imaging products and services along the Radiology workflow and engages collaboratively with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of diagnostic imaging scanners and healthcare IT partners. Bayer has been committed to radiology for more than 100 years and continues to partner with radiologists to guide diagnostic care. About RAD-AID International RAD-AID International (501c3 nonprofit) has received awards and recognition from the World Health Organization, American College of Radiology, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, American Medical Association, Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, and the Clinton Global Initiative for innovative health solutions serving indigent populations. For more information, go to https://www.rad-aid.org Bayer: Science For A Better Life Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us. 2016 Bayer Bayer and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer. Bayer Forward Looking Statement This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer Web site at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. i RAD-AID International. About Us. Available at: https://www.rad-aid.org/about-us/. Accessed on October 27, 2016. ii RAD-AID International. How can RAD-AID help? Available at: https://www.rad-aid.org/resource-center/radiology-serving-the-world/how-can-rad-aid-help/. Accessed on November 21, 2016. PP-CP-US-0286 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140312/NY79226LOGO SOURCE Bayer Related Links http://www.bayerus.com BOSTON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Health Options (Beacon), a national leader in behavioral health management, announced today that it received a total of seven awards from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (ACMP), the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts and the eHealthcare Leadership Awards. The awards were received in the print, advertising, social media and special events categories. ACMP recognized Beacon for a third consecutive year with its MarCom Awards, as follows: Combatting the Crisis of Opioid Addiction brochure (Platinum in the print category) brochure (Platinum in the print category) Awesome Beacon Bike Ride A month-long ride from Boston to Miami to raise funds for, and awareness about, mental health (Gold in the special events category) to to raise funds for, and awareness about, mental health (Gold in the special events category) Beacon Lens blog The company's blog that provides rapid response to the most pressing and controversial issues in behavioral healthcare today (Gold in the social media category) ACMP also awarded Beacon two Honorable Mentions: one in the social media campaign category for Beacon's Mental Health Month initiative and the second in the advertising category for its promotional piece on its long-standing sponsorship of the National Council for Behavioral Health Conference. The Beacon Lens blog was also awarded a Silver W3 award by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts. This marks the 4th consecutive year that Beacon earned a W3 award for excellence on the web. Additionally, Beacon's member web site, Achieve Solutions, was honored with a Silver Award for Best Health Care Content in the 17th Annual eHealthcare Leadership Awards. The web site was recognized for its credible, understandable an actionable health information. This is the 11th time Achieve Solutions has garnered an eHealthcare Leadership Award. "These awards showcase the tremendous effort and talent that go into defining and implementing Beacon's brand vision," said Tom Warburton, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications. Many dedicated professionals from across the company, working in concert, are responsible for this success. Their creativity, ingenuity and commitment to excellence drives us forward each and every day." The MarCom Awards is a global creative competition, administered by ACMP, for any individual or company involved in the concept, writing, and design of print, visual, audio, and web materials and programs. The competition receives approximately 6,000 entries per year from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, public relations firms, design shops, production companies, and freelancers. The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts sanctions and judges the W3 Awards, which honors creative excellence on the web, and recognizes the creative and marketing professionals behind award-winning sites, videos and marketing programs. The eHealthcare Leadership Awards recognize the very best websites and digital communications of healthcare organizations, online health companies, pharmaceutical/medical equipment firms, agencies/suppliers, and business improvement initiatives. The awards highlighted the Internet's role in achieving an organization's business objectives and recognize the work that has gone into creating outstanding health websites and digital initiatives. About Beacon Health Options Beacon Health Options is a health improvement company that serves 50 million individuals across all 50 states and the United Kingdom. On behalf of employers, health plans and government agencies, we manage innovative programs and solutions that directly address the challenges our behavioral health care system faces today. Beacon is a national leader in the fields of mental and emotional wellbeing, addiction, recovery and resilience, employee assistance, and wellness. We help people make the difficult life changes needed to be healthier and more productive. Partnering with a network of providers nationwide, we help individuals live their lives to the fullest potential. For more information, visit www.beaconhealthoptions.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/beaconhealthoptions and https://twitter.com/BeaconHealthOpt. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150212/175216LOGO SOURCE Beacon Health Options Related Links https://www.beaconhealthoptions.com BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Several leading Alzheimer's disease experts will participate in a webinar hosted by Accera, Inc. at 11 a.m. EST on December 6 in advance of the 9th Annual International Conference on Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD). The program will include discussions on the role of metabolism in Alzheimer's disease and therapeutic targets that address deficient glucose metabolism observed in Alzheimer's disease patients. "Following the recent failure of another therapy targeting the amyloid hypothesis, now more than ever we need to focus on alternative mechanisms to address Alzheimer's disease," said Michael Gold, M.D., Accera's senior medical advisor and the moderator of the webinar. "As the Alzheimer's community prepares to gather for CTAD, we want to provide perspectives from researchers leading the way to address the fundamental metabolic defect in Alzheimer's patients." Dr. Gold will moderate a discussion following presentations by: Russell Swerdlow, M.D., Gene and Marge Sweeney Professor of Neurology, University of Kansas Dr. Swerdlow will present information about the history of the metabolic hypothesis and the role of mitochondrial defects in Alzheimer's disease. He is the Director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center and the KUMC Neurodegenerative Disorders Program. Dr. Swerdlow is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. After receiving his undergraduate and doctor of medicine degrees from New York University, he trained as a neurologist and cognitive disorders subspecialist at the University of Virginia. Dr. Swerdlow sees patients at the University of Kansas Memory Disorders Clinic and is a laboratory-based neuroscientist who is internationally known for his work on mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Eugenia Trushina, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic Dr. Trushina will present information on emerging mitochondria-targeted therapeutics. Her laboratory is focused on mitochondrial dysfunction caused by environmental toxins, chemotherapy drugs and genetic factors in multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease, aging, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Her research interests involve identification of the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition of mitochondrial dynamics and function in neurons. Dr. Trushina's current projects include the development of a panel of the biomarkers associated with mitochondrial dysfunction involved in neurodegeneration and testing novel mitochondria-targeted therapeutic approaches that could potentially reverse neurodegeneration and aging. Dr. Trushina has a Ph.D. from Saratov State University in Russia and conducted postdoctoral studies at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Dr. Trushina's research has been funded by the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, the American Health Assistance Foundation, the Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Accera's lead product candidate, AC-1204, addresses the issue of deficient glucose metabolism in Alzheimer's disease by inducing a mild form of ketosis by generating ketones for use in neurons. These ketones have the potential to restore the supply of energy, improving neuronal metabolism and in turn cognition and function in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. AC-1204 is currently being evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study called NOURISH AD. Results from this study are expected in the coming months. Webinar Information Participants can register in advance and access the webinar by clicking the following link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1588/18619. Participants are encouraged to log on within 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the webinar. Following the event, a replay will be available at the same link and on the Accera website. About Accera Accera, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Boulder, Colo., that is developing therapies for central nervous system disorders. The company's proprietary scientific platform addresses unmet medical needs in brain health, including Alzheimer's disease. Accera is focused on the clinical development of drugs with innovative mechanisms of actions. The company's management team includes globally recognized specialists in central nervous system diseases and drug development, who together leverage the latest scientific knowledge and understanding of neurological disorders. Accera's lead product candidate is AC-1204, a ketosis-inducing compound in a Phase 3 clinical study in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. For more information, visit www.accerapharma.com. Follow Accera on Twitter at twitter.com/accerainc. Accera Media Contacts: Russo Partners LLC Todd Davenport, Ph.D. (212) 845-4235 [email protected] Rich Allan (646) 942-5588 [email protected] SOURCE Accera, Inc. Related Links http://www.accerapharma.com Spiritual thought leaders Joan Borysenko , Yogi Cameron, Philip Goldberg , Lisa Garr, Nayaswamis Jyotish & Devi Novak, Elisabeth Rohm and Michael Bernard Beckwith will share how Autobiography inspired their spiritual work during the live webcast. Viewers will also see the world premiere of The Spark , a documentary short film about Yogananda. "Bodhi Tree has always been a place to ask the questions, to find sanctuary with like minds and to uncover meaning in both the day to day as much as the bigger events that define our lives," Bodhi Tree CEO Stephen Powers said. "Autobiography is a defining book for anyone who has sought an awakened path. We are thrilled to partner with Ananda to share this celebration with the world." Autobiography of a Yogi has influenced millions of people around the world, from Mahatma Gandhi, Luther Burbank, Steve Jobs and George Harrison to Joseph Campbell, Andrew Weil and Joseph Cornell. The passing of Steve Jobs in 2011 inspired renewed interest in Autobiography of a Yogi. Jobs discovered the book in 1970 and re-read it every year; it was the only book loaded on his iPad. Copies were given to all attendees of his memorial service. First published in 1946, Autobiography of a Yogi has sold over 20 million copies, in 34 languages, and is among USA Today's top 100 most important spiritual books of the 20th century. Yogananda arrived in the U.S. from India in 1920 and founded the Self Realization Fellowship with a mission to help people realize joy in their daily lives. In that decade, he was one of the most sought-after speakers in the country. He met United States President Calvin Coolidge in the White House. The Los Angeles Times wrote, "Thousands being turned away from the 3,000-seat Philharmonic AuditoriumSwami Yogananda is the attraction. Bodhi Tree began as a beloved Hollywood bookstore and destination for the spiritually curious in 1970. Today, Bodhi Tree has expanded to become an online destination for new and antiquarian books, handcrafted home and ceremonial goods, consciously selected to support a thoughtful path, and creator of the Bodhi Tree Journal, original content published weekly. Bodhi Tree LIVE hosts event gatherings in Los Angeles with recording and live streaming capabilities for viewers throughout the world. Ananda is a worldwide spiritual movement based on the teachings of Yogananda founded by his disciple Swami Kriyananda. Ananda is offering Autobiography as a free audiobook or e-book on December 1st to all who sign up for the webcast. To view the webcast and for on-demand access, register at bodhitree.com/yogananda and follow instructions for viewing. The celebration will remain available online as part of the ongoing media offerings on Bodhitree.com. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443836 SOURCE Bodhi Tree Related Links https://visit.bodhitree.com The automaker Borgward is strengthening its strategic network and has teamed up with the French automotive supplier company Faurecia to form a joint venture for the development and production of car seats and interior components. "We are proud to intensify our cooperation with Faurecia, one of the world's most successful and innovative automotive suppliers," said Ulrich Walker, CEO of Borgward Group AG, in Paris on Tuesday. "As part of our expansion strategy - particularly in China, but also in Europe - we are delighted to cooperate with a renowned automotive brand such as Borgward, which has been revived. Our extensive experience with premium and SUV seats was the main reason for the establishment of this new joint venture in China," said Patrick Koller, CEO of Faurecia S.A., at the signing of the joint venture agreement. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443595 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443596 ) The joint venture Borgward Faurecia Auto Systems Co., Ltd. will develop and produce car seats. The long-term goal is also for Faurecia to develop the entire cockpit for Borgward. The joint venture partners plan to build a factory with about 800 employees in Tianjin, approximately 120 kilometers from Beijing. Borgward Group AG holds 46 percent of the new joint venture, while Borgward Automotive (China) Co., Ltd. holds three percent and Faurecia 51 percent. The joint venture will initially produce the seats for the new Borgward BX5 and other models in China and later on intends to supply seats to Borgward for its vehicles to be assembled in Europe. The investment in the joint venture is part of Borgward's S-N-A-P (Smart Network Automotive Platform) strategy for the creation of strong partnerships and alliances. "Our business model is based on a simple principle: Borgward outsources as many activities as possible, but keeps as many as necessary in its own hands," said Walker. According to Borgward, the company's main task is to make sure that processes and quality meet people's "Made in Germany" expectations with regard to research and development, design, engineering, finances, management, marketing, and communication. Borgward has formed numerous partnerships in recent months, including with Bosch, Kuka, and LG. "We will continue along this path and form additional partnerships and invest in joint ventures," Walker announced. Additional information BORGWARD Group AG Kriegsbergstrasse 11 70174 Stuttgart, Germany Marco Dalan Head of Global Communications Telephone +49-711-365101041 e-mail [email protected] http://www.borgward.com SOURCE BORGWARD Group AG MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bracco Diagnostics Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A., a global leading company in the diagnostic imaging business, today announced a review of key milestones the company has achieved this year in diagnostic imaging and contrast media that reinforces its commitment to providing innovative products to the healthcare community. "As a leader in the imaging marketplace, we are committed to the discovery and development of imaging agents and solutions aimed at providing quality products and services that enhance diagnostic efficacy, patient safety and cost effectiveness," said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Head of Global Business Unit Imaging at Bracco Imaging. "Our work continues to demonstrate Bracco's commitment to innovation and to providing solutions that address the evolving needs of patients." The following summary provides a snapshot of major milestones impacting Bracco this year: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and recent launch of the first and only syringe-less power injector in the U.S., designed to streamline workflow and improve patient care for computed tomography (CT) The company received the first U.S. FDA approval for contrast enhanced ultrasonography of the liver in adult and pediatric patients; first ultrasound contrast agent approved for use in pediatrics in the world. This year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved coverage and coding for abdominal ultrasound with contrast under the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System. The company received the first and only U.S. FDA approvals of two of its barium-based products (one for CT; one for contrast radiography) The company received an Innovative Technology Designation from Vizient for its injectable suspension for contrast echocardiography Virtual colonoscopy received highest grade by The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force as an alternative screening tool in detecting colorectal cancer after finding that computed tomography colonography was proven to reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer, the second deadliest cancer in the U.S. Bracco markets the latest innovative CO2 insufflator and a stool marker, or "fecal tagging" agent, for CT colonoscopy. "We are very proud of our accomplishments so far this year, which are all aimed at improving the diagnostic performance of medical imaging procedures and helping healthcare professionals deliver quality care to their patients," said Alberto Spinazzi, MD, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Bracco Group. "Effective, safe, and high quality diagnostic imaging is key for medical decision-making, and we will continue to research and develop innovative ways to meet the demands of the evolving diagnostic imaging sector." About Bracco Imaging Bracco Imaging S.p.A., part of the Bracco Group, is one of the world's leading companies in the diagnostic imaging business. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Imaging develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic imaging agents and solutions that meet medical needs. Bracco Imaging offers a product and solution portfolio for all key diagnostic imaging modalities: X-ray Imaging (including Computed Tomography-CT, Interventional Radiology, and Cardiac Catheterization), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Nuclear Medicine through radioactive tracers. The diagnostic imaging portfolio is completed by a range of medical devices and advanced administration systems for contrast imaging products. The Company operates in over 100 markets worldwide, either directly or indirectly, through subsidiaries, joint ventures, licenses and distribution partnership agreements. With on-going research covering all key modalities, Bracco Imaging has a strong presence in key geographies: North America, Europe and Japan operating through the Joint Venture Bracco-Eisai Co. Ltd. The Company also operates in Brazil, South Korea, and China through the Joint Venture Bracco Sine Pharmaceutical Corp. Ltd. Operational investments have been made in order to achieve top quality, compliant and sustainable eco-friendly production. Manufacturing activities are located in Italy, Switzerland, Japan, China, and Germany. Bracco Imaging is an innovative Research and Development (R&D) structure with an efficient process oriented approach and a track record of innovation in the diagnostic imaging industry. R&D activities are managed in the three Research Centers located in Italy, Switzerland, and the USA. To learn more about Bracco Imaging, visit www.braccoimaging.com. Press Contact: Kimberly Gerweck Bracco Diagnostics Inc. [email protected] 609.514.2249 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160201/327852LOGO SOURCE Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Related Links http://www.braccoimaging.com BOSTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, has announced the 19th Annual European Conference will highlight the Brexit Effect and what lies ahead for the European pulp and paper industry as well as feature a key packaging seminar. Registration opened October 31st. The conference will take place from March 6-8, 2017 at the Marriott Hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Industry concerns surround the potential for new duties and affected trade flows between Britain and the rest of Europe. Leaders will share their economic outlook on the region and the potential global trade effects resulting from the European Union's recent transformation. Delegates will learn about the protective stance some companies are taking and their efforts to prepare for potential market disruptions. Industry experts including RISI economists will discuss economic scenarios and forecasts by grade; including boxboard, containerboard, tissue, and graphic papers. A special seminar on paper packaging will be offered on March 6 prior to the main conference. During this focused discussion, participants will evaluate major trends in paper packaging. This includes current efforts to develop substitutes for plastic packaging materials through molded thermal applications. The seminar will feature discussions from various brand owners, innovators and technology suppliers. Fast food giant McDonald's will provide an end-user's perspective on its use of paper packaging and overall relationship with the industry. The 2016 European Conferenced attracted hundreds of delegates from across the globe, representing 140 companies from 24 countries. Delegates included product innovators, category buyers, marketing analysts, investors, and more. For registration or more information about the 19th Annual European Conference, please visit http://events.risiinfo.com/european-conference. About RISI (www.risi.com) RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The company works with clients in the pulp and paper, wood products, timber, biomass, tissue, nonwovens, printing and publishing industries to help them make better decisions. Headquartered in Boston, MA, RISI operates additional offices throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. For Press Enquiries, please contact: Kimberly Rizzitano Marketing Manager, Events O: 781-734-8996 E:[email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080521/NEW122LOGO SOURCE RISI Related Links http://www.risiinfo.com HOUSTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) announced today that the Company will be presenting at the Jefferies 2016 Energy Conference to be held in Houston, November 29 30, 2016. Don Miller, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, is scheduled to present on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. CT (11:00 a.m. ET). The accompanying slides will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Bristow Group website at www.bristowgroup.com and will be archived there for approximately 90 days. ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC. Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global industrial aviation services provider offering helicopter transportation, search and rescue (SAR) and aircraft support services, including maintenance and training, to government and civil organizations worldwide. Bristow has major operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. Bristow provides SAR services to the private sector worldwide and to the public sector for all of the U.K. on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. For more information, visit bristowgroup.com. Contact: Linda McNeill Investor Relations (713) 267-7622 SOURCE Bristow Group Inc. Related Links http://www.bristowgroup.com RIYADH, Saudi Arabia and BOSTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cengage, an education and technology company, has signed an agreement with Tatweer Company for Educational Services (T4edu), to deliver professional development programs for Ministry of Education English teachers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Cengage will provide 1,000 teachers with online access to its National Geographic Learning ELTeach resource. The agreement was finalized at a signing event in Riyadh in November. "Saudi Arabia continues to show its commitment to education, as evidenced by the country's significant investments in quality learning materials," said Alexander Broich, Executive Vice President, Cengage International. "We are honored to support the country's teachers of English with our ELTeach program, enabling English language learning to be introduced to students earlier in their studies." Having enrolled 1,000 English language teachers in National Geographic Learning's ELTeach program, T4edu Chief Officer, Content and Technology Solutions, Dr. Nasser H. Al-Uwaishiq complimented the partnership: "T4edu is looking forward to successfully conducting professional development programs for Ministry of Education English teachers in partnership with Cengage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Teachers participating in this program will significantly improve their teaching skills contributing to the continued improvement and development of the teaching and learning of English for the benefit of students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through T4edu initiated programs." Cengage's National Geographic Learning ELTeach is an online, integrated professional development, assessment, and certificate program, supporting teachers of English through coursework and assessments in English-for-Teaching and Professional Knowledge for English Language Teaching (ELT). The program is aimed at improving the level of English for the classroom and focuses on online speaking and listening. The advanced level of the program is focused on classroom methodology and is designed to help teachers with lesson planning and preparation. Upon completion of the course, all teachers have the opportunity to take either the Test of English-for-Teaching (TEFT) or the Test of Professional Knowledge (TPK) assessments, developed by US-based Educational Testing Service (ETS). Providing online, self-paced access makes ELTeach a time efficient and flexible resource to meet the training needs of Ministry of Education English teachers in Saudi Arabia. For more information about ELTeach, please visit http://elteach.com/. For more information about Cengage in the Middle East, please visit http://www.cengage.co.uk/. About Cengage Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. The company serves the higher education, K-12, professional, library and workforce training markets worldwide. Cengage creates learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA with an office hub in San Francisco. Employees reside in nearly 40 countries with sales in more than 125 countries around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter. About T4EDU: T4EDU is one of the subsidiaries of Tatweer Holding Company, a government owned company and the exclusive executer of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Public Education Development Project (Tatweer). For more information about Tatweer Company for Educational Services (T4EDU) English Language Development Program, please contact Ali Alromaih [email protected]. Media Contact : Kristina Massari Cengage (203) 965-8694 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160926/411969LOGO SOURCE Cengage Learning Related Links http://www.cengage.com UAEAC signed the certificate Nov. 9, capping an intensive flight test program to introduce the commercial aircraft manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT ), to Colombia. "The approval by UAEAC authorizing transportation companies across Colombia to operate the S-76D and S-76C medium helicopters and heavy lift S-92 in Colombia is an exciting development," said Dana Fiatarone, vice president, Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services. "These multi-role aircraft will provide profitable, high reliability flight operations to local operators." "Colombians know the robustness, reliability and industry leading safety record of Sikorsky products thanks to the history of Black Hawks in Colombia, where more than 100 have operated for over 20 years," said Adam Schierholz, Sikorsky Regional Executive for Latin America. "As Colombia moves to a peacetime footing, with infrastructure development and oil exploration as priorities, it is a natural progression to have Sikorsky commercial products introduced to the country." In Colombia, Sikorsky maintains training and support facilities in Melgar that employ more than 40 Colombian national employees. These facilities operate as Sikorsky's regional hub for support in Latin America. Sikorsky has delivered more than 800 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1979. More than four million of the fleet's nearly seven million total flight hours have been flown in support of offshore oil transportation, and the aircraft boasts low operating costs and an accident rate that is half that of the industry's average. Sikorsky has delivered nearly 300 S-92 helicopters since 2004. With a best-in-class safety record, the multi-mission S-92 aircraft is the preferred aircraft of its size class for offshore oil worker transportation. These helicopters perform search and rescue missions, head of state missions, and a variety of transportation missions for utility and airline passengers. For more information visit Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443219 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141118/159313LOGO SOURCE Lockheed Martin Related Links http://www.lockheedmartin.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Details - Visiongain assesses that the civil helicopter market is valued at $7,876m in 2016. Civil helicopters offer a number of capabilities that cannot be achieved with fixed wing aircraft. Vertical take-off and landing capabilities mean that helicopters can operate in areas that are remote, have difficult terrain characteristics or where ground transport infrastructure or airfield facilities are under-developed or non-existent. In terms of manufacturers, the market is very compact with a handful of companies dominating in all categories of helicopter types; light, medium and large. Current market conditions are changing where demand for civil helicopters is coming from with a decline in offshore transport along with continuing demand for helicopters in EMS or law enforcement. It is therefore critical that you have your timescales correct and knowledge of significant competitive developments. This report will ensure that you do. - Visiongain's report will ensure that you keep informed and ahead of your competitors. Gain that competitive advantage. The report will answer questions such as: - What are the key trends, opportunities and challenges for the civil helicopter market currently and in the future? - What factors are behind these trends and what are the prospects are for related submarkets and regional markets? - Who are the leading companies in the civil helicopter industry? - What are stakeholders doing in response to the market environment? 5 Reasons why you must order and read this report today: 1) The report quantifies and analyses the civil helicopter market with the following segmentation. - Forecasts of the global market - Forecasts of the associated submarket sectors light civil helicopters, intermediate civil helicopters, medium civil helicopters, large & heavy civil helicopters at the global and regional level. - Forecasts of key regional markets Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East / Africa, North America, all further subdivided into the 4 submarkets. - Analysis of factors that are driving or restraining market activity 2) The study reveals where civil helicopter stakeholders are investing. We show you information relating to: - Contracts and programmes - Products and services - Recent mergers, acquisitions and divestiture activity - Geographical distribution 3) 337 contracts providing understanding of which sectors of the civil helicopter market are in demand 4) Profiling of the top 11 civil helicopter companies including information relating to key financial indicators 5) SWOT analysis of the global civil helicopter market - Competitive advantage This independent, 228 page report, guarantees that you will remain better informed than your competitors. With 207 tables and figures examining the civil helicopter market, the report gives you an immediate, one-stop breakdown of the leading players in your market, as well as analysis keep your knowledge that one step ahead of your rivals. How will you benefit from this report? - This report you will keep your knowledge base up to speed. Don't get left behind - This report will allow you to reinforce strategic decision decision-making based upon definitive and reliable market data - You will learn how to exploit new technological trends - You will be able to realise your company's full potential within the market - You will better understand the competitive landscape and identify potential new business opportunities & partnerships Who should read this report? - Anyone involved with the civil helicopter industry - Aviation regulators - Contractors - Helicopter operators - Helicopter operator marketing and management / executives - Aerospace OEMs and system integrators - R&D personnel - CEO's - COO's - CIO's - Business development managers - Marketing managers - Technologists - Engineers - Suppliers - Investors - Banks Don't miss out This report is essential reading for you or anyone in the civil helicopter sector. Purchasing this report today will help you to recognise those important market opportunities and understand the possibilities there. Order the Civil Helicopter Market Report 2016-2026: Commercial Prospects for Top Companies with Light, Intermediate, Medium and Large & Heavy Rotorcraft now. We look forward to receiving your order. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3861493/ 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 NEW YORK and LONDON and OSLO, Norway, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fine Research, the Latin American fielding agency, in collaboration with Confirmit and Reckner Healthcare, launched an initiative to assist victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. 2,870 doctors in the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, were surveyed about the preparedness of these countries for a natural disaster. For every completed survey, the equivalent of a blanket and a drum of water was donated to the victims through Save the Children mission in Haiti. Confirmit, the leading global solutions provider for Customer Experience, Voice of the Employee and Market Research, donated its comprehensive end-to-end management platform, Confirmit Horizons, to fuel this program and boost the number of surveys that could be completed within the initial investment from Fine. "The Confirmit Horizons platform was easy for our team to use and the doctors taking the survey," said Diego Casaravilla, managing partner at Fine Research. "User friendliness was a key need when searching for partners for this initiative. We wanted to make sure there were no technology issues that could hinder participants from completing the survey. We're extremely grateful for Confirmit's contribution." Key findings from the survey include: According to their fellow doctors, no country is well prepared to face a natural disaster. While Chileans, Americans and Canadians are slightly less negative about their own capabilities, Mexicans rate in the middle, and Brazilians and Argentinians are the most pessimistic. Consistent with this regional perception, a majority of physicians surveyed in each country have not received any specific training to cope with natural disaster events. Additionally, most hospital doctors stated no such training has been held at their workplace. "We are absolutely delighted to help Fine Research with its initiative with Save the Children," said Henning Hansen, Confirmit President and CEO. "While we typically are devoted to helping our clients' businesses succeed, this donation is focused on helping those in need. We are proud to support Fine Research in its Haiti relief efforts by providing critical resources that would otherwise not exist for these children." For free access to the full report you may write to Diego Casaravilla, [email protected] or review a summary of the report on Confirmit's blog. About Confirmit Confirmit is the world's leading SaaS vendor for multi-channel Voice of the Customer, Voice of the Employee, and Market Research solutions. The company has offices in Oslo (headquarters), Chengdu, Grimstad, London, Moscow, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Vancouver, and Yaroslavl. Confirmit's software is also distributed through partner resellers in Madrid, Milan, Salvador, and Tokyo. Confirmit powers Global 5000 companies and Market Research agencies worldwide with a wide range of software products for feedback / data collection, panel management, data processing, analysis, and reporting. Customers include Aurora, British Airways, British Standards Institution, Cross-Tab, Dow Chemical, GfK, GlaxoSmithKline, GMO Research, JTN Research, KeepFactor, Morehead Associates, Nielsen, Research Now, RS Components, Sony Mobile Communications and Swisscom. Media Contacts: Emma Walter Matter Communications [email protected] 978-518-4820 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160127/326621LOGO SOURCE Confirmit Related Links http://www.confirmit.com AMSTERDAM, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellium N.V. (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) will exhibit its latest portfolio of advanced innovative aluminium solutions for the aerospace, automotive and packaging industries at ALUMINIUM 2016 World Trade Fair and Conference. Constellium will also offer a new virtual reality experience allowing visitors to explore its aluminium automotive products through VR-glasses. Visitors will enter a virtual vehicle and experience 3D first-hand Constellium's broad range of products for the automotive industry. "ALUMINIUM 2016 is a great opportunity for Constellium to showcase the impressive results of our strategic focus on growth, innovation and sustainability. This translates into additional industrial capabilities, an expanded footprint and new products to benefit our customers," said Peter Basten, Executive Vice-President, Strategy, Business Development, Research & Technology at Constellium. Constellium's display will feature several of its latest technologies and products that enable customers to respond to the challenges of climate change by minimizing CO 2 emissions through weight reduction to contribute to a sustainable future: Surfalex HF is a new skin material for complex automotive parts such as side panels which provides superior formability in terms of deep drawing, hole expansion and stretch forming during the stamping process, while keeping excellent surface aspect; is a new skin material for complex automotive parts such as side panels which provides superior formability in terms of deep drawing, hole expansion and stretch forming during the stamping process, while keeping excellent surface aspect; HSA6 is a new generation of high-strength alloys for Crash Management Systems and fabricated extruded parts for automotive structures and chassis components. HSA6 is the highest strength 6xxx series alloy available on the market for these applications; is a new generation of high-strength alloys for Crash Management Systems and fabricated extruded parts for automotive structures and chassis components. HSA6 is the highest strength 6xxx series alloy available on the market for these applications; Aeral is an aluminium solution that enables the production of aerosol cans with "Draw and Iron" technology (D&I). Aeral allows up to 30% weight saving compared to conventional impact extrusion presses, while maintaining the same level of performance in terms of formability and pressure resistance; is an aluminium solution that enables the production of aerosol cans with "Draw and Iron" technology (D&I). Aeral allows up to 30% weight saving compared to conventional impact extrusion presses, while maintaining the same level of performance in terms of formability and pressure resistance; Airware is a comprehensive offer of high-performance aluminium-lithium alloys, perfectly suited for all parts of aircraft and spacecraft primary structures. Airware's lower density and improved material properties allow an optimization of structural designs, which leads to an overall weight reduction and a drop in CO 2 emissions; is a comprehensive offer of high-performance aluminium-lithium alloys, perfectly suited for all parts of aircraft and spacecraft primary structures. Airware's lower density and improved material properties allow an optimization of structural designs, which leads to an overall weight reduction and a drop in CO emissions; Precision plates for industrial applications offer cost savings and reduction of machining cycle times; and for industrial applications offer cost savings and reduction of machining cycle times; and Kool X is a new solution for demanding heat exchanger applications, providing an advanced combination of claddability, improved fatigue and corrosion resistance. As part of the ALUMINIUM 2016 Conference, Constellium offers three presentations focused on new technologies and its commitment to sustainability: "Constellium's 360 automotive offer" provides preview of the automotive virtual reality experience featured on the booth with specific insight into our most recent automotive developments, particularly on automotive body sheet and automotive structures. Presented by Catherine Athenes, Director, Marketing, Packaging and Automotive Rolled Products, November 29 at 11:00. "Accelerating the development of lightweight aluminium solutions for automotive structures and Crash Management Systems" takes a closer look at HSA6, Constellium's latest high-strength alloy. It will also highlight capabilities of the new Constellium University Technology Center at Brunel University London, a dedicated center of excellence for the design, development and full-scale rapid prototyping of aluminium alloys, extrusions and automotive structural components. Presented by Martin Jarrett, Director, Operational Excellence and Technology, November 30 at 9:00. "Aluminium recycling from material flow analysis to optimal recycling" explains how Life Cycle Assessment and Mass Flow Analysis tools contribute to our understanding of the importance of end of life recycling and its optimization through better sorting and eco-design. Presented by Olivier Neel, Manager, Sustainability, November 30 at 16:20. Industry professionals and media are invited to visit Constellium at Booth 13H11 in Hall 13 and exchange ideas with our team of experts. For additional information on the event visit https://www.aluminium-messe.com/. About Constellium Constellium (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated 5.2 billion of revenue in 2015. www.constellium.com Forward Looking Statement Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may contain "forward looking statements" with respect to our business, results of operations and financial condition, and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and conditions. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as, but not limited to, "believes," "expects," "may," "should," "approximately," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," likely," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions (or the negative of these terminologies or expressions). All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Many risks and uncertainties are inherent in our industry and markets. Others are more specific to our business and operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Constellium and Wise Metals to achieve expected synergies and the timing thereof; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; Constellium's increased levels of indebtedness as a result of the acquisition of Wise Metals, which could limit Constellium's operating flexibility and opportunities; the potential failure to retain key employees as a result of the acquisition of Wise Metals or during the integration of the business, the loss of customers, suppliers and other business relationships as a result of the acquisition of Wise Metals; disruptions to business operations resulting from the acquisition of Wise Metals; slower or lower than expected growth in the North American market for Body-in-White aluminium rolled products and other risk factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and as described from time to time in subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The occurrence of the events described and the achievement of the expected results depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130624/NY37453LOGO SOURCE Constellium Related Links http://www.constellium.com PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, today announced that Coronal Tulare, a 34 MWac (44.2 MWdc) solar energy facility, began commercial operation in mid-September. The project delivers power to Southern California Edison (SCE) through a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). It is expected to generate 87,500 MWh annually, enough electricity to power more than 9,000 homes. Coronal Tulare is part of a larger portfolio of potential projects that together make up the Tulare Solar Center, which would total 80 MWac if fully built out. The Coronal Tulare project includes two sites. The 20 MWac (26 MWdc) Nicolis site was built on 144 acres and the adjacent 14 MWac (8.2 MWdc) Tropico location spans 109 acres. The project also includes the Growers and Changala substations. "Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, is committed to driving the future of solar energy," said Jonathan Jaffrey, chairman and CEO of Coronal Energy. "We consistently seek out and leverage the best technology and expertise so that projects are completed quickly and efficiently, and to ensure that they will produce clean, reliable energy for decades to come." The Tulare Solar Center has integrated self-powered tracking technology. The array uses its own generated solar power to rotate the solar panels, increasing energy yields. "With its self-powered tracking technology we're making solar smarter to bolster generation and improve the array's capacity factor," said Jamie Evans, managing director of the Energy Solutions Group at Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company. "Ultimately, that feeds more clean solar energy to Southern California Edison and its customers, and we're proud to thus support SCE's solar and renewable energy leadership." The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) ranked SCE #1 among U.S. utilities in new installed solar capacity for 2015 and Ceres ranked Edison Internationalof which SCE is the largest subsidiary#3 among investor-owned utilities nationwide for total renewable energy sales in a 2016 report benchmarking utility clean energy deployment. Coronal Energy purchased the project companies and the rights to construct the projects from W Power, a certified, women-owned business enterprise. Panasonic and Blue Oak Energy, a division of Coronal Energy, oversaw construction. Coronal Energy will own the project, while Panasonic will perform operations and maintenance, with real-time monitoring from the company's new state-of-the-art network operations center in Denver. For more information, please visit http://www.coronalenergy.com/. About Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, is a leading provider of renewable energy solutionsespecially solar PVfor diverse enterprise customers across North America, including utilities, corporations, the public sector, educational institutions, and other organizations. It unites Panasonic's financial strength and award-winning history of solar innovation and sustainability leadership with the project development, finance, engineering, construction, and asset management experience of Coronal Energy. Coronal Energy develops, finances, and operates solar PV projects in exclusive partnership with Panasonic. In December 2014, Panasonic made an initial strategic investment in Coronal, followed by a second investment in September 2016. Coronal announced the acquisition of HelioSage Energy, a leading utility-scale solar project developer, in February 2015. In September of the same year, Coronal and Panasonic announced a strategic investment in Blue Oak Energy, a best-in-class commercial and utility-scale solar engineering and construction company founded in 2003. The Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, team also includes the Energy Solutions Group of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America. Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies, and consumers across the region. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service, and R&D operations. Panasonic was featured in Fortune Magazine's 2016 ranking of 50 companies that are changing the world and doing well by doing good. The Coronal Energy, powered by Panasonic, portfolio includes projects in 40 states totaling 2.3 GW with more than 3.4 GW of greenfield and brownfield projects under construction/contract, in development, or in the pipeline. The integrated team maintains offices across North America in California, Colorado, New Jersey, Virginia, and Toronto. SOURCE Coronal Energy Related Links http://www.coronalenergy.com 732 companies from 19 countries exhibited at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), the venue for packaging, ingredients and processing equipment, from 15-17 November 2016 . Finished cosmetics were showcased at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 16-18 November 2016 by 1,966 companies from 49 countries. Cosmoprof Asia 2016 hosted 24 national and group pavilions from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, California, Mainland China, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, and the USA, with inaugural pavilions from Bulgaria and Latvia. The fair played host to 76,818 trade visitors from 129 countries and regions (a 21% increase over 2015) including 79 International Buyer Delegations from over 21 countries and regions across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "With the strong international representation and presence, Cosmoprof Asia remains the indisputably most important networking opportunity in Asia Pacific for the beauty industry," said Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia Ltd. "The plethora of networking events, impressive showcases of innovative products and our exceptional commitment to service and delivery excellence has taken Cosmoprof Asia into a new epoch with its 21st edition," added Roberto Kerkoc, Vice President, BolognaFiere S.p.A. AWE Highlights AWE served as a focused venue for companies specialising in packaging, machinery, OEM, contract manufacturing and raw materials, helping buyers to source more effectively. The headline event was the first edition of the Innovation Circle Awards, organised in partnership with the world renowned Beautystreams, recognising the most innovative packaging, design and formula. A jury panel comprised of the beauty industry's elite including AmorePacific, Centdegres, L'Oreal, Marie Dalgar, Martha Tilaar Group and NYX Cosmetics selected the winners and products were displayed in a prominent area on the show floor. The Lipstick Factory in Hall 5 gave live demonstrations on the manufacturing process of a luxury lipstick. 8,000 complimentary pieces of "Cosmoprof Asia Limited-Edition Lipstick" in four glamourous shapes and textures were presented to visitors during the show. The Lipstick Factory was the brainchild of three leading Italian exhibitors -- Brivaplast (packaging), Chromavis (formulation) and Vetraco (machinery). The project was supported by the Italian Ministry of the Economic Development and ITA -- Italian Trade Agency, in collaboration with Cosmetica Italia --Personal Care Association. HKCEC Highlights At the HKCEC, the "Extraordinary Gallery" in Hall 3G took centre stage. Here a selected group of coveted and innovative multicultural brands from supply chain and finished products displayed their products in a specially-designed environment that exuded the glamour, style and quality of their brands. A special edition of nail lacquer in three unique colors and textures was jointly created by Centdegres, Groupe Pochet (world-leading glass maker), Fiabila (savoir-faire in nail polish) and Beautystreams and gifted to visitors. The highly successful, third edition of Boutique returned to Cosmoprof Asia giving visitors the chance to "shop for charity". Visitors could pick up travel-size products for a donation to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Education & Innovation A knowledge-rich, information-filled programme comprising more than 30 educational sessions led by a stellar line-up of international experts offered world class content to all participants. The World Asia Forum held across both venues addressed the industry's most talked about trends and topics, allowing attendees to keep pace with the latest advances across the region. Sessions in AWE focused on the latest ingredients, technologies and packaging to help drive product development, while at HKCEC visitors discovered the latest trends and developments in products, branding and marketing. Cosmoprof Asia will be back in 2017 from 14 to 16 November at the AsiaWorld-Expo and from 15 to 17 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. For further information please visit the fair website: www.cosmoprof-asia.com NOTES TO EDITORS: Cosmoprof Asia, the premier international beauty exhibition in Asia-Pacific, is organised by Cosmoprof Asia Ltd, a joint-venture between BolognaFiere Group and UBM Asia Ltd. ABOUT BOLOGNAFIERE GROUP www.bolognafiere.it BolognaFiere Group, the world's leading trade show organiser in the cosmetics, fashion, architecture and building, art and culture sectors, features in its portfolio more than 80 exhibitions, both domestic and international, among which Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the most important beauty meeting point in the world established in 1967 and held in Bologna, Italy. In 2017 it will celebrate its 50th anniversary, from 17-20 March along with Cosmopack, 16-19 March. New at the 2017 edition of COSMOPRIME will be a new area dedicated to retail companies representing a specific market going from high-end mass market to prestige and niche perfumery. The international platform offered by Cosmoprof, with trade shows in Hong Kong (established 1996) and Las Vegas (established 2003), provides a truly global marketplace for the beauty industry where brands can find success. ABOUT UBM ASIA LTD www.ubmasia.com Owned by UBM plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is the largest trade show organiser in Asia and the largest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global network of 32 offices and 1,300 staff in 24 major cities. We operate in 19 market sectors with 230 events, 28 trade publications, 18 online products for over 2,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. UBM Asia was awarded 'Asia's Most Reliable Trade Show Organiser Award' in Hong Kong's Most Valuable Companies Awards (HKMVCA) 2016. Media Contacts Asia Worldwide UBM Asia Ltd BotognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a. Ms. Amy Ng Ms Janice Poon Paolo Landi Ph. +852 2516-1659 Ph. +852.2516.2117 Ph. +39.02.45.47.08.320 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443511 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443512LOGO SOURCE Cosmoprof Asia Related Links http://www.cosmoprof-asia.com "A diverse and inclusive workforce enables us to embrace unique perspectives and capabilities of our employees and, therefore, create business value for our customers in a challenging marketplace," said Ponsi Trivisvavet, president of Syngenta Seeds, LLC. As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Syngenta is the presenting sponsor of a new television series, "FarmHer on RFD-TV." All episodes include 30-second #RootedinAg Spotlights, featuring many of the women affiliated with Syngentaboth customers and employees alikewhose agricultural roots are helping their industry and communities thrive. One of those women is Kelsey Vance, a Syngenta sales representative from O'Fallon, Illinois. "We're all working toward the same goal: to grow the best crop possible and feed an ever-growing population," said Vance. "There are so many different roles in agriculture. We need to look beyond the stereotypical image of what a career in agriculture means for women." Vance credits her mentor, Teresa McNeal, for teaching her that females in a male-dominated industry are in a unique position to leave a lasting impression. "It's not just about diversity in hiring, but diversity of thought," said McNeal, U.S. head of customer marketing for seeds at Syngenta and one of the company's diversity and inclusion champions. "One of my primary roles as a champion is to help identify ways to bring groups together to advance employee enthusiasm, professional development and community engagement. In my 18-plus years with the company, I've never been prouder to work for Syngenta." Others have begun to take notice of this commitment. Women in Agribusiness (WIA) recently recognized Syngenta as its company of the year for workplace diversity during a ceremony at the WIA Summit in Chicago. Along with this honor, Syngenta received WIA's Demeter Award, which acknowledges the outstanding achievements of individuals and businesses that are creating positive results in retaining, recruiting and promoting women in the ag sector. "We are honored to receive this award and grateful to WIA for the recognition," said Dan Burdett, global head of digital agriculture at Syngenta. "We recognize the significant roles women play in agriculture and are so proud of the Syngenta female scientists, sales representatives, agronomists, communicators and business leaders who are helping growers and resellers make a positive impact on the world's food supply." For the latest news and trends in agriculture, go to www.syngentathrive.com. About Syngenta Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more, visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS. Related Links: Syngenta US Thrive Twitter Facebook 2016 Syngenta, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27409. Thrive and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443786 SOURCE Syngenta Related Links http://www.syngenta.com WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Door-Locksets-Recalled Recall Summary Name of Product: Door locksets Hazard: The latches can fail and the door cannot be unlocked from the inside, posing an entrapment risk. This failure could lead to the inability to vacate a location in an emergency. Remedy: Replace Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled locksets. For Stanley Commercial Hardware-branded locksets, consumers should contact Stanley Commercial Hardware and for all other brands, consumers should contact Stanley Security Solutions Taiwan to receive a free replacement latch or to schedule an appointment to have the latches replaced free of charge if the lockset is already installed. Consumer Contact: Stanley Commercial Hardware toll-free at 855-885-1296 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or www.stanleyhardwarefordoors.com and click on Products, then on Recall for more information. Stanley Security Solutions Taiwan toll-free at 855-655-5750from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or http://tw.stanleysecuritysolutions.com and click on Products, then on QCL-100 Recall Notice for more information Recall Details Units: About 70,000 Description: This recall involves Stanley's commercial cylindrical series BMHA/ANSI Grade 1 heavy duty locksets with dead-latch components. The recalled locksets have brass, bronze, nickle, chrome or satin chrome finish. They were sold under 18 different brands and with the following model or part number, located on the packaging: Brand Model/Part Number Advantage 007-FA8990060AD, B48-FC60300B70KD090, B48-FC60301B70KD090, B48- FCO60312B70KD090, B48-FC60351B70KD090 and B48-FCO60302B70KD090 AGI Y40-FU90300B7000000Y40-, FU90312B7000000 and Y40-FU90362B7000000 Assa Abloy B67-FCS0300B7000090, B67-FCS0312B7000090, B67-FCS0362B7000090, B67- FKS0300B7000090, B67-FKS0300B700009-M, B67-FKS0362B7000090 and B67- FKS0362B700009-M Cal-Royal 007-FA8990060CR, 313-FL60300B70KD090, 313-FLO60312B70KD090, 313- FL60362B70KD090, 313-FLO60315B70KD090 and 313-FL60361B70KD090 Delaney Y62-FC90300B70KA090, Y62-FC90362B70KA090 and Y62-FCO60312B70KA09 Dorma B70-FB30S62B70KD06-B, B70-FL60362B70KD06-B, B70-FL90300B70KD06-B and B70-FLO90312B70KD06-B Dorex 007-FA8910060DO, 356-FL70300B70KD090, 356-FLO70312B70KD090, 356- FL70361B70KD090 and 356-FL70362B70KD090, Ecoland B31-FL60300B70KD000, B31-FL60300B70MK000, B31-FL60362B70KD000, B31- FLO60312B70GK000, B31-FLO60312B70KD000, B31-FR60300B7000000 and B31- FRO60312B7000 General Lock 007-FA8990060GL, B39-FC60300B70KD090, B39-FCO60312B70KD090, B39- FCO60315B70KD090 and B39-FC60362B70KD090 Hager 007-FA891007CHG, 007-FA8910060HG, B33-FL60300B70KD090, B33- FLO60312B70KD090, B33-FLO60315B70KD090, B33-FLO60302B70KD090 and B33-FL60362B70KD090 Hans Johenson 007-FA8910060UC, B26-FC60300B70KD090, B26-FC60362B70KD090, B26- FCO60312B70KD090, B26-FK60300B7000090, B26-FK60362B7000090, 007- FA8910060UC, B26-FCO60315B70KD090 and B26-FKO60312B7000090 Long May Y23-FL60300B70KD090 MaxGrade B34-FL60300B70KD090 PowerTek B49-FT60362B70KD090 Stanley Commercial Hardware QCL135, QCL150, QCL151, QCL154, QCL155, QCL160, QCL161, QCL168, QCL169, QCL170, QCL171, QCL192, QCL193 and QCL194, QCL195 Taymor 359-FL60362B70KD090 Tell 007-FA8990070UL6, 007-FA8990070UL6, A65-FL70300B70KD09-FA, A65- FLO70315B70KD09-FA, A65-FR70362B700009-FA, 007-FA8990070UL6, A65- FLO70312B70KD09-FA, Y76-FL70300B70KD690, Y76-FL70362B70KD690, Y76- FB30000B70KD690 and A65-FL70362B70KD09-FA TownSteel Y87-FL60300B70KD090, Y87-FLO60302B70KD090, Y87-FLO60315B70KD090, Y87-FL60361B70KD090, Y87-FL60362B70KD090 Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received four reports of the latches failing. No injuries have been reported. Sold at: Stanley Commercial Hardware and other lock distributor and retailers nationwide and online at Amazon.com and Grainger.com from February 2016 through September 2016 for between $170 and $320. Manufacturer: Stanley Security Solutions Taiwan, Ltd. of Taiwan. Manufactured in: Taiwan This recall was conducted, voluntarily by the company, under CPSC's Fast Track Recall process. Fast Track recalls are initiated by firms, who commit to work with CPSC to quickly announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers. About U.S. CPSC: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years. Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters. CPSC Consumer Information Hotline Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall: 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054) Times: 8 a.m. 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products. Media Contact Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests. Phone: 301-504-7908 Spanish: 301-504-7800 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Related Links http://www.cpsc.gov Dr. Tuveson's research and clinical focus is pancreatic cancer, a lethal malignancy that continues to lack effective clinical solutions. His research at CSHL is making progress toward finding a cure by detecting the disease earlier and designing novel therapeutic approaches, based in part on pancreatic organoid technology that he has pioneered. "It's a great honor to lead CSHL's Cancer Center and take on the challenge of creating better therapies and better diagnostics by leveraging the Laboratory's unique strengths, which include expertise in developing new methods and technologies that will get us to our goal," Tuveson said. "Through the use of technologies like 3-D cell cultures organoids -- and gene editing tools like CRISPR, I believe CSHL will accelerate the drug discovery and development process. I'm very hopeful that five years from now, we should see next-generation therapeutic and diagnostic approaches and we will hear more people saying 'I used to have cancer,' " Tuveson added. Tuveson is the Roy J. Zuckerberg Professor of Cancer Research at CSHL, the head of the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory at CSHL, and is also the Lustgarten Foundation's Director of Research. The CSHL Cancer Center is one of a handful of the nation's NCI-designated basic cancer centers and for many years has been at the forefront of understanding the molecular and cellular basis of human cancer, using a multi-disciplinary approach to break new ground in tumor biology, as well as developing innovative, advanced technologies. Dr. Tuveson obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry at M.I.T. and medical and doctoral degrees at The Johns Hopkins University. He was a medical resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital and a medical oncology fellow at Dana-Farber/Partners Cancer Care. During his postdoctoral years in Boston, Tuveson co-developed KIT inhibitors for gastrointestinal stromal tumors with George Demetri, and created several Kras- dependent mouse cancer models with Tyler Jacks. His lab also generated the first mouse models of ductal pancreatic cancer at the University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently he moved to the University of Cambridge, UK, to develop preclinical and clinical therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer. In 2012, Tuveson was recruited back to the US to direct the Cancer Therapeutics Initiative within CSHL's Cancer Center. He continues to practice medical oncology with an adjunct appointment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and a clinical affiliation at Northwell Health. Under Dr. Stillman's direction in 2015, CSHL entered into a strategic affiliation with Northwell Health to accelerate the translation of basic research conducted at CSHL's Cancer Center to the clinic. This year, facilitated by the joint appointment of Dr. Robert Maki, MD, PhD, the affiliation established a Cancer Clinical Research Center to enable assessment of new therapies in patients and advance cancer treatment. Every year, the Northwell Health healthcare system cares for more than 16,000 new cancer cases, giving patients access to the services of more than 200 physicians in more than 25 sub-specialties. CSHL research will benefit these cancer patients. As members of the Steering Committee, both Drs. Stillman and Tuveson play key roles in the leadership of the CSHL-Northwell Health affiliation. Stillman is President and Chief Executive Officer of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with honors at The University of Sydney and a Ph.D. from the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University. He then moved to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 1979 and was promoted to the scientific staff in 1981. Stillman was appointed Director of the CSHL Cancer in 1992. In 1994, he succeeded Dr. James D. Watson as Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and was appointed President in 2003. Stillman's research focuses on how chromosomes are duplicated in cells, a process that ensures accurate inheritance of genetic material from one generation to the next. About Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Founded in 1890, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has shaped contemporary biomedical research and education with programs in cancer, neuroscience, plant biology and quantitative biology. CSHL has been a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center since 1987. For more information, visit www.cshl.edu Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443265 SOURCE Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Related Links http://www.cshl.edu NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Dental is proud to announce that Dr. Khlea Sumani has joined Aspen Dental in New Philadelphia, OH. Located in New Philadelphia Square at 341 Graff Road, the practice provides dental services ranging from dentures and preventative care to general dentistry and restoration. The New Philadelphia office opened in October 2015. Dr. Sumani grew up in New Philadelphia and graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 2006. She attended Ohio State University where she majored in biology with a minor in forensic science. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland and belongs to the Ohio Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and Tuscarawas County Dental Society. "I'm excited to join the talented staff in the New Philadelphia office and look forward to breaking down barriers to better care, better smiles, and better lives for the people in the community I grew up in," said Dr. Sumani. "Our area struggles with a shortage of local dental professionals and I hope to be part of the solution in providing the New Philadelphia community with greater access to affordable oral care and education." The New Philadelphia office, located in Tuscarawas County, is one of 46 Aspen Dental practices in Ohio, a state where 62 of 88 counties, including Tuscarawas, have dental health professional shortage areas as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Aspen Dental offices offer patient-friendly programs and services that make it easier for thousands of people every day to get the dental care they need, including: Personalized treatment and friendly service. Each patient receives a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan designed by the dentist with long-term oral and overall health in mind. Available services include hygiene, treatment of periodontal (gum) disease, extractions, fillings, oral surgery, whitening, and crown and bridge work. Each patient receives a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan designed by the dentist with long-term oral and overall health in mind. Available services include hygiene, treatment of periodontal (gum) disease, extractions, fillings, oral surgery, whitening, and crown and bridge work. Affordable dental care. Aspen Dental practices are committed to keeping prices low so that patients can get the care they need. The practice works with all insurance providers and handles the paperwork, saving patients time and hassle, and offers free new-patient exams and X-rays for patients without dental insurance. And since no one likes an unexpected bill, the practice offers a clear, detailed estimate on the cost of treatment to give patients peace of mind. Aspen Dental practices are committed to keeping prices low so that patients can get the care they need. The practice works with all insurance providers and handles the paperwork, saving patients time and hassle, and offers free new-patient exams and X-rays for patients without dental insurance. And since no one likes an unexpected bill, the practice offers a clear, detailed estimate on the cost of treatment to give patients peace of mind. On-site denture labs and Denture Money Back Guarantee - Every Aspen Dental practice is equipped with an on-site denture laboratory, which helps facilitate quick turnaround for denture repairs, relines or adjustments. Patients choose Aspen Dental for the seven styles of full and partial dentures and have the comfort of knowing that the supportive dentists and staff will go above and beyond to ensure proper fit and comfort of their custom-crafted dentures. Getting used to dentures takes some time, but if patients are dissatisfied with their dentures for any reason the practice will refund the cost of the dentures when patients return them within 90 days. Every Aspen Dental practice is equipped with an on-site denture laboratory, which helps facilitate quick turnaround for denture repairs, relines or adjustments. Patients choose Aspen Dental for the seven styles of full and partial dentures and have the comfort of knowing that the supportive dentists and staff will go above and beyond to ensure proper fit and comfort of their custom-crafted dentures. Getting used to dentures takes some time, but if patients are dissatisfied with their dentures for any reason the practice will refund the cost of the dentures when patients return them within 90 days. Convenient hours and location. The office will be open extended hours, including evenings and select Saturdays, so that patients can see the dentist at a time that works best for their schedule. Walk-in and emergency patients are welcome. To make an appointment, patients can call (330) 339-0900 or 800-ASPEN DENTAL (800-277-3633), or visit www.aspendental.com. About Aspen Dental Offices Dentists and staff at Aspen Dental offices believe everyone has the right to quality, affordable oral health care. As one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of independent dental care providers in the U.S., local Aspen Dental practices more than 575 of them across 34 states offer patients a safe, welcoming and judgment-free environment to address their dental challenges. Every Aspen Dental-branded practice offers a full range of dental and denture services including comprehensive exams, cleanings, extractions, fillings, periodontal treatment, whitening, oral surgery, crown and bridge work allowing patients to have the peace of mind that they are taken care of and protected, so they can focus on getting the healthy mouth they deserve. In 2015, Aspen Dental-branded practices recorded more than 3.7 million patient visits and welcomed nearly 785,000 new patients. About Aspen Dental Management Inc. Aspen Dental Management Inc. (ADMI) is a dental support organization that provides non-clinical business support services to independently owned and operated dental practices in 34 states. This can include services and recommendations related to finding the right location, leasing, equipment, accounting and marketing. This model leaves independent, licensed practitioners free to concentrate on patient care. To learn more about Aspen Dental practices and services, preview the Aspen Dental patient experience, get answers to general treatment questions, find a location, and schedule appointments, visit www.aspendental.com. To learn more about careers at ADMI and Aspen Dental practices, visit http://aspendentaljobs.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161102/435725LOGO SOURCE Aspen Dental Related Links http://www.aspendental.com TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ehave, Inc. (OTCQB: EHVVF), a healthcare company dedicated to empowering the mental health community with next-generation digital solutions, today announced that the Company has secured eligibility from The Depository Trust Company (DTC) for its shares, which were approved for trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States under the symbol EHVVF, effective November 25, 2016. The DTC, a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), manages the electronic clearing and settlement of trades in public companies in the United States. Securing DTC eligibility should expedite the settlement process for investors and brokers. About Ehave, Inc. Ehave is empowering the mental healthcare community with next-generation, data-rich patient management, assessment, and remediation tools. With Ehave Connect, Ehave's cloud-based software platform, clinicians can make better-informed, individualized treatment decisions across teams and disciplines while keeping patients informed and engaged throughout their mental healthcare journey. Ehave Connect offers a powerful set of core features that integrate seamlessly with a growing selection of tools and applications developed by Ehave and its leading partners. Ehave is launching several digital applications under its MegaTeam brand for the assessment and remediation of ADHD, with pilot studies now underway at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Ehave is headquartered in Toronto's Discovery District, a hub of healthcare, innovation, and technology in Toronto, Canada. For more information, visit https://www.ehave.com/ Contact Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (investors) [email protected]; (212) 375-2664 Claire LaCagnina (media) [email protected]; (212) 375-2686 SOURCE Ehave, Inc. Related Links https://www.ehave.com/ TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set a PDUFA date of July 7, 2017 for a decision on the Company's New Drug Application for its orally-administered pharmaceutical grade L-glutamine (PGLG) product for the treatment for sickle cell disease. The company also announced it will present data from a subgroup analysis of its Phase 3 clinical trial with PGLG treatment at the 58th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego, CA. "Notification of the PDUFA date brings us one step closer to providing healthcare providers and patients with a new treatment option for sickle cell disease," said Yutaka Niihara, MD, MPH, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emmaus Life Sciences. "There is a scarcity of therapies for this debilitating condition and we look forward to working closely with the agency over the coming months as it reviews our new drug application." If approved by the FDA, PGLG could be the first FDA-approved treatment for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease, and the first new treatment in nearly 20 years for adult patients. Emmaus' PGLG therapy has received Orphan Drug designation in the U.S., Orphan Medicinal Product designation in the EU and Fast Track designation from the FDA. Emmaus also plans to submit a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency. Poster Presentation at ASH Annual Meeting Title: Phase 3 Study of L-Glutamine Therapy in Sickle Cell Anemia and Sickle 0-Thalassemia Subgroup Analyses Show Consistent Clinical Improvement (Abstract #1318) Session Name: 114. Hemoglobinopathies, Excluding ThalassemiaClinical: Poster I Session Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016 Session Time: 5:307:30 PM PT The poster presents data on the rate of sickle cell crises (SCCs) with PGLG treatment vs. placebo over a 48-week period within the patient subgroups of age (age 5 to 18 years, and age >18 years), gender and hydroxyurea use (specifically patients who received hydroxyurea treatment before and during the trial, and patients who did not). Consistent clinical improvement was seen in all subgroups. The company previously reported data from its Phase 3 sickle cell disease trial, which demonstrated a reduction in the frequency of SCCs and hospitalizations, as well as a reduction in cumulative days hospitalized, and a lower incidence of the life-threatening acute chest syndrome. The clinical trial enrolled 230 adult and pediatric patients as young as five years old, across 31 experienced sickle cell disease treatment centers in the U.S. No major adverse events were attributable to the treatment. About Sickle Cell Disease Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by the production of an altered form of hemoglobin which polymerizes and becomes fbrous, causing red blood cells to become rigid and change form so that they appear sickle shaped instead of soft and rounded. Patients with Sickle Cell Disease suffer from debilitating episodes of sickle cell crises, which occur when the rigid, adhesive and inflexible red blood cells occlude blood vessels. Sickle cell crises cause excruciating pain as a result of insufficient oxygen being delivered to tissue, referred to as tissue ischemia, and inflammation. These events may lead to organ damage, stroke, pulmonary complications, skin ulceration, infection and a variety of other adverse outcomes. Sickle Cell Disease is an orphan disease, affecting approximately 100,000 patients in the U.S. and millions worldwide with significant unmet medical needs. About Emmaus Life Sciences Emmaus Life Sciences is engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative treatments and therapies for rare diseases. The company's research on sickle cell disease was initiated by Yutaka Niihara, M.D., MPH, Chairman and CEO of Emmaus, at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. For more information, please visit www.emmauslifesciences.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the research, development and potential commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Emmaus is providing this information as of the date of this press release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For more information, contact: Media: Investors: Jim Heins Charles Butler Senior Vice President Senior Vice President ICR Healthcare ICR Healthcare 203-682-8251 415-430-2079 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. In addition to the custom vignettes, the Nov. 29 episode features Marcus Lemonis' visit to women's contemporary clothing company Susana Monaco and integrates an Epson EcoTank printer into Susana's business workflow, providing speedy, colorful prints of concepts and designs without the worry of running out of ink for up to two years. 1 "Business operations are unique but we understand the critical need to operate efficiently without sacrificing creativity. We are pleased to be partnering with CNBC and 'The Profit' for the second year in a row to continue bringing innovative technology to the business community," said Agustin Chacon, vice president, International Marketing, Epson. "By utilizing cartridge-free printers like the EcoTank series, businesses can focus on achieving long-term goals without worrying about back-end operations." The custom vignettes, created with CNBC Primetime, air during 'The Profit,' and follow a day in the life of Lisa Hladish, small business owner of Paper Daisies. From getting the kids to school with their homework in hand, to managing her day-to-day business to working from her home office, CNBC Primetime showcases how Epson's EcoTank printer delivers a worry-free solution for all aspects of Lisa's busy entrepreneur life. All content was created in collaboration with Epson, Newcast/Zenith, and CNBC Primetime's Integrated Marketing team. "In our second year working together, we are very excited to showcase the Epson EcoTank printer within an episode of our fan-favorite 'The Profit' and super serve our small business audience even further with original digital content. This new product line from Epson is a perfect solution for all our busy, hardworking fans, and a natural fit for our CNBC Primetime programming," said Christina Glorioso, SVP, Integrated Marketing, NBCUniversal News Group. CNBC primetime is a distinct brand where business and entrepreneurism are the main focus. For more information on the Epson EcoTank printer portfolio, visit www.epson.com/ecotank. About Epson Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 73,000 employees in 91 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com . You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). About CNBC With CNBC in the U.S., CNBC in Asia Pacific, CNBC in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and CNBC World, CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news and provides real-time financial market coverage and business information to approximately 381 million homes worldwide, including more than 94 million households in the United States and Canada. CNBC also provides daily business updates to 400 million households across China. The network's 15 live hours a day of business programming in North America (weekdays from 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and includes reports from CNBC News bureaus worldwide. CNBC at night features a mix of new reality programming, CNBC's highly successful series produced exclusively for CNBC and a number of distinctive in-house documentaries. CNBC also has a vast portfolio of digital products which deliver real-time financial market news and information across a variety of platforms including: CNBC.com; CNBC PRO, the premium, integrated desktop/mobile service that provides live access to CNBC programming, exclusive video content and global market data and analysis; a suite of CNBC mobile products including the CNBC Apps for iOS, Android and Windows devices; and additional products such as the CNBC App for the Apple Watch and Apple TV. Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBCUniversal Media Village Web site at http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/cnbc. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit http://www.NBCUniversal.com. Specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. EPSON, ECOTANK, Expression, and WorkForce are registered trademarks, and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2016 Epson America, Inc. CPD-52221 6/16 1 Based on average monthly print volumes of about 300 pages. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121130/LA21891LOGO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443466 SOURCE Epson America, Inc. Related Links http://www.epson.com ATLANTA, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) today announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Office Richard F. Smith, Chief Financial Officer John Gamble, and Senior Vice President of Investor Relations Jeff Dodge will be meeting with investors in Boston on Wednesday, December 7. Smith, Gamble, and Dodge will discuss the company's third quarter performance, as well as the strategic outlook for the remainder of 2016. An archive of the presentation will be available at investor.equifax.com. About Equifax Equifax powers the financial future of individuals and organizations around the world. Using the combined strength of unique trusted data, technology and innovative analytics, Equifax has grown from a consumer credit company into a leading provider of insights and knowledge that helps its customers make informed decisions. The company organizes, assimilates and analyzes data on more than 820 million consumers and more than 91 million businesses worldwide, and its databases include employee data contributed from more than 6,600 employers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. It is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index, and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. Equifax employs approximately 9,400 employees worldwide. Some noteworthy achievements for the company include: Ranked 13 on the American Banker FinTech Forward list (2015); named a Top Technology Provider on the FinTech 100 list (2004-2015); named an InformationWeek Elite 100 Winner (2014-2015); named a Top Workplace by Atlanta Journal Constitution (2013-2015); named one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies (2011-2015); named one of Forbes' World's 100 Most Innovative Companies (2015). For more information, visit www.equifax.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060224/CLF037LOGO SOURCE Equifax Inc. Related Links http://www.equifax.com HOUSTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ESG Solutions, an industry leader in microseismic technology and services, is pleased to welcome the technical expertise of Eric von Lunen as Senior Advisor, Reservoir and Rock Mass Characterization and Dr. Doug Angus as Advisor, Geomechanics to provide support and leadership across all ESG business units. In addition, ESG welcomed Dr. Willem de Beer in August as Senior Manager for Australia. These changes demonstrate ESG's commitment to growth and reflect a continued investment in providing the most technologically advanced and industry relevant microseismic solutions to clients across the oil and gas, mining, and geotechnical industries. Microseismic monitoring for oil and gas and mining applications has experienced a shift in recent years towards integrated solutions which offer greater value for decision makers. "Whether we are integrating log, tracer, or production data with reservoir seismicity to understand stimulation efficiency, or integrating mine seismicity with geotechnical data to improve mine models, there is great potential to extract even more meaningful results from microseismic data," says Dr. Ted Urbancic, Chief Technology Officer at ESG Solutions. "Bringing Eric and Doug on board reflects a natural evolution in ESG's growth, and we are excited to tap into their expertise to drive greater value from our products and services moving forward." Eric von Lunen draws on 30 years of industry experience across diverse geographies and areas of geophysics. "He has a unique perspective on the value of geophysical methods as they relate to unconventional reservoirs and reserve estimation, particularly the role of microseismic monitoring, and is an incredible asset to our team," says Urbancic. Doug Angus is an expert in the development of integrated fluid-flow, geo-mechanical and seismic modelling algorithms for time-lapse seismic and microseismic applications. He joins ESG from the University of Leeds where he focused on the field of seismic geomechanics to address reservoir production and injection challenges. "Doug's knowledge and experience in geomechanics is a timely and welcome addition to the growing and diverse work of ESG," says Urbancic. These recent additions follow ESG's appointment of Dr. Willem de Beer in August as Senior Manager for Australia. Willem draws on 19 years of industry experience and spent the last 12 years with Golder Associates providing senior level management and technical consulting. "Willem brings significant experience and expertise in mining induced seismicity, rock mechanics and geophysics, and we are very pleased to have him directing our activity in the region," says Zara Anderson, General Manager for Mining and Geotechnical Services at ESG. ESG continues to invest in innovation, focusing on integration in all aspects of the business. "We see an incredible synergy between the various groups within ESG, and are looking to leverage our unique position in all markets," says Ken Arnold, President of ESG Solutions. "We have much exciting work ahead, and expect that Eric, Doug and Willem will all make significant contributions moving forward." About ESG Solutions: Founded in 1993, ESG Solutions (Engineering Seismology Group or ESG) is a pioneer and leading provider of innovative downhole and surface-based microseismic solutions for the oil and gas, mining and geotechnical industries. ESG helps operators optimize production and mitigate risk associated with hydraulic fracturing, underground and open-pit mining, thermal EOR and waste-water injections, among others. ESG is an operating company of Spectris plc. ESG is headquartered in Kingston (Canada), with operations in Houston, Denver and Calgary, and offices in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Brisbane, Beijing and Dubai. For more information, visit www.esgsolutions.com. About Spectris plc: Spectris plc is a leading supplier of productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls. Headquartered in Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom, the Company employs over 8,000 people with offices in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit www.spectris.com. Contact: [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101122/DA06004LOGO SOURCE ESG Solutions Related Links http://www.esgsolutions.com SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eventory, a company known for its comprehensive mobile event app, has unveiled a completely new event platform. The two-year-old startup has been hard at work on a platform aimed not only at major conference organizers, but individuals and institutions planning smaller events as well. Best of all the standard version of the Eventory web platform and app will be available for free. It doesn't matter if you are a professional event manager, an attendee or someone who just wants to plan a small event.You'll be happy to discover the new stress-relieving features that we crafted with your needs in mind. We have for you an extensive web platform, a bunch of awesome options, and a cool search engine. And the best part is... the standard version of Eventory is for FREE Each event gets its own website as well as a mobile guide for smartphones. It includes everything that would come in a printed conference booklet - the agenda and basic information, schedule, maps, speaker profiles, event descriptions. You get to see who else will be attending, message them in the app, and create your own schedule that's automatically added to your calendar. You can also take lecture notes, rate the talks in real-time and immediately find out about any organizational changes Eventory is more than just an events app it's an extensive web platform that will soon host events from around the world. The platform has plenty of potential, as event organizers can now create events and use Eventory's many useful functions for free. Before the basic version of Eventory cost $600 a pop. "People's needs change all the time. The way we planned meetings or networking events just a few years ago was completely different. Today we can use so many mobile solutions that are useful for us and for our attendees," says Andrzej Targosz, Eventory's founder. Each event gets its own website as well as a mobile guide for smartphones. It includes everything that would normally come in a printed conference booklet the agenda and basic information, schedule, maps, speaker profiles, event descriptions but also much more. You get to see who else will be attending, message them in the app, and create your own schedule that's automatically added to your calendar. You can also take lecture notes, rate the talks in real-time and immediately find out about any organizational changes. Event organizers will be thrilled by the fact that their access to the app, which until recently cost $600, is free in the new version, especially since they have the most to gain from the changes to Eventory. Here are some highlights from among the new features: The ability to manage all your events in one place An administrator profile and customizable access levels for employees Division into business and private events E-mailing to all event participants Online payments The ability to create exhibitor profiles Potential for promotion through the new search engine Ability to use beacons "We want to make an even bigger splash. The United States is still important to us, but we will be entering Asian markets even more boldly, especially the Middle East," said Andrzej Targosz, Eventory CEO. For further information, please contact: Bartosz Skwiercz, +48-607-063-243, [email protected] Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161125/442928 Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161125/442930 Video: http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/443733-Eventory-New-App-Revolutionises-Event-Planning.mp4 SOURCE Eventory, Inc ORANGE, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Executive MBA Council (EMBAC) shared results of the 2016 EMBAC Student Exit Survey which revealed that graduates of the program received an 11.6 percent increase in compensation combined, both salary and bonuses while in the program. In addition, 40 percent of respondents reported getting a promotion after completing the program and 50 percent of respondents received new responsibilities sometime during the program. The survey included 2,333 graduates of U.S. Executive MBA programs. "In today's competitive business climate, individuals are looking to advance their knowledge and skill set, which is a hallmark trait of what Executive MBA programs deliver," said Michael Desiderio, EMBAC executive director. "When you couple this with the potential for salary increases, promotions and new job responsibilities, it's easy to understand why graduates consistently talk about the high value of EMBA programs and recommend them to friends, family and colleagues." An Executive MBA remains one of the most beneficial investments a person can make in themselves as a way to advance their career trajectory. As the workforce continues to globalize and evolve and new technologies emerge, companies will subsequently face leadership and skills gaps. An Executive MBA program gives professionals more tools to utilize, making them more desirable as these rapid changes in industries like healthcare, technology and financial services increase. EMBA programs offered all across the globe cover a wide variety of topics such as intense leadership development, greater strategic vision and immediately applicable skills. The survey results show that graduates leave the program with personal development and quantitative skills such as strategy, management behavior and leadership skills. Those who have completed the program also have better insight into economic factors, as well as accounting and financial abilities. "An Executive MBA also allows graduates to start thinking of new solutions to old problems from operations to a strategic management point of view," Desiderio continues. "I've heard many stories from graduates over the years about being given more responsibility and more complex situations to manage. The program provides them the tools to be more self-assured with their skills and abilities to grow professionally." EMBAC is the academic association of business schools which offer EMBA programs throughout the world, which currently includes more than 200 colleges and universities that administer 300 plus programs in more than 30 countries worldwide. The survey was conducted by Percept Research from July 2015 through June 2016. About the Executive MBA Council The Executive MBA Council (EMBAC) is a non-profit association of universities and colleges that offer Executive MBA programs. EMBAC's vision is to be the preeminent global voice of the Executive MBA industry. The Council supports its members in fostering excellence and innovation in Executive MBA programs worldwide by providing outstanding educational and networking opportunities for professionals who deliver Executive MBA programs. EMBAC's mission is to advance the cause of EMBA programs by providing necessary thought leadership, serving as a facilitator of best practice sharing and knowledge dissemination, and fostering a community among high-quality programs. For more information or resources, visit www.embac.org Media Contact: [email protected] Allison+Partners on behalf of the Executive MBA Council (623) 201-5512 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161018/429621LOGO SOURCE Executive MBA Council Related Links http://www.embac.org New capital will accelerate growth and investment in the firm's SaaS (Software as a Service) technology platform and channel strategy OTTAWA, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Data analytics and content migration company FileFacets today announced that it has closed a $4 million Series A financing round led by Celtic House Venture Partners. Also participating in the round were venture capital firms Wesley Clover International and GCI Ventures Ltd. (GCI). FileFacets will use the funds to expand its sales and marketing team in North America and accelerate the growth of its channel sales strategy. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443673LOGO) "We are delighted to have received this funding that will allow us to focus on scaling our operations across North America and into markets abroad," said Chris Perram, FileFacets co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue our mission of making it cheaper, faster, easier and more secure for organizations to move data from disparate sources into ECMs." While today's Enterprise Content Management (ECM) systems are built to organize data for records management and file sharing, the onus of evaluating and processing billions of files is a daunting task for any corporation. For businesses migrating large amounts of data from one or multiple systems to another, the discovery, classification and attribution of content with relevant business value can take months or even years. FileFacets' cloud data analytics and content migration platform makes it easy for businesses to manage and migrate data by automating the categorization of data, the attribution of file metadata and the migration of unstructured content from multiple sources into structured ECMs. FileFacets' automatic file sorting algorithms make it simple for organizations to locate essential data. The solution can access and scan files without interruption and detect duplicate files before moving them. Additionally, FileFacets analyzes and leverages file metadata, as opposed to actual content, so an organization's data remains secure. As the only migration tool available as a pure SaaS solution, it is able to easily scale and support a number of users across multiple locations in a safe manner. FileFacets was part of the L-SPARK accelerator, which gives early stage Canadian SaaS companies the tools to scale their businesses. It was through L-SPARK that FileFacets was connected to Celtic House to secure funding to realize its next wave of growth. "FileFacets has done an amazing job building their technology platform to deliver a single, turn-key solution to help solve a major piece in the data migration puzzle," said David Adderley, Partner at Celtic House Venture Partners. "We look forward to working with Chris and his team on their continued growth and success. We expect FileFacets to take advantage of synergies with Celtic House's existing portfolio of companies by leveraging their business and technology expertise and customer relationships." "The high-tech scene in Ottawa continues to flourish and shine on the international stage," said Sir Terry Matthews, founder and Chairman of Wesley Clover International. "FileFacets fits very well into the Wesley Clover global portfolio of next-generation cloud and SaaS companies and we look forward to supporting FileFacets' success." "We are pleased to have participated in funding this up and coming Ottawa technology company and look forward to a continued partnership with FileFacets as they gain traction globally," said Larry Liu, Principal of GCI Ventures Ltd. (GCI). The ECM market is expected to reach $66 billion by 2021. And because of the cloud, mid-sized companies can now afford to implement ECM systems. FileFacets brings advanced analytic solutions to small, medium and large organizations to move their files into ECM and file sharing technologies. About FileFacets FileFacets provides sophisticated content analysis and intelligent content migration in a highly automated and scalable SaaS-based solution. Based in Ottawa, the company enables organizations to quickly move millions of disorganized files from shared drives to Enterprise Content Management (ECM) systems. For more information, visit www.filefacets.com. About Celtic House Venture Partners Since 1994, Celtic House Venture Partners has been one of Canada's most active investors in technology and innovation. Capitalizing on its deep domain expertise, Celtic House has collaborated with management teams and repeat entrepreneurs to develop technology companies from the inception phase through to exit, generating more than 25 initial public offerings and successful acquisitions. For more information, visit www.celtic-house.com. About Wesley Clover International Chaired by serial technology entrepreneur Terry Matthews, Wesley Clover International has an enviable track record as a global investment management and holding company, with interests in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) including next-generation Cloud and SaaS applications, fixed/mobile communications, security, customer engagement, analytics and more. The company is active in established and emerging markets, with offices in the U.S. and Canada, the U.K., France, Turkey, Dubai, Mexico, Singapore, Jakarta and China. For more information, visit www.wesleyclover.com. About GCI Ventures Ltd. GCI Ventures Ltd. (GCI) is a Canadian private equity and venture capital investment company located in Toronto, Ontario. As a strategic investor, we fund growth opportunities where we can add value in technology and innovation, real estate and alternative energy assets. For more information, visit: www.greencenturyinvestment.com. About L-SPARK L-SPARK is an Ottawa-based accelerator that connects early stage Canadian SaaS companies with industry mentors, sector-focused venture capital firms, and angel investors. L-SPARK is on a mission to give Canadian companies several shots of adrenaline to scale into globally competitive firms. For more information, visit www.l-spark.com. SOURCE FileFacets NETANYA, Israel, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- JFrog, the leading DevOps accelerator, has been ranked by Deloitte as one of the top 50 fastest growing technology companies in Israel for the second year in a row. 'Deloitte Technology Fast 50' ranks companies based on their sustained revenue growth over four years, and with a registered revenue growth rate of 721%, JFrog is solidifying its status as a fast-growing, disruptive, and universal solution for all DevOps needs. JFrog Leaped Through the Year with a Registered Revenue Growth Rate of 721% Jfrog logo JFrog announced a $50 million funding round earlier in the year, with a portion allocated for expanding the company's acquisitions and recruitment efforts. The company has a strategic focus on accelerating development and technological production of its platform of DevOps tools, and is looking to add talented professionals to its team in order to fulfill those objectives. "We are thrilled to be included in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 in Israel for the second year in a row, and we believe our growth of 721% is a clear demonstration of JFrog's position as a global front-runner in DevOps technologies," said Shlomi Ben Haim, Co-Founder and CEO of JFrog. "We are looking to add an additional 120 frogs to our talented global team. We would like to place around half of the new hires in our development center in Israel, in order to extend the company's continued advancements and innovation." "There is something truly remarkable about the Israeli companies on this list. They do not just have good ideas. These companies have much more. They hold a strong group of people driving them forward on all levels of business with great innovation, quality and motivation," said Shally Tshuva Technology, Media & Telecommunications Industry Leader at Deloitte Israel. "This vision and teamwork is why JFrog made it on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Ranking." About JFrog: With more than 3,000 customers, 60,000 open source installations and millions of users globally, JFrog is the leading universal solution for all DevOps needs. JFrog's four products, JFrog Artifactory, JFrog Bintray, JFrog Mission Control, and JFrog Xray, are used around the world and available as open-source, on-premise and SaaS cloud solutions. Customers include some of the world's top brands, such as Amazon, Google, LinkedIn, MasterCard, Netflix, Barclays, Cisco, Oracle, Adobe and VMware. The company is privately held and operated from California, France, Spain and Israel. More information can be found at jfrog.com. Contact: Chris Wegman-Tahan [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141103/714835-a Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443558 SOURCE JFrog Related Links http://jfrog.com MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: GIS) plans to report results for its fiscal 2017 second quarter on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. A webcast discussion of those results will be held that day, beginning at 7:30 a.m. CST (8:30 a.m. EST). Interested investors can access this webcast and slides supporting the company's presentation by logging onto www.generalmills.com/investors. General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2016 consolidated net sales of US $16.6 billion, as well as another US $1.0 billion from its proportionate share of joint-venture net sales. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130218/MM61906LOGO SOURCE General Mills, Inc. Related Links http://www.generalmills.com The $2.3 billion total package is believed to be the largest for a residential construction project ever in New York City history, consisting of equity investments from the development's ownership team of GID and the Henley Holding Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and a $1.243 billion construction financing provided by a bank syndicate led by Wells Fargo as Administrative Agent along with co-lead arrangers HSBC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and JP Morgan. The New York and Boston teams of HFF had an advisory role on the financing arrangement. "We are extremely pleased to have closed on this sophisticated transaction with the most highly regarded investment partners and real estate lending institutions in the world," said James Linsley, President of GID Development Group. "This financing package reaffirms our confidence in this unique Manhattan waterfront development and our design and development team's ability to create the most innovative, comprehensive, and cohesive residential experience in New York City. The combination of amazing location, unprecedented amenity program, new park and open spaces, outstanding views, along with a collection of three of the world's most celebrated architects will position Waterline Square at the forefront of New York City's truly great development endeavors and luxury residential offerings." Three world-renowned and award-winning architects including Richard Meier & Partners Architects, Vinoly Architects, and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates were commissioned to design an iconic collection of three luxury residential and mixed-use buildings, which will be set upon a beautifully landscaped park spanning approximately 3 acres, all of which will be developed and completed simultaneously. Located along the Hudson River from West 59th Street to West 61st Street, where Midtown meets the Upper West Side, Waterline Square is being developed on the last remaining waterfront sites on Riverside Boulevard and will complete this waterfront neighborhood master plan vision that has been underway for more than two decades. Each of Waterline Square's newly constructed buildings will be residential, featuring luxury condominium residences that crown each tower with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. The entire development boasts more than 100,000 square feet of best-in-class sports, leisure, and lifestyle amenities among the three towers, as well as a new landscaped park and open spaces at the heart of the development. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group will exclusively handle the sales and marketing for Waterline Square, with sales expected to launch in early 2017. For more information on Waterline Square visit www.waterlinesquare.com. ABOUT GID: GID is a privately-held, globally-diversified, and fully-integrated real estate organization founded in 1960 that owns, develops, and manages a premier portfolio of existing properties and development projects valued at over $16 billion. With offices in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, Dallas, Denver, and Orange County the company employs over 650 real estate professionals within divisions specializing in development, acquisitions, real estate funds, international real estate investing, hedge funds, portfolio and asset management, and property management. During its 56-year history, GID has acquired or developed over 60,000 residential units and 15 million square feet of commercial space. GID's current portfolio includes 82 properties in 14 states consisting of approximately 21,000 residential units and 4 million square feet of commercial space. GID Development Group, under the leadership of James Linsley, is currently involved in nationwide development activities consisting of an additional 27 development projects in 9 states including another 11,000 residential units and approximately 2 million square feet of commercial space. GID Development Group, a wholly owned affiliate of GID, develops sophisticated "best-in-class" mixed-use projects and iconic residential urban developments throughout the United States that combine high-quality design with one-of-a-kind residential, retail, restaurant, office, hotel, cultural and public space offerings. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443690 SOURCE GID Related Links http://www.waterlinesquare.com STOCKHOLM, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A US$5 million prize competition is seeking to identify new models of global cooperation to handle the most serious threats to humanity including climate change, weapons of mass destruction and extreme poverty. The Global Challenges Prize 2017: A New Shape was launched last week by the Stockholm-based Global Challenges Foundation, established in 2012 to deepen understanding of global risks and galvanize more effective responses to them. The prize competition is based on the premise that the current system of global governance which evolved after World War II is no longer equipped to deal with 21st century risks that transcend national borders and can affect populations anywhere in the world. "Today's risks are so dangerous and so global in their nature they've outrun the international system's ability to deal with them," said Global Challenges Foundation founder Laszlo Szombatfalvy, an investor, author and philanthropist who built his career in Sweden through the successful analysis of financial risk. "We're trying to solve today's problems with yesterday's tools. We believe a new shape of collaboration is needed to address the most critical challenges in our globalized world." The New Shape Prize will ask entrants to design frameworks for international decision-making equipped to address today's global challenges with a focus on climate change, major environmental damage, violent conflict (including nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction) and extreme poverty. Entrants are also asked to consider the implications of a rising world population, forecast by the United Nations to reach 11 billion by 2100. The prize is open to anyone individuals, groups and organizations anywhere in the world. "We believe that the human ingenuity that has allowed us to eradicate diseases, bring down poverty levels and stabilize the hole in the ozone layer, can, if properly channeled, play a role in averting the greatest risks to our survival," said Mr. Szombatfalvy. "If we can tap this creativity and apply it to designing a better decision-making system for the world community, we will have a chance of preserving our world for future generations." The Global Challenges Foundation is publicizing its New Shape Prize worldwide, partnering with respected institutions on multiple continents in an effort to reach the brightest minds and most visionary thinkers whether they come from academia, policy-making, civil society, business, technology or law. This outreach effort includes collaborating closely with experts and practitioners currently working within existing global governance institutions such as the United Nations. The Global Challenges Foundation emphasized the prize competition was not seeking solutions to the individual risks in question, but for the global decision-making structures that would allow the world community to tackle them more effectively. The competition is open until May 24, 2017. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of academic experts. The best proposals will then be judged by a high level international jury comprised of respected figures of global stature. Final awards will be made in November 2017. The Global Challenges Foundation will promote the winning ideas following their announcement to generate debate around how they could be implemented and support promising entrants to develop their ideas. Through its New Shape Prize, the Global Challenges Foundation hopes to stimulate urgent global debate at the highest levels about how the world community manages global risks and to contribute to the reshaping of global governance to safeguard future generations. Notes to Editors: For more information and interviews contact: Luisa Castellanos at 202-585-2725. For more information about The Global Challenges Prize 2017: A New Shape, see: https://globalchallenges.org/en About The Global Challenges Foundation The Global Challenges Foundation aims to incite deeper understanding of the most pressing global risks to humanity - and to catalyse new ways of tackling them. Founded in 2012 by the Swedish investor and author Laszlo Szombatfalvy, the Foundation is based on the belief that global challenges require global solutions and new forms of international cooperation are urgently needed in order to safeguard future generations. The Foundation's mission is to act as a convening platform to draw together the brightest minds from academia, politics, business and civil society to discuss how these risks might be better managed by the world community in the interests of all citizens. SOURCE Global Challenges Foundation NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Launching on November 29 or otherwise known as #GivingTuesday, the Greater Newark Holiday Fund is raising funds to buy thermal socks for 2,000 children and adults living without housing options in the State of New Jersey. To help these individuals, the Greater Newark Holiday Fund is hosting a #GivingTuesday Online Sock Drive. Everyone is invited to participate at http://2016.holidayfund.org/givingtuesday "Essex County has the largest number of homeless individuals in New Jersey," says John Nietzel, President of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund (GNHF), a 501c3 nonprofit charity. "At the end of last year, there were almost 1,800 homeless individuals just in Essex county alone. And socks are the #1 requested item of clothing by the homeless." SOCKS ARE #1 REQUESTED ITEM BY HOMELESS 19.9 percent of the entire homeless population for the state of New Jersey are located in Essex County. A recent report indicated that New Jersey's unsheltered and homeless population had risen this year by 48 percent. GOAL TO HELP 2,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS On Tuesday, GNHF will join the global giving effort of #GivingTuesday held on the first Tuesday after #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday. According to Nietzel, GNHF hopes New Jersey residents will donate enough funds to supply 2,000 homeless children and adults a new pair of socks for the winter. Thick socks are necessary to keep individuals protected from frostbite and hypothermia as well as help prevent a variety of foot-related diseases commonly encountered by homeless individuals. Used socks cannot be donated and so new socks are a high-demand item. HOW TO DONATE "So many people want to be generous, but they just don't know where to donate. Our #GivingTuesday Sock Drive is an easy way for people to help meet the tangible needs of those in their own community," said Nietzel. "With just $4, you can make a difference where it counts." GNHF can accept corporate or individual donations and each donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donations can be made online at http://2016.holidayfund.org/givingtuesday or by texting the word "GIVE" to 973-333-4150. About The Greater Newark Holiday Fund The Greater Newark Holiday Fund was founded 79 years ago in 1937 as a trustworthy charity by a group of passionate businessmen who set out to aid the local youth. Today the nonprofit has expanded to aid the elderly, improve the health of the community, prevent violence and substance abuse, as well as help the local youth. The Greater Newark Holiday Fund is also proud to be partnered with 11 charities across 6 counties including social service organizations like the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, FamilyConnections, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey, The Salvation Army, and Urban League of Essex County. Through partnerships with 11 agencies, one donation to Greater Newark Holiday Fund can touch multiple causes. To learn more or donate, visit 2016.holidayfund.org. Contact: Kenny Jahng, 973-500-8536, [email protected] SOURCE Greater Newark Holiday Fund Related Links http://2016.holidayfund.org CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Greeley and Hansen, a leading global civil and environmental engineering, architectural, and management consulting firm in water infrastructure, recently opened a new office location in San Francisco, California to further advance the expansion of the firm's business operations on the west coast. The new office will be under the leadership of Dr. Val Frenkel, Managing Director of Greeley and Hansen's Pacific Coast Operating Group and an industry expert on process design, desalination, and membrane technologies. "With the opening of this new local office, Greeley and Hansen will be even better positioned to serve the needs of clients in this region and to address their unique water infrastructure challenges," said John C. Robak, Greeley and Hansen President. "Greeley and Hansen's long-term growth strategy includes plans for expanding our operations both internationally and domestically. The expansion of our presence in San Francisco is a key advancement in our overall U.S. growth plan, as it allows us to now extend our full range of services to municipal utility clients coast-to-coast." About Greeley and Hansen Greeley and Hansen is a leader in developing innovative engineering, architecture, and management solutions for a wide array of complex water, wastewater, and related infrastructure challenges. The firm has built upon over 100 years of proven civil and environmental engineering experience in all phases of project development and implementation to become a premier global provider of comprehensive services in the water sector. Greeley and Hansen is dedicated to designing better urban environments worldwide. http://www.greeley-hansen.com/new.htm For more information, contact: Nancy Stankus 312-558-9000 [email protected] SOURCE Greeley and Hansen Related Links http://www.greeley-hansen.com DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GroupRevMax today launched GroupRevMax Meeting Booker, a component that enables hotel websites to sell complete meeting packages including guest rooms, meeting space, Food & Beverage, and Audio Visual Equipment online and enable credit card payments. While the largest hotel franchises have this on their website, the rest of the industry has been lacking this and is at a competitive disadvantage and GroupRevMax hopes to level the playing field with this release. "We are in an era where a lot of people value instant results over human interaction and this feature will satisfy the need while also reducing the load on sales teams, who no longer have to send proposal, contracts, etc. for small meetings booked online," said SVP of GroupRevMax, Ram Mohan. "Many small meetings are organized by busy executives, so we also have other time saving features like rebooking a meeting based on a past meeting that we think will improve repeat business." Comparing the current scenario to the birth of online travel agencies, Mr. Mohan added, "While comparing hotels were the prime reason, OTA growth was also fueled by the fact that hotels at the time lacked a good booking engine on their own website. Now the industry is focusing on direct bookings while a similar process is underway in the group segment with third parties allowing meeting booking online and charging hotels a commission. So, hotels have to allow small meetings to be booked online sooner rather than later." Hotel Industry so far hasn't been able to do this since the third parties were the same companies offering this solution and were charging a commission for sales that originated on the hotel's website. The alternative of developing something in-house for group sales was also not viable for most hotels since they lack the IT capability. GroupRevMax solves this problem by offering the solution commission free. Another reason for lack of adoption was that while the industry has adopted automatic guest room pricing, pricing a meeting package still remains a manual task at most hotels. GroupRevMax solves this problem with a rules based pricing engine that is already used by sales teams in many hotels to price the sales that come through the existing RFP route. About GroupRevMax GroupRevMax is an innovative provider of solutions to the hospitality industry. GroupRevMax first launched a group sales system that automated the process for group sales teams at hotels end to end while focusing each activity on generating more revenue and profit for the company and already integrates with leading PMS systems, which enables the company to provide a truly unique solution for online meeting booking. Learn more about GroupRevMax Meeting Booker at https://grouprevmax.com/web-meeting-booking.html SOURCE GroupRevMax Related Links https://grouprevmax.com/web-meeting-booking.html W3 Investment and the Fonds de solidarite FTQ, which had both taken part in the first round of funding agreements in November 2015, are re-affirming their confidence in the company and its technology with this new injection of capital, which will serve to step up the development of new real-time production monitoring technology. Worximity's offering is fully in line with the digital transformation of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which involves the gradual connection of all manufacturing equipment. In fact, 2017 looks most promising in term of innovations for Worximity, which will be launching its new smart sensor, TileConnect 2, as well as a new version of its dashboard application, Tileboard 2, which is already very popular and used daily by North American manufacturers to control their operations in real-time and improve the efficiency of their teams and equipment. "With our technology that enables quick, simple and affordable connection of all equipment from many different manufacturing landscapes, we were basically the precursors of Industry 4.0 and IIoT," states Yannick Desmarais, founder and president of Worximity Technology Inc. "It is therefore essential for us to continue innovating so that we can maintain our position as leader and keep providing our clients with products that address their needs and give them a competitive edge. Now that our technological development team is set up and we have this new funding, we more than ever have the means to fulfill our ambitions, and we can press on with our mission to make industrial facilities smart and keep teams connected," he adds. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a long-time partner of Worximity Technology, having provided the company with loans in its start-up years. The two organizations also worked jointly on events to promote Industry 4.0 and other innovations in the manufacturing sector. The new financing from BDC Capital, the Business Development Bank's investment division, will come in the form of a "patient" mezzanine loan with a flexible repayment schedule, the terms of which will be adapted to Worximity's specific needs. This funding is essentially aimed at maintaining a partnership based on growth, innovation and the pursuit of the common goal of improving the performance of our manufacturers. "Worximity's product is innovative and easy to integrate, and it can definitely help small manufacturers both here and abroad make great productivity gains," explains Bernard Melameth, Director, Growth & Transition Capital at BDC Capital. "This funding from BDC Capital will help Worximity step up the execution of its ambitious growth plan. In fact, this plan includes the creation of numerous new jobs in Montreal, notably in software sales and development," adds Benoit Mignacco, Managing Director for the Montreal Region, Growth & Transition Capital, BDC Capital. "Innovation is key to economic prosperity. With Worximity's technology, manufacturers from all around the world can enter the industry 4.0 era, making this company the first step towards a smart factory for most of the SMBs in Quebec", states Alain Denis, Principal Vice President, Innovation at Fonds de solidarite FTQ. About Worximity Technology Inc. Worximity Technology Inc. comprises a multidisciplinary team of programmers, database scientists, analysts and engineers who develop and market the smart industrial technologies of tomorrow. Since it was founded in 2011, Worximity helped improve the performance of more than 500 production lines across North America thanks to its connectivity solutions, which enable factory managers and workers to monitor their production in real time. This 24/7 visibility improves efficiency, reduces lost time and down time, and fosters better cooperation in industrial facilities. The company has also taken on a leadership role in the promotion of IIoT and Industry 4.0, most particularly via the I4QC.CA group, of which it is a founding member. For further information, go to www.worximity.com. About BDC Capital With more than $2 billion under management, BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, which acts as a strategic partner to Canada's most innovative and high-potential firms. It offers a range of equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions to help Canadian entrepreneurs scale their businesses into global champions. To find out more, visit bdc.ca/capital. About W Investments Headquartered in Quebec, W Investments is a private investment firm specializing in companies with strong growth potential. Entrepreneurs by their own nature, the partners steer young companies through their development, maximize their strengths and get the most out of their assets. W Investments is a genuine talent springboard that provides for corporate succession, guarantees expansion and brings true added value by making things happen. www.winvestments.ca. About the Fonds de solidarite FTQ The Fonds de solidarite FTQ helps drive our economy. With net assets of $11.7 billion as at May 31, 2016, the Fonds is a development capital fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments in all sectors of the economy to help create and maintain jobs and further Quebec's development. The Fonds is a partner, either directly or through its network members, in more than 2,600 companies with more than 618,551 shareholder-savers. For more information, visit www.FondsFTQ.com. Multimedia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meSqJkiQTGE SOURCE Worximity Technology Inc. Related Links www.worximity.com Added Depth to Integrated Approach to Managing Risk and Reputation TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Hansell LLP and Hansell McLaughlin Advisory today announced four key hires to add increased depth, experience and talent to the firms' unique offering in the Canadian marketplace. "Successful organizations need to fully understand and manage a wide range of risk and reputational issues," said Carol Hansell, founder of Hansell LLP and a principal with Hansell McLaughlin Advisory. "They must consider the horizon of legal, governance, political, regulatory, and communication challenges, and we were first to provide that kind of integrated advice. Today, we are proud to welcome four new colleagues to our growing team of professionals, each of whom have the skills and experience to provide new perspectives and insights for our clients." Susan Kushneryk has joined Hansell LLP as Partner and Hansell McLaughlin Advisory as Government Relations Advisor. She brings a wealth of experience in law, government, and regulatory matters. Ms. Kushneryk was most recently Director of Policy in the Office of the Attorney General of Ontario, where she provided advice and leadership across government ministries on a range of legal and policy matters. Prior to joining the Attorney General, Ms. Kushneryk served as Senior Enforcement Counsel at the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), Enforcement Counsel at the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and as a litigator with two national law firms. Milton Chan has joined Hansell LLP as Counsel and Hansell McLaughlin Advisory as Senior Consultant. Mr. Chan has extensive public policy and regulatory experience, having most recently been the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation with the Government of Ontario. Prior to that role, he was Director of Strategy and Operations in the Office of the Premier of Ontario and served for several years as Enforcement Counsel at IIROC. He also chaired the Scarborough Panel of the Property Standards Committee for the City of Toronto, a quasi-judicial body that hears appeal of charges of municipal code violations. Veronica Clayton joined Hansell LLP earlier in 2016 as a Consultant. She is a seasoned law clerk and manager, with more than 25 years of experience with the majority of her career at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. She has expertise in the effective organization, management and utilization of corporate services departments and corporate software solutions. She has also assisted on complex transactions including the completion of due diligence, rectification, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, the sale of businesses, private and public company debt financings, equity financings, real property financings, incorporations, amalgamation, continuances, dissolutions and ongoing corporate maintenance. Ms. Clayton is a Fellow member at the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario and a speaker at their annual conferences. She is also a former member of the International Practice Management Association. Harlan Tufford joins as a Governance Research Analyst in Hansell Board Evaluations, which provides expert, independent guidance to boards in identifying opportunities to enhance their effectiveness. Mr. Tufford has in-depth analytical and capital markets experience combined with a thorough knowledge of Canadian boards and corporate governance best practices. Mr. Tufford was most recently an Associate with Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) where he conducted original research, contributed to national policy guidelines, and provided clients with informed voting recommendations at Canadian shareholders' meetings. Prior to ISS, Mr. Tufford was a Research Analyst at the Clarkson Centre at the Rotman School of Management where he assessed governance and compensation practices among S&P/TSX Composite Index companies and had this work published in the Globe & Mail's annual "Board Games" feature. Ron McLaughlin, principal in Hansell McLaughlin Advisory said "Susan and Milton both have significant public policy and political experience coming out of Queen's Park, combined with extensive provincial and national networks that will provide our clients with unparalleled insights into government. Veronica's skills are crucial to serving clients' complex enterprise challenges, while Harlan brings experience from one of the leading international proxy advisory firms, which will be of enormous benefit for issuers and investors in the public markets." About Hansell LLP Hansell LLP provides expert, independent legal and governance counsel to businesses, their directors, shareholders and other stakeholders. From navigating critical situations to designing effective governance strategies, Hansell LLP has experience in all aspects of corporate governance that are important to our clients. About Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Hansell McLaughlin Advisory helps clients assess risk, navigate the regulatory environment, identify governance solutions and manage impact on reputation. The first-of-its-kind firm is affiliated with Hansell LLP. Together, they deliver integrated legal, governance, government relations and communication advice. SOURCE Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Inc. Related Links www.mclaughlinadvisory.com BOSTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (56%) of parents put too much pressure on themselves to make the holidays perfect and nearly a third (29%) say their 'Polar Express' runs out of steam before the holidays arrive, finds a new survey of parents conducted by 360 Public Relations and Mom Generations. While nine in 10 parents look forward to the holidays, and say they enjoy them more now that they have children, three-quarters of parents report that having kids in the picture makes the holidays more stressful. The Holiday Highs and Lows We all have that crazy uncle or aunt. Still, spending time with family is what parents like best about the holidays. That's followed by decorating, spending time with friends, holiday parties and cooking/baking. What are the most joyful parts of the holidays for parents? Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443670 What are the most stressful parts of the holidays for parents? Try shopping, traveling, entertaining, cooking/baking and the overwhelming number of school events. Managing Holiday Stress Parents surveyed employ some key strategies to manage holiday season stress, among them starting early. More than one-quarter (28%) of parents report getting an early jump on the holidays, with 57% making their shopping and other lists in early fall and, for some, even before back-to-school time. Very few parents (less than 3%) say they don't make lists. When all else fails, parents bring out the eggnog: a full half (50%) of parents report drinking more during the holidays. How can brands help? "As a working mother of three young boys, I know first-hand how stressful the holidays can be from the myriad of school events, to last-minute shopping, cooking and late-night wrapping," explains Caroline Pierce, Director of 360PR's MomSquad. "Brands can quickly become holiday heroes by listening and providing solutions to parents, not simply adding to the clutter, and by enabling and accentuating more moments of pure joy and family fun." With only one percent of parents reporting that they enjoy shopping during the holidays, it's imperative for retailers and brands to transform the holiday shopping experience to one that's more fun and easier. Offering simple short-cuts (free gift-wrapping, for example), rewards (a gift-with-purchase just for mom and dad after all, parents have wish lists, too), and resources to help parents get and stay organized (leveraging social media) are all potential wins for brands. Shopping and Social Media Millennial moms have 3.4 social media accounts and spend 17.4 hours per week with on their social channels on average. Three quarters of parents report that Facebook is the social media platform they use most frequently, followed by Instagram (16.6%). Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443671 Survey Methodology "A Parent Perspective on the Holidays" survey was conducted online with 300 U.S. parents of children ages 0-18. 360 Public Relations designed and fielded the survey in collaboration with Mom Generations during the period August-November 2016. For more information contact 360PR+. SOURCE 360PR+ PROVIDENCE, R.I. and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IDT911, a leading provider of identity and data risk management, resolution and education services, and Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), announced the winner of the inaugural Girl Scout online privacy essay contest: San Diego Girl Scout Amira Walia. IDT911 launched and sponsored the essay contest for Girl Scouts who had earned a Mobile Privacy Patch by participating in ITRC's Hands-on Privacy Workshops for Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts were challenged to write an essay detailing how privacy has affected their lives and to share experiences that have informed how they manage their mobile, online and social media privacy settings. Amira was awarded a $2,500 scholarship by IDT911 for her winning essay which detailed the experiences that have made her think responsibly about the information she shares online. Amira particularly impressed the judges with her metaphor for the dangers of oversharing online: "Everything posted on social media is like toothpaste. It cannot be squeezed back into its tube. What is posted on the internet is forever public, and no longer private," wrote Amira in her essay. Amira was also awarded an all-expenses paid trip to the Privacy Xchange Forum in Carefree, Arizona, where she shared the stage with the likes of Edward Snowden and former NSA Inspector General Joel Brenner, and spoke about her winning essay and future goals to more than 200 industry experts. ITRC's Hands-on Privacy Workshops for Girl Scouts were funded by a grant from the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment. They were developed in partnership with the Better Business Bureau to provide educational information about online safety, management of privacy settings on mobile devices and online accounts, and identity theft risk minimization. Girl Scouts who attended the sessions and brought a family member or friend were awarded the Mobile Privacy Patch. In 2017, the goal is to rollout both the privacy workshops and the essay contest nationally. "Building education and awareness about the risks of identity theft is a core part of the Identity Theft Resource Center's mission," said Eva Velasquez, President/CEO of ITRC. "Our online privacy workshops for Girl Scouts were designed to give young people practical tools and best practices to keep themselves safe online. The initial program in the Southern California region has been highly successful and we can't wait to see how many young Girl Scouts we can help stay safe online as we roll the program out across the country." "Amira's brilliant essay demonstrated some of the challenges that young people run into when it comes to managing their online privacy," said Matt Cullina, CEO of IDT911. "It is truly inspiring and heartening to see young people coming to grips with the manifold privacy implications that their online and social lives create. The work that ITRC is carrying out to educate people is phenomenally important and IDT911 wanted to encourage the Girl Scouts to give voice to some of their experiences and learnings from the sessions. We're excited to see the program and essay contest rollout nationally next year." To learn more about ITRC's Privacy Workshops for Girl Scouts, please visit http://www.idtheftcenter.org/hands-on-privacy-workshop-san-diego2.html. About IDT911 IDT911 is the leading provider of services that help businesses and their customers defend against data breaches and identity theft. IDT911's unique approachdelivering proactive protection, preventive education, and swift resolutionoffers unrivaled support for more than 660 client partners and 17.5 million households. With its wholly owned subsidiary, IDT911 Consulting, IDT911 delivers information security and data privacy expertise to help businesses avert and respond to data loss. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., the company has several locations in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in Ireland to serve partners in Europe. About the Identity Theft Resource Center Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a nationally recognized non-profit organization established to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases, and to broaden public education and awareness in the understanding of identity theft, data breaches, cybersecurity, scams/fraud, and privacy issues. The ITRC provides no cost victim assistance and consumer education through its call center, website, social media channels, live chat feature and ID Theft Help Mobile App. For more information, visit: http://www.idtheftcenter.org SOURCE IDT911 Related Links http://www.idt911.com LAS VEGAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Indoor Farms of America is pleased to announce today the immediate availability of multiple sources of financing for the robust product line of Container Farms and fully scalable vertical aeroponic growing equipment. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443126 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443127 "These financing options for our products opens doors to many folks who want the best equipment available for indoor farming on the market, but may lack sufficient cash or capital structure to pursue the purchase of one of our farms," according to David Martin, CEO of Indoor Farms of America. "We are very pleased to have funded our equipment already with our new lending source, Direct Capital. This institution understands the needs of small business people, as well as tailoring the right financing for each customer," states Martin. "They took a very close look at the potential our equipment has for creating a financial success story for the owner of the farm, and we have established a lending relationship with them to continue to grow sales at a rapid pace of our equipment." "When compared to other indoor crop growing equipment, the vertical aeroponic equipment produced by Indoor Farms of America is clearly the market leader in terms of what that equipment can produce in plant growing capacity and yields in any given space, and I have been involved with indoor growing, in aquaponics and hydroponics, and made use of every other style of equipment for over 15 years," says Ron Evans, company President. According to Martin, "A recent visitor from Japan, considering a distributorship for that region, simply could not stop talking about how amazed he was at the amount of produce we are growing in such a small space. He went on to tell us he believes our container farm, with the substantially higher yield per square foot than anything else, can transform the market in Japan, and that is pretty nice to hear." Back from a recent visit to Northern California where one of the company's sold Container Farms, a Model 6825, has recently been installed, Evans recalled, "I was fortunate enough to ride along with our farmer to a presentation of his first crop harvest to a local high end Italian restaurant in the Sierra foothills. The owner of the restaurant told us it was the best tasting Basil he had ever tasted, and the leaves were the most beautiful he had ever seen. That says a bit about how well our equipment works, and keeps me humble." Indoor Farms of America spent nearly 2 years in R&D developing what now has multiple U.S. patents awarded-- truly affordable, economically viable high yield vertical aeroponic crop growing equipment. Martin adds: "We really nailed about 30 different leafy green products early on in test growing, so we know you can operate a container farm that can service a special niche market, or the local grocery, and have financial success with it. But indoor growing needs to be about much more, so what we have focused on for the past number of months is proving out viable growing of other crops such as cherry tomatoes, strawberries, many smaller pepper varieties, and beans. Our farm equipment grows all of these amazingly well." The company has also tested growing larger plants, such as heirloom tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. This line of aeroponic equipment is nearing readiness for release as well. "Ron and I are greatly appreciative of the response to our equipment," states Martin, "and we are focused on enhancements to our system to bring it to an even broader range of growers, including large scale greenhouse operators, which stand to benefit dramatically by the increase in growing capacity in the same space, over older methods. We are finalizing automation of the equipment to track the sun movement for use in such applications, and will announce that when it is ready." CONTACT: David W. Martin, CEO [email protected] IndoorFarmsAmerica.com 4000 W. Ali Baba Lane, Ste. F Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 664-1236 or (702) 606-2691 SOURCE Indoor Farms of America Related Links http://IndoorFarmsAmerica.com DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- InfraREIT, Inc. (NYSE: HIFR) ("InfraREIT" or the "Company") today announced that David A. Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer of InfraREIT, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Sharyland Utilities, L.P. ("Sharyland"), which leases all of InfraREIT's electric transmission and distribution ("T&D") assets. Mr. Campbell will also continue in his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of InfraREIT. "InfraREIT and Sharyland are closely linked the success of one enhances the success of the other," said Hunter L. Hunt, Chairman of Sharyland. "We are confident that David's leadership will strengthen our ability to coordinate and capitalize on opportunities that will benefit both organizations." "David's track record demonstrates both strong operational knowledge and extensive experience with the capital markets," said W. Kirk Baker, Chairman of InfraREIT. "We're fortunate to be able to leverage those capabilities across both organizations." Due to InfraREIT's real estate investment trust structure, the Company relies on Sharyland to perform a variety of critical functions. These include, among others: operation and maintenance of InfraREIT's T&D assets; capital expenditure planning; construction management; and, historically, regulatory oversight and compliance. As a result of the preliminary order in Sharyland's ongoing rate case before the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUCT"), InfraREIT's regulated subsidiary, Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C. ("SDTS"), will be required to participate directly in regulatory proceedings, and SDTS and Sharyland are required to file an amended rate case application with the PUCT by Jan. 1, 2017. "We believe that David Campbell's new role at Sharyland will facilitate improved coordination and execution as InfraREIT and Sharyland enter into this new phase for their respective businesses," added Hunt. InfraREIT and Sharyland will continue to operate as separate entities, and InfraREIT's operations will continue to be subject to the oversight of InfraREIT's board of directors. Additionally, the approval of the Conflicts Committee of InfraREIT's board of directors is required for transactions between InfraREIT and Sharyland. Mr. Campbell has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of InfraREIT since August 2014 and as a member of InfraREIT's board of directors since September 2014. Mr. Campbell also is President and Chief Executive Officer of Hunt Utility Services, LLC, the Company's external manager. Campbell's prior experience includes roles as President and Chief Operating Officer of Bluescape Resources, an independent resource and investment company; Chief Executive Officer of Luminant, a competitive power generation subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings; and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TXU Corp. ("TXU"). Before joining TXU, Mr. Campbell was a Principal in the Dallas office of McKinsey & Company. Mr. Campbell graduated with a bachelor's degree from Yale University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a master's degree from Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. About InfraREIT, Inc. InfraREIT is a real estate investment trust that owns rate-regulated electric transmission and distribution assets in the state of Texas. The Company is externally managed by Hunt Utility Services, LLC, an affiliate of Hunt Consolidated, Inc. (a diversified holding company based in Dallas, Texas and managed by the Ray L. Hunt family), and the Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HIFR". Additional information on InfraREIT is available at www.InfraREITInc.com. Forward-Looking Disclosure Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements give the current expectations of the Company's management. Words such as "could," "will," "may," "assume," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," or "believe" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be affected by assumptions used or known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, the risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this press release is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law. For additional information, contact: For Investors: Brook Wootton Director, Investor Relations InfraREIT, Inc., 214-855-6748 For Media: Jeanne Phillips Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & International Relations Hunt Consolidated, Inc., 214-978-8534 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141107/157218LOGO SOURCE InfraREIT, Inc. Related Links http://www.infrareitinc.com CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bentley's Pet Stuff, a leading natural pet food store, will open 9 new locations this December in Milwaukee, Colorado, Minneapolis and Chicago. Bentley's Pet Stuff is one of the fastest growing pet retailers and now has 41 locations in 6 states. "We're thrilled to expand in these important markets and we're continually blessed with community support and enthusiasm," said Lisa Senafe, founder of Bentley's Pet Stuff. "During the holidays, it is especially important to shop local and of course to remember that your four-legged best friend wants to celebrate the holidays too." During the grand opening weekend of Dec. 2-4 at the new locations, shoppers will get 10 percent off all pet food and a free goodie bag (while supplies last). Plus Bentley's Pet Stuff will have a special offer on toys and treats to buy one, get one 50 percent off. The new locations include the communities of Bayview, Racine, Menomenee Falls, New Berlin, Delafield and Fox Point in the Milwaukee area, in Stillwater in the Minneapolis area, in Greenwood in Colorado and in Chicago. This is the 23rd store in Illinois for Bentley's Pet Stuff, which was founded in Arlington Heights, Ill. To see a full list of stores, visit here. More about Bentley's Pet Stuff Bentley's Pet Stuff is a family-owned business with over 40 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Georgia and Colorado, with 100 projected stores by spring 2017. Bentley's is one of the largest independent natural pet supply retailers. It opened in 2008 with a mission to feed animal lovers' pets genuine high quality ingredients. Started from a single retail store, Bentley's Pet Stuff offers natural pet food, a variety of treats, toys, and more. Bentley's won Retailer of the Year from Pet Product News in August 2016. To date, Bentley's Pet Stuff has donated over 50,000 pounds of food to local pet shelters and rescues. Bentley's Pet Stuff is open to recommendations on other pet rescue or shelters. Email [email protected] and they will do their best to make a contribution of time, effort, or food to great causes. SOURCE Bentleys Pet Stuff HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Labbrand's outstanding performance in rebranding and brand development was honored once again at Transform Awards Asia-Pacific 2016. At the annual awards gala held on November 24 in Hong Kong, Labbrand garnered a total of ten awards and distinctions across eight categories, including the best-in-show "Grand Prix" award for its work with Thomas Cook. In 2016, Labbrand's recognition at the Transform Awards spanned a wide range of the group's client work across multiple brand development categories, including: GRAND PRIX for its work with Thomas Cook; GOLD award for its work with Thomas Cook , in the Best Naming Strategy category; , in the Best Naming Strategy category; GOLD award for its work with Thomas Cook , in the Best localization of an international brand category; , in the Best localization of an international brand category; GOLD award for its work with AXENT, in the Best brand development project to reflect changed mission/values/positioning category; SILVER award for its work with kidsland, in the Best Internal Communications During a Brand Development Project category; SILVER award for its work with Zhejiang Circuit, in the Best Strategic/Creative Development of a New Brand category; BRONZE award for its work with Zhejiang Circuit, in the Best Visual Identity in the Property sector category; HIGHLY COMMENDED award for its work with kidsland, in the Best Creative Strategy category; HIGHLY COMMENDED award for its work with Mondelez, in the Best Naming Strategy category; HIGHLY COMMENDED award for its work with Renault, in the Best Naming Strategy category. "On behalf of the entire team at Labbrand, I would like to express how honored we are to have our work recognized within our industry in the APAC region, and we extend our sincerest gratitude to Transform Magazine and this year's Awards judges," said Vladimir Djurovic, Founder & CEO of Labbrand. "Of course, our deepest appreciation also goes out to Labbrand's clients who empower and encourage us to continually push to the next level for our breakthrough brand development strategies and executions." Established seven years ago in Europe, the Transform Awards has evolved into a global celebration of the indispensable talent that exists within the branding sphere. As the only global award to cover rebranding and brand development, Transform consistently set a stronger benchmark for work in brand development while reflecting the growing significance of brand in strategic corporate communications. Since the Transform Awards were first launched in the APAC region in 2014, Labbrand has consistently received top honors, with a total of four awards in 2014, and five in 2015. This year, other than the increase in awards quantity, Labbrand's outstanding creative ability and strategic thought whilst working closely and collaborating with its clients has been highly recognized. This remarkable achievement has proven and consolidated Labbrand's leadership in brand development and brand innovation in Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile Labbrand continues to deliver high-quality branding offerings around the world with its expansion in Paris, New York and Singapore. About Labbrand Labbrand is the leading China-originated global brand consultancy. Through brand innovations, we create, grow, and disrupt to be strong and resilient in dynamic markets. We are multi-cultural in approach and cross-disciplinary in research, strategy, naming, design, and digital. Together this gives us the foresight and ability to build brand equity. SOURCE Labbrand CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics USA Business Solutions is introducing clinical and surgical monitors designed to empower health care professionals to make accurate and informed life-saving decisions. LG's entry into the growing global medical imaging devices market leverages the company's years of experience in advanced flat-panel display technology, according to Kimun Paik, senior vice president, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. "LG is diving head-first into the U.S. medical imaging device market with advanced display technologies designed to improve the accuracy, quality and efficiency of diagnostic procedures," said Paik. "To serve this highly competitive market, we plan to build on LG's position both as a worldwide leader in premium display technologies and as the largest provider of hospital patient room TVs in the U.S." The new monitors and an advanced new radiography device are being previewed this week at RSNA 2016, the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago (LG Booth 6961, McCormick Place North Hall B). LG 8MP Clinical Review Monitor The LG 8MP Clinical Review Monitor is a 27-inch IPS monitor driving 3840 x 2160 pixels specifically designed to increase hospital staff efficiency by enabling streamlined work flows and multitasking. In addition to enhanced brightness levels, this monitor provides healthcare professionals with wide viewing angles, minimal color shift and accurate images. The monitor is Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) compliant, which means that grayscale tones are corrected to maintain image accuracy.* Finely calibrated to ensure consistency across multiple devices, the monitor is equipped with backlight stabilization technology to guarantee stable luminance levels. Dynamic Sync Mode reduces input lag, while Flicker Safe and Reader Mode settings help reduce eye strain experienced by doctors and nurses working long shifts. LG 8MP Surgical Monitor The 27-inch LG 8MP Surgical Monitor was developed for a wide range of uses in the operating theater. In particular, surgeons who favor minimally invasive surgical techniques will benefit greatly as they make precise observations while viewing LG's wide and highly accurate monitor. The unparalleled clarity of LG's 8MP UHD panel helps doctors perform technically complex procedures and the monitor's IPS technology enables multiple medical professionals to view the monitor from different angles with minimal color shift. Boasting brightness levels of up to 800 nits, LG's surgical monitor is ideally suited for bright operating rooms. This monitor covers over 99 percent of the sRGB color space with additional space dedicated to the deep red spectrum, enabling doctors to more easily distinguish different types of tissue and blood vessels. LG Digitalized X-Ray Detector for Radiography In today's hospitals, medical technology that is portable, lightweight and durable is key to providing outstanding patient care. Previewed at RSNA 2016, the LG DXD (digitalized X-ray detector) produces high quality radiography images within seconds using its 16-bit image processing capabilities and a pixel pitch range as small as 127 micrometers, producing super-high-resolution images for radiographers and radiologists to quickly and accurately identify health issues. A magnesium and carbon fiber body make the LG DXD well-suited to serve patients in a range of medical settings and the IP41 rating for water and dust resistance helps assure optimal performance even when this DXD comes in contact with powders or liquids. The LG DXD will be available in 2017. LG's new medical monitors made their debut in the United States at RSNA 2016, which runs through Dec. 2, with rollouts to follow in key markets around the world. The LG DXD is planned for sale in 2017. The RSNA is an association of more than 54,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org) About LG Electronics USA Business Solutions LG Electronics USA Business Solutions serves commercial display customers in the U.S. digital signage, systems integration, lodging and hospitality, healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions delivers business-to-business technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $49 billion global force in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. LG is a proud 2016 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence. * According to DICOM, part 14 guidelines published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR). Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141231/166554LOGO SOURCE LG Electronics USA BERLIN, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lisk, the blockchain application platform, has launched an ambitious series of campaigns that will supercharge the democratic and decentralized nature of their blockchain while providing a foundation for long-term sustainability and success. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443309LOGO First, Lisk has made a public call for the nomination of new delegates, elected "officials" who perform essential tasks for the blockchain and who receive forging rewards in exchange for their services. Lisk operates on a Delegated Proof of Stake consensus model, where LSK "stakeholders" vote for delegate candidates. To be elected, delegate candidates should show they are passionate about the Lisk community, support the Lisk ecosystem, display an understanding of the power of blockchain technology, and make a commitment to lowering the barrier of entry for new members while actively identifying beneficial opportunities for Lisk. To further incentivize the nomination of new delegates through the proposal system, for a limited time all registered delegates will be refunded the normal 25 LSK proposal fee. Simultaneously, Lisk announced a Proposal Contest to the public. All LSK holders will be able to submit proposals of any kind to the network from now until December 5, 2016. Both new and updated proposals will be considered. After the conclusion of the contest, the creators of three proposals will each receive 5,000 LSK, currently equivalent to $800, and the authors of ten additional proposals will each receive 1000 LSK, or approximately $160. Proposals will be judged by the Lisk Core Development team under a rubric that considers the viability, creativity, thoroughness and clarity of the proposals. Those which offer increased transparency and which promise to more significantly contribute to the Lisk ecosystem will receive additional weight. Lastly, Lisk established a new Community Fund, a major new program that will help guarantee the long-term viability and foster the overarching development of the Lisk Ecosystem in a decentralized, community-led way. The Lisk Community Fund will be generated from voluntary contributions from LSK owners, who may donate a portion of their cryptocurrency holdings to a fund that will be securely held in escrow until 2019. Lisk Founders Max Kordek and Oliver Beddows are together donating the first 100,000 LSK, approximately $16,000, to the fund. Lisk CEO Max Kordek said, "We are excited to announce three major campaigns at once. Lisk is firm in our mission to maintain and grow a decentralized network, and so we look forward to the nomination of new delegate-leaders to foster our community. The cumulative voting power of all Lisk holders decides who will make up the 101 delegates, so it's purely a community-led decision and that's the direction we want to take. Sharing the power and incentivizing users is the most effective way to build a blockchain, and that's why Lisk is on the rise." "The new delegate campaign, the incentivized proposal contest, and the creation of a Community Fund are all steps forward for the Lisk ecosystem. Separately, each further progresses our mission to provide the world's best platform for blockchain applications. Combined, these campaigns will generate excitement and engagement from our community, the greatest asset Lisk could ever have," concluded Kordek. Currently valued at over $16 million, LSK, the cryptocurrency underpinning the platform, sits in 16th place of the most valuable digital currencies. Additional details on Lisk's new campaigns can be found on the Lisk Blog. Lisk CEO Max Kordek is available for interviews About Lisk: Lisk is a blockchain application platform that enables its users to build applications from the ground up in JavaScript. The decentralized platform allows for the deployment, distribution and monetization of sidechains onto the Lisk blockchain. The Lisk network is operated using a highly efficient Delegated-Proof-of-Stake (DPOS) consensus model, which is secured by democratically elected delegates. The cryptocurrency underpinning the Lisk platform is called LSK. Lisk was founded by Max Kordek and Oliver Beddows in 2016, in their stellar crowdsale they attracted over 14,000 BTC in funding, making Lisk the most successful crowdfunded entity in German history. Consequently, Lisk has attracted developers from around the world and prominent advisors like Charles Hoskinson and Steven Nerayoff, who have helped foster a growing ecosystem around blockchain applications and services. Lisk is headquartered in Berlin in the iconic business district at the Sony Center. For more information, please visit https://lisk.io/. Media Contact: David Wachsman Founder // Wachsman PR [email protected] // 212-835-2510 Lisk is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to FDIC and other consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only. Related Links Bitcoin PR Buzz Lisk This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. SOURCE Lisk Related Links https://lisk.io SAN DIEGO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles resident Wendy Knecht filed a lawsuit yesterday[11/28/16] in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging that her plastic surgeon, Max R. Lehfeldt, M.D., of Teleos Plastic Surgery, conspired with medical device manufacturer Allergan, Inc., to promote and use SERI surgical scaffold and Natrelle breast tissue expanders in her in an off-label, experimental manner without her knowledge. She has sued Dr. Lehfeldt and his practice for medical negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, lack of informed consent and fraud. She sued Allergan for negligence, fraud, and failure to warn and is seeking punitive damages. According to the complaint filed by San Diego Attorney Robert Vaage, the SERI surgical scaffold never received clearance by the FDA for use in breast reconstruction or with the Natrelle breast expanders. The complaint goes on to allege that Dr. Lehfeldt had an extensive financial/research relationship with Allergan, with financial and research interests in the SERI and Natrelle products. He has acted as a speaker and "faculty member" for Allergan, and consulted on the use and marketing of Allergan products. The complaint alleges that Dr. Lehfeldt was paid by Allergan to promote and use its products, and at the time he treated Ms. Knecht, Dr. Lehfeldt was a principal investigator for an ongoing FDA-sanctioned clinical study regarding the use of the SERI scaffold with the Natrelle breast expanders in breast reconstruction surgery. Ms. Knecht was unaware of Dr. Lehfeldt's extensive relationship with Allergan or his financial and research interests in the SERI and Natrelle products. "When a surgeon has extensive financial ties with a device manufacturer and is involved in an ongoing clinical trial, he has a duty to divulge that information to his patient," explained Vaage. "Ms. Knecht did not have any of the protections she would have had as a knowing participant in a clinical trial. There's just no scientific proof/clinical evidence that this SERI surgical scaffold, which is derived from silk, is safe to use in breast reconstruction surgery. Dr. Lehfeldt knew that; Allergan knew that. Unfortunately, Ms. Knecht did not." Ms. Knecht alleges that the SERI surgical scaffold and Natrelle breast tissue expanders failed and caused her injuries, leaving her disfigured and requiring additional reconstructive surgery to remove the Allergan devices and repair the damage done. Ms. Knecht had double mastectomies because of her high genetic risk of developing breast cancer. For more information concerning this lawsuit, please contact The Law Offices of Robert Vaage at 619-338-0505 or e-mail [email protected]. Robert F. Vaage is a trial attorney in San Diego, California. He has represented patients in fraud cases involving physicians and medical device manufacturers. SOURCE The Law Offices of Robert Vaage A central focus of this release is the fast growing Population Health Management (PHM) market. According to a recent report from Grand View Research , PHM is expected to improve clinical outcomes by aiding in better disease management, resulting in reduction of inpatient stay durations and reducing overall physician observation hours. "The major issue with population health management systems today is they are inherently passive providing analysis and reporting on groups of patients and simply highlighting issues for care teams to deal with," said Mike Wilkinson, vice president of marketing and product management, Lumeon. "With Lumeon's new release we use a combination of digital patient engagement and workflow automation to actively manage a population on a variety of pathways to achieve a step-change in mass patient care." Key Care Pathway Manager Release 2 features include: Lumeon Navigator Mobile App Designed to drive digital patient engagement, the Navigator app provides patients a powerful scheduling, outcome reporting and messaging tool. Patients can agree and track goals and outcomes alongside their clinician with their progress tracked via the tool and linked to the pathway engine to allow agile management of patients along their care pathway. Pathway Engine Automation Enhancements Enhancements to the Pathway Engine allow providers to automate even more of the patient journey with less staff effort and keep their clinicians operating at the top of their license. Appointment-based triggers start a series of actions for a patient upon booking, and once a series has started or appointment completed, the patient is provided details of future follow-up. Automatic prompts allow health advisors to escalate if a patient is not contactable. Enhanced APIs for Digital Engagement New booking APIs provide a number of integration end-points that can be used flexibly, in combination or separately, to support a number of different processes including booking, editing or paying for appointments online. The CPM2 platform will be made available from December 2016. For more about Lumeon Care Pathway Manager Release 2, visit http://bit.ly/2gyJq7b About Lumeon Lumeon is a digital health company that has defined the market for Care Pathway Management (CPM). From scheduling and revenue management to clinical reporting and aftercare, by looking across the end-to end care pathway, Lumeon addresses the system, and not just the symptom, behind healthcare transformation. Lumeon's customers number among Europe's fastest growing and most innovative healthcare providers including BUPA, Nuffield Health, Alliance Medical, HCA and Optegra. It is headquartered in London employing over 90 people. For more information about Lumeon please visit www.lumeon.com. Press Contact: Michele Moore PR Manager +44 7507 246 961 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443256 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443257 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160913/406910LOGO SOURCE Lumeon Related Links http://www.lumeon.com DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of hard work and dedication, the Magic Logix team is pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website. The new, eye-catching site design includes many of the latest web technologies, including CSS3 transformations and WebGL animated backgrounds on every page. We have chosen our favorite open source CMS, Drupal 8 for the relaunch of our corporate website. To facilitate quality interactions with our clients, we integrated industry standard analytics, marketing automation tools and CRM solutions. As a demonstration of our technology, we incorporated our savvy new design, analytics, and CRM solutions into a powerful CMS. The compact feature of the site allowed us to apply the strengths of Drupal 8 as per today. The result for our clients is a confidence that Magic Logix can marry expert technical skills with expert design and integrated marketing. We encourage you to visit and explore our new website at www.magiclogix.com. About Magic Logix Magic Logix is a transformative marketing technology company that was established to provide services that enable digital personalization of human behavior resulting in consumer action. Since its inception, the company has built a client base that includes a range of high profile brands. With its innovative ideas and responsive technology, Magic Logix prepares clients to meet current and future demands of a new marketing frontier. Media contact: Annie Meyer Magic Logix 2146942162 http://www.magiclogix.com SOURCE Magic Logix Related Links http://www.magiclogix.com KELOWNA, British Columbia, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Marapharm Ventures Inc. (OTCQB: MRPHF) (CSE: MDM.CN) (FSE: 2M0) ("Marapharm") announces that further to its news releases dated August 3, 2016, September 21, 2016, September 27, 2016, November 7, 2016, November 9, 2016, and November 14, 2016, Marapharm announces the purchase of the remaining 25% equity interest in EcoNevada, LLC, ("EcoNevada"), a private company based in Las Vegas, Nevada, such that Marapharm now owns 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of EcoNevada. EcoNevada has provisional marijuana licenses and special use permits over 204,000 square feet of cultivation and 16,000 square feet of production. "We have now completed the deal which was made a year ago, when we purchased control of EcoNevada. The price for the minority position of 25% was 100,000 shares of Marapharm, as agreed to in the original transaction, to suit the needs of the sellers for tax and other reasons. Since recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in the state of Nevada, EcoNevada has increased in value to Marapharm, both as an asset and as a main vehicle to drive revenue in Nevada." said Linda Sampson, CEO of Marapharm. "We just bought the adjoining 1.1 acres to the 5.9 acres we acquired, in order to accommodate parking requirements from the City of North Las Vegas to allow for the three licenses to be consolidated on one property," added Linda Sampson. In addition, further to its November 23, 2016, news release, Marapharm reports it is in advanced discussions with several large casinos in Las Vegas for the placement of automated cannabis machines (ACMs) in casinos. It is proposed that the ACMs will stock and only sell Marapharm products from its 380,000-square-foot facility located in Las Vegas. There is no guarantee that such discussions will result in any agreements or be fruitful or beneficial to Marapharm. ABOUT MARAPHARM VENTURES INC. http://www.marapharm.com Marapharm has 300,000 square feet of medical marijuana licenses and land and facilities in WA and NV and about two and a half years ago, Marapharm applied in Canada to Health Canada for a MMPR (Production and Sales) license and has passed the necessary security clearances. The application is currently in the in-depth screening process. In September 2016, Health Canada contacted Marapharm with a provision to amend its application to allow for the new regulations, ACMPR. Additional information on the operations or financial results of Marapharm are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the CSE website (http://www.thecse.com) the OTC website (http://www.otcmarkets.com) and Sedar website (http://www.sedar.com) under the profile for Marapharm Ventures Inc. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: http://www.marapharm.com or Linda Sampson, CEO, 778-583-4476 [email protected] STOCK EXCHANGES: Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", 'may", "will", "project", "should", 'believe", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumption but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and the forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: http://www.marapharm.com or Linda Sampson, CEO, +1-778-583-4476 [email protected] SOURCE Marapharm Ventures Inc. KANSAS CITY, Miss., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Meowijuana LLC, a catnip company, has launched a new product line that is creatively branded and plays on the euphoric "high" some cats have from catnip. The company sells 100 percent organic catnip that is available for shipping both domestically and internationally. Meowijuana's legendary catnip is grown in Southern California and Washington State. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442625LOGO Although the company uses the trademarked tag line, "For cats who need the weed", there is no actual marijuana in the product. It is perfectly safe and legal for both cats, and even people, to consume. Catnip, which is from the mint family, contains the chemical nepetalactone, which triggers a sense of euphoria in susceptible cats. But not all cats react to catnip. Pet MD has noted that sensitivity to catnip is an inherited trait effecting 50 to 75 percent of cats. Catnip produces a different response depending on how it's consumed. Sniffing catnip produces a stimulant effect while eating it can cause sedation in cats. The company also sells the product similarly to the way marijuana dispensaries do in Colorado and other states where it is legal. Meowijuana's Purple Passion Jars offer the product in clear re-sealable jars. The catnip buds were harvested during peak oil product providing cats the next-level catnip experience. For the most dedicated catnip connoisseurs, Meowijuana offers the Grand Daddy Purr Cigar Box. The humidity-regulated cigar boxes are filled with the finest 100 percent organic Grand Daddy Purr Catnip buds. The company even offers their customers, a Medical Meowijuana ID card, which includes the cat's pictures, name, sex and date of birth. "We offer the highest-quality, pet-safe, organic catnip you will find on the market today all packaged in a unique branding concept that our customers love," says Chris Glissman, CEO of Meowijuana, LLC. "Our team has a great time marketing our product, which is a great gift for your cat. Plus our customers enjoy the shopping experience." The company has also opened up their unique product line for pet stores nationwide. For more details, contact [email protected]. To learn more about the product, see all the company offers and make an online purchase, visit Shop.Meowijuana.com. About Meowijuana, LLC Meowijuana, LLC is the purveyor of 100 percent organic catnip as well as cat toys and apparel. For more information, visit Shop.Meowijuana.com. Media Contact: Chris Glissman Phone: (402) 510-4030 Email: [email protected] Related Files Meowijuana_Brochure.pdf Related Images image1.jpg image2.png image3.png image4.png image5.png image6.jpg Related Links Mashable Daily Dot Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2umdrAEwCw This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Meowijuana LLC Related Links http://Shop.Meowijuana.com ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Employers across New York posted job openings for more than 20,000 cybersecurity workers over the past year, according to CyberSeek, a new online resource designed to enhance our nation's cybersecurity workforce. CyberSeek was introduced this month by the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in cooperation with CompTIA, the world's leading technology association, and labor market analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies. An estimated 45,215 people are employed in cybersecurity roles in New York, according to CyberSeek data. However, employers posted an estimated 20,223 job openings for cybersecurity workers. "We've known for some time that there are gaps between the supply and demand of cybersecurity workers," said Tim Herbert, senior vice president, research and market intelligence, CompTIA. "By pinpointing the need to the state and local levels, CyberSeek fills in knowledge gaps so we can better understand the demand for cybersecurity professionals; the skills employers are looking for; and the true supply of professionals to fill those positions." The cybersecurity job titles most often requested by New York employers include: Cyber Security Analyst / Specialist Auditor Cyber Security Engineer Network Engineer / Architect Risk Manager / Analyst "Financial services companies, hotels, communications providers, and many other businesses have been the targets of cyber-attacks in recent months," said Kevin Callahan, director, state government affairs, Northeast, CompTIA. "This daily drumbeat of news about cyber-threats is a constant reminder of the need for cybersecurity readiness. That readiness starts by fortifying the frontline of defense cybersecurity professionals armed with the right education, certifications and skills." CyberSeek's interactive heat map of cybersecurity jobs is augmented by the Career Pathway, which provides information on different types of positions to help students, job seekers and workforce trainers. The Career Pathway features information on common job titles, salaries, online job openings, in-demand skills, education and certifications related to careers in cybersecurity. The site illustrates how an individual can advance in a cybersecurity career, starting with four different entry-level positions through mid- and advanced-level jobs. CyberSeek is a free resource available to anyone interested in the cybersecurity workforce. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130107/DC38135LOGO SOURCE CompTIA Related Links http://www.comptia.org (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150105/723757 ) Major companies are also focusing on education of reimbursement coverage in such regions to further increase the affordability of these devices. However, the current reimbursement policies mostly cover conventional NPWT devices owing to their high cost.Furthermore, the geriatric population is also contributing to a great extent toward increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases. Increasing age is one of the high risk factorsleading to the development of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, which is one of the prime cardiovascular disorders prevalent in the geriatric population. NPWT is one of the commonly accepted therapies employed for the treatment of arterial ulcers, which is one of the major complications of atherosclerosis. Around 50% of the people worldwide are exposed to fire-related traumas, among which, 90% of the cases occur in low to moderate income countries.Thus, the rising incidence of traumatic events is expected toengender a high demand for negative pressure wound therapy products. Browse full research report with TOC on "Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Market By Product (Conventional, Single-Use), Wound Type (Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, Venous Leg Ulcers, Burn Wounds), End Use (Hospitals, Homecare), And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/negative-pressure-wound-therapy-npwt-market Further Key Findings from the Study Suggest: Conventional NPWT devices dominated the product segment in 2015 owing to their high cost and availability of favorable reimbursement policies Single-use negative pressure wound therapy devices segment is considered to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period Diabetic foot ulcer held the largest revenue share in 2015 owing to its numerous applications, thus yielding a high success rate using NPWT Homecare setting is anticipated to witness an attractive CAGR over the forecast period owing to the emerging applicability of single-use NPWT devices in the homecare setting and cost-effectiveness of the therapy North America dominated the overall NPWT market in 2015. This is primarily due to the increased usage of the target therapy in this region, which has led to a reduction in hospital stays and contributed toward enhanced quality of patient lives dominated the overall NPWT market in 2015. This is primarily due to the increased usage of the target therapy in this region, which has led to a reduction in hospital stays and contributed toward enhanced quality of patient lives Some key companies in this market are Acelity L.P. Inc., Smith & Nephew, Molnlycke Health Care, Talley Group Limited, ConvaTec Inc., Devon Medical, Cardinal Health, Inc., DeRoyal Industries, Inc., Medela AG and Paul Hartmann AG Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Glucose Monitoring Device Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/glucose-monitoring-device-market Infectious Vaccines Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/infectious-vaccines-market Neurovascular Intervention Devices Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/neurovascular-intervention-devices-market Airway Management Devices Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/airway-management-devices-market Grand View Research has segmented the negative pressure wound therapy market on the basis of product, wound type, end use, and region: Global Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Conventional NPWT Single-use NPWT Global Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Diabetic Foot Ulcers Venous Leg Ulcers Pressure Ulcers Burn Wounds Others Global End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Hospitals Homecare Others Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK Asia Pacific China India Latin America Brazil Mexico MEA South Africa Access research insight: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/research-insights/negative-pressure-wound-therapy-market-insights-global-industry-size-trends 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: [email protected] Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Netswitch Technology Management is announcing their new partnerships with BlackStratus, one of the leading providers of cloud-based SIEM technology, and TaaSera, the cybersecurity market leader in network behavioral analytics to enhance the power of Securli, Netswitch's award-winning Advanced Threat Defense platform for the middle market. Netswitch, having been recently named by industry analysts like Gartner as one of the leading Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services in the world, is now delivering advanced threat detection through security analytics, with 24/7 monitoring and alerting, and remote incident investigation and response included in the end-to-end service available at a price point that is affordable to small and medium businesses. "We are pleased that Gartner has included us in this category of market leaders along with Cisco, Raytheon and FireEye," says Stanley Li, Chief Executive Officer of Netswitch. "And the integration of BlackStratus's CYBERShark platform and TaaSera's NetTrust Analytics provides Securli with the same world-class threat detection and remediation capability as the Fortune 100, but with pricing affordable to the mid-market. Our unique 247 SaaS offering is now accessible to everyone seeking the best cyber-threat defense available anywhere." Gartner points out that MDR providers are ideal for midsize customers that lack a formal security team and dedicated security monitoring function. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Netswitch," says Mike Maxwell, Chief Security Officer of BlackStratus. "The combination of CYBERShark, our Security as a Service offering, and the Securli MDR platform is a one of a kind offering bringing the middle market access to the best end to end cyber-threat defense on the market." The combination of Securli and TaaSera's NetTrust Analytics enables users to drill-down to determine a number of key metrics, including: systems at highest risk from active breach attempts, the source of the threats, specific details about vulnerabilities and risks detected, and attackers by country. "Effective, proactive breach defense takes a layered approach. There are certain complementary solutions that give security teams a leg-up in defending against cyber-attacks," said Pam Quilici, EVP of Crouse & Associates, a San Francisco-based wholesale property, casualty, financial services, and transportation insurance company. "Layering TaaSera's NetTrust on top of our Securli platform gives us critical visibility into network behaviors that other solutions can't see. We are able to isolate and remediate systems at risk of breach before any major damage is done." ABOUT NETSWITCH Netswitch is a global cyber-security solutions provider, serving businesses of all sizes through Securli, its award-winning Managed Detection and Response platform. Securli Integrated Security Technologies are in use at over 3,000 client sites around the world providing managed intrusion detection and prevention, advanced behavioral analytics, preemptive breach detection, monitored and managed web firewalls and gateways, 247 SOC and security information and event management (SIEM), managed incident response and remediation and complete audit-ready regulatory compliance. Netswitch is headquartered in South San Francisco, California and serves the Middle East and APAC markets through its ASIA Pacific Headquarters in Hong Kong. For more information about Netswitch and SecurliXF, please visit www.netswitch.net. ABOUT BLACKSTRATUS BlackStratus is a pioneer of trusted security and compliance solutions deployed and operated on premise, in the cloud or "as a Service" by providers of all sizes, government agencies and individual enterprises. Through patented multitenant security information and event management (SIEM) technology, BlackStratus delivers unparalleled security visibility, prevents downtime and achieves and maintains compliant operations at a lower cost to operate. BlackStratus is headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, and protects millions of devices and thousands of businesses worldwide. For more information about BlackStratus, please visit www.blackstratus.com. ABOUT TAASERA TaaSera is the leader in Preemptive Breach Detection Systems (BDS). Based on cyber security research by SRI International, TaaSera's unique platform is protected by 9 patents around technology that maps the "Threat DNA" patterns of malicious coordinated network and endpoint behaviors without the use of signatures or sandboxes. The TaaSera team is comprised of security architects and subject matter experts with decades of experience in firewalls, intrusion detection, security event management, malware analysis and endpoint security. TaaSera has offices in Cupertino, CA and McLean, VA. For more information, please visit taasera.com. Disclaimer: Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. SOURCE Netswitch Technology Management Related Links http://www.netswitch.net The Study involved 131 patients at nine medical centers in the United States and one in Israel. The Study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the neuroAD Therapy System in comparison to placebo, following six weeks of treatment and six weeks of follow-up, using the cognitive and behavioral standard scales for the evaluation of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The Study's positive outcomes confirm and extend the results of former studies conducted across the world with the neuroAD Therapy System. The detailed results of the Study will be presented at The International Conference on Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD), by Dr. Marwan N. Sabbagh, M.D., FAAN, (Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ) on Friday, December 9 th at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, in the late breaking news section. Based on the pivotal Study findings, together with the positive results of earlier studies, Neuronix filed an FDA de-novo application seeking regulatory clearance to market its neuroAD Therapy System for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This submission follows earlier communications with the FDA, as a result of which the neuroAD Therapy System was accepted for review under the Expedited Access Pathway (EAP) program, which is reserved exclusively for medical devices that present novel and breakthrough technologies, and target an unmet medical need which is life threatening or irreversibly debilitating. Alzheimer's disease is considered one of the greatest unmet medical needs in the world today, with only a few available drugs offering partial clinical benefit, frequently limited by side effects. The neuroAD Therapy System is a patent-protected, non-invasive medical device, uniquely combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with cognitive training, to concurrently target brain regions affected by Alzheimer's disease. The neuroAD Therapy System can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as drug therapies. "After years of research and development, and completing several prior successful clinical trials, this recent pivotal multicenter study, which was carried out in some of the most prestigious Alzheimer's research centers in the world, provides additional evidence that the neuroAD Therapy System offers an important additional potential benefit to patients with Alzheimer's disease," said Eyal Baror, CEO of Neuronix. "With these positive findings, we have applied to the FDA for marketing clearance under the EAP program, and expect to have the neuroAD Therapy System cleared in 2017. This will bring new hope for the millions of Alzheimer's patients and their families who find themselves in a race against time searching for an effective treatment to manage the effects of this debilitating and incurable disease." "After seeing the results for myself in patients who have undergone the treatment, I believe that neuroAD is the most exciting breakthrough in the field of Alzheimer's disease research in more than a decade," said Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "While there is still no cure for Alzheimer's disease, neuroAD is a non-invasive option, with minimal side effects, which has the potential to help patients maintain their cognitive abilities and the independence that so many of us take for granted." About Neuronix Ltd. and the neuroAD Therapy System: Neuronix Ltd. Is a privately-held company, with headquarters in Yoqneam, Israel, and with subsidiaries in USA and UK. Neuronix develops, manufactures and markets novel breakthrough medical-device technologies for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The neuroAD Therapy System is a patent-protected, non-invasive medical device, uniquely combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with cognitive training, to concurrently target brain regions affected by Alzheimer's disease. This dual-stimulation is designed to improve cognitive performance of patients, following an intervention protocol, which lasts for six weeks, five days per week, with one hour-long session per day. In multiple clinical studies, performed both in the USA and in other centers around the globe, the neuroAD Therapy System was repeatedly shown to be safe and effective in improving the cognitive performance and day-to-day activities of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease patients, as compared with placebo. The neuroAD Therapy System is approved for use in Europe (CE Marked 0482), as well as in other territories. It is commercially available in leading Alzheimer's centers in Europe and Asia. In the United States, the neuroAD Therapy System is an experimental device and is not available for sale. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443192 SOURCE Neuronix Ltd. Related Links http://www.neuronixmedical.com REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevro Corp. (NYSE: NVRO), a global medical device company that is providing innovative evidence-based solutions for the treatment of chronic pain, today announced that it has filed a lawsuit for patent infringement against units of Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX). The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, asserts that Boston Scientific is infringing Nevro's patents covering inventions relating to Nevro's groundbreaking Senza system and HF10 therapy. The lawsuit seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against further infringement as well as damages and attorney's fees. One of the asserted patents, U.S. patent no. 8,359,102, was the subject of two petitions for inter partes review (IPR) filed by Boston Scientific with the Patent Trial and Appeals Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. On November 30, 2015, the PTAB declined to institute IPRs after finding that Boston Scientific failed to establish a reasonable likelihood of showing that even one of the challenged claims of the '102 patent was invalid. "Nevro was founded in 2006 to develop meaningful advances in the treatment of chronic pain to improve patients' lives," said Rami Elghandour, President and CEO of Nevro. "Intellectual property is the basis for innovation in health sciences given the long development timelines, investment, and risk required to bring meaningful advances to market. We are committed to ensuring continued innovation in health sciences by protecting our intellectual property." Documents relating to the lawsuit can be found via registration at the court's website, www.cand.uscourts.gov. The case no. is 3:16-cv-06830. About Nevro Headquartered in Redwood City, California, Nevro is a global medical device company focused on providing innovative products that improve the quality of life of patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. Nevro has developed and commercialized the Senza spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, an evidence-based neuromodulation platform for the treatment of chronic pain. The Senza system is the only SCS system that delivers Nevro's proprietary HF10 therapy. Senza, HF10, Nevro and the Nevro logo are trademarks of Nevro. Investor Relations Contact: Nevro Investor Relations Katherine Bock (650) 433-3247 [email protected] SOURCE Nevro Corp. Related Links http://www.nevro.com The new venture plans to build and operate this facility on Cargill's 69-acre property on President's Island, where Cargill currently produces corn oil and stores and distributes sweetener products. The facility is expected to come online in late 2018, producing up to 20,000 metric tons per year of FeedKind protein initially and expanding up to 200,000 metric tons per year when operating at full capacity. Upon completion of the plant, the new venture expects to hire 75 permanent employees and expand to 160 people when the plant is at full ramp-up. "Cargill has been a part of the Memphis community for 40 years. With the strong support of the state of Tennessee, Shelby County and City of Memphis, we are pleased that the venture chose to locate the facility in Memphis," said Cargill's Global Vice President of Bioindustrial, Brian Silvey. "The venture's building of a state-of-the-art fermentation facility on the existing Cargill Memphis site reaffirms our commitment to the community and state and our pledge to strategically invest in aquaculture as an ever increasingly important source of protein." FeedKind protein is a proprietary, competitively priced, new feed ingredient initially targeted as an alternative to fishmeal for the aquaculture industry. It is produced using the world's only commercially validated gas fermentation process. Cargill and Calysta jointly will be marketing FeedKind protein globally. "With a proven and proprietary fermentation platform, Calysta is introducing a scalable and disruptive protein source critical to meeting the needs of a growing global population. Partnering with Cargill, a leader in fermentation and protein production, and others to invest in the establishment of the venture as the first U.S. manufacturing plant to commercially produce FeedKind protein, significantly accelerates FeedKind protein's launch in the aquaculture industry at commercial scale. This venture is an important first step to deploying this technology globally," said Calysta President and Chief Executive Officer, Alan Shaw, Ph.D. In September 2016, Calysta opened an R&D and market introduction facility in the United Kingdom to produce samples of FeedKind protein that can be used in aquaculture, livestock and pet markets worldwide. Cargill employs approximately 274 employees in its corn, cotton, metals, grain, and farmer service businesses across its 14 locations in Tennessee. About Cargill Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 150,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. About Calysta Calysta, Menlo Park, CA, is an innovator in sustainable products to improve worldwide food security. Calysta Nutrition develops and commercializes FeedKind protein, a sustainable, traceable alternative feed ingredient for fish, livestock and pet nutritional products Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443666LOGO Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443669 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443667-INFO Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150701/227604LOGO SOURCE Cargill The largest German biometrics provider presents the fastest Automated Fingerprint Identification System in the world - the DERMALOG AFIS. As confirmed by the renowned test body SGS-TUV Saar, the software allows the processing of almost one billion matches per second. Despite its speed, the system is still extremely reliable. DERMALOG will be showcasing its latest biometric innovations from 29 November to 1 December at TRUSTECH 2016 in Cannes - on stand RIVIERA L020. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161122/442112 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161122/442113 ) Cannes, 29.11.2016 DERMALOG Identification Systems presents the next generation of its AFIS. After many years of research, the developers and engineers have succeeded in perfecting their recognition system for fingerprints. The world record for fingerprint matching is now 914,959,533 in one second per standard blade server. DERMALOG founder and managing director Gunther Mull: "As the speed of fingerprint matching increases, maintaining accuracy is a challenge. However, there is no loss of quality with our AFIS. The experts from SGS-TUV Saar have confirmed that the quality of our AFIS is outstanding in terms of both coding and matching." AFIS is one of DERMALOG's core products. The success story has quite a history. The state of Rio de Janeiro has been combating duplicate or false identities with a DERMALOG solution for more than 15 years. AFIS has been instrumental in promoting networking between authorities. The AFIS for Rio is also the first AFIS in Brazil to be used for civil and criminal identification. As a multi-biometrics provider, DERMALOG is able to link the AFIS fingerprinting system to other biometric parameters. For example, iris and face recognition can be used for multi-modal identification. Gunther Mull: "We are a developer, a manufacturer and a system integrator all in one. DERMALOG is the biometrics innovation leader and our products are made in Germany. We stand for the fulfilment of the highest safety requirements and intuitive operation." More information about the innovative biometric products and solutions from DERMALOG is available at http://www.dermalog.com. Press contact: DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH Press Relations Jan Runzheimer Mittelweg 120 20148 Hamburg Germany Tel: +49(40)413227-0 Fax: +49(40)413227-89 Email: [email protected] SOURCE DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New York Blood Center (NYBC) today announced groundbreaking findings toward the development of vaccines for the prevention of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. The findings were revealed in a new study on the effective design for a MERS vaccine, which was published in the most recent issue of the highly regarded, peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. MERS, a severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, has a mortality rate of approximately 36%. According to The World Health Organization, MERS primarily affects older people and individuals with weakened immune systems in the Middle East and other regions of the world. Two NYBC researchers and pioneers in the field Drs. Shibo Jiang and Lanying Du of the Laboratory of Viral Immunology at NYBC's Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute have made advancements on the development of subunit vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) since 2003, and MERS-CoV since 2013, publishing more than 30 studies on the infections. Drs. Jiang and Du proved that the receptor-binding domain (RBD), a key fragment responsible for virus binding to its receptor in the surface proteins of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, is the most important target for development of vaccines, which laid the groundwork for recent studies. Drs. Jiang and Du co-authored the Nature Communications study, "Introduction of Neutralizing Immunogenicity Index to the Rational Design of MERS Coronavirus Subunit Vaccines," in collaboration with researchers from four medical research institutions: Co-senior authors Dr. Fang Li at the University of Minnesota, who led the study, and Dr. Yusen Zhou of the Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, as well as researchers Dr. Chien-Te K Tseng of the University of Texas Medical Branch and Dr. Stanley Perlman of the University of Iowa. NYBC visiting scientist Wanbo Tai, a Ph.D. candidate from China, was the key researcher performing the experiments. In the study, Dr. Du, Dr. Jiang, and collaborators strategically developed a new effective design for a MERS vaccine. By introducing a new concept, "neutralizing immunogenicity index," the scientists were able to evaluate the neutralizing immunogenicity (the ability to induce neutralizing antibodies) of an epitope (part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system) in the RBD. Based on this strategy, researchers designed a new vaccine by masking "bad epitopes" (those that cannot induce neutralizing antibodies) and exposing "good epitopes" (those that can induce potent neutralizing antibodies). "This novel strategy is essential in designing subunit vaccines that safeguard against not only SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but also against other enveloped viruses, such as influenza virus, HIV, Ebola virus, and Zika virus," Dr. Du said. "The RBD-based subunit vaccine is effective and safe in humans because RBD generally does not induce harmful immune responses that may promote the pathogenesis or enhance virus infection in the vaccinated people," Dr. Jiang said. "NYBC is proud of our researchers' dedication to advancing the fields of global health and bringing us one step closer to creating a vaccine to prevent this infectious disease," said Christopher Hillyer, NYBC Chief Executive Officer. "For decades, NYBC's Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute (LFKRI) and National Cord Blood Program (NCBP) have been at the forefront of new blood-related products, research and therapies. The advances we have announced continue that proud tradition." "Through our recent partnership with Innovative Blood Resources (IBR) of St. Paul, our collaboration on this study with the University of Minnesota, and other partnerships and initiatives, NYBC continues its role as a national leader in research, development and blood distribution," said NYBC Chairman Howard Milstein. "We continue to make significant strides in our efforts to combat infectious diseases worldwide, and look forward to a day when viruses, like MERS-CoV, are completely eradicated." About New York Blood Center New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a nonprofit organization that is one of the largest independent, community-based blood centers in the country. Founded in 1964, NYBC, along with its partner organizations Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City (CBC) and Innovative Blood Resources (IBR), based St. Paul, Minnesota, collect approximately 3,300 units of blood products each day, serving local communities of more than 25 million people in New York, New Jersey, parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, the Kansas City metropolitan area, Minnesota, and Nebraska. NYBC and its partners also provide a wide array of transfusion-related medical services, while NYBC's National Cord Blood Program (NCBP) at the Howard P. Milstein Cord Blood Center is home to the world's largest public cord blood bank. NYBC is also home to a renowned research institute, which among other milestones developed the Hepatitis B vaccine and innovative blood purification technology. Media Contact: Andrea M. Garcia PRCG | Haggerty LLC [email protected] 212.683.8100 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442569LOGO SOURCE New York Blood Center Related Links http://www.nybc.org/ Webinar Now Available On Demand LAKEWOOD, Ohio, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Onix recently hosted a webinar titled Migrating from the Google Search Appliance? Get the Blueprint from a Google Search Veteran. The focus of the webinar was how organizations can easily transition from the Google Search Appliance (GSA) to next generation enterprise search solutions. The webinar featured expert advice from Marc Berman, Head of the Onix Search division and a nine-year Google Search veteran and Bryan McKay, Onix's Enterprise Search Engagement Manager. Together they have guided countless companies to impactful business results through search, including Whirlpool and Stryker Instruments. As announced by Google earlier this year, the Google Search Appliance will reach its end of life in 2019. Corporations, governments, educational institutions and all users of the GSA need to begin planning how they will migrate from the Google Search Appliance to solutions that are right for their organizations. Onix's webinar covered: Next generation search solutions that will help drive business value for organizations. How the Onix-Google Search Assessment will help organizations assess their enterprise search needs and set a Google Search Appliance migration plan. Answers to important questions about search options, migration timeframes and technical issues that may play a role in the selection of a new solution. To view the on-demand webinar, click here. About Onix, Your Webinar Hosts Onix has been helping organizations with enterprise search solutions for 15 years. In that time, the company has led hundreds of customers ranging from state, local and federal government agencies to manufacturers, hospitals, financial and educational institutions in the purchase, deployment and maintenance of their knowledge discovery solutions. Onix is a Google Cloud Premier Partner and sells search solutions including Google, Mindbreeze and LucidWorks. Watch the webinar now. Media Contact Karen Masuga Marketing Communications Manager Onix Networking Corp. 216-529-3043 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160419/357118LOGO SOURCE Onix TOKYO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Park Hotel Tokyo announced on November 29 that it will hold an art exhibition titled "KARUTA Exhibition" from December 26, 2016, to February 5, 2017, and from February 13 to 26, 2017. (http://en.parkhoteltokyo.com/press/karuta-exhibition/) (Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M104041/201611256585/_prw_OI1fl_E49ds4L4.JPG) Park Hotel Tokyo holds four art exhibitions a year to offer guests hospitality with Japanese aesthetics of each season. For the winter exhibition, artworks on the theme of "karuta (Japanese traditional card game)" will be displayed on shelves and walls in the ART Lounge for guests to enjoy during not only their stay but also dining. During the KARUTA Exhibition, guests can sample the original dessert and cocktail while viewing the artworks. In evening, the video of artworks as the motif will be projected on a 30-meter-high wall. Park Hotel Tokyo General Manager Yoshiaki Hayashi said: "Karuta is a Japanese traditional card game using words. Hope guests will enjoy Japanese aesthetics expressed through proverbs in artworks which differ depending on regions and times." KARUTA Exhibition Producer Hironori Tomino said: "Highlights are the unique artworks of karuta. Through the exhibited karuta artworks, we hope guests will feel the joyful atmosphere of the Japanese New Year." Park Hotel Tokyo hopes to present guests with the aesthetics of Japan to enjoy and develop understanding of Japanese culture. About Park Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan) Park Hotel Tokyo, opened in 2003, is located on the 25th floor and above in the Shiodome Media Tower. The 25th floor has the lobby and reception desk besides restaurants and the bar. The city's view can be enjoyed through the windows behind the reception desk. There are 270 guest rooms, located from the 26th to 34th floors. In 2013, Park Hotel Tokyo had put forth a new concept, "Infinite time and space amid cognizant Japanese beauty." In line with the concept, decorations of standard rooms on the 31st floor are in progress. Park Hotel Tokyo is planning to complete all guest room decorations on the 31st floor. To offer a memorable experience in various parts of your stay, Park Hotel Tokyo will continue to maximize the role of Japanese aesthetics and hospitality. SOURCE Park Hotel Tokyo "We are experiencing a turning point that will make hand-held photography cumbersome and obsolete," said Ron Blum, Founder, President and CEO of PogoTec. "Our eyewear solution goes beyond the capabilities of Snap's Spectacle product with a more advanced camera that takes still images as well as HD video, attaches easily to many frame styles with or without prescription lenses and matches the fashion style of the user. It's a tiny, easy-to-use camera designed for everyone. It removes the user from the confines of a viewfinder, allowing people to enjoy and pay attention to the event while capturing it. The user can easily share their images or video with friends and family." PogoCam utilizes a proprietary new electronic architecture that allows the highest level of miniaturization with lower power requirements than competitive cameras for the same level of high image resolution, memory capacity and performance. Multiple patent applications have been filed. PogoCam was designed for the mass market at large those who require prescription eyeglasses and those who do not require prescription eyeglasses. PogoCam's extremely small size allows it to be worn without distracting from the fashion look of eyewear. Weighing less than two dimes and measuring only 10.9 x 12.5 x 42.8 millimeters, PogoCam attaches magnetically to eyewear having a proprietary track called PogoTrack. PogoCam allows a user to capture a number of images taken by a typical user during the course of a day. PogoCam allows people to "look and shoot" up to 100 photographs or two minutes of continuous HD video with audio (or 12 ten second clips). When in use, the camera displays a visible courtesy light that blinks allowing those being photographed to know. When not in use or if in an environment where photography is discouraged, it can be slid back on the track or easily removed. PogoCam's accompanying patent pending mobile app includes auto centering, auto alignment and image rotation eliminating the need for a camera viewfinder by automating certain post processing adjustments normally required for manual cameras. The image quality is comparable to that of one's smartphone. Eyewear with PogoTrack is designed to serve as a universal platform for a wide range of future electronic wearable devices over and beyond the PogoCam camera. Additional potential compatible wearables would, by example only, include an alertness monitor to prevent drivers from falling asleep and a UV meter to prevent sunburn by alerting users when exposed to damaging rays. PogoTec will be demonstrating and showcasing PogoCam, along with its eyewear partners and a large number of compatible frame styles for prescription eyewear and non-prescription sunglasses, at the ShowStoppers media event in Las Vegas during the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show on Thursday, January 5. "This is the first practical, high-quality wearable camera for the mass market capable of being worn socially that allows people to experience the moment and at the same time take photos or video with audio," added Blum. "This is all accomplished while wearing eyewear in the fashion style of their choosing. Just "look and shoot", the camera and app do the rest of the work for you. Further, our proprietary architecture ensures that PogoCam will remain the smallest wearable camera when comparing image quality, memory, power requirements and performance." "Eyeglasses are arguably the world's oldest, most successful wearable technology," added Richard Clompus, OD, FAAO, who is VP of Communication and Consumer Interaction for PogoTec. "PogoCam upgrades this wearable platform with the ability to capture visual memories without the intrusion of holding a camera or looking through a view screen. We look forward to introducing additional capabilities and enhancing the value of PogoTrack as a platform for wearable technology." In addition to the current offering, PogoTec is exploring options to adapt PogoCam for use in such industries as construction, public safety, industrial, security and medical applications. About PogoCam PogoCam was designed for the mass market and is easy to use. It comes equipped with a five megapixel sensor providing quality photos or video comparable to a smartphone. PogoCam is capable of capturing in excess of what a typical user would take per day. PogoCam can capture and store 100 still photographs or up to two minutes of 720p HD video at 30 frames/second with full audio (12 10-second clips) before having to be downloaded and charged. The camera is activated by pressing a single button and images are uploaded to a mobile device. PogoCam's camera function is focus free with auto- white balance making it easy for the user to capture high quality images and video. Depending upon the accessory case, the images can be downloaded with a wired connection or with Bluetooth to a smartphone. The camera is resistant to water and perspiration and recharges in approximately 30 minutes. PogoCam is designed to attach magnetically to frames having PogoTrack technology. While attached, PogoCam can be moved along the length of the track allowing the user to bring it forward only when in use. The camera can be attached and removed easily with one hand without removing the frames, allowing it to be stored in a pocket or purse when not recording images. Distribution PogoCam and PogoTrack plans to be available at thousands of consumer locations in 2017, including eye care offices and optical shops in the U.S. PogoCam and well-known branded non-prescription sunglasses with PogoTrack will be bundled for sale on the PogoCam ecommerce site, www.PogoCam.com and www.Amazon.com. Prescription eyewear with PogoTrack also plans to be available from optical shops and eye care offices in 2017. PogoTec's channel partners for optical shops, eye care offices, mass market and specialty retail will be announced at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January 2017. Additional channel partners are being added for 2018 and beyond. Pricing and Availability PogoCam will retail for $129.00 and up depending upon the model purchased. PogoCam will be officially launched on March 30, 2017 at the International Vision Expo East Conference in NYC. When purchasing a PogoCam on PogoTec's ecommerce site, PogoCam.com, initial customers purchasing PogoCam will receive a free pair of branded non-prescription sunglasses with PogoTrack. About PogoTec PogoTec, Inc is a privately owned company incorporated in Delaware. Its core initiative is to enable electronic wearable devices with a special focus on eyewear. PogoTec's product offerings consist of; PogoTrack: a proprietary attachment means for attaching electronic wearable devices to eyewear while maintaining the fashion look of eyewear and PogoCam: the world's smallest look and shoot camera attachable to eyewear. PogoTec's management team and Board of Directors have extensive experience in creating and commercializing innovation. PogoTec has been extremely diligent in protecting its intellectual property and has numerous patent applications filed around the world. For more information about PogoTec, please visit www.PogoTec.com. Contact: Michael Goodwin; Makovsky for PogoTec 212-508-9639; [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443463 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443465 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443464 SOURCE PogoTec Related Links http://www.PogoCam.com MIAMI, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mi9 Retail is pleased to announce that Peter Sheppard Footwear, an internationally recognized women's footwear retailer based in Australia, has selected the Mi9 Retail omni-channel suite to run its business. Peter Sheppard Footwear will deploy the hosted, end-to-end Mi9 Retail solution for merchandise management, store operations, customer engagement, e-commerce and enterprise analytics. Peter Sheppard began evaluating retail technology solutions when it found that its legacy system could no longer provide relevant, timely access to information that executive management needed to run the business. "We were ready to make significant investments in advertising to fuel the growth of the company, but we didn't have the necessary business intelligence to guide our spend," said Chris Sheppard, CEO of Peter Sheppard Footwear. "Our disconnected systems were limiting our ability to define and execute our growth strategies. We had great ideas but other retailers were outpacing us on campaign execution so we had to make some changes." Peter Sheppard conducted a thorough evaluation of the retail technology market including local vendors and leading global retail technology companies, and they selected Mi9 Retail. One of the keys to their decision was the ability to gain a single view of their customers across channels. "We want our customers to experience us as one brand, regardless of how they choose to shop and buy," said Sheppard. "When we saw the Mi9 Mosaic Clienteling solution and how it connected to the merchandising system, CRM, and in-store system, we were sold." Peter Sheppard will also deploy Mi9 e-Commerce as part of its omni-channel commerce platform. The company admits they were slow to adopt an integrated e-commerce strategy but sees the potential for significant growth in customer engagement across channels as well as on-line sales. "We've done pretty well running our digital and in-store programs separately, so I can only imagine the boost we'll get when we weave them tightly together." "We are looking forward to working with Peter Sheppard to implement the Mi9 Retail solution," said Neil Moses, CEO of Mi9 Retail. "They have an exciting company that's poised for significant growth on-line and in their stores and I'm certain that our omni-channel solution will give them the platform to realize these opportunities." About Mi9 Retail: Mi9 Retail, a premier provider of enterprise retail merchandising, business intelligence and customer-centric software, empowers the world's most successful retailers to build strong personal relationships with their customers, process high volumes of transactions in real time and optimize inventory across all channels utilizing a single, accurate source of the truth. Built using cutting-edge technology, the software minimizes costs of ownership and provides the industry's fastest time to value. The company's global headquarters are located in Miami, FL, with operations in North America, Europe and Asia. To learn more, please visit www.mi9retail.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160701/385734LOGO SOURCE Mi9 Retail Related Links http://www.mi9retail.com In addition to enhancements in areas such as CT Brain Perfusion and MR T2 Perfusion IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 will offer Longitudinal Brain Imaging (LoBI) 3 , an application for neuro reading to support the evaluation of neurological disorders over time so clinicians can monitor disease progression. Another feature is the inclusion of the NeuroQuant measurement application (CorTech Labs, Inc.) which enables clinicians to quantify brain volume loss. "As the rates of dementia and neurodegeneration rise, neuroradiologists need advanced tools to help referring physicians treat these challenging cases," said Professor Dr. Leo Wolansky, Acting Chief of Neuroradiology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in the United States. "IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 offers a comprehensive set of robust tools so neuroradiologists can quantify disease expediently." With more than 70 applications and enhancements of many of the core applications, IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 is a single platform for visual analysis and quantification that spans clinical domains within radiology, including neurology, oncology, and cardiology. The platform offers improved advanced 3D rendering and refined STL export that enable clinicians to print 3D models with high-levels of detail and resolution, to help understand the anatomy. IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 also includes enhancements to a host of core applications from MR Cardiac Analysis to CT TAVI planning, and System enhancements. "Radiology has a unique ability to influence and improve outcomes, and intelligent tools enable us to empower radiologists with the right information," said Yair Briman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Healthcare IT for Philips. "With advances in machine learning, IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 will now be able to continually learn the usage patterns of users to enhance the important daily functions of a radiologist such as pre-preprocessing of images, encouraging faster and more streamlined diagnosis." IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 offers multimodality clinical applications that can be accessed from any point of the hospital network. The solution can also integrate with typical PACS and hospital information systems to allow for information to be shared broadly, helping drive collaboration across the network. With the enterprise scalability of IntelliSpace Portal 9.0, neurologists can access the power of advanced analysis virtually anywhere across their organization while maintaining consistent applications and user preferences. Some additional highlights of Version 9.0 of the Portal include: MR Cardiac Enhancements - Facilitates easy visual scoring in various examination contexts. The package enables comprehensive functional volumetric analysis. Enhancements to the package include Whole Heart STL export for 3D printing, and enhanced workflow and batch tools. Facilitates easy visual scoring in various examination contexts. The package enables comprehensive functional volumetric analysis. Enhancements to the package include Whole Heart STL export for 3D printing, and enhanced workflow and batch tools. CT Spectral Applications - Philips IntelliSpace Portal Spectral Diagnostic suite of clinical applications has been optimized for the viewing and analysis of spectral data sets from the IQon Spectral CT scanner. You can access the application you need when and where you need, virtually anywhere in your enterprise. The tools help you gain a comprehensive overview of each patient, quantify quickly, and diagnose with confidence. IntelliSpace Portal 9.0 - part of Philips IntelliSpace integrated portfolio of healthcare informatics solutions - will be showcased at booth #6735 at the RSNA Annual Meeting, taking place Nov. 27 - Dec. 2, in Chicago, Ill. Follow @PhilipsLiveFrom or visit www.philips.com/rsna for more information on Philips' presence at #RSNA16 and live updates from the event. For further information, please contact: Kathy O'Reilly Philips Group Communications Tel.: +1 978-659-2638 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @kathyoreilly Joost Maltha Philips Communications Healthcare Informatics, Solutions and Services Tel.: +31 610-55-8116 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @JoostMaltha About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2015 sales of EUR 16.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. 1 Work in Progress. Not yet commercially available. 2 Pending 510(k), not available for sale in the United States. 3 Pending 510(k), not available for sale in the United States. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442566 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442568 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442546 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442567 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140122/NE50581LOGO SOURCE Royal Philips Related Links http://www.philips.com LONDON, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) a leading e-money institution that specialises in prepaid cards and alternative banking services, has today announced the launch of a programme for international relief organisation, Samaritan's Purse, to provide financial aid to refugees and migrants across Greece. Samaritan's Purse has been operating programmes in Greece for over a year, improving conditions in refugee sites and bringing hope and dignity to refugees and migrants by providing water and sanitation infrastructure, shelter, supporting community initiatives, aiding people in accessing asylum services, and distributing emergency food, hygiene kits, and critical relief items. This new cash programme will allow Samaritan's Purse to further provide for basic needs by giving refugees and migrants access to prepaid cash cards. Given the varying needs of a diverse population, cash programming allows refugees and migrants to purchase exactly what they need in the local markets in a dignified way that supports resilience. PFS are acting as the issuer of cards. Samaritan's Purse is distributing the prepaid cards to vulnerable refugees and migrants across Greece. Of all the methods available for distributing cash, multi-purpose grants in the form of prepaid cash cards are the most appropriate for the context. The prepaid cards provide a secure method of distributing funds as cards have unique PIN codes with ATM and Point of Sale (POS) capabilities. Noel Moran, PFS CEO said: "As the migrant crisis in Europe continues, PFS is pleased to provide a solution that will help Samaritan's Purse manage fund disbursements, while also supporting financial inclusion, and giving financial stability to refugees and asylum seekers. "Although the scheme has rolled out very recently, we are confident that this new method of distributing funds will alleviate pressure on Samaritan's Purse, letting them focus on continuing to improve conditions and support people in camps." Sally Morson, Cash Program Manager for Samaritan's Purse said: "Until recently, our main support was provided through in-kind distributions. Now, we are moving towards a cash based response where the refugees and migrants will be given the freedom of choice which promotes dignity and resilience. The prepaid cash card is a good modality because it is a secure way within Greece to access what they need in the local markets given the varying needs of a diverse population." PFS has a wealth of experience in delivering prepaid solutions that provide financial support for end users of charities, Local Authorities, and National Governments across Europe, offering card programmes that work seamlessly across borders and allowing refugees and asylum seekers to use prepaid cards for financial inclusion. About Prepaid Financial Services: Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) is an award winning payments technology specialist offering a comprehensive range of e-money and banking solutions including e-wallets, physical and virtual prepaid cards and current accounts in the UK and the Eurozone. Authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK, PFS has passported its e-money license across the SEPA region to enable card issuance throughout the region. Founded in 2008, PFS is now one of the fastest growing issuers in Europe, with programmes live and active in 25 countries with the ability to transact in 22 different currencies. Its products and cutting-edge technology platforms are utilised by governments, local authorities, mobile networking operators, banks and corporates globally. PFS has been listed within the top 25 fastest growing technology companies in the UK by the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 for 3 consecutive years and most recently ranked number 108 in Deloitte's EMEA Technology Fast 500. For more information about PFS payment solutions please contact [email protected] About Samaritan's Purse Samaritan's Purse is a Christian international relief organisation providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. SOURCE Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This month's Pro Teck Valuation Services Home Value Forecast examines the impact the growing minimalist mindset of NYC millennials is having on once-thriving real estate markets particularly the affluent community of nearby Greenwich, CT. In September, an article in Bloomberg stated that Greenwich, CT was the worst U.S. housing market. That article, plus a follow-up piece, suggests today's younger generation of "the Wall Street crowd" are more frugal and are looking to live within their means. So if these millennial moneymakers aren't looking to move into the manicured mansions of Greenwich, where are they moving? The answer is places like Bronxville, NY. Bronxville has great schools, a walkable town center and possesses a certain "New England" feel. All of this, combined with a bearable commute and promising housing market, has made Bronxville the "go-to neighborhood" for many affluent millennials leaving New York City. With average sold price per foot living area still 14% below pre-crash highs, it is clear that Greenwich hasn't fully rebounded. One might say this is a correction from the highs fueled by massive bonuses being paid in the years leading up to 2007. In Bronxville, the effects of the crash were more muted, and the community has surpassed pre-crash highs. "The old status symbol used to be a large house on a private lot in the suburbs, that is no longer the dream," said Tom O'Grady, CEO of Pro Teck Valuation Services. "Today, a smaller commute, amenities within walking distance and a sense of community are what is now desired. These are some of the reasons that Bronxville, NY is flourishing compared to Greenwich." Click here to read the entire forecast, including graphs that further highlight market trends discussed in this release. CBSA Winners and Losers Each month, Home Value Forecast uses a number of leading real estate market-based indicators to rank the single-family home markets in the top 200 CBSAs and highlight the strongest and weakest metros. Top 10 CBSAs this month include: Colorado Springs, CO Mount Vernon , Anacortes, WA , OlympiaTurnwater, WA TacomaLakewood, WA VisaliaPorterville, CA WashingtonArlingtonAlexandria, DC-VA-MD Raleigh, NC IndianapolisCarmelAnderson, IN SacramentoRosevilleArden-Arcade, CA Kansas City, MO -KS Interesting to see the WashingtonArlington, DC-VA-MD CBSA made the Top Ten this month. With President-elect Donald Trump and the inevitable change in Party rule on Capitol Hill, we wonder if there will be an up-tick in active listings in the coming months. In previous elections, the area hasn't seen a dramatic impact on real estate. This one may be different if Trump stays true to his promise to bring in more outsiders to "drain the swamp." Bottom 10 CBSAs this month include: YoungstownWarrenBoardman, OH-PA HuntingtonAshland, WV-KY-OH Joplin, MO Toledo, OH McAllenEdinburgMission, TX MiamiMiami BeachKendall, FL Abilene, TX Midland, TX Jacksonville, NC Atlantic CityHammonton, NJ Atlantic City is once again our bottom real estate market in the country. Coincidentally, President-elect Trump was part of the rise and fall of Atlantic City, with his companies filing four bankruptcies there between 1991 and 2009. The rise of other gambling options, including other casino options closer to people's homes, online betting and the transformation of Las Vegas into a multi-use destination all played a part in Atlantic City's demise. On election day, New Jersey voters rejected a proposal to expand casinos outside of Atlantic City a day later the state took control of the city. We will keep an eye out to see if the area can be revitalized around the seven remaining casinos. About Home Value Forecast Home Value Forecast (HVF) is brought to you by Pro Teck Valuation Services. HVF provides insight into the current and future state of the U.S. housing market, and delivers 14 market snapshot graphs from the top 30 CBSAs. HVF is built using numerous housing and economic data sources. The top 750 CBSAs as well as data down to the ZIP code level for approximately 18,000 ZIPs are available with a corporate subscription to the service. To learn more about Home Value Forecast and Pro Teck's full suite of residential real estate valuation products, visit www.proteckservices.com. You can also find Pro Teck on Twitter at @ProTeckServices. Reporters interested in national, regional or metro level housing data tailored to meet story needs, please email your inquiry to [email protected]. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150122/170723LOGO SOURCE Pro Teck Valuation Services Related Links http://www.proteckservices.com JUNO BEACH, Fla., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Public Service Commission today unanimously approved a comprehensive four-year rate settlement agreement developed jointly by Florida Power & Light Company, the state's Office of Public Counsel and major customer advocacy organizations. The agreement is expected to keep FPL's typical bills lower than they were in 2006 through at least the end of 2020. The agreement takes effect in January 2017 and will support continued investments in FPL's infrastructure, including the implementation of innovative technologies that help reduce and shorten outages, generate power more efficiently and curtail fuel consumption and air emissions. FPL has been investing an average of approximately $3.5 billion a year in its infrastructure and expects to continue investing at a similar rate for the next four years. "The agreement benefits all of our customers by ensuring rates continue to remain low for at least the next four years while also enabling continued smart investments in reliability and clean energy," said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. "FPL's combination of low bills, outstanding service and clean generation is among the very best in the country, and this important agreement will help us continue delivering superior value for customers. This is an excellent example of what can be achieved through cooperative, constructive partnerships, and I thank Public Counsel and other customer representatives for helping lead the development of this important, innovative compromise, which will benefit our customers and our state in the years ahead." The agreement, which was also supported by the South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association and the Florida Retail Federation, resolves FPL's current base rate proceeding and addresses related matters, including natural gas hedging and universal-scale solar investment. The agreement reflects a reduction in FPL's proposed January 2017 base rate revenue increase of more than 50 percent, from $826 million to $400 million, driven partly by a reduction in the company's originally proposed return on equity midpoint from 11.5 percent to 10.55 percent. The agreement allows for an ROE range of 9.60 percent to 11.60 percent. FPL's current allowed ROE midpoint is 10.50 percent with a range of 9.50 percent to 11.50 percent. Likewise, FPL's 2018 requested revenue increase would be reduced by more than 20 percent, from $270 million to $211 million. The agreement also includes the FPL Okeechobee Clean Energy Center, which is expected to begin serving customers in mid-2019, with a $200 million revenue adjustment upon entering service. This is a reduction of $9 million compared with FPL's original proposal. One of the cleanest, most efficient of its kind in the world, the FPL Okeechobee Clean Energy Center will use advanced combined-cycle natural gas technology to help meet Florida's growing energy needs. Due to the plant's fuel efficiency, customers will benefit from a decrease in the fuel portion of their bills that will partially offset the base rate increase necessary to cover the capital and operating costs. The forward-looking agreement positions Florida for a significant expansion of solar energy, enabling 1,200 megawatts of new solar capacity. FPL will be allowed to adjust base rates to accommodate up to 300 megawatts of new solar capacity annually during the agreement's four-year term. Each proposed solar project must be determined to be cost-effective meaning the base rate impact is expected to be offset by fuel and other benefits so that the project produces a net savings for customers over its operating lifetime. Other components of the approved agreement: Encourages a 50-megawatt pilot program to expand on FPL's battery storage initiatives to enhance operations of existing and/or planned solar facilities, among other potential benefits. Cost recovery would be included in FPL's next base rate proceeding so the program would not impact rates until 2021 at the earliest Terminates FPL's natural gas hedging program during the settlement's term a key condition of the Office of Public Counsel's support. Although FPL continues to support the idea of hedging as a means to protect customers during times of higher fuel price volatility, the company accepts the termination of the program until the end of the settlement term as part of the broader compromise benefitting customers Continues FPL's successful asset optimization incentive mechanism with a minimum sharing threshold of $40 million . Created as part of 2012 base rate settlement, FPL's enhanced program saved FPL customers more than $124 million during the 2013-2015 period $22 million more than would have been saved under the previous program . Created as part of 2012 base rate settlement, FPL's enhanced program saved FPL customers more than during the 2013-2015 period more than would have been saved under the previous program Maintains the company's current equity ratio Maintains energy conservation credits for large business customers who participate in the Commercial and Industrial Load Control program at current levels Reduces depreciation expense by $126 million compared with FPL's adjusted proposal compared with FPL's adjusted proposal Allows FPL to amortize over the settlement's minimum term up to $1 billion of depreciation surplus in addition to the rollover of any unamortized reserve amount from the 2012 Settlement Agreement Information for Residential Customers FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is about 15 percent lower today than it was 10 years ago; and under the approved agreement, it is projected to remain below 2006 levels based on the company's current projections for fuel and other costs through the year 2020. FPL's typical residential bill will also continue to be among the lowest in the state and nation, according to the latest available utility bill comparisons. The agreement will maintain the current level of the fixed residential customer charge, which is a part of base rates, through 2017. For a typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill, the estimated base adjustments are: In 2017, an increase of about $5 a month or less than 17 cents a day on the base rate portion of the bill a month or less than a day on the base rate portion of the bill In 2018, an increase of less than $2.50 a month or 8 cents a day on the base rate portion of the bill a month or a day on the base rate portion of the bill In mid-2019, when the FPL Okeechobee Clean Energy Center begins powering customers, an increase of about $2 a month or less than 7 cents a day on the base rate portion of a typical bill to cover the cost of the new plant, partially offset by a reduction in the fuel charge Annually from 2018 through 2021, relatively small rate adjustments for new solar energy centers would have an average net impact of less than 50 cents a month or 2 cents a day on a typical bill, depending on the actual amount of new solar capacity completed in a given year. Importantly, the solar capacity additions would result in no net increase to customer costs over the life of each project because the plants would generate savings on fuel and other costs that would begin offsetting the base rate impact immediately, with the offset increasing over time. Most FPL customers power their homes for just a few dollars a day. FPL's residential customer monthly usage median is approximately 950 kWh, which means that the majority of FPL customer households consume less than the standard 1,000-kWh typical residential bill benchmark. As of October 2016, FPL's typical bill is approximately $92. To estimate what the new rates would mean for their own bills based on individual electricity usage, FPL residential customers can visit the online calculator at www.FPL.com/answers. FPL's Typical 1,000-kWh Residential Customer Bill: Staying Lower than 2006 Rates Through 2020 2006 (actual bill, 10 years ago) 2020 (projected bill under settlement) $108.61 $102.97 The 2020 figure reflects the current estimate for FPL's typical bill in 2020, which includes base rate adjustments approved by the Florida PSC, as well as current projections for fuel and other clauses. All bill totals include the state's standard gross receipts tax but do not include any local taxes or fees that vary by community. All rates are subject to change. Information for Business Customers FPL business customers' typical bills have decreased about 20 percent on average over the past 10 years. The impact of the agreement varies depending on rate class and customer usage. Most typical business customer bills will see an increase in the range of approximately 3 to 8 percent in 2017 with smaller businesses seeing the lowest increases roughly 3 to 5 percent in 2018 and about 1 percent or less in mid-2019. Large commercial and industrial customers with more complex rate structures may contact their FPL account managers for information about the impact to their bills. Florida Power & Light Company Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving more than 4.8 million customer accounts or more than 10 million people across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2015, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the sixth year in a row. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company received the top ranking in the southern U.S. among large electric providers, according to the J.D. Power 2016 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM, and was recognized in 2016 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,800 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune's 2016 list of "World's Most Admired Companies." NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com. Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead represent the current expectations of NextEra Energy, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy) regarding future operating results and other future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NextEra Energy's control. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements concerning future operating performance. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "will," "may result," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "seek," "aim," "potential," "projection," "forecast," "predict," "goals," "target," "outlook," "should," "would" or similar words or expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. The future results of NextEra Energy and its business and financial condition are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or may require it to limit or eliminate certain operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: effects of extensive regulation of NextEra Energy's business operations; inability of NextEra Energy to recover in a timely manner any significant amount of costs, a return on certain assets or a reasonable return on invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise; impact of political, regulatory and economic factors on regulatory decisions important to NextEra Energy; disallowance of cost recovery based on a finding of imprudent use of derivative instruments; effect of any reductions to, or elimination of, governmental incentives or policies that support utility scale renewable energy projects or the imposition of additional taxes or assessments on renewable energy; impact of new or revised laws, regulations, interpretations or other regulatory initiatives on NextEra Energy; effect on NextEra Energy of potential regulatory action to broaden the scope of regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) financial derivatives and to apply such regulation to NextEra Energy; capital expenditures, increased operating costs and various liabilities attributable to environmental laws, regulations and other standards applicable to NextEra Energy; effects on NextEra Energy of federal or state laws or regulations mandating new or additional limits on the production of greenhouse gas emissions; exposure of NextEra Energy to significant and increasing compliance costs and substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions as a result of extensive federal regulation of its operations; effect on NextEra Energy of changes in tax laws and in judgments and estimates used to determine tax-related asset and liability amounts; impact on NextEra Energy of adverse results of litigation; effect on NextEra Energy of failure to proceed with projects under development or inability to complete the construction of (or capital improvements to) electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities or other facilities on schedule or within budget; impact on development and operating activities of NextEra Energy resulting from risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements; risks involved in the operation and maintenance of electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities; effect on NextEra Energy of a lack of growth or slower growth in the number of customers or in customer usage; impact on NextEra Energy of severe weather and other weather conditions; threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber attacks or other attempts to disrupt NextEra Energy's business or the businesses of third parties; inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage for protection of NextEra Energy against significant losses and risk that insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses; a prolonged period of low gas and oil prices could impact NextEra Energy's gas infrastructure business and cause NextEra Energy to delay or cancel certain gas infrastructure projects and for certain existing projects to be impaired; risk of increased operating costs resulting from unfavorable supply costs necessary to provide full energy and capacity requirement services; inability or failure to manage properly or hedge effectively the commodity risk within its portfolio; potential volatility of NextEra Energy's results of operations caused by sales of power on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis; effect of reductions in the liquidity of energy markets on NextEra Energy's ability to manage operational risks; effectiveness of NextEra Energy's risk management tools associated with its hedging and trading procedures to protect against significant losses, including the effect of unforeseen price variances from historical behavior; impact of unavailability or disruption of power transmission or commodity transportation facilities on sale and delivery of power or natural gas; exposure of NextEra Energy to credit and performance risk from customers, hedging counterparties and vendors; failure of counterparties to perform under derivative contracts or of requirement for NextEra Energy to post margin cash collateral under derivative contracts; failure or breach of NextEra Energy's information technology systems; risks to NextEra Energy's retail businesses from compromise of sensitive customer data; losses from volatility in the market values of derivative instruments and limited liquidity in OTC markets; impact of negative publicity; inability to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate acceptable franchise agreements; increasing costs of health care plans; lack of a qualified workforce or the loss or retirement of key employees; occurrence of work strikes or stoppages and increasing personnel costs; NextEra Energy's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions, including the effect of increased competition for acquisitions; NextEra Energy Partners, LP's (NEP's) acquisitions may not be completed and, even if completed, NextEra Energy may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions; environmental, health and financial risks associated with ownership and operation of nuclear generation facilities; liability of NextEra Energy for significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums in the event of an incident at certain nuclear generation facilities; increased operating and capital expenditures at nuclear generation facilities resulting from orders or new regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; inability to operate any owned nuclear generation units through the end of their respective operating licenses; liability for increased nuclear licensing or compliance costs resulting from hazards, and increased public attention to hazards, posed to owned nuclear generation facilities; risks associated with outages of owned nuclear units; effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets on NextEra Energy's ability to fund its liquidity and capital needs and meet its growth objectives; inability to maintain current credit ratings; impairment of liquidity from inability of credit providers to fund their credit commitments or to maintain their current credit ratings; poor market performance and other economic factors that could affect NextEra Energy's defined benefit pension plan's funded status; poor market performance and other risks to the asset values of nuclear decommissioning funds; changes in market value and other risks to certain of NextEra Energy's investments; effect of inability of NextEra Energy subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or repay funds to NextEra Energy or of NextEra Energy's performance under guarantees of subsidiary obligations on NextEra Energy's ability to meet its financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock; the fact that the amount and timing of dividends payable on NextEra Energy's common stock, as well as the dividend policy approved by NextEra Energy's board of directors from time to time, and changes to that policy, are within the sole discretion of NextEra Energy's board of directors and, if declared and paid, dividends may be in amounts that are less than might be expected by shareholders; NEP's inability to access sources of capital on commercially reasonable terms could have an effect on its ability to consummate future acquisitions and on the value of NextEra Energy's limited partner interest in NextEra Energy Operating Partners, LP; and effects of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets on the market price of NextEra Energy's common stock. NextEra Energy discusses these and other risks and uncertainties in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other SEC filings, and this news release should be read in conjunction with such SEC filings made through the date of this news release. The forward-looking statements made in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and NextEra Energy undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120301/FL62738LOGO SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company Related Links http://www.nexteraenergy.com "Joel brings a tremendous amount of experience to the J. P. King team. We're excited to have him representing our clients on a national level, and we know his agricultural experience will contribute to J. P. King's longstanding expertise in that area," said Craig King, president and CEO of J. P. King Auction Company. Joel King was responsible for an influx of condominium and developer sales in his previous tenure at J. P. King, before focusing his efforts with his own firm in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In total, he represented his clients with over $30 million in sales, including Red Sky Ranch, a 96-acre property with a five-bedroom home in Lago Vista, Texas, which sold for over $3 million. King has served many land owners through the auction process, representing them with their farm and land sales with properties that include Wagner Farms, a 2,300-acre recreational property in Tennessee, which sold for $2.3 million and the Fairgrounds Bankruptcy in Craighead County, Ark., which consisted of 11.7 acres and sold for $2.75 million. King also sold Strickland Farm, which set the price per acre record in Arkansas at $8,100 for a 233-acre property owned by Arkansas State University's Real Estate Foundation. King is one of only 1,000 auction professionals with the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation, which he received in 2004 after completing the three-year program. He is also an Accredited Land Consultant through the Realtors Land Institute, and received the Arkansas Auctioneers Association's highest honor when he was inducted into their Hall of Fame earlier this year. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443850 SOURCE J. P. King Auction Company Related Links http://www.jpking.com/landing/index.asp CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The importance of volumetric breast imaging and analytics data to help improve breast screening was the focus of numerous abstracts accepted for presentation here at the 102nd Annual Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting, November 27-December 2, 2016. Four abstracts highlighted the use of Volpara Solutions' breast imaging software tools to provide quantitative metrics, including compression, risk assessment, and other factors designed to maintain accuracy and consistent quality in breast screening. (South Hall #4574). In the study, "Associations of Volumetric Mammographic Density Measures with Breast Cancer Risk in 5,746 Women" (RC215-05 Monday, November 28, 9:20-9:30am), Bennett Battle, MD of the University of Arkansas Medical School presented the connection between VolparaDensity and risk. In a cohort of 5,746, women in the top quartiles of volumetric breast density (VBD), and dense volume had a 120% and 190% risk, respectively, of developing breast cancer, compared to women with the lowest density. Results demonstrate that automated volumetric mammographic density measurement allows for the identification of women at increased risk of developing breast cancer. In "Validation Study of the Publically-Available Fully-Automated "LIBRA" Software for Mammographic Density Estimation: Results from a Case-Control Study of Breast Cancer" (RC215 Monday, November 28, 8:50-9:00am), Mayo Clinic investigators used two commercial, automated breast density software tools to validate LIBRA. VolparaDensity and LIBRA showed strong correlations to each other in density measurement, but Volpara was superior for predicting breast cancer risk. The relationship between the amount of breast compression and screening performance was investigated in "High Breast Compression in Mammography May Reduce Sensitivity" (RC215-08 Monday, November 28, 10:10-10:20am). Nico Karssemeijer and researchers from Nijmegen calculated frequencies of recalls, screen-detected cancers, and interval cancers stratified by compression pressure (compression force divided by contact area) on 111,870 screening mammograms from the Dutch breast cancer screening program and derived program sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV). Consistent with results presented at the International Workshop of Mammographic Imaging in June 2016, results demonstrate that the best cancer detection occurred in the middle ranges of breast compression (between 9.2 and 10.7 kPa); over- or under-compression can lead to poorer detection and a higher rate of interval cancers. Results suggest that if too much pressure is applied during mammography this may increase interval cancer rates and decrease PPV. Controlling pressure during mammography is important to decrease the discomfort experienced by women, but it may also be required to optimize screening outcomes. The average pressure applied in mammography can be calculated as the applied force divided by the contact area between the breast and the paddle. In the scientific exhibit, "Validation of Two Methods of Measuring Contact Area for Estimation of Applied Compression Pressure in Mammography" (PH218-SD-MOA7 Monday, November 28, 12:15-12:45pm), Woutjan Branderhorst, PhD and a research team from The Netherlands, assessed the accuracy of two methods of estimating the contact area. The first method evaluated was a "real time" measurement of contact area using transparent capacitive indium-tin-oxide foil attached to the paddle. In the second method, the contact area was derived from the image pixel data using VolparaEnterprise. Both methods showed almost perfect correlation to the manual measurement of contact area and thus both are suitable to accurately calculate average breast compression pressure. The contact area between the paddle and the breast can be measured accurately, both in real-time using the capacitive method, and retrospectively using Volpara software. This finding supports many studies that depend on one of these two methods for determining the pressure on the breast during mammographic compression. An accurate method to determine the contact area, such as with VolparaEnterprise, is essential to accurately estimate applied pressure. Volpara Solutions will showcase its entire suite of quantitative breast imaging tools, including VolparaDensity, at RSNA. The company's technology is currently in use in 35 countries, and more than 9 million women have had their breast density analyzed using VolparaDensity. About Volpara Solutions Founded with the goal of helping radiologists give women the most accurate information possible regarding their breast health, Volpara Solutions is the wholly owned sales and marketing arm of Volpara Health Technologies Limited of New Zealand (formerly Matakina Technology). Available in most markets where breast cancer screening is commonplace, VolparaDensity provides an objective volumetric measure of breast density from both digital mammography and tomosynthesis data. VolparaDensity is part of a suite of quantitative breast imaging tools built on the Volpara Solutions algorithm that allows for personalized measurements of density, patient-specific x-ray dose, breast compression, breast positioning and other factors designed to provide critical insight for breast imaging workflow. For more information, visit www.volparasolutions.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160713/389465LOGO SOURCE Volpara Solutions Related Links http://www.volparasolutions.com Each year, HRO Today Forum, EMEA encourages companies to submit their HR, recruiting or talent management technology to the competition. The entries are reviewed and the top five candidates are invited to present at the HRO Today Forum, EMEA. Each finalist presents to a panel of industry judges that selects the winner whose technology most exemplifies the support of HR through the use of technology. Vistance, Rideau's landmark technology uses predictive analytic employee recognition data to identify the return on recognition for companies and tailored prescriptive learning modules that create customized learning for managers. "The future of HR lies in recruiting and retaining the best talent - that was one of the reoccurring messages we heard at this year's conference," says HRO Today's CEO Elliot Clark who served on the panel of judges for the five finalists. "Rideau Recognition's Vistance solution is on the cutting edge of using employee recognition and incentives to bring out the best in employees and moving companies key performance drivers in the right direction. Their use of recognition data was impressive but so was the use of that data to prescribe learning modules to help managers become better at recognizing their employees. I'm excited about the major role that employee recognition and incentives will play in with helping companies meet their goals and objectives." Through the use of real-time recognition data, Vistance Analytics allows companies to obtain an accurate picture of the current state of their business performance and identify tangible and actionable insights. Vistance Learning's prescriptive online assessment and learning management system helps leaders improve their organization's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by helping them to better connect with their employees through personalized education modules. "Receiving peer recognition, especially at the global level, is extremely gratifying," says Rideau CEO, Peter Hart, who presented Vistance to the panel of judges. "Our Rideau team has worked tirelessly over the years to bring Vistance to market. This win is for all of them and I could not be prouder." As winners of the competition, Rideau Recognition Solutions and Vistance will be featured in an upcoming HRO Today magazine article. About Rideau Recognition Solutions: Rideau leverages their century of experience in the recognition industry to reinvent the human capital landscape with a true Return on Recognition. Built upon award-winning, state-of-the-art technology and validated by years of clinical scientific research, Rideau's new approach to employee recognition is transforming the use of recognition analytical data. With the use of their proprietary analytics, Rideau is able to identify real-time opportunities to increase employee engagement, employee retention, and customer satisfaction as well as identify the concrete, measurable return on investment that yields lower recognition program costs. Follow Rideau on social media: Website: rideau.com Facebook: rideaurecognition Twitter: @rideau LinkedIn: Rideau Recognition Solutions SOURCE Rideau Recognition Solutions SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Through an agreement signed by its parent company, Randstad, RiseSmart today announced that it has broadened its outplacement support in Australia and New Zealand. RiseSmart is the leading provider of contemporary career transition services and is expanding globally to support a growing number of multinational corporations and their employees. Last week, global recruitment and HR services specialist, Randstad, announced that it signed an agreement to acquire Sageco, a leading provider of career transitions in Australia and New Zealand. The combination of Randstad's 25-year in-country market presence, Sageco's local expertise, and RiseSmart's technology will provide comprehensive career transition and outplacement solutions to Australia and New Zealand. In 2015, Randstad acquired RiseSmart as part of a broader strategy to become the leading global player in the outplacement industry. The signed agreement with Sageco further underscores this global mission. Sageco provides specialized solutions for workforces facing organizational shifts due to redeployment, redundancy, retirement, role, and leadership changes. Sageco has deep expertise in career, mature age , and executive transitions through its large staff and broad presence in 10 locations across Australia and New Zealand. "Combining the power of Randstad's HR industry expertise with Sageco's local connections and RiseSmart's progressive outplacement offerings allows us to deliver highly differentiated solutions and tangible results to our multinational customers," said Sanjay Sathe, president and CEO at RiseSmart. "It also sends a strong message that we're delivering on Randstad's ' Tech & Touch ' approach for outplacement and quickly fulfilling our mission of becoming the global market leader in career transition solutions." Alison Monroe, national director, Australia New Zealand for the new Sageco, said, "With this acquisition, we bring together Sageco's holistic approach, RiseSmart's innovative technology platforms and Randstad's experience and global reach. The new Sageco will no doubt be a force and market leader in Australia and the Asia Pacific region." With offices throughout the U.S., Canada and India, RiseSmart is leading the industry with its proprietary outplacement model, achieving job-landing rates 60 percent faster than the national average and customer retention rates of 98 percent. About RiseSmart RiseSmart, a Randstad company, is the leading provider of contemporary career transition services and serves organizations in more than 40 industries. Since 2007, RiseSmart's contemporary approach to outplacement which combines personalized services from trained professionals with proprietary cloud-based technology has earned awards and recognition from more than a dozen organizations, including Bersin by Deloitte, Gartner Inc., the Brandon Hall Group and Best Workplaces for Women by Fortune magazine. As an operating company of Randstad, a top provider of outsourcing, staffing, consulting and workforce solutions that places more than 600,000 people in new roles every day, RiseSmart delivers meaningful results with landing rates exceeding 80 percent and time-to-placement averages 60 percent faster than national averages. For more information about RiseSmart's career transition solutions, visit www.risesmart.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161109/437476LOGO SOURCE RiseSmart Related Links http://www.risesmart.com DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- RSP Permian, Inc. (RSP or the Company) (NYSE: RSPP) today announced that Steve Gray, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of RSP, has received the EY (Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 National Award in the Energy, Cleantech and Natural Resources category. Mr. Gray commented, "I am truly humbled to receive this award, and do so on behalf of my fellow founding partners and the entire RSP team. This achievement reflects our collective vision and hard work. Together we've grown a $180 million initial investment from Natural Gas Partners to a NYSE-listed, $5+ billion market cap company. We've developed a culture that values innovation and continual improvement, and we'll continue to work to deliver value to our shareholders and community as we develop our world-class assets in the Permian Basin." Mr. Gray was selected as one of eleven category winners by a panel of independent judges from more than 1,700 applicants nationwide, and the award was presented at EY's Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, California on November 19th. Now in its 30th year, the award honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation and discipline have propelled their companies' success, invigorated their industries and benefited their communities. The program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Robert Unanue of Goya Foods and Mindy Grossman of HSN. To view the full list of this year's winners, please visit: http://www.ey.com/us/en/about-us/entrepreneurship/entrepreneur-of-the-year. About RSP Permian, Inc. RSP is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of unconventional oil and associated liquids-rich natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The vast majority of RSP's acreage is located on large, contiguous acreage blocks in the core of the Midland and Delaware Basins, sub-basins of the Permian Basin. The Company's common stock is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "RSPP." For more information, visit www.rsppermian.com. About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. About EY EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160202/328754LOGO SOURCE RSP Permian, Inc. Related Links http://www.rsppermian.com Bundy will focus his practice on civil litigation matters involving labor and employment issues. Before joining Carlile Patchen & Murphy, Ryan was an associate attorney at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC working in the area of energy law. He has extensive transactional experience involving due diligence associated with mineral and lease acquisitions in addition to resolving lease and title disputes for major gas and oil developers. Mr. Bundy received a bachelor of arts (BA) from Ohio Dominican University and his juris doctorate (JD) from Duquesne University School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association. For nearly 50 years Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP has concentrated on responsively serving the legal and business needs of Central Ohio businesses and their owners and executives. The firm lends its extensive experience in counseling on business financing, tax planning, and mergers & acquisitions. In addition, the attorneys at Carlile Patchen & Murphy provide skilled guidance in the areas of: estate planning, litigation, labor and employment, real estate, banking, securities, and family law. For More Information Contact: Brenda Jump 614-628-0789 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443486 SOURCE Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP Related Links http://www.cpmlaw.com LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The authoritative movie streaming domain MovieCloud.com, called a "game changer" by the Huffington Post, is available for acquisition for the first time since 2006. The deadline for bids is December 9, 2016. Buckley Media Group, the broker of record for the domain, explains when you utilize a highly targeted, category-defining domain like MovieCloud.com, you turn mindshare into market share at a lower cost of media dollars spent. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161123/442643 As more content providers develop their own platforms to stream movies, the market becomes more fragmented and consumers harder to reach. This is the perfect opportunity to own a studio agnostic platform that is not only a valuable domain, but an instantly recognizable brand, and an incredible sales and marketing toolhighly targeted, memorable, familiar and credible. An appreciating asset, it's the perfect name to allow your company to scale even faster, disrupt the industry and truly own this hotly competitive space. While many media companies concentrate on making content, the real money is in distributing that content to a worldwide audience under the right brand. Talk about a competitive edge. Location: Brand Credibility & Market Share Brand Recognition + Generic Credibility = More Brand Recognition Most companies own multiple brands. On top of that, marketing agencies utilize multiple approaches to target various consumer audiencesa two-fold approach is more valuable than just pushing brand recognition alone. Brand recognition efforts are vital. For maximum effectiveness, combine them with efforts to grow credibility for consumers who are unfamiliar with your brand or undecided. Look at Russian Standard Vodka's $3 million acquisition of premium domain Vodka.com. Furthermore, look at the timing: the Russian company was one year into their first foray into the lucrative US market. For three straight years since, with US growth rates at 56.5%, the brand received honors and awards for understanding and achieving consumer appeal. Acquiring the premium domain name was an integral part of this success. As a startup, Mint.com credited their investment in a premium domain as a primary factor that enabled their brand recognition up to the 15 million users they now report. Now, premium domain names don't exclusively add value for startups or an unknown brand entering international markets. Barnes & Noble owns Books.com, attracting curious book lovers. Bank of America surely closes millions more of sales on their premium domain Loans.comand the list goes on: "tuna.com" points to "bumblebee.com", and "salad.com" points to "hiddenvalley.com". Whether your company is a startup or established, MovieCloud.com can be leveraged with unlimited marketing and branding potential to help your brand stand out from the competition. Acquiring a premium, targeted domain like MovieCloud.com is: An Efficient Investment - The category-defining targeted domain of MovieCloud.com helps you turn mindshare into market share at a lower cost of media dollars spent. A descriptive global brand helps you engage and drive consumers to your offerings at an even greater rate, particularly via organic traffic and conversions. Authority Principle - Similar to how social proofs (testimonials, for example) can validate your brand, something can inherently contain a social proof. Like an official uniform, the right domain can signify competence and professionalism. Premium .COMs with a phrase central to your brand conveys that you are the leading presence in that field. How valuable is it to you to already be pre-sold to your customers and, in fact, the global economy, as the authority? This instant foot in the door is very valuable and thus the reason for 6- and 7-figure valuations on such assets. Brand Awareness - An acquisition of MovieCloud.com would strategically positioning your company as owner of the movie and TV streaming space. Acquiring an easy to spell, memorable, authoritative domain like MovieCloud.com is both strategic and efficienta cheaper way for you to grow market and mind share and capitalize on the current growth opportunity provided by market trends and existing platforms. After all, doesn't every business want to know how they can acquire a new user or client for less marketing dollars and effort; the never-ending quest for increased ROI? The deadline for bids is December 9, 2016. A descriptive global brand like MovieCloud.com will help you engage and drive consumers at an even greater rate. There are 66,300,000 Google search results for Movie Cloud rise to the top every time. For more information or to submit your bid, contact Kate Buckley, Buckley Media Group, 760-808-1086, [email protected] This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com. SOURCE Buckley Media Group LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Saudi Arabia faces extreme climatic conditions, with temperature often shooting to 50?C during peak summers. Consequently, a refrigerator is more of a necessity product in the Kingdom. On account of growing number of households and increasing disposable income, demand for refrigerators has been growing in the country at a robust pace over the last few years. Moreover, in order to bring down the soaring electricity consumption in the Kingdom, the Government of Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for refrigerator companies to sell energy efficient refrigerators with 3 & above star ratings. This move is expected to have a positive impact on Saudi Arabia's refrigerator market in the coming years. According to "Saudi Arabia Refrigerators Market By Type, By Capacity, By Sales Channel, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 2021", the refrigerators market in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 7.5% during 2016 2021. The market has been broadly segmented into four categories, namely, top mounted freezer refrigerators, single door refrigerators, side-by-side refrigerators & French door bottom-freezer refrigerators. Among these categories, the top mounted freezer refrigerators segment dominated the overall Saudi Arabia refrigerators market in 2015, and the segment is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the next five years as well. In addition to being highly energy efficient, the top mounted freezer refrigerators acquire less space and comparatively offer large storage space in various compartments. Few of the leading players operating in Saudi Arabia refrigerators market include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Hitachi. "Saudi Arabia Refrigerators Market By Type, By Capacity, By Sales Channel, By End Use Sector, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 2021" discusses the following aspects related to refrigerators in the Saudi Arabia: - Saudi Arabia Refrigerators Market Size, Share & Forecast - Segmental Analysis By Type (Top Mounted Freezer Refrigerators, Single Door Refrigerators, Side-by-Side Refrigerators & French Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators), By Capacity (Less than 300L, 301L 600L & 601L & Above), By Sales Channel (Retail Stores, Exclusive Showrooms & Online Channel), By End Use Sector (Residential & Commercial) - Policy & Regulatory Landscape - Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities - Competitive Landscape & Strategic Recommendations Why You Should Buy This Report? - To gain an in-depth understanding of the Saudi Arabia refrigerators market - To identify the on-going trends, and anticipated growth over the next five years - To help industry consultants, refrigerator players and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies - To obtain research-based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material - To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players - To avail 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs Report Methodology The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary sources. Primary research includes interviews with refrigerators companies, distributors, dealers and industry experts. Secondary research includes an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports and other proprietary databases. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3733323/ 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 RUEIL-MALMAISON, France, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, today announced the launch of its next generation EcoStruxure architecture and platform to deliver IoT-enabled solutions at scale for building, grid, industry and data center customers. The enhanced architecture and platform is open, scalable and interoperable, connecting the three core layers of Schneider Electric's technology stack, from connected products, to edge control, to applications, analytics and services. This next generation EcoStruxure delivers enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity of IoT-enabled operations. As part of this launch, the company also announced today that is establishing a new community with technology and consortium leaders to maximize the benefits its customers receive of an IoT-enabled operation. Innovation at Every Level: Technology and Consortium Collaboration Flagship technology companies enabling the next generation of EcoStruxure include: Microsoft: Schneider Electric leverages the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to deliver its digital services, apps and analytics. Azure is the cloud backbone for EcoStruxure, easing technology development on the platform. "Schneider Electric depends on Microsoft Azure IoT technology to rapidly scale public, private and hybrid cloud solutions," said Sam George , Director, Microsoft Azure IoT at Microsoft Corp. "We're committed to working together to deliver new digital services that leverage their vast domain expertise in targeted end markets." One such digital service, Conext 2 Advisor, is a secure monitoring and control solution for managing and optimizing the performance of solar power plants, and is delivered as an Azure cloud-based service, accessible on computers or mobile devices. Schneider Electric leverages the Microsoft Azure cloud platform to deliver its digital services, apps and analytics. Azure is the cloud backbone for EcoStruxure, easing technology development on the platform. "Schneider Electric depends on Microsoft Azure IoT technology to rapidly scale public, private and hybrid cloud solutions," said , Director, Microsoft Azure IoT at Microsoft Corp. "We're committed to working together to deliver new digital services that leverage their vast domain expertise in targeted end markets." One such digital service, Conext 2 Advisor, is a secure monitoring and control solution for managing and optimizing the performance of solar power plants, and is delivered as an Azure cloud-based service, accessible on computers or mobile devices. Intel: Schneider Electric leverages Intel's smart Field Programmable Gateway Arrays (FPGA) devices to power its sensors and devices, networks and the cloud. Intel's FPGAs enhance the performance, power and flexibility of the EcoStruxure architecture to enable smarter operations. New partnerships are also continually emerging with specialized technology providers like Zuora and global industry leaders like the company's recently announced partnership with Panasonic, both of which further enable the delivery of new technology, new services, new business models, and more service-oriented value for customers. Schneider Electric also serves on the board of the Industrial Internet Consortium and Thread Group, where it is working with other leading organizations to accelerate the growth and development of IoT solution architectures and standards for the industrial and home automation industries. Innovation at Every Level: Ecosystem of Developers The company is also further establishing its innovation community for each of its end markets. Each community includes open access for an ecosystem of developers and data scientists, as well as hardware and service partners to create or co-create solutions and applications for EcoStruxure. These communities include the portfolio of companies involved in the company's Silicon Valley Innovation Program, including Planet Ecosystem, Digital Lumens and OhmConnect that have already begun to integrate their IoT solutions into the EcoStruxure architecture and platform. For more information on the company's EcoStruxure architecture, please see the accompanying press release and visit http://www.schneider-electric.com/b2b/en/campaign/innovation/platform.jsp. About Schneider Electric Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of ~27 billion in FY2015, our 160,000+ employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On. www.schneider-electric.com Follow us on: https://twitter.com/SchneiderElec https://www.facebook.com/SchneiderElectric?brandloc=DISABLE https://www.linkedin.com/company/schneider-electric https://plus.google.com/+schneiderelectric/posts https://www.youtube.com/user/SchneiderCorporate http://tv.schneider-electric.com/site/schneidertv/index.cfm http://blog.schneider-electric.com/ Hashtags: #LifeisOn #InnovationAtEveryLevel EcoStruxure #IoT SOURCE Schneider Electric Related Links http://www.schneider-electric.com RUEIL-MALMAISON, France, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, today announced the launch of its next generation EcoStruxure architecture and platform to deliver IoT-enabled solutions at scale for building, grid, industry and data center customers. The enhanced architecture and platform is open, scalable and interoperable, connecting the three core layers of Schneider Electric's technology stack, from connected products, to edge control, to applications, analytics and services. This next generation EcoStruxure delivers enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity of IoT-enabled operations. Next Generation EcoStruxure delivers advanced value EcoStruxure enables Schneider Electric, its partners and end-user customers to develop scalable and converged IT/OT solutions that deliver innovation at every level to an organization or enterprise. Leveraging connectivity and data to create controls and actionable business insights, with the combined power of analytics and closed-loop applications, Schneider Electric empowers customers and partners to augment operations to reach new levels of operational efficiency, sustainability, asset performance and people productivity. EcoStruxure fosters open innovation and interoperability and is developed in partnership with leading standards organizations and best-in-class technology leaders. "EcoStruxure combines our history in pioneering in automation, energy management and deep domain expertise with data-driven metrics and analytics to help us maximize the value of the Internet of Things for our customers," said Dr. Prith Banerjee, Chief Technology Officer, Schneider Electric. "EcoStruxure gives our customers the platform, architecture and roadmap to quickly and easily implement IoT in an enterprise, extending the benefits of IoT beyond the device layer to create a more intelligent, efficient and secure operation." Delivering Innovation at Every Level of the Technology Stack EcoStruxure builds on Schneider Electric's long-standing product and system leadership to provide the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of interoperable and cloud-connected and/or on-premise technologies organized around its three layers of technology innovation: The first layer builds on Schneider Electric's core competency in developing connected products with embedded intelligence, such as sensors, medium and low voltage breakers, drives and actuators. The Edge Control layer gives organizations the critical capability to manage their operations on-premise as well as from the cloud depending on their needs. This includes connected control platforms with remote access, advanced automation and operator override capabilities. Local control and firewall protection is included to maximize the benefits especially for mission-critical applications. Schneider Electric's focused investment in R&D and product development in the critical areas of software, analytics and services, coupled with the integration of recent acquisitions such as Invensys, Telvent and Summit Energy forms the third layer of the stack a portfolio of apps, analytics and services. EcoStruxure enables the most extensive breadth of vendor-agnostic apps, analytics and services on open IP protocols in order to work with any hardware, system, or control. "Our innovation technology stack is critical to our open innovation approach, designed to deliver the most innovative IoT-enabled solutions to our customers," added Banerjee. "Introducing a comprehensive suite of apps, analytics and services built on the capabilities from within Schneider Electric and our network of partners and developers, enables our customers to benefit from open, interoperable and future-proof solutions that maximize the value, performance, reliability and efficiency of their entire operation and enterprise over time." Innovation at Every Level: Delivering Advanced Platform Capabilities EcoStruxure is designed to meet the core customer challenge of implementing IoT solutions seamlessly, cost-effectively and at scale. The redefined IoT platform bridges the IT/OT gap and connects the three core layers of Schneider Electric's innovation technology stack to maximize value for customers. The launch of the EcoStruxure platform provides a secure, IoT-enabled technology backbone with three core technology capabilities: Embedded connectivity and intelligence that enables smart sensing, embedded computing, IP networking and edge analytics A foundation for smart operations to serve as the building blocks for control, management, automaton and optimization The infrastructure for cloud-connected digital services that enables the delivery of cloud-based connected apps, analytics, services, control and monitoring "Our advanced platform connects the three layers of the technology stack through an elastic cloud backbone that leverages the full power of our partnership with Microsoft," said Cyril Perducat, Executive Vice President, Digital Transformation and IoT, Schneider Electric. "The platform has become the foundation for smarter grids, buildings, data centers and industrial plants, enabling our customers to reach new levels of efficiency and sustainability and provides a path to maximize the power of their operational data." Innovation at Every Level: Future-proof Reference Architectures Schneider Electric delivers these efficiency and sustainability solutions to customers through a set of core reference architectures. The architectures build on the company's deep domain expertise and portfolio and are tested, validated and tailored for its core end markets of Buildings, Grid, Industry and Data Centers, with even more specific architectures also available for industrial plants, industrial machines, and power distribution. The architectures give customers access to documented and standardized system reference designs that can be used in the implementation of interoperable, sustainable, efficient and connected systems. "Smarter, more precise operations is the future for every industry," said Vernon Turner, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Systems, IDC. "Customers are looking for answers on how to best take advantage of today's IoT-enabled digital world to be as differentiated, efficient and sustainable as possible. If you don't have a 'sense and respond' model with listening, scalable, measurable, agile networks and systems, you won't be able to connect and extract that value." Schneider Electric also announced it is working with established partners such as Microsoft and Intel, and new partners who the company will be working with to create or co-create customer solutions and applications. For more information on this ecosystem of partners, see the accompanying press release. For more information on EcoStruxure, please visit http://www.schneider-electric.com/b2b/en/campaign/innovation/overview.jsp About Schneider Electric Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of ~27 billion in FY2015, our 160,000+ employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives. At Schneider Electric, we call this Life Is On. www.schneider-electric.com Discover Life is On Innovation At Every Level Follow us on: https://twitter.com/SchneiderElec https://www.facebook.com/SchneiderElectric?brandloc=DISABLE https://www.linkedin.com/company/schneider-electric https://plus.google.com/+schneiderelectric/posts https://www.youtube.com/user/SchneiderCorporate http://tv.schneider-electric.com/site/schneidertv/index.cfm http://blog.schneider-electric.com/ Hashtags: #LifeisOn #InnovationAtEveryLevel EcoStruxure #IoT SOURCE Schneider Electric Related Links http://www.schneider-electric.com CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherwin A. Brook is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional of The Year in the field of Public Accounting. Sherwin is a Managing Partner with BrookWeiner LLC. The services provided by BrookWeiner LLC pertain to companies' financial statements and give them an opportunity to bring their vast knowledge of business operations to various companies. This interaction helps identify conditions that could, if not addressed promptly, become serious business problems. Often, new business opportunities are identified through this process. Cash requirements, production demands, labor conditions, acquisitions, and insurance requirements are reviewed as part of this process. As Managing Partner, Sherwin provides auditing, business consulting, risk assessment, and legal support services for numerous corporate and individual clients. With nearly fifty years in the Accounting field, he specializes in business consulting, auditing, advising for start-up businesses, helps assist clients with complex issues of multistate filings, consolidated returns, trust, estates, and more. In addition, Sherwin has served on many professional committees and organizations and has built his reputation by dealing both the business and personal needs of the client relationship. He is affiliated with Sigma Nu. Sherwin has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a BSA in Accounting from Northern Illinois University College of Business. For more information, please visit www.brookweiner.com Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634 [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com "We started with this revolutionary concept that instruction sets should be free and open and were amazed by the incredible rippling effect this has had on the semiconductor industry because it provided a viable alternative to what was previously closed and proprietary," said Krste Asanovic, co-founder and chief architect, SiFive. "In the few short months since we've announced the Freedom Platforms, we've seen a tremendous response to our vision of customizable SoCs. The FE310 is a major step forward in the movement toward open-source and mass customization, and SiFive is excited to bring the opportunity for innovation back into the hands of system architects." The FE310 is the first member of the Freedom Everywhere family of customizable SoCs designed for microcontroller, embedded, IoT and wearable applications. By contributing the FE310 RTL code to the open-source community, SiFive aims to encourage open-source development of both software support for RISC-V as well as other open hardware development. The RTL code also empowers chip designers with the ability to customize their own SoC on top of the base FE310. For system architects, developers or companies without chip design capabilities, SiFive's "chips-as-a-service" offering can customize the FE310 to meet their unique needs. "SiFive has achieved a significant milestone for the RISC-V ecosystem," said Rick O'Connor, executive director of the non-profit RISC-V Foundation. "We are thrilled to see the first commercial silicon based on RISC-V standards come to market and look forward to continued technology leadership from the SiFive team." The FE310 features SiFive's E31 CPU Coreplex, a 32-bit RV32IMAC core running at 320+ MHz. Additional features include a 16KB L1 Instruction Cache, a 16KB Data SRAM scratchpad, hardware multiply/divide, debug module, one-time programmable non-volatile memory (OTP), flexible clock generation with on-chip oscillators and PLLs, and a wide variety of peripherals including UARTs, QSPI, PWMs and timers. Multiple power domains and a low-power standby mode ensure a variety of applications can benefit from the FE310, which was fabricated in TSMC 180nm. The HiFive1 is an Arduino-Compatible development board featuring the FE310. Availability The HiFive1 can be ordered via Crowd Supply at https://www.crowdsupply.com/sifive/hifive1. The RTL code for FE310 can be accessed at https://github.com/sifive/freedom. SiFive is showcasing the HiFive1 at the 5th RISC-V Workshop, in Mountain View Nov. 29-30. The company also will have HiFive1 demos at Booth No. 1522 at ESC Silicon Valley in San Jose from Dec. 6-8. About SiFive SiFive is the first fabless provider of customized semiconductors based on the free and open RISC-V instruction set architecture. Founded by RISC-V inventors Krste Asanovic, Yunsup Lee and Andrew Waterman, SiFive democratizes access to custom silicon by helping system designers reduce time-to-market and realize cost savings with customized RISC-V based semiconductors. SiFive is located in San Francisco and has venture backing from Sutter Hill Ventures. For more information, visit www.sifive.com. MEDIA CONTACTS Leslie Clavin SHIFT Communications for SiFive (415) 591-8440 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443389 SOURCE SiFive Related Links http://www.sifive.com COLOGNE, Germany, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- - Survey of 5,000 adults reveals how people would pass time in self-driving cars - Relaxing and enjoying the view are top choice for four out of five Europeans - Most would catch up with loved ones, surf the net, tuck into a meal - Self-driving cars seen as best for going out for drinks - and commuting - No more "school-run mum"? 1 in 6 are happy to let kids travel alone - Data shows Europeans spend ten days a year in their cars - Ford to start testing autonomous cars on European roads next year Self-driving cars may still be a way down the road but many people can already foresee the life-changing difference they will make to how we travel. In a new Ford-commissioned survey, many Europeans felt time behind the wheel would be better spent catching up with nearest and dearest, gazing out the window, or having a nap. * It could even spell the end of the "school-run mum" - as 16 per cent would let kids travel alone. Ford today announced European testing of autonomous cars will start in 2017. And of 5,000 adults surveyed, 80 per cent look forward to relaxing and enjoying the scenery, 72 per cent will chat on the phone, 64 per cent would have a bite to eat. Books and movies were close behind. "People are really beginning to think about exactly what autonomous vehicles could mean to their day-to-day lives," said Thomas Lukaszewicz, manager, Automated Driving, Ford of Europe. "Many of us neglect time for ourselves and for our loved ones in the face of other demands. Self-driving cars will revolutionise the way we live, as well as the way we travel." On average, European drivers spend up to ten days each year in their cars ** and a previous survey showed people in major cities find their commute more stressful than their job. *** This latest poll showed a preference for autonomous vehicles over traditional cars when it comes to going out for drinks and commuting - and nearly half thought driverless cars would be safer. "We have already announced plans to use an autonomous vehicle for a ride-sharing service in the U.S. in 2021 and it is important that we extend our testing to Europe," added Lukaszewicz. "Rules of the road vary from country to country here, traffic signs and road layouts are different, and drivers are likely to share congested roads with cyclists." * Survey conducted for Ford Motor Company in France, Germany, Norway, Spain and the U.K., by Penn Schoen Berland during November 2016. ** http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3433488/5298273/KS-SF-07-087-DE.PDF/0d50ff3c-a042-4c49-85e8-5333c92a7186 *** Survey conducted for Ford Motor Company by Opinion Matters during April 2015 https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/feu/en/news/2015/04/27/for-europeans--the-journey-to-work-causes-more-stress-than-their.html Editor's notes: Ford is currently expanding into both an auto and a mobility company; as such the company is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility - its plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. The company is committed to making self-driving cars available for millions of people and earlier this year announced in the U.S. the intention to have a high-volume, fully autonomous SAE level 4-capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service. The testing of autonomous vehicles on European roads expands upon Ford becoming the first to test autonomous vehicles in the snow, at night, and at Mcity, a 32-acre, full-scale simulated real-world urban environment at the University of Michigan, in the U.S. About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company's core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit http://www.corporate.ford.com. Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 - the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911. Contacts: Borbala Nagy, Ford of Europe, +49-221-9018781, [email protected] Monika Wagener, Ford of Europe, +49-241-9421212, [email protected] SOURCE Ford Motor Company DENVER, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Walking Tree Travel, a premier student travel provider focused on cultural engagement, and the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum and research complex in the world, are pleased to announce a new collection of educational travel programs for high school student groups. "Smithsonian Student Adventures" offers international educational immersion travel to breath-taking destinations around the world, on five continents and to 17 countries. These challenging and enriching itineraries capitalize on the combined experience of Walking Tree Travel and the iconic Smithsonian, inspiring students to become global citizens by taking an active interest in the world around them. Smithsonian Student Adventures will launch with travel opportunities to include: Wildlife Conservation Projects, Service-Learning, Cultural Immersion, and Homestays in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Educators will accompany their students on active learning adventures including sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica, language learning in France, elephant conservation in Thailand, and more. Each program will engage students on an academic level and introduce them to sites that will bring the educational experience to life and inspire future learning. "The Smithsonian's dedication to learning is well-known, and its sense of wonder and creativity is inspirational. We are thrilled to be working with it to offer these distinctive travel experiences," said Paul Laurie, Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel. "We are excited to expand Smithsonian Journeys' global travel program to high school students and their teachers," said Carol LeBlanc, Senior Vice President Smithsonian Enterprises. "This program, developed with Walking Tree Travel will provide enriching experiences that will educate and inspire a younger audience." Smithsonian Student Adventures offers two ways to travel: Custom Group or Open Enrollment Travel Programs. Custom Group Travel is targeted to educators who work with Smithsonian Student Adventures to develop the programing, destination and trip duration that will best fit their learning objectives and goals for their students. Open Enrollment Programs are available to individual high school students who are interested in traveling with their student peers, who have similar interests in learning about the world. Smithsonian Student Adventures immerses small groups in destinations that offer meaningful and authentic cultural experiences. In addition to School Visits, where students experience first-hand how international students learn, and Homestays, where students are paired up to stay with local families, programs also feature Service-Learning components. Whether working with local volunteers on a reforestation campaign in Senegal, supporting a micro-finance project in Guatemala, building schoolhouses in Costa Rica, teaching English at an orphanage in Peru, or staying with monks at a monastery in China, students will see themselves, other cultures, and the world in a new light. Smithsonian Student Adventures programing will be organized by Walking Tree Travel in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, the worldwide educational travel group of the Smithsonian Institution. The first programs will launch in the spring of 2017. For more information, call 303-997-0351 or visit www.SmithsonianStudentAdventures.com. About Walking Tree Travel Walking Tree Travel, headquartered in Denver, CO, is a privately owned student travel company that organizes international community service, biodiversity conservation, language immersion, and homestay-centered programs for high school students and educators. Moreover, Walking Tree is a community of people who strive to inspire youth to become global citizens by taking an active interest in the world around them. Visit www.walkingtree.org. About Smithsonian Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. There are 6,500 Smithsonian employees and 6,300 volunteers. There were 28 million visits to the Smithsonian in 2015. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 154 million, of which 145 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History. www.smithsonian.org About Smithsonian Journeys Smithsonian Journeys is an established leader in expert-led land and cruise travel, offering more than 350 annual cultural and enrichment journeys on all seven continents. Smithsonian Journeys delivers vibrant experiences that uncover the authentic culture of each destination, providing access unavailable to most travelers. A broad array of travel opportunities are available, ranging from small-group land tours (many that are air inclusive) to small-ship ocean and river cruising, from multigenerational family journeys to around the world private jet trips and tailor-made, custom journeys for the independent traveler. For more information visit www.SmithsonianJourneys.org Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443374LOGO SOURCE Smithsonian Student Adventures Related Links http://www.SmithsonianStudentAdventures.com SAO PAULO and NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo St. Marche ("St. Marche"), the supermarket chain that introduced a superior, innovative shopping experience to the food retail segment in Sao Paulo, today announced a significant growth capital investment by L Catterton, the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world. L Catterton's investment will be used to support and accelerate St. Marche's continued growth in Brazil. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. St. Marche currently has 18 supermarket stores under the St. Marche brand and one emporium under the Emporio Santa Maria brand. In 2015, St. Marche partnered with Eataly to launch and operate stores under the Eataly brand in Brazil. The first Eataly location opened in Sao Paulo in May 2015. St. Marche attracts customers with its pleasant shopping environment in convenient locations, offering outstanding customer service, high quality products and a wide selection of uniquely curated merchandise. St. Marche is focused on providing an excellent in-store shopping experience while offering quality products for both day-to-day purchases as well as special occasions. Since its founding in 2002 by Bernardo Ouro Preto and Victor Leal, St. Marche has experienced rapid growth across the city of Sao Paulo. With a significant number of untapped markets and an increasing demand for high-end, specialty supermarkets, St. Marche and L Catterton see an opportunity to continue the company's rapid growth through organic expansion. Mr. Ouro Preto and Mr. Leal will remain as co-CEOs of St. Marche. "L Catterton's investment will allow us to continue our rapid growth and expansion," said Mr. Ouro Preto and Mr. Leal. "The partnership between St. Marche and L Catterton, the preeminent global consumer investor, demonstrates the strong positioning of our company. With L Catterton's partnership, St. Marche will have the resources, industry expertise and global capabilities that we need to take St. Marche to the next level as we expand in Brazil and beyond." "We are delighted to partner with St. Marche, the most innovative grocer in Brazil," said Dirk Donath, Managing Partner, L Catterton Latin America. "St. Marche is uniquely positioned to capture growth across various segments of the supermarket industry, which has been fueled by increased consumer demand for great service and a curated shopping experience. We look forward to partnering with St. Marche's strong management team to support the company's expansion plans. St. Marche is an ideal complement to L Catterton's portfolio of leading brands around the world." "Bernardo and Victor are visionary leaders in the Brazilian supermarket industry, having positioned St. Marche as an innovative store concept focused on the customer experience and high quality product assortments," added Farah Khan, Partner, L Catterton Latin America. "We look forward to embarking with Bernardo and Victor on this exciting chapter of growth for the company." St. Marche is the first investment in Brazil by the L Catterton Latin America ("LCLA II") fund. The Fund has offices in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and New York and has previously made an investment in Bodytech, the leading health and fitness player in Latin America. About St. Marche St. Marche was founded in 2002 by Bernardo Ouro Preto and Victor Leal with the opening of its first store in the neighborhood of Morumbi. Currently, Grupo St. Marche has 18 supermarkets in the greater Sao Paulo area under the St. Marche brand, an Emporio Santa Maria and an Eataly. The company prioritizes proximity, convenience, product quality and an impeccable customer service, positioning St. Marche as the preferred supermarket in customers' minds. St. Marche's team of gastronomic curators are always leading the market in Sao Paulo in offering the most innovative products and currently boasts a product assortment of 10,000 items. In 2015, Bernardo and Victor won the supermarket CEOs of the Year award from Forbes Magazine with the St. Marche brand and the Restaurateurs of the Year award from Veja Sao Paulo with Eataly's restaurant operations. About L Catterton L Catterton, formed in 2016 through the partnership of Catterton, LVMH and Groupe Arnault, is the largest consumer-focused private equity firm in the world, operating multiple funds out of seventeen offices across five continents. Since its founding in 1989, Catterton has leveraged its category insight, strategic and operating skills, and network of industry contacts to establish one of the strongest private equity investment track records in the middle market. L Catterton builds on this heritage and the strong track record of LVMH and Groupe Arnault's existing European and Asian private equity and real estate operations, conducted under the L Capital and L Real Estate franchises. L Catterton invests in all major consumer segments, including: Food and Beverage, Retail and Restaurants, Beauty and Wellness, Fashion and Accessories, Consumer Products and Services, Consumer Health, and Media and Marketing Services, as well as real estate projects anchored by luxury retail. L Catterton's investments include: Hopdoddy, PIADA Italian Street Food, Mendocino Farms, CHOPT Creative Salad Company, Bruxie, Protein Bar, Snap Kitchen, Peloton, Restoration Hardware, CorePower Yoga, Sweaty Betty, Outback Steakhouse, Plum Organics, Noodles & Company, Vroom, Frederic Fekkai, PIRCH, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Wellness pet food, Nature's Variety pet food, Kettle Foods, Odwalla, P.F. Chang's, Ba&sh, Sandro & Maje, CellularLine, Vicini / Zanotti, Cigierre, Gant, Nutrition and Sante, Pepe Jeans & Hackett, 2XU, Charles & Keith, Marubi, Bateel, Sasseur, Emperor Watch and Jewelry, Miami Design District and G6 in Ginza - Tokyo, to name a few. More information about L Catterton can be found at www.lcatterton.com. St. Marche Contacts: Suporte Comunicacao Sandra Schkolnick: [email protected] | Extension 141 Analu Barbosa: [email protected] | Extension 142 Tel: +55 11 3035-3070 L Catterton Contacts: Andi Rose / Julie Oakes Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212-355-4449 SOURCE L Catterton Related Links http://www.lcatterton.com MIAMI and WINTER HAVEN, Fla., Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Orchard, a premier juice and beverage products producer, today announced the acquisition of certain assets of Blue Lake Citrus Products LLC ("Blue Lake") in Winter Haven, FL. Blue Lake was previously held by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. and Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Inc. The assets being acquired include the Blue Lake product portfolio, currently being offered under the Noble juice brand, and certain manufacturing equipment. Blue Lake boasts an impressive retail customer base of some of the largest supermarkets and grocery stores including Publix Super Markets, Ahold, ACME Markets, Giant Eagle Supermarket and Whole Foods Market. The opportunity to forge long-term relationships with this portfolio of retail customers supports Sun Orchard's plan to further its presence in its retail markets. The acquisition will also enhance Sun Orchard's current distribution to grocery stores, supermarkets and other third party retailers. Jean-Marc Rotsaert, Executive Chairman of Sun Orchard, said, "We have been impressed with the Blue Lake products and their growth initiatives for quite some time and are delighted to bring products of exceptional taste and quality into our family of juice offerings. The assets being acquired today present Sun Orchard with an exceptional opportunity to notably escalate its growth. In conjunction with our long-term strategy to augment distribution channels, the addition of increased retail presence and our ability to deliver our highest-quality products to more customers are exciting for Sun Orchard. We look forward to continuing our expansion into new markets geographically with a wider range of citrus-based products." Tena Granit, Executive Director of Finance for Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., remarked, "We are pleased to have found a home for Blue Lake's excellent assets with Sun Orchard, a natural successor to our efforts to provide the retail industry with high quality premium products. We are excited to continue to watch the growth and success of Sun Orchard as these assets continue on their journey of expansion." Quentin Roe, President of Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Inc. commented, "We are pleased with the growth of Blue Lake's position in the marketplace. Given this success, it is time for an even larger company with further reach in the business to help the Blue Lake products expand their success. We could not be more excited for our product line and its customers with the commitment that Sun Orchard is making." Sun Orchard is a Centre Partners portfolio company. Cross Keys Capital represented Blue Lake in this highly strategic and synergistic transaction. Terms of the transaction were not announced. About Sun Orchard Founded in 1984, Sun Orchard has leveraged its roots in citrus juices (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit) to develop an expanding portfolio of standard and customized beverages and culinary ingredients. The Company's product portfolio consists of top quality, 100% natural, not-from-concentrate citrus juices, fruit ades, bar mixes, specialty smoothie bases, and other customizable mixology and culinary solutions. Sun Orchard is headquartered in Miami, FL, and has a strategic bi-coastal production platform with facilities in Arizona and Florida. Learn more at www.SunOrchard.com About the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., (STOFI) is a federal corporation whose charter's specific purpose is "to further the economic development of the Seminole Tribe of Florida by conferring certain corporate rights, powers, privileges and immunity; to secure for the members an assured economic independence; and to provide for the proper exercise by the Tribe of various functions heretofore performed by the Department of Interior." Composed of different brands, STOFI provides its community with the best products produced in the Florida Everglades. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. prides itself by affiliating with the best quality products from Certified USDA Prime and Choice All Natural Beef to Fresh Fruit Juices, all of which can be found in supermarkets across the country. www.stofinc.com About Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Inc. Dating back to the 1920's, Wm. G. Roe & Sons has been a leading participant in Florida's growing citrus industry. With multiple businesses within the family's domain, and a legendary reputation, Wm. G. Roe & Sons and its parent company, Noble Produce Holdings, harvests, packs, and markets fresh tangerines, oranges, tangelos, pomelos, blueberries, and more. Based in Winter Haven, Florida, Roe is Florida's premiere provider of fresh tangerines and tangerine juices, sold coast-to-coast. Extending the leadership position of Noble fresh tangerines, the Roe family created the Noble juice brand in 1996, and has enjoyed presiding over its success for the past twenty plus years. This transaction facilitates the Roe family to focus on its rapidly growing long-time core business of fresh tangerines, highlighting its new generation of proprietary seedless tangerine varieties. www.NobleCitrus.com Contact: JoAnne Martinez Sun Orchard Vice President, Human Resources and Administration [email protected] 1-480-966-1770 SOURCE Sun Orchard Related Links http://www.sunorchard.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. and SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The not-for-profit Sutter Health network is among the first in the countryand the first in Californiato offer patients a novel needle-free blood draw technology from Velano Vascular. The PIVO vascular access device is an innovative solution to the age-old challenge of consistently drawing high quality blood samples with less discomfort and anxiety for hospitalized patients while enhancing safer care for practitioners. "Blood draws are a near universal experience in healthcare a critical procedure that can cause emotional trauma for some patients," said Sutter Health Chief Innovation Officer Chris Waugh. "Every moment matters while patients are in our care. If we can help make them feel more comfortable and at ease, then we are creating a healing experience at all levels. Our collaboration with Velano Vascular is the first step of what we envision will be a ground-breaking journey toward a new industry-wide standard of more compassionate care in blood draws." Sutter Health looked to Velano's simple, elegant system design to provide a more compassionate experience for patients with improved outcomes and a safer, more efficient environment for practitioners. The FDA-cleared PIVO device uses a patient's existing peripheral IV line to transform blood collection standards and reduce hospitals' reliance on needle sticks and central line access for blood draws. "It's important for us at Sutter Health to continually research and explore new ways of enhancing quality of care and how we deliver that care," said Sutter Health Chief Nursing Officer Anna Kiger, DNP, D.Sc., MBA, R.N. "By removing the needle from the equation using the PIVO device, we aim to create a more positive patient-practitioner relationship, to deliver safer care and to bring important efficiencies to this vital procedure." Sutter Health will evaluate the PIVO device as an initial step in an anticipated broader rollout of this novel procedure, building upon Sutter Health's investment in Velano's Series A-2 financing earlier this year. "We are thrilled to be working with Sutter Health as an institution widely recognized for embracing new models of innovation and improved care delivery," said Velano Vascular Chief Executive Eric M. Stone. "Sutter's commitment to human-centered design reflects a natural alignment with Velano, forming the foundation for a united effort to establish a safer, more efficient standard of care for patients and practitioners." About Sutter Health Serving patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other healthcare service providers share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California's top-performing, highest-quality physician organizations as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Association. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women's and children's services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient-safety technology. Sutter Health cares for more than 3 million peoplenearly 1 percent of the U.S. population. For more information about the not-for-profit Sutter Health network visit: sutterhealth.org, facebook.com/sutterhealth, youtube.com/sutterhealth, twitter.com/sutterhealth. About Velano Vascular Velano Vascular is a medical device company committed to reducing the pain, risk, and inefficiencies of vascular access and blood collection practices. The company's revolutionary PIVO device enables needle free blood draws directly from Peripheral IV catheters, aiming to enable more compassionate care for hospital inpatients, a safer practice for caregivers, and a more financially responsible alternative for health systems. Velano Vascular is backed by a series of well-respected investment firms, health systems, and dozens of health-industry veterans. Company collaborators include several of the leading hospital systems in the United States. More information is available at www.velanovascular.com and @velanovascular SOURCE Sutter Health Related Links http://www.sutterhealth.org SELMA, Texas, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Who's Who recognizes Sylvia Owen as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in recognition of her contributions to the field of Casino Parties and Fundraisers. Owen brings expertise in professional casino party planning for fundraising, corporate and special events for up to 1,000 guests to her role as President of Casino Fun, Inc., which she owns together with her husband, Richard. She has amassed 25 years of experience in the field, 16 of them spent in her current role. "I have a lot of hands-on experience in business through operating my own retail operation," Owen said. According to its website, Casino Fun, Inc., "has been bringing the thrills, glamour and excitement of Las Vegas right to your doorstep since 1993. [Its] goal is to provide you with the most authentic casino tables and dealers and bring the fun and excitement of a Las Vegas casino to you." To further her professional development, Owen is a member of the National Association of Casino Operators, the Hispanic Chamber of San Antonio, the Church Chamber of Commerce, the Randolph Metro Chamber and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. When not working, Owen participates in area fundraisers and charity events. In the name of Casino Fun, Inc., she donated two party tables to one local fundraiser and was a breakfast sponsor for Miss Rodeo Texas. Owen also enjoys collecting cookbooks, baking and needlepoint. Owen dedicates this recognition to her husband and partner, Mr. Richard Owen, as well as her mentor and advisor from San Antonio Stock and Rodeo, Jackie Vandewalle. For more information, visit www.casinofuninc.net. Contact: KatherineGreen, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com FREMONT, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), a leading business process services company, announced today its plans to speak at the Raymond James Technology Investors Conference on December 6, 2016 at the Westin New York Grand Central. Kevin Murai, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Marshall Witt, Chief Financial Officer, are scheduled to present on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 10:10 a.m. ET. The presentation will be webcast on the Investor Relations page of the SYNNEX Corporation website at http://ir.synnex.com. About SYNNEX Corporation SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), a Fortune 500 corporation, is a leading business process services company, optimizing supply chains and providing outsourced services focused on customer relationship management. SYNNEX distributes a broad range of information technology systems and products, and also provides systems design and integration solutions. Concentrix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation, offers a portfolio of strategic solutions and end-to-end business services around customer engagement strategy, process optimization, technology innovation, front and back-office automation and business transformation to clients in ten identified industry verticals. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX Corporation operates in 26 countries around the world. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at www.synnex.com. Statements in this release that are forward-looking involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release. Copyright 2016 SYNNEX Corporation. All rights reserved. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo, CONCENTRIX and all other SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo and CONCENTRIX Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners. SNX-F SOURCE SYNNEX Corporation Related Links http://www.synnex.com PENNDEL, Pa., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At 1 p.m., Thursday, December 1st, Langhorne Carpet Company will proudly welcome a new look for the red brick exterior of its historic, Bucks County Wilton Jacquard mill. The 86-year-old company's 20'-by-40' painted signage, once weathered and barely visible along busy business Route 1 (201 W. Lincoln Highway) in the heart of Penndel, now features a fresh, updated, and dramatic restoration. Vital Signs, a project of Temple Contemporary of the Tyler School of Arts of Temple University, co-founded in 2013 collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia, is responsible for the new signage that will be officially revealed at a ceremony including Langhorne weavers, muralists, and local officials. Langhorne Carpet, whose woven carpets can be found in some of America's most significant buildings, is one of North America's few remaining wool Wilton Jacquard mills. As the latest Vital Signs participant, Langhorne joins other multi-generational Philadelphia-area businesses that have had their building signage brought back to life. Leading the restoration at Langhorne was artist William Sanders and his team of Lauren West, Justin Phillips, Dan Sanders, and Denise Botcheos. Said Sanders, "Giving new life to the Langhorne sign was a great experience for us to help a local family company that has been in the community for so long. In a nod to both the business' history and the work of the original sign painter, we painted over the existing faded sign by using the same layout and some of the original lettering. We are proud to have played a small part in the enduring Langhorne Carpet Company legacy." Sanders, Robert Blackson and Sarah Biemiller, Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs and Assistant Director of Exhibitions at Temple Contemporary, consulted with fourth-generation Langhorne owners Winnifred and Bill Morrow. The Morrows chose a simplified version of the sign that harkened to the original, which had been painted over multiple times. The sign now proudly reads: Langhorne Carpet Company Manufacturers of the Unusual The Foundation of Fine Interiors Wilton Carpet Penndel Proud/Since 1930 "We are thrilled that the talented team from Temple Contemporary selected our family business," said the Morrows. "They had an incredible attention to detail and an extraordinary respect for our heritage. To many it is just a sign; to us it is a masterpiece of a mural that will be cherished and appreciated for generations to come." SOURCE Langhorne Carpet Company BOSTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With more and more organizations consolidating their on-premises file storage and cloud platforms into a single, integrated collaboration solution, Tervela announced a partnership with Dropbox, a leader in the file sync and share market. As a Dropbox Premier Partner, Tervela will speed the on-boarding of customer content and files to Dropbox Business and Dropbox Enterprise with Cloud FastPath, the market leading solution for cloud-to-cloud and premises-to-cloud digital content migration and synchronization. More and more companies are adopting cloud platforms to standardize employee collaboration and consolidate file sharing across their distributed and mobile teams leading to increased user productivity and significant savings in storage cost. However, user adoption is often delayed or prevented because it is too difficult and time consuming to migrate the content into the target cloud platform. Tervela's Cloud FastPath addresses these challenges by delivering a simple, fast, secure and automated solution for ensuring successful migration projects. As a cloud-based service, Cloud FastPath requires no server or database deployment, and all of the data flows point-to-point between sources and targets. No user content is ever cached or persisted in the Cloud FastPath service. This unique architecture makes Cloud FastPath simple to deploy and manage, as well as highly secure. "Cloud FastPath reduces the migration friction for companies moving their users' content into Dropbox," said Billy Blau, Head of Technology Partnerships, Dropbox. "Cloud FastPath lets companies concentrate on enabling employee collaboration and productivity without getting mired in the complexity of a time-consuming migration." After moving a large amount of data from Box and other cloud-based providers, Aaron Burch, president at Touchstone Research, a market research firm, noted how Cloud FastPath helped streamline the process. "Cloud FastPath turned a seemingly complex problem into a fast, easy and successful endeavor for us, and Tervela's support team helped ensure that we met all of our objectives for speed, security and simplicity." Cloud FastPath provides a comprehensive set of functionality for organizations moving vast amounts of content from disparate locations into Dropbox, simplifying, securing, and speeding large scale migrations. With pre-migration analysis, optimized data transfer techniques and post-migration reporting, Cloud FastPath enables organizations to more quickly adopt Dropbox. "Companies large and small are moving towards more fully adopting cloud content services; seamlessly moving content has become the lynchpin," said Eric Schnadig, CEO, Tervela. "We are delighted to be partnering with market leader Dropbox to help businesses of all sizes realize the benefits of content collaboration by making data migration simple, fast, secure and fully automated via Cloud FastPath." As part of the Dropbox partnership, Tervela is rolling out special promotional pricing for customers adopting Dropbox. To take advantage of this offer, users must have an active Dropbox Business or Dropbox Enterprise account and register for a free trial via the following url: https://www.cloudfastpath.com/partners/dropbox-business-file-migration About Cloud FastPath Cloud FastPath offers advanced features and tools to manage large scale data transfer between cloud environments and from on-premises systems to the cloud. Cloud FastPath's integrations include the leading file sync and share solutions, cloud storage providers, and on-premises systems. For more information, visit www.cloudfastpath.com. Contact: Luke Tubinis, [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121022/SF97235LOGO SOURCE Tervela Related Links http://www.tervela.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Synopsis Timetric's 'The Cards and Payments Industry in Portugal: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2021' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Portuguese cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, check payments, payment cards, direct debit and cash transactions during the review period (20122016). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, and transaction values and volumes during the review period and over the forecast period (20172021). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together Timetric's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure. Summary Timetric's 'The Cards and Payments Industry in Portugal: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2021' report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Portuguese cards and payments industry, including: - Current and forecast values for each market in the Portuguese cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards. - Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, check payments, payment cards, direct debit and cash transactions. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments. - E-commerce market analysis and payment methods. - Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Portuguese cards and payments industry. - Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit cards. - Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards. - The competitive landscape in the Portuguese cards and payments industry. Scope - This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Portuguese cards and payments industry. - It provides current values for the Portuguese cards and payments industry for 2016, and forecast figures to 2021. - It details the different demographic, economic, infrastructural and business drivers affecting the Portuguese cards and payments industry. - It outlines the current regulatory framework in the industry. - It details marketing strategies used by various banks and other institutions. Reasons To Buy - Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Portuguese cards and payments industry and each market within it. - Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Portuguese cards and payments industry. - Assess the competitive dynamics in the Portuguese cards and payments industry. - Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Portugal. - Gain insights into key regulations governing the Portuguese cards and payments industry. Key Highlights - The economic crisis had a profound effect on the Portuguese banking sector, which is still struggling with high debts and frail depositor confidence. This led to a period of consolidation; in 2015, Banco Santander Totta acquired Banco Banif. Similarly, in November 2016, Barclays sold Portugal's Barclaycard consumer payments business to WiZink Bank. Likewise, Novo Banco was put up for sale by the government in 2015. This is likely to lead to concentration in both card issuing and merchant acquiring business. - The Postal Services of Portugal (CTT) entered into the banking sector with the launch of its bank, Banco CTT, in November 2015. In March 2016, the bank launched 51 branches, with plans to increase its branch network to 200 by the end of 2016. To make banking and payment services more accessible to customers, the bank offers both in-branch and online banking services, and set up its branches at locations with high customer footfall such as shopping malls. This is anticipated to increase banking penetration and thereby boost the adoption of banking products such as current accounts and debit cards. - EU regulation on capping interchange fees for credit and debit cards at 0.3% and 0.2% respectively was implemented in Portugal in 2015. Consequently, large banks saw their revenues on payment cards decrease. To combat revenue erosion, banks increased annual fees, current account minimum-balances and maintenance fees. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4377969/ 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 WORCESTER, Mass., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) has introduced significant new enhancements to its equipment breakdown protection to include modern, technology-based equipment, including microelectronics and cloud computing services, to help businesses resume operations even if sensitive and complex equipment is damaged. Small and midsized businesses long have relied on traditional equipment breakdown insurance to protect things such as boilers, heating systems or refrigeration units against sudden and accidental physical damage that required equipment to be replaced. However, the more modern equipment risks of today contain sensitive and fragile technology that can be easily damaged, along with expanding system complexity and interdependency, which can increase the likelihood of a breakdown. "Any equipment breakdown insurance can cover the traditional equipment risks," said John C. Roche, president of commercial lines at The Hanover. "For most businesses, though, that doesn't provide the comprehensive protection they truly need. We've exceeded the traditional coverages by adding protection for the modern, complex equipment that is a critical component of many businesses." The company has expanded its robust traditional equipment breakdown protection to include the following coverages, making The Hanover one of the first carriers to bring these new offerings to market: Microelectronics: Covers breakdowns that require microelectronics to be replaced, whether or not physical damage is visible Covers breakdowns that require microelectronics to be replaced, whether or not physical damage is visible Cloud computing service interruption: Adds cloud computing services to service interruption coverage Adds cloud computing services to service interruption coverage Service interruption data restoration: Covers cost for data restoration when data is lost due to a covered service interruption Covers cost for data restoration when data is lost due to a covered service interruption Off premises business income, extra expense and data restoration: Extends payment for off-premises equipment breakdown to include business income, extra expense and data restoration, in addition to physical damage The company has also added coverage for public relations assistance to help manage a reputation that may be damaged by an interruption of business. In addition to the new enhancements, the company partners with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) to provide jurisdictional inspections of boilers and pressure vessels as a value-add service for customers. Since inspections are required by many state and local governments, this built-in benefit saves clients from the added cost of local fees in many jurisdictions. The company also partners with HSB to offer infrared technology surveys to help customers detect problems in their electrical equipment. These enhancements are already available for The Hanover's agent partners on business owner's policies and will be included on commercial package property and monoline property policies with effective dates on or after Dec. 15. To learn more about The Hanover, please visit hanover.com. ABOUT THE HANOVER The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. For more than 160 years, The Hanover has provided a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families, and businesses. The Hanover distributes its products through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agents, the company offers specialized coverages for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as insurance protection for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. Through its international member company, Chaucer, The Hanover also underwrites business at Lloyd's of London in several major insurance and reinsurance classes, including marine, property and energy. For more information, please visit hanover.com . All products are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates ("The Hanover"). Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to the company underwriting guidelines and the issued policy. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage. For more information about The Hanover visit our website at www.hanover.com. 2016 The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130605/NY26925LOGO SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.hanover.com Chengdu, one of the Top Six National Central Cities in China, is the only one crowned as the Cultural and Creative Industry Center. By holding Creativity & Design Week, Chengdu brings in international resources and facilitates international cooperation. It aims to grow into a center city for world-class creative and design industries to exhibit, communicate and trade, where local designers can find an international creative and design platform, and where the world's leading design institutions can find plenty of reasons to come. Chengdu Creativity & Design Week (CCDW), established in 2014, is now one of the most renowned events in western and central China. This year, CCDW consisted of the 2016 Gold Panda Culture Creativity Design Awards, The 3rd Chengdu Creativity & Design Industry Expo, The Forum on International Culture Industries Chengdu Summit, China 2016, the 2016 Chengdu College Student Creative Design Competition, Dual-100 Cultural Tourism Creative Activities and an E-sports Competition. At the 3rd Chengdu Creativity & Design Industry Expo, three iF Award-winning products caught a lot of attention. They were the ThinkPad X1 Tablet, to which users could add functions depending on their needs; the HIDEOUT Lounge Chair made by steam bending technology, and the Black & Gray & Silber Scissors, which are simple and practical. The cooperation between iF and CCDW has covered more areas. The iF Design Awards judges, together with a lot of esteemed international and domestic experts, served as judges for the 2016 Gold Panda Culture Creativity Design Awards. They were Paul Cohen, one of the founders of Cube Design Australia; HIRO TANAKA, world-renowned designer and winner of the Red Dot Design Award for best designer in Germany; Guangmin Zhang, regional adviser for ICSID (International Council of Societies of Industrial Design); Xiaobo Lu, Dean of Tsinghua University Academy of Fine Arts and judge for the Red Dot Award; Bochu Xu, Dean of the Rail and Transportation College of Southwest Jiaotong University and expert in the field of rail transportation and bridges, and several others. At the 2016 Gold Panda Culture Creativity Design Awards, 159 awards in 9 categories and 5 special awards were selected. The Gold Panda Award is one of the highest awards for creative design in China, with a prize of RMB 1 million. The 12 prize-winning products from this year's Gold Panda Awards will attend the competition for the 2017 iF Design Awards in Germany. At present, iF International Forum Design, founders and organizer of the iF Product Design Awards, is discussing the possibility of further engagement in areas such as exhibitions, forums, counseling and training with the Chengdu government. The evaluation process on iF landing in Chengdu is under way. Ralph Wiegmann, CEO of iF International Forum Design, visited such cultural and creative design Industry sites as Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall, Thinkzone International, and Eastern Suburb Memory from November 3 - 4. He highly commended Chengdu for its splendid, long history, reasonable city planning, and favorable environment for the cultural and creative design industries. "Such an environment can inspire the creativity of entrepreneurs, and Chengdu is an ideal place for iF to land," he said. At CCDW 2016's opening ceremony on November 25th, the Chengdu government and Cambridge Funds Investment Co., Ltd (Cambridge Funds) reached a cooperative consensus that out of its first batch of investment towards China (totaling RMB 3 billion), RMB 450 million will be set aside to invest in Chengdu's cultural and creative design industries. Cambridge Funds completed its first investment, RMB 300,000 for stone craft designed by Jiayong Luo, a 24-year-old man from Chongzhou, Chengdu, at the 3rd Chengdu Creativity & Design Industry Expo, which was a core part of CCDW 2016. Contact: Selina Qin Tel.: +86-28-6606-5239 E-mail: [email protected] Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161129/443517 SOURCE 2016 Chengdu Creativity & Design Week ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the fifth annual Giving Tuesday, a day promoting global giving fueled by social media, The Salvation Army is encouraging Americans to start their own #RedKettleReason fundraisers on RedKettleReason.org. Supporters are able to choose a cause area they would like their contributions to support: fighting hunger, providing shelter or ensuring Christmas assistance for those in need. "Giving Tuesday is all about focusing on the profound sense of satisfaction felt when lending a helping hand to those less fortunate," explains Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. "That's really what The Salvation Army aims to do year-round, but during the holidays, it is especially important to spread joy during a season that may be bleak for some." For part of its own Giving Tuesday celebrations, The Salvation Army will be featured on a variety of national television programs to encourage people to donate to the Red Kettle Campaign and start their own #RedKettleReason fundraiser. Already, a variety of ambassadors have started their own fundraisers and are encouraging fans to help them reach their goals. Actor, producer, musician and Salvation Army supporter Nick Cannon is raising money to help 500 kids receive Christmas assistance is raising money to help 500 kids receive Christmas assistance Trick-shot artist Brodie Smith is raising money to help provide 1,000 meals for people in need next year is raising money to help provide 1,000 meals for people in need next year The "first family of viral video," the Holderness Family, is raising money to help 100 kids receive Christmas assistance Beauty and lifestyle vlogger Dulce Candy is raising money to make sure those who need a safe haven have a roof over their heads During the holiday season, over 3 million families rely on The Salvation Army to provide them with a warm meal on Christmas Day or toys for their children. Donating to the Red Kettles also allows the Army to serve more than 25 million people a year by providing over 10 million nights of shelter and 57 million meals a year, along with substance abuse recovery programs, after-school programs and emergency shelter for children and families in need. To start a #RedKettleReason fundraising page, visit RedKettleReason.org and click "Start a Fundraiser" or "Get Started." Upon the creation of their fundraiser, users will specify the community for which they want to raise funds, fundraising goal and designated cause to support. There is also an option to make a general donation to The Salvation Army. A small donation can go a long way. Nationally, on average: If you factor in an additional $25 into your Christmas budget to donate to The Salvation Army, you can help provide Christmas gifts for a child in need into your Christmas budget to donate to The Salvation Army, you can help provide Christmas gifts for a child in need If you stopped buying coffee once a week for a year, you could help The Salvation Army provide nearly 40 meals for people in need Nearly one-third of Americans plan to spend $100 or more on holiday decorations. If all of those people donated that money to The Salvation Army, they could provide over 350 million nights of shelter for those in need of a safe, warm place to sleep To give back on this instrumental day, donors can contribute to the Red Kettle campaign at one of the more than 25,000 red kettles set up at storefronts nationwide; or they can share their #RedKettleReason and give back online at RedKettleReason.org; or through the Army's text-to-give program by texting the word "KETTLES" to 51555, they can give an amount of their choice to the Red Kettle Campaign. Donors can also volunteer their time through a number of opportunities from ringing a bell to sorting toys to serving food. Information about these opportunities is available at SalvationArmyUSA.org. This holiday season marks the 126th Red Kettle Campaign since the program's humble beginnings in San Francisco, 1891. The Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States, providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless and food for the hungry, along with countless social service programs year-round. About The Salvation Army The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 135 years in the United States. More than 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar donated to The Salvation Army is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). For more information, go to SalvationArmyUSA.org or follow @SalvationArmyUS on Twitter. SOURCE The Salvation Army Related Links http://www.salvationarmyusa.org CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiesta Tea, the Chicago-based innovative loose-leaf tea company shaking up a centuries-old industry through their accessible blends and affordable pricing, has launched in its bulk tea program at Costco's North West Warehouses. Currently in rotation is their popular flavor, Maui Mango, made with all natural-ingredients and selling for just $19.99 per pound bag. "We created Tiesta Tea to fill a major void in the marketplace for affordable, high-end loose-leaf tea," said Dan Klein, CEO of Tiesta Tea. "Our founding principles were to make loose leaf tea that was understandable, accessible and affordable which is why this partnership with Costco makes perfect sense." Tiesta Tea's gourmet, affordable blend of Maui Mango retailing at $19.99 per pound, makes it five times less expensive than competitors' blends. This affordability is reflected throughout the entire 45-blend line of teas offered by Tiesta. Tiesta Tea President, Patrick Tannous, added, "Costco's members believe in great quality-products at amazing prices, which aligns perfectly with our beliefs, and we at Tiesta Tea are honored to be the loose leaf tea on their shelves." About Tiesta Tea Tiesta Tea is redefining the centuries-old tea industry by bringing quality, loose-leaf tea to the masses in a way that it is understandable, affordable, and accessible. Combining high-quality tea with fun, youthful flavor profiles, Tiesta is revolutionizing the way consumers buy tea by supplying nationwide grocers with both bulk format and packaged tea varieties. Launched in 2010 by a pair of best friends, Dan Klein and Patrick Tannous, after studying abroad in Europe, Tiesta Tea is the fastest growing tea company in the nation, according to Nielsen data. SOURCE Tiesta Tea Company Related Links http://www.tiestatea.com "Stephen is my kind of businessman," said Charles J. Bonfiglio, CEO of Tint World. "He understands what we're about and he has really bought into the philosophy. He's got the kind of passion and excitement that you want to see in an owner. He has big plans and considering his previous business success, I have no doubt he'll help make Tint World a big name for our customers in the Baltimore area." Leacock has worked and owned a facilities support business since 2000, and is a self-proclaimed car fanatic. "I love cars and I've always been interested in doing something similar to this," said Leacock. "I was also looking to position myself for the next phase of life. I had never been much on franchising, but after being initially impressed while doing my research, we setup a Tint World Franchise Discovery Day in Florida and I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Charles that really sealed the deal for me. I was impressed with his background and success, and his vision for the future. He has really surrounded himself with all the right pieces. You've got this great CEO who has handpicked guys that understand the philosophy of a franchise and how it works. They all have a specific expertise that they bring to create a total package. I really believe if you follow the process, utilize the support, and obviously put in the hard work, you can be wildly successful." Leacock was introduced to Tint World by Darryl Quillens, who is handling the automobile detailing and car washing at the new store. "Darryl and his father owned a detail shop in the city for more than 20 years," said Leacock. "My best friend, Wayne Davis, had been talking with Darryl and knew how much interest he had in Tint World, but it just never materialized. I actually met Darryl back in high school, and so we talked about opening a Tint World and made it a reality." Ron Sanders is also joining the Owing Mills Tint World team as director of business development. He has more than 25 years of experience in the industry and will be responsible for drumming up business for the location. "Ron is the real deal," said Leacock. "He knows this industry backwards and forwards, and he's going to bring a lot to the table for our store. This is the kind of shop for everyone, whether you pull up in a mid-size sedan or a hundred thousand dollar luxury car, I promise you'll get taken care of and feel comfortable." The all-new Tint World Owings Mills store is located at 11406 Reisterstown Rd., Owings Mills, Md. 21117 and is open Monday through Saturday. For those interested in employment opportunities, specifically those with tinting experience, applications are being accepted now. To find out more, call (410) 205-7398. Tint World Automotive Styling Centers are leading providers of automotive, marine, residential and commercial window tinting and also offer sales and installation of mobile electronics, audio video equipment, security systems, auto accessories, custom wheels and tire packages, detailing services, maintenance and repair services, and more. Tint World is also the leading provider of Residential, Commercial and Marine Computerized Window Tinting and Security Film Services with locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, with franchise opportunities available worldwide. About Tint World Founded in 1982, Tint World has grown to become an award-winning franchised provider of automotive, residential, commercial and marine window tinting and security film services. With Automotive Styling Centers in the U.S. and abroad, each franchise location houses approximately 20 profit centers, ranging from in-store accessory installations, to off-site sales and installation of residential, commercial and marine window tinting and security films. To find out more, please visit www.tintworld.com and tintworldfranchise.com. Tint World Contact: Charles J. Bonfiglio, CEO (800) 767-8468 [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 [email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443215 SOURCE Tint World Related Links http://www.tintworld.com JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Triad Financial Services, Inc. (Triad) today announced loan origination data for the first 9 months of 2016. A total of 5,684 loans have been funded by Triad for the 9 months ending 9/30/16, a 35% increase over the same period in 2015. Commenting on the news, Don Glisson, Jr., CEO, had the following comments: "I am very proud of the entire team at Triad, as growing 35% in one year is no easy task but our team answered the challenge and exceeded expectations. Our growth has outperformed the industry the past several years and we believe our superior products and best in class customer service will be the reasons we continue this trend. All indications point to a strong finish to the year as we funded over 700 loans in October, which has us on pace for over 7,700 for the calendar year. We continue to offer competitive programs to the manufactured housing industry such as our Silver Program, which allows borrowers with less than perfect credit to qualify for a loan. Our Silver loan production is up 160% year over year but we know there is still a lot of upside in that program. Our Servicing, Floorplan and Insurance Departments have also experienced tremendous growth and I congratulate our team of 200 employees for being the best in the business and for making Triad far and away the largest independent finance company in the manufactured housing industry. We appreciate the support of all our Retailer, Community, Supplier and Manufacturing and Lending partners as we could not have accomplished this without them." About Triad: Triad is a privately held, full service finance company based in Jacksonville, Florida with locations in Bourbonnais, Illinois; Irvine, California; Atlanta, Georgia; and Wichita, Kansas. Triad employs approximately 200 and offers retail finance, wholesale finance, loan servicing and insurance products to the manufactured housing industry nationwide. www.triadfs.com Media Contact: Jed Gleim, EVP/COO 904-223-1111 x1291 SOURCE Triad Financial Services Related Links https://www.triadfs.com BATON ROUGE, La. and PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In Louisiana, a lot is riding on the ability of early education teachers to keep up with demanding standards, manage their diverse classrooms, and fit it all in while keeping learning fun and engaging. Staff Development for Educators (SDE) will sort out the steps to success in two highly anticipated conferences this December. The 2016 Conference for Louisiana Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Teachers will be held in conjunction with the 2016 Conference for Louisiana First Grade Teachers, December 12-13, 2016, in Baton Rouge, LA. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443217LOGO The 2016 Conference for Louisiana Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Teachers will be expanded this year to include more sessions, more presenters, and more value adds. In 40 relevant sessions, teachers will learn fresh new ways to manage challenging students, organize and run their classrooms, teach and engage with games and centers, and address students with special needs. The 2016 Conference for Louisiana First-Grade Teachers will meet the specific demands of attendees in 32 content-rich sessions. Teachers will learn effective intervention strategies for at-risk students that work across the content areas, solid techniques to ramp up fluency in math and literacy, powerful classroom management tips for fitting it all in, and new ways to integrate technology into instruction. "There's no better way to tackle tough classroom challenges than to gather a team of education experts to share their experience and perspectives. That's what we'll do in Louisiana. It's the place to be to learn what's working and what's not from bloggers, classroom teachers, authors, and others actively involved in the classroom," according to SDE program developer Kymra Kurinskas. Participants in both conferences will gather each morning for a shared keynote. On day one, Louisiana's Dan St. Romain, management and behavior expert, will speak about teachers who make a difference and later be available for a book signing. On day two, Lori Elliott, Ed.D. will inspire attendees in her humorous keynote on the unique qualities of teachers. "We've pulled out all the stops. Don't miss this chance to get two full days of expert advice and guidance, tailored to your specific needs, whether you're a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or first-grade teacher," Kurinskas says. To register for either of these conferences or learn about SDE's national conferences, upcoming PD events, or other professional development opportunities, visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email [email protected]. About SDE SDE is one of America's leading providers of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-Based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century. For more information about SDE, educators are encouraged to visit www.sde.com, or to call 1-800-462-1478. SOURCE Staff Development for Educators Related Links http://www.sde.com NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines' long-awaited first flight to Havana in over fifty years is scheduled to depart from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) today, ending many of the decades-long travel restrictions and opening new doors for cultural and economic exchange between the neighboring nations, while also providing the large number of Cuban-American residents in the New York/Newark region access to Havana. Beginning Tues., Nov. 29, United will operate daily nonstop flights to the Cuban capital from EWR, and Saturday nonstop service from Houston. "This is something that two generations of Cuban-Americans have dreamt of, and we couldn't be more proud to be the airline that provides them with the service to their homeland," said Steve Morrissey, United's vice president of regulatory and policy. "Today's Newark to Havana flight will be the culmination of many months of hard work, planning and anticipation. It's truly a day to celebrate." Since the DOT announced its preliminary Havana route awards in July, United has been working closely with the Cuban government and local airport service providers to prepare for the start of its operation into Jose Marti International Airport, the airline's 13th new international route launched this year. Daily nonstop service from New York/Newark (EWR) United's daily nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport will provide an important gateway to Cuba from the Newark/New York City region, the largest metropolitan area in the country and home to the second-largest population of Cuban Americans. For more than 20 years, United has offered the Newark/New York City region the most flights to the most destinations around the world. Saturday nonstop service from Houston (IAH) Recognized by "Trusted Traveler Network" as one of the most international-friendly points of entry for foreign travelers, Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is United's gateway to Latin America. United offers 91 daily nonstop flights to 52 destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean from its Houston hub. Bush Intercontinental will be an important gateway for service to Havana and will directly connect 20 markets across the central and western United States to Cuba with just one stop. The Cuban-American population in the Houston metropolitan area ranks among the top ten cities in the country. United will operate both services with Boeing 737 aircraft. About United United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737NGs, 787s and 777s, as well as six used Airbus A319 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO SOURCE United Airlines Related Links http://www.united.com NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) announces Duygu Tosun-Turgut, PhD, assistant professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at UC San Francisco and co-director of the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System; and Fei Wang, PhD, assistant professor of health care policy and research at Weill Cornell Medicine as winners of the MJFF-led 2016 Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) Data Challenge. Each will receive a $25,000 award furnished by MJFF and supported in part by GE Healthcare. The contest asked data analysts to provide a model of either Parkinson's disease subtypes or baseline predictors of progression using data from PPMI, a longitudinal biomarkers study sponsored by MJFF. Such tools could accelerate testing of new Parkinson's treatments by assisting in trial design and subject stratification. "The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative offers a rich pool of open-access data from which to make connections that advance our understanding of Parkinson's disease and impact how we approach drug development," said Mark Frasier, PhD, MJFF senior vice president of research programs. "The award encouraged scientists from other disciplines to lend their expertise to our efforts to find a cure. Drs. Tosun-Turgut and Wang have provided a strong basis to build on." The PPMI Data Challenge offered applicants the opportunity to partner with Parkinson's researchers to advise on their projects. Collaboration between computational and disease experts can direct analyses toward measures and features most relevant to the field. PPMI has enrolled nearly 1,000 volunteers to date people with Parkinson's or with risk factors, as well as control participants at 33 clinical sites around the world. In the course of a minimum of five years' participation, volunteers contribute clinical and imaging data and biological samples. GE Healthcare is one of 19 PPMI industry partners that provide financial or in-kind support and intellectual expertise to the study. MJFF and GE Healthcare will continue to collaborate on optimizing the PPMI dataset to develop digital solutions that aim to improve patients' clinical outcomes. Characterization of Parkinson's Informs Research Directions and Design Dr. Tosun-Turgut reports that an MRI scan of brain structure and functionality (diffusion tensor imaging) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (motor examination) total score at baseline are, together, the best factors for predicting slow versus fast progression. "Parkinson's is a highly variable disease, which hinders clinicians' ability to give patients a clear prognosis and researchers' ability to efficiently measure the impact of treatments on the disease process," said Dr. Tosun-Turgut. "Identifying early clinical markers of rate of progression can benefit clinical care and testing of new therapies." Dr. Wang outlines three Parkinson's subgroups: (i) progression of both motor and cognitive dysfunction; (ii) progression of cognitive dysfunction (especially long-term memory) but not motor progression; and (iii) progression of motor dysfunction (especially right-hand tremor) but not cognitive progression. "Characterizing subgroups based on clinical symptoms may allow trial sponsors to test a new therapy, such as a cognition drug, in a subpopulation with greater need that is more likely to respond," said Dr. Wang. "Such classification also opens new avenues for investigations into the pathophysiology of these symptoms." MJFF will host a webinar on Friday, February 24, 2017, where Drs. Tosun-Turgut and Wang will review their methods and findings. Register to join this live event and learn more about PPMI data analysis at www.michaeljfox.org/research/data-science.html. Building Infrastructure and Leveraging Expertise to Advance Data Analysis and Findings Open data access and sharing are core values of The Michael J. Fox Foundation as part of our mission to speed discovery and replication of promising results. Since its launch in 2010, PPMI has made its data available to the broader research community in real time; study data has been downloaded more than 800,000 times. The Foundation hopes to host more challenges with PPMI data in the future and is launching a similar contest in early 2017 with data collected through wearable devices and a smartphone application for a levodopa response study in partnership with Intel. MJFF sponsored an analysis challenge in 2013 with data collected through smartphones. About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $650 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. For more information, visit www.michaeljfox.org. About UCSF and San Francisco VA Health Care System UC San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes top-ranked graduate schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy; a graduate division with nationally renowned programs in basic, biomedical, translational and population sciences; and a preeminent biomedical research enterprise. It also includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals, UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, and other partner and affiliated hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the Bay Area. Please visit www.ucsf.edu/news. The San Francisco VA Health Care System has one of the largest medical research programs in the national VA system, with more than 200 research scientists, all of whom are faculty members at University of California, San Francisco. About Weill Cornell Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine is committed to excellence in patient care, scientific discovery and the education of future physicians in New York City and around the world. The doctors and scientists of Weill Cornell Medicine faculty from Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and Weill Cornell Physician Organization are engaged in world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research that connect patients to the latest treatment innovations and prevention strategies. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side's scientific corridor, Weill Cornell Medicine's powerful network of collaborators extends to its parent university Cornell University; to Qatar, where an international campus offers a U.S. medical degree; and to programs in Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Weill Cornell Medicine faculty provide comprehensive patient care at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital and New York-Presbyterian/Queens. Weill Cornell Medicine is also affiliated with Houston Methodist. For more information, visit www.weill.cornell.edu. SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Related Links http://www.michaeljfox.org SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The idea of searching through your purse or wallet to find your card soon may become like flipping through a phone book to find a phone number. Beyond mobile payments, the USAA digital wallet is bringing members access to other staples of their physical wallet, including their auto insurance card and medical insurance card. "Our goal is to take mobile one step further from point of sale capabilities," said Prianka Advani, assistant vice president at USAA Bank. "As mobile devices continue to become the thing our members can't live without, we want to take full advantage of the device's intelligence to bring members the services and information they need at anytime, anywhere." The six new digital wallet features include: Virtual access to cards Members now can see their full card number and information in their digital wallet. In addition, they can use their card information at point of sale even if they left their physical card at home. Members now can see their full card number and information in their digital wallet. In addition, they can use their card information at point of sale even if they left their physical card at home. Auto insurance ID card Members can access their proof of insurance, including a printable PDF for insured vehicles. Members can access their proof of insurance, including a printable PDF for insured vehicles. Medicare Supplement ID Card Members can also access their Medicare insurance information through their digital wallet. Members can also access their Medicare insurance information through their digital wallet. Mobile payments Samsung Pay recently became available for all USAA Visa and American Express debit and credit cards. This provides an additional mobile payment choice as USAA members already had access to Apple Pay and Android Pay. Samsung Pay recently became available for all USAA Visa and American Express debit and credit cards. This provides an additional mobile payment choice as USAA members already had access to Apple Pay and Android Pay. Security features If members lose their physical wallet or card, they can easily block their cards, report them lost, order a replacement, check on any unauthorized transactions and even get a status on when the new card will arrive in the mail. If members lose their physical wallet or card, they can easily block their cards, report them lost, order a replacement, check on any unauthorized transactions and even get a status on when the new card will arrive in the mail. Common card services Activate one or multiple cards, create or update a PIN and view declined transactions. These new USAA digital wallet features were developed based on data about which services members used most often. "Our goal is to continually improve upon and develop the digital wallet to serve our members' ever-changing mobile needs," said Advani. "We'll continue to bring banking services to our members in the platforms they choose, including those outside of our own app." About USAA The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 11.8 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com. SOURCE USAA Related Links https://www.usaa.com PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) announced today that its Board of Directors has scheduled the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders for February 9, 2017 with a record date of December 13, 2016. The meeting will be held at the company's headquarters located at 3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304 at 4:30 p.m. PT. The meeting will be webcast and can be accessed at Varian Medical Systems' website at http://www.varian.com/investor. If you plan to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Katie Glenn, at 650-424-5631, or [email protected]. The meeting will be recorded and a replay will be available on the investor relations page on the company's web site at http://www.varian.com/ where it will be archived for a year. Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging. The company is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiation. The company provides comprehensive solutions for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, cables and connectors as well as image processing software and workstations for use in medical and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 7,800 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Spencer Sias, (650) 424-5782 Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations [email protected] SOURCE Varian Medical Systems Related Links http://www.varian.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Global vascular closure devices (VCDs) market is anticipated to reach USD 1.3 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing popularity of femoral artery cardiac catheterization and high success rate of VCDs for improved patient comfort and shortening of hemostasis time are potential factors for the projected growth of VCDs market over the forecast period. Adoption of VCDs for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that facilitate endovascular image-guided interventions to detect coronary heart disease are expected to contribute toward the growth of this market throughout the forecast period. Moreover, ability of VCDs to overcome complications, such as prolonged bed rest and patient discomfort caused by manual compression, is expected to revolutionize the market growth over the forecast period. Further Key Findings From the Study Suggest: VCDs offer three types of products, which includes active approximators, passive approximators, and external hemostatic devices. Out of all three, active approximators dominated the market in 2015 as they shorten the time to ambulation and possess high efficiency rate. Amongst the different end-users of VCDs, acute care facilities accounted for the largest share and are expected to maintain their dominant position over the forecast period. This is attributed to the rising popularity of VCDs in acute care treatment facilities. Asia Pacific is estimated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to the presence of unmet demands by the hospitals and rising R&D investment in this region. Some key players operating in this industry include Cardinal Health; Abbott Laboratories; COOK; Medtronic; W L. Gore & Associates; Boston Scientific Corporation; Biotronik GMBH & CO.KG; TZ Medical, Inc.; C. R. Bard, Inc.; ST. JUDE MEDICAL; Cardiva Medical, Inc.; Merit Medical Systems, Inc.; ESSENTIAL MEDICAL, INC; and Scion BioMedical. This market is expected to witness lucrative growth owing to high level of competitive rivalry, which translates to high revenue generation in this sector. These prominent players are opting for different strategies to boost their status in this market. Companies are involved in developing novel VCDs and in turn broaden their product portfolios. Acquisition and collaboration with small companies in order to enhance presence is also expected to propel growth in this vertical. For instance, in October 2015, Cardinal Health acquired Johnson & Johnson's Cordis business. Cordis is a leader in manufacturing and marketing of cardiology and endovascular devices. This acquisition was intended to expand Cardinal's VCD product catalog to reinforce its status in the market. North America dominated the market in 2015, with over 33% of total revenue. The presence of key players in this region, which are primarily involved in marketing and development of innovative VCDs, to facilitate cardiac surgeries can be attributed to the largest share of North America. Demand of products for monitoring of coronary artery disease is also expected to drive growth. Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04394792-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 In the claim, filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Attorney Mark Tepper, the former Chief Trial Counsel at the New York Attorney General's Bureau of Investor Protection and Securities, alleges that Raymond James put his client "in harm's way" by converting the veteran's bank CD into a heavily margined, high risk account, over concentrated in Linn Energy (LINEQ). The claim alleges that a Raymond James broker, "kept pushing Linn as the right alternative to a CD." "Respondent also breached its duty to supervise its broker's activities in [the veteran's] Account by failing to detect and prevent the unsuitable recommendations despite indications of wrongdoing ("red flags"). Respondent's supervisory procedures were either defective or were not properly implemented and/or enforced," the claim alleges. The claim also contends that the cost of maintaining the veteran's Raymond James account last year, was as high as 21.4%, requiring the Account to earn a 21.4% profit, merely to breakeven. For a free case evaluation from the Mark A. Tepper law firm, email attorney Mark Tepper at [email protected] or telephone 954-961-0096. About Mark A. Tepper, P.A. (www.MarkTepper.com) Attorney Mark A. Tepper is the former Chief Trial Counsel at the New York Attorney General's Bureau of Investor Protection and Securities. He has earned the reputation of "Investor Advocate" while practicing law for over 35 years representing individual investors. FINRA arbitrators have upheld stockbroker fraud claims filed by Mr. Tepper against many brokerage firms. A member of the Florida, New York and California Bars, Mr. Tepper is peer-reviewed for 16 consecutive years, AV PREEMINENT for ethical standards and legal ability, the highest rating of lawyers in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Hopkinson NewsMark Public Relations 561-852-5767 [email protected] http://www.newsmarkpr.com Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443417 SOURCE Mark A. Tepper, P.A. Related Links http://www.MarkTepper.com ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigene Biosciences, Inc. (Vigene), a leading biotechnology company for viral vector production and development, announced today that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Omnia Biologics, Inc. (Omnia), including Omnia's cGMP facility and equipment. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The assets acquired by Vigene from Omnia will include a 7,000 square-foot laboratory space, including three cGMP manufacturing suites and one process development laboratory for viral vector production, including AAV, lentivirus and adenovirus. Vigene will also acquire Omnia's cGMP quality system and personnel qualified for manufacturing clinical grade viral vectors. "We are pleased to have taken this step to expand our cGMP capacity and capability," stated Dr. Zairen Sun, Vigene's CEO. "We believe that the cGMP capability and capacity complement the current strong position of Vigene in the viral vector research reagent market. We plan to take full advantage of our new cGMP facilities by exploring and developing new partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to further their gene and cell therapy pipeline development." "Vigene is the perfect company to acquire Omnia," stated Dr. Dale VanderPutten, President and CEO of Omnia. "We feel strongly that this transaction will catapult Vigene into a leading position in cGMP vector production. The fact that Vigene's existing facilities are in close proximity to Omnia's cGMP facility will be conducive to the integration of the Omnia assets and personnel into the Vigene business." Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. served as legal advisor to Vigene in the transaction. About Vigene Biosciences Vigene Biosciences, Inc is a leader in viral vector based gene delivery for both life science research, gene therapy and cell therapy purposes. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Vigene offers AAV, lentivirus and adenovirus based products and custom services. Both research grade and cGMP grade AAV, lentiviral and adenoviral vectors are available. Please visit www.vigenebio.com About Omnia Biologics Omnia Biologics, Inc offers cGMP production and process development services for gene therapeutics through commercial recombinant proteins. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, the company has both non-cGMP and cGMP facilities for process development through Phase I/II manufacture. Please visit www.omniabiologics.com Contact Information Jeffrey Hung, Ph.D. Chief Commercial Officer Vigene Biosciences 301-251-6638 [email protected] SOURCE Vigene Biosciences Related Links http://www.vigenebio.com DUBLIN, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, today announced the completion of a 60,000 square foot expansion at its contract manufacturing facility near Mulhuddart, County Dublin. The expansion is in response to customer demand for medical device manufacturingespecially in the area of diabetesand represents West's most recent investment in Ireland, where the Company is also building a new pharmaceutical component manufacturing facility. West also announced that its contract manufacturing businessformerly known as The Tech Groupwill now align with the West brand and do business as "West." This transition reflects the significance of contract manufacturing in West's long-term strategy as a leader in integrated packaging and delivery for injectable medicines. The additional capacity in Dublin will make it possible to better service the Company's growing healthcare and medical device contract manufacturing business, which is focused on supplying high-quality molding and assembly solutions for the production of medical devices such as auto-injectors and continuous glucose monitoring systems. West anticipates 100 new jobs will be added to the business over the next five years as a result of the expansion. "As the healthcare market becomes increasingly complex, West is advancing our core competencies in the development, manufacturing and final packaging of complex drug delivery systems and diagnostic devices for our customers," said Karen Flynn, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, West. "We are excited about the growth and expansion we are experiencing in both our contract manufacturing business in Dublin as well as our proprietary products business in Waterford, both of which will support increasing demand from our global customer base." Along with the expansion of its Dublin facility, West is also growing its proprietary product business in Waterford, Ireland. The Company previously announced the construction of a centre of excellence for its proprietary elastomeric sheeting and injectable component product lines. The new plant is expected to begin full commercial operations in 2018. "We are very pleased with West's commitment to furthering operations in Ireland," said Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD, Ireland's Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation. "With this most recent expansion in Dublin and the company's previously announced investment in Waterford, West is affirming its presence as an important employer in Ireland. I am delighted with this new investment, which strongly aligns with the Government's ongoing strategy to attract investment in high-quality, high-value, medical device manufacturing to Ireland. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with West." Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said, "IDA's life science sector continues to grow from strength-to-strength and this investment by West is a good example of the potential for convergence across the life sciences sector. Ireland has seen hundreds of millions invested in recent years in the development and manufacturing of new injectable drugs for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and cancer. The patients who will benefit from these exciting new drugs will also benefit from West's innovation in drug delivery devices. IDA welcomes this investment and looks forward to continuing to work with West and their partner biotech companies in further developing the Irish cluster." Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "should," "could," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases, which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Examples of these forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to) West's statements with respect to planned manufacturing capabilities and job creation. While forward-looking statements reflect West's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. Furthermore, except as required by law, West disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions, new information or other changes. Known material risks, uncertainties and other factors that can affect future results are discussed or incorporated by reference in periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed by West from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About West West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of packaging components and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products. Working by the side of its customers from concept to patient, West creates products that promote the efficiency, reliability and safety of the world's pharmaceutical drug supply. West is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, and supports its customers from locations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. West's 2015 sales of $1.4 billion reflect the daily use of approximately 110 million of its components and devices, which are designed to improve the delivery of healthcare to patients around the world. About Contract Manufacturing West is a global contract manufacturer of pharmaceutical and medical devices and diagnostics. With eight locations in North America and Europe, West's contract manufacturing business is focused on serving the needs of healthcare companies by providing a single-sourced solution from product conceptualization and rapid prototyping through high-volume manufacturing and final packaging. West and the diamond logo and By your side for a healthier world are registered trademarks or trademarks of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., in the United States and other jurisdictions. Media Contact: Emily Denney Global Communications, West + 1-610-594-3035 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161128/443296LOGO SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. ALLENTOWN, Pa., Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Creditsafe, the world's most used supplier of online company credit reports, today released a report tracking the speed at which companies in each of the fifty states pays its bills. Among the fastest bill paying states are Maine, New Hampshire and Oregon with Alabama, Nevada and Florida being some of the slowest. The report analyses trade payment data for companies in each of the fifty states and tracked the changes from start of Quarter 2 to the end of Quarter 3 2016. "We've analyzed the payment behavior submitted to us by thousands of individual suppliers for companies in each of the fifty states for the period of April thru September of 2016. In nearly all the cases, the average DBT (Days beyond Terms) for companies in each state has increased, meaning companies are taking longer to pay their suppliers over the course of the year," explained Matthew Debbage, CEO of Creditsafe USA and Asia. "The states paying their bills the fastest were Maine, New Hampshire and Oregon with an average DBT of 4.53 or just over four days. The slowest states were Nevada, Alabama and New Hampshire with an average DBT of 14.91 or nearly fifteen days beyond the agreed due date. It is truly incredibly the significance in the variation between the states." Creditsafe's global database is one of the most rapidly expanding in the industry and also one of the most comprehensive. Each day over 200,000 users around the world leverage the company's database to gather strategic, insightful business information. Creditsafe's database is updated over a million times a day with information gathered from thousands of sources. In 99.9% of the cases, reports requested by customers are delivered instantly. Over forty percent of Creditsafe's customers leverage the company's internationally reporting capabilities. "Worsening of DBT or taking longer to pay is a key indicator when analyzing a company's likelihood of failure. By analyzing the payment behavior of companies in a state, may reveal insight into the state's overall financial wellbeing," explained Debbage. About Creditsafe: Creditsafe is the world's most used supplier of company business intelligence with ten Creditsafe Group reports downloaded every second. Privately owned and independently minded, Creditsafe is looking to change the way business information is used by providing high quality data in an easy to use format that everyone in an organization can benefit from. Founded in Norway in 1997, Creditsafe has offices in countries all over the world including: the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States. Globally, The Creditsafe Group employs over 1,000 people and has more than 80,000 subscription customers. Three years ago, The Creditsafe Group opened offices in the US under the name Creditsafe USA, Inc. Its U.S. operations are headquartered in Allentown, PA with another office in Phoenix, AZ. Nearly 5,000 companies in the U.S. use its credit reports, ranging from small businesses to large, global concerns like Staples, Ryder and Nestle. For more information about Creditsafe, please visit www.creditsafe.com. For more information about this release, please contact Kathryn Lancioni: [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160902/403891LOGO SOURCE Creditsafe Related Links http://www.creditsafe.com WOOLRICH, Pa. and BOLOGNA, Italy, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Woolrich Inc., America's oldest outdoor clothing company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of outdoor lifestyle apparel, and Woolrich Europe, licensee of the trademark for Europe and Asia, owned by W.P. Lavori in Corso, jointly-announced today the completion of an agreement to merge into Woolrich International, a new holding company responsible for leading and accelerating the future growth and development of the Woolrich brand, both in the North American market and worldwide. The agreement includes all of the entity's industrial assets, the rights associated with the brand and the entire distribution network. Financial terms of the private transaction have not been disclosed. The newly-formed company, Woolrich International will be headquartered in London and will coordinate the operating offices in New York City, Woolrich Pennsylvania, and Bologna and Milan, Italy. The new entity will have a global workforce of 300 people, with a closing provision of an annual turnover of $190 million for 2016. This transaction allows the Woolrich brand to continue its path of development with prospects for an annual average growth of 12% from 2017 to 2020, expected to reach an annual turnover of $300 million by 2020, employing 500 people. This expansion is supported by a capital expenditure plan of about $50 million, aimed to reach over 60 points of sale. Woolrich International, at the end of the 4 years strategic plan, aims to be listed through an IPO in a prominent international stock market with the purpose to sustain the second growth phase on the emerging markets with superior potential. The execution of the IPO will be evaluated even considering possible strategic alliances which can accelerate the implementation of the 2017-2020 plan. Founded in 1830 by John Rich with the establishment of the original Woolrich Woolen Mill, still operative in Pennsylvania, Woolrich Inc. is the epitome of the history of the U.S. outdoor apparel industry. What started during the Civil War as a response to the need for appropriate clothing and blankets has evolved into an original American clothing company that weaves its tradition and craft into purpose-inspired, functional, protective and durable products. W.P. Lavori in Corso has been a partner of Woolrich since 1984, initially involved in its distribution, then, in 1998, evolving the collaboration into an official license to design, produce and distribute Woolrich products, starting in Italy, then expanding into Europe and Asia. Thanks to the launch of the Woolrich John Rich & Bros. collection and its original icon Arctic Parka, Woolrich has become a leading brand in the contemporary outerwear market, present today in 45 countries with a network of 25 stores. The industrial merger of Woolrich Inc. and Woolrich Europe establishes a new industry leader, leveraging Woolrich Inc.'s recognized leadership as a pioneer in textile manufacturing and outdoor specialist in the North American market, and Woolrich Europe's well-known premium branding, marketing, design, creativity and international distribution capabilities. Cristina Calori, Chairman and CEO of W.P. Lavori in Corso and Woolrich Europe, will lead the merged organization, assuming the role of Chairman of Woolrich International. Paolo Corinaldesi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Andrea Cane, Creative Director for Woolrich Europe, has been appointed Global Creative Director with complete creative responsibility for all Woolrich collections and brand image. Nicholas Brayton, 7th-generation descendent of founder John Rich, will continue his role of President of Woolrich Inc., leading the North American market. W.P. Lavori in Corso will control and consolidate the new entity, while the Rich family will continue to own a significant stake. The Woolrich strategic plan is based on the following pillars: Forward expansion and global development of the Woolrich John Rich & Bros. label as an outerwear leader, supported by strong marketing investments, development of the retail network (stores and shop in shop), acceleration of the e-commerce channel, and partnership with selected retailers supported by strong marketing investments, development of the retail network (stores and shop in shop), acceleration of the e-commerce channel, and partnership with selected retailers Re-launch of the Woolrich Outdoor clothing label with a new global development plan with a new global development plan Development plan for Greater China , with the establishment of a dedicated company , with the establishment of a dedicated company Reinforce and exploit the Woolen Mill ( Woolrich, PA ), one of the oldest and still operating woolen mills in America for the production of Made in USA textiles and blankets Cristina Calori, Chairman of Woolrich International commented: "We are extremely proud of this industrial deal, as with over 32 years of collaboration, we have built an excellent relationship between the Woolrich and W.P. families. We are determined to enhance our successful business model to foster development of the brand all over the world." "Woolrich is America's oldest outdoor clothing company; its history runs parallel to that of the United States," said Andrea Cane, Global Creative Director of Woolrich International. "This is what makes the brand unique. With Woolrich John Rich & Bros, we embraced the history and archives to embed protection, functionality and quality into a contemporary outerwear collection recognized by the iconic Arctic Parka. The opportunity with this merger is to create global brand recognition and success, adding to the contemporary line the launch of a new outdoor project." Nicholas Brayton, President of Woolrich Inc. stated: "The core values of our family and all Woolrich people are the same as those of our partner. This agreement is a milestone in the growth of an iconic American brand that has been on the market for almost two centuries. The new strategy will translate into further acceleration of our international growth and we could not be more excited about that this means for the future of Woolrich." The merger integration and development business plan is supported by a specifically structured financing facility supplied by a banks' pool composed of INTESA SANPAOLO GROUP, UNICREDIT AND BPER Banca. The financing includes also a tranche in favor of Woolrich Inc. to back up the business development in the USA, released through the New York's branches of INTESA SANPAOLO GROUP, UNICREDIT and the support of BPER Banca. Banca IMI and UNICREDIT have been Joint Mandated Lead Arrangers & Bookrunners and financial advisors in favor of W.P. Lavori in Corso. Deloitte Financial Advisory has acted as financial advisor for Woolrich Europe Spa. Banca IMI has been also agent of the financing arrangement. Financo, LLC. has acted as financial advisor for Woolrich Inc. About Woolrich Established in Woolrich (PA) in 1830, Woolrich is the oldest American outdoor clothing brand, with two labels: Woolrich Outdoor, distributed in North America, and Woolrich John Rich & Bros., the contemporary high-end outerwear line distributed worldwide. With 186 years of experience and rich American history and values for the outdoors, Woolrich products reflect the Woolrich heritage by combining the brand's historical identity with a contemporary interpretation. The Original Woolrich Arctic Parka, introduced in 1972 for the workers of the Alaskan pipeline, and now considered the quintessential down parka, is the worldwide-recognized brand icon and symbol. The Woolrich collections are distributed in 45 countries through a network of 25 stores worldwide. USA and Canada: www.woolrich.com; www.woolrich.eu; Europe and Asia: www.woolrich.eu About W.P. Lavori in Corso W.P. Lavori in Corso established in 1982 by Cristina Calori, is an international group of heritage brands, licensees and exclusive worldwide distributors for the Woolrich John Rich & Bros. brand, through Woolrich Europe. The mission of W.P. has always been to research, distribute and license the best original brands from all over the world, assuring the best positioning, through a dedicated wholesale and retail network. W.P. is worldwide distributor and licensee of the brands Baracuta, Spiewak and B.D. Baggies. W.P. is also distributor of the Barbour, Blundstone and Palladium. The retail network of W.P. Lavori in Corso includes 4 Barbour Stores, 2 Baracuta Stores, 10 WP Stores and 25 Woolrich Stores. Consolidated revenue for 2015 was 144 million. www.wplavori.com SOURCE Woolrich International Related Links http://www.woolrich.com SAO PAULO, Nov. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- UOL BoaCompra Latin America's cross-border payments pioneer and leading provider of digital payment solutions in emerging markets is excited to announce a new payment support partnership with private gaming network WTFast. WTFast allows gamers worldwide to connect to industry-leading multiplayer online titles even when local dedicated game servers are not available, enhancing the experience by reducing lag, latency and ping. Effective immediately, UOL BoaCompra supports regional payment options from WTFast customers in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Portugal and Turkey. "WTFast provides a significant advantage to gamers in emerging markets, dramatically lessening lag and improving overall network stability, especially where local server support doesn't exist," stated UOL BoaCompra Managing Director Renato Bertozzo. "We're proud to help make WTFast's services accessible to customers in Latin America, and soon in Portugal and Turkey, by offering them flexible payment options that include regional credit cards, local bank transfers, cash payments and even Go4gold credits." With a focus on esports, WTFast enhances the online experiences of close to a thousand online titles including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, DOTA 2, League of Legends, Overwatch and more via an internet-accessible private network with game traffic prioritization and numerous custom game support options. WTFast features monthly and long-term subscriptions, with additional functionality based on subscribers' needs. For more information about WTFast, please visit www.wtfast.com. To speak with a representative of UOL BoaCompra, please contact Mario R. Kroll or CJ Melendez at [email protected]. About UOL BoaCompra Founded in 2004, UOL BoaCompra is an online payment company, specializing in cross-border payments, videogames and digital services. UOL BoaCompra supports more than 6,000 online titles across Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain and Turkey with more than 150 available payment methods. This includes Go4Gold, a virtual currency created specifically for game transactions. More than 130 of the largest gaming companies including Electronic Arts, Valve Corporation, Riot Games, Games Oasis, SmileGate and Bigpoint have partnered with UOL BoaCompra to bring their games to emerging markets. UOL BoaCompra also owns and operates the independent e-sports league XLG UOL (Xtreme League). For additional information, please visit boacompra.com, go4gold.uol.com.br or xlg.uol.com.br. Contact: Karen Oliveira (11 3038-8277) Daniele Godoi (11 3092-6814) SOURCE UOL BoaCompra Related Links http://boacompra.com Seoul, Nov 24 : The discovery that the staff of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who is currently mired in a huge corruption scandal, stocked up on drugs like Viagra, added pep to the opposition move to impeach her early in December. South Korea's main opposition party, the Democratic Party, on Thursday said it will put the impeachment motion to vote in the National Assembly between December 2 and 9, Efe news quoted a party spokesperson as saying. On Monday, the three largest opposition parties announced their intention to call for Park's impeachment after the prosecution indicted her as an accomplice to her confidante Choi Soon-sil in a large-scale corruption and influence-peddling case. Park, already getting mounting calls for her to step down over the scandal, now also has to explain why her staff stocked up on drugs like Viagra, commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction. Kim Sang-hee, an opposition lawmaker, on Wednesday raised the issue by citing medical insurance data showing the Blue House, as the President's office is known, had bought 60 Viagra 'Blue pills' and 304 pills of the generic equivalent, sildenafil citrate, last December. A presidential spokesman, Jung Youn-kuk, insisted that besides the more common bedroom use, the pills are sometimes taken to prevent or treat altitude sickness. Jung said doctors had prescribed them for presidential aides to have handy for that purpose during Park's official visit in May to Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. Those countries' capitals are all well above sea level -- Addis Ababa's elevation is 7,700 feet. As it happened, Jung said, none of the pills was used on the trip. None of this was of much help to Park, who has been struggling with the corruption scandal for weeks. For the impeachment motion to be successful, it first needs the approval of two-thirds of Parliament's Lower House. While the opposition does not enjoy such a broad majority, the motion could still go through as several lawmakers from the ruling party Saenuri, have joined the demand for the President's resignation. Should the motion be approved in Parliament, six of the nine Constitutional Court judges will then have to give their nod to what would be the first impeachment proceedings in South Korea since the country was founded in 1948. Prosecutors believe it was in collusion with Park that Choi -- now dubbed the "Korean Rasputin" and who has never held public office -- secretly intervened in state matters, used her influence to illegally extort funds from companies, and secure academic privileges for her daughter. The scandal has sparked great outrage in the country, with over a million protesters taking to the streets over the past few weeks asking the President to step down. New Delhi, Nov 24 : The Rajya Sabha was on Thursday adjourned for the day amidst ruckus over demonetisation by the opposition at around 3.00 p.m., shortly after the house met after another adjournment in the post-lunch session. As the house re-assembled post-lunch at 2.00 p.m., the opposition demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued presence in the house. Modi had come to the house at 12.00 noon and sat for an hour. However, he did not return after the lunch break. Amidst ruckus by the opposition, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, who was in the chair, adjourned the house until 3.00 p.m. As the house met at 3.00 p.m., the opposition persisted with its demand for Modi's presence in the house during the discussion on demonetisation. The government accused the opposition of running away from discussion. As the opposition members trooped to the well of the house, raising slogans against Modi, the chair adjourned the house for the day. Abu Dhabi, Nov 25 : An Indian man who was forced to spend over eight months on the terrace of a building in UAE's Ajman city is finally getting much needed offers of help, a newspaper said on Friday. The dramatic turn in his fortunes came after the Khaleej Times published a story on the plight of Sajeev Rajan, who hails from Kerala and who lost his job eight months ago. Moved by his suffering, an Indian philanthropist from Oman, K.T. Mohammed Rabeeh Rabeeullah, has offered to put Rs 10 lakh in Rajan's Indian bank account, the Khaleej Times reported. Rabeeullah, Chairman and Managing Director of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, a healthcare conglomerate, came to Ajman to meet the electrician. Rabeeullah also gave Dh 5,000 (Rs 93,000) in cash for Rajan's immediate requirements, said Biju Karunagapally, a friend and well-wisher of the man from Kerala. Several social workers and the Indian mission in the UAE have also come forward to help Rajan who, the daily said, had been living in "deplorable conditions" on the terrace of a residential building. "Rabeeullah came directly from Oman to meet me and promised to help me financially," Rajan was quoted as saying. "It is a big relief for me because my pocket is empty. I have not received any money for the past eight months and my travel back home seemed impossible." The Indian Consulate is also offering help to Rajan. His company officials have also agreed to cancel Rajan's visa and return his passport. The consulate is considering offering him temporary accommodation and food. "I visited the consulate and now I am getting support from all corners. Thanks to Khaleej Times," he said. "I am very happy and I will be flying home soon." New Delhi, Nov 27 : In his first monthly radio address after demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged small businesses and workers to embrace cashless transaction through mobile banking and plastic money. "I would like to tell our small and micro businesses to take up this opportunity to enter the digital world. You too should download mobile banking applications, install POS (point of sale) machines for swiping cards," Modi said in his customary 'Mann Ki Baat' speech on All India Radio. "In the way that large malls expand their business through use of technology, small businesses too can increase turnover by using simple user-friendly technology," he added. Modi told the country's labour population how adopting digital technology would help end their exploitation. "You have been exploited much...getting one wage on paper and another in hand. Besides, when you are paid every month, there is always someone outside the gates waiting to take a cut from your wages," the Prime Minister said, addressing workers. "Under this new project (demonetisation), we want your salary deposited in the bank account so that faithful payment of minimum wage is assured," Modi said. "And you, in turn, can use your mobile phone like an e-wallet to make payments to your neighbourhood shops for your needs," he added. New Delhi/Chandigarh, Nov 28 : Khalistani terrorist Harminder Singh Mintoo was arrested from Delhi in a joint operation by the Punjab Police and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Monday morning. According to senior officials of the Special Cell, Mintoo was arrested from a Delhi railway station. "He was arrested after he made contact with one of his relatives in Subhash Nagar. The intercepted phone call helped in the arrest," a senior officer of the Special Cell told IANS, requesting anonymity. The arrest was made within 24 hours of the sensational jailbreak at the maximum security Nabha Jail in Punjab on Sunday morning, in which two terrorists and four gangsters escaped after the prison was attacked by armed men. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said a report was sought from the Punjab government in the matter and assured it the Centre's assistance. "The Home Ministry has been doing whatever needs to be done," Singh told media persons in Delhi. "This (jailbreak) is a state subject and the Home Ministry has already sent advisories to the states in this regard. The state (Punjab) government is looking into the matter and the Home Ministry is extending whatever assistance is required," said Singh. "A report from the state government has already been sought," he added. Mintoo would be presented in a local court in Delhi and later handed over to the Punjab Police on transit remand. On Sunday evening, Parminder Singh alias Pamma Singh, one of the alleged gunmen who helped in the jailbreak, was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district. Washington, Nov 29 : Amid uncertainty of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Cuba policy, a transition team spokesman said Trump wants to see freedom for the Cubans and is aware of the "nuances and complexities" in Cuba, media reports said. "To be clear, the president-elect wants to see freedom in Cuba for the Cubans and a good deal for Americans where we aren't played for fools," Trump's communications director, Jason Miller said . He added that Trump is "aware of the nuances and complexities" in Cuba, but he will address the situation on the island once he takes office, Efe news agency reported. Former Cuban President Fidel Castro's death at age 90 last Friday has not changed the billionaire New York real estate developer's stance on policy toward Havana, Miller said. "Our priorities are the release of political prisoners, return of fugitives from American law, and also political and religious freedoms for all Cubans living in oppression," he said. The White House weighed in on Trump's comments, warning that disengagement with Cuba would be difficult and carry a high cost at this point. "It's just not as simple as one tweet would make it seem," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. "There are significant diplomatic, economic (and) cultural costs that will have to be accounted for if this policy is rolled back," Earnest said. Earnest said reversing course on relations with Havana would have an economic impact on Cubans. "There will be an economic impact in the US and Cuba of unwinding that policy," the White House spokesman said. London, Nov 29 : The go-ahead was given on Monday for what will be the tallest building in City of London here, media reports said. The 73-storey building, towering to a height of 305 metres, won approval despite a protest from the Royal Palaces because of the impact it will have on the iconic Tower of London, a UNESCO world heritage site. The decision was made by the planning committee of the City of London Corporation, with London mayor Sadiq Khan signalling he backed the multi-million-dollar project, Xinhua news agency reported. The development, being helmed by Singaporean developer Aroland Holdings, has been dubbed the 'Trellis Tower' for its criss-cross facade. Most of the building is to be used as office space. "It would provide a significant increase in flexible office accommodation, supporting the strategic objective of the City of London Corporation to promote the city as the leading international financial and business centre," a report to the city corporation members said. There were also objections over the proposed demolition of historic buildings that would have to be torn down to make way for the new scheme, currently known as 1 Undershaft, London. Planners said the proposal would neither obstruct views nor harm the setting nor the significance of the Tower of London or St. Paul's Cathedral. Architect Eric Parry said: "It is a vote of confidence in the City of London. 1 Undershaft will crown the cluster of tall buildings and will be a tower London can be truly proud of." Thiruvananthapuram : BJP national executive committee member and former Kerala unit president V Muraleedharan has questioned the silence of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the alleged fake encounter of two Maoists in Nilambur forests the other day. The silence of the chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, on the encounter even though five days have passed since the incident is suspicious, Muraleedharan said on Monday. Even the CPI, the second largest constituent in the LDF government, had registered their strong protest against the government stand on the issue. Still, the chief minister had yet to respond, Muraleedharan charged. He also came down on the CPI-M for keeping mum on the issue, saying that the party was otherwise quick to level allegations of fake encounter in killings of Maoists in other States. It was double standards on the part of the CPI-M to have one opinion on the issue in the States ruled by other parties and to have another in states ruled by them, the BJP leader alleged. The chief minister has stated that he has no new information on the encounter killings of Maoists, Muraleedharan pointed out, adding that it was either indicative of his failure given that the incident came within the ambit of the home department, or he was trying to hide something. The gunning down of two Maoists in the Nilambur forests by the Kerala polices anti-naxal squad had kicked up a controversy with human rights activists alleging that it was a fake encounter. The police version is that they came across Maoists bivouacking deep inside the Nilambur forests during a routine combing operation and an exchange of fire ensued. Sydney, Nov 29 : Refugees held in Australia's detention centre on Nauru do not want to be transferred to the US under Donald Trump's administration, reports said on Tuesday. Although many refugees agreed to the resettlement plan agreed upon earlier by the US and Australian authorities, several other expressed their unwillingness, Xinhua news reported. According to this plan some refugees held in Australia's remote offshore detention facilities on Nauru and Manus Island would be resettled in the US. Several held on Nauru, especially Muslim men, told a news channel crew that they had no interest in going to the US. "The President-elect Donald Trump doesn't like Muslims in his country as a migrant," Aziz Khan, a member of the persecuted Rohingya minority group from Myanmar, said. Authorities on Nauru have expressed concern about a possible outbreak of violence and acts of self-harm among the asylum seekers when the agreement would be implemented. As of October 31, there were 872 migrants in the centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, and 390 on Nauru, in the Pacific Ocean, including men, women and children from conflict zones of Iraq, Syria and Somalia. Australia was negotiating with Nauru for a 20-year visa in the Pacific for those who may not be accepted by the US or decide not to apply. Australia was using the Manus and Nauru centers since 2012 to process applications for asylum from migrants intercepted at sea while trying to reach its coasts. However, instead of accepting them, they resettle them to the third countries. In mid-2013, Australia passed a law whereby asylum seekers and refugees would not be relocated to its territory. It was currently considering radicalising the measure by attempting to ban them from entering for life. In 2014, Australia signed an agreement with Cambodia to resettle these refugees to the Southeast Asian country under a controversial multimillion dollar deal. However, just six refugees took up the resettlement offer. New Delhi : Title: Band, Baaja, Boys!; Author: Rachna Singh; Publisher: Amaryllis Books; Pages: 215; Price: Rs 225 A university teacher once told me that Allahabad used to be so full of historians and lawyers that you couldn't throw a stone without hitting either of them. But even in its decline, like many other Indian cities where past glories outstrips present potential, it isn't so moribund that it can't host a tale of love's various manifestations -- calculating, aspirational, vengeful and deluded. All this takes place in the city's Mumfordganj, named after a British administrator, who is forgotten while the pronunciation -- like many other Raj-era names scattered across our cities -- is tweaked to make it easier for Indian tongues. And it is this rendering of "Manphodgunj" -- which can also mean "heartbreak square" -- that sets the tone for Rachna Singh's uproarious near-farce -- for at least some participants. At its centre is newly-turned-21 Binny Bajpai, who has become an alluring woman, a bit naive but well conscious of the power of a "jut of the hip, or a flutter of her eyelashes" to seek (male) attention whenever feeling neglected especially in favour of her convent-educated counterparts. But for her parents, she is still "their innocent little China doll" and it is with them she must contend to determine her future which she wants to be comfortable and on her terms -- as far as possible. Though she can -- and frequently does -- twist around her finger her father Brajesh, who runs a women's undergarment shop, can ascertain a customer's size in a look but is yet to comprehend women fully, her mother Kumud, the power at home, is a different matter, though a little too influenced by TV soaps -- her reason to wait for a matrimonial alliance is hillarious (later, she becomes possibly the first character in published English fiction to say "kalmuhi", "karamjali" and "kalankini"). Waiting in the wings are a clutch of suitors ranging from a computer programmer in the US, the "gorment"-job holding son of a family friend, and a besotted but not too brilliant civil service aspirant, who fancies his chances after helping her father in a ticklish dispute, while Binny falls in and out of love with the lazy son of a legislator. As decision-time draws near, she seeks to take revenge on the latter, who dropped out of touch as his family fled when his father got embroiled in a messy sex scandal, and now wants her to come to Delhi so they can rekindle their relationship. However, he has picked some new tastes which are not very benign, and Binny, who has convinced her family to let her travel on the pretext of helping a friend, may be walking into danger. What will happen to her, and what will be her eventual choice is the crux of this entertaining romp through non-metropolitan, "mofussil" India most of us have come from and not yet forgotten -- and it is this sizable segment that will most relish it. Rachna Singh, who herself lived once near Mumfordganj (named not after Sir Mumford, but C.A. Mumford, Chairman of the Allahabad Municipal Board in the early years of the 20th century), has not only crafted a quirky story of love and matrimony in her fifth book, but paid tribute to memories of life in such a setting with wit, wicked and all-encompassing, but tenderness and insight too. This is not only evident in the story of Binny's family, but her education, life in colleges and hostels, the dialect, slang ("bhak" itself will evoke a flood of memories from those from certain parts of Uttar Pradesh) and speech cadence (Binny's "Day-dee" and "Marriz... marriz... why human beens need to do a marriz?" and Raja Singh "phrom District Banda"). The story is also tribute to a declining Allahabad, which, however, is yet to become another anodyne and anonymous big city, as it still sees tradition and modernity co-exist (though uncomfortably), where bad English is no bar to expression, lack of opportunities do not always stifle aspirations, and life is rarely dull -- though for the wrong reasons. But above all, it presents a feisty and determined heroine, too good to be restricted to a single outing, and hopefully returning soon in new adventures. (Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in) New Delhi, Nov 29 : The CPI-M on Tuesday hailed the "lakhs of people" for taking to the streets a day earlier against demonetisation but clarified that there never was a Bharat Bandh on Monday. "The CPI-M greets the ... people who came onto the streets to protest against the attack on their livelihood and the burdens imposed upon the people through the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes," it said. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP had misleadingly called the national protest day on Monday as a 'Bharat Bandh'. "None of the opposition parties which joined the protest had called for a Bharat Bandh. In fact it is the Modi government which has imposed an economic bandh on the country through demonetisation." The CPI-M urged all opposition parties and trade unions to continue the protests to ensure that people can use the old notes for all transactions till adequate alternative arrangements were made. The November 8 demonetisation has triggered an unprecedented cash crunch in the country. New Delhi : A new chapter was heralded in Pakistan's history on November 29 when, for the first time in two decades, the incumbent Chief of Army Staff relinquished office on the appointed date. Despite best efforts by ousted dictator Pervez Musharraf and an appeal by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif refused to succumb to pressure and exercised his constitutional power to appoint a new Chief of Army Staff. It would have been a very difficult decision to make for Nawaz Sharif because he has not been very lucky in his earlier choices for the same post. While Musharraf overthrew him in a military coup and exiled him, the civil-military balance remained tilted in favour of the latter during the tenure of outgoing COAS, Gen Raheel Sharif. Raheel Sharif almost made Nawaz Sharif a lame duck Prime Minister as far as foreign relations and matters military were concerned. Nawaz Sharif's authority was confined to routine domestic affairs and social development projects. While Nawaz must be heaving a temporary sigh of relief and keeping his fingers crossed, the exit of Raheel Sharif and appointment of Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as his successor has aroused keen interest in India at a time when relations between the two countries are in their worst phase. Though in Pakistan the constitutional executive head is the Prime Minister, de-facto control of the nation's defence and security policies, domestic security, strategic assets and the all-powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) rests with the army -- meaning the COAS. Raheel Sharif not only exercised all these powers but also remained in a state of constant conflict with the Nawaz Sharif government leading some to believe that he harboured post-retirement political ambitions. This only time will tell. Despite Nawaz Sharif's attempts to improve relations with India, Raheel Sharif maintained a strong anti-India posture and scuttled all his efforts. After the Panama Gate leaks, Nawaz was forced to toe the army line and give up any hopes he had of improved subcontinental relations. While Raheel Sharif launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb for eliminating terrorism within Pakistan, he continued to support "terrorism" as a low-cost war-fighting doctrine against India. Most of the terror attacks during the tenure of Raheel Sharif were aimed at the Indian Armed Forces or the police, thereby signalling the Pakistan Army's intent to avenge the humiliating defeat suffered by it during 1971. Will Gen Bajwa be able to backtrack from this? After the surgical strikes by the Indian Army, Raheel Sharif's professional reputation was badly hit and in order to restore his self-pride he brought India-Pakistan relations under severe stress through repeated ceasefire violations amounting to nearly 200 and barbaric acts of their Border Action Teams (BAT). He earned the distinction of being India's bete noire. Gen Bajwa will inherit this legacy of his predecessor. Will he alter it? It is believed that Gen Bajwa is a thorough professional with an image of being apolitical and one who believes in not interfering much in matters of the civilian government. He has been appointed by Nawaz Sharif superseding three other contenders. It is believed that Nawaz rejected the candidature of Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Multan Corps Commander and a favourite for the job, for being overbearing. The reputation of being humble and rooted to the ground has tilted the balance in favour of Bajwa. By appointing Gen Bajwa as COAS, Nawaz Sharif is trying to restore the delicate civil-military balance in Pakistan. We, in India, hope that he succeeds this time around because it is near-mandatory for restoring peace and normalcy in the subcontinent. This is the reason the appointment of the new COAS has evoked lot of interest and debate in India. Gen Bajwa is reported to believe that internal extremism is more dangerous for Pakistan than India. Therefore, it is certain that he will go hammer and tongs after the extremist elements at home. He will also need to address the menace of growing radicalism within the army that is affecting its professional Alan. He will definitely carry forward his predecessor's fight against domestic extremism and terrorism forcefully. One hopes that he would no longer consider the India-specific terror groups as "strategic assets" and "force multipliers" but treat them as "liabilities" Pakistan can ill-afford to support. Given India's firm stance and denouncement of the policy of "strategic restraint", Pakistan will not be able to bear the consequences of another attempt like 26/11 or Uri. Gen Bajwa will, therefore, not only have to cut the wings of Hafiz Sayeed or Azhar Masood and their terrorist groups but also rein in the ISI. Indian policymakers will keenly watch this critical issue. Given his vast experience of serving as Commander FCNA (Force Command Northern Areas) of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Chief of Staff as well as GOC 10 Corps (the Pakistani Corps responsible for operations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir), he would be well versed with Kashmir affairs and the nuances of the management of the LOC. It is hoped that he would bat for a fresh ceasefire agreement between the two neighbours to bring an end to cross-border/LOC firing which has continued unabated since September this year. But true to his professional reputation, he will fight back with full force in case he feels that India is unrelenting and is threatening to dismember Pakistan. As far as Kashmir is concerned, it appears that there will be no change in the policy of the Pakistan Army under Gen Bajwa. But he is likely to permit the civil government to put the issue on the back-burner so that talks with India can be resumed. India seized the initiative from Pakistan after the successful surgical strikes on the terror launch pads and put the latter on the back foot. India rightly feels that the onus now lies with Pakistan to stop using terror as an instrument of state policy. Pakistan's offer of Army DGMO-level talks should be welcomed and used to turn the tide. The proposed visit of Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz to attend the Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar on December 3-4, may also be utilised provided it is backed by certain assurances from Pakistan. The intent of Pakistan has always been in doubt and now is an opportunity for Nawaz Sharif to change the narrative if he is really interested in development and prosperity of his country, which is well-nigh impossible without peace and stability in the region. (Brig Anil Gupta (Retd) is a Jammu-based political commentator, columnist, security and strategic analyst. The article is in special arrangement with South Asia Monitor/www.southasiamonitor.org) New Delhi, Nov 29 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday greeted Albania on its Liberation Day. "I extend to you and to the people of Albania warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your Liberation Day," Mukherjee said in his message to Albanian President Bujar Nishani. "Relations between our two nations are marked by warmth and cordiality. The revered Saint Mother Teresa's life and mission in India has brought our two nations closer," Mukherjee said in a statement issued here. "Her recent canonization has been rejoiced equally in India and Albania. India is committed to the enhancement of our close cooperation in all areas of our shared interest to the mutual benefit of our two peoples." Albania is a country in south-eastern Europe's Balkan Peninsula and celebrates its Liberation day on November 29. Kochi, Nov 29 : The Kerala High Court on Tuesday fixed December 15 for the hearing of a CBI revision petition in the SNC Lavalin case. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was an accused in the case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, but a special court here exonerated him in 2013. The CBI then approached the high court against the exoneration. Justice Sunil Thomas, who heard the case in place of his senior colleague Justice B. Kemal Pasha, decided to post the case for December 15. K.N. Natarajan, Additional Solicitor General of India, is slated to appear for the CBI. An agreement with Canadian company SNC Lavalin in 1997, when Vijayan was Power Minister, to repair three generators caused a loss of Rs 266 crore to the exchequer. Vijayan was arraigned by the CBI as the seventh accused in the case, causing a lot of political furore. The Communist Party of India-Marxist leadership came to his defence when it said there was no reason for him to step down as Secretary of the Kerala State Committee of the CPI(M) as it is not a constitutional post. Seoul, Nov 29 : South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday called on Parliament to decide her fate ahead of an expected impeachment vote on Friday, the media reported. Park said she will follow the National Assembly's decision, including a shortened presidency, following a scandal involving her and longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, her decades-long friend who has been indicted on charges including abuse of power and extortion, Xinhua news agency reported. Park became the first South Korean President to be investigated as a criminal suspect after the scandal emerged in October, Yonhap news agency reported. "If ruling and opposition parties find a way through discussion to minimise confusion and vacuum in state affairs and to stably transfer power, (I) will step down from the presidency in accordance with the schedules and legal proceedings (determined by Parliament)," she said. Park did not mention the voluntary resignation, demanded by opposition parties, the public and even by some members of her ruling Saenuri Party. Her statement came ahead of the scheduled parliamentary vote on a bill to impeach the President between December 2 and December 9. As opposition parties and some members of the governing party reached a tacit agreement on putting the impeachment motion to vote, it is highly likely for the bill to be passed through the 300-seat National Assembly. There are 172 opposition and independent legislators who want to remove Park from office, with as many as 40 lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party expected to vote in favour of it. After the passage of the impeachment resolution, Park would immediately be suspended and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn would become an interim President. Following the impeachment, presidential election is required to be held within 60 days, according to the constitution. Higher probability for the impeachment passage encouraged the ruling party's lawmakers close to Park to ask for an "honourable" resignation on Monday. Park's speech, however, indicated her reluctance to voluntarily step down. Opposition parties denounced the address which they claimed to be a ploy to delay the impeachment process. Park Jie-won, floor leader of the casting vote-wielding People's Party, said President Park refrained from scheduling her own resignation and threw the responsibility to Parliament from the strategy that rival parties could not agree to the scheduling. Choo Mi-ae, chairwoman of the biggest opposition Minjoo Party, said her party will continue to push the impeachment vote as Park's speech was aimed at passing the buck to parliament. Choo noted that Park's immediate and unconditional resignation was the sole way to normalise state affairs. Saenuri Party's whip Chung Jin-seok told the media that he wants to call on opposition parties to go back to the starting point to re-schedule the impeachment, Yonhap reported. Meanwhile, Park said it was all her "big" fault to mismanage personal relationships around her, stressing she had not pursued any personal gains "for a flash" as she believed that things would contribute to public interests. Prosecutors said Park conspired with Choi as large conglomerates were pressured by her friend into donating tens of millions of US dollars to two nonprofit foundations Choi controls. Choi has also been accused of having illegal access to secret presidential documents under the connivance or protection of Park. The President made her renewed apology to the public, saying it shattered her heart to be unable to appease people's anger and big disappointment. Park added she will elaborate on what's the truth behind the biggest political scandal she ever faced since her inauguration in February 2013. New Delhi, Nov 29 : Flaying the Centre for shunting out Delhi Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma, the AAP on Tuesday accused it of creating circumstances which don't let the AAP government to work in the capital. Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh told the media that ever since the AAP came to power in Delhi, officers who worked well had been removed by the Centre and replaced by those who do not even want to work. "They (Centre) are creating circumstances which do not allow the elected government to work for the people but the AAP would continue its good work despite all these obstacles," Ashutosh said. Reports say IAS officer M.M. Kutty will be the new Chief Secretary in the Delhi government. He served as a Principal Secretary to former Chief M Minister Sheila Dikshit. Ashutosh said the AAP government was not consulted regarding Kutty's appointment. "We hope that whoever is appointed works according to rules and regulations and remains answerable to the public and the Constitution," the AAP leader said. New Delhi, Nov 29 : Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has said the demonetisation move will eventually help improve the country's tax administration and stressed the Railways was not adversely impacted by it in any manner. "If you have read the comments of the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) over... the last two years carefully, they have been highlighting this point all the time that we want to improve the tax administration so that the honest tax-payer does not have to worry," Prabhu told BTVi in an interview. He said there would hardly be any interface between the tax administration and the tax-payer and most of the work will happen through online channels. "That is the philosophy." On November 8, 500- and 1,000-rupee notes ceased to be legal tender, and new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes were introduced into the system. Asked about the impact of demonetisation on the Railways, considered the lifeline of the country, Prabhu asserted there would be no impact, not even in the short term. "I don't think there will be an adverse short-term impact... at best, people are just trying to guesstimate. But I don't think there is empirical evidence or any data to suggest that there will be short-term impact." He said there was a decline in freight volumes but that had nothing to do with demonetisation. "Coal movement has gone down, cement and steel have also slowed down. I will not attribute (it) to the demonetisation." Praising the digitisation efforts of the government in various sectors, Prabhu said that 58 per cent of rail travellers use information technology to book tickets. "There are 23 million passengers who travel by Railways every day. Look at the profile of the people, either middle class or the poor. For them, this is the only means of transportation. And they are booking tickets through the internet." Brushing aside criticism of demonetisation, Prabhu said once the "black money issue is properly addressed" and people "start on a clean slate", the government "will support good business to progress. The tax administration will only collect taxes which are legitimately due and through a proper system." "The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is also coming, so there will be more and more information technology-based activities. Same thing can happen in income tax over a period of time." Asked whether the government needs to pump in money as stimulus for the economy, Prabhu said: "We should always do that because we have seen, over the last few years, private investment is significantly lower. Private companies that have made investments have not been able to fully use their installed capacity. Therefore, there is a need to put in more investment." Saying such government spending is already underway, the minister said: "We need (a) trillion-dollar investment in infrastructure in the next three to four years. It is very interesting (that) China has got over-capacity, but in most of the global markets, the capacity-utilisation is not full." "This is also something which is in line with our Prime Minister's thinking that wherever there is a gap, the government should step in and try to increase the spending," Prabhu added. Chennai, Nov 29 : Credit rating agency ICRA Ltd on Tuesday said the gains for the banking sector and others owing to sudden surge in deposits post demonetisation of 500/1,000 rupee notes will be limited with RBI increasing the cash reserve ratio (CRR). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Saturday levied additional CRR for banks at 100 per cent on the increase in net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) between September 16, 2016 and November 11, 2016, thereby sucking out the surplus liquidity in the banking system. According to ICRA, the additional CRR to be kept with RBI between the RBI specified dates stands at Rs 3.38 lakh crore. ICRA said banks were making some positive spread on the deposits garnered even by offering them under R-Repo window. But the gains will be largely offset by the RBI's move to increase CRR as the banks will not earn anything on that. "ICRA estimates that due to above changes, the banks will lose Rs 700-900 crore every fortnight till such time the RBI reverses its temporary measure," it said. According to the rating agency, the RBI's decision has also negated the possibilities of lowering its cost of fund. "Consequently, banks may take a pause on monetary transmission as they await further directions from the regulator," ICRA said. ICRA said the yields on the 10-Year G-Sec have incidentally increased to over 6.4 per cent on November 29, 2016 as against a low of 6.19 per cent witnessed on November 24, 2016 Manjeri (Kerala), Nov 29 : As a court here on Tuesday ordered for preservation till December 5 of the bodies of two alleged Maoists killed in a gunfight, the kin of one of them said he will move the court for fresh post-mortems. P.A. Powran, counsel of alleged Maoist Koppam Devarajan's brother Sreedharan, said he will move the court on Wednesday for fresh post-mortems. Powran claimed there were procedural errors in the earlier inquest and wondered why post-mortems were conducted at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, when they could have been held here. "We will seek the presence of experts when the fresh post-mortems are done," he said. The Manjeri court, which earlier ordered for preserving the two bodies till Tuesday evening, extended the time till December 5. Kerala Thunderbolts -- an elite commando force of Kerala Police -- allegedly shot dead Koppam Devarajan and Ajitha alias Kaveri in the deep forests of Nilambur on November 24. However, their kith and kin as well as human rights activists claimed the two were killed in a "fake gun battle", a contention supported by the Communist Party of India -- the second biggest ally in the ruling Left Democratic Front government in Kerala. Police said they retaliated only after the Maoists opened fire and shot the two dead. The Kerala Police Officers Association reiterated the stand on Tuesday. The Kerala government has since announced a Crime Branch probe where the opposition Congress demanded a judicial probe. "I will never say anything which will affect their (police) morale. My stand always has been that if there is any violation of law, it should be established first," said former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Dubai, Nov 29 : An Indian expatriate in Dubai walked a total of over 1,000 km over two years to attend court proceedings in a bid to return home, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. Jagannathan Selvaraj, 48, who hails from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, told the Khaleej Times that he braved traffic, heat, sandstorm and exhaustion to attend the labour court proceedings. Selvaraj began his court journeys after his mother died in Tamil Nadu and he was denied permission to go and attend her funeral. His case went on for almost two years. Selvaraj said he must have walked at least 20 times to Karama district in Dubai from Sonapur and back, every time covering a distance of over 50 km in four hours. He said he could not afford a bus journey from his Sonapur accommodation on the outskirts of Dubai to the labour court. Selvaraj told the Khaleej Times that he had been living in a public park for several months and was desperate to return to India. Hyderabad, Nov 29 : Unable to get change for a Rs 2,000 note, a daily wage labourer in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday attempted suicide, said his family. The incident occurred in Nandikotkur in Kurnool district. Murtuza Vali consumed poison at his home as he could not get change for the high value currency note, which prevented him from buying essential items for the last four days. According to his family, his employer paid Murtuza Rs 2,000 and he went to different shops to get change but did not succeed. Depressed, he consumed pesticides. Murtuza's wife and two children shifted him to Community Health Centre in the town. He was later taken to the Government Hospital in Kurnool. This is the second incident in the town linked to demonetisation. A 62-year-old retired government employee died of cardiac arrest while waiting to draw cash at a State Bank of India branch on Friday. The pensioner, who was waiting for two hours to draw cash, collapsed and died. New Delhi, Nov 29 : The Defence Ministry has disbursed over Rs 6,000 crore to defence forces' pensioners under the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday. The ministry paid Rs 3,984 crores to 19,57,925 pensioners as the first instalment of their pending dues under the OROP scheme, while 15,41,316 pensioners received Rs 2,267 crore as the second instalment, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in a written reply. Last September, the government announced the implementation of the OROP scheme, which envisages the same pension for same rank and length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement. New Delhi, Nov 29 : The Bihar government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it was not averse to the shifting of RJD strongman Mohammed Shahabuddin from Siwan district jail to Tihar Jail in Delhi or the transfer of trial in 45 cases he faces. Telling the bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Amitava Roy that there were 75 cases against the criminal turned politician, counsel for the Bihar governmentsaid that Shahabuddin was convicted in 10 cases Shahabuddin, acquitted in 20 and in remaining 45 cases, the trial is on hold at present. Counsel told the court that there were about 500 witnesses in 45 cases where trials were put on hold, as Bihar government has challenged a lower court order granting him legal assistance. Shahabuddin was granted legal assistance on his plea that he had no money to engage lawyers. This order of the lower court was challenged by the Bihar government which has contended that RJD strongman faced no paucity of resources to engage lawyers. Backing the position taken by Bihar government, senior counsel Dushyant Dave named the eminent lawyers who had appeared for Shahabuddin in the past. Dave appeared for Chandrakeshwar Prasad whose three sons were killed allegedly by the henchmen of Shahabuddin. However, the bench asked why the plea for legal assistance by Shahabuddin was being opposed by the state government. Senior counsel Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, told the court that his client was in jail for last 11 years and if trial in 45 cases was shifted to Delhi, then it would take 20 years for then to conclude. He cited the figure of 500 witnesses mentioned by the Bihar government's lawyers. Advocate Rohit Singh also appearing for Chandrakeshwar Prasad cited the earlier judgment of the top court in Pappu Yadav case in support of his plea for the shifting of Shahabuddin to Delhi including the trial in 45 cases. The court had on Monday said that "this is the situation which is the test case of our criminal jurisprudence in context of witnesses protection and the concept of fair trial". The top court had on October 24 issued notice to Shahabuddin on the plea by Prasad and Asha Ranjan, widow of a journalist allegedly killed on Shahabuddin's orders, seeking his transfer from Siwan jail to Tihar Jail in Delhi and holding of his trial through video-conferencing. Reversing the Patna High Court's September 7 order granting him bail, the top court had on September 30 had ordered Shahabuddin back to jail in the Rajiv Roshan murder case as it pointed to the need for balancing the consideration of individual liberty of the accused with that of societal interest. Hearing will continue on Wednesday. Rome, Nov 29 : An Italian allegedly being held captive by jihadists in Syria has appeared in a video and appealed to his government to save him from possible execution. "My name is Sergio Zanotti, I've been a prisoner here in Syria for 7 months," says the man in the video allegedly sent to Russian website News Front. "I call on the Italian government to intervene in my case as I risk execution, " the man says, speaking with a the accent of the northern Italian city of Brescia. The man has unkempt grey hair, a long grey beard, is barefoot and kneels in an olive grove wearing a long white tunic. He appears grim-faced as he speaks and holds up a placard with the date 15 November 2016 on it, the same date the video was shot, according to News Front. A man dressed in black with his face covered and toting a machine gun stands behind him. News Front also published a photo of a passport bearing the name Sergio Zanotti, stating his date of birth as February 23, 1960 and his birthplace as the town of Marone in the province of Brescia. News Front said the head of its English service had received the video via Facebook from someone describing themselves as a jihadist from Syria. Italian Foreign Ministry's crisis unit is aware of the video and is following the case, Adnkronos has learned. An Italian Jesuit priest, Paolo Dall'Oglio, was abducted in the Islamic State jihadist group's stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria in 2013. No group claimed his abduction and reports on social media in early 2015 claimed he had been executed in prison. Pope Francis in 2013 issued an appeal for Dall'Oglio's release. Rome, Nov 30 : The word "homosexual" is now a neutral word and can no longer be considered offensive, Italy's highest appeals court said on Tuesday, quashing a libel conviction against a 60-year-old man. "Unlike other words with the same meaning that are clearly intended to be derogatory, the term now has a intrinsically neutral meaning," the Court of Cassation said in its ruling. "The term 'homosexual' has not retained an inherently offensive connotation that it could perhaps have had in a not even too distant past," the ruling stated. "Merely attributing this quality to an individual to describe their sexual orientation does not in itself harm their reputation," the ruling continued. The court cancelled a fine that the defendant had been ordered to pay by a lower court in Trieste last year after he was convicted of slander when he called another man "homosexual" during an argument. Gay rights groups slammed Tuesday's ruling however, saying it could be interpreted as sanctioning slurs against gay people especially youngsters who are vulnerable to victimisation and bullying in schools. "In Italy there is no law against homophobia that bans discriminatory insults as exist in other countries," said the Gay Centre's spokesman Fabrizio Marrazzo. "This ruling would be clearer if such legislation was in place," he added Los Angeles, Nov 30 : Actress Amber Heard has reportedly paid $350,000 to two charities. The 30-year-old has reportedly donated a fraction of the $7 million divorce settlement deal with her ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp to Children's Hospital and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) domestic violence unit, reports tmz.com. This news comes after reports the actress had failed to pass on the full amount of money to both organisations. A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union said the non-profit organisation received a payment of 20 times less than what was expected from the "Magic Mike XXL" star on August 19 this year. And it has been reported the delay in sending the full amount was due to the former couple being unable to settle the deal between themselves, as Heard wanted to transfer over the money to the Children's Hospital and the ACLU but Depp hadn't given her the money yet. Platte River Networks is proud to announce that they have been named as one of the Top 100 Cloud Services Providers by Talkin'Cloud. For the past six years, Talkin'Cloud has recognized the Top 100 Cloud Services Providers in the industry. The idea of this years list was to go back to the Cloud roots and recognize CSPs in all that they do to help customers meet business objectives. "Part of the allure of cloud initially was the fact that it was just so easy to use; all you really needed was a credit card to spin up a new cloud server, and you could take your pick from a number of vendors", said Nicole Henderson, Editor of Talkin'Cloud. "Of course, we know now that cloud is much more complicated than that, and requires a lot of extra management, provisioning, and support in order to work at an optimal level and truly solve business challenges. Thats where cloud services providers come in." Platte River Networks, a managed services provider based in Denver for the past 14 years, launched it's cloud practice, Intuition, over eight years ago. Intuition provides full cloud services including: remote monitoring, patch management, security, help desk-desktop support, virtual infrastructure, virtual desktops, backup, disaster recovery and business continuity. Platte River Networks has won over 25 industry, growth and service awards in the past three years, many directly related to their signature cloud product suite - Intuition. "We launched Intuition in order to provide our customers with more efficient and cost effective technology," said Brent Allshouse, CFO and co-founder of Platte River Networks. "Our team is constantly enhancing and improving our Intuition suite of cloud solutions in order to solve our customers business challenges and meet their changing objectives." About Platte River Networks: For the past 14 years, Platte River Networks has provided complete IT and telecom managed services to companies of all sizes from small to enterprise across the entire USA within every industry. Platte River Networks has made a name for themselves when they introduced Intuition in 2007, a proactive monitoring and maintenance suite bundled within the Cloud capable of handling their clients entire IT infrastructure. Intuition provides 24x7 remote and onsite management of network environments including monitoring, help desk and procurement. platteriver.com Talkin'Cloud provides cloud computing industry news and trends for cloud services providers (CSPs), managed services providers (MSPs) and value-added resellers (VARs). Please visit: talkincloud.com for more information. Johns expertise and record of leading sales, marketing and people will be a huge asset as we accelerate our growth. New Orleans-based inFRONT Devices and Systems, a global leader in petrochemical business processes technology, today announced that seasoned petrochemical industry professional, John Barth, has joined its team as Senior Account Manager. With two decades of experience, Barth will have responsibility for business development, demand generation and sales growth. He will report directly to founder and president Chris Laibe. The announcement comes as inFRONTs AllClear Emergency Response solution continues to expand its presence in petrochemicals and refining. As a system that accounts for people, inFRONT grew its installed base by 75 percent in 2016 alone. AllClear assists ERTs in making life-saving decisions by providing rich data during an incident and acting as a deep resource of information after the event for personnel to identify areas for improvement. In his new position, Barth will play a key role in continuing to increase AllClears global market share in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry. Im excited to join inFRONT during this time of rapid market growth, said Barth. inFRONTs AllClear Emergency Assembly Solution puts actionable data into the hands of emergency responders fast enough to save lives, and I look forward to being a champion of a technology that can help to make not only employees, but the communities where they live and work, safer. Barth is well positioned to accelerate inFRONTs momentum with a track record of success delivering solutions to global companies including Huntsman Chemical, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, and BP. The addition of John to our team allows us to not only reinforce our position as the leader in safety technology for the downstream sector, but also evaluate the opportunity to expand into other industries where a safety culture is imperative to success, explained Chris Laibe. Johns expertise and record of leading sales, marketing and people will be a huge asset as we accelerate our growth. To learn more about inFRONTS AllClear Emergency Assembly Solution, visit http://www.infrontusa.com/allclear. ### About inFRONT New Orleans-based inFRONT is a technology company dedicated to improving business processes in the petrochemical industry. For over 30 years, the company has cultivated a strong competency in integrating its solutions among core business applications that perform time and attendance, emergency assembly, ERP, and human resources functions. Through AllClear Emergency Assembly, the first-ever dedicated emergency response solution for the petrochemical industry, emergency response teams have the ability to more accurately muster employees during emergency situations through rich, safety-specific data. For more information on inFRONT, visit http://www.infrontusa.com/ or @inFRONTUSA on Twitter. Unlocked Official Poster From Executive Producer Sean Astin and Director Jeremy Snead, this new eight-part documentary series follows eight celebrity correspondents as they dive into the world of video games. The series is currently available to pre-order and will be available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Steam beginning December 15th. Each episode bounces around three different host's journeys, beginning with Sean Astin's exploration of game design schools and the world of video game journalism. Tom Arnold journeys into the past, present, and future of games. Matt Walsh covers non-traditional areas by meeting with doctors and field experts to understand the psychology of gaming. Penn Jillette seeks to understand the world of modern game development. Michael Rooker looks into the fascinating technology used in performance capture. Zelda Williams investigates how hospitals use games as therapy and rehabilitation. Alison Haislip goes behind the scenes at Nintendo and other companies at E3. And finally, Meghan Strawburry17 Camarena explores the global explosion of competitive video gaming, better known as esports. Also featured in the series are cultural figures like William Shatner, Tony Hawk, Kevin Smith, and Jason Mewes as well as a litany of video game industry icons like Nolan Bushnell and Shigeru Miyamoto. Interviews also feature field experts, doctors, scientists, game designers, authors, and many more. Fans can pre-order the entire 8-part series now at unlockedtvshow.com. Press materials are available at unlockedtvshow.com/press. Jeremys determination and ability to explain the world of gaming through the documentary medium in such a thorough yet entertaining way is pretty incredible, said Executive Producer Sean Astin. The goal in producing a series like Unlocked is to educate and entertain the audience on all these fascinating topics within the world of gaming all with a cast of curious correspondents that the audience is familiar with, said Jeremy Snead. Intellectually stimulating and way more interesting than I expected. Fun, and I learned a lot, said host Tom Arnold of his journey into gaming in Unlocked. I now have a true appreciation for the art, business and downright hard work of game development, said host Penn Jillette about his experience throughout filming Unlocked. If you can't code, you can bet a robot will be stealing your job within a decade. While we value all the soft skills of the humanities, adding more hard skills to that resume is becoming more and more essential every day. These days, not being able to code is like not being able to read. The masses scoff at those who don't know HTML and CSS like the back of their hand, and people get turned down for jobs if they're not currently programming their third gaming app. Shmoop (http://www.shmoop.com), a digital publisher known for its certified online courses, says if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Shmoop offers dozens of courses in computer science and technology, including coding courses that will bring users from total coding noobs to professional programmers in no time flat. Shmoop's courses have a low barrier to entry: all that's required is an internet connection and a high tolerance for Java puns. With a subscription, users will get access to courses on HTML and CSS, Java, Python, R, and more. All that plus broader tech courses like Boolean Logic and Procedural Programming will ensure that users are exposed to a wide variety of programming essentials that will help them land a job and avoid the condescending glares of millennials everywhere. "If you can't code, you can bet a robot will be stealing your job within a decade," says David Siminoff, founder of Shmoop. "While we value all the soft skills of the humanities, adding more hard skills to that resume is becoming more and more essential every day." Individuals can subscribe to Shmoop for a low monthly rate and get access to more than two dozen computer science and technology courses. Schools and districts who want to add more courses to their offerings can contact sales(at)shmoop(dot)com for bulk discounts. About Shmoop Shmoop offers hundreds of thousands of pages of original content. Their Online Courses, Test Prep, Teaching Guides, Learning Guides, and interactive Study Tools are written by teachers and experts and balance a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous concepts. Shmoop sees 15 million unique visitors a month across desktop and mobile. The company has won numerous awards from EdTech Digest, Tech & Learning, and the Association of Educational Publishers. Launched in 2008, Shmoop makes the magic happen from a labradoodle-patrolled office in Mountain View, California. Landis Technologies joins a growing list of vendors turning to tekVizion to provide both independent certification and also its interoperability guarantee. tekVizion has certified interoperability of Landis Technologies Attendant Pro with Microsoft Skype for Business. As part of that certification, the Landis Technologies console is guaranteed under the tekVizionVerified program. This provides customers with an extra level of assurance that Landis Technology products will work within the customers Skype for Business environment. Landis Technologies joins a growing list of vendors turning to tekVizion to provide both independent certification and also its interoperability guarantee. In fact, all solutions that we certify for Microsoft are also covered by our tekVizionVerified program. Customers can be confident that the Landis Technologies attendant console will interoperate with Skype for Business and deliver value within the environment tested, Vimal Andrews, director of strategic accounts at tekVizion. In 2014 Landis Technologies reoriented the Skype for Business attendant console category by launching, Attendant Pro, the first native attendant console software client for Skype for Business & Office 365. We believe that a simple, BYOD-like experience is the future of Skype for Business solutions and has contributed to the rapid growth of our attendant console to clients in over 40 countries. Achieving tekVizion Verified and Certified for Skype for Business is another indication that our attendant console solution can be selected with confidence, said Matt Landis, managing owner of Landis Technologies LLC. The tekVizionVerified program is the first of its kind in the industry, guaranteeing technologies that are validated for interoperability will work within the environment tested. To date, tekVizion has verified more than 650 business communications solutions under the tekVizionVerified program. The guarantee applies only to the exact configuration tested and is not valid for deployments that deviate from the verification test. Earlier or later versions of the software tested or any other condition that does not match the test configuration are not covered. For more information or to check a solution, go to http://www.tekVizionVerified.com About tekVizion tekVizion helps service providers, vendors and enterprise customers accelerate time to value, improve reliability and reduce the costs of deploying multi-vendor communication networks. tekVizion offers a range of services including interoperability testing, on-demand access to virtual lab environments, test automation platforms and custom application development. Founded in 2002, tekVizion hosts the first interoperability lab of its kind. The companys extensive lab resources include over 250 network elements and a team of dedicated specialists, certifying over 400 applications per year. tekVizion is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with offices in Chennai, India, and London. Contact us at +1.214.242.5900, info(at)tekVizion(dot)com, or visit http://www.tekVizion.com. About Landis Technologies Landis Technologies is a Microsoft Gold UC Partner which has been focusing on Microsoft technologies since 1995. Landis Technologies is known internationally for deep knowledge around Microsoft Skype for Business & Office 365 and was the first to deliver a client based Skype for Business & Office 365 attendant console to the market. Landis Technologies has provided Skype for Business software & solutions to customers in over 40 countries via a network of over 200 Microsoft Partners. Landis Technologies is headquartered in Ephrata Pennsylvania. http://www.landiscomputer.com John Kelly Phoenix attorney John Kelly is one of a small group of attorneys named among the 2017 Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers magazine. This honor recognizes Mr. Kellys high level of achievement in his profession, and represents a peer-reviewed level of recognition reserved for only 2.5% of the lawyers in Arizona who are 40 years of age or under, and who have been practicing law for ten years or less. John is the founder of the Kelly Law Team, a personal injury law firm in Phoenix. He has extensive trial experience, concentrating primarily on obtaining compensation for victims in personal injury cases. He has a well-deserved reputation as an aggressive advocate who will fight for the rights of his clients. Johns selection as a Rising Star is the latest in a series of honors and achievements, including a 10-star rating by Avvo, the legal ranking service. The process of selection as a Rising Star begins with the nomination of an attorney by ones peers. Attorneys may not nominate themselves, and candidates are identified by the Super Lawyer research team based upon third party feedback. A nomination is followed by an independent examination of the achievements of the lawyer, including verdicts/settlements, professional activity, experience, honors/awards, scholarly writings, pro bono and community service, and representative clients. Candidates who have the highest rankings based upon their nomination and independent research are then evaluated by a Blue Ribbon panel of their peers within their practice area, in this case personal injury law. When the final selection process is completed, 5% of attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5% are named as Rising Stars. Johns selection as a Rising Star demonstrates that he stands at the top of his field among attorneys representing accident and personal injury victims in Arizona. He and his law firm are recognized as among the best in the state for personal injury cases. John is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln. He also studied economics at Oxford University (England). John graduated from Creighton University School of Law. Prior to entering private practice in 2011, he worked for the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, advocating on behalf of consumers who had suffered injuries at the hands of local businesses. Kelly Law Team is a personal injury law firm in Phoenix, Arizona that has been recognized for excellence in recovering damages for those injured in a wide variety of personal injury matters, including truck, motorcycle and car accidents, slip and fall cases, workplace injuries, product liability cases, wrongful death, dog bites, medical malpractice and other cases. For additional information, visit the firms website at https://www.jkphoenixpersonalinjuryattorney.com/. Dinner alfresco at Gibb's Farm in Tanzania. "Gibb's wows guests with its charming cottages and breathtaking views." Gibbs Farm has been honored yet again with a prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice award. Ranking No. 2 in Africa on the Worlds 50 Best Hotels list, the estate is being internationally recognized for its fourth consecutive year. Gibbs Farm is a wonderful sanctuary located in Tanzanias Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and it fully deserves to receive such prestigious recognition year after year, said Judi Wineland, co-founder, Thomson Safaris. Its standard of luxury and comfort, coupled with its farm-to-table, sustainable practices, is why the resort is included on a number of our safaris, and why its a favorite among many of our guests. Gibbs Farm was originally built as a coffee plantation in 1929 and now wows guests with its charming cottages and breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Travelers stay in charming cottages with their own private verandahs, receive extraordinary service, and have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, from guided walks to Maasai-inspired spa treatments. About the award: The annual Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice awards call on readers to submit ratings for their favorite experiences all over the world. More than 300,000 travelers contributed to the 2016 Readers' Choice Awards survey, setting a record for the magazine. Learn more: Ask us about our safaris that stay at Gibb's and see the beauty of Gibbs Farm for yourself! ### About Thomson Safaris: Thomson Safaris sets the standard for sustainable and socially responsible experiences in East Africa, with 35 years experience in leading Tanzania Safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro treks. Thomson was repeatedly recognized on Travel + Leisure Worlds Best list, as National Geographic Adventures Best Adventure Travel Company on Earth, and as the Tanzania Tourism Boards Tour Operator of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and Conservation Award winner. Learn more about Thomson Safaris at http://www.ThomsonSafaris.com or follow us on Facebook. Our staff wanted to not only show their support by wearing pink, but also give back to our local communities, to people who are actually living with the disease. This October, the Premier Group, a leading owner and operator of funeral home businesses in the US, sponsored a unique corporate-wide initiative to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Employees at Premiers funeral homes wore pink ties and scarves to show their support for the cause. Also, the businesses developed special initiatives to back local organizations that support breast cancer treatment, awareness and research. Local initiatives included donations, fundraisers, volunteering, and other efforts. The Premier Group provided financial support and assistance to develop and sponsor these locally focused initiatives. Many - if not most - people have been affected by breast cancer in some way, said Premier CEO, Barry Bedford. Our staff wanted to not only show their support by wearing pink, but also give back to our local communities, to people who are actually living with the disease. We couldnt be more pleased to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a company, said Troy Centazzo, Premiers President. But whats really special about this initiative is that all of our local teams developed support programs that are focused on the specific needs of their communities. Its been a bottom up, not top-down approach. Premier Groups funeral homes are invested in their local communities and each made donations to organizations that offer educational resources, provide support for survivors, and fund breast cancer research. Recipients included local branches of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which provides services on the state and city level. Other donations were made directly to local medical clinics such as the Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center in Lawton, OK, and the Elizabeth Reilly Breast Center in Hendersonville, NC. Some funeral homes chose to sponsor community-specific fundraisers that each benefited breast cancer research, including a local softball tournament and even a Tractor Pull put on by a local high school. With locations throughout the country, Premier wanted its funeral homes to come together to show support for this important cause. These businesses serve families that are directly impacted by breast cancer, and many staff members have even battled cancer themselves. One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer and even men can be affected, said Bedford. If anything, our team hopes that our initiatives motivated people to take action with their health since early detection is key. Community Support and Involvement A critical aspect of Premiers approach to providing funeral home services in smaller communities is its extensive support of causes and charities that are important to the staffs and the areas they serve. In recent years, Premier Group funeral homes have leveraged their community influence to successfully raise much-needed awareness and funds for important local causes. Cancer-related organizations that Premier funeral homes have supported include Relay for Life, the Danny Bell Cancer Center in Poplar Bluff, MO, and the United Cancer Assistance Network. In June, Premier Sharp Funeral Home in Tennessee hosted a silent auction fundraiser benefiting the Oliver Springs Historical Society that raised over $4,000. In January of last year, Missouris Cotrell Funeral Service raised $6,000 for the United Cancer Assistance Network during their 135th anniversary celebration. About the Premier Group Founded in 2011, the Premier Group is a privately-held owner and operator of funeral homes in smaller, or secondary, markets in the United States. The company is led by industry veterans and focuses on partnering with the leading funeral home businesses in their market areas. Premier provides its local funeral homes professional services, like back-office support, technical assistance, and funeral home marketing so the local staffs can focus on supporting their client families and communities. For more information on Premier Group or selling a funeral home, visit http://www.premierfuneral.net, call (317) 566-2072, or email info(at)premierfuneral.net. Connect with Premier Group on social media by following us on Twitter: @premierfuneral or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/premier-funeral-management-group. Dr. Michael Lee I am honored to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Practicing ethical and competent surgery should be the goal of every surgeon. Dr. Michael Lee Dr. Michael Lee was among the 1,823 Initiates from around the world who became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) during the Convocation ceremony at the Colleges 2016 annual Clinical Congress in Washington, DC, last month. Dr. Lee, currently in his fourth year of practice, is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His private practice, Park Cities Cosmetic Surgery, is located in the Highland Park community of Dallas. Dr. Lee performs surgery at Park Cities Surgery Center and at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) where he serves as Assistant Professor. Dr. Lee is committed to both plastic surgery research and ongoing resident education at UTSW. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). By meeting the Colleges stringent membership requirements, Dr. Lee has earned the distinguished right to use the designation of FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons). Before admission into Fellowship, surgeons must demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency, and his or her acceptance as a Fellow of the College must be approved by three-fourths of its Board of Regents. For more information, visit: http://www.facs.org (.) To contact Dr. Lee, visit Park Cities Cosmetic Surgery or call (469) 730-2931. Lucas Group At Lucas Group, we pride ourselves on being an industry leader when it comes to recruiting the most sought-after contract talent for our clients Lucas Group announces the creation of the new role Contract Practice Manager in response to the firms rapid expansion in the contract space. The executive recruiting firms leadership team of contract solution experts is hiring additional contract recruiters to keep pace with the firms rapid growth. The Contract Practice Managers will lead their branchs respective contract recruiting teams with a special focus on acquiring high-caliber talent for clients in a competitive marketplace. The following individuals are Contract Practice Managers: David Nguyen, Information Technology; Houston Lauren Berkstresser, Accounting & Finance; Denver Alyssa Croucher, Accounting & Finance; New York Shannon Dickson, Accounting & Finance; Phoenix Amanda Gladden, Accounting & Finance; Houston Anya Hurtado, Accounting & Finance; Chicago Daniel Youssif, Information Technology; Atlanta At Lucas Group, we pride ourselves on being an industry leader when it comes to recruiting the most sought-after contract talent for our clients, said Bob Prather, General Manager of Lucas Groups Accounting and Finance Division. In order to best serve our clients needs, we are creating special positions within our branch offices dedicated solely to expert contract staffing. This reflects our ongoing commitment to a personalized, consultative staffing model that provides clients with the expert talent they need to drive financial and operational success. Lucas Group predicts the demand for highly skilled contract employees will continue to increase in 2017, thanks in part to the continued adoption of blended workforce models and the rapid pace of technology development. In 2016, contract talent placements increased by 15 percent. Contract employees offer tremendous benefits to their employers, said Steven Robinson, General Manger of Lucas Groups Information Technology Division. This highly-specialized expert talent is also in top demand. Lucas Group Contract Practice Managers will give our clients a competitive edge when it comes to sourcing and hiring the very best contract talent. In addition to Accounting & Finance and Information Technology, Lucas Group specializes in five other functionalities including Human Resources, Legal, Manufacturing, Military Transition and Sales & Marketing. Taking pride in the professional growth and career advancement of its Associates, Lucas Group provides clear career path trajectories together with the industrys most sophisticated onboarding and ongoing educational programming. Working throughout 15 offices in the U.S., Lucas Group recruiters are able to source leading talent that no one else can. About Lucas Group Lucas Group is North Americas premier executive search firm. Since 1970, our culture and methodologies have driven superior results. We assist clients ranging in size from small to medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies find transcendent, executive talent; candidates fully realize their ambitions; and associates find professional success. To learn more, please visit Lucas Group at http://www.lucasgroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Raboo Technologies to Unveil Worlds First Smart Charger at Enterprise Mobility Exchange 2016 in Las Vegas The Raboo Smart Charger from Raboo Technologies was Officially Launched at the Technology Super Conference Enterprise Mobility Exchange in Las Vegas from November 14th to 16th 2016. Today, Raboo Technologies, the inventors of the worlds first smart charger, has confirmed that its landmark Raboo Charger will be officially unveiled at the major Enterprise Mobility Exchange technology industry event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from Monday, November 14th to Wednesday to November 16th. As one of only three start-ups chosen to present at the international event, the brand will demonstrate precisely how the Charger eliminates catastrophic current battery life and safety issues in the global marketplace such as those experienced by unsatisfied Samsung mobile device customers. It achieves this through proprietary Printed Circuit Board (PCB) hardware and software in the form of free to download iOS and Android apps. Following the development of a series of successful prototypes from the dedicated Research and Development team and with final production imminent, Raboo Technologies has attracted unprecedented levels of interest this year from industry professionals and commentators. The launch of the first smart charger ever made will mark a significant milestone in the evolution of the robust new technology and mobile sectors in the United States and abroad. Billed as the smartest smart device charger ever created, the environmentally-friendly Raboo Charger is intelligent, reliable and fully adaptable to the needs of its users. Unlike standard charges, the smart charger interactively communicates with connected devices via Bluetooth. Enterprise Mobility Exchange The prestigious Enterprise Mobility Exchange 2016 conference will attract global industry giants from companies like Intel and Verizon. The key topics of importance up for discussion include; Mobile Devices, User Experience, Digital Security, DevOps, Advanced Analytics, Emerging Technologies and Internet of Things (IoT). Raboo Smart Charging Technology is a game changer in the industry. With limitedinnovation in the hardware industry, users would want to invest more in software. Therefore, they require a longer life for their devices. Hence, this technology will providelonger life as it controls the charging of the batteries, asserted Ghaith Abu Eideh, MBA, Inventor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Raboo Technologies. By eliminating the effect of trickle charging, overheating and overcharging - the batterylife will be even longer and the user will be able to enjoy the device for much longer. After the much-anticipated launch of our first product, the Raboo Smart charger, well continue to develop this technology so it can effectively be used in a wide variety of other devices like laptops or even the recharging of popular drone batteries, expressed Maher Abu Eideh, B.Sc., Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Raboo Technologies. Our long-held wish is that the industry will possess this profound technological edgeand have it embedded in each and every charger which is used to quickly replenish any type of rechargeable battery unit. The future of Raboo looks bright. Raboo Technologies has its global headquarters in the iconic technology district of Cupertino, California. Its first product to market, the Raboo Charger features; state-ofthe-art proprietary smart charging technology, IoT connectivity, data harvesting and data analytics which can also be incorporated into other battery powered devices like laptops and wearables, environmentally-friendly voltage control that automatically reduces Carbon Dioxide emissions and the highest standards of reliability and durability following rigorous testing and world-class coding. About Raboo Technologies: Since 2015, Raboo Technologies has been researching and developing groundbreaking new ways for the world to experience smarter mobile solutions with your needs in mind. See us at Enterprise Mobility Exchange 2016 in Las Vegas from November 14th to 16th where the Raboo Charger, the worlds first every smart charger, will be launched to the world. Discover more about the future of smart charging today by visiting: http://www.rabootec.com/ Download our app for free on iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/raboo-charger/id1080202158 Download our app for free on Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bluetoothlesmartcharger.ramk.com.blesmartcharger Join our new Social Media communities: https://www.facebook.com/rabootec https://twitter.com/rabootec https://www.instagram.com/rabootechnologies/ Media contact information: Maher Abu Eideh. Email: Info(at)RabooTec(dot)com Tel: (408) 418-8983. TRAXXALL Technologies, providers of an innovative aircraft maintenance tracking and inventory management system, today announced that it will open a new office in Jacksonville, Florida. A significant increase in clients and aircraft has provided the opportunity for TRAXXALLs management team to hire some of the best aircraft maintenance tracking experts in North America. The following professionals will form the core of TRAXXALLs Florida team: James Cook. Formerly a Business Analyst with SkyBOOKS, James served in the US Navy and has more than 25 years of aviation maintenance and software application experience. Jeremy Figus. Most recently a Quality Assurance Analyst with SkyBOOKS, Jeremy has more than 20 years of aviation maintenance experience. He is FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certified. Ryan Kraus. Previously a Senior Analyst at Gulfstream CMP, Ryan has almost 25 years of industry experience and is also FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certified. Tory Martin. Formerly an Account Representative at SkyBOOKS for almost a decade, Tory previously served in the US Navy for more than 23 years. Michael Shelton. Previously a Quality Assurance Analyst with SkyBOOKS, Michael has 15 years of aviation industry experience. He began his career in the US Marine Corps. The team will be led by Jeff Dougherty and Dewayne James of TRAXXALL, who are already well-established in the Florida aviation community. We are very pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Florida and more importantly to welcoming our new members to the team, says Mark Steinbeck, President, TRAXXALL. Our recent growth and success is testament to the hard work of everyone at TRAXXALL. In order to continue delivering exceptional service to our clients while pursuing a growing share of the market, we needed to recruit industry experts to complement our existing team. The concentration of aircraft maintenance tracking expertise in Florida made it an obvious location. Our new office will provide a home for these talented individuals. Together, we look forward to our shared success and growth in 2017. About TRAXXALL Technologies TRAXXALL delivers the most innovative aircraft maintenance tracking and inventory management system on the market today. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, TRAXXALL has sales and support staff across the US, and a sales office in London, serving Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. For more information, please visit http://www.traxxall.com. Media Contact: Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications for TRAXXALL. mark(dot)lowe(at)pragcom(dot)com / (514) 499-9632 / (514) 576-2519 Attorney Daniel Gigiano Child Support Whitepaper A child support award can originate or be modified through the county's Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), domestic relations court or juvenile court. The Ohio child support laws provide a number of factors for calculating child support payment amounts. Details of these factors are discussed in the white paper by Attorney Daniel Gigiano, which include: Parents actual incomes or historical incomes. Amount of parenting time each parent has with the children. Premium cost of providing medical insurance for the children. Spousal support paid or received by either parent. Daycare costs for the children while the parents are working. Local income tax rates. Cash medical support reimbursements for Medicaid coverage for the children. The white paper also discusses reasons Ohio courts may deviate from guideline child support. Some of these factors include: Special and unusual needs of the children. Other court-ordered payments. Extended parenting time with the children or extraordinary costs associated with parenting time. Difference in income between the parents. The responsibility of each parent for the support of others. The white paper by Attorney Daniel Gigiano discusses other topics related to Ohio child support. One of the topics covered is when Ohio child support ends. Ohio child support ends when: The child is no longer attending high school upon turning 18 years old. The child stops attending high school after turning 18 years old. The child dies. The child gets married. The child becomes emancipated. The child enlists in the armed services. The child is deported. Legal custody of the child changes. In addition to his white paper on Ohio Child Support Law, Attorney Gigiano plans to publish white papers in the coming months on several other Ohio legal topics including spousal support and criminal sentencing. Daniel F. Gigiano, Esq. graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and has practiced law since 1993. Attorney Gigiano is the owner of Daniel F. Gigiano Co., L.P.A. located in downtown Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio. Attorney Gigiano practices law in the following areas: OVI/DUI, Bankruptcy. Business Law Civil Litigation, Collections, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Family Law, Estate Planning, Foreclosure Defense, Personal Injury, Probate, and Real Estate. The Camille "We're committed to improving the quality of life along the coast and bringing back the homes that graced the coast before Hurricane Katrina is the first step," states Brandon Elliott, President. NAHBs National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) has announced Silver Award Winners for The Nationals new home sales and marketing awards, honoring home builders, developers, associates and consultants. Elliott Homes LLC has received the 2017 Silver Award honors for Best Architectural Design Detached 3,501 to 4,000 square feet. The Nationals salutes and honors the best in the building industry for their determination, integrity, creativity and endurance. In addition to this award, The Camille has also won the Grand Award from the Home Builders Association of Mississippi, the highest honor in the state. The Camille was designed to bring back the antebellum style homes that graced the MS Gulf Coast before Hurricane Katrina. The painted brick exterior with ornate shutters and more than 1,100 square feet of porches take advantage of the ocean views. The most utilized rooms are located at the front of the home. On the first floor is a gourmet kitchen, master suite, spacious great room, nursery and home office. One of the highlights of the kitchen are the barrel shaped doors, states Brandon Elliott, President. These doors were a challenge for our team as they took over 3 months to design, build and install, he adds. Intricate moldings and window casings carry throughout the entire home. The second floor has three additional bedrooms and a family room that leads onto another balcony giving all access to the sights and sounds of the Gulf of Mexico. Silver Award Winners are the top vote recipients in each category and are the finalists for the Gold Award. Gold Awards in each category will be presented as part of the International Builders' Show, the awards ceremony on January 10th at Hyatt Regency Orlando and is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees. "The Nationals are the most prestigious awards of their kind, setting the benchmark for innovations in new home design, marketing and sales," said Meredith Oliver, chairperson of the Nationals. "NAHB's commitment to recognizing originality, imagination and success has been exemplified by its award winners since the competition's inception." Started in 1982 as the Institute of Residential Marketing, The Nationals award program continues to recognize superior new home sales and marketing achievements. With 57 categories across various disciplines of the new home industry, the awards honor excellence in product and community design, advertising, marketing and sales achievements by individuals and sales teams. During a three-day judging process, a panel of 7 industry professionals from across the country determined the Silver and Gold award winners from a field of over 1,100 entries. About Elliott Homes LLC Established in 2009, Elliott Homes builds new custom homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In addition to receiving the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Sun Herald Peoples Choice Award Elliott Homes has also been awarded the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award. Elliott Homes is also the 2012, 2015 and 2016 St. Jude Dream Home builder. For more information about Elliott Homes go to http://www.myelliotthome.com. We are thrilled to introduce the Austin Chapter of the Free Market Medical Association and invite members of the community to join us and learn more about free market healthcare solutions The Free Market Medical Association, a national, non-partisan association whose goal is to unite and strengthen the benefits of free market healthcare, and Texas Free Market Surgery are proud to announce the launch of an Austin Chapter of the Free Market Medical Association, serving the city of Austin and the surrounding Central Texas area. As part of this launch, the Free Market Medical Association Austin Chapter will host their inaugural meeting on December 6th at 11:30 AM at 1108 Lavaca. This event will feature networking and an informational luncheon with remarks from one of the founding members of the Free Market Medical Association, Jay Kempton, President and CEO of the Kempton Group. To register for this inaugural meeting please visit http://bit.ly/2ggPsL4. As one of the founding members of the Free Market Medical Association, Jay Kempton has extensive knowledge of how innovative and beneficial free market healthcare options can be to both employers and employees. Based in Oklahoma, Kempton steadily worked to encourage, promote, and assist the blossoming free market medical movement in his state (and around the country) and understands how this model can expand throughout the country and specifically neighboring Texas. We are thrilled to introduce the Austin Chapter of the Free Market Medical Association and invite members of the community to join us and learn more about free market healthcare solutions, Jay Kempton said. FMMAs goal is to create a collaborative space where members of the Austin community can explore the ways the free market transforms how patients, employees, and employers make healthcare purchasing decisions. Texas is already on its way to creating an amazing healthcare market, and the Austin chapter is the next step to expanding that reach. The Free Market Medical Association is a national non-partisan association that provides resources, support, and education to their membership, and to the public, about the free market movement and why it is so important. Founded around the pillars of the free market Price, Value, and Equality the Free Market Medical Association strives to provide a forum where like-minded individuals motivated to change the healthcare landscape can connect. The launch of the Austin Chapter of the Free Market Medical Association follows the opening of Austins first free market healthcare platform Texas Free Market Surgery earlier this year. Austins chapter spokesperson is Sean Kelley, the Founder and President of Texas Free Market Surgery. This will be the FMMAs second chapter within the state of Texas, with the first chapter based in Houston. Since opening Texas Free Market Surgery earlier this year, weve received unbelievable interest from people in learning more about what free market healthcare means for Central Texas and how we can revolutionize the available healthcare options here, Kelley said. Our hope is that the Austin chapter of the Free Market Medical Association will help kick start some of the necessary conversations, about the importance of value and outcomes-based healthcare, and the need for transparent pricing. Each local chapter of the Free Market Medical Association functions as a leg of the national association, promoting the associations ideals and goals at a local level. Providing support and encouragement to each other, these local chapters serve as collaborative partners, and use each other as resources to drastically change the local landscape of the medical marketplace. For more information regarding the Free Market Medical Association, please visit http://www.fmma.org. ### About the Free Market Medical Association The Free Market Medical Association is dedicated to bringing together physicians, surgeons, providers, facilities, and support businesses; providing necessary resources to promote a successful industry; and defending the practice of free market medicine without the intervention of government or other third parties. The founders of the FMMA, Dr. Keith Smith and Jay Kempton, are trailblazers in the healthcare transparency movement. About the Kempton Group The Kempton Group Administrators is a third party administrator of self-funded employer benefit plans. When Mr. Kempton became aware of the free market medical movement in 2011, he realized what transparency could mean for healthcare in the local community, and in the country. Mr. Kempton invented an out-of-the box way to bring together self-funded employers and free market providers in order to reduce employers costs, transform the patient experience, and help providers spend more time on patient care. Not only has the Kempton Group shifted its focus to transparency in healthcare, they also apply the principles of transparency to their own compensation structure; Kemptons total compensation is stated up-front and based on a flat fee. This difference, combined with their innovative approach to free market care, truly sets them apart from all other TPAs and transparency vendors. About Texas Free Market Surgery Texas Free Market Surgery is the only healthcare platform of its kind in Texas offering transparent and reliable pricing for patients looking for a more straightforward and efficient way to obtain surgery. Based on a tested and proven model, Texas Free Market Surgerys proprietary system bundles together all of the typically siloed elements of surgery into one coherent platform and all-inclusive price, streamlining the process and eliminating inefficiencies. Texas Free Market Surgerys hand-picked medical professionals provide care to patients without any hidden costs, so they know what to expect and can pay for the surgery in full the day of the procedure. Relevant Links: fmma.org facebook.com/Austin.FMMA twitter.com/FreeMarketCare kemptongroup.com texasfreemarketsurgery.com Because of Dimensional Insights Diver Platform, Allied Physicians Group has become a completely data-driven organization and we can now fully understand all aspects of our business operations. Dimensional Insight, a developer of business intelligence (BI) solutions for complex and highly regulated industries, today announced its award-winning business intelligence solution, Diver Platform, has been selected by Allied Physicians Group. The Long Island, N.Y., physicians group of 150 pediatricians will use Diver Platform to attain valuable insights on revenue cycle management and clinical and financial operations initiatives. Allied Physicians Group was in need of a well-designed, flexible and easy-to-use analytics platform that would span across its 35 office locations. The health network also wanted a solution that would help to drive down overall costs while increasing the quality of its pediatric care delivery. Since adopting Diver Platform, the health network has been able to successfully identify specific business processes for continued financial health while pinpointing the clinical procedures that elevate the facilities quality of care delivery. Because of Dimensional Insights Diver Platform, Allied Physicians Group has become a completely data-driven organization and we can now fully understand all aspects of our business operations, said Gary Mirkin, M.D., CEO for Allied Physicians Group. As we continue to derive unique business insights in the months ahead, our practices will be better positioned to increase revenues, lower operational costs and establish best practices amongst our physicians. Dimensional Insights Diver Platform is a flexible enterprise-wide business intelligence and analytics solution that gives healthcare organizations a more complete understanding of their data, enabling users to transform insights into measurable actions. Given the complex nature of healthcare today, hospitals and healthcare providers often employ hundreds of disparate data sources to capture necessary insights, often preventing key decisions from being made efficiently. Diver Platform allows customers to get the right information into the right hands at the right time in a cohesive and cost-effective manner. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, organizations across the care continuum are realizing the inherent value of business intelligence to deliver meaningful insights and improve care delivery tactics, said Fred Powers, co-founder and CEO, Dimensional Insight. We look forward to working with Allied Physicians Group to increase operational efficiencies, eliminate patient care gaps and ultimately improve their bottom line. About Dimensional Insight Dimensional Insight is a leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions. The company offers a complete portfolio of BI capabilities ranging from data integration and modeling to sophisticated reporting, analytics, and dashboards. Founded in 1989, Dimensional Insight has thousands of customer organizations worldwide. Dimensional Insights Diver Platform consistently ranks as a top performing business intelligence platform by customers and industry analysts in its core market segments including healthcare, manufacturing and beverage alcohol industries. For more information, please visit http://www.dimins.com. About Allied Physicians Group Allied Physicians Group is a partnership of more than 120 dedicated, caring physicians and 500 highly trained support staff serving over 150,000 patients throughout greater New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester County, and the Hudson Valley. The mission of Allied Physicians Group is to provide the highest quality patient-centered medical care while improving the health and well-being of our communities. http://www.AlliedPhysiciansGroup.com Dimensional Insight and Diver Platform are trademarks or registered trademarks of Dimensional Insight or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Other company names, product names and company logos mentioned herein are the trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Telamon is excited to announce that it has opened a second Indiana location in the Whitestown AllPoints at Anson office park in addition to its headquarters in Carmel. This will be Telamons tenth domestic office to open since its founding in 1985. The Whitestown office will support Telamons Telecom Solutions division, which is a leading provider of logistics, assembly/kitting, EF&I (engineer, furnish, and install), and DAS/small cell services to wireless, wireline, data center, central office, and enterprise customers across North America. The move was effective November 23, 2016. According to Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Fuhrmann the necessity of the move was twofold due to a new project on the telecom side along with the growth of the industrial side of the business that needed additional square footage in the Carmel facility. We recently won a major distribution and supply chain award from one of our core telecom customers, a Tier 1 wireless and wireline carrier, that has required us to occupy more space, said Fuhrmann. We decided to expand into Whitestown because of the easy access to I-65, a major interstate highway, and proximity to our headquarters in Carmel. We look forward to contributing to the growth of this area. The 110,000 square foot facility located at 4656 Anson Boulevard Whitestown, IN 46075 houses 86,000 square feet of warehouse space, 20,000 square feet of assembly space, and 4,000 square feet of office space. Telamon will employ up to 50 individuals, which includes 14 new positions and 36 employee relocations at this location. Epiphany Learnings success at Walker Elementary and resulting partnership with the NG2 project are testament to the irreplaceable role our technology plays in developing and strengthening relationships to drive greater learner success. Epiphany Learning, an edtech company dedicated to making personalized learning a reality in classrooms throughout the world, today announced that its K-12 Learning Relationship Management (LRM) Platform significantly improved Wisconsin-based Walker Elementary Schools Personalized Learning Program, increasing the schools academic outcomes. In 2011, Walker Elementary School began its transformation from a traditional learning environment to a NextGen school, a school that embraces personalized learning and seamlessly integrates technology into classroom instruction and design. Eager to take its program to the next level, Walker Elementary School administrators selected the Epiphany Learning K-12 LRM Platform to build on its success to date, while continuing to improve academic outcomes. The Epiphany Learning LRM Platform, which creates Learner Profiles, identifies goals and documents evidence of learning for each individual learner, was first implemented at Walker Elementary School during the 2015-2016 school year. The implementation proved invaluable as it directly supported the schools ability to increase its percentage of "College Ready" students from 46% to 76% in just 5 months. And, according to Walker Elementary School Principal, Tracy Fischer-Tubbs, the success was largely driven by a force often overlooked in education relationships. When we first implemented personalized learning, people would ask us what the most important piece was. Our first answer was conferring. Then we said goal setting. And, somewhere along the way we had our own epiphany. It's relationships all the way, states Principal Fischer-Tubbs. Relationships trump everything and Epiphany Learning has helped enable this. The Learner Profiles provide immediate insights on individual learners to classroom and non-classroom teachers." Due to Walker Elementary Schools undeniable success, the school quickly became an example for other NextGen schools worldwide, including the multi-school Assessment for Learning Project (ALP) NG2 awarded to the New Hampshire Learning Initiative. A partnership of the Center for Innovation in Education and Next Generation Learning Challenges supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the NG2 projects goal is to improve personalization models to drive greater student success. During an NG2 visit to Walker Elementary School, students shared their personalized learning goals as documented in the Epiphany Learning LRM Platform with the NG2 team. The students clear understanding of their learning goals and the ease in which they navigated the personalized learning platform impressed our team, states NG2 Project Director, Dr. Mary Earick. The NG2 team was so impressed with Epiphany Learning that they immediately designated Epiphany Learning as NG2s first edtech partner. Were honored to partner with the groundbreaking NG2 project because it not only moves Epiphany Learning one step closer to making personalized learning a reality in classrooms worldwide, but its also a testament to the irreplaceable role our technology plays in developing and strengthening relationships to drive greater learner success, states Epiphany Learning founder and CEO, Laura Henderson. A case study detailing Epiphany Learnings success at Walker Elementary School is available for download and additional information is also available regarding NG2. To learn more about Epiphany Learning visit epiphanylearning.com, call 262-395-4792 or email info@epiphanylearning.com. About Epiphany Learning Epiphany Learning is a Learning Relationship Management (LRM) company dedicated to making personalized learning a reality in classrooms throughout the world. Launched in 2014, the Epiphany Learning Personalized Learning Platform is a K-12, student-centric, Learning Relationship Management System (LRMS) that develops personalized learning plans, integrates with Student Information Systems (SIS) and links to Learning Management Systems (LMS). The Epiphany Learning Professional Growth Platform (PGP) is a personalized learning platform that allows educators to personalize their own professional development through a dynamic Learner Profile and Learning Path. Learn more by visiting epiphanylearning.com, Twitter @EpiphanyLearn, and Facebook.com/EpiphanyLearn. sleep sleeping dream nap man Sleep is kind of a big deal. The more quality shut eye you get, the more refreshed you'll be in the morning. In turn, that'll set you up to effectively tackle the challenges of your day. On the opposite end, as Arianna Huffington told Business Insider, there's a direct correlation between sleep deprivation and an increase in stress and negative health effects. That's why it's important to adopt some positive bedtime rituals to ensure you're making the most of your sleep. People who've gotten mired in unhealthy sleep habits are basically sabotaging their future. Here are some disastrous sleep-related habits that you should avoid: 1. Forgetting to plan out the next day By creating a game plan for the next day, you're ensuring that you'll have a smoother morning. Unsuccessful people waste the night away without thinking of tomorrow at all. This disorganization will likely carry into the next day. Heck, it's fine to plan things out on the fly every once in a while. However, if you really want to make the most of your time, sticking to a routine is a good idea. 2. Not reflecting before going to bed Unsuccessful people may not see the need to reflect, or they might simply feel that their lives are too hectic to squeeze a few minutes of silence in. Of course, you probably don't have a ton of time during the day to sit down and contemplate you're life. That's why establishing a time for reflection right before bed is a great idea. This practice will help you become a more mindful, grateful person. 3. Bringing technology into the bedroom Unsuccessful people wreak havoc on their own sleep cycles by refusing to put away their phones before bed. The Huffington Post cofounder advises everyone to turn off their screens before bed. The bright blue lights mess with your head and make it harder to fall asleep, according to Erin Brodwin writing for Business Insider. This also means switching over to paper books for any late-night reading. Story continues Checking Twitter one last time isn't worth wrecking your Circadian rhythm. 4. Dwelling on the past It's easy to fall into the trap of replaying negative situations from the day that you wish you had handled differently. Unsuccessful people dwell on the negativity, thus creating more stress and unhappiness. 5. Worrying about tomorrow Unsuccessful people don't just dwell on the past they agonize over the future. It's totally fine to get worried about a major upcoming event every once in a while. However, if you're spending every night laying in bed dreading the future, that's a bad sign. Your negativity is most likely hurting your overall mindset, not to mention your ability to get any shut eye. 6. Neglecting hygiene This one should go without saying, but get into a good hygiene routine before bed. Brush (and floss we don't care what the government says) your teeth. Shower regularly. Don't neglect yourself. Unsuccessful people struggle to maintain any consistent nighttime rituals, even basic ones like brushing their teeth regularly. You're definitely not setting yourself up for success if you're not taking care of yourself. "When stress rises and becomes cumulative during the day, it's much harder to fall asleep at night because it's harder to slow down and quiet our brains. So, the key here is to recognize that and to create a ritual for going to sleep," Huffington told Business Insider. Following a bedtime rituals signals that it's time for rest. Huffington said she likes to have a hot bath every night as a "kind of washing away the day." 7. Drinking caffeine after 2 p.m. "It's kind of obvious, but it bears repeating: caffeine just before bed is never a good idea," Huffington told Business Insider. When researching her book, "The Sleep Revolution," she consulted numerous doctors, who recommended not consuming caffeine after 2 p.m. "You know, I love my coffee, but now I have it in the morning," she said. 8. Having a nightcap When researching her sleep manifesto, Huffington also consulted a number of sleep specialists for tips. She said one of her favorites is avoiding alcohol right before bedtime. "We think having a nightcap, having a drink, is going to relax us and be like a sedative. And it does act like a sedative at the beginning but then shortly after we fall asleep, it changes allegiances," she said. The National Institute of Health would agree: it finds that alcohol robs you of quality sleep by keeping you in the lighter stages of sleep from which you can be awakened easily, and by preventing you from falling into deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. 9. Eating a late-night snack Snacking within three hours of bedtime will also ruin your shut eye and make you fatter, according to Tech Insider. "If we have a big meal and then go straight to bed, our sleep is not going to be as restorative because our digestive system is occupied digesting, instead of being able to slow down and recharge for the next day," Huffington said. She points to sugar as one of the worst late-night snacks and suggests, instead, something soothing like herbal tea. 10. Letting in the light Huffington said another "absolute no-no" is letting any kind of light in the room. Whether it's the light streaming through your blinds from the streetlamp next to your window, or the blinking lights from the TV, phone, or even the smoke detector, Huffington said all of these lights are preventing you from getting much deeper, restorative sleep. She said that she always covers these lights, even when traveling, either with black-out curtains, black tape, or a towel. "I promise you, your sleep is going to be so much deeper, and so much more restorative, that it's totally worth it," she said. 11. Not keeping regular sleep hours Unsuccessful people are all over the place when it comes to sleep. Having a wildly varying sleep schedule throws off your whole Circadian rhythm and can really take a toll on your professional and personal life you really don't want to be that employee that's always running late and sleeping in. 12. Not getting enough sleep Unsuccessful people might reason that they don't have enough time to get enough shut eye. They've got their priorities completely wrong. Getting enough sleep is imperative to your health. Numerous studies have linked poor sleeping habits with all sorts of health problems. For example, Reuters previously reported that men who don't get enough sleep are more at risk for diabetes. 13. Cranking up the heat If you want to be as snug as a bug in a rug, you might be inclined to crank up the heat in your bedroom as much as possible. However, even if you're chilled easily, this is actually a bad move. As Markham Heid reported for Time, "... a drop in your core temperature triggers your body's 'let's hit the sack' systems, shows research from the Center for Chronobiology in Switzerland (and a lot of other places.) Some new research from the National Institutes of Health also suggests that sleeping in a cool room could have some calorie-burning health benefits." So if you're looking to fall asleep and keep off the pounds, don't crank up the thermostat. 14. Pulling all-nighters and sleeping over the weekends This one's pretty straight forward staying up all night is usually a bad idea (looking at you, Lionel Richie). However, sometimes life gets crazy. You might be tempted to stay up late during the week and "make up" sleep over the weekend. However, as Jane Porter reported in Entrepreneur, this could really backfire, according to University of North Texas psychology professor Daniel Taylor: "When you go to bed and wake up at drastically different hours, you disturb your circadian rhythm the 24-hour cycle linked to brain activity, hormone production and cell regeneration." NOW WATCH: Why you shouldnt hit the snooze button in the morning according to a sleep expert More From Business Insider Automated NSF-certified butterfly valves are now available from Bonomi North America. single source reliability and accountability Bonomi North America is introducing a new series of NSF-Certified butterfly valves with factory-installed electric or pneumatic actuators for potable water applications with high flow requirements. The new N500 Series wafer and N501 lug body valves feature ductile iron body construction with EDPM rubber seats. They are available with stainless steel disc (N500S/N501S) or nylon-coated disc (N500N/N501N). All are approved to NSF /ANSI 61,372. Sizes range from 2 inches through 12 inches. Their longer-lasting two-piece stem is designed for critical automation applications. They are rated for 200 PSI working pressure with high flow coefficient (Cv). All Bonomi butterfly valves are tested to 100 percent of their rated pressure before shipping. The new Bonomi NSF butterfly valves come as preassembled direct-mount packages with the companys Valbia-brand actuators for optimal performance, long life and quiet operation. Actuator choices include spring-return, aluminum-body pneumatic actuators, UL-listed VB Series electric actuators with thermoplastic housing or VBM Series electric actuators with metal enclosures for industrial or commercial applications. VBM Series actuators are UL and CSA listed. Bonomi is one of few fully integrated manufacturers of both electric and pneumatic actuators and direct mount butterfly valves, assuring single-source reliability and accountability. For more information on Bonomi NSF butterfly valve packages or other products, contact Bonomi North America at (704) 412-9031 or visit http://www.bonominorthamerica.com. About Bonomi North America Bonomi North America has served the U.S. and Canada since 2003 and is part of the Bonomi Group of Brescia, Italy. Bonomi Group brands include Rubinetterie Bresciane Bonomi (RB) brass ball valves and check valves; Valpres carbon and stainless steel ball valves; and Valbia pneumatic and electric industrial actuators. Bonomi North America maintains an extensive distribution network for these products from its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. and a facility in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. [end] Clio, the worlds leading cloud-based legal practice management software, is honored to announce it has ranked on Deloittes Technology Fast 50, listing the fastest-growing Canadian technology companies, for a third consecutive yearalso ranking among the fastest growing technology companies in all of North America on Deloittes Technology Fast 500 list, including Facebook, Square, Box, Twitter, and others. Its a tremendous honor to be recognized as one of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in Canada for the third year, said Jack Newton, Clio CEO and co-founder. The fact that we have able to sustain this growth over multiple years is a testament to the exceptional Clio staff behind the scenes and our loyal customer base who continue to promote and use our product. Citing ongoing dialog with their diverse customer base, Clio has been able to evolve from humble beginnings as a time tracking and invoicing solution to an essential platform underpinning more than 150,000 law firms worldwide. The impressive growth of Fast 50 winners is often an indication of their courage demonstrated in deliberate action and bold decision-making, says Deloitte. Technology Fast 50 winners are selected for demonstrating innovation, leadership, and rapid revenue growth over their last four years of operations. The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program celebrates leaders in the Canadian technology industry and tracks the successful growth of Canadian-grown leaders. The program augments the broader Deloitte North American Technology Fast 500 initiative with winners automatically eligible for this elite ranking. To qualify for the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 ranking, companies must have been in business for at least four years, have revenues of at least $5 million, be headquartered in Canada, own proprietary technology, conduct research and development activities in Canada and invest a minimum of five percent of gross revenues in R&D. About Clio Clio is the most comprehensive cloud-based practice management platform for the legal industry. With the help of the cloud, Clio eases the process of time tracking, billing, administration, and collaboration for law firms of all sizes. Based in Vancouver, B.C. and launched in 2008, Clio is used by legal professionals in over 50 countries. Clio has raised $27 million from investors including Bessemer Venture Partners. Learn more at http://www.clio.com. About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program is Canadas pre-eminent technology awards program. Celebrating business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, the program features three distinct categories including the Technology Fast 50 Ranking, Companies-to-Watch Awards (early-stage Canadian tech companies in business less than four years, with the potential to be a future Deloitte Technology Fast 50 candidate) and the Leadership Awards (companies that demonstrate technological leadership and innovation within the industry.) Program sponsors include Deloitte, Bank of Montreal, Bennett Jones, OMERS Ventures and Vistara Capital Partners. For further information, visit http://www.fast50.ca. "I take great pride in having achieved something rarely accomplished, producing truly innovative Swiss-made watches which are globally distributed and recognized as the best in class. I wish both Andre and Ronnie great success in taking Luminox forward. Swiss watch manufacturers Andre and Ronnie Bernheim have purchased the remaining fifty percent of Luminox watch companies and brands from founding partner Barry Cohen. Luminox, founded in 1989, is famed for its wrist watches which employ a self-powered illumination system that allows consumers to continuously read the time, even in the dark, for up to 25 years. Often favored by professionals spanning demanding industries as well as those seeking adrenalin fueled activities, the brand is well regarded for offering durability and dependability. Swiss-made in the state-of-the art factory of Mondaine in Solothurn (Switzerland) and water resistant, tested to up to 500 meters water pressure, Luminox is revered for its high performance under the toughest of conditions. The owners of the Swiss watch manufacturer Mondaine Watch Ltd, Ronnie and Andre Bernheim have reached an agreement with Barry Cohen to purchase his shares in Luminox, including its American distribution company. The brothers first bought a fifty percent share of the business from Cohens former partner in 2006 and now own the Luminox companies and brand in their entirety. Cohen, who created Luminox in 1989, says: I founded Luminox in order to introduce self-powered illuminated watches to consumers. I take great pride in having achieved something rarely accomplished, producing truly innovative Swiss-made watches which are globally distributed and recognized as the best in class. I wish both Andre and Ronnie great success in taking Luminox forward. Ronnie Bernheim comments: At this point and time we thank Barry sincerely for all his commitment, passion and involvement with the brand and wish him all the best in his life outside of the Luminox world. Speaking of the plans for Luminox, Andre Bernheim says: We have great concepts and products under development which we strongly believe will take the brand to a much higher level, even with the difficult nature of the industry at the moment." This new vision will be showcased during the Baselworld Watch Fair (March 23-30, 2017). Rather than exhibiting inside the event hall, Luminox promises to surprise and delight visitors with a specially-designed space some one hundred meters (300 feet) away from the Baselworld building. Moving forward, the primary goal will be to continue to grow Luminox worldwide in conjunction with distributors on all continents and supply this rugged Swiss-made watch collection with constant night visibility to people involved in pleasure and extreme outdoor activities. About Luminox: Luminox, the original self-powered luminous watch brand established in 1989, is the watch of choice for US Navy SEALS, F-117 NighthawkTM Stealth jet pilots and other elite people. Tough, powerful, accurate and Swiss-made. Luminox is the ultimate night vision gear for serious athletes, rugged outdoorsmen and other peak performers. Visit http://www.luminox.com, http://www.facebook.com/Luminox Award given to iTexico by the Governor of Jalisco It is an honor to be recognized by the State of Jalisco, through JalTrade, as a Services Exporter Company, said iTexico COO and Co-Founder Guillermo Ortega Global software technology company iTexico was awarded the Galardon Jalisco a la Exportacion, an honor bestowed upon enterprises that promote the Mexican state of Jalisco as a center of business. The governor of the state of Jalisco, Aristoteles Sandoval Diaz, lauded iTexico for its commitment to positioning significant resources in Guadalajara, the largest city in Jalisco. iTexico, headquartered in Austin, TX, has steadily grown its presence in Guadalajara as part of its nearshoring model, which employs highly talented Mexican resources to develop and deliver software to its clients in the United States. It is an honor to be recognized by the State of Jalisco, through JalTrade, as a Services Exporter Company, said iTexico COO and Co-Founder Guillermo Ortega. We credit this big achievement to the commitment, quality and dedication from our talented team, that help us to promote the Nearshoring model in the North American market, and help us elevate the name of Mexico and Jalisco through world-class software development services. iTexicos rapid growth has earned it recognition as one of Austins 50 fastest-growing companies, and one of the U.S.s 5,000 fastest growing firms, as reflected by being named to Inc 5000 list in both 2015 and 2016. Its investment in Guadalajara, and Jalisco, as a location for its significant operations has helped drive this growth, Ortega noted. The talent pool in Jalisco is enormous, and the high-tech ecosystem in the state continues to earn notice on the world technology scene, Ortega said. Our Guadalajara operations are a big reason why we are able to compete directly with the best technology firms in the world. During the award ceremony, Gov. Sandoval offered his thanks to companies like iTexico, which have supported the regions rise to become one of the five most prolific for technological innovation. Foreign investors keep looking at Jalisco, and that is why we have to give credit to those companies that found the answer locally and at the same time helped them compete with the outside world, Sandoval said. That is why this [recognition] is so important, because it awards those whose commitment to exportation of resources has helped us grow as a whole, together. About iTexico iTexico is devoted to delivering leading-edge, user-engaging applications to its clients, as well as its leadership in providing innovative nearshore solutions. With its headquarters in Austin, TX, as well as a wholly-owned software development and delivery center in Guadalajara, Mexico, iTexico has experienced significant growth every year and maintains strong business partnerships with many large-scale tech companies, including Appcelerator, Kofax, IBM, Xamarin, and Microsoft. iTexico employs more than 140+ professionally trained mobile and cloud developers and provides dedicated teams for mobile and cloud development, testing, and support. Treasure Data Now Allows Teams to Collect, Transport, and Analyze Data Seamlessly Across Multiple-Vendor Cloud Infrastructures from AWS, Google, Microsoft, and More Treasure Workflow was designed to solve the complexity of accessing data and managing business workflows, and not just ease the pain - but eliminate it altogether, said Kazuki Ota, CTO and co-founder of Treasure Data. Treasure Data, providers of the first Live Data Management platform to make all data connected, current, and easily accessible, today announced the general availability of Treasure Workflow, the first data workflow manager with the ability to seamlessly operate across multi-cloud infrastructures and web services. With Treasure Workflow, enterprises can now collect, transport, and analyze data from business applications and data stores across their organizations. This equips companies to overcome the growing, complex IT challenge of ensuring interoperability and data flow between cloud infrastructures -- regardless of vendors. Treasure Data will unveil Treasure Workflow in booth 1818 at AWS re:Invent, Amazon Web Services largest gathering of its global customer and partner community. Treasure Datas Live Data Management platform is designed to help businesses collect and unify their most important data, then run self-service analytics to make better business decisions. Now, with Treasure Workflow, users can build and manage repeatable data processing pipelines in their organization. In its beta alone, Treasure Workflow has processed trillions of events from more than 20,000 workflows to help its customers manage their 7 million monthly jobs. While we initially built Treasure Workflow to help our customers manage millions of monthly jobs running on our platform, we quickly realized we were onto something much bigger: becoming the industrys de facto vendor-agnostic workflow engine to help enterprises accomplish their desired moves to multi-cloud infrastructures, said Kazuki Ota, CTO and co-founder of Treasure Data. Having a multi-cloud ecosystem makes good business sense but adds to the complexity of accessing data and managing business workflows. Naturally, Treasure Workflow was designed to bridge that gap, and not just ease the pain - but eliminate it altogether. For businesses facing that challenge, Treasure Workflow is a cloud-agnostic solution, communicating bi-directionally with cloud services such as Google BigQuery, Google G Suite, Amazon Redshift, and more. This ensures a companys data is in sync, accessible, and portable between any combination of cloud infrastructure vendors. Treasure Workflow also enables teams to take exploratory analyses or workflow prototypes into full production business processes, at scale, without relying on additional engineering help. "Thanks to Treasure Workflow, we've been able to make our entire data pipeline stable and reliable. We pull data from Salesforce, Zendesk, Elastic, MySQL, MongoDB, consolidate them all without worrying about quality delays, organize our analytic steps, and then send the results to Tableau, Salesforce, and other business & data systems, said Pierre Bevillard, Head of Business Intelligence at Packlink. This process has improved drastically, making Treasure Data a core component of our day to day business. By leveraging data across platforms & departments with higher confidence our organization has reached a new level of analytic sophistication." More than half of Treasure Data customers already integrate its Live Data Management Platform across multiple cloud providers. So for customers that consider workflow management at scale a priority, but do not want to assume the burden of supporting those integrations themselves - including Subaru, DashBid, Packlink, and others - Treasure Workflow is a trusted, capable solution. Enterprises are increasingly looking at multi cloud deployments for a variety of commercial reasons. While compute tasks can be easily moved, data is fast becoming the anchor that can bind an enterprise to a specific provider, says Fintan Ryan, Industry Analyst at Redmonk. With their new Treasure Workflow offering, and associated workflow management approach, Treasure Data allow teams to quickly bring multiple disparate data sources together in a modular, consistent, repeatable and expandable manner with minimal effort. Workflows help bridge the gap between developers, data scientists and those that manage data. Treasure Data will also open source its core workflow engine, Digdag, to invite other developers to contribute code, templates, and best practices - in an effort to more rapidly address the genuine workflow management needs of the market at large, from those in the trenches every day. This continues Treasure Datas long-standing commitment to open sourcing core technologies, including both Fluentd, a data collector and universal logging layer and a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project, and Apache Hivemall, a machine learning library now part of the Apache Software Incubator. Treasure Data will be speaking a AWS re:Invent on November 29, 2016 at 2:00 pm and will showcase Treasure Workflow and Digdag in booth 1818. About Treasure Data Treasure Data is a pioneer of Live Data Management - making all your organization's data connected, current, and easily accessible to the people and algorithms that drive your business success. With a global customer base including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Pioneer, Subaru, Wish, and Pebble, Treasure Datas clients generate more than two million events every second and make nearly seven million data queries monthly, resulting in more predictable and profitable business results. Founded in 2011 in Mountain View, California, with offices in Japan and Korea, Treasure Data is backed by Sierra Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, IT-Farm, SBI, INCJ, Bill Tai, and Jerry Yangs AME Cloud Ventures, among others. For more information, visit http://www.treasuredata.com. Gilbane Wins Prestigious AGC Build Ohio Award for the recently completed MetroHealth Critical Care Pavilion It is an honor to receive the Build Ohio award and be recognized by the AGC for completing this complex renovation in an operational hospital with the highest levels of patient safety, quality and customer satisfaction, said Melanie Townshend - Gilbane Leading construction services firm Gilbane Building Company has been selected as one of the winners of the prestigious 2016 Build Ohio Award. One of seven award winners, Gilbane was honored in the Renovation Over $10 Million category for the MetroHealth System Critical Care Pavilion Vertical Expansion project, which was completed in July 2016. Gilbane received its bronze and green marble Build Ohio award during the 24th annual Build Ohio Celebration earlier this month at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. It is an honor to receive the Build Ohio award and be recognized by the AGC for completing this complex renovation in an operational hospital with the highest levels of patient safety, quality and customer satisfaction, said Melanie Townshend, Senior Project Executive at Gilbane Building Company I am very proud of our team and their continued commitment to project excellence throughout this challenging renovation. Designed by CBLH Design, the Critical Care Pavilion (CCP) is one of the nations most technologically advanced centers for emergency medicine, trauma and surgical care, and reflects MetroHealths standing as Clevelands highest-accredited trauma center. The project included the vertical expansion of two additional floors over existing active operating rooms and the active emergency department, with 85 new critical care rooms that are designed with maximum flexibility for the future. Patient rooms are used for intensive care, critical care, or surgery step down, while two of the rooms are equipped as Special Disease Containment Units, one of the few facilities in the country with this capability. From the start, the team was all about getting this project done. We didnt dwell on the barriers; we just focused on making it happen, said Walter Jones, Senior Vice President of Campus Transformation at MetroHealth With the expansion occurring over existing operating rooms that remained operational throughout construction, the project team coordinated extensively with hospital staff. Throughout the duration of the project, there were 27,000 ambulance visits, 20,800 surgeries completed, and four life flights per day, all of which occurred without disruption. The team completed 105 Methods of Procedure (MOP) to proactively coordinate every shutdown with hospital employees and patient care was never compromised. The Associated General Contractors of Ohio hosts Build Ohio annually to celebrate the commercial construction industry and recognize contractors for excellence in construction. A panel of retired construction professionals selected the Build Ohio winners based on the following criteria: excellence in client service, meeting the challenge of a difficult job, excellence in project management, and innovations in construction techniques and materials. About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, close-out and facility management services for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 50 office locations around the world. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com. Gilbane has been providing construction management services in Ohio Since 1959 and has served clients including Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth System, University Hospitals, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Cleveland Indians, Lakeland Community College, The Andersons, Cuyahoga Community College, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Cleveland Museum of Art, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Gilbane is an active participant in the ACE Mentor Program, Rebuilding Together, Providence House and Greater Cleveland Partnership. Clearinghouse CDFI The U.S Treasury CDFI Fund has been a vehicle for bringing needed support to distressed communities. We are thankful to be an eight-time recipient of this program. Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) announced today that it has been awarded a $65 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the United States Department of Treasury CDFI Fund through a competitive application process. Clearinghouse CDFI will use the credits to provide financing for affordable housing, commercial real estate, small business loans, and other projects located in low-income and distressed communities in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Sovereign Nations in the Western United States. The U.S Treasury CDFI Fund has been a vehicle for bringing needed support to distressed communities. We are thankful to be an eight-time recipient of this program, said Douglas Bystry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clearinghouse CDFI. We intend to use these credits to further our mission to positively impact our service area, whether it be affordable housing, community centers, or other impactful community development loans. The New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program) helps economically distressed communities attract private investment capital. This federal tax credit helps to fill project financing gaps by allowing investors to make larger investments than would otherwise be possible. Communities benefit from the jobs associated with these investments, as well as greater access to public facilities, goods, and services. This includes: manufacturing, food, retail, housing, health, technology, energy, education, and childcare. For the past 15 years, we have seen how the New Markets Tax Credit improves the quality of life and economic prospects for low-income Americans. The historic $7 billion in tax credits awarded through the 2015-2016 round will support community projects and businesses nationwide, said Annie Donovan, CDFI Fund Director. Through the NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund allocates tax credit authority to Community Development Entities (CDEs). CDEs, such as Clearinghouse CDFI, are financial intermediaries through which investment capital flows from an investor to a qualified business located in a low-income community. CDEs use their authority to offer tax credits to investors in exchange for equity in the CDE. With these capital investments, CDEs can make loans and investments to businesses operating in distressed areas that have better rates and terms and more flexible features than the conventional marketplace. Clearinghouse CDFI was previously awarded a $35 million and an $80 million NMTC allocation in 2011 and 2013 respectively. About Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI): Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) addresses unmet credit needs in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Sovereign Nations in the Western U.S. Clearinghouse CDFI is an industry leader helping to bridge the gap between conventional lending standards and the needs of low-income and distressed communities. Over 19 years, Clearinghouse CDFI has funded $1.2 billion in total loans for over 1,650 projects which have created or retained more than 13,800 jobs and benefit over 1 million individuals. Clearinghouse CDFI is also a B Corpa certification received from the nonprofit B Lab. B Corps are companies who meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and use business as a force for good. At September 30, 2016, Clearinghouse CDFI has total assets of $339 million. More information is available at: http://www.clearinghousecdfi.com. Principal Human Solutions Architect for High Monkey I am excited to be presenting again at SharePoint Fest Chicago. It is not only one of the best conferences as a speaker, but I also enjoy the chance to attend all the other informative sessions throughout the week and stay up on the latest and greatest! SharePoint Fest Chicago, one of the premier SharePoint conferences, will have Virgil Carroll deliver two sessions. His sessions will be held at McCormick Place South in Chicago, Illinois on December 8th and 9th, 2016. SharePoint Fest is a two-day training conference (plus an optional two days of workshops) that will have over 70 sessions spread across multiple tracks that brings together SharePoint enthusiasts and practitioners with many of the leading SharePoint experts and solution providers in the country. Virgil Carroll's Sessions: Thursday, December 8th at 4:20 pm: Bringing Web Best Practices to SharePoint Intranets Friday, December 9th at 8:30 am: Developing your own Query Magic in SharePoint Search About Virgil Carroll Virgil grew up as an Alaskan fisherman, so he knows that life, like business, can be smooth sailing one minute and stormy seas the next. His ability to stay calm and clear-headed through the storms of business has been a valuable asset to many companies and individuals throughout the years. After graduating with his Masters degree, Virgil decided to put his myriad talents to good use and formed High Monkey and is currently its principal human solutions architect. When Virgil speaks technology he does it from a business persons point of view. You wont find his talks clouded with tech geek speak. Virgil has an expansive breadth of knowledge and speaks objectively about a variety of subjects. NETA, the InterNational Electrical Testing Association, is calling for companies interested in exhibiting at PowerTest 2017 to reserve their space before the trade show floor is sold out. PowerTest 2017 North Americas largest gathering of professionals involved in the specifying, maintenance, and testing of electrical power systems processes exhibit applications in the order received, and the exhibit hall is filling up. Over 1,000 participants will gather February 27- March 3, 2017, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California for PowerTest 2017. The PowerTest Trade Show is open to attendees on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, from noon to 5:30 p.m. Attendees enjoy a complimentary lunch and engage with more than 100 top-tier electrical power vendors who share a mission for delivering safety and reliability solutions to everyday challenges. PowerTest 2017 exhibitors benefits: NETA hosts the only conference targeted directly at the electrical testing industry. There are no competing events or concurrent sessions. That means six hours of prime time with more than 1,000 attendees! Engage with the best-of-the-best in exhibitors and a gold mine of business development prospects. A limited number of exhibitor opportunities are still available for companies seeking leadership visibility at PowerTest 2017. NETAs industry partners are encouraged to download the exhibitor brochure and reserve exhibit space as soon as possible. Additional information is available at http://www.powertest.org. Specific inquiries should be directed to Laura McDonald at 269-488-6382 (NETA) or lmcdonald(at)netaworld(dot)org. ABOUT NETA NETA is an ANSI Accredited Standards Developing Organization that creates and maintains standards for electrical maintenance and acceptance testing for electrical power equipment and systems, as well as a standard that addresses the certification of electrical testing technicians. NETA is an association of leading electrical testing companies comprised of visionaries committed to advancing the industry standards for power system installation and maintenance to ensure the highest level of reliability and safety. Winter Day Camp kids enjoy the redwoods So many kids end up sitting inside during their winter break from school. This program engages children with nature's winter wonders in creative and fun ways. ~ Heather Butler, WOLF School Director Web of Life Field (WOLF) School invites all Monterey Bay area K-6th graders to Winter Nature Day Camp January 9-13, 2017 for a week of fun, exploration, and learning in the redwoods at Camp Monte Toyon in Aptos, CA. Registration is opensign up for one day or attend the full week! Every day holds a new adventure at Winter Nature Day Camp. Campers will discover the hidden world of the redwoods and its creatures, explore science and nature's wonders, and create amazing art through WOLF Schools engaging themes and activities, which include: amazing animals, geocaching, insect adventures, silly salamanders, plant power, California history discoveries, geology rocks!, rain and sun trail walks, music, nature arts and crafts, cooperative games, and storytelling. Winter Nature Day Camp will be held at WOLF Schools Santa Cruz-area campusCamp Monte Toyon in Aptos, CA. Secluded amongst central Californias coastal redwoods, just inland from the shores of Monterey Bay and south of Santa Cruz, Camp Monte Toyon is an engaging camp setting offering miles of beautiful hiking trails, with nearby Aptos Creek and an abundance of wildlife. WOLF Schools Winter Nature Day Camp is open to K-6th graders, and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, the week of January 9-13, 2017. Early drop-off and late pick-up will be made available to accommodate parent/guardians schedules. Camp cost is $50 per day for early registration, open through December 9, 2016, and $55 per day for registration after December 9, 2016, and for same day drop-in. Day campers can attend one day or join for the full week. WOLF School is also excited to announce its 2017 summer camps, including Summer Residential Nature Camp held June 19-23, 2017, and DIY Family Camp held the weekends of July 13-16, July 20-23, and July 27-30, 2017. Both camps will take place at WOLF Schools stunning Little Basin Cabins and Campground campus, part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Find WOLF School summer camp information and registration materials at wolfschool.org. Questions or to learn about WOLF School programs, call (831) 338-8018 or email admin(at)wolfschool(dot)org. Web of Life Field (WOLF) School is a nonprofit organization providing outdoor education and team building programs to K-12 students and their teachers, and fun camp experiences for the community. WOLF Schools educational nature camps inspire kids to experience the outdoors, connect to nature, build healthy relationships, and gain awareness of their impact on environment and communityall in a fun camp setting led by our knowledgeable, friendly, and energetic naturalists. Operating at multiple camps throughout California and with a mission of building respect, appreciation and stewardship within the web of life, WOLF School proudly serves 3,000 students each year. WOLF School is the educational component of nonprofit United Camps, Conferences and Retreats (UCCR). In 2013, Scott Keyes found a nonstop, round-trip plane ticket from New York City to Milan for $130. He knew the deal was a massive score. What he didn't know at the time was that his cyber bargain-hunting would turn into almost seven figures, a five-employee start-up and an email newsletter with almost 250,000 subscribers. When Keyes, now 29 years old, returned from Milan, his friends were desperate to know how they, too, could secure such jaw-dropping deals. Some of his most brag-worthy finds include round-trip tickets to Kenya for $310, Rio for $363, the Azores for $271, Copenhagen or Oslo for $279, and Bali for $348. (Azores, in case you are wondering, are a group of islands that are a Portuguese archipelago in the mid-Atlantic.) Keyes agreed to share the deals with his buddies. To streamline the notification process, he set up a newsletter to which his friends could subscribe. Just a couple of years later, the newsletter was a thriving business. In April 2015, a reporter at Business Insider heard about Keyes' cheap plane ticket email list through Facebook and wrote a story about Keyes' flight searching prowess. "Things just really lucked out on my end," says Keyes. "I never pitched [the piece] or honestly even thought of it as a newsworthy matter. Sometimes serendipity just falls into your lap," he wrote in a response to a reader question in the first of four "ask me anything" reddit sessions he has hosted over the past year. Indeed. Nearly overnight, his email list of 300 jumped to 3,000. Because his email list ballooned above the Mailchimp threshold for free services, Keyes had to start paying to send out his newsletter. "I'd never thought about charging to be on the list, but the hosting fees made it a necessity, so I wallowingly broke the news to the list," says Keyes, in a post he wrote about his journey for reddit. He opted to continue to send out a portion of his deals for free but to charge $2 a month for access to all of his deals. Story continues The flight path from zero to a million The premium list launched on Aug. 23, 2015, and after three and a half months, Keyes had 646 premium subscribers. He generated more than $6,000 with the newsletter, almost by accident. At the time he was still a freelance journalist, writing for the likes of The Guardian, ThinkProgress and The Nation. The growth of his newsletter, aptly named Scott's Cheap Flights, hasn't slowed down. By February, Keyes had generated $24,376 in revenue with 1,687 premium subscribers and 7,847 free subscribers, according to his second reddit forum. By this time, he had also stopped working as a freelance journalist in order to devote all of his energy to growing his business, and he had hired his first part-time employee. By May of this year, Keyes was up to 6,230 premium subscribers, 53,547 free subscribers and $120,013 total revenue. Currently, Keyes has 29,639 premium subscribers and 204,021 free subscribers (233,660 total) and, thanks to a Black Friday promotion, has now generated $963,234.48 in sales. In total, Keyes has spent less than $500 in marketing, according to an email he sent CNBC. His growth has been driven by word-of-mouth, press coverage, flight giveaways and, of course, his four AMAs. "This business would seriously be a fraction of what it currently is without reddit," says Keyes, in a forum on the website. "A sizable percentage of the current subscribership (is that a word?) is due to posting on reddit." "Google Flights is my life." Keyes has built his mini empire by searching for the accidental cracks in the airplane booking system. Many of the deals Keyes offers are a result of what he calls "fat-finger discounts (someone priced it at $59 instead of $590)" or because of translation mistakes between airline partners. Thus far, all the searching is manual labor. "Kinda crazy when I say it out loud, but Google Flights is my life," he says in one of his reddit posts. He gets recommendations regularly to try automating the search process. But robots won't catch diamonds in the rough. Outsourcing the searching isn't feasible either, "because it's more of an art than a science. If it were easy to find cheap flights, this business wouldn't exist," says Keyes, in a reddit AMA on his start-up growth. "It feels super weird to be the boss.'" As Scott's Cheap Flights newsletter has grown, he has had to staff up to keep up. Currently, he has four part-timers helping him out with the logistics of the newsletter, as well as the actual searching. The growth of the start-up has been a bit of a whirlwind. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a businessman and never really had entrepreneurial aspirations, so it feels super weird to be the 'boss,'" says Keyes, who adds that he "shudders just saying the word out loud." He is still shocked at his own journey. "I am completely blown away by how successful it's been. I started out in August 2015 charging $2/month for the premium list, and wasn't even sure I'd hit the 30 subscribers necessary to cover my costs. That there are now nearly 25,000 people who are willing to pay for this service is still hard for me to fathom," says Keyes in an email with CNBC. Even as he marvels at his own success, he has ambitious global growth goals. Currently Scott's Cheap Flights is available for would-be travelers searching for flights departing from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and every country in Europe. "We'd like to eventually be able to send out deals to people departing anywhere in the world," says Keyes. Keyes wants to convert more people to the joy of traveling. Working remotely from the road, from coffee shops, or from his home office in Fort Collins, Colorado, gives Keyes the opportunity to benefit from his own searching. "Oh man, it feels like I am always up in the air," says Keyes in an email with CNBC. In 2016 alone, Keyes has logged 81,866 miles. He's been to Mexico, England, Spain, Hong Kong, Borneo, Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Germany, Belarus, Japan, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, NYC, Chicago, DC, and Portland, Oregon (twice). And he's interested in helping others do the same. "We'd like to keep unearthing mistake fares and super cheap international flights so even more people who thought they couldn't afford to take that honeymoon or visit that overseas relative will actually be able to do it," says Keyes in an email with CNBC. We are always looking for new ways to help our customers achieve success. As a small business working with small businesses, we hope to help more customers reach their goals. Vehicle Inspection Systems, the front runner for heavy duty vehicle, truck and bus safety in the trucking and transportation industry for more than 20 years, wants customers to be informed about the Section 179 tax deduction worth up to $500,000. This deduction can be applied to VIS equipment including the VIS-Polish, VIS-Shine, BrakeMate and more, but only lasts through the end of 2016. The deduction limit is $500,000 for equipment that is financed or purchased and put into service by December 31, 2016 at the end of the day. The incentive also targets smaller businesses with a $2,000,000 spending cap on equipment. This is the maximum amount that can be spent on equipment before the deduction available reduces on a dollar to dollar scale. Additionally, bonus depreciation is taken after the section 179 spending cap is reached. The bonus depreciation is only available for new equipment, and is 50% for 2016. We are always looking for new ways to help our customers achieve success, Mark Keegans, Vice President of VIS, said. Our equipment is attainable for more people with the Section 179 tax break. As a small business working with small businesses, we hope to help more customers reach their goals. For more questions answered, visit vischeck.net or section179.org, the official resource for Section 179 questions. Industrial automation manufacturer and Internet of Things (IoT) application toolset provider Opto 22 announces that it has joined the Dell IoT Solutions Partner Program. This relationship provides a product and solution ecosystem for connecting real-world signals and industrial things to the digital world of information technology, mobile, and cloud computing. A technology revolution is gaining momentum, and this surge of innovation is connecting sensors, devices, and equipment to a network that can transmit and receive data for tracking, analysis, and action. With the estimated number of connected things reaching over 25 billion by 2020 and rapid innovations in collected data analysis, this isnt just about new technologyits an entirely different way of doing business. Advancing IoT solutions together Dells IoT Partner Program brings together innovative technology and services companies to help customers be at the forefront of this change. Dell IoT partners are qualified to integrate industrial IoT hardware such as edge gateways and embedded PCs into full IoT solutions, but many also work with other Dell and Dell EMC technologies such as server, storage, and networking hardware, and software tools for security, manageability, data integration, and analytics. The addition of Opto 22 to the Dell IoT Solution Partner Program creates a powerful toolset for IoT application developers. This combination brings together an industrially ruggedized hardware platform, data visualization for mobile and web clients, robust industrial automation protocol support including Modbus/TCP and OPC UA, and advanced data flow processing with software development environments like Node-RED. Combining these capabilities with the ability to connect multiple data sources including devices, databases, and third-party APIs (application program interfaces), Opto 22 and Dell deliver a single, cohesive, cost-effective, and powerful solution for nearly any IoT or edge computing application. Dell believes curated partnerships are critical in building the bridge between the exciting industry potential of IoT and profitable market reality, said Jason Shepherd, director, IoT Strategy and Partnerships, Dell. We are excited about our relationship with Opto 22, the industrial and process controls expertise theyll bring to our customers and look forward to our continued collaboration. Going the Last Mile Connecting existing industrial assets to IT systems requires translating the electrical signals (voltage and current) in the physical world to the bits and bytes of the digital world. Opto 22, respected worldwide for its 42-year history of product quality and innovation, manufactures the I/O and controllers that translate signals on that last mile of the data route. Designed on open standards and built for harsh industrial environments, Opto 22s SNAP PAC System integrates hardware and software for the industrial Internet of Things, industrial control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition applications. Designed to simplify the typically complex process of understanding, selecting, buying, and applying an automation system, the SNAP PAC System consists of these integrated components: SNAP I/Oanalog, digital, and serial I/O modules for wiring directly to field devices, machines, and sensors. Wide variety of signal types; 2 to 32 I/O points per module; most I/O modules are guaranteed for life. SNAP PAC brainsintelligent I/O processors for distributed control on Ethernet and serial networks SNAP PAC controllersstandalone or rack-mounted industrial controllers with networking options and a RESTful API, or a software-based controller PAC Project Software Suiteeasy-to-use flowchart-based control programming, HMI (human-machine interface) development and runtime, plus optional OPC server, database connectivity software, and software-based controller for PC-based control groovan easy-to-use tool for building and using custom mobile operator interfaces and system dashboards to monitor and control systems and equipment from any web-enabled device More about groov groov offers a zero-programming, web-based way to present key data and controls to the people and software that need them. Whether its technicians in the field troubleshooting pumps and pipelines, line operators monitoring factory processes, managers checking production and KPI data, or company databases requiring data from physical equipment, groov provides whats needed, securely and efficiently. Using groov, you build your custom operator interface with drag-drop-tag simplicity. groov connects multiple data sources including devices, databases, and third-party APIs (application program interfaces), and supports Modbus/TCP and OPC UA automation protocols. Your custom interface can be securely viewed on any web-enabled device regardless of manufacturer or size, from smartphones and tablets to computers and high-definition TVs. groov can augment existing human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems by making important information available to authorized users at any time and in any location. Users can also receive event-based email messages, for example when a connected machine or system needs attention. In addition to Modbus/TCP networking, groov supports OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) to communicate with a variety of machines and systems on the plant floor, including PLCs, DCSs, PACs, databases, and OPC-DA servers. groov also communicates directly with Opto 22 SNAP PAC System controllers. groov Free Trial Version and Online Demo A fully functional version of groov Server for Windows is available to download and try so you can see your own systems data on a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. The groov Free Trial operates for two hours without a license and can be restarted as needed. You can also see groov in action immediately and try it yourself with a live online demo available at groov.com/see-groov-now. Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series groov Server for Windows is qualified on the Dell Edge Gateway 5100 Model, purpose built for the IoT to provide fast, responsive data solutions in extreme conditions. The Gateway 5100s fanless, solid-state design is also optimized for wall and DIN-rail mounting, and the extended environmental specifications are designed to withstand temperatures up to 70C and down to -30C. With its gateways, Dell brings IT security to operations using encrypted data from endpoints, and privacy and data security best practices to the cloud and datacenter. The Edge Gateway provides built-in security features at the hardware level to help protect the network edge and sensors from intrusions, along with secure boot and BIOS-level control. By normalizing and cleansing data streams from sensors, gateways keep data movement and network costs down while performing local analytics and real-time actions even when larger network connections are lost. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Technologies Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners. The use of the word partner or partnership does not imply a legal partnership relationship between Dell EMC and any other organization. About Opto 22 Opto 22 designs and manufactures industrial control products and Internet of Things platforms that bridge the gap between information technology (IT) and operations technology (OT). Based on a core design philosophy of leveraging open, standards-based technology, Opto 22 products are deployed worldwide in industrial automation, process control, building automation, industrial refrigeration, remote monitoring, and data acquisition applications. Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., Opto 22 products have a worldwide reputation for ease-of-use, innovation, quality, and reliability. For over 40 years OEMs, machine builders, automation end-users, and information technology and operations personnel have and continue to trust Opto 22 to deliver high-quality products with superior reliability. The company was founded in 1974 and is privately held in Temecula, California, U.S.A. Opto 22 products are available through a global network of distributors and system integrators. For more information, contact Opto 22 headquarters at +1-951-695-3000 or visit http://www.opto22.com. Intellitec Solutions today announced it has achieved a Silver Cloud Customer Relationship Management competency, demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft Corp. customers evolving needs in todays dynamic business environment. To earn a Microsoft silver competency, partners must successfully demonstrate expertise through rigorous exams, culminating in Microsoft certifications. And to ensure the highest quality of services, Microsoft requires customer references for successful implementation and customer satisfaction. Intellitec Solutions has a focus on helping companies make unique use of Microsoft CRM Online, helping clients use online web based portals that integrate with Microsoft CRM, and configuring custom object in the cloud based database to make an effective use of Microsoft CRMs workflows and automated processes. This Microsoft competency showcases our expertise and commitment in todays technology market, and demonstrates our continual support as the Microsoft Sales and Service functionality continues to evolve, said Rick Sommer, President of Intellitec Solutions. Our plan is to accelerate our customers success by serving as technology advisers as the offerings grow. The Microsoft Partner Network helps partners strengthen their capabilities to showcase leadership in the marketplace on the latest technology, to better serve customers and, with 640,000 Microsoft partners in their ecosystem, to easily connect with one of the most active, diverse networks in the world. About Intellitec Solutions Intellitec Solutions is a leading ERP and CRM provider strategically located along the influential business corridor between Washington and Philadelphia. Specializing in Dynamics GP, Dynamics SL, Microsoft CRM and Intacct, they have conducted thousands of engagements helping companies in diverse industries choose and implement software solutions to improve financial or customer relationship management. Using a proven system designed to maximize efficiency and business insight, Intellitec Solutions team of seasoned professionals provides value-added expertise to their clients. For more information or to schedule a demo, please visit http://www.intellitecsolutions.com or call 866-504-4357 # # # All company and product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. School Specialty, Inc. (OTCQB: SCOO) (School Specialty, SSI or the Company), today announced its Full Option Science System (FOSS), the leading active-learning science program in the United States, won Gold in THE Journals second annual Readers Choice Awards, in the Best Science Program category. Education technology professionals from across the country voted for the software, hardware and services they consider most vital to the job of educating and supporting Americas 50 million K-12 students. It is an incredible honor for FOSS to be recognized by educators as one of the top science curriculums in the country, said Bodie Marx, senior vice president of sales and product development for School Specialty Curriculum. For more than 25 years, this robust learning resource has provided elementary and middle school educators with a powerful tool for bringing science to life in the classroom for students through unique, hands-on experiences. We look forward to working with educators to engage students in science learning for years to come. Developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, FOSS Next Generation K-8 is a research-based active learning curriculum that engages students through firsthand experiences with scientific phenomena. Every FOSS investigation provides multiple exposures to science concepts including dynamic inquiry-based investigations, rigorous science-based reading, integrated technology resources to extend learning, opportunities to apply science to solve engineering challenges and assessment tools to help teachers monitor student progress in developing understanding. For more information about FOSS, visit http://www.deltaeducation.com/ About THE Journal THE Journal is the premier resource for K-12 senior-level district and school administrators, IT administration and instructional technologists who make decisions and influence technology purchases for their districts, schools and classrooms. About 1105 Public Sector Media Group 1105 Public Sector Media Group, a division of 1105 Media, Inc., provides information, insight and analysis to the Government IT and Education IT (FED/SLED) sectors. Our content platforms include print, digital, online, events and a broad spectrum of marketing services. http://1105publicsector.com About School Specialty, Inc. School Specialty is a leading distributor of innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to the education marketplace. The Company designs, develops, and provides educators with the latest and very best school supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental learning resources. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential. Through its SSI Guardian subsidiary, the Company is also committed to school, healthcare and corporate workplace safety by offering the highest quality curriculum, training and safety and security products. Finally, through its SOAR Life Products brand, the Company offers thousands of products that sharpen cognitive skills and build physical and mental strength in fun and creative ways. From childhood through adulthood, they help individuals live life to the fullest engaged, happy and well. SOAR Life Products is a customized offering for hospitals, long-term care, therapeutic facilities, home care, surgery centers, day care centers, physician offices, and clinics. For more information about School Specialty, visit http://www.schoolspecialty.com. @SchoolSpecialty Connect with School Specialty on social media; search School Specialty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. For ideas and resources, educational trends and inspiration for todays educators visit the Schoolyard blog. Accountex Accountex is focused on educating the accounting community through an inclusive approach, and the Ecosystem is a direct representation of that as a product resource guide. Accountex released an updated version of the Accounting Technology Ecosystem concluding the highly successful 13th annual accounting technology conference and expo. The original ecosystem was released in February with the intent of being a living document that grows as technology changes. Additions are made quarterly based on submissions as well as changes in the product marketplace; there are now over 400 companies featured on the landscape. Business accounting technology is an expansive marketplace that offers the solutions that are the backbone to operations. Kacee Johnson, one of the designers of the ecosystem, contributed two articles to the Accountex Blog that help explain how the ecosystem works and where it is headed in the future. New additions to the Ecosystem include: Microsoft, SkyStem, and KickServ, Canon and Ledger Docs. The Accounting Technology Ecosystem is free for download at AccountexUSA.com/Ecosystem and vendors who would like to submit their product for review can add their solution via the website form. RD Whitney, Executive Director of Accountex, commented on the overwhelming response to the ecosystem, Accountex is focused on educating the accounting community through an inclusive approach, and the Ecosystem is a direct representation of that as a product resource guide. He continued, What is a differentiating factor about this product guide is it equally highlights every option in each type of category rather than giving preference to any one suite, or only focusing on the big players. We want to make sure the accounting community is educated on all of the different types of technologies available, as well as who delivers the best of breed solutions for each category. The response has been incredible and will only continue to grow as will the ecosystem. The Accounting Technology Ecosystem was the foundation of the User Favorite Awards which were announced at the 2016 conference. Thousands of users cast votes over a four month period choosing one solution from each category and ranking it on their favorability of the solution. A cumulative scoring system then determined the winner of each of the twenty-seven categories. Accountex, the leading independent conference on cloud accounting technology, provides a three-day schedule focused around the solutions that move accounting forward. The educational conference offers CPE with content from more than a single vendor perspective. Sessions are taught by experts, resulting in a high-caliber learning experience with real-world lessons and practical takeaways that can be implemented seamlessly. The Accountex expo brings together the largest selection of technology solutions and offers professionals in-person time to learn about the latest upcoming trends. The conference is the premier event of the year for the accounting professional and add-on developer community. Accountex will be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts September 6-8, 2017. Sponsor opportunities are available at AccountexUSA.com. About Accountex Accountex is the leading independent expo and conference focusing on accounting technology. Accountex USA focuses on the technology that moves accounting forward as well as the business processes and organizational success needed in the marketplace. It is an independent conference, which means that it offers more than one viewpoint of solutions. Accountex features the most accounting technology solutions at one major event, plus latest trends and the traditional technologies that still dominate, without any focus on a singular suite of products. http://www.accountexusa.com. ### 2016 Boston Globe Top Places to Work Ultimately its the employees that live and express our brand. Having an enjoyable work environment is a critical element in building and maintaining a successful companynot to mention, a whole lot more fun. - Mark Kushinsky, CEO The Boston Globe has named MaidPro one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts. This is the first year MaidPro has been recognized by The Boston Globe, landing within the top ten in the small business category. Earlier this year MaidPro was named to the Boston Business Journals 2016 Top Places to Work and Healthiest Employers. Click here to watch their home office video. Top Places to Work recognizes the most esteemed workplaces in the state as voted on by their employees. The rankings are a result of a survey that measures employee opinions about their companys direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay and benefits, and engagement. The employers are placed into one of four groups: small, with 50 to 99 employees; medium, with 100 to 249 workers; large, with 250 to 999; and largest, with 1,000 or more. At the center of MaidPros phenomenal culture is a set of core beliefs that help nurture and maintain the companys positive attitude. These core beliefs include hiring rock stars, believing in continual improvement and understanding that happy employees do the best work. Mark Kushinsky, Chief Executive Officer, stated, Ultimately its the employees that live and express our brand. Having an enjoyable work environment is a critical element in building and maintaining a successful companynot to mention, a whole lot more fun. "In today's tight job market, competition for the best workers is intense," said Larry Edelman, the Globe's business editor. "Our winning companies know that creating a motivating and supportive environment is key to finding and keeping talent." The rankings in the Top Places to Work are based on confidential survey information collected by WorkplaceDynamics, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention, from nearly 70,500 individuals at 366 Massachusetts organizations. To get a free estimate for housecleaning services from MaidPro please visit http://www.maidpro.com. ABOUT MAIDPRO MaidPro is a Boston-based franchisor of house cleaning services with over 200 locations in 38 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1997, takes pride in its strong owner community, cutting-edge technology and creative marketing. It has been honored with the Franchise Business Reviews Four-Star Rating and Franchise 50 awards every year from 2006 to 2016 for owner satisfaction. MaidPro was named one of the Top 50 Franchises for Minorities by USA Todays Franchising Today and one of the top ten Best Franchises to Own by Forbes. MaidPro is also a proud member of the International Franchise Association and the New England Franchise Association. The company can be found online at http://www.maidprofranchise.com. range Denver Downtown Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center and range welcome guests and locals to dine at range on Thursday, December 1st, 2016 for Dine Out (or In) for No Kid Hungry. Cooking Matters Colorado is partnering with restaurants, retailers and food and beverage producers statewide for 10% of all December 1st proceeds to go towards this great cause. This support will help end childhood hunger in the state by helping families learn skills needed to feed their children healthy meals on a $10/day budget. range is thrilled to be partnered with this great organization and to help make a difference in hungry childrens lives. For more information, please visit https://co.cookingmatters.org/dine-out-or-no-kid-hungry. Located in downtown Denvers famous Colorado National Bank building, the Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center provides guests with a modern experience in one of Colorados most historic buildings. Labeled the most beautiful room in Denver by The Denver Post, the hotel features 221 guestrooms and nine suites; 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; a fitness center; and range, an original concept restaurant and bar, serving locally-purveyed cuisine inspired by the Rocky Mountain West. The hotel opened illy Caffe, a true Italian cafe, serving the finest sustainably sourced coffee and espresso drinks, earlier this year. range welcomes guests to indulge in New American West cuisine, drawing its roots from the concept of New American, but narrows its focus primarily to the ingredients, cultural influences and cooking techniques inherent to the Rocky Mountain West. range features a spacious bar, offering a wide selection of local beers, liquors and wines, a private dining room and a wood fire oven, in which much of the fare is prepared. In addition to offering daily featured dishes, the menu changes seasonally and offers a large selection of shareable plates, entrees, side dishes and desserts. For more information, visit http://www.rendendowntown.com or call (303) 867-8100. The Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center, range and illy Caffe 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. GLO Good Delivers Dental and Oral Health Care Services Around The World to Those Who Lack Access to Care GLO Science, the global premiere aesthetic oral health company, will allocate 20% of its online earnings to The GLO Good Foundation beginning on Tuesday November 29, Giving Tuesday, to provide oral health care, education and tools to adults and children in need in order to give the gift of a heathy smile. The GLO Good Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GLO Science, delivers oral health care and dental services around the world to medically underserved communities. In October, a successful mission to Eleuthera, Bahamas with Lenny Kravitzs Let Love Rule Foundation delivered care to more than 500 residents making GLO Sciences decision to commit 20% of its funds to serving the community an easy one. After many successful efforts we feel the need to continue to deliver care and we want our customers to know they are helping those who need oral health care every time they purchase a GLO Science product on line, said Stacey Levine, co-founder of GLO Science and the GLO Good Foundation. GLO Science keeps social responsibility top of mind, and every time someone becomes part of the GLO family by purchasing any one of our products they are also helping those who need care. While GLO Good has conducted several successful clinic missions around the world in Rwanda and the Bahamas, the focus of upcoming future clinics will be in the U.S. Despite the passage of the Affordable Care Act, many people still lack access to dental care. Previously, GLO Good has also delivered clinics in New York and Los Angeles, where access to good dental care and oral health services is scarce. Giving Tuesday was started by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation in 2012 as a way to keep philanthropy top of mind in the holiday season, when commercialism and consumerism is at its peak. Many companies pledge resources during this time for various social causes. With GLO Science products sales surging during the holiday gift season, the 20% pledge on Giving Tuesday will insure more people get proper dental care. We are in a position to respond to a growing and vital need for dental services right in our own community and GLO Good is a solution to the lack of access to good dental care, said Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, Co-Founder of GLO Science and GLO Good. "Our core mission at GLO Good is to go wherever there is a need for services, and we know that our family of customers at GLO Science share that mission." Oral health care education is a large part of the mission of GLO Good, providing the important lifestyle habits to prevent dental disease from becoming life-threatening. Kids recreational programs and activities on dental and medical education are provided throughout the duration of the clinic. People are encouraged to donate to GLO Good to enable the Foundation to continue to bring oral health services to underserved areas of the world by going to http://www.glogoodfoundation.org. The breakdown of donation amounts is outlined on the site and directly correlates to the exact number and type of services that are delivered. About GLO Good GLO Good is the philanthropic foundation affiliated with the global oral health company GLO Science, founded by Jonathan and Stacey Levine. Dr. Jonathan Levine, a practicing prosthodontist in New York City invented the GLO Science proprietary tooth whitening technology and teamed up with his wife Stacey to launch the company in 2010. Simultaneously, the Levines launched GLO Good as way to bring medically underserved around the world quality oral health services. The Levines have lead missions to Rwanda, the Bahamas and impoverished areas of Los Angeles and New York City. To see more about the work of GLO Good and to donate to help bring services to people around the world go to http://www.glogoodfoundation.org. facebook:@gloscience twitter: @GLO_Science instagram: @glosciencenyc CONTACT: Tim Sullivan 732-816-0239 t3shamrock(at)gmail(dot)com First Associates has participated in dozens of rated and unrated marketplace lender securitizations involving many of the industrys top platforms and investment firms. First Associates Loan Servicing, LLC, the nations fastest growing loan servicing company, announced today that CEO David Johnson will be speaking at the Marketplace Lending & Alternative Financing Summit 2016 in Dana Point, CA, on December 5th. The Marketplace Lending & Alternative Financing Summit is an educational forum for financial services professionals to delve into industry topics and trends to maximize returns and reduce risk in the growing field of marketplace lending. Topics will include legal, tax and structural considerations, rating agency methodology, and information and tools for attendees to keep up with this dynamic industry. Johnson will moderate a session entitled Getting Prepared as a First-Time Securitization Issuer, which will address what potential new issuers need to know to begin a successful securitization operation. First Associates has participated in dozens of rated and unrated marketplace lender securitizations involving many of the industrys top platforms and investment firms. As a bridge between originators and capital markets, First Associates is a trusted intermediary for, and advisor to, the diverse participants in the securitization process from sponsors to rating agencies. This conference is an excellent opportunity for marketplace lending leaders to exchange ideas and advance our industry, Johnson said. Were happy to share our experiences with those who can benefit from what weve learned over the years. Opal Group is proud to have David Johnson as a speaker at the Marketplace Lending & Alternative Financing Summit. The summit brings together some of the thought leaders and market movers within the marketplace lending & alternative financing industry," said Abe Wellington, CEO of Opal Group. "The insights and networking that will be shared throughout the conference will certainly prove valuable to all of the platforms, debt and equity investors, bankers, regulatory experts and service providers within the field. Johnson has a well-earned reputation in the lending industry as a leader with a passion for innovation and cutting-edge approaches to technology and processes. His 30-year career includes broad experience in finance, technology, and energy. As CEO, Johnson has grown First Associates from a small service provider to a leading fintech servicer. About First Associates Loan Servicing, LLC First Associates Loan Servicing is the fastest-growing third-party loan and lease servicer in the United States, managing more than $9 billion in assets. With 30 years in the consumer finance business, First Associates is the countrys leading marketplace lending loan servicer. The company, based in San Diego, works with a wide range of asset classes, including marketplace lending, automotive, purchase finance, powersports and small business. The company also offers a variety of support solutions, including backup servicing and custodial functions. For more information, visit http://www.1stassociates.com. About Opal Group Opal Group organizes premier conferences for top executives and decision makers in various industries. Dedicated to providing high-quality events and information through speaking sessions, workshops and networking, the New York City-based Opal Group produces more than 50 events annually worldwide. # # # Bambeco Logo Im proud to say every Bambeco gift is made sustainably, with the future of the planet and its people in mind. This holiday, Im proud to take our commitment one step forward by asking consumers to gift a tree," said Susan Aplin, Bambeco Co-Founder & CEO Bambeco, the premier brand for sustainable home goods, is committed to helping consumers live a more sustainable lifestyle and lower their carbon footprint. Today, the company has taken that commitment one step forward by launching the Gift a Tree program. This holiday season, for just $5, consumers can Gift a Tree to a loved one and plant a seed for a brighter future. Bambeco already plants a tree with every purchase, but now consumers can continue the positive impact on the planet by gifting additional trees. Trees are our best allies to help combat climate change and are crucial for our planets wildlife and biodiversity. In addition to filtering pollutants from stormwater runoff and preventing soil erosion, trees renew and clean our air supply by producing oxygen and absorbing ozone-depleting pollutants. The long-term health of our planet depends on the protection and restoration of our trees and forests. And this holiday season, consumers can help by gifting a tree through Bambeco. Im proud to say every Bambeco gift is made sustainably, with the future of the planet and its people in mind. This holiday, Im proud to take our commitment one step forward by asking consumers to gift a tree," said Susan Aplin, Bambeco Co-Founder and CEO. So when you give Bambeco, you gift the Earth. To commemorate the gift to the planet, Bambeco will send the giftee a card with a beautiful post-consumer recycled paper ornament with instructions on how to register their tree and choose the forest restoration project their tree is planted in. Giftees can choose from planting their tree in forests throughout the U.S. including Klamath National Forest in California, Ottawa National Forest in Michigan, Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota, Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, South Quay Sandhills and Chub Sandhills State Natural Area Preserves, both in Virginia. Bambeco recently committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2020 and the Gift a Tree program will help towards reaching that goal. The Gift a Tree program launches on Giving Tuesday this year, as gifting a tree is the perfect way to give back to the planet this holiday season. With every order made on Giving Tuesday, Bambeco will plant a tree with each purchase and also gift consumers another tree to send to a loved one to be planted in their honor. Inside each shipment, consumers will find a complimentary commemorative recycled paper ornament to gift this holiday season. Consumers can share their commitment to our planet and gifting trees this holiday by joining the conversation on social media by tagging Bambeco and using the hashtag #GiftingTrees to share why they are planting a seed for a brighter future this holiday season. To Gift a Tree, visit http://www.bambeco.com/cards-and-gift-wrap/bambeco-gift-a-tree.asp. About Bambeco Launched on Earth Day 2009, Bambeco is the premier brand for sustainable home goods and has committed to be carbon neutral by 2020. Every product is carefully designed to ensure it is made using responsible processes and materials that are reclaimed, repurposed, renewable, recycled, natural, or organic. Many of the products are artisan-made, handcrafted, and made in the US. The companys mission is to bring sustainability to the home and change the world, one room at a time. Media Contact: Lexington Public Relations Suki Altamirano suki(at)lexingtonpr(dot)com Shares of W.R. Berkley Corp. WRB have been on an uptrend (gaining 10.6%) since the company announced a special dividend on Nov 4. In fact, the share price hit a new 52-week high of $62.15 on Nov 28. About 0.4 million shares exchanged hands in the last trading session and the stock finally closed at $61.96. Why the Stock Should Be in Your Portfolio W.R. Berkleys revenues have been consistently increasing and growing at a 10-year CAGR of 3.7%. Sustained premium growth over the past several quarters, mainly owing to its startup units, drove the upside. In addition to the startup units, W.R. Berkleys international business has also seen consistent premium growth over many years. Premium growth in the international unit is mainly supported by emerging markets of the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, South America, Canada, Scandinavia, Asia and Australia. W.R. Berkleys impressive profile and rate increases bode well for continued revenue growth. W.R. Berkley has been deploying capital effectively in shareholder-friendly moves. While the 8% dividend increase this May marks the 12th consecutive increase since 2005, a special dividend announcement this November was the second special dividend approval in 2016. This will be the fourth time that the company will be paying a special dividend since 2011. Given W.R. Berkley a solid balance sheet with sufficient liquidity and strong cash flows, the company is well positioned to enhance shareholders value going forward. Valuation is also attractive at present as the stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 18.0x, a 36.4% discount to the industry average of 28.3x. Reinsurance Group has a trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) of 9.3%, higher than the industry average of 7%. Shares of W.R. Berkley gained 13.32% year to date compared with 17.23% growth for the Zacks-categorized Property and Casualty industry. Nonetheless, we believe the above-mentioned growth drivers will help the stock turn around. Investors should note that W.R. Berkley has returned more than S&P 500. Story continues Also, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) insurer has delivered positive surprise in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 3.8%. The long-term expected earnings growth is pegged at 9%. The company has seen its 2016 estimates moving north by more than 1% over the last 60 days. BERKLEY (WR) CP Price and Consensus BERKLEY (WR) CP Price and Consensus | BERKLEY (WR) CP Quote Stocks to Consider Some better-ranked property and casualty (P&C) insurers are Alleghany Corp. Y, Arch Capital Group Ltd. ACGL and First American Financial Corp. FAF. All of these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Alleghany, which is engages in P&C reinsurance and insurance businesses in the U.S. and internationally, beat estimates in three of the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 20.52%. Arch Capital, a provider of property, casualty, and mortgage insurance and reinsurance products worldwide surpassed estimates in the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 9.27%. First American Financial, a provider of financial services, surpassed estimates in the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 14.32%. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BERKLEY (WR) CP (WRB): Free Stock Analysis Report FIRST AMER FINL (FAF): Free Stock Analysis Report ALLEGHANY CORP (Y): Free Stock Analysis Report ARCH CAP GP LTD (ACGL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Seven Sisters for Seven Days Seven Sisters for Seven Days teaches new mothers how to get the care that they need after the baby is born. New mothers in our culture often plan extensively for their births, but do little to plan for the challenges of the postpartum period. As a result, they often feel adrift in the sea of new motherhood. Praeclarus Press author, Michelle Peterson, would like to change all of that. Her new book, Seven Sisters for Seven Days, is a comprehensive guidebook that helps pregnant women plan for the care that they will need once the baby is born. Mothers can do that by reaching out to the people who care about them the most. Mothers' friends and families often want to help them, but don't know how. Seven Sisters for Seven Days provides a template for helping new mothers, and more importantly, how to be effective care providers. Seven Sisters for Seven Days started as a program Michelle Peterson developed for herself during her second pregnancy. After her first postpartum experience, she realized that she needed far more care the second time around. The challenge was how to get the support she needed. After brainstorming with some of her closest friends, she came up with a model to help her. She then started teaching it to others. Since those tender beginnings, she has used this model effectively in her community to help new mothers learn how to ask others for the help that they truly need. Seven Sisters also helps friends and family actually be effective care providers. The goal is to help communities take better care of new mothers. Taking care of new mothers is the greater good. Aviva Romm, MD, author of The Natural Pregnancy Book and Natural Health After Birth, said: "Please pick up this book and nourish a new mom Each of us needs to know we are not alone." Michelle Peterson is the founder of The Seven Sisters Postpartum Care Program. After a challenging first postpartum, she created this incredible system to support her family during her second postpartum and soon began sharing it with mothers in her community and beyond. Michelle focuses on helping mothers get the support they need. She believes that the spiritual, emotional, and physical welfare of families is the backbone of our collective well-being. Praeclarus Press is a small press founded by health psychologist, Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, focusing on women's health. The mission of Praeclarus Press is to publish books that change women's lives. It is based in Amarillo, Texas. Seven Sisters for Seven Days is available at Praeclarus Press.com or on Amazon.com. Maintenance Connection is a clear fit for me as the company has continually shown financial stability and customer growth Maintenance Connection recently welcomed new chief financial officer (CFO) Mark Cuny, as the company continues to build out its executive team during a high-growth phase. Earlier this year, Maintenance Connection, the industrys leading computerized maintenance management software (CMMS), announced an investment partnership with TA Associates, a leading global private equity firm. The partnership results from a significant expansion of Maintenance Connections customer base and employee headcount. Cuny joins the team with more than 20 years of financial experience in the Software as a Service (SaaS) and enterprise software markets. Previously, Cuny held key leadership roles in the finance team at Siebel Systems as it grew from $2 million to $2 billion in only five years, which resulted in taking the company public in 1996. The company was later acquired by Oracle. Most recently Mark was CFO of Telestream, a Toma Bravo portfolio company that was acquired by Genstar Capital. His track record also includes managing mergers and acquisitions for high-growth enterprise software companies. Our decision to bring on a seasoned CFO is a critical operational step to support our growth strategy in the CMMS industry, says newly appointed CEO Eric Morgan. Mark is a seasoned financial executive with the kind of proven success that Maintenance Connection was looking for as we scale our business. At Maintenance Connection, Cuny will be responsible for all financial, accounting and legal functions. Hell head the creation and execution of the companys financial plan as it looks to capitalize on its robust growth opportunities. Mark will bring the needed financial discipline to our business as we gear up for growth following the TA Associates investment, added Morgan. Maintenance Connection is a clear fit for me as the company has continually shown financial stability and customer growth, says Cuny. Im looking forward to what the future holds for both the company and my role as we enter this high-growth phase and dominate the CMMS field. Cuny holds a bachelors of science in accounting from Minnesotas Winona State University. In addition, Cuny has earned a CPA certification in Minnesota. For more information on Cuny, visit his LinkedIn profile. To learn more about Maintenance Connection and its CMMS solution, visit the website here. I started Trellis Residential with the vision of integrating traditional custom home building with impeccable modern design and I am incredibly grateful for the clients that have believed in our vision to make their dreams reality. Trellis Residential announced today it was awarded the 2016 Prism Award by the Charleston Home Builders Association for the second year in a row. This years category win for Best Product Single Family Home in the range of $1,000,000 to $1,200,000 in the greater Charleston area of South Carolina. Known for exceptional attention to detail and creative design, Trellis Residential has quickly become one of Charlestons finest custom homebuilders. This years award winning Residence is located in the Hibben at Belle Hall community and is a contemporary take on a timeless Charleston home, with a harmonious blend of modern lines and traditional elements. We are both honored and humbled to be recognized two years in a row by the Charleston Home Builders Association, said Jeff Pritchard, owner of Trellis Residential. I started Trellis Residential with the vision of integrating traditional custom home building with impeccable modern design and I am incredibly grateful for the clients that have believed in our vision to make their dreams reality. Trellis Residentials win comes on the heels of last year, winning Best Product 2015 Single Family Home in the $650-$700k price range. By working collaboratively with the homeowner on every aspect of design, Trellis offers a higher level of service than most construction firms, ensuring that the custom home or remodel reflects the vision and aesthetic of the client. The 28th Annual PRISM Awards were held on Friday, November 4th at the Hyatt Place Charleston and honored the Charleston Home Builders community with an awards dinner and reception. Originated in 1988, the PRISM Awards recognize excellence in the marketing and promotion of new homes and in various segments of the housing industry, including the outstanding work of custom builders, remodelers, contractors, and home sales representatives. For more information on Trellis Residential visit http://www.houzz.com/pro/trellisresidential ABOUT TRELLIS RESIDENTIAL Trellis Residential is a design forward custom homebuilder in the Greater Charleston area led by builder, Jeff Pritchard. Pritchard has been in the homebuilding industry for over 20 years specializing in custom coastal homes for the past 15 years. By combining the traditional home with modern home construction and impeccable customer service, Trellis Residential builds beautiful and sustainable structures and ensures the experience is graceful and memorable. From the signing. Left to right: Vinod Patel, Cr PeterLong, Hon. Terry Redman, Kjetil Stake, Pierre Herben, Rob Stevens, Terry Hill We are excited about supporting this project, and contribute with our industrial experience and nutrient knowledge in the search for new and cutting-edge ways to close the gap between future demands and available resources The Sahara Forest Project is buzzing with excitement to join forces with Yara and local and State authorities to see if we could realize our truly unique and innovative system of green technologies for the first time here in Australia, Vice President of The Sahara Forest Project, Kjetil Stake said. From the stage at the New Pilbara Conference in Perth on Tuesday, Mr. Stake launched the start of a detailed feasibility study to assess infrastructure requirements, environmental and social impacts and evaluate the economic viability of intensive agriculture production in the semi-arid environment in Karratha. The study will investigate the potential to realize a new environmental solution using saltwater, sunlight, and CO2 to produce food, freshwater and clean energy. The initiative is the result of Yara, a major downstream processor and employer in Karratha, identifying an opportunity to develop and diversify the region further. Having already cooperated with the Sahara Forest Project on their pilot project in Qatar, Yara is looking forward to be part of a study to test the viability of an innovative scheme for growing food for commercial use close to its fertilizer and technical ammonium nitrate plants in Pilbara. Yaras core business is to provide sustainable solutions for increased food production and a cleaner environment. We are excited about supporting this project, and contribute with our industrial experience and nutrient knowledge in the search for new and cutting-edge ways to close the gap between future demands and available resources, said Pierre Herben, Chief Technology Officer in Yara. Through Yara Pilbara we are committed to making a positive contribution to Western Australia and the Pilbara, not just through our downstream processing operations but our ongoing community investment and support for forward thinking environmental initiatives such as the Sahara Forest Project, he said. The total cost of the feasibility study is about AUD 550.000, with the following contributors: Yara Pilbara, the Western Australian Governments Royalties for Regions, City of Karratha and The Sahara Forest Project. Will start the work this week The cooperation agreement was signed by Hon. Terry Redman, Minister of Regional Development, Cr PeterLong - Mayor City of Karratha from the City of Karratha, Vice President Kjetil Stake of The Sahara Forest Project, and Chief Technology Officer Pierre Herben from Yara International ASA (Yara) at the New Pilbara Conference in Perth on November 29th. The Feasibility Study will kick-off this week, and the conclusions from the extensive expert report are scheduled to be ready in November 2017. The Pilbara region has among the best solar resources in the world, and the existing saltwater infrastructure and available land is of great interest to us. We learnt during our previous trip that local and regional authorities are focusing on opportunities for green growth. I am proud to announce that we have been able to take it a step further from conversation to action. Our staff is now eager to start exploring how The Sahara Forest Project can help contribute to a new Pilbara, Stake said. The feasibility study will hopefully pave way for commercialization of this green technology system for large scale implementation with a vision to produce energy, food and fresh water not only for the citizens of the city of Karratha. If realized in Western Australia, The Sahara Forest Project contains a unique combination of promising environmental technologies carefully integrated in a system to maximize beneficial synergies. A wide spectrum of leading experts and technology developers are taking part in the effort to realize the project. A cornerstone in the Sahara Forest Project is greenhouses utilizing seawater to provide cool and humid growing conditions for vegetables. Once implemented, the Sahara Forest Project is a carbon negative solution. The facilities are not only powered by renewable energy, through revegetation of arid areas the facilities can also remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than what the facility emits in the all-year round production. A key message from the Norwegian innovator visiting Perth was to emphasize on the Sahara Forest Project triple bottom-line approach to any new business opportunity: We will not engage in any country if we are not convinced that any effort will be good for the environment, good for people and good for business. I am looking forward to getting the results from this study next year, Vice President Kjetil Stake concluded. Christmas on the Farm: December 2-4, 2016, Renfrew Museum & Park, Waynesboro PA Within the walls of the farmhouse are the sights, sounds, and traditions of the holiday. Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites the public to Christmas on the Farm at Renfrew Museum & Park, a 107-acre historic and natural site in Waynesboro PA. On December 2-4, Renfrew comes alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday season and pays tribute to its Pennsylvania German heritage. Renfrew Museum & Park was the family farm of Daniel Royer. The Royers were an early Pennsylvania German farming family, who worked the land as many Pennsylvania Dutch or Pennsylvania Germans of south central Pennsylvania did. Daniel Royer was a tanner, a farmer, and gristmill operator, and built the beautiful limestone farmhouse that is the Renfrew Museum House. He and his wife, Catherine, reared ten children on their farm. Renfrew was also owned by the Nicodemus family and Emma Nicodemus donated the 107-acre tract as a community resource and respite to Waynesboro in 1975. Emma Nicodemus is also responsible for beginning the folk art collection on display at Renfrew. Today, the 1812 Royer farmhouse displays artifacts of its early American history and the Nicodemus family. Step back in time and begin a holiday tradition with a visit to Renfrews Christmas on the Farm. Throughout the property, luminaries are lit and cresset baskets light the way to the Royer House, decorated for the holiday season. Within the walls of the farmhouse are the sights, sounds, and traditions of the holiday. The Royer Farmhouse comes to life with baking, friendly card games, and memories of past Christmas celebrations. Carolers wander throughout the park. The Visitors Center, housed in the 1902 Victorian barn, displays the permanent John Bell pottery, exhibits of period crafts as well as contemporary, local art. Be sure to taste the holiday cider and cookies. In the wagon shed, John Shindledecker shares Christmas stories, The Belsnickeler and Miracle in the Wilderness. Christmas on the Farm is Friday December 2nd from 5:30-8:30pm, Saturday December 3rd from 2:00-8:00 pm, and Sunday December 4 from 1:00-5:00 pm. Admission prices are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for ages 7-18, and free to ages 6 & under. Renfrew offers membership, and Christmas on the Farm is free to members. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore Franklin County PA and enjoy trails of history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods, and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Discover more plan a visit soon at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or by contacting 866.646.8060. The idea of a tuition-free completely online masters degree program is certainly one deserving of recognition. Its global focus and emphasis on providing access to education even in rural areas makes the university one to watch. WorldQuant University, the first tuition-free, online Masters degree program in Financial Engineering, has been awarded the 2016 Dive Award: Startup of the Year by Education Dive, a leading education news publisher. This announcement closely follows the university announcing its Commitment to Action at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting in New York City. The 2016 Dive Awards recognize the industrys top disruptors and innovators. Education Dive solicited suggestions for title nominees from its 29,000 readers and from a panel of industry insiders. The winners were chosen by the editors of Education Dive based on resonance and industry impact. In a climate in which affordability is king, the idea of a tuition-free completely online masters degree program is certainly one deserving of recognition. Its global focus and emphasis on providing access to education even in rural areas makes the university one to watch, as a potential competitor in an ever-changing marketplace. said Autumn Arnett, editor, Education Dive. WorldQuant University launched in 2015 to democratize education for students around the world. The University has enrolled more than 200 students from more than 35 countries, including China, Hungary, the United States, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, and Vietnam. Weve developed a competitive, yet accessible, program to graduate the industrys most capable students, said Daphne Kis, CEO of WorldQuant University. Were not your average education startup. Were fortunate to be funded and backed by some of the most influential leaders in financial engineering, technology, and education. Our mission is to provide a top-tier financial engineering education to deserving students worldwide. WorldQuant University is the brainchild of philanthropist, Igor Tulchinksy, founder and chief executive officer of WorldQuant, LLC. It provides talented individuals from all cultural and economic backgrounds access to advanced education to in order to help them reach their potential, regardless of geolocation. To learn more about WorldQuant University, please visit https://wqu.org/. About WorldQuant University WorldQuant University offers a tuition-free, online Masters degree in Financial Engineering. By making high-quality education accessible to students worldwide, WorldQuant Universitys innovative online platform enables students to advance their career in a cutting-edge field without the burden of tuition costs. Founded on the belief that talent is equally distributed globally, while opportunity is not, WorldQuant University seeks to address this disparity gap by providing a high-quality educational opportunity that better positions talented individuals from across cultural and economic backgrounds to achieve their potential and further their communities. WorldQuant University prepares graduates for challenging and rewarding positions in financial management, research, trading, and technology in both emerging and established markets. WorldQuant University was launched in January 2016 and is funded by the WorldQuant Foundation, whose primary mission is to make high-quality education more accessible worldwide. For more information, visit https://wqu.org/. About Education Dive Education Dive is a property of Industry Dive. Based in Washington, D.C., Industry Dive serves over 2 million executives through 12 industry-specific news publications: BioPharma, CIO, Construction, Education, Food, Healthcare, HR, Marketing, Retail, Supply Chain, Utility, and Waste. Through mobile-optimized websites, email newsletters, mobile apps, and more, Industry Dive provides business leaders with a convenient way to stay up-to-date on the most relevant industry news, trends, events, jobs, press releases and market research impacting their jobs. Lindsay Dominguez Lightspeed continues to service local clients within Malaysia and recognises the importance of having a central, reliable and on the ground contact for online fieldwork." Announces New Office in Kuala Lumpur Appoints Seasoned Market Research Professional to Lead Malaysian Operations To accommodate rapid growth across the Asia Pacific region and support its expanding operations, Lightspeed today announced the opening of its first Malaysian office. Lindsay Dominguez has been appointed as Client Development Lead and will manage local client relationships for Lightpeeds new Malaysian presence. The office expansion comes on the heels of eight new capability launches, including Video Appends, Facing Coding and Mobile Audience, across Asian markets. Lightspeed continues to service local clients within Malaysia and recognises the importance of having a central, reliable and on the ground contact for online fieldwork, stated Martin Filz, Chief Executive Officer, APAC. We are delighted to expand our business into Kuala Lumpur and bring the talent that Lindsay offers to our growing client base in the region. Dominguez is a seasoned market research professional; she worked the past six years at Lightspeed All Global, most recently in the role of Team Leader based in London. She is a graduate of Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Having local market expertise on the ground is essential in supporting our clients; Lindsay will help define this in Malaysia, states Siddhartha Dutta, General Manager South East Asia and India. Her understanding of the industry and background within the company ensures she is able to offer tangible, effective solutions and bring insight and intellect to the clients that she serves. This motivation is essential in driving a quality output from the newly opened office. ABOUT LIGHTSPEED Quality-seeking researchers, marketers and brands choose Lightspeed as their trusted global partner for digital data collection. Our innovative technology, proven sampling methodologies and operational excellence facilitate a deep understanding of consumer opinions and behavior. With 700 employees working in 14 countries, we maximize online research capabilities. We empower clients by revealing information that is beneficial, providing clarity and research data that illuminates. Headquartered in Warren, New Jersey, Lightspeed is part of Kantar, one of the worlds leading data, insight and consultancy companies. For more information, visit http://www.lightspeedresearch.com. # # # Frontier NanoSystems embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. The company should be proud of its accomplishment. Frontier NanoSystems, LLC, a privately held company based in Austin, Texas, has been honored as a winner of a prestigious 2016 Red Herring Top 100 Global award. Red Herring announced its Top 100 Global award winners November 17th at its Red Herring Global Forum in Marina Del Rey, Calif., in recognition of the leading private companies from North America, Europe and Asia, celebrating these startups innovations and technologies across their respective industries. This honor follows Frontier NanoSystems selection as a Red Herring Top 100 North America winner in June. Red Herrings Top 100 Global list has become a mark of distinction for identifying promising companies and entrepreneurs. Red Herring editors were among the first to recognize that companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo, Skype, Salesforce.com, YouTube, and eBay would change the way we live and work. Choosing the companies with the strongest potential was by no means a small feat, said Alex Vieux, publisher and CEO of Red Herring. After rigorous contemplation and discussion, we narrowed our list down from hundreds of candidates from across the globe to the Top 100 Winners. We believe Frontier NanoSystems embodies the vision, drive and innovation that define a successful entrepreneurial venture. The company should be proud of its accomplishment. Red Herrings editorial staff evaluated the companies on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, technology innovation, management quality, strategy, and market penetration. This assessment of potential is complemented by a review of the track records and standing of startups relative to their peers, allowing Red Herring to see past the buzz and make the list a valuable instrument of discovery and advocacy for the most promising new business models from around the world. "It is a great honor to be selected by Red Herring for this distinction, said L. Pierre de Rochemont, Frontier NanoSystems Founder and General Manager. We have yet to meet an organization with which we have been through a more thorough, thoughtful and insightful due diligence experience. As demonstrated over the decades, Red Herring has a firm grasp on the business of technology and has truly positioned itself as the preeminent muse chronicling current and future developments in the tech space. At the heart of Frontier NanoSystems global IP estate is a new phase of matter the company calls Big Nano. Big Nano is a material that is physically large enough to have economic value, yet, at the same time, still manifests the properties of its nanoparticle equivalent. Despite their enormous promise and early hype, nanotechnologies have disappointed as financial investments. Big Nano circumvents these shortcomings. Frontier NanoSystems has established international claims to Big Nano in the form of a ceramic, an electroceramic, a metal, metallic alloy or superalloy, and a semiconductor. The company's global patent estate now comprises issued claims to product designs and embodiments that promise order of magnitude performance improvements to nearly all microelectronic circuits having large commercial value, from RFID to quantum computing. About Red Herring Red Herring is a global media company which unites the worlds best high technology innovators, venture investors and business decision makers in a variety of forums: a leading innovation magazine, an online daily technology news service, technology newsletters and major events for technology leaders around the globe. Red Herring provides an insiders access to the global innovation economy, featuring unparalleled insights on the emerging technologies driving the economy. For more information, visit redherring.com. About Frontier NanoSystems Frontier NanoSystems, LLC, based in Austin, Texas, is commercializing an advanced additive, high productivity manufacturing technology that can efficiently produce ultra-high performance materials, including metals/alloys/superalloys, ceramics/electroceramics and semiconductors at unmatched rates and integrate them into high-value products with applications in the microelectronics, aerospace, energy, transportation, oil and gas, and other industry sectors. Visit frontiernano.com for more information. CheapOair, a leading flights-focused, next generation concierge travel service, released the companys holiday campaign kick-off video today concurrent with Giving Tuesday. The video, titled Give to New Heights, highlights CheapOairs recent philanthropic partnership with Kids of Kathmandu, a non-profit organization helping to rebuild schools in Nepals most earthquake devastated areas, to deliver solar-powered lights and school supplies to children in the remote region of Timal, Nepal. CheapOair provided funding for transportation, logistical support and manpower to deliver over 1,000 Luci lights provided by MPOWERD, Inc. for the grand opening of Kids of Kathmandus first of 50 re-built schools. The children from the local village gathered at the school at dusk for an unknown surprise to find their new school building illuminated for the first time. Each child was also given an individual light to take home, a backpack, personal white board, water bottle, and toy airplane. These supplies are imperative to this region due to Nepals power shortages that often cut electricity during the evening hours; the time of day a child would usually focus on homework, said Stefanie Smith, Social Media Director at CheapOair. The goal of this project was to provide the children with items that will allow them to maximize the benefits of their new school a personal light for full-circle education, a water bottle to utilize the schools new water purification system, and white board for sustainable learning." The video kicks off CheapOairs month-long holiday campaign focused on recognizing people who go above and beyond to give back to their families, neighborhoods or communities in special ways. During the campaign, people can nominate friends or family they think deserve special recognition for their spirit of giving. CheapOair will then select a winner each day through December 24, 2016 to receive a $50 CheapOair gift card. CheapOair has a longstanding commitment to helping communities in need through charitable donations and volunteer work. The company is always seeking out new opportunities to get involved with charity organizations both at home and abroad. About CheapOair CheapOair is a flights-focused hybrid travel service that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (https://www.cheapoair.com, 1-800-566-2345) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available 24/7 to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair's broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less. Brandywine Valley SPCA Were expecting to have more than 1,000 pets up for adoption and huge crowds, said Adam Lamb, Chief Executive Officer for BVSPCA The Brandywine Valley SPCA is hosting one of the biggest adoption events in the tristate area, taking place in Philadelphia on December 2nd through the 4th from 10 am to 6 pm at the First Troop Calvary Armory, 22 South 23rd Street, Philadelphia. Admission to the event is free! The MEGA Adoption event will have over 1,000 spay/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped animals dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens ready for their forever home! The adoption fee is only $20, thanks in part to sponsorship partners at the Petco Foundation. This spectacular event will bring various shelters, rescues, and volunteers together to adopt out hundreds of animals in a single weekend. Adopters are encouraged to get there early each day for the best selection. New animals will be added each day. Were expecting to have more than 1,000 pets up for adoption and huge crowds, said Adam Lamb, Chief Executive Officer for BVSPCA, Our goal is to have 800 animals in their new homes by the end of the weekend. Shelters that will be participating are BVSPCA (West Chester & New Castle locations), Last Chance Ranch, Camden County Animal Shelter, Morris Animal Refuge and more. This special event is for the whole family! Food, beverage and pet product vendors will also be present, so dont forget to do some holiday shopping for your four-legged family member. ABOUT BRANDYWINE VALLEY SPCA: Founded in 1929, the Brandywine Valley SPCA is the first open admission shelter in Pennsylvania to achieve No Kill status and serves as the only open admission shelter in both Chester and Delaware Counties. In 2015, the BVSPCA opened its first Animal Health Center in Malvern, Pennsylvania, making veterinary care more accessible to local residents. In 2016, the BVSPCA took on a 3-year contract with the Delaware Office of Animal Welfare to provide state-wide animal services, and expanded its reach further into the tri-state area by opening both a second shelter and a second Animal Health Center in New Castle County, Delaware. Shortly after, a PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center was opened in Dover, Delaware. Its mission is to put the human back in humane animal treatment and to advocate on their behalf. Each year, the BVSPCA cares for nearly 8,000 stray, owner-surrendered, wayward owned, and abused and neglected animals. For more information, please visit http://www.bvspca.org. ABOUT PETCO FOUNDATION: At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999 weve invested more than $135 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 8,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, weve helped more than 4.2 million pets find their new loving families, and were just getting started. Visit http://www.petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved. Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that Attorney Scott A. MacGriff has joined the firms Washington, D.C. office as a Member to assist in leading the firms U.S. Government Contracts practice. Mr. MacGriff focuses his practice on government contracts, defending government investigations, and civil and criminal litigation. His recent work at the United States Department of Justice not only involved government contract trials and related procurement fraud prosecution, as well as customs/importation civil fraud prosecutions, but also direct, meaningful and significant experience working with the most senior United States and international diplomatic and military officials. Mr. MacGriff recently completed eight years at the Department of Justice, including a 36 month deployment to Afghanistan on behalf of the Department of Justice, 18 months of which was as the Justice Attache for the United States. He led the office of the Justice Attache and was responsible for interacting with the most senior State Department, interagency, military, international and Afghan leadership in Afghanistan on issues related to the Department of Justices mission and United States involvement in Afghanistan. I am pleased to return to Dickinson Wright and to bring a U.S. Government Contracts transactional, counseling, investigative and litigation component to our growing, dynamic and active Government Investigations, White-Collar and Securities Enforcement practice, said Mr. MacGriff. The firms commitment to government contracts work is apparent from the strong interest of existing firm clients and our extremely active Canadian government contracts practice. My immediate involvement in procurement fraud/false claims, and United States Court of Federal Claims matters will extend the reach of Dickinson Wright across our nationwide offices, our areas of practice expertise, and the government contracts bar. Mr. MacGriff is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He has given presentations nationally and around the world on a wide range of topics including investigation techniques and case developments, developing non-military and concurrent alternatives to regional criminal activities, counterterrorism investigations and prosecutions, the common challenges in bringing Foreign Terrorist Fighter prosecutions, and international anti-corruption (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) enforcement and compliance. Mr. MacGriff received his B.G.S. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Mr. MacGriff previously practiced at Dickinson Wright for 11 years before joining the United States Department of Justice. About Dickinson Wright PLLC Dickinson Wright PLLC is a general practice business law firm with more than 425 attorneys among more than 40 practice areas and 16 industry groups. Headquartered in Detroit and founded in 1878, the firm has seventeen offices, including six in Michigan (Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw) and ten other domestic offices in Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Lexington, Ky.; Nashville and Music Row, Tenn.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Washington, D.C. The firms Canada office is located in Toronto. Dickinson Wright offers our clients a distinctive combination of superb client service, exceptional quality, value for fees, industry expertise and business acumen. As one of the few law firms with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, Dickinson Wright has built state-of-the-art, independently-verified risk management controls and security processes for our commercial transactions. Dickinson Wright lawyers are known for delivering commercially-oriented advice on sophisticated transactions and have a remarkable record of wins in high-stakes litigation. Dickinson Wright lawyers are regularly cited for their expertise and experience by Chambers, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and other leading independent law firm evaluating organizations. Start the holiday season off with an evening of Workshops, Networking, Keynotes and Wine Bar Mixer! The Donate & Learn Business Mixer is back for the holiday season! Join Toronto entrepreneurs, small businesses and marketing professionals, learn about the latest in online marketing, business tools and strategies Nov 30, 2016 in downtown Toronto. Start the holiday season off with an evening of Workshops, Networking, Keynotes and Wine Bar Mixer! Donate & Learn Business Mixer includes Workshops with the pros at BingAds, Constant Contact and Green Lotus. Attendees can choose: Email Marketing Workshop - learn how to build a database with Constant Contact, generate leads, boost conversions and sales. Paid Search 101 Workshop learn the top 5 ways to dive into Pay-Per-Click advertising with BingAds, optimize Ad keywords, geography and bidding to maximize ROI. Hands-on SEO Workshop learn how to implement and manage a search engine strategy and track results. Best selling Author, Speaker and Financial Guru Jessie Christo will captivate and educate with his Keynote on Blind Spots, Bullets, Bias: The Difference Between Planning Your Future Re-actively or Proactively. Bassem Ghali, winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and founder of Green Lotus, draws on his extensive digital marketing experience and will present The 6 Common Mistakes in Small Business Search Engine Strategies & How to Fix Them! Who Should Attend the Donate & Learn Business Mixer? Whether just getting started with social media, planning an online marketing strategy, or deep into implementation; Donate & Learn Business Events provide the knowledge, strategies and networking opportunities needed to take your business to the next level! Business Owners Marketing / Sales Managers Social Media Specialists PR / Communication Specialists SEO Specialists Creative Directors Brand Managers More About Donate & Learn Events: Created by Bassem Ghali, founder of Torontos Green Lotus Digital Marketing Agency, the Donate & Learn initiative strives to provide high-quality educational events to entrepreneurs, business owners and marketing professionals, while also supporting great local charities. Theres never been a better way to learn! Carole Baggerly accepts award from Michael Stroka This award is especially deserved given the crisis of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency across America, especially in minority communities, and its profound health impacts. The American College of Nutrition honored non-profit, GrassrootsHealth, with their Humanitarian Award at their 57th annual conference held in San Diego November 9 - 11. This award is presented to individuals or organizations who have worked selflessly and effectively in the broader field of nutrition to benefit humanity. Past recipients include UNICEF, David Perlmutter (author of Grain Brain), and Vitamin Angels. The Humanitarian Award was presented to GrassrootsHealth to honor their tireless efforts to move vitamin D research into practice. Without the work of GrassrootsHealth it might take another generation to bring this low-cost, safe, nutritional need to light. In addition to working with over 10,000 individuals in their D*action program to test vitamin D levels, GrassrootsHealth is also teaming up with hospitals and cancer centers across the country to make optimizing vitamin D levels a standard of care. This award is especially deserved given the crisis of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency across America, especially in minority communities, and its profound health impacts, states Michael Stroka, Executive Director of the American College of Nutrition. We are grateful to Carole for her teams work on behalf of human health, and are pleased to be able to recognize and contribute to their work in this way. The Humanitarian Award comes with a monetary donation derived from proceeds of the exhibit hall. This year, the donation that accompanied the award was $28,000. GrassrootsHealth will use the funds to further their work of moving vitamin D research into practice helping to expand their public reach and education. I share this award with the 48 vitamin D scientists and researchers who share a common goal and have worked countless hours to this end, stated Carole Baggerly, Founder and Director of GrassrootsHealth. Together, we have the methodology to implement the call to action to get the WORLD to the recommended 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L). Participating medical institutions are realizing both health benefits and cost savings in their practice by optimizing vitamin D levels. These institutions either participate in our pregnancy project, Protect our Children NOW! or our new Cancer Prevention project. About GrassrootsHealth GrassrootsHealth is a nonprofit public health research organization dedicated to moving public health messages regarding vitamin D from research into practice. It has a panel of 48 senior vitamin D researchers from around the world contributing to its operations. GrassrootsHealth is currently running the D*action population intervention program to solve the vitamin D deficiency epidemic worldwide. Under the D*action umbrella, there are programs looking at the entire population as well as targeted programs for breast cancer prevention and a Protect Our Children NOW! program to stop vitamin D deficiency where it starts, in utero. About the American College of Nutrition The American College of Nutrition, founded in 1959, is on a mission to advance nutrition science to prevent and treat disease. Key goals of the professional society are to stimulate nutrition research and publication, elevate nutrition knowledge among clinicians and researchers, and provide practical guidance on clinical nutrition. The American College of Nutrition accepts no funding from for-profit corporations fostering its mission and ability to advance uncompromising science. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov 29, 2016) - Africa Energy Corp. (TSX VENTURE:AFE) ("Africa Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a farmout agreement (the "Farmout Agreement") with a subsidiary of Pancontinental Oil & Gas N.L. ("Pancontinental") pursuant to which the Company will acquire a 10% participating interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence 37 offshore, Republic of Namibia ("PEL 37"). Under the terms of the Farmout Agreement and similar to the terms of Pancontinental's participating interest, the Company's participating interest share of all joint venture costs, including the drilling of the first exploration well on PEL 37, will be fully carried through the current exploration period by a joint venture partner. The Company has agreed to pay Pancontinental US$1.7 million at close of the Farmout Agreement, and an additional US$4.8 million upon spud of the first exploration well. Completion of the Farmout Agreement is subject to receipt of all requisite government approvals, other regulatory approvals, third party consents, partner approvals, and finalization of due diligence procedures. James Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer for Africa Energy commented, "I'm very pleased to announce our acquisition of a 10% fully carried interest in PEL 37, offshore Namibia. The block contains a series of extensive base of slope fan prospects with significant combined resource potential. The fans directly overlie a mature oil-prone source rock of Aptian age, which was recently proven by the 2013 Murombe-1 and Wingat-1 wells in which the latter well recovered light oil. Africa Energy's technical team has experience in these West African Cretaceous fan plays and we look forward to the drilling of a well in this play." About Africa Energy Corp. Africa Energy Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company, the shares of which are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AFE". The Company holds a 90% participating interest in Block 2B, offshore Republic of South Africa and is actively building an exploration portfolio in Africa. Forward Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance including, without limitation, the Company's new corporate strategy. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the conditions and timing of the completion of the farmout transaction and of proposed drilling activity in the block. The use of any of the words "will", "expected" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance of Africa Energy Corp. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including but not limited to: failure to obtain the regulatory and other approvals required for completion of the farmout transaction, and the failure of the Operator to undertake any drilling activity. Actual future results and drilling activity may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. 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. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD James Phillips, President and CEO More than 80 percent of all patients diagnosed with HIV are receiving anti-retroviral therapy (AFP Photo/Alexander Joe) Geneva (AFP) - The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that nearly half of all people with HIV around the globe do not know they are infected, and called for broader access to at-home testing kits. The UN health agency said that 40 percent of people with the virus that causes AIDS, or more than 14 million people worldwide, are unaware of their status, according to 2015 estimates. However, that marks a huge improvement from a decade earlier when only 12 percent of people with HIV were estimated to know they had the virus. But the continued lack of diagnoses remains a major obstacle to implementing WHO's recommendation for everyone with HIV to be offered anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Today, more than 80 percent of those diagnosed with HIV are receiving ART, but that is still less than half of the 36.7 million people believed to be living with the virus. "We still have a major treatment gap," Gottfried Hirnschall, head of WHO's HIV department, told reporters in Geneva, warning that "many people actually get to treatment late because they don't know they are HIV positive". WHO chief Margaret Chan said that making home testing kits more easily available could make a dramatic difference. "HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services," she said in a statement. HIV self-testing allows people, in the privacy of their own homes, to use oral fluid or blood from a finger prick to determine their status in about 20 minutes, while new tests are being developed that work even faster. - Record infections - WHO urges anyone who tests positive to seek confirmatory tests at a health clinic, where they can receive information about the disease and how to get counselling, as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services. Self-testing has been shown to nearly double the frequency of HIV testing among men who have sex with men, and recent studies in Kenya found that the male partners of pregnant women were twice as likely to get tested if they were offered self-testing, WHO said. Story continues Twenty-three countries currently have national policies in place supporting HIV self-testing while others are developing such policies, but WHO warned that in much of the world wide-scale access to the tests remains limited. And in countries where they are easily accessible they are often pricey, as in the United States where they can be bought in most chemists at around $40 (37.67 euros) a piece. "We would really like to emphasise that they should ideally be free," said Rachel Baggaley of WHO's HIV prevention unit. WHO said it was supporting a project in three southern African countries -- Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia -- aimed at making free home testing kits widely available, and said a number of other countries were interested in joining the initiative. More testing is also needed in other regions, with the EU and WHO reporting on Tuesday that one in seven people with HIV in Europe is unaware of their infection, as 2015 marked another record year for new HIV cases in the region. Europe registered 153,407 new cases, up from 142,000 in 2014, the WHO said, a jump driven by cases in Russia and immigrants who acquired the virus after arrival. Hirnschall acknowledged on Tuesday that the rate of new HIV infections globally had stopped declining in recent years and had stagnated at around 2.1 million annually, voicing hope that increased testing could help turn that trend. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Penguin Random House has announced that it will pay half of the dues for a membership to PEN America for any member of its staff wishing to join the free speech organization by December 31, 2016. In a letter to staff on Tuesday, PRH CEO Markus Dohle noted that "as devoted advocates of the free exchange of ideas and opinions through books, we are living in momentous times," and implored his staff to "stand together to both celebrate and protect the freedoms that make our work and success possible." PEN America's executive director, Suzanne Nossel, called the move a "first-of-its-kind" arrangement. She added: "The U.S.'s thriving publishing industry rests on a foundation of protection for the open flow of words and ideas. We could not be more heartened and touched by Penguin Random House and CEO Markus Dohle's decision to affirm these core values and engage PRH's staff and authors more deeply in PEN America's work to protect free expression and ensure that marginalized voices can be heard." For those employees who are already full members of PEN, Dohle wrote, PRH will donate half the amount of PEN membership dues to the organization in their names. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue-affiliated startup has developed a low-cost, low-maintenance slow sand water filter technology to better provide clean and safe drinking water to schools and communities in developing countries around the world. Maji Safi International LLC, which means clean water in Swahili, was founded by John Maiyo, a doctoral student in Purdue's College of Engineering. Chad Jafvert, a professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering; and John Howarter, assistant professor of materials engineering and environmental and ecological engineering, are company advisers. The company installs groundwater wells, and provides ceramic filters and slow sand filters, in western Kenya where safe water is not readily accessible. "Access to clean water is a huge problem that many countries and communities face around the world, especially developing countries," Maiyo said. "Around the globe, twice the population of the United States lives without access to safe drinking water, and globally one-third of all schools lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation." The unique Purdue technology used by Maji Safi is a slow sand filter that utilizes containers filled with sand and water. At the bottom of the container is a water collection plate, designed at Purdue. The sand provides a large surface area on which microbial growth occurs that metabolizes the dissolved and particulate organic material in the water. The point-of-use slow sand filters are made from readily available five-gallon plastic pails or 55-gallon drums. "Typical slow sand filters use gravel layers at the bottom of the filter as the water collection zone, however, our filters do not use gravel. Instead we use a porous plastic plate enclosed within a mesh bag," Jafvert said. "We've found this method to be much simpler to use and maintain. There is only the sand to sieve and rinse, instead of sand and different gravel sizes. It provides easier maintenance and makes for easier filter transportation and final assembly." Once water is treated by a filter, a small amount of chlorine is added to the water for final disinfection, producing clear, colorless, drinkable water. Maiyo said that after 30 minutes of contact with the chlorine, the water is ready to drink. "People and children in schools come up to the filter systems with a cup to get a drink, and the schools are able to use the water in their kitchens or for cleaning," he said. "Because the filters are operated in 'batch' mode, water is generally added three times each day, providing for an eight-hour contact time between the water and microorganisms in the filter. Each 55-gallon drum filter can process 200 liters of water each day. With five filters installed at one school, this meets the needs of over 400 children and teachers at the school every day." Howarter said the filters are ideal for rural communities. "The materials needed for these filters are very basic and can be found in the countries we aim to serve. The idea is that the microorganisms do the work to remove organic materials from the water so the only energy demand is pouring water into the filter," he said. "Our particular design allows for the filters to be easily transported, and does not require any particular expertise for final construction at the point-of-use. As a disinfectant, chlorine is very inexpensive in the countries where we have installed filters, so there is no huge investment required by the communities to use the technology." Maji Safi has installed 10 large slow sand filters in rural schools in Kenya, and Jafvert and Howarter have installed similar filters in Colombia, Tanzania and China. "Our team, as well as many of our undergraduate and graduate students, have traveled to these countries to install the filters, and we've been able to see that the children and teachers use the filters every day," Jafvert said. "The first filters we installed in Colombia in 2011 are still being used today, so that's a good sign." Maji Safi International was born out of Purdue's involvement in AMPATH, a consortium of North American academic health centers led by Indiana University, working in partnership with the government of Kenya, to provide access to health care. Technology used by Maji Safi International LLC has been licensed through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization. The company is a member of the Purdue Startup Class of 2016. Purdue has 27 startups based on Purdue intellectual property that were launched in the 2016 fiscal year. Jafvert said the initial work on the technology was done through a $40,000 gift from the Kimberly-Clark Corp. The group also received $10,000 from Purdue's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences through an H20 grant written by undergraduate students who participated in the research, $10,000 from the Purdue Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, and additional support from AMPATH. Maji Safi plans to improve the filters based on feedback from the communities. "We're working to improve water delivery, water chlorination and chlorine detection, as well as automating the filters so that water can be pumped directly from local streams to the filters," Howarter said. "We're also working on a device that connects to a smartphone to tell users what filters aren't working properly so adjustments can be made remotely instead of having to visit the schools in person." Maiyo said the company's next steps involve marketing the filters to other schools. "Everything we've done, so far, has been through funding, but now that we've installed the filters in a few schools and the schools have seen the filters' potential, we're hoping other schools will be willing to purchase them," he said. "It would be great if a private organization or government agency would fund this project to allow us to install water filters in many schools. We've heard from multiple community leaders and the feedback is always 'how can we get more?' So now it's just a matter of finding funding to be able to do that." Maji Safi aims to implement filters in 1,000 schools over the next five to 10 years. "We started out with a goal of providing filters to just four schools as demonstration projects, and now that that's done and has been successful, we're working on scaling up," Maiyo said. "A filter in Kenya costs about $50 in materials, with labor and transportation as additional costs, but that filter will last five to 10 years, so the overall cost is very low. We're open to partnering with a local manufacturer in Kenya or elsewhere who would be willing to do a trial run of parts manufacturing for 1,000 filters, which would be a huge step forward." The company also is seeking support from people who would like to sponsor one or more schools, which would enable Maji Safi to install filters and provide clean drinking water to the students, teachers and community members. For information on other Purdue intellectual property ready for licensing and commercialization, visit http://www.otc-prf.org. For more information about available leadership positions, investing in a Purdue startup or licensing a Purdue innovation, visit http://www.purduefoundry.com. About Maji Safi International LLC Maji Safi International LLC is a startup providing safe drinking water solutions to developing countries around the world. The company has licensed a slow sand water filter innovation from Purdue. About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2014 Incubator Network of the Year from the National Business Incubation Association for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at innovation@prf.org. Purdue Research Foundation contact: Hillary Henry, 765-588-3586, hkhenry@prf.org Sources: John Maiyo, jmaiyo@purdue.edu Chad Jafvert, jafvert@ecn.purdue.edu John Howarter, howarter@purdue.edu Illinois Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth plans to keep the up the work she did on behalf of defense manufacturing in the House, and also hopes to help play a moderating role on the use of the military -- especially with a president-elect she considers unpredictable. "I hope the Senate gets to be a moderating role," Rep. Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, said in a meeting on Monday with the editorial board of The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. "Because that's what the Senate does. I'm afraid what we have in President-elect (Donald) Trump is a man who wants to be quick to action and who is quick to say things that can negatively affect our national security on a global scale. His threatening to pull out of NATO is a good example." Rep. Duckworth, who defeated Republican incumbent Mark Kirk on Nov. 8 to win the Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama, spoke about her planned priorities in the Senate during an hour-long conversation. Those priorities include investment in infrastructure (including upgrading locks and dams), manufacturing opportunities (including clean-energy manufacturing in Illinois) education and help for veterans. Her first choice for a committee assignment is the Senate Armed Services Committee -- she serves in the House version now -- where "I'd be the first female Purple Heart veteran on the committee," she said. Rep. Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran who lost both of her legs when the helicopter she was co-piloting was shot down by Iraqi insurgents in 2004. On that committee, she'd like to be a "legitimate voice that calls for caution" in the U.S. military's role in Syria and Iraq, "but not in a way that I'm seen as weak on defense, someone who's afraid of war. By no means am I a dove, but I'm also not a reckless hawk, either." "I worry that if we have people who are eager to go to war, that's what will happen," she said, "instead of being a nation that really pressures our allies to more in their own backyards and to step up. You know, Saudi Arabia continues to fund groups that are funneling money into ISIS. We need to work on that. We need to pressure Turkey." The Armed Services Committee also could help her expand the work of the Rock Island Arsenal and other arsenals. Last year, she worked with Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, and Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa City, on legislation to increase manufacturing capability and readiness at arsenals such as the Rock Island Arsenal. That legislation was helped with support from legislators on both sides of the aisle who have arsenals in their districts. She said she has co-sponsored legislation with several Republicans, including conservatives such as tea party sympathizer Mark Meadows, R-N.C., who she calls a "good friend." Bipartisan relationships will be important as a minority-party senator working with a Republican president, but Mr. Trump's unpredictability poses a problem that consistent conservatives do not, she said. She said she'll reach out to moderate Republicans, who themselves are perhaps a bit leery of Mr. Trump. "I don't think Mr. Trump knows what Mr. Trump thinks," she said. "I don't think he knows what his positions are going to be two weeks from now. That to me is uncertain." She is one of 17 Democrats on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee who have signed a letter asking committee chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, to look into Mr. Trump's international financial entanglements to see if he's breaking the law on conflicts of interest. "This is not a military junta that is taking over some developing nation," Rep. Duckworth said. "We're the leader of the free world. The reason that America leads the world isn't just the might of our military, but it is the fact that businesses around the world know that if they conduct businesses with American companies there are certain rules under the American judicial system. And we cannot have a president of the United States with these conflicts of interests, or anybody in government with these conflicts of interest." ROCK ISLAND -- Based on an estimated 2.96 percent projected increase in property values, Rock Island residents should see the city's property tax levy increase by $324,000 in 2017. City council members met Monday to discuss next year's budget. The council will meet again Dec. 5 for further discussion. Formal action by the council on the proposed 2017 calendar year budget should take place at the Dec. 12 or Dec. 19 council meeting. A glimpse into the 354-page budget shows the city dealing with financial challenges. Some of those challenges include increasing property tax dollars allocated to police and fire pensions, future plans and funding challenges for the public library and its two branches, along with the ongoing effort to attract retail development at the former Kmart site and the 11th Street site that was to be home for a Wal-Mart Super Center. While the city's tax rate is expected to remain the same, the assessed value is expected to increase, city finance director Stephanie Masson said. Township assessors determine property values. County supervisor of assessments Larry Wilson said the county's board of review and the Illinois Department of Revenue also factor in determining assessed values. Mr. Wilson also ensures the assessment levels are uniform. He said a final assessed value has not been determined. Mayor Dennis Pauley said the city's tax rate of $2.4002 per $100 of assessed value will remain the same for the sixth year in a row. The 2017 property tax levy is estimated at $11,280,143, an increase of $324,296 from the 2016 levy because of the projected increase in property values. Ald. Joshua Schipp, 6th Ward, said the city may have to look at gradual increases in the city's property tax rate to address the financial challenges facing the city. "It wouldn't have been a significantly noticeable burden on homeowners, but it could have been put into a fund for us to prepare for what we know our future increased costs are going to be," Ald. Schipp said, "People want to see more streets done, new sidewalks and repairs. They want to see us keep the library open. These things cost money. When we're keeping flat on the tax rate for six years, and the salaries go up and health care costs go up, we can't manage all of those things. "I think, in the long term, the city is going to survive another year. My fear is we're going to hit a point, maybe not next year, but the year after, if we keep up with this, all of a sudden, we're going to say, 'We need to increase it (tax rate) just to keep up.'" Pensions are among the financial challenges the city will face in the future. Police and fire pensions are determined by an independent actuary. The levy for the police pension is estimated to go up $316,149 to $3,210,078, or a 10.92 percent increase over the current year. The fire pension levy is expected to increase $255,661 to an overall $3,059,212, a 9.12 percent increase. The budget report indicates those pensions are a significant concern for the city. "The city has historically funded this obligation through the property tax levy without raising the overall rate," the budget report said. "The cumulative effect on the general fund has been to reduce revenues available for operations." One of the ways to offset increasing pension, salary and health care costs is through economic growth. "We continue to work on the Kmart site," Mayor Pauley said. "We continue to work on the 11th Street site." Ald. Schipp said the council has made it clear to the owner of the Kmart building, which closed in the summer, that it wants retail there. "It's one of the highest traffic counts in the city," Ald. Schipp said. The 11th Street site is shovel ready, he said. "If we can get an Aldi over there, a credit union, it might be a good way to go rather than landing a big retail giant," Ald. Schipp said. "We can't count on what we don't have." In other business, library director Angela Campbell said the library's 30/31 branch at 3059 30th St., will remain open, at least for 2017, at limited hours. Earlier this year, the library board discussed closing the library branch. The proposed budget also includes first year funding of its five-year capital improvement plan. Significant capital and maintenance projects in the 2017 budget include: - Water treatment filter building: $12.5 million - Street improvements: $8.88 million - Blackhawk lift station improvements: $7 million - Combined sewer separation (26th-30th street/5th - 9th avenue): $1.8 million - Street maintenance: $1.08 million - Fleet equipment funding and purchases: $318,600 - Body worn cameras: $165,543. "What we are really designing this for is the squeezed middle, the people on average incomes who get $800-$1000 worth of tax relief," said Luxon. 2 hours ago SNCF says the new scheme will be more generous than that demanded by European Union regulations. SNCF will offer coupons worth 25% of the ticket price for trains delayed by 30 minutes whereas the EU regulation calls for compensation to start when trains are delayed by one hour. SNCF and EU compensation increases to 50% for delays in excess of two hours, but SNCFs compensation rises to 75% for delays exceeding three hours. SNCF will also compensate passengers for all types of delays including those beyond its control, such as bad weather, suspect packages, vandalism, and obstacles on the track, which it says currently account for one-third of train delays. Passengers can claim for compensation via a special website or the SNCF app and will receive a digital coupon valid for up to a year within 48 hours of applying. TGV services have a punctuality record of 89.8% so far this year compared with 88.7% for inter-city trains. SNCF defines a TGV as being on time if it arrives at its destination within 5 minutes of schedule. SNCF says an increase in investment in infrastructure and rolling stock has given it the confidence to offer the 30-minute punctuality guarantee. It says it will have renewed 6000km of its 29,600km network by the end of 2016, and is investing 1.2bn in the purchase of new trains, plus 150m each year in train refurbishment. SNCF now has four operating centres supervising the movement of 300,000 passengers a day which communicate travel information to train and station staff. Diversification of the plant into rolling stock maintenance is already underway and since October 1m has been invested in a new building for the maintenance of TGVs. This activity will employ 20 people at the site from next year. The French government has also committed 30m funding to the development of new products, including support for the TGV of the Future programme and 4m for a new range of locomotives. Sirugue says the state has begun the process of definitive validation of an order for 30 inter-city trains for the so-called Balance of Territory (TET) loss-making long-distance routes, several of which are being transferred to regional government control. The order for these trains, together with French National Railways (SNCF) order for six TGVs for Paris - Lyon - Milan services will be registered with the board of SNCF Mobilites in December. The order for 15 TGV Euroduplex trains agreed as part of the Belfort rescue deal will be submitted to the SNCF board in January, followed by the order for 20 rescue locomotives for high-speed lines in March. A committee of local politicians, trade union representatives, Alstom and the French state has been established in Belfort to oversee the implementation of the rescue plan. The commitments made by Alstom on October 4 have made good progress, says Poupart-Lafarge. Investments have begun both for new service infrastructure and development programmes for rail vehicles of the future. We note with interest the clarifications made regarding the order schedule, also announced on October 4, which should ensure the continuity of industrial production at Belfort, La Rochelle and Reichshoffen. Canadas federal government has begun a search for a new chairperson for VIA Rail Canada. Two Ontario-based passenger rail advocacy groupsAll Aboard St. Marys and Transport Action Ontarioregard this as cause for guarded optimism and are endorsing a prospective candidate, as well as another candidate to fill a soon-expiring board post. Following is a joint statement from the organizations: Were reading this as an indication that Ottawa wants to bring about some of the high-level change VIA has long required, says Chris West of the All Aboard St. Marys citizens committee. Its our opinion that VIA has been rudderless for far too many years thanks to a board of directors appointed strictly on the basis of political patronage and not because they possessed any relevant knowledge of or enthusiasm for modern rail passenger service. Tony Turrittin, president of Transport Action Ontario, adds, Were not naive about how this process operates. The current directors of VIA were all appointed by a previous government on a political basis, and the current government will obviously want representatives on the boards of Crown corporations and public agencies who are aligned with them politically. However, in this case that creates a golden opportunity because the man who could easily fill this role, regardless of politics, is former Liberal Minister of Transport David Collenette. Collenette was a Liberal Member of Parliament for nearly 30 years and served as Minister of Transport from 1997 to 2004. As both Turrittin and West point out, Collenette is a firm believer in the need for a modern Canadian national rail passenger system. He is regarded in transportation circles as the only minister since VIAs creation in 1977 who brought about meaningful and well-considered improvements to the service. Currently, Collenette is completing his work as the senior advisor to the Government of Ontario on a proposed Southwestern Ontario high-speed rail passenger service. Throughout this assignment, he has been open and helpful to All Aboard St. Marys, Transport Action Ontario and other groups concerned about the future of regions rail passenger service. As part of his work and on his own time, Collenette has traveled widely by train and seen how successful rail passenger systems are operated in other countries around the world. Furthermore, his extensive government experience would be a huge plus in enabling VIA to fully and effectively engage with those in Ottawa who ultimately control its destiny through their oversight and funding. An appointment such as this could truly be a turning point for rail passengers nationwide, says West. But this board renewal process needs to go further. As the terms of the current directors expire, they must be replaced by professionals who possess the skills and enthusiasm required to finally turn VIA around. The first person we recommend the government appoint to serve alongside Collenette is former Amtrak president and Toronto Transit Commission Chief General Manager David Gunn, who is now a resident of Cape Breton [Nova Scotia]. His 40 years of service in the rail and transit industries would make him a unique asset to VIA at a time when its future is far from assured. In this, Transport Action Ontarios Turrittin concurs: The combination of Collenette and Gunn would give VIA something it has never possessed, namely directors who know how to make a rail passenger service operate at both the political and practical levels. They could also foster some radically different approaches to our intercity transportation problems, including the need to bring the provincial governments into the discussion to produce cooperative, multi-modal solutions. As well, their appointment would send a strong signal that our government is serious when it says it wants to use transportation reform and investment to help address climate change and strengthen Canada economically and socially. All Aboard St. Marys and Transport Action Ontario are calling on the government to weigh carefully the selection of VIAs next chairperson, as well as future board appointments. If candidates of the caliber of Collenette and Gunn are selected, then VIA can be put on a sound and practical footing. But if political patronage once again triumphs, then VIAs chances of survival are meager, as past experience has sadly demonstrated. President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993. Chao served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2009, the longest tenure in the position since World War II and the only Bush Cabinet member to serve all eight years of his Presidency. She was also the first Asian-American woman to serve in a Cabinet position. According to The New York Times, While enjoying the praise and admiration of her colleagues, she also invited scorn from organized labor, whose leaders accused her of being too cozy with business interests. Chao also served as Deputy Secretary of Transportation under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991. In 1986, she became Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration. From 1988 to 1989, she served as chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission. After she left the Bush Administration in 2009, Chao remained quietly active in politics, said The Times. She has always been a close and, by many accounts, savvy adviser to her husband, immersing herself in even the most minute details of his campaigns, like who had donated and who had not. Chao is a Distinguished Fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, whose retired economist Ron Utt is a member of Trumps transition team, advising him on transportation. Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank N. Wilner describes Utt as a person among whose favorite pinatas was Amtrak public subsidies. At DOT, Chao would have a principal role in helping Trump get an infrastructure spending bill passed through Congress and start government-backed projects, a role likely to be complicated by her relationship with McConnell, who will also be a critical player in any infrastructure bill negotiations, according to a CNN report. She wouldnt be the first Transportation Secretary with such a conflict. Elizabeth Dole served as DOT Secretary in the Reagan Administration from 1983 to 1987 while married to Sen. Bob Dole, Majority Leader from 1985-1987. The nations rail industry welcomes the President-elects selection and looks forward to working with Ms. Chao on the many critical surface transportation issues key to U.S. economic growth and prosperity, said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ed Hamberger. We know based on her prior tenure at the Department of Transportation that she has a full appreciation of the vital role freight and passenger rail play in America. On behalf of the AAR and member railroads, we congratulate Ms. Chao. Chao was born in Taiwan, and moved to the U.S. as a child. She is the eldest of six daughters. Her parents are Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, a historian, and Dr. James S.C. Chao, who began his career as a merchant mariner and later founded Foremost Shipping, a successful shipping company in New York. In January 2015, Chao resigned from the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies, which she had joined in 2015, reportedly because of its plans to significantly increase support for the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal initiative, a campaign to promote renewable energy. Beyond Coal has received at least $80 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies. According to the Capitol Hill newsletter Politico, early in the George W. Bush Administration, an energy task force convened by Vice President Dick Cheney advocated the construction of 200 new U.S. coal plants. The Beyond Coal campaign prevented 170 of the 200 plants from being built. Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK Network methods consider systems holistically, rather than focusing on individual characteristics, allowing researchers to provide comprehensive insights and solutions for important policy topics. The RAND Center for Applied Network Analysis (RCANA) promotes the application of formal network analysis of individuals, organizations, and systems across the full range of RANDs research portfolio. The tools of network analysis allow us to analyze these relationships throughout a system. We can identify facets of the systemsuch as key actors, conduits of influence, and important communitiesthat are critical to the networks behavior. A network analysis approach can also help us craft network interventions that leverage the structural features of networks to produce policy impacts. RANDs network researchers are experts from a range of fields including behavioral and social science, history, communications, business administration, mathematics, physics, and statistics, and engineering. Our background enables us to bring interdisciplinary techniques and insights to our work. In sync with its efforts to simplify operations, Barclays PLC BCS completed the sale of its Wealth and Investment Management (WIM) business in Singapore and Hong Kong. The unit has been sold to Bank of Singapore Limited, the wholly-owned private banking subsidiary of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited (OCBC). The sale value of $225 million represented 1.75% premium to Barclays WIM Singapore and Hong Kongs assets under management (AUM) at closure. However, this is below the price of $325 million, which was announced at the time of signing the deal in April. Further, the pro forma decrease in risk weighted assets (RWAs) will be roughly 0.8 billion. This is also below the previously estimated decline in RWAs of approximately 0.9 billion. So, these were perhaps the reasons for price fall since the announcement of completion of the deal. Barclays shares declined nearly 2.6% on Nov 28 to close at $10.38 per share. Notably, in the last three months, the company shares have surged more than 16%, outpacing the gain of 3.1% for Zacks categorized Foreign Banks industry. BARCLAY PLC-ADR Price BARCLAY PLC-ADR Price | BARCLAY PLC-ADR Quote The completion of the deal takes Barclays a step closer to its target to lower RWAs to 23 billion by 2017. Nonetheless, the company will continue to operate the corporate and investment banking businesses in Singapore and Hong Kong. Jes Staley, Barclays Group CEO said, I would like to thank those skilled and dedicated colleagues in Hong Kong and Singapore, who have moved to become part of Bank of Singapore, for their hard work for both Barclays and our Wealth clients in the region. I wish them great success in the future. Asia remains a crucial component of the Barclays business plan, and we continue to actively serve our clients across the region from our offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, and Japan. Barclays efforts to right size operations and vend off non-core businesses will lead to improved efficiency and profitability overtime. The company has been disposing off its non-core units across the globe with an aim to lower expenses. Nonetheless, Barclays is not alone. There are many large banks, including Deutsche Bank AG DB, HSBC Holdings plc HSBC and Citigroup Inc. C that have been divesting non-core/unprofitable businesses globally. Currently, Barclays carries a Zacks rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CITIGROUP INC (C): Free Stock Analysis Report BARCLAY PLC-ADR (BCS): Free Stock Analysis Report DEUTSCHE BK AG (DB): Free Stock Analysis Report HSBC HOLDINGS (HSBC): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. As HBOs streaming platform premieres in Spain, Vodafones deal is revealed to be less exclusive than initially announced. Prior to HBO Espanas over-the-top (OTT) launch, Vodafone claimed exclusive distribution for the platform, while the US company remained silent about the terms of the agreement. It now turns out that the service will be available as a fully standalone service through HBOs Web platform and apps, while Vodafone will be the only operator integrating the OTT service into its pay-TV platform.HBOs OTT service, which depends on the HBO Nordic subsidiary, has also revealed a content agreement with Disney and Nickelodeon to boost its kids and family portfolio. In addition, the video-on-demand (VOD) catalogue will include Warner movies as well as European titles such as Sorrentinos La Grande Bellezza and some Almodovar films.Regarding series, HBO Espana will deliver most of its in-house portfolio , including Game of Thrones, Westworld, Veep and The Young Pope, as well as classic hits like The Sopranos and The Wire. It will also include titles from other producers such as DCs Legends of Tomorrow, The Exorcist and Preacher, but not from Showtime as it does in the Nordics.It has also reached a local agreement with Atresmedia and Telecinco to deliver Spanish series like Vis a Vis and Lo Que Escondian Sus Ojos.The streaming service launches with a reduced app portfolio, available through the browser platform, Android and iOS apps, Chromecast and Apple TV, and the integrated app for Vodafones hybrid IPTV set-top boxes. The company says it is working on a smart TV platform to be released soon.After a free 30-day trial, the subscription will cost 7.99 per month, although Vodafone TVs subs will have access to other offers. Each subscription will support five registered devices and two simultaneous streams. Albala Ingenieros has been chosen by Spains RTVE to supply optical-electric converters for the public broadcasters production centre in Barcelona. The Albala equipment, which is integrated with the central switching system of the HD digital video and audio signals, includes optical-electric converters with two electrical inputs and outputs configured with the SFP modules, electro-optical ports with 20 electrical inputs/outputs, and optical SFP-compatible transmitters and receivers.This agreement follows another equipment deal signed with RTVE earlier this year, which saw two public broadcaster regional centres in Zaragoza and the Balearic islands revamped. In addition, the TV corporation selected the technology provider for the fibre-based broadcasting infrastructure deployed for the Rio 2016 Olympics.In fact, 2016 has been a prolific year in terms of commercial agreements for Albala Ingenieros, whose broadcasting technology has been tapped by Telefonicas Movistar+ and Colombias WIN Sports , among other major TV players. Restructuring of older display fabs, migration to larger-sized LCD TV panels, and business strategy adjustments are combining to make LCD TV panel manufacturers set a conservative shipment goal, says research from IHS Markit. The analyst believes that such realignment will likely see shipments slip by 1.2% compared with those in 2016 to total 258.4 million units by the end of next year. And such a fall comes even as the likes of BOE, Innolux and China Star are contributing to new capacities. BOEs shipments have shown growth in past years but it is projecting a 14% year-on-year decline in 2017 due to a production shift to larger panel sizes, in particular 43 and 55 displays, where production capacity will be shared with IT panels.LCD TV panel unit shipments in 2016 are forecast to decline 5% on year-on-year basis with 261.6 million. Among the top six panel makers, BOE and China Star continue to make the largest contribution to the growth of TV panel shipments in 2016, helped by a shortage of 32 panels, said Deborah Yang, director of display supply chain at IHS Markit. However, this is not enough to offset declines in shipments from South Korean and Taiwanese panel makers, all of which are undergoing the process of moving to larger panel sizes, facing production yields issues, or experiencing drastic declines in demand for 23.6 panels.Looking as to where the industry will be headed, the research firm also noted that instead of ramping up the current supply of TV panels, panel makers are now busy diversifying into larger sized panels and other premium products, such as 4K panels. IHS Markit analysis predicts that TV panel makers are planning to ship 63 million units of 4KTV panels in 2016, making up a 24 % Ultra HD penetration , and later to 86.4 million units in 2017, increasing their Ultra HD penetration to a third of the market. Russian opposition politician Yashin to testify in Nemtsov murder case MOSCOW, November 29 (RAPSI) Russian politician, deputy chairman of PARNAS opposition party Ilya Yashin wrote on Twitter that he would testify as a witness in Boris Nemtsov murder case on November 30. At present, a court is examining the evidence provided by prosecutors. Boris Nemtsov, 55, was murdered in central Moscow on the night of February 28. In the 1990s, the politician held a number of high-ranking posts in the Russian Government. In the 2000s, he joined the opposition.. The defendants in the case are alleged murderer Zaur Dadayev, Anzor Gubashev, Shadid Gubashev, Temerlan Eskerkhanov, and Khamzat Bakhayev who stand charged with a contract murder in the composition of an organized gang, and of illegal acquisition, transportation and possession of firearms. According to investigators, in late September 2014, Ruslan Mukhudinov, a former officer in the Chechen Interior Ministry, and some unnamed persons offered Beslan Shavanov and the five accused to murder Nemtsov for 15 million rubles ($239,700). Prosecution of Shavanov was dismissed in November 2015 because of his death by self-destruction in the course of his apprehending in Chechnya. Investigation into Mukhudinov, the alleged mastermind behind this high-profile murder, who has been on the international wanted list since 2015 and other unidentified persons, is still going on. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate By Trevor Hunnicutt NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A top bond investor for BlackRock Inc, the world's largest asset manager, is bargain-hunting in Europe as investors fret over a coming vote that may shake Italy's government. Rick Rieder, BlackRock's chief investment officer of global fixed income, said on Monday that he has been scaling up exposure to European banks and other financial stocks that have been beaten up by jittery markets. A Dec. 4 Italian constitutional referendum has rattled investors, who worry the result could unseat Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government and stoke a banking crisis. "Some of the banks and financials in broader Europe have traded at cheaper levels because of the 'risk'," Rieder told Reuters. "We have definitely added some banks and financials because we think they've gotten reasonable." He also said he is still holding exposure to Italian government debt, too, though at lower levels than in the past. Italian banking stocks have lost more than half their value over the last year and they fell 3.9 percent on Monday, while Italian government bonds underperformed a wider rally in fixed income. A JPMorgan Chase & Co research report distributed on Monday predicted Italian sovereign debt will continue to underperform in the next several days but recommended buying the bonds "right before the vote." The bank's report also said Italian banks could have a "knee-jerk sell-off" if the referendum fails but added the shares already reflected "a lot of negativity." BlackRock's Rieder said he is conservatively positioned given the risks, but added fears over the stability of European banks may have gone too far. "We think that is somewhat overstated," he said. "It's making a series of assumptions. One is that Renzi resigns. Two is that you're giving up on any plans to help stabilize the banking system. And both of those are big assumptions." BlackRock, which manages more than $5.1 trillion in assets, warned earlier on Monday that a widely forecast "No" vote in the referendum on proposed changes to the country's constitution could nonetheless delay "fixes to the country's sick banking system." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Sandra Maler) , We're sorry, this article is not currently available To relieve stress, you could sleep more, exercise regularly, or eat better. However, those stress relief techniques take time and energy very few of us have. Instead, here are some quicker and easier ways to reduce any election or exam anxiety you may be feeling right now. Interest rates are rising again. What you need to know to prepare. It's the most wonderful time of the year. And that time often includes feeling unbearably selfish every time you walk past those bell-ringing Santa Clauses outside of major retail stores. To help combat that end-of-the-year giving guilt, we've compiled a list of places to shop that will simultaneously help you knock out your holiday shopping and make you feel like a better person. Advertisement ONLINE MARKETPLACES If you're looking for a one-stop shopping experience without leaving the comfort of your couch, grab your laptop and check out one of these online retailers where every purchase goes toward making the world a better place. Advertisement AmazonSmile: This is probably the easiest way to do good when it comes to your holiday shopping since you're likely already using the online retail giant to track down the perfect gift for someone on your list. For each eligible purchase, 0.5 percent of the price will be donated to the charitable organization of your choice. It doesn't sound like much, but $300 worth of gifts later, it adds up. Global Goods Partners: Selling exclusively handmade goods, Global Goods Partners creates partnerships and buys goods at fair-trade prices from women all around the globe to sell in the U.S. The women are then given an additional portion of the proceeds to channel back into their communities. GoodShop: This isn't quite an online retailer, but it will come in handy in making a difference while getting your holiday shopping out of the way. A web-browser extension, GoodShop fetches deals and promotions that allocate portions of your purchases from everyday retailers (think Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.) to a charity of your choice. Greater Good: Every purchase made on GreaterGood.com donates money back to a cause of your choice. You can shop by cause, from ending hunger to rainforest conservation. GreaterGood offers clothing, jewelry, home goods, toys and pet supplies, aka anything you could ever be shopping for this holiday season. TOMS Marketplace: You probably already know that buying a pair of TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need, but their "One for One" campaign goes beyond shoes. When you purchase a bag of coffee grounds or sunglasses, for instance, you help provide clean water or an eye exam, respectively, to a person in need. BRANDS If you're more of a brand-oriented shopper, these online stores donate a portion of all of their purchases to specific charities. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > The Body Shop: Not all of their products contribute to a nonprofit, but their gift options, such as their "Handful of Happiness" gift set, donate funds to protect endangered creatures and restore parts of the rainforest. FEED: Founded by Lauren Bush Lauren in 2007, every bag purchased from FEED goes toward fighting child hunger. Each product comes stamped with a number that tells how many meals you've supplied with your purchase. Advertisement Sevenly: Founded in 2011, Sevenly allows you to "shop your cause," from autism research to education initiatives and veteran organizations. The site offers clothing and bags promoting one of seven causes, and with each purchase, the organization donates a portion of the cost to the cause of your choice. Sudara: Sudara was founded in 2005 on a simple principle: "No human being should be owned by anyone, anywhere, for any reasonever." Their signature product, Punjammies, are created by seamstresses in India with the purpose of keeping young women out of the sex trade. Wild Ophelia: For the sweet tooth on your gift list, Wild Ophelia is a Chicago-based artisanal chocolate shop founded in 2013 by Katrina Markoff. All of their chocolate is fair trade and non-GMO, and a portion of each sale is donated to the brand's Accelerator Program that awards three grants to American high school and college girls with "entrepreneurial dreams in food." Wines for Humanity: Founded in Naperville, Wines for Humanity donates funds from their wine sampling events toward ending homelessness. In 2016, according to their website, WfH will raise enough money to pay for 2,000 utility bills or 20,000 nights of shelter. @shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA president Dorval Carter, Jr. and 1st Dept. Commissioner of Chicago Public Library, Andrea Saenz [cq] announced a new partnership between the Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago Public Library that gives transit riders access to Chicago-based content on-demand and free of charge. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune) Instead of using phone data to Facebook stalk your ex on your commute to work (don't lie, we know you do), now there's a more intellectual use for the CTA's 4G service. Specifically, passengers can now access Chicago-related e-books, blogs, movies and more for free. The new program is the result of a partnership between the Chicago Public Library and the CTA, which will give transit riders access to the library's digital content using the CTA's wireless network. Content will include e-books by Chicago authors, blog posts written about Chicago and other city-focused content. Advertisement "Two years ago, Chicago became the first large city in North America to provide free 4G wireless access on our trains. Today, we are taking the next step by providing free Chicago-based content on-demand," Mayor Emanuel said in a statement. "This innovative program will introduce Chicagoans to a new generation of talented, creative authors and works to enhance library services for our residents." On the website, special emphasis will be placed on works by Chicago authors, specifically titles written by Carl Sandburg Literary 21st Century Award winnersan award that honors an early-career author with ties to Chicago. Currently the website features a guest blog by Amina Gautier, the recipient of the 2016 21st Century Award from CPL, and a Q&A with Sandra Cisneros, a Chicago-born author who wrote "The House on Mango Street." Advertisement Riders will also have the option to sign up for a library e-card on the page, which will provide additional access to audio books, e-books, music and movies through Hoopla and e-magazines through Zinio, according to the statement. Passengers can access the Chicago-focused media during your CTA travels now at chipublib.org/CPLonCTA. And in early 2017, the CTA and the library will launch a joint advertising campaign, which will be featured on the CTA, to promote the 4G network and help direct riders to the digital library. Because you might as well read something of value while you're squished between strangers during rush hour. Just saying. @RianneCoale | rcoale@redeyechicago.com Many banks are contemplating to set up additional counters for withdrawal to meet the rush Banks are bracing up to face a huge rush in the coming days as people will queue up at branches across the country to withdraw salaries with a large number of ATMs remaining dry even 21 days after the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. People are likely to throng at bank branches on December 1 as central and state governments credit salaries and pensions to millions of accounts. At the central level alone, there are around 50 lakh employees and 58 lakh pensioners. Bankers said the government's move last week to provide Rs 10,000 in advance to non-gazetted staff may provide only a slight relief. Given cash shortages with banks, and ATMs running dry, bankers fear a surge in rush. Many banks have made 'SOS calls' to the Reserve Bank for additional cash for the first few days of December to meet the initial rush of people, already fatigued standing in unending queues to exchange/deposit old notes and make limited withdrawals over the past three weeks after the demonetisation was announced on November 8. Banks have to make additional arrangement including security deployment, said a senior banker of Canara Bank. Many of them are contemplating to set up additional counters for withdrawal to meet the rush. Despite recalibration of nearly 70 per cent of ATMs, there is no cash, while people are struggling with the problem of change as the operational ones dispense mostly high denomination Rs 2,000 notes. Nearly 21 days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced cancellation of legal tender of old Rs 500/1,000 currency notes, small traders, truckers and construction workers are facing hardships in going about their business. Due to sowing of rabi crop, the focus of the government has now shifted to rural areas, which means urban centres are feeling the cash squeeze. Sources said funds are being made available in rural and semi-urban pockets so that farmers get adequate cash for sowing rabi crop. There are also reports that banks in major metros are getting less than their cash requirement leading to chaos at the branches. RBI Governor Urjit Patel had earlier said that the central bank is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and taking all necessary actions to "ease the genuine pain of citizens" with a clear intent to normalise the things as early as possible. Photograph: PTI Photo. The minister asked jewellers not to recover transaction charges for use of debit or credit cards from customers, reports Rajesh Bhayani/Business Standard Piyush Goyal, Union power minister, told jewellers in South Mumbai on Saturday, November 26, to go cashless and assured them the government was working on reducing the costs involved in such transactions. "I am aware of what you did on Tuesday night when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes," he told the jewellers. Gold was quoted around Rs 50,000 per 10 gram in the days following the November 8 demonetisation till income tax officials raided hundreds of jewellers. Old currency notes were used to buy gold and jewellery at a steep premium to the official rate. Sources said the sale of diamonds against old currency was three times that of jewellery because a 1 carat solitaire diamond could cost a few lakh rupees depending on the cut, design and polishing. Retail jewellery sales are largely cash-based because credit card limits are often low and jewellers charge fees for using debit cards. Cheques are usually encashed before making delivery. Goyal asked jewellers not to recover transaction charges for use of debit or credit cards from customers. 'The fraternity is hereby informed not to levy any charges on electronic, debit or credit card, or mobile wallet transactions,' the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association stated. Jewellers said some steps were needed before they could switch to fewer cash transactions. "We request the government to increase the mobile wallet limit because buying jewellery is a high-value transaction. Integration of various mobile wallets is needed as well," said Surendra Mehta, secretary, IBJA. "Cyber laws also need to be amended to curb fraud in electronic transactions," he added. The issue of infrastructure for cashless transactions was discussed in the meeting with Goyal. IMAGE: A jewellry store. Photograph published only for representational purposes. 'One thing is certain: Demonetisation has broken the back of terror funding,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). Within days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation announcement, two terrorists killed at Bandipora in Kashmir were found with brand new Rs 2,000 notes! The incident clearly showed the umbilical link between terrorism and money. In April 1997, after six years of research and over 12 visits to Kashmir, I wrote a book Let the Jhelum Smile Again! General K V Krishna Rao (retd), the then Jammu and Kashmir governor, very graciously traveled to Pune to release the book. One of my conclusions in the book was about terrorist finance -- that the Indian taxpayer was the biggest source of funding for the terrorists! In Kashmir, it was routine to pad all contracts with at least 10 per cent extra cost. This was paid to the terrorists as protection money. Government servants, school teachers and traders all paid this protection money. In the 1990s it was common knowledge that forest department trucks were used to ferry ammunition for the terrorists. Without this oxygen, terrorism could not live. General Rao agreed with my observation and asked me to give him an autographed copy for then chief minister Farooq Abdullah. 19 years have passed, but the ground reality has not changed much. That is till November 8 when the Modi government in one fell swoop abolished Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Terrorists and separatists have to perforce keep a large part of their loot in cash. They need money to pay their cadres to hurl stones, attend rallies, hire transport for the 'cause' and finally to bribe corrupt officials to turn a blind eye to their activities. What are the sources that fund their lavish lifestyles and their children's education in fancy institutes abroad? The effect of the cash crunch faced by the separatists in Kashmir is for everyone to see. For the first time in four months, we have witnessed Fridays without the routine 'stone throwing' ritual in the Kashmir valley. The Kashmiri separatists are not the only ones to face the heat of demonetisation. The Naxalites are equally hard hit. The Naxals have been running a thriving protection racket in the tribal dominated states for years. Has there been ever an attack on privately owned mines or foreign companies? The answer to this is negative as all of them pay protection money to the Naxals. Since this money has to be used to pay 'salaries' to cadres and sympathisers, it has to be perforce in cash. According to a rough estimate, the Naxals have suffered a loss of close to Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) due to demonetisation. Anyone remotely familiar with the situation in the north-east knows that every single truck passing through insurgent-hit areas pays 'tax.' The insurgents even issue receipts. The parallel government in some of the north-eastern states is so institutionalised that the 'tax' is deducted directly from the salaries of all government servants. Even governors and ministers are known to pay this 'tax.' What applies to the terrorist groups and insurgents is also true of organised crime. The criminals who operate protection rackets, smuggle drugs and arms also need liquid cash. It is also well worth remembering the close linkage between corruption and terrorism. After all, it was a corrupt custom official who facilitated the landing and transport of RDX explosive used in the March 12, 1993 blasts in which over 300 people lost their lives. The Achilles heel of all the violent groups is the shortage of ammunition. Mere possession of arms is of little use unless the 'consumable' that is ammunition is available. Ammunition costs money in the arms black market. Since the Rs 500/1,000 currencies were convenient to carry and distribute, most of the cash reserves of terror groups, insurgents, Naxalites and organised crime gangs were held in these denominations. When the government made these notes defunct overnight, all these groups took a financial hit. It will take them a while to recoup their losses. Finally, the issue of fake Indian currency. It is well known that our neighbour has been pumping huge quantities of fake currency to pay for anti-national activities. These currencies were being pumped into India from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and some other countries. As the Indian economy moves more towards cashless transactions the problem of detecting fake currency will become easier. Anyone who has traveled abroad will have experienced that when one presents say a $100 note, it is scrutinised very carefully since most transactions are in plastic money. Once the volume of cash in the Indian economy is reduced, similar checks will be possible. Presently, the sheer volume of cash in the market defeats this measure. It is true that a large portion of black money or gains from illegal activities like corruption and other crimes is invested in gold or real estate. The Benami Properties Act that came into force on November 11 will take care of this as well. Irrespective of other economic factors, one thing is certain: Demonetisation has broken the back of terror funding in the immediate future. It has thus saved many lives by preventing terror attacks. The desperation of the insurgent groups is already evident by the attempts at bank robberies. Demonetisation has given a shot in the arm for the fight against terror funding. Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) is a military historian specialising in insurgency studies. 'If they felt that my post was wrong, they should have filed a defamation case against me.' 'Why pick me up in the night and detain me?' Abhishek Mishra, a 20-year-old civil engineering student, posted against demonetisation and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on his Facebook page on November 11. Within nine hours, the MP police arrived at his home, blindfolded him and detained him for 12 hours at an unknown location. Bhopal Inspector cyber cell Ravikant Dehariya confirmed the arrest. He told the Hindustan Times, 'Abhishek was involved in posting offensive comments and posts against the chief minister and other dignitaries. We arrested him, deleted all the posts from his Facebook and also blocked his Website.' Mishra, below, left, spoke to Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf about his ordeal. Can you tell us what happened to you on the night of November 11? Eight policemen in civilian clothes came to my home at midnight. They picked me and blindfolded me. I have no idea where they took me and where I was detained for 12 hours. The only relief was they helped me go to the bathroom and gave me tea. What was your post on Facebook that upset the MP government? On the afternoon on November 11, I posted a message on demonetisation against the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. I was arrested within nine hours. You made wild allegations against Chief Minister Shivraj Chauhan, didn't you? I agree, but I got the news from a source. If they felt that my post was wrong, they should have filed a defamation case against me. Why pick me up in the night and detain me? Are you anti-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)? I am not anti-BJP. I always liked them. You see my earlier posts. I have praised Shivraj Singh Chauhan. Till the time I said he was a good chief minister everything was good, but the day I criticised them they started attacking me. Does the BJP not spread false news? I have proof, but nobody takes action against the BJP's IT cell. They only arrest people who speak against them. No action is taken against the mainstream media for spreading false news, but they are taking action against a small man like me. So you feel you should have been booked under the defamation law. Yes, they should have done that. If I had done something wrong, then I would have apologised publicly to Chauhan. But they registered an FIR against me, which I feel was wrong. They have filed a case against me under Section 469 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66C of the Information Technology Act. What did you post on demonetisation? I wrote that people will suffer a lot. I wrote that 50 people had died due to demonetisation. What happened during your detention? I was scared and thought I will be beaten up. I thought anything can happen to me and I can even die. Akshay Singh, an Aaj Tak reporter who was reporting on the Vyapam scam, had died mysteriously. Did you not tell the police that you wanted to call your parents or a lawyer? I was alone at home when they came to arrest me. I could not call anyone because they did not give me a chance. They just came and put me in a car. It was only the next day that I got a chance to call my family. Why did they let you go? The next day they called my friends and I was let off. I never saw any police officer or anybody (to know the answer). Are you from the Congress party's student union (the National Students Union of India)? I am only a student. I just have political views and posted what I felt was right. I never expected this would happen to me. Now I have to go to court on December 2 because of my political views. What did the police do at your home? They took my laptop and mobile phone. They never gave me an acknowledgement. They asked for my password and opened it (his laptop and phone). They saw all my personal photos and Whatsapp messages without my permission. Do you feel that one needs to be more responsible on social media? Or do you feel democracy is in danger? From the time the BJP has come, this is happening. During the Congress regime, when (then Union IT minister) Kapil Sibal said that people should act responsibly on social media, the BJP protested. They started posting black photos on social media. Now they are doing the same things. The BJP guys are posting most of the fake news and no one is ready to speak against them. Do you feel people need to be careful on social media? No way. Social media is for the public and the public has every right to speak. Two close aides of Nabha jailbreak mastermind Parminder Singh alias Penda have been arrested Dehradun with police suspecting that the incident may have been plotted at their hideout in the city. Geeta Arora, wife of Pendas friend Sunil Arora with whom the jailbreak mastermind was staying in a rented accommodation in the citys Raipur area and an aide Aditya Mehra were arrested from their hideout yesterday, Senior Superintendent of Police Sadanand Date said. However, Sunil Arora along with another accomplice managed to escape, he said. Sunil is a close friend of Penda who was staying with the Aroras for six months till he left the city five days ahead of the jailbreak to execute it. Date said the jailbreak in all likelihood was plotted at their hideout in Dehradun. Several fake vehicle number plates, voter IDs, SIM cards, mobile phones, bullets, material used for making a bomb and Rs 2 lakh in cash have been recovered from the house where the duo was arrested, the SSP said. Meanwhile, Parminder Singh has been shifted to a high security prison in the district, jail officials said n Tuesday. Parminder along with Khalistan Liberation Front terrorist outfit Harminder Singh Mintoo and four other prisoners escaped after armed men in police uniform stormed the high-security Nabha prison at Patiala in Punjab on November 27. Parminder was arrested from Kairana in Uttar Pradeshs Shamli district on the day itself when the getaway vehicle was stopped at a police picket. Superintendent of district jail Rakesh Singh said Parminder was shifted to a high security barrack in Muzaffarnagar on Monday. No inmate is allowed to meet him, he said, adding that security of the jail has been upped. An alert has been sounded in 65 district jails of Uttar Pradesh in the wake of the Nabha jailbreak. Mintoo was nabbed from Nizamuddin railway station in New Delhi. IMAGE: Parminder Singh being taken to court by UP police. Photograph: PTI Photo Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will on Wednesday embark on a two-day visit to Bangladesh during which he will call on the top leadership there and firm up defence cooperation initiatives ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas trip to India next month. Parrikar, who will be the first Indian defence minister to visit Bangladesh, will call on President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka on Wednesday and hold talks with the security advisor to prime minister, officials said. On December 1, the minister, who will be accompanied by the vice chiefs of the Army and Air Force, deputy chief of Navy besides Coast Guard chief, will visit the military academy in Chittagong and meet Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio. Top defence ministry officials said the focus of the trip was to deepen security ties and firm up a defence cooperation agreement that is likely to be signed when Hasina visits New Delhi around December 17. They said that Parrikar was originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh much earlier this month but the visit was delayed. They also ruled out any link between the visit and the sale of two submarines by China to Bangladesh. Hasina announced the plan to purchase two submarines in 2013 as part of her governments move to build a modern navy. When Bangladesh Navy chief Muhammad Farid Habib had visited India in November last year, he had said Bangladesh is going to buy two used submarines from China for training its surface crew and Sonar crew in anti-submarine warfare. Since the delimitation of maritime border problem has been solved, we are now trying to cooperate. We are trying to patrol in our areas. So in our sea, we also expect lot of gas and oil, Habib had said then. He also said Bangladesh wants to work with the Indian Navy as there are many non-traditional threats in sea, a reference to piracy, floating armouries among others. We cannot tackle those threats alone. It requires cooperation so that we can together fight non-traditional threats and make the area peaceful, the visiting Navy chief had said. Areas of naval cooperation that are proposed include option of coordinated patrolling along International Maritime Boundary Line, bilateral exercises between both navies, joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone and cooperation in hydrography. Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation Publisher European Union: Council of the European Union Publication Date 27 November 2000 Citation / Document Symbol OJ L 303 , 02/12/2000 P. 0016 - 0022 Cite as European Union: Council of the European Union, Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, 27 November 2000, OJ L 303 , 02/12/2000 P. 0016 - 0022, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d783a7.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 13 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1), Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament(2), Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(3), Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions(4), Whereas: (1) In accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, the European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to all Member States and it respects fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, as general principles of Community law. (2) The principle of equal treatment between women and men is well established by an important body of Community law, in particular in Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions(5). (3) In implementing the principle of equal treatment, the Community should, in accordance with Article 3(2) of the EC Treaty, aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality between men and women, especially since women are often the victims of multiple discrimination. (4) The right of all persons to equality before the law and protection against discrimination constitutes a universal right recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, to which all Member States are signatories. Convention No 111 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) prohibits discrimination in the field of employment and occupation. (5) It is important to respect such fundamental rights and freedoms. This Directive does not prejudice freedom of association, including the right to establish unions with others and to join unions to defend one's interests. (6) The Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers recognises the importance of combating every form of discrimination, including the need to take appropriate action for the social and economic integration of elderly and disabled people. (7) The EC Treaty includes among its objectives the promotion of coordination between employment policies of the Member States. To this end, a new employment chapter was incorporated in the EC Treaty as a means of developing a coordinated European strategy for employment to promote a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce. (8) The Employment Guidelines for 2000 agreed by the European Council at Helsinki on 10 and 11 December 1999 stress the need to foster a labour market favourable to social integration by formulating a coherent set of policies aimed at combating discrimination against groups such as persons with disability. They also emphasise the need to pay particular attention to supporting older workers, in order to increase their participation in the labour force. (9) Employment and occupation are key elements in guaranteeing equal opportunities for all and contribute strongly to the full participation of citizens in economic, cultural and social life and to realising their potential. (10) On 29 June 2000 the Council adopted Directive 2000/43/EC(6) implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. That Directive already provides protection against such discrimination in the field of employment and occupation. (11) Discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation may undermine the achievement of the objectives of the EC Treaty, in particular the attainment of a high level of employment and social protection, raising the standard of living and the quality of life, economic and social cohesion and solidarity, and the free movement of persons. (12) To this end, any direct or indirect discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation as regards the areas covered by this Directive should be prohibited throughout the Community. This prohibition of discrimination should also apply to nationals of third countries but does not cover differences of treatment based on nationality and is without prejudice to provisions governing the entry and residence of third-country nationals and their access to employment and occupation. (13) This Directive does not apply to social security and social protection schemes whose benefits are not treated as income within the meaning given to that term for the purpose of applying Article 141 of the EC Treaty, nor to any kind of payment by the State aimed at providing access to employment or maintaining employment. (14) This Directive shall be without prejudice to national provisions laying down retirement ages. (15) The appreciation of the facts from which it may be inferred that there has been direct or indirect discrimination is a matter for national judicial or other competent bodies, in accordance with rules of national law or practice. Such rules may provide, in particular, for indirect discrimination to be established by any means including on the basis of statistical evidence. (16) The provision of measures to accommodate the needs of disabled people at the workplace plays an important role in combating discrimination on grounds of disability. (17) This Directive does not require the recruitment, promotion, maintenance in employment or training of an individual who is not competent, capable and available to perform the essential functions of the post concerned or to undergo the relevant training, without prejudice to the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. (18) This Directive does not require, in particular, the armed forces and the police, prison or emergency services to recruit or maintain in employment persons who do not have the required capacity to carry out the range of functions that they may be called upon to perform with regard to the legitimate objective of preserving the operational capacity of those services. (19) Moreover, in order that the Member States may continue to safeguard the combat effectiveness of their armed forces, they may choose not to apply the provisions of this Directive concerning disability and age to all or part of their armed forces. The Member States which make that choice must define the scope of that derogation. (20) Appropriate measures should be provided, i.e. effective and practical measures to adapt the workplace to the disability, for example adapting premises and equipment, patterns of working time, the distribution of tasks or the provision of training or integration resources. (21) To determine whether the measures in question give rise to a disproportionate burden, account should be taken in particular of the financial and other costs entailed, the scale and financial resources of the organisation or undertaking and the possibility of obtaining public funding or any other assistance. (22) This Directive is without prejudice to national laws on marital status and the benefits dependent thereon. (23) In very limited circumstances, a difference of treatment may be justified where a characteristic related to religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation constitutes a genuine and determining occupational requirement, when the objective is legitimate and the requirement is proportionate. Such circumstances should be included in the information provided by the Member States to the Commission. (24) The European Union in its Declaration No 11 on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations, annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty, has explicitly recognised that it respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member States and that it equally respects the status of philosophical and non-confessional organisations. With this in view, Member States may maintain or lay down specific provisions on genuine, legitimate and justified occupational requirements which might be required for carrying out an occupational activity. (25) The prohibition of age discrimination is an essential part of meeting the aims set out in the Employment Guidelines and encouraging diversity in the workforce. However, differences in treatment in connection with age may be justified under certain circumstances and therefore require specific provisions which may vary in accordance with the situation in Member States. It is therefore essential to distinguish between differences in treatment which are justified, in particular by legitimate employment policy, labour market and vocational training objectives, and discrimination which must be prohibited. (26) The prohibition of discrimination should be without prejudice to the maintenance or adoption of measures intended to prevent or compensate for disadvantages suffered by a group of persons of a particular religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, and such measures may permit organisations of persons of a particular religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation where their main object is the promotion of the special needs of those persons. (27) In its Recommendation 86/379/EEC of 24 July 1986 on the employment of disabled people in the Community(7), the Council established a guideline framework setting out examples of positive action to promote the employment and training of disabled people, and in its Resolution of 17 June 1999 on equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities(8), affirmed the importance of giving specific attention inter alia to recruitment, retention, training and lifelong learning with regard to disabled persons. (28) This Directive lays down minimum requirements, thus giving the Member States the option of introducing or maintaining more favourable provisions. The implementation of this Directive should not serve to justify any regression in relation to the situation which already prevails in each Member State. (29) Persons who have been subject to discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation should have adequate means of legal protection. To provide a more effective level of protection, associations or legal entities should also be empowered to engage in proceedings, as the Member States so determine, either on behalf or in support of any victim, without prejudice to national rules of procedure concerning representation and defence before the courts. (30) The effective implementation of the principle of equality requires adequate judicial protection against victimisation. (31) The rules on the burden of proof must be adapted when there is a prima facie case of discrimination and, for the principle of equal treatment to be applied effectively, the burden of proof must shift back to the respondent when evidence of such discrimination is brought. However, it is not for the respondent to prove that the plaintiff adheres to a particular religion or belief, has a particular disability, is of a particular age or has a particular sexual orientation. (32) Member States need not apply the rules on the burden of proof to proceedings in which it is for the court or other competent body to investigate the facts of the case. The procedures thus referred to are those in which the plaintiff is not required to prove the facts, which it is for the court or competent body to investigate. (33) Member States should promote dialogue between the social partners and, within the framework of national practice, with non-governmental organisations to address different forms of discrimination at the workplace and to combat them. (34) The need to promote peace and reconciliation between the major communities in Northern Ireland necessitates the incorporation of particular provisions into this Directive. (35) Member States should provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in case of breaches of the obligations under this Directive. (36) Member States may entrust the social partners, at their joint request, with the implementation of this Directive, as regards the provisions concerning collective agreements, provided they take any necessary steps to ensure that they are at all times able to guarantee the results required by this Directive. (37) In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity set out in Article 5 of the EC Treaty, the objective of this Directive, namely the creation within the Community of a level playing-field as regards equality in employment and occupation, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale and impact of the action, be better achieved at Community level. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 Purpose The purpose of this Directive is to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation as regards employment and occupation, with a view to putting into effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment. Article 2 Concept of discrimination 1. For the purposes of this Directive, the "principle of equal treatment" shall mean that there shall be no direct or indirect discrimination whatsoever on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1. 2. For the purposes of paragraph 1: (a) direct discrimination shall be taken to occur where one person is treated less favourably than another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation, on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1; (b) indirect discrimination shall be taken to occur where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put persons having a particular religion or belief, a particular disability, a particular age, or a particular sexual orientation at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons unless: (i) that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary, or (ii) as regards persons with a particular disability, the employer or any person or organisation to whom this Directive applies, is obliged, under national legislation, to take appropriate measures in line with the principles contained in Article 5 in order to eliminate disadvantages entailed by such provision, criterion or practice. 3. Harassment shall be deemed to be a form of discrimination within the meaning of paragraph 1, when unwanted conduct related to any of the grounds referred to in Article 1 takes place with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person and of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. In this context, the concept of harassment may be defined in accordance with the national laws and practice of the Member States. 4. An instruction to discriminate against persons on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1 shall be deemed to be discrimination within the meaning of paragraph 1. 5. This Directive shall be without prejudice to measures laid down by national law which, in a democratic society, are necessary for public security, for the maintenance of public order and the prevention of criminal offences, for the protection of health and for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. Article 3 Scope 1. Within the limits of the areas of competence conferred on the Community, this Directive shall apply to all persons, as regards both the public and private sectors, including public bodies, in relation to: (a) conditions for access to employment, to self-employment or to occupation, including selection criteria and recruitment conditions, whatever the branch of activity and at all levels of the professional hierarchy, including promotion; (b) access to all types and to all levels of vocational guidance, vocational training, advanced vocational training and retraining, including practical work experience; (c) employment and working conditions, including dismissals and pay; (d) membership of, and involvement in, an organisation of workers or employers, or any organisation whose members carry on a particular profession, including the benefits provided for by such organisations. 2. This Directive does not cover differences of treatment based on nationality and is without prejudice to provisions and conditions relating to the entry into and residence of third-country nationals and stateless persons in the territory of Member States, and to any treatment which arises from the legal status of the third-country nationals and stateless persons concerned. 3. This Directive does not apply to payments of any kind made by state schemes or similar, including state social security or social protection schemes. 4. Member States may provide that this Directive, in so far as it relates to discrimination on the grounds of disability and age, shall not apply to the armed forces. Article 4 Occupational requirements 1. Notwithstanding Article 2(1) and (2), Member States may provide that a difference of treatment which is based on a characteristic related to any of the grounds referred to in Article 1 shall not constitute discrimination where, by reason of the nature of the particular occupational activities concerned or of the context in which they are carried out, such a characteristic constitutes a genuine and determining occupational requirement, provided that the objective is legitimate and the requirement is proportionate. 2. Member States may maintain national legislation in force at the date of adoption of this Directive or provide for future legislation incorporating national practices existing at the date of adoption of this Directive pursuant to which, in the case of occupational activities within churches and other public or private organisations the ethos of which is based on religion or belief, a difference of treatment based on a person's religion or belief shall not constitute discrimination where, by reason of the nature of these activities or of the context in which they are carried out, a person's religion or belief constitute a genuine, legitimate and justified occupational requirement, having regard to the organisation's ethos. This difference of treatment shall be implemented taking account of Member States' constitutional provisions and principles, as well as the general principles of Community law, and should not justify discrimination on another ground. Provided that its provisions are otherwise complied with, this Directive shall thus not prejudice the right of churches and other public or private organisations, the ethos of which is based on religion or belief, acting in conformity with national constitutions and laws, to require individuals working for them to act in good faith and with loyalty to the organisation's ethos. Article 5 Reasonable accommodation for disabled persons In order to guarantee compliance with the principle of equal treatment in relation to persons with disabilities, reasonable accommodation shall be provided. This means that employers shall take appropriate measures, where needed in a particular case, to enable a person with a disability to have access to, participate in, or advance in employment, or to undergo training, unless such measures would impose a disproportionate burden on the employer. This burden shall not be disproportionate when it is sufficiently remedied by measures existing within the framework of the disability policy of the Member State concerned. Article 6 Justification of differences of treatment on grounds of age 1. Notwithstanding Article 2(2), Member States may provide that differences of treatment on grounds of age shall not constitute discrimination, if, within the context of national law, they are objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim, including legitimate employment policy, labour market and vocational training objectives, and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary. Such differences of treatment may include, among others: (a) the setting of special conditions on access to employment and vocational training, employment and occupation, including dismissal and remuneration conditions, for young people, older workers and persons with caring responsibilities in order to promote their vocational integration or ensure their protection; (b) the fixing of minimum conditions of age, professional experience or seniority in service for access to employment or to certain advantages linked to employment; (c) the fixing of a maximum age for recruitment which is based on the training requirements of the post in question or the need for a reasonable period of employment before retirement. 2. Notwithstanding Article 2(2), Member States may provide that the fixing for occupational social security schemes of ages for admission or entitlement to retirement or invalidity benefits, including the fixing under those schemes of different ages for employees or groups or categories of employees, and the use, in the context of such schemes, of age criteria in actuarial calculations, does not constitute discrimination on the grounds of age, provided this does not result in discrimination on the grounds of sex. Article 7 Positive action 1. With a view to ensuring full equality in practice, the principle of equal treatment shall not prevent any Member State from maintaining or adopting specific measures to prevent or compensate for disadvantages linked to any of the grounds referred to in Article 1. 2. With regard to disabled persons, the principle of equal treatment shall be without prejudice to the right of Member States to maintain or adopt provisions on the protection of health and safety at work or to measures aimed at creating or maintaining provisions or facilities for safeguarding or promoting their integration into the working environment. Article 8 Minimum requirements 1. Member States may introduce or maintain provisions which are more favourable to the protection of the principle of equal treatment than those laid down in this Directive. 2. The implementation of this Directive shall under no circumstances constitute grounds for a reduction in the level of protection against discrimination already afforded by Member States in the fields covered by this Directive. CHAPTER II REMEDIES AND ENFORCEMENT Article 9 Defence of rights 1. Member States shall ensure that judicial and/or administrative procedures, including where they deem it appropriate conciliation procedures, for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive are available to all persons who consider themselves wronged by failure to apply the principle of equal treatment to them, even after the relationship in which the discrimination is alleged to have occurred has ended. 2. Member States shall ensure that associations, organisations or other legal entities which have, in accordance with the criteria laid down by their national law, a legitimate interest in ensuring that the provisions of this Directive are complied with, may engage, either on behalf or in support of the complainant, with his or her approval, in any judicial and/or administrative procedure provided for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive. 3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 are without prejudice to national rules relating to time limits for bringing actions as regards the principle of equality of treatment. Article 10 Burden of proof 1. Member States shall take such measures as are necessary, in accordance with their national judicial systems, to ensure that, when persons who consider themselves wronged because the principle of equal treatment has not been applied to them establish, before a court or other competent authority, facts from which it may be presumed that there has been direct or indirect discrimination, it shall be for the respondent to prove that there has been no breach of the principle of equal treatment. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not prevent Member States from introducing rules of evidence which are more favourable to plaintiffs. 3. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to criminal procedures. 4. Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall also apply to any legal proceedings commenced in accordance with Article 9(2). 5. Member States need not apply paragraph 1 to proceedings in which it is for the court or competent body to investigate the facts of the case. Article 11 Victimisation Member States shall introduce into their national legal systems such measures as are necessary to protect employees against dismissal or other adverse treatment by the employer as a reaction to a complaint within the undertaking or to any legal proceedings aimed at enforcing compliance with the principle of equal treatment. Article 12 Dissemination of information Member States shall take care that the provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive, together with the relevant provisions already in force in this field, are brought to the attention of the persons concerned by all appropriate means, for example at the workplace, throughout their territory. Article 13 Social dialogue 1. Member States shall, in accordance with their national traditions and practice, take adequate measures to promote dialogue between the social partners with a view to fostering equal treatment, including through the monitoring of workplace practices, collective agreements, codes of conduct and through research or exchange of experiences and good practices. 2. Where consistent with their national traditions and practice, Member States shall encourage the social partners, without prejudice to their autonomy, to conclude at the appropriate level agreements laying down anti-discrimination rules in the fields referred to in Article 3 which fall within the scope of collective bargaining. These agreements shall respect the minimum requirements laid down by this Directive and by the relevant national implementing measures. Article 14 Dialogue with non-governmental organisations Member States shall encourage dialogue with appropriate non-governmental organisations which have, in accordance with their national law and practice, a legitimate interest in contributing to the fight against discrimination on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1 with a view to promoting the principle of equal treatment. CHAPTER III PARTICULAR PROVISIONS Article 15 Northern Ireland 1. In order to tackle the under-representation of one of the major religious communities in the police service of Northern Ireland, differences in treatment regarding recruitment into that service, including its support staff, shall not constitute discrimination insofar as those differences in treatment are expressly authorised by national legislation. 2. In order to maintain a balance of opportunity in employment for teachers in Northern Ireland while furthering the reconciliation of historical divisions between the major religious communities there, the provisions on religion or belief in this Directive shall not apply to the recruitment of teachers in schools in Northern Ireland in so far as this is expressly authorised by national legislation. CHAPTER IV FINAL PROVISIONS Article 16 Compliance Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that: (a) any laws, regulations and administrative provisions contrary to the principle of equal treatment are abolished; (b) any provisions contrary to the principle of equal treatment which are included in contracts or collective agreements, internal rules of undertakings or rules governing the independent occupations and professions and workers' and employers' organisations are, or may be, declared null and void or are amended. Article 17 Sanctions Member States shall lay down the rules on sanctions applicable to infringements of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are applied. The sanctions, which may comprise the payment of compensation to the victim, must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member States shall notify those provisions to the Commission by 2 December 2003 at the latest and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them. Article 18 Implementation Member States shall adopt the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 2 December 2003 at the latest or may entrust the social partners, at their joint request, with the implementation of this Directive as regards provisions concerning collective agreements. In such cases, Member States shall ensure that, no later than 2 December 2003, the social partners introduce the necessary measures by agreement, the Member States concerned being required to take any necessary measures to enable them at any time to be in a position to guarantee the results imposed by this Directive. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. In order to take account of particular conditions, Member States may, if necessary, have an additional period of 3 years from 2 December 2003, that is to say a total of 6 years, to implement the provisions of this Directive on age and disability discrimination. In that event they shall inform the Commission forthwith. Any Member State which chooses to use this additional period shall report annually to the Commission on the steps it is taking to tackle age and disability discrimination and on the progress it is making towards implementation. The Commission shall report annually to the Council. When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States. Article 19 Report 1. Member States shall communicate to the Commission, by 2 December 2005 at the latest and every five years thereafter, all the information necessary for the Commission to draw up a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Directive. 2. The Commission's report shall take into account, as appropriate, the viewpoints of the social partners and relevant non-governmental organisations. In accordance with the principle of gender mainstreaming, this report shall, inter alia, provide an assessment of the impact of the measures taken on women and men. In the light of the information received, this report shall include, if necessary, proposals to revise and update this Directive. Article 20 Entry into force This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Article 21 Addressees This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 27 November 2000. For the Council The President E. Guigou (1) OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000, p. 42. (2) Opinion delivered on 12 October 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) OJ C 204, 18.7.2000, p. 82. (4) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 1. (5) OJ L 39, 14.2.1976, p. 40. (6) OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22. (7) OJ L 225, 12.8.1986, p. 43. (8) OJ C 186, 2.7.1999, p. 3. Green Paper on the right to family reunification of third-country nationals living in the European Union (Directive 2003/86/EC) Publisher European Union: European Commission Publication Date 15 November 2011 Citation / Document Symbol COM/2011/0735 final Cite as European Union: European Commission, Green Paper on the right to family reunification of third-country nationals living in the European Union (Directive 2003/86/EC), 15 November 2011, COM/2011/0735 final, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d7a567.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. I. Introduction and aim of the Green Paper For immigrants family reunification is a necessity for making family life possible. Since 2003 there are common European immigration rules in place to regulate the conditions to exercise the right to family reunification of third-country nationals at EU level.[1] The Directive defines the conditions of entry and residence for non-EU family members joining a non-EU citizen already legally residing in a Member State. This Directive does not apply to EU citizens.[2] When adopted, the Directive was considered as a first step harmonisation only and was criticised after adoption by NGOs and academics for establishing a rather low level of harmonisation. At the same time over the last years some Member States have set up restrictive rules and have even called for a modification of the Directive[3] in order to be able to add further conditions to family reunification. They claim that such changes are necessary in order to tackle abuse and better manage the large inflow of migrants. Indeed family reunification accounts for a large although decreasing[4] share of legal migration. In the early 2000s, family migration seemed to make up, in those Member States with reliable data, more than 50 percent of the total legal immigration. Today, this share amounts to about one third of all immigration to the EU. The share is even smaller when considering solely those targeted by the Directive - i.e. third country nationals joining non-EU citizens, which corresponds to roughly 500.000 migrants at EU level 21 percent of the overall permits.[5] Both the Stockholm Programme and the European Pact on immigration and asylum identified family reunification as an issue where EU policies should be further developed with special regard to integration measures. The Commission itself, in its first report on the implementation of the Directive (COM 2008/610)[6], identified national implementation problems and shortcomings of the Directive. On the one hand a few cross-cutting issues of incorrect transposition were identified (the provisions on visa facilitation, granting autonomous residence permits, taking into account the best interest of the child, legal redress and more favourable provisions for the family reunification of refugees). On the other hand the report concluded that the Directive itself leaves Member States too much discretion when applying some of its optional provisions (the "may"-clauses) in particular as regards the possible waiting period, the income requirement and the possible integration measures. In view of the above the Commission considers it necessary to initiate a public debate on family reunification highlighting certain issues within the remit of the Directive[7], which is the purpose of this Green Paper. All stakeholders are invited to reply to different questions on how to have more effective rules on family reunification at EU level and to provide available factual information and data on the application of the Directive to underpin the qualitative assessment provided. The objective of the Directive, namely to determine the conditions for the exercise of the right to family reunification and to facilitate the integration of third-country nationals meeting the conditions in the given Member State should be kept in mind.[8] The Commission would in particular like to invite Member States who reported problems of abuse of the right to family reunification to specify and quantify them in order to be able to address them at EU level in a more targeted way. Depending on the outcome of this consultation the Commission will decide whether any concrete policy follow up is necessary (e.g. modification of the Directive, interpretative guidelines or status quo). Any possible EU instrument will need to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights, in particular respect for private and family life, the right to marry, the rights of the child, the principle of non discrimination, as well as with other international obligations. The Commission will therefore ensure that any possible follow-up is subject to an in-depth assessment of its impact on fundamental rights, and its compliance with the Charter, in line with the "fundamental rights check-list" established by the Commission in its Strategy for the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.[9] II. Questions to Stakeholders 1. Scope of application 1.1 Who can qualify as a sponsor for the purpose of the Directive? The Directive identifies two conditions for being eligible as a sponsor for family reunification; a valid residence permit of at least one year and reasonable prospects of obtaining the right of permanent residence[10] (Article 3(1)). The Directive leaves a margin of interpretation to Member States concerning the second condition which could lead to legal insecurity and to the exclusion of almost any third-country national from the scope of the Directive. In addition to these two conditions Article 8(1) allows Member States to introduce a minimum period of lawful residence (not exceeding two years) before reunification can take place. This means the application may be filed, but Member States may delay granting family reunification until the period determined by their legislation expires. Q1 Are these criteria (reasonable prospect for the right of permanent residence at the time of application as regulated in Article 3 and a waiting period until reunification can actually take place as regulated in Article 8) the correct approach and the best way to qualify the sponsors? 1.2. Eligible family members 1.2.1. Mandatory provisions- the nuclear family Currently in accordance with Article 4(1), the Directive requires (subject to the other conditions of the Directive) Member States to authorize the entry and residence of the "nuclear" or "core" family, which means the sponsor's spouse and minor children of the sponsor or spouse. However, even for this category, the Directive allows certain restrictions. As for the spouse, under Article 4(5) Member States can fix a minimum age (21 years is the maximum threshold under the Directive) irrespective of whether this corresponds to the age of majority in the given Member States. The reason behind this provision was a worry that the rules on family reunification could be abused for forced marriages. However, it is difficult to estimate if this is a real problem and how big it is. Q2 Is it legitimate to have a minimum age for the spouse which differs from the age of majority in a Member State?Are there other ways of preventing forced marriages within the context of family reunification and if yes, which? Do you have clear evidence of the problem of forced marriages? If yes how big is this problem (statistics) and is it related to the rules on family reunification (to fix a different minimum age than the age of majority)? For minor children, two further restrictions are allowed by the Directive, both in the form of a stand-still clause derogation. The first one (Article 4(1) last indent) asking children over 12 years arriving independently of the rest of their families to prove that they meet integration conditions.[11] has only been used by one Member State. The second possible restriction (Article 4(6)) states that children older than 15 may be required to enter a Member State on grounds other than family reunification - has not been used by any Member State. Q3 Do you see an interest in maintaining those standstill clauses which are not used by Member States, such as the one concerning children older than 15? 1.2.2. Optional clause- other family members As the Directive only obliges Member States to ensure family reunification for the core/nuclear family, Member States are free to decide whether to include other family members in their national legislation (Article 4(3)). Despite the fact that it is only a "may" clause, more than half of Member States have chosen to include parents of the sponsor and/or his/her spouse. In this context, it should be noted that it flows from recital 5 of the Directive that Member States that recognise same sex marriages within their national family law should also do so in application of the Directive.[12]. In the same vein, whenever same sex registered partners are recognised under national family law and Member States apply the "may" clause of the Directive for registered partners, they should also do so for same sex partners. Q4 Are the rules on eligible family members adequate and broad enough to take into account the different definitions of family existing other than that of the nuclear family? 2. Requirements for the exercise of the right to family reunification The Directive does not oblige Member States to introduce conditions for family reunification such as various integration measures, but allows them to do so - a contrario other conditions cannot be applied for family reunification within the EU. 2.1 Integration measures The optional clause (Article 7(2)) enables Member States to require third-country nationals to comply with integration measures. This was one of the most controversial and debated requirements during the negotiations. In its present form the Directive itself does not give any precise indication what these integration measures should entail and how should they be applied and they are used in some Member States only. Three Member States use these measures as a condition before admission to the territory requiring the family members to pass language tests, test on the knowledge of the host society or to sign a contract obliging them to take civic and if needed, linguistic courses upon entry. Other Member States require family members to undertake certain obligations only upon entry such as participation in integration (mainly language) courses. The admissibility of integration measures - as stated already in the evaluation report - should depend on whether they serve the purpose of facilitating integration and whether they respect the principles of proportionality[13] and of subsidiarity. Decisions on the application for family reunification in relation to passing tests should take into account whether there are available facilities (translated materials, courses) to prepare for them and whether they are accessible (location, fees). Specific individual circumstances (such as proven illiteracy, medical conditions) should also be taken into account. The renewed European Agenda for the Integration of third-country nationals[14] contains specific recommendations to Member States also on the provision of language courses, reflecting migrants' varying needs at different stages of their integration process, including introductory programmes for newly arrived migrants. Q5 Do these measures efficiently serve the purpose of integration? How can this be assessed in practice? Which integration measures are most effective in that respect? Would you consider it useful to further define these measures at EU level? Would you recommend pre-entry measures? If so, how can safeguards be introduced in order to ensure that they do not de facto lead to undue barriers for family reunification (such as disproportionate fees or requirements) and take into account individual abilities such as age, illiteracy, disability, educational level? 2.2 Waiting period in relation to reception capacity The second indent of Article 8 provides for a specific derogation for those Member States whose legislation took reception capacity into account at a time of the adoption of the Directive. It allows them to introduce a three years waiting period as from the submission of the application. In connection with this clause the ECJ has clarified[15] that, at the latest three years after an application is filed, a residence permit needs to be issued if the conditions are met. In other words reception capacity may be one of the factors taken into account when considering an application, but cannot be interpreted as authorising any quota system or a three-year waiting period imposed without regard to the particular circumstances of specific cases. This derogation is used by only one Member State. Q6 In view of its application, is it necessary and justified to keep such a derogation in the Directive to provide for a three year wating period as from the submission of the application? 3. Entry and residence of family members Member States must grant family members a first residence permit of at least one year's duration (Article 13(2)). It is also stipulated that the duration of residence permits granted to family members in principle should not go beyond the date of expiry of the sponsor's residence permit (Article 13(3)). When implementing these provisions a problem may arise if the remaining validity of the sponsor's residence permit is less than one year when the family member's residence permit is issued. In that case these two rules could be in conflict with specific regard to the case when the sponsor's residence permit is already in the process of renewal. Q7 Should specific rules foresee the situation when the remaining validity of the sponsor's residence permit is less than one year, but to be renewed? 4. Asylum related questions 4.1 Exclusion of subsidiary protection Third-country nationals who are beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are excluded from the scope of the Directive (Article 3(2)b). However, the Stockholm Programme called for the establishment of a uniform status of protection as one of the main objectives for the completion of the Common European Asylum System, based on the fact that protection needs of refugees and of beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are the same. The aim, therefore, is to increase the approximation of the rights of beneficiaries of subsidiary protection to those provided to refugees, as underlined in the recast of the Qualification Directive [16]. The question thus arises whether such an approximation should also take place as regards family reunification, which would necessitate the adjustment of the personal scope of the Directive. Q8 Should the family reunification of third country nationals who are beneficiaries of subsidiary protection be subject to the rules of the Family reunification Directive? Should beneficiaries of subsidiary protection benefit from the more favourable rules of the Family reunification Directive which exempt refugees from meeting certain requirements (accommodation, sickness insurance, stable and regual resources)? 4.2 Other asylum related questions The Directive provides some more favourable rules for refugees (Chapter V). However, Member States may limit the application of these more favourable rules to certain situations. For example to family relationships which were formed prior to the entry of the refugee to a Member State (Article 9(2)), or to the applications for family reunification submitted within a period of three months after the granting of the refugee status.(Article 12(1)). These possible limitations do not take sufficiently into account the particularities of their situation. Refugees encounter practical difficulties linked to their specific situation which are of a different nature than those faced by other third country nationals (e.g.: problems maintaining the contact with the family left in the country of origin). In addition, refugees may have spent lengthy periods in exile or on the territory of a Member State waiting for the outcome of the asylum procedure and may have founded a family during this time. Refugees may also be unaware of family members who are still alive or unable to produce information regarding their location or to provide the necessary documentation for an application for reunification within a short period after receiving a protection status. Their family members may have undergone similar situations of conflict, trauma and extreme hardship as the refugees have suffered themselves. Some issues should therefore be reconsidered in this context - in partiuclar in order to judge whether these possible limitatios should be deleted from the Directive. Q9 Should Member States continue to have the possibility to limit the application of the more favourable provisions of the Directive to refugees whose family relationships predate their entry to the territory of a Member State? Should family reunification be ensured for wider categories of family members who are dependent on the refugees, if so to which degree? Should refugees continue to be required to provide evidence that they fulfil the requirements regarding accommodation, sickness insurance and resources if the application for family reunification is not submitted within a period of three months after granting the refugee status? 5. Fraud, abuse , procedural issues 5.1 Interviews and investigations Article 5(2) of the Directive provides for the possibility to carry out interviews and to conduct other investigations if deemed necessary. A number of Member States have introduced the possibility of DNA tests to prove family ties. The Directive is silent on this type of evidence. The Commission has stated that in order to be admissible under EU law these interviews and other investigations must be proportionate - thus not render the right to family reunification nugatory - and respect fundamental rights, in particular the right to privacy and family life. Q10 Do you have clear evidence of problems of fraud? How big is the problem (statistics)? Do you think rules on interviews and investigations, including DNA testing, can be instrumental to solve them? Would you consider it useful to regulate more specifically these interviews or investigations at EU level?If so, which type of rules would you consider? 5.2 Marriages of convenience Marriage of convenience is a specific case of fraud, which Member States should counteract. In addition to its general procedural rules Article 16(4) of the Directive provides for the possibility to conduct specific checks and inspections where there is reason to suspect fraud or marriage of convenience. Every national system has such rules; an EU financed project has compiled Member States' practices[17]. Nevertheless, it is difficult to estimate if this is a big problem for Member States and if it is linked to the Directive. Q11 Do you have clear evidence of problems of marriages of convenience? Do you have statistics of such marriages (if detected)? Are they related to the rules of the Directive? Could the provisions in the Directive for checks and inspections be more effectively implemented, and if so, how? 5.3 Fees Currently there is no harmonisation at EU level as regards the fees to be paid for the purpose of family reunification (application fees, fees for visa and residence permits and other related costs for fulfilling the conditions such as pre-departure languages tests if exist etc.). Excessive fees can undermine the effect of the Directive by hampering the right to family reunification. The absence of EU rules on this matter has resulted in very different levels of fees in Member States. Q12 Should administrative fees payable in the procedure be regulated? If so, should it be in a form of safeguards or should more precise indications be given? 5.4 Length of procedure - deadline for the administrative decision The application procedure for family reunification can be rather lengthy. The Directive sets an absolute deadline within which a written notification of the decision is to be given to the applicant. The notification of the decision should be given no later than nine months from the date on which the application was lodged (Article 5(4)). However, Member States can extend this deadline if exceptional circumstances which are linked to the complexity of the application justify it. In practice such deadlines are set at an average of three months combined with the extension clause. Q13 Is the administrative deadline laid down by the Directive for examination of the application justified? 5.5 Horizontal clauses There are two horizontal mandatory clauses in the Directive. Article 5(5) obliges Member States to pay due regard to the best interests of minor children when examining an application. This provision mirrors the obligation in Article 24(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and in Article 3(1) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that the child's best interest must be a primary consideration in all actions relating to children as well as the need, expressed in Article 24(3) of the Charter, for a child to maintain on a regular basis a personal relationship with both parents. The ECJ has put an extra emphasis on these provisions of the Charter and to Article 5(5) in its relevant case law.[18] As shown in the report on the implementation of the Directive, many Member States have nevertheless implemented this clause only through a general reference to other international instruments (e.g. the European Convention on Human Rights and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)[19]. The other horizontal clause, Article 17, is an obligation to take due account of the nature and solidity of the person's family relationships, the duration of his or her residence in the Member State and of the existence of family; cultural and social ties with his or her country of origin. In other words, this clause obliges Member States to make individual examinations of each case, specifically recalled by the ECJ in its case law.[20] Q14 How could the application of these horizontal clauses be facilitated and ensured in practice? 6. conclusion and follow-up The Commission aims to launch a broad discussion among all relevant stakeholders. All EU institutions, national, regional and local authorities, candidate countries, third-country partners, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, all state actors and private service providers involved with family members, academia, social partners, civil society organisations and individuals are invited to contribute by replying the above questions. The Commission plans to organise a public hearing. In order to prepare it the Commission invites all interested parties to send their responses to this consultation in writing no later than 1 March 2012 to: Immigration and Integration Unit - "Green Paper on Family reunification" Directorate General Home Affairs European Commission B-1049 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] All relevant contributions will be published on the web portal 'Your Voice in Europe' http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/consultations/index_en.htm Annex: Family reunification in numbers Total number of residence permits issued to third country nationals joining non-EU citizens (family reasons, compared to total number of residence permits issued to third country nationals (all reasons) || Family related first permits for TCNs joining non-EU citizens || Total first residence permits issued to TCNs, all reasons || Share of permits issued to TCNs joining non-EU citizens to total first permits issued to TCNs COUNTRY/YEAR || 2008 || 2009 || 2010 || 2008 || 2009 || 2010 || 2008 || 2009 || 2010 Belgium || 7,333 || 8,596 || 9,997 || 46,201 || 58,939 || 67,653 || 15.9 || 14.6 || 14.8 Bulgaria || 1,480 || 1,482 || 1,725 || 3,933 || 4,385 || 4,051 || 37.6 || 33.8 || 42.6 Czech Republic || 9,712 || 8,281 || 13,398 || 61,350 || 27,539 || 34,653 || 15.8 || 30.1 || 38.7 Denmark || : || 1,410 || 1,490 || 31,655 || 30,255 || 28,576 || : || 4.7 || 5.2 Germany || 29,215 || 29,761 || 28,200 || 114,289 || 121,954 || 117,202 || 25.6 || 24.4 || 24.1 Estonia || : || : || : || 3,884 || 3,777 || 2,647 || : || : || : Ireland || 456 || 568 || 300 || 28,926 || 25,509 || 22,235 || 1.6 || 2.2 || 1.3 Greece || 18,684 || 19,570 || 13,398 || 40,411 || 45,148 || 33,623 || 46.2 || 43.3 || 39.8 Spain || 103,640 || 82,521 || 89,905 || 399,827 || 290,813 || 257,918 || 25.9 || 28.4 || 34.9 France || 32,333 || 29,607 || 29,400 || 188,723 || 193,500 || 194,973 || 17.1 || 15.3 || 15.1 Italy || 60,134 || 70,904 || 160,200 || 550,226 || 506,833 || 589,988 || 10.9 || 14.0 || 27.2 Cyprus || 1 || 1 || 741 || 25,156 || 25,638 || 19,139 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 3.9 Latvia || 1,498 || 414 || 413 || 7,706 || 2,304 || 2,329 || 19.4 || 18.0 || 17.7 Lithuania || 641 || 764 || 691 || 5,298 || 2,659 || 1,861 || 12.1 || 28.7 || 37.1 Luxembourg || : || : || : || : || : || : || : || : || : Hungary || 5,337 || 1,144 || 1,349 || 37,486 || 14,289 || 14,601 || 14.2 || 8.0 || 9.2 Malta || 172 || 61 || 30 || 4,989 || 3,682 || 2,763 || 3.4 || 1.7 || 1.1 Netherlands || : || : || : || 62,589 || 56,489 || 54,478 || : || : || : Austria || 7,891 || 7,651 || 7,838 || 21,783 || 28,035 || 30,596 || 36.2 || 27.3 || 25.6 Poland || 8,805 || 8,549 || 598 || 40,907 || 33,427 || 101,574 || 21.5 || 25.6 || 0.6 Portugal || 17,087 || 11,036 || 11,967 || 63,715 || 46,324 || 37,010 || 26.8 || 23.8 || 32.3 Romania || 1,216 || 1,261 || 910 || 19,354 || 15,380 || 10,218 || 6.3 || 8.2 || 8.9 Slovenia || 0 || 2,110 || 2,231 || 29,215 || 15,759 || 7,537 || 0.0 || 13.4 || 29.6 Slovakia || 619 || 640 || 697 || 8,025 || 5,336 || 4,373 || 7.7 || 12.0 || 15.9 Finland || 4,915 || 4,304 || 4,302 || 21,873 || 18,034 || 19,210 || 22.5 || 23.9 || 22.4 Sweden || 35,050 || 36,325 || 25,358 || 84,144 || 91,337 || 74,931 || 41.7 || 39.8 || 33.8 United Kingdom || 106,538 || 96,341 || 103,187 || 633,170 || 671,324 || 732,208 || 16.8 || 14.4 || 14.1 EU above[21] || 452,757 || 423,301 || 508,325 || 2,534,835 || 2,338,669 || 2,466,347 || 17.9 || 18.1 || 20.6 Source of the data: Eurostat Data from years before 2008 are not available as the data collection on residence permits was established by Regulation 862/2007, with 2008 as first reference year. Estonia and the Netherlands have not provided data on first permits issued to TCNs joining an non-EU citizens, as these data cannot be distinguisehd from other permits issued for family related reasons. Denmark did not provide data for 2008. Luxembourg did not provide any data for 2008-2010. The relative low overall ratio of permits issued for family reasons as opposed to the other permits is due to the fact that this statistic only covers the Family reunification scenario, and does not include those third-country national family members who join EU nationals. Number of first residence permits issued to third country nationals joining non-EU citizens for family related reasons, by type of family member. REASON || Family reasons: Person joining a non EU citizen || COUNTRY/YEAR -2010 || Total || Spouse/partner joining a non EU citizen || Child joining a non EU citizen || Other family member joining a non EU citizen || Belgium || 9,997 || 4,157 || 5,831 || 9 || Bulgaria || 1,725 || : || : || : || Czech Republic || 13,398 || 4,547 || 7,626 || 1,225 || Denmark || 1,490 || 600 || 890 || 0 || Germany || 28,200 || 11,912 || 15,895 || 393 || Estonia || : || : || : || : || Ireland || 300 || 112 || 117 || 71 || Greece || 13,398 || 4,044 || 9,354 || 0 || Spain || 89,905 || 19,140 || 69,099 || 1,666 || France || 29,400 || : || : || : || Italy || 160,200 || 67,509 || 70,336 || 22,355 || Cyprus || 741 || : || : || : || Latvia || 413 || 254 || 78 || 81 || Lithuania || 691 || : || : || : || Luxembourg || : || : || : || : || Hungary || 1,349 || 0 || 794 || 555 || Malta || 30 || 2 || 21 || 7 || Netherlands || : || : || : || : || Austria || 7,838 || : || : || : || Poland || 598 || 291 || 286 || 21 || Portugal || 11,967 || 916 || 1,013 || 10,038 || Romania || 910 || 424 || 429 || 57 || Slovenia || 2,231 || : || : || : || Slovakia || 697 || 401 || 75 || 0 || Finland || 4,302 || 1,576 || 2,497 || 229 || Sweden || 25,358 || 18,223 || 6,938 || 197 || United Kingdom || 103,187 || : || : || : || [1] Directive 2003/86 on the right to family reunification,. Hereinafter referred as "the Directive" [2] The situation of family reunification for EU citizens and their third-country national family members is covered by EU law through Directive 2004/38/EC. However, this Directive only covers cases where a Union citizen moves to, resides in or has resided in a Member State other than that of which he/she is a national and his/her third-country national family member joins or accompanies him/her. [3] Position paper - the Dutch standpoint on EU migration policy [4] This decrease is probably partly linked to recent policy changes in some Member States introducing stricter conditions. These policy changes claim to better manage large inflows of migrants but put in question the acknowledged right to family reunification as set out in the Directive which at present serves as a minimum legal guarantee throughout the EU. [5] EUROSTAT- Please see specific numbers in the annex; no data for Estonia, Luxembourg and Netherlands available. [6] http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2008:0610:FIN:EN:PDF. [7] Notably, this consultation does not touch upon issues linked to Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. [8] See recital 4 of the Directive. [9] COM(2010)573 final of 19.10.2010; see also the Operational Guidance on taking account of Fundamental Rights in Commission Impact Assessments, SEC(2011) 567 final of 6.5.2011. [10] In accordance with the travaux preparatoire the idea of this condition was that the right to family reunification would not be open to persons staying only temporarily without the possibility of renewal. [11] See page 5 of the report (COM 2008/610). [12] "Member States should give effect to the provisions of this Directive without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteristics, language, religion or beliefs, political or other opinions, membership of a national minority, fortune, birth, disabilities, age or sexual orientation." [13] For more details see 4.3.4 of the report. [14] COM (2011) 455 final as adopted on 19/07/2011 [15] C 540/03 para 100 and 101. [16] Minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection and the content of the protection granted (recast) COM (2009)0551 .) [17] ARGO, Project, an action programme on "Cooperation in the combat against abuse or misuse of EU administrative statutes" tackling also marriages of convenience among other things highlighted the need of the promotion of a common database and the need of a common approach how to deal with these "bogus marriages." [18] ECJ C-540/03 [19] COM (2008) (610) p 11. [20] C-540/03; ECJ C-578/08. [21] EU total, excluding those Member States for which data are not available. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on guidance for application of Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification Publisher European Union: European Commission Publication Date 3 April 2014 Citation / Document Symbol COM/2014/0210 final Related Document(s) Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September 2003 on the Right to Family Reunification Cite as European Union: European Commission, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on guidance for application of Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification, 3 April 2014, COM/2014/0210 final, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d7d0b7.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 1. Introduction The report on the implementation of the Directive, adopted in October 2008[1] concluded that there were a number of cross-cutting issues of incorrect transposition or misapplication of the Directive and that its impact on harmonisation in the field of family reunification remained limited. In 2011, the Commission published a Green Paper on the right to family reunification[2] to gather opinions on how to have more effective rules at EU level and gather information on the application of the Directive. There were 120 responses, including contributions from 24 Member States (MSs), international organisations, social partners, NGOs and individuals[3]. On 31 May-1 June 2012, the Commission held a public hearing in the framework of the European Integration Forum[4]. The consensus of the public consultation was that the Directive should not be re-opened, but that the Commission should: ensure the full implementation of the existing rules open infringement procedures where necessary and produce guidelines on identified issues. This Communication therefore provides guidance to MSs on how to apply Directive 2003/86/EC. These guidelines reflect the current views of the Commission and are without prejudice to the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU ('CJEU') and its further development. Views may change in future and, as a consequence, this is an evolving document and an open-ended process. The Directive recognises the right to family reunification and determines the conditions for the exercise of this right. On the one hand, the CJEU confirmed that Article 4(1) 'imposes precise positive obligations, with corresponding clearly defined individual rights, on the MSs, since it requires them, in the cases determined by the Directive, to authorise family reunification of certain members of the sponsor's family, without being left a margin of appreciation'[5]. On the other hand, MSs are recognised as having a certain margin of appreciation. They may decide to extend the right to family reunification to family members other than the spouse and minor children. MSs may make the exercise of the right to family reunification subject to compliance with certain requirements if the Directive allows this. They retain a certain margin of appreciation to verify whether requirements determined by the Directive are met and for weighing the competing interests of the individual and the community as a whole[6], in each factual situation. However, since the authorisation of family reunification is the general rule, derogations must be interpreted strictly. The margin of appreciation which the MSs are recognised as having must not be used in a manner that would undermine the objective of the Directive, which is to promote family reunification, and the effectiveness thereof[7]. At the same time, the right to family reunification is not unlimited. Beneficiaries are obliged to obey the laws of their host country, as set out in the Directive. In case of abuse and fraud, it is in the interests of both the community and of genuine applicants that MSs take firm action, as provided for by the Directive. Finally, the Directive must be interpreted and applied in accordance with fundamental rights and, in particular, the right to respect of private and family life[8], the principle of non-discrimination, the rights of the child and the right to an effective remedy, as enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights ('ECHR') and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights ('the Charter'). 2. Scope of application of the directive This Directive applies only to third-country national[9] sponsors. That means any person who is not a citizen of the Union within the meaning of Article 20(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, who is residing lawfully in a MS, and who applies or whose family members apply for family reunification ('the sponsor'), and to their third-country national family members who join the sponsor to preserve the family unit, whether the family relationship arose before or after the resident's entry[10]. 2.1. The sponsor In accordance with Article 3(1), from the moment a sponsor holds a residence permit valid for at least one year and has reasonable prospects of obtaining the right to permanent residence, he/she may submit an application for family reunification. A residence permit is defined as any authorisation issued by the authorities of a MS allowing a third-country national to stay legally on its territory, with the exception of: visas; permits issued pending examination of a request for asylum, an application for a residence permit or an application for its extension; permits issued in exceptional circumstances with a view to an extension of an authorised stay with a maximum duration of one month; authorisations issued for a stay not exceeding six months by MSs not applying the provisions of Article 21 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement[11]. The condition of having 'reasonable prospects of obtaining the right of permanent residence' should be examined by MSs on a case-by-case basis taking into account the individual circumstances, such as the nature and type of residence permit[12], the administrative practice, and other relevant factors related to the sponsor's situation. The Directive leaves a wide margin of appreciation to MSs when considering whether there is a reasonable probability of obtaining the right of permanent residence. The test of reasonable prospects entails a prognosis of the likelihood of meeting the criteria for long term residence taking into account the regular administrative practice and the circumstances of the case. Thus, in every individual case MSs need to assess whether, under regular circumstances, the permit under national law may be renewed beyond the period required for permanent residence. 'Reasonable prospects' does not require the fulfilment of all the conditions needed to obtain permanent residence at the moment of assessment, but a prognosis that they are likely to be fulfilled. Since the type and purpose of residence permits differ substantially between MSs, it is for MSs to determine what kind of residence permits they accept as sufficient to consider that there are reasonable prospects. X, an IT professional with significant experience, has a residence permit for work purposes valid for one year in a MS. As long as X fulfils the conditions for this residence permit, it may be renewed indefinitely, and after five years, X will be entitled to permanent residence. X would like to be joined by her spouse. All being well, X will be able to continue to work in fashion, so it can be assumed that the conditions for this type of residence permit will continue to be fulfilled and that X can renew her residence permit indefinitely in accordance with administrative practice and national laws in the MS. Hence, X has reasonable prospects of obtaining the right to permanent residence, so the Directive is applicable. However, holders of residence permits issued for a specific purpose with a limited validity and that are not renewable cannot, in principle, be considered to have a reasonable prospect of obtaining the right to permanent residence. They are thus excluded from the scope of the Directive. The successive issuance of extensions of permits with a specific purpose or permits valid for less than one year, with the sole intention of circumventing the applicability of the condition of reasonable prospects of Article 3.1, would undermine the objective of the Directive and its effectiveness[13]. A residence permit valid for less than one year is not sufficient. This excludes forms of temporary stay, such as those of temporary or seasonal workers. Z is an au pair with a residence permit valid for 24 months that cannot be renewed. Therefore, Z has no reasonable prospect of permanent residence, so the Directive is not applicable. W is a seasonal worker with a residence permit valid for nine months. Since the permit is not valid for at least one year, the Directive is not applicable. 2.2. Family members Article 4(1) states that members of the nuclear family, i.e. the spouse and minor children, are in any case entitled to family reunification. This Article imposes precise positive obligations, with corresponding clearly defined individual rights, on the MSs, since it requires them, in the cases determined by the Directive, to authorise family reunification of certain members of the sponsor's family, without being left a margin of appreciation.[14] Minor children, including adopted children of either the sponsor or the spouse, are also entitled to family reunification on condition that the sponsor or the spouse, respectively, has custody and the children are dependent on him/her. According to Article 4(1) (c) and (d) second sentence, in the case of children under shared custody, the MS may only authorise reunification if the other party sharing custody has given his or her prior agreement. The concept of 'custody' can be understood as a set of rights and duties relating to the care of a person of a child, and in particular the right to determine the child's place of residence. 'Shared custody' is custody that is to be exercised jointly when, pursuant to a judgment or by operation of law, one holder of parental responsibility cannot decide on the child's place of residence without the consent of another holder of parental responsibility[15]. In general, the custody arrangement between the parents must be proven and the required agreement should be given in line with the MSs' family law and, if necessary, private international law. However, if a particular situation leads to an unresolvable blockage[16], it is up to MSs to determine how to deal with such situations. Nevertheless, a decision should be taken in line with the best interests of the child as set out in Article 5(5)[17] and on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the reasons for not being able to obtain agreement and other specific circumstances of the case. Article 4(2) and (3) contain optional provisions allowing MSs to authorise the entry and residence of other family members, such as first-degree ascendants of the sponsor or the spouse, adult unmarried children, unmarried partners in a long-term relationship, and registered partners. When a MS has opted to authorise the family reunification of any of the family members listed in these Articles, then the Directive is fully applicable. The facultative provision of Article 4(2)(a) allows the reunification of first-degree relatives in the direct ascending line of the sponsor or his or her spouse on the condition that they (1) are dependent on them and (2) do not enjoy proper family support in the country of origin. The concept of 'dependency' has been held to have an autonomous meaning under EU law. While the CJEU came to this conclusion in its case law on Directive 2004/38/EC [18] (the 'Free Movement Directive')[19], the CJEU's choice of language does not indicate that its findings were limited to that Directive. While it needs to be kept in mind that the context and purpose of both Directives are not the same[20], the criteria used by the CJEU to assess dependency may, mutatis mutandis, serve as guidance to MSs to establish criteria to appreciate the nature and duration of the dependency of the person concerned in the context of Article 4(2)(a). The CJEU has held that the status of 'dependent' family member is the result of a factual situation characterised by the fact that legal, financial, emotional or material support for that family member is provided by the sponsor or by his/her spouse/partner[21]. When examining an applicant's personal circumstances, the competent authority must take account of the various factors that may be relevant in the particular case, such as the extent of economic or physical dependence and the degree of relationship between the sponsor and the family member[22]. Consequently, 'dependency' may differ according to the situation and the particular family member concerned To determine whether family members are dependent, the MS must assess whether, having regard to their financial and social conditions, they need material support to meet their essential needs in their country of origin or the country from which they came at the time when they applied to join the sponsor[23]. There is neither a requirement as to the amount of material support provided, nor any level of standard of living for determining the need for financial support by the sponsor[24]. The status of dependent family members does not presuppose a right to maintenance[25]. MSs may impose particular requirements as to the nature or duration of dependence to satisfy themselves that the dependence is genuine and stable, and has not been brought about with the sole objective of obtaining entry into and residence in its territory. It is necessary, however, that those requirements are consistent with the normal meaning of the words relating to the dependence referred to in Article 4 of and do not deprive that provision of its effectiveness[26]. The concept of 'proper family support' for a first-degree relative in ascending line in Article 4(2)(a) should not be regarded as exclusively material and leaves a margin of discretion to the MS as to what level is considered proper support. The requirement is fulfilled if no other family members in the country of origin are by law or de facto supporting the person, i.e. no one could replace the sponsor or his/her spouse with regard to day-to-day care duties. The situation should be assessed in the light of the circumstances of the case in question. All of the provisions in this section must be applied in accordance with the non-discrimination principle enshrined in particular in Article 21 of the Charter, as pointed out in Recital 5. 2.3. Minimum age of spouse Article 4(5) allows MSs to require the sponsor and his/her spouse to be of a certain minimum age before the spouse is able to join him/her. This minimum age may not exceed 21. This faculty may only be used to ensure better integration and to prevent forced marriages. Consequently, MSs may only require a minimum age for this purpose and not in any manner which would undermine the objective of the Directive and the effectiveness thereof[27]. Articles 5(5) and 17 oblige MSs to have due regard for the best interests of minor children and to conduct an individual examination in applications for family reunification. If a MS requires a minimum age, it must still do a case-by-case assessment of all the relevant circumstances of the individual application. The minimum age may act as a reference, but may not be used as an overall threshold below which all applications will be systematically refused, irrespective of an actual examination of the situation of each applicant[28]. The minimum age requirement is only one of the factors that must be taken into account by the MSs when considering an application[29]. If the individual assessment shows that the justification for Article 4(5), i.e. ensuring better integration and preventing forced marriages, is not applicable, then MSs should consider making an exception thus allowing for family reunification in cases in which the minimum age requirement is not fulfilled. For instance, when it is clear from the individual assessment that there is no abuse, e.g. in the case of a common child. Y is a 30-year-old third-country national sponsor who wants to reunite with his 20-year-old spouse whom he married two years ago and their two common children. The spouse has a basic knowledge of the language of the MS. The MS has an age requirement of 21. In this case, the minimum age may only serve as a reference, so it is only one of the factors to take into account in the individual assessment of the situation. The fact that Y and his spouse have two common children is an indication that a forced marriage is unlikely, and the interests of the children should also be taken into account. The wording of Articles 4, 7 and 8 clearly indicates the point in time at which the applicant or sponsor should comply with the requirements. While Article 7 is introduced by the words 'when the application for family reunification is submitted', Articles 4 and 8 state 'before the spouse is able to join him/her' and 'before having his/her family members join him/her'. Therefore, the minimum age requirement needs to be fulfilled at the moment of the effective family reunion and not when the application is submitted. It should therefore be possible to submit applications and to examine these before the minimum age requirement is fulfilled, especially in view of the potential processing time of up to nine months. However, MSs may postpone the effective family reunification until the minimum age is reached. 3. Submission and examination of the application 3.1. Submission of the application Article 5(1) states that MSs must determine whether the application for entry and residence has to be submitted either by the sponsor or by the family member or members. Article 5(3) establishes the general rule that applications are to be submitted and examined when the family members are residing outside the territory of the MS in which the sponsor resides. Article 5(3) second subparagraph and recital 7 allow MSs, in appropriate circumstances, to derogate from the general rule of the first subparagraph and thus apply the Directive to situations where the unity of the family can be preserved from the beginning of the sponsor's stay[30]. Hence, in appropriate circumstances, MSs may accept applications when family members are already in its territory. MSs have a wide margin of appreciation in determining the appropriateness of the circumstances[31]. MSs are allowed to charge reasonable, proportional administrative fees for an application for family reunification and they have a limited margin of discretion in setting these charges, as long as they do not jeopardise the achievement of the objectives and the effectiveness of the Directive[32]. The level at which fees are set must not have either the object or the effect of creating an obstacle to the exercise of the right to family reunification. Fees which have a significant financial impact on third-country nationals who satisfy the conditions laid down by the Directive could prevent them from exercising the rights conferred by the Directive and would therefore be per se excessive and disproportionate[33]. The fees levied on third-country nationals and their family members under Directive 2003/86 could be compared to those levied on own nationals for the issue of similar documents, to evaluate whether the fees for third-country nationals are proportionate, taking into account that these persons are not in identical situations[34]. To promote best interests of the child, the Commission encourages MSs to exempt applications submitted by minors from administrative fees. In case that an entry visa is required in a MS, the issuing conditions of such a visa should be facilitated and the visa should be granted without additional administrative fees. 3.2. Accompanying evidence In accordance with Article 5(2), an application for family reunification shall be accompanied by (a) documentary evidence to prove the family relationship; (b) documentary evidence to prove compliance with the conditions of Articles 4 and 6 and, where applicable, 7 and 8; (c) certified copies of the family member(s)' travel documents. MSs have a certain margin of appreciation in deciding whether it is appropriate and necessary to verify evidence of the family relationship through interviews or other investigations, including DNA testing. The appropriateness and necessity criteria imply that such investigations are not allowed if there are other suitable and less restrictive means to establish the existence of a family relationship. Every application, its accompanying documentary evidence and the appropriateness and necessity of interviews and other investigations need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Besides factors such as a common child, previous cohabitation and registration of the partnership, the family relationship between unmarried partners can be proven through any reliable means of proof to show the stable and long-term character of their relationship, for instance, correspondence, joint bills, bank accounts or ownership of real estate, etc. 3.3. Length of procedures Article 5(4) imposes an obligation on MSs to give a written notification of the decision on an application as soon as possible. Recital 13 specifies that the procedure for examination of applications should be effective and manageable, taking account of the normal workload of the MSs' administrations. Therefore, as a general rule, a standard application under normal workload circumstances should be processed promptly without unnecessary delay. If the workload exceptionally exceeds administrative capacity or if the application needs further examination, the maximum time limit of nine months may be justified. The nine-month period starts from the date on which the application is first submitted, not the moment of notification of receipt of the application by the MS. The exception provided for in Article 5(4) second subparagraph of an extension beyond the nine-month deadline is only justified in exceptional circumstances linked to the complexity of the examination of a specific application. This derogation should be interpreted strictly[35] and on a case-by-case basis. A MS administration which wants to make use of this possibility must justify such an extension by demonstrating that the exceptional complexity of a particular case amounts to exceptional circumstances. Administrative capacity issues cannot justify an exceptional extension and any extension should be kept to the strict minimum necessary to reach a decision. Exceptional circumstances linked to the complexity of a particular case could be, for instance, the need to assess the family relationship within the context of multiple family units, a severe crisis in the country of origin impeding access to administrative records, difficulties in organising hearings of family members in the country of origin due to the security situation, or difficult access to diplomatic missions, or determining the right to legal custody if the parents are separated. Article 5(4) states that the decision must be notified in writing and that if it is negative, legal and factual reasons should be given to allow the applicant to effectively exercise the right to mount a legal challenge[36]. 4. Requirements for the exercise of the right to family reunification 4.1. Public policy, public security and public health Article 6(1) and (2) allow MSs to reject an application, or withdraw or refuse to renew a family member's residence permit, on grounds of public policy, public security or public health. Recital 14 gives some indications of what these notions entail. A person who wishes to be granted family reunification should not constitute a threat to public policy and public security. Public policy may cover a conviction for committing a serious crime. Public policy and security cover cases in which a third-country national belongs to an association which supports terrorism, supports such an association or has extremist aspirations. Besides the above, the definition of these notions is largely left to the discretion of the MSs, subject to relevant case law of the European Court for Human Rights and the CJEU. Although the relevant case law of the CJEU is not related directly with regard to third-country nationals, it may mutatis mutandis serve as background when defining the notions in question by analogy[37]. MSs should apply the principle of proportionality when assessing a particular application. Article 6(2) second subparagraph states that MSs, when taking a decision, are obliged to consider the particular circumstances of the individual case (Article 17) and the severity or type of offence against public policy or public security, or the dangers emanating from the applicant. Recital 14 also states that family reunification may only be refused on duly justified grounds. The public health requirement may only be invoked if there is a threat to the general public that cannot be easily prevented by protective health measures. Similar provisions in the Long-Term Residents Directive may help define public health in the context of family reunification since these provisions apply to similar situations, also concern third-country nationals and serve the same purpose[38]. As such, the only diseases that may be considered a threat to public health are those defined by the relevant instruments of the World Health Organisation and such other infectious or contagious parasite-based diseases as are the subject of protective provisions in relation to nationals in the host country. MSs may require a medical examination to certify that family members do not suffer from any of these diseases. Such medical examinations shall not be performed on a systematic basis. 4.2. Accommodation requirement As provided for by Article 7(1)(a), MSs may require evidence that the sponsor has accommodation regarded as normal for a comparable family in the same region and which meets the general health and safety standards in force in the MS concerned. The evaluation of this accommodation is left to the discretion of the MS, but the criteria adopted may not be discriminatory and this provision defines the upper limit of what may be required. The criteria as to size, hygiene and safety may not be stricter than for accommodation occupied by a comparable family (in terms of number of members and social status) living in the same region. The 'same region' should be understood as geographical units between which differences in standards may exist, for instance, at municipal or regional level. The criteria adopted by the MSs should be transparent and clearly specified in the national legislation. The purpose of this provision is to ensure adequate accommodation for the sponsor and his/her family members. Therefore, the fulfilment of this requirement may be judged on either the situation of the sponsor at the moment of the application, or on a reasonable prognosis of the accommodation that can be expected to be available when the sponsor will be joined by his/her family member(s). A rental or purchase agreement may, for instance, serve as evidence. A rental agreement of limited duration may be deemed insufficient. In case of lengthy waiting periods and processing times, it may be disproportionate and undermine the objective and the effectiveness of the Directive to ask for this requirement to be met at the moment of application, as this could place considerable additional financial and administrative burdens on the sponsor. In such specific circumstances, the Commission encourages MSs to exercise a certain flexibility. They could, for instance, accept as evidence a conditional rental agreement which would enter into force once family reunification was granted and family members effectively entered. 4.3. Sickness insurance requirement According to Article 7(1)(b), MSs may require evidence that the sponsor has sickness insurance for him/herself and the members of his/her family in respect of all risks normally covered for its own nationals. If the MS concerned has compulsory universal health insurance that is also available to and mandatory for third-country national residents, the fulfilment of this requirement must be assumed. The Commission considers that requiring additional private health insurance would impose an unnecessary burden and undermine the objective and the effectiveness of the Directive. If the MS has a voluntary contribution-based scheme, this requirement can be fulfilled through: (a) a system of conditional health insurance granted on acceptance of an application for family reunification of a family member or (b) a private health insurance that covers risks that are normally covered by a health insurance for MS nationals. 4.4. Sufficient resources requirement According to Article 7(1)(c), MSs may require evidence that the sponsor has stable and regular resources sufficient to maintain him/herself and the members of his/her family, without recourse to the social assistance system of the MS concerned. In the Chakroun case, the CJEU held that, since authorisation of family reunification is the general rule, this faculty must be interpreted strictly. The margin which the MSs are recognised as having must therefore not be used in a manner that would undermine the objective and the effectiveness of the Directive[39]. The CJEU also specified that this faculty must be exercised in the light of Articles 7 and 24(2) and (3) of the Charter, which require the MSs to examine applications for family reunification in the interests of the children concerned and with a view to promoting family life[40]. The evaluation of the stability and regularity of the resources has to be based on a prognosis that the resources can reasonably be expected to be available in the foreseeable future, so that the applicant will not need to seek recourse to the social assistance system. For this purpose, the applicant may provide evidence that resources of a certain level are available and are expected to remain available on a regular basis. In general, a permanent employment contract should therefore be considered as sufficient proof. MSs are encouraged to take the realities of the labour market into account as permanent employment contracts may be increasingly unusual, especially at the beginning of an employment relationship. If an applicant submits proof of another type of employment contract, for instance, a temporary contract that can be prolonged, MSs are encouraged not to automatically reject the application based solely on the nature of the contract. In such cases, an assessment of all the relevant circumstances in an individual case is necessary. In certain sectors, temporary contractual work may be standard practice, for instance, in some IT, media or creative sectors, yet resources may still be stable and regularly available. Other relevant factors for assessing the availability of resources may be, for example, the qualifications and skills of the sponsor, structural vacancies in the field of the sponsor, or the labour market situation in the MS. Access to specified sums over a certain period in the past may certainly constitute an element of proof, yet this must not be imposed as a requirement, since this could introduce an additional condition and waiting period not envisaged in the Directive, especially if the sponsor is at the beginning of his/her career. Regarding the nature of the resources, these may consist of income from employment, but also of other means, such as income from self-employed activities, private means available to the sponsor, payments based on entitlements built up by previous contributions made by the sponsor or family member (for instance, retirement or invalidity payments). Furthermore, to evaluate whether resources are sufficient, 'sufficient, stable and regular resources', contrasted with 'without recourse to the social assistance system', indicates that the latter is a key criterion for assessing whether the resources requirement is fulfilled. 'Social assistance' refers to assistance granted by the public authorities, whether at national, regional or local level, which can be claimed by an individual, in this case the sponsor, who does not have stable and regular resources sufficient to maintain him/herself and the members of his/her family and who, by reason of that fact, is likely to become a burden on the social assistance system of the host MS during his/her period of residence[41]. This is a concept which has its own independent meaning in EU law and cannot be defined by reference to concepts of national law[42]. The CJEU has held that this concept must be interpreted as referring to general assistance which compensates for a lack of stable, regular and sufficient resources, and not as referring to special assistance which enables exceptional or unforeseen needs to be addressed[43]. Therefore, the expression 'recourse to the social assistance system' does not allow a MS to refuse family reunification to a sponsor who proves that he/she has stable and regular resources which are sufficient to maintain him/herself and the members of his/her family, but who, given the level of his/her resources, will nevertheless be entitled to claim special assistance to meet exceptional, individually determined, essential living costs, tax refunds granted by local authorities on the basis of his/her income, or income support measures[44]. MSs are allowed to take into account the level of minimum national wages and pensions as well as the number of family members when evaluating the sponsor's resources and determining the social assistance level. In the Chakroun case, the CJEU stressed that this faculty must be interpreted strictly and exercised in a manner which avoids undermining the objective and the effectiveness of the Directive[45]. Consequently, minimum national wages should be seen as the upper limit of what MSs may require, except if MSs choose to take into account the number of family members. Moreover, MSs are allowed to indicate a certain sum as a reference amount, but since needs can vary greatly depending on the individuals, they may not impose a minimum income level below which all family reunifications will be refused, irrespective of an actual examination of the situation of each applicant in accordance with Article 17[46]. Therefore, an application may not be rejected for the sole reason that the applicant's resources do not reach the reference amount. An individual assessment of all elements of a particular case is required before reaching a decision on an application. The CJEU has held that, in principle, it is the resources of the sponsor that are the subject of the individual examination of applications for reunification required by the Directive, not the resources of the third-country national for whom a right of residence is sought on the basis of family reunification[47]. At the same time, by using the term 'in principle', the CJEU suggests that MSs may choose to take the resources of family members into account or that exceptions from this rule may be granted in individual cases justified by particular circumstances[48]. Finally, the CJEU has also held that national legislation applying this requirement is not allowed to distinguish between family relationships that arose before or after the sponsor entered the territory of the MS. The capacity of a sponsor to have regular resources which are sufficient to maintain him/herself and the members of his/her family cannot in any way depend on the point in time at which he/she constitutes his/her family[49]. 4.5. Integration measures The Commission recognises the margin of appreciation MSs have to decide whether to require third-country nationals to comply with integration measures and to develop the measures most appropriate in their own national context[50]. However, the Commission stresses that the objective of such measures is to facilitate the integration of family members. Their admissibility depends on whether they serve this purpose and whether they respect the principle of proportionality. Therefore, their admissibility depends on the accessibility, design and organisation of these measures and whether such measures or their impact serve purposes other than integration. If integration measures are in effect used to limit family reunification, this would amount to an additional requirement for family reunification. This would undermine the objective of the directive, which is to promote family reunification, and the effectiveness thereof[51]. Therefore, MSs may impose a requirement on family members to comply with integration measures under Article 7(2), but this may not amount to an absolute condition upon which the right to family reunification is dependent. The nature of the integration measures in Article 7(2) is different from the conditions envisaged in Articles 4(1) and 7(1). First, Article 4(1) - as a stand-still clause only[52] - allows MSs to verify for children over 12 arriving independently of the rest of their families whether they meet a condition for integration before authorising entry and residence[53]. Secondly, under Article 7(1), MSs may require evidence that these requirements are fulfilled or fulfillable, based on a reasonable prognosis. These can therefore be considered as pre-conditions which MSs may require the sponsor to achieve before authorising entry and residence of family members. In contrast, Article 7(2) allows MSs to require third-country nationals to comply with integration measures. MSs may require family members to make a certain effort to demonstrate their willingness to integrate, for instance, by requiring participation in language or integration courses, prior to or after arrival. Since these measures are meant to help facilitate the integration process, this also implies that the way in which MSs conceive this possibility cannot be unlimited. Article 7(2) comes down to the possibility to ask an immigrant to make the necessary efforts to be able to live his/her day-to-day life in the society in which he/she has to integrate him/herself and to the possibility for MS to verify whether this person shows the required willingness to integrate in his/her new environment. The verification of willingness to integrate may take the form of an examination on basic skills deemed necessary for this purpose. This examination should be gender sensitive to take into account the specific situation of some women that might, for instance, have poor level of education. The level of difficulty of the exam, the cost of participating, the accessibility of the teaching material necessary to prepare for such an examination, or the accessibility of the examination itself must not, in fact, be barriers that complicate the achievement of this purpose[54]. In other words, the integration measures that a MS may require cannot result in a performance obligation that is in fact a measure that limits the possibility of family reunification. The measures must, on the contrary, contribute to the success of family reunification. Furthermore, integration measures must be proportionate and applied with the necessary flexibility to ensure that, on a case-by-case basis and in view of specific circumstances, family reunification may be granted even where integration requirements are not met[55]. MSs should therefore provide the effective possibility of an exemption, a deferral or other forms of integration measures in case of certain specific issues or personal circumstances of the immigrant in question. Specific individual circumstances that may be taken into account are, for instance, cognitive abilities, the vulnerable position of the person in question, special cases of inaccessibility of teaching or testing facilities, or other situations of exceptional hardship. Special attention should also be paid to the fact that in several parts of the world women and girls have less access to education and might have a lower literacy level than men. Therefore, MSs may not refuse entry and stay on its territory to a family member referred to in Article 4(1) on the sole ground that this family member, while still abroad, did not succeed in the integration examination provided for in the legislation of that MS[56]. The Commission considers that MSs should provide the necessary integration measures for family members to learn about their new country of residence and acquire language skills that can facilitate the integration process. Therefore, the Commission considers that language and integration courses should be offered in an accessible way (available in several locations), be free or at least affordable, and tailored to individual needs, including gender specific needs (e.g. childcare facilities). While pre-departure integration measures may help prepare migrants for their new life in the host country by providing information and training before migration takes place, integration measures may often be more effective in the host country. 4.6. Waiting period Article 8 preserves a limited margin of appreciation for MSs under which they have the option to require a maximum of two years' lawful residence before a sponsor may be joined by his/her family members. If a MS chooses to exercise this option, it may not impose a general blanket waiting period applied in the same way to all applicants without regard to the particular circumstances of specific cases and the best interests of minor children[57]. The CJEU has stressed that duration of residence in the MS is only one of the factors that the MS must take into account when considering an application and that a waiting period cannot be imposed without taking into account, in specific cases, all the relevant factors, while having due regard to the best interests of minor children[58]. The purpose of this provision is to enable MSs to make sure that family reunification will take place in favourable conditions, after the sponsor has been residing in the host country for a period sufficiently long for it to be assumed that the family members will settle down well and display a certain level of integration[59]. The admissibility under the Directive of a waiting period and its length depends on whether this requirement serves this purpose and respects the principle of proportionality. To avoid affecting family life in a disproportionate way, the Commission encourages MSs to keep waiting periods as short as strictly necessary for achieving the purpose of the provision, especially in cases involving minor children. The Commission is of the view that to determine the duration of the 'lawful stay' of a sponsor, any period of time during which he/she has resided on the territory of a MS in accordance with its national law should be taken into account, starting from the first day. This may be residence on the basis of a residence permit or any other title legally allowing the stay. However, irregular stays, including periods of toleration and periods of postponed return, should be excluded. MSs may require that the lawful stay be continuous, given the purpose of the provision of reaching a certain level of stability and integration. However, interruptions which do not jeopardise this purpose may be allowed. These may, for instance, include temporary absences (such as business trips, holidays or visits to family in the country of origin ) or short periods of unlawful residence (e.g. expiration of a residence card due to a late application for prolongation or delay in processing). Periods of lawful stay before a sponsor acquires a residence permit valid for at least one year, as required by Article 3(1), should also qualify to calculate the duration of the lawful stay. X is a third-country national who has been lawfully staying in a MS for a continuous period of nine months. Today X received a residence permit valid for one year which can be renewed indefinitely. X wants to be joined by his third-country spouse and submits an application for family reunification and wonders when his spouse can join him. The MS requires a waiting period, and, in X's case, considers the maximum length of two years lawful stay proportionate to enable family reunification to take place in favourable conditions. In this case, X's spouse can join him at the end of the remaining waiting period, that is, after another 15 months have elapsed. In the Commission's opinion, the waiting period does not include the period required for MSs to examine the application in accordance with Article 5(4)[60]. Both periods may start and end at different times, and may or may not overlap, according to the individual case. The Commission considers that an application may be submitted as from the moment the sponsor holds a residence permit valid for at least one year and has reasonable prospects of obtaining the right to permanent residence[61], but MSs may delay granting family reunification ('before having his/her family members join him/her') until the waiting period specified in their legislation has been fulfilled. Y is a third-country national who has just arrived in a MS and immediately receives a renewable residence permit valid for two years. Y would like her spouse and her two minor children to join her and submits an application for family reunification. In Y's case, the MS considers that Y and her spouse have already displayed a high level of integration. In the interests of the children, the MS decides that no waiting period is required. However, due to administrative constraints, there is a backlog in the processing of applications and the MS only reaches this decision after nine months. In Y's case, she can be reunited with her spouse and children from the moment she receives notification of the decision. The CJEU has held that the rules in the Directive, with the exception of Article 9(2), apply to a marriage concluded before a sponsor took up residence in the MS as well as to one that was concluded afterwards[62], therefore no distinction may be made between the two situations as regards the waiting period. While the Commission shares the MSs' concern about possible misuse of the right to family reunification, the option to require a waiting period may not be used for the sole purpose of preventing misuse. The sole purpose of Article 8 is to require a certain amount of stable residence and integration to make sure that family reunification will take place in favourable conditions. More suitable means are available, for example, through individual assessment of cases, to prevent marriages of convenience. Z is a third-country national who has been lawfully staying in a MS for four years while a student. After graduation, Z takes up a job offer and receives a new residence permit for one year that may be renewed indefinitely. Meanwhile, Z meets D, a third-country national, and starts a relationship, and 13 months later they get married and apply for family reunification so that D can join her. In Z's case, the potentially required waiting period of maximum two years lawful stay has already been fulfilled, so D can join Z as soon as she receives notification of the decision. 5. Entry and residence of family members 5.1. Entry, long-stay visas and residence permits Article 13(1) requires that, as soon as an application for family reunification has been accepted, the MS is obliged to grant family members every facility for obtaining the requisite visas. This implies that when an application is accepted, MSs should ensure a speedy visa procedure, reduce additional administrative burdens to a minimum and avoid double-checks on the fulfilment of the requirements for family reunification. Since the purpose of stay of family reunification is long term, the visa issued should not be a short-stay visa. If access to travel documents and visas is particularly difficult or dangerous and may thus constitute a disproportionate risk or a practical obstacle to the effective exercise of the right to family reunification, MSs are encouraged to consider the specificities of the case and the circumstances in the country of origin. In exceptional circumstances, for instance, in the context of a failed state or a country with high internal security risks, MSs are encouraged to accept emergency travel documents issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to issue a national one-way laissez-passer, or offer family members the possibility of being issued a visa upon arrival in the MS. Administrative fees for visas are allowed, but these may not be excessive or disproportionate. They must not have either the object or the effect of creating an obstacle to obtaining the rights conferred by the Directive and, therefore, depriving it of its effectiveness[63]. Article 13(2) states that MSs must grant family members a renewable first residence permit valid for at least one year. According to Article 13(3), the duration of the family member's residence permit should, in principle, not go beyond the date of expiry of the sponsor's residence permit. Thus, to synchronise the expiry dates of the sponsor's and family members' resident permits, MSs may grant resident permits valid for less than one year. However, exceptions to this rule are allowed, for instance, when the sponsor's residence permit is valid for less than one year, but is certain to be prolonged. 5.2. Access to employment The sponsor's family members are entitled to access to employment and self-employed activity, in the same way as the sponsor, subject to the optional restrictions of Article 14(2) and (3). For a period not exceeding 12 months, MSs may set the conditions under which family members can exercise their activity. During this period, MSs may also restrict access to their labour market, and even perform a labour market test. After the 12-month period, MSs are obliged to authorise family members to exercise employed or self-employed activities, provided the sponsor has such authorisation. MSs have the option to restrict access to employment or self-employed activity of first-degree ascending relatives and adult unmarried children, but not of other family members admitted under the Directive. The access to employment of admitted family members outside the scope of the Directive is an entirely national competence. For the purpose of promoting the integration of family members[64], to fight poverty traps and to avoid their deskilling, the Commission recommends keeping restrictions on labour market access for family members, in particular migrant women, to a minimum. 5.3. Access to autonomous residence permit Article 15(1) states that after five years of residence at the latest, and if no residence permit was granted for other reasons, MSs must issue, upon application, an autonomous residence permit, independent of the sponsor, to the spouse or unmarried partner and a child who has reached majority. Residence should be understood as lawful stay and the Commission stresses that MSs are allowed to grant the permit earlier. In the event of a breakdown of the relationship, the right to an autonomous residence permit must in any case still be given to the spouse or unmarried partner, but MSs are allowed to exclude an adult child. While Article 15(4) states that the conditions are to be established by national law, Article 15(3) indicates that a breakdown may be understood to include widowhood, separation, divorce, death, etc. Articles 15(2) and 15(3) (first sentence) allow MSs to issue an autonomous residence permit at any moment to adult children and first-degree ascendants to whom Article 4(2) applies and, upon application, to any persons who have entered by virtue of family reunification in the event of widowhood, divorce, separation, or death of first-degree ascendants or descendants. Articles 15(3) (second sentence) states that MSs must issue an autonomous residence permit in the event of particularly difficult circumstances to any family members who have entered by virtue of family reunification. MSs are required to lay down provisions in national law for this purpose. The particularly difficult circumstances must have been caused by the family situation or the break-down thereof, not in difficulties with other causes. Examples of particularly difficult circumstances may be, for instance, cases of domestic violence against women and children, certain cases of forced marriages, risk of female genital mutilation, or cases where the person would be in a particularly difficult family situation if forced to return to the country of origin. 6. Family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection 6.1. Refugees Chapter V of the Directive lays down several derogations from Articles 4, 5, 7 and 8, creating more favourable conditions for family reunification of refugees. These derogations impose precise positive obligations on the MSs, with corresponding clearly defined individual rights, requiring them to authorise the reunification of certain members of a refugee's family under these more favourable conditions, without being left a margin of appreciation[65]. At the same time, the Directive allows MSs to limit the application of these more favourable conditions by restricting them to (1) family relationships that predate the entry (Article 9(2)), (2) applications made within three months of the granting of refugee status (Article 12(1) third subparagraph), and (3) families for whom family reunification is impossible in a third country with which the sponsor and/or family members have special links (Article 12(1) second subparagraph). However, MSs must not use this margin of manoeuvre in a manner that would undermine the objective of the Directive and the effectiveness thereof[66]. MSs should transpose and apply these provisions with special attention to take into account the particular situation of refugees who have been forced to flee their country and prevented from leading a normal family life there[67]. The Commission encourages the example of a number of MSs that do not apply the optional restrictions, or allow for more leniency, in recognition of the particular plight of refugees and the difficulties they often face in applying for family reunification[68]. According to Article 12(1) MSs are not allowed to require the refugee and/or family member(s) to provide evidence[69] that the refugee fulfils the requirements set out in Article 7, i.e. accommodation, sickness insurance, sufficient resources and integration measures. However, integration measures may be applied once the persons concerned have been granted family reunification (Article 7(2) second subparagraph). Since this rule is part of the general provisions and not of Chapter V, it prevails over Article 9(2), which allows MSs to confine the more favourable provisions to refugees whose family relationships predate their entry. Consequently, with regard to a nuclear family founded after the refugee-sponsor's entry, while Chapter V does not apply, integration measures may also only be applied after family reunification has been granted. The Commission underlines that the provisions of Chapter V must be read in the light of the principles set out in Article 5(5) and Article 17. Therefore, when examining applications for family reunification by refugees, MSs must make a balanced and reasonable assessment in every individual case of all the interests at play, while having due regard to the best interests of minor children[70]. No factor taken separately may automatically lead to a decision; each must enter the equation only as one of the relevant factors[71]. 6.1.1. Family Members According to Article 10(1), the definition of family members of Article 4 shall be used to define family members of refugees, thereby excluding any more stringent definitions or additional requirements. All mandatory and optional limitations set by Article 4 shall also apply, such as the exclusion of polygamous marriage, except for the third subparagraph of Article 4(1), which shall not apply to children of refugees. Article 10(2) explicitly allows MSs to expand this scope by allowing them to authorise family reunification of other family members not referred to in Article 4, if they are dependent on the refugee. MSs are encouraged to use their margin of appreciation in the most humanitarian way, as Article 10(2) does not lay down any restrictions as to the degree of relatedness of 'other family members'. The Commission encourages MSs to also consider individuals who are not biologically related, but are cared for within the family unit, for instance, foster children, even though MSs retain full discretion in this regard. The concept of dependency is the determining factor. 6.1.2. Absence of official documentary evidence Article 11 states that Article 5 shall apply to the submission and examination of the application, subject to the derogation with regard to official documentary evidence in Article 11(2). Thus, in line with Article 5(2), MSs may consider documentary evidence to establish the family relationship, and interviews and other investigations may be carried out if appropriate and necessary. However, the particular situation of refugees who were forced to flee their country implies that it is often impossible or dangerous for refugees or their family members to produce official documents, or to get in touch with diplomatic or consular authorities of their country of origin. Article 11(2) is explicit, without leaving a margin of appreciation, in stating that the fact that documentary evidence is lacking cannot be the sole reason for rejecting an application and in obliging MSs, in such cases, to 'take into account other evidence' of the existence of the family relationship. Since such 'other evidence' is to be assessed in accordance with national law, MSs have a certain margin of appreciation, yet they should adopt clear rules governing these evidentiary requirements. Examples of 'other evidence' to establish family links may be written and/or oral statements from the applicants, interviews with family members, or investigations carried out on the situation abroad. These statements can then, for instance, be corroborated by supporting evidence such as documents, audio-visual materials, any documents or physical exhibits (e.g. diplomas, proof of money transfers) or knowledge of specific facts. The individual assessment of Article 17 requires that MSs take all relevant factors into account while examining the evidence provided by the applicant, including age, gender, education, background and social status as well as specific cultural aspects. The Commission considers that where serious doubts remain after other types of proof have been examined, or where there are strong indications of fraudulent intent, DNA testing can be used as a last resort[72]. In such cases, the Commission considers that MSs should observe the UNHCR principles on DNA testing[73]. The Directive does not prevent MSs from charging refugees or applicants for DNA tests or other investigations. However, fees cannot be excessive or disproportionate to the point that they have the effect of creating an obstacle to obtaining the rights conferred by the Directive and, therefore, deprive it of its effectiveness[74]. In setting potential fees, the Commission considers that MSs should take into account the particular situation of refugees and encourages MSs to bear the costs of a DNA test, especially if it is imposed upon the refugee or his/her family members. 6.1.3. Exceptions to the more favourable provisions of Chapter V Article 12(1) second subparagraph allows MSs not to apply the more favourable conditions if family reunification is possible in a third country with which the sponsor and/or family member has special links. This option requires that the third country be a realistic alternative and, thus, a safe country for the sponsor and family members. The burden of proof on the possibility of family reunification in a third country lies on the MS, not the applicant. In particular, the relocation to such a third country should not pose a risk of persecution or of refoulement[75] for the refugee and/or his family members and the refugee should have the possibility to receive protection there in accordance with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The 'special links' imply the sponsor and/or family member have family, cultural and social ties with the third country[76]. Article 12(1) third subparagraph allows MSs to require the refugee to meet the conditions of Article 7(1) if the application for family reunification is not submitted within a period of three months after the granting of refugee status. Refugees often face practical difficulties within this timeframe and these may constitute a practical obstacle to family reunification. Therefore, the Commission considers the fact that most MSs do not apply this limitation as the most appropriate solution. Nevertheless, if MSs opt to apply this provision, the Commission considers that they should take into account objective practical obstacles the applicant faces as one of the factors when assessing an individual application. Furthermore, while MSs, in accordance with Article 11 and 5(1), are free to determine whether the application should be submitted either by the sponsor or by the family member, the specific situation of refugees and their family members may make this particularly difficult or impossible. Therefore, the Commission considers that MSs, especially when applying a time limit, should allow for the possibility of the sponsor submitting the application in the territory of the MS to guarantee the effectiveness of the right to family reunification. Finally, if an applicant is faced with objective practical obstacles to meeting the three month deadline, the Commission considers that MSs should allow them to make a partial application, to be completed as soon as documents become available or tracing is successfully completed. The Commission also urges MSs to provide clear information on family reunification for refugees in a timely and understandable way (for instance, when their refugee status is granted). 6.1.4. Travel documents and long-stay visas Obtaining the necessary travel documents and long-stay visas may be particularly challenging for refugees and their family members and may constitute a practical obstacle to family reunification. The Commission therefore considers that MSs should pay special attention to this particular situation and facilitate the obtaining of travel documents and long-stay visas so that refugees may effectively exercise their right to family reunification. In cases where it is impossible for refugees and their family members to obtain national travel documents and long-stay visas, MSs are encouraged to recognise and accept ICRC emergency travel documents and Convention Travel Documents[77], issue one-way laissez-passer documents, and offer family members the possibility of being issued a visa upon arrival in the MS. 6.2. Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection Article 3(2) excludes the application of the Directive, and thus the more favourable conditions for refugees, where the sponsor is: (a) applying for refugee status but has not yet received a final decision, Or a beneficiary of (b) temporary or (c) subsidiary protection, or applying for these statuses. The Commission stresses that the Directive should not be interpreted as obliging MSs to deny beneficiaries of temporary or subsidiary protection the right to family reunification[78]. The Commission considers that the humanitarian protection needs of persons benefiting from subsidiary protection do not differ from those of refugees, and encourages MSs to adopt rules that grant similar rights to refugees and beneficiaries of temporary or subsidiary protection. The convergence of both protection statuses is also confirmed in the recast Qualification Directive 2011/95/EU[79] as part of the 'EU Asylum Package'[80]. In any case, even when a situation is not covered by European Union law, MSs are still obliged to respect Article 8 and 14 ECHR[81]. 7. Overall principles 7.1. Availability of information The Directive calls upon MSs to develop a set of rules governing the procedure for examination of applications for family reunification which should be effective and manageable, as well as transparent and fair, to offer appropriate legal certainty to those concerned[82]. To meet these criteria, MSs should develop practical guides with detailed, accurate, clear information for applicants, and to communicate any new developments in a timely and clear manner. Such practical guides should be made widely available, including online[83] and in places where applications are made, whether in consulates or elsewhere. The Commission recommends making these guides available in the language of the MS, in the local language in the place of application, and in English. 7.2. Best interests of the child This horizontal clause of Article 5(5) requires that the child's best interests must be a primary consideration in all actions relating to children[84]. MSs must therefore take the child's well-being and the family's situation into consideration in accordance with the principle of respect for family life, as recognised by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The CJEU has held that Article 5(5) and recital 2 require that when a MS administration examines an application, in particular when determining whether the conditions of Article 7(1) are satisfied, the Directive must be interpreted and applied in the light of respect for private and family life[85] and the rights of the child[86] of the Charter[87]. The CJEU has also recognised[88] that children, for the full and harmonious development of their personality, should grow up in a family environment[89], that MSs are to ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will[90] and that applications by a child or his/her parents to enter or leave a MS for the purpose of family reunification are to be dealt with by the MSs in a positive, humane and expeditious manner[91]. Furthermore, the CJEU has recognised[92] that the right to respect for private or family life must be read in conjunction with the obligation to have regard for the child's best interests[93], taking account of the need for a child to maintain a personal relationship with both his or her parents on a regular basis[94]. Consequently, when a MS examines an application, it must ensure that a child shall not be separated from his/her parents against their will, unless the MS decides that the best interests of the child require such separation in accordance with established law and procedures. Reasons for any such decision must be given so as to guarantee effective judicial review. 7.3. Abuse and fraud The Commission considers it imperative to take action against abuse and fraud of the rights conferred by this Directive. In the interests of both society and of genuine applicants, the Commission encourages MSs to take firm action in line with the provisions of Articles 16(2) and 16(4). Article 16(2) envisages that MSs may reject an application, or withdraw or refuse to renew a family member's residence permit, if it is shown that (a) false or misleading information, false or falsified documents were used, fraud was otherwise committed or other unlawful means were used; or (b) the marriage, partnership or adoption was contracted for the sole purpose of enabling the person concerned to enter or reside in a MS ('marriages or relationships of convenience', 'false declarations of parenthood'). MSs are in particular allowed to take into consideration the fact that a marriage, partnership or adoption was contracted after the sponsor had been issued his/her residence permit when assessing such cases. Article 16(4) allows MSs to conduct specific checks and inspections if there is reason to suspect that there is fraud, or a marriage, partnership or adoption of convenience. However, general checks and inspections of specific categories of marriage, partnership or adoption are not allowed. Marriages of convenience can concern marriages of third-country nationals with (a) other third-country nationals residing in the EU, (b) EU nationals having exercised the right to free movement or (c) own nationals. While different rights and legal rules are applicable to family reunification in these constellations, the main definitions, investigation and detection techniques are the same. For this reason, Section 4.2 of the 2009 guidelines on the Free Movement Directive may, mutatis mutandis, be referred to for guidance on definitions[95]. In its Communication of 25 November 2013 on free movement of EU citizens and their families[96] the Commission announced that it will help authorities implement EU rules which allow them to fight potential abuses of the right to free movement by preparing a handbook on addressing marriages of convenience (Action 1). This handbook will address the issue of marriages of convenience between EU citizens and non-EU nationals in the context of the free movement of EU citizens (Directive 2004/38/EC) and not between two non-EU nationals in the context of Directive 2003/86/EC. Nevertheless, given the parallels with the operational aspects of combatting potential abuses and fraud of the right to family reunification, this handbook may, mutatis mutandis, be referred to for guidance, where relevant, in particular on investigation tools and techniques and on cross-border cooperation. Given the involvement of organised crime, tackling marriages of convenience effectively requires an operational response, entailing police cooperation and the sharing of best practices between competent national authorities in the appropriate law enforcement fora. To this end, a specific strategic objective (goal 4) related to marriages of convenience was included in the EU Policy cycle for organised and serious international crime, within the framework of the priority relating to the 'Facilitation of Illegal Immigration'[97]. The policy cycle priorities are implemented in a multidisciplinary way through the joint actions of national authorities and Commission agencies, such as Europol, thus enabling more operational exchanges among Member States on the different aspects of the broader issue of marriages of convenience linked to organised crime. 7.4. Individual assessment According to the CJEU, MSs are obliged to make a balanced and reasonable assessment of all the interests in play, both when implementing Directive 2003/86 and when examining applications for family reunification[98]. The CJEU further considers that Article 17 requires MSs to make a comprehensive assessment of all relevant factors in each individual case. This obligation also applies when MSs have made use of the possibility of requiring evidence of the fulfilment of certain conditions (such as accommodation, sickness insurance and resources in Article 7), when verifying whether a child over the age of 12 arriving independently meets a condition for integration (Article 4(1) in fine), when a child of over 15 submits an application (Article 4(6)), or when a minimum age for spouses is required (Article 4(5)). None of these factors taken separately may automatically lead to a decision, but must enter the equation as one of the relevant factors[99]. Examples of other relevant factors are the nature and solidity of the person's family relationships; the duration of his/her residence in the MS; the existence of family, cultural and social ties with his/her country of origin; living conditions in the country of origin; the age of the children concerned; the fact that a family member has been born and/or raised in the MS; economic, cultural and social ties in the MS; the dependency of family members; the protection of marriages and/or family relations. MSs enjoy a wide margin of appreciation when taking due account of the relevant factors in an individual case. Yet they are limited by the principles of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union concerning protection of family and respect for family life, and the relevant case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the CJEU. The following principles should be respected: all the individual circumstances of a case must be identified and the weight given to individual and public interests must be similar to that in comparable cases. Also, the balancing of relevant individual and public interests must appear reasonable and proportional. MSs should explicitly state their reasons in decisions rejecting applications[100]. X is a third-country national residing in a MS with her minor daughter. X wants to be joined by her third-country spouse, but her income does not meet the requested income threshold in this MS. Does the MS still have to examine the merits of the case? Yes, the MS needs to assess all relevant factors in the individual case, including the income requirement. The MS may require proof that X has stable and regular resources which are sufficient to maintain herself and the members of her family, yet the MS is still required to examine the application in the interests of the child concerned and also with a view to promoting family life, and avoiding any undermining of the objective and the effectiveness of the Directive[101]. 7.5. Right to legal challenge According to Article 18, MSs are obliged to grant effective legal remedy against decisions of national authorities. The Commission emphasises that when implementing Union law, MSs must respect the provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and must therefore apply the Directive's redress provision in conformity with the right to an effective remedy before a tribunal, as set out in Article 47 of the Charter and the CJEU's case law in this matter[102]. This implies that full judicial review must be available concerning merits and legality. Therefore, decisions may be challenged not only with regard to the law, but also the facts of a case. The plaintiff is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by a reviewing tribunal that is independent, impartial and previously established by law. Article 47 of the Charter provides effective remedy and a fair trial before a judicial tribunal, so quasi-judicial or administrative review may not be adequate. The Directive explicitly lists the right to mount a legal challenge against only four possible decisions[103]. However, the case law of the CJEU provides that effective remedies must also be granted with regard to any other decisions relating to the restriction of subjective rights conferred by the Directive. Article 47 of the Charter applies to all rights provided for in the Directive including, for instance, decisions concerning the restriction of the right to employment[104] or the refusal to grant an independent residence title[105]. Any consequences of a MS's failure to decide on an application for family reunification within the stipulated time period, whether an automatic admission or an effective legal challenge against an automatic rejection, must be determined by the national legislation of the relevant MS[106]. This national legislation should ensure an effective procedure for granting relief in the case of an administrative failure to decide through an administrative complaint procedure or, in absence of this, a judicial procedure. The Commission encourages MSs to grant the right to mount a legal challenge to both the sponsor and his/her family member(s) to enable the possibility of effective exercise of this right. [1] Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Application of Directive 2003/86/EC on the Right to Family Reunification, COM(2008) 610 final. [2] Green Paper on the right to family reunification of third-country nationals living in the European Union (Directive 2003/86/EC), COM(2011) 735 final. [3] http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-is-new/public-consultation/2012/consulting_0023_en.htm. [4] Seventh meeting of the European Integration Forum: Public Hearing on the Right to Family Reunification of Third-Country Nationals living in the EU, Brussels, 31 May - 1 June 2012, see http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/en/policy/legal.cfm#; Summary Report, see: http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/UDRW/images/items/static_38_597214446.pdf. [5] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 60. [6] By analogy with Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 54, 59, 61-62. [7] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43. [8] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 44. [9] 'Third-country national' means any person who is not an EU citizen and who is not a person enjoying the right of free movement under Union law. [10] Article 2 (a)-(d). [11] Article 2(e) of the Directive and Article 1(2)(a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008. [12] For instance, if the residence permit it is linked to employment, the assessment needs to take into account all circumstances related to the individual situation, such as the nature of the employment, the economic situation of the industry concerned, the intentions of the employer and employee, and should not be reduced to only considering the employment contract that is potentially renewable. [13] By analogy with Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43. [14] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 60. [15] See Article 2, point 9 and 11(b), Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000. [16] For instance, when a sponsor or his/her spouse does not have sole custody and the person sharing custody refuses to give agreement or cannot be found. [17] See Council doc. no. 6504/00, p. 5, note 7. [18] Directive of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States (OJ L 158, p. 77). [19] See in the context of the Free Movement Directive: Case 327/82, Ekro, 18 January 1984, para 11; Case C-316/85, Lebon, 18 June 1987, para 21; Case C-98/07, Nordania Finans and BG Factoring, 6 March 2008, para 17; and Case C-523/07, A, April 2009, para 34; Case C-83/11, Rahman and Others, 5 September 2012, para 24. [20] Under the Free Movement Directive MSs have an obligation to promote reunification with ascendants while under the Family Reunification Directive reunification for ascendants is a derogation which is only allowed if certain conditions are met. [21] By analogy with Case C-316/85, Lebon, 18 June 1987, para 21-22; Case C-200/02, Zhu and Chen, 9 October 2004, para 43; C-1/05, Jia, 9 January 2007, paras 36-37; and Case C-83/11, Rahman and Others, 5 September 2012, paras 18-45; Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 56. [22] By analogy with Case C-83/11, Rahman and Others, 5 September 2012, paras 23. [23] By analogy with Case C-1/05, Jia, 9 January 2007, para 37. [24] The test of dependency should primarily be whether, in the light of their personal circumstances, the financial means of the family members permit them to live at the minimum level of subsistence in the country of their normal residence (AG Geelhoed in case C-1/05, Jia, 9 January 2007, para 96). [25] By analogy with Case C-316/85, Lebon, 18 June 1987, para 21-22. [26] By analogy with Case C-83/11, Rahman and Others, 5 September 2012, paras 36-40. [27] By analogy with Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43. [28] By analogy with Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 48. [29] By analogy with Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 99-101. [30] Article 3(5) explicitly foresees that MSs have the possibility to adopt or maintain more favourable conditions. [31] MSs may consider, for instance, derogations in the case of new-born children, third-country nationals who are exempted from a visa, a situation where it is considered in the best interests of minor children, a relationship that predates the entry and where the partners have lived together for a considerable time, humanitarian reasons, etc. These examples are not exhaustive and always depend on the individual case. [32] By analogy with Case C-508/10, European Commission v Kingdom of the Netherlands, 26 April 2012, paras 62, 64-65. [33] By analogy with Case C-508/10, European Commission v Kingdom of the Netherlands, 26 April 2012, paras 69-70, 74 and 79. [34] By analogy with Case C-508/10, European Commission v Kingdom of the Netherlands, 26 April 2012, para 77. [35] By analogy with Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43. [36] See Article 18. [37] While the context, purpose and legal regime of Directive 2004/38/EC is not the same, the case law referred to in section 3 of the 2009 guidelines on the Free Movement Directive (COM(2009) 313 final, pp. 10-14), may, mutatis mutandis, serve as background for MSs and national courts. [38] Article 18 of Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents. [39] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43; Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 74. [40] Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 82. [41] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 46; See by analogy Case C-140/12, Brey, 19 September 2013, para 61. [42] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 45. [43] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 49. [44] Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 73; Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 52. [45] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, paras 43 and 47. [46] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 48. [47] Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 72. [48] In contrast, at the moment of renewal of the residence permit Article 16(1)(a) imposes an obligation on the MS to take into account the contributions of the family members to the household income if the sponsor does not have sufficient resources without recourse to the social assistance system. Since there is no explicit provision forbidding this MSMSs may also take the contributions of the family members into account at the moment of application for the first residence permit. [49] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, paras 64-66. [50] On integration see the Common Basic Principles for Immigrant Integration Policy in the European Union, Council of the European Union, 2618th Council Meeting, Justice and Home Affairs, of 19 November 2004, 14615/04 (Presse 321); and the Communication From The Commission To The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic And Social Committee And The Committee Of The Regions of 20 July 2011 on the European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, COM(2011) 455 final. [51] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43. [52] The purpose of this stand-still clause is to reflect the children's capacity for integration at early ages (recital 12). [53] The legality of such distinction between different categories of people was confirmed in Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 75. [54] Statistics and qualitative policy impact evaluations may constitute indications that certain measures constitute factual barriers to family reunification. [55] The automatic refusal of family reunification as a result of a failed integration examination could amount to a violation of Article 17, Article 5(5) and Article 8 ECHR. [56] The only situation in which integration problems may result in a refusal is found in Article 4(1) last subparagraph in case the MS has verified that a condition for integration has not been met. [57] Article 17 and Article 5(5). [58] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 99-101. [59] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 97-98. [60] The 'waiting period' is an optional requirement for exercising the right to family reunification, while the 'examination period' is a timeframe foreseen to allow MSMSs to process and examine applications. [61] Article 3(1). [62] Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, paras 59-64. [63] By analogy with Case C-508/10, European Commission v Kingdom of the Netherlands, 26 April 2012, paras 69 and 79. [64] See Recital 15. [65] By analogy with Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 60. [66] By analogy with Case C-578/08, Chakroun, 4 March 2010, para 43. [67] Recital 8. [68] Difficulties such as the often lengthy process of tracing of family members, providing documentation, and obtaining official documents, dealing with (potentially hostile) authorities in their country of origin, etc. within a limited timeframe. [69] In respect of applications concerning the nuclear family members referred to in Article 4(1). [70] By analogy with Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 81; Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 62-64. [71] By analogy with Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 66, 88, 99 and 100. [72] It should be kept in mind that DNA testing cannot prove marriage and extended or dependent family members, especially in cases of adoption, is not always affordable or available in locations accessible to refugees or their family members, and may cause significant delays in some cases. [73] UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Note on DNA Testing to Establish Family Relationships in the Refugee Context, June 2008, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/48620c2d2.html. [74] By analogy with Case C-508/10, European Commission v Kingdom of the Netherlands, 26 April 2012, paras 69 and 79. [75] The return by a State, in any manner whatsoever, of an individual to the territory of another State in which he or she may be persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; or where there is a serious risk that he or she would be subjected to the death penalty, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. [76] Cf. Article 17. [77] In accordance with Article 28 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. [78] Council Directive 2001/55/EC explicitly entitles beneficiaries of temporary protection to reunite with their family members. [79] Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted, OJ L 337, 20.12.2011, p. 9. [80] Common European Asylum System. [81] Case C-256/11, Dereci, 15 November 2011, para 72; Case C-127/08, Metock, 25 July 2008, para 79. [82] Recital 13. [83] On the Commission's EU Immigration Portal and MSs' national websites. [84] Article 24(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. [85] Articles 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. [86] Articles 24(2) and (3) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. [87] Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 80. [88] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 57. [89] Sixth recital of the preamble to the Convention the Convention on the Rights of the Child. [90] Article 9(1) of the Convention the Convention on the Rights of the Child. [91] Article 10(1) of the Convention the Convention on the Rights of the Child. [92] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 58. [93] Article 24(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. [94] Article 24(3) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. [95] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 2 July 2009 on guidance for better transposition and application of Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the MSs, COM(2009) 313 final, pp. 15-17. [96] Communication From The Commission To The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic And Social Committee And The Committee Of The Regions of 25 November 2013 on Free movement of EU citizens and their families: Five actions to make a difference, COM(2013) 837 final. [97] Implementation EU Policy cycle for organised and serious international crime: Multi-annual Strategic Plan related to the EU crime priority 'illegal immigration'. [98] Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 81. [99] Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, paras 66, 87, 88, 99 and 100. [100] Article 5(4) subpara 3. [101] Cases C-356/11 and C-357/11, O. & S., 6 December 2012, para 82. [102] Article 51(1) Charter of Fundamental Rights; Case C-540/03, European Parliament v Council of the European Union, 27 June 2006, para 105; See also Cases C-402/05 P and C-415/05 P, Kadi and Al Barakaat, 3 September 2008; Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Application of Directive 2003/86/EC on the Right to Family Reunification, COM(2008) 610 final. [103] The rejection of an application for family reunification, the refusal to renew a residence permit, the withdrawal of a residence permit, and the order of removal from the territory of a MS. [104] Article 14(2). [105] Article 15. [106] Article 5(4) subpara 3, 2nd sentence. Bulgaria: UNHCR concerned about calls for expulsions following tensions at overcrowded and substandard reception centre for asylum-seekers Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Bulgaria: UNHCR concerned about calls for expulsions following tensions at overcrowded and substandard reception centre for asylum-seekers , 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d871a4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] UNHCR is concerned that a protest at Bulgaria's largest reception centre for asylum-seekers has prompted calls for asylum-seekers to be expelled on national security grounds. UNHCR urges the Bulgarian government to decongest the Harmanli reception centre, improve living conditions and strengthen management of the centre. Most of all, UNHCR urges the government to establish a constructive dialogue with asylum-seekers staying in the centre. UNHCR will continue to support the efforts of the authorities to improve conditions and to work with the refugees and local communities to diffuse any tensions. Tensions escalated last week at Harmanli, Bulgaria's largest reception centre for asylum-seekers, some 250 km southeast of the capital, Sofia, after the authorities introduced limited access in and out of the already overcrowded centre, citing health concerns. Asylum-seekers protested this decision and the poor conditions at the centre. This included several hundred residents throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. The police used rubber bullets and water cannon to contain the crowd. More than 300 asylum-seekers were arrested. Concerns over reception conditions and overcrowding have remained unaddressed, which fuels frustration and tensions among residents, and has led to acts of vandalism. Harmanli is seriously overcrowded, since it is hosting 3,100 asylum-seekers, of whom one third are children, when its official capacity is 2,710. In addition to being overcrowded, sanitary conditions at the centre are also concerning, with intermittent warm water supply. There are also serious challenges on provision of medical care, including lack of medicine. Moreover, there are no recreational facilities or activities for children or adults Reception conditions are also substandard at other reception centres and detention facilities in Bulgaria. The temporary detention facility of Elhovo, near the border with Turkey, is occupied at nearly 130% of its capacity in deplorable conditions. While UNHCR does not in principle object to the return of people who have not been granted international protection, such returns should only take place if all procedural guarantees are fully respected, including access to a fair and efficient asylum procedure and to effective judicial review. Refugees in Chad facing continued food insecurity, joint UN agency assessment reveals Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Refugees in Chad facing continued food insecurity, joint UN agency assessment reveals, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d89e240e.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 28 November 2016 - A joint assessment by the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP), has revealed that 43 per cent of refugees who have been living in Chad for more than 10 years continue to face a precarious food security situation and require assistance. Chad is home to some 400,000 refugees, 310,000 of which are from Darfur (Sudan) and another 70,000 from the Central African Republic (CAR). Those from Sudan have been arriving since 2002 while those from CAR have been displaced for more than 10 years. The country has also received 5,000 refugees from Nigeria as a result of the violence perpetuated by Boko Haram. These people are in addition to 100,000 internally displaced persons who live at makeshift sites and 5,000 urban refugees who live in N'Djamena, the country's capital, without assistance. In addition to the high number of refugees who are food insecure, more than 40 per cent are suffering from chronic malnutrition and the majority of children under the age of five are affected by anaemia. "Lack of resources has forced us to reduce food rations for refugees to less than half," announced WFP Chad Country Director Mary-Ellen McGroarty, in a joint news release. Biometric registration and careful targeting according to vulnerability and needs have somewhat lessened the impact of the cuts, and the WFP continues to explore opportunities with UNHCR that would link food and non-food assistance to longer-term resilience projects that would benefit both refugees and local communities. In order to diversify refugees' meals and stimulate local markets, WFP is also looking into cash assistance. However, the short term requires basic food needs to be met in order to prevent further deterioration to their nutritional situation. The joint assessment also reports a need to invest in training, small trade, and microfinance schemes or farming projects. It recommends that voluntary returns ought to be considered once the situation in peoples' countries of origin allow. "We must retain the protection character of our refugee operation and the social contract between UNHCR and the Government," said UNHCR Representative in Chad Jose Antonio Canhandula. "We should also move on from offering assistance to investing in human capacities, and integrate the refugee programme into a broader development programme. Our international protection mandate cannot be fully achieved without ensuring food security for refugees and for their host communities," he added. The joint assessment is available online in French. UN agencies scaling up emergency health services as Mosul is made accessible Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN agencies scaling up emergency health services as Mosul is made accessible, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8a4e40e.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 28 November 2016 - United Nations agencies are rapidly scaling up efforts in eastern Mosul to ensure that more than 60,000 people living near the frontlines of the current military operations have access to life-saving care. Two World Health Organization (WHO) clinics were recently deployed in the city to provide residents with health services aid for the first time since June 2014. A UN Population Fund (UNFPA) mobile unit is providing delivery services to women and girls. In addition to immediate care, the agencies are restoring services at the primary health care clinic in eastern Mosul through disbursement of medicines and other supplies. The clinic, managed by the Ninewah Department of Health, offers primary health care services, vaccinations, and reproductive health services. "Civilians in conflict areas have suffered enough. They should not be further exposed to avoidable health risks. Together with national health authorities and health partners, WHO aims to reach all people in newly accessible areas. WHO is providing mobile medical clinics, ambulances, medicines and supplies that ensure life-saving health care for thousands of people affected by Mosul operations," said Altaf Musani, WHO Representative in Iraq. WHO and UNFPA expect an increase in patients from Mosul and are accordingly scaling up health services to include three primary health care units and two delivery units. They have also positioned mobile medical units and delivery units at a nearby trauma stabilization point in anticipation of trauma injuries and complex deliveries. "As new areas become accessible, UNFPA will continue to provide frontline emergency response to meet the reproductive health needs of women and girls including lifesaving medical services to pregnant women. UNFPA is currently supporting and operating 30 mobile/static reproductive health services in total as part of Mosul response operations," said Ramanathan Balakrishnan, UNFPA Representative in Iraq. Experts expect new areas in Mosul to become accessible in the coming weeks, which means that more than 200,000 people will need emergency health services. This includes nearly 40,000 people who will require urgent interventions followed by hospital care as well as 8,000 pregnant women needed services for deliveries and newborn care. The mobile clinics are funded with support from the United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), the European Union Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), and the Iraqi humanitarian pooled fund. Additional mobile medical clinics will soon be deployed. Central African Republic: Half the population needs humanitarian support, says UN Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Central African Republic: Half the population needs humanitarian support, says UN, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8aac40e.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 28 November 2016 - With nearly half the population in the Central African Republic (CAR) in need of humanitarian assistance, some $400 million is required over the coming year to shore up relief efforts that will be critical "to save the lives of people who are among the poorest and most forgotten on this planet," a senior United Nations official said today. Speaking to UN Member States in Geneva, the Minister for Social Welfare and Reconciliation, Virginie Baikoua, and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, Fabrizio Hochschild, said the funds are desperately needed despite the progress made over the past three years. Clashes between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian, plunged the country of 4.5 million people into civil conflict in 2013. Despite significant progress and successful elections, CAR has remained in the grip of instability and sporadic unrest. More than 13,000 UN staff are currently based in the country as part of the UN Integrated Multifaceted Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Sounding the alarm about the dire situation in the country, Mr. Hochschild said the CAR's "chronic poverty and obscurity has been compounded by conflict. In the last three months six conflicts erupted leading to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands displaced, and I don't know if it commanded a single line in the international press." Nearly $400 million is required to meet the needs of 1.6 million Central Africans in 2017, according to the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017, which complements the 5-year national recovery and stabilization plan that was launched by the CAR Government in Brussels on 17 November. Minister for Social Welfare and Reconciliation of the Central African Republic (CAR), Virginie Baikoua (right), and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for CAR, Fabrizio Hochschild, brief the press in Geneva. Photo: UN Geneva Despite its considerable agricultural potential, CAR has some of the highest chronic malnutrition rates in the world - almost one in two children - due to ongoing insecurity, poor access to clean water and health care, as well as lack of seeds and tools. Maternal and early childhood mortality rates are also among the highest in the world. Eruptions of violence over the past year meant that one in 10 war weary central African remains a refugee, the majority in neighbouring Cameroon, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). However, of the close to one million people who were displaced within the country in early 2014, almost half have returned home. In this regard, Mr. Hochschild underscored that "humanitarian efforts are critical to stabilise the country while its pressing development, political and security needs are addressed." Moreover, outside the capital, Bangui, Mr. Hochschild described "an economy of war" that is preventing peaceful development and which is responsible for ongoing poverty and malnutrition. Although the UN representative said there are "no quick fixes" for CAR, he hopes that this time, it could become a "beacon of peace" in a troubled region, partly because the country now has its first democratically elected Government, which is actively engaging with international partners. Three years after internal conflict erupted, the Central African Republic (CAR) faces daunting humanitarian challenges. Almost one million people are displaced, while half of its population needs humanitarian assistance. The UN's relief wing, OCHA, has outlined a Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017, identifying $400 million in funding needs to aid 1.6 million Central Africans throughout the country. 'Hang on to every little glimmer of hope,' says UN envoy for South Sudan Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as UN News Service, 'Hang on to every little glimmer of hope,' says UN envoy for South Sudan, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8aeb412.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 28 November 2016 - All people in South Sudan, regardless of their ethnic affiliation, must unite towards creating a national identify, the head of the United Nations mission there urged today, underscoring the potential of the resource-rich African country to prosper despite its ongoing challenges. Creating a prosperous future "is possible because South Sudan is such a rich country in terms of resources and fertile land," Ellen Margrethe Lj told reporters at what is expected to be the final press briefing in her capacity as the Secretary-General's Special Representative and the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Ms. Lj will step down at the end of November after more than two years of leading UNMISS, which was set up in 2011 after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan. It played a major role in trying to protect civilians when war broke out in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those of then Vice-President Riek Machar. "We have not yet finished our job, we don't have peace in South Sudan, we don't have prosperity in South Sudan," she said at the press briefing held at the Mission's compound in Juba, the nation's capital. "But I think we all have to work for that. I am extremely moved by having learned so much about South Sudan, I am extremely impressed by the resilience of the South Sudanese people," she said. Outgoing Special Representative and the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ellen Margrethe Lj (left) attends a diplomatic farewell reception, in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Photo: UNMISS/Nektarios Markogiannis On the other hand, "I am extremely depressed that their hopes and aspirations at the time of independence have not yet been fulfilled, the conflict that erupted in December 2013 continues to make many South Sudanese homeless, internally displaced or refugees in neighbouring countries," she noted. She urged all South Sudanese and especially the country's leaders to put the well-being of their people, including the boys and girls, in the forefront of their actions. When peace arrives, the South Sudanese could feed themselves, take care of their families, fulfil their dreams, and see the country that they fought so hard for grow and prosper, she said. She believes that like South Africa, Ghana and other many countries that comprise various ethnic groups, South Sudan can achieve national unity. Asked if South Sudan is on the verge of collapse or becoming 'failed State,' Ms. Lj said she does not want to "put labels" on the country but acknowledged that there is fighting in various areas, and the economy is in a very bad shape. "Something has to be done in order to turn that around and to start moving forward, and first and foremost the guns have to be silent," she said. "I have not given up on South Sudan," she stressed, explaining that she used to say to her colleagues: "Yes, when we look at the news in the morning it might be depressing, if you go on a patrol or visit and monitor human rights it might be depressing, but hang on to every little glimmer of hope and argue for that hope to expand because we are here to improve the lives of the people of South Sudan." Ellen Margrethe Lj, the outgoing Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), urged the country's leaders to put the well-being of their people at the forefront of their actions. Meanwhile, she called on the South Sudanese to build national identity regardless of ethnic affiliation. Uganda: Denounce unlawful killings and ensure accountability in aftermath of deadly clashes Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Uganda: Denounce unlawful killings and ensure accountability in aftermath of deadly clashes, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8bfc4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The Ugandan security forces must not jettison human rights in their handling of the clashes in Kasese, which resulted in at least 62 deaths and hundreds of arrests over the weekend, Amnesty International said. Police say at least 46 of the local king's guards were killed and 139 others arrested during clashes at his palace in the western Uganda town of Kasese. The king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, was also arrested. According to police, the clashes followed attacks by the king's guards on multiple police stations on 26 November, killing at least 14 police officers. "The full picture of the weekend's events is yet to emerge, but there appears to be shocking examples of unlawful killings and a complete disregard for human rights during the arrests," said "In a shocking display of heavy-handedness, many people appear to have been summarily shot dead and their bodies dumped." Video footage broadcast by Ugandan TV stations shows bodies of young men apparently dumped on river banks and in bushes, and men writhing in pain as they are tossed off pickup trucks with their hands tied behind their backs. "Whatever the origin and source of the violence, the Ugandan security forces must not be allowed to jettison their human rights obligations. The government must ensure that police and soldiers observe restraint and desist from extrajudicial executions," said Abdullahi Halakhe. "The use of force during the events must be fully and transparently investigated, and those suspected of unlawful killings and other crimes such as torture must be brought to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty." "It is imperative that the authorities ensure that detainees are not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, and are given prompt legal representation and access to their families." Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Syria: Civilians in eastern Aleppo city fear revenge attacks Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Syria: Civilians in eastern Aleppo city fear revenge attacks, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8ca94.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Syrian government forces who have captured parts of eastern Aleppo city in recent days must ensure that civilians living in these areas are allowed to move freely and are protected from revenge attacks including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance or harassment, said Amnesty International today. Yesterday Syrian government forces took control of two neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo, Jabal Badro and Maskaen Hanano, where at least 100 families are currently living. Many who remain in eastern Aleppo city told Amnesty International that they fear acts of revenge by government forces. "Syrian government forces have repeatedly launched unlawful attacks on Aleppo city displaying a callous disregard for the safety of civilians living in parts of the city controlled by armed opposition groups," said Samah Hadid, Deputy Director for Campaigns at Amnesty International's Beirut Regional office. "Given the Syrian government's long and dark history of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances on a mass scale it is even more crucial that civilians are protected in newly captured areas of Aleppo city. The Syrian government must not arbitrarily restrict the movement of civilians and they must allow civilians who wish to leave the area freedom to do so without threat or constraint." Fadi, a local activist, told Amnesty International that people living in Masaken Hanano and Jabal Badro were not able to flee when the government advanced and are now too terrified to leave their homes. "I know some of the families and they told me that they are now in their homes and afraid to move around because Syrian government soldiers are everywhere," he said. Another activist told Amnesty International that government forces took some male residents of Masaken Hanano to al-Nairab airport for interrogation and screening. Amnesty International could not verify these reports. Residents of Sheikh Maqsoud - a district of Aleppo controlled by Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG) - told Amnesty International that up to 8,000 people from eastern Aleppo city had also fled there over the past week as the fighting and air strikes intensified. Civilians have no means of leaving from Sheikh Maqsoud without passing through western Aleppo, which is under Syrian government control. Many are too afraid to leave the area for fear of facing retaliation from government forces if they leave. As Syrian government forces tighten the stranglehold around eastern Aleppo the siege in that part of the city is also expected to intensify with devastating consequences for civilians. One man who fled with his family to Sheikh Maqsoud described the desperate situation: "I arrived with my brother and our families few days ago. We took a risk and did not know if the YPG will allow us to cross but we couldn't bear the feeling of hunger and sound of warplanes all days long so we decided to leave. All types of food were scarce and as a result very expensive. At the end of each day I was grateful for still being alive from the air strikes and ground shelling. But we can't live like that anymore." Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Mali: Trial of former junta leader must bring justice for abductions, torture and murder Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Mali: Trial of former junta leader must bring justice for abductions, torture and murder, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8d154.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The opening of the trial of former Malian junta leader Amadou Haya Sanogo is an important first step to put an end to an agonizing three-year-long wait for justice for those who suffered torture, as well as the murder and enforced disappearances of loved ones, at the hands of his soldiers, Amnesty International said today. Sanogo and several soldiers under his command will be tried on 30 November by the Assize Court in Sikasso, on charges linked to the abduction and murder of soldiers accused of supporting the ousted President, Amadou Toumani Toure. The charges also include the enforced disappearances of 21 soldiers between 30 April and 1 May 2012, whose bodies were later found in a mass grave. "Sanogo's brief rule was characterized by torture, disappearances and extra-judicial executions. For the victims and their families this trial brings a fresh hope of justice," said Gaetan Mootoo, Amnesty International's West Africa Researcher. "Amnesty International welcomes the efforts the government is making towards restoring justice and rule of law, but more still needs to be done for broader accountability of all the grave human rights violations and crimes under international law committed by all sides to the 2012 conflict in Mali''. Since overthrowing President Amadou Toumani Toure in March 2012, Amadou Haya Sanogo is strongly suspected of having been responsible for serious human rights violations. Many political and military leaders were arrested and arbitrarily detained and a number of soldiers and police officers were subjected to enforced disappearance and torture. Amnesty International obtained the list of the 21 soldiers who were abducted from their cells prior to their disappearance. One of the wives of the disappeared told Amnesty International: "I want justice to be done. I want the guilty to be punished. I simply want to know whether he is dead or alive. If he is dead, then I want to know. I'm suffering. My children, my relatives, the whole nation is suffering." Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Uzbekistan: Investigate Death in Custody, Torture Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Uzbekistan: Investigate Death in Custody, Torture, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8e244.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Uzbek authorities should ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the alleged torture of two brothers by the Uzbek National Security Service (SNB), and the death in custody of one of them, Human Rights Watch, the International Partnership for Human Rights, Freedom House, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia said today. Ilhom Ibodov, who died in a National Security Service detention facility in Bukhara in September 2015, was allegedly tortured before he died as was his brother, Rahim Ibodov, who is currently serving an eight-year sentence. Both men, who had refused to comply with extortion demands and had threatened to expose alleged corruption by security service, were arrested for "administrative violations" and later charged with bogus tax and other commercial offences. "The death of Ilhom Ibodov in custody, and the serious allegations of ill-treatment that preceded it, underscore the brutal reality of Uzbekistan's torture problem," said Steve Swerdlow, Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Ibodov's arrest, torture and death mock the government's claims that it is seriously tackling the problems of torture and corruption alike." Ibodov, an entrepreneur from the western city of Bukhara, died on September 13, 2015 in security service custody after he threatened to expose an alleged corruption scheme within the agency and was charged with bogus commercial fraud offenses. The National Security Service is widely regarded as the most powerful and most feared institution in Uzbekistan. Ibodov's relatives provided the human rights groups with a credible account by witnesses and photographs of his body, which a forensic expert concluded corroborate allegations that Ibodov was tortured. The relatives said that one scheme involved the alleged fraudulent acquisition of land by one of the arresting security service officers. Evidence surrounding Ibodov's death, including his alleged torture, emerged from an investigation by his relatives. As part of their inquiries, they sought the opinion of an independent medical expert, who examined photographs of Ibodov's body taken after the security service returned it to them for burial. The expert concluded that the photographs indicated injuries consistent with blunt force trauma and other wounds that could have resulted from torture. Rahim Ibodov provided a detailed account to relatives of the mens' treatment in custody. He said that officials at a security service detention center where they were first held told the mens' cellmates to beat them, and that the brothers were severely beaten repeatedly for the 25 days they spent there. The brothers were then moved to another security service facility, where, Rahim Ibodov said, three of the officers who had demanded bribes, beat his brother to death. Relatives told the rights groups that authorities returned Ilhom Ibodov's body to them in Bukhara on September 13 and pressured them to bury the body by the next day. In November, authorities provided Ilhom's mother with a death certificate listing the cause of death as "heart attack." International human rights groups asked an independent medical forensic expert from outside Uzbekistan, who has worked as chief of medical services for a government ministry as well as a consultant for human rights organizations to examine photographs and video of Ilhom Ibodov's body taken by family members on the day it was returned to them. The expert said that the images showed wounds around both ankles, a possible result of being shackled or bound with rope, and hematomas on his lower back, buttocks, shoulder, and the sole of his feet consistent with blunt force. The expert concluded that these and other marks were consistent with allegations of torture. On February 15, 2016, a Bukhara criminal court sentenced Rahim Ibodov to eight years in prison for "illegal acquisition of foreign currency," tax evasion, commercial trading and services violations, and money laundering. The judge ignored Ibodov's statements in court that he and his brother had been beaten and that their confession was obtained through torture. He is serving his sentence in Tavaksay prison colony UYa 64/3 in the Tashkent region. Uzbek authorities have repeatedly tried to intimidate Ilhom's relatives and threatened that Rahim Ibodov will "never leave prison alive" if they continue to press for answers about Ilhom Ibodov's death. To date, the family has written 160 petitions to various Uzbek government authorities, including 25 letters to the late President Islam Karimov and now interim President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, asking for an investigation into the torture of the brothers, Ilhom Mirziyoyev's death in custody, and Rahim's trial and sentence. Authorities have not meaningfully responded to any of the appeals. Nor has an investigation into Ilhom's death or the torture allegations been ordered. "As a mother, I only want one thing for my son Rahim to be released and justice for those who tortured my sons and killed Ilhom," Khursand Rajabova, the men's mother, told human rights groups."Yes, my daughter and I have been threatened for appealing to human rights activists and journalists. But I will not be silent because I am certain that truth and a mother's love are stronger." The Uzbek government, led by interim president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, should guarantee an effective investigation of the circumstances of Ibodov's death, allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to monitor detention sites, allow non-governmental organizations into the country, invite the United Nations special rapporteur on torture to visit in accordance with his mandate, and bring national laws and practices into compliance with its international obligations to prevent and combat torture, the groups said. For more than a decade, the UN special rapporteur for torture, the UN Committee against Torture, the UN Human Rights Committee, the US State Department, and numerous decisions of the European Court of Human Rights have recognized the widespread nature of torture in Uzbekistan's prisons and places of detention. For 14 years, Uzbekistan has denied access to all 14 UN experts who have requested invitations, including the UN special rapporteurs on the situation of human rights defenders and on torture, and has failed to comply with recommendations made by various expert bodies. In April 2013, the government's interference with the ICRC's prison monitoring led it to end its prison visitation program. "Ibodov's death is highly suspicious and demands a thorough and independent investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible," said Brigitte Dufour, director of the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR). "The Uzbek government should also allow for regular, unfettered, independent, expert monitoring of prison conditions, invite UN experts to visit the country, and bring its laws and practices in line with international standards to help prevent such deaths in the future." The UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary, and Summary Executions call for the "thorough, prompt and impartial investigation" of all suspicious deaths in custody to "determine the cause, manner and time of death, the person responsible, and any pattern or practice which may have brought about that death." The principles state that "families of the deceased and their legal representatives shall be informed of, and have access to, any hearing as well as to all information relevant to the investigation, and shall be entitled to present other evidence." Uzbekistan's international partners, including the US and EU, should make clear that unless the Uzbek government makes measurable improvements in human rights, they will impose targeted restrictions such as visa bans and asset freezes against Uzbek government entities and individuals responsible for grave human rights violations, including torture, the rights groups said. They should also seek to establish a special rapporteur devoted to Uzbekistan's human rights record at the United Nations Human Rights Council. "The Ibodov family needs more than our sympathy," said Nadejda Atayeva, president of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia. "They need justice, swift action from Uzbekistan's international partners, and an end to the impunity for torture and abuse that reigns supreme in Uzbekistan." A Brother's Account of Death by Torture On August 16, 2015, National Security Service officers detained Ilhom and Rahim Ibodov at the Sitora car market in Bukhara, where they sold car accessories, stereos, and music. Relatives told Human Rights Watch that for several years, SNB officers and other officials had extorted bribes from the men to allow them to run their business. Just before their detention, the brothers had refused to continue paying large bribes and threatened to file an official complaint about extortion and racketeering, their relatives said. The relatives believe senior officers in the Bukhara regional SNB and tax department, ordered the men's detention. Rahim Ibodov told his family that they were brought before a court, which sanctioned their arrest for "administrative violations" first for 10 days and then again for another 15. The brothers were held at a temporary detention facility (IVS) of the Bukhara Department of Internal Affairs for those 25 days. On the day of their arrest, a Bukhara police officer and an SNB officer told the men they would be immediately released if they agreed to sign a false confession, but otherwise would be detained indefinitely. Rahim Ibodov said that the confession stated falsely that the two used forced laborers, owned unauthorized trucks, and were receiving illegal foreign currency every month from abroad, and that Rahim Ibodov had illegally traveled with his mother to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage through neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Rahim Ibodov later told his family that throughout their detention, officials encouraged four of their cellmatesthe names of whom are known to the human rights groups but are not disclosed here for safety reasonsto beat the two brothers harshly as punishment for their plans to expose alleged corruption by SNB officers. The inmates beat the men daily. Rahim Ibodov said that his brother was beaten especially severely after he refused to provide further false testimony and continued to threaten to expose the officers' involvement in various corruption schemes. Rahim Ibodov later recalled that the cellmates had used something like rope to bind his and Ilhom's feet together, and that they had been beaten on the soles of their feet. On September 10, prosecutors charged the two men with "illegal acquisition of foreign currency" (under article 177(a)(b) of the Uzbek Criminal Code); tax evasion (article 184(3)); commercial trading and services violations (article 189), and money laundering (article 243). Later that night or on September 11, security service officers transferred the men to a permanent SNB detention facility in Bukhara, where the two brothers were put in facing basement cells. On the way there, Ilhom Ibodov asked his brother to take care of Ilhom's family in the event of his death. On September 12, Rahim Ibodov told relatives that he saw through the open door of his brother's cell three officers standing over him and begin to beat him. Rahim Ibodov identified the three officers as Azim Yunusov, head of the inspections department of the Bukhara SNB, an officer he knew as Bahodir whose surname he does not know, and an officer he knew as Inom whose surname he does not know but he believes was from the SNB's anti-corruption department. He knew the officers because the officers had for several years extorted the bribe s from the brothers. Rahim Ibodov told his family that he saw the officers landing continuous blows all over his brother's body, including to his kidneys, shoulders, and chest. Rahim Ibodov told relatives that the officer who he knew as Bahodir stepped on Ilhom Ibodov's chest with both feet and yelled, "If we kill you, no one will ask us about what happened! No one!" Then the three began to hit and kick Ilhom Ibodov vigorously again. Rahim Ibodov said he believes his brother Ilhom lost consciousness at this stage. The officers summoned a doctor into the cell to examine Ilhom Ibodov. Rahim called to the doctor, begging her to help his brother. He said she answered: "I will help him once he's dead." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Egypt: Draft Law Bans Independent Civil Society Groups Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Egypt: Draft Law Bans Independent Civil Society Groups, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8eb74.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. A new law drafted by Egypt's parliament would effectively prohibit independent non-governmental groups in the country by subjecting their work and funding to control by government authorities, including powerful security agencies, Human Rights Watch said today. On November 28, the State Council, a judicial body that reviews legislation, approved the draft, paving the way for parliament to send it immediately to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to sign into law. Members of parliament wrote and discussed the draft behind closed doors before formally presenting it for debate on November 14, 2016, and approving all 89 articles the following day. "Egypt's parliament is trying to dodge public scrutiny by rushing into force a law that would effectively ban what remains of the country's independent civil society groups," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "If this law passes, it would be a farce to say that Egypt allows 'non-governmental' organizations, since all would be subject to the security agencies' control." Al-Sisi should decline to sign the legislation, and the government should prepare a new draft with input from independent non-governmental organizations that conforms with Egypt's constitution and international law, Human Rights Watch said. Maina Kiai, the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, said on November 23 that the law would "devastate the country's civil society for generations to come and turn it into a government puppet." The draft resembles one proposed by al-Sisi's government in 2014 and shelved after broad criticism, including from Human Rights Watch. This draft goes even further in some respects, raising the maximum prison sentence for violating the law to five years and requiring that a group's work would "agree with the state's plan, development needs and priorities." Parliament apparently ignored a different draft submitted to it by al-Sisi's cabinet in September. That draft contained many of the same onerous provisions but did not provide for prison sentences for violating the law. Parliament's draft law would criminalize a host of broadly-worded activities, including conducting public surveys or field research without government approval, or conducting any work "of a political nature" or "within the scope" of political parties or workers' unions. The draft does not define those terms, leaving them open for interpretation by the authorities. The law would affect 47,000 local and 100 foreign groups working in Egypt, according to government estimates. Nasser Amin, a member of the quasi-governmental National Council for Human Rights, called the draft "disastrous." The Law on Civil Societies and Foundations and Other Entities Working in the Civil Sphere, as the current draft is called, comes at a time when Egyptian authorities are investigating dozens of independent human rights groups on allegations that they illegally received foreign funding, a crime under article 78 of the penal code, which al-Sisi amended in 2014 to carry a possible 25-year sentence. A Cairo criminal court presiding over the politically motivated investigation, which targets human rights groups critical of the government, froze the assets of three groups and five human rights defenders in September. The authorities have also banned more than a dozen prominent human rights defenders from leaving the country, a likely prelude to filing criminal charges. In November alone, three human rights defenders were told by Cairo International Airport authorities that they could not travel: human rights lawyer Ahmed Ragheb, women's rights defender Azza Soliman, and anti-torture activist Aida Seif al-Dawla. Dr. al-Dawla cofounded the Nadeem Center for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture, which was ordered to shut down in February. The government froze its assets earlier in November. Dr. al-Dawla received the top Human Rights Watch honor in 2004. Parliament's law would forbid nongovernmental groups from working without permission in government-defined "border areas," including parts of the Sinai Peninsula where the government has conducted an abusive counterterrorism campaign, and the southern border with Sudan, where Nubian groups have protested for the right to return to their ancestral lands. The government's refusal since 2013 to allow most journalists or any human rights groups into North Sinai, where much of the fighting has taken place, has made it extremely difficult to determine whether the armed forces are adhering to international law. The law would create a 10-member government regulatory committee, the "National Regulatory Agency for the Work of Foreign Nongovernmental Organizations," which would have the authority to examine field research before it is published and to approve any agreements between local and foreign groups, including the receipt of funds. The agency would include representatives from the Defense and Interior Ministries as well as the General Intelligence Service, Egypt's top spy agency. The draft law would require groups to apply to the regulatory agency for permission to receive foreign funding. Unlike the current law on associations, which dates to 2002, a lack of response from the regulatory agency within 60 days would be considered a denial, not an approval. The law also would subject groups' bank accounts to Central Bank supervision and ban groups from sending money outside Egypt without approval from the regulatory agency. Agency representatives would have the right to inspect a group's work and funds at any time and to ask a court to dissolve the group, suspend its work for a year, or replace its board if it violates any of the funding rules. Any violation would be punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 1,000,000 Egyptian pounds (US$65,000). Any group that does not register under the new law within six months would be automatically dissolved. Since 2013, when al-Sisi led the military overthrow of Mohamed Morsy, Egypt's first freely elected president, the authorities have prosecuted thousands of people for peaceful opposition to the government, including for protesting, mocking al-Sisi and his policies, or advocating better detention conditions. Under al-Sisi, prosecutors have interpreted a wide range of activities protected under the Egyptian constitution and international law as threats to national security and have filed charges against people solely for belonging to opposition movements. The draft's criminalization of work or research that harms "national security, national unity, public order or public morals" without narrowly defining those terms in line with international law would allow authorities to use the proposed law to file charges against almost any group, Human Rights Watch said. Article 75 of Egypt's constitution states that "[a]ll citizens shall have the right to form non-governmental associations and foundations on a democratic basis, which shall acquire legal personality upon notification. Such associations and foundations shall have the right to practice their activities freely, and administrative agencies may not interfere in their affairs or dissolve them, or dissolve their boards of directors or boards of trustees save by a court judgment." Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and article 10 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, both of which Egypt has ratified, protect the right to freedom of association. Under the ICCPR, Egypt may only limit this right through regulations "prescribed by law and that are necessary in a democratic society." Any limitation should respond to a pressing public need and reflect basic democratic values of pluralism and tolerance. "Necessary" restrictions must also be proportionate that is, carefully balanced against the specific reason for imposing the restriction and not discriminatory, including on the grounds of national origin, political opinion, or belief. No restriction should undermine the essence of the right to freedom of association itself. During Egypt's Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2015, Egypt's delegation accepted recommendations to issue a new associations law that would "fully guarantee to the civil society a set of rights in conformity with international standards," and to "fully implement its international obligations to ensure the protection of human rights defenders and other civil society actors." "It is absolutely essential for President al-Sisi to reject this strong-arm maneuver by parliament and assert his prerogative to draft a new law with input from Egyptian organizations," Whitson said. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Uganda: Investigate Killings in Rwenzori Region Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Uganda: Investigate Killings in Rwenzori Region, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d8f324.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Ugandan authorities should investigate the conduct of security forces in response to recent clashes in western Uganda, Human Rights Watch said today. Security forces killed dozens of people and arrested at least 139 during violence on November 26 and 27, 2016, in the town of Kasese between Royal Guards of the region's cultural kingdom, Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu (Bakonzo), and government forces. Many details of the violence, including the total death toll, remain unclear. Police have stated that 46 Royal Guards were killed and 139 others arrested following attacks on several police stations on November 26, during which at least 14 police officers were killed. The king was also arrested on November 27, and eventually transferred to Nalufenya police post in Jinja, Eastern Uganda, where he is still being held. Police have not yet said what, if any, charges will be brought against him. There is no independent corroboration of affiliation or total number of those killed. "The events on November 26 and 27 are yet another tragic loss of life in the Rwenzori region, which has already suffered many deaths," said Maria Burnett, associate Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "The government needs to investigate and put equal effort into prosecuting crimes by both sides, including government security or intelligence forces, and address grievances in the community, or the violence in the region may ignite again." Photographs of what appeared to be dead bodies, some of men with their hands tied behind their backs, circulated on social media on November 27. Police have blocked access to the area around the palace in Kasese and families are not being permitted to collect bodies. Police also arrested a prominent journalist, Joy Doreen Biira, and charged her with "abetting terrorism," then released her. Police allege she was not permitted to photograph some events during the violence. Journalists should be able to report on events of public interest without fear of arrest or intimidation from state forces, Human Rights Watch said. The Rwenzori region in western Uganda is the site of past violence. A Human Rights Watch investigation found that between February and April, 2016, members of the Bakonzo and Bamba ethnic groups clashed following contested local elections and political infighting, resulting in at least 30 deaths. During the subsequent law enforcement operations, the Ugandan police and military killed at least 17 people. One police officer and two soldiers were also killed. For example, on March 10, a group allegedly from the Bakonzo ethnic group attacked soldiers in Hima Town Council, stabbing and injuring four. In response, the soldiers fatally shot two people. The clashes in Hima led to at least four more incidents between the government and Royal Guards, resulting in the deaths of six Royal Guards, three government security forces, and one person not affiliated with either security force. Footage of some of those events was shared widely on social media. Royal Guards are volunteers who provide security to the customary king. In the wake of the violence earlier this year, Human Rights Watch wrote to the inspector general of police, urging him to order investigations into the killings of at least 50 people, including 17 killed by security forces. The inspector general has not replied. In July 2014, local media reports suggested that after members of the Bakonzo ethnic group attacked police and army posts, government security forces killed at least 100 people in reprisal killings. Human Rights Watch raised concerns about the possible involvement of government forces in reprisal attacks and torture, and the limited protection for civilians in the following days. There has been little or no investigation of the conduct of government forces in these violent episodes or into the arrests of hundreds of civilians, some of whom have faced trial before military courts, Human Rights Watch said. Some government officials, including a parliamentary committee on defense and internal affairs, and the Uganda Human Rights Commission, have conducted investigations that are understood to have been completed earlier in 2016, but their reports have not been made public and it is not clear if they will be. Some leaders from the community said in a letter to President Yoweri Museveni in July 2014, that they have numerous concerns that the government is failing to address, including land conflicts and high unemployment rates among Bakonzo people. All those arrested should be brought before a court of law within 48 hours or released, and everyone, including government troops and their commanders, should face investigations into their conduct that led to the deaths, Human Rights Watch said. The prosecuting authorities should investigate all instances of lethal use of force by security forces. The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials require law enforcement officials, including military units responding to national emergencies, to apply nonviolent means before resorting to force, to use force only in proportion to the seriousness of the offense, and to use lethal force only when strictly unavoidable to protect life. The principles also provide that governments shall ensure that arbitrary or abusive use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials is punished as a criminal offense under their law. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Kazakhstan: 2 Activists Sentenced to 5 Years Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Kazakhstan: 2 Activists Sentenced to 5 Years, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d972b4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The convictions and five-year sentences on November 28, 2016, for two Kazakhstan activists for exercising their right to peaceful protest is a miscarriage of justice, Human Rights Watch said today. A court in Atyrau, western Kazakhstan, found Maks Bokaev and Talgat Ayan guilty of inciting social discord, spreading knowingly false information, and violating the law regulating public assemblies. In addition to the prison terms, the court banned each from engaging in civic activities for three years after their release and fined them approximately US$1,500. "Jailing Bokaev and Ayan for nothing more than peacefully expressing dissenting views is an outrageous miscarriage of justice," said Mihra Rittmann, Europe and Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Maks Bokaev and Talgat Ayan should be freed immediately." Bokaev, 43, is a well-known activist, outspoken on a range of issues, including human rights and the environment. He is a member of the Atyrau regional National Preventive Mechanism, a torture prevention monitoring group under Kazakhstan's Office of the Ombudsman. Ayan, 32, is another Atyrau-based activist and lawyer who has actively opposed government-proposed amendments to the land code. Bokaev and Ayan had sought permission for a protest on April 24, in Atyrau, against changes to the land code, including the proposal to increase from 10 to 25 years the time for which foreigners could lease land in Kazakhstan. Local authorities denied them permission, but hundreds of people including Bokaev and Ayan gathered that day on Atyrau's central Isatai-Makhambet square. It was one of the largest protests in Kazakhstan in recent years. Police aggressively responded to efforts by activists to organize subsequent protests on May 21 in other cities in Kazakhstan. In mid-May, over two dozen activists, including Bokaev and Ayan, were detained on administrative charges. On May 21, the police rounded up and held hundreds more people who tried to protest. The prosecution of Bokaev and Ayan began on October 12, in Atyrau. Erlan Kaliev, a monitor for the nongovernmental group, the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, who attended the whole trial, told Human Rights Watch that he documented procedural violations, and that the trial did not meet international fair trial standards. The judge denied defense motions to summon witnesses to appear in court, refused the defense request to keep a written record of court proceedings, and had ordered the trial to be heard on its merits before reviewing a complaint regarding Ayan's detention, in violation of Kazakhstan's criminal procedural code. The judge also denied several defense motions to recuse herself, including for showing bias against the defendants. Kaliev told Human Rights Watch that the prosecution's case relied on state-commissioned expert analyses of Bokaev's and Ayan's statements, including in social media, and the decision by the Atyrau city mayor's office to deny permission to hold a protest on April 24, but that the prosecutor did not show any hard evidence of criminal wrongdoing by either defendant. The United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, prepared a legal assessment on the activists' case, noting that "should the organizers [of a peaceful protest] fail to notify the authoritiesthe organizers should not be subject to criminal sanctions, or administrative sanctions, resulting in fines or imprisonment." Kiai also noted that "It isof utmost importance for the court, especially in a context of assemblies, to scrutinize criminal charges to avoid the punishment of the exercise of rights protected by international law, such as the right to freedom of peaceful assembly." Earlier, Kiai, following his visit to Kazakhstan in January 2015, concluded that the manner in which the government regulates peaceful assembly in Kazakhstan "deprives the right of its meaning." International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, have called for the activists' immediate release. Kazakhstan's international partners should remind Astana that neither participating in peaceful protest, nor expressing a dissenting opinion is a crime, and similarly urge the Kazakh government to release Bokaev and Ayan immediately. "Authorities should put an end to their misguided and punitive approach to public assembly and recognize the fundamental right to gather and peacefully express one's views," Rittmann said. "Bokaev and Ayan shouldn't have to spend even one more day locked up." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Jordan: New Government Should Fulfill Rights Agenda Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Jordan: New Government Should Fulfill Rights Agenda, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d979a4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Jordan should build on the momentum of recent parliamentary elections by enacting human rights reforms, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki. The new government should halt efforts to restrict independent groups, ensure media freedom, ensure protection for vulnerable refugees, and end discrimination against women. "Jordan's peaceful election of a new parliament should be accompanied by important human rights reforms that protect the ability of citizens to express their views and advocate change," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Moves to restrict the activities of independent groups and limit the ability of the news media to do their job overshadow the progress Jordan has made on issues such as expanding access to education for Syrian refugee children." On September 20, 2016, Jordan elected a lower house of parliament under a new list-based system meant to encourage the formation of coalitions and shared platforms. Women won 20 seats out of 130, including 5 outside of the 15 required under a women's minimum. Jordan's largest opposition party, the Muslim Brotherhood's Islamic Action Front, participated for the first time since 2007, winning 15 seats along with its coalition partners. On September 25, King Abdullah reappointed al-Mulki, who has served as prime minister since May, and he assembled a new cabinet. In his instructions to al-Mulki, King Abdullah said he should address issues that include the need to improve the country's economy, increase cooperation with the judiciary, and strengthen the rule of law. The instructions also call on the new cabinet to fulfill commitments under the Comprehensive National Plan on Human Rights issued in March and to create partnerships with nongovernmental organizations. Human Rights Watch urged al-Mulki to scrap proposed far-reaching changes to the country's 2008 associations law that would severely hamper the ability of nongovernmental organizations to form and operate. The proposed amendments would place onerous restrictions on the formation of independent groups, grant the government legal authority to dissolve groups on vague grounds, or bar them from accepting foreign funding without government authorization, and appear to violate international human rights law protections on the right to free association. Human Rights Watch also called attention to developments that threaten the ability of journalists to report on pertinent public issues and events and are likely to lead to greater self-censorship. Jordan has increasingly relied on media gag orders during 2016, to prevent public reporting on sensitive issues. Topics covered by gag orders have included: a complaint by orphans and children without parents against the Social Development Ministry; an assault on an Egyptian worker in Jordan; a security operation in the northern town of Irbid in March in which seven militants and one policeman were killed; an attack on a General Intelligence Directorate (GID) office north of Amman that led to four deaths; and the cases of Amjad Qourshah and Nahed Hattar, both of whom faced charges for peacefully expressing their views. Hattar was later murdered by a lone gunman on September 25, as he entered an Amman court. Human Rights Watch also expressed concern about the increasing obstacles since August 2015 facing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip seeking to transit through Jordan to reach third countries for employment, medical care, educational opportunities, or family unification. Al-Mulki should work to end discrimination against women by proposing changes to the country's nationality law that would allow Jordanian women to pass nationality to their children, Human Rights Watch said. As an interim measure, al-Mulki should fully implement promised "privileges" for non-citizen children of Jordanian women announced in late 2014. These privileges include free education and access to health services in government institutions at lower prices, as well as special ID cards and drivers' licenses. They also allow non-citizen children to own property and obtain professional employment in sectors reserved only for Jordanian citizens if no Jordanian applies for the position. Human Rights Watch commended Jordanian efforts to improve the livelihoods of Syrian refugees by granting new legal work opportunities as well as to promote economic growth in Jordan. Human Rights Watch also commended the steps taken to improve access to education for Syrian refugees such as relaxing documentation requirements, doubling the number of schools operating "double shifts" to create spaces for up to 50,000 more Syrian students, and establishing a "catch-up" program to reach another 25,000 children ages 8 to 12, who have been out of school for three or more years. Despite these efforts, challenges remain. About 70,000 Syrians are trapped at remote locations along an earthen mound or berm along Jordan's northeastern border with Syria. On June 21, when a suicide car bomb attack on a Jordanian military base near Rukban killed seven Jordanian soldiers and security officers, authorities declared the Jordan-Syria border a closed military zone and halted aid other than water to the Syrians at the berm for five months. Aid resumed at a new distribution point on November 22, but Jordan should ensure that this aid reaches the most vulnerable refugees stranded along the border, Human Rights Watch said. But, more fundamentally, Jordan should respect the principle of nonrefoulement and not expose asylum seekers to the threat of serious harm by rejecting them at its border. "Jordan's new government has a green light to pursue necessary reforms over the coming years, and it should not let this excellent opportunity go to waste," Whitson said. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Iraq: Airstrike Hits Clinic, 8 Civilians Died Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Iraq: Airstrike Hits Clinic, 8 Civilians Died, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d985d4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. An airstrike targeting Islamic State, also known as ISIS, fighters hit a clinic south of Mosul on October 18, 2016, Human Rights Watch said today. The attack destroyed half the clinic, killed eight civilians, and wounded at least two more. Two ISIS fighters and the ISIS transport minister were also killed, a witness told Human Rights Watch. A healthcare worker said ISIS fighters had forcibly taken over an office at the clinic and were holding meetings there regularly, putting civilians at risk of attack. "ISIS fighters' despicable positioning inside a protected health facility south of Mosul put civilians, including patients, at risk and needs to stop immediately," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Forces attacking ISIS should take all necessary measures to minimize harm to civilians, including those that ISIS forces may have placed at risk." Despite the presence of ISIS fighters, to be lawful, those conducting the airstrike would need to have ensured that they targeted military targets only. They also would have been required to issue an effective warning, to take feasible precautions to protect civilians, and to ensure that the result did not disproportionately harm civilians and civilian objects. United States-led coalition and Iraqi forces should conduct an impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident to establish who was responsible and whether it was lawful and to compensate victims if it was not, Human Rights Watch said. On October 17, the Iraqi central government and Kurdistan Regional Government authorities, with the support of an international coalition, began military operations to retake Mosul, and surrounding areas. On October 18, without warning, an airstrike hit the local clinic in the town of Hammam al-Alil, 30 kilometers southeast of Mosul, which was under ISIS control, according to a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs official, three healthcare workers, and a local official. The healthcare workers said that the attack, at about 9:30 a.m., killed at least eight civilians, including five children, and wounded at least two more. Both the US-led coalition and the Iraqi military are conducting airstrikes in the battle against ISIS. Human Rights Watch was unable to identify the source of the attack. The clinic, established in 2005, is the main healthcare facility in the area, serving about 70,000 civilians in the town and neighboring villages. The single-story building had 15 rooms that included maternity, x-ray ward, vaccination wards, a dental unit, and a laboratory. Because of the damage from the attack, the clinic has had to move to another building. One healthcare worker said that in July 2014, when ISIS took control of the town, fighters came to the clinic and told him to move his office, off one of the treatment wards, to another room about 15 meters away. The fighters set up an office in his previous office, frequently meeting there. On October 18, according to the three healthcare workers, an airstrike hit the room ISIS was using. An ambulance driver at the clinic said that he saw the bodies of three ISIS fighters killed in the attack, including the ISIS transport minister, who also appeared to be a fighter. The ambulance driver saw one high-level ISIS commander leave the building 15 minutes before the strike but the driver brought his body back to the clinic from the neighboring village of al-Shura after an airstrike killed him there the next day. One healthcare worker said that at the time of the strike, the clinic had about 50 patients. He was in his office when a blast threw him to the ground. The room fell dark and he could feel dust in the air. It took him about two minutes before he was able to get up and walk out. "When I got out I saw that the left wing of the clinic, only about 15 meters from my office, was completely destroyed," he said. "I started walking without knowing where to go, but suddenly found myself in the neighborhood mosque. I saw at least two dead bodies as I walked. After 10 minutes in the mosque I turned back to the clinic, but saw that more ISIS fighters had arrived at the clinic and were firing bullets in the air so I left." Among the dead was a 72-year-old man and his two grandsons, aged 6 and 7, whom he had taken to the hospital for polio vaccinations, healthcare workers said. In the same ward, they said, a nurse was killed and another was wounded, with a metal fragment to her shoulder. Three more children were killed in the treatment ward adjacent to the ISIS office. A young man who ran a small convenience store at the entrance of the clinic was also killed. The clinic's pharmacist's leg was broken. The healthcare workers said that more than half of the clinic was destroyed, including the x-ray department, vaccination division, and human resources and administrative departments. Under the laws of war applicable to the armed conflict in Iraq, hospitals and other medical facilities receive special protection. Medical facilities remain protected from attack unless they are used to commit acts "harmful to the enemy" outside their humanitarian function. Such acts do not include medical treatment of enemy fighters, which all medical personnel should be able to provide without fear of being targeted in an attack. Even when medical facilities are used for acts harmful to the enemy, they are only subject to attack after a warning has been given setting a reasonable time limit and after the warning has gone unheeded. Armed forces or groups should not occupy medical facilities. All forces in the conflict, including those engaged in bombing, are obligated under the laws of war to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians. Attacks that are indiscriminate because they fail to distinguish between combatants and civilians are prohibited, as are attacks that are disproportionate because the anticipated civilian harm is excessive compared with the expected military gain. This is not the first time ISIS fighters have positioned themselves inside medical facilities in Iraq. ISIS fighters had been occupying the second floor of Fallujah General Hospital for several months before an airstrike hit the hospital at 8 p.m. on May 25, without warning. The attack damaged the emergency room and other parts of the facility. Local doctors told Human Rights Watch that ISIS also has offices in clinics in Qayyarah, 60 kilometers south of Mosul, and Jadah, 65 kilometers south of Mosul, when they controlled those towns. A senior healthcare worker at the Hammam al-Alil clinic told Human Rights Watch that doctors at various Mosul facilities told him that ISIS has offices in all the facilities they work in the Republican, Ibn Sina, al-Salam, and Mosul General Hospitals. All parties to the conflict should ensure that medical facilities are protected from attacks or interference by third parties and take meaningful steps to prevent the military occupation of hospitals. Under international human rights law, attacks on health facilities, workers, or transport vehicles may impede the right of access to health care and the right to the highest attainable standard of health. In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly passed a landmark resolution urging member countries to take immediate steps to ensure that health workers everywhere are protected from violence. "ISIS's repeated use of hospitals for military purposes in Mosul and elsewhere in Iraq is a cynical and unlawful act that means coalition and Iraqi forces need to ensure heightened care in their attacks," Fakih said. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Haiti: Stateless People Trapped in Poverty Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Haiti: Stateless People Trapped in Poverty, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d98c44.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Pregnant women and young children, many stripped of their Dominican citizenship before being pushed across the border into Haiti, are living in deplorable conditions, Human Rights Watch said today. They are among thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent who, since mid-2015, have been forced to leave the country of their birth, including through abusive summary deportations by the Dominican government. "Not only have many been deprived of their right to nationality, they are not getting the assistance they so desperately need," said Skye Wheeler, women's rights emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Neither the Haitian nor the Dominican government is helping some of the most vulnerable undocumented people." As of November 3, 2016, almost 150,000 Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent have entered Haiti since mid-2015, according to the International Organization for Migration. After a court ruling in 2013 that retroactively stripped tens of thousands of people of Dominican citizenship, the government paused deportations while it worked to mitigate that ruling's impact and register people with irregular migration status. Those registration efforts were badly flawed, but the Dominican government resumed deportations to Haiti in July 2015. Although some deportees were migrants without valid claims to stay in the Dominican Republic, others were Dominicans of Haitian descent, including some who were summarily deported and others who left in the belief that their deportation was inevitable, regardless of the strength of their claims to Dominican citizenship. No government or agency has tracked where most of these people have settled in Haiti. However, at least 3,000 of the poorest have lived in camps near the southern Haitian town of Anse-a-Pitres where many still live, struggling to find enough to eat. People live there in makeshift shelters of cardboard and stitched-together clothing. Although Hurricane Matthew hit other areas of Haiti harder, the flimsy shelters of the camps could not withstand the flooding from the October 4, 2016, storm. Nongovernmental groups have called access to water and sanitation in the camps "deplorable." Local government officials told Human Rights Watch they have not received any extra funds from the central government to support the camp residents. Human Rights Watch visited the Anse-a-Pitres camps in September to research availability of reproductive health care, as it has done in other camp settings in Haiti. Human Rights Watch interviewed 18 women and girls who were pregnant or had recently given birth and found that many could not afford or otherwise access basic care. Human Rights Watch also interviewed local aid workers, local government officials, medical officials, and representatives of nongovernmental groups. In 2015, Human Rights Watch found that the Dominican government's efforts to ameliorate the 2013 court ruling, while helpful in principle, were flawed in practice. Undocumented Dominicans of Haitian descent now in Haiti, including many children, whose nationality was taken away, have no clear, accessible path to establish their lawful claims to Dominican citizenship, leaving many stateless in violation of their right to nationality. The Haitian government, including the new administration following the November 20 elections, should address the problem and make clear the options for these stateless people to stay in Haiti and get Haitian citizenship and whether they can still protect their claims to Dominican nationality, as well as the Haitian government's commitment to work to facilitate either choice The arrival of thousands of people in Anse-a-Pitres increased demand for scarce resources in a region that was already short of food. The Haitian government and international donors should find ways to respond to these increased needs, including by supporting the increased availability of reproductive health care for women, which is harder to find in the town and surrounding areas compared to other parts of Haiti. Women interviewed said they had to bribe or beg Dominican guards to allow them to cross the border into the Dominican Republic for essential care, such as caesarean sections and sonographies that are not available in the Haitian town. And none were sleeping under a mosquito net, despite widespread malaria, which is especially dangerous to pregnant women, and now the Zika virus, which can impair fetal development. "Women forced out of the Dominican Republic repeatedly said that they had had better access to maternal care back home," Wheeler said. "Almost all living in the camps also said that they were constantly hungry, especially when pregnant." Six of the women Human Rights Watch interviewed had been deported by Dominican officials, apparently arbitrarily. They said that uniformed officials they thought were immigration officers did not make even cursory attempts to determine whether they should be deported, aside from checking whether they had national identity or work documents, and some were not even asked their names. All had been separated from some of their children for days or weeks after they crossed the border and had no legal recourse or opportunity to challenge the deportations before a judge. The Haitian government, and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has a statelessness mandate as well as a refugee one, should establish a helpline or accessible information desks for people looking for assistance with their nationality. The Haitian government should work with the Dominican government to normalize migration between the two countries. Haitians also need reliable access to Haitian identity documents. The Dominican government should immediately restore the full nationality of all those affected by the 2013 ruling, find a way to ensure all children born in the country before January 26, 2010, have access to civil registries, and issue corresponding documents to ensure they are protected from arbitrary expulsion to Haiti. The Dominican government should also actively find and recognize as Dominican the denationalized citizens in Haiti, allow them to promptly move back to the Dominican Republic, and issue corresponding documents. Any obstacles preventing birth registration by Dominican parents of Haitian heritage should be lifted. The Dominican Republic should immediately end arbitrary deportations, and ensure that all lawful deportations are carried out in a manner that respects the rights of those concerned. Deportations should be assessed on an individual basis, and anyone deported should be provided with a copy of the deportation order and the opportunity to challenge it before an independent court of law that can suspend it. Deportations should do no harm to family unity. Human Rights Watch also found that the International Organization for Migration and UNHCR, both of which have important mandates to assist people in this situation, reduced their monitoring of the population movement across the border in mid-2016, including abusive deportations, at least in part because of funding shortages. In September, UNHCR had only been able to help return five Dominicans to the Dominican Republic out of what it believes to be thousands with legitimate claims, again in part because of funding shortfalls. "The arbitrary removal of citizenship of thousands of Dominicans has led to unnecessary suffering and yet no effective steps are being taken to try and rectify the situation," Wheeler said. Deportation and Statelessness In 2013, a Dominican court stripped tens of thousands of children of undocumented Haitian workers in the Dominican Republic of their Dominican citizenship, based on a retroactive reinterpretation of the country's nationality law. The changes were widely condemned and called discriminatory and an "arbitrary deprivation of nationality" by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. UNHCR expressed concern about the statelessness created by the decision. In 2014, the Dominican government passed a law intended to ameliorate the impact of that decision by allowing those affected to secure their citizenship rights. However, a 2015 report by Human Rights Watch found that efforts by the Dominican government to carry out that law were badly flawed, leaving tens of thousands of Dominicans stripped of their nationality. Government agencies refused to restore full citizenship to many people who had already been registered with the government as citizens before the ruling. The 2014 law created a registration process for these Dominicans who had never registered, or who had never been registered when babies, but tens of thousands were blocked by too-short deadlines and often unworkable bureaucratic obstacles. Officials and police heavily profiled people of Haitian descent, and deported many summarily. The Dominican government admitted that over 44,000 Dominicans had been unable to register, and nongovernmental groups believe the number may be higher. Some of the women Human Rights Watch interviewed in Haiti said they had been unable to navigate the registration process and were summarily deported or felt that they had no choice but to leave the country. C.P., 29, was born in the Dominican Republic. She did not register under the 2014 process, she said, because: "All I saw were people like me being maltreated, so I didn't try to register." Dominican officers wearing a uniform she did not recognize deported her in mid-2015. She said that she was not given any opportunity to appeal and was deported the same day. No one took her name or gave her any paperwork during the deportation. "I didn't have any clothes except what I was wearing, or anything for the baby," she said. N.B., 37, was also born in the Dominican Republic. She said that her half-sister tried to help her register. "It was hopeless," she said. "The officers asked a lot of questions, said we had to find the midwife who cut my umbilical cord, or get someone well-known in the village to come and vouch that I was born there." She was deported in mid-2015 by men she described as being "from immigration." She said that she was not provided with any paperwork, and was deported the same day, without any opportunity to appeal. "They just asked: 'Do you have papers?' and when I said 'No', they said, 'Get in the truck.'" Other women said they were unable to register their children because they themselves lacked identification documents. Many did not understand the registration process or assumed they couldn't afford to register. Women also faced problems in registering their Dominican-born children because they did not have birth certificates for them. This is consistent with what Human Rights Watch found in 2015, when researchers identified 59 people who were unable to register the births of their children because the parents had documentation problems or because officials refused. G.J., 38, lived in the Dominican Republic for 22 years as a plantation worker. All of her nine children were born there, the first when she was 15. But none of her children have Dominican birth certificates. "There was no way to register their births as we did not have papers," she said. Since she was deported in 2015 G.J. has obtained Haitian birth certificates for her children so they can attend school. The birth certificates incorrectly state that the children were born in Haiti. She had to sneak back into the Dominican Republic to pick up five of her children who had remained there when she was deported, and bring them to a camp at Anse-a-Pitres. In Anse-a-Pitres anyone who has Haitian parents can get a birth certificate from a local registrar. In part because children need to have a birth certificate to register for school, many parents have sought this documentation even if their child has a claim to Dominican nationality. Others have managed to get Haitian birth certificates for children that list the Dominican Republic as the place of birth. It's not clear whether these children may face administrative hurdles later in life, or even statelessness, if they try to get a Haitian national ID when they reach 18. Haitian law banned dual citizenship until 2012, when a law was passed to allow it. However, it is unclear whether children born before the law was passed can have dual nationalities, or can claim Haitian nationality if they are in fact Dominican. I.N, 27, had lived in the Dominican Republic since she was 12. She had four children, all born in the Dominican Republic, but none of their births were registered there. "My children's father was a Dominican man," she said. "But it was too complex to get them registered as it would have had to be him to do it, and he already had a wife and other children and was unwilling." I.N. left in mid-2015, fearing deportation. I.N.'s children, some whom live in Haiti and some with her relatives in the Dominican Republic, still lack any papers to establish their citizenship. Of the six women who said they had been summarily deported, five said that they were deported while holding their babies. All six were separated from at least some of their children during the deportation process, in one case for about two weeks. A.A., 30, was born in Haiti but had been living in the Dominican Republic for 21 years without registering as a migrant. She said that men she thought were immigration agents took her by truck with her baby to somewhere near the Ajimani border point, then ordered her to get out of the truck and walk across the border. "It was hard," she said. "The baby was crying, we were hungry and I did not even know really where they had taken us." A lack of national documentation is not only a problem for people who have been living in the Dominican Republic. Between one million and two million Haitians may be undocumented, according to the UNHCR. Independent border monitors, funded by the International Organization for Migration, have documented 149,493 people crossing the border into Haiti since deportations re-started in mid-2015. Of these, 32,211 had been officially deported by Dominican officials, 25,819 more told monitors they had been unofficially deported, and more than 91,000 people were registered as having left the Dominican Republic "spontaneously." More than 67 percent of those who answered the International Organization for Migration's questionnaire did not have any national identity papers at all, neither Haitian nor from the Dominican Republic. Children, including those who were born in the Dominican Republic before 2010, had to be smuggled over the border to join their mothers in Haiti. They are now stateless or have instead acquired Haitian birth certificates. Access to Reproductive Health Care in Anse-a-Pitres All 18 of the women Human Rights Watch interviewed said that they had worse access to reproductive health care in Haiti than if they had not left the Dominican Republic. Anse-a-Pitres is in a particularly under-resourced region of Haiti. The largest clinic in the area, serving about 32,000 people, has only two full-time doctors, neither a specialist. Because of a lack of staffing, equipment, and medicines, it is unable to perform surgery. It has a new maternity ward, constructed by an international organization, but cannot use it because of a lack of staff. Medical officials and aid workers in the area said they believe that most women in the area give birth at home. Haitian Department of Health Services data from 2012 ranks the Southeast department, the region where Anse-a-Pitres is located, as having one of the highest percentages of at-home births in the country. The closest place in Haiti to get a caesarian section is roughly seven hours away. Many women with labor complications beg or bribe their way across the nearby border to Dominican towns where they can receive care. Several of these women, as well as local women rights activists, described this as "humiliating." Women said they also bribe officials to allow them to cross the border for better prenatal care, including sonograms, not available in Anse-a-Pitres. A nurse with counseling skills who had been stationed in Anse-a-Pitres and left in 2013, said no mental health services are available, including for rape victims, although emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV transmission are available. The Anse-a-Pitres clinic provides free family planning but several of the women and girls said they did not know they could get contraception there. Seeing a doctor is inexpensive (about 25 Haitian gourdes/US$0.38), but many of the camp residents interviewed said that they could not afford medicine, and so did not visit the doctor, even when unwell, or have checkups during their pregnancy. The Haitian government does not provide free drugs. Instead, clinics buy them and then sell them to patients. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) used to provide obstetric medicines and other forms of assistance but has not done so since 2014, a medical official at the clinic said. He said that the clinic has severe shortages of drugs, including of basic antibiotics, and has not received significant government or other support since mid-2015. All the women interviewed said that they often experienced severe hunger during their pregnancies, sometimes eating only once a day or every two days. No systematic food aid is provided to the camp residents, including to babies, and there is no maternal feeding program. None of the women could afford vitamins to take during their pregnancy. The International Organization for Migration provided about 580 families living in these camps with rent and cash support for a year in April 2016, in an effort to clear the camps. Women who received the assistance said that their families' lives had improved since they relocated. Other families have returned to the camps, or were never registered for the assistance and are not able now to get any support. Aid organizations and government agencies stopped providing even intermittent aid to the camps in May, and it does not appear that any new plans to provide aid are on the horizon. "I went to Dominican Republic for a sonogram, because there's none here," said C.M., 25. "I had to pay 500 pesos for that and I also had to pay a bribe to cross the border because I have no papers. I know that you had to pay to get papers to stay in the Dominican Republic and I had no money. No one explained anything to me, how I was someone [who would have to register to begin the process of nationalization]. It's common in this camp to have to have sex for food or money, I've done it many times, but most often with my current partner." She said she was born in the Dominican Republic but did not register as she did not understand the process or have any documents, and was three months pregnant when she moved into the camp in mid-2015. "I had complications," said N.A., 24. "I went to the clinic in Anse-a-Pitres but they could not help me so I had to bribe 500 pesos to get across the border. And then I had to go on to Baharona because they could not help me in Pedernales and so that was another 4,000 pesos. I am really worried because I borrowed all this money and I have still not paid it back. I have a partner here but it is just an economic thing." She was born in Haiti, and deported from the Dominican Republic when pregnant in mid-2015, after living there for two years. She has been in the camp since June 2015 and is now pregnant again. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Press freedom violations recounted in real time January 2016 Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 28 November 2016 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Press freedom violations recounted in real time January 2016, 28 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d995d4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. 28.11.2016 Photojournalist arrested in Tehran Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns photojournalist and women rights activist Alieh Motalebzadeh's arrest in Tehran. A contributor to the website of the "One Million Signatures" campaign for the repeal of laws that discriminate against women, she was arrested on 26 November after being summoned and interrogated twice at the intelligence ministry, her husband Sadra Abdollahi said. "Plainclothesmen from the intelligence ministry came to the house on 18 October to carry out a search without a warrant," he said yesterday. "They took away all the identity documents and bank cards, including mine and our daughter's. Alieh was summoned to the ministry a week later." After the first interrogation, she wrote to the intelligence ministry objecting to the fact that she had been questioned for six hours. As a result of this letter, she was able to recover some of the confiscated documents. "Yesterday, she responded to an official summons to go and recover the rest of her possessions," Abdollahi added. "But she called her family in the evening to say she had been detained in Evin prison." According to the information obtained by RSF, Motalebzadeh and several other women's rights activitists were summoned and interrogated illegally by intelligence ministry officials after returning from a trip abroad during which they participated in a meeting on women's rights. Before this latest wave of harassment, other women's rights activists, including several journalists, had been summoned and questioned since March. Homa Hoodfar, a university academic with French and Canadian dual nationality, was arrested and charged with spying. After being held for 112 days, she was freed "for humanitarian reasons" the first time that such grounds were given for the release of a female detainee in Iran. ---------- 10.10.2016 - Two journalists released provisionally Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved to learn that two journalists, Sadra Mohghgh and Ehssan Mazndarani, have been released provisionally in the past eight days. Mohghgh, who is responsible for coverage of social issues at the daily newspaper Shargh, was freed on bail on 2 October pending trial. He had been arrested on 19 September. Mazndarani, the editor of the newspaper Farhikhteghan, was released provisionally yesterday so that he could be hospitalized, because his health has worsened as result of being on hunger strike for 18 days. One of several journalists arrested on 2 November 2015, he was given a seven-year jail sentence that was reduced on appeal to two years. His lawyer said he should be granted a proper conditional release. Two other victims of the November 2015 wave of arrests who are still detained, Issa Saharkhiz, the former editor of several reformist newspapers, and Afarin Chitsaz, a journalist with the newspaper Iran, are both ill and are being denied the treatment they need. A week ago, Saharkhiz began his second hunger strike in less than six month in protest against his arrest and continuing detention. He has been in a Tehran hospital since 10 March. ---------- 28.09.2016 - Journalist sentenced to seven months in prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged to learn that Souroush Farhadian, a contributor to several pro-reform newspapers and editor of the bimonthly Ro Beh Ro (Opposite), was sentenced on 23 September to seven months in prison. He has appealed against his conviction. Farhadian was summoned and arrested by prosecutors in the central city of Arak on 15 May as a result of a complaint by "a military entity" and was then released on bail after being charged with anti-government publicity and "activities threatening national security." His lawyer said he was secretly tried in connection with articles denouncing the illegality of the detention of Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister and owner of the now closed newspaper Kalameh Sabaz, Zahra Rahnavard, who is a writer and Mousavi's wife, and Mehdi Karoubi, owner of the now closed newspaper Etemad Melli. Mousavi and Karoubi, who are both also former presidential candidates, have been under house arrest and deprived of all their rights since February 2011. Their state of health is a source of great concern. ---------- 02.09.2016 Website closed after revelations about Tehran city hall corruption The Committee for Determining Content that Constitutes Internet Crime, which is headed by prosecutor-general, ordered the closure of the Memarinews website yesterday, after it published documents about the Tehran city hall's sale of city-owned land and apartments to senior officials and municipal council members. Published on 29 August, the documents included letters from the Government Accounting Office criticizing disparities between the sale price and real value of the properties. Several leading figures, including Tehran mayor (and former Revolutionary Guard commander) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and municipal council president Mehdi Chameran, filed a complaint against Memarinews on the same day that the documents were published. It accused the site of defamation and publishing false information. Memarinews editor Yashar Soltani was summoned before the culture and media court just hours after the revelations. Then, in an open letter to the prosecutor-general yesterday, the mayor requested "a more thorough investigation into the published revelations, used by enemy media within Iran and abroad." He also requested a severe punishment for those responsible the corruption, if any corruption is proved, or otherwise for those responsible for publishing the lies. The decision ordering the website closed until further notice was issued later yesterday. ---------- 29.08.2016 Legislator punches newspaper reporter Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled to learn that Ehssan Bodaghi, a reporter for the newspaper Iran, was assaulted in a corridor of the Iranian parliament yesterday by Nader Ghazipour, a hardline parliamentarian from Orumiyeh, the capital of West Azerbaijan province. When Bodaghi started to ask Ghazipour about the creation of a group of Azeri-speaking parliamentarians, Ghazipour reacted by punching him several times in the face and then dragged him to the office of the parliament's security service. Security officers released Bodaghi an hour later after deleting his audio recordings and making him sign an undertaking "not to start fights." Witnesses of the incident nonetheless said Bodaghi had just put questions to Ghazipour, who responded by accusing him of being "one of the reformers who are against Islam." Ghazipour has a history of violence. During the last parliamentary elections in February, he told a meeting: "Parliament is not a place for women. It is a place for men (...) We did not easily win [this revolution] and get control of the country in order to now send foxes, children or little donkeys to parliament. Parliament is not a place for donkeys." When a video of him making these comments was posted on social networks, it prompted an outcry and calls for him to be declared ineligible. Although he subsequently apologized to the women of Orumiyeh on his Instagram account, he threatened those who had "spied, recorded and posted the video." A few days later, Aina News director Hamed Atai and the journalist who had distributed the video were attacked on a street in Orumiyeh by Ghazipour supporters. ---------- 22.08.2016 - Court upholds decision to flog blogger Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled to learn that an appeal court in the city of Saveh, in central Iran, has upheld a lower court's decision that the Saveh-based journalist and blogger Mohammad Reza Fathi should be flogged because of his posts about city officials. Under the original ruling handed down on 13 April, Fathi was sentenced to 444 lashes (to be administered in six sessions of 74 lashes) on charges of defamation and publishing false information. In its 12 July ruling, the appeal court confirmed the decision to flog Fathi but modified the sentence. It sentenced him to three sessions of 77 lashes for defamation and three sessions of 76 lashes for publishing false information for an increased total of 459 lashes. But the appeal court added that only the second sentence (three sessions of 76 lashes) will be administered in accordance with article 134 of the new Islamic penal code (as amended in 2013), which says that when a defendant is given more than one sentence on criminal charges, only the sentence corresponding to the gravest charge is implemented. RSF again calls on the judicial authorities to overturn this sentence, which is inhumane and medieval, and contrary to international law. Read the entry of 30.06.2016 - Iranian blogger sentenced to 444 lashes ---------- 16.08.2016 - Journalist gets three years, another trial pending Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged to learn that Issa Saharkhiz, a well-known independent journalist who edited several reformist newspapers, wassentenced to a total of three years in prison by a Tehran revolutionary court on 9 August. His lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh-Tabatabaie, said Saharkhiz was given two years on a charge of anti-government propaganda and one year for "insulting Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Revolution's Supreme Leader." Two other pending charges against Saharkhiz publishing false news and insulting the head of the judicial system are to be tried separately as political crimes before a court of assizes, the lawyer added. Saharkhiz was one of several journalists who were arrested on 2 November 2015. He has been in a Tehran hospital since 10 March after suffering a heart attack and going on hunger strike. Often proposed since the 1979 revolution, the controversial law on political crimes was finally adopted by the Iranian parliament in May. This law violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (which Iran has signed) and other international norms. ---------- 18.07.2016 Narges Mohammadi ends hunger strike Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved that imprisoned journalist and human rights defender Narges Mohammadi abandoned her hunger strike on 16 July after being able to talk by phone with her two children, who now live with their father in Paris. RSF is pleased that the judicial authorities allowed this but points out that she should not be in prison, especially as she is in very poor health. RSF was also pleased to learn that Afarin Chitsaz, a journalist held since a wave of arrests on 2 November 2015 , was released on bail of 1 billion toman (720,000 euros) on 5 July pending a decision on his appeal. Two other journalists who were arrested the same day, Ehssan Mazndarani and Saman Safarzai, were each granted three days' furlough on 5 July. Mazndarani had been hospitalized with pulmonary problems after being on hunger strike for more than three weeks. ---------- 08.07.2016 Narges Mohammadi on 12th day of hunger strike Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned about the conditions in which journalist and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi is being detained. She has been on hunger strike since 27 June in protest against her treatment and, in particular, a ban on contacting her husband and children, who live in exile in France. Her state of health is very worrying. "She is continuing her hunger strike although she has to take several medicines every day and has been the victim of convulsions in her cell twice," her husband, Taghi Rahmani, said. A spokesperson of the Centre for Human Rights Defenders (which has been arbitrarily banned in Iran since 2006) and a close aide of Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, Mohammadi has had many spells in prison in connection with her human rights activism. Her current period in detention began when she was arrested on 5 May 2015. She was given a 10-year jail sentence on 18 May 2016. At an event that RSF organized at the Theatre du Rond Point in Paris on 2 May 2016, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo awarded the City of Paris medal to four journalists proposed by RSF. One of them was Mohammadi, who sent a poignant message to the event from her Tehran cell. Her health is in danger but she is being denied the medical treatment she needs. In October 2015, she was taken from prison to a Tehran hospital, where she spent ten days handcuffed to a bed before being returned to prison against medical advice. -------- 30.06.2016 - Iranian blogger sentenced to 444 lashes Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged by the sentence of 444 lashes that a court in the city of Saveh, in central Iran, imposed on Mohammad Reza Fathi, a journalist and blogger, on 9 June. The sentence is to be implemented in six sessions of 74 lashes. Fathi has filed an appeal. RSF urges the judicial authorities to overturn the sentence, which is inhumane and medieval, and contrary to international law. The sentence is the outcome of three complaints filed by local officials, including a legislator, a deputy mayor and 11 members of the Saveh municipal council, about articles critical of the municipal government and local officials that Fathi posted anonymously on his blog, called Radio Saveh (http://www.pooria6.blogfa.com/). Arrested by members of the FTA (Iran's cyber-police) on 5 August 2012, he was released on bail 13 days later pending trial on a charge of "publishing false information with the aim of upsetting public opinion." The trial finally began on 13 April 2015 and concluded with the announcement of the sentence three weeks ago. A number of media outlets and prominent figures have protested against the sentence, some of them in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani. Defending the sentence at a news conference, judicial authority provincial director Ghasem Abdolalhi said flogging was sometimes preferable to imprisonment "because only the culprit feels the consequences, while a jail term also affects the family" and because this form of punishment also satisfied the culprit's victims more. He also pointed out that the sentence could be reduced to a fine on appeal. Fathi was previously arrested in 2005 in connection with his posts in an earlier blog, Savehjam (http://www.savehjam.blogspot.com), criticizing the provincial governor and Saveh's mayor, and a letter he wrote to then President Mohammad Khatami lamenting "the limited ability of officials to accept criticism." After the release of the letter, he was questioned by members of the Edareh Amaken, Iran's vice squad, on 26 March 2005. Nine days later, members of the local police arrested him on the street and held him for three days. Under pressure from the authorities, he finally closed his blog, which had been very popular in his region. ------------- 22.06.2016 - Jail terms for former Iran CEO and three journalists Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the 91-day jail sentences passed on 18 June on Ali Akbar Javanfekr, former CEO of the Iran media group and onetime adviser to controversial former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and three former journalists with the group's pro-government daily Iran, Abdolreza Soltani, Said Yousefipour and Hassan Ghassemi. The pro-Ahmadinejad website Dolat Bahar said a special court for government employees convicted them on 19 May of an "act of rebellion against government agents." Their lawyers have appealed. They were convicted in connection with the events that took place on 21 November 2011, as Javanfekr was holding a news conference at Iran's headquarters to protest against the one-year jail sentence and three-year ban on working as a journalist that a court had given him the day before. Tehran prosecutor's office representatives and police carried a particularly violent raid on the newspaper during the press conference, arresting Javanfekr and using teargas on the Iran journalists who were there to support him. ------ 21.06.2016 Reformist daily Ghanoon suspended Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi's decision yesterday to suspend the reformist daily Ghanoon with immediate effect in response to a complaint by the Revolutionary Guards accusing it of defamation and "publishing false information with the aim of upsetting public opinion." The newspaper's name means "The Law" in Persian. Dolatabadi said the decision was taken under article 114 of the code of criminal procedure, which provides for immediate measures for the "prevention of crime." He did not say what prompted the complaint but Ghanoon often publishes articles critical of the conservative factions that support the Supreme Leader and have the judicial system's support. A Ghanoon article dated 25 May and headlined "The latest change: ministry of intelligence 2" criticized a bill that was approved on the last day of the latest session of parliament, on 25 May. It granted full powers to the Revolutionary Guard intelligence agency, which operates independently of the ministry of intelligence. --------------- 16 June 2016 - Conservative website closed, reformist editor prosecuted Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reiterates its condemnation of government harassment of print and online media outlets following the closure of a conservative news website and the start of judicial proceedings against the editor of a reformist newspaper. The Committee for Press Authorization and Surveillance, the censorship wing of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, closed the conservative Jahannews website on 15 June under paragraph 11 of article 6 of the press code, which bans "spreading rumours and false information and misusing content written by others." The committee did not say which content had caused offence. The site often posts stories critical of the government. In recent months, it posted information about the visits to Iran by Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour, who was killed in a US drone strike in May, and revealed the content of a letter from European Union foreign affairs representative Federica Mogherini to the Iranian foreign minister about problems implementing the international agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. It also revealed information about the dismissal of a member of the Rouhani administration. According to Iranian media reports, both the foreign ministry and the president's office have filed complaints against Jahannews. The reformist daily Ghanon was the victim of a complaint by the prison administration accusing it of publishing false information. On 14 June, the Tehran public prosecutor confirmed that Ghanon editor Mahnaz Mazaheri would be prosecuted over an 11 June article headlined "24 cursed hours" about the mistreatment and injuries that a detainee received in the course of a 24-hour period in a prison in the southern part of the capital. Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor of the ultra-conservative daily Kayhan, was meanwhile questioned by the prosecutor's office for culture and media on 15 June about complaints filed by various government bodies accusing it of publishing false and libellous information. A former interrogator at Tehran's Evin prison, Shariatmadari was appointed as Kayhan's editor by Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei in the early 1990s. ------------- 15.06.2016 Five Internet activists freed conditionally Reporters Without Borders is pleased to learn that five Internet activists who had been held for the past three years Amir Gholestani, Fariborz Kardarfar, Masoud Ghasemkhani, Seyyed Masoud Seyyed Talebi and Amin (Faride) Akramipour were granted conditional releases on 13 June. Gholestani had been due to serve another 12 years in prison, Kardarfar another 10, Ghasemkhani another eight, and Talebi and Akramipour another four. All of them also have suspended sentence of five years prison. This means they will be under judicial control for the next five years and will have to report to a police station every month. Revolutionary Guards arrested them and three others in September 2013 because of their activities on social networks, above all their Facebook posts about human rights abuses. After being placed in solitary confinement in Section 2A of Tehran's Evin prison and subjected to a great deal of pressure, the eight defendants were sentenced to a combined total of 123 years in prison on 27 May 2014 on charges of anti-government propaganda, "insulting what is sacred" and "insulting the Supreme Leader of the Revolution." An appeal court reduced the sentences significantly in April 2015. Two of the other three activists, Naghmeh Shahi Savandi Shirazi and Mehdi Reyshahri, were released in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The third, Roya Saberi Negad Nobakht, is still held. ---------------- 14 June 2016 Kabodvand paroled but Mazndarani back in his cell Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved to learn that imprisoned journalist Mohammad Sedegh Kabodvand ended his hunger strike on 9 June after being acquitted of the new charges brought against him and welcomes the decision by the judicial authorities to grant him four days of medical parole, which began on 12 June. RSF nonetheless points out that Kabodvand should have already been released under article 134 of the new Islamic penal code (as amended in 2013), which recommends that a defendant convicted on more than one criminal charge should serve only the longest sentence. RSF continues to be concerned about the health of Ehssan Mazndarani, an imprisoned journalist who has been on hunger strike since 17 May. According to his family, he was taken back to Tehran's Evin prison on 11 June although he is still refusing to eat and is suffering from pulmonary problems and anxiety attacks. In a joint statement published on 11 June, 76 Iranian journalists called for the immediate release of these two journalists. "We are concerned about the crucial consequences that the hunger strike could have on the lives of these detained journalists and we condemn the violation of their legal and fundamental rights," the statement said. ---------- 07.06.2016 - Concern about two journalists on hunger strike in prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) continues to be concerned about the way the authorities in Tehran's Evin prison are treating Mohammad Sedegh Kabodvand and Ehssan Mazndarani, two journalists who are on hunger strike in protest against the conditions in which they are being held and the injustices to which they have been subjected. Mazndarani has refused to eat since 17 May, according to his family, who were unable to locate him in the prison for several days after he had a heart attack on 21 May. It later turned out that, without telling the family, the prison authorities transferred him to a hospital, where doctors voiced concern about his condition. His family says he was also the victim of violence by a prison guard on the day he was hospitalized. Kabodvand was hospitalized after he, too, had a heart attack on 25 May but was sent back to Evin prison a week later. Doctors say that his condition is critical and that the hunger strike could cost him his life. As there no longer seems to be any limit to the persecution of media personnel in Iran, RSF calls on the authorities to give an immediate undertaking to guarantee the health of these two journalists. RSF also reminds Ahmed Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, that he has a duty to intercede without delay and to demand official explanations from the authorities. --------- 23.05.2016 Alarm over fate of two journalists in Evin prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged by the lack of transparency and denial of justice surrounding the hospitalization of Mohammad Sedegh Kabodvand, a journalist on hunger strike since 8 May in protest against his continuing detention and the judicial harassment to which he has been subjected in recent months Kabodvand was taken to hospital on 21 May after collapsing in his cell in Tehran's Evin prison but, after 24 hours of observation, he was returned to his cell. His family was able to visit him today but he was very weak and was unable to remain standing. He is continuing his hunger strike and his condition is very worrying. Ehssan Mazndarani, another journalist held in Evin prison, has meanwhile disappeared within the prison, according to his wife, Malieh Hossieni. She was told on 17 May that, on the orders of Revolutionary Court Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, he had been transferred back to Section 2A of Evin, a section controlled by the Revolutionary Guards. But Evin prison officials denied this on 20 May without saying where he was. Arrested on 2 November 2015 along with three other journalists, Mazndarani was sentenced to seven years in prison on 26 April . RSF urges Ahmed Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, to intercede quickly and demand official explanations from the Iranian authorities. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is party, denying medical care constitutes a violation of the ban on torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. ---------- 12.05.2016 - Shargh's former political editor released Reporters Without Borders has learned that Keyvan Mehregan, a journalist who writes for reformist newspapers and used to be the daily Shargh's political editor, was released yesterday after serving nine months of a one-year jail term. His wife said a judge granted his conditional release at a Tehran prosecutor's request. Mehregan was arrested when he went to the Tehran passport office to renew his passport on 26 August 2015. From there he was taken to Evin prison's sentence enforcement office, where he was told that he had been sentenced to a year in prison and that he had to begin serving the sentence at once. He had been detained on several previous occasions since 2009. ---------- 09.05.2016 - Two citizen-journalists freed conditionally Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomes the decision taken on 4 May to grant a medical parole to citizen-journalist Hossien Ronaghi Malki in return for bail of 300 million toman (220,000 euros). Malki, who was arrested in December 2010 and is serving a 15-year jail sentence, has undergone several kidney operations and is in very poor health. He began a hunger strike more than a month ago. According to his family, a forensic doctor said his medical problems were incompatible with further detention. The Tehran prosecutor's office therefore obtained for him a suspension of sentence for one month on medical grounds. RSF reminds the judicial authorities that Hossien should already have been released for good under article 134 of the new Islamic criminal code (as amended in 2013), according to which someone convicted of more than one crime serves only the main sentence. RSF has also learned that citizen-journalist Atena Ferghdani was freed conditionally on 3 May following last month's announcement by her lawyer, Mohammad Moghimi, that a Tehran appeal court had reduced her jail sentence from 12 years and nine months to 18 months. She continues to be sentenced to three years in prison on a separate charge of insulting the Supreme Leader but this sentence is now suspended and will expire in four years' time . ---------- 29.04.2016 - Well-known cartoonist freed conditionally Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomes the release of Hadi Heidari, a well-known cartoonist who worked for the daily Shahrvand and ran the Persian Cartoon website. He was freed conditionally in Tehran on 27 April after completing half of a one-year jail sentence. Plainclothesmen from the Tehran prosecutor's office arrested him at Shahrvand on 16 November 2015 and took him to Evin prison, where he managed to inform his family that evening that he had been arrested to serve a prison sentence. ---------- 26.04.2016 Long jail terms for journalists arrested in November Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the heavy jail sentences that have been passed on three journalists who were the victims of a wave of arrests in November. Afarine Chitsaz of the daily Iran, Ehssan Mazndarani, the editor of the daily Farhikhteghan, and Saman Safarzai of the monthly Andisher Poya were sentenced to ten, seven and five years in prison respectively, according to their lawyers, Mahmoud Alizadeh-Tabatabaie and Iman Mirzazadeh. A revolutionary court tried them on 7 March on charges of anti-government propaganda, conspiring against government officials and insulting government officials. They and Issa Saharkhiz, a well-known independent journalist who edited several reformist newspapers in the past, were arrested at their homes by Revolutionary Guard intelligence officers on 2 November. No sentence has been announced for Saharkhiz, who has been in a Tehran hospital since 10 March after going on hunger strike and suffering a heart attack. Iran is still one of the world's five biggest prisons for media personnel and is ranked 169rd out of 180 countriesin the 2016 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. ---------- 25.04.2016 Court reduces citizen-journalist's 12-year sentence Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved to learn that an appeal court has reduced the sentence imposed on citizen-journalist and human rights defender Atena Ferghdani, and that she is now due to be freed next month. RSF nonetheless calls for her immediate release because she is the innocent victim of judicial persecution. Her lawyer, Mohammad Moghimi, told journalists today that a Tehran appeal court had reduced her jail sentence from 12 years and nine months to 18 months, and that she should therefore be able to leave prison on 11 May. "The appeal court acquitted her on the charge of plotting against the regime and ordered a four-year suspension of her sentence for insulting the Supreme Leader, while her sentence for insulting Iran's President and the guards of Section A2 of Evin prison was commuted to a fine," he said. The only sentence upheld by the court was the 18-month jail term for anti-government propaganda, he added. Ferghdani was arrested on 11 January 2015 when she responded to a summons from a Tehran revolutionary court for posting a video on Facebook and YouTube the previous month. In the video she had described her experiences in Section 2A of Evin prison a section controlled by Revolutionary Guards after a previous arrest in August 2014. ---------- 07.04.2016 - Two journalists freed Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved by this week's release of two journalists citizen-journalist Vahid Asghari on 4 April and professional journalist Said Razavi Faghih on 6 April. A young information technology student arrested on 11 May 2008 at Tehran's main international airport,Asghari was sentenced to death twice by a revolutionary court on charges of "publishing false information with the aim of stirring up public opinion," "activities threatening national security" and "hosting anti-Islamic and counter-revolutionary websites and collaborating with foreign media." After an international outcry, the death sentence was quashed and, on 6 December 2012, another revolutionary court gave him an 18-year jail sentence, which a Tehran appeal court reduced to 15 years two months later. Asghari has various ailments including Carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve in the hand and forearm). He spent seven months in solitary confinement and was mistreated and tortured. In a letter to the presiding judge of one of the revolutionary courts on 17 October 2009, he gave a detailed description of the horrific interrogation sessions to which he was subjected. Faghih used to work for various newspapers including Yass-e No, which the authorities closed in 2009. Arrested on 24 February 2014, he should have been released on completing a one-year sentence in March 2015 but he was given a new sentence of three and a half years in prison on charges of anti-government publicity and insulting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Assembly of Experts. He suffers from various renal and cardio-vascular ailments and underwent a heart operation in January 2015, following which he was returned to Rajaishah prison. He began a hunger strike on 27 March in protest against the way he was being treated and was released ten days later. ---------- 29.03.2016 Two journalists freed pending trial Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has learned that the journalist Hassan Shikhaghai was released on bail on 15 December, pending trial. The editor of Ruwange, a news website based in Mahabad, in the northwestern province of Kurdistan, he was arrested on 7 October 2015 by plainclothesmen at the Mahabad revolutionary court's behest. RSF has also been told that Farzad Pourmoradi, a journalist based in the western province of Kermanshah who works for the Kermanshah Post, has also been released pending trial. He had to pay 90 million toman (70,000 euros) in bail. Revolutionary Guard plainclothesmen raided his home and arrested him on 2 November after he created a Kalaghnews page on the Telegram social networking service. He is charged with "activities against national security," "anti-government publicity" and insulting government officials. He suffered acute cardiac and pancreatic problems while in prison. ---------- 17.03.2016 - Sent into exile after four years in prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the ruthless manner in which the judicial authorities are enforcing the sentence imposed in 2013 on journalist and researcher Said Madani. Released on 15 March, after four years in prison,Madani has been ordered to travel at once to the southern city of Bandar Abbas to begin a period of two years in exile there. A sociologist and writer (who haswritten many articles for independent media outlets), Madani was freed under article 134 of the new Islamic criminal code (as amended in 2013), under which someone convicted of more than one crime serves only the main sentence. After being arrested by plainclothesmen at his Tehran home on 7 January 2012, Madani spent a year in isolation in Section 209 of Tehran's Evin prison. The decision to sentence him to a jail term followed by exile was taken by a Tehran revolutionary court on 18 June 2013. ---------- 18.02.2016 Four Narenji website employees returned to prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns yesterday's rearrest of four senior members of the Narenji (Orange) tech news website to begin serving long jail sentences that were confirmed on appeal. The four Ali Asghar Honarmand, Hossien Nozari, Ehsan Paknejad and Abass Vahedi are sentenced to eleven, seven, five and two and a half years in prison respectively. Originally arrested along with seven colleagues in the southeastern city of Kerman on 3 December 2013, they were convicted by a Kerman court on 24 May 2014 on charges of "anti-government publicity," "actions threatening national security" and "collaborating with TV stations based abroad." Their seven colleagues received suspended sentences. All were freed in return for payment of large bail amounts. A court upheld the sentences on 30 November 2015 but the authorities did not notify them prior to the time of their rearrest. --------- 12.02.2016 - Former BBC journalist detained in Tehran Reporters Without Borders condemns the detention of Bahman Darolshafai, a 34-year-old former BBC journalist with British and Iranian dual nationality. Arrested at his Tehran home by plainclothesmen on 3 February, he managed to make a short phone call to his mother five days later, telling her he was "in a cell in Evin prison and under interrogation." After several years in London, Darolshafa left the BBC's Persian Service n 2014 and returned to Iran. Thereafter he was repeatedly interrogated by intelligence ministry officials and was forbidden to do any kind of journalistic activity. He had been translating literary and philosophical works. ---------- 2.02.2016 - Four journalists held provisionally for past two months Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the continuing provisional detention of four journalists who were the victims of a wave of arrests exactly two months ago, on 2 November 2015 . Mahmoud Alizadeh-Tabatabaie, a lawyer representing two of the four, said: "There are differences between the investigation judge and the prosecutor as regards the charges against my clients." He is defending Ehssan Mazndarani, the editor of the daily Farhikhteghan, and Issa Saharkhiz, a well-known independent journalist. As well as being accused of "propaganda activities against the government," they are also charged with "acting against national security by means of meetings" and "conspiring against and insulting government officials." The case has been sent to the Tehran revolutionary court, whose president, Aboughasem Salevati, has been persecuting journalists and online information providers for years. He staged the "Stalin-style" mass trials in August 2009 and alone is responsible for convicting more than 100 journalists. The other two journalists arrested on 2 November are Afarine Chitsaz of the daily Iran and Saman Safarzai of the monthly Andisher Poya. All four continue to be denied all their rights. ------------ 14.01.2016 Woman journalist detained for fourth time since 2009 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns journalist Rihaneh Tabtabai's detention for the fourth time since 2009. Tabtabai, who has worked for Shargh,Etemad, Bahar and other reformist newspapers, was jailed on 12 January to serve a one-year sentence on charges of endangering national security and anti-government publicity. Originally imposed by a revolutionary court in November 2014, the sentence was upheld by a Tehran appeal court two months ago. She is also sentenced to a two-year ban on political and journalistic activity in the media and online after she completes the jail term. After being arrested on 12 December 2010, she was released on bail of 10 million toman (7,500 euros) on 16 January 2011. On 2 April 2012, she received a two-year jail sentence from a Tehran revolutionary court that was reduced to six months on appeal. She served the sentence from 21 June to 11 November 2014. She was also detained from 31 January to 26 February 2013, when she was freed on bail. --------------- 12.01.2016 Journalist sent back to prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns Meisam Mohammadi's reimprisonment on 8 January. A onetime political editor of Kalameh Sabaz (a daily closed by the authorities in June 2009) and contributor to the Beheshti Foundation website, Mohammadi was arrested at his home by intelligence ministry officials on 10 February 2010 and was freed on bail two months later, pending trial. He was sentenced in May 2012 to four years in prison and a five-year ban on journalistic and political activities on charges of anti-government publicity and "meeting to conspire against national security." Kalameh Sabaz's owner, former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi, the writer Zahra Rahnavard (who is Mousavi wife) and Mehdi Karoubi, a former parliamentary speaker and owner of the closed newspaper Etemad Melli, are still illegally held under house arrest and have been detained since 24 February 2011. Mousavi and Karoubi, who were both presidential candidates in 2009, have also been stripped of all of their rights. Their state of health is very worrying. The trial of Amadou Haya Sanago opens in Mali: a crucial step forward in the fight against impunity Publisher International Federation for Human Rights Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as International Federation for Human Rights, The trial of Amadou Haya Sanago opens in Mali: a crucial step forward in the fight against impunity, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d99fc4.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The trial of Amadou Haya Sanogo, leader of the March 2012 military coup in Mali, will open in Sikasso on 30 November 2016. He will be tried along with 17 co-defendants, including several high-ranking Malian military officials. FIDH and AMDH are civil parties to the case - known as the case of the "disappeared berets rouges" - and are accompanying 23 of the victims' close relatives and family connections. Both organisations welcome this trial, which represents a significant step in the fight against impunity both for the gravest crimes committed in the north and south of Mali since 2012, as well as for Africa as a whole. FIDH and AMDH now call on the judicial authorities to ensure a fair and just trial. A strong FIDH and AMDH delegation will be present in Sikasso throughout the trial. Members of the delegation are available to give additional explanations and comments. Lawyers from FIDH's Litigation Action Group (LAG) joined both FIDH and AMDH as civil parties to the case in 2013, supported 23 of the victims' close relatives and family connections throughout the investigation phase of the proceedings and will also be representing them during the trial in Sikasso. The Litigation Action Group has mobilised lawyers from human rights organisations that are members of FIDH in Mali, Senegal, France and Ivory Coast, who are working on cases against perpetrators of mass crimes in these countries and across Africa. FIDH and AMDH urge the Malian government to take the necessary measures to ensure the trial is properly held, especially in terms of guaranteeing the security of the victims, their lawyers, and representatives of human rights organisations who will be attending the trial. On several occasions since 2013, individuals claiming to support Amadou Haya Sanogo have exerted pressure on or threatened the victims' families, seeking to force them to abandon their fight for truth and justice in relation to the fate of their loved ones. Background: "The military coup and the counter-coup seen against the backdrop of conflict in northern Mali" On 21 and 22 March 2012, with Mali facing (since January 2012) an offensive by armed separatist Touareg groups as well as jihadist groups who had already taken close to a quarter of the country, a group of military officers took power in Bamako, overthrowing President Amadou Toumani Toure. Just days from the scheduled presidential elections, those behind the coup declared themselves to be the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and the State ("Comite national pour le redressement de la democratie et la restauration de l'Etat", CNRDR or CNRDRE) and set up a military junta headed by Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo. On 30 April 2012, a counter-coup was attempted by the "berets rouges", a parachutist unit of the army that had remained loyal to the former President Amadou Toumani Toure, led by Colonel Abdina Guindo.The attempt was thwarted and violently repressed by those involved in the initial coup, who captured dozens of berets rouges. According to FIDH and AMDH investigations, during the night of 2 May 2012, 21 of the berets rouges soldiers were taken out of their cells and transported in military trucks towards Diago, a town close to Kati, which was the headquarters of coup leader Amadou Haya Sanogo, approximately 20 kilometres from Bamako. The 21 berets rouges were executed there and buried in a communal grave. During the political transition, a criminal investigation for "kidnapping" was opened and transferred to the investigating judge Karambe from the Bamako, Commune 3 first instance court. On 28 November 2013, FIDH and AMDH became civil parties to the investigation, alongside 23 parents and close connections of the disappeared soldiers. Between 27 November 2013 and January 2014, 27 people (including Amadou Haya Sanogo) were charged and taken into custody. During the night of 3 December 2013, the investigation led to the identification of a mass grave in Diago, where 21 bodies were found. The prosecutorial authorities granted FIDH and AMDH's subsequent request that the case be re-classified as one of "assassination, murder and collusion in these two offences". The investigation was completed in 2015 after the results of forensic analysis and DNA tests confirmed that the 21 bodies found were indeed those of the 21 "disappeared" berets rouges soldiers, who had been detained by Haya Sanogo and his inner circle. At the end of the investigation, which was conducted promptly, the case crossed an important milestone on 22 December 2015, when the Indictments Division of the Bamako Court of Appeal formally charged Amadou Haya Sanogo and 17 co-defendants and referred them before the criminal courts (Cour d'Assises). Khurram Parvez still illegally detained, despite High Court order for his release Publisher International Federation for Human Rights Publication Date 29 November 2016 Cite as International Federation for Human Rights, Khurram Parvez still illegally detained, despite High Court order for his release, 29 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/583d9aa64.html [accessed 2 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Kashmiri human rights defender Mr. Khurram Parvez remains in arbitrary detention, despite a High Court order declaring his detention illegal and ordering his release. Our organisations are appalled at this abuse of power and demand the immediate and unconditional release of Khurram Parvez. Last Friday 25 November 2016, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar quashed the order of detention and ordered the release of Mr. Khuram Parvez, Chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearance (AFAD) and Program Coordinator of Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), who has been arbitrarily detained since 16 September. However, police at Jammu's Kot Balwal Jail, where Mr. Parvez was being held, refused to release him, claiming there was a typing error on the Court order. A new Court order for his release was therefore issued on Tuesday 29 November, but instead of releasing Mr. Parvez, officials from the counter-intelligence wing of Jammu & Kashmir Police took Mr. Parvez to the Joint Interrogation Centre at Meeran Sahib, Jammu. No information regarding the grounds of his continued detention was provided to Mr. Parvez or to his legal counsel. We recall that on 20 September, the Principal Districts and Sessions Judge of Srinagar had also quashed the charges against Mr. Parvez and ordered the authorities to release him from jail. However, this order was also ignored and the police re-arrested him under the preventive detention provisions of the Public Safety Act of 1978 (PSA). The Judge at the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday notably observed: "A society, which has catapulted itself to the highest position of democratic values and principles, may not accept the law like the Act of 1978." The High Court Judge concluded that the detention of Mr. Parvez "is not only illegal but [that] the detaining authority has abused its powers in ordering his detention". He also found that Mr. Parvez has not been provided the documents relevant to his detention, and has therefore been deprived of the opportunity to effectively appeal his detention. The authorities have also manipulated the courts and used administrative delays to prolong Mr. Parvez's arbitrary detention, which now totals more than 74 days [1] . The High Court Judge also stated that "it is the duty of the State and its authorities to maintain peace in the society but it is equally their responsibility to ensure that laws, which they invoke to achieve such purpose, are followed and complied with honesty". The refusal by police to obey Court orders and re-arrest Mr. Parvez is an abuse of power and a violation of the rule of law and basic human rights. Our organisations recall that just before his arbitrary arrest, the authorities prevented Mr. Parvez's from travelling to Geneva to speak at the United Nations about enforced disappearances in Kashmir. We condemn this repression and the arbitrary arrest of Mr. Parvez, which seem aimed at silencing his work as a human rights defender, and are a violation of India's obligations under international law to allow human rights defenders to freely engage in their legitimate work without fear of reprisals or repression. We take this opportunity to call on India to remove the obstacles preventing the work of human rights defenders, particularly those working on the issue of enforced disappearance, and to finally ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which India signed in 2007 but has still refused to ratify and implement nationally. We call for the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Parvez, in compliance with both the High Court order and India's human rights obligations, and to ensure that he is not subjected to further repression or reprisals for his important human rights work. Signed: The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (The Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to intervene to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society. The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is a federation of human rights organizations working directly on the issue of involuntary disappearances in Asia. Envisioning a world without desaparecidos, AFAD was founded on June 4, 1998 in Manila, Philippines. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) works towards the radical rethinking and fundamental redesigning of justice institutions in order to protect and promote human rights in Asia. Established in 1984, the Hong Kong based organisation is a Laureate of the Right Livelihood Award 2014. FORUM-ASIA is a regional human rights group with 58 member organisations in 19 countries across Asia. FORUM-ASIA addresses key areas of human rights violations in the region, including freedoms of expression, assembly and association, human rights defenders, and democratisation. FORUM-ASIA operates through its offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Geneva and Kathmandu. The International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED) is a network of 42 member organisations concerned with the issue of human rights and the struggle against enforced disappearances. The principal objective of ICAED is maximising impact of the activities carried out by its members in favour of an early ratification and effective implementation of the Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances. Odhikar, a human rights organisation based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was founded in 1994 with the aim to create a wider monitoring and awareness raising system on the abuse of civil and political rights. Footnotes [1] For more information, see our joint statement from 26 October 2016, available at U.S.President-elect Donald Trump's negative rhetoric towards trade with China has done little to put off the chief executive of U.S. fintech start-up Tradeshiftfrom expanding into the world's second-largest economy. On Monday,Tradeshift - a company that helps businesses send and pay invoices using software - announced two joint ventures (JV) in China. The firstJV is with XunLian Technology Development Co., which is located in Chongqing.This will involve Tradeshift providing supply chain financing to businesses and the company says it will process $30 billion of gross merchandising value worth of transactions per year. Chongqing is the main hub for the Chinese government's "One Belt, One Road" initiative which aims to connect countries through Asia, the Middle East and Europe via infrastructure to boost trade. "It's rare for a foreign company, especially a cloud company to be involved in pivotal strategic moves, and the size of opportunity is staggering. We are looking at $2.4 trillion of trade moving through this hub," Christian Lanng, chief executive of Tradeshift, told CNBC in a phone interview. Tradeshift's second JV is with Baiwang, a provider of tax-related services. In China there are only two companies legally allowed to process and implement market e-invoicing solutions for value added tax (VAT) compliance. The deal marks the first western company to be allowed to carry out this service. "This is part of our gateway to China strategy which has been to focus on being the gateway to China for the largest companies in the world," Lanng said. Tradeshift's expansion comes as Donald Trump continues his anti-trade rhetoric against China. The President-elect has been toying with the idea of a 45 percent import tariff, something that the Chinese government has said would damage the sale of American goods in China. Lanng has not been put off from pursuing opportunities in the world's second-largest economy. "Tradeshift is a global company and while trade patterns might change we benefit from global commerce no matter where it is," the CEO said. Story continues In June, Tradeshift raised $75 million valuing the company at around $600 million, according to a source close to the situation. The start-up is backed by the likes of HSBC and American Express. It's software allows western businesses to connect and transact with suppliers in China, which is seen as one of the world's biggest manufacturing hubs. The company sent its first e-invoice in China in May and now does 20 to 30 million transactions per quarter with more than 10 billion renminbi ($1.44 billion) through the platform in September. Lanng said the firm is aiming to do more than half a billion transactions in 2017. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. Dallas, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/29/2016 --In mid-October, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James Cartwright pled guilty to the charge of making false statements to investigators looking into government leaks to the press about United States alleged disruption of Iran's nuclear program. The prosecutor charged that Cartwright lied to FBI agents about information communicated to two journalists, David Sanger of The New York Times and Daniel Klaidman of Newsweek. Cartwright was accused of both giving classified information to Sanger and confirming it, and of confirming similar information to Klaidman. He was not charged with participating in the initial leaks, but for lying to FBI personnel who were investigating these leaks. The charge is a felony that can bring a maximum sentence of five years in prison. However, the Retired Marine General's lawyer indicated that the government had agreed that the sentence is not likely to be longer than a maximum of six months. Cartwright is slated to be sentenced in January. The FBI was investigating leaks regarding an alleged joint U.S.-Israeli attempt to disrupt Iran's nuclear plan with computer viruses. The charges did not mention by name the Stuxnet computer virus program, which continues to be classified. The general stated that he accepted full responsibility for misleading the FBI. However, he also said that he was not the journalists' original source, and spoke to reporters only to confirm information they already had. Cartwright's attorney, Greg Craig, said that Cartwright had spoken to Sanger and Klaidman "to protect American interests and lives, in a story they had already written. In his conversations with these two reporters, Gen. Cartwright was engaged in a well-known and understood practice of attempting to save national secrets, not disclosing classified information." Civilian military law attorney Patrick J. McLain doesn't quite see the justice in this, stating, "Prosecution of alleged misconduct with classified information continues apace in the military, regardless of the recent "pass" granted to former Secretary of State and Senator Hillary Clinton. Though it is argued that general officers accused of classified information handling crimes are dealt with less harshly than lower ranking military personnel, they continue to be prosecuted; Although unlike their subordinates, general officers generally do not exercise as much prudence about their legal and constitutional rights, thereby making the cases against them arguably easier to prosecute." General Cartwright served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2007 to 2011. He was an important and close adviser to President Barack Obama. He also led the U.S. Strategic Command and is a former fighter pilot. He is an expert in U.S. nuclear capability and in cyber warfare. Four years ago, The New York Times reported that the retired general was a key figure in a cyber attack termed "Olympic Games," which began in the administration of President George W. Bush. The attacks continued and increased during the Obama administration. In 2010, one such attack, using the Stuxnet computer virus, disabled 1,000 centrifuges utilized to enrich uranium in Iran. About Patrick J. McLain, Judge Advocate and Attorney at Law Civilian Military Law Attorney Patrick McLain has been diligently serving all five branches of the United States Armed Forces for almost 30 years. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1990, and went on to grow a successful law firm specializing in military law and criminal defense. In addition to serving as an adjunct instructor at various universities and naval schools across the country, he has received numerous honors and awards for both his civilian and military law achievements. Once overlooked, Arjun Lothe seizes opportunity at Indian Creek Indian Creek QB Arjun Lothe has all the intangibles a coach could dream of, but it took until his senior season to get his shot. He seized it. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below This just in... In a rare instance of cooperation, the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and the leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) agreed to back a plan that could finally settle the border dispute between the country and neighboring Vietnam. The border issue has been a potent political issue for both parties as the CNRP has criticized Prime Minister Hun Sen for allegedly giving territory to Vietnam, and Hun Sen has retaliated by jailing politicians who have attacked him on the issue. The border dispute has also vexed Vietnam as the two countries have been working to complete demarcation of the border for more than two decades. But this week Hun Sen and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed ask the government of France, former colonial ruler of Cambodia and Vietnam, for assistance in copying colonial border maps mandated by the Cambodian constitution into maps that use modern cartographical techniques. CNRP President Sam Rainsy discussed the issue with Radio Free Asias Khmer Service journalist Chun Chanboth on Tuesday. While Sam Rainsy remains a powerful force in the opposition, he has been barred from entering Cambodia and faces arrest if he does so. Other opposition politicians, notably opposition lawmaker Um Sam An and opposition Senator Hong Sok Hour have been jailed for posting their comments on Facebook about the border dispute. RFA: It is very rare to hear the leaders of the opposition and ruling parties agree on anything like a request for assistance from France to convert the antiquated Bonne maps with a resolution of 1:100,000 to the modern, GPS compatible Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) maps with a resolution of 1:50,000 to assist in the border demarcation efforts. You have stated that it would be better to let France help with the maps than to allow Vietnam to produce them. However, some people say it is too late to do that now. Can you elaborate on this? Sam Rainsy: I think its better late than never. A lot of people agree that it is a wise idea to seek assistance from France with the maps and related documents. I trust that the maps provided by France are more reliable than the maps produced by Vietnam. France is an expert, for it has been involved in this case for over a hundred years. The supplement map we ask her to provide us is not meant to replace the maps as stipulated in Article 2 of our constitution. We should not be afraid to use a supplement map which is more detailed. RFA: Should there be an amendment to Article 2 of the constitution before the proposed UTM map with map scale of 1:50,000 can be used for the border demarcation purpose? Sam Rainsy: The constitution does not need to be amended to allow a UTM map with a scale of 1:50,000 to be used. It is only an additional tool to make the map more detailed and accurate. There is no change in the content of the map. RFA: This is the first time you have agreed with the government on a point regarding border demarcation. However, some senior members of your party do not agree with your idea. What do you think of that? Sam Rainsy: Let me clarify: We would like France to help convert the scale, but not the system. We would like the scale of 1:100,000 to be converted to the scale of 1:50,000. The latter version of the map has more detailed information which can make border demarcation work easier and more accurate. RFA: But still, some senior members of your party appear to have different views regarding your move. How do you convince them this is the right thing to do? Sam Rainsy: Cambodia and Vietnam have used a map produced by Vietnam for the border demarcation work. I dont trust the map produced by Vietnam. This is the opportunity to ask France to help us. We trust France with this. RFA: Why does that matter? Sam Rainsy: If France is involved, we have a neutral country that can be our arbitrator on this. It is way better than having Cambodia and Vietnam alone work on this. So far, the border demarcation has been approximately 80% complete. However, the work has been based on the maps produced by Vietnam. Now, with a UTM map to be provided by France, we will see if we have to revisit the case from point A-Z again. RFA: But France used to concede Cambodian land to Vietnam. Why do you think you should trust her with this? Sam Rainsy: Today France is different from France in the colonial period. Circumstances have changed. I trust France as a neutral country. I dont think France gets any benefits from taking the side of Vietnam or Cambodia. France has indicated that if both countries ask for help, she would help. Translated by Nareth Muong for RFAs Khmer Service. Myanmars former ruling party and 12 other political parties have called for a meeting of the countrys National Defense and Security Council over the governments handling of the crisis in the northern part of Rakhine state, where security forces who have locked down the area are accused of committing rights abuses against the Rohingya Muslims who live there. The joint declaration signed by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and other smaller political parties on Monday noted that the security council (NDSC) should hold a meeting on the situation in conflict-wracked Rakhine State because the countrys territorial sovereignty is at stake. The lockdown in northern Rakhine began in October after deadly attacks on border guard posts that some officials have blamed on Rohingya militants. The government has denied accusations that soldiers committed extrajudicial killings, rape, and arson in Rohingya communities. The declaration also said that renewed fighting between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar army in northern Shan state, the recent explosions of three handmade bombs in a Yangon supermarket, rising crime throughout the country, and the stalled national peace process had created a general crisis which forced the military to take action. The political parties, which criticized the current civilian-led government for its handling of the conflicts, want the NDSC to convene to address the issues. The military has to use more troops in Rakhine and Shan, said Thein Nyunt, chairman of the New National Democracy Party, one of the small parties that signed the declaration. All political, economic, and military issues are in crisis. Military-dominated body The 11-member NDSC, which formulates policy on military and security issues, is dominated by six military officers. The councils five civilian members include Present Htin Kyaw, Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in her capacity as foreign affairs minister, the civilian vice president, and the speakers of the two houses of parliament. The constitution, drafted in 2008 when a military junta ruled the country, says the president can summon the NDSC and declare a state of emergency if the country is threatened by loss of sovereignty through violence. To solve these problems, the National Defense and Security Council needs to be formed according to the constitution or led by the president, Thein Nyunt said. Then it has to decide how to solve these problems. NLD spokesman Win Htein told the Democratic Voice of Burma on Tuesday that the political organizations are trying to take advantage of the current issues facing Myanmar, and that many of them have seen their popularity decrease since the NLD came to power in April. The other political parties that signed the declaration are the National Unity Party, National Development Party, National Democratic Forces, National Political Alliances League, Modern Peoples Party, Karen State Democracy and Development Party, Myanmar National Congress Party, Wunthanu Democratic Party, Peoples Democracy Party, and Inn National Development Party. All the parties lost out to the ruling National League of Democracy (NLD) party, which swept general elections a year ago. Not everyone agrees But not all politicians and lawmakers agreed that the political parties should request that the NDSC step in. They asked for the security council to hold the meeting because the situation is not good, said Win Htein, a Central Executive Committee member of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party. Its not the security councils business to hold a meeting; its the governments business, he said. The government will do it if it believes it should be done, [but] I think it is a political attack on the current government. Pu Gin Kam Lian, a lawmaker from the Zomi Congress for Democracy party, said political parties should be the ones to call for the NDSC to meet. The government and military chief will do it if they think it needs to be done, he said. Oo Hla Saw, a lawmaker from the Arakan National Party, which represents the interests of the Rakhine people in Rahine state, advised against involving the NDSC in the current crisis in his state. If we go to the National Defense and Security Council with this issue, it is like were giving the military full power, he said. We are worried that the military will have absolute power if there is a security council meeting. Rights lawyer Ko Ni said there are no legal procedures for the NDSC to hold such a meeting on the Rakhine crisis and other issues. Because we dont have any detailed procedures or laws, the president and military chief will hold it if and when they think its the right time to do so, although the political parties have called for it, he said. He noted that President Htin Kyaw has the right to hold such a meeting at any time. But we have to think of what the purpose of this statement by political parties is, he said. I see it as enlarging the problems. More suspects arrested In the meantime, 15 more suspects in the Oct. 9 border guard station attacks have been arrested in Rakhine sate, the State Counselors office announced on Monday. Security forces arrested four people in Maungdaw on Nov. 26 and 11 others in local villages a day later, and sent them all to the countrys Border Guard Forces which are subdivisions of the national army. They also arrested 10 people trying to enter neighboring Bangladesh on Monday night, state media reported. Security forces have arrested more than 400 people and killed nearly 70 others since the lockdown began, state media reported. The violence has displaced more than 30,000 others, according to the United Nations. Reported by Kyaw Thu, Win Naung Toe and Win Ko Ko Latt for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Four Vietnamese people are facing trial on human trafficking charges despite claims that Hanoi broke a promise to Canberra that the boat people would not be prosecuted for attempting to sail to Australia in search of work. On Dec. 13, the four Vietnamese will be tried for organizing for others to flee the country illegally under article 349 of the new penal code, according to a Nov. 18 statement by Ba Ria Vung Tau court that was obtained by RFAs Vietnamese Service. The trial would mark the third time this year that the Vietnamese government has tried some of the country's citizens who were returned by Australia. In the two previous trials in Binh Thuan province eight people were sentenced to jail for terms ranging from 24 to 36 months. While the four defendants going on trial in Vietnams southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau face the same charge, the new penal code approved in July imposes much harsher sentences. I read the prosecutors report, and I saw that they are going to use the new penal code which has tougher jail punishments than the old one, said Vo An Don, an attorney representing Huynh Thi My Van and her husband, Nguyen Tuan Kiet. Under the new code, Nguyen Tuan Kiet faces a jail sentence of seven to 15 years and Huynh Thi My Van faces a sentence of one to five years. The four defendants were among 21 people who fled Vietnam by fishing boat on May 18. They reached Australian waters on June 9, when they were detained by Australia Navy. They were then returned to Vietnam by airplane and arrived at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16. Upon their arrival, they went through many hours of interrogation, according to one of the defendants. Following the interrogation, the Vietnamese police detained two people and let others go. Huynh Thi My Vans husband was detained with another trip organizer, whose name was not readily available. I was a victim While Van said she and her husband attempted to go to Australia in search of work, they are innocent. I dont think that I committed any crime. I did not tell anybody to go with us. I did not organize the trip, she told RFA. I did not buy any supplies for the trip. I did not know anything. I just packed up and left when they told us they were ready to leave. I was a victim. According to Van, both the governments promised them they would not be jailed or prosecuted if they went back to Vietnam. They told us that the government of Vietnam promised the government of Australia that we would be freed when we returned to Vietnam, she explained. One female representative of the Vietnamese government told us that we left Vietnam for the reason of making a living so we should not be jailed. But that promise was broken once they landed at Tan Son Nhat Airport, she said. Once we got to the airport they took us to a police station for an interrogation and after that they just kept my husband until now, she said. Its been more than five months. This is not the first time Vietnam has been accused of breaking its promises to refugees returned by Australia. Representatives of the Vietnamese government gave a similar guarantees to 92 refugees who attempted to sail to Australia in two separate boats, but were returned in July. The court of Binh Thuan province this year has sentenced eight people to various jail terms in that case. According to Van, their ordeal started when Vu Tuan Khanh and Nguyen Giao Thong offered to pay her husband, a fisherman VND 20 million (U.S.$882) a month to sail a fishing boat to Australia. While each person going on the trip was charged VND 50 million (U.S. $2,205), Vans family didnt have to pay because he was sailing the boat and they are poor. They told us that our family could go without paying. We did not have any job back then, so we were so happy to have the offer, she said. We decided to take two children with us on the trip. Vu Tuan Khanh and Nguyen Giao Thong are brothers who are also facing charges. Broken promise The cases have garnered international attention as Human Rights Watch urged Vietnam to drop all charges against boat people returned from Australia. Vietnam has blatantly broken its promise to the Australian government not to prosecute boat returnees, Elaine Pearson, the organizations Australia director, wrote in a statement. The Vietnamese government is prosecuting the four defendants for leaving Vietnam without the governments permission, violating their fundamental right under international law to leave their own country, Pearson added. Attorney Vo An Don said he thinks the government of Vietnam continues to prosecute returned refugees as a warning to others. They think that those who illegally leave Vietnam badly affect the prestige of the country, the order of society, so they decided to prosecute them, he said. They prosecute them to warn others not to leave the country. Reported and translated by Viet Ha for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Vietnamese fishermen gather at court in Ky Anh township to file lawsuits over steel plant pollution, Sept. 26, 2016. A local court sentenced four women to six-month jail terms after finding them guilty of disrupting public order for their part in protests last year that blocked a major highway, RFAs Vietnamese Service has learned. Hoang Thi Thai, Mai Thi Trinh, Mai Thi Tiem and Le Thi Thuy joined other local people in blocking Highway 1A near the Ky Anh township in Ha Tinh province last year as a protest over local authorities detention of two men. The Dec. 11. 2015 protest closed the road for 20 hours as demonstrators demanded the release of Hoang Van Thiet and Nguyen Huu Phuong. Nguyen Huu Phuong was arrested while working at the Formosa Plastics Group steel mill, and Hoang Van Thiet was abducted, presumably by the government. Both men are security members of the Dong Yen parish, according to witnesses. The mens sudden detention sparked the demonstration that resulted in the arrests and convictions. Local peoples blocked vehicles and the government said that they illegally blocked the vehicles, so they arrested them and tried them, a witness told RFA. What they did was for the people, but it is unjust to arrest and try them. While the four women were convicted on Monday, a witness told RFA that the court also tired an unknown number of men in connection with the demonstration. The mens names, the charges they faced, and their sentences were not immediately known. In June, Formosa acknowledged that it was responsible for the release of toxic chemicals from a steel plant it owns in April that killed an estimated 115 tons of fish and left fishermen and tourism industry workers jobless in Ha Tinh and three other central provinces. Vietnam's government said in a report to the National Assembly in July that the disaster had harmed the livelihoods of more than 200,000 people, including 41,000 fishermen. The Taiwan-based Formosa pledged to pay $500 million to clean it up and compensate people affected by the spill, but Vietnamese living with the countrys largest environmental disaster say that sum isnt enough to compensate for the damage. The disaster sparked rare public demonstrations in Vietnam and the protests didnt end when the government announced the settlement. Hanoi has been systematically cracking down on the demonstrations and arresting protest leaders. Its unclear if the road closing demonstration was directly related to unrest over the Formosa plant, but it occurred in the same province as the steel mill. Dong Yen parishioners have seen the government confiscate their land for industrial development and have born much of the impact of the Formosa spill. The Catholic Church has spearheaded the legal response to the Formosa disaster, helping local people file hundreds of lawsuits even though Vietnams one-party communist state closely controls and monitors the Catholic community, the second largest religious group in the country. Reported by An Nguyen for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Brooks Boliek. Gao Yaojie, 89, is a retired gynecologist and medical professor who fled China in August 2009. Now living in the United States, Gao is fighting ill-health, and has written books that expose the truth about AIDS transmission, particularly through rampant blood-selling schemes in impoverished areas of rural China. However, she says she has been pursued by medical fraudsters wanting to use her name and reputation to peddle quack AIDS remedies. Gao recently issued an "end-of-life" statement, and spoke to RFA's Mandarin Service about her wishes. My name is Gao Yaojie. I hereby solemnly declare that when I die, I would like my body to be cremated, not buried in a grave. My will ... is currently in the keeping of my son ... I would like my ashes to be scattered in the Yellow River as soon as possible after my death, with no ceremony of any kind. Through this declaration, I want to let friends around the world know that I do not want the achievements of my lifetime or my death to be used by others to achieve fame. I wrote this statement because people were talking about having me buried here in New York, but that was unacceptable to me. 'I want to disappear' I have been in the United States for eight years now, but I still don't speak the language. I can't tell what kind of a person a white person or any other ethnicity is, but I can tell you that I have been visited by a lot of Chinese people, many of whom lied to me. They seem to be working together, as if they've all caught the same virus. That's why I don't want a tomb, because I am worried that these lying people will try to make money out of it. That's why I can't stay in America. I want to float eastwards down the Yellow River, and basically disappear from this world. I have a lawyer back home in China who is currently processing the paperwork for me. If they won't allow the arrangements to go ahead, they will appeal to a higher court. I can't trust people either overseas or back in China. I'm not the same as the other people in my family. I went out to make my way in the world, while they stayed home to cook the food and raise the kids. We have had different experiences. I have been forced to this point. The wrong path My memories go back more than 80 years. China has undergone all kinds of political movements, including the Cultural Revolution [1966-1976] and this has set its people on the wrong path. When I was young, I was in school and university, and then later I was a teacher, so I was in schools the whole time. Everyone was very kind and friendly, but now everyone's divided into small cliques and factions. They're everywhere. It's the same now in universities too. Nobody has any internal moral compass to tell them what is right and what is wrong. There are so many examples of this you would never get done talking about them. For example, fake medical doctors in China is one example that leaps out. Doctors claiming to cure AIDS through some kind of traditional remedy are ten-a-penny. How can there be a traditional 'inherited' remedy when we have only had AIDS for a couple of decades in China? It's all smoke and mirrors, but they know a lot of people and they wield a lot of power. There was a bunch of them in Putian, farmers and fishermen, who somehow became doctors in the blink of an eye. They have defrauded people of an awful lot of money. They claim to cure sexually transmitted diseases. They claim to cure infertility. You can read about this in my book. 'So much corruption now' I can give you the example of a former construction worker who made up a medicine that he said would cure AIDS, and started selling it in the AIDS villages. Now, AIDS patients are totally helpless. They lack knowledge or education. They took the medicine, and few of them died. Then this guy had the idea to go and open an AIDS hospital in Zhengzhou. He wanted me to be the director. He wrote to me three times, and I thanked him and turned down the offer. Then he visited me in person. I threw him out. Then he took me to court. He lost. Things started to go wrong for China in the 1950s and 1960s. You didn't have this sort of thing before that. The most egregious example was that of the Cultural Revolution. That's when people learned how to operate in cliques. This did the biggest damage [to our society]. It became really obvious during the 1970s, and now these cliques are even operating overseas. There aren't very many good people left in China now, and if there are, they have real problems getting by in life. There is so much corruption now. Reported by Bei Ming for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. A top general in the Afghan National Army has been killed, and at least seven other officials have been injured, in a military helicopter crash in Afghanistan's northwestern province of Badghis. A spokesman for Afghanistan's Defense Ministry told RFE/RL that General Mohayedin Ghori, the army corps commander for western Afghanistan, was killed when the helicopter attempted an emergency landing on November 29 in the Muri Chaq area of the Badghis Province's Bala Murghab district. The spokesman, Mohammad Radmanish, said the crash of the Russian-built Mi-17 helicopter was the result of a "technical malfunction" and was not caused by militants or any hostile attack. However, the Taliban issued a statement on November 29 claiming responsibility for the crash -- saying Taliban militants had shot the helicopter down. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement describing the death of General Ghori as a "big loss" for the Afghan security forces and the Afghan people. The U.S.-led international coalition in Afghanistan also issued a statement expressing condolences over the death of the Afghan general. Ghori commanded the 207th Corps and was one of the six regional commanders of the Afghan National Army. He had just completed a visit to a newly established Afghan army base in Badghis Province's Bala Murghab district when the crash occurred. That base is near the Murghab River close to the border with Turkmenistan -- a volatile area where Afghan security forces had recently pushed back a major Taliban offensive. Radmanish said seven others injured in the crash were Afghan military officers and officials who had accompanied General Ghori on the visit. He said the head of Badghis's provincial council and the chief of provincial intelligence were among those hurt. With reporting by AP, AFP, and dpa Steve Bannon President-elect Donald Trump's controversial incoming chief strategist told his hometown newspaper in a story published Monday that race-based nationalism has "no future" in America and that Trump must condemn racism and hatred. "I don't think it stands the test of logic, and there is no future for that, really, in America," he said. Speaking with The Richmond Times-Dispatch, Steve Bannon was asked to address the alt-right, a fringe group made up of many white nationalists that became elevated during Trump's campaign and to which the Bannon-run website Breitbart News has catered. Bannon at one point called the website "the platform for the alt-right," and Breitbart has promoted controversial groups that fit in that mold. A Breitbart post titled "An Establishment Conservative's Guide to the Alt-Right," for example, highlighted Richard Spencer the leader of the National Policy Institute who gained mainstream attention last week for leading a gathering in Washington that included Nazi-esque salutes on a list of "dangerously bright" alt-right intellectuals. When asked about scenes from the white nationalist group's conference, Bannon said he did not follow Spencer's group or know much about it. He told The Times-Dispatch that Breitbart's mission calls for "more voices, not less," with no one ideology dominating the site. Trump can gain the support of African-Americans and Hispanics, Bannon said, if he delivers on a "unifying message" of education, safety, and job growth. "And condemning any kind of form of racism or hatred that's out there," he added. In a New York Times story published Sunday, a colleague of Bannon's during his time in Hollywood said Bannon occasionally spoke of a genetic superiority of some people and once expressed a desire to limit voting rights to property owners. "I said, 'That would exclude a lot of African-Americans,'" the colleague, Julia Jones, recalled. "He said, 'Maybe that's not such a bad thing.' I said, 'But what about Wendy?'" referring to Bannon's assistant. "He said, 'She's different. She's family.'" Story continues But a friend of Bannon's from his time as an investment banker, who is African-American and who called Bannon his "only token white guy" at an annual New York dinner, said, "Hell no, he's not a white nationalist." NOW WATCH: Here's the ad that Ivanka Trump reportedly doesn't want America to see More From Business Insider The proposed railway line from Turkmenistan to Tajikistan, via Afghanistan, marked a milestone on November 28 when the first station on the Afghan side of the Turkmen border opened. Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani attended the ceremony at the Aqina railway station and watched as the first train reached the station after a 3.5-kilometer journey from the border. Ghani called it a "historic day for Afghanistan and its people," and Berdymukhammedov said the Imamnazar-Aqina railroad "could play a key role in trade between the two countries." Possibly, but it's likely to be some time before trade really picks up along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan (TAT) railway line. The opening of the station at Aqina is a small step in what promises to be the very difficult task of constructing the railway line to Tajikistan. Turkmenistan completed the 85-kilometer section of the railway on its territory in November 2015, so it has already taken almost a year to advance the line less than 4 kilometers into Afghanistan (track work was completed in late October 2016). The exact route through Afghanistan is still under discussion, and with good reason. The planned route of the railway line goes through parts of Afghanistan where fighting has been increasing in recent years. From Aqina, the TAT railway is to go some 30 kilometers south to Andkhoy before turning east toward Sheberghan, Mazar-e Sharif, Kholm, and Kunduz, then entering Tajikistan at the Shir Khan Bandar border post. Aqina and Andkhoy are located in Afghanistan's Faryab Province, whose capital, Maymana, has been in danger of falling to insurgents at least twice this year. Parts of the highway from Sheberghan to Mazar-e Sharif have fallen under Taliban control several times this year, requiring the Afghan government to launch security operations to clear the highway. And the last stretch takes the railway line through Kunduz Province, including Kunduz City, which the Taliban and their foreign militant allies have seized twice since late September 2015. The TAT line is billed as being part of a greater Asian transportation network. The ceremony in Aqina came right after Turkmenistan hosted a UN Global Sustainable Transport Conference. But TAT was originally conceived as a way of connecting Turkmenistan to Tajikistan without having to cross Uzbekistan. A champion of the project was Iran, since Tehran has been experiencing problems shipping goods to Tajikistan via Uzbekistan. Iranian authorities hoped to ship cargo by rail to and from Turkmenistan along the new railway to Tajikistan. So the project's foundation came not as part of regional cooperation but rather as a way to avoid Uzbekistan's involvement in a transit route to Tajikistan. And it is still not clear where all the funding will come from to construct the remaining section of the railway line. The Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank have promised to help fund the estimated $2 billion project. Turkmenistan paid for and built the section on its territory. Tajikistan has already said it cannot afford to build the approximately 50-kilometer section on its territory and Afghanistan of course will need financial assistance for TAT construction on its territory. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what Ive been following during the past week and what Im watching for in the days ahead. The Big Issue Iran has accused two female journalists who covered the hospitalization and funeral of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini -- whose death in the custody of Tehran's morality police triggered protests across the country -- of being U.S. spies and the "primary sources of news for foreign media." The accusations came in a joint statement by the feared intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Intelligence Ministry, which identified the two journalists, Nilufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who are being held in Tehran's Evin prison, by their initials. The statement claims the journalists were trained abroad. It also says the protests that have shaken Iran were planned by the CIA along with other foreign intelligence services, including the British and Saudi spy agencies as well as Israel's Mossad. The statement was met with fear and anger by Iranian journalists and their colleagues, who pushed back against the accusations. Senior editors of Hamedi's Sharq daily and Mohammadi's Hammihan dismissed the charges and said the journalists were only doing their jobs. "Our journalist and our newspaper.....acted within the framework of the journalistic mission," said Mehdi Rahmanian, editor of the reformist Sharq, while Gholamhossein Karbaschi, the editor of Hammihan, said the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency and other news agencies had similar reports that included more details. More than 500 journalists, photographers, and other media workers demanded the release of their colleagues while calling on officials to allow the free flow of information. Separately, Tehran's Journalist Association said that based on the statement by the Iranian intelligence agencies, journalism should be banned because "the normal activity of journalists has been cited as evidence of a crime." For its part, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists dismissed the charges against the two journalists as "conspiracy theories," adding that it will hold Iranian leaders accountable for any harm done to the journalists. Why It Matters: The spying accusations against Hamedi and Mohammadi are a major escalation of state pressure on the media, which is already facing a severe crackdown and tough censorship. The spying charges leveled against the two carries the death penalty. According to the CPJ, more than 45 journalists and columnists have been arrested in the current crackdown. The French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said Iran has become the world's biggest jailer of female journalists in the course of the current crackdown. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that France-based Iranian journalist Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad, who had traveled to Saghez to cover the aftermath of Amini's death for the European TV channel Arte, has been in jail since September 28. What's Next: The judiciary has not officially charged the two journalists with spying. The pushback from the Iranian press and journalists and international pressure could be instrumental in clearing the two journalists of the accusations. Stories You Might Have Missed Iranian authorities secretly buried the body of RFE/RL's Radio Farda broadcaster Reza Haghighatnejad at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran for burial. Haghighatnejad, 45, died of cancer in Berlin on October 17. His body was flown to Iran on October 25. His family was not allowed to see the body or participate in his burial. Radio Farda obtained a video of Haghighatnejad's gravesite , where the anthem of the current mass protests in Iran, Shervin Hajipur's Baraye, was heard in the background. The U.S. State Department has called on Iran to release Haghighatnejad's body and said the episode showed the extent the Iranian government will go to intimidate the press. at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran for burial. Haghighatnejad, 45, died of cancer in Berlin on October 17. His body was flown to Iran on October 25. His family was not allowed to see the body or participate in his burial. Radio Farda obtained , where the anthem of the current mass protests in Iran, Shervin Hajipur's Baraye, was heard in the background. The U.S. State Department has called on Iran to release Haghighatnejad's body and said the episode showed the extent the Iranian government will go to intimidate the press. Iran has arrested rapper Toomaj Salehi, who had expressed support for the anti-govenment protests in Iran. Security authorities announced that the rapper was arrested on October 30 while attempting to flee the country. Salehi's uncle denied the claim, saying his nephew was arrested in the southwestern province of Chaharmahal Bakhtiari. Salehi was also detained last year over lyrics he wrote that condemn state repression, the killings of protesters, poverty, and injustice. What We're Watching Iran saw a surge in protests last week when thousands of people marked 40 days since the death of Mahsa Amini in state custody. In Amini's hometown of Saghez, a massive crowd gathered at the cemetery where the young woman is buried. Many walked to the cemetery amid reports that authorities had blocked the roads leading to Amini's resting place. Mourners also gathered last week at the grave of 16-year-old Nika Shahkarami near the western city of Khorramabad, 40 days after she was killed in the brutal state crackdown amid reports that security forces had opened fire to disperse mourners while also making arrests. Why It Matters: The memorial ceremonies for those killed by security forces have energized the protest movement by fueling more anger with state repression. The establishment has responded with force. More protests could erupt as Iranians mourn those killed by security forces. Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. Until next time, Golnaz Esfandiari If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday. The chief prosecutor in Tehran says an arrest warrant against a reformist lawmaker who publicly questioned the financial dealings of Iran's chief justice remains legal and valid. The warning, by Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, came hours after an unsuccessful attempt to detain parliamentarian Mahmud Sadeghi. "Sadeghi is expected to respect judiciary officials and present himself to authorities," Dolatabadi was quoted by state media as saying on November 28. "Otherwise, officers are required to detain the accused and bring him to court." Sadeghi this month called on the head of Iran's powerful judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, to provide bank-account details following claims on social media that Larijani had transferred public funds to dozens of personal accounts. Larijani denied the allegations as "100 percent lies," saying they were leveled by "seditionists" and "exiled antirevolutionaries" who he said are in contact with "a corrupt section of the reformist movement." Security officers reportedly arrived to arrest Sadeghi at his home in the capital on November 27, but they were said to have backed down after Sadeghi defied the officers and colleagues and activists came to his defense and gathered outside his home. Dolatabadi said the case against Sadeghi includes eight private complaints, adding that the lawmaker has been officially summoned. The semiofficial Fars news agency quoted an "informed source" as saying that the warrant against Sadeghi was issued after private complaints by students who accused the lawmaker of "spreading lies" several months ago. On Twitter, Sadeghi called the abortive arrest "illegal" and challenged Dolatabadi's claim that Sadeghi had been summoned by the court. "Despite the comments by the honorable Tehran prosecutor, so far I have received no summons," Sadeghi tweeted on November 29. A day earlier, Sadeghi vowed via Twitter that "pressure" would not prevent him and other lawmakers from "seeking transparency and fighting corruption in all [Iran's state] institutions." In a November 29 letter to the Tehran prosecutor, the deputy speaker of parliament, Ali Motahari, criticized the attempt to detain Sadeghi and warned that such moves risked turning parliament into a "useless" body. Motahari questioned the timing of the effort to arrest Sadeghi, questioning why, if the plaintiffs were serious, authorities responded only "immediately" after the lawmaker's implied criticism of Larijani. Candidates to Iran's parliament, the Majlis, and many other offices are ruthlessly vetted by the clerically dominated Guardians Council, and ultimate political and religious power lies in the hands of the unelected supreme leader, currently the 77-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's hard-line judiciary is one of the country's most powerful bodies and its head is appointed directly by the supreme leader. Larijani's brother Ali is currently speaker of the parliament. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has proposed a mass amnesty of prisoners to mark the 25th anniversary of his countrys independence. Nazarbaev sent the proposal to the lower chamber of parliament on November 29, where it is likely to be quickly approved. Under the proposed amnesty, female inmates, people who were convicted of crimes when they were minors, male inmates over 60 years of age, handicapped prisoners, and others would be released from prison. The exact number of prisoners that would be affected by the pardon is unknown, but could be in the thousands. Kazakhstans last mass amnesty for prisoners was adopted in 2001 in honor of the 20th anniversary of independence and resulted in the release of nearly 27,000 prisoners, according to Human Rights Watch. Kazakhstan announced its independence on December 16, 1991, the last Soviet republic to do so. Based on reporting by Tengrinews and Kazinform AQTOBE, Kazakhstan -- A teenager has been sentenced to five years in jail in Kazakhstan's northwestern city of Aqtobe on charges of encouraging terrorism on the Internet. The Aqtobe Regional Court's spokeswoman told RFE/RL that Maulid Emenov, 18, was found guilty on November 29 of posting several audio recordings on the Russian social network Vkontakte in Russian and Arabic calling for "jihad" against "infidels." Emenov was sentenced the same day. Emenov's conviction and sentencing came a day after a court in Aqtobe sentenced 29 men in a high-profile Islamist terrorism case related to shootings in the city in June. Five civilians and three members of Kazakhstan's security forces were killed in that violence. On November 28, seven of the 29 defendants were sentenced to life in prison. The others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to 25 years. An Islamic State-linked news agency says a car-and-knife attack that wounded at least 11 people at a U.S. university was carried out by a "soldier of the Islamic State." There was no independent confirmation of the claim by the Amaq news agency on November 29, though police in Columbus, Ohio, where the attack took place, said they were investigating it as a possible terrorist attack. Amaq quoted what it said was an Islamic State "source" as saying the November 28 attack at Ohio State University was carried out "in response to calls to target citizens of international coalition countries." Witnesses said the attacker, identified as 18-year-old Somali-born Muslim student named Abdul Razak Ali Artan, drove a car at a high speed into pedestrians on a campus sidewalk on November 28. He then jumped out of the car with a butcher's knife and began slashing people. One witness said he was "completely silent" during the stabbings. Officials said Artan was a refugee from Somalia who had obtained legal permanent residency in the United States. Artan was killed by a member of the university's police force who first yelled for Artan to drop his knife, then shot him when he refused to comply. School and hospital officials say 11 people were hospitalized. One person was listed in critical condition. Asked whether investigators were treating the incident as a possible terrorist attack, Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs told journalists that authorities "have to consider that it is." IS extremists have published detailed online articles calling upon English-language readers to carry out attacks with knives and vehicles. IS also had released a video on November 27 encouraging knife attacks on non-Muslims in the West. Facebook Post Investigators said on November 29 that it wasn't immediately clear whether Artan ever saw or heard about those IS exhortations. But authorities said Artan posted on Facebook before his attack that if the United States wants Muslims to stop carrying out so-called "lone wolf attacks," it should make peace with the IS extremist group. Congressman Adam Schiff (Democrat-California), a top official on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said federal law-enforcement agencies were assisting in the investigation. "It bears all of the hallmarks of a terror attack carried out by someone who may have been self-radicalized," Schiff said in a statement. Ohio State University's campus newspaper, The Lantern, has posted on its website an interview it conducted with Artan that it had published in August. In the interview, Artan, a logistics management student, said he had recently transferred to Ohio State from another Ohio university. He said he was scared to pray openly on campus as a Muslim, claiming that he feared that media portrayals of Muslims would give people the wrong idea about him. "This place is huge, and I don't even know where to pray," he told the newspaper. "If people look at me, a Muslim praying, I don't know what they're going to think, what's going to happen. ... But I just did it. ... I went over to the corner and just prayed." With nearly 60,000 students on campus, Ohio State in Columbus is the state's flagship public university. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, CNN, and dpa On the afternoon of August 31, 2013, French Rafale fighter jets bristled on their runways, readied for war. As far as French President Francois Hollande was concerned, D-Day had arrived; at 3 a.m. his planes would begin air strikes against missile batteries and command centers of the Syrian Army's 4th Armored Division -- the Syrian military's most trusted military unit, and the one in charge of chemical weapons. The reason: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had crossed U.S. President Barack Obama's "red line" when, just 10 days earlier, he had apparently used chemical weapons in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, against the rebels battling him and the civilians who, as usual, bore the brunt of Assad's fury. According to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, it was the regime's third -- and deadliest -- use of sarin gas to date. Now it was time to for the United States and its allies to make good on the president's word. But at the last minute, Obama called Hollande to tell him the strikes were off; he would instead seek the backing of Congress before any military action was taken. It was support he most likely knew he would not get; at nearly the last possible moment, he had changed course. This development was perhaps not entirely unsurprising. A key tenet of Obama's first presidential campaign was to withdraw the United States from its costly and bloody adventurism in the Middle East, a promise that was well received by an American public that had been at war since the 2001 intervention in Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Since then, Obama has largely managed to keep his country out of the Middle East despite the region's descent into sanguinary chaos as Libya, Iraq, and Syria have steadily disintegrated while the militant group Islamic State (IS) has murdered its way into global headlines. The United States has conducted air strikes against IS targets in Syria and Iraq, while it has "advisers" on the ground supporting the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and various groups battling IS in Syria. But, despite the White House's seeming refusal to be drawn into battle on the ground, U.S. involvement may go deeper than many Americans believe. This month an improvised explosive device (IED) killed a U.S. Navy bomb-disposal technician in the town of Ain Issa, less than 60 kilometers from the de facto capital of IS's self-proclaimed caliphate -- making Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton the first U.S. serviceman to die in Syria and the fifth to be killed while fighting IS since 2015. Many Americans -- especially those of an isolationist bent -- fear IS as a global terrorist threat and support an air campaign against the extremist group but discount its direct threat in Syria as of little concern. This is wrong. U.S. soldiers are indeed involved in the fight on the ground. America's sons and daughters in Syria are personally at risk from IS -- a fact that has so far been downplayed in the public discussion. As Michael Weiss, senior editor at the Daily Beast and author of The New York Times bestseller ISIS: Inside The Army Of Terror, puts it: "U.S. Special Forces have been recorded embedded with Pentagon-backed rebel forces, such as Liwa al Mutasim, in northern Aleppo, where they were shouted at by Islamist rivals. Their remit may be to 'advise' or to help call in air strikes but it's naive to think that they won't, or don't, engage in combat." He continues: "Their counterparts in Syria have traded direct fire with [IS] militants who have ambushed Kurdish Peshmerga (one incident previously resulted in the death of another U.S. soldier). The Pentagon likes to fudge this with terminology but the fact is: American boots are on the ground, and American servicemen are in an active state of war against [IS] -- and potentially any other hostile parties they come in contact with." U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter echoed Weiss's point, albeit more obliquely, with a public statement on Dayton's death: "I am deeply saddened by the news on this Thanksgiving Day that one of our brave service members has been killed in Syria while protecting us from the evil of ISIL," he said, using another shorthand term for IS. "It is a painful reminder of the dangers that men and women in uniform face around the world to keep us safe." War By Any Other Name There are around 500 U.S. troops in Syria -- in April, President Obama sent 250 to add to the 50 that were already in the country. The number since then has, accordingly, almost doubled. Earlier in November, Carter announced that the U.S.-supported coalition of Kurdish and Arab forces fighting IS known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had begun the task of retaking Raqqa. As Iraqi forces meanwhile close in on the city of Mosul, in Iraq, the dual IS losses could signal the end of the last pretenses of its purported caliphate. The numbers may be small, but evidence of "mission creep" is clear. Again, Weiss is unequivocal: "We are involved on the ground," he says. "We have CIA operatives in Iraq and Syria and U.S. soldiers. About 300 in Syria, close to 5/6K in Iraq. It's just not an occupation or 'major combat role,' but this is where 'war' is given to sort of Orwellian euphemisms that U.S. bureaucracy loves to use to deny it is doing exactly what you think it is doing." The United States is fighting IS in Syria and Iraq in all but name. And as IS becomes increasingly besieged in both countries, it will become more desperate -- and more violent. Traditional warfare will be forsaken in favor of greater use of insurgency tactics. More booby traps and IEDs will lie in wait for both the SDF and ISF; and more U.S. servicemen may die. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to bomb IS heavily and has talked about "extreme vetting" of Muslims traveling or potentially immigrating to the United States for fear of terrorist infiltration. But these views do little to address the reality on the ground that IS poses a threat not just as a worldwide militant group that can inspire atrocities on U.S. soil but also as a military threat to U.S. soldiers already fighting in Syria. As much as some may deny it, the United States is once again fighting a war in the Middle East. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL MOSCOW -- For a few weeks in 2012, Yury had a family: His wife, Katya, had given birth to a girl. But when Yury took his ailing baby daughter to the hospital two months after she was born, he learned that she was HIV positive, and his world began to collapse. After he was tested and came up positive, he said, Katya told him that she had given him the virus -- and had known she had it while pregnant but kept it secret from him out of fear. A month later, their daughter was dead. Katya, who refused to take antiretroviral therapy to prop up her ailing immune system, died last year. "We didn't separate or run away from each other. We went to the end," said Yury, a 40-year-old auto mechanic from a gritty Moscow suburb who preferred not to be identified by his surname. "I've come to terms with it all. How can I blame the person who gave me a daughter?" Russia's HIV epidemic passed a grim milestone in January as the country registered its millionth HIV-positive citizen -- double the number in 2010. About 200,000 of that million have died since HIV was first registered in Russia in 1987. With less than one percent of the population of Russia's 142 million infected, the situation is less dire than epidemics that have ravaged Sub-Saharan Africa. And yet while the rate of new HIV infections across the world is ebbing, in Russia it is on the rise. Russia accounts for the lion's share of infections in a Eurasian region, which UNAIDS -- the United Nations' program on HIV/AIDS -- says is the "only region in the world" where the HIV epidemic has "continued to rise rapidly." More than 93,000 new cases were registered in 2015 -- compared, for example, to 44,000 new diagnoses in 2014 in the United States, whose population is more than twice as large. Yury does not know how Katya contracted HIV, but his own story fits into a trend that some leading experts say President Vladimir Putin's government must face up to fast: The number of Russians infected through straight sex is rising. Vadim Pokrovsky, the longtime head of the Federal AIDS Center and an expert who has been tracking the disease's progress in Russia for almost three decades says the epidemic is advancing beyond traditional high-risk groups and spilling into general circulation. Pokrovsky said that infections through heterosexual contact accounted for 45 percent of overall infections in 2015, compared with 10 percent 10 years ago. He believes Russia stands at a critical juncture: The government should forsake what he casts as conservative policies that deviate from established global practice in the fight against HIV. "I think it is now spreading into the heterosexual population," Pokrovsky told RFE/RL. "We can no longer keep on saying 'nyet-nyet' [Russian for "No-No"]. We have to urgently take measures." 'HIV Belt' For years, the chief mode of transmission in Russia has been intravenous drug use, which boomed after the Soviet collapse as the social fabric frayed and factories shut down or slashed workers' jobs, particularly in industrial towns in the Urals and Siberia. Rampant drug abuse tore through cities on the heroin trail from Afghanistan westward in the 1990s and 2000s, forming something of an "HIV belt" across central Russia where the virus remains most prevalent today. Pokrovsky believes the situation is moving from a "concentrated epidemic" among at-risk subgroups such as injecting drug users to a "generalized epidemic" -- defined by the World Health Organization as a situation with "HIV prevalence consistently exceeding 1 percent among pregnant women." Pokrovsky said that in over 15 of Russia's 82 regions, more than one out of every 100 women who becomes pregnant has HIV. "The trouble at the moment is that the number of people contracting HIV through heterosexual sex is rising," Pokrovsky said. "We cannot say that these transmissions are connected to the traditional vulnerable groups." Other experts say there has been no major shift in the way HIV is spreading in Russia. In e-mailed comments to RFE/RL, UNAIDS said that "the majority of the new HIV cases in Russia remain concentrated among key populations -- particularly injecting drug users and their sexual partners." But almost all agree on the need for urgent action in Russia, where several factors -- including the persistent stigma attached to homosexuality, a strained health-care system, a lack of education about risks, government pressure on NGOs, and logistical problems that critics say have been created or aggravated by the state -- are making the HIV/AIDS problem worse. Rising Concern? There are some signs of new attention from the government, and the media that serve it, to an issue that was long considered peripheral. Recently, newspapers such as Komsomolskaya Pravda, a popular pro-Kremlin tabloid, have carried stories with headlines like: "HIV can happen to anyone: go out and get tested!" Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev declared the situation a matter of "national security" in March, and on October 20 signed off on a five-year strategy to combat the crisis through 2020. But despite the indications of increased concern, activists, doctors, and NGO workers fear that the new government plan remains hamstrung by the same conservative, go-it-alone approach that has stymied efforts to rein in the epidemic so far. Among other things, the strategy prioritizes raising awareness, with the help of NGOs, among "key groups of the population." But in a common point of criticism, Pokrovsky said the strategy fails to clarify how the government plans to work with key HIV risk groups such as injecting drug users, sex workers, and gay or bisexual men. "No one has answered the question of how we are going to warn people about the circulation of HIV among drug users -- although about 20 percent of intravenous injecting drug users already are infected," said Pokrovsky. "Nothing is said about how to prevent the infection of the remaining 80 percent." "The same goes for sex workers," he told RFE/RL. "There is not a word about prevention among them. Everyone knows there are many of them. But there are no special programs planned for this group. The same goes for men who have sex with men." The state "just does not pay enough attention to prevention -- prevention is very weak in Russia," Pokrovsky said, adding that this is reflected in government funding to fight HIV. "If 18 billion rubles ($278 million) are spent on treatment, only 400 million rubles ($6 million) go to prevention." Zero Tolerance There are no well-known state outreach organizations or programs working with high-risk groups. This is the exclusive preserve of largely foreign-funded NGOs such as the Andrey Rylkov Foundation For Health and Social Justice -- the only group in Moscow that distributes clean needles, contraceptives, and medication to drug users, the main group incubating and spreading the virus. The Rylkov foundation receives no financing from the Kremlin and relies on grants from abroad. In July, the group was labeled a "foreign agent" under legislation signed by Putin early in his third term in 2012 that pressures and marginalizes many NGOs with foreign funding. Foundation activists also encounter street harassment. In October 2013, police threatened to arrest activists who had traveled to a pharmacy in a rundown district in southeast Moscow where they handed out clean needles, bandages, condoms, and ointments. The police ordered them to disperse, prompting them to move to a new location where they continued their work. Although 1 million Russians have been registered with HIV in the last 30 years, Pokrovsky estimates there could be another 500,000 living with the virus who have not been identified -- many of them injecting drug users. "Over half of our cases are contracted through drug use," said Elena Orlova-Morozova, a doctor at the Moscow Region AIDS Center. "It is very hard to identify HIV in this group and make progress with this group. Drug use is criminalized here and there is no talk of decriminalizing it." "Drug users therefore are scared, of course, and cannot go to state buildings [such as hospitals] to be monitored," she added. Activists also criticize Russia's refusal to legalize heroin substitution therapy which has been used widely across the world -- including in authoritarian countries such as Iran -- to wean drug users off heroin by giving them orally imbibed methadone. Anya Sarang, head of the Andrei Rylkov Foundation, dismissed Medvedev's strategy as more of the same policy that has brought the epidemic this far. She suggested that one big obstacle to improvement is the growing prominence during Putin's third term of conservative ideas, anti-Western sentiment, and views espoused by the Russian Orthodox Church leadership. "I guess the Health Ministry is still trying to figure out the 'Russian' and more godly way to deal with the problem since they are not in favor of internationally accepted, evidence-based prevention programs such as needle and syringe distribution and opioid substitution therapy," Sarang said. 'My Son Died Today' LaSky, an HIV NGO that works with homosexual and bisexual men in Moscow, has not been labeled a foreign agent despite receiving money from abroad. But it has had to adapt to other restrictive legislation passed during Putin's third term. On a November afternoon, Aleksandr, 29, a shop director who moonlights at LaSky, pasted "18+" stickers onto fliers and pamphlets about HIV and homosexuals so as to avoid being accused of violating a 2013 law that criminalizes the spread of gay "propaganda" to minors. Rights groups and Western governments say the law marked a major setback for gay rights in Russia, encouraging prejudice and adding to the stigma attached to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Russia, where homosexual relations were a crime in the Soviet era. Ilya, a 20-year-old gay man who has attended counseling sessions at LaSky, has felt the stigma firsthand since he contracted HIV in December 2015 and was disowned by his family, which is prominent in his Siberian hometown. When he called his mother with the news of the test result, she said "my son died today" and hung up the phone. Ilya, who did not want his last name published, said he became depressed and fell behind on his studies at a Moscow university. When exam time came in May he asked for an extension, citing his HIV status and a doctor's note, but was swiftly expelled, he said. "In Russia, HIV-infected people are not seen as people who need help and are sick, but as people deliberately spreading the plague," said Ilya. Activists at LaSky say the lack of information about HIV is a major problem. Aleksandr, a gay man from a Volga River town who preferred not to be identified by his surname, said he had no idea when he contracted HIV in 2013 that sexually active gay and bisexual men are at a high risk of infection. "This information is nowhere, no one talks about it, no one knows anything about it," he said. Activists say sex education in schools is grossly insufficient. At his high school, Aleksandr said, there was just one lecture that talked about condoms -- and it focused on using them to prevent unwanted pregnancy. "There was nothing specifically about HIV," he said. "No one in the regions gets that. As a rule, they say superficially that there are sexually transmitted infections and you need to use a condom." LaSky offers support in getting around a major logistical hurdle for many HIV sufferers in Moscow: The state guarantees free medical treatment for citizens, but only in the locale whether they officially reside -- and many Russians who live in the capital formally remain residents of their hometowns. After Aleksandr tested positive for HIV, he had to travel back home -- 400 kilometers east of the capital -- for time-consuming treatment. He tried to hold onto his job by asking in advance for time off, but eventually was forced to resign. He has now managed to get registered for treatment by registering at the Moscow Region AIDS Center with LaSky's help. Champagne, Not Condoms Activists criticize some of the awareness campaigns that do exist, such as state-sponsored signs at Moscow train stations that make no mention of the use of condoms as a preventive measure. One public-service poster sponsored by the Moscow government says simply, "Ignorance puts you in the risk group," without further explanation. Another suggests that adhering to traditional family values is key, warning: "Infidelity puts you in the risk group." Pavel Lobkov -- a TV presenter who broke a taboo last year when he disclosed his HIV-positive status on the air on World AIDS Day, December 1 -- said condoms should be far more accessible. "They should be handing them out free of charge in clubs where there is a heightened sexual atmosphere, or at rave parties, and so on," Lobkov told RFE/RL in an interview. "When in a normal shop a pack of 12 condoms costs as much as a bottle of Soviet champagne, a couple of 18-year-olds will buy the champagne and not those boring condoms." Lobkov said that "there were outreach programs for many years" -- but that times have changed. "In the 1990s, I remember in all gay clubs or rave clubs there were free condoms at the bar," he said. They've disappeared now. They should be in your face" he said. But social conservatives who have gained influence during Putin's public push for adherence to what he and the Russian Orthodox Church cast as traditional values tend to oppose such measures. Lyudmila Stebenkova, a long-time Moscow legislator who heads the city Duma's public health committee, called on November 15 for a ban on the distribution of free condoms. Stebenkova, who has won awards from the church, said condoms only offer 80 percent protection from infection and that their free distribution inculcates "irresponsible sexual behavior." In a follow-up Facebook post, Stebenkova attacked foreign NGOs whose methods she called "strange and even irresponsible: giving out one-use needles to drug addicts and propagandizing condoms, which they give out even to schoolchildren." "In Moscow we decided to go down a different route: the propaganda of healthy living and family values," she wrote. A new poll shows the number of Russians supporting better ties with the West has significantly increased since the middle of 2015. The survey released on November 29 and conducted by the independent Levada Center found 71 percent of Russians saying they want broader and closer economic, political, and cultural ties with the West, up from 50 percent in July 2015. Just 17 percent supported a downgrading of ties with the West, down from 37 percent in July 2015. Fifty-two percent of the respondents said NATO member states do not have any reason to fear Russia, while 37 percent said they do. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said Russia should fear NATO, and 31 percent said it should not. Forty-four percent said they care about the Wests opinion about Russia, while 51 percent said they do not. The poll, conducted November 18-21, surveyed 1,600 Russians across the country in face-to-face interviews. No margin of error was given. With reporting by RBK and Interfax Russia said it has had no response from Ukraine regarding its request that Kyiv cancel a planned missile test over the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014. Russian Transportation Minister Maksim Sokolov told reporters in Moscow on November 29 that he had expressed concerns over Kyiv's plans to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). On November 24, Ukraine issued a formal notice to airmen on airspace danger zones in connection with the planned tests. Kyiv said the tests will be conducted in accordance with international regulations entirely in Ukraine's airspace over the open sea. Kyiv plans to test air-to-air combat missile systems. On November 25, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) condemned Ukraine's plans, calling them "a violation of all international agreements and a unilateral decision to conduct missile firing in Russia's sovereign airspace." Ukraine's secretary of national security and defense, Oleksandr Turchynov, then called Rosaviatsia's statement "hysteria," saying that Russia's sovereign airspace in the Black Sea ends in the middle of the Kerch Strait, where Kyiv does not plan to hold any tests. Based on reporting by UNIAN, Interfax, and TASS What Donald Trump does with Cuba deal depends on 'which Trump shows up,' expert says While President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to terminate the deal between the United States and Cuba, that may not necessarily happen, one expert told CNBC on Monday. That's because he sent mixed signals during his campaign, Baruch College professor Ted Henken said in an interview with CNBC's " Power Lunch ." At one point, Trump said he approved of President Barack Obama 's reopening of relations with Cuba, but said he would have gotten a better deal, Henken noted. On Monday, he tweeted that he would cancel the deal if Cuba doesn't make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban-American people and the U.S. as a whole. "It kind of depends partly on which Trump shows up on January 20. Is it the dealmaker, is it the let's make a deal guy, the businessman, the pragmatist? Or is it the sabre rattler, someone who would embrace potentially the embargo and the kind of Republican hardline toward Cuba?" said Henken. Trump's tweet followed his statement over the weekend about Fidel Castro's death , in which he condemned Castro for oppressing his people. The U.S. and Cuba began normalizing relations in December 2014 and have since restored full diplomatic ties. Travel restrictions have eased for U.S. citizens, although general tourism remains illegal. On Monday, commercial flights to Cuba resumed. While Trump could reverse those flights with the stroke of a pen, it's unlikely he'll do that, said John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council. Instead, he believes in the short- to medium-term there will more likely be an increase in enforcement. "He can increase the hassle factor and that's quite likely what he's going to do," Kavulich told "Power Lunch." "He won't suspend the flights because the vast majority of people that are taking these flights are people of Cuban dissent going to visit their families and he's not going to want to cut that off." Story continues Kavulich said Trump and his advisors see U.S. dollars being spent in Cuba, but no return. "They see that the U.S. has done an awful lot. They see that Cuba has done little. They see Cuban government saying 'yes if it brings us revenue' and 'we'll take it under advisement if it costs us something,'" he said. Reuters contributed to this report. More From CNBC Russian forces have launched suicide drones on targets in eastern and central Ukraine, the Ukrainian air defense reported, as heavy fighting continues in the east. "Twelve out of 13 [loitering] munitions were destroyed by [the Ukrainian] anti-aircraft defense in the eastern and central regions of the country," the military said in a message on Telegram. The air defense said six drones were shot down in eastern Ukraine and another six were destroyed in the central part of the country. Russia has been targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian objectives with missile, drone, and artillery attacks for weeks amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has driven Russian troops out of the northeast and pushed them back in the east and southeast. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on November 2 that authorities in the capital were preparing more than 1,000 heating points throughout the city in case its district heating system is disabled by continued Russian attacks. Russia launched missiles into several Ukrainian cities on October 31, including Kyiv, as the Kremlin continues its relentless assault on Ukrainian critical infrastructure in the hopes of wearing down its population's will to resist. Water and electricity supplies were all but cut off for hours in Kyiv before being restored on November 1, but officials warned that power rationing would continue to be necessary in the capital. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Klitschko wrote on Telegram on November 2 that city authorities were considering different scenarios due to missile attacks. "The worst one is where there will be no electric power, water, or district heating at all," he said. "For that case, we are preparing over 1,000 heating points in our city." Missile and drone attacks have damaged at least 40 percent of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and have already briefly left large parts of Kyiv without power and water. Nine regions were experiencing power cuts, authorities said. "We will do everything we can to provide power and heat for the coming winter," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his regular address late on November 1. "But we must understand that Russia will do everything it can to destroy normal life." In the central Cherkasy region, a drone hit an infrastructure objective on November 2, said regional Governor Ihor Taburets in a message on Telegram. Taburets said that two other drones that targeted Cherkasy were shot down. He said no injuries were reported. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat on November 1 warned that Kyiv does not have an effective means of defense against Iranian-made ballistic missiles, which Russia is likely planning to deploy north of the Ukrainian border. Ihnat told a news briefing that it would be theoretically possible to shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles, but it would be very difficult to do it "with the means that we have in our arsenal today." The Washington Post reported last month that Iran had agreed to supply Russia with surface-to-surface missiles, citing sources in U.S. security agencies The Ukrainian military said Russian troops continued shelling the eastern city of Bakhmut, a target of Russia's armed forces in their slow advance through the Donetsk region. There was fierce fighting near Bakhmut, as Ukrainian forces held back Russian assaults on two other areas in Donetsk, around Avdiyivka and Uhledar. With reporting by Reuters and AP German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has urged his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to allow humanitarian relief supplies to reach civilians in rebel-held parts of eastern Aleppo in Syria. Steinmeier pressed Lavrov on the issue during a bilateral meeting in Minsk on November 29 that followed talks aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. A member of Steinmeier's delegation said "there was a clear call to the Russians to allow humanitarian supplies to reach the people in the eastern part of Aleppo who are facing terrible conditions. Earlier on November 29, the Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered the Defense and Emergency Situations ministries to send mobile hospitals to the Syrian city of Aleppo to provide "medical assistance to residents of the city and nearby communities" as soon as possible Russia has been providing military support to the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as they have advanced into districts of eastern Aleppo that have been under the control of rebel fighters since 2012. Syrian relief organizations have accused Assad's regime and Russia of intentionally targeting medical facilities in the city. United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen OBrien on November 29 warned of the "deeply alarming and chilling situation" in Aleppo. He said there are "no functioning hospitals left, and official food stocks are practically finished." France has called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo. Based on reporting by Interfax, TASS, AP, and Reuters Talks in Minsk on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine have ended with the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany all saying no new breakthroughs were made. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the November 29 meeting in the Belarusian capital concluded with negotiators far from reaching a political agreement that includes local elections -- one of the key points of the February 2015 Minsk Agreement. But Steinmeier said he still hopes for progress on implementing the Minsk accords in order to bring an end to fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Steinmeier also held out the prospect that full implementation of the measures agreed in Minsk in September 2014 and February 2015 could lead to the lifting of international sanctions imposed against Russia over its role in Ukraine's conflict. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin blamed Russia for the standstill at the November 29 meeting, saying Moscow would not agree to any of the key priorities set out in the talks. Klimkin also said Kyiv and Moscow have a fundamental difference of opinion on how a path to peace would look. Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying 5,000 to 7,500 regular army units in eastern Ukraine and gathering a force of 55,000 troops near Russia's borders with Ukraine. Russia denies it has any troops in eastern Ukraine. 'Unacceptable' Status Quo Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was not possible to agree to further steps at the November 29 meeting. But he said "work will continue." Lavrov also rejected the idea of setting up a militarized monitoring mission in southeastern Ukraine under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Russian foreign minister said: "There will be no militarized missions either of the OSCE or any other organization, contrary to what Kyiv has been saying from time to time." France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said "all the elements of the Minsk accords must be put in place" and that there is still "an enormous amount of work to be done." Ayrault described the November 29 talks as "difficult," but said the dialogue has not broken down altogether. However, he said that the status quo in eastern Ukraine is unacceptable and likely will lead to more violence. At the completion of the meeting of the four foreign ministers in Minsk, Lavrov and Steinmeier went into a separate bilateral meeting in the Belarusian capital on November 29. Steinmeier had said before arriving in Minsk that he planned to speak to Lavrov about Russias military role in Syria's war. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, Interfax, and TASS Ukraines Defense Ministry has said Russia has between 5,000 and 7,500 regular military troops inside Ukrainian territory, not counting the annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea. Deputy Defense Minister Ihor Dolhov told journalists in Kyiv on November 29 that Russia has 23,000 troops in Crimea, including about 9,000 along the administrative line between Crimea and mainland Ukraine. In addition, he said, Russia has some 55,000 troops stationed very near its border with Ukraine. Moscow did not immediately react to the announcement, but it has in the past repeatedly denied having a military presence in Ukraine, other than Crimea, which Russia forcibly annexed in 2014. Kyiv and Western governments assert that Moscow is providing military, economic, and political support to separatists in eastern Ukraine. Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court ruled that the conflict in eastern Ukraine is an "international armed conflict" between Russia and Ukraine. The conflict there has left some 9,600 people dead since it broke out in early 2014, according to the UN. Based on reporting by RIA Novosti and Interfax The UNs human rights office has said that Islamic State (IS) militants in the Iraqi city of Mosul have killed civilians who resist having rocket launchers or snipers stationed on the roofs of their houses. UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva on November 29 that IS militants killed 12 civilians in Mosul's Bakir neighborhood on November 11. According to the agency, IS fighters publicly shot to death 27 civilians in northern Mosul on November 25. On November 22, an IS sniper shot and killed a 7-year-old child who was running down a street in eastern Mosul. Iraqi government forces and their allies are conducting a major offensive to dislodge IS from Mosul, which was captured in 2014 and is the last IS urban stronghold in the country. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Local Boyscout Troop 31 (Crompton) will be running their annual Christmas tree stand at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society each weekend through Dec. 18. From left: David Samos Jr., Jaimelynn Samos, D'Metri Serrano, Seth Samos, scout leader David Samos Sr., Seth Samos, Travis Mullens, and Joe Mullens stand next to one of many trees for sale. The word from Vienna is that things are not going well for OPEC . In fact, they are going surprisingly poorly. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets Wednesday, and it was expected that the cartel could reach an agreement to cut back oil production. But the efforts appear to have hit a wall, even as talks continue. Analysts say a deal is still possible, but the odds have fallen with the appearance of disagreement between the major players. The outcome of this meeting is being watched across financial markets because it could set the course for oil prices over the next year. If it fails, the market sees oil in the $30s per barrel in the near future, but if it succeeds, oil could stay above $50 and move higher. Oil was off about 3.5 percent in Tuesday trading, with West Texas Intermediate futures at $45.43 per barrel, and analysts say it could keep falling to around $42 unless a deal emerges. "We're going to need somebody to go in and rescue it. This could end early tomorrow unless Khalid" Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih "can come in and restore order, but there's not a lot of time to get it done," said Helima Croft, head of global commodities strategy at RBC. Croft, who is in Vienna, said the delegates are now awaiting the arrival of Al-Falih, and the outcome of the meeting is heavily dependent on whether Iran and Saudi Arabia can agree. "What I hear is kind of crazy. The fear in town is it's Doha redux. Everybody's worst nightmare," she said. In April, OPEC ministers met in Doha, Qatar, amid high expectations they would agree to freeze production, but there was friction between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and there was no deal. Saudi Arabia insisted its rival join the freeze, but Iran held firm to its goal of regaining the market share it lost under economic sanctions on its nuclear program. Saudi Arabia quashed what had looked like a possible deal in Doha in the final hour, and it was believed that Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made the call himself. But many analysts have said the Saudis are now more intent on a deal because of their planned public offering of Saudi Aramco next year, and the massive remake of the economy, led by the young deputy crown prince. Story continues "Once again, it seems (Mohammed bin Salman) has decided Iranian participation in a cut is mandated. If he sticks to that position, it doesn't lift off tomorrow. I think a cut was never on the table for Iran. Is this just a hard-line tactic? Are they trying to get the maximum concession?" said Croft. Iran's energy minister arrived in Vienna, warning that his country was not going to make any cuts in production. "We will leave the level of production (where) we decided in Algeria," Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told reporters as he arrived in Vienna on Monday. In fact, Iran upped the ante by demanding that Saudi Arabia take even deeper cuts. Reuters reported that Iran now has written to OPEC saying that Saudi Arabia needs to cut back its output to 9.5 million barrels, a million-barrel-a-day cut. Saudi Arabia had indicated it would cut only half that amount. "Now I'm wondering how ugly it's going to get," said John Kilduff, founder of investment management firm Again Capital. "They're like a dysfunctional family. They tried to cover up their discord as long as they could." Kilduff said oil could quickly touch $40 per barrel if there's no deal, before falling into the $30s. The official posture of Saudi Arabia until this past weekend was that it was hopeful that a deal would get done, and that it was willing to do what it would take to make it happen. But over the weekend, Al-Falih signaled that he believed the oil market could rebalance without a deal, raising flags that the Saudi delegation might change its tone. In April, talks failed over a freeze in production, but now the negotiations are for actual cuts, the bulk of which would have to be made by Saudi Arabia. Croft said it seems that the disagreement is whether Iran accepts a production level 200,000 below what it says it currently produces. However, Iran says it produces 3.9 million barrels, and other sources put it closer to 3.7 million barrels a day. "We're potentially going to fall apart over 200,000 barrels. This is what it comes down to. We're in the realm of ego. This is kind of lunacy. They're not fighting over a million barrels," Croft said. Iraq's role is also so far unresolved, despite comments from its oil minister that he was optimistic for a deal. "It's between those three," said another analyst, referring to Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. "It's not going well so far," said the analyst, speaking from Vienna. "The issue has been if they are not going to cut, then what is the level that is established for them in terms of the base? What are they not cutting from? When you're negotiating, do you want to reach a deal or not? If you want to reach a deal, you might have to compromise something. That seems to be the problem. Does everybody want to do a deal or not? There are some people who seem to think not at those terms." Croft said the stakes are much higher at this meeting than they were in the spring. The Saudi population is hurting from cutbacks in domestic spending. Since the collapse in oil prices, the kingdom has rolled back energy and other subsidies. Bin Salman needs a higher oil price to make his goal of shifting to a more diverse economy work. "I think the problem is who wants it more," Croft said. "We saw in September (Saudi Arabia) wanted it more. Maybe they wanted it more in September because they were doing a bond issuance." In fact, as it launched a $17.5 billion debt deal in October, the Saudi oil minister made bullish comments on oil, saying the long decline in oil prices was nearing an end. "I think they'll probably still come up with an announcement. If there's no announcement, the market will fall below $40 a barrel very quickly," said Francisco Blanch, head of global commodity and derivatives research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. "They won't do it at any cost. That's shifted the tone of the negotiation and that's why we're seeing all these headlines, and the market is unraveling. There's a very obvious situation here where the Saudis are better funded than the other OPEC players. They've done their bond deal, and the expectation from Iran and Iraq was that the Saudis were going to bend over backward to get it done," said Blanch. Blanch said Saudi Arabia's very cooperative posturing in September at a meeting in Algiers may have been tactical, ahead of its bond offering. Iran, Croft said, may not appreciate that there's a chance the U.S. could put it back under sanctions, once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. "There's a new sheriff in town in the U.S., so that new sanction relief is not guaranteed by any measure," she said. More From CNBC Three days after her boyfriend was found shot and lying on the ground in Richmonds North Side, Shaunte Townes felt the pains she had been expecting for nine months. She was going into labor, and she would have to do it without him. George Carrington IV was born about 10:30 p.m. Monday at 9 pounds and 7 ounces. He inherited the name of the father he will never meet. At 17 years old, George Carrington III was still Virnita Carringtons baby. He was just a good boy, a good, good boy. There wasnt a malicious bone in his body, she said. His room in the familys new home on Chimborazo Boulevard is crowded with unpacked boxes, some still full of car parts and tools for his mechanical projects and others stacked with things for his newborn. Large speakers are crammed in the rest of his room. Lately, his mother said, he had the rapper Gucci Mane on repeat. His shoes with blackened grease stains were scattered across the floor. His mother had long given up on removing those stains from his shoes and his Groome Transportation work clothes. He didnt care about that kind of stuff, all the appearances, his mother said, adding that he often wore work clothes to school so he could go straight to his job from his classes at Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was a senior. He was just a hard worker. A crib sits in one corner, an unopened baby monitor and a package of Pampers in another. He talked of buying his son a Power Wheels toy, and his mother had fussed at him for thinking of such things so early, just like she fussed at him for toting his pregnant girlfriend with him to the junkyard at 7 a.m. some days. He wanted to make sure he was a father who was actively engaged in his sons life, said the Rev. Morris Henderson, pastor of 31st Street Baptist Church. Family members said Carrington had practically grown up in that church, where he operated the cameras from the balcony during services. Carrington and his mother were supposed to travel Tuesday for his interview with Universal Technical Institute, a training school for the transportation industry that he felt could help him support his family and fulfill his dream of becoming a mechanic. His mother had purchased a nail kit to clean up his perpetually black and greasy fingernails. This week was also was when he had planned to give 18-year-old Shaunte Townes a promise ring. Now, in her more desperate moments, Townes posts on his Facebook page. Goodnight, baby, we love you. I cant get you off my mind and Baby George is missing your voice so much, he wont stop moving, Townes wrote on his Facebook page hours before she went into labor. And now, his mother is fielding calls from funeral homes and trying to hold back tears when she sees something familiar like his key chain on the living room mantel, bulky from all the cars he was fixing up. Its sort of like a bad dream, Virnita Carrington said. He was found shot about 5:30 p.m. Friday near an overturned white Buick sedan in the 600 block of Milton Street in the Providence Park neighborhood. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they have obtained a warrant charging 17-year-old Ishmael D. Brown with murder. Virnita Carrington said she doesnt know Brown. The last time she had seen her son on Friday night, he told her he was going to take his friend home. Police declined to release any further information about the case, including whether they have assigned a motive to the crime. George Carringtons killing was the 55th of 56 homicides in Richmond this year, according to the police. Those numbers dont include some other types of homicides, including cases of self-defense, accidental and justifiable killings. Virnita Carrington still hasnt seen her youngest sons body, but she has seen her grandson. Richmond police are investigating after a woman was shot Tuesday in the city's East End. The shooting happened around noon near the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Fairmont Avenue, police said. The woman's injuries are not considered life-threatening, police said. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. A Henrico County man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a drug-related shooting that left two dead in South Richmond earlier this year. Japell Christian, 34, of the 5700 block of Yates Lane in Highland Springs, initially was charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery, abduction, possession of a firearm by a felon and three counts of use of firearm in commission of a felony. The murder charge was amended and the remaining charges dropped Monday, when Christian entered a plea that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. Richmond police responded to an apartment in the 5700 block of Thorndale Lane for a report of a shooting. On the first floor of the apartment, police found Akeem J. Williams, 30, of the 300 block of East 11th Street, shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene, but his death was later ruled a justifiable homicide. In an upstairs bedroom, police found Veka Shawn Chham, 30, of Fresno, Calif. He had been shot in the stomach and was transported to VCU Medical Center, where he died shortly after. Chhams brother, Chha Chham, told police he shot Williams, who, along with a man later identified as Christian, had broken into the home and attempted to rob the brothers at gunpoint, according to court records. There was a large amount of marijuana in the apartment, a search warrant said. Chha Chham currently is facing a felony drug charge for possession of marijuana with intent to sell. His case has been continued until Dec. 16. Family members told police that Christian and Williams were cousins. Christian, who went by the nickname Pee, was last seen with Williams prior to the shooting and was the last person to contact Williams before his death, court records show. Christian is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 10. He has a lengthy criminal background dating to 1997 that includes 13 misdemeanors and six felonies, mostly drug charges for which he served little time. Sentencing guidelines call for between 15 and 26 years in prison, but the plea deal Christian agreed to limits the maximum penalty to 14 years. Police have arrested a second man in connection with a slaying that happened in August in the city's Ginter Park neighborhood. Bernardo L. Jones Sr, 20, of the 3900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue, was arrested Nov. 23. He is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, police said. Jones was wanted in the death of Desmond L. Holmes, 32, of the 7900 block of Tamarind Place in Henrico. Holmes was found shot to death around midnight Aug. 21 in a parking lot in the 3900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue. In September, Demontrell C. Hurdle, 30, of the 3900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in Holmes' slaying. Anyone with any information about the slaying is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Amira Sleem at (804) 646-3871 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the keyword ITip followed by the tip or submit a tip online at www.7801000.com. Editors note: This story contains graphic content. A Republican lawmaker called Tuesday for Gov. Terry McAuliffe to remove a Charlottesville Democrat from the Virginia Board of Education over his history of racist, sexist, homophobic and sexually explicit tweets. Wes Bellamy, a Charlottesville City Council member who also holds the ceremonial title of vice mayor, has come under fire after the revelation of a string of crude and racially charged messages posted from his Twitter account, most of them between four and seven years ago. Bellamy, 30, a high school teacher with a reputation as a promising young African-American leader, apologized for the tweets in a Facebook post Sunday night. He characterized them as youthful indiscretions and said he had matured beyond the offensive views he once expressed. But the apology may not be enough to save Bellamys political positions. McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said Tuesday that the governor has reached out to Mr. Bellamy and is awaiting a return call. The governor is horrified by the content that has been reported on recently from Mr. Bellamys Twitter feed, Coy said. Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said that even if Bellamy has changed his ways, the volume and tone of the tweets disqualify him from serving on a board that sets standards for schools throughout Virginia. Conservatives get accused every day of being racist and sexist and homophobic without any proof of that, Gilbert said. But heres a guy who regularly expressed all of those sentiments in his Twitter feed. And I just think that some better vetting could have revealed just what a vulgar individual this is. Though Bellamy already is serving on the board, the Republican-controlled General Assembly has not officially confirmed his appointment, giving the GOP an opening effectively to kick Bellamy off the board by rejecting his appointment. I think the governor could find somebody who has never expressed these views about violence and violating women, Gilbert said. About calling homosexuals names. About using the N-word so freely. I just think its unbecoming of our Board of Education. Bellamy gave no indication that he would heed calls to step down from the Charlottesville City Council. He was the top vote-getter in last years council election. The Albemarle County School Board announced Tuesday that Bellamy is on administrative leave from his job at Albemarle High School while the board investigates. In a statement, board Chairwoman Kate Acuff said the posts contain extremely vulgar and offensive language that directly contradicts the values of our school division. Bellamy made an earlier, unsuccessful run for the Charlottesville council in 2013. In his apology, Bellamy said that at the time of the tweets, he was a young man living outside the Deep South for the first time. In the course of trying to mature and find my way I came to some false conclusions about the world around me and made them known, Bellamy wrote. Since then, Ive furthered my education and gotten married. Im raising daughters. I have and continue to strive to be a better man, community leader, educator, public servant and overall person. I work every day to become a better version of myself. Bellamy did not return requests for comment. He has made his Twitter account private, but many tweets were preserved by Jason Kessler, a Charlottesville-area blogger tied to the so-called alt-right movement, which has racist elements itself. In his blog post, Kessler accused Bellamy of having an Afrocentric racial agenda over Bellamys efforts to have the city remove a Confederate statue from a central city park. Bellamys tweets also were reported by the Charlottesville newspapers The Daily Progress and The Cavalier Daily, a student publication at the University of Virginia. In the tweets, Bellamy voiced animosity toward white people and white women in particular; used anti-gay slurs; and seemed to take a flippant attitude toward sexual assault. In October 2011, Bellamy retweeted another user who said if she moan it aint rape while describing a sexual act on a sleeping woman. Word, Bellamy added as he circulated the comment. In March 2011, Bellamy commented, A rape charge waiting to happen as he retweeted another users remark about going on a whitegirl diet for a weekend. In separate tweets from 2012, he called white women the devil and said: So sad seeing these beanpole body white women in these sundresses smh... In February 2011, he tweeted that he hated seeing white people in Orangeburg, the South Carolina city thats home to his alma mater, South Carolina State University. Other tweets included the homophobic slur faggot. In another message from October 2011, Bellamy seemed to question the prevalence of women in the education field. Im all for equal opportunity..but a Female Principal with a school full of female teachers is fkn a sure fire way to fk our lil boys up smh, Bellamy tweeted. The comment about female educators came after Bellamy began working at Albemarle High School. Albemarle schools spokesman Phil Giaramita said Bellamy was hired as a part-time and substitute teacher in February 2011 and was brought on full time in August 2012. Richmond Mayor-elect Levar Stoney, who oversaw state board appointments as McAuliffes then-secretary of the commonwealth, praised Bellamy in a recent, post-election interview. Speaking to the Southwest Virginia radio station WVTF, Stoney named Bellamy as one of two young people in government that stand out, the other being Del. Marcia S. Price, D-Newport News. What I want to do is join people like them in pushing for some of these issues that matter in all our jurisdictions. Particularly, public education, Stoney said. In late September, Bellamy was listed as a special guest for a Virginia Young Democrats fundraiser in Richmond to raise money for Stoney and other young candidates for city offices. Bellamys appointment was made before Stoney resigned as secretary of the commonwealth in April to run for mayor. Autumn began with one of Richmonds wettest spells on record, then abruptly switched to one of the driest. Meteorological fall defined as the months of September, October and November ends Wednesday with welcome showers and near-record warmth. September and the first half of October brought 15.36 inches of rain to Richmond International Airport, the second-highest total on record for that portion of the year. Those six weeks alone brought a 9.8-inch surplus of rain to the metro area. Most of that rainfall came from two events: persistent thunderstorms on Sept. 28 and a brush from Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 8. Both days set daily records for precipitation. The rest of October and November (not including Wednesday) produced only about an inch of rain, which is 3.7 inches lower than normal. The second half of fall wont be Richmonds driest: A mere 0.17 inches fell during the same stretch of weeks in 2001. 2016 is certain to end with a rainfall surplus for Richmond. Despite the recent dryness, the year-to-date departure is 9.6 inches above normal. Most areas will see rain again Wednesday, but the rain will not last all day. The Richmond area may encounter a few thundershowers as the day begins, but most of the daylight hours will be cloudy and dry. Another wave of showers or thundershowers could sprout up in the late afternoon, but the activity will be hit-or-miss and brief. The best chance will hold off until the evening hours, when a line of showers sweeps from west to east ahead of a cold front. The showers may produce gusty winds for a short time, but the severe weather risk is fairly low. The scattered nature of the rain will make for uneven totals across the region. Most areas can expect to pick up a quarter-inch to a half-inch on Wednesday, mostly during the evening. Some isolated spots could see totals as high as an inch. Rain is likely to clear offshore by the early morning hours of Thursday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday will feature the dry and chilly weather more typical of early December. The European Court of Justice is trying to decide what kind of company Uber is. A hearing in Europe's top court Monday is aimed at determining whether the ride-hailing firm is either an information or transport service, a decision which will have repercussions for its operations across the European Union . If the European Court of Justice determines that Uber is a transport company, it will be subject to stricter regulations across the 28-nation EU. Uber has been embattled along these lines before, with regular taxi drivers arguing that Uber unfairly undercuts their trade. An Uber spokesperson told CNBC via e-mail that the company is "pleased to have the opportunity to provide (its) views to the Court of Justice of the European Union," adding that "this case should show that European laws fully support the development of a Digital Single Market." The case was brought to the European Court of Justice from Spain, where it was raised by a taxi drivers' association. Uber was banned in Spain until earlier this year, and according to a statement on the ride-hailing company's website, this was due to the country having "one of the most restrictive transport laws in Europe." A spokesperson at the European Court of Justice told CNBC via telephone that "other technology-based services could be impacted." The European Commission presented guidance on the sharing economy earlier in June, saying that "platforms should not be subject to authorisations or licenses where they only act as intermediaries between consumers and those offering the actual service (e.g. transport of accommodation service.)" The 15-strong panel of judges do not necessarily have to make a binary choice, as they could decide that the company fits somewhere in between the two categories. The ruling will be made in roughly six months' time, according to a spokesperson at the European Court of Justice. Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook. More From CNBC Zijn Platinum appoints former SA finance minister as deputy chair Nkwe Platinum and South Africa Zijin Platinum, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Zijin Mining, have appointed former South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni as a non-executive director and deputy chairperson of South Africa Zijin Platinum. Saudi Arabia seeks support from Australian miners to diversify its oil-dependent economy Saudi Arabia is seeking support from Australian miners to support its $170 bn plan to build a mining industry, and diversify its oil-dependent economy this decade. Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef is in... WGC: Global gold demand up 28% y-o-y in Q3 The World Gold Councils latest Gold Demand Trends report reveals that gold demand (excluding OTC) in the third quarter of 2022 hit 1,181 tonnes, up 28% year-on-year. Strong demand pushed the year-to-date total to its pre-COVID levels. Gold... Karo Mining to raise $50m to develop Zim platinum project Tharisa, the platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome co-producer, says its subsidiary Karo Mining has opened a fixed income note offer to raise $50 million to be listed by way of introduction on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX)... Two Namibian diamond cutting and polishing factories, Julius Klein Diamonds and Laurelton Diamonds, have resumed their operations following an improved supply of rough diamonds in Namibia. The new diamond sorting, valuing and marketing agreement inked between De Beers and Windhoek last May had increased the value of the local diamond supply from $230 million to $430 million per year, according to New Era. The deal also made it possible for local cutting and polishing industry to receive all special stones from Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC). NDTC remains the supplying agent for supplying local cutting and polishing factories. In the previous dispensation, only 10 percent of the so called cuttables (defined as diamonds that can be economically cut and polished in Namibia) [were] made available for local beneficiation during the infant stages of the sector when skills were scarce and proficiency in diamond cutting low, mines minister Obeth Kandjoze was quoted as saying. That amount is now increased by some 87 percent from the baseline. Concerns had been raised over the manner in which Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia), a wholly-owned by the Namibian government, had been auctioning the countrys diamonds. Namdia distributes up to 15 percent of Namdeb Holdings total production under the sales and marketing agreement with De Beers. The Namibian newspaper recently cited unnamed sources as saying that the decision by Namdia to sell diamonds to Dubai had riled local diamond manufacturing companies who are now being forced to buy Namdia diamonds from Dubai. However, company board chairperson Shakespeare Masiza said they sold the diamonds to Dubai companies because most major diamond industry leaders or companies were based in Dubai. Dubai has emerged as one of the most prominent global diamond trading hubs. As such, the focus of the rough diamond industry has moved from Belgium to Dubai, he was quoted as saying. In fact, Dubai is the chair of the Kimberly Process certification this year and has the best infrastructure for the diamond industry to work from. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished The Angolan National Police (PNA) has arrested 749 illegal diamond miners from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). State-owned news agency, Angola Press Agency, quoted PNA acting director for the information and analysis office Alberto Dala that the illegal diamond miners were rounded up in the municipality of Lucapa in the Lunda Norte region, which shares a 500km-long border with the DRC. He said the regional police command had launched several operations to curb illegal diamond mining. Angop claimed that at least 750 DRC citizens were arrested in the Lunda Norte municipalities of Chitato, Cambulo and Lovua for illegal diamond mining among other crimes. Security guards allegedly working for a private company in the diamond-mining region of Lunda-Norte were last June filmed torturing illegal diamond diggers in Angola. Independent news site Maka Angola founded by human rights journalist Rafael Marques posted a clip on YouTube then, which exposed the vicious and sadistic violence against the weeping men. Illegal diamond mining had been a source of headache for Angolan officials despite efforts to put the practice to an end. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished There are deep divisions between European creditors led by Germany, and the IMF, which believes that the Europeans' expectations of Greece's economic performance are too ambitious (AFP Photo/Aris MESSINIS) Athens (AFP) - EU Economy Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Tuesday he is optimistic about concluding an overall deal on Greece's latest bailout programme by the end of the year including discussions on debt relief. Moscovici spoke just days before a key meeting of eurozone finance ministers on December 5 to discuss Greece's massive 86-billion-euro bailout, its third since 2010. "This is doable, feasible," Moscovici told journalists at the end of a two-day visit to Athens. However he said that "the precondition is to have pre-agreement this weekend involving all partners." "Greece has made significant progress, the second review is going forward well, I'm convinced to reach a staff agreement before the December fifth Eurogroup" meeting, he said. During the previous review of Greece's reform programme in May, the EU and IMF agreed to start discussions on debt relief by the end of the year if Athens keeps its reform pledges. But influential Germany firmly opposes any new gestures to Athens, especially ahead of German elections later next year in which anti-EU populists could see a significant surge. Greece's leftist-led government is desperate to reach agreement with the creditors on the new fiscal measures before the end of the year in order to secure a pledge of debt relief, hoping it will kickstart the ailing economy. Athens is also hoping that a deal will persuade the European Central Bank to include Greek sovereign debt in its asset purchase programme, known as quantitative easing or QE. Without debt relief, the ECB will not grant Greece access to QE, and without this, the country will not be able to return to the debt markets by early 2018, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said Monday. Greece's debt will grow to 315 billion euros ($334 billion) or around 180 percent of output this year, according to the Greek finance ministry. The International Monetary Fund has said it won't join the latest bailout until it sees a concrete plan from the Europeans to substantially cut the debt burden. Story continues Despite strong opposition by Germany, Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem said debt measures would be discussed on Monday in the hopes of persuading the IMF to sign on to the bailout. "I think the IMF is committed because they had already agreed in May to go to the board (for approval) before the end of the year," Dijsselbloem told MEPs in Brussels. In a gesture towards the IMF, Dijsselbloem admitted that the EU's budget demands of Greece may be too strict, putting himself in opposition to powerful German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. "The IMF has a point that running a primary surplus of 3.5 percent of GDP for a very long time is a huge thing to ask and we need to be realistic here," Dijsselbloem said. FRA The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) called progress made by railroads in the third quarter of 2016 in implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) "uneven" across the country and across the railroads. The report says freight railroads now have PTC active on 12 percent of their tracks, up from 9 percent last quarter. Passenger railroads increased their percentage to 23 percent this quarter compared to 22 percent last quarter. FRA noted the measurable progress made by passenger railroads has been predominately on the West Coast and called progress on East Coast passenger railroads, with the exception of SEPTA and Amtrak, as relatively stagnant. In response to the report, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) issued a statement reminding the industry of the complexities involved in developing, installing and then thoroughly testing this complex, revolutionary technology to ensure it is providing additional safety benefits. AAR reiterated that implementing PTC is a priority among freight railroads and noted the freight industry spends $100 million per month on PTCs development, testing and installation. The reality is that this revolutionary technology is not-off-the shelf, it had to be developed from scratch and isnt just about plugging in or turning on components. It is a complex step-by-step process, both in terms of safety, engineering and implementation, said AAR. Union Pacific, which has invested $2.1 billion through September 2016 on PTC and is on track to meet the 2018 deadline, says it has 40 PTC trains per day operating in the Los Angeles Basin and central California. The Class 1 said, Developing and implementing a PTC system is a multi-dimensional process requiring a cross-functional, networkwide approach. Union Pacifics PTC system consists of multiple technologies functioning together to constantly monitor and manage train movements. In mid November, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) said that based on its analysis, significant progress had been made on the passenger rail side of the industry to implement PTC. APTA called implementing the technology a heavy lift for commuter railroads and asked for additional federal funds to help pay for the implementation. A thought echoed by FRA Administrator Sarah Feinberg. In order to achieve full PTC implementation, everyone has to do their part railroads must make implementation a priority and Congress must make funding for commuter railroads a priority, said Administrator Feinberg. Japan will on Wednesday release preliminary October figures for industrial production, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Output is expected to be flat on month and down 1.3 percent on year after adding 0.6 percent on month and 1.5 percent on year in September. Japan also will see October figures for vehicle production, housing starts and construction orders, as well as November results for the small confidence index. Vehicle production was up 1.4 percent on year in September, while construction orders jumped 16.3 percent. Housing starts are expected to spike 11.0 percent on year, up from 10.0 percent a month earlier. The business confidence index is expected to show a score of 48.0, down from 48.3 in October. Australia will see October data for new home sales, private sector credit and building approvals. Home sales were up 2.7 percent on month in September, while private sector credit was up 0.4 percent on month and5.4 percent on year. Building approvals are tipped to gain 2.0 percent on month and fall 6.2 percent on year after tumbling 8.7 percent on month and 6.4 percent on year in the previous month. New Zealand will see November results for the business confidence survey from NBNZ; in October, the index had a score of 24.5, with an outlook score of 38.4. Thailand will release Q3 numbers for current account and October figures for imports, exports and trade balance. In the second quarter, the current account surplus was $8.37 billion. In September, imports were worth $15.58 billion and exports were at $19.30 billion for a trade surplus of $3.72 billion. Malaysia will provide October data for producer prices; in September, producer prices were up 1.8 percent on month and 0.4 percent on year. South Korea will see October figures for industrial production and retail sales. In September, output was up 0.3 percent on month and down 2.0 percent on year, while retail sales fell 4.5 percent on month and gained 0.5 percent on year. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Novartis (NVS) said that Rwanda is the third country to sign a memorandum of understanding with Novartis Access after Kenya and Ethiopia. This agreement contributes to the strategy of the Rwandan government to increase investment in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases or NCDs. First Novartis Access product deliveries are expected in early 2017. Novartis Access is a portfolio of 15 on- and off-patent medicines against key chronic diseases, which is offered to governments and public-sector customers at a price of US$1 per treatment per month. Since the program's launch in September 2015, more than 100,000 monthly treatments have been delivered to Kenya, Ethiopia and Lebanon. Capacity-building activities to screen and diagnose people for diabetes and hypertension have started in Kenya, and discussions are ongoing to introduce the program in more than 10 countries across three continents. Preparing the ground for future country roll-outs, 312 products have been submitted to authorities for regulatory approval in 19 countries. Managing NCDs is particularly challenging in lower-income countries as they are faced with the dual disease burden of infectious and chronic diseases.. Twenty- eight million people die every year from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases and cancers in these countries, representing nearly 75% of deaths from NCDs globally. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (PPC) announced an agreement to acquire GNP Company, a provider of premium branded chicken products in the Upper Midwest, for $350 million in cash. The company said the addition of the GNP Company's portfolio of Just BARE Certified Organic and Natural/American Humane CertifiedTM/No-Antibiotics-Ever product lines to Pilgrim's existing NAE and organic production capabilities, further positions Pilgrim's as a leading provider of high quality products in the fastest growing chicken segments. Pilgrim's expects the acquisition will be accretive to the company's earnings per share in 2017, and achieve approximately $20 million in annualized synergies, primarily from the optimization of production and distribution, and cost savings in purchasing, production, logistics and SG&A. The proposed transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2017. GNP Company has production facilities in Cold Spring and Luverne, Minn., and Arcadia, Wis., with approximately 400 family farm partners and more than 1,700 team members. GNP Company's products are distributed in nearly all 50 states. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The final results in the US Presidential election has been officially announced, nearly three weeks after the polling. President-elect Donald Trump has a 10,704-vote majority over his Democratic rival in Michigan, which makes it the closest presidential race in Michigan in more than 75 years. The President-elect won 2,279,543 popular vote, while Hillary Clinton polled 2,268,839 votes. The win in Michigan gives the billionaire 16 electoral votes, and he has a total of 306 electoral college votes in his credit to Clinton's 232. Trump is the first Republican presidential nominee to win Michigan since 1988. The results were canvassed and certified by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers on Monday. Some national media organizations often choose to "call" a race or declare a winner based on unofficial results, polling data and other information on election night. In Michigan's case this year, the media chose not to declare a winner because of the relative closeness of the presidential results. Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who came fourth in Michigan winning 51,463 votes, is reportedly planning to call for a recount there. The deadline to demand a recount is Wednesday. "The Great State of Michigan was just certified as a Trump WIN giving all of our MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN supporters another victory - 306," Trump said on Twitter. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Green Day has added a pair of European concert dates to its touring schedule. The band will play at Ormeau Park in Belfast on June 28 and at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin on June 29. The band will then wrap up the second leg of their European tour on July 1 at Hyde Park in London. Green Day will play a show at The Forum in Los Angeles on December 11 before they embark on the first leg of their European tour. They will kick things off across the pond on January 10 with a show in Turin, Italy. The band will travel to Switzerland, Germany, France and Sweden before wrapping things up at the O2 Arena in London on February 8. The band will then travel back to North America for a tour of the U.S. and Canada, beginning on March 1 with a show in Phoenix, Arizona. Green Day will finish their North American tour with a show in San Diego on April 8 and then head to Australia and New Zealand before they begin the second leg of their European tour on June 4 in the Netherlands. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Entertainment News 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 Panasonic breaks ground on electric vehicle battery plant in Kansas Panasonic, a company from Japan, broke ground in De Soto, Kansas, on a new electric vehicle battery plant touted by Gov. Laura Kelly as a job creator. Life is certainly not a stroll in the park. With increasing cost of store-bought goods and wages remaining the same; the occasional faalavelave which takes so much money; it definitely isnt easy in Samoa. For Siatiu Ropati Auvaa, from the village of Toamua, she admits that her family goes through a lot of struggles. To answer you with complete honesty, these days, there is much struggle in Samoa, she told the Village Voice. My family is lucky that we pray a lot and the Lord continues to provide. The Lord is the only way to make anyones struggles a little easier to handle. But every day for my family is no walk in the park. Siatiu says her family would constantly walk very long distances if it meant saving 10cents on an item they wish to purchase. One of the reasons we struggle is the cost of living being so high, she said. We would walk long distances to get to store that sells what we need at a cheaper price. Even if it means were only saving a measly 10cents. Everything counts for my family. That 10cents can go a long way for my family because it can go towards helping pay for bills or even food for the family. No matter what, everyone needs money to live. Asked for a small glimpse into her familys daily life, Siatiu says they struggle a lot. My family goes through a lot on a daily basis, she said. We sometimes cant afford to send our children to school, we share our house with a few family members, and searching for enough money every day is not easy. You can grow your own food or do whatever to make a living, but without money, life will become tough for you. Money is needed for pretty much everything in this life. The land we are living on is leased to us and we have to pay $80 a week for it. If you look around, you will notice that theres only enough space for our house and nothing for a plantation. So even if we wanted to grow our own food, we simply cant. Siatiu says that her family migrated to Upolu from Savaii with hopes of a better life but was only met with more struggles. We are actually from Savaii, she said. The only reason we moved here is so that we can closer to the schools for our children and it will be easier to look for work. My husband is currently working as a carpenter and my son works for Taula and it hasnt been long since he started. Even with the money they make, it is not enough after paying for all the different bills and the food for the family. Aside from that, we have obligations that we need to take care of too. But at the end of the day, no matter how tough things get, Siatiu and her family remain happy. On the first day of the International Week of People with Disabilities, Nuanua o le Alofa (N.O.L.A.) hosted a council training at the TATTE Building in Apia. N.O.L.A. had selected 20 participants from Upolu and Savaii. Working with the Samoa Family Health Association, one of the topics covered was sexual reproductive health. As a result, the Samoa Family Health Association is opening its free clinic for people with disabilities in Upolu and Savaii to be checked. Counseling was also on the agenda. N.O.L.A. office manager, Faatino Utumapu told the Samoa Observer the training is extremely important. Some of them are blind, some of them have to use a wheelchair or crutches, she said about the participants. We have invited the disability sector to give us the representatives to attend this course. There were two members from the Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities and one from the Senese Secondary Inclusive Education. When we started the program, we were doing it for just a basic certificate. But after the recommendation of the training to these organizations, we structured the last two meetings in order for the members to understand the course fully. Only because it came from the charity of the members, we decided to continue. During the course, the participants also get the opportunity to present their own assignments. The training is funded by the Department of the Foreign Affairs and Trade (D.F.A.T.) of the government of Australia under the Samoa Disability Program. The training is among a series of activities to commemorate the International Week of People with Disabilities. Former Miss South Pacific and Miss Samoa, Manamea Schwalger, is facing a new battle. Having already been diagnosed with breast cancer, the latest medical report shows she now has a rare and incurable lung disease. This time a Givealittle page has been created to gather support to help her foot the bill for the new round of chemotherapy treatment she needs. The Givealittle page was created by Tina D, a long time friend of Manamea and her family. Mana's latest oncology reports (28 Nov 2016) show that the cancer has now metastasised into her lungs and her overall immune system is very weak, the page reads. Her oncologist has recommended a chemotherapy treatment plan that begins almost immediately (05 Dec 2016) with a round of Herception at a cost of NZ$11,000." Depending on how well Mana tolerates this, it will be closely followed by Taxol and Pertuzumab, bringing the cost of each chemotherapy cycle up to approx $NZD20,000." On top of those costs will be further radiological expenses (scans etc), plus the ongoing oncologist attendance. The number of chemotherapy cycles will be decided by Mana's oncologist as she very closely monitors Mana's tolerance of each treatment. The page says that funding is needed so that these treatments can begin immediately. At this point, almost all of Mana's and her family's personal funds are exhausted. Luckily, Mana's sister Via and her family live here in Auckland, so accommodation and transport is largely taken care of." Being a Samoan national, Mana is not entitled to any NZ funded chemo treatments, which is why we must pay for them." Please help us raise funds to contribute to Mana's continued treatment here in Auckland, in order that she may have the opportunity of more years to enjoy watching her children grow, and to spend more time with her family and loved ones. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any help you can give, and we intend to pay this forward in the future. About Mana She is a mother of five who lives in Tanumapua, Samoa. Her first rounds of chemo and surgeries (2015) were covered by the Samoan Medical Scheme, but that funding is limited. A former Miss South Pacific and Miss Samoa, Mana decided to use her speaking skills and public profile to go public with her breast cancer battle in Samoa, and has become the unofficial 'face' of breast cancer for women in Samoa. Mana wanted to raise awareness on the contributing risks to breast cancer in Samoa, and found that many Samoan women shied away from discussing breast cancer. In going public with her story, Mana hopes to shed light on the importance of early detection and recognising the symptoms of breast cancer. The following is the link to the page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/healing4manamea?_ga=1.168130404.459627008.1478155535# People in Samoa wanting to give can contact Tina D on 7771212.